Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Commentary: EU's new EVs tariff a self-inflicted flat tire Xinhua) 09:21, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Wednesday revealed a list of protectionist duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (EVs) from China, a shortsighted piercing into the tire of global free trade, the EU carmakers' competitiveness and consumers' welfare amid global challenges toward green transition. Such protectionist measures ignore the facts and WTO rules, and disregard the appeals and discouragement of the governments and industries of many EU member states. Such a move not only violates the legitimate rights and interests of China's EV industry but also wreaks havoc on the global automotive supply chain, including within the EU. The EU's politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues will sabotage the atmosphere of economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU, harm the interests of EU consumers, and undermine its green transformation and global cooperation on climate change. The EU's new tariff plan will poke another leak in the tire of global free trade. Since the industrial and supply chains of the auto industries of China and the EU are deeply integrated, EU policymakers should understand that in a globalized economy, imposing tariffs on EVs will further distort the market and fragment global supply chains, ultimately damaging its auto industry in the long term. The EU's new tariff plan is also putting the brakes on its carmakers' innovation and competitiveness. Some EU policymakers hold the mistaken belief that tariffs can shield its automakers from overseas competition. However, industry insiders and executives from leading European automakers argue that higher tariffs do little if anything in their favor. EU policymakers should acknowledge that the success of China's EV industry stemmed from open cooperation rather than protectionism. Farsighted carmakers like Volkswagen and Stellantis have already perceived new growth momentum after launching joint ventures with Chinese EV enterprises. The EU's new tariff plan comes at the expense of its consumers. Made-in-China EVs thrive in the EU because of their competitive prices, outstanding performance, and excellent service networks. The EU's new tariff will ultimately be shouldered by its consumers. The possible EU tariffs on imports of Chinese EVs would backfire with a "noticeable impact on bilateral trade and production in Europe" and result in "noticeably higher prices for end consumers," forecasted the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in a recent report. The EU's new tariff plan is impeding advancement toward a global green transition. China's EV industry not only supports its own emission reduction goals but also plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions in the EU and across the globe. As one of the most vocal advocates of global carbon neutrality, the EU should be reminded that its tariff against Chinese EVs would only dent its reputation in the global green drive. The EU policymakers should consider for themselves whether they pursue protectionist measures leading to a dead end or embrace opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In 2023, nearly 282 million people from 59 countries and territories faced acute food insecurity and needed urgent food and livelihood assistance according to the 2024 Global Report on Food Crises. Their report also lists five of these countries/territories (Palestine Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Mali) likely to reach catastrophe levels starvation, death, destitution and extremely critical acute malnutrition. Many of these countries/territories contain active conflicts. Food is a common weapon of war that has been used against civilian populations for centuries. Current conflicts are not an exception. Forced displacement goes hand in hand with acute food insecurity. The 59 countries/territories with food crises account for 90 million individuals forcibly displaced from their homes. Most are internally displaced in their own countries (64 million), and the rest are refugees, asylum seekers and migrants seeking resettlement elsewhere. Behind these huge numbers are human beings men, women and children made in the image of God. I live in Europe, and across my continent, anti-immigrant sentiment is growing. Mainstream and social media are filled with messages of fear about migrants. Terror is being cultivated toward the other. And yet only a small percentage of the worlds forcibly displaced ever even make it to Europe. Most reside in Africa and the Middle East, either internally displaced in their own country, or in neighboring countries where they have fled. These are the places where most hunger crises are, and the millions of displaced children are often the most affected. The Bible is filled with stories of welcoming and caring for those who are in need. Jesus tells one of those stories in Matthew 25: 3146 to illustrate to his followers how important this is. In Matthew 25:35 (NLT), he says, For I was hungry, and you fed me. This inspired the theme for this years World Refugee Sunday: hunger. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up On June 20, 2001, the United Nations launched the first World Refugee Day to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. World Refugee Sunday takes place on the Sunday immediately before or after World Refugee Day. In 2024, churches across the globe are invited to join together to pray for refugees and internally displaced people on June 16 and 23. World Refugee Sunday is an initiative of the Refugee Highways Partnership (RHP) in cooperation with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) that was launched more than 15 years ago. The event raises awareness and prayer for refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. This year RHP is encouraging the global Church to reflect on and pray for those who are suffering unimaginable pain caused by acute lack of food. A website for the World Refugee Sunday (iwas.live) provides a variety of resources for churches. It includes Sunday School materials for children and youth. There is also a section we call Global Kitchen. It has a collection of recipes churches, small groups, family and friends can make as well as discussion questions they can use to discuss the situation of the forcibly displaced while sharing a meal together. Inviting someone from a refugee background to join in the preparation and sharing of the meal further enhances this experience. Although the global refugee crisis is growing, hope is not lost. In my role as global coordinator of the Refugee Highway Partnership, Ive witnessed God calling everyday people to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they bring hope to refugees all along the highways that they travel. Just the other day, I heard a beautiful story from North America about a refugee family that came to the attention of a local church group. Under imminent risk, the family had to leave their baby behind because the baby did not yet possess a passport. The church rallied into action and petitioned government officials. Just before Christmas, the baby was reunited with their family in the US. And what a powerful testimony to this family of Christs love in action through his Church. All along the highways that refugees travel, ministries, churches and individuals are embodying Jesuss words in Matthew 25 by welcoming the stranger and finding creative ways of feeding the hungry. For example, one of our local partners in the Middle East found ways to consistently feed 300 Iraqi families who had been forced to flee ISIS throughout the pandemic. Another local partner in Southeast Asia established a school for forcibly displaced children. Yet another local partner, based in Kenya, is empowering refugee youth across Africa through youth leadership training. Jesuss exhortations in Matthew 25:3146 are for all of his followers. Wherever you find yourself, today, how might God be calling you be able to play a part in welcoming the stranger? Kaisa Golding is global coordinator of the Refugee Highway Partnership, an international network of churches, agencies and individuals serving forcibly displaced people. The RHP seeks to, together, advocate on behalf of refugees and serve the body of Christ by helping connect and equip the Church to welcome and assist refugees. Belgiums brewers saw volumes fall at home and abroad in 2023, according to figures released by the local industry association. Last year, 6.5m hectolitres of beer were sold in Belgium, down 5.8% on 2022, the Belgian Brewers trade body said. The association said the fall in domestic consumption was not new for the sector, pointing to declining sales for more than two decades. However, Belgian Brewers which counts Anheuser-Busch InBev among its members highlighted the 7.5% drop in export volumes brewers endured in 2023. Some 15m hectolitres of Belgian beer were sold outside the country, down from 16.2m in 2022. In 2019, the country sold 18.4m hectolitres of its beer in export markets. Belgian Brewers said higher costs, including for salaries and energy, had affected the competitiveness of its beer overseas. Our brewers are showing incredible resilience to meet the challenges they face as they have always done in the past. The glass is and always will be half full, Krishan Maudgal, the director of Belgian Brewers, said, with an eye on the country's recent election. We call on the political decision-makers of tomorrow to design thoughtful policies during the next legislature in order to guarantee, with us, the competitiveness of our sector and to protect and promote the culture of Belgian beer. France remained the biggest export market for Belgiums beer in 2023, although sales stood at just over 5m hectolitres, down from 5.7m hectolitres in 2022. Among the rest of Belgiums five biggest customers for its beer, sales also fell in Germany, where 666,916 hectolitres were sold, compared to 976,170 hectolitres in 2022, a drop of more than 46%. However, sales in each of the three markets making up the rest of the top five all grew year on year. Sales in the Netherlands, number two on the list, grew 2.5% to 3.6m hectolitres. In Spain, the third-largest market, sales were up 19.6% to 1.9m hectolitres. Italy overtook Germany to become the fourth biggest destination for Belgiums beer. Sales increased 14.6% to 994,711 hectolitres. According to the data, Belgium is the second-largest exporter of beer in the EU behind the Netherlands. While Belgiums beer exports to the EU were down 4.4% to 12.8bn hectolitres, shipments outside the bloc slid more than 22% to 2.21bn hectolitres. Dutch brewers saw their domestic beer sales fall in 2023, dropping 5.6% to 11.6m hectolitres. Exports dipped 1.5% to 12.7m hectolitres, according to local trade association Nederlandse Brouwers. Beer sales also fell in Germany in 2023 after a brief upturn a year earlier, according to federal data released in February. Exports were also lower year on year. Story continues "Belgium beer exports fall again in 2023" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, 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. It's not easy to beat the market. Only 8% of active large-cap fund managers have outperformed the S&P 500 over the last 15 years. Those who simply invested in an S&P 500 index fund, therefore, beat 92% of professional money managers. If you want to invest successfully, one of your best options is to stick with the S&P 500. But what if you want even more growth? The Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (NYSEMKT: VB) could be your best bet. Always try to minimize this one thing When it comes to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), there's one thing you should try to minimize: the expense ratio. This is what the fund charges you each year for investing in it. Expense ratios vary widely. Some charge you 1% to 2% per year, while others charge as little as 0.01%. If you lose 1% or 2% of your assets to fees each year, that's going to put a huge dent in your returns versus if you kept 99.9% of your money year to year. Expenses are one of the leading reasons most professionally managed funds underperform the market over the long term. As index fund guru Jack Bogle once said, "Investors as a group must underperform the market, because the costs of participation -- largely operating expenses, advisory fees, and portfolio transaction costs -- constitute a direct deduction from the market's return." Bogle founded The Vanguard Group in 1975 to help everyday investors avoid the big fees charged to them by other managers. Today, the company's ETFs are some of the most cost-effective options available. And one in particular -- the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF -- has outperformed the S&P 500 for decades at a time, even after factoring in expenses. This ETF can outperform the S&P 500 The S&P 500 is a large-cap index. Its portfolio is comprised of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. So the index does not include small-cap companies, which historically have outperformed larger-cap stocks. In general, small-cap stocks have shown more volatility over the decades than large-cap stocks. The reason makes sense: As smaller companies, these businesses have less scale, less access to capital, and are generally less proven. This elevated volatility, however, has produced above-average gains for investors willing to take on the extra risk. According to Wellington Management, over any 10-year investing period, small caps have beaten large caps two-thirds of the time. Since 1927, this outperformance would have added 2.87% of annual returns to an investor's portfolio. One of the best ways to invest in small-cap stocks is through the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF. The fund tracks the CRSP US Small Cap Index, which includes 1,417 small-cap stocks. Its expense ratio is just 0.05%, versus an average of 0.99% for similar funds. Story continues There's one catch, however: Recently, small caps have underperformed large caps. This is a rare occurrence. From 2005 to 2020, for instance, the Vanguard Small-Cap ETF beat the S&P 500 by several percentage points. Since then, however, it has lagged the market by a whopping 38%. This gap between small caps and large caps is the widest it has been since the dot-com bubble. "On a forward price-to-earnings basis, small caps are trading at 14x, versus large caps at 20x -- a 30% discount," Wellington Management says. There is no secret to beating the S&P 500: Small caps have a long history of doing so. If you want to beat the market over the decade ahead, your best option looks to be a small-cap ETF like Vanguard's, which offers instant exposure, low fees, and a historically low valuation. Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Small-Cap ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Small-Cap ETF, 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 Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Small-Cap ETF 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 $767,173!* 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 Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard Index Funds-Vanguard Small-Cap ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. You Can Do Better Than the S&P 500: Buy This ETF Instead was originally published by The Motley Fool Virginia Hambrick, 66, (not pictured) and her husband live on her $1,615 monthly Social Security income. They struggle to afford basic necessities like rent, groceries, and healthcare. blackCAT / Getty Images Virginia Hambrick is retired and lives on her $1,625 monthly Social Security income with her husband. Millions of older adults are facing financial challenges as many have limited retirement assets. As Hambrick struggles to afford rent and food, she worries she will have to return to work. Virgina Hambrick used her last $40 to visit urgent care. She hoped to avoid spending the money, but her bronchitis symptoms were getting worse and she needed to see a doctor. She felt healthier a week later, but limited health insurance means the urgent care co-pay took all the cash she had left. Hambrick's spending money is gone, her bank account is overdrawn, and she's "sitting around wishing it was two weeks from now" when she can cash her next Social Security check. "I don't even have $1 in my wallet," she told Business Insider. The 66-year-old lives in a rural area about 50 miles outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband. They both live off her $1,625 monthly Social Security income, according to documents reviewed by BI. Hambrick retired several years ago, and her husband hasn't had an income recently because he was caring for sick relatives. He's also 57 and not old enough to receive Social Security, which typically kicks in at 62. The couple's home is miles from the nearest grocery store, and it's difficult to go places because Hambrick can't afford a car. As bills keep piling up, Hambrick is worried she will have to go back to work something that seems impossible without transportation. Millions of Americans are in a similar position. Like ALICEs people who are asset-limited, income-constrained, and employed Hambrick doesn't qualify for most forms of government assistance, despite struggling to afford basic necessities. As the country faces a retirement crisis, older adults like Hambrick are especially vulnerable to financial challenges. Fifty-two percent of boomers have $250,000 or less in retirement assets, per an April report from the Retirement Income Institute, the retirement-focused research arm of the Alliance for Lifetime Income. The Census Bureau's Current Population Survey found that more than half of Americans over 65 have an annual income of $30,000 or less . And, while over half of older adult households rely on Social Security, the fund could run out by 2030. Hambrick's family was "extremely comfortable" with money throughout her childhood, but her daily expenses as an adult are a constant struggle. She's losing hope her financial situation will ever change. Story continues "I just keep putting one foot in front of the other," she said. "I don't want to be living under a bridge." Hambrick "never imagined" she would be struggling financially For Hambrick, hundreds of dollars a month in rent, utility, internet, and cellphone bills are difficult to afford on her Social Security income. She and her husband live in a house that has "16 different health code violations and those are just the ones I've seen," she said, adding that they will likely have to move soon. She had a retirement account from her former manufacturing job at Boeing. But, as money began to grow tight, she decided to withdraw her Boeing retirement funds to pay bills and unexpected expenses. She has worked in various jobs throughout her career, and left her most recent role in the hotel industry a couple of years ago. The couple now receives about $100 a month in SNAP food benefits. It helps them afford groceries, but they have to spend another $100 every month on things SNAP doesn't cover, like toilet paper, dish soap, and laundry detergent. Hambrick's refrigerator died in early June, causing nearly $300 worth of food to spoil. She doesn't have the money to replace it, so she and her husband "eat a lot of ramen noodles." Although she qualifies for some Medicare benefits, Hambrick said her income is considered too high for Medicaid, meaning she doesn't have health insurance for emergency or long-term care. She avoids going to the doctor, but medicine still costs about $150 a month out-of-pocket. There's also a lot of confusing paperwork, she said. Hambrick thinks she will have to return to work soon. She said she has multiple graduate degrees, is a former community college professor, and has decades of experience in the manufacturing and customer service industries. Hambrick "doesn't care" what she does next because it's difficult to get hired as an older adult. However, she can't afford the car payment or gas to drive anywhere for an interview or regular shift. And, even if she could get hired, Hambrick said she can't have a role that requires her to stand all day or lift heavy items because of her health. "If somebody wants to work around my limitations, then they would have a totally dedicated employee," Hambrick said. At this point in her life, she feels like she should be traveling to new places and having fun with her husband in retirement. She "never imagined" she would get to this point, she said. "I spend my money on the same thing that everybody else spends their money on," Hambrick said. "The only problem is my money is probably half of what everybody else has." Are you an older adult living paycheck to paycheck or on Social Security? Are you open to sharing how you spend your money? If so, reach out to this reporter at allisonkelly@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider Reuters Broadcom could be the next stock to reach a trillion-dollar market cap, Bank of America said. The chipmaker's stock is surging after its quarterly earnings beat estimates. Strong sales, a debt paydown, and lucrative acquisitions should keep up the firm's momentum, BofA said. Chip maker Broadcom looks like a contender to be the next member of the stock market's trillion-dollar club, Bank of America said Thursday. Investors cheered the semiconductor manufacturer in Thursday trades after it posted estimate-beating earnings and announced a 10-to-1 stock split. Shares soared, hitting an all-time high of $1,696 around 11 a.m. ET. Bank of America thinks Broadcom has even greater potential even after its big quarterly report. In a note published Thursday, analysts upgraded the firm's price target to $2,000, indicating about 18% upside from current levels. "We reiterate Buy, consider it a top AI pick (with NVDA) as AVGO appears uniquely positioned to grow in: 1) custom AI chips (complement to NVDA merchant accelerators), 2) Ethernet networking (levered to exponentially growing AI clusters), and 3) VMware upsell (enables enterprise to deploy on-premise AI)," the bank said. Broadcom is among a cohort of semiconductor manufacturers that have been buoyed up by the artificial intelligence frenzy, as their chips are used to power the underlying software. $3.1 billion in sales during the fiscal year's second quarter were tied to AI products, it said. Strong sales outlooks also helped Broadcom surge on Thursday, as it forecast $51 billion in sales this fiscal year, slightly above consensus. Bank of America sees this momentum continuing. For fiscal year 2025, it raised its sales forecasts to $59.9 billion, or a 16% increase year-over-year. Upside drivers will be semiconductor sales and Broadcom's VMWare, a software firm it acquired last year. "Second, we note AVGO's debt paydown ($8bn+ annual) that could create more room for further M&A next year. Third, the double digit FCF growth in FY24 could enable another 10% dividend raise towards the end of the FY," analysts wrote. If Bank of America's price target pans out, that would place Broadcom among an exclusive group of stocks with trillion-dollar market capitalization. The club's latest member is Nvidia, the semiconductor leader that was catapulted into sky-high valuations, thanks to its central role in the AI wave. Nvidia has broken out to soar even higher in recent months, joining Microsoft and Apple at the $3 trillion mark. Read the original article on Business Insider South Dakota Economic Development boards approve financing for projects across the state. PIERRE, S.D. The Governors Office of Economic Development Board of Economic Development approved six loans and two grants while the Economic Development Finance Authority authorized two bond resolutions. These projects reflect a capital investment of over $121 million and the creation of 148 full-time jobs. Aberdeen, Brandt, Lennox, Milbank, Toronto and Watertown are among the cities getting funds. The Governors Office of Economic Development is proud of the role they play in helping these companies grow, said Governor Kristi Noem. These companies and communities are choosing to make significant investments in South Dakota. Plainview Dairy, LLC near Toronto was authorized for up to $25 million in Livestock Nutrient Management bonds. When issued, the bonds will be used for solid waste management and disposal at the new dairy. Wildrose Dairy, LLC in Brandt was authorized for up to $4.8 million in Livestock Nutrient Management bonds. When issued, the bonds will be used for solid waste management and disposal functions at an expanding dairy farm. Midstates, Inc. in Aberdeen was approved for a South Dakota Works loan of $800,000. The loan will be used to purchase new printing equipment. JMP Design and Catering in Madison was approved for an a South Dakota Works loan in the amount of $549,696. The loan will be used to construct and furnish an event venue. RF Holdings, LLC of Watertown was approved for an a South Dakota Works loan in the amount of $364,000. The loan will be used to construct a new building and purchase equipment for Active Heating, Inc. as part of the business expansion. BibiSol, LLC in Sioux Falls was approved for a South Dakota Works loan in the amount of $57,300. The proceeds will be used for leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, and equipment purchases for a new restaurant. Never Too Busy Construction in Lennox was approved for a South Dakota Works loan of $46,500. The loan will be used to purchase an existing construction business. Grant County Development Corporation in Milbank was approved for a REDI loan of $426,025 to purchase vacant land for an industrial park. The City of Canton was approved for a Local Infrastructure Improvement Program grant of $423,000. The grant will be used to extend a street and related infrastructure within the Canton Industrial Park. The City of Dell Rapids was awarded an Economic Development Partnership Program grant for $1,000. The funding will be used to attend economic development training. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: South Dakota hands out loans to Brandt, Aberdeen, Watertown & Milbank Stephen Batiz / Getty Images/iStockphoto Californians in search of affordable housing are discovering that they have to leave major cities to find it. Discover More: Cheapest Places To Buy a Home in Every State Read Next: Become a Real Estate Investor for Just $1K Using This Bezos-Backed Startup Thats likely one factor in the declining populations of many of the Golden States major cities. Los Angeles County has about 340,000 fewer residents than it did in 2019, Realtor.com reported. The Los Angeles Times reported that San Francisco, San Diego and Santa Clara Counties have each seen population declines of about 40,000. To find affordable homes, Californians are leaving the big cities behind in favor of the suburbs. Heres where Californians are flocking to now, according to a Realtor.com report. MattGush / Getty Images/iStockphoto Riverside County, California Population growth: 12.4% from 2010 to 2022 Median list price: $609,184, according to Zillow Trending Now: Is Barbara Corcoran Right About the Housing Market? Be Aware: Dont Buy a House in These 5 US Cities That Have Shrinking Populations and Fewer Buyers Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. sanfel / Getty Images San Bernardino County, California Population growth: 5.94% from 2017 to 2022 in Chino; 12.1% from 2017 to 2022 in Victorville Median list price: $519,000 Consider This: Im a Real Estate Investor: 10 Places I Would Never Buy Property Shutterstock.com Placer County, California Population growth: 19.4% from 2010 to 2022 Median list price: $749,000 BondRocketImages / Shutterstock.com Yolo County, California Population growth: 4.26% from 2021 to 2022 Median list price: $645,000 Wirestock / Getty Images Fresno County, California Population growth: 9.1% from 2010 to 2022 Median list price: $439,000 All data is sourced from Realtor.com, unless otherwise noted, and is accurate as of June 7, 2024. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Californians Are Leaving Big Cities and Flocking To These 5 Affordable Areas (Reuters) -Coca-Cola and Starbucks have applied to re-register their trademarks in Russia to protect their intellectual property rights after exiting in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, domestic business newspaper Vedomosti reported. Coca-Cola filed three trademark applications in April, Vedomosti said, citing documents on the website of Russian intellectual property agency Rospatent. "Intellectual property assets are of high value and importance to the Coca-Cola Company, and we continuously take steps to enhance and reinforce these assets worldwide," a Coca-Cola spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters. "Our filings in Russia are intended to maintain our trademark rights." Starbucks filed eight similar applications in Russia at the end of May, Vedomosti reported early this month, citing Rospatent. "Starbucks routinely files trademark applications around the world to protect its brand," a spokesperson for the Seattle-based company said. Reuters was unable to locate the documents on Rospatent. The agency did not immediately respond to a comment request. Other Western firms such as Swedish furniture giant IKEA have filed similar trademark requests in Russia since shuttering their businesses. Starbucks, which once had 130 stores and nearly 2,000 employees in Russia, completed its sale in June 2023. The buyers reopened the chain as Stars Coffee. Coca-Cola officially stopped the sale in Russia of its key brands, Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Its former Russian division has rebranded as Multon Partners and sells a product called Dobry Cola (Good Cola). (Reporting by Lucy Papachristou and Gleb Stolyarov; Additional reporting by Richa Naidu; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Richard Chang) A German company will take its planned light manufacturing and assembly operation to Mascoutah after negotiations with owners of the St. Clair County Auto Mall in OFallon stalled, a spokesman reported. Pintsch North America, which specializes in railroad safety, worked out a deal with the owner of a grocery stores warehouse in Mascoutah, and relocated from Marion, Illinois, to 205 Harnett Street in Mascoutah on May 1. Russell Pratt, president of Pintsch, said talks had broken down with Capital Automotive Real Estate Investment Trust, based in Virginia, which currently owns, and leases, the auto mall property. The company, which specializes in auto dealerships, purchased the property from Jamie Auffenberg. In March, the OFallon City Council approved Pintschs rezoning request to renovate a 10,250-square-foot building on 1.76 acres at 141 Auto Court. That spot was used as the Auffenberg Dealer Groups paint booth, repair facility and photo booth to fix and promote the vehicles it was going to sell. The mall, located on 23 acres on U.S. Highway 50, has been vacant since July 2021, when Auffenberg moved its car dealerships to Shiloh, saying manufacturers and franchisors wanted major updates, and the buildings and parking lots were inadequate. The city of OFallon was great to work with, Pratt said. He and his family live there. I was negotiating with the cars group. It took me a year to negotiate terms. When I got the contract, it was 80 pages, he said. I just was not comfortable with it. Because of some of the changes made to the contract, Pintschs attorney advised against signing. Pratt said negotiations with Don Norrenberns went smoothly. The Norrenberns family had been in the grocery business for decades. There were no issues. The contract was eight pages. I couldnt have asked for a better person to deal with than Don, he said. It worked out to be a better deal. Pintsch will be able to renovate a 13,000-square-foot building, which is more space than the previous site has. The Pintsch companies are known internationally for railway wheel sensors, amplifiers, axle counting systems, and industrial products. Founded by Julius Pintsch over 175 years ago, the headquarters are in Dinslaken, Germany, with several other locations in that country and abroad. Pintsch has four employees in Mascoutah, but in three to four years, Pratt foresees hiring up to 12 people. We want to grow it even more, he said. When he took over for the retiring company president in 2021, he was directed to build up the business in the U.S., he said. Story continues Previously, products were flown into Chicago, then transported to Marion, but with Lambert International Airport in St. Louis having direct flights to Germany, they can decrease the travel time to Mascoutah. Mascoutah City Manager Cody Hawkins said Pintsch has been going through the permit process to renovate the interior for office space. The Route 4 commercial corridor is starting to pick up some steam, he said. With the expansion at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, the city is primed for growth. The terminal project will add 53,000 square feet. Its driving a lot of interest in the city, Hawkins said of the airport expansion. Another Business in Works for Auto Mall EquipmentShare would like to move its equipment rental business into 117 Auto Court, which had been used for Auffenberg Pre-Owned vehicle sales and Allstate Insurance offices in OFallon, according to a proposal presented to the city. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, it is a nationwide construction technology company. Plans are to renovate the 10,863 square foot building for its Advanced Solutions division. This division rents climate control equipment, compressed air systems, fluid solutions, power solutions, and industrial tooling solutions. The proposed store would rent small mobile power generators, pumps, and portable air conditioning units. The space will have outdoor inventory. After recommendations from the planning commission, the OFallon community development committee advanced EquipmentShares proposed planned use to the city councils June 17 meeting. It could be up for final approval July 1. For the auto mall site, Community Development Director Justin Randall has been working with the property owners to explore further options other than regional commerce. Theyve been open to look at different ideas and different concepts, Randall said. The debate over a bill that sought to prohibit so-called conversion therapies in Colombia was definitely shelved on Wednesday, according to pro-children and family legislators and activists. The so-called "Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression" (ECOSIEG) bill also dubbed Inconvertibles was supposed to be debated this week, raising concerns about the possible loss of parents authority over their children. The permanent delegate ambassador of Colombia to UNESCO, Viviane Morales, warned in the newspaper El Tiempo that the bill threatens parents with imprisonment for the crime of torture (from eleven to twenty-two years in prison) when they want to exercise their care and guidance over their minor children regarding such delicate issues as sexuality and family culture. Ahead of the scheduled debates, the Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL) called on the churches to participate in a national prayer and fasting plan, with intercession chains and vigils throughout the country. For each strategy, we are proposing the following prayers: Pray that the LORD heals our land (2nd Chronicles 7:14). Pray for the bill 270-2024 to be shelved in the First Commission of the Senate of the Republic, which will be held on Tuesday, June 11 (Jeremiah 29:12-13). And declare BLESSING on our nation Colombia (Psalm 33:12), CEDECOL wrote in a document that was shared with evangelical churches. Surprisingly, the debate was postponed on Tuesday due to lack of a quorum because only eight of the 22 senators who should have been present at the debate showed up. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Educational neuropsychologist Liliana Castaneda, an advocate for children and families who opposed the ECOSIEG bill, speculated that the inexplicable absence of the senators was due to a very important phenomenon [that] has happened here, [which] is that we have made a lot of noise at a social level. Many people are already aware of the project. Not all the Colombian population, but many people. So, I think that if somehow these senators were to come forward and approve the bill, it would be like a 'sacrifice' that they would make. [Because] we would bring their names to light and this could become their political death, she said. Castaneda also noted at that time, If this bill is sunk in this legislature, they would have to start the whole process again, and they have already won more than half of the process. Four debates are required for it to be approved in the country and they have already won two debates. So, if it is reintroduced, we start again from scratch. With the big difference that if they reintroduce it, many people will already know about the bill. She also commented that Colombia is characterized for being pro-family. Colombia is a conservative country. The common people who do not profess an evangelical Christian faith, but a Catholic faith, who are the great majority of Colombians in our nation, are defenders of the family and children," she said, noting that even the indigenous tribes went to collect signatures against the bill because they are in favor of the protection of children and the family. On Wednesday, the bill was supposed to be debated again. However, other items were being debated first with bill 270-2024 scheduled last and eventually there was not enough time to discuss it. According to the rules, it was the last opportunity to discuss the initiative, which means the bill was shelved. In a video disseminated on social media, Senator Lorena Rios of the Colombia Justa Libres party announced that the sinking of the bill 270 of the year 2024 called Inconvertibles was achieved because the term expired. Christian pro-family activist Jonathan Silva also released a video from the Senate of the Republic stating that the bill 270 Inconvertibles - ECOSIEG, which sought to harm children, attack the Catholic and Evangelical Christian Church, has just been sunk. Thanks to all those who united, those who collected signatures, those who prayed, those who believed that it could be done. We will continue to defend the truth as far as we can. Silva added that if it is presented again as it is, we will oppose it again... This is a miracle, a blessing! According to sources consulted by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily Internationals Spanish edition, the proponents of the legislation intend to reintroduce a bill next July. Are Dividend Stocks The Best Source Of Passive Income? Here Are Three Alternative Options To Consider Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Passive income is the dream for many investors, providing a steady stream of cash without the need for active involvement. Dividend stocks have long been a popular choice for those seeking to generate passive income, but are they truly the best option? In this article, well explore the appeal of dividend stocks and examine three alternative options that could potentially offer even better returns. The Appeal of Dividend Stocks Dividend stocks provide investors with regular income in the form of quarterly or monthly payouts and the potential for capital appreciation if the stock price rises. Popular choices among dividend investors include AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE). AT&T is known for its high yield, with a forward dividend yield of 6.30% and an annual payout of $1.11 per share. However, the companys dividend growth has stalled in recent years, with a 5-year CAGR of -6.16% and no dividend increases in the past year. Pfizer, on the other hand, offers a forward dividend yield of 6.07% and an annual payout of $1.68 per share. The company has a strong track record of dividend growth, with 13 consecutive years of increases and a 5-year CAGR of 4.59%. However, Pfizers payout ratio of 116.20% suggests that the current dividend may not be sustainable in the long run. Despite their attractive yields, dividend stocks are not without their drawbacks. They are vulnerable to market volatility, and a declining share price can negate the returns earned through dividends. For example, AT&Ts stock price is down roughly 27.5% over the past five years, resulting in a total return of only 7% during that period. Similarly, Pfizers stock price has dropped approximately 32% over the past five years, leading to a total return of -16.5%. Alternative Passive Income Options to Consider While dividend stocks can be a reliable source of passive income, they are not the only option available to investors. In fact, exploring alternative investments can help diversify your portfolio and potentially provide even higher returns. Here are three alternative passive income options worth considering: Fractional Real Estate Ownership Arrived is a groundbreaking platform that allows investors to buy shares in rental properties with minimal capital, making real estate investing accessible to a broader audience. Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived has a proven track record of success, with over $161 million in assets under management and an average annual dividend yield of 4.2%. One of the key advantages of investing through Arrived is the low entry point. With a minimum investment of just $100, anyone can start building a diversified real estate portfolio and earning passive income from rental properties. Arriveds user-friendly platform and expert property management team make the process simple and hassle-free, allowing investors to sit back and watch their investments grow while collecting monthly rental income. Real estate has long been considered a hedge against stock market volatility and Arrived makes it easier than ever to add this valuable asset class to your portfolio. By investing in rental properties through Arrived, you can enjoy the benefits of real estate ownership without the responsibilities of being a landlord. Click here to explore investments currently available on the Arrived platform. Private Credit Through the Ascent Income Fund via EquityMultiple The Ascent Income Fund from EquityMultiple offers an attractive opportunity for accredited investors interested in earnings higher yields from private credit investments. With a historical distribution yield of 12.1%, this fund focuses on senior positions in commercial real estate loans, providing investors with the potential for substantial income. The Ascent Income Fund is designed for investors who understand the risks and rewards of private credit investing. By targeting senior positions in commercial mortgages, the fund aims to mitigate risk while still providing attractive returns. And with a reduced minimum investment of $5,000 for first-time investors, the fund is now more accessible than ever. EquityMultiples experienced team of real estate professionals carefully selects and manages the funds investments, ensuring that each opportunity is thoroughly vetted and aligns with the funds objectives. With a focus on capital preservation and quarterly liquidity options, the Ascent Income Fund is an intriguing option for investors seeking to diversify their passive income streams. Click here to learn more about the Ascent Income Fund and how you can tap into this high-yield opportunity. Private Credit Through the Private Credit Fund from Arrived For non-accredited investors looking to tap into the private credit market, Arriveds Private Credit Fund offers an exciting opportunity. With a target yield of 7% 9% and a low minimum investment of just $100, this fund makes private credit investing accessible to a wider range of investors. The Private Credit Fund from Arrived invests in short-term loans that are used to finance professional real estate projects, such as property renovations, rehabs, or new home construction. These loans are secured by residential housing, providing an added layer of protection for investors. The funds focus on residential real estate and its diversified portfolio of loans help to mitigate risk while still offering the potential for attractive returns. One of the key benefits of the Private Credit Fund is its monthly dividend payouts, which provide investors with a steady stream of passive income. And with quarterly liquidity options, investors have the flexibility to access their capital if needed. For those who dont meet the requirements to be an accredited investor, Arriveds Private Credit Fund offers a unique opportunity to participate in the private credit market and potentially earn higher yields than traditional fixed-income investments. Click here to start building an income portfolio through the Arrived Private Credit Fund with as little as $100. Comparing Dividend Stocks and Alternative Options When considering passive income investments, its essential to understand the different risk levels and potential returns associated with each option. Dividend stocks may offer more liquidity, but alternative options like fractional real estate ownership and private credit funds can potentially provide higher yields. Diversification is also crucial when building a passive income portfolio. By spreading your investments across different asset classes and strategies, you can minimize risk and ensure a more consistent income stream. While dividend stocks like AT&T and Pfizer remain a solid option for generating passive income, they are not the only game in town. Fractional real estate ownership and private credit investments can offer compelling alternatives with the potential for higher returns and greater diversification. Take the time to investigate these alternative passive income investments further, and consider how they might fit into your overall financial strategy. With the right approach and a well-diversified portfolio, you can work towards achieving your passive income goals and securing your financial future. Learn more about each of these alternative income investments here: 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. This article Are Dividend Stocks The Best Source Of Passive Income? Here Are Three Alternative Options To Consider originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Emirates Development Bank (EDB) and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing international trade services. This collaboration will combine EDB's extensive client base and robust financial operational capabilities with CBD's advanced trade finance expertise, unlocking new growth opportunities for businesses across the UAE. Under this strategic alliance, CBD will deliver a comprehensive suite of trade finance products and operational services to EDB's clients This initiative is designed to empower businesses to expand their portfolios and excel in the international trade arena. Key services will include handling Letters of Credit and Guarantees along with supporting foreign currency payments, ensuring a seamless and efficient trading experience. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, said: "We are pleased to partner with Commercial Bank of Dubai to offer innovative and comprehensive trade finance solutions. This partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing our trade finance offering, supporting businesses across the UAE. By leveraging our combined expertise and resources, we are dedicated to forging strategic partnerships that will bolster the UAE's economic development and strengthen its position as a global hub for trade and investment." Bernd van Linder, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank of Dubai, added: "We are delighted to join hands with EDB to embark on this journey that will bring new opportunities and growth for both of the organisations. This partnership highlights our shared vision of empowering businesses in the global trade landscape. Together, we will redefine standards and set new benchmarks for success." This partnership signifies an advancement in the financial landscape of the UAE, positioning both EDB and CBD as leaders in facilitating international trade and economic competitiveness. The collaboration allows EDB to leverage CBD's extensive network and processing capabilities, offering clients a broader range of benefits. Meanwhile, CBD stands to gain increased volumes of trade business, opening new revenue streams and enhancing fee income. "Emirates Development Bank and Commercial Bank of Dubai forge partnership" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, 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. Before she was CEO, Ariane Gorin appeared at Skift Forum Europe in London in 2022. Skift Expedia Group in recent years has shed around a half-dozen brands, and it is continuing the purge with the closure of ebookers UK on September 4. The decision to shutter the brand came while Peter Kern still headed Expedia Group as CEO, although it wasnt publicized at the time. ebookers UK, however, will fade into oblivion under the leadership of the Groups new CEO, Ariane Gorin, who took over the top slot last month. An announcement on the ebookers UK website says Expedia Group will retire the ebookers UK website and its Bonus + loyalty program in the UK on that date. ebookers traces its roots to 1998; a predecessor website, Flightbookers, is said to have launched the first UK online travel agency website a couple of years earlier. An Expedia Group spokesperson told Skift we decided that those travelers would get the best experience on Expedia instead of ebookers UK. Expedia Group of late has put little or no marketing resources into ebookers UK, a near-full service travel site. It had a fraction of Expedia UKs website traffic. The calculation as to where to retain an Expedia Group brand other than Expedia.com or Hotels.com, for example, pertains to brand strength. In a place like Australia, for example, where the parent companys Wotif brand remains strong, it would be short-sighted to eliminate it. The move was part of the drive, which began under ex-CEO Peter Kern, to simplify Expedia Groups operations. Under his tenure, which ended last month, Expedia sold or shuttered Egencia, SilverRail, Classic Vacations, Expedia Group Multifamily, Alice, and BodyBuilder.com. Kern stayed on as Expedia Group vice chairman, a post hes held since 2018. ebookers websites and the Bonus + loyalty program, which offers up to 5% cash back and the ability to redeem rewards on hotels, will remain operational in Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy and Sweden. The move comes as Expedia Group is poised to launch its One Key loyalty program from the U.S. into parts of Europe. One Key combined the distinct loyalty programs of Group brands Expedia, Hotels.com and Orbitz, and expanded it to Vrbo. ebookers UK customers will be able to travel on their existing reservations without disruptions, and have the ability to change or cancel reservations after September 4 on their ebookers UK Trips pages after the September 4 closure or by contacting customer service, the announcement said. They can still earn Bonus + awards through September 4, said Expedia Group, which thereafter plans to transfer those awards at full value to customers One Key accounts on Expedia, Hotels.com or Vrbo. If the ebooker UK customer doesnt have a One Key account in one of those three brands, they would get an Expedia account, the company stated. Story continues Expedia Group inherited ebookers in 2015 when it bought its parent company, Orbitz Worldwide, for $1.6 billion. Note: The headline and story were updated to reflect the fact that the decision to shutter ebookers UK came under the tenure of now ex-CEO Peter Kern. Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Skift.com. As global markets navigate through a mix of economic signals, Sweden's market remains a point of interest for investors looking for stable dividend yields. Amidst this backdrop, understanding the characteristics of top-performing dividend stocks becomes crucial, especially in an environment where careful selection aligns with long-term investment stability and income generation. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Sweden Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Zinzino (OM:ZZ B) 4.26% Betsson (OM:BETS B) 6.30% Loomis (OM:LOOMIS) 4.30% HEXPOL (OM:HPOL B) 3.25% Axfood (OM:AXFO) 3.12% Duni (OM:DUNI) 4.77% Nordea Bank Abp (OM:NDA SE) 8.04% Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (OM:SEB A) 5.59% Avanza Bank Holding (OM:AZA) 4.28% Bahnhof (OM:BAHN B) 4.09% Click here to see the full list of 22 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Avanza Bank Holding AB, along with its subsidiaries, provides savings, pension, and mortgage products in Sweden and has a market capitalization of approximately SEK 43.40 billion. Operations: Avanza Bank Holding AB generates its revenue primarily from commercial operations, totaling SEK 3.84 billion. Dividend Yield: 4.3% Avanza Bank Holding's dividend yield stands at 4.28%, ranking in the top 25% of Swedish dividend payers, with a history of increasing dividends over the past decade. Despite this, its dividend payments have shown volatility and inconsistency. The company's recent performance includes a net income rise to SEK 555 million in Q1 2024, up from SEK 501 million year-over-year, supported by significant customer growth and robust net inflows totaling SEK 34.9 billion in 2024. OM:AZA Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Nordic Paper Holding AB operates in the production and sale of natural greaseproof and kraft paper across Sweden, Italy, Germany, other parts of Europe, the United States, and internationally with a market capitalization of approximately SEK 3.37 billion. Operations: Nordic Paper Holding AB generates its revenue primarily from two segments: Kraft Paper, which brought in SEK 2.23 billion, and Natural Greaseproof paper, contributing SEK 2.19 billion. Dividend Yield: 7.9% Nordic Paper Holding's recent dividend reduction to SEK 4 per share reflects a cautious approach amid financial results showing a dip in Q1 2024 sales to SEK 1.21 billion from SEK 1.31 billion year-over-year, and net income decreasing to SEK 149 million from SEK 173 million. Despite this, the dividend yield remains competitive at 7.92%, supported by a cash payout ratio of 78%. However, the company's high debt levels and unstable dividend history since it has been paying dividends for only three years suggest potential concerns for long-term sustainability. Story continues OM:NPAPER Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Solid Forsakringsaktiebolag operates in the non-life insurance sector, offering products to private individuals across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and other European countries, with a market capitalization of approximately SEK 16.18 billion. Operations: Solid Forsakringsaktiebolag generates its revenues primarily through three key segments: Product (SEK 328.53 million), Assistance (SEK 339.51 million), and Personal Safety (SEK 423.71 million). Dividend Yield: 5.2% Solid Forsakringsaktiebolag, recently initiating dividends, declared SEK 4.50 per share at its AGM on April 25, 2024. With a dividend yield of 5.2%, it ranks well in the Swedish market. The payout ratio stands at a sustainable 50.2%, with earnings and cash flows sufficiently covering this distribution (cash payout ratio of 86.5%). Despite trading at a significant discount to fair value and showing robust earnings growth of 21.4% last year, its short dividend history raises questions about future reliability and growth potential. OM:SFAB Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Key Takeaways Explore the 22 names from our Top Dividend Stocks screener here. Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up. Simply Wall St is your key to unlocking global market trends, a free user-friendly app for forward-thinking investors. Want To Explore Some Alternatives? 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 OM:AZA OM:NPAPER and OM:SFAB. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Dividends Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR) recently announced a dividend of $1.62 per share, payable on 2024-06-28, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-06-14. 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 Extra Space Storage Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Extra Space Storage Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with EXR. 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? Extra Space Storage is a fully integrated real estate investment trust that owns, operates, and manages almost 3,700 self-storage properties in 42 states, with over 280 million net rentable square feet of storage space. Of these properties, approximately one half is wholly owned, while some facilities are owned through joint ventures and others are owned by third parties and managed by Extra Space Storage in exchange for a management fee. Extra Space Storage Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Extra Space Storage Inc's Dividend History Extra Space Storage Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2004. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Since 2009, Extra Space Storage Inc has increased its dividend each year, earning it the status of a dividend achiever. This accolade is reserved for companies that have increased their dividends annually for at least the past 15 years. Extra Space Storage Inc's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Extra Space Storage Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Extra Space Storage Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.08% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.10%, indicating an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, the annual dividend growth rate was 21.60%, decreasing to 15.60% over a five-year period and 14.50% over the past decade. Based on the current dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost for Extra Space Storage Inc stock is approximately 6.36%. Extra Space Storage 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. As of 2024-03-31, Extra Space Storage Inc's dividend payout ratio is 1.35, which may suggest concerns about the sustainability of the company's dividend. However, Extra Space Storage Inc's profitability rank of 9 out of 10, combined with a decade of positive net income, underscores robust profitability prospects. Story continues Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook Extra Space Storage Inc's growth rank of 9 out of 10 illustrates a strong growth trajectory relative to its competitors. The company's revenue per share and 3-year revenue growth rate of 13.10% annually outperforms approximately 78.57% of global competitors. Furthermore, the 3-year EPS growth rate of 12.80% per year and a 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 15.30% also indicate strong performance. Concluding Insights on Dividend Sustainability Considering Extra Space Storage Inc's consistent dividend payments, robust dividend growth rate, manageable payout ratio, and strong profitability and growth metrics, the company presents a compelling case for dividend investors. The balance of growth and profitability suggests that the dividends are not only sustainable but also poised for future growth. 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. The board of Far East Holdings Berhad (KLSE:FAREAST) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 5th of July, with investors receiving MYR0.06 per share. Despite the cut, the dividend yield of 3.0% will still be comparable to other companies in the industry. View our latest analysis for Far East Holdings Berhad Far East Holdings Berhad's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions Unless the payments are sustainable, the dividend yield doesn't mean too much. Prior to this announcement, Far East Holdings Berhad was quite comfortably covering its dividend with earnings and it was paying more than 75% of its free cash flow to shareholders. The company is clearly earning enough to pay this type of dividend, but it is definitely focused on returning cash to shareholders, rather than growing the business. If the trend of the last few years continues, EPS will grow by 26.0% over the next 12 months. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 51%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend. Dividend Volatility Although the company has a long dividend history, it has been cut at least once in the last 10 years. The dividend has gone from an annual total of MYR0.0655 in 2014 to the most recent total annual payment of MYR0.11. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 5.3% per annum over that time. It's good to see the dividend growing at a decent rate, but the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Far East Holdings Berhad might have put its house in order since then, but we remain cautious. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. We are encouraged to see that Far East Holdings Berhad has grown earnings per share at 26% per year over the past five years. The company doesn't have any problems growing, despite returning a lot of capital to shareholders, which is a very nice combination for a dividend stock to have. In Summary In summary, dividends being cut isn't ideal, however it can bring the payment into a more sustainable range. While Far East Holdings Berhad is earning enough to cover the dividend, we are generally unimpressed with its future prospects. We would probably look elsewhere for an income investment. It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Far East Holdings Berhad that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. BARI, Italy (AP) The Group of Seven leading industrialized nations turned their attention to migration, artificial intelligence, economic security and the Indo-Pacific region on Friday, the second and final day of their summit in Italy. The G7 leaders stressed their determination to meet global challenges at a crucial moment in history. The gathering in a luxury resort in Italys southern Puglia region also discussed other major topics, such as financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, climate change, Iran, the situation in the Red Sea, gender equality and Chinas industrial policy and economic security. We are working together and with others to address the pressing challenges of our time, the G7 leaders said in a final communique, noting their solidarity with Ukraine, support for a deal that would lead to an immediate cease-fire and release of hostages in Gaza, investment in sustainable infrastructure in Africa and commitments to address climate change and migration. Divisions did emerge during the summit, however, notably over the lack of a reference to abortion in the summit's final declaration. Asked if the G7 gathering has lived up to expectations, French President Emmanuel Macron was circumspect. The aim of the G7 is to create convergence and be able to remove misunderstandings. Its not a place where you decide emergency measures or regulate things, he said, adding that there was true convergences on Ukraine and Mideast. It was a useful G7, with useful results, Macron said. "The coming weeks will create the conditions for political opportunities in particular around the two conflicts. Migration was the first topic of discussions Friday, with the leaders mulling ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys. The issue is of particular interest to summit host Italy, which lies on one of the major routes into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Right-wing Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, known for her hard-line stance on migration, has been eager to increase investment and funding for African nations as a means of reducing migratory pressure on Europe. The leaders launched the G7 Coalition to prevent and counter the smuggling of migrants, the summit's final declaration said, noting the seven nations would focus on the root causes of irregular migration, efforts to enhance border management and curb transnational organized crime, and safe and regular pathways for migration. Story continues British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he and Meloni - who he described as fantastic - saw eye to eye on migration. We cant have criminal gangs decide who comes to our countries," Sunak said. Meloni has a controversial five-year deal with neighboring Albania for the Balkan country to host thousands of asylum-seekers while Italy processes their claims. She has also spearheaded the Mattei Plan for Africa, a continent-wide strategy to increase economic opportunities at home and so discourage migration. For its part, Britain has a deal to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, although no flights have yet taken off. Human rights organizations have blasted the agreement as unethical and unworkable. The United States has also been struggling with a growing number of migrants. President Joe Biden introduced new policies to curb migration after a bill he tried to get through Congress failed to pass. However, the future of the new policies is unclear after immigrant rights advocates challenged them with lawsuits. Apart from the G7 nations of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S., the Italian hosts also invited several African leaders Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Kenyan President William Ruto and Tunisian President Kais Saied to press Melonis migration and development initiatives. But rights groups decried what they said was a lack of ambition in support for developing countries. The ONE Campaign, which advocates for investment in Africa, said it had found the G7 and EU institutions' share of aid going to Africa was at its lowest point since 1973. Without any concrete action, the G7 in Italy amounts to no more than pointless platitudes, said David McNair, executive director at The ONE Campaign. Although the summit's final statement reflects promises of increased partnership between the G7 and Africa, there are very few specifics on what new financing, if any, will be available. Pope Francis also became the first pontiff to address a G7 summit, delivering a speech on artificial intelligence. Other invitees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The summit opened Thursday with a strong show of support for Kyiv: an agreement on a U.S. proposal to back a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the freezing of Russian assets as theft and vowed it will not go unpunished. Biden also signed a bilateral security agreement with Zelenskyy, aiming to send a signal to Russia of American resolve in supporting Kyiv. But some cracks appeared among the G7 leaders, notably French President Emmanuel Macron deploring a lack of a reference to abortion in the summit's final document. The statement after last years summit in Hiroshima, Japan, expressed a commitment to provide access to safe and legal abortion to women and girls, and pledged to defend gender equality and the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community. The word abortion was absent from this year's final communique, although it included a reference to promoting sexual and reproductive health rights. It was not possible to reach agreement on these things in the room, a senior EU official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to reveal details of the private discussions. Asked on Thursday about reports that abortion would not be included in the final text, Macron said it was something he regretted. France has included womens right to abortion, the freedom of decision on ones own body, into its Constitution, he said, adding that France defends this vision of equality between women and men. Its not a vision thats shared across all the political spectrum, Macron said, replying to a question from a reporter. Meloni, who campaigned on a God, Family, Fatherland motto, has denied she is rolling back rights to abortions, which have been legal in Italy since 1978. But the center-left opposition has warned that her initiatives are chipping away at those rights, including by giving pro-life groups access to women considering abortions. ___ Associated Press writers Colleen Long in Borgo Egnazia, Italy, Maria Grazia Murru in Bari, Italy, and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report. Leaders from the Group of Seven nations meeting in southern Italy have agreed to provide a $50 billion loan to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against the ongoing Russian invasion that began in early 2022. Roughly $300 billion in frozen Russian assets held largely in European banks will provide collateral for the loan, and interest produced by those assets will be used to cover loan repayments owed by Ukraine. The U.S. will reportedly underwrite the loan, to be distributed before the year is over, but other members of the G7 which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.K., in addition to the U.S. are expected to provide funds as well. One official referred to the still-developing arrangement as a loan syndicate led by the U.S. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was present at the beginning of the G7 meeting, thanked the group for the loan, which he said would be used for both defense and reconstruction purposes. He also called on the leaders to go further and seize the Russian assets in full an option that has met resistance in the European Union due to concerns about legality and how international capital markets might react. Speaking to reporters at the meeting, President Joe Biden said the loan agreement sends a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He cannot wait us out, he cannot divide us, Biden said. We're going to stand with Ukraine. Biden said two additional steps taken at the meeting a bilateral security agreement signed between the U.S. and Ukraine, and new sanctions on countries aiding Russia reinforce the message. Writing about the plan in The New York Times, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the loan will provide Ukraine with a decisive amount of funding that sends a clear message to Putin from the U.S. and its allies: We are in it for the long haul. European Council President Ursula von der Leyen, who also attended the G7 meeting, struck a similar tone. It is a strong signal that we are sending to Ukraine that we will support Ukraine in its fight for freedom for as long as it takes, she said. It is also a strong signal to Putin that Putin cannot outlast us. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. ROME The team-up between KNDS and Leonardo last December to build tanks and fighting vehicles was touted as a key step towards well timed European defense industry integration as the continent faces war on its border and growing competition from overseas. The aim is to create a truly European Defense Group, the firms said at the time. The spectacular collapse of the deal this week was a sharp reminder that business is business and deals will never get far if CEOs believe they will not make money. Bolstered by a government-to-government accord between Rome and Berlin, the December pledge between Franco-German consortium KNDS and Italian defense giant Leonardo envisaged potential collaboration on a new Italian five billion euro program to build fighting vehicles and the possible entry of Italy into a KNDS plan for a new European tank. It also laid the groundwork for what could have been a keystone in industrial integration: a stake for Leonardo in KNDS, which is consortium of Germanys Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Frances Nexter. But in the short term the deal to kick things off was a major, 8.2 billion ($8.8 billion) acquisition by Italy of 270 Leopard 2A8 tanks, a program agreed hurriedly by Italy last year to honor NATO commitments as tank warfare grabbed headlines in Ukraine. As they planned an assembly line for the tanks in Italy, Leonardo managers also saw chances to add their own electro-optical sensor, software defined radio, command and control system and possibly the gun barrel, only for manufacturer KNDS to baulk at the idea that a tank they had sold in a very standard format to 18 customers should be customized. In a sharply worded press release on Tuesday, KNDS said it is no longer in talks with Leonardo regarding a potential partnership with the Italian company. According to German and Italian analysts, political goodwill and strategic visions for European synergies could not stand in the way of balance sheets. If it was a case of electronics and additional drones, there could have been a way to plug in Italian systems, but a gun may have been considered too much, said Christian Molling, the deputy director of the German Council on Foreign Relations Research Institute. It may have created extra costs and risks that KNDS did not want. Their production is full so they didnt need to compromise. Talks wont change industrial reality which is driven by the wallet and not by political visions, he said. Alessandro Marrone, who heads the defense program at Rome think tank IAI, said Italy had lacked leverage with KNDS because the Leopard purchase was undertaken in a hurry. Story continues Thanks to a growing demand for Leopard in Europe KNDS is in a stronger position than before. Italy had to decide and plan the replacement of its main battle tank years ago, but after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the urgency to modernize Italian armys heavy capabilities by replacing its obsolete Ariete tank reduced Romes leverage a partner, he said. The collapse of talks, he added, tells us that it is difficult to find a solid agreement even where there are good reasons to do so and the chances of success are high. Defence cooperation and integration are the goals restated by European politicians over the last decade in many strategic documents, but the reality is more complicated. If Leonardos potential entry into KNDS as a stakeholder is now also less likely, Molling said Italys participation in the KNDS-led Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tank program could still go ahead. That is not off the table, firms can be competitors and partners, he said. Molling said that in any case he still had doubts the MGCS program would get fully off the ground. It may turn into an evolutionary program, a kind of laboratory to develop add-ons for the Leopard, he said. That however will not benefit Italy if it does not now buy the Leopard and instead opts for Rheinmetalls prototype Panther. Given that the Panther is still at the early stages of development, there may be room for the input of Italian systems if Rome signs up. But Molling said cost would again be a factor. Can Rheinmetall match the 10-12 million euros cost of a Leopard? he said. NEWS PROVIDED BY Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights June 14, 2024 NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League: Rachel Levine, President Biden's assistant secretary of health, should be celebrating Father's Dayhe has two childrenbut he won't be. That's because he thinks he is a woman. But he didn't celebrate Mother's Day either. Why would a parent not celebrate one of these two days? Rachel was born Richard Levine. Even though virtually all of the mainstream media falsely refer to him as a she, he knows he's a man and he knows he fathered two children. But he doesn't like it when people tell him the truth. He prefers it when they lie. Four years ago, a Pittsburgh-area lawmaker wished him a Happy Father's Day. That didn't sit too well with Rachel or his friends. Cora Brna, a transgender advocate, said, "It's just hateful. It's disguised as a joke, but it's not funny." But why is it "hateful" to congratulate a father on Father's Day? Rachel was raised in Boston by two lawyers. He attended an elite all-male Hebrew school. After graduating from Harvard he went to Tulane Medical School. He didn't "transition" until he was in his fifties, after seeing a therapist. Did he finish the job and have his genitals cut off? He won't say. When asked by Sen. Rand Paul at his confirmation hearing, the senator asked if he believed minors should be able to "amputate their breasts or amputate their genitalia." He wouldn't say. The best he could do was to say the issue is "very complex." He did not indicate why a question about self-mutilation was complex, especially given that those undergoing the knife are children. It needs to be added that the Biden administration and the National Education Association are both on record saying that minors should be able to "transition" behind the backs of their parents. For more on this subject, and many other issues, see my new book, Cultural Meltdown: The Secular Roots of Our Moral Crisis. It will be published by Sophia Institute Press on June 18 and is available now for pre-order at Amazon. (Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc. will have to defend itself at trial against all of the US Justice Departments claims of a Google monopoly in online advertising technology after a federal judge rejected the tech giants request to decide the case ahead of time. Most Read from Bloomberg Were going to let this go to trial as scheduled in September, US District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema said Friday at a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. There are way too many facts in dispute, she said. Google had sought summary judgment in the case, asking that it be decided before a trial. The company argued antitrust enforcers failed to show that it controls at least 70% of the market for display advertising shown on the open web and that Google doesnt qualify as a monopoly. Companies sued for antitrust violations often seek to avoid or narrow the issues to be presented at trial. In the Justice Departments other antitrust suit against Google over its search business, the tech giant persuaded a judge to throw out some of the claims brought by state attorneys general before the trial, which occurred last fall. Last year, the department sued Google, alleging that it monopolized the market for advertising technology used to buy, sell and serve video and display ads online. The agency asked for a jury trial after seeking damages on behalf of federal government agencies that bought online ads. But Brinkema ruled last week that the case will proceed as a bench trial with no jury after Google cut a cashiers check for $2.3 million to cover the governments alleged damages. At Fridays hearing, Brinkema also disqualified one of the experts that Google had sought to call at the September trial, finding that his testimony was not necessary or relevant to the case. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PayPal Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) is just one of the many fintech companies that, over the past three years, have missed its numbers repeatedly. As one of the most popular payment companies offering ways to send and receive money securely, the company has sharply underperformed. Spun off from eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) in 2015, this business has grown impressively, doubling from 180 million users in 2015 to 380 million by 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic changed many things that year: it became trendy for payments and receiving money, as most people were forced to work from home and had to shop online. Its user count was growing by 24% year over year. Fast forward, things have changed for the company, and its fortunes have turned sourit no longer grows as it used to when it was the primary payment platform on eBay. The stock, in turn, has plunged from record highs of $308 per share, thus far shedding almost 80% of its market value, to current lows of about $66. The stock, trading at 2.30 times sales, is rated among the worst-performing stocks in the payment sector. Over the past three years, PayPal has faced significant pressure, but the tide appears to be turning in its favor. After an 80% sell-off, it may now be undervalued. However, the stock has started to show signs of bottoming out, as indicated by the moving average convergence and divergence indicator moving above the zero line, signaling a potential increase in buying pressure. Impressive 1st-Quarter Results Spark PayPal's Comeback PYPL Data by GuruFocus New CEO drives record-breaking performance PayPal is powering through 2024 with a bang and outperformed analysts' expectations in the first quarter. With a new CEO, Alex Chriss, who took charge half a year earlier, the fintech giant saw its core business operations gain some tangible growth. The achievement of such a target is largely attributed to its strategic initiatives to curtail operational costs and increase transaction volumes. The company's financial performance in the first quarter was impressive, with reported revenue of $7.70 billion, reflecting growth of 9%. This growth was primarily driven by a 14% surge in the total payment volume, which reached $404 billion. The increase in the number of payment transactions per active account to 60 from 53 was a clear indication of the increased engagement and usage of the PayPal platform, marking a 13% increase. Additionally, the transaction margins in the first quarter significantly improved and increased by 4% to $3.46 billion. Thus, an increasing transaction margin is the key measure the company can use to monetize its transactions, even amid the challenges of the generic market. In turn, non-operating income increased significantly by 18.20% year over year to reach $1.40 billion, representing effective asset management externally to the key PayPal business. Story continues Finally, the strong financial results are also indicative of the tight lid the company has been able to keep on operational expenses, resulting in higher operating margins than forecasted. It recorded the small but important growth of its active accounts, which rose by 1% to 427 million. Meanwhile, monthly active accounts increased 2% to 220 million, whereas payment transactions increased 11% to 6.50 million, suggesting activity by users has continued to grow and engagement with the platform has increased. Impressive 1st-Quarter Results Spark PayPal's Comeback Source: PayPal PayPal pivots to AI: Revolutionizing checkout with game-changing Fastlane technology PayPal is pivoting deeper into artificial intelligence as it looks to enhance its operations and address some of the issues that have affected its performance in the past. The push into AI is also part of a plan to rejuvenate the company's appeal and usability in the highly competitive fintech sector. What PayPal has done now, harnessing the power of AI, is reinvent the checkout experience. Fastlane is completely one-click, username-less and password-lessyou do not even have to share the username or password. And already, with just this checkout timesaver using AI innovation, the company is expected to slice off up to 40% of its checkout times while the cart-to-checkout conversion rate goes up by a further 70%. As per CPA and strategy consultant Andrew Gosselin, PayPal can regain dominance by leveraging AI to personalize and streamline its checkout process. AI analyzes customer data to make tailored recommendations and cash-back offers, optimizing payment options based on past behavior. This enhances the customer experience and significantly boosts conversion rates, as seen in a test with BigCommerce, where rates increased from a range of 40% to 45% to 70%. Hence, these AI-driven innovations drive higher sales and engagement, positioning PayPal as a leader in fintech. Therefore, with the revolutionary technology, PayPal also offers smart receipts that will help users efficiently track their purchases. Merchants will also include AI-powered personalized recommendations and reward offers in receipts. Launch of PYUSD Stablecoin unlocks new growth and cross-border potential PayPal became the first significant financial services company to launch its stablecoin last year as part of its push for growth opportunities in the burgeoning sector. While the company does not post crypto-related earnings on its fillings, the unit has been growing in strength, with the CEO insisting there are compelling unit economics and market upside. For starters, PayPal has already confirmed its cross-border money payment unit, Xoom, will allow customers to send and receive PYUSD stablecoin abroad with zero fees. PayPal's venture into stablecoins is not just a response to the growing interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, but a strategic move to capitalize on this trend. Thus, leveraging its robust regulatory framework compliance history and its focus on enhancing fiat-to-crypto processes, the company is positioning itself to attract a substantial share of institutional investment dollars. Therefore, the company remains well-positioned to tap into the growing demand for stablecoins and their potential role in transforming financial systems. Market expectations and operational efficiency At the same time, it also became clearer how efficient PayPal has been on an operational basis, with adjusted operating expenses plummeting 6.40% on a quarter-over-quarter basis to $1.73 billion. This decline underscores PayPal's strategic direction in terms of cost control and improvement in efficiency, which is set to continue into the next quarter. Such practices are very important in that they reduce the margin dilution effect arising from the operations of Braintree. Moreover, the company is intensively expanding its Branded Checkout business, which has grown by 7% year over year and is starting to add positively to the financial metrics. Though Braintree is a low-margin operation, it is now contributing 37% of PayPal's total payment volume, compared with a lesser share in years past. This has diluted PayPal's overall margins a bit now that it is integrated, but Braintree is more than pulling its weightit has grown 26% by TPV year over year. Lastly, new in-app offerings and user-experience improvements drive an ongoing relationship with users, increase reach and attract new customers, all of which support TPV growth and financial health. Impressive 1st-Quarter Results Spark PayPal's Comeback Concluding thoughts Analysts remain bullish on the company's prospects, with consensus forward estimates indicating a compound annual growth rate of 7.70% for top-line growth and 11.10% for bottom-line growth through fiscal 2026. The new projections have come far ahead of the previous estimate and, therefore, reflect a confident response to the strategic direction of PayPal and the pace of profitability growth. Also, the company has a solid track record of returns to shareholders, having retired 5.40% of its float in the past 12 months and significantly deleveraging its balance sheet. These last three years were when PayPal underperformed; the growth metrics took a hit. On the other hand, the current valuation of the stock makes it more attractive: shares have dropped over 80% from the 2021 highs and now reflect a deep market correction. The first-quarter 2024 results indicate PayPal is indeed going into a year of transition, but is also on track for revenue and earnings growth recovery. As the new management team starts to take on a turnaround strategy, it now appears PayPal is going for a major overhaul. Lastly, the stock is presently undervalued, so it may be a good opportunity for long-term investors to pick up PayPal as a value proposition in technology. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. As the German market shows modest gains with the DAX index up by 0.32%, investors are keenly observing trends and shifts within Europe's largest economy. In this context, growth companies with high insider ownership stand out as potentially resilient investments, particularly in a landscape where strategic decisions closely align with shareholder interests. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Germany Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth pferdewetten.de (XTRA:EMH) 26.8% 75.4% Deutsche Beteiligungs (XTRA:DBAN) 35.4% 31.6% YOC (XTRA:YOC) 24.8% 22.2% NAGA Group (XTRA:N4G) 14.1% 58.1% Exasol (XTRA:EXL) 25.3% 107.4% Alelion Energy Systems (DB:2FZ) 37.4% 106.6% Stratec (XTRA:SBS) 30.9% 22% elumeo (XTRA:ELB) 25.8% 99.1% Redcare Pharmacy (XTRA:RDC) 17.7% 46.9% Your Family Entertainment (DB:RTV) 17.5% 116.8% Click here to see the full list of 18 stocks from our Fast Growing German Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Brockhaus Technologies AG operates as a private equity firm with a market capitalization of approximately 309.25 million. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through its Security Technologies and Financial Technologies segments, totaling 39.43 million and 153.43 million respectively. Insider Ownership: 26.6% Earnings Growth Forecast: 74.2% p.a. Brockhaus Technologies AG, a German growth company with significant insider ownership, has shown a mixed financial performance. Despite reporting a net loss of 1.38 million in Q1 2024 and 3.34 million for the full year 2023, the firm is optimistic about its future, projecting strong revenue growth between 220 million and 240 million for 2024. This forecast suggests an organic growth rate significantly higher than the German market average. Additionally, Brockhaus has initiated its first dividend payment at 0.22 per share, indicating confidence in its financial health and commitment to shareholder returns. XTRA:BKHT Ownership Breakdown as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Deutsche Beteiligungs AG is a private equity and venture capital firm focusing on direct and fund of funds investments, with a market capitalization of approximately 533.40 million. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through two segments: Fund Investment Services, which contributes 47.85 million, and Private Equity Investments, accounting for 55.15 million. Story continues Insider Ownership: 35.4% Earnings Growth Forecast: 31.6% p.a. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, a German growth company with high insider ownership, recently initiated a share repurchase program valued at 25 million, signaling strong confidence in its own stock. Despite a significant drop in half-year revenue from 103.33 million to 49.98 million and net income falling to 24.6 million, the company is poised for robust future growth with earnings expected to grow by 31.56% per year and revenue forecasted to increase by 24.7% annually, outpacing the German market significantly. XTRA:DBAN Ownership Breakdown as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Stratec SE, operating globally, specializes in designing and manufacturing automation and instrumentation solutions for in-vitro diagnostics and life sciences, with a market capitalization of approximately 0.59 billion. Operations: The company generates its revenues by providing automation and instrumentation solutions primarily in the fields of in-vitro diagnostics and life sciences across Germany, the European Union, and other international markets. Insider Ownership: 30.9% Earnings Growth Forecast: 22% p.a. Stratec SE, a German growth company with substantial insider ownership, has shown mixed financial performance recently. Despite a decline in quarterly and annual sales and net income as reported in its latest earnings, the company remains priced well below estimated fair value, suggesting potential upside. Stratec is expected to see earnings grow by 22% annually over the next three years, outperforming the broader German market's growth rate. However, challenges include lower profit margins compared to last year and debt levels not adequately covered by operating cash flow. XTRA:SBS Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024 Taking Advantage Click through to start exploring the rest of the 15 Fast Growing German Companies With High Insider Ownership now. Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance. Enhance your investing ability with the Simply Wall St app and enjoy free access to essential market intelligence spanning every continent. Looking For Alternative Opportunities? 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 XTRA:BKHT XTRA:DBAN and XTRA:SBS. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. Business owners are excited about the impending sale of the Country Club Plaza. The Kansas City mayor said the sale is ready to happen. Some store owners have been located on the Plaza for years, others are thinking about filling a vacant storefront with word of the sale. Mayor Quinton Lucas calls it one of the most exciting things bound to happen in Kansas City this year. In spite of being well beyond the Dallas based buyers original goal of closing the deal by the end of 2023, Lucas said it will happen soon. KC community comes together to celebrate abuse victims 18th birthday It is imminent, it is impending and its exciting, Lucas said. Everybodys excited about this sale, owner of Larissas Plaza Tailor Shop Michael Naumov said. For more than 20 years, Naumov and his family have owned Larissas Plaza Tailor Shop. He said several vacant store fronts now plague the plaza. I dont think Ive seen this many empty stores, since Houstons closed and Zacolos closed, and Chuys closed, and a lot of restaurants closing and leaving, he said. He hopes the impending sale of the Plaza means new life and more foot traffic. Were a small independent family-owned business. So, for us its a little easier, Naumov said. for more corporate bigger stores, restaurants its a lot hard, it definitely affects it. Lucas said the deal will be signed soon. He went to Dallas in the spring to mee with the owners of Highland Park Village, the potential buyers. Lucas said people can expect the ownership group to bring back unique brands and local businesses, along with more office space and housing. How the U.S. could play in Kansas City in 2026 World Cup I think exciting for us to be able to say how can we look at a regeneration of retail opportunities, dining opportunities, or public safety, which the group, Highland Park Village in Dallas, has spent a lot of time working on, and I really think it really will be a public private partnership. He also believes public safety will be a priority. I think it really will be a public-private partnership, not just in funding and looking at any type of support that they may look at from the city of Kansas City, but also, in how we can do safety better, how through more private security, working closely with KCPD, to make sure everyone can feel safe when theyre on the Country Club Plaza, Lucas said. So I think this is one of the most exciting things that is bound to happen in Kansas city this year. Domhnall Molloy is a co-owner of the Summit Restaurant Group. They just opened a ninth restaurant in the Kansas City metro and own eateries like 3rd Street Social and Summit Grill. Story continues He said theyve looked at the plaza a few times, but never made the jump due to expensive hurdles that worked against them. Molloy said hes hopeful that could change with new ownership of the Plaza. Hopefully with the new ownership, maybe theyve got a better deal, and theyre able to make rent more aligned with the market and hopefully we can get some more independent restaurants back on the Plaza, Molloy said. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri I definitely just want to see more businesses, Naumov said, less empty stores. Hes looking forward to a change in ownership of the Plaza. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER / Getty Images While there are certainly some purchases self-made millionaires will think twice about making on vacation, like novelty souvenirs that arent exactly ROI-positive, it is the price tags tied to experiences and explorations that tend to be money well spent. Ask yourself: What kind of opportunity can money buy during this trip you wont find anywhere else? Trending Now: Barbara Corcoran: Heres Why I Never Fly First Class Read More: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy GOBankingRates spoke to self-made millionaire Dr. Ann Kaplan, who travels extensively and is always looking for adventure and new experiences. Heres what this self-made millionaire splurges on during her vacations. Hiring Private Guides If youre visiting a region where its possible to have a private guide take you on an experience, Kaplan recommended hiring a private guide. Private guides may be available for a wide range of adventures, such as zip lining in Costa Rica, going on a safari or paddle boarding in Brazil. Check Out: 3 Places To Travel That Are Like Hawaii but Way Cheaper Dining at a Unique Restaurant You can make your vacation splurge one where you dine out for every meal or visit a Michelin star restaurant or you can kick it up a notch even further. Kaplans recommendation is to dine at a location that provides a unique experience that takes eating there to the next level. For example, you might find theres an opportunity to eat at a restaurant that offers guests a private luau on a Hawaiian beach or the sky dining concept, in which you can enjoy a hot air balloon ride and gourmet dishes at the same time. Booking a Yacht If you are on coastal waters, like Carpi, Amalfi Coast, Alaska or the Hawaiian Islands, book a yacht to take you from port to port, Kaplan recommended. Not only will you not have to pack a bag every night you can wake up to a new experience each day. Seeking Out Private and Remote Locations While you can certainly stay at a hotel in a bustling metro, its not a bad idea (money permitting) to splurge on staying in a private or remote location. Kaplan said The Brando, a private island resort in French Polynesia, is one of her favorites to visit. Guests can splurge on dinner in the French restaurant or book a private boat to the healing waters of the Queens Bath. GOBankingRates visited The Brandos website to see what other exclusive incentives are available to guests and was pleasantly surprised at what we found. Currently, theres an exclusive Fly Free Offer for guests who stay a minimum of two nights, which allows for flying for free to the enchanting atoll of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia. Story continues Booking a Private Plane If youre heading to another location that isnt too far away, you can take the ferry or splurge on booking a helicopter or private plane to get there. The way you travel between ports or cities can be part of the experience, Kaplan said, adding, as an example, taking a helicopter from Antigua to Barbuda for lunch at Nobu. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Self-Made Millionaire: 5 Things I Always Splurge On During Vacations MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com Mark Cuban is known for his savvy business skills, owning the Dallas Mavericks, and, of course, his long run on Shark Tank, but he wasnt always wealthy. The investor is now worth $5.4 billion, and part of Cubans climb to success was not using credit cards. For You: Check Your $2 Bills They Could Be Worth a Ton Try This: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money If you use your credit cards, you do not want to be rich, he said on an episode of The Ramsey Show. Thats my favorite line; I tell it to people all the time, he added. Cuban went on to share that people ask him where to invest all the time, and his response is to pay off all credit cards and burn them. Your credit card, you know what your return is, he told Ramsey. If youre paying 15%, 20% interest, if you pay that down, you just earned 15% or 20%. Credit cards are a part of our everyday lives, and with Americans $1.12 trillion in credit card debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is Mark Cuban on to something? GOBankingRates spoke with financial experts who provided their insights on the practicality of not using credit cards and managing them effectively. Using Credit Cards Can Be Risky While credit cards are a convenient way to pay for things, they can also get you into financial trouble. Mark Cubans advice to cut up credit cards might sound drastic, but it carries a strong message about financial discipline, Shawn Plummer, Financial Advisor and CEO of The Annuity Expert, said. While its true that some people rely on credit cards for emergencies and building credit scores, the risks of high-interest debt and overspending are real concerns. Eric Mangold, CWS Founder of Argosy Wealth Management, added, While credit cards can be a convenient tool, its very easy to go down in a hole with them. Meaning that its not hard to accumulate a lot of debt on your card. When you do that, the interest charges alone can make it hard for you to climb out of that hole. Credit Cards Dont Have to be Bad While Cuban has sworn off credit cards and always advises not to use them, Plummer has a different take. Personally, I believe that credit cards arent inherently bad; its how we use them that matters, he told us. Being smart with credit cards means understanding their terms, paying off balances in full each month, and avoiding unnecessary purchases. There are definitely other factors to consider, such as budgeting, saving, and financial education, which can all contribute to a healthier financial life. The Benefits of Using a Credit Card When used correctly, credit cards can provide financial advantages, Plummer stated. Story continues When managed well, credit cards can offer benefits like rewards, cashback, and the opportunity to build a strong credit history. Trending Now: How Much Does the Average Middle-Class Person Have in Savings? How to Be Smart with Credit Cards Using credit cards doesnt have to equate to debt if you use them wisely and responsibly. Mangold suggested that you Remind yourself that a credit card should be used as a charge card. Meaning, if you made purchases during the month where you needed to use your credit card, do your best to pay it off the card every month so interest doesnt build up. He also stated, Credit cards should be used out of convenience, i.e. you dont have that amount of cash on you. It should not be used to make purchases that are out of your budget. Having boundaries is another important factor in credit card usage. Plummer advised to Set spending limits and use credit cards for planned purchases rather than impulse buys. Remember, the key is to leverage credit cards as tools for financial growth, not as a means to live beyond your means. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Mark Cuban Says Not To Use Credit Cards Should You Take His Advice? Amid a backdrop of fluctuating global markets, Germany's DAX index has shown resilience with a modest increase, reflecting cautious optimism among investors. In these times, dividend stocks in Germany could offer potential stability and steady returns, making them an appealing consideration for those looking to diversify their investment portfolios. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Germany Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Allianz (XTRA:ALV) 5.38% Edel SE KGaA (XTRA:EDL) 7.01% Deutsche Post (XTRA:DHL) 4.79% Deutsche Telekom (XTRA:DTE) 3.42% SAF-Holland (XTRA:SFQ) 5.20% MLP (XTRA:MLP) 4.78% INDUS Holding (XTRA:INH) 4.76% DATA MODUL Produktion und Vertrieb von elektronischen Systemen (XTRA:DAM) 6.10% Mercedes-Benz Group (XTRA:MBG) 8.33% Uzin Utz (XTRA:UZU) 3.17% Click here to see the full list of 33 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: MLP SE operates as a financial services provider catering to private, corporate, and institutional clients primarily in Germany, with a market capitalization of approximately 0.70 billion. Operations: MLP SE generates revenue through various segments, with Financial Consulting contributing 0.43 billion, FERI at 0.22 billion, Banking operations at 0.20 billion, DOMCURA accounting for 0.13 billion, Germany Real Estate at 0.05 billion, and Industrial Broker adding another 0.04 billion. Dividend Yield: 4.8% MLP SE, trading 35.8% below its estimated fair value, offers a dividend yield of 4.78%, ranking in the top 25% in the German market. Despite a volatile dividend history over the past decade, recent earnings growth (9.5% annually over five years) and forecasts (8.85% per year) suggest improvement. Dividends are well-covered by earnings with a payout ratio of 62.3% and strongly supported by cash flows with a cash payout ratio of just 10.9%. Recent activities include consistent share buybacks and an inclusion in Germany's SDAX Index, enhancing its investment profile amidst fluctuating dividends. XTRA:MLP Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: K+S Aktiengesellschaft operates globally as a supplier of mineral products for various sectors including agricultural, industrial, and consumer markets, with a market capitalization of approximately 2.28 billion. Operations: K+S Aktiengesellschaft generates its revenue primarily from the Europe+ operating unit, which contributed 3.67 billion. Story continues Dividend Yield: 5.5% K+S Aktiengesellschaft experienced a significant decline in sales and net income in the recent quarters, with Q1 2024 sales dropping to 988 million and net income to 18.6 million from much higher figures a year prior. Despite these challenges, the company maintains a dividend of 0.70, although its sustainability is questionable given the unprofitability and inadequate coverage by earnings or free cash flow. The past share buyback program may offer some investor confidence, but overall dividend reliability remains uncertain due to historical volatility and current financial pressures. XTRA:SDF Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: WashTec AG specializes in providing car wash solutions across Germany, Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific, with a market capitalization of approximately 0.55 billion. Operations: WashTec AG generates revenue primarily from its operations in North America, contributing 98.39 million. Dividend Yield: 5.4% WashTec AG's dividend yield stands at 5.39%, ranking in the top 25% of German dividend payers. However, its payout ratio is high at 106.6%, indicating dividends are not well covered by earnings, though they are supported by a more reasonable cash payout ratio of 53.5%. Despite a historical increase in dividends, their reliability has been compromised by volatility over the past decade. Recent financials show a slight decline with Q1 2024 sales and net income dropping to 100.76 million and 3.12 million respectively from higher figures last year, suggesting potential pressure on future payouts. XTRA:WSU Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Turning Ideas Into Actions Click this link to deep-dive into the 33 companies within our Top Dividend Stocks screener. Already own these companies? Link your portfolio to Simply Wall St and get alerts on any new warning signs to your stocks. Unlock the power of informed investing with Simply Wall St, your free guide to navigating stock markets worldwide. Ready For A Different Approach? 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 XTRA:MLP XTRA:SDF and XTRA:WSU. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com By Noel Randewich (Reuters) - Tesla shareholders approved CEO Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package in a what was seen as an endorsement of his leadership, but the electric car maker's stock remains richly valued even after several years of weakness in shares. Shareholders at Tesla's annual general meeting on Thursday re-approved Musk's 2018 record-setting compensation that backers said is necessary to keep the billionaire focused on the car company. While Musk could still face a long legal fight to convince a Delaware judge who invalidated the pay package in January, Tesla's stock rose nearly 3% on Thursday ahead of the meeting after Musk posted on his social media platform X that he had won shareholder approval. Even after Thursday's gains, Tesla's shares have tumbled 27% this year, and its market value has been more than halved to $582 billion from its November 2021 high as Tesla faces fierce competition in China from BYD and other EV makers selling less-expensive cars. Tesla's shares received a badly needed boost after Musk said on April 23 that Tesla would release more affordable new models in 2025. Its quarterly revenue fell for the first time since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hampered production and deliveries. In the meantime, Wall Street's other tech heavyweights have soared. Amazon and Alphabet have each gained over 20% in 2024, Meta Platforms surged more than 40% and Nvidia has nearly tripled. Tesla's stock market value has also been overtaken by Eli Lilly and Broadcom. Analysts' optimism for Tesla has cooled dramatically. The average analyst price target for Tesla is now $181, down from $226 at the start of 2024, and just a shade below Thursday's closing price of $182.47, according to LSEG. Musk has told investors they should view Tesla as an "AI robotics company" rather than a car maker, and its stock has long traded at earnings multiples higher than many technology companies as well. Tesla shares are priced near 61 times expected earnings, up from about 22 in January, though that is far below a price-to-earnings ratio of 150 reached in November 2021. By comparison, General Motors and Ford Motor are trading at forward PE multiples of 5 and 6, respectively, while Toyota is trading at 9 times expected earnings, according to LSEG. In another reflection of Tesla's high valuation relative to its business, Tesla's stock market value is equivalent to almost $6 million per employee, down slightly from two years ago, but still almost 20 times higher than GM and Ford, which each have about $300,000 in market value per employee. Story continues Unlike GM and Ford, part of Tesla's employee base works at service centers around the world, equivalent to GM and Ford's independently owned dealership networks. Even after its decline, Tesla remains the world's most valuable automaker, far ahead of Toyota, the worlds biggest automaker by volume. Toyota has a stock market value of about $270 billion. In 2020, Tesla's surging stock made the company more valuable than the combined value of Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, GM, Ford and BMW. In January, Tesla's falling share price caused its value to dip slightly below the combined value of the other major automakers. (Reporting by Noel Randewich in Oakland, California; Editing by Matthew Lewis) (Reuters) -The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions said on Friday that Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Jorgensen has agreed to testify voluntarily in a hearing focusing on U.S. prices for weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. A U.S. Senate health panel vote that was scheduled for its June 18 meeting, to decide whether to subpoena Novo to answer questions about U.S. prices for the blockbuster drugs, is no longer necessary and will be canceled, Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs the committee, said. The subpoena would have required Novo President Doug Langa to testify at a July 10 hearing. Jorgensen will testify before the committee, and the hearing will be held in early September. Novo charges Americans $1,349 a month for Wegovy, while it can be purchased for $140 in Germany and $92 in the UK, Sanders said. "The Committee looks forward to Mr. Jorgensen explaining why Americans are paying up to ten or 15 times more for these medications than people in other countries," Sanders added. In April, Sanders sent a letter to Langa seeking more information on U.S. prices for the two drugs. Novo responded with a letter in May blaming the U.S. health system for the high prices, according to a report. (Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) Older Americans are stashing thousands around the house. Here's why this practice can lead to lost wealth Adrienne Volpe almost threw out her grandmothers collection of books after she passed away a decision that could have lost her a small fortune. My grandmother had pressed thousands of dollars in single bills inside books, Volpe told the New York Times (NYT), recounting how she thought she would find autumn leaves within the pages instead. Don't miss Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how Volpes grandmother had stashed about $10,000 in bills as small as $20 within her books. Children and grandchildren of older Americans report finding hidden cash and valuables in their loved ones homes after they die like under the mattress or even inside a freezer due to mistrust in financial institutions. But this practice can lead to potential wealth-building losses and complications for your loved ones after you pass. Why you risk losing money by storing it in the sofa While you might have concerns about fraudsters accessing your bank account and siphoning funds from your savings there are plenty of risks in leaving bundles of cash at home as well. Experts note that your valuables could get stolen, destroyed by a disaster, like a fire, or even pocketed or misused by a family member. Plus, you could lose out on potential wealth-building opportunities by not investing this money and benefiting from compound interest growth. The lost interest it probably would have been double, just by having it in the bank all these years versus having it in the bottom of a closet, said Patrick Simasko, an estate lawyer in Mount Clemens, Michigan, who once uncovered nearly half a million dollars in cash and gold in the home of an older client who had hired him to execute her estate. Some professionals say they often see this cash hoarding behavior among baby boomers and the silent generation particularly those who grew up during the Great Depression and the bank failures of the 1930s. However, Mark Criner III, senior trust strategist for Baird Trust in Scottsdale, Arizona, noted that some folks from certain minority communities are prone to this practice as well. Thats borne of minorities lack of access to these institutions for decades, and even when there was access, there was a lot of abuse, Crimer told the NYT. They werent always treated fairly or dealt with honestly. Story continues 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 Problems for your loved ones after you pass Volpe isnt the only one whos nearly lost an inheritance to the trash bin due to a dead relatives secrecy Susan Camp told the NYT she and her brother unknowingly tossed $5,000 in cash their deceased father had packaged in aluminum foil and stored in the freezer (they later retrieved it). She also found another $6,000 in a box for cologne. Experts say hiding your valuables at home and failing to keep records of ownership or through a detailed will can create problems for your loved ones after youre gone. Your heirs might never find your stashed funds or there can be conflict over who is entitled to what. Its just messy, its unofficial and it can lead to accounting nightmares, Criner said. Its important to make financial plans for the long term including for what happens after youre gone. Try to ease the inheritance process for your loved ones who will likely be grappling with their grief as well by writing up (and regularly updating) a clear and comprehensive will. In some cases, folks facing cognitive decline, like with Alzheimers or dementia, may start experiencing paranoia and exhibiting cash hoarding tendencies. Experts recommend appointing a financial power of attorney who can take over financial decisions making when youre not able as well. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Paul Fillingim, who teaches theater at Reagan High School, has been named an Inspiring Teacher by the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. Courtesy Reagan Stage Reagan High School theater teacher Paul Fillingim had no idea he had been nominated for a national award until he learned he had won. Fillingim, 44, is one of two educators who will be singled out for Inspiring Teacher Awards as part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards. He and Jacqueline McLean, who teaches at LeRoy Jr.-Sr. High School in Rochester, N.Y., will receive their awards June 24 in New York City. "I've just been sort of in a continual state of shock for the last month," said Fillingim, who was sworn to secrecy until the Broadway League Foundation announced the award on Wednesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Singer-songwriter and actor Josh Groban will host the awards. The heart of the 15th annual event will be the performances by 102 gifted actors from all over the country vying for top honors and scholarship money. The actors all won regional competitions. The two representing South Texas Harlan High School student Kruz Maldonado and McAllen High School student Victoria Martinez were the big winners at the Joci Awards, which are produced by San Antonio's Majestic Empire Foundation. Cameron Duggins, from right, who played the Beast opposite Taylor Jaeger in Reagan High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast," nominated teacher Paul Fillingim for an award by the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Fillingim won, and will accept the award in New York on June 24. Courtesy Reagan Stage Fillingim started teaching at Reagan eight years ago. Until he got there, the school had not participated in the Jocis. The first year the school entered, it sent two finalists to the Jimmys. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Honestly, we were all just flabbergasted," he said, noting that later, two more students made it to the Jimmys. "It just seemed like this crazy thing that would never happen. They only send two out of every major city. The chances of having that happen are just so miniscule, and so the fact that we've had it happen multiple times is just insane." The Lubbock native was nominated for the teaching award by Cameron Duggins, who went to the Jimmys last year and now is studying vocal performance at Northwestern University. Fillingim got to see a video that Duggins submitted as part of the nomination. "It's hard for me not to cry hearing all that he was saying, because he said he feels like I created a safe space for students to be who they are and to fully embrace their authentic selves and and to create that environment," he said. "I feel like Cameron was a huge part in creating that environment as well." Fillingim is the first San Antonio teacher to receive the award. This is the second year winners were selected from a pool of nominees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He is the second San Antonian to be singled out by the Jimmys in a big way. Nicholas Barron, who was a student at the North East School of the Arts at the time, won one of the two top awards given to students during the 2022 competition. The Reagan theater program will receive $2,500 as part of Fillingim's award. The money will come in handy. The school's production lineup for the 2024-2025 school year includes "The Outsiders," "Anastasia," "Dearly Departed" and "The Drowning Girls." It also will be working on a staging of "Tartuffe" for UIL competition. "It could go to a variety of things," Fillingim said. "The costumes for the musical are incredibly expensive, the rights are incredibly expensive. So it's not hard to spend $2,500 on a theater program." The partnership between Vero Beach Regional Airport and Breeze Airways seems to be a rip-roaring success. In April, the Salt Lake City-based airline announced its first monthly profit, which its CEO attributed to flights it has operated to and from Vero Beach. Although Breeze has scaled back its flight schedule during the summer, it was regularly breaking monthly passenger records as its flights gained in popularity. Breeze has been offering flights between Vero Beach and northern cities near major metropolitan areas specifically Islip, New York; Hartford, Connecticut; White Plains, New York; and Providence, Rhode Island. Breeze seems to have found a niche for travelers who prefer to avoid busy airports in South Florida and the northeastern corridor. It's a strategy that bodes well for the Vero Beach airport's future growth. Managing future growth won't necessarily be a breeze Vicki Matteson, vice president of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, John Cotugno, mayor of Vero Beach and Brian McCormick, director of airport properties, facilities and contract services for Breeze Airways, spray the second Breeze Airways flight to Vero Beach with champagne during a inaugural celebration on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. Therein lie a couple of problems. First, one of the strongest selling points for flying into or out of Vero Beach is the relative lack of crowds. If Breeze continues to add flights, and other airlines follow suit, then the airport runs the risk of becoming more congested. That's been on the mind of airport director Todd Scher. "We have talked about having an hour and a half between flights to reduce the impact that a delayed flight has on the next flight and reduce stress on airport staff," Scher said in April. "We are trying to optimize the number of people that the airport can accommodate at one time, and keep it as comfortable for everyone as possible." Besides passenger and staff comfort and convenience, there are financial considerations as well. Scher said the Florida Department of Transportation determines funding levels for airport capital improvement projects by commercial airline passenger enplanements. Airports that enplane fewer than 100,000 commercial airline passengers annually are eligible for FDOT funding at 80% of costs for projects like runways, taxiways, parking aprons and lighting. Airports with more than 100,000 commercial airline passengers per year are only eligible for FDOT funding at 50% of project costs. For now, Vero Beach Regional is below the threshold that would reduce state funding. Scher said the airport had 42,394 enplanements in 2023, with 49,490 through May 31 of this year. There is expected to be a lull in the passenger count during the offseason before the flight schedule picks up again this fall and winter. Meanwhile, just a few miles to the south, Treasure Coast International Airport in Fort Pierce continues to seek certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin scheduled commercial flights. It's not clear when that's going to happen, but county officials have said achieving that certification is a priority. Story continues A ready-made solution in the waiting Fly the Whale, a New York-based commuter airline, makes its inaugural arrival at the Treasure Coast International Airport with passengers from Tallahassee on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, in St. Lucie County. What then? After Treasure Coast International gets FAA certification, it would make sense to enter into a partnership to distribute flights between that airfield and Vero Beach Regional. Such an arrangement could be beneficial for all parties. The Vero Beach and Treasure Coast airports primarily would attract passengers from nearby communities, as opposed to people coming from elsewhere in Florida. There are larger airports within two- or three-hour drives in Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami for those who prefer choosing from a greater range of available flights and willing to accept a more stressful travel experience. The two airports in our region can offer different benefits, such as easier parking, faster security clearance and shorter waits for baggage claim. But if those benefits disappear, or become less pronounced, then the competitive advantage on pricing and flight availability always will be with airports in larger cities. Cooperating on some sort of flight arrangement may seem like it's a way to avoid competition, but in reality, it would be a way to compete more effectively against well-established commercial airports with far greater resources at their disposal. Commercial flights have already taken off in Vero Beach. At Treasure Coast International, they should be cleared for takeoff soon. There could be smoother flying with a lot less turbulence if the two airports can work together. Editorials published by TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers are decided collectively by its editorial board. To respond to this editorial with a letter to the editor, email up to 300 words to TCNLetters@TCPalm.com. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: What if Vero Beach, Treasure Coast airports shared commercial flights? US-based food manufacturing giant PepsiCo is injecting $160m into a new salty snacks plant in Kazakhstan. The site will be used to make products like Lay's potato crisps, according to an official statement released today (14 June) by Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. David Manzini, the president of PepsiCo's business in Russia and the CIS, met with Bektenov to discuss the building of the new site, which is to be located in the city of Almaty, near the Kyrgyzstan border. The facility, which is to be completed by 2026, is expected to reach a production capacity of up to 16,000 tonnes of snack products a year upon opening. From 2027, PepsiCo is looking to boost this to 17,000 tonnes. Products produced at the Almaty factory will be sold "to the central Asian market and beyond", according to the statement. Around 350 new jobs are expected to be generated at the new plant, while 1,000 people will be employed to construct the site. PepsiCo said it also plans to purchase "mainly local raw materials" to produce its snacks, by buying around 50 to 66 thousand tonnes of potatoes from Kazakhstani farmers between 2026 and 2030. Both parties are said to have committed to increasing "interaction" with one another and "[building] long-term cooperation" around initiatives that "contribute to increasing the food potential of Kazakhstan". In a bid to carry out more environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices, waste at the new factory "will be 100% recycled and utilised". Bektenov said: "The USA is one of the most important investment partners of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is interested in long-term cooperation with such strategic investors as PepsiCo. "We are committed to honouring our investment protection obligations and are ready to provide the necessary support." PepsiCo has invested more than $53bn in Kazakhstan in the past 20 years, according Bektenov. Last November, former Prime Minister Alikhan Samilov reportedly announced that the country was looking to bring in large sums of foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2029. According to the local news agency Trend at the time, during the sixth edition of the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable, Samilov said the country planned to bring in more than $150bn in FDI as part of its National Investment Policy. In May, PepsiCo set out plans to invest in production in Belgium and the UK. "PepsiCo invests in new Kazakhstan snacks plant" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. Story continues 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. Key Insights Sunway Berhad's significant private companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public 56% of the business is held by the top 2 shareholders 11% of Sunway Berhad is held by insiders Every investor in Sunway Berhad (KLSE:SUNWAY) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. We can see that private companies own the lion's share in the company with 49% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Clearly, private companies benefitted the most after the company's market cap rose by RM1.4b last week. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Sunway Berhad. Check out our latest analysis for Sunway Berhad What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Sunway 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. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Sunway Berhad. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. 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 Sunway Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Sunway Berhad is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Sungei Way Corporation Sdn Bhd with 45% of shares outstanding. With 11% and 5.7% of the shares outstanding respectively, Fook Ling Cheah and Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia are the second and third largest shareholders. Fook Ling Cheah, who is the second-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Top Key Executive. After doing some more digging, we found that the top 2 shareholders collectively control more than half of the company's shares, implying that they have considerable power to influence the company's decisions. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Sunway 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. 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 information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Sunway Berhad. Insiders own RM2.4b worth of shares in the RM21b company. That's quite meaningful. Most would be pleased to see the board is investing alongside them. You may wish to access this free chart showing recent trading by insiders. General Public Ownership With a 23% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Sunway Berhad. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Private Company Ownership It seems that Private Companies own 49%, of the Sunway Berhad stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company. 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. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Sunway Berhad (including 1 which is potentially serious) . 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Malaysias first national carmaker Proton has formally launched a new brand, e.MAS, to help drive its electrification strategy in its home market. The automaker said e.Mas, an acronym for Electrifying Malaysia, would be used for all future electric vehicles (EVs) it planned to launch in collaboration with its Chinese strategic partner Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) which owns a 49.9% stake in the company. Production of Geely-based EVs, including plug in hybrids and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), would be at the assembly plant in Tanjung Malim in Perak state. The factory currently produces the Geely based X50, X70 and X90 mild hybrid which was launched last year. Proton said last month its first plug in hybrid, also based on a Geely model, was scheduled to go into production next year along with a Geely based BEV. The company opened a new research and development (R&D) centre in China last month, within the Geely Automobile Research Institute in Hangzhou Bay, to help speed up the localisation process. Proton CEO Li Chunrong said in a statement: The unveiling of the e.MAS brand and logo today marks a significant step forward in Protons journey towards launching our own EV model. We are aware that as a company tied to the industrialisation of Malaysia, we have a responsibility to provide mobility solutions relevant and within reach of all Malaysians. This is why Proton has been deliberate in its approach towards EVs, developing our knowledge base step by step to ensure we have a thorough understanding of the products, technology and user concerns before sales even begin." Li Chunrong added: As Malaysias first automotive brand it is important for Proton to invest in infrastructure to offer a full range of services to EV buyers, instead of just selling product. Therefore, when Proton e.MAS models go on sale, customers can be reassured their every need will be taken care of just like it would be for buyers of the current range." At the launch event, Proton also announced it had appointed its first 17 EV dealers with agreements formalised at a signing ceremony earlier in the day. The automaker said applications were now open for interested dealers having set an initial target of 30 EV outlets by 2025. "Proton launches new EV brand" was originally created and published by Just Auto, 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. Jonathan Ross / Getty Images/iStockphoto There are many major metros across the United States that Americans likely wish they had been able to purchase real estate in sooner to build their wealth. Check Out: Housing Market 2024: 50 Most Affordable Cities for Homebuyers Read More: Become a Real Estate Investor for Just $1K Using This Bezos-Backed Startup While its not always easy to predict where the next hottest place to buy a home will be, certain ZIP codes are quickly becoming hotspots for growth and the properties in these areas are only expected to appreciate with time. GOBankingRates spoke to three real estate professionals to determine which five ZIP codes are worth purchasing real estate in to be rich in 10 years or earlier. See if you agree with these rising ZIP codes. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. 78704 (Austin, Texas) Several real estate pros GOBankingRates spoke to cited the 78704 ZIP code in Austin, Texas as one not to pass up for real estate that can make you wealthy. Colten Claus, an associate broker at 8z Real Estate, said that the areas reputation for having a vibrant culture, strong job market in the tech industry and proximity to downtown, positions it for continued growth, expansion and development. Due to the ongoing demand and economic growth situated in the 78704 ZIP code, Claus said property values in the area are expected to appreciate significantly within the next five to seven years. Trending Now: Im a Real Estate Investor: 10 Places I Would Never Buy Property 85004 (Phoenix) According to Claus, the 85004 ZIP code in downtown Phoenix cant be overlooked if youre interested in buying property in Arizona to build your wealth. Downtown Phoenix is experiencing a resurgence with new residential and commercial developments, said Claus. The citys affordable cost of living, coupled with its growing job market, makes it an attractive option for investors. So what does an appreciation timeline look like? As the 85004 area continues attracting new businesses and residents, Claus said investing in homes and properties could be highly profitable as soon as four to six years from now. 81611 (Aspen, Colorado) Even if you dont immediately recognize the 81611 ZIP code, youre likely very familiar with the town of Aspen, Colorado. That being said, is it really such a good idea to buy real estate in a ski resort town? The answer is yes, according to Jared Frost, the CEO and managing broker at Blue Pebble Group. There is a strong luxury property market here and despite higher upfront costs, properties tend to appreciate significantly due to high demand for holiday homes and limited available land for new development, said Frost. Story continues Properties in Aspen often appreciate over a period of seven to 10 years or longer. 19125 (Philadelphia) The 19125 ZIP code is specific to the Fishtown neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fishtown, Claus said, is not only a trendy neighborhood for its residents, but one where there has been ongoing development projects and steady appreciation. Properties in the Fishtown area could see significant value increases within the next five to eight years, driven by its increasing popularity and urban development, said Claus. 92506 (Riverside County, California) What if you want to buy real estate in a California ZIP code? Scott Beloian, broker and owner of Westcoe Realtors, said that based on current market dynamics and trends one of the best ZIP codes to look into is 92506. The 92506 ZIP code is specific to Riverside County and encompasses the Canyon Crest area, known for its higher-end homes and proximity to popular spaces like the Canyon Crest Towne Centre and educational institutions such as UC Riverside. The home prices in this area have doubled in the past decade, said Beloian. With continued demand for residential properties, I predict that investing here could yield significant returns within five to seven years. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Real Estate Agents: Buy Real Estate in These 5 ZIP Codes To Be Rich in 10 Years Ripple Labs Inc. is pushing back against a US$2 billion fine proposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), advocating for a reduction by referencing Terraform Labs recent US$4.5 billion settlement as a comparative benchmark. The blockchain firms legal team contends that the suggested penalty for their XRP sales is unduly harsh and should be closer to US$10 million, highlighting the lack of fraud allegations and minimal investor losses in their case, unlike Terraforms. This legal challenge follows a protracted battle with the SEC, which has accused Ripple of executing unregistered securities offerings. In the Terraform Labs case, the SEC imposed a substantial settlement including a permanent ban for co-founder and former CEO Kwon Do-hyung from holding certain corporate positions. The SECs lawsuit against Ripple, which began in December 2020 with allegations of the company raising US$1.3 billion through unregistered XRP sales, has been under intense scrutiny from the cryptocurrency sector due to its potential impact on digital asset classification and regulation. Ripple scored a partial victory in the case where the judge ruled that the companys public sale of XRP did not violate security rules while institutional sales did. BEIJING (Reuters) - Shanghai is allowing 10 Tesla vehicles to carry out tests of the company's most advanced autonomous driving software to pave way for its rollout in China, local-government-backed The Shanghai Observer said on Friday. A successful rollout of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software would allow Tesla to better compete with local rivals in China, and could turn the world's largest auto market into a battlefield for less expensive driver assistance features, intensifying a price war. Tesla has been offering FSD for subscription in China for four years but with a restricted set of features. In April, the automaker's CEO Elon Musk paid an unannounced visit to Beijing, where he was believed to discuss the rollout of FSD. In May, Reuters reported that Tesla is preparing to register FSD with authorities in China in the run up to its planned rollout of this year. The same month, Chinese state media said Tesla has broken ground on a factory in Shanghai to make its Megapack energy storage batteries, while hailing the company's commitment to investing in China. The financial hub's Nanhui New City will "strengthen and supplement the chain" around Tesla's energy storage to enhance the concentration of the energy storage industry, The Shanghai Observer said. Tesla has also signed a contract with Shanghai Lingang to achieve local commercialisation, it added. (Reporting by Ella Cao, Zhang Yan and Ryan Woo; Editing by Jason Neely and Peter Graff) Late evening light illuminates sprinklerss spray watering a lawn in the Monte Vista Neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 11, 2023. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Members of the San Antonio City Council on Thursday weighed in publicly for the first time on San Antonio Water System's proposed new drought and watering rules, which would change how the city limits outdoor water use. SAWS has been working on the changes for the past year, and presented them to the council in a special session Thursday. The utility is owned by the city, and changes to its utility service regulations and the city drought ordinance must be approved by the council. The council members are expected to vote on the changes next week. The restrictions limit how water can be used outdoors for watering, fountains and other uses during drought conditions. SAWS has been in Stage 2 restrictions, which limit outdoor watering to once per week, for more than two years because of water levels in the Edwards Aquifer, which provides more than half of the utility's water supply. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SAWS currently enters Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions based on the Edwards Aquifer Authority's J-17 well, but can only enter Stage 3 when it determines there's a risk of supply not meeting demand, which has never happened. READ MORE: Edwards Aquifer Authority moves to Stage 4 drought restrictions That means SAWS has remained in Stage 2 even when its largest water source is cutting its pumping by 35% or more. Under the new rules, Stage 3 would be automatically triggered when the Edwards Aquifer Authority enters Stage 3, while SAWS' Stage 4 would remain an optional, emergency phase if more water savings are needed. If the new rules were in place, SAWS would currently be in Stage 3 restrictions. The aquifer entered Stage 3 in April and Stage 4 last week. The changes also alter what will happen in that stage. Watering will still be allowed once per week, but the utility's highest water users would be subject to a fee for high usage during drought. Residential customers who use more than 20,000 gallons per month would be charged $10.37 for every 1,000 gallons over that threshold. Surcharge triggers for commercial accounts will vary by meter size. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The average single-family home used fewer than 8,000 gallons per month last summer, while average indoor winter use is about 5,000 gallons. In 2022, that surcharge would have applied to about 22,000 accounts, according to SAWS. About 8,700 of those customers live outside city limits, including in small cities like Shavano Park and Hollywood Park, and in San Antonio's extraterritorial jurisdiction. Within San Antonio, the highest users are heavily concentrated on the north side: 5,000 accounts in District 9 used more than 20,000 gallons, or 14% of homes in that district. Almost 2,800 homes in District 8 and 1,560 in District 10 also exceeded the threshold. During the meeting, District 10 Council Member Marc Whyte asked for more information on how the $10.37 charge was determined. Karen Guz, SAWS' vice president of conservation, said it was calculated based on the costs for SAWS to produce additional water in drought conditions, including more power, chemicals and staff time. Whyte also asked for assurance that another proposed change, adding SAWS inspections of irrigation plans for new construction, won't result in delays for developers. "I can hear the calls already," he said, imagining builders complaining that they can't move forward on projects while they wait for SAWS' inspectors. Guz said the new requirement will be phased in, with staff added in 2025 and 2026 to ensure the inspections can move quickly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the rules are approved by the council, SAWS customers who water more often than allowed or who waste water will no longer receive a citation through the municipal court process. Instead, they'll see a fine on their water bill, which will escalate for repeat offenders and will be higher for larger water users. Nearly all citations issued last summer were for $137, including dozens of citations issued to the same building companies for multiple violations. Building companies received 27% of all citations last year, and 24% of those issued this year, Guz said. District 5 Council Member Teri Castillo asked how soon the charge would appear on customers' bills. Guz said customers will have 21 days after receiving a notice of violation to respond if they think there's an error or, for first-time violators, to register for an online watering class that will allow them to avoid a fine. If they don't respond within that time, the charge will appear on their next bill. SAWS trustees voted in May to send the proposal to the council after easing proposed restrictions on drip irrigation systems, which have pipes or tubing that allow water to drip onto soil or plants. While there are currently no limits on how often the systems can be run during drought conditions, the utility initially sought to align that with rules for sprinklers, which are limited to once per week as soon as SAWS enters Stage 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response to feedback after a meeting in early May, SAWS staff revised the proposal, instead limiting drip irrigation to three days per week in Stage 1, twice per week in Stage 2 and Stage 3, and once in Stage 4. Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, who represents District 2, said he is still in favor of the more stringent restrictions, and said he'd like other members to consider that before voting next week. Only 466 accounts, or 1% of all homes in his district, used more than 20,000 gallons per month in the summer of 2022. Council members also asked how SAWS plans to improve response times to water main breaks and prevent them from occurring. The utility had a record number of breaks last year, and expects that to continue this year as hot, dry conditions strain infrastructure. SAWS CEO Robert Puente said the utility has added 102 positions over two years, allowing crews to respond faster. The utility has also substantially increased spending on main replacements, he said, in order to prevent breaks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jim Chanos and Elon Musk. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images; Reuters Jim Chanos warned market speculation is approaching the absurd excesses of 2021. The short seller flagged the resurgence of meme stocks like GameStop and SPACs as dangerous trends. The longtime Tesla bear said the company should honor Elon Musk's mammoth compensation deal. Jim Chanos clanged the alarm on market mania and called for Elon Musk to receive his contested mammoth pay package. The famed short-seller and Tesla bear told Bloomberg on Wednesday that 2021 was the "most speculative market" he'd seen in four decades of investing and "we're getting back to that." ADVERTISEMENT "Not quite there, but it's close," Chanos continued. He pointed to the resurgence of meme stocks such as GameStop, special-purpose acquisition vehicles (SPACs) and the "absolutely insane valuations" of some restaurant chains. The Chanos & Co boss is best known for rooting out fraud at companies including Enron and Wirecard, then betting against them. But he's since converted his hedge fund into a family office after several years of underperformance. The Wall Street veteran warned retail investors against blindly following the crowd and buying the latest hot asset with no fundamentals to support its sky-high valuation. He emphasized that kind of FOMO-style trading was a "disaster" for them in 2021. While Chanos has repeatedly bet against Tesla, he said the EV maker should honor Musk's compensation deal from 2018 as the CEO hit all his performance targets. Several Tesla investors have blasted the payout as excessive and sued to stop it, and the result of a shareholder vote on the package was due Thursday. "Even though I'm a bear on Tesla, I think a deal's a deal even if it's a bad deal, and they agreed to it," Chanos said. He added that while he's "not a big fan of Elon," that doesn't change the fact that Musk achieved the goals he was set. However, Chanos did underscore that the deal was "very expensive" for shareholders and exceeded all the retained earnings Tesla has ever generated. He also questioned what Musk could demand next if he does get his way. Read the original article on Business Insider Squatting Has Become So Common In America That Property Owners Can Now Buy Squatters' Insurance As rents continue to rise, squatting where people move into unoccupied units and live there until they are forced out through the legal process has become a hot-button issue for property owners nationwide. Just one squatter can devastate property and leave landlords with repair bills that run into the thousands. This explains why an insurance company recently announced they would be writing squatters insurance policies. Proper Insurance recently announced it will begin issuing squatters' policies that cover landlords for up to $10,000 in legal expenses and $20,000 in lost revenue. This policy, which has no deductible, is available to landlords for a $100 annual premium. Considering the potential benefits, it's not hard to imagine Proper Insurance agents phones ringing off the hook. Squatting has always been an issue for landlords, but rising home prices and rents have created a housing affordability crisis throughout America's population centers. One of the knock-on effects of that crisis is homelessness, but squatting is another. Any landlord who has ever dealt with a squatter can attest to the havoc they can wreak and the frustrations of trying to rid their property of squatters. Don't Miss: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it ? Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." These high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% 9% make earning passive income easier than ever. The legal process for removing squatters is notoriously slow and can take several months. Making matters worse, landlords cannot stop squatters from doing tens of thousands of dollars in property damage while the legal process plays out. Horror stories of landlords who get their properties back after evicting squatters, only to find them looking like a hurricane hit, are commonplace. Many have appealed to their legislatures for action and states like Florida have adopted much stricter anti-squatting laws recently. Proper Insurance looked at this situation and saw an opportunity to boost their business while giving landlords some much-needed relief. Purchasing a $100 squatter policy could save a landlord thousands in damages and legal fees. The low price and zero deductible make buying a squatter policy a no-brainer. Proper Insurance Company co-founder Daniel Pettyjohn explained the company's decision to offer squatter policies: "Proper Insurance consistently leads the industry by addressing the evolving needs of short-term rental owners. Our expanded squatters' coverage reflects our dedication to providing the best and most comprehensive protection available on the market." Story continues Trending: Boomers and Gen Z agree they need a salary of around $125,000 a year to be happy, but millennials say they need how much? Another big benefit for property owners in buying a squatters' policy from Proper Insurance is that the premium price is not location-sensitive. A Proper Insurance spokesperson told Newsweek, "Proper Insurances one-of-a-kind Squatters Coverage is a static rate meaning there is no adjusted premium based on location. It is a fixed rate for all 50 states and the District of Columbia." Although squatters' policies will undoubtedly benefit all property owners, Proper Insurance believes they will be particularly beneficial to short-term rental operators. In a statement to Newsweek, their spokesperson said, "Squatters often find loopholes in a rental agreement, breaking-and-entering a property, or refusing to leave after the booking period has ended at a short-term rental." A scenario like that could be a nightmare for short-term property owners if a squatter situation develops during the peak rental season. That's why being able to fall back on a squatters' policy is such an appealing proposition. Once they discover a squatter situation at their property, Landlords would follow just a few simple steps to activate their coverage. They need to file an unlawful detainer (eviction) suit against the squatter as quickly as possible and keep detailed records of any correspondence with the squatter. Then they would alert Proper Insurance about the situation and present the required documentation. If the squatting issue persists, it's not hard to imagine more companies following Proper Insurance's lead. In the meantime, landlords know who to call for squatters insurance coverage. Keep Reading: Private credit offers up to 20% APY to potential accredited investor s looking to capitalize on this growing asset class. Miami is expected to take New York's place as the U.S. Financial Capital. Here's how you can invest in the city with as little as $500 before that happens. "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Squatting Has Become So Common In America That Property Owners Can Now Buy Squatters' Insurance originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. A sampling of Table Talk pies. WORCESTER Table Talk Pies, a century-old cultural and commercial institution in Worcester, has been sold to Rise Baking Co. Based in Minneapolis, Rise has been owned since 2018 by Olympus Partners, a Stamford, Connecticut, private equity firm. Reuters reported in January that Olympus was preparing to launch a sale process for Rise that could value the bakery provider at $2.5 billion, including debt. According to a press release announcing the Table Talk sale, Table Talk is expected to continue making its trademark pies at its plant on Gardner Street in Worcester. Harry Kokkinis, the grandson of Table Talk's founder, said he does not expect any significant changes to the Worcester operation. Jobs could be added, according to the company. The Table Talk Pies headquarters building on Gardner Street. I've been very impressed with the people from Rise Baking and their integrity, Kokkinis said in the news release. Rise Baking Co. is relatively young company, dating to 2013. It distributes goods to bakeries and grocery stores under a handful of brands, including Best Maid and Bakestone Brothers. Table Talk traces its roots to 1924, when Kokkinis' grandfather, Theodore Tonna, founded it with partner Angelo Cotsida. They were Greek immigrants who had settled in Worcester. Eventually the company was known throughout North America for its trademark 4-inch pies. Table Talk Pies President Harry Kokkinis, in 2021 photo. In January 2022, the company made the last of its pies at its longtime home in Kelley Square. The company is now headquartered in a sprawling plant on Gardner Street. I'm sure (Rise) will be great stewards of the Table Talk legacy and the employees who have worked so hard to make this company great, said Kokkinis, the Table Talk president. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Table Talk Pies worker Frank Barton oversees a vast oven in this photo from May 17, 1953. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Talk Pies sold to Rise Baking Co. of Minnesota China's top memory chip maker, Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC), is seeing a surge in demand for its flash memory chips, which have become a top choice for local clients, particularly those working in government and military-related projects, as Beijing strives to cut reliance on foreign semiconductor products. Demand for locally manufactured components, from graphics processing units to flash memory chips, has been surging, as China embarks on an ambitious drive to expand computing infrastructure to support generative artificial intelligence development. Leading industry players from YMTC to Huawei Technologies have become some of the biggest beneficiaries of this national endeavour. YMTC's growing business momentum defied expectations that it might have to quit the 3D NAND flash memory market after being added to a US trade blacklist in late 2022. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. As the Wuhan-based company continued to achieve breakthroughs in cutting-edge products, it has become a favourite supplier for government-related projects in the country, according to two people involved in the domestic chip industry, who requested anonymity to share private information. YMTC, which remains privately owned, does not disclose business operation and financial information. In a statement to the Post, YMTC said that its technology "is not military grade nor fitted for military applications". "YMTC has never supplied its technology or products for any military use, nor have we been directed by any entity to supply its technology or products for military use," the company said. "YMTC has no knowledge of any military-related project that has adopted YMTC's products." Prices of YMTC's enterprise-level NAND flash memory chips have risen over the past months on strong local demand, which exceeds the firm's current production capacity, said one of the sources, adding that government-related entities have prioritised YMTC over its foreign rivals such as US-based Micron Technology and South Korean giant Samsung Electronics. While YMTC received a US$7 billion capital boost from state-backed investors last year, the US-sanctioned company is facing production challenges, as it is not only barred from purchasing the latest chip-manufacturing equipment from foreign suppliers, but also denied access to some maintenance services. Story continues YMTC's Wuhan plant earlier this year halted production because of a machine failure, forcing the company to borrow machines from another local fab, according to one of the sources, and a third person familiar with the matter. Founded in 2016, YMTC was a latecomer to the global flash memory industry, but it has quickly narrowed its gap with peers and at one point was reportedly being considered by Apple as a potential supplier. YMTC shocked the industry in 2022, when Canadian research firm TechInsights said the Chinese company had produced a "232-layer NAND flash", an advancement that put it ahead of global giants such as Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix at the time. Two weeks after that report came out, Washington added YMTC to its export blacklist, despite the company's efforts to comply with US on-site inspections. YMTC has narrowed its gap with leading memory chip manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics over the years. Photo: Bloomberg alt=YMTC has narrowed its gap with leading memory chip manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics over the years. Photo: Bloomberg> Chinese semiconductor experts have called on the government to favour locally-made products when building computing systems. One of them, self-sufficiency advocate Ni Guangnan, said during the Nanjing World Semiconductor Conference last year that the government should mandate the use of domestically-produced solid-state drives in its procurement policy and tender documents instead of choosing the lowest-priced tender price by default. Micron and Samsung both saw revenue drop in China last year. The US firm recorded a revenue fall of 34 per cent in mainland China and 80 per cent in Hong Kong for its financial year ending August, while the South Korean company said its revenue in China was down 21 per cent. Globally, NAND flash sales sank last year as demand collapsed, according to a report by research firm IDC, prompting Samsung and SK Hynix to cut production. But the market has shown early signs of a pickup this year, according to Taiwan-based researcher TrendForce. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. (Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc. investors re-approved Elon Musks compensation and cleared the company moving its legal home to Texas, offering votes of confidence in the chief executive despite a sales slump and falling stock price. Most Read from Bloomberg The proposal to ratify an award of stock options worth up to $55.8 billion passed with around 72% of votes cast in favor, Tesla said in a regulatory filing Friday. Thats roughly one percentage point shy of the support Musk received when the company first proposed the pay package in 2018. The pay vote is only advisory and doesnt guarantee Musk will get his stock options. A Delaware judge voided the payout in January, and Tesla is expected to appeal. If that fails, moving the companys incorporation to Texas allows the board to revive the pay package in a new state with potentially more favorable courts. Musks pay vote was widely seen as a referendum on the CEOs leadership and frustration with Teslas corporate governance. The CEO oversees six companies and is prone to distractions and abrupt strategy shifts he ordered up Teslas biggest layoffs ever earlier this year, only to rehire some workers weeks later. Tesla shares rose as much as 1.5% before the start of regular trading. The stock fallen 27% this year, costing the company almost $208 billion in market capitalization. Shareholders also reelected James Murdoch and Kimbal Musk to Teslas eight-member board. Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, has been a Tesla director since 2017. Kimbal Musk, younger brother to Elon, has been on the board since 2004. Tesla Vote on Musks Massive Pay Plan: What You Need to Know At the companys Austin headquarters, shareholders cheered as Musk, wearing a black Cybertruck t-shirt, walked on stage. He leapt into the air as investors chanted his name, telling the crowd: Hot damn, I love you guys. Musk hinted during a presentation that the company was working on three new models, flashing images of mystery vehicles renderings under white sheets, as he has in years past. He said Teslas Supercharger network was growing and that he just approved plans to boost production of Semi trucks. He said Teslas weekly output of Cybertrucks hit a record of 1,300 in a week. Story continues A lot of people said Cybertruck was fake, never going to come out, Musk said. Now were shipping a lot of Cybertrucks. When asked what he was going to do with his billions, Musk noted the pay package is comprised of stock options and that hed have to hang onto them for five years. I cant cut and run, nor would I want to, he said. Some investors were worried Musk would leave the company if the award wasnt reapproved. Musk has threatened to develop products outside of Tesla if he doesnt attain at least a 25% equity stake. He owns about 13% of the shares now, and exercising the options in his compensation deal would boost his holding to roughly 21%. Tesla pulled out all the stops in an effort to persuade shareholders to support both Musks pay package and the move to Texas, setting up a dedicated website and running ads on X, Musks social media platform. In recent days, Tesla investors, engineers and current and former executives also took to X to voice their support for Musk and his leadership. Some major investors, including Norways sovereign wealth fund and the California Public Employees Retirement System, had said they planned to vote against the measure. When Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick voided the pay package early this year, she pointed to board director conflicts of interest and the companys failure to properly disclose terms of the plan. The second shareholder vote may bolster Teslas chances with a forthcoming appeal. McCormick will hear arguments July 8 on disputed lawyer fees in the case. Once McCormick decides on the fees, shell issue a final ruling. Musk then has 30 days to appeal it to the Delaware Supreme Court. Late Thursday, Tesla issued a press release confirming that the company was now incorporated in Texas. The certificate of conversion was visible on the Texas Secretary of State website. Tesla shareholders re-approving the same compensation plan for Musk as in 2018 is unlikely to carry much weight because Texas courts are legally obligated to honor the Delaware courts decision, according to Charles Elson, a retired University of Delaware professor and corporate governance expert. The board may have to make substantial changes to the plan, and shareholders would then have to vote on Musks compensation once more, Elson said. Then, if an investor wanted to then challenge it, they would have to sue in Texas, which is just getting its business courts off the ground. --With assistance from Ryan Beene. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. https://stock.adobe.com/uk/contributor/206124983/moofushi?load_type=author&prev_url=detail moofushi / Adobe Stock Good morning from Skift. Its Friday, June 14, 2024. Heres what you need to know about the business of travel today. Listen Now Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts Episode Notes The use of artificial intelligence in the travel industry has grown significantly in recent years. However, the industry still has a lot of work to do to get the most out of AI. Vivek Bhogaraju, advisory partner of data and AI at Skift, provides travel companies with ideas on how to develop AI strategies. Bhogaraju writes that this is just the beginning of the AI era. He urges companies to be flexible when using the technology, noting that new regulations will eventually be introduced. Bhogaraju also emphasized the importance of hiring the right chief data officers, who he said need extensive technical knowledge and a background in the travel industry. Although Bhogaraju writes that successful data and AI execution requires urgency and efficiency, he notes that projects that succeed take time and persistence. Next, LVMH said on Thursday it reached a deal with Accor to speed up the revival of the hotel companys Orient Express brand, reports Senior Hospitality Editor Sean ONeill. LVMH said it would make an unspecified strategic investment in the Orient Express brand. ONeill notes the joint venture will include ships in addition to trains and hotels. Meanwhile, LVMH downplayed rumors it would open a Louis Vuitton-branded hotel in Paris. Finally, Thailand has decided to scrap a proposed $8 fee on international tourists arriving by plane, writes Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently said his administration would abandon the previous governments plan, which was approved in February 2023. Thai officials intended to use the revenue from the tourism fee to fund the management of insurance for international visitors. However, Bhutia notes the tourism fee faced significant opposition from private stakeholders. Plus, Thavisin said eliminating the tourist fee could produce greater economic benefits. Producer/Presenter: Jane Alexander Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Skift.com. Former President Donald Trump huddled with congressional Republicans Thursday in his first visit to Capitol Hill since the partisan violence of January 6, 2021. Then he reportedly promised a Business Roundtable gathering of CEOs that he would cut the corporate tax rate to 20% if he wins another term in the White House. The 2017 Republican tax cuts enacted during Trumps first term slashed the corporate rate from 35% to 21%. The corporate change was made permanent while cuts to individual taxes were set to expire after 2025 to reduce the official cost of the plan. Republicans want to renew those expiring cuts and see a second Trump term as an opportunity to lower taxes further. At a private event Thursday hosted by the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs, Trump pledged to make the 2017 law permanent and further trim the corporate rate to 20%, Bloombergs Nancy Cook reports. She adds that Trump called the 20% figure a nice, round number and notes that even a small reduction represents a tax cut worth billions of dollars each year for profitable US companies. Trump reportedly also promised to slash regulations if he becomes president again. The tax talk in front of CEOs followed Trumps visits earlier in the day with Republican lawmakers. Those intraparty discussions were reportedly supposed to touch on Trumps vision for a 2025 policy agenda, including taxes and entitlements, but were instead perhaps inevitably dominated by gripes and grievances as the former president basked in his GOP support and took aim at his critics. (Politicos Rachael Bade reported Thursday that, in the days after guilty verdicts were handed down against him on 34 felony counts in New York, Trump called the speaker seeking to have Congress help him get revenge and overturn his conviction.) I didnt hear any agenda talk, Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada told reporters. It was a pep talk. Asked if Trump supports the House GOP leadership team, Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters: He said very complimentary things about all of us. We had sustained applause. He said Im doing a very good job. Were grateful for that. Trump didnt steer entirely clear of policy talk, though. He reportedly urged lawmakers to discuss abortion access as a state issue, floated tariff increases as a way to pay for his tax cuts, and again raised the idea of eliminating taxes on service workers tips, which he first mentioned at a recent Las Vegas rally. President Trump simply floated the idea [of higher tariffs] as one of many brought up during the conversation, and he has said many times that as tariffs on foreign countries go up, taxes on American workers can come down, campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to Bloomberg. President Trumps top priority remains making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent. Story continues That approach ignores the fact that tariffs imposed on foreign goods are paid by American consumers. What it all means: Trump has promised another round of sweeping and costly tax cuts if he wins in November. At a rally last month in New Jersey he told the crowd: Instead of a Biden tax hike, Ill give you a Trump middle class, upper class, lower class, business class big tax cut. Biden, meanwhile, wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and large, profitable businesses while preserving the lowered tax rates for those earning less than $400,000 a year. The differing approaches to the expiring tax law represent a key issue at stake in November. Although congressional Republicans havent specified how theyll finance this round of tax cuts, every major Republican tax cut for the wealthy or corporations in recent decades has put the burden on middle- and low-income Americans, and this time will be no different, Lael Brainard, director of Bidens National Economic Council, told reporters Wednesday. HuffPosts Jonathan Nicholson reports that Brainard said there are four ways the GOP could look to offset at least some of the cost of their tax plans: She said they could use revenues from the 10% across-the-board tariff Trump has proposed on imported goods; they could cut entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare; they could cut annual spending by federal agencies and programs excluding defense; or they could simply borrow, adding the costs of the tax cuts to the public debt. One way or another, the American people will pay the price for the congressional Republican approach, Brainard said. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Thursday it will provide up to $500 million for mid-stage trials evaluating vaccines administered as a nasal spray or pill to protect against symptomatic COVID-19. The funding is part of Project NextGen, a $5 billion initiative led by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), to advance a pipeline of new, innovative vaccines and therapeutics providing broader and more durable protection against COVID-19 infection. BARDA, which helps companies develop medical supplies to address public health threats, is a part of HHS. The project is awarding up to $453 million to Vaxart for a study that will evaluate its oral COVID vaccine. The company's shares more than doubled to $1.78 after market. It is also awarding privately held Castlevax and Cyanvac around $34 million and $40 million, respectively, to develop their intranasal vaccine candidates. Each trial will enroll 10,000 volunteers and compare the efficacy and safety of the investigational vaccines to FDA-licensed vaccines. "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are administered intramuscularly and, while extremely effective, are limited in their capacity to induce a robust immune response in mucosal areas such as the mouth, nose and gut, where the SARS-CoV-2 virus first enters the body," the HHS said. (Reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) Proprietary Vanguard data suggest that the overall U.S. hires rate is trending higher. Even as demand for middle- and top-income earners continues to soften, hiring activity for workers earning less than $55,000 remains elevated compared with 2019 levels, leading to better employment opportunities and solid inflation-adjusted wage growth for that group. The overall trend should boost consumer spending and support GDP growth in the second half of 2024. The hires rate has been climbing recently Vanguard's proprietary data on enrollments in 401(k) retirement plans point to an uptick in the pace of hiring. The hires ratewhich refers to new hires as a share of existing employeesreached 2.8% in April 2024, up from 2.4% in March 2024 and at its highest level since October 2022. However, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, has shown a downward trend in the hires rate, with the latest reading at 3.5% in March. Both JOLTS and Vanguard data showed a general slowdown in hiring throughout 2023. Vanguard data indicate hiring has risen over the first four months of 2024 Vanguard Retirement Perspectives- Labor Market Pulse: Young, Lower-Income Workers Gaining Ground Notes: The Vanguard hires rate is calculated at the firm level and is based on new enrollments in 401(k) retirement plans administered by Vanguard divided by the number of all active 401(k) plan participants in a given month. New hires are recorded based on their hire date rather than their retirement plan enrollment date. The last 12 months of the Vanguard hires rate series are adjusted upward to account for an empirically observed lag in 401(k) enrollment times for new hires. The series is seasonally adjusted using the X-13ARIMA-SEATS method. The dataset represents a rolling two-year sample of firms of all sizes across all sectors of the economy that offer retirement plans, which Vanguard has administered since January 2003. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) data are based on a nationally representative survey of 21,000 nonfarm business and government establishments. The two vertical bars indicate economic recessions, as identified by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Source: Vanguard, as of April 2024. Hiring trends have diverged for low- and higher-income workers The hires rate for the bottom third of earnersthose with annual pay below $55,000has generally surpassed that of higher earners. Although JOLTS does not provide data by income level, data from that survey also indicate greater labor market activity in lower-wage sectors such as leisure and hospitality and retail trade. (It is worth noting that Vanguard retirement plan participants typically have higher incomes than the broader U.S. population.) Story continues While demand for low-paid workers remains elevated relative to pre-COVID-19 levels, hiring activity in higher-paying occupations contines to moderate, explained Adam Schickling, a senior Vanguard economist. This is partly a reflection of lower-paying service industries still trying to recover from the COVID shocka challenge since many of those workers have transitioned to higher-paying opportunities. Nonetheless, it's clear that higher-paying industries are taking a considerably more cautious approach to hiring relative to the hectic 2021 to 2022 hiring surge. The pace of hiring has remained robust for low-income workers in 2024 Vanguard Retirement Perspectives- Labor Market Pulse: Young, Lower-Income Workers Gaining Ground Notes: The hires rate by income percentile refers to new hires as a share of existing employees. The Vanguard hires rate is calculated at the firm level and is based on new enrollments in 401(k) retirement plans administered by Vanguard divided by the number of all active 401(k) plan participants in a given month. The hires rate series is seasonally adjusted using the X-13ARIMA-SEATS method and transformed into a three-month moving average. Income is inferred from data on participants' 401(k) savings-rate elections and realized contributions. Data is reported on a lag because of data coverage limitations. Source: Vanguard, as of March 2024. Hiring dynamics among young workers "Using our proprietary data, we can now look at hiring trends by age cohort," Vanguard investment analyst David Pakula said. Except during the COVID-19 pandemic, hiring rates across all three age groups have tended to closely track one another over time. In recent months, though, there has been a modest uptick in hiring among younger workers, while hiring rates have been flatter for older workers. These relative similarities in hiring trends by age stand in contrast to the noted divergence in the hiring patterns between low-paid and higher-paid workers. Income, rather than age, seems to be the differentiating factor in hiring trends right now, said Fiona Greig, Vanguard's global head of investor research and policy. Workers of all ages are seeing a rise in hiring, but it's really just lower-income workers who are driving the increase. The job market has softened for the top two-thirds of earners. Hirings showed similar gains in 2024 across age groups Vanguard Retirement Perspectives- Labor Market Pulse: Young, Lower-Income Workers Gaining Ground Notes: The hires rate by age percentile refers to new hires as a share of existing employees. The Vanguard hires rate is calculated at the firm level and is based on new enrollments in 401(k) retirement plans administered by Vanguard divided by the number of all active 401(k) plan participants in a given month. The hires rate series is seasonally adjusted using the X-13ARIMA-SEATS method and transformed into a three-month moving average. Data is reported on a lag because of data coverage limitations. Source: Vanguard, as of March 2024. About Vanguard hires data Total hires and the hires by income and age have several methodological differences due to data limitations when pairing firm hire rates with worker attributes. The total hires chart ends in April 2024 and contains a rolling sample of 1,269 firms for which Vanguard provided 401(k) plan recordkeeping services for the prior 24 months. We also use the X-13-ARIMA-SEATS adjustment to remove seasonal patterns in the data. The income- and age-based charts plot data through March 2024 and are based on a monthly cross section of 401(k) clients because of data availability constraints. The income cut reflects a monthly sample of 1,745 firms, and the age cut contains a sample of 1,980 firms. For those two charts, we calculated a three-month moving average in addition to the X-13-ARIMA-SEATS adjustment to smooth the data given sample-size limitations. These methodological differences may lead to differences in trends between the aggregate hire chart and the income- and age-based charts. Vanguard hires data do not capture the whole U.S. economy, since roughly only half of workersa group disproportionately composed of higher-income workershave access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. Moreover, employers that offer 401(k) plans tend to be larger, more mature, and concentrated in certain industries. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. While he was getting ready to walk across the stage and graduate from Brackenridge High School, David Randy Castillo thought his father was thousands of miles away on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. But the San Antonio Independent School District had a surprise for the student, who turned around to find that his father flew 17 hours from the South China Sea just to make it in time for his son's graduation. SAISD filmed an interview with Castillo ahead of the ceremony, asking the graduate which of his family members were in attendance. His brother and aunt were in the audience and other family members were on the way, but his dad wouldn't be able to make it, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Sadly, he's not here. Sadly, he's at the Navy," Castillo said, not knowing his dad was standing right behind him. "Look behind you," the videographer said. Brackenridge High School graduate David Randy Castillo hugs his father, a U.S. Navy servicemember who surprised him by showing up to his graduation ceremony. Screenshot courtesy SAISD Castillo covered his mouth in surprise and became tearful, immediately embracing his father in a long overdue hug as the entire audience cheered in the background. "I am beyond happy right now," the student said, wiping tears from his eyes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the video, Castillo's father, David Castillo, said that he is stationed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew out of Singapore to attend the ceremony. "I'm just glad to be here and be a part of something, you know, his first steps in life," the serviceman said. "I just wanted to be here to support my son." SAISD posted the emotional reunion of social media, where the footage went viral. Over 58,000 users liked the video on TikTok, and over a thousand reacted to the video on Facebook. "I bet this young man will never forget this," one user wrote. zGel / Getty Images/iStockphoto Retiring as a millionaire has long been the dream, but costs keep rising and a million dollars doesnt go quite as far as it used to. According to the BLS, the average annual expenditure across all American households was $72,967 in 2022 a 9% increase from 2021. Experts suggest having anywhere from 70% to 90% of your pre-retirement income set aside in savings per year you plan to spend in retirement. For someone who earns the average income and plans to spend 20 years in retirement, theyll need between $1,021,540 and $1,313,400 to retire comfortably and maintain a similar standard of living to what they had before. Find Out: 8 Things Boomers Should Sell Right Before Retiring For You: 7 Common Debt Scenarios That Could Impact Your Retirement and How To Handle Them Considering this, the dream of retiring as a millionaire might actually be a necessity in many cases. The good news is while it might seem difficult to achieve, its very doable with a bit of planning. GOBankingRates spoke with Jonathan Geserick, managing attorney and owner of Texas Probate Pros, about his plans to retire a millionaire. Heres an overview of how much he saves and invests each month, as well as how close he is to making that dream a reality. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. The Path To Becoming a Millionaire Starts Early Theres a reason why financial experts often advise saving and investing early. The sooner you get started, the more you can benefit from time and compound interest. If you invested in stocks, you get the added bonus of watching those increase over time. Like many people who become millionaires, Gesericks path started early. In fact, hes already achieved his initial goal. I am currently the founding attorney at Texas Probate Pros, but I only started that after I became a millionaire because I now have the freedom to try new things and work for myself, he said. Heres how he got started. To become a millionaire, it was pretty simple. I stared saving money when I got my first real job at 21 years old. Since then, I always saved at least 20% of my salary in my 401(k) often split between a traditional 401k and a Roth 401(k), he said. Retirement accounts have their contribution limits, which change every year. For 2024, the annual contribution limit for a 401(k) is $23,000. Its the same for Roth 401(k) plans, though limits increase if youre older than 50. The contribution limit for these retirement accounts is aggregate, meaning you can only contribute $23,000 across both plans. Explore More: 16 Best Places To Retire in the US That Feel Like Europe Each retirement plan has its own advantages. Roth 401(k) contributions, for example, are made with after-tax dollars. 401(k) contributions are made with before-tax dollars. Story continues I also, most years, maxed out Roth IRA contribution limits, Geserick continued. Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Unlike 401(k)s and Roth 401(k)s, they also have annual income limits currently $153,000 for an individual or $228,000 for married couples. The maximum annual contribution is $6,500 or $1,000 for those over the age of 49. While Geserick didnt disclose his salary throughout his 20s and 30s, investing 20% or more of his income in these retirement accounts was key to getting him on track to becoming a millionaire. Benefits of Health Savings Accounts Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a type of savings account designed for qualified medical expenses only. Any contributions are made on a pre-tax basis and can be used for things like deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and certain other medical expenses. An HSA makes it easier to afford medical care. Not only that, but these plans can sometimes earn interest, which isnt taxable. You also wont have to pay taxes on qualified distributions that is, those used to cover qualified medical expenses. You can get an HSA through a credit union, bank, or any other financial institution that offers them. Youll need to meet certain requirements to get an HSA like not being enrolled in Medicare but these accounts can be incredibly advantageous. I learned late about how powerful HSAs are, but after I understood the benefits, I began saving as much as I could in those as well, said Geserick. Like 401(k)s, HSAs have contribution limits. These depend largely on the individuals age, when they become eligible for such an account, and the type of coverage they get. Whats little known about HSAs is that they can be used as another way to build wealth and save for retirement. Once you turn 65, you can use the funds in that account for any reason medical or otherwise. You will need to pay income taxes on any non-medical expenses, though. Still, if the goal is to become a millionaire, maximizing your contributions to not only traditional retirement accounts but also HSAs can go a long way toward getting you there. Looking Ahead to the Future Just because Gesericks has already reached that first major milestone of becoming a millionaire doesnt mean hes stopping any time soon. Hes got bigger financial goals and the time to achieve them. My retirement goal is $4 million. Im almost halfway there, but the money I have should grow to $4M before I turn 60 (Im 47 now), he said. So ultimately I dont feel like I have to save any more (though Im not going to have lifestyle creep, so I will save in the next few years). As for the future, he intends to retire before the typical retirement age of 62. Ultimately, I would like to fully retire before Im 60, he said, but in the meantime, Im taking a step away from the corporate world to try and fulfill my dream of self-employment. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Want To Retire a Millionaire: Heres What My Monthly Savings and Investments Look Like Uline, a Wisconsin-based company that distributes shipping, industrial and packaging materials, is opening an Etna Township warehouse by spring 2025. The inside of this existing Uline warehouse will be similar to the Etna Township location. Uline, a Wisconsin-based company that distributes shipping, industrial and packaging materials, is preparing to open its first Ohio warehouse in Etna Township by spring 2025. It will be the private, family-owned company's 14th North American location, and the further expansion in the Midwest is a result of the company's steady growth over the past 10 years including double-digit growth consecutively for the past five years, according to Uline. Gil De Las Alas, Ulines chief human resources officer, said as the company grows its footprint across North America, having a location less than 4 miles from Interstate 70 was key while being close to other key markets such as Cincinnati. Central Ohio is also a great location because of its geography, as it's only one day's drive to 60% of the U.S. and Canadian populations, he said. "Adding a new warehouse in central Ohio was really important to us, so we can service our customers with shorter lead times, reduced shipping costs just better delivery and efficiency," De Las Alas said. As The Advocate previously reported, this warehouse will ship to customers in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and some parts of Pennsylvania. The areas previously were served by Uline warehouses in the Chicago and Pennsylvania markets. This location will ensure the company can meet its promise of next-day delivery to customers in the Midwest, De Las Alas said. "Having a presence geographically across key markets is important for us," he said. "For us to continue to support that growth, it was important to add another location just like this, so that we could have closer and better access to our customers many of them being small businesses." Uline, a Wisconsin-based company that distributes shipping, industrial and packaging materials, is opening an Etna Township warehouse by spring 2025. The inside of this existing Uline warehouse will be similar to the Etna Township location. Uline bought the 101-acre property and 1 million-square-foot building at 8320 Global Way S.W. last year from Ashley Furniture Industries for $114.3 million. Ashley Furniture left less than three years after announcing it was building the Etna Township distribution center. Renovations are underway to add another 400,000 square feet to the building. Uline uses the same layout and floor plan for each of its warehouses, so part of the renovations will be getting the Etna building to match existing Uline facilities. That means adding an onsite fitness center, cafeteria, external windows for more natural light and other amenities, De Las Alas said. He added that outside the building, Uline is upgrading the landscaping and adding walking trails. "Our facilities across our network are probably the most beautiful warehouses that you'll ever see or work in," he said. Story continues The company is planning for a spring 2025 opening, De Las Alas said. But it has already started hiring, including onsite HR and distribution managers. Uline is also hiring for supervisory positions. Licking County's unemployment remains historically low at 4% as of March, but De Las Alas said Uline is still finding quality candidates. "I do think that there are still people that are looking for, I think, what we offer, which is a growth company, a stable company," he said. The benefit of working for a private company, De Las Alas said, is that they don't experience the quarterly up and down that some publicly traded companies do: "A private, stable, growth-oriented company is very attractive to candidates. We've had really great interest so far," he said. Uline will start hiring in the fall for its general warehouse roles. Initially, the company will hire 200 employees but aims to increase that to more than 300 once the site is fully operational. Salaries start at $25 an hour, and employees receive annual performance bonuses, profit-sharing and health insurance, De Las Alas said. Uline will have some internal employees transfers because they want people who understand the company's operating procedures and culture, but De Las Alas said they also believe in hiring locally. "What we've learned with startup locations is to hire local and to hire people who know the business environment, understand the labor market, and have roots and a commitment to the community. That's really important for us when we do a start up location," he said. mdevito@gannett.com 740-607-2175 This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Wisconsin-based Uline to open Etna Township warehouse in spring 2025 Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of Xcel Energy Inc's Dividends Xcel Energy Inc (NASDAQ:XEL) recently announced a dividend of $0.55 per share, payable on 2024-07-20, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-06-14. 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 Xcel Energy Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does Xcel Energy Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with XEL. 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? Xcel Energy manages utilities serving 3.8 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight states. Its utilities are Northern States Power, which serves customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan; Public Service Company of Colorado; and Southwestern Public Service Company, which serves customers in Texas and New Mexico. It is one of the largest renewable energy owners and suppliers in the US with more than half of its electricity sales coming from carbon-free energy. Xcel Energy Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at Xcel Energy Inc's Dividend History Xcel Energy Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1985. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Xcel Energy Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2003. 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 21 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Xcel Energy Inc's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down Xcel Energy Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, Xcel Energy Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.94% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.10%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Xcel Energy Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 6.50%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate stayed the same. And over the past decade, Xcel Energy Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 6.30%. Based on Xcel Energy Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Xcel Energy Inc stock as of today is approximately 5.40%. Xcel Energy 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, Xcel Energy Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.61. Story continues Xcel Energy Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Xcel Energy Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2024-03-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each 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. Xcel Energy Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Xcel Energy Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Xcel Energy Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 5.60% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 65.13% 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, Xcel Energy Inc's earnings increased by approximately 6.30% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 52.55% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 6.90%, which underperforms approximately 43.5% of global competitors. Next Steps In conclusion, while Xcel Energy Inc has demonstrated strong dividend payments and growth, its sustainability is supported by a reasonable payout ratio and solid profitability. However, its growth metrics, though robust, show mixed performance relative to global competitors. Investors should continue monitoring these aspects to gauge the long-term viability of Xcel Energy Inc as a dividend-paying stock. 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. New York Life Cuts Semitransparent ETF Model New York Life Investments is converting its two semitransparent ETFs into fully transparent versions, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Jersey City, N.J.-based company filed Thursday that the IQ Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF (IWLG) and the IQ Winslow Focused Large Cap ETF (IWFG) will also be renamed as part of the transitions to making the underlying portfolios fully transparent. Both ETFs were launched in June 2022, about two years after the first semitransparent ETFs debuted as a strategy that industry watchers expected to gain traction as a way for active managers to delay disclosing portfolio holdings, to quarterly instead of daily. Semitransparent ETFs received regulatory approval in 2019 and the model was widely expected to sweep across the ETF space in early 2020 as managers of actively managed mutual funds saw it as an entry point without having to disclose their holdings on a daily basis. Semitransparent ETFs Fail to Gain Appeal But at New York Life Investments, which has 23 ETFs that combine for $4.1 billion, the semitransparent ETFs have struggled to gain assets. IWLG, which will be renamed NYLI Winslow Large Cap Growth, has $32.8 million. IWFG, which will be renamed Focused Large Cap Growth, has just over $11 million. Performance of the two semitransparent ETFs has been relatively strong this year. IWLG is up 20.6% this year and up 40.2% over the trailing 12 months. IWFG is up 25.5% this year and up 43.3% over the trailing 12 months. By comparison, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is up 14.5% this year and 26% over the trailing 12 months. The expense ratios for the ETFs will remain at 60 basis points. The fund transitions will become effective on Aug. 28. A representative for New York Life Investments said the company did not have anyone available to comment for this story. According to Morningstar, there are currently 70 semitransparent ETFs, which combine for nearly $8 billion. Permalink | Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved Company Logo Dublin, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Zambia Telecoms Market Report - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Zambia has two MNOs launch 5G services Following elections held in August 2021, the new government immediately established a Ministry of Technology and Science to promote the use of ICT in developing economic growth and social inclusion. This focus on ICT, and on telecoms in particular, has been central to government strategies for some years. As part of the Smart Zambia initiative, investment has been made in data centres, a computer assembly plant, ICT training centres, and a Smart Education program. These efforts have been combined with the extension of broadband access and improved connectivity to international submarine cables. In turn, this has resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing for end-users. Following the allocation of additional spectrum in mid-2022, MTN Zambia launched 5G services in November 2022, followed by Airtel Zambia in July 2023. While these services have a limited reach, the government has looked to close down GSM networks during 2024 and allow the refarming of spectrum for 5G use. This will go some way to delivering the universal internet coverage which forms part of the government's ICT strategy and ambitions for a digital economy transformation. Key Developments: Zambia's 2024 budget geared to helping develop the ICT sector. Government aiming to phase out GSM and ensure all mobile infrastructure is LTE-enabled. Starlink launches commercial satellite broadband services covering all of Zambia. MTN Zambia and Airtel Zambia launch limited 5G services. Government proposes m-money levy in the 2024 national budget. Paratus Zambia and Meta complete a 900km open access metro fibre network covering ten cities in Zambia. Report update includes the regulator's market updates to June 2023, operator data to Q3 2023, updated Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, recent market developments. Key Topics Covered: Key statistics Regional Africa Market Comparison Market characteristics Market Leaders Market Challengers Market Emergents TMI vs GDP Mobile and mobile broadband penetration Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration Country overview Telecommunications market Market analysis Regulatory environment Regulatory authority Fixed-line developments Telecommunications Act 1994 ICT Policies ICT Act 2009 Regulatory Framework 2017 Telecom sector liberalisation International gateways Licensing New unified licensing regime 2009 Universal Access Fund (UAF) Infrastructure sharing Privatisation Quality of Service (QoS) Converged licensing Story continues Mobile network developments SIM card registration Spectrum auctions Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) Roaming Mobile market Market analysis Mobile statistics Mobile data SMS Mobile broadband Mobile infrastructure 5G 4G (LTE) 3G Other infrastructure developments Major mobile operators Airtel Zambia (formerly Zain/Celtel, Zamcell) MTN Zambia Zamtel Mobile (formerly Cell Z) Vodafone Zambia UZI Zambia Zedmobile Mobile content and applications M-commerce M-payment and m-banking Fixed-line broadband market Introduction and statistical overview Broadband statistics Public internet access locations Community telecentres Fixed-line broadband technologies Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks Leased lines Other fixed broadband services Fixed network operators Zamtel CDMA2000 wireless local loop (WLL) ZESCO Liquid Intelligent Technologies (LIT) Telecommunications infrastructure Overview of the national telecom network National backbone networks Data centres International infrastructure Terrestrial cables Submarine cables Satellite Digital economy E-health E-learning E-government E-banking Companies Featured Zambia Telecommunications (Zamtel, LAP Green) MTN Zambia Bharti Airtel Cell Z (Zamtel) ZamNet Coppernet Solutions UUNet Zambia Microlink Technologies AfriConnect Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Comium For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ce48n2 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. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 If money talks, the volume is getting loud a week before Virginia primaries for the U.S. Senate and a handful of competitive House districts. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has raised more than $14.6 million for his reelection campaign and had $8.6 million in the bank on May 29. Kaine has more money on hand than all five Republicans vying in the June 18 primary have collected. Hung Cao, who ran for Congress in the 10th District two years ago, losing by 6 percentage points, has raised $2.5 million and had $202,638 on hand. His closest rivals, Fairfax County attorney Jonathan Emord and Club for Growth executive Scott Parkinson, each has raised more than $930,000, but Parkinson had much more money left to spend: $329,151, compared with about $35,000 for Emord. 5th District GOP Money is also shouting in the Republican primary in the sprawling 5th Congressional District, which includes part of Hanover County and all of Louisa, Powhatan and Goochland counties in Richmonds outer suburbs. Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, is trying to survive a high-dollar assault by state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, and a gut punch by former President Donald Trump. Trump not only has endorsed McGuire but also appears in a television ad aimed squarely at Good for initially endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican presidential race. The former president also endorsed Cao in the Republican Senate primary. That is an intensely personal fight, not an ideological fight at all, said Bob Holsworth, a veteran political scientist in Richmond who gives much of the credit to Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita, a veteran of Virginia Republican politics. That Trump ad is the equivalent of the Swift Boat ad that LaCivita helped produce to sink the presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry in 2004, Holsworth said. Well see whether Good can withstand it. McGuire has raised more than $1.2 million and had about $520,000 to spend in the final week, while Good is not far behind with more than $1.1 million raised but only $168,000 in the bank on May 29, according to the latest financial reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission. But the outside spending is even higher, with more than $8.5 million in outside expenditures on advertising either for or against one of the candidates. Six political action committees have spent $5 million to attack Good or promote McGuire, led by the American Patriots PAC. Nine outside PACs have spent more than $3.4 million to attack McGuire or promote Good, led by the Conservative Outsider and Protect Freedom, a super PAC associated with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. 1st District Dems Two Democrats are vying for the nomination in the 1st District, which includes parts of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties in the Richmond area. Leslie Mehta, an attorney from Chesterfield who is running for office for the first time, has raised $188,000, with $65,384 in hand. Former New Kent County Treasurer Herb Jones, who is seeking to challenge Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, for the second time, raised $140,867 and reported having $266,278 on hand, including money left over from his campaign in 2022. In comparison, Wittman, first elected in 2007, raised more than $1.9 million and had more than $1.6 million available to spend. 7th District GOP Sen. Rand Pauls Protect Freedom PAC has also been a big player in the Republican primary in the 7th Congressional District, a swing district currently represented by Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, who is stepping down after this year to run for governor. Pauls PAC has spent more than $1 million on behalf of Cameron Hamilton, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who also has the endorsement of Good and other members of the House Freedom Caucus. Hamilton, who lives in Orange, is trying to catch front-runner Derrick Anderson, a Spotsylvania County native and former U.S. Army Green Beret backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other House Republican leaders. Anderson finished a strong second in the Republican primary in the 7th in 2022. Anderson is also getting help from outside groups, especially the American Patriots PAC, which has spent almost $813,000 on the race. The five-way primary has gotten nastier, with Hamilton alleging that Anderson, who practices for a law firm in Washington, D.C., is under investigation for using a federal loan to buy a town house in Alexandria while registering to vote in Spotsylvania. Anderson has denied the allegation. He has tried to tie Hamilton, who resigned from the Department of Homeland Security to run for the seat, to the administration of President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whom House Republicans impeached this year. (The Senate dismissed the accusations.) Anderson has the advantage in name recognition and fundraising, with $1.1 million raised and almost $422,000 in hand on May 29. Hamilton has raised $721,659 and had $177,601 in the bank. Jon Myers, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer who lives in Stafford County, has raised the most of the three other GOP candidates: about $125,000 through May 29, with less than $25,000 in hand. Anderson comes in with an advantage, Holsworth said. Its a question of whether Hamilton can make it up in the last week. 7th District Dems On the Democratic side, Eugene Vindman has raised $5 million for the 7th District primary, in large part because he has national recognition from the role that he and his twin brother, Alexander, played in the first impeachment of Trump. Vindman, who lives in Prince William County near Dale City, entered June with $876,000 in the bank, far outpacing six other contenders. But four of those contenders have the advantage of having won races before in eastern Prince William, where most voters in the congressional district live. Prince William Supervisor Andrea Bailey has raised $338,772, with $100,000 in the bank on May 29. Former Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Prince William, who barely lost a state Senate Democratic primary last year and sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 2021, raised $286,000 and had $104,428 in hand. Prince William Supervisor Margaret Franklin raised $284,000 and had $67,000 in hand. Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, raised $246,691 and had $60,000 in the bank. Theres a bunch of people in that race, Holsworth said. Without the money, its hard to establish yourself as the sole alternative to the guy who has the most money. 10th District Dems The field is even larger in the 10th District Democratic primary, with 12 candidates, including six current or former legislators, a former state secretary of education and a well-financed newcomer. Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, has the most money, with more than $1.5 million raised and $536,350 in hand, but Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, has raised $1 million, with $285,807 in the bank, and has the endorsement of Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, who is stepping down because of a serious medical condition. The money helps Helmer, but you have to say Subramanyams endorsement (by Wexton) helps a lot, too, Holsworth said. Political newcomer Krystle Kaul, based in eastern Loudoun, has raised more than $1 million, more than half of it from loans to her campaign, and had $372,509 for the final push. Former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, has raised $971,797 and had $219,000 in the bank. Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, has raised $541,589, with $95,103 on hand. Former Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, of Manassas, has raised $363,301, with $80,430 on hand. Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, raised $279,490 and had $16,219 in the bank. 10th District GOP Two former U.S. House candidates are battling for the Republican nomination in the 10th District. Mike Clancy, an eastern Loudoun businessman who ran two years ago, has the fundraising lead with $379,473 and $110,727 in hand. Aliscia Andrews, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran from southern Loudoun who lost to Wexton in 2020, raised $204,332 and had $26,970 to spend. Alex Isaac, a retired U.S. Army officer who lives near Leesburg, raised $163,051 and had $22,997 in hand. Two female and one male peregrine falcon chicks from the nest box near the top of the Nebraska Capitol building in Lincoln were banded and given a checkup June 12. The banding also marks the start of the Name the Chicks contest. Participants may submit suggestions through June 20 at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for Name the Chicks. From the submissions, as many as six finalists will be selected, and anyone can vote for a favorite through a live poll June 21-30. The winner will be announced July 1 and receive a 1-year subscription to Nebraskaland Magazine. This is the first year since 2016 that peregrine falcon chicks have been raised at the Capitol. The current pair only recently became established. Both adults are banded, and Game and Parks biologists took the opportunity to identify the alphanumeric band combination that will allow them to be identified. The chicks were taken from the nest box located on the 18th floor. Jorgensen and Elsa Forsberg of Game and Parks placed unique bands on both legs. Betsy and Doug Finch from the Raptor Conservation Alliance checked for diseases and parasites before the chicks were returned to the nest box. The public is encouraged to continue to watch the chicks grow over the next few weeks. See a streaming video of the falcon nest box at OutdoorNebraska.gov by searching peregrine falcons. Additional assistance at the banding was provided by the Office of the Capitol Commission and the Nebraska State Patrol. With the ongoing discussions about what kind of companies and facilities may be developed at the Fremont Municipal Inland Port 1,500-acre site, one of the larger industries exploring the newly-announced project is the microchip and semiconductor manufacturing sector. Leading the charge for the microchip and semiconductor industry is Omaha-area native Trent Overhue, currently the interim CEO and chairman of the board at Nantero NRAM Inc., a microchip production company seeking to possibly open a facility at the Inland Port. Overhue is deeply involved with an ambitious project called Silicon Heartland Manufacturing Cluster, which is a large group of tech companies that are working together to try to bring microchip and semiconductor production facilities to the Midwest, specifically Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. The Fremont Municipal Inland Port has been identified as one of several possible landing spots for high-tech manufacturing and support businesses, and Overhue has been in regular contact with officials in Fremont about possibly siting a company here in the coming years. However, several recent roadblocks to the development of the inland port have led to concerns about those future high-tech firms coming to Fremont. At least $50 million in street, water infrastructure and railroad line improvements and expansions are needed before any work can begin on the inland port. Fremonts Department of Utilities electrical generation plant can produce up to 120 megawatts of electricity per day, but with the city using about 100 megawatts on a daily basis, that leaves only roughly 20 megawatts to possibly power facilities at the inland port. Overhue took time to take to the Tribune in an exclusive interview about his goals to bring high-tech manufacturing to eastern Nebraska and the challenges. QUESTION: Can you discuss some issues with the Omaha Public Power Districts current inability to provide electrical power out to the inland port. OVERHUE: Weve had several interested parties, some semiconductor related that need significant power loads. Long story short, I had a meeting of about a month and a half, two months ago with OPPD, and I was quoted an eight-year, $160 million timeline (paid for by) the developer to bring power out there sufficient for a project like this. QUESTION: Officials with OPPD people told you that your client would have to pay for it themselves? OVERHUE: Yeah, that would be a developer cost or the facility cost. QUESTION: In your experience in the tech world, is that a normal request from a public power entity? OVERHUE: Attractive sites for development already have (electrical) input or utilities and all that in place. Its a very competitive landscape where I mean, they have sites ready across the United States with heavy incentives to entice large business growth. It would be difficult (task) for any investment into an inland port, knowing that you would have to put $160 million just for, for power where you got going. QUESTION: The facilities youre talking about trying to come to Fremont, they are mainly semiconductor microchip type of production facilities. Is that correct? OVERHUE: Most of them, yes. Theres been some ancillary components that are in the tech industry that are not semiconductor related but that had interest in the inland port. QUESTION: From your perspective, where does this electrical power situation put you and investors at in the development of this site for this type of facility? Is this something thats going to be a big roadblock? OVERHUE: I think it definitely narrows the scope of what you can bring there. I dont think it completely eliminates Fremont from the opportunities, but it just will not be conducive for one of the large mega sites. There are ancillary uses that from semiconductor packaging to different related semiconductor components that dont need that huge power demand that would be sufficient. Some examples are something like semiconductor packaging thats more labor intensive and not so much power. QUESTION: Can you describe the manufacturing process of the semiconductors, of these microchips? Is that done by an electronically powered robotic process? OVERHUE: Most of them are very large, expensive, high-electricity output machines. There is a lot of automation to it, but those machines on the packaging side, there is not I guess a constraint on the power. QUESTION: You are involved with the Silicon Heartland project, correct? How Is that going? What is the outlook on that? Are there any new developments you can report on that in relation to the Fremont Inland Port? OVERHUE: Yes. Nothing notable I that I could mention today. Theres still a lot of opportunity out there, but we are waiting to kind of see where this all falls with the Biden administration and kind of how they elect to (move forward) on the CHIPS funding. QUESTION: What does your company Nantero NRAM do? OVERHUE: We are a chip development company. We design and build chips that would go into like a foundry or a production facility. QUESTON: You mentioned in a prior interview that the Biden administration wants to start bringing these microchip facilities, manufacturing facilities to the United States. Is there a national security component or is there some kind of proprietary technology aspect that you want to move these facilities to the United States as opposed to maybe have them in a foreign country or overseas? OVERHUE: Yes, theres a massive need for national security to bring strategic micro-electronics back to the States. The primary issue is just the secure supply chain. Even though we have the potential to bring foundries to the United States, we still lack in a lot of ancillary components that will make it difficult to not be 100% dependent on other foreign nations. So like packaging, even though well produce more microchips in the United States, we still ship those wafers across seas to get packaged in Southeast Asia. QUESTION: Can you describe the packaging process for the layperson? What does that mean, at the end, is that the finishing it off to become a final product microchip? OVERHUE: That is what would be described as ... its kind of the outside housing that most people know and understand of the chip. Thats actually the packaging of the connectivity into the device. QUESTION: What was so exciting and attractive about the Fremont Inland Port location that initiated the conversations? OVERHUE: The inland port is kind of the catalyst for Nebraska in my opinion. Within the bill LB 92, we were able to get that bill passed, that creates an incentive for semiconductors. And so, within the inland ports is one of the more aggressive incentive offerings in the in the country. But we have to have the power to be able to bring the users to the state of Nebraska. QUESTION: Do these facilities need a lot of water? How does water access play a role in it? Is that for cooling of the production process? OVERHUE: Theres definitely a need for a lot of water. Fremont is unique where they do have plenty of capacity with both wastewater and groundwater. So thats not near as much of an issue as power. I think that (electricity) is the number one current constraint. Quite honestly, for the entire growth of the state of Nebraska, not only just in this industry. QUESTION: You are a Nebraska native. Being a native Cornhusker, how important is this project to you from that personal level? OVERHUE: Very important. I mean, thats the primary reason why Ive been pushing the state of Nebraska and trying to bring these uses to the state. So it is near and dear to my heart, something Id love to see, move forward. QUESTION: How is the partnership been working so far between your group Mayor Joey Spellerberg and the Inland Port Authority Board, which is led by former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman? OVERHUE: Theyve been excellent to deal with. Ive enjoyed working with both of them. I think theres a lot of potential. We just got to figure out the power side of this, and I think therell be a lot of opportunity there. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the latest test results show its clear that math performance is not where students need it to be for success after graduation. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer From the third through eighth grades, standardized test results in math and science fell consistently in San Antonio. And that seventh-grade math test must have been a doozy. Two of the largest school districts in Bexar County saw the percentage of their seventh-graders who passed the math section of this years State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exam fall well below 50%. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The two districts, Northside and San Antonio independent school districts, also had slight to significant decreases in math at most grade levels, along with a declining performance in science in fifth and eighth grades the only grades tested in that topic. Performance in math and science also faltered statewide. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath suggested elementary and middle school students havent recovered as well academically in math from the COVID-19 pandemic as they have in other subjects. Students transition to their classrooms at Roy Benavidez Elementary School in September. South San ISD had the distinction last year of racking up greater improvement than other local school districts on STAAR exams. KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Results from the 2024 STAAR 3-8 assessments reveal the significant gaps in mathematics achievement across our schools. While we continue to see progress in other areas which is a testament to the dedication and skill of our Texas educators its clear that math performance is not where students need it to be for success after graduation, Morath said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pandemic-induced disruptions to learning exacerbated students difficulties in mastering fundamental math concepts, he said. As a result, we must keep our foot on the gas to intensify efforts in providing targeted interventions and research-based education strategies to ensure that students obtain necessary foundational skills and concepts and achieve the desired academic outcomes not only in math, but across all subject areas. The 2024 results show declining math and science performance across all grade levels, the TEA said. The decrease in math proficiency is indicative of the significant challenges that persist for students in this subject area following the COVID-19 pandemic. Student performance in math has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, making it clear that recovery will require a sustained effort to improve student outcomes, the agency said. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, right, speaks with students at Brackenridge High School on a visit at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer The results statewide in reading-language arts proficiency varied across grades. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While some grades demonstrated improvement, others saw slight declines. Grades 3, 5 and 8 experienced a decrease, each dropping by 2%, the TEA said. The percentage of students meeting grade level in Grades 4 and 6 rose by three and four percentage points, respectively. The percentage of students who scored on grade level in social studies held steady, mirroring results from 2023. In San Antonio, the percentage of seventh-graders passing in math, with a score that at least approaches grade level, fell from 52% in spring 2023 to 39% in the Northside ISD. It was the only STAAR subject with a passing rate below 50 percent in the district, the areas largest with about 102,000 students. SAISD saw a similar decline in passing scores in seventh-grade math, from 42% in 2023 to 26% this year. SAISD eighth-graders, holding at 43%, were the only ones in both of the two districts who didnt see a decline in math results, and they in fact improved in the meets grade level category. The only true bright spots were improvement in passing rates in fourth-grade reading, going from 77% to 82% in Northside and from 62% to 67% in SAISD. Generally though, scores locally and statewide dropped in most subjects. Medina Valley ISD had significant decreases in most subjects for grades 3, 5 and 8, with passing rates declining 5 percentage points or more. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gerardo Villegas Juarez, a fifth-grade math teacher at Graebner Elementary School in SAISD, celebrates with his students in 2020 after being named a finalist in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Billy Calzada /Staff Photographer North East ISD saw a slight decrease in its passing rate for eighth-grade social studies, despite an increase of a single percentage point in the meets category. Judson ISD dropped 3 percentage points in its passing rate for fifth-grade math. Compared with statewide averages, NEISD had higher percentages of passing students in all subjects for grades 3, 5 and 8. Northside had higher passing rates in more than half the subjects than Texas as a whole. Judson and San Antonio ISDs were below the state average in all subjects. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, right, and SAISD Superintendent Jaime Aquino dance as they pass through the halls of Brackenridge High School at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Morath visited the school to listen to suggestions and to highlight academic achievements at the school in the previous year. Billy Calzada/Staff photographer The end-of-course STAAR results for high school students released last week were much more favorable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This years EOC results show that performance has largely held steady, the TEA said. The percentage of students meeting grade level remained consistent in Algebra I, Biology and English I. In English II, there was a 4% increase in the percentage of students meeting grade level, reaching 60%. In U.S. History, there was a 2% decrease in the percentage of students meeting grade level, from 71% to 69%. With safety as a priority, organizers of the FIBArk Whitewater Festival made the call to cancel or postpone some events during the four-day gathering in Salida. High water flows on the Arkansas River have led to multiple flood warnings in several locations. Authorities have reported dangerous fast-flowing currents, up to four times the normal rate. FIBArk posted on its Facebook page Wednesday, saying that some events have been postponed or canceled. The Crazy River Dog Competition has been rescheduled for an undetermined date in August. The novice category for the Downriver Race has been canceled; all other Downriver Race categories are still on the schedule. The Surf Competition has been canceled and refunds will be sent out upon request. The SUP Cross event has been rescheduled for an undetermined date in August. As of Thursday evening, no other events were officially canceled. Some events are still scheduled per the discretion of the Salida Fire Department, which will make the final call based on water levels. 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. Middle Park rancher Conway Farrell herds 300 yearling Angus cattle to new pasture May 25, 2024. The Farrells are among the three families raising cattle in the area that have been hit hard by the wolves. So far, Farrell says he has lost three yearlings and three caves. Three Democratic members of Colorado's congressional delegation have once again introduced a bill to establish three new judgeships on the state's federal trial court, which would expand the size of the bench for the first time in four decades. For the second consecutive go-round, not enough public secondary students in El Paso County filled out a questionnaire about their personal health habits ranging from substance use, sexual behavior and driving conduct to what they eat, how much they exercise and whether they have access to a gun so a data set could not be compiled. El Paso is one of 12 counties, out of 64 statewide, that did not tally local statistical information from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, released Thursday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, according to bilingual media specialist Vanessa Bernal. Responses in those districts were less than 25% of middle and high school students eligible to participate, Bernal said. But the 120,239 teens who responded statewide represents the most ever, according to public health, and is 13,440 more participants than in 2021. Every odd-numbered year, the state health department contracts with the Colorado School of Public Health to administer the survey. The voluntary, anonymous questionnaire requires several levels of consent that include school districts, individual schools, parents and the youth themselves, Bernal said. Students can opt-out up until the day its administered in the fall every other year, she said, and students can skip any questions they want. Widefield School District 3 was among the districts that didnt participate last fall. There were concerns over some of the questions asked on the survey, said the districts spokesperson, Samantha Briggs. The district paused on giving the survey to students to have further discussions, she said, not specifying what questions came into question. Due to the time constraints with the survey timeline, we decided to not give the survey and instead focus on current efforts to support students. D-3 hired a social worker for each of its schools last year, along with three additional mental health support specialists to serve the district, Briggs said, to help gauge needs and address concerns. Widefield also opted out of the survey in 2021, she said, because classes were just resuming from the pandemic and the district wanted to minimize the disruption of instructional time. Featured Local Savings Historically, parents in some of El Paso County's 15 school districts have objected to the survey, saying the questions are too intrusive and inappropriate. Statewide, 166 public high schools and 178 middle schools provided the survey to students last fall. The Colorado health department believes the sampling yields results that are representative of youth who attend public high schools, Bernal said. Thats why El Paso County Public Health officials aren't worried about not having specific county data. Trends identified from statewide results will guide county-level work, said Dacia Hudson, director of the department's community health promotion division. It helps us understand the sentiments of our youth and helps drive resources and actions in the community, she said. Also, Hudson said, We have enough initiatives in our community where we are incorporating youth voices in meeting with parents and teachers, to make sure were giving information to use in community prevention and action plans. Statewide, fewer high school students are drinking alcohol (21% in 2023, which is down from 24% in 2021), and fewer are vaping tobacco, at 9% in 2023 vs. 16% in 2021. A stagnant 13% of student respondents reported used marijuana in the past month. Fewer kids said they felt persistent sadness and hopelessness, two-thirds of adolescents having sex used condoms (compared with 59% in 2021), and 11% thought about suicide, which is down from 17% in 2021. However, more high school students in Colorado indicated they are driving after drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana. More students think its easy to get prescription pain meds they were not prescribed, and of high schoolers who said they had used marijuana in the past month, their penchant for vaping THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, jumped to 46% (up from 39.1% in 2021). Its likely were not too different, Hudson said of local adolescents. We know these are areas we need to focus on, and our ability to work directly with youth, parents and teachers is valuable. A community health assessment El Paso County Public Health released last month also shows that additional substance use prevention programs and providing more mental health resources are needed in the community, Hudson noted. For the past four years, Mike Horan has hung a Pride flag outside of his Lakewood home during the month of June. He's never had any issues until June 9, when two masked men came to his home and stole the flag. In the surveillance video, the men arrived around 3 a.m., removed the flag and then flipped off the camera. It appears they had already stolen another flag prior to arriving at Horan's home. "It was just somebody expressing their displeasure at me supporting a marginalized community," said Horan. He noticed the missing flag the next morning when he woke up. "I noticed my flag was gone so I pulled up the Ring camera and there was the footage of a few gentlemen stealing the flag," said Horan. Within two minutes of stealing the flag, they returned with a note written on toilet paper. On one side, it had a racial slur. On the other, a homophobic slur written. Horan reported it to Lakewood Police the same day. He asked that they consider it a hate crime due to the note that was included. Content warning: The video below contains an obscene gesture that may offend some viewers. "Its not hurting anyone. If you dont like it, dont look at it," said Horan. "Theyre human beings like everyone else." Featured Local Savings He has since replaced the flag with a newer, larger one. He has two padlocks on it now to make it harder to remove. He plans to remove it at night and leave it up only during the day. "First, theft is not the right answer. You shouldnt steal anything from anybody. Second, guys, get a life. Seriously, find something productive to do with your time," said Horan. The stolen flag comes at a time when incidents have been reported across the metro including Arvada and Wheat Ridge. So far this month, six Pride flags have been stolen in Arvada in the first twelve days of Pride month. Last week, Colorado Republican Chairman Dave Williams published an anti-LGBTQ+ email from the state party to supporters titled God Hates Pride and called for supporters to "burn all the Pride flags." The Arvada Police Department is looking for at least three people who they say are responsible for the thefts in northwest Arvada. Arvada Police released pictures of one person involved in the thefts. Police also released a picture of a newer, gray, four-door sedan that the thieves may be driving in, according to police. Anyone who has information to help identify these people or has been the victim of a similar incident and has not yet reported it is asked to call Arvada Police at 720-898-6900. For more information on the Pride flag thefts in Lakewood and Arvada, visit our news partners, 9NEWS. Colorado Politics contributed to this report. Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, center, signals his vote against impeaching Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas House of Representatives at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on May 27, 2023. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Texas House Republicans capped off months of infighting and grueling primary campaigns this week by censuring four right-wing members who campaigned against their colleagues. The public reprimand will have little actual effect on the caucus or its members, but it highlights the ongoing and growing divisions between the partys activist right flank and more traditional conservatives. Political experts say that conflict is making the Texas House more like Washington, D.C. something GOP leaders have long been conscious of and proud to avoid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For literally decades, the Republican Party has always been very disciplined about not speaking ill of one another, said Renee Cross, the senior executive director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. You could argue with your Republican colleagues behind closed doors, but you always presented a unified look. Well, those rules from 40 years ago are so out the window. The censures come after Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton led a charge this spring to unseat a record 15 incumbent House Republicans in the primaries. Even House Speaker Dade Phelan had a close call in his reelection bid, though he narrowly came out on top in the end. Some House Republicans joined Abbott and Paxton, breaking GOP caucus rules dictating that they could not financially support or campaign for a candidate running against another member. Thats what led to the censures of Reps. Brian Harrison, Steve Toth, Tony Tinderholt and Nate Schatzline, who have all said they stand by their decisions. We are proud to have helped many true conservatives join the Texas House; something we will continue to do, regardless of any absurd caucus rules designed to protect the unitary swamp, the four representatives said in a statement after the censures. At a time when Republicans should be unifying against Democrats, the caucus is divisively punishing conservatives. The caucus executive committee struck a similar tone in its letter notifying the members of the censure, saying that the representatives knowingly agreed to the rules preventing them from campaigning against colleagues. The bylaws were adopted in 2019, they said, as a method of eliminating discord and promoting solidarity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You may wish to disregard (the rules), but it is our responsibility as officers to carry them out to the best of our abilities and enforce them when necessary, the executive committee wrote. There were certainly punishments that would have been more severe and, while we believe your actions warrant those, we recognize it is in the best interest of the caucus to come together and move past your efforts to divide us. Cross said the infighting could give Democrats a small advantage heading into November, though the 2021 redistricting cycle eliminated most competitive contests across the state and any Democratic gains would be minimal. She said infighting is common in parties that have enjoyed power for a very long time, and Democrats havent won a statewide election in Texas in three decades. Theres already a brewing fight over the race for the speakers gavel next year, as Phelan seeks a third term leading the lower chamber. Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, the chair of the caucus, and Rep. Shelby Slawson of Stephenville, the treasurer, have both announced campaigns against him. And there are abundant rumors of other GOP politicians eyeing the gavel. Oliverson said on social media that he didnt personally agree with the rule the four censured members broke, but he said he had to enforce it regardless. He said the caucus would discuss changing or nixing the rule during its retreat in October. Cal Jillson, a politics professor at Southern Methodist University, said the clashes are reminiscent of U.S. House Republicans in D.C. Last year, a small group of far-right lawmakers ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, plunging the chamber into chaos and leaving them without a leader for weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Republican caucus is divided when it knows that its political interest is in being unified, Jillson said. Thats especially important, he said, because bipartisanship no longer seems to be on the table in the Texas House. Its been a long-standing tradition in the chamber, for example, for Republicans to appoint some Democrats to chair committees but that was one of the biggest issues Phelan was attacked on during his campaign. More than half of the Republican caucus have since signed onto a letter saying they will not support a speaker candidate who appoints Democratic chairs. The Colorado Springs Police Department is mourning the death of K-9 officer Britta after she died over the weekend. Britta died Sunday after serving the community for 10 years with CSPD's EOD unit, according to a social media announcement from the department. K-9 Britta specialized in searching for explosives and had prior training in apprehension, officials said. As CSPD's oldest K-9, Britta worked in countless operations and supported the department's bomb squad. She also participated in about 200 deployments, which included VIP sweeps, vice presidential sweeps, presidential sweeps and explosive calls for service, according to police. Featured Local Savings Officials said Britta's favorite pastimes included playing fetch with her Chuckit ball and snacking on carrots and cucumbers. "Her contributions to the safety of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area were invaluable, and her presence will be sorely missed," the department said in the announcement. A divided Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission on Thursday voted to allow for the lethal management of wolves under certain situations, a move that ranchers in Grand and Jackson counties have sought for months. The commission approved, 6-4, a staff recommendation allowing several permits, including the lethal taking of chronically depredating wolves those that have demonstrated repeated killing and harassment of livestock or working dogs. The vote was greeted with applause from dozens of ranchers, many of whom testified to the harms caused by two wolves, in particular, in Grand County. These two wolves are believed to be responsible for killing or injuring at least seven cattle, mostly calves, during calving season in April. Wolves that migrated from Wyoming three years ago have also killed or injured at least four more in Jackson County during the spring calving season. The question now is who exactly will take that action. Ranchers said they don't want to be the ones killing wolves, preferring wildlife officers to handle that. Some commissioners also raised it as a concern, including Gabriel Otero of Fruita, who said he would be more comfortable with professionals handling lethal taking meaning wildlife personnel, if they have the capacity to do so. "The burden should come down to the state," Otero said. The change in the rules to allow lethal taking comes with conditions. Notably, the permits are issued for a maximum of 45 days, although with the ability to be renewed. There's a limit on the number of wolves that can be taken. The most controversial changes in the rules pertained to the use of artificial lights and thermal imaging at night to sight and take chronically depredating wolves. Rules prior to Thursday allowed for using those tools but only to see wolves, not to take them down. The decision is the first sign of breaking up a logjam between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and ranchers in Grand and Jackson counties, who have accused the agency of telling them to "pound sand" when they've asked for help. The vote also comes two days before a day-long meeting in Walden that will include Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, lawmakers who represent the district, ranchers and the media. Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke, who testified at Thursday's hearing, told Colorado Politics it's a sigh of relief for ranchers. "I think it's a step in the right direction to build back trust" that has been badly damaged by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, he said. "It's a win that the commission is giving us the tools and personnel," he added. Eric O'Dell, the wolf conservation program manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told the commission that they believe a pair of wolves have set up a den in Grand County and that, if the female has given birth, those pups would be at least six to eight weeks old. The pair are believed to be the wolves doing most of the killing of livestock in Grand County. The agency's approach so far has been to hire range riders and to advise ranchers to use non-lethal methods of scaring off wolves, which hasn't worked for many ranchers. Conway Farrell of Grand County, who testified on Thursday, has lost seven cattle, including four newborn calves in a six-day period. While it hasn't been confirmed by the state agency, Farrell said he's lost additional calves and believes they were also taken by wolves. "Your wolves have been causing nonstop damage to my family and livestock for the past five months," he told the commission. Featured Local Savings In the past week alone, he said, "we've had four different sightings of wolves within 300 yards of people in broad daylight." "These animals are not afraid of people and they're focused primarily around livestock," he said. Farrell also questioned why Colorado Parks and Wildlife is not following the wolf management plan and asked the agency to stop cherry-picking the parts they want to follow. Farrell also spoke to the deteriorating relationship between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and livestock producers. "The mismanagement of wildlife in Grand County has caused a ton of stress, mental anguish, distrust, and to put it plainly to you, has made my family life hell," he said, adding that the stress on wildlife employees and ranchers cannot be fixed. "It's led to locked gates and the end of a lifetime worth of relationships." Farrell addressed, at the request of Commissioner Marie Haskett of Meeker, the use of non-lethal methods. He said he's used everything from fox lights to range riders. "We've moved cattle continuously from pasture to pasture," he said, adding that's happening sometimes five or six times a day and it's stressing the cattle. Range riders have been shooting "cracker shells," akin to an M-80 firecracker, at the wolves, and one night, it took eight of those shells, shooting at a wolf just 60 yards away, before the animal ran away, he said. The wolf impact isn't only happening to ranchers, some in the meeting said. Callie Scritchfield of Rio Blanco County said wolves are a daily topic in Meeker "and we don't even have them yet." "It's the most passionately discussed topic of all," she said, adding that people are fearful for their business, livelihoods and safety. "The local main street businesses understand the impact this is going to have on them." One wolf advocate said it's too soon to start killing wolves, given that it's only been six months since the Oregon wolves were relocated to Colorado. Darlene Kobobel of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center noted the state released the 10 wolves last December one has since died to a new landscape, "knowing that they would need time to learn about the new environment and establish themselves." She objected to the use of artificial light and thermal imaging at night, asking what proof someone would have that it's the right depredating wolf. "We are far from having a stable wolf population and without any incentives to use these tools, that sets the wolves up for failure. Cattle have no defenses because it has been bred out of them. Therefore, producers need to work harder," Kobobel said. Other wolf advocates claimed, without evidence, that ranchers are "baiting" wolves with cattle carcasses and that compensation for lost cattle is generous. That didn't sit well with Commission Chair Dallas May of Lamar, a rancher, who several times corrected the wolf advocates on what it costs to raise cattle that have come from generations of work. The commission was clearly divided on how to proceed. Vice-Chair Richard Reading of Denver made the first motion to approve the staff recommendation with a modification to exclude the use of artificial light and thermal imaging in sighting chronically depredating wolves, under the permit to lethally take the wolves. That motion failed on a 5-5 vote. Gov. Jared Polis is flanked by Roosevelt Charter Academy Principal Kate Boyce (third from left), Colorado Springs School District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal, and Roosevelt educators during the governors recent visit to the charter school in El Paso County. Polis is an advocate of the publicly funded, autonomously run charter school model. Last year, Linn County issued a rule change restricting where industrial farming facilities can be placed in what advocates viewed as a landmark change. That decision is being revisited six months after its initial approval, following correspondence with agricultural lobbyist groups who disapproved of the code change. On Tuesday, June 11, the Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to reopen the record on the industrial farm rules until Monday, June 17 for written comments. The action comes six months after the initial approval of a one mile setback between industrial farm operations and residential neighbors. Since then, commissioners have said they didnt realize the setback would apply to all industrial farms and not just poultry. Lobbyist groups have also reached out to the commissioners, disapproving of the rule change. Mid-Valley Media obtained email records of correspondence between commissioners and lobbyist groups leading up to the revisiting of the December decision. How did we get here? Scio neighbors have been battling three large industrial chicken farms since 2022. Initially, the neighbors, many of whom were small farmers themselves, came in front of the Board of Commissioners asking for limitations on where large-scale farms could be placed. At the time, that power resided with the state, so the neighbors went to Salem in an effort to establish more local control. What resulted was Senate Bill 85, signed by Gov. Tina Kotek in July 2023. The bill regulates industrial agriculture and gives local governments control over establishing setbacks between industrial farms and residents. In December, Linn County Commissioners approved code changes that establish a one mile distance between neighbors and concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, but they have not been officially adopted. A week following its approval, a local dairy farmer and lobbyist groups reached out to commissioners voicing their disapproval. Last month, commissioners voted to revisit the topic and all three members of the Board of Commissioners said they didnt realize the change would apply to all large livestock operations and not just chicken farms. Disapproval A little over a week after its initial approval, the three commissioners were contacted by Denver Pugh, the president of Linn County Farm Bureau. As the largest agricultural advocation organization in the county we could have helped draft a workable solution, instead of one that only benefits a minority, Pugh wrote in a Dec. 22 email addressed to all three commissioners, separately. The email voiced dissatisfaction with communication and ended with a plea to not pass the code change, which still needed another round of voting before it was formally adopted. In response to the email, Commissioner Will Tucker replied that the process had been very public, including published notices, public processes and time for weekly input. It is a frustration that only after we act do we hear from some, Tuckers Tuesday, Dec. 26 email read. Tucker then met with Pugh and executive director Greg Addington, according to the emails. In a phone interview this week, Tucker said the interaction was similar to the email in that he explained how the process was very public. He added that he shared that the process allowed people to apply for a variance or an exception to the rule, he said. The group also met with Commissioner Roger Nyquist separately. If more than one commissioner is present in a meeting it is considered a quorum and requires notification. I feel weve had a good conversation and Roger came up with a good plan moving forward so we would like to share this with you Pugh wrote in a Dec. 29 email addressed to Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger. When asked this week by phone what the plan was, Nyquist said that by the end of the meeting they had talked about reopening the record and reopening testimony, but that he wanted to check back with staff to see if that was even possible. It is a process the commissioners have done a few times before, Nyquist said. The desire to reopen the record came both from the comments made from a local dairy farmer who voiced dissatisfaction as well as the Farm Bureaus concerns, he said. Nyquist said he did not realize the changes they established affected more than just industrial chicken farms until the December meeting when the local dairy farmer came forward. He referred to the matter as an agriculture versus agriculture conflict and that it was a difficult balance to consider with the changing landscape of agriculture and the states land use rules. After speaking with the Farm Bureau, Nyquist felt that a portion of the community didnt weigh in on the matter and wanted them to have a chance to speak. After meeting with the group in late December, Nyquist got in touch with planning department staff to inquire about reopening the record, he said. Some of the early proposed changes brought to staff were to have the code only apply to poultry and swine operations, according to a Feb. 8 email from the planning department. The email outlines the process of reopening the record. In a previous statement, Nyquist remarked that he did not intend to change the rules for industrial chicken farms but was open to hearing more about how other industrial livestock farming might be affected by the change. Revisiting Members of the Farm Bureau met with Sprenger last. She reiterated at that meeting how the change had gone through a public process and the agricultural group had plenty of chances to provide input. However, she said she wished she heard from the group before they reached their decision. I want to revisit this because the whole country is watching us, Sprenger said this week during a phone conversation. At the meeting with members of the Farm Bureau, she told them she would not go back to where they had started but she did want to revisit the topic. "I'm not sure we got it right," Sprenger said, adding, I feel a lot of responsibility to get this decision as right as possible." She says she knew she wanted to revisit the topic when people in agriculture told her of their concerns. That included the Farm Bureau, which represents local people in agriculture, she said. Its true that she has had a long-standing relationship with the Farm Bureau and before she was commissioner she has received campaign donations from the group. But that does not influence her integrity, she said. My integrity is not for sale; it cant be bought for a $500 or $1,000 check, she said. Sprenger was also approached by Tammy Dennee, the executive director of the Cattlemen's Association, according to emails obtained in a records request. The Jan. 10 email includes how the state of Maryland established setbacks between industrial farms and neighboring residents at a minimum of 100 feet. Sprenger said she wasnt yet sure if she would use the document for any decision making and would need to review it again. People often sent her things to look at, she added. When asked if she felt pressure from the organizations, she said that there were no harsh conversations or terse email exchanges. If anything, she has been getting pressure from Scio neighbors, which she said she understands because they are passionate about the issue. Shes been trying to balance everyones concerns, she said. Im not caving to any organization any more than to my neighbors, she said. Reopening the record Last month, commissioners unanimously approved a motion to reopen the written record. On Tuesday, June 11, commissioners officially set that motion into process by reopening the written record until 5 p.m. Monday, June 17. Upon hearing the decision to begin the process of reopening the record, Pugh sent an email thanking the commissioners. I would like to echo what Commissioner Sprenger said in that I do not see the time urgency to get this pushed through, rather, I would like to see an adoption of a rule that best works for everyone, Pughs May 14 email read. There is no mandatory timeline between an approved code change and adoption, according to Linn County planning manager Alyssa Boles. An application of this type typically takes months to process and the text code amendments fall into normal processing times. The setback distances will be revisited at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 for board deliberation and possible decision. Philadelphia aid groups meet migrants as they arrive by bus from Texas to Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. President Biden's new policy would restrict the ability of new migrants to apply for asylum. Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer Adult and children asylum seekers arrive on a bus from El Paso, Texas, to NYC Porth Authority in New York on May 3, 2023. JUAN ARREDONDO/NYT Despite Gov. Greg Abbotts insistence that hes going to keep busing migrants from the Texas border to cities with Democratic mayors, data from his office shows a dramatic drop in the program over the last six months as those cities have fought back in court and in the political arena. That drop mirrors declining border crossings in the same period as Mexico has become more aggressive in blocking migrants from getting to Texas. Migrant Busing Program Totals The number of migrants Gov. Greg Abbott's office has said it has shipped to other U.S. cities since April 2022. 45,500 New York City 36,800 Chicago 19,100 Denver 12,500 Washington, D.C. 3,400 Philadelphia 1,500 Los Angeles Source: Office of the Governor Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the second half of 2023, Abbotts busing program sent about 77,000 migrants to six U.S. cities with Democratic mayors. But over the last six months, that number fell to about 17,000, and three cities are no longer getting bused migrants at all. Abbott continues to tout the program to Republican audiences as he tries to build up his national political profile at a time when hes getting more frequent mentions as a potential running mate of former President Donald Trump. Last month in Dallas, he received a rousing ovation from thousands of attendees at the National Rifle Association convention when he talked about keeping the buses rolling into Northern cities, particularly New York. And in a speech in New York in April, Abbott said he has no plans to stop the busing program despite increasing legal challenges. "We are going to maintain this process until we get a new president this next November who will secure the border of the United States of America," the Republican told members of the New York Republican Party Abbott's office declined to comment on the declining ridership numbers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But even as Abbott was saying those words, the program was hitting legal roadblocks, particularly in New York City, which had been receiving the most migrants through the program. In December, New York City Mayor Eric Adams instituted new restrictions on bus companies transporting migrants to the region, ordering them to drop passengers off in designated areas during normal business hours. Then in January, the city started suing bus companies when they responded by dropping migrants off in northern New Jersey at all hours of the night. From there, it was a quick train ride to Penn Station in Manhattan. Since those lawsuits were filed, court records in New York show that nine bus companies have agreed to stop accepting migrant passengers from the Texas Division of Emergency Management while the case is ongoing. The city is seeking $708 million from the bus companies, alleging they are part of a political scheme with Abbott to shift social services costs to care for migrants from Texas to New York City. Texas has made a determination that it will weaponize the movement of people in order to change national policy, attorney Steven Banks, who is representing the New York Department of Social Services, told Judge Mary Rosado of the New York Supreme Court at a hearing last month. The bus companies have argued that the city should be suing Abbott or Texas instead of trying to bankrupt them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Banks has said hes going after the bus companies because they are liable for carrying out the scheme, even if it's directed by Abbott. Just last month, Gov. Abbott, the architect of the scheme, came to New York to say that the costs-shifting plan to close the borders will continue, Banks said about Abbotts April speech in New York City. The busing program has also hit barriers in other cities. In November, Chicago created intercity bus rules and application forms that require bus operators to obtain approval before loading or unloading passengers. Bus companies have sued, but the number of passengers going to the Windy City dropped from about 30,000 in 2023 to just 6,000 since January. Meanwhile, Abbotts office released new busing numbers last week that showed that no additional passengers have been dropped off in Philadelphia, Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., since January. Last August, the Los Angeles City Council began taking steps to sue Texas over the busing program after Abbott had buses drop migrants off in the city as it was bracing for Hurricane Hilary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gov. Greg Abbott committed kidnapping, human trafficking or any other crimes when he sent vulnerable families on a 23-hour bus ride with little or no food or water, Council Member Hugo Soto-Martinez said then. Abbott has repeatedly defended the program, insisting all migrants who are transported do so voluntarily and sign waivers before boarding. Texas border busing mission provides vital relief to our overwhelmed border communities, Abbott said earlier this year. An Omaha man who was arrested in Mason City for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine has pleaded guilty in federal court. Jose L. Velez, Sr., 39, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance -- methamphetamine -- in Sioux Citys federal court Wednesday. At the plea hearing, Velez admitted that on or about Feb. 23, 2024, he intentionally possessed 500 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of actual, pure methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Court documents from Velezs arrest in February in Mason City show that during an ongoing drug investigation by the Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office, Velez was found with approximately nine pounds of ice methamphetamine with the intent to deliver. Velez remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending his sentencing. He will be sentenced before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand after a presentence report is prepared. Velez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. How Pre-MBA Networking Can Make or Break Your Admission Chances Why Networking? To Learn More About the Academics and Culture of the Business School To Mark Presence To Form Connections with People Who Can Endorse You How to Network Explore Student Clubs Engage with Student Ambassadors Utilize LinkedIn Points to Note Create an Excel Sheet Ask Deep, Specific Questions Be Purposeful in Your Networking Prefer Video Calls Sample Questions To Ask + Academics and Curriculum: Can you describe a particularly impactful project or assignment you worked on and how it has influenced your approach to business problems? How do professors at this school integrate current industry trends into their teaching? Can you share your experience with elective courses and how they helped you tailor the MBA to your career goals? Classroom Experience: What is the classroom dynamic like, and how do students typically engage with each other during discussions? How accessible and supportive are the professors outside of class? Can you give an example of a time when class discussions significantly shifted your perspective on a topic? Extracurricular Activities: Which student clubs or organizations have you found most valuable, and why? How has participating in extracurricular activities enhanced your overall business school experience? Can you describe a memorable event or activity organized by a student club that you were involved in? Career Development: How has the career services team supported your job search or career advancement? What opportunities have you had to interact with alumni, and how have those interactions benefited you? Can you share your experience with internships or real-world consulting projects facilitated by the school? School Culture: What aspects of the school's culture have had the biggest impact on your personal and professional growth? Can you describe the sense of community among students and how it has affected your experience? How does the school foster collaboration and networking among students from diverse backgrounds? Personal Insights: What has been your most rewarding experience at this business school so far? What challenges have you faced during your time here, and how did the school support you in overcoming them? If you could change one thing about your experience at this business school, what would it be and why? As the 2025 MBA application cycle commences, prospective students are gearing up to present their best selves to their dream business schools. With Round 1 deadlines approaching in just a few months, now is the perfect time to emphasize the critical role of networking in the admissions process. While a strong academic record, GMAT score, and impressive work experience are vital components of a successful application, networking can provide an edge that sets candidates apart. This article explores why networking is essential for MBA admissions and offers practical tips on how to effectively build meaningful connections.Networking allows applicants to gain insights into the academic environment and cultural nuances of different business schools. By interacting with current students, alumni, and faculty, prospective students can better understand which school aligns with their career aspirations and where they feel a sense of belonging.For instance, speaking with a current MBA student at Chicago Booth might reveal the school's analytical, data-driven approach to business education and its flexible curriculum. A conversation with a Kellogg alum could highlight the school's strong emphasis on teamwork, leadership development, and its robust marketing program. Similarly, a chat with a faculty member at MIT Sloan might provide a deeper understanding of their focus on innovation, technology, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.These interactions provide a clearer picture of the school's teaching methods, extracurricular opportunities, and overall community vibefactors that are often not fully captured on official websites or brochures. For example, learning about the vibrant startup culture from a Stanford student who participates in the GSB's many entrepreneurial clubs and initiatives could give a prospective student a sense of the school's dynamic and forward-thinking community.Business schools are keenly aware of their yield ratesthe percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll. By actively networking with school representatives and attending information sessions, candidates can demonstrate genuine interest in the institution. Admissions committees often track these interactions using CRM tools, noting who has engaged with the school through emails, events, and other touchpoints. As one admissions committee member candidly remarked, "Make us feel like a pretty girl at a party." This visibility can enhance an applicant's chances, as schools are more likely to admit candidates they believe will accept their offer.Building relationships within the school's community can lead to powerful endorsements. For instance, I kept in touch with a student from the Kellogg School of Management. After graduating, he introduced me to another student who conducted a mock interview and reviewed my resume. These endorsements and personalized support can significantly strengthen an application by providing a credible advocate who can vouch for the candidate's fit and potential.One of the most effective ways to network is by exploring student clubs that align with your interests. For example, if you have a passion for entrepreneurship, connecting with the members of Entrepreneurship Club at a business school can be incredibly beneficial. These clubs oftentimes organize their own events for the prospective students. Start by attending the club events.Reach out to club members and express your genuine interest in their experiences and insights. These conversations can provide valuable information about the school's culture, academic offerings, and specific programs related to entrepreneurship. By showing a genuine interest, you build rapport and establish connections with like-minded individuals.Moreover, these club members can introduce you to other influential individuals within the school community. For instance, a member of the Entrepreneurship Club might connect you with a faculty advisor who specializes in start-up ventures or an alumnus who successfully launched a business post-graduation. These introductions can open doors to further networking opportunities, mentorship, and valuable endorsements that can enhance your MBA application.By leveraging student clubs, you not only gain a deeper understanding of the school's environment but also build a network of contacts who can support and advocate for your candidacy.Many business schools have established student ambassador programs specifically designed to facilitate connections between prospective students and current students. These programs are a valuable resource for anyone considering enrollment, as they provide an authentic glimpse into the daily life and culture of the school from the perspective of those currently experiencing it. By reaching out to these ambassadors, prospective students can gain firsthand information about various aspects of the student experience, including academic rigor, social life, extracurricular opportunities, and the overall campus environment.Moreover, student ambassadors often have in-depth knowledge about the admissions process and can offer practical advice on how to navigate it successfully. They can share tips on crafting a compelling application, preparing for interviews, and making the most of campus visits. This insider information can be incredibly beneficial for applicants striving to make a strong impression.In addition to these practical benefits, student ambassadors provide a unique perspective on what sets their school apart. They can articulate the distinct qualities and strengths that make their institution special, such as innovative programs, supportive faculty, robust career services, and a vibrant community. Their personal stories and experiences highlight how the school fosters student growth, supports academic and professional ambitions, and cultivates a sense of belonging.LinkedIn is a powerful tool for connecting with current students and alumni. By searching for individuals who share your professional background, geographic location, or career goals, you can build a network of contacts who can provide guidance and support. Personalized messages and thoughtful questions can lead to meaningful conversations and long-term relationships.Keep track of your networking efforts by creating an Excel sheet listing all the schools and contacts you interact with. Record the questions you ask and the responses you receive. This organizational tool can help you stay on top of your networking activities and ensure that you follow up appropriately.Avoid asking questions that can easily be answered by a quick internet search. Instead, focus on deeper, more specific questions that require personal insights. This demonstrates your genuine interest and thorough research, making a positive impression on your contacts.Understand that the primary goal of networking is not merely to boost your chances of admission, but to learn more about the school and its culture. This deeper understanding will naturally enhance your application by helping you articulate why you are a good fit for the program.Whenever possible, opt for video calls over audio calls. Present yourself professionally with a clear background and proper lighting. While you don't need to wear formal attire, ensure you are presentable and respectful of the other person's time and effort.Networking is a crucial component of the MBA admissions process. By learning more about the schools, marking your presence, and forming meaningful connections, you can significantly enhance your application. Start early, be genuine in your interactions, and use the insights gained to present a compelling case for why you are the perfect fit for your chosen business school. As the 2025 application cycle unfolds, make networking a strategic priority to achieve your MBA aspirations._________________ The tornadoes over the last week have put the storms back under a national spotlight. An active jet stream pattern in the western half of the country means that the first half of May will favor more tornadoes in the Great Plains. After longer periods without especially large tornadoes, we sometimes forget about them. The tornado that hit Marietta, Oklahoma the night of April 27 was rated an EF-4, the strongest tornado in the United States in more than a year, and there has not been an EF-5 since the Moore, Oklahoma tornado in 2013. On average, there are about 1,200 tornadoes a year in the U.S., but over the last three decades, their annual number has ranged from 886 (2014) to 1,813 (2004). Detection has improved since the early 1990s with the development of Doppler radar, which is able to sample wind movement within a storm. Tornadoes can and do happen at any time of year, but they are most frequent in the middle to late spring. This is when the upper levels of the atmosphere remain relatively cold from the winter, while the increasingly high sun angle warms the ground quickly during the day. Together, this makes the atmosphere unstable, meaning when air in touch with the ground warms and rises, it rises even more rapidly as it encounters much colder air aloft. A trigger is needed to give storm formation a start, and this is where the geography of the U.S. matters. Canada provides a large source of cold, dry air moving south, which meets warm and humid air moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico. These intersecting boundaries are the focus of storm development. There are few other places around the world where this is common. Tornadoes occur in Europe and Australia, as well as small sections of South America, southern Africa and eastern Asia. But the United States leads the world in tornadoes, and the contrast between cold and warm air masses is only one part of the puzzle. One extra bit of geographical help is the higher terrain of the Rockies and the Mexican plateau. These introduce some warm and dry air a mile or so above sea level. That warm air drifts high over the Plains, acting like a lid to thunderstorm development at least at first. Initially, rising air from the ground remains warmer than its surroundings as it climbs upward through the atmosphere. But if it encounters a warmer layer of air a mile or two up in the sky the lid it becomes less buoyant, effectively running out of gas. However, as more and more of these little parcels of warm air rise toward the lid, it erodes away, allowing a sudden and explosive development of thunderstorms. But even more is needed to get tornadoes to form. In this case, getting the necessary spin to produce tornadoes requires the winds in the atmosphere to change direction with height. In most cases, the winds near the ground are from the south, but gradually change direction with increasing altitude, turning from the west around three miles up in the sky. This change in direction induces a horizontal spinning motion, like a pencil rolling across a table. When upward racing air encounters that horizontal spinning, it is tilted into the vertical, and that air known as an updraft begins to rotate. This is the initial step toward producing the larger area of rotation in the thunderstorm called the mesocyclone, from which the tornado descends to the ground. Meteorologists are very good at forecasting the conditions leading to the storms that produce tornadoes, but there is not much skill in precisely forecasting where and when a tornado will strike more than a few hours in advance. This is why it is still important to respect the warnings when they are issued. Communication technology has improved, so we no longer need to rely on outdated sirens, as warnings can now come to your mobile phone in addition to the traditional weather radio. False alarms still occur, but as research improves our understanding of tornadoes, the warnings are getting more accurate. Most of the time, the full area under an individual tornado warning will be larger than the actual tornado, but there remains enough uncertainty in the precise nature of tornadoes that the warnings should be respected. A basement is always the best shelter, but if a tornado warning is issued and you cannot get underground, get to the most interior room in whatever building you are in, with the idea of putting as many walls between you and outside as possible. Wait until the warning expires most of the warnings are 30 to 45 minutes long before leaving your safe space. You may do it a few times and the tornado misses your house perhaps by a few hundred yards or a couple of miles but it will be excellent practice for that one time that could save your life. The Virginia Senate will return to special session on Tuesday 10 days earlier than previously announced to consider a new legislative proposal that would exempt some military families from pending changes in eligibility for educational benefits at public colleges and universities under a state program that waives tuition for survivors and dependents of military veterans either killed or almost fully disabled on active duty. The surprise announcement by the Senate Democratic Caucus on Thursday sets up a potential confrontation with Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other members of the General Assembly, including some Democrats, by not proposing to repeal changes that the legislature and governor made to eligibility for the fast-growing Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program in the two-year state budget that will take effect on July 1. Youngkin, whose administration originally proposed the eligibility changes in legislation that the assembly shelved during its regular session, wants to repeal the budget provisions that would limit access to the program benefits which waive tuition at public colleges and universities for eligible students while directing a task force to study options for reducing the programs rising costs and protecting other tuition-paying students and their families. The task force held its first meeting last week. The governor did not respond to the Senate initially on Thursday, but said in a statement on X: Weve heard from Virginia military families and heroes, now its time to come together and for the General Assembly to send me a clean bill that solely and fully repeals and reverses the eligibility changes made to the state program. A bipartisan group of 18 legislators in the General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus issued a statement with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on Wednesday that called on the legislature to fully restore eligibility for the program before engaging in a rigorous, transparent process to determine potential future action to solidify the programs future. The statement is signed by 12 Republicans and six Democrats, as well as the Republican lieutenant governor. Take the politics out, bring the temperature down, said Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Orange, co-chair of the caucus, in a telephone interview from Israel on Thursday morning. Lets get together and fix this. Reeves introduced legislation on behalf of Youngkin to restrict eligibility for the program, but he revised the proposal to create a work group to study the issue after he realized the magnitude of the proposed changes and their effect on military families. The House Appropriations Committee shelved the bill for the assembly to reconsider next year, but then both chambers included most of the proposed changes in the budgets they adopted in February. After an outcry by military families and their advocates, Youngkin sought to amend the budget to study the issue instead of changing eligibility standards, but the assembly rejected all of his proposed budget amendments in April as part of a larger political standoff over tax policy. However, the changes were included in the two-year budget that the assembly adopted and the governor signed on May 13. The timing of the Senates decision poses a challenge because the House of Delegates is not returning to session at the same time and the reconvened session will occur on the same day as Republican and Democratic congressional primaries that include seven sitting legislators who are running for federal office. The House plans to return to session on June 28, as previously announced, and will consider legislation proposed by House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, to repeal the pending budget changes to allow time to study the issue and recommend changes to program eligibility. I have always been a steadfast supporter of our military servicemen and women, veterans, and their families, ensuring they receive the support they deserve, Torian said in a statement on Thursday. I am sponsoring this legislation to restore the program to its previous form until Governor Youngkins task force provides a comprehensive report and recommendations on how best to sustain this program long-term for veterans and their families. Senate Finance Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, is advocating a different approach, which she said would protect students enrolled in the program this year, while exempting members of Gold Star Families of those killed in active duty, as well as families entitled to line-of-duty benefits for public safety employees and people wounded as a result of military combat. Her proposal would also require the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia representing public colleges and universities to issue official guidance for the program by Aug. 1 and direct the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to review the program and make recommendations for the General Assembly to consider when it convenes in January for a 45-day session. JLARC is the nonpartisan legislative watchdog that the assembly uses to review complex government programs. This budget was a product of bipartisan collaboration between the General Assembly and the governor, Lucas said in a statement issued by the Senate Democratic Caucus. We are committed to taking this necessary step to rectify unintended consequences as we continue to work together to conduct an independent review to find a long-term solution for the program. Lucas plan came under immediate attack by Kayla Owen, leader of the Friends of VMSDEP, a coalition of military families that has rebuked both Youngkin and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly for approving changes to the program without a full hearing that includes families who would be affected. The idea that Senator Lucas thinks it is acceptable to go rogue on this issue makes it clear she does not value veterans, Owen said in a text message. She is excluding an entire population whose lives have been severely impacted to the point the (Veterans Administration) has determined them to be 90-100% totally and permanently disabled. People excluded include: victims of military sexual trauma, any training accidents or deaths, first responders, women and people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, she said. Senate Democratic leaders also emphasized their support of military veterans and their families, who make up a significant part of the population in a state with a heavy military presence and reliance on federal defense spending. Senate Democrats are proud to support Virginias commitment to becoming the most veteran-friendly state in America, said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, whose Northern Virginia district is home to many active-duty military members, veterans and retirees. Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, who formally called the Senate back into session as chair of the Senate Rules Committee, emphasized that the pending budget includes the first appropriation of state funds to support the program an additional $20 million a year to help pay for the rising cost of the program to colleges and universities, including Virginia Commonwealth University. As the Education Subcommittee Chair for the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, I am committed to ensuring higher education is affordable for all students, Locke said in a statement. The General Assembly expanded eligibility for the 94-year-old program in 2019 to include survivors and dependents of military veterans who became 90% disabled in active duty. Since then, the number of students in the program has quadrupled and its costs have risen from $12 million to $65.3 million a year, according to a recent report by the appropriations committee staff. However, military families question the cost estimates and whether they increased tuition for students not covered by the program. They have also publicly condemned the legislative process that slipped far-reaching changes to program eligibility into the budget that the assembly passed and Youngkin signed last month. We recognize that current and prospective VMSDEP enrollees have been rightfully angered and confused by the lack of transparency surrounding the new program requirements and the grandfather clause in the budgetary language, the assemblys military and veterans caucus said in its statement. Any potential changes should have had their fiscal and community impacts clearly articulated to the public before being finalized. Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks to the press before his bankruptcy hearing Friday, June 14, 2024 at Bob Casey Federal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appears for a bankruptcy hearing Friday, June 14, 2024 at Bob Casey Federal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks to the press before his bankruptcy hearing Friday, June 14, 2024 at Bob Casey Federal Courthouse in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones heads into Bob Casey Federal Courthouse for his bankruptcy hearing Friday, June 14, 2024 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones gives a thumbs-up to the press after going through security check at the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse for his bankruptcy hearing Friday, June 14, 2024 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A federal judge in Houston on Friday approved a change to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' bankruptcy case, allowing him to begin a fire sale of his property to begin paying legal debts to the families of mass shooting victims. But the company that operates his conspiracy-laden online show will not be liquidated yet. The order by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez means that Jones, under the guidance of a trustee, can liquidate most of his personal assets. Later in the day, Lopez decided to dismiss the bankruptcy case of Jones' company Free Speech Systems. Lopez said creditors would be better served seeking relief in state courts, and noting thered been little actual movement in the federal proceedings over the course of two years. Jones this week had taken to his Infowars radio show and web platforms and said it was on the brink of being shut down. Last week, Jones lawyers moved to change his bankruptcy case from Chapter 11, which allows an entity to reorganize itself, to Chapter 7, a liquidation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lopez said it wasnt his duty to decide what happened to Infowars programming. I was never asked today to make a decision to shut down a show or not, Lopez said. That was never going to happen. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Texas Supreme Court says Harris County guaranteed income potentially unconstitutional, keeps on hold In a statement outside the courthouse, Jones characterized Lopezs decision as a vindication and claimed that the hearing was part of a conspiracy by unnamed political groups to take him off the air. He said he planned to move forward, maximize the amount of money he could make with Infowars and then have a wind down and provide for his employees. I dont care about money, I care about being on the air, Jones said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jones didnt answer questions. Mr. Jones did everything he could to preserve as much value as he could in Free Speech Systems to pay the plaintiffs and to save as many jobs as he possibly could while working against a constant onslaught of obstruction and distrust, said Vickie Driver, Jones' attorney. She said it was yet to be determined who is now in charge of Free Speech Systems. Jones filed for bankruptcy in December 2022, after he was found liable for the defamation of families of students and staff members killed in the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., and ordered to pay more than $1.4 billion. In the wake of the shooting, Jones claimed the shooting that killed 26 people, 20 of whom were children in the first grade, was a hoax perpetrated by crisis actors. Following the shooting, Sandy Hook families said they were subjected to harassment by Jones followers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jones last year rejected offers to settle with the families, who offered to reduce the debt to $85 million over 10 years. In November 2023, they accused Jones of failing to comply with the decision and continuing to live an extravagant lifestyle. Theyve also accused him of using shell companies to move money. Sandy Hook families on June 2 filed an emergency order with Lopez, asking him to move Free Speech Systems, into Chapter 7. Jones initially opposed the proposal, but later in the week agreed to liquidate his own assets. He still owes the families $1.5 billion. Lawyers for Jones' creditors had asked Lopez to include additional orders about how a permanent trustee would be appointed and what powers the trustee would have. Im just calling it the way Congress orders me to do it, Lopez said. Plaintiffs split on liquidation Plaintiffs in the case were split on what would ultimately be more beneficial: keeping Infowars operating and selling nutritional supplements its main source of profits or to immediately begin selling off its inventory. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The potential liquidation of Free Speech Systems was opposed by plaintiffs in the defamation lawsuit in Texas. The plaintiffs who won a defamation lawsuit in Connecticut argued in favor of its liquidation. Lawyers for the Connecticut plaintiffs said Jones should be prevented from using his platform to try to divert his customers away from Infowars. We all know Mr. Jones is going to go out and continue to try to make a living, attorney Kyle Kimpler said. When he gets to the point where he is using a state property to set up his next venture. I think thats inappropriate. J. Patrick McGill, Infowars chief restructuring officer, who was hired after the company filed for bankruptcy, said before Lopezs decision the company had about $6 million in its account available to creditors and $1.2 million in inventory that could be sold. McGill also testified that the company had stopped buying new inventory, in anticipation that it would soon be shut down. McGill said he didnt consult with Jones before making that decision and said he anticipated that Jones would leave the company if it wasnt liquidated. Lawyers also hinted that other Infowars employees were ready to leave the company if Jones departed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theres no doubt that when Alex Jones is on the air, he sells more product, McGill said. Jones had to sell his ranch Jones arrived in court just before 9:30 a.m. sitting in the front row of the courtroom. He commented on Houstons late-spring heat and sat quietly through the proceedings. In the days leading up to the hearing, Jones tearfully warned Infowars listeners and viewers that the media companys days could be numbered. Plans for how a trustee would go about liquidating Jones' assets werent immediately clear. During the hearing, Jones' lawyer said he had already put $2 million from the sale of Jones 127-acre Kingbury game ranch in escrow. Theyre going to have plenty of assets on day one, Driver said. Crayfish festival ignites summer gourmet feast in east China Xinhua) 09:23, June 14, 2024 Aerial photo taken on June 12, 2022 shows people enjoying crayfish dishes during an international crayfish festival in Xuyi County of Huai'an, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) NANJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese food enthusiasts are all set for a seasonal culinary delight, as Xuyi, a county in east China's Jiangsu Province known as the "crayfish capital of China," inaugurates its annual crayfish festival on Wednesday. The festival, which will run until mid-to-late August, features a variety of events aimed at promoting culinary consumption. "Crayfish is a must-have food every summer, and I came here specifically to enjoy the most authentic taste," said Huang Feng, a tourist visiting Xuyi. Xuyi is a well-known crayfish production hub in China. Over 200,000 people are involved in the crayfish industry. Every summer, a single event during the festival serves several dozen tonnes of crayfish to over 10,000 foodies. According to a research report on the development of Xuyi's crayfish industry, the county's annual crayfish processing capacity exceeds 40,000 tonnes. In 2023, the total output value of Xuyi's crayfish reached 30.6 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). As one of the top sought-after local delicacies, an increasing number of food and travel bloggers pay special visits to Xuyi in summer to sample the famous dish after reading reviews online. "Not only domestic influencers, many foreign vloggers also come here to savor our local delicacy," said Xu Qinghuai, who owns a night-market food stall in Xuyi. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Texas National Guard sign up migrants for a free Chicago-bound bus provided by Gov. Greg Abbotts office, at Mission: Border Hope in Eagle Pass, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Over the last two years, Gov. Greg Abbott has sent more than 118,000 migrants who crossed the Texas border to cities around the U.S. run by Democratic mayors. Abbott repeatedly has defended the program as his way of showing the rest of the nation the struggle Texas cities and towns are dealing with as record numbers of people have crossed into the state. He put the blame at the feet of President Joe Biden, who he said has done little to slow the flow of illegal immigration into the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Until Biden secures the border to stop the inflow of mass migration, Texas will continue this necessary program, Abbott said in a letter last year to Chicago officials defending his actions. Heres what to know about the program. When did the busing start? Abbott in April 2022 announced he would begin busing migrants who volunteered to go to Washington, D.C., so members of Congress and the Biden administration could see firsthand what Texas was dealing with. Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden Administrations failure to secure our border, Abbott said as the first buses arrived in the nations capital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His announcement came just as the Biden administration had said it would lift COVID-19 health restrictions, called Title 42, that former President Donald Trump had used to bar asylum seekers from entering Texas. The Trump administration said the order was needed to prevent the spread of the virus across the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. Under the busing program, the Texas Department of Emergency Management would offer rides to migrants who already had been processed by federal Border Patrol officials. Abbott said all migrants were required to sign waivers and have an initial health screening before getting on board. What cities did Abbott pick? Four months after the first buses went to Washington, D.C., Abbott announced he would begin sending migrants to New York City and Chicago as well. Later he added Philadelphia, Denver and Los Angeles to the program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abbott has said he is targeting so-called sanctuary cities. Those are communities where city councils have adopted resolutions saying they would not help federal officials enforce immigration laws that include helping to deport undocumented people. How many migrants have participated? As of June 7, the state has reported sending more than 118,000 migrants to the six cities they have targeted. New York City is receiving the most, with more than 45,500 since 2022. Chicago is next with more than 36,000. How much is it costing? Records obtained by a coalition of Texas public radio stations show that as of Jan. 24, the state has spent more than $148 million to bus migrants to Democratic cities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Copycat programs Playing off Abbotts program, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis instituted his own program, using Florida tax dollars to fly migrants from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code WISE, Va. A Charlotte, N.C. man has been charged with felony homicide after police say he caused the death of a passenger in a vehicle that was hit head-on by the vehicle the man was driving. Wise County Sheriff Grant Kilgore and Wise County Commonwealths Attorney Brett Hall announced the charge against Dimitri Jontae Green in a news release Friday. Green has also been charged with felony evading law enforcement following a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 23 in Wise County that ended with the head-on collision in Wise. According to Fridays release, the collision occurred as Wise County deputies pursued a vehicle that traveled into the county on the highway from Kentucky. The release said that the vehicle was connected to an alleged theft in Kentucky prior to the pursuit. The pursuit in Wise County began when deputies spotted a silver 2016 Audi Q3 with North Carolina license plates, which was subject to a Be on the Lookout from law enforcement officers in Kentucky. When spotted by Wise County deputies, Green started driving erratically, the release states. Green crossed the median in Pound traveling Southbound on US 23 in the Northbound Lane of traffic, the release says. Green narrowly missed dozens of vehicles driving at dangerous speeds at times of well over 100 mph. Deputies of the Wise County Sheriffs Office put themselves in harms way to attempt to end the pursuit, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in their attempts. Greens reckless disregard for the public and his own passengers resulted in a head-on collision in the Northbound Lane of US 23 within the town limits of Wise. Deputies attempted to bring the pursuit to an end by deploying spike strips, but the suspect vehicle was able to evade law enforcement. A deputy also attempted to use his patrol vehicle to briefly strike the suspects vehicle, but was unsuccessful in stopping the suspects vehicle, the release said. Law enforcement was able to divert the suspect back into the southbound lane briefly, but the suspect then crossed to the opposing lane again on US 23 in Wise. The suspects vehicle struck a passenger vehicle head-on in the Wise area, according to the release. The collision resulted in the death of one individual. Four individuals, including Green, were transported to local medical facilities for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash, the release said. According to the release, the investigation is ongoing and the medical status of other passengers involved in the crash has not yet been released. The release also states that Kentucky law enforcement officials have confirmed pending charges for Green and his passengers for crimes they committed in Kentucky. As Christopher S. Whitener flipped through the pages of David Boyles World War II: A Photographic History, he landed on a page of photos from the Battle of Corregidor in the Philippines. What is the battle of Corregidor? Corregidor is an island at the entrance to Manila Bay in the Philippines. Japanese forces took control of the island in 1942, capturing approximately 11,000 allies. U.S. troops reclaimed the island from Japanese forces in 1945 during World War II, an assault that killed nearly 6,000 Japanese soldiers and restored the island to the Philippines. Sources: britannica.com and thoughtco.com Whitener had seen one photo almost 40 years ago in a National Geographic article. This time, he said the photo froze him in his tracks. Whitener said he believes the man in the photo is his uncle, Richard Madison Whitener, who was killed in 1942 in the Philippines during World War II. How did Whitener make the connection? He said one man among the prisoners of war looked like his nephew. The photo was taken in 1942. Whiteners nephew, Richard Adam Whitener, was born in 1982. Richard Adam is the son of Christopher Whiteners brother. Richard Madison is a brother to Christopher Whiteners father. Family history Richard Madisons death was so devastating for his mother that she never spoke of it, Whitener said. Regardless, it was family knowledge that Whitener had an uncle who was killed in World War II. The family believes Richard Madison was taken as a prisoner of war when the Japanese military claimed Corregidor from the allied forces in May 1942. Whitener said he believes his uncle survived the Bataan Death March, then died several months later at a prisoner of war camp. Richard Madisons body was never found, Whitener said. His memorial is beside his mothers grave in Catawba Memorial Park. The memorial lists his death as July 26, 1942. He was 24. A striking resemblance In July 1986, National Geographic released an article about Corregidor. The article included a photo of American and Filipino prisoners of war. The photo shows a sea of indistinct faces. I never had an opportunity to sit down and read the whole article, Whitener said. But I did about three years ago, and I paid particular attention to the picture and looked at it in detail and was almost shocked that I saw a face that looked like my nephew. Whitener said he asked his sister-in-law for photos of Richard Adam when he was around the same age as Richard Madison. If the man in the photo is his uncle, then it is the only existing photo of Richard Madison, Whitener said. The lack of photos is one of many limitations in his research, Whitener said. Whitener had never seen a photo of Richard Madison, nor did his grandmother ever see the National Geographic photo. It may well be that many of the people in this picture, including this person, have been identified otherwise, Whitener said. That cant be ruled out. What next? In 2018, the Defense Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency contacted Whitener to ask for a DNA sample. After verifying his relationship to Richard Madison, the MIA agency sent a kit. Whitener did the DNA test and sent it in. So far, he has not received new information regarding his uncle. For now, Whitener said he is in the fact-gathering stage. Whitener pursues the topic, in part, because it is a mystery. Another reason is that he wanted to share the family history with his own children. Ive got to tell my children about the family, and theres this blank space, Whitener said. Who was Richard Madison Whitener? A weather satellite image taken Thursday afternoon shows a hazy area over the Caribbean Sea, center, that is partly because of a plume of Saharan dust carried across the Atlantic by winds from northwestern Africa. NOAA It happens every year from June and into July. Strong trade winds over northwest Africa pick up large amounts of Saharan dust and carry it thousands of miles over the Atlantic Ocean, through the Caribbean Sea, and then onto the Texas Gulf Coast. The years first wave of Saharan dust is likely to move into the state early next week. Forecast models show that a plume of Saharan dust will be located over the southern Caribbean Sea on Friday, affecting countries such as Colombia, Nicaragua and Cuba. The plume of dust is expected to move northwest in the coming days, entering the Gulf of Mexico by Sunday. The Saharan dust will likely move into Texas by early Monday morning. Thankfully, overall dust particle concentrations are expected to stay relatively low. You can expect hazy, milky skies across South, Central and Southeast Texas on Monday. Air quality will still be acceptable for most people, but those sensitive to particle pollution could experience minor respiratory issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The area shaded shows the highest concentrations of Saharan dust in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. At left, Saharan dust concentrations on Friday afternoon. At right, Saharan dust concentrations on Monday morning. WeatherBELL This cloud of Saharan dust will not be the last of the summer. An even larger dust plume can be seen on satellite moving off of the coast of Africa, and that could affect parts of the United States by the second half of June. San Antonio forecast Before the Saharan dust moves into the state early next week, the heat is expected to continue here in San Antonio. The most comfortable part of the day on Friday will be early in the morning, as lows drop to 76 or 78 degrees just before sunrise. Temperatures will rise quickly under partly to mostly sunny skies. San Antonio will be close to 90 degrees at noon, topping out at 98 degrees by the late afternoon. Heat index values, or feels like temperatures that factor in humidity, will be a few degrees warmer, reaching 101 to 103 degrees during the afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heat index values, or feels like temperatures that account for humidity, are expected to be in the triple digits Friday afternoon across South Texas. Actual high temperatures will likely top out in the upper 90s. Pivotal Weather Skies will be mostly sunny, but a few puffy cumulus clouds will likely develop as well. High atmospheric pressure will not allow much in terms of rainfall, but an isolated shower or two cannot be ruled out. About 95% of the region will stay completely dry. Weekend weather South Texas will not see many changes to the forecast on Saturday. Morning low temperatures in the mid-70s will transition to the upper 90s by the late afternoon. On Sunday, temperatures may increase by a degree or two. Highs could reach the 100-degree mark for many under mostly sunny skies. Tropical weather possible As we push into early next week, our attention will turn to the tropics. Tropical storm development could occur as a system of low atmospheric pressure near southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula moves slowly north and west through the western Gulf of Mexico. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Monday, a few scattered showers and storms will be possible along the coast and into South Texas, but overall rain chances will stay low. The Climate Prediction Centers outlook for June 19-23 shows that above-average precipitation is expected throughout South Texas. Climate Prediction Center From Tuesday through Thursday, weather forecast models are showing higher levels of tropical moisture moving into South Texas. As of now, the heaviest rainfall is expected in deep South Texas, from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande Valley. Here in San Antonio, scattered showers and storms are expected, with daily rain chances of 30% to 40% through the middle of the week. However, these chances will change depending on how the potential tropical system develops and moves. Stay tuned to expressnews.com/weather for updates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last week we had lots of response to Friday Five the about our taxes likely to increase. A quick review for those who didnt read, property taxes on my home in Concord would go up about 34 percent for Cabarrus County and about 45 percent for the city of Concord under proposed property tax rates. No. 1 The rate goes down, but the real dollars go up. Cabarrus County conducted a revaluation of property values with many properties going up as much as 60 percent in value. The proposed tax rates are going down but not enough to offset the increase in valuation. I guess the term revenue neutral is not in the Cabarrus County Commissioners or Kannapolis City Councils arsenal, said Mike Baughman of Kannapolis. Baughmans taxes under the current proposals would go up about $900 a year. He also pointed out that Kannapolis is proposing water and sewer rate increases. In a revenue neutral approach, the new tax value established during revaluation would set the rate so that the tax due would be the same. So, if you paid $100 last year, you would pay $100 this year dollars to dollars. Anything else is a tax increase. It might not be a rate increase but it is tax increase. John Ervin said he doesnt disagree with the revaluation but said leaders need to be aware of several factors and issues. To stay tax neutral, property tax rates need to be a lot lower than the proposed (60 cents per $100 valuation), Ervin said. An increase of 30 to 40 percent or higher property tax all at once is absolutely unnecessary and cruel, especially to elderly home owners on fixed incomes. Counties in some states give the retired over a certain age a substantial break in their property taxes. Ervin said the housing market prices are overinflated due to a lot of reasons. New construction costs 2022-2023 skyrocketed because of the price of materials. As such, new homes under construction cost more to build leading to higher sell prices. Many of those material prices have dropped, however the price of new construction continues to rise. As a result, the value of existing houses naturally increased, Ervin said. UPDATE: Cabarrus County responded to the discussion of property tax with this explanation of "revenue neutral" and a budget: "Revenue neutral is a concept based on the total budget rather than the tax bill itself. It doesnt mean that its neutral, or equal, for each individual. "A tax bill is derived from a calculation of two variables: assessed value and tax rate. The revaluation process changes one of those variables at a different amount for everyone. In order to have same tax bill as last year, the other variablethe tax ratewould have to change for each individual. The tax rate, however, is required to be the same for all residents. "After a revaluation, it would be mathematically impossible to ensure all individuals had a tax bill equal to their prior-year bill." Cabarrus County held a public hearing earlier this month. Commissioners are expected to consider approval at their meeting Monday, June 17, at the Governmental Center. A public hearing on the Kannapolis budget was held Monday, June 10, at Kannapolis City Hall. Kannapolis City Council is expected to approve its budget at 6 p.m. Monday, June 24. Concord City Council was scheduled to have a public hearing on its budget Thursday, June 13. It is likely the Concord budget was approved before this column is published. UPDATE: Thursday evening Concord City Council approved its budget as proposed by the city manager Harrisburg Town Council approved its 2024-25 fiscal year budget Monday, June 10. Mount Pleasants Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, June 24. No. 2 Cabarrus County spending increases. Attorney Jim Scarbrough, a long-time resident and political observer, shared with us information from Cabarrus County financial audits and budget information. It sure looks like the total county spending has doubled in 6 years from FY2019 to FY2025, Scarbrough said The FY2025 expenditures were estimated by the county manager in his message to the commission. And notice that the annual population increase is about 2%. The 2 percent figure is confirmed by other sources I looked at. Heres a quick look at the figures. Cabarrus County spent $250.8 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. Note were rounding to the nearest 10th of a million dollars. Heres how spending has grown: $290.5 million for FY 2020; $307.1 million, FY 2021; $321.1 million, FY 2022; $357.5 million; and $495.0 million for FY 2024. The spending for 2024 is the approved budget figure since the fiscal year doesnt end until June 30. The proposed budget for FY 2025 is $509.9 million. It should be noted that in recent years, Cabarrus County has built a new warehouse, a new EMS headquarters, a new courthouse and is in process of building two new library/active living centers. Some of those projects are aimed at serving the county for 50 years or more. Consider the old courthouse was constructed in 1976 and the previous courthouse was built in 1876. If were being honest, we should probably blame some of the pain on previous leaders who failed to keep up with the times. It would have been a lot cheaper to build a courthouse five or 10 years earlier. But guess what we have to look forward to $1 billion in Cabarrus County Schools capital needs. No. 3 Spend time now because changes are coming. Winter is coming. That saying is from Game of Thrones and according to Google that means summer is over and challenging times are coming. The challenging times are for county spending and projects. In November, Chairman Steve Morris wont be on the ballot after losing in the GOP primary. Cabarrus school board member Laura Blackwell Lindsey and former N.C. Rep. Larry Pittman are the Republican candidates. Past history tells us they will win. They are MAGA conservatives and will join up with Commissioner Chris Measmer to cut spending and programs. The opposition in November will be Democrats Ingrid Nurse and Eulonda Rushing. A Democrat has not won a Cabarrus County Commissioners race in decades. Speculation has been that Cabarrus County leaders/department heads are trying to push through any project they want because it might be years before another board would be willing to fund them. What if one of the Democrats wins? It would be interesting. Commissioner Lynn Shue is moderate with a lean to conservative. Commissioner Kenny Wortman seems to fall in the same range. They both would be more likely to side with a Democrat than then others. No. 4 Barber-Scotia registering students. Barber-Scotia College is accepting applications for the fall semester. The programs are completely online, and tuition is $2,500. The application fee is $25. The historically Black college is offering a masters degree in Theology; an associate degree in Christian Ministry; and bachelors degrees in Theology, Business Administration, Information Technology, Communication and General Studies. To apply online visit: Barber-Scotia has struggled financially since losing its accreditation about 20 years ago. Dr. Chris Rey, president, said the college hopes to regain full accreditation by 2026. No. 5 Fathers Day digital special. When people ask me how can they help keep our local newspaper, I tell them to subscribe and more specifically to subscribe to the digital version of the paper. I know many of you dont want to be dragged into the 21st century, but as a newspaper we dont have much choice. We either adapt or we fail. This week the Independent Tribune has a Fathers Day special for new digital subscribers: $1.50 for the first month and $4.99 a month afterward. Here is a link to subscribe: https://bit.ly/ITFathersDaySpecial If you have a Friday Five, story suggestion or something I can rant about email mplemmons@independenttribune.com or call or text 704-786-0001. Macquarie Data Centres, part of Macquarie Technology Group, has started constructing its IC3 Super West data centre after appointing Australian construction company FDC Construction (FDC) as main building contractor. IC3 Super West is built for high-density cloud and AI workloads, including hybrid air and liquid cooling options. It will offer customers AI densities, resilient data halls, dedicated office space, and storage. It is expected to bring more than 1,200 jobs to the region. The construction cost will be circa $350 million from FY25 to practical completion of Phase 1, which will deliver the powered core and shell, as well as 6MW of IT load fitted out. The facility is the third and largest addition to the provider's flagship Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus in Sydneys North Zone and will bring the total campus IT load up to 63 megawatts (MW). IC3 Super West will open its doors with all end-state power secured. The property is part of Macquarie Data Centres wider expansion strategy to meet the increase in demand for capacity from its hyperscale, government, and enterprise customers. Like all of Macquarie Data Centres facilities, IC3 Super West will be Certified Strategic by the Australian Federal Government, said Macquarie Data Centres group executive David Hirst. This gives our data centres a strong compliance posture as regulations around data sovereignty and AI continue to tighten in Australia and worldwide. This partnership brings together two Australian powerhouses with extensive experience in constructing state-of-the-art, mission-critical facilities. IC3 Super West marks the seventh project between FDC and Macquarie Data Centres. Their most recent project was IC3 East, the previous addition to the Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus. The widespread adoption of AI is fueling a new wave of next generation AI infrastructure and GPUs from tech giants such as Dell and Nvidia, added Hirst. These highly dense compute technologies can only live in purpose-built data centres that meet their significant power and cooling requirements. IC3 Super West is being built to cater to this rising demand here in Australia. [Provisional translation] On June 14, commencing at 12:05 p.m. (local time; 19:05 p.m. on June 14 JST) for approximately 10 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting Puglia, Italy to attend the G7 Summit, held informal talks with the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview is as follows. The two leaders welcomed the rapid progress of concrete cooperation between Japan and the UK in a wide range of fields, including security, economy and AI, based on the Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord, which was announced by the two leaders on the occasion of G7 Hiroshima Summit last year. The two leaders affirmed their close collaboration so that the forthcoming State Visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK will be an opportunity for further deepening of the friendship and goodwill between the two countries. (Yume no Tsuri Bashi, The Bridge of Dreams) Suspended between two mountain ridges, the Yume no Tsuri Bashi (The Bridge of Dreams) is a wooden and steel bridge that is built in the northernmost part of Shizuoka Prefecture, in the Sumata Gorge, where Sumata River meets the Oma River. The mountains in this region is the beginning of Japans Southern Alps, and it was certified as an UNESCO Ecopark in 2014. Most of the forest surrounding the Bridge of Dreams is natural forest - completely untouched by human activity. It is home to various wildlife, such as the rock ptarmigan, the Asiatic black bears, and Sika deer. The clear, blue, gleaming water is an awe-inspiring sight, and its beauty is further enhanced by the Oma Dam further downstream. You can see the blues of the water get darker as the water deepens - so clear that you can sometimes spot ayu fish as you cross the suspension bridge! Ayu fishing season begins in June, so your chances of seeing them in the clear rivers increase exponentially in the summer. (The bridge is built in the valley of the Sumata Gorge) (View from the bridge) (Hazy summer afternoon, it had rained the day before, stirring up sediment in the river) (View from the observatory at the top of the park) The view is perfect in every season. In the spring, wild cherry blossoms take turns to bloom in the mountains, and you are able to see cherry blossoms (of various species) from the middle of March to early May. In the summer, the green from the trees complement the lovely aquamarine blue waters, but in the autumn, it is an especially beautiful sight. The reds, oranges, and yellows of the autumn leaves stand out against the blue waters, casting beautiful reflections on a clear, still day. It gets especially busy in the autumn, as many come to admire the brightly coloured leaves. In the winter, the valley takes on a very blue hue, as sunlight only reaches the valley around 1pm in the afternoon. A guided tour is also available for reservation, for those interested in learning about the local flora and fauna. There are four different tours to choose from, from trekking in the mountains, crossing the Bridge of Dreams, and night walks in the region. Applications for the tours can be made on the Yume no Tsuri Bashi tourism website. GETTING THERE The Bride of Dreams is accessible by public transport. If youre going there from Tokyo station, catch the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Shizuoka station (3 stops). Transfer to the JR Tokaido line bound for Hamamatsu, and alight after 8 stops at Kanaya Station. Transfer to the Oigawa Railway bound for Senzu, and alight at Shin Kanaya Station. Catch a local bus from Shin Kanaya Station to Sumatakyo Onsen, and the entrance to the park will be a 5 minute walk from the Sumatakyo Onsen bus stop. It will take 10 - 15 minutes on foot from the entrance to the Bridge of Dreams. The total travel time by public transport is 3 hours, not accounting for wait time and traffic. As this area is protected and not well lit at night, visitors are advised to enjoy their trip in the morning till the late afternoon, as it becomes pitch dark by nightfall. For more information about the Bridge of Dreams, please check out their website at https://yumenotsuribashi-sumatakyo.com/. Their website is offered in Korean, in addition to Japanese. Inquiries can be made to their tourism office by phone ( +81 547-59-1011). MATTOON The Maranatha Christian Academy for grades kindergarten-12th has made plans in 2024-2025 to offer its first preschool program. Administrator Ryan Haifley said the program will be full day, five days per week and will start by serving students who turn age 4 by Sept. 1. He said they hope to expand the program to 3-year-old students in 2025-2026. "It was the natural progression of where we wanted to go," Haifley said of adding a preschool. "The goal has always been to offer educational services for preschool through the 12th grade." The academy got its start more than a decade ago as a home school support service for families at Maranatha Baptist Church, 3400 Dewitt Ave., and expanded in scale over time. The academy began the 2022-2023 school year by moving into the renovated former Douglas Nursing & Rehabilitation Center building at 3516 W. Powell Lane, along West DeWitt Avenue/Illinois 121. Haifley said the academy waited a couple of years to adapt to its new location and get the right staff in place before adding a preschool. He said this new class will meet in the south wing of the school building, near the indoor playground. Close Celebrating the Class of 2024 Celebrating this year's graduates of Arcola, Arthur Christian, ALAH, Casey-Westfield, Charleston, Cumberland, Kansas, LIFE Academy, Maranatha Christian Academy, Martinsville, Mattoon, Neoga, Oakland, Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Stewardson-Strasburg, Sullivan and Windsor. A former Lincoln man convicted of trying to bribe a witness to testify falsely at his jury trial last year has been sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison. Senior United States District Judge John Gerrard on Wednesday sentenced Richard Garza, 61, now of Edinburg, Texas, to the prison term, plus three years of supervised release for tampering with a witness. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Susan Lehr said at a jury trial in October that evidence showed Garza tried to bribe a witness when they both were incarcerated at the Saline County Jail. Lehr said Garza used a jail text-messaging system to communicate with the woman, bought food and clothing for her at the jail commissary and had a relative put money on her texting account in an attempt to get her to testify that other witnesses lied about their dealings with Garza, something she knew nothing about. Garza also was tried for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and a separate count of witness tampering. But he was acquitted on the second witness tampering charge, and the jury couldn't reach a verdict on the conspiracy charge, which led to a mistrial. Prosecutors later dismissed the conspiracy charge rather than retry him. 10 most common barriers to seeking treatment for substance use disorder Understanding barriers to seeking treatment #9. No openings in a program #8. Treatment would not help #7. Did not have time #6. Did not feel a need for treatment at the time #5. Did not want others to find out #4. Could handle the problem without treatment #3. Might cause neighbors/community to have negative opinion #2. Did not find a program that offered the type of treatment wanted #1. No health care coverage and could not afford cost Other reasons #6. Did not feel a need for treatment at the time #4. Could handle the problem without treatment #2. Did not find a program that offered the type of treatment wanted #1. No health care coverage and could not afford cost Other reasons 10 most common barriers to seeking treatment for substance use disorder Understanding barriers to seeking treatment #9. No openings in a program #8. Treatment would not help #7. Did not have time #6. Did not feel a need for treatment at the time #5. Did not want others to find out #4. Could handle the problem without treatment #3. Might cause neighbors/community to have negative opinion #2. Did not find a program that offered the type of treatment wanted #1. No health care coverage and could not afford cost Other reasons #6. Did not feel a need for treatment at the time #4. Could handle the problem without treatment #2. Did not find a program that offered the type of treatment wanted #1. No health care coverage and could not afford cost Other reasons A 26-year-old Lincoln man has been sentenced to federal prison for 15 years after narcotics investigators found an AR-15 and nearly a pound of suspected methamphetamine in his motel room following an officer-involved shooting nearby. Senior United States District Judge John Gerrard sentenced Dylan Johnson on Wednesday to the prison term, plus five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. There is no parole in the federal system. On May 1, 2023, Lincoln police arrested Johnson at the Super 8 motel on West O Street. United States Attorney Susan Lehr said that when investigators with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force approached Johnson, he dropped multiple baggies of suspected meth. They arrested him and searched his hotel room, which turned up more meth, about 5 grams of cocaine, empty baggies, a scale, about $550 in cash, a heat sealer, as well as an Omni Hybrid AR-15 rifle and two magazines with a total of 21 rounds. Investigators said Johnson a convicted felon who can't legally own a firearm had purchased the rifle the day before. His arrest at the motel immediately followed a police shooting across the street from the Super 8. In the unrelated case, narcotics officers shot 35-year-old Chace Abney after Abney followed them across the street, confronted them at their vehicle and shot toward them, according to the grand jury report that reviewed his killing. They initially thought the two men could have ties, but their investigation showed none. Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers The 16-year-old Lincoln boy who drowned in Holmes Lake Thursday night has been identified as a Lincoln North Star student. In a letter to families, North Star Principal Megan Kroll said Ali Al-Baaj would have been a junior this fall at North Star. Lincoln police and Lincoln Fire & Rescue were called to the Hyde Observatory on the south side of the lake about 9:30 Thursday night after Al-Baaj disappeared from view while swimming. LFR's rescue dive team and Nebraska State Patrol's maritime and air units responded to the call. Al-Baaj was located after about an hour's search by rescue personnel and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he and another family member decided to swim in the lake after walking on a trail in the park. Al-Baaj was found far from the shore, according to information provided by LPD. Police said the death appears to be an accidental drowning, although an investigation continues. Drownings at Holmes Lake, which is fairly shallow in most areas, are rare. Police officials said during a press briefing Friday that they couldn't remember one. A check of newspaper archives appears to show the last one was in 1985. Swimming at the lake generally violates city ordinance. LPS said members of its crisis team were at North Star during summer school on Friday to offer assistance to students. President Joe Biden's reelection campaign launched a new advertisement airing in Omaha Thursday that takes aim at former President Donald Trump's role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The ad is being aired in conjunction with Trump returning to Washington, D.C., as the clear favorite to be the Republican nominee for president, the Biden campaign said. The 30-second video, titled "Burn," accuses Trump of inciting the violence that occurred on Jan. 6, and noted he has since spoken favorably about his supporters who participated, including promising to pardon some of those convicted of crimes related to the riot. According to a Biden-Harris 2024 campaign press release, the ad is being aired in multiple battleground states Thursday, including Nebraska. Democrats have been eyeing the state's second congressional district for years as an area they could flip in an overall Republican-dominated state. Unlike other districts, Nebraska's 2nd District which includes Omaha and other parts of Douglas County has a fairly even number of registered Republicans and Democrats. According to the Secretary of State's latest numbers, Republican voters hold a slight edge with roughly 154,000 registered voters to the Democrats' 141,000. Still, the district went to Biden in 2020, giving him one of Nebraska's five electoral votes. It was the first time the district went blue since 2008, when it favored former President Barack Obama. "The Biden-Harris campaign is working hard to build a broad coalition of Democrats, Independents and Republicans to win NE-02 again this November," Caroline Stonecipher, the campaign's deputy states communications director, said in an email. Democrats are also aiming to flip the district's seat in the U.S. House, which GOP incumbent Rep. Don Bacon has held since 2016. He faces Democrat State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, who challenged Bacon first in 2022, and lost by fewer than 6,000 votes. This isn't the first anti-Trump advertisement the Biden-Harris campaign has aired in Omaha. Three weeks ago, a different ad launched with a similar message. The campaign also recently hired three campaign advisers to be based in Omaha to oversee the re-election campaigning on the local level. Top Journal Star photos for June 2024 The Iowa State Patrol has identified the Omaha toddler who died after a collision with an SUV at a Neola gas station last week. Keondre James Johnson, 2, was killed after he ran into the path of an oncoming 2024 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 67-year-old woman near the gas pumps at a Kum & Go on June 5, according to the State Patrol. The SUV struck Johnson. Neola medics took Johnson to an Omaha hospital, where he died from his injuries. Neola is about 27 miles northeast of Omaha in Pottawattamie County. Top Journal Star photos for June 2024 1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them. 2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound. 3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes. 4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic. Vote View Results ITALY: Meloni wants to present Italy as the new European face in Africa Italys Meloni, whose Africa development plan has drawn criticism, has pushed for the continent to be a central theme at G7. Bari, Italy Africa is set to be high on Italys agenda this year at the Group of Seven (G7) leaders meeting, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni aims to position the country as a key energy hub between Europe and the continent. But whether there is a clear vision and economic resources to do so remains to be seen, experts have warned. Keep reading Campaigners see hope in Japan same-sex marriage rulings Italy withdraws from Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, reports say China warns against undermining Belt and Road plan after Italy withdraws A dozen heads of state are expected to attend the three-day forum, which starts Thursday in the southern region of Puglia, to discuss global politics. Africa, climate change and development are up as the first themes of the initial G7 session. Signalling Melonis outreach ambitions, a relatively high number of guests from the Global South have been invited to this years forum. Russias invasion of Ukraine, Israels war on Gaza, and rising competition with China are expected to dominate talks, but Meloni wants the crown jewel of her foreign policy to feature prominently: the so-called Mattei Plan. The project embodies her vision to project power in Africa and turn Italy into a bridge for gas to be distributed from Africa and the Mediterranean to the rest of Europe, as well as supporting economic growth to stem mass migration from the African continent. But Melonis objectives seem to be centred on investment rather than development. She has selected financial institutions, banks and private and state-owned companies for her push. The involvement of NGOs and humanitarian organisations is less prominent. The timing could not be better for the prime minister who will be presiding the summit as Europes rising star following victory at the recent European Parliament elections. A new face Its about presenting a new strategy appealing to both the electorate and enterprises Africa is seen as an opportunity to grow when diversifying energy partners and resources [are] key, said Maddalena Procopio, a senior policy fellow in the Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Meloni wants to present Italy as the new European face in Africa and to place emphasis on the continent at the G7 is a smart move because she knows there is an unprecedented global interest in it, Procopio said. Advertisement Africa is home to some 30 percent of the worlds mineral reserves, many of which are critical to renewable and low-carbon technologies including solar and electric vehicles. It also stores 8 percent of the worlds natural gas, according to the UN. Such resources are key as Western nations try to wean themselves off Russian gas after Moscow invaded Ukraine. Since last year, Algeria has accounted for nearly 40 percent of Italys gas imports. Some observers say there is also a geopolitical calculus. Italys ambition is to step in at a time when competitor France is suffering major setbacks. Italy has a lighter colonial baggage compared with France and aims at striking a tone that is neither paternalistic nor imposing to African partners. Anti-French, anti-American sentiments have been brewing recently across the continent, especially in Francophone Africa where French troops have departed from several countries. Just narrative Amid growing competition between the Western bloc and the China-Russia front, the EU and US will follow Melonis plan with interest, but there is a degree of scepticism about its viability. During an Italy-Africa summit early this year, Meloni fleshed out five areas of investment energy, agriculture, water, health, and education and a few pilot projects. Observers were left unimpressed. It was vague and most of the projects presented were a rebranding of some already up and running, said Bernardo Venturi, head of research and policy at the Agency for Peacebuilding NGO. He said that no additional resources were allocated for the plan other than 5 billion euros ($5.38bn) formerly taken from other budgets, and claimed most African partners had not been consulted. Advertisement Since then, a working group was set up where the foreign ministry and NGOs with decades of experience on the ground were left with a marginal role, he added. Italy also lacks the economic resources to invest in new projects and has a marginal institutional presence across the continent, said Venturi, who has closely watched the development of the project. For that, it needs EU member states to financially support it, but Meloni has given a fairly a low degree of responsibility to the foreign ministry, raising questions about its international reach. Further criticism came from rights groups, who said the plan is an attempt to dress up anti-immigration policies as an energy investment scheme. Meloni built up much of her election campaign on promises to address migration. Human rights groups have accused her government of trying to impede the work of search and rescue organisations in the Mediterranean by restricting refugees rights to reach its shores. An Italian official who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity dismissed the initiative, saying, There is not such a thing as the Mattei Plan, its just narrative. To read the original article, please click HERE A Vermont man drowned Wednesday as he attempted to swim across a river with his daughter on his back, officials said. The Vermont State Police said troopers responded to a report of a drowning man in the Mad River, at the popular Big Rock Swimming Hole at Kenneth Ward Park in Moretown, at around 5:25 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses told responding troopers that the man was trying to swim across the river with his daughter on his back when he started to struggle. He went under the water and did not resurface. Bystanders had the water and safely rescued the girl, but could not locate the man. Troopers went into the water and one of them located him. They brought him to shore but despite attempting life-saving measures, troopers were unable to resuscitate 34-year-old Anthony Goddard. He was pronounced dead at the scene. State police said detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations were dispatched to the scene, but preliminary investigation indicated no signs of foul play. Goddard's body was sent to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington to determine the cause and manner of death. LOUISVILLE, Ky. U.S. bishops on Friday approved new guidelines for ministering to Indigenous Catholics, a long in-the-works effort to reinvigorate the ministry and assure those communities that they don't need to feel torn between their Native identity and their Catholic one. You are both. Your cultural embodiment of the faith is a gift to the Church, states the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops document. It was completed as new details emerged during the past two years of widespread abuses inflicted on Native children over many decades at Catholic-run boarding schools. The Church recognizes that it has played a part in traumas experienced by Native children, according to the new Keeping Christs Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry. The document received overwhelming support at this weeks USCCB meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. It is meant to help bishops refocus and invigorate ministry among Indigenous populations in the United States, said Bishop Chad Zielinski, chair of the USCCBs subcommittee on Native American Affairs, who presented the draft framework on Thursday afternoon. It "gives shape to ideas that Catholic Native leadership has been voicing for the past several years in listening sessions sponsored by the subcommittee, he said. The document, created with input from Native Catholics, is not meant to be an exhaustive, one-size-fits-all directive on ministering to the diverse array of Indigenous Catholics. Rather, it is guidance that can be adapted by dioceses, clergy and lay people to fit within the various cultural contexts of the people they are serving. It covers everything from evangelism and sacred music to boarding schools and marriage and family. Native Americans make up about 3.5% of U.S. Catholics and more than 350 parishes serve predominantly Indigenous people, according to USCCB statistics. Through praying, listening and seeking healing and reconciliation, the bishops are committing to revitalizing their Native Catholic ministry. It is a relationship that has been strained by the Catholic Churchs involvement in past traumas that affected Native people, including operating at least 80 of the more than 500 government-funded Indigenous boarding schools in 19th and 20th centuries. The schools were part of a federal forced-assimilation program that ripped children from their families and suppressed their culture. The document acknowledges the churchs role, and offers an apology for failing to care well for Indigenous Catholics who have felt abandoned because church leaders ignored their unique cultural needs. Healing and reconciliation can only take place when the Church acknowledges the wounds perpetrated on her Indigenous children and humbly listens as they voice their experiences, the document states, and adds that those efforts should be led by Indigenous communities. The majority of the boarding schools were run by the government, but Protestant and Catholic churches operated many of them. Conditions varied at the schools, which some former students described as unsafe, unsanitary and scenes of physical or sexual abuse. Other former students recall their school years as positive times of learning, friendship and extracurricular activities. Indigenous groups note that even the better schools were part of a project to assimilate children what many Indigenous groups call a cultural genocide. Fostering dialogue and engaging in other efforts to reconcile involvement remains an important priority of the USCCB on the issue of boarding school accountability as we walk with the impacted communities in their path towards healing, said USCCB spokesperson Chieko Noguchi. A recent Washington Post report found sexual abuse of Native children by clergy was pervasive at 22 Catholic-run boarding schools in the U.S. At least 122 priests, sisters and brothers were accused of sexually abusing the children in their care. The USCCB worked with the outlets reporters, Noguchi said, because we agree that this painful story needs to be told. This story is part of the ongoing process to learn what happened and better understand how we can work toward healing. Basil Brave Heart, an Oglala Lakota boarding school survivor from the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, said any pastoral plan needs to draw on the wisdom found in Indigenous spirituality and languages. If theyre going to do that, I think they need a lot of communication with Native Americans, he said. He has spoken out about his experiences as a boarding school student at Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, where he said he was forbidden from speaking his native language and had his long hair, considered sacred, cut shot. He currently partakes in Lakota spiritual practices while also attending Catholic Mass. He said Catholic churches on the reservation are often empty and that if the church wants to keep the Native people in the congregation, I dont have the answer, but one of the things they need to do is change the liturgy. Native teens are facing a mental health crisishere's what's behind the numbers Native teens are facing a mental health crisishere's what's behind the numbers Native American and Alaska Native youth at risk What's being done to prevent suicide in tribal communities Universities of Wisconsin officials will close another two-year campus in the face of declining enrollment, this time in the Fox Cities. UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt and UW system President Jay Rothman will shut down UW-Oshkoshs two-year branch campus in Menasha at the end of the spring 2025 semester. WLUK-TV was the first to report the news Thursday morning. The challenges facing the campus and challenges facing higher education in general are not of our own making, Leavitt said in a press conference Thursday. They are a reflection of the massive changes in our state, our nation and our world that have increasingly threatened the educational models on which the Fox Cities campus was founded. The Fox Cities campus is now the sixth UW system two-year branch campus to get the axe in the past two years and will leave UW-Oshkosh with no branch campuses. The Menasha and Fond du Lac campuses are about 20 minutes to the north and south of UW-Oshkoshs main campus, making it unrealistic to duplicate the programs so close by, UW-Oshkosh Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ed Martini said. Leavitt said the closure was based solely on declining enrollment, not the financial turmoil at the main campus in Oshkosh, which just became the first UW school to exhaust its reserves and require a loan from the UW system to stay afloat, even after announcing last fall that one out of every six positions was being cut. Each campus operates under its own budget, and the finances are separate, Leavitt said. Enrollment at the Fox Cities campus has declined by 67% over the past decade, from 1,700 students in 2014 to just 563 last year, according to data UW-Oshkosh released Thursday. In an April 30 letter to Rothman recommending that the Menasha campus be closed, Martini listed a series of challenges that constitute a perfect storm of headwinds that make future growth at the Fox Campus simply not feasible. Its the combination of overall enrollment and demographic declines, the increasing number of students opting out of higher education in our region and state, the competition and price differential for area technical colleges, and the continued demand for online and hybrid offerings at all levels of programming, Martini said. Decision made Rothman made the closure decision on Monday and Leavitt was notified Monday afternoon. Faculty, staff, students and county executives were informed Thursday. UW-Oshkosh plans to absorb the 16 faculty from the Fox Cities campus, Leavitt said, but its unclear yet which staff positions can be transferred over to Oshkosh. UW system officials have closed four other two-year schools since 2023 and have announced plans to close UW-Milwaukees branch campus in Waukesha after the spring 2025 semester. However, Leavitt said he is not aware of plans to close additional campuses. Shame on you Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson blasted Leavitt and Rothman, accusing them in a statement obtained by WLUK-TV of betraying the Menasha campus students and families trust. Now it will be up to the rest of us to clean up their mess, Nelson said. Shame on you. Declining enrollment coupled with flat state aid has left more than half of UW systems four-year schools facing projected budget shortfalls going into the next academic year. UW-Oshkosh faces the largest shortfall of the seven schools at $8.6 million. Gov. Tony Evers has said he plans to ask legislators for an $800 million increase for the UW system in the next state budget. This article has been updated. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a Trump-era ban on bump stocks that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns is unlawful. The justices, in a 6-3 decision, said that the Trump administration did not follow federal law when the Trump administration banned bump stocks following the massacre at a Las Vegas music festival in 2017 that left more than 60 people dead, the Associated Press reported. The gunman fired off more than 1,000 rounds in about 11 minutes. Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, said a weapon equipped with a bump stock cannot be classified as a "machine gun" because it is unable to fire more than one shot "by a single function of the trigger." "And, even if it could, it would not do so 'automatically.' ATF therefore exceeded its statutory authority by issuing a Rule that classifies bump stocks as machineguns," Thomas wrote, referring to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that reversed its longstanding definition on machine guns after the Las Vegas shooting. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who wrote the dissent along with the other two liberal members of the court, said the decision will have "deadly consequences." The National Rifle Association heralded the ruling. "The Supreme Court has properly restrained executive branch agencies to their role of enforcing, and not making, the law. This decision will be pivotal to NRA's future challenges of ATF regulations," Randy Kozuch, the executive director of the NRA said in a statement on X. NRA STATEMENT ON GARLAND v. CARGILL: The Supreme Court has properly restrained executive branch agencies to their role of enforcing, and not making, the law. This decision will be pivotal to NRA's future challenges of ATF regulations." - Randy Kozuch, NRA-ILA Exec. Dir. NRA (@NRA) June 14, 2024 Everytown for Gun Safety, the gun control advocay group, said the high court's ruling will put "millions at risk of harm." "Machine guns - guns capable of automatic firing - have been tightly regulated under federal law since the 1930s, and bump stocks and other conversion devices are designed to skirt the law and mimic automatic gunfire," Eric Tirschwell, executive director of Everytown, said in a statement. "This decision by the high court is dangerous and wrong. The ATF must be undeterred in continuing to aggressively enforce our nation's gun laws," he said. The law was challenged by a Texas gun shop owner who argued the Justice Department was wrong in classifying bump stocks as illegal machine guns. From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. In the United States, a quiet change is happening at work. Many workers are taking "workations." This is when employees work remotely from a vacation place without telling their boss. Workation combines the words "work" and "vacation." Another example is "staycation. This word describes when a person decides to stay home during vacation rather than traveling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking and remote work led people to re-think parts of their professional and personal lives. This increased the popularity of workations. Corporate trainer Rudi Riekstins works with businesses and employees. He told VOA the pandemic made people question what they really wanted in their work and personal lives. Riekstins said that as a result, some people started to feel like they wanted to avoid the busy, work-driven life sometimes described as a rat race. And as people went back to work, they sought to have more control. One study by hospitality management company Mews found that about 29 percent of employees said they had worked remotely from a vacation place without telling employers. The study, carried out by market research company OnePoll, involved 1,000 American travelers and 1,000 American hotel workers. The research suggested that 52 percent of employed Americans would use vacation travels as a chance to work remotely. Riekstins said workations can be good for both workers and employers. For example, a workation can improve worker happiness by making life more interesting. Productivity goes up by 70 percent on average when people are happier when they are working. And we see happy people when they're traveling because they feel stimulated, said Riekstins. You start to be stimulated emotionally, mentally, and physically, and then when you show up to work, you are more creative. Some hotel companies offer workation specials to boost business, especially during slower times. Sandy Wieber owns the 17-room Bayfront Marin House in St. Augustine, Florida. She also rents out eight beach cottages. Wieber herself worked remotely for eight years and now offers workation services that she would have liked using. In Georgetown, Maine, the 13-room Gray Havens Inn, which sits near the water, created a special program that aims to appeal to younger, remote workers. We have a lot of younger travelers, but not as many as we would like. This is part of the reason we started this program, said innkeeper Ali Barrionuevo. I read about other hotels doing it, so we put it out there to see if we could attract people who were teleworking. The special includes 25 percent off the room rate for a seven-day stay. The room comes with daily breakfast, a welcome gift, and some food and drinks. Barrionuevo also provides advice and support for seeing the area and taking part in activities. When they are done working, we help them find out what they like and create itineraries to help them see the things they want or should see with limited time, she added. A public opinion study carried out by ResumeBuilder.com found that one in six Gen Z workers used a false online background of a home office to fool their employer. Gen Z is a name for the generation of people born in the late 1990s through the early 2000s. Another study from 2023, found that 51 percent of Gen Z workers said they had worked remotely from a vacation place, but did not tell their employers. Riekstins noted that not all workations have to be secret. Some employers permit workations as long as employees get their work done. A number of the organizations that I do currently work with don't care where their employees work, as long as they produce the results and it's done within the office hours. Riekstins said he thinks more companies should accept remote work situations as a way to improve worker satisfaction and business productivity. He said employers should be asking: Are workers happy? Are they able to work anywhere and still get the job done? Can companies get better products and better results with happier workers? And will this make them stay at the company? And thats the Health & Lifestyle Report. Im Anna Matteo. Dora Mekour reported this story for VOA News. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. _____________________________________________________ Words in This Story remote adj. as in work, the practice of employees doing their jobs from a location other than a central office operated by the employer rat race n. strenuous, wearisome, and usually competitive activity or rush hospitality n. activity or business of providing services to guests in hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. : usually used before another noun stimulate v. to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity boost v. to increase in force, power, or amount cottage n. a usually small house for vacation use attract v. to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself itinerary n. the route of a journey or tour or the proposed outline of one We want to hear from you. Have you ever taken a "workation"? Do you have this word in your language? Share in the Comment section, where you can also practice the vocabulary from the story. Our comment policy is here. Once a year, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Saudi Arabia, to complete an important religious duty called Hajj. The travelers gather in the city of Mecca, carrying out holy acts over several days. Hajj is one of the five pillars, or bases, of Islamic belief. Here is a look at the religious event and its meaning to Muslims: What is Hajj? Every Muslim who is financially and physically able is expected to complete at least one Hajj. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are declaration of belief, daily prayers, giving to those in need, and fasting. These acts are required. When is Hajj? The Hajj takes place once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja. It is the 12th and final month of the Islamic year. The Hajj begins on June 14 this year and ends on June 19. What is the meaning of Hajj to Muslims? Performing Hajj meets a religious requirement for Muslims. The pilgrims are to seek Gods forgiveness for their wrongdoings. They believe the act brings them closer to God. Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said for them. Some Muslims spend years saving money and making preparations to make the pilgrimage. And other barriers can get in the way. In 2019, almost 2.5 million Muslims traveled to Mecca for Hajj. But the next year saw worldwide pandemic restrictions. Saudi officials restricted the event in 2020 to Muslims who lived in the country. Last years Hajj was the first to be held without COVID-19 restrictions since 2020. Close to 1.9 million people took part. What are some of the religious acts that pilgrims perform? Pilgrims declare the will to perform Hajj and they enter a state of ihram. Rules of ihram include the wearing of special clothes by men. The aim is to prepare oneself to be humble and a follower of God. A spiritual high point of Hajj for many is to stand on the plain of Arafat. Pilgrims pray at the site, praising God and asking for Gods forgiveness. Other religious acts include performing tawaf or circling the Kaaba structure in Mecca seven times. The Kaaba is a structure that represents the house of God. Muslims pray toward the Kaaba wherever they are in the world. Pilgrims also follow the path of Hagar, or Hajar. She is the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham to Jews and Christians. Muslims believe she ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. Among other religious acts, pilgrims throw small stones at structures that represent evil. What is Eid al-Adha? Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a holiday that begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja, during Hajj. It is celebrated by Muslims around the world. It marks Prophet Ibrahims demonstration of religious belief by offering his sons life to honor God. During the holiday, Muslims kill animals like sheep or cattle and give some meat to the poor. Im Gena Bennett. Mariam Fam reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________________ Words in This Story fast v. to eat no food for a period of time lunar adj. of or relating to the moon humble adj. not proud: not thinking of yourself as better than other people The development of e-commerce is a global trend that received a powerful impetus during the COVID epidemic. And the full-scale war has finally changed the distribution between offline and online commerce in favor of the latter. ADVERTISIMENT This would not be a bad thing if online fraud did not flourish alongside the growth of online sales. We've written about this problem many times before, but unfortunately, it remains a pressing issue. We propose to revisit the list of "safety rules" for online shopping on the example of luxury perfumes, which are particularly "popular" among fraudsters. BROCARD experts, who know all the pitfalls of the domestic perfume and cosmetics market, helped to compile this list. Rule 1: Choose a reliable online store. You should look for branded products where they have the right to be: on the brands' online platforms and on the websites of official representatives. Therefore, choose well-known and reputable sellers those who usually have physical stores where you can go to see the bottle of your dream perfume "live". Take it in your hands. Feel how the fragrance "sounds" on your skin. ADVERTISIMENT Rule 2: Do not fall for "unique offers"! Social media feeds often contain extremely attractive offers. "Final sale in connection with the liquidation of the warehouse", "90% discount on all perfumes", "Elite perfumes at a single price of 299 UAH". Such ads should be taken as red flags. Global brands never sell their unique products at the price of dishwashing detergent. For 10-15 euros, you can only buy a fake made by local "perfume experts" in an underground workshop. Videos of such productions can be found on YouTube, but you are unlikely to get any aesthetic pleasure from watching them. Rule 3: "Watch your hands" check the resource. Super discount ads "for everything at once" are usually found on mysterious online sites whose name tells you nothing. Be sure to follow the link to the ad that promises Gucci for 299 hryvnias. Is it the brand's official website or the website of a seller authorized to sell this brand in Ukraine? Does the name of this site match the one in the advertisement? Fraudsters can disguise themselves as a well-known brand like BROCARD. What country and domain is the store's website registered in? Remember that the official websites of Ukrainian companies have the address "companyname.ua". ADVERTISIMENT Rule 4. Do not buy perfume on tap or by the glass. You can read more about these sales schemes here. The Internet and Instagram actively offer perfumes of well-known world brands by the glass. Argument: why would you buy a 100 ml bottle? First, it is very expensive. Secondly, if the scent is unfamiliar, you may not like it very much. It is better to buy several fragrances of 2-3 ml each to test different compositions. Does it make sense? It seems so. But questions arise. What technology is used in the distillation process? Do they follow basic sanitary standards? Is the flavor original? It is impossible to check this. As for the bottling of "expensive perfume" from liter containers somewhere in the crosswalk, did you seriously think that the owners of the Dior, Armani, and Gucci brands would give away their perfume masterpieces in "barrels", literally like beer? If you are interested in such an "attractive" offer, you will buy a cheap fake that can cause health problems. ADVERTISIMENT Conclusion: "Playing roulette" with online fraudsters who are constantly honing their "professionalism" is a dangerous and hopeless business. It is impossible to identify a fake from the photo on the screen. Therefore, the only reasonable way out is to buy luxury perfumes from authorized sellers: offline or online. As for the price, you can find discounts on official websites. For example, BROCARD.UA periodically offers discounts of up to 70%, and here you are guaranteed to buy the original. Kimchi is one of the most popular ways to cook cabbage in Korean cuisine. Chinese cabbage is best suited for this dish as it has large, lush leaves and goes well with sweet and hot peppers. In general, the appetizer is very successful, quite spicy and extremely easy to prepare. Korean cabbage can be eaten on its own, added to scrambled eggs, boiled rice, fish or meat. ADVERTISIMENT Popular Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko shared a recipe for pickled Korean cabbage, also called kimchi, on his official website. Ingredients: Chinese cabbage - 1 pc. rice flour\cornstarch - 3 tbsp. carrot - 1 pc. green onions - 1 bunch radish\daikon - 1 pc. ginger root - 2 cm sweet pepper - 300 g chili pepper - 300 g garlic - 5-6 cloves coriander seeds - 1 tsp. fish sauce - 50 ml sugar - 2 tbsp salt - 7-8 tbsp water - 2 glasses. Method of preparation: ADVERTISIMENT 1. First you need to prepare the cabbage: cut off the end (tail), cut it lengthwise into four parts, and then cut each of the quarters across into three parts. Disassemble into leaves and wash them in water. 2. Next, sprinkle the cabbage leaves with salt and leave them for 30-60 minutes so that the cabbage leaves become salted, juiced and slightly softer. 3. Meanwhile, boil flour (you can replace it with starch). To do this, pour water over, put it on the fire and cook until a thick mass is obtained. Then remove from the heat and let it cool. 4. Next up is the sauce. To make it, pass the sweet and hot peppers, garlic, and ginger through a meat grinder or grind in a blender. Add 2 tbsp of sugar and 1-2 tbsp of salt to the resulting mass and mix. ADVERTISIMENT 5. Cut green onions into small 4-5 cm long pieces, carrots into half rings, and daikon or radish into strips. 6. At this stage, rinse the salted cabbage and pat dry slightly. Add fish sauce, coriander, vegetables, rice flour mixture, and pepper sauce to the cabbage. Stir and leave to pickle for 1-2 days. Kimchi can be stored in the refrigerator for about a month. The easing of border procedures for foreigners to access Hengqin was once again a topic of discussion at the recent plenary session at the Legislative Assembly. Lawmaker Wang Sai Man once again called for facilitating border procedures to Hengqin to foreigners, including Macau residents. In response, the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, said visa-related issues for entering the mainland are beyond the scope of local authorities and depend exclusively on Central government policies. Wong said the Macau border post area at Hengqin Border Post operates through a one-stop border, which is intended for residents of mainland China, holders of the Safe conduct for Travel to Hong Kong and Macau, and permanent residents of Macau and Hong Kong who hold the Safe conduct for entry and exit from China for residents of Hong Kong and Macau. He said mainland authorities are considering expanding the coverage of the channels recipients to include foreigners residing in Macau. If there is any relevant progress, it will be announced in due course, he said, noting that suggestions such as issuing a special safe conduct or other documents, or creating a link between a visa and local identification cards are matters that fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the mainland government. The Asia-Pacific gaming industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with various countries implementing new regulatory frameworks to balance growth and player protection. A panel discussion at the recent 2024 G2E Expo shed light on the latest trends and challenges shaping this dynamic landscape. The panel included experts from various countries who shared insights on gaming regulation in their respective regions. Moderator Rui Pinto Proenca, managing partner of MdME, led the discussion with panelists Lau Kok Keng, partner and head of Gaming Law Practice at Rajah & Tann (Singapore); Tomohiro Takagi, partner at Nishimura & Asahi (Japan); Jaewoo Kwak, Partner at Lee & Ko (Korea); Long Gia Nguyen, partner at Tilleke & Gibbins (Vietnam); and Marie Antonette Quiogue, CEO and principal of Arden Consult (Philippines). STRICT REGULATIONS AND MONEY LAUNDERING SCANDAL The Singaporean government has implemented a regulatory framework that allows casinos to operate only in the form of integrated resorts (IRs), such as the iconic Marina Bay Sands. Despite only having two casinos, combined gaming revenue surged to SGD5.25 billion (MOP31.35 billion) in 2023. In 2020, a major money laundering scandal rocked Singapore, involving a network of PRC Chinese nationals who had taken on different nationalities to evade detection. The scandal led to the seizure of assets worth SGD3 billion (MOP17.9 billion), with the majority belonging to individuals who had fled the country, so of course there is need to regulate, said Kok Keng. The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) reacted to the scandal and has issued warnings to its citizens not to gamble in Singapore. The Chinese embassy in Singapore posted a statement on WeChat, urging Chinese citizens to refrain from gambling, even if it is legal in Singapore. The scandal has had significant implications for the gaming sector in Singapore; with the courts never having the chance to determine whether gains derived from a licensed operator overseas would be considered proceeds of crime. This has raised concerns about the potential for cross-border money laundering and the impact on the industry. PLAYER PROTECTION Singapore has been at the forefront of player protection, with measures in place to limit the number of visits by local players to casinos. The entry levy has increased to SGD150 (MOP 895) per 24 hours, and annual passes now cost SGD 3,000 (MOP17,908). The government has also extended the exclusion scheme to include individuals receiving social assistance and those who receive criminal legal aid. Comparably, Japans gaming industry has also undergone significant changes, with the introduction of the IR Promotion Law and the IR Implementation Law. The country has learned a lot from Singapore and other jurisdictions, with measures in place to protect local players. The entry fee in Japan, described by Takagi, locals must pay JPY6,000 and are limited to playing three days a week and ten times a month. STRICT GAMING REGULATIONS AND SOCIAL IMPACT Macau is one of the most mature gaming markets in Asia and it focused on the traditional casino model. Newer gaming hubs like Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam are investing in integrated resorts and online gaming, which may be more attractive to players. Macaus gaming revenue was MOP80.14 billion (USD9.93 billion) in the first half of 2023, a 205% year-on-year surge. In contrast, South Koreas casino revenues are roughly a sixth the size of Las Vegass alone, generating around $1.3 billion (MOP10.4 billion). In South Korea, there are around 20 casinos, but most are foreigner only, meaning only non-Korean citizens can enter and play. The only place where Korean nationals can enjoy casino gambling legally is Gangwon Land Casino. Conversely, Macau allows both locals and foreigners to gamble. Allowing locals to gamble is crucial for market growth, but South Korea is unlikely to change this regulation anytime soon. When asked about the social impact of gaming in the Philippines, Quiogue noted that while formal statistics are not yet available, the industrys effects could be understood through general statistics and societal context. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, with approximately 80% of the population identifying as Catholic. This strong religious influence has shaped the way gaming has been introduced to society, with the Catholic Church exerting a significant influence on both politics and society in the Philippines. Despite all countries experiencing a backlash about the societal impact of the gaming industry, the government and casino operators hope to continue regulating the industry and promoting transparency, with a focus on responsible gambling measures to mitigate these concerns. GROWING MARKETS While traditional gaming hubs like Macau focus on the casino model, newer markets in the region are embracing integrated resorts and online gaming. Vietnams pilot program for local players requires a minimum age of 21 and a minimum income of $400 (MOP3,219), and it has been successful, said Nguyen. The government is considering extending the program and making it more flexible for foreign investors. We are looking at ways to attract more capital investment into the country, said Nguyen. We want to make sure that the regulatory framework is robust enough to attract foreign investors and allow them to build integrated resorts. The Philippines has also seen significant growth in its gaming industry, with a focus on integrated resorts and land-based casinos. We have seen a lot of interest from foreign investors in our gaming industry, said the CEO of Arden Consult. We are working to create a regulatory framework that is attractive to foreign investors and allows them to build IRs. Quiogue describes new projects as expanding beyond Manila, with Clark experiencing a resurgence in growth and plans to replicate this in Boracay. The Philippines has been actively promoting its gaming industry, with a focus on integrated resorts and land-based casinos. The countrys unique hybrid model allows land-based casinos to offer online gaming services, making it an attractive destination for customers. When asked about online gaming, Quiogue said the adoption of online gaming casinos in the Philippines. In 2020, during the pandemic, land-based casinos were permitted to offer online gaming services to their existing VIP clients. This allowed domestic players to bet online through a limited licensing regime extended to existing land-based casinos as an online component to their current land-based license. NEW HORIZONS: THAILAND Thailand is also looking to legalize casinos, with a draft bill currently being considered. We are looking at ways to legalize casinos and create a regulatory framework that is attractive to foreign investors, said Kok Keng. We want to make sure that the industry is regulated in a way that protects players and prevents problem gambling. They have proposed a tax rate of at least 30% on gaming revenues and minimum age and earnings requirements for players. The gaming expert shared his insights on Thailand, stating, I heard that the tourism department in Thailand has signaled that they are trying to push back on the proposal. The suggestion is that they are seeking to obtain the advantage that would come with the tourism. But from the governments perspective, I think theres always a tax element to be collected from the big casino registration. Thailand is currently proposing a very competitive rate of 17%. I dont know if that can happen, but that rate is very competitive compared to 30% in Vietnam and Japan or 20% in Korea. Kok Keng believes that this nevertheless represents a very feasible plan, which may happen in the future in Thailand, approximately in 2029. Nadia Shaw Analysis China is actively advancing the new energy sector in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in southern China, attracting top-tier manufacturing firms to the region. An exemplary achievement in this initiative is an energy storage company in the Nansha District of the Greater Bay Area. Within just 320 days, the company transformed a 270,000-square-meter wasteland into a lithium-ion battery manufacturing base and a research and development center, as reported by China Central Television (CCTV). Zhu Kunqing, the general manager of Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology, explained that the decision to establish operations in the GBA was influenced by the areas abundant talent pool. Lithium-ion batteries, especially those used in energy storage, represent a highly technical and expansive industry, necessitating a significant demand for skilled professionals. The Pearl River Delta is recognized as the cradle of the lithium battery industry, providing us access to a wealth of talent, CCTV quoted Zhu Kunqing. According to the World Intellectual Property Organizations Global Innovation Index 2023, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster has consistently ranked second globally for four years in a row, Emirates News Agency has reported. To remain at the forefront of the industry, Zhu revealed that the company has made a substantial investment of $2.7 billion and anticipates an annual revenue of $4.8 billion. The company employs a research and development team of over 300 experts to steer production. In ensuring the implementation of our technical concepts, our construction, planning, and design teams bring extensive experience. This expertise is a key reason for our rapid development, Zhu stated. Looking ahead, Guangdong Province has set an ambitious target to achieve an annual revenue of CN1 trillion (approximately $138 billion) from its new energy storage industry by 2027. Cheng Hailiang, deputy director of the Nansha District Bureau of Development and Reform, emphasized that the government provides robust support to foster entrepreneurship in this emerging field. We offer policy support for land use and project incubation to new energy enterprises. Additionally, we have dedicated teams to ensure projects transition smoothly from construction to operational phases, Cheng noted. Lithium-ion batteries play a crucial role in various sectors, including electronics and clean energy industries, such as electronic devices, solar energy storage, electric vehicles, and medical equipment. INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT DRIVING GROWTH The consistent high ranking of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster in the Global Innovation Index reflects the regions robust innovation ecosystem. The clusters second-place ranking for four consecutive years is a clear indication of its global competitiveness and innovation capacity. Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technologys substantial investment of $2.7 billion demonstrates the companys commitment to leading the industry. The anticipated annual revenue of $4.8 billion highlights the economic potential of the energy storage sector in the Greater Bay Area. The companys research and development team, comprising over 300 experts, plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and ensuring the realization of advanced technical concepts. The emphasis on experienced personnel in construction, planning, and design has been crucial in achieving rapid development and operational efficiency. The Guangdong Provincial Governments goal of achieving CN1 trillion in annual revenue from the new energy storage industry by 2027 stresses the strategic importance of this sector. The governments proactive approach in providing policy support, land use facilitation, and project incubation is designed to create a conducive environment for the growth of new energy enterprises, according to Chinese media. Cheng Hailiangs remarks on the governments support mechanisms highlight the comprehensive framework in place to assist companies in the new energy sector. The presence of dedicated teams to facilitate smooth project execution from construction to operation ensures that enterprises can navigate the complexities of the industry effectively. THE FUTURE OF ENERGY STORAGE IN GBA As China continues to promote the new energy industry in the Greater Bay Area, the region is set to play a crucial role in the global energy transition. As recently reported by Guamgdong media, the combination of a robust talent pool, substantial investment, and government support creates a favorable environment for the growth and development of the energy storage industry. Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technologys rapid establishment of its lithium-ion battery manufacturing base and research center is an indication of the regions potential. The companys success serves as a model for other enterprises looking to tap into the opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area. The strategic focus on innovation, investment, and support from the government aligns with Chinas broader goals of achieving sustainable development, technological leadership, and economic prosperity. The Greater Bay Areas development as a hub for the energy storage industry will have far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. MDT/Agencies A new survey from the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) has found Macau residents consumer satisfaction has largely stabilized. On a 100-point scale, satisfaction with clothing and footwear purchases scored 75.4, a slight increase of 1.21% from 2023. Satisfaction with dining and drinks, however, dipped 1.79% to 71.2, primarily due to a decline in the value for money index. MUST conducted the 2024 Consumer Satisfaction Index Survey from March 19 to April 11, gathering responses from 919 Macau residents. The results are more stable than expected, said Li Yanchen, Assistant Professor at MUSTs Faculty of Business. Last year saw a sharp rebound as the economy recovered, but this year the indices have remained relatively flat, which is a positive sign of industry efforts. The survey also found consumer satisfaction in Zhuhai has surpassed Macau for two consecutive years, both in dining and clothing/footwear. Li said factors like transportation, service, product variety, and exchange rates play a major role. We hope local merchants will continue improving product quality and stabilizing prices to provide good value for consumers, Li added. Howard Tong Macau has solidified its position as the top tourism revenue generator in China, surpassing other prominent nations, according to a report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Macau secured 13th position in the global ranking of countries and regions generating the highest revenue in the tourism sector. With an impressive growth rate of 275% in 2023 compared to the previous year, Macaus tourism revenue amounted to a staggering USD32.6 billion. The latest data from the UNWTO reveals Macaus exceptional performance, with its tourism revenue outstripping that of countries like India and Mexico. The United States topped the list with USD175.9 billion in tourism revenue, followed by Spain with USD92 billion and the United Kingdom with USD73.9 billion. Chinese tourists played a significant role in driving international tourism spending, surpassing the United States in 2023. China has recovered its position as top spender on international tourism in 2023 as Asia and the Pacific consolidates its recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. In 2022, the list of top spenders was headed by the United States. France, Spain and USA took the top spots for most-visited destinations. Last year, Chinese travelers spent a staggering USD197.7 billion, reaffirming their position as the top spenders on international tourism. North American tourists, on the other hand, spent USD123.2 billion internationally. The recovery of Asia and the Pacific region from the pandemics impact played a crucial role in Chinas resurgence as the leading spender on international tourism in 2023. Among the top 10 spenders in 2023, China was followed by the United States (USD150 billion), Germany (USD112 billion), the United Kingdom (USD110 billion), and France (USD49 billion). Notably, India rose to the eighth position, showcasing the countrys growing importance as a source market. While France retained its position as the worlds most visited destination with 100 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, Macau solidified its standing as a top earner in international tourism receipts, securing a place among the top 15 tourism earners globally. As the world looks ahead to a full recovery in the tourism sector in 2024, Macaus growth and contribution to the industry serves as a positive sign. The global tourism landscape is expected to witness a 2% growth above 2019 levels, supported by robust demand, improved air connectivity, and the ongoing recovery of major Asian markets, including China. Recently, Macau, for the first time, was ranked the most satisfactory destination for mainland outbound tourists in the first quarter of the year, thanks to a number of favorable policies that have bolstered the citys tourism industry. According to the China Tourism Academy (CTA), Macao scored 83.49 in the satisfaction-level ranking of destinations visited by mainland outbound tourists, ranking top, while Hong Kong secured seventh spot with 81.77. Staff Reporter A worker installs a new row of bitcoin mining machines at the Riot Platforms facility in Rockdale in 2021. The growth of crypto mining has raised concerns among state officials. MARK FELIX/AFP / AFP via Getty Images Spooked by projections of how much electricity Texas could need by 2030, lawmakers have soured on the growth of cryptocurrency mining after years of welcoming the industry to the state. The Permian Basin alone is expected to see 24 gigawatts of added power demand, about half from electrification of oil and gas operations and half from data centers and cryptocurrency mines, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas told lawmakers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This unprecedented growth could further strain Texas power grid and would require significant new infrastructure, such as transmission lines to move electricity across the state. Lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, expressed concern that Texas residents would ultimately bear the costs. Im more interested in building the grid to service customers in their homes, apartments, and normal businesses and keeping costs as low as possible for them instead of for very niche industries that have massive power demands and produce few jobs, Patrick wrote in a post on X. We want data centers, but it cant be the Wild Wild West of data centers and crypto miners crashing our grid and turning the lights off. Transmission costs make up 30% to 40% of the average customers electric bill each month, according to Courtney Hjaltman, chief executive of the Office of Public Utility Council, which represents residential and small commercial customers in rate cases. That portion of the bill has been rising as utilities upgrade equipment to withstand extreme weather and build new lines to accommodate demand growth. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, said he didnt want Texans, especially those on fixed incomes, to absorb the cost of grid upgrades needed for businesses like bitcoin miners. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I see something inherently unjust in the fact that we're asking everyday Texans whore making tough decisions costs, grocery stores to be paying for the ability for other people to make even greater profit, especially if they're moving from place to place to place and taking advantage of the low cost of Texas energy, Menendez said. Lawmakers repeatedly expressed shock at how much power Texas could need in six years during Wednesdays Senate Committee on Business and Commerce hearing, with Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, calling it the most alarming thing Ive heard this week. Even in the back hallway, you couldnt tell me? Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, asked, after ERCOT Chief Operating Officer Woody Rickerson said the grid operator wasnt allowed to factor in potential sources of power demand that didnt have a signed contract before this year. Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, said the new demand projections signal the arrival of a completely new economy really in Texas, and certainly a new grid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its huge policy implications. Every assumption that weve made over the past four years is now called into question once again. All of them, he said. Cryptocurrency miners, however, were adamant that they are a tool for, rather than a threat to, grid stability. Thats because they regularly reduce electricity use when power prices are high and economically inefficient to mine cryptocurrency, decreasing demand when the grid is most stressed. ERCOT also has so-called demand response programs that pay large electricity users, including cryptocurrency miners, to reduce consumption when the grid is strained. We are the lowest risk price signal for bringing new generation on, Brian Morgenstern, head of public policy for Riot Platforms, a bitcoin mining company with facilities in Rockdale and Corsicana, told state senators. We're the most flexible, we're the cheapest in terms of marginal costs, to give that power back when it's needed, or more accurately, to give ERCOT control of our load. About 40,000 megawatts of so-called large flexible loads, which include bitcoin mines, have submitted applications to connect to the ERCOT grid, Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, an industry association, told lawmakers. But much of that is phantom load, he said. Very little of it will come to fruition, Bratcher said. A data center, a bitcoin mining data center or many others, will go in and apply for multiple sites, and thats how you get the congested queue. We as an industry also support pushing that load out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, asked regulators whether Texas could stop the influx of data centers because of their potentially massive electricity needs. Can we just say, No, you cant come? Campbell asked. Too many pigs at the table who just run out of food. If they dont come with their own trough full of food, can we just say no? In response to a similar question during the House of Representatives State Affairs Committee hearing earlier in the week, ERCOTs Vegas said the grid operator would prefer to have more insight into cryptocurrency mining operations. Legislation was passed to require crypto mining facilities to register with ERCOT, but some are unlikely to do so until rules on how they have to register are imposed, he said. ERCOT is aware of approximately 2,000 megawatts of crypto mining demand, but there could be upwards of 4,000 megawatts or more in Texas, Vegas said. One megawatt can power about 250 Texas homes during the hottest summer days, according to ERCOT. To your question on legislation to put a moratorium on crypto mining, what would be more helpful for ERCOT is to have more visibility to what these large loads are doing. A good place to start could be making sure we can track and even potentially control the loads of cryptos, Vegas said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bitcoin is one of many cryptocurrencies whose mines are essentially bank upon bank of computers competing to solve complex math problems and receiving bitcoin as a reward. Running these computers and the cooling they require consumes large amounts of energy. By one estimate, a single bitcoin transaction uses the equivalent of 26 days of the average U.S. household's power consumption. Macau ranks 10th worldwide and 3rd in Asia for cities with the highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants per capita, according to a recent report by Chefs Pencil. Despite Macaus modest population of 680,000, the territory has attracted an impressive 16 Michelin-starred restaurants, including two establishments that have been awarded the coveted three-Michelin-star rating. Robuchon au Dome, located in the Grand Lisboa casino hotel, has been praised for its French fine dining and theatrical dining experience. Renowned French chef Joel Robuchon runs the restaurant, and is known as the Chef of the Century. Jade Dragon in the City of Dreams specializes in Cantonese cuisine and has earned three Michelin stars for over 10 years, a remarkable achievement for a Chinese restaurant. With 16 Michelin restaurants but a small population of under 700,000, Macau has shown it can punch above its weight in attracting and supporting high-end gastronomy. This has helped elevate its reputation as a global culinary destination alongside other Asian powerhouses like Hong Kong and Tokyo. Globally, Macau ranks behind only Kyoto, Japan, and Paris, France, in terms of Michelin restaurant density. Kyoto tops the list with one Michelin establishment for every 14,637 residents, while Paris has one for every 17,235 people. Rounding out the top five are Washington, D.C., Antwerp, and Osaka. Macaus culinary rival Hong Kong, meanwhile, has 79 restaurants, or one for every 94,823 people. There are 16 Macau restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2024, including the three-star establishments Jade Dragon and Robuchon au Dome. The territory also has six two-star restaurants and eight one-star restaurants in the guide. Macaus Michelin stars dropped in the 2024 Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau despite new additions to the list. Previously, food critics have noted that the wider options in Macau securing Michelin stars this year is a signal the city should have a more diverse dining offering. While promoting itself as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Macau has been accused of having too narrow a choice of cuisines. It is also part of the reason more local residents have decided to go north for food. Staff Reporter The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) made its return to the Lisbon Festivities this year, marking the first time the organization has participated since the Covid-19 pandemic. The highlight of Macaus involvement was a dazzling display of traditional dragon dancing as part of the Lisbon Popular Marches parade on the evening of June 12. The Popular Marches parade is an iconic annual event that celebrates the citys month-long festivities. With over 90 years of history, the parade features elaborate costumes and performances from diverse neighborhoods across Lisbon. Related The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation of Portugal (MECI), Fernando Alexandre, has asked the Court of Auditors for an audit on the management of all Portuguese Schools operating in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), including Macau, the office from the Minister has confirmed to the Times. According to a written response to a Times inquiry, the audit was requested May 26 and will involve schools in Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, and Macau. The office also confirmed there was a previous complaint filed with the Ministry regarding the Portuguese School of Dili (Timor-Leste) and the management of Acacio de Brito, the current director of the Portuguese School of Macau (EPM). According to the Alexandres office, the Inspectorate-General of Education and Science had previously conducted an inspection following the complaint to the Portuguese School of Dili. However, this did not produce conclusive results, which led the previous government to order the case to be archived, the Ministers office said. As the Times reported yesterday, the Alexandres office has also recently notified the management of the EPM it will not provide additional teachers to replace those who may be laid off in the future. In the meantime, given the lack of teachers in Portugal, MECI has already noted teachers will not be made available to replace those the school management may dismiss, Alexandre was quoted as saying to the Portuguese language newspaper Hoje Macau. The office of the minister also admitted to communicating with the school board, seeking additional clarification and information on the dismissal of over a dozen teachers from the school at the end of the academic year. As the Times has reported earlier, a letter issued by the local section of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has called for the resignation of the Consul-General of Portugal in Macau, Alexandre Leitao, amid controversies surrounding the dismissal of EPM teachers. The letter includes allegations and suggestions about teachers who have been suggested to have been hired to replace those dismissed as close friends and the girlfriend of the EPM director, calling on the director to return to Portugal before those intimately connected to him arrive in Macau to teach in the school. Over the weekend, the consul general defended the school against allegations regarding internal hiring and restructuring decisions. Speaking to the public broadcaster TDM, Leitao argued there is a mandate for the Portuguese School of Macau Foundation, stating, there are corporate bodies, and they have the responsibility to make decisions and they are responsible for the results. When we are given the opportunity to analyze the results, we will be available to ask questions, query the results, and make any assessment that needs to be made, Leitao said. Fernando Alexandre took office as the new MECI April 2 this year, after a government restructure in Portugal following the legislative election results on March 10. Performances and immersive exploration at teamLab SuperNature Macao A group of Sands Cares Ambassadors hosted local families from the Childrens Dream Alliance at teamLab SuperNature Macao May 29, in celebration of International Childrens Day. The Sands Childrens Day for Music and Arts was held as part of the ongoing celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Sands Cares Ambassador programme, giving the 70 participants a day of immersive art experiences and creating lasting memories together in a vibrant and creative environment. Sands Childrens Day for Music and Arts was aimed at bringing art into every home in the community and fostering a sense of joy and fulfilment through art interaction. The participating families were treated to a mesmerising quartet performance featuring beloved movie soundtracks known to every household. The Macao Orchestra specially arranged enchanting and lively musical pieces for the event, filled with a magical atmosphere and upbeat rhythms, aimed at letting everyone step into a world of childlike wonder through music. The delightful musical experience took place in the enchanting setting of teamLab SuperNature Macao. Following the performance, guests had the opportunity to freely explore the innovative fusion of technology and art within the exhibition, immersing themselves in a captivating world of creativity. In celebration of the spirit of International Childrens Day on June 1, the Sands Cares Ambassadors extended their warm wishes to the children at the event by presenting them with gift packages purchased from the Fuhong Society of Macau. Initiatives like Sands Childrens Day for Music and Arts are an outlet for Sands China to carry out its commitment to the local community through the Sands Cares Ambassador programme. Established in August 2009, the programme has grown to include over 3,300 dedicated volunteers, serving as a platform for them to serve the local community by organising a wide range of community activities and engaging in volunteer work. Through sharing warmth and care with disadvantaged groups, Sands China seeks to actively contribute to the social development of Macao and help build a harmonious and inclusive society. The International School of Macau (TIS) honored the achievements of former students at its annual alumni awards ceremony last night, inspiring the next generation of students. Established in 2002, TIS has come a long way since its first batch of graduates left in 2009, and the schools dedication to setting its students up for success has never wavered. The current cohort of students have received an impressive 600+ university offers worldwide, including prestigious institutions like Columbia, UCL, University of Edinburgh, Parsons, Purdue, MUST, and the University of Hong Kong. These remarkable results underscore TIS commitment to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their future endeavors. The alumni awards ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions and successes of TIS alumni in various fields, including aviation, veterinary science, medicine, performing arts and motorsports. Awards were given to three alumni, Daniel Figueiredo class of 2012 (Aviation), Tiffany Ng class of 2017 (Occupational Therapy), Joy Kuai class of 2017 (Aviation). These individuals showcase TIS ability to foster diverse talents and the positive impact its graduates have on the world. Before the celebration, the Times spoke to Lorne Schmidt, head of School to highlight the history, achievements and unique experiences offered to students who attend TIS. TIS offers the Alberta educational framework and is also authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) to senior students. From grade 10 onwards, students must complete the Alberta High School Diploma, while the IB is optional. IB is well known in the university circles for its rigor, said Schmidt. Students have the flexibility to choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Alberta High School Diploma, but Schmidt said universities are well aware of the caliber of students they receive from TIS. He highlighted the schools unique approach to learning, which focuses on developing a conceptual understanding in the content that students study. This approach goes beyond mere information gathering, as anyone can access information online. Instead, TIS students learn to apply and utilize the information they gather, making them valuable assets to universities and future employers. The school prioritizes skill development around the typical curriculum, preparing students better for university and their future careers. We incorporate a lot of STEAM projects within our curriculum, even in subjects that are not science or math or art, but social studies and language arts. Schmidt emphasized the importance of critical thinking as being able to voice ones opinion and being open-minded to different perspectives and viewpoints. The schools focus on developing essential skills in its students prioritizes engagement in learning and building conceptual understanding rather than mere memorization. In an effort to foster personal growth and development, educators at TIS encourage students to take risks and step out of their comfort zones. This includes public speaking, such as giving presentations, which is a valuable skill that can be honed through extracurricular activities like student council, volunteer work, and clubs like Model United Nations. The Duke of Edinburgh program also provides opportunities for students to expand their skill set and develop personally. By embracing risk-taking, students can build confidence and become well-rounded individuals, he said. Nadia Shaw As the Mississippi River cruise season gears up, several popular paddlewheel boats are missing from this years list of dockings in western Wisconsin as the industry replaced the nostalgic charm of paddlewheelers with more modern vessels. American Queen Voyages had operated paddlewheelers American Queen, American Empress, American Countess and American Duchess, but went bankrupt earlier this year. American Cruise Lines purchased the four paddlewheelers when the other company shut down but has since scrapped two of them, including the American Countess, which made routine stops in La Crosse. American Cruise Lines remains focused on modernizing and elevating the domestic cruise industry with new ships, large staterooms, modern technology and rigorous environmental standards, American Cruise Lines said in a statement. We have recycled the former AQV vessels, Countess and Duchess. We continue to evaluate options for the Queen, including the possibility of donation to a municipal or nonprofit entity. The future of the two remaining paddlewheelers purchased from American Queen Voyages is unknown, and the cruise line operates four of its own paddlewheelers currently in service, with two operating on the Mississippi River. While the operating paddlewheelers will not stop in La Crosse or Winona, Minnesota, this year, they could return in the future. If we dont see a (paddlewheeler) stop on the Upper Mississippi in La Crosse in 2024, that doesnt mean that it isnt going to be there next year, said Alexa Paolella, public relations manager for American Cruise Lines. Regardless of the type of ship, the tourism-related business the the boats bring to the Upper Mississippi region has an impact. Last year, there were 13 stops in Winona and 23 stops in La Crosse between Viking, American Queen Voyages and American Cruise Lines. We estimated that there were over 7,000 guests that came in on those cruises, said Carey Hegge, tourism director for Explore La Crosse. Those visitors are visiting downtown, going to our restaurants and shopping spaces. They definitely have a positive impact. This year, there are fewer dockings, with 10 visits in Winona and 20 visits in La Crosse. Despite fewer cruises stopping in the area, plenty of activity will still be brought into the cities. The more people we can bring in, the more potential we have to bring them back for longer stays, Hegge said. The closure of American Queen Voyages has decreased the number of people visiting the cities. The American Queen Steamboat, which is no longer in service, could bring about 400 people, while the American Cruise Line riverboats carry no more than 180 guests each. One of those would be a few times of what the American Cruise Lines bring in. In that sense, its numbers, said Pat Mutter, executive director of Visit Winona. The number of passengers that could be coming into town and spending money. ... Its the different aspects of what they do in town that make a cruise more than just people stopping into town. In Winona, the economic boost largely comes from scheduled tours of the city and landmarks, attraction visits such as the history center, and the shopping and dining by visitors. Its a great way for people to see a community they might not get to otherwise, Mutter said. While their riverboats might bring in fewer visitors per trip, the American Cruise Line ships often spend more time in the city. In La Crosse, all the companys visits this year last from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., giving visitors time to absorb the area. That will definitely give visitors more time to explore our city and region, versus when the American Queen guests came, they had a short window of time at their stop here, Hegge said. They get to do a lot more in that time, and we get the opportunity to leave a better impression on them. The riverboats travel through the region from June through October, and, according to American Cruise Lines, are gaining popularity in the Upper Mississippi. Our Upper Mississippi River cruises are increasing in popularity, and we expect them to continue to grow, Paolella said. Power lines are shown near Beltway 8 following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Texas power grid regulator didnt overstep its authority when it set wholesale electricity prices at its maximum cap for several days during the deadly February 2021 freeze, overturning the conclusion of an appellate court. The decision from the states highest court protected the billions of dollars some power generation companies earned selling electricity at the $9,000 rate and prevented what couldve been a messy untangling of electricity transactions made during the multiday cold snap. Freezing weather impaired power plants abilities to operate in February 2021, pushing the states grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, to order outages to prevent a total collapse of the grid, during which power could've been out for weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Feb. 15, 2021, the first day of the outages, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which regulates ERCOT, set wholesale electricity prices at its $9,000 cap to try to encourage more power plants to sell electricity to the grid. Under normal conditions, the wholesale price hovers around $30 per megawatt-hour. In the wholesale electricity market, power generation companies sell electricity produced by their power plants to retail electric providers, who sell it to residential and commercial customers. The lawsuit was brought by Luminant, an electric utility that buys and sells electricity on the wholesale market. Luminants parent company, power generation company Vistra, said it lost at least $1.6 billion during 2021s Winter Storm Uri because it paid incredibly high costs for natural gas to run its power plants and had to buy electricity at or near the price cap to meet its supply obligations when it still lacked adequate natural gas to generate at full capacity. The PUCT and Vistra didnt immediately reply to a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Supreme Court ruling Luminant wants its money back, but the PUCT argued the egg cannot be unscrambled, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote in the Texas Supreme Courts opinion. Ultimately, justices ruled that the proverbial egg possibly could be unscrambled but shouldnt. Justices Rebeca Huddle and Evan Young did not participate in the decision. In January oral arguments before the Texas Supreme Court, a lawyer for power generation companies Calpine Corporation and Talen Energy, which joined the PUCT in petitioning the Third Court of Appeals ruling, said that there must be a reliable power grid before a competitive electricity market is possible. Justices agreed. The law acknowledges that the goal of prices set by competition may, in some circumstances, have to yield, Hecht wrote in his opinion. Lawyers for Luminant had argued the PUCTs orders setting prices at the cap didnt achieve its intended purpose of attracting more supply because generators were unable to produce power regardless of how much they would earn. But the Texas Supreme Court decided that whether the agencys actions were effective was not for the judiciary to consider. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Commission has the expertise to manage the electric utility industry; the courts do not, Hecht wrote. We must decline Luminants invitation to second-guess the Orders necessity and whether it was the price hike they enacted or the Commissions earlier load-shed directives that truly saved the grid from collapse. Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced on Friday it has renewed its partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to increase opportunities for travelers to the Lion City. The renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed last week. It focuses on enhancing destination preference and recall, triggering stronger interest in traveling to Singapore, and highlighting the city-states vibrant events calendar. - Advertisement - The partnership also introduces the campaigns newest ambassadors, showbiz couple Megan Young and Mikael Daez, who will be featured in a travel film showcasing Singapores innovative architecture, rich cultural heritage, and unexpected experiences. The Philippines was Singapores sixth largest source market for tourism last year, with nearly 700,000 tourist arrivals, an 81 percent increase from 2022. We are very grateful for this renewed partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, said Candice Iyog, CEB Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer. This collaboration not only aligns with Cebu Pacifics commitment to providing accessible and affordable flights, but also contributes significantly to bolstering Singapores tourism industry by attracting more visitors from the Philippines, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting economic growth, she added. CEB currently flies to and from Singapore from several strategic hubs in the country, increasing flight frequency from three times weekly to daily on the Clark-Singapore-Clark route. We are excited to renew our partnership with Cebu Pacific, who have been wonderful partners and have contributed significantly to our strong tourism performance, said Terrence Voon, STB Executive Director for Southeast Asia. He noted that the Philippines continues to be an important market for Singapore, with a strong recovery in visitor numbers after the pandemic. Through our new partnership, we will give Filipinos more reasons to visit Singapore by leveraging our position as a regional hub for world-class cruise ships, as well as our vibrant year-round calendar of live events, Voon added. The partnership aims to give Filipinos more reasons to visit Singapore by leveraging its position as a regional hub for world-class cruise ships and its vibrant year-round calendar of live events. President Marcos has named retired judge Jaime Santiago as the new director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), replacing outgoing chief Medardo de Lemos. The President has also appointed Antonio Nebrida Jr. as the acting general manager of Peoples Television Network. - Advertisement - Santiago took his oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday. The new NBI chief holds a BS in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology and a law degree from Manuel L. Quezon University. Santiago served in the PNP Western Police District from 1979 to 2000. He has been a Criminal Law professor and held various judicial roles, including judge of the Regional Trial Courts in Manila and Tagaytay, and the Metropolitan Trial Court in Manila. From 2003 to 2006, he was the assistant city prosecutor at the Department of Justice. Toby Nebrida His leadership roles include Deputy Executive Vice President of the Philippine Judges Association and President of the Metropolitan and City Judges Association. Through a Facebook post on Friday, the Presidential Communications Office announced Nebridas appointment as the new GM of the state-run broadcast network. Nebridas, who replaces Analisa Puod, will also represent the private sector on PTVs Board of Directors. Nebrida was a reporter for PTV-4 for a long time, and before his appointment, he served as the spokesperson for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Marcos names retired Manila RTC judge as new NBI chief The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has urged Hungary to invest in the Philippines, particularly in the fields of agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), and digital and water technologies. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo made the call after holding a bilateral talk with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Thursday. - Advertisement - Manalo also urged his counterpart to explore investment possibilities on renewable energy, green metals, electric vehicle manufacturing, and smart and high-tech light manufacturing. In his remarks, Manalo also thanked Hungary for its support for the resumption of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Union (EU). The DFA Secretary said Manila is confident that Hungarys upcoming presidency of the EU council, the Philippine-EU talks on FTA will gain further momentum. We are optimistic that it will also pave the way for a deeper collaboration between the EU, ASEAN and the Philippines in promoting respect for international law and enhancing joint initiatives in the areas of trade, investment, and climate change, Manalo said. There are also other areas of partnership that Manalo and Szijjarto discussed during their meeting. Manalo cited the education ties between the two countries, considering that Hungary is also one of our active partners in higher education. The Stipendium Hungaricum Programme has been truly beneficial to the Philippines, annually offering 35 scholarships to Filipinos in such vital fields as natural sciences, agriculture, and public health among others, he said. As of now, 142 students have already completed the program, Manalo noted. We also welcome our active cooperation in Science and Technology, with particular focus on Sustainable Agriculture, Info-communication Technology, and Quantum Technology, he said. Hungary has a rich history in the field of science and technology, and we hope to tap into that vast wealth of knowledge and expertise, he added. Szijjarto was in Manila for the 8th iteration of Philippines-Hungary Political Consultations. His latest visit was his third one after flying to the Philippines in 2017 to meet Manalo, who was then an acting Foreign Affairs secretary, and in 2020 to engage with former DFA chief Teodoro Locsin, Jr. I am confident that we can further strengthen our ties and collaborate for the mutual benefit of our nations, the countrys top diplomat said. DUBAI Two cruise missiles launched by Yemens Huthi rebels struck a bulk cargo carrier in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, severely injuring a sailor who was evacuated by American forces, the US military said. The Huthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in attacks they say are in solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. - Advertisement - Although this has caused major disruption to international shipping, casualties have been rare. The M/V Verbena a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated ship reported damage and subsequent fires on board. The crew continues to fight the fire. One civilian mariner was severely injured during the attack, the US Central Command said in a statement. Aircraft from USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) medically evacuated the injured mariner to a partner force ship nearby for medical attention, CENTCOM said. This continued reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Huthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Huthis on Thursday said they had carried out attacks on three ships within the past 24 hours, including the Verbena, in retaliation to the crimes committed against our people in the Gaza Strip, and in response to the American-British aggression against our country. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, meanwhile, reported an explosion close to a merchant vessel in the Red Sea about 80 nautical miles northwest of Yemens rebel-held Hodeida port, with no damage or casualties. CENTCOM later said that over the previous 24 hours it had destroyed an air defence sensor, two patrol boats, and nautical and aerial drones belonging to the Huthis. The Huthis, who are at war with a Saudi-led coalition after ousting the government from Sanaa in 2014, have launched scores of drone and missile attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. The first reported fatalities from the attacks on ships occurred in the Gulf of Aden in March. On Wednesday, the Huthis struck the Tutor, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, southwest of Hodeida. They claimed to have used seaborne and aerial drones as well as ballistic missiles. CENTCOM said at the time that the Tutor had been hit by a Huthi unmanned surface vessel that caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room. On Thursday, CENTCOM accused the Huthis of claiming to act on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict. AFP President Marcos on Friday said the government is taking all possible measures to ensure the safety and repatriation of Filipino seafarers aboard the MV Tutor. In a short video, President Marcos said the countrys officials are coordinating with the UK Maritime Trade Operations to secure the crews immediate transfer to Djibouti. - Advertisement - We are coordinating with the UK Maritime Trade Operations and looking for a way to bring you to Djibouti first. From there, arrangements are being made for the seafarers to return home to the Philippines, he said. Rest assured, we are doing everything in our power to bring them home safely, the President added. President Marcos vowed to provide aid and ensure their return is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring the crews well-being throughout the process. The MV Tutor was attacked by Houthi rebels on Friday morning. According to the Department of Migrant Workers, 22 Filipino seafarers were onboard and one was reportedly missing. The Martinsville and Henry County community is celebrating Juneteenth in a variety of different ways starting Saturday. On June 19, 1865 months after the Civil War ended and more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved people Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free 250,000 people still held in bondage. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in the United States and this June a variety of different events will honor the holiday with different performances, fellowship and talks. This Saturday the Fayette Area Historical Initiative (FAHI) will hold it Homecoming Juneteenth Festival at Baldwin Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Special performances will be given by The Spiritual Seven, From Americas Got Talent Season 16: Christoff Hairston, Fresh Wind Dance Group, Kuumba Dance Group, and Rock Steady Band. The Incredible DJ Joe will be playing music between sets, and our guest host will be Osama Bin Drankin from 102 Jamz Drank of the Rox Morning Show. King Kidz Rentals will provide a bounce house and obstacle course, and food will be available for purchase by Hyltons Wood Fired Grill, Bens Boys, Palumbos, Curlys Good Ol Eating and Southern Belle Food Trucks. There will also be community vendors providing education and retail services and product, giving guests the opportunity to do some shopping. For more information call 276-732-3496 or email executivedirector@fahimuseum.org or visit the FAHI Facebook or Instagram pages. It is important that we celebrate what is not just Black History, but American History, FAHI Executive Director Charisse Hairston said. This Juneteenth celebration creates a platform with the potential to cultivate a better understanding of Black history and culture, which fosters better relationships between groups with different backgrounds. On Wednesday the Martinsville Henry and Patrick County NAACP will host a Gospel Music Extravaganza celebrating Juneteenth starting at 5 p.m. at New College Institute, 191 Fayette St. Mr. and Miss Juneteenth will be crowned. Performances and speakers include Betsy Haskins, Rev. Bill Charles, The Family Five, Raymond Staples, Kaleb Cross, Teresa TK Roberson, The PW Praise * Worshipers, Gale Buck, Valeria Edwards and more. Admission is $5. On June 22 the First Annual West End Community Reunion celebrating Juneteenth will take place on Third Street between B and C Street from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Food and drinks will be available, and guests are encouraged to bring a chair. For those located in Patrick County, the Rock Spring Plantation Descendants committee will be holding a Juneteenth Freedom Day at Reynolds Homestead on June 19 at 4:30 p.m. Tours of the plantation will begin at 4:30 pm with the Juneteenth celebration beginning at 5:30 pm and concluding at 7:30 pm. The event will include an opportunity to view results of research conducted by John Whitfield, who was commissioned to gather information about men, women and children who were enslaved at Rock Spring Plantation Reynolds Homestead. The celebration will also include a BBQ dinner, music, fellowship, childrens activities and a time for reflection. Juneteenth is a great opportunity to celebrate freedom and the legacy of those enslaved on the Rock Spring Plantation, Descendants committee member Kimble Reynolds said. The Descendants Committee aims to provide an opportunity for people to fellowship with food and music combined with an introduction to the rich historical legacy and unfolding story of Rock Spring Plantations enslaved community. WASHINGTON During the presidential election four years ago, the Equal Ground Education Fund hired more than 100 people to go door-to-door and attend festivals, college homecomings and other events to help register voters across Florida. Their efforts for this year's elections look much different. A state law passed last year forced them to stop in-person voter registration, cut staff and led to a significant drop in funding. Organizers aren't sure how robust their operations will be in the fall. Genesis Robinson, the group's interim executive director, said the law has had a "tremendous impact" on its ability to host events and get into communities to engage directly with potential voters. "Prior to all of these changes, we were able to operate in a space where we were taking action and prepare our communities and make sure they were registered to vote and help if they weren't," he said. Florida is one of several states, including Kansas, Missouri and Texas, where Republicans have enacted voting restrictions since 2021 that created or enhanced criminal penalties and fines for those who assist voters. The laws have forced some voter outreach groups to cease operations, while others have greatly altered or reduced their activities. The Florida law, signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last May, imposed a $50,000 fine on third-party voter registration organizations if the staff or volunteers who handle or collect the forms have been convicted of a felony or are not U.S. citizens. It also raised the fines the groups could face, from $1,000 to $250,000, and reduced the amount of time they are able to return registration applications from 14 days to 10 days. A federal judge blocked portions of the law earlier this month, including the one targeting felons and those who are not citizens. Even so, the law had a direct effect on the operations of Equal Ground and other voter advocacy organizations in the state before the ruling. The League of Women Voters in Florida, one of the plaintiffs, shifted away from in-person voter registration to digital outreach. Cecile Scoon, the league's co-president, said the law stripped the personal connection between its workers and communities. Digital tools aren't easy to use when registering voters and can be expensive, she said. These organizations are needed because local election officials don't always provide adequate support and information, said Derby Johnson, a voter in Ormond Beach who attended a recent community event in Daytona Beach organized by Equal Ground. He said it appeared the Florida Legislature was just trying to make it harder for certain communities to register and cast ballots. "There are parties actively working to suppress the vote, particularly in Black and brown communities, and these groups help educate and register voters to mitigate that," she said. MOVE Texas, a voting rights group that focuses on voters who are 30 or younger, adjusted to that state's 2021 election overhaul with additional training for their staff and volunteers. Among the provisions drawing concern was one that increased criminal penalties for anyone who receives compensation for assisting a voter, which especially affected the ability to recruit high school and college students for voter registration drives. "The law contributed to this culture of fear in our elections and being a person who registers voters," said Stephanie Gomez, the group's political director. Republicans in Kansas overrode a veto by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to pass a bill that made it a felony if anyone registering voters impersonated or was assumed to impersonate an election official. That forced Loud Light Kansas, a voter outreach group that focuses on minority communities, to stop its registration efforts. Would-be voters typically perceived their staff and volunteers as election workers even when told otherwise, said Anita Alexander, the organization's vice president. "We're trying to engage impacted people, but we weren't willing to risk anyone getting charged by doing voter engagement work," she said. Loud Light and other local voter registration groups sued the Legislature. The Democratic governor said there has been no evidence in the state of widespread voter fraud or instances of individuals impersonating election officials. In Missouri, the state chapter of the League of Women Voters and the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP sued after the state enacted wide-ranging election legislation in 2022. Among other things, the new law bans compensation for those who register voters and requires that anyone who helps more than 10 people register must also register with the secretary of state's office and be a voter themselves. Violators can face criminal penalties. The completed secretary of state's forms are public, which presents a privacy concern for many people who might otherwise want to help with voter registration efforts, said Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. "Historically, when those membership lists have been obtained, they've been used to intimidate. So, there's a lot of trepidation, especially in groups that are targeting low-income or communities of color," she said. "If you just want to volunteer for one hour on a Saturday morning to help out on your college campus or on an Earth Day or anything, you have to go through this whole process." The Missouri law is on hold while the legal challenge plays out, with a trial set for August. Voting rights experts expect to see continued attempts to restrict voting and the activities of voter outreach groups in Republican-controlled states, said Megan Bellamy, vice president of law and policy at the Voting Rights Lab. "The effort to target third-party voter registration groups is just, unfortunately, one of many policy areas that state legislatures are moving to address," she said. Will 2024 voter turnout be the same as in the 2020 presidential election? Will 2024 voter turnout be the same as in the 2020 presidential election? Key findings 10 counties with the highest voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election The military recruitment by the polisario armed separatist group of children in the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria was strongly denounced during the ordinary session of the UN Committee of 24, taking place June 11 21 in New York. The recruitment of children in the Tindouf camps is one aspect of the systematic and repeated violations of human rights perpetrated on Algerian soil by the separatist movement, underlined Aabidine El Ouali, president of the African Forum for Research Studies in Human Rights. The involvement of children in armed conflicts by the polisario is a flagrant violation of international law and the Paris principles, he said, noting that a number of non-governmental organizations and media have sounded the alarm against these practices which trample on the most basic rights of children. At a young age, these children are subjected to indoctrination in military centers and exposed to the harmful ideology of hatred and violence, he denounced, stressing that it is time for the international community to take action to put an end to these criminal practices and hold accountable the parties involved in these despicable acts. Algeria is the main party responsible for these violations perpetrated on its territory by a separatist group that it shelters, finances and arms, he argued, stressing that the Tindouf camps constitute the epicenter of child soldiers. Such abuses cannot be tolerated, he said. El Ouali also called for allowing the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to carry out the registration and census of the populations of the Tindouf camps. Khadija Ezaoui, a native of Laayoune, also denounced the blatant human rights violations in the polisario-controlled camps, saying Tindouf camps have become a brutal symbol of human suffering, where abuse, repression, extreme poverty and malnutrition are the norm rather than the exception. She noted that the humanitarian aid intended for the sequestered population in these camps is diverted to be sold on the markets of neighboring countries rather than being channeled to those who need it most, adding that the polisario leaders engage in the systematic embezzlement of this aid with the active complicity of Algeria. She cited the latest revelations from the World Food Programme (WFP) in its January 2023 report entitled Summary report on the evaluation of the provisional strategic plan for Algeria (2019-2022) and the 2015 report from the European Anti-Fraud Office. The evidence provided by the WFP leaves no room for doubt, clearly establishing the embezzlement of essential foodstuffs, including cookies intended for children as part of humanitarian aid, she denounced, adding that these foodstuffs are sold on local markets in Tindouf, outside the camps and in neighboring countries. Ezaoui pointed out that the WFP had highlighted the obstruction of the access of UN specialized agencies to Tindouf camps and the bias inherent in the distribution of humanitarian aid orchestrated by the polisario. This shocking situation is due to the fact that Algeria did not allow the UNHCR to register the population held hostage in Tindouf camps, in accordance with its mandate and the resolutions of the UN Security Council, she said, noting that the sequestered population of these camps continue to live in a zone of total anarchy, marked by multiple human rights violations, at a time when Algeria has delegated its authority over the camps to the polisario. On this matter, she pointed out that the UN Human Rights Committee had repeatedly expressed its serious concerns about this illegal delegation of powers, adding that these same concerns had been echoed by the UN Secretary-General in his report to the Security Council. Ezaoui also condemned the abuses and exactions endured by the population sequestered in the Tindouf camps when they claim their legitimate rights. When the sequestered population dare to raise their voices against the exactions perpetrated by Algeria and the polisario, their legitimate demands are met with brutality and repression, she said, citing the recent case of three individuals who were victim of arbitrary detention and torture at the hands of the polisario. She also pointed out that the same fate applies to women who are subjected to various forms of violence by Algeria and its polisario puppet, stressing that this humanitarian catastrophe calls for an immediate international response. To her, the only solution to this disastrous situation is the safe and dignified return of the population sequestered in Tindouf camps, through the implementation of the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan for the Sahara. In a shocking incident that unfolded in a Nairobi courtroom, a senior Kenyan police officer identified as Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto was shot dead after he opened fire on Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti. The shooting occurred shortly after the magistrate made a ruling in a case allegedly involving the officers wife, canceling her bail for absconding. Angered by the courts decision, the chief inspector, who was in charge of a police station in Londiani, western Kenya, drew his gun and shot the magistrate, injuring her hip. Other officers present in the courtroom responded swiftly, with one of them fatally shooting the offending policeman. During the exchange of fire, three other officers sustained injuries. The injured magistrate and officers are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital. The judiciary released a statement confirming the incident and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The national police service stated that the officer was in the courtroom for unknown reasons and that investigations are ongoing to determine the events leading up to the shooting. The incident has sent shockwaves through Kenya, as such an occurrence inside a courtroom is unprecedented. While the police have faced accusations of extra-judicial killings in the past, no similar incident has been reported within the confines of a court. In response, the judiciary has vowed to enhance security measures and assure the safety of judicial staff and court users. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya expressed condolences to the family of the deceased officer and wished the injured magistrate a speedy recovery. Anya Tish was photographed when at the Anya Tish Gallery opened in 2004. BRETT COOMER/HOUSTON CHRONICLE Anya Tish in the Anya Tish Gallery in 2004 BRETT COOMER/HOUSTON CHRONICLE The "Guns and Roses" exhibit at Anya Tish Gallery. Anya Tish Gallery Honoree HJ Bott, from left, Anya Tish, Margaret Bott and Jack Belcher at the Community Artist's Collective luncheon. Gary Fountain/For the Chronicle "Pink Bedroom Daydream" was among the works in Richard Tuschman's show "Hopper Meditations," which showed at Anya Tish Gallery.. Courtesy of the artist/Anya Tish Gallery An installation of works created with hand drawings filled one corner of the show "Hedwige Jacobs: Come Alive for a Few Seconds," at Anya Tish Gallery. Anya Tish Gallery "Concerto in E Minor" by Pawe Dutkiewicz on view at the Anya Tish Gallery. Courtesy of Anya Tish Gallery Anya Tish, longtime owner of the eponymous gallery in Montrose, died Wednesday in her hometown of Krakow, Poland, according to a statement released by the Anya Tish Gallery. Mark Tish, her husband of 50 years, was by her side. Since opening in 1996, the Anya Tish Gallery has been a familiar destination for art lovers, from its inaugural location on Sunset Boulevard to its current outpost at 4411 Montrose. Tishs emphasis on global works that address social and environmental issues attracted an international following within Houstons notably diverse, creative community. Her space quickly became known for showcasing contemporary art by both established and emerging talent. Paintings, sculptures, photography and videos were consistently on view. For nearly three decades, her relationships with gallerists and museums in the U.S., Europe and Russia brought conceptual and material exhibits to Houstons artistic hub, adjacent to the Museum District. Anya Tish, owner of the eponymous art gallery in Montrose, pictured in front of work by Adela Andea. Anya Tish Gallery After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Anya Tish Gallery hosted a Slava Ukraini! fundraiser featuring the sale of more than 250 pieces donated by local artists. All proceeds benefited the Care Ukraine Crisis Fund. Having grown up in Poland, a border country, Anya felt an obligation to support her Ukranian neighbors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im shocked and appalled by the tragedy and the catastrophe that is taking place next door to the country I come from, and which is very close to my heart, she told PaperCity. My friends and artists in Poland are all actively helping the refugees, volunteering and housing them in their homes. In recent years, the Anya Tish Gallery featured a number of shows by South Asian and Latin X artists, too. Tish was best known for her signature eye glasses, always in a distinctive shape or pattern, and her nurturing of young talent. Her gallery, a blank canvas for thought-provoking work within one of Montroses most recognizable, Brutalist buildings, plans to continue its work to honor her legacy. This story is developing and will be updated. Burundis Finance Minister, Audace Niyonzima, announced on Thursday that the countrys budget for the 2024/25 financial year, starting in July, will increase by 15.9% to 4.4 trillion Burundi francs ($1.5 billion). The significant rise is primarily attributed to the unfreezing of civil servants salary bonuses, which were previously frozen in 2015 due to sanctions imposed on the East African nation following political turmoil. The budget was passed by Parliament with an 84.7% majority. The economy is projected to grow by 5.4% in the upcoming financial year, up from 4.2% in 2023/24. This growth is expected to be driven by government investment programs and improved cooperation with Burundis development partners. Despite being one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world, with 80% of its 13.2 million population employed in agriculture, the World Bank notes that the economys outlook is supported by favorable rainfall, a gradual resumption of investment in the mining sector, strategic public investment, and the positive effects of fiscal, monetary, and foreign exchange policy reforms. In addition to the unfreezing of salary bonuses, the budget will also allocate funds towards the construction of road infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. The budget will be equally funded by internal and external revenues, resulting in a forecast deficit of 441.9 billion francs in the next financial year, a slight increase from the 426.5 billion francs deficit in 2023/24. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A dead sea bird lays beside a dead sea lion on the beach at Punta Bermeja, on the Atlantic coast of the Patagonian province of Rio Negro, near Viedma, Argentina, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Government experts suspect that bird flu is killing sea lions along Argentina's entire Atlantic coastline, causing authorities to close many beaches in order to prevent the virus from spreading further. Credit: AP Photo/Juan Macri, File In the last two years, bird flu has been blamed for the deaths of millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide. It's killed legions of seals and sea lions, wiped out mink farms, and dispatched cats, dogs, skunks, foxes and even a polar bear. But it seems to have hardly touched people. That's "a little bit of a head scratcher," although there are some likely explanations, said Richard Webby, a flu researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. It could have to do with how infection occurs or because species have differences in the microscopic docking points that flu viruses need to take root and multiply in cells, experts say. But what keeps scientists awake at night is whether that situation will change. "There's a lot we don't understand," said Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director who currently heads Resolve to Save Lives, a not-for-profit that works to prevent epidemics. "I think we have to get over the 'hope for the best and bury our head in the sand' approach. Because it could be really bad." Some researchers theorize that flu viruses that originated in birds were the precursors to terrible scourges in humans, including pandemics in 1918 and 1957. Those viruses became deadly human contagions and spread in animals and people. A number of experts think it's unlikely this virus will become a deadly global contagion, based on current evidence. But that's not a sure bet. Just in case, U.S. health officials are readying vaccines and making other preparations. But they are holding off on bolder steps because the virus isn't causing severe disease in people and they have no strong evidence it's spreading from person to person. The flu that's currently spreadingknown as H5N1was first identified in birds in 1959. It didn't really begin to worry health officials until a Hong Kong outbreak in 1997 that involved severe human illnesses and deaths. It has caused hundreds of deaths around the world, the vast majority of them involving direct contact between people and infected birds. When there was apparent spread between people, it involved very close and extended contact within households. Like other viruses, however, the H5N1 virus has mutated over time. In the last few years, one particular strain has spread alarmingly quickly and widely. In the United States, animal outbreaks have been reported at dozens of dairy cow farms and more than 1,000 poultry flocks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Four human infections have been reported among the hundreds of thousands of people who work at U.S. poultry and dairy farms, though that may be an undercount. Worldwide, doctors have detected 15 human infections caused by the widely circulating bird flu strain. The count includes one deatha 38-year-old woman in southern China in 2022but most people had either no symptoms or only mild ones, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There's no way to know how many animals have been infected, but certain creatures seem to be getting more severe illnesses. Take cats, for example. Flu is commonly thought of as a disease of the lungs, but the virus can attack and multiply in other parts of the body too. In cats, scientists have found the virus attacking the brain, damaging and clotting blood vessels and causing seizures and death. Similarly gruesome deaths have been reported in other animals, including foxes that ate dead, infected birds. The flu strain's ability to lodge in the brain and nervous system is one possible reason for "higher mortality rate in some species," said Amy Baker, an Iowa-based U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist who studies bird flu in animals. But scientists "just don't know what the properties of the virus or the properties of the host are that are leading to these differences," Baker said. Unlike cats, cows have been largely spared. Illnesses have been reported in less than 10% of the cows in affected dairy herds, according to the USDA. Those that did develop symptoms experienced fever, lethargy, decreased appetite and increased respiratory secretions. Cow infections largely have been concentrated in the udders of lactating animals. Researchers investigating cat deaths at dairy farms with infected cows concluded the felines caught the virus from drinking raw milk. Researchers are still sorting out how the virus has been spreading from cow to cow, but studies suggest the main route of exposure is not the kind of airborne droplets associated with coughing and sneezing. Instead it's thought to be direct contact, perhaps through shared milking equipment or spread by the workers who milk them. Then there's the issue of susceptibility. Flu virus need to be able to latch onto cells before they can invade them. "If it doesn't get into a cell, nothing happens. ... The virus just swims around," explained Juergen Richt, a researcher at Kansas State University. But those docking spotssialic acid receptorsaren't found uniformly throughout the body, and differ among species. One recent study documented the presence of bird flu-friendly receptors in dairy cattle mammary glands. Eye redness has been a common symptom among people infected by the current bird flu strain. People who milk cows are eye level with the udders, and splashes are common. Some scientists also note that the human eye has receptors that the virus can bind to. A study published this month found ferrets infected in the eyes ended up dying, as the researchers demonstrated that the virus could be as deadly entering through the eyes as through the respiratory tract. Why didn't the same happen in the U.S. farmworkers? Some experts wonder whether people have some level of immunity, due to past exposure to other forms of flu or to vaccinations. However, a study in which human blood samples were exposed to the virus indicated there's little to no existing immunity to this version of the virus, including among people who'd had seasonal flu shots. A more menacing question: What happens if the virus mutates in a way that makes it more lethal to people or allows it to spread more easily? Pigs are a concern because they are considered ideal mixing vessels for bird flu to potentially combine with other flu viruses to create something more dangerous. Baker has been studying the current strain in pigs and found it can replicate in the lungs, but the disease is very mild. But that could all change, which is why there's a push in the scientific community to ramp up animal testing. Frieden, of Resolve to Save Lives, noted public health experts have been worried about a deadly new flu pandemic for a long time. "The only thing predictable about influenza is it's unpredictable," he said. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the ecosystem for pregnant women has become far more complicatednot only for women with unexpected pregnancies but also for those with planned pregnancies and those experiencing fertility issues. It's even more complicated for pregnant women who are also navigating the nation's complicated patchwork of mental health resources. Those who are pregnant who are also navigating their mental health don't always find clear answers or resources. And many states lack specific mental health resources for those seeking or unable to get an abortion. What is available can vary by region. OB-GYNs have fled some states because of new regulations, and the U.S. is simultaneously experiencing a shortage of mental health care providers. Those seeking both types of care can face a gamut of obstacles. Multiple people who became pregnant post-Dobbs told CQ Roll Call they had difficulty finding clarity on whether they could continue their medications for mental health disorders while considering their options. Others experienced mental health issues prior to pregnancy that were exacerbated by pregnancy. Others were seeking mental health or logistical support for the first time. Next steps National efforts to address an already poor maternal mental health rate are in preliminary stages, with the federal government last month releasing a policy blueprint outlining ways to improve maternal mental health broadly. "The concrete impacts of restrictive laws enacted post-Dobbs and the narrowing of reproductive options is another source of anxiety and strain on women of reproductive age," said Carole Johnson, administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration, which supports the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. The hotline and formation of the task force that spearheaded the blueprint are both the result of congressional action prior to Dobbs. Congress and state legislatures have offered some legislative solutions, but little progress has been made on those bills. Bills typically need to have a broader scope with maternal health to gain momentum, as specific callouts to abortion or anti-abortion pregnancy centers can thwart bipartisan momentum. Different needs The mental health implications of the Dobbs decision have largely fallen on community organizations and specialized providers who face their own costs and scarcity issues. "There's so many people that need to be supported that we're not able to actually support or get in touch with just because of budget restrictions or resource restrictions," said Aye Johnson, blueprint manager for Apiary, a national organization that provides logistical assistance to groups that connect people to abortion services. "We're really trying to create a holistic way of caring for folks with very limited resources." If people need emotional support, Johnson said they might be directed to All Options, which operates a hotline for pregnant individuals and new parents who want to talk about their options; or Exhale Pro-Voice, a text-based line for emotional support after an abortion. Or they might be connected to a doula for support before, during or after an abortion. Sumeyye K., a help line coordinator at ARC-Southeast, speaks to callers in a number of emotionally difficult situations: wanted pregnancies with fetal anomalies, pregnancies resulting from sexual violence, moms calling on behalf of their teenage daughters. "There's definitely emotional weight in these conversations," said Sumeyye, who declined to use her last name in this report for privacy reasons. "I think a lot of these callers are just looking for someone to listen, and because of the stigma it's really hard to find that." Simran Singh Jain, membership coordinator for SisterSong, a Southern reproductive justice group, said she has seen a different timeline in patients reaching out for mental support. Before the implementation of the bans, "almost all the work that I was doing was within a span of one week around the actual abortion," she said. Now, individuals often reach out to process and talk about their abortion even three or six months after the procedure. Because of Dobbs, people are more focused on navigating immediate logistics and changing laws than on their mental health. "People are so scared of their abortions now because they're so scared that something bad is going to happen that that's all they can think about," she said. While there are some providers who do postpartum-specific therapy, Kelsey Reep, a North Carolina-based licensed clinical social worker, said there is a "whole missing area" for focusing more on abortion and miscarriage support. Reep said she has increasingly heard from patients reaching out for issues like anticipatory anxietypossibly needing an abortion and not having the ability to get one, or feelings of stigma and shame from being unable to share about the barriers they have faced. Allison Terracio, advocacy campaigns manager for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said the reality on the ground is that after navigating the logistics, travel, expenses and the stream of protesters, "all of these stressors compound." In May, the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health rated states on their efforts to support maternal mental health. Only four statesWashington, Utah, Pennsylvania and Californiaexceeded a C+. "It's just two systems that are part of a larger system that has a lot of problems," Terracio said. "It's very difficult to get abortion care; it's pretty difficult to get mental health care." 2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. 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: This photo provided by Francesca Dupuy shows the Havasu Falls on the Havasupai reservation in Arizona, Sept. 4, 2023. Dozens of tourists say they fell ill on a recent visit to a popular and picturesque stretch of waterfalls deep in a gorge neighboring Grand Canyon National Park. Credit: Francesca Dupuy via AP Dozens of hikers say they fell ill during trips to a popular Arizona tourist destination that features towering blue-green waterfalls deep in a gorge neighboring Grand Canyon National Park. Madelyn Melchiors, a 32-year-old veterinarian from Kingman, Arizona, said she was vomiting severely Monday evening and had a fever that endured for days after camping on the Havasupai reservation. She eventually hiked out to her car in a weakened state through stiflingly hot weather and was thankful a mule transported her pack several miles up a winding trail, she said. "I said, 'If someone can just pack out my 30-pound pack, I think I can just limp along,'" said Melchiors, an experienced and regular backpacker. Afterward, "I slept 16 hours and drank a bunch of electrolytes. I'm still not normal, but I will be OK. I'm grateful for that." The federal Indian Health Service said Thursday that a clinic it oversees on the reservation is providing timely medical attention to people who became ill. Environmental health officers with the regional IHS office were sent to Havasupai to investigate the source of the outbreak and to implement measures to keep it from spreading, the agency said. "Our priority is the health and well-being of the Havasupai residents and visitors, and we are working closely with local health authorities and other partners to manage this situation effectively," the agency said in a statement. While camping, Melchiors said she drank from a spring that is tested and listed as potable, as well as other sources using a gravity-fed filter that screens out bacteria and protozoabut not viruses. "I did a pretty good job using hand sanitizer" after going to the bathroom, she said. "It's not like you can use soap or water easily." Coconino County health officials said Tuesday they received a report from a group of people who hiked to the waterfalls of "gastrointestinal illness" but didn't know how many people have been affected. The tribe's land is outside the county's jurisdiction. Still, county health spokesperson Trish Lees said hikers should take extra precautions to prevent the spread of illness, including filtering water. "Watch for early symptoms of norovirus, such as stomach pain and nausea, before the trip. Norovirus spreads easily on camping trips, especially when clean water supplies can be limited and hand washing facilities may be non-existent. Isolate people who are sick from other campers," the county said. Thousands of tourists travel to the Havasupai reservation each year to camp near a series of picturesque waterfalls. The reservation is remote and accessible only by foot, helicopter, or by riding a horse or mule. The hike takes tourists 8 miles (13 kilometers) down a winding trail through desert landscape before they reach the first waterfall. Then comes the village of Supai, where about 500 tribal members live year-round. Another 2 miles (3 kilometers) down the trail are campsites with waterfalls on both ends. Tourism is a primary source of revenue for the Havasupai Tribe. The campground that has a creek running through it has limited infrastructure. The hundreds of daily overnight campers can use composting toilets on site and are asked to pack out refuse. Recent accounts from hikers on social media indicate trails are littered with garbage, including bathroom tissue, plastic bottles and fuel canisters. The Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office says it tested the water last week from a local spring that visitors rely on for drinking and found it was safe for human consumption. FOX-10 TV in Phoenix first reported on the illnesses Wednesday, saying some groups opted to take a helicopter out of the canyon because they were too sick to hike out. Dozens of other people have posted on social media in recent days describing their travails with gastrointestinal problems. "I definitely have a literally bitter taste in my mouth right now," Melchiors said. "I think I would approach things a little bit differently." 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new editorial paper was published in Oncoscience, titled "Role of Erk5 expressed in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on bone homeostasis and its potential applications in cancer treatment." In their new editorial, researchers Tetsuhiro Horie and Eiichi Hinoi from Kanazawa Medical University, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, and Gifu University discuss Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (Erk5). Erk5 belongs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family and is specifically phosphorylated and subsequently activated by MAPK/Erk5 kinase 5 (Mek5). Compared to classical MAPKs Erk1/2, Erk5 is unique in that it has distinctive structures on its C-terminus with two proline-rich domains and a nuclear localization signal domain, which regulate autophosphorylation and transcription. "Erk5 signaling is activated by hypoxia, oxidative stress, cytokines and growth factors, and is involved in angiogenesis, neurogenesis and energy metabolism, as well as tumor growth and metastasis," write the researchers. Bone homeostasis is maintained by the coordinated activities of osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), respectively. Bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopetrosis are caused by an imbalance between bone resorption and formation due to aging, menopause, genetic mutations, etc. Credit: Impact Journals LLC Previously, using paired-related homeobox 1 (Prx1)-Cre; Erk5fl/fl mice (MSC-specific Erk5 knockout mice), the researchers showed that Erk5 activates Smad-specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (Smurf2) by directly phosphorylating Thr249 (Smurf2T249) and regulates skeletal development during embryogenesis by inducing the degradation of Smad1 protein, but the function of Erk5 in BM-MSCs in adulthood was not clear. "Therefore, we generated and analyzed conditional Erk5 knockout mice (LepR-Cre; Erk5fl/fl mice) using leptin receptor (LepR)-Cre, which targets adult BM-MSCs," state the authors. More information: Tetsuhiro Horie et al, Role of Erk5 expressed in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on bone homeostasis and its potential applications in cancer treatment, Oncoscience (2024). DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.601 Provided by Impact Journals 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The amount of infectious H5N1 influenza viruses in raw milk rapidly declined with heat treatment in laboratory research conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. However, small, detectable amounts of infectious virus remained in raw milk samples with high virus levels when treated at 72 degrees Celsius (161.6 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15 secondsone of the standard pasteurization methods used by the dairy industry. The authors of the study stress, however, that their findings reflect experimental conditions in a laboratory setting and are not identical to large-scale industrial pasteurization processes for raw milk. The findings were published today in the New England Journal of Medicine In late March 2024, United States officials reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus called HPAI H5N1 among dairy cows in Texas. To date, 95 cattle herds across 12 states have been affected, with three human infections detected in farm workers with conjunctivitis. Although the virus so far has shown no genetic evidence of acquiring the ability to spread from person to person, public health officials are closely monitoring the dairy cow situation as part of overarching pandemic preparedness efforts. Given the limited data on the susceptibility of avian influenza viruses to pasteurization methods used by the dairy industry, scientists at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories sought to quantify the stability of H5N1 virus in raw milk when tested at different time intervals at 63C (145.4 degrees Fahrenheit) and 72C, the temperatures most common in commercial dairy pasteurization processes. Inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza a(h5n1) virus in raw milk at 63C and 72C. The scientists isolated HPAI H5N1 from the lungs of a dead mountain lion in Montana. Then they mixed these viral isolates with raw, unpasteurized cow milk samples and heat-treated the milk at 63C and 72C for different periods of time. The samples were then cell-cultured and tested to determine if live virus remained and if so, how much. They found that 63C caused a marked decrease (1010-fold) in infectious H5N1 virus levels within 2.5 minutes and note that standard bulk pasteurization of 30 minutes would eliminate infectious virus. At 72C, they observed a decrease (104-fold) in infectious virus within five seconds; however, very small amounts of infectious virus were detected after up to 20 seconds of heat treatment in one out of three samples. "This finding indicates the potential for a relatively small but detectable quantity of H5N1 virus to remain infectious in milk after 15 seconds at 72C if the initial virus levels were sufficiently high," the authors note. The scientists stress that their measurements reflect experimental conditions, should be replicated with direct measurement of infected milk in commercial pasteurization equipment and should not be used to draw any conclusions about the safety of the U.S. milk supply. Additionally, a limitation of their study was the use of raw milk samples spiked with H5N1 virus, whereas raw milk from cows infected with H5N1 influenza may have a different composition or contain cell-associated virus that may impact heat effects. The authors conclude that although gastrointestinal infections with HPAI H5N1 virus have occurred in several species of mammals, it remains unknown whether ingesting live H5N1 in raw milk could cause illness in people. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concludes that the totality of evidence continues to indicate that the commercial milk supply is safe. While laboratory benchtop studies provide important, useful information, there are limitations that challenge inferences to real-world commercial processing and pasteurization. The FDA conducted an initial survey of 297 retail dairy products collected at retail locations in 17 states and represented products produced at 132 processing locations in 38 states. All of the samples were found to be negative for viable virus. These results underscore the opportunity to conduct additional studies that closely replicate real world conditions. FDA, in partnership with USDA, is conducting pasteurization validation studiesincluding the use of a homogenizer and continuous flow pasteurizer. Additional results will be made available as soon as they are available. More information: Franziska Kaiser et al, Inactivation of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Raw Milk at 63C and 72C, New England Journal of Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2405488 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine 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: Example iso-surface of QVT segmentation from 4D flow (left) and visualization of ppi{p}_{pi} (center) and processing quality computed via Eq. 4 (right). Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63312-4 Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood through the brain vessels, causing them to expand slightly and then relax, much like the rise and fall of the blood pulsing through your veins when you feel your pulse in your wrist. This pulsation in the brain helps distribute blood evenly across different areas of the brain, ensuring that all parts receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. In healthy vessels, the pulse wave is dampened before it reaches the smallest vessels, where high pulsatility could be harmful. This new metric provides a comprehensive measure of the small vessel pulsatility risk. A paper just published in Scientific Reports by Sergio Dempsey as first author with colleagues Dr. Soroush Safaei, Dr. Gonzalo Maso Talou at Auckland Bioengineering Institute, along with co-author Dr. Samantha Holdsworth (Matai and FMHS & CBR at the University of Auckland), describes the new metric based on 4D flow MRI technology. This innovative metric is particularly crucial because increased vascular pulsatility is linked to several brain conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. By accurately measuring how pulsatility is transmitted in the brain, researchers can better understand the underlying mechanism of these diseases and potentially guide development of new treatments. Current MRI methods face limitations due to anatomical variations and measurement constraints. The new technique removes this issue by integrating thousands of measurements across all brain vessels, rather than looking one spot at a time as the traditional methods. This provides a richer metric representative of the entire brain. "The ability to measure how pulsatility is transmitted through the brain's arteries could revolutionize our approach to neurological diseases, and support research in vascular damage hypotheses," explained Mr. Dempsey. "Our method allows for a detailed assessment of the brain's vascular health, which is often compromised in neurodegenerative disorders." The study also highlighted the potential to enhance clinical assessments and research on brain health. By integrating this new metric into routine diagnostic procedures, health care providers can offer more precise and personalized care plans for individuals at risk of or suffering from cognitive impairments. In addition to its implications for patient care, the researchers have made their tools publicly available, integrating them into pre-existing open-source software. This enables scientists and clinicians worldwide to adopt the advanced methodology, fostering further research and collaboration in the field of neurology. "Our findings are a promising step towards better understanding the vascular contributions to neurodegeneration," said Associate Professor Holdsworth, Matai Director of Research. "We are excited about the metric's potential to become a standard part of neurological assessments and the positive impact it could have on millions of lives." The research team is planning further studies to explore the applications of this technique in larger and more diverse populations, beginning with the "Digital Twin Dementia Study" starting at Matai later this month. Results from the initial study of the metric also identified important sex differences in vascular dynamics, which has initiated a new study focusing on sex-related dynamics which is anticipated to begin at Matai and the Centre for Advanced MRI (CAMRI) in November. More information: Sergio Dempsey et al, Measuring global cerebrovascular pulsatility transmission using 4D flow MRI, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63312-4 Journal information: Scientific Reports This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain According to the WHO, over a quarter of the world's adult population isn't active enough. The proportion is greater still in high-income countries. Physicians are competent to give advice based on the patient's health status and are a trusted source of information. But do doctors in Quebec have the time to discuss physical activity when they see patients, and what kind of advice do they give? These questions were investigated in a study conducted by Suzanne Laberge, a professor in Universite de Montreal's School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, Veronique Gosselin and Kim Lestage, graduates of the School, Miguel Chagnon, a statistician in UdeM's Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Claude Guimond, director of continuing education at the FMOQ, Quebec's association of general practitioners. The study measured changes between 2010 and 2020 in the frequency with which Quebec family physicians offered advice on physical activity. In 2010, 702 physicians completed a questionnaire on how often they discussed physical activity with patients, the perceived barriers, needs for improvement in this area, their own physical activity and sociodemographic information. In 2020, the same survey was repeated to document changes and 794 doctors completed the questionnaire. While the number of family doctors promoting physical activity increased significantly, they did so mainly for secondary prevention. Physical activity recommended for patients with depression or osteoarthritis The study found significant increases in the proportion of family doctors discussing physical activity with their patients for certain health problems in 2020. It rose from 51 to 73% for patients with depression and from 38 to 51% for patients with osteoarthritis. Similar increases were seen for low back pain (from 29 to 46%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma (from 15 to 22%) and cancer (from 2.4 to 5.1%). Laberge noted that for cancer patients, "being in good physical condition could help them respond better to chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. However, there is plenty of room for improvement." Physical activity prescribed less often for primary prevention However, doctors were less likely to advise exercise for overweight patients, those with metabolic syndrome or for primary prevention (to prevent medical conditions before they occur). The proportion fell from 85 to 80% for overweight patients, from 74 to 69% for patients with metabolic syndrome, and from 40 to 34% for primary prevention. "In the case of healthy patients, doctors unfortunately no longer have the time to talk about physical activity during their very short 15-20 minute consultations," Laberge noted. Physically active and older doctors are more likely to recommend physical activity No significant differences were found by region or physician gender, but there were differences associated with the physician's experience. Doctors with more than 20 years of practice were the most likely to recommend physical activity in both 2010 (52%) and 2020 (53%). "The fact that doctors, especially younger doctors, are less likely to advise physical activity for primary prevention is cause for concern," said Laberge. "The trend shows that young family doctors promote physical activity in routine consultations less than their more experienced colleagues." The doctor's own level of physical activity was also found to be a predictor of their likelihood to recommend it to patients in both 2010 and 2020. Systemic approach to promoting physical activity Closer collaboration between kinesiologists and physicians, and materials to support education and awareness, were the top needs identified in 2010, cited by 62% of respondents. In 2020, this increased to 72%. "Successfully integrating physical activity promotion into clinical practice requires a systems approach that includes medical school curricula, community resources and physical activity promotion experts, as well as public health policies and programs," said Suzanne Laberge, who teaches the physical activity promotion course. She stressed the importance of a conducive environment for physical activity promotion: "We need to help people by working on the physical, cultural and economic environments at the same time. Immediate living conditions are key factors in enabling people to take responsibility for their health and engage in physical activity for their well-being and to prevent health problems." California university moves classes online after demonstrations over conflict in Gaza Xinhua) 09:27, June 14, 2024 Photo taken on June 12, 2024 shows barricades set up by pro-Palestinian protesters in front of the Student Services Building at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), in Los Angeles, California, the United States. (Xinhua) LOS ANGELES, June 13 (Xinhua) -- California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), in the western U.S. state of California, announced on Thursday that all classes and operations on the university's main campus will be held remotely until further notice after a night of demonstrations over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. "Please do not come to main campus," the Los Angeles school noted in a protest action alert on its website. A group of pro-Palestinian protesters took over the university's student services building, which includes the office of the university's president, on Wednesday afternoon. Some school administrators were reportedly trapped inside the building after the university urged employees to shelter in place. Social media posts showed protesters fortifying their barricades outside the building at night as they waited for President of Cal State LA Berenecea Johnson Eanes to negotiate with them. By Thursday morning, the group had dispersed from the building, but they left behind significant damage outside and inside the building, reported local KABC television station, adding that pro-Palestinian graffiti covered many windows on the ground floor, and video from inside showed shattered windows, more graffiti and debris scattered throughout. The protest came two days after 25 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Monday by police at the University of California, Los Angeles. Students set up a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at Cal State LA on May 1, calling for the university and its partners to divest from doing business with Israel. With 23 campuses enrolling almost 458,000 students and 53,000 faculty and staff, California State University is the largest public university system in the United States. It is one of three public higher education systems in California, which also includes the University of California and the California Community Colleges, according to the university's website. A person is seen near barricades set up by pro-Palestinian protesters in front of the Student Services Building at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on June 13, 2024. (Xinhua) A pro-Palestinian protester sets up barricades in front of the Student Services Building with large furniture, office electronics and equipment at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on June 13, 2024. (Xinhua) A person stands by barricades set up by pro-Palestinian protesters near the Student Services Building at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on June 12, 2024. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Taral Patel, the former chief of staff for Fort Bend County Judge KP George has announced his candidacy to serve as Fort Bend County Commissioner for Precinct 3. Taral Patel A Fort Bend County candidate is accused of using fake Facebook accounts to post racist messages about himself, then calling attention to the messages in campaign social media posts, court records show. Taral Patel, who has the Democratic nomination for Pct. 3 commissioner, was arrested Wednesday and charged with online impersonation, a third-degree felony, and misrepresentation of identity, a Class A misdemeanor, according to Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton's office. Patel's opponent, incumbent Andy Meyers, initiated the investigation, according to documents from the Fort Bend County District Clerk's office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Patel is accused of using another person's photo to make a Facebook profile, posting racist and xenophobic messages, then posting screen grabs of the messages to request donations from supporters in the county. The messages Patel is accused of faking also called for support for Meyers, records show. When Patel publicized the racist messages in September, Meyers maintained the comments could not be substantiated. During an investigation by the the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Public Integrity Division, authorities traced the messages back to Patel, according to court documents. Patel was arrested after his vehicle was pulled over by a Texas DPS state trooper who accused him of speeding, court documents show. The trooper saw that Patel had an active warrant and took him into custody without incident. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Patel could not be reached for comment Thursday. Meyers, who has served as Pct. 3 Commissioner since 1997, did not issue a comment on the matter. In September, Dennis Spellman, Meyers media relations manager, questioned the messages' credibility. "Our office investigated the individuals that commented but we were unable to find them or authenticate their existence," Spellman said at the time. Fort Bend County Judge KP George on Thursday called Patel's arrest an "unfortunate incident," and said he awaits additional information on the case. Patel is George's former chief of staff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I emphasize the vital importance of upholding the principles of due process and impartial investigation, George said in the statement. I trust that the matter will be examined without prejudice. Three Butte police officers were talking near the intersection of South Main and Aluminum streets around 2:20 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2023, when they heard seven or eight gunshots in the distance. As it turned out, prosecutors say, Travis James Jensen had shot up a pickup truck at Silver Bow Homes with a .22-caliber gun and one of the bullets went through an apartment window. It didnt strike the man inside but a bullet fragment was found near a chair where he frequently sits in the living room. After a police investigation, Jensens arrest and months of criminal proceedings, Jensen, now 25, admitted shooting the gun and pleaded guilty Thursday to felony criminal endangerment. It carries a possible 10-year prison term and fine up to $50,000 but prosecutor Ann Shea said as part of a plea deal, shell recommend a six-year deferred sentence, restitution and will drop a felony criminal mischief charge. District Judge Kurt Krueger accepted the guilty plea for criminal endangerment and ordered a presentence investigation, noting he doesnt have to agree to the plea deal terms when he sentences Jensen at a later date. If he does accept its recommendations, Jensen could have the felony erased from his record if he abides by terms and remains lawful for six years. When police got to the scene that night, they found a pickup with at least seven bullet holes in it. The man in the apartment didnt find out until the next day that his front window had been shot. According to prosecutors, the owner of the truck lent it to his sister and she took it to another man a few months prior so he could fix it. He used it in the meantime. Jensens ex-girlfriend said Jensen mistakenly believed she and that man were dating, something the man also told police. Police said video surveillance footage and other evidence led them to Jensen. The Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to implement a digital identification (ID) system for livestock to enhance record-keeping and traceability. During the official opening of the third edition of the Kenya Meat Expo at the KICC in Nairobi, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke explained that this initiative will enable the identification of livestock and improve husbandry practices. Under the new system, livestock farmers will receive digital IDs for their animals, which they will use to monitor feeding and implement disease control measures such as deworming, tick control, and vaccinations. Additionally, the ID will allow farmers to present a certificate when taking their animals to slaughterhouses, ensuring they receive fair prices. The PS also mentioned that a tender had already been issued for the supply of the IDs. Livestock farmers will receive a digital ID for their animals, allowing them to provide a certificate of their livestock rearing practices when delivering animals to the slaughterhouse, ensuring fair pricing, he stated. PS Mueke highlighted that the IDs will play a crucial role in reducing cattle rustling through enhanced traceability. He also emphasized that global adoption of traceability in the food chain means Kenya risks being excluded from exports if the system is not implemented. Global traceability is critical for food products, and countries will not import your goods if their origin cannot be traced back to the farm, he emphasized. The livestock sector, which contributes 12 percent to the GDP and supports approximately 50 percent of employment in agriculture, benefits 10 million Kenyans. The initiative follows multiple alerts from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) regarding the safety of Nairobi slaughterhouses and incidents of consuming unsafe meat. On March 8, NEMA ordered the closure of Kiamaiko slaughterhouses due to concerns about improper handling of blood and offal. Moreover, the butchers were found to be in violation of water quality regulations governing wastewater discharge. In a separate incident on May 18, police in Kirinyaga County apprehended suspected donkey thieves who admitted to slaughtering stolen donkeys and selling the meat in Nairobi. Police have reportedly identified 200 locations in Mombasa suspected of recruiting children for online pornography video streaming. Detectives reportedly told the Daily Nation about a network of traffickers using children to stream videos for local and international audiences. These investigations come as several social media sites face scrutiny for allowing the streaming of X-rated content. The newspaper reports that police have not disclosed the specific targeted locations. However, incidents of human trafficking and child pornography have previously been reported in Bamburi, Nyali, and Mtwapa. Investigations show that children are recruited into the network and paid Sh6,000 a week. The recruiters utilise cryptocurrency to convert tokens earned by the children through online streaming of obscene videos into real currency, a Directorate of Criminal Investigations detective said as quoted by the publication. To earn tokens, an account is created in an individuals name and used to stream videos to clients registered on specific websites. Pastor Patrick Muchiri of The Bible Way Ministries in Mtwapa told the Daily Nation that young people desperate for jobs have fallen prey to these gangs. We have received many reports on this matter. Some people approach families in financial difficulties and promise to take care of their children, he said. Once the child arrives in town, things change. Instead of getting the education as promised, the child is sexually exploited. Police close off several blocks in downtown near the courthouse after an inmate was said to have escaped and is on the run on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Police close off several blocks in downtown near the courthouse after an inmate was said to have escaped and is on the run on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Houston Police and Harris County Sheriffs deputies search for an escaped inmate from the Harris County Jail after he briefly held a woman hostage on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer An escaped jail inmate who set off a large daytime search in downtown Houston yesterday was apprehended Friday morning, law enforcement officials report. The inmate, identified by authorities as Joshua Nigel Thomas Sanders, 35, was taken back into custody by the Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force after they found him at a family member's home, the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Herrman added that the unidentified family member was also arrested. Since mid-afternoon Thursday, officers from the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff's Office and Precinct 1 constables had been searching for Sanders in the area between Franklin Avenue, I-10 and Jensen Drive. He was described as 5-foot-5 and 140 lbs and was last seen wearing orange pants and a black shirt, authorities said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad FORT BEND DRAMA: Candidate accused of faking racist Facebook attacks against himself, court records show The search initially focused around Buffalo Bayou and the northern section of downtown, even forcing UH-Downtown to be locked down for a couple of hours. By the end of the day, authorities were also searching areas north of downtown and planned to search previous addresses associated with Sanders. Sanders, in custody on charges of burglary and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, is believed to have escaped on his way back to the jail from the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, said Phillip Bosquez, Harris County Sheriff's Office assistant chief of detentions command. Along the way, the inmate somehow obtained a knife, he added. "What we do know is that he went to court this afternoon. Somewhere in between leaving court and arriving in the detention center, he was able to make his way out of the secured area into an unsecured area where he managed to put on a shirt and find a weapon and then leave out a door," said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Thomas Gilliland. Police close off several blocks in downtown near the courthouse after an inmate was said to have escaped and is on the run on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer While on the run, the man accosted a woman who works at the criminal courthouse and jumped into her car, Bosquez said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The vehicle crashed after only driving a short distance, and the man fled again and into the area around the bayou, Gilliland said. The woman was not injured, though she was "very shaken up," he said. She was able to identify the suspect to the police. In a statement, Harris County DA Kim Ogg said the employee worked in her office. "Earlier today, one of our employees was held against her will by a man with a knife who apparently escaped from official custody," Ogg said. "We are thankful and grateful that she was not physically harmed during this incident." Thursday marked Sanders' fifth day in custody since he was booked into the Harris County Jail. Sanders was arrested after he and another man allegedly broke into a church gym through a window on May 5 and stole $500 in cash and about $8,000 in various items, according to charging documents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sanders was being held on a $30,000 bond and is due in court on Aug. 19. He had prior felony convictions in 2019 and 2021. His lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment. Gilliland said the man was a danger to the public because he escaped with a weapon. But despite the warnings, walkers, bikers and runners could still be found downtown. "I'm going to be more vigilant, obviously," said Janesha Vaughan, 26, who came downtown Thursday evening to celebrate her birthday with two friends. Though she had not heard of the escape, she said the news would not keep her from celebrating. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston Police and Harris County Sheriffs deputies search for an escaped inmate from the Harris County Jail after he briefly held a woman hostage on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer When asked if he was concerned, Enoch Simpson, who visited downtown to play his saxophone Thursday night, mostly shrugged. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has terminated the criminal case against Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and 23 others, citing the validity of their contractual agreement with the Ministry of Information. Prosecuting counsel Wisley Nyamache informed Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina that the ODPP did not wish to proceed with the criminal case against Savula and his co-accused. Nyamache explained to the court that the contractual agreements formed the basis of the criminal case against Savula and the co-accused. The prosecutor informed the trial magistrate that a higher court had also ruled in favor of Savula and his company, ordering the government to pay them Kes.58 million for breach of contract. Additionally, the prosecutor stated that the DPP has instructed the DCI to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the death of Jennifer Wambua, who died after testifying as Prosecution witness number five in the case against Savula. Wambua passed away on April 5, 2023. Savulas case has spanned six years since charges were filed against him. The trial magistrate has reserved his ruling on whether to accept the DPPs application to terminate the criminal case. A decision is expected on July 1, 2024. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced that the government is in the final stages of implementing the competency-based curriculum (CBC) in higher learning institutions. Speaking at the 4th Biennial Conference on University Research and Innovation on June 12 at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC), Machogu urged University Vice Chancellors (VCs) to prioritize the implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) and to generate ideas to ensure the rollouts success. While appreciating the progress made, universities need to do more in terms of research and outreach to make an impact on society. We need to see more collaborations or partnerships between universities, industry and communities, Machogu stated. Similarly, linkages between the universities and industry should be more robust, especially now as the country prepares to usher in Competency Based Education (CBE) at the higher education level. The CS challenged the VCs to proactively engage with the industry in key activities such as curriculum development, internships, co-teaching, and evaluation. He emphasized that such collaborations will better prepare students for the workforce. Machogu also advised the VCs to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence to personalize learning, enhance teaching, and support student success, aiming to bridge the skills gap between graduates and industry needs. My reflections centered around the global academic sphere, particularly on the path our local universities need to take to catch up with world-class institutions that offer a unique ecosystem where intellectual inquiries and discoveries thrive, and the frontiers of human knowledge remain endless, Machogu noted. The first batch of CBC learners will join university in about four years. The government introduced the CBC in 2017, aiming to nurture learners potential, instill national values, integrate Science, Technology, and Innovation, and align educational skills with industry requirements. CBC is designed to expose students to their career interests right after they join junior secondary school, allowing them to choose their career pathways in senior secondary school. Each senior secondary school should offer at least two pathways. Four main transitional points are envisioned in Basic Education under the 2:6:3:3 (CBC) structure. The first transition is from Pre-primary to Primary School (Grade 1), and the second transition is from Primary School (Grade 6) to Junior Secondary School (Grade 7). The third transition occurs from Junior Secondary School (Grade 9) to Senior Secondary School (Grade 10), while the fourth transition moves learners from Senior Secondary School (Grade 12) to Tertiary Education or the world of work. Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya has reassured judicial officers, staff, and court users of their security following the shooting of a magistrate by the Londiani Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) at the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi. Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, 55, shot and wounded Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti after a ruling in a case involving the OCSs wife on Thursday. During an open court session earlier today, the Magistrate revoked the bond for an accused person who had absconded, Mokaya explained, noting that the accused had failed to provide satisfactory reasons for their absence. As soon as this decision was announced, someone shot at the Magistrate, injuring her in the hip, she added. Kipruto had traveled from his post in Londiani, Kericho, to attend the court case where his wife, Jenniffer Wairimu, 48, is accused of obtaining Kes.2.9 million under false pretenses. Wairimu had requested bail but the magistrate denied her request due to previous court absences citing illness. On Thursday, the bail was revoked, and Wairimu was ordered to be remanded at Langata Womens Prison. This action reportedly angered Kipruto, who allegedly entered the courtroom through the magistrates door and fired shots at Kivuti, injuring her chest and left hip. The court session was held in a tent outside the main courtrooms. Chief Registrar Mokaya confirmed that police officers at the scene responded promptly and neutralized the shooter, and Magistrate Kivuti was rushed to the hospital. During the incident, three other officers sustained injuries: one in the left eye, another in the left leg, and a third in the left hand. All injured individuals were taken to the hospital in stable condition. We wish our colleague a speedy recovery and extend our condolences to the family of the officer who lost his life in this tragic incident, Mokaya stated. We want to assure all Judicial Officers, Staff, and Court Users of their safety and security across all our premises, she added. Mokaya emphasized that enhanced security protocols would be implemented for civilians visiting the courts and for security officers. We urge all court users to remain calm as law enforcement agencies conduct further investigations into this incident, she concluded. Meanwhile, a Jericho pistol belonging to the deceased officer was recovered at the scene. Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei confirmed that the injured officers were in stable condition at the hospital. We are reviewing various measures following the incident to ensure the safety of everyone, Bungei assured. Members of Parliament have petitioned the High Court to dismiss a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, which seeks to block them from considering the Finance Bill 2024. The National Assembly, represented by lawyer Sandra Nganyi, informed Justice Lawrence Mugambi that some of the issues raised by the petitioners Omtatah and Eliud Matindi had already been resolved in a previous case filed in 2018, which is also under appeal at the Court of Appeal. In a Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the National Assembly and supported by the Attorney General, the MPs argued that the current petition by the two individuals is premature. They contended that it challenges a Bill that has not yet been passed and is still undergoing processing by the National Assembly. However, in a brief response, Omtatah clarified that the current case is unrelated to the one pending at the Court of Appeal, as claimed by National Assembly lawyer Sandra Nganyi. Justice Lawrence Mugambi has scheduled his ruling for June 19th. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) based at Kayole, Nairobi, are urgently seeking information on the whereabouts of 35-year-old Mary Mwende Kimwalu. Ms Mwende is a suspect in a case of attempted murder that occurred at Mihango Estate in Njiru, Kayole sub-county on April 22, 2023. According to reports, Mary Mwende allegedly stabbed her ex-boyfriend three times in the chest with a kitchen knife following a dispute that ended their relationship. After the incident, she evaded capture by going into hiding and cutting off all contact with her family and known associates, as well as avoiding her usual haunts, making apprehension efforts challenging. The Immigration Department has confirmed that she has not left the country, and a warrant for her arrest was issued on May 13, 2024, which remains active. Mary Mwende Kimwalu is documented as originating from Ikutha in Kitui Central, specifically from Kyoani sub-location, according to records from the National Registration Bureau. Accompanying this appeal are photographs of the suspect provided by her family, who are seeking any information on her whereabouts. We urge anyone with information regarding Mary Mwende Kimwalu to come forward, stated a DCI spokesperson. Have you seen her? Do you know her current location? Any details, no matter how small, could greatly assist in apprehending her and ensuring justice is served. If you have any information that could aid in her arrest, please contact any police station, the DCI office at Kayole, or use the toll-free hotline number 0800 722 203, operational 24/7. Nuru Okanga, an outspoken diehard supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga, will spend at least five days behind bars following a Court order granting the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions the authority to detain him. In a statement released on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the ODPP announced that the Milimani Law Courts had granted them five days to detain Okanga at the Muthaiga Police Station while investigations proceed. Okanga faces accusations of publishing false information, among other charges, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tasked to conduct the investigations. According to the ODPP, Nuru Okanga is also under investigation for Cyber harassment, as outlined in Section 27 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, among other offenses. Okanga was arrested on June 11, 2024, at his home in Kayole estate, Nairobi County, and taken to the DCI headquarters for interrogation before his arraignment. The investigating officer informed the court that initial investigations had uncovered suspicious accounts allegedly managed by the suspect. The prosecution stated that the flagged accounts had posted malicious and false information about the Republic of Kenya and its leadership, advocating for public disturbance. Prosecution Counsel Virginia Kariuki told the court that police are investigating the ongoing dissemination of detrimental comments posted online across various social media platforms and websites linked to Nuru. These comments, disseminated through platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, are deemed a threat and may contribute to disturbances affecting peace, order, and public safety according to the ODPP. Furthermore, police have identified Okanga as a repeat offender in connection with this investigation. Nuru Okangas case is scheduled for mention on June 18, 2024. Saudi Arabia authorities have extended the deadline for Kenyan Stephen Munyakhos execution to November 26 amid ongoing negotiations over blood money. In a statement dated Thursday, June 13, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Korir SingOei announced that the government had successfully secured an extension to assist Munyakhos family in raising the Kes.120 million for compensation. The PS said the government is actively seeking a resolution to the complex matter. I wish to notify the public that we continue to actively search for the resolution of the outstanding and complex matter regarding Stephen Munyakho. Following our intervention, the deadline for the collection of compensation has been extended by four months from the initial 26th of July 2024 to the 26th of November 2024, PS SingOei stated. The PS emphasized that the Foreign Ministry is collaborating with Stephens family and will review all fundraising efforts starting the week of July 8 to assess progress. He also assured that the government is utilizing all diplomatic channels to secure Stephens return to his family. I laud the Kenya Mission in Riyadh for their dedicated effort in engaging Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased. We call on everyones support in raising the required 3.5 million Saudi Riyals approximately Kshs 120 million as at the current exchange rate. Stephen Munyakho, aged 50, was scheduled for execution in June for the murder of a Yemeni man in 2011. His family has been actively raising 3.5 million Saudi Riyals (approximately Kes.120 million) in blood money required for his release under Islamic law, known as Sharia. Stephen Munyakho is the son of veteran journalist Dorothy Kweyu. Reason Kenya Cant Pay Blood Money In May, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musali Mudavadi clarified that Kenya lacks the financial capacity to pay the Kes.120 million compensation required. He explained that Parliament has not allocated funds for such purposes, emphasizing the absence of a designated fund for such exigencies. We can pursue diplomatic interventions, but there is currently no parliamentary fund available for these circumstances. Unless Parliament establishes such a fund, our efforts will focus on diplomatic channels to secure relief for this individual, he stated. Two months before the new school year, Napa Valley Colleges student housing project looks nearly complete, with a fully walkable central plaza outside and finished kitchens and bathrooms inside. What the dormitory rooms and apartments await are students, who could pay a pretty penny or not amid delays in federal financial aid. River Trail Village, at the north end of NVC's campus off Highway 221 in south Napa, comprises three buildings offering different housing experiences and prices, from more independent living for returning students and families to a more traditional residence hall. NVC's decision to create River Trail Village came after data analysis and demand studies showed high demand for student housing on campus, according to Jim Reeves, the college's vice president for administration. The interest was especially strong given high Napa-area rents and the long commutes many students face, he said. River Trail Village is set for completion in mid-August, according to NVC spokesperson Rodd Aubrey, and will be ready for students to move in for the new academic year that begins Aug. 26, said Aubrey. Based on rates listed on the River Trail Village website for an annual lease, the cost of living in NVC student housing could range anywhere from $1,021 a month per bed in the residence hall building, to $2,513 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit in the two apartment-style buildings, where units come furnished or unfurnished. Monthly rents include utilities and Wi-Fi. Housing in Napa County is pricey, especially for students who often make minimum wage while focusing on their education. According to Zillow, the median monthly rent in Napa for a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,200. Aubrey said the two-year college conducted market rate studies to figure out pricing based on the design of the apartments, especially because some units will serve as family-style housing for returning students or student parents. Aubrey added that some beds in the residence hall will be priced lower, at $799, with help from a $31 million state housing grant. According to Reeves, applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid could open many doors for financial aid for students who may not otherwise be able to afford this housing. With that they can apply for a variety of financial aid through a variety of financial aid programs, including Title IV, which is federal programs, he said. Once students apply for aid through the FAFSA, it communicates to the schools like NVC what kind of aid, in the form of loans, grants or scholarships, a student is eligible for in the coming academic year. But federal financial aid for 2024-25 is proving to be complicated. The FAFSA usually comes out Oct. 1 and is open until April the following year, but last year was delayed to Dec. 30 due to a major application redesign that was supposed to make it less confusing. At the beginning of 2024, many students across the country faced roadblocks in the federal filing system that blocked them from applying for aid. According to the FAFSA troubleshooting page, those issues range from problems in submitting the form to issues filling out the form itself. Delays and troubleshooting errors mean that student aid is delayed. Aubrey said that because students dont know their aid packages, they arent ready to make decisions, so the school is helping students on a case-by-case basis. While Reeves said that there is not yet a set number of leases signed, he gave some statistics that show wide student interest in the housing, which can hold up to 588 beds 735 inquiries so far, with about 327 applications in process. The number of signed leases is a dynamic number, its changing every day," said Reeves. "But we are hopeful that the number of signed leases will begin to escalate. Reeves does not yet know how many students will move into River Trail Village from outside Napa County, but anticipates the number of out-of-town students will grow over time due to the popularity of NVCs winemaking program. Initially, in the first year, I anticipate well have more students locally than outside," he said. "But certainly our programs will attract quite a diverse student body and an increase in out-of-state and international students to come here to be a part of our unique programs. Some of NVC's housing pricing closely reflects a neighboring student housing complex at Santa Rosa Junior College, which opened its development in the fall of 2023. For example, a traditional dorm room with two beds is listed at $1,020 at SRJC and $1,021 at NVC. Aubrey said SRJC served as an informal consultant to the Napa college, hence the similar rents. Reeves said that while the NVC rooms are not yet fully booked, there is a possibility they could be before the start of the fall semester in August. I think year one in Santa Rosa they saw a lot of changes in lease agreements rolling right up to the opening, so we anticipate kind of that same reaction, he said. We have students who are making decisions about where theyre going to go to school, whether theyre going to go to the first-choice institution. Kaiden Capulong, 17, who graduated Tuesday from American Canyon High School and is entering NVC in August, heard about the new on-campus housing and is interested in living there but not right away. I was talking to my parents about dorming there maybe during my second year, Capulong said. It would be easier for me to get used to dorming before transferring to another (four-year) school. Both Capulong and his parents think the pricing, in particular the subsidized $799 rent, isnt too bad. Capulongs older sister Caitlyn Capulong attended Dominican University of California, a private university in San Rafael. Capulong said that she paid around $1,500 for a double room in the residence hall during her freshman year. According to a statement from Dominican University spokesperson Sarah Gardner, a double room in the school's residence hall with a meal plan costs $9,142 for the academic year, with move-in Aug. 21 and move-out May 18. That works out to roughly $1,015 a month. Capulong said his friends who are going to NVC arent considering moving in because they live nearby. I understand. Most of my friends will only be there for two years before transferring," he said. Aubrey, the NVC spokesperson, said that River Trail Village housing is marketed to different groups. Though students are the priority, potential residents also include NVC faculty, seasonal employees, interns and local community groups. The number of faculty members who will stay at River Trail is not set in stone, and NVC vice president Reeves said the ability of faculty and college staff to live on campus could become an advantage in the state. I think a real advantage for California community colleges is when youre recruiting faculty coming into a high-priced rental or housing area like Napa, the ability to provide housing on campus for faculty and staff, he said of NVC, which will become the state's 14th two-year school out of 116 to provide housing on school grounds, following SRJC last year. PHOTOS: Napa Valley College 2024 Graduation Ceremony Cy-Fair ISDs Mark Henry Administration Building on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Cypress. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer After voting to remove content from state-approved textbooks in May, the Cypress-Fairbanks school board is now considering overhauling its library collection policy to give trustees a first look at book title acquisitions and the final say on book challenges. Under a policy that could be voted on Monday, the conservative-majority board would receive a list of upcoming library acquisitions at least five days ahead of a public posting of those titles online for at least 30 days. Megan Culpepper, who served on the committee to review the suggested library policy, said the committee did not see this version of the policy slated for approval by the board. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Culpepper said the paragraph giving oversight and ultimate responsibility for the review, inclusion, and final reconsideration of library materials to the board was added after the committees final meeting in April and that there was no suggestion in the committee meetings that the board should have final power. Is the board aware that the unapproved revision to this paragraph could potentially override the formal reconsideration process developed by the library committee over the past year, and thereby render the entire process pointless? Culpepper asked. Trustee Julie Hinaman, a lone dissenting voice who voted against the removal of textbook chapters in May, noted that a book could be removed from the acquisition list between the time the board receives the list and the time it is posted for the public. In a lengthy back-and-forth with General Counsel Marney Collins Sims, Hinaman questioned this aspect of the proposed policy. So we trust the librarians to select appropriate books for our students, but, yet, we dont trust them enough such that we arent going to pre-screen their list, Hinaman said. Sims, who added this language into the policy, responded there is no provision for a book to be removed from the list after trustees see it. She said she thought the board would appreciate having that list in case of questions from community members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hinaman said she appreciated that intention from Sims, but countered, Another intention that can be perceived is its a pre-screening by the board. Sims, in explaining what would happen if a member of the public objects to a to-be-acquired title, said, Because, what you have to recognize is that, yes, we trust the librarians, and thats the reason we have the parameters in place. But theyre not infallible. None of us are infallible. Only one perfect person and he got nailed to a cross. The new policy would require parental permission for students, such as advanced readers, to read adult fiction books. It would also require an informal reconsideration process for library materials ahead of the formal process, which any community member could incite regardless of whether they have a child in the district. The discussion to change library materials policy comes after the board, spurred on by conservative politics, approved removing topics such as cultural diversity, climate change and vaccines from science and education textbooks. Courses impacted include biology, health science and environmental science. In a bid to reverse this decision, Hinaman said late Thursday she would move to amend the adopted motion at Mondays board meeting for the board to approve all instructional materials without revisions or omissions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The library materials policy discussion occurred in the same meeting dedicated to budget and cost-saving measures, as the states third largest school district grapples with a $138 million budget deficit. Cy-Fair parent Bryan Henry founder of the public education advocacy organization Cypress Families for Public Schools called the move part of a firehose of bad policy. If you care about public education and public schools that are serving all students, its not a happy time in Cy-Fair ISD, Henry said, noting the budget cuts and science material removal. And now we have the revision of a library policy that may make it easier for them to get rid of fiction books that they object to for religious or political reasons, Henry said. So theres a lot going on. Our organization, were just trying to respond to all of it as best we can, but were a little out of breath. Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles speaks before the districts first public budget workshop for the 2024-2025 school year at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, May 15, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Houston ISDs appointed Board of Managers approved Superintendent Mike Miles' $2.1 billion budget for the upcoming school year by a 5-4 vote during a contentious board meeting Thursday, allocating one-third of district funds to schools in his New Education System amid a $528 million shortfall in district funding. Though the budget ultimately passed, the four votes against his proposal by board members Adam Rivon, Rolando Martinez, Cassandra Auzenne Bandy and Michelle Cruz Arnold represent the boards largest public rebuke of any Miles proposal since the Texas Education Agency appointed them to the positions last June. The budget vote followed two public workshops over the last month where Miles laid out the massive deficit facing HISD, which he chalked up to the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds, declining enrollment and stagnant state funding. HISD has made up that $528 million shortfall, in part, by reducing 1,500 positions in the central office between November and June. While the district has not provided details on all the jobs slashed, Miles has said his goal was to keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad COMPARING NUMBERS: How HISD students performed on STAAR end of course exams compared to other districts across Texas The 130 schools in the New Education System, where Miles is centering his most dramatic reforms, will receive over $684 million under the adopted budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The other 144 schools will receive about $657 million. Both figures are less than what was previously proposed in the districts first public budget workshop in May. Average per-pupil funding at NES schools comes out to $9,445 per student, while per-pupil funding at non-NES schools will be about $6,882, according to the district budget presentation. The per-pupil funding at NES schools, which have historically served a greater proportion of low-income students, represents about a 60% increase from 2019, compared to an increase of about 28% at non-NES schools. Miles has said the greater costs at NES schools are due largely to the higher salaries paid to staff at those campuses where teachers made an average of about $80,000 last year compared to the $65,000 across the rest of the district, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis as well as increased special education resources at those schools. The superintendent argued that growth in student performance at NES schools this year justifies the additional expenses. The largest strategy for getting higher achievement has been the NES strategy, Miles said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unlike at NES schools, where campus budgets are managed by the central office, non-NES schools will no longer be held harmless under the new budget, returning to a pre-pandemic funding formula in which school allocations are made based on student enrollment and attendance. HISD is capping total losses at non-NES schools at 12%, a mark that at least 15 campuses reached, according to district documents. TAKEOVER PROGRESS? : Mike Miles said STAAR gains could mean faster end to state takeover Community members at Thursdays board meeting criticized what they said was Miles' mismanagement of the district and its finances, and decried the large expenditure for the expansion of NES. Among other issues, they pointed out the increased number of district administrators making at least $200,000 and the $100 million HISD spent last year for one-time costs of furniture, equipment and technology at NES schools. While HISD has not released details on the cuts in central office, some have been broadly unpopular with the community, including the elimination of over 200 wraparound specialists who were responsible for assisting vulnerable students with food, clothing and other basic needs. Many speakers urged the Board of Managers to delay its vote on the budget until their planned meeting on June 27, a request that ultimately went unheeded. There are questions about the propriety of expanding NES, budget increases for charters and confusing cuts to many schools. This year, there were examples of money wasted and (unnecessary) equipment purchased, said one HISD parent, Charlotte Proctor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After returning from closed session around 10:15 p.m., board members spent an hour asking Miles about his financial plan for HISD, specifically focusing on how the budget would ensure that non-NES schools dont get left behind. Miles said that many of the same features of NES schools, including principal and teacher evaluations, classroom observations and instructional strategies, are employed at non-NES schools as well. None of the board members who voted against Miles' budget publicly stated why they voted no. Earlier Thursday evening, Texas Education Agency Conservator Doris Delaney delivered a presentation of HISDs End-of-Course results that indicate HISD outperformed Texas' other major urban districts in the percent of students meeting grade level in nearly all subjects. Delaneys presentation did not touch on STAAR scores for elementary and middle school students, though Miles reported Thursday that student scores improved in 18 of 20 categories, accounting for all grade levels. Miles report on third-through-eighth grade scores was interrupted by community members who said the superintendent was distorting the results to overstate HISDs gains, arguing that the district did not include the percentage of students approaching grade level, which the state considers a passing score. A Houston Chronicle review of TEA data shows that the percentage of high school students who passed the STAAR End-of-Course exams increased in every subject except for English I. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Behind all these numbers are kids and teachers, and we deserve to respect them, we deserve to honor them and celebrate their success, Miles said, to applause from his staff and groans from audience members who say his policies disrespect students and teachers. North Division Superintendent Orlando Riddick in a rare instance of engagement with the public by cabinet members interjected from the staff seating area of the board room by repeatedly pointing to the statistics on the screen and saying scoreboard. Several community members angrily accused Riddick of disrespecting concerned HISD parents, and one HISD teacher was removed from the meeting after the board returned from its recess. 18:39 Karnataka high court on Friday restrained the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from arresting former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case registered against him. It also directed the veteran BJP leader to appear before the CID, which is probing the case, on June 17. A Bengaluru court on Thursday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Yediyurappa in the case registered against him under the POCSO Act on March 14 this year. The Special Investigation Team of the CID had moved the First Fast Track Court seeking an arrest warrant against him since he failed to appear for questioning on Wednesday. Yediyurappa had sought time to join the probe. According to reports, the veteran BJP leader has gone to an 'undisclosed' location in New Delhi. According to police, Yediyurappa has been booked under the POCSO Act and Section 354 A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old girl who alleged that he molested her daughter during a meeting on February two this year, at his residence in Dollars Colony in Bengaluru. Yediyurappa, who has denied the charge and said he would fight the case legally, had filed two separate petitions in the High Court, seeking anticipatory bail and quashing of the first information report (FIR). The high court, which adjourned the hearing for two weeks, during the hearing observed that the 81-year-old Yediyurappa is now in the sunset of his life and it is not appropriate to arrest him. Noting that Yediyurappa had sent a letter to the police volunteering to appear for inquiry on July 17, Justice Krishna S Dixit said, 'the court cannot jump to the conclusion that a case is made out for arrest or detention or for custodial interrogation of the petitioner who happens to be the former Chief Minister of the state and in the late evening of his life with ailments natural to that age.' Senior Advocate C V Nagesh appeared for Yediyurappa and argued that the latter had been served notice under 41 (a) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and, hence, there was no requirement for his arrest. Nagesh also cited Supreme Court verdicts and requested the court to grant anticipatory bail. On behalf of the Government, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty appeared and tried to convince the court by saying Yediyurappa skipped two notices served by SIT. Shetty also said that an arrest warrant was necessary since Yediyurappa is not in Karnataka, adding that without a warrant other state police would not support them to take the accused into custody. Nagesh countered this by arguing that Yediyurappa had already appeared for questioning, given his voice sample and completely cooperated with the police. On the other hand, the advocate appearing for the victim, senior Advocate Balan told the court that the police did not investigate the case properly and hence the arrest was needed. He also said the accused is highly influential and to protect the evidence from being tampered with, it is necessary to take him into custody and continue the investigation. Nagesh drew the attention of the court regarding other cases filed by the victim's 54-year-old mother, who passed away recently, against her own son and husband. The victim's brother had filed a petition in the court earlier this week alleging that though the case was registered on March 14, no progress has been made in the investigation. The petitioner prayed that Yediyurappa should be arrested and interrogated. After the Sadashivanagar police registered the case in March, the Karnataka Director General of Police Alok Mohan had issued an order transferring it to the CID for further investigation. In April, the CID collected the voice sample of Yediyurappa after summoning him to the office. -- PTI To ensure the safe operations of ambitious bullet train services, an automated Rainfall Monitoring System has been adopted. As per a statement from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, the proposed system will provide real-time data on the rainfall using rain gauges, equipped with advanced instrumentation system. Each gauge would contain a tripping cell that generates signal pulses in response to the collected rain volume. These pulses are transmitted via a signal communication line to the Facility Controller System at the Operation Control Centre (OCC), where they are displayed and monitored. The system provides two critical measurement values: Hourly Rainfall: The amount of rainfall recorded in the last hour; 24-Hour Rainfall: The cumulative rainfall over the past 24 hours. "These measurements are crucial for making informed decisions regarding train operations, particularly in areas susceptible to heavy rainfall and its effects on earth structures and natural slopes," the statement read. It added specific regulations will be enforced based on the rainfall data and threshold values type of earth structure and natural slopes for each section duly validated by patrolling teams activated through Maintenance Centres. Six instrumented rain gauge stations are proposed to be installed along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, in Thane and Palghar districts, specifically near vulnerable earth structures, mountain tunnel entrance/exit and tunnel portals etc. "Areas with significant cuttings and potential landslide risks will also be closely monitored. Rain gauge influence radius is nearly 10 km," it added. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in March this year said that the much-awaited bullet train project will be ready by 2026, with services between Surat and Bilimora commencing initially. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor has been making steady progress since work began in November 2021. The project initially faced delays due to challenges in land acquisition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then-Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe launched the project in Ahmedabad on September 14, 2017. National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) was incorporated on 12th February 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013 with the object of financing, constructing, maintaining and managing the High-Speed Rail Corridor in India. The Company has been modelled as a 'Special Purpose Vehicle' in the joint sector with equity participation by the Central Government through the Ministry of Railways and two State Governments viz. Government of Gujarat and Government of Maharashtra. As per the Joint Feasibility Study report of 2015, the project was estimated to cost Rs 108,000 crore, with an expected completion period of 8 years. (ANI) Ahmad Nasiri, a case manager for the Afghan Allies Program run by The Alliance, talks to a client in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Feb. 17, 2022, in Houston. The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit that for decades has helped refugees settle in the area, is closing. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Shuja Shayan, a logistics case manager with The Alliance, smiles as he plays music with Mohammad Naser Khafi on Feb. 17, 2022, inside the apartment where Khafi lives with his extended family in Houston. Khafi said he was heartened to meet Shayan a month ago because both are interested in keeping their love of traditional Afghan music alive in their new home in Houston. The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit that for decades has helped refugees settle in the area, is closing. Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer Fahim Ghori, left, and Mohammad Naser Khafi, center, laugh as they say their goodbyes after a visit from Shuja Shayan, right, a logistics case manager with The Alliance, and case manager Mustafa Sakha, not pictured, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, outside of their apartment in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Ahmad Fardeen Khanzada, left, listens as Shuja Shayan, a logistics case manager with The Alliance, explains what he needs to know about his new permanent apartment he is seeing for the first time, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Houston. The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit that for decades has helped refugees settle in the area, is closing. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Hamid Gul, a recently arrived Afghan, works the register at the World Food Mart on Beechnut Street, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Houston. Guls case manager, Ahmad Nasiri, helped him get the job at the grocery store where management has been both hiring recent arrivals and helping the nonprofit The Alliance run its food distribution program. The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit that for decades has helped refugees settle in the area, is closing. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Makki Makki, the refugee housing program manager with The Alliance, stands with his team amid the food they pack and distribute daily to resettled families in Houston in a partnership with the World Food Mart on Beechnut Street, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Houston. The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit that for decades has helped refugees settle in the area, is closing. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Omer Yousafzai, 44, owner of Afghan Village restaurant, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, in Houston. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Editor's Note: This story has been updated Friday afternoon to reflect an announcement that the Ethiopian Community Development Council will open an office in Houston and replace The Alliance's services. The Alliance, the Gulfton-based agency that has welcomed refugees and recent immigrants for decades and, in many ways, acclimated newcomers to Houston from lands far and wide, is closing its doors, with a Washington, D.C.-based agency assuming operations. Due to loss of critical funding sources and in accordance with fiscal responsibility, the agency has made the difficult decision to close this summer, said Travis Gordon, the agencys interim CEO and chief financial officer, on Thursday. Shuttering quietly ends a nearly four-decade relationship between The Alliance and Gulfton, often called the Ellis Island of Houston for welcoming refugees and new immigrants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad INSIDE THE DERECHO: The split-second decisions that defined the damage We are focused on successfully assisting and transitioning our clients to new service providers and supporting our remaining staff, Gordon said. The Alliance is proud of its legacy of welcoming and aiding refugees as they find a new home in Houston, and we are grateful for our many partnerships and support across the community. However, those customers will not have to look far for service. Friday, the Ethiopian Community Development Council, which has a long funding history with The Alliance, announced that it would open Monday in the same location, with mostly the same staff, and continue operations virtually unchanged. There will be no gap in the services, said Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, president and CEO of the development council, in a statement. We are proud of the work we have done through our affiliate office and are excited about the opportunities this new branch will bring. Our commitment to the refugees and immigrants we serve remains unwavering. Commonly called ECDC, it is one of 10 resettlement agencies in the United States that works with the United Nations and the American government to relocate refugees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The development council also announced that Miriam Diria, the previous director of resettlement for The Alliance, will run the Houston office. The new office will be branded as the ECDC-Houston Multicultural Center. Officials noted that the transition will happen just days before World Refugee Day, which is Thursday. We celebrate the strength and resilience of refugees around the world, Teferra said. Our mission is to provide them with the essentials for survival and the tools and opportunities to thrive after they arrive in the U.S. The Alliance has worked in Gulfton and surrounding communities since 1985 and employed 230 people as of 2022. According to its tax filings, The Alliance also relies on 140 volunteers for day-to-day operations. It mostly works with immigrants to tap government services or learn skills critical to life in America. For many, it is the starting point for their American journey, and The Alliance closing and changes cast confusion on their future. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Attia Hafeez, who arrived from Pakistan four months ago, was one of the few clients trickling in and out of the organization's headquarters Thursday afternoon after The Alliance closure was confirmed. She and her family were worried about paying rent and missing out on opportunities. Hafeez said she was given less than 10 days' notice of The Alliance's closure, upending some of her efforts. The 26-year-old, who is aiming to earn her GED, said The Alliance said it would pay for her to take a high school equivalency exam but recently told her it could no longer cover the fee. "It is kind of sad for me," Hafeez said. "I took the classes for three months, but at the end, I didn't get (a diploma)." In the past, those resources have been a lifeline to a better life. Omer Yousafzai is a Houston business owner who runs the popular Afghan Village restaurant and an adjoining market across the street from The Alliance's Gulfton headquarters. A former Alliance client, Yousafzais first job in the U.S. was as a case manager for the organization in 2003. "They are like orphans," Yousafzai said of the hundreds of clients who depend on The Alliance's services. "Some of them are very fresh. They don't know the city. They don't know where to get their food from, a job or a doctor." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Omer Yousafzai, 44, owner of Afghan Village restaurant, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, in Houston. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer 'Somebody to guide you' Started by Cambodian, Ethiopian, Laotian and Vietnamese refugee groups in 1985 as the Refugee Services Alliance, the group became a go-to for new arrivals. It offered counseling, language classes and help in understanding laws related to everything from being licensed to drive to forming a small business. Along the way, the agency, which rebranded as the Alliance for Multicultural Community Services and finally in 2018 as The Alliance, fostered deep roots in the area and partnered with other local groups and businesses. Some of its former clients became vocal champions, including Houston businessman Binyam Gebrehewet, who worked with The Alliance and with federal officials to highlight The Alliances work and the importance of refugee services. "Honestly, you need somebody to guide you, Gebrehewet said in 2016, detailing his move from Eritrea after religious persecution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Alliance helped him get settled, and Gebrehewet later started a trucking business and returned to The Alliance as a driving instructor. Changes at The Alliance are something refugee services can absorb. It is going to impact the refugee settlement structure, but I honestly dont think it is going to be a disruption, said Ali Al Sudani, chief programs officer for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, who oversees the agencys refugee services offerings. ABORTION IN TEXAS: What the Supreme Court's medication ruling means for Texans It is likely those enrolled in programs at The Alliance can transition right into nearly identical services at Interfaith or other local groups that provide refugee services, such as the development council. We already have some referrals, Al Sudani said. We are ready to provide services. All the agencies work in some fashion with the State Department, which coordinates refugee arrivals into the country. Because of its size and long history of welcoming newcomers, Houston has numerous groups not just one, as might be present in smaller metro areas. There is a well-established network of providers here, Al Sudani said. The network, meanwhile, is capable of adjusting to needs as they arise, such as when Afghan refugees needed resettlement in 2022 and the number coming to Houston surged. Makki Makki, the refugee housing program manager with The Alliance, stands amid the food his team packs and distributes daily to resettled families in Houston in a partnership with the World Food Mart on Beechnut Street, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Houston. The Alliance, a Houston nonprofit that for decades has helped refugees settle in the area, is closing. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Increasing demand The Alliance assumed a large part of that wave of new Houstonians through its relationship with the development council. The Alliance and the development council have been partners in providing refugee resettlement in Houston since 1991. Neither The Alliance nor the development council responded to questions about what prompted the decision to dissolve The Alliance and create a permanent office of the development council in Houston. The development council has seven branch offices Houston will be the eighth and 19 affiliates through which it operates. In its 2022 annual report, the development council noted that Houston welcomed more arrivals than any other location where it operated, including 1,310 of the 7,352 Afghans it resettled nationwide. Federal grants, passed through the development council, have been a major source of funding for The Alliances operations. Amounts have also varied widely, depending on the need for resettlement and the expansion and contraction of services offered by the agency. For most of the past decade, The Alliance's revenues and expenses hovered between $4.8 million and $8.4 million, based on the nonprofits tax filings. In some years, the agency spent slightly less or slightly more than it brought in. However, since 2020, as both need and costs increased during the pandemic, The Alliances revenues and expenses increased to more than $10 million, then leaped to around $35.5 million in fiscal 2022. PRNewswire New Delhi [India], June 14: Yara India, a part of Norwegian multinational Yara International - the world's leading crop nutrition company and a provider of agricultural, industrial, and environmental solutions, today released its second Sustainability Report. The report outlines Yara India's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, and implementing sustainable farming practices. The company has set a target to cut GHG emissions by 70,000 tCO2e by 2026. Additionally, the report details Yara's efforts to enhance the sustainability of its operations in India and the progress made towards these goals. Throughout the reporting period, Yara's digital platforms have effectively disseminated knowledge, reaching over 4.6 million farmers with valuable insights and guidance. The sustainability report is structured around Yara's 5Cs approach to sustainability: Commit, Channelize, Care, Concern, and Contribute. These pillars are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address critical areas such as resilient governance, efficient resource allocation, environmental stewardship, empathy-driven solutions, and overall societal improvement. The company has outlined a plan to invest in initiatives and programs that will reduce operating costs, provide new revenue opportunities, mitigate operating risks and increase the female workforce across the value chain. On the occasion, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia, said, "In an era where the resource use efficiency is declining, our focus is to ensure nutrition sufficiency to help improve farm productivity and incomes. For the same, Yara offers lower carbon footprint fertiliser portfolio, prioritize practices that restore soil health over time and contribute to move India towards a nature positive food future. Empowering women farmers is not just a moral imperative; it's a strategic investment in the future of agriculture. At Yara India, we are actively bridging the gender gap and unlocking the untapped potential of women farmers. Through our partnerships with 15 women exclusive FPOs, each with an average of 2,000 members, we are directly supporting approximately 30,000 women farmers and 120,000 members within the farming community . We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable agricultural landscape which is visible as a key imperative in our sustainability report as well." Speaking on the occasion, May-Elin Stener, the Ambassador of Norway to India, said, "As the largest shareholder in Yara, the Norwegian government is proud to support Yara's objectives, which align closely with the government's priorities: improving food security, supporting sustainable farming practices, adapting to climate change, and promoting diversity and inclusion. Yara contributes to improving food security not only by offering high-quality products but also by educating farmers in best practices for optimal yields and healthier soil. The 2023 Sustainability Report demonstrates Yara's commitment to creating a more environmentally sound and gender equal agricultural sector in India. This report highlights not just your achievements, but also your ongoing dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility." The company is already developing solutions to meet the evolving needs of farmers and reduce environmental impacts. This report delineates objectives for 2025, encompassing both India and global targets and highlights several key accomplishments: * Commit: Yara India uphold ethical and lawful business conduct and consider it a core value shared by Yara's Board of Directors, Senior Management, and employees. The firm conduct its business with the highest standards of governance. Established structures and processes enable transparency and trust among stakeholders as we pursue sustainable market leadership. Governance is a key element of our framework for sustainability and growth, acting as a common guiding principle across our efforts to commit, channelize, care, concern, and contribute to stakeholders. * Channelize: Yara India actively promotes Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), partnering with over 200 FPOs across 15 states, including 15 women-led organizations. By offering premium nutrient products and leveraging global expertise in soil health, crop yield improvement, and water management, Yara supports approximately 120,000 members of the farming community to address challenges such as soil degradation, nutrient depletion, limited market access, low productivity, and knowledge gaps, ultimately empowering FPCs and their member farmers to achieve higher quality yields and increased profitability. * Care: During the reporting period, the energy consumption for this year has reduced from last year primarily due to the deployment of various innovative initiatives such as the replacement of various equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives which has yielded substantial energy savings of 1,246,501 GJ, marking a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance operational efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Yara has been recognized for its safety performance and certified by the International Fertilizer Association. The company maintains an occupational health and safety management system aligned with various safety standards, proactively identifying potential hazards and assessing risks to achieve zero accidents. * Concern: Yara India employs various engagement methods to promote sustainable and advanced farming practices, including on-site demonstrations and Yara Knowledge Growth Centres (YKGC) for demo plots. Over 32,600 agronomy sessions have been organized, directly impacting over 650,000 farmers nationwide with essential knowledge of crop management and modern farming technologies, including the use of drones for fertilizer application. * Contribute: Yara's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) extends beyond business operations to actively support the welfare of the communities they serve. In 2023, Yara spent over INR 23 million on community development activities. The CSR plan at Yara India is executed through a dedicated Trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882, overseen by six trustees who convene biannually to assess progress. The full report can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/2wjr8rdy About Yara International ASA Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Oslo, Yara International ASA is the world's leading crop nutrition company and a provider of agricultural, industrial, and environmental solutions. The company has 18,000 employees and operations in more than 60 countries. Supporting Yara's vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, the company pursues a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara's ambition is focused on growing a nature-positive food future that creates value for its customers, shareholders and society at large, and delivers a more sustainable food value chain. https://www.yara.com/ About Yara India Yara is the world's leading fertiliser company and provider of environmental solutions. Yara India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yara International ASA. The company set up its operations in 2011, in Maharashtra, focussing on speciality products. In 2018, Yara India acquired Tata Chemicals 1.20 million MT urea facility in Babrala, making it India's first and highest stand-alone foreign direct investment in the fertiliser sector. The company has established a strong footprint, forging deep relationships with Indian farming community through its farmer centric approach enhancing productivity with new generation crop nutrition offerings. Yara works closely with farmers to promote the use of balanced crop nutrition solutions through Yara branded retail outlets called Yara Crop Nutrition Centre (YCNC) and the FPO initiative resulting in enhanced yield and quality of output. The YCNCs have benefited over 1.2 million farmers across 1500 outlets in 17 states and 1 Union territory of India. Yara India digitally connects with 5.5 million farmers across India and provide service to 218 FPOs touching over 150 thousand farmers. In 2019, Yara India Technology Centre (Yara ITC) was established to address Yara's technology demands and drive agile transformation. Being one of three Global Digital Hubs, Yara ITC plays a pivotal role in developing digital solutions. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2437758/Sustainability_Report.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 14: SRM University-AP, with its uniquely curated "Destination Japan" program for its highly skilled Engineering & Non-engineering Students, is an initiative by the university to address the growing demand for human resources in Japan. The "Destination Japan" program provides well-equipped engineers with valuable industry skills and well acquainted with Japanese culture. Under the programme, students are trained in the Japanese language, Japanese traditions, and work culture from the first year onwards, which helps them easily assimilate into the country's workforce. The initiative also welcomes reputed companies from Japan to directly hire skilled engineering graduates from core engineering fields to enhance their manpower. SRM University-AP has also signed MOUs with multiple universities in Japan for faculty & student exchange programs, collaborative R&D projects, Hi-tech & innovative labs and other academic initiatives complementing the "Destination Japan" program. To further enhance this mutual alliance, the Director of Corporate Relations & Career Services of SRM University-AP, Dr Vivekanandan M S, has visited prospective companies and industries in Hamamatsu, Japan, during which he presented the stellar record of engineering graduates being nurtured at the varsity and the possible partnership for recruitment and employment. SRM University-AP has also signed an agreement with the Shizuoka Government to foster Indo-Japanese academic and recruitment partnerships. These partnerships enable internships in Japanese organisations, admissions to universities for higher studies, and good career placement opportunities for their students in Japan. Under the "Destination Japan" program, direct campus recruitment has begun with the visit of recruitment teams from two reputed Japanese companies, Forum Engineering Inc. and CRESCO Ltd., to hire proficient engineering graduates. This is a remarkable accomplishment for the university to ensure international placements for its students. A recruitment team of four from CRESCO Ltd., including the Managing Executive Officer, and a team of two from Forum Engineering Inc. visited the university campus. The team included engineers, HR Managers and other professionals. Many more Japanese companies are lined up for campus visits & recruitment in the coming months. In an interaction with the recruitment teams from Japan, Mr Satoshi Iwami, Managing Executive Officer of CRESCO, remarked, "As we are facing a shortage of IT engineers not only in our company but all over Japan, and with the SRM AP harbouring excellent IT engineers, we decided that an alliance would greatly benefit both parties." Ms Saho Funahashi, UI/UX Designer at CRESCO, said, "The students' Japanese skills have impressed me. SRM University-AP has helped students understand the practical way of studying engineering through its impressive resources. This would greatly benefit them in a techno-driven country like Japan." Mr Mitsutaka Sekino, Operating Officer of Forum Engineering and Director of Cognavi India, is very impressed with the excellent students he has hired from the university, their proficiency in Japanese and their work ethic. He said, "Japan's declining population will have a negative impact on the Japanese economy, but recruiting talented engineers from SRM AP and expanding this trend will greatly contribute to Japanese companies and the Japanese economy." Mr Masahiro Koizumi, Senior Operating Officer of Forum Engineering and Managing Director of Cognavi India, said, "Forum Engineering came to India to recruit highly skilled engineers, secure excellent human resources, and energise existing employees by hiring its first non-Japanese. We are also looking forward to working with Forum Engineering's clients." In addition, Forum Engineering's clients, Japanese electrical and mechanical equipment manufacturers, are facing a shortage of engineers and are looking for help solving this structural problem. This program is guided and driven by SRM Global Consulting Private Limited, a consulting company of SRM Group established in Japan. Speaking on this, Mr Sankar Karunanidhi, Country Manager, SRM Global Consulting, mentioned, "SRM Group has had a long-standing relationship with Japan for over 25 years. This association has helped us design this unique program and training for our university students." This flagship initiative by SRM University-AP is helping Japan alleviate its labour shortage in various industries. Highly skilled graduates from India can get lucrative placements in Japan, ensuring a good work-life balance and career growth opportunities. SRM University-AP, continuing its success of placing students in Japan with the dedicated program and the team behind Destination Japan, envisions placing a minimum of 120 Highly Skilled students in Japan year-on-year. Vice Chancellor of SRM University-AP, Prof. Manoj K Arora, said this remarkable venture by the two parties would enrich the student's academic experience, moulding them into global citizens with exceptional industry acumen. "We have established a prolific alliance with Japan. We plan to extend our collaborations to place our students in Taiwan, Canada, Germany and other European countries," stated the head of the institution. The continuous dedication and support from the team's leading both nations guarantee prospective Indian graduates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure their dream careers in Japan. For more details please visit www.srmap.edu.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], June 14: In order to cater to the demand of the industry for specialised talent, MBA and PGDM specialisations in various functional areas and domains are offered by the top-ranked B-schools. PGDM and MBA programs are known for granting you a holistic overview of the business. The core modules in these programs generally cover strategy, accounting, marketing, and finance, among other aspects. There are additional elective options, too, that allow you to take a dive into what interests you. Are you a student looking to apply to a specialised MBA or PGDM program? This blog is for you. Today, we will take a look at various specialisations to watch out for in the top-rated B-schools in 2024. International Business A specialisation in International business is perfect for students who are looking forward to working abroad or for multinational companies after graduation. From finance to operations, you will learn a lot of critical skills there. With PGDM international business by JIMS, an individual can prove their proficiency and authority in taking international assignments with ease. Aspirants can enjoy moving into a rewarding, exciting, and fast-paced career in worldwide business entities rather than getting a chance to move to domestic entities. The PGDM IB program by the JIMS Technical Campus is a window of worldwide career-building chances in the fields of import and export, logistics, foreign exchange departments, and many more. Retail management The PGDM retail management is specialised and focuses on management tactics for retail establishments. It is a postgraduate course that the management institutions and the business schools frequently offer. The program is intended to grant the aspirants a clear grasp of the retail industry and grant them the skills and data they require to succeed in a variety of professions within the sector. Sales, supply chain management, marketing, and merchandising are just a few of the many topics that are enlisted in the program. The two-year-long PGDM RM program by the JIMS Technical Campus grants the aspirants with a broad and clear understanding of the applied and theoretical aspects of retail management. Other than that, there are areas such as e-commerce, finance, and marketing to equip the aspirants with research, practical, and analytical skills required for a professional management career in an allied industry. The knowledge and the skills accumulated in this course make the students a highly valued asset. Let us take a look at the trimester-based courses of the PGDM (RM) course by JIMS: * Year 1 * Year 2 This program has been designed and built for individuals who are looking to develop successful careers in merchandising, eCommerce, store management, and logistics. Entrepreneurship Launching a startup off the ground is no walk in the park. An MBA in entrepreneurship will help you gain the skills required to take the startup idea from the commencement to the launch. You will concentrate on developing both the soft and hard skills needed to develop a successful startup, and you will stand a chance to complete your degree by pitching your startup to an expert panel of entrepreneurial experts. An MBA in Entrepreneurship will educate you regarding the key aspects of the entrepreneurial journey and the frameworks you require to manage uncertainty. Among many things you will learn about: * Creation of a venture * Interacting with the stakeholders * Platform disruption * Developing a value-driven business model * Scaling up the growth of a business Business Analytics If you are looking forward to entering a fast-growing sector and building your level of expertise when it pertains to all things analytics, then you should consider a program that grants a strong business analytics track. After concentrating on the core business models, you can dive into how to use models to support decision-making in business. As of 2024, business analytics is one of the specialisations to look out for. Wrapping Up The specialisations we have mentioned above are to watch out for in 2024. Remember, your selection of the specialisation should depend on your background and your field of interest. If you are an aspiring candidate looking to kick-start your career in international business or retail management, the PGDM courses offered by JIMS Technical Campus are the best option for you. FAQs 1. Does a PGDM specialisation matter? A PGDM or MBA specialisation will get you ready and prepared for a specific niche in the industry. 2. What specialisation is the best in B-schools? Both International Business and Retail management are the top specialisations in the B-schools right now. 3. What is Human resources management? Human resources management concerns are concerned with a company's internal marketing. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], June 14: Aumirah, a leading law firm in India's IP sector, announces the launch of a series of newsletters aimed at providing valuable insights and updates on their practice areas. The first newsletter, focusing on Global Intellectual Property (IP), will be released on June 15th and will be available on the firm's website. Founded in August 2014 as a sole proprietorship and officially incorporated on January 1, 2015, Aumirah has rapidly become a distinguished player in the legal field. With a diverse team of over 60 professionals, including engineers, scientists, PhDs, and lawyers, Aumirah serves a global clientele of more than 1600 clients. The firm's dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, coupled with its commitment to excellence and service, has garnered widespread recognition and numerous accolades. The new series of newsletters underscores Aumirah's ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of legal developments and providing cutting-edge knowledge to its clients. Each newsletter will delve into a specialized area of law, offering in-depth analysis and practical guidance on topics ranging from cybersecurity to fintech, and from IP to competition and investment law. In a statement, Rahul Bagga, Founder of Aumirah, said, "Aumirah has always been a research-driven IP and corporate law firm, owing to the impressive clientele we serve across different domains of science, technology, and business. We believe we owe it to our clients to always keep ourselves updated and upskilled with various aspects of law, science, and technology. In that pursuit, we are pleased to announce that Aumirah is launching a series of newsletters, each focusing on a special area of law concerning businesses." Anuj Kumar, Founder of Legal Desire Media & Consulting, added, "As a Business Development Manager and Consultant for Aumirah, I am thrilled to see this initiative take flight. These newsletters will not only keep the clients and global audience informed but will also showcase the depth of expertise and dedication Aumirah brings to the table. This is a significant step in ensuring our clients are always ahead in the ever-evolving legal landscape." The first edition of the newsletter on Global IP will provide valuable insights into the latest trends, legal developments, and best practices in the field of intellectual property. Subsequent editions will cover other pivotal areas of law, ensuring that clients and stakeholders remain well-informed and prepared to navigate the complex legal landscape. For more information and to subscribe to the newsletter series, please visit their website. Founded in 2014 and incorporated in 2015, Aumirah has swiftly emerged as a prominent player in India's IP and legal industry. The firm's dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, combined with its commitment to excellence and service, has spawned numerous associations and companies across India and abroad. With a team of over 60 professionals, Aumirah serves a global clientele of more than 1600 clients. Contact: Anuj Kumar Business Development Consultant Email: anuj@aumirah.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], June 14: In a market saturated with traditional sauce brands, one company is here to shake things up. With its innovative approach to creating sauces that prioritize health and quality, Saucy Affair is poised to disrupt the industry and offer consumers a superior alternative to conventional products. Their All-in-One Combo exemplifies their commitment to providing versatile, healthy, and flavorful options for everyday cooking and dining. The mission is clear: revolutionize the way we think about sauces. The company is dedicated to creating products that are not only delicious but also health-conscious. Unlike many competitors, they use only high-quality ingredients, avoiding harmful additives and preservatives. This commitment to quality ensures that every jar of sauce not only tastes great but also supports a healthier lifestyle. By focusing on health and quality, the brand aims to provide a better alternative to traditional sauces. Their products are designed to meet the needs of modern consumers who are increasingly aware of what they eat and how it affects their health. This approach sets them apart from big players in the industry, who often prioritize cost and shelf life over nutritional Value. When compared to other sauce brands, this company stands out in several key areas: * Ingredient Quality: Natural, high-quality ingredients ensure that their sauces are free from harmful chemicals and additives. * Health Focus: Unlike many brands that use unhealthy oils and preservatives, these products are crafted with the customer's health in mind. * Versatility: Their sauces are multipurpose, serving as ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat, dips, and spreads. These distinctions highlight the dedication to providing healthier and more versatile products than its competitors. Many major sauce brands rely on unhealthy oils, preservatives, taste enhancers, and flavouring agents. These ingredients can be detrimental to health, contributing to various health issues over time. For instance: * Bad Oils: Many big players use low-quality oils that are high in unhealthy fats. * Preservatives: These extend shelf life but can have negative health effects. * Taste Enhancers: Substances like MSG (monosodium glutamate) can spike dopamine levels, leading to overeating and other health problems. Such practices underscore the need for a healthier alternative in the market, which this company aims to provide. At the heart of their philosophy is a genuine concern for customer health. The brand's commitment to creating sauces free from hazardous chemicals, preservatives, and taste enhancers reflect this dedication. For instance: * Natural Ingredients: The company uses natural ingredients, avoiding artificial additives. * No MSG: The brand has a strict policy against using taste enhancers like MSG, which are common in many other sauces. This focus on health makes their products a safer choice for consumers who are conscious about what they eat. One of the unique selling points (USPs) of these sauces is their versatility. The sauces are: * Ready to Cook: Perfect for quick and easy meal preparation. * Ready to Eat: Ideal for immediate consumption without any additional preparation. * Multipurpose: They can be used as dips, spreads, and in a variety of dishes. This flexibility makes these sauces an excellent choice for busy individuals and families looking for convenient yet healthy options. To make it even more appealing, the company is offering up to 50% off on their products, with additional discounts on prepaid orders. This promotion not only provides great value but also encourages consumers to try their high-quality, health-focused sauces. Visit for more details: https://saucyaffair.in/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Gautam Adani shared his sentiments about the encounter through a post on social media platform X, where he described the opportunity to meet President Suluhu as an honor. He posted, "It was an honour to meet the charismatic President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency @SuluhuSamia . Fascinating to hear her deep insights about the future of Africa and discuss the possibilities for forging a long-term partnership with one of Africa's most promising and strategically important nations. We are excited about the Adani Group leveraging its expertise across various infrastructure sectors, including ports, renewable energy, airports, transmission, distribution and rail to help build world-class infrastructure in Tanzania." https://x.com/gautam_adani/status/1801600631058162020?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw Central to their discussions was the Adani Group's commitment to leveraging its expertise in diverse infrastructure domains, including ports, renewable energy, airports, transmission, distribution, and rail. The aim is to contribute to the development of world-class infrastructure within Tanzania, thereby bolstering its economic landscape and facilitating sustainable growth. Tanzania, a country rich in natural resources and with a growing economy, presents a significant opportunity for international partnerships aimed at enhancing infrastructure capabilities. President Samia Suluhu, welcomed the prospect of collaborating with the Adani Group, recognizing their potential to contribute substantially to Tanzania's infrastructure development goals. The Adani Group, seeks to extend its footprint in Africa through strategic partnerships that align with local developmental priorities. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in exploring such avenues for mutual benefit and long-term cooperation. Looking ahead, the Adani Group remains committed to further engagements with Tanzania, building upon the positive momentum generated during Chairman Gautam Adani's meeting with President Samia Suluhu. (ANI) According to a press release, the meeting focused on several critical issues aimed at enhancing consumer protection and operational efficiency within the telecommunications sector. TRAI announced the allocation of the 160 series exclusively for transactional and service voice calls. Initially designated for entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA, this move aims to facilitate easy identification of legitimate callers and prevent fraudulent activities targeting citizens. The meeting facilitated constructive discussions among regulators, financial entities, and TSPs on optimising the utilisation of this series to strengthen consumer trust and combat fraud effectively. The operation of the 140 series, currently used for promotional purposes, will transition to a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform. Concurrently, the scrubbing of digital consent mechanisms will be operationalized. These initiatives are anticipated to significantly reduce spam calls originating from 10-digit numbers, ensuring a more secure and reliable communication environment for consumers nationwide. Discussions centred on the Digital Consent Facility (DCA) established by TSPs as per TRAI's Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR) 2018. The DCA enables TSPs to obtain digital consent from customers, allowing senders such as banks and insurance companies to deliver promotional communications via SMS and voice, regardless of the customer's Do Not Disturb (DND) status. Participants explored strategies to optimise DCA functionalities to uphold consumer preferences while ensuring regulatory compliance. The meeting underscored the responsibilities of senders, including banks and insurance companies, concerning TRAI regulations. Key decisions included whitelisting URLs/Apks in content templates, minimising the use of headers and content templates, and implementing stringent actions against entities misusing sender credentials. These measures aim to foster responsible communication practices and mitigate potential abuses of consumer trust. (ANI) OIL, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), has achieved unprecedented growth and set a new record for crude oil and natural gas production during the fiscal year 2023-24. The minister emphasized the crucial role of India's energy sector entities in advancing towards energy self-sufficiency under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Puri posted on X, "Reviewed the performance and future strategy of @OilIndiaLimited with senior management of the Maharatna CPSE which has registered a CAGR of @ 27% in the last 2 years and achieved highest ever crude oil and natural gas production of 6.53 MMTOE during FY 2023-24. India's energy sector entities are driving our journey towards energy self-sufficiency under the dynamic leadership of PM @narendramodiJi. The officials of OIL also assured me that the company will intensify exploration to enhance import substitution through increased domestic Oil and Gas Production, and plan for portfolio diversification to grow as an integrated energy company. @PMOIndia, @PetroleumMin @PIB_India" https://x.com/hardeepspuri/status/1801631460434264345?s=46&t=VMP3kiIph_8ppFs86FJbcQ Minister Puri highlighted OIL's impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 27 per cent over the past two years, which has propelled the company to achieve its highest-ever production levels of 6.53 Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) in FY 2023-24. This remarkable feat underscores the company's pivotal role in enhancing India's energy security and reducing dependence on energy imports. In the meeting with OIL's senior management, the company officials assured Minister Puri of their commitment to intensifying exploration activities. This strategic focus aims to boost domestic oil and gas production, which is crucial for substituting imports and achieving greater energy self-reliance. The company plans to ramp up its exploration efforts, particularly in untapped and challenging areas, to discover new reserves and increase production capacity. (ANI) The official title of the film is still not revealed. On collaborating with Ektaa, Mahaveer Jain in a statement said, "I am happy that Ektaa loved the film so much and was so touched by it that she got excited to present it. Upon watching it, her first words were, This is my kind of film. I personally feel after a long time, a film has been created that will bring families across all ages to come together to watch the film and each generation will connect with the film's powerful thought, Har Generation Kuch Kehta Hai. I strongly believe that this is a story that will bring joy and yet touch every heart and soul." Interestingly, on Friday, the makers unveiled the film's trailer in theaters, premiering alongside the recent release of Kartik Aaryan's 'Chandu Champion'. Both Mahaveer and Ektaa sent their regards to producer Sajid Nadiadwala for attaching the trailer to his film. The release date of the film has not been disclosed yet. (ANI) Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is gearing up for the release of his next film, 'Rautu Ka Raaz', talked about playing a cop in the film and shared his working experience with his co-star Rajesh Kumar. Nawazuddin will be seen playing a cop, Deepak Negi. It is set against the picturesque village of Rautu Ki Beli in Uttarakhand. The story revolves around a town that hasn't witnessed a murder in over a decade and a half. During a conversation with ANI, Nawazuddin said, "I liked the concept and the premises of the film and enjoyed shooting in a serene environment." The official synopsis of the film read, "The film revolves around the mysterious death of a warden at a blind school in Rautu Ki Beli, a sleepy town that hasn't witnessed a murder in over a decade and a half. This is where SHO Deepak Negi aka Nawazuddin Siddiqui and his team step in as they are tasked with solving this rare and high-profile murder investigation." "The film showcases a unique and jovial camaraderie between SHO Deepak Negi (played by Nawazuddin) and sub-inspector Dimri (played by Rajesh Kumar) who are forced out of their lazy state of being owing to this murder investigation. So, get ready to witness a mystery thriller unraveling the laziest murder investigation ever." Rajesh added to the conversation and recalled how the entire team had fun on the sets. "We created many memories. We celebrated Diwali there like a family for 23-25 days. When we started shooting, after 4-5 days, it was Diwali. We had ruined the peace of the jungle for 25 days." Recalling a shooting for a sequence in the film, he shared, "When we watch a film, we remember the day we went on a shoot and how we performed. I remember the night sequences." Nawazuddin is known for his roles in 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'The Lunchbox', 'Raman Raghav 2.0', 'Manto', among others. The ace actor spoke about taking on different roles and the pressure of performing them with perfection. "There is no need to take any pressure. Kaam ko serious karo, khud ko serious lene ki zaroorat nahi hai...When you are doing a scene, you get to know the capability of an actor." While praising his co-star Rajesh, he said, "His image on TV was that of a comedy actor but there is a different type of individual inside him. He has spontaneity inside him...He does everything while being in the character..." Rajesh added, "There has always been a mutual unsaid respect for Nawaz sir..." Produced by Zee Studios and Phat Phish Records and directed by Anand Surapur, the film also stars Rajesh Kumar, Atul Tiwari and Narayani Shastri in supporting roles. On Thursday, the makers unveiled the film's trailer. The film had its gala premiere at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last year where it received a warm welcome and is now set for its OTT premiere on June 28th on ZEE5. (ANI) Fathers Day at Typhoon Texas. Courtesy of Typhoon Texas On Father's Day in Houston, why not give Dad something that dads seem to love more than anyone else a sweet deal. On June 16, dads across the Houston area will be showered with appreciation, and if you haven't figured out Sunday plans yet, we have a few ideas. From water parks to restaurants, check out this list of deals for dads across Houston this weekend. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Typhoon Texas If you and your dad are melting in this weather, Typhoon Texas is the place to be. The water park will let dads in free Sunday with the purchase of a day ticket. Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe will offer a dads eat free day. On Fathers Day, customers can get one free cake slice for each family with the purchase of equal or greater value. The dessert shop offers an extensive menu of sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream sundaes, brownies and several different options of sliced cakes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nara Sushi Ramen Up for sushi? Nara Sushi Ramen located at 1930 Westheimer will be giving out free ramen all weekend leading up to Fathers Day. Every dad who brings the family to this sushi restaurant will receive a free bowl of ramen and a free 20oz bottled soda. Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. this Fathers Day, Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve will allow free admission to all dads. Along with games, animal experiences and snacks, Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve will provide special activities throughout the day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Grace Church Houston car show Grace Church Houston will be kicking off its Dadfest this Fathers Day with giveaways, free root beer for dads and a car show. Grace Church Houston will hold service from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will also feature a guest speaker Dino Rizzo. Kings BierHaus Kings BierHaus, located in Houston's Heights at 2044 E. T.C. Jester Blvd., will host a pig roast for Fathers Day lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m. A $28 Pig Roast Plate will include 1 pound of pig roast and ham served with sauerkraut, Austrian potato salad, and King's mustard. Upon arrival the first 100 dads will receive a free 4oz hausmade Peach Whiskey drink. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Baytown The city of Baytown will be celebrating Father's Day with an event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education and Recreation Center Saturday. The event will feature animal encounters, kayaking, fishing, toy remote boats, a car show and more. The first 150 people will receive a free Kona snow cone and hot dog. Be More Pacific Be more Pacific Filipino bar will be celebrating dads this Sunday by offering complimentary beer and a free Back Pew Brew pint glass with any purchase. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Warwick Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Friday slammed the Union government for "not giving clearance" for Kerala Health Minister Veena George to travel to Kuwait to coordinate assistance for the people from the state affected by the tragic fire mishap in the Gulf country. "This is very unfortunate when an incident is taking place aboard; it is the duty of the state to send their representatives. When the state was trying to send the Kerala Health Minister, the central government did not provide clearance. This is very unfortunate, this is political and we are not in support of that," VD Satheesan told ANI. Earlier in the day, George told ANI that the central government did not permit her to travel to Kuwait to coordinate the relief effort. "It is very unfortunate that we did not get consent (to travel to Kuwait). More than half of the people who died were from Kerala. The majority of the people who are under treatment are also from Kerala.." George said. The Kerala State government had convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Thursday and announced that George along with State Mission Director (NHM) Jeevan Babu would urgently travel to Kuwait to coordinate efforts related to the treatment of those from the State who sustained injuries as well as oversee the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased. A massive fire erupted in a six-storied building in Mangaf city in Kuwait on Wednesday, killing at least 48 people. Out of the 176 Indian workers in the housing facility, 45 died and 33 are hospitalized, the Indian embassy said. The victims include 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana. "The Embassy did not give us the exact data on the number of seriously injured people. The data that we have collected from there is that a total of 7 people have been admitted to the hospital and 4 of them are from Kerala, but this is not officially declared. The purpose of my visit (to Kuwait) was that I wanted to be with the injured and bring their needs to the attention of the Central Government," George said today. A special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims that took off from Kuwait is expected to land here on Friday morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deepest condolences and assured all possible assistance to those impacted by the tragedy. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh who reached Kuwati on Thursday visited hospitals where the injured were admitted and interacted with Indian nationals undergoing treatment following the tragic fire incident in Mangaf. (ANI) A special aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) carrying the mortal remains of 31 victims of the major fire in a Kuwait building will land at the Cochin International Airport in Kerala on Friday morning. Kerala Minister K Rajan said, "The aircraft is expected to arrive here at around 10. All arrangements are made to receive the bodies. As more victims are from Kerala, upon our request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this special aircraft carrying 31 victims--23 from Kerala, 7 from Tamil Nadu, and one from Karnataka will be arriving in Nedumbassery today." Ernakulam Range DIG Putta Vimaladitya said that all the required arrangements have been made to receive the bodies at the airport. He further said that out of the 31 bodies, 23 victims are from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, and one from Karnataka. "We have coordinated with the family members of the victims. Once the bodies are received, they will be properly escorted to their respective places." Vimaladitya said while speaking to ANI at the Cochin airport today. A dedicated vehicle will be provided for each body, the DIG said. The special IAF aircraft is expected to arrive at the Cochin airport at around 10.20 am. Heavy police force and ambulances have been deployed at the airport in Kochi. State Ministers K Rajan and Roshi Augustin will be present at the airport to receive the bodies. Speaking to reporters at the airport, Minister Roshi Augustin said, "It''s an unpleasant situation. We have made the arrangements for dedicated pilots." Ernakulam Collector NSK Umesh told ANI that exclusive ambulances have been arranged for each of the bodies. "We will ensure smooth transport of the bodies to their homes," he said. At least 45 Indians died in the huge fire that broke out in a labour accommodation in Kuwait''s Mangaf on June 12. This includes 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal. The Kerala state government also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those injured. Minister K Rajan said that it was unfortunate that State Health Minister Veena George was not permitted to travel to Kuwait. "Our intention was to coordinate the efforts and make sure Keralites are getting treatment. But Union government made her wait due to technical reasons," he said. The central government has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. The Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh, visited hospitals in Kuwait on June 13, where he interacted with Indian nationals undergoing treatment. (ANI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday acknowledged the efforts on the part of the Government of India and that of Kuwait in their intervention following the fire tragedy in Kuwait in which 45 Indians lost their lives. A special aircraft of the Indian Air Force carrying the bodies of Indians killed in the June 12 Kuwait building fire landed in Kerala's Cochin International Airport earlier today. Speaking to reporters before the flight's landing, the Chief Minister said, "It is a never-ending loss for the families... The Government of Kuwait has taken effective and impeccable measures. It is expected that the follow-up will be flawless. When it came to know about the disaster, the Government of India also intervened in a proper manner." He further urged that careful steps should be taken to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. "It is hoped that the Kuwaiti government will take the lead in providing adequate compensation to the families. government of India should also try to speed up in such matters," Vijayan said. On State Health Minister Veena George not given permission to visit Kuwait, the Chief Minister said, "There have been some wrong approaches, but now is not the time for that controversy." Speaking to ANI, Kerala Minister P Rajeev said that special ambulances have been arranged for each deceased and a police pilot has also been provided."Out of 45 deceased, the bodies of the residents of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka will be brought here," the minister said. The mortal remains of 31 victims brought to Kerala, included 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, and one from Karnataka. State Minister K Rajan said, "We will make sure that ambulances pass without any difficulties. We have arranged green channels. Name boards have been stamped on the tables and the ambulances. Our mission is to make the mortal remains reach the dear ones within no time. It's a tragic incident." Union Minister Suresh Gopi referred to the tragedy as "voluminous and impactful" and said that it is a thud on the 'pravaasi' (Overseas Indians) community, which helped the economic situation in Kerala. "The state and the country have very high regard for the 'pravaasi' community and it is very painful. India will play its role very well because we initiated action as soon as the news was received. The GoI will take appropriate actions and decisions," the Union Minister told reporters on Friday. "We have our contingent working to look after people in all health conditions. They will be brought back to India and their rehabilitation will also be taken care of. It's no graciousness, it is the duty of the GoI and the state government also," he added. Union Minister of State Singh VK Singh, who rushed to Kuwait on Thursday, accompanied the mortal remains of the deceased on the Air India flight. Kerala Ministers Veena George and Roshi Augustin were also present at the airport to receive the mortal remains. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Congress MP Hibi Eden, BJP state president K Surendran and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan among others had also arrived ahead of the flight's landing. At least 45 Indians died in the huge fire that broke out in a labour accommodation in Kuwait's Mangaf on June 12. This includes 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed satisfaction on the progress in the construction work of the highway to connect Dharmveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road commonly referred as Mumbai Coastal Road with Bandra-Worli Sea Link. "I am very satisfied after seeing the coastal highway which will connect with the sea link. We will complete the portion connecting to the sea link by July as committed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner and his team. Five thousand workers are working day and night along with all machinery and I am happy that by July it will be connected to sea link and a 2x2 road will start giving relief from the traffic," said Shinde while interacting with reporters after conducting an inspection on Thursday night. "BMC and police are continuously working to decongest the Western Highway and Eastern Highway and soon people will get relief," Shinde said. Earlier, on June 10, Shinde along with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had inaugurated the second phase of Dharmveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road. It is a project that connects Worli and Marine Drive and reduces the travel time to 8 minutes. "Today, the second phase of Dharmveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road has been opened. This tunnel is 6.25 km long from Haji Ali and Amarsons. In the month of July, this will open till Worli. Advanced technology has been used in the construction of this tunnel. The travel time will reduce to 8 minutes from 40-50 minutes," CM Shinde said. Earlier, the BMC in its budget 2022-23 allocated Rs 3200 crore for its ambitious Mumbai Coastal Road project. As per BMC data, the coastal road project got the highest share of budget allocation by BMC for the year 2022-23 at 17 per cent followed by health at 15 per cent, traffic and road at 12 per cent and bridges at 9 per cent, stormwater drains at 8 per cent and Goregaon-Mulund Link road at 7 per cent share of the total budget. (ANI) Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh thanked the authorities in Kuwait for expediting the repatriation of the bodies of Indians killed in the fire tragedy in the Gulf nation on June 12. The Union Minister offered condolences to the families of the deceased. "It is a very tragic incident and we are all very sad about it. The moment our Govt got to know that this incident had taken place, PM Modi immediately convened a meeting and instructed us to reach Kuwait immediately and take all possible steps so that the mortal remains could be brought back as soon as possible," Kirti Vardhan Singh said. He said that when the Indian team of officials reached Kuwait, PM Modi had already spoken to the authorities and the foreign minister there and to the Emir of Kuwait. "I would like to thank to the authorities as they did everything possible, they took all possible measures and fully cooperated in having all the papers completed, identification was done in such a short time because normally this could have taken a week or at least ten days. On PM Modi's instructions, the authorities were very quick about it," he added. At least 45 Indians were killed in the fire incident, and 31 bodies of victims from Kerala (23), Tamil Nadu (7), and Karnataka (1) were brought via a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Kerala's Kochi on Friday. The special IAF aircraft landed at around 10.30 am at Cochin International Airport earlier in the day. Earlier, speaking to reporters at the airport, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledged the efforts on the part of the governments of India and Kuwait in their intervention following the fire tragedy. "It is a never-ending loss for the families... The Government of Kuwait has taken effective and impeccable measures. It is expected that the follow-up will be flawless. When it came to know about the disaster, the Government of India also intervened in a proper manner in the case of those who died in the Kuwait disaster." It is expected that the Kuwaiti government will provide adequate compensation to the families of the deceased. The central government should also intervene effectively, he said. At least 45 Indians died in the huge fire that broke out in a labour accommodation in Kuwait's Mangaf on June 12. This includes 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal. (ANI) Jay Khemka Director of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd and Sagar Deshmukh, Manager of the factory, were arrested today, Vinod Godbole, Police Inspector, Hingna Police Station Nagpur said. Six workers were killed and three were critically injured in the blast at the explosive manufacturing plant on Thursday. Police have filed cases under various Sections of the IPC against the Director and Manager of the factory. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday offered tributes to the six people who were killed. In a post on X, Fadnavis said that he is in touch with the district administration and police commissioner and all the necessary help is being provided by the district administration. "The news is very sad that 6 people died in an explosion at Chamunda Explosive Company in Hingana MIDC area of Nagpur. 3 people are critical in this incident and they have been admitted to Dande Hospital for treatment," he posted. Fadnavis further said that the families of the deceased will be given financial assistance from the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund. Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh had visited the site of the incident yesterday. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday to review the preparedness of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet. He received Guard of Honour at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. The Defence Minister shared the information about his arrival through on social media platform X, "Leaving New Delhi for Visakhapatnam. Shall visit the Eastern Naval Command and review the defence preparedness. Looking forward to it." Earlier, on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with various top officials and dignitaries of the security forces to discuss the '100-day Action plan' of the Ministry of Defence with a special focus on ex-servicemen welfare. He instructed the officers to re-dedicate themselves to achieve the desired results as per the Action Plan. The meeting was attended by CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) General Anil Chauhan, COAS (Chief of the Army Staff) General Manoj Pande, CAS (Chief of the Air Staff) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, CNS (Chief of the Navy Staff) Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and other officials of the department after he took charge as the Defence Minister. Meanwhile, he also had a meeting with National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday. Union Minister Rajnath Singh who took charge as Defence Minister on Thursday said the priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will be to develop a strong, 'Aatmanirbhar' government with robust and self-reliant defence manufacturing. Singh who took charge as the Defence Minister at his office in South Block in the national capital said that the government will strive to boost exports in the defence sector and aims for a target of Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years. "PM Modi has given me the responsibility of the Defence Ministry again. Our priorities will be the same, the protection of the country. We want to develop a strong and 'Aatmanirbhar' Bharat. We want to become self-reliant on defence manufacturing. We have exported defence equipment worth over Rs 21,000 crore. Our target is to take this figure to Rs 50,000 crore in the next five years. We are proud of our three armed forces, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force," Singh said. Rajnath Singh is a Member of Parliament from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and took the responsibility to head the Ministry of Defence for the first time on June 1, 2019. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear on June 21 a plea filed by activist Mahesh Raut, an accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, seeking interim bail to attend rituals following the death of his grandmother. A vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Augustine George Masih asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to seek instruction on 33-year-old Raut's plea. The bench asked Raut's counsel, "Funeral was on May 26 so what ceremonies are left? You have not given any details as to when they would be." Senior advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for Raut, told the bench that this is an interim bail plea to go to Gadchiroli to attend the ceremonies after the death of his grandmother. In September 2023, the apex court extended the stay granted by the Bombay High Court on the implementation of its verdict granting bail to Raut. The stay was granted by the apex court after the NIA challenged the September 21 order of the Bombay High Court granting bail to Raut, who was arrested in June 2018 and is presently lodged in judicial custody at the Taloja prison. As per the prosecution, provocative and inflammatory speeches were made at the event that was allegedly backed by banned terror outfit CPI (M), which later led to violence at Koregaon Bhima village near Pune in 2018. (ANI) Congress MLA from Dera Baba Nanak assembly seat in Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, tendered his resignation to the speaker of the Punjab state assembly on Friday. Randhawa's resignation came in the backdrop of his victory from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in the recent Lok Sabha polls. He defeated the BJP's Dinesh Singh and Amansher Singh of Aam Aadmi Party and Daljit Singh Cheema of Shiromani Akali Dal. Apart from Dera Baba Nanak, MLAs from assembly seats like Giddarbaha, Barnala, and Chabbewal also tendered their resignation ahead of June 20 as they also had won from different parliamentary seats in Punjab. All four MLAs in Punjab who recently Lok Sabha elections from their respective constituencies, will have to submit their resignation before June 20 or they might lose their MP seats as per the Constitution of India. The Notification(s) about the Election of all Lok Sabha MPs were published on June 6, 2024, in the Gazette of India. Rule 2 of Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules, 1950 stipulate that the period at the expiration of which the seat in Parliament of a person who is chosen a member both of Parliament and of a House of Legislature of a State specified in the First Schedule to the Constitution of India shall become vacant, unless he has previously resigned his seat in the Legislature of such State, shall be fourteen days from the date of publication in the Gazette of India or in the Official Gazette of the State, whichever is later, of the declaration that he has been so chosen. Four sitting MLAs of current 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha - Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Dr Raj Kumar Chhabewal of Congress and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer of AAP have been elected members (MPs) of the 18th Lok Sabha from the parliamentary constituencies of Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Sangrur respectively. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has announced the dates to hold bye-elections to fill vacancies in 13 assembly constituencies across seven states, including Punjab. The last date to file nominations is June 21 and candidates can withdraw their candidature till June 26. The elections will be conducted on July 10 and the counting of the votes will be done on July 13. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday met with the family of CRPF jawan Kabir Das Uikey, who recently died during an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Kabir Das Uikey, a resident of Pulpuldoh village in Chhindwara, sustained critical injuries during an encounter at Saida Sukhal village on the evening of June 11. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries on June 12. Chief Minister Yadav arrived by helicopter around 3:15 pm and went directly to Uikey's residence. He spent about 15 minutes with the grieving family, offering his condolences and emotional support. Moved by the sight of the deceased jawan's mother and wife, who broke into tears upon seeing him, the Chief Minister assured them of all possible assistance. During his visit, Yadav announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family and promised a government job to one of the family members. Other local public representatives accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit. Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of Kabir Das Uikey were brought back to his hometown, Chhindwara. On Thursday, the mortal remains of the soldier arrived here at Mungapar (around 15 kilometres away from his village) in the district where the state minister Sampatiya Uikey, Chhindwara MP Vivek Bunty Sahu, local public representatives and other people paid tribute to the Jawan. After that, the convoy reached Jawan's village where he was given a guard of honour and the last rites were performed with honour. CRPF IG Gurshakti Singh Sodhi and CRPF DIG Neetu Singh, Chhindwara Collector Sheelendra Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP) Manish Khatri were also present on the occasion. Minister Sampatiya Uikey told reporters, "We have come here to pay tribute to CRPF Jawan Kabir Das Uikey who lost his life in an anti-terror operation in Jammu Kashmir. I am present here as a representative of the MP government. I pray to God may the departed soul rest in peace and give strength to the family in this hour of grief." According to the information, Kabir Das Uikey was the eldest among four siblings (two brothers and two sisters). His sisters are married and his younger brother is not married yet. The CRPF jawan is survived by his mother, wife and younger brother. Father of the Jawan had passed away. Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a surge in violence with three significant attacks: the Reasi terror attack, the Kathua terror attack, and the Doda terror attack. The series of attacks began on June 9, when terrorists attacked a bus in Reasi, causing it to plunge into a gorge. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of at least 9 pilgrims and left 42 others injured. In the days following, villagers in the Hiranagar area of Kathua reported hearing gunshots on Tuesday. This was followed by an attack on a security checkpost in the Chattragala area on the same night. The encounter in Doda led to an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces, resulting in injuries to five jawans and a sub-divisional special police officer. (ANI) Arthur Towles gives his English Bulldog, Kane, a frozen dog treat during an event where rapper and community activist Trae Tha Truth gave out the treats as part of Trae Day Weekend at the dog park in Market Square Park on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Houston. Trae Day Weekend expanded from Trae Day, that was established on July 22 by former Houston Mayor Bill White in 2008, into a lineup of charitable community events spanning over several days. Some of the events include gas card giveaways, trampoline park takeover, celebrity kickball game, concerts and a family festival. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Saturday is National Dog Dad Day, a new holiday celebrating the fathers who see their pets as children. Heres what to know about the upcoming holiday. ZOOMIE THE DOG: Pup finds a home after 699 days the League City animal shelter What is National Dog Dad Day? Celebrated the day before Fathers Day, National Dog Dad Day honors men of all ages who are proud pet parents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Adam Iglowski poses his dog Buttercup for a photo Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at Mod Coffeehouse in Galveston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The national holiday aims to strengthen the unique bond between dogs and their male owners as a day to prioritize spending time together. PUPPIES RESCUED: 2 dogs saved on an overpass by local law enforcement Advertisement Article continues below this ad When is National Dog Dad Day? National Dog Dad Day is annually celebrated on the day before Fathers Day. This year, the holiday will be held on June 15. How did National Dog Dad Day start? The holiday was established in June 2021 by Ashley Bercaw. Though not a dog dad, Bercaw saw a need to honor the special relationship between men and their canine companions. Levi Johnson carries his dog, Dally, down the street as they head back to their house after snow and ice covered the Houston metro area on Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood. We went out for a walk, she got about two blocks out and just stopped, Johnson said. So just picked up her figured wed head back. Shes pretty cold. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer TOP DOG: Houston miniature poodle makes her mark at 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Advertisement Article continues below this ad How do you celebrate National Dog Dad Day? National Dog Dad Day is about celebrating the canines that feel like children. Igors owner, Mika Barzilay, not in picture, puts eclipse glasses on the snoozing dog for a photograph while waiting the solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024 at Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin. The pair with Barzilays friend drove from Houston at 4 a.m. for viewing of the eclipse. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer This can be done in a variety of ways, like taking a long walk, baking a dog-friendly treat or gifting your dog a new chew toy. Another way to celebrate the holiday is taking your dog to a local dog park, like Johnny Steele Dog Park at Buffalo Bayou Park or Millie Bush Dog Park. If parks arent your thing, try a dog-friendly bar like Powder Keg in Spring Branch Village. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two dogs enjoy playing in the water at Johnny Steele Dog park on April 3, 2024 in Houston, TX. Jill Karnicki/Staff photographer Is there a National Dog Mom Day? Yes, National Dog Mom Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in May, before Mothers Day. The holiday was founded in 2018 by Dig, a dating site for dog people. The next National Dog Mom Day will be celebrated on May 10, 2025. Similar to National Dog Dad Day, the holiday honors the special bond between women and their furry friends. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dog kisses from lab mix Bear, are always welcome as Cindy Crump spends time rocking in her favorite chair, Monday, April 29, 2024, to rest, relax and relive stress during her day. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer 100 YEARS: Houston SPCA marks anniversary with centennial celebration What other days exist to celebrate dogs? Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in a high-level meeting with senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) here in the national capital, and directed to call another detailed meeting on June 16 over the issue. Shah conducted the meeting in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, which have raised concerns about the security arrangements in the region. In the meeting, the Home Minister also gave a direction to call a follow-up meeting on June 16 in North Block to further assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Officials concerned learned to have briefed the Home Minister about the current security situations and preparedness to handle such terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. As per Home Ministry officials, the June 16 meeting will be attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, National Security Advisor, Union Home Secretary, and senior officers from the Army, police, Jammu and Kashmir administration, and the MHA. The heightened vigilance is aimed at ensuring the safety of Jammu and Kashmir residents as well as the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and maintaining law and order in the state. Since June 9, there have been terror strikes at four places in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda, where nine pilgrims were killed, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed, a civilian was injured, and at least seven security personnel were injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the series of terror-related incidents. The meeting, attended by NSA Ajit Doval and other senior officials, aimed to assess the current security landscape in the region. In the meeting, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive overview of the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region. He was briefed on the strategies and operations being implemented to tackle terrorist activities and ensure the safety of the region. PM Modi also spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the deployment of security forces and ongoing counter-terror operations. Additionally, he spoke to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to review the situation and was briefed on the efforts being undertaken by the local administration. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday expressed grief over the deaths of people in the fire incident in Kuwait and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the victims, who were from the state. Two residents of Bihar were among the 45 Indians who died in the fire incident on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has sent shockwaves through communities both in Kuwait and India. "It is sad that two people from Bihar died in a fire incident in a multi-story building in Kuwait. The Resident Commissioner, New Delhi has been directed to establish contact with the Kuwait Embassy and take action to send the bodies to their native places. The closest relatives of both the deceased have been asked to be given Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. I pray to God to give strength to the bereaved family to bear the pain in this hour of grief," CM Kumar posted on X. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force's C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, carrying the mortal remains of the deceased in the Kuwait fire tragedy, arrived at Palam Technical Airport on Friday. BJP MPs Yogendra Chandolia, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Bansuri Swaraj and other leaders are present at the airport to receive the mortal remains. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasised that usually it takes 10-15 days, but at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and EAM Jaishankar's request, we have been able to bring the mortal remains of those Indian nationals who lost their lives in the deadly fire incident. "Usually it takes 10-15 days, but at the request of PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar, we have been able to bring the mortal remains of those 45 Indian nationals," he said. "It is a very sad incident," Singh said, adding that PM Modi got worried after hearing the news and urgently called a meeting and sent us to Kuwait. At least 45 Indians were killed in the fire incident, and 31 bodies of victims from Kerala (23), Tamil Nadu (7), and Karnataka (1) were brought via a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Kerala's Kochi on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh on June 13, visited hospitals in Kuwait, where he interacted with Indian nationals undergoing treatment following the tragic fire incident in Mangaf. He was on board the plane, which carried the mortal remains of the victims back to India. (ANI) During their discussion, Chief Minister Lalduhawma expressed profound appreciation for the NCC's dedicated efforts in empowering the youth of Mizoram. He particularly praised Major Gen Gagan Deep for his pivotal role in extending NCC's reach to remote areas, thereby integrating them into the mainstream. The Chief Minister highlighted the significant impact of the NCC's activities within the state, noting how these initiatives have inspired and motivated the cadets. He acknowledged the NCC's crucial role in developing the character and leadership qualities of young individuals, which he deemed essential for Mizoram's progress. In the meeting, Major Gen Gagan Deep emphasised the urgent need to enhance the infrastructure and facilities of the NCC training academy in Mizoram. He pointed out that improving the infrastructure would significantly boost the training programmes, providing better opportunities and resources for thousands of youth. This, in turn, would help in nurturing disciplined, skilled, and motivated cadets who can contribute positively to the community and the nation. The ADG sought the Chief Minister's assistance in addressing these critical infrastructural issues, highlighting the importance of government support in this endeavour. Chief Minister Lalduhawma responded positively, assuring his full support to resolve these challenges. He reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the cadets and the overall development of the NCC in Mizoram. The interaction underscored the strong collaboration between the state government and the NCC, with a shared vision of fostering youth development and community engagement. With improved infrastructure and training programmes, the NCC in Mizoram is poised to reach new heights, empowering the next generation of leaders and contributors to the state and the nation. (ANI) Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Friday paid a visit to the family of one of the Indians who had been recruited by the Russian Army and was recently killed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Dhaliwal offered his condolences to the grieving family of the youth in Amritsar who was killed in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Punjab Minister said that the Ministry of External Affairs will be contacted to bring Tejpal Singh's body to India. Speaking to reporters, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that they are in touch with the Indian Ambassador in Russia and is also in talks with the External Affairs Ministry. "We will try to bring Tejpal's body to his home so that the family can see their son's face for the last time. Tejpal Singh has legally joined the Russian army. The Punjab government will take every possible effort to provide financial assistance to the family...," Dhaliwal said. According to MEA reports, two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.In response, India offered its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and said, "Our Embassy in Moscow has pressed the Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, for early repatriation of mortal remains." "The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow have strongly taken up the matter with the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi and with Russian authorities in Moscow, respectively, for the early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army," MEA said in a statement. Further, the Foreign Secretary also said that the Indian government is taking this seriously. We are tracking how a person reached the war zone, and we are regularly in touch with Russia. "I want to assure you that the Government of India has taken this issue very seriously. Whenever we have received information that a particular Indian is currently in the war zone, immediate action has been taken on that information," Vinay Kwatra said. "Contact has been made with the family, how the individual reached there has been ascertained, and discussions have been held with Russian officials to share information with them about the individual. Our efforts in this regard will be continued with strength," he added. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, expressed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday for the opportunity to serve the nation under his leadership. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Murugan said, " I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to PM Modi, for giving me this opportunity to serve this nation under his leadership." "His vision is to make this country 'Vikshit Bharat'." I am very happy that I am a part of his vision," he added. In addition to his appreciation for PM Modi, Murugan also extended his thanks to Union Ministers Amit Shah and JP Nadda, as well as BJP state president K Annamalai, for the opportunity. L Murugan assumed charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Tuesday. "I am very happy and I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving me the opportunity to serve in this ministry again," Murugan said while speaking to reporters after taking charge. This is Murugan's second consecutive term as MoS in the PM Modi cabinet. He was elected as MP of Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. Murugan fought the Lok Sabha elections from the Nilgiris constituency in Tamil Nadu but lost to DMK's A Raja. Later, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, paving the way for a Cabinet berth for the second time. A total of 71 ministers joined the Modi 3.0 cabinet on Monday and all these ministers along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath in a grand swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. In the recently held Lok Sabha election, the INDIA bloc registered a landslide victory in Tamil Nadu winning all 39 seats in the state as well as the lone seat in neighbouring Puducherry. The declaration of results of the 18th Lok Sabha election in the 543-member Parliament saw the BJP-led NDA winning 294 seats and the INDIA bloc bagging 234 seats. (ANI) West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Mohan Bose came down heavily on the Mamata Banerjee government after some victims of post-poll violence in the state were prevented from meeting him by the state government on Thursday. The Governor hit out at the state government saying that the victims were prevented from exercising their democratic rights. "Yesterday, I gave permission to the victims of violence in the field who came from various parts of Bengal to meet me in the Raj Bhavan and share their grievances. I was shocked to find that for one reason or another, they were all prevented from exercising their democratic rights," Governor Bose said in a press conference on Friday. The Governor termed this as "violation" of the Constitution that the state government has engaged in on several occasions. "Right to life is an inalienable fundamental right in the Constitution of India. Every responsible government, every civilised government has a right to defend the Constitution. But here there are violations of Constitution, not once but many times, over and over again," he said. The Governor pointed out that he has the authority to give suggestions to the Chief Minister and the Chief Minister has also been mandated to give information to the Governor. "To be specific, under Article 167 of the Constitution of India, it is mandatory for the Chief Minister of a state to give reports and information to the Governor whenever it is called for. The Constitution also says that the Governor has the right and the duty to suggest to the Chief Minister to place before the Council of Ministers any matter which the Governor in his wisdom finds worth presenting before the Council Ministers. This has also been done by me and by my predecessors in office here," he said. Governor Bose said that the Chief Minister cannot flout constitutional norms and he will ensure that the government fulfils its mandated duty. "A Constitutional authority like the Chief Minister or any Minister cannot defile the Constitution of India with immunity. There will certainly be retribution...That the Constitution has been flouted many times does not mean that it has to be the role of the day. It is my duty to see that the constitutional provisions are invoked and the government is made to do whatever is constitutionally expected or mandated to do," he said. Hitting out at the state government over alleged post-poll violence in the state, the Governor said that such incidents "cannot go on". "The dance of death, the macabre which is happening at various pockets of West Bengal. During the panchayat elections, I saw it with my own eyes. I was on the field. During this election also there has been many instances of violence, murder, intimidation. This cannot got on," he said. The Governor shared that he went to meet the victims of violence in the state because he wants to be a "peoples' Governor". "The worst is that when the poor people came to meet the people with permission to air their greviences, they were prevented...I would like to be a people's Governor. Therefore I went to see them. I spent time with them. What I heard was the deep pangs of the innocent people who were at the gunpoint of the goons. This does not bring credit to any civilized government," Governor Bose said. "The government has to do its duty. If the government fails to do its duty the Constitution will take its own course," he added. After meeting the victims on Friday, Governor Bose said, "I heard the victims. This is one version of the story. As a Governor, I would like to be fair. I have also asked for a report from the government on this. After listening to the government's side, I will give my opinion. In one word I will say, 'shocking'." In an official release posted on 'X', the Governor said that the actions of the State Government in not allowing the victims of violence meet the Governor on Thursday despite being permitted to do so, has invited disapproving comments from the judiciary against virtually a 'State within State." The Court wondered whether the Governor is under house arrest and ordered that anyone can meet the Governor if he permits, the Governor said. The Governor has decided that all victims will be welcome to meet him in the Raj Bhavan. He added that till the victims are allowed to meet him, the Minister-in-Charge of Police, will not be allowed to meet the Governor. Moreover, he has directed all police personnel posted in Raj Bhavan to be changed. In the release, the Governor shared that he visited the victims of violence who were prevented from meeting him on Thursday in spite of written permission. The Governor interacted with the victims, including women and children, and was moved by their plight. The survivors narrated their woes and how they had to flee to save themselves, leaving their home and hearth at the mercy of miscreants, the release said. The Governor has taken a strong view in the matter and has urged the administration to take all necessary steps to ensure that violence was reined in and the victims of violence could return to their homes and resume their normal activities, it said. Earlier on Tuesday, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari was stopped by the police on Thursday from entering the Raj Bhavan to meet West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose with alleged victims of post-poll violence. Speaking to ANI about the incident, Adhikari said, "For the first time after independence, we have been stopped outside Raj Bhavan. They didn't let the LoP to enter. The Governor called in the victim with written permission. 200 victims accompanied with LoP had come here." Earlier this month, West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari had written to Governor CV Ananda Bose, raising concerns about the All India Trinamool Congress' alleged role in post-poll violence, urging him to take steps to prevent a recurrence of the situation after elections in 2021. In the letter to the Governor of West Bengal, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that after the 2024 Parliamentary General Election results were announced on June 4, "goons of the ruling dispensation" has gone "berserk upon the workers of BJP" in West Bengal. "As has become synonymous now with the State of West Bengal, the goons of the ruling dispensation has gone berserk upon the workers of BJP after the declaration of results of the Parliamentary General Elections, 2024, which was announced on June 4, 2024," Adhikari said in the letter. "This seems to be a repeat of the incidents which had transpired after the declaration of the results of the 2021 assembly election results in Bengal, which had resulted in the death of several BJP karyakartas," he added. (ANI) Responding to the speculation surrounding the Amit Shah and Tamilisai Soundararajan video, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai clarified on Friday that the conversation between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan was a friendly conversation between two party members and was taken out of context by some mischievous social media users. The video, recorded during TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu's swearing-in as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, shows Amit Shah in a stern conversation with BJP leader and former Governor of Telangana Soundararajan. In the video, Amit Shah can also be seen gesturing with his finger. Following the video's circulation, many speculated that Shah was reprimanding or warning Soundararajan. "The conversation that you saw was a friendly exchange between Amit Shah and senior party leader Tamilisai Soundararajan. Some mischievous social media people (users) twisted it and took it out of context," Annamalai said. Annamalai further added that Soundararajan is a valued member of the BJP and continues to work at the ground level. He also mentioned that he visited her house recently. "Tamilisai Soundararajan is a valued member of BJP...it was a gentle conversation and she also clarified it...today I went to her house also. she is continuing to do her work at the ground level," he said. Soundararajan herself addressed the speculation in a post on her social media account on Thursday. She clarified that during their meeting in Andhra Pradesh, the first since the 2024 elections, Shah had called her to discuss the post-poll follow-up and the challenges she faced. "Yesterday as I met our Home Minister Amit Shah in AP for the first time after the 2024 Elections he called me to ask about post poll followup and the challenges faced.. As i was eloborating,due to paucity of time with utmost concern he adviced to carry out the political and constituency work intensively which was reassuring. This is to clarify all unwarranted speculations around," Soundararajan said in a post on X. (ANI) A day after a blast killed six workers at an explosive manufacturing unit in Dhamna, Nagpur, the director and manager of the factory were granted bail by the Judicial Magistrate of First Class Court (JMFC) Hingna. Earlier in the day, Director of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd Jay Khemka and company Manager Sagar Deshmukh were arrested by the Hingna Police. Six workers were killed and three were critically injured in the blast at the explosive manufacturing plant on Thursday. Police have filed cases under various Sections of the IPC against the Director and Manager of the factory. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday offered tributes to the six people who were killed. In a post on X, Fadnavis said that he is in touch with the district administration and police commissioner and all the necessary help is being provided by the district administration."The news is very sad that 6 people died in an explosion at Chamunda Explosive Company in Hingana MIDC area of Nagpur. 3 people are critical in this incident and they have been admitted to Dande Hospital for treatment," he posted. Fadnavis further said that the families of the deceased will be given financial assistance from the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund. Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh had visited the site of the incident yesterday. (ANI) The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Friday issued an office memorandum to all Central ministries and departments for the inclusion of content on new criminal laws in various training programmes, considering that these laws will come into effect from July 1. As per the memorandum, "the undersigned is directed to say that the three new criminal laws-- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshaya Adhiniyam, 2023-- to replace the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were notified on December 25, 2023 and will come into effect on July 1, 2024." In this regard, it further stated "all the ministries and departments are requested to issue suitable instructions to the training institutions under their administrative control to include contents on these three new laws in various training programmes organized by them." "Suitable use may also be made of the e-courses that offer an overview of the changes introduced through the new laws, which are available on iGoT Karmayogi portal," it said. For any assistance in curating training programmes on the subject, the office memorandum added, the ministries and departments may take assistance of the Bureau of Police Research and Development under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will have 358 sections (instead of 511 sections in the IPC). A total of 20 new crimes have been added to the bill, and the imprisonment sentence has been increased for 33 of them. The amount of the fine has been increased in 83 crimes and mandatory minimum punishment has been introduced in 23 crimes. The penalty of community service has been introduced for six crimes and 19 sections have been repealed or removed from the bill. Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita will have 531 sections (in place of 484 sections of CrPC). A total of 177 provisions have been changed in the bill, and nine new sections as well as 39 new sub-sections have been added to it. The draft act has added 44 new provisions and clarifications. Timelines have been added to 35 sections and audio-video provision has been added at 35 places. A total of 14 sections have been repealed and removed from the bill, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam will have 170 provisions (instead of the original 167 provisions), and a total of 24 provisions have been changed. Two new provisions and six sub-provisions have been added and six provisions have been repealed or deleted from the bill. The recent criminal justice reform in India marks a significant shift in priorities, placing crimes against women, children, and the nation at the forefront. This stands in stark contrast to colonial-era laws, where concerns like treason and treasury offences outweighed the needs of ordinary citizens. (ANI) Three leading members of the minority Ahmadiyya community have been put under one-month detention by the Chakwal district administration to prevent them from performing religious rites on the occasion of Eid-ul Azha, Dawn reported. Chakwal's Deputy Commissioner Quratul Ain Malik issued three separate orders for the detention of the three men on June 10, following which the three were arrested by the police and sent to Jhelum prison. All three men are natives of Dulmial village, which witnessed a mob attack on the mosque of the Ahmadiyya community in December 2016 resulting in the death of two persons. The historic mosque built in the middle of the 19th century, had been sealed by the local administration after the attack and its fate still hangs in balance, Dawn reported. Notably, the Ahmadiyya community is a minority in Pakistan. Frequent incidents are reported of the community facing religious persecution and discrimination. DC Malik in her orders, stated that she received a report from the district police officer in which the latter alleged that all the three men "may cause deterioration for law and order situation in the area" and requested for the issuance of their detention orders under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order 1960. The matter was discussed in the District Intelligence Committee held on June 10 which unanimously recommended that in order to "prevent the sectarian conflict" as well as law and order situation, all these "three persons be detained." A spokesperson of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadya said all three persons were called for a meeting with the police officials and the assistant commissioner Choa Saidan Shah regarding the upcoming Eidul Azah on Monday. "There was also the presence of the complainants (opponents of the Ahmadya community) in that meeting. Immense pressure was placed on the Ahmadya delegation not to perform the Qurbani. Furthermore, while being harassed they were told to submit a surety bond stating that neither they nor any other Ahmadi in the district will perform Qurbani", spokesperson Amir Mehmood told Dawn. International human rights group, Amnesty International has strongly condemned the detentions terming it a "gross violation of individual's rights to liberty and freedom of belief and religion." It also pointed out that the incident came days after the targeted killing of two men from the Ahmadiyya community in Mandi Bahauddin on 8 June. "Pakistan: The 'preventive detention' of three members of the Ahmadiyya community yesterday in Chakwal to stop them from engaging in religious rites during the upcoming Eid al-Adha is a gross violation of individual's rights to liberty and freedom of belief and religion," Amnesty International stated on X. https://x.com/amnestysasia/status/1800835039011217608 The body urged Pakistan's Punjab government to immediately release the three men and ensure that the Ahmadiyya community is provided protection, particularly during Eid al-Adha, to ensure they are able to peacefully exercise their religious beliefs. "Even in difficult security situations, human rights must be protected and any laws that facilitate abuses of these rights should be reviewed thoroughly with a view to amending and/or striking off those provisions which are inconsistent with international human rights standards," it added. (ANI) 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. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday invited Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a former ally, to again join the ruling coalition, Dawn reported. The premier also proposed the formation of a committee to address the prevailing political issues and asked the Maulana to join it. Shehbaz Sharif is leading a coalition government in Pakistan led by his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Pakistan People's Party has given support to Sharif's party from outside but is not part of the government. Dawn reported citing a source in the Pakistan PM office, that the JUI-F leader was asked to join the ruling alliance and also play his part by joining a proposed committee to resolve political tensions in the country. However, a JUI-F spokesperson has said the Maulana refused to join the government at the request of the premier. "I don't think it's true (that the JUI-F will join the government). Seeking power is not a part of our politics. We already had a better offer before the formation of the present government," he claimed. Notably, Maulana Fazl led an opposition alliance, namely the Pakistan Democratic Movement, during the PTI government. The PDM later formed a government in the Centre, led by PM Shehbaz Sharif, after the ouster of Imran Khan in April 2022. Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz also chaired a meeting to assess the implementation progress of directives requiring federal ministries and departments to use the Task Management System. He instructed federal secretaries and heads of departments to personally utilise the Task Management System (TMS). Pakistan's federal government unveiled the 2024-25 budget on Wednesday, with a total outlay of PKR 18.9 trillion. First-time Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the budget to the National Assembly, amid a massive uproar by the noisy opposition MPs of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which is supported by the Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The lawmakers raised anti-government banners, stood on their desks, and tore copies of the Finance Bill 2025. PTI, in particular, has strongly criticized the budget terming it "poisonous" and a "bundle of contradictions." The party alleged that the salaried class was "suffocated" by modifying the tax slabs, adding that despite making grandiose promises of a rescue package, it "cracked a joke" by only allocating PKR 5 billion for the agriculture sector, Geo News reported. (ANI) As the US and Ukraine signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy on Thursday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the pact is an "agreement on security, and thus on the protection of human life," CNN reported. "We have signed the strongest agreement within Ukraine and the US since our independence," Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference here with US President Joe Biden. The world leaders are gathered in the European nation for the G7 Summit at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The G7 Summit in Italy is being held on June 13 and 14. Zelenskyy described the signing of a bilateral security pact between his country and the US as a "truly historic day," according to CNN. He stated that the agreement helps everyone as Russia is a "real global threat." "This is an agreement on security and thus on the protection of human life. This is an agreement on cooperation and thus on how our nations will become stronger. This is an agreement on steps to guarantee sustainable peace and therefore it benefits everyone in the world," the Ukrainian President added. CNN reported that the deal lays out a path for the US' long-term security relationship with Kyiv but could also be undone by future US administrations, according to senior US officials. The agreement follows months of negotiations between the US and Ukraine and is expected to commit the US for 10 years to continued training of Ukraine's armed forces, more cooperation in the production of weapons and military equipment, the continued provision of military assistance and greater intelligence sharing, CNN said. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that the US remains strong in its support for Ukraine. Russia's conflict has been a "test for the world," Biden said after signing a long-term security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to CNN. "Would we stand with Ukraine?... Would we stand for sovereignty, freedom, and against tyranny?" Biden said. "The United States, the G7 and countries around the world have consistently answered that question by saying yes we will. We will say it again ... we're going to stand with Ukraine," he added. Biden further noted that the US air defence system support, as a part of aid, will continue to provide for Ukraine. "We have acquired commitment from five countries, so far, for Patriot batteries and other air defence systems -- as well as we've let it be known for those countries that are expecting, from us, air defence systems in the future, that they're going to have to wait. Everything we have is going to go to Ukraine until their needs are met. And then we will make good on the commitments we made to other countries," the US President said on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. Notably, the US-built Patriot air defence system, which Biden mentioned, is one of the most sophisticated and valuable contributions the country has provided to Ukraine's military effort in its war against Russia. Former President Donald Trump, who is also the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has not explicitly said whether he would continue support for Ukraine if he wins in November. But, he has repeatedly affirmed that he would negotiate a quick end to the Russia-Ukraine war without explaining how. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday that the US' commitment to Ukraine "will continue to be right up front and clear" at the G7 and that Washington "will take bold steps to show Putin that time is not on his side and that he cannot outlast us, as we support Ukraine to fight for freedom." The agreement comes as the US-Ukrainian relationship has begun to recover after faltering late last year and into this year amid a congressional fight over additional US funding for Ukraine - something Biden personally apologized to Zelenskyy for during a meeting in Paris last week. (ANI) In a landmark move to bolster its strategic and economic foothold in Central Asia, India has signed a 10-year agreement with Iran for the operation of the Chabahar Port. This long-term deal, signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Iran's Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO), grants India operational control over the Shahid Beheshti terminal, a key component of Chabahar's port infrastructure. This agreement is more than just a bilateral trade enhancement; it is a gateway for India into the heart of Central Asia, redefining trade dynamics and geopolitical relations in the region. We can find evidence of India's connection to Central Asia and Europe even before opening of the Silk Routes in the 3rd century BCE. In India's ancient trade relations with Europe, as the oldest scripture of the world, the Rigveda mentions trade routes and interactions with regions west of the Indian subcontinent, which would include parts of ancient Persia. The Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft and economics by Chanakya, mentions trade with western lands, which implicitly includes the region of Chabahar, known as Tis. Why is Chabahar Port important for India? Chabahar Port, located in southeastern Iran near the China-controlled Gwadar Port, stands out due to its strategic and logistical advantages. It includes two main terminals, Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, each equipped with five berths, facilitating significant cargo handling capabilities. As Iran's busiest port, Bandar Abbas and Chabahar port is a deep-water port with direct access to the Indian Ocean, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Noted that the port operators of the Bandar Abbas port are currently under US sanctions. This geographical advantage allows for the accommodation of larger cargo ships, ensuring faster and safer entry, and making it the closest Iranian port to India. For instance, Chabahar is only 550 nautical miles from Gujarat's port of Kandla and 786 nautical miles from Mumbai. Strategically positioned at the nexus of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, Chabahar Port serves as an ideal transit hub for trade between India and Central Asian countries. This port offers India a crucial strategic edge in regional trade and logistics, especially in circumventing the often-strained routes through Pakistan. Strategic Importance, Alternative Trade Route India's traditional trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asia have been heavily dependent on transit through different routes. However, the Chabahar Port provides an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan, thereby reducing India's dependency on its others. This independence is crucial for uninterrupted trade and geopolitical strategy. Access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, Chabahar offers India an alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. This is crucial for India's strategic interests, especially given the tense India-Pakistan relations. The port is part of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal network that links India, Iran, Russia, and Europe, reducing transit time and cost for goods traveling between these regions. By developing Chabahar, India aims to establish it as a trade hub to enhance its commercial ties with Iran and other Central Asian countries. The port facilitates access to the rich natural resources of Central Asia, including oil, natural gas, and minerals. Although primarily a commercial project, Chabahar also offers strategic military advantages. India can potentially use the port to enhance its naval footprint in the Indian Ocean, monitoring maritime activities and ensuring the security of sea lines of communication. Economic Benefits The economic implications of Chabahar are profound. By enabling a direct trade route, Chabahar enhances India's access to the resource-rich markets of Central Asia, Afghanistan, Russia, and Europe. It allows India to diversify its trading partners and routes, mitigating risks associated with over-reliance on any single transit path. Estimates suggest that the INSTC route could save up to 30 per cent in costs and 40 per cent in transportation time, ensuring quicker turnaround at competitive prices. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are landlocked and lack direct access to the sea. These countries have expressed keen interest in leveraging Chabahar to access the Indian Ocean and expand their market reach into India. India's commitment to the Chabahar Port project dates back to May 2015, when a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for its development. In May 2016, India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement to establish the International Transport and Transit Corridor, also known as the Chabahar Agreement. This agreement aimed to enhance transportation and trade connectivity among the three nations, positioning Chabahar as a pivotal transit point. The recent 10-year contract solidifies India's long-term strategic vision. The operational control over the Shahid Beheshti terminal enables India to directly influence trade logistics and efficiency at the port. This development is expected to attract significant investments and foster regional trade partnerships, further cementing Chabahar's role as a critical logistics hub. Enhanced relationships with "extended neighbours" Central Asian Republics India's operational control of Chabahar Port extends its active role into Central Asia, a region of significant strategic and economic interest. This move allows India to play a more prominent role in regional trade networks, potentially countering the influence of other regional powers like China and Pakistan. The Chabahar Port is a critical node in India's broader strategy to connect with Central Asian markets and resources, providing a ground for a multidimensional development platform. Regional Stability and Economic Growth The operationalization of Chabahar Port is expected to contribute to regional stability by fostering economic growth and interdependence. Enhanced trade routes and economic activities can promote stability in Afghanistan and other neighboring countries by creating jobs and economic opportunities. This development aligns with India's broader goal of promoting peace and stability through economic development in the region. The Chabahar Port deal marks a significant milestone in India's strategic and economic policy towards Central Asia. By securing a long-term operational agreement, India has not only established a crucial trade route that bypasses traditional barriers but also positioned itself as a key player in regional trade dynamics. The port's strategic location and logistical advantages make it a linchpin in the International North-South Transport Corridor, promising substantial economic benefits for India and its partners. As India continues to develop and operationalize the Chabahar Port, the prospects for enhanced trade, regional stability, and economic growth become increasingly tangible. This deal opens new doors for India to Central Asia, fostering a future of interconnectedness and shared prosperity. (Chandan Kumar holds a PhD and is an Assistant Professor, in the Department of History, Satyawati College, University of Delhi). (ANI) The central core committee of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee convened an important session at the Karachi Press Club to discuss political organization and structural coherence in the wake of continuous repression of the Baloch community by Pakistan. Following an extensive assessment of the political landscape in Balochistan, including discussions on Baloch genocide policies and the aftermath of the recent long march, the committee recognized the necessity of enhancing political organization and structural coherence. Consequently, the central organizing body of the BYC was established. Baloch activist, Mahrang Baloch has been chosen to serve as the central organizer, while Lala Wahab Baloch assumed the role of central deputy organizer. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee released a statement on social media platform X, outlining key decisions and discussions from its recent meeting in Karachi. "An important meeting of the central core committee of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee was held in Karachi yesterday. After a complete review of the political situation in Balochistan, policies of the Baloch genocide, the post-long march situation in Balochistan, and the need and importance of political organization and our organizational structure, the central organizing body of the BYC has been formed. Dr. MahRang Baloch has been elected as the central organizer, and Lala Wahab Baloch is the central deputy organizer," the organisation stated. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) is a political organization in Pakistan that advocates for the rights and interests of the Baloch people, particularly those living in Balochistan province. "Yakjehti" means "unity" in Urdu, reflecting the committee's focus on promoting unity among the Baloch community. The BYC works towards addressing issues such as political representation, socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and human rights in Balochistan. The BYC addresses Balochistan's issues due to the complex socio-political landscape and historical grievances faced by the Baloch people. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, is rich in resources but experiences challenges in political representation, socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and human rights. The efforts of BYC aim to address the ongoing challenges and advance the interests of the Baloch community amidst various socio-political and economic dynamics in Balochistan. (ANI) This blockade on the Makran Coastal Highway at Zero Point on Thursday caused disruptions for commuters between Karachi and several other cities in the Makran area, including Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani, and Turbat. Protesters voiced their discontent over what they view as "inequitable electricity billing methods" and regular power interruptions without warning. They asserted that numerous residents are facing financial strain due to excessively high bills. Power interruptions have long plagued Pakistan, casting shadows over daily life and hindering progress. From bustling cities to remote villages, no corner of the country is immune to the relentless cycle of blackouts. Even in major urban centers like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, power outages disrupt businesses, disrupt daily routines, and strain essential services. Industries struggle to meet production targets, while households contend with stifling heat and the inconvenience of interrupted services. However, it is in the rural areas where the impact of power interruptions is most acutely felt. For countless families, access to electricity is a luxury rather than a necessity. Remote villages are plunged into darkness for hours on end, leaving residents grappling with the harsh realities of life without power. Protests over electricity bills and load shedding have become a recurrent theme across Pakistan, echoing the frustrations of citizens grappling with an unreliable power supply and inflated charges. Despite promises of reform and investment in the power sector, the cycle of protests persists, underscoring the deep-rooted challenges facing Pakistan's energy infrastructure. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of G7 Summit, assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi conveyed India's message during a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy in Apulia on the sidelines of the 50th Summit of the Group of Seven (G7). "The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy,"MEA spokesperson said in a post on X. The two global leaders were seen sharing a hug as they met. Prior to the meeting with the Ukrainian President, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Apart from exchanging views on key global and regional issues, PM Modi and President Macron held discussions on a series of issues including strengthening the partnership between the two nations.PM Modi is in Italy's Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. After landing here, PM Modi said he was looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. The G7 countries are the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Britain. The leaders of G7 nations will also be joined by the chiefs of the European Council and the European Commission. Ahead of the Summit on Thursday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasised that the G7 Summit will be dedicated to Ukraine, its defence, and economic resilience, stressing that Ukraine is looking forward to important decisions. "Today is the G7 Summit in Italy, a meeting of our closest partners. Much of it will be dedicated to Ukraine, our defence, and economic resilience. And we look forward to important decisions today," President Zelenksyy said in a post on X. The Ukrainian President said that he will also hold meetings with other world leaders and the IMF Managing Director. Upon his arrival at Borgo Egnazia in Italy on Thursday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met the world leaders at the 50th Summit of the Group of Seven (G7) in a session devoted to the situation in Ukraine. Last week, Zelenskyy extended a warm invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Ukraine at "a convenient time". Emphasising the significance of India's engagement at the highest level, Zelenskyy sought Modi's commitment to contribute to discussions aimed at promoting peace and stability on the global stage. Notably, India is participating in the summit as an outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. This marks PM Modi's first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, in his departure statement, said that he is glad that his first state visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. He recalled his previous visit to Italy and Prime Minister Meloni's visits to India which have contributed significantly to enhancing bilateral ties. It will be India's 11th participation and PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, reiterated India's commitment to fostering a peaceful resolution to the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. The leaders engaged in productive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing the situation in Ukraine, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official release. "The PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, and reiterated that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch," stated the MEA. Notably, India is participating in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit as an Outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. PM Modi touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia on late Thursday night (local time). He was received by India's Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. After landing in Italy's Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, PM Modi said that he is looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. On the sidelines of G7, PM Modi met Zelenskyy, President Emmanuel Macron of France and UK PM Rishi Sunak. During the meeting, PM Modi expressed gratitude to President Zelenskyy for his warm wishes on Modi's third term assuming office. Both leaders exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations and discussed the situation in Ukraine, including the upcoming Summit on Peace hosted by Switzerland. "Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," said PM Modi in a post on X. The Ministry of External Affairs also said PM Modi conveyed to Zelenskyy that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. "Furthering India-Ukraine partnership! PM Narendra Modi met President Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," said MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X. India on Wednesday confirmed its participation in the upcoming global Peace Summit in Switzerland, aimed at paving a path towards peace in Ukraine which is scheduled to be held on June 15-16. Zelenskyy has extended a warm invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine at a convenient time. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the 50th Summit of the Group of Seven (G7) in Apulia, Italy on Friday. UK PM Sunak congratulated PM Modi on his historic third consecutive term and the two world leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the countries. The leaders further discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high-level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties. Moreover, the leaders also discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest. During the meeting, PM Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the people of the UK ahead of their snap general elections scheduled for next month. Follwing the bilateral meeting, PM Modi shared a post on X, reiterating his commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in his third term. PM Modi further stressed that there is a great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. "It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," he said on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1801565043919643070 The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal took to X, stating that the two global leaders took stock of bilateral relations in several sectors including defence, security and trade. "Giving further impetus to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! PM @narendramodi had a fruitful meeting with UK PM @RishiSunakon the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. The two leaders took stock of bilateral relations in areas of defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people to people connect. They discussed implementation of Roadmap 2030 and progress made in ongoing FTA negotiations," the MEA Spokesperson stated on X. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1801567741893054893 The long-awaited trade deal between India and Britain is likely to be signed after the completion of elections. Last month, the Ministry of Commerce organised a Chintan Shivir to provide information related to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to the stakeholders and officials. During the meeting, officials discussed strategies and vision for 2047, economic assessments and modelling of FTAs, inclusion of new disciplines like environment, labour, gender issues, and digital trade. A total of 13 rounds of negotiations for the India-UK FTA have been held so far, and the 14th round began on January 10, 2024. The trade negotiations between both countries opened in January 2022. It aims to secure an "ambitious" outcome for bilateral trade - currently worth around GBP 38.1 billion a year, according to official statistics. Earlier in the day, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. PM Modi is in Italy's Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. After landing here, PM Modi said he was looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. He also said that they aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. Notably, India is participating in the summit as an Outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. As PM Modi touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia late Thursday night (local time), he was received by India's Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. This marks PM Modi's first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. PM Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the 'Outreach Session' of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Italy on Friday. PM Modi met Pope Francis upon reaching the Summit after he was welcomed by Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni as India participated as an 'Outreach Nation' in the G7 Summit. Visuals from the session showed PM Modi sharing a hug with Pope Francis. PM Modi was seated next to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and the two were seen having a discussion. PM Modi will also address the 'Outreach Session' of the G7 Summit. PM Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late night to attend the G7 Outreach Summit. On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. This marks PM Modi's first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed the Prime Minister's engagements with the world leaders on June 14. Giving an overview of PM Modi's visit to Italy, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that it is packed day for him. "We have several bilateral meetings with the world leaders lined up," Jaiswal said in the video, adding, "He will also be addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit." The Prime Minister said, during the discussions at the Outreach session, that the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. He said it will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under India's presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit and deliberate on issues that are crucial for the Global South. The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The G7 summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Meloni. It will be India's 11th participation and PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. (ANI) Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar St Vincent Catholic Church, John Barwa expressed happiness after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis at the G7 Summit in Italy, and emphasised that this will have a lasting effect on our country. "We say that this relationship of our PM and our holy father Pope will continue and will bring us a close relationship with each other...We are extremely happy and glad that our Prime minister is meeting our holy Father Pope," Barwa said. "This will have a lasting effect on the country and surely, we Christians will have the possibility to live in peace and harmony in the country and we assure that we will also work for peace and justice and happiness in the country," he told ANI. PM Modi met Pope Francis upon reaching the Summit after he was welcomed by Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni as India participated as an 'Outreach Nation' in the G7 Summit. Visuals from the session showed PM Modi sharing a hug with Pope Francis. PM Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late night to attend the G7 Outreach Summit. On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. This marks PM Modi's first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. The Prime Minister said, during the discussions at the Outreach session, that the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. He said it will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under India's presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit and deliberate on issues that are crucial for the Global South. The G7 summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Meloni. (ANI) Hunter Biden leaves a federal courtroom with his mother Jill Biden (left) and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden. Matt Slocum/AP Hunter Biden verdict Regarding President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, is convicted of all 3 felonies in federal gun trial, (June 10): Hunter Biden would not have had this problem had he simply gone to a Texas gun show. Timothy Daponte, Houston We are longtime Houston Chronicle readers and subscribers who enjoy receiving your paper edition. With all that is happening in Houston and the world, I am surprised at this headline. Many of us readers know or have in our families someone who have been involved and come out on the other side of drug addiction. It doesnt deserve front-page status even if it is the presidents son. We will not be voting for Hunter Biden. Please keep the front page for hostage releases, war in Israel updates, upcoming elections, etc. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Linda G. Phillips, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Notice the differences between President Joe Bidens reaction regarding this trial and Donald Trumps actions during his recent trial. Biden accepted the outcome and respects the judicial process. If one of Trumps sons had been on trial, Trump would have done what he did in his recent trial: disparage the legal process by intimidating, or trying to intimidate, prosecutors, witness, jurors and the judge with bombastic diatribes, blaming others and in general doing what Trump does best sowing chaos and disseminating lies. Voters should remember this on Election Day in November. Ike Harper, Sugar Land Wheatley in the news again Regarding Wheatley High School sparked the HISD takeover. How are students doing one year later?, (June 10): What great news regarding state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles speaking at the Wheatley High School graduation ceremony. Principal Sabrina Cuby-King seems to be a wonderful leader for this school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We all need to give Mike Miles a chance as he leads this journey attempting to improve the poor test scores and situations in some Houston schools. Support rather than negative words is what is needed in order for people to understand the situation. Mary Jane Casimir, Houston This takeover is all because of the failure of Wheatley High School for seven years and the amendment that Rep. Harold Dutton pushed through. Throughout this whole school year, few media reports have mentioned Wheatley. Even in your article on Wheatley, no progress report on the school that started it all. With the takeover it seems like, according to Mike Miles, the whole school system in Houston is failing. My first question would be: Where was Harold Dutton during that time period, and the 10 to 20 years before the seven years of Wheatleys failure? During this same time period, North Forests school district was taken over. Starting in 2016, Kashmere High School was under the watch of a state-appointed conservator who was later given district-level authority. Looking at the schools that were failing, many were in Duttons district. Where was Dutton? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Instead of closing schools, or removing elected trustees, why not spend more money in the schools that needed the extra assistance? This one amendment by Dutton has turned not just Houston ISD, but the city of Houston on its head. And its costing all of us. Some of the costs: 1. The loss of experienced teachers. 2. The need for a $4.4 billion bond. 3. The loss of libraries, teachers and library rooms. 4. The humiliation of students in the New Education System schools having to carry orange cones to the restroom. 5. The loss of elected school board members. 6. The possible eventual closing of schools. 7. The loss of students to private schools. Dutton felt that this would improve the schools in Houston, but he didnt know the outcome of his decision. A decision that has now turned the lives of our great teachers, librarians and staff and students and their families into disarray. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I congratulate the students and teachers in HISD who were able to survive this past school year. Especially the students at Phillis Wheatley, where I graduated in 1972. Go Wildcats! John Glenn, Fresno The US Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks implemented during the administration of former President Donald Trump. This ruling represents the latest instance of the high court curbing the authority of federal agencies to enact regulations autonomously, CNN reported. Justice Clarence Thomas penned the majority opinion for a 6-3 court, with the dissent led by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and joined by the liberal wing of the court. Trump had advocated for the ban following a tragic mass shooting in 2017, where 58 individuals lost their lives during an outdoor music festival in Las Vegas. Bump stocks enable a shooter to modify a semi-automatic rifle into a weapon capable of firing at a rapid rate, potentially hundreds of rounds per minute. "A bump stock does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun any more than a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger does," Thomas articulated in the opinion. "Even with a bump stock, a semiautomatic rifle will fire only one shot for every 'function of the trigger.'" The legal challenge to the ban was initiated by Michael Cargill, a gun store owner from Texas, who acquired two bump stocks in 2018, surrendered them to authorities after the ban's enactment, and subsequently filed a lawsuit to reclaim them. Under federal regulation, possession of a bump stock became a punishable offense, carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. While the case did not directly hinge on Second Amendment rights, it reignited the discourse surrounding firearms within the judicial sphere, marking one of the most closely monitored legal disputes of the year. Consequently, the decision aligns with a pattern of the Supreme Court's rulings favouring the interests of gun rights advocacy groups, as reported by CNN. Sotomayor, dissenting vehemently, expressed concern over the majority's decision, foreseeing dire consequences. She remarked, "The decision hamstrings the Government's efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter." In an uncommon move underscoring her dissatisfaction with the verdict, Sotomayor chose to deliver her dissent orally from the bench on Friday, emphasising the gravity of her disagreement. Sotomayor's dissent articulated, "When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires 'automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.' Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent." The legal dispute revolving around bump stocks bears an indirect connection to gun control legislation enacted by Congress in the 1930s, initially targeting notorious figures like Al Capone and John Dillinger. In response to violent crimes involving machine guns, lawmakers mandated the registration of such weapons. Over the years, amendments to the law culminated in a prohibition on the transfer or possession of machine guns under most circumstances by 1986. Crucially, the revised law defined a "machine gun" as a firearm capable of firing more than one round with "a single function of the trigger." The interpretation of this phrase constituted the crux of the legal challenge. Both the Trump and Biden administrations, along with gun control advocates, contended that the operational mechanism of bump stocks qualifies them as machine guns. In 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reclassified bump stocks as machine guns, thereby proscribing their purchase or ownership based on existing legislation. Former President Trump characterised bump stocks as devices that transform "legal weapons into illegal machines." It's estimated by the ATF that between 2010 and 2018, approximately 520,000 bump stocks were sold. These accessories replace the standard stock of a semiautomatic rifle, facilitating automatic-like firing through the rifle's recoil if the shooter maintains pressure on the trigger. Opponents of the ban argued that the ATF overstepped its jurisdiction with the reclassification, highlighting the agency's longstanding stance, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, that bump stocks fell outside the purview of existing laws. Initially, a US District Court in Texas and a panel of judges from the conservative 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Justice Department. However, upon rehearing, the full 5th Circuit issued a fragmented opinion last year, favouring Cargill's position. During oral arguments in late February, the Supreme Court appeared divided on the issue. Several conservative justices expressed reservations, particularly regarding the potential retroactive prosecution of individuals who acquired bump stocks before their classification as machine guns. Justice Brett Kavanaugh voiced concerns over the unintended consequences of criminalising possession retroactively, cautioning against ensnaring unsuspecting citizens in legal jeopardy. Another central point of contention was whether Congress, rather than the ATF, should have jurisdiction over the ban's imposition. This question echoes broader debates within the Supreme Court concerning regulatory authority, observed in various contexts such as financial and environmental regulations, according to CNN. In a meticulous examination characteristic of the case's technical complexity, Justice Thomas delved into the mechanics of semi-automatic rifles, elucidating the distinction between bump stocks and automatic weapons. His opinion emphasised the manual input required for firing multiple shots with a bump stock-equipped rifle, contrasting it with the continuous automatic fire of a genuine machine gun. "Firing multiple shots using a semiautomatic rifle with a bump stock requires more than a single function of the trigger," Thomas elucidated, highlighting the nuanced operation of these devices. The Supreme Court's decision to invalidate the bump stock ban underscores ongoing debates surrounding gun control, agency jurisdiction, and constitutional interpretation, leaving significant implications for future regulatory actions and legal challenges in the realm of firearms legislation, CNN reported. (ANI) At the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India's commitment to advocating for the well-being of the Global South, emphasising the significance of Africa in global affairs. He underscored India's dedication to fostering close ties with Africa, citing the landmark moment when the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India's presidency. PM Modi addressed the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, touching upon various subjects, including the transformative role of technology in human progress. "Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber security. Spoke about how India is leveraging AI for its development journey. It is important that AI remain transparent, secure, accessible and responsible," said PM Modi in a post on X. He emphasised the importance of cybersecurity in light of the widespread usage of technology and highlighted India's efforts in leveraging AI for development while ensuring transparency, security, accessibility, and responsibility. On the energy front, PM Modi outlined India's approach focused on availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. He reaffirmed India's commitment to fulfilling its Climate Change Conference of the Parties (CoP) commitments ahead of schedule and emphasised India's efforts to transition towards a sustainable, green era based on the principles of Mission LiFE. Additionally, PM Modi highlighted the "Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam" campaign aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and making the planet more habitable for future generations. "As far as energy is concerned, India's approach is based on availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability. We are working to fulfil our CoP commitments before the designated time period. India is working to usher in a Green Era, based on the principles of Mission LiFE. Also highlighted the campaign "Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam" to make our planet more sustainable," PM Modi's post on added. On the sidelines of G7, PM Modi met Macron, UK PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Notably, India is participating in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit as an outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. (ANI) At the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on key aspects of the strategic partnership between India and France. President Macron expressed enthusiasm about the momentum observed in bilateral relations, highlighting the collaborative efforts across various fields, including energy, defence, research, and culture. During their meeting, PM Modi and President Macron delved into the core issues shaping the strategic partnership between India and France. Defence collaboration featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to enhancing defence cooperation. Cultural ties between India and France were celebrated during the discussions. "At the G7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I discussed the main issues of the strategic partnership that unites India and France, in the fields of energy, defence, research, and culture, and I must say: what momentum!" said French President Macron in a post on X. Prime Minister Modi and the French President also agreed to bolster strategic defence cooperation, with a heightened emphasis on promoting India's 'Make in India' initiative. PM Modi and French President Macron held a bilateral meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. France is India's closest strategic partner in Europe and the two sides have built up close cooperation, especially in security and defence. India is presently in negotiations with France to acquire 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy and earlier purchased 36 jets for the Indian Air Force under a 2016 deal worth Euro 7.87 billion. Notably, India is participating in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit as an outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. PM Modi touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia late Thursday night (local time). He was received by India's Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. After landing in Italy's Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, PM Modi said that he is looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. On the sidelines of G7, PM Modi met Macron, UK PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This was PM Modi's fourth meeting with President Macron in one year. They also discussed ways to encourage innovation and research among the youth. (ANI) In China, a country where the ruling Communist Party is intensifying its efforts to dismantle civil society, a prominent #MeToo journalist has been handed a five-year prison sentence on charges of subversion, her supporters revealed, CNN reported. Huang Xueqin, a respected independent journalist, was declared guilty by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court on Friday for "inciting subversion of state power," as relayed by her advocates. Her colleague, labour activist Wang Jianbin, was also sentenced, receiving a term of three and a half years, according to supporters who disclosed a copy of the verdict. Despite the judgment, Huang has expressed her intent to appeal, as conveyed by her supporters, while Wang's decision regarding an appeal remains undisclosed. Both Huang, aged 36, and Wang, aged 40, have endured nearly three years of incarceration within China's opaque judicial system. Their ordeal began in September 2021 when they were detained by authorities in Guangzhou, culminating in a closed-door trial in September the following year, as reported by CNN. Huang, previously an investigative reporter for liberal-leaning media outlets in Guangzhou before transitioning into an independent journalist, played a pivotal role in catalyzing China's #MeToo movement. In 2018, she played a central role in the country's inaugural #MeToo case, leveraging her influential social media presence to amplify the voice of a graduate student who accused her PhD supervisor of unwelcome sexual advances. Moreover, Huang courageously shared her own encounters with sexual harassment during her tenure as a young intern at a national news agency, recounting instances where she was groped and kissed by a senior male reporter and mentor. In an effort to underscore the widespread prevalence of such misconduct, she conducted a survey in 2018 among 416 female journalists, revealing that a staggering 84% of them had encountered sexual harassment in the workplace. Reflecting on the pervasive silence surrounding such offences, Huang remarked in a 2018 interview with CNN, "There are so few people prosecuted because there are only so few victims who report. To most victims, it's shame." The plight of Huang and Wang began just a day before Huang was set to depart for the United Kingdom to commence her master's degree on gender violence and conflict at the University of Sussex. In a statement issued on Friday, Amnesty International decried the convictions, noting they coincided with the 1,000th day since their initial arrest. The organisation condemned the verdict, labelling it as a manifestation of the Chinese government's fear of emerging activists who dare to advocate for the rights of others. In China, where the judiciary is tightly controlled by the Communist Party and boasts a conviction rate exceeding 99.9 per cent, authorities have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific charges leveled against Huang and Wang, according to the CNN report. Nonetheless, supporters speculate that their arrest may be linked to weekly gatherings hosted at Wang's residence. In the aftermath of their detention, over 70 friends and allies of Huang and Wang were summoned by police for interrogation. Some were allegedly coerced into signing fabricated testimonies implicating the duo in organising political assemblies to criticise the government, according to their supporters. Describing the gatherings as a forum for discussing public affairs spanning feminism, LGBTQ rights, labour issues, and environmental conservation, a close confidante of Huang lamented the dissolution of their community in the wake of the crackdown. The friend disclosed to CNN last year, ahead of the closed-door trial, that Huang had experienced significant deterioration in health during her detention, suffering from weight loss and cessation of menstruation for several months. Persistent back pain compounded her ordeal. "The crackdown by authorities turned us into isolated atoms - it is difficult for everyone to band together again. The entire community is suppressed and silenced," the friend remarked, encapsulating the profound impact of state repression on dissenting voices in China, CNN reported. (ANI) "Met Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the G7 Summit," PM Modi said, sharing a post on X, after the meeting. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1801672814187188514 The meeting happened amid strained diplomatic relations between the two countries after Trudeau had accused the "agents of the Indian government" of killing terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year. However, India has dismissed the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated." Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. The G7 summit is being held from June 13-15 in Italy's Apulia region, where India has been invited as an 'Outreach Country' to the summit and has participation from the seven member countries, the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and France, as well as the European Union. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, among others, for the 50th Summit of the Group of Seven (G7). Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had invited PM Modi to attend the G7 Summit. It is India's 11th and PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. Italy, which has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G7 Summit Outreach Sessions, is India's fourth-largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade currently standing at USD 15 billion. The two countries have close and friendly relations and celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations last year. On January 1, Italy assumed the G7 Presidency for the seventh time. (ANI) New Sam's Club store in works for Middle Tennessee, officials confirm. Here's what we know Sam's Club is looking to build a new store along South Hartmann Drive in Lebanon, according to information discussed at a work session for city council members on Thursday. Project Soaring Eagle is the code name for the Sam's Club project, according to Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell. Sam's Club store. A work session was held Thursday as city council members, the mayor and other staff went through infrastructure improvements that would support and lead to the new Sam's Club being built north of Interstate 40, on land across from Home Depot, Lebanon council member Chris Crowell said. Bell and Economic Development Director Sarah Haston have been working on the Sam Club's project for two years, according to the mayor. "This will create millions of dollars in sales tax and property tax revenue for the City of Lebanon," Bell said. "Lebanon draws consumers from a wide area. I believe Sam's Club will expand that area even more." Necessary infrastructure improvements will include the construction of a new road to support the store, Crowell said. The Lebanon city council meeting on June 18 is set to include a first reading agenda item to approve budget amendments for Project Soaring Eagle, and city officials plan to seek bond funding on a first reading vote. Another first reading agenda item is planned to authorize a performance agreement between the city and site developer, Endeavor Partners, to extend Willard Drive and Hagan Way. A formal site plan for the store hasn't been submitted yet, according to Lebanon's planning department, and it will still need to go through the approval process once it is submitted, officials said. "We applaud the mayor and city Council for their commitment to infrastructure investments enabling future retail development," reads a Friday statement emailed from a Sam's Club spokesperson. "This is an important first step in bringing Sams Club to Lebanon, a community we feel strongly about our ability to serve." The tentative plan calls for the new Sam's Club to open in 2026, but it's a timeline that depends on road construction and whether work will span two winter seasons, Haston said. Sams Club is expected to bring about 155 jobs to Wilson County, Haston said. "This infrastructure project is a strategic move for us, as it aligns with our goal of establishing a robust retail hub at our main gateway," Haston said. "The project's success will also enable us to attract more retail and sit-down restaurants to Lebanon, further enhancing our city's appeal." Sam's Club, a division of Walmart, is a membership-only retail store similar to Costco or BJ's Wholesale Club. Mt. Juliet saw a new Costco open in June and a BJs Wholesale Club open in December. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sam's Club eyes new Middle Tennessee location, here's what we know Former President Donald Trump all but endorsed the U.S. Senate campaign of Maryland Republican Larry Hogan on Thursday, but its unclear if his statements will help or hurt Hogan, who has long been a political adversary. I think he has a good chance to win, the Republican Trump told Fox News in an interview posted on the networks website. I would like to see him win. The statements by Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee at the partys July convention, were a surprise. Hogan, who is running for the Senate against Democratic Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, has been a persistent Trump critic. Trump was on Capitol Hill on Thursday seeking to solidify his partys backing. The Maryland Democratic Party quickly released a statement saying Donald Trump endorsed Larry Hogan because he wants a Senate majority thats beholden to Trump. Maryland voters know what is at stake in this election and will vote to stop a Republican takeover of Washington. Since Democrats enjoy a more than 2-1 voter registration advantage in the state, Hogan, a former two-term governor, must capture a significant number of Democrats and unaffiliated voters to win. Trump is hugely unpopular among Maryland Democrats, and Hogan has not only steered clear of Trump but has presented himself as being largely independent of the GOP. But a Trump endorsement could help Hogan with Trump backers in regions like the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland and pockets of Baltimore County where the GOP holds sway. Hogans brand has long been distinct from the Republican Party. He actively opposes Trump and portrays himself as a solutions-oriented anti-politician. He was co-chair until December of the third-party No Labels movement, which tried unsuccessfully to recruit a 2024 presidential candidate. Hogan refused to back Trump during the Republican primaries when the former president was being challenged by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and others. Then, Hogan released a statement last month as the jury was about to return a verdict making Trump the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes. Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process, the statement, posted on social media, read. Trumps co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita responded on X, telling Hogan: You just ended your campaign. Michael Caputo, a former Trump administration official, answered Hogan by telling Trumps followers: End his campaign, MAGA. Hogan has sometimes contrasted Trumps style with that of former Republican President Ronald Reagan, suggesting Reagans more tempered approach was preferable for the nation because he wasnt focused on scoring partisan points. In the 2020 presidential election, Hogan said he cast a symbolic write-in vote for Reagan, who died in 2004. _____ GIFU, Jun 14 (News On Japan) - An 89-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, leading to the arrest of her grandson. Naoya Miwa, 37, is accused of stabbing his grandmother, Hayako, multiple times with a kitchen knife on June 13. The two lived on the same property. According to police, Miwa was briefly unaccounted for but was later apprehended in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture. Miwa has admitted to the charges, stating 'There is no mistake.' Hayako was found in the kitchen, and a blood-stained knife, believed to be the weapon, was discovered nearby. Police are investigating the motive and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Source: ANN The opinion desk welcomes and encourage letters from readers in response to articles published in the Houston Chronicle. Please include the headline, the page and the day it was printed. Include name, address, and day and evening phone numbers for verification purposes only. Letters have a maximum word count of 250 words, though are generally closer to 100 words, and may be edited. The best way to submit letters is by sending it to viewpoints@chron.com. HOKKAIDO, Jun 14 (News On Japan) - In the waters off Rausu, Hokkaido, at a depth of about 25 meters, a massive creature was discovered, writhing and undulating. The photographer, who felt a sense of terror at the creature's size, shared his experience. Asahi Shimbuns Nemuro bureau chief, Tomoyuki Yamamoto, who captured the footage, said, 'It looked like a rock. There are places on the sandy seabed of Rausu with many rocks. That huge rock wasnt moving.' Yamamoto continued, 'Upon closer inspection, there were suction cups and eyes. Oh! It's an octopus.' The creature turned out to be a Pacific giant octopus (mizudako). This species is said to be the largest in the world, with an arm span of about 3 meters. Each arm of the mizudako has 250 to 300 suction cups, each measuring around 10 centimeters in diameter. Yamamoto explained, 'The suction cups are always clean and smooth, maintained to ensure strong adhesion. The strength is tremendous, so if the octopus attaches itself to you, you must rely on your diving partner to help you. It's difficult to do anything on your own.' Due to its powerful suction, caution is advised when approaching a mizudako compared to an ordinary octopus. Source: ANN TOKYO, Jun 14 (News On Japan) - Daiso, the renowned Japanese 100-yen store, has changed its traditional closing music, "Hotaru no Hikari," to a new tune that foreign visitors can more easily recognize as a signal that the store is closing. From "Hotaru no Hikari" to "Good Day Closing Music" Daiso, known worldwide for its affordable and diverse products, attracts many foreign tourists to its Ginza store in Tokyo. A new initiative has been introduced this week, changing a long-standing in-store feature. Koichi Goto, Global Public Relations Manager at Daiso Industries, explained, "To make it clearer for our overseas customers that the store is closing, we have changed the closing music from Tuesday this week." The traditional closing song, "Hotaru no Hikari," familiar to Japanese customers, has been replaced due to concerns that it was not easily understood by foreign visitors. In collaboration with music distribution company USEN and Waseda University's Marketing and Communication Research Institute, Daiso developed a new closing song that would be more universally recognizable. The new music, titled "Good Day Closing Music," features a small orchestra and a gentle, nostalgic melody. Creating a Pleasant Experience Hikari Yamashita, an executive officer at USEN, commented on the new composition: "The goal was to subtly inform customers of the store's closing without giving a forced impression, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to return." Foreign Visitors' Reactions Foreign tourists were asked which song better conveyed the closing time. A woman in her 30s said, "The new song feels more like 'closing.' In America, 'Hotaru no Hikari' is associated with New Year." A man in his 60s found the new music to be "very calming and relaxing." On the evening of June 13, as the new closing music played at the Ginza store, shoppers, including many foreign tourists, began heading towards the registers and exits. A group of tourists from Thailand shared their thoughts on the new music, saying it felt like "home" and gave a sense of "being on vacation," with a "relaxed" feeling. Goto expressed optimism about the new music: "We hope that customers from any country will recognize the closing time and leave with a pleasant feeling." Daiso's decision to change its closing music reflects its commitment to enhancing the shopping experience for its global customer base. Source: ANN HOKKAIDO, Jun 15 (News On Japan) - A dispute over the remuneration for bear hunters has led to a standoff between a town in Hokkaido and its local hunter association. The breakdown in negotiations means that the hunters will no longer respond to bear sightings, leaving the small town of Naie, with a population of about 4,800, in a precarious situation. Bear Cull Compensation Deemed Too Low Footage shows a bear repeatedly charging at a moving light truck. This is just one of four sightings reported this month in Naie, located in southwestern Hokkaido. The town had called on the local hunter association to participate in the "Wildlife Damage Control Team" to manage bear culling efforts. However, the negotiations hit a roadblock. Hokkaido Hunter Association, Tatsuto Yamagishi: 'The pay is below minimum wage, and the danger allowance is only 3,700 yen. Its as if they haven't given it any thought. If they had, these figures wouldn't make sense.' Yamagishi expressed his anger over the situation, highlighting the low compensation for such hazardous work. The town had proposed a daily base pay of 4,800 yen, with an additional danger allowance of 3,700 yen for patrolling bear-prone areas, totaling 8,500 yen. An extra 1,800 yen would be added for any bear shot. Despite the life-threatening nature of the job, Yamagishi told reporters that the offer was unacceptable and thus, they had to decline. Consideration of Increased Pay Fails to Resolve Standoff When comparing the proposed compensation with neighboring municipalities, Ashibetsu offers 30,000 yen per bear culled, Sapporo pays 36,300 yen for culling and transportation, and Shintotsukawa provides 60,000 yen per bear. It is clear that Naie's offer was significantly lower. The town considered increasing the compensation but to no avail. Naie Mayor Eiji Mitsumoto: 'During phone conversations, it became clear that we had to abandon the effort.' The gap between the town and the hunter association remained unbridgeable, leading to the breakdown of negotiations. Despite the ongoing bear sightings, including two seen on June 13th in a pasture, the town will not rely on the hunter association for culling. The pressing question remains: who will handle the bear culls now? Mayor Mitsumoto: 'In addition to the hunter association, local hunting license holders have been helping in various capacities. We plan to continue relying on these individuals and aim to establish a proper system as soon as possible.' Source: ANN UGA has received a $750,000 grant from USDA NIFA to relaunch the Farm Boot Camp for veterans and their spouses over the next three years. The program will provide free monthly workshops, offering participants hands-on training to better prepare them for starting or returning to the farm after their military service. (File photo) An outreach program offered by the University of Georgia has received federal funding to train military veterans to start their own farms. Farm Boot Camp, a specialized training program for military veterans and their spouses, offers free monthly trainings and specialized workshops to provide essential skills and knowledge needed to start or return to farming operations. The program has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to continue operations through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS). The grant is part of a larger initiative called Farm Again, a statewide program that supports individuals in production agriculture who face challenges due to injuries, disabilities or chronic health conditions. In Georgia, the program is managed jointly by UGA Cooperative Extension in CAES and the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) in FACS. Program coordinators are Glen Rains, a professor in the CAES Department of Entomology, and IHDD Director Zolinda Stoneman, a university professor in FACS. Kyle Haney, a rural health manager and public service professional in FACS, oversees much of the programs daily coordination and works directly with veteran participants as project manager. Haney said Farm Boot Camp originated from a growing number of military veterans seeking services through AgrAbility, a Farm Again program that provides worksite accommodations and technology to farmers with disabilities or health issues. Tailored training to meet the unique needs of veteran farmers Veterans coming through the AgrAbility program required more foundational training to start or return to farming after their military service, said Mason Dean, service coordinator for AgrAbility. Survey responses and enrollment data from other Farm Again programs reveal a higher prevalence of disability among veterans entering agriculture than previously realized. As more beginning veteran farmers and ranchers with disabilities began to reach out to AgrAbility for assistance, it became evident they needed a more tailored program to increase their likelihood of success, said Dean. To address these unique needs, Farm Boot Camp aims to equip veterans with the knowledge, resources and network necessary to transition into meaningful careers in agriculture. The Farm Boot Camp program kicked off in April with a tractor safety training session led by Rains, the state safety specialist with UGA Extension, to teach participants critical skills and offer hands-on experience operating machinery. Hands-on learning and community building Workshops offer practical training and technical support for various farming essentials. As part of the Farm Again program, coordinators also provide assistance and resources to individuals with disabilities. (File photo) There is really no substitute for hands-on learning, especially regarding farm machinery, Rains said. These one-day workshops are a way for veterans new to farming to get intensive training to build their confidence to work independently. Farm Boot Camp has partnered with several farms to offer hands-on workshops in specialized areas. Docs Healing Hives, led by a veteran in North Georgia, provides beekeeping training, while Mushroom Mountain in South Carolina specializes in mushroom cultivation. Vegetable and beef production training sessions are conducted in-house through CAES. Participants also can work with the UGA Veterans Legal Clinic for legal help related to their farm operations and goals. Beginning this year, Haney said the program has partnered with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and its Homegrown By Heroes program to expand the network and support veteran farmers, offering marketing assistance to distinguish their products as veteran-produced. We also prioritize having veterans on staff at every event because weve seen how important that is for our participants, said Haney. Training sessions with veteran cohorts uniquely facilitate learning and community-building among participants. Veterans excel in communication, resource sharing and collaboration, and theyve truly formed a supportive community rooted in their shared history. Recognizing veterans' unique strengths and experiences, Haney said many who enroll in the program view farming as a means of continued service to their country, giving back to their communities by helping feed them. Honoring legacies and building futures With the average age of American farmers hovering around 65 and many family farms being sold, programs like Farm Boot Camp are crucial. By providing veterans with the training and support to start or take over farm businesses, the program helps preserve the legacy of many farms throughout the state. For many enrollees, agriculture is a grounding focus, occupying their minds from dawn to dusk and diverting attention from past, sometimes difficult, military experiences. With the growing need for a skilled workforce and increasing demand for locally sourced food, there has never been a better time for veterans to join the ranks of America's farmers and help feed the nation. Cody Stonecypher, a Marine Corps veteran who participated in the first Farm Boot Camp, now operates a blueberry farm in Eastman, Georgia, with his cousin, a fellow veteran who also attended courses during the first program. As third-generation farmers, the cousins are slowly building their blueberry and nursery operation, Stoneys Homegrown. Stonecypher said keeping the family farm running is a way to honor his grandfather. He and his cousin both hold full-time jobs and dedicate evenings and weekends to running the farm. Farming appeals to him because this kind of work provides him with much-needed autonomy after so many years of explicitly following orders. Veterans typically have a good work ethic and are accustomed to hard labor, especially outdoors, and can see that the work they put in is the work theyll get out, explained Stonecypher. Many of the qualities he developed through his military experience, such as resilience, particularly under stress, and the ability to quickly pivot when things dont work out as planned, are valuable skills on the farm. He values the practical information he gets from the workshops and the continuous one-on-one support from program coordinators like Dean and Haney. There hasnt been a single workshop Ive attended that I didnt take something away that has directly helped me grow the farm business, said Stonecypher. The coordinators of this program have been tremendously helpful in answering specific, technical questions and connecting us to the resources we need to make this business work. Expecting to train 200 participants over the next three years, Haney encourages veterans and their spouses to participate in annual programming to build their knowledge and explore different tracks of interest. With ongoing support from the USDA and other partners, Farm Boot Camp aims to empower future generations of veterans in agriculture, ensuring they have the tools and resources for long-term success. An official with Iowa Western Community College recently expressed concern about new or entry-level workers leaving after a short time for jobs elsewhere, including moving out of the area. To address this, the college has started a program aimed at helping companies retain workers. Its a program for companies to upskill their current workers, said Matt Mancuso, executive director of business and community education at Iowa Western. This was an idea I had because were seeing workers in entry-level positions jumping jobs. Were trying to stabilize the workforce. Skills for Success is a comprehensive initiative in which employers work with Iowa Western instructors, first by identifying what skills their employees need to excel. Then the instructors, drawing from the college's extensive course catalog, will develop a customized curriculum to achieve that goal. The program isn't limited to one specific industry. Its open to all the industries in Pottawattamie County, Mancuso said. In fact, such diverse fields as health care, trucking, automotive oil changing and nonprofits have already taken advantage of this program, Mancuso said. Weve had quite a few who have participated, he said. Weve had success. Depending on the jobs, the staff at the community college can even train the employees right there at the worksite, or they can learn in classroom settings at the college, he added. Theres also a financial incentive, Mancuso said. Participating county companies receive a 50% tuition reimbursement for each enrolled employee, making high-quality training more affordable than ever, he said. These companies are also eligible for reimbursements of up to $10,000 for traditional training programs and up to $14,000 for registered apprenticeships. Whats more, the application process is quick and easy, Mancuso said. The Skills for Success program is funded by Iowa Western and through a grant from the Iowa West Foundation. Advance Southwest Iowa and the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce are promoting this program to the businesses they serve. It is Iowa Westerns hope to eventually take this program throughout all of southwest Iowa, Mancuso said. For more information, contact Mancuso at 712-325-3434 or at mmancuso@iwcc.edu. Our goal is to create a better workforce in this area, he said. Pro-Palestinian protesters take over student services building at California State University, Los Angeles Xinhua) 09:47, June 14, 2024 LOS ANGELES, June 13 (Xinhua) -- California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) has urged students and staff to shelter in place after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters took over the university's student services building on Wednesday. The protesters have been engaged in unauthorized protest activity on the lower floors of the building and barricaded the building, said Erik Frost Hollins, a university spokesperson. President of Cal State LA Berenecea Johnson Eanes, who was appointed last year and took office this January, is stuck sheltering in place in her office on the eighth floor of the building, reported local KABC television station. Some social media posts show protesters fortifying their barricades outside the building as they wait for Eanes to negotiate with them. The protest came two days after 25 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Monday by police at the University of California, Los Angeles. Students set up a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at Cal State LA on May 1, calling for the university and its partners to divest from doing business with Israel. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been spreading at colleges and universities across California and the country amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) At Kashmere High School, nearly a quarter of tested water outlets at Kashmere had high levels of lead. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Houston ISD will likely ask voters this November to approve a school bond. The improvements outlined such as improvements to heating and air conditioning systems and school campus safety upgrades are exactly what Houston ISD students need. HISD is long overdue for a significant investment in many of its school campuses. While most large, urban districts ask for bond approval every five years, Houston ISD has not gone out to the voters since 2012. At that time, the bond sought to address high school facility needs. The last time voters approved a bond for elementary and middle schools was in 2007 which means that our youngest learners attend schools with serious infrastructure needs. It's no wonder that we've seen headlines exposing dilapidated school conditions. Many Houston ISD students returned to school last August during Houstons scorching summer and found no relief from the heat in classrooms because of air-conditioning systems that did not work. Similarly, HISD students had to endure icebox conditions during this years January freeze because heating systems failed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Houston Chronicle has reported that almost every HISD school fails to meet indoor quality standards: There are high levels of lead in drinking water, and abnormal carbon dioxide levels and airborne contaminants in the air. Out of 274 campuses, 257 did not meet at least one of five recommended standards set by either the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers or the Environmental Protection Agency. Almost one-third of HISD schools had lead levels in drinking water above the EPAs safety threshold. Anyone who has worked in an office that is too hot or too cold understands that even for adults, its difficult to concentrate when youre uncomfortable. Research backs this up: Poor facility quality has been shown to result in decreased student attendance, chronic absenteeism and lower student achievement. Equally alarming, some HISD schools lack a single point of entry a security issue that puts students safety at risk in the awful event of an armed attack. The lack of safety infrastructure puts students and teachers at risk, and both this HISD administration and the previous one have raised the issue. Already there is opposition to the yet-to-be-finalized bond proposal. Those who object to the state takeover of HISD and appointment of Superintendent Mike Miles suggest we hold the bond hostage. Yes, the takeover of HISD is highly controversial. Yes, Superintendent Miles has not endeared himself to all. However, lets be clear: HISD students health and safety is a totally different issue. A school bond isnt a referendum on the school superintendent or the takeover. Its our citys pledge to upgrade basic learning conditions for HISD students, and working conditions for the districts teachers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It should not be lost on us that nearly 80% of HISD students are economically disadvantaged, and the majority are students of color. When these students attend schools that do not meet even basic health and safety standards, they are further disadvantaged. To those who are already actively campaigning against the bond a bond that would go to pay for desperately needed infrastructure for students we ask that you pause and ask yourself, What is best for our children? If HISD moves forward with a bond proposal, we hope Houstonians will choose to put students and teachers first and vote to support it. Kids cant wait any longer. Veronica Garcia is the executive director of Houstonians for Great Public Schools. Editor's note: An earlier version of this op-ed misidentified Veronica Garcia's position. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Morocco has been re-elected, in the person of Abdelmajid Makni, to the United Nation Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CPRD) for a second term, in elections held on the occasion of the 17th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held June 11-13, in New York. The Moroccan candidate was elected by 137 votes in the first round, among fifteen candidates vying for the nine vacant posts for the period 2025-2028, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This re-election reflects the high degree of trust enjoyed by the Kingdom for its role in the protection and promotion of human rights in the international community, the press release added. It also comes just a few weeks after the Kingdoms re-election to a new term on the Human Rights Committee on May 29, 2024, and its re-election to a new term on the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on April 6, 2024. Moroccos re-election to this important body also attests to the credibility of the Kingdoms action to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Abdelmajid Makni, a committed civil society activist and former member of the National Human Rights Council, has in-depth expertise in promoting the rights of people with disabilities. Thanks to his experience, Makni is regularly called upon for its proven expertise in the fields of inclusion and protection of the rights of disabled people. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a body of 18 independent experts, recognized for their integrity, competence, and experience. This treaty body is in charge of monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by States Parties, and for issuing recommendations to strengthen the application of its provisions. Algerias desperate resort to three mercenaries, traitors to their country, as so-called petitioners to talk not about the Moroccan Sahara, but to call for violence and attack the sacred institutions of the Kingdom, reflects the very failure of the Algerian regimes separatist scheme in Morocco. The remarks were made by Moroccos permanent representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, while he was exercising two rights of reply following the intervention, full of lies, of the Algerian ambassador to the UN Amar Benjama at the C24. , called as witness the United Nations, the international community and the Algerian people on the perfidy of the Algerian ruling power against Morocco and its supreme interests. Ambassador Hilale declared that Algeria, which has exhausted all its supports and all its scoundrels, brought back to the C24 meeting, so-called petitioners, 3 traitors to their country, to talk not about the Moroccan Sahara, but to call for violence and attack the sacred institutions of the Kingdom. What happened this morning is unacceptable, he said, calling the United Nations, the C-24, the international community and the Algerian people to stand as witness to the perfidy of the Algerian ruling power against Morocco and its supreme interests. The Algerian government brings back to New York, funds, pays the plane tickets, and hotels of a few mercenaries in order to attack the institutions of the Kingdom. Morocco, which is a thousand-year-old State with a 5-centuries-old Monarchy, will never bring Algerians to attack the Algerian State and institutions, stated the Moroccan diplomat, noting that the fact of having brought these 3 criminals this morning reflects the very failure of Algeria and its separatist project. Algeria can no longer find anyone to defend its fallacious thesis on the Moroccan Sahara, so it is bringing 3 Moroccans to attack their own country. They are traitors and it is unfortunate that the Algerian government is resorting to these processes, the diplomat said, stressing that Morocco is a country of principles and values. Morocco is a country with an ancient civilization. Morocco will never attack Algerian institutions, nor Algerian statesmen. It will not pay any Algerian to come and attack the foundations of the Algerian state. Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN stated further, before a room stunned by the deceitful Algerian maneuvers, that Algeria has spent billions of dollars on its polisario mercenaries. Now it is also spending millions of dollars bribing lowlifes. This is unfortunate. I call this United Nations room as witness, as well as the international community and especially the Algerian people so that they know where their money is going. While the Algerian people queue for flour, milk, bananas and others, the Algerian government pays mercenaries whom it accommodates in 5-star hotels in New York for the sole purpose of insulting Morocco, he asserted. Hilale deplored the revealing silence of the Algerian ambassador and his inability to respond to the questions he is asked, while he greets and congratulates the 3 criminals. This is Algerian diplomacy. This is what the Algerian mission does at the UN. It brings scoundrels, traitors and mercenaries The Algerian ambassador takes responsibility for his provocative act by greeting them and congratulating them in public. This is the failure of a neighboring country, Hilale vigorously denounced. In response to the Algerian ambassadors assertions regarding human rights issues, the Moroccan diplomat confronted him with his lies by indicating that it suffices to contact the High Commissioner for Human Rights to know that Morocco has launched an open invitation to a dozen mandate holders of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council to visit the Kingdom, including its Sahara. Meanwhile, Algeria which claims in New York that the Tindouf camps are open, should tell this to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. I would like the Algerian ambassador to present to us these invitations to the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Morocco is ready, tomorrow, to present the ones it has launched to 12 mandate holders of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, he indicated. I would like the Algerian ambassador to think about the rights of the poor Algerian people and especially the Kabyles, who have been languishing in Algerian prisons for years, Omar Hilale stated further. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose Africa development plan has drawn criticism, has elevated the continent as a central theme and top priority at this years Group of Seven (G7) leaders meeting, positioning Italy as a key energy hub linking Europe with Africa. Africa is high on Italys agenda this year at the three-day G7 leaders meeting that started in Puglia on Thursday (13 June), where a dozen heads of state have gathered to focus on issues ranging from global politics, to climate change and development. Israels war on Gaza, Russias invasion of Ukraine, and rising competition with China are expected to dominate talks, but Meloni intends to bring to the spotlight her foreign policy centerpiece the so-called Mattei Plan. The project symbolizes her vision to project influence in Africa, transforming Italy into a key bridge for distributing gas from Africa and the Mediterranean to the rest of Europe, while also fostering economic growth to stem mass migration from the African continent. However, experts have cautioned that the feasibility of Melonis vision hinges on clear economic resources, as the objectives inherent in the Mattei Plan seem to be centered on investment rather than development. The Italian prime ministers approach accentuates the involvement of financial institutions, banks, and private and state-owned companies for her push, with much less emphasis on involving NGOs and humanitarian organizations. Emboldened by her victory in the recent European Parliament elections, at the G7 summit, Meloni is seeking partnerships, funding, and legitimacy for her vision. Meloni wants to present Italy as the new European face in Africa, Maddalena Procopio, a senior policy fellow from European Council on Foreign Relations, says. Emphasizing the continent at the G7 is a strategic move because of the unprecedented global interest. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Gabon, and Senegal have reiterated separately their firm recognition of Moroccos full sovereignty over its entire Sahara territory, commending the realistic autonomy plan offered by the Kingdom for a lasting and peaceful resolution of the regional conflict. In a joint statement read out by the representative of Qatar on behalf of the Gulf regional bloc at the ongoing United Nations C-24 meeting convening in New York, the six-member Arab Gulf group (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) stressed the importance of the special strategic partnership existing between GCC and Rabat, saying they support Moroccos security, stability, and territorial integrity. The powerful Arab political & economic organization welcomed the latest resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council on the Sahara, reaffirmed unwavering backing to the serious efforts made by Morocco and the international community to reach a peaceful solution to this regional dispute, urging all parties to the conflict to show wisdom and a spirit of compromise for peace and stability in the region. For his part, the Delegate of Gabon expressed his countrys support for Moroccos autonomy initiative offering a realistic solution to the Sahara issue in line with international law, UN Charter, resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. More than 107 UN member states support the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, he said, noting that thirty countries from the Arab world, Africa, Latin America and Asia have opened consulates in Moroccan Saharan cities of Laayoune and Dakhla. The move confirms their recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over its southern provinces, becoming a regional hub of development, stability, and shared prosperity. The Gabonese diplomat praised the socio-economic development spurred in the Sahara thanks to the huge investments and inclusive projects carried out in the region. He also hailed the efforts made by the UN Sahara envoy to advance the UN-led political process and called for the resumption of the round-table talks with the participation of four stakeholders namely Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the polisario in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2703. The Representative of Senegal reiterated his countrys steadfast support for Morocco autonomy initiative described as serious and credible by the UN Security Council resolutions since 2007, saying the Moroccan proposed plan for the Sahara is backed by over 100 UN member states. The plan has been strengthened by major investments and projects launched in the region, contributing to its social and economic development benefiting to the local inhabitants who enjoy freedoms and political rights contrary to the deplorable situation in the Tindouf camps, said the permanent representative of Senegal to the UN. He also commended the efforts engaged by UN envoy Staffan de Mistura in a bid to re-launch the political process under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations. Madagascar welcomes the serious and credible efforts made by Morocco to move forward towards resolving the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara and hails King Mohammed VIs initiatives to promote peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the African continent. This position was expressed in a joint communique issued following talks held Friday in Rabat between Malagasy Foreign Minister Rasata Rafaravavitafika and her Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita. The head of Malagasy diplomacy likewise reiterated her countrys support for the efforts made by the United Nations to settle the Sahara issue. In this connection, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of international law, particularly the sovereignty of states. The Malagasy official also hailed the leadership of King Mohammed VI and his initiatives in favor of intra-African development, and the promotion of peace, stability and shared prosperity in the continent. She on the other hand welcomed the upcoming opening of Madagascars new Embassy in Rabat, saying the diplomatic representation will boost relations and cooperation with the North African Kingdom. The embassy will mark the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations and will provide her country with the opportunity to benefit from Moroccos successful experience in various fields, she said. The Moroccan-Malagasy talks highlighted by the signing of two cooperation agreements relating to the sector of health and to visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports from both countries. Morocco and China have a shared desire to boost their cooperation in the sector of tourism. Ways of strengthening this tourism cooperation were discussed at a meeting in Rabat Thursday by visiting Chinese Vice-Minister of Culture and Tourism, Quan Rao, and Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Fatim-Zahra Ammor. The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation ties and strategic partnership between Morocco and China, and expressed their desire to further develop tourism cooperation, the Ministry of Tourism said in a press release. During these talks, the Chinese Vice-Minister recalled Moroccos growing appeal as a destination for Chinese tourists, pointing out that new air links between the two countries could boost tourist flows between the two destinations. For her part, Ammor expressed her desire to further promote Chinese tourism investment in Morocco, thus accompanying the momentum gained by Morocco, particularly in anticipation of major sporting events to be hosted by the Kingdom. She also called on Chinese tour operators to integrate Morocco more fully into their programming, to enable Chinese tourists to discover the countrys diverse tourism assets, including culture, desert, and seaside resorts. In this context, the organization of missions to China has been proposed to promote Morocco to potential investors and major tour operators, according to the press release. The two sides convened to consider setting up a work group tasked with following up the recommendations made during this meeting. In a bid to promote tourism between the two countries, Moroccos flag carrier RAM is considering reopening direct flights between Casablanca and Beijing, after a four-year pause that started with the outbreak of Covid 19. RAM would reportedly relaunch direct Morocco-China flights in early 2025. Direct flights would encourage Chinese tourists to visit the Kingdom. The number of Chinese tourists increased from about 15,000 annually to 132,000 in 2018, after Morocco canceled visa requirements for Chinese nationals in 2015. Last year, the Chinese arrivals began gradually recovering from the Covid-19 impact to stand at 59,000. Morocco hopes to welcome some 500,000 Chinese tourists a year, who on average spend twice as much during their trips as American tourists. China is the worlds largest tourism emitting market with over 130 million tourists traveling abroad for holidays annually. The Chinese Vice-Minister of Culture and Tourism Rao Quan also held talks with Minister of Youth and Culture Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid on ways of strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries, through joint initiatives in the sectors of cinema, cultural industries, and the video game industry. In this connection, the two parties signed the Executive Program for Cultural Cooperation 2024-2028, aimed at promoting cultural exchanges, encouraging bilateral visits and creating cooperation initiatives and frameworks. The program also covers strengthening of coordination and cooperation at the level of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the exchange of expertise, and continuous training. Houston City Controller Chris Hollins speaks during a press conference in March. Hollins plans to certify Mayor John Whitmire's landmark contract with Houston's firefighters' union, clearing the way for a vote on the deal. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Hours after Mayor John Whitmire told City Council members on Friday that Controller Chris Hollins plans to certify the mayors landmark contract with the Houston firefighters union, Hollins walked back that claim, saying his review continues. The mayor doesnt speak for me or my office. I appreciated the meeting with the mayors team, which was long overdue, Hollins said. The commitment I made was to review their written responses promptly and to make my decision regarding certification after my office has completed our due diligence. We are working expeditiously to do just that. Whitmire and the firefighters union negotiated a settlement to end City Halls eight-year contract stalemate with Local 341, a deal that included $650 million in back pay and at least 24% raises over the next five years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad City Council approved a bond issuance for the back pay portion of the agreement on a 14-3 vote this week, but Hollins who as controller certifies that funds are available to pay for agenda items withheld that approval for the contract as he and his staff reviewed the deal, delaying a vote on the broader deal for two weeks. He sent Whitmires team a 10-page memo with 44 questions about the contract on Monday, leading to a clash with the administration over which questions were relevant to his duty to certify. Earlier Friday, Whitmire sent council members his responses to those questions, and he said Hollins had committed to certify the item ahead of a court deadline for approval next week. As my administration has offered to each of you, and conducted with those so desired, the Finance Director, City Attorney, and my staff met with the Controller and his staff yesterday to address items that were required to be discussed in confidence, Whitmire wrote to council. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He committed to my staff late last night that he is satisfied with all of the responses to his questions and intends to certify the negotiated settlement agenda item and allow you to conduct your legislative duties as council members next Tuesday. Houston firefighters and former Mayor Sylvester Turners administration were stuck in an eight-year contract stalemate, a feud that played out in local elections and litigation that reached the Texas Supreme Court. The firefighters worked for years without raises or a new contract, although Turner ultimately gave them 18% raises for the previous three years. Whitmire, who long had ties to the union in the state Senate, made resolving the conflict his top priority upon taking office in January and announced a deal in March. The total cost of the deal has been estimated at around $1.5 billion, a number that raised eyebrows among several council members and observers due to the citys tight financial picture. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The mayor said this week that the deal always was going to be expensive and that it helps avoid a higher cost if the two sides went to a full trial. Biden doesnt have to win the popular vote by 4.5 percent again. Photo: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Theres a whole industry out there engaged in spinning polls and shifting expectations to show that Donald Trump is going to win by a massive landslide, sweeping godless woke liberalism out of power in Washington and instituting his long-promised era of vengeance and vindication. Presumably, some of this is harmless hype designed to attract MAGA eyeballs and keep Republican enthusiasm high. The more sinister possibility is that spinmeisters are creating the foundation for another Trump challenge to the outcome if he loses; after all, if youve been hearing for months that hes far ahead, then any adverse vote count has to be rigged, right? Beneath all the noise about Trump riding high is some actual empirical evidence thats hes improving on his 2020 performance. Thats most obvious in national popular-vote estimates: Trump lost by 4.5 percent in 2020 and is leading, albeit modestly, in 2024 national polls. But its also evident in particular states where he didnt do well at all last time around. Lately, theres a lot of buzz about Trump being competitive in supposedly deep-blue Virginia, as The Wall Street Journal reports: Whether Virginia backs Donald Trump or Joe Biden shouldnt even be a discussion. The state hasnt backed a Republican for president since George W. Bush in 2004. But early polls showing Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, cutting into the Democratic presidents lead have served as a wake-up call for Virginia Democrats, who acknowledge headwinds with voters dissatisfied with Bidens leadership. Republicans say that if Virginia is even remotely on the table for Trump, Biden is in serious trouble in traditional battleground states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Behind this Republican excitement are two polls, one from Fox News in June and another from Roanoke College in May, showing Trump and Biden tied in the Old Dominion. While thats hardly a big dataset, it is indeed eyebrow-raising: In 2020, all but one public poll of Virginia taken after May showed Biden with a double-digit lead, and he ultimately won by 10 percent. Virginia was also carried by Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012 and by Hillary Clinton in 2016. So its a blue state turning purple, and some would say that has big implications for the rest of the country! Unfortunately for this take, short-term trends in particular states dont always mean a lot. Im old enough to remember that before Obama won Virginia in 2008, the state went Republican for 11 straight presidential elections. It was the only state of the former Confederacy to go against Jimmy Carter twice. Big-time national losers George H.W. Bush (in 1992) and Bob Dole (in 1996) won there. Bidens double-digit win in 2020, moreover, reflected a fairly sudden Democratic surge: Obama won the state by less than his national popular-vote margin in 2008 and by exactly his national margin in 2012; Clinton won Virginia by a hardly overwhelming 5 percent. Obviously, if Trump actually wins Virginia, it would be a big deal, putting 13 precious electoral votes hes never won before into his column. But a tightened margin in any given state really just means the favored party will have to decide whether to put resources there that had been earmarked for states previously thought of as battlegrounds. If theres a national shift, its likely to be reflect in national polls, and there Trumps lead doesnt look like the stuff of landslides (0.8 percent in the current RealClearPolitics averages of head-to-head polls). The reality is that we may not know what the 2024 battleground landscape will ultimately look like until a lot closer to Election Day. Dont forget that the identity of the closest states can and does change. Florida was the ultimate battleground state of all time in 2000; now its considered reliably red. Thats even truer of Iowa and Ohio; the latter is where the 2004 presidential election was decided, and the former was dead even in 2000 and 2004 before lurching toward Democrats in the two Obama elections and then massively toward Trump in 2016 and 2020. And its not just newly red states that have changed complexions: In living memory, New York, California, and Hawaii were presidential battleground states. Is there a theory as to why Trump might be doing significantly better in Virginia without it necessarily signaling a big national lead? Yes, actually. National polls are showing Trump making gains among young and non-white non-college-educated voters, and Biden making gains among white college-educated voters. This may shift each candidates vote share in various states without flipping them, as Sean Trende recently noted: One doesnt have to be gifted with a particularly vigorous imagination to see what could happen here: Trump has substantial improvements among non-white voters, driving gains in some red areas (like Texas) and flipping some important swing states. He also makes gains in some blue states like Virginia, New Mexico, California, and New York, but is unable to flip them because the hole with educated whites is just too deep. Then, in relatively white Rust Belt states like Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Michigan, very little changes. So the widespread assumption of a built-in Republican advantage in the Electoral College may actually be outmoded. You cant look at Trumps small lead in national polls and assume this means hes far ahead in the race for EVs that really matters, as Trende points out: The result could easily be Trump winning the popular vote, but Biden eking out a narrow 270-268 Electoral Vote victory Its a really narrow road to victory for the former president right now, but it is also a perfectly plausible path. So perhaps MAGA folk should hold off on the premature victory celebrations, in Virginia and elsewhere. The shape of the election is still developing. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images I didnt leave the progressive movement; the progressive movement left me, Representative Ritchie Torres of the Bronx recently told City & State New York. He was referring to the conflict within the left over Israel. Describing himself as a Zionist for the past decade, about half of his posts, retweets or interactions since October 7 have been supportive of Israel, City & State reported. Torres is not a hypocrite. If we take him at his word, hes been a Zionist for a long time. But hes not being entirely truthful about the progressive movement or his place within it either. The movement didnt leave him: He left it, if indeed he was ever fully part of it, by making a series of deliberate choices. One such choice is to support Israel despite the unbelievable brutality it has inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza. Support for Israel isnt the only reason Torres might find himself outside the progressive movement. During his time on the City Council, Torres angered progressive supporters by agreeing to water down the Right to Know Act, which would have forced officers to provide a business card in every encounter with the public, City & State reported. In 2017, ahead of the vote, he said, I stand by what I have chosen to do, even if it means standing alone even if it means I am no longer beloved in progressive circles. He carried that attitude with him to Congress, where he discovered allies within the Democratic Party, such as Senator John Fetterman. The Pennsylvania senator also holds a stringent pro-Israel position and told comedian Bill Maher this month that progressivism left him after October 7. I didnt leave the label, it left me on that, he said. Mondaire Jones, whos running to return to Congress, struck a similar note in an interview with Politico. After he endorsed the AIPAC-backed George Latimer over progressive incumbent Jamaal Bowman, he came under significant fire from the left. The political arm of the Congressional Progressive Caucus even rescinded its endorsement of him. These people were never my actual friends, he claimed, saying that he would do nothing differently if given the chance. The appreciation that people have in these actual communities in the Hudson Valley is what matters to me, he said. That as well as my own sense of morality compelled me to intervene, given how god-awful Mr. Bowmans conduct has been. Torres, Fetterman, and Jones are free to say that the progressive movement has left them behind. Perhaps they think theyre even being honest. The term progressive can be vague, even meaningless. Various Democrats and their supporters interpret it in wildly divergent ways. Its possible, then, for Torres to think of himself as a progressive, though he was never as far left as some may have hoped. But that exercise is difficult to sustain now, as Israel carries out a genocidal campaign in Gaza. Torres and pro-Israel politicians like him have sided with power over the powerless. In doing so, theyve cast themselves out of the progressive movement. The label didnt leave Fetterman; he merely discarded it. He was happy to call himself progressive in social-media posts, to court the left as a candidate, and to accept a Sanders endorsement during his successful run for lieutenant governor. Now, when it truly counts, Fetterman is likelier to taunt the left than he is to embrace it. The left must employ litmus tests if terms like progressive are going to mean anything at all, and Fetterman would fail. So too would Torres and Jones. If they feel uncomfortable with the progressive movement now, its likely a sign they never belonged in the first place. Their values were always in conflict with the left, and Gaza merely brought that reality into sharper focus. Its convenient, though, for pro-Israel Democrats to shift blame onto the left. Doing so gives them a chance to present themselves as brave truth tellers: See Jones, speaking of his personal sense of morality. But the left is not as powerful as I want it to be, and no courage is necessary to attack it. Critics instead exaggerate its influence in order to score points. Its a cheap way to look principled. Jones must invent straw men trust fund socialists in Williamsburg, as he put it to Politico in order to sound somewhat reasonable, let alone courageous. Courage is not in the eye of the beholder. It means something. (So should the word progressive.) Theres nothing brave about rejecting the left in a moment of great moral consequence. Nor is there anything particularly courageous about standing with Israel, a longtime U.S. ally, as it pummels Gaza into dust. Courage in politics looks more like Bowman, who faces a formidable challenge from AIPAC as he defends his seat in Congress. A recent poll showed Bowman trailing Latimer, who is running to his right, but Bowman has refused to compromise his beliefs. Theyve got money, weve got people, he posted on X. The U.S. needs a viable left: a counterweight to politicians who turn their backs to ongoing mass murder. Without it, were doomed not to ambivalence but something worse, an embrace of brutality and vengeance and horror. Torres, Fetterman, and Jones have made their choices. Progressive may be a mostly toothless label, but if its still too much, the movement is better off without them in it. A photo-illustration in a previous version of this story incorrectly included Antonio Delgado, not Ritchie Torres. Photo: Pacific Press/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Ge Governor Kathy Hochul said Thursday that she was considering an at least partial ban on wearing face masks on the New York City subway citing recent threatening behavior in the system involving masked protesters. During an event in the state capitol where she touted a decrease in shootings across the state, Hochul also brought up an incident following a pro-Palestinian protest at Union Square Park on Monday. Video footage shows a man in a full subway car at the 14th StreetUnion Square station beginning a call-and-response chant with other protesters: Raise your hand if youre a Zionist! This is your chance to get out! Some of those chanting on the train wore face masks. We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes, Hochul said. The governor said that she has spoken with Mayor Eric Adams on the topic, calling him outspoken on this issue, and said shes started conversations with lawmakers in the State Legislature (any change would require their approval). Hochul seemed open to some allowances for face coverings, including those masking for medical reasons or religious garb. I assure everyone, we understand how complex this issue is. And were just listening to people and addressing their needs and taking them very seriously, she said. For 200 years, New York State had a statute on the books banning public face coverings with the threat of imprisonment as part of a public-loitering law. The rule was repealed in 2020 by the State Legislature after then-Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring New Yorkers to wear masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adams seemed to indicate support for a mask ban of some form during a Thursday interview with WABC. I think now is the time to go back to the way it was pre-COVID, where you should not be able to wear a mask at protests and our subway systems and other places, he said. This is not a new stance for the mayor. During a March 2023 interview, Adams advised shop owners to not allow potential customers into their store without first removing their face mask as an attempt to ward off potential robberies. We are putting out a clear call to all of our shops: Do not allow people to enter the store without taking off their face mask, he said on 1010WINS at the time. Once theyre inside, they can continue to wear it if they so desire to do so. Update: Brittney Knight, 18, of Camp Hill has been found safe, authorities said on Monday. No additional details were immediately released. Original story: Opelika police has asked the public for help in finding an 18-year-old female of Camp Hill who went missing on Monday. Brittney Knight was last seen outside of East Alabama Mental Health, located at 2506 Lambert Drive, at approximately 9 a.m. on June 10, authorities said. She is a white female, approximately 5-foot-2, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing light-colored clothing and yellow Crocs. OPD said Knight has no cell phone and may be headed to West Point, Ga. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Knight is asked to call the Opelika Police Department at 334-705-5260 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. You may wish to remain anonymous. Wont someone think of the poor shareholders who are just trying to buy their 5th house and 3rd yacht??! Reply Thread Link oh man this is coming from the company that sent out death squads at one point in history Reply Thread Link Jesus fucking Christ how have I never heard this before Reply Parent Thread Link Wait until you hear about what the banana people did. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ Reply Thread Link Hope sales drop by another 70+% Reply Thread Link and everywhere, not just Bangladesh Reply Parent Thread Link I like that people all over the world are trying to do little things in their lives to show their disgust with genocide. Reply Thread Link I wish there were more action to support Sudan and Congo. e.g I quit vaping as soon as I knew and when I see vaping now and especially from Muslim ppl (im Muslim dw) I feel disappointed. But what can you do but share share share. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't vape and neither does anyone I know so it won't help much but... what's the connection? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link speaking of soda recently unless i pair it with food all soda tastes like medicine to me now oh well at least there is ginger ale Reply Thread Link root beer, my beloved Reply Parent Thread Link Perfection. Beautiful comment, beautiful. I love it. Greatly appreciated. I would like to add that theres this coolest Palestine jersey ever that we can buy to help making double the big donations. Its on Tiktok too. If theres the direct link to the website that have these jerseys available. Thats a solid bonus point for real! I plan on buying one for myself when I can get to it asap Reply Parent Thread Link are you talking about the fc palestina jerseys? Reply Parent Thread Link Oh damn. Do better damnit. Reply Thread Link i can't stomach the idea of voting for genocide joe, but everyone keeps telling me i'm throwing my vote away i'm going to vote in local elections am i making the wrong decision if i don't vote for him? like, in the unlikely event that my single vote would change florida from red to blue, will i be able to live with myself if a trump administration winds up giving even more money and bombs to israel? i don't know Reply Thread Link Honestly at this point I feel like the decision of who to vote for can wait until November. The job of the moment is to stop the genocide and then we can revisit the election in 5 months and look at where we're at then Reply Parent Thread Link They did manage to turn Arizona blue. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm not in your position and I understand it's hard. Life sucks. I think it's between you and what you can stomach, and you don't owe anyone else to guilt trip you into voting whichever direction. "Just because the other guy would probably also enable genocide, it doesn't mean I owe my vote to the man who has definitely already enabled genocide" is a perfectly valid stance. So it's saying "Since they're both equally horrid on foreign policy issues, I will minimise the damage to my local community personally and vote in that direction." I will say though that in a democracy, threatening to withhold your vote is pretty much one of the most effective actions you can do. I don't understand the people who, five months from the election, are preventively loudly shaming those who express concern about voting for Biden. Maybe if he actually feels threatened for real, that'd light a fire up his ass and push him to actually do something. If it doesn't happen, like other users have said, you have until November to decide. Expressing doubts like you're doing is a good thing, actually, and I don't get people trying to smother even the possibility of dissent. Anyway, I'm sending you online hugs if you want them <3 Reply Parent Thread Link mte I don't think there is a definitive right/wrong answer and it more depends on how you feel comfortable doing with your vote Regardless of which way people go with their vote, I think a missing part of the conversation from both sides is "what are we going to do afterwards post-election?" I've said this in a previous post that you can't expected people to be persuaded to withhold their vote if your response to their concerns about Trump getting elected is shaming them with "so you're voting for Genocide Joe". It has been well-studied that people need to be empowered in order to take action, and shaming them is likely disempowering them from withholding their vote if anything. It would probably be more persuasive (and also something we need to think/plan about overall) to point out that we engaged in resistance against the negative impact of Trump before via protests and collective action in multiple social issues before and providing direction on which organizations/groups they can be involved in to prevent further harm under Trump (but good to do regardless and necessary work to do even under a second Biden term) And that brings it into my point that this same issue needs to be considered in the context of a second Biden term. The bottom line is that he is arguably an active participant in genocide even if Trump is worse. It is very fair for people to be skeptical (myself included) on whether he becomes less of an international piece of shit and we need to be prepared or at least be mindful that further collective action around Palestine and other issues are likely needed if we want to see things improve under a Biden administration. People are likely more critical of those choosing to not vote for Joe because it is a radical decision relative to sticking with status quo but there needs to be actions on how to address said status quo post-election at the very least if people are genuinely concerned about Palestinian genocide but still voting for Joe to avoid a second Trump term Edited at 2024-06-14 06:09 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link I never forgive Trump opening a U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Reply Parent Thread Link Every time someone tells me I need to vote for Genocide Joe I tell them my single vote will not flip Florida. It just wont. But, then the irrational/anxious part of my brain kicks in and I start thinking what if it DOES come to that? It seriously sucks and Im sorry youre feeling the same way. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Gore lost Florida and the presidency to Bush by ultimately 537 votes. I think you know the answer to the question if your vote in Florida matters. Reply Parent Thread Link Florida decided the election by a handful of votes just 24 years ago. The Republicans declaration that Florida is now a solid red state serves to do exactly what you are experiencing - it depresses the blue vote. You are not alone in thinking your vote doesn't matter. Others just like you think the same thing. That it won't matter when they don't cast a national vote. So after this election, the results will show Florida even more red. And the next election, even more people will be sure that Florida is red, their vote doesn't matter, what's the point of voting at all. Reply Parent Thread Link The only thing I can say about the electoin is TWO Supreme Court seats. If the republican party wins the presidency then justice Alito and/or Thomas have a high probability of strategicly retiring and Republicans will swear in one or two new Alt-right judges for LIFE Reply Parent Thread Link Noble Corp. is set to acquire Diamond Offshore Drilling in a $1.6 billion cash-and-stock deal, adding 12 offshore floaters to its fleet and expanding its total rig count to 41. This acquisition, offering an 11.4% premium on Diamond's closing share price, is expected to bolster Nobles revenue and cash flow amidst a favorable offshore drilling market. Matador Resources Company has announced the acquisition of Permian Basin oil and gas properties from Ameredev II Parent, LLC for $1.9 billion. This deal includes a 19% stake in Pinon Midstream and enhances Matador's existing portfolio with high-quality assets in Lea County, New Mexico, and Loving and Winkler Counties, Texas. With this acquisition, Matador's Delaware basin acreage will exceed 190,000 net acres, producing over 180,000 boed with proved reserves surpassing 580 MMboe. The acquisition is strategically important for Matador, boosting its asset base, production capabilities, and free cash flow potential. This acquisition by Matador Resources strengthens its foothold in the prolific Permian basin, particularly the Delaware sub-basin, known for its high production rates and substantial reserves. The addition of 33,500 net acres and 431 operated drilling locations enhances Matadors operational scale and future drilling inventory. The increased production capacity and proved reserves underscore Matador's growth trajectory and market valuation, now projected to exceed $10 billion. Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions Matador Resources Company has announced the acquisition of Permian Basin oil and gas properties from Ameredev II Parent, LLC for $1.9 billion. This deal includes a 19% stake in Pinon Midstream and enhances Matador's existing portfolio with high-quality assets in Lea County, New Mexico, and Loving and Winkler Counties, Texas. With this acquisition, Matador's Delaware basin acreage will exceed 190,000 net acres, producing over 180,000 boed with proved reserves surpassing 580 MMboe. The acquisition is strategically important for Matador, boosting its asset base, production capabilities, and free cash flow potential. This acquisition by Matador Resources strengthens its foothold in the prolific Permian basin, particularly the Delaware sub-basin, known for its high production rates and substantial reserves. The addition of 33,500 net acres and 431 operated drilling locations enhances Matadors operational scale and future drilling inventory. The increased production capacity and proved reserves underscore Matador's growth trajectory and market valuation, now projected to exceed $10 billion. Noble Corp. is set to acquire Diamond Offshore Drilling in a $1.6 billion cash-and-stock deal, adding 12 offshore floaters to its fleet and expanding its total rig count to 41. This acquisition, offering an 11.4% premium on Diamond's closing share price, is expected to bolster Nobles revenue and cash flow amidst a favorable offshore drilling market. The deal, funded through $600 million in new secured financing, promises pre-tax cost synergies of $100 million, with significant benefits anticipated within a year of closing in early 2025. TotalEnergies has signed a 15-year agreement with Air Products for the annual supply of 70,000 tons of green hydrogen to its Northern European refineries starting in 2030. This deal, aimed at decarbonizing TotalEnergies refineries, will help avoid approximately 700,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually and is part of TotalEnergies' strategy to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Additionally, TotalEnergies will provide Air Products with 150 MW of solar power from a Texas project, with plans for further renewable energy collaborations in the UK, Poland, and France. NextDecade has signed a non-binding agreement with Saudi Aramco to supply 1.2 MTPA of LNG for 20 years from its Rio Grande LNG Facility in Texas. This deal aligns with Aramco's strategy to expand its LNG market presence, coinciding with anticipated global LNG growth of 50% by 2030. The agreement, contingent on a positive final investment decision on Train 4 expected in late 2024, is part of NextDecade's broader efforts to enhance its LNG export capabilities. Discovery & Development China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has discovered a major hydrocarbon deposit in the ultra-shallow gas play of the ultra-deep waters in the South China Sea. The Lingshui 36-1 gas field, located at an average water depth of 1,500m, has shown a production capacity of over 10 million cubic meters per day. This discovery, described as a "major exploration breakthrough," addresses significant engineering and technical challenges and expands the resource base in the South China Sea for CNOOC. The find is pivotal for boosting natural gas reserves and production, positioning CNOOC to enhance its energy supply capabilities. Woodside has commenced oil extraction from the offshore Sangomar field in Senegal after years of delay. The field, located 100 km south of Dakar, operates at a depth of 780 meters and has a storage capacity of 1.3 million barrels, with production expected to reach 100,000-125,000 bpd. This development is poised to significantly boost Senegal's economy, providing substantial revenue and reducing the national energy bill. Jointly owned by Woodside (82%) and Senegal's Petrosen, the project, with a first-phase cost of $4.9-$5.2 billion, marks a pivotal step in transforming Senegals economic landscape through its oil and gas industry. Sintana Energy has acquired a 49% stake in Giraffe Energy Investments, which owns a 33% interest in Petroleum Exploration License 79 (PEL 79) in Namibias Orange Basin. This acquisition, worth $2 million, grants Sintana access to blocks 2815 and 2915, in a region seeing increased activity from major players like BW Energy, Rhino Resources, and Shell. The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) operates PEL 79 with a 67% interest. This move marks a strategic entry for Sintana into a promising exploration area, bolstering its presence in one of the world's emerging oil and gas frontiers. During a recent visit to China, Pakistans Prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to develop offshore oil and gas blocks and enhance Pakistan's mining industry. This collaboration follows Pakistan's recent gas and condensate discoveries in Sindh province, indicating a strategic move to bolster Pakistans diminishing domestic oil reserves, which are projected to deplete within the next decade. The deal comes amidst Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported crude oil, similar to India, and its dwindling foreign reserves. China, having already loaned Pakistan $65 billion for infrastructure projects, is expected to fund this exploration, reflecting China's continued influence and investment in Pakistans energy sector. Iran's National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) announced plans to develop the Changuleh oil field, which holds an estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil, with a goal of producing 60,000 bpd in the first phase. Over $1.3 billion will be invested initially for drilling 18 production wells, two evaluation wells, two wastewater disposal wells, and repairing two existing wells, along with constructing necessary facilities for processing and transportation. Changuleh, located near the Azar oil field in the Anaran block and shared with Iraqs Badra oil field, is estimated to require $2.2 billion for full development. Preparatory steps like 3D seismic tests and infrastructure construction have already been completed. The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, Africas biggest and newest crude processing facility, is delaying the start of gasoline deliveries after the middle of July, the Dangote groups president Aliko Dangote told Nigerian media this week. We had a bit of delay, but it will start coming out 10/15 of July, said Dangote, Africas richest man, commenting on the beginning of gasoline production at the huge refinery which started operations in January. By third week of July, we will be able to take it into the market, Dangote said in a video posted by Nigerian station Channels TV. The refinery began the production of fuels in January 2024, marking the start-up of the facility that has seen years of delays. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel, the group said in a statement at the time, adding that the new refinery is a game changer for our country. The refinery, which has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), will meet 100% of Nigerias demand for all refined petroleum products and will also have a surplus of each of the products for export. The Dangote refinery expects to export diesel to customers in Europe, as well as gasoline to Latin American and African markets. However, production of Euro V gasoline, the gasoline complying with Europes emissions standards, is not expected to be produced until late 2024, according to analysts at Facts Global Energy. Aliko Dangote is also looking to set up a trading firm that would handle crude supply for the new mega refinery in Nigeria, Reuters reported in March, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the plans. Dangote wants to try and set up a trading arm to handle trade for the huge refinery, after major oil trading houses and supermajors havent signed any deals with Africas richest person regarding possible loans to the refinery for the crude it would need to purchase, according to Reuters sources. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Egypt looks to import in the coming months the highest number of LNG cargoes in years as it looks to ease the strain on its grid and industry amid energy shortages that have led to rolling blackouts this summer. Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Co, the state gas company, is seeking to purchase at least 17 LNG cargoes for delivery over the next three months, traders familiar with the companys tender to the market told Bloomberg. Egypt, which aims to become a regional gas hub, has been exporting LNG to Europe from its terminals on the Mediterranean with gas from domestic production and from fields offshore Israel. However, Egypt rarely exports LNG in the summer months, due to high domestic power demand in the heat waves. The extremely hot weather since April has already forced authorities to implement rolling blackouts as the Egyptian natural gas and power networks are strained by soaring consumption in the heat waves. Earlier this year, Egyptian Natural Gas Holding sought to lease a liquefied natural gas import terminal from providers of FLNG units to get ahead of the scorching summer season that routinely triggers power blackouts due to the heavier load. Hoegh LNG Holdings Ltd announced in early May an agreement between Hoegh LNG, Australian Industrial Energy Pty Ltd (AIE), and Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) for the deployment of the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Hoegh Galleon, to support energy security in Egypt. The agreement with EGAS is for an interim period between June 2024 and February 2026. Hoegh Galleon will be located in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, for a likely period of 19-20 months, beginning this month. The FSRU is approaching its destination, but Egypt already started gas imports from Jordan to meet part of the demand before the floating LNG terminal arrives at its destination. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Crude oil prices looked set for a weekly gain earlier today, as market players turned optimistic about demand despite conflicting signals from OPEC and the IEA. Earlier in the week, OPEC reiterated its forecast for robust oil demand growth of over 2 million barrels daily this year. On the other hand, the IEA warned of a looming supply excess of as much as 8 million bpd on the back of a demand slump and overinvestment in production capacity. OPEC blasted the IEA for its warning, calling it dangerous and saying it could lead to excessive volatility in oil markets. Some net-zero scenarios suggest that oil should not be part of a sustainable energy future, OPEC secretary-general Haitham Al Ghais wrote in a column for EA Forum. This narrative was repeated only yesterday when the IEA published its Oil 2024 report in which it once again stated that oil demand would peak before 2030, he said. It is a dangerous commentary, especially for consumers, and will only lead to energy volatility on a potentially unprecedented scale. This exchange apparently infused oil traders with optimism about demand, along with some other news such as a profit warning by a Belgian battery material maker who cited a sharp slowdown in EV adoption as the reason for its revision. Another bullish news for oil was Goldman Sachs forecast about strong fuel demand this driving season in the United States despite little evidence of such demand. In its latest weekly inventory report, the EIA estimated the second gasoline build in a row, at 2.6 million barrels. On the bearish side, the Fed postponed rate cuts at its meeting this week. While expected, the move disappointed oil bulls and turned them more bearish. Countering this sentiment, Russia reported it had exceeded its OPEC+ production quota in May but will make an effort to stick to it going forward. "Stricter adherence to the current quotas should more than offset any potential increases from the group of eight under the gradual phase out of their voluntary cuts. This should see the crude oil market remain well supported over the next 18 months," ANZ analysts said, as quoted by Reuters. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Japan could be energy independent by 2060 if it manages to install enough solar and wind power generation plus battery storage, Jarand Rystad, CEO of consultancy Rystad Energy, has told Reuters. Japan's mindset is that we have to import energy because we have no energy ourselves. But with the development in renewable energy technologies, I think that statement doesn't need to be true, the head of the firm told Reuters. Japan could become energy independent by 2060 with 45% of energy coming from solar, 30% from wind, especially offshore wind, 5% from hydrogen, 5% of biomass and e-fuel, and nuclear power providing the remaining 15%, according to Rystad. Last month, Japan launched the most important energy policy discussions in its post-World War Two history, aiming to strike a balance between the need to boost its energy security with conventional sources and its pledge to become a net-zero economy by 2050. The industry ministry of one of the worlds most industrialized nations, which imports nearly all the commodities it consumes, launched formal discussions about its future energy policy. Amid the energy crisis in 2022, which led to record-high natural gas prices, Japan pivoted back to nuclear energy, aiming to boost its energy security with domestic energy production. But the country still imports all the oil and natural gas it consumes, and it is the worlds second-largest LNG importer after China, having held the top spot before 2022. At present, fossil fuels account for about 70% of Japans electricity, which would clash with its net-zero goal. Japan is estimated to be the country with the worlds fifth-largest carbon footprint, preceded only by China, the United States, India, and Russia. Currently, Japan is bringing back nuclear power as a key energy source, looking to protect its energy security in the wake of the energy crisis that led to surging fossil fuel prices. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In a significant move, the Swedish government has rejected the proposed 700 MW Hansa PowerBridge subsea power connection between Sweden and Germany. Energy Minister Ebba Busch cited inefficiencies in the German electricity market as the primary reason for the decision, emphasizing that connecting southern Swedenalready facing an electricity production deficitwith Germany could lead to higher prices and increased market instability. The Hansa PowerBridge project, a collaboration between grid operators Svenska Kraftnat and Germanys 50Hertz, aimed to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy from the Nordics to Germany. However, the Swedish government raised concerns about the current state of the German power grid. Unlike Sweden, which is divided into four power price zones to manage grid bottlenecks, Germany operates as a single power market zone. This structure has led to significant congestion, particularly in moving power from the wind-rich north to the energy-consuming south, prompting calls for a market splita move Germany resists due to potential price hikes and industrial impact in its southern regions. A spokesperson from 50Hertz expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity to strengthen Europes internal electricity market but maintained that the Swedish decision would not affect the future security of supply and system stability within the 50Hertz network area. This development comes against the backdrop of Germanys broader energy strategy. Recently, EU competition regulators gave informal approval to Germanys plan to subsidize 10 GW of new natural gas-fired power capacity. This initiative is part of Germanys effort to stabilize its grid amid a substantial increase in wind and solar power installations. The new gas plants, which are designed to be hydrogen-convertible, are seen as a transitional measure to ensure a stable electricity supply as the country aims for 80% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045. The rejection of the Hansa PowerBridge underscores the complexities and challenges of integrating European energy markets, especially as nations balance renewable energy ambitions with grid stability and market efficiency. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Every emergency dispatch center in Nebraska soon will be equipped with new technology that will ensure dispatchers are able to quickly connect with 911 callers even if 911 services are disrupted by an outage as they have been repeatedly in recent months. Nebraska regulators signed a five-year, $1.32 million contract last week with public safety technology provider RapidSOS to outfit the states 67 dispatch centers with the companys premium UNITE service, which the company unveiled last month and is set to install across Nebraska in the next few months. The state will pay $264,000 per year for the service, which RapidSOS is providing to Nebraska at a discounted rate, according to its contract with state regulators. At full price, the installation and annual operating costs would have cost the state $3.65 million over the life of the contract more than three times what the state is set to pay for the technology. The software promises to bring a suite of new capabilities to 911 centers from Blair to Bridgeport, but most urgently, the technology will streamline dispatchers ability to retrieve crucial data including a wireless callers phone number and exact location even if the dispatch centers phone lines are disrupted by a telecommunications outage. Retrieving that data allows dispatchers to use alternative phone lines, agency cellphones or even their own personal phones to redial 911 callers whose calls never reached the dispatch center. RapidSOS contracts with cellphone manufacturers to collect such data and has long provided it to 911 dispatch centers for free, but the companys baseline technology required dispatchers to log in to a separate portal than their normal mapping and information systems, said Dave Sankey, the director of Nebraskas State 911 Department. The premium version of the software, once installed statewide, will eliminate the need for dispatchers to log in to a separate system and instead provide the information directly through a dispatch centers normal computer system. Its a much more efficient way to get that information, Sankey said. The technology also serves as another safeguard against the 911 service outages that have rattled southeast Nebraska, in particular, dating back to August, at least three of which were the result of accidental fiber-optic cable cuts. The Public Service Commission the state regulatory body that oversees numerous industries in Nebraska, including the telecommunications industry and the 911 department is investigating five separate disruptions to 911 services in Nebraska since late August. The disruptions have left frustrations mounting for regulators and lawmakers, who at a public hearing in December questioned Sankey and commissioners over the systemic nature of the outages. Sankey in December could not reassure lawmakers that 911 disruptions wouldnt happen again, noting that regulators were reliant on telecommunications companies like Lumen and Windstream to keep their services including 911 systems up and running. There have been two 911 service disruptions in Nebraska in the months since Decembers hearing as the Public Service Commission has turned to RapidSOS as a supplement to the redundancies the states telecommunications providers are supposed to offer, Sankey said. We dont expect any future outages, but we do know that there are fiber-optic cables that get cut on a regular basis and we need the carriers to have enough diversity in their networks to deliver the calls, Sankey said. If that occurs, though, and they are unable to deliver the call to the 911 (center), then we have this additional backup option with RapidSOS that the data of the caller ... is still getting delivered to the 911 center, at least from a wireless phone. More than 80% of 911 calls in the state are made using cellphones, Sankey said. In Lancaster County, the states second-most-populous county, 911 dispatchers have had RapidSOSs baseline technology for years and have utilized it each and every single day, said Jessica Loos, the Lincoln-Lancaster County 911 communications manager. The statewide premium RapidSOS subscription, though, will allow the local dispatch center to access the technology on the citys own mapping system, which plots the location of fire hydrants and natural gas lines, among other important data points not available on the companys baseline map, Loos said. The software, too, will provide real-time location and indoor mapping data that RapidSOS has partnered with two other international mapping and location intelligence companies to accumulate, including, for instance, data kept by railroads about the contents of each rail car on a given train that could be useful or crucial in the hands of first responders. Its not just rail cars, its alarm companies, its as we grow as a community, were looking at ... information being at our community members fingertips in a way that we could have never imagined 20 years ago, Loos said. If you get an Amazon package, youre probably getting a Ring doorbell notification, right? (Were) learning in this profession to leverage the data that exists. And RapidSOS is at the front of that. The looming rollout of the software will mark only the latest upgrade to Lincolns 911 infrastructure. The city last year built a new emergency dispatch center inside Lincolns newest $7 million police station and contracted with another public safety tech provider for a platform that allows 911 and nonemergency callers to provide livestream video, text, photos and location data to police and fire dispatchers. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2024 Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has condemned the recent protest at the state House of Assembly, calling for the probe of former Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode. The PDP accused Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu led APC government of being behind the protests. A statement by Mr Taofik Gani, Lagos PDP spokesperson on Thursday, said that the protest lacked sincerity of purpose and was obviously calculated at embarrassing the immediate past governor. Disturbing is the tendency of such protests to overheat the polity and increase the already created loss of confidence in the government, the PDP said. The governor himself is sponsoring such protests against his predecessor, unfortunately overheating the polity and to distract Lagosians away from his abysmal performances. To the PDP, Governor Sanwo-Olu has created Official Vendetta in Lagos governance; unfortunately for him, his ranking is going down whilst he needlessly goes after his predecessor, the statement said. The PDP, however, called for a holistic probe of the administrations of Bola Tinubu, Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, rather than restricting it only to Ambodes regime. Lagosians are eager to know the stewardship of their former governors. From 1999 till 2018 over N17 trillion was realized as IGR, royalties, Federal Allocations, investments and crude oil discovery. Unfortunately, much of these monies are linked to Hotels, Airlines, Oil Companies, construction companies, home & Abroad, the PDP said. The protesters According to SaharaReporters, dozens of Catholic faithful are currently marching on the streets of Abuja against the rising wave of insecurity and killings in Nigeria. The march, which kicked off from the National Ecumenical Center, has a large number of Catholic Bishops among participants. Carrying different placards, the protesters are demanding for a better and safer society. President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Rev Augustine Akubeze, slammed the Nigerian Government for not doing enough to bring those behind these crimes to book. He said, May we once again remind all the arms of government in Nigeria and all whose responsibility it is to protect Nigerians that without security there can be no peace. The All Progressives Congress has won all the 11 out of the 40seats declared so far in the Lagos House of Assembly election held Saturday. The party won Lagos Mainland House of Assembly Constituencies I and II, crushing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Dr Adetoun Adenuga, the Returning Officer for Lagos Mainland I Constituency, said that APC candidate, Mr Ajani Owolabi polled 17, 239 to defeat his closest rival from the PDP, Mr Shakiru Agunbiade who scored 3, 568 votes. Dr Adetola Odubajo, the Returning Officer of Lagos Mainland House of Assembly Constituency II declared the APC candidate Mr Moshun Oshun as winner with 8,896 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Kehinde Oyenuga who got 3, 259 votes. The APC cruised to victory in Epe, clinching the two seats available. Candidates of the party won Constituency 1 and 2 in the town. The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) declared, Mr Abiodun Tobun and Mr Oluwadahunsi Ogunkelu, candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of Epe I and II state constituency election in Lagos State respectively. The Returning Officer for Epe constituency I, Dr Aaron Adeoye from the University of Lagos, made the declaration at about 3.30am, on Sunday, at INEC Office Collation Centre in Epe. He said that Tobun emerged winner with 19,028 votes, to defeat Mrs Elizabeth Oluwatoyin, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 2,540 votes. Dr Adelaja Odukoya, the returning officer for Constituency 2 declared Ogunkelu as the winner with 16,227 votes to defeat his closed opponent, Mrs Dolapo Ibrahim-Sadiq, who scored, 3,765 votes. INEC returning officers similarly declared APC candidates winners of Constituency 1 and 2. David Setonji, the incumbent APC legislator, was declared winner of the Badagry Constituency 2, while Ibrahim Layode also of APC was re-elected for the Badagry Constituency 1. Declaring the election results at the INEC Collation Centre in Ibereko, the Returning Officer for Badagry Constituency 1, Mrs Bosede Abiodun, announced that Setonji polled 14,533 votes to beat PDPs Alani Ajose who scored 5,209 votes. Mr Kareem Bestoyin from the Department of Social Science, University of Lagos and the Returning Officer of Badagry Constituency 2, declared Ibrahim Layode of APC as winner. Layode polled 12,098 votes, to beat Gbenga Fayemi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 3,030 votes. The total number of votes cast was 20,854 votes, with 1,534 votes rejected, while valid votes were 19,320. APC also won Somolu 1 and 2 constituencies. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared Mr Rotimi Olowo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of Somolu 1, Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Prof. Adebayo Otitoloju, the Returning Officer for the constituency, made the declaration at INEC Collation Centre in Somolu, Lagos on Sunday. Otitoloju said that Olowo secured 16, 007 votes to beat his closest opponent, Mr Olawale Akanni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 2,651 votes. According to him, 18 political parties contested for the Somolu 1 Constituency seat. Otitoloju said, I Prof. Adebayo Otitoloju, hereby certify: that I am the returning officer for the State House of Assembly Somolu 1 Constituency election held on the 9th day of March 2019, that the election was contested. That Olowo Rotimi of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected. Also, at the Somolu II Constituency, Mr Abiru Rotimi of APC emerged the winner with 23,444 votes. The Returning Officer, Dr Idowu Taiwo said Abiru beat Mr Babatunde Aleshinloye-Williams of the PDP who had 7,221 votes. Taiwo said 17 others also participated in the election. Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was also declared winner of the Surulere 1 state Constituency election. The Returning Officer, Dr Bolajoko Dixon-Ogbechi from the University of Lagos, made the declaration on Sunday, at the Surulere Local Government Collation Centre in Lagos. She said Elliot emerged winner with 15,357 votes, while Mr Benjamin Olasunkanmi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came second with 3,628 votes. APC similarly won the Lagos Island House of Assembly Constituencies 1 and 2. Prof. Olaniyi Okedele of the University of Lagos, declared Wasiu Sanni of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner in Constituency 1, with 18,305 votes to beat his closest rival, Oluwaseun Dosunmu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 1,821 votes. Total number of votes cast in the election was 21,237, with 914 void votes and 20, 323 valid votes. In Constituency 2, Prof Solomon Akinboye, of University of Lagos and the Returning Officer of Lagos Island House of Assembly Constituency 2 declared Olarenwaju Afinni of APC the winner. Akinboye said that a total of 19,121 votes were cast with 868 votes rejected and 18,253 votes valid. He said that Olarenwaju Afinni polled 16,010 votes, followed by Sanni Ismail of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 2,096 votes. In Agege, the APC won the two seats available. Speaker of the House Mudashiru Obasa won his Agege Constituency 1, with 17,434 votes to beat his closest rival, Tahid Muade of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 4,743 votes. Another APC candidate, Oluyinka Ogundimu won Constituency 2, polling 19, 489 votes. He beat Adebiyi Olanrewaju of the PDP, who scored 3479 votes, according to the result declared by Mr Anthony Adebayo, an Associate Professor of the University of Lagos and the Returning Officer. Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has offered insights into how he handled the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) known for fomenting troubles in the state. Until Ajimobi took over, the state was under the threats of constant violent crisis by feuding NURTW leaders leading to several deaths and injuries. The governor said he decided from day one not to have anything to do with the body that will endanger peaceful existence of Oyo. He spoke while delivering a public lecture with the theme: Peace and security architecture for sustainable development in Oyo State organised by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) at the University of Ibadan old Conference Centre, Ibadan. He said: When I came in 2011 and the leadership of NURTW came on a visit, saying Your Excellency, we are for you, I said no! Be for peace. If any of you steps on the law by fomenting trouble, you will be arrested and jailed. They conformed with the directive and peace was back. To make an omelet, you must break eggs. For you to make sustainable changes possible, you must step on toes. When the elders in the state realised I would not budge, they came to beg me and I insisted that for the state to escape the siege of brigandage, where students of universities were killed in broad daylight at Iwo Road, it had to stop. They grudgingly agreed that the reign of terror had to stop and today we are talking about the prevalence of peace in the state. I make bold to say that if peace is the only achievement people will remember of this administration, I am happy about it. He appealed to the governor-elect Seyi Makinde to be ready to ensure enforcement of legal actions against people, who plan to obstruct peace and tranquility in the state. The governor added: I call on the incoming administration to see the maintenance of peace that had already been entrenched as important. He should not at any period shy away from making the leadership of NURTW realise the enormous power reposed in the office by not taking necessary steps at all times to put them in their place. SPSP President, Dr. Nathaniel Danjibo lauded the qualities of the governor that made the society arrived at the decision that he deserved the honour. He reiterated the fact that Ajimobis administration succeeded in containing the hitherto NURTW skirmishes, bank robberies and activities of the notorious one million boys in the state as well as the establishment of community relations department that had worked assiduously to bring to nearest minimum, herders crisis with farmers. Share this: Elon Musk has become a fat source of news in the last few years, but the tech billionaire has especially been facing one problem after the other more than usual in the last week. Most of them stemmed from his actions, of course, and the latest lawsuit he's facing is one of those instances. Tesla Investors Sue the CEO Elon Musk is the CEO of many tech giants, including ones where he serves as the founder. With him claiming to be an advocate of creating AI that benefits humanity, he launched xAI which eventually led to the X Premium exclusive feature, Grok AI. Entering the AI race is slowly proving to be more trouble than it's worth. Musk just pulled himself out of a day in court after dropping the lawsuit against OpenAI, but now the investors in his own company are suing him for creating xAI. As reported in The Verge, the tech CEO is being accused of diverting resources and talent from Tesla and directing it to the AI company. This move is considered a breach of fiduciary duty to Tesla. In the lawsuit, Elon Musk's intention to turn Tesla into a robotics and AI company was also mentioned. It actually helped boost Tesla's popularity and value, making it the top automaker in the market. This just shows why the launch of xAI seems more like a controversial move for the investors of the EV maker. What's worse is that Musk is propping the AI company up using Tesla. On top of "diverting scarce talent and resources from Tesla to xAI," he is said to have "raised billons of dollars for xAI while touting xAI's access to Tesla's AI-related data." In just the first funding round, the AI company managed to raise $6 billion. The lawsuit is not only pointing to Musk for his actions but also to the board of the company. The investors expressed that due to the lack of action, they are allowing the tech CEO to "plunder resources from Tesla and divert them to xAI." One of the biggest diversions of resources recently was Musk ordering thousands of NVIDIA chips from Tesla, and that was not even for xAI as it all went to social media company X. Musk reasoned that Tesla was not capable of accepting the chips due to its factory's incompletion. Read Also : Elon Musk Faces Lawsuit From Former SpaceX Employees for Alleged Sexual Harassment, Retaliation Jumping from One Lawsuit to Another It was just two days ago when news surfaced about Elon Musk dropping the lawsuit against OpenAI. In a typical Elon Musk fashion, the issue between him and the AI startup also has the element of ridiculousness along the lines. For one, the lawsuit was filed as the tech billionaire accused OpenAI of breaching their contract, wherein they were supposed to develop AI that was for the greater good of humanity. OpenAI denied that there was ever a founding agreement in the first place. As mentioned in The Guardian, there was no definite reason why the OpenAI co-founder suddenly dropped the lawsuit. It may be because legal experts have found that OpenAI did not, in fact, create an AI that could match human intelligence. SHIRLEY The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Funk Farms. next week. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Funk Farms, 5959 N. 1100 East Road in Shirley, and will feature food, local vendors and live music. College Dean German Bollero will be a panelist discussing "Pioneers Built from the Soil Up: How the Funk Family Shaped American History," a new book by author Chris Bodener. Bodener will join Bollero and other panelists in the discussion from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The book details the Funk Family's support for family attorney Abraham Lincoln's run for presidency, their outsized influence on global agriculture, their backing of the Union during the Civil Way, their position leading Chicago's Union Stockyards, and their role in the founding of Northwestern and Illinois Wesleyan universities, according to a news release. The Funk Family's legacy is a testament to visionary leadership in agriculture and education their work has laid a foundation that continues to influence our practices and principles in modern agriculture and academia, Bollero said in a statement. This event not only commemorates the rich heritage of Funk Farms but also emphasizes the importance of sustainable agriculture and community stewardship values that align closely with the mission of the College of ACES. Local Extension staffers serving Livingston, McLean and Woodford counties will also be on hand with demonstrations, information and giveaways. "We are looking forward to connecting with our alumni, friends, and community members at this historic celebration," said Kimberly Bishop, ACES assistant dean of advancement, in a statement. "Events like Funk Farms 200th anniversary offer a unique opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, engage with our extended ACES family, and showcase the impactful work and resources of the College of ACES and Illinois Extension." Admission and parking are free for visitors. A full schedule of events and a list of vendors can be found at www.funkfarms200.com. Photos: Memorial Day celebrations in Bloomington-Normal history 1940: Memorial Day parade in Bloomington 1940: Memorial Day parade in Bloomington 1941: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1941: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1944: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1944: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1945: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1945: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1946: Memorial Day, graveside services 1946: Memorial Day parade, Bloomington High School band 1946: Memorial Day ceremony, Park Hill cemetery 1946: Memorial Day ceremony BLOOMINGTON Downed power lines have caused two roads in rural McLean County to be closed until repairs can be made. Holder Ellsworth Road, also called County Highway 28 or 1200 North Road, is closed as of Friday for power pole issues between 2300 East Road and 2400 East Road. This closure is directly northwest of Holder and east of Cornerstone Christian Academy. Lexington East Road, also called County Highway 8 or 2450 North Road, is closed between 2900 East Road and 3000 East Road, as major power lines have fallen. This closure is directly east of Lexington. Questions should be directed to County Engineer Jerry Stokes at 309-663-9445. Information about road closures can be found at mcleancountyil.gov/highway and following the tabs "Road Conditions / Closures / Construction Notes." Photos: Students from Scribbles Center for Learning visit The Pantagraph GOOD NEWS 060524-blm-loc-scribbles2.JPG 060524-blm-loc-scribbles3.JPG 060524-blm-loc-scribbles4.JPG 060524-blm-loc-scribbles5.jpg LINCOLN Having pleaded their case before a panel of lawmakers, residents and employees of the women's prison in Lincoln remain in limbo while state officials consider moving the downstate facility to suburban Chicago. Illinois Department of Corrections leaders on Thursday faced the community for the first time since announcing plans to demolish Logan Correctional Center and rebuild it near Stateville Correctional Center in Will County. They confirmed that the plans remain under consideration but have not yet been finalized. Lincoln Middle School is packed. Were just a few minutes from the start of a COGFA hearing on the proposed closure of Logan Correctional Center. Itd be rebuilt on the campus of Stateville in the Chicago suburbs. COGFA votes tomorrow in Springfield on a recommendation. #twill pic.twitter.com/9wUNrnJjag Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) June 13, 2024 The state prison officials joined hundreds of people, most wearing green shirts emblazoned with the message "Logan CC belongs in Logan County," who packed the gymnasium at Lincoln Middle School for a state legislative hearing on the proposal. Not surprisingly, most who testified urged state officials to move ahead with a rebuild of the dilapidated facility but to keep it in Lincoln. "Build a new facility, please," said Kenny Johnson, a Logan correctional officer and president of AFSCME Local 2073. "The individuals in custody deserve a better place to live and the staff deserve a better place to work. "And that better place belongs right here in Logan County." On Friday, a state legislative panel tasked with making a recommendation about whether to move forward was unable to do so because too few of its members showed up. The hearing and failed attempt at a vote come about three months after Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration unveiled the $900 million plan in broad strokes, which would also include the teardown and rebuild of Stateville Correctional Center, a maximum-security mens prison in suburban Chicago. In April, the Illinois Department of Corrections recommended that Logan, the state's only multi-level women's correctional facility, be shuttered in Lincoln and rebuilt more than 140 miles away on the same site as Stateville. The funding request for both facilities was included in the state budget that Pritzker signed earlier this month. Construction would take at least three to five years and Logan's current facility would likely stay open until the new facility is ready. Opponents hope to 'send a message' Thursday's hearing before the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability was among steps required by state law before a state facility can be shuttered. The commission, which is made up of state lawmakers from both parties and both legislative chambers, is supposed to issue a nonbinding recommendation on the proposal. When COGFA met on Friday, only three of the 12 members were present, meaning that an official recommendation could not be made. It was unclear when or if a vote on the proposal would happen. About COGFA Below is a list of lawmakers who comprise the Commission on Government and Forecasting and Accountability and their attendance status at Friday's scheduled meeting in Springfield. PRESENT Senate Co-Chair, David Koehler, D-Peoria House Co-Chair, C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville Sen. Don DeWitte, R-West Dundee ABSENT Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Lake Barrington Sen. Win Stoller, R-Dixon Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Machesney Park Nevertheless, the three commission members who showed up to both the hearing in Lincoln and meeting in Springfield criticized IDOC's process and the lack of details provided. State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, said the department presented "a concept and not a plan" for Logan and Stateville's closures. After the the two-and-a-half hour meeting concluded Thursday and before the Friday, Koehler told reporters that even if there was a vote, "we don't really know what we're voting on," adding that the plans IDOC presented are "not specific." And despite not voting on a recommendation, Koehler said they hoped to "send a message" that community input has to be real and meaningful before a final decision on location is rendered. "I think there needs to be a commitment that these will be built," Koehler said. "And I think we need to have a process by which the primary stakeholders are really brought into the discussion. There's a lot of issues that need to be resolved. Let's do that in a collaborative process." The Friday meeting lasted around 30 minutes and adjourned without a vote. The three legislators present urged IDOC to keep Stateville open during its rebuild and to not move forward with the relocation of Logan at least until more concrete details could be provided. Details of potential move scarce IDOC officials who testified Thursday did not offer much in the way of new information, largely repeating points made at prior legislative hearings. Latoya Hughes, the department's director, again confirmed they are "exploring a relocation of Logan from Lincoln" to Stateville, but "no decision on location has been finalized." No facility designs have been completed yet. When asked for a more concrete timeline, IDOC officials said they are awaiting a building site assessment due within the next 60 days from the Capital Development Board. No more details were presented besides a promise to engage with all stakeholders. Central to the argument for moving Logan is the need for a womens facility in northern Illinois to pair with downstate Decatur Correctional Center. Women from Cook County and the suburban collar counties comprise about 40% of Logans incarcerated population, according to IDOC officials. Officials said the prison's move would allow incarcerated people from the Chicago area to be closer to family, create more access to educational programs and give the department a greater pool of potential employees to choose from. "The utilization of the concept of regionalization for the women's facilities enhances women's access to families support services, vocational opportunities and community resources, which helps to further ensure that women's success upon release, thus reducing recidivism," Hughes said. What would happen to employees? IDOC officials have insisted that Logan employees will be able to keep jobs within the agency, estimating that 850 positions will be available at other facilities within a 90-mile radius. Options include the neighboring mens facility, Lincoln Correctional Center, and the women's prison in Decatur. But most Logan employees said that this simply isn't realistic. "We cannot afford to uproot our lives and leave our family behind should the facility move to Northern Illinois," said Marissa Hayes, a corrections officer. Hayes and her husband, also a corrections officer at the prison, have a daughter with a rare form of cancer. She is being treated in Peoria. On top of that, Hayes' husband acts as primary caregiver for his grandfather, who also has cancer. "My spouse and I will be forced to choose between leaving family and friends and our financial well-being," Hayes said. "Thats a devastating choice to have to make." Marcia Mibbs, a Logan employee, framed the situation in starker terms: "If you close Logan, youre gonna destroy my hometown. You're gonna destroy all those people that I care about and I work with." "Lincoln matters to me. Logan Correctional Center matters to me," Mibbs said. "So we're gonna fight with everything we have to keep it in this community and keep this community alive." Logan employs 450 people and has an incarcerated population of 1,081, according to the latest IDOC data. It is one of the largest employers in Logan County, leading to significant concerns about the local economic impact should the facility shutter and be rebuild more than 100 miles away. Multiple blows to Lincoln economy Lincoln has been through the wringer in recent years. Lincoln Developmental Center shuttered in 2022. And more recently, Lincoln College and Lincoln Christian University both closed their doors. All across town, red yard signs that read "Save Logan CC" visible outside homes, in the windows of businesses and along major thoroughfares. "The governor made a comment a couple of weeks ago that a prison should not be the basis of the community's economic development," said state Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, a member of the committee. DeWitte was referring to remarks that Pritzker made last month when he was in Bloomington to celebrate Ferrero's new $75 million chocolate processing facility. The governor was asked about the regional economic effect of moving the prison from Lincoln; in response, he highlighted the success in the Twin Cities. Quote "If you close Logan, youre gonna destroy my hometown. ... So we're gonna fight with everything we have to keep it in this community and keep this community alive." Marcia Mibbs, Logan Correctional Center employee Pritzker had just visited the week before to announce an $827 million state tax incentive package for Rivian Automotive, the electric automaker with about 8,500 workers at its Normal manufacturing operations. He contrasted those developments with the situation in Lincoln. "I think that really is the future for most places across the state, to not rely upon a state-run facility thats a prison," Pritzker said at the May 7 news conference. "That cant be a great economic growth strategy for the area." On Thursday, DeWitte conceded that point, but made one of his own. "He might be right," he said. "But how much of that Rivian (incentive) money is he going to sprinkle over Lincoln, Illinois, to try to attract some level of economic development? I don't think it's coming." State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, whose district includes all of Logan County, took aim at the Pritzker administration, suggesting that politics was at play in taking the prison away from a largely Republican area and placing it in the more Democrat-friendly Chicago region. "This is a partisan political process that will break promises to this community and the surrounding communities to unfairly close and demolish and move our vital state prison to a location that rewards, shall we say, more favorable political locations," Hauter said. "Regionalization is a buzzword that means bringing jobs and dollars to Chicago," he added. All agree on need for new facilities The need for new facilities was an undisputed common thread among speakers. Employees and formerly incarcerated people alike testified that the prison cannot continue to operate in its current condition. Their testimony aligns with a 2023 consultant's report that identified $116 million in deferred maintenance at Logan. Left unaddressed, that number would likely double in five years. The report deemed the women's prison facilities "inefficient, ineffective, and unsuitable for any population," adding that "IDOC should find a more suitable location for housing its incarcerated women." Trina Whiteside, a former Logan inmate advocating for its closure and move closer to Chicago, said it was "not a place for any person to heal." "It was filthy, overcrowded, unsafe and not a place where people should live," she said. Koehler lamented the path that led to the situation now facing the community. Having toured Logan before the hearing, he concluded that the facility was not simply old, but the victim of neglect from the state. "I came away today just kind of saddened by the fact that we have a facility that could have been in good shape had we put the maintenance into it," Koehler said. "And this goes back decades, decades and decades. "We just have not kept up with the facilities and the infrastructure that the state of Illinois is responsible for. So we're now left with this dilemma." Today is Flag Day, an official day to honor "Old Glory." Why this date? Because on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a red, white and blue flag, with 13 stars and alternating stripes to represent the 13 original colonies. The current version of the U.S. flag has been around a long time, but there have been 27 different iterations. The last update was in 1960, when Hawaii became a state. My grandfather had a flag with 49 stars which he continued to display. No one is going to stop and count the stars, he said, although he did eventually buy a 50-star flag. You can impress your friends today or win at Trivial Pursuit by knowing six U.S. flags have been planted on the moon, the first by Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin in July 1969. (At least three of the six are still standing, according to NASA.) In my travels over the years, Ive seen some amazing displays of flags. A few weeks after 9/11, my mother and I visited New York City and were inspired by the citys patriotic zeal. It seemed every store window and street corner was cloaked in red, white and blue to show strength and perseverance. Later, during a trip to Italy, I was surprised to learn Italians can sometimes be taxed for flying their national flag. That might explain why we didnt see a lot of flags there. My favorite story about the U.S. flag comes from my great-uncle Don Phillips, who grew up near Chenoa. A second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he was forced to parachute from his plane over France and was taken prisoner of war for 19 months. Most of his captivity was spent at the infamous Stalag Luft III (featured in the movie The Great Escape), but the final months were at Stalag VII near Moosberg, Germany. Conditions for the thousands of POWs were absolutely deplorable no sanitation facilities and little food. He wrote of his experience and included this incredible description of liberation: On April 28 (1945), word came the Germans would abandon the camp, leaving us behind with a token guard force and allow us to be liberated by the American Seventh Army. "The next morning, we watched from the camp as the German Swastika atop the Moosberg Town Hall, a mile away, was lowered, and in its place, and billowing softly in the April breeze, up went the Stars and Stripes, seen for the first time in so many, many months. Never will I see a more beautiful sight, and never have I seen so many grown men cry. Even though we hadnt budged an inch, he said, suddenly we were home. At that moment, a U.S. Army tank came crashing through the barbed wire gates, bringing the prisoners horrific captivity to an end. I get goose bumps every time I picture that moving scene. Finally, Id like to share one of my mothers favorite poems, The Flag Goes By, by Henry Holcomb Bennett. Despite early signs of Alzheimers disease, she could still recite many lines. I hope youll enjoy it. Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky: Hats off! The flag is passing by! Blue and crimson and white it shines Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines. Hats off! The colors before us fly; But more than the flag is passing by. Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great, Fought to make and to save the State: Weary marches and sinking ships; Cheers of victory on dying lips; Days of plenty and years of peace; March of a strong land's swift increase; Equal justice, right, and law, Stately honor and reverend awe; Sign of a nation, great and strong Toward her people from foreign wrong: Pride and glory and honor,--all Live in the colors to stand or fall. Hats off! Along the street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums; And loyal hearts are beating high: Hats off! The flag is passing by! Photos: Memorial Day celebrations in Bloomington-Normal history 1940: Memorial Day parade in Bloomington 1940: Memorial Day parade in Bloomington 1941: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1941: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1942: Memorial Day parade, ceremony in Bloomington 1944: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1944: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1945: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1945: Memorial Day in Bloomington 1946: Memorial Day, graveside services 1946: Memorial Day parade, Bloomington High School band 1946: Memorial Day ceremony, Park Hill cemetery 1946: Memorial Day ceremony Ghanas trusted digital-first financial services provider, Izwe Savings and Loans (Izwe) has partnered with the Digital Transformation Hub, a local non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for Information Communication Technology (ICT) education for girls. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to provide ICT training to girls across Ghana, significantly enhancing their skills and opportunities in the digital landscape. The program was officially launched at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan ICT Centre in Accra on Saturday, June 1, 2024. The event drew over 400 girls from various junior and senior high schools nationwide, all eager to participate in the "Girls in ICT" program. This initiative aims to inspire and empower young girls by introducing them to various ICT topics, including the field of artificial intelligence. The schools represented at the launch included St. Marys Senior High School, Accra Wesley Girls, HOTCASS, Peki Senior High School, Kpeve Senior High School, Suhum Kyidom High School, and Unity Primary School. Izwe expressed its enthusiasm for sponsoring the program, emphasizing that it aligns with the company's corporate social responsibility initiatives. The companys brand purpose is to inspire progress as it facilitates active economic engagement through innovative digital services. Izwe supports educating girls in acquiring ICT skills as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility which is aimed at fostering economic empowerment, education and social inclusion. In her remarks, the founder and CEO of the Digital Transformation Hub, Madam Ivy Lawson, underscored the importance of ICT education for girls. She highlighted the organization's commitment to accelerating the application of social capital and technology for economic empowerment, particularly for young girls. "Organizing ICT training for girls is driven by our agenda of digital transformation, which is geared towards promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality for young girls in the digital space," she stated. Madam Lawson elaborated on the Hubs focus on ICT education, which includes designed lab sessions, innovation and entrepreneurship training, and capacity building for startups and incubation. "We provide training and expertise in digital skills and digital entrepreneurship, particularly for young people," she said. She further emphasized that equity and inclusion for young girls, through effective advocacy and empowerment, are crucial for enhancing sustainability in local development. Looking ahead, Madam Lawson disclosed that the Digital Transformation Hub plans to initiate a quarterly Inter-schools ICT training program for girls across the country. She encouraged the girls to pay particular attention to the study of artificial intelligence, noting its growing significance in the modern world. The collaboration between Izwe and the Digital Transformation Hub marks a significant step towards bridging the gender gap in ICT and ensuring that young girls in Ghana have the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the digital age. This partnership not only empowers young girls but also contributes to the broader goal of economic development and technological advancement in Ghana. Izwe Savings and Loans is a trusted digital-first financial services provider, delivering diversified customer-centric solutions. Over the years, the institution has been dedicated to empowering small and medium-scale enterprises for sustainable growth. Izwe remains committed to financial inclusion in Africa, empowering individuals and businesses in various fields of human endeavor. Izwe Savings and Loans has achieved this through the delivery of tailored financial solutions to its diverse clientele. 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 Garmin App Store is now offering the YouTube Music app on its platform, allowing smartwatch owners of the brand to listen to their playlists while doing errands. Upon its official release, the app has accumulated more than 14,000 downloads, hinting at the excitement about the new addition. Read Also : YouTube Music Now Remembers the Last Song You Played Upon Reopening YouTube Music Now Available on Garmin Smartwatches According to Garmin users, the YouTube Music experience is quite similar to the Wear OS watches. Users can browse their library for music and podcasts like on any other smartwatch with the app. In addition, the now-playing interface shows a corresponding button for playing, pausing, and skipping on the models. YouTube Music is often used on Android and iOS devices which is why expanding to Garmin has surprised some of its users. Garmin is a popular brand known for its good smartwatch options in the market. However, since it runs on a different OS, it is not that welcoming to larger apps to give way to its performance and battery life. YouTube Music Plans More Expansion Across Devices Garmin released a full list where YouTube Music will soon be available. This includes the D2TM Mach 1 Pro, EnduroTM 2, Forerunner 255 Music, Mercedes-Benz Venu 2, epixTM (Gen 2), Venu 3, fenix 7 Pro, tactix 7, and more. Earlier this month, sources revealed that Google is planning to release the YouTube Music app and integration for third-party devices. According to reports, YouTube is working on improving its third-party support like Sonos. For instance, YouTube Music is now available on iPad, iPhone, and Apple TV. This allows more users to access the platform's wide library of content. Subscriber of YouTube Premium can also extend their experience across other devices. The Bank of Ghana(BOG) has issued a statement to justify the revoking of the banking license issued to Dr. Papa kwesi Nduoms GN Bank since 2019. The Central Bank alleged that GN Bank failed to comply with vital financial regulations and banking standards which was a threat to the banks operational stability. In view of that, the Bank of Ghana posits that it cannot grant the request of the GN bank to have its license restored. Events leading to the closure and revoking of license of GN bank included, an alleged short-fall of capital adequacy, liquidity and governance and risk management requirements. The Bank of Ghana further stated that, the GN Bank consistently failed to meet the minimum capital requirements, which raised legitimate concerns about the banks ability to absorb losses as well as protect the monies belonging to depositors. It also struggled with liquidity management, which affected its capacity to meet withdrawal demands from customers. There were also deficiencies in GN Banks governance structure and risk management practices, which contributed to operational inefficiencies and heightened risk exposure. The statement read, GN Bank suspended operations in seventy (70) of its branches including the Head office branch at Asylum Down and Castle Road branch, and temporarily suspended its entire management team without the approval of the Bank of Ghana contrary to section 25 (2) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), mainly as a result of its insolvency and liquidity challenges. On 4th January 2019, the Bank of Ghana approved a request to reclassify GN Bank from a universal bank to a Savings and Loans company following its inability to meet new required minimum paid-up capital of GH 400 million by 31st December 2018. The reclassification was to among other things enable the institution to downsize its operations and also inject additional capital to resolve the acute liquidity challenges it was confronted with. The Bank of Ghana subsequently appointed an Advisor to GN to assist in the reclassification process. In spite of the above, the institution has been unable to resolve its liquidity crisis and has also not been able to meet the majority of the conditions the Bank of Ghana imposed on the institution following its reclassification as a savings and loans company. The financial condition of the institution has also deteriorated since the reclassification with both negative capital adequacy ratio and negative net worth. Read the full statement below: Licence revocation of GN Savings and Loans Limited The Bank of Ghana (BoG) on August 16, 2019 revoked the licences of twenty-three (23) insolvent savings and loans companies and finance house companies. These actions were taken pursuant to Section 123 (1) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), which requires the BoG to revoke the licence of a Bank or Specialised Deposit-Taking Institution (SDI) where the BoG determines that the institution is insolvent. The BoG also appointed a Receiver for the specified institutions in line with section 123 (2) of Act 930. The Bank of Ghana explained that the revocation of the licences of the institutions had become necessary because they were insolvent even after a reasonable period within which it had engaged with them in the hope that they would be recapitalised by their shareholders to return them to solvency. The BoG gave reasons for the revocation of the licence of each of the institutions mentioned on the list. Below are the reasons for the revocation of the licence of GN Savings and Loans Company. GN SAVINGS AND LOANS LTD. (Statement of August 16, 2019) GN Savings and Loans Company Limited was originally incorporated as First National Savings and Loans (FNSL) Company Limited and licensed as a Savings and Loans Company on 8th May 2006. It was subsequently issued with a universal banking license by the Bank of Ghana on 4th September 2014 and was renamed GN Bank Limited. On 4th January 2019, the Bank of Ghana approved a request to reclassify GN Bank from a universal bank to a Savings and Loans company following its inability to meet new required minimum paid-up capital of GH 400 million by 31st December 2018. The reclassification was to among other things enable the institution to downsize its operations and also inject additional capital to resolve the acute liquidity challenges it was confronted with. The Bank of Ghana subsequently appointed an Advisor to GN to assist in the reclassification process. In spite of the above, the institution has been unable to resolve its liquidity crisis and has also not been able to meet the majority of the conditions the Bank of Ghana imposed on the institution following its reclassification as a savings and loans company. The financial condition of the institution has also deteriorated since the reclassification with both negative capital adequacy ratio and negative net worth. The Bank of Ghana has reached the conclusion that GN is currently insolvent under section 123 (4) of the Banks and SDIs Act, 2016 (Act 930), being in breach of its key prudential regulatory requirements. Its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is currently -61%, in breach of the minimum required of 13%. It is also facing a severe liquidity crisis with numerous complaints received by the Financial Stability Department of the Bank of Ghana from aggrieved customers who have been unable to access their deposits with the institution for the last several months. What is more, it has consistently failed to meet the minimum cash reserve requirement of 10% of its total deposits, since the end of the first quarter of 2019. GNs shareholders have failed to restore the bank to the required regulatory capital and liquidity levels in spite of long-standing promises that new capital was expected from foreign investors. While GN has indicated that government owes it a total amount of GH942.98 million of which GH102.73 million represented Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), the Bank of Ghanas assessment is that IPCs totaling GH30.33 million only have been confirmed by the Ministry of Finance as at 6th August 2019 as owed to contractors that may be indebted to affiliates of GN. The Bank of Ghanas supervisory assessment showed that even when the total outstanding IPCs amount of GH30.33 million was considered, it still did not address GNs capital deficit of -GH683.66 million. It must be noted that GNs insolvency problems are largely attributable to overdraft and other facilities it extended to its related parties who are other companies in the Groupe Ndoum network of businesses, under circumstances that violated relevant prudential norms. Of particular interest are the funds totalling GH761.55 million that GN Bank as it then was, placed with its sister companies Ghana Growth Fund (Gold Coast Advisors) and Gold Coast Fund Management Limited (now Blackshield Capital Management), both licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Some of these funds were used by the two related parties to pay their customers whose investments with them had matured, while some were also used to fund road and other contractors, who claim to have worked on Government projects. It is important to note that the IPCs claimed by GN are not supported by transactions that were entered into directly by GN and such contractors or Government and its entities. They reflect transactions entered into by Ghana Growth Fund or Gold Coast Fund Management with these contractors using funds taken from GN under circumstances that violated prudential norms. The failure of the two related parties to pay back these funds to GN affected GNs capital position, leading eventually to its insolvency and acute liquidity challenges. In addition to GNs insolvency and liquidity challenges, the Bank of Ghana has found other key regulatory violations such as the following: -The institutions adjusted Net worth of negative GH30.70 million as at end May 2019 indicates that its paid up capital is impaired in violation of Section 28(1) Act 930. -The institutions adjusted capital adequacy ratio of negative 61.20% as at end May 2019 is in violation of Section 29(2) of Act 930. -Contrary to section 64 (2) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), the institutions exposure to its related party has consistently been above the regulatory limit of 25% of net own funds (NOF). Exposures to other affiliates companies were mainly payments made by the bank on behalf of such affiliates. -The structure of GNs balance sheet clearly shows that the bank mobilizes deposits for its related companies. The inability of these related companies to honour their obligation to GN has resulted in serious liquidity challenges and contributed to their insolvency as all related party exposures are non-performing. The institutions high non-performing loans (NPL) was mainly attributed to these related party exposures, which were never paid, thereby putting the deposits of its customer at risk. -A recent Bank of Ghana investigation conducted at GN revealed that a significant amount (USD62,255,516.93, GBP718,528.59 and EUR4,200) of depositors funds held with GN had been transferred to International Business Solutions (another company owned by Groupe Nduom and which is based in the U.S.A) without any documentation to support such transfers in breach of section 19 of the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, Act 723, Section IV of Bank of Ghana Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2007/4, and subsequent Bank of Ghana Notices issued in August 2014 prohibiting such practices. -The company is yet to publish its 2018 audited accounts contrary to section 90 (2) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930). Furthermore, the company did not keep accounting records in a manner that gives an accurate and reliable account of the transactions of the company, and did not therefore show a true and fair view of its operations. -GN has suspended operations in seventy (70) of its branches including the Head office branch at Asylum Down and Castle Road branch, and temporarily suspended its entire management team without the approval of the Bank of Ghana contrary to section 25 (2) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), mainly as a result of its insolvency and liquidity challenges. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A senior Kenyan police officer has been shot dead after he opened fire at a magistrate in court in the capital, Nairobi. The chief inspector opened fire on Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti shortly after she made a ruling in a case reportedly involving his wife. The officer is said to have been angered by the court's decision to cancel her bail after she had absconded. The officer, identified as Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, who is in charge of a police station in Londiani in western Kenya, then pulled out a gun and shot the magistrate, injuring her. Other officers in court responded immediately, with one of them shooting the offending policeman and killing him. In the process, three other officers were injured, a police report said. The magistrate and the injured officers are being treated in hospital. The judiciary said the magistrate had "cancelled the bond for an accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond". "Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip, it said in a statement. It noted initial reports that indicated "that the shooter is a police officer who is married to the suspect". The national police service said the officer was in the court for "unknown reasons". Investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting, it said. The incident inside a courtroom has come as a shock to Kenyans. The police have often been accused of being involved in extra-judicial killings but no such incident has been reported inside court. The judiciary has said it will enhance security measures and has assured judicial staff and other court users of their safety and security. "As the judiciary family, we wish our colleague a quick recovery. We also send our condolences to the family of the officer who lost his life in this unfortunate incident, said chief registrar of the judiciary Winfridah Mokaya. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Ghanaians groundbreaking achievements in promoting the value of indigenous knowledge and made in Africa evaluation approaches was recognized in a special ceremony in Accra, Ghana on 13 June. The late Dr Sulley Bamidele Garibas work as international advocate for evidence-informed policymaking was now being celebrated at home in a ceremony that saw the launch of a special memorial issue of the African Evaluation Journal. The journal, supported by the United Nations World Food Programme and partners, features articles penned by scholars from across the world, inspired by Sulley Garibas vigour to challenge historical thinking and tackle unequal power relations. It was handed to the Gariba family during an intimate event held at the University of Ghana hosted by the African Evaluation Association and EvalPartners. Barbara Clemens, WFP Country Director in Ghana, said: WFP is proud to be part of an initiative that supports indigenous knowledge systems in Ghana and beyond. This special compilation of academic work celebrates not only evidence itself, but also the very power of local stories and approaches that strengthen these evidence systems. Dr Mark Abrahams, the Journals Editor-in-Chief, said it was apt to celebrate Sulley Garibas legacy in this way as he played a key role in the Journals conception and was a founding member of its Editorial Advisory Board. The African Evaluation Journal is delighted to commemorate Sulley with this special memorial issue, he said. His friend and colleague, Prof Edward Jackson, poignantly said in a eulogy after his passing [in 2021]: Sulley understood that deep-seated asymmetries of power and knowledge prevented universal access to affordable basic services. Because of this, he sought to equalize power and knowledge to shatter these asymmetries and replace them with reciprocal partnerships of respect and mutual benefit. Inspired by Garibas theory of Made in Africa evaluation, three academic lectures led by EvalPartners, took place in partnership with regional Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation between 2022 and 2023. The first in Harare, Zimbabwe (held virtually), the second in Quito, Ecuador, and the third in Manilla, Philippines. All three papers were included as academic articles in the memorial issue. More than 15 years ago, Dr Gariba challenged those gathered at an AfrEA conference in Niamey, Niger, to make evaluation our own. The Made in Africa evaluation challenge was not a point of arrival or departure, but rather one that surfaced the beneficial attributes of indigenous knowledge systems and practice. These beneficial attributes strongly align with Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals in the engagement of indigenous peoples to ensure inclusive and equitable development, and the implementation of the SDGs. The concepts that Sulley Gariba supported fully aligns with the WFP Office of Evaluations approach to national evaluation capacity development, said Anne-Claire Luzot, WFP Director of Evaluation. In particular the strengthening of evaluation systems in the Global South, in line with a UNGA resolution on country-led evaluation, leave no one behind and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In alignment with the government's Green Ghana project, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, has initiated a privately-led tree-planting drive in his constituency. The launch, which took place on Friday, June 14, 2024, saw the MP underscore his dedication and unalloyed commitment to the greening of Ghana and building of a resilient climate. The scope of the Green Damongo Project as disclosed by Hon. Samuel Jinapor indicates that over 32,000 trees will be planted to serve multiple purposes of beautifying the town and also contributing to the fight against climate change. Divided into three phases, the first phase of Green Damongo will involve planting approximately 2,670 trees along major roads in the town and at selected sites such as the old and new markets, as well as the stretch from Military Junction to the hospital. The second phase will extend over 66 km on each side of the road between Jojo Pe and Damongo, while the third phase will encompass each side of the road between Damongo and Sieyiri, totalling 83 km. Tree species selected for the Green Damongo Project include the Savannah Mahogany and Cassia. Other areas which will be captured in the exercise include, from Military Junction to Hospital road, Agric College junction to Kasha restaurant, from Damongo bypass to Agric College, and from Sawla highway to RCC. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd of traditional leaders and residents who turned up massively with great eagerness to support his initiative, Hon. Jinapor charged the constituents to step as custodians of the environment and embrace their collective responsibility of protecting the environment. He highlighted the Green Damongo project's goals, which include raising awareness about the need for collective action to restore the degraded landscape in Damongo and instilling the values of planting and nurturing trees, along with their associated benefits, in the youth of the area. I stand before you today, in all humility and modesty, to say that, the Green Ghana Day initiative, has been wholeheartedly embraced by the entire citizenry and residents of Ghana. As Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, under whose stewardship this project was birthed, I have decided to bring the project home. For it is said, the power of a great idea is amplified when it is shared with the place that holds your heart. This morning, I am honoured to share with you a vision that is close to my heart and crucial for the future of our community, the Green Damongo Project. Ours is a Constituency that is blessed with vibrant people, rich culture, and a promising future. However, to ensure that our future remains bright, we must take concrete steps today to safeguard our environment. One such step is the planting of trees on the medians of our roads. Therefore, it is with great pleasure and deep sense of optimism that I unite with you once again, to launch this significant initiative, in our beloved Constituency. Today, we come together not just as natives and residents of Damongo, but as custodians of our environment, united by a shared responsibility to nurture and protect the natural environment that sustains us, he said. The vibrant ceremony, graced by several dignitaries including the the Municipal Chief Executive for Damongo, Hon. Musah Karim Kusobari, the Deputy CEO of Forestry Commission, Mr. Nyadia Sulemana Nelson culminated in the planting of commemorative trees to signify the initiative's inauguration. Chief Executive for the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, Mr Karim Musa paid special tribute to Hon. Samuel Jinapor for the initiative, describing it as a laudable gesture that will go a long to help reduce deforestation and land degradation in the area. He explained that the municipality will ensure the success of the project by forming committees that will be tasked with monitoring and nursing the trees. Launched in 2021 by the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, the Green Ghana Day initiative has become a significant movement for protecting and enhancing Ghana's forest and green cover. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Labour Commission (NLC) has been petitioned by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to advice members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to suspend their strike action. According to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the decision of CETAG to embark on the strike is in bad faith adding that, the only way a consensus could be reached from both parties, is through dialogue. In a press conference held in Accra on Friday, June 14, 2024, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FWSC, Mr. Ben Arthur, expressed his utmost shock at the decision taken by CETAG to embark on an indefinite strike. The CEO stated that, there has been an attempt to invite the aggrieved teachers for a dialogue but they have failed to show up. The striking tutors had complained about the nonpayment of one-month basic allowance after they had forfeited their leave days. But Mr. Arthur said, government has already begun the process to pay the amount involved. He said, We were very expectant that we could agree with PRINCOF (Principals of Colleges of Education) to raise money internally to be able to make the payment, but we also found out that they could not. So, central government decided to pay for it. Eventually, all those who qualified for it, PRINCOF and GTEC and we have been supplied with the details and submitted to Finance (Ministry of Finance) for action. The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) also complained about failure by the employer to pay them as university lecturers after the National Labour Commission had earlier directed. In his reaction, the Chief Executive explained that the migration of CETAG to benefit from the conditions of service of lecturers has been concluded. If you want to be paid, then you must be subjected to the conditions of the lecturer in order for you to be able to benefit from the same conditions. You have to accept the conditions for us to also match you to whatever we give to the lecturers, so that work has been done. Urging them to call of the strike, Mr. Arthur said, We are calling on them to go to the classroom to go and teach. This strike is out of bad faith. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A group of former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the payment of their end-of-service benefits, which have been pending for three years. The group, which consists of 134 MMDCEs who were relieved of their duties following President Akufo-Addo's 2021 reshuffle, insists that their appointment letters guaranteed them a three-month consolidated salary and an installation grant as part of their severance package. The spokesperson for the aggrieved former MMDCEs, Leo-Nelson Adzidogah, who previously served as the MCE for Akatsi South, voiced the collective frustration, stating that the outstanding amounts exceed GH100,000 per individual. We are going to take 3 years but that one is because we left office in 2021 October, so it will not fully be three months. Then the installation grant also, will not be fully paid. "... I believe in addition to the arrears, we will take a little over 100,000 cedis. Then they will take taxes. That is why I am saying I cannot give accurate figures on hand. But if you put them together, it will be over 100,000, he is quoted in a report by www.myjoyonline.com. He emphasised that despite their repeated petitions, the government has not addressed their grievances. Adzidogah warns that the delay in disbursing these funds could have dire consequences for the ruling New Patriotic Partys (NPPs) campaign efforts, as the former MMDCEs lack the financial resources to participate actively. He expressed the sentiment that without the payment of their dues, many former MMDCEs are not inclined to support the 2024 campaign. I see that most of the former MMDCES who have been relieved of their posts are aggrieved and bitter. The only thing for us is to take our money so they bring us back to the mainstream. "That is what I am crying for. But I know without this, most of us are not going to support the campaign. But what we want is that when we go to places we are not going to depend on them for fuel to move our cars. Give this to us so that we can also follow the campaign team wherever they go, so we can also contribute to the campaign effort. That is what we want. Maybe any DCE who wants to go will say I am now going to disgrace myself because when I go there, I dont have money for fuel, so I have to depend on this. "That discretion will force most of them to sit back. That is why I am saying that let this be paid to us so that we can join this campaign. This is our argument, he said. Source: Ghanaweb 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 Several traders at Kumasi Kejetia market are heaping praise on the Chief of Staff, Hon Akosuah Fremah Osei Opare, for her unwavering support and dedication to their welfare and are also requesting NPP leaders to consider her as the running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia due to her potentials. According to the traders, Hon Osei Opare has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of their needs and has worked tirelessly to address their concerns. Her selflessness and leadership qualities have endeared her to the traders, who are now calling on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to appoint her as the running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Peacefmonline.com reports that the traders, who are predominantly women in a Press briefing, say they have been inspired by Hon Osei Opare's passion and commitment to empowering women and vulnerable groups. They believe that her appointment as running mate would be a fitting recognition of her hard work and a testament to the party's commitment to gender equality. "We are confident that with Hon Osei Opare by his side, Dr Bawumia's ticket would be unbeatable," said one trader. We believe that Hon. Fremah Akosua Osei Opare has the qualities and expertise to complement Dr. Bawumia's leadership and help the NPP achieve victory in the next elections," said, Kwame Yeboah a leader of the traders. "We urge the leadership of the NPP to consider Hon. Fremah Akosua Osei Opare as the running mate to Dr. Bawumia. We believe she will be a valuable asset to the party and to Ghana as a whole," he added. The traders' endorsement of Hon Osei Opare is seen as a significant boost to her chances of becoming the running mate. Political analysts are already speculating about the potential impact of such a pairing on the party's fortunes in the upcoming elections. While the party leadership is yet to make an official announcement, the traders' plea is likely to resonate with many within the party who value Hon Osei Opare's experience, expertise, and dedication to public service. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As the sun sets behind the mountains in an exclusive neighbourhood 30 minutes from the Las Vegas strip, I can hear a recognisable voice singing behind a closed door. "Is that Celine?" I ask. Her security man guarding the hotel suite nods. I am about to interview a musical megastar, and it sounds like she is in a cheerful mood. But the iconic voice I can hear casually singing away is one that fans feared they might never hear again. "Ive been dealing with problems with my health for a long time," she shared in an Instagram video in December 2022. "I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder." After that devastating announcement, Celine Dion pulled out of the remainder of her world tour, and has rarely been seen in public since. Signs of trouble The medical name for her little-known illness is Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a neurological condition that causes muscles to spasm. As we sit down to talk, Celine says it went undiagnosed for years. The 56-year-old describes the distress she felt as a performer when she began to notice changes in her voice on tour. "It was just feeling a little strange, like a little spasm," the Canadian star says. "My voice was struggling, I was starting to push a little bit." She demonstrates the subtle difference by singing the first few bars of her 1993 hit The Power of Love, showing how she was having to force her voice to hold the notes that once came more easily. Occasionally, she would ask the conductor of her backing musicians to bring certain songs down a key for a few performances. "I needed to find a way to be on stage," she explains. She hoped singing fractionally lower might give her voice a chance to recover. Read Full Story .... HERE >>> : Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New Hampshire officials issued two warnings of potentially dangerous algae blooms along parts of Lake Winnipesaukee, the state's largest lake. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services said on Thursday it detected high concentrations of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at Carry and Brewster beaches in Wolfeboro and at 19-Mile Bay and Tuftonboro Neck in Tuftonboro the previous day. Visitors should avoid contact with the water and keep pets away, the department advised in a statement. The cyanobacteria blooms are occurring as green clouds of material accumulating along shorelines. In some areas, they appear more yellow because they are mixed in with dense pollen, the department said. Symptoms of cyanobacteria exposure can include skin irritation, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pain, mouth blisters and acute liver damage, the department said. The affected areas will be resampled on June 19 and resampling will continue weekly if the bloom continues, the department said. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Racial/ethnic gaps of 4-year college learning and development opportunities by institution type: total number of high-impact practices in which students with different racial/ethnic backgrounds participated during college years (source: BPS 2004-09 data). Credit: Trends in Higher Education (2024). DOI: 10.3390/higheredu3020011 New research from the University at Buffalo offers groundbreaking insights into the strategies that help students from underrepresented groups succeed academically and in their careers. The study, published in Trends in Higher Education, dives deep into the disparities in education and career outcomes for minoritized student populations, and focuses on what are known as high-impact practices. HIPs are teaching and learning strategies that have been shown to improve student success, particularly among students from underserved backgrounds. These practices, like internships, studying abroad, research and volunteer opportunities, and first-year seminars, are meant to challenge students to think deeply about the material they are learning, and to apply it to real-world problems. "Our study illustrates the transformative power of high-impact practices when effectively leveraged, offering a roadmap for educational institutions to forge pathways of success for minoritized students," says Jaekyung Lee, Ph.D., professor in UB's Graduate School of Education, who led the study. The study tracks four-year college students' learning opportunities in the U.S. towards bachelor's degree completion followed by job employment or graduate/professional school enrollment. Despite the expansion of access to higher education over the decades, significant disparities in college graduation rates and career outcomes persist along racial and socioeconomic lines. The study leverages data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) study and qualitative interviews to shed light on the mechanisms through which HIPs can foster or hinder success for minoritized students. The findings uncover the unequal distribution and effectiveness of HIPs across different institutional types and their impact on bridging the college completion and career success divide for minoritized students. "By identifying and addressing the inherent inequities in the distribution and implementation of High-Impact Practices, we unlock the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape," says study co-author Namsook Kim, clinical assistant professor in UB's Graduate School of Education. The research positions UB at the forefront of addressing educational disparities and advocating for systemic changes that promote equity and inclusion in higher education. Key findings of the research indicate that racial and socioeconomic inequities in HIP participation are prevalent. The qualitative component of the study provides deeper insights into the lived experiences of students, highlighting both the challenges and transformative potentials of HIPs. "Our findings present a compelling case for the strategic use of HIPs to mitigate institutional inequities and support the success of all students, particularly those from minoritized backgrounds," says Lee. The study's implications extend beyond academic circles, offering actionable insights for policymakers and educational leaders committed to fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. "This study not only contributes to our understanding of the barriers to equitable educational outcomes but also offers evidence-based recommendations for institutions seeking to improve the effectiveness of HIPs," Lee said. More information: Jaekyung Lee et al, What High-Impact Practices Work for Minoritized Students? Institutional Inequities in College Learning Opportunities and Outcomes, Trends in Higher Education (2024). DOI: 10.3390/higheredu3020011 (Photo : Pexels/Salvatore De Lellis ) Brad Smith, Microsoft's vice chair and president, stated that the company will assess its employees' cybersecurity contributions during reviews, which will influence their compensation. This comes ahead of a US House committee hearing on Thursday focusing on the software maker's security practices. Microsoft's Cybersecurity Challenges The modifications reflect Microsoft's endeavors to respond to concerns regarding the extent of its efforts in safeguarding its clients' data. In April, the Department of Homeland Security released a report regarding significant cyberattacks involving the company's services in the summer of 2023, where a Chinese-based group gained access to Outlook email accounts in the US and Europe. Subsequently, in early 2024, a Russia-based group breached the email accounts of several of Microsoft's senior executives. In response to the deficiencies highlighted in the report, Microsoft pledged to alter certain practices. Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative Microsoft's response to these incidents involved the launch of its Secure Future Initiative. Earlier this year, the company declared that enhancing security would supersede all other priorities. However, shortly after that, Microsoft faced criticism for its new Recall feature in Windows 11. Cybersecurity experts found that accessing or pilfering data from users' PCs would be easy with this feature enabled. Consequently, Microsoft announced that Recall would become an opt-in feature upon its launch. Microsoft President Brad Smith traveled to Washington, DC, to testify before the US House Committee on Homeland Security in response to these challenges. In an addendum to his written testimony on Wednesday, he mentioned that security will be a new core priority, alongside other areas, for its employees' bi-annual reviews with managers starting on July 1 in the 2025 fiscal year. READ ALSO: US Corporations Warned: Disgruntled Workers Tend to be "Human Assets" Chinese Spies Are Targeting A Modified Executive's Pay Program As Smith stated, for senior executives who regularly meet with CEO Satya Nadella, one-third of their bonuses' individual performance portion in the 2025 fiscal year will be linked to a review of their cybersecurity efforts by the board's compensation committee. He further noted that an undisclosed third party would furnish Nadella and the board committee with an independent assessment to aid the review process. These senior executives may observe cybersecurity-related effects reflected in their current fiscal year compensation. Smith noted that for the current fiscal year ending June 30, the Compensation Committee will assess each SLT member's cybersecurity performance as part of its annual evaluation of executives. Additionally, beyond the modifications made to the executive pay program to enhance cybersecurity accountability, the board retains the discretion to adjust compensation outcomes as deemed necessary. Last month, Charlie Bell, Microsoft's executive vice president for security, revealed that compensation for senior executives would partially hinge on the company's advancement in meeting cybersecurity objectives, though specifics were not disclosed. The hearing will commence on Thursday at 1:15 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on YouTube. RELATED ARTICLE: AI Saga Update: Elon Musk Drops Lawsuit Accusing OpenAI of Betraying Founding Mission 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2024), processed by ESA. CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO or ESA Standard Licence The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over a section of Italy's heel in the southern part of the boot-shaped peninsula. The area featured includes part of the Puglia region at the top, and part of Basilicata in the bottom left and is bound by the Adriatic Sea (top) and Ionian Sea (bottom). The light blue of the water, especially along the Adriatic, is caused by sediment being carried into the sea by rivers and then spread along the coast by currents. Various nature reserves can be seen as dark green strips along the western Ionian coast, with the largest being the Aleppo pine forest of the Stornara Nature Reserve. It takes its name from the many starlings that migrate there during winter. Many patches of agricultural fields can be seen throughout the image. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the region's food sector is one of the strongest aspects of the economy. Gray dots of different sizes across the image denote urban areas. Major cities visible on the Adriatic coast include Puglia's main city, Bari, in the top left, and the port city of Brindisi in the bottom right. Known as the "Florence of the South," the largest urban sprawl on the bottom right of the image is Lecce, renowned for its fascinating, historical Baroque-style buildings. Another important coastal city is Taranto on the Ionian coast. Within Basilicata, the city of Matera can be seen north of the San Giuliano Lake. Its elongated aqua-green water is visible in the left of the image. Famous for its cave-like houses cut into the rock, Matera also hosts an important space hub, including one of the ground stations for the reception and processing of Copernicus Sentinel data for ESA. On the Adriatic coast, halfway between Brindisi and Bari, lies Borgo Egnazia, currently hosting the G7 Summit. The informal forum brings together Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, UK and US, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and Commission representing the European Union, to discuss selected economic, financial and environmental topics. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Eggs of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that's wreaked havoc on crops across more than a dozen states, were recently discovered on a metal art installation that was headed to Sonoma County, one of California's most esteemed wine regions. The discovery of the infamous bug's eggs represents the first time the insect has been seen in California. The California Assn. of Winegrape Gowers, a statewide nonprofit, warns the invasive plant-hopper native to Asia has the potential to affect the entire winegrape industry in California, potentially pushing up prices if an infestation results in a smaller grape crop. "Spotted lanternflies have been found in 18 states and have proven to pose a serious threat to vineyards," Natalie Collins, president of the growers group, said. "These invasive insects feed on the sap of grapevines, while also leaving behind a sticky honeydew residue on the clusters and leaves." Impacts of the stress on the plant could range from reduced yieldsand fewer bottles of wine for consumersand, if severe and persistent enough, complete vine death and higher wine prices. No adult spotted lanterflies have been reported in the state, Collins said. California is responsible for an average of 81% of the total U.S. wine production each year, according to the Wine Institute. The association warned that if there are additional egg masses in California from other shipments that haven't been detected "they may produce adult [spotted lanternflies] in the coming weeks with peak populations expected in late summer or early fall." The California Department of Food and Agriculture last year developed an action plan to try to eradicate the pests if they were to enter the state. State officials have asked the public to look for egg masses outdoors. If a bug is found, they recommend grabbing it and placing it in a container where it can't escape, snapping a photo and reporting it to the CDFA Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899. The metal art installation on which the eggs were found was shipped to California in late March from New York, where the insects have been a persistent problem. After 11 viable egg masses were spotted at the Truckee Border Protection Station, the 30-foot-tall artwork was sent back to Nevada, where officials discovered an additional 30 egg masses. The art was power washed with detergent and then sent on its way again to Truckee, according to the association. By the time the installation reached Sonoma County on April 4, the owner agreed to allow officials to open up the hollow beams in the artwork to inspect it further. Inside, they found an additional three egg masses and searched until they were confident no other eggs were present. Spotted lanternflies were first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and quickly spread to nearby states, where they became a nuisance. In New York they proved to be such a problem that officials encouraged residents to kill them on sight. The pest has become so notorious that it made an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in a 2022 skit where one viewer applauded them for capturing "the unbelievable hubris of the lanternfly." While they feed on more than 100 different plant species, they have a particular affinity for grapevines and a tree known as the "tree of heaven." The adults, which have the ability to fly short distances, are typically 1 inch long. At rest, with its wings folded, the bug is a dull tan-gray color with black spots. During flight, its open wings feature a bright red, black and white pattern. The species is often described as a "hitchhiker," since its egg masses appear similar to cakes of mud and can easily be transported on tractor trailers and semi-trucks. During the first three immature stages of the bug's life cycle they appear to be black with white spots and later turn red and black with white spots. 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 A study by researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), published in Nature Sustainability, reaffirms the world's growing dependence on depleting groundwater systems. Although efforts to slow down groundwater depletion need to be urgently accelerated, the study indicates that such effortsin the absence of other accompanying measureswould likely lead to significant food security impacts. The study finds that ending groundwater depletion would lead to sharp declines in food production, especially of rice and wheat, in groundwater-dependent food production systems, pushing up international prices of rice by 7.4% and wheat by 6.7%. Higher food prices, in turn, would make food less affordable for the poor, increasing the number of people at risk of hunger by 24 million, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While growing groundwater use has benefited economic development and improved food security, it has also led to severe water depletion and ecosystem degradation, reduced freshwater access, and increased inequity. A quarter of the world's river basins are already overexploited, including key breadbasket areas in India, Pakistan, China, Iran, the US, and Egypt. Climate change is pushing more farmers to rely on groundwater as rain-fed farming is becoming less viable and surface flows are shrinking. Given the imperative to both conserve groundwater resources and improve food security, the study used IFPRI's International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) to simulate the impacts from ending groundwater overdraft as well as the likely effects of measures to counteract the negative food security impacts associated with halting groundwater depletion. Edwin Sutanudjaja, a co-author from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, affirms that most studies either focus on addressing water depletion or on improving food security and not on integrated water-food modeling, which is essential in today's water- and food-constrained world. He points out that "this is the first transdisciplinary study addressing both food security and groundwater depletion issues simultaneously." Nicostrato Perez, IFPRI's lead modeler on the study, notes that "no single intervention modeled could fully counteract the negative food security impacts from arresting groundwater depletion; however, investments in agricultural research and development would increase yields of water-constrained irrigated crops through better seed technologies and agronomic practices, potentially lowering global wheat prices by more than 3%." Vartika Singh, a co-author from IFPRI's New Delhi office, emphasizes the importance of increased support for more effectively managing variable rainfall in a climate-constrained world. She notes that "targeted interventions in support of conservation agriculture, mulching, and terracing in both irrigated and rainfed areas are particularly effective in conserving water and reducing price increases of maize, which is a largely rainfed crop." Karen Villholth, a co-author from Water Cycle Innovation, stresses the need to support smallholder farmers in Africa South of the Sahara to sustainably develop groundwater resources for irrigated agriculture, saying, "Groundwater in this region still holds great potential for securing food production, nutrition and livelihoods for millions of poor people under climate change, but we need to proactively address the risks of overexploitation of the resource." Claudia Ringler, Director of IFPRI's Natural Resources and Resilience Unit, summarizes, "These policy measures and investments are needed to sustain food production levels, particularly in groundwater-dependent regions like India and China, since arresting groundwater depletion otherwise would adversely impact food prices and agricultural production." She adds, "We have to act nowif we continue on the path to total groundwater depletion, permanently higher food prices will be difficult to avoid." The authors, who also include contributors from Zhejiang University, China, conclude that a transdisciplinary approach combining regulatory, financial, technological, and awareness measures across water and food systems is essential to achieve sustainable groundwater management while preventing increased food insecurity. More information: Perez, N. et al, The Implications of Ending Groundwater Overdraft for Global Food Security, Nature Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01376-w Journal information: Nature Sustainability Provided by International Food Policy Research Institute 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: Rodolfo Rodriguez is the first author of the research paper and a former graduate student at UC Riverside. The study aims at enabling novel terahertz technology. Credit: Barsukov lab, UC Riverside. An international team led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has made a significant breakthrough in how to enable and exploit ultra-fast spin behavior in ferromagnets. The research, "Spin inertia and auto-oscillations in ferromagnets," is published in Physical Review Letters and highlighted as an editors' suggestion, paves the way for ultra-high frequency applications. Today's smartphones and computers operate at gigahertz frequencies, a measure of how fast they operate, with scientists working to make them even faster. The new research has found a way to achieve terahertz frequencies using conventional ferromagnets, which could lead to next-generation communication and computation technologies that operate a thousand times faster. Ferromagnets are materials where electron spins align in the same direction, but these spins also oscillate around this direction, creating "spin waves." These spin waves are crucial for emerging computer technologies, playing a key role in processing information and signals. "When spins oscillate, they experience friction due to interactions with electrons and the crystal lattice of the ferromagnet," said Igor Barsukov, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, who led the study. "Interestingly, these interactions also cause spins to acquire inertia, leading to an additional type of spin oscillation called nutation." Barsukov explained that nutation occurs at ultra-high frequencies, making it highly desirable for future computer and communication technologies. Recently, physicists' experimental confirmation of nutational oscillations excited the magnetism research community, he said. "Modern spintronic applications manipulate spins using spin currents injected into the magnet," said Rodolfo Rodriguez, the first author of the paper, a former graduate student in the Barsukov Group, and now a scientist at HRL Labs, LLC. Barsukov and his team discovered that injecting a spin current with the "wrong" sign can excite nutational auto-oscillations. "These self-sustained oscillations hold great promise for next-generation computation and communication technologies," said co-author Allison Tossounian, until recently an undergraduate student in the Barsukov Group. According to Barsukov, spin inertia introduces a second time-derivative in the equation of motion, making some phenomena counterintuitive. "We managed to harmonize spin-current-driven dynamics and spin inertia," he said. "We also found an isomorphism, a parallel, between the spin dynamics in ferromagnets and ferrimagnets, which could accelerate technological innovation by exploiting synergies between these fields." In ferrimagnets, usually two antiparallel spin lattices have an unequal amount of spin. Materials with antiparallel spin lattices recently received increased interest as candidates for ultrafast applications, Barsukov said. "But many technological challenges remain," he said. "Our understanding of spin currents and materials engineering for ferromagnets has significantly advanced over the past few decades. Coupled with the recent confirmation of nutation, we saw an opportunity for ferromagnets to become excellent candidates for ultra-high frequency applications. Our study prepares the stage for concerted efforts to explore optimal materials and design efficient architectures to enable terahertz devices." More information: Rodolfo Rodriguez et al, Spin Inertia and Auto-Oscillations in Ferromagnets, Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.246701 Journal information: Physical Review 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: Credit: Minnesota Zoo University of Minnesota researchers have successfully mapped the complete genome of the endangered Przewalski's horse. Once extinct in the wild, the species now has a population of around 2,000 animals thanks to conservation efforts. The study, published in the journal G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, was led by Nicole Flack and Lauren Hughes, researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine, along with Christopher Faulk, a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. U of M students contributed to the genome sequencing through Faulk's animal science course. "The genome is the basic blueprint for an animal and tells us what makes a species unique and also tells us about the health of a population," said Faulk. "My students worked together to produce the highest quality Przewalski's horse genome in the world." Researchers can now use this as a tool to make accurate predictions about what gene mutations mean for Przewalski's horse health and conservation. "Studying genes without a good reference is like doing a 3-billion-piece puzzle without the picture on the box," said Flack. "Przewalski's horse researchers studying mutations in an important gene need a good reference picture to compare their puzzle with." Researchers used a blood sample from Varuschka, a 10-year-old Przewalski's mare at the Minnesota Zoo, to construct a representative map of genes for the species. The Zoo has long been active in Przewalski's horse breeding and management, with over 50 foals born since the 1970s. "We were excited to partner with the University of Minnesota to preserve the genetic health of the species as their populations continue to recover, both in zoos and in the wild," said Anne Rivas, doctor of veterinary medicine at the Minnesota Zoo. "We are thrilled to offer our community the opportunity to see the horse as the results of our conservation efforts." The cutting-edge sequencing technology used to construct the genome uses a small machine about the size of a soda can. Its portability means this method could be adapted for further study of wild Przewalski's horses in remote locations. Future applications of the reference genome may include studying genes that help the horse adapt to environmental changes, identifying mutations associated with specific traits or diseases, and informing future breeding decisions to help improve upon genetic diversity. Given the extreme population bottleneck that occurred during the near-extinction of Przewalski's horse, such understanding is crucial for continued breeding efforts. More information: Nicole Flack et al, The genome of Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkae113 Journal information: G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics 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: RS Puppis, one of the most luminous Cepheid variable stars, rhythmically brightens and dims over a six-week cycle. Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)-Hubble/Europe Collaboration. hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2013/51/3263-Image.html "Classical Cepheids" are a type of pulsating star that rhythmically brighten and dim over time. These pulsations help astronomers measure vast distances across space, which makes Cepheids crucial "standard candles" that help us understand the size and scale of our universe. Despite their importance, studying Cepheids is challenging. Their pulsations and potential interactions with companion stars create complex patterns that are difficult to measure accurately. Different instruments and methods used over the years have led to inconsistent data, complicating our understanding of these stars. "Tracing Cepheid pulsations with high-definition velocimetry gives us insights into the structure of these stars and how they evolve," says Richard I. Anderson, an astrophysicist at EPFL. "In particular, measurements of the speed at which the stars expand and contract along the line of sightso-called radial velocitiesprovide a crucial counterpart to precise brightness measurements from space. However, there has been an urgent need for high-quality radial velocities because they are expensive to collect and because few instruments are capable of collecting them." The VELOCE Project Anderson has now led a team of scientists to do exactly that with the VELOcities of CEpheids (VELOCE) project, a large collaboration that over 12 years has collected more than 18,000 high-precision measurements of 258 Cepheid radial velocities using advanced spectrographs between 2010 and 2022. Their research is published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. "This dataset will serve as an anchor to link Cepheid observations from different telescopes across time and hopefully inspire further study by the community," says Anderson. VELOCE is the fruit of a collaboration among EPFL, the University of Geneva, and KU Leuven. It is based on observations from the Swiss Euler telescope in Chile and the Flemish Mercator telescope on La Palma. Anderson began the VELOCE project during his Ph.D. at the University of Geneva, continued it as a postdoc in the US and Germany, and has now completed it at EPFL. Anderson's Ph.D. student, Giordano Viviani, was instrumental in making the VELOCE data release possible. Unraveling Cepheid mysteries with cutting-edge precision "The wonderful precision and long-term stability of the measurements have enabled interesting new insights into how Cepheids pulsate," says Viviani. "The pulsations lead to changes in the line-of-sight velocity of up to 70 km/s, or about 250,000 km/h. We have measured these variations with a typical precision of 130 km/h (37 m/s), and in some cases as good as 7 km/h (2 m/s), which is roughly the speed of a fast walking human." To get such precise measurements, the VELOCE researchers used two high-resolution spectrographs, which separate and measure wavelengths in electromagnetic radiation: HERMES in the northern hemisphere and CORALIE in the southern hemisphere. Outside of VELOCE, CORALIE is famous for finding exoplanets and HERMES is a workhorse of stellar astrophysics. The two spectrographs detected tiny shifts in the Cepheids' light, indicating their movements. The researchers used advanced techniques to ensure their measurements were stable and accurate, correcting for any instrumental drifts and atmospheric changes. "We measure radial velocities using the Doppler effect," explains Anderson. "That's the same effect that the police use to measure your speed, and also the effect you know from the change in tone when an ambulance approaches or recedes from you." VELOCE observations trace the expansion and contraction of Cepheid stars with unprecedented precision. On the left: observed spectra of the Cepheid archetype Delta Cephei as they change in wavelength due to the pulsations. On the right: the radial velocity curve measured by VELOCE, with the star's variable size shown (not to scale) using star-shaped symbols. Credit: R.I. Anderson (EPFL) The strange dance of Cepheids The VELOCE project uncovered several fascinating details about Cepheid stars. For example, VELOCE data provide the most detailed look yet at the Hertzsprung progressiona pattern in the stars' pulsationsshowing double-peaked bumps that were not previously known and will provide clues to better understanding the structure of Cepheids when compared to theoretical models of pulsating stars. The team found that several Cepheids exhibit complex, modulated variability in their movements. This means that the stars' radial velocities change in ways that cannot be explained by simple, regular pulsation patterns. In other words, while we would expect Cepheids to pulsate with a predictable rhythm, the VELOCE data reveal additional, unexpected variations in these movements. These variations are not consistent with theoretical pulsation models traditionally used to describe Cepheids. "This suggests that there are more intricate processes occurring within these stars, such as interactions between different layers of the star, or additional (non-radial) pulsation signals that may present an opportunity to determine the structure of Cepheid stars by asteroseismology," says Anderson's postdoc Henryka Netzel. First detections of such signals based on VELOCE are reported in a companion paper (Netzel et al., in press). Binary systems The study also identified 77 Cepheid stars that are part of binary systems (two stars orbiting each other) and found 14 more candidates. A companion paper led by Anderson's former postdoc, Shreeya Shetye, describes these systems in detail, adding to our understanding of how these stars evolve and interact with each other. "We see that about one in three Cepheids has an unseen companion whose presence we can determine by the Doppler effect," says Shetye. "Understanding the nature and physics of Cepheids is important because they tell us about how stars evolve in general, and because we rely on them for determining distances and the expansion rate of the universe," says Anderson. "Additionally, VELOCE provides the best available cross-checks for similar but less precise measurements from the ESA mission Gaia, which will eventually conduct the largest survey of Cepheid radial velocity measurements." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A seabed habitat on the ocean floor off the coast of Nova Scotia seen on the third dive of the NOAA Deep Connections 2019 expedition. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research Protecting and effectively managing oceans and seabeds is crucial in the fight against climate change. Oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat from global warming and at least 25% of global carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. They also store vast amounts of carbon, locking it away from the atmosphere for hundreds to even thousands of years. Coastal habitats such as mangroves, seagrass beds, saltmarshes and kelp forests have gained significant attention as natural climate solutions. In comparison, the sediments that line the seafloor have been generally ignored, even though they have been estimated to hold carbon stores considerably larger than that of trees and soils on land. A major contributing factor has been the lack of reliable, high-resolution maps of the seabed's carbon store. We are part of a group of scientists who set out to address that problem, and our recent study details the creation of the first high-resolution maps of carbon in Canada's seabed sediments. These maps provide the first steps towards including climate change considerations in Canada's seabed conservation. Nature as a buffer Earth's climate has already changed on an unprecedented scale and in the next five years, the world's human population will likely have overshot the level of emissions that would limit global warming to 1.5 C. The most significant action to prevent the worst effects of climate breakdown is to considerably reduce the burning of fossil fuels. But, due to the scale of the problem, every tool will be necessary. Natural ecosystems act as a major buffer against climate change. Of all the carbon dioxide pumped into our atmosphere, around 60% is absorbed by our lands and oceans. Damage to these ecosystems from human activities is, however, limiting their effectiveness, with 10 to 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions originating from habitat degradation. Forests and wetlands are often targeted for protection and restoration to help in the fight against climate change because they hold large amounts of carbon within their trees and soils. The important role that seabed sediments play in the ocean's carbon cycle has been recognized for many years, but their ability to exacerbate or mitigate human-caused climate change has only more recently been considered. Mapping seabed carbon One of the first steps towards incorporating climate change mitigation in seabed management is to quantify and map this major carbon store. Photo of muddy mixed sediment in Halls Bay, Newfoundland in 1990. Credit: Natural Resources Canada In our new study, we compiled the best available data on the composition of seabed sediments across Canada and combined this with a wide range of environmental data within a machine learning predictive mapping process to create the first national map of organic carbon stocks in seabed sediments. The resulting high resolution seabed carbon map covers 4.5 million square kilometers, which is nearly 80% of Canada's total marine area, or 90% of the seafloor area above 2,500 meters. In total, the amount of carbon estimated to exist within the top 30 centimeters of seabed sediments across Canada is 10.9 billion tons. This is equivalent to approximately 100 times that of all Canadian seagrass beds and saltmarshes combined, and around 60% of the carbon contained in the trees of all the forests in Canada. Canada's carbon-rich seafloor There is considerable variation in the amount of carbon stored in different parts of Canada's seabed. On the west coast in British Columbia, the muddy sediments at the bottom of fjords and inlets were estimated to contain particularly high levels of carbon, along with parts of the enclosed Salish Sea. This was contrasted by very low carbon in shallower areas offshore, where strong waves and currents frequently stir up the sediment leaving little carbon to accumulate. On Canada's east coast, enclosed inlets and bays also contained the highest amount of carbon. However, a significant amount was also predicted to occur in the deep channels of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In comparison, the Arctic seafloor generally contained lower levels of carbon, but relatively high carbon was predicted in sediments close to the Arctic coasts and in the northern parts of Baffin Bay near Greenland. Future developments There is increasing evidence that human activities are impacting seabed sediment carbon stocks. For example, a recent study estimated that global fishing activities using bottom trawls and dredges disturb huge amounts of seabed sediments and may cause a considerable amount of the carbon to be emitted as CO 2 . Although there is significant uncertainty in the scale of these estimates, the maps produced here may provide opportunities to better research appropriate management strategies to limit the potential loss of carbon due to disturbance of the seafloor in Canada. Habitats such as seagrass beds, saltmarshes and kelp forests are already included in Canada's marine conserved areas in the hope that by providing them protection, their carbon storage capacity will be maintained or enhanced. One option would be to include carbon-rich seafloor sediments within Canada's expanding marine conservation network for similar precautionary carbon protection. This would be a sensible low-risk strategy. There may also be the potential to manage or modify human activities that disturb carbon-rich seabed areas. Using this map to gain an understanding of where these interactions occur could allow better targeting of research and management actions. Overall, seabed sediments are one of the world's largest carbon stores. It is important to consider how to best manage them as part of our toolbox for slowing down runaway climate change. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain It's like an unspoken social contract. When people choose to live in South Florida, they must make peace with the possibility that, thanks to hurricanes, there will be flooding and they may incur thousands of dollars to fix their homes post storm. But that's supposed to be during a major storm with a namelike Irma, Ian or Andrewnot any given day during heavy rains as it happened June 12 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Flooding was so intense that part of Interstate 95 was shut down in Broward as water pooled on the highway. Roads were rendered impassible in places like Hollywood and Miami Beach. A rare flash flood emergency was issued. Last Aprileven before the 2023 hurricane season startedhistoric flooding in Fort Lauderdale caught residents and officials by surprise. The city had to use airboats to rescue people from their homes and, on the following day, abandoned cars caught in the water lined the streets of the city's downtown. When we hear about the threat of flooding and sea-level rise caused by climate change, that may appear like a distant future. It's not and this week's torrential rainfall proves South Florida is not fully ready for increased water levels despite local governments and the state having spent millions of dollars to keep streets dry. Anyone driving in Downtown Miami on a rainy day can see how quickly streets flood. This is a new reality. With hurricanes, residents have time to prepare. This week, many were caught off guard. Although flood warnings had been in place for days in parts of the region, weather forecasters alerted us too late about the worst outcomes of the storm. In the future, they may have to develop new types of warnings to convey the severity of what's to come. The pace of sea-level rise has picked up in recent years. The financial consequences are enormous for local governments as well as residents as the cost to insure homes and vehicles rise. Local sea level has risen about a foot in the last 80 years, with 8 inches of that total in the last 30 years, the Herald reported in May. The second foot will take only 30 years; the next foot, 20 years, according to estimates by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The average elevation in Miami is only 3 feet. Besides the impacts of climate change, warmer ocean waters and the melting of ice sheets, the Florida Currentan offshoot of the Gulf Stream, a massive current that runs from the tropics to the Arcticcan also impact water levels in Miami, the Herald reported. And parts of the region's land is sinking, though not by much, in a process known as subsidence. The real answer to South Florida's predicament is to slow down the burning of fossil fuels that cause climate change, according to a consensus by most scientists. The scientific community has warned that the Earth's temperature is rising to dangerous levels. Beyond tackling climate change on a global scale, our local and state officials will have to pick up the pace in preparing South Florida for the worst. In the city of Miami, for example, voters approved a 2018 bond referendum to finance sea-level rise mitigation but a constant complaint is that projects aren't coming online quickly enough. Florida has taken unprecedented steps to allocate dollars to help communities fund such projects. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a resilience officer to prepare Florida for the environmental and economic impacts of rising sea waters. Yet, this year, DeSantis signed a bill that lowered the standards for sea-rise projects eligible for state funding. He also signed another bill that removes references to "climate change" from Florida law. Public works projects can take years to come to fruition. This week showed that residents and businesses have to be mentally and physically prepared for flooding that we once thought we could anticipate as we tracked hurricane spaghetti models. A Miami underwater is becoming a reality we'll have to accept. 2024 Miami Herald. 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: The four-state study area is shown with the spatial distribution of survey respondents. Pennsylvania landowners were unique, the researchers reported, in that they placed the highest economic value on prescribed fire. Credit: Penn State, Creative Commons Fire can help shape ecosystems, and after a century of suppressing naturally occurring fire that has thrown forests out balance, some statesincluding Pennsylvaniaare using controlled burns to help manage forests on public lands. Now, a new four-state study by a team of Penn State researchers shows that many private landowners in the Keystone State value controlled burns and are willing to pay for them on their woodlands, too. In findings published in Fire Ecology, the researchers reported that many private forest landowners have limited knowledge and experience with burning overall, but many also perceive fire as a low-risk tool and are trusting of professionals who oversee controlled burns. Of the 482 forest landowners who completed the researchers' survey, nearly two thirds expressed interest in a variety of prescribed fire programs to help achieve management outcomes, including protecting forest health, controlling invasive species and improving wildlife habitat. "However, Pennsylvania private forest landowners indicated that they are willing to pay more to use prescribed fire on their properties than those in the other states we surveyed," said team leader Melissa Kreye, assistant professor of forest resources management in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "Pennsylvania landowners were unique within our study area in that they placed the highest economic value on prescribed fire, despite having limited knowledge and experience." Their interest is not surprising because the science is clear, according to the Nature Conservancy. Controlled burns are a proven way to restore forests. By managing the natural process of fire on the landscape instead of preventing it, landowners can improve habitats for native plants and animals and reduce the risk of out-of-control wildfires. In 2009, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Prescribed Burning Practices Act, which recognizes the value of prescribed burning and protects those who implement prescribed fire when following certain standards. Since then, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have expanded their use of prescribed fire as a management tool. Despite its widely known benefits, prescribed fire is rarely used on private lands in Pennsylvania. Out of the 14,093 acres burned in 2019, only 340 acres were on private lands. This discrepancy is surprising when considering that 70% of the almost 17 million acres of forests in Pennsylvania are privately owned, noted the study's first author Arun Regmi, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. In a separate article that introduces private landowners in Pennsylvania to the benefits of prescribed fire"Prescribed Fire: Does It Have a Place on My Land?"Regmi offered a rundown of state laws about prescribed fire, the cost of burning and some of the risks and rewards associated with prescribed fire. In the study, the researchers surveyed private forest landowners in four states: Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The survey contained 68 questions and consisted of four sections: questions about land ownership and management objectives; questions to measure knowledge, perceived risk and trust; questions about desired controlled fire treatments and scenarios; and landowner demographic questions. Based on interviews they conducted with prescribed burn service providers, the researchers reported that the price of controlled burning can be highly variable across and within states. Prices ranged from $20 to $400 an acre and depended on various factors such as burn acreage and resource availability. These values informed the prices included in the study and presented to private landowners. Lower burning costs played a major role in private landowners' desire to try prescribed fire, Kreye pointed out; however, considerations such as coordination with state agencies, cost-share assistance and access to consultants also positively influenced their views. Spatial analysis of survey responses revealed a north-south gradient in landowner opinions about controlled burning across the Mid-Atlantic Region, Kreye said, with opinions about the practice more positive in Virginia, the southern-most state in the study. That outcome results from the varied histories of prescribed fire use and laws in the surveyed states, she suggested. "In Virginia, controlled burning by private landowners as a forest management tool is already well established and has been occurring for 100 years, and they have qualified professionals in place to accommodate the practice," she said. "In New York, where controlled burning has not been part of the culture, the desire seems to be lacking to use fire on private lands, and the state's laws are not supportive." In Pennsylvania, it's a different story, Kreye explained, likely due to the increased use of prescribed fire by the state's Game Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Department of Forestry on public lands in the last decade. And those agencies have widely extolled the ecological benefits of controlled fire on the landscape, Kreye said. That publicity has influenced private forest landowners, Kreye said, and is likely responsible for changing land manager and landowner views about the benefits of prescribed fire. "Pennsylvania is transitioning away from a fire-exclusion state to one that wants to live with fire, largely driven by a change in cultural values related to the benefits of prescribed fire," she said. "But for real change to occur, a workforce and economic base is needed to support controlled burning. Right now, that is insufficient. But the good news is that a public-private organization called the Pennsylvania Prescribed Fire Council has recently launched a training program for people to become certified to burn on private lands." More information: Arun Regmi et al, Forest landowner values and perspectives of prescribed fire in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Fire Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s42408-024-00258-y 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: Experimenting with entanglement: The inside of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Rochester physicists working at the detector have observed spin entanglement between top quarks and top antiquarks persisting at long distances and high speeds. Credit: Maximilien Brice, CERN An experiment by a group of physicists led by University of Rochester physics professor Regina Demina has produced a significant result related to quantum entanglementan effect that Albert Einstein called "spooky action at a distance." Entanglement concerns the coordinated behavior of miniscule particles that have interacted but then moved apart. Measuring propertieslike position or momentum or spinof one of the separated pair of particles instantaneously changes the results of the other particle, no matter how far the second particle has drifted from its twin. In effect, the state of one entangled particle, or qubit, is inseparable from the other. Quantum entanglement has been observed between stable particles, such as photons or electrons. But Demina and her group broke new ground in that they found, for the first time, entanglement to persist between unstable top quarks and their antimatter partners at distances farther than what can be covered by information transferred at the speed of light. Specifically, the researchers observed spin correlation between the particles. Hence, the particles demonstrated what Einstein described as "spooky action at a distance." A 'new avenue' for quantum exploration The finding was reported by the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Collaboration at the European Center for Nuclear Research, or CERN, where the experiment was conducted. "Confirming the quantum entanglement between the heaviest fundamental particles, the top quarks, has opened up a new avenue to explore the quantum nature of our world at energies far beyond what is accessible," the report read. CERN, located near Geneva, Switzerland, is the world's largest particle physics laboratory. Production of top quarks requires very high energies accessible at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which enables scientists to send high-energy particles spinning around a 17-mile underground track at close to the speed of light. The phenomenon of entanglement has become the foundation of a burgeoning field of quantum information science that has broad implications in areas like cryptography and quantum computing. Top quarks, each as heavy as an atom of gold, can only be produced at colliders, such as LHC, and thus are unlikely to be used to build a quantum computer. But studies like those conducted by Demina and her group can shed light on how long entanglement persists, whether it is passed on to the particles' "daughters" or decay products, and what, if anything, ultimately breaks the entanglement. Theorists believe that the universe was in an entangled state after its initial fast expansion stage. The new result observed by Demina and her researchers could help scientists understand what led to the loss of the quantum connection in our world. Top quarks in quantum long-distance relationships Demina recorded a video for CMS social media channels to explain her group's result. She used the analogy of an indecisive king of a distant land, whom she called "King Top." King Top gets word that his country is being invaded, so he sends messengers to tell all the people of his land to prepare to defend. But then, Demina explains in the video, he changes his mind and sends messengers to order the people to stand down. "He keeps flip flopping like this, and nobody knows what his decision will be at the next moment," Demina says. Nobody, Demina goes on to explain, except the leader of one village in this kingdom who is known as "Anti-Top." "They know each other's state of mind at any moment in time," Demina says. Demina's research group consists of herself and graduate student Alan Herrera and postdoctoral fellow Otto Hindrichs. As a graduate student, Demina was on the team that discovered the top quark in 1995. Later, as a faculty member at Rochester, Demina co-led a team of scientists from across the US that built a tracking device that played a key role in the 2012 discovery of the Higgs bosonan elementary particle that helps explains the origin of mass in the universe. Rochester researchers have a long history at CERN as part of the CMS Collaboration, which brings together physicists from around the globe. Recently, another Rochester team achieved a significant milestone in measuring the electroweak mixing angle, a crucial component of the Standard Model of Particle Physics, which explains how the building blocks of matter interact. More information: CMS Physics Analysis Summary: cms-results.web.cern.ch/cms-re OP-23-007/index.html (Photo : Unsplash/BezeVision) Tyson Foods announced John R. Tyson's suspension on Thursday following the Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Arkansas and appointed Curt Calaway as the company's temporary Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Tyson Foods' Controversial Heir: John R. Tyson Tyson is the 34-year-old son of chairman John H. Tyson and the great-grandson of John W. Tyson, the company's founder, who entered the company with his background in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital that garnered Wall Street's attention in 2019. READ MORE: BP Executive's Husband Eavesdropping While Working Remotely, Found Guilty for $1.8 Million Insider Trading Second Arrest: Three Charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Tyson faces three charges of driving while intoxicated, an improper turn or U-turn, and careless driving, the Washington County Detention Center reported. The University of Arkansas Police Department arrested Tyson, who was subsequently booked into the Washington County Detention Center at 1:32 a.m. on Thursday and was also released nine hours later after posting a bond amounting to $1,105. First Arrest: Criminal Trespass and Public Intoxication It was not the first controversy over the CFO's involvement with drunk driving. Tyson also pleaded guilty in November 2022 to criminal trespass and public intoxication after a Fayetteville woman reported him asleep in her bed, just two months after assuming the CFO role at the meat giant. Tyson was arrested shortly after 2 a.m. on November 7 and charged with criminal trespass and public intoxication. A week later, he issued a public apology to the homeowner and investors for the incident during the company's earnings call. A judge later mandated him to pay a $150 fine for each charge and court costs amounting to $440. According to a preliminary report, police responded to 445 N. Mock Ave. in Fayetteville at 1:48 a.m. on November 7 following a burglary report from a woman who informed the police that she discovered an unfamiliar man asleep in her bed upon returning home. The woman, who remains unidentified, indicated to the police that she believed the front door had been left unlocked. Police officers were granted permission to enter the home, where Tyson was discovered asleep in a back bedroom on the first floor. Tyson's clothing was found on the bedroom floor, and the officer identified him from his Arkansas driver's license. According to the report, Tyson just sat up and did not verbally respond when an officer tried to wake him up; instead, he laid back down and attempted to return to sleep. The officer also noted an odor of alcohol emanating from Tyson and observed that his movements were sluggish and uncoordinated. Tyson was immediately arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he was later released after posting a $415 bond. Tyson Foods' headquarters is in Springdale, Arkansas. John R. Tyson was appointed chief financial officer in September. RELATED ARTICLE: Lululemon's "One-Man Crime Spree" Identified, Faces Multiple Charges Related to Black Market Scheme 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: As sea level rates increase, natural islands respond by migrating landward. Here, overwash breaches a dune located on Virginias Eastern Shore. Credit: Julie Zinnert Barrier islands dot the landscape along Virginia's Eastern Shore, protecting the coastline from direct impacts of storms and sea-level rise. Made of sand, they are created and changed by environmental factors. But with climate change and human development, these natural processes can be disrupted. Virginia Commonwealth University professor Julie Zinnert has explored how dune dynamics can affect ecosystems on adjacent interior islands. Her recent article in the journal Nature was co-authored with Alexander Sabo, who earned his master's in biology from VCU; Max Castorani, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia; and Michael Cornish, a graduate research fellow at UVA. "Our goal was to show how different parts of the landscape are connected," said Zinnert, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. During their research, Zinnert and her colleagues studied Hog and Metompkin, two islands on the Eastern Shore that are within the Virginia Coast Reserve and have been primarily uninhabited for generations. To understand the effects of dune dynamics, they looked at vegetation cover, sediment accretion and ease of sediment and water movement. Zinnert spoke with VCU News about the importance of barrier islands and dunesand why some have seen more disturbance than others. Julie Zinnert, Ph.D., plants dune grasses, a natural dune protectant. Credit: Julie Zinnert In the big picture, what should we know about barrier islandsin terms of their role and the threats they face? Here is a great recent publication by my lab on barrier islands and climate change. It is meant for children, but I have heard from many adults that it is a great resource for adults, too. To put it simply, barrier islands are composed of sands that are constantly moving in response to the environment (winds, waves, tides). They occur along sandy and shallow sloped coastlines, and they buffer landward areas from damaging effects of storms. When sea level rates increase, natural islands respond by migrating landward. These islands are also highly developed along much of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in the U.S. When islands become developed, they cannot naturally respond to storms and sea-level rise by movingthey are physically fixed in space by human development, which makes them more vulnerable to disturbance. The area where we conducted our studythe Virginia barrier islandsis unique, as these islands are largely undeveloped and are allowed to respond naturally to the changing environment. It allows us to study how these islands naturally respond to climate change drivers. This can be useful for informing how managed landscapes may change in the future. What are your study's major findings? Dunes are important for determining how easily habitats landward of the dunes are disturbed from high water events such as sea-level rise, storms or high winds. These landward habitats show evidence of higher disturbancehigher soil salinity, lower soil carbon, less vegetationwhen dune elevations were low compared with dunes with higher elevation. Sediment availability provides a control on dune building (i.e., sediment accretion). We found that bitter panic grass (Panicum amarum), a common dune-building species that has expanded abundance over the last decade, accretes less sediment than the other dune-building grasses in our region, such as American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) and salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens). This species has likely increased abundance due to warming climate in the region. What comes next? I work with people who model climate scenarios for barrier island change. These results are used in parameterizing modelsfor determining how the landscapes may evolve in the futureto predict how much carbon is stored in these islands and how that may change under different climate scenarios. I am also [working] on a couple of proposals (in preparation or in review) that aim to evaluate these future conditions along the mid-Atlantic coastline (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina) and Gulf coasts. More information: Alexander B. Sabo et al, Drivers of dune formation control ecosystem function and response to disturbance in a barrier island system, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61741-9 Journal information: Scientific Reports , Nature This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A rare rock sample, containing natural cubic zirconia, from West Clearwater Lake. Credit: Jeff Renaud For more than a decade, Western University planetary geologist Gordon "Oz" Osinski has led expeditions to Kamestastin Lake in Labrador. The environment is a perfect training ground because the properties and rock formationscreated by the violent impact (and extreme heat) of an asteroid 36 million years agouniquely mimic the surface on the moon. Osinski, Neeraja Chinchalkar, the research technician at Western's Earth and Planetary Materials Analysis (EPMA) Laboratory, and their collaborators have now discovered new evidence that another meteorite impact once caused equally extreme (and respectively rare) high temperatures, exceeding 2,370C (4,172F), at another remote impact structure in northern Quebec. For the study, published by the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Chinchalkar analyzed glass from rock samples originally collected by Osinski in 2014 at the West Clearwater Lake impact structure in Quebec using an electron microprobe and scanning electron microscope. The analysis found evidence of natural cubic zirconia, a mineral which requires a temperature of at least 2,370C to form. To put this into perspective, lava flows from volcanoes on Earth range from about 800C to a maximum of around 1,200C. "We looked at the structures present within zircon grains to reconstruct a meteorite impact event from millions of years ago. We found evidence that the target rocks reached extremely high temperatures, which, combined with high pressure conditions, melted and transformed these Earth rocks. It left behind unique space-modified samples that can be studied for years to come and will only further our understanding of the cosmos," said Chinchalkar. Field photographs of sample locations. A: Sample 1 was collected from the glassy dike within the melt bearing breccia; B: Closeup of glassy dike; C: Outcrop of impact melt rock with a large clast of country rock. White square shows the location of (D). D: Closeup of area marked by the square in C; sample 2 was collected from the chilled, glassy margin. Pen in the bottom left for scale. Credit: Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118714 While previous research has suggested that material melted by meteor collisions can reach such extreme temperatures, direct evidence on Earth has been scarce. In fact, until this new study, such evidence was only found from one meteorite crater: the Kamestastin Lake impact structure. "Kamestastin Lake contains some of the best-preserved impact melt rocks on Earth, which are some of the highest priority samples that future astronauts to the moon want to find and sample," said Osinski, an Earth sciences professor. "Now that we have found evidence of these incredible impact melt rocks at West Clearwater Lake, we have a new destination on Earth to bring astronauts, students and geologists, like me, to train and study." The West Clearwater Lake rock sample investigation also revealed evidence of reidite, a mineral that forms under extreme pressure exceeding 20 gigapascals, a measurement of the physical force exerted on an object. "This discovery underscores the variable and dynamic conditions that occur during the process of melt generation caused by meteorite impacts on Earth and beyond," said Chinchalkar. Reidite has previously only ever been found at 10 meteorite impact structures on Earth, including Haughton, Nunavut and Steen River, Alberta. More information: Neeraja S. Chinchalkar et al, Zircon microstructures record high temperature and pressure conditions during impact melt evolution at the West Clearwater Lake impact structure, Canada, Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118714 Journal information: Earth and Planetary Science 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: Coral reef at the NSF Long-Term Ecological Research site in Moorea, French Polynesia, in January, 2024. Credit: Peter Edmunds/California State University Northridge The French Polynesian island Moorea is the most beautiful isle in the world, some say. Its lagoons are surrounded by reefs dominated by Porites corals. These corals and other calcifying marine species are the world's primary reef-builders. Therein lies the trouble. The seas in which they dwell are turning acidic, a result of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Marine life that depends on calcium carbonate struggles to form shells or, in the case of coral reefs, skeletons. Porites reefs, say scientists Peter Edmunds and Robert Carpenter of California State University at Northridge, are among the most sensitive of all corals. Edmunds, Carpenter and Steve Doo of the University of Hawaii published results in the journal Limnology and Oceanography revealing the consequences of ocean acidification. The reefs may not be able to grow and reproduce. Edmunds and Carpenter are two of the lead scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation-supported Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site. "Unless measures are taken to slow the process of acidification, we are likely to lose these important reefs within a few generations," says Daniel Thornhill, a program director in the NSF Division of Ocean Sciences. "Our experiments provide little optimism that coral reefs can somehow 'adjust,'" adds Edmunds. If the trend continues, trouble is dead ahead for coral reefs in Moorea and around the globe. More information: Peter J. Edmunds et al, Effects of yearlong exposure to elevated pCO2 on the metabolism of back reef and fore reef communities, Limnology and Oceanography (2024). DOI: 10.1002/lno.12504 Journal information: Limnology and Oceanography This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's 77th annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.9 million birds, down from 3.4 million last year. The 2024 breeding duck index was the 30th highest on record and stands at 17% above the long-term (19482023) average, according to Mike Szymanski, migratory game bird supervisor for Game and Fish in Bismarck. "By and large, all species were flat to down. Mallards, for instance, were down about 19%, pintails were down about 29% and blue-winged teal down roughly 13%," he said. "These species being down from last year is one thing, but when you compare it back to what we consider to be one of our best periods for breeding ducks in North Dakota (19942016), we're down a lot more than that. So, overall, mallards, pintails, blue-winged teal, gadwall, wigeon and northern shovelers are down anywhere from 24% to 49% from that 1994 to 2016 time period." Szymanski said the decline in breeding duck numbers has a lot to do with the loss of land enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program and perennial grasses on the landscape used for nesting cover by ducks. "While our overall duck population count this year was about 2.9 million birds, that hardly compares to 5.4 million in 2002, our record-high," he said. "So, we're down considerably and were getting into this realm of a lower average where we probably won't be above 3 million breeding ducks very often based on our landscape conditions." As always, spring was interesting, as Szymanski and crew run more than 1,800 miles of transects counting wetlands and waterfowl down to the species and social grouping on both sides of the road. This spring, the wetland count was the 32nd highest out of 77 years. "Coming out of winter, we were certainly quite dry after having a mostly open winter across the state, but it rained a fair bit in the 30 days leading up to our survey, so that kept it from being really dry," Szymanski said. "At the time of our survey, wetland conditions were considered 'fair." We had a lot of new water on the landscape during the survey that really wasn't there when ducks were moving through." On the bright side, Szymanski said, rains in later May and into June will be a boon for renesting opportunities and nesting probability in general for ducks. "There should be a pretty good nesting effort by ducks this year in what upland nesting habitat is available," he said. "Wetlands are in much better shape now, and there should be a really good renesting effort for those birds that had nests destroyed by predators." Szymanski cautions waterfowl hunters about reading too much into survey numbers just yet. He said that while the mid-continent duck populations aren't what they once were, more will be known once the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases its survey results sometime in late August. "It can be really hard to predict what our fall hunting is going to be like from what we see in the May survey," he said. "But throughout summer, we'll have our July duck brood survey, and we'll have a fall wetland survey in September to kind of give last looks at what production was like in the state, and then also what wetland conditions are like leading into the hunting season. It's always important to check back and see what our surveys are showing us that we do throughout the year." 2024 the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.). 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: Titipounamu at nest. Photo by Kristal Cain. Credit: Kristal Cain Parrots, songbirds, and hummingbirds can learn to make new sounds. No-one knew, but New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman or titipounamu, may have a rudimentary version of the same talent. University of Auckland research into the bird is part of a rethinking of how and when vocal learning evolved in birds. Scientists traditionally assumed birds were split into two groupsthose which can learn sounds (parrots, songbirds, and hummingbirds) and those which can'tbut the study published in the journal Communications Biology adds to evidence challenging that assumption. Vocal signatures of distantly related titipounamu had strong similarities if they lived near each other, the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland research showed. Close relatives living far apart didn't sound similar. That suggests the birds' sounds may not be innate and may be learned from each other, according to Dr. Kristal Cain, the senior author of the study, and Dr. Ines G. Moran, the lead author. Weighing the same as five or six paper clips, titipounamu live in high-altitude mature native forest, feed on insects and make high-pitched sounds inaudible to some people. The bird is one of the country's two surviving native wren species and a sort of evolutionary missing link between two of the most impressive learners, songbirds and parrots. Relics of Gondwana, the wrens likely existed in Aotearoa since before the islands broke away from the super continent, roughly 80 million years ago. Titipounamu in hand. Credit: Ines G. Moran "If New Zealand wrens are vocal learners, then it is likely that the common ancestor of parrots and songbirds was also capable of rudimentary learning," says Cain. "This ability in birds could have evolved millions of years earlier than we previously thought." Vocal learning in songbirds evolved 3050 million years ago, scientists have estimated. But the songbirds and parrots diverged long before thatcloser to 80 million years ago. Vocal convergence The scientists went to all sorts of lengths to gather evidence of vocal copying, such as "vocal convergence," where animals' calls become acoustically similar. First, they closely monitored the nests of titipounamu at Boundary Stream Mainland Island in the Hawke's Bay, identifying and banding individuals and then recording more than 6,800 of the feeding calls routinely made by adult birds (parents and the parents' helpers) bringing food to the young nestlings over three summers. While the differences in the birds' calls can't be detected by most people, detailed analysis of spectrograms"voiceprints"revealed unique individual vocal signatures. The researchers then acquired genetic information on the population at large. Dr. Ines G. Moran. Credit: Titipounamu Project/University of Auckland Finally, they used advanced genetic methods to estimate how much and which aspects of the vocal signature came from genetics as opposed to the social environment. For some parameters, social environment was more important than genetics; there were similarities with a known vocal learner, the zebra finch. The evidence from the scientists' study isn't conclusive but it's strongly suggestive of "rudimentary vocal learning abilities." "A growing body of evidence suggests we may need to stop classifying birds as either vocal learners or vocal non-learners," says Cain. "The ability may be much more widespread and likely exists along a spectrum." Humans, whales, bats Most animals communicate with unlearned, innate vocalizations, while vocal learners include humans, whales and dolphins, elephants and bats. "The vocal behavior that we were unraveling in this study is very similar to what is known as vocal accommodation in human linguistics," says Moran. "It's similar to our ability to adjust our ways of speaking in different social, dialectic, or hierarchical settingsmodulating our voices to better fit in certain social groups." Artificial intelligence, custom engineered nest RFID (radio frequency identification) readers, and custom-made computer analysis tools were all part of the study, which spanned bioacoustics, genetics, behavioral ecology, and field biology. The scientists thanked the mana whenua of the Maungaharuru region, the University's engineering team, the Department of Conservation, AgResearch, and the Centre for eResearch. More information: Ines G. Moran et al, Vocal convergence and social proximity shape the calls of the most basal Passeriformes, New Zealand Wrens, Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06253-y Journal information: Communications Biology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Antibiotics in the uppermost water surface, known as the sea surface microlayer, can significantly affect the number of bacteria present and contribute to the adaptation of marine bacteria against widely used antibiotics. In new research presented at ASM Microbe, scientists directly assessed the potential effects of antibiotics on bacterial diversity in Jade Bay, Southern North Sea, Germany. The researchers tested the susceptibility and resistance of marine bacteria to ofloxacin, clindamycin, clarithromycin, and novobiocin since these antibiotics were generally found in this coastal water. They observed that 70% of marine bacteria had developed resistance to ofloxacin, 95% to clindamycin, 58% to clarithromycin, and 100% to novobiocin, which had the highest concentration in the environment. These findings highlight the urgency of antibiotic resistance in marine bacteria. The study found more bacteria in seawater samples collected from the sea surface microlayer than in the water below, even when different amounts of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin were added to the samples. When the level of ciprofloxacin increased, the number of bacteria in seawater samples decreased. However, over time, the bacteria in seawater samples started to grow when there were high levels of ciprofloxacin (50 and 100 ng mL-1), which shows that they were becoming resistant. In the presence of a high level of ciprofloxacin, the team found 97 strains of bacteria distributed over fourteen bacterial genera. Fifty-seven of these bacterial strains can cause infections in humans, especially those with weakened immune systems, while forty are marine bacteria that cannot infect humans. The team also found antibioticsincluding ofloxacin, clindamycin, clarithromycin, lincomycin, tylosin, novobiocin, erythromycin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, roxithromycin, and chloramphenicolto be present in the seawater samples, particularly in those collected from the sea surface microlayer of Jade Bay. However, only a few were found in the water below. "Our results emphasize the collective effort needed to reduce the potential ecological effects of introducing antibiotics into coastal waters because antibiotics may accumulate more in the sea surface microlayer, affect the bacteria diversity, and lead to the adaptation of marine bacteria to antibiotics," said Adenike Adenaya, Doctoral Graduate at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. More information: ASM Microbe is the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held June 1317, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. 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: All diagnostic and analyzed data of LHD, having more than 40 million items and 2 petabytes in total, are open to the public on AWS's cloud storage. Credit: National Institute for Fusion Science High-temperature fusion plasma experiments conducted in the Large Helical Device (LHD) of the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), have renewed the world record for an acquired data amount, 0.92 terabytes (TB) per experiment, in February 2022, by using a full range of state-of-the-art plasma diagnostic devices. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is currently under construction in France through the international collaboration of seven parties, is expected to generate approximately 1 TB of data per experiment in 10 years, and LHD is currently the only experiment in the world that produces data closely aligned to ITER. The promotion of "Open Science," in which large-scale research data assets are utilized and shared across society, was adopted as a joint statement at the G7 meeting held in Sendai, Japan in 2023. NIFS started full-fledged efforts toward Open Science by establishing the "Open Access Policy" in February 2022 and the "Research Data Policy" in October 2022. Since 2023, all the data obtained from LHD experiments are open to the public immediately after acquisition and analysis is completed. All computing program source codes for data analysis are also openly available. In Open Science, the FAIR Principle is regarded as an important indicator. NIFS considers the fulfillment of the FAIR requirements in diagnostic raw and analyzed data, i.e., valuable digital assets of the LHD project, to be an important proposition of the LHD Academic Research Platform and continues its efforts. Although LHD experiment data has become one of the world's largest data assets and is widely used by domestic and international fusion plasma researchers, it has been seldom used for other purposes such as in different research fields or in industry. This may be due to 1) the difficulty of finding the data of interest from a wide variety of experiment data, and 2) the enormous number and the huge size of individual data, which make it difficult to start data analysis easily and quickly. In order to solve these problems, it is expected that 1) a comprehensive, bird's-eye view of huge amounts of experiment data are enabled, and 2) the data-analysis environment can be easily prepared to start analyses instantly, and data computing resources can be increased or decreased as necessary. Research achievements LHD experiment data is a large-scale digital asset. To promote its use by researchers in different fields, industry, and the general public, a computer environment that can be easily used by anyone is necessary. An important possibility exists in "cloud services" technology. Cloud services provide an environment in which data analyses can be started immediately, enabling researchers, industry, and even citizen users to make use of data very effectively. Now, NIFS has been adopted for the "Amazon Web Services (AWS) Open Data Sponsorship Program", and has completed the data transfer of about 2 petabytes of LHD experiment data onto AWS's cloud storage, Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), to make them freely accessible to anyone on the Internet. A computing environment capable of running a suite of data analysis programs is also indispensable for the utilization of vast open data. LHD data replicated entirely on AWS's cloud storage can now be accessed directly from AWS cloud computers for high-performance, massive data analyses at any time. It is also a major advantage for the promotion of Open Science that Amazon S3 enables us to provide a reliable, nonstop data service, independent of the NIFS system and network capabilities. Unlike other research fields, such as global environmental, meteorological, and astronomical observations, where international research data sharing has already been taking place for more than a few decades, there has been little international data collaboration or sharing in fusion energy research and development, especially in the experimental field. This is because experimental results often differ from one device to another, making it difficult to simply compare and evaluate them. The LHD open data represents the world's first major step towards interdisciplinarity and universalization of fusion energy research. The results will be presented at the 14th IAEA Technical Meeting on Control Systems, Data Acquisition, Data Management and Remote Participation in Fusion Research to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 1519, 2024. Amount of acquired raw data per LHD experiment (red line) and the number of diagnostic devices (blue line). Credit: National Institute for Fusion Science Significance of achievements and future developments The LHD diagnostic raw and analyzed database, which is the world's largest accumulation of fusion energy research data, is a very valuable digital research asset. By making all of it as open data on the AWS cloud, it is expected that the database will not only be used for research purposes within and outside fusion research, but will also attract participation from the general public and new entrants from other countries and industries that wish to start new fusion energy research and development. The barriers for first entry are expected to be lowered significantly. In addition, it is expected to be a major digital platform for research knowledge exchange, human exchange and development not only in Japan but also elsewhere in the world. For this purpose, NIFS intensively promotes this large data repository under the name of the "Plasma and Fusion Cloud", by using the NII RDC, the research data cloud platform of the National Institute of Informatics. In the future, to advance Open Science principles, we have just started assigning a global persistent identifier, DOI (Digital Object Identifier), to about 40 million LHD data to facilitate their findability and accessibility. It may take three to four years to complete registration, due to the extremely large number of data entities. However, when all the data is registered, it is expected to be the largest number of publicly available research data DOIs in the world, exceeding the current world leaders such as Geoscience Australia (approximately 7 million DOIs), CERN (approx. 6.7 million), and the Interdisciplinary Earth Data Alliance (IEDA) in the U.S. (approx. 5 million). Ushio Usami, the country leader for AWS worldwide public sector in Japan, said, "We are very pleased to be able to contribute to the utilization of fusion energy in collaboration with the National Institute for Fusion Science. I hope that this open data will be utilized not only in the academic research field in Japan, but also by industries around the world to promote technological innovation in various scientific fields." Dr. Keiichi Nakano, Chief Researcher for Cyber Science Infrastructure of Research Center for Open Science and Data Platform, National Institute of Informatics (NII), and also the Program Manager of the "Developing a Research Data Ecosystem for the Promotion of Data-Driven Science," said, "In this achievement, the research data infrastructure (NII Research Data Cloud: NII RDC) that we have built was used as a function for utilizing huge amounts of data. "We are delighted that the NII RDC was able to contribute to the practical implementation of Open Science, which will have a global impact. We hope to continue to deepen our collaboration with NIFS and contribute to the development of global Open Science through this research data." (Photo : Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio) Confronting an unlikely challenge requires a special kind of optimism, says Moderna co-founder and chairman Noubar Afeyan. As the billionaire described during a commencement speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) last month, paranoid optimism is something he has always adhered to, which entails alternating between extreme optimism and deep-seated doubt, allowing individuals to nurture their inventiveness while retaining a sense of rationality. The Paranoid Optimism Paranoid optimism embodies the determination and bravery to contemplate the most dire scenarios and then select a course of action moving forward. Afeyan, who holds a PhD in biochemical engineering from MIT and served as a lecturer at the Sloan School of Management for over a decade, described himself as completely irrational and an eternal optimist. With an estimated net worth is $1.5 billion according to Forbes, Afeyan highlighted three actions that extraordinary people take to achieve what seems impossible: They Imagine Afeyan emphasized the importance of imagination in accomplishing impossible missions, noting that creative thinking is often necessary to generate new and original ideas. Experts advise employing various techniques to stimulate creative thinking, such as the five-step approach known as design thinking, elucidated by Bryant University psychology professor Allison Butler to CNBC Make It in January. According to Butler, design thinking is like a checklist that involves steps such as observing people, learning from their experiences, generating insights, brainstorming innovative ideas, and beginning the prototyping process. READ ALSO: Personal Strategy Map: How to Redirect Your Lagging Goals and Reshape Your Path to Success They Innovate Imagination will then fuel innovation, a concept Afeyan referred to as imagination in action. Afeyan noted that bringing particularly imaginative ideas into reality can be challenging, highlighting that these leaps often require unreasonable or even seemingly crazy ideas. Afeyan advises to ask ourselves a question: Why do we expect extraordinary results from reasonable people doing reasonable things? They Immigrate Lastly, Afeyan championed the advantages of immigration, which is essentially stepping beyond one's comfort zone. This was quite literal in Afeyan's case, where he spent his formative years in Lebanon within an Armenian household, later relocating to Canada and then Massachusetts. However, he emphasized that any endeavor involving exploration and unfamiliarity should be valued metaphorically as well. Regardless of whether an individual originates from Cambodia, California, or Cambridge, Afeyan emphasized the capacity for intellectual immigration, stressing the importance of stepping beyond one's comfort zone, embracing new ways of thinking, adapting to the unfamiliar, and welcoming uncertainty. Afeyan possesses firsthand experience confronting a formidable challenge: During his tenure, Moderna initiated the development of one of the world's initial safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in the nascent stages of the virus' transmission, before much of society retreated into quarantine and relied on Zoom calls. While engaging in all three actions outlined by Afeyan could lead you to a path of uncertainty, this can also pave the way to achieving great career heights, just where you need to be. RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Power Phrases: How Early Career Professionals Can Stand Out and Excel in The Workplace 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has led to the arrest of a Davenport man on child pornography charges, police said. Ryan Patrick Taylor, 50, was arrested Friday morning on 10 counts of purchasing or possessing a depiction of a minor in a sex act-first offense. Each charge is a Class D felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of five years. According to the arrest affidavits, police began an investigation into Taylor after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Through the investigation it was determined that Taylor had more than 50 images of child sexual abuse material. During a post-Miranda rights interview, Taylor admitted to police of possessing the child porn, according to the affidavit. During a first appearance on the charges Friday in Scott County District Court, Taylor waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Magistrate Paul Aitken scheduled arraignment for June 20. Taylor was released from the Scott County Jail after posting a $10,000 cash-only bond. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, its CyperTipline is a designated reporting mechanism for the public and electronic service providers to report instances of suspected child sexual exploitation. It is equipped to receive multiple forms of online sexual exploitation with possession of child sexual abuse material, or child porn, making up the largest category. According to the 2023 CyberTipline report issued by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in 2023 the tipline received 36,210,368 reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. Of those reports, 35,944,826 were provided by electronic service providers while 265,542 were provided by the public. While the majority of CyberTipline reports involve locations outside of the United States, 1,132,270 were referred to law enforcement in the United States. The agencies involved include the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces, as well as other federal, state and local law enforcement. According to the report, in 2023, there were 5,592 suspected cases of child sexual exploitation in Iowa that were referred to law enforcement at all levels. In Illinois in 2023, there were 39,814 suspected cases of child sexual exploitation referred to law enforcement at all levels. The biggest category of child sexual exploitation in 2023 was child pornography with 35,925,098 suspected incidents reported. There were 31,901,234 reports of suspected child porn in 2022, and 29,309,106 in 2021. Photos: Quad-Cities agencies hold active shooter training Iowa will receive $9.45 million as part of a $700 million national settlement between 43 states and Johnson & Johnson, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Birds office announced Tuesday. The settlement resolves allegations that Johnson & Johnson used deceptive marketing in denying its talc-based products, including baby powder, caused cancer and other health problems. Johnson & Johnson did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement, nor does the company admit its products cause cancer. The company had sold talc-based baby powder for more than a century, but stopped last year, according to Reuters. The settlement requires Johnson & Johnson to stop the manufacture, marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of all talc-based baby and baby powder products, including Johnsons Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnsons Shower to Shower, according to the Iowa Attorney Generals Office Numerous other lawsuits have alleged talc causes serious health issues, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, the Attorney Generals Office said. It is important that Iowans know the truth about the products they are using, especially when it concerns the health of their babies, Bird said in a statement. This settlement holds Johnson & Johnson accountable for deceptive marketing and keeps dangerous, talc-based baby powder products off the shelves. The 43-state settlement was led by Texas, Florida and North Carolina. Bird flu hits another dairy herd The latest outbreak of bird flu has reached a third herd of dairy cattle in Iowa, this one in Sioux County, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced Wednesday. It is the second Sioux County dairy herd to become infected. The other was in OBrien County. The virus during this years outbreak also has been confirmed in two commercial poultry flocks of turkeys and chicken egg layers in Iowa impacting nearly 4.4 million birds, as well as in two wild birds, according to federal data. Poultry and egg products remain safe to consume when cooked properly, and there is no concern for the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products, according to the state agriculture department. Reynolds names Iowa district judge Jeffery McDaniel, of Bettendorf, has been appointed district judge in Iowas 7th Judicial District by Gov. Kim Reynolds, her office announced. District 7 covers Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine and Scott counties. McDaniel replaces Judge John D. Telleen, who retired. 5 school districts selected for child care program Five Iowa school districts have been chosen for a pilot program leveraging partnerships between schools and their communities to expand access to child care while helping high school students earn a national child development credential, the Iowa Department of Education announced. The five districts were awarded a total of more than $140,000 in the first rounds of competitive grants through the Credentials to Child Care Careers program, the department said. The Council Bluffs, MMCRU, Sioux Central, Starmont and Woodbine school districts were chosen for the pilot program. These Credentials for Child Care Careers programs will expand access to high-quality child care, while supporting an early childhood workforce of and for local communities, Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said in a statement. We commend the awardees for their leadership in realizing our shared priority to strengthen pathways to in-demand child development careers and to support working families. The districts will receive curriculum and can use grant awards to cover student exam fees, textbooks, credentialing course materials, child care stipends and other approved expenses, according to the state education department. The grants will be distributed in July for implementation during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. CROW AGENCY, Mont. On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument will host a day of remembrance to commemorate the 148th anniversary of The Battle of Little Bighorn. This years commemoration theme is inspired by Wooden Leg, a Northern Cheyenne warrior who fought against Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. Years later, despite the challenges and battles that had taken place, Wooden Leg said, we once were enemies, and now we are friends. This sentiment of friendship continues today through the relationships and collaborative efforts involved to co-steward the land where the battle took place. Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana, will be hosting a 5k Run/walk in the morning. Park entrance fees will be waived for the commemoration. Visit www.nps.gov/libi/planyourvisit for more information on the schedule. Please continue to refer to the website as the park will be updating events and information up to the day of the event. Three years into a legislatively mandated effort to adopt looser standards for two nutrients abundant in Montana waterways, the state has halted rulemaking on the contentious effort. Following a hearing on Monday at which stakeholders on multiple sides of the issue expressed displeasure with the Montana Department of Environmental Qualitys proposal, the agency announced it has no immediate plans to advance new water quality standards as required by a bill the Republican-controlled Legislature passed in 2021. Environmentalists described DEQs proposed rules as unscientific and unprotective, while sewer operators and industrial dischargers deemed them difficult to understand and financially and technologically unattainable. The pause in rulemaking will allow DEQ more time to consider the substantive comments received and means that the proposed rule package will not move forward to adoption, the agency wrote in a press release this week. DEQ and the Nutrient Work Group have poured time and resources into getting this right, DEQ Director Chris Dorrington said. After more than 40 meetings over a three-year period, DEQ decided not to move the process forward to formal rulemaking. The nutrient standard revision was a product of Senate Bill 358, which sought to make compliance with the water quality standards the state adopted in 2014 more attainable and affordable for wastewater treatment plants and industrial operators such as refineries and mines. Nobody can meet the numeric standards that are in place without a variance, Senate Bill 358 sponsor John Esp, a Republican from Big Timber, argued in 2021. We cant meet it now, or in the foreseeable future, with the technology we have today. Nutrient overloading in a river or lake can lead to toxic algal blooms, fish kills and a general deoxygenation of waterways that can compromise aquatic ecosystems. There are multiple sources of nutrients in waterways, including municipal and industrial wastewater, fertilizer and stormwater runoff. They can also occur naturally, and a limited amount of nitrogen and phosphorus supports proper ecological functioning. SB 358 directed DEQ to do away with the base numeric nutrient standards numbers that set objective limits for nitrogen and phosphorus, which impair one-third of Montanas river miles. In its place, the Legislature ordered the agency to adopt subjective rules for nutrients such as the prohibition of introducing nutrients that would create conditions that are toxic or harmful to human, animal, plant and aquatic life or create conditions that produce undesirable aquatic life. Environmentalists have described the shift to narrative standards as unscientific, reactive rather than proactive and inconsistent with federal laws such as the Clean Water Act. Upper Missouri Waterkeeper Executive Director Guy Alsentzer, who has participated in the Nutrient Work Group throughout this process, told Montana Free Press Thursday that DEQs proposal was roundly rejected by the groups members albeit for different reasons. Alsentzer argued that the now-shelved rule fails to mitigate the leading source of pollution in Montana waterways and was designed with economic bottom lines in mind rather than the rivers, streams and lakes that are a widely celebrated component of Montanas outdoor economy and heritage. He said he fears that DEQs decision to halt rulemaking may be posturing motivated by political pressure on the agency rather than a desire to uphold its regulatory duty. DEQ should have 100% shelved this deep-filed it and never turned back, Alsentzer said. Theyre following their political masters instead of doing what [federal] law requires. Alsentzer added that should the agency attempt to pass the proposed rules at a later time, it runs a real risk of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assuming authority for water quality permitting in Montana. While Alsentzer criticized the rule for being insufficiently protective of rivers, the rulemaking proposal also found opposition from groups like the Montana Petroleum Association, the Treasure State Resources Association and the Montana League of Cities and Towns, which described it as too stringent. Those groups argued they have difficulty interpreting the rules and fear that the new rules would be overly expensive for the environmental benefits they would produce. During a meeting on May 21 of the Legislatures Water Policy Interim Committee, Matt Vincent with the Montana Mining Association said the DEQ-convened Nutrient Work Group has acted during the past six months in a way that is anything but transparent, anything but inclusive. He also argued the rules are overly deferential to federal agencies i.e., the EPA and vulnerable to being overturned, whether by judges or lawmakers. In its detailed comments, the EPA flagged components of the proposed rule that could allow possible degradation of aquatic life. It noted that months to years of aquatic life degradation may occur under the states proposal before the agency would require the collection of data that may have helped prevent the degradation. Throughout the rulemaking process, the numeric nutrient standards that the EPA approved a decade ago have remained in place, according to DEQ Public Policy Director Rebecca Harbage. Due to a law prohibiting state agencies from adopting, amending or repealing rules in the three-month period preceding a legislative session and the timelines associated with publishing proposed rules and receiving public comment on them, it is unlikely DEQ will advance new rules in 2024. Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Dorrington to lead DEQ in 2021. Late last week, Gianfortes office announced that Dorrington will take the helm of the Montana Department of Transportation, effective July 1. Sonja Nowakowski, DEQs current air, energy and mining division administrator, will assume Dorringtons position, also effective July 1. Asked Thursday if the personnel reshuffling was the result of frustrations surrounding the rule rewriting, Harbage said Dorrington was asked to step into a leadership role at the Montana Department of Transportation to make good use of his skills and expertise at that agency. The decision was not related to the nutrient standards process, she said. KATHMANDU, June 14: ILO Director-General, Gilbert F Houngbo, paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel, who is currently in Geneva Switzerland, for the High-Level event of the 112th International Labour Conference and the Inaugural Session of the Global Coalition for Social Justice. During the meeting, Director General Houngbo expressed gratitude to President Paudel for providing time and addressing the event. He also praised the political life of President Paudel and his devotion to social justice. The ILO has been advocating decent labor to create jobs, social security and international life standards. The ILO Director General also took interest in political struggles along with the 15-year jail life President Paudel spent for democracy in Nepal. On the occasion, President Paudel thanked Director General Houngbo for inviting him to attend and address the ILO event in Geneva. President Paudel shared that Nepal had focused development giving priority to social justice. He reminded that Nepal's constitution has finely mentioned social justice, equality, right to labor, and trade union rights. President Paudel also said that Nepal is committed to the protection and promotion of child rights and end child labor, according to the President's Secretariat. RSS As Richmond Ballet prepares for founding artistic director Stoner Winsletts departure this summer, it has hired its first executive director and has announced its upcoming season, which will include a move to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Leslie Cheek Theater. Winslett will step down from Richmond Ballet on July 1, after founding and working with the company for 40 years. Associate artistic director Ma Cong, who joined Richmond Ballet in 2020, will become the Ballets new artistic director. With that in mind, the company hired its first executive director, Maya Erhardt. We are thrilled with the appointment of Maya as Richmond Ballets first-ever executive director, said Meg Clinard of the Richmond Ballet board in a statement. With a focus on strategic management and resource development, this new position will alleviate Ma of some of the administrative leadership responsibility which will allow him to have more time in the studio choreographing and mentoring dancers. Richmond Ballet also announced its 2024-25 season, which will open Sept. 17-22 with Studio Finale, a farewell to the Ballets in-house, 250-seat Studio Theatre at 407 E. Canal St. The company began performing in the space in 2001. In the spring, the Ballet will relocate its repertory productions to the 472-seat Leslie Cheek Theater, which recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation at the VMFA at 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. This will be a homecoming of sorts, as we last performed in the Cheek Theater in the 1990s, Winslett said in a statement. This move will also allow us to reach new and broadening audiences as the theater capacity will be nearly double that of our Studio Theatre. In the new space, the Studio Series will be called the Moving Art Series with triple bills. I see these programs as the perfect dinner menu with a starter, main course, and dessert, Cong said in a statement. The Moving Art Series will officially launch with a March 20-30 run at the Leslie Cheek Theater with Moving Art 1, featuring Lambarena by Val Caniparoli, After the Rain by Christopher Wheeldon and Congs Pentaptych. Moving Art 2, running May 8-18, will feature Winsletts Echoing Past, Joshua L. Peughs Slump and Yury Yanowskys Fading Creatures. This year, Richmond Ballet will return to the Dominion Energy Center for the holiday classic The Nutcracker from Dec. 7-23. Also at the Dominion Energy Center, the Ballet will perform Cinderella from Feb. 14-16 for Valentines Day weekend. The future that I envision for Richmond Ballet is bold, elegant, and diverse, and I have carefully selected a season to articulate this vision as I take over as artistic director for the 24/25 season, Cong said. I hope that Richmond audiences will be as excited about the Ballets bright future as I am. For more information, visit richmondballet.com. Top five weekend events: Juneteenth, Lavender Festival, Father's Day Juneteenth at Dorey Park Jubilation in June Amelia Lavender Festival Richmond Ivy Father's Day Keg and Oyster Festival The Cannabist Company will open its 11th Virginia dispensary in eastern Henrico County, the group announced this week. The store will be called Cannabist Richmond and will be available to medically approved patients. Cannabist Richmond will open at 4320 S. Laburnum Ave. in the Laburnum Park shopping center near Interstate 64. The companys commitment to patient access, education and community engagement remains at the forefront of its expansion efforts, said Jesse Channon, its president. Cannabist, previously called Columbia Care, is exclusively approved to dispense medical marijuana in central Virginia and owns the gLeaf brand. There are gLeaf locations in Short Pump and Manchester and a Cannabist in Carytown. The new store will offer flower, pre-rolls, edibles and concentrates, the company said. In Virginia, only patients with medical prescriptions can legally purchase marijuana. Adults can also grow their own marijuana or give it away for recreational use. Illegal sales have proliferated since recreational possession was allowed in Virginia in 2021. Democratic lawmakers this year approved a plan to green-light recreational cannabis sales, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the measure. Top five weekend events: Juneteenth, Lavender Festival, Father's Day Juneteenth at Dorey Park Jubilation in June Amelia Lavender Festival Richmond Ivy Father's Day Keg and Oyster Festival Where for years the Jaycees fixed up the abandoned mansion by the old Chester Post Office as a Halloween haunted house, Jim Daniels back in the 1990s saw another possibility: a new kind of suburban community, unlike anything else in the Richmond region. A fourth-generation Chester resident, hed been part of the countys drafting of a Chester Village plan in the late 1980s. Later, he joined with a group of developers who wanted to explore the then-new idea called new urbanism and some Northern Virginia and Maryland projects that adopted that notion of a mix of city-like town homes, stores, offices and apartments a way of life that some suburbanites wanted. And, as a Chester patriot, he was intrigued by the concept of a county arts center that could give the community a boost in morale. It all came together with the idea that an arts center anchoring a semi-self-contained, walkable community of stores and offices, apartments and single-family homes, with a central green and buffered by trees, could work in a patch of undeveloped land north of Route 10 and west of the railroad tracks. It comprised 13 different parcels that Daniels began assembling into one tract in the mid-1990s. Now, its Chester Village Green, where the Richmond Times-Dispatchs second Mobile Newsroom was based last week. Making Chester Village happen took some new thinking about how to finance a project and how to bring the community into the process. We went through the board (of supervisors) as a consent item, a proposal that had no opposition, Daniels recalled. Usually, you have developers and lawyers lined up for these, but we were working with the county and with the community, and I think everyone was happy. Part of the process was a series of charettes a gathering of interested individuals who roll up their sleeves to work on a problem for instance, on a land use challenge or a development design. Daniels hosted five separate ones, each of five people drawn from different groups. The funny thing was that they all came up with the same idea, he said. But the challenge was financing it. We wanted a project with commercial and residential, but youd go to the bank and theyd say, well, which is it, residential or commercial? he said. Thats when another Chester native, developer George Emerson, stepped up. He also liked the idea of a new-style suburb, and he took charge of a key element of the project, the residential portion. Its a mix of apartments, including a community of more than 160 units reserved for seniors with limited incomes, town homes, single-family homes aimed at people who want a easy living lifestyle that is, no stairs to struggle with and more traditional single-family homes. Theres an unusual block of live-above units: offices on the ground floor, apartments above. Emerson, too, introduced another newish idea. He wanted the new homes and senior apartments and commercial buildings to rise up at about the same time. Builders completed the senior apartments, most commercial buildings and the first single-family houses in 2004. The single-family homes in two other street loops came in 2005. I didnt want people to look out the back door and see a construction site, Emerson said. Doing things that way took a lot of creative thinking about design, about financing and about listening to the community to make it all work, said Daniels, pointing out the gazebo at the corner of Chester Village Drive and Route 10. Its too close to the road, for a gazebo. So everyone agreed it was really a bus stop, which is not subject to the usual setback for buildings. There are no buses going down Route 10. Residents say they like being able to walk to a store, coffee shop or place to eat. And being surrounded by homes including apartments upstairs has been good for business, said Olivia Lugo of the Don Papa Grande restaurant, which is tucked into the elbow of an apartment building on the side street Festival Park Plaza. She moved the 2-decade-old restaurant from its old site in a shopping center to Chester Village in 2017. We get a lot of old customers, a lot of people who live in the neighborhood, she said. Lots of word of mouth ... its been a blessing being here. The Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, the neighborhood anchor, finally opened in 2021. This is what I wanted go to the Perkinson Center for a concert or play, go out for dinner after at Howletts Restaurant & Tavern, said Daniels, referring to the Chester gathering spot, named for a tavern that hosted the Chesterfield County court sessions before the first county courthouse was completed. Howletts moved to Chester Village in 2009. But I have to say, I didnt make any money on it, he added. Richmond police officers struggle with a belligerently intoxicated Harold Bradley he admitted this in a plea bargain last August landed him with two felony charges. Nine months later, a judge dismissed the felony charges after Bradley had spent three months in jail. The charges were for assault and battery on a law enforcement officer. These are charges that can bring people into court, charged with a crime that can mean up to five years in prison but most of the time the charges are dropped, dismissed or reduced to something less serious, a Richmond Times-Dispatch review of thousands of online court records found. Sometimes, that happens after defendants spend months behind bars because bail is refused or because they are unable to post bond. In some cases, they pay hundreds of dollars of court costs. Mental health crises, the confused lashing out of someone with dementia, autism or an intellectual disability during an encounter with police, often result in charges of felony assault on a law enforcement officer, court records show. Sometimes, in the course of the court process, these individuals are diverted to alternative programs. Bradley got out of jail when Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant ruled that he should go to a residential treatment program. Bradley, through his lawyer, had asked for this, saying that for most of his adult life, he has been diagnosed with bipolar (disorder), ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), ADD (attention deficit disorder) and schizophrenia. Marchant dismissed the charges on May 21. For five years, some members of the General Assembly have tried to rein in police use of the charge. This year, the new Democratic majority in the House of Delegates, along with the state Senates Democrats, passed a bill that said people in a mental health crisis could use that as a defense in court when their physical contact with an officer did not involve wounding, even a bruise. Police, prosecutors and sheriffs opposed the legislation. Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the legislation, saying, A new, loosely defined, and excessively broad affirmative defense is unnecessary because Virginia laws already provide protections for individuals who are not criminally responsible due to mental illness. Normally a misdemeanor Assault and battery is normally a misdemeanor, often drawing no jail time and subject to a maximum of a year in jail. Since 1997, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer in Virginia is a felony, subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of six months behind bars and a maximum of five years in prison. It need not involve injury in fact, it usually doesnt. Most of the time, judges dismiss the charge, prosecutors drop it or the accused pleads guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge. In only about two cases of every 15, a judge finds the defendant guilty of the felony charge, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch analysis of thousands of court records of 2023 charges of assault and battery of law enforcement officers. The low conviction rate strongly suggests that a conviction is not the primary purpose of this charge, said Rob Poggenklass, executive director of the civil liberties advocacy group Justice Forward Virginia. He said it gives police the power to lock people up for a few days or weeks, even when a defendant needs help or if the same type of assault on a private individual would have allowed a release pending a trial. He said that flies in the face of the presumption of innocence, adding that a judge or jury should make the decision to take away someones liberty not a law enforcement officer. A prosecutors view Nate Green, commonwealths attorney for Williamsburg and James City County, said the data jibes with his experience but that does not mean that the charge is levied inappropriately, he said. Many of the dropped or dismissed charges happen when theres a mental health issue because a prosecutor or judge decides treatment is the right approach, he said. Green said the charge is a lot like the charge of refusing to take a breathalyzer test. If you look at these, youll see huge numbers of nolle-prosses, he said, referring to prosecutors decision to drop a charge, since the refusal becomes irrelevant when a driver pleads guilty to driving while intoxicated or when a blood test shows they were over the legal limit. With drug distribution, where police will make several buys and well charge three or four, if we get a conviction ... on one drug charge and its 40 years, theres no need for the other, Green said. For assault on an officer, if its a mental health issue and we can get the person treatment, then theres no need for the charge. In one case Green handled, he said police were called for a man with dementia and schizophrenia who was assaulting his wife. The man pulled a gun on the officers, who were able to subdue him, but then they had no safe place to take him. Because it wasnt clear if it was the mans mental illness or dementia at issue, no one could tell if he would qualify for the Emergency Custody Order that would bring him to a safe place for an evaluation, the prosecutor said. Memory care units said they could not take the man if he was not taking his dementia medicines. But no one knew if he was or wasnt, or if the issue was whether hed stopped taking his anti-psychotic drugs. Police arrested him and charged him with felony assault on a law enforcement officer. Green spent the next 15 days trying to find a place for the man until finally getting a memory care unit to accept him. Can we really ask a police officer to make a psychiatric assessment? Green asked. Police chiefs view Police do not always file charges when responding to a mental health crisis, said Dana Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. How many situations happened when an officer could have charged felony assault and didnt because they did recognize either autism or a mental health crisis and they were able to de-escalate, or possibly turn the situation into an (Emergency Custody Order) and get the individual into some mental health services? she asked. Without those numbers, you dont have the full picture. Schrad said the way someone behaves when arrested may or may not be directly related to a mental health or autism issue. The courts have done an excellent job of determining whether to uphold the felony charge, reduce it to a misdemeanor or dismiss the charge, she said. Sometimes the felony charge, even if reduced later, does create the opportunity to go before a magistrate and determine whether an immediate need for services would be appropriate. Sometimes, court data shows, when the charges are levied against people in a mental health crisis, the defendant spends weeks or months in jail before a judge dismisses the charge or prosecutors drop the matter. Sometimes, there are different traumas. During this years General Assembly session, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Peter Francisco told lawmakers at a hearing that two years ago, police arrived as he was trying to restrain his then-22-year-old son, who is on the autism spectrum and who was in the midst of a crisis at their Stafford County home. We were tussling on the floor ... without a word, the officer ran toward my son, tackled him and put him in a neck chokehold, Francisco said. He told legislators, They were in a struggle for minutes and during that time my son scratched the officers face. As more officers arrived, Francisco said, they implied that his son would not be charged if he agreed to go immediately for psychiatric care. Months later, when he came home from the hospital, police notified the family that they intended to file felony assault and battery charges, Francisco said. Francisco said he hired a lawyer and found a prosecutor who was willing to listen, and the charge never went anywhere. People with autism or developmental or intellectual disabilities, can be overwhelmed and trigger the flight or fight response in an encounter with police, said Brian Kelmar, founder of Decriminalize Developmental Disabilities, an advocacy group. Instead of getting help, they end up in jail for weeks. This is shattering, he said. It can be worse. Irvo Otieno On March 3, 2023, Henrico County police, responding to a call of a suspected burglary, detained a severely distressed Irvo Otieno to Henrico Doctors Hospital under an emergency custody order. That is a magistrates order issued when someone with a mental illness needs to be protected from harming themselves or others. At the hospital, police arrested him on charges of felony assault on three officers, as well as disorderly conduct and destruction of property, and took him to the county jail. He stayed there over the weekend and then was transferred to Central State Hospital on March 6. He died while he was restrained at Central State. Seven Henrico deputies and three Central State Hospital employees were initially charged with second-degree murder. Charges against two hospital staff members were dropped last summer, and charges against five of the deputies were dismissed in May. Dinwiddie County authorities have downgraded the charges against the three remaining defendants in Otienos death from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter. He was arrested and removed from the hospital care which he desperately needed, said his mother, Caroline Ouko. Harold Bradley Bradley, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2023, after three Richmond police officers responded to a call that a drunken man was cursing passersby in the 1900 block of Stonewall Avenue, court records show. He had a knife in his waistband and had been cursing at passersby and threatening to f*ck them up, Bradley admitted in his plea agreement, which proposed dismissal of the felony charges if he completed a residential treatment program. Marchant, the judge, accepted the agreement and dismissed the charges after Bradley showed he had completed the program successfully. During the August incident, when Officer Quinton Barnes ordered Bradley to stand up and turn around, he got into a fighting stance and began to run away, Bradleys admission in his plea agreement said. When Barnes finally caught up with Bradley, two other officers arrived and in the course of arresting him, Bradley kicked one and attempted to bite his knee and grabbed the others pistol, Bradley admitted in his plea agreement. Thousands of charges Its a charge that is filed thousands of times a year. Out of more than 302,000 general district court criminal cases filed in Virginia last year, 3,894 involved a first appearance on a charge of felony assault of a law enforcement officer. Of these, about 15% ended 538 in all with a felony conviction in 2023, a Times-Dispatch analysis of these cases found. Most sentences were for the mandatory minimum of six months; only two were for the maximum of five years. The average sentence was 262 days. An additional 22% 849 ended with a conviction on a lesser charge. Of these, judges sentenced the offender to do no time behind bars in 388 cases. Some 55% were dropped or dismissed. Most of the rest, some dating back to incidents from two years earlier, are still working their way through the system. On average, it takes 250 days between arrest and a disposition in general district court, including the decisions to certify a case for the grand jury. It can be months or even years more before a final circuit court decision. Hanging over defendants during that time is a felony charge that could mean up to five years in prison and that carries a mandatory minimum of six months. A felony conviction, including one on this charge, means you cannot vote in Virginia unless a governor restores your rights. It can also make it hard to get a job. Theres the expense in time and money, and the impact for many on employment. For those found guilty of a lesser charge, court costs average just under $494, the Times-Dispatch analysis of last years charges found. For those found guilty of a felony charge of assault on a law enforcement officer, court costs were as high as $5,808. Sometimes, the wait will be in jail. Among the 268 Virginians jailed on charges that judges eventually dismissed or that ended in a not guilty ruling or that prosecutors dropped, was Jared Gibbs. He was arrested on May 16, 2023, in Richmond on charges of being drunk in public and of assaulting a police officer. He was held in custody until the charges were dismissed Sept. 26, online court records show. Joshua Clark was held in jail after his June 3, 2023, arrest on charges of vandalism, obstruction of justice and felony assault on a law enforcement officer until a Richmond general district court judge dismissed all three charges on Oct. 20. Responding to a call about indecent exposure on Oct. 1, 2022 a charge that would be dropped Richmond police charged Travon Harvey with assault and battery of two officers. He asked, in a motion his lawyer filed, to move the case to drug court, citing a 2006 hospitalization with diagnoses of bipolar disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, his court file shows. He was held in jail through the following May. Drug court opens a path to dismissal or reduced charges if a defendant follows a lengthy treatment and monitoring regimen. Travon Harvey had tried to get into drug court during that time but was initially rejected. The court file says this was because of a mix-up with his brother Trevell Harvey, who was sentenced to life in prison after a 2016 conviction for first-degree murder, court records show. Reports from the drug court in his court file show Travon Harvey failed five of seven drug tests. He told mental health workers he was not ready to leave after a brief stay at a Richmond Behavioral Health Authoritys residential treatment center for medical detoxification, but then refused to see a psychiatrist, they reported to the drug court, his court file shows. Back to jail in August, he remained behind bars and in December 14 months after police responded to the initial call he was sentenced to serve nine months in jail on one of the assault charges. Albemarle County Albemarle County prosecutors dropped a felony charge of assault and battery against a law enforcement officer against Kristen Finn. She was among the 27 people arrested when the University of Virginia called on police to clear an encampment of protesters in May. A county police officer charged that Finn assaulted a fellow officer, writing, While an officer was attempting to push Ms. Finn back, she pushed back against ACPD officer Kirby and punched him. But in a video of her arrest, Finn appears to be facing professor Geeta Patel, helping the older woman, who walks with a cane, when an officer grabs her by the arms and yanks her behind the police line before putting her in handcuffs, according to a report in The Daily Progress. Ryan Lanford, a UVa senior who saw the incident, said Finns back was turned when she was pulled down, adding that he did not see any punch. Finn spent a weekend in jail, got two different lawyers, then had her charge dismissed by the commonwealths attorney, said Poggenklass, at Justice Forward Virginia. He added, This scenario plays out routinely across the commonwealth, year after year. In many cases, the confrontation grows from something minor, like the illegal U-turn Virginia State Trooper E. Theis said he saw Leodis Adaira Bennett pull on Aug. 1. The trooper said in a report attached to the arrest warrant that this led to a 100 mph chase down Interstate 95 in Richmond until Bennett lost control on the ramp to I-64 eastbound and hit a light pole and berm, sending his car airborne. Theis had to chase Bennett on foot and recovered a bag with cocaine, the troopers report said. The troopers report with the arrest warrant on charges of felony assault on a police officer does not mention any physical contact. Nearly seven months later, Bennett was convicted of obstruction of justice without force, misdemeanor, possession of cocaine and eluding. He was sentenced to 11 years, with 10 years and four months suspended. Prosecutors dropped the rest of the 19 charges police filed, from speeding to stealing the car and assault on a law enforcement officer. James Terrell Baylor was charged with trespassing after managers of the Wawa on Arthur Ashe Boulevard barred him from the store, his arrest warrant said. When Richmond officer Daniel Raines arrested Baylor on April 18, 2023, he also charged him with felony assault on a law enforcement officer. Baylor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault; the plea agreement had no details about the assault. Prosecutors dropped the trespassing charge, and Baylor was sentenced to 12 months, with all of that time suspended, and ordered to pay $253 in court costs. Several steps There are several steps before any of last years convictions on charges of felony assault and battery on a law enforcement officer lead to prison time. General district court judges found probable cause to pursue a felony charge in 1,440 cases, or 37%, and referred the matter to a grand jury, The Times-Dispatch analysis found. Judges dismissed or prosecutors then dropped 869 charges. Judges reduced charges in 712 cases. Roughly half served no time; those who did served 38 days on average. In circuit court, of 1,688 cases filed, 538 ended with a conviction for felony assault on a law enforcement officer. Prosecutors dropped or judges dismissed 246 cases, while 230 ended with convictions on reduced charges. A total of 34 ended with a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity, which generally involves a referral for treatment, while 19 cases ended with acquittal. The rest were still pending as of this spring. Assault and battery means touching someone in an angry, rude, insulting or vengeful manner, according to Virginia Model Jury Instructions, but which does not necessarily mean causing an injury. It is normally a misdemeanor in Virginia that often results in a suspended sentence, even in cases that start as a charge of felony assault on a police officer. In cases where a charge of felony assault on a police officer is reduced to the lesser charge of a misdemeanor battery, jail time last year averaged 47 days, The Times-Dispatch analysis of thousands of cases found. There are other felonies that a person can be charged with when an officer suffers a physical injury, Poggenklass said. An assault on a law enforcement officer that results in a lasting bruise or cut even a small cut inside the mouth or pulled muscle or sprain can be charged under the section of the Code of Virginia that covers malicious wounding. Even if it is not done maliciously, it is subject to up to five years in prison and a mandatory minimum of one year, longer than the minimum for felony assault on a law enforcement officer, he said. There were 70 of these malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer filed in circuit courts last year. Of these, nine ended in a conviction, eight were reduced to less serious offenses, prosecutors dropped 14 and, in three cases, defendants were found not guilty by reason of insanity. The rest of the cases were still working their way through the courts. According to the Virginia State Polices latest Crime in Virginia report, there were 2,903 felony assault and battery on a law enforcement officer in 2022, 1,912 of which involved no injury, Poggenklass said. Virginia legislation The 2024 General Assembly session marked the first time that legislation to reform the charge of felony assault and battery on law enforcement has passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Under House Bill 267 and Senate Bill 357, people accused of assault on a police officer would have had a defense against conviction if they could show their behavior was the result of a mental illness or a cognitive disorder such as dementia, autism or intellectual disability. Its not an automatic pass, the sponsors say, but the idea is that if defendants can show it, it can override evidence of any physical contact. Basically, if you flail out and brush the officer, thats assault, said Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, who sponsored the House measure. Some legislators have been trying to rein in the charge of felony assault and battery on law enforcement charge since 2020, when Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, tried to repeal the mandatory minimum. But those efforts sparked opposition from police and prosecutors. Green, who watched the bills progress as the advocate for the Virginia Association of Commonwealths Attorneys, said the legislation was meant to tackle a complex issue, and did not quite get there. Im not saying it doesnt need to be fixed, but (Senate Bill) 357 wasnt the fix, he said. Over the course of the session, language defining when and how mental illness could be a defense was tightened, but Green and other prosecutors were not comfortable that it struck the right balance between recognizing that people with mental illness are not always culpable for their acts and the need to protect society and those individuals themselves. If you are charged and its not guilty by reason of insanity, theres a whole process that protects everyone, he said. With (Senate Bill) 357, youd be not guilty and just walk out of court without getting anything, he said. The General Assembly made assault on a police officer a felony in 1997, as part of that years hate crime legislation, and the mandatory minimum sentence came in 1999. Youngkins view In vetoing this years bills, Youngkin said the legislation would significantly reduce the protections afforded to law enforcement and erode prosecutors discretion in evaluating cases, while imposing an additional burden on the states strained court system. This bill sends the wrong message at precisely the wrong time, he said in his veto message on each of the two measures. Civil liberties advocates, along with friends and family of people with mental illness, autism and intellectual disabilities, said keeping the felony in the Code of Virginia sends the wrong message. Proponents of keeping it on the books raise arguments that police officers without the charge would be powerless, Poggenklass said. Theyre not. They just wouldnt be able to lock as many people up for dumb stuff. Top five weekend events: Juneteenth, Lavender Festival, Father's Day Juneteenth at Dorey Park Jubilation in June Amelia Lavender Festival Richmond Ivy Father's Day Keg and Oyster Festival Torrential rains in the forecast after over night drenching Riviera Maya, Q.R. Bright bolts of lightning could be seen for kilometers in the darkened skies over Playa del Carmen Thursday night. The bright flashes were a heads-up as to what Mother Nature had in store for the region. It did not take long before pounding rain was unleashed on a majority of Quintana Roo. During the night, residents reported everything from thunderstorms to waterspouts. Several areas of Playa del Carmen were left with barely passable streets due to the heavy downpour. On Friday afternoon, the Municipality of Solidaridad reported the neighborhoods that were flooded were being attended to. A woman on a scooter slowly makes her way through a flooded street in Playa del Carmen. Photo: June 14, 2024. According to City Hall, Centro, 5th Avenue, Ejido, Forjadores, Palmas 2, Mision de las Flores, Guadalupana, Peten, among others were left under water. Eight wells and 275 grates were cleaned with the help of collaborators from the Secretariat of Public Services of Solidaridad. During the day, they will continue to tour the city to verify and carry out the dredging of absorption wells, the cleaning of grates and wells, Solidaridad City Hall reported Friday afternoon. Cozumel also experienced rain but not to the same agree. City workers were out in the afternoon in yellow rain gear clearing street drains in preparation for a heavy rainfall that did not arrive. The island was soaked, but not drenched. Authorities have not reported any waterlogged residential areas or closed streets. Isla Mujeres workers however, were forced out in the yellow municipal rain gear trying to clear drains before they clogged. Unfortunately, Mother Nature won that hand after drenching the island over night, leaving several streets impassable. The Municipal Coordination of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Isla Mujeres were on alert all night to deal with the heavy rains that occurred in the last few hours. This morning they continued working on cleaning the grates, Isla Mujeres City Hall reported Friday. Residents in Chetumal reported the formation of a large waterspout that could be seen from a distance in the dark. City residents snapped photos of the waterspout as it hovered over Chetumal Bay. A waterspout formed over Chetumal Bay Thursday night. Photo: June 13, 2024. State Civil Protection (Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil) says rain remains in the forecast for the duration of the weekend. According to the Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (SMN), as much as 250 mms could be dumped on the state of Quintana Roo in the next 24 hours. Mexicos SMN is forecasting torrential rain for a majority of the Yucatan Peninsula. In the next few hours, there will be a period of intense to torrential rains in southeastern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula due to a low-pressure channel. Low pressure channels, combined with the entry of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, together with instability at high levels of the atmosphere, are expected to cause rain and showers over the northwest, north, northeast, east, center and west of the Mexican Republic. Torrential rains are forecast for Quintana Roo. Image: SMN June 14, 2024. Torrential rains (from 150 to 250 millimeters) are expected in Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatan. For the Yucatan Peninsula, cloudy skies and a warm daytime temperatures in the afternoon, northeast winds of 10 to 25 km/h, gusts of 50 to 70 km/h and conditions for the formation of waterspouts in coastal areas, the SMN has forecast. Shah Development, a real estate company tied to Shelor Motor Miles leadership, purchased a 73-acre waterfront property on Claytor Lake for $2.7 million in late May. The Pulaski County property was previously the Boy Scouts of America Aquatic Center. The general manager of Shah Development, Christie Weddle, said Thursday the company currently has no plans for the property. The company intends to clean it, make repairs and research and then come up with a plan for the property, she said. The property includes 1,757 feet of Claytor Lake waterfrontage, a 14,000 square foot event center, a 4,300 square foot bathhouse and 16 single room cabins, according to Woltz & Associates, which is the Roanoke auctioning firm that sold the property to Shah on May 28. The Blue Ridge Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America began trying to sell the property almost three years ago, said Kenneth Lyons, the councils chief development officer. Before the sale, the council had more than $2 million in debt but is now debt free. We rang Dave Ramseys debt free bell, Lyons said. Scouting in Southwest Virginia is growing. The council continues to own its 17,000-plus acre Blue Ridge Scout Reservation, home of Camp Powhatan and other camp and adventure programs, in Hiwassee in Pulaski County. The first of six weeks of summer camp opens Sunday. Bob Drury, the councils acting scout executive, said they had difficulty selling the Claytor Lake property because it was a specialty built structure. The council turned to Woltz & Associates to auction it off. The property is limited in what it can be used for because of the Shoreline Management Plan put in by American Electric Power, Pulaski County Administrator Jonathan Sweet said. The countys zoning also partially limits its use, but he said the county is willing to work with any buyer. The county has been a bystander throughout the property sale, Sweet said. He says it is a sensitive subject because he does not want the county to interfere with the purchase price for the seller or buyer. However, Sweet says the county is excited that Shah gained this tremendous asset. Shah Development is one of the most predominant buyers of properties that become available in the New River Valley. Shah has been a partner to the county and a partner to the community for so long in so many different ways, Sweet said. Were excited that they continue to get property and give back to the community. Were happy for them. Shelor Motor Mile donated a 152-acre speedway property and a 3,200-seat stadium to Pulaski County in April, which is the largest gift the county has ever received. The speedway, which is now named Pulaski County Motorsports Park, is assessed for about $6 million and the ballpark and its 9.6 acres are assessed at $3.06 million. I think the community has a lot of confidence in Shahs capabilities and their heart as well, Sweet said. Theyre a friend to the community and help the county grow and be successful and sustainable in the long term. However, Sweet said he is sad the property is no longer being utilized by the Boy Scouts. It was the decision that needed to be made, Lyons said. Were sad to see it go, but weve got to survive. The aquatics base previously saw 10,000 scouts a summer, Lyons said. By the time they decided to sell three years ago, the numbers had decreased by 50%. The sale of the property will help them move forward with their mission, which is serving Southwest Virginias youth through scouting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue Ridge Mountain Council lost 75% of their elementary school-age Cub Scout program, Lyons said. The Claytor Lake property sale will help them build the program back up, scout officials said. The Boy Scouts have been a part of our community for so long and have done so much work on so many different levels, Sweet said. That location has brought so many great people to our community. Were happy the Boy Scouts were able to do a good deal in the disposition of the property. Two reported gang members were arrested as part of a narcotics operation in Roanoke. The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, along with members of the United States Postal Service Inspectors Office, and the city of Roanoke Police Gang Interdiction Unit conducted it, according to a state police news release. During the operation, Star City Task Force members identified known gang members who were in possession of distribution amounts of narcotics. Officers attempted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle which refused to stop. After a short pursuit, the vehicle was stopped in the 3500 block of Valley View Ave, in Roanoke by members of the Virginia State Police Special Operations Division, according to the release. Seized were approximately 934 grams of methamphetamine, 49 grams of heroin/fentanyl, seven fentanyl pills, four firearms and cash, which were contained in the vehicle. Damarius JQuan Warrick, 25, and Zeleek Keshawn Wright-Johnson, 20, both of Roanoke, were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl, possession of firearms by convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of schedule 1-2 narcotics, according to the release. Warrick and Wright-Johnson were being held Friday at the Roanoke Adult Detention Center without bond. Additional charges will be forthcoming after consultation with the Commonwealth Attorneys Office. The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task force is comprised of investigative personnel from the Virginia State Police, the City of Roanoke Police Department, Salem Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department, and Vinton Police Department. Full Text: Joint Statement of Outcomes of the China-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting Xinhua) 09:50, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the Joint Statement of Outcomes of the China-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting released on Thursday. Joint Statement of Outcomes of the China-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting 1. At the invitation of Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, His Excellency Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, undertook an official visit to New Zealand from 13-15 June 2024. The visit marked 10 years since the signing of the 2014 Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and New Zealand. 2. During the visit, Premier Li met with Her Excellency Governor-General The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro. Premier Li and Prime Minister Luxon held talks during which both leaders exchanged perspectives on the China-New Zealand relationship, as well as regional and global issues of close interest to both countries. 3. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the 1972 Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and New Zealand. New Zealand reaffirmed its commitment to its one-China Policy. Ten years on from the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides acknowledged the positive development in the relationship. They undertook to deepen cooperation in line with respective national positions, such as equality, fairness, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, while continuing to manage differences and build greater understanding in the bilateral relationship, including through regular dialogue between leaders, ministers, and officials. 4. To this end both sides recommitted to regularly holding discussions on foreign affairs, trade and economics, agriculture, consular issues, law enforcement, defence, the Pacific, and human rights. They welcomed the upcoming Ministerial Climate Change Dialogue, set to take place this year. Both sides welcomed ongoing cooperation in the areas of food safety, customs, agriculture, and trade facilitation and other areas including green economy. They welcomed the importance of people-to-people exchanges to the bilateral relationship, including exchanges in education, tourism, culture, sports, science and innovation, and through Track II dialogues. They welcomed steps to facilitate further people-to-people exchanges, with China announcing a unilateral visa exemption policy to New Zealand. 5. China and New Zealand reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations (UN) Charter, and of the need for greater dialogue and consultation to address regional and global challenges. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the rules-based multilateral trading system with WTO at its core. They also acknowledged their joint commitment to working together in relevant multilateral and regional fora and architecture including the UN, APEC, EAS, RCEP, and ASEAN-centred fora. 6. New Zealand noted China's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and reiterated that CPTPP remains open to accession by economics that can satisfy the three Auckland Principles. New Zealand noted the ongoing Accessions Working Group discussions in China's DEPA accession progress. 7. Prime Minister Luxon and Premier Li welcomed progress on initiatives to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest, including: Exchange of Letters on the Commencement of the Trade in Services Negotiations Based on a Negative List Approach under the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement; Export Plan Concerning Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Kiwiberry from New Zealand to China; Memorandum of Arrangement on Infant Formula Cooperation; Memorandum of Arrangement Concerning Cooperation on Business Environment Optimisation; Memorandum of Arrangement on the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Programme; Memorandum of Arrangement on Cooperation to Promote the Exchange of Bird Banding Data for Migratory Shorebirds and Seabirds; Exchange of Letters Confirming the Ninth Round New Zealand-China Strategic Research Alliance Recipients; 8. New Zealand side welcomed and appreciated the invitation of the Chinese side for New Zealand leaders to visit China at a mutually convenient time. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Jose Devasia THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (Reuters) - The bodies of 45 Indians who died in a fire in a labour housing facility in Kuwait were flown to India on Friday, as bereaved relatives and experts urged New Delhi to do more to protect the lives of those who work abroad and send remittances home. An electrical short circuit is likely to have caused Wednesday's fire in the housing facility in Mangaf, a coastal city south of the capital Kuwait City. The Indian workers were among the 49 people who perished. A further 33 are being treated in hospitals. Television showed bereaved families waiting at the airport to receive the bodies of their loved ones. On arrival, the coffins were placed with photographs of the deceased on separate tables in the cargo complex of the airport. Families, friends, ministers and officials paid homage while police gave them a guard of honour. Twenty-three of the 45 were from the southern Indian state of Kerala and its chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, called the accident "a national tragedy". "This is the biggest tragedy involving migrants. We consider the migrants as our lifeline. It's a big loss to the state," he told reporters. Millions of foreign workers make up the majority of the labour force in Kuwait and some of its Gulf neighbours, and often live in overcrowded accommodation. On Thursday, Kuwaiti prosecutors ordered one citizen and a number of residents to be remanded in custody over accusations of manslaughter due to safety negligence at the building. India's foreign ministry said 176 workers lived there. The other dead included three Filipino workers, the Philippine migrant workers ministry said, adding that two more were in hospital and in a critical condition. Local authorities did not disclose what kind of employment the workers were engaged in, although like in other Gulf states, Kuwait relies heavily upon foreign labour in industries like construction. About 13 million Indians work abroad - more than 60% of them in Gulf nations - according to information shared with parliament by the Indian foreign ministry in 2023. Kuwait accounts for the third highest for a country with nearly 850,000. The Indian foreign ministry says it has a "robust mechanism" to monitor working conditions abroad. But commentators said it needed to do more. The Kuwait fire "is a reminder of the dismal working conditions of a large, and often ignored, section of the Indian diaspora", the Indian Express said in an editorial on Friday. (Reporting by Tanvi Mehta in New Delhi and Jose Devasia in Thiruvananthapuram; Editing by YP Rajesh and Christina Fincher) True gourmands will now be able to eat (and drink) their way through America this fall. The Champagne label Krug has teamed up with luxury-travel agency Indagare on three itineraries that celebrate the brands bubbly as well as the food that pairs best with it. Indagare Insider Journeys: Discover the Krug Single Ingredient will take you to some of the best properties around the United States, where a few of the countrys most lauded chefs will cook up meals highlighting this years single ingredient: flowers. More from Robb Report The chefs involved in the trips Each itinerary is meticulously crafted to deliver a sensory journey, complemented by exceptional Krug Champagne experiences, at some of our favorite hotels in the U.S. These include the finest boutique properties in California, Vermont, and Tennessee, each known for their distinctive locations, character, charm and high-touch, authentic service, Melissa Biggs Bradley, the founder and CEO of Indagare, said in a statement. Indagare Insider Journeys: Discover the Krug Single Ingredient immerses you in the world of Krug and exquisite locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine (and terroir in its truest sense)these are extraordinary culinary journeys you wont find anywhere else. The first trip, from October 17 to 20, will take place at Californias Harbor House Inn, where the Michelin-starred chef Matthew Kammerer will host an open-fire meal in a secluded cove along the coast. Next, from November 11 to 14, is a journey to Vermonts Twin Farms, where the chef Nathan Rich is teaming up with Cassidee Dabney from Blackberry Farm for a four-hands dinner. And from December 5 to 8, you can jet off to Tennessees Blackberry Farm itself, where Dabney will work with Kammerer on a multicourse dinner, bringing the entire series full circle. A tasting during one of the trips Along with the incredible food and drinkall Krug cuvees, of courseyoull be immersed in the locales, with behind-the-scenes looks at the properties and the way they grow and source their own ingredients. Estelle Ngo, the head of Krug, will also be on hand to walk you through Champagne tastings and bring you further inside the almost 200-year-old house. Full itineraries are available upon request, and prices start at $11,150 per person for a double-occupancy room on the Blackberry Farm trip. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Clifford Halverson, 56, entered his plea to one count of receipt or distribution of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 11 in U.S. District Court in Omaha. He had also faced two counts of production of visual depiction of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and one count of possession of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, My mom decided to downsize very abruptly a few months ago. She ended up moving into a house in the neighborhood of one of her best friends, Betty. Betty was very insistent that my mother should move and it ended up being a good fit for my mom. I am staying with my mom temporarily. The new house is fine, but there is one problem with the neighborhood: Betty and her family. I have never had more disruptive or inconsiderate neighbors. Her kids are always over and have very loud hobbies, now all outdoors because of the weather. We live a few houses away and can hear when they do anything outside. I recently went on one of the local apps to search for some new furniture and found out that most of the neighbors hate them. They say they let their trash blow into everybody elses yard and that they will blare their car radios at all hours of the night and morning. Im starting to realize that the only time weve been over to Bettys has been for parties, and they were incredibly disruptive at those times, too, I just never really thought about what it must be like for their neighbors. My last straw was when they decided to light a barrage of loud fireworks for no reason at all. That is illegal at this point in the year, as we are nowhere near the 4th of July. I asked my mom to talk to Betty about it, and she refused. I like Betty just fine, but I cannot believe someone is so clueless as to the disruption they are causing to all of their neighbors. I honestly dont think her kids or husband would even take my annoyance to heart (they are surly), and I think Betty would just play it off. I also dont feel super comfortable talking to Betty in the first place. Based on all of these factors, I am considering writing an anonymous note warning them that I will call the cops. Some of my friends say this is a bit overboard. What do you think I should do? Sick of the Noise Dear Sick, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be more than fair to send an anonymous note letting Betty and her family know that you will call the police the next time they are disruptive. This way, you dont have to risk creating tension between your mom and her friend. If things dont improve after warning them, call the police. You and your neighbors should not have to deal with Bettys familys shenanigans. Dont let your mother know what you intend to do; she will likely try to stop you and may even tell Betty that youre the one who reported her Want Advice on Parenting, Kids, or Family Life? Submit your questions to Care and Feeding here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.) Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, My 5.5-year-old is home for his first summer break ever. We are taking him out of preschool/daycare in mid-June and have day camps lined up for most of the weeks that are between 2-3 hours per day, Monday-Thursday. My husband and I work from home and have a lot of flexibility during the summer months. My concern is that my kiddo has been in daycare since basically birth (thanks, American parental leave) and definitely thrives on routines and predicable flows of the day. Do you have tips on setting up a routine for the summer months or how to best transition a daycare kid to summer (sort of) freedom? Hes active, will decently play on his own-ish, but is also used to being with his buddies at preschool all day, so isnt super used to going solo. Summer Madness Dear Summer Madness, Advertisement Advertisement Creating daily routines will help your son adjust to his new normal. Wake him up and serve him breakfast at the same time each day. Schedule things like trips to the park, long walks, and arts and crafts time to occur routinely after day camp so he has a sense of what to expect. If you can, try to have his lunch and naps take place around the same time he would be having them at daycare. Talk to him about what you will be doing and when. Not every day will be the same and thats okay! Its good for him to learn to be adaptable to change. As far as being used to seeing other children at preschool, hell get that experience with kids at camp. If you can, try and schedule some playdates with his classmates so he can enjoy spending time with familiar faces. This summer is a wonderful opportunity for your son to strengthen his bond with his parents and to enjoy new experiences, including entertaining himself at times, and I think you will find that it will involve less of an adjustment than youre anticipating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catch Up on Care and Feeding Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, I am trying to encourage my two children to have a healthy relationship with food, but it is hard because my sister feeds her three kids nothing but crap. Everything is deep-fried, fast food, or just processed sugar. I dont think there is a fruit or veggie in their house. I try to sympathize with my sister because she is a single mom working two jobs, but she drives me up the wall when she caves to her kids. I watch them every day after school and often on weekends because she works. The kids claim I am starving them because they have apple slices and oranges to snack on rather than chips. It gets worse if I cook dinner; her kids refuse everything from lasagna to pork chops because they know their mother will cave and get them fast food. It is not only insulting but wasteful! I have tried talking to my sister about this, but she just gives me the brush off and says it isnt worth fighting her kids on the subject. I am tired of how this is impacting my children. My husband thinks if my sister cant get her kids to behave better for us then she needs to make other childcare arrangements. I dont want to draw that line in the sand yet, but come on, our parents made us eat our veggies or we didnt get dessert. My sister just gives them dessert! What to do? Healthy Living Dear Healthy Living, Advertisement Advertisement While I do understand why you are hesitant to terminate your arrangement with your sister, I think that you should require that things change a bit in order for you to keep caring for them. Let her know that you simply cannot deal with them rejecting all the food you put before them and that you are not going to stop offering them healthy foods when they are under your watch. Ask her to talk to them about how they behave when you present them with food and explain how their actions impact your children. Put your foot down! You shouldnt tolerate their insolence any further, but you can allow them the opportunity to weigh in on what sort of snacks and meals they would prefer. Take them to the grocery store and allow them to identify the healthier snacks and meals that theyd be willing to eat. If they cant adapt, their mother will simply have to make other plans for them. You shouldnt be wasting your money on food that will go uneaten just because they wont eat anything that isnt junk. Advertisement Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, My best friend, who Ive known my whole life (next-door neighbors as kids) and consider my sister, is racist. She is dark-skinned of Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Guatemalan heritage. She is racist against Black people and Indians. Unfortunately, she has taught her children (15,14,11) to also be racist. Her husband stays out of it, even though his son is half-black. Hes outnumbered, living with his in-laws who are also very racist. It bothers me tremendously to see my nieces and nephew becoming racists. We live in New Jersey where theres lots of diversity. I dont think they even realize that if they went to Kentucky, for example (sorry Kentucky), then they would know what true racism is and how hurtful it is. What can I do, if anything, to stop these young kids from being racist? Ive have talked to my friend about this many times over the years, long before the kids came. She brushes it off as a joke or that its truth and gets mad. Her kids are now doing the same. What can I do? Its Not Okay Dear Its Not Okay, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The great irony here is that in the eyes of most people, your friend is Black; while there are plenty of dark-complexioned Latino people who deny their Black heritage, their color is evidence that they are of African descent. Im not sure if youve clocked that and referred to her children as half-Black for that reason, or if her husband is Black. Unfortunately, it wouldnt be surprising if he is Black himself, as there are plenty of racist people with partners of color. What I am hearing is that you have been friends with a racist for years, and that her negative attitudes about Black and Indian people have not prevented you from paling around with her. You should do some self-reflection on that; when we allow bigoted people to remain in our livesand shes not a relative, so you have chosen to have her aroundwe are essentially giving them a pass to be hateful. Continuing your friendship with this woman is an endorsement of her beliefs, even if you challenge her on them. Racists need consequences and should be socially isolated from people who do not share their views. If you continue your relationship with her, which I imagine you will because you ae as close as sisters, she wont learn the lesson shed get if you were to say I can no longer be your friend if you continue to say these hateful things about people of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you spend time with your friends kids in her absence? If so, talk to them about racism and provide them with a perspective they wont get from their mom (and perhaps even from their dad; hes clearly henpecked, self-hating, or just plain complicit). Explain to them that their Black heritage is something to be proud of and that they shouldnt judge other Black people poorly, nor should they look down on any other ethnic group. Acknowledge that their mother feels differently and explain that you simply feel it is important to talk to them about these things. Hopefully, they will reflect on your words and take them seriously. Jamilah For More Parenting Advice, Listen to the Care and Feeding Podcast This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become. The reason we picked the age of 80 was simply that the support is so overwhelming at that point. Some of the first people I talked to when I decided to take it on are my parents. Theyre in their early 80s. And I asked my dad: How do you feel about this? Am I crazy? And he said: Son, at my age, I have got no business being in Congress. Jared Hendrix, speaking about the recently passed age limit of 80 for North Dakota legislators Well, America, we finally did it: We passed an age maximum for politicians! Advertisement Never mind that this limit, passed Tuesday by 61 percent of voters on a state ballot measure, applies only to politicians out of North Dakota. Never mind that it is certainly unconstitutional. This first-of-its-kind proposal, called Measure 1, prohibits congressional candidates from serving after they reach the spritely age of 81, as of December 31 of the year immediately preceding the end of the term. When asked about the proposals specific age threshold of 80, the state House candidate leading the effort, Jared Hendrixrunning in Fargosaid to PBS NewsHour that he wanted to try to find the right balance between what he referred to as age-induced wisdom and age-induced decline. We thought 80 was the balance, he said. Measure 1 arrives at an interesting moment. Its a presidential election year in which both presumptive major-party nominees are at or pushing 80 and nearly 20 members of the current 118th Congress are over 80. Advertisement Its not that politicians cant be great in their 80s and 90s; its just that with many sticking around long past retirement age, there are markedly scarcer opportunities for fresh ideas from new generations. The old guard has a lock on how things runand OK, yes, at least a few of them seem to be dealing with actual infirmity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, Measure 1 seems to address the frustration that many feel with the countrys geriatric political establishment. (Nearly 80 percent of Americans approve of maximum age limits, in fact, according to a recent Pew Research poll.) Yes, the proposal applies only to legislators from North Dakota, not to presidential candidates. And its likely to be appealed any minute now. Advertisement But that it was handily passed in the first place is a reflection of the times. Hendrix, who is 41, is saying the quiet part out loud: The reason we picked the age of 80 was simply that the support is so overwhelming at that point, he told PBS. In the 1995 case U.S. Term Limits Inc. v. Thornton, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot set age limits for future members of Congress if said limits exceed those in the Constitution. And the Constitution provides just a minimum age, 35, not a maximum age. Regardless, Hendrix definitely expects a court challenge. I think its a great question to ask, he told PBS. Do we have a right as states to apply additional qualifications? Well have to see. Even if this ballot measure somehow holds, theres an irony to it. Eighty years might be a generally agreeable upper limit for those serving in Congress, but its still, well, old. For a job as demanding as holding political office, we might want to heed what Hendrixs own octogenarian father told him when his son sought his opinion on the ballot measure: Son, at my age, I have got no business being in Congress. On a street corner outside the Southern Baptist Conventions annual meeting in Indianapolis this week, a small contingent from Baptist Women in Ministry, a group of Baptists from various denominations, held colorful signs reading Women Were the First Preachers and Break Barriers Not Spirits. A few passersby covertly gave them a thumbs-up. Around the corner, a man shouted into a mic and portable speaker, warning believers not to buy into the garbage that men are just trying to beat women down and maintain their own power. Dont be caught up in the emotional psychobabble, he pleaded. Those are the tools of the enemy, not the tools of the Word of God. In an even tone, Rev. Dr. Meredith Stone, BWIMs executive director, read hundreds of prayers aloud, messages of solidarity with Baptist women sent in from around the world. Stone told me she saw prayer as a form of resistance. There was reason for organized resistance this week. SBC came razor-close to adopting an amendment that would remove churches with female pastors from the convention. In the aftermath, the SBCs resolution to oppose the use of in vitro fertilization has been getting headlines, but a look at the entire annual meeting shows that gender and sexuality are at the heart of the denominations battles over its future. Nearly 11,000 SBC messengers, representatives from the nations largest Protestant denomination, preached and voted on church resolutions and a significant amendment that proposed to limit womens roles and expand what it means for Southern Baptists to be pro-life. Gender anxiety wove through SBCs annual meeting, along with dire warnings that the world is trying to push the entity toward the theological left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the historic First Baptist Church of Alexandria was removed from the SBC due to its belief that women can be ministers. The church first ordained a woman in 1980 and has appointed women to prominent ministry and pastoral roles ever since. It currently has a female pastor for children and women. Ninety-two percent of Southern Baptist messengers voted to expel the church. On Wednesday, messengers considered what has become known as the Law Amendment (an eponym for the amendments sponsor, Virginia pastor Mike Law). The measure would formally exclude from the SBC any churches that affirm, appoint, or employ women as pastors of any kind. Women have quietly served Southern Baptist churches for generations, and although a few bigger-name congregations such as Saddleback Church (ousted last year) started ordaining women more recently, more than 1,800 women have leadership roles at over 1,000 Southern Baptist churches. Advertisement Pastor Ryan Fullerton of Immanuel Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, spoke in favor of the amendment, saying that it would clarify that only men are qualified to hold the office of pastor. Culture is attacking gender on all fronts, he said. Every pastor and disciple in this room knows the ravages of the LGBTQIA agenda and its effects on youth in their churches, he added. What better way to express our countercultural commitment to the goodness of Gods word than to affirm Gods creation order in relation to the office of pastor? Advertisement Messengers in attendance cast their votes via paper ballot, and the roomand believers across the countrywaited for the results. Advertisement Politics Are Never Far Away The high-profile Southern Baptist gathering attracted a visit from former Vice President Mike Pence and a virtual video message from former President Donald Trump (delivered on the same day Trump met, online, with his probation officer). Trumps prerecorded speech was hosted at the Indiana Roof Ballroom by the recently formed Danbury Institute, a coalition of conservative churches that maintains that abortion is child sacrifice on the altar of self. The institute says it will not rest until abortion is eradicated entirely. Although the event was not part of the SBCs official schedule, it was listed on the annual meetings website and attracted many convention attendees. Advertisement The Danbury Institutes gathering this week featured ample American flags and dire warnings about the countrys current social moment. Speakers struck a series of notes that would be familiar to people following our recent culture wars: Public schools are a place of indoctrination for non-Christian ideas, doctors are performing sex-change surgeries on minors, and men dressed as women are invading spaces once regarded as safe for women and children, such as public libraries and female locker rooms. The foreboding welcome video included images of drag queens as ominous examples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event included Promise Keepers new CEO, Shane Winnings, who spoke about how we need strong men now more than ever. Promise Keepers, the 90s organization that idealized Christian manhood, is in the process of something of a relaunch. Earlier this month, the group came out with a Proclamation on Godly Masculinity, arguing that the cultural emasculation of men and captivity by the lies of Satan have confused gender roles, leading to moral decline and sexual perversion. In August, Promise Keepers will host an arena-sized gathering with a lineup of speakers that includes the founder of Turning Point USA and veteran online culture warrior Charlie Kirk. At the close of the event, Trump, in his short video, warned, You just cant vote Democrat. Theyre against religion. Theyre against your religion in particular. Advertisement For his part, Pence told a ballroom full of Southern Baptists Wednesday how his faith informed his political decisions. This was a group gathered over boxed lunches, hoping to hear how to engage politically in a Christian way in this, our polarized age. When Pence described a lasting difference of opinion with Trump over whether Pence could have overturned the 2020 presidential election, he was met with a standing ovation from the crowd for upholding the Constitution on Jan. 6, 2021. Otherwise, Pence focused largely on the issue of abortion, saying he disagreed with many Republican candidates (though he didnt say so, this contingent includes Trump) who suggest that abortion law be left to the states. The former vice president called for a nationwide abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the destiny of the nation is inextricably linked to whether we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law, Pence said. He said he believes that the country needs to return to an era of traditional moral valuesa time before the new gender ideology that has taken hold. Personhood Although the SBC has faced record-breaking declines in membership in recent years, hitting its lowest enrollment in nearly half a century, it remains the largest evangelical faith group in the country. Its members are deeply conservative and highly mobilized voters. That conservatism and mobilization explains the conventions efforts to more narrowly define what it means to be pro-life. The resolution concerning IVF was prompted by what Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, called a lack of political will to stand behind an anti-abortion stance that extends to conception. Advertisement Authored by Mohler, the resolution explained how IVF routinely generates more embryos than can be safely implanted, resulting in the freezing, stockpiling, and ultimate destruction of human embryos. SBC messengers voted for the measure, reaffirming the humanity of an estimated 1.5 million in an embryonic stage. It was a move, as the resolution stated, to encourage Southern Baptists to advocate for the government to restrain actions inconsistent with the dignity and value of every human being, including frozen embryonic human beings. Advertisement Advertisement Mohler also noted, at a talk Monday, Much of the market for [IVF] is actually not even found among heterosexual married couples. But, he said, the redefinition of marriage, gender, and all things in light of the LGBTQ movement also means that there are people who can now have children alienated from that natural process, the union of husband and wife in the institution of marriage, in the larger institution of the natural family. Advertisement Advertisement Backlash Against Women? The effort to define complementary male and female gender roles was repeatedly contrasted rhetorically with what speakers described as a looming cultural transgender ideology. In this worldview, the combined worry makes sense: If gender roles are fluid, male authority becomes transferable. This is highly dangerous if you believe that men are designed by God to lead. For a community that also believes that homosexual relationships are sinful, theres added urgency in defining male and female as a set dyad, with women needing the leadership of men. Advocates for the Law Amendment warned that historically, female pastors are an early step toward liberalism and that the same interpretive method that leads to female pastors also leads to practicing homosexual pastors. Advertisement The effort to eliminate women-led churches, even as the SBC loses members, followed a multiyear effort to force the convention to contend with its sexual abuse crisis, a public reckoning led predominantly by outspoken women survivors whose revelations toppled some of the most powerful men across the faith group. Their advocacy and ample media attention to their stories pushed the SBC to hire external investigators and ultimately release a list of alleged abusers. Subsequently, the Department of Justice began to look into the sexual abuse and cover-up within the SBC. The 22-month investigation recently yielded an indictment of former Southern Baptist seminary professor and pastor Matthew Queen for obstructing justice in a federal grand jury investigation by falsifying records. (Queen has pleaded not guilty.) Advertisement Advertisement Jules Woodson, a Southern Baptist sexual assault survivor and advocate, said in an interview that she sees connections between the various resolutions affecting women introduced at this years convention and womens recent push for reform. They have proven that powerful men in charge cant be trusted yet they are hindering any attempt for women to bring meaningful change. Advertisement On Wednesday, messengers elected a new president, Clint Pressley, a man who supports the Law Amendment and opposes the creation of a Ministry Check website to track abusive leaderssomething sexual abuse survivors have been demanding since 2007. Stone, from Baptist Women in Ministry, sighed over how many times people just dont believe women, whether women say they have been abused, have been traumatized, are hurting, she said, or have received a calling from God to the ministry. Its denigrating to your personhood. It makes you question yourself and question God. Advertisement What happened at the SBCs annual meeting is a microcosm of the broader culture-wide backlash against the #MeToo movement. #ChurchToo, a movement that revealed abuses of power within churches across the nation and within the SBC, briefly put women at the fore, demanding better of men more accustomed to defining the course, men whose interests prevented them from confronting known abuses and too often prioritized silencing victims. Advertisement Advertisement And yet, Wednesday morning ended with a surprise: the Law Amendment failed to reach the needed two-thirds majority threshold to pass, with 61.45 percent voting to ban churches with women pastors and 38.38 percent voting against the amendment. This result might seem encouraging to those in favor of womens leadership, but some of the 38.38 percent opposed the Law Amendment not because of egalitarianism but because they felt that it was redundant. Way back in 2000, the SBC had codified its position on women clergy in its governing document, the Baptist Faith and Message. Then, this year and last year, individual churches with women pastors had successfully been removed. Those who had supported the Law Amendment argued that despite the conventions decades-old stance on the matter, over 1,000 SBC churches had female pastors and the Credentials Committeetasked with determining which churches were in friendly cooperationhad shown a reluctance to act against them. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate How the Southern Baptist Convention Became a Safe Haven for Abusers Read More For the clergy from Baptist Women in Ministry who stood outside the SBC praying, who were dismissed and sniped at, but who also received gestures of solidarity as the week went on, the vote was cautiously welcomed. In a statement, they gave appreciation for the Southern Baptist messengers who voted against the amendment out of support for women. After following the debate that led to the vote, though, Stone said she thought that women in ministry were used as props for the display of extreme conservativism, in order to advance the power of a faction within SBC. She said she believed that women pastors will continue to be diminished and demeaned and that those observing the conflict will have heard the incorrect message that they do not have equal value to God and the church. Advertisement At the heart of this years annual meeting of the SBC were two major conservative initiatives: one aiming to treat embryos as equal; another to further mark out women as less qualified for leadership, by Gods design. What you might miss if you werent following closely: In the course of the debates over these two issues, the cloud of fear surrounding queer and trans people grew thicker; the conviction to fight abortion everywhere, and in every case, grew deeper. The apparent danger of a leftward slide in the SBC appears thwarted, as a new tide rises: biblical manhood, promising a remedy for our cultures woes. The Supreme Courts conservative supermajority carved a huge loophole into the federal prohibition against machine guns on Friday, striking down a bump stock ban first enacted in 2018 by the Trump administration. Its 63 decision allows civilians to convert AR-15style rifles into automatic weapons that can fire at a rate of 400800 rounds per minute. One might hope a ruling that stands to inflict so much carnage would, at least, be indisputably compelled by law. It is not. Far from it: To reach this result, Justice Clarence Thomas opinion for the court tortures statutory text beyond all recognition, defying Congress clear and (until now) well-established commands. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor explained in dissent, the supermajority flouts the ordinary meaning of the law, adopting an artificially narrow interpretation that will have deadly consequences. This Supreme Court will be squarely at fault for the next mass shooting enabled by a legal bump stock. Fridays decision, Garland v. Cargill, is not a Second Amendment case. The plaintiffs do not (yet) argue that the Constitution guarantees a right to own bump stocks. Rather, they claim that the Trump administration stretched existing law too far when it outlawed bump stocks following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. The gunman committed that massacre with the assistance of a bump stock, allowing him to murder 60 people in 10 minutes from 490 yards away, the deadliest single-gunman mass shooting in U.S. history. To use this device, a gunman attaches it to his AR-15, then holds his finger on the trigger and leans forward to maintain pressure on the bump stock. A semiautomatic requires the shooter to pull the trigger to fire each round. When done correctly, by contrast, bump firing can then unleash a spray of bullets without repeated pulls of the trigger, and at the rate of an automatic weapon. This barrage is audible in many videos of the Las Vegas shooting; victims were mowed down in rapid succession because the bump stock enabled nonstop fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Courts June Opinion Dump Will Be Devastating and Unprecedented Read More For years, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives had been monitoring these devices; the agency found some unlawful, depending on their precise mechanisms, but did not take a formal position overall. The Las Vegas shooting prompted ATF to conclude that bump stocks transform semiautomatic rifles into machine guns, rendering them illegal under a long-standing federal statute. Thats because this law bans any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for converting a weapon into a machinegun. And a machinegun is defined as any firearm that fires automatically by a single function of the trigger. After extensive deliberation, ATF found that bump stockequipped rifles do exactly that. Now the Supreme Court has decided that it understands firearms better than the ATF. Thomas majority opinion reads like the fevered work of a gun fetishist, complete with diagrams and even a GIF. The justice, who worships at the altar of the firearm, plainly relished the opportunity to depict the inner workings of these cherished tools of slaughter. (Its no surprise that he borrowed the images from the avidly pro-gun Firearms Policy Foundation.) To reach his preferred result, Thomas falsely accused ATF of taking the position that bump stocks were legal, then abruptly reversing course after the Las Vegas shooting. This account is dead wrong: ATF took a careful, case-by-case view of different bump stocklike devices as gunmakers developed them, deeming some permissible and others unlawful. The gun industry pushed these devices into the mainstream by deceiving ATF about their purpose; in one case, for instance, a manufacturer won approval from the agency by claiming a bump stock was designed to accommodate people with limited hand strengththen turned around and marketed it as the next best thing to a machine gun. Advertisement Advertisement After wrongly accusing the agency of a politically motivated about-faceand using this charge to discount its expertise and authorityThomas adopted a highly technical interpretation of the statute that does not align with its text. A single function of the trigger, he wrote, does not mean a single pull of the trigger, but rather a complete cycle of the spring-loaded hammer inside the gun. Because the hammer (rapidly) resets to its original position between shots, Thomas concluded, bump firing involves more than a single function of the trigger. And because the shooter must actively maintain a particular stance to put pressure on certain parts of the weapon, the justice wrote, the resulting fire is not truly automatic. Advertisement Advertisement Sotomayors dissent, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, rebuts this butchering of the text in a tone that toggles between scathing and mournful. She pointed out that when Congress first banned machineguns in 1934, their internal mechanisms varied enormously: Some used triggers, others buttons; some relied on the shooters backward pressure on the weapon, while others harnessed the recoil produced by a bullets discharge. To account for these differences, Sotomayor wrote, Congress adopted a definition that encompassed all guns that fire continuously without any need for the shooter to reengage the trigger. That had, until Friday, been the ordinary meaning of automatic fire. Extensive records of congressional debate around the 1934 bill confirms beyond a doubt that lawmakers intended to codify this definition. And evidence of contemporaneous usage overwhelmingly supports that interpretation, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the Supreme Court has now replaced this near-century-old understanding with a narrow, highly technical one that lacks a basis in statutory text. By doing so, Sotomayor noted, the majority arrogates Congresss policymaking role to itself. Its indefensible decision eviscerates Congresss regulation of machineguns, enables gun users and manufacturers to circumvent federal law, and hamstrings the governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. And why? Yes, a deep current of gun fetishism runs through Thomas opinion. But so, too, does an arrogant skepticism of federal agencies like ATF and the experts who staff them. The majority snidely casts aside ATFs interpretation in favor of its own amateur conception of how a true machine gun operates. In the process, it does serious damage to American democracy, disobeying a congressional mandate and overriding a decision by the executive branch, whichunlike the judiciaryis accountable to the people. Advertisement Yes, Congress can go back to the drawing board and enact a broader law that sweeps in bump stocks. (It wont, because Republicans will block any such proposal.) Thats what Justice Samuel Alito advised in a concurrence on Friday, urging lawmakers to patch the loophole that he helped to create. But Congress shouldnt have to correct the Supreme Courts mistakes. On the rare occasions when it can overcome gridlock, the legislative branch should not have to expend time fixing laws that SCOTUS broke. And the rest of us should not have to worry that the justices, cocooned in their ever-expanding security details, will cavalierly subject us to the prospect of mass slaughter. To the conservative supermajority, this case is about word games and diagrams. To the future victims of bump stockenabled shootings, it is a matter of literal life and death. 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!) 12. Jun 2024 at 6:40 I Modified at 14. Jun 2024 at 9:41 I European Commission recently approved state incentives for the carmaker. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share A 1.2-billion investment by Chinese-owned Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars in eastern Slovakia is expected to create thousands of new jobs, boost regional development, and contribute to more ecological transport in Slovakia and elsewhere, among other benefits. The company is building its third European factory in the Valaliky industrial park near Kosice, where it will produce all-electric vehicles. Both Slovakia and Sweden consider the investment a priority. The Volvo investment will contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs, to regional development, and to ecological transport, said Marek Estok, state secretary (i.e. deputy minister) of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, on a visit to Kosice for celebrations to mark Europe Day on May 9. He was accompanied by Christian Danielsson, state secretary of the Swedish Ministry of European Union Affairs. The Slovak government is providing a direct financial incentive of 267 million to support construction of the plant. Related article Related article Car production returns to pre-Covid figures in Slovakia Read more Giving the green light to the stimulus, the European Commission said in early April the investment will contribute to the EUs strategic objectives relating to job creation, regional development and the European Green Deal. Accommodation will be provided for only 120 days from the first granting of temporary refuge. The Vysne Nemecke border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine, pictured in March 2020 following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. (Source: Jozef Jakubco) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share According to an amendment to the asylum law approved by MPs on Thursday, June 13 the allowance for accommodating refugees from Ukraine will now be provided for only 120 days from the initial granting of temporary refuge on the territory of Slovakia. Only defined vulnerable groups of persons will continue to receive the allowance indefintely. The rationale cited for the change was the need for "greater specificity" and to ensure "the sustainability of support for future periods". "The current model of this support is provided to a wide range of refugees, which is unsustainable in the long term. It is also desirable for refugees to integrate into normal life as soon as possible and contribute to securing basic necessities from their own resources," explained the amendment's proposer. Some exceptions Exceptions will be granted to vulnerable groups of people, some of whom may be eligible to access the allowance without time limit. However, the range of vulnerable persons is being narrowed. Categories will include: Members of households receiving material need assistance Persons with severe disabilities. Seniors aged 65 and over. Children under the age of five. Parents or individuals caring for a child under the age of five based on a court decision. Similar rules for the provision of the allowance would also apply to the accommodation of out-of-town refugees in asylum facilities. However, the range of vulnerable persons eligible is narrower and includes only persons aged 65 and over, single parents caring for a child under the age of five, and individuals personally caring for a child under the age of five based on a court decision, and their child under five. An asylum seeker will have to leave a state asylum facility if: The refugee's temporary shelter has expired, or the period for accommodation has expired. The ministry has notified him/her of his transfer to another asylum facility. The refugee has seriously violated the internal rules of the asylum facility. Likewise, a one-time allowance and an integration allowance will not be provided to an asylum seeker or a foreigner with supplementary protection if he or she had or has been granted permanent residence or temporary residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic, or temporary refuge in the territory of the Slovak Republic. Other laws are also being changed Significant changes have been made to the healthcare law concerning the stay of refugees in Slovakia. Under the new amendments, healthcare providers can no longer refuse to enter into agreements to provide healthcare to selected groups, including refugees, who are not part of the public health insurance system. "The reason is that these individuals, despite being protected by special laws, face issues in receiving care from general practitioners," explained the government. In response to the challenges faced by refugees and other non-participants in the public health insurance system, the health insurance law has been amended to address the problem of covering healthcare costs for these groups. The tourism support law has also seen changes, with the removal of the provision that previously regulated the accommodation allowance for refugees under the Transport Ministry's jurisdiction. Adjustments to the education law will now permit school principals to remove a student from the register if the student requests to leave due to departing Slovakia or if the student is not attending classes and cannot be contacted. The gathering in Switzerland will not be attended by Russia or China. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen (left) speaks with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (centre) during an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers at the Czernin Palace in Prague on May 31, 2024. (Source: AP/TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer), who will represent Slovakia at what is being dubbed a Ukraine peace summit at the Swiss resort of Burgenstock this weekend, does not expect any breakthrough in bringing peace. Russia launched an all-out invasion of its neighbour in February 2022; the conflict has since led to hundreds of thousands of casualties and caused hundreds of billions of euros in damage to Ukrainian property and infrastructure. I expect that the origins and development of the conflict in Ukraine will be viewed realistically, as this is an important prerequisite for reaching a ceasefire and seeking a peaceful resolution, the minister stated, adding that food safety, nuclear safety, humanitarian aid, and freedom of navigation are among the matters that will be raised at the summit. These are all part of President Volodymyr Zelenskys 10-point peace plan. Blanar will substitute for Prime Minister Robert Fico at the meeting; the latter is still recovering after being shot in May. High-level delegates from dozens of countries, but not from Russia or China, are due to participate in the summit. We consider it essential to primarily negotiate and seek diplomatic solutions to resolve the conflict in Ukraine diplomatically, Blanar added on Thursday. On Wednesday, June 12, Blanar celebrated Russia Day at the Russian Embassy in Bratislava. In contrast to his other official engagements, he did not announce his visit; however, the Russian Embassy publicised the event and Blanar's presence at it. Vacillating government policy Slovakia has yo-yoed on Russias war in Ukraine since Smer won last years parliamentary elections and formed its fourth government. While the coalition says that it supports any initiative that would lead to peace and purports to recognise Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty, it has halted all direct military support from Slovakia to Ukraine, instead restricting help to humanitarian aid, efforts to demine Ukraine, and military aid based on commercial arms deals involving state-owned companies. On June 12, the Slovak Electricity Transmission System (SEPS) also announced that it will continue to provide emergency assistance during emergency events when its Ukrainian counterpart, TSO Ukrenergo, is not be able to maintain electricity supplies on its own. Blanar, encouraged by the prime minister, met with the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, in early March in Turkey. Coalition MPs held a secretly scheduled meeting with Russian Ambassador to Slovakia Igor Bratchikov in the Slovak parliament in May. Bratchikov has also appeared at several official events, including at the anniversaries of the liberation of Bratislava in April and of the end of the Second World War in Europe in May, both of which took place in Bratislava. Similar meetings have been held by Smer party representatives since Russia's invasion, both before and after the party returned to power in October 2023. The Smer-led government, which is also opposed to Ukraines membership in NATO, but not in the EU, has reportedly never called on Russia to end its invasion and withdraw from Ukraine. Future Slovak president Peter Pellegrini, who was part of the coalition until recently, met with Bratchikov in January. He has even invited him to his inauguration as president, which takes place tomorrow, June 15. Earlier this week, the Defence Ministry questioned the previous governments donation of Slovakia's Soviet-era jets to Ukraine, arguing that the ministrys then leadership had no right to do it. By sending fighter jets worth more than 500 million to Ukraine, the outgoing government made a significant decision in foreign policy and thus violated the Constitution of the Slovak Republic, said Deputy Defence Minister Igor Melicher. In fact, the jets were obsolete, most were not airworthy and all of them had been grounded since 2022. Slovakia is due to receive 14 new US-made F-16 fighters in the coming months. Only the beginning As for the summit, former Slovak foreign minister Miroslav Wlachowsky considers it important that Slovakia will take part in the meeting. But even he does not have high hopes. The absence of the country that caused the aggression [i.e Russia], as well as another significant permanent member of the UN Security Council, China, means that this conference will represent only one phase of the peace process, he told the Sme daily. According to Ukraine expert Alexander Duleba, Slovakia can provide its know-how when it comes to protecting nuclear power plants. Slovakia has good experience, and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority is well-respected, he noted, calling the summit a diplomatic achievement by Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that Russia would cease its military actions and start peace negotiations if Ukraine were to give up its ambitions for NATO membership and withdraw entirely from four regions of Ukraine that are claimed by Moscow. Russia has failed to occupy fully any of the four regions and a Ukrainian withdrawal would leave millions more of its citizens under Russian control. Kyiv rejected any notion of a deal on such terms. Read President Zuzana Caputova's farewell address. Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova addresses the nation for the last time in the Presidential Garden in Bratislava on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Source: TASR - Jaroslav Novak) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Dear citizens, guests and those present, Tomorrow marks the end of my five-year presidential term. On this occasion, I would like to address you for the last time as President of the Slovak Republic. We have met on various occasions, in different places, and in different corners of our homeland. Those of you here are representatives of various parts of our society local government, civil society, charity, education, culture and arts, and minorities. Among you are holders of the highest state honours, successful scientists, athletes, artists, and teachers. You represent a diverse Slovakia, the Slovakia I have had the opportunity to get to know wise, solidarity-driven, active, competent, mature, and humane. When I took office five years ago, none of us could have known the challenges we would face: that two of the five years of my mandate would be overshadowed by a global pandemic, that we would experience military aggression in our region, that we would face an energy crisis and unprecedented price rises. I did not expect that during my five years in office we would see five different governments and that the political situation would necessitate such an exceptional step as the appointment of a technocratic government. Nevertheless, after five years in office, I leave with irreplaceable experiences, with the understanding that Slovakia's potential is greater than we perceive it to be today under the weight of numerous challenging developments and an adverse social atmosphere, and with the conviction that the most valuable of Slovakias assets is all of you, the people, all of you who strive to make our country a better place to live. This joint effort of ours has a chance to succeed. I believe in it because I believe in Slovakia. And I am convinced that Slovakia can believe in itself. When I became president five years ago, in my inaugural address I said that I offer my hands, heart, and mind in service to all of you. I aimed to be a voice for those whose voices are not heard. In line with this commitment, as well as the normal exercising of powers, I sought to address the issue of domestic violence and its victims, predominantly women and children. I endeavoured to improve the social environment for seniors and strengthen their long-term care, and to provide targeted assistance to those facing poverty. My efforts also extended to minorities to ensure that their differences do not lead to different treatment or discrimination, but that we perceive them as enriching our society. Because diversity, when we make an effort to understand it, enriches us. I sought to help young people who, due to the uncertainty associated with the pandemic, found themselves in challenging psychological situations, and to de-stigmatise the issue of mental health. Thanks to cooperation with the governments that served here, many initiatives were successfully promoted. Among these were the establishment of intervention centres for victims of domestic violence in every regional capital, and an increase in benefits for people whose incomes did not cover essential living costs. I could continue with the hundreds of visits to our regions, a list of appointed state officials, dozens of pardons, numerous foreign trips, business delegations, and investments obtained, as well as new jobs created for Slovakia. I considered the protection of constitutionalism important. I assessed and signed hundreds of laws, and when necessary, exercised the right to veto them or requested the Constitutional Court assess their compliance with the constitution. In most cases, the Constitutional Court confirmed the relevance of our arguments. I consider this a significant contribution to building the standards of a rule of law. The protection of the environment and climate was also a significant chapter of my agenda, and my team and I endeavoured to set a positive example. Over the past five years, the Presidential Office has implemented numerous measures contributing to climate protection, energy savings, and, ultimately, public resources. Through the Presidential Green Seal project we motivated other institutions to join our collective effort. We educated young people and created a group of future climate leaders at our Climate Academy. All these projects have inspired several presidential offices abroad. I am particularly pleased that alongside all this the Supreme Audit Office did not find any violations of legal regulations in the activities of the Presidential Office and, according to this same office, the internal control system of the Presidential Office serves as a model of good practice for other institutions. I know that my tenure was not flawless, but it was always full of commitment and was faithful to democratic values. I considered it my mission to seek dialogue based on mutual respect, to listen to the opinions of citizens, political partners, and experts, and act to reduce tension. Although this chapter of mine will end tomorrow, the style of politics that expresses these values remains one of the most credible in the country. And that is an experience upon which we can continue to build. Dear citizens, Over the past five years, I have witnessed our ability to gather our strengths, stay united, and listen to the voice of reason and of the heart. I have witnessed many successes and encouraging signs. To complete this picture, however, I must mention that I have also seen missed opportunities and wasted chances. It has been shown that Slovakia can be cohesive and solidary, sensitive and responsible. But at the same time, in many people, there is latent anger and fear. And it seems that the fragile bond that holds society together - the bond of trust - has been further weakened under the pressure of the reality of a difficult period. Expressions of hatred have moved from social media into real life, and into political practice. A consequence of the extreme atmosphere in society was the terrorist attack on three young people on Zamocka Street, as was, just a few weeks ago, the attempted assassination of the prime minister. At such times, each of us must ask ourselves what happened and why, not so that we can restart the spiral of attacks on others but instead so we can understand our role in such a situation. All human beings long for peace and security, but the only place where peace and security begin is in our minds and hearts. We must start from there, from ourselves, with our words and actions. By expanding the space for good, replacing monologue with dialogue, swapping prejudice for an effort to listen, understand, and empathize. We face a great task ahead: to strengthen trust and understanding among ourselves. We must never give up our fundamental humanistic task: to see others, above all, as brothers and sisters. We are very vulnerable, so let us make this moment of eternity we spend together better for each other. Solidarity, tolerance, justice, and responsibility must remain our natural and essential bonds - for ourselves, our community, and for Slovakia. My beloved Slovakia! We have been through a challenging five years together. I could see your pain up close, but also joy and potential in the amazing people who live here. I could see your beauty and showcase it to other statesmen. You are divided, wounded, but always capable of coming together in humanity in difficult times. Slovakia, the land of my childhood, my home, may you have more peaceful times, wise leadership, and greater humanity. May you be an increasingly confident, proud people, not lacking in humility. My beloved Slovakia, it was an honour to serve you. Thank you. Former Seattle Mariners player Jay Buhner turns and jokes with the crowd as he shaves catcher Cal Raleigh's head on Buhner Buzz Night, Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Seattle. The promotion is based on Buhner's shaved-head style. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) SEATTLE (AP) When manager Scott Servais was told one of his Seattle Mariners players was going to shave his head to help celebrate one of the most popular promotions in franchise history, he wasnt shocked to learn it was catcher Cal Raleigh. Cal is all in. Hes a Mariner through and through, so it didnt surprise me once I heard his name, Servais said. Hes not the first one that jumped out but when I did hear it was him, OK, that makes sense. Raleigh ended up being the only player to participate as the Mariners marked the 30th anniversary of the first Buhner Buzz Cut night before Thursdays game against the Chicago White Sox. The promotion started in 1994 as the team created a unique promotion around the popularity of outfielder Jay Buhner and his chrome dome. The idea was simple come get your hair buzzed in exchange for a T-shirt and a free ticket. The event became a promotional anchor every season during the mid-1990s when the club's future in Seattle was solidified and the Mariners grew in popularity. Senior vice president of marketing and communications Kevin Martinez said there were 500 participants that first year in 1994, and about 700 took part in 1995. But after Seattle made the playoffs in 1995, the event took off. A year later, more than 3,000 turned out to have their head shaved. The event was held every year between 1994-99 and again in 2001, and a total of 19,391 people got their heads shaved including 298 women according to the team. Being here a couple of years I heard about it and obviously they were going to bring it back, so thought itd be a cool thing to do, Raleigh said. With the night off from the starting lineup, Raleigh plopped down in one of the many barber chairs set up at a venue across the street from T-Mobile Park about four hours before first pitch. Buhner, a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame after spending parts of 14 seasons in Seattle, was right alongside and took off an initial layer of Raleighs hair before giving way to a professional barber to trim down to the scalp. Its just hair. Itll grow back, Raleigh said. Its fun. Well look back one day and itll be a pretty cool moment. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/disproportionate-violence-israel-hamas-struggle-to-reach-ceasefire-as-both-come-under-review---1118939208.html Disproportionate Violence: Israel, Hamas Struggle to Reach Ceasefire as Both Come Under Review Disproportionate Violence: Israel, Hamas Struggle to Reach Ceasefire as Both Come Under Review Sputnik International While the statement from Hamas was not disclosed, Hamas reportedly proposed a new timeline for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, including Rafah. 2024-06-14T00:10+0000 2024-06-14T00:10+0000 2024-06-14T00:46+0000 analysis jeremy kuzmarov palestinians joe biden egypt israel qatar hamas israel defense forces (idf) israeli-palestinian conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/18/1118610130_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_3899447db1c7b32e7104ab5cd516af9d.jpg This week, Hamas and Palestinian groups responded to mediators Egypt and Qatar for a ceasefire plan for Gaza, the Egyptian and Qatari government said on Tuesday, Reuters reported. While the statement from Hamas was not disclosed, Hamas reportedly proposed a new timeline for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, including Rafah. A Hamas official said that the ball is now in the Israeli courtyard.On Friday, US President Joe Biden had laid out a three-phase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. But on Thursday, the president said he was not confident that an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire deal would be reached soon. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Israel will work with urgency in the coming days to see if they can bridge gaps in a possible ceasefire deal.Jeremy Kuzmarov, an author and the managing editor of Covert Action magazine joined Sputniks The Final Countdown on Wednesday to offer his views on the ceasefire deal. When asked what the Israeli response to a possible ceasefire deal will be, Kuzmarov suggested that the Israelis wont budge on their position any time soon.Firstly, for political reasons, Netanyahu wanted this war and I think wants it to continue. If the war ends, he's in the hot seat really and that could be the end for him - and he's facing potential jail time. So this war helps sustain his political career, said Kuzmarov.The ceasefire deal was reportedly outlined by the US president, said Sputniks Angie Wong. The plan would include an immediate to temporary ceasefire following the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza.I think Israel wants to really take that area over. They have ambitions for that area, the shows guest explained. I think that was always the ambition of the Likud movement and the hardliners in Israel to push for a greater Israel and more cooperation of the occupied territories into Israel, and direct rule over them and to expand Israel's power and domain in the region, the author said.A UN inquiry alleged that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in the early stages of the war in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported. Independent experts conducted two parallel reports which focused on the October 7 Hamas attack and Israels military offensive in Gaza. The report also found that Israels actions should be constituted as war crimes against humanity because of the immense number of civilians who have been killed in the war.The commission found that the crimes against humanity of extermination; murder; gender persecution targeting Palestinian men and boys; forcible transfer; and torture and inhuman and cruel treatment were committed, the report found.I think [October 7 is] horrible. [These] were kids going to a rock concert who got killed and that's horrific. But, there's a historical context that the Israelis don't even acknowledge, and that is the context of occupation and colonization, he added. The long history of human rights abuses and draconian imprisonment of political activists, political actors in Gaza in jails [...] these are just some of the abuses the Israelis have committed. That's going to trigger a backlash inevitably. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240612/a-moral-crisis-confusion-between-the-us-and-israel-continues-as-both-administrations-show-cracks-1118911982.html egypt israel qatar Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg ceasefire, rafah, gaza, israel, war, hamas https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/frances-left-wing-parties-create-coalition-ahead-of-snap-elections-1118942938.html France's Left-Wing Parties Create Coalition Ahead of Snap Elections France's Left-Wing Parties Create Coalition Ahead of Snap Elections Sputnik International France's left-wing parties have announced the establishment of a coalition, dubbed Popular Front, to participate in the early parliamentary elections after the triumph of French National Rally. 2024-06-14T03:56+0000 2024-06-14T03:56+0000 2024-06-14T03:56+0000 world france european union (eu) emmanuel macron elections snap elections popular front https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105310/03/1053100305_0:176:3016:1873_1920x0_80_0_0_edb2194821925214bdbc0b26658322a5.jpg French President Emmanuel Macrons five-party Besoin d'Europe coalition was dealt a staggering blow in the European legislative elections in France last week, where it won 14.6% of the vote, against the right-wing National Rallys 31.3%. The French leader ordered the dissolution of the lower chamber of the French parliament and a two-round snap election slated for June 30 and July 7. The coalition includes the French Communist Party, the Socialist Party, La France Insoumise party, The Greens and other left-leaning political movements. france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International france left-wing parties, snap election coalition in france, french national rally, popular front in france https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/lavrov-putins-proposals-for-ukraine-negotiations-shouldnt-be-seen-as-a-demand-for-surrender-1118954756.html Lavrov: Putins Ukraine Negotiation Proposals Shouldnt Be Seen Demand for Surrender Lavrov: Putins Ukraine Negotiation Proposals Shouldnt Be Seen Demand for Surrender Sputnik International It is incorrect to compare Russian President Vladimir Putins proposals for the transition to negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict with the demand to capitulate, given the background of the events 2024-06-14T13:17+0000 2024-06-14T13:17+0000 2024-06-14T15:47+0000 world russia-nato showdown sergey lavrov vladimir putin ukrainian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0a/1118888096_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_dae830b9406aba7506d11dbfbe75bc0c.jpg Top diplomat reminded that Russia supported the document that preserved the territorial integrity of Ukraine within the 1991 borders. Russia is not asking the West to trust it and Putins proposals for Ukraine, but the West must understand the real situation on the ground, the minister said. Moscow will use Russian President Vladimir Putin's new initiative on Ukraine in cooperation with China and other world majority countries, which also previously offered their options to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, Lavrov added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/why-bidens-10-year-security-pact-with-ukraine-is-nothing-but-a-pr-stunt-1118953617.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukraine crisis, putin plan, ukraine surrender, putin ukraine proposal, ukrainian conflict, russia-nato showdown https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/lavrov-talks-to-media-after-putins-foreign-ministry-address-1118949364.html Lavrov Talks to Media After Putin's Foreign Ministry Address Lavrov Talks to Media After Putin's Foreign Ministry Address Sputnik International Sputnik is live from Moscow, where Russias top diplomat Sergey Lavrov talks to media after meeting with Vladimir Putin. 2024-06-14T10:51+0000 2024-06-14T10:51+0000 2024-06-14T10:51+0000 world russia vladimir putin sergey lavrov ukraine ukrainian crisis russia-nato showdown https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/08/1118332149_0:0:3070:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_08e434bad49799c1b8da5fe257579186.jpg Sputnik is live from Moscow, where Russias top diplomat Sergey Lavrov talks to media after meeting with President Vladimir Putin.In his address to Foreign Ministry officials, Putin slammed the actions of the collective West. He warned that no country is immune from becoming a victim of "Western diplomacy".Putin urged the establishment of a new system of collective security in Eurasia.Follow Sputniks live broadcast to learn more! russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Lavrov's press conference Sputnik International Lavrov's press conference 2024-06-14T10:51+0000 true PT1S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International lavrov putin, russia ukraine, ukraine putin, putin foreign policy, ukraine lavrov https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/less-than-nothing-kiev-washington-agreement-is-symbolic-and-lacks-longevity---analyst---1118941559.html 'Less Than Nothing': US, Ukraine Agreement is Symbolic and Lacks Longevity - Analyst 'Less Than Nothing': US, Ukraine Agreement is Symbolic and Lacks Longevity - Analyst Sputnik International The agreement follows months of negotiations between the two parties, and has resulted in a 10-year commitment for the training of Ukraines forces, as well as other continued military assistance by the US. 2024-06-14T04:33+0000 2024-06-14T04:33+0000 2024-06-14T04:44+0000 analysis joe biden volodymyr zelensky mark sleboda netherlands kiev ukraine nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/1d/1118169988_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f03729f36a33e6abf0c7fd5cb65c8dfd.jpg The US and Ukraine signed a bilateral security pact on Thursday during the G7 summit in Italy. The agreement follows months of negotiations between the two parties, and has resulted in a 10-year commitment for the training of Ukraines forces, as well as other continued military assistance by the US. However, the agreement could easily be undone by future presidents, as the pledge is an executive agreement and not a treaty.The agreement could also be recognized as a step towards Ukrainian membership in NATO, Sputnik reported, citing Reuters. On Thursday, Moscow-based international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda joined Sputnik's The Critical Hour to discuss the recent agreement. It's got to be incredibly frustrating and disappointing to [Kiev], he added. This tells the Kiev regime that you get what you're already getting. We're going to do it 10 years into the future, but it is an executive decision. It is not a treaty, which means it can easily just be reversed by [former President] Donald Trump or [Vice President] Kamala Harris or anyone else who assumes the office.[Zelensky is] not getting into NATO. The US has got no real new wonder-weapons to give him, I guess. They can't promise him any more money than they've already gotten through Congress, at least not for the time being, Sleboda said.This move by the US suggests an attempt to veil the US governments failures, and to show that the US is dedicated, said Sputniks Garland Nixon. He added that 94% of American people want the Ukraine conflict to end through a diplomatic resolution, but this move by the US is performative.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that nuclear weapons are NATOs ultimate security guarantee and a means to preserve peace, Reuters reported. He also said the Netherlands had declared the first F-35 fighter jets ready to carry nuclear arms, adding that the US was modernizing its nuclear weapons in Europe. The NATO chief also accused Russia of dangerous nuclear rhetoric.This has long been planned. It's been long in coming, he added. And, the Netherlands are getting F-35s. Okay. It's not like these gravity bombs couldn't be dropped from F-16s. The Netherlands is handing off its old junk F-16s to the Kiev regime. And it's getting a sweetheart deal on buying the F-35s.In April, Biden signed a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Afterwards, Zelenksy said that the US and Kiev would work to create a long-term bilateral security agreement similar to agreements Ukraine had signed with France and Germany, Sputnik reported. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240613/biden-zelensky-sign-10-year-bilateral-security-agreement---reports-1118938770.html netherlands kiev ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg us, washington, kiev, ukraine, analysis, nato, nuclear weapons https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/nato-seeks-to-set-up-3-bases-in-member-states-to-coordinate-arms-supplies-to-ukraine---orban-1118946030.html NATO Seeks to Set Up 3 Bases in Member States to Coordinate Arms Supplies to Ukraine - Orban NATO Seeks to Set Up 3 Bases in Member States to Coordinate Arms Supplies to Ukraine - Orban Sputnik International NATO seeks to create military bases in Poland, Romania and Slovakia as part of its mission in Ukraine to coordinate arms supplies to Kiev, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. 2024-06-14T06:24+0000 2024-06-14T06:24+0000 2024-06-14T06:29+0000 world russia-nato showdown ukrainian crisis ukraine poland nato romania viktor orban us arms for ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1d/1117640253_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_fe72d52877e4476acbd4d544ac8f61f9.jpg Orban stressed that should this bases be established in countries bordering Ukraine like Poland, Romania and Slovakia, they will become military targets. Prime minister underscored that Hungary is worried about its security and will not take part in these activities anyhow. ukraine poland romania Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-nato showdown, nato expansion, nato ukraine, us arms for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/no-country-immune-from-nato-attack-putin-warns-1118948516.html No Country Immune From NATO Attack, Putin Warns No Country Immune From NATO Attack, Putin Warns Sputnik International The world is rapidly changing, and it will no longer be as it was beforeneither in global politics, nor in the economy, nor in technological competition, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a meeting with the top officials of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2024-06-14T09:30+0000 2024-06-14T09:30+0000 2024-06-14T14:08+0000 world vladimir putin nato russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118948585_0:0:1404:789_1920x0_80_0_0_9aca932776adea8c58521643f688fbb5.jpg "The world is changing rapidly. Nothing will be like it was before, not global politics, not the economy, nor technological competition," the president clarified."This endeavor, in today's challenging and rapidly changing realities, demands even greater concentration of effort and initiative towards resilience: not only the ability to respond to current challenges but also to shape our own, long-term agenda. Alongside our partners, we should propose and discuss, within an open and constructive dialogue, solutions to those fundamental questions that concern not only us but the entire global community," he stressed.Multipolar World OrderRussian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that the cornerstone of this emerging reality is the establishment of a multipolar world order."Today, the outlines of a multipolar and multilateral world order are being formed based on the new political and economic reality. This process highlights the inherent human diversity of culture and civilization, despite ongoing efforts at artificial homogenization," he said.More and more countries are striving to strengthen their sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and national and cultural identity. "Countries of the Global South and East are coming to the forefront, and the role of Africa and Latin America is growing. Since Soviet times, we've always emphasized the importance of these world regions, but today the dynamics are entirely different," the president stated.Growing Interest in BRICSRussia is witnessing a mounting interest in the BRICS organization, Putin noted."This vision of the future resonates with the aspirations of the vast majority of countries around the world. We see this reflected in the growing interest in BRICS, a universal association based on a special culture of trustworthy dialogue, sovereign equality of participants, and mutual respect. During Russia's chairmanship this year, we will facilitate the smooth inclusion of new members into BRICS' working structures," Putin said.He believes that the potential of BRICS will allow it to become one of the fundamental regulatory institutions in the multipolar world order. Putin stated that Western powers, led by the United States, believed they had emerged victorious from the Cold War and could dictate the global order, while dismissing Russia's legitimate concerns with evasive answers."The Western powers, led by the US, believe that they had won the Cold War and were entitled to unilaterally determine how to organize the world. This sentiment manifested in the relentless expansion of the North Atlantic bloc, both geographically and gradually. To our legitimate questions, they responded with excuses, claiming that no one intended to attack Russia and that NATO's expansion was not directed against Russia," the head of state maintained.NATO Cranking Up Pressure on Other CountriesThe US-led Transatlantic bloc is seeking to ramp up pressure on nation-states it seeks to constrain, such as Russia.The president emphasized that NATO's diplomacy often includes accusing a country and then unleashing its full force against it.Putin emphasized that no country in the world is safe from becoming a target of NATOs attack. Stealing Russian assets is yet another example of the Western eagerness to violate global rules. Vladimir Putin has stressed that this action will not go unpunished.The Russian leader added that anyone could be the next in line for the West to seize their state assets.Global Security SystemRussian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Russia's aim to further the dialogue within the UN regarding the establishment of an indivisible security system. Putin highlighted that ongoing international discussions are focusing on the dynamics of state interactions in a multipolar world and the democratization of the overall international relations system.The head of state noted that the Euro-Atlantic security system has collapsed, and a new one will need to be created. He noted that it is time to discuss collective security guarantees in Eurasia and to scale back the presence of extra-regional military forces. "We believe that the time has come to begin broad discussions on a new system of bilateral and multilateral collective security guarantees in Eurasia. In the long term, efforts should be directed toward gradually reducing the military presence of external powers in the Eurasian region," he stated.The future security architecture is open to all countries, including European and NATO nations.Ukrainian Crisis Reverberates GloballyRussian President Vladimir Putin stated that the repercussions of the Ukrainian crisis are being felt worldwide. "The tragic example for all of us is the Ukrainian crisis, the consequences of which resonate across the globe," he said.He highlighted the futility of the military buildup in Europe intended to support Ukraine, arguing that the arms produced for the Zelensky regime will be redundant in the post-conflict era and won't enhance European security. "Now they are forced to increase arms supplies to Ukraine and expand their artillery shell production capacities. Who will need these shells once the Ukrainian conflict is over? How can this ensure Europe's military security? Its unclear," Putin remarked.Furthermore, Putin pointed out that the United States is investing in advanced military technologies for the future, such as space systems, modern drones, and new physical principle-based strike systems. "These areas will define the nature of armed struggle and the military-political potential of states and their positions in the world. Meanwhile, [Europe] is being told: 'Invest money where we want.' But this does not enhance Europe's potential. Let them be," Putin added.What's the Foreign Ministry's Tasks?All the tasks assigned to Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs aim to create conditions for the country's sustainable development and to enhance its security, President Putin stated."I consider it important to set out the relevant tasks for our foreign policy department. All of them serve the main goal: creating conditions for the country's sustainable development, ensuring its security, and improving the well-being of Russian families," Putin said during a meeting with the nation's diplomatic corps.The president emphasized that working in this direction in today's challenging and rapidly changing environment requires even greater concentration of effort, initiative, and perseverance, as well as the ability to respond not only to current challenges but also to shape a long-term agenda. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-suggests-creation-of-new-security-system-in-eurasia-1118949232.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/ukraine-rejected-path-to-peace-on-western-orders--putin-1118949482.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, nato, vladimir putin, russian foreign ministry, ukrainian crisis https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/no-one-has-any-idea-how-many-israeli-hostages-still-alive---hamas-official-1118943748.html No One Has Any Idea' How Many Israeli Hostages Still Alive - Hamas Official No One Has Any Idea' How Many Israeli Hostages Still Alive - Hamas Official Sputnik International Hamas political bureau member Osama Hamdan has said "no one has any idea" how many of the Israeli hostages taken during the October 7 attack are still alive. 2024-06-14T04:54+0000 2024-06-14T04:54+0000 2024-06-14T04:54+0000 world israeli-palestinian conflict palestine-israel conflict israel-gaza conflict hamas israel gaza strip https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/09/1116699553_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_33772aab43ce98b968c42da55bf97cc9.jpg The Hamas official also said the Israeli operation to free four of the hostages on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three other hostages, including an American citizen, although Hamdan did not provide any evidence, the report said.Israel believes that more than 70 hostages held in the Gaza Strip are still alive, CNN reported. The Israel Defense Forces 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. 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 37,100 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. A total of 120 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, and about a third of them are believed to be dead. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/disproportionate-violence-israel-hamas-struggle-to-reach-ceasefire-as-both-come-under-review---1118939208.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel-gaza conflict, hamas, palestine-israel conflict, gaza crisis, gaza violence, gaza genocide, palestine genocide https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-calls-us-ukraine-security-agreement-bluff-1118952559.html Putin Calls US-Ukraine Security Agreement 'Bluff' Putin Calls US-Ukraine Security Agreement 'Bluff' Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the security agreement signed between Ukraine and the United States is insignificant. 2024-06-14T11:11+0000 2024-06-14T11:11+0000 2024-06-14T11:11+0000 world vladimir putin russia ukraine us us military aid military aid security https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/18/1118100166_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_54318c2d65c5f823b2cc570ddf0ee248.jpg "In the first half of the year, Ukraine has signed a package of agreement with a number of European countries, now there is a similar document with the US If there is a serious legal expertise of such an agreement, there will definitely arise a question: who and with which competences signed these documents. It will turn out that this all is a bluff: the treaty is insignificant, all the structure will crumble," Putin said at the meeting with leaders of the Russian foreign department. Meanwhile, the West's campaign to isolate Russia has failed, the Russian president added. russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International military aid for ukraine, is us giving more money to ukraine, why is us giving more money to kiev, whats happening to money given to kiev, will us give more money to kiev, how much money does ukraine get, how much money us gives to ukraine, how much money eu gives to ukraine, how much money europe gives to ukraine, what weapons does ukraine receive, does us give ukraine new weapons https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-chairs-meeting-with-russian-foreign-ministry-officials-1118947571.html Full Video: Putin Speaks at Russian Foreign Ministry Full Video: Putin Speaks at Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik International On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin led a comprehensive meeting with the countrys top diplomats, where the head of state touched upon an array of pressing issues pertaining to Russias external affairs. 2024-06-14T09:14+0000 2024-06-14T09:14+0000 2024-06-14T14:16+0000 russia vladimir putin russian foreign ministry ukraine crisis asset seizure eurasia nato nato enlargement nato expansion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118954132_50:0:1230:664_1920x0_80_0_0_28e7f71d71bd49f6407d7bf60d1a7f35.jpg At the meeting, Putin spoke on the Ukraine conflict, seizure of sovereign Russian assets, Russian-European relations, Eurasian security, NATO expansion, and growing global interest for BRICS. He outlined a new concrete peace proposal for the Ukraine crisis, which includes Kiev entirely withdrawing its forces from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. Another part of the proposal involves Ukraine formally renouncing its plans to join NATO and adopting a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status. In his speech, the Russian president also noted that Kiev's Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) remains the only legitimate authority in Ukraine today, unlike the executive branch. Check out Sputnik's full video of the address! eurasia zaporozhye kherson ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Putin. Full Sputnik International Putin. Full 2024-06-14T09:14+0000 true PT81M17S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russias special military op in ukraine, special military operation, special military operational zone, special op zone, russian troops in special op zone, ukraine casualties in conflict, total ukrainian losses, brics enlargement, brics expansion, ethiopia joins brics, ethiopia in bricks, ethiopia becomes brics member, what countries are in brics, new brics members, what's brics, what does brics do, brics currency, brics payment system, what are russian frozen assets, how can you take russian frozen assets, whats the deal with russian assets, is seizing russian assets legal, are there implications for taking russian assets, russian assets transferred to ukraine, russian assets transferred to kiev, nato enlargement, nato expansion, whos joining nato, finland and sweden in nato, new nato members, why is hungary against nato expansion, why is nato expanding, nato expanding eastward, nato vs russia, threats to nato, nato spending quotas, how much money do nato members spend on defense, nato defense spending https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-says-entertained-idea-of-ukraine-keeping-control-over-kherson-zaporozhye-regions-1118953857.html Putin Says Entertained Idea of Ukraine Keeping Control Over Kherson, Zaporozhye Regions Putin Says Entertained Idea of Ukraine Keeping Control Over Kherson, Zaporozhye Regions Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that during talks with one of the Ukraine conflict mediators he did not rule out the option of letting Ukraine have control over the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye under the condition that Russia preserves a land route to Crimea. 2024-06-14T12:15+0000 2024-06-14T12:15+0000 2024-06-14T12:15+0000 russia vladimir putin ukraine kherson security council russia zaporozhye zaporozhye region ukrainian crisis naftali bennett https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118953094_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_e64f05cb1597f7efc43c1bc2a655127b.jpg "In general, I do not rule out keeping Ukraines sovereignty over these territories [Kherson and Zaporozhye regions]. However, with a condition that Russia has a cemented land route to Crimea. So Kiev should guarantee a so-called easement a legally formed access right for Russia to the Crimean peninsula through Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. This is the most important political decision. And, certainly, its final version would not be adopted unilaterally, but only after consultations with the Security Council, other structures," Putin said at a meeting with leaders of the Russian foreign department, describing his answer to the mediator. Many politicians in the West offered Moscow their mediation efforts in the Ukraine conflict when Russia took control of parts of Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, Putin added. In exchange for the international security guarantees, Ukraine agreed to limit the size of its forces, not deploy foreign military contingents, and abandon exercises, Putin said, adding, however, that it rejected the path towards peace under the orders of the Western states. The true "masters" of Ukraine are not the people, but the elites of the West, Putin said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-sets-condition-for-ukraine-peace-talks-full-ukrainian-withdrawal-from-new-russian-regions-1118950944.html ukraine kherson russia zaporozhye zaporozhye region Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russias special military op in ukraine, special military operation, special military operational zone, special op zone, russian troops in special op zone, ukraine casualties in conflict, total ukrainian losses, how many people did ukraine loose, how many people did kiev loose, new russian weapons in ukraine, advanced russian weapons, russian defense ministry statements, latest russian military statements, what did shoigu say about ukraine, donetsk peoples republic, nato in ukraine, is nato in ukraine, russian drones, drone warfare, new military drones, uavs in ukraine, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflict, battlegroup sever, battlegroup yug, battlegroup zapad, battlegroup vostok, battlegroup tsentr, battlegroup dnepr https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putins-full-speech-at-foreign-ministry-brics-nato-expansion-and-ukraine-peace-talk-conditions-1118955280.html Putin's Full Speech at Foreign Ministry: BRICS, NATO Expansion and Ukraine Peace Talk Conditions Putin's Full Speech at Foreign Ministry: BRICS, NATO Expansion and Ukraine Peace Talk Conditions Sputnik International On Friday, Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a seminal meeting headed by the head of state, where the Russian president outlined the historical background for the countrys foreign policy vectors in a conversation with senior Russian diplomats. Read the full text below. 2024-06-14T15:27+0000 2024-06-14T15:27+0000 2024-06-14T15:57+0000 russia vladimir putin ukraine russia verkhovna rada brics nato eurasian economic union ukrainian crisis maidan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118958997_0:158:3232:1976_1920x0_80_0_0_8f1d00b346d747e1e8e8663748943d42.jpg Dear colleagues, good afternoon!I am pleased to welcome you all, and at the beginning of our meeting, I want to thank you for your dedicated work in the interest of Russia and our people.In this broad assembly, we last met in November 2021. Since then, many pivotal and, without exaggeration, fateful events have occurred both in our country and in the world. Therefore, I consider it important to assess the current situation in global and regional affairs and to set corresponding tasks for the foreign policy department. All these tasks are directed towards the primary goal: creating conditions for the sustainable development of the country, ensuring its security, and improving the well-being of Russian families.Working in this direction in today's challenging and rapidly changing realities requires all of us to concentrate even more on our efforts, initiative, and persistence. It demands the ability not only to respond to current challenges but also to shape our own long-term agenda, to propose and discuss with partners, within the framework of open and constructive dialogue, solutions to fundamental issues that concern not only us but also the entire global community.I reiterate: the world is changing rapidly. It will not be as it was before, neither in global politics, nor in the economy, nor in technological competition. More and more states are striving to strengthen their sovereignty, self-sufficiency, national and cultural identity. Countries of the Global South and East are coming to the forefront; the role of Africa and Latin America is growing. We have always, since Soviet times, talked about the importance of these regions of the world, but today the dynamics are entirely different, and this is becoming noticeable. The pace of transformation in Eurasia has also noticeably accelerated, where a number of large-scale integration projects are actively being implemented.Today, on the basis of the new political and economic reality, the contours of a multipolar and multilateral world order are being formed, and this is an objective process. It reflects the cultural-civilizational diversity that, despite all attempts at artificial unification, is organically inherent to humanity.These profound, systemic changes undoubtedly inspire optimism and hope because the establishment of the principles of multipolarity and multilateralism in international affairs, including respect for international law and broad representation, allows us to collectively address the most complex problems for the common good, to build mutually beneficial relationships, and cooperation between sovereign states in the interests of the well-being and security of peoples.Such a vision of the future resonates with the aspirations of the absolute majority of the countries in the world. We see this, among other things, in the growing interest in the work of such a universal association as BRICS, which is based on a special culture of trustful dialogue, sovereign equality of participants, and mutual respect. During Russia's chairmanship this year, we will facilitate the smooth inclusion of new BRICS members into the working structures of the association.I request the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue substantive work and dialogue with partners to arrive at the Kazan BRICS summit in October with a substantial set of agreed decisions that will set the direction for our cooperation in politics and security, economy and finance, science, culture, sports, and humanitarian ties.Overall, I believe that the potential of BRICS will allow it to eventually become one of the core regulatory institutions of a multipolar world order.In this regard, I note that the international discussion about the parameters of state interaction in a multipolar world, about the democratization of the entire system of international relations, is already underway. For example, with colleagues from the Commonwealth of Independent States, we agreed upon and adopted a joint document on international relations in a multipolar world. We invited partners to discuss this topic on other international platforms as well, primarily in the SCO and BRICS.We are interested in ensuring that this dialogue develops seriously within the UN walls as well, including on such a fundamental, vital issue for all as the creation of a system of indivisible security. In other words, asserting in world affairs the principle that the security of some cannot be ensured at the expense of the security of others.Let me remind you that at the end of the 20th century, after the end of the acute military-ideological confrontation, the world community had a unique chance to build a reliable, fair order in the field of security. This did not require much just the simple ability to listen to the opinions of all interested parties and mutual willingness to consider them. Our country was precisely focused on such constructive work.However, another approach prevailed. Western powers, led by the United States, believed that they had won the "Cold War" and had the right to independently determine how the world should be organized. The practical expression of this worldview was the project of the unlimited spatial and temporal expansion of the North Atlantic bloc, although there were, of course, other ideas on how to ensure security in Europe.Our legitimate questions were answered with excuses, claiming that no one was planning to attack Russia and that NATO expansion was not directed against Russia. Promises made to the Soviet Union and then to Russia in the late '80s and early '90s about not including new members into the bloc were conveniently forgotten. If remembered at all, it was mockingly said that these assurances were verbal and thus non-binding.We have consistently, in the 90s and later, pointed out the errors of the course chosen by Western elites, not just criticized and warned but proposed alternatives, constructive solutions, emphasized the importance of developing a mechanism for European and global security that would satisfy everyone I want to emphasize, everyone. A simple listing of the initiatives that Russia has put forward over the years would take more than one paragraph.Let's recall at least the idea of a European security treaty that we proposed back in 2008. These same topics were raised in the memorandum from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over to the United States and NATO in December 2021.But all our attempts and there were many, countless to reason with our interlocutors, explanations, admonitions, warnings, requests from our side found absolutely no response. Western countries, confident not only in their own rightness but in their strength and ability to impose anything on the rest of the world, simply ignored other opinions. At best, they proposed discussing secondary issues that, in essence, resolved little or topics that were exclusively beneficial to the West.Meanwhile, it quickly became apparent that the Western scheme, proclaimed as the only right one for ensuring security and prosperity in Europe and the world, did not actually work. Let's remember the tragedy in the Balkans. Internal problems of course, they existed that had accumulated in the former Yugoslavia sharply escalated due to gross external interference. Even then, NATO's main diplomatic principle emerged in all its glory deeply flawed and fruitless in resolving complex interethnic conflicts, namely: blaming one side, which for some reason they didn't particularly like, for all sins and unleashing all political, informational, and military power, economic sanctions, and restrictions on them.Later, the same approaches were applied in different parts of the world. We know this very well: Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and so on and they never brought anything but exacerbation of existing problems, broken lives of millions of people, the destruction of entire states, the spread of humanitarian and social disasters, and terrorist enclaves. In fact, no country in the world is safe from joining this sad list.So now, the West is aggressively intervening in the affairs of the Middle East. They once monopolized this direction, and the result is clear and obvious to everyone today. The South Caucasus, Central Asia. Two years ago, at the NATO summit in Madrid, it was announced that the alliance would now address security issues not only in the Euro-Atlantic but also in the Asia-Pacific region. They claimed their involvement was indispensable there too. Clearly, this is an attempt to increase pressure on the countries of the region whose development they decided to constrain. As is known, our country Russia is one of the top priorities on this list.I also remind you that it was Washington that undermined strategic stability by unilaterally withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, and, together with their NATO satellites, destroyed the trust and arms control measures built up over decades in the European space.Ultimately, the selfishness and arrogance of Western states led to the current extremely dangerous state of affairs. We have come dangerously close to the point of no return. Calls to inflict strategic defeat on Russia, possessing the largest arsenals of nuclear weapons, demonstrate the extreme recklessness of Western politicians. They either do not understand the scale of the threat they themselves are creating or are simply obsessed with a belief in their own impunity and exceptionalism. Both could lead to tragedy.It is evident that we are witnessing the collapse of the Euro-Atlantic security system. Today, it simply does not exist. It needs to be practically recreated from scratch. All this requires us, together with partners, with all interested countries and there are many to develop our security options in Eurasia and then offer them for broad international discussion.This is exactly what was mandated in the Address to the Federal Assembly. It concerns formulating, in the foreseeable future, on the Eurasian continent, a contour of equal and indivisible security, mutually beneficial, equal cooperation, and development.What needs to be done for this, and on what principles?First it is necessary to establish dialogue with all potential participants in such a future security system. To begin with, I ask you to address the necessary issues with countries open to constructive interaction with Russia.During a recent visit to the People's Republic of China, we discussed this issue with President Xi Jinping. We noted that the Russian proposal does not contradict but rather complements and fully aligns with the fundamental principles of the Chinese initiative in the field of global security.Second it is essential that the future security architecture is open to all Eurasian countries willing to participate in its creation. "For all" means, of course, European and NATO countries as well. We live on the same continent; regardless of what happens, geography cannot be changed, and we will have to coexist and work together.Yes, relations between Russia and the EU, as well as with several European states, have deteriorated, and I have emphasized many times, not through our fault. The anti-Russian propaganda campaign, in which very high-ranking European figures participate, is accompanied by fabrications that Russia allegedly intends to attack Europe. I have repeatedly said this, and there is no need to repeat it multiple times in this room: we all understand that this is absolute nonsense, only a justification for the arms race.In this regard, let me make a small digression. The danger for Europe does not come from Russia. The main threat to Europeans lies in the critical and ever-growing, now practically total dependence on the US: in military, political, technological, ideological, and informational spheres. Europe is increasingly being sidelined in global economic development, plunged into chaos by migration and other acute problems, and deprived of international subjectivity and cultural identity.Sometimes it seems that ruling European politicians and eurobureaucrats are more afraid of falling out of favor with Washington than losing the trust of their own people, their own citizens. Recent elections to the European Parliament also show this. European politicians swallow humiliation, rudeness, and scandals involving surveillance of European leaders, while the US simply uses them for its own interests: making them buy expensive gas incidentally, gas in Europe is three to four times more expensive than in the US or, as now, demanding European countries increase arms supplies to Ukraine. By the way, there are constant demands here and there. And sanctions are imposed on them, on economic operators in Europe. Imposed without any hesitation.Now they are forced to increase arms supplies to Ukraine, expand their capacities for producing artillery shells. Listen, who will need these shells when the conflict in Ukraine ends? How can this ensure the military security of Europe? It is unclear. The US itself invests in military technologies, and in technologies of the future: in space, in modern drones, in strike systems based on new physical principles, that is, in those areas that will determine the nature of armed struggle in the future, and therefore the military-political potential of powers and their positions in the world. And now they are assigned such a role: invest your money where we need it. But this does not increase any European potential. Well, let it be. For us, it may be good, but, in essence, that is the case.If Europe wants to maintain itself as one of the independent centers of global development and cultural-civilizational poles of the planet, it certainly needs to have good, friendly relations with Russia, and we, importantly, are ready for this.This really simple and obvious fact was well understood by politicians of truly pan-European and global scale, patriots of their countries and peoples, thinking in historical terms, and not mere figures following someone else's will and hint. This was much talked about by Charles de Gaulle in the post-war years. I also remember how, in 1991, during a conversation in which I had the honor to personally participate, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Helmut Kohl emphasized the importance of partnership between Europe and Russia. I expect that this legacy will sooner or later be returned to by new generations of European politicians.As for the United States itself, the ongoing attempts by the liberal-globalist elites ruling there today to spread their ideology worldwide by any means, to maintain their imperial status, their dominance, only further exhaust the country, lead it to degradation, and directly contradict the true interests of the American people. If it weren't for this dead-end path, aggressive messianism, mixed with a belief in their own chosenness and exceptionalism, international relations would have long been stabilized.Third to promote the idea of a Eurasian security system, it is necessary to significantly intensify the dialogue process among multilateral organizations already operating in Eurasia. This primarily refers to the Union State, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.We see prospects for other influential Eurasian associations, from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, to join these processes in the future.Fourth we believe that the time has come to start a broad discussion on a new system of bilateral and multilateral guarantees of collective security in Eurasia. In the long term, we need to work towards gradually reducing the military presence of external powers in the Eurasian region.We understand, of course, that in the current situation this thesis may seem unrealistic, but that is for now. However, if we build a reliable security system in the future, there will simply be no need for the presence of extraregional military contingents. Frankly, there is no need today eitherit is just occupation, thats all.Ultimately, we believe that the states and regional structures of Eurasia should themselves determine specific areas of cooperation in the field of joint security. Based on this, they should also build a system of functioning institutions, mechanisms, and agreements that genuinely serve the achievement of common goals of stability and development.In this context, we support the initiative of our Belarusian friends to develop a program documenta charter of multipolarity and diversity in the 21st century. It can formulate not only the framework principles of Eurasian architecture based on fundamental norms of international law but also, more broadly, a strategic vision of the essence and nature of multipolarity and multilateralism as a new system of international relations, replacing the Western-centric world. I consider it important and ask for thorough work on such a document with our partners and all interested states. I would add that when discussing such complex, comprehensive issues, of course, maximum, broad representation is needed, considering different approaches and positions.Fifth an important part of the Eurasian system of security and development must, of course, include issues of the economy, social welfare, integration, and mutually beneficial cooperation, addressing such common problems as overcoming poverty, inequality, climate, ecology, and developing mechanisms for responding to pandemic threats and crises in the global economyeverything is important.The West, through its actions, has not only undermined military-political stability in the world but has also discredited and weakened key market institutions with sanctions and trade wars. Using the IMF and the World Bank, manipulating the climate agenda, it restrains the development of the Global South. Losing in competition, even by the rules that the West itself wrote, it resorts to prohibitive barriers and all kinds of protectionism. In the US, they have practically abandoned the World Trade Organization as a regulator of international trade. Everything is blocked. Moreover, they exert pressure not only on competitors but also on their satellites. Just look at how they are now squeezing the juices from European economies, which are balancing on the brink of recession.Western countries have frozen part of Russias assets and currency reserves. Now they are considering how to provide at least some legal basis to finally appropriate them. But despite all the legal trickery, theft will undoubtedly remain theft and will not go unpunished, on the other hand.The issue is even deeper. By stealing Russian assets, they will take another step towards destroying the system they created themselves, which for many decades ensured their prosperity, allowing them to consume more than they earned, attracting money from around the world through debts and obligations. Now it is becoming clear to all countries and companies, sovereign funds, that their assets and reserves are far from safe in both legal and economic terms. And the next in line for expropriation by the US and the West could be anyone these foreign state funds could be among them.Distrust of the financial system based on Western reserve currencies is already growing. There has been an outflow of funds from securities and debt obligations of Western states, as well as some European banks, which until recently were considered absolutely reliable places for storing capital. Now even gold is being withdrawn from them. And they are right to do so.I believe that we need to seriously intensify the formation of effective and safe bilateral and multilateral foreign economic mechanisms, alternative to those controlled by the West. This includes expanding settlements in national currencies, creating independent payment systems, and building production and distribution chains bypassing channels blocked or compromised by the West.Of course, efforts to develop international transport corridors in Eurasia a continent whose natural geographic core is Russia must continue.I instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fully support the development of international agreements on all these areas. They are extremely important for strengthening economic cooperation between our country and our partners. This will also give new impetus to the construction of a large Eurasian partnership, which can essentially become the socio-economic basis of a new system of indivisible security in Europe.Dear colleagues! The essence of our proposals is to form a system within which all states would be confident in their own security. Then we can indeed approach the resolution of numerous conflicts that exist today in a truly constructive manner. The problems of the security deficit and mutual trust apply not only to the Eurasian continent; growing tensions are observed everywhere. And how interconnected and interdependent the world is, we see constantly, and a tragic example for all of us is the Ukrainian crisis, whose consequences are felt all over the planet.But I want to say right away: the crisis related to Ukraine is not a conflict between two states, let alone two peoples, caused by some problems between them. If that were the case, there is no doubt that Russians and Ukrainians, who are united by a common history and culture, spiritual values, millions of family, kinship, and human ties, would have found a way to fairly resolve any issues and disagreements.But the situation is different: the roots of the conflict are not in bilateral relations. The events in Ukraine are a direct result of global and European developments of the late 20th early 21st century, of the aggressive, brazen, and absolutely adventurous policies that the West has been conducting all these years long before the special military operation began.These Western elites, as I said today, after the end of the "Cold War," embarked on a course of further geopolitical restructuring of the world, creating and imposing the notorious order based on rules, into which strong, sovereign, and self-sufficient states simply do not fit.Hence the policy of containing our country. The goals of this policy are openly declared by some figures in the US and Europe. Today they talk about the notorious decolonization of Russia. Essentially, this is an attempt to provide an ideological basis for the dismemberment of our homeland along national lines. In fact, there has long been talk of the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and Russia. Everyone sitting in this room is well aware of this.Implementing this strategy, Western countries have taken the line of absorbing and military-political development of territories close to us. There have been five, and now six, waves of NATO expansion. They tried to turn Ukraine into their stronghold, to make it "anti-Russia." To achieve these goals, they invested money, resources, bought politicians and entire parties, rewrote history and educational programs, nurtured and grew groups of neo-Nazis and radicals. They did everything to undermine our interstate connections, to divide and set our peoples against each other.Such policies were further obstructed by southeastern Ukraine territories that have been part of great historical Russia for centuries. People lived there, and still live, who, including after Ukraine declared its independence in 1991, advocated for good and very close relations with our country. People both Russians and Ukrainians, representatives of different nationalities, who were united by the Russian language, culture, traditions, historical memory.The position, mood, interests, and voices of these people millions of people living in the southeast had to be taken into account by former Ukrainian presidents and politicians who fought for this post, used the votes of these voters. But, using these votes, they maneuvered, lied a lot, talked about the so-called European choice. They did not dare to break completely with Russia because the southeast of Ukraine was inclined differently, and this could not be ignored. Such duality has always been inherent in Ukrainian power throughout the years since recognizing independence.The West, of course, saw this. They had long seen and understood the problems there that could be stirred up, understood the restraining significance of the southeastern factor, and that no amount of years of propaganda could fundamentally change the situation. Certainly, much was done, but fundamentally it was difficult to alter the situation.It was impossible to distort the historical identity and consciousness of the majority of people in southeastern Ukraine, to eradicate from them, including the younger generations, the positive attitude towards Russia and the sense of our historical commonality. And so they decided to act with force again, to simply break the people in the southeast, to disregard their opinion. For this, they organized, financed, and certainly took advantage of the internal political difficulties and complexities in Ukraine, but still systematically and purposefully prepared an armed coup d'etat.Ukrainian cities were overwhelmed by a wave of pogroms, violence, and killings. Power in Kiev was finally seized and usurped by radicals. Their aggressive nationalist slogans, including the rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators, were elevated to the rank of state ideology. A course was proclaimed to eliminate the Russian language in state and public spheres, pressure on Orthodox believers increased, interference in church affairs, which ultimately led to a split. No one seems to notice this interference, as if it is normal. Try to do something different elsewhere, and there will be so much artistic whistling that your ears will fall off. But there its allowed, because its against Russia.Millions of residents of Ukraine, primarily from its eastern regions, opposed the coup, as is known. They were threatened with reprisals and terror. And above all, the new authorities in Kiev began preparing an attack on the Russian-speaking Crimea, which at one time, in 1954, as you know, was transferred from the RSFSR to Ukraine in violation of all laws and procedures, even those in force at that time in the Soviet Union. In this situation, of course, we could not abandon, leave unprotected the Crimeans and Sevastopol residents. They made their choice, and in March 2014, as is known, the historic reunification of Crimea and Sevastopol with Russia took place.In Kharkov, Kherson, Odessa, Zaporozhye, Donetsk, Lugansk, Mariupol, peaceful protests against the coup began to be suppressed, terror was unleashed by the Kiev regime and nationalist groups. It probably doesn't need to be recalled, everyone remembers well what happened in these regions.In May 2014, referendums were held on the status of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, where the overwhelming majority of residents voted for independence and sovereignty. Immediately the question arises: could people express their will in this way, could they declare their independence? Those sitting in this hall understand that of course they could, they had every right and grounds for it, including under international law, including the right of peoples to self-determination. I don't need to remind you, but nonetheless, since the media is working, I will say, Article 1, paragraph 2 of the United Nations Charter gives this right.I remind you in this regard of the notorious Kosovo precedent. It was talked about many times in its time, now I will say it again. The precedent, which Western countries created themselves, in a completely analogous situation, recognized the separation of Kosovo from Serbia as legitimate, which took place in 2008. Then followed the well-known decision of the International Court of Justice of the UN, which on July 22, 2010, based on paragraph 2 of Article 1 of the United Nations Charter, ruled, I quote: "There is no general prohibition against unilateral declarations of independence stemming from the practice of the Security Council." And the next quote: "General international law does not contain any applicable prohibition on declarations of independence." Moreover, it was recorded that parts of a country, any country, that decide to declare their independence, are not required to consult the central authorities of their former state. Everything is written there, all in their own hand, in black and white.So, did these republics Donetsk and Lugansk have the right to declare their independence? Well, of course, yes. The question cannot even be considered otherwise.What did the regime in Kiev do in this situation? Completely ignored the choice of the people and unleashed a full-scale war against the new independent states the people's republics of Donbass using aviation, artillery, tanks. Bombing and shelling of peaceful cities, acts of intimidation began. And what happened next? The residents of Donbass took up arms to protect their lives, their home, their rights, and legitimate interests.In the West, there is now a constant thesis that Russia started the war within the framework of the special military operation, that it is the aggressor, and therefore strikes can be made on its territory using Western weapon systems, Ukraine allegedly defends itself and can do this.I want to emphasize once again: Russia did not start the war; it was the Kiev regime that, after the residents of part of Ukraine declared their independence in accordance with international law, began and continues military actions. This is aggression if we do not recognize the right of these peoples living in these territories to declare their independence. What else could it be? This is aggression. And those who have been aiding the Kiev regimes war machine all these years are accomplices to the aggressor.Back in 2014, the residents of Donbass did not give in. Militia units stood their ground, repelled the punitive forces, and then drove them back from Donetsk and Lugansk. We hoped this would sober up those who unleashed this massacre. To stop the bloodshed, Russia made the usual appeals calls for negotiations, and they began with the participation of Kiev and representatives of the Donbass republics with the assistance of Russia, Germany, and France.The conversation was difficult, but nevertheless, as a result, the Minsk agreements were concluded in 2015. We took their implementation very seriously, hoping that we could resolve the situation within the framework of a peaceful process and international law. We expected that this would take into account the legitimate interests and demands of Donbass, enshrine a special status for these regions in the constitution, and the fundamental rights of the people living there while maintaining the territorial unity of Ukraine. We were ready for this and were ready to persuade the people living in these territories to resolve issues in this way, repeatedly offering various compromises and solutions.But in the end, everything was rejected. The Minsk agreements were simply thrown in the trash by Kiev. As representatives of the Ukrainian elite later admitted, none of the provisions of these documents suited them; they just lied and twisted as much as they could.The former Chancellor of Germany and the former President of France, who were essentially co-authors and guarantors of the Minsk agreements, later admitted outright that they had no intention of implementing them; they simply needed to stall the situation to buy time for assembling Ukrainian armed formations and pumping them up with weapons and equipment. They simply "fooled" us again, deceived us.Instead of a real peace process, instead of the policy of reintegration and national reconciliation, which they loved to pontificate about in Kiev, Donbass was shelled for eight years. They carried out terrorist attacks, killings, and organized the harshest blockade. All these years, the residents of Donbass (women, children, the elderly) were declared "second-class" people, "subhumans," and were threatened with reprisals, saying, well come and settle scores with each one. What is this, if not genocide in the center of Europe in the 21st century? And in Europe and the US, they pretended that nothing was happening, no one noticed anything.At the end of 2021 beginning of 2022, the Minsk process was finally buried by Kiev and its Western patrons, and another massive strike on Donbass was planned. A large grouping of Ukrainian armed forces was preparing to launch a new offensive on Lugansk and Donetsk, of course, with ethnic cleansing and huge human casualties, hundreds of thousands of refugees. We were obliged to prevent this catastrophe, to protect the people; we had no other choice.Russia finally recognized the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. After all, we did not recognize them for eight years, still hoping to come to an agreement. The result is now known. And on February 21, 2022, we concluded treaties of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance with these republics, which we recognized. Question: did the people's republics have the right to ask us for support if we recognized their independence? And did we have the right to recognize their independence just as they had the right to declare their sovereignty in accordance with the mentioned articles and decisions of the International Court of Justice of the UN? Did they have the right to declare independence? They did. But if they had such a right and used it, then we had the right to conclude a treaty with them and we did, and I repeat: in full accordance with international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter.At the same time, we appealed to the Kiev authorities to withdraw their troops from Donbass. I can tell you, there were contacts; we immediately told them: withdraw your troops from there, and everything will end there. This proposal was practically immediately rejected, simply ignored, although it provided a real opportunity to close the issue precisely in a peaceful way.On February 24, 2022, Russia was forced to announce the start of a special military operation. Addressing the citizens of Russia, the residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, and Ukrainian society, I then outlined the goals of this operation to protect the people of Donbass, restore peace, conduct demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, and thus avert threats from our state, restore the balance in the field of security in Europe.At the same time, we continued to consider achieving these goals through political and diplomatic methods a priority. I remind you that at the very first stage of the special military operation, our country entered into negotiations with representatives of the Kiev regime. They were held first in Belarus, in Turkiye. We tried to convey our main point: respect the choice of Donbass, the will of the people living there, withdraw the troops, stop the shelling of peaceful cities and towns. Nothing else is needed, the rest of the issues will be resolved later. The response was: no, we will fight. It is obvious that this was the command from the Western masters, and I will talk about this now.At that time, in February-March 2022, our troops, as is known, approached Kiev. There were and still are many speculations about this in Ukraine and the West.What do I want to say about this? Our units were indeed stationed near Kiev, and the military departments, the security block, had different proposals regarding our possible further actions, but there was no political decision to storm a three-million-strong city, no matter what anyone said or imagined. Essentially, this was nothing but an operation to force the Ukrainian regime to make peace. The troops were there to push the Ukrainian side towards negotiations, to try to find acceptable solutions and thereby end the war initiated by Kiev against Donbass back in 2014, and to resolve issues posing a threat to the security of our country, to the security of Russia. Strangely enough, as a result, we managed to reach agreements that basically suited both Moscow and Kiev. These agreements were put on paper and initialed in Istanbul by the head of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation. This means that the Kiev authorities were satisfied with such a resolution of the issue. The document was called the "Treaty on Permanent Neutrality and Security Guarantees for Ukraine." It was of a compromise nature, but its key points aligned with our fundamental demands, addressing the objectives declared as primary even at the beginning of the special military operation. Including, as strange as it may seem, I draw attention to, the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. Here, too, we managed to find complex solutions. They are complex, but they were found. Namely: it was intended that a Ukrainian law would be adopted to ban Nazi ideology, any of its manifestations. Everything is written there. Furthermore, Ukraine, in exchange for international security guarantees, would limit the size of its armed forces, undertake obligations not to join military alliances, not to allow foreign military bases, not to host them or contingents, not to conduct military exercises on its territory. Everything was written down on paper. We, on our part, also understanding Ukraine's security concerns, agreed that Ukraine, formally not joining NATO, would receive guarantees practically equivalent to those enjoyed by members of this alliance. For us, this was a difficult decision, but we recognized the legitimacy of Ukraines demands for its security and, in principle, did not object to the proposed formulations from Kiev. These were formulations proposed by Kiev, and we generally did not object to them, understanding that the main thing was to stop the bloodshed and the war in Donbass. On March 29, 2022, we withdrew our troops from Kiev because we were assured that it was necessary to create the necessary conditions for completing the political negotiation process, for completing this process. And that it is not possible for one side to sign such agreements, as our Western colleagues said, with a gun to the head. Fine, we agreed to this too. However, immediately, the very next day after the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kiev, the Ukrainian leadership suspended its participation in the negotiation process, staged the well-known provocation in Bucha, and refused the prepared version of the agreements. I think it is clear today why this dirty provocation was needed to somehow explain the refusal of those results achieved during the negotiations. The path to peace was again rejected. This was done, as we now know, at the behest of Western curators, including the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, during whose visit to Kiev it was explicitly stated: no agreements, it is necessary to defeat Russia on the battlefield, achieve its strategic defeat. And they continued to intensively pump Ukraine with weapons, talking about the need to inflict, as I just reminded, a strategic defeat on us. And some time later, as everyone knows well, the President of Ukraine issued a decree prohibiting his representatives and even himself from conducting any negotiations with Moscow. This episode with our attempt to solve the problem by peaceful means ended in nothing once again. By the way, on the topic of negotiations. Now I would like to disclose another episode to this audience. I have not spoken publicly about this before, but some present are aware of it. After the Russian army occupied parts of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, many Western politicians offered their mediation in peacefully resolving the conflict. One of them was on a working visit to Moscow on March 5, 2022. And we accepted his mediation efforts, especially since he, during the conversation, referred to the fact that he had received support from the leaders of Germany and France, as well as senior representatives of the US. During the conversation, our foreign guest inquired a curious episode, he said: if you are helping Donbass, why are Russian troops in southern Ukraine, including the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions? The answer from our side was that this was the decision of the Russian General Staff in planning the operation. And today I will add that the plan was to bypass some fortified areas that the Ukrainian authorities built in Donbass over eight years, primarily for the liberation of Mariupol. Then the foreign colleague clarified a professional person, I must admit: will our Russian troops remain in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions? and what will happen to these regions after achieving the goals of the special military operation? To this, I answered that in general, I do not rule out the preservation of Ukrainian sovereignty over these territories, but on the condition that Russia has a strong land connection with Crimea. That is, Kiev must guarantee the so-called servitude a legally formalized right of access for Russia to the Crimean Peninsula through the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. This is a crucial political decision. And of course, naturally, in the final version, it would not be made unilaterally but only after consultations with the Security Council, other structures, and, of course, after discussion with the citizens, the public of our country, and primarily with the residents of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. In the end, we did just that: we asked the opinion of the people themselves and held referendums. And acted according to the decision of the people, including in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.At that time, in March 2022, the negotiation partner informed that he intended to go to Kiev to continue the discussion with colleagues in the Ukrainian capital. We welcomed this, as well as any attempts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, because every day of fighting meant new casualties and losses. However, in Ukraine, as we learned later, the services of the Western mediator were not accepted. On the contrary, as we found out, he was accused of taking pro-Russian positions in quite a harsh manner, I must say, but thats already a detail.Now, as already mentioned, the situation has fundamentally changed. The residents of Kherson and Zaporozhye, during referendums, expressed their position. The Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, have become part of the Russian Federation. There can be no talk of violating our state unity. The people's desire to be with Russia is unshakeable. The issue is closed forever and is no longer subject to discussion.I want to reiterate: it was the West that prepared and provoked the Ukrainian crisis, and now it is doing everything to drag out this crisis endlessly, to weaken and mutually embitter the people of Russia and Ukraine.They are sending new batches of ammunition and weapons. Some European politicians have started talking about the possibility of deploying their regular troops in Ukraine. At the same time, as I have already noted, the true current masters of Ukraine unfortunately, not the people of Ukraine, but the globalist elites located across the ocean are trying to impose on the Ukrainian executive power the burden of making decisions that are unpopular with the people, including further lowering the draft age.As you know, it is now 25 years, the next stage could be 23, then 20, 18 or immediately 18. And then, of course, they will get rid of those figures who will make these unpopular decisions under Western pressure, throw them out as unnecessary, shift all the responsibility onto them, and put other people dependent on the West, but with not yet so tarnished reputations, in their place.Hence, possibly, the idea of canceling the next presidential elections in Ukraine. Now those in power will do everything, then they will be thrown into the trash and then they will do whatever they see fit.In this regard, I will remind you of what they now prefer not to remember in Kiev, and the West prefers not to talk about. What is it? Back in May 2014, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that quote The President is elected for five years, regardless of whether he is elected in early or regular elections. In addition, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine noted that quote the constitutional status of the President does not contain norms that would establish any other term except for the five-year term. End of quote, full stop. The court's decision was final and not subject to appeal. That's it.What does this mean for todays situation? The presidential term of the previously elected head of Ukraine has expired along with his legitimacy, which cannot be restored by any trickery. I will not go into detail about the background of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine's decision on the presidential term. It is clear that it was related to attempts to legitimize the 2014 coup. But nevertheless, this verdict exists, and it is a legal fact. It casts doubt on all attempts to justify today's spectacle of canceling the elections.In fact, the current tragic page in Ukraine's history began with a forcible seizure of power, as I have already said, an unconstitutional coup in 2014. I repeat: the source of the current Kiev regime is an armed coup. And now the circle is complete the executive power in Ukraine is again, as in 2014, usurped and held illegally, is essentially illegitimate.I will say more: the situation with the cancellation of elections is an expression of the very nature, the true essence of the current Kiev regime, which grew out of the 2014 armed coup, is tied to it, and has its roots there. And the fact that by canceling the elections, they continue to cling to power, these are actions that are directly prohibited by Article 5 of the Constitution of Ukraine. I quote: The right to determine and change the constitutional order in Ukraine belongs exclusively to the people and cannot be usurped by the state, its bodies, or officials. In addition, such actions fall under Article 109 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which speaks about the violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or the seizure of state power, as well as conspiracy to commit such actions.In 2014, such usurpation was justified in the name of revolution, and now by military actions. But the essence of this does not change. In fact, we are talking about a conspiracy of the executive power of Ukraine, the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, and the parliamentary majority controlled by it, aimed at the usurpation of state power (it cannot be called otherwise), which is a criminal offense under Ukrainian law.Moreover, the Constitution of Ukraine does not provide for the possibility of canceling or postponing the presidential elections in the country, extending its powers due to martial law, which is currently being referred to. What is in the Ukrainian basic law? It states that during martial law, elections to the Verkhovna Rada may be postponed. This is Article 83 of the countrys Constitution.Thus, Ukrainian legislation provides for the only exception when the powers of a state authority are extended during martial law and elections are not held. And this applies exclusively to the Verkhovna Rada. Therefore, the status of the Ukrainian parliament as a continuously operating body in the conditions of martial law is thus defined.In other words, it is precisely the Verkhovna Rada that is today a legitimate body as opposed to the executive power. Ukraine is not a presidential republic but a parliamentary-presidential one. This is the essence.Moreover, the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, acting as President, under Articles 106 and 112, is endowed with special powers, including in the field of defense, security, and supreme command of the armed forces. All this is written in black and white.By the way, in the first half of this year, Ukraine concluded a package of bilateral agreements on cooperation in the field of security and long-term support with a number of European countries. Now there is a similar document with the United States.As of May 21 of this year, the question naturally arises about the powers and legitimacy of the representatives of the Ukrainian side who sign such documents. For us, as they say, it doesnt matter, let them sign whatever they want. It is clear that there is a political and propagandistic component here. The United States and its satellites want to somehow support their appointees, give them weight and legitimacy.Nevertheless, if later in the US a serious legal examination of such an agreement is carried out (I am not talking about the essence, but about the legal component), then the question will inevitably arise: who signed these documents and with what authority? And it will turn out that all this is a bluff, and the agreement is void, and the whole structure will collapse, of course, if there is a desire to analyze the situation. They can pretend that everything is normal, but there is nothing normal about it, I have read it. Everything is written in the documents, everything is written in the Constitution.I also remind you that after the start of the special military operation, the West launched a vigorous and very brazen campaign trying to isolate Russia on the international stage. Today it is clear to everyone that this attempt has failed, but the West has not abandoned its idea of building some semblance of an international anti-Russian coalition, creating the appearance of pressure on Russia. We understand this too.As you know, they began actively promoting the initiative of holding a so-called high-level international conference on peace in Ukraine in Switzerland. Moreover, they plan to hold it immediately after the G7 summit, that is, the group of those who, in fact, ignited the conflict in Ukraine with their policies. What the organizers of the meeting in Switzerland are proposing is just another trick to divert public attention, to swap the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis, to lead the discussion astray and somewhat give the appearance of legitimacy to the current executive power in Ukraine once again.Therefore, it is logical that no truly fundamental issues underlying the current crisis of international security and stability, the true roots of the Ukrainian conflict, are going to be discussed in Switzerland, despite all attempts to give the conference agenda a more or less decent appearance.Already now it can be expected that everything will be reduced to general demagogic discussions and a new set of accusations against Russia. The ploy is obvious: by any means, drag in as many countries as possible and present the case as if the Western recipes and rules are shared by the entire international community, and therefore our country must unconditionally accept them.As you know, we were not invited to the meeting in Switzerland. After all, in essence, these are not negotiations, but the desire of a group of countries to continue pushing their line, to decide on issues that directly affect our interests and security at their own discretion.I want to emphasize in this regard: without Russia's participation, without honest and responsible dialogue with us, it is impossible to reach a peaceful resolution in Ukraine and in general regarding global European security.Meanwhile, the West ignores our interests, while at the same time forbidding Kiev to negotiate, and hypocritically calling on us for some negotiations. It just looks idiotic: on the one hand, they forbid them to negotiate with us, and on the other, they call us for negotiations and even hint that we are refusing negotiations. Its some kind of nonsense. But we are living in a kind of Wonderland.But first of all, they should give Kiev the command to lift the ban, the self-ban on negotiations with Russia, and secondly, we are ready to sit down at the negotiating table even tomorrow. We understand all the peculiarity of the legal situation, but there are legitimate authorities there even according to the Constitution, I just mentioned it now, there is someone to negotiate with. Please, we are ready. Our conditions for starting such a conversation are simple and are as follows.You know, I will now take some time to reproduce the entire chain of events once again, so that it is clear that for us what I am about to say is not a matter of todays conjuncture, but we have always adhered to a certain position, we have always strived for peace.So, these conditions are very simple. Ukrainian troops must be completely withdrawn from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Moreover, I emphasize, precisely from the entire territory of these regions within their administrative boundaries, which existed at the time of their entry into Ukraine.As soon as Kiev announces that it is ready for such a solution and begins the real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially notifies [us] of the refusal of plans to join NATO, from our side, immediately, literally at that moment, an order will be given to cease fire and begin negotiations. I repeat: we will do this immediately. Naturally, at the same time, we guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations.Of course, we would like to hope that such a decision about troop withdrawal, non-aligned status, and starting dialogue with Russia, on which the future existence of Ukraine depends, will be made in Kiev independently, based on the existing realities and guided by the genuine national interests of the Ukrainian people, and not at the behest of the West, although there are, of course, great doubts about this.Nevertheless, what do I want to say again in this regard, what to remind you of? I said that I wanted to chronologically trace the events once more. Let's take the time for this.So, during the events on the Maidan in Kiev in 20132014, Russia repeatedly offered its assistance in a constitutional resolution of the crisis, which was actually organized from the outside. Let's return to the chronology of events at the end of February 2014.On February 18, armed clashes began in Kiev, provoked by the opposition. A number of buildings, including the city hall and the House of Trade Unions, were set on fire. On February 20, unknown snipers opened fire on protesters and law enforcement officers, that is, those who were preparing the armed coup did everything to push the situation further towards violence and radicalization. And those people who were on the streets of Kiev in those days and expressed dissatisfaction with the then authorities were deliberately used for their selfish purposes, as cannon fodder. They are doing exactly the same today, mobilizing and sending people to be slaughtered. And yet, there was an opportunity for a civilized way out of the situation at that time.It is known that on February 21, an agreement was signed between the then President of Ukraine and the opposition on the settlement of the political crisis. Its guarantors, as you know, were official representatives of Germany, Poland, and France. The agreement provided for a return to a parliamentary-presidential form of government, the holding of early presidential elections, the formation of a government of national trust, as well as the withdrawal of law enforcement forces from the center of Kiev and the oppositions surrender of weapons.I will add that the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law excluding the criminal prosecution of protest participants. Such an agreement, which would have allowed stopping the violence and returning the situation to the constitutional field, was in place. This agreement was signed, although in Kiev and in the West they also prefer not to remember it.Today, I will say more about another important fact, which also has not been publicly mentioned before, namely literally in the same hours on February 21, a conversation took place at the initiative of the American side with my American counterpart. The essence was as follows: the American leader unequivocally supported the Kiev agreement between the authorities and the opposition. Moreover, he called it a real breakthrough, a chance for the Ukrainian people to ensure that the violence did not go beyond all conceivable limits.Furthermore, in the course of the conversations, we jointly worked out the following formula: Russia will try to persuade the then President of Ukraine to behave as restrained as possible, not to use the army or law enforcement against the protesters. And the US, accordingly, it was said, would call on the opposition to calm down, to free administrative buildings, so that the streets would calm down.All this was supposed to create conditions for life in the country to return to normal, within the constitutional and legal field. And in general, we agreed to work together for a stable, peaceful, and normally developing Ukraine. We fully kept our word. The then President of Ukraine Yanukovych, who, in fact, did not plan to use the army, nevertheless did not do this, and moreover, even withdrew additional police units from Kiev.And what did the Western colleagues do? On the night of February 22 and then throughout the following day, when President Yanukovych went to Kharkov, where a congress of deputies from the southeastern regions of Ukraine and Crimea was to be held, the radicals, despite all the agreements and guarantees from the West (both from Europe and, as I just said, from the US), seized control of the Rada building by force, took over the Presidential Administration, and seized the government. And not a single guarantor of all these agreements on political settlement neither the United States nor the Europeans lifted a finger to fulfill their obligations, to call on the opposition to vacate the seized administrative buildings, and to renounce violence. It is clear that such a turn of events not only suited them, it seems that they were also the authors of the development of events in this vein.Also, on February 22, 2014, the Verkhovna Rada, in violation of the Constitution of Ukraine, adopted a resolution on the so-called self-removal of the then President Yanukovych from the post of President and appointed early elections for May 25. That is, an armed coup, provoked from outside, was completed. Ukrainian radicals, with the tacit consent and direct support of the West, thwarted all attempts to peacefully resolve the situation.Then we urged Kiev and the Western capitals to start a dialogue with the people in the southeast of Ukraine, to respect their interests, rights, and freedoms. No, the regime that came to power as a result of the coup chose war, in the spring and summer of 2014 launched punitive actions against Donbass. Russia again called for peace.We did everything to resolve the acute problems that arose within the framework of the Minsk agreements, but the West and the Kiev authorities, as I have already emphasized, did not intend to implement them. Although in words, Western colleagues, including the head of the White House, assured us that the Minsk agreements are important and that they are committed to the processes of their implementation. That, in their opinion, this will allow us to get out of the situation in Ukraine, stabilize it, and take into account the interests of the residents of the east. Instead, they actually organized a blockade of Donbass, as I have already said. The Armed Forces of Ukraine were consistently prepared for a full-scale operation to destroy the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.The Minsk agreements were finally buried by the Kiev regime and the West. I will return to this again. That is why in 2022 Russia was forced to start a special military operation to stop the war in Donbass and protect the peaceful inhabitants from genocide.At the same time, from the very first days, we have again put forward options for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis, I have already spoken about this today. These are negotiations in Belarus, Turkiye, the withdrawal of troops from Kiev to create conditions for signing the Istanbul agreements, which were generally agreed upon by all. But these attempts of ours were ultimately rejected again. The West and Kiev took the course to defeat us. But, as you know, all this failed.Today we are making another specific, real peace proposal. If Kiev and the Western capitals reject it, as before, then ultimately this is their affair, their political and moral responsibility for the continuation of the bloodshed. Obviously, the realities on the ground, on the line of combat contact, will continue to change not in favor of the Kiev regime. And the conditions for starting negotiations will be different.I emphasize the main thing: the essence of our proposal is not some temporary truce or cessation of fire, as the West wants, to recover losses, rearm the Kiev regime, and prepare it for a new offensive. I repeat: it is not about freezing the conflict, but about its final resolution.And I will say once again: as soon as Kiev agrees to such a course of events as proposed today, agrees to the complete withdrawal of its troops from the DPR and LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, and actually begins this process, we are ready to start negotiations without delay.I repeat: our principled position is as follows neutral, non-aligned, non-nuclear status of Ukraine, its demilitarization and denazification, especially since these parameters were generally agreed upon during the Istanbul negotiations in 2022. Everything was clear about demilitarization, everything was spelled out: the number of this and that, tanks. Everything was agreed upon.Undoubtedly, the rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine must be fully ensured, the new territorial realities, the status of Crimea, Sevastopol, the Donetsk, Lugansk People's Republics, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions as subjects of the Russian Federation must be recognized. In the future, all these basic and principled provisions should be fixed in the form of fundamental international agreements. Naturally, this also implies the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia.I believe that Russia is offering a variant that will allow the war in Ukraine to be truly ended, that is, we are calling for the tragic page of history to be turned over and, albeit difficultly, gradually, step by step, but to begin to restore relations of trust and good neighborliness between Russia and Ukraine and in general in Europe.By resolving the Ukrainian crisis, we, including together with our partners in the CSTO, SCO, who are making a significant, constructive contribution to the search for ways to peacefully resolve the Ukrainian crisis even today, as well as with Western, including European states, ready for dialogue, could begin addressing the fundamental task I spoke about at the beginning of my speech, namely, creating an indivisible system of Eurasian security that takes into account the interests of all, without exception, states on the continent.Of course, a literal return to the security proposals we put forward 25, 15, or even two years ago is impossible; too much has happened, circumstances have changed. However, the basic principles and, most importantly, the subject of the dialogue remain unchanged. Russia recognizes its responsibility for global stability and again confirms its readiness to engage in dialogue with all countries. But this should not be a simulation of the peace process aimed at serving someones selfish will or interests, but a serious, thorough discussion on all issues, on the entire range of global security issues.Dear colleagues! I am sure that you all well understand the scale of the tasks facing Russia, how much we need to do, including in the field of foreign policy.I sincerely wish you success in this difficult work of ensuring the security of Russia, our national interests, strengthening the countrys positions in the world, advancing integration processes and bilateral relations with our partners.The state leadership will continue to provide necessary support to the diplomatic department and to all those involved in the implementation of Russia's foreign policy.Once again, thank you for your work, thank you for your patience and attention to what has been said. I am confident that we will succeed.Thank you very much. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-chairs-meeting-with-russian-foreign-ministry-officials-1118947571.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putins-eurasia-security-proposal-is-kind-gesture-that-europeans-should-grasp---1118956878.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/scott-ritter-west-has-to-decide-whether-it-wants-peace-after-putins-ukraine-proposal-1118954410.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240428/ukraine-rejected-2022-peace-deal-over-russian-language-status--banning-nazism-terms---welt-1118153431.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240613/zelensky-to-ukrainians-come-home-to-prison-1118924277.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russias special military op in ukraine, special military operation, special military operational zone, special op zone, russian troops in special op zone, ukraine casualties in conflict, total ukrainian losses, brics enlargement, brics expansion, ethiopia joins brics, ethiopia in bricks, ethiopia becomes brics member, what countries are in brics, new brics members, what's brics, what does brics do, brics currency, brics payment system, what are russian frozen assets, how can you take russian frozen assets, whats the deal with russian assets, is seizing russian assets legal, are there implications for taking russian assets, russian assets transferred to ukraine, russian assets transferred to kiev, nato enlargement, nato expansion, whos joining nato, finland and sweden in nato, new nato members, why is hungary against nato expansion, why is nato expanding, nato expanding eastward, nato vs russia, threats to nato, nato spending quotas, how much money do nato members spend on defense, nato defense spending https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/right-wing-parties-may-form-2nd-largest-super-group-in-eu-parliament---lawmaker-1118948810.html Right-Wing Parties May Form 2nd Largest Super Group in EU Parliament - Lawmaker Right-Wing Parties May Form 2nd Largest Super Group in EU Parliament - Lawmaker Sputnik International Two right-wing groups in the European Parliament, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the Identity and Democracy (ID), are currently in talks on merging and forming a new super group that could potentially become the second-largest in the legislature 2024-06-14T09:39+0000 2024-06-14T09:39+0000 2024-06-14T09:40+0000 world european union (eu) european parliament marine le pen https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0a/1118889503_0:30:3132:1792_1920x0_80_0_0_5985c4d67e1849df4bfa18f757ae76f0.jpg Preliminary results of the June 6-9 elections show that ECR and ID have a combined total of about 130 votes. The vote has reshuffled the cards in the European Parliament, and the ID group, which is a home to the FPO, gained new partners, such as lawmakers from Portugal and Croatia, lawmaker from the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), Roman Haider, said.Furthermore, there are about 100 unattached lawmakers in the new edition of the parliament, and the ID is keen to welcome some of them, Haider also said. The elections' results showed that in many of the EU member states, right-wing parties did quite well. Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party emerged victorious in France's European polls, finishing with over 15 percentage points ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition. The FPO also topped the list in Austria. At the same time, in Germany, the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz came third, while the centrist-right opposition alliance CDU/CSU won the elections with 30% of the votes, followed by the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), who got 16%. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International european parliement, european parliament elections, european parliament elections, eu right, eu right-wing https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/russian-ships-arrive-in-cuba-in-latest-blow-to-us-hegemony-1118939506.html Russian Ships Arrive in Cuba in Latest Blow to US Hegemony Russian Ships Arrive in Cuba in Latest Blow to US Hegemony Sputnik International Acting in response to the NATO ans US actions towards its vital interests, Russia shows readiness to exercise a global role, believes Nicolai Petro, a professor at the University of Rhode Island. 2024-06-14T00:18+0000 2024-06-14T00:18+0000 2024-06-14T02:32+0000 analysis nicolai petro dmitry peskov vladimir putin russia china ukraine nato azov battalion hegemony https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106176/19/1061761989_0:116:3229:1932_1920x0_80_0_0_301dea6c2dd1db9010cf94d2736eeac8.jpg Four tactical ships from Russias storied Northern Fleet arrived in Cuba this week, docking in the port of Havana Wednesday.Military exercises are a normal practice in various regions of the world, noted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. This is also a normal practice for states, especially for such a large maritime power as Russia. And this is also a common practice in carrying out such visits.We see no cause for concern in this case, he added.But the visit demonstrates Russias large and growing role in global affairs, particularly amidst the United States continued escalation in Moscows sphere of influence, claims author Nicolai Petro.The analyst joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program to discuss the recent development.The Admiral Gorshkov frigate that arrived as part of the group of ships is reportedly capable of firing hypersonic missiles, a next-generation armament Western countries have yet to develop. The frigate was accompanied by a nuclear-powered submarine, although there is no indication the vessel is carrying nuclear weapons.NATO countries began a naval exercise in the Baltic Sea earlier this week, reportedly the largest military exercise in the blocs history. The US-led alliance frequently engages in provocative war games off the coast of countries it deems as adversaries, including China, North Korea, and Iran. In May NATO completed a five-month-long set of drills dubbed Steadfast Defender 2024, mobilizing some 90,000 troops for the alliances largest exercise since the end of the Cold War.Still, officials in Washington are likely to oppose Russias cooperation with Havana, Petro claimed.I think congressmen and people who comment in major media outlets are not going to want to make that equation, look at what we are doing, therefore, we understand why they would be doing the same thing to us in order to establish parity and mutual respect, he argued.The US frequently engages in naval patrols under the pretense of maintaining freedom of navigation, perhaps most often off the coast of China. In March the US deployed special forces to the Kinmen Islands only one mile from the Chinese mainland.Prominent figures within the US military have claimed the country will go to war with China within the next few years in order to stem Beijing's economic rise. In the meantime the United States continues to operate through its global proxies and satellite states, partnering with forces such as jihadists in Syria and political extremists in Israel.Earlier this week the US Congress lifted a ban on supplying weapons to the notorious Azov Battalion* in Ukraine, a neo-Nazi regiment responsible for the torture and abuse of civilians.This is something that I think was given no fanfare in the United States media, probably even less than the European media, said Petro. This is just another indication about how far the West is willing to go to ignore and overlook the obviously unsavory aspects of those close to power in Ukraine some would say in power, others might argue close to power who are not going away.To the extent that Ukraine's not doing well in its fight against Russia, they are likely to emerge at least in an intermediate period as more influential, as if carrying the torch for the last ideals of Ukraine, he claimed, referring to the Azov Battalion* and other neo-Nazi elements in the Ukrainian government.The steadfast US support for such extremist elements gives lie to the US argument that it is defending democracy in Ukraine, pointed out host Wilmer Leon.*The 'Azov' battalion is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240613/russian-northern-fleet-ships-in-cuba-photo-highlights-1118931733.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/like-a-walking-war-machine-china-blasts-nato-amid-massive-military-drill-1116424040.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240611/us-lifts-ban-on-arms-supplies-to-ukraines-nationalist-battalion-azov---reports-1118900454.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231203/kissinger--the-americas-how-the-us-built-order-on-the-ashes-of-genocide-1115362379.html russia china ukraine cuba kinmen south china sea coast Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg us hegemony, russia ships to cuba, russia sends ships to havana, us support azov batallion, us neo nazi support, us backs extremists, multipolar world https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/scott-ritter-west-has-to-decide-whether-it-wants-peace-after-putins-ukraine-proposal-1118954410.html Scott Ritter: West Has to Decide Whether It Wants Peace After Putin's Ukraine Proposal Scott Ritter: West Has to Decide Whether It Wants Peace After Putin's Ukraine Proposal Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin's clear and fair peace proposal has made the forthcoming Ukraine conference in Switzerland meaningless and cornered NATO, former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter told Sputnik. 2024-06-14T13:30+0000 2024-06-14T13:30+0000 2024-06-14T13:50+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine scott ritter vladimir putin volodymyr zelensky ukraine russia vladimir nato ukrainian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118954904_0:123:3207:1927_1920x0_80_0_0_8382fb81bd92a6ad064568dbc8dcd305.jpg President Vladimir Putin has outlined another proposal to solve the Ukraine crisis once and for all at a meeting with top diplomats at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, making clear that Moscow is not interested in freezing or postponing the conflict.According to the president, Russia is ready to cease fire and start negotiations once Ukraine begins to withdraw from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions within their administrative borders and officially renounces plans to join NATO. Additionally, Russia requires Ukraine to adopt a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status."We are ready to sit at the negotiation table tomorrow," said Putin.Putin's new peace proposal is a brilliant move, according to former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter."A [Western] peace conference in Switzerland [from June 15 to 16] that was never going to succeed now has a completely different angle to it," Ritter told Sputnik. "It will now be discussing the Russian peace initiative. No longer will they be talking about Zelensky's unrealistic expectation of having Russia leave the new territories. The West will now be saying, what about this offer? Can we do this offer? The NATO summit won't be about 'How do we expand, how do we enlarge?' It will be about 'What do we do about the Russian peace proposal?' This puts the West in the horns of a dilemma. That's exactly where Russia wants them."Ritter underscored that Russia isn't looking for a ceasefire or freezing the conflict to make it fester any longer: "Russia's looking for conflict resolution. They want a genuine peace plan." The plan is based on the 2022 Istanbul communique while taking into account the reality on the ground, the former US Marine Corps intelligence officer noted.The roadmap proposed by Vladimir Putin also meets the initial goals of the special military operation launched on February 24, 2022, i.e. de-militarization and de-Nazification, the military expert continued."De-Nazification Vladimir Putin made it clear that Volodymyr Zelensky is not the political future of Ukraine. Neither are the right-wing political parties that have produced Nazi-type organizations like the Right Sector, Svoboda*, Azov**, and other neo-Nazi-affiliated paramilitary and military organizations. These will, of course, have to be done away with. But who's going to do away with that? Russia's not occupying Ukraine. This will be part of the post-conflict political rebuilding, restructuring of Ukraine. And again, once Ukraine has walked away from NATO and has assumed a position of genuine neutrality, this changes the domestic political dynamic inside Ukraine, empowering political entities that otherwise have been suppressed, the opposition that Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to silence over these many years," Ritter explained.The military veteran pointed out that the Russian president has also made it clear that if the proposals are snubbed, the military confrontation will continue and the future requirements for peace could be very different."This may include Odessa, Kharkov, and other issues of that nature," Ritter presumed. "But I think Russia is playing a very intelligent move here. By building on the negotiations that have already occurred in 2022, Russia is showing that it hasn't changed course. It's giving the West one more chance to accept peace on mutually-beneficial terms. Hopefully this time there won't be [former UK prime minister] Boris Johnson flying into Kiev to tell Volodymyr Zelensky: 'Back away, don't accept peace'. But this is going to require not just Russia making adaptations, but the West."Ritter has no doubts that Zelensky is finished if Russia's peace proposal is accepted. Still, it raises the question of whether the NATO leadership that has already heavily invested in the continuous bloodshed in Ukraine will embrace the agreement, according to him.The ball is now in the West's court, according to the military analyst. "We now get to see how the West responds," he concluded.*organizations banned in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putin-sets-condition-for-ukraine-peace-talks-full-ukrainian-withdrawal-from-new-russian-regions-1118950944.html ukraine russia vladimir Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova russia ukraine peace talks, russia's peace proposal, russian proposal for peace in ukraine, russia's peace plan, putin peace proposal for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/spain-not-planning-to-donate-patriot-system-deployed-in-turkiye-to-ukraine-1118942676.html Spain Not Planning to Donate Patriot System Deployed in Turkiye to Ukraine Spain Not Planning to Donate Patriot System Deployed in Turkiye to Ukraine Sputnik International Spain will not supply Ukraine with its Patriot air defense system deployed in Turkiye, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday. 2024-06-14T03:45+0000 2024-06-14T03:45+0000 2024-06-14T03:45+0000 military europe pedro sanchez recep tayyip erdogan spain ukraine turkiye patriot https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102056/44/1020564413_0:106:4113:2420_1920x0_80_0_0_c454bb3efd374490fe320c31cf607225.jpg "Despite this being a topic of discussion with the Ukrainian authorities, the Spanish government believes the Patriot missile system should remain in Turkey," Sanchez said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Madrid. The meeting of the two leaders, which was mainly focused on the economy, resulted in the signing of more than 10 bilateral agreements on science, energy, professional training and trade.Spain has four Patriot batteries, one of which is deployed in Turkiye as part of a NATO mission to protect the country's airspace from possible missiles that could be launched from Syria. On May 27, Spain became the 10th country to sign a security agreement with Ukraine regulating financial, military and humanitarian aid for the next 10 years. Under the agreement, Spain will give Ukraine a military aid package worth abour 1 billion euros ($5.4 billion) in 2024 and 5 billion euros more during the 2024-2027 period. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240613/germany-cannot-supply-more-patriot-systems-to-ukraine-urges-others---defense-minister--1118932242.html spain ukraine turkiye Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International will spain give ukraine patriot system, who supplied patriot to ukraine, ukraine patriot system, patriot air defense system deployed in turkiye https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/training-for-ukrainian-f-16-pilots-pretty-meager-media-reports-1118945342.html 'Training' for Ukrainian F-16 Pilots 'Pretty Meager, Media Reports 'Training' for Ukrainian F-16 Pilots 'Pretty Meager, Media Reports Sputnik International Russia has repeatedly underscored that the delivery of the F-16 jets to the Zelensky regime would not change the situation at the front line. 2024-06-14T07:37+0000 2024-06-14T07:37+0000 2024-06-14T07:37+0000 world us ukraine f-16 fighter jet training pilots issue warplane https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118945077_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_9d44085f846eba2ca92c7cb04673eec4.jpg Problems related to the delivery of the US-made F-16 fighter jets to the Kiev regime remain "from the number of pilots who will be able to fly them to crews ready to keep them working," an unnamed senior defense American official told the Defense News."Between Europe and the US, there are only a dozen or so Ukrainian pilots learning to fly the planes right now. Thats just a handful of pilots, and thats just the pilots," the source said.Other members of an F-16 crew, such as maintenance experts, who keep the fighter in working order, are also critical, the official noted.As many as 60 F-16s are expected to be delivered to Ukraine from Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium before the end of this year. The White House earlier confirmed that Kiev would receive the F-16s from third countries once the Ukrainian pilots have completed the necessary training to fly them. The UK-based newspaper, The Standard, cited a high-ranking military source as saying last month that the first batch of the F-16s "would arrive in Ukraine within weeks."Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the delivery of F-16 warplanes to the Kiev regime would lead to a further escalation of the Ukraine conflict because the aircraft has a modification that makes them nuclear-capable, which poses a direct threat to Russia.President Vladimir Putin of Russia emphasized that even if Western countries supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, they will not have the power to alter the situation on the battlefield. He warned that if these fighter jets are deployed from third-country territories, they will be considered legitimate targets for Russian forces. The president further stated that the F-16s, just like other Western equipment delivered to Kiev, would be destroyed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240103/what-awaits-f-16s-in-ukraines-skies-1115947153.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/how-us-may-weaponize-confusion-around-nuclear-capable-f-16-in-ukraine-1118321231.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg the delivery of the f-16 jets to the zelensky regime, ukrainian pilots "training pipeline" on the f-16s, the ukraine conflict, russian president vladimir putin's comments on the delivery of the f-16s to ukraine The deal is not a "treaty", but an "executive agreement" since Biden The deal is not a "treaty", but an "executive agreement" since Biden didn't seek a congressional approval to make it. Treaties, which require the consent of two-thirds of US senators, are legally binding agreements between nations; they become part of international law. Executive agreements are concluded on the authority of the incumbent president and don't necessarily bind his successors. President Donald Trump tore apart his predecessor Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran (which was not confirmed by Senate) in 2018. This illustrated the fragility of the executive agreement - which was also called President Donald Trump tore apart his predecessor Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran (which was not confirmed by Senate) in 2018. This illustrated the fragility of the executive agreement - which was also called "historic" in July 2015. Recent Yahoo News, Recent YouGov Emerson polls show Trump leads Biden in the 2024 presidential race. Trump is also leading Biden in key battleground states which provided for Biden's victory in the 2020 elections, as per RealClearPolitics. Even if Biden wins in 2024, his second tenure will end in 2029, meaning the fate of the 10-year accord will depend on his successor. Even if Biden wins in 2024, his second tenure will end in 2029, meaning the fate of the 10-year accord will depend on his successor. Treaties aren't immune to the US president's unilateral action: In 1978, President Jimmy Carter withdrew from 1954 Mutual Defense Treaty with the island of Taiwan. President George W. Bush tore apart Treaties aren't immune to the US president's unilateral action: In 1978, President Jimmy Carter withdrew from 1954 Mutual Defense Treaty with the island of Taiwan. President George W. Bush tore apart the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty with Moscow in 2002. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/why-is-ukraine-rushing-to-sell-its-grain-abroad-1118947172.html Why is Ukraine Rushing to Sell Its Grain Abroad? Why is Ukraine Rushing to Sell Its Grain Abroad? Sputnik International Ukrainian farmers are seeking to sell grain abroad by all means to receive dollars, not candy wrappers in the form of hryvnia, amid the ongoing advance by Russian troops, independent industry Leonid Khazanov told Sputnik. 2024-06-14T13:17+0000 2024-06-14T13:17+0000 2024-06-14T13:17+0000 economy russia ukraine exports grain farmers missile strikes transport agreement https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/0e/1118946694_0:0:2103:1183_1920x0_80_0_0_83b7bff0e70a1f47ef116cc66fbb66e2.jpg Ukraine is exporting grain to foreign markets at a record pace, a Sputnik analysis based on the countrys Customs and Agriculture Ministries has showed.Over the past four months, Ukrainian companies have exported 22.2 million tons of corn, wheat and barley, or an average of 5.56 million tons per month. Before 2018, Ukraines grain exports amounted to around 14.7 million over the same four-month period, the analysis indicated.Such rates of export can be attributed to two factors - the Russian Armys ongoing offensive and the growing negative sentiments among Ukrainian farmers, independent industry analyst Leonid Khazanov told Sputnik.Grain supplies were previously exported from Ukrainian ports under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which ceased to be in effect on July 18, 2023, when Moscow suspended its participation in the agreement, which the Kremlin said lost its meaning due to a complete absence of progress on implementation of the agreement's part that concerned Russia.Moscow cited the Wests systematic efforts to block the export of Russian food and fertilizers, and the fact that just three percent of the Ukrainian grain exported under the grain deal actually went to nations in need.After Moscow suspended the deal, the Russian Defense Ministry said that all ships sailing through the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports would be considered potential carriers of military cargo involved in the Ukraine conflict on the side of the Kiev regime as of July 20, 2023. Even so, the Zelensky regime decided to go ahead with grain exports via the Black Sea. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230816/russia-actively-exploring-alternatives-to-grain-deal-with-partners-1112643411.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg ukraines grain exports, significant increase in ukraine's grain exports, the russian armys ongoing offensive, the black sea grain initiative, ukrainian companies, export of russian food and fertilizers https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/why-ukraines-first-us-lng-deal-is-desperate-attempt-to-prove-usefulness-1118961402.html Why Ukraine's First US LNG Deal is Desperate Attempt to Prove Usefulness Why Ukraine's First US LNG Deal is Desperate Attempt to Prove Usefulness Sputnik International Ukraine has concluded a deal with US-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer Venture Global after claims that Kiev would not extend a five-year deal with Russia's Gazprom at the end of 2024. What's behind the Kiev regime's new LNG deal? 2024-06-14T18:02+0000 2024-06-14T18:02+0000 2024-06-15T08:04+0000 ukraine business joe biden vladimir putin russia kiev nato turkstream nord stream liquefied natural gas (lng) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101979/28/1019792837_0:219:4288:2631_1920x0_80_0_0_5f366b36c9b3ca8b9186d9b6a0b961be.jpg Ukraine's energy company DTEK Group announced on June 13 that it had struck an agreement with Venture Global to buy unspecified amounts of liquefied natural gas from the US gas firm's Plaquemines LNG facility in Louisiana throughout 2026. DTEK also committed to purchasing up to 2 million tons of LNG per annum from Venture Global's new CP2 LNG plant for 20 years, once the facilities are built, according to the Financial Times.The expert believes that the LNG could be sold by DTEK to other European countries. On the one hand, Ukraine does not have regasification terminals for LNG imports. On the other hand, it would require additional funds and efforts to convert LNG from a liquid to a gas elsewhere in Europe and then transport it via a European pipeline back to Ukraine, according to Yushkov."There will probably be no profitability in such a scheme," the expert highlighted, adding that the deal appears to be largely symbolic with DTEK playing the role of a gas trader.Apart from showing Kiev's loyalty to Washington, the US-Ukraine deal could serve as a tool for the American LNG producers to force President Joe Biden to lift his LNG export ban, according to Stanislav Mitrakhovich, a leading expert of the National Energy Security Fund and the Financial University with the Russian government.In January, the Biden administration temporarily halted the issuance of new Department of Energy (DoE) approvals for proposed LNG export projects. The decision was seen by the Republicans as Biden's attempt to appease climate activists prior to the November elections.Ukraine Unlikely to Halt Russian Gas Transit to EuropeUkraine's LNG deal was announced amid Kiev's repeated claims that it would not extend a five-year deal with Russia's Gazprom on the transit of Russian gas to Europe when it expires later this year. Brussels signaled that it would let the deal expire, as it is "confident" it would buy additional gas volumes somewhere else, according to Politico."This will be a great additional stress for the Ukrainian economic, logistic, social and other infrastructure. They will try to avoid this at all costs, transit can be continued under one or another legal pretext, such as that Western companies will buy gas on the border of Russia and Ukraine," the expert said.European consumers of Russian pipeline gas appear not to share Brussels' optimism with regard to the accessibility of new volumes of natural gas. Previously, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Moldova received their gas via Ukraine.Austria still gets most of its gas from Russia via the Ukrainian route. Other European countries continue to get the Russian fuel either through Ukraine or via the TurkStream pipeline. In May, Gazprom's daily natural gas supplies to the continent increased by 7.3% compared with April and were up 39% year-on-year.According to Politico, some European players are reportedly in talks with Azerbaijan about additional deliveries of gas in case the Ukrainian transit is halted.In April, S&P Global reported that Europe's reliance on Russian LNG imports increased in 2024 as deliveries of Russian pipeline gas plummeted since 2022 due to the EU's energy embargo and the destruction of Nord Stream pipelines."With our other main suppliers, such as Norway, operating at maximum capacity, it will be hard to completely stop the flow of Russian LNG. We are still not completely out of the crisis," a France-based gas trader told S&P Global.As of April, Russia supplied 4.89 million metric tons (mt) of LNG to Europe, or more than 16% of Europe's total LNG supply of 33.65 million mt, compared to 12.7% for the first four months of 2023, according to the website.Ukraine's Energy Sector Under StressKiev's declarations of energy cooperation with the US to reduce its reliance on Russia's hydrocarbons, as well as threats to halt remaining gas transit via Ukraine, are mostly made for the sake of PR, according to the pundits.Mitrakhovich does not rule out that Ukraine's energy infrastructure could come in Russia's crosshairs if the Kiev regime uses long-range NATO-grade missiles to hit oil and gas facilities inside Russia.Meanwhile, on June 14, Russian President Putin outlined another peace proposal to Ukraine, stressing that Moscow is ready to negotiate if the Kiev regime starts withdrawing its military from Russia's new territories, including the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions within their administrative borders, as well as renounces its intent to join NATO. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/16-us-states-file-lawsuit-against-biden-over-ban-on-lng-exports---statement-1117479383.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231111/european-countries-still-supplied-with-russian-gas---russias-gazprom-ceo-1114891762.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/scott-ritter-west-has-to-decide-whether-it-wants-peace-after-putins-ukraine-proposal-1118954410.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240418/us-benefits-from-rise-in-energy-prices-unlike-europe---imf-chief-1117996275.html ukraine russia kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukraine's first lng deal with the us, liquified natural gas for ukraine, ukraine considers halting russian gas transit, europe still cannot substitute russian gas volumes, europe increased purchases of russian pipeline gas in may 2024, eu increased purchases of russian lng in 2024 This past Saturday, Dr. Ian Moore watched helplessly through a race involving one of his stable stars that he bluntly stated was one of the most disappointing in his Hall of Fame career. This coming Saturday, another of his students can remedy much of that heartache in likely less than 110 seconds. Moore, who will be formally inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this coming August, appeared poised to have a two-pronged threat in the 2024 Pepsi North America thanks to his speedy alliteratively-named sophomores Clever Cody and Storm Shadow. On paper, Clever Cody had his work cut out for him on Saturday facing a strong field in his N.A. Cup elim. Unfortunately, the colt took himself out of contention early with a costly miscue behind the gate. Storm Shadow helped improve his trainer's mood a little over an hour later. The son of Bettors Delight - Fade finished a stout second for driver Bob McClure in the third and final N.A. Cup elim to punch his ticket to Saturday's million-dollar main event. A product of 2023 Armstrong Breeder of the Year award winner Tara Hills Stud Farm, Storm Shadow is owned by R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, N.B., Serge Savard of St. Bruno, Que., Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont. and Bolton Farms LLC of Clermont, Fl. He was a $165,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase Moore's most expensive of the 2022 yearlings. "Storm Shadow has been a very, very pleasant surprise for the four partners involved," said Moore after Tuesday's 'Cup' draw at Woodbine Mohawk Park. "There was no room for me, or else I would have been a partner on him as well." Those partners have enjoyed a solid return on that investment thus far, with Storm Shadow sporting a 4-3-5 summary from 16 starts and $433,989 in earnings to date with wins in the 2023 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final and Breeders Crown elim to his credit. The connections look for half-million dollar addition to that bankroll with a win this Saturday. Storm Shadow has post one in the 2024 Pepsi North America Cup final, carded as Race 10 this Saturday, at morning line odds of 15-1. "He's very legitimate. He hasn't beat 1:50 yet, and I'm sure Saturday night he's going to have to do that. Hopefully he's going to get a trip off the rail...the rail's not necessarily a desired post here but, I'll tell you what, it's better than having the nine or ten hole." Given that he's working from a post that's not optimal, Moore noted that his colt's versatility will be required and most certainly tested this Saturday with nine solid rivals lining up to his outside. "He can leave good, he can get spotted. Hopefully he will leave out of there from the rail," opined Moore. "Bobby knows him very well, and he enjoys driving him as much as I enjoy training him." McClure and Moore look to lift the North America Cup trophy in the winner's circle on Saturday, June 15 for the first time. McClure is making his third appearance in the 'Cup' final and his first since finishing second with the Moore-trained Tattoo Artist in 2020. This is Moore's eighth N.A. Cup final starter. "We're looking forward to Saturday; hopefully it's going to be a good show for everybody, including ourselves." Moore chats with SC's Jeff Porchak about the North America Cup elimination performances of Clever Cody and Storm Shadow, and looks ahead to Saturday's final in an interview available below. First post time for Saturdays card is 6:30 p.m. To view Saturdays harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Pepsi North America Cup Night -- Saturday Entries || North America Cup Card Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT). (Standardbred Canada) Thirteen men and women from five different countries took the Oath of Allegiance and became United States citizens during the first ever naturalization ceremony held at Scotts Bluff National Monument on Thursday morning. Andy Lambrecht, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Denver Field Office director, said that his office enjoys partnering with the National Parks Service to bring citizenship events to beautiful and historic locations. In this case, it also meant bringing the ceremony to the new citizens backyards. Normally, folks who are in this part of Nebraska need to travel quite a long way to become citizens. Sometimes to the Denver area, sometimes to Cheyenne, Lambrecht said. Were really thrilled to be here today, holding the ceremony in the community where most of you live. The new citizens came to the area from Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, Peru and India. Chief Ranger Justin Cawiezel welcomed them and their supporters to Scotts Bluff National Monument, and drew a connection between the sites history and the celebration taking place. I want you to think about how right outside of this Visitors Center is the California/Oregon Trail, he said. Many people would have been passing through here at this time of year. At the height of immigration of people westward to new lives and opportunities, youre looking at anywhere from 50,000 to 70,000 each year. Many of them were immigrants from other countries. Cawiezel said those westward travelers undertook the hard journey to create better lives for themselves and their families, and that their example along with the best and worst of U.S. history should not be forgotten. Scottsbluff Mayor Jeanne McKerrigan and Gering Mayor Kent Ewing also addressed the new citizens, offering their support and congratulations for the monumental step theyve taken. They encouraged them to exercise their right and responsibility to vote and shape their nations future. All of us today have one thing in common in that all of our families at one time were immigrants who came to this country seeking a new life, McKerrigan said. Theres not a single city or town in America that wasnt molded or impacted by immigrants. I am honored to welcome you to this nation filled with opportunity and prosperity. Ewing also highlighted the rich history of immigration to the U.S., and said he makes himself readily available to assist the new citizens, their families and communities. You should be very proud of what you have done, he said. We welcome you to our communities, and if theres anything I can do for you and our communities, you just have to ask. The naturalization ceremony was made possible by Empowering Families, the nonprofit organization that hosted the citizenship class taken by those who took the oath. Executive Director Valeria Rodriguez, who immigrated to Mitchell from Nuevo Leon, Mexico, at the age of 5, recalled her experience of driving clear across Nebraska, to Omaha, for her own naturalization. During that drive, I told myself that one day we would have a naturalization ceremony right here at home, and today is that day, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez recognized that although the ceremony officially made its participants U.S. citizens, they were already Americans due to their decision to leave their old homes in pursuit of the American dream, their participation in their local communities and their dedication as members of the workforce. Each and every one of you belongs here, she said. Let us, together, continue to celebrate the beauty of our communitys diversity, and continue to uphold the values that make America a beacon of freedom and opportunity for all. After taking the oath and being welcomed by the assembled advocates and public officials, the new citizens and their families were invited to a reception in the Monument Visitors Center. The Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce is hosting its fifth annual Kids Biz Expo on Aug. 2 at 5:30 p.m., with set-up at 4:30. The event will be held in tandem with the Piedmont HealthCare Friday After 5 concert, featuring Chocolate Chip & Co., a soul, funk, rhythm & blues band. The Kids Biz Expo will set up their tables and booths at the Broad Street Methodist Church Lawn, located at 315 W. Broad St. This year, the event for kids is made possible by Randy Marion of Statesville. The Kids Biz Expo is designed for school age children from kindergarten through high school and offers kids the opportunity to set up a booth/table with a product they feel passionate about. In previous years, the young entrepreneurs have sold a variety of items such as lemonade, baked goods and healthy snacks, photography, jewelry, walking sticks, various crafts and other handmade items. Not only is this a showcase for the participants creativity, but also an opportunity to understand the elements of owning a business. These young business entrepreneurs will learn and use real-life skills such as math, budgeting, marketing, communication and creative thinking. The development and marketing of their product or service will have an impact on their sales at the event and offer them some insight into what it takes to own their own business. Awards presented by the chamber will be given for Most Original Business Idea, Most Creative Presentation, and Highest Business Potential. The awards will be judged by a panel of chamber members from various industries. To sign up for the event, visit the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce website at StatesvilleChamber.org/svl-kids-expo/. For more information, call 704-873-2892. The fee for a booth is $10, the deadline for children to sign up is July 22. Back in those halcyon days of the early interwebs, just a few companies discovered marketing gold by doing a little data mining, then producing press releases with clickbait-y headlines about the specific cities and states where journalists worked. Because so few companies did it, and the teases were so appealing why YOUR TOWN is the best place to get a latte, or insure a car or start a family (you get the idea) the pitches worked. After companies like WalletHub found early success, everyone and their LLC jumped on the bandwagon. Now my email inbox is full of pitches every day with companies wanting me to run their somewhat dubious number-crunching. Dont believe me? These are recent email subject headlines: Report: The most popular construction jobs in Longview (from a construction insurance company) Leavenworth is Washingtonians most coveted retirement destination, finds survey Kindest Americans live here top 10 states! (Washington is the second-kindest state) U.S. cities with the highest home maintenance costs: Seattle tops the list That sound you hear? Oh, thats my eye-rolling. The best place to live? So you can imagine my reluctance when I heard U.S. News & World Report came out with a list of the best cities in which to live. Color me dubious, still. I recognize that the magazine which may be better known by helicopter parents in researching future colleges for Junior is hardly the impartial arbiter you might expect from, say, the U.S. Supreme Court. Well, wait. Journalist Malcolm Gladwell did a great podcast episode on Revisionist History that hacked the algorithm, tearing apart the criteria U.S. News & World Report uses to assess universities. Its called Lord of the Rankings, and I highly recommend it. But now comes the chance for the magazines forensic accountants to reverse-engineer the secrets to finding the perfect hometown. Surely theyll get it right this time? Spoiler alert: Neither Longview nor Kelso nor any other city in Cowlitz County (or contiguous county) made the list. Im trying not to take that too personally. Lets look at the competition. The magazine lists 150 cities on its best list. Coming in at No. 1 is Naples, Florida. No. 2 is Boise, Idaho and No. 3 is Colorado Springs, Colorado. Size doesnt seem to matter, because Naples has fewer than 20,000 residents, Boise tops a quarter-million and Colorado Springs is closer to a half-mil. And it cant be weather that unites them. Of course weather is subjective. A lot of people choose to live in the desert, especially in their golden years. And I would NEVER do that. Maybe its bang for your buck? Cost of living is often expressed as a numerical value, with the U.S. average coming in at 100. Naples is 113, Boise is just shy of 120, and Colorado Springs is 110. Those arent horrible scores (Beverly Hills is 161, Manhattan, New York is 204 and San Francisco is a whopping 245) but theyre hardly bargains. Dive a little deeper, and you see these fastidious fellows of facts, these dukes of data, these stalwarts of statistics, say they look at the cost of living but also how long commutes are, the age distribution across the populace and what percentage of the population is married. That last one is a little odd? Again, it all depends on your perspective. Is that a great attribute if youre single, newly divorced, etc.? That all seems like not enough? Off to the side of the listing are some scores, including quality of life, defined Im sure in a way that would make WalletHub proud (and Malcolm Gladwell, not so much). But its not just the top-voters who have me rubbing my chin like a yellow, bald emoji. Its who else makes the cut and why. There are only two cities in Washington, and because its just on the other side of the river, three in Oregon. In the Pacific Northwest, the lushest part of the country? The greenest of greens? Home of salmon and wine and recreation and commerce? Seattles at No. 28. No argument, and if you like big cities (and yes, they all have some issues), its great. The restaurants, the views, the eclectic vibe. I get it. Its not for everyone, but 28th sounds about right. But behind San Francisco, where the average home is $1.2 million (and there must have been some real hovels that brought that number down)? No. Just no. By the way, the average Seattle home costs around $800,000. Thats 400,000 reasons alone Seattle should top the Bay Area city. That other Washington city that made the list? Spokane, at 65. Spokane has been on the list for years. The magazine praises it for having a river running through it. Feels like that describes half the towns of Western Washington, no? The authors also seem enamored with the towns motto: Near Nature, Near Perfect. Again, that sounds like 50-plus (confession: were estimating, we didnt really count) places within a 200-mile radius of Longview (and no, were not talking Vancouver). Including, of course, Longview. Thats it! I think we cracked the code! Longview is known as the Planned City, but perhaps the saying is not a siren for U.S. News and World Reports editorial number-crunchers. Though youd think the Washington, D.C.-based pencil pushers would have appreciated the functionality and economy of words, the whole bureaucratic beauty of Planned City. Time to get out more, anonymous arbiters of the good life. We suggest a flight west. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay from Pexels The aviation industry is working intensively to reduce the environmental impact of flying, and additive manufacturing (AM) is a key enabler in this effort. However, for the technology to meet the industry's extremely high safety and quality standards, a thorough understanding of the process is required. New research by Karthikeyan Thalavai Pandian, University West, Sweden, contributes important pieces to this puzzle. Today's aircraft already contain engine components produced with additive manufacturing, but for less critical applications. Given the numerous advantages of the technology, the aircraft engine manufacturer GKN Aerospace aims to produce even more components in more materials using AM for critical applications. Achieving this goal requires extensive research and testing. Pandian presented his doctoral dissertation at the end of May, focusing on one of the AM technologies called electron beam powder bed fusion (PFB-EB) for titanium alloys. AM has many advantages "This manufacturing technology is highly interesting for certain components. It enables reduced material consumption, lowers costs, and in the long term, decreases environmental impact. Additionally, the technology opens new possibilities for manufacturing more complex geometries than what is possible with conventional methods like casting and forging," explains Pandian. His research has primarily focused on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. This alloy is used for components in the low-temperature sections of aircraft engines due to its very high specific strength. "My focus has been on improving the fatigue properties of the PBF-EB-built Ti-6Al-4V material. When using this AM technology, surface quality and defects can affect the fatigue properties. If the surface layer becomes too rough and uneven, the fatigue performance of the components can be reduced. Several PBF-EB process parameters can make the surfaces too rough and uneven. In my research, I have explored the effect of a few of these process parameters on surface roughness and how the PBF-EB built surfaces influence the fatigue properties," he says. "Similar to the surface roughness, the defects in the bulk of the AM components can be detrimental to fatigue life." New post-build-heat treatment The AM-built components are typically subjected to post-build-heat treatments (hot isostatic pressing). The current post-build-heat treatment method is developed for conventional manufacturing techniques. The method is not optimal for AM manufacturing as it negatively affects the static strength. Pandian continues, "I have investigated a new method tailored for AM manufacturing. This method uses a lower temperature, providing several advantages: the titanium alloy does not lose static strength, and the fatigue properties are comparable to the standard post-build-heat treatment method." For the aviation industry to use the new method after AM manufacturing, it must be standardized according to the industry's safety and quality criteria. "Once a standard is in place, the industry can more efficiently use AM technology to manufacture more components. The technology is also interesting for other applications, such as the medical technology industry that produces implants," Pandian notes. Aims to reduce the need for post-processing One of Pandian's overarching goals in his research has been to develop AM technology to reduce post-build-machining while meeting quality requirements, which can be achieved by improving the surface quality of AM-built components. "By reducing post-build-machining depth from about 2 mm to 1 mm, material and time are saved in manufacturing. If components can also be built fully finished in an AM process without requiring post-processing, then we can truly claim to have created a sustainable manufacturing method. Today we talk about achieving 'near-net-shape,' but the goal should be to achieve 'net-shape,'" says Pandian. As a newly minted doctor in production technology, Pandian is now taking his research further in his role as a senior lecturer at University West. "In addition to teaching, I look forward to working with more AM processes and more materials with a focus on the fatigue properties of materials and how we ensure quality with the help of AI. "After eleven years as a product developer at Volvo Construction Equipment in India, I needed to understand how the properties of materials affect the final product. Now, after completing my doctoral studies, I am convinced that more research in materials science can make a big difference," Pandian concludes. More information: Karthikeyan Thalavai Pandian, Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V manufactured by electron beam powder bed fusion. www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/ 53791/FULLTEXT01.pdf Provided by University West 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: People are reflected in a window of a hotel at the Davos Promenade in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 15, 2024. The artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has raised tens of millions of dollars from the likes of Jeff Bezos and other prominent tech investors for its mission to rival Google in the business of searching for information. Credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File The artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI has raised tens of millions of dollars from the likes of Jeff Bezos and other prominent tech investors for its mission to rival Google in the business of searching for information. But its AI-driven search chatbot is already facing challenges as some news media companies object to its business practices. It is also competing against t ech giants Google, and now Apple, which are increasingly fusing similar AI features into their core products. Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas has spent much of the past week defending the company after it published a summarized news story with information and similar wording to a Forbes investigative story but without citing the media outlet or asking for its permission. Forbes said it later found similar "knock-off" stories lifted from other publications. The Associated Press separately found another Perplexity product feature inventing fake quotes from real people, including a former elected town official from Martha's Vineyard falsely quoted to say he didn't want the Massachusetts island to become a destination for marijuana. "I never said that," said Bill Rossi, a former member of the island town of Chilmark's select board. Srinivas told The Associated Press that his company is trying to build positive relationships with news publishers that ensure their news content "reaches more people." "We can definitely coexist and help each other," he said. Asked about Forbes, he said his product "never ripped off content from anybody. Our engine is not training on anyone else's content," in part because the company is simply aggregating what other companies' AI systems generate. "We are actually more of an aggregator of information and providing it to the people with the right attribution," Srinivas said. But, he added, "It was accurately pointed out by Forbes that they preferred a more prominent highlighting of the source. We took that feedback immediately and updated changes that day itself. And now the sources are more prominently highlighted." Perplexity also revealed this week that it has been seeking revenue-sharing partnerships that would pay news publishers a portion of Perplexity's advertising revenue each time an outlet's news content is referenced as a source. Randall Lane, chief content officer of Forbes Media, called the dispute an "inflection point" in the conversation about AI. "It's a case study in where we're heading," Lane told the AP. "If the people who are leading the charge don't have a fundamental respect for the hard work of doing proprietary reporting, and keeping people informed with value-added content, we've got a big problem." A self-described "AI bull" who believes that the technology could help make many news organizations more efficient, Lane said the dispute between Perplexity and Forbes is important because it is a "metaphor for what can happen if the people controlling the AI don't respect the people doing the work." Perplexity bills itself as a search engine while "acting like a media company and publishing a story" that only Forbes had reported, Lane said. "The whole thing was very disingenuous. And what we didn't hear was, 'Oops, yeah we messed that one up and we need to do better,'" he said. "Instead, it was just putting out more content, little tweaks to the model and treating journalism like it's just a commodity to be manufactured." Srinivas, a computer scientist and former AI researcher at OpenAI and Google, co-founded Perplexity in the summer of 2022, not long before the AI image-generator Stable Diffusion and OpenAI's ChatGPT began sparking the public's fascination with the possibilities of generative AI. Inspired, in part, by his childhood love of Wikipedia, he described Perplexity to the AP as "like a marriage of Wikipedia and ChatGPT" that can instantly answer a person's questions without the "huge cluttered mess" of Google's conventional search results. "You ask a question, you get an answer with clean sources, and there's like three or four suggested (follow-up) questions and that's it," he said of Perplexity. "That way people's minds can be free from distractions, and they can just focus on learning and digging deeper." The company sells a subscription for premium features and is planning to start an advertising-based service as it grows its user base. "We are not profitable as a company today, but we are also more sustainably run than foundation model companies because we do not train our own foundation models," which requires huge amounts of computing power, he said. Perplexity relies on existing AI large language models such as those built by OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook; and then "post-trains" them. "We shape them to be really good summarizers," he said. It's not always clear where the summarized information is coming from. One Perplexity feature called Writingwhich enables a user to "generate text or chat without searching the web"produces lengthy and unsourced commentary, often in the style of a news article. Tests of the feature by an AP reporter asking it to write about the lack of marijuana on Martha's Vineyard led it to produce a 465-word document that resembled a news article and included fabricated quotations from the former town official and another real person. The AP is not repeating the false quotes in order to avoid perpetuating misinformation. Srinivas said that the Writing feature of Perplexity is a "minor use case" that was intended for helping to compose essays or correcting grammar when primary source information isn't needed. He said it's "more prone to hallucinations"a common problem with AI large language modelsbecause it isn't tethered to the web search capabilities of Perplexity's core product. "There is no doubt that generative AI is upending journalism, content creation, and search," said Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell University's Tech Policy Institute. She pointed to Google's new, Perplexity-like approach that summarizes answers based on information pulled from crawling the web, as an example. That, too, led to false information and forced Google to make adjustments to the product after its public release. "But their whole model of advertising is based on sending people to websites," she said in an email. "Why will people go to websites if they can have the one-stop-shop of the answer in the AI output?" Srinivas claimed to the AP that "a lot of people get referrals from Perplexity, and I'm happy that they're getting referrals from a new player in the internet." For now, much of that benefit may be aspirational. Perplexity's worldwide user base has grown rapidly this year to more than 85 million web visits in May, but that barely registers compared to the billions of users of ChatGPT and other popular platforms from Microsoft and Google, according to data from Similarweb. The debate demonstrates the "uncertain and challenging times" for online content creators in general and journalism in particular because aggregators only work if publications such as Forbes exist, said Stephen Lind, an associate professor at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. Using AI as a synthesizing tool works for widespread dissemination of information until "you run out of originals," he said. "There are whole companies or whole applications that are also doing this, where they are rolling out new services without fully thinking through the implications or best practices or safeguards because they're rolling out applications for industries that maybe they're not native to," he said. Lind said it's good that companies like Perplexity are "taking at least some steps to course correct when an industry or a user pushes back." But some of the changes should have been baked in from the beginning, he added. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Boeing has been under heightened scrutiny since January 2024, when a panel on a fuselage of an Alaska Airlines flight blew out. Boeing has officially contested a Department of Justice determination that the passenger plane giant can be prosecuted for violating a criminal settlement following two fatal 737 MAX crashes, a person familiar with the matter told AFP Thursday. The embattled aviation giant disputed the Justice Department's determination of its compliance with a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, meeting a deadline to file an official response by June 13, according to the person. Bloomberg News reported aspects of the Boeing response late Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. "We'll decline to comment on any specific communications with the Justice Department, however we continue to engage transparently with the Department, as we have throughout the term of the agreement," Boeing told AFP in an email. The Justice Department declined comment through a spokesperson. The case, which relates to a deferred prosecution agreement over two MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that together claimed 346 lives, comes as Boeing faces intensifying scrutiny following recent manufacturing and safety problems. The aviation giant has again been under a microscope since a January 5 incident in which a 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing after a fuselage panel blew out mid-flight. The incident came soon before the three-year DPA was due to conclude. 'Agent of change' Boeing's travails took center stage at a Senate hearing Thursday where Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker pledged stepped-up oversight of Boeing involving additional inspectors, promising that the agency "will continue to hold them accountable for producing and delivering safe aircraft." Senator Maria Cantwell, a Washington state Democrat who chaired the hearing, told Whitaker, "We're counting on you to be that agent of change." While acknowledging shortcomings, Boeing maintains that it has upgraded safety since the MAX crashes and that it honored the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement. If satisfied with Boeing's conduct, the Justice Department could have moved to drop the charges. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker will be questioned on Boeing by a Senate panel. But in a May 14 letter to US Judge Reed O'Connor, the department concluded that Boeing "breached its obligations" under the agreement, citing a number of provisions. The January 2021 agreement required Boeing to pay $2.5 billion to settle fraud charges over certification of the 737 MAX. The DOJ letter cited measures requiring Boeing to implement a compliance and ethics program, beef up its internal controls "to effectively detect and deter violations of US fraud laws" and prohibit Boeing from providing "deliberately false, incomplete or misleading" information about its compliance. In October 2018, a MAX 8 operated by Lion Air crashed in Indonesia's Java Sea, leaving 189 people dead. Less than six months later, in March 2019, another MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed southeast of Addis Ababa, killing the 157 people on board. Prosecutors met with family members who lost relatives in the two MAX crashes on May 31 this year. "The families have been strongly urging the DOJ to prosecute Boeing versus supporting a negotiated plea agreement," said a press release from the Clifford Law Offices, which represents the families. The families "asked for full transparency including a criminal trial on conspiracy and other possible criminal charges against Boeing and their executives responsible for the two crashes," it said. CEO to testify The Justice Department has said it will decide how to proceed on the case by July 7. Ahead of that, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun can expect a grilling at a June 18 hearing before a different Senate committee, which has been called a probe into "Boeing's Broken Safety Culture" after the panel earlier heard from company whistleblowers. In March, Boeing announced that Calhoun would step down as CEO at the end of 2024, setting the stage for the company to undertake an executive search. The company's problems have continued to weigh on its finances. Last month, Boeing Chief Financial Officer Brian West said the company expects negative cash for all of 2024 after previously forecasting positive cash generation in the low single-digit billions for the year. 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: Microsoft President Brad Smith spent more than three hours answering questions from members of the Homeland Security Committee in Washington. Members of US Congress on Thursday pressed Microsoft to explain a "cascade of avoidable errors" that allowed a Chinese hacking group to breach emails of senior US officials. Microsoft President Brad Smith spent more than three hours answering questions from members of the House Committee on Homeland Security in Washington, assuring them cybersecurity is being woven more deeply into the technology company's culture. "Microsoft accepts responsibility for each and every one of the issues cited" in a scathing US government report about the breach "without equivocation or hesitation," Smith told the committee. The Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), led by the US Department of Homeland Security, conducted a seven-month investigation into the incident last year that involved the China-affiliated cyberespionage actor Storm-0558. "Microsoft has an enormous footprint in both government and critical infrastructure networks," US congressman and committee member Bennie Thompson said to Smith as the hearing opened. "It is our shared interest that the security issues raised by the (report) be addressed quickly." The operation, which was first discovered by the US State Department in June 2023, included hacks on the official and personal mailboxes of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns. Microsoft's core business is to provide cloud computing services, such as Azure or Office360, that host sensitive data and power business and government operations across major sectors of the economy. The report criticized a Microsoft corporate culture that was "at odds with... the level of trust customers place in the company." The review identified a series of operational and strategic decisions by Microsoft that opened the door to the breach, including the failure to identify a new employee's compromised laptop following a corporate acquisition in 2021. It also found that Microsoft fell short of safety standards seen at competing cloud companies, including Google, Amazon and Oracle. "The Board finds that this intrusion was preventable and should never have occurred," the review said, pinpointing "the cascade of Microsoft's avoidable errors that allowed this intrusion to succeed." 'Lasting change' The report also recommended that Microsoft develop and publicly release a plan with timelines to enact wide-ranging security reforms across its products and practices. "The real challenge is how you achieve effective lasting cultural change," Smith said, noting Microsoft has nearly 226,000 employees. Smith said Microsoft has the equivalent of 34,000 engineers working full time on answering the security shortcomings in "the largest engineering project focused on cybersecurity in the history of digital technology." Microsoft's board on Wednesday approved a change that will tie cybersecurity accomplishments with annual bonuses for senior executives and make it part of every employee's annual review, according to Smith. Microsoft detects some 300 million cyberattacks on its customers daily, with most of those coming from China, Iran, Korea, Russia, or ransomware operations, Smith told the committee. "We're dealing with four formidable foes in China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, and they are getting better," Smith said. "We should expect them to work together; they're waging attacks at an extraordinary rate." While it is inevitable that adversaries will use artificial intelligence for increasingly sophisticated attacks, the technology is already being used to strengthen cyber defenses, Smith added. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Bayesian behavior framework. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48577-7 Both living creatures and AI-driven machines need to act quickly and adaptively in response to situations. In psychology and neuroscience, behavior can be categorized into two typeshabitual (fast and simple but inflexible), and goal-directed (flexible but complex and slower). Daniel Kahneman, who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, distinguishes between these as System 1 and System 2. However, there is ongoing debate as to whether they are independent and conflicting entities or mutually supportive components. Scientists from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and Microsoft Research Asia in Shanghai have proposed a new AI method in which systems of habitual and goal-directed behaviors learn to help each other. Through computer simulations that mimicked the exploration of a maze, the method quickly adapts to changing environments and also reproduced the behavior of humans and animals after they had been accustomed to a certain environment for a long time. The study, published in Nature Communications, not only paves the way for the development of systems that adapt quickly and reliably in the burgeoning field of AI, but also provides clues to how we make decisions in the fields of neuroscience and psychology. The scientists derived a model that integrates habitual and goal-directed systems for learning behavior in AI agents that perform reinforcement learning, a method of learning based on rewards and punishments, based on the theory of "active inference," which has been the focus of much attention recently. In the paper, they created a computer simulation mimicking a task in which mice explore a maze based on visual cues and are rewarded with food when they reach the goal. They examined how these two systems adapt and integrate while interacting with the environment, showing that they can achieve adaptive behavior quickly. It was observed that the AI agent collected data and improved its own behavior through reinforcement learning. What our brains prefer After a long day at work, we usually head home on autopilot (habitual behavior). However, if you have just moved house and are not paying attention, you might find yourself driving back to your old place out of habit. When you catch yourself doing this, you switch gears (goal-directed behavior) and reroute to your new home. Traditionally, these two behaviors are considered to work independently, resulting in behavior being either habitual and fast but inflexible, or goal-directed and flexible but slow. "The automatic transition from goal-directed to habitual behavior during learning is a very famous finding in psychology. Our model and simulations can explain why this happens: The brain would prefer behavior with higher certainty. As learning progresses, habitual behavior becomes less random, thereby increasing certainty. Therefore, the brain prefers to rely on habitual behavior after significant training," Dr. Dongqi Han, a former Ph.D. student at OIST's Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit and first author of the paper, explained. For a new goal that AI has not trained for, it uses an internal model of the environment to plan its actions. It does not need to consider all possible actions but uses a combination of its habitual behaviors, which makes planning more efficient. This challenges traditional AI approaches which require all possible goals to be explicitly included in training for them to be achieved. In this model, each desired goal can be achieved without explicit training but by flexibly combining learned knowledge. "It's important to achieve a kind of balance or trade-off between flexible and habitual behavior," Prof. Jun Tani, head of the Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit stated. "There could be many possible ways to achieve a goal, but to consider all possible actions is very costly, therefore goal-directed behavior is limited by habitual behavior to narrow down options." Building better AI Dr. Han got interested in neuroscience and the gap between artificial and human intelligence when he started working on AI algorithms. "I started thinking about how AI can behave more efficiently and adaptably, like humans. I wanted to understand the underlying mathematical principles and how we can use them to improve AI. That was the motivation for my Ph.D. research." Understanding the difference between habitual and goal-directed behaviors has important implications, especially in the field of neuroscience, because it can shed light on neurological disorders such as ADHD, OCD, and Parkinson's disease. "We are exploring the computational principles by which multiple systems in the brain work together. We have also seen that neuromodulators such as dopamine and serotonin play a crucial role in this process," Prof. Kenji Doya, head of the Neural Computation Unit explained. "AI systems developed with inspiration from the brain and proven capable of solving practical problems can serve as valuable tools in understanding what is happening in the brains of humans and animals." Dr. Han would like to help build better AI that can adapt their behavior to achieve complex goals. "We are very interested in developing AI that have near human abilities when performing everyday tasks, so we want to address this human-AI gap. Our brains have two learning mechanisms, and we need to better understand how they work together to achieve our goal." More information: Dongqi Han et al, Synergizing habits and goals with variational Bayes, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48577-7 Journal information: Nature Communications Four Florida residents were arrested in College Station last week for allegedly breaking into at least five different vehicles in one day and using stolen credit/debit cards obtained in the process, according to multiple probable cause reports from the Bryan Police Department. Richardo Andrew Lagueere, 27; Shantanice Erica McMillan, 28; Cache Ferre Reid, 23; and James Lyn Ward, 24, have all been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, and credit or debit card abuse, along with various other related misdemeanors, according to Brazos County Jail records. Lagueere and Mcmillan also had active warrants out of Washington County for similar alleged vehicle break-ins, according to police. At 3:38 p.m. June 7, police said they responded to multiple vehicle break-ins at a preschool in the 2500 block of East Villa Maria Drive in Bryan. According to the probable cause report, three vehicles were broken into and two of the victims reported items missing from their cars. One of the victims told police that she had received a fraud alert from her credit card company, according to officers. As the officers were still interviewing the victims, police said one of the victims received another notification of a $357.26 charge at a Murphy gas station. Officers responded to the scene and retrieved surveillance video of two female suspects allegedly using the card. The female suspects were later seen walking toward a black Audi occupied by a man, according to the probable cause report. Two hours later, police received another report of two vehicle burglaries at a preschool in the 3700 block of Copperfield Drive in Bryan. Officers said both vehicles had purses stolen from them. Security footage from the second preschool showed a black Audi without a license plate pulling up to the parking lot around the same time that the burglaries occurred, according to police. A man, later identified as Lagueere by police, was also seen allegedly throwing a purse behind a dumpster nearby. Less than 10 minutes later, police said a traffic stop was conducted on a black Audi matching the one seen in the video. Lagueere, Mcmillan, Reid and Ward were inside the vehicle, along with several of the items that had been reported as stolen, according to police. Both engaging in organized criminal activity and credit or debit card abuse are state jail felonies punishable by up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Lagueere is being held under a $65,000 bond; McMillan has an $80,000 bond; and Reid and Ward are both under bonds of $50,000, according to jail records. Threat actors linked to North Korea have accounted for one-third of all the phishing activity targeting Brazil since 2020, as the country's emergence as an influential power has drawn the attention of cyber espionage groups. "North Korean government-backed actors have targeted the Brazilian government and Brazil's aerospace, technology, and financial services sectors," Google's Mandiant and Threat Analysis Group (TAG) divisions said in a joint report published this week. "Similar to their targeting interests in other regions, cryptocurrency and financial technology firms have been a particular focus, and at least three North Korean groups have targeted Brazilian cryptocurrency and fintech companies." Prominent among those groups is a threat actor tracked as UNC4899 (aka Jade Sleet, PUKCHONG, and TraderTraitor), which has targeted cryptocurrency professionals with a malware-laced trojanized Python app. The attack chains involve reaching out to potential targets via social media and sending a benign PDF document containing a job description for an alleged job opportunity at a well-known cryptocurrency firm. Should the target express interest in the job offer, the threat actor follows it up by sending a second harmless PDF document with a skills questionnaire and instructions to complete a coding assignment by downloading a project from GitHub. "The project was a trojanized Python app for retrieving cryptocurrency prices that was modified to reach out to an attacker-controlled domain to retrieve a second stage payload if specific conditions were met," Mandiant and TAG researchers said. This is not the first time UNC4899, which has been attributed to the 2023 JumpCloud hack, has leveraged this approach. In July 2023, GitHub warned of a social engineering attack that sought to trick employees working at blockchain, cryptocurrency, online gambling, and cybersecurity companies into executing code hosted in a GitHub repository using bogus npm packages. Job-themed social engineering campaigns are a recurring theme among North Korean hacking groups, with the tech giant also spotting a campaign orchestrated by a group it tracks as PAEKTUSAN to deliver a C++ downloader malware referred to as AGAMEMNON via Microsoft Word attachments embedded in phishing emails. "In one example, PAEKTUSAN created an account impersonating an HR director at a Brazilian aerospace firm and used it to send phishing emails to employees at a second Brazilian aerospace firm," the researchers noted, adding the campaigns are consistent with a long-running activity tracked as Operation Dream Job. "In a separate campaign, PAEKTUSAN masqueraded as a recruiter at a major U.S. aerospace company and reached out to professionals in Brazil and other regions via email and social media about prospective job opportunities." Google further said it blocked attempts by another North Korean group dubbed PRONTO to target diplomats with denuclearization- and news-related email decoys to trick them into visiting credential harvesting pages or providing their login information in order to view a supposed PDF document. The development comes weeks after Microsoft shed light on a previously undocumented threat actor of North Korean origin, codenamed Moonstone Sleet, which has singled out individuals and organizations in the software and information technology, education, and defense industrial base sectors with both ransomware and espionage attacks. Among Moonstone Sleet's noteworthy tactics is the distribution of malware through counterfeit npm packages published on the npm registry, mirroring that of UNC4899. That said, the packages associated with the two clusters bear distinct code styles and structures. "Jade Sleet's packages, discovered throughout summer 2023, were designed to work in pairs, with each pair being published by a separate npm user account to distribute their malicious functionality," Checkmarx researchers Tzachi Zornstein and Yehuda Gelb said. "In contrast, the packages published throughout late 2023 and early 2024 adopted a more streamlined single-package approach which would execute its payload immediately upon installation. In the second quarter of 2024, the packages increased in complexity, with the attackers adding obfuscation and having it target Linux systems as well." Regardless of the differences, the tactic abuses the trust users place in open-source repositories, allowing the threat actors to reach a broader audience and increasing the likelihood that one of their malicious packages could be inadvertently installed by unwitting developers. The disclosure is significant, not least because it marks an expansion of Moonstone Sleet's malware distribution mechanism, which previously relied on spreading the bogus npm packages using LinkedIn and freelancer websites. The findings also follow the discovery of a new social engineering campaign undertaken by the North Korea-linked Kimsuky group wherein it impersonated news agency Reuters to target North Korean human rights activists in order to deliver information-stealing malware under the guise of an interview request, according to Genians. THE VINCENTIAN joins with the Carnival fraternity in particular and all the people involved in the diverse range of cultural activities in general, to mourn the passing of an undisputed cultural icon JULIAN PELING POLLARD. More can and will be said during the course of time in tribute to this unquestionable national icon, who from his tender teenage years as a secondary school student impressed himself and his artistic/creative talents on the cultural landscape of this country. Known for his mas designs that overwhelmed carnival patrons here, across the Caribbean and in North America, he will be best remembered up to his passing, as one of the winniest Band of the Year designers in SVG, the other being Oswald Constance. Not to sound facetious, but it seems appropriate that 'PELING would have chosen this time of year, another Carnival Season, to say goodbye to this world and be welcomed into the arms of the gods of creative expression, from where he will begin a journey into a new realm. THE VINCENTIAN extend condolences to his family, his many friends and his fellow cultural activists. The Intermediate High School, uptown Kingstown, would have been the one the 1979-1985 class would have attended. Plans are now in high gear for past students 1979 1985 - of the Intermediate High School - IHS, fondly known as "Timmy School, so named after its longest serving principal, Bertram "Timmy Richards now deceased, to hold a past students reunion tentatively set for October 25, 2025. The initiative involves past students both home and abroad, from among whom an Executive Committee was elected to finalize plans for this activity. The Committee comprises: Earl Ole George Daniel Chairperson; Tyrone Creese - Vice Chair; Vernice Preddie Secretary; Wayne Williams Treasurer; Albena Samuel/Jack - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Leopold Dopwell - Public Relations Officer; Sherma Drakes, Gillian Martin and Donna Findlay Committee Members. The Executive held its first meeting on Thursday, June 06, 2024 at which it set the tentative date for the reunion. In addition, a WhatsApp group chat was set up to keep past students and teachers from that period informed of plans, as well as to serve as a medium through which suggestions can be made for consideration by the Executive and incorporation into plans going forward. According to the PRO Dopwell, the Executive Committee is looking forward to the full participation of students from 1979 to 1985, and called for submissions of ideas toward making the event a memorable one. Report submitted by: Leopold Dopwell, PRO Residents recalled hearing over 20 gunshots the night, Monday 10 June, 2024, when Junior 17 Bibby, 28 years old, was brutally gunned down. Bibby was seconds away from opening the entrance (door) to his dwelling house in Trigger Ridge, Redemption Sharpes, when he was ambushed and shot multiple times. He lived alone and had no children. Reports are that sometime after 10pm, the deceased was making his way home. He was carrying, according to a close friend of his, "a pile a money which he intended to use to purchase a vehicle. Sometime around 10:30pm, the sounds of gunshots were heard coming from the direction of the deceaseds home, a wooden structure located on top of a hill. A female relative of the deceased told THE VINCENTIAN that he was on his step and about to enter his house when a gunman/gunmen attacked him. "He was in the yard, right there by the steps, it was just for him to go in the house but the gunman was there waiting. They shot him in his head, when he drop down, they shoot him in his chest. The one in his head go right through and by the way he fall, it looked like he break his neck, the relative related. She said that Bibby was a farmer who concentrated on planting ginger. "He was a nice person and I really dont know why they killed him, added the distraught relative. Living with and close to death Mondays shooting was not Bibbys first brush with death. In August 2017, he and Kareem Charles were wounded during a shooting incident near the playing field in Redemption Sharpes. The shooting was said to be gang related. Bibbys father, Lloyd "Lazarus Samuel, was killed in similar fashion back in December, 2007. He was shot three times in the head on 22nd December around 1:15 am, while reversing his car, P1882, into his yard at Trigger Ridge. Bibby had to live with the reality that his father died three days later, on Christmas Day, at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Two men, Che "Ragga Bute, and Azari "Nines Ash, both of Redemption Sharpes, were charged for the murder of Samuel. They were found guilty in 2011 but had their conviction quashed and a retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal in May 2014. In the subsequent trail, the jury could not agree on a verdict and a mistrial was declared. The men, however, remained in custody. High Court Judge Brian Cottle in September 2022, denied an application by the Crown to allow a third trial of the two men who had been in custody since 2010. Bute and Ash walked out of the High Court as free men, after 12 years in prison, on September 22, 2022. Bibbys death is listed as the 18th homicide for the year. The Antigua-based LIAT 2020 Ltd. has surmounted one hurdle along its path to operating a full scheduled air transportation service. In this regard, Antigua and Barbudas Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced on his weekly radio programme earlier this week, that 2020 had obtained its Air Operators Certificate (AOC). However, he criticized the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in Barbados for causing further delays in the airlines return to regional operations. Browne expressed frustration over the CDBs sluggish response to the sales agreement for the acquisition of three planes owned by the CDB. As part of the efforts to launch LIAT (2020) Ltd., Antigua and Barbudas government had pledged to deposit US$12.1 million into an Escrow account toward the acquisition. The government had made an offer to purchase the three aircraft from the CDB, which were previously operated by the regional airline LIAT (1974) Ltd. Despite this, the CDBs extended vetting process of the sales agreement, which has lasted over two weeks, has become a significant obstacle. Browne expressed his perplexity at the length of time it has taken for the CDB to review the sales agreement and his frustration with the delay. Browne also highlighted the governments need to engage in a lease agreement with the LIAT (1974) Ltd. administrator to lease one of the planes for US$100,000 a month, in addition to a maintenance agreement costing another US$95,000 per month. He conveyed his hope that the sales agreement situation would be resolved early next week, and emphasized his concern that the CDBs legal department has held up the process for an unreasonable length of time. Dr. Vaughn Lewis, CEO/VINLEC, moved promptly to publicly address the cause and fallout of last Sundays power outage. There was no blackout of information from St. Vincent Electricity Services Ltd. (VINLEC) last Sunday, June 9, when the country experienced another power blackout, following on the heels of an extended one on June 02. Sundays power blackout was met with prompt response from VINLEC. In fact, the companys Public Relations Department was on the ball, ensuring that a release explaining the cause of the interruption and more was made on the said day. In addition, Dr. Vaughn Lewis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VINLEC, took to radio (WE FM) on that Sunday, to give details of the situation and share pertinent, related information. By the time he got to the radio, Dr. Lewis could assure that the system was stable. power had been restored. And he prefaced his more in depth explanation by reminding, "When I joined VINLEC, we had system failures multiple times a year, now we have them probably every two and a half years on average for various reasons. Some of the causes of these system failures are unforeseen, like the one that occurred on June 2 and was attributed to a switch gear issue, Dr. Lewis said. He assured that the faulty section of the switch gear had been repaired and according to him, that should provide some reliability until the final aspect of the switch gear is fully repaired by VINLECs suppliers. The CEO, a trained/qualified and field-hardened engineer, informed that VINLECs generators were all functioning. In simplifying how the power is distributed across say mainland St. Vincent, Dr. Lewis shared that a 33kV switch gear is used to link all the power stations across the mainland. So, Cane Hall is connected to Lowmans Bay, which is connected to South Rivers which is then connected to Cumberland and Kingstown sub-stations, the CEO added. What happened on June 2 was a failure on a part of the switch gear that connects Cane Hall directly to Lowmans Bay. The resulting power failure on June 02, was caused by a flash over and not an insulation failure on VINLECs 33kV switch gear at Lowmans Bay. "Its something that we havent seen or experienced before, but it did create some problems, Dr. Lewis admitted. "But we isolated that failed part and was able to reconnect all of our networks through another side of the switch gear and we are working to repair the side that is out, he continued. According to Lewis, the switch gear acted like the heart of the electrical network. "And you do not visit and check the bus bars frequently because the parts in there are supposed to last a lifetime, the CEO said. Checking them would mean interruptions to the power supply. "So, we do not usually go in and check the bus bars; we will pull the breakers out and we will service them, but the bus bar section is not something that we would normally do, Lewis explained. The recent occurrence successive power failures is "something that we have never seen before, or expected, Dr. Lewis said, and expressed the hope that there would be no more blackouts. Who is Dr. Vaughn Lewis In response to a number of request, we are pleased to present the following: Vaughn Lewis has worked with St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) for 25 years. He started as an Engineer in Training in 1998, was promoted to Manager Engineer in 2007, and took over the position of Chief Executive Officer in August 2022. He has been involved in all of VINLECs renewable energy projects over the last 20 years including solar PV and battery storage projects and the refurbishment/upgrade of old Hydro power stations. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Electro-Mechanical Power Engineering from Loughborough University in England, and completed his PhD at the University of Dundee, Scotland in 1998. A typical two-engine 21-seat Gulfstream aircraft like the one which departed Canouan but left no trace of its flight plan and final destination. The Gulfstream private jet registered as N337LR, which disappeared from radar after it departed Canouan, St. Vincent, on Friday, December 22, 2023, has returned to the radar screens, so to speak. Indications are that the aircraft turned up in Ghana, West Africa, and has been implicated in a cocaine matter. The story surrounding the aircraft dates back to December 22, 2023 as referenced, was noteworthy enough to attract the attention of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. The aircraft was said to have departed Canouan on a scenic tour around 2:27p.m., and was scheduled to return at 4:27p.m. Dr. Gonsalves said, after confirming that the aircraft had disappeared shortly after taking off from the Canouan airport, that local authorities had been in touch with "two Latin American countries of relevance, who he said had "certain information. He, however, did not name the Latin America countries therein encouraging speculation. "We have also been in touch with the relevant authorities in the United States, also the Regional Security System (RSS), and it has become evident that the plane didnt so much disappear as feign a disappearance, because the thesis which is being operated on is that they (the pilots) turned off the transponder, Gonsalves said, adding that that was what he had been advised. And while the Prime Minister, who is also National Security Minister, chose not to provide any information as per the number of persons on board, or the purpose of the aircraft in question being here, a source in Canouan told THE VINCENTIAN then that three passengers and a pilot had boarded the aircraft. Two of those passengers were said to be of Mexican nationality. Interestingly, subsequent to THE VINCETIANS report of December 29, 2023, authorities here said they were aware of the identities of the flight crew and the sole passenger, contrary to previous claims. External agencies were conducting background checks, and the preliminary investigation in December indicated that the disappearance of N337LR was not a coincidence. The Prime Minister had said previously that there was no evidence that anything illegal boarded the aircraft in Canouan. Now, the news from Ghana as per newspaper reports, is that the aircraft with tail number N337LR landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, the capital of Ghana, a month ago without appropriate landing permits. This caused the authorities in that country to mount investigations into drug smuggling through the African nation, after tracing the Gulfstream aircraft, registered as N337LR, to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Reports in the Ghanian newspapers are that the Gulfstream aircraft is suspected to have been used to shuttle narcotics (drugs), and (that) highly-placed individuals in Ghana may be allegedly linked to it and Guinea-Bissau, a long-established distribution centre for international illicit drug networks. As part of the investigations, crew members of the aircraft were interrogated by the authorities and despite acknowledging that the aircraft had been reported missing, the crew has since been released and has vanished into thin air, reports from Ghana said. One report coming out of Ghana said that on January 22, 2024, and again before it landed in Ghana, aeronautical radar spotted N337LR after it vanished from Canouan in December 2023. To compound matters as far as this countrys place in all of this is concerned, the Organised Global Crime Index, which "assesses the strengths and vulnerabilities of 193 UN member states concerning these criminal activities while also evaluating the level of criminality within countries markets, has gone on record as saying that , "The Grenadine Islands continue to be a stronghold for Venezuelan crime groups, with cocaine shipments from Venezuela to the Grenadines increasing at the expense of shipments to St. Lucia, likely due to groups trying to minimise the risk of interception. "For the most part, crime groups organise Venezuelan fishing vessels to offload bulk quantities of cocaine in coastal waters. The drugs are then collected and stockpiled for onward loading onto pleasure crafts that are predominantly destined for Europe. To date, there has been no response to this latest development by the authorities here. A Russian warship crossed the mouth of the Havana Bay accompanied by small boats that guided them through the narrow channel. (Photo Credit: AP) A fleet of Russian warships reached Cuban waters on Wednesday ahead of planned military exercises in the Caribbean in what some see as a projection of strength as tensions grow over Western support for Ukraine. Three ships slowly crossed the mouth of the Havana Bay accompanied by small boats that guided them through the narrow channel. The flagship frigate, adorned with the Russian and Cuban flags, was greeted by 21 cannon salutes. Sailors in dress uniform stood in military formation as they approached the island. A nuclear-powered submarine was expected to arrive behind them. The U.S. military expects the exercises will involve a handful of Russian ships and support vessels, which may also stop in Venezuela. Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean. But this mission comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to protect Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, prompting President Vladimir Putin to suggest his military could respond with "asymmetrical steps elsewhere in the world. "Most of all, the warships are a reminder to Washington that it is unpleasant when an adversary meddles in your near abroad, said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank, referring to the Western involvement in Russias war in Ukraine. "It also reminds Russias friends in the region, including US antagonists Cuba and Venezuela, that Moscow is on their side. Although the fleet includes a nuclear-powered submarine, a senior US administration official told The Associated Press that the intelligence community has determined no vessel is carrying nuclear weapons. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not been announced publicly, said Russias deployments "pose no direct threat to the United States. US officials last week said the Russian ships were expected to remain in the region through the summer. Warren Knights (right) accepts the cheque from Joy Matthews, who is flanked by Noel Jackson and Perlina Baptiste. Members of the Sion Hill Junior Band are in the background. The performances of the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra in this years Panoramas are expected to be enhanced with the receipt of a donation of $15,000.00 that will allow for the sole purpose of purchasing new instruments. Making this timely and worthwhile donation on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the bands base located in Sion Hill Village, was SVG Solidarity in Action Inc. Noel Jackson, who spoke on behalf of the benefactor, revealed that after receiving the request from the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra, it was an easy process to honour. "The Board (of Directors) met and readily our Chairman - Mr Renrick Rose said let us do so something and he suggested to we make a contribution to new instruments, So, this afternoon we are handing over a cheque for $15,000 to help with new instruments and we hope that this donation goes a long way in helping Sion Hill Euphonium, Jackson said. Jackson in highlighting the mandate of the SVG Solidarity in Action Inc. since its registration in 2010, noted, "We have been continuously giving support to the Sion Hill area and the entire country at large We have been giving out scholarships to children of both organisation (WINFA) and the (NLC) We have been assisting persons to go overseas for medical attention. The SVG Solidarity in Action Inc was registered by the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA) and the National Labour Congress (NLC), and the organisations main source of funds is the operation of a car park in capital, Kingstown. The 43-year-old Sion Hill Euphonium will be participating in the 2024 Junior and Senior Panorama Competitions, carded for the Victoria Park, June 30 and July 4, respectively. President of the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra - Warren Knights, thanked the donors, calling their benevolence, " timely, as they go into another Panorama season. Apart from Jackson, the SVG Solidarity in Action Inc. was represented by Board Member - Joy Matthews, Perlina Baptiste, Corporate Secretary and Sedikah Wilson-Clasp, the Administrative Clerk at the Car Park. Some members of the Sion Hill Euphonium Junior Band, also witnessed the presentation. European Commission's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs will boomerang: spokesperson Xinhua) 09:52, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that the anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) initiated by the European Commission will only boomerang, urging the EU to stop politicizing economic and trade issues. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks in response to opposing voices from Germany, Hungary, and major European automobile companies after the European Commission announced on Wednesday an increase of provisional duties levied on EV imports from China by up to 38.1 percent starting July 4. Lin pointed out that regarding the preliminary findings released by the European Commission about the anti-subsidy investigation, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce has stated China's solemn position. Chinese industry and business associations also expressed their firm opposition. Lin emphasized that the investigation is a typical protectionist move, which ignores objective facts and disregards WTO rules in reverse of the historical trend. This will only harm others and boomerang on oneself. "We urge the EU side to listen carefully to the objective and rational voices of all sectors, immediately correct its wrong practices, stop politicizing economic and trade issues, properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and avoid undermining mutual trust and dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU," said Lin. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (TBTCO) - Thi truong heo hoi hom nay tiep chieu i xuong tai nhieu ia phuong. Theo o, muc gia cao nhat uoc ghi nhan tren ca nuoc hien tai la 68.000 ong/kg. Gia thit heo tiep tuc on inh trong phien sang nay. Trong o, mo heo hien uoc niem yet voi gia 69.000 ong/kg tai Cong ty Thuc pham Tuoi song Ha Hien, thap nhat trong cac san pham uoc khao sat. (TBTCO) - Gia xang dau trong nuoc hom nay (10/10) uoc du bao co the uoc ieu chinh tang manh. Theo o, gia xang trong nuoc co the tang tu 950 - 1.250 ong/lit; gia dau diesel co kha nang tang khoang 820 - 1.050 ong/lit. Tren thi truong the gioi, gia dau giam sau khi du lieu cua Hoa Ky cho thay luong dau tho du tru tang, nhung muc giam bi han che boi rui ro gian oan nguon cung cua Iran do xung ot Trung ong va con bao Milton o Hoa Ky. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has added two new global banking veterans to its executive committee (ExCo) Simon Thorn as Group Chief Compliance Officer and Neil Barrable as Group Chief Credit Officer. Thorn will oversee FABs regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, and financial crime policies and procedures, ensuring that FAB maintains the highest compliance standards in all its business activities. Thorn brings with him a wealth of expertise in compliance, having joined FAB in 2023 from Barclays Bank in the UK where he was Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to this, he held senior leadership positions in compliance in several high-profile organisations, including Merrill Lynch, Nomura, and the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA). Credit function Barrable will lead FABs credit function and brings with him nearly 30 years of experience in credit and its related functions, covering a wide range of markets and products. Barrable joins FAB from HSBC in London, where he was Managing Director, Global Head of Wholesale Credit & Lending. Prior to this assignment, he held senior executive positions with several leading international institutions in the Asia Pacific region, including JP Morgan, Barclays Capital, and Deutsche Bank. He assumes responsibilities from Acting Group Chief Credit Officer Rajesh Deshpande, who will now take up the position of Chief Strategic Business Initiatives Officer & Head of Capital Portfolio Management.--TradeArabia News Service Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the key financial engine of the UAE economic development and industrial advancement, and Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), one of the leading banks in the UAE, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing international trade services. This collaboration will combine EDB's extensive client base and robust financial operational capabilities with CBD's advanced trade finance expertise, unlocking new growth opportunities for businesses across the UAE. The official signing ceremony took place at CBD's Head Office in Dubai, attended by Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, and Dr Bernd van Linder, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank of Dubai. Under this strategic alliance, CBD will deliver a comprehensive suite of trade finance products and operational services to EDB's clients. This initiative is designed to empower businesses to expand their portfolios and excel in the international trade arena. Key services will include handling letters of credit and guarantees along with supporting foreign currency payments, ensuring a seamless and efficient trading experience. Al Naqbi said: "We are pleased to partner with Commercial Bank of Dubai to offer innovative and comprehensive trade finance solutions. This partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing our trade finance offering, supporting businesses across the UAE. By leveraging our combined expertise and resources, we are dedicated to forging strategic partnerships that will bolster the UAE's economic development and strengthen its position as a global hub for trade and investment." Dr Bernd van Linder said: "We are delighted to join hands with EDB to embark on this journey that will bring new opportunities and growth for both of the organizations. This partnership highlights our shared vision of empowering businesses in the global trade landscape. Together, we will redefine standards and set new benchmarks for success." This partnership signifies a critical advancement in the financial landscape of the UAE, positioning both EDB and CBD as leaders in facilitating international trade and economic competitiveness. The collaboration allows EDB to leverage CBD's extensive network and processing capabilities, offering clients a broader range of benefits. Meanwhile, CBD stands to gain increased volumes of trade business, opening new revenue streams and enhancing fee income. The strategic alliance between EDB and CBD strengthens their commitment to providing comprehensive support for UAE businesses engaged in international trade. By combining EDB's expertise in trade finance and working capital solutions with CBD's robust financial capabilities, the partnership offers clients optimal support in mitigating risks and streamlining cross-border transactions. This collaboration demonstrates both organisations' dedication to driving innovation in transaction banking, ultimately facilitating secure, efficient, and seamless global trade for UAE companies. TradeArabia News Service Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Menat (Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye) region, has been awarded the prestigious leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED certification for 12 of its branches by the US Green Building Council (Usgbc). Seven of Emirates NBDs branches in the UAE, located at Yas Mall, Al Reem Mall, Al Barsha Branch, Mirdif City Centre, Sharjah City Centre and Deira City Centre, have been certified LEED Platinum and Al Zahia Mall branch has been certified LEED Gold, marking a significant milestone in Emirates NBDs sustainability commitments. In Saudi Arabia, Emirates NBD became the first bank to achieve LEED Platinum certification for its KAFD branch. This recognition was in addition to the recent six branches in Saudi Arabia awarded LEED gold certificates, which included the branches in Jeddah Trio Branch, Al Shefa Branch, Qourtobah Branch and Anas Bin Malik Branches in Riyadh in addition to Jubail Branch and Qassim Buraida Branch. The standout sustainability innovations across all Emirates NBD branches receiving the LEED certification were; optimised energy performance, waste management, water use reduction, use of low-emitting materials and thermal comfort. Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD, said: We are delighted to achieve LEED Platinum and Gold ratings across Fourteen of our UAE and Saudi Arabia bringing our total LEED certified branches to 27. This reflects our commitment to achieving the highest standard of green building performance and reducing operational emissions as part of our broader ESG Strategy. Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, said: Emirates NBDs commitment to delivering global standards for sustainability in line with the UAEs Net Zero goals and our COP28 commitments is clearly demonstrated through our achievement of Platinum and Gold LEED certification numerous branches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Emirates NBD is dedicated to ensuring that our branches use cutting edge technology and innovation in the built environment, so we play a key role in creating a healthy and sustainable future. This accomplishment positions Emirates NBD as the leading bank in MENA region with the highest number of LEED branches certified. This achievement is a testament to our adherence to our sustainability goals and demonstrates how Emirates NBD leads by example when it comes to sustainability and embraces innovation in our operations. The LEED framework, developed by Usgbc, is the foremost programme recognised for implementing several sustainable strategies including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, transportation, and human experience. LEED is the most widely used sustainable buildings rating system in the world. It provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving sustainable buildings and has gained global recognition for its comprehensive approach to evaluating and certifying sustainable building practices. Emirates NBD first received LEED certification across several of its branches in 2020, making it the first bank in the region to achieve this accolade. Emirates NBD Group was the Principal Banking Partner for the 28th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), being held in Dubai, UAE in 2023 and is a key contributor to the UAEs Sustainability agenda. The group is a signatory to the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge initiated by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in support of the UAEs Net Zero 2050 Initiative. TradeArabia News Service NordicEPOD has successfully secured a strategic commercial investment from CTS Nordics and Eaton to increase output at the existing NordicEPOD factory in Oslo and setting up a larger factory in August to service a current orderbook. Plans for a further factory in Europe, at a location yet to be confirmed, are already under discussion. NordicEPOD helps reduce the complexity, cost and lead times associated with the construction of new data centres, which is vitally important for its customers as the industry undergoes surging growth. Each EPOD, built to the same standard design, contains all the critical power, backup, cooling and control systems, such as Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs), switchgear and power distribution that can support the supply of up to 2MW of electrical power. Digitally enabled EPOD The EPOD is engineered and placed between the power grid and the data centres critical IT infrastructure that it protects. All EPODs that leave the factory will be fully digitally enabled and receive Level 1 to 3 Commissioning, allowing for superior integration and operations. Morten Molven, general manager, NordicEPOD, said: We are delighted to be partnering with Eaton. Their global reach and commitment to NordicEPOD will help us to upscale significantly, so that we can manufacture with security of supply and ensure our clients project requirements are fully met. Eatons current and evolving technology is the perfect fit for our EPOD design. CTS Nordics is a dedicated data centre design and build company that specialises in new building design and construction methods. They provide data centre operators in the Nordic region a standardised and rapidly deployable, cost-effective approach for the design, construction and commissioning of data centres. Driving new levels of value Ciaran Forde, vice president, strategic accounts and alliances at Eaton, said: NordicEPOD already belongs to our xModular partner programme, and this deal cements that relationship. What is unique is how CTS Nordics and NordicEPOD have aligned to positively disrupt the status quo and drive new levels of value to data centre operators. Both companies were formed to serve, and focus entirely on, the data centre industry. This has shaped how they operate and has resulted in engineered solutions like none other. This is the level of innovation and scale needed to meet the market needs.--TradeArabia News Service The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost trade ties with Angola The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Angola-UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry to foster cooperation, enhance economic relations, and create more investment opportunities for businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and investors in both countries. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and Braulio Mohammed Martins, President of the Angola-UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the presence of Julio Belarmino Gomes Maiato, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the UAE, and Masood Rahma Al Masaood, Treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, along a number of representatives of both sides. Al Qubaisi said: Our partnership with the Angola-UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry aligns with our goals to strengthen cooperation between the Abu Dhabi and Angolan business communities, and to enhance trade between the two sides. The agreement also supports our efforts to provide more investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesspeople at both local and international levels. This partnership is part of our strategy to actively contribute to enhancing the investment ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and increasing its competitiveness to attract foreign direct investments. Braulio Mohammed Martins, President of the Angola-UAE Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that this cooperation is a resounding echo that further validates both nations as the foremost example of UAE-Africa relations, adding that business communities in both Angola and the UAE now have a powerful mechanism to promote, facilitate and execute economic and commercial cooperation. In addition to fostering a favourable business environment, the agreement promotes the establishment of creative and experimental joint venture initiatives and engagement designed to intensify the commitment to sustainability in both nations as well as improve quality of life, Martins added. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate to support Abu Dhabi Business Connect, the Adccis business connectivity platform, by regularly providing information and investment opportunities. They will also promote the platform to their respective members to facilitate knowledge exchange and enhance trade and investment opportunities between Abu Dhabi and Angola. The cooperation agreement aims to support both sides efforts to conduct joint studies and exchange economic data on investment opportunities. Additionally, it seeks to facilitate the participation of both sides in international events, exhibitions, and commercial activities held in either Abu Dhabi or Angola. According to the agreement, the activities of the two parties and their affiliated establishments will be promoted and marketed among members of both chambers. This includes promoting, supporting, and increasing investment opportunities across various economic sectors as well as exchanging trade delegations, participating in official missions, and organising joint events that benefit the business sectors in both countries. TradeArabia News Service Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), has wrapped up its strategic visit to the US, which kicked off on June 10 and comprised four roundtables sessions as part of The Transformation Agenda series. With the overall aim of promoting the investment opportunities in Bahrain to the US market, which included both Texas and New York, the trip was headed by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB alongside key senior executives from the investment promotion agency. Alkhulaif said: "The US is a key target market for us at Bahrain EDB, in which we continue to promote Bahrains value proposition with a focus on highlighting our strategic location, progressive regulatory environment, and highly skilled workforce. Bahrain and the US have a long-standing strategic and commercial relationship where Bahrain was the first nation in the Gulf to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the US offering privileged access to the largest market in the world, this has led to a robust portfolio of companies choosing Bahrain as a destination for investment to tap into the Gulf market and beyond. Pivotal agreements With the signing of pivotal agreements designed to further fuel multilateral cooperation and the establishment of key investment projects in the likes of the US Trade Zone, these wide-ranging initiatives have effectively encouraged increased investments and boosted exports, which aim to further enhance Bahrain's economic position and achieve sustainable growth. As part of the visit, Bahrain EDB hosted a series of events programmed by Economist Impact, which offered a prime opportunity to connect with thought leaders, exchange knowledge on trending industry topics, as well as build strong relationships with investors in both Austin and New York City. Each event kicked off with a one-on-one fireside chat with industry experts, followed by a panel discussion, where the topics delved into a variety of topics across financial services, ICT, and manufacturing. In New York, Alkhulaif joined around a dozen leading financiers in an executive roundtable discussion, which explored best practices for financial institutions to strategically plan for the adoption of digital assets in todays complex regulatory environment. Panel discussions Senior members of Bahrain EDB also participated in various panel discussions, where Ahmed Sultan, Executive Director of Business Development for Manufacturing, Transport, and Logistics, joined a panel discussion tackling building resilience in new global supply chains. Additionally, both Musab Abdullah, Executive Director of Business Development of ICT, and Dalal Buhejji, Executive Director of Business Development for Financial Services, took part in panel discussions that delved into the topic of how economies and industries are adapting to bridge the gap in talent, and prepare itself for the future, highlighting Bahrains highly skilled, bi-lingual talent pool offering case studies of success stories in that demonstrated the depth and diversity of the local workforce.--TradeArabia News Service Bahrains Labour Fund (Tamkeen) will support salary increments for more than 400 Bahrainis employed at Lulu Hypermarket to support their growth and career development, which is 67% of the total Bahrainis employed at the group. This comes as part of the wage increment programme that supports the career development of Bahrainis in the private sector. Tamkeen Chief Executive, Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, said: We are committed to developing national talent, and therefore our programmes encourage enterprises to employ and retain their current workforce and ultimately foster a supportive work environment that recognises and values their contributions. We are pleased to continue extending our support to Lulu Hypermarket, which is not only a key contributor to the economy but also provides employment opportunities for local talent in the kingdom. Juzer Rupawala, Lulu Group International Director, said the group was always at forefront of investing in Bahraini human capital with effective training opportunities and personal growth. LuLu growth story "Our Bahraini staff have proved themselves as an important part of the LuLu growth story. Their careers and ability to fit anywhere in our global team reflects the growth of Bahrain's economy and its potential. LuLu Group was recently awarded by the GCC ministers of Labour for its exemplary Bahrainisation programme with highest numbers for the retail sector throughout the GCC." He added: "We are truly grateful for our continued partnership with Tamkeen, which allows us to further support the career development of Bahraini nationals within our organisation and we look forward to creating even more high-quality job opportunities for our Bahraini colleagues.--TradeArabia News Service The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Emirates, and Airbus have joined forces to deliver a competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) programme for the Airbus A350 type rating, as Emirates prepares for the delivery of its fleet of 65 A350s from mid-2024. An initial cohort of 256 pilots will be trained as part of the new course at Emirates Training college in Dubai starting from July 2024. The joint work combines the respective expertise of the three organisations. IATA will focus on program design using its published guidance for CBTA Airbus will contribute knowledge of the aircraft along with its own CBTA experience Emirates will use its CBTA training and operational experience This collaboration will create and deliver the first A350 type rating training in full alignment with the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for CBTA training and with the best practices contained in the IATA CBTA Guide for Flight Crew Training. "Combining the expertise of Emirates, Airbus and IATA to design and deliver A350 type rating training is a unique opportunity. Our joint aim is to fully utilise the benefits of CBTA to qualify the pilots on the A350 in the most efficient and effective way possible, said Nick Careen, IATAs SVP for Operations, Safety and Security. And by doing it together all three organisations will also gain valuable experience that can strengthen their other training activities. "Emirates uses cutting-edge training programs so our pilots are among the most competent flight crew in the world. The tailored CBTA program for the A350 supports the integration of 65 new A350 aircraft, with 1,000 pilots set to complete the A350 Type Rating course, said Captain Bader Al Marzooqi, Emirates Senior Vice President, Flight Training. This commitment enhances passenger safety and comfort, reflecting our unwavering dedication to the highest service standards. Captain Stephan Labrucherie, Airbus Head of Flight Training Worldwide, said: "The A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft, which requires equally advanced training solutions. Our partnership with IATA and Emirates ensures that Emirates pilots receive the most comprehensive and effective training, supporting the smooth entry into service of the A350 worldwide. TradeArabia News Service Hilton Salalah Resort, a leading beachfront property overlooking the Arabian Sea, has embarked on an extensive renovation project to enhance guest experiences and elevate its facilities to new heights of hospitality and comfort. The renovation, which started on March 9, targets key areas of the resort, including the Western wing's 79 guest rooms and suites, the renowned A la Carte Beach Restaurant Palm Grove featuring Middle and Far Eastern fusion culinary delights, and the state-of-the-art Fitness Center. The ongoing renovation is a testament to Hilton Salalah Resort's commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional guest satisfaction. The renovation project, slated for completion by mid-July 2024, promises to deliver a renewed sense of sophistication to guests visiting the resort. "We are committed to upholding the highest standards of hospitality and are excited to unveil the transformed Hilton Salalah Resort," said Ahmed Massoud, general manager. As part of the renovation, the iconic Palm Grove restaurant, a pioneer in beachfront dining in Salalah since its inception in 2000, will undergo a transformation, featuring a 10-metre extension, indoor dining areas, a lounge, pool bar, and an open deck offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. Additionally, the fitness centrer will be enhanced with two massage rooms, a sauna, a beauty salon, and a health club, providing guests with a comprehensive wellness experience. With these enhancements, Hilton Salalah Resort said it is poised to maintain its status as the preferred destination for tourists and corporate travellers alike, contributing to the growth of tourism in the region and supporting Oman's ambitious tourism goals for 2030 and beyond. TradeArabia News Service Etihad Airways is looking forward to one of its busiest summers, with the airline expecting to welcome around five million passengers to Zayed International Airport between June and September. Shaeb Alnuaimi, Etihads Director Airports Operation, said: We are looking forward to hosting guests as they travel on their summer holidays, including those going on our newly launched routes to Malaga, Antalya, Santorini, Nice, Jaipur, Al Qassim, Mykonos and Bali. Thanks to Etihads award-winning cabin crew, family-friendly offerings, and cabin choices, guests can expect remarkable travel experiences. And this is our first summer season in our new home at Zayed International Airport, which has added a new dimension of seamless travel and world-class customer experience. To ensure guests enjoy a convenient and safe travel experience during this busy summer period, all travellers are encouraged to arrive early and allow plenty of time at the airport. Etihad Airways has a number of travel tips and reminders to make it easier. Guests can easily check-in online using etihad.com or the mobile app, and then take their luggage to one of the many automated and easy-to-use self-service bag drops at the terminal. The facility allows travellers to weigh and tag their bags and collect their boarding pass quickly and easily. For added convenience over the summer, a number of offsite check-in and bag-drop facilities are available. Customers using these will be offered 2,000 Etihad Guest Miles from June 10 to August 15. Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal (open 24-hours) The Fountains YAS Mall (open from 10am to 10pm) Mussafah (open from 10am to 10pm) 38 Al Arzaq Street, Mussafah Shabia-11, Behind Al Madina Hypermarket Al Ain (open from 10am till 10pm) Lulu Hypermarket Kuwaitat, Shakhboot Bin Sultan St, Central District Flight Information Guests are advised to keep up to date with the very latest travel information on their flight by checking the Manage My Booking section on etihad.com or the mobile app. Here they can view or make changes to their flight, select a seat, and access a whole range of other options. Home Check-in For more convenient travel options, guests can also check in for their Etihad flight from the comfort of their own home at least seven hours before their flight by visiting etihad.com/homecheckin. This means passengers can check in their bags, choose their seat and collect their boarding pass and luggage tags from their home in Abu Dhabi. Once at Abu Dhabi International Airport, all non-transit passengers who have used the home check-in service can skip the queues bag-free, making the airport journey seamless. Luggage will need to be collected at the destination baggage belt. Pre-purchase Travel Options The Etihad Airways website also has a variety of pre-purchase seating and upgrade options for greater comfort while travelling during the school holidays. Economy Extra Legroom offers a generous area for guests to stretch their legs. There is also the innovative Neighbour-free Seat option for guests to bid for at least 72 hours prior to departure. Pre-purchase Travel Options for the Lounge Eligible guests travelling on Etihad Airways operated flights from Abu Dhabi can pre-purchase First and Business Class Lounge access up to 90 minutes before departure. Lounge access vouchers are available online at Etihad.com and through Manage My Booking. Walk-in lounge access based on availability remains available for guests who did not purchase the voucher in advance. Check-in and Boarding Times During peak times, Economy Class check-in for non-US flights opens four hours before departure and closes one hour before departure. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and allow plenty of time. Business and first-class check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. Boarding for all Etihad Airways departures closes 20 minutes prior to departure for guests in all classes. Guests travelling to some destinations in the US will benefit from the US Customs and Border Protection facility at Zayed International Airport, which means they complete all immigration and customs formalities in Abu Dhabi before departing. Guests must check in two hours before departure and present themselves at the US Customs and Border Protection facility no later than 90 minutes before departure. Go Paperless with Etihad Airways Mobile App With the Etihad Airways mobile app, guests can check in 30 hours before departure and download an electronic boarding pass for presentation at the bag drop and when boarding their flight. The app is free to download from the Apple App Store or Android Play and has a host of features including preferred seat selection, pre-purchasing of additional baggage and flight status information. Smart Travel For travellers boarding flights from Abu Dhabi there are a number of smart travel options available. Self-service bag drops allow guests to drop off their checked luggage before seamlessly passing through the immigration e-gates using biometric recognition for a paper-free experience. Guests should remember, however, to ensure they have paper copies of their travel documents, including their passports and identity cards with them for manual checks when required, the airline said. On certain flights, boarding can also be completed using a biometric scan, speeding up the process and minimising queuing at the boarding gate. And for guests with access to Etihads Lounge, direct aircraft boarding is available on select flights, allowing guests to maximise their lounge time and board the aircraft without having to go to the gate. Etihad Baggage Policy For the safety and comfort of all guests, Etihad Airways always observes its cabin baggage policy of 7kg for Economy Class and 12kg for First and Business Class guests. Maximum cabin baggage dimensions are: height 50cm, depth 25cm, width 40cm. Etihad team members will verify the weight of cabin baggage at check-in prior to boarding the aircraft. Land & Leave With Etihads Land & Leave service, guests don't have to worry about waiting for their bags after landing. Etihad will safely deliver their bags to their home or hotel in Abu Dhabi. It's easy to book Land & Leave using the Morafiq app or Morafiq online. Guests simply provide the details of their arriving flight and the drop-off location in Abu Dhabi. Etihads trusted partner, Morafiq, will then deliver the bags within three hours of the actual flight arrival time. TradeArabia News Service A Wyoming woman has been convicted of aggravated child abuse, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon. Kandace Sitting Eagle, 33, was convicted on June 13 in district court in Cheyenne in a four-day trial, the District of Wyomings U.S. Attorneys Office said in a press release. According to trial evidence, on Dec. 12, 2023, an Arapahoe school resource officer conducted a welfare check on a 13-year-old student that had not been to school in over a month. He found the child in a crawl space under the trailer where the parents, Kandace and Truman Sitting Eagle, were hiding the child, the release said. The child was taken to SageWest Hospital in Riverton and then to Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City via air ambulance. The investigation proved that the child had suffered weeks of physical beatings, isolation, starvation and psychological abuse at the hands of Kandace and Truman, the release said. Kandace will be sentenced on Aug. 29; she faces no less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, an up to $250,000 fine and up to five years of supervised release. Truman, 36, pleaded guilty, the press release said, on April 8. He was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He will be sentenced on Aug. 6 in the same district court in Cheyenne. Speaking at a post-budget panel discussion yesterday at St Marys College, Port of Spain, Sagewan said, From my research, the energy sector peaked in 2010 and has been on a downward slide since. Since 2010, we have had no major investments in the energy sector because we simply dont have the gas; and if we dont have the gas, there is no rationale for the huge company to put down a petrochemical plant that needs a guarantee of 15 years to make that investment. PHOENIX Its unlikely Arizona Republicans will impeach Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes as a partisan panel has recommended, at least not this year. A key GOP legislator says he isnt ready to go down that path. Rep. David Livingston, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, acknowledged that a report prepared by a special House panel calls for Mayes impeachment. He found much of the report damning, he told Capitol Media Services. But the Peoria Republican said he wants more information before voting to take the first steps toward trying to remove her. He said hes conducting further investigations, not just of Mayes actions as attorney general, but also of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Democratic Party in relation to campaign donations. There are other Republicans who support removing Mayes. But all 31 Republicans in the House would need to vote to proceed with impeachment, which means they need Livingstons vote. Livingston, however, said he thinks it will take another six months to get the information he wants long after the current legislative session ends. The report by the all-Republican committee formed specifically to investigate Mayes Democrats refused to participate details a series of what it says were impeachable offenses Mayes has taken in office. But even House Speaker Ben Toma, who formed the committee to investigate Mayes, told Capitol Media Services Thursday hes not sure even considering a motion to impeach is ripe at this time. At this point I am even more concerned about being thorough than in rushing, Toma said. He said he is waiting for Mayes to provide the last batch of documents he has requested. He isnt the only one saying more information is needed. Youre really like a juror, said Rep. David Cook, R-Globe. You need to be presented all the evidence. What the committee put out, Cook said, is just one piece of that. What I want to see is what the attorney general would have to say in rebuttal and then review the facts of whats going on, he said. And thats not in front of me today. Lawmakers are trying to end this years legislation session on Friday. Beyond that, I dont believe that a large percentage of people are even concerned about impeaching the attorney general at this point, Cook said. They want to make sure that the trains are running on time, that their kids are going to school and summer programs, and their jobs are secure for the future to pay their mortgages and what the cost of water and electricity and power is going to be in the future. Others have a different viewpoint. House Majority Whip Theresa Martinez said she is ready to bring formal charges. You cant use lawfare to attack your political opponents, said the Casa Grande Republican. And what she did to Cochise County and what she did to Mohave County was not OK. That refers to Mayes filing lawsuits and threatening to prosecute county supervisors who were balking at certifying the results of the 2022 election. If we dont set boundaries, then shes just going to run amok, Martinez said. And I just dont think thats appropriate. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, said he is generally reticent to pursue such moves. I dont vote to take somebody out of office because of their political party, because I disagree with them, because I find them obnoxious or offensive, he said. But this, said Kolodin, is different. What I do vote to take them out of office for is undermining our constitution in this extreme of a way where shes weaponized her office and shes turned it into a tool of political persecution, he said. Even if the House marshals 31 votes for impeachment all 29 Democrats are virtually certain to oppose theres another reality. All that would do is send the issue to the Senate for a trial. Conviction would require a two-thirds vote of that 30-member chamber, where there are only 16 Republicans. Toma, however, said he wont let the political reality that Mayes is virtually certain to escape conviction affect whether the House goes forward. Our duty is to initiate and pass impeachment should we go that route, he said. I understand the math part, the speaker continued. Im not trying to be evasive with that. But at some level I cant be concerned with that. Mayes said shes not concerned. I think there are a core group of reasonable Republicans who will not vote for that, she said. In the meantime, Im going to continue to do my job and nothing is going to stop me. Among the offenses the committee report said are impeachable are: Filing lawsuits and making threats against county supervisors over certification of election results, including the indictment of Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd from Cochise County; Issuing a consumer alert about crisis pregnancy centers alleging deceptive practices; Threatening to use nuisance laws against large farms in rural areas that are depleting groundwater supplies; Refusing to defend a state law that prohibits those born as boys from participating in girls sports. A catch-all charge of failing to adequately respond to requests by the committee for information. James D. Watts Jr. Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow James D. Watts Jr. 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 Tacos have played a major role in Hunter Stone Gambills life. During his extensive travels, he sampled numerous examples of this staple of Mexican cuisine, from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta. When we started our distillery (Oklahoma Distilling Co., at 1724 E. Seventh St.), we pretty much subsisted on tacos, Gambill said. There was a place in the neighborhood that sold five tacos for $5, and we went there all the time. Later, when we had our cidery going, we knew we wanted to have food that went great with drinks, and tacos seemed perfect, he said. It was something you could hold in one hand and eat, while you held your glass in the other. That was the genesis of what originally was known as Taqueria Escondido, which operated out of a space next to the Oklahoma Distilling Co. location. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent success of another venture, Gambills Pastaria, 1921 S. Harvard Ave., which specializes in house-made pasta dishes and scratch-made pizzas, and the opening of Gambills Jewish Deli and Wine Bar, 1102 S. Lewis Ave., put the taco business into somewhat of a hiatus. Now, Gambill has opened what will be the first in a trio of Gambills Tacos, at 1927 S. Harvard Ave., in the converted two-story house that has previously been home to Table 20 and the Dragonmoon Tea Co. Gambill said the official name of the business is simply Gambills Tacos but that additional words have been added to refer to the location. This place used to be a house, so its Taco Casa, he said. Weve been building out the space on Seventh Street, and it will be Taco Bar when it opens either late June or early July. And we have another that will be opening in Norman later this summer that we call Taco Park because it will be in a former food truck park. While the name may be different, the basic concept remains the same as Gambills Taqueria Escondido: tacos made with various ingredients cooked on a trompo, served in house-made blue corn tortillas and topped with homemade sauces and other condiments, paired with house-brewed beers. A trompo (Spanish for spinning top) is a cooking method that came to Mexico in the early 20th century via immigrants from Lebanon. Seasoned, marinated pieces of meat are stacked on a spit and slowly roasted in a vertical rotisserie. As the meat on the outside cooks, it is sliced off into portions. Tacos al pastor is perhaps the best-known version. Gambills Tacos offers four styles of tacos. The Classico features traditional taco condiments of onion and cilantro. The Mexi comes with a relish of pickled cabbage and peppers with cilantro and Mexican crema. Candied jalapenos and caramelized onions top the Tex taco, while house-made kimchi and a sriracha aioli adorn the Kimchi taco. All tacos come two to an order and are accompanied by tortilla chips and three roasted vegetable sauces a mild rojo, or red sauce; a tomatillo-based verde sauce; and a fiery orange salsa made from arbol and guajillo chilis. The Classico tacos are $12, while the other three are $14. Diners have the option of pork or chicken as the base protein; grilled jackfruit is available for those wanting a vegetarian option. I dont know of anyone in town that does chicken al pastor as we do, Gambill said. Its really my recipe for chicken shawarma but with the addition of some Mexican flavors. Big and bold flavors are what we try to offer in everything we do. Its also why we do the blue-corn tortillas, he said. Lots of places made their own flour tortillas, and they can be quite good. But corn tortillas are a bit more labor-intensive and the taste and the texture, to me, is worth that extra effort. Gambills Tacos serves six Mexican-inspired beers made in-house, as well as a margarita wine, fortified with a house-made agave spirit. Its a wine, but it tastes like a margarita, Gambill said. The interior is done up in bright colors, with small tables and deliberately mismatched chairs that create a kind of homey atmosphere. Its the sort of ambiance Gambill wants all the restaurants bearing his name to have. The restaurant also has a backyard patio and a walk-up order window. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday. There really isnt a good late-night spot in this part of midtown, Gambill said. Thats why we have our Sunset Specials, which we offer from 8 p.m. to close, with special prices on individual tacos, beers and other items. The Seventh Street location, Gambills Taco Bar, will include two bars, as well as an indoor playground and arcade for the younger set. This is where we roast our coffee, so well be open in the morning for a Mexican/Central-American-inspired coffee experience, Gambill said. And its going to be kid-friendly there arent a whole lot of kid-friendly coffee houses around. Gambill said he has no plans for any new concepts but wants to focus on doing what we do best. I would like to open a few more pastaria locations, as long as we can keep that same neighborhood vibe we have at the original, he said. As for the deli, were waiting on the Noma development (an apartment complex across the street) to open up and seeing what we might do to expand that menu. I know that what we are doing here (at Gambills Tacos) cant be called authentic Mexican, but we take a lot of pride in the food we put out for people. I mean, fresh-made pasta is something people associate with high-end dining, he said. But were serving it, with house-made sauces, in a place where we dont care how you dress. And were making our own blue-corn tortillas, and theyre a pretty generous size thats why we dont use the term street tacos, because people associate that will a small size, Gambill said. We want to give people a good value and make them feel comfortable when they come to visit us. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Editor's Note This column originally published in March 2007. Click here to read about Boise City's World War II bombing. Boise City wasn't the only American city that was bombed during World War II. A recent Only in Oklahoma column told about four 100-pound practice bombs that were dropped on the Panhandle town by mistake by Army Air Corps planes from nearby Dalhart, Texas. The practice bombs caused only slight damage to a church and a garage and triggered a blackout. That column called it the only time during World War II that an American city had been bombed, as does the Boise City Internet site sponsored by the First State Bank. A memorial featuring a partially buried bomb shell and a bronze plaque commemorate the event in Boise City. But several readers disputed that claim. One sent a small clipping from the Jan. 5, 1943, Emporia Gazette reporting that 10 practice bombs had been dropped on Reading in an almost identical circumstance. They were practice bombs dropped by planes from Topeka Bomber Base. "The only known damage was the blow to the Army's pride," the short article said. It also added the comment that "we hope their marksmanship improves when their turn comes to unload their bombs over enemy targets." Several communities on the West Coast -- in California, Oregon and British Columbia -- were hit by Japanese bombs that killed a woman and five children near Lakeview, Ore., and caused some damage, mostly minor, elsewhere. Japan didn't have any airplanes that could fly far enough to drop bombs, so balloons were launched to carry the incendiary devices across the Pacific Ocean. Only about 1,000 of the 9,000 balloon bombs ever reached the U.S. and none started the hoped-for forest fires. Some may not have been found and could still be dangerous if found today. Readers also have responded to other recent columns. Several challenged the number of badmen killed by famed lawman Bill Tilghman, who was killed by gunfire at Cromwell on Nov. 1, 1924. He was the subject of a Nov. 15 column that said Tilghman had killed at least 20 men during his career as a deputy U.S. marshal. Tulsa police officer Brandon Watkins, who has studied Tilghman's career, said Tilghman went out of his way to keep from killing anyone because he was so bothered after he had killed a man in Perry. He even captured outlaw Bill Doolin without shooting him although Doolin had sworn he wouldn't be taken alive. Tilghman shot another member of the Doolin gang but nursed him back to health. Tilghman was one of three legendary deputy marshals in Oklahoma Territory days known as the Three Guardsmen -- the others being Heck Thomas and Chris Madsen. There were many more deputies, as well. The information that credited Tilghman with killing "more than a score" of badmen came from a World story published Nov. 2, 1924, the morning after he was shot to death. Several readers have called seeking the names of the deputy marshals who served with famed Deputy James F. "Bud" Ledbetter during Indian Territory days to determine if their ancestors served with him as reported in family traditions. Ledbetter, featured in a Feb. 20 column, served with many of the 200 deputies hired in 1875 by U.S. District Judge Isaac C. Parker to search for outlaws in the 75,000 square miles of Indian Territory. The readers' family traditions may be correct, but the World does not have a list of those deputies. Jackson Barnett, the Creek who became fabulously wealthy, lived on property near Henryetta, but his allotment where oil drilling made him wealthy was near Drumright, some callers noted. Matt Kimes, one of the most infamous Oklahoma bank robbers and killers, was killed when he was run over by a truck loaded with chickens after escaping from the Oklahoma prison -- the subject of a Dec. 1 column that reminded Shirley Brooks of Sapulpa of her search for some of Kimes' loot. Brooks said her parents, M.A. and Maggie Bennett, moved their family to Sapulpa and later heard rumors that the previous owner of adjoining property had been a friend of Kimes. She said there were rumors that Kimes had buried some of his loot on his friend's property as well as on the Bennetts' property. In the mid-1940s, they decided to check the rumor themselves -- and she, her brother and mother began digging with shovels and picks. They didn't find any buried loot, but they ended up with a big fishpond. Brooks said her father lined the hole, which was about 12 by 15 feet and two or three feet deep, with concrete, installed a recirculating pump and stocked it with fish. The fish pond is still there. Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive. Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley 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 A recent cyberattack on the Ascension health care system was the result of a malicious file being accidentally downloaded by an employee, the company said Thursday, adding that investigators now believe that only seven of the networks some 25,000 servers were affected. The ransomware attack, which affected Ascensions St. John Health System in Oklahoma and its systems in other states, was discovered May 8, with Tulsas Ascension St. John emergency room being placed on divert status for about a week. Ascension announced June 7 that its Oklahoma hospitals electronic health records system was finally back online. We now have evidence, an Ascension spokesperson said Thursday, that indicates that the attackers were able to take files from a small number of file servers used by our associates primarily for daily and routine tasks. These servers represent seven of the approximately 25,000 servers across our network. Though we are still investigating, we believe some of those files may contain Protected Health Information (PHI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for certain individuals . Importantly, we have no evidence that data was taken from our Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other clinical systems, where our full patient records are securely stored. Ascension, which is being helped in the investigation by third-party cybersecurity experts, said the employee who downloaded the malicious file believed it was legitimate. We have no reason to believe this was anything but an honest mistake, officials said. Ascension said determining what data was potentially affected and for which patients is a significant undertaking that will take time. In the meantime, to provide our patients and associates with the greatest peace of mind possible, we are offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to any Ascension patient or associate who requests it, free of charge, and regardless of whether we determine in the future that their data was actually involved in this incident. Individuals who wish to enroll in free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services are encouraged to call Ascensions dedicated call center at 1-888-498-8066. The company added: We want to be clear, however, that this offer does not mean we have determined that any specific individual patients data has been compromised. Rather, it illustrates our desire to do everything possible to reassure our patients and associates, regardless of any impact to specific individuals data. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Early voting for county, state and federal primary elections began Thursday and continues through Saturday. Voting at county election boards will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Only registered Republicans are allowed to vote in Republican primaries, but independents as well as Democrats may vote in Democratic primaries. Registered Libertarians may not vote in either of the other parties primaries, and the Libertarian Party has no primaries of its own. Tulsa-area primaries include Republican and Democratic 1st District congressional representative, Republican 3rd District congressional representative, Republican corporation commissioner, Republican 2nd District Tulsa County commissioner and several legislative races. The OK Voter Portal at Oklahoma.gov/elections provides individualized information about elections for which a particular person is eligible. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Melissa Jacques Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Melissa Jacques 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 OKLAHOMA CITY Early voting has begun for the June 18 Republican primary election in House District 79, which pits Paul Hassink against Jenifer Stevens. Whoever wins the Republican nomination in this district will run against incumbent Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, in the general election this November. Provenzano had no challengers, so there will be no primary for Democrats in the district. Stevens, 48, works with the Tulsa County Republican Party and volunteers as a patient advocate. Hassink, 67, has retired after working for 40 years in the utility industry as an engineer and manager. In an interview with the Tulsa World, Hassink said education and transparency would be big issues for him. He also said an audit focusing on the Oklahoma Department of Education might be a good idea. So, transparency is a no-brainer, right? Hassink said. Every organization should be willing to expose to you what theyre doing and how theyre spending the money to do it. Any organization that would resist transparency is problematic. On his website, Hassink declares himself a constitutional conservative and an experienced businessman. He was the Republican nominee for this district in 2022. He lost the general election to Provenzano by 3 percentage points. Everything about me points to the fact that I work very hard and Im very results driven, said Hassink. He said he would draw from his 40 years of experience as an engineer in the utilities industry if he were elected and would focus on problem-solving. According to Hassink, Stevens focuses on funding programs while he prefers a more pragmatic approach. We dont need to be spending any more, said Hassink. We can take those proceeds and redirect them in areas that are valuable. But if were not looking at both sides of that equation, if were just looking at how to spend more and not remove the inefficiencies, then we will go down the path of the federal government. In her interview with the Tulsa World, Stevens also emphasized education as a priority. She supports school choice but also wants to focus on the kids who need a good education from the public school system. In Tulsa Public Schools, obviously, weve got to pay our teachers better, she said. Weve got to get the services and the resources they need directly to the classroom. Stevens said a focus on education will help Oklahoma succeed in other areas, such as workforce development. We hear people be extremely disappointed when all of these big companies that were looking to come into Oklahoma like Tesla, Panasonic and then it falls apart because we just dont have the workforce thats ready to enter into their company and help support the needs that they have, said Stevens. She also wants to focus on access to mental health care and addiction treatment. Her first husband died while battling substance abuse, which she says gave her an inside look at all of the ways the system can fail people who need help. I wasnt looking to run for public office, said Stevens. I serve as the vice chair for the Tulsa County Republican Party. Ive worked on many other campaigns and been very happy volunteering, just to help in the community. But people were knocking on my door asking me to run for the seat. Early voting in the primary began Thursday, and the primary election is on Tuesday. Whoever wins the primary will face off against Provenzano in the general election in November. In an interview with the Tulsa World, Provenzano talked about her continued push for accountability in the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She and other Democratic members of the Legislature have called for an investigation into possible mismanagement of funds there. Provenzano also spoke several times during the legislative session about her concerns around the new administrative rules for OSDE, which will drastically change accreditation in Oklahoma schools. Provenzano says education has been her main focus because so many constituents have come to her with concerns, which she says she will continue to fight for if she is reelected. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel 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 To no ones surprise, state Sen. Nathan Dahms term limits-induced retirement brought out the Republican candidates in Senate District 33. Four are entered in Tuesdays GOP primary for SD 33, which is essentially south and west Broken Arrow with a little sliver of east Tulsa. The primary winner will have a general election opponent, Democrat Bob Willis, but the district is 55% Republican and less than 30% Democrat, so the next SD 33 senator will more than likely come from Tuesdays results or, if no one gets a majority, an Aug. 27 runoff. Campaign rhetoric aside, it is difficult to label any of the four Bill Bickerstaff, Tim Brooks, Christi Gillespie and Shelley Gwartney as anything except conservative. Somewhat surprisingly, through Thursday the race had not attracted huge sums of money for any of the candidates. Gillespie, however, has benefited from more than $53,000 worth of independent expenditures from various groups. That figure includes more than $20,000 from a political action committee, Job Creators Action Fund, that seems to be linked to the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, which has endorsed Gillespie, and the Job Creators Network, an advocacy organization started by Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus. Gillespie might be the most familiar to Broken Arrowans because of her six years on the City Council. Currently vice mayor, Gillespie said she decided to run for state Senate at the urging of her husband and friends. It was a difficult decision, she said. Ive always enjoyed working and earning a good living. The Senate would mean less income, but Gillespie, who was between jobs after decades in sales, said she has enjoyed community service, first with the PTA and her daughters schools, and then on the Broken Arrow City Council. As a city councilor, Gillespie, 54, opposed some COVID-19 public health mandates such as mask ordinances. She said the experience prepared her for the state Capitol. I let (voters) know Im the only proven conservative leader running, she said. You can say whatever you want when youre campaigning, but until you stand up and face the television cameras, you havent proven it. Gillespie said two areas of particular interest to her are public safety funding and allowing Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow to offer lower-division courses in competition with Tulsa Community College. Tim Brooks, 40, is an agent and manager with Flippo Insurance who moved to Broken Arrow with his family to attend what is now Rhema Bible Training College. Married with six children, Brooks said his experiences with a large family and in a variety of jobs in North Dakota, Minnesota and Oklahoma give him a broader perspective than the other primary candidates. As a state senator, you cant be focused on a single issue, Brooks said. Im interested in education. Im interested in small business and a few other things. But a state senator has to see the bigger picture. As a college student, Brooks said, he worked in large-equipment manufacturing, including on the assembly line, and as a pastor. When he first moved to Oklahoma, he said, he worked in a call center and delivered the Tulsa World for a while. His work in insurance, he said, has given him a feel for small business. It also, Brooks said, supplied him with a guiding principle if he is elected. Whats going to be best for constituents is what I will do, he said. That is the attitude I want to bring to the Senate. Shelley Gwartney, who will be 38 on election day, has become known in recent years for vocal and sometimes controversial activism in education matters. She has been involved in Moms for Liberty and Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights, an organization opposed to public health mandates, including child vaccinations. Married and a mother of four, Gwartney ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Union school board in 2022. She has since become involved in Tulsa Classical Academy, a south Tulsa charter school associated with Michigans Hillsdale College. Gwartney describes herself as a creative adviser for small businesses. She has also done some acting. Her endorsements include the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office Fraternal Order of Police lodge, pastor and former U.S. Senate candidate Jackson Lahmeyer, gun rights group OK2A, and the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, which advocates for cockfighting. Gwartney is also supported by the National Rifle Association and the National Womens Prayer and Voting Army. Bill Bickerstaff, 73, is a Broken Arrow businessman whose previous foray into elected office was an unsuccessful 2014 run for the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education. He was also involved in a controversial independent expenditure campaign to influence a 2023 Bixby school board election. Bickerstaff says his top priority is eliminating the state income tax, followed by education and government transparency. He is an Air Force veteran. On his campaign website, Bickerstaff says, I am committed to serving the people of Oklahoma with transparency, honesty, and a relentless pursuit of policies that uplift every citizen. The Tulsa World is where your story lives A $21.2 million project to build a brand new Rudisill Regional Library in north Tulsa has officially broken ground. Tulsa City-County Library officials on Friday were joined by dozens of community leaders to celebrate the start of construction on the facility, which will be built at 1017 N. Greenwood Ave., about a half mile from the librarys current location and just north of B.S. Roberts Park. TCCL CEO Kim Johnson, speaking at the event, said: Todays groundbreaking marks a significant milestone and the keeping of a promise that TCCL made to the citizens of Tulsa County, and that is to provide resources that inspire curiosity and creativity and offer opportunities for lifelong learning and to build and sustain a library system for future generations. We know that public libraries that adapt and grow are better able to strengthen the neighbors, the community and the county, Johnson added. Thanks to the generous donors who are here with us today, we are able to do just that. The new Rudisill Library, projected to open in late 2025, is the first of four scheduled Tulsa City-County Library replacement projects to break ground. The projects, part of the My Library, Our Future campaign, are the Brookside Library and branches in Owasso and south Broken Arrow. Leanne Helmerich, chair of the Tulsa Library Commission, said $659,000 remains to be raised for the Rudisill project. We still have a little bit more to go, she said. Every donation large, tiny, giant, whatever it is is appreciated, and it counts. The total campaign goal for all four locations is $58 million, with $44.4 million raised to date. The Bank of Oklahoma contributed $2.5 million toward the Rudisill project, which will include BOK Harmony Hall, a 450-seat event space within the library that can host community meetings and other events. Stacy Kymes, president and CEO of BOK Financial, said: For all of us at Bank of Oklahoma, our involvement with this project was a no-brainer. As a financial institution, weve got a lot of folks who can crunch numbers. And it was very clear that project was going to have a very high return on investment. And so we know that every single dollar we invest in the library system is going to pay off. The new library, designed by KKT Architects and to be built by Nabholz Construction, will come with a number of amenities. They include an outdoor reading space, a drive-through window, a recording studio and an expanded storytime room. A new African American Resource Center will double the size of the existing center. In addition, the library will be home to a genealogy center focusing on African American ancestry. Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper said: Rudisill has always been an anchor to north Tulsa. And Ill tell you, when Kim (Johnson) first called and asked me about the idea of moving into this space, it was bittersweet. It was bittersweet because (the current location) has been just a hallmark for this community. But I also know that there are times when you have to grow, Hall-Harper said. I hold my town hall meetings there, and the space is inadequate for the needs of our community. This move will bring the residents of north Tulsa so many benefits that the current location just simply cannot accommodate. Among other elected officials who spoke on Friday, Hall-Harper was joined by state Sen. Kevin Matthews, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. Im here on behalf of my fellow 400,000 Tulsans, and the million people who move through our city on any given day, to say thank you so much to everyone who has made this possible, Bynum said. Kim and the commission have transformed our library system into hubs of community in Tulsa, the mayor said. And I think in my experience as an elected official who attends a lot of town hall meetings, there is no library that is more utilized as a hub for community than Rudisill. The current Rudisill facility, at 1520 N. Hartford Ave., will remain open to the public during construction on the new site. Even after that, it will continue to serve the community. Hall-Harper said plans are in the works for the building to be used as part of a Greenwood entrepreneurship program. It wont go to waste, she said. Im excited to say Im actively working to identify and use this building in a way that will support locals in their endeavors to start businesses and build wealth. Additional donors for the new Rudisill Library include Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Sanford and Irene Burnstein Family Foundation, the Coretz Family Foundation, the Hille Family Foundation, ONEOK, Helmerich & Payne, the Temple Foundation and the Cherokee Nation. For more information or to make a donation, go to mylibraryourfuture.org. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel 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 Gov. Kevin Stitt put state government on heightened alert late Wednesday with an executive order targeting China or, more precisely, the Chinese Communist Party. Running a little more than three pages, the executive order instructs state agencies to beware of all forms of Chinese Communist Party malign influences and sets them to work on reports and assessments of possible threats. The practical application of the order is unclear, but it does attempt to expand the executive branchs control over with whom the state does business, including pension systems. The order requires an inventory of all state assets at risk of substantially losing value or being frozen, seized, or appropriated by foreign adversaries in the event of an Indo-Pacific conflict and orders the state to divest itself of those assets. Stitt also ordered reports on vulnerabilities in state infrastructure and supply chains and proposals for addressing them. While raising alarms about Chinas ruling party, Stitt cautioned against singling out Asians in general. The Chinese people are the first and greatest victims of the Communist Party of China, which actively harasses and represses Asians, Chinese dissidents within America, and American citizens and residents, reads the order. These Asians, Chinese dissidents within America, and American citizens and residents deserve the utmost respect, security and protection that can be afforded to them within the United States and by the State of Oklahoma. In a press release, Stitt blamed whatever heightened tensions there might be between the U.S. and China on President Joe Biden and said, Im proud to take this executive action to protect our interests from foreign adversaries. I can promise you, the Chinese Communist Party will find no friend in Oklahoma. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Editors note: In this submission to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Nguyen Quang Thach, renowned for Sach Hoa Nong Thon an initiative aimed at providing books to children in the rural areas of Vietnam, discusses how he drew inspiration from a young book translator. Ho An Nhien, an 11-year-old book translator from Hanoi who goes by the name Lily, has drawn both admiration and skepticism for her collection of self-translated books. In 2022, Vietnamese readers aross the country were wowed by Lilys translation of Unstoppable Us. By May 2024, she had competed her fifth translation The Silk Roads. A commitment to learning At just eight years old, Lily translated her first books a trilogy of picture books titled The Guardians of Childhood, which was published as a joint project between Hanoi-based publishing unit Book Hunter and Da Nang Publishing House in 2021. A few months later, Lily was approached by publisher Omega Plus Book to translate two mass-market historical works Unstoppable Us by Yuval Noah Harari and The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. Lilys success as a translator is owed, at least in part, to her mothers lifelong love of reading; her father a lecturer who shares his passion for literature with Lily; her grandfather who worked as a professor of medicine; and her grandmother who constantly pushed her to continue on the pursuit of knowledge. It was their collective efforts which laid the foundations for Lilys penchant for reading. Did you ever patiently read books with your children when they were young? Have you ever listened attentively to the stories your children told about the picture books they read? Have you engaged in discussions about philosophy or finances when your children brough up those topics? For Lilys parents, engaging in these discussions over the past 11 years has been critical to rasising an imaginative, curious child. They helped Lily build a bilingual vocabulary bank, nurturing her understanding and fostering creative expression, debate, and mutual learning. Lilys five translated works symbolize not only her dedication to learning but also the unwavering support and guidance of her parents. Her success underscores the undeniable truth that family education provides a formidable foundation for every childs journey. Book lovers unite! In addition to writing translations, Lily also participates in projects that help books reach rural readers. These projects often include mobilizing financial resources from book translations in order to build libraries in rural classrooms and fill them with books during Lunar New Year celebrations. Lily and her family are well aware that their ability to participate in these initatives stems from a strong foundation of professional knowledge. But how can children without such a foundation gain exposure to tomes at a young age and be supported in their quest for knowledge? For decades, spanning from the 1970s to the present, tens of millions of children growing up in rural areas have had limited access to books and educational opportunities. In preschool, elementary, and middle school, these students have been deprived of the opportunity to read and listen to books. Consequently, as adults, many lack an understanding of the value of books, hindering their spiritual and eduational growth, as well as their abilities to learn life skills and values. Even more concerning is many parents' lack of interest in reading to their children. If this intergenerational poverty of knowledge persists, individuals and society will surely stagnate. While many parents might not have had the opportunity to study in the UK like Lilys parents, most, if not all, possess the ability to read and are able to read books with their children from a tender age. Parents must understand that while a bookshelf full of tomes in a classroom might only cost a few million Vietnamese dong [VND1 million = US$39], the long-term value of each book is priceless. Simultaneously, Vietnams education system must adapt to that of developed countries, incorporating parenting education as a core component. Even parents who may not have the habit of reading books with their children will gradually adopt this practice through the influence of schools and society. During the academic years, resources amounting to billions of Vietnamese dong [VND1 billion = $39,305] can be mobilized from parents, teachers, and alumni to ensure that tens of millions of books reach children both at school and at home. The educational revolution in Vietnam must ensure that all children have access to books, mirroring the opportunities available to children in Western Europe, America, Japan, and elsewhere. With hope, over the next two decades, society will witness the emergence of many individuals like Lily who are capable of excelling in various fields and contributing to the enrichment of the countrys knowledge base. This will lead to the creation of numerous intellectual products, akin to what Japan, South Korea, Israel, and other nations have achieved. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper held a ceremony on Friday to kick off its training collaboration with Nguyen Tat Thanh University, in which the news agency will teach the latters students communication modules, heralding a novel media training paradigm in Vietnam. Nearly 200 full-time university students majoring in public relations and multimedia communication at Ho Chi Minh City-based Nguyen Tat Thanh University will be engaging in a training program hosted by Tuoi Tre at its newsroom. This marks a pioneering collaboration where a newspaper directly contributes modules to a university curriculum. This innovative initiative emphasizes practical learning and the creation of authentic media content, with students delving into subjects such as media photo organization, electronic communication product production, and media publication design within the premises of Tuoi Tres office. Innovative communication students from Nguyen Tat Thanh University give a round of applause during the opening ceremony for the training program at Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Trained by seasoned journalists, editors, and managers, Nguyen Tat Thanh students will receive hands-on instructions, including visits to various departments for real-world exposure and participation in the news production process. This immersive approach ensures the students develop a robust understanding of both theory and practice, gaining insights into the intricacies of media production and event organization. To keep pace with digital advancements, Nguyen Tat Thanh University and Tuoi Tre have collaborated on curriculum development, aligning with contemporary trends in public and media systems. Innovative communication students from Nguyen Tat Thanh University practice photojournalism during the training program at Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Assoc Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Hao, dean of the Innovative Communication Faculty, underscored the importance of bridging the gap between theory learning and real-world application, emphasizing the invaluable role of journalists and the newspapers resources in cultivating media skills among the students. Through this symbiotic partnership, these students will not only acquire practical knowledge but also imbibe essential media thinking from experienced professionals, exemplifying a transformative approach to journalism education in Vietnam. Le Xuan Trung, deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, speaks during the opening ceremony for a joint training program for Nguyen Tat Thanh University students at the news agencys headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Fusion of lecture hall newsroom Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Xuan Trung, deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre, expressed his hope that the 200 students, immersed in a new professional environment distinct from the university setting, would foster fresh ideas, creativity, and practical experience to shape their career paths. Technology evolves rapidly, propelling swift transformations across various media platforms, Trung said. Those students studying at Tuoi Tre will engage in hands-on experiences crafting new media products, collaborating with reporters, and navigating real-world scenarios. Innovative communication students from Nguyen Tat Thanh University practice photojournalism during the training program at Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre These opportunities are often unavailable in traditional university settings. Such practical exposure is vital for future careers, and Tuoi Tre is committed to providing optimal conditions for students to hone their journalistic skills. Our professional journalists, equipped with extensive professional and life experience, stand ready to mentor and guide these students throughout their journey. Dang Nhu Thao, deputy dean of the Faculty of Innovative Communication at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, speaks during the opening ceremony for a joint training program with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper at the latters headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Addressing the students, Dang Nhu Thao, deputy dean of the Faculty of Innovative Communication at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, hailed this initiative as a landmark moment in communication training history, marking the fusion of traditional lecture halls with the dynamic environment of a newsroom. Thao emphasized that training in the newsroom can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Nguyen Cong Thanh, former head of the photo desk at Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, teaches innovative communication students from Nguyen Tat Thanh University photojournalism during the training program at the daily's headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Beyond acquiring knowledge, the students involved can engage in practical scenarios, self-development, and relationship-building, all crucial for their future career growth. Thao urged them to leverage this opportunity to its fullest potential. Nguyen Cong Thanh (R), former head of the photo desk at Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, teaches innovative communication students from Nguyen Tat Thanh University photojournalism during the training program at the daily's headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! GENEVA -- The United Nations refugee agency on Thursday said the number of people forcibly displaced stood at a record 117.3 million as of the end of last year, warning that this figure could rise further without major global political changes. "These are refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, people being forced away by conflict, by persecution, by different and increasingly complex forms of violence," said Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "Conflict remains a very, very deep driver of displacement." In its report on global trends in forced displacement, UNHCR said that there had been a yearly increase in the number of people forcibly displaced over the last 12 years. UNHCR estimates that forced displacement has continued to increase in the first four months of 2024, and that the number of those displaced is likely to have exceeded 120 million by the end of April. "Unless there is a shift in international geopolitics, unfortunately, I actually see that figure continuing to go up," Grandi said, referring to the risk of new conflicts. The conflicts that have driven displacement include the war in Sudan, which Grandi described as "one of the most catastrophic ones" despite garnering less attention that other crises. More that nine million people have been internally displaced and another two million have fled to neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, Grandi said. "People are arriving in the hundreds every day," he said, referring to the influx of people seeking safety in Chad. In Gaza, Israel's bombardment and ground campaign have caused around 1.7 million people nearly 80 percent of the Palestinian enclave's population to become internally displaced, many of them multiple times. Grandi warned that the possible crossings of Gazans into Egypt from the southern border town of Rafah to escape Israel's military offensive would be catastrophic. "Another refugee crisis outside Gaza would be catastrophic on all levels, including because we have no guarantee that the people will be able to return to Gaza one day," Grandi said. Vietnams newly elected State President To Lam has affirmed that the Southeast Asian country always considers the U.S. as a partner of strategic importance and is ready for coordination to promote their bilateral ties extensively, effectively, and substantially. State President Lam made the affirmation at his meeting with U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Thursday, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lam asked the ambassador to extend his thanks to U.S. President Joe Biden for his congratulations on his election as the state president of Vietnam. Valuing Washington as its important strategic partner, Hanoi is willing to join hands with it to further promote the two sides' comprehensive strategic partnership in a deep, effective, and practical manner, the state president told Knapper. Such promotion will be conducted on the basis of respect for each others independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institution so as to bring practical benefits to the two peoples and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world in general, he elaborated. The two nations should strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, making it a driving force behind bilateral relations, Lam suggested. He also underscored the need to gradually expand cooperation in security and defense, including collaboration in cybersecurity and terrorism and transnational crime combat. The leader called for the U.S.s continued support for Vietnam in overcoming war aftermaths, adapting to climate change, and developing high-quality human resources. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (L) and Vietnamese State President To Lam are seen at their meeting in Hanoi on June 13, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency The two sides should continue to cooperate closely and effectively at multilateral and regional mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), among others, Lam said. He suggested jointly preparing plans for the celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. The Vietnamese state leader highly appreciated the ambassadors contributions to fostering the Vietnam-U.S. ties and asked him to continue his support. On behalf of the U.S. leaders and people, Knapper reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to consistently support a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam. After nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries have achieved important and substantive progress in all fields, the ambassador commented, expressing his confidence that the two sides will gain more achievements in the coming time. Agreeing to Lams suggestions, Knapper affirmed that he and other U.S. representative agencies in Vietnam will continue joining hands with local authorities to effectively implement the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in the coming time. The U.S. highly values and advocates the central role of ASEAN in the regional structure and is committed to continuing to boost the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, the ambassador stated. He also stressed that the U.S. will coordinate with Vietnam in addressing regional and international issues of mutual concern, actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region. Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered into a comprehensive partnership in July 2013. Ten years later, both sides lifted their ties directly to a comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level, during U.S. President Biden's two-day official visit to Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Ho Chi Minh City have launched a probe into the death of a Singaporean woman in a high-end apartment on Thursday. The management board of The Goldview, a luxury condo building located on Ben Van Don Street in District 4, reported the case to local police on Thursday afternoon. At 3:15 pm the same day, the board received a report from the owner of the apartment about the body of a Singaporean woman who was found inside a condo in Tower A of the complex. District police rushed to the building to investigate the scene and collect evidence. An initial investigation revealed that the owner had not rented out the apartment, and the last recorded use of the unit's elevator access card was at 10:20 pm on January 31, 2024. The deceased was not a resident of the building and was last seen on January 31, 2024, Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper reported. Local investigators are coordinating with the municipal police department to identify the personal details of the deceased and investigate the cause of the death. A similar case was recorded in Hanoi in late April when the body of a Vietnamese woman was found in a high-end residential building in Nam Tu Liem District. Locals said that the apartment had been locked for years and that the woman once lived there for two years. The corpse had likely been in the apartment for at least a year before it was discovered, according to local authorities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Heavy rainfall, accompanied by hail in some areas, led to local flooding in certain parts of Ho Chi Minh City on Friday afternoon. Following a sunny morning and a hot spell, heavy rains commenced around 3:00 pm in various areas of the city, accompanied by strong winds and thunder. Hailstones the size of chopstick heads were recorded in District 1 and District 4, while certain regions of neighboring Binh Duong Province reported the same phenomenon. Heavy rainfall causes flooding on Le Lai Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Le Thanh Huy / Tuoi Tre Le Dinh Quyet, head of the weather forecast division at the southern hydro-meteorological station, explained that hail typically occurs in hot, humid weather patterns, followed by rainfall. The formation of hail is facilitated by high temperatures, humidity, and intense convection, leading to the development of convective clouds stretching tens of kilometers high. Within these clouds, water droplets condense, freeze into ice, and subsequently fall as hailstones. Hailstones are picked up by people in Ho Chi Minh City during the afternoon rain, June 14, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre Quyet stated that Fridays occurrence of hail is not uncommon as this weather condition occasionally appears in Ho Chi Minh City, with annual statistics typically recording one to two instances. However, he cautioned that hail creates significant hazards. While small hailstones pose minimal danger, larger ones can puncture corrugated iron roofs, damage crops, shatter windows of houses and vehicles, and even cause injury if they strike individuals. Hailstones are picked up by people in Ho Chi Minh City during the afternoon rain, June 14, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre Friday afternoons heavy rain also resulted in trees falling on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1, causing traffic congestion, while a car sustained damage from a falling tree branch on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street in the same district. According to Quyet, turbulence forming in the waters off the southern coast of the East Vietnam Sea is expected to move westward near the coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta region on Friday night and Saturday. In the waters off the coast of the south, the southwest wind is of moderate intensity. Heavy rainfall causes flooding on Le Lai Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Le Thanh Huy / Tuoi Tre As a result, the weather in the southern region, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, will be characterized by sunny and hot conditions during daytime, and rainfall in the afternoons and evenings. Precipitation is expected to increase, mainly in the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta and the northern part of the southeastern region, with some locations experiencing moderate to heavy rain. Heavy rainfall causes flooding on Le Lai Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Le Thanh Huy / Tuoi Tre A motorcyclist travels in heavy rainfall in Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Heavy rainfall causes flooding on Le Van Viet Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Quy / Tuoi Tre A tree branch falls down during heavy rainfall on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Tuong Vy / Tuoi Tre Heavy rainfall causes flooding on Le Lai Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, June 14, 2024. Photo: Le Thanh Huy / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh City will keep its administrative structure unchanged with district-level Thu Duc City, 16 inner-city districts, and five suburban districts until 2030 and will set up five cities like Thu Duc City in 2040, chairman of the municipal government Phan Van Mai said at a conference of the local Party Committee on Thursday. By 2030, the city will focus on improving technical infrastructure facilities in Thu Duc City and districts. In the 2030-40 period, the southern metropolis will still organize urban zones, including a central urban zone, Thu Duc City in the east, and those in the south, north, and west. According to the citys draft plan, the central urban zone will consist of District 1, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 8, Binh Thanh District, Phu Nhuan District, Tan Binh District, Go Vap District, Binh Tan District, and parts of District 12. The urban zone in the north will include Cu Chi and Hoc Mon Districts and parts of District 12. Parts of Binh Chanh District will be in the western urban zone, while the urban zone in the south will include District 7, Nha Be District, Can Gio District, and parts of Binh Chanh District. From 2040, the city will set up a multi-center model with five cities like Thu Duc. Metro lines will be among the key traffic systems to connect the zones. Thu Duc City, which covers nearly 212 square kilometers to the east of Ho Chi Minh City, was officially established by merging District 2, District 9, and Thu Duc District on January 1, 2021. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam announced on Thursday that they had arrested a local man on Wednesday for trafficking over US$500,000 in cash to Cambodia. The detained man was La Van Thuan, a 52-year-old resident of Khanh An Commune in An Phu District. According to investigators, at about 4:00 am on Wednesday, they received a report from residents in An Phu that an individual was planning to illegally transport foreign banknotes to Cambodia. Police officers caught Thuan with the cash on his motorbike. The total sum was $530,150. At the police station, Thuan claimed to have been hired by another man to carry the money to Cambodia, give it to an unknown individual, and then receive pay for the job. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! M.I. Khan, TwoCircles.net Patna: After playing a pivotal role in supporting the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar now stands at a critical juncture to leverage this opportunity for the maximum benefit of his state, which grapples with poverty and backwardness. Support TwoCircles As the president of the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), Kumar sees the current moment as ideal to push for the long-standing demand of granting special category status to Bihar a crucial step towards its development. For the 73-year-old leader, this presents a now-or-never opportunity to fulfill his long standing demand. While several top JD-U leaders, known to be close to Kumar, have publicly reiterated their partys commitment to securing special category status for Bihar, the chief minister himself has yet to directly address this issue since the formation of the NDA government at the Centre. However, Kumar, known for his strategic timing in breaking his silence, is expected to formally press this demand sooner rather than later. As a seasoned politician, Kumar recognizes that Modi relies on JD(U)s support in his third term as prime minister to effectively govern and sustain his administration. In recent weeks, the chief minister has reminded Modi twice of his expectations for full support in Bihars development. In a recent post-ceremony statement, he congratulated Modi and expressed optimism about the countrys development under his leadership while emphasizing the need for Bihar to receive full assistance for its development. This is the second occasion where Kumar has highlighted Bihars development agenda, with his earlier remarks at the NDA parliamentary party meeting in Delhi signaling a renewed focus on addressing the states pending projects. Seen as a direct message to Modi, Kumars statements underscore his determination to prioritize Bihars development agenda. In the wake of the changed political landscape following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the JD(U), despite a reduction in the number of MPs from 16 to 12, has emerged as a potent NDA ally in the Centre. All eyes are now on Kumar and his next steps. While the numerical strength of his party has diminished, his role as a kingmaker for Modi underscores his newfound influence in national politics. At this crucial juncture, Nitish Kumar finds himself holding the key to realizing his demand for the special category status for Bihar, something he has vehemently championed for nearly 18 years. Widely regarded as the opportune moment, Kumar now has the leverage to compel Modi to translate this demand into reality, a move he deems essential for his states development. Ironically, despite his persistent advocacy for the special category status, the issue was conspicuously absent from the ruling NDAs election campaign for the recently concluded general elections. The chief minister remained notably silent on this crucial demand during the campaign a departure from past elections where he refrained from raising the issue while contesting alongside the BJP since 2014. In contrast, the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led INDIA alliance in the state consistently highlighted this demand to critique Modis failure to fulfill his decade-old promise to the people. Kumar continued to advocate for the special category status until December 2023, just a month before rejoining the NDA fold in January 2024. During the 26th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna, he reiterated the demand. In November 2023, the state Cabinet, under his leadership, passed a resolution urging the grant of special category status to the state. This resolution was bolstered by the Bihar Caste Survey Report released on October 2, 2023, which underscored the socio-economic challenges facing the state. Highlighting the reports findings, Kumar emphasized that approximately 34.13% (nearly 94 lakh) of families in Bihar live below the poverty line. To address their plight, Kumars government proposed launching schemes requiring a significant investment of nearly Rs 2.50 lakh crore over the next five years. However, he stressed the need for support from the central government to accomplish this ambitious task effectively. According to the caste census report, these families endure severe poverty, with their monthly income averaging a mere Rs 6,000. Predominantly comprising Dalits, Adivasis (tribals), Other Backward Castes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), these households face dire socio-economic conditions. The data reveals that 42.93% of Scheduled Caste (SC) and 42.70% of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) families are impoverished, alongside 33.16% of OBC and 33.58% of EBC families. Notably, within the SCs, the Musahar community, one of Indias most marginalized in the caste hierarchy, experiences the highest poverty rate, with approximately 54% of them living below the poverty line. This is followed by 53% among Bhuiyans and 42% among Chamars or Mochis. Kumar has reiterated that the demand for granting special category status to Bihar is not new but remains an ongoing issue. The demand persists as the state continues to require special assistance from the Centre for its development, much like it did over a decade ago and earlier. Citing the NITI Aayog report on the multidimensional poverty index, senior JD-U leaders highlighted Bihars dismal ranking at the bottom in the country. In addition, indicators such as lower per capita income, subpar ease of living and human development below the national average further bolster the case for special category status. In 2010, Kumar spearheaded a campaign advocating for special category status to his state, asserting it as the right of the people. Subsequently, his party, the JD-U, embarked on a mission to collect one crore signatures in support of the demand, ultimately submitting 1.25 crore signatures to then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011. This culminated in the Adhikar Yatra (Rights March) in 2012, followed by Adhikar rallies in Patna (2012) and Delhi (2013), all aimed at amplifying the demand for special category status. Special status for the state has been a cornerstone of his partys electoral campaigns, prominently featured in the 2009 general elections, the 2010 Assembly polls and the subsequent 2014 Lok Sabha and 2015 Assembly elections. There was a time when Kumar accused Modi of betraying Bihars people, citing the PMs promise of special status during the 2014 general elections campaign. At the Inter-State Council meeting in Delhi in July 2016, he reiterated his stance, asserting that the Government of India should grant special category status to Bihar to address its backwardness comprehensively. In the last Lok Sabha polls, JD(U) leaders pledged to Bihar voters that if the party secured at least 15 Lok Sabha seats, it would pursue special category status for the state. Despite winning 16 of the 17 seats it contested, Kumar was unable to secure the status, despite being part of the BJP-led NDA both in Bihar as well as the Centre. After he parted ways with the BJP in 2013, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi campaigned on the promise of the special status to the state if Narendra Modi became prime minister in March 2014. BJP leaders asserted that only Modi could fulfill this demand. In 2022, Kumar announced that all backward states would be granted special status if non-BJP parties formed the government at the Centre in 2024, underscoring his commitment to this cause. However, the big question now is whether he will secure Modis guarantee for the special status. Political observers suggest that if Kumar can compel Modi to grant special category status to Bihar, it would be a significant development for the states progress and his personal legacy, given his persistent advocacy since 2006. While during the election campaign, senior BJP leader and then Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explicitly ruled out such a possibility for Bihar, the post-election scenario suggests that Modi will need to appease Kumar to maintain his government. Thus far, the Modi-led NDA government has overlooked Kumars demand and consistently denied granting special status to Bihar. Local reports indicate overwhelming support across the state for the JD(U) to pursue the demand. Many believe that Kumar should assertively advocate for his demand, leveraging his political capital for Bihars benefit. Even Opposition parties, including the RJD, the Congress and the Left endorse Kumars demand for Bihars development. TCN News New Delhi: A 44-year-old Muslim woman employed with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development eagerly anticipated moving into a dwelling unit allocated to her at Harni in Vadodara Municipal Corporations low-income group housing complex under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana back in 2017. She looked forward to residing in an inclusive neighborhood with her then-minor son. Support TwoCircles However, before she could even settle in, as reported by The Indian Express, 33 residents out of the 462 units in the housing complex lodged a written complaint with the district collector and other authorities objecting to her presence solely based on her Muslim identity, citing potential threat and nuisance. The woman, the lone Muslim allottee in the complex, revealed that the protests initially surfaced in 2020 when residents wrote to the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) seeking to invalidate her house allotment. Although the Harni police station recorded statements from all parties involved and dismissed the complaint, recent protests resurfaced on June 10. Expressing her dismay, the woman shared her upbringing in a mixed neighborhood in Vadodara, emphasizing her familys rejection of the concept of ghettos. She expressed concern for her son, now in Class 12, stating that discrimination would have a detrimental impact on his mental well-being. The complaint submitted by 33 signatories to the District Collector, Mayor, VMC Commissioner, and Commissioner of Police in Vadodara demanded the invalidation of the beneficiarys dwelling unit allocation and her relocation to another housing scheme, labeling it a representation in public interest. Residents cited concerns over a potential law-and-order crisis if Muslim families were allowed to move in, describing the area as Hindu-dominated and peaceful with no Muslim settlement within approximately four kilometers. They justified their stance by claiming it was for the comfort of both parties. While some residents expressed discomfort with a minority family as neighbors, citing religious and cultural differences, others voiced solidarity with the beneficiary, highlighting that she was rightfully allocated the flat under a government scheme. Officials from the VMCs housing department emphasized that government schemes did not segregate applicants based on religion, and the housing draw was conducted according to norms. They suggested that the matter be resolved through mutual agreement or by approaching competent courts. Syed Taqui Haider Srinagar: Engineer Rashids surprising victory over political stalwart Umar Abdullah in Baramulla constituency has reverberated throughout Kashmirs political landscape. The unexpected outcome challenges conventional wisdom and signals a profound shift in the priorities and aspirations of the valleys voters. Support TwoCircles In 2019, Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, was booked by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA on charges of his alleged involvement in a terror funding case. He is lodged in Delhis Tihar Jail. Despite this, he had previously won from the Langate segment in Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate in 2008 and 2014 Assembly elections. While voting in mainland India is often influenced by factors such as religion, caste and money, Kashmir exhibits markedly different voting patterns, driven by considerations unrelated to these factors, remarked Rasik Bin Altaf, a student of area politics. He emphasized that Kashmirs voting trends reflect a resurgence of grassroots spirit, where considerations like money and caste hold little sway. Engineer Rashids victory, while celebrated as a triumph of democracy, may signify more than just that. His triumph cannot be divorced from the fact that he contested against the former chief minister and president of the National Conference. We have had enough from the family, expressed Arif Pandit (name changed on request), a resident of Baramulla. The youth is much more aware and better informed. They want to stand for something real, and Rashid is that ray of hope. He emphasized, It was very clear for all of us. I saw the elderly and infirm walk to the polling booth this time. They were very sure who they were voting for. He is our man; we know him. Abdullah never had a chance here, he concluded. The erosion of trust in the ex-chief minister is glaringly evident with the significant difference of more than 2 lakh votes this time. Rashids Incarceration Strikes a Chord in Kashmir Engineer Rashid has projected an image, which resonates more genuinely with the public because it aligns more closely with their sentiment. He has addressed issues concerning human rights as well as basic amenities like roads, electricity and water during his time in power, which the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have failed to do, commented a student who requested anonymity. Rashids time in jail has deeply resonated within the Kashmiri community. Many see him as one of their own, advocating for grassroots issues unlike Abdullah. There is an emotional connection to what Rashid stands for; many believe he remains untainted by the murky side of politics and doesnt play a double game with Kashmiris, unlike Abdullahs and the Muftis, who havent done enough for locals, remarked Zubair Kashif, a student pursuing graduation in Delhi. Womens Participation The election witnessed a significant increase in women voters, reshaping the political landscape. Women emerged from their homes, queuing for hours to cast their votes for him. Such enthusiastic participation among women is unprecedented in the valley. My wife and daughter were more eager than me to cast their votes. They reached the polling booth first thing in the morning, Pandit shared. Unlike past hartals and strikes, this level of participation has not been seen before for various reasons. Women voted empathizing with Rashids imprisonment, while also viewing voting as an opportunity to amplify their freedom and sense of agency. They felt empowered to express their opinions and exercise their rights. The women came out to vote because they felt the pain of a son who has been away from his father for five years, stated Rashids younger son Asrar, who spearheaded the campaign on his fathers behalf. He expressed gratitude for the empathy shown by the women of Baramulla. The Subaltern Speaks In a union territory long gripped by hate and violence, a democratic revolution holds paramount significance. True nationalism must stem from the voices of the people. After years of electoral boycotts, individuals have set aside their disillusionment and returned to the polling booths. Asrar emphasized that politicians should refrain from demonizing Kashmiri voters. A similar level of participation was last witnessed in 1987, during Farooq Abdullahs reappointment as chief minister. This resurgence offers hope to our people. Fed up with boycott politics, many are now eager to engage in the electoral process, seeking to choose their own representatives, he reflected. Hopes of the Family Throughout the election rally, Rashids family received overwhelming support from the masses. According to sources, the entire rally cost no more than Rs 27,000. Asrar confirmed the warmth and empathy of the people, who voluntarily joined the rally with their bikes and cars. We felt our fathers love, he said. Engineer Rashid has been separated from his family, serving a five-year prison term. The news of his interim bail for the oath ceremony brings hope for his release to the family, as well as a longing for justice in many other households, and a desire for social development in the valley. Electoral Victory or a Cry for Help? Under the UAPA, several undertrials languish in prisons, making elections a means to bring their plight to the public eye. A source, speaking anonymously, recalled the 1987 elections when the Muslim United Fronts candidate stood from Srinagar, evoking a similar fervor among voters. I am glad to witness it again, he remarked. The valley demands recognition for its voices. Elections are now seen as an avenue to amplify the voices of candidates behind bars. In 1977, George Fernandes, elected from Bihars Muzaffarpur during the Emergency, was released from jail before his oath-taking ceremony, setting a precedent. Does Engineer Rashid Stand a Chance? When Abrar, Engineer Rashids elder son, addressed the masses, he emphasized that only the peoples vote could give his father a chance to serve and bring development, Asrar explained, adding, People empathize with the plight of the family. Kashmiris hope for brighter days ahead, marked by development, justice and improved living standards. They anticipate progress in employment, healthcare and education, as well as robust infrastructure to bolster the states resilience. True democracy in Kashmir hinges on the acknowledgment of its peoples voices. Electoral success should not be mistaken for a resolution but recognized as a plea for understanding and action a collective stride towards a better future. (The author is a freelance journalist) Sidra Fatima, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: On June 8, 67-year-old Maulana Farooq was brutally murdered in his native village Sonpur, under the jurisdiction of the Jethwara police station in Uttar Pradeshs Pratapgarh district. The shocking incident has ignited significant tension among locals, who have taken to the streets, demanding immediate justice and the apprehension of those responsible. Support TwoCircles Izhar, a resident of Pratapgarh and the deceased neighbour, expressed profound shock and grief over the tragedy. The assailant attacked Maulana Sahib while he was seated in a chair and struck him with a shovel before fleeing the scene. Maulana Sahib, who had gone there to collect his dues, tragically succumbed to his injuries. It is unimaginable that he would never return. The entire sequence of events was revealed by a Dhobi (washerman) who witnessed one Tiwari (the alleged attacker) fleeing and promptly informed authorities, he told TwoCircles.net. While three individuals, including Tiwaris wife, have been apprehended, Tiwari himself remains at large. The deceased, a father of three, was the sole breadwinner of his family and was running a madrasa in Kadipur village. He was said to have cordial relations with the prime suspect, Chandramani Tiwari. On the morning of the incident, Tiwari contacted Farooq regarding a plot of land. Trusting him, he visited him without any suspicion. Asad Qasmi, Farooqs eldest son, corroborated these accounts, stating, Approximately 10 years ago, our family purchased a 10 biswa of land (around 5,999 square feet), allowing Tiwari to cultivate it to sustain his family. My father assured him that he could repay the money at his convenience. He said Tiwari had been reliant on his fathers goodwill, owing approximately Rs 8 lakh. On June 7, he visited our home and urged my father to visit his place to discuss dividing the land. We harboured no suspicions, as he had visited our home for decades, often seeking financial assistance or provisions. When my father went there, he directed him to a chair near the door, and without warning, struck him in the head with a shovel. Despite the swift arrival of the police, he managed to evade arrest. It is baffling how he could escape if they were truly determined to apprehend him, Qasmi lamented. Upon learning about the murder, enraged villagers converged in large numbers and blockaded roads. Tensions escalated as clashes erupted with law enforcement officials. Additional forces from eight nearby police stations were summoned to restore order in what has been described as a scene akin to a war zone. Pratapgarh Superintendent of Police Satpal addressed the media, offering reassurance of a thorough investigation and ensuring justice. We are taking this incident very seriously and will ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law, he declared. However, initial assurances seemed insufficient to quell the crowds agitation. An FIR was promptly filed under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), pertaining to the punishment for murder. Local politicians and community leaders echoed the demand for swift justice while urging the community to uphold peace and refrain from vigilantism. They condemned the heinous murder of the cleric, renowned for his religious teachings and community service spanning from Navi Mumbai to his hometown of Pratapgarh. The brutal killing of such a revered figure has not only stunned the local community but also raised serious concerns about the regions law and order situation. The overwhelming turnout at Maulanas funeral was a testament to the profound love and respect he commanded throughout his life. The people of Pratapgarh were in disbelief upon hearing of his untimely demise, such was the depth of affection and regard he inspired. His loss is a profound tragedy and a personal one for me as well. However, the administration is tirelessly working to apprehend the perpetrators, Abdul Qadir Jeelani, general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, told TwoCircles.net. Three of the five accused have been apprehended, and we remain in constant communication with the authorities to oversee the progress of the case. Our goal is to ensure that justice is served, setting a precedent to deter such atrocities in the future. China #MeToo activist Huang sentenced to five years for subversion, supporters say By David Kirton and Laurie Chen GUANGZHOU/BEIJING (Reuters) -Leading Chinese #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty on Friday of subverting state power at a court in southern China, according to a group campaigning for her release and a copy of the verdict. Huang, a 35-year-old independent journalist, plans to appeal, supporters said. Labour activist Wang Jianbing, 40, who stood trial with Huang, was sentenced to three years and six months. It was not immediately clear if he will appeal. A spokesperson for the group Free Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing, said the group believed Chinese authorities were using national security as a pretext to suppress social welfare activists. "This is a denial and obliteration of the value of social justice as well as a denial of moderate voices in civil society. This is a very bad sign," the person said, asking to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. The pair have been detained by Chinese authorities since September 2021 and Saturday will mark 1,000 days since they were arrested. They denied any wrongdoing during the closed-door trial last year, supporters have said. The charges of sedition against Huang and Wang were based on the gatherings they often held for Chinese youth during which they discussed social issues. Consular representatives from the United States, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the UK attempted to attend the court proceedings but were refused entry, two diplomats said, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to media. There was a heavy security presence around Guangzhou People's Intermediate Court on Friday morning, with police questioning bystanders. The embassies did not respond immediately to requests for comment. "These convictions will prolong their deeply unjust detention and have a further chilling effect on human rights and social advocacy in a country where activists face increasing state crackdowns," Amnesty International's China Director Sarah Brooks said in a statement The charge of "inciting subversion of state power" is frequently used by the Chinese government against dissidents and carries a maximum prison term of five years but can be longer if the suspect is considered a ringleader or to have committed serious crimes. Sentences take into account time served. A copy of the verdict shared with Reuters said the nature of Huang and Wang's actions as well as the "degree of harm done to society" had determined their sentences. Chinese foreign spokesperson Lin Jian said that China was a country based on the rule of law and anyone who broke the law would be punished. "China firmly opposes any country or organisation challenging China's judicial sovereignty," he said. The day before her arrest on Sept. 19, 2021, Huang had been scheduled to fly to Britain to begin a master's degree at the University of Sussex on a British government-funded scholarship, the campaign group has said. Huang, who covered Chinese #MeToo allegations and the 2019 Hong Kong anti-government protests, had been detained by Chinese police for three months in late 2019. The two activists were put in solitary confinement for a period of months, supporters have previously said. Police in Guangzhou did not respond to a faxed request for comment. Earlier this year, Li Qiaochu, a Chinese activist for women's and labour rights, was sentenced to three years and eight months in jail for "inciting subversion of state power", according to NGOs and supporters. She has been detained off and on for four years and is due to be released in August. (Reporting by Laurie Chen and David Kirton; Additional reporting by Joe Cash; Writing by Laurie Chen; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland will host a new land command unit of the NATO military alliance, Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen told reporters on Friday following a meeting of the alliance in Brussels. After decades of military non-alignment, Finland joined NATO last year in response to neighbouring Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I'm pleased to state that today all NATO member states have given their political consent to Finland's key goals in its NATO integration," Hakkanen said. "Finland will host a NATO command and there will be land force presence in Finland," he added. Hakkanen said the Finnish NATO command will have as a task to direct land warfare operations in northern Europe and in Scandinavia. He declined to reveal the exact location of the command or how many NATO troops would be placed in Finland, saying detailed planning was still ongoing. In NATO's new command structure all Nordic countries would fall under the U.S. based Joint Force Command Norfolk, which is oriented to the North Atlantic defence, instead of new members Finland and Sweden remaining under NATO's east-oriented Brunssum command in the Netherlands, Hakkanen said. "With these decisions, the security of Finland and at the same time the security of Northern Europe is strengthened, and they significantly benefit the security of the entire alliance," he said. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, editing by Terje Solsvik) By Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine dismissed ceasefire conditions announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday as "absurd", saying he was trying to mislead world powers and undermine genuine peace efforts. Putin said in a speech Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Moscow. Ukraine's foreign ministry described his words as "manipulative statements aimed at misleading the international community (and) undermining diplomatic efforts to achieve a just peace". "It is absurd for Putin, who planned, prepared and executed, together with his accomplices, the largest armed aggression in Europe since the Second World War, to present himself as a peacemaker," the ministry added. In separate comments, Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters there was "no possibility to find compromise" between Putin's statement and Ukraine's conditions for ending the war launched by Russia. "He is offering for Ukraine to admit defeat. He is offering for Ukraine to legally give up its territories to Russia. He is offering for Ukraine to sign away its geopolitical sovereignty," Podolyak said via Zoom. Putin spoke on the eve of a conference in Switzerland at which Kyiv is promoting its own peace plan calling for the total withdrawal of Russian troops, including from the 18% of its lands currently occupied by Russia. Russia has not been invited to the Swiss event, which Kyiv says will be attended by representatives from more than 100 countries and organisations, including many heads of state. Podolyak said Putin was trying to seize the news agenda from Ukraine by making his speech just before the summit. The aide, who frequently acts as a spokesperson for the president's office, said Moscow was also trying to present itself to the world, and particularly to the "Global South" countries, as the party more interested in peace. "By Putin's statement, Russia is making it look as though it was not them who started the aggression... but as if they are proposing peace and Ukraine does not want it," he said. Podolyak said Ukraine wanted peace, but only if Russia was justly punished for its aggression and Ukraine's sovereignty was upheld. (Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Andrew Heavens) By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the international Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland this weekend, where she will meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and address world leaders. She will stress that the outcome of the war in Ukraine affects the entire world, a U.S. official said, and push for a maximum number of countries to back the notion that Russia's invasion violates the U.N. Charter's founding principles and that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Harris, who will spend less than 24 hours at the gathering in Lucerne, will be standing in for President Joe Biden at the event. The president will be just ending his participation at the Group of Seven summit in Italy and returning to the United States to attend a fundraiser for his re-election campaign in Los Angeles. Harris will meet Zelenskiy and address the summit's plenary session. Biden met Zelenskiy both at the G7 summit, where they signed a U.S.-Ukraine security agreement, and in France for events surrounding the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Harris, who departed for Switzerland on Friday night, will arrive midday on Saturday and spend several hours at the event before flying back to Washington. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will represent the United States at the summit on Sunday and help establish working groups on returning Ukrainian children from Russia and energy security. Russia was not invited to the event and has dismissed it as futile. China, a key Russian ally, says it will not attend the conference because it does not meet Beijing's requirements, including the participation of Russia. The senior U.S. official said Russia's absence would not affect the summit but expressed regret at Beijing's decision. "We wish the Chinese were showing up themselves," the official said. "They claim to be strong supporters of sovereignty and territorial integrity and these principles and they are allowing a country that they are supporting all too much, Russia, to violate these principles." Ninety-two countries and eight organizations plan to attend. "It is up to Ukraine's leaders to decide how and on what terms this war could end. Our job, what we've been trying to do, is put them in a better position on the battlefield for any eventual negotiation," the official told reporters. The United States has contributed billions of dollars in weaponry to help Ukraine fight the war prosecuted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the latest massive package of aid from Washington was delayed for months by disagreements in Congress. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Heather Timmons, Frances Kerry and William Mallard) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Covered in two white sheets and chanting Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (Here I am O Allah, Here I am), close to 2 million Muslims from all across the world are on their way to Mina as the annual ritual of Haj begins Friday Dhul Hijjah 8th 1445 H, corresponding to June 14, 2024 Monday June 17, 2024 8:59 PM , ummid.com News Network Hajj 2024 Live Streaming: Rains and showers brought a timely relief for close to 2 million Muslims from around the world who are currently in Makkah and Mina to perform Hajj. On the fourth day of Hajj 2024, when Hajj pilgrims were camping in Mina to perform stoning of devil and animal sacrifice, it started raining, and is still on. The Saudi Health Ministry reported record high temperatures at holy sites during this years Hajj pilgrimage. Temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius in the shade at the central area of the Grand Mosque, the ministry said, with Arafat reaching 48 degrees Celsius and Mina and Muzdalifah 46 degrees Celsius. In a separate message, Saudi Health Ministry said the number of cases of heat exhaustion and sunstroke reached 2,764 cases Sunday June 16, 2024. The rains have however brought the temperature at the holy sites down, the Ministry said. Sunday 10:50 AM (Makkah Time): Pilgrims are now camping in Mina to sacrifice animals to mark Youm un Nahr - the 3rd day of Hajj on 10th of Dhul Hijjah. Today also marks Eid al Adha and millions of Muslims around the world will now join the Hajj pilgrims to observe the annual ritual of sacrificing animals. The animal sacrifice on Eid al Adha is in rememberance of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ismael and his father Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon them all). The pilgrims who made their way from Muzdalifah after the day-long supplication in Arafat Saturday are now at Jamrat al Aqaba for Pelting of stone to devil on Youmun Nahr. After or before stoning the devil, pilgrims are required to offer Tawaf e Ziyara, also called as Tawafe Ifaadah. Hajj Day 3 Itinerary Hujjaj will leave Muzdalifa and proceed to Jamarat in Mina to stone the devil. Salat Al Eid will be led around 6 AM in the Haramain Sharifain. Sacrifice animals Hujjaj will then proceed to Masjid Al Haram to perform Tawaaf Al Ifaadah. Tawaaf Al Ifaadah or Tawaf e Ziarah is one of the rituals of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. After Tawaf e Ziyarat, pilgrims will again move back to Mina and stay there for the next two or three days. Tawaf e Ziarah can be performed before or after sacrificing animals. Saturday 01:00 PM (Makkah Time): After delivering Hajj sermon, the Imam has now finished Dhur and Asr combine prayers at Masjid an Namirah. Pilgrims will now stay in Arafat till sunset. Immediately after the sunset, the pilgrims will leave Araft to stay for the night in Muzadlifah. Saturday 12:30 PM (Makkah Time): Sheikh Maher Al Muaiqly has started delivering Hajj Sermon. Watch live streaming below. In Hajj Sermon, the Imam is offering special prayers for the Palestinians facing the war by the Israeli Zionist regime in the occupied territories. "We pray for our brothers and sisters in Palestine who have been afflicted with harm and suffered pain due to their enemies. Enemies who spill blood, cause corruption in the land, and prevent the essential provisions like food, medicine and even water", the Imam said as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, in tears, said Aameen. Dua for Palestine by Sheikh Maher Al Muaiqly#Hajj Arafat Khutbah 2024 pic.twitter.com/ncDdasOlIE (@HaramainInfo) June 15, 2024 The Imam also prayed for peace and prosperity in the entire world. "Pilgrims of the Sacred House of Allah, pray to Allah for yourselves, for your parents, and for those related to you. Whoever supplicates for his brother in the back of the unseen, the angel entrusted to him will say to him, Ameen, and the same for you", Shaikh Maher prayed and pilgrims said Aameen. "Sharia came with everything that helps life flourish and achieve development. It prevents harming others or harming them. It enjoins justice, virtuous morals, honoring ones parents, maintaining ties of kinship, telling the truth, preserving rights while delivering them to their rightful owners, performing trusts, and fulfilling contracts. Covenants, hearing, and obedience to those in charge", the Imam prayed delivering Hajj Khutbah. Saturday 12:00 PM (Makkah Time): Dressed in just two white cloth sheets, close to two million Muslims from around the world have reached Mount Arafat for the key ritual of Hajj. They are now flocking to Masjid Nimra, also pronounced as Masjid al Namirah, for Hajj Sermon. Yawm al-Arafat (the Day of Arafat) or Yawm al-Wuquf (the Day of Standing) is the key ritual of Hajj. [Imam e Haram Sheikh Maher Al Muaiqly with Deputy Governor of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Arafat on Saturday June 15, 2024.] In Arafat, the pilgrims will combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers and engage in Wuquf, the most solemn rite of the Hajj. They will also listen to Hajj Sermon. Hajj Sermon this year will be delivered by Sheikh Maher Al Muaiqly, Imam e Haram and renowned scholar, from Masjid Namira. He has already arrived in Arafat. Saturday 07:30 AM (Makkah Time): After observing Day of Tarwiyah on the first day of Hajj in Mina Friday, close to 2 million international and domestic Hajj pilgrims from every corner of the world, and of all colours and ethnicities, and are now dotting the Plains of Mount Arafat. Pilgrims started their march from Mina to Arafat after Fajr prayers Saturday June 15, 2024. Standing on the Plains of the Mount Arafat is the key ritual of Hajj. VIDEO: Hujjaj gather on Jabal Ar Rahmah in Arafat pic.twitter.com/EyHbJJVrlY Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 15, 2024 At Arafat, pilgrims will keep themselves busy in supplication, offer Dhur and Asr prayers Jama and Qasr (shortened and joint), and also listen to Hajj Sermon. The Hajj Sermon delivered from Masjid An Namira will be broadcast live with translation is over 20 languages including English, French, Swedish, Spanish, Malay, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Filipino, Bosnian and others. The departure of Hujjaj convoys from Mina to Arafat#Hajj pic.twitter.com/EUFwzs04Th Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 14, 2024 The pilgrims will leave Arafat immediately after sun set and without offering Maghrib prayers. From Arafat pilgrims will march to Muzdalifah where they will offer Maghrib and Isha prayers. They will spend the night in Muzdalifah again is supplications ad prayers. After Fajr prayer Sunday June 16, 2024, Pilgrims will again march to Mina to sacrifice animals. Friday 09:30 PM (Makkah Time): The Tent City of Mina is reverberating with Talbiya, Labbaik Allahummah Labbaik, as close to 2 million pilgrims from all corner of the world and Saudi Arabia stay to observe Day of Tarwiyah on the first day of Hajj 1445 AH despite scorching heat. The temperature in Makkah, Mina and other holy places is unusually high. The local officials are using various means including shower and distributing bottles of chilled water to provide relief to the pilgrims. The Ministry of Health has issued a heat advisory for pilgrims in the wake of scorching surface temperatures, which pose a significant health risk. Many pilgrims are seen carrying white umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun. Nonetheless, the pilgrims are unperturbed by the unbearable heat as they surrender to the will of the Almighty Allah, as did Prophet Ibrahim and his noble son Prophet Ismael some 5000 years ago. This years Hajj also saw Syrian pilgrims performing Hajj for the first time after a hiatus of 12 years. Syrian pilgrims traveled to Jeddah on the first direct flights from Damascus in more than a decade. Friday 06:00 PM (Makkah Time): Every nook and corner of the Tent City Mina is filled by the Hajj pilgrims who draped in two white sheets of clothing chant Talbiyah to register their presence for the annual ritual and seek forgiveness from the Almighty Allah - The Great. Hajj Pilgrims, who have come from all corners of the globe, began arriving in Mina in the early hours of Friday, Dhul-Hijjah 8, 1445 H to spend the Day of Tarwiyah immersed in supplications to God in the tent city for their forgiveness and salvation. Among those performing Hajj this year are also 3,322 guests of King Salman. There are also 2,000 Palestinian pilgrims among them. They are the relatives and family members of the Palestinians killed and injured in Gaza due to the Israeli Zionist war. The pilgrims will spend the Tarwiyah Day in prayers and meditation in their tents in preparation for Saturdays standing at Arafat, the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj. In Mina, located between Makkah and Muzdalifah some 7 kms northeast of the Grand Mosque, the pilgrims pray Dhuhr, Asr, Magrib, Isha and Fajr prayers. They shorten Dhuhr, Asr and Isha prayers to two Rakaats, following the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him), according to Saudi Gazette. Friday 12:00 PM (Makkah Time): Covered in two white sheets and chanting Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (Here I am O Allah, Here I am), close to 2 million Muslims from all across the world are on their way to Mina as the annual ritual of Haj begins Friday Dhul Hijjah 8th 1445 H, corresponding to June 14, 2024. Hajj is performed annually to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hager and their noble son Prophet Ismael (May peace be upon all of them). It begins on 8th of Dhul Hijjah - the last month of Islamic Calendar when pilgrims march to Mina for a night stay. [Pilgrims offering Maghrib prayers at Masjid al Khaif in Mina Friday June 14, 2024.] Before moving into Mina to mark the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj on Friday, the Day of Tarwiyah, the pilgrims draped in Ihram, had visited the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival). After staying in Mina Friday night, the pilgrims will proceed Saturday morning after Fajr to Arafat. Standing on the Plains of Arafat is the most important ritual of Hajj. Hajj Steps 1. Hajj begins with pilgrims wearing ahram two white sheets, and chanting Talbiyah (Labbaik) proceeding to Mina around 10 kms from Makkah on 8th day of Dhul Hjjah - the first day of Hajj called The Day of Tarwiyah. Pilgrims march to Mina after performing Tawaf Al-Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival). The pilgrims remain in the Tent City for a day and also spend there the night, praying, praying and praying. [Tent City Mina on Friday morning.] 2. After Fajr prayers in Mina, pilgrims will proceed to the Plains of Arafat. Standing on the plains of Arafat on 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the key ritual of Hajj. Pilgrims are required to be at Arafat till sun set. 3. At Arafat, Pilgrims combine Zuhr and Asr prayers , and also listen to the Hajj Sermon from Masjid Namirah. Sheikh Maher Al Muaiqly, the Imam and Khateeb of Masjid Al Haram, has been appointed as the Hajj Khateeb for the year 2024 (1445 AH) 4. Close to sunset on 9th of Dhul Hijjah the pilgrims will leave for Muzdalifah. Pilgrims should note that they will have to offer Maghreb prayers in Muzdalifah, and not in Arafat. Watch: Hajj 2024 Live Stream 5. After spending the night in Muzdailfah, pilgrims will in the morning on 10th of Dhul Hijjah proceed to Mina again for stoning of devil and to sacrifice animals. 10th of Dhul Hijjah also marks Eid al Adha. 6. After sacrificing animals, pilgrims will have to go to Makkah and perform Tawaf - circulate the Kaaba seven times (Tawaf e Ziyarat or Ziarah), and then Say between hills of Safa and Marwa. They then drink from Zam-zam well and return to Mina. 7. They will remain in Mina for the next 2 or 3 days, perform stoning of devil again and then return to Masjis Haram in Makkah for Farewell Tawaf. This makes the end of Hajj. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI The Government will consider allowing all localities in the country to develop free trade zones if they meet the necessary conditions and standards, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said. If established, these free zones will enjoy the same mechanisms as the a Nang Free Trade Zone, Dung said during a National Assembly (NA) panel discussion late last week. Earlier, the State has proposed allowing a Nang City to pilot the establishment of a a Nang Free Trade Zone connected to the Lien Chieu Seaport. The goal is to implement experimental policies and mechanisms to attract investment to the area. The Government is requesting the NA to allow a Nang City to pilot 30 unique mechanisms and policies, Dung said. Under a draft resolution on the urban administration and the piloting of specific mechanisms and policies for a Nangs development, the free trade zone will have a defined geographic boundary and be established by the Prime Minister's decision. Investment and infrastructure development for the functional zones will be decentralised to the a Nang People's Committee. The a Nang Free Trade Zone will offer investment incentives similar to an economic zone, such as corporate income tax incentives, land rental fee exemptions/reductions, along with other benefits. Businesses operating within the free trade zone will receive priority customs procedures. The a Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Park Authority will oversee the free trade zone, with the power to implement single-window, on-site mechanisms across different areas. However, Dung said, that the country's current laws do not yet have regulations governing the setup and operation of free trade zones, though it is a common global model used to promote international trade and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Tran Hoang Ngan, a National Assembly delegate from HCM City said he supports the development of free trade zones as many countries have achieved success with this economic model, especially those with advantages in seaports such as China (having 21 free trade zones) and Singapore (nine free trade zones) besides Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Over the past 30 years, free trade zones have developed effectively and contributed to the development of those countries, Ngan said. With a coastline of 3,260 km and 34 international seaports planned, Ngan said that Viet Nam has enjoyed favorable conditions for establishing free trade zones and a Nang will be a pioneer in implementing the pilot mechanism. According to Ngan, when a Nang successfully establishes a free trade zone, this economic model should be replicated immediately in many other localities that have similar characteristics such as having many seaports that can connect to free trade zones. Among them are Hai Phong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Khanh Hoa in addition to Binh inh, Quang Ngai, Can Tho, Tra Vinh and HCM City. NA delegate Nguyen Thi Yen from Ba Ria-Vung Tau agreed. She said that when the National Assembly passes the resolution on a Nang, which will include specific mechanisms and policies for the free trade zone, it should allow other localities to build the same zones and enjoy the same mechanisms and policies as the central city. Meanwhile, Phan Thai Binh, an NA delegate from Quang Nam Province emphasised the importance of drawing up regulations on state management for this economic model, which focuses on the management of financial services, supervision of foreign exchange transactions, international finance, taxes and other financial incentives under a specific mechanism. He also suggested that central agencies, relevant ministries , and departments create favorable conditions for allocating resources, funds , and other resources to help a Nang implement regulations on specific mechanisms, ensuring transparency and investment attraction. A breakthrough in administrative reform needed Minister Dung said there are two important policies for the a Nang Free Trade Zone besides preferential policies on tax, land, labour and resources. The first policy should be a breakthrough in administrative reforms. Dung offered a Tesla car factory in Shanghai (China) as a good example. It takes only 11 months for the factory with an investment scale of US$2-3 billion, from the start of construction to the time it is put into operation. Similarly, a commercial centre worth hundreds of millions of dollars from construction to completion takes only 68 days. The administrative procedure behind this success, Dung said, adding that his ministry supports a Nang's proposal to make a breakthrough in administrative procedure reforms, resulting in a one-stop-shop mechanism to facilitate foreign investment attraction. He also suggests allowing large corporations to establish offices in the city without a project. He explains that big companies don't come to the city to play and they will develop projects afterward. If the city got tied up at the beginning, it would lose the opportunity, Dung noted. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam exported 11,176 tonnes of cinnamon, worth for US$31.1 million in May, up 75 per cent in volume and 63 per cent in value month-on-month. India, Bangladesh and the US were the three main export markets of Vietnamese cinnamon with 4,514 tonnes, 1,693 tonnes, and 1,043 tonnes respectively. Notably, cinnamon exports to some markets saw a sudden increase in May, for example Indonesia up 600 per cent and China by 513.6 per cent. But over the whole five months the export of cinnamon reached 33,528 tonnes, worth $96.3 million, marking modest decreases of 1.1 per cent and 4.4 per cent compared to last year. Hoang Thi Lien, president of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA), said farmers have been continuously developing new farming techniques to improve the quality and productivity of cinnamon trees. In addition links between the farms and businesses have grown to gradually expand sustainable raw material areas. Viet Nam has dozens of companies investing in modern cinnamon processing lines for more quality products to meet market requirements. Among the 16 signed free trade agreements, many are of a new generation, such as the EU-Vietnam FTA, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) , and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which have helped Viet Nam maximise its tax advantage over other regions. Currently, Vietnamese unprocessed cinnamon is exported to nearly 100 countries around the world, accounting for 95 per cent of the Indian market's market share, 36.5 per cent of the US market's market share, and 35 per cent of the European market's market share. However, the export rate of processed cinnamon is only 18.6 per cent, or 18,659 tonnes, of which 70 per cent is exported to the US and 12 per cent to Europe. The sector aims to continue to improve post-harvest processing quality to increase exports to demanding markets in Europe and the US. It will step up trade promotion activities, build a brand identity on a national scale, encourage public-private partnership models and seek support resources and policy consultations in a long-term strategy of turning Viet Nam into the leading sustainable cinnamon supplier in the world. VNS HA NOI There needs to be a fundamental shift from strengthening management in state-owned-enterprises (SOEs) to consolidating and developing them, while building several large-scale, efficient economic groups capable of regional and international competition in key economic sectors, the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) has announced. The SCIC recommended unifying the different functions of state capital management, while separating it from representing state ownership and transiting from administrative management to capital investment and business management, especially once SOEs have been converted. In addition, there must be clear distinctions between SOEs solely owned by the state and those with partial state ownership due to their different operational mechanisms and purposes. Management of SOEs solely owned by the state often strive for political and social objectives; SOEs with partial state ownership may favour economic objectives, while trying to balance the interests of the state and other shareholders. SCIC leaders highlighted the role, assigned by the Politburo and contributions of the corporation in promoting the restructuring, renovation and enhancement of SOEs' efficiency and competitiveness. They said with the support of the government in introducing new policies and a more favourable legal environment, the SCIC will continue its operations effectively. An example would be under Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP (from May 12, 2022) when the government instructed the SCIC to support SOEs in fostering innovation, improving operational efficiency and mobilising resources. It was also an effort to enhance the role of the corporation, as a government investor, to attract additional financial resources into large, important enterprises and projects. Government support for the SCIC is implicit in the corporation's development strategy for 2021-2030, which has a vision to 2035 and focuses on promoting investment activities. In order to operate effectively, the SCIC has sent several suggestions to the government, proposing a separate chapter detailing regulations for enterprises with state capital investment and business functions, with greater authority given to the SCIC. The regulations should identify the decision makers at various levels in business and financial investment activities, evaluate overall portfolio efficiency, regulate external investment and remove current limits placed on some economic sectors. For political-social investment activities, the SCIC advised the government to develop a more appropriate evaluation method based on political-social objectives rather than just preserving state capital. In addition, there should be a specific mechanism for capital recall and increased flexibility for investments made by the SCIC. There should be a specific mechanism for capital withdrawal, increasing flexibility and initiative for SCIC's investments. The handling of enterprise charter capital should follow a separate mechanism and the SCIC should be credited with additional charter capital from receiving state ownership rights at transferred enterprises. The corporation also called for the clearing up of certain ambiguities that may cause issues in the SCICs operations, including the capital classification from ministries and localities. Since it was formed in 2006, the SCIC has taken over 1,081 SOEs in 25 groups and corporations with a total state capital exceeding VN32.34 trillion (US$1.27 billion), including large projects such as the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), the Vietnam National Seaproducts Corporation (Seaprodex), the Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex), the Infrastructure Development and Construction Corporation (Licogi), the Vietnam Steel Corporation, the Song a Corporation, and the Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (Sabeco). The SCIC also played a crucial role in introducing foreign investors into companies including the Hau Giang Pharmaceutical JSC, the Domesco Medical Import-Export JSC, the Tien Phong Plastic JSC and the Binh Minh Plastic JSC. SCIC helped sell state capital in 1,059 SOEs (as a whole in 955 and partially sold in 104) and sold purchase rights in 19 SOEs, generating VN51.84 trillion, 4.1 times the initial capital. VNS BEIJING Viet Nam has been the largest trading partner of Chinas Guangxi province for the past 25 years, and the building of a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance between the two countries has given Guangxi an important mission and brought about new historical opportunities for its development. Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Lan Tianli, stated this at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, during which he noted that thanks to geographical and cultural proximity, the traditional friendship between Guangxi and Viet Nam is becoming stronger and co-operation and exchanges closer. Lan reported that trade between Guangxi and Viet Nam neared 254 billion yuan (approximately US$35 billion) last year, and over 120.8 billion yuan in the first five months of this year, up 29.2 per cent and 36.8 per cent year-on-year, respectively. He said that with the advantage of being the only province of China connected to ASEAN by both land and sea, Guangxi will accelerate its connectivity with Viet Nam in terms of rail and road, and expand cross-border industrial cooperation, and exchanges in culture and tourism. According to the official, the Nanning-Chongzuo high-speed railway near the China-Viet Nam borderline, opened to traffic in 2022, and the construction of the Chongzuo Pingxiang section, which is adjacent to Viet Nam, is being sped up. Currently, Guangxi plans 13 highway routes to Viet Nam, with seven of those having been completed. Promoting the construction of cross-border standard-gauge rail connectivity as stated in the joint statement between the two countries will further enhance the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure between Guangxi and Viet Nam, he said. Last year, the trade of intermediate goods between Guangxi and Viet Nam grew rapidly, ranking first in China's total import and export turnover. In the past five months, the figure surged by 46 per cent. Therefore, Guangxi will attract and support more companies to enter border industrial zones such as Pingxiang and Dongxing, basing on smart logistics and border channels between the two countries to create cross-border supply and industrial chains with complementary advantages and mutual benefits, the official added. Guangxi is speeding up the construction of smart border checkpoints in border areas shared between the two countries. Once completed, goods will be processed through smart, unmanned, uninterrupted custom systems, and goods from Nanning to Ha Noi will be delivered within 24 hours, and to the four northern border provinces of Viet Nam within 12 hours. Guangxi will continue to diversify methods of exchange and cooperation with Viet Nam, contributing to strengthening the traditional friendship between the two nations, he affirmed. VNS HA NOI Capturing and updating information and new regulations for business on risks in the e-commerce market place are extremely important, said Nguyen uc Trung, deputy director of the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). The AED, with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), organised an information support workshop for businesses titled 'Laws on protection of consumer rights 2023 in the context of digitalisation and e-commerce' to help them navigate the new e-commerce waters. The workshop was aimed at helping businesses understand risks within the new market and find out about new regulations on protecting consumer rights. The MPI has built a business information portal about the digital ecosystem to support companies. It focuses on helping them understand new global trends such as responsible business, digital transformation, fourth generation technology applications, as well as connecting businesses. There is also a way to connect with a network of professional consultants. Pham Que Anh, a GIZ expert, outlined the opportunities and challenges for consumers when participating in e-commerce platforms operating across borders. "The challenge facing them today is the difficulty in identifying both the buyers and sellers, keeping their details private and keeping trading secure," Que Anh said. E-commerce develops rapidly, creating opportunities for consumers so there are more choices, including better goods and products and more competitive prices as the boundaries of the market are expanded. However, in the context of digital transformation and cross-border e-commerce, transactions take place on the Internet, on the seller's website or on a third-party platform. Consumers are not allowed to check the quality of goods so they have to rely on collecting information from previous research, or reviews from other buyers. That can be risky, as are the payment systems, often through a third party, or payment on delivery. Director of GIZ ASEAN SME Project Sita Zimpel emphasised that currently, many international commitments have been built to promote the protection of consumer rights in the context of digital transformation and e-commerce. In the region, the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan on Consumer Protection for the 2016-25 period has been approved by member states and last year ASEAN also launched a set of guidelines for protecting consumers while involved in e-commerce. She said these efforts were important in changing perceptions about consumer protection, aiming to harmonise legal regulations among countries in the region, thereby promoting sustainable trade. To harmonise with international commitments and resolve new issues arising in the context of a strong digital transformation, Deputy Head, Consumer Protection Division, National Competition Commission Ho Tung Bach said that the Law on Consumer Rights Protection was passed by the Vietnamese National Assembly last year and would officially take effect from July 1 this year. Specifically, the 2023 Law on Consumer Rights Protection expands the scope of foreign businesses providing products and services to consumers in Viet Nam. In addition, the law has many new regulations related to the protection of consumer information, vulnerable consumers, provision of digital platform services and responsibility for providing product recall. VNS A NANG Good quality air routes and convenient services would help create smooth conditions for boosting investment and tourism between the centre of Viet Nam and Taiwan. Its the reason Starlux Airlines, an international airline from Taiwan, will start a new route connecting the favourite destination of the Phu Quoc Islands and Taipei, following success on its routes from Ha Noi, HCM City and a Nang. The carrier's current flights include Ha Noi-Taipei, HCM City-Taipei, a Nang-Taichung, a Nang-Taipei and Phu Quoc-Taipei. Head of the Starlux office in a Nang, Elvis Chao, said the airlines has seen a significant growth of a Nang-Taiwan route since it resumed in 2022 and Starlux is one of five other airlines currently flying a Nang-Taiwan route. Currently we operate ten flights weekly from a Nang; including a daily flight to Taipei and three weekly flights to Taichung. Starlux also offers various US-bound routes for oversea Vietnamese people connect to a Nang, we are operating at Los Angeles, San Francisco, and from August, Seattle. He said Viet Nam is a very important market for Starlux and Taiwan Airlines aims to connect Viet Nam to North America via Taiwan, while a Nang is the main gateway into central Viet Nam. a Nang City is one of Taiwaneses favorite destinations in Southeast Asia because of its beautiful scenery and charming history, through promotion of social media and travel agencies. It is not only tourism, we have seen some Taiwanese enterprises moving their facilities to the a Nang high-tech park and in central Viet Nam, and more businesses from Taiwan expect to come, he said. It means that a Nang is equally important as the two other major cities in Viet Nam, while our airlines load factor remains high and keeps growing steadily in the Taiwan-a Nang route. The head said that the new routes connecting Taiwan and Viet Nam would further promote inward tourism and investment. We have carried several Vietnamese tour groups to Taiwan since 2024. Some passengers shared their experience on social media and we believe that with more sharing of such, more Vietnamese people would be interested in traveling to Taiwan, he explained. Currently our two main hubs in Taiwan, Taipei and Taichung, operate direct flights to a Nang. And in Viet Nam, besides a Nang, Ha Noi, HCM City and up-coming Phu Quoc, we are expecting more destinations in Viet Nam so please stay tuned. a Nang is one of the first destinations that Starlux started operations in 2020 and thanks to Viet Nams e-visa policy, the number of Taiwanese passengers is growing rapidly. Starlux has included self check-in and bag drop services to help create a more seamless and hassle free airport experience when flying with Starlux. The initiatives have led to it being voted one of the Tech-leading Airlines at a Nang International Airport by the international terminal operation AHT Company. Starluxs flights have already carried at least 9,000 passengers from Taiwan to a Nang. Elvis Chao stressed that in a competitive market, the Starlux ticket price is no different than other major full-service airlines, but its fleets are the newest and the service one of the highest quality. a Nang has called for investment from Taiwan in education and in hi-tech projects in the a Nang Information Technology Park. According to the city's Investment Promotion Centre, Chinese Taipei has invested in 20 projects worth US$188 million. Last year, Taiwans Foxlink International company started construction of an electronics factory project worth US$135 million, promising a surge in hi-tech industries at the green hub. VNS HA NOI Benchmark indices moved in different directions on Friday as blue-chip stocks saw a withdrawal in capital while market liquidity hit a three-week high. The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) finished the day at 1,279.91 points, down 21.6 points, or 1.66 per cent. On the southern bourse, the breadth was negative as 272 stocks ticked down, while 70 increased and 34 ended flat. Liquidity hovered above VN29.3 trillion (US$1.15 billion), an increase of 27 per cent from the previous session. The VN30-Index, tracking the 30 biggest stocks on HoSE by market capitalisation, also dropped 17.39 points, or 1.3 per cent, down to 1,316.46 points. The number of decliners surpassed gainers in the VN30 basket by 28 to two. Large-cap stocks in the banking and manufacturing sectors led the market's downturn, with Vietnam Rubber Group - Joint Stock Company (GVR) posting the biggest fall in market capitalisation of 6.65 per cent, contributing to a decrease of 2.1 points in the VN-Index. Banking stocks also saw poor performance on Friday. Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (VCB) declined 1.02 per cent, Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (CTG) fell 3.24 per cent, and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPB) tumbled 3.86 per cent. Losses were capped by gains in some pillar stocks, led by Vietnam Airlines JSC (HVN). Shares of the national airline brand rose 5.88 per cent, contributing nearly one point to the VN-Index. It was followed by Lien Viet Post Joint Stock Commercial Bank (LPB), which increased by 3.38 per cent and FPT Corporation (FPT) rose 0.77 per cent. The Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) index also finished lower on Friday afternoon, declining 1.77 per cent to 243.97 points. During the session, more than VN2.1 trillion worth of shares were traded, equivalent to a trading volume of over 107 million shares on the northern bourse. Foreign investors extended their net selling spree as they net sold over VN568 billion on HoSE. VNS HONG KONG Together with the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, companies from Vietnam are taking part in the Hong Kong International Travel Expo (ITE-2024) in Hong Kong (China) from June 13-16. ITE-2024, in its 38th edition, brings together more than 500 enterprises from over 60 countries and territories worldwide. Ngo Tri Hung, chief of the Vietnam Airlines branch in Hong Kong said that Hong Kong is a potential market for Vietnam tourism as it has a fairly high average income per capita and distance between Hong Kong and Vietnam is very close, just a short flight that takes only 1.5-2 hours. Vietnam Airlines, together with relevant agencies, is heavily promoting Vietnam's e-visa policy in Hong Kong to attract visitors. Ta Le Thanh, a representative from Ho Chi Minh City-based Hoang Tra Tourism Company said that this is the first time her company has attended the Hong Kong ITE. It wants to seek additional sources of tourists and show Vietnams beautiful landscapes to Hong Kong and international tourists. La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc va Caravelle Sai Gon Hotel are also newcomers to the Hong Kong ITE 2024. ITE Hong Kong is host to international airlines and travel companies. According to the expo organisers, this year, it expects to attract about 70,000 visitors and overseas exhibitors account for 80% of the total. VNS LANG SON The Lang Son Provincial Peoples Committee and the Viet Nam Singapore Industrial Park and Township Development Joint Stock Company (VSIP JSC) on Friday commenced the construction of VSIP Lang Son project the 16th of its kind in Vietnam. The VSIP Lang Son covers an area of nearly 600ha in two communes of Ho Son va Hoa Thang in Huu Lung District. The project has a total investment of VN6.4 trillion (US$250 million) with the investor VSIP JSC contributing over VN954 billion ($37.5 million). The first phase of the project is expected to be completed and go into operation in the third quarter of 2025 while the second phase will complete in September 2026 and the third phase in September 2027. The industrial park is expected to create about 40,000 jobs upon completion. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Lang Son Provincial Peoples Committee chairman Ho Tien Thieu said that the park would bring great benefits to the investors, help to increase the provinces industrial production value and goods production value, create more jobs and incomes for local people, and contribute to the local socio-economic development. It also helps show the provinces efforts in implementing administrative reforms, improving business investment climate and attracting investors, he said. Singaporean Ambassador to Viet Nam Jaya Ratnam said that the Viet Nam-Singapore IPs (VSIPs) are a symbol of bilateral relations between Singapore and Viet Nam. The unprecedented expansion of the chain of VSIPs in recent years reflects not only the strong interest of foreign investors in Viet Nam but also the success of the Vietnamese government in creating a favourable investment environment, he said. The diplomat expressed his hope that the VSIP Lang Son will play a key role in facilitating higher-quality investments from Singapore, especially in infrastructure development, supply chain services and logistics, green economy and agricultural processing, which are areas with strong potential and ample room for further development. The Singapore business federation will work with the Lang Son authorities to explore opportunities in those areas for companies from Singapore. VNS HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee discussed the draft Resolution on value added tax (VAT) reduction during its session on Thursday morning. Members of the NA Standing Committee basically agreed with the Government's proposal to extend the reduction of the VAT rate by two per cent for goods and services through the last six months of this year. The VAT rate, normally 10 per cent, was reduced to 8 per cent last year through June 30. They said that the VAT reduction of two per cent was appropriate for the current economic context. NA Deputy Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh emphasised that the economy is in the recovery process and still faces many difficulties, so the VAT reduction would motivate consumers to spend, creating space for production and business rehabilitation. It would also create a driving force for enterprises to invest in production and development, thereby contributing to the State budget as well as the economy. NA Deputy Chairman Nguyen Khac inh said that this is a new addition to the Law and Ordinance Building Programme this year, so the issue that needs to be considered is whether to submit a proposal and a verification report to the NA or not. Chairman of the NA Tran Thanh Man said that during the discussion session on the socio-economic situation and the State budget, the deputies were of the same mind to continue reducing VAT by two per cent in the last six months of the year. The NA Chairman asked the Government to complete the proposal and the Committee of Finance and Budget to complete the verification report to send to the NA delegates. The NA General Secretary will issue an official dispatch requesting the delegates to discuss the proposal and verification report in groups, then synthesise and insert the content in the NAs general resolution. Concluding the discussion, NA Deputy Chairman Nguyen uc Hai said that the NA Standing Committee agreed to submit documents to the NA for consideration and a decision on the VAT reduction following the Government's proposal. The NA Standing Committee suggested the Government ensure goals are set to avoid difficulties and obstacles during the implementation process. According to the NA's resolution, the government is responsible for conducting State budget collection tasks without affecting the revenue and overspending estimates for this year. It must guarantee revenue sources for estimated expenditure tasks as well as urgent requirements that arise. The Government should urgently complete the draft resolution to send to the NA and verification agencies. The Committee of Finance and Budget will officially check, clearly state its views and submit to the NA at an appropriate time arranged by the NA Office. Weapons management Also, in this session, the NA Standing Committee commented on the draft amended Law on the Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives, and Supporting Tools. Members of the NA Standing Committee proposed to develop specific articles on the management and use of highly lethal knives. Following comments from the NA deputies at the seventh session, lawmakers added the regulation of 'highly lethal knives' to the draft amended law in order to strengthen management and create a legal basis for preventing illegal knife-related activities. The NAs Committee for National Defence and Security proposed three levels of administrative violations for enforcing the knife law. Chairman of the committee Le Tan Toi stated that if highly lethal knives are used for production and daily activities, they are not considered weapons but must be strictly controlled. If they are used to commit a crime that causes public disorder or in opposition to organisations and individuals performing public duties, they will be defined as rudimentary weapons. If used to threaten peoples lives or health, they are considered military weapons. VNS LONDON A delegation of the central province of Nghe An led by Secretary of its Party Committee Thai Thanh Quy paid a working visit to the UK from June 11-13 to seek ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in trade, investment, hi-tech agriculture, tourism, and education. During his stay, Quy had working sessions with representatives of the government and the Chamber of Commerce of Newhaven, and the Communist Party of Britain. Several roundtables introducing investment potential and cooperation opportunities with Nghe An Province were also held, with the participation of representatives from the West London Chambers of Commerce, UK businesses, and Vietnamese enterprises in the host country. In Newhaven, the first place late President Ho Chi Minh set foot on when he came to the UK, the Nghe An delegation had a working session with Mayor Pinky McLean-Knight and representatives of the government and the Chamber of Commerce of the town. Quy said that Nghe An, the hometown of the late leader, is willing to accompany and join hands with Newhaven in expanding the exhibition space about him at the Newhaven Museum and providing digitised data on the President to serve the museum's operations. He expressed his hope to promote the two sides collaboration, firstly in culture and economics. Meeting Chair of the Communist Party of Britain Ruth Styles, Quy expressed wishes to expand cooperation with the Party, creating a premise to develop cooperative activities in other fields between Nghe An and UK localities. At a roundtable introducing the potential and opportunities for cooperation with Nghe An held in London, the provinces leader called for British businesses to invest in the locality, especially in the fields of high-tech agriculture, supporting industries, mechanical engineering, agricultural product processing, tourism, education, and training. He affirmed that local authorities always create favourable conditions for investors to do business in the province. CEO of the West London Chambers of Commerce (WLCC) Alan Rides said that the WLCC is willing to support Vietnamese businesses in connecting with partners in the UK to seek business opportunities in the country. VNS BRUSSELS Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu led a Vietnamese delegation to the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) held in The Hague on June 13. As part of the celebrations, the PCA gathered for the third-ever Congress of the Members of the Court the same day, which was the first held in the recent 25 years. Addressing the event, Vu congratulated the PCA and praised the crucial role and contributions by the court during its 125 years of operation to the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures. The PCA's contributions have helped shape international law, supporting the development of principles and norms for interactions among nations. By creating a mechanism for states to solve disputes peacefully, the PCA has evolved into a modern international dispute resolution institution, the Vietnamese representative stated. The official underlined that since Viet Nam became a PCA member in 2012, the countrys relationship with the court has seen great progress, with a notable milestone being the PCAs launching of a representative office in Ha Noi on November 24, 2022. Vu said that the Vietnamese Government attaches great importance to its partnership with the PCA, considering this an important component in the efforts to build a rule-of-law state with a strong judicial system and a contingent of highly qualified legal experts providing professional and standard legal services, thus promoting its deep and extensive international integration. He affirmed that Viet Nam aims to become an address for partners to settle regional and international disputes through peaceful means, conciliation and arbitration. Viet Nam's support and assistance ensure that the PCA representative office in Ha Noi operates effectively and smoothly, and demonstrate Viet Nam's strong commitment to promoting multilateralism, the United Nations Charter and other principles of international law, Vu said. The same day, he chaired a discussion on dispute solution in Asia-Pacific and the role of the PCA, aiming to review the importance of peaceful dispute solution mechanisms in the region, clarifying the role and contribution by the PCA in promoting dispute solution, identifying challenges, and proposing strategies to increase the effectiveness of PCA operations in the region. With a tradition of respecting and complying with international law, the region plays an important role with the mechanism to solve disputes by peaceful means, stated Vu, adding that the PCA representative office in Ha Noi and its very successful activities have shown the great potential of the peaceful dispute solution mechanism in the region. Also on June 13, Vu had meetings with PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak and The Hague Academy of International Law Secretary-General Jean-Marc Thouvenin, during which the Vietnamese official introduced Viet Nam's candidate for the position of Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026-35 tenure. At the meetings, participants reviewed outcomes of the activities implemented in 2023, and discussed their cooperation plan in the future. The PCA was established under the 1899 Hague Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and the 1907 Hague Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. The main mission of the PCA is to create favourable conditions for solving international disputes among countries and between countries and foreign legal entities in many fields. The Hague Academy of International Law is a prestigious education, training and research institution in the Netherlands, which was established in 1923, headquartered at the Peace Palace, The Hague. The academy is a centre for teaching and research on both public law and international justice. In 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the academy's support for Viet Nam through training programmes for legal experts specialised in international public law and justice, as well as strengthening cooperation between the two sides at multilateral forums. VNS SWITZERLAND Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang suggested the UN Trade & Development (UNCTAD) continue to support developing countries amidst global headwinds while addressing the Global Leaders Forum held in Switzerland on June 12-13 on the occasion of the UNCTADs 60th anniversary. Hang highlighted several challenges to global economic, trade and investment growth as well as sustainable development. These included the adaptability of developing countries failing to catch up with the worlds rapid and intensive changes, substantial gaps in development, technology and investment between nations, limited financial, human and natural resources, geopolitical tensions and increasing competition. Acknowledging the UNCTADs achievements and contributions to global trade and investment over the past six decades, the Vietnamese diplomat recommended the agency continue promoting multilateralism and global cooperation activities, developing open trade and investment to bring benefits to all stakeholders, and helping developing countries raise their voice during the process of building global policies, regulations and standards. The UN agency should support developing countries to enhance resilience to external shocks and multiple crises while linking its activities with the global agendas, she stressed. Spotlighting Viet Nam's economic achievements, development orientation as well as investment and international integration policies, Hang thanked the UNCTAD for its assistance to Viet Nam over the past time and expressed her hope that the agency will continue its support for the country's development path in the future. Viet Nam commits to supporting the UNCTADs cooperation targets and orientations, she underscored. On the occasion, Hang had meetings with UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, Director General of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum Mirek Dusek, and Cambodian Senior Minister in charge of International and Multilateral Trade and Economic Relations Sok Siphana. The foreign partners spoke highly of Viet Nam's economic achievements and agreed to bolster cooperation and accompany the country in its development path. VNS HA NOI President To Lam presented gifts to over 100 distinguished representatives from ethnic communities in border, sea and island areas during a meeting in Ha Noi on June 14. The honoured guests were participants in the second edition of the "Pillars of the Village" programme, jointly held by the Communist Review Editorial Board, the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, and the Border Guard High Command. In his address, President Lam commended the profound transformation of ethnic minority communities over the past 40 years of national renewal, noting that they have seen significant improvements in living standards and reductions in poverty rate exceeding the national average. The efforts and responsibility of village elders and chiefs, religious dignitaries and other community leaders have made them reliable pillars and key connectors between Party committees, authorities and people, Lam remarked, adding that they play a crucial role in driving socio-economic development and safeguarding national territorial sovereignty. The Communist Review, the VFF Central Committee and the Border Guard High Command also received praise for promoting exemplary individuals and fostering continued contributions to national development through the programme. The President asked ministries, agencies and localities to well perform the Party and State's ethnic affairs-related policies, uphold the strength of the great national unity bloc and improve the material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities. The vision is for Viet Nam to become a socialist-oriented high-income developed country by 2045, with rapid and sustainable development seen in ethnic minority, border, sea and island areas, he said. On the occasion, he called on reputable community figures to continue leveraging their roles as people's diplomats and ambassadors of peace. He encouraged them to actively disseminate the Party's policies and the State's laws, build clean and strong Party and mass front organisations, join patriotic movements, and contribute to local socio-economic development, while remaining vigilant against plots by hostile and reactionary forces. Maj. Gen. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Political Commissar of the Border Guard High Command, said ethnic minority communities in border areas still face considerable challenges. Notably, 35% of the prestigious individuals belong to the group aging 64-74, while 27% are aged 54-63. The programme also included representatives from 16 ethnic groups with very few members, such as Brau, Ro-mam, Pu Peo, Si La, Cong, Bo Y, Lo Lo, Mang, and Chut. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of National Defence held in Ha Noi on June 14 the first scientific conference on the national-level topic on the solidarity among Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia led by Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang. Over 30 presentations by generals, experts, and scientists nationwide were sent to the event, offering in-depth and objective analysis of the long-standing bonds among the three nations, serving as a foundation for a comprehensive compilation on the topic. Discussions focused on fundamental theoretical and historical issues regarding the process of building and developing the trilateral solidarity from 1930-1945, 1945-1954, and 1954-1975. Delegates proposed practical solutions to further strengthen ties between peoples as well as armies of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, maintaining peace, stability and sustainable development in the new situation. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, commended the valuable contributions made at the event. He called for a comprehensive analysis that considers the position and role of the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia ties in history, the relationship between their governments and armies, and the various factors influencing their ties in the new situation. This analysis, he said, should propose feasible solutions to continue consolidating and strengthening solidarity and friendship between the three nations. He also instructed the unit in charge of the topic to continue closely coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the timely and successful completion of future research endeavours on this topic. VNS SYDNEY A delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, headed by Vice Chairman Hoang Cong Thuy, visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia on June 14 as part of their working trip to the country. Expressing his pleasure at new developments in Vietnam-Australia relations, Thuy anticipated that the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership would achieve many positive outcomes in the time to come, particularly in people-to-people exchange. He commended the embassy's efforts in community development and acknowledged efforts from patriotic Vietnamese individuals and organisations in Australia to support their community and strengthen their connections with the homeland. The official said he is impressed by contributions of Vietnamese businesses, intellectuals, and students to Vietnam as well as to the two nations ties. For his part, Ambassador Pham Hung Tam informed the delegation of bilateral cooperation achievements following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Australia in March this year. He highlighted the important contributions of Vietnamese associations, especially those grouping businesspersons, intellectuals, and students, to the bilateral relationship and to the embassy's community work. VNS HCM CITY Two foreigners are wanted by authorities for their alleged involvement in illegal cross-border transfers of US$4.5 billion related to Van Thinh Phat group and its chairwoman, Truong My Lan. Chen Yi Chung and Chiu Bing Keung Kenneth, former executives of Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SCB), have fled the country after assisting Lan, currently on death row for financial fraud, effect the transfers. A police investigation found Lan and her accomplices illegally moved over $4.5 billion (VN107 trillion) and laundered VN445 trillion over a decade. Chung and Kenneth managed 11 subsidiaries of Van Thinh Phat and assisted Lan in moving over VN50 trillion into and out of the country, according to the police. Chung and Kenneth helped transfer VN16 trillion and VN34 trillion by faking contracts and agreements with foreign companies, the police said. Their current whereabouts are unknown. Lan is the mastermind behind the largest financial fraud in the country, involving asset misappropriation, illegal currency transfers and money laundering, the police said. She did not hold any position at SCB but owned over 90 per cent of it directly and through others, and a court found her guilty of manipulating the banks operations to borrow money and fund Van Thinh Phats operations. The police have also uncovered a scheme involving Van Thinh Phat, Tan Viet Securities and SCB and orchestrated by Lan to issue fake bonds to deceive investors, mostly SCB depositors. The 1,000-odd fake companies under the Van Thinh Phat group carried out fraudulent bond issuances worth some VN30 trillion ($1.24 billion) and sold them to over 35,000 victims, the police said. She has admitted her wrongdoing and promised to repay the victims, they said. They have seized substantial assets linked to the scam worth billions of dollars, including shares in various companies and properties, and are seeking to recompense the victims. At her trial in April, Lan received the death penalty for financial fraud at SCB and was also ordered to pay compensation of VN673.8 trillion ($27 billion) to the bank. Other bank executives and state officials involved in the scandal received various sentences ranging from three years to life for embezzlement and violating banking regulations. The arrest of Lan and her associates is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign aimed at cleaning up the banking sector. In 1992 she and her family founded Van Thinh Phat, one of the countrys most prominent real estate companies. While her arrest has exposed the massive scale of the fraud, experts have warned that the scandal is just the tip of the iceberg in the financial sector. The Government has blamed the Ministry of Finance and the central bank for their poor management of the sector that led to the scams. It has tightened bank ownership regulations and called for increased oversight to preclude future scandals. VNS HA NOI Students aged 15 and above will be allowed to work part time for up to 24 hours per week during the school year, an increase from the previously proposed 20 hours. The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs revised the regulations on student working hours in the latest draft amendment of the Employment Law. The previous draft proposed that students aged 15 and above could work part time for no more than 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 48 hours per week during vacations. However, after receiving feedback from various ministries and agencies, the drafting committee made adjustments to allow students enrolling in formal education programmes and meeting the legal working age to work part time for up to 24 hours per week during the school year. The new draft also removes the previous regulation of no more than 48 hours per week during vacations. Similarly, changes have been made regarding overtime pay. The earlier draft stated that student wages would be based on agreements between the employee and employer, considering actual working time, workload and job quality. The latest draft adds that student wages must be agreed upon between the employee and employer, but must not be lower than the hourly minimum wage. Other related regulations have also been adjusted. Specifically, students working part time must inform their educational institutions of their employment status. Employers must comply with labour laws when employing students. Educational institutions are responsible for monitoring and supporting student workers after they have informed the institution of their employment. Explaining these changes, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs stated that limiting weekly working hours ensures flexibility for students. Recently, the drafting committee sent an official letter to the Ministry of Justice requesting an appraisal of the amended Employment Law. On March 15, the committee sought feedback from various ministries, sectors, and localities on the draft amended Employment Law. The draft was also posted on the Government and ministry's electronic portals for public opinion. To date, hundreds of feedback documents regarding the draft amended law have been received from ministries, sectors, localities, organisations, businesses, and agencies. After considering and responding to the feedback from ministries, sectors, localities, international organisations, agencies and individuals, the drafting committee will continue to finalise the amended Employment Law. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam will hold military parades and marches on important upcoming national holidays, said Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army and also Deputy Minister of National Defence. At a conference on Thursday afternoon, he stated that the holidays include the 80th Anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army Foundation, the 35th Anniversary of the National Defence Festival and the 80th National Day. The military parades will be held solemnly, safely and economically. The participating forces will demonstrate the unity and regularity of the people's armed forces. They will also express the nations cultural identity and desire for peace. In addition to the parades and marching forces, there will be torch relays, fireworks and air force displays. The training process is divided into three stages before the official events. Agencies and units must get ready according to their planned tasks. They must strictly control the airspace, sea areas, border gates and border lines to ensure safety for the celebrations. Senior Lieutenant General Cuong directed relevant organisations to urgently begin preparations, especially assigning manpower, weapons and equipment to begin practice drills. He requested the General Department of Logistics and the Military Supplies Department to research costume designs and propose them to the Minister of National Defence for consideration. He also asked the Viet Nam Defence Industry to research and produce combat helmets for the forces. Units with military artillery forces must soon have training courses, and search for spaces that are suitable for practising. Senior Lieutenant General Cuong required the Department of Military Training to receive comments at the conference and seek opinions from central and local departments and ministries to complete the plan for the parades. The plan will first be submitted to leaders of the Ministry of National Defence, then the Prime Minister for approval. VNS HA NOI Abbott healthcare company and Blood Centers of America, the largest blood supplier network in the United States, have launched a first-of-its-kind mixed reality blood donation experience in Viet Nam. The experience is already available at some blood donation centres in New York, Chicago, Columbus, Houston and Dallas, and will continue to roll out to blood donation centres across the US in 2024. For the first time, this mixed reality experience is being introduced to Abbott employees in Viet Nam to help enhance their blood donation experience during the company's internal blood donation events. The organiser collected more than 200 units of blood at two blood donation events in HCM City on June 12 and in Ha Noi on June 14. The events are being held to celebrate World Blood Donor Day, June 14. It is one of many efforts from the company to provide employees with opportunities to help change peoples lives for the better. The mixed reality experience is designed to make donation more fun and relaxing, providing a distraction to donors who might be apprehensive about donating or who have never donated. Mixed reality is similar to virtual reality, but allows users to see the real world around them. Participants wear lightweight mixed reality headsets to enter a digital world with colourful plants and soothing music but remain fully aware of their surroundings, ensuring a safe donation. The mixed reality experience is scientifically proven to help ease feelings of anxiety, based on results from a recent study published in the medical journal Transfusion. The most common fears reported in the study were a fear of pain, needles, fainting and how one may feel after donation. The results show Abbott and BCAs mixed reality experience helped relieve reported anxiety for most people who tried it while donating blood. In donors with pre-donation anxiety, the use of mixed reality decreased anxiety in 68.4 per cent of donors. 89.2 per cent of donors reported they were very or extremely likely to donate again. The mixed reality experience allows blood donation professionals to conduct the donation and interact with donors at every step of the process. Donors eyes are always visible during donation to ensure constant monitoring and evaluation. Being a leader in transfusion medicine, Abbott works with blood and plasma centres to screen more than 60 per cent of the worlds blood supply, helping to keep the global blood supply safe. Abbott is a diversified healthcare company. Their portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the wide spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and medicines. Being in Viet Nam for nearly three decades, Abbott and the Abbott Fund have invested nearly VN280 billion (over US$12 million) to help address critical health issues, with a focus on improving nutrition, preventing and treating chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems, training medical professionals and raising public awareness on healthcare. VNS HA NOI Thanks to sustainable growth signs recently, General Director of the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) Nguyen The Manh remains optimistic that the coverage rate of health insurance will exceed 94% by the end of this year. Addressing a regular conference held in Ha Noi on June 14 to make social insurance information public, Manh said that in the second quarter of 2024, good results were seen in the number of people joining social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, about 18.3 million people participated in social insurance, resulting in a coverage rate of 39.05% of the workforce, an increase of 1.16 million people (6.77%) over the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the number of people joining health insurance increased by 1.22 million, or 1.37% year on year, said Manh. In the first half of this year, the insurance sector paid social insurance benefits to nearly 8 million people, while coordinating with the labour, invalids and social affairs sector to provide unemployment benefits to 442,380 people. At the same time, 89.55 million people enjoyed health care services using health insurance cards with a total amount of benefits reaching over VN66.92 trillion (US$2.62 billion), said the VSS leader. He said that the VSS has become one of the seven agencies to complete the administrative simplification plan related to resident management. The sector also saw progress in communications activities, with the issuance of 44 press releases, bulletins and about 16,000 articles published in mass media so far this year. VNS BUV's commitment to sustainability and its strategic initiatives towards environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals positions it as a leader in shaping the future of education and sustainable development in Vietnam. Making an impact: BUVs ESG leadership BUV has established itself as a key player in the national and international arena by actively engaging in sustainability initiatives. The universitys capacity to shape national events is evident in its significant contributions to the ESG agenda. By hosting and sponsoring conferences such as the 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference, BUV underscores its role in promoting sustainability, enhancing its brand visibility, and positioning itself as a thought leader in this critical field. BUV is dedicated to building a green and inclusive institution. Our park campus is located right at the heart of Ecopark township, surrounded with green trees and designed with sustainability in mind, says Thuy Nguyen, COO at BUV. Buildings occupy only 20 per cent of the land, allowing for extensive green spaces, natural lighting, and ventilation to minimise reliance on chemical systems. Enhanced brand visibility BUVs active involvement in sustainability initiatives significantly enhances its brand visibility. The university reaches a diverse audience of stakeholders, including investors, businesses, and sustainability experts, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation. These interactions open up valuable networking opportunities, paving the way for potential collaborations and partnerships that can further amplify BUVs impact. At the 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference, BUV showcased its strategies and initiatives, demonstrating its dedication to sustainability. Sustainability is integrated into our teaching and learning processes, promoting an eco-friendly mindset. Our curriculum includes sustainability-focused modules, fostering a deep understanding of environmental and social issues among our students, added Nguyen. Positioning as a thought leader BUV leads by example and inspires not just other institutions but also anyone who set foot on its campus. As an educator, BUV does not just educate its students, but also influences others in its communities and society through various engagement activities. The university aims to create a culture where its staff, students, and communities become the influencers themselves, who then continue to spread their impact and widen the circles of influence. When it comes to ESG, BUVs strategic initiatives are comprehensive. We have implemented various initiatives to support sustainability, such as an LED lighting system, rainwater reuse for landscaping, and a composting system for food waste, explained Nguyen. Sustainability is also a core part of our curriculum, with modules focused on business ethics and tourism planning that emphasise long-term environmental considerations. Key sustainability initiatives The university promotes sustainability through various efforts, including energy conservation, waste reduction, and the adoption of eco-friendly practices. These initiatives reduce the university's environmental footprint and serve as a model for other institutions to follow. Accordingly, BUV has implemented an LED lighting system across its campus, which saves 75 per cent of energy. This initiative significantly reduces the universitys carbon footprint and operational costs. BUV has a comprehensive waste management system, including a composting system initiated by its hospitality scheme. Food waste is turned into compost, which is then used to grow herbs and plants. This reduces waste and supports the universitys eco-friendly practices. BUV is promoting the use of bus services among its community to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the campus design maximises natural lighting and ventilation, reducing dependence on chemical systems and furthering its commitment to sustainability. Inclusive education In an effort to raise sustainability awareness, BUV has launched a series of activities. One notable example is the BUV Green Project, a BUV student organisation on sustainable development and environmental issues. Students are encouraged not only to excel academically but also to grow as confident, well-rounded individuals. To support this mission, BUV has developed a personal and social growth programme, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities in diverse areas, including various projects related to ESG. Additionally, BUV is also dedicated to providing job opportunities for people with disabilities, collaborating with organisations like the Students Disability Resource and Development Organization. The university ensures its facilities are accessible and provides the necessary equipment to support all employees, fostering an inclusive work environment. Sponsorship of Vietnam ESG Investor Conference The path to net-zero commitments in 2050 is long enough for new generations to emerge and take over current ESG efforts. In order to nurture ESG-oriented workforce for the future, education must be at the forefront as a key driver. Acknowledging this mission, BUV also partners alongside corporates and other institutions to promote interdisciplinary learning, encourage students to engage in research projects, fostering a spirit of inquiry and innovation that advance ESG goals. As a sponsor of the 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference, BUV demonstrates its commitment to leading discussions on sustainability and investment in education, highlighting the universitys dedication to ESG principles as well as providing a platform to share its successes and challenges with a broader audience. Moving forward By the end of 2024, BUV will receive the EDGE Certificate, a globally recognised standard awarded by The International Finance Corporation to certify the sustainability of green buildings. The university will also plan to have solar panels installed on campus, further strengthening its commitment to forging a sustainable future. BUV seeks collaboration and partnerships with industry leaders to collectively push forward ESG initiatives. By creating an inclusive culture and adapting our practices to support all employees, we enhance our overall work environment and attract top talent, said Prof. Rick Bennett, deputy vice chancellor of British University Vietnam. Our journey towards sustainability continues, and we hope our achievements inspire others to join us in creating a greener future. Ho Chi Minh City takes a green path Ho Chi Minh City is choosing green growth as its future development strategy, seeking funding for almost 30 priority projects to help achieve economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. Levelling up green logistics requires a helping hand While international companies are getting involved in green logistics in Vietnam, much needs to be overcome before the industry can fully thrive. The VSIP Lang Son covers an area of nearly 600 ha in two communes of Ho Son and Hoa Thang in Huu Lung district. (Photo: VNA) Lang Son The Lang Son provincial Peoples Committee and the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park and Township Development Joint Stock Company (VSIP JSC) on June 14 commenced the construction of VSIP Lang Son project the 16th of its kind in Vietnam. The VSIP Lang Son covers an area of nearly 600 ha in two communes of Ho Son and Hoa Thang in Huu Lung district. The project has a total investment of 6.361 trillion VND (nearly 250 million USD) with the investor VSIP JSC contributing over 954 billion VND. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed and go into operation in the third quarter of 2025 while the second phase will complete in September 2026 and the third phase in September 2027. The industrial park is expected to create about 40,000 jobs when all the three phases turn operational. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Chairman of the Lang Son provincial Peoples Committee Ho Tien Thieu said that the IP will bring great benefits to the investor, help to increase the provinces industrial production value and goods production value, create more jobs and incomes for local people, and contribute to the local socio-economic development. The industrial park also helps show the provinces efforts in implementing administrative reforms, improving business investment climate and attracting investor, he said. Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam said that the Vietnam-Singapore IPs (VSIPs) are a symbol of bilateral relations between Singapore and Vietnam. The unprecedented expansion of the chain of VSIPs in recent years reflects not only the strong interest of foreign investors in Vietnam but also the success of the Vietnamese Government in creating a favourable investment environment, he said. The diplomat expressed a hope that the VSIP Lang Son will play a key role in facilitating higher-quality investments from Singapore, especially in infrastructure development, supply chain services and logistics, green economy and agricultural processing, which are areas with strong potential and ample room for further development. The Singapore business federation will work with the Lang Son authorities to explore opportunities in those areas for companies from Singapore. VSIP Quang Ngai contributing to foreign investment attraction After a decade of developing infrastructure towards international standards for a professional, green, and environmentally friendly industrial park, Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Quang Ngai is a bright spot in attracting foreign investment into the province. Sembcorp secures investment licence for VSIP Ha Tinh On December 29, Sembcorp Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), announced the addition of Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park Ha Tinh (VSIP Ha Tinh) to its portfolio. Before joining Japfa Comfeed Vietnam in January, you had over 30 years of experience in the livestock industry. How will you use this experience to help the company achieve sustainable development amid the market's ongoing transformation? Clemens Tan, general director of Japfa Comfeed Vietnam Before joining Japfa Group, I had over 30 years of experience in the livestock industry, working for an American company in the Malaysian, Indonesian and Chinese markets. In November 2020, I officially joined Japfa Group as commercial director, overseeing four markets: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Since January of this year, I have been general director of Japfa Comfeed Vietnam. Vietnam is a key market for Japfa Group, demonstrated by the company's continuous and robust investment in recent years to complete the feed-farm-food supply chain. This strategy not only helps the company achieve its goal of strong growth in Vietnam and exporting products from Vietnam to international markets, but also contributes to promoting the integration and development of Vietnam's livestock industry in a safe, efficient, and sustainable direction. With extensive management experience in developed livestock markets such as Indonesia and China, and a deep understanding of the Vietnamese market, I and the leadership team at Japfa Comfeed Vietnam are undertaking a major restructuring of the company. This effort aims to adapt and grow strongly in the new context of the domestic livestock market. Based on your extensive experience, what do you see as the key challenges and opportunities in Vietnam's livestock market? The livestock industry in Vietnam holds immense potential and offers outstanding growth opportunities. In recent years, the sector has seen impressive development, marked by modern infrastructure and improvements in both quantity and quality. Livestock now accounts for 27 per cent of the agriculture sector. Notably, animal feed production has grown by 13-15 per cent annually, reflecting the sector's robust expansion. Vietnam's livestock infrastructure is also evolving towards modernisation. The livestock industry in Vietnam holds immense potential and offers outstanding growth opportunities Moreover, Vietnam is forecast to maintain a high economic growth rate within the region this year and in the coming years. Government policies encouraging businesses to invest in modern technology and sustainable practices further support the livestock industry's growth. This creates promising opportunities for foreign investors, such as Japfa. However, the industry faces several challenges. Disease outbreaks and fluctuating feed prices are big hurdles. Vietnam's dependence on imported raw materials for animal feed makes it vulnerable to global political and economic fluctuations, which heavily impact feed prices accounting for up to 70 per cent of production costs in livestock farming. A second major challenge is dealing with disease outbreaks. Recently, we have suffered losses due to diseases affecting pigs and poultry, necessitating substantial investments in biosecurity. We have invested significantly in building facilities, establishing protocols, using disinfectants, and conducting tests to prevent disease intrusions. Thirdly, consumers today are increasingly concerned about safe, high-quality products but also demand lower prices. This presents another challenge for us. In every opportunity lies a challenge. At Japfa, we are implementing effective transformation strategies to overcome obstacles and explore opportunities to earn the right to grow in Vietnam. Could you share more details about the restructuring strategy Japfa is implementing? Since the beginning of this year, we have developed and initiated a comprehensive restructuring plan with the spirit of transformation. This plan will shape the direction of Japfa Comfeed Vietnam for years to come. The core of the plan is to improve performance, optimise costs, and establish a dynamic business model. Our focus on integrating AI technology and a data-driven approach is enabling us to make informed strategic choices, enhancing efficiency, safeguarding animal health, and minimising expenses. These strategic initiatives are paving the way for sustained and prosperous growth. In the short term, the company will establish a new structure and evaluate operational processes to provide effective solutions and maximise support for Japfa Comfeed Vietnam's activities. In the following years, projects promoting digital transformation to simplify processes and develop a cohesive working environment will be implemented. We will continuously innovate and improve operations, fostering a culture of continuous learning throughout employees' development. In the long term, we aim for sustainable production and business. The application of advanced production technologies, the creation of a cohesive work environment, and a focus on shared prosperity for the communities where we operate will be our guiding principles. Japfa Comfeed Vietnam is undergoing major restructuring for future sustainable growth Alongside infrastructure modernisation, Vietnam's livestock industry is introducing stringent regulations to promote green and sustainable development. How is Japfa addressing this issue? Green production is not just a global trend, it is the right thing to do. With our commitment to sustainable development in Vietnam, we began tightening the construction and operation of our farms over the past three years. Although this has incurred remarkable costs, the modernisation and establishment of biosecure systems have brought numerous benefits for sustainable livestock farming, aligning with current business and production trends. This effort underscores our core value of providing consumers with high-quality and safe products. One of the key goals for the Vietnamese livestock industry is to enhance exports of livestock products to foreign markets. Does your company have any plans to export its livestock products to other countries where Japfa group operates? Last year, we launched the Binh Phuoc slaughterhouse, marking a milestone in completing the feed-farm-food supply chain, and enabling Japfa Comfeed Vietnam to export livestock products to foreign markets in the future. Regarding the export markets for Japfa's livestock products from Vietnam, we are exploring potential export opportunities in the Middle East, Asia, and other markets. In Southeast Asia, we have the opportunity to export to Singapore, a market where our parent company in Indonesia is also striving to export Japfa products. I believe that exporting Japfa Vietnam's livestock products to foreign markets holds great potential. This potential is clearly reflected in the Vietnamese government's commitment to developing a sustainable and disease-free livestock industry, as well as its substantial support for export activities. Currently, we are in the process of completing the necessary procedures and are ready to implement our livestock product export plans in the near future. Japfa and partners join hands to support children in Binh Phuoc On September 14 and 16, Japfa Vietnam and its stakeholders presented gifts and outdoor playground equipment to four preschools in Dak Nhau and Long Ha communes in Binh Phuoc province. Japfa Vietnam accompanies children to schools Japfa Vietnam has collaborated with livestock feed agents to organise gift-giving activities for preschool and elementary school students at seven schools in Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, and Tuyen Quang provinces in early September. Japfa Comfeed fortifies operations in Vietnam Japfa Comfeed Vietnam is consolidating its operations via plans to transfer technology, develop animal breeding, and produce vaccines. Nghe An busts drug trafficking ring from Laos to Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Nghe An Police in Vinh city of the central province of Nghe An announced on June 14 that they have busted a transnational drug trafficking ring from Laos to Vietnam, detaining two suspects, and seizing over 20kg of drug and related evidence. One of the suspects is Xayyasone Xay, born in 1990, residing in Vieng Thong district, Bolikhamxay province, Laos. Through investigation, the police discovered that several foreigners frequently engaged in suspicious activities related to drug trafficking in the border area of Thanh Chuong district. Xayyasone Xay was arrested on June 12 with a backpack containing 3 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 170,000 synthetic drug pills in a joint operation led by the Vinh citys police in collaboration with colleagues from Thanh Chuong district and the Thanh Thuy Border Guard station. Police also arrested Xays accomplice Le Ngoc Duong, born in 1990, residing in Vinh city. The case is under further investigation. Nghe An woos five foreign-led projects worth $311 million At a conference on December 13 to announce Nghe An province's planning for the period towards 2030, six new projects in Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone worth a combined $390 million were granted investment policy decisions and registration certificates. The decision included five foreign-invested projects valued at $311 million. Nghe An planning: going from fact to act With two key master plans announced on January 13, the key to Nghe Ans success lies in its ability to mobilise strong human resources, distinctive potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages. RoK locality hires Vietnamese seasonal agricultural labourers, Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Seoul - An agricultural cooperative of Gangjin district in South Jeolla province of the Republic of Korea (RoK) is hiring 20 Vietnamese workers under a five-month contract starting from April 22 to harvest onions and garlic This part of a model to hire seasonal migratory agricultural labourers to cope with severe shortages of labourer in rural areas, which has been piloting in the province. The project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, aiming to support localities facing difficulties in hiring labourers for working in rural areas. Accordingly, cooperatives are hiring foreign labourers and provide manpower to small farms which cannot hire laborers directly. To implement the project, in 2023, the Gangjin administration directly signed a cooperation agreement on providing seasonal labourers with Phung Hiep district in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang. According to Yoon Jae-seon, Director of the Gangjin agricultural cooperative, the signing of contracts by cooperatives will help ensure legal and safety conditions for guest workers when they work in the RoK. Local authorities are also striving to ensure that foreign workers can integrate and have stable living conditions, he added. The South Jeolla administration reported that the number of foreign labourers working under the locality's seasonal work system has reached 3,846. Operating since 2017, the system has proven effective in addressing labourer shortages in rural areas. An overview of the working session between a delegation of press agencies in the Republic of Korea and leaders of Thai Binh province (Photo: VNA) Thai Binh - A delegation of press agencies in the Republic of Korea paid a working visit to Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park in the northern province of Thai Binh on June 13. At a reception held for the delegation, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Khac Than briefed the guests about Thai Binh's development potential and opportunities, stressing that it pays special attention to infrastructure development and transport connectivity. The province has a coastal economic zone with 30,583 ha of land, along with over 8,000ha of clean land ready for investors. The province pays great attention to creating an open and attractive investment environment for domestic and foreign investors, he said, highlighting its attractive incentives and abundant workforce. The official went on to say that the province sees the RoK as a comprehensive strategic partner and has organised many investment promotion activities, aiming to boost cooperation between Thai Binh and the East Asia nation. According to Than, the province has sent several delegations to the RoK and held events in Vietnam to promote investment. He cited the Thai Binh - RoK cultural exchange and business connection programme called "Thai Binh Homecoming Day" which took place in December last year as a typical example. The provincial leader expressed his hope that the RoKs media will help popularise the land, people, and culture of Thai Binh province as well as its potential, advantages, and willingness to cooperate with Korean business community, thereby further fostering cooperation and investment promotion between Thai Binh and the RoK. During the visit, the RoK press delegation also visited the construction site of a plant of RoKs HiteJinro Group in Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park. Established in 2021, the park has so far attracted more than 20 projects with a total investment capital of more than 1.3 billion USD. Thai Binh boosts investment, trade cooperation with Germany A delegation from the northern province of Thai Binh, led by Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Khac Than, visited several localities and business organisations in Germany from March 25 to 27, in a bid to enhance trade cooperation with and attract direct investment from the European nation. Land clearance for $2 billion Thai Binh LNG power plant set for completion in January 2025 Thai Binh authorities are working with the investor to complete site clearance for a $2 billion LNG power plant in the northern province by January 2025. . , . , . , . . A Robinson teen was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder Thursday for his role in luring a 22-year-old Waco man to his death in September 2021. Edgar Castillo, 18, was initially arrested on a capital murder charge when he was 15 years old. He pleaded guilty in Wacos 54th State District Court to a lesser included first-degree felony charge of murder in the Sept. 19, 2021, shooting death of Israel Martinez. Judge Susan Kelly sentenced Castillo according to a negotiated plea deal Castillo reached with prosecutors. The state also declined to move forward on third-degree felony charges of auto theft and evading arrest in a vehicle that Castillo faced. Martinez died of a bullet wound in 2200 block of Gurley Avenue, affidavits in the case say. Investigators determined Castillo and Jeremiah Marquez, 19, worked with Justin Angel Hernandez, 22, to lure Martinez to the Gurley Avenue home to rob him, which ultimately led to his death, the affidavits say. Affidavits in the case indicate the trio lured Martinez to the Gurley Avenue home using a false Facebook account. Hernandez was primarily associated with the account and has used it to scam money from several men, the affidavits say. Hernandez, who was arrested in November 2021, and Marquez, who was arrested in December 2022, remain jailed on capital murder charges and have court hearings scheduled in the coming weeks. During Thursdays hearing, Castillos defense attorney, Jonathan Sibley, asked to clarify whether the maximum sentence for Castillo was in fact 99 years, because Castillo was 15 at the time Israel Martinez died. Maximum sentencing ranges may be different for defendants charged as juveniles. Because Judge Gary Coley, the juvenile court judge who heard Castillos case, certified Castillo to be tried as an adult, he has the same sentencing range as an adult defendant, McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Kristi DeCluitt said. Sibley asked that no deadly weapon finding be made against Castillo, which can affect parole eligibility in some cases. Kelly made no deadly weapon finding but said Castillo would still have to serve at least half of his 30-year sentence before he could be eligible to seek parole. Israel Martinez was the father of a young child and the brother of Valarie Martinez, 24, who was fatally shot along with her 1-year-old daughter, Azariah, at Tradinghouse Lake in November 2017. A McLennan County jury in April convicted Christopher Paul Weiss, 32, of Temple, of capital murder in Azariahs death and sentenced him to life in prison without possibility of parole. Prosecutors did not proceed on charges against Weiss in the death of Valarie Martinez, leaving those counts active. WEST DES MOINES UnityPoint Health has named Dr. Gregory R. Johnson as chief medical officer of the organization, effective July 8. As chief medical officer, Johnson will lead UnityPoint Healths provider workforce and enterprise-wide initiatives focused on quality of care, patient experience, safety, care coordination and service line development, according to a news release. Johnson comes to UnityPoint Health with more than 15 years of clinical executive experience, most recently as chief executive officer hospital medicine and chief health equity and diversity officer at Sound Physicians in Tacoma, Washington, a multispecialty medical group practicing community-based medicine in 400-plus hospitals across 45 states. He also served as chief medical officer hospital medicine and chief medical officer Gulf Region while at Sound Physicians. Were thrilled to welcome Dr. Johnson to our organization, as he is a strategic, forward-thinking leader who is committed to delivering exceptional, compassionate care to our patients and communities, said UnityPoint Health President and CEO Scott Kizer. I look forward to joining the UnityPoint Health team, said Johnson. My experience is grounded in finding ways to improve quality outcomes, address health inequity and support clinicians so we can truly meet the needs of each community. Johnson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the McGovern School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He completed his residency training in both internal medicine and family practice at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, where he also served as chief resident. China unveils rules for fair competition reviews Xinhua) 10:04, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree, introducing regulations for fair competition reviews. From Aug. 1, administrative agencies and organizations legally authorized to manage public affairs must conduct fair competition reviews when formulating laws, rules and policies related to business activities, according to the regulations. While allocating duties to both central and local government departments, the regulations outline specific standards for fair competition reviews. For instance, relevant contents that could restrict market entry or exit, the free flow of goods and business operations should not be contained in new policy measures. The regulations also stress that stakeholders and public opinions should be taken into account during reviews to safeguard their interests. In its new development paradigm, China prioritizes the establishment of a unified national market characterized by high efficiency, standardization, openness, and fair competition. The Chinese government has pledged to eliminate regulations and practices that impede a unified market, ensure that all types of enterprises can participate in fair competition, and better protect the legitimate rights and interests of all business entities. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) CEDAR FALLS The Iowa Supreme Court has sunk a lawsuit brought by a man who was injured by The Falls Aquatic Centers alleged criminal diving board. Ron Myers, 49, had to undergo surgery to repair a tendon after attempting a can opener dive and slipping on the 16-foot-long diving board in July 2019. He took the city of Cedar Falls, which operates The Falls, to court over his injury, claiming the board was too slippery. The city claimed it was protected by qualified immunity. Myers attorney countered that qualified immunity didnt apply because the board didnt have the proper slip resistant coating. Iowas public health statues mandate that diving boards have a slip-resistant surface and Iowa code indicates that violations of the states health code are misdemeanor crimes. The government cant use qualified immunity to defend against crimes, Myers attorney argued, and the Iowa Court of Appeals agreed in a May 2023 opinion. Diving board suit back on deck following appeal ruling A lawsuit over an alleged slippery diving board at the Cedar Falls municipal pool may resurface following a ruling by the Iowa Court of Appeals. But on Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court reversed the appeals ruling and found the city is immune from liability in the case. The legislature did not make violating swimming pool regulations a criminal offense, the rulings reads. The decision overruled earlier liability case law stemming from a 2010 incident where two teens drowned in a Pella pool, finding the Pella opinion was erroneous and the ramifications became murkier after the state merged the Iowa Department of Health and the Iowa Department of Human Services into the Department of Health and Human Services. Because of the merger, any knowing violation of an HHS rule or lawful order, written or oral, of the department or of its officers, or authorized agents could now be a crime. So if a parent disobeys the instruction of an HHS caseworker, they may have committed a crime. That is astonishingly broad . . . and wrong, Fridays ruling reads. During earlier arguments, the city of Cedar Falls noted that the board was installed with slip-resistance coating. It also noted state code doesnt dictate how much slip resistance a board should have, and regular Health Department inspections never turned up warnings or citations for the boards. PHOTOS: Doggie Dip at The Falls 2022 081522jr-doggie-dip-1 081522jr-doggie-dip-3 081522jr-doggie-dip-4 Dog days of summer 081522jr-doggie-dip-6 081522jr-doggie-dip-7 081522jr-doggie-dip-8 081522jr-doggie-dip-9 081522jr-doggie-dip-10 081522jr-doggie-dip-11 081522jr-doggie-dip-12 081522jr-doggie-dip-14 081522jr-doggie-dip-15 081522jr-doggie-dip-16 081522jr-doggie-dip-17 081522jr-doggie-dip-18 081522jr-doggie-dip-19 081522jr-doggie-dip-20 081522jr-doggie-dip-21 081522jr-doggie-dip-22 081522jr-doggie-dip-23 081522jr-doggie-dip-2 IOWA CITY Both University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson and Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen will get $60,000 pay raises in the budget year starting July 1, following performance evaluations this week by their governing Board of Regents. University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook will get a $25,000 boost to his annual base pay, along with a contract extension through 2027. The regents unanimously approved the pay increases Thursday without discussion or making comments on the presidents performance over the last year which was discussed in closed sessions at the presidents requests Tuesday and Wednesday. The $60,000 base pay increase for Wilson who last year received a $50,000 raise and a contract extension through June 30, 2028 will bring her annual salary to $760,000. Wintersteens raise will bump her annual pay up to $710,000. Her salary stayed flat last year, but regents extended her contract through June 30, 2026. And Nooks $25,000 increase his largest since taking the helm in 2016 at $357,110 will bring his annual base pay to $397,110, after landing his first raise last year of $15,000. The board also extended Nooks deferred compensation agreement through 2027 adding $100,000 a year between July 2025 and June 2027. Regents this week did not touch the deferred compensation agreements with Wilson and Wintersteen who last summer received an extension and a new plan, respectively. Specifically, the regents in 2023 extended Wilsons deferred compensation plan which was supposed to pay her $2.2 million in 2026 through 2028, when shell get a $2.5 million payout. In addition to the $733,333 deferred compensation Wintersteen got last summer and another $80,000 payout shes getting this year, regents in 2023 established a new plan making annual $415,000 contributions through Dec. 31, 2025 amounting to $1.04 million. In addition, regents Thursday extended their contract with board Executive Director Mark Braun through 2029 establishing a new deferred compensation plan paying him $155,000 annually through June 30, 2026. The board took the action just before giving final approval of tuition increases across all three campuses and at all levels bringing total base tuition and fees for resident undergraduates to $11,283 at the UI; $10,786 at ISU; and $9,936 at UNI. When looking nationally and across the regent universities peer institutions, the presidential compensation is lower than many but higher than some. The University of Illinois from where the UIs Wilson was hired earlier this year extended system President Timothy Killeens contract and salary of $916,770. University of Michigan President Santa Onos base salary is $1.014 million, and Indiana University President Pamela Whitten earns $829,209 a year. New Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz base pay is $975,000. But University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothmans annual salary is $583,440. The highest-paid public college and university presidents in the country include University of North Texas System President Michael Ray Williams at $1.4 million in base pay; University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell at $1.3 million; and University System of Maryland President Jay Perman at $1.1 million. For private colleges and universities, New York University has the highest-paid president, Andrew Hamilton, earning $3.3 million in base pay. In 2021, according to Inside Higher Ed, former University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann in her last year on the job made nearly $23 million more than $20 million of which was paid out in deferred compensation she had accrued over 18 years on the job. Photos: 2024 Cedar Valley Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (13 June 2024) The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. Units of the Sever Group of Forces took more advantageous positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of the AFU 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade and 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Ternovaya, Volchanskiye Khutora, Tikhoye, and Volchansk (Kharkov region). Eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 36th Marines Brigade and 13th National Guard Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 305 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, and one BM-21 Grad combat vehicle. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Krasny Liman, Torskoye, and Kirovsk (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 450 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one Nota electronic warfare station. Two AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade, and 241st Territorial Defence Brigade near Ostroye, Belaya Gora, and Stenki (Donetsk Peoples Republic). One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 635 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Seven AFU ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 23rd, 47th mechanised brigades, 144th Infantry Brigade, and 109rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Timofeyevka, Yevgenovka, Rozovka, Novgorodskoye, and Karlovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Four counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th and 113th mechanised brigades were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 345 Ukrainian troops, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, one U.S.-made MaxxPro armoured fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one BM-21 Grad MLRS combat vehicle. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 21st National Guard Brigade and 125th Territorial Defence Brigade near Neskuchnoye and Oktyabr (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M198 howitzer. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Mirnoye and Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 100 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 155-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged AFU manpower and hardware clusters in 103 areas during the day. Air defence units shot down 33 unmanned aerial vehicles, four Czech-made Vampire and U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles. ?? In total, 613 airplanes and 276 helicopters, 25,653 unmanned aerial vehicles, 528 air defence missile systems, 16,326 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,337 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 10,393 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 22,505 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. Tags: WtR The pier has been instrumental in getting more than 15 million pounds of food into Gaza but has faced multiple setbacks. SAGE estimates that by 2030, some 7 million LGBTQ+ Americans will be 50 or older. While they have witnessed the civil rights sea change of the past decade marked by the Supreme Courts watershed rulings enshrining marriage equality and prohibiting workplace discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation their formative experiences were often shaped by exclusion and bias. Decades of discrimination have impacted LGBTQ+ elders, Kopp-Richardson says. Aging is not linear. Its subjective depending on what youve experienced ... We see compounded isolation for many in our communities who dont have children, or who are estranged from their family of origin. Nor are legal and social barriers entirely a thing of the past. There is no federal law prohibiting housing discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, and fewer than half of states have such laws on the books, according to Human Rights Campaign, an antidiscrimination group. For many LGBTQ+ older adults, memories of being stigmatized, rejected by family and friends, or keeping their sexuality secret to hold a job or serve in the military may render them less inclined to live openly or make waves. Al Blencoe and Dean McIntosh 85 and 91, respectively, and together for 55 years encountered overt homophobia after moving into a mainstream independent living community near Palm Springs in 2021. We would not walk down the hallway holding hands, says McIntosh. Once their two-year lease was up, they moved to Living Out. Housing is a social determinant of health. You cannot live a healthy life if you dont have a stable home environment, says Jason Flatt, an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health and a scholar of LGBTQ+ aging. Youre going to be afraid. Youre not going to build close relationships with anyone in that setting, because youre going to be afraid of getting too close," he says. "And then theres the likelihood that youre also being exposed to homophobia, transphobia, other forms of discrimination. It just exacerbates the internalized fear you have about getting outed. Cheil India has launched a new campaign for Samsungs Back to Campus Offer, aiming to inspire students as they prepare to return to campus after the summer holidays. The campaign, named Show Them How It's Done, emphasizes the versatility of the Samsung Galaxy device ecosystem that propels ambition and creativity for the younger generation. With exclusive student offers and discounts on Galaxy products, Samsung encourages students to access the latest technology to help pursue their dreams. Film 1: Film 2: At the heart of this campaign is the brand film that follows the journey of three students - a podcaster, a DJ, and a designer. Enabled by the limitless capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, these students overcome obstacles and unleash their creativity to follow their passion. Shunning all societal doubts and pressure, the budding artists use Samsungs AI features to fuel their fire, emerging as examples of resilience and success. Todays youngsters have an unquenchable thirst to learn more, do more and be more. In their stride to pursue their passion, these go-getters need the technology which helps them unleash creativity, enhance productivity, and express themselves fully. With Samsungs new Back to Campus campaign, we are democratizing the connected power of Samsung Galaxy ecosystem for students across India. As the new generation of ambitious students work towards their dreams, Samsung equips them to keep pushing boundaries and show the world how it's done, said Aditya Babbar, Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India. Powered by features like Multi-Device Control, Quick Share, Note Assist and Connected Camera amongst others, the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem supports creative and productive exploration. Speaking about the campaign film, Vikash Chemjong, CCO, Cheil India, said, The Gen-Z's and Gen-Alpha's of the world, today, are putting their talent on display. Therefore, when the world doubts their determination, they go out and Show Them How Its Done. By displaying the creative potential of the Galaxy ecosystem in our films, we aim to communicate how students can bolster their productivity and explore to make a mark. The exciting campaign films attempt to render how young students are zealously pursuing their passion these days. By showcasing the journey of three students with diverse backgrounds and interests, we are depicting the impact that Samsungs connected ecosystem of Galaxy devices bring to the table. Our focus lies in inspiring students to take the leap of faith towards their passion and Show Them How Its Done, said Sanjeev Jasani, COO, Cheil SWA. The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) has announced the most significant update to the advertising industry's AdChoices programme for interest-based advertising (IBA) since the programme was launched in October 2010. The new tools were previewed at the DAA Summit 2024 in New York City to advertisers, publishers, agencies, and ad tech companies. Through the update, the DAA will shift the technology platform for its participating companies from a cookie-based opt-out tool to a browser-based extension in WebChoices 2.0 that supports opt-outs across both cookies and emerging technologies, such as probabilistic IDs and hashed emails or phone numbers. The WebChoices 2.0 tool is compatible with most major browsers and in future -- will enable users to express category preferences around topics of interest, in addition to company-specific and industry-wide opt-outs. "Over the past 14 years, the AdChoices icon has become a trusted gateway for privacy information and control for millions of Americans," said Lou Mastria, President & CEO of DAA. "As the advertising industry undergoes dramatic change, the DAA's opt-out tools are keeping pace with those changes, so people can express their choices for both existing and new technologies used for advertising IDs. This choice tool will ensure Americans continue to have one-click access to information and choices about targeted ads directly from the ads themselves and on the apps or websites they visit." Among the novel features and functionality of WebChoices 2.0 are: A browser extension that stores consumers' choices on most popular mobile and desktop browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox. Support for cookies and new ad technologies such as probabilistic IDs, IP targeting, and hashed emails or phone numbers, so user preferences can be expressed regardless of the underlying addressability approach. The ability for users to express category-specific interest preferences about the ad topics they wish to see or limit. Cross-industry integration so ad tech companies can read consumer choices and preferences in the extension at bid time and adjust their bid strategy accordingly. Once testing is complete, the WebChoices extension will be available via the current opt-out flow, which will continue to be available through the iconic blue AdChoices icon, as well as through website footers for major brands and directly through the YourAdChoices.com website. The update will not impact existing users who have expressed choices through the current opt-out in Chrome, as those cookie-based choices will continue to be honored until such cookies are deprecated or expire. According to a DAA survey conducted in February 2024, most Americans say they recognize the AdChoices Icon (79%), find it useful (78%), think it is easy to understand (85%), and believe it increases trust in the advertisers that use it (72%). The DAA also announced the timeline for companies to test and implement WebChoices 2.0. The tool is currently in beta testing, which is expected to conclude in Q3 2024 as it moves to general availability. All companies that currently use the DAA's cookie-based tool are expected to integrate with WebChoices 2.0 by December 31, 2024. Companies will have a grace period of 180 days following that deadline before enforcement of consumer opt-out choices by the DAA's accountability partners. "This big step in consumer choice mirrors the ongoing and expected changes in the targeted ad ecosystem, as it future-proofs the technology used for consumer choices around responsible data-driven digital advertising," said Michael Signorelli, Venable LLP Partner and Counsel for the DAA. "Going forward, companies and policymakers can be confident that the DAA's choice platform will support any technology and policy changes that take place." "The reality is that consumers will continue to ask questions about 'Why this ad?' and 'What can I do about it?' regardless of changes in technologies and laws," added Mastria. "The evergreen technology represented by WebChoices 2.0 will keep responsible actors of the digital advertising industry at the forefront of consumer choices as the media evolves." The DAA also offers an app-based choice tool, AppChoices, which is available for download on the App Store, Android Play, and Amazon Appstore. The Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) is an independent not-for-profit organization which establishes and enforces responsible privacy practices for relevant digital advertising, while giving consumers information and control over the types of digital advertising they receive. The DAA runs the YourAdChoices, mobile AppChoices, PoliticalAds, and PrivacyRights.info programmes. Underlying the DAA's efforts are the DAA Self-Regulatory Principles, including updates to address changing technologies and business models around multi-site, mobile, and cross-device data. Compliance with the DAA Principles is independently enforced for all companies in digital advertising by BBB National programmes and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA). The DAA is managed by a consortium of the leading national advertising and marketing trade groups, including the 4A's, American Advertising Federation, ANA, Interactive Advertising Bureau, and Network Advertising Initiative, with the advice of BBB National programmes. DoubleVerify, the leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, has announced an expanded partnership with Pinterest to offer brand safety and suitability measurement. With this release, global advertisers can independently authenticate campaign quality and help protect brand reputation within this engaging, user-generated online media environment. Were thrilled to bring DVs brand safety and suitability measurement to Pinterest, ensuring campaigns meet top media quality standards while maximizing advertiser performance, said Mark Zagorski, CEO at DoubleVerify. DVs advanced AI-driven classification technology allows advertisers to align their brand promotion with appropriate and suitable content maximizing transparency, effectiveness, and confidence in their digital investments. With this release, Pinterest advertisers will gain: Brand Reputation Insights: DVs brand safety and suitability measurement shows whether digital advertising is aligned with non-objectionable and suitable content, helping to safeguard reputation and preserve brand equity across Pinterest in-feed placements. DVs brand safety and suitability measurement shows whether digital advertising is aligned with non-objectionable and suitable content, helping to safeguard reputation and preserve brand equity across Pinterest in-feed placements. Comprehensive Coverage: DV offers holistic media quality measurement across display and video ad placements on Pinterest. DV offers holistic media quality measurement across display and video ad placements on Pinterest. Trusted Measurement:Brands can rest assured that the industrys leading, independent, third-party verification provider authenticates their Pinterest campaigns. DV Universal Content Intelligence, the companys industry-leading classification engine, powers its brand safety and suitability solution. Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, DV analyzes all key content types including video, image, audio, speech, text, and link elements to provide advertisers with accurate classifications and ensure comprehensive coverage and protection at scale. Pinterest is committed to using our platform to create a more positive experience online, and we strive to be brand safe by default with leading content policies, said Bill Watkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Pinterest. Through our expanded partnership with DoubleVerify, we are confident that advertisers will have the necessary tools to reach relevant, engaged audiences and help ensure that adjacent content aligns with brand values. In April 2020, DV announced the launch of viewability and invalid traffic measurement on Pinterest. With this release, advertisers can leverage DVs brand safety and suitability measurement globally across all supported languages. Brands can access their measurement data and insights through DV Pinnacle, the companys unified service and analytics reporting platform, to monitor and optimize the performance of their Pinterest ads campaigns. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is proposing a stricter approach to outdoor advertising in Mumbai with a brand new draft policy for hoardings. This policy goes beyond traditional billboards, encompassing advertisements on skywalks, balloons, stationary vehicles, and even business premises. The draft policy specifies that there must be a minimum distance of 70 meters between two large hoardings, 30 meters between stationary vehicles used for advertising, and 10 feet between advertisements on skywalks and foot over-bridges. In addition, hoardings near high-tension wires will require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the power distribution company, while illuminated and digital hoardings will need an NOC from the joint commissioner of traffic police. A significant feature of the draft policy is the implementation of QR codes on all billboards. These QR codes will provide detailed information, including the date of license issuance, its validity, size of the hoarding, owner details, and contact information. The policy also includes guidelines for digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, aligning with modern advertising trends. The BMC has proposed that advertisers promoting social messages from government authorities will be subject to fees and will need permissions from the BMC. Additionally, advertisers with frequent non-payment violations may be blacklisted. The policy mandates that illuminated digital hoardings be switched off by 11 PM. BMC has directed its license inspectors to submit fresh reports within seven days regarding the size of hoardings and the display of QR codes. A meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss further additions to the draft policy, which will then be placed in the public domain for suggestions and objections from citizens. This new policy by the BMC signifies a move towards a more organized and controlled outdoor advertising landscape in Mumbai. It prioritizes safety, transparency, and aims to reduce visual clutter in the city. Just one school district in Alabama got all third graders reading successfully enough to hit an important benchmark. Orange Beach City, which has just one elementary school, had all of its third graders pass the test. Most school districts in the state saw improvements in third grade reading scores, according to data released Thursday, but results also indicate that a lot of schools and students have more work to do. Scroll down to see school- and district-level data. The results are high-stakes for students and teachers: If students who are behind on reading cant make up lost ground over the summer, they may have to repeat third grade. Alabama has set a benchmark score of 435 on the reading test. Students who didnt reach 435 were invited to attend a summer reading camp and test again in June or July. They can also ask for a good cause exemption. Statewide, 4,800 third graders did not reach the benchmark and may be at risk of retention. Among second graders, 9,700 students did not reach the benchmark for that grade. District-level third grade results All but seven of Alabamas traditional school districts improved their third grade passing percentages, many by double digits. All six public charter schools improved their percentages by double digits. As with most achievement test scores, the more affluent the districts families, the more likely children were to pass the test. There are exceptions, like Crenshaw County, where 7 in 10 students are in poverty, yet 98% of third graders reached the benchmark. Sixteen of the 99 school districts where at least nine out of every 10 students reached the benchmark were districts where 75% or more of students districtwide are in poverty. The range of students hitting the benchmark was slimmer than last year. On the low end, Midfield City in the Birmingham metro area had 71% of third graders pass the test, and on the high end was Orange Beachs 100% - a 29-percentage-point spread. In 2023, that spread was 56 percentage points. Ninety-five of Alabamas 139 traditional districts had 90% or more of their third graders pass the test. Twelve school districts improved their third grade passing rates by more than 20 percentage points. Students in each district are majority-Black and are considered high-poverty districts. Perry County - improved by 37 percentage points, from 53% to 90%, Greene County - improved by 32 percentage points, from 58% to 90%, Barbour County - improved by 28 percentage points, from 50% to 78%, Anniston City improved by 28 percentage points, from 60% to 88%, Sumter County improved by 26 percentage points, from 55% to 81%, Selma City improved by 25 percentage points, from 59% to 84%, Bessemer City improved by 26 percentage points, from 59% to 85%, Wilcox County improved by 25 percentage points, from 64% to 89%, Chickasaw City improved by 23 percentage points, from 62% to 85%, Conecuh County improved by 22 percentage points, from 66% to 88%, Hale County improved by 20 percentage points, from 70% to 90%, and Fairfield City improved by 20 percentage points, from 59% to 79%. Second grade results in traditional districts ranged from 60% in Sumter County to 98% in Satsuma City, Oneonta City and Mountain Brook City schools. Second graders also demonstrated dramatic improvement in reading skills, with 13 districts improving passing rates by 20 or more percentage points. The highest level of improvement was in Barbour County, where second grade pass rates improved from 28% to 75% - an improvement of 47 percentage points - in Barbour County. Among charter districts, Breakthrough Charter Schools second graders went from a 35% pass rate in 2023 to 80% of students passing this spring, a 45-percentage-point improvement. The table below shows the percentage of third grade students reaching the benchmark in 2024 and in 2023. Click here if you are unable to see the table. School-level results School-level data also shows a wide range of grade level reading percentages: 45% to 100% in third grade and 40% to 100% for second grade. Forty-six schools had 100% of third graders reach the benchmark score. Ten schools had all second graders reach the mark. The table below shows the percentage of second and third grade students reading on grade level at each school and district. It is best viewed on a larger screen. Click here if you are unable to see the table. Teetotaler no more. Hulk Hogan revealed last fall that he was off alcohol. The WWE Hall of Famer, who owns Hogans Hangout bar in Clearwater Beach, told TMZ he had embarked on a wellness journey because he was sick and tired of being sick and tired. That was then and this is now: Hogans latest project is promoting a new brewskie that bears his name and likeness. On Thursday, the father of two was busy in Broward County launching the stuff called Hulk Hogan Real American Beer. Hogan hit up Big Daddys Wine & Liquors in Hollywood, then the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino a few miles away. A video posted on the Guitar Hotels Instagram page shows the wrestling icon in the casino chugging a beer, then crushing the can, as his fans, aka maniacs, cheer. The 70-year-old looked to be having a blast, for sure. But why fall off the wagon now? Hogan (born Terry Bollea) told Fox Business he entered the booze business for the greater good to bring the nation together. I see the whole country being divided and diverse, he told the outlet. I got an idea for a beer that it doesnt matter if youre Republican or a Democrat. It doesnt matter who you are, what you are, what your sex is, race, color, creed, what you believe in. This is for real Americans, and thats what we all are. 2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. An Alabama father has pleaded guilty in the death of his daughter, who had more than 50 signs of trauma covering her body and whose head had been shaved. Nikilas DiMaso, 25, entered his guilty plea Thursday in Etowah County in the 2021 death of 3-year-old Aydah DiMaso. He pleaded guilty to capital murder and conspiracy to commit child abuse, court records show. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We can honestly say that this outcome brings us immense relief and comfort, knowing that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars, haunted by the reality of what he has done, said Aydahs grandmother, Shundra Powe Davis. We are thankful that we were able to bring some semblance of closure to part of Aydahs case. These have been a long three years, and every moment reminds us of the love that was taken away from us, Davis said. Aydahs stepmother, 33-year-old Haley Dee Metz, is charged with aggravated child abuse and conspiracy to commit aggravated child abuse. Metzs trial is set for later this year. The fight is not over, but just as God delivered the best possible outcome in this case, we have faith that He will do the same for the next, Davis said. According to charging documents, Aydah was killed with DiMasos hands and/or fists in October 2021. She was found unresponsive after family members asked police to go to the DiMaso home on Crestview Drive Monday that afternoon for a welfare check. Aydah DiMaso was killed Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. Her father is charged with capital murder. (GoFundMe) Family said DiMaso got custody of Aydah less than eight months before her death, despite her maternal grandparents fight to have her in their care. Attorneys for Aydahs family filed a lawsuit last year against the Alabama Department of Human Resources and individual caseworkers for their alleged roles in the girls death. The lawsuit, filed by Birmingham attorneys Tommy James of Tommy James Law and Jeremy Knowles of Morris Haynes, alleges multiple failures by DHR and caseworkers to protect Aydah from ongoing abuse and neglect. The suit alleges systematic failings and neglect that allowed the young child to remain in a severely harmful environment despite clear indications she was in danger. This case represents an egregious failure of the system that is supposed to protect our most vulnerable children, James said. Aydahs death could and should have been prevented. We are seeking justice for Aydah and accountability for those whose conduct resulted in her tragic death. Aydah was a sweet soul with an infectious giggle, loved deeply by her grandparents who had been fighting for custody of her, according to a 2021 GoFundMe. The system let her down, and so sadly, this tragedy was utterly preventable. Ascension Health, the company that runs several hospitals in the Birmingham metropolitan area, said a worker who accidentally downloaded a malicious file caused the ransomware attack that crippled its computer systems. The attack, which was discovered May 8, paralyzed the St. Louis-based health systems computers and led Ascension to remove its hospitals access to electronic patient records. Ascension announced last week that access was restored at its Alabama facilities and intended to complete the restoration for the remainder of its 140 hospitals by Friday. Ascension Health operates five hospitals in the Birmingham metropolitan area, including St. Vincents Hospital. Providence Hospital in Mobile, which had been owned by Ascension before it sold the facility to the University of South Alabama last year, was impacted because it remained on some of Ascensions IT systems. On Wednesday, Ascension said it determined the cause of the ransomware attack. An individual working in one of our facilities accidentally downloaded a malicious file that they thought was legitimate, a health system spokesman said. We have no reason to believe this was anything but an honest mistake. Ascension said it does not believe electronic records and other clinical systems where our full patient records are securely stored were stolen in the ransomware attack. But the company spokesman said there is evidence the attackers were able to take files from seven out of the roughly 25,000 servers across Ascensions computer network, and that those files may contain protected health information and personally identifiable information for certain individuals, although the specific data may differ from individual to individual. At this point, we now have evidence that indicates that the attackers were able to take files from a small number of file servers used by our associates primarily for daily and routine tasks, the spokesman said. Ascension wont know exactly what data was taken until the investigation is complete, and could not provide a timeline for when the probe would be finished. While we have started this process, it is a significant undertaking that will take time, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, the health system is providing free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to any Ascension patient or associate who asks for it. Those who want to enroll in the services were asked to call Ascensions dedicated call center at 1-888-498-8066. A morning shooting in a west Birmingham neighborhood sent a man to a hospital with serious injuries. The shooting happened at 9:35 a.m. Friday at a residence in the 900 block of Buffalo Street. That is in the Wylam community. The victim was taken to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said police initially responded to a Shot Spotter call of shots fired in the area. Police cordoned off a block along Buffalo Street and appeared to be focusing some of their investigative efforts at the rear of a home there. Fitzgerald said the victim was targeted. No additional details have been released. No one is in custody. Nathan Pendegrass initially didnt see strong interest in purchasing a ticket for Saturdays drag brunch at the Fairhope Civic Center, but things have shifted quickly. The last 24 hours, weve sold a ton, said Pendegrass, a resident along Baldwin Countys Eastern Shore and coordinating officer with the newly formed non-profit Coloring the Eastern Shore. Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would make it a right nationwide for women to access in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer forced a vote on the matter Thursday in an effort to drive an election-year contrast on reproductive care. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran who has used the fertility treatment to have her two children, has championed the bill, called the Right to IVF Act. The bill would have also expanded access through insurance as well as for military members and veterans. As a mom who struggled with infertility for years, as a parent who needed IVF to have my two beautiful little girls, all I can say to my Republican colleagues in this moment is, How dare you, Duckworth, D-Ill., said following the vote. See also: Katie Britt says Democrats blocked her IVF bill because they would lose a key scare tactic All Republicans except Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against advancing the measure, ensuring that it only gained 48 votes well short of the 60 votes needed. Instead, GOP senators offered their own, alternative legislation that would discourage states from enacting explicit bans on the treatment. Democrats in turn blocked it Wednesday. The overtly political back-and-forth, with no attempt at finding a legislative compromise, showed how quickly Congress has shifted into a campaign mindset five months out from the fall election. As Schumer seeks to protect a narrow Senate majority and buoy Democrats hopes of holding the White House, he has sought to spotlight Republican intransigence to federal legislation that would guarantee womens rights to reproductive care. Democrats have campaigned heavily on the issue ever since the 2022 Supreme Court decision that ended a federal right to abortion. The anti-abortion movement is not yet finished. Now that Roe is gone, they have set their sights to a new target in vitro fertilization, Schumer said on the Senate floor Thursday. Schumer, a New York Democrat, also held a vote last week on legislation to protect access to contraception, but Republicans blocked it, arguing it was nothing more than a political stunt. Republicans have also blocked previous attempts to quickly pass IVF protections. They stressed that they support IVF and said Schumer was once again playing to the campaign trail with Thursdays vote. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, said Democrats were trying to politicize a deeply personal issue for short term political gain. He added that Schumer had brought the bill to the floor without allowing the committee work and studies that usually mark a serious piece of legislation. Still, Schumer said he would continue to bring up legislation on reproductive care. Republicans are twisting themselves in knots trying to run away from their very record on reproductive freedom, he said at a news conference following the vote. Democrats took to the Senate floor Thursday to make a series of speeches that highlighted personal stories of how people have been able to have children using IVF. They say Congress must protect access to the fertility treatment after the Supreme Court in 2022 allowed states to ban abortions and the Alabama Supreme Court in February ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. Several clinics in the state suspended IVF treatments until the state enacted a law to provide legal protections for IVF clinics. Here is full coverage of Alabamas IVF ruling After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that a frozen embryo is the same, has the exact same rights as a living, breathing person, women who waited for months and spent tens of thousands of dollars and were days away from an IVF appointment were left to wonder if it was all for nothing when their treatment was abruptly canceled, said Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat. Most Republicans in Congress, meanwhile, have expressed support for IVF, but have also largely declined to tell states how to regulate reproductive care. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican GOP presidential nominee, met with lawmakers on Thursday and told them that abortion rules should be left to the states. He also said he supported exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother, according to Republicans in the meetings. Republicans are seeking to come up with a response to voters concerns about access to abortion and reproductive care an issue that is expected to figure largely in the November election. Following the Supreme Courts ruling Thursday that preserved access to the abortion pill mifepristone, anti-abortion groups expressed dismay while most Republicans remained quiet. In the Senate this week, Republicans highlighted their efforts to expand access to fertility treatments, yet stopped short of endorsing the Democratic plan. Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, said in a floor speech this week that his daughter was currently receiving IVF treatment and spoke of a proposal to expand the flexibility of health savings accounts. Two other GOP Republicans, Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas, also tried to quickly pass a bill that would threaten to withhold Medicaid funding for states where IVF is banned. Democrats blocked that bill on Wednesday. Cruz, who is running for reelection in Texas, said it showed Democrats were making a cynical political decision. They dont want to provide reassurance and comfort to millions of parents in America because instead, they want to spend millions of dollars running campaign ads suggesting the big, bad Republicans want to take away IVF, he said in a speech on the Senate floor. Democrats argued that the GOP bill was insufficient because it would still allow states to enact laws that grant embryos or fetuses the same rights as a person. Abortion opponents in over a dozen states have advanced legislation based on the concept of fetal rights. Murray, who objected to quickly passing the GOP bill, said the bill was flawed because it is silent on whether parents should be allowed to have clinics dispose of unused embryos something that is a common and necessary part of the IVF process. But Republicans also criticized the Democratic bill. Britt said it extends far past IVF. It also treads on religious freedom and protection. In the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, Christians, who have been a driving force in the anti-abortion movement based on the belief life begins at or around conception, have wrestled with the fertility treatment. The Southern Baptist Convention this week approved a nonbinding resolution that cautioned couples about using IVF. The resolution lamented that the creation of surplus frozen embryos often results in the destruction of embryonic human life. The bill proposed by Britt and Cruz also came under criticism from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group that has pushed for stringent regulations on IVF clinics. With the Senate deadlocked on the issue, advocates for access to the treatment said families would still be left in uncertainty. Jamie Heard, who lives in Birmingham and had to suspend her effort to have a second child using IVF when the state Supreme Court made its decision, said that ruling left her both scared and angry. She has been able to continue the treatment, yet spoke alongside other IVF advocates at the Capitol Wednesday to urge lawmakers to act. There are still a lot of questions that we have about how to move forward, Heard said. A Texas man has died and his wife is in critical condition after they were electrocuted in a Mexican resorts hot tub, according to local authorities. Jorge N, 43, died Tuesday and Lizeth N was injured as a result of a possible electric discharge when both were inside the jacuzzi in their private condo at Puerto Peasco, Sonora, according to a translated Facebook statement from the General Prosecutors Office of Justice of the State of Sonora (FGJES). The resort is about 200 miles from Mexicos northwest border with Arizona Citing FGJES, TMZ identified the pair as spouses Jorge Guillen and Lizzette Zambrano. Per the Sonora State Attorney Generals news release, Lizzette was transported to a U.S. hospital in critical condition, according to NBC affiliate KTSM. The General Prosecutors Office said she suffered burns consistent with electric shock. The accident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. local time Tuesday at Sonoran Sea Resort, KTSM reports. The General Prosecutors Office also reportedly said a witness who knows the couple said she saw them in the jacuzzi and, disturbed to find them unresponsive, called for help. A GoFundMe for the couples family has been established and has raised more than $30,000 of its $50,000 goal at the time of publication. Our best friends have experienced a horrible accident, reads the fundraisers description. Jorge had a heart of gold and was always there for family and friends. The love they shared was one for ages. We are asking for your help to bring him home & help with medical expenses for her. The Sonoran Sea Resort did not immediately respond to the Daily News request for comment. ____ 2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Rev. Clint Pressley woke up Thursday morning praying for the Southern Baptist Convention, he told his 9,000 followers on social media site X, the former Twitter. Pray I dont embarrass us, the Charlotte pastor quipped. The morning before, Pressley was elected president of the nations largest Protestant denomination during its annual meeting in Indianapolis. See also: Former Alabama pastor nominated for SBC president The longtime pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church topped a field of six candidates. He won a second runoff ballot with 56% of the vote over Dan Spencer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tennessee. Congratulations soon poured in for the Charlotte native, including on social media, from his megachurch. I love my church man! Pressley replied. Pressley was elected at a controversial time for the denomination. At its annual meeting, the convention voted to oppose in vitro fertilization and nearly voted to penalize Southern Baptist churches that have women ministers. During a post-election news conference Wednesday, Pressley addressed divisive issues facing the convention while saying theres a lot to celebrate in the Southern Baptist Convention, especially as it points to biblical fidelity, real clear mission focus. I think thats part of what the presidents job is: To do all you can by way of influence to make sure, as a convention of churches, we are focused what our mission is, he said. So I look forward to next year. Its a great time to celebrate. Who is new Southern Baptist president? Pressley and his wife, Connie, have two sons. As a boy, he belonged to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). During Wednesdays news conference, Pressley recalled how his life changed when his family switched to a Southern Baptist church. Never heard anything like that, he said. His family joined Hickory Grove when Pressley was a teenager, according to his biography on the church website. He graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a bachelor of arts degree and obtained his master of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored two churches in Mississippi and returned to Hickory Grove in 1999 as senior associate pastor of preaching. In 2004, he left to become senior pastor of historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile and returned to Hickory Grove in 2010 as co-pastor. A year later, he was installed as senior pastor. Pressley has held volunteer leadership roles with the convention since 2013, when he was vice president of its pastors conference. He was first vice president of the convention in 2014-2015 and has been a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015. Hes been on the N.C. Baptist Board of Directors since last year. Pressley said hes glad to serve as president, but said its also a volunteer position, meaning hell need help running the annual convention. It sounds like you have a whole lot of power, but you dont, he told reporters. Amendment to ban women pastors fails Pressley said he supported the failed Law Amendment, which would have barred churches that have women pastors. I thought it provided really great clarity, he told reporters. I have brothers that are just as theologically robust as I would like to be myself that were against it. Then we have maintained a real sense of Gods good design, not only in marriage, but how hes given us to live as men and women, Pressley said. Still, Southern Baptists can remain united despite such differences, he said. We need to be unified around not only our understanding of the Bible and our love for the Bible, love for the Gospel, love for the mission, he said. Were unified around the Baptist Faith and Message that we affirm. So theres a lot we can really be glad of, he said. You walk away with the Law Amendment not passing, (but) we have not abandoned biblical truth. At all. Pressley also addressed sexual abuse. An investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News in 2019 exposed sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention. I think you can be really confident, as youve seen in the last couple of years, that the Southern Baptist Convention takes sexual abuse terribly seriously and that people have worked really hard, he said. And he responded to the passage of a resolution that warned about the ethics of in vitro fertilization. He said he and his wife had thought about that and other options when dealing with infertility. Pastors should use the resolution to help Southern Baptists think through the issue, he said. We have just not thought about it very much, he said. 2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Alabama has been awarded a Silver Shovel Award from national business publication Area Development, honoring another billion-dollar year of economic development project announcements in 2023. Alabama qualified for a Silver Shovel award in the category of states with populations between 5 million and 8 million, taking into account the number of jobs, the amount of investment, and other factors. Tennessee and Indiana also received Silver Shovels. Gov. Kay Ivey said the award is a strong testament to Alabamas pro-business environment and to the capabilities of our workers, who can rise to meet any challenge. The annual awards recognize states that see project announcements with significant job creation, infrastructure improvements and strategies that attract new employers and investments. Alabama also was recognized for one of the magazines Projects of the Year, for German appliance maker Mieles decision to locate its first U.S. plant in Opelika. Area Development also recognized other projects. The state lists a wide range of impressive projects, including an investment at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing to retool for the next generation of the Santa Fe as well as a big investment at Nemak, a maker of auto components, the publication stated. Nucor is building a state-of-the-art transmission tower production plant in Decatur, next to the companys sheet steel mill, and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. picked Gadsden for a highly automated facility to make non-radiological modules for its microreactors. Cable maker Southwires expansion in Florence was also mentioned. At its core, economic development is about creating job opportunities for citizens and injecting vitality into communities so they can prosper over the long term, Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said. Thats why we do the job and why well keep doing it. Companies last year announced projects for Alabama involving $6.4 billion in capital investment, with nearly 9,000 direct jobs to be created. Area Development has honored Alabama with Gold Shovel Awards in 2006, 2013, 2019 and 2021, and Silver Shovel Awards for 20072012, 20142018, and 2022. Lauderdale County authorities say a three-year-old boy was shot in the leg Thursday evening in what appears to be an accident. According to a Lauderdale County investigator, the incident happened at about 7 p.m. in the Center Hill community. A child found a gun in the center console of a vehicle parking at a residence while his mother was distracted. The boy fired a shot and was injured in the leg. The boy was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville where he underwent surgery Friday morning. This is a guest opinion column. Before the start of the 2024 legislative session, the Alabama Senate outlined a plan to show our commitment to conservative governance. We were focused on delivering actual results that would continue to make Alabama the best state in the country to live, work, and raise a family because that is what Alabamians expect and deserve. As a caucus, Senate Republicans prioritized issues that aligned with Alabamas foundational values and pushed back against Joe Bidens liberal agenda. Alabamians believe in God. Alabamians defend liberty and protect innocent life. Alabamians love our country, our state, and our communities. Alabamians support the rule of law and want safe and secure neighborhoods. Alabamians believe through hard work, grit, and determination, we can make our state better than it has ever been before. Our list of legislative priorities was extensive. Beginning in February, Senate Republicans worked to accomplish these conservative goals, and as President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, I am pleased to say that we delivered for the people of Alabama. Election security In Alabama, we believe in integrity and security. Through considerable efforts, the Alabama legislature has passed legislation to ensure our state has effective and stringent election laws. This legislative session, the Alabama Senate spearheaded efforts to make our election laws even stronger. Senator Garlan Gudger authored legislation that has elevated the criminality of illegal ballot harvesting to a class C felony. This legislation will make certain that absentee ballots in Alabama are filled out and cast in proper ways. I am proud to say that we have ensured that your vote will count and that those who would try to illegally take advantage of our electoral system cannot. Divisive concepts, DEI ban God has made us all unique in so many wonderful ways, and we all have special talents, gifts, and skills that should be celebrated. In todays world, there are so many efforts to pit people against one another, but what we should be looking for are opportunities that promote unity and togetherness. In that spirit, the Alabama Senate led efforts to ban the utilization of taxpayer resources in the teaching and promotion of DEI and divisive concepts in public education and state agencies. I am pleased that this legislation, authored by Senator Will Barfoot, will ensure your taxpayer resources are not being used to endorse and sponsor these divisive issues in our public domains. Parents rights in education Children are gifts from God, and they are the future of our great state. Over the past decade, there have been considerable efforts made in the Legislature, like the Literacy Act and Numeracy Act, that ensure our educational outcomes are better for young students. This legislative session, the Alabama Senate wanted to build on our positive momentum in education policy. One way we did that was by passing the CHOOSE Act. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr, allows for school choice options in a fiscally responsible way by utilizing education savings accounts. Another way the Alabama Senate built on our positive momentum in education policy was by passing Senator Donnie Chesteens First Grade Readiness Bill. This legislation creates a process to admit children to the first grade that either turn six before a certain date, have completed kindergarten, or demonstrate they are ready to enter the first grade. Our teachers should be commended for the work they do daily, and their investments in our childrens futures are inspiring. Another important way the Alabama Senate built on positive momentum in education policy was by passing my Parents Right to Know Bill. This legislation creates a methodology for parents to be informed about what is being taught in their childrens classrooms and will provide a transparent opportunity for teachers and parents to engage together more for the betterment of all childrens educational outcomes. I believe in Alabama and her future. As President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, it is my goal that the efforts being made in our governmental entities will make Alabama better. As I hope you can see, the Alabama Senate delivered results that will make a meaningful difference in achieving that goal, and I want to thank every Senator for his or her efforts in a productive legislative session. Alabamas future is incredibly bright! Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, was elected to the Senate in 2010 and was chosen by his colleagues as Senate president pro tempore in 2021. The recent elections in Europe have revealed that the citizenry of many European nations will no longer tolerate irresolute leaders who are incapable of reversing the accelerating downward spiral of their countries and the rest of the Western world. These voters are seeking not only economic and societal resurgence, but recognition of the rights and privileges of being citizens of their countries. The West is currently populated with patronizing, oblivious, and callous leaders, more concerned with themselves and globalism than the people and the future of their respective nations. In the debauched current state of Western civilization, any viable chance of reversing the decline and potential collapse is dependent on the leadership of the United States. Therefore, it is essential that a proven, tenacious, and intrepid egalitarian leader is elected as president in 2024. The sole experienced and successful current or past leader with these attributes is Donald Trump. Early in his presidency, in a landmark speech in Poland on the 6th of July, 2017, President Trump delivered a Churchillian message about Western civilization its accomplishments, but more importantly, its future. That day, in a speech largely ignored by the entirety of the American and much of the European media, President Trump not only assumed the role of the leader of the Western world, but proved that he understood and was resolved to stop the decline. He stated (emphasis added): Today, the West is also confronted by the powers that seek to test our will, undermine our confidence, and challenge our interests. ... Americans, Poles, and the nations of Europe value individual freedom and sovereignty. We must work together to confront forces, whether they come from inside or out, from the South or the East, that threaten over time to undermine those values and to erase the bonds of culture, faith and tradition that make us who we are. If left unchecked, these forces will undermine our courage, sap our spirit, and weaken our will to defend ourselves and our societies. Trump instinctively recognized that after decades of indoctrination and the rewriting of history, far too many in the United States had lost confidence in America and thus Western civilization. He chose to reconstitute Ronald Reagans slogan, Lets Make America Great Again, shortened to Make America Great Again. It is a mantra, with the appropriate country name inserted, that could be applied to virtually all of the nations in the Western world. There are four overriding factors that must be addressed if Western civilization is to survive. First, the degeneration and collapse of societies and subsequent acceptance of evolving autocratic police states. Second, the unfettered legal and illegal immigration of those from nations whose population are indoctrinated through religion or ideology to overthrow the West. Third, the destruction of economies precipitated by the inane determination to eliminate reliance on all fossil fuels. Fourth, the near inevitable threat of Chinese global hegemony brought about by a potential alliance with Russia and Iran. Throughout Western societies, Judaism and Christianity, the underlying foundation of Western civilization, are being replaced with secularism and fealty to the state. Child abuse, pedophilia, and degeneracy are being normalized as the family structure, the fundamental building block of society, continues to falter. Greed, apathy, narcissism, censorship, and repression are rapidly becoming the hallmarks of Western civilization. Cultural icons are being abandoned and destroyed as history is falsely rewritten. Trump understood that the West is under siege from Marxist-inspired groups within the United States and the countries of Europe. These groups, many allied with the ruling classes, seek to destroy traditional culture and moral values, as they believe that the State (dominated by them) is more important than the family, the individual, or the nation. Other than Donald Trump no Western leader in the past twenty years has addressed or even acknowledged these civilization-ending developments that are devastating and weakening the nations of the West. He did so in another powerful speech on the 4th of July, 2020, as well as in his pro-family, anti-censorship and religious freedom policies. Decades of unfettered legal and illegal immigration, in particular from Islamic states, has created a fifth column within virtually all European countries. Not only do these immigrants and aliens refuse to assimilate, but they are determined to transform their host countries into satellites of a new Islamic caliphate. The advancement of this goal justifies any means, be it murder, terrorism, or societal mayhem. Donald Trump understood and railed against the economic and societal pitfalls of unconstrained illegal immigration. During his four years in office, he did more to stanch the flow of illegal immigration into the U. S. than any president since Dwight Eisenhower. In an ongoing effort to transform the entirety of the Western world into a monolithic oligarchy, the Western ruling elites, and their various organizations, such as the World Economic Forum, have been promoting a green agenda that includes the elimination of fossil fuels. They are well aware that these policies will ultimately create massive economic dislocation and vulnerability. Yet these elitists claim to believe that a so-called healthy relationship with the Earth requires making energy scarce, regardless of economic or security implications, as seizing the reins of power is more important than the welfare of the people. Donald Trump was the only Western leader in the past twenty-five years to vociferously point out the duplicity of the globalists and that Western reliance on unreliable renewables would greatly weaken economies, wipe out jobs, put money in the hands of totalitarian governments determined to destroy the West, and have no detectable influence on the worlds temperature or climate. He understood that access to reliable, affordable energy is vital for national and regional stability and security. Accordingly, Trump expanded fossil fuel production, lowered the cost of energy, and made the United States energy-independent and able to supply other nations in the West. With the avoidable invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the subsequent refusals to accept any negotiated peace proposals, Western leaders have opened the door for an alliance among Russia, Communist China, and Iran. This potential axis would dominate and effectively control all economic activity throughout the world in combination with a massive, well armed military and an overwhelming nuclear arsenal to enforce its hegemony thus spelling the end of American and, thus, Western global dominance. Donald Trump was the first and still only Western leader to stand up to and definitively state that Communist China is the foremost threat to world peace and to change Americas defense strategy to identify China, Russia, and Iran as the Wests major adversaries. With the unprecedented success of the Abraham Accords among other international accomplishments, Donald Trump has become the most consequential and successful foreign affairs president since Ronald Regan, as he has shown he can negotiate once-thought-impossible peace agreements. As such, he is uniquely qualified to shepherd the West through the morass created by the current leadership and make certain that China, Russia, and Iran do not evolve into the next axis of evil. The accelerating downward spiral of the United States and the rest of the Western world combined with the specter of Chinese-Russia-Iran hegemony necessitates the re-election of Donald Trump in November of 2024 if there is to be a resurgence in the West. Image via Raw Pixel. When Joe Biden came to power, U.S. priorities in international relations shifted dramatically from establishing and improving foreign ties to the dominant position of intimidating individual countries and their leaders. As the most influential state in the world (in any case, it was until January 20, 2021), the U.S. had every opportunity for peaceful coexistence with its partners, without ceasing to act from a position of strength, realizing its role as the leader of the free world -- an option that has certainly worked since the end of the Cold War. Since the beginning of his term, Biden has knocked the political scales out equilibrium, tilting them towards the emergence of international strife, exacerbating long-frozen disputes, and creating new hotbeds of tension on the globe. Analyzing the steps taken by the Biden administration concerning both partner countries and governments of unfriendly states, one issue vividly emerges -- are current government's actions aimed at strengthening the U.S. position in the world? NATO, despite the expansion, has not become stronger In a recent interview with Time magazine, Joe Biden said: "NATO is considerably stronger than it was when I took office. I put it together... [and] I was able to expand it. And were now the strongest nation. We have the strongest alliance in all of America, all of history. " Has NATO expanded since Biden took office? Certainly. Has it become stronger? Quite doubtful. The Russo-Ukrainian war raised several issues that decisionmakers in the Alliance should pay attention to (for example, weapons not fully adapted to the realities of the modern war), but now it's not even about the course of the conflict in Eastern Europe, but the attitude of several members of the "strongest alliance." The war showed that NATO, although still the largest military-political alliance, is not as united as it should be. Along with countries that unequivocally support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty, some question the American government's approach to protecting Kyiv for any amount of time. For example, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is an ardent supporter of a policy of non-interference in conflicts outside his own country. A similar position is held by Slovak prime minister Robert Fico, who recently survived an attempt on his life, which, according to the person who committed it, is associated with the political views of the Slovak politician. If the value of Budapest and Bratislava for the Alliance can be questioned, one cannot ignore the position of Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This odious politician, despite NATO's official position on the Ukrainian issue, continues to adhere to dual views, pursuing only the interests of Turkey without reference to the of "corporate ethics." Nothing prevents Erdogan from simultaneously recognizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and stating that the "lobbyists of the war" disrupted peace talks in Istanbul in 2022. At the same time, Turkey, due to its territorial position, is a strategic center of NATO influence in the Black Sea region. Taking this fact into account, the Alliance has to endure a disloyal leader in its ranks one who has a serious influence and does not always show solidarity with NATO decisions -- the case of delaying Sweden's accession to NATO was also artificially created by Erdogan. NATO, as Biden declares, is now greater than ever, but there are questions about its unity. Imagine a situation in which Putin, for example, will nevertheless decide to strike at military facilities on the territory of the Alliance. Which countries will unconditionally support Article 5 on collective defense, and which will remain on the sidelines? In this case, unity is a key factor, not the number of participants. And that unity is now in doubt, despite Bidens claims otherwise. In Asia, everything is not as good as Biden believes In Asia, such serious players as Japan and South Korea are still Washington partners, while China and the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), run by leaders whose style can be described as authoritarian, pose a threat to world security under the current U.S. president. In the case of the DPRK, everything is quite transparent -- the country ruled by Kim Jong Un has a clear goal to extend its regime to its southern neighbor. The creation of new types of weapons and testing of ballistic missiles -- preparations for a potential conflict -- are in full swing, although the likelihood of its occurrence shortly is quite small. Comparing the policy of Trump and Biden towards the DPRK immediately brings to mind the meeting of the former U.S. president and the leader of North Korea on the Korean border. Trump held bilateral talks with Kim and at the same time clearly defined the price that the North Korean regime would pay for violating peace in the region. Negotiations, even with a totalitarian leader, generally demonstrate not weakness, but wisdom, because a wise leader will do everything to ensure his own country and his partners. Unfortunately, Joe Biden turned everything the other way. The President immediately threw aside any options for meeting with the North Korean leader, putting forward conditions for holding it -- de-escalation on the Korean peninsula and the elimination of the DPRK's nuclear arsenal. Biden, unlike his predecessor, sets conditions for negotiations, during which such issues should be discussed, that will obviously not be fulfilled. As for relations with China, Joe walks on thin ice here too. On the one hand, the Biden administration defines Beijing as the main geopolitical opponent. On the other, it calls for negotiations with Xi Jinping. When it became possible to conclude several agreements during the U.S.-Chinese negotiations, Biden first talked with his Chinese counterpart for four hours, and immediately after that called him a dictator. Is that the way America pursues foreign policy today? Biden's position on Taiwan is also contradictory. The president seemed to say that he was not going to encroach on China's territorial integrity, and at the same time added that he would defend the island if Xi decided to launch a full-scale military operation to return it to control. Is Biden ready to drag our country into another senseless war? And Republicans are called crazy? In general, the vector of aggravation of relations with China, which is adhered to by the Biden administration, is a very dangerous game. Beijing is the most serious actor in the Asian region. Talking to China not having the best cards on your hands is a rash decision. Is the "War on Terror" over? The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan marked the end of the twenty-year "War on Terror," declared by President George W. Bush after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Afghan operation aimed at destroying the Taliban terrorist group ended completely at the wrong time -- the agreements with official Kabul and the Taliban reached during Trump's presidency were multiplied by zero. In consequence, the Taliban seized the entire country. The withdrawal of troops was long overdue. The twenty-year presence in one of the most problematic regions of the world cost at least $825 billion since 2001 (several experts say that these numbers are seriously underestimated), and the lives of 2,300 soldiers. Our troops left the country at the time of a Taliban offensive, removing the last shield protecting Afghan civilians, while also leaving the Taliban weapons worth billions of dollars, including helicopters, armored vehicles, artillery systems, rifles, and much more. Biden regularly states that "we will support Ukraine as long as it takes." Such words would have been wasted on Afghanistan, which was no less in need of help. A strong leader makes difficult decisions and, just as importantly, is responsible for them. At one time, the U.S. lit the torch of the fight against terrorism, adequately starting this battle. Biden ingloriously completed it. American foreign policy under Biden has been a string of bad decisions: inappropriate aggravation of relations with China; failure to prevent the Russian-Ukrainian war, from which serious economic losses suffered not only U.S. partner Ukraine but also European countries divided against the background of the ongoing conflict; the untimely withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan; partial loss of influence in Africa (as in the case of Niger). Will we tolerate such a policy for another four years? Image: White House What kind of a dog owner stands and watches as his animal attacks another person? I think we already know. And one of them is Joe Biden, who drew this story from the New York Post: WASHINGTON President Biden repeatedly watched his German shepherd Commander attack Secret Service members, who wished each other a safe shift as the number of incidents mounted with one exasperated workplace safety professional urging the use of a muzzle, agency records show. The number of dog attacks involving Commander, who the White House said in February was given away after more than two years of terrorizing professionals assigned to protect Biden, and former first dog Major, who was rehomed in 2021 after also attacking personnel; could top three dozen, the newly surfaced records suggest. The 81-year-old president reportedly accused a Secret Service member of lying about being attacked by Major during his first year in office, but was present for at least three separate attacks involving Commander, files released to Judicial Watch under Freedom of Information Act litigation show. Did he show any empathy at the time? Did he try to stop the beast from inflicting harm on others? The records don't seem to show it. And this wasn't a little nip, these were blood-drawing bites and teeth ripping into clothing kinds of bites, the kinds of things attributed to some pit bull owners living in low places, which may or may not be fair, but most certainly can be said of Joe Biden. Beyond irresponsible, it actually sounds sadistic. How could he just stand and watch as his dog savaged the brave men and women willing to take a bullet for him? Did he enjoy watching them take a dog bite for him as a proxy for it? And again, what went on in that Biden househole that so many dogs have turned out to be vicious? In the past, the Bidens blamed the White House atmosphere, but that wouldn't explain why all his dogs mauled people, while previous dogs held by other presidents at the White House did not. Did President Obama's Portuguese Water Dog ever get accused of vicious attacks? This breed has a very powerful bite grip, but based on what's known, the dog was properly trained. Biden's dogs are basically feral with no training at all at a minimum and quite likely victims of abuse, which tends to lead to viciousness. The Post piece has one outrageous detail after another, with attacks and blood and hospital visits by the agents, some 36 attacks by the last dog alone. REPORT: President Biden watched his German Shepherd bite Secret Service agents multiple times as new documents reveal there were at least 36 total attacks. Insane. Commander is responsible for 3 dozen total attacks in about two years. To make matters worse, Biden accused pic.twitter.com/3hqfrp7DWR Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 14, 2024 Presidential immunity of some kind is protecting Biden from lawsuits for these attacks which have gotten other dog owners put in jail, and made him lackadaisical about attacks as they happen, until they reached the ears of the press. The dog should have been stopped after one bite, but Biden lacked that capacity for leadeship, 35 others followed. There is talk that he distrusts the Secret Service and therefore enjoys seeing them suffer. If so, it would be in line with Biden's psychopathic smile at the news that President Trump was calling himself a "political prisoner" after Biden's directed lawfare against him. This guy has sadistic tendencies, and for that, needs to be out of office. Image: U.S. Goverment image, via RawPixel // CC0 public domain On December 13, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida announced the filing of a petition for a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate crimes and wrongdoing committed against Floridians related to the COVID-19 vaccine. After more than a year, on February 2, 2024, the Grand Jury released a preliminary report finding that mask and lockdowns were harmful and ineffective, but nothing on any crimes. Meanwhile, four months earlier, on August 8, 2022, a citizen of Florida, President Donald J. Trump, had his property raided by federal officials, marking the beginning of what appears to be a series of coordinated attacks on a political opponent. There is strong reason to believe that crimes and wrongdoing were committed against this Floridian by organized criminals in the Department of Justice and district attorneys offices in New York and Georgia. The most recent result of this was an obscene and transparently partisan prosecution and conviction in New York on 34 felony counts of recording payments to a lawyer as legal expenses, with a potential for prison time. The judge actually acted as one of the prosecutors in this case and, among other things: - refused to approve a change of venue, instead forcing the trial to remain in an area where nearly 85% of registered voters are Democrats. - refused to recuse himself, even though he had personal and family conflicts of interest. - placed a First Amendmentviolating gag order on the defendant, preventing him from speaking about the judges conflicts of interest or the fact that the local D.A. was using a Biden DOJ attorney to prosecute the case. - allowed salacious and prejudicial testimony against the defendant that had nothing to do with the case. - rarely sustained a defense objection or overruled the prosecution. - refused to allow expert witnesses to testify for the defense. - instructed the jury that unanimously agreeing on the crime was unnecessary; they just had to agree the defendant was guilty of something. Because of this despicable case, many people are asking the Supreme Court to step in. Certainly, there were numerous instances where New York egregiously violated Trumps civil liberties, so there is precedent for the Supreme Court to act. But everyone knows that this is a political case, and courts are reluctant to step into blatantly political battles. Eventually, this case may come to the Supreme Court. However, its likely that normal judicial processes will not be suspended in the fight to get justice from the current abnormal New York State justice system. Also, some are looking for Congress to act by investigating, pontificating, and defunding the prosecution efforts. Though congressmen talk a big game, they dont have executive authority. They cant arrest or prosecute anyone, and they are spineless in using the power of the purse to stop anything. But there is another way. There is far more public information pointing to an organized criminal conspiracy to Get Trump than there was for intentionally harming people with the COVID-19 vaccine. So where is the next Florida statewide grand jury to investigate a criminal conspiracy against Floridian Donald J. Trump? Governor DeSantis needs to immediately announce the filing of a petition for a statewide grand jury to investigate crimes and wrongdoing committed against Floridian Donald J. Trump, related to the prosecution and conviction, and to protect him from the upcoming sentencing. The grand jury should subpoena records and individuals involved in this case in the State of New York and at the DOJ. Of course, those individuals will fight the subpoenas and refuse to comply and object to Florida interfering with New York State law. Also, according to President Biden, the DOJ has nothing to do with this prosecution. When these corrupt state officials refuse to respond to legal subpoenas, arrest warrants should be issued. More importantly, Governor DeSantis should activate the Florida National Guard and solicit other sympathetic states to do the same, to protect and defend his citizen, President Trump, from the abusive persecutions. This would include ensuring that Trump does not set foot in New York to attend his sentencing and, if jail time is demanded, refusing extradition and ensuring that the troops of multiple State National Guards join the Secret Service in protecting and defending the civil liberties of this Floridian from the organized criminals attacking him. Maybe the Supreme Court would then step in to hear a case of Florida versus New York, and address whether a state can defend its citizens constitutionally protected rights against other rogue states. But at that point, whether the SCOTUS or Congress steps in is irrelevant executives with the power to execute must act. And they need to hurry. Charlie Rose (a pen name) recently retired after working over 30 years for the United States Army. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. The Russians are coming, and I dont mean that movie from the 1960s with Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, and Alan Arkin. Back then, the Russians showed up in a coastal town. This week, their warships showed up in Cuba, not far from Miami. This is the story: The U.S. Navy has deployed warships and aircraft to track a Russian naval flotilla after the Russian vessels sailed less than 30 miles off South Floridas coast on Tuesday, U.S. officials told McClatchy and the Miami Herald. Last week, Moscow sent three ships and a nuclear-powered submarine to the Caribbean for what U.S. officials say will be a set of extensive military air and naval exercises the first of their kind in at least five years. Military exercises? Many years ago, there were Soviet ships, trucks, and soldiers in Cuba. Then came the Missile Crisis, and we thought that the days of foreign military services 90 miles from Key West were history. We guessed wrong. So whats going on, or Que pasa? as my Cuban parents used to say. First, this is not really a military plan; the Russians or Cubans are not really sending a military message. Second, this is in your eye, Joe Biden. The message here is no one fears Biden and we dont either. Hello Russian nuclear submarine. So where is the White House in all of this? I have not heard anything other than Trump being a threat to our democracy. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Public domain. Former House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi recently took to Twitter X to declare, No ones political survival is more important than our childrens survival. Survivors and advocates turning pain into purpose demand an assault weapons ban. #WearOrange today and Vote Blue to defeat Republicans standing in the way of commonsense solutions to gun violence.-NP For some reason, she did not add, And also Vote Blue so we can make unfettered abortion the law of the land! #killyourunbornbabytoday.-NP In early 2023, virtually every House Democrat voted against legislation that would have required that prompt medical attention be given to babies who were born alive after an attempt was made to abort them. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act stated that doctors would be required to care for those infants as a "reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive." Democrats would have none of it. Pelosi virtue-signaling about childrens survival is like Hitler touting the Anti-Defamation League to prioritize the survival of Jews. Its like Mexican drug cartels launching a Just Say No! campaign, a la Nancy Reagan. Its as if Dr. Fauci and Kristi Noem joined the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It is preposterous and repulsive. Maybe Ill write a spoof about a fundraiser for unfettered abortion and gun control and post it on my blogsite. Oh, wait, I already did. Long ago. Sadly, its not parody anymore. In fact, it is nearly impossible to write parody today, because nothing is crazier than reality. Especially the reality Democrats recognize. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Where are these strange anti-Semitic attacks, such as that which happened at the Brooklyn Museum, coming from? For all the evidence out there that foundations are doing the dirty work, which is perfectly real, an important story linked by Instapundit found that Sweden has accused Iran of paying off street gangs to conduct antisemitic attacks in that country. According to the Associated Press, in a piece dated May 30: COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Swedens domestic security agency on Thursday accused Iran of using established criminal networks in Sweden as a proxy to target Israeli or Jewish interests in the Scandinavian country. The accusations were raised at a news conference by Daniel Stenling, the head of the SAPO agencys counterespionage unit, following a series of events earlier this year. ... Stenling said, without offering specifics or evidence to back up his assertion, that the agency can establish that criminal networks in Sweden are used as a proxy by Iran. It is very much about planning and attempts to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish interests, goals and activities in Sweden, he said and added that the agency sees connections between criminal individuals in the criminal networks and individuals who are connected to the Iranian security services. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer and Hampus Nygards, deputy head of the Swedish polices National Operations Department, were also at the online news conference with Stenling. We see this connection between the Iranian intelligence services, the security services and precisely criminals in the criminal networks in Sweden, Stenling said. We see that connection and it also means that we need to work much more internationally to get to the crimes and be able to prevent them. Via Instapundit, this, too: SAPO confirms Iran uses Swedish gangs as proxies for carrying out attacks on Jewish/Israeli targets. The leader of Swedens largest gang (Rawa Majid/Foxtrot) was allegedly co-opted by IRGC after being arrested in Iran while on the run https://t.co/6afc4VtMpn Hugo Kaaman (@HKaaman) May 30, 2024 This amounts to an important lead for investigators in looking at who may have conducted the crazed red-paint attack on the Brooklyn Museum board members and director at their homes this past week, in a grotesque orgy of vandalism loaded with menacing threats. As Ed Morrissey put it, it was so bad it was "proto-terrorism." The video put out by the group that did it, something called "Palestine Action" was loaded with foul-mouthed gangsta rap, which, of course, is generally favored by gangsters, though there are other conossieurs of this crap out there, too. Palestine Action posting film of themselves writing antisemitic graffiti on the houses of the Brooklyn Museums directors pic.twitter.com/Qj8TtvRhNF JamesHeartfield (@JamesHeartfield) June 14, 2024 Why the gangster patina to what is claimed otherwise to be a political protest? If it wasn't the work of gangs themselves, was it a dog whistle to gangs to join up? Antisemitism is well known to be rife in the gangsta rap community in the U.S., and has been since the days of Al Sharpton and his Freddy's Fashion Mart travesty. Would it be that surprising that Iran, through its typical illegal drug channels, such as Hezb'allah, might have duplicated its act here in the states, too? Terrorism expert Rachel Ehrenfeld once told me shortly after 9/11 that 'all terrorism is narcoterrorism,' meaning, all terrorists finance their activities through drug-dealing. The reverse may be true, too -- standard-issue drug gangs may be uniquely useful as terrorists to state sponsors of terror. The Swedes said that they made this discovery after one of their country's gang leaders was busted in Iran, and then easily flipped by the Revolutionary Guards to do Iran's bidding -- conducting antisemitic attacks. If so, it's slimey stuff, with Iran conducting warfare on unarmed Jews in civilian settings, while not having the courage to do it in the open. But it's also the mullahs' style of operating in general. It's also pretty alarming, as we have known for years that Hezb'allah has operated in the Western Hemisphere, through the bad offices of socialist hellholes such as Cuba and Venezuela. Up until now, the thought has been that they were here to eventually do terrorism, but now there's the possibility that they're already doing terrorism, through gangs, not wanting to get their mitts dirty. With that possibility, it should be thoroughly investigated here. If the FBI is too busy hunting down rosary-sayers at abortion clinics, Latin Mass worshipers, and January 6 protestors, then it will have to be done by local police, such as the New York Police Department and through Congressional hearings. Whatever is going on here, Sweden has come up with a heckuva clue that may lead to who is conducting the antisemitic attacks suddenly roaring up through the United States with no justification nor grievance roots whatsoever. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Hunter Biden was recently convicted of three felony gun charges. As conservatives, its hard not to enjoy this for a moment. The entitlement that hes felt all his life, his reckless behavior in all areas of his life, his spoiled rich frat-boy attitude its very easy to feel the schadenfreude. Honestly, its impossible not to feel it. And the fact that he broke the law is so obvious that Im surprised that it took the jury ten minutes, much less three hours, to convict. But his conviction obscures the deeper issues in this case. First, lets talk about Form 4473, the ATF form Hunter signed, that clearly spells out the illegality and penalties for knowingly submitting false information. Joe Biden is on record and on video claiming he was instrumental in creating that form, for which he has bragged about wanting more severe penalties for false answers. The MSM, including Fox, have ignored that aspect of this story, but the aspect is a key element of the important story. Democrats claim they want to reduce crime through gun control laws. We all know that this is a smoke grenade covering what they really want, which is gun prohibition. The response from the media and from the Biden administration should demonstrate to well-meaning but ignorant Democrat voters that gun control has nothing to do with saving lives or reducing crime. If the Republicans dont put Joes statements about Form 4473 in an ad this election season, theyre committing election malpractice. There is another important and interesting element to this story. Hunters legal team has already signaled that it intends to invoke the 2nd Amendment on appeal. Thats right: theyre going to argue the NRA position that Form 4473 violates the Constitution. I happen to agree with this argument. The one right recognized in the Bill of Rights that is not contingent on anything at all is the 2nd Amendment. Therefore, I believe Form 4473 is unconstitutional. You dont lose your right to free speech if youre a drug addict. You dont lose your right to freedom from searches and seizures. Why should you lose the right to defend yourself? Does it make practical sense to deny drug addicts access to firearms? Of course. But in my belief system, the pragmatic must often take a back seat to the principle. I must admit, though, that I am looking forward to watching the leftist media argue that the verdict violates the 2nd Amendment. I might even tune in to The View, and risk the inevitable brain cell loss that comes from listening to their reasoning, to watch their collective minds melt. Theres a third important issue. Just hours after Hunters conviction for violating federal gun laws, Joe (and by Joe I mean whoever is really president) chose not to cancel his speech to the gun control organization Everytown for Gun Safety. The bizarrely ironic political decision to give this speech on this day must be one of the weirdest moments in politics Ive ever witnessed. The idiots in the room did not see the irony, chanting, Four more years! and applauding loudly at every partially unintelligible word passing from the teleprompter through the corn maze of Joes brain and out through the microphone. Three things in Joes speech stood out to me. First, he talked about requiring federally mandated safe storage. This, even though the gun Hunter illegally purchased, illegally possessed, and most likely illegally let his girlfriend possess was disposed of by the girlfriend in a trash can, by some reports in proximity to a school. That revolver could have fallen into the hands of a child, or a violent criminal, or anyone. Safe gun storage, indeed. I can only assume that he thought it was as safely stored as the classified documents next to his Corvette, in his garage. The second issue was that Joe implied that some manufacturers dont supply trigger locks for their firearms. Thats been federal law since 2003. This is something leftist politicians often do when speaking to their ignorant supporters. As any man on the street interview video conducted by a conservative will demonstrate, leftists typically dont know the facts about what they believe. Politicians take advantage of this by pretending we need to pass laws that were already passed and implemented years ago. Joe didnt say it in this speech, but he also often pretends you can buy guns without a background check from a dealer at a gun show or order guns over the internet without a background check. As someone who has purchased many guns at gun shows, and many over the internet, I promise you that you must get a background check. I dare anyone to try otherwise, if youre willing to risk a platoon of armed men in ninja suits loudly visiting your house in the wee hours. Finally, the third and most important issue. Once again, Joe doubled down on his argument that having guns to protect yourself from a tyrannical government is silly because youd need an F-15. Many have pointed out the obvious threat in this argument, and they are correct. Its clearly a threat. But theres something more subtle at play here. Without realizing the implications, hes actually arguing that fully armed F-15s owned by private citizens are protected by the 2nd Amendment. Think about it. If you agree that the 2nd Amendment is to protect you from a tyrannical government and Id argue that were watching that tyranny progress in real time then logically, F-15s and tanks, and whatever else citizens need to defend themselves against that threat, are protected arms. I dont want to live in a world like that, but then, I havent threatened the American people several times with the use of fighter-bomber aircraft. Im not making that argument; Im just pointing out that Joe Biden has been making it unintentionally. As conservatives, lets enjoy our little moment here. Its satisfying to see a despicable person like Hunter Biden feel some consequences for the first time in his entitled life. (Although he's certain to be pardoned by his father after the election.) But lets keep our eyes on the issues revealed in this case that really matter. Image via Pexels. After a long wait, Qualcomms highly anticipated Snapdragon X processors are finally making a market debut. Windows PCs powered by Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus will start hitting shelves next week. This is a big deal because these are the only chips rated powerful enough for Microsofts new AI PC ecosystem Copilot+. Artificial intelligence is a big deal today, you know. However, Snapdragon X may have an anti-climactic end if ARM wins its legal battle against Qualcomm. ARM threatens to disrupt the Snapdragon X AI PC wave before it takes off This high-profile legal battle began after Qualcomm acquired Nuvia, a designer of CPUs based on the ARM architecture, in 2021. The $1.4 billion acquisition laid the foundation for Snapdragon X. However, ARM alleged that Qualcomm misused a licensing deal Nubia had signed before the acquisition. According to the British firm, Nubia had licensed a technology from ARM to design server chips but Qualcomm scrapped the plans and reassigned the team to develop a laptop processor. ARM says Qualcomms Snapdragon X chips are a direct technical descendant of Nuvias chip based on its technology. Since neither Qualcomm nor Nubia renewed the licensing contract after the acquisition, the license stands canceled. As such, Qualcomms using the technology for its PC processors is a violation of its intellectual property. ARM formally filed a lawsuit over the matter in August 2022 after the parties failed to negotiate a new licensing contract. Qualcomm, on the other hand, says its broad license for Arm technology already covers its Snapdragon X chips. Arms 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, the companys general counsel, said in a statement in 2022. A Qualcomm spokesperson recently told Reuters its position has not changed since ARM filed the lawsuit two years ago. Theres a real concern in the industry ARMs lawsuit against Qualcomm has hardly progressed in these two years. However, theres still a real concern that this licensing dispute could abruptly halt the shipment of new Snapdragon X-powered AI PCs. Attendees at Computex 2024, where Qualcomm unveiled its AI PC vision inviting executives from several big companies to the stage, were discussing the potential supply disruption if ARM wins the legal battle. Qualcomms vision and plans could come to a standstill. Its definitely a real risk, said Doug OLaughlin, the founder of Fabricated Knowledge, a chip financial analysis firm. The more successful (the laptops are), the more fees ARM can get eventually. Qualcomm has signed deals with around 20 PC makers for AI PCs powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus. Nearly two dozen laptops are expected to go on sale starting on June 18. An ARM victory would deal a severe blow to the plans. ARMs claim against Qualcomm and Nuvia is about protecting the ARM ecosystem and partners who rely on our IP and innovative designs, and therefore enforcing Qualcomms contractual obligation to destroy and stop using the Nuvia designs that were derived from ARM technology, an ARM spokesperson said. The SoftBank-owned British company wants to destroy Snapdragon X before Qualcomm and Microsoft even realize the dream of Copilot+ AI PCs. Interestingly, despite all this, ARM and Qualcomm have a close relationship in the industry. ARM is Qualcomms biggest supplier, while Qualcomm is ARMs second-biggest customer. Hopefully, the two firms will find a solution that doesnt disrupt the emerging AI PC ecosystem. The trial is scheduled to begin in the federal court in Delaware in December. However, some industry experts believe the companies will settle the case out of court in the coming months. Google has announced the creation of the Academic Research Awards (GARA) program. GARA seeks to accelerate technological innovation focused on current relevant problems through a collaborative approach and financing. Applications for the first funding cycle will be open from June 27 to July 17. Google is one of the largest companies in the tech industry. It has used its position to support technological development multiple times. The creation of the Academic Research Awards program is a new movement in this line. GARA will allow researchers to take forward their high-potential tech proposals. Googles Academic Research Awards will fund and support tech research The GARA program will be carried out in funding cycles. For each cycle, applicants must register their technological proposals related to the key areas set by Google. Each funding cycle will consider different areas to work on. The company will determine them according to the context of the moment. They want to work on developments that can positively impact society. Selected researchers will receive up to $150,000, funding that will allow them to carry out their projects without worrying about money. But thats not all, since they can receive direct tutoring from a Google research sponsor. The sponsor will also provide them with more direct contact with the companys research community. Everything revolves around this collaborative approach that seeks to both speed up the development of the project and make it even better if possible. AI is heavily present in the first funding cycle The first GARAs funding cycle will focus on six key areas. The company mentions Creating ML benchmarks for climate problems, Making education equitable, accessible and effective using AI, Quantum transduction and networking for scalable computing applications, Society-centered AI, Trust & safety and Using Gemini & Googles open model family to solve systems and infrastructure problems. As you can see, the artificial intelligence area is heavily present. This is normal considering the current context of the tech industry and that Google is behind the program. Samsung seems to have finally opened the floodgates to its June security update. Shortly after rolling out the new security patch to the past three generations of foldables globally, the company is updating a bunch of other models. The Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S20 FE, and Galaxy Note 20 series are getting the update in several markets, including the US. More Galaxy devices join Samsungs June Update party Samsung began its June SMR (Security Maintenance Release) rollout slowly. In the first ten days of the month, the company only updated 3-4 devices, including the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23. However, the company has now picked up the pace. As reported earlier today, the latest security patch is rolling out globally to Galaxy foldables launched in 2021 and beyond. We can confirm the availability of the new SMR for more devices. The Galaxy S23 FE, which picked up the update on carrier-locked units in the US a few days ago, is getting it widely. The June SMR is available for unlocked units stateside with the firmware build number S711U1UES4CXE3. Additionally, the Fan Edition handset is being updated to the new security patch across Asia. The new build number in the region is S711BXXS3CXE8. Samsung should soon update the phone in other regions. For the Galaxy S22 series, the update is live in the US with build numbers S90*USQS5EXE3 (carrier-locked) and S90*U1UES5EXE3 (unlocked). European units are getting the build number S90*BXXSAEXEC. Samsungs official changelog confirms that the devices arent picking up anything more than this months security fixes. The June SMR patches 59 vulnerabilities across the Galaxy family, including a critical one. The Galaxy S21 series is also initially getting the June security update in Europe and the US. The new build numbers for the 2021 Samsung flagships are G99*BXXSBGXED and G99*USQSBGXF1. The June SMR for the Galaxy S20 FE is available on carrier-locked units in the US with the build number G781USQSGHXF1. It shouldnt be long before the Korean firm expands the rollout to all eligible units of these devices globally. The Galaxy Note 20 series is getting the new SMR globally The June SMR is rolling out globally to the Galaxy Note 20 series. The last Note phones are getting the update widely in the US. The new build numbers are N98*USQS7HXF1 and N98*U1UES7HXF1. In Europe, the update comes with the build number N98*FXXSBHXF1 for 4G models (Samsung didnt release 4G models in the US) and N98*BXXSBHXF1 for 5G models. You can check for updates from the Settings app. After some speculation, Motorola has now announced a launch date for the Razr 50 series. Two foldable smartphones are expected to arrive, and the said date is June 25. So in 11 days from this point in time. The Motorola Razr 50 series launch date has been confirmed Do note that this confirmation comes via Motorola from China, as its a launch event in China. The global variants of the phone(s) will launch later on. The devices in question are the Motorola Razr 50 and Razr 50 Ultra. In addition to the launch date, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra also paid a visit to the FCC, TUV Rheinland, and Dekra certifications. Those listings revealed that the phone will have a 4,000mAh battery, and come with nano SIM + eSIM combo, at least in some markets. 68W charging is also expected. We know what the phones will look like We also know what the phone will look like already. Evan Blass confirmed the design of the phone a while back. It will have a huge display on the back, with thin bezels. The cameras will be included inside it, but everything else will be covered by the display, basically, as you can see below. That is said to be a 4-inch cover display, in addition to a 6.9-inch main display. The main display on the Razr 50 Ultra will offer a 165Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC is said to fuel the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. The phone will be equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The Razr 50 will be inferior to the Ultra, but still very powerful The Motorola Razr 50, on the other hand, is rumored to include the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chip. It will also ship with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. A 50-megapixel main camera is expected, in addition to a 13-megapixel ultrawide unit. On the front, youll find a 13-megapixel snapper. The vanilla Razr 50 model will have a 3.63-inch cover display and a 6.9-inch main display with a 120Hz refresh rate. A 4,200mAh battery is tipped for the Motorola Razr 50. If rumors are accurate, Samsung is less than a month from its next major hardware launch. The company plans to hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, France on July 10. The event will bring the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Galaxy Ring, and probably more products. In anticipation, the Korean firm has started putting up official support pages for the devices. The upcoming foldables just got support pages on Samsungs website. Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 get official support pages Samsung has published support pages for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 on its official websites in India and the UAE. In both regions, the foldable is listed with the model number SM-F956B/DS. Its the dual-SIM variant of the devices global versionthe US version has the model number SM-F956U. The listing on Samsung UAEs website also mentions the product name, i.e., Galaxy Z Fold 6. As expected, the support pages arent fully developed and dont contain any other information. The same goes for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which also picked up an official support page on Samsung UAEs website. The listing is for the global version (SM-F741B/DS) and comes complete with its name. These pages are usually an indication of a nearing launch of the device. Samsung starts developing the pages early so they are ready when the product goes official. These foldables will soon receive similar support pages on the companys website in other regions, including the US. As said earlier, Samsungs next Galaxy Unpacked may take place on July 10 (awaiting official confirmation). The Korean firm is going to Paris because France is hosting the Summer Olympics this year. The mega sporting event begins on July 26 with Samsung as one of its biggest global sponsorsthe company has been an Olympic sponsor for several decades. It would be looking to maximize promotion opportunities for the new products when the city is thronged by the Olympic crowd. Both new foldables may see a price increase Leaks have revealed a lot of things about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. The new foldables arent getting many major hardware upgrades (Fold may get fewer notable upgrades than Flip). However, they might still cost more than their respective predecessors. Rumors say Samsung will increase the prices by $100 across the board. Its unclear if the rumored price hike will be global, though. We should get a clearer picture closer to the launch event next month. Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 6 may not excite many people. A major leak has just revealed its specs in full, and we cant find any notable improvements or upgrades over the Fold 5. Certainly not anything justifying the rumored $100 price hike. The new foldable should go official in the second week of July. Leaked Galaxy Z Fold 6 specs arent exciting A detailed spec sheet published by SmartPrix reveals pretty much everything we need to know about the Galaxy Z Fold 6. According to the report, Samsung will equip the new Fold with a 7.6-inch folding display with an 18562160 pixels resolution, making for an 18:21 aspect ratio. Its a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the display tech is unchanged, Samsung has made the screen squarer. The Fold 5s display has an 18:21.6 aspect ratio. In fact, the whole device is getting shorter and wider. It measures 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm when folded and 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm when unfolded. The Fold 5 measures 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm when folded and 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm when unfolded. The new Fold is also lighter, weighing 239 grams (down from 253 grams). This change in dimension has allowed Samsung to make the cover display slightly wider, bringing it closer to a regular smartphone screen. The 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside has a 9382376 pixels resolution, i.e., an aspect ratio of 9:22.8, which is wider than the Fold 5s 9:23.1 aspect ratio. Both screens boast 16M color depth and are compatible with the S Pen. Rumors say Samsung has upgraded the UTG (Ultra-thin Glass) panel to reduce the crease on the folding display and make it more durable. However, this leak doesnt specify anything about the UTG panel, so well have to wait more. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (For Galaxy) chipset, the same one found inside the Galaxy S24 Ultra. it boasts 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB/512GB/1TB of (likely UFS 4.0) storage. The phone has two nano SIM slots. It also supports eSIMs. However, you cannot use more than two SIMs at once. You can either use two physical SIMs, one physical SIM and one eSIM, or two eSIMs. The foldable supports 18 5G bands. No changes in the cameras & battery The Galaxy Z Fold 6 will feature the same camera array as its predecessor. We are talking about a 50MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 12 MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a120-degree field of view, and a 10 MP telephoto camera with f2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom. The 4MP under-display camera on the inside and the 10MP selfie camera on the outside also carry over unchanged from the 2023 model. The primary camera and telephoto lens boast OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). The upcoming foldable also supports 8K video recording at 30 fps (frames per second), 4K slow-motion videos at 120 fps, and 1080p slow-motion videos at 240 fps. Samsung may have improved its camera algorithm for improved image quality. However, unchanged hardware means you shouldnt expect dramatic improvements in camera output. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 misses out on a battery upgrade too. Samsung is equipping it with a 4,400mAh battery, unchanged from its predecessor. The leak doesnt specify the charging speed but dont expect anything faster than 25W. The phone has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v5.3. Once again, Samsung avoided upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth v5.4, which is disappointing. The latest leak doesnt reveal anything about the Galaxy Z Fold 6s IP rating and speakers. However, we have little hope that Samsung has made any changes there. The new foldable will get a titanium frame, wider screens (hopefully with less crease and more durability), and a few extra software tricks. None of this warrants a price hike. Time will tell how the phone performs in the market with these minimal upgrades. Samsungs Unpacked event is rumored for July 10. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra may not arrive at the event. Just about every major company is implementing AI technology into their products. Yahoo, a company that basically owned the internet back in the early 2000s is still alive and kicking. It recently revamped the Yahoo News app from top to bottom, and it brings some powerful AI tools. Unfortunately, this comes with a feature that Google is catching flack for. While the name Yahoo isnt tossed around as much as it used to be, the company is a major news brand. In fact, its news site gets more than 185 million visitors every month. The company has its own app to curate news feeds that you can download. Recently, the company announced that it revamped Yahoo News from the ground up. This revamp comes with some new AI chops. Yahoo revamped its news app Before digging into the app, a little history lesson. Last year, Instagrams cofounders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger developed an app called Artifact. It was a news app that used artificial intelligence to curate news feeds for users. It was an interesting idea but ultimately ill-fated. Not long after launching, the company had to shutter the app due to a lack of growth. Well, Yahoo dug up the remains of Artifact and implemented its technology into the Yahoo News app. So, the Yahoo News app will use the AI technology that the Artifact app was using. With it, it will be able to intelligently curate news stories catered to users. The stories will be based on the users specific preferences. Thats a great thing, as people dont like seeing news stories that dont interest them. If youre into all of the latest discoveries in quantum physics, you dont want to see stories about which teams are going to the playoffs. Thats cool, but Yahoo is following Googles footsteps AI technology is a pretty divisive topic, and one of the things that really emphasizes its bad side is its potential to ruin industries. Its already had an impact on the art industry with artists losing their jobs. AI is poised to do a number on the news industry, and this is because of AI Overviews. This is the technology that provides AI-generated summaries of web searches that you make. So, rather than going to websites with relevant information and contributing to their ad revenue, youre free to bypass this and get the information served to you instantly. Obviously, this tactic can cost thousands of people their jobs. News sites depend on revenue from ads to, ya know, exist. So, search engines stealing traffic away from news sites just to shove their AI technology down peoples throats doesnt sit well with the industry. What does this have to do with Yahoo? Well, along with adding AI-curated news stories, the revamped Yahoo app also brings AI-generated overviews of news topics. It doesnt take a genius to know why thats messed up. The Yahoo News app is an app to be taken to the latest news stories. Its a portal to be taken to those news sites. Being such a huge news brand, its been the bread and butter of several news websites. However, its pulling the same stunt that Google pulled with AI Overviews. Now, people will have a fast track to skipping relevant news sites. What makes this worse is that the purpose of the app is to go to news sites. Bringing AI summaries defeats the purpose of the app itself. Its a bit more understandable for Google (only a bit) because you go to Google for broad knowledge whether it be from a news site, video site, blog, etc. So, getting Overviews isnt as much of a slap to the face of news organizations because theres always the chance that youre not looking for news. However, thats not saying much to Googles credit. In the case of the Yahoo News app, its built to show you news stories. Youre more than likely going to the app to be taken to news sites. So, this AI tool has more of an effect on the news sites its curating news from. This points to a bad trend The fact that Yahoo is bringing this tool hints at something potentially worrying. Google got flack for bringing AI summaries of stories. So, what does Meta do soon after? The same thing. It shows that, despite the public outcry, its still going through with its plans. Well, Yahoo is no different. Now, theres another company taking viewers from news websites without considering what the majority of people are saying. Its just like how OpenAI is pushing to bring AI video generation into Hollywood, even though ANYONE can see how that will negatively affect the industry. Were talking about major Hollywood studios like Disney and Warner Brothers. This is despite everyones worries. The fact that Yahoo, a company that has so much sway over the news industry chose to bring a tool that can have such a devastating effect on the news industry shows that this could be a big trend. So far, weve seen AI summaries with Google Search, Meta AI, and Brave Browsers default search engine. Companies are interested in expediting the acquisition of knowledge to fool people into thinking that taking a minute to read a post takes too long. The more people who adopt and prop up their products, the happier the all-mighty investors will be. At the end of the day, thats whats important; money. Yahoo revamped its news app, which is always a good thing, but well have to see if the AI summaries will be well-received. Satirist Armando Iannucci has said he will take becoming a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) as a signal to keep defending public broadcasters from attacks on independence and funding. The 60-year-old Scottish writer and director, who was behind the foul-mouthed Westminster sitcom The Thick Of It, was named in the Kings Birthday Honours for services to film and television. Iannucci has been a constant presence in British comedy, on both sides of the camera, for more than three decades. He has worked on hit shows such as the BBCs Im Alan Partridge and HBOs Veep, which saw him move into US television, along with movies such as The Personal History Of David Copperfield. The Thick of It creator Armando Iannucci after receiving an honorary degree from St Andrews University, to become an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) (Jane Barlow/PA) He said: Im proud to work in the British TV and film industry. Its the best in the world, yet weirdly Ive been spending more and more of my energy defending our public service television from attacks on its independence and funding. Ill take this award as a cue to keep going. He added it had been a huge surprise and was delighted, saying: But as with all awards, you know, Im very happy to receive them, but I feel that they shouldnt affect what you do next. In 2022 he backed the Channel 4 Aint Broke campaign in 2022 amid plans at the time to look at privatisation of the broadcaster, and has also previously urged the Government to stop reducing the funding of the BBC. The corporation has been under pressure due to its licence fee being frozen and the increase by 10.50 to 169.50 a year in April was less than had been hoped by the BBC. Born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and Italian father in 1963, versatile writer, producer and performer Iannucci studied at Oxford University, later saying he could only really have been an academic or a comedian. Armando Iannucci with his Officer of the British Empire medal (John Stillwell/PA) He worked on radio shows before television, alongside comedians such as Chris Morris, Stewart Lee and Steve Coogan during BBC mock current affairs programme The Day Today, and had his own sketch comedy The Armando Iannucci Shows on Channel 4. The success of The Thick Of It, which starred Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi as swearing spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, raised Iannuccis profile even higher and when he put out the 2009 Oscar-nominated spin-off film In The Loop, it helped make his name in the US. He previously became an OBE in the Queens 2012 Birthday Honours, which caused him a slight issue with the series when one of the writers suggested a plotline that would see Tucker get a CBE. Iannucci said: I had to put that to one side because they didnt know what I knew. That same year, he launched US political satire Veep with Seinfeld actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus playing the fictional selfish and driven vice-president Selina Meyer and Arrested Development star Tony Hale as her personal aide Gary Walsh. The cast of the film In The Loop Chris Addison, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee and Peter Capaldi with director Armando Iannucci (Yui Mok/PA) Iannucci left the show in 2015 before the fifth season following him winning the outstanding comedy series Emmy along with other members of the team. The series won 17 Emmys in total with multiple best actress gongs going to Louis-Dreyfus. That same year, he launched a passionate defence of the BBC during his James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture. He warned that politicians could become masters of the industry, adding: It will be a distracting interference and ultimately harmful to British television. Iannucci said that tampering with the BBC would be madness, and that politicians with no expertise in the area have got the industry completely wrong. He directed and co-wrote the Soviet-set 2017 film The Death Of Stalin, exploring the chaotic aftermath of Russian leader Josef Stalins death, and received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television from Bafta Scotland. Starring Steve Buscemi, Andrea Riseborough, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Friend and Sir Michael Palin, his satirical comedy film was given main Bafta nods for outstanding British film and adapted screenplay and three prizes at the British Independent Film Awards (Bifa) for best casting, best production design and best make-up and hair design. Iannucci followed this critically-acclaimed work with bringing Charles Dickens work David Copperfield to the big screen with a more modern twist, but still set in the 19th Century. 2019s The Personal History Of David Copperfield used colour-blind casting and British actor Dev Patel, who was born to Indian parents, played the title character. Jason Isaacs, Armando Iannucci, Andrea Riseborough, Sir Michael Palin, Paul Whitehouse and David Schneider, who worked on The Death Of Stalin (Ian West/PA) The film won a best screenplay Bifa for Iannucci and Simon Blackwell, while House actor Hugh Laurie also got a best supporting actor gong at the award show. Laurie would return to work with Iannucci in science fiction comedy series Avenue 5 as captain Ryan Clark. The show, which ran from 2020 to 2022 and aired on Sky, had a mixed critical reception. Iannuccis next project is set to be HBO show The Franchise, which will reportedly focus on the filming crew of a superhero blockbuster and will be directed by Oscar winner Sir Sam Mendes. This year, he was selected as fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) for his satirical work, writing, directing and producing. Iannucci is also a patron of the Child Poverty Action Group, and writes regularly for the left-wing magazine New Statesman. He has released a podcast series, Westminster Reimagined which examines how British politics could be reformed, with the New Statesman. He was also awarded an honorary degree by the University of St Andrews in Fife in recognition of the impact his work has had on stage and screen, and in public discourse, across four decades. Barclays has stepped back as a sponsor of all Live Nation festivals as bands boycott the events in protest of the banks ties to defence companies supplying Israel, and fossil fuel firms. Barclaycard was removed from the websites of festivals like Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight in recent days as it suspended its sponsorship of the events. It comes after several bands, including the bands Pest Control, Speed, Scowl, Zulu and Ithaca withdrew from Download, which starts on Friday in Leicestershire. A spokesperson for Live Nation said: Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals. In a statement on Instagram, Pest Control wrote: We will not take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide. Meanwhile, Ithaca wrote on X, formerly Twitter: Whilst we hate letting anyone down, this moment of solidarity sends a powerful message to the organisers about where the younger generation of bands stand. Tom Morello, guitarist of Rage Against The Machine, which will play at Download, said: The fact that the festival has listened to its musicians and cut ties with Barclays Bank is a testament to the power of artists taking collective action for human rights. Ive been pushing hard for this behind the scenes and I salute all the artists like Zulu, Scowl and Speed who have taken a stand to help make this historic withdrawal happen. Campaign group Bands Boycott Barclays, which has been leading the protests, said 163 acts, four showcases and two venues previously pulled out of the Barclaycard-sponsored Great Escape festival in Brighton in May. Following Live Nations announcement on Friday, the protest group wrote on Instagram: This is a victory for the Palestinian-led global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. As musicians, we were horrified that our music festivals were partnered with Barclays, who are complicit in the genocide in Gaza through investment, loans and underwriting of arms companies supplying the Israeli military. Hundreds of artists have taken action this summer to make it clear that this is morally reprehensible, and we are glad we have been heard. Our demand to Barclays is simple: divest from the genocide, or face further boycotts. Boycotting Barclays, also Europes primary funder of fossil fuels, is the minimum we can do to call for change. Barclays has been targeted by pro-Palestine campaigners in recent months, with protesters smashing windows and chucking paint over dozens of the banks branches across the UK earlier this week. In a statement posted online, the bank said: We trade in shares of listed companies in response to client instruction or demand and that may result in us holding shares. Whilst we provide financial services to these companies, we are not making investments for Barclays and Barclays is not a shareholder or investor in that sense in relation to these companies. Climate campaigners also welcomed the move to suspend the Barclaycard sponsorship. Joanna Warrington at Fossil Free London said: Barclays is a rotten bank: artists, brands, clients, and customers are all abandoning Barclays because of the billions Barclays is ploughing into fossil fuel companies like Shell and Israeli arms companies dropping bombs on innocent Palestinian children. This wont stop until Barclays stops funding destruction. Greenpeace UKs co-executive director Areeba Hamid said: This bank is the biggest fossil fuel funder in Europe, bankrolling oil and gas to the tune of billions of pounds, and has now been linked to arms companies involved in the conflict in Gaza. By putting an end to the greenwashing, festival organisers are sending a clear signal to Barclays that its time they took responsibility for the destructive industries they fund. In an opinion piece published in The Guardian on Friday, Barclays chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan criticised the recent actions as a threat to colleagues and claimed the bank has faced a disinformation campaign over its defence financing in recent months. The crux of the allegation is that we finance defence manufacturers and invest in them. Let me be clear about what we do and dont do, he wrote. Mr Venkatakrishnan added that a similar disinformation campaign has targeted the banks support of cultural institutions, claiming that writers and performers are being pressured to withdraw from festivals because they receive funding from companies such as Barclays. PA has contacted Barclays for comment. Dame Harriet Walter will play Margaret Thatcher in a new television drama commissioned by Channel 4. Brian And Margaret will tell the story of the 1989 TV interview between the former prime minister and journalist Brian Walden, played by Steve Coogan, which helped to precipitate the downfall of the Iron Lady. The two episodes, each an hour long, will be directed by Bafta-winning filmmaker Stephen Frears and written by Dear England playwright James Graham, based on political editor and TV producer, Rob Burleys book Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me: Searching For The Truth On Political TV. Steve Coogan will play Brian Walden (Ian West/PA) Succession actress Dame Harriet, 73, said: I have to travel a great distance to reach Maggie Thatcher but with Jamess brilliant script, Stephen Frears to guide me, and Steve Coogan to accompany me I have the dream team to help me achieve it. Alan Partridge star Coogan, 58, added: Its great to be telling a story from the era of the sorely missed forensic interview two giants of their time locking horns to determine the future of Britain. To act opposite Harriet Walter with a script by James Graham directed by Stephen Frears is a challenge of the very best kind. Graham, 41, said he was beyond excited to be working with a team he described as world-class. As we enter another election, and wrestle with the importance and effectiveness of the political interview, its a chance to bring to life the intimate and complicated relationship between Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher, interrogator and prime minister, he added. Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher (John Stillwell/PA) An epic one of love and betrayal, and I think an audience will be surprised by a lot of it. I know I was. Ollie Madden, director of Film 4 and head of Channel 4 Drama, said the broadcaster was delighted to have this unique drama on Channel 4. Sarah Monteith, chief executive of production company Baby Cow Productions, said: Baby Cow are proud to be making this important drama with the very best of British talent, bringing this extraordinary relationship in British politics to a new generation. Further casting and transmission details will be announced in due course. What to expect on the General Election campaign trail on Friday Here is your guide to the main developments in the General Election campaign on Friday: Battle buses parked Both Labour and Conservative battle buses are not expected to be on the road on Friday but campaigning continues. Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, will visit a mens mental health facility as he seeks to promote Labours mental health plan which the party says will get people back to work as it aims to increase economic growth. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer will face questions (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Keir Starmer will face a grilling from BBC journalist Nick Robinson in the latest Panorama election interview set to be broadcast at 7.30pm. Rishi Sunak, Plaid Cymrus Rhun ap Iorwerth and SNP leader John Swinney have already faced the spotlight, and appearances by the other party leaders are planned. Sunak in Italy Mr Sunak continues his break from the campaign trail as he attends the G7 summit in Italy. On Thursday, he held bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the event in Puglia. World leaders are expected to continue to discuss the future of Ukraine and other key global issues. Back in the UK, the Conservatives are expected to respond to Labours manifesto launch. Food, glorious food Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper will be on the campaign trail in the east of England touting her partys food strategy offer, which also aims to support British farmers. The proposed national food strategy, which was revealed in the Lib Dem manifesto, would be backed up by a plan to boost the farming budget by 1 billion a year. Under the Lib Dems, the strategy would be a top priority for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and involve industry experts from agriculture, farming and fishing, and nutrition. Farage predicts 6m Reform votes as he pitches himself as voice of opposition Nigel Farage has said he believes Reform UK could get more than six million votes in the General Election as he insisted he could trounce the hopelessly split Tory party to be the voice of opposition to Labour. The Reform UK leader also hailed as an inflection point an opinion poll that showed his party edging ahead of the Conservatives. At a London press conference called to celebrate the YouGov poll, Mr Farage said: We are not going to get four million votes, were not going to get five million votes, were going to get a very, very substantial number of votes. I genuinely think we can get over six million votes. I dont know where the ceiling is. That total would be significantly more than the 3.9 million votes his former party, Ukip, received under his leadership in 2015, when it secured 12.6% of the vote. Mr Farage went on to admit that Reform is not as organised and developed as the Liberal Democrats and could only capitalise on its growing support and start to break through with seats by winning more than six million votes. A YouGov survey commissioned by The Times newspaper had Mr Farages party at 19% and the Conservatives on 18% in voting intention, in a crossover moment which is the latest blow to Tory hopes of returning to government. However, pollsters caveated that Reforms lead was within the margin of error, and five other polls published in the past 24 hours all showed Mr Farages outfit trailing the Conservatives. Latest YouGov voting intention (12-13 Jun): Reform now 1pt ahead of the Tories for the first time, although this is still within the margin of error Con: 18% (no change from 10-11 Jun)Lab: 37% (-1)Reform UK: 19% (+2)Lib Dem: 14% (-1)Green: 7% (-1)SNP: 3% (+1) pic.twitter.com/brNybrUCbC YouGov (@YouGov) June 13, 2024 Rishi Sunak insisted that voting for Reform UK would be handing Labour a blank cheque as he played down the YouGov survey. The Prime Minister predicted a comeback as he stressed we are only halfway through this election and the choice between the Tories and Labour will crystallise for people between now and polling day. Mr Sunak, who was taking a break from the campaign trail to meet world leaders in Italy, told reporters at the G7 summit in Puglia: We are only halfway through this election, so Im still fighting very hard for every vote. If that poll was replicated on July 4, it would be handing Labour a blank cheque to tax everyone, tax their home, their pension, their car, their family, and Ill be fighting very hard to make sure that doesnt happen. And, actually, when Ive been out and about talking to people, they do understand that a vote for anyone who is not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in No 10. Rishi Sunak and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit in Italy (Christopher Furlong/PA) He added that there is a massive difference between Labour and the Tories, claiming that Labour would raise the tax burden to the highest level in this countrys history after Sir Keirs party launched its manifesto on Thursday. I think that choice will crystallise for people between now and polling day, the Prime Minister said. But at his press conference later on Friday, Mr Farage claimed Reform is well ahead of the Conservatives in several regions including the North East, the North West, the East Midlands, in the West Midlands, as well as in the so-called red wall. The inflection point means that, actually, if you vote Conservative in the red wall, you will almost certainly get Labour. A Conservative vote in the red wall is now a wasted vote, the arch Brexiteer said. He also said: It isnt going to be Rishi Sunak leading the opposition I mean, hell probably be in California anyway. The Conservatives will choose someone and they probably wont last very long. And they cant provide opposition because they are hopelessly split down the middle on policy I put it to you that I believe I can be that voice of opposition. Nigel Farage said the Tories could not be the opposition to Labour because they are hopelessly split down the middle on policy (James Manning/PA) Mr Farage said Tory former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns use of a photo of him on her election campaign leaflet for which she did not ask his permission shows you that depth of division that exists within the Conservative Party. Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, meanwhile, said the growth of Reform is just the latest chapter in the Conservative Partys psychodrama, pointing to Dame Andrea featuring Mr Farage on her campaign material instead of her own party leader. Mr Streeting said during a visit to West Yorkshire that he hoped Mr Farage would not be elected as the MP for Clacton in Essex, adding: One thing I would say to people about Nigel Farage is that hes never been tested on actually delivering on the change he campaigns for. Elsewhere, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds met top bosses for breakfast to hear their views on Labours manifesto. Leader Sir Keir will face a grilling from BBC journalist Nick Robinson in the latest Panorama election interview to be broadcast on Friday evening. Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper visited the east of England, as her party promotes its plans for a national food strategy. The outgoing and longest-serving chief executive of the charities regulator has described her damehood as recognition of the essential role charities play in society. Helen Stephenson, who is due to step down from her role with the Charity Commission in July, is among those recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours. Other recognition for charitable service in this years honours includes Stephen Hicks, chairman of the Trussell Trust food bank network, who has been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Dame Helen said she was thrilled to be honoured for services to charity and to regulation. She said: It is a recognition of the essential role charities have in our society and the fantastic team who work at the Charity Commission. Because of the trust and confidence people have in charities, they rightly hold a privileged place in society. Central to that trust and confidence is independent regulation. It has been a privilege to serve as CEO (chief executive officer) for the last seven years and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved in that time. Dame Helen joined the commission in July 2017, having previously been director of early years and childcare at the Department for Education and director of the Office for Civil Society, as well as roles with the Big Lottery Fund, the National Childbirth Trust and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Mr Hicks, who has been recognised for services to charity, dedicated the honour to all those who had helped people facing hardship in recent years. He said: This honour is for the Trussell Trust and our community of food banks across the UK, and the work weve done together to support food banks and people facing hardship over the last few years. During the last seven years, I have been truly humbled and privileged every day to work alongside so many talented, determined people at the charity that make my role so much easier. I also see the work that volunteers and staff in food banks across the UK do day in, day out and that gives me full confidence that together we will achieve our vision to end the need for food banks. Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said Mr Hicks truly deserves the honour, having made a significant contribution to the organisation over the years. She added: Stephen has guided us through some of the most challenging years that our network has faced, including the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis which placed untold pressures on food banks. His expertise, guidance and commitment to the cause ensured that we have been able to always prioritise the needs of food banks and the communities they support. French Open winner Iga Swiatek has revealed she cried during Taylor Swifts Eras Tour stop in Liverpool, where she even received a handwritten note from the Grammy winner. World number one Swiatek, a known Swiftie who has frequently shared her admiration of the pop megastar, took to social media to update fans after jokingly trying to persuade her agent to secure some tickets to a Swift concert during a Madrid Open press conference in April. On Friday, the Polish athlete shared a picture of herself visibly emotional and clutching a note written on Taylor Swift letterhead that appeared to congratulate the five-time grand slam winner on her recent victory at Roland Garros. I'm dead Yes, I cried many times during the show.Yes, it was incredible. You are amazing @taylorswift13 pic.twitter.com/JbpRWarbUw Iga Swiatek (@iga_swiatek) June 14, 2024 Swiatek wrote on X: Im dead. Yes, I cried many times during the show. Yes, it was incredible. You are amazing @taylorswift13. The 23-year-old was not the only celebrity in attendance on the first of Swifts three nights at Anfield Stadium. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp posted a clip on Instagram, ahead of the show on Thursday, saying: First time going to Anfield, not for a football game, but in the stands and watching Taylor Swift. So, yeah, Im not Taylor-made obviously but Taylor-ready. The German football boss also posted a video from inside the stadium, and on Friday morning shared a photo of himself wearing a pink cowboy hat, captioned: I guess I am officially a Swiftie. The US popstar, 34, began the UK leg of her tour in Edinburgh at Murrayfield Stadium on June 7 where she performed three dates. Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) The cast of Outlander was spotted at one of the concerts, donning beaded friendship bracelets which have become a staple at Swifts shows. US pop-punk band Paramore, fronted by Hayley Williams, opened for Swift and are set to support her across all the UK dates. Swift has two further shows in Liverpool before she embarks on dates in Cardiff, London, and Dublin, Ireland. The 14-time Grammy-winner will then return to London in August for five shows at Wembley Stadium. A grandmother who spent years helping Holocaust survivors before retiring aged 81 has said she is delighted to be recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours. Myrna Bernard has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the Jewish community and to the disabled in Scotland. Mrs Bernard has volunteered and contributed to the Jewish community in Scotland all of her adult life. She volunteered with the charity Jewish Care Scotland for many years before training at what was then North Glasgow College as a social care worker, graduating with distinction at the age of 59. Mrs Bernard continued working with Jewish Care for around a decade and then found a job working for the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) which helps support Holocaust survivors, many of whom came to the UK on the Kindertransport. She worked for the organisation until she retired in November last year aged 81. Mrs Bernard, who lives in Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire, enjoyed working with survivors and building trust, and said they appreciated the support from the AJR. She said: You cant stand back or be disinterested in them as individuals because they each had remarkable stories to tell. Some were treated well when they arrived, some were not treated well, some did very well in their future lives, some just jogged along but they were all very glad as they got older to have someone they could talk to, someone they could trust to look out for them. The Association of Jewish Refugees is a fantastic organisation. They have looked out for and looked after thousands of Holocaust survivors and they do a wonderful job. Its just a wonderful organisation and Im very proud to have been a member of it. I didnt really want to retire but I just felt it was time to give somebody younger the opportunity to be supportive to the remaining people. Around 10,000 children arrived in the UK on the Kindertransport in the late 1930s, escaping from Nazi persecution. Although she is now retired, Mrs Bernard keeps very busy, volunteering for the Helping Hands charity at Mearns Kirk and volunteering at the New Victoria Hospital to help people arriving for appointments. In the early 2000s, she set up the Kandu Club which organised activities for people with disabilities, and she has also supported the charity Cosgrove which helps people with additional needs. Mrs Bernard, who is married and has four children and five grandchildren, said she was surprised to be awarded the BEM. She said: It was a surprise, it was a shock, Im very touched and just amazed and Im delighted. It was very nice. Music has charms to soothe the savage beast is a line from a seventeenth century play with so much truth to it, it has been remembered long after everything else about play and playwright has passed out of popular knowledge. And while I dont know if I would slap on the latest Taylor Swift were I to accidentally run into a bear in the woods, its certainly true that music can soothe the not-so-savage beast in this clip. Here we see an adorable orange and white guinea pig named DinDin, who makes her home in Paris alongside several other little critters and her human mother, who likes to play piano for DinDins enjoyment. View the original article to see embedded media. This woman regularly posts content about her pet guinea pig DinDin, even though she actually has several other animals. Its Din Din, a gorgeous orange and white guinea pig, who gets all the love online, especially when the little creature snuggles up in a hollow of her piano to listen to her play. We stan a musical animal, but at least with this one, shes not howling along with the tune. Related: Guinea Pig Who Always Wants to Be with Mom Has Stolen Our Hearts I dont have a lot of experience with guide pigs myself, but one time at a petting zoo, I got to hold one in my lap and listen to its delightful squeaks, grunts, and other little noises. I was completely enchanted. Maybe the music of a guinea pig hat charms to soothe my inner savage beast? Do Guinea Pigs Like Music? Its clear that DinDin loves music. Every time she is placed but he piano she snuggles up and flattens her body against the wood, either listening intently or just enjoying the vibration of the chords. Though there are no studies specifically testing a guinea pigs enjoyment of music, it is clear froths sample size of one that DinDin, at least, loves classical piano. The Care and Keeping of Your Guinea Pig Guinea pigs are popular pets because they are adorable, small, and they make those aforementioned sweet little grunting squeaks. (Im telling you, its second only to a cats purring when it comes to satisfying pet noises.) They are highly sociable animals, and are gentle and easygoing, which make them wonderful pets, even for children. Guinea pigs need access to fresh green grass hay as well as plenty of fresh water. They also eat specially formulate guinea pig pellets, supplemented with vitamin C as well as the occasional fresh fruit or vegetable (especially crunchy veggies like carrots, apples, bell peppers, and romaine lettuce. Their habitats or enclosures should be of a suitable sizee to allow free movement and letting them get sufficient exercise. Wood shaving bedding is best and should be regularly cleaned. Make sure to give your guinea pig a small enclosure such as a box or other den that they can retreat to be alone, hide, and feel safe when they are stressed out. Guinea pigs are highly social animals who do well with lots of human interaction. In fact, they do best in pairs as the two guinea pigs can play with each other and keep each other occupied when their humans are not around. But can the guinea pig friend learn to play the piano? It remains to be seen. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. A deaf TikTok stars inquest could take years to conclude, a coroner warned, amid a police investigation into 88 deaths linked to lethal chemicals bought online to assist suicide. Imogen Nunn took a substance and died in Brighton, East Sussex, on January 1 2023. The 25-year-old raised awareness of hearing and mental health issues on her social media accounts, which attracted more than 780,000 followers. Last year the National Crime Agency (NCA) launched an investigation into the deaths of 88 people in the UK who bought products from Canada-based websites that were selling substances to assist suicide. At a pre-inquest review on Friday, Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector Craig Emmerson asked for a short postponement. He told the hearing he was assisting the NCA in relation to unlawful supply of a substance nationally which has national ramifications. This case, along with 88 others, is part of that national investigation. Were conscious of the impact on Immys family. However, due to scale and breadth of the investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are really in an early stage of considering the facts in all cases. The offence being investigated is assisting or encouraging suicide, he said. Coroners are legally bound to suspend inquests if requested by the CPS. Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield said: I am aware the family really want this case to go ahead and proceed without further delay. Any delay, if it is suspended, were talking for years not months. If the CPS decide to go ahead then clearly its going to take a long time for criminal charges to be concluded. Canadian Kenneth Law is due to stand trial in Ontario facing a string of murder and aiding suicide charges. Law, who is also being investigated by police in the United States, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, has been accused of selling lethal substances and sending more than 1,200 packages to people in 40 countries. Another pre-inquest review into Ms Nunns death is due to take place on September 4. The Princess of Wales has said she continues to receive treatment for cancer after her health announcement in March marked the latest blow to the royal family over the past year, including the King also being diagnosed with the disease. Kate appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she made the shock health announcement, but she said in a statement on Friday that she will attend the Kings Birthday Parade on Saturday and hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer. She was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but cancer was found after a successful operation. Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer (Jonathan Brady/PA) The princess wrote a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for The Colonels Review in London last Saturday. The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly in May, saying shes doing well when asked by a hospital administrator. William spent a number of weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays before returning to public work in mid-April. Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer. In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate. In wishing the monarch a full recovery, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said thankfully the cancer had been caught early. The King spoke to D-Day veterans following the UK national commemorative event (Gareth Fuller/PA) Charles initially postponed public-facing duties but resumed at the end of April, speaking of his shock at being diagnosed with cancer as he met patients on a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London. His appearance at a D-Day event in Portsmouth last week was his first public speech and most high-profile appearance since his cancer diagnosis. The Queen provided an update on her husbands health at the Queens Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey last Saturday, telling author Lee Child the King is doing fine but wont slow down and wont do what hes told. Sarah, Duchess of York announced a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. It was her second cancer diagnosis within a year, having been diagnosed with breast cancer the summer before, which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and subsequent reconstructive surgery. She had discovered an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening. Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but Im in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support, Sarah said on Instagram. Sarah, Duchess of York revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma (Chris Jackson/PA) Princess Beatrice shared an update on her mothers health on This Morning in May when she said the duchess was all clear and doing really well. In late February, tragedy befell Prince Michael of Kents family when Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince Michaels daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor, died from a catastrophic head injury with a gun found close to his body. For many years, it was the estrangement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that dominated discourse around the royal family after the pair stepped down as working royals in 2020. Having relocated to Montecito, California, Harry has returned to the UK infrequently but did so after the Kings cancer diagnosis. Though the duke only conducted a whirlwind 45-minute meeting with his father, Harry suggested that the Kings cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with the family. Asked by a US breakfast show if the diagnosis could have a reunifying effect, the duke replied: Yeah, I am sure. In May, a spokesperson for Harry said he hopes to see his father soon after the Kings full programme meant a reunion was not possible during the dukes UK trip to celebrate his Invictus Games. Howard Michael Phillips of Harlow was charged with an offence contrary to section three of the National Security Act - Facebook A 64-year-old Essex man has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with assisting Russias foreign intelligence service. Howard Michael Phillips of Harlow was charged with an offence contrary to section three of the National Security Act. Mr Phillips, wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke via video link at the Old Baileys number three court on Friday. He spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth. Mr Phillips, who is unemployed, will next appear at the same court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Oct 25. A trial date was set for Feb 10 of next year. He will remain in custody until his next appearance in court. Westminster magistrates court heard last month that Mr Phillips had been accused of passing on an MPs personal details to Vladimir Putins foreign intelligence service. Disclosing personal contact details The court heard that Mr Phillips is charged with acquiring and retaining personal contact details of a Member of Parliament and disclosing personal contact details and information relating to a Member of Parliament to a foreign intelligence service. He is also accused of applying for jobs with the Home Offices Border Force agency and applying for security clearance. Mr Phillips allegedly offered to provide logistical support to a foreign intelligence service, including booking a hotel and buying a mobile phone on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, as well as setting up a mobile phone so that it was available to be used by a foreign intelligence service. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: On May 16, a 64-year-old man was arrested in central London. He was arrested and detained under section 27 of the National Security Act (NSA) 2023. The arrest is not connected to any other recent charges or investigations linked to NSA offences, and there is not believed to be any threat to the wider public in connection with this matter. As part of the investigation, which was led by officers from the Met Polices Counter Terrorism Command, officers also searched an address in the Hertfordshire area and an address in the Essex area. A British soldier drags a Catholic protester during the 'Bloody Sunday' killings in Londonderry - Thopson/AFP/Getty A former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday has appeared in court for the first time since he was charged, hidden from view, as his lawyers tried to have the case thrown out. Ex-paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 protesters on the streets of Londonderry in January 1972. He is also charged with five attempted murders. The veteran was present in Court 16 in Belfast on Friday for a pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Fowler. He sat in the witness box, with a blue curtain shielding him from the main body of the court to protect his anonymity. Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims packed the public gallery, having travelled to the hearing from Londonderry. The defence made an application for the case to be dismissed ahead of a trial. Representing Soldier F, Mark Mulholland KC argued that there was an insufficiency of evidence against his client. Contradictory and flawed He went on to claim that contemporaneous statements from other soldiers were contradictory and flawed. Mr Mulholland told the judge that the case against the veteran was absent of a coherent evidential basis to ground any of the seven charges he was facing. Ian Turkington KC, who is also part of the veterans defence team, told the court Soldier F would be seen as a prized target for dissident republicans and claimed there would be a real and immediate risk to his life if his identity was made public. The defence relied on reports compiled by Alan McQuillan, the former assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Totemic status Mr McQuillan, who gave evidence to the court via video link, told the judge that the prosecution of Soldier F had assumed totemic status. He warned that the New IRA, which he said was based out of Londonderry, could seek to target him. NI Public Prosecution Service (PPS) barrister Louis Mably KC highlighted that the current police assessment of the risk to Soldier F was low. The PPS previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial. The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinneys family and the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast subsequently overturned the PPSs move. After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution. A date for Soldier Fs trial is yet to be fixed. Person uses mobile phone Children will be exposed to terrorist content on social media unless the online regulator takes a tougher approach with tech firms, the Governments counter-terrorism adviser has said. Jonathan Hall, KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said terrorist content was a blind spot in Ofcoms proposed code to protect children from online harms. He said the proposals by Ofcom which has been given the duty of protecting the public from illegal harms under the Online Safety Act failed to treat young people as being at particular danger of being lured into terrorism. Ofcom published the draft code at the beginning of May, saying it set out 40 practical measures that tech firms must take to keep children safe. It comes amid growing concerns among police chiefs and counter-terrorism experts about the increasing number of teenagers being radicalised online and arrested for terror offences. The Telegraph revealed on Thursday that a record 40 children under 18 were arrested for terror related offences in the year to March, up 67 per cent. The Home Office figures also revealed that children were more likely to be convicted of terror-related offences than any other age group. Terrorism content not identified as risk Mr Hall has set out his concerns in response to Ofcoms consultation on its childrens code which aims to protect children from online harms. Terrorism content is not identified as presenting a particular risk to children, he said. The code focused on protecting children from particular characteristics like abuse, hatred against people, promoting serious violence but not terrorism, which was ideological in nature. This let the firms off the hook because it would be difficult for them to judge whether children were ideologically driven. He added: There is merit in placing greater obligations on providers to remove terrorism or priority harmful content for children, who are particularly susceptible, than for adults, who are better able to make up their own minds. The code also failed to include terrorism as a specific risk or relevant priority content for children on the very platforms where it was particularly prevalent. Instead, they only prioritised content relating to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, which was a deficiency, said Mr Hall. These included discussion forums such as 8Chan and 8Kun which Mr Hall said were notorious for hateful violent content, and live streaming platforms such as those that promoted the Christchurch mosque shootings in which 51 people died in New Zealand and which were a key vector for radicalisation. These also included reposted or forwarded content. Forwarding violent and hateful material is a key risk with these services, he said. Spell out more fully the risks Mr Hall warned that unless Ofcom makes significant changes, children will not get the special protection which they so clearly need. I urge Ofcom to spell out more fully the risks of children encountering relevant priority content. This is to avoid the risk posed by terrorism content to children being neither adequately catered for under the illegal content regime or the child protection regime, he concluded. Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the power to fine companies up to 18 million or 10 per cent of turnover, depending which is larger, if they breach the new rules. Additional penalties for failing to comply with the requirement to remove unsafe material can also be imposed. The fines can be imposed on companies based overseas as well as those in the UK. An Ofcom spokesman said: As online safety regulator, protecting children is our number one priority. Weve been inviting views on strong measures to protect all users including children from terrorism, hate speech and radicalising content, including better oversight and making it easier for people to report. These are just the first of many protections against terrorist content that well introduce as new evidence, technology and harms emerge. hospital More than 800 operations have been postponed as a result of a suspected Russian cyber attack on the NHS, two of the hardest-hit hospital trusts have revealed. Computer systems run by Synnovis, which provides pathology services to hospitals and GP surgeries in the capital, were targeted by a ransomware attack on June 3. The hack, thought to be the work of Russian cyber criminal group Qilin, has crippled the capacity of NHS South East London. Data from the two most affected trusts Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust reveal more than 800 planned operations and 700 outpatient appointments needed to be rearranged as a result of the hack. The NHS warned that full restoration of services will take some time and disruption is expected for several months. Data published by the NHS London shows that almost 100 cancer treatments had to be postponed between June 3 and June 9 as a result of the technical problems. A total of 18 people on the waiting list for organ transplants also missed out on life-saving operations to receive donor organs. The organs instead were diverted to patients in other NHS Trusts. Blood tests severely impacted Five planned caesarean sections were also postponed or rescheduled. A&E is operating as normal and is open, but blood tests are severely impacted with the pathology services only operating at around 10 per cent of capacity, with half of this dedicated to people in hospital in severe conditions. It remains unknown if personal data have been breached and transferred into the hands of the attackers, with the NHS saying investigations to determine this are underway. Weekly data on the impact of the hack are set to be published by NHS London going forward. The NHS is urging blood donors nationwide with universal blood of type O, which can be given to any patient safely, to come forward to ease pressure on the hamstrung pathology services. More units of O+ and O- blood than usual will be required over the coming weeks to keep services running safely for local patients, NHS Blood and Transplant said. Distressing for patients and families There is no doubt the ransomware cyber attack on Synnovis is having a significant impact on services in south-east London, with hundreds of appointments and procedures being postponed, said Dr Chris Streather, medical director for NHS London. Having treatment postponed is distressing for patients and their families, and we apologise to all those who have been impacted, and staff will work hard to rearrange appointments and treatments as quickly as possible. While staff are working round the clock to mitigate the impact and Synnovis is working to recover its IT system, we expect disruption to be felt for some time. Prof Ian Abbs, chief executive of Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, and Prof Clive Kay, chief executive of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: We fully recognise the distress that any delays in care can cause for our patients and their families, and we are very sorry for this. In the meantime, we would urge patients to attend their appointments as planned unless they are contacted. Last week, Ciaran Martin, the first head of GCHQs National Cyber Security Centre, told BBC Radio 4 Today it was believed a Russian group of cyber criminals called Qilin was responsible for the attack. These criminal groups operate freely from Russia, he said. Theyve got websites on the dark web. This particular group has about a two-year history of attacking various organisations across the world. A separate source confirmed to The Telegraph that the group, said to have links to Vladimir Putin, was believed to be responsible. The group first emerged in 2022 and, according to research by Comparitech, has been behind 29 ransomware attacks this year around the world. Dr Dan Poulter says he is 'excited' that the next Labour government will take 'brave measures' to tackle public health - Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe The NHS will be overwhelmed without brave measures to prevent a rising tide of ill health, a former minister who defected to Labour has said. In his first intervention since crossing the floor, Dr Dan Poulter said Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, deserved great credit for taking a stand against the inevitable accusations of nanny state. Labour has pledged to introduce a ban on junk food advertising, supervised toothbrushing at school for young children and to stop the sales of energy drinks to under-16s, and to divert billions of pounds from hospital treatment into GP services and prevention of ill-health. Dr Poulter attacks his former party, suggesting that the NHS could collapse under the weight of avoidable diseases without such measures to improve the health of the country. Writing for The Telegraph, the medic, who was a health minister in the Coalition Government from 2012 to 2015, said: Today the NHS is struggling with the consequences of focusing too much on treating ill-health instead of preventing it. My NHS colleagues and I see those consequences walking through our hospital and GP surgery doors every day. More than one million hospital admissions a year are linked to obesity, a condition costing the NHS 6 billion a year and rising. 75,000 GP appointments a month are taken up by the effects of smoking. Without measures to improve the health of the nation, the burden could push the NHS beyond breaking point, he suggested. Courageous stance Our ageing society and the rising tide of ill-health in our country could soon overwhelm the NHS, he writes. Unless we act to plug the gaps, and focus more on preventing ill health, the NHS will become unsustainable. The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, continued: Keir Starmer deserves great credit for taking a stand against the inevitable accusations of nanny state. His Labour Party is proposing a serious plan to improve the health of our country, and put the NHS on a more sustainable footing. It is a courageous and important stance to take in the middle of an election campaign but one of principle, which will deliver healthier and longer lives for our children and grandchildren. When Dr Poulter announced his defection in April, he made claims that only the Labour Party could cure the NHS. He said working as a mental health doctor in A&E over the past year had shown him how desperate the situation facing the health service had become. Empty rhetoric In his article, the MP accuses his former party of a failure to act on public health. He said the introduction of a ban on smoking in cars with children introduced when he was minister for child health was his own proudest achievement in 14 years as an MP. As Prime Minister, Boris Johnson pledged to introduce a ban on junk food advertising, but it was repeatedly delayed, and has yet to be introduced. Dr Poulter, who is not standing for re-election on July 4, said: The Covid pandemic should have spurred our nation into further action on public health. Boris Johnson emerged from his hospital bed determined to tackle obesity. But every proposal he made turned out to be empty rhetoric and has been shelved by his successors. He said he was concerned that the libertarian wing of my former party has become too dominant and suggested that plans to phase out the sale of cigarettes had been ditched by Rishi Sunak because more than 100 Tory MPs voted against it or abstained. The Tory manifesto does pledge to press on with the Smoking and Vaping Bill. Dr Poulter said: As a former health minister and a doctor, I know that prevention is better than cure. As a former Conservative MP, Im ashamed that Rishi Sunaks party has abandoned the pitch when it comes to public health. As a Labour supporter, I am excited that the next Labour government will take brave measures to give every child a healthy, happy start to life. Labour has a serious plan to improve the health of our country by Dr Dan Poulter In 1948, people in Britain lived for an average of 68 years. The longer lives we can expect to live today are a great achievement of post-war civilised society. The result of better standards of living, the triumph of science over disease, and the National Health Service. The NHS was the answer to the countless numbers dying early because they lacked the means to pay for healthcare. But alongside our NHS came important improvements in public health, including programmes of mass immunisation, slum clearance, and in recent decades, action to tackle smoking and obesity. Unless we continue to deliver public health improvements which focus on preventing ill health, our NHS will face ever greater pressures. Today the NHS is struggling with the consequences of focusing too much on treating ill-health instead of preventing it. My NHS colleagues and I see those consequences walking through our hospital and GP surgery doors every day. More than one million hospital admissions a year are linked to obesity, a condition costing the NHS 6 billion a year and rising. 75,000 GP appointments a month are taken up by the effects of smoking. Our ageing society and the rising tide of ill-health in our country could soon overwhelm the NHS. As shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting has rightly said simply meeting this challenge by pouring more money into the service would be like pouring water into a leaky bucket. Unless we act to plug the gaps, and focus more on preventing ill health, the NHS will become unsustainable. I was proud to be the minister for child health in the coalition government which introduced the ban on smoking in cars with children. It was a policy that prevented children from developing asthma, bronchitis, and cancer. It saved lives and is my proudest achievement in my 14 years as a Member of Parliament. The Covid pandemic should have spurred our nation into further action on public health. Boris Johnson emerged from his hospital bed determined to tackle obesity. But every proposal he made turned out to be empty rhetoric and has been shelved by his successors. I am concerned that the libertarian wing of my former party has become too dominant, making the action we need to improve Britains health impossible under a Conservative Government. Even Rishi Sunaks landmark piece of legislation, the Smoking and Vaping Bill, saw over 100 Conservative MPs vote against it or abstain, which was why it was ditched in the dying days of the last Parliament. Keir Starmer deserves great credit for taking a stand against the inevitable accusations of nanny state. His Labour Party is proposing a serious plan to improve the health of our country, and put the NHS on a more sustainable footing. It is a courageous and important stance to take in the middle of an election campaign but one of principle, which will deliver healthier and longer lives for our children and grandchildren. From the mental health support this lockdown generation desperately requires, to preventing the next generation from smoking, this is the change our society and our NHS need. As a former health minister and a doctor, I know that prevention is better than cure. As a former Conservative MP, Im ashamed that Mr Sunaks party has abandoned the pitch when it comes to public health. As a Labour supporter, I am excited that the next Labour government will take brave measures to give every child a healthy, happy start to life. Mr A brought a claim for unlawful discrimination against the Ministry of Justice and Practice Plus Health and Rehabilitation Services - DjelicS A deaf prisoner with cancer was handcuffed on a short chain during hospital visits, leaving him unable to communicate using sign language. The hospital had arranged for a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter to be present online during a meeting between the 64-year-old man who has been profoundly deaf since birth and a consultant overseeing his cancer care. However, the handcuffs meant he could not make signs. The consultant and the prisoner, known as Mr A, complained to the prison officer from HMP Lewes to whom the man was handcuffed. The officer contacted the prison, and eventually permission was granted for the short chain to be swapped to a longer one, allowing him to use his hands. However, the same situation arose during a second hospital visit. On other occasions, staff at Lewes denied Mr A a BSL interpreter within the jail because they took the view that lip reading and writing would be enough for him to communicate with prison staff, medics and other prisoners. Informed of their rights Mr A, who was remanded to Lewes in August 2021 and spent a year in prison, brought a claim for unlawful discrimination against the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Practice Plus Health and Rehabilitation Services, the prisons healthcare provider. He has now settled with both parties and has been awarded a compensation payout by the MoJ of an undisclosed sum. Mr A said: I am really pleased my claim has now settled, but I am not the only deaf person who has been denied access to a BSL interpreter while in prison. Deaf prisoners should be informed of their rights and supported to have their deaf needs met while in custody. The case was uncovered by Inside Time, the prisoners newspaper. The MoJ told it that it had agreed to settle this claim with no admission of liability. Mr A was represented by law firm Leigh Day, which said: He was not provided with access to a BSL interpreter by prison or medical staff at the prison even though his communication needs were exacerbated in light of his cancer diagnosis. Significant barriers Mr A raised his concerns with HMP Lewes to the best of his ability, but the prison took the view that he was able to communicate sufficiently through lip-reading and writing, and no BSL interpreter was made available. A BSL interpreter was also not made available for his appointments with the healthcare department at the prison. As a result, he faced significant barriers understanding and taking part in prison life, as well as to follow and question medical professionals about his own health. Benjamin Burrows, a human rights partner at Leigh Day who represented Mr A, said: It is commonly accepted that life in prison is going to be much harder on those who are deaf than for others. However, not providing a deaf prisoner with access to a BSL interpreter, when BSL is their first language, makes life almost impossible for them. This case shows that the needs of deaf people in prison are still being fundamentally misunderstood. I am pleased that we have been able to settle Mr As claim, but it is of considerable disappointment and concern that he had to resort to litigation in the first place. Small county in E China develops billion-yuan bakery industry 10:08, June 14, 2024 By Yang Yanfei ( People's Daily "Zixi Bread" products are packed in a workshop in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo by Wu Zhigui/People's Daily Online) A small county inhabited by 100,000 people in east China just created this unbelievable miracle - nurturing over 40,000 bakers in the past 30 years and opening 16,000 bakeries across the country. It boasts a bakery industry whose annual output nears 30 billion yuan ($4.14 billion), and has incubated a series of well-known bakery brands such as Bao's Pastry and Zankee. As a matter of fact, Zixi county in Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province, is not very "talented" in developing the bakery industry. It is surrounded by the Dajue Mountain, the western foothills of the Wuyi Mountains. About 80 percent of its land is mountainous terrain. The initial development of the bakery industry in Zixi county relied heavily on the expertise and influence of local skilled individuals. Zhang Xiewang is exactly one of them. Zhang, who once attended relevant skill training sessions organized by the military unit he served in, retired together with his comrade-in-arms Hong Tao in 1987. The two raised about 10,000 yuan and opened the first bakery in Yingtan, Jiangxi Province. After weathering the challenges of starting a new business, their venture began to thrive. Therefore, they ventured back to their hometown, carrying their hard-earned capital, to open more bakeries. With their success, friends and relatives began knocking on their doors, seeking experiences of running a successful bakery business. The duo welcomed them wholeheartedly, imparting their knowledge and skills without reservations. In the span of a few years, they had mentored and trained over 100 apprentices, with the parents of Bao Caisheng, founder of the now internet-famous Bao's Pastry, among their first batch of students. Ever since, a strong "bakery force" has been gradually formulated and began venturing into all parts of China. Initially, bakers from Zixi who ventured out primarily operated family-run bakeries, such as husband-and-wife or sibling partnerships, which were relatively easy to establish. However, they subsequently faced a myriad of challenges, including difficulties in securing funding, acquiring baking skills, and generating profits. "For the industry to thrive, going solo is not viable," said Xu Quanlong, who had expanded his bakery business to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province and Kaifeng in Henan Province. At the invitation of relevant departments of Zixi county, he returned home and founded a bakery training center, where he has trained over 10,000 bakers to date. A bakery skill contest is held at a bakery vocational school in Zixi county, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo by Wu Zhigui/People's Daily Online) Zixi county has taken strategic measures to drive the growth of its bakery industry, including inviting successful entrepreneurs who had ventured out to establish training centers in the county, formulating industry standards, and encouraging financial institutions to provide "bakery loans" and other financial products and services to small and micro businesses. The county has identified the bakery industry as a key driver for developing its local economy. It has even established a dedicated bakery industry development office to systematically implement a series of supportive measures. "In recent years, branded bakery products have become mainstream in the market. To better embrace this trend, we need to concentrate our efforts," said Zeng Changhua, head of the bakery industry development office. In recent years, the county has been exploring a cluster-based development approach for its bakery industry. After "Zixi Bread" was approved as a collective brand in 2018, a bakery technology development company was established in the county to advance brand development and operations. To support brand building, the county holds bakery industry forums, bakery festivals, and other events on a regular basis, promoting new products and facilitating industry exchanges. Building upon its growing reputation, the county established a bakery industrial park. The park has been joined by a meat floss processing plant with a daily output of 100 tons and a premix flour factory with an annual production capacity of 6,000 tonnes, which are able to serve over 300 bakeries within a 300-kilometer radius. Supporting enterprises producing chocolate, frozen semi-finished goods, and cream have also joined the industrial park. "The cluster-based development approach enables not only efficient supply but also better cost and quality control," Zeng said. "With the ability to improve product quality, we are confident in the development of our brand." Inside the spacious and well-lit standardized factory buildings of the bakery industrial park, workers have designated roles - some shape the dough, others handle slicing. Under the warm golden glow of the ovens, the bread takes on an enticing color. In an office, a large screen divided into 16 sections displays real-time footage from various store locations. Computers store data on ingredients, production, logistics, and sales. "We have a clear record of the circulation of bread right from the production line," said Qian Haihua, general manager of the bakery technology development company. By analyzing sales data feedback from different regions, the company can accurately gauge market trends to guide the next day's production plan and provide basis for product design and development. "The bakery industry sees rapid product renewal. Our company phases out three to five slow-moving products every month," Qian told People's Daily. Leveraging data support, Zixi's bakery industry is pioneering an integrated system integrating online platforms, retail stores, customer services and modern logistics to improve the supply chain and service capabilities through intelligent upgrades. "The bakery business in Zixi has grown from nothing to a big industry. It was initially driven by our fellow townsmen, and later expanded through public services and a conducive institutional environment," said Zeng. "Now, with the bakery industry as a backbone, we aim to explore synergies with organic agricultural production, cultural tourism, and other related industries," Zeng noted. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Dipna Anand, Milton Keynes: The exterior may look like Tomorrows World, but inside it feels more like Santa Monica. Photograph: Jonathan West/The Guardian Dipna Anand, a talented Indian chef, has opened a bright 90-seater restaurant in Milton Keynes. For so long, merely the phrase Milton Keynes was a punchline; this new town, established in 1967, was inhabited only by the spiritually adrift, depressed newlyweds and some cows made of concrete. Those days of mega-LOLs about the mighty MK may have passed, but theres still something oddly futuristic about Unity Place, a new destination for dining, work and leisure just two minutes across a pedestrianised square from Milton Keynes station, and where Anand has set up shop selling her delicious Punjabi and south Indian menu with a smattering of modern British-Indian favourites. Yes, there are curries, biryani, thalis and small plates; yes, theres black dal, Delhi wala makhani chicken, pillowy deep-fried bhatura bread, and gajar halwa caramelised carrots for pudding; but there are also dynamite wings, masala fries and chocolate brownies, if thats your thing. But what exactly is Unity Place? Well, having spent two hours there, then a further two hours reading its marketing bumf, I dont know. Anands restaurant is certainly an elegant, welcoming space, but within a block that looks like The Offices Wernham Hogg building. Then inside, things flip again: Unity Places main reception area is a gargantuan space reminiscent of Tate Moderns Turbine Hall, except its not an art gallery. Then there are some lecture hall areas, a cafe by Santander the bank and, rather incongruously, a barbershop. This building is, apparently, an accessible hub seamlessly integrating sustainability and connectivity into its core, while also embodying a planet-first approach and fostering an environment of unity. Perhaps this confusing definition is why I was alone as I wandered around Unity Place looking for my Sunday lunch, feeling like Cillian Murphy in 28 Days Later. The urban food market sounded fun, but thats closed at weekends. Yet Anands place, once you find it, is absolutely charming. The exterior may belong in an episode of Tomorrows World, but inside it feels more like Santa Monica: pale floors, sage chairs, floral banquettes, greenery, delightful staff, and best of all the wafts of Punjabi food as you walk through the door. Get seated and order a round of vada pav on behalf of my brethren in the north of England, Id like to thank the Indian state of Maharashtra for nurturing this dish of deep-fried potato dumpling and chutney inside a fluffy dinner roll. For too long the chip butty held my affection as the pinnacle of carb-on-carb, then I discovered its spicy sister from India. Dipna Anands version sings with mustard and curry leaves and arrives with a rich, sweet tamarind sauce in a little silver bowl, helping me to retain some elegance while I hoover them up like a Henry vacuum cleaner. Theres a cocktail list, including a sassy lassi with rum and the Mohabbat martini with cardamom, if youre boozing, plus peach spiced tea if youre not. You wont leave here feeling short-changed: for 16 the vegetarian thali is a complete platter of joy. Served on a tray, theres a delicate, silky paneer matar curry, a decadent dal makhani rich with cream, then a pond-like saag aloo for you to assault with a fresh, rather slender, but still fit-for-purpose buttered naan. The thali comes with a pile of lightly fragrant peas pulao, a further pile of poppadoms, some chutney, and an outrageous secret-recipe raita that the chefs claim to be merely greek yoghurt with cucumber and salt, but which I dont believe. This is light, thoughtful cooking that determinedly sets out to incapacitate you, with lovely, kind service. Unity Place is not a great draw and this restaurant is the best thing happening in it. Come for Papa Jis fish curry and the tadka coconut greens, stay for a bowl of gulab jamun plump, deep-fried cardamom-scented dumplings paddling in rose and saffron syrup. Staff were concerned they might be too sweet for me, so they brought me a scoop of very good vanilla ice-cream to eat with them to make the dumplings less sweet. I wholly support this type of sugarspun logic. Unity Places purpose, Ive read, is to make a lasting, future-proof contribution to the citys landscape, both physically and figuratively. Im not sure about that, but if I lived closer to Anands restaurant, the physical change in me would be absolutely real. Dipna Anand Kitchen & Bar, Unity Place, 200 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, 01908 018595. Open Weds-Fri 4-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-5pm. From about 30 a head, plus drinks and service Listen to the latest episode of Graces podcast Comfort Eating here Fabien Roussel, national secretary of the Communist party, addresses a news conference by the Nouveau Front Populaire to announce the alliance of left-wing parties. Photograph: Stephane Mahe/Reuters Frances four main leftwing parties have agreed to form a New Popular Front (NPF) to contest the snap election, as the far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would seek a national unity government if her National Rally (RN) wins. The Socialist party (PS), Greens, Communists and France Unbowed (LFI), led by the hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon, will campaign on a common platform and field a single joint candidate in each of the 577 parliamentary constituencies. A new page in the history of France has been written, they said in a joint statement. Melenchon tweeted his warmest congratulations and thanks to our negotiators who had four sleepless nights deciding on the programme and 577 candidates. Macron called the snap ballot last Sunday after his list in the European elections suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the RN, managing less than half the far-right partys score. The vote will be held over two rounds on 30 June and 7 July. The LFI MP Francois Ruffin said the left could now start our campaign with the aim of winning!. Raphael Glucksmann, who led a successful Socialist-backed list in the European elections, said he would also back the alliance. We cant leave France to the Le Pen family, Glucksmann told France Inter radio, adding that the NPF looked like the only way to prevent a far-right victory in the election, Frances most momentous in decades. Glucksmann, whose list scored about 14% in the EU elections, just behind Macrons camp, accused the president of plunging France into chaos and opening the way to power for the far right. It was unclear who would lead the NPF and be its candidate for the post of prime minister. Glucksmann ruled out the bombastic and divisive Melenchon, saying: We need someone who can achieve consensus. Manuel Bompard, a senior LFI MP, said the alliances aim would be to offer the country a complete break with the policies of Emmanuel Macron, so as to respond to the peoples most immediate needs, and to implement the necessary green transition. The NPF, presenting its policies on Friday, said its top priority if elected would be the cost of living crisis, which was harming the lives and confidence of the French people. It pledged to cap the price of essential foods, as well as electricity, gas and petrol. The parties also said they would immediately reverse the unpopular pension changes pushed through last year by Macrons government and return the French retirement age to 60, as well as overturning a more recent change to unemployment benefits and introducing a wealth tax. They said Frances minimum wage and pension would be raised, while the NPF would also demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, recognise the state of Palestine, continue supplying necessary arms to Ukraine and legislate for carbon neutrality by 2050. Related: French elections: who are the key players and what is at stake? Polls suggest that the NPF, a repeat of the Nupes left-green alliance formed for Frances 2022 parliamentary elections, could run Le Pens RN, which is polling at just over 30% of the national vote, a close second in the snap election. The coalition is on course to capture just under 30%, giving it more than enough deputies in the national assembly to prevent both Macrons centrist coalition, forecast to lose half its MPs, and RN, which could double its tally, from forming a stable majority. As Nupes, the same left-green alliance worked together in 2022 and 2023, before a leadership struggle, Melenchons polarising character and policy differences - notably over the conflict in the Middle East triggered its de facto collapse. Campaigning in northern France on Friday, Le Pen said RN was on course to win the election, form a government of national unity and pull France out of the rut. The RN leader added: We will gather all French people men and women of goodwill who are aware of the catastrophic situation in our country. It would be up to the 28-year-old RN president, Jordan Bardella, to choose his team, she said. Infighting has continued in the centre-right Les Republicains (LR), the party of the former presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, after its president, Eric Ciotti, unilaterally announced a surprise alliance with RN. That prompted the rest of the partys leadership to vote him out on Wednesday, and again on Friday, but Ciotti has continued to insist he is still the conservative partys leader. A Paris court on Friday overturned the decision to expel him. Ciotti posted on X: The Paris court tribunal has suspended the move to expel me from the Republicans. I therefore continue to exercise my functions as party president. Speaking on BFM-TV on Friday, Bardella, Frances probable prime minister if the far-right party wins a majority in parliament, said the alliance between RN and LR would field joint candidates in roughly 70 constituencies. LR said no such deal was in place. Legislation exonerating post office operators in Scotland wrongly convicted as part of the Horizon scandal came into force on Friday. Photograph: Peter Lane/Alamy The son of a post office operator who says he admitted stealing 35,000 to save his mother from prison may be covered by new legislation exonerating those wrongly convicted in the Horizon scandal, a court has heard. In February 2010, Ravinder Naga was ordered to complete 300 hours of community service and pay compensation of 35,000 after he confessed to stealing the money from the post office where his mother worked in Greenock, Inverclyde. Naga has since said he confessed to a crime he did not commit because his mother would not have survived prison. He told the BBC: If someone had to be sacrificed then better me than my mum. The family could have coped if maybe I wasnt there, but if my mum had been taken and something had happened to my mum then there would have been no recovery from that. In 2022 he requested a review of his conviction and sentence, and the Scottish Cases Review Commission referred it to the high court of the justiciary, saying Naga had pleaded guilty in circumstances that were, or could be said to be, clearly prejudicial to him. Related: Toby Jones praises extraordinary dignity of Post Office accused The judge Leeona Dorrian opened the hearing at the court of session in Edinburgh on Friday by asking advocates if they had reached a view on whether Naga was covered by the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act, which came into effect on Friday. Lewis Kennedy, representing Naga, said he believed his client was covered by the legislation, while Brian Gill KC, for the crown, indicated it would be a matter for ministers to determine. Lady Dorrian asked Gill: It may be covered by the new legislation? Gill replied: It may be. Dorrian responded that at the heart of this case is a simple issue, saying there was no doubt that it involved a sum of money that was linked to the Horizon scandal, plus another sum that she said was currently undetermined. She said: The only issues are whether, had the deficiencies in the Horizon system been known of at the time, would that have made a difference to the statements made or the admissions made by the individual, and would it have made a difference to the conviction. Its impossible for this court to understand why its taken so long for this to be determined. She ordered a two-day appeal hearing to begin on 26 September. Legislation exonerating post office operators in Scotland wrongly convicted as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal came into force on Friday. A law doing so for post office operators in England and Wales was introduced earlier this year. Ilaria Salis speaks to the media as she appears in court in Budapest last month Photograph: Marton Monus/Reuters An Italian anti-fascist activist has been released from house arrest in Budapest after being elected to the European parliament, which meant she gained immunity from charges relating to an alleged attack on neo-Nazis. The case of Ilaria Salis, 39, a teacher from Monza, near Milan, sparked diplomatic protests and anger in Italy after she was brought to court in Hungary in chains, her hands cuffed and feet locked together. She was arrested in Budapest in February last year after a counter-demonstration against a neo-Nazi rally. Salis was charged with three counts of attempted assault and accused of being part of an extreme leftwing organisation. She denied the charges, which carried a jail term of up to 11 years. In a letter to her lawyer, she detailed the conditions she had faced since her arrest: cells infested with rats and bugs, not being allowed to wash for days at a time, and a lack of urgent medical care. In May she was granted house arrest in Budapest. Salis won her seat as a candidate with the Greens and Left Alliance, which won about 6.8% of the Italian vote on Sunday. After her election as a member of the European parliament, her lawyers requested her release based on the immunity enjoyed by EU lawmakers. The court responded that it was awaiting the official communication of her election to the parliament. On Monday Salis called her lawyers in Italy to inform them that she had received the decision of the Hungarian judge releasing her from house arrest. Finally! We are delighted by the news coming from Budapest, MEP Ilaria Salis can now return to Italy and fulfil her new role as indicated by hundreds of thousands of voters, said Angelo Bonelli and Nicola Fratoianni, of Italys the Greens and Left Alliance party, in a joint statement. Our thanks go to all those who, like us, have been outraged and have not accepted the terrible condition in which she was held in Orbans prisons over these months. Now she can defend civil and social rights of the most vulnerable together with us. We look forward to welcoming her, they said, referring to Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban. Salis is expected to return to Italy by Monday, her 40th birthday. Gergely Gulyas, a Hungarian government spokesperson, said: Sending a criminal to the European parliament does not benefit either the European parliament or the voters. He said the election of Salis in Italy made for a negative image of Italian democracy and of a portion of the voters will that wanted to send a criminal to the European parliament. Pope Francis, sitting between Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron, addresses the G7 summit. Photograph: Vatican/Getty Images Italys far-right government has denied that it removed references to abortion and LGBTQ rights in the final declaration of the G7 summit in Puglia. In the declaration, published late on Friday, a reference to the protection of the gender identity and sexual orientation of the LGBTQ community did not appear, although reference had been included in the final declaration of the G7 in Japan last year. The word abortion was also left out of a broader commitment to universal access to adequate, affordable, and quality health services for women, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. In last years communique, G7 leaders had explicitly committed to addressing access to safe and legal abortion. Bloomberg, which first reported on the removed LGBTQ passage, linked the removal to the involvement in the summit of Pope Francis, with whom the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has bonded over LGBTQ and abortion issues. It is the first time a pontiff has addressed a G7 meeting. The news published by Bloomberg, according to which any reference to the rights of LGBT people could be removed from the final G7 communique, is devoid of any foundation, Melonis office said. The Italian presidency [of the G7] categorically denies this reconstruction. The allegation followed a clash between Meloni and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, after Italy was accused of diluting a reference to guaranteeing access to safe and legal abortions in the G7s final text. The clause had also been agreed by the G7 members in Japan. Sources in Melonis office denied that the reference had been removed, saying on Thursday that the declaration was still being negotiated and that everything that will be included in the final document will be final points resulting from the negotiations. Related: Why the pope has the ears of G7 leaders on the ethics of AI Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the event that he regretted the removal of the reference. You dont have the same sensibilities in your country, Macron said to an Italian journalist. France has a vision of equality between women and men, but its not a vision shared by all the political spectrum. Meloni hit back by accusing Macron, who called a snap election after a surge by Frances far right in the European elections, of using the G7 for electioneering, according to reports in the Italian press. Since taking power in October 2021, Melonis government has introduced policies against the LGBTQ community, such as a crackdown on same-sex parenting, and in April approved a law allowing anti-abortion activists to enter abortion clinics. In early May, Meloni vehemently defended the Italian families minister, Eugenia Roccella, after she was heckled by student protesters over the governments stance on abortion during a conference on how to reverse Italys declining birthrate. Roccella initially tried to confront the protesters but decided to abandon her planned speech and left the stage. Meloni called the protest disgraceful, posting on social media: It is time to say enough is enough. In the video, Boris Johnson makes no mention of Rishi Sunak but urges voters to back Sir Simon Clarke - Twitter Boris Johnson has finally joined the election campaign trail by publicly backing an MP who has called for Rishi Sunak to quit. The former prime minister has produced a video in support of Sir Simon Clarke, the former levelling up secretary, who in January called for Mr Sunak to resign and warned that the party faced an electoral massacre if he remained in charge. Sir Simon, who served as a minister under both Mr Johnson and Liz Truss, is seeking re-election as MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. In a video tweeted by Sir Simon, Mr Johnson makes no mention of Mr Sunak but urges voters in the constituency to back a candidate who played a crucial part in the whole levelling up agenda, a key plank of his 2019 election campaign. He said that Sir Simons re-election would stop Ben Houchen, the recently re-elected mayor for Tees Valley, being surrounded by Labour MPs. Mr Johnson also praised Sir Simon for being heroic in getting himself and the Tories elected in 2019 with one of the biggest majorities that our party has had for a very long time and helping to get Brexit done and prevent Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer and every else from unravelling it. Mr Johnson said Sir Simon Clarke's re-election would stop Ben Houchen, the Mayor of the Tees Valley, being surrounded by Labour MPs - Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive Mr Sunak and Mr Johnson are said to have talked before the campaign but the former prime minister has been given no formal role in the campaign. Instead he is said to have opted for interventions to support individual candidates. His first choice will raise eyebrows in Conservative central office given Sir Simons blistering critique of Mr Sunak in his call for the Prime Minister to resign. In an article for The Telegraph earlier this year, he said that Mr Sunak has gone from asset to anchor and the party faced extinction under his leadership. He warned that the country was on the brink of being run by Keir Starmers Labour for a decade or more, and if Nigel Farage returns to the fray, as looks increasingly likely, extinction is a very real possibility for our party. Sir Simon explained that Mr Sunak was not solely responsible for our present predicament but his uninspiring leadership is the main obstacle to our recovery. He wrote: The unvarnished truth is that Rishi Sunak is leading the Conservatives into an election where we will be massacred. Sir Simon was one of 11 Conservative MPs to vote against Mr Sunaks Rwanda bill as a rebellion fizzled out after attempts to toughen the scheme failed. In the tweet on Friday, Sir Simon said: Im delighted to have the support of @BorisJohnson the man who saw off Keir Starmers attempt to overturn Brexit and to install Jeremy Corbyn as our Prime Minister twice. Sir Simons intervention in January provoked a furious backlash. Dame Priti Patel, the former home secretary, accused Sir Simon of engaging in facile and divisive self indulgence. Sir David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, said: The party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UKs best interests. Before quitting the Tories for Reform, Lee Anderson, who joined Sir Simon in rebelling over the Rwanda Bill, said that there was no chance of Mr Sunak being removed before the next election. Merrick Garland testifies on Capitol Hill on 4 June 2024. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock The US Department of Justice on Friday told the Republican House of Representatives speaker, Mike Johnson, that it would decline to pursue criminal contempt of Congress charges against the attorney general, Merrick Garland, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The Republican-controlled House had voted on Wednesday to hold Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio of Joe Bidens interview with the special counsel investigating his retention of classified documents after he was Barack Obamas vice-president. It was Republicans latest and strongest rebuke of the justice department as partisan conflict over the rule of law animates the 2024 presidential campaign. Related: US House votes to hold Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress The 216-207 vote fell along party lines, with Republicans coalescing behind the contempt effort despite reservations among some of the partys more centrist members. It was immediately predicted that the justice department would not pursue a prosecution. This contempt resolution will do very little, other than smear the reputation of Merrick Garland, who will remain a good and decent public servant no matter what Republicans say about him today, Jerry Nadler, a New York congressman and the top Democrat on the judiciary committee, said during floor debate. Johnson said the House would go to court to enforce the subpoena against Garland, for access to Bidens special counsel audio interview. It is sadly predictable that the Biden Administrations justice department will not prosecute Garland for defying congressional subpoenas even though the department aggressively prosecuted Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro for the same thing, Johnson said in a statement. This is yet another example of the two-tiered system of justice brought to us by the Biden Administration. Garland has defended the justice department, saying officials have gone to extraordinary lengths to provide information to the committees about the special counsel, Robert Hur, and the classified-documents investigation, including a transcript of Bidens interview with him. Hur did not recommend charges against Biden, but when he issued his report in early 2024 described the president as an elderly man with a poor memory, creating a storm in Washington. The role of the justice department in American political life has become a huge issue in the 2024 election, with Republicans making unfounded statements that it has been weaponized by Biden. In fact, the department has successfully prosecuted Bidens own son, Hunter Biden, on gun charges and it is the Republican challenger, Donald Trump, who has made repeated threats to come after his political enemies should he win Novembers presidential election. Before Garland, the last attorney general held in contempt was Republican Bill Barr in 2019. That was when the Democratically controlled House voted to issue a referral against Barr after he refused to turn over documents related to a special counsel investigation into Trump. Years before that under Barack Obama, the then attorney general Eric Holder was held in contempt related to the gun-running operation known as Operation Fast and Furious. In each of those instances, the justice department took no action against the attorney general. Wes Streeting holds a copy of the Labour manifesto, which promises an additional 8,500 new NHS staff over a first term in government - Anthony Devlin/Getty Images Europe A Labour government would repay the debt to generation lockdown with an expansion in mental health support, the shadow health secretary has said. Wes Streeting said that Britain owed a debt to the youngest in society, who were now suffering shamefully long waits for help to tackle the fallout from the pandemic. Writing for The Telegraph he said that the current generation of young people had seen their futures cut off at the knees. He wrote: The pandemic was the only time in our history that the lives, liberties, and livelihoods of the young have been sacrificed to protect the elderly. Perhaps most damaging of all, young people saw their mental health corrupted by lockdown. Teenage boys in particular are not seeing their mental wellbeing return to normal as they mature. Mr Streeting said that having taken such measures, the country now owe a debt to this generation a debt that he accused Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, of refusing to pay. Highlighting waits of up to five years for a mental health appointment, he said that the situation had become a second pandemic and one of the most urgent needs of our time. Situation is a tragedy He wrote: It is not good enough to dismiss this crisis as the complaints of a bunch of snowflakes. Not when children at risk of suicide are denied even a place on a waiting list, because services are so desperate. 32,000 children have been waiting more than two years for their first appointment.. The Labour manifesto, published on Thursday, promises an additional 8,500 new NHS staff over a first term in government to treat children and adults suffering from mental health problems. It also promises walk-in mental health hubs for young people in every community and support in every school, including fast-tracking to help for the most serious mental health concerns. Britain is currently suffering from a mental health epidemic that is paralysing lives, particularly those of children and young people, the manifesto states, describing the situation as a tragedy. Data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that one in five children is suffering from probable mental health disorders up from one in eight before the pandemic. Last year, a study suggested that middle-class children suffered the worst effects on mental health during the pandemic. The British study of almost 10,000 families found those from affluent backgrounds experienced the steepest decline. Researchers from the University of Glasgow said that such families may have been more likely to have parents working from home, while trying to juggle childcare. Sick society holding back Britain The MP said that all the mental health policies were fully costed and would be fully funded through closing tax loopholes for the wealthiest. Mr Streeting said that Britains mental health crisis was also keeping people out of the labour market and costing the country billions. He said that the expansion in mental health services would get people back to work and increase economic growth. Before a visit to a mens mental health charity, Mr Streeting said: The Tories high-tax, low-growth record offers no hope for the future just 4,800 more on the mortgages of working families. People right across the country are being denied the support that they need to get into work and stay in work. The increase in mental ill health under the Tories is costing Britain 23 billion per year. Stress, depression and anxiety account for 17 million lost workdays every year. There are now three million people out of work for long-term sickness, almost half of whom suffer with mental health problems. The cost in lost economic output, if nothing changes and the Conservatives are given another five years, will total 115 billion, he wrote, saying our sick society is holding back Britains economy. Only Labour has compelling offer for next generation in its manifesto By Wes Streeting This generation of young people has seen their futures cut off at the knees. The pandemic was the only time in our history that the lives, liberties and livelihoods of the young have been sacrificed to protect the elderly. Young people missed out on crucial years of education and saw the start of their early careers cut short. Unless something changes, they will inherit a country with record-long NHS waiting lists and be bequeathed the highest levels of public debt since the 1960s. Perhaps most damaging of all, young people saw their mental health corrupted by lockdown. Teenage boys in particular are not seeing their mental wellbeing return to normal as they mature. We surely do not yet know the true scale of the damage done to our children. Labour supported the Conservative Governments decisions to put the country into lockdown, I dont for a minute pretend otherwise. But having done so, we now owe a debt to this generation. A debt that Rishi Sunak refuses to pay. He cancelled their education catch-up. Hes admitted that the dream of home ownership has become a myth for many under the Conservatives. His manifesto full of uncosted spending risks sending mortgages soaring by another 4,800, putting them further out of reach for millions. And young people have been left waiting as long as five years for a mental health appointment, at a critical stage of their development. An urgent need of our time Mental health is now one of the urgent needs of our time a second pandemic after Covid. It is not good enough to dismiss this crisis as the complaints of a bunch of snowflakes. Not when children at risk of suicide are denied even a place on a waiting list, because services are so desperate. A total of 32,000 children have been waiting more than two years for their first appointment. It is not just a dereliction of our duty to care for children, it is damaging the economy. Stress, depression and anxiety account for 17 million lost workdays every year. There are now three million people out of work for long-term sickness, almost half of whom suffer with mental health problems. The cost in lost economic output, if nothing changes and the Conservatives are given another five years, will total 115 billion. Our sick society is holding back Britains economy. You cant build a wealthy economy without a healthy society. Only Labour has a plan to cut waiting lists and get people back to work. That is a key part of our programme to get our economy growing again. We will recruit an extra 8,500 mental health professionals to get people the treatment they need, when they need it. We will provide walk-in mental health hubs for young people in every community. Lots of kids on mental health waiting lists wont be at the sharp end, with the most serious mental health problems. They may just need reassurance that feeling stressed around exams is normal and that puberty isnt easy for anyone. Labour will provide mental health support in every school, so children get the early intervention they need, and those with serious mental health concerns can be fast tracked. All of our mental health policies are fully costed, fully funded through closing tax loopholes for the wealthiest. It is only Labour that has a compelling offer for the next generation running through its manifesto. With our plans to introduce primary school breakfast clubs so kids start the day with hungry minds not hungry bellies, reform planning and build 1.5 million more homes to revive the dream of home ownership, and to get young people off mental health waiting lists and into work, only Labour will build a better future for young people. Students at the London School of Economics have protested against LSE's alleged ties to Israel - Mark Kerrison/In Pictures/Getty Students at the London School of Economics (LSE) have been ordered to leave their pro-Palestinian encampment after losing the first stage of a legal battle. The group were issued an interim possession order at a court hearing on Friday, requiring them to disband their sit-in at the university within 24 hours. LSE launched legal action against the students earlier this month after they set up an encampment in the atrium of the universitys Marshall Building on May 14. At the hearing at Central London County Court, District Judge Kevin Moses said the students were aware of the difficulties they are causing the claimants and other users of the premises. He added that while the students had the right to protest, what it does not do is give parties an unfettered right to occupy other parties premises with a view to protesting, particularly when they are required to leave. The activists have occupied the building for a month in protest against LSEs alleged ties to Israel. The action was prompted by a report by LSE students published on May 13, which claimed 89 million of the universitys investments are tied up in assets related to the conflict in Gaza, fossil fuels, the arms industry, and nuclear weapons production. Students at the encampment have made several demands to the university, including to divest from companies found to be complicit in crimes against the Palestinian people and other egregious activities. The group is also calling for LSE to direct some of its scholarship funding to Palestinian students, help finance the rebuilding of destroyed Gazan universities, and publicly condemn Israels actions in the conflict. LSE has said it would carefully consider the report and hoped for peaceful dialogue with students. Encampments have sprung up across British universities in protest against the war in Gaza, following demonstrations at American universities since mid-April, which have resulted in hundreds of arrests. Protests against the war in Gaza are taking place at British universities including UCL - Abdullah Bailey/Avalon More than a dozen sit-ins are still in place on British campuses, including at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Bristol and University College London. Oxford was forced to cancel exams on Thursday after pro-Palestinian protesters stormed an exam hall. The university said end-of-year exams for 153 second-year chemistry students were called off. The University of Birmingham became the latest institute to request a court order to end an encampment this week. Adam Tickell, the vice-chancellor, said he made the decision with a heavy heart but claimed protests had escalated in recent days, leaving buildings damaged and staff intimidated. Mr Tickell said his team would continue to seek an alternative solution that would allow activists to exercise the right to protest while allowing the universitys normal activities to continue. LSEs legal proceedings against the protest group centred on the potential fire risk posed by the encampment, alongside its considerable cost and disruption. Pictures shared on social media in recent weeks showed protest flags draped above tents in the central atrium of the Marshall Building. Riccardo Calzavara, representing LSE in court, said the students had taken over the site unlawfully after storming the building a month ago. The interim possession order allows LSE to temporarily remove the students until a later court hearing. According to the legal definition, trespassers who fail to leave within 24 hours of the order being handed out will be found guilty of an offence under section 76 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. If at a future hearing the court finds that the occupiers have trespassed then the possession order will be made permanent. Pro-Palestinian protesters camp outside Manchester University - Christopher Furlong/Getty Daniel Grutters, representing three of the students on Friday, insisted they were not blocking other people from accessing the building and that they could make adjustments to the camp in response to safety concerns. To the extent that the claimant is relying on health and safety risks, the defendants are willing to comply with any and all health and safety adjustments and recommendations made, he told the court. Seeking to remove them, only to allow them to re-enter but for spending the night, is not a decision that is maintainable. A further hearing will be set for a later date. An LSE spokesman said: Following careful consideration, including in relation to the safety of the protestors (1), LSE pursued civil legal proceedings against the unauthorised encampment in the Marshall Building. This decision was taken after exhausting all other options. On Friday 14 June, the protestors came to the civil court with legal representation to put forward their position. The court subsequently granted LSEs request for an interim possession order (IPO). This means that the protesters will be issued with a legally binding order to leave the building within 24 hours. We hope they will do so. Emmanuel Macron's coup de poker could fail spectacularly - STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP Emmanuel Macrons centrist alliance faces wipeout in snap parliamentary elections as Frances Left-wing parties solidified a unity pact that could further hamper the French presidents chances. New projections suggested only about 40 pro-Macron MPs would reach the second round vote on July 7, in run-offs mainly between populist hard-Right or Left-wing candidates for the 577-strong assembly, according to two studies for Le Figaro and BFM TV. The findings suggest Mr Macrons coup de poker to dissolve parliament and hold early elections to halt the rise of Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN) could end in electoral meltdown and see him a lame duck for the remaining three years of his presidency starting next month. Mr Macrons camp hopes to flush out the extremes and cobble together a new democratic front of moderate parties once the dust has settled. The odds against this scenario look exceedingly high with little more than two weeks to go before round one on June 30. But by extrapolating results from last weeks European parliamentary election to the upcoming first round in the French legislative poll, RN would come first in 362 seats and the Left would come top in 211, according to Le Figaros calculations. Some analysts warned against basing predictions on European parliament elections, which have just one round and see MEPs win seats according to proportional representation. Turnout is traditionally lower than in legislative elections and the ballot is often treated as a mid-term protest vote. Even so, the poll will further worry the Macron camp, many of whom were appalled at his decision to call snap elections three years before the end of his mandate. If the Left parties had run individual candidates for each seat, Mr Macrons centrist alliance would have had a better chance of reaching the second round in many constituencies. To qualify for a run-off, a candidate needs to have won the backing of 12.5 per cent of registered voters. However, while the mainstream Right-wing Republicans remain deeply divided over whether to back Ms Le Pen, the normally fractious Left on Thursday night struck a deal to forge a New Popular Front a nod to the inter-war Left-wing alliance to keep out fascism, with an agreement on candidates and a joint programme. In a major boost to that pact, it was endorsed by former president Francois Hollande, a Socialist, and then on Friday by Raphael Glucksmann, whose centre-Left ticket in EU elections saw him come third just behind the Macron camp. Raphael Glucksmann has endorsed deal to forge a New Popular Front - ALAIN ROBERT/SHUTTERST0CK Many supporters of Mr Glucksmann have made it clear they view the radical Unbowed France party led by the deeply polarising Jean-Luc Melenchon as beyond the pale, due to its historic anti-EU stance, trenchant anti-capitalism and apparent refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists. However, Mr Glucksmann, 44, told broadcaster France Inter that there was no choice and that all Left-leaning voters must engage in a fight to the death with the far-Right. He added: We cant leave France to the Le Pen family. The new coalition was the only way to prevent a far-Right victory in the forthcoming polls, he said, reassuring his electorate that a more consensual figure than Mr Melenchon would be picked as prime minister. On Friday, the Left unveiled a joint manifesto, whose headline measures included scrapping Mr Macrons controversial immigration and pension reforms. Its going to be either the far-Right, or us, Greens party leader Marine Tondelier told reporters. The New Popular Front pledged to unfailingly defend the sovereignty and freedom of the Ukrainian people and to provide Kyiv with arms deliveries. The coalition also proposed sending peacekeepers to secure nuclear power plants in Ukraine. Marine Le Pen claims the National Rally could form a national unity government - SARAH MEYSSONNIER/REUTERS Hitting the campaign trail in Pas-de-Calais in northern France on Friday, Ms Le Pen claimed National Rally could win the elections and form a national unity government. We need to pull France out of the rut, said the 55-year-old, who is expected to run for a fourth time in the 2027 presidential election. She added: We will gather all French people men and women of goodwill who are aware of the catastrophic situation in our country. By contrast, other Right-wing parties were embroiled in infighting. Eric Ciotti, leader of the mainstream conservative Republicans, severed a historic sanitary cordon between his Gaullist party and RN by announcing that his party would form an electoral alliance with the Le Pen camp. The rest of the party leadership promptly expelled him but Mr Ciotti insists he remains party chairman and is challenging his dismissal in court. The Republicans political bureau held a fresh meeting by video conference on Friday and confirmed Mr Ciottis expulsion. The 28-year-old RN chairman, Jordan Bardella, said his populist party and the Republicans would put up joint candidates in 70 of Frances 577 parliamentary constituencies, hailing what he said was a historic agreement. Gabriel Attal, the French prime minister, poses for a photo on the campaign trail - LOIC VENANCE/AFP He said he wanted to obtain the broadest possible majority. Mr Macron remained defiant, defending his decision to dissolve parliament and call snap elections. Speaking at a G7 summit in Italy on Thursday, he said his counterparts had praised his move. They all said, This is courageous, Mr Macron told journalists. Opinion polls this week suggest the most likely scenario is a hung parliament, but if the RN wins by a big margin, it will have a claim on the office of prime minister and the right to form a government. Ms Le Pen has already indicated that she would put Mr Bardellas name forward as cabinet chief. French police have warned there could be violence on Saturday in a string of anti-RN rallies across the country. They expect up to 100,000 protesters in Paris and up to 150,000 across the rest of France. Their configuration is reminiscent of the protests against pension reform, a police source told BFM TV. The unions will be very present to show that they can hold the street, the aim being to encourage people to go out and vote, with the risk of excesses from the ultra-Left and radicalised people, who could take advantage of the crowds to cause damage. The number of symbols that could be targeted is greater than for pension reform: shops, street furniture, police stations, but also Right-wing parliamentary offices, added the source, describing the protests as highly politicised. The weather bureau said it was a chilly 8.7C at commuter hour in Melbourne on Friday, as the city awoke after its record coldest day in five years. Photograph: Kokkai Ng/Getty Images/iStockphoto Wintry conditions across south eastern Australia will continue into the weekend, with rain expected in parts of Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia. Melbourne recovered slightly from a high of only 10.1C on Thursday, its coldest day in five years, reaching a maximum of 13C on Friday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a frost warning for Victorias north-east and a strong wind warning for the East Gippsland coast. Sydneys temperature crept up to 16.7C on Thursday but dipped into single figures overnight. Friday reached a top of 17C with 29mm of rain since 9am. South Australia received between 10-22mm of rain on Thursday night around Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, before reaching a maximum of 18C on Friday. Angus Hines, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the cold weather would be reinforced over the weekend. There will be widespread single digit lows on Saturday across the country similar to Thursday and Friday mornings. In parts of southern Queensland, there will be below average temperatures of 0 or 1C. Melbourne will see a low of 7C on Saturday, 11C in Sydney and Hobart, and 9C in Adelaide. He said coastal NSW and the adjacent inland ranges could expect showers over Friday to Saturday morning between 20mm and 40mm, as could the meeting point of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. WA will have wet weather off the south-west coast. There will be some frost for the south as well as some elevated parts of Queensland and New South Wales, which will become sunny on Sunday. On Sunday there will be a few showers around eastern Victoria and eastern parts of Tasmania, as well as WA. Hines said the south-eastern areas of Australia, from Tasmania up into Queensland, could expect cold days and frosty nights with below-average temperatures to continue into the coming week as the years shortest day, the winter solstice, approaches on 21 June. The weather pattern, which is just pumping the cold air across those eastern states, is very stagnant and its not set to move for the rest of the week, the weekend and even most of next week, Hines said. The cold weather has spread across New South Wales, with Griffith in the Riverina reaching a maximum temperature of only 9.2C on Thursday, its lowest in eight years. Further south in Hobart, it was 7.6C at 9am on Friday, and expected to reach only 11C. Canberrans were also rugged up against lows overnight of -0.3C with a maximum of 13C on Friday. The prolonged stretch of bitter cold is due to a persistent southerly wind flow pulling cold air from the Southern Ocean up and across eastern Australia due to a developing low-pressure area in the Tasman Sea, about halfway between Australia and New Zealand, Hines said. The low looks set to stay stationary, which means the southerly wind will maintain the flow of cold air from the south for some days to come, prolonging the cold spell. The bureaus long-range forecast suggests the rest of winter and early spring are likely to be warmer on average, with unusually warm days and nights more likely. Despite that, there may still be significant outbreaks of cold, Hines said. The below-average temperatures have followed days of rain and wind across the south-east, with up to 200mm of rain falling in parts of NSW last week and the Warragamba Dam spilling over. Snow began falling in the alpine regions of Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the ACT earlier this week, just after the Kings birthday weekend holidaymakers went home disappointed. There is little snow on the forecast for the coming week due to the lack of precipitation expected, with conditions possibly set to change from Wednesday or Thursday. Meloni and Macron Giorgia Meloni delivered a withering look to Emmanuel Macron as she welcomed him to a G7 dinner on Thursday night after the two leaders clashed over the issue of abortion. The Italian prime minister gave her French counterpart a distinctly frosty reception during the encounter at the summit in the southern region of Puglia. She did little to hide her displeasure with the French president after they sharply disagreed over womens rights to abortion. The Right-wing coalition led by Ms Meloni, which came to power in 2022, is accused by campaigners of making it more difficult for women to seek abortions as part of a pro-life agenda. In April, the Italian government sparked controversy after passing legislation which allows pro-life groups into publicly run family planning clinics to persuade women to change their minds about terminating their pregnancies. Italy objected to an explicit commitment to abortion rights in the final statement from the summit, which is being held in a luxury resort in the countryside of Puglia. Last year, at a summit in Japan, G7 leaders committed to addressing access to safe and legal abortion but that reference does not appear in the draft of this years statement. Instead, it simply references the 2023 so-called Hiroshima statement. Mr Macron publicly expressed regret at Italys position on abortion, noting the French parliaments vote earlier this year to enshrine the right in the constitution. Ms Meloni swiftly hit back by noting that the French leader is facing snap elections following a poor showing in the EU elections, saying it was profoundly wrong to use a G7 summit for campaigning. According to the ANSA news agency, she said: The controversy over the presence or absence of the word abortion in the conclusions is totally specious. She said the document would recall the language of the Hiroshima text, in which we already approved last year the need to guarantee that abortion is safe and legal. The two leaders have clashed before over her hard-line migration policy and have starkly contrasting politics, as well as recent political fortune. Ms Meloni looked as though she was giving her French counterpart a scornful look as Pope Francis addressed the summit - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The centrist and pro-EU Mr Macron was humiliated by the Eurosceptic National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen in Sundays European Parliament elections. he then called the snap parliamentary election in France in a bid to stop the French flirting with the hard-Right but risks losing control of the National Assembly and becoming a lame-duck president. Ms Melonis Brothers of Italy, which has its roots in a neo-fascist group, scored an overwhelming triumph in the European elections in Italy, vowing to end Brussels overreach. The Eurosceptic Right-wingers international stock has never been higher after that victory, which has been crowned by her hosting of the G7 summit. After the 2023 G7 communique was released circa last years leaders summit in Hiroshima, Japan, French and Canadian diplomats proposed similar or tougher language for this years joint statement. All the other countries backed them, but it was a red line for Meloni, so it is absent from the final text, one diplomat said. A senior Italian diplomat said that the word abortion would not appear in the final communique, but it made clear the G7 still supported the aims of the declaration made in Hiroshima. This story has been whipped up and has no substance to it, said the diplomat. Pro-abortion protesters demonstrate in the Colosseum in Rome - Matteo Nardone/Pacific Press/Shutterstock But a senior US official said that Joe Biden, the US president, had also not wanted the reference to abortion to disappear from the text. The president felt very strongly that we needed to have at the very least the language that references what we did in Hiroshima on womens health and reproductive rights, the official said. Meloni is anti-abortion, revealing in a recent autobiography that her mother had come close to aborting her before deciding to keep her child. The conservatives ruling coalition sparked outrage in April after it passed controversial legislation in April allowing groups who support motherhood into abortion advice clinics to try to deter women from terminating pregnancies. In March, France became the first country in the world to explicitly include the right to abortion in its constitution. Abortion is hugely sensitive in the US. Mr Biden has vowed to create a right to abortion if he wins a second term in Novembers election. The Democrat has warned that his rival Donald Trump could ban abortion nationwide if he wins the race for the White House. The Diagnosis Detectives was among the programmes Mosley presented during his TV career - Dragonfly TV It is such a shame the dead never get to hear our tributes. We truly should praise people more while theyre still with us. This certainly applies to Dr Michael Mosley. Since the 67-year-olds body was found, so painfully and publicly, on the Greek island of Symi last Sunday, the outpouring of love has been heart-lifting to behold. Commemorative documentary Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed Britain (BBC One) looked back at his 40-year broadcasting career, celebrating a force for good who touched many lives. This effervescent figure was a tonic for everyones health. His absence from the airwaves will be keenly felt. We heard how he joined the BBC on a whim, intending to return to medicine, but instead finding a new vocation. He began behind the scenes as an award-winning science journalist and producer, before moving in front of the camera. Mosley was no smug wellness guru. No finger-wagging physician in a starchy white coat. He took an accessible, good-humoured approach to delivering potentially life-changing advice. As a result, his programmes - notably TVs Trust Me, Im a Doctor and Radio 4s Just One Thing - have made a lasting impact on the nations health habits. He was a passionate advocate for intermittent fasting, the benefits of cold water and tricks like standing on one leg while brushing your teeth. Small changes which reap big rewards. With his twinkling wit and lightly worn wisdom, he had a knack for connecting with audiences, demystifying science and communicating complex ideas in digestible fashion. Seeing health in a holistic way, Mosley was kind, compassionate and non-judgemental. He earned viewers trust by sharing his own difficulties. As a chronic insomniac, he explored the link between sleep and gut health. He reversed his own Type 2 diabetes, becoming an inspiration for others in the danger zone. Yet the evangelical Mosley admitted that he didnt always practise what he preached. He confessed that even though he advised others to try meditation and mindfulness, the reality is, I dont really get around to doing it myself. He joked about his squeamishness over those dreaded cold showers, chuckling that its always followed by a lot of screaming. He cheerfully recalled taking a personality test, which found he was a bit of a psychopath. Boundlessly curious and inspired by the self-experimentation of Nobel Prize-winner Professor Barry Marshall, Mosley went to daring extremes in the pursuit of science. He vaped, took snake venom and tried magic mushrooms. He even deliberately infected himself with a tapeworm and had a camera inserted to examine his bowel. As his colleague Dr Chris van Tulleken said: His genius was to make himself the patient and guinea pig in a way thats utterly relatable. Engagingly narrated by fellow BBC boffin Professor Hannah Fry, this was an effective tribute, if a rather patchwork one. Hastily assembled and edited close to transmission, it was essentially a clip compilation. Glimpses of Eighties-era Tomorrows World were enjoyably nostalgic (the big hair! the brick-sized phones!) but admirers might be better served by heading to BBC Sounds to listen to his final interview which aired on Radio 4 on Friday morning. Recorded at Hay Festival, it found him in conversation with psychologist Professor Paul Bloom about how to live a good life. The programme is touchingly introduced by his friend Van Tulleken. Mosley was full of his trademark warmth, reflecting on his struggles and the importance of family. The devoted husband and father-of-four persuasively argued that strong relationships with loved ones is the key to a fulfilling life. Judging by this weeks wave of affection, his life was fulfilling indeed. Mosleys humble style belied the fact that he was one of our most important broadcasters of the past decade. He was definitely among the most directly effective, with his practical tips improving millions of lives. As Fry concluded: He made a difference and leaves Britain for the better. Right to the end, his infectious enthusiasm was undimmed. His life might have been cut far too short but Mosleys legacy will endure in all those he helped. Grateful fans might well have raised a glass of something stronger than beetroot juice at the screen. Go well, doc. Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed Britain is available on BBC iPlayer. Theres Only One Michael Mosley on BBC Sounds The birth of a white buffalo is a sacred event for Native Americans - Erin Braaten/Dancing Aspens Photography Native Americans have celebrated the birth of a prophetic white buffalo, but warned, too, of the message it brings. The rare white buffalo holds religious and spiritual significance in Lakota prophecy, where it is heralded as something akin to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The small white buffalo was spotted by a family in the Lamar valley as they were driving through the Yellowstone National Park. Erin Braaten was driving through with three of her children when, stuck in traffic caused by the slow-moving herd, she noticed a young calf across a river. After realising it was not a coyote as initially thought, she was left stunned by the sight. There were so many different thoughts and emotions, Ms Braaten told the BBC. It was so amazing. I thought Id have a better chance of capturing Bigfoot than a white bison calf. Sacred event The birth of a white buffalo is a sacred event for the Lakota people and other Native Americans. Lakota legend says about 2,000 years ago when nothing was good, food was running out and bison were disappearing a white buffalo calf woman appeared. She presented a bowl pipe and a bundle to a tribal member, taught them how to pray and said that the pipe could be used to bring buffalo to the area for food. As she left, she turned into a white buffalo calf. The recent birth of the calf follows a severe winter in 2023 that drove thousands of Yellowstone buffalo, also known as bison, to lower elevations. More than 1,500 were killed, sent to slaughter or transferred to tribes seeking to reclaim stewardship. But according to members of the American Indian tribe its also a signal that more must be done to protect the earth and its animals. The birth of this calf is both a blessing and warning. We must do more, said Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and the Nakota Oyate in South Dakota. For the Lakota, the birth of a white buffalo calf with a black nose, eyes and hooves is akin to the second coming of Jesus Christ, Looking Horse said. And some day when the times are hard again, Looking Horse said in relating the legend, I shall return and stand upon the earth as a white buffalo calf, black nose, black eyes, black hooves. A similar white buffalo calf was born in Wisconsin in 1994 and was named Miracle, he said. A&E figures in England are a mixed bag for the prime minister. Composite: Alamy/Guardian Design If ever a saying fitted the claims made in an election cycle it must be the famous Mark Twain line about lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. If you tuned into the Sky leaders event on Wednesday or the ITV head-to-head that preceded it you could be forgiven for thinking that the NHS waiting list in England is increasing and decreasing all at the same time. But while arguments over the waiting list go on (and we can expect more of this before the 4 July poll) real people are having to deal with the consequences of the backlogs. Here, as part of our wider data series on how 14 years of Conservative party rule has changed Britain, we look at some of the key statistics when it comes to health. The waiting list is almost three times the 2010 figure For some months now the regular NHS data release has brought good-ish news for the government with overall waiting lists in England falling month-on-month since October. That followed a two-and-a-half years of almost consistently record highs: in three out of just 30 months the waiting list in England was at a record high. But Thursdays release was less good: the NHS waiting list in England grew slightly in April to almost 7.6 million (up from 7.5 million in March), effectively stalling the claims of improvement that Rishi Sunak has been able to cite on the campaign trail thus far. Figures are still almost triple the 2.6 million waiting for treatment when David Cameron became prime minister in May 2010. Devolution means that waiting lists are measured slightly differently in other parts of the UK, but the other nations have also seen waiting lists increase post-Covid. On the whole the size of the waiting list in Northern Ireland is about 32% of its population, compared with 25% in Wales, and 13% in England and Scotland. Sticking with England, A&E figures are a mixed bag for the prime minster. There has been moderate improvement in waiting times about 60% of patients attending major emergency departments are now being seen within four hours compared with the low of December 2022 (49.6%). The A&E records only go back to 2011 but in April of that year 95% of patients were being treated in major emergency departments within four hours. Cancer targets are not being met None of the three operational standards for cancer were met in April. The NHS abolished or altered several of its cancer targets in late 2023 making a current evaluation of cancer figures more difficult. However, the charity Macmillan Cancer Support says that, in England, NHS performance against one of the previous cancer targets became substantially worse after 2014 and that, even after the worst of the Covid impact on the health system had passed, the targets were most often missed. One of the three new targets that 85% of patients have their first treatment within two months of urgent referral for cancer has been missed every month since it was introduced in October 2023, while indicative estimates by the same organisation show that the service has not treated 85% of patients within a two-month window since early 2018. In May 2010, the month in which the coalition government was formed, that figure stood at 89%. Responding to the latest data Mairaid McMahon, policy manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said that, despite tireless efforts of NHS staff people with cancer were being failed by a health care system that was not being given the resources it needed to support them. The story consistently being told by waiting times data is that too many people are waiting too long to find out whether or not they have cancer, or for their cancer treatment to begin. As the waiting list grew, satisfaction plummeted Given the size of the waiting list and the knock-on effect on patients waiting for treatment for a whole array of medical conditions, it is perhaps no surprise that public sentiment towards the NHS has plummeted. In 2010, when the Conservatives entered a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, the proportion of people stating they were very or quite satisfied with health and social care stood at a record 70%. Last year that figure fell to below a quarter (24%) for the first time, a record low for the British Attitudes Poll, which is carried out annually by the National Centre for Social Research(NatCen). The crossover between those saying they were broadly satisfied versus those who were not came in 2021 in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Satisfaction levels do not cover early 2024, when the longest waits in England fell, but give a stark indication of the publics disappointment in a health system they have traditionally been very proud of. It is not just public satisfaction that is crumbling A relative lack of capital investment in the NHS over the last 14 years has meant that Englands health infrastructure hospital buildings, facilities and equipment have, quite literally in some cases, started to crumble. This brings with it risk of serious failure, significant injury or disruption to clinical services. The maintenance backlog is the amount the government needs to spend to improve rundown buildings and decrepit equipment back to acceptable levels of risk. Last year it stood at almost 12bn a record with the high risk backlog costing an estimated 4.2bn to fix (up from just 0.3bn in 2011-12). Since those figures were last compiled, the NHS has become embroiled in the crumbling concrete crisis, with 54 hospitals confirmed as containing RAAC, a reinforced concrete, as of February. Clapped but not compensated Rishi Sunak was booed by a studio audience on Wednesday when he tried to shift blame for spiralling NHS waiting lists on to junior doctors taking industrial action. The immediate audience backlash wasnt surprising. Recent polling from Ipsos found the public was most likely to support NHS staff when it came to taking strike action. A majority backed nurses and ambulance workers, while 46% would support junior doctors if they chose to strike (compared with 33% against). Despite public appreciation for NHS staff culminating in weekly public applause during the pandemic, the staff industrial action has followed 14 years where average pay for nurses and doctors has been falling in real terms. NHS doctors have seen average pay fall by 9.3% since August 2010. Junior doctors have been penalised even harder, with a real-terms pay cut of 17%. But it is nurses and health visitors who earn substantially less than either doctors or junior doctors who will feel the pinch the most. Their average salary has fallen by almost 4,500 in the period between 2010 and 2024 a real-terms pay cut of 10.5%. Protesters hold images of kidnapped Israelis outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on Thursday. Photograph: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images A senior Hamas official has said the group does not know how many of the Israeli hostages it is holding in Gaza are still alive, as Israeli and Hamas sources set out positions that could undermine the possibility of an imminent ceasefire deal. The Lebanon-based Hamas official Osama Hamdan said in an interview with CNN that no one has any idea how many of the remaining 120 hostages captured on 7 October last year were still alive, amid Israeli estimates that at least a third had died in captivity or were killed when seized. Hamass Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades claimed on Telegram on Friday that two more Israeli hostages had been killed in recent days in an Israeli airstrike. The claim could not be confirmed. Reiterating Hamass position on the US-supported ceasefire proposal, now backed by a UN security council resolution, he said the group needed a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians to determine their future by themselves. He also referred to the need for reconstruction and the end of the years-long Israeli blockade of Gaza. [Then] we are ready to talk about a fair deal about the prisoners exchange, he said. Hamdans comments are the clearest public signalling of Hamass position, which has remained largely unchanged in recent unsuccessful negotiations: that its agreement is preconditioned on Israel agreeing to end the conflict and withdraw its troops from Gaza. On their part, Israeli officials have said they see Hamass response despite a previous statement that it was positive about a proposed ceasefire as representing a rejection of a proposed deal that would have exchanged hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. While Joe Biden called Hamas the biggest hang-up to another truce, there has been little evidence in the days since the security council vote that either the Israeli government or Hamas are interested in compromising on a meaningful ceasefire, with Israeli officials indicating they see any agreement as time-limited and allowing Israel to return to its offensive against Hamas. Speaking at the G7 summit in Italy, Biden said: Ive laid out an approach that has been endorsed by the UN security council, by the G7, by the Israelis, and the biggest hang-up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on even though they have submitted something similar. Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen. A report on Friday in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing an unnamed senior official, said Israel would not send a delegation to continue the ceasefire talks, saying Hamas had introduced dozens of modifications [to the Biden-backed ceasefire plan] that changed it beyond recognition. Any optimism that the UN resolution might prompt more meaningful talks have rapidly evaporated as the Biden administrations efforts to bring the fighting to an end appear increasingly toothless. Since the departure of the senior minister Benny Gantz and his more moderate National Unity party (NU) from Israels emergency coalition government, Benjamin Netanyahu has become more reliant on far-right parties who have said they will not accept a ceasefire deal. Since Gantzs resignation the prime minister has seen an apparent resurgence in support, according to recent polling. The polls, for the leftwing Maariv daily and the rightwing Israel Hayom newspaper, showed Netanyahus Likud party winning 21 seats if an election were to be held, behind the NU on 24, which is down sharply from the start of the war when NU was polling in the high 30s. Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has left at least 37,232 people dead, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-ruled territorys health ministry. The war has caused widespread destruction in the territory, with hospitals out of service and the UN warning of famine. The UNs main agency for delivering food aid, the World Food Programme, has suspended its use of a costly US-built pier for the delivery of maritime aid into Gaza amid security concerns that Israeli improperly used the security zone around the pier to launch its recent hostage rescue mission that killed about 270 Palestinians in Nuseirat refugee camp. You can be damn sure we are going to be very careful about what we assess and what we conclude, said the UNs humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths. The apparent continuing stalemate around the issue of a ceasefire came amid continuing serious exchanges in Israels north as the Lebanese Hezbollah group fired dozens of munitions including drones and rockets into Israel for a third day following Israels killing of a Hezbollah commander, the most senior in eight months of conflict, earlier this week. Israels defence minister on Friday rejected a French initiative for a tripartite commission with the US and Israel to calm tensions as international concerns mount over the continuing escalation with Hezbollah. In a statement, Yoav Gallant said: As we fight a just war, defending our people, France has adopted hostile policies against Israel. In doing so, France ignores the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli children, women and men. Israel will not be a party to the trilateral framework proposed by France. Gallant appeared to be referring to a recent decision by France to bar Israeli companies from exhibiting at a high-profile arms fair. A 17-year-old girl in her room in Kabul last year. Girls have in effect been banned from secondary schools in Afghanistan for more than three years, with no prospect of the Taliban reversing their policy of excluding girls and women from education. Photograph: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Just over three years ago, Asmas* future contained many possibilities. Aged 15, she was at secondary school. After that lay the prospect of university and then onwards, striding forwards into the rest of her life. Like many Afghan girls, she understood that education was her route out of the isolation and repression that had constricted the lives of her mother and grandmother under the previous Taliban regime. She was part of a new generation of Afghan women who had the chance to build independent and economically autonomous lives. In May 2021, a few months before Taliban militants swept to power, Asma was in class when bombs began exploding outside her secondary school. She woke up in hospital to learn that 85 people, mostly other schoolgirls, had been killed. By the time she had started to recover, the Taliban were in charge and her chances of returning to school were over for good. When I discovered my baby is going to be a girl, the world became dark before my eyes. She will never achieve any of her dreams Asma It is now past 1,000 days since the Taliban declared schools only for boys, and an estimated 1.2 million teenage girls such as Asma were in effect banned from secondary schools in Afghanistan. What has happened to them since has been catastrophic: forced and early marriage, domestic violence, suicide, drug addiction and an eradication from all aspects of public life, with no end in sight. Weve now reached 1,000 days, but there is no end date to the horror of what is happening to teenage girls in Afghanistan, says Heather Barr from Human Rights Watch. What the Taliban have done is not put the dreams of all these girls on hold, they have obliterated them. Without being able to go to school, Asmas fate has been predictable. She has been forced into an early marriage to a man she didnt know, exchanging the four walls of her fathers house for those of her new husbands family. She says she begged her parents not to force her into marriage. When I told them about my studies and dreams, they laughed and said: Since the Taliban has come, girls will never be allowed to study. Its better to get on with your life and get married, says Asma. [After the wedding], my husbands family told me, We bought you and paid for you, we didnt get you for free. So you should be at home and working for us. Now 18, Asma is pregnant. When I discovered my baby is going to be a girl, the world became dark before my eyes because being a girl here in Afghanistan is not worth it, she says. She will never achieve any of her dreams. I wish I was having a boy. With diminishing status in society and no protection from the authorities, teenage girls, especially those forced into early marriage, are facing domestic violence inside the home and violence from the authorities outside, say human rights groups. She talks less and sleeps most of the time the reason is the school closure but theres nothing we can do Marzia Benafasha* was 13 years old when the Taliban took power and her family decided that if she couldnt go to school she had to get married. Her sister Qudsia* says that Benafasha was sent to live with her fiance who was instantly violent, brutally beating and abusing the now 16-year-old. Qudsia says that Benafasha, desperate and afraid, went to the Taliban courts to ask to be allowed to separate. Instead, they sent her to prison. We had pictures demonstrating how he had beaten my sister, and text messages and voice recordings showing how he would insult and beat her, says Qudsia. The judge took her husbands side, saying women are always looking for a small excuse to separate. She was told that as long as she refuses to live with her fiance, she will remain in prison. The prospect of a life of social and intellectual isolation and domestic servitude is pushing many teenage girls to deep despair. A United Nations survey last December found that 76% of women and girls who responded classed their mental health as bad or very bad, reporting insomnia, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite and headaches as a result of their trauma. Almost one-fifth of girls and women also said they hadnt met another woman outside their immediate family in the three preceding months. Another survey from the Afghan digital platform Bishnaw found that 8% of those who took part knew at least one woman or girl who had attempted to kill themselves since August 2021. Marzia*, the mother of 15-year-old Arzo*, says her daughter has become increasingly withdrawn and depressed since she has been unable to go back to school. She talks less and sleeps most of the time, she says. I know the reason is the school closure, but theres nothing we can do, she says. I always dreamed that my daughter would study and become a doctor so she could stand on her own feet. Barr says the Taliban have taken away girls social networks, their friends, the outside world. They cant go to school, or to national parks, or beauty salons or the gym or, increasingly, outside the house at all without fear of intimidation. Theyre taking away everything that makes them human, she says. She says the international community cannot continue to ignore what is happening to teenage girls in Afghanistan. It is a threat to the rights of all women and girls around the world because if the Taliban can do this with impunity, then who will be next? Last month, a report by the UN special rappateur for Afghanistan assessed the dire situation facing girls and women in Afghanistan. Many [girls now denied a secondary education] are driven to psychological distress, including suicidal thoughts and actions. Denial of access to equal education is causing transgenerational disempowerment that will increasingly ingrain the debased socioeconomic status of Afghan women and girls and their state-enforced dependence on men, it said. Related: They are trying to eradicate us completely: the passion and pain of telling the stories of Afghan women Fariah*, a mother of a 16-year-old in Kabul says that her daughter is refusing to give up hope that her life is not always going to be the way it has been for the last three years but that she is close to despair. It is a tragedy beyond I can express in words, not just for her, but for Afghanistan and for the world, she says. My daughter is among the smartest of her generation, and I am not just saying this as her mother. I have seen first-hand her strong leadership skills, her ambitions and her determination to achieve them. Sometimes, my daughter tells me that she thinks that, by some miracle, school will be back on. I dont want to crush her optimistic spirit and I tell her, yes, thats possible, but deep down, I know it is a lie. I experienced this regime 25 years ago, and they havent changed. I dont have any hope for our future. Nobody is coming to help us. * Names have been changed John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance, said 'we've embarked on a peaceful and democratic transfer of power' - Nic Bothma/REUTERS The African National Congress and its largest rival, the white-led, pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA), have agreed to work together in South Africas new government of national unity, in a step change after 30 years of ANC majority rule. Cyril Ramaphosa, the 71-year-old ANC leader, struck a dramatic late coalition deal just hours before a vote by lawmakers on whether to re-elect him, and will remain as president. Once unthinkable, the deal between two antagonistic parties is the most momentous political shift in South Africa since Nelson Mandela led the ANC to victory in the 1994 elections that marked the end of apartheid. Today, South Africa is a better country than it was yesterday. For the first time since 1994, weve embarked on a peaceful and democratic transfer of power to a new government that will be different from the previous one, John Steenhuisen, DA leader, said in a televised address. From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration, he said, adding that multi-party government was the new normal. The ANC lost its majority for the first time, in an election on May 29 and spent two weeks in talks with other parties that went down to the wire on Friday. In a marathon parliamentary session, the ANC signed the last-minute agreement with the DA, effectively ensuring Mr Ramaphosa stays on as leader. The parties will now co-govern South Africa in its first national coalition where no party has a majority in Parliament. Mr Ramaphosa called the deal a new birth, a new era for our country and said it was time for parties to overcome their differences and to work together. This is what we shall do and this is what I am committed to achieve as the president, he said. A DA source said the party would receive the post of deputy speaker of the National Assembly under the deal. Fikile Mbalula, ANC secretary-general, said South African politics had taken a 'remarkable step' - Xinhua/Shutterstock Today is a remarkable step in the aftermath of the 29th of May, Fikile Mbalula, ANC secretary-general, said, adding that parties included in the unity government would be co-operating in both the executive and the legislative branches. Long seen as unbeatable in national elections, the ANC lost support in recent years as voters wearied of high levels of poverty, inequality and crime, power cuts and corruption in party ranks. The DAs entry into national government is a big moment for a country still processing the legacy of the racist colonial and apartheid regimes. The party wants to scrap some of the ANCs black empowerment programmes, saying they have not worked. It says good governance and a strong economy would benefit all South Africans. The party rejects accusations from opponents such as the hard-Left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that it represents the interests of the privileged white minority. Some voters, including ANC supporters, also see it in that light, while others take a more positive view of the racial dynamics. The ANC was also failing. They need a partner so they can rise again. DA is mostly white people so if they came together we can have more power and maybe a lot can change, even jobs could be created, said Bongani Msibi, 38, a street vendor in Soweto. Helen Zille, a senior DA figure, said Mr Steenhuisens skin colour was irrelevant. The melanin-quotient of the DA leader is the least significant aspect of this historic agreement, she said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, critical of some media headlines. The EFF, which came fourth in the election, said it would have been prepared to partner with the ANC but not with the DA, which it has described as a tool for imperialism and for white monopoly capital. Two smaller parties, the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Right-wing Patriotic Alliance, will also take part in the unity government, they said. Meeting in Cape Town, the National Assembly elected the ANCs Thoko Didiza as its speaker. It was then due to elect its deputy speaker and the head of state. Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, is sworn in as a member of parliament - Jerome Delay/AP Photo The ANC won 159 of 400 seats in the National Assembly, while the DA got 87. The populist uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party led by Jacob Zuma, the former president has 58, the EFF 39 and the IFP 17. The inclusion of the IFP, with its ethnic Zulu base, may help sweeten the DA pill for ANC voters. The Patriotic Alliance draws its support from the mixed-race community. The News24 website published details from a draft statement of intent it said had been circulated to party negotiators by the ANCs Mbalula. Reuters saw the document but could not confirm its authenticity. Among the basic minimum programme of priorities outlined in the document were rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the promotion of fixed capital investment and industrialisation, job creation, land reform, infrastructure development, structural reforms and fiscal sustainability. Capital Economics, a London-based research firm, said the prospect of a coalition involving the ANC and DA was being well received by investors because there was expected to be policy continuity or an acceleration of reforms, and because the EFF and MK would be excluded from policymaking. Mr Zumas MK came third in the election but alleged it was robbed of victory by vote-rigging, and is boycotting the new parliament. Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah on May 4 as it made its way to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photograph: Adrian Portugal/Reuters The Philippines has stepped up patrols in the disputed South China Sea ahead of the rollout of a new Chinese regulation that empowers its coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing. The regulation, which is effective from Saturday, marks a further escalation in tensions in the fiercely contested waterway, which is one of the worlds most economically important and busiest trading routes Under the updated legislation, foreigners accused of illegally entering Chinese waters can be detained for up to 60 days without trial. Related: Chinas maritime militia: the shadowy armada whose existence Beijing rarely acknowledges The Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has previously described new Chinese regulations as worrisome and an escalation of the situation. He has also said that if any Filipino citizen is killed by a wilful act this would be very close to an act of war. China claims almost 90% of the South China Sea though an international tribunal in The Hague has rejected this. The Philippines, as well as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims. There are growing concerns that as maritime confrontations in the waters increase, so too does the risk of a miscalculation that could inadvertently provoke conflict. The Philippines has repeatedly accused China of dangerous behaviour, including firing water cannon and ramming its boats to disrupt Philippine Coast Guard missions. Such incidents have drawn warnings from the US, which has said it would defend the Philippines, a treaty ally, in the event of an armed attack on its public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces or its Coast Guard in the South China Sea. Representatives of fishing groups have told Philippine media this week they are fearful about being detained at sea, but have no option but to continue as their livelihoods depend upon it. Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, has said the regulations are intended to standardise the administrative law-enforcement procedures of Coast Guard agencies and better uphold order at sea, and that individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit. The Philippines has increased its patrols ahead of the rules, according to Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine navy spokesperson for West Philippine Sea, who said the Philippines was working also with partners and allies in responding to the matter. We are not the only ones concerned, even other countries are concerned about that, Trinidad told local media this week. He said agencies were working to ensure Filipino fishing communities, who have long complained of harassment by Chinese vessels, will not be arrested. Nothing will happen. The actions right now of the Philippine navy, the armed forces, the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and all other maritime players of the Philippine government are preventing such a situation, he said. Collin Koh, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the new regulations were a form of lawfare. It is meant to intimidate, it is meant to threaten, he said, adding that it was intended to remind countries such as the Philippines that China has a bigger navy and Coast Guard. However, the wording of the law remained vague, said Koh. Chinas Coast Guard Law, which was first introduced in 2021, applies to maritime areas under Chinese jurisdiction, but does not clearly define this. Were China to actually arrest Filipinos at sea, this would carry significant risks for Beijing, he added. What if in the process of trying to apprehend trespassers under the new guidelines, you clash with Philippine maritime forces, [and] somebody dies, said Koh, adding this could then lead to the invocation of the Philippines mutual defence treaty with the US. This is a serious risk because when you start to apply the guidelines actively, then the risk of getting into an armed conflict becomes much higher. Applying the new law could also push the Philippines to advance its own legal challenges against China, said Koh. The Philippines has previously said it is considering filing a new legal challenge against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, accusing it of environmental damage within the Philippines exclusive economic zone the waters that stretch for 200 nautical miles (370km) from a states coastline, and where a country has special rights to exploit resources and build. Chinas embassy in Manila did not respond to a request for comment. Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan as Philippa and John Langley in The Lost King - Graeme Hunter Steve Coogans film about the discovery of Richard IIIs body defamed a British university official, a judge has found. Coogan co-wrote the script for the 2022 film The Lost King, in which actor Lee Ingleby played Richard Taylor, University of Leicester scholar, part of a team that found the body of the Plantagenet king beneath a car park in 2012. Mr Taylor sued Coogan, production company Baby Cow and distributors Pathe over the portrayal, which the former claimed depicted him as a sexist and arrogant villain. It was claimed that he was shown trying to steal credit for the discovery from writer Philippa Langley, played by Sally Hawkins. In a preliminary judgment on Friday, Judge Jaron Lewis said: The character Mr Taylor was portrayed throughout the film in a negative light. At no point was he shown in a way that could be described as positive, or even neutral. Whilst an individual scene may not in itself cross the threshold of seriousness, taken together the film makes a powerful comment about the claimant and the way he conducted himself when undertaking a senior professional role for a university. Saint-and-sinner narrative Mr Taylors lawyers claimed that the film followed a saint-and-sinner narrative, in which Ms Langley, a Richard III Society member and writer, played a key role in uncovering the kings remains, was shown as the relatable underdog. Mr Taylor, on the other hand, was shown as an appalling, Machiavellian and despicable character and a Svengali figure, his lawyers claimed. The deputy registrar at the University of Leicester at the time of the discovery, Mr Taylor was shown in the film attempting to sideline Ms Langley, and ensure the university took credit for the find. It was said that this was achieved through a number of scenes, including one in which Mr Taylor was shown organising a press conference to announce the find, without inviting Ms Langley to speak. The judge found that the overall portrayal would be seen as negative by the reasonable viewer, but rejected claims that the feature showed Mr Taylor as a misogynist. The result of the preliminary hearing at the High Court means that the case can progress to a full trial, in which Coogan will have to defend the portrayal, along with Baby Cow and Pathe. Mr Taylor launched legal action in 2022, claiming that the film portrayed him as a devious and weasel-like figure. He said he was shell-shocked after learning how he had been depicted. Defending Mr Taylor The University of Leicester published a statement saying it supported Ms Langleys efforts to unearth Richard III, and defending Mr Taylor, who helped oversee and coordinate the project. Ms Langley managed the Richard III Societys Looking for Richard Project with experts from University of Leicester Archaeological Services. The team found the ruins of a church beneath a car park and, within its confines, human remains. The body was found to have the mark of severe scoliosis of the spine, suggesting it was Richard, who was known by contemporaries to have unequal shoulders, the right higher and the left lower. Ukraine can now strike targets within Russia - Ministry of Defense of Russia Its high time that the Wests more timid leaders understood that the nuclear threats coming out of Moscow are all bluff and bluster, aimed at them and their wobbling lips. Leftist politicians must realise that it is our nuclear deterrent, in the main, which ensures that Putin will not press the strategic nuclear button. The significance of this deterrent is precisely why the likes of Jeremy Corbyn must never gain power in this country. Starmer, who now seems the odds-on bet to be the next Prime Minister, must hold firm even if a fair proportion of his cabinet have voted against it in the past, a reason in itself to keep them from sitting on the government front benches. Its evident that a nuclear deterrent can be a powerful tool of control. Putins nuclear bravado tactics, with the leader making almost daily threats since February 25 this year, seeks to ensure that Ukraine cannot fight Russia unhindered due to Western fears of retributive escalation. The tide of war is beginning to turn in Kyivs favour now they can begin to strike targets in Russia. A further push is necessary. In order to ensure a Ukrainian victory, those in power must disregard Putins hollow words and see the reality of Russias ailing nuclear capabilities. The tactical nuclear threat peddled by Putin and his gangsters is empty: take it from me, Ive been countering nuclear terrorism and threats for nearly 40 years. I suspect, as do most of my intelligent chums, that the weapons are in such a state of disrepair that, even if the planes or trucks which carry them can actually move, they may not detonate. All of the nuclear drills carried out this week have been done with dummy warheads because the real ones are likely bust. Their concept of operations were designed for the 1960s and 70s, when we did not have the sophisticated intelligence assets we do today. Putin did not need to tell us about his nuclear drills as we probably knew before he did. Ukraine now has the ability to strike 400kms into Russia. This means they can take out Putins launchers and aircraft before they have even started up. This development dramatically reduces the likelihood of a Russian tactical strike. There is no need for those European leaders too frightened or too close to the Kremlin to worry that, if Nato gets involved to stop Putins tactical nuclear strike, World War 3 will begin. This will simply never happen: it will be non-nuclear Ukraine stopping Armageddon, because even if Russia did manage to fire a small nuclear weapon at Ukraine, the US and UK would have to respond in kind. That is our doctrine, which Putin probably knows and understands better than most. He might be a tyrant bent on dominating Europe as his idol Hitler once tried to do, but he is more rational than the Nazi leader. As Putin looks at the disintegration of his special military operation, he knows if he goes nuclear, he will be responsible for the destruction of his beloved fatherland. Unfortunately, I dont think those vying to lead us through the next parliament understand this. The same is true of European leaders, save in the Baltic states, who use the excuse of nuclear war to justify their actions to hold back their complete support to Kyiv. You cannot hedge your bets when tyrants have weapons that can destroy the planet. We only have until November to get this done, where the possibility of a Trump victory adds a spanner to the works. We must help Ukraine to vanquish the Russians, safe in the knowledge there will be no nuclear strikes on Europe. Indeed, Kyiv could act to destroy Putins crumbling nuclear arsenal at any moment and Russia knows it. Nigel Farage arrives with the party's chair, Richard Tice (right), for an impromptu press conference in Westminster on Friday. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters Nigel Farage has declared himself the real leader of the opposition and predicted his Reform UK party will gain more than 6m votes at the general election, after polling ahead of the Conservatives for the first time. At an impromptu press conference in Westminster, the Reform leader said there was a momentum behind his party, and he absolutely believes he will gain more votes than the Tories. We are well ahead of the Conservatives in the north-east, the north-west, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands and parts of the eastern region. In what we call the red wall seats, we are significantly ahead of the Conservatives. He went on to demand that the BBC allow him to take part in a leaders debate with the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the SNP next week, and challenged Keir Starmer to a head-to-head debate on immigration. The election is over. Labour has won but perhaps more importantly who is going to be the opposition voice to Labour in the House of Commons and in the country? Im putting it to you that I believe that I can be that voice of opposition. He urged voters to join the revolt of the Reform party, asking them: What have you got to lose? However, Farage also attempted to manage expectations by refusing to say how many seats he thought his party would win. After similar momentum around Ukip in 2015, the party ended up with just one seat in Clacton in Essex where Farage is running this time. Related: He was a deeply unembarrassed racist: Nigel Farage, by those who have known him He acknowledged that the party was not organised enough to win seats widely and that it would have to raise a lot of money, very quickly in order to be competitive against the other parties. A YouGov survey for the Times this week had Reform at 19% and the Conservatives on 18% in voting intention which was called the inflection moment by Farage. The pollsters gave the caveat that Reforms lead was within the margin of error. In an interview with the Times on Friday night, David Cameron warned Farage was intent on destroying the Conservative party and said his dog-whistle politics should be rejected. He added that there should be no place in the Tory party for Farage and his incredibly divisive approach. Rishi Sunak earlier responded to the poll by saying that Labour would be handed a blank cheque if current polling were replicated at the election. Speaking to journalists in Puglia, Italy, where he is attending the G7 leaders summit, Sunak said: Were only halfway through this election right? So Im still fighting very hard for every vote. I always say the poll that matters is the one on 4 July, but if that [YouGov] poll was replicated on 4 July, it would be handing Labour a blank cheque to tax everyone. Tax their home, their pension, their car, their family, and Ill be fighting very hard to make sure that doesnt happen. He added that there was a massive difference between Labour and the Tories, claiming that Labour would raise the tax burden to the highest level in this countrys history after Starmers party launched its manifesto on Thursday. I think that choice will crystallise for people between now and polling day, the prime minister said. Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said Labour was ready to take on Farage and his party. Were going to take him on on the arguments, were going to take him on on the issues, Streeting told GB News. I think its appalling, actually, the way in which hes had things pelted at him during this election campaign. Hes got every right to be heard. Were going to take him on, on the arguments, and if hes elected to parliament and thats a big if, hes not been so far we will take him on in the Commons chamber. Rosie Duffield said the trolling was 'affecting my sense of security and well-being' - Julian Simmonds/Telegraph Rosie Duffield, the gender-critical Labour candidate, has said she will not be taking part in local hustings because the constant trolling she has suffered online has made her fear for her safety. Ms Duffield, who is running again to be MP for Canterbury, said her attendance at the events was impossible because of the actions of a few fixated individuals, who had pursued their spite and misrepresentation with a new vigour during the election campaign. The 52-year-old feminist campaigner has been subject to fierce criticism from trans rights activists, who take issue with her belief that a persons sex cannot be changed. Her gender-critical views have also put her on a collision course with her own party, which she has accused of having a woman problem. In a statement on Friday evening, posted on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Duffield said she would not be attending hustings in her constituency because she did not feel able to give a clear presentation of Labours commitments while fearing for her wellbeing. She blamed certain people for the trolling, spite and misrepresentation, without specifying who she was referring to. She also revealed that she had invested her own time and money on personal security. Difficult decision In her statement, Ms Duffield said: Today I have made the extremely difficult decision not to attend local hustings events during this general election campaign. Hustings are usually an enjoyable and interesting part of any political campaign, but sadly the actions of a few fixated individuals have now made my attendance impossible. The constant trolling, spite and misrepresentation from certain people - having built up over a number of years and being pursued with a new vigour during this election - is now affecting my sense of security and wellbeing. The result is that I feel unable to be focused on giving a clear presentation of the Labour Partys manifesto commitments. She added: Since the start of this campaign, myself and many other candidates have had to be mindful of our own safety and the safety of our campaign teams. Ive had to spend time and money on personal security. This has a very real effect on democracy and MPs should be able to meet with and talk to all of their constituents, particularly during an election period. I hope the other candidates feel able to enjoy what will be for most their first hustings experience, that is free from abuse and interruption, and I will no doubt see them during the rest of the campaign. I will be holding several secure local events in the coming weeks so that constituents can indeed put their questions to me. Ms Duffield has been a longstanding advocate of gender-critical ideology, which emphasises the importance of biological sex and single-sex spaces for women. The Labour candidate, who has represented Canterbury since 2017, has regularly complained about her experiences in the party, and last year likened it to being in an abusive relationship. She has previously been heckled by male colleagues on her benches while speaking about trans issues in the Commons, prompting her to accuse Labour of having a woman problem. Ukrainian forces launched a counter attack in the area after Russian troops tried to storm a chemical plant Dozens of Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian forces after a failed raid on a chemical factory in the northern town of Vovchansk, in the Kharkiv region. A video released by Ukraines 3rd Assault Brigade on Wednesday shows Ukrainian soldiers taking at least 24 Russians as prisoners of war. The footage showed the Russian troops emerging from a trench with their hands raised above their heads. Ukrainian forces had launched a counter attack in the area after the Russian troops had tried to storm the chemical plant, the Kyiv Post reported. The 24 surrendered soldiers were filmed sitting in a school conference room. The video appeared to confirm recent reports that claimed groups of Russian soldiers had been surrendering around Vovchansk, where heavy fighting has raged since Moscow launched a new offensive. Last week, the Khortitsiya Regional Command, which is responsible for ground operations in the sector, claimed more than 60 Russian soldiers had been captured in less than a week. Ukrainian artillerymen set up positions on the front line near the town of Vovchansk - REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi Russia opened a new front in the Ukraine war by pushing swiftly over the border into the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine in early May with small groups of highly mobile units, forcing Ukraine to rush in troops from other areas. Russian forces have become bogged down around Vovchansk in recent weeks, but they have slowly advanced in the eastern Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military on Friday said Russian forces had concentrated their firepower on the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk, where overnight strikes wounded at least six people. The Kremlin annexed the industrial region in late 2022, months after invading, and its forces are making incremental gains there. The Pokrovsk front... is the most intense in terms of enemy attacks, the Ukrainian military said in a briefing. In the war-battered town of Selydove near the front line in Donetsk, officials said six people were wounded by Russian aerial attacks overnight. The war-battered town of Selydove near the front line in Donestsk - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph Oleg, a 57-year-old resident, said he heard a strange noise at around 9pm on Thursday. He thought several helicopters were flying overhead until he saw the explosion. Lyudmila, still in shock, assessed the damage in her flat where the blast had blown out the windows. Everything was blown away, the 68-year-old said, her face bruised by the blast. Kyiv and Moscow staged dozens of drone and missile attacks overnight, damaging a fuel reservoir site in a Russian border region. The two sides have stepped up cross-border aerial assaults in recent weeks, with Kyiv targeting Russian energy facilities and Moscow launching retaliatory barrages. Russia said it had downed 87 Ukrainian drones, of which 70 had targeted the southern Rostov region that houses the headquarters of its military operation against Ukraine. The defence ministry said 70 drones were downed over Rostov, six each over Kursk and Voronezh, two each over Volgograd and the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, and one over the annexed Crimean peninsula. The attacks sparked power cuts in several areas of the Rostov region, its governor Vasily Golubev said on social media. In the Voronezh region, which borders Ukraine, a fuel reservoir was slightly damaged by falling debris, its regional governor Alexander Gusev said. Kyiv meanwhile said Ukrainian air defence systems had downed 24 out of 31 Russian drones and missiles fired overnight. Three people were wounded in a drone attack in the eastern Sumy region and several homes were damaged in the neighbouring Kharkiv region. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and the US president, Joe Biden, at the G7 summit. The pair had different views on Chinas relationship with Russia. Photograph: Ukrainian presidential press office/UPI/Rex/Shutterstock Chinas role in providing assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine, and its harmful overcapacity in the production of cheap goods, have been targeted by G7 leaders despite misgivings from Germany. On the second day of the annual summit, being held in Puglia under the Italian chair, the US drove home a 36-page communique that condemned Chinese subsidies for products such as solar panels and electric cars which it said were leading to global spillovers, market distortions and harmful overcapacity undermining our workers, industries, and economic resilience and security. US officials were unequivocal in identifying China as a major supplier of dual-use materials those with civilian and military applications to Russia that they said Beijing knew were being used against Ukraine. The US officials identified optics, nitrocellulose, microelectronics, and the sorts of items that go directly to the production of armaments that are used not just in Ukraine but that pose a long-term threat to the security of Europe. The US president, Joe Biden, standing alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was blunt about what he said was Chinas role in arming Russia. Zelenskiy, by contrast, insisted the Chinese leadership had promised him they were not supplying arms to Moscow. The US, Japan and the EU which attends G7 summits as an unofficial eighth partner have all voiced concern over generous subsidies from Beijing, especially in green energy and technology sectors, resulting in unfairly cheap goods flooding the global market. That excess capacity threatens western companies struggling to compete, particularly in the growing green tech sector. We will confront Chinas non-market policies that are leading to harmful global spillovers, John Kirby, the US national security council spokesperson, told journalists before the summit. A senior Chinese official, the first vice-premier, Ding Xuexiang, will travel to Brussels next week to urge the EU to rethink plans to impose duties of 38% on Chinese electric vehicles on top of the 10% it already charges on all car imports. Germany had been hoping the duty could be reduced before it came into force early in July. The G7 self-consciously expanded its meeting on Friday to welcome the global south, with arrivals by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the United Arab Emirates president Mohamed bin Zayed, the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and the president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. More than 20 world leaders were around the table to hear a speech by Pope Francis on artificial intelligence. Related: Why the pope has the ears of G7 leaders on the ethics of AI The Italian prime minister and G7 host, Giorgia Meloni, insisted she would never accept the narrative of west against the rest, arguing the only way to meet collective challenges was through co-operation. Russia, facing wider secondary sanctions, loss of control of its state assets and a new US-Ukraine 10-year security pact, has become the big loser of the summit. A plan announced at the start of the summit for a $50bn (39.4bn) loan for Ukraine, raised from the profits on the interest accrued from Russian state assets, is intended as only the start of a squeeze on the Russian economy. The final communique says Russia must end its illegal war of aggression and pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine, which it says, according to the World Bank, exceeds $486bn. Russias obligations under international law to pay for the damage it is causing are clear, and therefore we continue to consider all possible legal avenues through which Russia is forced to comply with those obligations, the text says. Russia has dismissed the US-Ukraine security deal as just pieces of paper and derided the appropriation of the profits from its frozen assets as theft. Although Zelenskiy has been holding back over China, he did urge Modi at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit to review Indias dependence on Russian oil, especially since the price of these purchases are rising, giving Russia ever higher revenues. The US and EU imposed a price cap of $60 (47) per barrel on Russian oil sales, meaning western shippers and insurers can only participate in Russian trade if the oil is sold below the price limit. The communique calls for tighter enforcement of the cap, including action against the Russian shadow fleet that is transporting oil above the cap. India has never been part of this export ban, but the US, worried about an escalation of oil prices in an election year, has been reluctant to put too much pressure on Modi. India became the biggest buyer of Russian seaborne crude ahead of China and Turkey after European refiners stopped imports. People watch a ship belonging to the Russian Navy flotilla arrive at the port of Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Where once vast American cruise ships disgorged mojito-thirsty holidaymakers into the crumbling streets of old Havana, now lurks the eerie darkness of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan. It looks like a dead whale, says Adolfo Garcia, as he queues under the scorching sun. The Kazan is off-limits, but Garcia is hoping for a tour of the second of the four Russian naval vessels that have just docked in the Cuban capital, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. The warships sent a cold war frisson when they arrived shortly after sunrise on Tuesday: a demonstration of Russias ability to operate in Americas backyard just as Joe Biden, the US president, signs a 10-year security pact with Ukraine. Related: Cuban missile crisis, 60 years on: new papers reveal how close the world came to nuclear disaster The Russians seem interested in sticking a finger in Joe Bidens eye, said William LeoGrande, a professor at American University, although he added that comparisons to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis when the Soviet Unions attempt to place nuclear weapons in Cuba brought the world to the edge of Armageddon are ludicrous. The Cuban government insists this is a friendly visit, that these ships are carrying no nuclear weapons and there is no threat to the region. On an island growing increasingly cynical in the face of economic hardship, the queue to visit the Gorshkov seems a quaint distillation of the affection many Cubans feel for Russia, which goes back to the early days of the communist revolution on the island. The Soviet Union was the Castros staunchest supporter. Many Cubans, including Garcia, were educated in the Soviet Union and many more speak Russian. This visit is a symbol of the friendship of two nations, said Jose Rodriguez, an economist also waiting in the queue. Although money from Moscow dried up after 1989, it has started to flow again as global tensions mount over the war in Ukraine. When the first Russian tanks rolled towards Kyiv, Havana attempted to remain neutral. Lately, though, the Cuban government has grown more supportive of Moscow as its moribund economy fails to recover from the pandemic, beset by ageing infrastructure and the equally aged if constantly rejuvenated US embargo. A lack of fuel has seen power cuts across the island, leading to unrest summer temperatures are well into the 30s, and food spoils easily. Cuban officials have been shuttling back and forth to any country willing to help, nearly all of them Russia, Venezuela, Iran anathema to Washington. Russia has been sending tankers full of oil and tourists, if not enough. Meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May, the Cuban president, Miguel Diaz Canel, said: We wish you and the Russian Federation success in conducting the special military operation. John Kavulich, who for the last 30 years has been running the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, believes the Russian fleet has been invited under duress. When the Russian government says to Cuba, we want this to happen, Cuba really doesnt have a choice, he says. In 2016, Barack Obama visited Havana to bury the last remnants of the cold war. Donald Trump swiftly reversed that policy, strengthening the 64-year-old embargo (including banning the cruise ships that once docked where the Kazan now sits). The tragedy, Kavulich says, is that incremental moves forward have been made by the US government. In the last three years, the Biden administration has made some very important regulatory and policy changes. But now, at least until the November 5 election, its going to be challenging, he says. Others feel its been far too little too late. Antonio Martinez, who is part of Cubas burgeoning private sector, was watching the fleet come in on Tuesday morning. When asked what it means for Cuba-US relations, he told a joke. A man who has no hands or feet is using a skateboard to get around and he falls, cursing. A passing woman warns him that God will punish him. The man says: Really? Whats He going to do? Take away my skateboard? At the cruise terminal, the queue moves forward incrementally. The Gorshkov has visited Cuba before, but an offer of a tour is new. By the time the gates open, 400 are waiting. Cubans are masters at queueing. During the pandemic it wasnt unheard of to wait three days to buy chicken. But as the sun belts down, they begin to complain. Pablo Rodriguez, a metal fabricator, has come, he says: Because I really like military tech. He doesnt want to talk local politics, preferring to launch into a conspiracy about the perfidious British and the ill-fated Russian sub, the Kursk. The correspondent for Russia Today arrives, and is ushered to the head of the queue. After three hours, we reach the front. A young Cuban officer in naval whites leads 20 visitors into the cruise terminal, handing us over to Russians in dress black. There will be no explanations, a Cuban officer says. We are led past the submarine and up to the frigate, the two-headed eagle on its stern. A gangway climbs to the helicopter deck where the Cuban visitors start asking sailors for selfies. Some agree, others refuse with a curt nyet. Its apparent that this will be a no-frills visit, a one-deck walk from stern to stem with burly black-clad sailors guarding every door. Torpedo tubes point to each side, a lattice of lids cover the missile silos, and a 130mm cannon sits in the bow. The ship is a 135m blue-grey weapon with no soft edges. While were onboard, the US Southern Command announces that the USS Helena, an attack submarine, has entered Guantanamo Bay. The implication is clear even if the US Cuban base is at the other end of the island, far further away than US Southern Commands Miami headquarters (which is three minutes flight away on one of the Gorshkovs new hypersonic missiles). Asked if he is worried, Garcia responds with a question: Have you ever read [Cuban novelist] Antonio Benitez-Rojo? During the 62 crisis he was completely terrified, until he saw two old women walking past, gay and gesturing. At that moment, he said, he knew that the Caribbean is not an apocalyptic world. He points to where people are still queueing. Now do you remember, in the queue, that an ice-cream seller came past, calling out bocadito de helado? Well, right then I knew how Benitez-Rojo felt. Nothings going to happen. Take a seat Takt s exhibition to launch Bow Chair, designed by Industrial Facility. Photograph: Jonathan Damslund/Takt At the Verpan showroom, a space dedicated to the work of Verner Panton, the renowned Danish designers daughter Carin Panton von Halem regaled a rapt audience with an anecdote. Apparently when Pantons cone chair was displayed in a New York shop window in the late 1950s, it had to be removed by the police after drivers distracted by the tomato red seat got into a road accident. She also had stories about how the neighbours of the Pantons famous Hornbk summer house started a petition to get him to change the bright green exterior of the holiday home. Over at the Hem furniture shop, Finnish designer Yrjo Kukkapuros daughter Isa gave an equally personal speech at the launch of the new edition of Kukkapuros experiment chair. She explained how the original launch of the chair coincided with the birth of her daughter Ida. Two wonderful creations. Panton and Kukkapuro may be two of the most esteemed names in the history of Nordic design, but at Copenhagens annual design festival 3daysofdesign this week, it quickly became apparent that most companies are family-owned and there is huge pride in this. Few furniture showrooms could be visited without hearing about the number of generations that worked there. Indeed, it was a rare presentation that started without a reference to the grandfather who started the business. At a time when entrepreneurs, startups and business unicorns are valued, family businesses seem old-fashioned, but looking at the success of 3daysofdesign, it might be time to think again. The festival started in 2013 with four Danish brands in an old warehouse in the harbour district of Nordhavn. In 2024, more than 400 exhibitors mainly from the Nordic countries but also farther afield were housed in 11 different districts situated throughout Copenhagen. Henrik Ljung is CEO of Dux Beds, the fourth generation of his family to run the company, and puts a 30% increase in sales in the last year down in part to visitors to the design event. This year Dux released a completely sustainable, replaceable and recyclable component bed at the festival. At the dinner to celebrate, Ljung toasted 3daysofdesign as the new epicentre of design. Nonetheless, the emphasis on family ties does not appear to exclude new talent from the business. The design hub DDcated was a great example of how this pride in heritage was also used to help the next generation. The Lapidarium of Kings is a museum showing an eclectic collection of statues in a 400-year-old building that was once the kings brewhouse. This week the eccentric location was also a showroom for 56 designers, leading to the unforgettable juxtaposition of toilets constructed from sawdust and resin by the company Woodio and interiors brand Elvangs recycled alpaca wool cushions with classical statues of Danish royalty such as King Frederik V alongside Roman deities and even a collection of statues carved by a Norwegian postman. Peter Mrk, one of DDcateds founders, said the location had been chosen because museums should be about looking forward as well as backwards. The venue could host individual designers as well as small companies because of the funding from Ege Carpets. In Copenhagen, it seems, even if your grandfather hasnt set up a design business, an OG Danish company can fill that role for you. Mrk thinks the sense of lineage comes from the fact that the country is small so keeping things in the family is important. Were Danish, its a pride thing. Copenhagen certainly felt like a place of pride during the festival. The four-storey House of Design on Frederiksgade where standout exhibitors included glassware from Orrefors and the ceramic show by Peach Corner was as full and excited as a house party. Especially in the spaces by furniture brands Frame Studio and Saetter Copenhagen. The mood was best summed at Muuto, a furniture shop on stergade. Showing visitors around the showroom, PR manager Mikkel Friis Ovesen instructed the guests: Please touch and feel free to make a mess this is furniture, not art. The author told MPs, activists and members that they briefed the 'senior leadership' about those who gave to campaigns - PA/James Manning Tory chiefs have faced a backlash after reprimanding party members who do not donate money for not doing everything you can to help fight the election. The party bosses issued the appeal for funds earlier this week to Tory party members via email, which was headed Gone missing? The author told MPs, activists and members that they briefed the senior leadership of the party about those who gave to the Tories campaigns. I do so every day. And I really hope that tomorrow your name can be on the list, said the email. It then set out the key attack lines of the election campaign, including Labours plan to hike taxes on working people by 2,094, roll out the welcome mat for illegal migrants, cancel Rwanda deportation flights and raid pensions through a retirement tax. Dont you want to do everything you can to stop him? Im briefing the chairman tomorrow about whos donated so far. And whos with us for the last stretch of the campaign. Will your name be on the list?, it concludes. The email, described as tone deaf by one observer, has provoked criticism from Conservative members who are understood to be unhappy at what they see as an arrogant begging letter coming on top of the annual fees that they pay to the party. Critics on the Right The biggest critics were activists on the Right of the party, who suggested they would contribute when the centrist Conservative Central Office took greater account of their views. It is also understood to have sparked complaints over the number of special advisers parachuted into winnable seats at the expense of local candidates. The unopposed selection of Richard Holden, the party chairman, for the safe seat of Basildon and Billericay has sparked the biggest backlash, with one constituency official describing it as a slap in the face for Tories in the area. The row over the funding email comes just a day after Nigel Farages Reform UK party overtook the Tories for the first time in a YouGov poll, putting them, respectively, on 19 per cent and 18 per cent. Tesco shares rise as profit guidance reaffirmed. (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Tesco shares have risen after the supermarket reiterated its full-year guidance in Fridays trading update. The UKs largest supermarket firm revealed total retail sales grew by 3.4% to 15.3bn ($19.5bn) in the 13 weeks to 25 May, compared with the same period last year. Tesco says it is growing its UK market share faster than all its key competitors, with food sales up 5% in the quarter. The retailer reiterated its guidance for the full year, expecting a retail adjusted operating profit of at least 2.8bn and retail free cash flow of between 1.4bn and 1.8bn. Tesco has done exceptionally well to grow market share given rising competition. Its full-line offering sets it apart from the likes of Aldi, and its product proposition puts it ahead of other big names, said Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: Stocks mixed in Europe as Tesco and Tesla CEO pay packets take spotlight Moving forwards, investors will want to see further growth kicked out from wholesaler Booker as well as a clearer understanding on what the next chapter looks like for food. Adobe (ADBE) Shares in Adobe jumped 14% in pre-market trading on after the design software maker reported earnings and revenue that topped estimates and lifted full-year guidance. The company called for adjusted earnings per share of $4.50 to $4.55 for the fiscal third quarter, with $5.33bn to $5.38bn in revenue. Adobe now expects revenue of between $21.4bn and $21.5bn, compared with its prior forecast of between $21.3bn and $21.5bn. The company also raised its fiscal-year profit forecast to as much as $18.20 a share, excluding some items, compared with a previous outlook of $18 a share. Read more: Stocks that are trending today Were excited about the accelerating pace of innovation across the Digital Media business and pleased with the adoption of AI functionality as well as its early monetization across Document Cloud and Creative Cloud, including our flagship applications, Firefly services and Express, David Wadhwani, president of Adobes Digital Media business, said. Adobe has developed its own AI image generation tool called Firefly which it trains on data it has the rights to, at a time of heightened concern regarding data privacy and copyright around AI-created content. Tesla (TSLA) Tesla shareholders have voted both to reapprove a pay package for chief executive Elon Musk once valued at $56bn and to reincorporate the electric-vehicle maker in Texas. Onstage at the annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, the billionaire described himself as "pathologically optimistic". "I just want to start off by saying, hot damn, I love you guys!" Musk said. Read more: 'I wasn't an obvious choice as partner but our firm's success is down to retaining talent' The proposal passed despite opposition from some large institutional investors and proxy firms. The vote will strengthen the companys hand as it attempts to overturn a January decision by a Delaware court to void the 2018 package of stock options the largest in US history due to concerns about its value and the independence of the board. The judge invalidated it in January, describing it as "unfathomable". Crest Nicholson (CRST.L) Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has confirmed that it rejected a 650m takeover attempt by rival Bellway (BWY.L) last month. The details came just after Crest, which has its headquarters in Surrey issued a profit warning that sent its shares tumbling. The FTSE 250 developer said the offer, worth 253p per share, would have left its shareholders with about 17.1% of the new company. But despite a 19% premium to its closing share price on Thursday, Crest Nicholson on Friday said the proposal fundamentally undervalued Crest Nicholson and its future prospects. Crest said that demand had weakened amid volatility in mortgage rates and that the General Election had created short-term uncertainty. Annual profits are now expected to be between 22m and 29m, down from previous market expectations of 39m. Watch: Elon Musk wins vote on $56bn pay package Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Lisa Steward, the mother of Matthew Steward, urged people to avoid 'dangerous quad bikes' Two British tourists were killed when their quad bike crashed into a hotel bus in Turkey, family members have revealed. Matthew Steward and Cory Dove, both 26, died when their quad bike crashed in Fethiye, southwest Turkey, in the early hours of May 14. The friends, from Harwich, Essex, suffered multiple traumatic injuries and died almost immediately, an inquest at Essex coroners court in Chelmsford heard on Wednesday. Mr Dove was driving the bike with Mr Steward as his passenger, the inquest heard. Speaking after the inquest, Mr Stewards parents, Lisa and Gavin, said they had only found out the full details of the incident after travelling to Turkey. Absolutely devastated They said they had been lied to, as they were initially told the men had collided with a bus, but later found out it was a hotel bus. Mrs Steward urged people to avoid dangerous quad bikes and said her family is absolutely devastated. Mr Steward, who worked at a local electrical manufacturing company, and Mr Dove were on holiday with their families when the fatal crash happened. Mr Steward and his partner, Dannielle Rose, had travelled with her six-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Ruby, and their son Roman, three, Mailonline reported. Ms Rose, 24, who is a carer, said the two men left the hotel to visit a shop on the quad bike on the night of May 13. She later received a call from the authorities telling her they were dead and asking her and Mr Doves partner to identify the bodies. Fundraiser Turkish authorities are understood to be investigating. Ms Rose and Mr Stewards family have started a fundraiser to buy a headstone, as well as cover legal costs. A spokesman for Jet2 said: Our teams provided full support and assistance to Ms Rose following this tragic incident, and we continue to offer our heartfelt sympathies to all of the families and friends of the deceased. Following the incident, our teams were present to assist with translating instructions on behalf of the Turkish authorities. Wayne Lineker posted to social media to say he was recovering and 'doing ok' - Instagram Wayne Lineker, the club boss brother of Gary Lineker, has been told a local politician he is to blame for being knocked unconscious in an Ibiza street because his business attracts loutish tourists. Mr Lineker, 62, was punched in the face in San Antonio in the early hours of Wednesday morning and reportedly lay unconscious for six minutes. A video of the incident showed him being confronted by several young men as he was about to get into a taxi before he was floored by a single punch. Antonio Lorenzo, the leader of the Socialist Party on San Antonio council, has said Mr Lineker, who owns the O Beach Ibiza club and other venues, was the victim of his own brand of excess and drunkenness. Mr Lorenzo said he was sorry Mr Lineker had been attacked, but argued that such incidents are a product of the kind of alcohol-fuelled tourism he promotes. This will not be solved with more security measures; it will be solved with a change of the tourism model, something which is currently non-existent, Mr Lorenzo added. Ibiza and the Balearic Islands as a whole are at the centre of a debate over overtourism, and its negative impacts on the lives of Spanish people. The Balearic Islands received close to 18 million tourists last year, including 3.7 million Britons. The past few weeks have seen a series of protests in Mallorca against the impact of mass tourism, particularly on the housing market. Marga Prohens, the president of the Balearics, has admitted tourism is at saturation point, and while officials debate what measures to take to limit it, local authorities have already attempted to curb the excesses of party tourism. New laws in Mallorca and Ibiza mean shops in some resorts cannot sell alcohol after 9.30pm, and party boats are not allowed to operate within a mile of the coast. Mr Lineker posted a message on social media to say he was recovering from the assault, which left him with a few stitches and a swollen lip. He claimed the incident arose after he had tried to protect a young woman from harassment. A police spokeswoman in Ibiza said the incident had not been reported. In the UK alone, 96% of women aged between 16 and 40 have experienced period pain, according to a survey. (Liubomyr Vorona via Getty Images) One year ago, Spain introduced the right to paid menstrual leave for women if they experience painful periods, making it the first European country to do so. However, official figures show that very few employees have taken advantage of this leave. In the 11 months since the law was brought in, so-called "period leave" has only been taken 1,559 times, according to data obtained by the Guardian from Spains ministry of inclusion, social security and migration. In a country of roughly 49 million people, this is a tiny proportion of workers. So why arent people who menstruate taking time off if they need it? While some may argue that menstruation isnt enough to warrant time off work, statistics show this isnt the case. In the UK alone, 96% of women aged between 16 and 40 have experienced period pain and 59% report it as severe a survey of 3,000 people by the charity Wellbeing of Women found. Research suggests 73% of people who menstruate have struggled to work because of periods, because of pain, low energy and stress. Read more: How acts of microfeminism can help stamp out bias at work And this stress isnt just because employees are in pain. One in five attribute it to not being able to take time off to deal with any menstrual problems, while 10% say theyre stressed because of unsupportive management. So when given the chance, why arent people taking the time off that they need? Why aren't people taking menstrual leave? The wording of the legislation is partly to blame. When it was finally passed, only people who had already been diagnosed with conditions such as endometriosis which causes severe pelvic pain and excessive bleeding could take period leave. Perhaps most significantly, introducing the right to take leave doesnt eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation and menstrual problems. Not all employers will be easy to approach about taking time off, even when a woman is within her rights to do so. Some workers may fear retribution for requesting period leave, and taking legal action against an employer and potentially losing your job and income as a result may be an unrealistic prospect. Spains unemployment rate is rising and in the first quarter of 2024, it soared to 12.29%. It has the highest unemployment rate of all European Union states. Menstruation and period pain can be a sensitive issue and one that is often not widely spoken about, says Kate Palmer, employment services director at the HR firm Peninsula. Read more: Why presenteeism is worse for businesses than calling in sick Some employees may not, therefore, feel able to discuss the real reason why they are not well enough to work or why they are asking for last minute annual leave, with their manager. Some people associate womens health issues such as periods with shame and secrecy, or find it to be a taboo topic. Should period leave be introduced in the UK? Critics of the concept of period leave say it will only further entrench patriarchal views of women, which could potentially lead to further discrimination in the workplace. Theres no doubt that employers need to recognise how menstruation and conditions such as endometriosis affect people at work, but some argue that offering leave incorrectly implies that menstruation is a disability. This, they say, plays into the long-standing stereotype of women as weaker and therefore less productive, which could lead to fewer women being offered jobs or being overlooked for promotions. At the moment, there is no specific menstrual leave in the UK, so its at the discretion of the employer if they do want to offer it to their employees. If not, and an employee is too unwell to work then they must rely on sickness absence or annual leave, or as many do, suffer in silence at their desks. But, as studies show, ignoring the fact that workers menstruate doesnt benefit employers. Someone who is in pain, drained or fraught because they are on their period isnt going to be able to work to their full capacity. And offering time off if needed as well as a safe, open environment in which to discuss health problems is key to ensuring workers feel valued. How employers can support workers Employers should consider what support they can provide and whether there is more that they can do. Providing support may mean that some employees are able to stay in work when they would otherwise have called in sick or asked for last minute annual leave, says Palmer. Employees may need more frequent bathroom breaks, for example, or be allowed to wear different clothing to what is usually required, she adds. Read more: Menopause at work: What adjustments should employers make? Provide free period products at work. This may not sound like much but it reinforces that you care about your employees and their health. Hybrid working, reduced or flexible hours or remote working can also benefit menstruating workers. Additionally, training staff on menstrual health is key. Creating an open and inclusive environment can help employees feel able to discuss support that they need. If they do need to take time off, such an environment can help them to feel that they are able to discuss the circumstances with their manager, says Palmer. And even if you dont have the right to period leave, you still have legal rights. Period pain is not a protected characteristic, but disability is along with gender. This means that people with disabilities are protected from receiving unfair treatment because of their condition and you cannot treat an employee less favourably on account of their gender. Given that menstruation is a gender specific condition, and with a number of health conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis causing severe period pain, its important that employers do all they reasonably can to support staff who experience painful periods, or period-related illnesses, explains Palmer. Failure to do so could leave an employer open to a potential claim for disability or gender discrimination. Watch: Spain Approves Menstrual Leave, Teen Abortion and Transgender Laws Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. The Princess of Wales has said she is making good progress in her cancer treatment and announced she will join the royal family at Trooping the Colour. Kate issued a candid statement outlining her personal cancer journey and said she is experiencing good days and bad days as she undergoes chemotherapy. But she has begun to work from home, undertaking meetings with her foundation and Kensington Palace team, and hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer but stressed I am not out of the woods yet. The princess has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February and her decision to choose a major national event on Saturday to return briefly to the public spotlight, the first time since Christmas Day, has been welcomed by the King. A new photograph of the royal, taken earlier this week in the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate, shows Kate in a smart casual outfit stood in a tranquil setting against a weeping willow tree near a body of water. She said in her statement: I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home. The princess will be joined by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in a carriage for the traditional procession to Trooping the Colour and later they will gather with other royals on Buckingham Palaces balcony for the fly-past. Kate said: Im looking forward to attending the Kings Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. William and Kate and their family attend church on Christmas Day (Chris Jackson/PA) The future Queen has received thousands of letters and cards from well-wishers, some sharing their own battles with cancer, and Kate said she had been blown away by the kind messages that had made a world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: His Majesty is delighted that the princess is able to attend tomorrows events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day. The princesss public appearance at Trooping will be her first official outing of 2024 after she missed engagements at the start of the year when she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16. At the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous but tests after the successful operation found the disease, and Kate disclosed the medical development in an emotional video released in March. Trooping will not mark the start of a return to full-time duties, and Kate has no plans to attend the Garter Day service on Monday or Royal Ascot, as she is still undergoing treatment, with the royal appearing to indicate in her statement it will last until the end of summer. Chemotherapy can be used even when surgeons believe they have removed all the cancer, owing to the risk the disease might come back, and it can reduce the chances of a new cancer. Kate has been holding meetings with her palace staff, the Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales and her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which in the future will be noted in the Court Circular, the official record of royal events. The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey in London in December (Aaron Chown/PA) A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: The prince is pleased to see the princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her. He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties. A time frame has not been set for Kates return to a full schedule of public engagements as she is being given time to convalesce and recover before full-time work. Trooping will be a special event for the princess as Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, a regiment she represents as Colonel, will be Trooping their Kings Colour on Saturday, but Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall will take the salute on her behalf. The King, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, will not ride during the ceremony but will inspect the troops formed up in Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall from a carriage. Taylor Swift has set a new personal record in the UK albums chart as she continues her mammoth Eras Tour across the country. The Tortured Poets Department has netted a sixth non-consecutive week at the top, according to the Official Charts Company, which has surpassed Swifts previous best after Midnights spent five non-consecutive weeks at number one across 2022 and 2023. The 14-time Grammy-winner is currently touring Europe and has two more shows in Liverpool before she performs dates in Cardiff, London, and Dublin. Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) The US popstar, 34, began the UK leg of her tour in Edinburgh on June 7 where she performed three dates in the Scottish city. There were famous faces in the crowd as the cast of Outlander were in attendance, donning beaded friendship bracelets which have become a staple at Swifts shows. US pop-punk band Paramore, fronted by Hayley Williams, opened for Swift and are set to support her across all the UK dates. The Pennsylvania-born music artist released her chart-topping 11th studio album, which included collaborations with rapper Post Malone and British rock band Florence + The Machine, on April 19. Alongside 12 number one albums, Swift has four singles that have topped the UK charts with Look What You Made Me Do, Anti-Hero, Is It Over Now? (Taylors Version), and Fortnight featuring Post Malone. The Eras Tour also has dates in London and Cardiff (Jane Barlow/PA) Elsewhere in the albums chart this week, Brat, the latest offering from pop artist Charli XCX, has debuted at number two. New in at number three is Forever by Bon Jovi, which is the rock bands 16th studio album. Moving down two spots from last week is Hit Me Hard And Soft by American pop artist Billie Eilish, who released her third studio album on May 17. At number five is the 2005 record Curtain Call The Hits by Eminem, who is readying to release his new album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace). The American rappers latest single Houdini will feature on the LP and has retained its place at the top spot in this weeks singles chart. Brat by Charli XCX has debuted at number two (Ian West/PA) The song makes reference to his 2002 track Without Me, with lyrics that say Shady, his alter-ego, is back. In at number two is Espresso by pop star Sabrina Carpenter, whose latest single Please Please Please has debuted at number three. The music video for the song, released on June 7, features her boyfriend and Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan. In at number four is Birds Of A Feather, from Eilishs new album, with the fifth spot taken by A Bar Song (Tipsy) from American country/hip hop artist Shaboozey. A teenage neo-Nazi has been jailed for eight years for creating a detailed plan to carry out a suicide bomb attack on a synagogue because he wanted to make Jews afraid again. Mason Reynolds, 19, from Brighton, was convicted at trial of possession of an article connected with the preparation of an act of terrorism against the synagogue in Hove, East Sussex. He had also pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing material likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, as well as five offences of sharing terrorist publications dating back to when he was aged 16. The defendant had shared right-wing videos and possessed bomb instruction manuals, Winchester Crown Court heard. The court was told that Reynolds had annotated a Google street map and satellite image of the synagogue detailing entry points and points to attack. Naomi Parsons, prosecuting, said: Whilst preparation is described as limited, it is not absent, for Mr Reynolds had a neo-Nazi mindset and he had prepared an extensive library of manuals, explosives manuals, gun-making manuals. She added: There was the potential to endanger many lives, he included references to the days when the the synagogue would be busiest, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover. Ms Parsons continued: He had an entrenched and violent neo-Nazi mindset and had expressed an intention to commit terrorist acts I wanna strap multiple pipe bombs to my chest and blow myself up in a synagogue. Mason Reynolds was on trial at Winchester Crown Court (Alamy/PA) He knew that those he communicated with shared that mindset. Ms Parsons said that Reynolds used the Telegram social media site to encourage others with his propaganda channel to promote the neo-Nazi agenda and he posted that he wanted to make Jews afraid again. He also possessed recorded live-streamed videos of mass-murder terrorist attacks including those produced by Brenton Tarrant in Christchurch, New Zealand; and Anders Breivik in Norway, the court heard. Ms Parsons said: They are clips from live-streamed attacks and that is the point of them, thats what makes them so dangerous, they are designed to aid copy-cat attacks. He also posted a promotional video for the proscribed, white supremacist, terrorist organisation, Atomwaffen Division, showing a man in a skull mask and combat gear shooting targets. Reynolds showed no emotion as he was given an extended sentence made up of eight years in custody with a five-year period on licence. The judge, Mrs Justice May, told him that she considered him as dangerous and added: You intended to encourage terrorism, this was propaganda pure and simple. Of the terrorist documents kept by Reynolds, she added: It is a startlingly extensive and concerning collection kept secret from your family and friends but showing how entrenched your interest in far right ideology had become. Amy Packham, defending, said that Reynolds interest in the far right developed during the Covid-19 lockdown and added: He would never have taken this action into real life, this was all online, behind the barrier of the internet, that is his stated evidence and the view of his family that there is no risk. A Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) spokesman said that Reynolds had praised attacks by far-right terrorists. He added: Reynolds created a note detailing a plan to attack a synagogue in Hove. Following a police search of his home, various devices were found which had been used to store or share material, including an iPhone and USB drives. He was also found to be the administrator of a Telegram channel which shared far right extremist, anti-Semitic and racist views, as well as manuals on bomb building and how to 3D print firearms. Nick Price, Head of the CPS Counter Terrorism and Special Crime Division, said: Mason Reynolds sought to spread hate and encourage acts of terrorism. He not only held neo-Nazi beliefs but wanted to act on them to cause pain and suffering, which fortunately has been prevented and the public protected due to the work of the policing and prosecution team. British artist Tracey Emin has said that being made a dame is another brilliant surprise in her life. The artist, known for her headline-grabbing 90s works Everyone I Have Ever Slept With and My Bed, has been given a damehood in the Kings Birthday Honours list for her services to art. Dame Tracey has a good ring to it, the 60-year-old said in a statement to the PA news agency. The Queen meeting Tracey Emin during the Sovereigns Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace (Aaron Chown/PA) Im very very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life. Born in 1963 in Croydon, south London, fashion student Dame Tracey dropped out of Medway College of Design in the 1980s to become a high-profile and notorious member of the group of contemporary artists dubbed the YBAs (Young British Artists). During this time, Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 19631995, featuring a tent adorned with 102 names, was shown at Charles Saatchis Sensation exhibition held at the Royal Academy in London. Since then, she has become known for her autobiographical and confessional artwork. My Bed, an art installation featuring an unmade bed covered in debris, sold for more than 2 million at auction. Artist Tracey Emin during a photocall with her piece My Bed (Nick Ansell/PA) It was also among the contenders for the 1999 Turner prize, which was won by Steve McQueen for his film and video works. Other works from Dame Tracey have included a 2018 neon sign in Londons St Pancras station saying I want my time with you, and a 2020 Royal Academy exhibition which showcased her paintings alongside the work of Edvard Munch. Dame Tracey has often expressed her admiration for Norwegian painter Munch. I fell in love with the paintings of Edvard Munch, because he made a painting called Jealousy that was about himself, she told The Independent in 2009. I thought it was an incredibly open, self-effacing and defiant thing for a man in the early 20th century to do. By openly displaying his weakness it empowered him and gave him strength. Tracey Emin was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020 (Kirsty OConnor/PA) In 2020, Dame Tracey was diagnosed with bladder cancer after discovering a tumour while working on a painting of a malignant lump, and underwent surgery which saw many of her reproductive organs removed and she was fitted with a stoma bag. She later unveiled a new collection of nudes, for a show called A Journey To Death, which she said was a response to the cancer and resulting surgery. In an interview with The Guardian, she spoke about having had a full hysterectomy, telling the publication: Is this sexy? No, of course it isnt. Everythings changed for me. My whole life has changed. She also said at the time that she believes she had a premonition, when her entire world suddenly went dark and she saw an apparition, before her diagnosis. She added: It was during the first lockdown, just before the banging of the saucepans for the NHS. It was light, I was sitting in my living room waiting to look out the window and the TV was on and suddenly it went off, the room went completely dark, and this apparition came towards me. I went, Oh, f****** hell!' Tracey Emin (Ian West/PA) In 2007, she represented the United Kingdom at the Venice Biennale, which is considered one of the worlds most famous art exhibitions. The celebration of contemporary art takes place every two years, alternating with architecture, and Dame Tracey, at the time, was only the second solo British female artist at the Pavilion, following Rachel Whiteread in 1997. During her early years, Dame Tracey studied painting at the Royal College of Art in London. She later confessed that she destroyed all of the paintings she created during her time by throwing them into a skip, admitting she loved painting but was still really afraid of it. It wasnt because I didnt care about them. It was because I cared about them too much, she said in an interview published in The Perfect Place To Grow: 175 Years Of The Royal College of Art. Corrections and clarifications: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Daniel Callihan's name. A 4-year-old Louisiana girl was found dead in Mississippi on Thursday just hours after an Amber Alert was issued for her and her 6-year-old sister, both of whom were abducted from their home after their mother was found dead. Four-year-old Erin Brunett and her 6-year-old sister were taken around 8 a.m. Thursday from their home in Loranger, about 45 miles northeast of Baton Rouge, Tangipahoa Parish Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis told reporters at a news conference. Erin's body was found 120 miles away in Jackson, Mississippi. She was found along with her unharmed sister and the girls' suspected abductor, Daniel Callihan, Travis said. Callihan was in an "on-and-off relationship" with the girls' now-deceased mother, 35-year-old Callie Brunett, according to the chief deputy. It appears Erin was killed once Callihan knew that police tracked him to Mississippi, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told WBRZ-TV. "Once he realized law enforcement knew where he was, he tried to do away with the children," Wade said, according to the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based outlet. "Thank God one of them survived and the grandparents are on their way to Jackson, Mississippi." It's unclear whether Callihan yet has an attorney. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade speaks during a press conference on Feb. 13, 2024. How was Daniel Callihan arrested? An undercover officers noticed Callihan "checking houses" in Jackson, according to Travis. Although Callihan attempted to flee, the officer managed to arrest him, he added. Once in custody, Callihan directed officers to a car where Erin's sister was found "alive and well," Travis said. Callihan then showed officers to a wooded area not far from the car, and that is where Erin's body was discovered, according to the chief deputy. Detectives with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office are currently on scene in Jackson. Earlier in the investigation, the sheriff's office got information about Callihan driving Callie Brunett's vehicle in Jackson, so they were already in that area checking with local law enforcement, Travis said. How did the search for Erin and her sister begin? Authorities became aware of the girls' abduction when their mother's parents called the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office and told them they hadn't been able to contact or locate their daughter, Travis said during an earlier news conference. Erin and her sister's father went to their mother's home in Loranger at 8 a.m. on Thursday, found her body in the bedroom and called 911, according to Travis. Authorities didn't "have any reason to believe the kids could still be" at the scene after they searched throughout the wooded area near the home, Travis said. The mother's car was not at the home when the girls' father arrived, and her family hadn't had contact with her since Tuesday afternoon, according to the chief deputy. It was unclear when the last time the girls or their mother were seen, Travis added. The Tangipahoa Parish Coroner is determining the cause of death for Callie Brunett, according to the chief deputy. 'She's going to have to spend the rest of her life living with this' The Brunett family has been notified and the grandparents are going to pick the 6-year-old up in Jackson, Travis said. "She's been through something that most of us hopefully never ever have to experience," the chief deputy said about Erin's sister. "She's going to have to spend the rest of her life living with this. This is horrific." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4-year-old Louisiana girl found dead after being abducted with sister People and public officials should be "alert but not alarmed" about the current bird flu outbreak, federal authorities said in a Thursday call with reporters. In two new reports, released midday Thursday, officials added details about the spread and status of the outbreak of what is formally called the "highly pathogenic avian influenza." Cattle on more than 90 farms in 12 states have been infected since late last year, as well as three people who caught the disease from cattle. These infections have been widely reported. "We should take these data we should understand them in context, and we should, as we are, be alert, but not alarmed," Dr. Nirav Shah, the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on the call. Eleven of the impacted farms requested funding from a federal program established to encourage cooperation with public health measures among farmers, officials said. Farm workers are the only people currently considered at high risk for bird flu, which is not likely to pose a danger to the general public unless it evolves and becomes contagious from person-to-person transmission. Right now the only means of catching the virus is direct exposure to infected animals. As more animals become infected, however, the risk becomes greater that the virus could mutate and become infectious among people. Bird flu has now reached at least 90 farms across 10 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To prevent that, "we should apply lessons learned from decreasing farm-to-farm transmission amongst poultry and apply them to dairy farms," Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for global health security and biodefense, told USA TODAY. Slowing the outbreak of bird flu among poultry under his leadership, federal agencies instituted an approach described as "defend the flock." Now, Panjabi said, we need to "gird the herd." It is unclear precisely when or how the virus first infected U.S. cattle. The first incidence of the disease was confirmed on a Texas dairy farm on March 25, according to the federal study. Officials believe the virus was possibly carried from farm to farm on the clothing of workers, 20% of whom work on multiple dairy farms and 7% of whom work on poultry farms as well as at dairies. Other likely routes of transmission include the tires of vehicles used to transport people and equipment from farm to farm. Farms with the infection were linked, the report noted, because the cows were transported between farms and by a milk co-op that is shared by more than 90% of the affected dairies. Identifying these links should help the government and farmers minimize the spread of the disease, the report concluded. But the report is far from perfect, said Jennifer Nuzzo an epidemiologist who directs the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health. It's more of a survey than an actual study of how the virus is being transmitted and therefore, it's hard to learn anything from it, she said. "There are literally no data. They do not know how this is spreading," Nuzzo said. This lack of data is not the government's fault, she was quick to add. The U.S. Department of Agriculture relies on farms to voluntarily provide information, and, without that data, everyone is in the dark. "Getting access to information on farms has been challenging, but it's critical for us to understand why this is spreading... so that we can prevent it from spreading," she said. "I don't think there's any one farm that wants to have this. They want to protect themselves. Crucially, I want to protect the workers on those farms." Panjabi agrees that America won't be safe from bird flu unless farmworkers are protected. Right now, workers lack access to basic protective gear, he said and wrote in a recent opinion piece. The first worker to become infected had been wearing gloves, but not eye protection and likely got infected from touching infected hands to eyes. Farm workers are only tested for infection if they are suspected of being infected, the CDC's Shah said. Forty-five farmworkers have been tested nationwide for avian flu so far this year, Shah said, including three people who were infected. Of the first 40 tested, 35 were in Michigan, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical officer, told the Detroit Free Press. But it's not realistic to conclude that the only people infected were those who tested positive, Nuzzo said. A positive test requires a farmworker to have access to medical care or be so ill that they have no other options. Then, a caregiver has to be aware of their patient's likely exposure, recognize the potential signs of bird flu and know to send a patient sample to the CDC, she said. There are "many points of failure," said Nuzzo who would like to see a vaccination begin with farmworkers so they can be protected and officials can prevent further spread. Officials in Finland recently decided to vaccinate farmworkers, veterinarians and scientists who work with avian influenza in that country. "I don't want farmworkers to die before we suddenly decide to vaccinate" people in the U.S., she said. Eduardo Cuevas contributed to this report. Karen Weintraub can be reached at kweintraub@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bird flu has spread to dairy farms in 12 states. Data remains thin. The four-weekend residency at the famed venue promises fans the ultimate connection to the rock bands legendary catalog Kevin Mazur Eagles The Eagles are landing in Las Vegas' Sphere this fall for their upcoming residency. On Thursday, June 13, the legendary rock band comprised of members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (son of late founding member Glenn Frey) announced dates for eight shows across four weekends, kicking things off on Sept. 20. Kevin Mazur Eagles Residency Per a press release, the Vegas residency, which promises fans the ultimate connection to the groups iconic catalog including their acclaimed 1976 Hotel California album with an immersive live experience, concludes on Oct. 19. Pre-sale tickets will be available on June 18 at 10 a.m. PT, while general sale tickets go live on June 21 at 10 a.m. PT at eagles.com. Kevin Mazur Eagles News of the Eagles Vegas residency comes almost a year after the band announced their last-ever tour, The Long Goodbye. Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle, the band shared in an emotional statement following 50+ years of touring, countless chart-topping singles and 150 million albums sold worldwide. The Eagles have had a miraculous 52-year odyssey, performing for people all over the globe; keeping the music alive in the face of tragic losses, upheavals and setbacks of many kinds, they added, also thanking their management team, road crew and backup musicians. Their tour began with 13 initial dates before the rock band formed in the fall of 1971 extended it with two more 2024 Los Angeles shows to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their epic six-show residency at the Kia Forum. Kevin Mazur Eagles The tour announcement came just a few short weeks before founding Eagles member and bassist Randy Meisner died from complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was 77 years old. "Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band," the group said in a brief statement following the musicians death. "His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, Take It to the Limit.' Related: Prosecutors Drop Charges Mid-Trial in Eagles Lyrics Case as Don Henley's Lawyer Says He's Been 'Victimized' During the Eagles prime, the band released seven studio albums, plus a best-of compilation titled To the Limit: The Essential Collection, which was released in January 2024. Looking back on the groups legacy and discography which fans will soon hear from Vegas Sphere earlier this year, Henley told Louder, The songs have taken on a life of their own. Were only curating them, he continued. Were just the vehicle for presenting these songs to the people. Weve come to realize what these songs mean to people, and how theyre part of their lives. You could call it nostalgia, and theres nothing terrible about that, especially in times like these, when things are so unhinged and crazy. I think it gives people two and a half hours of relief from the crazy, chaotic world outside. Especially in America. See all dates for the Eagles Vegas residency below. Friday, Sept. 20 Saturday, Sept. 21 Friday, Sept. 27 Saturday, Sept. 28 Friday, Oct. 11 Saturday, Oct. 12 Friday, Oct. 18 Saturday, Oct. 19 For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Eight hundred cruise ships visited Santorini last year, making the island the most popular cruise ship destination in Greece - Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy Stock Photo Greece will start restricting the number of cruise ships that visit places like Santorini and Mykonos, as tiny islands buckle under the increasing pressure of overtourism, the countrys prime minister said on Friday. New measures are to be introduced to reduce the number of cruise liners, which can disgorge thousands of passengers at a time, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis. I think well do it next year, he said, referring to a plan to cap the number of cruise ship visits. The number of berths or anchoring slots could be reduced, he said. The islands that are clearly suffering most are Mykonos and Santorini, he said. Last year, nearly 750 cruise ships visited Mykonos, an increase of 23 per cent compared to the year before. Santorini is the most sensitive, Mykonos will be the second, the prime minister told Bloomberg. Cheap flights fuel tourism surge A post-pandemic rebound has been key to Greeces economic recovery in the wake of the grim years of austerity and cuts, but the sheer number of visitors is threatening to smother the more popular destinations. Cheap flights and social media have fuelled the surge, as they have in so many parts of the world. During the summer months, the whitewashed terraces and balconies that overlook Santorinis extraordinary volcanic caldera are overrun with selfie-taking visitors, desperate for the perfect sunset shot to add to their social media feeds. Last year, 800 cruise ships visited Santorini, making the volcanic island the most popular cruise ship destination in Greece. Santorinis 15,000 inhabitants find themselves more and more squeezed by the sheer weight of visitors, receiving 5.5 million tourists each year, a figure which has doubled since 2012. Santorini in itself is a problem, said Mr Mitsotakis. The huge number of vessels docking at the island may not bring commensurate economic benefit, he said. If Greeces more popular islands become too overcrowded, then tourists will be dissuaded from visiting them because the experience will be ruined. There are people spending a lot of money to be on Santorini and they dont want the island to be swamped. Plus, the island cant afford it, even in terms of security, the prime minister said. Mykonos has also become saturated with tourists amid complaints of overdevelopment of the coast and outrageous prices at swanky beach bars and boutique hotels. Urgent need to curb rampant construction Greece is heavily dependent on tourism it accounts for more than a quarter of the countrys economic output. Tourism revenues are expected to bring in 21 billion euros this year, up from 20.5 billion last year. Last year, nearly 33 million tourists visited the country, an increase of 18 per cent on 2022, drawn by turquoise bays, guaranteed sunshine, sandy beaches and sugar cube island architecture. The summer season is only just getting under way but in the first quarter of the year there was already a 25 per cent increase in tourist numbers. Greeces ombudsman warned on Thursday that there is now an urgent need to curb rampant construction and protect coastal areas. Our countrys economy relies heavily on tourism which makes the need to manage it in a sustainable way even more urgent, the ombudsman said. Greece must not exhaust its potential, wasting it and making our tourist destinations unattractive over time, said its report, the first on the sector since the ombudsman was founded over 25 years ago. The report singled out Santorini as having a particular problem with overtourism. In Santorini, even tourists complain about the great number of tourists. Countries tackle overtourism On the neighbouring Cycladic island of Paros, locals have protested against the rising number of privately-owned sunbeds and umbrellas that have sprung up on beaches that are supposed to be public and available to everyone. The government recently announced it will use Artificial Intelligence and satellite imagery to identify beach operators who abuse the permits they have been granted. Countries around the world are debating whether the smothering effects of cruise ship tourism are justified from a social and economic point of view. In 2021, Italy banned large cruise liners from using the Giudecca Canal that cuts through the heart of Venice. Venice became the first city in the world to charge tourists an entrance fee in April, making visitors pay five euros each, with exemptions for anyone staying at least one night in a hotel. There is opposition to giant cruise ships in Spains Balearic Islands, with locals complaining that passengers disembark for a few hours, spend little and then get back on the boat. Islanders on Majorca are due to stage a fresh protest against mass tourism on Saturday, following previous demonstrations. Earlier this month, a group of protesters crammed together on sarongs and towels on a beach on the islands south coast to symbolise how they feel squeezed out by the 18 million tourists who visit Majorca each year. In May, about 10,000 islanders marched through the streets of Palma, the capital, protesting against saturation tourism. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Milwaukees mayor said Thursday that former President Trumps remarks disparaging the city as horrible could cost him the 2024 election. In Wisconsin, we are [a] purple state, and statewide elections are decided on a razor-thin margin, Mayor Cavalier Johnson (D) told CNNs Laura Coates. And so for the former president to call Milwaukee a horrible place, thats insulting the home to roughly 50,000 people who vote Republican if youre in the city. Trump reportedly said Milwaukee is a horrible city during a closed-door meeting with GOP House members Thursday, causing widespread backlash from the states Democrats. The Trump campaign quickly pointed out that Trump wasnt disparaging the city as a whole, but merely criticizing its crime rate. Wisconsin was decided by just 21,000 votes in the 2020 election, one of the closest margins nationwide. Badger State Republicans also came to Trumps defense after the comments were reported, with Reps. Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil saying Trump didnt in fact disparage Wisconsin at all. Van Orden labeled reports of the comments lies by omission, and Steil said the comments simply did not happen. Johnson, however, said the defense put Republicans in an awkward position. I heard all the responses from Republicans, he said on CNN. They were twisting themselves into so many different ways. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who is up for reelection this fall, also hit Trump over the comment. Stop picking on Wisconsin. Stop picking on Milwaukee, Baldwin told The Hill. We make the best brats there, the best cheese there. We make Harley Davidsons there. Theyre hardworking people, and its a great city in a great state. Milwaukee will be the host city of the Republican National Convention next month, when Trump will be officially named the partys presidential nominee and when he will first announce his vice president pick. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Eva-Katalin / Getty Images Fact checked by Nick BlackmerFact checked by Nick Blackmer Key Takeaways Some dental flosses contain ingredients such as Teflon and petroleum-based nylon, which are substances that might be linked to kidney and liver diseases, cancers, and hormone disruption. Experts say that there is no need to panic, as these ingredients and chemicals are commonly found in things we use every day, including water, cleaning products, and food. If you want to be extra cautious, experts recommend using nylon or silk-based flosses with a wax coating. Experts recommend checking the ingredients listed on the dental floss packaging or contacting the manufacturer for more information about how theyre made. If youve been hearing about PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl substances, everywhere lately, thats probably because research seems to be finding them in all sorts of places. PFAS are chemicals commonly used in both industrial and consumer products that break down very slowly over timehence the nickname forever chemicals. One product thats been getting attention for PFAS more recently is dental floss. Researchers found that women who flossed with Oral-B Glide dental floss or floss from other brands had higher levels of PFAS in their blood than women who did not use those types of floss. Are the PFAS levels in dental floss enough to be a health concern, and are there clean floss alternatives? Heres what dental experts say. Related: What the Public Needs to Know About PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Are There Toxic Ingredients in Dental Floss? Floss is typically made up of ingredients like Teflon, petroleum-based nylon, or vegetable-based nylon and silk, Jennifer Blanton, DDS, Staff Dentist at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, told Verywell in an email. They can also be coated in wax, glycerin, or PFAS chemicals to improve the overall glide, said Blanton. One of the more concerning ingredients is Teflon. Teflon is produced from PFAS chemicalsthe same chemical group as the coating on many brands of non-stick pans, waterproof clothing and furniture, and personal care products, like shampoo and nail polish. Teflon is produced from PFAS chemicals and may be a concern due to links to kidney disease, liver disease, cancers, infertility, etc, said Blanton. Teflon exposure has also been linked to autoimmune disease, neurotoxicity, and Alzheimers disease. Other ingredients in floss that may be of concern are petroleum-based polymers like nylon and polyester, the latter of which has been identified as a carcinogen and hormone disruptor, said Blanton. However, more research is needed to better understand the potential health effects of petroleum in dental floss. According to Blanton, silk-based floss would be considered the least likely to cause any harm because it is made from natural, biodegradable materials that are free from PFAS and other plastic particles. Related: Should You Get a Blood Test for PFAS? How Worried Should You Be About Dental Floss and PFAS? The reality is that PFAS are all around us. Theyre in water and soil and can be detected in the bodies of almost all humans, according to Blanton. As mentioned before, theyre also commonly used to make consumer products, including fabrics, carpets, cleaning products, and even floss. We are exposed to PFAS chemicals throughout our day, from water, soil, fish/shellfish, carpet, cleaning products, and more, Blanton said, adding that due to the numerous sources of PFAS in our environment, it is difficult to identify which sources are the most significant contributors to overall PFAS exposure. Sangeetha Chandrasekaran, BDS, MS, a professor and the chair of the Division of Periodontics at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, told Verywell that more studies are needed to understand whether flossing alone contributes to higher levels of PFAS exposure or carries any significant health risks. The results from the 2019 study do not confirm that flossing alone contributed to the higher levels of PFAS found in those subjects, said Chandrasekaran. With the lack of evidence, all flosses are considered safe. However, for those consumers who may be concerned, multiple alternative flosses are available. Awareness of PFAS in your daily life is fine, but Blanton said you dont need to panic. If you want to be extra cautious and limit your exposure to the substances, Blanton recommends choosing floss without PFAS chemicals, such as silk floss with a wax coating. Blanton also suggested finding ways to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals in other products, not just floss. It is important to be aware of these ingredients as well as anything we ingest or consume throughout our day, said Blanton. Related: How to Get Plaque Off Your Teeth Dont Stop Flossing Flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing when it comes to optimal oral hygiene. The act of flossing helps remove food particles and plaque that get stuck between teeth and along the gum linespots your toothbrush is likely to miss. Flossing helps reduce the risk of cavities and prevent gum disease. Given how effective it is as an oral hygiene tool, experts don't advise that people stop flossing. Flossing cleans surfaces in between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot access and dislodges stubborn food particles, said Blanton. Poor oral hygiene will lead to gingivitis and periodontitis, which has known links to heart disease. Related: Is Water Flossing Better Than String Flossing? How to Choose a Safer Dental Floss Blanton said to start by checking the ingredients listed on the floss you use. These are typically listed on the flosss packaging, but if they are not, you can contact the manufacturer or search the brand online. If you are looking to avoid certain ingredients, choose floss that is free from Teflon and petroleum-based materials. Instead, opt for silk or nylon floss, which are considered the least likely to cause any harm, said Blanton. Chandrasekaran said there isnt much difference between waxed and unwaxed floss in terms of what is better for your teeth. However, unwaxed floss may be an alternative for patients who are concerned because it tends to have fewer added ingredients and artificial flavors. If you prefer a wax coating, choose floss with a natural wax coating, such as coconut oil or beeswax, instead of synthetic versions, like petroleum. Related: Oral Hygiene 101 Are There Alternatives to Dental Floss? There are some other things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth besides flossing: Water flossers or oral irrigators: These devices use water to remove plaque and debris between teeth and along the gum line. However, according to Chandrasekaran, these devices dont remove plaque as well as traditional floss. Interdental brushes: These small brushes are designed to clean between the teeth and around dental devices like braces or dental bridges. Floss picks: Floss picks are usually disposable plastic tools that are flexible and can slip cleanly between the teeth, making them easier to use than traditional floss. Air flosser: Air flossers use a handheld device that uses compressed air and micro-droplets of water or mouthwash to clean between the teeth and gum line. Its important to remember that the best option is the one you will actually use! said Blanton. When choosing a dental floss, ingredients as well as lifestyle choices should be taken into consideration. According to Blanton, vegans may want to consider any animal products used in floss, such as silk, beeswax, and glycerin. On the other hand, some people might prefer using floss sticks, which are less bulky, instead of something like a Waterpik or traditional floss. Chandrasekaran recommends working with your dental care provider to get personalized recommendations about oral hygiene products that meet your needs. What This Means For You If you want to limit your exposure to PFAS in dental floss, experts say to choose a silk floss with a wax coating. Talk to your dental care provider to find out which floss or flossing alternatives are best for your oral hygiene needs. Read Next: The Best Dental Floss of 2024 Read the original article on Verywell Health. Legendary alternative rock band R.E.M. marked their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night by giving nostalgic fans something they've been dreaming about for roughly 17 years: a reunion. Fans have waited years to see the band onstage again, and Thursday night they got it one surprise song, one time only, when R.E.M performed an acoustic version of their Grammy award-winning hit, "Losing My Religion." The intimate and soulful performance was the first time that frontman Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry played together publicly since 2007 when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. R.E.M.'s surprise reunion The band was already quietly plotting the reunion in February when "CBS Mornings" visited them at their old rehearsal space in Athens, Georgia, where they formed in 1980. Since then, they've released 15 studio albums and sold millions of records, becoming one of the most popular bands in history, before breaking up in 2011. "Everybody here is sworn to secrecy," said Mills about the possibility of taking the stage with his former bandmates during the interview. When asked what it would take to get the original band back together, the bandmates chuckled and jokingly suggested "a comet" or "super glue." Thursday's reunion surprised and delighted fans, but R.E.M. said don't expect another. Buck said he wouldn't know what he'd be trying to accomplish if the group officially got back together. Stipe agreed there's not going to be another "one last time." "It's like all the reasons you don't want to do it are still in place. We are lucky enough to havedon't really love the word 'legacy,' that we can leave in place and not mess up. And you don't get that opportunity but one time. Once you change that, you can't go back," Mills explained. "We had our day in the sun," Stipe said. Back to the beginning A reunion tour may not be in R.E.M.'s future, but the bandmates said they've enjoyed reminiscing about their early days and the great pieces of music they made. Mills said they "had a lot of fun" in their Athens rehearsal space, in particular. The honor of being included in the Songwriters Hall of Fame prompted the group to reflect on their songs and what inspired them. Berry said The Beatles changed his life when he was just 7 years old, inspiring him to become a musician. Mills, Buck and Berry said they typically wrote the music and then gave it to Stipe, who would add in the lyrics. Stipe said their songs weren't always an instant hit. "We didn't always write music or songs that people connected with on the first listen. Sometimes it took seven or eight or even 10 listens before the melodies sunk in. You wake up singing it the next day and then you know you've got something," said Stipe, joking that it must means the band consists of "very complicated, intelligent people." R.E.M.'s 1991 song "Losing My Religion" quickly climbed the charts. In 2022, it surpassed over 1 billion views on YouTube, according to Billboard. The song's popularity surprised the band. They never thought it would be a hit. "I mean, we made a lot of really good records. And then just randomly, we had a hit single off this thing with a lead mandolin. I was, like, go figure," Buck said. Watch more of R.E.M.'s interview with "CBS Mornings" here. Supreme Court invalidates ban on bump stocks put in place after Las Vegas mass shooting Breaking down the Supreme Court's mifepristone abortion pill ruling Dr. Anthony Fauci on turning down millions in private sector A search and rescue operation is underway for a 59-year-old American who was reported missing Tuesday after failing to return from a hike on a Greek island. Albert Calibet, a former Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputy, failed to return from a hike on the Greek island Amorgos amid extreme heat, with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. He was hiking from Aegiali toward Katapola, which takes roughly four hours. Calibet reportedly began his hike at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday and was last seen at 11 a.m. by walkers he met with on a trail, according to Hellenic Police. PHOTO: View of Amorgos Island in Greece. (STOCK PHOTO/Adobe Stock) A woman who runs a small refreshment stand told police she saw him around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, supplying him with water and refreshments. He was due to meet with a friend between noon and 1 p.m. at the end of a trail, but Calibet never made it to the meetup point, Hellenic Police said. The friend tried calling Calibet on his phone, but there was no answer, so the friend reported him missing to local authorities. Calibet has reportedly visited the island many times and knows the trail and area very well. MORE: Earliest-ever heat wave in Greece closes Acropolis and public schools A Hellenic Fire Department helicopter and a drone are aiding in an aerial search for Calibet in ravines and areas that are not walkable, while rescue teams have already walked the trail twice, according to police. Locals who know the rugged terrain well, including shepherds, are all involved. The search was described as "extensive," with the operation shifting focus beyond the trail now that it has been thoroughly checked, Kalliopi Despotidl, the deputy mayor of Amogros island, told ABC News. Landscape varies around the trail where Calibet went missing, with some rocky cliffs and gorges, according to Despotidl. "The terrain is not flat. The trail from Aegiali to Katapola is marked and well-trodden. But he might have gone off the marked area, and that is why they have expanded their search," Despotidl said. The deputy mayor also said Calibet is well known on the island, saying she's seen him coming to Amorgos for at least 10 years. He's a regular visitor and loves hiking. "He knows the paths better than me," she said. PHOTO: Eric Albert Calibet is seen in this undated image. (Municipality of Amorgos) Calibet joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1998 and has continued to be a part-time employee since he retired in 2018, according to the department. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Calibet's family and friends and our hope is that we can bring him home safely," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. "We are actively collaborating with multiple agencies abroad to provide assistance in the search for Deputy Calibet and will use every resource we have available to bring him back to those who love him." The brother of the missing American, Oliver Calibet, and the missing American's girlfriend, Debbie LaShane, arrived in Greece on Friday to help in the search and rescue efforts for Albert Calibet. LaShane and Albert Calibet talked on the phone just before he set out on his trek Tuesday morning, LaShane told ABC News. "He called me right before he was leaving for the hike. ... It was 7:07 [a.m.] in Greece, and then we spoke six minutes, and then he sent me a picture at 9:20 [a.m.] at the trail head with the sign. And we have not spoken since," LaShane said. It's been "excruciating; awful. Walking around in a daze, sick to our stomachs knowing that he's out there somewhere," LaShane said. "Time is of the essence because it's on the fourth day, so it's not good. But, we're very positive," Oliver Calibet said. Former LA sheriff's deputy goes missing during hike on Greek island originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Greek officials are looking for an American tourist who went missing this week while they were visiting an island off the coast, just days after another U.S. tourist went missing while vacationing nearby. The unidentified missing man was last seen Tuesday at a tavern in Mathraki, located west of Corfu Island, where he was staying with a Greek American friend, investigators told ABC News. The friend called the police after he returned home Thursday and found the door of the house open, the lights on, the air conditioning unit on, but the missing American's ID and travel documents gone, along with the man himself, according to investigators. PHOTO: The coastline in Mathraki, one of the Diapontia islands northwest of Corfu, Greece. (Konstantinos_k/Getty Images) Mathraki has no police station or coast guard so officers from Corfu had to be called in to assist with the investigation. MORE: Former LA sheriff's deputy goes missing during hike on Greek island Mathraki only has 40-50 permanent residents in the winter, and many Greek Americans spend their summers there, according local officials. Search and rescue teams were in the water Thursday but paused their operations Friday due to rough weather, officials said. The search is planned to continue Saturday. The unidentified man's disappearance happened the same week that another American tourist was reported missing while visiting a Greek island. PHOTO: Eric Albert Calibet is seen in this undated image. (Municipality of Amorgos) Albert Calibet, 59, a former Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputy, failed to return from a hike on the island of Amorgos Tuesday. MORE: Earliest-ever heat wave in Greece closes Acropolis and public schools Calibet, who m friend said had experience hiking in the area, reportedly began his hike at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday and was last seen at 11 a.m. by walkers he met with on a trail, according to Greece's national Hellenic Police. Greece is experiencing a heat wave this week, during which temperatures have soared to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Second American reported missing from Greek islands, authorities say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com When the guy shed met on the plane asked her out, Cristina Farina said yes without hesitation. Cristina had spent much of the flight to London from her Italian hometown Florence deep in conversation with this stranger. He seemed friendly, interesting, interested. Why dont we meet tomorrow, go have a coffee, spend some time together? he suggested. Lets meet at 11 on Trafalgar Square. Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, Cristina and her plane crush went their separate ways, vowing to meet the next day. It was August 26, 1984. They didnt swap addresses or contact numbers. Texting wasnt an option. They just had to hope theyd both keep their promise and be there the following day. Cristina grabbed her bag from the luggage carousel and headed into central London, feeling invigorated and excited. She was 18 years old, set to spend three months in the UK studying English. It was Cristinas first significant period away from home. Possibility stretched out before her. I loved London, Cristina tells CNN Travel today. It gave me a lot of energy. I felt free to do what I wanted. The next day, shortly before 11 a.m., Cristina climbed the steps out of Charing Cross tube station and arrived in Trafalgar Square an open, pedestrianized spot home to fountains, the UKs National Gallery and the imposing Nelsons Column, guarded by four large bronze lions. Trafalgar Squares almost always busy, and that day in 1984 was no different. Crowds of tourists dodged low flying pigeons as they lined up for entry to the gallery. Outside the South African embassy, protestors were opposing apartheid. It was sunny, with a warm breeze, and there were plenty of sunbathers sitting on the gallery steps and dotted around the square. Cristina searched for her airplane date among the throngs of people. There was no sign of him, but she was a bit early. Time ticked on. He was still nowhere to be seen. The guy never showed up, says Cristina today. Getting stood up wasnt exactly how Cristina had imagined beginning her London adventure. She was a bit disheartened. She had no way of contacting her plane crush. But while waiting for him to show, shed had plenty of time to scan the other people in Trafalgar Square that day. And one person in particular had caught her eye. I saw this guy sitting in between the lions, Cristina recalls. He caught my attention because he was good looking long hair, kind of a hippyish look. He was leaning on the plinth between the bronze lions, reading a book. As Cristina got closer, she saw it was a copy of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. The guy was also listening to a walkman. As Cristina approached, he took off his headphones, looked up and smiled. Hi, Cristina said. Hi, he replied. Feeling bold, Cristina sat down next to the stranger. He looked a little surprised, but he put down his book and smiled at her again. Then we just started talking, says Cristina today. Two days in London Here's Cristina, photographed by Matt, at London's Trafalgar Square on the day they met in August 1984. - Matt Reinecke and Cristina Farina The guy leaning on the Trafalgar Square lions was 20-year-old Matt Reinecke, an American college student on vacation with his family, visiting from California. It turned out Matt had spotted Cristina before she approached him. Why does this pretty girl keep looking at me? he thought. Then, when Cristina spoke to him, then sat down next to him, Matt was thrilled. I was traveling, and I knew that I was leaving in two days. And then a cute girl sat down next to me that was enough for me, he tells CNN Travel today. Matt and Cristina introduced themselves, and Cristina gestured to Matts walkman, asking what hed been listening to. Matt explained he was a huge fan of the Grateful Dead hed been to several of their tour dates in the US. Then, Matt asked Cristina what brought her to London, and she spoke about her excitement about her upcoming three months away from home. There was a bit of a language barrier Cristina couldnt always understand Matts Americanisms she was more used to British English. But the connection between them was palpable right away. I liked him immediately, says Cristina. For the next two hours, Matt and Cristina sat, side by side, in Trafalgar Square, talking. At some point, Matt got out his camera and took a photo of Cristina, leaning against the monument, looking at him. Here's Matt, photographed by Cristina, relaxing in the park in London on the second day they met. - Matt Reinecke and Cristina Farina Eventually, Matt had to leave to meet his parents. But what are you doing later today? he asked Cristina. Want to meet for a drink? Matt and Cristina made plans to meet a few hours later. Matts family was staying at Claridges, the historic, swanky five star hotel in Mayfair. He told Cristina hed meet her outside Bond Street Station. Unlike Cristinas would-be airplane date, Matt showed up. Matts parents knew he was going on a spontaneous date. They were also having a drink at a different spot on Bond Street, and asked Matt if hed walk by with Cristina, so they could take a peek and wave hello. Matt and Cristina obliged, giggling as they walked by and saw Matts parents curious but friendly faces. Then, sitting in a pub together, Matt and Cristina picked up where theyd left off. They shared their first kiss. Cristina left the pub in a daze. She and Matt had made plans to meet again. He only had one more day left in London, but wanted to spend it with Cristina. I couldnt wait, Cristina recalls. I was really looking forward to seeing him the next day. The next day, the sun was also shining. Cristina and Matt headed to Hyde Park. We really just kissed and talked all day in the park, recalls Matt. This time, Cristina took a photo of Matt, on her camera. In the picture hes smiling, looking away from the camera, wearing his Grateful Dead t-shirt. Matts flight wasnt until the evening, so he put off leaving for as long as possible. When he finally said goodbye, Matt passed Cristina a note. Dont open it until you get home, he told her. Cristina obliged. She was staying with a host family organized by the language school. She waited until she got back to her room and unfurled the paper. The note said, I cant bear the thought of never seeing you again, recalls Cristina today. She remembers welling up. I knew I was going to see him again. And I knew I was going to spend time with him somewhere, somehow. Lost letters Matt and Cristina sent letters to one another after their first meeting. - Matt Reinecke and Cristina Farina Despite that feeling of certainty, Cristina still felt heartbroken. And she felt lonely. She wished her girlfriends from Italy were close by so she could talk through her emotions. Instead, dug out some paper from her bag and wrote a long letter to her best friend back home, telling her about Matt, about their whirlwind romance. I was completely wrapped up in these two days I spent with him, says Cristina. The next day, the woman Cristina was staying with noticed her bloodshot eyes and asked Cristina what was wrong. In the absence of anyone else to speak to, Cristina confided in her. Dont worry, youll see him again, said Cristinas host. Do you have his address? Cristina did have scrawled on a piece of paper Matts college address. He was still traveling around Europe with his parents, and wouldnt be back there for a while. But Cristina wrote him a letter anyway. And while she didnt receive a reply right away, Cristina settled into her London life. The feeling of heartbreak faded a little, and she made friends. I had a wonderful time, she recalls. Matt was still in the back of her mind. Weeks passed, and she didnt hear from him. She sent another letter. Still nothing. Surely he was back at school by now? Maybe she had the wrong address? So I tried to find out his parents address instead, recalls Cristina. I knew theyd been staying at Claridges, so I contacted Claridges, asking for the address. Of course, they couldnt give me the address of the parents. But they told me, Send the letter to us, and well forward it to them. So thats what happened. It turned out Matt hadnt received Cristinas first letters. I was a university student, so I was changing apartments every year, he explains today. And then they would never forward the mail. Cristinas idea of writing to Matts parents address was a good one. Finally, he got all my letters, says Cristina. And eventually, when Cristina was back in Italy, Matts reply arrived: Four pages folded into one small envelope that had me very emotional and excited, as Cristina recalls. I locked myself in my room and read it slowly over and over again. Even with correct addresses established, Cristina remained the driving force behind their keeping in touch. It wasnt that Matt wasnt interested he thought about Cristina often, daydreaming about those magical two days in London. But letter writing didnt come naturally to him in the same way it did her. Still, over the next two years, Cristina and Matt kept up a epistolery correspondence. A couple of times, they spoke on the phone but very rarely, because of the steep transatlantic phone costs. And even as months, then years passed without them seeing one another, Cristina and Matt believed they would one day reunite, just as Matt promised in the note hed given Cristina when he left London. I knew I was going to come back, says Matt. I had the certainty that I was going to see him again, says Cristina. As time went on, their letters became more detailed. Matt would send Cristina his sociology college essays and Cristina loved this, getting to see how Matts brain worked, getting a glimpse into his political views, his perspective on the world. And while Cristinas early letters were mainly about my daily life, my friends, my family, my travels, as time went on, she wrote about my feelings, my dreams. The letters became more important as our relationship grew, as we got to know each other over time, says Matt. Reuniting in Florence Matt and Cristina were really excited to reunite in Italy in 1986. - Matt Reinecke and Cristina Farina 1986 rolled around. In a letter, Matt told Cristina he was planning to visit Europe that summer. His goal was to get to Greece, but if it was okay with Cristina and her family hed plan a stop off in Florence, where Cristina lived with her parents. I was super excited, says Cristina. A bit nervous because he had to meet my family, but overall I was the happiest girl on Earth. Cristinas parents knew about her London romance. They saw the way she reacted to the arrival of Matts letters. They were still a little skeptical about the whole thing. And when Matt arrived at their home in clothes crumpled from traveling and with long hair they were even more skeptical. But eventually they started to like him, says Cristina. He was a good influence in my family he was fun, he made people laugh. He didnt speak a word of Italian. But he started to speak slowly, by learning slowly, by listening to my parents and my brother, who was a couple years younger than I was. In the end, Matt never made it to Greece. Instead, he spent three months with Cristina in Italy. Matt says their reunion was an exciting, romantic blur. It was a dream, says Cristina. It was a movie type of thing. At the end of the summer, Matt returned to the US to finish college. Later that year, Cristina visited him in California. In summer 1987, Matt graduated college and headed straight to Italy to see Cristina. He got a job as an English teacher in Florence, found an apartment in the city and ended up living there for the next 18 months. After years of long distance, Matt and Cristina were finally in the same country. They werent just pen pals, they were finally dating. Thats when we decided, were going to live together forever, says Matt. I was still only 21, I was very young, says Cristina. But I was very convinced that he was for me. Still, the future was still a bit uncertain. Matt felt like his teaching job was more of a stop gap than a permanent career. And Cristina had loved California when shed visited Matt the year before. Living there became a goal for them both. So Matt returned to the US in early 1989 and went back to college, getting another degree in sociology and economics. And in 1990, Cristina followed him to California. A California chapter Cristinas parents had grown to love Matt, but they were a bit worried about their daughter relocating across the world. But they understood that it was time to try and see if things would work out, says Cristina. Meanwhile, Matts parents were supportive, but they were from wealthy Californian society, and Matt reckons theyd always imagined him meeting a girl at a San Francisco debutante ball. My parents were more wanting me to be a part of upper class San Francisco life, and not running off to Italy, says Matt. We were from different backgrounds, says Cristina. My family was a normal middle class Italian family. Despite their differences, Matt and Cristinas time together in California felt like a turning point. They got their own apartment and for the first time, it felt like they were free of outside, external things like parents, family, different things. They could be just Matt and Cristina as a couple, as Matt puts it. Matt worked long hours at an investment bank, but even though his job was full-on, the couple made the most of their time together. Their apartment was always full of friends. They went out in San Francisco regularly. They grew closer and more sure of their future together. The relationship had already been building, but really it just blossomed in San Francisco, says Matt. It was a wonderful time of our lives, youre in your mid to late 20s, were living on Union Street, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of San Francisco. We had so many friends. Matt and Cristina were committed to a future together, but the decision to get married came about rather suddenly. In 1991, Cristina received a letter from US immigration giving her two weeks to leave the country. And so on April 12, 1991 Matt and Cristina got married in San Franciscos City Hall with only Matts mother and a few friends present. But they planned a big wedding celebration for later that year in Italy, at the 13th century SantAngostino Church in Prato, Tuscany. Our wedding day was a lot of fun, recalls Cristina. The service was entirely in Italian. By then, Matt was pretty proficient in the language, but some of his relatives were a bit confused. Despite the language barrier, they couldnt fail to interpret the happiness on Matt and Cristinas faces, and the joy that emanated through the day. It was a beautiful wedding, says Matt. New adventures In the summer of 1993, Matt and Cristina embarked on a new adventure together. They quit their jobs in the US and spent half a year traveling visiting Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. Then, at the end of that traveling period, the couple left California behind and moved to Italy. We decided to try to move back to Europe, to see if Italy works for us, says Cristina. We said, Okay, lets do it, without thinking too much. In Italy, Matt and Cristina settled first in Milan, where they welcomed their first child, Davide, in 1997. Later, Matts investment banking work later took them to Turin, where their daughter Francesca was born in 2003. In the mid-noughties, Matt and Cristina moved to Tuscany. They liked the idea of being closer to Cristinas parents. And after decades spent living in big cities, the Tuscan countryside was a welcome change of pace. The couple bought a run down 1600s farmhouse and focused on restructuring the house and making it into a family home. They were also kept busy by work. From 2008 until 2019, Matt and Cristina ran an American bakery in Florence, called Mamas Bakery. I think Ive made somewhere between 400,000 to 500,000 bagels, says Matt. I was the bagel king of Italy for a while. Running the business together was hard work, but rewarding. We were a good team, we complemented each other, says Matt. It is really difficult on family time, but we often had fun together at work. I am happy we had the experience, but I am happier that we sold the business. Life today Matt and Cristina love to travel together. Here they are in Greece, a favorite destination. - Matt Reinecke and Cristina Farina Matt and Cristina left Mamas Bakery behind in 2019. Now, theyre retired, and their focus is on traveling, spending time with their kids and enjoying their home in Tuscany. We do exactly what we want to do, says Cristina. Were fortunate we can do that, says Matt. After years of working and living in Italy, Matts fluent in Italian. Matt and Cristinas children are bilingual. Our conversation in the house switches back and forth between English and Italian mid-sentence, says Matt. Who would have ever thought that Id live half my life in Italy? Its weird how just a brief second can change things in a wonderful way. Here's Matt, Cristina and their children Davide and Francesca photographed in Florence, Italy. - Ludovica Barone Photographer For Matt and Cristina, its surreal but special to reflect on their first meeting in Trafalgar Square, 40 years ago this year. Theyve since returned to London with their kids, taking them to the spot by the lions where they first started talking. I was emotional when we were there together, says Cristina. It was a random meeting, spurred on by another random meeting who knows what would have happened if Cristinas original airplane date had turned up that day. Although Cristina and Matt think fate played a role, looking back theyre also proud that they worked to stay in touch, Cristinas proud of her spontaneity and determination, and Matts proud of his willingness to take risks. Life is amazing, says Matt. It is crazy just how absurd things can be. Be careful out there. You might find happiness in the strangest of places if you look at it right. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Six children, including a 9-year-old, have been criminally charged in connection to last month's drowning death of a 15-year-old boy, police in Georgia announced Thursday. The teen's death took place late last month in Columbus, a city about 115 miles southwest of Atlanta, not far from the Alabama state line. According to the Columbus Georgia Police Department just before 2:30 p.m. on May 29, officers responded to a report of a body floating in a retention pond near a set of fields behind a residential neighborhood in the city's Oakland Park neighborhood. Police identified the victim as Zahmere Greene, 15. Preliminary findings by the departments Violent Crimes Unit revealed Zahmere drowned on May 23, but the incident wasnt reported until six days later. 'Loaded or unloaded?' 14-year-old boy charged in fatal shooting of 12-year-old girl in Pennsylvania Coroner ruled Zahmere Greene's death a homicide The Muscogee County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy and a medical examiner ruled Zahmere's manner of death a homicide, police spokesperson Brittany Santiago told USA TODAY Friday. Further investigation, police reported, revealed six juveniles witnessed the boy's drowning, one an 11-year-old boy who was on top of the victim when he died. Six juveniles, ages 9-17 charged in Zahmere Greene's death According to police, the following juveniles are charged in the case: A 17-year-old boy: Concealing the death of another; A 12-year-old girl: Concealing the death of another; An 11-year-old boy: Involuntary manslaughter and concealing the death of another; An 11-year-old girl: Concealing the death of another; An 11-year-old girl: Concealing the death of another; A 9-year-old boy: Concealing the death of another. Plane makes emergency landing: 8-year-old girl dies from medical emergency on SkyWest Airlines flight to Chicago 11-year-old was reportedly on top of the victim According to police, the 11-year-old boy charged with involuntary manslaughter, was reportedly on top of the victim before he died. On Friday, police said, the 11-year-old boy was being held in the Regional Youth Detention Center. Santiago said that boy and the victim knew one another, and it is believed the children were all enrolled in the Muscogee County School District. Muscogee County School District Director of Communications Kimberly A. Wright said Zahmere was a rising freshman and all who knew him were "deeply saddened" to learn of his death. "We always look forward to welcoming all our students back after summer vacation, and it is especially heartbreaking when one does not return due to a loss," Wright told USA TODAY. "Zahmere's presence will be missed within our school community. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who knew him during this difficult time." Columbus Georgia Police Department officers respond to a scene. The department is investigating after a 15-year-old boy was found dead in a retention pond in late May 2024. Six minors, including a 9-year-old boy, have been charged in connection to the boy's killing. 17-year-old boy charged as adult in case The 17-year-old boy the older brother of one of the females charged in the case recently turned himself in on the charges, Santiago said, was arrested and booked into the Muscogee County Jail. The teen is being prosecuted in adult court and on June 7, the day of his arrest, a judge bound his case over to Muscogee County Superior Court after finding probable cause in the case. Online records show the 17-year-old boy was free after posting a $1,500 bond on Tuesday. Online records did not have an attorney listed for the teen. The other four juveniles were processed, charged and released to their parents, Santiago said. "The Columbus Police Department emphasizes the importance of parents encouraging their children to speak up immediately when they know something is wrong," the department posted on its Facebook page. "The principle of see something, say something is vital in helping prevent tragedies and ensuring the safety of our community." Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 6 juveniles charged in teen's drowning death in Columbus, Georgia NEW YORK Seventeen years later, the debate around The Sopranos finale goes on (and on and on and on). In Wise Guy, a new documentary that premiered at Tribeca Festival late Thursday night, series creator David Chase continues to stir the pot about the HBO dramas famously ambiguous ending. In the last section of the doc, Chase breaks down the finale at length. He was heavily inspired by the end of Stanley Kubricks 1968 masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey and how astronaut Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) encounters different ages of himself. Chase attempts to mirror that with New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), who throughout the episode, continually walks into his own POV shots. It makes me think of death, Chase says in the documentary. Theres something mesmerizing about it. Julia Louis-Dreyfus shares memories of 'extraordinary' James Gandolfini, 10 years after his death Despite pushback from the writers room, Chase chose Journeys 1981 anthem Dont Stop Believin as the final song because of its lyrics. (You may not go on, but the universe does, he explains.) He initially envisioned the ending as an inverse of the opening credits: Tony driving through the Lincoln Tunnel into Manhattan, where he heads to a meeting that doesnt go well. But he eventually landed on the scene at Holstens diner, where Tony meets wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and son A.J. (Robert Iler). As the music plays and daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) struggles to parallel park outside, a man glances at Tony and goes into the bathroom. Like in The Godfather, does he grab a gun and shoot Tony? Or does Meadow simply walk into the restaurant, where they all proceed to have a nice family dinner? David Chase reveals 'truth' about 'The Sopranos' ending (or does he?) As we all know, the screen cuts to black at the last second, giving the audience no easy closure. In Wise Guy, the cast says they had no idea how the show was going to end before it aired. Even Gandolfini was left confused: Lorraine Bracco, who plays therapist Dr. Melfi, watched the episode with him and said he was in shock. Chase says the ending is whatever viewers want it to be. (And frankly, isnt it boring when everything gets neatly wrapped up?) But then, he mischievously references an early "Sopranos" episode, in which Meadow helps A.J. with his homework. Attempting to interpret a Robert Frost poem, A.J. asks her, I thought black meant death? So does that mean Chase telegraphed the series finale all the way back in Season 3? People will say, There! He admitted that Tony died! he says with a laugh. The truth is, he begins, before the documentary cuts to black and the end credits roll. James Gandolfini had to go 'painful' places to play Tony Soprano For Sopranos devotees, the greatest joy of Wise Guy is the sheer amount of behind-the-scenes footage. We get to see audition tapes from nearly every cast member, including fan favorites Michael Imperioli (Christopher), Drea de Matteo (Adriana) and Nancy Marchand (Livia). Theres even a clip of Steven Van Zandt auditioning to play Tony before Chase wrote him the role of right-hand man Silvio. James Gandolfini won three Emmys for his portrayal of Tony Soprano, a mob boss who goes to therapy. Many of the docs revelations will be familiar to longtime fans: how de Matteo landed her part by the drawn-out way she said ow, or how Chase initially envisioned Sopranos as a feature film starring Robert De Niro and Anne Bancroft. Matthew Weiner also got hired as a writer after sending Chase his unproduced script for a little series now known as Mad Men. But the documentarys most moving section is devoted to Gandolfini, who died of a heart attack in 2013 at age 51, six years after Sopranos ended its six-season run. The film unearths archival footage of Gandolfini goofing off between takes with Bracco, and details how he gave his castmates $30,000 each after he negotiated a significant pay raise. He was a very good, kindhearted man, Falco recalls. But, she says, the role may have taken a toll on him. Michael Imperioli, left, James Gandolfini, Tony Sirico and Steven Van Zandt in a scene from "The Sopranos." To portray Tony, he had to go places that were destructive to him, and painful for him, Chase says. Before shooting Tony's more violent scenes, Gandolfini would purposefully deprive himself of sleep for days beforehand, or walk around with rocks in his shoes to get angry. He would bruise his hands hitting the inside of Tonys car, and allegedly threatened to quit the show nearly every other day. According to his co-stars, Gandolfini would often not show up to work if they stayed out late drinking together the night before. In the documentary, former HBO head Chris Albrecht says he once tried to stage an intervention, encouraging the actor to go to rehab. But when he realized what was happening, Gandolfini apparently yelled Fire me! and walked out. The cast and creative team of "The Sopranos" reunited for a 25th anniversary event at Tribeca Festival in New York. The cast gets emotional remembering Gandolfini, as well as late co-star Tony Sirico, who played Paulie and died in 2022. More than a dozen Sopranos writers and actors reunited for a post-screening Q&A at the Beacon Theatre with director Alex Gibney, where they reiterated that theyre still a family to this day. Growing up on set, it was home, Sigler said tearfully. A lot of life happened in those 10 years. No matter what, that set was home and the people up here were home. They accepted you and loved you no matter what. It was a privilege and an honor, and it greatly shaped who I am today. Wise Guy will be released by HBO later this year. Tribeca Festival runs through June 16. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Sopranos' role was 'destructive' for late James Gandolfini Heavy rainfall thats caused unrelenting flooding in South Florida since Tuesday is drenching the state for a fourth consecutive day Friday. The days of deadly, torrential storms have turned roads into canals and forced some residents to stand on the roofs of their cars or trudge through waist-deep waters. Two people were killed in a weather-related vehicle crash late Wednesday afternoon southeast of Fort Myers, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Identified only as a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old-man, the two died after their vehicle lost control due to weather conditions and crashed into opposing traffic, the FHP said. Two others were injured in the crash. Since heavy rain started swamping the region Tuesday, the flooding has become waist-deep in some places. Hazardous conditions on streets and roadways have stranded drivers and made roads impassable. And theyve forced some schools in hard-hit counties to shutter and hundreds of flights to be canceled or delayed. With tropical moisture still streaming over South Florida, the Weather Prediction Center has issued a level 3 of 4 flood threat Friday just one level lower than the rare high risk of excessive rainfall seen Thursday. Robust tropical moisture fueling the soaking storms slowly starts to shift out of the area over the weekend, but Friday marks yet another drenching day for South Florida. By weeks end, multiple cities could see more than 2 feet of rain. Even moderate rain rates are likely to cause additional flash flooding, as any rainfall will be unable to drain due to ongoing flooding, the WPC warned Friday. Flood watches remain in effect for over 7 million people across South Florida, including in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, through Friday evening. An additional 2 to 4 inches or more of rainfall is expected through Friday night. Thunderstorm activity is expected to diminish over the weekend, but any rain Saturday or early Sunday could worsen ongoing flooding issues. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties, and officials have urged locals to stay at home instead of walking or driving through the floodwater, which has covered streets and seeped into homes. Many cities have been distributing sandbags to residents to help combat the rising floodwaters. A vehicle is driven through a flooded street in Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Thursday. - Joe Raedle/Getty Images Flooding brought back familiar dangers for Florida residents With flooding from the rainfall deluging South Florida since Tuesday morning, footage on social media has shown water levels in the area reaching to vehicles windows and filling up parking decks and neighborhood streets. Notably, many South Florida residents had just finished repairing their homes after catastrophic flooding in April 2023, only to find water lapping at their doorsteps this week. In Miami, video showed stranded cars that were nearly entirely submerged under water. One area familys yard looked like a lake as belongings floated outside and were pulled from the standing water, according to CNN affiliate WSVN. Im scared, 11-year-old Somaya Ferdinand told WSVN as she waded through thigh-high water outside her home in Northeast Miami-Dade. It looked like a swimming pool. And in Hallandale Beach, just north of Miami, footage showed one man kayaking among cars as high waters flooded parts of the city. Some mobile home parks were underwater, said Broward County Sheriffs Office Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane. Severe flooding there on Wednesday covered cars up to their windshields, forcing some drivers to abandon their stalled-out vehicles and wade to safety. Others had to be rescued. We had to use our boats to rescue people standing on top of the roofs of cars, Kane told CNN. Kanes office received 175 calls for help in Hallandale Beach alone. Anna Rysedorph, a resident of the Broward County neighborhood of Edgewood, prepared for the worst as water circled her ankles in her home. I put the dogs in, Im all packed up. I pretty much got everything in bins and were ready to go, Edgewood resident Anna Rysedorph told CNN affiliate WSVN Wednesday. My husbands like Dont panic, dont panic, but you know, Im not gonna be caught unprepared. An abandoned car sits submerged in flood waters near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday after heavy rainfall hit the area. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Severe storms to impact High Plains, Northeast and mid-Atlantic Friday As Florida deals with the deluge, a severe thunderstorm threat is ramping up for the Northern and Central High Plains and portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on Friday. Thunderstorms are expected across parts of Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas beginning Friday afternoon and continuing into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the main threats with any storms in the region through Friday night. Severe thunderstorms in the East are expected to develop over western Pennsylvania Friday afternoon and spread into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic Coast during the evening. Damaging wind gusts are the main threat, but a few storms could also unload hail. Major I-95 cities like Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could be in the path of strong storms. CNNs Elizabeth Wolfe, Mary Gilbert, Taylor Galgano, Christina Maxouris and Amanda Musa contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former President Trump said he understands how President Biden feels after his son, Hunter Biden, was convicted on charges related to illegally purchasing a gun because of his past drug addiction. I understand it pretty well, because Ive had it with people who have it in their family, Trump said in a Fox News interview with Aishah Hasnie late Thursday, discussing addiction. Its a very tough thing. Its a very tough situation for a father; its a very tough situation for a brother or sister; and it goes on, and its not stopping, whether its alcohol or drugs or whatever it may be, he continued. Its a tough thing, and so thats a tough moment for the family. Its a tough moment for any family involved in that. Trumps own brother, Fred, had alcoholism and died in 1981. Hunter Biden was convicted Tuesday of three felony counts of illegally purchasing and possessing a firearm, with prosecutors claiming he lied on paperwork when he purchased a handgun in 2018. His weeklong trial significantly focused on his past addiction to cocaine, and featured testimony from his family, friends and ex-partners. Hunter Biden faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines, however, first-time offenders are rarely given the maximum penalty. The president said recently he would not pardon his son if convicted or commute his sentence. In California, Hunter Biden faces separate charges for allegedly failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes and filing false returns, which could go to trial in September. Before the verdict Monday, President Biden showed support for his son. The president made an unscheduled visit to Delaware to see him Tuesday. Hunters resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us, President Biden said in a statement. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean. As the President, I dont and wont comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Mumbai: The Maharashtra government will table the annual budget of the state on June 28 in the Monsoon assembly session. The business advisory committee (BAC) in a meeting held on Friday finalized that the monsoon session will be held from June 27 to July 12 in Mumbai. This will be the last session of the Eknath Shinde-led government before the Maharashtra Assembly election, which is expected to be held in October this year. Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar chaired the BAC meeting, which was attended by chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Congress legislative party leader Balasaheb Thorat, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jayant Patil and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, who joined the meeting via video conferencing. An official, who attended the meeting, said that the Opposition parties wanted to have a three week monsoon session but the demand was turned down in the meeting by the ruling parties. The Speaker also stated that another BAC meeting will be held during the session if needed. However, the BAC has approved the Opposition parties' three proposals which will be tabled on June 29, July 04 and July 11, the official said. The official said that the condolence motion will be tabled on June 27. The annual budget will be tabled at 2.00 PM on June 28 by deputy CM and finance minister Ajit Pawar. On June 29, there will be a discussion on the Governor Ramesh Baiss speech, which was delivered before the Budget session in February 2024. There will also be a discussion on supplementary demands in the house. Pawar on February 27 had presented an interim Budget for the state in the wake of the Lok Sabha elections. Interestingly, the monsoon session of the state assembly is usually held for two weeks. However, NCP (SP) leader Patil said that the Opposition wanted to extend the session for a week so that they can discuss all issues properly. We demanded to extend the monsoon session for a week as we cannot conclude discussion in two weeks period. The chief minister assured that the government will again hold a meeting of the BAC and if needed, they will consider extending the session, he said. Mumbai: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday denied any unrest in his party over the Rajya Sabha membership of his wife Sunetra Pawar. He claimed that his opponents and some close associates are deliberately planting false news. According to reports, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, former Congress minister Baba Siddiqui and others were also interested in getting the Rajya Sabha seat. However, Ajit Pawar said that it was the partys parliamentary boards decision to nominate Sunetra Pawar for the RS seat. No one is upset. Chhagan Bhujbal and Praful Patel already cleared that our parliamentary board had decided this, The NCP leader said. Sunetra Pawar will be elected unopposed as she is the only candidate in the fray after the deadline for filing the nominations was over at 3pm on Wednesday. Today we got to know that the nomination has been accepted also and if no other contestants come before the last day then this can be an unopposed election, Ajit said. Reacting to an article in the Organizer article which claimed that the BJPs alliance with Ajit Pawar was responsible for its debacle in Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, Ajit said, A lot of leaders are expressing their views and opinions after the election results. In democracy, everyone has a right to express their opinion. My focus is on development work. My attempt will be on facing the assembly polls with new energy as Mahayuti. Bhujbal also backed Ajit and said that he cannot be held responsible for the electoral defeat of the NCP and the Mahayuti. We (NCP) were given only four seats out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. Of those four seats, two were taken away from us. So effectively we contested only two seats and won the Raigad Lok Sabha seat. BJP lost in other states as well, such as Uttar Pradesh. Nobody thought that BJP would lose so many seats in Uttar Pradesh. So, blaming Ajit Pawar is not right, Bhujbal said. Ajit also acknowledged that discontent among onion growers hurt Mahayuti. He said the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP alliance had to pay the price for discontent among farmers in the onion growing belt of the state, including Nashik, where the ruling coalition fared poorly in the polls. He said the interest of both farmers and consumers should be protected. Mumbai: Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has urged anti-graft activist Anna Hazare to raise voice against scams across the country. Hazare must protest at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi against scams in Maharashtra and the country, he said on Friday. In last 10 years, there has been a deluge of scams in Maharashtra, including the INS Vikrant scam and the Electoral Bond scam. Hazare should voice his concerns about these issues and stage a hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan. We will also join him in his protest, said Raut. The Sena leaders remarks came on the backdrop of objections raised by Hazare regarding the additional closure report from the Economic Offences Wing in the alleged Rs 25,000-crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam, in which Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was among the accused. In April, the Mumbai police filed a closure report in the MSCB scam, saying there was no unfair loss to the bank due to the loan given to sugar mills and other entities. The bank faced controversy for granting large loans between 2005 and 2010 to various co-operative sugar mills, yarn mills, factories, and other units in Maharashtra, resulting in bad debts. The closure report was submitted to the Session Court in Mumbai. During a hearing on June 13, Justice Rahul Rokde acknowledged these objections and granted Hazare time to file a petition. The next hearing is scheduled for June 29th. I am glad that Anna Hazare has woken up. I congratulate him for that, said Raut mockingly. But Maharashtra has not only seen Shikhar (MSCB) bank scam. The state has seen plenty of scams. Hazare must also highlight the alleged Rs 10,000-crore electoral bonds scam, he added. Raut emphasized that Hazares anti-corruption protests held at Ramlila Maidan were pivotal in the Congress defeat during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and played a significant role in the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Hazare should also address the charges dropped against Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and their MLAs after they allied with the BJP. Money is being extorted by central agencies in Maharashtra and across the country and it is going to BJPs coffers, Raut claimed. Meanwhile, the NCP has attacked the activist saying that a narco test should be conducted on Hazare to find out who is calling the shots behind him. Nothing has come out from the investigation done in this case so far. The closure report was filed only after we cleared the judicial and investigative process. Despite this, he (Hazare) suddenly wakes up and levels allegations against the NCP, said party leader Suraj Chavan. by Steve Suwannarat A report by the United States Institute of Peace highlights the danger. Since 2021, the growing influence of criminal groups has affected individuals and the national security of individual states. For experts, more coordination between Beijing and Washington is needed. Such criminal networks have a turnover of US$ 64 billion. Bangkok (AsiaNews) A report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) analyses the origin and size of mostly Chinese transnational criminal networks, which use information technologies for their ever-expanding activities. As of 2021, the growing influence of such criminal groups has come to directly threaten human security and constitute a mounting threat to national security in many countries, including the United States. Organized crime is a significant driver of conflict globally. It preys on weak governance, slack law enforcement, and inadequate regulation. It tears at the fabric of societies by empowering and enriching armed actors and fueling violent conflict. In Asia, criminal groups prop up corrupt and dangerous regimes from Myanmar to North Korea, posing a direct threat to regional stability, reads the final report of USIP's Senior Study Group on Transnational Organized Crime in Southeast Asia. The document highlights how these networks have used their power and influence to develop a web of scam compounds within the region, centered primarily in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, but involving most other countries of the region in the management of their operations and fraudulent proceeds. Going further, it underlines how the criminal groups utilize advanced technology, how they gain control over weak and corrupt governments, how they traffic labor and deploy torture to engage victims in forced criminality, how they launder stolen funds, and how they attempt to whitewash their criminal activity. The efforts to contain and combat the problem requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the causes, effects, power, reach, and methods of operation of criminal groups, because a different approach for each country would be defeated, given the ability of criminal groups to move across borders to avoid the law. For this reason, there is a need for coordination between the United States and China, as the main victims of this "industry", so as not to leave further openings for criminal networks. The report first highlights the damage that the situation in Southeast Asia poses to the United States. It is estimated, for example, that in 2023 US and Canadian citizens lost US$ three billion and 350 million respectively to scamming and fraud originating in this region of Asia. The arrest of four US-based individuals who were allegedly responsible for laundering US$ 80 million in scam profits confirms that the groups are now active outside their region of origin. Realising that US citizens are now the most exposed to criminal financial activities, the Department of Justice in Washington noted that online scams could soon rival Fentanyl among the greatest risks posed by China's ruthless criminal networks. Globally, it is estimated that scams earned criminal networks US$ 64 billion last year, including US$ 43 billion in Southeast Asia, equivalent to 40 per cent of the combined GDP of Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. An ethnic Santal, Mohan Charan Majhi becomes Odishas new chief minister. He comes from the ranks of the RSS, the BJPs paramilitary group that promotes Hindu supremacy. In the past, he supported a fanatic jailed for killing Christians and Muslims. According to experts, the BJP is trying to prove that even those from disadvantaged castes can come to power. Bhubaneswar (AsiaNews) For the first time, Odisha has a chief minister from the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ultranationalist Hindu party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. State elections were held in parallel with the elections for the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The BJP secured 20 of Odishas 21 Lok Sabha seats (only one was won by the Indian National Congress). At the state level, Mohan Charan Majhi and the BJP defeated Naveen Patnaik, in power for 24 years, and his party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJP), a regional party, winning 78 in the 147-seat Odisha Legislative Assembly (the BJD won 51 and the Indian National Congress, Indias main opposition party, 14). Two days after he was sworn in as the new chief minister, the new chief minister found himself already embroiled in a controversy, surrounding his participation in the campaign to free Dara Singh, a fanatic member of an extremist Hindu militant organisation, the Bajrang Dal. Singh was sentenced to life in prison for the murder in 1999 of Australian missionary Graham Staines, burnt alive along with his two sons in one of the many examples of persecution against Christians in this Indian state. The attack on Rev Staines, who ran a home for lepers, was but the latest in Singhs crime spree against minorities. He was also found guilty of the murder of a Muslim trader whose arms he cut off before setting him on fire, and the murder of a Catholic priest, Fr Arul Das, killed by an arrow while fleeing after his church had been set on fire. In Graham Stainess case, Dara Singh led a mob to the car where the missionary was sleeping, and, as in other cases, set it on fire. When administrators at Keonjhar Prison prevented Singh from seeing his relatives and lawyers in 2022, Mohan Charan Majhi, then BJP chief whip in the state legislature, along with other party members, protested against the decision, saying that the party might discuss ways to support the jailed man. The protest campaign was organised and led by Suresh Chavhanke, director of Sudarshan TV who has never concealed his Islamophobia. Mahji, 52, is an ethnic Santal, a group that accounts for about 23 per cent of Odisha's total population. He is also the third tribal to hold the post, but the first from the ranks of the BJP; the other two tribals belonged to the INC. Like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mahji joined in his youth the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a fascist-inspired paramilitary organisation that supports Hindu supremacy and is linked to the BJP. He worked as a teacher in a RSS-run school, and later made a jump into active politics, mainly as a representative of tribal communities. First elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2000, in the Keonjhar constituency, which is reserved by law for members of tribal groups, he drew attention to environmental violations and corrupt practices in mining. Although the BJP lost votes in the Union election, and now needs the support of its coalition partners for the first time to have a majority in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi, analysts note that the party was successful in attracting tribal voters, and now will try to rebuild its base among indigenous groups, a major shift for the party. Historically, Indigenous Indians have backed the Indian National Congress and the BJD in Odisha. Now, things appear to be changing. The election of Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Rairangpur, another district in Odisha, as president of India in 2022 certainly played a role, experts note. Analyst Robi Das explained to Frontline that the BJP broke with the feudal mentality that characterised Odisha. For the first time, the lower caste is dominating the government. I always felt the BJP was a party of the upper caste, but this cabinet seems to be changing that perception, he said. Now, If you look at the composition of the cabinet, you will see there are three tribal ministers, including the Chief Minister; there is a Dalit minister; and there are representatives from the farming caste, and warrior caste. Among the upper castes there is only one Brahmin and one Kayasta. The upper castes, who have always ruled the State, are nowhere in the picture. For the BJP, this could be an important starting point. INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY, CLICK HERE. by Joseph Masilamany Convent Light Street, founded by the French Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, served the regions orphans and youth for over 170 years. It now becomes an international school, but leaves behind an exemplary history of missionary zeal. For a Muslim alumna, the school taught her respect for other religions. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) Convent Light Street in George Town, Penang, the oldest missionary convent in Southeast Asia, founded in 1852, will continue to serve as an international learning centre after operating for 172 years as a missionary girls' school. Established by French Catholic nuns from the Mission of the Holy Child Jesus, at the invitation of Bishop Jean-Baptiste Boucho, MEP, the establishment, first operating as an orphanage, closed its doors in March last year, leaving behind an exemplary history of dedication to the education of girls in the northern region of old Malaya. The building, which includes an iconic chapel, housed a boarding school for female students from all walks of life, including princesses from the royal house of Thailand, daughters of Malay sultans and aristocrats, as well as girls from wealthy Chinese families. In 1852 three pioneer nuns of the Holy Child Jesus, known as the Dames of St Maur, settled in a wooden hut near the Church of the Assumption, on Church Street in George Town. This was the humble beginning of Convent Light Street. The nuns taught during the day and sewed clothes at night to raise money to buy necessities. In addition, they had to adapt to the harsh tropical climate and learn the local languages. As the number of children in their care rose, with consequent overcrowding, the need to find a new facility became evident. Sr St Mathilde searched for a suitable site, until she found the abandoned Government House on Light Street, formerly the residence of Captain Francis Light, an English explorer, after the founding of Penang in 1786. In 1859 the nuns purchased the Anglo-Indian style building and surrounding seven-acre complex for 50,000 French francs. For this reason, the convent was named "Convent Light Street". The House was converted into a novitiate, while the surrounding wooden structures were used as dormitories, kitchens, and classrooms. Meanwhile, the sisters continued to take in orphans, both male and female, regardless of ethnicity and origin. The children would normally remain until they reached the age of 11, before entering the nearby institute of St Xavier, founded in 1786 by the French Catholic priest Father Arnaud-Antoine Garnault. After 80 years since its founding, the convent continued to expand. The present Old Hall, cloisters and classrooms were built in 1882. The building is listed as a Category 1 of the George Town World Heritage Zone. More extensions were completed by 1934, and make up the Convent Light Street compound as it is today. During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy took over the school and used Government House as a base and interrogation centre. Some 22 US Navy sailors from the submarine USS Grenadier were interrogated there. After the war, the convent continued its long history of commitment to girls' education. The Sisters believed that in the event of Malaysias independence from the British, they could play a role of unity within Malaysia's multi-ethnic society. But, since 1957, the year of Malaysian independence, the school has faced opposition from the Malaysian federal government. As a result, it stopped taking in orphans in 1961. Eventually, all of the country's missionary schools were incorporated in 1971 into the standardised Malay national education system, and Convent Light Street was forced to remove the crucifix from its official shield. Despite this, the convent maintained a solid reputation until it closed last year. Speaking to AsiaNews, a Muslim student who attended the school, Juli Murshidah Ahmad Munassor, now a manager at a communications firm, talked about her formative years at Convent Light Street. My classmates were Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, and students of the Sikh faith. With such a start to education in a missionary school, I have always enjoyed that feeling of Muhibbah (the spirit of goodwill) among our multi-racial friends and schoolmates, Juli said. I can fondly remember my headmistress, an Irish nun, Sr. Francis de Sales, who used to say prayers daily. The Muslim girls were present during these Christian prayers, but we recited or own prayers in accordance to our Islamic faith, she explained. According to Juli, this experience taught her respect for other religions, something that todays school can hardly offer now. I doubt children nowadays would be allowed to have this kind of experience anymore in Malaysia, where everything has been politicised, she lamented. Another former student, Joan Lim-Choong, told AsiaNews that she was very grateful for her education at Convent Light Street in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She said that one of the most significant lessons she received from a teacher was about the importance of respect and kindness. According to Lim, the Catholic Sisters were strict, particularly over punctuality, order, cleanliness, mutual respect, and courteous behavior. However, we could still be playful and enjoy being youths. We knew they cared for us because of the time that they would give us to counsel and guide us during recess and after school, she explained. To put it in a nutshell, we enjoyed learning and the Catholic Sisters imparted to us the joy of learning, sharing, and caring for one another as well as helping us become todays responsible citizens in our own stations in life, Lim added. Over one and a half million Muslim faithful have already arrived at the holy places of Islam. From Riyadh an absolute ban on protests over the war in the Strip or the "politicisation" of the event that must remain religious. The health of the participants is a hot topic. For the first time in a decade, and since the beginning of the conflict, thousands of Syrians have returned. Riyadh (AsiaNews) - More than one and a half million pilgrims (the official figure released today by Riyadh speaks of 1,547,295 people) have reached Mecca, the heart of Islam, to take part in the annual major pilgrimage (Hajj), which every believer must make at least once in his life. An appointment that begins tomorrow and marked, this year, by the war launched by Israel against Hamas in Gaza, in response to the terrorist attack of 7 October, which has already caused the death of almost 38 thousand Palestinians in the Strip. However, at least according to the intentions of the Saudi authorities, the focus of the event must be on prayers and religious rituals, leaving aside any claims of a different nature: last week, in fact, the Saudi minister for the Hajj and the umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah had warned that "no activity of a political nature will be tolerated". In addition to the unknown heat, with temperatures expected to average around 44 degrees and the risk of health problems - last year more than 2,000 people suffered from heatstroke, exhaustion, cramps and skin rashes - the big question is related to Gaza: the war launched by Israel against Hamas, emphasises Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi affairs at the University of Birmingham, has created "a widespread sense of anger in the Muslim world in general", turning the Hajj into a "test" for Riyadh's leadership. There is fear of protests by individuals or groups, he continues, and the kingdom's leadership understands that 'this is a slippery slope'. 'For the Saudi rulers, therefore, conducting the Hajj,' the scholar concludes, 'is a matter of prestige, but also a test of their governance'. Saudi Arabia has never recognised Israel, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler, was considering establishing formal diplomatic ties with Israel before the 7 October attack. However, officials reiterate that ties are impossible without 'irrevocable' steps towards the recognition of a Palestinian state, which Israel has long opposed. In recent days, Saudi King Salman issued a decree to host one thousand pilgrims "from the families of the martyrs and wounded in the Gaza Strip", bringing the number of Palestinian guests this year to 2,000, the official news agency reported. In recent days, the Saudi authorities have set June 14 as the start of the Hajj, after the country's astronomical observatories detected the crescent moon; at the same time, the Supreme Court established the start of the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah, in which the pilgrimage falls. It involves a series of rituals to be performed over four days in and around Mecca. The highlight is on the second day, when pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat where Muhammad delivered his last sermon. The visit will take place on the 15th and the feast of Eid al-Adha will fall on the following day. Minister al-Rabiah said that "about 1.2 million pilgrims from various countries" have already arrived and more are expected to arrive in the next few hours. In 2019, nearly 2.5 million Muslims performed the Hajj before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted gatherings (religious and otherwise) around the world, bringing even the most important Islamic pilgrimage to a halt. The first unrestricted Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic was held in 2023, attended by over 1.8 million worshippers who completed the various rituals. Of these, about 90 per cent were from abroad, according to official statistics provided by the government. Moreover, major and minor pilgrimages to Mecca (Hajj and Umrah) represent a substantial source of income for Riyadh, which under Crown Prince Mbs has embarked on an ambitious reform programme to free the economy from oil revenues. The flow of tourists and believers to the holy places of Islam guarantees revenues of over 12 billion dollars every year, for an event that in addition to the religious element has a profound value from an economic and political point of view, as well as representing a critical moment in terms of security. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of the faith, and every Muslim is obliged to perform it at least once in a lifetime. In the past it has been used by Riyadh as a political weapon, denying entry visas and participation to Iranian (Shia) or Syrian believers. It has also been the scene of incidents or attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths: in 2015, a stampede in the crowd caused at least 2,300 casualties; in 2006, more than 360 pilgrims died during the stoning ritual, in which stones and pebbles are thrown at three tombstones symbolising the rejection of Satan; in 1989, a double attack outside the great mosque caused one death and 16 wounded, and 16 Kuwaitis were executed for the attack. Finally, for the first time in 10 years there is the return of thousands of Syrians: pilgrims will be able to participate in the Hajj after the interruption linked to the conflict that flared up in 2011, thanks in part to the decision of Arab leaders to welcome President Bashar al-Assad back under their sphere of influence, despite having fought him bitterly during the bloodiest years of the war. Last year, Riyadh re-established ties with Damascus and in May appointed its own diplomatic representative to return to occupy the Saudi embassy in Syria. To facilitate the arrival, direct flights between Damascus and Jeddah have also resumed, as 84-year-old Berlanta Dimashqiya points out while preparing for the ritual: "I am extremely happy. I still can't believe,' the elderly man told Reuters, 'that I will participate in the Hajj'. With him, at least 7,000 Syrians have already made their way to Mecca in recent weeks, as confirmed by the director general of the Syrian Civil Aviation Bassem Mansour. "Our equipment and airports are safe, our runways are good, as are our planes." Behind the reassurances are the repeated attacks in recent years by the Israeli Air Force, which has also struck the Syrian airport on several occasions. This is according to the latest UN report 'Children and Armed Conflict' soon to be published. Since last year, YPG militiamen continue to detain more than 800 minors under the pretext of 'association' with other armed groups. Violations and abuses at an "alarming" level throughout the country, violations of child rights. Damascus (AsiaNews) - The Syrian Kurdish militias of the People's Protection Units (YPG) forcibly recruited hundreds of child soldiers into their ranks in 2023. This is according to a report by UN experts, which is currently being published and which also shows that the group continues to detain over 800 children since the end of last year under the pretext that they would be 'associated' with other armed groups. In the document, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres highlighted the "alarming" number of violations against minors, including children, in Syria in all areas of the country, calling for respect for international human rights and children's laws. As for child soldiers, the ascertained number of those enlisted in the armed ranks in 2023 is 231. The UN chief called for the unconditional and immediate release of all children from recruitment and forced detention, for which Kurdish militias have been largely responsible during the ongoing 13-year Syrian conflict. At the same time, Guterres emphasised that attacks on schools and hospitals must stop and must no longer be considered as targets and used for military purposes by various warring groups. The report and its revelations about the continued recruitment and abduction of children by the YPG come just weeks after the signing of a UN action plan against one of the main rebel factions, the Syrian National Army (SNA). In the past, they too have allegedly operated extensively to recruit child soldiers into their ranks, gaining a leading position on the front of the armed groups active in the conflict. Child soldiers are still an emergency to be dealt with in Syria, a nation struggling to emerge from a decade of civil war, even if today the situation, at least in terms of warfare, seems to be improving while the humanitarian emergency remains high. Starting with the 'poverty bomb', which is now perhaps claiming more victims than weapons in the past. To confirm a counter-trend, it is enough to consult the similar UN report "Children and Armed Conflict" relating to 2021 in which the number of minors involved or exploited in the conflict was around 2,000, of which 483 were recruited from the ranks of the Popular Protection Units (YPG). According to the UN study, the armed factions fighting against President Bashar al-Assad made the most extensive use of child soldiers with 1518 recruits, the vast majority within the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (Hts). Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 14 June 2024 19:50 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Armenia, which clings tightly to "democracy", tops the headlines with increasingly violent street protests. The number of people injured in clashes between police and citizens is getting violent every day, and the process shows that the protests will not stop until the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. However, some strange points also attract attention here. For example, the calmness of the Armenian Prime Minister, distracting the public's attention with everyday posts on social networks, etc., seem to show some kind of confidence in the Armenian government. Nikol Pashinyan does not see ongoing protests under the leadership of cleric Bagrat Srbazan (Galstanyan) as a problem for him. He is actually taking steps like his all-rounder friend Emmanuel Macron, who recently lost to the centre-right in the recent European Parliament elections. Macron also had a similar attitude to the protests in France. Even in New Caledonia, he won the hatred of the masses, especially the Kanak people, and got himself crushed in the political arena following his decision to dissolve the parliament. Pashinyan, on the other hand, ignores what is happening in his small world, that is, in Yerevan, and continues his political course as if nothing had happened. But the interesting thing is, how do Western institutions view this? A few days ago, the Freedom House organisation operating in America gave ridiculous opinions about the preparations for the COP29 event to be held in Azerbaijan, which clarified many issues related to the purpose of its activity. This institution, which could not hide its pro-Armenianism, forgot its mission for a moment and intervened in matters that were completely unrelated to it. The fact that Freedom House presented forecasts on economic issues instead of commenting on the situation of protesters who were injured and crushed under police batons every day in Yerevan, clearly showed how double standards the institute operates. They are acting the way that is told in the Japanese proverb: "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". However, the information states that stunt grenades were used by the government to prevent the attack of the protesters on the Parliament building. The stand-off with the protesters descended into a chaotic confrontation. According to the Ministry of Health, at least 101 individuals sought medical assistance following the clashes. Of these, 66 have since been discharged, while 32 remain hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to moderate. The violence also resulted in injuries to 17 police officers. At least 98 people were detained during the protests. The Armenian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case into engaging in violent acts against law enforcement. Suspects in this case have not yet been named and the protests is continuing. Different views on the situation in Yerevan The fact that Armenia is dealing with a difficult dilemma in the face of Azerbaijan's demands today causes it to act on different scenarios. Some experts comment that the current protests in Yerevan are in favour of Pashinyan, as they suppose he makes a shield out of it for himself. With this, he gains time, both in front of the demands of Azerbaijan and until the bosses in the West extend their helping hands to him. For example, it is not a random decision that France wants to deploy its military contingent in Armenia, in particular its toughest situation. Pashinyan will probably stop the protests in Yerevan in the blink of an eye by presenting the French scenario. That is, the entry of the French military contingent into the country also means creating militarization within the country. The Pashinyan administration also knows that Baku is cautious against any options of Yerevan. A demand is a demand; Armenia has only one choice, which is to fulfil the demands: - Change in the Constitution of Armenia - (i.e. approval of recognition of Garabagh as a territory of Azerbaijan, not as a constituent part of Armenia, in the first paragraph of the Constitution of Armenia) - Returning the rest of the villages and opening the Zangazur corridor - Also, consideration of the issue of the return of the Western Azerbaijanis to their former ancestral homes by the Armenian Parliament All these and other issues stand as an obligation to Armenia, and until the peace agreement is signed, Yerevan should take steps in this regard within the conditions set by Baku. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 11:39 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more At today's plenary session of the Milli Majlis, the draft law "On the implementation of the 2023 state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan" was discussed and adopted in the third reading. Azernews reports that Tahir Mirkishili, chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee, provided information about the draft. Subsequently, deputies spoke about the document. After discussions, the draft was put to a vote and approved in the third reading. It was noted that the revenues of Azerbaijan's state budget for 2023 are 35 billion 574.8 million manats (an increase of 16% compared to 2022), with the revenue plan being implemented at 105%. In 2023, the expenses of the state budget amounted to 36 billion 458.5 million manats (an increase of 13.7%), and the forecast was fulfilled by 99.5%. The 2023 state budget deficit was 883.7 million manats, or 0.7% of GDP. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 13:35 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A collaborative session was held in Astana to prepare for the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), slated for November in Baku, Azernews reports, citing Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy. The meeting drew participation from Kazakhstan's state institutions, international organisations, national companies, and business circles. During the session, Deputy Minister of Energy Ilyas Bakitjan briefed attendees on Kazakhstan's efforts towards developing low-carbon energy, mitigating methane emissions, and facilitating a fair energy transition. Kazakhstan's focal points include forging a low-carbon pathway, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060, and gradually transitioning energy sources. Bakitjan emphasised, "Kazakhstan is actively engaged in global initiatives targeting the reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Our participation in the Global Methane Commitment underscores our commitment to a sustainable energy transition, paving the way for green investments in the country." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 18:14 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In anticipation of COP29 scheduled for November in Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation, led by Adnan Amin, CEO of COP28, issued a statement following the UNFCCC conference in Bonn. They announced plans for a new financial target at the upcoming event to ensure sufficient, affordable, and accessible support, Azernews reports, citing the official WAM agency. The COP28 delegation concluded its participation in the Bonn climate change conference, urging parties to enhance their climate ambitions within the historic UAE Consensus. The Bonn conference, held from June 3 to 13, served as a crucial preparatory stage for COP29. Adnan Amin stressed the need to build on COP28's achievements in Dubai and emphasised the importance of establishing a new financial target at COP29 to support ambitious climate action. He urged parties to align with the UAE Consensus, highlighting the imperative of meeting the 1.5-degree Celsius target and leveraging advancements in science and technology. Informal consultations involving COP presidencies and delegations emphasised active engagement in COP29, particularly in implementing the UAE Declaration on sustainable agriculture, food systems, and climate action. COP28 officials underscored the importance of a robust financial target, urging significant progress in this area to ensure the success of COP29 in Baku. Omar Al Braiki, COP28 Deputy Chief Negotiator, emphasised the need for a comprehensive program reflecting collective ambition and priorities. Discussions with representatives from China, Cote d'Ivoire, Colombia, and Brazil explored avenues for integrated action ahead of major global meetings on climate change and biodiversity. A key outcome of COP28 was the establishment of a Youth Climate Champion within the UAE Consensus, highlighting youth engagement in climate action. COP28 also focused on addressing youth demands and assessing progress in international climate policy processes. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Mammad Said Ordubadi's book "Sword and Pen" has been translated into Uzbek, Azernews reports. The book presentation took place at the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre in Tashkent within the Days of Azerbaijani Culture. Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, Ilgar Fahmi, welcomed the guests of the ceremony. The Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister, Farid Jafarov, addressed the event. In his speech, the Deputy Culture Minister underlined that the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry successfully promotes Azerbaijani literature by translating it into foreign languages. So far, the works of more than 100 authors have been translated and published. Special importance is attached to the recognition of our authors in the Turkish world. Emphasising the importance of the publication, Farid Jafarov said that in addition to the famous prose writer Mammad Said Ordbadi, the book also provides insight into the literature legacy of the Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. In their remarks, literary critics-scientists of Uzbekistan, professors Nurboy Jabbarov, Abdulla Ulugov, as well as Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union poet, translator Selim Babullaoglu, executive director of the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Society Erkin Nuriddinov, poet Agshin Yenisey, and director of the Azerbaijan Culture Centre in Ankara Samir Abbasov, stressed the importance of the book. At the event, Nizami Ganjavi's poems were recited, and mughams composed of his ghazals were performed. The book "Sword and Pen" was translated into Uzbek by Nazira Aliyeva, Muhsin Hamidov, and Rustam Komilov. The image of Nizami Ganjavi occupies a central place in the book. The author also tried to revive the comprehensive picture of the era in which the genius poet lived. That is why the novel is called "Sword and Pen" not by the name of the protagonist, but as a symbol of two factors that play an important role in the life material of the work - the physical and spiritual strength of the people. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 10:18 (UTC+04:00) "We held the 5th round of the Azerbaijan-EU security dialogue with Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service for political issues." According to Azernews, Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy of the Presidential Administration, mentioned this in his post on the "X". "We discussed the further increase of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is a valuable and reliable partner of the EU," H. Hajiyev noted in the post. @enriquemora_ we had 5th round of security dialogue btw Azerbaijan-European Union.We discussed further development of EU-Azerbaijan partnership, regional/global issues of mutual interest. It was stressed that Azerbaijan is valuable and reliable partner of EU. pic.twitter.com/dA5b6v2hVL Hikmet Hajiyev (@HikmetHajiyev) June 13, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 11:18 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) and the "Enterprise Greece" Agency, Azernews reports. The memorandum was signed within the framework of the 5th meeting of the Joint Commission on economic, industrial and technological cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Greece held in Baku. The document was signed by the Executive Director of AZPROMO, Yusif Abdullayev, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, the co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission, Konstantinos Fragkogiannis. The Memorandum of Understanding envisages the activation of joint activity in the fields of export and investment, the promotion of investment opportunities in both countries, as well as the stimulation of business cooperation between the business communities of the countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 17:33 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Within the framework of "Human Rights Month" announced at the initiative of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, under the Social Services Agency of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a vocational-labour rehabilitation centre for persons with disabilities on the topic "State guarantee of the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities" awareness event was held, Azernews reports. Ayten Tarverdiyeva, head of the protection sector of the rights of persons with disabilities of the Ombudsman's Office, who participated as a speaker at the event, gave information about the obligations stipulated in the Convention "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", the new powers given to the Ombudsman for the promotion of the implementation of the Convention and independent monitoring, and the work done in this direction. She talked about the content of appeals addressed to the Ombudsman regarding the rights of persons with disabilities, the promotion of health, education and labor rights of persons with disabilities, the provision of accessibility, and the work carried out in the direction of the formation of an inclusive society. At the end, opinions were exchanged and questions were answered. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Uzbekistan have wrapped up with a spectacular gala concert, Azernews reports. Organised by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the five-day event has gone down in history as an art festival that left an indelible mark on the memory of the participants. The closing concert of the Days of Azerbaijan Culture was a resounding success in the city of Tashkent. The Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble presented a mesmerising performance titled "My Azerbaijan" at the Mugimi Musical Drama Theatre. The audience, composed of cultural and artistic figures from Uzbekistan, as well as public representatives, witnessed a night filled with the best examples of Azerbaijani dance art. The ensemble showcased a diverse range of traditional Azerbaijani dances, such as "Suita", "Gaval", "Kazagi", "Scarf Dance", "Drum", "Shali", "Kaitagi", "Wedding", "Sword Dance", "Chaychi", and "Vatan" with exceptional professionalism. Each performance, accompanied by musical numbers, captivated the audience and garnered a storm of applause. Throughout the Azerbaijan Culture Days, cultural and artistic figures from Uzbekistan, along with public representatives, had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Azerbaijani culture. The Uzbekistan Writers' Union hosted a conference themed "Muhammad Fuzuli and Alisher Navoi: our common literary and spiritual values." On the same day, an Azerbaijani corner started to operate at the Uzbekistan National Library. Also, a gala concert with the participation of Azerbaijani and Uzbek cultural figures took place at the Uzbekistan Palace of International Forums. Here the guests had a chance to taste Azerbaijani traditional pastries and sweets. The Days of Azerbaijani Culture were also remembered for the exhibition "Azerbaijani National Heritage in Pearls of Art" at the Uzbekistan Gallery of Fine Arts and the play "I am who I am", presented by the Azerbaijan State Yugh Theatre at the Uzbek State Institute of Art and Culture. At the same time, Uzbek art enjoyedUzeyir Hajibayli's operetta "The Cloth Peddler". The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre demonstrated this world-famous work at the Uzbekistan State Academic Theatre. Moreover, Mammad Said Ordubadi's book "Sword and Pen" translated into Uzbek, was presented at the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre in Tashkent. This cultural exchange not only showcased the beauty and diversity of Azerbaijani heritage but also fostered greater understanding and appreciation between the two nations. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 15:24 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The graduation ceremony at ADA University on June 13th marked a significant milestone in the academic journey of 700 graduates. Among the attendees were proud parents, esteemed faculty members, and representatives from partner institutions and companies, all joining in celebration of the graduates' achievements, Azernews reports. The event commenced with a symbolic flag procession, embodying the diverse and inclusive ethos of ADA University. Foreign students proudly carried their national flags onto the stage, followed by the rendition of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Javid Shahmammadli and Konul Azizli, both graduates of ADA University, warmly welcomed guests as hosts of the ceremony. They reminisced about their enriching experiences at ADA, fondly recalling the dynamic "ADA life" and the enduring values instilled through their education. The Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, Elkin Nurmammadov, took the stage to highlight the academic accomplishments of the students and the university. He underscored the significance of the academic year, citing international accreditation for ADA's business programs and the inaugural graduation of students from various specialised fields. "This academic year, 2023-24, has been particularly significant for ADA University. Specifically, ADA University's business programs have obtained international "ACBSP" accreditation," he emphasised. "This year also marks the graduation of our first ADA School graduates from ADA University. Additionally, ADA is sending off its first graduating class in Electrical and Power Engineering, a dual master's program offered in partnership with George Washington University. Furthermore, this year sees the launch of the first graduating class of programs in "Educational Management" and "Organisation and Methodology of Education and Teaching" offered in the Azerbaijani language at the Kazakh Centre of ADA University," he added. As a special guest, Mukhtar Babayev, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and President-designate of COP29, addressed the graduates, emphasising the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability. Mukhtar Babayev addressed the graduates: "As we prepare to host COP29, we are not only facilitating important negotiations but also demonstrating our commitment to climate leadership. This means ensuring that the actions we take today will benefit future generations. Alumni are an integral part of this legacy." The Minister urged the students to utilise the knowledge and skills acquired at ADA University to champion a green world, promote sustainability, participate in initiatives that reduce our carbon footprint, and inspire others to join you in this important mission. In his address, Rector of ADA University, Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, urged graduates to leverage their education to contribute meaningfully to society and uphold the esteemed reputation of ADA University. He emphasised the significance of lifelong learning and encouraged graduates to be ambassadors of positive change. In this significant period coinciding with 'Alumnus Day' - as Azerbaijan hosts the prestigious event of COP29 -Rector Hafiz Pashayev addressed the young graduates, urging them to elevate our nation's name, fortify our triumphs with their contributions, and uphold the title of 'ADA University graduate' with pride. He advised them to adhere to the values they have acquired here. During the ceremony, ADA University master's degree graduate Leyla Hasanova also spoke, urging young people to apply their education to addressing climate issues. Following the speeches, diplomas were conferred, and an artistic program ensued, accompanied by classical and contemporary music. The graduates, filled with pride and camaraderie, commemorated the occasion with joyful congratulations and captured memories in photographs. This academic year saw the graduation of 453 students with bachelor's degrees and 202 with master's degrees. Among them, 632 were local students, and 23 hailed from various countries worldwide, including Belarus, Georgia, Indonesia, Iran, and Ukraine, among others. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 09:27 (UTC+04:00) US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma will visit Armenia on June 17, Azernews reports, referring to the release made by the State Department. R. Verman will participate in the Armenia-USA forum and will also meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. It should be noted that James O'Brien, assistant to the secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, visited Armenia earlier. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The first Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 UAVs have entered service with the Romanian Army ground forces, Azernews reports. "In early August 2022, the Ministry of Defense requested parliamentary approval for the purchase of three Bayraktar TB2 UAV systems for the Romanian land forces, six drones in each system for a total amount of approximately $321 million, including ammunition, initial logistical support and equipment for training and training," the message says. At the end of this month or early next month, the Romanian military will be able to conduct the first test flights. The purchase contract with delivery dates in June 2024, September 2024 and January 2025 was signed in April 2023. In February - June of this year, the first group of Romanian navigation personnel was trained in Turkiye at the same time as testing and acceptance of technical equipment at the manufacturing plant. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 June 2024 22:17 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan are planning to hold trilateral military exercises in connection with the possible visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the DPRK at the end of June, Azernews reports. The exercises are aimed at a "decisive joint warning" amid speculation that a possible visit could lead to increased military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia. According to the agency, the parties are discussing participation in the maneuvers of the American nuclear aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. At the same time, details such as the time, scope and content of the training are agreed upon. It is reported that the trilateral exercises called Freedom Edge will be held for the first time in several places in the air, at sea, underwater and in the cybersphere. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Global Civilization Initiative conforms to trend, meets demand of times 10:42, June 14, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily The 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. According to the resolution, June 10 was designated as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. The resolution advocates respecting the diversity of civilizations and calls for equal dialogue and mutual respect among different civilizations. It fully reflects the core essence of the Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The unanimous support from the international community for setting up the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations demonstrates that the GCI conforms to the trend and meets the demand of the times. In March 2023, Xi proposed the GCI, stressing the importance to advocate the respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. In today's world where the futures of all countries are closely connected, the GCI offers answers to important questions such as how different civilizations should get along and where the human civilization is headed. It contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to promoting mutual learning among civilizations and advancing the progress of human civilization. China's proposal to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations at the UNGA helps implement the GCI and has injected positive energy into addressing common challenges faced by humanity. China is committed to promoting mutual understanding, respect, and trust among nations, and seeks to build consensus on peaceful development through cultural exchanges and mutual learning. In this year alone, the GCI has been incorporated into bilateral documents between China and over a dozen countries including Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Tunisia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Serbia, and Hungary, gaining increasingly widespread recognition and support. In today's world that has entered a new period of turbulence, multiple challenges and crises are intertwined. The international community has come to a deeper understanding that exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations contribute to enhancing understanding, trust, and cooperation, providing important impetus for human development and progress. The resolution of the UNGA states that all civilizational achievements are "the collective heritage of humankind.". It emphasizes "the crucial role of dialogue" among civilizations in maintaining world peace, promoting common development, enhancing human well-being, and achieving collective progress. This resolution reflects the universal aspiration of countries around the world to uphold equality and inclusiveness, and to maintain the diversity of world civilizations. The resolution invites all member states and UN agencies to commemorate the International Day. China will closely collaborate with all parties to organize diverse and vibrant activities for dialogue among civilizations. It will advocate for respecting the diversity of civilizations, promote the common values of humanity, value the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and actively promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, so as to achieve common prosperity and progress of human civilization. The unanimous support from the international community for setting up the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations demonstrates that Chinese ideas and solutions are increasingly gaining international consensus. No matter how the international landscape changes, China will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, and will advocate vigorously peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. It will uphold the shared values of humanity, promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the GCI, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity. The public goods provided by China to the international community gather humanity's broadest common understanding of building a beautiful world, bringing prosperity and stability to the world and creating substantive benefits for the people. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed the United Nations' high appreciation for China's firm commitment to multilateralism and support for the GDI, GSI and GCI proposed by Xi, reaffirming the United Nations' strong commitment to deepening cooperation with China. The world today is living through accelerating changes unseen in a century, with frequent regional conflicts and disturbances. Global issues are becoming more acute. All parties need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, to jointly inject stability and positive energy into the turbulent international situation. China, starting from a righteous position and walking a path of great virtues, will keep working with relevant parties to implement the GDI, GSI and GCI, and resolutely build a community with a shared future for mankind. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office has opened a formal investigation of Democrat political prosecutions of Donald Trump, testified to Congress today about Democrats using bogus prosecutions for election interference. Bailey also noted that his office is subpoenaing records related to New York Demoract Attorney General Letitia James civil case against Trump and Alvin Bragg's Manhattan prosecution of Trump. "The people of the state of Missouri, whom I am tasked with protecting, watched in horror recently, as the left's direct assault on President Trump, manifested itself in the form of a politically motivated, legally specious, and corrupt prosecution of the President which resulted in an errant criminal conviction," Bailey began his remarks. As the presidential race is on the ballot in all fifty states, state laws against election inteference can be brought to bear against officials in other states who abuse the legal process to try to impact an election. https://redstate.com/smoosieq/2024/06/13/mo-ag-andrew-bailey-rips-alvin-bragg-and-manhattan-das-office-n2175425 It sure looks like Missouri is going to go for the gusto on this one against New York's judicial corruption. Meanwhile, Congressman Andy Biggs presented a timeline that shows the Biden's regimes fingerprints on the political prosecutions of President Trump: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/06/smoking-gun-rep-andy-biggs-releases-timeline-proving/ Here are four ASCs that have closed this year, as reported by Becker's since Feb. 22: 1. The Portland (Ore.) Clinic permanently closed its downtown ASC location after it transferred all same-day procedures to its Alberty Surgical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinic said it made the closure permanent to better use clinic space and optimize care. 2. Cape Girardeau, Mo.-based Saint Francis Healthcare System closed its Physicians Alliance Surgery Center and transferred all scheduled procedures to its Saint Francis Medical Center. The reason behind the closure was not disclosed. 3. Montgomery, Ala.-based Southeastern Cardiology officially closed after denying a monthlong rumor that it had closed abruptly. The practice did not provide further information about the closure. 4. Canfield (Ohio) Surgery Center closed amid a projected loss of $2.5 million this year, which employees said may be the reason behind the shutdown. The employees said they were not consulted about the closure. On May 31, California Gov. Gavin Newsom delayed the start of minimum wage increases for healthcare workers by one month. Here are four things ASCs need to know: 1. The new legislation postpones the start of the wage adjustments to July 1. The move will provide extra time to work with state lawmakers to tie provisions related to the minimum wage law to state budget conditions. 2. Mr. Newsom signed the bill raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers in the state to $25 an hour on Oct. 13. The legislation, SB 525, called for annual increases beginning June 1, ranging from $18 to $25 per hour. Healthcare facilities are expected to reach a $25 per hour minimum wage by June 1, 2028, or 2033, for some in rural locations. 3. In November, Mr. Newsom released a $4 billion price estimate for the 2024-25 fiscal year alone and indicated he could want to delay the increases given the state's projected budget shortfall. 4. In May, he introduced his revised budget proposal and said he would not sign the budget without the deal being addressed. 5. California currently has 848 ASCs, all of which could begin to see changes from the new bill. At some ASCs, staff members, especially in rural areas, earn less than $25 an hour. The bill could cause increased financial pressure on ASCs. The University of Texas Board of Regents has approved a proposal to create an optometry school at the Austin-based medical school, according to a June 13 report from MyRGV.com. The Austin-based university would become the third in the state to have a school of optometry. The proposal will still require additional approvals from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. The state's two optometry schools are located at the University of Houston and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The University of Texas is aiming to welcome its first class of optometry students in 2027. It will comprise 20 to 40 students and 15 full-time faculty members. As of July 1, Alameda (Calif.) Hospital is ending elective surgeries and relocating them to the Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus in Oakland, Calif., and San Leandro (Calif.) Hospital. All of the facilities are part of Alameda Health System, the county's public hospital system, which confirmed the move to Becker's on June 14. A statement from the health system said the organization is relocating the elective surgeries, including procedures for ophthalmology, gynecology and urology, "because a cross-functional work group that included physician and nursing leaders, post-acute staff and operational staff determined it is in the best interest of our patients and to offset the costs associated with the seismic upgrade required to keep Alameda Hospital operational." California law requires general acute-care hospitals to meet seismic strengthening requirements by 2030. To support the City of Alameda Health Care District in meeting these requirements while ensuring continued access to critical healthcare services at Alameda Hospital, AHS and the district entered into an agreement in May that commits both parties to secure approximately $55 million in funding to upgrade the facilities and meet the seismic mandate, the health system statement said. Additionally, AHS pointed to the $42 million it has and is investing in infrastructure projects that support hospital operations. Other opportunities AHS leaders and physicians have identified to offset the cost of the seismic upgrade, outside of relocating elective surgeries, include improving efficiencies and expanding post-acute services and access for Medicare recipients. Physicians and nurses have expressed concerns that relocating elective surgeries from the hospital will lead to reductions in surgical staff and could mean some patients waiting hours to be transferred to another location, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. A spokesperson for AHS told the publication there are no existing plans to relocate urgent or emergent surgeries from Alameda Hospital. AHS also said they see relocating elective surgeries as what's best because 5% of surgery patients live in the city of Alameda. Chicago-based Community First Medical Center has placed its emergency department on bypass due to high temperatures in the hospital, CBS reported June 13. The hospital is not accepting any new patients, including those coming by ambulance. Earlier this month, hospital staff told the news outlet they were working in 80- and 90-degree temperatures. This is not the first time the hospital has dealt with sweltering heat. Last year, an ED physician shared photos of industrial fans in the exterior doorways being used to try to cool the building. Hospital administrators told CBS they were in the process of installing a permanent, new A/C system. Becker's has reached out to Community First Medical Center for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available. Hospitals and health systems across the country have been returning to paper medical records during IT outages caused by the unceasing number of cyberattacks plaguing the industry. While IT executives say the best way to prepare for a hack is prevention, health systems must also plan for potential downtime procedures when EHRs are offline. Here are tips for how to do that, four leaders told Becker's: Erik Decker. Chief Information Security Officer of Intermountain Health (Salt Lake City): Stand up incident command, based on your existing hospital incident command structure, ensuring your command roles are well understood and assigned (review the Operational Continuity Cybersecurity Incident checklist for assistance). Ensure the incident commander is the right operations leader, depending on the type of outage underway. Meet regularly, ensuring communications reach all levels of caregivers involved in altered procedures necessary to ensure safe and effective patient care. Ensure logistics and resources are available to support being on paper, which can include labor and non-labor resources. Prepare for external communications so patients are aware of differences in processes but assured no difference in care. Scott MacLean. Board Chair for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives: Downtime plans ought to be written by clinical operations leaders: nurses, physicians, people working the inpatient and outpatient operations. We hear regularly about how physicians these days don't know how to write a paper order. If it's 15 or 30 days, you need to know how to do paper orders. I heard an example of someone who couldn't read the handwritten prescription so they had to call back and verify with the ordering physician: "What is it you're actually trying to order here?" So obviously this is a big deal in terms of efficiency, complexity and safety. Many hospitals have toolkits they'll break out for planned or unplanned downtime that have paper order sheets, so being able to drill that occasionally so the various clinicians and other contributors in the inpatient and ambulatory space know what to do when this happens. Shefali Mookencherry. Chief Information Security Officer of UI Health (Chicago): Keep paper copies of the downtime, incident response plans, disaster recovery plans, emergency operations plans, and business continuity plans. Have a large supply of varying sizes and colored Post-it notes, flip charts, and construction paper. These can come in handy when working through many workflow changes. Keep a paper "forms" binder at least with the risk management office. This binder would contain vital and critical paper forms needed to provide care and communications such as a phone directory of essential workers and relevant authorities. Include paper copies of various informed consents and critical contracts for critical systems. One form that stands out is the paper prescription script. A challenge an organization might have with paper scripts is training newer clinicians or physicians on how to write in the appropriate information as most of these processes today are electronic and clicks away. Keep a paper "policies" binder to ensure critical operations are addressed and policy on paying or not paying ransomware attackers, should a guidance or reference need to be made. Have paper downtime instructions for ordering supplies, billing operations, and payment collections. Have a paper list of stores nearby that can provide equipment needed such as laptops, pagers, phones, portable radios, and other devices. Have a VoIP [Voice over Internet Protocol] line(s) as a contingency plan for loss of emails and voice communications. Have a paper list of trainers and educators who can help facilitate downtime procedures. Have a paper copy that documents how the organization can manage access points if CCTV [closed-circuit television] cameras, motion detection, alarms, and badging are impacted during a cyber event. Engage cybersecurity insurance and forensics firms as necessary. Anahi Santiago. Chief Information Security Officer of ChristianaCare (Newark, Del.): The most important component of clinical preparedness is for the clinicians to understand that typical cybersecurity outages last weeks, not days or hours. Once that is understood, cybersecurity leaders can partner with clinicians and emergency management to conduct business impact analysis and identify critical paths for achieving intended outcomes. Once those have been defined, procedures for extended downtime operations should be created and regularly practiced. Three large health systems became strategic investors in DexCare, a digital health spinoff from Renton, Wash.-based Providence's Digital Innovation Group. DexCare's three new investors are: Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital Texas Health Resources (Arlington) Community Health Network (Indianapolis) The new investors entered as part of DexCare's series C funding round, which was led by ICONIQ Growth. DexCare plans to use new funds to accelerate market adoption of its care orchestration platform. Each investor used DexCare's platform before investing. "Improving access to care, while controlling costs is essential for a labor-intensive industry like healthcare, said Scott Arnold, chief digital and innovation officer at Tampa General, in a news release. "DexCare brings the predictive intelligence to grow service areas, to protect finite resources and to direct patients to the best venues of care." In addition to Providence, Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif., and Boston-based Mass General Brigham are already investors in the company, which provides a critical infrastructure for organizations to thrive with alternative care models, growing workforce and wage pressures. DexCare's platform produces data intelligence to manage a portfolio of care with operational controls to predict where to assign staff their shifts. Community Health Network reported a 300% increase in virtual care capacity after partnering with DexCare as well as a 46% increase in daily and retail visits. Patient loyalty also jumped 50%, but there is more opportunity to push those numbers even higher as patient demand for services grows. "Were not moving fast enough, as an estimated 11,000 people age into Medicare every day," said Patrick McGill, MD, chief transformation officer at Community Health Network, in the news release. "Enduring companies like DexCare establish the bedrock infrastructure to reduce waste, to increase access, and to have the digital awareness to allocate an entire ecosystem of care. The result is value creation across the health system, from patients and doctors to marketing and finance." Dallas-based Steward Health Care has received approval from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Chris Lopez for a $225 million loan to support operations ahead of the auctioning of its 31 hospitals and physician group, Stewardship Health. The health system shared June 10 that it had locked in the funding from a group of "Steward's secured FILO Lenders." The lenders are WhiteHawk Finance, OneIM, MidOcean, Owl Creek Investments and Brigade Capital Management, a spokesperson from Steward confirmed with Becker's June 13. "Having long term financing for the company to get through these Chapter 11 cases is obviously very meaningful and I think will allow us all to move on to other important issues to maximize value and save the thousands of jobs we do have at issue, as well as take care of the patients of Steward hospital healthcare," Steward attorney Ray Shrock said during a June 13 hearing. Now that the funding has been approved by Mr. Lopez, the health system is facing questions about what will happen should some of its hospitals not receive bids during the upcoming auctions. "While we hope that ultimately all hospitals will receive bids, and there will be new operators for each of these hospitals, we are obviously concerned about a situation when there is no bid for a particular hospital," Hugh McDonald, a lawyer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and health and human services offices, said during the hearing. Steward now has eight hospitals in Massachusetts, according to its website. Mr. McDonald said a transition agreement or plan needs to be put into place to secure the future of any hospital that does not receive bids. He also noted that in Massachusetts there is a required 120-day notice period should a hospital close. Thomas Patterson, a lawyer for Medical Properties Trust, Steward's landlord, confirmed during the hearing that the company has no plans to fund the Steward hospitals that do not receive bids. "We have had discussion with the debtors at a high level with regard to what happens to hospitals that don't receive a bid," Mr. Patterson said. "At the moment MPT has made no such commitment to fund hospitals that don't receive a bid on a working capital basis at any particular point and time." The first round of Steward's hospitals, except its Florida hospitals and certain Texas facilities, and Stewardship Health have a June 24 bid deadline and July 11 first sale hearing. The second round of sales for four Texas Steward hospitals and its Florida facilities have an Aug. 12 bid deadline and Aug. 22 sale hearing. Becker's has reached out to Steward for comment and will update this story should more information become available. Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings has come under fire for the alleged mismanagement of two of its safety-net hospitals in Providence, R.I. Prospect, a for-profit health system, owns and operates 278-bed Roger Williams Medical Center and 220-bed Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, which allegedly are dealing with several hazards and patient safety issues, according to court documents obtained by Becker's. Alleged hazards at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital include mold; bedbug infestations; cockroaches unaddressed by a pest control service; mice in various areas; a lack of functioning buttons to monitor radiation exposure; and leaking ceilings and pipes causing slip and fall hazards, according to court documents. Examples of incidents at Roger Williams included black substances observed on walls; improper sterilization; brown water flowing from an eye wash device; empty oxygen cylinders mixed in with full oxygen cylinders; failure to wear personal protective equipment for hazardous medications like chemotherapy; and failure to record vital signs following blood transfusions. Prospect has "created a situation of great urgency at the hospitals by refusing to provide proper funding quarter after quarter," Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern said in a June 12 ruling. "Not only are the hospitals scrambling to obtain supplies day to day, but other areas of the hospitals are falling into disrepair." Both employees of the hospitals and outside agencies investigating the facilities have attested to the urgent situation caused by Prospect, according to court documents. "All the deficiencies described in the reports contained in Judge Stears decision have been corrected promptly, including a temporary fix for the roof, which will require more time for a permanent solution," a spokesperson for Prospect told Becker's. "We remain in compliance with the department of health." In a June 12 decision, the court gave Prospect 10 days to pay more than $17.3 million of unpaid bills to vendors of the two hospitals to facilitate the continuation of safe and reliable patient care. The decision spells more bad news for Prospect, which plans to sell the two safety-net hospitals to the Centurion Foundation, an Atlanta-based nonprofit. Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health is also suing Prospect to get out of a deal to acquire three of its Connecticut hospitals. Yale New Haven alleges Prospect engaged in irresponsible financial practices and breached its contract by not paying rent and taxes on time, letting the three hospitals deteriorate. Prospect countersued earlier this month, demanding that Yale honor its contractual obligations to acquire the hospitals. The American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment is urging Congress to pass the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act amid concerns of a potential nurse visa freeze. The State Department said high demand for EB-3 visas among skilled workers, including nurses, has nearly depleted the available supply. Effective in July, the department will only consider visa applications for those who filed on or before Dec. 1, 2021, the department said in a July Visa Bulletin. In August, the department said it will likely need to further retrogress this date or pause visa applications entirely. The State Department issued a similar retrogression last spring. As most immigrant nurses who applied for visas before Dec. 1, 2021, have already been processed, the move essentially shuts down the pipeline for international nursing talent, according to AAIHR. "We're reaching a dangerous inflection point where acute nurse staffing shortages feed burnout in a force-multiplying cycle that grows worse every day," AAIHR President Patty Jeffrey, RN, said in a June 12 news release. "Until we can correct capacity issues that force nursing schools to reject thousands of qualified applicants annually, international nurses will remain essential to safe nurse staffing. This latest visa freeze halts the flow of qualified international nurses when American hospitals need them most, and the only way to correct it is through congressional action." The association is calling on Congress to swiftly pass the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, which would recapture 25,000 issued but unused green cards for nurses and another 15,000 for physicians to mitigate visa delays and limits. Learn more about the proposed bill here. Every year, Banner Health's senior leadership team and board of directors decide on systemwide initiatives across a plethora of areas, from infection prevention work to customer experience. Leaders told Becker's the key to success is sustaining momentum. In 2019, leaders of the 30-hospital system launched an initiative to lower surgical site infections. Four years later, it achieved a 32.8% drop in SSIs for hip replacements, a 51.2% reduction in SSIs for knee replacements, and a 17.4% decrease in SSIs for colorectal surgeries and abdominal hysterectomy procedures. The Phoenix-based system also noted a decrease in length of stay by four days, a 4.4% decline in mortality rates and 3.9% fewer readmission rates for more than 57,000 operations. Hospital workers are swamped, and a growing number of them are burnt out. At the same time, organizations are plunging into long-term strategies to lower healthcare-associated infections, which hit a significant high in 2021 and 2022. To capture buy-in and maintain involvement from employees, Banner preserved a monthly cadence of touchpoints, according to Joan Ivaska, DrPH, executive director of infection prevention. "There are routine check-ins with leaders designated at each facility to ensure that we can address questions and barriers and we're making the progress that we want to see," she told Becker's. Between 2019 and 2023, adherence to the SSI bundle grew from 67.1% to 82.2% across the system that spans six states. Leaders are continuously reevaluating literature to update the bundle, according to Aarikha D'Souza, an infection prevention regional director at Banner. Upholding engagement in a systemwide strategy is not rare as much as it is difficult because of competing priorities, Dr. Ivaska said, adding that Banner's success can be traced to its infrastructure behind initiatives. "Our SSI work, the sustainment that we've seen after the annual initiative really is an encouragement for some of the other types of initiatives we have across the system," she said. "Instead of it just being an annual initiative, and then you move on to the next thing, this is how we do our work in providing safe surgical care across our enterprise." West Virginia was named the worst state to practice medicine in for 2024 by Medscape, while Wisconsin was named the best. Seven orthopedic and spine surgeons told Becker's what makes their state the best and worst place to practice medicine in 2024: Note: These responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Michael Burdi, MD. Partner at Community Orthopedic Medical Group (Mission Viejo, Calif.): The best part of running a practice in Southern California is the weather and generally fitter and healthier than average patients. The worst part is abysmal reimbursement, high cost of living and workforce along with a plethora of competition (a surplus of specialist physicians), making any negotiating with payers challenging at best. Hazem Eltahawy, MD, PhD. Neurosurgeon at Detroit Medical Center: The worst part about running a private practice in my state of Michigan is that some insurances have come up with a rule that for urgent inpatient surgeries the surgeon has to submit a separate request for authorization of surgery either before or within a limited time period from the actual surgery date. It is illogical that a patient who is admitted to the hospital or arrives at the ER for an urgent neurological or musculoskeletal problem such as spinal cord compression with cauda equina syndrome or spinal cord injury due to spinal fracture would need some form of insurance authorization for the surgical services to get reimbursed. At those critical times, sensitive and urgent surgical decisions are made, and the last thing that a patient or their treating team need to worry about is their insurance and whether an authorization for services is needed. It has to be struck down. Ramis Gheith, MD. Chief Medical Officer at DxTx Pain Spine (Kansas City, Mo.): Best aspects 1. Low cost of living Missouri has a relatively low cost of living compared to many other states, which can make it more affordable for both healthcare providers and patients. 2. Malpractice insurance costs Missouri has lower medical malpractice insurance premiums compared to many other states, which can reduce overhead costs for medical practices. 3. Favorable regulatory environment The state has a relatively favorable regulatory environment for medical practices, with less stringent regulations in some areas compared to other states. 4. Patient demand With a growing population, particularly in urban areas like St. Louis and Kansas City, there is a steady demand for medical services. 5. Educational institutions Missouri is home to several medical schools and teaching hospitals, providing a strong talent pool and opportunities for collaboration and continuing education. 6. Community support Many communities in Missouri highly value their healthcare providers, often leading to strong patient loyalty and community support for local practices. Worst aspects 1. Rural healthcare challenges Rural areas in Missouri face significant healthcare challenges, including provider shortages, limited access to specialized care, and financial difficulties in maintaining rural hospitals and clinics. 2. Reimbursement rates Medicaid reimbursement rates in Missouri are lower than the national average, which can impact the financial viability of practices that serve a large number of Medicaid patients. 3. Economic disparities Economic disparities can lead to variability in patients' ability to pay for services, impacting the financial stability of practices, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. 4. Regulatory changes Although the regulatory environment is generally favorable, changes at the state and federal levels can create uncertainty and require practices to adapt quickly to new rules and requirements. 5. Competition in urban areas While urban areas offer a larger patient base, they also come with higher competition among healthcare providers, which can make it challenging to attract and retain patients. 6. Insurance market variability The health insurance market can be unpredictable, with frequent changes in policies and coverage that affect both patients and providers. 7. Public health issues Missouri faces significant public health challenges, including high rates of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, which can place a high demand on medical services and affect patient outcomes. 8. Legislative environment Missouri's legislative environment can sometimes pose challenges, with debates over healthcare policies, Medicaid expansion and other issues including unfavorable work compensation regulations (unfavorable to patients), imbalance in insurance regulation allowing carriers to dictate care for patients while disregarding provider input, can all impact how medical practices operate. Maahir Haque, MD. Surgeon at Spine Group Orlando (Celebration, Fla.): The best part of practicing in Florida is that there is significant population growth. There is considerable volume to sustain practice growth. This said, the major hospital systems are simultaneously buying primary care practices, which has the potential to adversely affect clinical volumes for community orthopedic surgeons. The worst part about practicing in Florida and specifically Central Florida is the insurance environment. The major insurers really take advantage of private practice doctors, which has led to significant consolidation and increased cost of care as most orthopedic surgeons have become employed. Peter Passias, MD. Associate Chief, Co-chair and Medical Director of the Spine Research Program at Duke University (Durham, N.C.): The best part of my area is the excitement and the growth that is present in the research triangle, coupled with the focus on research, development and academics. Managing change in an expanding environment allows for opportunity but also requires constructing frameworks that have not previously been utilized. Mark Testaiuti, MD. Surgeon at Coastal Spine (Mount Laurel, N.J.): Having worked in the state of New Jersey for my entire career, I would say that New Jersey is a very progressive state to work in from the standpoint of the excellent quality of healthcare provided throughout the major metropolitan areas. With that said, there are distinct differences in regional care in N.J. that one finds in any state. One particular area of amusement for me is the disparity in billing and reimbursement from the north to the south part of the state, even if the geographic distance is less than 100 miles with the southern part of the state, sometimes seeing 20 to 30% less reimbursement for the exact same procedure. A more controversial topic of significant impact over the last two decades is with New Jersey motor vehicle insurance and the substantial changes in coverage of vehicular personal injuries. In years past, there was a standard coverage policy that covered and reimbursed treatment of all injured and qualified insured drivers in the state of New Jersey. Similar to the way other states have developed tort options or mandates for personal health insurance as primary coverage of injuries with motor vehicles being secondary, N.J. has similarly adopted these strategies for cost containment. However, shortly after 2010 or 2011 and as a result of negotiations between hospitals and PIP insurance companies, spinal surgeries were completely disallowed from New Jersey ASCs and could only be done at a hospital. Again, N.J. spinal surgeons have adapted to these more significant changes or have moved out of state. To end on a positive note, the New Jersey workman's compensation system is rather robust with a very organized group of insurers, adjusters and nurse case managers that help to direct care to the most qualified and effective providers. Interestingly, they have come to realize the cost savings of ASCs versus hospitals and have been increasingly allowing spine surgeries to go to ASCs for care. This has benefited all involved with similar or improved outcomes (from an infection standpoint) and higher patient satisfaction. This has been quite gratifying personally in my practice as I have been doing the majority of the worker's compensation cases in my ASC since 2007. Additionally, in the state of New Jersey, we transfer our lumbar fusions or multi-level cervical procedures after postoperative recovery in the ASC to a local, acute care rehab facility, where they convalesce and receive identical, postoperative care, antibiotics, PCA, fever, work-ups, etc., with a more intense daily therapy program providing for earlier mobilization. This lasts anywhere from two to five days at a much improved price point versus the hospital with similar care and patient satisfaction. Nolan Wessell, MD. Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora): While we've experienced an economic boom over the past decade, that has been coupled with increasing expenses for real estate, equipment, staffing, etc. When combined with declining reimbursements, the long-term sustainability of orthopedic and spine practice will hang in the balance. Just recently, we've seen an increase in the cap on medical malpractice lawsuits. Colorado is slowly moving up the list of states with higher medical malpractice claims. Additionally, we've seen state-led initiatives such as hospital discounted care nobly work to provide access to care for underserved populations, but oftentimes it provides little to no reimbursement to either providers or healthcare organizations. These changes feel like a multi-faceted threat to our viability that needs to be addressed at all levels if we hope to continue to provide high quality care that improves people's lives. The couple previously ran the restaurant Blank on the same site, before announcing its closure earlier in 2024. Jonny and Christina Taylor are a husband and wife duo opening a new restaurant on Belfast's Malone road A NI food power couple have announced the opening of a new restaurant in Belfast, on the same site as one of their former locations. Saga on the Malone Road where restaurant Blank once stood, is the latest project of Christina and Jonny Taylor. The husband and wife team also run Shed Bistro in the city. The new restaurants menu is drawn from different global cuisines, with chef Jonny saying he has been inspired by the aromatic spices of Asia to the rustic charm of Italian cuisine and the refined elegance of French gastronomy. The co-proprietors say their motto for the new restaurant is think global, eat local, and will continue their commitment to sourcing their produce from the island of Ireland. The owners say they are trying to create a restaurant suited to the current climate, with a child-friendly and relaxed ethos. Saga will run an a la carte menu with several new offers including a Sunday roast, a pre-theatre menu and a chateaubriand for two. The couple say they are thrilled to be launching Saga: Our journey to this point hasnt always been straightforward- and that's exactly what inspired the name 'Saga'. As restaurant owners we've faced difficult challenges, but our passion and joy for culinary exploration has remained strong. Our aim is simple: to craft a warm and inviting dining experience that embraces the best of local and global flavours. By introducing our new a la carte menu, Sunday roast options, and pre-theatre selections, we hope to offer something special for every guest." Jonny, from Antrim, and Christina, who comes from Slovakia and works front of house, met 10 years ago working in Jamie Olivers in Edinburgh and are parents to their daughter Mia. They took over Shed in 2018, and launched the high-end restaurant Blank in 2021. It ran a tasting menu of high-end dishes, with each course a mystery until it was set in front of diners. When the closure of Blank was announced, the owners said that, the financial strains of operating the restaurant, exacerbated by escalating wages and the rising costs of local produce a commitment the team staunchly upheld have ultimately rendered Blank financially unviable. They announced an intention to open a more affordable restaurant on the same site, which has ultimately resulted in Saga. Building firm recently ranked 47th on the Belfast Telegraphs Top 100 Companies in Northern Ireland for 2024 McAleer & Rushe, the construction company headquartered in Co Tyrone, is the construction partner for a proposed development in Royal Tunbridge Wells (above) A Co Tyrone construction giant has seen pre-tax profits fall by 10% its last financial year despite a 30m boost in turnover. The figures come from 2023 accounts for McAleer & Rushe Construction Contracts UK Limited, a major construction company headquartered in Cookstown which has a registered office in central London. It posted pre-tax profits of 11m, a decrease on the previous years figure of 12,093,833. That was despite turnover rising almost 8% to 436.4m from a 2022 total of 404m. However, cost of sales also rose in 2023, going up 9.25% from the year before to a figure of 409.1m. The company has completed a number of projects within the last year, including a 36-storey build to rent residential scheme in Birmingham and the Vita student accommodation scheme on Little Victoria Street in Belfast. Its strategic report said that the results for last year were in line with the expectations of directors, and that they expect turnover for 2024 to rise to 450m. It also expects turnover to grow to over 500m by 2025, due in part to contracts they have acquired which are majority residential and above average size. Of the company's over 400m of turnover, only 103,496 came from Europe, with the rest originating in the UK. In 2022, the company reported 11.2m of turnover from Europe. McAleer & Rushe employed 14 fewer staff in 2023, with 358 employees contributing to a pay bill of just under 26m. This is a 4% decrease on 2022s pay bill of 27.1m, which was generated from 372 staff. The company employed the same number of directors in both years, with 11 noted. The highest paid director in 2023 received 5,000 less in 2023 with a salary of 350,000. However directors remuneration overall rose 62% in 2023, to 2.1m from 1.3m. The companys amount of money owed from debtors falling due within a year grew slightly last year to 102.8m. The cash at bank and in hand also rose, in this case by 17% from 45m to over 53m. The strategic report identified the principal risks and uncertainties facing the company as market risk and health and safety risk. They said they manage market risk by regular workload reviews, and that health and safety is a critical area of focus for the company given the nature of its work. The companys primary focus is in London, with over 50% of its workload situated in the capital. The majority of London-based projects are residential, including a high-end 140m apartment block beside the London Eye. The company sees capacity for margin growth and remains focused on supply chain expansion. McAleer & Rushes strategic review said it is not focused on expanding its number of active sites, but that its continued financial strength sees it well positioned to consider such contract opportunities as the market may present going forward. The company featured at number 47 in the 2024 Belfast Telegraphs Top 100 Companies, published on Tuesday. Musician and BBC presenter Gemma Bradley speaks to Lisa McGee, Tolu Ogunware, Adam O'Connor and Teresa McDonald at the launch of CINEs annual report Lisa McGee at the Derry Girls mural when the third and final series of the hit sitcom was launched. Picture: Lorcan Doherty/Press Eye Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has said her background is a superpower when it comes to being a successful screenwriter. The Londonderry writer said its essential to give local people in underrepresented communities greater opportunities to work in the creative sector. It comes after an industry report showed how almost 100 people in Northern Ireland from underrepresented communities ethnic minorities, socio-economic and disabled communities have been supported into employment in the screen and creative industries. My background is my superpower, Lisa said. I had expressions and sayings that I wrote in a particular way which would be both ear and eye-catching. Ms McGees latest show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has recently been picked up by streaming superpower Netflix. Comedian and Derry Girls star Kevin McAleer speaks ahead of final shows She encouraged participants in Creative Industries New Entrants (CINE), a programme aimed at creating a more diverse workforce in the sector: Play to your individual strengths and make sure you are doing what you can do that nobody else can, she said. In addition to the creation of 93 new entrant jobs over the last two years, CINEs second annual report also revealed that there have been nearly two thousand (1,948) applications for the programme. CINE participants receive formal training to cover skills relevant to the role for which they are recruited, such as production techniques, idea generation, technical skills, communication skills and teamwork. They are given the opportunity to put these skills into practice via paid 12-18 month industry placements, with training and a mentor provided to support them. Musician and BBC presenter Gemma Bradley speaks to Lisa McGee, Tolu Ogunware, Adam O'Connor and Teresa McDonald at the launch of CINEs annual report Following participation in the scheme, almost three-quarters (72%) of those who had secured employment were from lower socio-economic backgrounds, nearly half (46%) had a disability, while 16% were from underrepresented ethnic minority groups. CINE is a Northern Ireland Screen flagship initiative, funded by the Department for Communities and supported by BBC Northern Ireland. Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, described CINE as a shining example of collaboration and innovation, bringing together government agencies, industry partners and aspiring creatives to drive positive change. This programme represents a crucial step towards building a more inclusive and vibrant creative sector, one that reflects the rich diversity of our society, he said. I am particularly heartened by the strides made in supporting underrepresented communities. This commitment to diversity is not only commendable but essential for fostering a creative ecosystem that thrives on varied perspectives and experiences. At the end of their time on CINE, participants should be well equipped for a freelance career within Northern Irelands creative industries. Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said CINE was a ground-breaking initiative. We expect that its benefits will continue long into the future, he said. "CINE has allowed us to provide placement opportunities for people from different backgrounds and helped to develop their skills, insights and expertise. "The BBC makes a big contribution to the creative economy in Northern Ireland something that CINE has enhanced in new and exciting ways. Tolu Ogunware, the creative mind and director behind BBC Northern Ireland show Black, Northern Irish and Proud, said CINE had been a catalyst for his career. It has allowed me to meet a lot of incredibly talented people and to learn from them on the job putting me one step ahead when it comes to applying for the next opportunity, he said. Whats a Regency girl boss to do? Thats the question that hangs over the second part of Bridgertons third season on Netflix (or, at least, over the two episodes that critics were permitted to watch before its release date). In the final moments of series threes first half, the perennially overlooked Penelope Featherington (Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan, who is the true diamond of this season) escaped the friend zone in the most Bridgerton way possible: by snogging Colin (Luke Newton), the long-time object of her affections. In a moving horse-drawn carriage. To the musical strains of an orchestral cover of Pitbulls Give Me Everything. The marriage proposal that came soon after from Bridgerton brother number three was, in theory, a happily-ever-after straight out of Penelopes wildest dreams. But, when we rejoin her for the second instalment, she is soon questioning whether she can continue her secret side hustle as high societys premier gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown, once she is a respectable married lady. Is she prepared to give up the freedom and power that her anonymous scribblings afford her? Your name is about to be Bridgerton, you cannot be both, warns Eloise (Claudia Jessie), her erstwhile best friend and prospective sister-in-law. Season three is ostensibly Penelope and Colins story and yes, that much-vaunted sex scene, the one that Coughlan has described as amazingly empowering to film, is classic Bridgerton raunch. But the dynamic between Coughlan and Jessies characters is arguably more compelling, and certainly does more to drive along the plot of part two. Eloise is one of the very few people with the power to unmask Penelope, but she is clearly riven with uncertainty about whether to use it (until an imposter starts attempting to pass off Whistledowns work as their own, that is). Seeing the embers of Eloises old affection for her former pal gives these episodes some much-needed emotional heft, and the two powerhouse performers make this a friendship worth rooting for. Elsewhere, though, the drama is underwritten, and too much narrative space is given to flimsy plot lines that are hard to engage with. The marriage mart travails of younger Bridgerton sibling Francesca (Hannah Dodd), who seeks steady-eddy companionship over a grand passion, might be intended as a counterpoint to her siblings dramatic romances, but dont always make for captivating television. The uncertain pacing makes you wonder why Netflix decided to chop season three into two slightly underwhelming segments, rather than letting the entire series play out in one go: this approach seems to have accidentally drawn attention to the shows weaknesses. After all, its not as if Bridgerton has ever been the sort of drama that relies on high-wire narrative tension and gasp-inducing twists. Its pretty much the period drama embodiment of no plot, just vibes so it feels slightly garbled when attempts to raise the stakes are chucked in, like when Penelope claims that Lady Whistledown is a voice for the voiceless, as if she is the mouthpiece for some sort of underground resistance rather than a 19th-century Gossip Girl. But when the series does lean on the strengths of its multi-generational ensemble cast, there is still a lot to like. Polly Walker is a standout as Penelopes dreadful mother Lady Featherington. Her machinations have stepped up a gear now that her daughter has acquired a wealthy fiance, and watching her flounce around in bonkers outfits (Regency couture by way of Karen Millen) is a delight. Theres even something approaching a touching moment between her and Pen, too. And given that she has spent most of her screen time so far acting as a sounding board for her childrens romantic dilemmas, its nice to see Lady Violet (Ruth Gemmell) enjoy a flirtation of her own with Lord Anderson (Daniel Francis). When an inevitable cliffhanger comes towards the end of episode six, it doesnt feel particularly exciting or well-earned. Instead, it seems as rote as the dance steps that the characters perform in the ballroom. The wheels are starting to come off the Bridgerton carriage and the final two episodes will need to be pretty dramatic to get things back on track. Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) Taylor Swift has set a new personal record in the UK albums chart as she continues her mammoth Eras Tour across the country. The Tortured Poets Department has netted a sixth non-consecutive week at the top, according to the Official Charts Company, which has surpassed Swifts previous best after Midnights spent five non-consecutive weeks at number one across 2022 and 2023. The 14-time Grammy-winner is currently touring Europe and has two more shows in Liverpool before she performs dates in Cardiff, London, and Dublin. Taylor Swift performs on stage during her Eras Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) The US popstar, 34, began the UK leg of her tour in Edinburgh on June 7 where she performed three dates in the Scottish city. There were famous faces in the crowd as the cast of Outlander were in attendance, donning beaded friendship bracelets which have become a staple at Swifts shows. US pop-punk band Paramore, fronted by Hayley Williams, opened for Swift and are set to support her across all the UK dates. The Pennsylvania-born music artist released her chart-topping 11th studio album, which included collaborations with rapper Post Malone and British rock band Florence + The Machine, on April 19. Alongside 12 number one albums, Swift has four singles that have topped the UK charts with Look What You Made Me Do, Anti-Hero, Is It Over Now? (Taylors Version), and Fortnight featuring Post Malone. The Eras Tour also has dates in London and Cardiff (Jane Barlow/PA) Elsewhere in the albums chart this week, Brat, the latest offering from pop artist Charli XCX, has debuted at number two. New in at number three is Forever by Bon Jovi, which is the rock bands 16th studio album. Moving down two spots from last week is Hit Me Hard And Soft by American pop artist Billie Eilish, who released her third studio album on May 17. At number five is the 2005 record Curtain Call The Hits by Eminem, who is readying to release his new album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace). The American rappers latest single Houdini will feature on the LP and has retained its place at the top spot in this weeks singles chart. Brat by Charli XCX has debuted at number two (Ian West/PA) The song makes reference to his 2002 track Without Me, with lyrics that say Shady, his alter-ego, is back. In at number two is Espresso by pop star Sabrina Carpenter, whose latest single Please Please Please has debuted at number three. The music video for the song, released on June 7, features her boyfriend and Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan. In at number four is Birds Of A Feather, from Eilishs new album, with the fifth spot taken by A Bar Song (Tipsy) from American country/hip hop artist Shaboozey. After spending 10 years living on the streets of Belfast, a chance encounter with Jay Millar, owner of Jays Barber Club in north Belfast, has given a former homeless man a new lease of life. When Jay met Thomas Finn a year ago, as part of his outreach to provide haircuts and support for people living on the streets, he made him a promise. If Thomas began to sort his life out and clean himself up, he would be trained as a hairdresser and a job would be waiting. This week, Jay made good on that promise. Thomas has been clean for seven months, has started his barber training and joined the team at the Seaview Street salon. This is not a one-off charity act by the business owner. Jay has made a habit of giving back to his community having overcome many hurdles in his own life before realising his dream of running his own salon. He has been taking to the streets, chatting and providing haircuts for homeless people for the last four years. The pay it back attitude has been helping others to get back on their feet and embark on careers in the industry. Jay, who runs the business alongside his wife Orla, is particularly proud of the transformation shown by his latest recruit from his barbering academy. We first met Thomas when he was in the streets of Belfast doing homeless haircuts and we could see he was in a bad way, said Orla. He actually told me on that day he didnt care if he lived or died. I found that extremely sad and it touched something in Jay. Thomas came from an abusive background of sexual abuse from his father which resulted in his sister committing suicide while their father was on trial for the abuse for which he went to prison, she continued. Jay sat on the ground beside Thomas that July day chatting, offered him a haircut and asked him if he was interested in learning to be a barber. He said he would love to, so in that moment my husband made him a promise that if he got himself clean he would take him on and after a long bumpy road Thomas is nearly seven months clean he got his own wee flat then last week became part of our team. Six months after their first meeting and first free haircut, Jay met Thomas again on a cold January night in Belfast city centre. Tommy gets down to business at Jay's Barber Club. Having taken Jays advice to get himself free from drugs and alcohol, the promise was made again to have Thomas enrolled in Jays Barber Academy by summer. A lot of people had been asking about Tommy since the first video was posted online, said Jay. Youve done more than enough for me Jay, said Thomas on the video when asked if there was any more help he needed. Five months on Thomas has completed his barber training and has taken up station behind the salon chair. Id like to say a big thank-you to everyone who has sent so many lovely and heart-warming messages and as for Jay and Orla, I just dont know what to say. They have been my guardian angels. They never gave up on me and made me realise theres more to life and that I am actually worth something. There was a point before the video (with Jay and Orla) last year where I didnt care if I lived or died. Jay and Orla came along at the right time just when I needed some hope. They definitely gave me that. I love them for what they have done for me and I will be forever in their debt. The head of Belfast Metropolitan College is leaving her post as the search for a new chief gets underway. Louise Warde Hunter, chief executive and principal of the further education college, will leave her top job this summer, after four years in the role. More than 1,200 primary school pupils have spent the last academic year learning the benefits of sign language. With the workshops provided by the Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC) now coming to a close, three new resource videos have been published to help more children learn to communicate with the deaf or hard of hearing. The videos, which are available on the CSSC website, were launched at a special closing event for the scheme at Cregagh Primary School in Belfast. Principal David Heggarty said the benefits of the programme had been felt right across the school community. It was a privilege for us to participate in the programme providing school communities with opportunities to engage with learning sign language. It surpassed expectations, he told the Belfast Telegraph. Whole school communities benefited, including deaf and hearing children, parents and the staff. This programme represents a step forward in enabling schools to include and champion deaf pupils by providing new communication skills in sign language and by giving increased confidence to all stakeholders. Mark Baker from the CSSC with a pupil from Cregagh Primary School Mr Heggarty said he hoped the scheme would reach more families in the future. He continued: My hope as an educator and school principal is that this initiative has grown deep roots and will have a significant legacy. Supporting schools to better support their deaf students is essential if we are to narrow the educational outcome gap between deaf children and their hearing peers. Pupils who benefited from the workshops performed important roles in the new videos, which are on YouTube as well as the CSSC website. CSSC chief executive Mark Baker said the sign language project had a transformational effect on children. Funded by the Department for Communities, the programme gave controlled schools the opportunity to learn a language of need for deaf people, he added. Parents and staff also attended workshops to share in their childrens learning and increase their own awareness of sign language and the experiences of the deaf community. One of the schools taking part in the scheme was Dundonald Primary School, where teacher Michelle Savage said she had seen a profound impact. She added: There was a real sense of empowerment for the deaf pupils. They felt so special that they were able to show off something that was completely unique for them. Its been lovely to have an even playing field. We have a lot of pupils with English as an additional language so we were all learning a new language together. The staff were in awe of the ability of the children to pick up a new language so quickly and the way that our tutor Andrew Sinclair was able to control the class. Andrew, who is also deaf, said he would love to see sign language taught in schools across Northern Ireland He added: It would mean deaf children wouldnt feel different and could be included more easily in an atmosphere of diversity. Two charged after sailors are confronted over boats tricolour as cops probe sectarian hate crime Firefighters douse the burning boat in the early hours of the morning The crew of a boat who were victims of an alleged assault in a row over a tricolour said: Were lucky to be alive. Conor Costello (30), Pat Meehan (25) and Gary Parke told how they were saved by the quick actions of police who arrived to break up a fight at the harbour of the picturesque Co Antrim village of Portballintrae last Monday night. In a statement, the PSNI said they were treating reports of the attack as a sectarian hate crime. Skipper Conor Costello shows his black eyes after the clash over the tricolour flying on his boat PSNI officers responded swiftly to reports that hand-to-hand fighting involving a group of men was taking place at Beach Road near the tiny harbour and boat club. Read more Village residents 'disgusted' after boat set on fire amid Irish tricolour row Two uniformed officers arrived at the scene just in time to head-off a confrontation. Mr Parke (26), an electrician from Derry, said he saw several dozen men with faces covered making their way down to the harbour. I realised right away that they were loyalists, he told the Sunday World. Gary Parke is treated by paramedics in his home Just minutes after speaking with Sunday World, Mr Parke had a seizure in his Derry home and was treated by paramedics before being rushed by ambulance to nearby Altnagelvin Hospital with what appeared to be a stress-related complaint. At the time of going to print, paramedics working on Mr Parke told his friends that after carrying out a series of tests they were still monitoring the situation. The incident took place after the trios Derry-registered yacht Amaranthe Greek for invincible berthed alongside the outer harbour wall adjacent to a fixed steel ladder. The boat was later burnt in the harbour and was totally destroyed. When it sailed into the quiet port on Sunday afternoon, a green, white and orange Irish national flag was clearly visible flying from the top of the 26ft Sloops 50ft main mast. Amaranthe after it had docked at Portballantrae harbour The three had set sail from Derry and were on their way to Douglas in the Isle of Man, where they planned to watch the TT races. They had hoped to witness Co Antrim motorbike super star Michael Dunlop make road race history by taking his 27th Mountain Circuit win and surpassing his legendary uncle Joeys 20-year record. But when the vintage yachts engine struggled against the oncoming tide, skipper Conor an experienced fisherman who normally handles large sea-going trawlers opted to divert to the nearest anchorage until the tide turned. Picturesque Portballintrae Harbour was close by and he set a course for it. Police made four arrests at the scene and the men were driven off in police cars and a van. Accused Derek McKendry However, as there was no landward escape route open to him, Mr Parke was forced to remain on the quay alongside two PSNI officers. According to Mr Parke, the police were positioned to prevent people from gaining access to the yacht, still tied up on the quay. He said: With all the commotion, my phone had fallen into the water. I couldnt even ring someone to come to collect me. The police advised me to get out of the area as soon as possible and I was even taking the boat on my own. But the police advised against it as by that time; the tide had really dropped to a dangerously low level. I was really terrified, but then I remembered I had asked one of my friends to meet us in Portballintrae with a set of wet clothes. And when I looked up I saw my friends car coming down the hill. I jumped into his car. We locked the doors and managed to get through the crowd without too much difficulty, he said. The Sunday World obtained a picture of a badly injured man who is facing a string of charges relating to the incident. Derek McKendry (63), from Bushmills, is one of two Co. Antrim men arrested. McKendry and his 62-year-old co-accused have been charged with offences including disorderly behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and theft. Both men are due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, July 1. All charges are currently being reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Police issued a statement reiterating an earlier assertion that they are treating the incident as a sectarian hate crime. The PSNIs chief inspector Vince Redmond said: Causeway Coast & Glens officers have taken this report extremely seriously. Accused Derek McKendry after the clash at harbour Two men have already been charged to appear at court on Monday 1st July. And two further men were arrested and bailed pending further inquiries. We are treating this report as a sectarian hate crime and we are reiterating our appeal to the Portballintrae community to come forward with any information they may have. We realise this incident has cause a lot of concern locally and are continuing our proactive patrols in the area as a result. Firefighters douse the burning boat in the early hours of the morning It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where difference is respected and people feel safe, said Inspector Redmond. He added: If you can assist with our continuing investigation, please contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1651 of 3/06/24. News Catch Up: Tuesday 11th June 2024 Controversial rap trio Kneecap have gained attention again after placing stickers around the British Museum that state the artefacts there are stolen from Ireland. The hip hop group from west Belfast posted their escapades to their social media pages on Friday evening, with an accompanying caption that reads: Few bits we stuck around the British Museum today place is huge and full of stolen treasures from other cultures and and people. "Place would be empty only for the theft of everything they discovered... Per usual, the action has caused widespread opinions, with one X user replying: Tiresome childish nonsense. "A lot of that stuff would have been lost forever through theft and neglect but proper archaeologists preserved it. Another person on Instagram commented: The Annals of Innisfallen, one of the longest records of Irish history describing events of years 433-1450 and written down by various monks in Killarney for over 400 years is held in -Oxford. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The bands latest act of defiance comes on the same day that they released their debut album Fine Art. They have also just announced a major homecoming show at Belfast's SSE Arena for this December. The concert will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Tickets go on sale next Friday (June 21) from ticketmaster.ie and ssearenabelfast.com. The headline show will round off a landmark year for Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai with their award-winning eponymous feature film also hitting the headlines. KNEECAP the movie is set for release in Irish cinemas on August 8, and in UK cinemas on August 23. It is a fictional retelling of the controversial bands rise to fame, with X-Men star Fassbender playing the father of Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap), an IRA veteran who fakes his own death and turns up as a yoga teacher. The movie depicts the formation of the band as the three performers O Caireallain, JJ O Dochartaigh (DJ Provai) and Liam O hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) come together to create Kneecap and find themselves embroiled in a fight to have Irish recognised as the countrys native language. Kneecap: Critics rave over film but unionists rage over its funding All three bandmates play themselves, each landing an acting debut under the instruction of writer and director Rich Peppiatt. In real life, the group was formed when Moglai Bap was out spray-painting with a friend on the eve of an Irish Language Act march in Belfast. He had written Cearta (the Irish word for rights) on a bus stop when the police arrived and lifted his friend, while Moglai Bap managed to escape. Their friend refused to speak English to the police and ended up spending a night in the cells awaiting a translator. The incident inspired Kneecaps song C.E.A.R.T.A, which they intended to release just for the craic. After becoming a cult hit through the underground music scene, however, they have since risen to Hollywood heights. Tickets for Irish cinema viewings are now available through the websites of participating cinemas. The film will have its Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on July 9. UDA attacks Asian business in Belfast after demanding protection money The UDA dress this up as an anti-Muslim thing but its all about money; whatever the reason the people behind this business are not playing ball, said source. Targeted: The business owners were facing demands for money Richard Sullivan Fri 14 Jun 2024 at 10:00 South Belfast UDA was behind a paint bomb attack on an Asian business on Sandy Row. First Minister Michelle O'Neill with former RCN General Secretary and Fermanagh and South Tyrone candidate Pat Cullen along with party president Mary Lou McDonald (Pic by Liam McBurney/PA Wire) Michelle O'Neill said she is taking nothing for granted in the upcoming General Election as the party president acknowledged disappointing results in the Republic of Ireland. The former MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone had announced she would not run in the upcoming general election on July 4 in favour of her bid for a seat at the European Parliament. Irish ambulances and recovery and transport vehicles have arrived in Poland (Department of Defence/PA) The first of four convoys of Irish ambulances and recovery and transport vehicles arrived in Poland on Friday ahead of their donation to Ukraine. Led by the Defence Forces Transport Corps, Operation Carousel will see the movement of 30 Defence Forces vehicles to the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszow. As part of Irelands European Peace Facility contribution, 54 personnel will oversee vehicles being moved over four convoys which will arrive in Poland over the next month. The donation is part of Irelands non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian armed forces following Russias invasion in 2022. Speaking ahead of the convoys arrival, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said: Ireland remains steadfast in support for the people of Ukraine following the illegal and immoral invasion by Russia and we will continue to provide what support we can as Ukraine defends itself against ongoing aggression. The donation of these ambulances and transport vehicles is a practical and concrete measure to show that support and is fully consistent with our position of providing non-lethal aid. Earlier this year, following consultation with the EU, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces agreed a donation of 30 vehicles for Ukraine. The first of four convoys of Irish ambulances and recovery and transport vehicles arrived in Poland on Friday (Department of Defence/PA) The vehicles are being conveyed in four separate convoys over a period of approximately a month from mid-June to mid-July.The planned donation consists of 20 x Ford Rangers; four Scania 8X8 DROPs (Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System); three Iveco 8X8 DROPs, one Iveco 8X8 recovery vehicle and two Mercedes Sprinter ambulances. A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said that an application for partial reimbursement of the value of this donation is expected to be made via the European Peace Facility in the coming weeks once delivery is completed. The convoys are travelling by ferry to Dunkirk, before moving through Belgium, Germany and on to Poland. Sinn Feins Michelle Gildernew has failed to win a seat in the European Parliament. The former MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone contested the European election in the Republic of Irelands Midlands-North-West constituency. Ms Gildernew was in the running for the final seat but she lost out to Ciaran Mullooly, a former RTE news reporter. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail has doubled its presence in the European parliament, with Fine Gael on four seats down one from its previous showing in 2019. Sinn Fein has increased its European representation from one to two, while Labour holds one seat, the Independent Ireland party claimed one and two non-party aligned independents fill the remainder. In the early hours of Friday morning, the constituency of Midlands-Northwest elected Fine Gaels Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh as well as Independent Ireland candidate and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly. It followed shortly after the election of Fianna Fails Barry Cowen, while left-wing independent Luke Ming Flanagan was the first candidate over the line in the constituency on Thursday. It was the last constituency to declare in the European Parliament elections. Ireland South elected Fine Gaels Sean Kelly, independent Michael McNamara, Sinn Feins Kathleen Funchion as well as Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu. Dublins electorate selected Fianna Fails Barry Andrews, Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan, Fine Gaels Regina Doherty and Labours Aodhan O Riordain. Five MEPs have lost their seats throughout the entire process: Sinn Feins Chris MacManus, Greens Grace OSullivan and Ciaran Cuffe as well as independents Mick Wallace and Clare Daly. Voters headed to the polls last Friday to pick 949 local councillors, 14 MEPs and the countrys first directly elected mayor. Results from the three elections have been seen as a political boon for coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, while the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, has initiated a review after performing well below its own expectations. Fianna Fail has emerged as the largest party in local government after all seats in Irelands local election were filled. In the local elections, both main Government parties attracted around 23pc of first preference votes, representing a slight drop on their 2019 result. Fianna Fail had 248 seats on councils, with Fine Gael close behind on 245. Sinn Fein was on 102 while 186 seats were held by independents. Sinn Fein has increased it share of councillors, but party leader Mary Lou McDonald has admitted the result fell below their expectations. The popular vote of 12pc is a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the main opposition party which emerged from the 2020 general election on 24.5pc. Meanwhile, the Labour party is down one to 56 councillors, the Green Partys support fell to 26 council seats while the Social Democrats share rose to 35. The number of Independent councillors has also increased. Fianna Fail will be tied with Fine Gael in terms of political representation at the European Parliament, despite the latter ending the elections with one fewer seat. The results have fuelled speculation that the Government may look to call a general election earlier than the current projected timeline of spring 2025. However, the leaders of all three coalition parties, Mr Harris, Mr Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, have all insisted they remain committed to the government going full term. For her part, Sinn Fein leader Ms McDonald, who is facing questions over her stewardship of the party, has struck a defiant tone, urging Mr Harris to bring it on and call an early election. With the election of TDs to the European Parliament, there will be a need for several by-elections in the coming six months. That has added to speculation that the Government may seek an earlier general election, rather than fighting several potential by-elections only months before the Dail is dissolved. Midlands-Northwest The five-days-long Midlands-Northwest count at TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar came to an end in the early hours of Friday morning. The final three seats of Midlands-Northwest constituency have been filled by Fine Gaels Maria Walsh, Nina Carberry and Independent Ireland candidate Ciaran Mullooly after the 21st count. The exciting five days count saw a long of wait for the first election which concluded on Thursday with independent candidate Luke Ming Flanagan topping the poll in 19th count results while Barry Cowen (FF) got elected in the 20th count becoming the second candidate to pass the quota. A further redistribution of Luke Ming flanagans surplus votes decided the fates of remaining four candidates, three of whom were elected while Sinn Feins Michelle Gildernew had to be eliminated. The last three candidates were elected without reaching the quota with Maria Walsh (FG) having 100781 votes, Nina Carberry (FG) having 98872 votes and Ciaran Mullooly (II) having 88177 votes. Champion Jockey and businesswoman Nina Carberry has secured the second seat for Fine Gael in the constituency and will join party colleague Maria Walsh in the European Parliament. In her address to the audience present at count centre Nina thanked her voters and supporters for the faith they have showed in her. She said: Many people think I dont have anything to give, but thats not true. I have a lot to do and I am ready for my work in Europe. I am looking forward to working with Maria and I think we will make a great team to deliver for the constituency. Independent Ireland candidate Ciaran Mullooly said he will have a specific focus on regeneration of rural Ireland. He said: The farming and rural issues are very high on my agenda. We have a huge decline in population across the country in towns and villages. We have issues there and we need to focus on them. I will also be focusing on improving the livelihood of people both in urban and rural areas across Ireland. The results of Midlands Northwest constituency remained disappointing for Sinn Fein as the outgoing MEP Chris MacManus lost his seat. The second candidate Michelle Gallagher remained a big challenge for Ciaran Mullooly but she lost the run in the last count. Taoiseach Simon Harris arrived at TF Royal Hotel in the last hours of count to meet Fine Gaels Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh. Speaking to the media he expressed excitement at the incredible results in local elections of Mayo county council and the European elections. He called it absolute nonsense that the two Fine Gael MEP candidates are being described as celebrity candidates by many people. He said: Nina Carberry is not a celebrity; she is a champion. Using a little less pejorative language would be useful, when you have so many award-winning people who run businesses or who write books, joining an experienced MEP. This is an incredible ticket of two female MEPs being elected in Midlands Northwest and I am extremely proud of them. I think the people of Midlands Northwest are also proud of them and thats why they exceeded all expectations of all pandits who yet again got it wrong in predicting what people of this constituency would do. Ireland South In Ireland South, the final three seats were filled on Thursday afternoon as Michael McNamara (IND), Kathleen Funchion (SF) and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (FF) were elected as MEPs. Sitting MEP Mick Wallace lost his seat. Counting in Ireland South ended after a gruelling five days which saw Sean Kelly (FG) top the poll in the first count while Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fail) had to wait until count 18 to be the second candidate to pass the quota. Upon the redistribution of Grace OSullivans votes, Ni Mhurchu confirmed her lead over Wallace, who lost his seat in the European Parliament. McNamara, Funchion and Ni Mhurchu were elected without reaching the quota. Former RTE broadcaster Cynthia Ni Mhurchu secured a second seat for Fianna Fail and will join running mate Billy Kelleher in Brussels for the next five years. The barrister and mediator, who hosted the Eurovision Song Contest alongside the late Gerry Ryan in 1994, said she plans to have the celebration of all celebrations for her 58th birthday tomorrow. It is magnificent. I am going to celebrate like there is no tomorrow. The celebrations wont last a day. They will last many many days. Ms Ni Mhurchu said that she has enjoyed every minute of meeting with would be voters over the last few months. I have relished every day of the campaign meeting people. I am a people person. The campaign was run in a very organised way but also in a very human way. We did get a chance to engage with people, to meet with groups, to meet with politicians, councillors and families and to go in to schools. It was a very positive campaign. Her priorities going forward include protecting rural communities, encompassing farmers and business people. Dublin Finally, the Dublin counts concluded on Tuesday afternoon with Fianna Fails Barry Andrews, Fine Gaels Regina Doherty, Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan and Labours Aodhan O Riordain all elected as MEPs for the Dublin constituency. All four confirmed their places in the European Parliament after they were the only candidates left remaining in the field after the 19th and final count at the RDS centre in Dublin. Independent Ireland candidate Niall Boylan was the last to be eliminated from the closely fought contest. Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party received more donations than any other political party in the first week of the election campaign. (Stefan Rousseau/PA) A 500,000 donation from the producer of Love Actually and Notting Hill helped Labour raise almost 1 million in the first week of the General Election campaign. Figures released by the Electoral Commission on Friday show Labour received 926,908 in donations between May 30 and June 5, compared to 574,918 received by the Tories. The bulk of Labours money came in the form of a 500,000 donation from Toledo Productions Ltd, whose owner Duncan Kenworthy produced several romantic comedies starring Hugh Grant. Love Actually producer Duncan Kenworthy gave Labour 500,000 in the first week of the campaign (Ian West/PA) It appears to be Mr Kenworthys first donation to a political party, although the producer did donate 5,000 to David Milibands unsuccessful bid for the Labour leadership in 2010. Other significant donations to Labour included 100,000 from entrepreneur Tony Bury and 70,000 each from businessman Clive Hollick, also a Labour peer, and hedge fund manager Stuart Rosen. Labour also benefitted from 652,411 in public funds from the House of Commons following the dissolution of Parliament, bringing the total raised by the party during the week to 1.58 million. Labours sister party, the Co-operative Party, received 120,000, largely in the form of a 90,000 donation from Autoglass boss Gary Lubner. (PA Graphics) For the Conservatives, the largest donation was 75,000 from Lebanese businessman Bassim Haidar, who told the Guardian in May he was urgently looking to leave the UK after both main parties promised to scrap the non-dom tax status. Mr Haidar also provided 13,085-worth of travel for the Conservative Party. The party also received 75,000 from former oil services company chairman Alasdair Locke, and 50,000 each from former party treasurer Lord Michael Farmer and gas turbine company Centrax Industries, controlled by the Barr family. The Lib Dems raised slightly less than the Conservatives, receiving 454,999 in the first week of the campaign, including 150,000 from businessman Safwan Adam. Rishi Sunaks Conservatives raised 574,918 in donations in the first week of the campaign (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The party also received 100,000 from food company GADF Holdings, owned by Neale Powell-Cook and David Mordecai. Donations for Reform UK totalled 140,000 during the week that saw Nigel Farage declare that he would stand as a candidate in Clacton. This included 50,000 from aerospace engineering company HR Smith Group and another 50,000 from Fitriani Hay. Ms Hay, a racehorse owner, has donated more than 500,000 to the Conservatives since 2015 and gave 100,000 to Liz Trusss leadership campaign in 2022. The SNP raised 127,998, while the Climate Party and the Social Democratic Party received 25,000 each. Fridays figures are the first in a series of weekly reports that will be released by the Electoral Commission over the course of the campaign. Political parties are required to provide weekly reports of donations of more than 11,180, after the Government increased the threshold from 7,500 in January. Parties still have 30 days after receiving a donation to check that it is from a permissible source and decide whether to accept it. Louise Edwards, director of regulation and digital transformation at the Electoral Commission, said: We know that voters are interested in where parties get their money from, and these publications are an important part of delivering transparency for voters. While there is no limit to what parties can raise, there are spending limits ahead of elections to ensure a level playing field. For most parties, the spending limit for the General Election will be 54,010 multiplied by the number of seats they are contesting. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been on the campaign trail (Danny Lawson/PA) With a major poll showing Reform UK edging past the Conservatives for the first time, Nigel Farages party has the potential to blow up the General Election. Here the PA news agency answers some key questions on the party. Where did Reform UK come from? It was formed in 2021 as a relaunch of Mr Farages previous project, the Brexit Party, which had in turn been founded from the remnants of Ukip. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Mr Farage helped found Ukip in the 1990s, which in later decades ate away at Tory support and proved instrumental in paving the way for the in-out referendum on Britains membership of the EU. In the aftermath of Brexit, Mr Farage announced he was quitting for a third time as Ukip leader. As the party descended into infighting, amid claims of a sharp turn to the right, he dramatically announced he was returning to the political front line with the formation of the new Brexit Party. Mr Farage and Richard Tice in 2020 announced the Brexit Party would be renamed Reform as they railed against Covid-19 lockdowns. Unusually, it was set up as an entrepreneurial political start-up, with Mr Farage the companys majority shareholder and honorary president. Reform remained relatively unknown until recently, despite a major boost with the defection of Tory party deputy chairman Lee Anderson earlier this year. Lee Anderson defected to Reform while he was the MP for Ashfield (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Mr Anderson became the partys first MP following his suspension from the Conservative Party over comments he made about London Mayor Sadiq Khan. What happened when the General Election was called? After Rishi Sunak called the General Election, Mr Farage at first announced he would not stand as a Reform UK candidate, saying he would support his party from the sidelines while focusing on getting Donald Trump re-elected as US president. But less than two weeks later, he performed a screeching U-turn. Not only would he seek to become the MP for Clacton, but he would do so as leader of Reform UK, replacing former businessman and MEP Mr Tice in the role. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage holding a McDonalds banana milkshake after one was thrown at him in Essex (James Manning/PA) Mr Farage, who has failed in his previous seven attempts to be elected to the Commons, said his decision was motivated by a terrible sense of guilt towards his supporters as he vowed to lead a political revolt. His takeover came as a huge blow to Mr Sunaks already faltering campaign, heightening Tory fears that Reform could snatch voters from the right. Following the veteran Eurosceptics decision to stand, celebrated with great fanfare by party backers in the Essex seat he is hoping to win, Reform began to climb in the polls. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content What are Reforms policies? The party will fight the election on immigration, pledging an employer immigration tax on companies that choose to employ overseas workers instead of British citizens. This would see businesses paying a national insurance premium of 20% of an employees salary, as opposed to 13.8%, if the worker is from overseas. The party has vowed to freeze lawful immigration with the exception of healthcare and leave the European Convention on Human Rights. On the economy, Reform has set out an ambition to slash 91 billion off public spending by stopping the Bank of England paying interest on quantitative easing reserves and finding 50 billion of wasteful spending in Whitehall. It has promised there would be no tax on earnings under 20,000 a year. Reform has also said it would abolish the Governments net zero targets and stand up for British culture, identity and values. The party is set to unveil its full manifesto on Monday June 17. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content How have Reforms poll ratings changed since the campaign began? On the day Mr Sunak called the election, Reform was averaging 11% in the opinion polls. The party remained around this level until the first week of June, when a few days after Mr Farage announced he was standing as a candidate its average poll rating began to climb and currently stands at 15%, six points behind the Conservatives average of 21%. While most polls published in the past two weeks show a clear rise in support for Reform, there is no agreement among them over how the party is faring in relation to the Conservatives. Only one poll so far has put Reform ahead of the Tories. The YouGov poll put Reform at 19% to the Tories 18% in voting intention, although pollsters caveated that Reforms lead is within the margin of error. Five other polls have been published in the past 24 hours, all of which show Reform trailing the Conservatives between one percentage point (Redfield & Wilton) and 12 points (More in Common). So what are Reforms chances in the election? Mr Farage has been bullish about Reforms chances, expressing hope the party can get through the electoral threshold while declining to put a target on the number of seats he believes it could win. But the first-past-the-post electoral system means the party could gain millions of votes without taking a single constituency. Nigel Farage and Richard Tice announcing their partys economic policy (James Manning/PA) Nonetheless, Reform could have a big impact on the result by taking votes away from the Conservatives and costing Tory candidates closely contested seats. Mr Farages stated ambition is to engineer a reverse takeover of the Conservative Party to form a new centre-right grouping. He has hinted at the possibility of striking an election deal with the Tories, although Mr Tice dismissed the comments as banter. In 2019, the then-Brexit Party withdrew candidates in seats across the country in a bid to help then-Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson win. Professor Sir John Curtice said Reforms support has grown since Nigel Farage returned as its leader (PA) The General Election could see a record swing to Labour while the rise in support for Nigel Farages Reform UK may prove to be an utter disaster for the Tories, polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice has said. He commented on the potential influence of Mr Farages party in the wake of a poll which put Reform ahead of the Conservatives. A YouGov survey for the Times newspaper had support for Reform at 19%, just ahead of the Tories on 18%. Sir John, a professor at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, said an average of recent polls shows backing for Reform is now at about 15% or 16%, which he declared is an utter disaster for the Conservatives. (PA Graphics) Speaking at an online event organised by the Fraser of Allander economic think tank at Strathclyde, he also said of the potential victory for Labour: We at the moment are looking at swings of 15%, 16% from Conservative to Labour. Weve never had a swing of that size before. We could be having the biggest swing in the post-war era from one party to another. Sir John said the rise of Reform is the most important development in the election campaign so far, noting the partys support increased by about three or four points after Mr Farage returned as leader. He said: This is a real, real problem for the Conservatives because virtually all the people who are switching to Reform are 2019 Conservative voters. Professor Sir John Curtice said the rise in support for Reform is a real problem for the Tories (University of Strathclyde/PA) We also know from what happened in the local elections down south at the beginning of last month that if Reform were not on the ballot paper they wouldnt be voting Labour instead. Any chance the Conservatives ever had when they fired the starting gun on May 22 that they might be able to narrow Labours lead was predicated on them being able to win back those Reform voters. Their failure already to squeeze the Reform vote before Farage entered was itself bad news, and then Farage has boosted it further and made things even worse. Basically rather than the Conservatives recovering during this campaign you can see they are now four points lower than they were. Labour under Sir Keir Starmer is maintaining its lead over the Tories, but Sir John said the party is losing ground (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He went on to say that Labour is also losing ground, but the lead Sir Keir Starmers party has over the Tories remains around 20 to 21 points because both parties are losing grounds. With this being the first General Election to be contested by five parties across the UK, with Reform, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens running national campaigns, Sir John said the Lib Dems could be beginning to get back some of that vote they had previously lost to Labour. He said: The Conservatives and Labour are trying to knock chunks out of each other and in so doing they are probably helping the small parties out a wee bit. The Liberal Democrats have started to rise in the polls. It is possible that the Liberal Democrats are finally reclaiming some of their lost votes to Labour. Rishi Sunak is to remain absent from the campaign trail for another day as Sir Keir Starmer faces questions on what overall funding the NHS will receive under a Labour Government. After two days at the G7 summit in Italy, Mr Sunak will remain off the campaign trail as he attends a Ukraine Peace conference in Switzerland. At a G7 press conference in Italy on Friday, the Prime Minister said the leaders had reached a historic breakthrough by agreeing a loan for Ukraine that will be funded by frozen Russian assets in Europe. He said: This is just and it is right. But true justice will only come when Russia leaves Ukraine. Tomorrow I will be travelling to the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Our goal is peace. But let us not not confuse peace with surrender. Putins Russia is the aggressor. Asked if he would be able to ensure the UKs commitment to Ukraine regardless of the outcome of the General Election, Mr Sunak highlighted his partys commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. He said: I can only assure President Zelensky about what I would do if I was Prime Minister, but I am able to give him that reassurance that our support for Ukraine will continue not just today, but for as long as it takes but I can make that commitment to him because Ive made the decision to increase defence spending. He added: Theres a Nato summit coming up. If Im the Prime Minister, I will be able to go to that summit and lead and ask others to follow our leadership and that will unlock potentially up to 114 billion of extra investment in defence across the alliance. So thats the choice for everyone in this election. UK investing more under me to keep us safe, giving us that leadership around the world which will have others invest more, and send a very strong message of deterrence to our adversaries. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking during a press conference at the G7 leaders summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Puglia, Apulia, Italy (Christopher Furlong/PA) Mr Sunak also had a bi-lateral meeting with US President Joe Biden on Friday. A Downing Street spokesperson said they discussed making Russia pay for its illegal war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East as they agreed that Hamas should accept the deal and release the hostages. Back in the UK, Sir Keir may face questions on his partys numbers on NHS waiting lists as he campaigns with the partys shadow health secretary Wes Streeting. In a statement, Mr Streeting repeated a claim which his party earlier made that NHS waiting lists would hit 10 million under the Conservatives something which Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) economist Max Warner said was highly unlikely in his May analysis. The overall NHS waiting list climbed to an estimated 7.57 million treatments at the end of April, affecting 6.33 million patients, according to NHS England figures released on Thursday. Mr Warner said Labours commitment to eliminating elective waiting times above 18 weeks by the end of the next parliament would represent a major improvement, undoing nearly a decade of worsening in NHS waiting times in just five years. He said: But delivering on all these promises would be expensive: it would almost certainly require real-terms funding growth upwards of 3% per year. Beyond some small amounts of additional funding, the Labour manifesto provides no detail about the overall funding the NHS will receive in the next parliament. Mr Streeting will frame the choice for patients under the Tories: Pain or private? He will claim that patients face double taxation on health: they pay their taxes, and then pay the Tory health tax if they want to be treated on time. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow health secretary Wes Streeting on the General Election campaign trail (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey will trail his partys police and crime policies in Surrey, where the analysts claimed just 255 car thefts, about 20%, had been solved since the last election. His party has pledged to scrap elected police and crime commissioners (PCC) to unlock money which they say could bolster frontline policing. Sir Ed said: We are seeing a car theft epidemic after years of Conservative chaos and failing home secretaries who have decimated frontline policing. Chamchuri with her newborn elephant twins female, left, and male, right, in Ayutthaya province, Thailand (Nathathaida Adireksara/AP) Buddhist monks in Thailand have blessed twin baby elephants, one male and the other female, a week after their rare birth came close to being a tragedy. Their mother, Chamchuri, gave birth to the two on the night of June 7 at a camp in Thailands ancient capital Ayutthaya, a popular tourist destination 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangkok. Twin elephant births are rare and male-female twins even more so. The Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal, home to the newborns, says that it was a first for the province, while a statement from the Thai government said they were the third such pair in the world.A Buddhist monk blesses one of the twin baby elephants (Nathathaida Adireksara/AP) The two are the 30-year-old mother elephants fourth and fifth offspring. Caretakers at the elephant camp had been expecting to help deliver a baby, but when a second offspring dropped from her mothers womb 18 minutes afterwards, they were shocked. The elephant caretakers, who are called mahouts in Asia, had to act quickly to prevent the equally startled mother from accidentally injuring her new daughter. One of the mahouts, Charin Somwang, broke his leg when he stepped between the mother and her offspring to prevent the tragedy. He told Thailands Daily News newspaper that it is normal for a mother elephant to step on and gently prod a baby after birth to check if it is alive. But the second baby, the female, appeared too weak to sustain that kind of treatment, he said. On Saturday, Charin was discharged from the hospital and was thrilled to discover that both babies were healthy. Monks from Wat Traimit in Bangkok came to bless the twins on Friday as part of merit-making ceremonies for the occasion. Afterwards, the calves were presented with a tray of bananas and cartons of milk. Elephants are a big part of Thailands national identity and have been officially proclaimed a symbol of the nation. Thai kings rode elephants into battle and a white elephant, considered a sacred symbol of royal power, adorned the Thai flag until 1917. Once essential to the logging trade, deforestation left many elephants without jobs, and while a shrinking population of wild ones roams the remaining forests, many are kept at animal shelters or used as living props at tourist sites. Colonel Tim Collins was the commanding officer of the Royal Irish regiment, who led them into battle in Iraq. After leaving the Army in 2004, he went into business, admitting that he had "no money" after his service. He built a major security company which employed former soldiers and RUC officers as private contractors for the US Government in Iraq and Afghanistan. PowerChina and Sumitomo have pulled out of what aimed to be Southeast Asia's largest hydroelectric project. An aerial view of Tugu Lima (the five pillars area), the construction hub for the Kayan River Hydroelectric Power Plant project, in Peso district, North Kalimantan province, Indonesia, June 5, 2024. A hydropower project in the Indonesian part of Borneo is forging ahead despite recent setbacks, including the withdrawal of key international partners PowerChina and Sumitomo, according to the local company behind it. The Kayan Cascade project, a U.S. $17.8 billion venture spearheaded by PT Kayan Hydro Energy (KHE), is a planned series of five dams along the Kayan River in North Kalimantan province touted as Southeast Asias most extensive hydropower scheme. The project aims to generate up to 9,000 megawatts of electricity, to play a pivotal role in Indonesias energy strategy and to support the growth of its new national capital being built on Borneo island, developers have said. KHE remains committed to completing the project despite the withdrawal of PowerChina and Sumitomo, said Sapta Nugraha, the companys director of operations. While there were many challenges, the project is still on track. We continue to work toward achieving the expected progress, while remaining open to partnerships to strengthen and maximize the added value of this project, Sapta told BenarNews this week. PowerChinas exit was because of pandemic-related travel restrictions that hindered its ability to work on-site in Indonesia, he said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China faced difficulties in communication and access to Indonesia, he said. Sumitomo's withdrawal was reported by Nikkei Asia on May 31. The project's inception in 2012, initially in collaboration with Chinese state-owned PowerChina, marked the beginning of a journey fraught with challenges. Environmentalists concerns, local opposition and the recent departure of Sumitomo, a crucial Japanese backer, have cast shadows over its prospects. Semi-permanent buildings and new road construction, excavators and an open area are seen at a construction hub known as Tugu Lima, June 5, 2024. [Norjannah/BenarNews] Sumitomo and the Chinese embassy in Jakarta did not respond to emails from BenarNews seeking information about why they withdrew from the project. In spite of the setbacks, KHE remains confident that it will be able to complete the project independently if necessary, Sapta said. The company is also actively seeking new partners and is in talks with other prospective investors from Japan and China, he said. Currently, KHE is in the process of exploring cooperation with a number of potential investors who have shown serious interest, Sapta said. Indeed, there are discussions with other Japanese entities. However, we are not unfamiliar with China and we are currently in the process [of talking] with a potential partner, he said. BenarNews also contacted Agus Cahyono Adi, spokesman for Indonesias Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. The Kayan River does have great potential and is our mainstay to support the achievement of NZE (net-zero emissions), he told BenarNews on Friday in response to questions about the status of the project to build five dams and hydropower plants on the river. Hopefully PT KHE (Kayan Hydro Energy) will soon get new investor partners to be able to realize its development targets, he said. Indonesian Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko gestures during an interview in Jakarta, April 11, 2018. [Beawiharta/Reuters] But central government support for the project is unclear. In October 2022, Moeldoko, chief of staff for President Joko Jokowi Widodo, described the Kayan dams as a National Strategic Project, but Agus, the ministry spokesman, told BenarNews on Friday that it is not. In 2021, in what was described as an effort to expedite the long-stalled project, the government issued development permits to another company, PT Pembangkit Indonesia Epsilon, to build dams along the river. But KHE sued Epsilon and the government ministry that had issued the permits, in a case that went all the way to Indonesias supreme court, and ultimately triumphed in November 2023. Village head: Water contaminated with dust In the North Kalimantan village of Long Peso, the ongoing construction of the first of the power plants has stirred a mix of anticipation and apprehension among local residents. Excavators, trucks and other heavy equipment were operating at the nearby Tugu Lima construction hub, where more than 100 workers have been building a new road to access the site of the first dam, according to a BenarNews reporter who visited the site. Village head Pulinop Jaui said the construction has brought noise, dust and pollution to the once-peaceful community. He is particularly concerned about the dust from blasting activities, which he says has contaminated the villages water source. With all the blasting activities, it can no longer be considered clean water because the source is contaminated with dust, Pulinop said in a phone interview with BenarNews. For years, residents have been requesting the relocation of their clean water source, but KHE has only conducted surveys and not implemented any solutions, he said. We tried to ask for an update on the progress, but they did not provide any information, he said. A general view of the construction site for the core government area of Indonesias new capital, known as Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 8, 2023. [Willy Kurniawan/Reuters file photo] Sapta, with KHE, said the project was highly strategic, as it would provide green energy for major national projects in Borneo, including the new Indonesian capital city, Nusantara, and a new industrial zone in North Kalimantan. This year, the company is focusing on building supporting infrastructure for the first dam, including access roads and a diversion channel to temporarily reroute the river, Sapta said. "We have set a strict schedule and are committed to meet all the established deadlines. By strengthening project management and adding resources in the field, we are confident in reaching the target completion by 2029," he said. A big hurdle: land acquisition Yayan Satyakti, an energy economist at Padjadjaran University, said one of the most significant hurdles has been land acquisition, a critical aspect of any hydropower project because of its impact on turbine performance and overall sustainability. The land acquisition process has been ongoing for a relatively long time, Yayan told BenarNews. In hydropower projects, this is the most crucial aspect, and it should have been completed before the project was offered to investors, especially foreign ones. This uncertainty is likely the reason behind Sumitomos withdrawal, he said. Yayan emphasized that Sumitomos exit was not a positive sign for Indonesias energy investment climate, drawing parallels to similar challenges in the geothermal sector. He pointed to a study conducted in 2018 that revealed independent power producers (IPPs) had to navigate through 30 permits for each project. Despite regulatory changes in 2021, Yayan said he believed the investment climate had not improved significantly. Yayan expressed skepticism that KHE could complete the first of five dams by 2029. Even if land acquisition was completed this year, achieving the 2029 target would be challenging, with a more realistic estimate of 40% to 60% completion. If land acquisition is still unclear, its natural for Sumitomo to divest, Yayan said. PT Kayan Hydro Energy signs and carved poles representing five planned dams an installation called Tugu Lima, or Five Pillars signal the companys presence and its plans along the Kayan River near the village of Long Peso, June 5, 2024. [Norjannah/BenarNews] Echoing Yayan, local environmentalist Wastaman said relocation plans for affected people in two villages, Long Lejuh and Long Pelban, remain unclear. The villages have a combined population of 1,217, according to data from Bulungan regency. There is no certainty of living a decent life when their source of livelihood is lost, Wastaman, director of Sustainable Forest Circle Association (PLHL), told BenarNews. He said the company must provide alternative livelihoods before displacing residents. Well, this is something that has not happened yet, said Wastaman, who goes by one name. Norjannah in Tanjung Selor, North Kalimantan and Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta contributed to this report. A new regulation authorizes the Chinese coast guard to arrest foreign vessels and crew caught trespassing in waters claimed by Beijing. Activists protesting against Beijings activities in the South China Sea tear a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping during a protest near the Chinese consulate in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, June 14, 2024. The Philippines reassured Filipino fishermen on Friday that it would keep them safe as China prepared to enforce a new trespassing regulation, starting this weekend, in Beijing-claimed waters in the South China Sea. The China Coast Guard had issued an order on May 15 authorizing its personnel to detain foreign vessels and crews for up to 30 days and as many as 60, in some cases. The regulation is due to take effect on Saturday. We have told [the Filipino fishermen] not to be afraid but just to go ahead with their normal activities in our exclusive economic zone, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the Philippine armed forces, told reporters. Remember, [the West Philippine Sea] is ours. We have the right to exploit the resources in the area. Filipinos have expressed fears that the Chinese coast guard could intercept and detain Filipino boats operating in Philippine EEZ (exclusive economic zone) waters that overlap with Chinas extensive territorial claims in the sea. The West Philippine Sea is how Filipinos refer to South China Sea waters that lie within the Philippines EEZ. Last month, China also began enforcing an annual fishing ban in the contested waters. The four-month fishing moratorium began on May 1 and is to last until Sept. 16 in areas in the South China Sea that are north of the 12 degrees North latitude. That includes waters inside Manilas EEZ. There have been no publicized cases of Chinese authorities arresting Filipino fishermen in the waterway but there have been many instances in recent years of China Coast Guard ships harassing boats in the Philippine EEZ. Brawner said the armed forces were closely coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and other agencies to respond in case Filipino fishermen are again harassed. The Philippine military insists that Chinas new policy undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct. The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement. We will continue our maritime patrols in areas within the Philippines jurisdiction. Manilas Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), for its part, said Beijings new regulation could not be enforced within Philippine-claimed waters. Chinas new regulations are unacceptable. China has no legal basis for enforcement within Philippine territory, Department spokeswoman Ma. Teresita Daza told BenarNews. A countrys domestic laws and regulations cannot be lawfully enforced in another countrys territory and jurisdiction, nor in the high seas. She called on China to ensure that the enforcement of its laws and regulations is consistent with international law and not impinge on the rights and entitlement of others. Chinese Coast Guard personnel are seen onboard their vessel while sailing in the South China Sea, Oct. 4, 2023. [Adrian Portugal/Reuters] In May, a statement from the DFA said Beijings new regulation on trespassing was based on its flawed 2021 Coast Guard Law and had illegally expanded the Chinese Coast Guards law enforcement powers. Chinas embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a BenarNews request for comment. According to a Mandarin-language document shared by the embassy to reporters earlier, the regulation covers administrative cases that occur in the waters under the jurisdiction of China. While the document makes no direct mention of the South China Sea, China claims the waterway almost in its entirety, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Taiwan. On May 29, Beijings foreign ministry defended the new rules, saying these were established to standardize Chinese law enforcement measures and better uphold order at sea. Individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit, ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference that day. Meanwhile on Friday in Italy, leaders of the Group of Seven during their annual summit called out China for its dangerous activities in the South China Sea, in a draft statement, Agence France-Presse reported. We continue opposing Chinas dangerous use of coastguard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries high seas freedom of navigation, AFP quoted an excerpt of the draft as saying. Jason Gutierrez reported from Manila and Jeoffrey Maitem from Davao City, southern Philippines. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 48F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Ed Lane and Neal Maxymillian won, but newcomer Jared Weber came in a close third. In a surprise outcome, Rebecca V. Miller, who had withdrawn from the School Committee race after ballots were printed, was reelected, along with incumbents Veronica Fenton and Meghan Kirby. GREAT BARRINGTON A group that claims to have organized the anti-Israel rally in front of Fuel Bistro on June 1 says it did not target the coffee shop because it is owned by Jews but because it believes that an employee was fired for opposing the genocide of Palestinians. Anti-Imperialist Solidarity said its rally outside the cafe on Main Street was also held to protest gentrification by people like Fuels new owners because "workers are exploited by the gentrifiers," it said. The shadowy group likened this gentrification to the suffering of Palestinians amid Zionist aggression. Zionists believe in the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine. In an Instagram post from June 6, Anti-Imperialist Solidarity said its rally outside Fuel was not antisemitic, which is what the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and some Great Barrington elected officials who denounced it have called it. Local Zionists of this community are campaigning for genocide and against anyone who opposes it. And businesses are in alignment with this support for genocide," Anti Imperialist Solidarity's post stated. The group claimed that Many of the organizers and participants of the rally including the employee who was fired by Fuel are anti-Zionist Jews. But who is behind the Anti Imperialist Solidarity is not clear: The group refuses to identify its leadership or organizers by name; its members refuse to identify themselves. Its emailed response to The Eagle was signed "AIS." The group claims it is not an organization, but people who stand in solidarity with any anti imperialist struggle in the U.S. or abroad. Anti-Imperialist Solidarity's Instagram bio reads "Organizing and revolutionary political education. Berkshire county, MA." Anti-Imperialist Solidarity's defense of its rally claimed the fired employee was doxxed or outed for political activities outside work. The group did not directly respond to Eagle questions, sent to its email, including what evidence it had to support that claim. Its response was that its rally was not about religion," and that Anti-Imperialist Solidarity didn't know the Merkels were Jewish until reading The Eagle's first story about the aftermath of the protest. Others have a different take about what happened at Fuel. Matt Hipwell whose wife, Carol Keuma-Hipwell, owns the cafe with Elan and Lydia Merkel shared in a public Facebook post that one of our former employees who joined the communist group was let go for bringing his politics to work. Matt Hipwell, who apparently works at Fuel, wrote that his wife had warned the employee previously on a couple of occasions to not get political. Hipwell wrote that the fired employee had made inappropriate comments to multiple innocent customers and purposely steamed their [lattes] to over 180 degrees fahrenheit, we know because [the coffees] were temped. MANY QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS Anti-Imperialist Solidarity's protest, called "Rage for Rafah," began at 10 a.m., June 1, near Great Barrington Town Hall on Main Street. That weekend, Great Barrington was packed with Berkshire International Film Festival patrons. The day before, Fuel had hosted a virtual reality detention camp experience program, which coincided with Berkshire International Film Festival's screening of "All Static & Noise," a documentary about the detentions of Uyghurs in "re-education camps" in communist China. "Rage for Rafah" protesters eventually moved from Town Hall, about a couple minutes walk across Main Street, to the sidewalk in front of Fuel. Some carried signs that called out Fuels owners Elan and Lydia Merkel, who bought the cafe in January and accused them of supporting genocide. The following Monday, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires issued a statement condemning the blatantly antisemitic targeting of Fuel instigated by a disgruntled employee. That employee, the Jewish Federation said, was fired for sharing his political options with patrons during working hours. At the time, Jewish Federation Executive Director Dara Kaufman did not respond to questions seeking to clarify its characterization of the rally as antisemitic." This week, Kaufman referred The Eagle to the State Departments definition of antisemitism, a lengthy list of what is considered antisemitic, including, Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel. The employee who was fired has not responded to requests for comment. The owners of Fuel continue to decline requests for comment. WHICH 'NARRATIVE' IS TRUE? In its Instagram post, Anti-Imperialist Solidarity claimed that Fuel's previous, local" owners had refused to fire this employee, even though "Zionist customers" presented them with footage of the employee at the pro-Palestinian rally in Great Barrington it had organized with The Coalition of Simon's Rock Student Groups and Berkshire Communists on Nov. 4. After the Merkels bought Fuel in January, these Zionist customers made a second attempt, inundating Fuel with emails saying that they refuse to come into the shop while that employee was working, according to Anti-Imperialist Solidarity. Fuel's owner responded by firing the employee," according to Anti-Imperialist Solidarity. Anti-Imperialist Solidarity's statement claimed that Elan Merkel was physically intimidating and verbally assaulting the fired employee at the protest. Witnesses, none of whom would use their names, told The Eagle that Elan Merkel did appear upset and angry. Anti-Imperialist Solidarity said results of its class analysis it ties Elan Merkel to past labor violations of a New York City construction company he works for is another reason why its protest targeted Fuel. The group connects those issues with gentrification and the exploitation of workers in the Berkshires. In his Facebook post, Matt Hipwell said what bothered him was protesters' "nasty, hateful antisemitic slurs." "Our partner is an Israeli American and they wrote his and his wifes name on their signs saying they are pro genocide," Hipwell wrote. Hipwell added, "Protest all you want but peacefully and respectfully, and have your facts straight before you jump aboard the hate train." Jake Levin, a longtime activist for Palestinians who is Jewish and lives in New Marlborough, said his sister-in-law helped organize the Fuel protest. Levin said he watched the protest and noted that other businesses whose owners are pro-Israel were not targeted. He said he doesnt see antisemitism at work here. We probably will never know which of the two narratives or probably more than two narratives is the factual or right narrative, Levin said. Levin said it seemed reasonable for protesters to target Fuel, if indeed, the employee was fired for his activities or views. Levin said he also understands why an employer would not tolerate someone using their workplace as a platform. What concerns him is the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism, he said. The Jewish community, like every community, has a lot of nuance to it, Levin said. Within that community, there are people with a lot of different political views. Erik Bruun, who is Jewish and owns SoCo Creamery on Railroad Street, said he believes the young people who were protesting Israel that day were very brave." But he also thinks the owners of Fuel were wrongly targeted with just a piece of information, and without a fair trial. It's a very smart way to divide people who are on the same side, Bruun said, because there are many Jewish business owners who do not like what the Israeli government is doing." Ancestral Jewish trauma is real, Bruun said, and these and other similar protests in town have triggered that. Evoking 1930s fascism in Germany, Bruun said, "It resonates in ways that are quite scary. The Bible is full of odd stories, from talking donkeys to cursing a fig tree. These images grab our attention and make us ask questions. In one such narrative, the prophet Elisha called upon a bear to come and maul boys. Many times, these stories have cultural context that was easily understood in that time but is strange to us thousands of years later. While obscure and violent, Elishas encounter with these boys teaches us about the role of Old Testament prophets, and even has principles for us today. Who Was Elisha the Prophet? Elisha the prophet succeeded his mentor Elijah and continued his ministry with remarkable miracles and profound influence. Elisha was the son of Shaphat and came from a town called Abel Meholah in the northern kingdom of Israel. His calling began when the prophet Elijah, under Gods instruction, sought him out. In 1 Kings 19:19-21, Elijah approached Elisha while he plowed with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah threw his cloak around Elisha, which symbolized the transfer of prophetic authority. Elisha asked to say goodbye to his parents, which Elijah allowed. Then Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned his plowing equipment, cooking the meat over the fire and eating the meat with others. Then he followed Elijah and became his servant. Burning his equipment and killing the oxen revealed a firm decision to follow Elijah in ministry, removing any chance of coming back. Elisha served as Elijahs attendant and apprentice, learning from him and preparing for his future role. When Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elisha witnessed this miraculous event and received a double portion of Elijahs spirit, as described in 2 Kings 2:9-14. This double portion signifies the inheritance of Elijahs prophetic ministry and the empowerment to carry on his work. Elishas ministry was marked by numerous miracles, showcasing God's power and affirming his prophetic authority. One of his first acts was purifying the waters of Jericho, making them safe to drink (2 Kings 2:19-22). He also helped a widow by multiplying her oil, allowing her to pay off her debts and live off the remainder (2 Kings 4:1-7). Another significant miracle was the resurrection of the Shunammite womans son (2 Kings 4:18-37), demonstrating God's power over life and death. Elishas miracles often served to aid and protect the people of Israel. He provided food during a famine by purifying a pot of stew that was poisoned (2 Kings 4:38-41) and multiplied loaves of bread to feed a hundred men (2 Kings 4:42-44). He healed Naaman, a Syrian army commander, of leprosy by instructing him to wash in the Jordan River seven times (2 Kings 5:1-19). Elishas influence extended into political affairs as well. He advised the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom during their campaign against Moab (2 Kings 3:4-27) and played a key role in the anointing of Jehu as king of Israel, who was tasked with eradicating the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal (2 Kings 9). What Is the Context for Elisha Calling a Bear? 2 Kings 1 details the end of Elijahs ministry. King Ahab had died, and his son, Ahaziah assumes the throne. Elijah had constant conflict with Ahab due to the kings idolatry and violence. King Ahaziah of Israel suffers a severe injury after falling through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria. Seeking guidance, he sends messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he will recover. However, the angel of the Lord instructs Elijah to intercept these messengers. Elijah rebukes them for seeking a pagan god and declares that Ahaziah will surely die because he has not sought the God of Israel. As prophesied, Ahaziah dies, and his brother Jehoram becomes king in his place. After this, Elijah comes to the end of his ministry, and he tries to travel alone but Elisha wont leave him. Elijah hands his cloak to Elisha, and Elisha witnesses chariots of fire descending from the sky to take Elijah to heaven. Again, the cloak symbolizes the authority of Elisha. Ahab had influenced the whole northern kingdom of Israel to worship idols, and the king and the people didnt listen to or respect Gods prophets, even though Elijah continually did miracles to prove true worship. Now Elisha had the authority, a double portion according to the Bible, and he also was called to stand up for truth in a sinful and idolatrous society. Right after Elisha had taken up Elijahs mantle and performed a miracle at Jericho, he traveled to Bethel. On the way, a group of boys came out and mocked him, saying, Go on up, you baldhead! In 2 Kings 2:23-24, it is recorded: He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. Why Did Elisha Call the Bear to Maul the Boys? The incident where Elisha called upon bears to maul a group of boys is one of the more perplexing and controversial events in the Bible. In context, the mockery directed at Elisha was not merely about his physical appearance but represented a broader disrespect towards Gods appointed messenger. In the context of ancient Israel, prophets were revered as Gods spokespeople. Not everyone had the Spirit of God in the Old Testament, so God anointed specific individuals to speak his messages. The role of prophet harkens back to Noah and Moses, a serious spiritual lineage. Insulting a prophet was equivalent to insulting God. In this light, the boys' jeers can be seen as a severe act of blasphemy. Additionally, Bethel become a center of idolatry under King Jeroboam, who set up a golden calf there (1 Kings 12:28-33). Bethel means house of God, named so by the patriarch Jacob years ago after he had a vision there. While Jacob slept, God gave him a dream confirming the Abrahamic covenant and showing him a staircase to heaven where angelic beings traveled. Yet the Israelites had made it a place of false worship. This idolatrous backdrop highlights the spiritual rebellion pervasive in the region. The boys behavior reflected the community's disregard for Gods covenant, and the punishment served as a stark reminder of the consequences of such disrespect. Our view of the story depends upon other clues. The bear mauls forty-two of these boys, which means there were more present. Perhaps this attack physically threatened Elisha, a mob scene. Elijah had violent encounters with soldiers and priests of Baal in Israel. The bear protects the prophet from a violent event. Also, part of Gods judgment against a land or nation would be the rise of wild beasts, a symbol of chaos ruling over them instead of order, often in response to idolatry. They will be wasted with hunger and devoured by plague and bitter destruction; I will send the teeth of beasts against them, with the poison of serpents of the dust (Deuteronomy 32:24). The harsh response underscores the seriousness with which God views the protection of his prophets and the maintenance of respect for divine authority. In a culture where communal values and reverence for God were paramount, this incident reinforced the necessity of honoring Gods chosen representatives. What Can We Learn from This Story Today? The story of Elisha calling bears to maul a group of boys in 2 Kings 2:23-24 is striking and often challenging to understand. Yet, this narrative carries several profound lessons for Christians today, emphasizing themes of respect, reverence, and the seriousness of mocking God's representatives. One primary lesson is the importance of respecting those who serve as Gods messengers. Elisha, as a prophet, represented Gods voice and authority. The boys mockery wasnt merely about Elishas physical appearance; it symbolized a deeper disrespect towards God. As Christians, we are reminded to honor and respect our spiritual leaders and the roles they play. Hebrews 13:17 advises, Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. This respect fosters unity and harmony within the Christian community. The severe consequence faced by the boys underscores the seriousness with which God views blasphemy and irreverence. This incident teaches us to approach our faith with a sense of reverence and awe. In todays context, this means guarding our speech and actions to ensure they honor God and reflect our devotion. Ephesians 4:29 emphasizes, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Our words should edify and reflect our respect for God and His teachings. Elisha's reaction and the subsequent divine intervention demonstrates the importance of acknowledging God's authority. Christians are called to recognize and submit to Gods sovereignty in all aspects of life. This submission is not out of fear but out of love and reverence for a God who is just and holy. Proverbs 1:7 teaches, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Reverence for God is foundational to a wise and righteous life. The incident also highlights the role of community values in shaping behavior. The boys' disrespect reflected the spiritual malaise in Bethel, a center of idolatry and rebellion. As Christians, we are called to cultivate communities that uphold and reinforce godly values. This involves teaching and modeling respect, love, and reverence for God. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." By instilling these values in our families and communities, we create environments that honor God. Today, every born again believer has the Holy Spirit, and all are encouraged to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). We face challenges and threats, as well, but God promises to protect us from evil. Romans 8:31 declares, If God is for us, who can be against us? When we walk with Christ through the Spirit, we can trust in Gods omnipotent protection. God empowers us to withstand and overcome any adversaries. Through faith, Gods protection surrounds and sustains his children. Peace. Photo credit: Getty Images/Paul Souders Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non -iction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Two-day flagship event on 27-28 June 2024 in Mumbai The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) is all set to host the Ninth edition of the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit, on 27-28 June 2024 in Mumbai. The theme for this years Summit is - Advances in Manufacturing and Quality Patient Centricity. The Summit showcases sessions that explore how the industry can leverage technology to build the next decade for pharmaceutical operations and manufacturing. Nilesh Gupta, Chair of the Quality Forum at IPA, and Managing Director of Lupin will inaugurate the Summit, which will be attended by stakeholders from the government, industry, and global experts. This will be followed by the release of a report titled Shaping the Next Decade of Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. The Summit will bring together speakers from key global regulators such as DCGI, USFDA, MHRA, WHO industry leaders, academia, and experts to share their perspectives on topics of importance in quality management, and related regulatory updates. With an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists, the summit promises deep insights into the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Summit will cover a range of strategic topics keeping in perspective the current and future trends in Quality and Manufacturing such as the Future of Pharma Operations, Cybersecurity, Use of AI in Pharmaceutical Quality and Operations, Opportunities in Biopharma and Smart Operations. The participants will gain deeper insights on recent focus areas such as Quality Management Maturity Models, Data and Documentation Imperative and Talent Capability Building. Guidance documents on Good Engineering Practices and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) in Orals Solids and API will also be released in the Summit. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, said, The Indian pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a transformative era marked by advancements in manufacturing such as continuous manufacturing, green chemistry and 3D printing. These initiatives must prioritize patient-centricity. By focusing on patient needs in design and manufacturing, India will further cement its position as The Pharmacy of the World. Quality is a fundamental tenet of the pharmaceutical sector. IPA is committed to making India the global quality benchmark. The 9th GPQS summit is a step to bring domain experts, global regulators, and industry at one platform to drive discussions on key priorities to define the next decade for pharmaceutical operations and manufacturing. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Meta Platforms will not launch its Meta AI models in Europe for now after Ireland's privacy regulator told it to delay its plan to harness data from Facebook and Instagram users, the US social media company said on Friday. The move by Meta came after complaints and a call by advocacy group NOYB to data protection authorities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain to act against the company. Advertisement At issue is Meta's plan to use personal data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) models without seeking consent, although the company has said it would use publicly available and licensed online information. Meta on Friday said the Data Protection Commission (DPC) had asked it to delay training its large language models (LLMs) using public content shared by Facebook and Instagram adult users. "We're disappointed by the request from the DPC our lead regulator, on behalf of the European DPAs ... particularly since we incorporated regulatory feedback and the European DPAs have been informed since March," the company said in an updated blogpost. It said the request is a step backwards for European innovation and competition in AI development. Advertisement "Put simply, without including local information, we'd only be able to offer people a second-rate experience. This means we aren't able to launch Meta AI in Europe at the moment," Meta said. The DPC welcomed Meta's pause, saying its decision came after intensive engagement with the regulator. Meta said the delayed launch of its AI models would also allow it to address requests from Britain's Information Commissioners Office (ICO). The ICO welcomed Meta's decision, saying it would continue to monitor major developers of generative AI, including Meta, to review the safeguards they have put in place and ensure the information rights of UK users are protected. NOYB's chair Max Schrems attributed Meta's temporary halt to the group's complaints filed last week. "So far there is no official change of the Meta privacy policy, which would make this commitment legally binding. The cases we filed are ongoing and will need a determination," he said in a statement. Line Of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar has said the cast all want to see the return of the show. Dunbar, 65, who was born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, played Superintendent Ted Hastings in the BBC series. Advertisement The sixth season of the police drama, which aired from March to May in 2021, was a ratings success, with its dramatic finale revealing the identity of the mysterious corrupt officer H. Speaking about what it was like to film the drama in Northern Ireland, Dunbar told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: It was fantastic to go back to Belfast to work, because thats where I got my start, I got my start at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Adrian Dunbar on the set of the sixth series of Line of Duty (Liam McBurney/PA) Advertisement The uplift has been amazing. Its just the positivity that exists in the place at the minute, but it was great going back and it was great bringing Vicky (McClure) and Martin (Compston) over there to show them around. And we had some great times in the city, and we will hopefully, who knows, maybe have some great times again. Asked if their could be another series, he said: I have to be very careful, because you know, we burn up the internet, if we say anything, but I mean the point is that we all want it to happen. Advertisement So if it were to happen, wed be really happy. Asked if all includes the writer Jed Mercurio, he added: Of course it includes Dr Mercurio himself, who knows he might be beavering away somewhere with an idea, who knows? British actor Jude Law has revealed he turned down the role of Superman as it felt like a step too far. The Talented Mr Ripley star, 51, said he resisted playing the superhero, even though he has played fantasy characters like Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel (2019) and Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts films. Advertisement Asked about the film that never happened, he told The Playlist Podcast Network: So this is true. Jude Law and Alicia Vikander attending the photocall for the film Firebrand, during the 76th Cannes Film Festival (Doug Peters/PA) There was a process of flirtation going on and I always resisted, because it just felt like and I know you can say, Well, but you played Yon-Rogg and Dumbledore!, it just felt like a step too far. Advertisement It was when Brett Ratner was going to direct, I think. And they didnt have a script, if I remember rightly, Law continued. Did they have a script? I dont remember reading one. It is a long time ago. They brought me the suit. He added: It wasnt (Christopher) Reeves suit. It was an iteration. It was more metallic. Advertisement Anyway, I tried it on and I looked in the mirror and part of me initially was like, Wow, this would be (amazing), and then I just thought, No, you cant you cant do this. You cant. Jude Law is known for films including Alfie and The Holiday (Ian West/PA) I didnt sell it myself to myself. And I stepped away and the film never happened anyway. So maybe it probably wouldnt have done (anything). Advertisement Actors who have taken on the role of Superman include the late Reeve, who appeared in the 1970s and 1980s films, and Henry Cavill, who made his debut as the superhero in 2013s Man Of Steel. Bafta award-winner Law appeared on the podcast alongside Tomb Raider star Alicia Vikander, whom he stars opposite in Firebrand, a drama about the sixth wife of Henry VIII, Catherine Parr. Teacher Enoch Burke has asked the High Court to set aside what he claims is the "gravely flawed" and "unsound" order underpinning his on-going incarceration at Mountjoy Prison. Mr Burke, who appeared before the High Court on Friday, remains in prison where he has spent the last eight months over his refusal to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. Advertisement The teacher appeared before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey for a review of the case, and to see if Mr Burke was prepared to purge his contempt and agree to comply with the court order. The judge returned Mr Burke to prison, after the teacher again indicated he was not prepared to stay away from the school. Mr Burke denies that he is in contempt of court, and says he has wrongfully been imprisoned because of his objections to transgenderism. . following a direction by the school to call a then student by a different pronoun. During Friday's hearing, Mr Burke asked the court to set aside last year's judgement by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, granting Wilson's Hospital a permanent injunction restraining Mr Burke from attending the school. Advertisement Mr Burke was jailed last September due to his refusal to comply with that order. In his application Mr Burke claims the order is flawed and should be set aside because Mr Justice Owens he claims completely disregarded the teacher's constitutional rights of freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion. Mr Burke argues that the judge stated in his ruling that it was "unnecessary for this court to determine claims by Enoch Burke that the school board interfered with his constitutional rights." This the teacher claims is "a serious error of law" and "a breach by the court in its duty to uphold the constitution and the laws." Advertisement Rosemary Mallon Bl for the school said that her client had only been made aware of Mr Burke's application shortly before the court on Friday. Counsel said her initial view was that the application was "misconceived" and was not properly before the court. Counsel added that given that the school holidays have commenced, and State exams are due to finish in the coming weeks, the school would not object to any order releasing Mr Burke from prison without him purging his contempt. Mr Burke stayed away from school during last year's summer holidays. Advertisement This matter could be reviewed again when the new school year commences in late August. Mr Justice Sanfey said that the court's primary concern was if Mr Burke intends to purge his contempt or remain in prison. Mr Burke, he said, was once again clearly not prepared to give an undertaking to comply with the order to stay away from the school. The Judge said that he was not going to shut out the teacher's application to set aside Mr Justice Owen's order. Advertisement The judge said the normal course of events is that any party unhappy with a judgement of the High Court can appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal. Also, the judge said it is not generally permissible for a judge to set aside a decision of another judge in the same division of the Irish Courts. The judge also asked Mr Burke why Mr Justice Owens' judgement had not been appealed. He said that he was not prepared to consider the application on Friday. The school would need time to fully respond to such an application, the judge noted. The judge added that he was only prepared to hear one specific, preliminary aspect of the application, namely if the court can consider the application at all. The judge adjourned the application to a date in June, and put a timetable in place for the exchange of legal documents. Mr Burke said he could not understand why the court did not want to hear and determine his application, which raised serious and important constitutional issues straight away. He was also critical of the court for not dealing with his application to set aside the judgement which has put him in prison alongside "murderers, thieves and bank robbers." He also said that any question of him being released during the holidays was an insult. He had come to court for justice and not for a holiday, he added. In reply, the judge said that Mr Burke's comments was typical of some of the "spurious nonsense" the court has heard since this case first came before it. The judge noted the school's position regarding the holidays, but said that court position remains that orders need to be obeyed. Throughout this legal battle Mr Burke has claimed that he has been imprisoned because he was being punished for his religious beliefs. Mr Burke was jailed last September over his deliberate failure to comply with the permanent injunction restraining him from attending at the Co Westmeath school. The school's board claimed Mr Burke had attended its campus every day when the 2023/24 school year commenced last August. His presence at the school caused "severe disruption for staff and students", the board claimed. Mr Burke was found to have "flagrantly breached" Judge Owen's order and was sent to prison "indefinitely," until he purges his contempt. During his first stint behind bars, the Evangelical Christian spent over 100 days in Mountjoy between September and December 2022. Following his suspension from his teaching position in August 2022 Mr Burke was sued by the school over his failure to comply with a court order requiring him to stay away from the school. He was released in December 2022 without purging his contempt. He again started attending at the school after the holidays, and the High Court imposed a daily fine of 700 on Mr Burke. The teacher denies the claims against him and says that his constitutional rights were breached by the school's direction that he refers to a student by a different gender. Luke Ming Flanagan has been re-elected as an MEP in Midlands-North-West after days of vote counting. Mr Flanagan, an independent in the Left grouping, is the first person to be elected in the five-seat constituency. Advertisement He reached the quota on Thursday evening after the 19th count, helped by thousands of transfers following the redistribution of votes for Aontu leader Peadar Toibin, who was eliminated in the previous round. Advertisement Family and supporters hoisted him into the air on their shoulders, as he chanted Viva Palestina and Championes. Speaking after his election, an emotional Mr Flanagan said: Im elated and just honoured to get the opportunity for the third time to represent this constituency. Theres a few people not here today my mother, my father and my father-in-law. Im missing you all. Its just absolutely brilliant, its beyond my wildest dreams thanks Midlands-North-West. Advertisement In a further message to voters, he said: Im certainly not going to let you down, youve been let down too often youre not going to be let down by me. Mr Flanagan said he wanted to secure his place on the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee to get real justice for farmers in his constituency. He also said he would go to the petitions committee to get justice for people affected by defective concrete blocks in their homes. Advertisement Mr Flanagan also called on other Irish MEPs not to support the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. Asked how he would celebrate, Mr Flanagan said he would relax and have an Indian meal: Im looking forward to some peshwari naan bread I cant wait for it. Advertisement Mr Flanagans election also saw the elimination of Fianna Fails Lisa Chambers, whose votes are being redistributed to five candidates vying for the remaining four seats at the TF Royal Theatre count centre in Castlebar, Co Mayo. The top three are in a tight grouping going into the final count. They are Fine Gael candidates Nina Carberry, a former jockey, and Maria Walsh, who is seeking re-election, followed by Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen. Mr Cowen is likely to be helped significantly by transfers from his running mate Lisa Chambers despite the partys campaign in the constituency being marred by infighting. It leaves Independent Ireland candidate and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly fighting it out with Sinn Fein representative Michelle Gildernew for the fifth and final seat. Mr Mullooly has a 4,000 vote lead over Ms Gildernew going into the end of the race. Earlier, Sinn Fein representative Chris MacManus became the third MEP to lose his seat nationwide. Speaking following his elimination, Mr MacManus said: I left nothing on the pitch. Me and my team worked as hard as we could over the last number of weeks during the actual campaign. Sinn Feins Chris MacManus and Michelle Gildernew (Conor McKeown/PA) Asked if he would consider running in a general election, Mr MacManus said: I dont think its the last time youll see my MacManus name on a ballot paper. Earlier in the counting, Ms Gildernew almost ruled herself out of the race after saying she was not overly optimistic about catching Mr Mullooly. But Sinn Fein later insisted it still had a fighting chance for that final spot and transfers from Mr McManus significantly closed the gap. Unpredictable transfers, which political commentators said were not following traditional patterns, are adding to the drama of who would claim the final seats. Over 55,000 adults (55,367) became homeless and entered emergency accommodation from 2014 to 2023, according to a new report from Focus Ireland. Focus Ireland launched its latest report, Focus on Homelessness - a Decade of Homelessness data, on Friday morning, which includes "alarming statistics for homelessness since 2014". Advertisement The report offers an in-depth look at the trends and dynamics of homelessness over the past decade, revealing significant insights and "highlighting the urgent need for continued and enhanced efforts to address the crisis". Authors of the report, Professor Eoin OSullivan (Trinity College Dublin), Emma Byrne, Focus Ireland policy officer and Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland, all believe the analysis underscores the critical importance of understanding these trends to inform policy and action. The key findings of the report include: Over 55,000 adults (55,367) became homeless and entered emergency accommodation from 2014 to 2023. The number of adults in emergency accommodation for more than six months has increased by 579 per cent since 2014, indicating a troubling trend of prolonged time spent in homelessness. Nearly 30,000 adults exited emergency accommodation to a tenancy in the decade between 2014 and 2023 either to a social housing tenancy or a private rented tenancy with housing support payment. 2023 was the year with the highest number of new adults entering emergency accommodation in the last 10 years, with 6,462 adults entering for the first time that year. Mike Allen said: "This data presented in this report clearly shows that homelessness is a dynamic and evolving issue. Over the past decade, huge numbers of adults have experienced the pain of not having a home and these startling figures reflect the severe and persistent nature of the problem we face. The report also demonstrates that homelessness is not a static condition but a fluid situation with many people moving in and out of homelessness. Advertisement Mr Allen believes homelessness is not inevitable and can be solved. He added: "The persistence and escalation of these figures demand a robust and sustained response. We must prioritise long-term solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, including affordable housing, support services, and policy reforms. Our goal is not just to manage homelessness, but to end it. "Ireland has committed to ending homelessness by 2030 under the Lisbon Declaration. Our new report clearly shows that our current approach to homelessness is flawed. Without urgent action, we will not achieve our 2030 goal. We have clear evidence that we need to radically rethink our approach, including how we address the needs of these households throughout our housing system." A woman who falsely claimed the pension of her dead father-in-law for almost 30 years got her husband to get into bed and pretend to be her 110-year-old relative when Department of Social Protection officials called to her home, a court has heard. A sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court heard how the Laois woman defrauded the State of over 270,000 in what a judge described as an extraordinary case". Advertisement The offences were only detected after a Cork-based researcher had checked out the background of a 110-year-old male in receipt of the State pension. Margaret Bergin, 73, a married mother of three of Fairfield House, Mountrath, Co Laois, pleaded guilty to 10 sample counts of theft and five sample counts of larceny. The sum of money involved in the fraud which was carried out over 28 and half years up to February 25th, 2022 amounted to 271,046. The defendant had falsely claimed the non-contributory State pension of her father-in-law, John Bergin, following his death in November 1993. Advertisement Detective Garda Peter Crosbie told a sentencing hearing on Friday that an investigation into the fraud was initiated after an amateur gerontologist contacted Aras an Uachtarain in March 2022 to enquire about records which indicated a 110-year-old man was living in Mountrath. Ireland's oldest man? The researcher, who was suspicious of the individuals details, believed the claimants birthdate of July 2nd, 1911 would have made him Irelands oldest man. The court heard officials from Aras an Uachtarain subsequently contacted the Department of Social Protection (DSP) whose officials uncovered the fraud after visiting Bergins home in Mountrath. Det Garda Crosbie outlined how several attempts were made by DSP officials to arrange a visit to the centenarian's home to confirm he was alive but were cancelled by the accused due to various excuses, including that her father-in-law was unwell. Advertisement He told counsel for the DPP, Will Fennelly BL, that the DSP had also been unable to find any record of Mr Bergins death, while the local parish priest had been unable to provide any information about the deceased. The court heard that when asked if Mr Bergin was visited by a district nurse, Ms Bergin had claimed there was no need for one as she was a nurse and could provide any assistance he required. Det Garda Crosbie said DSP officials ultimately decided to just call out to the Bergin family home as they believed there were deliberate attempts to dissuade them from carrying out their investigation. He said when they arrived at the house they were asked not to disturb Mr Bergin and were left waiting in the hall door before being brought into a bedroom. Advertisement The court heard the DSP officials were introduced to a man in a bed as Mr Bergin whom they were informed was deaf and confused". However, Det Garda Crosbie said they were unconvinced that the individual was Mr Bergin as he looked much younger and bore no resemblance to a photo they had of the pensioner. The witness said the person in the bed also seemed to be fully clothed and wearing shoes or boots under the bed clothes, while there were no medical aids in the room that one would expect for such an elderly person. Det Garda Crosbie said he subsequently discovered Mr Bergins burial place at a graveyard in Clonad, Co Laois while a local undertaker had also confirmed that the accuseds father-in-law had died in November 1993, aged 82. Advertisement Aras an Uachtarain silver coins The detective gave evidence that he discovered silver coins given every year by Aras an Uachtarain to people who had reached 100 years during a search of Ms Bergins home on May 10th, 2022. He said Ms Bergin claimed she did not know what he was talking about when he had asked her about getting such coins from the President. The search also found an uncashed cheque for 2,540 from the President on the occasion of Mr Bergins 100th birthday as well as receipts from An Post for his pension and mass cards sent to the family at the time of his funeral. The court heard a review of DSP records found Mr Bergins pension had been claimed for 28 and a half years after his death, while his daughter-in-law had also signed various forms in his name. Det Garda Crosbie said Ms Bergin failed to show up at an appointed time to be interviewed by gardai on July 22nd, 2022. He recounted how she arrived in the Garda station an hour later just after he had received a message from her solicitor that she was unwell and needed time to undergo some medical tests. The detective said dealing at that stage with the accused was very frustrating and he took the decision to arrest Ms Bergin in September 2022 after hearing nothing further from her. When questioned, he said Ms Bergin was fully cooperative and accepted she had signed various documents. She admitted to gardai that it was her husband, Seamus, who was in bed when DSP officials called to her house, although she had told them he was away at a market in Tipperary. Asked if the accused was in denial about her offending, Det Garda Crosbie said it was hard to know but that she had commented about not knowing when or how she could stop. Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Damien Colgan SC, the witness said Ms Bergin had expressed a wish that she had never started claiming her late father-in-laws pension. I knew I was in trouble. I hated it. I knew I was in trouble. I hated it, she told gardai. Nobody told you to stop. It wasnt like the Childrens Allowance. The court heard she claimed that the familys farm was not going well when she started claiming the pension, and they had bank loans and mortgages. While they did not need the money in later years, Ms Bergin said it was a situation where I just couldnt say no". She added: It was a vicious circle. It was like digging a hole when you dont stop digging. Det Crosbie said Bergin had also stated that her husband knew nothing about what she had done. Judge Keenan Johson asked the witness why no alarm bells had gone off within the DSP about a 110-year-old individual claiming a pension. Its difficult to say exactly what went wrong, replied Det Garda Crosbie. He added that he understood changes had been made in relation to all people over 90 years who claimed the State pension. Mr Colgan confirmed to the court that Bergin, who has no previous convictions, had worked as a psychiatric nurse before getting married in 1977. Counsel admitted the case involved bizarre circumstances which had left him baffled". Mr Colgan said the accused, who is in poor health, had brought 35,000 to court as restitution, which was an amount that had put her family to the pin of their collar to put together. Sentencing of Bergin had previously been adjourned in February after the court heard she had been admitted to hospital. Judge Johnson observed that the true value of the stolen money was probably worth over 400,000, which had been compounded by her continuous efforts to cover her tracks and initial lack of cooperation with officials. 'Farcical' The judge said getting someone into bed to pretend to be her father-in-law was so bizarre its farcical". Mr Colgan said the incident highlighted the nature of her panic and pointed out she had not looked for a medical card. The judge said the pension had funded the accuseds lifestyle and the offences had been premeditated and calculated. He said he would regard it as a seriously aggravating factor that Mr Bergins death did not appear to have been registered, which he claimed was outrageous". While he would not send a 73-year-old woman to prison lightly, the judge said he would need a lot of persuasion not to hand down a custodial sentence in the case given the level of deception". Judge Johnson said the accused would have to come up with a much better offer than the 35,000 she had brought to court. He adjourned sentencing until October 29th to allow the accused to provide further restitution and to allow probation and medical reports to be prepared. The judge also praised the researcher who had served the State by uncovering the fraud. A yellow thunderstorm warning is currently in place for nine counties until this evening. Met Eireann has issued the warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary and Waterford. Advertisement They said there will be isolated thunderstorms with the chance of hail this afternoon and evening. The possible impacts include: hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, spot flooding and lightning damage. The warning is valid from 1pm on Friday until 7pm this evening. Status Yellow - Thunderstorm warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary, Waterford Advertisement Isolated thunderstorms with the chance of hail this afternoon & evening. Valid: 13:00 14/06/24 to 19:00 14/06/24https://t.co/lvQFgW8DsS pic.twitter.com/aBp1EOUR5W Met Eireann (@MetEireann) June 14, 2024 Advertisement There will be bright or sunny spells and showers for the afternoon and evening, some of the showers heavy with isolated thunderstorms and the chance of hail, mainly across the midlands, south and east. The showers will become isolated further west through the afternoon and elsewhere to this evening, before cloud starts to increase from the Atlantic, with more persistent rain moving in later this afternoon and evening, accompanied by blustery westerly winds. Highs of 13 to 16 degrees in mostly light to moderate west to southwest or variable winds, but with winds increasing fresh to strong and occasionally gusty later near Atlantic coasts. Mainly cloudy with outbreaks of rain moving southeastwards over the country at first on Saturday, but drier in the north with brighter intervals and scattered showers. Advertisement A mix of sunny spells and scattered showers will develop for the afternoon, with some heavy and possibly thundery downpours. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees. Winds will be mostly light to moderate variable, but fresh to strong and gusty westerly for a time in the west and southwest, with winds becoming mainly light to moderate northwest in the evening. It will be mixed and changeable through the next week period with temperatures close to or a little below average overall. Peace lost in Blinken's another failed Mideast trip Xinhua) 10:47, June 14, 2024 CAIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Violence raged in Gaza on Wednesday as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a disappointing Middle East tour to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas with little outcomes. Blinken's visit followed U.S. President Joe Biden's new ceasefire proposal presented on May 31. However, more hurdles emerged for the proposal after the U.S. top diplomat failed to bridge the differences between the warring sides during his eighth trip to the region since the outbreak of the conflict. PRESSURE ON HAMAS FAILS Before leaving Egypt on Monday, Blinken asserted that Israel had accepted the ceasefire proposal, supported by regional countries, even though Israel has not publicly confirmed this. Blinken emphasized that the immediate priority was to pressure Hamas to accept the proposal, calling Hamas "the only obstacle" to a ceasefire. On Tuesday, Hamas responded through mediators in Qatar and Egypt, proposing modifications. This angered Israel, which claimed Hamas's response was a rejection. In Doha on Wednesday, Blinken acknowledged some of Hamas's amendments as feasible but labeled others "unworkable." Hamas later denied suggesting new ideas, stating, "all we did was to reaffirm our commitment to what was presented on May 5 by the mediators, and we did not discuss any new ideas or proposals." "Blinken's visit evaded real issues and aimed to pressure Palestinians. It is merely a reaffirmation of U.S. support for Israel, continuing its role as a disruptor," Palestinian political analyst Hussam Al-Dajani told Xinhua. LACK OF JUSTICE Analysts argue that Washington's lack of neutrality undermines its role as an effective mediator in the conflict. As the U.S. ceasefire proposal faces fallout, Blinken is quick to blame Hamas. In Qatar, the final stop of his visit, the U.S. top diplomat continued his criticism of Hamas during a joint press conference with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. "I think it will be clear to everyone around the world, that it's on them and that they will have made a choice to continue a war that they started," said Blinken. Al-Thani diverged from Blinken's stance, suggesting that pressures should be applied to both sides. He cited Israeli actions over the past month, including the Rafah offensive and inconsistent statements from Israeli officials, as hindrances to ceasefire efforts. Mokhtar Ghobashy, secretary general of the Al-Farabi Center for Political Studies in Egypt, contends that forcing Hamas into an agreement with Israel, whose government seeks to eliminate the Palestinian faction under U.S. protection, is unfair. "The problem with the U.S. initiative is that it does not clearly commit to a ceasefire, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, or a precise timeline for Gaza's reconstruction," Ghobashy said. Analysts also highlight that Biden, Blinken, and other U.S. officials praised Israel's rescue of four hostages on June 8, which resulted in the deaths of over 200 Palestinian civilians, which complicated ceasefire efforts as it emboldened Israel and solidified the biased stance Washington is taking. "What exacerbates the situation is the U.S. bias towards Israel, disregarding Palestinian casualties to support its ally. The Palestinians cannot rely on the United States to act as an impartial mediator in these negotiations," Palestinian analyst Al-Dajani said. CONFLICT RAGES ON As Blinken visited the region, the conflict continued to escalate. On Tuesday, an Israeli strike killed a top Hezbollah commander, described by a Lebanese military source as the armed group's "most important" fighter killed since the Gaza conflicts began. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and missiles into northern Israel on Wednesday, causing fires but no casualties, according to the Israeli military. Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for over 10 other attacks on the Israeli military, including one involving drones. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict that broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The conflict has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and other supplies in Gaza, with UN agencies warning that over 1 million people could face starvation by mid-July. On Monday, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2735, calling for an "immediate, comprehensive, and thorough" ceasefire in Gaza to end the eight-month conflict. However, the implementation of this resolution remains uncertain. Palestinian political analyst Talal Okal noted that Israel did not immediately support Biden's ceasefire proposal nor respond to the Security Council resolution, suggesting that even the U.S.-submitted resolution might not be enforced. Eyal Zisser, vice-rector of Tel Aviv University and professor of Middle Eastern and African History, stated that Israel's goal is to dismantle Hamas's military and governance capabilities, so the conflict is unlikely to end until this goal is achieved. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) US president Joe Biden has said he does not expect to reach a ceasefire deal for Gaza in the near future, as an American-backed proposal with global support has not been fully embraced by Israel or Hamas. Mr Biden said international leaders had discussed the ceasefire at the G7 summit in Italy, but when asked by reporters if a truce deal wound be reached soon, he replied no, adding I havent lost hope. Advertisement Earlier on Thursday, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan pushed back against assertions that Israel was not fully committed to the ceasefire plan. US president Joe Biden, centre right, was attending the G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy (Alex Brandon/AP) Israel has supplied this proposal. It has been sitting on the table for some time. Israel has not contradicted or walked that back, Mr Sullivan said. Advertisement Hamas has responded to the plan by offering amendments, and Mr Sullivan said the goal was to figure out how we work to bridge the remaining gaps and get to a deal. Hamas says the requested changes aim to guarantee a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. The ceasefire proposal announced by Mr Biden includes these provisions, but Hamas has expressed wariness about whether Israel would implement the terms. Advertisement Israel launched its war after Hamass October 7th attack (Tsafrir Abayov/AP) Israels war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 37,100 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. UN agencies say more than one million people in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by mid-July. Advertisement Israel launched its war after Hamass October 7th attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducting about 250. Celebrated writer James Patterson has finished a thrilling book from late writer Michael Crichton Fiction 1. Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg is published in hardback by Tinder Press. Available now Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tinder Press (@tinder_press) Advertisement Spoilt Creatures, a debut novel by Amy Twigg, follows Iris, a 32-year-old single and lonely woman who is drawn to Hazel, a resident of a local womens commune in the Kent Downs. Enticed by the opportunity to escape the men who have let her down and the oppressions of society, Iris joins the commune. However, she quickly realises that even within this group of women, power dynamics are at play, especially under the leadership of the domineering Blythe. When a group of men descends upon the farm, the womens existence is threatened. Twiggs storytelling is both captivating and unsettling, drawing readers into the complex emotional landscapes of her characters. The narrative unfolds slowly under the oppressive summer sun, building to a gripping climax. 9/10 (Review by Jacqueline Ling) 2. The Switch by Lily Samson is published in hardback by Century. Available now Advertisement (Century/PA) Lily Samsons fast-paced debut thriller will have readers gripped as Elena and partner Adam get sucked into the intriguing world of their glamorous neighbours Sophia and Finn. The disturbing plot, inspired by Roald Dahls 1974 short story The Great Switcheroo, sees Elena and Sophia start a bizarre secret swap, sneaking into each others houses in affluent Wimbledon at night to climb into bed with the others unsuspecting partner. Its gradually revealed that this is more than just a way to spice up their relationships, with Alfred Hitchcock fan Samson offering twist after twist. While this page-turners plot may not be a complete surprise, the signposting isnt so heavy handed to make it predictable. 8/10 (Review by Beverly Rouse) 3. Eruption by James Patterson and Michael Crichton is published in hardback by Century. Available now Advertisement Advertisement Renowned thriller writer James Patterson was asked to complete an unfinished book about a volcanic eruption started by Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton before his death. The collaboration has produced an extraordinary story, building slowly just like a volcano, and exploding into a dramatic finish. Set in Hawaii, Eruption charts a race against time to save an island, and possibly entire countries, against lava reaching deadly canisters containing radioactive waste. Its a ticking time bomb which the best scientists and high ranking military have to work out how it can be defused before death and destruction. Patterson fans will be no doubt thrilled to recognise his style of writing, as he has picked up the reins of such an astonishing story. 8/10 (Review by Alan Jones) Non-fiction 4. Lucky by Louise Thompson is published in hardback by Ebury Spotlight. Available now (Ebury Spotlight/PA) Former Made In Chelsea star turned influencer and fitness entrepreneur Louise Thompson reveals the shocking truth of what happened to her during the birth of her son Leo in this raw and searingly honest memoir. Anyone who follows the 34-year-old on social media will know shes suffered a myriad of physical and mental health problems since becoming a mother two-and-a-half years ago, but the book details how she nearly died twice after two haemorrhages and the PTSD she was left with. At times its a harrowing and heartbreaking read but its an important one. In a world where women often arent listened to when it comes to their health or their pain, Thompson wants to help them advocate for themselves and know their birth rights. Its a story of a rise to fame at time when reality TV was in its infancy (and cast members were paid 25 a day) and toxic relationships, to finding real love, and recovery after trauma. Plus, how, through adversity, can come incredible strength. 9/10 (Review by Lauren Taylor) Childrens book of the week 5. The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Harry Woodgate, is published in hardback by Andersen Press. Available now Oscar Wilde may better known for his classic adult books such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, but the author also wrote several childrens stories. Now, a new edition of The Happy Prince has been published, complete with a set of beautiful illustrations by award-winning author Harry Woodgate. With rich colours of purple and gold, the book is a feast for the eyes. The Happy Prince tells the story of a homeless boy, Swallow, and his friendship with the weeping statue of the prince. Together, the pair set out to correct societys ills and spread some joy to those who are suffering, who are sick and people living in poverty. As relevant now as it was over 130 years ago, the story will help teach children over the age of six about the value of giving to those less fortunate. 7/10 (Review by Jane Kirby) BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 8th HARDBACK (FICTION) 1. Murder At The Monastery:Canon Clement Mystery by Reverend Richard Coles 2. Long Island by Colm Toibin 3. You Like It Darker by Stephen King 4. Shadowstitch by Cari Thomas 5. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley 6. Think Twice by Harlan Coben 7. Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors 8. The Ministry Of Time by Kaliane Bradley 9. The Ashes And The Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent 10. You Are Here by David Nicholls (Compiled by Waterstones) HARDBACK (NON-FICTION) 1. MILF by Paloma Faith 2. Under A Rock by Chris Stein 3. Operation Biting by Max Hastings 4. Endgame 1944 by Jonathan Dimbleby 5. The Women Who Wouldnt Wheesht by Susan Dalgety & Lucy Hunter Blackburn 6. Gluten Free Air Fryer by Becky Excell 7. I Want To Die But I Still Want To Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee 8. How To Eat 30 Plants A Week by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall 9. So Good by Emily English 10. The Invisible Doctrine by George Monbiot & Peter Hutchison (Compiled by Waterstones) AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION) 1. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney 2. Atomic Habits by James Clear 3. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 4. Unruly by David Mitchell 5. Death Rocks by LJ Ross 6. My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes 7. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken 8. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell 9. Lucky by Louise Thompson 10. Dirty Laundry by Richard Pink & Roxanne Pink (Compiled by Audible) South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term on Friday after his African National Congress party struck a dramatic late coalition deal with the main opposition and other parties. Mr Ramaphosa (71) won convincingly in a vote against a surprise candidate who was also nominated in parliament Julius Malema, the leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters. Advertisement Mr Ramaphosa got 283 votes to Mr Malemas 44 in the 400-member house. He secured his second term with the help of politicians from the second-biggest Democratic Alliance (DA) party and others after the ANC lost its 30-year parliamentary majority in a landmark election two weeks ago. The ANC signed an agreement with the DA once its fiercest political foe during the parliamentary session and just hours before the vote for president, ensuring Mr Ramaphosa returned as leader of Africas most industrialised economy. The parties will now co-govern South Africa in its first national coalition where no party has a majority. Advertisement The deal, which parties referred to as a government of national unity, brings the ANC together in government with the DA, a white-led party that had for years been the main opposition and the main rival for the ANC. At least two other smaller parties are also part of the agreement that put South Africa into uncharted waters. The government of national unity is on track, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said. For the interest of the country, we said lets work together. We have no fear of that. ANC politicians and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa react after he is re-elected as leader of the country in Cape Town, South Africa (Jerome Delay/AP) Advertisement The agreement was necessary after the ANC lost its 30-year majority in a humbling national election for it last month. The ANC is the party of Nelson Mandela and had governed with a comfortable majority ever since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994. That three-decade dominance ended in the May 29th election, when the ANCs share of the vote dropped to 40 per cent amid discontent from South Africans over high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Analysts warn there might be complications ahead given the starkly different ideologies of the ANC, a former liberation movement, and the centrist, business-friendly DA the two biggest parties and the key players. The DA won 21 per cent of the vote in the national election, the second-largest share. For one, the DA disagreed with the ANC governments move to accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza in a highly sensitive case at the United Nations top court. Advertisement Earlier, DA leader John Steenhuisen confirmed an agreement was signed. From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration, he said as he stepped away from the proceedings for a speech carried live on television. He called it an historic step forward. The DA backed Mr Ramaphosa under the agreement and because the two parties have a clear joint majority of seats in Parliament, Mr Ramaphosas re-election was assured. The Parliament session, which started at 10am, first went through the hours-long swearing-in of hundreds of new MPs and electing a speaker and a deputy speaker. The vote for president started late into the night and the results were announced after 10pm more than 12 hours later. Former president Jacob Zumas MK Party was boycotting the session, which did not affect the voting as only a third of the house is needed for a quorum. Advertisement Parliament convened in an unusual setting after a fire in 2022 gutted the National Assembly building in Cape Town and lawmakers came together at a conference centre near the citys waterfront. Two other smaller parties said they would be part of the coalition agreement and Mr Mbalula said the ANC was open to talking with anyone else who wanted to join the unity government. There are 18 political parties represented in parliament and Mr Mbalula said the multi-party agreement would prioritise the country across the political and ideological divide. Some parties refused to join. The other two parties to join were the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance, which has drawn attention because of its strong anti-immigration stance and because its leader, Gayton McKenzie, served a prison sentence for bank robbery. The deal is we are putting South Africa first, Mr McKenzie said in an interview on state broadcaster SABC. We are going to work together. We have decided we are not going to let South Africa die in our hands, on our watch. The ANC had faced a deadline to get a coalition agreement given parliament had to sit for the first time and vote for the president within 14 days of the election results being declared on June 2nd. The ANC had been trying to strike a coalition agreement for two weeks and the final negotiations went through the night Thursday and into Friday, party officials said. South Africa had not faced this level of political uncertainty since the ANC swept to power in the first all-race election in 1994 that ended nearly a half-century of racial segregation. The party had held a clear majority in parliament since then, meaning parliamentary votes for the president were formalities. Every South African leader since was from the ANC, starting with Nelson Mandela. This unity government also harked back to the way Mr Mandela, South Africas first black president, invited political opponents to be part of a new unity government in 1994 in an act of reconciliation when the ANC had a majority. This time, the ANCs hand was forced. The ANC has been very magnanimous in that they have accepted defeat and have said, lets talk, PA leader Mr McKenzie said. The Group of Seven leading industrialised nations turned their attention to migration, artificial intelligence, economic security and the Indo-Pacific region on Friday, the second and final day of their summit in Italy. The G7 leaders stressed their determination to meet global challenges at a crucial moment in history. Advertisement The gathering in a luxury resort in Italys southern Puglia region also discussed other major topics, such as financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, climate change, Iran, the situation in the Red Sea, gender equality and Chinas industrial policy and economic security. We are working together and with others to address the pressing challenges of our time, the G7 leaders said in a final statement, noting their solidarity with Ukraine, support for a deal that would lead to an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza, investment in sustainable infrastructure in Africa and commitments to address climate change and migration. Pope Francis with Giorgia Meloni, Italys Prime Minister on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia, southern Italy (Christopher Furlong/Pool Photo via AP) Advertisement Divisions did emerge during the summit, however, notably over the lack of a reference to abortion in the summits final declaration. Asked if the G7 gathering has lived up to expectations, French President Emmanuel Macron said: The aim of the G7 is to create convergence and be able to remove misunderstandings. Its not a place where you decide emergency measures or regulate things. He added that there were true convergences on Ukraine and Mideast. It was a useful G7, with useful results, Mr Macron said. The coming weeks will create the conditions for political opportunities in particular around the two conflicts. Migration was the first topic of discussions on Friday, with the leaders mulling ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys. Advertisement The issue is of particular interest to summit host Italy, which lies on one of the major routes into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, known for her hardline stance on migration, has been eager to increase investment and funding for African nations as a means of reducing migratory pressure on Europe. Jordans King Abdullah II, French President Emmanuel Macron and President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune (Christopher Furlong/Pool Photo via AP) Advertisement The leaders launched the G7 Coalition to prevent and counter the smuggling of migrants, the summits final declaration said, noting the seven nations would focus on the root causes of irregular migration, efforts to enhance border management and curb transnational organised crime, and safe and regular pathways for migration. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he and Ms Meloni whom he described as fantastic saw eye to eye on migration. We cant have criminal gangs decide who comes to our countries, Mr Sunak said. Ms Meloni has a controversial five-year deal with neighbouring Albania for the Balkan country to host thousands of asylum seekers while Italy processes their claims. She has also spearheaded the Mattei Plan for Africa, a continent-wide strategy to increase economic opportunities at home and so discourage migration. Advertisement For its part, Britain has a deal to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, although no flights have yet taken off. Human rights organisations have criticised the agreement as unethical and unworkable. The United States has also been struggling with a growing number of migrants. President Joe Biden introduced new policies to curb migration after a Bill he tried to get through Congress failed to pass. However, the future of the new policies is unclear after immigrant rights advocates challenged them with lawsuits. Apart from the G7 nations of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, the Italian hosts also invited several African leaders Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Kenyan President William Ruto and Tunisian President Kais Saied to press Ms Melonis migration and development initiatives. G7 leaders and invitees pose for a group photo in Borgo Egnazia, near Bari in southern Italy at the end of the two-day summit (Andrew Medichini/AP) But rights groups decried what they said was a lack of ambition in support for developing countries. The ONE Campaign, which advocates for investment in Africa, said it had found the G7 and EU institutions share of aid going to Africa was at its lowest point since 1973. Without any concrete action, the G7 in Italy amounts to no more than pointless platitudes, said David McNair, executive director at The ONE Campaign. Although the summits final statement reflects promises of increased partnership between the G7 and Africa, there are very few specifics on what new financing, if any, will be available. Pope Francis also became the first pontiff to address a G7 summit, delivering a speech on artificial intelligence. Other invitees included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The summit opened on Thursday with a strong show of support for Kyiv: an agreement on a US proposal to back a 50 billion-dollar (39.5 billion) loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral. Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the freezing of Russian assets as theft and vowed it will not go unpunished. Mr Biden also signed a bilateral security agreement with Mr Zelensky, aiming to send a signal to Russia of American resolve in supporting Kyiv. But some cracks appeared among the G7 leaders, notably Mr Macron deploring a lack of a reference to abortion in the summits final document. The statement after last years summit in Hiroshima, Japan, expressed a commitment to provide access to safe and legal abortion to women and girls, and pledged to defend gender equality and the rights of members of the LGBT+ community. The word abortion was absent from this years final communique, although it included a reference to promoting sexual and reproductive health rights. It was not possible to reach agreement on these things in the room, a senior EU official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to reveal details of the private discussions. Asked on Thursday about reports that abortion would not be included in the final text, Mr Macron said it was something he regretted. France has included womens right to abortion, the freedom of decision on ones own body, into its constitution, he said, adding that France defends this vision of equality between women and men. Its not a vision thats shared across all the political spectrum, Mr Macron said. Ms Meloni, who campaigned on a God, Family, Fatherland motto, has denied she is rolling back rights to abortions, which have been legal in Italy since 1978. But the centre-left opposition has warned that her initiatives are chipping away at those rights, including by giving pro-life groups access to women considering abortions. Leaders of the G7 are turning their attention to migration on the second day of their summit on Friday, seeking ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys. The gathering in a luxury resort in Italys southern Puglia region is also discussing other major topics, such as financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, artificial intelligence and climate change, as well as Chinas industrial policy and economic security. Advertisement But some divisions also appeared to emerge over the wording of the summits final declaration, with disagreement reported over the inclusion of a reference to abortion. Migration is of particular interest to summit host Italy, which lies on one of the major routes into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Mr Bide is welcomed by Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni during a G7 world leaders summit at Borgo Egnazia, Italy (Luca Bruno/AP) Advertisement Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her hard-line stance on the issue, has been keen to increase investment and funding for African nations as a means of reducing migratory pressure on Europe. Italy wanted to dedicate ample space to another continent that is fundamental to the future of all of us, which is Africa, with its difficulties, its opportunities, Ms Meloni said at the summit opening on Thursday. Linked to Africa, and not only to Africa, there is another fundamental issue that Italy has placed at the centre of the presidency, which is the issue of migration, the increasingly worrying role that trafficking organizations are assuming, clearly exploiting the desperation of human beings, she said. Ms Meloni has a controversial five-year deal with neighboring Albania for the Balkan country to host thousands of asylum-seekers while Italy processes their claims. Advertisement She has also spearheaded the Mattei Plan for Africa, a continent-wide strategy to increase economic opportunities at home and so discourage migration to Europe. Mr Biden and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy shake hands after signing a security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 (Alex Brandon/AP) More than 22,000 people have arrived in Italy by sea so far in 2024, according to UNHCR figures. In 2023, more than 157,000 arrived, and nearly 2,000 died or went missing while attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing. Advertisement The United States has also been struggling with a growing number of migrants at its southern border. US president Joe Biden introduced new policies to curb migration after a bill he tried to get through Congress failed to pass. Immigrant rights advocates filed lawsuits on Thursday over the new policies, and it is unclear whether they will be able to withstand the legal challenges in the US courts. Tackling migration is a common challenge, European Council president Charles Michel said after arriving at the summit. This is the route that we intend, together with our partners, to put in place: this coalition to fight against the smugglers, these criminal groups which are abusing (vulnerable people) to make money and to destabilise regions and countries across the world, he added. Advertisement Apart from the G7 nations of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US, the Italian hosts have also invited several African leaders Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Kenyan president William Ruto and Tunisian president Kais Saied to press Ms Melonis migration and development initiatives. Pope Francis will also become the first pontiff to address a G7 summit when he delivers a speech on artificial intelligence on Friday. Other invitees include Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai gave evidence on Friday at the federal financial conspiracy trial surrounding startup Ozy Media, countering founder Carlos Watsons alleged claims that the search giant once sought to buy Ozy. Google did consider hiring Watson for a high-level news executive job in 2021 and putting $25 million into Ozy in something of a trade-off for luring him away, Mr Pichai told jurors. Advertisement Mr Watson was a critical part of Ozy Media, and we were considering making an investment in the company to make the transition easier, he explained. But did you ever offer to purchase Ozy Media for $600 million? prosecutor Dylan Stern asked. No, replied Mr Pichai, who heads Google and parent Alphabet Inc. Advertisement Google chief executive Sundar Pichai testified briefly on Friday at the federal financial conspiracy trial of Carlos Watson and Ozy Media(Jeff Chiu/AP) He said he had been introduced to Watson at a conference and then in a video interview for a possible Google job interacting with news outlets. Neither the hire nor the 25 million-dollar investment ultimately happened. According to prosecutors, Watson later told another prospective investor that Mr Pichai himself had extended a nine-figure offer to buy Ozy. The California-based company produced TV programmes, podcasts and a music-and-ideas festival before falling apart in 2021 amid questions about whether it had flagrantly misrepresented its audience reach, deals and finances. Advertisement Ozy Media lawyer Shannon Frison said in an emailed statement on Friday that it is unequivocally untrue that Watson told anyone that Google had made a 600 million-dollar offer. He never had such a conversation with Google and never told any person that he did, Ms Frison said. Watson and Ozy Media have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit fraud. He has said that he built a robust and real company, did not con anyone and is being singled out for prosecution when he made, at most, entrepreneurial mistakes. Defence lawyers have blamed any misrepresentations on Ozy co-founder Samir Rao, saying he is falsely implicating Watson in hopes of avoiding prison himself. Rao pleaded guilty to identity theft and conspiring to commit fraud, and he is awaiting sentencing. Advertisement He testified earlier in the trial that his moral compass got scrambled by ambition, desperation to keep the company going and Carloss deep belief that failure was not an option and we had to do whatever it took. Among other deceits, Rao posed as a YouTube executive even using a phone app to disguise his voice in order to champion Ozy to Goldman Sachs investment bankers on a February 2021 call. It was one of the most disturbing calls that I have ever been on in my career, Goldman executive Hillel Moerman testified on Friday, calling the episode a surreal experience. Rao testified that he did the phone trick to back up a false claim that YouTube was paying for Watsons eponymous talk show. Rao said Watson was with him during the call, texting him about what to say: I am a big fan of Carlos, Samir and the show, read one text that was shown to jurors. Advertisement Defence lawyer Ronald Sullivan Jr has said Watson came into the room during the call, realised a live train wreck was unfolding and tried to get Rao to end the conversation. On the other end, Mr Moerman thought the putative YouTube executives voice seemed obviously off among other clues that made the Goldman bankers suspicious, he recalled on Friday. One of his colleagues soon called the actual executive at YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet. The ruse unravelled. So did the potential for a Goldman investment. We had been lied to, Mr Moerman explained to the Brooklyn federal court jury. Goldman Sachs did keep advertising with Ozy after the episode, according to Raos testimony. Watson told Goldman and Ozys board that Rao had suffered a mental health crisis. Rao told jurors he was taking antidepressants at the time but was not having a psychiatric break. Nigel Farage has described Adolf Hitler as hypnotic in a very dangerous way after reiterating his admiration for Russian president Vladimir Putin as a political operator. The Reform UK leader offered his view on the public speaking abilities of Nazi Germany dictator Hitler when asked about him during a live BBC phone-in. Advertisement He also suggested Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy should enter negotiations with Russia, although he acknowledged Kyivs Western allies will continue to support them. Advertisement Mr Farage, challenged about his previous remarks praising Mr Putin as an operator, told Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live: Yeah, but not as a human being. Asked why, Mr Farage replied: How many years has he been in power? Hes gone from prime minister, to president, hes a clever political operator. He kills journalists, I dont like him as a human being in any way at all. You can recognise the fact that some people are good at what they do even if they have evil intent. Asked if Hitler was good at what he did, Mr Farage replied: What, as a public speaker? What do you think? Clearly, hypnotic in a very dangerous way. Advertisement On whether talks should be held with Russia to end the war with Ukraine, Mr Farage replied: This war has been going on for years, it is likely to go on for many, many more years. Were looking at something like a million casualties between the two sides. Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage at an announcement of the partys economic policy during a press conference at Church House in London (James Manning/PA) Advertisement Mr Farage added: Im not saying we shouldnt support Ukraine at all, not for one minute, but at the end of the day most wars end in negotiation and I fear, if we dont find some way of at least sitting down and talking, that were going to finish up with a war that goes on for year after year after year. He said he believed the big difficulty would be Crimea, adding: Is it a bad idea to get people to sit around a table and talk? Mr Farage was asked what he would say if he was in a position of influence and had a meeting with Mr Zelenskiy. He said: Id say to Zelensky, look, the West have been supporting you, they will go on supporting you but the percentage of your young manhood that youre losing is so bad, isnt it time we at least tried to have a negotiation he couldnt say no. Advertisement Mr Farage was later asked about his red lines if he was in a position to form a coalition with other political parties. He said: Brexit was a massive constitutional change, a huge decision that we made. The establishment tried to overturn it but in the end it did go through. Making that work I think is really, really important. Thatd be a red line. The other one, of course, would be that we cannot allow this population explosion to diminish the quality of life of everybody in this country because that is what its doing. Mr Farage was also asked about climate change, and said: We should not be committing an act of mindless self-harm. We will be using steel, we will be using oil, we will be using gas up until at least 2050 and thats admitted by every side in this debate, regardless of the scientific debate, we will still be using that hopefully in diminishing quantities, hopefully, maybe, maybe not. What Im saying is it is an act of self-harm to deindustrialise, to put massive bills on the poor when it doesnt benefit global CO2 emissions at all. Mr Farage added he is pro-nuclear and believes nuclear power is the best thing we can do to reduce carbon emissions. Asked when he last cried, Mr Farage replied: Oh gosh. I think quite a long time, I hope quite a long time ago. Nigel Farage has a nail painted at On The Lash beauty salon, in Hoyland, Barnsley while on the General Election campaign trail (Danny Lawson/PA) He joked: Probably going into the jungle on Im A Celebrity. Elsewhere in his Friday morning broadcast media appearances, Mr Farage was challenged to explain what he meant when he said Rishi Sunak does not understand our culture in the wake of the UK prime minister leaving the D-Day commemorations early. Former City trader Mr Farage, who was a schoolboy at fee-paying Dulwich College, told BBC Breakfast: He doesnt know where the centre-ground of opinion in this country is. Rishi is Winchester College, Oxford University, Goldman Sachs he has no connection to working people in this country at all. Pressed further on his language and asked if the colour of Mr Sunaks skin was a factor, Mr Farage replied: No, hes British born for goodness sake 40 per cent of the contribution in two World Wars came from Commonwealth countries, there are plenty of people here who have come from families who came from the Commonwealth who fully understand this, he doesnt and thats part of the problem. He went on: Too many of our ruling class have no connection with the culture of this country, dont understand what peoples problems are, dont understand what their aspirations are, and Im telling you that I do. The leader of South Africas second-biggest party has said it will back Cyril Ramaphosa for president almost guaranteeing he will be elected for a second term. Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said his party has now formally signed a coalition agreement with Mr Ramaphosas African National Congress (ANC), and part of the agreement stipulates that Mr Ramaphosa will be President. Advertisement Legislators are due to elect a president later on Friday and the ANC and DA together have a majority that would see Mr Ramaphosa return for a second term. If Mr Ramaphosa is the only candidate nominated, he would be elected automatically without the need for a vote. Mr Steenhuisen said the DA was now preparing to co-govern Africas most industrialised economy alongside the ANC and the coalition deal was in place. Mr Ramaphosas ANC has been weakened after losing its long-held majority in an election last month, leaving him needing the support of other parties if he is to return as President. Advertisement Mr Ramaphosa was sworn in as a member of Parliament ahead of an expected vote to decide if he is re-elected as leader of the country (AP) The DA once the ANCs biggest political foe will now support Mr Ramaphosa and continue the ANCs three-decade hold on the presidency. The ANC announced late on Thursday that it had a coalition agreement in principle with the DA and other smaller parties. Advertisement ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the final details of the agreement were still being worked out. The DA, the second largest party in Parliament behind the ANC with a potentially decisive number of legislators, said talks on the details had continued through the night and into early Friday, just before Parliament convened at 10am. The final deal was signed during a break in the Parliamentary sitting, South African media reported. Two other smaller parties will also be part of the governing coalition. The 71-year-old Mr Ramaphosa will be re-elected automatically if no other candidates are nominated for president. No-one else has so far been put forward, though lawmakers can nominate a candidate during Fridays Parliament session, the first since the landmark May 29 national election. Mr Ramaphosa smiled and shook hands with members of his party as he arrived before taking his seat. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to be re-elected for a second term on Friday after his African National Congress (ANC) party signed a last-minute coalition agreement with its long-time political rival as the new Parliament convened to choose the countrys leader. The deal, which parties referred to as a government of national unity, will bring the ANC together in government with the Democratic Alliance (DA), a white-led party that had for years been the main opposition and a fierce foe for the ANC. Advertisement At least two other smaller parties will also be part of the agreement that put South Africa into uncharted waters with the first national coalition government in its democratic history. The government of national unity is on track, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said. For the interest of the country, we said lets work together. We have no fear of that. Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen at the end of the swearing-in ceremony for members of parliament in Cape Town, South Africa (Jerome Delay/AP) Advertisement The agreement was necessary after the ANC lost its 30-year majority in a humbling national election for it last month. It was a turning point for Africas most industrialised economy. The ANC is the party of Nelson Mandela and had governed with a comfortable majority ever since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994. That three-decade dominance ended in the May 29 election, when the ANCs share of the vote dropped to 40% amid discontent from South Africans over high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment. All the parties have said they would put their differences aside to work in the best interests of the country. However, analysts warned there might be complications ahead given the starkly different ideologies of the ANC, a former liberation movement, and the centrist, business-friendly DA the two biggest parties and the key players. The DA won 21% of the vote in the national election, the second largest share. Advertisement For one, the DA disagreed with the ANC governments move to accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza in a highly sensitive case at the United Nations top court. DA leader John Steenhuisen was the first to confirm that an agreement was dramatically signed on Friday when Parliament was in a break. From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration, Mr Steenhuisen said as he broke away from the proceedings to make a speech that was carried live on television. He called it an historic step forward. Mr Steenhuisen said the DA would back the 71-year-old Mr Ramaphosa for president and because the two parties have a clear joint majority of seats in Parliament, Mr Ramaphosas re-election now appeared to be assured. Advertisement The Parliament session first went through the hours-long swearing-in of hundreds of new MPs and electing a speaker and a deputy speaker, before the house set to vote on the president, well into the night. Two candidates were nominated Mr Ramaphosa and Julius Malema, the leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters party which had refused to join the unity government. Cyril Ramaphosa raises his hand as he is sworn is as a member of parliament, with Pemmy Majodina, an ANC politician (Jerome Delay/AP) A majority of the votes cast in a secret ballot in the 400-member lower house of Parliament, called the National Assembly, was required to elect a president. Advertisement Former President Jacob Zumas MK Party was boycotting the session, which did not after the voting as only a third of the house is needed for a quorum. Parliament convened in an unusual setting after a fire in 2022 gutted the National Assembly building in Cape Town and lawmakers came together at a conference centre near the citys waterfront. Two other smaller parties said they would be part of the coalition agreement and Mr Mbalula said the ANC was open to talking with anyone else who wanted to join the unity government. There are 18 political parties represented in Parliament and Mr Mbalula said the multi-party agreement would prioritise the country across the political and ideological divide. Some parties refused to join. The other two parties to join were the Inkatha Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance, which has drawn attention because of its strong anti-immigration stance and because its leader, Gayton McKenzie, served a prison sentence for bank robbery. The deal is we are putting South Africa first, Mr McKenzie said in an interview on state broadcaster SABC. We are going to work together. We have decided we are not going to let South Africa die in our hands, on our watch. The ANC had faced a deadline to get a coalition agreement given parliament had to sit for the first time and vote for the president within 14 days of the election results being declared on June 2. The ANC had been trying to strike a coalition agreement for two weeks and the final negotiations went through the night Thursday and into Friday, party officials said. South Africa had not faced this level of political uncertainty since the ANC swept to power in the first all-race election in 1994 that ended nearly a half-century of racial segregation. The party had held a clear majority in parliament since then, meaning parliamentary votes for the president were formalities and every South African leader since had been from the ANC, starting with Mr Mandela. This unity government also harked back to the way Mr Mandela, South Africas first black president, invited political opponents to be part of a new unity government in 1994 in an act of reconciliation. The ANCs hand was forced this time. The ANC has been very magnanimous in that they have accepted defeat and have said, lets talk, PA leader Mr McKenzie said. Tesla shareholders have voted to restore chief executive Elon Musks record $44.9 billion pay package that was thrown out by a Delaware judge earlier this year. Vote totals were not immediately announced at Teslas annual stockholders meeting on Thursday, but the company said they voted for Mr Musks compensation plan, which initially was approved by the board and stockholders six years ago. Advertisement But the favourable vote does not necessarily mean that Mr Musk will get the all-stock compensation anytime soon. Advertisement The package is likely to remain tied up in the Delaware Chancery Court and Supreme Court for months as Tesla tries to overturn the rejection. Tesla last valued the package at $44.9 billion in an April regulatory filing. It was once as much as $56 billion but has declined in value in tandem with Teslas stock, which has dropped about 40 per cent in the last 12 months. Chancellor Kathaleen St Jude McCormick ruled in January in a shareholders lawsuit that Mr Musk essentially controlled the Tesla board when it ratified the package in 2018, and that it failed to fully inform shareholders who approved it the same year. Advertisement Tesla has said it would appeal, but asked shareholders to reapprove the package at Thursdays annual meeting. A separate issue to move the companys legal home to Texas to avoid the Delaware courts was also approved, Mr Musk said on Thursday at the meeting in Austin, Texas. Its incredible, a jubilant Mr Musk told the crowd gathered at Teslas headquarters and large factory in Austin. I think were not just opening a new chapter for Tesla, were starting a new book. Advertisement Elon Musk (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) Legal experts say the issue of Mr Musks pay will still be decided in Delaware, largely because Mr Musks lawyers have assured Ms McCormick that they will not try to move the case to Texas. But they differ on whether the new approval of the pay package will make it easier for Tesla to get it approved. Advertisement Charles Elson, a retired professor and founder of the corporate governance centre at the University of Delaware, said he does not think the vote will influence Ms McCormick, who issued a decision based on the law. Ms McCormicks ruling essentially made the 2018 compensation package a gift to Mr Musk, Mr Elson said, and that would need unanimous shareholder approval, an impossible threshold. The vote, he said, is interesting from a public perception standpoint, but in my view it does not affect the ruling. John Lawrence, a Dallas-based lawyer with Baker Botts who defends corporations against shareholder lawsuits, agreed that the vote does not end the legal dispute and automatically give Mr Musk the stock options. But he says it gives Tesla a strong argument to get the ruling overturned. He expects Mr Musk and Tesla to argue that shareholders were fully informed before the latest votes, so Ms McCormick should reverse her decision. But the plaintiff in the lawsuit will argue that the vote has no impact and is not legally binding, Mr Lawrence said. The vote, he said, was done under Delaware law and should be considered by the judge. This shareholder vote is a strong signal that you now have an absolutely well informed body of shareholders, he said. The judge in Delaware still could decide that this doesnt change a thing about her prior ruling and doesnt require her to make any different ruling going forward. But I think it definitely gives Tesla and Musk strong ammunition to try to get her to revisit this. If the ruling stands, then Mr Musk is likely to appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court, Mr Lawrence said. Northamptonshire Police have arrested a woman in connection with the death of a baby more than 40 years ago. The 57-year-old, who was arrested on suspicion of murder in Northampton on Tuesday morning, was taken to a location in the county for questioning by detectives. Advertisement Her arrest is related to the discovery of the body of a newborn girl in the town in May 1982. It is understood the baby was found strangled and wrapped in cloth near Northampton railway station. Northamptonshire Police have arrested a woman in connection with the death of a baby more than 40 years ago. More details here - https://t.co/fw8rkM6ZwK pic.twitter.com/0j6C9Kxfos Advertisement Northants Police (@NorthantsPolice) June 13, 2024 The baby was buried in Towcester Road Cemetery in November 1982 but did not get a headstone until 2019 after a campaign by a former local vicar, according to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Advertisement The case was the subject of a major police investigation at the time but nobody was prosecuted and the inquiry closed in 1993. However, new evidence surfaced in 2023 following a cold case review by Northamptonshire Police, leading to this weeks arrest. The suspect was released on bail on Thursday afternoon pending further inquiries. Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, from the Major Crime Team of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: This has been an extremely complex investigation into events that happened more than four decades ago and a great deal of work has gone in to getting us to this point. Advertisement Dozens of officers from both Northamptonshire Police and our colleagues in the region have been involved in the operation over the past 48 hours or more and I would like to thank all of them for their work. This inquiry remains live and ongoing and, as such, Northamptonshire Police will be making no further comment at this time. The NSW government is considering lifting the tax on all bets made in the state from 15 to 20 per cent following a proposal from industry stalwart Tabcorp; a move that would be a major blow to corporate bookmakers including Sportsbet and Ladbrokes. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said on Friday that the government would consider increasing the point of consumption tax to match Queensland and the ACT, and would consult other parties before making a decision. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey is considering the proposal to increase the tax on bets placed in the state to 20 per cent. Credit: Getty Gambling companies should always be paying their fair share ... the NSW government will apply strict scrutiny to Tabcorps proposal. Change will happen if its clear the public will be better off, Mookhey said. The point of consumption tax (POCT) was introduced in 2019, so that corporate bookmakers were made to pay tax to the state in which a bet was placed, instead of where the bookmaker is registered. When I fell into watching Judge Dees Mystery, my very first C-drama, it was with an overriding sense of relief and joy. C-drama, for the uninitiated, which until very recently included me, is Chinese drama, usually in Mandarin with English subtitles. It is immensely popular with vast Chinese audiences inside and outside China. But it has barely attracted any Western attention. But now Netflix is streaming this big-budget murder mystery action drama about Di Renjie, a humble detective who becomes a judge and an imperial court official. Critics have likened him to a Chinese Sherlock Holmes. Actor Yiwei Zhou as Di Renjie in Judge Dees Mystery. Credit: Netflix This show is so under the radar it doesnt even have its own Wikipedia entry, and Netflixs own PR needed to look it up when I inquired. But in just a few episodes Judge Dees Mystery has become my favourite thing on TV, which is a lot for a diehard Doctor Who fan to admit. It feels like the series I had been waiting for since I was a kid back in the 1980s entranced by ABC cult hit Monkey. Victorian towns facing hospital amalgamations are preparing to fight the state government to keep their regional health services as the opposition pushes the auditor-general to investigate the true financial state of the health system. Regional councils will join the fight against proposed hospital amalgamations and local community groups prepare to hold rallies this weekend, with organisers expecting up to 1000 people to attend a community meeting on Saturday in Mansfield, north-east of Melbourne, against a proposed merger. Anti-amalgamation signs near Mansfield. Ahead of the May budget, The Age revealed more than half of the states health services were running low on cash, and did not have 14-day cash supplies to cover operating expenses, which is the benchmark used for Victorian hospitals. Following the budget, the Allan government wrote to the states health services to spruik billions of dollars of spending contained in it but made clear there would be no further funding provided beyond what was committed. The immediate outlook is vacancy rates are set to rise somewhat into winter, Christopher said. This is the normal seasonality we get at this time of year so one should be a little careful about reading into these rises. Maine Confirms First Fatal Case of Tick-Borne Powassan Virus in 2024 (Photo: Dunpharlain/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA 4.0 ) The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Thursday the first death from the tick-borne Powassan virus in 2024, occurring in York County. This marks a grim milestone for the state, which has already recorded three confirmed infections of the virus this year, including cases in Kennebec and Lincoln counties. The Maine CDC has not provided additional details regarding the deceased individual or the specific circumstances surrounding the infection. Historically, the Powassan virus is relatively rare, with the United States recording approximately 20 to 50 cases annually from 2018 to 2023. However, Maine identified a record seven cases in 2023 and has documented 25 infections since 2014, with four fatalities in the last decade. Powassan virus, named after the town in Ontario where it was first identified, is transmitted through the bite of infected deer or woodchuck ticks. Unlike Lyme disease, which typically requires more than 24 hours to transmit from tick to host, Powassan virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after a tick bite. This rapid transmission underscores the importance of prompt tick removal and preventive measures. "Powassan virus is a serious concern, especially given its ability to transmit so quickly," noted Dr. Robert Smith, an infectious disease expert. "With the rise in tick populations and tick-borne diseases, public awareness and preventive measures are more critical than ever." The virus often goes unnoticed as many infected individuals remain asymptomatic. For those who do develop symptoms, the onset can occur anytime within a month after being bitten by an infected tick. Symptoms can range from mild, such as fever and headache, to severe, including vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, and memory loss. In some cases, the virus can cause serious neurologic problems like brain or spinal cord inflammation. Approximately 10% of individuals with severe disease succumb to the virus, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Given the severity of the virus, the Maine CDC urges residents to take preventive measures, particularly as tick activity heightens in the spring, summer, and fall. Recommendations include: Avoiding Tick Habitats: Be cautious in areas where ticks are commonly found, such as wooded and grassy regions. Wearing Protective Clothing: Dress in light-colored clothing that covers arms and legs; tuck pants into socks to prevent ticks from reaching the skin. Using Repellents: Apply EPA-approved repellents such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and use permethrin-treated clothing. Daily Tick Checks: Conduct thorough tick checks on oneself, family members, and pets after outdoor activities. Tick Removal and Disposal: Remove clothing upon returning home and place it in a dryer on high heat for 10-15 minutes to kill any unattached ticks. Dr. Emily Parker, a public health official, emphasized, "Early detection and prompt medical attention are key. If you experience any symptoms associated with Powassan virus after a tick bite, seek medical care immediately." The Maine CDC also highlighted the importance of consulting veterinarians for tick prevention strategies for pets, as they can also be affected by tick-borne diseases and may carry ticks into the home. In light of the recent fatality and increasing cases, the Maine CDC continues to monitor the situation closely and works to educate the public on the risks associated with tick-borne illnesses. For more detailed information on Powassan virus prevention and detection, residents are encouraged to visit the Maine CDC's Powassan virus website or the University of Maine Tick Lab for resources on tick identification and testing. Senior FBI official warns US states about threat posed by Chinese hackers (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters) The recent arrest of eight Tajik nationals with suspected connections to ISIS has intensified concerns among U.S. national security officials about the potential for a terror attack on American soil. The individuals were detained after entering the United States via the southern border and requesting asylum. According to multiple U.S. officials who spoke to CNN, intelligence gathered on overseas ISIS targets linked the men to the terror group, prompting an urgent investigative response. These men, who had already been vetted by immigration authorities, became the focus of a counterterrorism operation reminiscent of the post-9/11 era. Federal agents conducted extensive physical and electronic surveillance before deciding to apprehend the suspects to prevent any possible attack. "We can't assume it's not all of the above," said a senior U.S. official, emphasizing the complexity and potential danger of the situation. The suspects are currently in federal custody on immigration charges and will be deported after the investigation. Their origin, Tajikistan, has been a notable recruitment ground for ISIS-K, an affiliate based in Afghanistan known for its violent attacks. This group's rise has led U.S. officials to worry that the arrested Tajiks could have been radicalized within the U.S. due to isolation or other stressors. This incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates. Senior intelligence officials have recently warned that global conditions have increased the risk of a terror attack in the U.S. to levels not seen in years. The drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and other regions has diminished intelligence-gathering capabilities, exacerbating these concerns. Michael Morell, former acting CIA Director, highlighted this risk in a Foreign Affairs article, co-authored with another expert, warning that "terrorism warning lights are blinking red." FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed this sentiment, stating that he sees "blinking lights everywhere I turn." The arrests also highlight vulnerabilities at the U.S. southern border, an issue that has become a focal point in the current presidential election cycle. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) expressed concern over how these individuals were allowed to enter the U.S. and later arrested in major cities. "We are literally living on borrowed time," he said, emphasizing the need for stringent border security measures. A recent report by the DHS inspector general found gaps in the screening process for asylum seekers, which could allow dangerous individuals to enter the country. This has prompted a reevaluation of how immigrants from Central Asian countries, particularly those with known terrorist activities, are monitored and vetted. The blending of criminality and terrorism in poor countries like Tajikistan complicates law enforcement efforts. Individuals may have indirect connections to terrorist groups without being active participants themselves. However, the risk remains significant, as highlighted by terrorism researcher Colin Clarke, who noted that the conditions in Tajikistan are ripe for radicalization. FBI Director Wray faced questions from Sen. Moran about the measures being taken to prevent suspected terrorists from exploiting the southern border to gain entry into the U.S. Wray acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the difficulty in tracking individuals who may not yet be on watch lists or who use fraudulent documents. Global pharma major Lupin announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) completed an inspection of its injectable facility in Nagpur, concluding with zero observations, according to the companys regulatory filing on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). A Form 483 is issued by the USFDA to firm management at the conclusion of USFDA inspections when investigators observe conditions that, in their judgement, may constitute violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other acts or regulations. Issuance of such observations indicates potential violations of regulatory significance. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The inspection of the Nagpur facility was carried out by the US drug regulator from June 10 to June 13, 2024. The Nagpur inspection comes after the USFDA issued a Form 483 containing six observations after conducting a pre-approval inspection of Lupin's manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey, in May 2024. Earlier in April, the USFDA also conducted a good manufacturing practices (GMP) inspection of Lupin's active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturing facility located at Dabhasa. Nilesh Gupta, managing director, Lupin, said that the company is pleased to have a successful outcome of the USFDA inspection at its Nagpur injectable facility with zero observations. This reflects our dedication to upholding the highest quality and compliance standards across our facilities, he said. Lupin is the third-largest pharmaceutical company in the US by prescription. The company invested 7.8 per cent of its revenue in research and development in FY24. The company currently has fifteen manufacturing sites and seven research centres worldwide. The company develops and commercialises a wide range of branded and generic formulations, biotechnology products, and APIs in over 100 markets in the United States, India, South Africa, and across the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), Europe, and Middle East regions. Just days after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's critical remarks about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), another senior RSS leader has made a similarly pointed comment towards the saffron party following its failure to secure a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at an event in Jaipur on Thursday, senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar refrained from directly naming the BJP but commented on a political party that had grown arrogant despite its allegiance to Ram, resulting in limited success of 241 seats. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "You can witness Rams justice even in 2024, during the festival of democracy. The party that worshipped Ram but gradually became arrogant was declared the largest party. However, due to their arrogance, the votes and power they should have received were withheld by God," Kumar stated at the Ramrath Ayodhya Yatra Darshan Pujan Samaroh in Kanota near Jaipur. Kumar further noted, Those who opposed Ram could not gain power, even when united. They collectively stood at number two instead of number one. This demonstrates that God's justice is not strange but the truth. These remarks follow RSS chief Bhagwat's recent assertion that a 'true sevak' does not possess arrogance. Echoing Bhagwat's sentiment, Kumar emphasised 'ahankar' (arrogance) in his speech. He indicated that the BJP, despite its devotion, was capped at 241 seats due to its arrogance, while those lacking faith in Ram were held at 236. The party that did bhakti but became arrogant, that party was restricted to 241 but was made the single largest party. Those who disrespected Ram, all of them together were restricted at 236, saying that this is the punishment for your unfaith that you cannot succeed, Kumar said. The comments highlight a growing rift between the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS. Tensions have been apparent since BJP then-president JP Nadda, in a pre-election interview with The Indian Express, suggested that the BJP, having matured, now operates independently of the RSS, which he termed a cultural front. This assertion reportedly did not sit well with RSS leaders, who have since been vocal about their discontent following the BJP's electoral shortfall. Newsweek announced its annual rankings for the Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces created in collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company. Mitgo Group holds a respectable position in the rankings for the second year in a row, remaining one of the few MarTech and Performance Marketing companies to feature. The results were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 30 to more than 10,000. BPI measures five primary areas: the level of collaboration at the workplace, how positive workers are about their future at the company, how much employer values align with employee values; respect at all levels and career achievement. Employee wellness, diversity, inclusion and career advancement are also considered among important factors. At Mitgo, investing in our people is one of the core values. When our employees are happy, the entire company thrives. Being recognized as one of the Global Most Loved Workplaces for the second year in a row shows our commitment to creating a supportive, respectful, and dynamic work environment. We are incredibly proud of our team and grateful for their dedication and passion. Elizaveta Orlova, Chief Human Resource Officer at Mitgo Group. Mitgo Group cultivates an open and inclusive workplace where employees from diverse, multinational backgrounds actively collaborate, sharing insights and innovative ideas, including direct interactions with the CEO. Mitgo Group values genuine listening, allowing every employee's voice to be heard, with the opportunity for individuals to lead projects they propose. The company places a lot of emphasis on nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit. Mitgo Group supports professional growth through targeted mentoring and training and by promoting autonomy in career progression. The company offers significant benefits like additional days off, hybrid working options, comprehensive health coverage and memorable company events, all aimed at maintaining a healthy work-life balance and a vibrant corporate culture. As workplaces continue to shift, its clearer than ever that fostering collaboration, embracing a positive outlook, and aligning values are essential. The companies celebrated on the 2024 Global Most Loved Workplaces list truly embody these principles. They show us that by championing respect and team oriented outcomes, theyre not just building great workplaces, theyre shaping a brighter future for all. - Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief of Newsweek. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240613878187/en/ By using countermeasures against NAVWAR threats, Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) is achieved. These countermeasures are as varied and sophisticated as the offensive capabilities they aim to neutralize. Nations and corporations worldwide have invested in technologies designed to detect, mitigate, and adapt to GNSS disruption and spoofing. Signal-behavior monitoring represents an important method of assessing the integrity of PNT systems at the system or unit level. By observing PNT signals for behavior such as dropouts, discontinuities, unusual signal fluctuations, data bit changes, or other anomalies, this technique can detect a potential failure or false manipulation of the source, indicate the system to revert to a safe mode, use of countermeasures, or act against the perpetrator. A common combination provides navigation resilience using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a GNSS receiver. By correlating the GNSS position with the IMU data, the navigation system compares the position intervals reported by the GNSS subsystem with the relative position determined by directional accelerations and time measured by the IMU relative to the previous GNSS interval. Trusted timing standards are also part of such combined sensor systems, assessing the integrity of PNT signals. By correlating the information provided by the different sensors and an integral atomic clock, all the sensors must agree on the location and timing solution. If one sensor disagrees with the others, that sensor may be considered suspect, either for failure or compromise. While this method is immune to external interference, it is susceptible to position measurement inaccuracies (also known as drift) proportional to the distance and time traveled. Adding Artificial Intelligence sensor fusion to the system enhances the systems processing capabilities, primarily in an environment where satellite signals are obstructed or challenged, such as indoors or in urban areas. GPS/INS systems are common in most aviation and naval systems and are also being introduced in military land systems. However, due to the IMU cost and complexity, they are used mainly in high-value systems such as air defense, artillery, and recce units. An anti-jam antenna unit is another method of PNT resilience. Anti-jam solutions use smart technologies such as controlled radiation pattern antennas to focus on satellite signals while attenuating the signal received from ground-based jammers. A typical system of this class is the ADA GNSS Anti-Jamming system from IAI. ADA protects aircraft, drones, surface vehicles, or ships from GNSS disruption. It uses a multichannel antenna that filters out signals coming from undesirable directions. The technology can also detect and mitigate spoofing attacks, ensuring the integrity of GNSS signals. IAI offers ADA in several versions, including a lightweight system optimized for use on missiles, drones, and loitering weapons and the Compact ADA unveiled earlier this year. Other systems developed by Elbit Systems Rokar unit are JaGuard and GUR. These systems use up to four antennae elements to perform null steering techniques and processing units to perform complex anti-jam and GNSS calculations simultaneously. The system is optimized for efficient multipath mitigation in urban or naval environments. JaGuard can be mounted on the platform, while GUR is designed for integration at the subsystem or embedded solution level. The Canadian NovaTel is offering advanced anti-jamming antennas. These systems employ enhanced GNSS tracking performance, new direction-finding capabilities, improved electronic situational awareness, and a new silent mode feature that reduces its thermal signature. The systems receiver employs algorithms that use various detection metrics at multiple stages within the signal processing to provide a robust overall spoofing detection alert. While the receiver may be spoofed, the resulting falsified position, navigation, and timing (PNT) measurements wont fool the user. Because of the alert, users have increased situational awareness of when their receivers measurements may be untrustworthy. While ADA, JaGuard, and GUR are designed specifically for the military user, other GNSS-AJ solutions have been optimized as dual-use systems. Infinidome, a pioneer in GNSS protection, has developed the GPS Dome, a cost-effective and compact system designed to shield commercial and military assets from jamming. Infinidome, an Israeli GPS protection specialist company, has introduced GPSDome, which uses two antennae to perform passive null steering by attenuating the reception from the direction of the most powerful signal (the jammer). The company developed a proprietary filter to isolate this signal and implemented it into an integrated circuit. The latest generation, GPSDome2, is a software-defined GNSS-AJ solution that offers a wider frequency range, higher efficiency, and the ability to simultaneously deal with multiple jammers from three directions. GPSDome2 is packed in a small package weighing only 500 gr. That can be installed as a retrofit or in new systems. Under a collaboration with Honeywell, the system has been integrated into Honeywells Resilient Navigation System, introduced in 2022 as an aviation-certified navigation system designed to overcome GNSS vulnerabilities. A similar system is under development in South Korea in cooperation with Hanwha, which has also invested in the company. Both are positioned to provide these navigation capabilities for the Autonomous Air Mobility systems. (AAM). Another method the US military uses to foil spoofing is the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS signal, employing encryption to discriminate between true and false signals. GPS satellites transmit signals with encrypted code, and SAASM-protected receivers have decryption keys that authenticate the signal. Military receivers deployed after 2006 were required to use SAASM. These techniques are not available to commercial users and require special authorization by the US Government. Therefore, not all military GNSS receivers use encrypted signals, and those that do not may be vulnerable to spoofing. The European Union (EU) Galileo system also supports encrypted signal techniques through the Public Regulated Service (PRS) reserved for EU government users. While SAASM is available only to the US government and authorized users, other APNT applications employ software-based GNSS protection to detect spoofing attacks. The Pyramid system, developed by Regulus Cyber, detects, alerts, and reports the presence of GNSS spoofing signals, enabling the user to employ alternative navigation or correction measures to protect the navigation system and the platform. The system uses software updates to keep up with the latest attack methods. Since 2018, when the first 3rd generation GPS satellite was deployed, a new encrypted M-Code has been used in the L1 and L2 GPS bands, supporting U.S. military operations. M-Code is designed to improve resistance to GPS threats such as jamming and spoofing. M-Code receivers use a higher-power signal to resist jamming interference and encryption, among other security features, to thwart spoofing attacks. M-Code support has been mandatory for all new military GPS receivers since 2017. Some forces of European Union members are also starting to get access to M-Code. Back to the Introduction to NAVWAR Senior CPC, CPV officials hold talks in Beijing Xinhua) 10:49, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Li Shulei, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held talks with Nguyen Trong Nghia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, in Beijing on Thursday. Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in the field of publicity, deepen the exchange of experience on party and state governance, promote the traditional friendship, and advance the development of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Nguyen said Vietnam is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, enhance political mutual trust, deepen cooperation between corresponding government departments, promote publicity related to the Vietnam-China friendship, and promote the continuous development of the relationship between the two parties and two countries, as well as the socialist cause. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Walt Disney Animation Studios started off its 2024 Annecy Showcase with a quote from the companys founder: Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever. The presentation that followed largely focused on the upcoming release of Moana 2, scheduled for U.S. release on November 27. But first, Mark Henn kicked off the event by receiving the Annecy Walk of Fame award, presented to him by Marcel Jean, artistic director of Annecy Intl Animation Film Festival. An iconic figure of Disneys 1990s renaissance, the recently-retired Henn supervised animation on five female leads, more than any other person in the history of the Disney studio. Henn is visiting Annecy for the first time to screen his new short, a Donald Duck entry called D.I.Y. Duck. It means a lot to be here, back with one of Disneys Sensational Six, said a very emotional Henn after receiving a long standing ovation from Annecys euphoric audience. Henn added, Forty-three years have gone by since Ive started working at Disney, and throughout my career Ive been fortunate to work on so many great characters. With Donald, I wanted to take a modern yet hand-drawn approach to his own persona. What thing in modern-day life would make him lose his temper? And so, we turned to simple home repairs. In D.I.Y. Duck, which marks the 90th anniversary of the character but also is Donalds first stand-alone appearance in a short since 1961, Henn and his team of animators bring back the essence of Donalds comedic style. The short, produced by Meet the Robinsons producer Dorothy McKim, has an old-school yet dynamic look, mirroring Henns hand-drawn years at Disney Animation studio in Florida. Its been a pleasure to come out of retirement to bring back the all-original Donald Duck, with his signature voice, the legacy of Clarence Ducky Nash. Before handing over the stage to Moana 2 directors, Henn shared a few words for the students in the room: Keep drawing. Every aspect of animation, whether its 2d or cg, still starts with a paper and pencil. And thats exactly how it started for Moana 2 directors David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand, who introduced the film on stage. Both Calarts graduates from the same year, Moana 2 marks their feature directorial debuts, with co-director Dana Ledoux Miller, currently writing on the film with Moana and Encantos screenwriter Jared Bush. I came to Disney for Moana, an enthusiastic Derrick said on stage. Part of my ancestry comes from Samoa, and its a delight to be able to bring the Polynesian voyagers, who were part of the greatest explorers of history, on screen. Dana is also deeply linked to her Samoan roots, and besides working once again with the Oceanic Cultural Trust, we are teaming up with the great Nainoa Thompson and the Polynesian Voyaging Society to depict Moanas greatest journey yet. The film is also the first collaboration with Disneys Burbank and Vancouver studios, and also features the return of the hand-drawn animation team under Eric Goldbergs leadership, drawing Mini Maui once again for the film, along with Mark Henn. We have an amazing group of talented people with us, Hand said. From returning cast Aulii Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, and Temuera Morrison to new talents such as Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, who will voice Simea, Moanas baby sister, or Rose Matafeo, who portrays in the funniest way Loto, who is a key part of Moanas new crew. As the villages new shipwright, Loto will be responsible for building Moanas new sailboat, which will take her and her ragtag crew Loto; Kele, a grumpy old farmer; Moni, a clumsy buffed historian and Maui-superfan; and beloved pets Hei Hei and Pua to the lost island of Motu Fetu, which once connected the ocean, now hidden by Nalo, the jealous God of Storms. Throughout the film and its making, Derrick said, were exploring the idea that the ocean, which seems to divide the islands, is actually uniting them. And thats a theme that has been with us during the whole journey. The films music team is comprised of Grammy Award-winning songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, as well as returning composer Mark Mancina and Samoan-born musician Opeatia Foai. The opening song Were Back, which spearheaded the sneak peek, rings both a new catchy tune and an homage to Foai and Lin-Manuel Mirandas earlier Where You Are. Other early footage shown during the screening included Moanas encounters with the quirky Kakamora crew, a Godzilla-sized boat-eating clam, and, of course Dwayne Johnsons Maui, with his signature charisma and multi-purpose fishing hook. He is Maui, the directors added. Hes aware of who he is, and he plays with that. He brings so much to his character. It was so enjoyable to work with him. Moana 2 isnt just a movie for all of us, concluded Derrick. She has reinvigorated the love of the sea in her people. For us, this has been an ocean to cross, and we are thankful to the people who came across that ocean with us. But even more, I feel like Moana is a wayfinder to us all. A way to magic. Pakistan's cement industry witnesses significant challenges in FY23-24 ICR Newsroom By 14 June 2024 The cement industry in Pakistan grappled with a series of significant challenges in FY23-24, as reported by the Central Bank. The financial year is yet to complete hence the data represents 10FY23-24. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) unveiled the countrys economic survey 2023-24 on 11 June, shedding light on the state of its cement industry. The report revealed that the industry has been compelled by many challenges. The governments fiscal limitations and restricted foreign aid have hampered rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected areas, leading to a general slowdown in the construction sector. Moreover, the global economic downturn has significantly curtailed cement exports to key destinations such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, grappling with foreign exchange crises. The industry has also been rocked by the steep rise in construction material prices. Currently, Pakistan's cement industry exports its cement and clinker to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Djibouti, Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Iraq, Ethiopia, Qatar and the USA. Cement prices in Pakistan rose by PKR10-15/bag (US$0.04-0.05) in just one day last week, according to Ary News. The price of a bag of cement has now risen by as much as PKR115 (US$0.41) in the last month, taking it to PKR1060 (US$3.80) in Sindh, the third-largest province in Pakistan, located in the southeast of the country. Meanwhile, prices in Punjab and Khyber Pathtunkhwa have risen even further, reaching PKR1260/bag. Northern region Domestic consumption in the north was recorded at 26.178Mt during the first ten months of the current fiscal year, compared to 27.156Mt dispatched in the same month last year, thus showing a negative growth of 3.6 per cent. Exports from the north grew by 37.5 per cent and stood at 1.186Mt during the period, compared to 0.863Mt during the same period last year. Southern region Domestic consumption in the south decreased by 6.5 per cent and reached 5.553Mt during the first ten months of the current fiscal year, compared to 5.938Mt last year. Exports from the region increased by 74.9 per cent, from 2.593Mt to 4.528Mt the previous year. Cumulative During July-April FY23-24, the cement industry grew by 2.4 per cent due to a massive export increase. Total cement dispatches stood at 37.446Mt against 36.551Mt last year. Domestic consumption contracted by 4.1 per cent, reaching 31.731Mt compared to 33.094Mt the previous year. Despite the challenges, there was a positive aspect with an uptick in export shipments, which surged by 65.4 per cent from 3.456Mt to 5.715Mt over the same period. Published under Cempa Community Cares Chief Executive Officer Shannon Burger was named an Impact Award winner at the Tennessee Society of CPAs annual TSCPApex Awards ceremony hosted in Kingsport during the organizations 2024 Convention and Annual Meeting.According to the TSCPA, the TSCPApex Awards honor those whose exemplary efforts and achievements are advancing Tennessee's accounting profession. The Impact Award in particular acknowledges a TSCPA member who has distinguished him or herself in philanthropic activities.In addition to serving as CEO at Cempa for nearly nine years, Ms.Burger has been involved in a wide range of local, regional and national efforts to drive measurable change in healthcare policy and accessibility. Ms. Burger is the president of the board of directors for the Ryan White Clinics for 340B Access, governmental committee chair and healthcare committee member of the TSCPA, and a board member and policy committee member for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, among other positions and accomplishments.Ms. Burger was recognized as the recipient of the Kathy Wood-Dobbins Executive Leadership Award from the TPCA in 2023, one of Chatter Magazines 20 Under 40 in 2020 and is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and Leadership Tennessees Signature Program Class IX. She also recently earned her doctor of science in health/health care administration/management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.Officials said, "Under Ms. Burgers leadership at Cempa, the organization has earned a long list of awards and distinctive recognitions, including being named one of Chattanoogas Champions of Health Care in 2023 and 2019, our areas Latino Community Champion in 2023, one of Chattanoogas Best Places to Work in 2022 and Nonprofit of the Year in 2022, among others.""Ive had the pleasure of working alongside Shannon since her earliest days at Cempa," said Dr. Jay Sizemore, Cempas chief medical officer. "Shannon approaches every endeavor she takes on with the utmost level of professionalism and tenacity, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate her accomplishments both in and outside of our organization." Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management Fire Training Division will hold graduation ceremonies for those firefighters who have completed 280 hours in the Firefighter I program and 180 hours in the Firefighter II program today at 6 p.m. at the Mac Avenue location.Twelve fire cadets representing several agencies, including East Ridge Fire Department, Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, Jasper Highlands Fire Department, Sale Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Signal Mountain Fire Department and Southend Volunteer Fire Department, will receive their certificates from Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Hamilton County Fire Training staff and fire chiefs of each department. Michael Weatherly is often noticed because of his work in NCIS, but hanging out with Tom Hanks led him to places he wasnt so easily recognized. NCIS garnered Michael Weatherly a lot of fans. But there were some corners of the world where the actor was able to enjoy some level of anonymity. When hanging out with movie star Tom Hanks, he was briefly reminded what it was like to not be famous. Michael Weatherly once shared what it was like hanging out with Tom Hanks Michael Weatherly | Patrick Harbron/Getty Images Hanks already played a huge role in Weatherlys life before the two met each other. The Toy Story star was partially responsible for Weatherly becoming an actor. In a 2008 interview with TV Guide, Weatherly rattled off a few names that inspired him in his adolescent years. When I was 14, Ray Daviesof the Kinks was my No. 1 inspiration because I loved his wry look at everything. Then when I was about 19, I went through an Woody Allen Elvis Costello thing, which was really just neurotic men with glasses because I wore thick black glasses, he said. He also cited Cary Grant as another close inspiration of his. But perhaps no other performer had an impact on him like Hanks did. I saw every Tom Hanks movie on opening day which is how I came to Joe Versus the Volcano. That was the catalyst [to become an actor]. My girlfriend Betsy thought I was a lunatic to move to New York. And clearly Betsy was on the money, Weatherly said. Decades later, after Weatherly established his own acting career, the NCIS star got a chance to hang out with Hanks through a mutual acquaintance. Ive met Fergie, Weatherly said to Virgin Media. I was dating someone who was friends with her. We ended up going to Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilsons, hotel room for a party, but no one knew who I was. Everyone was well known except me. I ended up getting the drinks they thought I was a waiter. Michael Weatherly once named the most famous person on his phone Being a star himself, Weatherly has interacted with some big names over the course of his career. Hes worked closely with well-known stars such as Mark Harmon and Jessica Alba. But hes even collaborated with some of cinemas most popular filmmakers. James Cameron was the one who initially hired Weatherly for the sci-fi series Dark Angel. He was also acquainted with Steven Spielberg, who served as a producer on the show Bull during the shows three seasons. Spielberg was also a major reason why Weatherly starred in the CBS series in the first place. I was planning to take some time off after NCIS, I was planning to travel with my wife and family but the phone-call came that there was this show and it has this great creative team behind it And then you have Steven Spielberg who is one of the great storytellers of our time so for him to put his name on our show meant we had better live up to that, Spielberg once told Hey U Guys. Still, Weatherly quipped there was one name he had in his phone book that mightve been more famous than all of them. If you went to all the corners of the world, Robert Wagner might be the most famous person as Hart To Hart has a wide reach. Not everyone knows James Cameron or Steven Spielberg. I dont have Jessica Albas phone number any more, Weatherly said. How Michael Weatherly felt being noticed all the way in Serbia Weatherly may not have been noticed while hanging out with Hanks, but there were other parts of the world where he was recognized. The actor once described a strange fan encounter he had in another country, where a fan gave him a backhanded compliment. Belgrade, in Serbia. I was recognized by a boy who was about 15, Weatherly remembered. He came up behind me and said: You are Michael Weatherly. It sounded like he was with the secret service. He then told me: My sister thought it was you, but I thought no, it cant be. You are too old and fat. Season 1 of NCIS had just come on in Serbia. It was 13 years old. In May, a northern snakehead fish was caught at Wappapello Lake Spillway in Missouri, marking the fourth time that the creature has been spotted in the state, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. The first thing to know about the northern snakehead fish is that it has the head of a snake and a long body covered in python-like scales. Generally, it is tan in color with dark brown markings. It can grow up to three feet in length and uses tiny, sharp teeth to feast on crustaceans, frogs, small reptiles, other fish, and sometimes even small birds and mammals. It breathes air and slithers just like a snake. It can also survive for several days on dry land as long as they stay in a moist environment. Additionally, the northern snakehead fish is an invasive species. It is not native to the United States and is actually from Asia. The aggressive, bizarre-looking fish affects native species since it is both preying on them and competing against them for resources. It does not have any natural predators in North American waters, allowing them to grow and reproduce at rapid rates. As a result, they disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. Another concern is that they may introduce parasites and diseases to native fish populations. The latest discovery is the fourth time that someone has come across the northern snakehead fish in the state of Missouri. The first one was found in a ditch within the St. Francis River levees back in 2019. Last year, two more were caught. The fisher who reeled in the fourth one was in for quite a surprise when they saw it on the other end of their line. The angler recognized they had something different and researched the fishs characteristics and realized it was indeed a snakehead, Dave Knuth, a biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation, said. The angler left it on the pavement for several hours, thinking it would die, and it never did. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. By 2050, one of the top construction companies in Japan hopes to successfully build an elevator into space. The company in question is the Obayashi Corporation, and their plan is for the massive elevator to be able to send humans to the International Space Station in just two and a half hours. The space elevator would launch humans out of the Earths atmosphere at record-breaking speeds, reducing travel time to Mars by 40 days to six to eight months. It connects the Earths surface to a geostationary orbit in space. Currently, the corporation is testing carbon nanotubes, which will help scientists construct the elevator. According to blueprints by Obayashi Corporation, the elevator would have a 22,000-mile-long tether and look like a giant tube that expands to a total length of almost 60,000 miles. It would use wheeled lifts called climbers to transport people and materials. Rockets will deliver materials as experts work on building a spaceship at low Earth orbit for the construction of the space elevator. The spaceship will employ electric propulsion to travel upward as it circles the planet until reaching geostationary Earth orbit. At that point, it would begin to orbit at the same rate as the rotation of the Earth. When the spaceship is about 22,000 miles away from Earth, it will deploy the carbon nanotube, which will have a thruster attached to its tip. The carbon nanotube would reach the surface of the Earth eight months later, where it will get to its final altitude of 60,000 miles. A climber will stretch out from the tube and be reinforced with cables. After being reinforced 500 times, the tube should be able to support a climber weighing 100 tons. The climber would then be used to transport materials to finish the Geostationary Orbit Station. On Earth, the company will construct the Earth Port, which will provide two gateways to space. One would be on land, and the other one would be at sea. These sections will be connected by an undersea tunnel. From the Earth Port, the climbers will soar up the carbon nanotube at approximately 93 miles per hour. In about two-and-a-half hours, they will arrive at the International Space Station. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. One of Italys darkest secrets is the haunted island of Poveglia. The small island has a tragic history, having been used as an area of quarantine for plague victims and an asylum for mentally ill individuals. The first inhabitants of Poveglia arrived in the 7th century. Throughout the years, it grew into a peaceful community of farmers and fishermen who avoided interaction with the Italian Peninsula. In the 14th century, the Chioggia War led to the abandonment of the island. The Chioggia War was a conflict between Genoa and Venice. It wasnt until the 18th century that Poveglia was put into use once more. This time, it served as a place of storage for the Republic of Venice. When the Black Death broke out across Europe, the site was repurposed as a quarantine station for ships headed to Venice in an effort to prevent the plague from spreading further. Due to its distance from the mainland, it was believed that Poveglia was the best location for keeping the highly contagious and deadly disease contained. Those who were thought to be ill were sent to the island for treatment. The patients were housed in large communal buildings, where they were separated by gender and the severity of their symptoms. The buildings were often overcrowded, which meant they were unsanitary and poorly ventilated. These conditions made it easier for the plague to spread. The herbal remedies that were used to treat the disease were also ineffective. As a result, many plague patients never got the chance to leave Poveglia. It is estimated that over 160,000 people died between the 18th and 19th centuries. Their bodies were buried on the island. Eventually, workers resorted to burning the bodies or leaving them in piles to decay since the mortality rate was so high. They simply ran out of space and time to provide proper burials. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Illustration by Mallory Rentsch Tlapek / Source Images: Getty This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here. In his New York Times column this week, my friend David French wrote about what it was like to be canceled by his denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America. He later told me how stunned he was by how many people responded immediatelygrieving their own cancellations from churches or ministries theyd loved and served. I was not surprised at all. Sign up for Moore to the Point Join Russell Moore in thinking through the important questions of the day, along with book and music recommendations he has found formative. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. Most people, of course, arent canceled in the way we typically use that word, but in a way more like the situation described by the late Will Campbell. He wasnt fired by the National Council of Churches, he would joke. They just unleashed a swarm of bees in his office every day until he voluntarily left. Similarly, many people who feel homeless these days arent told by their home churches or traditions, Get out! Instead, they face a quieter form of exile. They face those they love, who expect them to conform to new rules of belonging. Sometimes, thats to some totalizing political loyalty. Sometimes, its to a willingness to get over their opposition to whatever their church or ministry leaders now deem to be acceptable sins. Sometimes, this doesnt even happen to these people in their own churches but in their larger theological or denominational homes, or vice versa. Its confusing. Its disorienting. Its sometimes angering. What it really is, though, is grief. People whove faced this in their own contexts often ask me, How long does it take to get over this? I usually quote the landslide-losing presidential candidate George McGovern when he was asked a similar question by later landslide-losing candidate Walter Mondale: Ill let you know when I get there. But an earlier version of myself would have had a completely different view. When I was a young doctoral student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, I hosted a panel discussion on the topic of war and peace on our campus during the weeks after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. I wanted a genuine debatenot just a caricature of oneso I sought to include a pacifist in the group, ending up with the pastor of a very progressive Baptist congregation in our community, one that had long parted ways with our denomination after years of controversy. Afterward, the pastor said that he didnt think those of us on the conservative side of the split really understood what it was like to lose a sense of belonging, a sense of home. Its like going through a divorce, he said. In all of my punkish arrogance, I responded, Actually, its more like after the divorce when the ex keeps showing up on the lawn with a bullhorn, despite the restraining order. My implicit message was, The controversy is over. We won. You lost. Move on. All the ways I was wrong would require an entire book, but heres one of them: I had no idea that trauma here was not a metaphor. What this pastor described was not about Roberts Rules of Order or even about which systematic theology textbooks would be taught at the alma mater. He was expressing grief, and I did not know what that was like until decades later. We would not tell someone whos experienced the loss of a parent, sibling, spouse, or lifelong friend to get over it or move on. Most of us would do what Jesus did with Mary and Martha, grieving the death of Lazarus: weep right alongside those who experienced the loss (John 11:35). Many of us, though, are less sure what to do when we ourselves experience this kind of grief, this kind of loss. In fact, many people want to hear, in a moment of unexpected church homelessness, a word of hope. I say: Not so fast. The hope is real, of courseand thats not just in the Book of Revelation kind of long-term view, but right now. God is doing something new. Old alliances are shaken, but new ones are being formed. In the civic political space, many of us are finding that the fundamental division isnt where were used to it being, between the left and the right, but straight through them. People with fundamental differences on important issues are finding that what unites or divides them is whether democratic principles and constitutional norms are needed to have those critically important debates. The same is happening in the religious space. We are accustomed to the dividing lines we knew whenever we came of age: Calvinist versus Arminian, cessationist versus charismatic, complementarian versus egalitarian. The dividing lines are in different places now, and unusual alliances are forming. From the very beginning of the church, God has worked with what one scholar describes as patient ferment. Change is always disorienting, and often painful. And much of what God has to do can only come out of this kind of shaking. I think that to overcome regionalism, you must have a great deal of self-knowledge, Flannery OConnor once said. I think that to know yourself is to know your region, and that its also to know the world, and in a sense, paradoxically, its also to be an exile from that world. So that you have a great deal of detachment. OConnor needed a rootednessa sense of being a Southerner and of knowing other Southerners, specifically Bible Belt Protestants. She also needed, though, a kind of exilethe experience of being a Roman Catholic minority in Milledgeville, Georgia. Whatever is nextperhaps the conforming of the American church more closely to the global body of Christrequires the kind of change that can feel scary. And many of us will grieve what is lost. For some of us, we need to give heed to what Jesus said to his followers: Remember Lots wife (Luke 17:32, ESV throughout). Grief shouldnt cause us to look perpetually backward. But many also need to remember too that Jesus, even as he said for us to expect it, recognized that losing ones home base would be painful (Matt. 10:1721). The apostle Paul told us that we were to rejoice in our sufferings, but he did not tell us to see them as anything less than suffering. Instead, we are to see that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame (Rom. 5:35). To short-circuit endurance and character to get straight to hope is to do something different than what the Holy Spirit does. People who do not allow themselves the time to grieve what is lost, in my experience, often end up in bad places. Some of them wind up with a cynicism that sees all connection as suspectand we know what happens to human beings when we give ourselves to isolation. Some of them, in the fullness of time, end up pursuing the mirror image of what they once had, as though the antidote to every problem were the opposite of it. Fundamentalisms of those on the right become fundamentalisms of those on the left, or vice versa. The end of that path is disillusionment and exhaustion. Thats why T. S. Eliot, in my favorite poem, East Coker, writes: I said to my soul, be still, and without hope For hope would hope for the wrong thing; wait without love For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting. For those who feel homeless, grieve with hopebut remember, there actually is a place called Home. And dont forget that even in hope, its okay to grieve. Russell Moore is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and leads its Public Theology Project. Time off at the very beginning helps fathers prepare to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Redd / Unsplash When our first daughter was born, in the fall of 2021, she couldnt nurse properly. For my wife, feeding her was an every-few-hours exercise in pure pain. Lactation consultants were consulted, to little avail; a minor tongue-tie operation, newly trendy in such cases, didnt help either. We thought about switching to formula, but my wife was dead set on seeing nursing through. So we triple-fed: She would nurse the baby through gritted teeth for as long as she could stand it, while I tried my best to distract hersinging songs, reading, putting something on the TV. Then Id take the kid and finish the feeding by bottle while my wife pumped. As it turned out, the baby just needed to get a little bigger. By eight weeks, my wifes pain was gone. When our second daughter was born last year, the process seemed to restartthen unexpectedly cleared up in week two. The bigger challenge, it turned out, was managing the emotions of the now-toddler, who found herself, unexpectedly, no longer the center of the known universe. Sign up for Moore to the Point Join Russell Moore in thinking through the important questions of the day, along with book and music recommendations he has found formative. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again. After a period of protest, she settled into a new equilibrium. Yes, mom had a new baby, but she still had dad. For those first few weeks, the toddler and I were inseparable. (I made time for mom and baby too!) Soon, she had grown to like her little sister enough for us all to reintegrate as one happy family. Both these stories have a key subtext: I was on paternity leave. Under my then-employers heroically generous, deliberately pro-family policy, I was free to take up to 12 weeks off per child to help my wife recover from childbirth and to bond with our new arrival. I was lucky; that arrangement is rare. Most American fathers take only a short stint of paternity leave when their children are born, if any. Despite a growing number of companies and states offering some form of time off for dadsWashington implemented a 12-week standard for all federal employees back in 2022and surveys finding that a majority of Americans support the practice, the median US father still takes just a single week of leave. Seven in ten take two weeks or less. Some of this is simple corporate policy; many fathers would take more leave if their place of work accommodated it. But theres also a reason so many companies get away without offering much: Theres still a good deal of complicated cultural resistance to new dads taking time off too, with masculine anxieties about being seen as insufficiently driven at work coming into play. Even in countries with generous government-funded paternity leaveSouth Korea and Japan, for instancemany fathers dont take time off. For conservative US Christians in particular, the concept of paternity leave can seem to cut against a number of our own political and cultural instincts. Some might roll their eyes at employersto say nothing of taxpayersbeing asked to foot the bill for a dads stay at home with a newborn. Hes not the one recovering from childbirth, after all, an important and essential biological distinction. Others might see in a society that prioritizes maternity leave in particular a healthy assertion of traditional gender roles. That holds true whether a child is biological or adopted. Moms stay home with their kidsplaying and nurturing, washing and feeding. Dads get back out there and work. But the biggest driver of many Christians skepticism of paternity leave is the same as in the culture at large: simple inertia. People didnt use to have the luxury of paid paternity leave, they reason, and they managed to make do. Having dad at home is an extravagance the baby wont even remember. Dads who do take leave often encounter this inclination even from well-meaning friends and acquaintances: Hows your time off treating you? Managing to fill up the hours? Bet youre itching to get back to it, huh? Its past time for Christians to revisit this attitude. We know that fatherhood is no low calling, no secondary role. Fathers are primarily tasked not with paying for groceries and college educationsthough thats good toobut bringing up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4, ESV throughout). The Book of Proverbs is one long fatherly instruction in righteousness: Hear, O sons, a fathers instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching (4:12). Scripture shows us good fathers who are immediate and intimate, wise and compassionatewelcoming home a prodigal son with a feast (Luke 15:2024), prepared to die in peace after seeing a beloved childs face one last time (Gen. 46:29). Ultimately, of course, fatherhood is a duty modeled for us by God our fatherno absent provider, but a father who warmly invites us to approach him in love. Do fathers need paternity leave to fulfill this calling? Of course not. But obliging a father to rush back to work just a week or two after birth stacks the deck against that vocation in all sorts of ways, even if, to start, theres more diaper changing than discipline and instruction. All at once, a joint effort becomes a solo project on moms part to discover, navigate, and surmount the various challenges of early parenthoodthe challenges through which one learns what it is to be a parent. Almost by default, dad becomes a bystander to this process. Far from providing spiritual leadership to his family, he can find himself retreating into the role of secondary parent, somebody whos happy to leave all the hard parts of the job to mom, the battle-tested expert who knows where the diaper rash ointment is and how to pick up a slippery infant from a bath. Im sure we ultimately wouldve muddled through the small challenges I mentioned above without the blessing of paternity leave. Triple-feeding our first daughter wouldnt have been an option, so we wouldve just switched to formula. Nothing wrong with formula! Still, after giving up on breastfeeding the first time, odds are we would have done the same the second time around tooand after two such failures to launch, why even bother to try again in the future, should we be blessed with more children? Our toddler would have found other ways to cope with early sisterhood, as my wife with the thousand little struggles of early motherhood. But Im grateful both to God and to my former employer that, in those formative first few months, my family wasnt obliged to figure out the contours of a new life in which I was only an occasional presence from the jump. Im grateful that I had the opportunity to pause my life as I knew it then for a few short weeks to accommodate our brand-new onethat instead of learning how to cram fatherhood into whatever gaps in my work, I was able to take my crash course in rudimentary fatherhood, then go figure out how my job was going to fit in with that. So, companies: Offer it! Christians: Embrace it! Dads: Take itand then spread the word! Andrew Egger is the White House correspondent at The Bulwark. Home Books Voddie Baucham talks LGBT takeover of civil rights, 'manufactured' Christian nationalism Pastor Voddie T. Baucham recently spoke to The Christian Post about his new book, It's Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement, which was published last week and delves into what he described as the attempt by sexual activists to subvert the civil rights movement to promote immorality. Baucham also warned that many American churches are going to have to "pay a price" for standing up for biblical sexual ethics during a time when the state is increasingly mandating against them. Runaway train of social justice Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Baucham, whose book traces some of the key ideas and figures responsible for the LGBT movement, told CP that the idea for writing it had been percolating in his mind for more than 15 years. He especially remembers the media campaign that attempted in vain to convince California voters to legalize same-sex marriage by voting against Proposition 8 in 2008. Though he now serves as dean of the School of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia, Baucham is a Los Angeles native who was pastoring a church in Houston, Texas, at the time Proposition 8 was on the state ballot in California. He recalled seeing a cover story from The Advocate at the time asserting that "Gay Is the New Black," and it used big bold letters to describe the push for gay marriage as "the last great civil rights struggle." Baucham pushes back against such an assertion in his new book, which he noted was repeatedly rejected by publishers when he first proposed it more than 10 years ago. He notes it is the logical sequel to his bestselling 2021 book Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe. While Fault Lines largely explored the neo-Marxist roots of the critical social justice movement as it relates to race, Baucham likened the entire movement to "a train with boxcars" that includes many other flashpoint cultural issues. "The engine may be critical race theory and intersectionality, and the first boxcar that everybody wanted to jump on was that racial justice boxcar," he said. "But right behind it were all these other boxcars: climate justice, border justice, and then LGBTQ, all this other stuff. These boxcars are coming right along with it. So it just made sense to write this book following along after that one." Remembering how even voters in California rejected same-sex marriage in 2008, Baucham went on to note that the cultural push for sexual immorality escalated exponentially during the Obama administration, culminating in the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that claimed a right to same-sex marriage exists in the 14th Amendment. "After Obergefell, it's like we started going downhill at a rapid pace and picking up steam as things just got further and further out of control, in terms of sexual ethics," he said. "So all of those things really went into writing this book." Rise of 'sexual minorities' Baucham explained that the application of the neo-Marxist paradigm to sexuality and gender has led to the emergence of "sexual minorities," the symbol of which he noted can easily be seen in the ubiquitous Progress Pride flag. The Progress Pride flag features the traditional rainbow design of the pride flag but also includes additional chevrons representing black, Latino and trans-identifying individuals, which Baucham said is a "smoking gun" that indicates the fundamentally political nature of the LGBTQ+ social justice movement. "This is about that neo-Marxist, oppressor-oppressed paradigm," he said. "This is about the idea that there is no God, there are no absolute moral rights and wrongs. There's just a culture with hegemonic power. And in this culture, that's Christian morality." "Hence the term 'sexual minorities' is just hitching the wagon to civil rights and critical social justice writ large," he explained. The ultimate consequence of having "sexual minorities," Baucham warns, is the potential loss of religious freedom in the name of civil rights. He worries that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns revealed that many churches don't have the backbone to stand up for themselves in the face of government overreach. "COVID exposed a lot about our understanding of public theology; about our understanding of sphere sovereignty, or lack of understanding of sphere sovereignty," he said. "God gave us the sphere of the family, the sphere of the church, the sphere of the civil government, and COVID basically collapsed those spheres." "And when COVID came, we saw that, theologically, for most Christians, those are all collapsed under the state," he continued. "And we believe that the state has preeminent unchecked unparalleled authority. And that's frightening. We seem to have lost not only the ability to appeal to Caesar, but we don't even believe that it's appropriate to do so." Baucham expressed concern that as the government increasingly enforces conformity regarding sexual and gender ideology, many Christians "have shown a real lack of ability to discern sphere sovereignty, and a real lack of courage in terms of exercising and calling for proper sphere sovereignty, [and] I don't think it bodes well for what we're about to face." 'Manufactured crisis' of Christian nationalism Baucham also touched on Christian nationalism, telling CP that he believes the crisis over the topic is "purely manufactured," evidence for which he says can be found in the fact that nobody can agree on its definition. "People will ask me, 'What do you think about Christian nationalism, or where do you stand on Christian nationalism?' My first question is always, 'How are you defining the term?' And almost inevitably, I get a response that is unclear." Noting how "white Christian nationalism" earns what he described as "a triple-word score" on the intersectionality scoring scale, Baucham believes the nebulous nature of the definition is intentional because it allows the label to be used as a "boogeyman." He also blasted as "absolutely ridiculous" the definition Politico journalist Heidi Przybyla offered in February, when she said during an MSNBC panel that the ideology is marked by believing rights come from God. "Anybody who passed civics, when faced with that definition, would say, 'Well, yeah, I guess I am a Christian nationalist.'" Others, by contrast, tend to define it too narrowly, he said. Both schools, he thinks, are distracting from the real issues. Baucham went on to note the irony that Zambia, where he now lives, is overwhelmingly black and still defines itself as "a Christian nation" under "the supremacy of God Almighty" in the preamble to its constitution. "Here I am in an almost exclusively black country in sub-Saharan Africa that identifies itself with a preamble to its constitution as a Christian nation," he said, noting that when he brings up such a fact to those objecting to so-called white Christian nationalism, many of them try to "shrug it off" by suggesting that Zambia's case is different. "I'm not buying it, I'm not falling for it," he said. "It's a distraction." He added that when he is questioned about his position on Christian nationalism, he parries by replying that he is not "a pagan globalist." "And if you're not a pagan globalist, then what are you?" he said. "And then they don't have an answer, right? They don't have an answer, which again exposes the fact that, in my opinion, this is manufactured. It's a manufactured crisis." 'Such were some of you' Key to Baucham's book is a repudiation of the idea that so-called sexual orientation is immutable like race. In the book's final chapter, titled "Such Were Some of You," Baucham offers examples of Christians who have repented of the LGBT lifestyle, such as Rosaria Butterfield and Christopher Yuan. Baucham notes, however, the unique difficulty of resisting sexual sins that receive special approbation in a culture that has made them an identity. "Scriptures give us comfort in that regard," Baucham told CP regarding those who have felt compelled to repent of LGBT behavior. "Sanctification is an ongoing process. Romans Chapter 7 is in the Bible for a reason 'O wretched man that I am!' Being a Christian is not the idea that we come to Christ, we repent of our sin, and then go and struggle no more. That's not Christianity." Acknowledging that some sins such as drug and alcohol abuse can "get their hooks in deep" and require daily vigilance, Baucham pushed back against the idea that someone who is drawn to homosexuality has no chance of changing. "What we don't do in the case of those other sins, is we don't say that the difficulty of living the life beyond or after them is evidence that they should just be embraced," he said. "And we make that argument with these sexual sins, because we've bought into the idea of sexual orientation as innate and immutable." "Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me," Baucham continued, referencing the words of Christ in Matthew 16:24. "That's what we're dealing with here." 'We've seen this movie before' During a recent sermon at Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, Baucham soberly laid out his belief based on Romans 1 that the pervasive sexual depravity of the prevailing culture is evidence of divine judgment, and that he cannot personally see a way out of its catastrophic consequences. "We are living in a time, in an era when there are people who are desperately wicked, and in desperate need of repentance and faith, in desperate need of the Gospel. And we're being told that the wickedness is, in fact, the Gospel," Baucham said at the time. Speaking to CP, Baucham echoed his sermon and said that while he will never lose faith in God's Kingdom, he takes a less optimistic view toward the apparent course of Western culture. "I always have hope, because I belong to Christ," Baucham told CP. "The Kingdom of God is undefeated. And not only is the Kingdom of God undefeated, it's undefeatable. So, I'm not worried about that." "However, when I start thinking about our culture, when I start thinking about our society, I'm a lot less hopeful in that regard, because we've seen this movie before," he continued. "We've seen it with all of the great civilizations in world history how they were born, how they ascended to greatness, and then how they decayed internally, morally, and eventually met their demise." "And it's terrible to come to the realization that we're on that trajectory. So from that standpoint, it's not very hopeful," he added. "And I believe that the only hope that we have is awakening and revival, some kind of supernatural spiritual intervention. Beyond that, we're toast." 'We're going to pay a price' Despite the bleakness of the current cultural moment, Baucham told CP he hopes his new book will leave his Christian readers "equipped, encouraged and informed." "Know what's happening, know how it happened, know where this came from, know the roots of it don't just know what we're against, but know what we're for," he said, adding that he spends a large part of the book explaining the biblical picture of manhood, womanhood and the proper role of marriage. Baucham also said that Christians need to be prepared to suffer for taking a stand on such contentious issues. "We need to be informed about what our adversaries are doing; equipped with biblical truth and encouraged, because we're going to pay a price," he said. "Maybe we're already paying a price. There are people who've lost custody of their children over this, and the worst is yet to come. So we need to be encouraged and we need to be prepared to stand firm." "We need to be prepared to again deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him. We need to be prepared to proclaim the Gospel, because it is our only hope. And it is the only hope of people who have gone so far astray. So I'm hoping that's what people take away from this." Home News 24 Hour Fitness allows staff to wear LGBT pride, BLM logos for 'solidarity' but limits US flag A memo released by 24 Hour Fitness that has gained national attention labels symbols affiliated with Black Lives Matter and LGBT pride as freedom of expression while seemingly limiting imagery of the American flag, except on certain holidays. The May 2023 internal memo, obtained by Latinos United for Conservative Action Texas Director Carlos Turcios and also shared online the popular social media activist account Libs of TikTok, outlines how employees should bring their full selves to work every day and tells team members to dress in apparel that shows solidarity and support for political causes. Employees can wear clothing with phrases and images supporting Black Lives Matter, and LGBT pride, with no apparent restriction on when those can be worn. Employees can wear symbols representing the national holiday Juneteenth on June 19. Patriotic apparel with the U.S. flag or U.S. logo appears to only be permitted on holidays such as Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, Patriots Day, etc. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe If other occasions come up where team members would like the opportunity for personal expression, please consult with your [general manager] and/or line manager, the memo states. ???? EXPOSED: 24-Hour Fitness internal documents show that Transgender members and team members may use whichever locker room they prefer. The internal documents also show that pride and BLM expressions are allowed all year while Flag and US logos are only for certain holidays. pic.twitter.com/khg9tiih1e Carlos Turcios (@Carlos__Turcios) June 10, 2024 The Christian Post reached out to a local 24 Hour Fitness and the 24 Hour Fitness media communications team for a statement on the leaked memo. If one is provided, this article will be updated. Turcios also obtained an October 2022 memo stating that trans-identified members may use the locker room or restroom "they feel is most appropriate for them." The memo also instructed employees they may not ask for ID to "make a gender determination." "Requiring a transgender person to use a specific facility is not only a denial of equal access but also may violate the person's right to privacy," the memo states. "Transgender includes non-binary members and team members. Non-binary describes someone who does not identify exclusively as male or female. For the purposes of this policy, this is inclusive of those members and team members that identify as non-binary." Requiring a transgender person to use a specific facility is not only a denial of equal access but also may violate the person's right to privacy. Transgender includes non-binary members and team members. Non-binary describes someone who does not identify exclusively as male or pic.twitter.com/AL2kISIQfp Carlos Turcios (@Carlos__Turcios) June 10, 2024 In recent months, there has been much attention paid to gym policies nationwide as some question allowing male trans-identified members to access women's locker rooms. In April, Planet Fitness co-founder Michael Grondahl stated in an interview that gym franchise's policy of allowing men into women's locker rooms and alleged history of sexual abuse is "devastating" along with what the company has become. In a late March interview with Libs of TikTok founder Chaya Raichik, Grondahl stated that the company he founded is "pretty much destroyed" in response to Planet Fitness banning a member who complained about a trans-identified biological male in the women's locker room. The member, Patricia Silva, went viral in March after she shared her story online about Alaska Planet Fitness revoking her membership. "Planet Fitness was like another child for me. And I put my heart and soul into building that company, and it's been pretty much destroyed in, you know, it's lost all respect within the country within the last couple of weeks," Grondahl said. "There's no common sense standing behind this." Silva said a 12-year-old in a towel was inside the locker room while the man was inside, and the girl seemed "freaked out" over the man's presence. "To be honest, I have a daughter, and had I been in the facility and heard what was going on, I'd want to go in there and freaking take the guy by the neck and throw him out on the parking lot," Grondahl said. After revoking Silva's membership, reports surfaced in March that a staffer has since accompanied the man while he used the women's facilities. Home News 5 Christian sanitation workers die in Pakistan; relatives stage protest for safety provisions LAHORE, Pakistan Five Christian sanitation workers in Pakistan have died since Tuesday from inhaling toxic gases, highlighting how they are forced to work without proper safety equipment, sources said. Irfan Masih, Ratan Masih and Babar Masih succumbed on Wednesday to the poisonous gases while cleaning a sewer disposal well in the Satellite Town area of Bhalwal in Sargodha District, Punjab Province. A fourth Christian worker, Naeem Masih, was in critical condition at Sargodha District Headquarters Hospital. In Sindh Province, Christians Yunus Hidayat and Yunus Masih and a Hindu, Badal Gujrati died on Tuesday after they inhaled toxic gases Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The tragedy in Punjab Province struck when a supervisor forced the workers to enter a well without proper safety equipment. Families of the deceased workers later staged a protest by placing the workers bodies in front of the Bhalwal municipal office. The protesters demanded Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif order an inquiry and take action against those responsible for the deaths. They also demanded the government provide safety equipment to sewer workers, lamenting that dozens have died due to toxic gases without any action taken to address the dangers. Our brothers continue to die in manholes. but their deaths have failed to move the government, said Sikandar Farman, a Christian who was formerly a member of the Bhalwal Municipal Committee. How many more lives will it take for the authorities to understand the plight of these workers? Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora said the government regretted the deaths of the workers and would ensure provision of the safety equipment. This is a very unfortunate incident, and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a compensation of 3 million Pakistani Rupees [US$10,765) for the victims, Arora told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. She has also sought a report on the incident from the authorities concerned. He added that the government directed doctors to ensure best possible medical treatment for Naeem Masih and wished him an early recovery. Deaths in Sindh Province A day before the deaths in Bhalwal, two Christians and a Hindu died of asphyxia while cleaning a clogged manhole in Tando Muhammad Khan town in Hyderabad, Sindh Province. Christians Yunus Hidayat and Yunus Masih, and a Hindu, Badal Gujrati, were cleaning a gutter near a mosque when they inhaled toxic gases and died. Masih left behind his wife and five children, while Hidayat was married but living alone. Gujrati is survived by his wife and an 18-month-old son, sources said. The deaths triggered angry protest by relatives, who staged a sit-in that blocked the Tando Mohammad Khan-Badin road for four hours, severely disrupting traffic. Seven protesters, including three women, fainted due to the scorching heat during the blockade. Tando Muhammad Khan Municipal Committee Chairman Syed Shahnawaz Shah told protesters the government would provide compensation of 300,000 rupees (US$1,077) for each deceased worker and promised jobs for their heirs. He promised further compensation from the Sindh government, after which the protesters dispersed. Shah said at a later press conference the formation of a seven-member committee to investigate the deaths. Marginalized Christians in Muslim-majority Pakistan often work the lowest paid, dirtiest and most dangerous jobs without proper protective equipment. Rights activists say that despite repeated assurances by the government, working conditions of sewer workers have shown no improvement. Such incidents involving sanitary workers are not new; they have been happening for years, said Sunil Gulzar, a Christian working for the rights of sanitation workers. Many sewer workers have died or suffered serious and disabling injuries or health problems because they were not provided with safety equipment. Gulzar told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News that sanitation workers were one of the most marginalized segments of Pakistani society. We have been making efforts for years to persuade the government to provide special protection gear to these workers, but all we get is assurances, he said. It seems as if the lives of these workers do not matter to the state. Christian sanitation workers Shan and Asif Masih died from toxic gases on March 17 in Faisalabad. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News Jason Jimenez debunks silent argument' claiming Jesus was affirming of LGBT identity Christian apologist Jason Jimenez says that despite what gay revisionists claim, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is not an inclusive gay pride sermon, and He never affirmed homosexuality or other sexual sins. Earlier this week on his "Challenging Conversations" podcast, Jimenez gave a biblically-based response to the silent argument, which purports that Jesus never explicitly stated homosexuality is a sin and highlighted reasons why that claim is problematic. Jesus' teachings were grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures, Jimenez said, stressing that homosexuality was not a significant issue in first century Jewish society like it is today when individuals identify as bisexual, trans, and the like. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe [There is] poor reasoning behind the silent argument [because] it actually makes what I refer to as an unwarranted assumption about the cultural context of Jesus' time, Jimenez explained, as it wasn't a significant issue in the Jewish culture. Listen to all of your favorite Christian podcasts on the Edifi Podcast Network We have to understand that, in our modern day, you can't take, let's say, a Western thinking of what is actually occurring today ... issues of intersectionality and how we define a person based on their ethnicity or the oppressor or the oppressed. You can't take that type of critical race theory and apply it in the first century in Galilee to Jewish people, Jimenez continued. Because what you're doing now is you're attributing an excessive amount of importance on a particular issue. And you are pushing it or assuming it, not just in the text, in this case, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but in the cultural context of Jesus' life and teaching. Jimenez stressed that just because people are seeing the prevalence, to some extent, of a higher percentage of people who either have gender dysphoria or are coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans, they cannot assume that because it's happening in modern day today, that it was also happening in the first century. At that time of Jesus, homosexuality was not a significant issue," he added, explaining that it wasn't prevalent in the hearts and minds of people. "In fact, homosexuality was very clearly identified in the Jewish community," Jimenez continued, noting that there were major repercussions for participating in the act. When Jesus spoke, he "was not in Rome, like Paul was in the book of Romans, where he was writing to Romans, who are of Greek culture, Jimenez said. When you're looking at Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you have Jewish writers who are writing in the first century primarily to a Jewish audience. I understand that Mark was extending the Gospel, the first to be written in 50 AD. He was writing to a Gentile audience, but mixed with Jewish people, as a Jew writer, looking at the Hebrew Scriptures, Jimenez continued. It's very clear that homosexuality was, in fact, a sin and that there were major repercussions if people were found out to be pursuing that type of sexual activity. Jimenez pointed out that the sexual struggles and challenges of Jesus' day were different, particularly when it comes to younger generations today. It wasn't like in Jesus' day that this was something that was prevalent on the minds of the hearts of people when they were traveling, listening to Him, as He was going about as a Jewish rabbi, being an evangelist, Jimenez said. We weren't having parents who are having kids coming out left and right, saying they're trans or whatever. Jesus doesn't mention homosexuality because it was a non-issue. It doesn't mean that there weren't people at that time who struggled with their sexuality. But you and I cannot assume that people in Jesus' day were struggling with their sexuality the way people are today. There are many sins that arent explicitly mentioned in Scripture by Jesus Himself, but that doesnt mean Jesus approves of them, including homosexuality, Jimenez stressed. Are we, therefore, to conclude because we never see any explicit passages of Scripture in Matthew, Mark, Luke or John of Jesus refuting bestiality, incest or rape or abuse or child abuse that all of a sudden we somehow draw that as a way of saying He doesn't mention it outright because he supported that immoral behavior? Of course not, Jimenez exclaimed. You actually don't see gay revisionists using that as an argument for bestiality, rape, incest or abuse," he added, asking, "why all of a sudden would you say that Jesus supported homosexuality when He doesn't mention it? What we actually see Jesus affirming is the Jewish Scriptures in Matthew Chapter 5:17-18. Jesus affirms the moral laws of the Old Testament which include prohibitions against homosexual acts that are outlined in Leviticus 18:22 ... Homosexuality is not just a sin, it's an abomination. Home News After warning of religious attacks' on trans people, media avoid 'Christian' or 'transgender' in Nashville shooting headlines Despite the loss of six lives at a Christian elementary school, not one of the nations biggest newspapers used the words Christian in their headlines for the mass shooting in Nashville earlier this week. The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and even The Chicago Tribune all avoided initially referring to The Covenant School as a Christian school after a heavily-armed woman who was later identified as trans forced her way into the school and killed six people, including three young children. The shooter, later identified as Audrey Hale, 28, of Nashville, was a former student at the school and self-identified as trans, according to Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Authorities say Hale was armed with two rifles and a handgun when she made entry just after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the school, located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville. She was fatally shot during the encounter with officers, police said. Her victims were later identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, two of whom were 9 years old and one who was eight and soon to turn 9, and Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61. Immediately following the shooting, several national newspapers declined to identify the school as Christian: The New York Times wrote Heavily armed assailant kills 6 at school in Nashville; The Washington Post ran the headline 6 slain in shooting at Nashville school; the Chicago Tribune wrote 6 dead in shooting at Nashville school; and The Wall Street Journal ran its headline as Six Shot Dead in Nashville Elementary School. Other outlets like NBC News avoided using the word trans or transgender in their headlines to describe the suspect, with a search of NBC News for the term yielding a number of older news stories, with only two results relating to the shooting as of March 28, neither of which used the words Christian or transgender in their headline. One of the NBC stories made only a passing mention of Hale as being trans-identified, adding that officials are still determining if it actually played a role into this incident. The same article, however, also used the gender-neutral pronoun they for Hale, a biological female, and suggested in its headline that resentment may have fueled the shootings. CBS News initially reported the shootings took place at a private Christian school and that the suspected shooter is also dead, before updating its tweet to clarify the outlet was still working to confirm Hale's gender identity. As of March 29, there was no mention of Hales trans identity in CBS News lead story, instead referencing Hales reported purchase of seven firearms from five stores prior to Mondays attack. In recent months, a number of national media outlets have sought to portray Christians as a threat to the LGBT community: MSNBC warned in January of mounting attacks on trans-identified youth by religious conservatives and the Christian Right Taxpayer-funded PBS linked escalating attacks on trans rights with the religious rights fixation on abortion, LGBT and other issues The Intercept reported last June on what it described as violent consequences from a Christian fascist insurgency from protesters who opposed drag shows with minors in attendance Business Insider earlier this month suggested a legislative effort to ban body mutilating sex-change surgeries for minors amounted to genocidal rhetoric against LGBT people and used an image of LGBT activists laying on the ground with cardboard signs shaped like tombstones. Jack Hibbs, founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in Southern California, told The Christian Post that while we dont yet know if Christians were specifically targeted in the shooting, its clear that the mainstream media would prefer to portray Christians as the threat to LGBT people. Hibbs called that idea a propaganda scheme rather than reality, because the Christian family really is the actual answer to bringing hope and love and comfort to the [LGBT] community rather than the media spinning it as us being hostile. He also said the media is responsible for fostering hostility toward Christians and Christianity in general. I really do believe that the media is responsible for this genre of attitude and thinking, when in reality if people would just calm down and look around, I see Christians loving, reaching out and bringing hope to a section of people who have lost hope. They're confused, they're terrified. Jesus Christ is the only answer for them, and the Christian who knows that will never be their enemy. The media response to the attack comes as federal government officials have yet to declare the Covenant School shooting as a hate crime. The U.S. Department of Justice did not issue a statement on the Nashville shooting, a move which stood in stark contrast to its statement on the mass shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., last May, which it described as a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism and other targeted shootings. When asked by a reporter Tuesday whether he believed Christians were targeted in the Nashville shooting, President Joe Biden smiled and said, I have no idea. EWTNs @owentjensen asked President Biden about whether Christians were targeted in the Nashville mass shooting, tonight on the South Lawn, upon his return from North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/Wl2On7HLMZ EWTN News Nightly (@EWTNNewsNightly) March 28, 2023 Home News Trans Christian school shooter's leaked diary reveals anti-Christian, perverse, pro-LGBT sentiments Judge orders show cause hearing following diary leak Warning: The following article contains graphic descriptions of sexually explicit diary entries. Newly published excerpts from the purported diary of the trans-identified perpetrator behind the mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, show perverse sexual fantasies, homicidal impulses and hostilities toward her parents' Christian beliefs. In a lengthy X thread Wednesday, Daily Wire blogger Matt Walsh unveiled the contents of the diary belonging to Audrey Hale, the trans-identified shooter who killed six people at the Covenant School affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of America in March 2023. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The handwritten diary, concealed from the public for over a year and riddled with expletives, reveals the shooter's resentment toward her parents and full-throated support for LGBT ideology. One passage shows Hale complaining about her parents' efforts to make their children go to "youth group" and "force Christian friends" in their child's lives "because the old ones were a 'bad' influence." Hale took issue with her parents' belief that "religion can change nature," adding, "That could explain why I don't practice religion anymore." "Let kids think for themselves, listening to parents does no damned good," Hale wrote. In another passage, titled "My Imaginary Penis," Hale railed against her parents and their preference for "conservative religion-gay s," suggesting that their worldview "makes them believe that the child they are given should stay that way." According to Hale, "Even if transgender treatment was discovered and tested during my time, I know how the situation would have turned out. My mother would not have [paid] a cent." Hale expressed envy toward "children who were able to successfully take puberty blockers and never enter a [tortured] puberty," writing that they "don't know how good they f have it." She also stated that she would "kill to have parents who would let [their] child be happy no matter how different it is to [their] viewpoints or don't agree, or scared of it" and who "are willing to listen to their children, not the other way around." The "Imaginary Penis" entry, written two weeks before she carried out the school shooting, reads, "My penis exists in my head" and "I swear to God I'm a male." It outlined Hale's "sexual fantasies," going into graphic detail about how she would sodomize the "girl I love." "I want to know what [that's] like, but I never will because I was damned to be born this way," she added. After describing her situation as a "curse," Hale likened herself to a deity. "Having a brain like mine has its godliness but also prone to making poor a decisions," she said. She cited using the male name she had chosen for herself, Aiden, when filling out Instacart paperwork as one such poor decision because doing so made it so the "check didn't clear." Hale recalled how she once was "thinking of porn and doing plastic surgery on my stuffed animals giving them penises." She detailed how she viewed her "stuffed boy doll" Tony as "the boy I am in another form," detailing how she "constructed for him a penis" and got him together with her "girl doll Ashley." She went into graphic detail about how she orchestrated sex between the two dolls. Hale also lamented that "the people in this world adds more bullets to shoot violent thoughts into my head on full-auto." While Walsh published screenshots of the diary on X and discussed it on his podcast, the excerpts of the diary are separate from those obtained by The Tennessee Star last week. The Star claimed it had reviewed nearly "four dozen images of notebook pages written by Hale that were recovered from the vehicle she drove to the Covenant School which were obtained from a source familiar with the Covenant investigation." On Monday, a Davidson County judge ordered a show cause hearing after the court received a request for comment on The Star's publication. "Based on the foregoing, this Court sets a Show Cause hearing to determine why the alleged publication of certain purported documents by Petitioners Star Digital Media and Michael Leahy, as the Editor-in-Chief, does not violate the Orders of this Court subjecting them to contempt proceedings and sanctions," the court order reads. Leahy and Star News Digital Media, Inc. are plaintiffs in lawsuits seeking to compel both the FBI and the Metro Nashville Police Department to release the writings left by Hale. The diary excerpts obtained by The Star included an entry suggesting that Hale may have initially planned to carry out the mass shooting on Feb. 17, 2023, one month before it took place. An additional excerpt of the diary, from March 8 of the same year, declared, "I need a trans doctor" and proclaimed, "this female gender role makes me want to not exist." The publication indicated that there was a word scratched out to the point that it was illegible, followed by Hale expressing a desire "to be completely gone in physical form off the face of the earth." As reported by The Tennessee Star last week, the FBI sent a memo to the Metro Nashville Police Department a month and a half after the shooting, telling the local law enforcement agency that it "strongly discourages" the release of "legacy tokens" from mass murderers. Suggesting that perpetrators of mass shootings "often leave behind items to claim credit for the attack and / or articulate the motivation behind it," the FBI listed examples of "legacy tokens" as "manifestos, videos, social media postings, or other communications deliberately created by the shooter and delivered or staged for discovery by others, usually near in time to the shooting." The FBI warned that publishing "legacy tokens" would lead future mass shooters to "immerse themselves in and study these materials for inspiration and tactics." Identifying "infamy and notoriety" as "major motivators for many attackers," the memo warned that "dispersion of legacy tokens through the media will only further the infamous and notorious goals of the offender." The FBI also expressed concern that "legacy tokens" lead the public to "dismiss the attacker as mentally ill" and thereby advance "a false narrative that the majority of attackers are mentally ill." In November, the website "Louder With Crowder," associated with conservative podcaster Steven Crowder, published excerpts of Hale's diary outlining plans for the mass shooting. The entry detailed Hale's excitement for carrying out the act of violence and provided a detailed schedule of "Death Day" March 27, 2023, the day of the shooting. In addition to criticism surrounding the failure to release the diary, also referred to as a "manifesto," media coverage of the trans identity of the shooter was also condemned in some outlets. For example, a memo published by the New York Post revealed that CBS News banned its reporters from discussing Hale's "transgender" status, while other news outlets refrained from mentioning that the mass shooting took place at a Christian school. Home News Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship denies hosting prayer meeting for Tony Evans after confession of sin Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship has denied a report that it hosted a prayer meeting for its embattled pastor, Tony Evans, on Thursday. This comes days after he temporarily stepped away from pastoral duties for committing an undisclosed sin years ago. "There is not a prayer meeting tonight [for Pastor Tony Evans]," Shari Carroll, a media relations representative for the Texas-based megachurch, told The Christian Post on Thursday. "That is not correct." The prayer meeting was reported by CBS Texas on Thursday morning, but Carroll insisted that she had no knowledge of such an event taking place at the church for Evans. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In a written statement on Sunday, Evans confessed that though he did not commit any crimes, he fell short of the biblical standards espoused by his ministry "a number of years ago," suggesting it was "due to sin." "The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God," Evans stated. "A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me," he added. "While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders." The undisclosed nature of his sin has led to much speculation and debate online about whether Evans' statement was sufficient. Carroll refused to respond to any further questions beyond the church's statement on Sunday. But online influencers like Christian podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey argued on a recent episode of her show "Relatable" that Evans owed his church much more transparency than he has delivered so far. "I do think, from my perspective, that he owes his congregation more clarity than his statement gave. He may not owe the internet clarity, but I do think that he owes his congregation specificity," Stuckey said. She pointed to how Matt Chandler, lead pastor of teaching at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, handled his ministry failure in 2022 as a good example of being transparent as a leader. Chandler was forced to take a "leave of absence" by his elder board for his use of inappropriate language in Instagram messages to a woman who is not his wife. "When Matt Chandler had to come forward and say that he had fallen short of the biblical standard for a Christian, a biblical standard for a husband, and a pastor, he stepped down from his pastoral position because of that," she said. "He had to say what he had done, which was engage in messages with a woman at his church that were not sexual in nature, but he described them as too familiar, as maybe bordering on flirtatious just not appropriate for married people, coarse joking," she explained. "He [Chandler] had to admit this, confess this in front of his congregation and this was put online, and of course, it was talked about in the media. I'm sure that that was not easy for him. That takes a lot of humility. It was not easy for his family, I'm sure, but I see that as part of the consequence of unwise choices especially when you are in a position of shepherding and authority," Stuckey added. "That is part of the repercussions of not acting in a way that exemplifies the self-control and the above reproach way of life that really we're all supposed to lead as Christians but, especially pastors." Home News PCA votes to commend letter to Biden calling for ban on sex-change surgeries for kids RICHMOND, Va. The Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly has voted to commend a letter calling for public officials to stop mutilating the bodies of youth suffering from gender dysphoria. On Thursday morning, Commissioners approved Overture 13, titled Commend and Encourage Distribution of Commission Letter Regarding Gender Reassignment for Minors, in a vote of 985 in favor, 727 opposed, and 35 abstaining. The overture called for the 51st General Assembly to commend as biblically faithful a letter written by last years General Assembly to elected officials denouncing the practice of gender reassignment surgeries for children. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Originally, the overture asked the General Assembly to further encourage PCA Sessions and Presbyteries to communicate with their own respective regional and/or municipal governments the same. However, this portion was struck during the amending process, as it was considered unneeded, especially as many state legislatures have already passed such laws. Teaching Elder Sean Lucas of Independent Presbyterian Church of Memphis, Tennessee, spoke against the overture, arguing that it was utterly unnecessary given the process for how the letter was created. Its an upside-down process to have the commission speak and then for a subsequent assembly to commend what they did, Lucas said. We are asking the assembly to reaffirm what essentially the 50th General Assembly said those its commission. The commission has spoken on behalf of the assembly. And so, this overture and recommendation is actually doing something that has the potential at least of being contrary to Roberts Rules, in reaffirming something that the body has already done. Ruling Elder Bob Mattes of the Central Florida Presbytery spoke in favor of the overture, championing the quality of last years letter and saying it was upon us to say yes, we accept what they did, it was an excellent product, and we commend it to you. Weve done this in the past, not in this particular way, but I think this is exactly what needs to happen, said Mattes. If nothing else, but to avoid the argument from people outside saying, well, it wasnt approved by the assembly; it was just done by this small group of people." At the 50th PCA General Assembly, held last year in Memphis, Tennessee, an overture was passed calling on the denomination to petition the Biden administration and other elected leaders to "renounce the sin" of sex-change surgeries and the prescribing of irreversible puberty-blockers and cross-sex hormones to children. In January, a PCA commission sent the letter to government officials in which they "humbly petition[ed]" them to "protect the lives and welfare of minor children from the physical, mental, and emotional harms associated with medical and surgical interventions for the purpose of gender reassignment." The letter stressed that the bodily disfigurement that stems from gender medicalization can lead to even more suffering. Such interventions are in opposition to God's design of male and female, the commission letter said, possibly leading to "sterility, infertility, cancer, cardiovascular disease, strokes, blood clots, pituitary apoplexy, pseudotumor cerebri, and diminished bone density." The letter called on leaders to "use your positions to promote the health, bodily integrity, and wellbeing of minors who are suffering from gender dysphoria and related conditions." Home News Phil Johnson praises God's 'providence' in health update A noted ministry leader and pastor is expressing gratitude for Gods providence after learning that he has incurable cancer following several weeks of medical tests stemming from a hospitalization earlier this year. Phil Johnson took to X Monday to post a thread sharing an update on his health situation. Johnson, who serves as the executive director of the Grace to You ministry, first announced that he was experiencing health problems earlier this year. I want to say thank you again to the countless people who told me they were praying for me during my hospitalization last month, he wrote Monday. My catastrophic kidney malfunction turned out to be a sort of blessing in disguise. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Johnson added, In the hundreds of blood tests and a bone-marrow biopsy doctors ordered, they discovered I had Multiple Myeloma, a kind of blood cancer that lets the proteins in my blood attack other organs. He noted that following a meeting with an excellent doctor earlier in the morning, he was prescribed a cocktail of drugs, followed by a bone marrow transplant. Multiple Myeloma is not curable, but this treatment should make it go into remission, he explained. The goal, as I understand it, is to keep me alive long enough for something else to kill me. After outlining his medical prognosis, Johnson remarked, Im glad that in the providence of God, they were able to diagnose this before the cancer progressed so far that no treatment could help. He concluded the thread by proclaiming, My times are in His hand, a reference to Psalm 31:15. Johnson first announced his health problems in an April 5 post on X, where he informed his followers that I ended up in the ER this morning with a pulmonary embolism. He indicated the following day that he had begun dialysis after blood tests revealed he was suffering from critical kidney malfunction. In subsequent posts, Johnson detailed how he was undergoing dialysis three times a week for the foreseeable future. Last month, he had surgery to remove the dialysis catheter from his neck. The bone-marrow biopsy that led doctors to discover his Multiple Myeloma took place two weeks ago. Grace to You, affiliated with the California-based Grace Community Church led by Pastor John MacArthur, describes itself as a ministry dedicated to unleashing Gods truth, one verse at a time. Specifically, Grace to You seeks to use mass media to expose Johns teaching to as wide an audience as possible. The ministry offers a Sermons App featuring sermons from MacArthur and a Study Bible that contains 25,000 explanatory notes from the pastor on virtually every passage based on the [English Standard Version] text in addition to more than 140 two-color maps, charts, timelines, and illustrations. In addition to his work with Grace to You, Johnson is an elder at Grace Community Church and a pastor who leads GraceLife, one of the megachurchs fellowship groups. Johnson, whose relationship with MacArthur dates back more than four decades, has also founded several websites, including a blog titled Pyromaniacs and has edited most of the pastors books. Home News Pro-life advocate whose mother refused abortion calls on Congress to ensure equal rights for unborn WASHINGTON A pro-life advocate whose mother walked away from an abortion appointment after a conversation with a janitor was the leader of a press conference that called on Congress to fight for preborn children and ensure they receive equal protection under the law. Christina Bennett serves as the news correspondent for Live Action, a pro-life nonprofit that raises awareness about abortion through educational resources and advocacy efforts. Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the nonprofit group has urged the pro-life movement to follow The New North Star. The list of policies Live Action encourages pro-lifers and lawmakers to advocate for includes acknowledging preborn children as legal and constitutional persons through legislation and constitutional provisions. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On Wednesday, Bennett led a press conference in the nations capital, where various speakers argued that the preborn are entitled to equal rights under the U.S. Constitution. "Today, we are gathered to protect life. We are in front of our nation's capitol building to defend the defenseless, to be a voice for the voiceless, our beautiful pre-born brothers and sisters, Bennett said at the beginning of the press conference. We're here to tell Congress to recognize their human dignity and rights that exist under the 14th Amendment," which declares that the State cannot deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. The amendment extended the rights guaranteed through the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people. Bennett also cited abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who stated in 1863, Abolish slavery tomorrow, and not a sentence or syllable of the Constitution need be altered. [Douglass] understood the Constitution's purpose and that it was framed to give liberty, not uphold institutions of enslavement, the pro-life advocate stated. Today, I echo his sentiments. Abolish abortion tomorrow, and not a sentence or a syllable of the Constitution need be altered. Everything we need to uphold the right to life for preborn children is in our beloved Constitution, she added. After the press conference, Bennett shared with The Christian Post the story of the day God saved [her] life when she was still in her mothers womb. When the pro-life advocate was in college, Bennetts mother told her that she had met an angel before her daughter was born but said that she didnt want to talk about it further. A few months later, Bennett asked her mother about it again, and the advocates mother revealed that the angel had been a janitor at Mount Sinai Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Years ago, Bennetts mother was pregnant with the pro-life advocate when she went to the hospital for an abortion. A janitor at the hospital saw Bennetts mother crying, and she asked the pregnant woman if she wanted to have her baby. And my mom said yes, Bennett told CP. And [the janitor] said, God will give you the strength. And that empowered her to run out of the abortionist's office because she had gone into his office when he called her in to tell him that she was leaving, and he said, 'You've already paid for this; you're just nervous. Just go through with it.' And she ran out. Bennett realized that God had saved her, and after sharing her story with a local pastor, she continued advocating for preborn children. Republican Reps. Bob Good of Virginia, Doug Lamborn of Colorado, and Alex Mooney of West Virginia also spoke at the press conference, along with Ethics & Public Policy Center fellow Alexandra DeSanctis and Americans United for Life CEO John Mize. Sidewalk Advocates for Life President Lauren Muzyka, Annabelle Rutledge, senior vice president at Concerned Women for America, Julie Scott Emmons of Human Coalition, and former abortionist Dr. John Bruchalski also spoke at the event. A handful of pro-choice demonstrators held signs that read "Stop Prosecuting Abortion" showed up to protest the pro-life conference. The protestors left before the event's conclusion, however, and did not interact with any of the participants. Regarding the upcoming 2024 presidential election, the Live Action news correspondent advised pro-lifers to vote with their conscience and their convictions and to remember the preborn when they go into the voting booth. While pro-life advocates have repeatedly expressed concerns about the Biden administrations abortion policies, former President Donald Trump has also drawn criticism for his recent comments on abortion. The former president and 2024 presidential hopeful has stated that he believes abortion laws should be determined on a state-by-state basis, sparking criticism from several pro-life leaders. The Live Action news correspondent told CP that Live Action has condemned President Joe Biden for failing to support any limits on abortion, as well as Trump when the organization feels the former president has failed to remain faithful to his original pro-life stance. It's disappointing when leaders compromise because voters are left with a lot of questions, and we can't answer all those questions for them, but what we can tell them is to vote with their conscience and vote in accordance with their pro-life values and beliefs, Bennett said. Home News Supreme Court strikes down ban on gun bump stocks The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a ban administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on guns that have been modified with bump stocks. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday morning in the case of Garland v. Cargillthat the ATF exceeded its authority by classifying semiautomatic rifles equipped with bump stocks as machine guns, to which access is tightly restricted under federal law. Justice Clarence Thomas authored the court's opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Thomas wrote that guns with bump stocks, while modified to fire more easily, still do not operate as machine guns do, thus invalidating their classification as such under federal law. A bump stock does not alter the basic mechanics of bump firing. As with any semiautomatic firearm, the trigger still must be released and reengaged to fire each additional shot, Thomas ruled. A bump stock does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun any more than a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger does. Even with a bump stock, a semiautomatic rifle will fire only one shot for every function of the trigger. So, a bump stock cannot qualify as a machinegun. Alito authored a short concurring opinion, writing that there was a simple remedy for the disparate treatment of bump stocks and machineguns. Congress can amend the law and perhaps would have done so already if ATF had stuck with its earlier interpretation. Now that the situation is clear, Congress can act, he stated. Justice Sonia Sotomayor authored a dissenting opinion, being joined by Justices Elana Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. She argued that semi-automatic rifles with bump stocks should be considered machine guns. A rifle equipped with a bump stock can fire at a rate between 400 and 800 rounds per minute, Sotomayor wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle is a machinegun because (1) with a single pull of the trigger, a shooter can (2) fire continuous shots without any human input beyond maintaining forward pressure. The majoritys reading flies in the face of this Courts standard tools of statutory interpretation. By casting aside the statutes ordinary meaning both at the time of its enactment and today, the majority eviscerates Congresss regulation of machineguns and enables gun users and manufacturers to circumvent federal law. Under the Trump administration, ATF issued a final rule in 2018 that classified semi-automatic rifles with bump stocks as machine guns, doing so in response to the outcry over the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting in which a gunman used semi-automatic rifles with bump stocks to kill 60 people and injure 500 others at a concert. Michael Cargill, a gun owner who surrendered two bump stocks to the ATF in keeping with the regulation but under protest, filed a lawsuit against the government over the rule. Both the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the bump stock ban, while the District of Columbia's appeals court upheld it. Last November, the Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in the case. Home News Turkeys highest court upholds expulsion of 9 foreign Christians for 'missionary activities' Turkeys Constitutional Court has confirmed the governments decision to expel nine foreign Christians for alleged missionary activities," labeling them a national security risk. The court ruled that this designation, under the controversial N-82 immigration code, does not violate the foreigners rights despite their legal residence status in the country. The majority cited the "framework of the wide discretion of the public authorities regarding immigration and border controls." "As a matter of fact, the applicants have no complaints that they encountered any obstruction or discriminatory treatment in fulfilling their religious beliefs while they lived in Turkey," the ruling states. "In addition, it should also be taken into consideration that applicants Helmut Frank and Matthew Vern Black, for whom the N-82 restriction code was applied, left Turkey voluntarily, while applicants Amanda Jolyn Krause and Jeremy Lauren Lambert are still in Turkey." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The decision marks a significant moment in Turkeys judicial history, being the first joint decision concerning multiple N-82 code cases, according to the legal group ADF International. In a statement, the religious freedom legal organization stated that the court has historically ruled unanimously against foreign Christians in similar cases. But this latest ruling showed division among the judges, allowing dissenting opinions to surface. Constitutional Court President Judge Zuhtu Arslan presented a dissenting opinion. He argued that there was no evidence suggesting that the appellants activities threatened public order or security. There is no concrete justification provided in either the administrative or judicial processes in the concrete case to suggest that the applicants activities pose a threat to public order or security," Arslan stated. "Conversely, it is impossible to categorically and abstractly regard the missionary activity directed at the applicants as a threat to public order or security." Arslan refuted the majority's assertion that "it is clear that there was no interference with the applicants' freedom of religion." "Essentially, it is understood from the statements made both in the 'Events and Facts' section of the decision ... and under the heading 'Applicants' Allegations and Ministerial Opinion' ... that the N-82 restriction code was applied to the applicants due to their missionary activities," Arslan wrote. "It is beyond explanation that this constitutes an interference with the applicants' freedom of religion." Since 2018, about 185 foreign Protestant ministers have been deported or banned from reentering Turkey, often without clear justification or access to the intelligence reports used against them, according to ADF International. The governments discriminatory targeting of Christian religious workers in Turkey, all of whom have peacefully lived in Turkey for many years, constitutes a clear violation of both the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenants to which Turkey is a party, said Kelsey Zorzi, director of advocacy for global religious freedom at ADF International. She said the country makes systemic efforts to suppress Christian beliefs, noting an increase in foreign Christians deemed threats to national security annually. The affected individuals, part of a larger group of over 30 foreign Christians tagged with the N-82 code, have been engaged in religious work across Turkey. This ruling follows several individual cases that reached the Constitutional Court, with this being the first collective judgment delivered by the courts General Assembly. Orhan Kemal Cengiz, one of the lawyers representing the applicants, pointed out the contradictions in the majoritys ruling and the lack of evidence supporting the expulsion. The Courts opinion, as described by dissenting judges, is replete with contradictions. Despite the clear evidence that these foreign individuals were expelled due to their alleged missionary activities, the majority of the Court failed to see any infringements on freedom of religion, Cengiz noted. Can Kurtulan, another lawyer, discussed the implications for religious freedom in Turkey. With this decision, the prevailing local jurisprudence that missionary activities fall within the scope of freedom of religion and thought but can be restricted within legal limits has been effectively nullified, he said. The decision also underscores a worrying trend in Turkey, where nationalism and Islamization pose increasing challenges to religious minorities, especially the Christian community, which numbers about 170,000 in a predominantly Muslim population of 83 million, said ADF International. Turkey is a party to the Lausanne Peace Treaty, which recognizes Jews, Orthodox Greeks and Armenians, but not Protestants. Home News Virginia church saddened after SBC cuts ties over its stance on women pastors A large congregation in Northern Virginia is disappointed by the decision of the Southern Baptist Convention to sever ties with the church over its support for women pastors. During the SBC Annual Meeting this week in Indianapolis, Indiana, messengers voted to declare First Baptist Church of Alexandria, a Washington, D.C.-area congregation with approximately 1,700 members, no longer in friendly cooperation with the convention. FBCA Senior Pastor Robert Stephens said in a brief statement emailed to The Christian Post that he is "saddened by the decision of the Southern Baptist Convention." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "For nearly 180 years we have maintained a fruitful partnership," stated Stephens. "Our mission for the Gospel has not changed and we are pressing on towards the future that the Lord has for us." In April, FBCA received an inquiry from the SBC Credentials Committee related to the employment of a female pastor for women and children, according to Baptist Press. The SBC adheres to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 statement, which states that "while both men and women are gifted and called for ministry, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture." At the annual meeting earlier this week, Credentials Committee chairman Jonathan Sams claimed that FBCA rejected that part of the Baptist Faith and Message. As a result, Sams asked the SBC to "discontinue its cooperative relationship" with FBCA due to its stance on women in ministry and label the Virginia church "no longer in friendly cooperation with the Convention." "We asked if the church might consider calling a woman as their lead senior pastor," Sams continued, as quoted by BP, "[t]he church responded affirmatively, saying yes, they would because they do not 'believe that the Bible limits the fulfillment of this office exclusively to men.'" Although FBCA was deemed not to be in friendly cooperation with the SBC, messengers at the SBC annual meeting narrowly rejected an amendment to the SBC constitution that would have permanently banned women from serving as pastors. Known as the Law Amendment named after Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia the measure received 61% of the vote, failing to get the necessary 66.66% majority to pass. At the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, the Law Amendment received approximately 80% of the vote from messengers in the first of the two votes on the proposal. Critics of the Law Amendment included former SBC president J.D. Greear, who warned that should the measure pass, it could threaten the convention's relationships with 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," stated Greear on his website before the vote. "It overturns a system that works. I don't oppose the Law Amendment because I'm 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." Supporters of the amendment, such as Heath Lambert, author and senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, argued that the measure was necessary for scriptural reasons. "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," Lambert explained. "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." "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." At the 2023 Annual Meeting, messengers upheld the removal of Rick Warren's California megachurch, Saddleback Church, from friendly cooperation for hiring a female teaching pastor. Fern Creek Baptist Church in Kentucky had also been removed from SBC membership for having a woman serving as pastor of the congregation. Dr. Tony Evans' Announcement Shocks Christian World: Here's Everything We Know link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 15:38 15:38 Celebrated pastor Dr. Tony Evans shocked the Christian world when he recently announced he would be stepping away from his pastoral duties to undergo a process of restoration due to an undisclosed "sin." Evans, who pastors the 11,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship church in Dallas, Texas, has had enormous influence throughout modern Christendom. Christian Post reporter Leonardo Blair joins "The Inside Story" to explain what we know, why it matters, and what comes next. "While Evans, who has pastored the church for 48 years, did not provide specific details on why he was stepping away, he confessed in a written statement that though he did not commit any crimes, he fell short of the biblical standards espoused by his ministry, suggesting it was 'due to sin,'" Blair wrote in a recent article. Listen to Blair tell host Billy Hallowell about this important story. And read more about the details here. SBC Women Celebrate Ban Failure, SCOTUS Abortion Drug Rejection, LGBT Guidelines For 2024 Olympics link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:10 08:10 GET 2 FREE COURSES from World Relief with your one-time or monthly gift of $25 or more! This offer ends on June 30, 2024, so visit WORLDRELIEF.ORG/REFUGEEDAY today to learn more. Top headlines for Friday, June 14, 2024 In this episode, Baptist Women in Ministry celebrate the failure of the Southern Baptist Convention's ban on female pastors, while Mike Law vows to continue his fight. In Europe, the European Court of Human Rights has affirmed national sovereignty in prohibiting assisted suicide. In the U.S., the Supreme Court unanimously rejected a lawsuit challenging the FDA's approval of an abortion drug. Finally, we explore the International Olympic Committee's latest guidelines for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which are pushing LGBT advocacy onto media and stakeholders. Home Opinion A free church in a free state is still the Christian ideal As Southern Baptists came together for their annual convention this week in Indianapolis (June 11-12), they made emphasizing their enormous commitment to religious liberty a high priority. They did so by passing an eloquent resolution explaining and championing beliefs that historically are closely identified with the Baptist religious tradition. When the Reformation shook and reshaped European civilization in the sixteenth century, Lutheranism and Calvinism gave Western Christianity a renewed emphasis on salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. It was left to the Anabaptists in Switzerland and the Baptists in England and America to recover the concept of the local, visible church of the Lord Jesus Christ as made up of people who had consciously professed Jesus as Savior and Lord (i.e. no parish church and no infant baptism). Accompanying this belief in the redeemed church was a commitment to freedom of conscience and no government persecution based on religious beliefreligious liberty or soul freedom. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In 1612 Thomas Helwys penned The Mystery of Iniquity, the first published plea in the English language for religious freedom. Helwys reminded the King of England, James I, that he was a mere man and had no right to dictate religious beliefs to other men. A few years later the Puritan Roger Williams escaped the Massachusetts Bay authorities and founded Providence Plantations (Rhode Island), the first government in the Western World for more than a millennium where people were free to worship as they pleased on Sunday morning, or alternatively, stay home and shuck peas on the front porch, without fear of being arrested for breaking sabbath laws. Roger Williams argued that for any man to coercively interfere with another mans relationship with his Creator was soul rape. As Baptists flourished in America during the First Great Awakening (1734-1775), they increasingly rebelled against the official state churches in nine of the original thirteen American colonies. In the end, with a massive assist from Thomas Jefferson, the Baptists won the argument about the separation of church and state, culminating in the ratification of the First Amendment in 1791, which reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Freedom of religion and separation of church and state are the unique Baptist contributions to the Reformation heritage and it has been instrumental in the flourishing of religious faith in the United States compared to the ossification of the state churches of the Old World. Standing squarely and proudly in that tradition, Southern Baptists overwhelmingly passed a resolution On Defending Religious Liberty this week, noting that religious liberty was the first freedom to be articulated in the Bill of Rights. Given the considerable debate and attention being given to the role religion should or will play in the 2024 election cycle in the United States, Southern Baptists wanted to explain the right way and the wrong way to involve religious conviction in the public square and in elective politics. The resolution encouraged and supported robust Christian engagement in the public square while also opposing any effort to establish a state religion of any nation, including the United States of America and rejected any government coercion or enforcement of religious belief. Finally, in conclusion, they resolved, That we object to any suggestion that our historic, God-given distinctive of religious liberty should be abandoned in favor of a state-mandated religion. As a lifelong Southern Baptist, I am extremely grateful that my fellow Southern Baptists have reaffirmed their bedrock belief in seeking to bring their Christian convictions into the public square and protecting everyone elses right to bring their convictions to bear as well. Home Opinion Gods true purpose for diversity is not what you might think With June being pride month, I wanted to take the time to address Gods true purpose for diversity in giving Him glory and giving the opportunity for His diverse human creation to worship Him. I want to make one point very clear: God cherishes diversity. I think people realize that when they are reading Scripture. I always think of The Tower of Babel account in Genesis chapter 11. Most people think of this as a negative event in the Bible where God dispersed the collective people of the world because of their self-centered attitude for wanting to make names for themselves as opposed to glorifying God. This event, however, also has a positive result that is forgotten in the dispersion of the sinful and pride-filled people. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The people in the post-flood world built a tower in the plain of Shinar and with their unified language and culture, they built a tower that they wanted to go all the way to the heavens. Its a familiar passage in the Bible. The thing people miss about this profound event, though, is the creation of diversity from this one event. People of different languages and cultures are dispersed throughout the entire world. What man intended for evil, God transformed into an opportunity for good and for man to be humbled. In their dispersed and newly diverse form, mans new purpose was to give glory to God as opposed to themselves. As I see the pride flags and celebrations that accompany pride month, I cant help but think that our culture of diversity has turned back into a culture that worships self as opposed to God. People waving rainbow flags have a certain irony to it: the rainbow originated with God and His promise to never flood the entire Earth again in judgment for humanitys sins. The community that adheres to pride principles is unaware that they are promoting anti-biblical stances on relationships, sexuality, and marriage while waving the symbol of forgiveness that was given to us by God in the post-flood world. The anti-biblical sentiments and lifestyles towards marriage and sexuality are very much selfish and sinful, but if the people in the pride community would repent, they would better represent the rainbow symbol that they have adopted for their misguided views and lifestyles. Like I said earlier, God very much does cherish and love the diverse creation that He made to glorify Him. In Revelation 2:9, John writes: After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. This verse reflects Gods ideal purpose for the human diversity that exists on Earth. Nowhere does it say that people are to willingly disobey His commands, regardless of what country, culture, or race they belong to. God deeply cares about His creation, especially the men and women that He made in His likeness to represent Him as ambassadors to the world. At His second coming, we will all fellowship together in His glory and in celebration of His death, burial, and resurrection that made our salvation in Him possible. I hope to see people who have defected from the pride community at the multi-cultural celebration that is described in Revelation before the throne of God. Proposed religious discrimination laws proving unpopular in Australia Queensland's Labor state government has signalled that it may be preparing to walk back its hardline position on religious discrimination law amendments as it faces an increasingly difficult battle to retain power in the upcoming state election. With sources indicating there is a growing feeling with the party that it cannot afford to be drawn into "a fight with the churches" before the state election, senior figures like Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath have begun a push to drop parts of the draft legislation that have attracted fierce opposition from faith groups and religious organisations. The most controversial of the changes, the removal of a "genuine occupational requirement" clause that protected the right of faith-based schools to take religious belief into account when hiring or firing staff, had raised concerns that it would undermine the ability of schools to provide education that aligned with their core values. This would constitute a significant reversal of the party's original position, announced in April 2023, when it committed in principle to passing legislation to implement all 122 recommendations from the Queensland Human Rights Commission's review of the act before the next election. The willingness to find a compromise position that will defuse some of the most hostile attacks on the government reflects both their weakened electoral position, having gone through a change in leadership and a number of damaging public outcries over issues like youth crime and health care, and the increasing public debate around the issue of religious discrimination on a national level. The draft legislation has already attracted condemnation from religious groups, with faith leaders representing Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions joining together in writing a public letter labelling the proposed changes the "most restrictive" in the nation. "The draft legislation, as it stands, would undermine fundamental human rights, and would be a betrayal of all faith communities in Queensland," it read. "We believe the proposed exceptions should be reframed to continue the exemption for faith bodies, including faith schools, whilst clarifying that it is for protecting the freedom to manifest religion or belief, individually or in community with others. "This includes the right to worship, observe, practice, teach, and enable a parent's right to choose a school that conforms with their faith and moral convictions." The Queensland premier, Stephen Miles, had initially tried to downplay the significance of the criticism, saying he did "appreciate the effort" taken to outline their concerns, but deferring any further comment to Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace, who rejected the suggestion that the amendments went too far. "Well, I'm not sure whether that's necessarily the case," she said. "Obviously our proposals are about making sure that no one is treated discriminately. "I guess there was specific issues that faith-based leaders have taken issue with but we think everyone deserves to be treated with respect and to not be discriminated against." Despite the public messaging, the strength and speed of the reaction from religious groups clearly has some in the government concerned, with Queensland Attorney-General, Yvette D'Ath, securing the support of the powerful Queensland Council of Unions general secretary, Jacqueline King, and others within the labour movement to take her alternative plan to the cabinet for what is expected to be a heated debate. Ms D'Ath's proposal would involve retaining the "genuine occupational requirement" clause and instead adding measures that required employers to take active measures to protect their staff from victimisation and harassment. If accepted, the government hopes that the revised proposal will be enough to alleviate some of the most serious concerns of faith groups, while still satisfying those in the party demanding greater action on discrimination. The Israeli hostage rescue and Christian just war theory On Saturday the Israeli police and military staged a raid into the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza and succeeded in rescuing four Israeli hostages Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrei Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, who had been held captive by Hamas since being abducted from the Nova music festival on 7 October last year. There have been contrasting reactions to this raid. In Israel was public rejoicing, and their rescue was also welcomed by US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Russian ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov. However, Josep Borell, the foreign policy chief of the European Union, wrote on X 'reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in the strongest terms,' and the deputy Foreign Minister of Norway, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, wrote on X that he was 'appalled by reports of another massacre of civilians in Gaza.' The Turkish ministry of foreign affairs released a statement declaring that the country deplored the Israeli attack, which it called 'barbaric' and another in a long list of 'crimes' committed by Israel in Gaza, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned what it called 'the horrific massacre carried out by the Israeli occupation army, which resulted in the murder and injury of hundreds of Palestinians, most of them women and children.' If we ask the reason for these contrasting reactions, the answer is that the focus of the responses has been different. Those who have welcomed the raid have done so because it resulted in the release of the four Israeli hostages. Those who have condemned it have done so because of the resulting Palestinian casualties, which Israel has suggested were under 100 and the Hamas run Gaza Health Ministry says were 274. In the light of these differing reactions the question I want to explore in this article is what we are to make of the Nuseirat raid in terms of traditional Christian just war theory. Christians just war theory considers war under two headings ius ad bellum (the right to go to war) and ius in bello (the right conduct of war) Under the right to go to war it has generally been held that five criteria have to be satisfied for a decision to engage in military action to be morally justified in Christian terms. The first is 'proper authority'. This means that war must be declared and waged by the properly constituted political authorities in a particular state as part of their exercise of the God given 'power of the sword' (Romans 13:4). The second is 'right intention.' The use of deadly force must be intended, like all actions by governments, to advance the good or prevent or correct evil. The third (which follows on from the second) is 'just cause.' This means those against whom war is waged must deserve to be attacked on account of some wrong that they have done. This criterion follows from the truth that the use of the sword by political authorities is only justified as a response to wrongdoing. For military action to be justified there must be an identifiable wrong that needs either to be punished or to be rectified. The fourth is that war is 'the only way to right the wrong.' As Martin Luther argued, this criterion means that because warfare inevitably involves death and other forms of human suffering, governments should try to right wrongs by means other than warfare if at all possible, just as good doctors resort to surgery only when it is the only way to heal the patient. The fifth and final criterion is that there should be a 'reasonable hope of success.' Since the point of engaging in warfare is to try to correct a wrong and bring about a just peace, there is no point in the exercise if there is no hope that this end can be obtained. The death and suffering involved would be unjustified because they would be pointless. Under 'right conduct in war' two criteria have been identified for actions undertaken in the course of a war to be legitimate in Christan terms. The first is 'discrimination, or non-combatant immunity.' This means that those engaged in war should never intentionally kill civilians. The point of this criterion is that only enemy combatants should be attacked, which in turn means that civilians should never be killed intentionally and that everything possible should be done to prevent them from being killed unintentionally. It should also be noted that under this criterion enemy soldiers who have surrendered, or who no longer pose a military threat because, for example, they are wounded, have the same status as civilians. The second is 'proportion.' This criterion follows on from the previous one because while it is always wrong to deliberately target civilians it may sometimes be the case that it is impossible to act against enemy combatants without causing civilian casualties. The criterion of proportionality says that in order to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties the amount of force used should be only that which is necessary to undertake a legitimate military operation. If we scrutinise what we know about the Israeli raid on the Nuseirat refugee camp against these criteria what do, we find? First, we find that it was an act carried out with proper authority. It was an act by the Israeli military duly authorised by the Israeli government. Secondly, it was an act carried with right intention and in a just cause. The right intention was to restore hostages to their loved ones and the just cause was that there were four hostages in the Nuseirat refugee camp who needed to be thus restored. Thirdly, there does not seem to have been any alternative way of liberating these particular hostages except by going into the refugee camp and using force against those who were holding them. It might be argued that the hostages should have been left in captivity pending the outcome of successful negotiations for the release of hostages between the Israeli government and Hamas, but (a) there was no guarantee that such negotiations would have a successful outcome and more importantly (b) given the deaths of other hostages there was no guarantee that those in Nuseirat would remain alive long enough to be released through negotiation. Fourthly, the Israeli military seems to have judged that the operation to release the hostages had a good chance of success and the operation's outcome vindicated this judgement. The hostages were brought home. This brings us to the two 'right action in war' criteria of non-combat immunity and proportion. In thinking about these criteria we have to ask whether there is evidence that the Israeli army deliberately targeted non-combatants (as the language of the 'massacre' of civilians would suggest). The evidence that we have so far indicates that the rescue of Argamani took place without much fighting, but that a large gun battle erupted during the rescue of Meir Jan, Kozlov and Ziv (who were held in a separate location) in the course of which Amon Zmora, the head of the second Israeli rescue team, was critically wounded. Following that, the Israeli evacuation of Meir Jan, Kozlov, Ziv and Zmora was conducted in the face of a massive amount of gunfire and RPG fire from Palestinian forces, which in turn led Israeli ground and air forces to carry out major military strikes to provide the evacuation with cover. As has already been noted, the precise number of Palestinian casualties is disputed, and we do not have a breakdown of civilian versus combatant casualties on the Palestinian side. Furthermore, while it does seem reasonable to think that many of the Palestinian civilian casualties were a result of Israeli fire, it may also have been the case that some of them may have been the result of fire from the Palestinian forces, and no one has yet produced any evidence to suggest Palestinian civilians were deliberately targeted by the Israeli forces. The most we can say with any certainty was that there was heavy fighting in a densely populated urban area and that as always happens in such circumstances there were civilian casualties as a result. It appears that the only way such casualties could have been prevented would have been if those holding the hostages had given them up without a fight and if the Palestinian side had then allowed them to be peacefully evacuated. Once fighting broke out, those on the Israeli side had to respond to the fire from the Palestinian forces in order to allow the evacuation to proceed and to get the released hostages home safely. It could have been the case that Israeli covering fire was disproportionate in the sense that it was more than was required to cover the evacuation, but once again none of the critics of the Israeli action has yet provided evidence to show that this was the case. In summary, when assessed in the light of Christian just war criteria, we can say the Israeli action to recue four hostages from the Nuseirat refugee camp was an operation carried out with right authority, with right intention and in a just cause. It can be plausibly argued that it was the only way to rescue the hostages, and that the Israeli side rightly believed that the operation had a reasonable hope of success. We can also say that no evidence has yet been produced to show that the Israeli side deliberately violated the principle of non-combatant immunity, or that they used disproportionate force to achieve their objectives. Civilian casualties are always to be deeply regretted, but a just view of what happened in the Nuseirat refugee camp has to conclude that the blame for these casualties lies with those on the Palestinian side who seized the four hostages from the Nova festival in the first place and who subsequently refused to release them except on terms that would have left Hamas and other Palestinian groups free to attack Israel again. Blaming the Israelis is like blaming the Allied forces rather than the Germans for the 35,000 civilian casualties in the Normandy landings in 1944. There would have been zero civilian casualties if the Germans had not started the war in the first place. Similarly, there would have been zero civilian casualties in Nuseirat had Hamas not attacked Israel on 7 October. It really is Hamas' fault. Martin Davie is a lay Anglican theologian and Associate Tutor in Doctrine at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. We may lose some important Christian voices in the General Election Two Conservative MPs (now parliamentary candidates) who have been vocal in defending the role of orthodox Christian faith in public life would lose their seats in the General Election on July 4 if current opinion polls prove right. Nick Fletcher won the South Yorkshire constituency of the Don Valley (now renamed Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) for the Conservatives from Labour in the 2019 General Election. Fletcher spoke with alarm out about the "attack on Christianity" in response to a report published this week by Voice for Justice UK (VfJ) on how LGBT ideology is marginalising orthodox Christians. He said: "Christianity is the cornerstone for so many of the values we take for granted. If it were not for Christianity our tolerance, our diversity, freedom of conscience and love for our neighbour would become a thing of the past. "This report needs to be circulated widely among those working in human resources, those responsible for education, as well as employers, Church leaders, civil servants and those responsible for policy making. "We all need to wake up to the attack on Christianity in our society, before it turns into something even more sinister. This report is a vital step in sounding the alarm." The VfJ survey of 1,562 UK Christians about their experiences of intolerance or discrimination pointed out: "While there should be no hierarchy in the list of protected characteristics (under the Equality Act 2010), this appears to be contradicted by the reality. It appears that there is a hierarchy of protected characteristics, with all things LGBT+ at the top and ethnicity slightly below that." Unfortunately, Fletcher's orthodox Christian voice would be lost to the House of Commons if the 'Red Wall' seats in the North of England, won by the Conservatives in 2019, revert to Labour on July 4. The Reform UK website says the party is fielding a candidate in Doncaster East. Reform may claim it will take votes from Labour but the reality is that in Fletcher's constituency it would attract disillusioned 2019 Conservative voters. The other Christian 'Red Wall' MP looking vulnerable is Miriam Cates, who won the South Yorkshire seat of Stocksbridge and Penistone for the Conservatives from Labour in 2019. The Reform website says the candidate in her constituency is to be arranged. In May 2023 the Guardian newspaper ran a profile of Cates which highlighted her Christian faith: "Cates met her husband at their church in Sheffield and sits on parliament's ecclesiastical committee, which scrutinises the Church of England...She has been likened to Kate Forbes - the SNP politician who ran for the party leadership but whose fervent religious views were viewed as out of date by most of her party." The paper said: "When Forbes came under fire, Cates called her 'incredibly brave'. The Tory MP also cited Tim Farron, the former Liberal Democrat leader who was criticised for suggesting gay sex was a sin, in an interview with the Christian Institute." It quoted her telling the CI: "I get so many emails from Christians and many others thanking me for taking a stand on these things and that does really keep you going." Reform leader Nigel Farage has on many occasions expressed his respect for the way in which Christianity has shaped our country. On the BBC's 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg' political programme on June 9 he invoked "Christian forgiveness" when asked about the criminal past of a Reform candidate. "There is a thing called Christian forgiveness. If people get convicted of something or do something wrong, well, they have another chance in life to go on and prove themselves," he said. Cates is defending a majority from 2019 of 7,210 and Fletcher 3,630. Though their seats would fall to Labour without any help from Reform if the polls prove true, the countercultural Christian voices of these two MPs would arguably stand a better chance of continuing to be heard in Parliament if their party had had the sense to form an electoral pact with Farage. Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire. Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici. blende11.photo / Adobe Stock Two of the largest and best-known charities in the country are celebrating their 200th birthdays this year. But why were both the RNLI and RSPCA founded in 1824? Was there a particularly fertile ground for charities that year? Were there key figures involved in the creation of both charities? Or was it all just a big coincidence? A cafe and a pub Lets start at the beginning. RNLI celebrated its 200th anniversary earlier this year on 4 March, two centuries to the day since it held its first official meeting. This also happens to be the exact same day John Cadbury, who had founded RSPCA forerunner the Animals Friend Society , began to sell cocoa and drinking chocolate from a grocers shop in Birmingham. RNLI founder William Hillary had been inspired to draw up plans for a lifeboat service after HMS Racehorse was wrecked on a reef of rocks off the Isle of Man, where he lived, in 1822. Six men from the ship and three rescuers had drowned. In February 1823, Hillary proposed the creation of a national organisation in a pamphlet called An Appeal to the British Navy on the Humanity and Policy of Forming a National Institution for the Preservation of Lives and Property from Shipwreck. However, he did not receive government backing for his proposals. After appealing to some philanthropists for support, Hillary finally established the RNLI as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck on 4 March 1824 at the groups second meeting in the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, London. An article in RNLIs Lifeboat magazine in 1924 gives an account of the first meeting 100 years earlier: Yesterday, a Meeting of Noblemen and Gentlemen took place at the City of London Tavern, at one o'clock, for the purpose of establishing a National Institution for the preservation of lives in cases of Shipwreck, affording such relief as the necessities of the persons may require, and bestowing reward on those who may exert themselves in saving the lives of their fellow-creatures. Three months after the RNLI was founded in a pub, the RSPCA held its first meeting in a cafe. The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 had been passed two years earlier as the first-ever law protecting animals. Irish MP Richard Martin, nicknamed Humanity Dick, had helped to get the law passed so the legislation was often called Martins Act. Martin was one of 22 people including fellow founder Reverend Arthur Broome who met at Old Slaughters Coffee House in London on 16 June 1824 at the RSPCAs first meeting where it was formed as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SPCA was launched five years before the police force, with its inspectors given uniforms and truncheons before Robert Peels Metropolitan Police Act of 1829. Founder members So, was there a connection in the personnel that set up the RNLI and RSPCA? You might think their royal names indicate that a monarch played a role in their creation. King George IV, monarch in 1824, indeed granted RNLI royal assent and became its patron that year. Every monarch since, including King Charles III, has inherited the role . However, RSPCA had to wait until 1840 for Queen Victoria to give permission for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to add Royal to its name. But there were others involved in both charities from the beginning. MP John Ashley Warre and former lord mayor of London Alderman George Bridges were both at the founding meetings of the RSPCA and RNLI. Banker and philanthropist Samuel Gurney was also a founder member of both charities. Many of these figures are noted in Lifeboat magazines account of RNLIs first meeting, plus perhaps the most famous person who played a role in the formation of both charities, another abolitionist, William Wilberforce. Wilberforce Conservative MP Wilberforce led the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade in the late 18th century for 20 years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act in 1807. He continued to support a campaign for the complete abolition of slavery until his death in 1833, the same year the Slavery Abolition Act was passed. However, in 1824, aged 64, he also had a hand in setting up both RNLI and RSPCA. According to Lifeboat magazine, Wilberforce said at the inaugural RNLI meeting: Let us place ourselves in the situation of those persons who have to expose their lives to peril and hardship, and who may at a moment of danger, though never thinking of themselves, be somewhat slow in risking their lives, if they are to leave behind them their families unprovided for, and who would cheerfully hasten to brave storms and mountain waves when called by the voice of distress, and when conscious that their wives, though widowed, would not be forsaken and that their children, though fatherless, would not be forsaken orphans. For such it was their duty, the duty of the opulent, to provide. But he is more commonly associated with the RSPCA as one of its founders. Indeed, the charitys recently changed logo is written in a typeface named after him, Wilberforce Sans. It also recently began holding an annual Wilberforce lecture on the role of animals in society. Women So, some of the same people were involved in setting up both the RNLI and RSPCA, but it is fair to say that pretty much all of them were men. This contrasts to other animal protection charities founded in the 19th century, with Mary Tealby setting up Battersea (then called the Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs) in 1860 and Emily Williamson, Eliza Phillips and Etta Lemon establishing the organisations that would become RSPB. However, RSPCA set up a ladies committee in 1829 and philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts became its vice-patron in 1839, using her money and status to help prevent cruelty to animals, before becoming the first president of its Ladies Humane Education Committee in 1870, which had powers to form branches, many of which were designated as local ladies associations. The first women were appointed to the RSPCAs principal governing executive in about 1906, when branch representatives were first elected. This was largely through the efforts of suffragist Eleanor Penn Gaskell, who was one of the first women on the RSPCA council. Ninette Gold and Pat Jones became its first-ever female officers in 1952. Now, six of RSPCAs executive leadership team are women, as are over 60% of its frontline officers. It has had one female executive leader, from 2002 to 2007 former Liberal Democrat MP Jackie Ballard was its director general. At RNLI, meanwhile, Grace Darling was the first woman to receive a bravery medal from the charity in 1838, 14 years after it was founded, having risked her life rowing to rescue stranded survivors of a wrecked steamship called Forfarshire. From 1865, a number of women helped to launch lifeboats from RNLI stations including at Dungeness . In 1904, Letita French became the first woman to manage an RNLI lifeboat station, which she did voluntarily for 24 years in Palling, Norfolk. The first woman to join an RNLI lifeboat crew was 18-year-old Norwegian student Elizabeth Hostvedt in 1969. Today, around 14% of RNLI lifeboat station crew and 31% of its lifeguards are women, as are three of the six members of its executive team. The charity is chaired by Janet Legrand but it has not yet employed a female CEO. Funding changes Following the Southport and St Annes lifeboats disaster in 1886, RNLI held its first ever charity street collection in 1891 when married couple Charles and Marion Macara organised a fundraising event in Manchester. After the street collections success, Charles Macara looked into the finances of the RNLI and realised that it relied heavily on the wealthy few. He resolved to take RNLI fundraising to the people on the street and arranged annual Lifeboat Saturdays events, originally in Manchester before spreading to other towns and cities. Following the first such event, Marion Macara formed a ladies guild to help organise the street collection and within 10 years more than 40 had sprung up around the UK and Ireland, and the RNLIs income had doubled. This activity laid the foundations of the charitys voluntary public fundraising, which has continued to this day. It now brings in over 200m a year, the vast majority of which is fundraised. RSPCA has similarly evolved to rely more on the many rather than the few. Since its foundation, the charitys core income has come from subscriptions, donations and legacies. However, these were all relatively small, variable and risky as they depended on just a few individuals. As a result, the charity struggled financially in the 1820s and 1830s, with several members of its committee offering their own money as gifts or loans. Nowadays, RSPCA brings in more than 150m a year, most of which comes from public donations and legacies. Another 200 years? Emily Tierney, RSPCAs director of strategy and transformation, says she expects the charity to exist in another 200 years time but the shape and nature of its work must keep adapting, as it has since 1824. As RSPCAs first executive team member to go on maternity leave, Tierney says the charitys staff inclusion policies have developed since it was founded as well as its campaigning activity. Our organisation needs to reflect the society that we are trying to engage and mobilise for animals. And I think there are definitely examples of how over the years that hasnt been the case. And so there is a strong movement for us to make sure it is inclusive and welcoming but also that its bolder and braver. We were set up to protect animals, change minds and attitudes. That is the movement that was sparked, that is still what we're doing, that is still the core of our work. But what the organisation needs to do and focus on for the future, isnt all the same challenges that the founders were facing. The structures around us, and the problems for animals have also changed. And we want the organisation to be responsive to that. RNLI also expects to keep operating for many years to come. All the while there is a need for lives to be saved in and around our waters, there will be a need for the RNLI, a spokesperson says. They said the charity had lasted so long because of its ability to innovate and adapt while maintaining a volunteering ethos. In the years to come, innovation and developments in technology will continue to change our ways of operating and the lifesaving equipment we use it is important we continue to explore and embrace new technology, to remain effective and efficient and ensure we provide the best lifesaving service we can, while making the best use of our donors money. 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, Guide Dogs Dearest reader, happy Friday! Congratulations on living through an influx of political party manifestos and umpteen photographs of Keir Starmer. Aside from all the politicking, Society Diary also learnt this week that one in five of you charity sector folk is named Sarah or David. So gather round Sarahs, Davids and everyone else to take a look at some of the quirky charity news that occurred this week BirdTok As the Civil Society news team gets stuck into the election lead-up, Diary has been known to partake in the odd scroll on social media and show reels of animals to (frankly ungrateful) colleagues. This led Diary to stumble upon RSPBs TikTok account, where their social media manager seems to be having a fabulous time, rivalled only by the birds starring in the charitys videos. Two cartoon birds are speaking to each other in one, where a robin says it will be spending the weekend prolly streaming the new Charli XCX album and committing arson to which a mallard replies omg stun! As well as the Gen Z birds, the account has given examples of voter IDs that will not be accepted at the next election. One is the store loyalty card of a mr pidgon who is shopping at Cooco Wholesale, while another birds ID belongs to a Cheryl Cooo-l who lives in Birds Nest, Tree. It also advised against birds using their gamer tags as voter ID, giving the example of widdlepigeon24 whose password is iluvpoopingonstrmgers. Obviously. Dogwarts While Dogwarts might sound like a gross skin condition, it is in fact the much more pleasant, canine version of Hogwarts. The Harry Potter studio tour in London has partnered with Guide Dogs to improve the accessibility of the popular attraction. As part of the initiative, three guide dog puppies in training have been named after the leading characters of the Harry Potter franchise Harry, Ron and Hermione. The Warner Bros Studio has sponsored the three pups through the charitys Name a Puppy scheme and will receive progress updates throughout their wizard training. Because of the partnership, all team members will receive tailored training on how to support visitors with sight loss. It is also planning to introduce signage iPads, which team members can offer to people with visual impairment to hold over signs and descriptions in order to magnify them. Diary wonders whether anyone will name a puppy Voldemort anytime soon. Cuppa Hope And finally, in thirst-quenching news, UK for UNHCR, the refugee agencys national charity partner, has begun its Cuppa Hope campaign. Inspired by how having a cup of tea with someone can create a great conversation, the campaign is launching with a series of free pop-up cafe events across the UK where members of the public are being invited for tea and talks with refugees from around the world. It aims to bring together the UK's love of a cup of tea and a chat with the tea rituals refugees have brought with them to the UK. 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, Banana giant Chiquita Brands must pay $38.3 million to 16 family members of people killed during Colombias long civil war by a violent right-wing paramilitary group funded by the company, a federal jury in Florida decided. The verdict Monday by a jury in West Palm Beach marks the first time the company has been found liable in any of multiple similar lawsuits pending elsewhere in U.S. courts, lawyers for the plaintiffs said. It also marks a rare finding that blames a private U.S. company for human rights abuses in other countries. This verdict sends a powerful message to corporations everywhere: profiting from human rights abuses will not go unpunished. These families, victimized by armed groups and corporations, asserted their power and prevailed in the judicial process, Marco Simons, EarthRights International General Counsel and one plaintiffs lawyer, said in a news release. The situation in Colombia was tragic for so many, Chiquita, whose banana operations are based in Florida, said in a statement after the verdict. However, that does not change our belief that there is no legal basis for these claims. According to court documents, Chiquita paid the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia known by its Spanish acronym AUC about $1.7 million between 1997 and 2004. The AUC is blamed for the killings of thousands of people during those years. Chiquita has insisted that its Colombia subsidiary, Banadex, only made the payments out of fear that AUC would harm its employees and operations, court records show. Reacting to the ruling on social media, Colombian president Gustavo Petro questioned why the U.S. justice system could determine Chiquita financed paramilitary groups, while judges in Colombia have not ruled against the company. The 2016 peace deal calls for the creation of a tribunal that will disclose judicial truths, why dont we have one? Petro posted on X, referencing the year the civil conflict ended. The verdict followed a six-week trial and two days of deliberations. The EarthRights case was originally filed in July 2007 and was combined with several other lawsuits. Our clients risked their lives to come forward to hold Chiquita to account, putting their faith in the United States justice system. I am very grateful to the jury for the time and care they took to evaluate the evidence, said Agnieszka Fryszman, another attorney in the case. The verdict does not bring back the husbands and sons who were killed, but it sets the record straight and places accountability for funding terrorism where it belongs: at Chiquitas doorstep. In 2007, Chiquita pleaded guilty to a U.S. criminal charge of engaging in transactions with a foreign terrorist organization the AUC was designated such a group by the State Department in 2001 and agreed to pay a $25 million fine. The company was also required to implement a compliance and ethics program, according to the Justice Department. Top photo: Chiquita bananas are piled on display at the Heinens grocery store in Bainbridge, Ohio in this Aug. 3, 2005 file photo. A federal jury in Florida found that Chiquita Brands must pay $38.3 million to 16 family members of people killed during Colombias long civil war by a violent right-wing paramilitary group funded by the company. The verdict Monday, June 10, 2024 by a jury in West Palm Beach marks the first time the company has been found liable in any of multiple similar lawsuits pending elsewhere in U.S. courts, lawyers for the plaintiffs said. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, file). Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- President Joe Biden, just hours after his surviving son Hunter was found guilty of three gun-related felonies by a Delaware jury, spoke at the Everytown for Gun Sense meeting. Standing before a banner reading MOMS DEMAND ACTION..., Hunters Dad demanded no pardon or commuting his sons guilty verdicts and forthcoming sentence. It was a Presidential Dad display of tough love and the rule of law. President Biden went from the Washington D.C. event for a flight to Delaware where he was photographed hugging Hunter upon arrival. Thursday at the G7 Summit, President Biden again reiterated he would not pardon Hunter and also added for the first time he would not commute the sentence/verdicts either. Im extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction, hes one of the brightest, most decent men I know. I am satisfied that Im not going to do anything -- I said Id abide by the jury decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him. First Lady Jill Biden had attended several days of the trial and after the verdict, walked out of the courthouse holding Hunters hand. President Biden greeted his newly convicted, former drug addicted son Hunter with a hug upon the President's arrival in Delaware.Jeff Darcy/Cleveland.com The jury found Hunter Biden had lied about if he was a drug addict when filling out an application to buy a gun. His then girlfriend would throw out the gun after 11 days fearing he may use it on himself. Hunter Biden had previously pled guilty to the charge in a plea deal that was thrown out by a Trump appointed judge. Such charges are rarely brought, and when they are, its often wrapped into a plea deal on other charges. This same week, the Republican led House charged U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland with Contempt. It should be remembered that President Biden appointed A.G. Garland who kept the Trump-appointed prosecutor handling the Hunter Biden investigation, David Weiss. Garland not only kept Weiss, he then appointed him Special Counsel. That meant Weiss was immune from normal supervision that may have overruled his decisions to prosecute the case the way he chose to. What hasnt been heard from the Bidens or Democrats are any rants about the verdict being rigged or demands for the demolition of the Department of Justice. BATH, Ohio -- Surrounded by trees and pastures and backing up to a nature preserve, the sprawling 27-acre property at 4081 Derrwood Drive feels like a world away from Northeast Ohio. At the center of it is an exquisite manor home built in 2001. The entire home is impeccably arranged with imported materials, creating a truly sophisticated atmosphere. And as you step outside, you feel like youve been transported to the French countryside, says listing agent Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. Then, right at your fingertips, you have a state-of-the-art equestrian facility. Priced at $3.85 million, the home offers four bedrooms, six bathrooms (four full) and an elevator. The listing also encompasses a two-story carriage house and two-story garage fit for a car connoisseurs dream collection, Zawitz adds. Highlights begin with the great room, which lives up to its name with a soaring wood-beamed ceiling, distressed hickory flooring and grand fireplace. The space opens up to the equally impressive kitchen, appointed with countertops made from a 200-year-old seawall from the Isle of Malta, custom Amish-built cabinetry and an imported custom La Cornue range. The showpiece is the range hood with a mantel reclaimed from a French chateau and a backsplash imported from Italy. Around the corner, a bright breakfast nook is an ideal setting for casual family meals by the fireplace. The luxurious primary suite occupies its own wing on the first floor. The bedroom features a tray ceiling, ornate fireplace, hardwood floors and French doors that open to the covered patio. Theres also a classy en suite bathroom, a pair of walk-in closets and a private dressing room that could be used as an office. Three guest bedroom suites and a second kitchen are upstairs, while the lower level awaits the buyers inspiration. For horse enthusiasts, the property includes an expansive Amish-built riding arena and a stable with eight stalls, a tack room and lounge. Three of the four pastures are equipped with Nelson Automatic Horse Waterers. Bridle trails at the Bath Nature Preserve are a short gallop away. This exceptional estate provides every imaginable amenity for todays modern equestrian, Zawitz writes in his listing. 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com See the full listing at theagencyre.com Address: 4081 Derrwood Drive City: Bath Twp. Price: $3,850,000 Taxes: $21,834 per year Year built: 2001 No. bedrooms: 4 No. bathrooms: 4 full, 2 half Garage: 4-car attached, 4-car detached House size: 5,720 sq. ft. finished above grade; 3,070 sq. ft. below grade Lot size: 26.99 acres School district: Revere Local School District Real estate agent and contact info: Nick Zawitz, The Agency at 440-567-7068 or Nick.Zawitz@TheAgencyRE.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com 4081 Derrwood Drive in Bath was built on nearly 27 acres in 2001 and has 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (4 full). The property is listed for $3.85 million by Nick Zawitz at The Agency Cleveland. (Photos by Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com)Shane Knee & Joey Rees | ShanerShots.com For more information about 4081 Derrwood Dr. in Bath, contact Nick Zawitz, The Agency at 440-567-7068 or Nick.Zawitz@TheAgencyRE.com. PEORIA, Illinois An 8-year-old girl suddenly became ill Thursday during a commercial flight to Chicago, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing, but efforts to save the girl were not successful. Sydney Weston, of Carl Junction, Missouri, was pronounced dead at OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria after she was removed from the plane by rescue workers, according to the Peoria County Coroners Office. Sydney was on vacation with her family when she became ill on a United Express flight originating from Joplin, Mo., authorities say. The Peoria County Sheriffs Office says emergency workers were called to Peoria International Airport at about 7 a.m. The girl became ill and unresponsive during the flight and family members immediately tried to help her medically, officials say. Deputies, medical workers and Air National Guard Fire personnel met the plane and began life-saving measures on the girl. The coroners office says the girl was not breathing and had no pulse. She was pronounced dead at 8:05 a.m. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday, according to the coroners office. Please keep the childs family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers, the sheriffs office says in a statement. Villages in Xinjiang's Kashgar enjoy free shipping services thanks to improved logistics network 13:34, June 14, 2024 By Zhu Hong, Weng Yufei, Ardak ( People's Daily Seytnisa Mamat (right) picks up parcels at a courier station. (Photo provided by the postal administration of Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region) During a break from farm work, Seytnisa Mamat pulled out her phone to track the shipping status of the items she bought online. "The detergents I bought have arrived. Let me go and get them," the woman said, hurrying towards a courier service station in her village. On the shelves of the station, parcels were stacked neatly. They were shipped from all parts of China, including Hebei, Shanxi, Zhejiang, Shandong and Guangdong... Based on a pick-up code sent to her phone, Seytnisa Mamat walked to the corresponding shelf and soon found her parcel. Seytnisa Mamat lives in Keshlak village, Ishkul township of Yarkant county, Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Last year, online shopping gained popularity there. Picking up express parcels became a source of delight for villagers. In the past, bazaars, a type of marketplace consisting of multiple small stalls or shops, were the only place where Seytnisa Mamat and her fellow villagers could buy stuffs. However, the limited variety of products available at bazaars was no longer sufficient to meet everyone's needs. Later, when courier services were extended to the county town, some villagers would use their relatives' addresses there for online orders, only able to pick up their parcels when visiting the town. "It was beyond my imagination that we could receive express parcels in such a remote place, with free shipping," Seytnisa Mamat told People's Daily, in a delighted tone. How remote is the place where Seytnisa Mamat lives? If she buys an item from Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang province, it has to travel about 4,000 kilometers first to reach Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and then keep going around 1,500 kilometers before arriving at Keshlak village. How is it possible for Seytnisa Mamat to get this item shipping-free, after all it has to travel 5,500 kilometers? "The key lies in the lowered transportation costs," said an official with the postal administration of Xinjiang. Since last year, postal and courier enterprises have joined forces with e-commerce platforms to implement a collective shipping model, which integrates resources across transportation, sorting, and delivery processes, significantly boosting parcel handling efficiency and reducing operational costs, according to the official. Merchants used to face high costs when they sent parcels to Xinjiang. Today, commodities bought by Xinjiang consumers on e-commerce platforms are distributed first to transit warehouses in different places such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Xi'an in the northwest province of Shaanxi, and then be shipped to their destinations in Xinjiang. If a village generates sufficient parcel volume, a "village bulk" would be created, which means all the parcels to the village will be shipped directly from a transit warehouse, thus avoiding sorting and repackaging in Urumqi. This greatly saves time and lowers costs. Besides, the lowered logistics cost is also attributed to China's efforts to shift more freight transport from road to railway. On March 26 this year, the first intermodal express train loaded with containers of e-commerce goods departed from Xi'an, and reached Urumqi 38 hours later. Express parcels are sorted in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo from zgkashi.com) According to Yue Wei, director of operations at the Urumqi branch of China United International Rail Containers Co., Ltd., the Xi'an-Urumqi train route is around five hours faster than road transportation, improving delivery speed by 12 percent while reducing freight costs by approximately 57 percent. After arriving in Urumqi, parcels carried by the train are then distributed to villages via a "last-mile" delivery network, Yue said. At a courier transfer center of delivery company J&T Express in Yarkant county, baskets labeled with village names were neatly arranged on the floor. "Once the parcels arrive, we directly sort them into the corresponding baskets, pack them up and send them out. Delivery to the villages is possibly even faster than to the county town," said Zhang Haitao, head of the Yarkant office of J&T Express. Photo shows a courier station in Aqqash township, Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo from Urumqi Evening News) Wang Xiaohu, director of the Kashgar postal administration, told People's Daily that since last year, express delivery services in Kashgar have significantly improved, with free shipping services extended to over 2,000 villages. "Xinjiang has established e-commerce public service centers, logistics distribution centers, and village-level courier stations. Over 800 e-commerce service sites are integrated with postal and courier functions," said an official with the Xinjiang postal administration. This will promote e-commerce development in rural Xinjiang and facilitate more agricultural products from the autonomous region to reach markets outside Xinjiang, the official explained. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks to the media following meetings with Republicans on Capitol Hill, at the National Republican Senatorial Committee headquarters in Washington, June 13, 2024. In a meeting with House Republicans on Thursday, former President Donald Trump called Milwaukee the host of the 2024 Republican National Convention a "horrible" city and said it is overrun by crime. The comments, which were first reported by Punchbowl's Jake Sherman and confirmed by NBC News, drew criticism from Democrats, while Trump's allies scrambled to defend his remarks. The Trump campaign denied that he called the city "horrible," writing in a press release that the reports are a "total lie." Yet, the campaign still seemed to imply that Trump spoke disparagingly of the city. "President Trump was explicitly referring to the problems in Milwaukee, specifically violent crime and voter fraud," the campaign said in its statement. Several Republican lawmakers also denied he made the comments in the meeting, held at the Capitol Hill Club. The event came just weeks ahead of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, where the party is set to officially nominate Trump as its presidential candidate. Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, of Wisconsin, replied to a post on X that reported Trump's comment that Milwaukee is a "horrible" city. "I was in the room. President Trump did not say this," Steil said. "There is no better place than Wisconsin in July." Other congressional Republicans sought to explain and contextualize Trump's comments, rather than deny them. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, of Wisconsin, wrote in a post on X that the former president was specifically referring to the city's crime rate, while others reportedly said Trump was speaking about election integrity. Wisconsin is a key battleground state that Trump narrowly lost to President Joe Biden in 2020. While Milwaukee, its largest city, has publicly welcomed the opportunity to host the RNC, the Democrat-led city has a shaky relationship with the Republican Party. CNBC reported June 6 that Milwaukee-based department store Kohl's will not sponsor any events related to the Republican convention. Democrats were quick to capitalize on Trump's remarks. In an apparent response, Biden on X posted a photo from the Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 visit to the White House with the caption, "I happen to love Milwaukee." Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, a Democrat, said, "If Donald Trump wants to talk about things that he thinks are horrible, all of us lived through his presidency, so, right back at you, buddy." Garren Randolph, Wisconsin Democratic coordinated campaign manager, said in a statement, "If Donald Trump thinks Milwaukee is so horrible, then he shouldn't come to our city." "Voters in Milwaukee are fed up with Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans not caring about them," Randolph added. "We'll see that at the RNC and then again in November, when Wisconsinites send Donald Trump packing." Carolina Williams went viral in 2017 for her unique Papa Johns-inspired essay that earned the teen admission into Yale University. The first member of her family to go to college, Williams didn't necessarily have her heart set on an Ivy League education. Before she started applying to schools, she toured over a dozen campuses checking out the vibes and seeing what she could potentially study at each institution. "I have many different interests, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do or study at that point," Williams, now 25, tells CNBC Make It. "I've always loved statistics and research, so that was a huge thing for me. I also love to write, and I love literature," she says. Ultimately, she chose to study at Auburn University in Alabama, the only other college she applied to. She loved both Yale and Auburn's campuses and could see herself as a member of either student body. But Auburn's analytics program, along with its much closer proximity to her home and family in Tennessee, won Williams over. She graduated in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus in analytics and marketing. And now, four years later, she has no regrets. Here's why she skipped the Ivy League and how it's worked out for her post-grad. 'Any college I went to was so immensely impressive' Yale has a lot going for it. As a member of the Ivy League, Yale's reputation for being intentionally selective and churning out high-earners and industry leaders precedes it. Yale's acceptance rate of just under 7% around the time Williams applied was far smaller than Auburn's 84% rate. And Yale graduates earn a median salary of $89,700 early in their careers, according to Payscale, compared with $67,500 for Auburn grads. Yale's reputation was not lost on Williams. She knows she would have gotten a great education and likely had exciting opportunities to get involved with campus organizations, faculty research and the university's vast alumni network, but the name wasn't enough to sell her. "Of course at Yale, you have the prestige, the namefor me, that just wasn't as huge of a factor," she says. "Being the first person in my family to go to college any college I went to was so immensely impressive." Cost played a factor in Williams' decision, but after scholarships and aid she would have paid around the same price for both schools, she says. But to attend Yale, she would have had to factor in bigger travel expenses. Williams also felt Auburn's course offerings were better suited for the jobs she wanted to pursue. Plus, Auburn was closer to home, had seemingly endless opportunities to try new things and socialize with a student body three times the size of Yale's and did, in fact, have a Papa Johns on campus. 'It couldn't have been my path' WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump failed to impress everyone in a room full of top CEOs Thursday at the Business Roundtable's quarterly meeting, multiple attendees told CNBC. "Trump doesn't know what he's talking about," said one CEO who was in the room, according to a person who heard the executive speaking. The CEO also said Trump did not explain how he planned to accomplish any of his policy proposals, that person said. Several CEOs "said that [Trump] was remarkably meandering, could not keep a straight thought [and] was all over the map," CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin reported Friday on CNBC's "Squawk Box." Among the topics on which Trump offered scant details were how he would reduce taxes and cut back on business regulations, according to two other people in the room who spoke to CNBC. Meeting attendees and people who spoke with them were granted anonymity in order to speak freely about the private event. The same CEOs who were struck by Trump's lack of focus "walked into the meeting being Trump supporter-ish or thinking that they might be leaning that direction," Sorkin reported. "These were people who I think might have been actually predisposed to [Trump but] actually walked out of the room less predisposed" to him, Sorkin said. "President Trump was warmly received by everyone in the room and was commended for his policy proposals on deregulation and tax cuts," said Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump presidential campaign. Miragec | Moment | Getty Images A startup that uses technology to stop employees from abusing corporate expenses just raised 8 million euros ($8.6 million) of funding from investors, defying a slump in investment for the financial technology industry. CleverCards, a Dublin-based firm, uses a digital platform linked to configurable expense cards to give companies control over how their employees use their corporate payment cards. According to a 2016 global survey of CFOs by human resources firm Robert Half, employees have made several improper expense report requests including a doggie day spa, taxidermy services, dance classes, a side of beef and even a welder. These requests, though odd, reflect a tough reality for many companies when it comes to corporate expenses: sometimes they can't trust an employees' judgment. CleverCards CEO Kealan Lennon says his platform aims to tackle exactly that. Rather than handing employees corporate credit cards they can go out and use for purchases anywhere in the world, CleverCards allows businesses to deliver prepaid cards that can be configured to only be used by certain members of staff and block certain transactions if they're viewed as inappropriate. "Businesses want to make sure the right employee is the one that gets the card, and that it's only used for certain purposes," Lennon told CNBC in an interview. "It's finance control," he added. "The idea of a configurable payments platform hadn't been done before. And by doing it digitally, that allowed customers come along and say, I want to be able to do this with the press of a button." watch now CleverCards told CNBC exclusively Friday that it raised new funds in an investment round led by strategic investor Pluxee. The fresh investment takes the total money raised by CleverCards to date to over 28 million euros. Pluxee is an employee vouchers and benefits platform that spun off from French food catering firm Sodexo earlier this year. It is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in France with a valuation of 4 billion euros. Taking business from Adyen, Stripe Founded in 2019, CleverCards has signed up over 10,000 businesses as customers. It counts the likes of eBay, PaddyPower, Betfair, Accenture, Microsoft and Apple as clients. Besides these businesses, CleverCard also works with public sector organizations. In 2022, CleverCards partnered with the U.K. government to help release social welfare payments to people on smart meters who usually pay their bills through direct debit, but have been forced to seek additional financial help due to rising fuel prices. The cards could only be used to pay bills on select utility companies' websites. CleverCards deployed artificial intelligence to conduct identity verification checks on recipients, helping to avoid fraud, according to Lennon. Lennon said that CleverCards' funding round stood out in what has been a brutal market for dealmaking and fundraising in fintech. "It is a tough environment," he said. "In the current market logjam, it has been pretty impressive now to raise money because nobody's raising capital." He said CleverCards is increasingly snatching business away from the likes of payment tech giants Adyen and Stripe. watch now "It's been remarkable in that, as a smaller company, right, we were looking at the Stripes and Adyens and powering ahead," he said, adding that, now, "we've won business against them." CleverCards will use the fresh funds to expand its business, scale its products and explore broader opportunities, it said. In addition to the fundraise, CleverCards appointed five new non-executive directors to its board with experience in payments technology. They include industry veterans Patrick Waldron, Donal Daly, Marc Frappier, Garry Lyons and Viktoria Otero del Val. Jennifer Esposito was so passionate about getting her latest film done that she mortgaged her house to help finance it. The Hollywood star wrote, produced, directed and starred in "Fresh Kills," a film about growing up in 1980s Staten Island as women surrounded by the mafia. The film is in theaters now and features actors Annabella Sciorra, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Odessa A'zion. In an interview with KTLA, Esposito spoke candidly about knowing the risks of mortgaging her house, but she did it because she believed in herself enough to get this film donea project she wrote on and off for 10 years and spent over 15 years trying to get made. "This town tells you what you can be and what you can't be for so many years. I was just so over that and I thought, 'Why am I asking the world to believe in me, I have to believe in me.' So I'm going to put my money down," Esposito says. "At the end of my life, am I going to be so happy that my house was paid off? Or am I going to be so happy that I gave myself the opportunity that I've been waiting for for far too long?" While there are countless mob movies, Esposito says "Fresh Kills" is the first time the point of view of the women in the mafia is portrayed in a film. "It's the first time that the point of view of the females in the mafia is seen and I'm the first female to step into the genre, which made this even so much more difficult," Esposito says. "But it was something that I thought needed to be told. Again, the movie takes place in the mafia but it's really about finding a voice in a world that tells you not to have one." It's a film that Esposito said many people didn't believe in and even offered her money to step away from directing it. "I was offered $5 million if a male would direct it instead of myself. I was offered a lot of money for stars to be in it," she says. The film premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival and the Red Sea International Film Festival. It is the first time that Esposito has ever made a film. "It's been a long road. I'm deeply proud of it," Esposito says. Esposito isn't the first celebrity to mortgage their home for a film Kevin Costner first revealed he mortgaged one of his properties to finance the "Horizon" film series in 2023. Neilson Barnard | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images In an effort to bring his "Horizon" film series to life, Kevin Costner revealed in a 2023 Deadline interview that he also took out a mortgage on a 10-acre plot of undeveloped coastline in California he purchased in 2006 for $28.5 million. The plan was to build his last family home on the land. At the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival, Costner spoke to the Associated Press about the decision and why he doesn't regret it. "It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the decision I needed to make," Costner told AP. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks during the Microsoft Build conference at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on May 21, 2024. Microsoft will no longer ship Recall, an artificial intelligence tool that tracks user activity, when the company releases the Copilot+ PC next week, it announced in a blog post on Thursday following concerns about privacy and security. The company wrote that Recall will shift from being a "broadly available" tool to a preview feature available only through the Windows Insiders Program, or WIP, when the new computer is released on June 18. Microsoft plans to make the AI feature available on all Copilot+ PCs soon after they receive feedback through WIP. "This decision is rooted in our commitment to providing a trusted, secure and robust experience for all customers," Windows Corporate Vice President Pavan Davuluri wrote in the blog post. Microsoft first introduced the Copilot+ PC on May 20 as a computer designed to run advanced AI programs, including Recall. Recall is an AI tool that regularly takes screenshots to create a record of activity, allowing users to search for their previous actions. Recall became a source of controversy soon after it was announced. Industry experts have expressed concern over the potential for hackers to develop tools that can retrieve user information, including usernames and passwords. In response to the backlash, Microsoft initially announced that the Recall feature would be turned off by default, requiring users to opt in. The company also implemented additional security protections, including an encrypted search database and a requirement that Recall users enroll in Windows Hello, which has users prove their identity through a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition. Microsoft's decision to delay Recall follows heightened concerns around security as the AI field evolves rapidly. Last month, a U.S. government review board criticized the company's handling of China's breach of U.S. government officials' email accounts. A simple principle underpins a contentious Thursday decision by the U.S. and key allies to tap profits from Russian sovereign assets in support of Ukraine: Moscow must make reparations. "Russia has to pay," European Council President Charles Michel told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, after the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies agreed in principle to issue $50 billion in loans for Ukraine that are backed by the profits generated by roughly 300 billion euros ($322 billion) of Russian central bank assets frozen by the West. The G7 comprises the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Japan. U.S. President Joe Biden publicly broadcast the "significant outcome" of the G7's consensus during a Thursday press briefing beside his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after the two leaders signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement. "I'm very pleased to share that this week the G7 signed a plan to finalize and unlock $50 billion from the proceeds of those frozen [Russian] assets, to put that money to work for Ukraine, [in] another reminder to Putin that we're not backing down," Biden said. Moscow has previously denounced such a move, warning of dramatic consequences if Western leaders go ahead with the proposal. Questions have also been raised over the legality of setting such a precedent: Russia has been cut off from its frozen assets, but retains their ownership. A lengthy judicial process would have to be undertaken for their forfeit but the profits generated by the seized assets are more readily available. A similar step to the G7 decision was taken in 1992, when the U.N. Security Council authorized a measure to seize frozen Iraqi assets and direct them to compensate the victims of Baghdad's invasion of Kuwait. Michel holds firm on the grounds of the decision. "There is a blatant violation of international law, there is a blatant aggression against Ukraine. [Moscow] are the aggressor, there is a victim, there are rules at an international level. They have to pay," he said. "And that's why ... this money is blocked, that's why this money is frozen, and I am very confident that we can use this money to support Ukraine, because it is fair." The proposal must now pass various legal hurdles and be backed by European states, where the majority of frozen Russian assets are held. Michel said that G7 allies can finalize the deal's details "in the weeks to come" to make the funds available for Kyiv as soon as possible, noting that "50 billion euros in addition for Ukraine, it means more military equipment and more capacities and capabilities for Ukraine to defend themselves and to defend our common European values." Further loans secured against the interest accrued by Russian frozen assets could be forthcoming, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen signaled on Thursday. "This is not the last time this can be done. This is the first tranche and if necessary, there's more behind it," said Yellen, who has been actively involved in negotiating the agreement. "We're getting Russians to help pay for the damage that it's caused." Well into its third year, Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine has demolished settlements and key infrastructure in the country, amid persistent aerial bombardment. The World Bank in February estimated that $486 billion will be required to cover the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine over the next decade with costs likely to have increased since this assessment. Increasingly, Kyiv's allies have come to accept that war must come before peace in discussions about Ukraine's reconstruction. "I think if we want to make possible the rebuilding of Ukraine as soon as possible, we need to provide more air defense systems, this is a top priority," Michel said. "And today it is also an important decision, how we can provide more support, more military equipment to the Ukrainians, including in the field of air defense." A formal G7 statement is expected at the end of Friday, crowning a two-day summit in Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, Italy, which welcomed top EU officials, including Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, as well as a number of other heads of state and international organizations. The annual summit comes as most of the G7 leaders face their own domestic upheavals including national elections and falling approval ratings. Only Georgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, is riding high in the polls after her nationalist party Fratelli d'Italia's success in the European Parliament elections last weekend. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during visit to the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research on June 13, 2024 in Dubna, Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday set out the requirements for Moscow to start peace talks with Ukraine, more than two years after the Kremlin's full-fledged invasion of its neighbor. According to a Google-translated Telegram update from Russian state news outlet Tass, the terms include the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which Russia illegally annexed within months of commencing hostilities, in September 2022. The Kremlin's conditions are unlikely to receive a warm reception in Kyiv, which has repeatedly stated that it will not concede territory to Russia. Putin said during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry that as long as Ukraine begins a "real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and will also officially notify of the abandonment of plans to join NATO on our part, immediately, at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations," according to Google-translated comments carried by Tass. He said Moscow was committed to ensuring the "unhindered and safe withdrawal" of Ukrainian forces if Kyiv agrees to such a concession. If the peace proposal is refused, Putin added, Moscow's future demands will be different. Putin's comments contrast starkly with his Ukrainian counterpart's peace plan. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 10-point proposal, outlined in November 2022, demands the restoration of the country's "territorial integrity" under the U.N. Charter. He has also insisted that Ukraine regain the peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed illegally before the current war, in February 2014. CNBC has reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Stock splits, long out of favor, are making a comeback. It started with Walmart, which announced a 3-for-1 stock split on Jan. 30, with the additional shares being distributed on Feb. 23. And from there, it picked up steam. On Thursday, Williams-Sonoma announced a 2-for-1 split, and on Wednesday, Broadcom announced a 10-for-1 split. Notable stock splits in 2024 (when distributed) Walmart 3-1 2/23/24 Cooper Companies 4-1 2/16/24 Texas Pacific Land 3-1 3/27/24 Old Dominion Freight Line 2-1 3/27/24 Nvidia 10-1 6/7/24 Amphenol 2-1 6/11/24 Chipotle Mexican Grill 50-1 6/25/24 Broadcom 10-1 7/12/24 Williams-Sonoma 2-1 7/8/24 Cintas 4-1 9/11/24 Sony Group 5-1 10/8/24 Lam Research 10-1 10/3/24 Why the comeback in stock splits? Stock splits are far less common now than 20 or 30 years ago. During the tech and internet bubble of the late 1990s, stock splits were common. David Kostin, chief U.S. equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, noted that roughly 15% of Russell 1000 firms split their stock each year in the late 1990s, but that proved to be an anomaly. By the mid-2000s, roughly 5% of the Russell 1000 members split their stock each year, and after the great financial crisis from 2008-2009, stock splits practically ceased. Importantly, splits did not increase after the market began recovering in 2010. The likely reason is the institutional base for stock ownership has come to dominate the market. Institutional investors invest by dollar value, not by shares. They would typically buy, for example, $10 million in stock and wouldn't care what the price is. But recently, there are signs of a subtle shift. Some of it may be because the price of some stocks reached absurd levels. Chipotle, for example, has never split its stock and is trading over $3,200 and will soon split 50-for-1. Nvidia was over $1,200 by the time it split 10-for-1. More importantly, some companies appear to be more interested in appealing to retail investors. Nvidia noted that the purpose of the split was to "make stock ownership more accessible to employees and investors." Chipotle said the same thing. Walmart also cited these factors in its statement announcing the split: "The stock split is part of Walmart's ongoing review of optimal trading and spread levels and its desire for its associates to feel that purchasing shares is easily within reach. Does splitting a stock affect the price? In theory, no. The value of the company remains the same. However, many academic studies have noted various changes in trading patterns for stocks that split, though these changes are not uniform. One academic study published in the Journal of Risk and Financial Management in 2023 found several positive benefits: 1) trading volumes go up 2) liquidity, or the ability to trade a lot of shares without moving the price, improves 3) stock splits increase the shareholder base for the company These changes may have subtle impacts on the stock price. Candidates for stock split? If companies with a retail focus are suddenly more sensitive to their prices, there are some obvious candidates. The "over $1,000" club in the S&P 500 is small and getting smaller: Chipotle ($3,230), Broadcom ($1,679) and Lam Research ($1,032) are all splitting their stocks. The holdouts include Booking Holdings ($3,852), Autozone ($2,809), and Deckers Outdoors ($1,026). Other high-priced stocks with a retail focus include Costco ($843) and Super Micro Computer ($872), which recently joined the S&P 500. However, if corporate America smells that there is a trend and can attract attention by splitting stocks, retail-facing companies with much lower price profiles may also become candidates. That might include Spotify ($305), Ulta Beauty ($397) or even ServiceNow ($715), which has never split its stock. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. GameStop The meme stock dipped 1.1% after Keith Gill, known as "Roaring Kitty," seemingly increased his ownership in GameStop. He appears to be holding 9.001 million GameStop shares and over $6 million in cash, according to a screenshot he posted to Reddit. Adobe The software company soared 14.2% after posting better-than-expected earnings and revenue , with higher annualized digital media revenue, which includes Creative Cloud subscriptions, than analysts had called for. Adobe also lifted its full-year guidance. JPMorgan upgraded shares to overweight from neutral on Friday, saying Adobe is poised for "smoother sailing ahead" after its strong quarterly print. Hasbro Bank of America upgraded the toymaker to buy from neutral, sending shares 1.7% higher. The firm said in a Friday note that Hasbro's digital gaming strategy can drive an earnings rebound in 2024 and 2025. RH The high-end retailer tumbled 12.3% after posting a much wider loss per share in the first quarter than Wall Street anticipated. RH reported 40 cents lost per share, excluding items, while analysts polled by LSEG expected a loss of 12 cents per share. On the other hand, the company saw $727 million in revenue, topping the $725 million estimate from analysts. Boeing The aircraft manufacturer dipped more than 1% after The New York Times reported that the Federal Aviation Administration opened an investigation into counterfeit titanium used in some recently manufactured planes. Boeing is also under investigation for a late May incident of the potentially dangerous "Dutch roll" movement on a Boeing 737 flight. ZScaler The cloud security stock added 2% following an upgrade at JPMorgan to overweight from neutral. The bank said Zscaler is "a best-of-breed Zero Trust Network Security vendor" and is trading at a discount. CNBC's Alex Harring and Michelle Fox Theobald contributed reporting. It may be time for U.S. stocks to underperform their European counterparts, according to UBS global equity strategist Andrew Garthwaite. "We think that there are good idiosyncratic reasons why the US should underperform," the strategist said in a note to clients. First, UBS thinks the global economy has reached a point that would make American companies more vulnerable. Historically, when global purchasing managers indexes rise more than 2 points over six months, the U.S. starts to underperform as it has the lowest operational leverage of any major region, UBS said, adding that PMIs are almost at the level now. Secondly, the superior growth of the U.S. to the rest of the world is disappearing, the firm said. "The US outperformed as US GDP growth was revised up sharply relative to non-US GDP growth (especially European GDP). This gap is now set to close quite sharply as US excess savings have largely been used and US immigration is likely to be peaking," Garthwaite wrote. .SPX .STOXX YTD mountain SPX vs STOXX 600 UBS also listed the U.S. fiscal policy as a risk factor. The U.S. currently has a massive $34.7 trillion debt load. The budget deficit for 2024 is running at $1.2 trillion with four months left in the fiscal year. In 2023, the shortfall totaled $1.7 trillion. "If all of the US deficit was financed at the long end, then fiscal tightening of 4.5% of GDP would be needed to stabilize government debt to GDP. This is more than any other region," Garthwaite wrote. "This hence carries with it one of the following: i) a US bond spread risk; or ii) a relative growth risk." The Wall Street firm also said earnings in the near term present a hurdle for stocks, while valuation of broad equity benchmarks look stretched. The S & P 500 has outperformed Europe's broad market index, the Stoxx 600 , in 2024. The U.S. benchmark is up 13%, while the Stoxx 600 has climbed 6.7%. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Its an unfortunate fact of Hollywood that looks matter, so notwithstanding the pantheon of character actors, everyone tends to end up looking the same bland kind of hot. If you get arguably lucky enough to really look like someone else, and that someone else is really famous, however, you can carve out a niche for yourself that hordes of homogenous hotties would kill for. 3 Jeannette Charles Jeannette Charles had what initially appeared to be the misfortune of entering show business right around the time of Queen Elizabeth IIs ascension to the throne. Not because Lizzy got so jealous of the previous Elizabeths association with theater that she outlawed it or anything the two women looked so much alike that Charles couldnt get any roles for fear that audiences would start looking up the royal familys rules about appearing in soap operas. As the Queen got queenier, however, their resemblance became an advantage for Charles, and in the 1970s, she became the one to call if a movie needed an Elizabeth II. She was most prominent in the 1980s, when she appeared in the National Lampoon and Naked Gun franchises, but her last role was in 2002, in Austin Powers in Goldmember. No, that wasnt really the Queen knighting Mike Myers, sadly. 2 Mikheil Gelovani Mikheil Gelovani had a perfectly respectable career in the Soviet film and theater industry in the 1920s and 1930s until someone realized he was a dead ringer for Great Leader. For the next decade and a half, from 1938 to 1953, he played Joseph Stalin in Soviet propaganda films almost exclusively. In fact, he was soon so closely associated with Stalin that he was prohibited from playing any other roles, as no one wanted to see Wacky Sidekick Stalin or, possibly worse, Romantic Lead Stalin. Such restrictions were presumably lifted in 1956, when Premier Nikita Khrushchev banned all 15 films in which Gelovani appeared as Stalin, but Gelovani died at the end of the year, so he didnt get much of a chance to take advantage. Advertisement Advertisement What can be said about The Big Man that hasnt already been said? Well, a lot, actually. There are a ton of little-known tidbits hiding among the boring war trivia on Napoleons Wikipedia page, and I sniffed out some of the weirder ones 5 Napoleon Sold America a Ticking Time Bomb The territory of the Louisiana Purchase was a bargaining chip that the French had alternately won and lost a few times over the course of the 18th century. Napoleon was forced to sell it so he could focus on more pressing revolutions closer to home. Or did he perhaps hand it over to Thomas Jefferson as part of a larger diabolical scheme?! Thomas Jefferson nabbed the 828,000 square miles for the bargain basement price of $15 million. Along with lots of lucrative ports, the territory came with a massive underground volcano that could erupt at any moment. The Yellowstone Supervolcano is a 43-mile-by-28-mile caldera below Yellowstone National Park that erupts roughly every 600,000 years, and is about 40,000 years overdue. A full-on eruption would vaporize the surrounding area like a nuclear bomb, and would cover much of the Northern Hemisphere in ash for months, even years. A truly catastrophic event on a global scale. Don't Miss Did Napoleon purposely Trojan Horse this sleeping giant into the open arms of his foe? Hes dead, so we cant ask him. 4 He Had a Mixed Record on Civil Rights Look, its been a while since I took a class on European history. Maybe this guy did some good stuff I forgot about! Sure, he was a ruthless military genius, but he also took power away from crazed religious extremists, and even created a pretty dope public school system! He was a product of his time, but maybe he wasnt so bad after all! Lets see what Wikipedia considers to be a mixed record on civil rights: Advertisement Abolished the free press Ended directly elected representative government Exiled and jailed critics of his regime Reinstated slavery in France's colonies Banned the entry of Blacks and mulattos into France Reduced the civil rights of women and children Reintroduced a hereditary monarchy Violently repressed popular uprisings against his rule Thats a mixed record in the same way a Gatorade jug of jungle juice at a state school frat party is a mixed drink. The big man slopped together all the most toxic ingredients he could find at the 24-hour despot store, and forced his guests to slurp it up. 3 He Took a Summer Off of Warring to Write Smutty Literature Advertisement In 1794, at the age of 25, Napoleon had worked his way up to Artillery Commander of the Army of Italy. Im not well-versed in 18th-century European military hierarchies, but it sounds more impressive than the title of operations coordinator I had when I was 25. But like any young gun climbing the corporate ladder, Napoleon was dealt a professional setback. That same year, he was assigned to serve as infantry command in another army, this one fighting a boring civil war. Wikipedia assures me this was a demotion. So whats an eager young warmonger to do? Napoleon called in sick, and worked on his romance novel. Hed been hooking up with his brothers wifes sister, Desiree Clary, so he pretended he was too ill to fight, and spent a few months smooching (and writing about said smooching). Clisson et Eugenie is understood to be a one-to-one retelling of his summer of love. Advertisement 2 The Dude Was a Flip-Flopper of the Highest Order Remember that scene from The Mummy where that mustachioed weenie-man bumps into a hungry, half-fleshed Imhotep? He cycles through a whole carabiner of religious symbols, and cynically prays to each god in turn. That was Napoleons approach to global conquest. In his own words: It was by making myself a Catholic that I won the war in the Vendee, by making myself a Moslem that I established myself in Egypt, by making myself an ultramontane that I turned mens hearts towards me in Italy. If I were to govern a nation of Jews I would rebuild the Temple of Solomon. Its hard to know what his actual beliefs were. The Pope forced him to make one of his marriages a private religious ceremony, but later excommunicated him. He was also super into Islam, the Quran and once publicly defended Muhammad. Im tempted to say he was open-minded, but its more likely he was just constantly hedging his bets. Advertisement Advertisement Its the ultimate way for comedians to punch up. Can we laugh at God? asked Pope Francis this morning at a gathering of more than 100 comedians from around the world. Of course, we can, just as we play and joke with the people we love. The Jewish wisdom and literary tradition is a master in this. It is possible to do this without offending the religious sentiments of believers, especially the poor. Not sure what the Pontiff was up to with his especially the poor caveat, but good to know that God is fair game in the comedy business. Pope Francis delivered his message to a group that included Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Jim Gaffigan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Conan OBrien. It was like the guest list at SNLs 50th birthday party without everyone having to kiss Lorne Michaels ass. Don't Miss The Pope had plenty to say about the subject of comedy, according to the Vatican. Here are some highlights: Your talent is a precious gift. Together with a smile, it spreads peace in our hearts and among others, helping us to overcome difficulties and cope with everyday stress. It helps us find relief in irony and go through life with humor. I like to pray daily with the words of Saint Thomas More: Grant me, O Lord, a good sense of humor. You denounce abuses of power; you give voice to forgotten situations; you highlight abuses; you point out inappropriate behavior. You do this without spreading alarm or terror, anxiety or fear, as other types of communication tend to do; you rouse people to think critically by making them laugh and smile. How much we need to learn from you. The laughter of humor is never against anyone, but is always inclusive, purposeful, eliciting openness, sympathy, empathy. Unsurprisingly, not all Catholics agree with the Pope, despite the guy being infallible. The New York Times reported that the Catholic League, a conservative American rights group, wasnt nuts about some of the invitees. Willian Donohue, the groups president, took to the organizations website to chide event organizers who needed to vet these comedians before introducing them to the pope. Advertisement In particular, Donohue didnt care for Colbert once comparing the Eucharist to Doritos. He also was peeved by Fallon and OBrien punchlines that poked priests over the churchs many sexual-abuse scandals. Thats not funny, you guys! Speaking of OBrien, sounds like he had a great time at the gathering. Its a nice thing, the Irish-Catholic comic told reporters. Its the first time, and Im sure the last. Im sure (Pope Francis) walked out and said, Were never doing that again. I checked in on Deisings Bakery in Kingston, New York to talk to the owner about his fake feud with HBOs Last Week Tonight host On the June 2nd episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver discussed the decline of Red Lobster. He then announced that his show had purchased all of the equipment from a shuttered Red Lobster in Kingston, New York before serving his studio audience some cheddar bay biscuits. The following week, Oliver aired a second segment explaining that a note had been found at the Kingston Red Lobster asking for a few pieces of equipment for a local bakery named Deisings. Having already donated all the equipment, Oliver issued an on-air challenge to Deisings, saying that Last Week Tonight would buy them brand-new units of the equipment they requested if they promised to make cake bears i.e., a bear-shaped cupcake with Olivers face on them. Don't Miss Owner Eric Deising happily accepted the challenge, and began making John Oliver bears on Monday morning. A John Oliver Cake Bear Living just about an hour from Kingston and being a regular Last Week Tonight viewer, I decided to venture over to Deisings to do something I otherwise would get arrested for: Eating John Olivers face. When I arrived there, I immediately ordered a John Oliver Cake Bear, which is an adorable bear-shaped mini-cake with a crude cutout of Olivers face on it. Before devouring it, though, I sat down for a quick chat with Deising. The first thing I asked him about was whether or not the little John Oliver face was edible. He said it wasits merely a piece of rice paper that hes asked his employees and his children to cut out thousands of times already. He also readily pointed out just how crude the execution was, explaining, Theyre not even pretty. Im not really proud of them. I dont know how you make a bear cupcake with a human face on it Deisings Bakery owner Eric Deising As I went to eat the cupcake, Deising was sure to advise me, According to John Oliver, dont be a monster, eat it from the ass-end first. Advertisement I followed his/Olivers instructions and proceeded to eat a delicious, chocolatey piece of cake starting with the buttocks. I left the face for last, and when I finally put it in my mouth, the texture and taste was that of a regular piece of paper. I did, though, have to chew on it for a bit before it softened up enough for me to choke it down. Honestly, the only thing not totally delicious about the John Oliver Cake Bear was John Olivers bland, hard-to-chew, tasteless face. Me, about to have a slice of John Oliver That said, all those servings of Olivers bland visage are at least in the service of a good cause. We decided to pay it forward, Deising tells me. Since (Oliver) is going to give me a piece of equipment and give us this nice publicity, we decided to do a fundraiser for The Peoples Place, which is a local food pantry. Advertisement Thus far, Deising has sold nearly 2,000 John Oliver Cake Bears, which should net about $15,000 for The Peoples Place. Its all for a limited time, though, as Deising says the last day people will be able to eat John Olivers face will likely be next Wednesday. So take a bite out of John Oliver while you still can. Microsofts president Brad Smith faced tough questioning on the companys security track record and presence in China during a Congressional hearing on Thursday. The House Committee on Homeland Security convened a hearing to consider last summers Microsoft Exchange Online hack, attributed to Chinese-government-linked cyber-espionage group Storm-0558. A highly critical March report by the Department of Homeland Securitys Cyber Safety Review Board blamed Microsoft for a cascade of security failures that allowed attackers to steal Microsoft Services Account (MSA) key and forge authentication tokens before accessing targeted Microsoft Exchange accounts. This compromised access was used to hack into the Microsoft Exchange email accounts of State Department officials, among other (largely government) targets in the US and UK. As I listened to Sir Keir Starmers speech yesterday, I asked myself how long it will take the country to hate Labour as much as it now hates the Tories. That assumes that Labour will win a handsome majority on July 4, as the polls suggest it will. How long will it take? Two years? Three? Of course one cant be sure when disillusion will creep in. One can only be certain that it will. The Labour manifesto unveiled by Sir Keir promises a break with the Tory past of chaos, and an exciting future, while providing scant details about how this wonderful state of affairs is going to be reached. Someone holds the Labour Party election manifesto booklet during its launch... but it remains firmly closed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (centre) poses with his manifesto with fellow members of the Shadow Cabinet Starmer and deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner are all smiles at the launch in Manchester In particular, the manifesto is billed as a programme for wealth creation. Yet it doesnt offer any policies that might convince reasonable people that new wealth will be created. One plausible policy would have been to reduce taxes, since developed countries with lower tax rates tend to have higher economic growth. We are more highly taxed than at any time since World War II, which helps to explain why the economy is sclerotic. Earlier this week, the Tories announced an annual 17 billion tax cut a significant amount which will be largely paid for by trimming ballooning welfare spending on working-age people. But Labour arent proposing any tax cuts and it certainly doesnt envisage reductions in spending. The party is openly planning tax increases, though only modest ones, raising 8.5 billion over five years, a minuscule proportion of overall tax revenue. Yet at the same time the manifesto makes a long list of commitments, which include 40,000 extra NHS appointments a week, 6,500 new expert teachers, 8,500 new mental health staff, over 3,000 new nurseries, and so on and so forth. Labour claims all these policies are costed, but its highly likely that many will turn out to be more expensive. For example, the 3,000-plus new nurseries are estimated to cost only 35 million, which works out at 11,166 per nursery. How is that possible? Mental health support for every school in England (there are about 24,000 of them) is estimated at a mere 175 million, while delivering work experience and career advice for all [my italics] young people will supposedly set back the Exchequer just 85 million. The manifesto offers a huge array of new projects at costs that smack of fantasy economics. And they mock Liz Truss! Either a Labour government wont provide these services or, more likely, it will look for extra tax revenue. In addition, there are bound to be demands for more money for which Labour hasnt budgeted. It hasnt committed to match the Tories pledge to increase defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030. Either Sir Keir Starmer will leave Britain perilously undefended at a time of international crisis or a lot more money will have to be found. Labours solution to this bind is higher economic growth Sir Keir preposterously claimed that his is the party of wealth creation but the manifestos suggestions as to how this growth will be achieved are almost comically threadbare. They include relaxing planning regulations (not easy to do) and vague promises about a new partnership with business to boost growth everywhere. Oh, and there will be a new deal for working people. The vacuity of the partys thinking was illuminated in an interview with its campaign coordinator, Pat McFadden, on Radio 4s Today programme yesterday morning. He asserted that higher growth was achievable because the last Labour government had managed to deliver it. But so did other advanced economies at that time. Since the 2008 financial crash, most European countries have also been plagued by low growth and, like Britain, have increased their tax burdens, not least to pay off debts incurred during Covid. Labour is saying that because it oversaw respectable growth between 1997 and 2008, it can produce it again. But why? The world has changed. Invoking the past is not a credible plan for achieving growth in the future. On the basis of the policies outlined in its manifesto, a Labour government wouldnt improve Britains economic performance, and so would be driven to raising new taxes to pay for its ambitious plans. In fact, Id say this outcome is certain. I suppose we should believe the assurances of Sir Keir and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves that they wont raise income tax, national insurance or VAT. Such, at least, is their intention. Remember, though, that under Tory plans, which Labour wont change, income tax will go up over the next few years because thresholds are frozen until 2027/28. When asked about capital gains tax or property taxes, neither Sir Keir nor Ms Reeves ever take the opportunity to deny that they will go up. Of course they will. Anyone who doubts this is being fatally naive. The overall tax burden is certain to climb to record levels under Labour. That will be an antidote to the economic growth which Sir Keir Starmer absurdly claims to champion. Maybe his administration will be forced to cut public expenditure to avoid panic in the bond markets. Otherwise I expect we will just bob along, rather as we have in the past few years, though it will almost certainly be worse. We face a dismal future if Labour wins. Sir Keir claims to be selling wealth creation and economic growth but he is in fact selling decline. If he were in business, hed be prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act. Thats why I believe disillusion will soon set in. Its not just the economy, of course. Sir Keirs proposals to control immigration, legal and illegal, are laughably vague. Anyone who believes that the boats coming across the Channel will disappear on his watch is being credulous. Widespread disillusion wouldnt inevitably mean a one-term Labour government, though. Sir Keir must hope that giving votes to 16 and 17-year-olds a sinister, self-serving manifesto pledge will keep him in power. The fractious Tories will have to get their act together to dislodge even a failed Labour government. This is a hollow, dispiriting manifesto. Despite Sir Keirs rhetoric, it only offers more decline. The British people must hate the Conservatives a great deal if they are prepared to be taken in by such vacuities. Theres still time, of course. Twenty days. We can only pray that, at the 11th hour, voters will decide to forgive the Tories for their errors, and finally come to their senses. Young Rishi wasnt the only one deprived of a Sky dish. In 1992 the late Queen lamented that she too was dishless, blaming it on Buck Houses listed building status. She did have one installed eventually on condition that it was hidden from public view. Pre-satellite, she had her favourite shows recorded once dashing back from a Royal Film Performance of the Grinch in 2000 to watch the last episode of Inspector Morse. Philip meanwhile once mistook Cate Blanchett for a TV engineer at a Palace film reception. Do you know how to fix my broken DVD player?, he asked. Theres a cord sticking out of the back and I dont know where it goes. Rishi Sunak (pictured) wasnt the only one deprived of a Sky dish In 1992 the late Queen (pictured) lamented that she too was dishless A picture of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is attached to an aerial dish in Whitehall Unimpressed by Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Daveys wacky publicity stunts on the campaign trail, dogged Westminster veteran Michael Crick remarks: I wonder what the hundreds of wrongly convicted postmasters think of all this fooling around by Ed Davey, the former postal minister. 'If I were still a TV reporter Id take a few appallingly treated postmasters to the next Davey stunt and see what they think. Westminster veteran Michael Crick is apparently unimpressed by Sir Ed Davey's (pictured) publicity stunts Lord David Cameron (pictured) appeared to be annoyed by Emma Barnett's interviewing style on Radio 4 Tiring of Emma Barnetts interview style on Radio 4s Today, Lord Cameron remarks: Youve obviously been to the John Humphrys school of never-ending interruptions. Emma haughtily responds: I went to my own school! On the eve of Tony Blairs landslide win in 1997, George Osborne, then a 26-year-old researcher for Tory PM John Major, turned up for work. The day before polling I crept into the flat and was confronted by stacks of boxes, he recalls in The Spectator. 'The Majors had packed up. The Blairs didnt with their elections, nor did the Camerons. I wonder what the Sunaks will do? George Osborne (pictured) reflected on what Rishi Sunak and his wife will do on the eve of the election Former Bond girl Jane Seymour (pictured) said she got the role as Solitaire in Live and Let Die as she convinced producers she could 'play a virgin' Reflecting on being cast in her breakthrough role as Bond girl Solitaire in Live And Let Die, Jane Seymour recalls: I was hired because they were looking for someone who could play a virgin. They were pretty thin on the ground in London at the time! Jane cheekily clarifies: I almost qualified [as a virgin]. So I got the role. Sue Barker recalls attending a celebration of Sir Steve Redgraves five Olympic gold medals at the Salisbury home of Sir Ted Heath when the former PM mistook her husband Lance for the guest of honour. Steve was not even in the building she recalls. Heath looked at my husband and said. This man deserves a glass of champagne. 'My husband had to explain he worked in the Met Police. Sir Ted then went to sit in a corner of the room. Then Sir Steve walks through the door and Ted never spoke a word to him. Hadnt sulky Ted, with Margaret Thatcher, already elevated rudeness to an art form? Picking up a Lifetime Achievement award from the Guild of Food Writers on Wednesday, Prue Leith had a gentle pop at her rival, the sainted Mary Berry, whose forthcoming BBC cookery show should give Prues Bake Off a run for its money. It is a good thing for her too, mewled Prue. Mary is so good with the poshos. At least she didnt say Brussels sprouts! Michael Flatley has risen from the ashes many times, his unrelenting drive powering him back from adversity to bigger things. But when the Irish dancing legend was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer 18 months ago he doubted he could do it again. Thankfully Michael, 65, is now in remission, and squeezing every last drop out of life with a revival of his most successful show, Lord Of The Dance, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, and the realisation of some very personal dreams. It isnt how many times you go down, its how many you get back up, he says. After the cancer diagnosis I made a promise to myself: I didnt want to be lying on my death bed thinking, I wish Id tried that or I wish Id just gone for it. You never regret the things you did, you regret the things you didnt do. The tough part of cancer isnt just the physical, its the psychological. Im always telling my dancers to follow their dreams and for 25 years I promised myself Id launch an Irish whiskey in honour of my dad. Ive done it. Im not going to leave any stone unturned. Im going to go for it. It was the week before Christmas in 2022, after he and his wife Niamh and their son Michael Jr, now 17, had been to Dubai for some sun, that he went for tests at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco, where he also has a home. Michael Flatley is involved in an ongoing legal battle over what he claims are unsafe levels of toxic chemicals at his 18th-century Irish estate, Castlehyde, in Fermoy, County Cork Michael Flatley (pictured) starring in Lord Of The Dance in 1996. The show celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022 I never bring my phone to the pool but I had to take a call from a fellow in Ireland, he recalls. Id completely forgotten about the tests but when the phone rang it was my doctor. He said, Mr Flatley, I have some terrible, terrible news He started to explain so I walked away from my sun lounger. My wife was staring at me so I hid behind a bush because I didnt want her to see my face. He told me where I had the cancer and that it required immediate surgery. 'I was thinking to myself, What have I done to deserve this? I turned and there was Niamh. She was listening to everything because she loves me. Then she hugged me and everything seemed a little better. He underwent surgery in London. I remember lying on the gurney in the freezing cold hospital hallway, looking up at that white ceiling and thinking, Will I ever come out of this room? Did I give my wife and son a big enough hug? Did I do enough in my life? Have I given enough of myself? Have I helped enough people? Have I followed my dream? Have I done all the things I promised I would do? 'That moment changed my life. When the nurses came back I gave myself a blessing and said, Dear Lord, I surrender to you. If its time, Im more than happy to go. But please help me have more time with my beautiful wife and son and follow those last few dreams. Youre going to come up against brick walls in everything; you have to go over or under or round or crash right through them. Thats the attitude Ive tried to have in life. Nothing is impossible. Just put your head down and keep going. Eliminate naysayers. So I went into surgery thinking, Ill be hugging my wife in a few hours. I thank God that he was good to me and gave me another chance. Its not his first second chance. After an injury during his Feet Of Flames tour in 2000, doctors advised him to stop dancing altogether. He refused to be beaten and continued to perform for another 16 years. He had skin cancer in 2003. In 2006, on the eve of the European leg of his Celtic Tiger tour, he was struck by a mystery virus that left him with symptoms ranging from lethargy to joint and muscular pain, and it failed to clear up despite months of rest. Michael and wife Niamh at their beloved 18th-century Irish estate, Castlehyde Then he met bio-energy healer Michael ODoherty, whose treatments involve rebalancing the bodys energy system. Hes my secret weapon, says Michael. You have no idea how powerful this man is. As soon as hes done I feel like a million dollars. Theres nobody like him. Surviving the latest illness has made Michael more focused than ever. As well as the tour, last month he launched his own Flatley Irish Whiskey label and hes just finished making Dancelord, a six-part TV series about his life. Hes also creating a new show, Michael Flatleys Christmas Dance Spectacular. Hes also involved in an ongoing legal battle over what he claims are unsafe levels of toxic chemicals at his 18th-century Irish estate, Castlehyde, in Fermoy, County Cork. After a fire in 2016, the family moved out while remediation works were done. But Michael says he and his family suffered ill health after moving back in, and last October they were forced to leave again after experts conducting routine maintenance detected unsafe levels of chloride residue. Michael claims the main renovation contractor, Austin Newport Group Ltd, failed to address the issue. Austin denies the claims. I was one of the fittest people in Ireland, says Michael. But when we moved back in I never felt right, and all of a sudden I got cancer. All of a sudden Ive developed asthma too. How did this happen? We must have been breathing in toxins. We were told to leave immediately and weve been living in hotels ever since. Michael bought the property for 2.5 million in 1999, when Lord Of The Dance had made him one of the worlds highest-paid performers. He spent an estimated 25 million renovating it, and in October 2006 he and Niamh held their lavish wedding reception there for 250 guests. But he claims the cost of removing the toxic residue from the property will be 25.6 million. Ive put an absolute fortune and all my love, energy and focus into that home for 25 years, he says. Ive brought it back to life. Its heartbreaking. Its all a long way from his humble roots in Chicago, where he was born to Irish emigres Michael, a plumber, and Elizabeth. He was sent to Irish dance lessons at the age of 11 and just six years later he won the World Irish Dance title. But he was flat broke until his 30s, working on building sites with his brother and their father while continuing to dance. Everything changed on 30 April 1994, when he and his dance partner Jean Butler gave a seven-minute interval performance of Riverdance at Eurovision in Dublin. By February 1995 it had been developed into a stand-alone show and sold a record 120,000 tickets for a five-week run at the Point Theatre in Dublin. But by October, on the eve of its second London run, Michael had parted company with the production over an alleged contract dispute. When I got fired from Riverdance I was heartbroken, he recalls. I felt so betrayed. My dad called me and I knew I had to break the news. Michael (pictured this year) has launched his own Flatley Irish Whiskey label and has just finished making Dancelord, a six-part TV series about his life But he said to me, You created Riverdance. Just go and create your own show again. We believe in you. Every promoter told me lightning doesnt strike twice and theres only room for one show like this. But Riverdance was doing theatres I wanted to go into arenas. And so Lord Of The Dance, which has to date sold more than 60 million tickets, was born. In the cast was a dancer called Niamh OBrien. She was my leading lady, a very special woman. We became best friends years before I asked her out. Thats one of those signs that it would be the happiest marriage in the world. Michael, whose legs were once insured for 30 million, hung up his dancing shoes after performing for the last time at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2016. But the Flatley magic will return to the UK this summer. God gave me this little bit of talent to share with the world. He challenged me by knocking me off my high horse when I got fired from Riverdance and gave me the chance to come back and do it all again. My reward was my beautiful wife and son. Who could have imagined an Irish jig would outsell the biggest rock bands in the world? Im proud of that and all the dancers who give everything to help me achieve my dream. A successful businesswoman has revealed why she's throwing away her corporate career at the age of 41 to join OnlyFans. Account manager Zilda Williams says her six-figure salary isn't enough to survive on in today's dicey economy - so she's stripping down to increase her cash flow. 'I love my job and I've worked my butt off for years to get to where I am in this industry, but with the cost of living crisis I don't think six figures is enough to get by,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I'm paying off a massive mortgage all by myself and I don't have a husband to split the bills with. It's just me and my rescue dog Willow.' Zilda worked as a glamor model for men's magazines like FHM in her 20s, but she left the racy shoots behind her to climb the corporate ladder in her hometown of Auckland, New Zealand. Account manager Zilda Williams says her six figure salary isn't enough to survive on in today's economy - so she's stripping down for OnlyFans to increase her cash flow The 41-year-old has ditched her professional corporate attire (left) to flaunt her curves in thongs and lingerie (right) in a bid to boost her bank account While she enjoys the financial stability of a 9-to-5 job, she says that it's barely enough to live comfortably on as a single woman these days. After seeing that many of her old pals from her modelling days were driving Porches and buying real estate thanks to OnlyFans, Zilda decided to give it a try for herself. 'I've done plenty of photoshoots in bikinis and lingerie before, so why not make a little money from it?' she says. 'I'm keeping it classy so I have nothing to be embarrassed about. It's not porn - it's tasteful stuff.' While it's been years since Zilda has modeled professionally, she says that she's having more luck with men these days than she ever did when she was younger. 'Men actually hit on me more today than they did when I was 25 - I don't know why. Maybe it's because women get more confident with age?' she said. 'I take good care of myself, I exercise and eat right, and I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin than I do right now at 41.' Despite her confidence, Zilda said that she's been warned by her nearest and dearest not to risk her corporate career for a quick payday on OnlyFans. 'I love my job and I've worked my butt off for years to get to where I am in this industry, but with the cost of living crisis I don't think six figures is enough to get by,' she told DailyMail.com After seeing that many of her old pals from her modelling days were driving Porches and buying real estate thanks to OnlyFans, Zilda decided to give the site a try for herself 'I've had close friends and family members tell me that I'm crazy and making a terrible decision, but they don't understand what it's like for me,' she said. 'I want to pay off my mortgage and retire early. I'm never going to be able to do that in today's economy.' The blonde bombshell said that she also has plans to start her own business with the money she makes from selling sexy selfies. 'People think I'm stupid for doing this, but I'm far from a dumb blonde. I have plans to use my earnings to start a business, so then I can be my own boss,' she boasted. 'At the end of the day I'm going to be the one having the last laugh. Yes it's a risk to my reputation in the corporate world, but without risk there's no reward.' Despite only launching her account in June, Zilda says that she's already making big bucks on the site. 'I wasn't sure if anyone would care, but as soon as I posted about my OnlyFans I got so many DMs from guys wanting to send me money and subscribe,' she gushed. 'The men messaging me are anywhere from 19 to 70. The younger guys all call me a MILF, even though I don't have kids. I've even had some women in my DMs!' She added, 'It felt good to know that so many people wanted to see more of me.' 'I'm keeping it classy so I have nothing to be embarrassed about. It's not porn - it's tasteful stuff,' said Zilda Zilda admits that she's been warned by her friends and family not to throw away her corporate career for a quick payday on OnlyFans Zilda isn't the only successful businesswoman to throw away her career for the red lights of OnlyFans. Last year, single mother-of-four Chloe Sasha quit her job as a receptionist to become an OnlyFans model - and now she's making a staggering $30,000 a month. 'I was very happy that I was able to give this nice stable home to my kids,' she previously gushed to Truly. 'I feel very proud of myself that I'm able to give them this life and not have to worry or stress about how I'm gonna make ends meet next week.' However, not everybody has had a happy ending on the raunchy platform. A former Missouri teacher turned OnlyFans model recently warned other educators not to follow in her footsteps as she regrets making an account on the adult website. Megan Gaither, 32, told the St. Louis Dispatch that she 'wouldn't recommend' other teachers join OnlyFans for the sake of supplemental income. While the cash flow is good, making five times as much as she ever did as a teacher, Gaither said she's become a 'total outcast' in her hometown of St. Clair, Missouri. But above everything, she misses being a teacher at St. Clair High School. 'A lot of people tell me that I should be happy, but I wouldn't wish this past year on anybody,' said Gaither. 'I studied 12 years to become a teacher, and now that's gone. 'Looking back, I wouldn't recommend this. If I could go back, I would tell myself not to do it.' Variety's editor-in-chief has revealed how that controversial Kim Kardashian and Chloe Sevigny interview and cover really came to be, admitting that the reality star was supposed to be paired with another actor who 'called in sick' last minute. Earlier this month, the SKIMS founder, 43, and the American Psycho alum, 49, teamed up to grace the front of Variety's Actors on Actors issue - but the interview and photoshoot was met with fierce criticism online. Internet users were both outraged and baffled to learn that Kim - who has only had one leading role - had been paired up with Academy Award-nominated actress Chloe as part of the publication's elite series. Now, Variety editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh has addressed the criticism while chatting with Meghan McCain for an upcoming episode of her podcast, Citizen McCain. The mogul insisted that Chloe was just grateful to be there with Kim because she was not originally supposed to be a part of the shoot. Variety's editor-in-chief has revealed how that controversial Kim Kardashian and Chloe Sevigny interview and cover really came to be Ramin Setoodeh said the reality star was supposed to be paired with another actor who 'called in sick' last minute while chatting with Meghan McCain for an upcoming podcast episode He said the Zodiac star 'graciously stepped in' after an unnamed actor 'called in sick' just two days before the shoot was supposed to take place. 'I'm gonna give you a little bit of information. I'm going to break some news: Chloe Sevigny wasn't supposed to pair with Kim Kardashian,' Ramin - whose book Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass is published on June 18 - said during the podcast, which will air on Friday at 6am EST. 'Kim Kardashian had someone else that she was supposed to pair with and that actor called in sick on a Friday night, and Kim was supposed to do this on a Sunday.' He said they turned to Chloe because she had been in the 'Ryan Murphy universe' like Kim, who starred in the most recent season of his show, American Horror Story; Chloe acted in Ryan's series Feud: Capote vs. the Swans earlier this year. 'Chloe was incredibly gracious, she stepped in at the last minute and came into this conversation with Kim,' he continued. 'But that wasn't her original acting partner.' As for who was supposed to partake in the shoot with Kim, he refused to reveal any names because he 'didn't want to draw undue attention to the person.' 'But people can guess,' he added. 'And maybe on social media, if someone guesses correctly, I'll do a little heart on their [post].' After the outlet unveiled the cover, some people wondered if Chloe was throwing some subtle shade towards Kim when she re-posted the announcement to her Instagram Stories and captioned it, 'Always nice to be included. Thank you @Variety.' Kim and Chloe's interview and cover was met with fierce criticism as people were outraged to learn that Kim had been paired up with Academy Award-nominated actress Chloe The mogul insisted to Meghan that Chloe was just grateful to be there because she was not originally supposed to be a part of the shoot, adding, 'She was so happy to be included' Regarding the rumors, Ramin insisted that there was no tension between the two women on set. 'What was so funny about all the press, everyone was talking about how Chloe was trying to shade Kim, [but] she wasn't,' he said. 'She was saying she was so happy to be included. 'Chloe was really excited to talk to Kim. I was in the greenroom with her right before she went on and they really liked each other.' After the magazine hit stands, social media was in an uproar, with some people branding the cover as 'an insult to trained, hardworking actors' like Chloe and a 'disrespect for the craft.' Ramin theorized that the backlash stemmed from people 'not liking' that Kim has joined the world of acting. He said the Zodiac star 'graciously stepped in' after the unnamed actor 'called in sick' just two days before the shoot was supposed to take place. He's seen with Meghan for the podcast After the magazine hit stands, social media was in an uproar, with some people branding the cover as 'an insult to trained, hardworking actors' like Chloe and a 'disrespect for the craft' Kim has only had one leading role in the most recent season of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story (seen) 'I think people have strong feelings about Kim Kardashian and they don't like that she's acting even though she was a star of her own show on FX, American Horror Story,' he concluded. Kim and Chloe joined established thespians like Jodie Foster, Robert Downey Jr., Naomi Watts, Quinta Brunson, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Jon Hamm, and Andrew Scott for the series. Before American Horror Story, Kim had been acting for more than a decade - however, most of her previous roles were so quick that you might miss them if you blink. Her prior acting credits include PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, PAW Patrol: The Movie, Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, Drop Dead Diva, CSI: NY, Deep in the Valley, Beyond the Break, and Disaster Movie. She is currently gearing up to play LA's 'most successful divorce lawyer' leading 'an all-female law firm' in a new Hulu scripted legal drama penned by Brothers & Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz. As for Chloe, she's had a successful career spanning across decades. Once upon a time, in a land far, far away from the Delaware courthouse where he has just been convicted of various gun charges, I had a lengthy heart to heart with Hunter Biden. This is the kind of thing that happens when you have crawled out of the flaming bin fire of addiction: one minute you're wondering how to get through the day without at least two bottles of Pinot Grigio in your system, the next you're comparing notes with the son of the President of the United States about all the times you have stood on the side of the road waiting for a drug dealer to sell you cocaine. For the record, the 54-year-old who faces up to 25 years in jail for lying about his drug addiction when buying a firearm in 2018 definitely out-did me on the cocaine scoring. For starters, I never had a gun pointed at my head while trying to get drugs, and I was never blacklisted from every seedy motel in Los Angeles for my unsavoury behaviour. US president Joe Biden talks with his son Hunter at Delaware Air National Guard Base this week Nor did I ever go 13 nights without sleep because of my drug use. (I think the maximum was two, and I wouldn't recommend it.) Indeed, Hunter is probably the first person I've met who has made me feel like a bit of a nun, and as a recovering party girl who once went to Ronnie Wood's house, that's saying something. But back to our heart to heart. It was the spring of 2021, and Biden junior was coming up for two years clean and sober, while I was about to reach four years without a drink or a drug. He had just published a book, Beautiful Things, in which he detailed with eye-watering candour the depths he sank to while addicted to crack, and he had agreed to be interviewed by me for the mental health podcast I presented at the time. Despite the honesty in the book, I hadn't expected much other than a bland discussion about the difficulties of writing it, so I was pleasantly surprised when instead, I got an almost two-hour-long chat about the absolute lunacy of alcoholism and addiction. We talked addict to addict, over Zoom, rather than President's son to journalist. I had seen the images online of him topless and strung out as he smoked crack cocaine, having filmed himself with prostitutes, but this was a very different Hunter: polite, articulate, erudite, with the tell-tale bright eyes and wholesome appearance of someone in early sobriety. From a smart looking apartment in Los Angeles, he told me he had written the book for me, and while in any other context this might have seemed insincere, here, as one addict speaking to another, it rang true. 'I don't mean this facetiously, but I wrote it for you,' he said. 'For those people that could identify immediately with that vivid detail I provide about what it's like to be mired in that awful space of addiction. And most of all I wrote it for people just to let them know they're not alone.' We spoke about his first memory, when, as a two-year-old, he came around in hospital, his brother Beau lying in the bed next to him mouthing 'I love you, I love you, I love you', as they learnt that they had survived a car crash that had killed their mother and baby sister, Naomi. Forty-two years later, Beau would die of brain cancer, and in the dual grips of grief and addiction, Hunter would embark on an affair with his widowed sister-in-law. It was one of many seedy footnotes of his addiction, including fathering a child with a stripper and disappearing on his daughters, as was detailed in court last week. There are many people, Donald Trump included, who find it astonishing that 'Sleepy Joe' would still associate with the Black Sheep of the Biden family let alone announce that he was 'proud' of his son, on the same day that said son became the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime. But anyone who has been through addiction, or watched a family member go through addiction, will get it. Because, as Hunter himself told me, 'addiction is hard, but it's even harder on those that continue to come back to you and offer you love time and time again, and you reject it, and seemingly consciously choose a drink or a drug over them. It's infuriating and frustrating'. But here's the thing about addicts, when they find recovery, as Hunter has: strange as it might seem, they become some of the most reliable humans on the planet. Twelve-Step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous, which so many use to stay sober, encourage people to hold themselves accountable for their mistakes. Hunter told me he felt 'abject' guilt and shame for what he put his father through, and every day he counted his blessings. 'The only reason I am here, is because of his love,' he said. And so while some might want us to think of Hunter as a feckless druggie, I think he has shown a resilience few can imagine. And I'm sure he'll be doing everything he can to make things right. This is why he would not dream of asking his father to pardon him: because in recovery from addiction, you finally get to do the right thing. You get to show the world who you really are in the sober light of day. I've got PETD (Post Eras Tour Depression) Taylor Swift enjoys a girls night out at Argentinian restaurant Casa Cruz in Notting Hill, west London, this week The Taylor Swift juggernaut has officially hit the UK, and like many women around the country who have already been lucky enough to see her in concert, I am beginning to experience a phenomenon known as PETD, or Post Eras Tour Depression. Symptoms include lethargy, tearfulness and a realisation that you have now experienced the best night of your life and it is all downhill from here. Hooray for Bridgerton's naked Nicola! Nicola Coughlan in the six-minute sex scene in Bridgerton raised the temperature of many viewers Well done to Nicola Coughlan, who stars in a six-minute sex scene in Bridgerton. Some have been surprised that a woman over a size 8 would dare to take her clothes off on camera. One journalist told Coughlan, 37, she was 'very brave' as if she might take this as a compliment. Note to humans everywhere: telling a woman she is 'brave' for daring to exist in anything other than a hessian sack is in itself brave. Or exceptionally stupid. Either way, it's absolutely not the compliment you think it is. Some people are concerned for England's WAGs because the nearest shop to their hotel at the Euros is a TK Maxx not a Chanel boutique. The thing I find the most troubling? That 20 years after the tired old term 'Wag' was coined, we are still using it! Dear HR, I love Harry BP bosses have told senior staff they must report any office romances or face the sack. This got me thinking about my own office romance, many years ago, and how I might have reported it. Would I have dashed off an email or sent a formal letter? Something like: To whom it may concern, I have been having it off with Harry on the tenth floor for some time and we have decided to take things to the next level, by declaring our relationship to HR. Yours, Bryony on the 11th floor. In the end I chose a more traditional route. Reader, I married him. Confidence clinic Much like Nicola Coughlan, I have no problem taking my clothes off. As a result, people often message saying they wish they had my confidence. With that in mind, I'll be distilling my tips here. My first one? Remember: confidence is a trick. I don't have confidence. What I do have is a desire not to spend a minute more of my one precious life hating my body. Lisa, 55, from Middlesex, was on holiday in Corfu when the incident occurred This is the amusing moment a grandmother loses her balance and flips over the handlebars while riding on a seesaw. Lisa Lloyd, 55, from, from Feltham, Middlesex, was on holiday in Corfu when the unfortunate incident occurred. The holidaymaker had travelled to the Greek island with her husband David, 58, in May. The couple decided to get their friend Paula, a 57-year-old betting shop assistant manager, to video them riding on a seesaw to show their four grandchildren when they got home. However, Lisa suddenly lost her balance while sitting at the highest point of the seesaw and fell over the handles and onto the ground, landing on her back. Lisa Lloyd, 55, and her husband David, 58, were on holiday in Corfu when they decided to have a go on a seesaw Despite the 55-year-old being left with a cut on her ear, she now finds the incident hilarious. 'I turned for the camera and my husband is a bigger person, so I sort of lost my balance and fell forward over the bars,' Lisa said. She added: 'I sort of just jumped off and my ear was bleeding. It left quite a gash but luckily it was not the face.' It is a tradition for the couple to send a photograph of themselves on a slide or seesaw to their family when they are on holiday. The tradition commenced a few years ago for their eldest grandchild, who is now nine years old. So, when they spotted the seesaw in Corfu, Lisa, and her husband, who is a forklift driver, knew they had to jump on. Lisa recalled: 'Paula was only meant to take photo and ended up recording. Our grandkids are aged one, four, five and nine-years-old and they all found it hilarious.' The grandmother said that her husband David 'panicked at first', but as soon as he saw she was not in pain, they laughed about it. In an unfortunate turn of events, Lisa suddenly lost her balance while sitting at the highest point and fell over the handles The grandmother cut her ear after she fell off the seesaw and onto the ground, but now, she finds her fall hilarious Lisa's husband David, a forklift driver, was initially worried for his wife after she fell from the seesaw The couple left for Corfu on May 28, 2024, and stayed for 10 nights before returning to the UK on June 7. Elsewhere on the trip, David and Lisa stayed by the beach and the pool. Lisa added: 'We also hired a boat and quad bikes, but the seesaw was my undoing.' It comes after a father-of-two hilariously crashed into bushes after climbing on top of a bin. Matt Gentle, 40, tried to change the batteries on two security cameras outside of his home. However, what should have been a simple task led to him crashing into bushes instead. His slip-up was caught on a Ring doorbell camera which captured a video of him toppling from the top of a bin earlier this month. Lisa and her husband tested out the seesaw so they could show their grandchildren pictures once they were home Lisa said her grandchildren love watching the hilarious clip of her falling off the seesaw in Corfu The footage shows Matt, from Croydon in south London, pulling a wheelie bin from the end of his drive and placing it by a bush. He attempted to clamber on top of the blue bin and used a nearby lamppost to help him balance. The father-of-two swiftly lost his bearings and the bin tipped from under him - all while he continued to cling onto the pole. He landed in the bush and the bin fell onto its side - as Matt got up, the lid opened up and rubbish spilled out onto the grass. Matt, a car sprayer, said his wife and children have been enjoying the footage and added: 'It was hilarious - I climbed onto the bin that can't take my weight. I would have laughed so hard if I'd seen that. 'I'm too heavy to be standing on stuff like that - but you never learn. I do things like that all the time. The kids love the video. My boy watches it all the time.' The Princess of Wales will make a high profile return to public life on Saturday, as she takes her place alongside Prince William and their children on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The royal will be seen in public for the first time at the King's birthday event since she announced that she is in recovery from cancer, and being there for her children was no doubt a key factor in her decision. Kate, 42, will be on hand to ensure George, 10, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, enjoy the family day out to celebrate their grandfather's birthday - and her presence means they won't have to travel in the carriage procession without one of their parents. Prince William will be taking part in the parade on horseback, meaning the three children would have had to travel in a carriage with the Duchess of Edinburgh of the Queen in a procession from Buckingham Palace towards Horse Guards if Kate didn't go. Their mother's presence will also be reassuring for the youngsters as they watch the fly-past from the Buckingham Palace balcony - where Prince Louis famously covered his ears to block out the noise in 2022. The Princess of Wales will attend Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace on Saturday, she revealed in a letter to the public on Friday; the event is the first public royal engagement Kate, 42, has attended since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March Last year, Louis was particularly expressive on the Buckingham Palace balcony, pulling faces and playing up to the camera While the day is centred around marking the official birthday of the British Sovereign and the display of military precision, the Prince and Princess of Wales' children usually steal the show with their playful antics. Last year, he was particularly expressive on the Buckingham Palace balcony, pulling faces and playing up to the camera. Despite more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, 400 musicians and a flyover of 70 aircraft, Louis was the star of the historic day. Fans were delighted to see his signature 'window wiper wave' during the appearance, where he was spotted doing a small dance, as well as a military-style salute. Later on the balcony, Louis was seen saluting as he waved at crowds to celebrate the Trooping the Colour parade. One of the main highlights of the previous Trooping the Colour is when Louis was in a carriage with his siblings and visibly held his nose and scrunched up his face as a reaction to a strong smell of horse manure Last year, Trooping the Colour was full of smiles, laughter and gentle chaos as the younger royals pulled funny faces on the balcony Prince Louis stole the show as he gave a cheeky salute to the adoring crowds cheering his grandad King Charles's official birthday The adorable royal was also seen throwing his fists in the air and pouting as his mother Kate looked at him with pride and amusement. One of the main highlights of the flypast above Buckingham Palace saw 18 Typhoon fighter jets spelling out the King's monogram 'CR' - short for Charles Rex. As the planes zoomed overhead Kate encouraged Prince George to wave to the crowds as she smoothed down Prince Louis' hair and urged him to face the crowd. It's also thought that Princess Charlotte was 'getting impatient' during a conversation with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, according to the Mirror. Lip reader Jeremy Freeman suggested she was asking how long the event would last, according to the outlet. So it's no surprise that Kate was keen to attend and guide her children through the high profile event. Ahead of her appearance, Kate penned a moving personal message thanking the public for their support over her cancer diagnosis and revealing she is looking forward to attending the traditional ceremonial day. Kate is likely to ride in a carriage with her three children George, 10, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, while Prince William attends the event, as is tradition, on horseback (Pictured from left: Prince George riding with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte back in 2022) Back in March, the Princess disclosed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of the disease says her treatment is on going and will be for several months to come. While she will not be returning to public duties full-time, she revealed that she does now feel well enough, however, to undertake a small number of public engagements in the coming months. The first will be at the Kings official birthday parade tomorrow where she will ride in a carriage with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis before appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the rest of the Royal Family. To mark the news Kensington Palace have also released a stunning new portrait of the princess taken at Windsor this week by Matt Porteous showing her looking well and in a reflective mood. The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured in 2023, alongside the King, with Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte Prince Louis, pictured in 2023 alongside his older brother, has become known for his animated displays during the annual traditional royal ceremony A serene photo of the the Princess of Wales was released alongside the announcement, which revealed that the royal is continuing to make good progress but says 'there are good days and bad days' In her message the Princess says she has been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times, she wrote. Movingly she reveals she is making good progress, but adds: As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. She added: 'My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home. Im looking forward to attending The Kings Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me. The Princess first announced that she had cancer on March 22. In a hugely moving video statement, recorded at Windsor, she revealed that she had been diagnosed following serious abdominal surgery in January and was al ready undergoing 'preventative' chemotherapy. In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message filmed just two days earlier, Catherine revealed the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'. 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok, she said. Kate hasn't been seen in public since she announced she was being treated for cancer in March this year; in her letter the royal thanked the public for their 'continued understanding' 'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.' Kensington Palace said at the time that it would not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and asked people not to speculate. At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They confirmed again in March that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer 'had been present'. A week ago, the royal apologised for missing out on a key rehearsal for the event, writing a letter to the Irish Guards, saying: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon'. Burlesque star Dita Von Teese has revealed the secret to how she keeps her skin 'flawless' at 51 - and it's free. The model recently went on Bunnie XO's podcast 'Dumb Blonde' and shared the one thing she does every night to keep fine lines away. 'I know no one wants to hear this, but I wish someone would've told me how good it is for you to sleep on your back when I was young,' she said. The dancer taught herself how to sleep on her back four years ago and said the new change in routine 'worked miracles' on her skin. Australian registered nurse and anti-ageing specialist Madeline Calfas, previously revealed sleeping on your back can assist with headaches, prevent wrinkles, and helps with overall spine alignment. Burlesque star Dita Von Teese has revealed the secret to how she keeps her skin 'flawless' at 51 - and it's absolutely free 'I know where one of my wrinkles came from - sleeping on my face on my pillow,' Dita said. You can train yourself to sleep on your back by placing a pillow under your knees to relieve spinal pressure. Two pillows can also be used under your head to make breathing easier and add support, but this sleeping position is not recommended for those with lower back issues or sleep apnoea. The burlesque star shared her process: 'I close my eyes, put meditation on, and sleep with my palms up so it keeps my shoulders back. 'I do sometimes move in the night but I'm a light sleeper so I can catch myself.' Dita Von Teese taught herself how to sleep on her back four years ago and said the new change in routine 'worked miracles' on her skin The star revealed why it was important for her to make this small change in her routine. 'It's all fun and games and until you realise the collagen's really going,' she said. 'Some of the marks on my face are from my sunglasses and they'll stay all day.' Lying on your back helps to prevent wrinkles on the face and chest as the skin is no longer subjected to hours of creasing due to body positioning and sheets or blankets. When you crease your skin, it pushes the skin matrix (which comprises of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid) out from underneath the skin. 'As we age, our skin matrix production slows down, and creases start to become etched in, progressively getting deeper the longer we do it, and the older we get,' Ms Calfas said. 'This applies to the skin around our decolletage as well, so sleeping on your side with your arms crossed over promotes the creases and wrinkles in between the breasts.' Dita also religiously uses sunscreen every time she steps out. Wearing sunscreen every day will protect you from skin cancer - one of the most prevalent cancers in Australia - but it also keeps away fine lines and wrinkles. Sun exposure also causes sagging over time, which is why dermatologists also recommend using sunscreen as a preventative measure for physical ageing. A study in a prestigious British medical journal suggesting Covid vaccines drove a massive rise in deaths has been labelled with an official 'expression of concern' casting doubt on its findings. The report, from Dutch scientists, suggested the jab may have played a role in three million excess deaths between 2020 and 2022 and influential vaccine sceptics, including conspiracy theorist and former radio host Alex Jones, hailed the research as 'proof the Covid jab killed millions'. It came just weeks after the controversy-hit AstraZeneca Covid vaccine was withdrawn worldwide, amid continuing concerns it caused blood clots in rare cases. However other experts immediately criticised the study, in BMJ Public Health, for implying a link without providing data to back the claims. Now the journal's publisher, BMJ, has slapped a formal notice on the paper, less than two weeks after it was published, amid an investigation into its legitimacy. The controversial study paper, published in BMJ Public Health, suggests Covid jabs may be linked to excess deaths It was seized on by anti-vaxxers including Alex Jones, who declared it was proof that Covid vaccines killed millions Alex Jones has repeatedly referred to Covid vaccines as 'death shots' and 'poison shots' on his internet show InfoWars Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht, Netherlands, which commissioned the research, has also formally distanced itself from the findings. A spokesman said: 'We will further investigate the scientific quality of this study. The Princess Maxima Center deeply regrets that this publication may give the impression that the importance of vaccinations is being questioned. 'Originally, the idea was to look at the effect of Covid measures on, among other things, the mortality rate of children with cancer in low-income countries. 'During the course of the study, the focus shifted and diverted in a direction that we felt was too far from our expertise. 'The Maxima Center therefore emphatically distances itself from this publication. 'If it turns out that carelessness was involved in the realisation of this publication, it will of course be withdrawn.' The centre added that it 'strongly supports' vaccination and that its researchers 'in no way' demonstrated a link between jabs and excess deaths. The BMJ explained that its 'expression of concern' is designed to alert readers to the fact that issues have been raised about the study. It falls short of a correction or retraction. The Princess Maxima Center, which commissioned the study, has publicly distanced itself from its findings The study was also seized on by former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen Last week Jones, who has more than two million followers on X, featured the study on his internet show InfoWars. He was seen brandishing a copy of BMJ Public Health and told viewers: 'Here's the British Medical Journal, heard of them? They're about as respected as it gets. 'I read this whole report last night. You need to go read this. Because there's been a 40 per cent increase in deaths, and it's worse in countries with a higher uptake of shots. 'They say in the report: We think it's the shots. The scientists are saying it's the shots. Right when the shots happen, the deaths happen.' He added: 'This is bigger than World War II in terms of increased death numbers.' The study looked at data from 47 Western countries and found there were more than three million excess deaths between 2020 and 2023. The researchers said the 'unprecedented' figures raised 'serious concerns' and included extensive references to separate studies on adverse effects of vaccines, though they did not conclusively link the two. In one section, they referred to the mRNA jabs given to millions globally as 'gene therapy' language often used by those who vociferously oppose vaccination. By the end of August 2022, 93.6 per cent of over-12s had received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the UK Professor Peter Openshaw (middle) criticised the study that suggested vaccines are linked to excess deaths They wrote: 'Although Covid-19 vaccines were provided to guard civilians from suffering morbidity and mortality by the Covid-19 virus, suspected adverse events have been documented as well.' The researchers said that, despite concerns about the safety of vaccines, there wasn't enough data to support any firm conclusion, but they speculated that indirect effects of lockdown and the Covid vaccines could 'play an underpinning role'. They concluded: 'Excess mortality has remained high in the Western World for three consecutive years, despite the implementation of Covid-19 containment measures and Covid-19 vaccines. This is unprecedented and raises serious concerns.' The study was also seized on by former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, who told his 248,000 followers on X: 'A massive study finds vaccines are neither safe nor effective for children. But the government now lead by Rishi Sunak gave them to your kids. They would have given them to babies too, if I hadn't stopped them.' Mr Bridgen was expelled from the Conservative Party last year after saying the Covid vaccines were 'the biggest crime against humanity since the holocaust'. He is currently standing as an independent parliamentary candidate in the North West Leicestershire constituency. Public health experts condemned the research as 'shoddy', 'irrational' and 'conjecture'. Gavin Yamey, Professor of Global Health and Public Policy at Duke University in the US, described it 'a paper of Wakefield level awfulness' referring to a notorious and discredited study that falsely linked MMR jabs to autism. Public health researcher Dr Simon Williams, of Swansea University, accused the study of using 'conspiracy-friendly language'. He wrote on X: 'Vaccines have saved millions of lives globally. If excess deaths 'remain high', they would have been much, much higher without vaccines. 'The consensus in the scientific community is that mRNA vaccines are safe and any harms [are] vastly outweighed by lives saved.' Viral infections expert Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the Government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) during the pandemic, said the research paper looked like it had been written by the AI programme ChatGPT. He said: 'You absolutely can't infer that the introduction of vaccines was the cause of this persistent excess mortality. 'The way they belabour the point about vaccines is totally disproportionate. We know the vaccines did have adverse effects for a small number of individuals, but they were greatly overwhelmed by the severity and frequency of adverse effects from getting Covid. 'It would be completely wrong to cite this as evidence that the vaccines are causing excess mortality. We were extraordinary lucky to get the vaccines as fast as we did, and they are the reason we escaped without much, much greater mortality, globally and locally.' Professor Openshaw said the excess deaths post-pandemic could be due to various issues, but are most likely associated with the number of conditions that went untreated during the pandemic. He said: 'We were already struggling to treat patients in a timely way through the NHS before Covid. The pandemic brought into sharp focus how little capacity we had. 'With so many people on waiting lists today, it's not surprising that a lot of people are unable to work and that the excess death rate is so high.' Dr Felicity Liew, of the National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College London, said any effect of vaccines on the excess death rate 'is likely to be small' and should be 'contextualised with the greater risk of Covid-19 death'. She added: 'This is an observational study that cannot speak to causes or trends. There is limited evidence to suggest that vaccines contributed to the substantial excess deaths, and while vaccine-related harm can occur, these events are thankfully rare.' While safety concerns have been spotted with Covid vaccines experts insist that, on the whole, they are safe to use for the majority of the population. This is because many of the side effects, like myocarditis and pericarditis, are rare, usually mild and resolve on their own with no long-term complications. Serious complications, like those linked to the AstraZeneca jab that caused deaths from a blood clots, while serious are said to be extremely rare given the scale of the rollout. Americans are being warned to take care while swimming in lakes this summer after several children suffered from kidney failure after taking a dip in freshwater. The patients fell ill days after playing in Lake Anna, Virginia, over Memorial Day weekend, with symptoms including diarrhea, dehydration and stomach cramps. In total 20 people mostly children have fallen sick after swimming in the lake, while several have also been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Testing shows many of the patients are infected with E.coli, a bacteria that can infest lakes and rivers, usually when sewage is dumped into them. Officials are testing for other bugs, however, including the deadly brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri which kills more than 97 percent of those it infects. Ava Inglett, 15, is among those to have been sickened with kidney failure after catching E.coli from a freshwater lake in Virginia The infections have been linked to Lake Anna, which is about 70 miles south of Washington DC Amoebas appear to be becoming more common in freshwater, as warmer weather heats lakes and streams. Families who have lost loved ones to the amoeba are raising awareness over the organism this year, including the mother of 10-year-old Lily Avant who died in 2019 after catching the disease from a local river. Most people catch E.coli from eating foods like salad, which may have been sprayed with water contaminated with the bacteria. But it is also possible to catch the bacteria from lakes and rivers if someone swallows contaminated water. Three to five percent of patients die from the disease. Fifteen-year-old Ava Inglett was among those who have been hospitalized in the Virginia E.coli outbreak. Her mother Judy told local news her daughter fell ill a few days after visiting the lake for a boating weekend, before she was rushed to the hospital. She has now had at least four rounds of dialysis and three blood transfusions as she battles the infection. 'She's going through all these things that never in a million years would I have imagined that my daughter would be dealing with,' Ms Inglett said. 'There's something in the water that's making all these kids sick.' She added: 'I want people to know and think twice before they let their child take a swim in that water, because I would hate for anyone else to go through what my daughter's been through.' The lake, about 70 miles south of Washington DC, is popular with families and for boating activities as well as swimming and kayaking. About 3million visitors enjoy days at the lake every year. Ava has been on dialysis because of kidney failure, where a machine is used to filter her blood She had swum in the lake with friends on Memorial Day. A number of others are also unwell, local reporters said Virginia Department of Health officials revealed the spike in illnesses in an alert and said they were testing the water to determine the cause. All patients are also being interviewed to ensure the E.coli had not come from food, a common way in which people are infected. Ten of the patients are confirmed to be infected with E.coli. Health director Dr Olugbenga Obasanjo said: 'As we head to pools, lakes and beaches to enjoy the warmer weather and spend time with our families, it is important to remember to take precautions to prevent illness. 'Showering before and after swimming, washing your hands before eating and being sure not to drink the lake water are some of the ways to stay healthy this summer. 'It is also important not to swim if you have diarrhea.' He added: 'Children may need extra monitoring and reminders to follow these precautions.' E.coli often enters lakes via leaks from sewer pipes or animal feces, as well as run-off from storm drains. Swimmers can then become infected if they accidentally swallow contaminated water or handle food after swimming without washing their hands. The bacteria can survive the stomach acid and travel to the small intestine, where they trigger an infection that causes the typical gastrointestinal symptoms. But they also release toxins in the gut that can pass into the bloodstream and destroy red blood cells. The detritus of destroyed cells can then build-up in the kidneys, leaving them unable to filter the blood correctly causing kidney failure. Doctors treat the condition via dialysis which filters the blood when the kidneys are unable to which gives the kidneys time to heal. To treat an E.coli infection, doctors prescribe antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and azithromycin which kill the bacteria. About three to five percent of patients who catch E.coli die from the disease, the World Health Organization says. It is particularly dangerous for children under five years old, adults over 65 years old and anyone with a weakened immune system. The CDC has issued an urgent warning about a multistate outbreak of potentially deadly salmonella poisoning linked to pet lizards. Nine of the 15 patients are under five years old, and four people have been hospitalized. No deaths have yet been reported. The lizards are bearded dragons, which carry salmonella bacteria in their droppings, contaminating their living environment. When a person touches the lizard or its cage and then touches their mouths or food they eat, they risk contracting the bacteria, leading to diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. While lizards are kept commonly as pets, health officials argue young children, seniors, and people with weak immune systems should stay away. Bearded dragons are common pets, but health officials do not recommend it The CDC recommends washing hands regularly after handling the lizard, making sure young children under five avoid contact, and having a dedicated enclosure that keeps them from roaming freely around the house. Bearded dragons have been affectionately dubbed the golden retrievers of the lizard world. A quick search on TikTok will return hundreds of videos garnering tens of thousands of views where people share cute videos that show off the lizards' goofy personalities. Many of them feature the scaly friends in costumes and adorable outfits, lounging on a pool float, and tucking in to a bowl of blueberries. The lizards are typically sold as pets after being bred in captivity. They are believed to be the most popular lizards and increasingly common as pets, thanks in part to their delightful social media presence. Dr Jose Valdez, an ecology and biodiversity expert, reported: 'Trends within the reptile pet trade have also drastically shifted in recent decades, with an increase in domestic demand, a decrease in foreign supply, and overall less reliance on imported and wild-caught reptiles. 'This is highlighted by the U.S., which is both the largest importer and exporter of reptiles in the world and exemplifies the quick growth and success in captive-breeding, with over 10,000 hobbyists actively breeding reptiles.' Salmonella lives in the lizard's digestive tract. It is shed in their feces and often lands on their skin, potentially contaminating any area it roams. Petting it and then handling food is risky. According to the CDC: 'Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.' The condition is not typically fatal, though, 'In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.' This is not the first salmonella outbreak tied to bearded dragons. In fact there have been four other CDC-investigated outbreaks since 2007. Between March 2021 and September 2022, 12 cases of salmonelosis were recorded across 10 states as well as two cases in Canada. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement At least eight patients in the US were a year or younger. Five of the people infected were hospitalized but no one died. The strain that infected them is rare and likely came from Canada. Last year, the CDC announced a separate outbreak of salmonella linked to the lizards. First reported in October 2022, the outbreak affected at least 32 people and hospitalized 10 people. No deaths were reported. The CDC estimates that salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections annually, more than 26,000 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths. Researchers have identified roughly 2,500 types of the bacteria, but less than 100 cause the majority of illnesses. The CDC has investigated more than 70 salmonella outbreaks linked back to food since 2013. Tear-jerking video showed a beloved children's nurse receiving a guard of honor from colleagues after being taken off life support and wheeled away for organ donation surgery. Patrice Sanders, 58, passed away Thursday, with distraught family members and colleagues lining the corridors of Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno as her body was taken to an operating theater. Her sister Paige was in tears as she walked through the corridor behind the hospital bed. 'It's really touching to see all the people that she's touched and to who she meant so much to,' she told ABC 13. Patrice was first diagnosed with gastroenteritis, before doctors determined she suffered a bilateral stroke. Her health continued to decline. Hospital staff formed a guard of honor to pay tribute to beloved children's nurse Patrice Sanders in California who died after suffering a stroke Her sister Paige (right) was in tears as she walked through the corridor behind the hospital bed Devastatingly sad footage of Patrice's send-off has been shared by her family in the hopes of encouraging other people to sign up for organ donation. Nurses were seen crying while others squeezed her hand as their much-loved colleague made her final journey. Her family followed close by and were visibly-distressed at their loved one's death. Patrice, who was a Valley Children's Hospital nurse for 36 years, recently phoned her sister to tell her she was not feeling well. She then underwent testing and was diagnosed with gastroenteritis but continued to feel sick. Her family took her back to hospital, where doctors discovered she had suffered a bilateral stroke. 'We had a meeting with the surgeon who told us that her probable outcome was not going to be favorable, that she would have many disabilities,' Paige said. Patrice made a series of end of life requests, including donating her organs, and her family wanted to honor this. @abc30_actionnews Dozens of nurses and loved ones gathered at Community Regional Medical Center to honor one of their own on Thursday. Patrice Sanders was a nurse at Valley Childrens Hospital for more than three decades before her family had to make the tough decision to let her go and donate her organs. #organ #donor #nurse #healthcareheros original sound - ABC30 - ABC30 Patrice Sanders was being wheeled away for surgery to donate her organs on Thursday when the workers stood to pay their respects at the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno Nurses were seen crying while others squeezed her hand as she was taken for organ donation surgery Patrice made a series of end of life requests, including donating her organs, and her family wanted to honor this 'She saw many children die at Valley's Children's during her time there as an RN. She always had a great respect for the children who donated their organs, and I think that example for her was an inspiration for her,' Paige added. Jaclyn Manzanedo, who works at Donor Network West, said around 22,000 people in California are waiting for an organ transplant. 'Giving the gift of life, it seems like it was in line with what she did throughout her life,' she said. 'It's a beautiful way to leave that legacy that she left both in life and after her passing.' Patrice's family is celebrating the life she led and will remember the love she frequently showed to others. 'She loved well, was well loved and is continuing to love others that she doesn't even know,' her sister Paige said. Food safety watchdogs have issued a colossal recall of some 30 different types of supermarket sandwiches, wraps and salads over E.coli fears. A 'do not eat' alert notice has been placed on products made by Greencore, and effect foods sold on the shelves of Asda, Amazon, Boots, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Co-op and Aldi. This could amount to many thousands of food items or more. Fears centre around Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) a strain that can cause severe, and even bloody, diarrhoea as well as abdominal pain with cases potentially fatal in some cases. None of the products have been confirmed to contain STEC but the products have been pulled as precaution. It comes a week after regulators launched a UK-wide hunt for a mystery food item behind a string of cases up and down the country. UK health officials have now said 211 people are known to have been infected with the bacteria, up from 113 last week. At least 67 people have become so ill they have need to be admitted to hospital. Here, MailOnline reveals the early warning signs of the violent infection, how long they last for, what foods you can get it from, and what you need to do if infected. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it believes cases are linked to a 'nationally distributed food item' or 'multiple food items' What are the symptoms of an E.coli infection? The outbreak is caused by Shiga toxin-producing E coli 0145 (STEC). Symptoms of infection vary from mild to bloody diarrhoea, UKHSA says, with around half of people infected experiencing the latter. Vomiting, fever and stomach cramps are other tell-tale signs of an infection. However, these symptoms can be caused by a variety of bugs, including norovirus. In severe cases, the bug can cause haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure, which mainly affects children. A small proportion of adults may develop a similar condition called thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP), which is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder. Health officials have urged parents to call NHS 111 if they or their kids have bloody diarrhoea. Children, elderly people and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of developing a severe illness. How long does the infection last and what should I do? Most of those sickened with the bug will get better without NHS care within a week, though sysmptoms can last up to a fortnight. Infected persons are advised to drink plenty of fluids as symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. Health officials say taking antibiotics and antidiarrheal drugs is not generally recommended for STEC. This is because of the potential of increasing the risk of suffering complications such as HUS, as the drugs impact on the bacteria can cause a build up of toxins. Anyone experiencing STEC symptoms is recommended to stay home from work or school until 48 hours after you've stopped vomiting of having diarrhoea in order to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others. People who serve unwrapped food, are a healthcare worker or attend pre-school or nursery are especially at risk of spreading the infection to others. These people should be screened for STEC prior to returning to work or school according to Government guidance. Officials have not yet traced the source of the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC), a rare strain of the diarrhoea-causing bug. But they believe it is linked to a 'nationally distributed food item' or 'multiple food items' What foods can you get it from? STEC is primarily spread by eating contaminated foods, such as improperly washed or prepared raw vegetables, cheese and undercooked minced meats. Such foods run the risk of STEC contamination as the bacteria can easily leap from tainted worksurfaces or from infected people preparing food who haven't washed their hands properly. For that reason, it's important to cook minced meat such as burgers properly and thoroughly wash all salad and vegetables to remove any potential traces of animal faces before consumption. People are also advised to ensure their fridge is below 4C degrees as this can slow bacteria growth. In a recent previous outbreak of E.coli patients reported eating grated hard cheese before getting ill. This can happen if the milk gets contaminated with faecal matter and survives or grows during the cheese making processes. Unpasteurised cheeses, where the milk used to make the dairy product isn't heated to a bacteria-killing temperature, have a higher at risk of contamination. STEC can also be spread by touching infected animals or their faeces directly as well as coming into contact with direct with people who are sick, when looking after them for example. It can also be spread through contaminated water, either via drinking tainted supplies it or accidently ingesting it while swimming, This risk can be reduced by boiling any drinking water suspected of being unsafe, not swimming in water that could be contaminated by cattle and sheep in nearby fields. Doctors are warning Americans about the health effects of an increasingly popular supplement linked to a spate of deaths which can also change the color of someone's skin. Kratom first became popular in the US as an opioid withdrawal treatment, but more recently has gained ground as a wellness supplement for anxiety and stress. But the plant leaf extract sold in wellness stores and gas stations for about 20 cents per pill has been linked to a range of serious side-effects, including seizures, hallucinations and crippling addiction. Several deaths from taking the supplement have also been reported. Now, doctors are again warning that it can also alter the hue of a patients' skin after spotting an uptick in cases. They say this color change can persist for months, even when someone stops taking the supplement. Pictured above is the 30-year-old patient who came to doctors in Kansas with blue skin after taking Kratom. The symptoms did not resolve 16 months later He also had blue-colored skin on the back of his hand and the area on the back of his neck. It is not clear how Kratom may cause this Among those affected is a 30-year-old man who came to doctors in Kansas with dark gray-blue skin on his cheeks, back of his neck, and the backs of his hands and forearms. The patient had taken Kratom for five years, and had no problems until his skin suddenly changed color. Sixteen months after quitting the supplement it is still blue. He had started taking Kratom daily to help ease an opioid addiction that he developed after high school. Dr Heather Woolery-Lloyd, a dermatologist at the University of Miami, said in an interview with Medscape: 'This is something we will see more and more. 'Many of our patients think Kratom is a safe, herbal supplement, but often don't know it can have several side effects and can be addictive.' The supplement is made from the leaves of the South East Asian rainforest tree of the same name, and has been in use in cultures in Cambodia, Thailand and elsewhere since at least the 19th century. It can be boiled into a tea, smoked, chewed, mixed into drinks or placed into capsules, with many taking Kratom daily to help them quit opioids. The FDA warns against taking the supplement, saying it has not been approved for any use in the US. This image also shows the patient with the blue skin on the side of his face, which did not disappear The above patient in Washington state also came to doctors saying their skin had turned blue after taking the supplement But data suggests that use of the supplement which has also been called a 'legal opioid' and 'legal high' online is continuing to increase. Data from the United States National Poison Data System showed there were just 11 poisonings with Kratom reported in 2011. But in the first seven months of 2018 alone, this figure had spiraled to 357 cases. A study in 2021 estimated that 1.7million Americans were taking the supplement partially to help ease opioid addictions. Drugs including methadone and naltrexone are used to treat opioid addiction, but these can have side-effects like constipation, headaches, sweating and insomnia prompting many to seek alternatives. It isn't clear why Kratom may turn someone's skin blue, but scientists have previously suggested it may be linked to the supplement raising dopamine levels, which can boost melanin production which may cause thicker patches of color to appear. It could also be linked to the supplement causing deposits around blood vessels, which may cause the blue patches or any impurities in the supplement. The blue skin has only appeared on areas exposed to sunlight, which also has a link to increased melanin production. This differs from the blue skin caused in a condition called cyanosis, which is when a lack of oxygen in the blood causes it to change color. In a case revealed in February this year involving a 30-year-old man who came to doctors in Kansas, the patient said he started using Kratom to help with an opioid addiction. He took Kratom for four-and-a-half years before the discoloration occurred, telling doctors that it had appeared rapidly. He started to take Kratom for an opioid addiction, and did not have any other medical conditions and did not take any other drugs or supplements that could have caused the blue skin to emerge. In another case from 2022, a 54-year-old man who came to doctors in Washington state also revealed his skin had turned blue while taking Kratom. He said the color had appeared slowly on both his arms and face in areas exposed to sunlight. He had also been taking Kratom with orange juice three to four times a day for five years to help with his opioid addiction. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) suggested banning Kratom in 2017 and listing it as a Schedule I substance alongside heroin, marijuana and LSD. But these plans were later abandoned following widespread protestes over the move in many US cities. An estimated 2.1million Americans are currently struggling with an opioid addiction. Motorists driving abroad this summer are being urged to dodge insurance excess waivers sold by car hire firms at the desk, which can cost 12 times more than buying standalone cover. Car hire insurance normally has an excess - the fee paid by the driver if there is any damage to the vehicle. Customers are usually obliged to pre-authorise the excess amount on a credit card for the hire period, which is taken by the rental company if the vehicle is damaged. Car hire excess insurance covers the cost of this excess, which in Europe normally costs from 500 to 2,000 (441 to 1,764), or more, according to consumer champion Which?. Drivers beware: Buying excess cover from a car hire firm is convenient, but costly This insurance is almost always offered by car hire companies when the vehicle is rented - but buying cover this way can be prohibitively expensive. Which? said drivers can be charged up to 199 for a policy that is less useful than one that costs just 16. There are two forms of insurance covering car hire excess: super collision damage waiver (SCDW), sold by care hire firms; and excess reimbursement insurance (ERI), sold by insurers and car hire brokers. Which? compared cover sold by six major car hire firms in Malaga, Spain, and compared it to the ERI deals sold elsewhere. Drivers booking a car for a week were charged 177 on average for cover bought from a car hire firm, but just 38 from a broker and 23 from an insurer. Which? also said the SCDW policies were inferior, with many not covering common issues such as stolen keys or putting the wrong fuel in a vehicle. Drivers should therefore make sure to read the small print and shop around - and not be pressured into automatically taking out the car hire excess cover sold by car hire firms. Car hire costs are falling The cost of hiring a car has fallen - by more than 40 per cent in a year. School-holiday getaway costs went through the roof in the last two years, with the rental price for a compact family car in favourite summer destinations costing an average of 652 for just one week in 2022. However, prices across the same 12 locations have readjusted to 380 per week for this summer, which is only 70 higher than in 2019, according to data shared by iCarhireinsurance.com. It's got design nods to the original and shares the boxy silhouette and features To celebrate Fiat's 125th anniversary, the Italian brand has revealed a new Panda the first of a fresh range of models designed after the much-loved 1980s model. The original 1980 Panda was a sensation - a compact two-box hatchback with a disproportionate amount of room inside. The 'box on wheels' took the world by storm selling over 7.5million units globally. The new 'Grande' Panda of today is - as the name suggests - a little bigger, shifting from eighties supermini to a family-friendly motor that's 'perfect for today's urban mobility'. It'll launch in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and will be available both as a hybrid and fully-electric vehicle. To celebrate 125 years making cars, Fiat's revealed a new Grande Panda the first of a new family of cars designed after the much-loved 1980s model The Fiat Grande Panda is 'designed in Italy [Turin] for the world' with a compact shape of just 3.99 metres long below the 4.06-metre segment average and the same length as the new Alpine A290 hot hatch that's just been unveiled. Like the 1980s model which was just 3,380mm long every inch of practicality is squeezed out of the small shape, with the new Grande Panda carrying five people, and offering 'well -organised space [...] that's 'perfect for comfortable family living and contemporary urban mobility'. There's a lot for the new model to live up to. The Panda of old had immense versatility with a rear bench, hammock-style seats and seven different position settings. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani, it was a two-door, front-wheel drive car that was unfussy and functional and made optimum use of space. It was built around the design brief of a 'container', could carry 1,000 litres and weighed just 650kg. A spiritual successor to the original Mini, Citroen 2CV and Fiat 500, the character and function over form of the Panda made it a triumph to a huge and diverse range of drivers. It stayed in production for 23 years and was a sales triumph. Now it's one of those iconic cars everyone coos over. Slide me The Fiat Panda became a legend after its 1980s release - selling over 7.5million units globally. Now, according to the latest MOT data there are 88,331 Fiat Pandas left in the UK with an MOT - 0.2580 per cent of all UK vehicles The functional little car that made optimum use of space and was built around the design brief of a 'container'. It could carry 1000 litres and weighed just 650kg Can you save on your next used car? Finance deals are one of the most popular ways of buying used cars, but it pays to compare prices rather than just taking what the dealer offers. This is Money has partnered with leading car finance broker Magnitude Finance to help readers save money. It can help you find the best PCP finance deals. Enter the car details, price, mileage and deposit and it will tell you how much you could pay each month. > Check how much a used car would cost you each month Rates from 8.9% APR representative. If you take out a loan, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence. The new 2024 Grande Panda promises the same 'Italian personality' as well as the boxy silhouette that generated so many fans of the original. The square-edged body is certainly distinctive, as are the bright body colours in the case of the reveal car a zingy yellow. The profile lines are heavily pronounced, and Fiat says they've gone for 'a special exterior look that combines structured lines with soft and bold surfaces that highlight the chunky and robust wheel arches'. The front is a mix of orthogonal lines and a square mesh arrangement, with a glossy black funky grille punctuated by a wave of pixels. There are also opal cube headlights that apparently 'reflect the windows on the facades' of the Lingotto factory in Fiat's home city of Turin. The sunshine-Italian look is continued in the lower bumper skid plate and the daytime running lights turn into indicators and illuminate into a cheeseboard pattern. The rear of the car is equally bold and chunky with big wheel arches which protect 17-inch geometric X-design diamond-cut alloys, an flat rear window, and tall boxed-in headlights that are a nod to the original. Fiat's thrown in a glossy black bezel with three-dimensional Panda spelt out - keeping that 80s feel alive Fiat's also thrown in a glossy black bezel with three-dimensional Panda spelt out. Even the doors have three-dimensional 'Panda' lettering. The passenger compartment takes the attention with a defined cabin, sloping roof racks and a drop to the rear end. There's another play on the senses too: Fiat says to 'generate a lenticular effect, a black square badge is connected to the graphics of the greenhouse [passenger compartment], creating a striking effect in which the four 'FIAT' letters turn into four bars which walk around the vehicle'. The side doors also have three-dimensional 'Panda' lettering this time in bas-relief, which reflect the environment and bring some life to the car The Fiat Panda supermini has always been cheap, very fuel economic and practical - with some quirky looks There have been many happy Panda owners over the years, with 40 years and three generations of the car The Grande Panda is the first product in Fiat's new family, and will be followed by the launch of a new vehicle every year until 2027. All models will be manufactured on the same global and multi-energy STLA Smart platform 'which works in every region of the world, allowing the brand to create many different vehicles'. No launch details or pricing has been announced, but Fiat says the family car 'is designed for the needs of customers worldwide'. Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO, commented: 'The best way to celebrate Fiat's 125 years is to start writing the first pages of our future, starting with the new Grande Panda. 'With the Grande Panda, Fiat now begins its transition to global common platforms that cover all regions of the world, passing on the resulting benefits to its customers worldwide. 'In fact, the Grande Panda is perfectly suited for families and urban mobility in every country... a real Fiat!' Elon Musk hailed 'the most awesome shareholder base' after Tesla investors backed his record-breaking 44billion pay deal. Despite opposition from major investors, 77 per cent of shareholders backed the largest pay award in US history. Influential proxy advisers, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, opposed the deal and Tesla's eighth-largest shareholder, Norway's sovereign wealth fund, came out against the package. Record award: But critics of the pay deal have voiced concerns about Elon Musk's erratic behaviour But after the pay deal was finally approved at the annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, Musk took to the stage and said: 'I just want to start off by saying, hot damn, I love you guys. We have the most awesome shareholder base of any public company.' Critics of the pay deal have voiced concerns about Musk's erratic behaviour and ability to commit given his roles in other firms including social media platform X, formerly called Twitter. A Delaware judge voided the package in January, deciding it had been inappropriately set by the board. The deal was agreed six years ago and linked to performance targets. But the Delaware judge will now scrutinise the vote and must decide if Musk, 52, improperly influenced the result. Shareholders also agreed for the company to move its legal home to Texas from Delaware. Musk posted on X that he had sent a cake decorated with the Latin phrase 'vox populi vox dei' meaning 'the voice of the people is the voice of God' to Delaware as a 'parting gift'. Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton cheered a 'turning point' after a 10million rescue plan was approved. Shares in Superdry sky-rocketed 86.3 per cent after it reassured investors it would not go bust. Superdry had warned of potential insolvency in April but said it hoped to make changes such as rent reductions with landlords and leaving the London stock market. In fashion: Chief executive Julian Dunkerton and wife Jade Holland Cooper Co-founder and chief executive Dunkerton, 59, said: 'This is a crucial next step in our journey and a turning point for the business.' He said he would be investing a 'significant amount' of his own money into ensuring 'that the business continues to survive over the long term'. The plan means he will go from owning just over 20 per cent of the business to 75 per cent. Chairman Peter Sjolander said: 'This is a crucial step towards delivering the restructuring of the business and ensuring that Superdry is in the best possible shape.' Do you need cash today? If you visit the Post Office now, you are likely to be asked that question by the cashier before you leave, no matter what task you are undertaking - from renewing a passport, to sending a parcel. Many Post Office customers may not realise it, but the ancient institution is well on its way to being the UK's largest banking network - with more than 11,500 branches. In fact, the ancient institution has moved so far from its traditional roots in sending letters and parcels that most of its income now comes from financial services. This fact is not lost on our readers, who have emailed to ask why their local Post Office staff have asked every customer if they want cash, regardless of the reason they visited the branch in the first place. Changing with the times: The Post Office has expanded into other areas, such as banking, in part because it is not making as much from its traditional roots of sending letters and parcels So why is the Post Office so big on banking, and what does this all mean for customers and the Post Office itself? Turn the clocks back 30 years, and Post Office banking wasn't even a speck on the horizon. People did their banking in physical bank or building society branches, or over the telephone - as online banking hadn't been invented either. Then came a wave of high street bank branch closures. In the late 1980s there were almost 15,000 physical bank branches in the UK. That has fallen to around 6,300 - with 6,000 closing in the past nine years. Enter the Post Office, which began offering banking services in its branches in 2017. Today, the Post Office says it has 'more branches than all the banks and building societies combined'. The Post Office is paid to provide banking services by the high street banks themselves, under an agreement called the Banking Framework, which is now in its third edition and runs until the end of 2025. The Post Office is quick to point out that its banking services provide a social good, as high street banks are closing so many branches. Earlier this month, Post Office banking director Ross Borkett said: 'Millions of people continue to come to our branches every week as they are frequently the only place where people can do their everyday banking at a time that is convenient for them. 'Postmasters keep their branches open long hours and customers welcome being able to securely do their banking whilst being served by a friendly and knowledgeable Postmaster.' A Post Office spokesman told us: 'Our partnership with 30 banks and building societies ensures that no-one who relies on cash is left behind, made possible by our Postmasters in almost every community of the country. 'This is all the more important following the introduction of the Access to Cash legislation and further highlights the critical role Postmasters play today, and in the future, in supporting customers with accessing their cash.' There is no denying that Post Office banking does fill an important social role. Myron Jobson, senior personal finance analyst at Interactive Investor, says: 'The Post Office has become a cornerstone of community banking in the UK, stepping in to provide critical services where high street banks have retreated. 'Boasting over 11,500 branches, the Post Office's caters to those who might otherwise struggle to access banking services, which might include the elderly, the disabled, and individuals without internet access who cannot engage with digital banking solutions. 'This is also especially important in rural and remote areas where banking options are increasingly scarce.' But the Post Office is not just providing banking services out of a sense of social obligation - it's a money-spinner for them. The Banking Framework sees banks pay the Post Office for every banking transaction a customer makes in one of its branches, though exactly how much they pay is a tightly-guarded secret. But the Post Office's latest accounts reveal that it made revenues of 263million from banking in 2023, up from 230million in 2022. Post Office top executives are also paid bonuses depending on, among other things, the amount of banking revenue the firm makes. Hitting targets for Post Office banking revenue is 10 per cent of the 2022/23 short-term incentive plan bonus scheme the Post Office runs for its chief executive, Nick Read, and chief financial officer, Alisdair Cameron. Individual Postmasters, who run Post Offices, are also paid per banking transaction, but are free to promote this service or not as they say fit. Last year the Post Office increased banking remuneration to Postmasters by 20 per cent, on top of doubling the payment in August 2022. The Post Office has three main business areas: Mail, retail and government services (sending letters and parcels, selling goods such as envelopes and stationery and helping people access benefits and other government needs) Banking, payments and transactional services (such as Post Office banking and providing ATMs) Financial services, identity services and insurance (such as selling insurance and savings and providing passports and driving licences) Banking and financial services are the two major growth areas for the Post Office, according to its latest financial results. The Post Office made 310million from mail, retail and government services in 2023 - down 46million on the year before, partly due to people sending fewer letters. As one door closes: Post Offices have moved in to the vacancy left by closing bank branches But it made 379million from banking and payments (up 50million) and 126million from financial services (an increase of 44million). Only 41 per cent of the Post Office's 2023 revenue came from mail and other 'traditional' areas - with 57 per cent coming from banking and financial services. In other words, the Post Office has to keep sending letters and parcels, but that's not where the money is. It is no surprise then that the Post Office's most recent financial accounts single out banking as a big growth area for the venerable institution. Post Office chair Henry Staunton said in the firm's 2022/23 annual report: 'There are also reasons to be optimistic. 'We are identifying new opportunities, notably in mails, banking and digital identity and, provided we are as committed to our future as we are to resolving our past, I firmly believe that the business can aim towards a brighter future.' The major problem with Post Office banking is that it only offers a fraction of the services customers can get in a high street bank. Customers can only do four things when banking at a Post Office: pay in cash, withdraw it, pay in cheques and check their balance. Even that limited menu of options is further restricted depending on your bank. For example, while Virgin Money customers can do all four of the options, Nationwide customers can only do two - withdraw cash and check their balance, although the building society has been vocal on keeping its branches open. For anything else, such as opening a current account or sorting out a problem, customers either have to travel to one of the declining number of physical bank branches or rely on the phone or internet. But even that may change in the future. Post Office chief executive Nick Read has hammered home the point that Post Office banking is only going to grow. Read said: 'Following a three-year-plus campaign which we are proud to have led from the front, government has now legislated to protect free-to-use cash services for people and business across the country. 'That guarantee should cement the position of our branches as one of the principal channels for accessing cash services in the long term, particularly as we look ahead to the negotiation of Banking Framework 4 due to come into effect in January 2026.' The Post Office may even move into offering more loans in its branches. Mr Staunton said: 'The Post Offices new financial services partnership with the Bank [of Ireland] is focused on savings but will also, for the first time, also enable the Post Office to strike new deals in the future with other financial providers, particularly with regards to personal loans.' Entrepreneur and investor Tim Armoo shares the most common pitching mistakes Everyone and their dog has a business idea: 'It's the app for this' or 'It's like Uber, but for this' - you get the drill. But no matter how great the idea is, many people still fail at pitching their idea correctly, especially when talking to investors. The truth is, most entrepreneurs have no idea how to pitch their company well, so the idea is dead before it even begins. I've invested in 19 companies but have heard my fair share of dreadful pitches. I have also launched five start-ups and sold two, so I've done my fair share of pitching. To help combat the bad-pitching epidemic, I've outlined 10 common pitching mistakes and how to fix them. 1. The pitch is too wordy Usually, investors don't have much time, and they definitely don't have time for terribly pitched ideas. So, if your pitch is a convoluted mess of buzzwords and unclear jargon, the investor will switch off. Quickly. To give you some context, the average investor spends just 2 minutes and 40 seconds looking at a pitch deck. Assume it's less than that. Some of these investors are slow readers. How to fix the mistake Keep your deck short and succinct. Twelve slides is a good amount, and don't cram tons of information in. Make sure you include only the most important bullet points, such as growth levels, financial information, what problem you solve, and how you're solving it. Don't spend five slides telling the investor how great the team is. They don't care THAT much. They just want to know if the idea is good and whether you have a plan to/have been executing it well. A bonus is using more pictures than words. Remember, time is your enemy. 2. Saying you have no competition There's a simple rule for this: If you have no competition, it's because there's no market for your product. Provided you're not making crazy ideas like parking sensors for dogs, (that's a real idea I read about a few years ago), then you will have competition. Every business has competition. Sometimes the competition is well funded, sometimes it's lacklustre and doing nothing. But don't say you have no competition - it makes you look amateurish and disingenuous. How to fix the mistake Make note of the competition, call them out in your pitch deck, and give 1-2 sentences about how you fare against them. What are your advantages? Where do they hold an advantage? How are you going to protect your advantage against them? Be honest and tactical. It's your best bet. 3. Not acknowledging the competition The other side of the competition discussion is where people say how competitors do everything wrong and you do everything right. This is just as bad as saying you have no competition. When you say, 'All the competition suck, we're SOOOOOO much better' shows naivety. It makes you sound flippant and disregarding the business that may beat you. It's not a good look when you're pitching to someone who you're asking to invest thousands or millions of pounds. How to fix the mistake Point out where the competition is good, and where the competition is bad. Give specific examples of how you can mitigate their advantages and exploit their weaknesses. Prove to the investor you have a concrete plan to beat them, don't just ignore them. 4. No mention of how you'll acquire customers A lot of decks I see just speak in very general times about getting customers. Just saying 'We'll use social media' or 'Word of mouth' is a bad way to explain your customer acquisition channels because it sounds like you haven't thought about it. How are you going to use social media? Are you running ads? Are you partnering with influencers? Be specific. How to fix the mistake A better way to do this would be to pick 2-3 specific channels you're going to use and show that you have tested these already and can show results. For example: 'We're going to partner with influencers to promote this jacket. So far we partnered with 5 different creators and drove 100 sales already. Considering we spent 500 to run these promotions, it's very profitable as it costs us 5 to acquire customers but we charge 20 for the jacket.' I'm out: Entrepreneurs often make the same mistakes when they pitch to investors 5. Show some traction You will have a far greater likelihood of raising money if you have shown some progress already. Too many entrepreneurs come with hope and prayer and that then relies on whether the investor likes you. The amount of traction you can show is directly linked to a decrease in risk. In other words, the more progress you show, the less risky the investment seems and the more likely they'll invest in you. How to fix the mistake Get some early customers before you raise money. If you can't do that, get letters of intent from people saying if you build the product they will pay for or buy the product. Showing actual customer usage is a KILLER when raising money. You raise more money, on better terms, from better investors. Always show traction. 6. Weird Maths A tried and failed thing people do a lot is top-down market analysis. Things like: 'The market is 100 billion, if we only capture 1 per cent of the market then we're a billion dollar company.' This comes across as quite lazy and doesn't reflect well on you as an entrepreneur. It's very wishful thinking and doesn't hold much substance. How to fix the mistake Be truthful and realistic about your maths. Give realistic projections for each year and explain how you're going to get to the next stage. Yes, the projections are just projections, but showing the investor that you have a clear thought process behind how you came to that conclusion is way better than just taking a lazy and generalised estimate. Justification is way more important than you realise. 7. Unrealistic projections A lot of founders mess up their pitch by having unrealistic projections. This is usually done in two ways: Investors respect honesty... instead of pie in the sky thinking and wishful billion-pound exits. Saying their company is going to go on the stock market when there is no way it can Saying after year 4, they'll be making a bazillion pounds. This makes you seem amateur. How to fix the mistake Go with a lower and more realistic projection. Investors respect honesty and can now actually see the odds of success, instead of pie in the sky thinking and wishful billion-pound exits. Realism is a very powerful tactic when used correctly. 8. Saying you're for everyone Facebook started as being for Ivy League kids and then expanded to other colleges. Ebay started out being for collectibles. Amazon started out just selling books. You need to really focus on a niche. A problem I see with a lot of pitch decks is that they don't define very clearly who their ideal customer is. Instead, they say it's for everyone, which is never true. How to fix the mistake Choose a niche, then choose a niche within that niche. Become the market leader in this niche of a niche, then expand. Momentum is an incredibly powerful phenomenon and it's made much easier when you have a strong foothold in at least one market. Think big. Act small. 9. Expecting prior knowledge Don't be too technical. A lot of decks I see presume I know what they're talking about by using a lot of technical jargon and acronyms. You should assume the investor isn't an expert and is completely clueless. Imagine you're presenting this to an alien, or a 5 year oldor an alien 5 year old. Make it so simple they can understand it. How to fix the mistake Explain the technical stuff in the Q&A. Remember the point of the deck is to spark interest, it's not to take the deal. If the investor does understand the technicalities of the business, they will ask. If not, let the deck do the talking and wait for them to come back to you with technical questions. 10. Not practising your pitch I am always shocked when founders pitch and their umming and aaahing their way through a pitch. It makes you look like an amateur and, truthfully speaking, if you can't nail a pitch about your company, how can anyone trust you to run it correctly? The risk factor is increasing with every instance of amateur behaviour. How to fix the mistake You should practise your pitch that you know it like the back of your hand. However don't practise it word for word, rather make sure you know the main points for each slide. Trust me, this will be good enough. This might come across as basic but you'd be suprised how many don't do this. Now you have a better idea on how to pitch, come and pitch to me. Im giving $10,000 and Macbooks to three people to fund their business ideas. If you think you have what it takes, check out the details here. Australian woman Tamara Sloper-Harding had just married her fiance when she was asked to leave the country and enter a war zone. The call came in the middle of her wedding reception at Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches, on September 11, 1999. Mrs Sloper-Harding was soon on her way to East Timor after tying the knot with Adrian Harding, an army officer, only hours earlier. Her life changed forever the moment she arrived in the South East Asian country, now known as Timor-Leste. 'On arrival, tension was high and there was still a very real threat of violence, the country was still burning,' the former navy veteran said. Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured) with her husband Adam (pictured) received the call of her deployment to East Timor in the middle of her wedding reception Her life changed forever the moment she arrived in the South East Asian country, now known as Timor-Leste Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured) was part of the Australian-led international peacekeeping force In 1999 after enduring centuries of colonisation, occupation and invasion, the East Timorese people voted in a landmark referendum in August 1999 to gain independence, ending 24 years of brutal occupation by Indonesia. This occupation was reportedly responsible for almost 200,000 deaths. Within hours of the vote, the capital of Dili was attacked by pro-Indonesian paramilitaries who had terrorised East Timor prior to the referendum. Fires visible from space were ignited, entire towns were razed and private buildings and infrastructure were destroyed. An Australian-led international peacekeeping force, the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) arrived to restore order in September 1999. This was the situation Mrs Sloper-Harding, who joined the navy in 1987, found herself in. She witnessed sickening sights, seen photos that can't be unseen, and spent time with people who had endured experiences we can't even comprehend. 'On arrival, tension was high and there was still a very real threat of violence, the country was still burning,' Mrs Sloper-Harding said 'It was the smell that made it very real and the traumatised look in the eyes of the Timorese people that grounded me,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I spent time with mothers who had been raped in front of their children before being held down to watch their daughters suffer the same fate.' After working in various postings including administrative, personnel, and PR roles, Mrs Sloper-Harding finally trained as an Intelligence Officer. Her role was to gather and assess information to present briefs on the situation to guide senior officers in their decision-making. She said she was fortunate to have the opportunity to get outside of the compound in Dili and become involved and spend time with the Timorese people. 'I mostly worked nights and assisted the General's morning brief which meant I had time during the day (when I was supposed to be asleep) to go out and help in the community. So, I often rounded up my mates to visit an orphanage in the hills above Dili, an area called Dare, where a lot of the Timorese hid from the militia.' This connection sparked Mrs Sloper-Harding's passion for the country and its people which continues 25 years later. Following her service in 1999, Mrs Sloper-Harding launched a volunteer-led, not-for-profit charity, Friends of Soibada which helps rebuild a remote region in the mountains of Timor-Leste. 'One of my main motivators to join the ADF was my desire to make a difference in the world and to help and serve others,' Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured) said Mrs Sloper-Harding developed an emotional bond, spending time with those who had lost their entire families. 'So many orphans. So many horror stories. Young boys who were forced to join the militia under threat. Even the photographic evidence of atrocities brought back from the border by our troops that I used to write my briefs cannot be unseen. Also to see the effects on these young men, many of whom had children at home, after finding the bodies of children down wells was emotionally confronting.' Mrs Sloper-Harding said it felt surreal: 'It was almost like an out-of-body experience I felt like I was watching a war movie.' She said during her time in East Timor she had a couple of close calls, but what impacted her the most was the atrocities performed on the Timorese people. 'How could humans do this to each other? I was surprised by the strong feelings of hate that I have towards the perpetrators.' As a result of what she experienced, Mrs Sloper-Harding developed PTSD. The life of Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured) changed forever the moment she hit the ground in East Timor Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured left) says she was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with the Timorese people The mother of four became very protective of her children. 'I still don't sleep and have terrible nightmares. I have little patience for what I consider to be little first-world problems.' Mrs Sloper-Harding was inspired to establish Friends of Soibada after being invited to speak to primary school kids at Maria Regina Catholic Primary School in Avalon in 2009 about ANZAC Day and her experiences. After her talk, the kids wanted to help the people in Timor-Leste. 'With the assistance of the teachers, we began the process to identify a school in Timor that Maria Regina could link with.' Fast forward to 2010 and the non-profit organisation Friends of Soibada was created. 'I hope that we now have the trust of the community and the understanding that we are doing our utmost to help them, Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured) said The mission of the charity is: 'First and foremost, we aim to be the bridge that links two communities, Soibada in Timor-Leste and the northern beaches of Sydney,' Mrs Sloper-Harding said. Set In the mountains of Timor-Leste just North of Darwin, Soibada was once a prosperous town and a hub of education. But during the 25 years of occupation, the people struggled for freedom, thousands died in the fighting, massacres and forced starvation. Mrs Sloper-Harding said the destruction set the community back decades. 'The standard of living is now not as good as it was in the 1950s. Although freedom has been approached following the 1999 East Timorese independence referendum, this landmark alone has not been enough.' Through various projects, Friends of Soibada supports health and medical, education and teaching, arts and crafts, infrastructure and community planning. 'I hope that we now have the trust of the community and the understanding that we are doing our utmost to help them, Mrs Sloper-Harding said. 'Our goal is not to make the change, but to facilitate it so that it comes from within the Soibada community. We want to restore the dignity that was taken from them by the occupying forces.' The passion of Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured, left) for Timor-Leste and its people continues 25 years later 'Friends of Soibada helped give me a reason to live,' said Mrs Sloper-Harding (pictured second from left) Mrs Sloper-Harding travels to Timor Leste twice a year with volunteers who help make a real impact on the ground. She said the people of Sydney's northern beaches have benefited from being involved. 'Our school kids are learning to appreciate what they have and also about the difference they can make in the lives of others by small acts of kindness. 'I think our biggest achievement is the relationship between the northern beaches and Soibada.' For these volunteers, their experience is often life changing and they make make a genuine difference to the lives of people who have been through the unimaginable. One volunteer, Kerry, said: 'Prior to going to Soibada I was excited, confused, anxious. I'm not sure if my presence made a difference but it opened something in me that I never thought I had and that was that passion, love and giving is some of the most important things anyone can contribute. Soibada has filled a hole that I didn't know was there and completed me.' The future plans for Friends of Soibada? 'Eventually, in years to come, and if our programs succeed, the people of Soibada will become self-sufficient and no longer need our help but they will always have our support and friendship,' Mrs Sloper-Harding said. Being involved Friends of Soibada has helped Mrs Sloper-Harding deal with her demons as well. 'Veterans find it hard to retain a sense of purpose when they leave the ADF. This has helped give me a reason to live.' Mrs Sloper-Harding has made a genuine difference to so many lives with the help of volunteers and she encourages volunteers to get involved and help her continue her work. For more information on how to volunteer with Friends of Soibada, visit their website: www.friendsofsoibada.com This year's Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on Saturday with King Charles III set to observe the event from a carriage. Princess Kate unexpectedly announced on Friday evening that she will be also attending. It will be her first public appearance since December 25, 2023. Buckingham Palace has had to cancel and review dozens of forthcoming royal engagements as a result of the General Election but the official celebrations of the sovereign's birthday have thankfully been unaffected. Dating from the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is one the biggest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,200 soldiers and musicians plus more than 200 horses. Queen Elizabeth II attended every ceremony during her rain except in 1955 when the event was cancelled due to a national rail strike. A restricted ceremony took place in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A map of where Trooping the Colour will take place on Saturday June 15, 2024 King Charles III (wearing his Welsh Guards uniform) watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London This year's Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on Saturday with King Charles III set to observe the event from a carriage (pictured: Charles and Camilla leaving Buckingham Palace by carriage to Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 for his coronation) Last June, the King became the first monarch since the late Queen in 1986 to saddle up for the parade but the animal's behaviour came under scrutiny. Noble, a black mare gifted to Charles by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police when he became King, struggled to adapt to the surroundings and a groom had to step forward to help steady the horse. What is the Trooping the Colour route? The ceremony begins at 10am and lasts until around 1pm, the route is as follows: The King will travel down The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Once the clock on Horse Guards strikes 11am the King will arrive to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division. Following the salute, The King will go up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops. The bands will then perform a musical 'troop' and the Regimental Colour will be escorted up and down the ranks of Guards. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and Royal Horse Artillery with their guns. King Charles III saluted as he departed Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as he celebrated his first official birthday since becoming sovereign on June 17, 2023 Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace in a carriage during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 9, 2018 in London The King will head back to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before taking the salute in front of the Palace railings as the troops march past on their way to their barracks. The ceremony is due to finish at 12.25pm. The King joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force at approximately 1pm. Best places to watch Trooping the Colour With tickets sold out, royal fans will have to head to public vantage points along the route if they want to catch a glimpse of the grandeur. The best spots are dotted along the Mall and at St James's Park although those looking to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-westerly side for the clearest view. The north and east sides of the green space should also offer good vantage points overlooking Horse Guards Parade. There will be plenty of good spots to witness the procession at the Mall but the north side will be the best bet to ensure a clear view. The Household Division has advised potential spectators, however, that troops may restrict what people can see from these vantage points. The public are advised to set up shop at around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins in order to secure the best spot but are likely to still be able find a decent position around 11am. Make sure to wait until 12pm and you will be able to see different members of the royal family pass by in their carriages. Once reaching The Mall, you should try to find a spot about three-quarters of the way up near the barricades, which will open after The King has passed. The Red Arrows pictured flying over Buckingham Palace at last year's flypast. Royal fans are advised to walk down to Buckingham Palace and aim to get there before 1pm. If the air show begins before you get there you can stay put to watch it The best spots are dotted along the Mall and at St James's Park although those looking to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-westerly side for the clearest view (pictured: The Colonel's Review rehearsal of Trooping the Colour on June 8) The public are advised to set up shop at around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins in order to secure the best spot but are likely to still be able find a decent position around 11am Enjoy the ceremony, and wait until the police have opened the barricades to walk to the Palace. Walk down to Buckingham Palace and aim to get there before 1pm. If the air show begins before you get there you can stay put to watch it. But if you're still wanting to catch a glimpse of the royals on their balcony, speed up to catch them as they may shortly go inside. This years Trooping The Colour is set to begin from the coast of Suffolk This Trooping the Colour ceremony will be held this Saturday as King Charles III views the spectacular event from his carriage. The magnificent display in celebration of the monarch's birthday has thankfully been unaffected despite the General Election impacting several royal events. A tradition, which dates all the way back to the 17th century, boasts 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians as well as over 200 horses. The sovereign, 75, has remained keen to attend his birthday celebrations, which will attract thousands to the streets of London. But where will the momentous flypast route take place and at what time? This Trooping the Colour ceremony will be held this Saturday as King Charles III views the spectacular event from his carriage (pictured: members of the royal family during Trooping The Colour in 2023) But where will the momentous flypast route take place and at what time? Read below for all the information you need to know What is the flypast's route? The King's birthday flypast route will be a formation of military RAF aircrafts. According to the Express, the display will include the world-renowned Red Arrows as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which boasts a Lancaster Bomber. Typically the show is joined by 12 other aircrafts including Hurricanes, a Dakota, two DHC-1 Chipmunks and Spitfires. Additional aircrafts set to join in have not yet been confirmed. There will be several air restrictions in place before the flypast route begins, namely in the areas of East Anglia, Essex, London. The formation will jet across several counties beginning it's journey from the Suffolk coast before sweeping across the Essex area before gracing London skies before drawing to a close at Reading. The Red Arrows will crown the flypast in customary fashion with a red white and blue display What time is the flypast? The flypast will begin on the coast of Suffolk at around 11am, the Express reports. The slew of aircrafts will then head in land, passing through Ipswich at 12.30pm and then flying over Essex at 12.35pm. If you call the commuting towns of Colchester of Chelmsford your home, then you may be in for a treat as the aircrafts will zoom by at about 12.40pm. Finally the magnificent air display will arrive in London from a north eastern direction, jetting above Hainault before reaching the bustling city centre. It is predicted the spectacular formation will grace the skies above Buckingham Palace at 1pm. After celebrating the monarch in the skies, the flypast will make their way out of London heading north west before ending their journey in Reading. A locator map showcasing the route of the flypast, which boasts several RAF aircrafts How can I watch the flypast? If you want to watch the whole ceremony, people can stand along The Mall or see the pageantry from the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade. The Trooping The Colour parade begins at Horse Guards Parade ar around 10.30am ending 35 minutes before the flypast occurs. Advice is that anyone intending to do that arrives at about 9am for the event to begin from 10am. For those wanting to watch from home, BBC One will be showing the whole event from 10.30am, with programming scheduled to end just after the flypast. Prior to the flypast a parade including several British military regiments will take place (pictured: a rehearsal for Trooping The Colour 2024) What will happen during Trooping The Colour? The popular event will attract big crowds, who will be seen waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade. Around 113 words of command will be given by the Officer in Command of the Parade. The parade route itself will begin at Buckingham Palace extending along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again. During the ceremony, Charles will be greeted by a royal salute, before carrying out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry will march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and the Royal Horse Artillery. The King is then expected to ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace. His Majesty will then join other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for the fly-past. China Brand Fair 2024 kicks off in Budapest Xinhua) 13:50, June 14, 2024 People take photos of the products on display at the China Brand Fair 2024 in Budapest, Hungary on June 13, 2024. China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) BUDAPEST, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. Gergely Fabian, state secretary for industrial policy and technology at Hungary's Ministry for National Economy, spoke about the longstanding economic ties between Hungary and China. "China's investment in Hungary has propelled innovation and growth across various sectors," he said. Fabian also drew attention to the strategic importance of Hungary as a gateway to the European Union, providing access to 450 million consumers. Chen Yiwei, minister counselor from the Chinese Embassy to Hungary, said this year's China Brand Fair will inject new momentum into Sino-Hungarian economic and trade cooperation. Erno Peto, president of Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy, highlighted the presence of EU-certified intelligent electric vehicle (EV) chargers and smaller electronic cars at the fair. "This is the seventh time the China Brand Fair has been organized," Peto said, noting the substantial development in Chinese products. "This has become the biggest exhibition in Central Europe with the most extensive selection of Chinese brands." Antal Musz, a 44-year-old Hungarian entrepreneur, attended the fair primarily to find business partners. He added that he is interested in finding opportunities in manufacturing within the automotive and electronics sectors. A man tries an electric motorbike on display at the China Brand Fair 2024 in Budapest, Hungary on June 13, 2024. China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) A man watches a drone on display at the China Brand Fair 2024 in Budapest, Hungary on June 13, 2024. China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) People watch an electric motorbike on display at the China Brand Fair 2024 in Budapest, Hungary on June 13, 2024. China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) Guests attend the opening ceremony of the China Brand Fair 2024 in Budapest, Hungary, June 13, 2024. China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) People queue at the entrance of the China Brand Fair 2024 in Budapest, Hungary on June 13, 2024. China Brand Fair 2024 kicked off here on Thursday. The three-day event featured more than 270 companies from ten Chinese provinces and cities, showcasing a diverse range of products. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In a major new Mail series, Maureen Callahan's explosive book 'Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed' is published in four exclusive extracts. Here, she details the stunning fortitude of Jackie Kennedy as her husband died in front of her... The day was hot and wild, the sun so strong. Jackie Kennedy went to put on her sunglasses, but the president said: 'No, please don't they really came to see you.' Driving along the streets of Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, she could hear the screams of her husband's supporters over the presidential motorcade. Ahead was a tunnel a brief respite from the noise and the heat. Then John F Kennedy, the youngest president in US history, turned to her in their backseat, his expression puzzled. He held his hand out to Jackie and then dropped it and a chunk of his head came flying off, white, not pink, and then he was slumped in her lap, his blood and brains all over her face, her legs. Her roses and white gloves were soaked through with blood. It was so thick, almost neon. 'My God, what are they doing?' Jackie screamed. 'My God, they've killed my husband! Jack! Jack!' JFK, Jackie, Texas Governor John Connally, and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Jackie stands with bloodstains still on her clothes next to Bobby Kennedy as the coffin carrying JFK's body is placed in an ambulance. Later, she'd have no memory of leaping out of her seat and crawling onto the trunk. Their black Lincoln Continental was now going 70 or 80 miles an hour. She would have fallen had she not been grabbed by Secret Service agent Clint Hill, who saw the terror in her eyes. 'Get us to a hospital!' Hill screamed. The car was moving so fast that his sunglasses flew right off his face. Jackie huddled over her husband, cradling his head, frantically tamping brain matter into his skull as if this could save him. 'Jack!' she yelled over the sirens and the screams and the motors gunning all around them. 'Jack! Can you hear me? My God they've shot his head off!' She never once asked if she'd been hit. She never asked if any of the blood was hers. She never flinched from the sheer carnage in that back seat. Her only concern was Jack. At the hospital, she refused to let anyone near the president. Jackie shrunk down towards the floor of the car, pressing Jack's head tightly to her chest. If she couldn't save her husband's life, at least she could save his dignity. It was Hill who realized: She didn't want the world to see the president this way. He shook off his suit jacket and placed it over Jack's head. Reluctantly, Jackie let the Secret Service agents pull her out, but she held Hill's jacket over Jack's head as she ran beside his stretcher, clutching its side. Then came the whoosh of the emergency room curtain, leaving her on the wrong side. Coming towards her was Dave Powers, one of Jack's closest aides, known jokingly as his 'other wife.' It was Dave who woke the president in the morning, who tied his necktie. Jackie really loved Dave, largely because she had no idea what he really did: procure and hide Jack's numerous young lovers. Dave burst into tears as Jackie, dry-eyed, sat on a folding chair and smoked, shooing away the doctors who kept trying to sedate her. All around her, these big Texan men, police and surgeons, orderlies and interns, were losing their composure. Incredibly, the president was still taking shallow breaths. 'I want to be in there when he dies,' Jackie said. A nurse named Doris stood outside the curtain. 'You can't go in,' she told Jackie. The formerly demure Jackie, tougher than anyone knew, shoved her aside. JFK and Jackie arrive at Dallas Love Field airport on the day of his assassination: November 22, 1963. Jackie and Bobby Kennedy watch as the casket of JFK arrives in the East Room of the White House after his assassination. Trauma Room 1 at the Parkland Hospital, pictured a year after JFK was rushed to the very same room following his assassination. 'I'm going to get in that room', she said. Jackie had another voice, not the airy, high-pitched one she used in public but the deep, resonant one she used in private. 'It's my husband. His blood, his brains are all over me.' The night before, the last time she and Jack would ever make love, they'd been hoping for another baby. But that very morning, Jackie started her period, her first since losing their newborn baby Patrick only a few weeks earlier. She hadn't thought she could survive that loss; Patrick had lived less than two days. The curtain parted. Jackie dropped to her knees and prayed. The hospital's chief neurosurgeon came in, took one look and knew the president was dead. He performed CPR for ten minutes anyway. Then Jackie pressed her cheek against Jack's. She stared at his mouth and thought how beautiful it was. Two priests came in to deliver last rites. After everyone left, alone with her husband for the final time, Jackie kissed his naked body everywhere: his mouth, his chest, his leg, his penis. For all Jack's women, she was the last to possess him. Just after their wedding in 1953, Jackie had caught Jack then a US senator receiving oral sex in his office, from a young girl under his desk. Jackie wasn't naive: she'd known from the start that Jack wouldn't be faithful, but she hadn't known just how promiscuous he was. He didn't even try to hide his affairs. Days into their honeymoon, he'd suggested Jackie fly home alone so he could travel with 'friends'. She declined, and later felt ashamed she'd even considered his request. She'd had no shortage of suitors before Jack. She'd actually been engaged to a stockbroker, John Husted, when she first met Jack Kennedy, who was then aged 35 to her 23. Two months later, Jackie silently slipped her engagement ring into her fiance's pocket and walked away. Husted thought it was the coldest thing anyone had ever done to him, but to Jackie, who hated messy emotional scenes, it was the cleanest, kindest cut she could deliver. Jack was hardly a sure thing, but she was laser-focused on landing him. He was a brilliant conversationalist who, as she did, relished history and literature as much as gossip and badinage. Jack was a passport to a bigger life unlike Husted, who would have left her to wither in some leafy suburb. Jackie and JFK cutting their wedding cake after their marriage in Newport, Rhode Island, on September 12, 1953. JFK and Jackie sit together at his family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, a few months before their wedding. Jackie makes a private trip to London with JFK for the christening ceremony of their niece Anna Christina Radziwill, held at Westminster Abbey in 1961. But Jack Kennedy was nothing if not a hunter, so Jackie knew she had to lure him in while being just unavailable enough. In the beginning, she'd miss his calls or not return them right away, but it turned out that he was just as elusive. It made her want him all the more. Slowly, she began making herself indispensable travelling to other states to hear him speak; accompanying him to rubber-chicken dinners; translating ten books in French for him, the junior senator from Massachusetts, just so he could have a more nuanced take on Indochina. Three years after they married, in August 1956, Jack made a last-minute run to become the vice-presidential candidate. Jackie, having suffered two miscarriages, was finally carrying a baby to the third trimester. Years later, she'd learn her lost pregnancies were likely caused by all the sexually transmitted diseases asymptomatic chlamydia among them that Jack had passed to her. But now, weeks away from giving birth, she was understandably anxious and afraid. Yet she campaigned her heart out for Jack, and when he failed to get the vice-presidential nod, she asked him to stay with her. He said no. The next morning he was off to the Mediterranean, sailing with his brother Teddy and fellow senator George Smathers and everyone in Washington, DC, knew what Smathers and Jack got up to together. Days after Jack's departure, Jackie woke up in agony. She was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth by emergency caesarean section to a girl she called Arabella. The baby was stillborn. When Jackie came out of anesthesia at two in the morning, it was her brother-in-law Bobby Kennedy who broke the news, held her hand and made the excuse she badly wanted to believe: Jack was still at sea, unreachable in the Med. Of course Jack was reachable in the Med. Bobby knew, because he'd already spoken to his brother. 'What's done is done,' Jack told Bobby over the phone. 'The baby is lost.' He saw no point in cutting short his holiday. Mourning a child she was never allowed to see, Jackie got the message: Her husband couldn't wouldn't bother with comforting her, or grieving for their baby. She was so weak and depressed that she couldn't even attend the burial. JFK is surrounded by a group of admirers at Santa Monica Beach in California, in 1962. JFK is pictured on board the torpedo boat he commanded in the South West Pacific during World War II in 1943. So it was Bobby who stood over Arabella's coffin while Jack was sailing with his starlets and bikini babes off the south of France, drinking, smoking cigars, having fun. 'I'm never going back,' Jackie said. She wanted not just a divorce but an annulment from the Catholic Church. When Jack heard this, self-preservation must have kicked in, because three days after Arabella's funeral ten days after her stillbirth he suddenly materialized in Jackie's hospital room. Her nemesis, the equally lecherous George Smathers, was also responsible for Jack's return. If he ever wanted to be president, Smathers said, 'you better haul your ass back to your wife.' Greeting the press outside the hospital, Jack told reporters that his wife hadn't let him know about the stillbirth because she didn't want to ruin his vacation. When Jackie was released, she retreated to her mother's Rhode Island estate, where she mourned her baby and her marriage. 'How could I have been so stupid?' she'd ask through tears. Towards the end of that year, she confided in her neighbor, the newspaper magnate Walter Ridder, and asked him how a divorce would play out in the media. 'We have all known Jack is difficult in the ways of women,' Ridder told her. 'But: A), you knew that from the beginning, and B), I'm sure there are many moments that make up for it. 'If you should leave him and divorce him, there is no way he can be president. And I doubt you want that mark on your life.' She didn't. Nor could she see that this wasn't something Jackie would do to Jack rather, it was something he was doing to himself. Despite everything, Jackie was still deeply in love with Jack. 'When he's around,' she told Ridder, 'he's just an enchantment.' Nor was the admiration one-sided. Jack genuinely admired his wife's irreverence, her defiant streak, her capacious mind, her elevated taste level, the way she'd re-styled him with designer suits. Jackie really classed up the Kennedys, and she enjoyed it. So, Jackie asked herself: Should she stay? Couldn't she just tolerate the infidelities, as so many women of their class did? After all, faithful husbands didn't necessarily make the most enthralling ones let alone future American presidents. There was another incentive: Jack's father, Joe, knew Jackie was a high-value asset. He offered her $1 million to stay in the marriage, and millions more if Jack ever gave her a sexually transmitted disease again. Jackie listens to her husband speak during an event at the White House in 1962. JFK wheels Jackie out of Georgetown Hospital after the birth of their son, John F. Kennedy Jr., on November 25, 1960. Jackie's depression intensified. But Jack either couldn't see it or didn't care. Instead, he secretly packed off his wife to a mental hospital for the elite, Valleyhead in Massachusetts, where she had three rounds of electroshock therapy in one week. Each treatment made her shake so violently that her bones sounded as if they were breaking. Jack never called, never visited. After a week, he sent his aide, Chuck Spalding, to collect her. When she arrived at their DC home, Jack wasn't there; nor had he left a note. Jackie went into the bathroom and reached for his razor blades, thinking how easy it would be to draw a warm bath and a straight line down each wrist. Had she ever been truly happy? She thought she'd gone into this marriage with eyes wide open, but Jack's cheating was unbearable, the humiliations unrelenting. That night, Jack came home to find his wife utterly distraught. For once, he put her first, becoming the loving, supportive husband she so badly wanted. And it made a difference for a while. In 1957, Jackie gave birth to their first child, Caroline. This time, Jack was the first person she saw when she came to, wheeling their baby to her bedside. She'd often refer to this as the happiest day of her life. Dr. Frank Finnerty was only 37 when Jackie met him socially in the spring of 1961. He seemed kind and grounded, and she asked if she could call him occasionally, just to talk. Finnerty wasn't a therapist; he was a cardiologist, but he was moved by Jackie's gesture. She seemed lonely. 'I know what's gFoing on,' she told Finnerty. 'All these reporters and they're almost always men think I'm strange, that I must live off in my own world not to see what he's up to. I know exactly what he's up to.' There were so many women. Jackie suspected that even Lee, her sister, had slept with Jack once. She knew about Jack and Pamela Turnure, her own press secretary. She knew about Jack's euphemistic 'pool parties' held almost daily in the White House often attended by his brothers Ted and Bobby and various lackeys and the young secretaries who'd join them. Women ran up and down the back stairs whenever Jackie was away, leaving behind blonde hairs and bobby pins. One she didn't know about was 19-year-old Mimi Beardsley, who worked in the White House secretarial pool. Jack had invited Mimi to the White House residence, gotten her drunk, and taken Mimi's virginity on the bed he shared with his wife. Mimi Beardsley, the 19-year-old White House intern with whom JFK had an 18-month affair. Jackie's bedroom in the White House on the northeast corner of the second floor. In that same bed, Jackie once found a pair of women's knickers. 'Would you please shop around and find who these belong to?' she asked Jack coolly. 'They're not my size.' She knew about his penchant for picking up girls while traveling. But did Jackie know about the three-ways, four-ways, and five-ways? About swapping hookers with his buddies? About the 15-year-old babysitter Jack had impregnated back when he was a senator? 'Jack needs to expel some kind of hormonal surge,' she told Dr. Finnerty. 'I don't think he even has affection for them. It's just this intrinsic part of his life, a vicious trait he inherited from his father.' For a man with such a high libido, Jackie continued, Jack was terrible in bed. Was it her fault? 'He just goes too fast and falls asleep,' she said. She wasn't to know that this was the complaint of every woman who'd had sex with Jack Kennedy: no kissing, no build-up, no intensity or sensuality or fun. He never lasted longer than three minutes and didn't even seem to enjoy sex. It was like a compulsion; there was never anything personal about it. Finnerty advised Jackie to tell her husband she needed more affection, that foreplay would be his gift to her. Have the talk over a meal in a non-threatening way, he advised, and approach the problem logically and unemotionally. Jackie did just that, and Jack's response surprised her. He had no idea that sex was so important to her, he said. Her interest was impressive. How had a nice girl like her become so intrigued by all things sexual? Jackie had long thought of herself as an actress. When she became First Lady in January 1961, she had to camouflage the spicier parts of her personality: the rapier wit, the rebellious nature, the ability to identify the sycophants and frauds. She was the lone woman who Jack took seriously. Whenever out in public, she secretly wore a wig, insuring she only ever looked the part: immovable perfection. So what if she wanted Chanel suits in every color, or piles of fine jewelry, or her hairdresser flown in from New York? She was, after all, becoming global brand ambassador for the House of Kennedy at great personal cost. Later in the afternoon of November 22, 1963, as her husband's casket was loaded onto Air Force One in Dallas, Jackie sat alone in the back of the plane, still wearing her pink Chanel suit, caked with Jack's blood and brains. Everyone else, even the Secret Service detail, was weeping. An Air Force general was almost hysterical. She'd been shocked, upon boarding, to find Vice President Lyndon Johnson now the president splayed on the bed she and Jack had made love in the day before. A clean white dress was laid out beside him, waiting for her. Lyndon Jonson is sworn in as U.S. president beside his wife 'Lady Bird' and Jackie after JFK's assassination on November 22, 1963. Jackie stands beside the ambulance carrying her husband's body after he was assassinated in Dallas. Jackie follows as soldiers bring JFK's casket into the White House after his assassination. Jackie's husband had been dead for just two hours. She stood before Lyndon in disbelief. He left without saying a word, then came back with his wife, Lady Bird. Jackie was seated on the bed now, squeezed between the new president and First Lady. Trapped. 'Well,' Lyndon said, 'about the swearing-in ' They wanted Jackie to stand next to Lyndon as he took the oath of office, for an image that would go around the world. Jackie was now the most important political figure in America. Without her, he could easily lose half the electorate. Jackie's inner image-maker guided her now: The Actress. Yes, she said, she'd do it, but everyone had to stop trying to force her into that white dress. She wasn't changing. 'Let them see what they've done,' she said. Jackie understood instantly: If she controlled the optics, she controlled the messaging. She could shape how history viewed her husband. As they entered the main cabin, Lyndon took Jackie's hand. 'This is the saddest moment of my life,' he said, pulling her close. Then he turned to the White House photographer. 'Is this the way you want us?' Jackie was the only one thinking three steps ahead: live television, tragedy, pageantry, history. So it was Jackie who decided she would deplane Air Force One, still in the stained Chanel and clutching her handbag tight, in full view of the media. It was Jackie who decided the ambulance transporting Jack's body to the autopsy had to be driven by Bill Greer, driver of the Lincoln Continental in which the president had been shot, so he would know she didn't blame him. And it was Jackie who insisted on riding in the ambulance with Bobby, the coffin between them. 'What is the line,' Jackie asked Bobby, 'between histrionics and drama?' She was going for high theatre but worried she might be verging on camp. Her intention, however, was pure: this was all for Jack. The ensuing three days of ceremonies, televised worldwide, were all down to Jackie. She insisted on a riderless horse to draw the casket out of the White House Drive; simple flowers; no 'fat, ugly' black Cadillacs; and an eternal flame to light his grave at Arlington National Cemetery. She had her eye not only on history but iconography. On the day of Jack's funeral, she stood with her two fatherless children on the North Portico of the White House. Among the images seared in 20th-century history: their two-year-old son, John Jr., stepping forward and saluting. Despite the protestations of the Secret Service, Jackie led the funeral procession in a black veil and Givenchy dress, walking the quarter mile from the White House to the church behind Jack's flag-draped casket. Jackie stands with her children, Caroline and John F. Kennedy Jr (saluting), as well as her brother-in-law Bobby at JFK's funeral on November 25, 1963. Jackie Kennedy leads the funeral procession of her late husband JFK as crowds gather to watch. Jackie Kennedy stands between JFK's brothers, Bobby and Teddy, during his funeral. Jackie holds the hands of her young children, Caroline and John F. Kennedy Jr, during JFK's funeral. This funeral would be the first step in consecrating Jack's memory as she saw fit. Her eye wasn't only on history; she was going to enshrine their marriage as sacred. True. Real. And she was going to transform the country's trauma, the violent death of a charismatic young president, into something regal and majestic. One week after the assassination, Jackie summoned the historian Theodore White to her house on Cape Cod. She offered him an exclusive interview for Life magazine, so long as she had the final edit. 'How do you want him remembered?' White asked. 'One thing kept going through my mind,' she said. It was a lyric from a song Jack loved in the musical Camelot: 'Don't let it be forgot that, for one brief shining moment, there was Camelot.' At night in the White House, she said, he'd play the song on their old Victrola record player, over and over. White, like everyone else familiar with the president, knew this was untrue. Jack hadn't been interested in middlebrow Broadway musicals. He'd never employ such heavy-handed metaphor. Nor was he the kind of husband who cozied up with his wife every night. When White had finished writing, he handed his draft to Jackie. She began cutting mercilessly and making her own additions. Meanwhile, Life magazine was holding the presses at a cost of $30,000 per hour. At around 2 a.m., White dictated the final draft to his editors from Jackie's kitchen. When they scoffed at the Camelot detail, Jackie looked at White and shook her head: It was her version or nothing. And so Jackie's first draft of history won out. The very last line, written in her own back-slanted cursive, read: 'For one brief, shining moment, there was Camelot.' UK READERS: Adapted from 'Ask Not' by Maureen Callahan, to be published by Harper Collins on July 4 at 25. Maureen Callahan 2024. To order a copy for 22.50 (offer valid to 30/06/24; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 02031762937. US READERS: Adapted from 'Ask Not' by Maureen Callahan. Copyright 2024 by Maureen Callahan. Used with permission of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved. Order a copy here. A brutal Venezuelan sex-trafficking gang is now in America's biggest cities. Chinese organized crime syndicates are running drug farms with slave labor in half a dozen US states. Mexican drug cartels are operating vile human smuggling operations over the southern border with near impunity. And on Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended eight alleged ISIS operatives in Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia. The thread tying all of these imminent public safety and national security threats together is a runway illegal immigration crisis exposing America to an invasion of 'ghost' criminals, paramilitary foot soldiers and potential terrorists. Tren de Aragua has emerged as the latest transitional criminal organization to threaten the US homeland This new foreign menace has infiltrated the country hiding among millions of desperate migrants. Now, more than three and a half years after President Joe Biden's inauguration, DailyMail.com is revealing the full devastating and perhaps, irreversible impact of his administration's systemic dismantling of U.S. national security and the groups that have thrived off the lawless border. PRISON GANG MAKES AMERICA HOME On June 3, two New York City police officers investigating a spate of robberies attempted to stop a young hispanic man speeding the wrong way down a Queens street on a motorized scooter. A struggle ensued and the suspect, Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, 19, pulled a gun and fired striking one cop in his bullet-resistant vest and the other in the leg. National security expert Joseph Humire The officers were treated at the hospital and released. Mata was arrested and revealed to be living in the country illegally having crossed into the US in July through a busy migrant route at Eagle Pass, Texas. What's more, Mata is a suspected member of a brutal Venezuelan prison gang once virtually unknown to U.S. law enforcement. Now, authorities in New York City, Chicago, Miami and beyond know the name Tren de Aragua. The transnational criminal gang has humble origins in a Venezuela prison in the late 2000s. But its members have since exported their savage brand to America, hiding among millions of Venezuelan migrants who have fled the crumbling socialist dictatorship. The NYPD has come to call many of these thugs 'ghost criminals,' because they have no way to identify them except for their tattoos. Members of the gang cover their bodies in distinctive drawings of AK-47s and skulls clad in gas masks. There is no illicit activity that Tren is not involved in, but they specialize in some of the most repulsive and detestable crimes imaginable sex trafficking and human smuggling. Indeed, NBC News reported that three Tren gangsters in the US illegally forced two Venezuelan women into a Baton Rouge, Louisiana prostitution where they were forced to have sex with up to four men a day. Members of the Barrio 18 gang are frequently caught by border guards as they cross from Mexico into the US One of the bodies piled up after a deadly shootout between members of Mexico's cartel paramilitaries Joseph M. Humire, a national security expert who specializes in transnational organized crime told DailyMail.com that Tren's arrival in the US is the direct result of lawlessness at the southern border. 'The open border is the magnet for these groups,' said Humire, executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society. 'They realize there's money to be made from human smuggling. It's become even more profitable than drugs.' There are now reportedly more than 100 Homeland Security investigations involving suspected members of Tren and the gang is suspected in criminal probes in at least five states; New York, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, and Louisiana. Tren may be making headlines now but many other criminal groups are also exploiting the porous border. CARTELS 'GOVERN' THE BORDER Approximately 10 million illegal migrants have settled in the U.S. since Biden took office in January 2021 nearly doubling the undocumented population. Even these startling numbers understate the scale of the challenge for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. Chief of the US Border Patrol Jason Owens has acknowledged that 'hardened criminals often hide in smuggled migrant groups' making identifying and stopping dangerous individuals nearly impossible. Late last year, 250,000 migrants arrived at the border in a single month. An estimated two million migrants are known to have slipped into the country without any vetting whatsoever. Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of this chaos are Mexico's ultra-violent and sophisticated drug cartels. Humira said the cartels are now the 'governing structure' along the Mexican side of the border and they grow stronger every month bolstered by the billions of dollars they heap every month from the burgeoning human smuggling business. Border Patrol Chief Owens revealed this week that members of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation cartel have been busted running organized crime rackets in Florida nearly a thousand miles away from the border. The cartels already had entrenched supply networks inside the US, but the lack of security at the border made it even easier for them to move narcotics, weapons, and foot soldiers over the frontier. Drug trafficking remains that cartel's number one industry. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced last month in its annual assessment on illegal drug trafficking that cartels operate in all 50 states with their illicit activity concentrated in Texas, Arizona, California, and Florida. The dominant organizations the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels 'have caused the worst drug crisis in US history,' the report says. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence officials are terrified by a major national security risk. Members of the MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs, pictured her in prison in El Salvador, have brought havoc to the streets of the US ISIS-K members were recently arrested in three US cities - splinters of the Islamic group that once occupied swathes f Iraq and Syria IMMINENT TERROR THREAT Eight individuals from Tajikistani a war-ravaged country in Central Asia northwest of Afghanistan were arrested in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia on Tuesday by federal authorities. They were all charged with crimes related to illegal entry into the US and all of them have reported ties to ISIS-K. ISIS-K or Islamic State Khorasan Province is a branch of the terror army that recently claimed responsibility for a March 22 attack on a Moscow concert hall that killed 145 people and injured more than 550 others. The eight men illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border over the last several months and they were vetted by law enforcement before being released, according to an official who spoke to CBS News. Only later did the FBI alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement of alleged their terror ties. Earlier this month, FBI Director Chris Wray warned that he was increasingly concerned over the 'potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, not unlike the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russian concert hall.' And in January, ten retired FBI directors and experts in counterintelligence wrote a letter warning Congressional leaders that an unsecured southern border represents that 'greater security risk' to the U.S. in a lifetime. A Chinese laborer at a illegal cannabis farm in New Mexico that was shut down in 2020. Former workers at the plant filed a lawsuit last year against its kingpins alleging mistreatment State police seized 970 marijuana plants at a Chinese farm in the town of China, Maine in January CHINESE SLAVE LABOR DRUG FARMS For months, law-enforcement officials across several US states have sounded the alarm about the rising number of Chinese gang-run cannabis growing operations. Oklahoma has shuttered some 1,000 marijuana farms since late 2020 nearly all of them linked to Chinese organized crime rings, officials say. These groups are often known as 'Triads,' a loose term to describe notorious criminal syndicates with deep roots in East Asia. Some are believed to cooperate with Chinese Communist Party officials in Beijing. Hundreds of properties in Maine have been investigated as Chinese migrant gang-run pot farms. And these operations have also sprung up across the country in California, New Mexico and Washington state. These farms depend on trafficked and forced labor from Chinese migrants who have flowed up through Central America into Mexico and the US in recent years. At least 37,000 Chinese people have reportedly entered the US through Texas in 2023 alone that number is 10 times higher than the past 10 years combined. Workers interviewed by US journalists have described being tricked into working for criminal enterprises as a condition of their illicit passage into the US. Others are reportedly trafficked into the US for the express purpose of laboring at these farms for no pay under inhumane conditions and unable to leave. A director of a social services non-profit in New Mexico said Chinese migrants in one New Mexico farm were found with 'visible burns on their hands and arms.' 'They were very scared, very freaked out,' said Lynn Sanchez of The Life Link. 'They looked very malnourished.' These are the consequences of nearly four years of President Biden's open border polices. And there's no telling how long it will take for these deleterious effects to be reversed if ever. Former President Donald Trump claimed the late comedienne Joan Rivers voted for him even though she died in 2014, according to a forthcoming book about The Apprentice. In Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass, Variety's Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh asked Trump about his relationship with Rivers, the winner of season 8 of the show in 2009. 'I thought she might have been a Republican,' Trump said. 'I know one thing: she voted for me, according to what she said.' It's well documented that Rivers had a good relationship with both Trump and his 2016 rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton - however there was a problem with the ex-president's claim. Rivers died in 2014 - two years and two months before Election Day. 2016 was the first chance Americans got to cast a vote for Trump at the ballot box. The comment is more eye-popping considering Setoodeh's six interviews with Trump for the book all came after the 2020 election, when Trump's team tried to push that dead voters illegally cast votes for President Joe Biden - claims that were refuted. Donald Trump (left) poses with Joan Rivers (right) during Celebrity Apprentice's live season finale in May 2010. He told the author of a new Apprentice book that Rivers voted for him in the 2016 election - despite the fact she died in September 2014 A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Trump had segued into Rivers' political inclinations after talking about the late comic's reaction to her daughter Melissa getting fired from that season of the show - Celebrity Apprentice 2. Variety's Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh's Apprentice in Wonderland arrives in bookstores Tuesday The ex-president also made clear that he didn't care for The Apprentice being rebranded as Celebrity Apprentice in those later seasons. 'I don't even call it The Celebrity Apprentice, I just call it The Apprentice. I always called it The Apprentice purposefully, because it was The Apprentice. I thought it was a good name, but I just call it The Apprentice,' he said. 'I thought it was disrespectful,' Trump added. Setoodeh interpreted this to mean that the ex-president 'worried the title change would erase the public's memory of his years of success on TV.' Still, Trump touted the celebritized version of his reality show. 'I mean, I got the biggest stars to go on that show. It was so easy,' the presumptive Republican nominee said. 'You know Joan Rivers wouldn't do a show like that normally, right?' Setoodeh pointed out that Rivers had 'built her career on a willingness to appear anywhere there were cameras.' Donald Trump, Joan Rivers and Melania Trump attend The Celebrity Apprentice season finale at the at American Museum of Natural History on May 10, 2009 in New York City And Rivers was a natural reality television star, throwing an epic tantrum, Trump recalled, when she caught wind that Melissa had been dismissed by the real estate mogul-turned-reality show host. 'Joan was so angry,' Trump said. 'She went crazy when I fired the daughter.' 'Joan loved Melissa more than anything she's ever loved before. She thought Melissa was the end-all, and she went totally crazy in defense of her daughter,' the ex-president continued. 'Oh, they were both yelling. It was great TV. But maybe Joan had more of a right to be yelling.' But that on-screen fight, Trump indicated, never dimmed Rivers' appreciation of him. 'Despite the anger about Melissa, she was a big fan!' he boasted. 'She said, "Nobody else that I've met could have done what you did." She meant it too.' There is some evidence that Rivers may have cast a ballot for Trump. On an episode of Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live Rivers gushed about Trump and told the Bravo head that Trump 'would have made a great president' on the heels of him teasing a 2012 bid. Trump ultimately sat that election out - but was motivated, in part, to run four years later by President Barack Obama ridiculing the D-listers involved in Celebrity Apprentice at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner. 'We all know about your credentials and breadth of experience,' Obama said at the time. 'For example - no seriously, just recently in an episode of Celebrity Apprentice ...the men's cooking team cooking did not impress the judges from Omaha Steaks.' 'And there was a lot of blame to go around,' Obama said. 'But you, Mr. Trump, recognized that the real problem was a lack of leadership.' 'And so ultimately, you didn't blame Lil' Jon or Meat Loaf. You fired Gary Busey,' the Democratic president said. 'And these are the kinds of decisions that would keep me up at night.' After Clinton's shock defeat in 2016, Melissa Rivers told an audience in New York in October 2017 that her mother would have voted for the female candidate over Trump. Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California 'She knew them both,' Melissa told Whoopi Goldberg while promoting a book about her mom, according to The New York Post. 'Our families had a very long, outside-of-the-spotlight relationship with the whole Trump family,' Melissa recalled. 'I think in the beginning she would have been like, "Yes, great, great, great super," and then she would have been like, "Oh, s***."' Melissa added that her mother 'felt for a long time it was time for a woman president.' 'I think in the end of it all, she would have definitely been a Hillary supporter,' the comedian's daughter said. Apprentice in Wonderland arrives in bookstores Tuesday. A woman whose mobile phone was stolen by a 'gang of youths on bikes' managed to track it down to two locations in North London before it popped up in China. Emma Hall had her phone stolen on Leyton High Street on April 29 this year, just yards from her East London flat. The 44-year-old was meeting her husband and a friend at their local pub when three masked yobs rode past and snatched her mobile out of her hand. Determined to discover where it had gone, Ms Hall used the 'Find my iPhone' app on her iPad to track down the phone. But she didn't expect it to travel quite as far as it did. 'It headed to North London at two separate addresses and then three weeks later it popped up in Shenzhen, China,' she told MailOnline. 'I imagined it had gone over there to be sold on, but I got a bit obsessive about it because everyone was telling me stories about their phones being stolen and turning up in places like Egypt and Marrakesh. 'There was a concern initially because my phone was open at the time it was snatched. They can't access everything because of face ID but they could get into my photos, they could look at my text messages and that freaked me out a bit. 'I went home and erased the phone straight away.' A screenshot from Emma's iPad showing the iPhone which had been transported to Shenzhen in China Emma Hall, 44, was the victim of a phone theft on April 29 just yards from her London flat Shenzhen has been referred to as China's 'Silicon Valley' for the number of competing businesses in electronics. IT and cyber-security expert Thomas Balogun told MailOnline there are pockets of gangs in the UK who will sell stolen phones to cyber criminals overseas. 'There's a strong demand for phone parts in China because of the large population. There's also less stringent regulations around individual parts,' he said. 'Eighty-percent of the time it's for the components in the phone, to refurbish someone else's phone or to remake it into something else'. Emma said the muggers were in their late teens to early twenties, dressed in black with their faces covered, apart from one who wore a striped t-shirt. Recalling the incident Emma said: 'I had my phone in my jacket pocket and as I crossed the road I took my phone out, literally just to text my husband to say 'get me a Prosecco, I'm on route'. Shipping containers and gantry cranes at Yantian port in Shenzhen, in southern China's Guangdong province 'As soon as I did three lads on bikes went right past me on the pavement and one grabbed my phone. 'The scary thing is they come so close and fast next to you. It was just so quick and I went over to the bar all shook up. 'They broke a nail too and that really irritated me and it was a new set so that just shows how much force was used to break a nail like that. 'A witness followed me to the pub and gave me his business card in case I needed him so I could give it to the police, which restored my faith a little bit.' Emma said phone snatching is an 'everyday occurrence' in neighbourhoods around Stratford now, particularly close to the Olympic Park, Victoria Palace and Stratford International Station. 'My friend had the exact same thing happen to him and they broke his wrist because he held onto his phone. He's had to have metal plates put in his wrist now,' she said. The phone was stolen on Stratford High Street in East London (file picture) Poll Should theft be met with harsher sentencing? Yes No Maybe Should theft be met with harsher sentencing? Yes 2798 votes No 26 votes Maybe 28 votes Now share your opinion 'Something needs sorting because people shouldn't have to be worrying about going out with their phones in public. There are warnings all over social media now with people saying 'just spotted this kid' and some are starting to film them'. Commander Owain Richards for Met Police 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. '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.' London has been plagued by a terrifying spate of phone snatchings in recent months, where e-bike crooks use high-powered vehicles to steal the devices and make quick getaways. Figures have shown that a mobile phone is reported as stolen in London every six minutes. In a separate incident in May, a thief on a bike was seen snatching a victim's phone from her hands in broad daylight at a bus stop in central London 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 Nearly 52,000 devices were stolen in the capital last year as criminals 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. Maria-Diandre Opre, a cyber-security expert at Earthweb told MailOnline: 'Time and again, I've analysed cases where stolen phones have resurfaced thousands of miles away, particularly in countries like China. In another separate incident, a thief was seen approaching his unsuspecting victim on a bike from behind as she walked along Albany Street in central London The thief swiftly swooped to seize the mobile phone from the woman's hands 'This isn't mere coincidence, but a calculated ploy by criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in law enforcement across borders. 'For smartphone thieves, one of the biggest draws to trafficking stolen devices abroad is the reduced risk of detection. Some nations simply lack the robust legal framework and tracking capabilities to effectively police these crimes. This allows gangs to offload their ill-gotten merchandise with little fear of consequences. 'Certain regions have well-established black markets dedicated to disassembling, reprogramming, and reselling pilfered phones. 'These underground operatives possess specialised expertise to bypass security restrictions and wipe devices of their digital fingerprints before flipping them for a profit. Their intricate networks make tracing stolen stock an immense challenge.' Right-leaning voters flirting with the idea of Reform could cost the Tories 110 seats and gift Sir Keir Starmer a 'super-majority', analysis shows. Fearing handing Labour a 'blank cheque' in the July 4 election, senior Conservative figures including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have warned a wipe-out would only hand a 'socialist' Prime Minister power. Mega-polls published last week suggest the Tories are on track to hold just 126 MPs, in what would be the party's worst electoral result for over a century. Labour are forecasted to clinch 439, with them on track to eclipse even Tony Blair's 1997 landslide victory. But MailOnline analysis today shows the extent to which Sir Keir's majority would be dented if disillusioned Tory voters contemplating a shift to Nigel Farage's party were tempted to return to the Conservative fold. Under current aggregated projections, the Tories are fewer than 5 points behind the biggest party in 63 seats. Rishi Sunak's party are 10 points off first place in 117, in total. Your browser does not support iframes. That is based on an average of three of the latest MRP (multi-level regression and post-stratification) polls from YouGov, Survation and More in Common. Reform's high polling numbers could allow Labour candidates to inch past Tory incumbents in dozens of local races, despite the fact that the insurgent party is not currently forecast to win any seats. Mr Farage's party are currently polling above 10 per cent in 324 constituencies, including 82 where the Tories are trailing by the same amount or less. If there were just a five point swing from Reform to the Tories in each constituency then, based on current projections, a Labour majority would be nearly cut in half to 132 seats, instead of 228. In this scenario, Sir Keir's party would win 391 seats while Mr Sunak's would get 189, saving 63 compared with current projections. If the polls shift even further, with as much as a 10 point swing from Reform to the Conservatives in every constituency, then they could save 110 seats compared with current projections, winning 236 seats against Labour's 349. A swing this extreme would trim Sir Keir's currently projected majority even further, to just 48. In reality, Reform voters would be unlikely to move to Tories en masse. Many Britons toying with the idea of opting for Mr Farage's party on election day are also former Labour or non-voters, as opposed to being disillusioned Conservatives. The Brexit Party agreed to not stand candidates in 317 Tory-held constituencies in 2019, in order to make way for Boris Johnson to 'Get Brexit Done' and get his deal through Parliament. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. But this year, Reform are running in 600-plus seats in England, Wales and Scotland, with Mr Farage's ultimate aim being an eventual 'takeover' of the Tory party in the event of a devastating loss. Reform enjoyed a four-point boost in polls after Mr Farage announced his return to the political front line earlier this month. The veteran Brexiteer, now party leader, is standing in the ex-UKIP territory of Clacton, Essex. The party is narrowing the gap with the Conservatives, which has fallen from 23 per cent of the vote share last week to 21 per cent, according to one poll. Reform is now just six points behind with 15 per cent. Mr Farage yesterday said that he would be happy to lead a 'merged' Conservative and Reform party in opposition. When asked to rule out leading the Conservatives in the future by LBC's Nick Ferrari, Mr Farage said: 'I think something new is going to emerge on the centre right. 'I don't know what it's called, but do I think I'm capable of leading a national opposition to a Labour party with a big majority, where I can stand them up and hold them to account on issues? Yes.' He said that he would be happy to lead a 'merged party', but not the Conservatives 'in their current form', which he said may be 'dead', in any case. Rishi Sunak at the Borgo Egnazia resort for the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia yesterday Top Tories have delivered stark warnings to prospective Reform voters not to hand Sir Keir a 'super-majority' and give unchecked power. Mr Hunt appeared to concede that the Tories are heading for defeat at the General Election, but the Chancellor warned that voting for Reform would hand Labour 'an even bigger majority'. Mr Hunt told Politico's Power Play podcast: 'All that a vote for Reform does is give Labour an even bigger majority. 'And that is a polar opposite of what most Reform voters want. So it doesn't solve any problem to vote Reform.' The Chancellor admitted his own seat is in jeopardy, saying: 'It could be a strong Conservative majority or it could be a seat that falls spectacularly to the Lib Dems.' Mr Hunt also acknowledged that Britons feel 'battered' by the cost-of-living crisis and want to 'hold the guys at the top to account'. He conceded that the Government has failed to deliver its pledge to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel. His admission of voters' discontent with the Tory record comes after Mr Sunak acknowledged that people were 'frustrated' with him and admitted the Tories 'have not got everything right' at his party's manifesto launch. But the PM insisted he had 'absolutely not' lost hope of winning the election after Grant Shapps' intervention yesterday, when he said that granting Labour a 'super-majority' would hand 'unchecked' power to a party whose 'plans are so vague... you have no idea what they actually want to change'. Sir Keir Starmer launches the Labour manifesto at Co-op HQ in Manchester yesterday Your browser does not support iframes. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron said he did not want to 'insult' Reform voters, but added they will help to bring in a Labour government. He told Times Radio: 'Like me, they want to see strong defences in an uncertain world, they want to see a secure border in a dangerous world, they want to see lower taxes in a world where families are struggling and need that extra help. 'The things they want are things only a Conservative government can deliver, by voting Reform you make them less likely, not more likely.' Asked if his heart sank when Mr Farage announced he was standing, Lord Cameron replied: 'I don't think my heart did anything particularly, it was just you know, I'm very focused on winning for the blue team.' Indicating a new 'damage limitation' strategy, a Tory social media advert also warned that voting Reform or Lib Dem could hand the Sir Keir the 'largest majority Labour have ever had'. Former attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox also warned yesterday: 'If you believe the polls... we are sleepwalking into a one-party socialist state. 'The consequences would be horrific, not just for the Conservative Party and for the country, but also for Labour because having an opposition is important.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks to LBC's Nick Ferrari on the Breakfast show yesterday This comes after Sir Keir failed to rule out a host of tax rises last night as he squirmed during a Sky News special election debate last night over his past support for Jeremy Corbyn in 2019. He insisted he only backed his left-wing predecessor in saying he would make a 'great PM' because he was 'certain' Labour was going to lose. But he still came out on top in a snap poll to deepen Rishi Sunak's woes with the Labour leader coming across as more trustworthy, likeable, in touch with ordinary people and prime ministerial. A panel of MailOnline readers echoed those thoughts with the majority of viewers believing the opposition leader beat the Prime Minister. Mr Sunak yesterday stayed defiant and insisted he had 'absolutely not' given up hope of winning the election amid a bruising week for the PM in which he has seen his approval rating plummet below Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. He added he will continue to 'keep fighting hard until the last day of this election', and reiterated his apology for his 'mistake' of leaving D-Day commemorations early. Elizabeth Taylor has revealed that her own father called her a 'whore' after she left her husband Eddie Fisher for Richard Burton. The late movie icon says that Francis Taylor was furious after she divorced Fisher in 1964 and married Burton 10 days later, an act which scandalized Hollywood and drew the ire of the Vatican. In a new documentary, Taylor speaks from beyond the grave to say her marriage to Fisher was so unhappy she once tried to kill herself by overdosing on sleeping pills. In 'Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes', which had its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Tuesday, she calls it 'selfish' because it would have been ruinous to her children. Taylor also deflects some of the blame for getting involved with Fisher in the first place and says his marriage to ex-wife Debbie Reynolds was not perfect. In 'Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes,' the actress revealed she was so miserable in her marriage to Eddie Fisher that she attempted to overdose on sleeping pills The film, which had its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Tuesday, is based on 40 hours of recently discovered tapes and recordings that Taylor made in the 1960s In the most biting part of the film, Taylor says that Reynolds' shock at Fisher seeking a divorce was 'such an act' because she and Fisher were 'unhappy' despite their public image as sweethearts. The film is based on 40 hours of recently discovered tapes and recordings that Taylor made in the 1960s, when she was at the peak of her fame, with journalist Richard Meryman. There was also a 1985 interview with Dominick Dunne which is woven into the narrative. The documentary is directed by Nanette Burstein, who previously directed 'Hillary' about Hillary Clinton and 'The Kid Stays In The Picture,' about the late film producer Robert Evans, and is due to come out on HBO in August. Taylor was a celebrity from the age of 11 and became famous with her role in Lassie Come Home, which was released in 1943. She won two Academy Awards, was married eight times twice to Burton and died in 2011 having been one of Hollywood's most enduring stars. In 'The Lost Tapes,' Taylor describes how uncomfortable she was with becoming famous at such a young age. By the age of 16 she was playing 24-year-old women on screen even though inside she was just a 'terrified' young girl. At 18 she met Nicky Hilton, a socialite and heir to the Hilton Hotels fortune. He was 23 and they got married even though Taylor was 'a virgin, mentally and physically.I was not prepared to be an adult,' she says. 'I was in love with being in loveinfatuated with love,' Taylor says. As a result she made what she calls 'horrendous mistakes.' With Hilton they included 'his kicking me in the stomach and causing me to have a miscarriage,' an episode Taylor recounts with little emotion. Taylor scandalously married Fisher just three hours after he divorced actress Debbie Reynolds Taylor (left) says that Reynolds' (right) shock at Fisher (center) seeking a divorce was 'such an act' because she and Fisher were 'unhappy' despite their public image as sweethearts However, Taylor said Fisher was controlling and called it 'one big, friggin' awful mistake' Taylor says: 'The wedding was lovely. Then came disillusionment. Also a few split lips.' 'Nick was always in a tantrum. I couldn't go back to that life of such mental and physical abuse and our marriage was over and done with.' As a 19-year-old divorcee, Taylor enjoyed the first independent time of her life and she had a ball while staying at the Plaza Hotel in New York with Roddy McDowall, her co-star on Lassie who became a lifelong friend. McDowall was gay and Taylor enjoyed his company and that of other gay men including later Rock Hudson because she knew they wouldn't try to come on to her. Husband no.2 was actor Michael Wilding who Taylor calls the 'great stabilizer' as he was 20 years older than her. Wilding represented 'tranquility, security and maturity,' which were all the things Taylor was looking for in her own life. Taylor was 'dying' to have children and wanted to be a 'good wife and a splendid mother,' so she had two children with Wilding, Michael Wilding Jr. and Christopher Wilding, the first of her four kids. Taylor admits that three of the five years she was married to Wilding were not working because she 'sort of hen-pecked' and 'dominated him'. Taylor had hoped that Wilding would be the stronger of the pair but he wasn't. 'I need somebody to dominate me,' Taylor candidly admits. Taylor's third marriage was to a man who her friends called the 'love of her life.' She met Mike Todd while he was producing his first film, Around the World in 80 Days, which became a smash hit and won him an Oscar. Taylor wasn't overly attracted to the flamboyant Todd, but admired how he was a 'real con artist who could con the gold out of your teeth,' as she puts it. The day after Taylor broke up with Wilding, Todd demanded to see her in an office at MGM and gave her a speech saying he loved her and there was 'no question' they should be together. Remarkably Taylor went along with it and they wed, touring the world to promote his movie. Taylor married her first husband, Conrad Nicholas Hilton Jr, at 18 years old and said he once kicked her in the stomach to cause a miscarriage Husband number two was actor Michael Wilding, who was 20 years her senior and the father of her first two children Taylor's third marriage was to Mike Todd who her friends called the 'love of her life' but who tragically died in a plane crash in 1958 Their connection came through their mutual curiosity and because Todd, a self educated man, didn't make Taylor feel inadequate as she did in Hollywood due to her lack of formal training as an actress. In the film Taylor says that she would deliberately make Todd mad by doing things like turning up late. When he lost his temper and 'dominated' her, she would 'purr inside because he had won,' she says in the film, adding that she needs strength in a man. 'I need that quality in a man more than any other quality because I know myself and I know I will try and get away with murder.' But happiness would last little more than a year and Todd died in a plane crash in 1958 while traveling from New Mexico to New York. Taylor could have been on the plane were it not for her having a cold. While in mourning, Taylor grew close to Eddie Fisher, an actor who was best friends with Todd and was married to Debbie Reynolds, herself an actress. In the film Reynolds says that she and Fisher went to Taylor's house soon after Todd's death and found her so distraught she was 'screaming.' Reynolds took her children home and told Fisher to stay. According to Reynolds, Fisher was a 'great comfort' to Taylor and accompanied her on a trip to New York, claiming he had to be there for work. While in mourning, Taylor grew close to Eddie Fisher, an actor who was best friends with Todd, but said she 'never loved him' became depressed due to his controlling ways Taylor met Richard Burton on the set of the epic film Cleopatra where he played Mark Anthony to her Cleopatra and their affair led to a condemnation from the Vatican The late movie icon said her father Francis Taylor called her a whore for marrying Burton ten days after she divorced Fisher in 1964 'He really went to be with Elizabeth which I found out and realized there was something serious going on there,' Reynolds says. After Taylor was seen out with Fisher, the 's*** hit the fan,' Taylor admits. She says: 'I was keeping Mike alive by talking about him because Eddie was a great friend of Mike's. The only thing we had in common was Mike. 'I never loved Eddie. I liked him. I felt sorry for him. And I liked talking (to him). But he was not Mike.' They married in 1959, scandalously just three hours after Fisher divorced Reynolds. In a brutal put-down, Taylor says: 'I don't remember too much about my marriage to him (Fisher), except it was one big, friggin' awful mistake. I knew it before we were married and didn't know how to get out of it.' She also takes aim at Reynolds and says: 'I can't say anything against Debbie, but she put on such an act, with the pigtails and the diaper pins with the whole thing coming as a big shock. 'The public didn't know any of the personal unhappiness between Debbie and Eddie that I knew about. As far as they were concerned I had broken up a perfectly happy marriage.' Taylor soon became depressed due to Fisher's controlling ways. She claims in the film that he 'made sure I felt lonely' and they never went out as he didn't like her to be with other people. 'I was so desperate at one time I did take some sleeping pills,' Taylor says. 'I did it deliberately, calmly. I was fed up with living. I couldn't face the thought of divorce. I'd rather have been dead.' A doctor came to see Taylor and she recovered, leaving her 'deeply ashamed' because she was being so selfish and not thinking of her children. The first time she met Richard Burton was on the set of the epic film Cleopatra where he played Mark Anthony to her Cleopatra. Burton having the worst hangover Taylor had ever seen in a man did not put her off. For his part, Burton wasn't deterred by Taylor burping during their first encounter. In the film Burton says he was enthralled by Taylor and says she is 'queen-like, distantit's the inaccessibility of Elizabeth that makes her so exciting.' Taylor admits that she and Burton tried to keep themselves apart but they couldn't stop falling in love with each other. At the time Burton was married to actress Sybil Williams, with whom he had two children, and the ensuing scandal coincided with the release of Cleopatra in 1963 and was unlike anything the world had seen. The Vatican issued a statement condemning Taylor and saying that her children should be taken away. 'It made me want to vomit,' Taylor says, adding that the Italian FBI had to investigate after she got threats to blow her up with a bomb. Taylor began to leave Fisher but then got back together with him, only for Fisher to become even more abusive. In the film, Taylor says: 'Eddie at night time would sit up and he had a gun. 'Every time I nearly nodded off he would stroke my arm and say: "I'm not going to kill you, I wouldn't shoot you. You are much too pretty." All night long. Eventually, I ran from the house, I was so scared.' Taylor calls the situation 'desperate' for everyone involved. 'My father called me a whore,' she says, adding that she felt guilty about Burton's children for 'having inflicted such awful pain' on them. Taylor said she tried to use her fame for good and started amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, raising awareness of HIV and AIDS In her life, Taylor won two Academy Awards, was married eight times - twice to Burton - and died in 2011 having been one of Hollywood's most enduring stars She says: 'Do I think I'm going to be punished in hell? I don't think we can plan for being rewarded afterwards. We must pay on this earth, we must do our penance now.' For Taylor, that meant using her fame to start amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and raising awareness of HIV and AIDS. She says in the film that this was a way of using her fame for good, even though she was never comfortable with being a celebrity herself. Reflecting on her public image, Taylor says that she was considered to be an 'untrustworthy lady, completely superficial and too pretty.' She says: 'Maybe because of my personal life I suggest something illicit, but I am not illicit, and I am not immoral. I make mistakes, and I have paid for them. 'I know that I will never be able to pay the bill, but that is not something you can put in the story.' President John F. Kennedy took the virginity of a 19-year-old White House intern in his wife Jackie's bed before engaging in an 18-month-long affair with the young girl that continued up until his assassination in 1963. The scandal is told by DailyMail.com columnist Maureen Callahan in her new book 'Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed', which is being published exclusively by the Mail in a major new series. In 1962, JFK's right-hand man Dave Powers would invite intern Mimi Beardsley to join JFK at one of his infamous 'pool parties' an almost daily occurrence at the White House involving young female staffers. President John F. Kennedy took the virginity of a 19-year-old White House intern in his wife Jackie's bed before engaging in an 18-month-long affair with the young girl that continued up until his assassination in 1963. (Pictured: Mimi Beardsley, the White House intern). in 1962, JFK's right-hand man Dave Powers invited intern Mimi Beardsley to join JFK at one of his infamous 'pool parties' an almost daily occurrence at the White House involving young female staffers. Shortly after the swim, and just four days into her internship, Beardsley received another call from Powers, this time inviting her to an informal gathering in Kennedy's family residence. Shortly after one swim, and just four days into her internship, Beardsley received another call from Powers, this time inviting her to an informal gathering in Kennedy's family residence. There, Callahan writes, JFK 'got [Beardsley] drunk' (drinking daiquiris), before taking her on a private tour of his home. When they reached his wife Jackie's bedroom, he guided her to the bed and took her virginity. Beardsley published a book about her experience in 2011, in which she recalls: 'The next thing I knew he was standing in front of me, his face inches away. He placed both hands on my shoulders and guided me toward the edge of the bed. 'Slowly, he unbuttoned the top of my shirtdress and touched my breasts. Then he started to pull off my underwear.' She added: 'I'd always imagined that my first time would be with the man I loved on my wedding night. Could I have done anything to resist President Kennedy? I doubt it.' Mimi has professed that she does not feel guilt for her long affair with JFK who was 26 years her senior. 'I wasn't invading the Kennedys' marriage; I was merely occupying the President's time when his wife was away. If he wasn't troubled, why should I be?' she said. JFK was serially unfaithful to his wife, so much so, Callahan writes, that Jackie suspected he had even slept with her sister, Lee Radziwill. This is the shocking moment a woman randomly attacks a child before a bystander stepped in to deliver instant retribution. Surveillance footage shows a mother casually walking with her daughter on a sidewalk in Brazil as the assailant approaches them from the opposite direction. The woman suddenly extends her arm and smacks the girl in the face as they pass each other in broad daylight. The mother prepares to retaliate when her frightened daughter pulls her back just as the wild woman took another swing at them but this time missing. The woman is seen approaching the child and striking her in the face on a street in Brazil The child and her mother were visibly shaken after the stranger abruptly assaulted her in broad daylight However, a man who witnessed the attack, did not hold back and bolted toward the woman, kicking her in the mid-section. The woman immediately falls to the ground and the man tries to kick her three more times, but only connects once. She then admonishes the man and appears ready to fight him, too, when a female bystander intervenes. Other onlookers can be seen checking on the well-being of the mother and her daughter. Social media users sided with the man's decision for coming to the aid of the defenseless mother and child. A man kicks at woman while she is lying on the ground after she smacked a young girl in the face without being provoked A woman (left) was seen approaching a family on a Brazilian sidewalk before she smacked a child in the face 'That was appropriate,' one person said. Another chimed in: 'she got what she deserves.' One person claimed that the man's response should have been harsher. 'Wasn't good enough if you ask me,' they claimed. This is only the latest instance of instant karma. A video surfaced earlier this week showing the moment a woman and her friend got served instant karma after throwing eggs at a house. Footage of the incident has circulated across social media as two women quickly threw eggs and other items at a car parked in a the driveway of a Detroit, Michigan, home. As they fled the scene, one of the women frantically drove a black SUV past a stop sign and crashed into an oncoming car. Another similar incident occurred when the owner of a lifted Chevy pickup truck confidently drove straight into a ditch on a flooded dirt road in Texas, but was quickly caught out. A man (lower right) responds with force after he saw a woman (top right) hitting a young girl (bottom left) for no reason on a street in Brazil A concerned bystander attempted to do her best to warn the driver but stood by and recorded the incident on her phone as he refused to take her advice. At the start of the clip, the truck appears to plow through the deep puddle with no problem at all. But suddenly, the front end takes a dive into a massive trench concealed by the accumulated water. There was a giant splash before the truck completely stopped moving and got stuck in the mud. 'I tried to tell him,' the woman behind the camera said once it was clear the vehicle wasn't going anywhere. READ MORE: Trump visits Capitol Hill the day before his 78th birthday Former President Donald Trump is celebrating turning 78 on Friday with a birthday bash in West Palm Beach, Florida. The former president will headline a 'Club 47' event near Mar-a-Lago at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where some of his most boisterous supporters plan to don red, white and blue attire to fete the presumptive Republican nominee. The invitation showed the ex-president hugging an American flag - an homage to his Flag Day birth. Club 47's President Larry Snowden confirmed to DailyMail.com that there would be cake and a playing of the birthday song. 'All of the above. Huge birthday celebration,' he wrote in an email. Trump joins other celebrities like Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Cher and Steve Martin in the 78-club. A large Florida-based MAGA group will host former President Donald Trump at a West Palm Beach bash Friday night to mark his 78th birthday The festivities come just a few weeks after Trump became a convicted felon when a Manhattan jury found him guilty of all 34 charges related to falsification of business records for his hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. The day before heading back to Florida for his birthday, Trump was in Washington, D.C. for his first trip to the Capitol since leaving office. There he met with House and Senate GOP lawmakers where he was welcomed with them singing him Happy Birthday. With just five months until the 2024 presidential election, age has become a huge focal point. Donald Trump spent the day before turning 78 visiting Capitol Hill for the first time since leaving office. Republican lawmakers sang Happy Birthday to the leader of their party Whether Trump or President Joe Biden wins in November, both would break the record as the oldest person ever elected U.S. president. Biden currently already holds the record he was 78-years-old when he was inaugurated in January 2021 and would be 86 at the time of finishing a second term if he wins reelection. Meanwhile, if Trump wins, he would be 82 when ending a second term. A majority of Americans have repeatedly said in polling that they did not want a rematch between Trump and Biden in the 2024 election, with many claiming both were too old or mentally and physically unfit to serve. Nine years ago in 2015 Trump celebrated his 69th birthday at Trump Tower two days after announcing he was running for president in the 2016 election. When Trump was elected president in 2016, he became the oldest man to ever take office. Biden beat that record just four years later. Meanwhile, many younger Americans are not pleased that the age of U.S. politicians seems to be going up, with many holding onto their positions despite their advanced ages. Nine years ago, Trump celebrated his birthday by descending the golden escalator in Trump Tower in Manhattan to announce he was running for president in 2016 No matter if Donald Trump or Joe Biden win in 2024, it will be the oldest president ever elected to the White House in U.S. history For example, Bill Clinton, who was president in the 1990s, is slightly younger than Trump and will turn 78 in August. A handful of U.S. representatives are the same age as Trump after his Friday birthday and at least 15 are older than him. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, is the only U.S. senator that is the same age as Trump, but eight other senators of the 100 in the upper chamber are older than 78. Overall, 35 senators are 70 or older meaning more than two-thirds of the Senate are considered elderly. Trump has maintained that he is physically and mentally fit for office, claiming he has aced acuity tests and boasting he is in much better shape that the current president, who is three-and-a-half-years his senior. Biden turns 82 on November 20, just a few weeks after the 2024 presidential election. Chaos has engulfed the conservative French political party Les Republicains as the party's president was sacked for trying to forge an alliance with Marine Le Pen and barricading himself in their headquarters. France's political parties have gone into near-meltdown, after president Emmanuel Macron called a snap election on Sunday, following a dismal outcome during last weekend's European Union elections. Senior party members have announced they were expelling Eric Ciotti from the party, after he tried to cut a deal with the far-right National Rally party, which took home 31.4% of the vote. But the leadership of the party is currently disputed, as Ciotti has still refused to step down. He was seen barricading himself into the party's Paris headquarters on Wednesday, as his internal rivals sought to officially oust him from the party. The bizarre controversy began when the president of Les Republicains, Eric Ciotti (pictured), shocked his party on Tuesday night when he announced they would do a deal with Le Pen in the upcoming French election Marine Le Pen - Leader of National Rally. In calling for an alliance with Le Pen, Mr Ciotti broke the long standing cordon sanitaire in French politics - an agreement amongst the major moderate parties that they will never work with the far right In response to the calls of resignation, yesterday, Mr Ciotti locked himself inside the party's Parisian headquarters (pictured with journalists outside) allegedly to prevent a meeting of top officials where they were expected to dismiss him The President of France, Emmanuel Macron , surprised the world on Sunday when he called snap parliamentary elections in response to the victory of the far right National Rally in elections for the EU Parliament @AnnieGenevard ouvre la porte du siege des Republicains avec son double des cles. pic.twitter.com/mSPxHH7m61 Alexandre Pedro (@alexandrepedro) June 12, 2024 The anger from those he once considered his allies came after he announced on French TV on Tuesday night that the party would agree to an alliance with Le Pen. In doing so, the conservative politician broke the long standing cordon sanitaire in French politics - an agreement amongst the major moderate parties that they will never work with the far right. In response to the calls of resignation, yesterday, Ciotti locked himself inside the party's Parisian headquarters allegedly to prevent a meeting of top officials where they were expected to dismiss him. Taking to X, Mr Ciotti claimed he had closed the doors 'after receiving threats.' Party bigwigs have since announced that Mr Ciotti was no longer President and that he had been expelled from Les Republicains. But a defiant Mr Ciotti has refused to step down Mr Ciotti angered his party so much that senior members took to X to demand he resigns over the matter. Including Les Republicains Senator and President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher (pictured) who claimed he could never swallow a pact with the National Rally The implosion of Les Republicains follows opinion polls released today which suggest Le Pen's far right anti-immigration party could top the June 30 and July 7 vote, but without enough seats to win an absolute majority and govern on its own A standoff ensued outside where members of the media and Les Republican MPs alike gathered. Speaking to TV crews outside the MP Aurelien Pradie even claimed the party would call emergency services to get into the office. He said: 'We live in a democracy. People that shut themselves in their office and say "I'm never coming out". That's not possible.' Eventually, party control over the HQ was restored when Annie Genevard, Les Republicains General Secretary, arrived with a spare key to open the door - bringing the extraordinary crisis to an end. The implosion of Les Republicains follows opinion polls released today which suggest Le Pen's far right anti-immigration party could top the June 30 and July 7 vote, but without enough seats to win an absolute majority and govern on its own. Left wing parties have forged an alliance between moderate and far left parties. Meanwhile, President Macron has called for a broad coalition of centrist parties to come together to fight the far right. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal met his ministers and allies on Thursday to work on their own platform, and headed to northern France to start campaigning. He said: 'I see many French people who are worried that the extremes could run the country. 'We must convince them that we must choose our own path, which is a progressive, republican, democratic, social path.' A homeless student has beaten the odds by winning a full-ride scholarship to college despite living in a shelter and working two grueling jobs six days a week. Makoa Perez, who just graduated from Kelso High School in Washington, managed to earn superb grades thanks to his strong work ethic and time management. Despite lacking a traditional home, Perez finished school with a 3.97 GPA and myriad college credits. In his senior year of high school, the young man's hard work was rewarded with a full-ride scholarship to Washington State University. He had even volunteered his little free time to help out with community service efforts, and he was elected class president. Makoa Perez, who just graduated from Kelso High School in Washington, managed to earn superb grades thanks to his strong work ethic and time management. Despite lacking a traditional home, Perez finished school with a 3.97 GPA and myriad college credits In his senior year of high school, the hardworking young man won a full-ride scholarship to Washington State University. The homeless student even volunteered his scant free time to help out with community service efforts, and he was elected class president Throughout high school, Perez worked two jobs six days a week. His work schedule was extremely hectic, which meant he had to carve out time in which he could study. 'It was work every single day except for Fridays, and then it was all throughout the week until Saturday,' Perez said. As a full-time student, the industrious student had to pick up shifts whenever possible. This often meant working early mornings and late nights. 'I opened and closed at both my jobs,' he told KATU2. Perez didn't just go to work and do an indifferent job. Like in school, he exceled at his places of employment. At one of his jobs, he ended up a supervisor and oversaw the work of those who were younger than him. 'Managing an entire shift with a whole crew, some older, some younger with different schedules to attend to and different breaks to accommodate- it was definitely difficult.' Nancy Baldwin, the McKinney Vento supervisor, attributed the district's 100 percent graduation rate to the students' optimistic outlook Using his phone to keep a detailed schedule, Perez was able to keep track of his endless commitments and deadlines. In addition to the normal, big-picture concerns many high school students grapple with, the class president also had to answer more immediate questions, like where was he going to sleep? 'Really, it has been mostly about not only graduating high school and figuring out what I want to do after as my secondary career, but it has also been about housing and keeping myself stable.' Perez was able to seek assistance from the McKinney Vento homeless shelter program, which was signed into law by Ronald Reagan in 1987. He was placed in a shelter, where he lived with several roommates. The program helps provide homeless students with basic needs like shelter and food. In Washington, only 63.2 percent of McKinney Vento students graduated from high school- a bleak testament to the challenges these young people face. When Perez walked across the stage to receive his diploma, however, he was joined by fourteen other students in the program. The district had a 100 percent graduation rate. Nancy Baldwin, the district's McKinney Vento supervisor, attributed the success to the students' optimistic outlook. 'We support our students every step of the way...Graduation is what we expect them to do. It is their right.' Baldwin's career is centered around helping these students. For her, the most challenging part of the job is finding housing for the young people. 'I could work on that five days, eight hours a day. Housing is hard.' Perez was one of fifteen McKinney Vento students who graduated at his high school. The district had a 100 percent graduation rate Baldwin also manages the Family Resource Center, which offers the homeless students hot meals and food they can take with them. She serves as a surrogate mother for many of the young people who are without parents or guardians. When the McKinney Vento students received their diplomas, Baldwin was in the audience cheering them on. 'At graduation, I know I was the only mom there for like 10 or 11 of my kids,' she said. 'In my head, I am thinking, gosh, if a mother would just please walk through the door.' As if working two jobs were not enough, Perez volunteered at the Family Resource Center, assisting Baldwin. He treasured his time there. 'When I come in, this place lights up with warmth,' he said, before adding: 'They show kindness to everyone who walks through those doors.' Now that high school is finished, Perez is looking forward to a relatively more relaxing college experience. 'I do not have to work my first year of college, which makes me insanely happy.' A teenage boy who died after falling from a hotel's 35th floor had tragically lost his mother to a car crash just a few weeks earlier. Tyler Mason, 15, died after falling from the balcony of the Meriton Suites hotel in Parramatta, in Sydney's west, at about 11.30pm on March 14. His death was initially deemed a suicide but his heartbroken family say the teen would never have taken his own life. His mother had been travelling in a car with a male acquaintance in Queensland at the end of February when she was killed in a single-vehicle crash. Tyler's aunt Jo-Ellen Hall, who works as a mental health nurse, told Daily Mail Australia she'd been regularly checking in on her nephew after his mum's death. Tyler's mum had battled drug addiction and he'd been placed into foster homes throughout his life. Ms Hall said her nephew had tried to sabotage his placement in foster homes because he just wanted to be with his mum and 'save' her from her addiction battles. Tyler Mason, 15, died after falling from the balcony of the Meriton Suites hotel in Parramatta, in Sydney 's west, at about 11.30pm on March 14 The teenager is pictured with his mother who died in a car crash in February He was reported missing in August last year. Ms Hall said he was on the run and it's understood he was living with his mother at the time. At the time of his death, Tyler had been under the care of the Big Brown House, an organisation that helps vulnerable children and families. 'I put my nurses cap on and I said ''we need to talk about mum, how are you feeling?'' and he said ''I'm OK I knew this would happen'',' Ms Hall said. 'I said ''you wouldn't do anything silly would you?'' and Tyler said ''oh no aunty Jo, only weak people commit suicide''.' Tyler Mason was celebrating a friend's 16th birthday when he plunged to his death Tyler is seen dancing with a female friend at the party on the night of his death On the night of his death, Tyler had been celebrating a friend's 16th birthday with five other teenagers in the suite. It's understood Tyler had about three drinks over five hours yet just before 10pm, he became severely unwell, began foaming at the mouth and couldn't walk or talk properly. He fell from the balcony at about 11.28pm. Hours earlier, he'd filmed himself singing and smiling in the elevator on the way up to the hotel room. He was then seen dancing and singing along to Eminem's Without Me with a female friend. A police investigation remains ongoing into the incident - which was initially deemed a suicide. 'There's no way it was suicide,' Ms Hall said. 'It's 100 per cent clear this boy was not capable of jumping off the balcony.' Tyler fell to his death from the Meriton Suites in Parramatta (above) Tyler had filmed himself excited in the elevator up to the hotel room on March 14 Ms Hall found out about Tyler's death early in the morning after he fell from the balcony. She has since called police nearly 60 times trying to get answers into her nephew's passing. 'If it was suicide I wouldn't be doing this. There is not one part of me that thinks it was suicide, absolutely none,' she said. Tyler's aunt claims he would never have taken his own life Timeline of tragedy On the night of his death, Tyler filmed himself riding in the lift up to the 35th floor. 'You know where I'm at? Meriton Suites, my boy!' he said, appearing happy and excited about the night. Tyler was with five others in the hotel room. One was aged 18. The minors had to be signed in at reception. When Tyler started to become unwell at about 10pm a call was made to an adult family friend. That friend arrived at the Meriton but when nobody came down from the room to let him inside, he left the venue. As Tyler's condition got progressively worse throughout the night, he started vomiting, was stripped naked and put into the shower. At about 11pm, Tyler was carried to a couch in the hotel room to lie down. One of the teens in the room allegedly brandished a knife while it's understood the group were arguing and shouting loudly at each other. About half an hour later, Tyler fell from the balcony. A second call was made to the family friend at about 11.34pm, with the adult rushing back to the hotel. A call to Triple Zero was made just before midnight. Ms Hall believes Tyler may have overdosed on drugs although this has not been verified. She said as far as she knew, the other teenagers in the hotel room are yet to be formally interviewed by police and appear to be 'laying low' since the incident. The teen who allegedly brandished the knife fled the scene after Tyler's fall as they were subject to a court-ordered curfew, Daily Mail Australia understands. In the first few weeks after Tyler's death, his family were trying to come to terms with the fact he had supposedly taken his own life. 'But after the funeral, things started to come out about why was he naked and why was he foaming at the mouth?' Ms Hall said. 'We have videos of him dancing and singing happily.' Tyler was known to police and had spent time in juvenile detention, his aunt said. Ms Hall claims that after his mum died, the teenager turned his life around and returned to school. He had a 9pm curfew at the Big Brown House, with the organisation understood to have put a call into police when he didn't return. Ms Hall has said she's been calling police almost every day trying to speak to the officer in charge of the investigation but claims she is being repeatedly ignored. 'As if I am doing this for fun,' she said. A report for the coroner is due later this month. The coroner will then decide if an inquest should be held. NSW Police said they do not comment on matters before the coroner and did not answer specific questions relating to the case. The Meriton Hotel said assistance had been provided to police for their inquiries but could not comment further. The CEO of Big Brown House, Christopher Brown, said the organisation was supporting the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Police with their investigation. 'As it is an open Police investigation we are unable to make any comments at this time,' he said. 'We can confirm that our staff have followed policies and procedures and our deepest sympathies are with Tyler's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.' LIFELINE 13 11 14 BEYOND BLUE 1300 22 4636 This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Social media users last night once again targeted Penny Mordaunt's hair after the Tory was grilled in a brutal election debate. The Leader of House of the Commons was torn into by Nigel Farage in another miserable evening for the Tories in which they slipped behind the Reform leader's party in an opinion poll for the first time. At the start of the seven-way ITV debate Mr Farage gleefully boasted Reform had overhauled the Conservatives to become the opposition to Labour. Some viewers, though, were once again distracted by Ms Mordaunt's hair and couldn't help but notice it had less volume than last week's bouffant style during the BBC debate. One felt the deflated look mirrored her performance on the stage, while another jibed that ITV had saved 400 in hairspray. LAST NIGHT -- Social media users last night once again targeted Penny Mordaunt's hair saying it looked deflated during a brutal election debate LAST WEEK -- Some viewers couldn't help but notice it had less volume than last week's bouffant style during the BBC debate A third mused Ms Mordaunt's locks had increasingly flattened during the campaign trail. 'Penny, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your hair appears to have deflated quite considerably during the campaign,' one X/Twitter user said. It comes after last week people questioned whether she was trying to channel Margaret Thatcher with her hairstyle during an election debate. Columnist Ian Dunt wrote on Twitter/X last Saturday: 'She looks like she's purposefully done a Thatcher to her hair.' A journalism professor Eamonn O'Neill commented: 'Margaret Thatcher called and would like her hair back. #pennymourdant.' Commentator Darren Grimes posted: 'Pennys hair is very 1970s Lady Thatcher!'. Meanwhile other social media users used their photoshop skills to create hilarious memes about the Tory MP's bold hairstyle in tonight's debate. While others drew comparisons to bizarre hairstyles from film and TV. One social media user wrote: 'Penny Mordaunt is frightening, it's growing as I watch. I'm not going to sleep tonight.' The ITV debate viewers took to X/Twitter to poke fun at the Leader of the House of Commons One Twitter user posted: 'Let's be honest the only part of Penny Mordaunt that is 'standing up and fighting' is her bloody hair.' It was another bruising night for the Tories with a bombshell poll ahead of the ITV debate revealing Mr Farage's Reform party had overtaken the Conservatives. A YouGov survey for The Times put Reform up two points to 19 per cent, with the Tories unchanged on 18 per cent. The symbolic moment of Reform moving ahead of the Conservatives is another shattering blow to PM Rishi Sunak with just three weeks until the general election. The poll showed Labour with an 18-point lead, with Sir Keir Starmer's party backed by 37 per cent of voters. The Liberal Democrats were four points behind the Tories on 14 per cent. Commenting on the YouGov result this evening, prior to taking part in an ITV debate, Mr Farage said: 'This is the inflection point - the only wasted vote now is a Conservative vote. 'We are the challengers to Labour, we're on our way.' A defamation court case taken against a notorious vegan activist has exposed the enormous amount of money she earns from OnlyFans. Tash Peterson is making so much money posting semi-clad photos of herself that she is among its top 4 per cent of earners on the platform, WA's Supreme Court has heard. The court was told Ms Peterson earned more than $400,000 in the 2021-2022 financial year, but declared just $70,000 in business earnings to Australian Tax Office. When her bank statements were mentioned in court, she could only point to one $100 donation to an animal charity, the West Australian reported. Ms Peterson, her boyfriend Jack Higgs and her company V-Gan Booty are being sued by the owners of Bicton Veterinary Clinic over a video they put on social media in September 2021, accusing the clinic of promoting 'animal slavery'. A court case taken against notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson (pictured) has exposed the enormous amount of money she earns from OnlyFans and how little she seems to give to animal rights causes Ms Peterson (pictured) is making so much money posting semi-clad photos of herself to OnlyFans that she is among its top 4 per cent of earners, WA's Supreme Court has heard Dr Kay McIntosh and her husband Andrew claim the video damaged their reputation and that Ms Peterson and Mr Higgs created it to get publicity and make money. They claim Ms Peterson used her vegan stunts to get people to sign up to her OnlyFans account and pay her for access to her risque photos. The video, which is still on Ms Peterson's social media account, also accused Dr McIntosh of being an 'animal abuser' who 'eats her own patients'. Chief Justice Peter Quinlan said he had discovered another exhibit existed that showed V-Gan Booty had submitted a tax return for 2021-2022 of $267,000. The court heard that tax return was created by Ms Peterson's accountant. Martin Bennett, the McIntoshs' lawyer, said that figure still left around $130,000 'missing' from that financial year. V-Gan Booty was set up in December 2021 on the advice of Ms Peterson's accountant, due to the money she was making from her OnlyFans account, which had been set up about seven months earlier. Mr Bennett suggested the increase in subscribers coincided with high profile stunts Ms Peterson carried out, including at luxury stores, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The court was told Ms Peterson (pictured) earned more than $400,000 in the 2021-2022 financial year, but declared just $70,000 in business earnings to Australian Tax Office - though this figure was later disputed Ms Peterson, disagreed, saying the sharp rise in subscriptions came after a video about her OnlyFans account was posted to YouTube. Though the activist was only able to point to one definite donation to an animal rights charity on her bank statement, she said she also used a PayPal account to make donations. Some of the payments on her bank statement included receipts for buying a new car, a holiday in Italy, transfer of money to her boyfriend and a 'jet ski loan' to her father and brother, the court heard. The case continues in the WA Supreme Court. Nicotine pouches are illegal to sell in Australia Majority of imports coming from China and Europe A new nicotine product is becoming increasingly popular with young people, and parents will not be able to tell if their child is using it because they are basically invisible. Nicotine pouches, called Zyns, snus or little lip pillows, have become fashionable thanks to social media. They look like tiny tea bags filled with nicotine, with flavours including mint, bubblegum and mango. Placed discretely between your lip and gum, the nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. As the Federal Police and Border Force make a serious crackdown on the importation of single-use vapes, many of which contain nicotine, the pouches have slid in as the latest source of illegal nicotine for many young Aussies. Authorities have seized more than 1.3 million pouches so far this year, 10 times the number seized in the past two years. Nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavours and strengths and are illegal to sell in Australia (Pictured, young man with Swedish Zyn nicotine pouches) Authorities have seized more than 1.3million pouches so far this year, ten times more than in the past two years (pictured, Zyn Nicotine patches) University of Sydney tobacco control expert Becky Freeman said pouches contain either organic or synthetic nicotine. 'The range of appealing flavours, as well as the fact they can be used discreetly, may make nicotine pouches particularly attractive to young people,' the associate professor wrote earlier this year. 'The nicotine contents of some of the nicotine pouches on the market is alarmingly high.' The Therapeutic Goods Administration has not approved any pouches as a therapeutic aid to quit smoking, so they're not legal to sell in Australia. They can be imported for individual use with a prescription. The federal government banned the importation of vapes in January and increased enforcement activity. The next stage of the government's response is to outlaw domestic manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic vapes. Since the crackdown, the Australia Border Force have made huge seizures of vapes, including 400,000 devices in one hit at Sydney, seized another 200,000 vapes in the harbour city, and an 80,000 vape haul at Brisbane so far this year. Surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton has been slammed for promoting a product that promises to deter ocean predators - but critics say the gadget has little to no effect. Hamilton, 34, who was attacked by a 14-foot shark while surfing in 2003 and had her left arm amputated, posted a video to her Instagram page on Monday promoting Sharkbanz - wearable devices that claim to deter sharks and other ocean predators using an electromagnetic field. 'Sharkbanz are designed to help you overcome your fear of sharks and minimize the risk,' the video said, with a clip of her surfing. 'I'm cheering you on to overcome and have fun.' But the mother-of-four quickly was inundated with backlash on the video, with streams of viewers taking issue with not only the purported abilities of the device, but her support of it as a shark attack victim. Surfer Bethany Hamilton, 34, has been slammed for promoting Sharkbanz One person noted the recent string of shark attacks in Florida and wrote it was 'incredibly insensitive trying to capitalize on the fear'. Others shared their beliefs stating it would not appropriately protect those in the water, with one person claiming a Sharkbanz 'most likely has little to no effect.' Another compared the products to 'those scam bracelets that supposedly give some good vibes in your life,' while a fourth derided the devices as 'gimmicks' like 'shark repellants to even thinking that certain colors attract sharks.' 'The true bottom line is... if you are so afraid of sharks don't go in the water,' he wrote. Josh Schellenberg, an underwater photographer who often takes close-up pictures of sharks, also claimed Sharkbanz are 'great for a false sense of security.' The company says that its $128 devices create powerful electromagnetic fields that alerts a shark's sensory organ 'to stay away.' Hamilton is now partnering with Sharkbanz on its first Signature Edition line of its Sharkbanz 2 product and 'to promote mindfulness in all areas of our lives,' according to the company's website. Critics claim the wearable devices have little to no effect in reducing shark attacks But Schellenberg noted that in 2016, a 16-year-old South Florida surfer Zack Davis was wearing one of the devices when a black-tip shark attacked him and bit into his right arm. 'It was supposed to keep sharks away, and the first time I wore it I got bit,' Davis told CBS 12 of the device he got for Christmas. He spent 24 hours in the hospital, and had to receive 44 stitches. Schellenberg also claimed that one of his friends was testing out the products and wound up 'hand-feeding' the sharks. 'When it didn't stop the sharks from approaching him, he fed one and gave another one nose rubs,' Schellenberg wrote. 'The sharks didn't care he was wearing it!' At that point, another replied that he studies natural and electro magnets, and reviewed some research on Sharkbanz. 'Realistic[ally], the shark would have to be smaller in size and literally up against it to feel any sort of sensation.' Another Instagram user said it was 'incredibly insensitive' for Hamilton 'to capitalize on the fear instilled' from recent shark attacks in Florida In fact, a 2018 peer-reviewed study determined that Sharkbanz 'had limited or no measurable effect on white shark behavior.' And Daryl McPhee, an associate professor at Bond University in Australia who received government funds to study unprovoked shark attacks told Forbes that Sharkbanz and other similar devices have undergone 'only limited independent testing' that shows 'a very limited deterrent effect'. Sharkbanz executives, however, have defended their products - with co-founder Nathan Garrison telling DailyMail.com that hundreds of customers have had 'incredible experiences' and have said the devices 'possibly saved their lives.' He noted that the company has already been around for 10 years, and said scientists spent two decades perfecting the technology. T he company has hours worth of footage showing its products deterring sharks - including a 10-foot long hammerhead, he claimed. 'Several individuals have called to tell me the product possibly saved their lives, expressing sincere thanks,' he told Forbes. 'Navy SEALs, Coast Guard rescue and foreign military operations use Sharkbanz because they have seen the effects and enjoyed the benefits.' Sharkbanz claims its devices produce powerful electromagnetic fields that alerts a shark's sensory organ 'to stay away' Garrison also claimed that Davis accidentally landed near the shark after he fell on a wave and provoked it when he was bit in 2016, and argued that the 2018 peer-reviewed study was flawed. He claimed it was funded by one of their competitors, which also helped design the experiments - which he said did not apply the product correctly. The bait the scientists were using was a tuna gill, which can be very attractive to a shark, and the device was placed too far away from the bait to be effective. 'The intention is not to stop a great white from eating a tuna head when it's right in front of it,' Garrison said, arguing that the study should be taken 'with a grain of salt.' Other, 'extensive' studies, he said, have proven the products are successful at deterring sharks. 'It is a proven fact beyond any reasonable doubt that our products (and strong permanent magnets) create avoidance behavior in sharks,' Garrison told DailyMail.com. 'This is indisputable.' Still, he admitted that the devices are not 100% effective and 'never will be.' 'But I'd much rather use something that's proven to reduce my chances than rely on luck alone,' he said. DailyMail.com has approached Hamilton for comment. It was a wintry Thursday night when the police alert reached the news desk: model and mum-of-two Shereen Kumar had vanished from her Sydney home. According to the press release, Shereen, 43, had last been seen leaving her Dural property about 24 hours earlier - around 9pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 - wearing only pyjamas and a dressing gown. Her boyfriend Vincent Carlino, 39, claimed she had left the property on foot and did not take her phone. He insisted that he'd looked everywhere he could for her - and just couldn't find her. But the words didn't sound right coming out of his mouth. I should know - he spoke them to me, as a journalist seeking more information on the crime, hours after police launched a massive search for Shereen. That chilling conversation will haunt me forever. Shereen Kumar, 42, is pictured with Vincent Carlino, 39. She was the director of Mad Dogs & Englishmen in Chatswood, while he was the franchisee of the company's Hornsby chain Unusual 'disappearance' Shereen was a strikingly beautiful mother of two young children who was a model and the director of a dog walking chain, Mad Dogs & Englishmen. She was divorced from her ex-husband and in a new relationship with Carlino, who was also a franchisee for the same company. It sounded bizarre for someone to march out into a cold, dark winter life, without her phone, car, or - at the very least - a torch and not return. In Dural, an affluent semi-rural suburb on the city's northwestern outskirts, sprawling houses sit on acreages, far from neighbours. The landscape is pitch black at night and public transport is limited. When I called Carlino's mobile number, seeking more information, he was cold and defensive, and only expressed his worries for Shereen as an afterthought. Shereen, a beloved mother of two, was a part-time model and businesswoman Pictured: The Dural property where Shereen was killed in July 2022 'Yeah, I am at the police station right now,' Carlino said. 'I have told the police all of the places I think she could be!' Me: 'So she left the house at 9pm in her pyjamas and you have not seen her since?' Carlino: 'Yeah, she didn't take her phone or the van.' Me: 'That is very concerning. You must be worried.' Carlino: 'Yeah. I'm extremely worried.' The conversation ended with me telling Carlino to reach out if anything further came to mind that may help with the public appeal to find her. Unsurprisingly, he never did. Just two days later, Carlino was arrested and charged with murder after detectives found Shereen's body in nearby bushland, wrapped in plastic. While legal issues prevented media from disclosing Carlino's previous criminal record at the time, it can now be revealed he had a history of violence against women. Carlino (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia he was 'extremely worried' about his partner. In reality, he had murdered her hours earlier and dumped her body in bushland 'One step above the devil' Last month, Carlino pleaded guilty to murdering Shereen on the night he claimed she disappeared. The court heard the pair had been in a tumultuous on-again off-again relationship for 17 months. According to agreed facts, the couple been arguing on WhatsApp in the weeks preceding Shereen's death, with Carlino describing himself as a 'manipulative a**hole that doesnt deserve love or cannot give love'. During one of their arguments, he told Shereen that he was 'just one step above the devil'. On the day she died, the pair fought about dog walking and their relationship. Shereen attended an online video therapy session that afternoon, with her therapist later telling police she appeared distracted and concerned. It was the last time she was seen alive by someone other than Carlino. Carlino later bombarded her with 123 calls in 42 minutes. Sometime between 7.19pm and 9.38pm that evening, he killed her at her home by hitting, then choking her. He then shoved her body in his work van and dumped her in nearby bushland, wrapped in plastic. He then attempted to hide her by covering her with branches. Carlino then called police the next morning and claimed Shereen had left the house to go for a walk in her pyjamas to 'get fresh air', but had never returned. Detectives discovered hours into the investigation that Shereen had been living in fear. He also claimed he had searched for her after she went missing, but the route he provided did not match his phone's location data. That was the discrepancy which led detectives to Shereen's body. Carlino has been in custody since his arrest. He is due to be sentenced on December 9 and could face life in prison. Devastated friends and loved ones gathered in Kenthurst Park, in Sydney's north-west, (pictured) on July 24, 2022 for a candlelit vigil in honour of Shereen Friend Erica Wadlow-Smith (pictured at the vigil) recalled her fond memories with Shereen as she described the mother-of-two's 'wide smile, enthusiasm and can-do attitude' Mind-games then murder As Carlino awaits his fate in court, Shereen continues to be remembered as a strong woman, loving mother, and great friend by her heartbroken loved ones. Friend Erika Wadlow-Smith described Shereen as a 'stunning, intelligent creature' with the best laugh in the world. 'She would throw her head back, and it would just fall out of her,' Ms Wadlow-Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald last month. Ms Wadlow-Smith said she was baffled as to why Shereen chose to date Carlino, but believes he took advantage of her kind-hearted nature and playing mind-games with her. Ms Wadlow-Smith said politicians need to do more to combat coercive control, an insidious form of domestic violence. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, as of 2024, 23 per cent of Australian women (2.3 million) and 14 per cent of men (1.3 million) have experienced emotional abuse by a current or previous partner. 'I really want people to know is, dont think domestic violence only happens to weak or easily led, vulnerable women,' Ms Wadlow-Smith said. 'Because Shereen Kumar was astute and intelligent. She was nobodys fool.' Shereen's ex-husband Gurpreet Beehan described her as a devoted and adoring mother to their two children. He vowed to ensure she would get justice. 'She was an incredible mother to our kids and she will be missed forever,' Mr Beehan previously told Daily Mail Australia. 'This crime has left us all devastated. 'No one can replace a mother.' For confidential support 24/7 contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800 Respect Key visa applications have plummeted by more than 30 per cent after the Tories introduced major curbs. Home Office data showed the overall number of migrants and their dependants who applied for three main types of visa fell by nearly a third year-on-year. It included a 79 per cent drop in the number of student dependants who applied for a visa after the route was restricted in January to families of research postgraduates only. In the first five months of 2023, 46,700 student dependants applied to come here compared with just 9,700 in the same period this year. Home Secretary James Cleverly (pictured) said: We have been clear that immigration has been too high thats why weve taken bold action to bring numbers down and todays statistics show the plan is working Home Office data showed the overall number of migrants and their dependants who applied for three main types of visa fell by nearly a third year-on-year (stock photo) The number of foreign care workers who applied to bring family members to the UK also fell from 78,600 in the first five months of last year to 61,600. Earlier this week, the Conservative Partys election manifesto pledged further curbs, including introducing a migration cap which would bring numbers down every year. Home Secretary James Cleverly said: We have been clear that immigration has been too high thats why weve taken bold action to bring numbers down and todays statistics show the plan is working. He added: Keir Starmer has no plan to reduce immigration he only dreams of a sweetheart deal with the EU which would see us take more, not fewer, migrants. He cannot be trusted to control our borders and would take us back to square one. The number of foreign care workers who applied to bring family members to the UK also fell from 78,600 in the first five months of last year to 61,600 (stock photo) Overall, across the three visa routes which have been reformed, there were 207,900 applications in the first five months of this year down from 304,700 in the same period last year. In 2023, net migration the difference between the number of migrants coming to live in Britain and those emigrating was 685,000, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics. A top expert also said last month that reforms already introduced by the Conservatives have a fighting chance of slashing net migration to as low as 150,000 a year. Chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee Professor Brian Bell said they could trigger an enormous drop in numbers coming to Britain, particularly among students. Russian warships reached Cuba this week ahead of planned military exercises in echos of the cold-war missile crisis. The fleet, made up of a frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug, crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean. US officials expect the ships to remain in the region through the summer and possibly also stop in Venezuela. Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean. But this mission comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to use US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to protect Kharkiv. Russian warships reached Cuba this week ahead of planned military exercises in echos of the cold-war missile crisis The fleet, made up of a frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug, crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean US officials expect the ships to remain in the region through the summer and possibly also stop in Venezuela Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean The warships are a reminder to Washington that it is unpleasant when an adversary meddles in your near abroad, said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank. Although the fleet includes a nuclear-powered submarine, a senior US administration official said that the intelligence community has determined no vessel is carrying nuclear weapons. Russian ships have occasionally docked in Havana since 2008, when a group of Russian vessels entered Cuban waters in what state media described as the first such visit in almost two decades. In 2015, a reconnaissance and communications ship arrived unannounced in Havana a day before the start of discussions between US and Cuban officials on the reopening of diplomatic relations. A US State Department spokesman said that Russias port calls in Cuba are routine naval visits. Labour unveiled its manifesto for change yesterday but provided scant detail about how it would achieve its aims. Sir Keir Starmers blueprint was criticised as a plan for a plan which promises a dizzying number of reviews and strategies. The Tories said that despite Labour stating the time for reviews is over, it announced 16 new reviews in its manifesto, bringing the total number of audits the party has called for in recent years to a staggering 103. Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said: This is a manifesto that promises a dizzying number of reviews and strategies to tackle some of the challenges facing the country. That is better than a shopping list of half-baked policy announcements. But delivering genuine change will almost certainly also require putting actual resources on the table. Meanwhile, charity Age UK said Labours social care pledges amounted to a plan for a plan as it called for care workers to be paid more fairly. And Kate Dove, chairman of Momentum which was set up to campaign for Jeremy Corbyn, said its vows fall short of what is needed to fix the Tories broken Britain. Labour unveiled its manifesto for change yesterday but provided scant detail about how it would achieve its aims Labour's shadow cabinet at yesterday's manifesto launch. The 131-page document which contained some 33 pictures of Sir Keir contains pledges on the economy, the NHS, immigration, crime, education, Lords reform, the environment, housing and transport Sir Keir Starmers blueprint was criticised as a plan for a plan which promises a dizzying number of reviews and strategies The 131-page document which contained some 33 pictures of Sir Keir contains pledges on the economy, the NHS, immigration, crime, education, Lords reform, the environment, housing and transport. On the economy, the party ruled out hiking income tax, national insurance and VAT and vowed to cap corporation tax at 25 per cent. But it did not rule out council tax revaluation, raids on capital gains tax or unfreezing fuel duty. It plans to raise 7 billion from tax and has committed to charging VAT on private school fees and abolishing the non-dom tax status. On health, it promises to cut waiting lists with an extra 40,000 NHS appointments a week. An extra 8,500 mental health staff will be recruited, funding increased for scanners and plans introduced to recruit new dentists. The party will also create Great British Energy, a state-owned clean power firm, funded by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies. It will invest in upgrades to five million homes to cut bills, and in grants and loans to homeowners. Labour has also pledged to build an extra 1.5million new homes and bring back the 2030 deadline for a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. It has also vowed to fix a million potholes a year. Taking rail contracts back into public ownership is another pledge. Sir Keir also set out plans to recruit 6,500 teachers and aims to guarantee that all 18- to 21-year-olds have training, apprenticeships or help to find work. The manifesto commits the party to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP when economic circumstances allow. Labour will also back Ukraine against Russia and support recognising a Palestinian state. Elsewhere, the party pledges to bring forward legislation to abolish hereditary peers and seek justice for victims of infected blood. Lowering the voting age is 'attempt to rig system' In a bid to increase the engagement of young people in our vibrant democracy, the voting age would be lowered for all elections Labour will give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote, the partys manifesto confirms. In a bid to increase the engagement of young people in our vibrant democracy, the voting age would be lowered for all elections. The Tories last night accused Labour of trying to rig the voting system and warned that foreign citizens would be next. Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis said: Keir Starmer is trying to rig the voting system to give him a blank cheque to do what Labour always does raise your taxes. Under-18s cannot drink, serve on a jury, or get married. But yet Labour are all too happy to collect their votes. Changing gender to be made easier than ever A pledge to make changing gender easier was branded harmful last night amid warnings it will undermine womens rights. Labour has promised to modernise, simplify, and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law. Maya Forstater, boss of human rights charity Sex Matters, said the plans are deeply worrying and amount to self-ID through the back door. Campaigners also warned that a pledge to ban conversion therapy risked criminalising those who sought to treat children questioning their gender in a compassionate way. Kate Barker, chief executive of the LGB Alliance, said: Therapists should not be criminalised for exploring the reasons someone feels uncomfortable in their body. A pledge to make changing gender easier was branded harmful last night amid warnings it will undermine womens rights. Labour has promised to modernise, simplify, and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law Rwanda axe is confirmed The Rwanda asylum scheme would be abandoned, Labours manifesto states. Money earmarked for the programme to remove illegal migrants, including cross-Channel small boat arrivals, would be used to fund a new Border Security Command. This unit will feature hundreds of new investigators, intelligence officers and cross-border police officers and cost 75 million a year. Business backlash over work rights shake-up A law radically changing workplace rights will be introduced within the first 100 days of a Labour government, the partys manifesto promises. It will include banning exploitative zero hours contracts, ending fire and rehire, and introducing basic rights from day one for parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal. But businesses last night joined the Tories to criticise the proposals. A senior business source told the Mail: Labour is walking into a deteriorating jobs market with no idea what to do except pile costs and pointless paperwork onto businesses. Conservative small business minister Kevin Hollinrake said French-style union laws will hammer small businesses... destroying jobs alongside the 2,094 tax raid on hardworking families. Pledge to halve violent crime Labour promised to return law and order to our streets by halving knife crime and violence against women within a decade. Third on the partys five missions to rebuild Britain is a pledge to halve serious violent crime, but the document appears to be short on detail of how this could be achieved. Vowing to restore visible neighbourhood policing, Labour aims to recruit an extra 13,000 constables, and police and community support officers. Equality plan panned as 'bonanza for lawyers' Labours manifesto reaffirmed a commitment to enshrine in law the full right to equal pay for Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority people [and] strengthen protections against dual discrimination New race equality laws first announced on the anniversary of George Floyds death would be brought in. Labours manifesto reaffirmed a commitment to enshrine in law the full right to equal pay for Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority people [and] strengthen protections against dual discrimination. It pledged to reverse a downgrading of monitoring anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate. Labour would also introduce dual discrimination under the plans whereby employees would be able to bring a single claim of, for example, sexism and racism if they feel they have been subject to both. Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch blasted Labours plans as a bonanza for dodgy, activist lawyers. A coalition of media companies has warned that the BBC's plans to run adverts on its podcasts would be 'devastating' for the UK's creative industry. The group, including Daily Mail publisher DMG Media, has written to Labour to raise concerns that the move would have a 'significant adverse impact on fair and effective competition'. In a letter to Labour's culture spokesman Thangam Debbonaire, industry leaders and smaller producers highlight their 'deep concern' over the proposals and urge her to keep the issue under review. The BBC is looking into 'monetising' its podcasts on third-party platforms such as Spotify and Apple by inserting adverts. A coalition of media companies has written to Labour to raise concerns that the move would have a 'significant adverse impact on fair and effective competition' (stock photo) The BBC is looking into 'monetising' its podcasts on third-party platforms such as Spotify and Apple by inserting adverts. (Pictured, the British Broadcasting Corporation headquarters building on Portland Place) A phased implementation could begin late this year. Other shows such as The Archers, In Our Time and Desert Island Discs could be included later. The letter is backed by 15 firms and organisations, including News UK, Telegraph Media Group and Radiocentre, commercial radio's industry body. It says the BBC's plans 'fundamentally undermine' the 'existing model', where the corporation is funded by the licence fee and is 'provided free of advertising across all platforms'. The group warns: 'The impact of the BBC extracting audio advertising funds from the nascent UK podcasting market would be devastating, especially for the numerous small independent podcast producers.' It also says that the move would risk setting a 'significant precedent' for the broadcaster and argued that such a decision while the BBC's funding was under review would be 'pre-emptive'. Last month, the coalition also wrote to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer to highlight 'deep concerns' over the plan. The BBC has said it is exploring introducing adverts on selected non-news podcasts on commercial platforms and that this does not affect the BBC's audio platforms. Jeremy Hunt yesterday became the latest senior Conservative to warn voters that backing Reform UK risks handing Labour an 'even bigger majority'. The Chancellor conceded that there was 'a lot of frustration' over the issue of immigration as 'we haven't yet been able to stop the boats', adding that he sympathised with people who want to 'hold the guys at the top to account'. But he warned that a vote for Nigel Farage's insurgent party only increases the risk of avowed 'socialist' Sir Keir Starmer winning the keys to Downing Street with a record victory. 'And that is the polar opposite of what most Reform voters want,' Mr Hunt said. The Chancellor conceded that there was 'a lot of frustration' over the issue of immigration as 'we haven't yet been able to stop the boats'. (Jeremy Hunt talks at the final hustings of the Conservative leadership campaign at ExCeL London on July 17, 2019) Mr Hunt warned that a vote for Nigel Farage 's insurgent party only increases the risk of avowed 'socialist' Sir Keir Starmer winning. (Chancellor Of The Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt delivers a speech on May 17, 2024) It comes after a string of Conservative figures issued blunt warnings about the danger of delivering a landslide to Labour in a high-risk shift of strategy. The new approach is designed to convince Tory voters flirting with Reform that they risk handing unconstrained power to Sir Keir, who has said little about his plans for government. On Wednesday, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the Tories are fighting to prevent Sir Keir Starmer from winning a 'super-majority' which would hand 'unchecked' power to a party whose 'plans are so vague... you have no idea what they actually want to change'. And former attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox has warned: 'If you believe the polls... we are sleepwalking into a one-party socialist state. The consequences would be horrific, not just for the Conservative Party and for the country, but also for Labour because having an opposition is important.' Keir Starmer delivers a speech on stage during the launching of Labour Party election manifesto, in Manchester Speaking to Politico's Power Play podcast, Mr Hunt was asked whether he was 'worried' about the polls showing Reform was closing in on the Tories. He said: 'All a vote for Reform does is give Labour an even bigger majority.' Mr Hunt told the podcast: 'We have to present to people what the real choice is, and the choice is a Conservative government or a Labour government. If you vote for Reform, the Liberal Democrats or the Greens, the impact will be a much bigger Labour majority.' He insisted that the choice was between higher taxes under Labour or lower ones under his party. 'We will do the hard work to bring down taxes... and I think that a Labour government would not,' he said. The country's most senior police officer has called for 'outrageous' gaps in hate crime law, which he said allows people to lawfully stir up racial and religious hatred, to be closed. Sir Mark Rowley, who leads the Metropolitan Police, said it was 'startling' that people could stir hatred if they 'avoid being threatening or abusive'. The Met has faced controversy over its policing of hate crimes and protests in London surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Sir Mark facing calls to resign. The force has come under pressure from senior Conservatives, including former home secretary Suella Braverman, and campaign groups to ban large pro-Palestinian demonstrations something the police chief said was not possible as the legal threshold for a ban had not been met. Sir Mark Rowley (pictured), who leads the Metropolitan Police , said it was 'startling' that people could stir hatred if they 'avoid being threatening or abusive' The force has come under pressure from senior Conservatives , including former home secretary Suella Braverman , and campaign groups to ban large pro-Palestinian demonstrations The Met has faced controversy over its policing of hate crimes and protests in London surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Sir Mark facing calls to resign Sir Mark, who was discussing the challenges of policing the protests on the latest episode of the A Muslim and a Jew Go There podcast, was asked by co-host Baroness Sayeeda Warsi how police would respond if 'a Jewish person used the Y-word, or if I use the P-word, or a black person used the N-word, or if an Asian person used the C-word, coconut'. The police chief said that he was 'quite struck with some of the sort of gaps in hate crime laws' when he worked on an extremism report before rejoining the Met as Commissioner. He said: 'There are some things that are quite startling. 'It is perfectly lawful at the moment to intentionally stir up racial and religious hatred as long as you avoid being threatening or abusive.' Co-host, comedian and screenwriter David Baddiel said: 'But that seems impossible?' To which Sir Mark responded: 'It's outrageous isn't it.' The police chief said that he was 'quite struck with some of the sort of gaps in hate crime laws'. (Sir Mark Rowley speaks at the Policy Exchange in 2023) The Met Police website currently defines a hate crime as: 'Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.' Sir Mark has previously said he would support a review into the legal definition of extremism and how it should be policed following criticism over the force's handling of recent pro-Palestinian protests in London. Explaining the legislation surrounding demonstrations, the Commissioner told the podcast: 'So, basically a gathering, there is no power to ban a protest gathering whatsoever. 'A march, so a moving gathering, there is a power in extremis to ban but we're nowhere near that threshold. He continued: 'If you listen to public rhetoric, you'd think we have the power to vanish this away, even if that was a good idea, which we don't.' A North Carolina doctor is working to rebuild his life and help other patients, just two years after he was left paralyzed from a rare syndrome after contracting Covid. Dr. William Dugal, now 34, caught the virus after attending a wedding with his wife and infant daughter over Labor Day weekend in 2022, NBC News reports. He soon learned he had a rare post-viral condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome, and within a matter of days he lost all ability to move, swallow or breathe unassisted. Dugal wasn't sure he was going to survive, and said he 'made peace that I was likely going to die.' But Dugal persisted, and after several months he was able to start to move again. Dr. William Dugal, now 34, became paralyzed shortly after contracting Covid in 2022 once he returned from a wedding with his wife and infant daughter He soon learned he had a rare post-viral condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome Dugal's troubles began in September 2022, just as everything was going well for him and his wife, Rebecca. She had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Caroline, and he had just finished a surgical residency, and had accepted a position as a private practice general surgeon, according to WFMY. But after they attended a wedding over Labor Day weekend, Dugal started to notice some worrying signs. 'He said he felt like his toes were kind of numb, and we thought it was from chasing all the cousins around because he was wearing boots and everything [at the wedding], but it quickly progressed,' Rebecca told the local news station. 'I remember we were going through the airport and he was really struggling. He just continued to decline, his back pain was really bad.' Within a few days, Dugal said he could no longer walk. 'I knew there was something significantly wrong,' he recounted. His wife had recently had a baby girl, and he was set to begin a new job when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome Dugal then went to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist hospital, where he was informed he had Guillain-Barre syndrome - a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the layer around the nerves, called the myelin, and causing nerve damage. Most people recover or have minor symptoms, but the condition can also be fatal - especially if the paralysis spreads to the muscles used to breathe. There is no cure or definitive treatment, so doctors usually offer supportive measures. 'You don't know how severe it's going to get and you don't know how long it's going to last,' Dugal explained. 'They were two kinds of anxiety for me.' But as a doctor, Dugal said he was 'keenly aware' of how bad his situation was. 'It was a very humbling feeling when you realize you're at the mercy of the process and you have to accept whatever comes.' Dugal's symptoms worsened over the course of a month at the hospital Unfortunately, Dugal said, his symptoms worsened over the course of a month at the hospital 'with complication after complication.' He soon became completely paralyzed and couldn't swallow or breathe unassisted. 'I couldn't move my eyes and blink. And as that's happening, I can't express enough the fear and uncertainty I had,' he said. Dugal then had to be put on a ventilator, and he wasn't sure he was going to ever recover. 'I made peace that I was likely going to die,' he told NBC News. 'I looked at [my wife] and told her to take care of our daughter.' After he was put on a ventilator, Dugal said he made his peace 'that I was likely going to die' He would go on to spend two weeks on the ventilator, after which he developed pneumonia and both of his lungs collapsed. As a result, his oxygen levels became dangerously low, and he wasn't getting enough oxygen to is brain - which could be fatal. He began to code one night, and the doctors placed him on an ECMO machine - which takes over heart and lung functions. Dugal was on the machine for about nine days before he was placed back on the ventilator - but was still unable to speak, wiggle his toes or blink. 'I was completely trapped in my own body and sitting there, staring at the same spot on the wall.' Things got worse when he lost his contact with a surgical practice because he couldn't start on time. Dugal lost 60 pounds and was still being fed through a feeding tube when he started in-patient rehabilitation Doctors eventually recommended he be sent to an in-patient rehab, but the only one that would accept him with a ventilator was in Houston, Texas. So, Dugal took an air ambulance to TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston. The first few days proved to be even tougher. Dugal lost 60 pounds and was still being fed through a feeding tube because he was too weak to swallow. He still couldn't sit up alone or leave the bed - but he soon made some small progress. 'I remember the first time I could kind of wiggle my big toe,' he said. 'It was the most unexciting thing you've ever seen.' Dugal spent another two months at the hospital, but still needed in-home physical, occupational and speech therapy to relearn daily tasks. 'I was trying to get back my life skills - to be able to get dressed, to eat by myself... tie [my] shoes, pick up objects.' Finally, a full nine months after his shock diagnosis, Dugal was able to walk again. And as his mobility came back, Rebecca got him a virtual reality set to practice his surgical skills. In July 2023, Dugal returned to work - at the same hospital where he recovered By July 2023, Dugal returned to work - at the same hospital where he recovered. He started in a lab where surgical studies were being conducted, then started an ECMO fellowship where, for almost a year now, he has been 'putting patients on the same treatment that saved me at the same hospital,' he said. 'It was great to be able to work with the same people who saved me - therapists and surgeons,' he told NBC News. In the end, he said, the experience has made him a more caring doctor. 'I have more empathy and a better understanding of the patient's experience,' Dugal said. 'I hope that I can provide that same compassion and support to other people in similar situations.' Police are trolling though more than 52,000 photos and 7,500 videos stored on the phone of a teen accused of carrying out a terrorist attack at a Sydney church, as the boy is hit with new charges, a court has heard. The 16-year-old boy appeared before Parramatta Childrens Court on Friday charged with committing a terrorist act following an investigation by the AFP, ASIO, and NSW Police. Police allege the teen, who cannot be named, stabbed Assyrian church bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel multiple times at Hope the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney's west on April 15. Another man allegedly suffered lacerations after church members rushed to restrain the teen, with the frenzied alleged incident livestreamed by the church during its service. The teenager has been charged over the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. Picture: Supplied The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution representative told the court they were examining the stash of photos and videos "for the purpose of designation of terrorism evidence". The representative said the material would take time to examine and went on to warn parallel proceedings for forensic order for evidence from the scene could also delay the proceedings. The court was also told the teen now faces a further two charges, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder in relation to the alleged attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. The second additional charge - wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm - relates to injuries allegedly inflicted by the teen on Father Isaac Royel that same night. He was refused bail to reappear before the court for brief service order in just over a month on July 26. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel speaks at the Wakeley church on April 28, 2024. Picture: Supplied Police allege the teen travelled about 90 minutes to the western Sydney church to carry out the attack, and if convicted faces a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The court was previously told the boy, who was remanded into custody having been refused bail, had a history of behaviour consistent with mental illness or intellectual disability. A further six teenagers aged between 15 and 17 who police allege were in a network with the alleged stabber have also been charged by officers with terrorism-related offences. Police additionally have charged 29 people, five of them as recently as Thursday, over an alleged riot sparked by the attack during which multiple police cars were damaged. The 29 people are not accused of involvement in terrorist activity. Despite the sweeping arrest, police on Friday reiterated calls for assistance in identifying a further seven people investigators believe may be able to assist in their inquiries. More to come. Australia is rushing towards becoming a cashless society but not everyone is ready to wave goodbye to physical currency - and there are good reasons why. The Covid pandemic supercharged a trend toward digital transactions that was already underway, with the use of digital wallet payments on smartphones and watches soaring from $746million in 2018 to more than $93billion in 2022. By the end of 2022 cash only accounted for 13 per cent of Australian consumer payments compared to 70 per cent in 2007. 'The shift towards a cashless society in Australia isn't just a possibility, it's already well underway,' RMIT Associate Professor in Finance Angel Zhong said. While Dr Zhong did not see banknotes disappearing completely, she believed they will become much rarer in day-to-day transactions. 'The functionally cashless society is where we enjoy the convenience of technology - we don't have to go out with a bunch of cash, we can use our phone and smartwatch to make payments,' she told Daily Mail Australia. As more Australians embrace the trend a growing number of retailers are only accepting digital payments. Major banks continue to close branches, shrink ATM numbers and are even opening 'cashless' branches, citing a customer preference for online services. However, going electronic has its own sets of risks and could badly disadvantage some sections of the population. Here are the 10 major concerns of going cashless. RMIT Associate Professor in Finance Angel Zhong says legislation in Australia is trailing behind developments in electronics payment 1. It can leave out older Australians or others not digitally connected Dr Zhong said the strongest adopters of digital payments were Australians aged between 18 and 29. 'Two-thirds of them use digital wallets,' she said. However, many older Australians still preferred to pay in physical currency with almost one in five classified as a 'high-cash user'. Dr Zhong said as Australia needed provide 'better support for other age groups to embrace technology, better literacy about systems in technology as well as financial assistance' for those struggling with the transition to digital payments. Those on lower incomes and new migrants also typically rely more on cash. 2. It relies on internet coverage and reliable connectivity Rural areas with slow internet can find digital transactions challenging. However a major Commonwealth Bank outage in July demonstrated the vulnerability of digital finance even in urban areas. Customers were left paralysed by the technical glitch and unable to access their accounts, transfer funds or use their cards to make purchases. Dr Zhong said governments needed to support investment in infrastructure that boosted internet coverage and speeds to smooth the way for the digital revolution. 3. Some areas of the cash economy will suffer Charity donations given on the street are dwindling because fewer people are carrying cash and the those who beg or busk for a living face the same problem, research conducted in 2020 found. 'While retailers and online merchants have benefited from cashless payment options, donation-seekers are left rattling an empty cup,' wrote University of Massachusetts' Spencer M. Ross and Auckland University of Technology's Sommer Kapitan. 'Aside from people carrying less cash, our research suggests another major reason is that people simply don't expect to see beggars or buskers with a swipe machine, or a QR code or Venmo symbol on their signs.' 4. 'Hidden' fees Digital transactions often attract a fee, which might not be obvious at the time of purchase. Warwick Ponder, the former executive manager of corporate affairs and communications at eftpos Payments Australia, told Daily Mail Australia that Paywave devices often levied a delayed credit surcharge. Mr Ponder advised customers to avoid tapping as much as possible, as there could be a significant period of time before the money deducted registers in their account. Banks also typically charge a higher fee for 'tap-and-go' purchases than for EFTPOS, with only cash attracting no extra cost. 5. Hacking and scams It is estimated that Australians lost more than $2billion to online scams in 2021 - but the true figure could be much higher due to many incidents going unreported. Major cybersecurity breaches of Optus and Medibank last year also highlighted the risk of identity theft online. UNSW Institute for Cyber-Security director Nigel Phair told Daily Mail Australia that the nation 'has to do a lot better when it comes to cyber-crime'. ' The Australian Cyber-Security Centre said they had about 63,000 reports (of scams) last year, I reckon that's about a fifth of what the actual number is. 'The ACCC had about $2billion in reported losses from scams. I reckon that's nowhere near the right amount.' 6. Lagging legislation Regulation of electronic payments often lags behind technological and market innovations. Google Pay and Apple Pay are currently not subject to the same rules as credit cards and EFTPOS transactions. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is updating legislation to change this. 'That payments Act is actually out of date,' Dr Zhong said. 'We need to regulate to ensure that we have an industry-wide standard to ensure that consumers' wellbeing and security are protected.' 7. Losing the value of money and less social interaction Finance commentator Sarah Wells told Daily Mail Australia that children won't learn the true value of money and miss out on crucial social interactions if all transactions become digital. 'I believe it is better for children to use cash,' Ms Wells said. 'Giving a child $20 and taking them to a shopping centre or the movies helps them to learn to budget and helps them to make decisions by thinking more carefully. 'There's a responsibility in handing over money and such valuable social interaction - they learn to say 'please' and 'thank you' and look people in the eye.' 8. Loss of independent spending power Ms Wells also warned that having 'a cash-starved society' could be bad news for those whose finances are being controlled or denied by someone else. Ms Wells said young women who were fleeing domestic violence needed to be kept in mind when regulating digital payments. Women in these circumstances risk being tracked by an abusive partner or being cut off from their finances. 'We need to make sure we are not compromising the safety, education and experience of minority groups and young minds in our endeavours to legislate contemporary payment platforms,' she said. Australia is rapidly going cashless with digital payments being enthusiastically adopted, especially by younger consumers 9. Your spending can be tracked The loss of anonymity and privacy is a major concern for many who oppose a 'cashless society'. A change.org petition created by Elizabeth Hynton which rails against the 'discrimination' faced by those who used cash has gathered more than 5000 signatures. 'Cash is private,' the petition states. 'When one pays via credit/debit card, the Government knows: what one spends their money on, how much they spend, where one spends their money and when the purchase was made, which is an invasion of privacy.' Dr Zhong agreed that the concerns were valid. '(With) anything digital there is always a vulnerability it will be tracked,' she said. 10. Loss of your and freedom of choice This is perhaps the over-riding concern of many who oppose the cashless society. The change.org petition argues that cash should always be an option. 'One of the hallmarks of a free society is freedom of choice ... not just what suits an organisation, but also what suits the customer!' the petition states. 'We can't go on forever using COVID as an excuse.' China presents a dystopian vision of how such control can be exercised, where people are subject to a social credit score that accrues or docks points depending on how desirable the individual's behaviour is according to the government. A bad social credit score can mean being blocked from buying items such as plane or train tickets. The Reserve Bank is currently examining the benefits of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) being introduced to to Australia, which would be a 'programmable' currency such as China's. Although the RBA has stated such a currency could improve the 'efficiency and resilience' of payments it said one was not likely to introduced any time soon. 'Given the many issues that are yet to be resolved, any decision on a CBDC in Australia is likely to be some years away,' the RBA said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been accused of 'another broken promise' because the government imposed cap on gas prices has been surpassed for two straight months. In December 2022, the Albanese government announced that it would put a $12 a gigajoule cap on the price of gas to keep the power prices down, Ben Fordham said on 2GB on Friday morning. 'And we've just looked at the numbers posted daily by the Australian energy market operator and for the last two months, gas prices have been higher than $12 a gigajoule, so what happened to the cap?' The price of gas on Friday morning was '$15 a gigajoule, that's 25 per cent higher than Anthony Albanese's price cap,' Fordham said - the Government said his 'characterisations are wrong'. 'Three weeks ago, the price of gas was almost $16 a gigajoule, 33 higher higher than the PM's gas price cap.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured left) has been accused of 'another broken promise' because the government imposed cap on gas prices has been surpassed for two straight months The radio host said this was 'significant news' which affects everyone 'and it's managed to fly under the radar until now'. On December 9, 2022, when he announced the price cap, Mr Albanese said 'The Commonwealth will take action on gas in putting a mandatory code of conduct in place for a temporary period of 12 months of $12 a gigajoule.' In April 2023, the policy was extended until 2025. In a joint statement at the time, Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Resources Minister Madeleine King and Industry Minister Ed Husic said the gas code would ensure sufficient supply of Australian gas at a reasonable price, that the $12 price cap would remain. 'The price cap is in place until at least 2025, but here we are with higher gas prices in 2024,' Fordham said. In April, after the collapse of plastics maker Qenos due to high gas prices, Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox warned that more manufacturers could go under for the same reason. 'Qenos is surely not the only industrial gas user to be unviable at these prices,' Mr Willox told the Australian Financial Review. 'And more businesses may shrink or collapse without the local product supply and demand for goods and services that Qenos provided.' He added that 'the long-term rise in natural gas prices eroded Qenos' competitiveness and its prospects. 'Prices rose over the past decade because of the take-off of LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports, the erosion of southern gas production, and the lack of adequate planning to manage these long-foreseen developments.' Before LNG exports from Queensland began 10 years ago, gas prices typically ranged between $3 and $5 per gigajoule. Australia produces more than six times the gas it needs, but the vast majority of it is exported at far higher prices that it is sold for domestically. Australia produces more than six times the gas it needs, but the vast majority of it is exported at far higher prices that it is sold for domestically. A gas rig is pictured A spokeswoman for Minister Bowen said 'Ben Fordham's characterisations are wrong. 'The Albanese Government's price cap applies to wholesale gas contracts. Cheaper wholesale gas is helping to keep retail gas prices much lower than when the Liberals were in power. 'This is the same Gas Code the Coalition failed to support, alongside the Greens. 'That's despite having been warned of domestic gas shortages since 2013, and knowing that not having the Code would jeopardise supply and keep prices high for households and businesses,' she said. A four-week-old baby has been found safe and well after police launched an urgent amber alert for the missing child. The baby, from Fortitude Valley in Brisbane, was found in nearby Kangaroo Point on Friday. Queensland Police said the baby had last been sighted on Sunday and a 37-year-old woman known to the child was last spoken to on Thursday. The 37-year-old woman has also been found. She was believed to have been travelling in the Brisbane CBD on foot. Anyone with further information about the incident can call 131 564. A nuclear scientist who claims he was axed from presenting to hundreds of guests after a single, critical tweet from renewables advocate and investor Simon Holmes a Court highlights the fraught debate around Australia's energy future. Rob Parker, who holds masters degrees in nuclear science and civil engineering, has also been a member of Engineers Australia for 30 years. He was due to present 'How to avoid an energy blunder Down Under' to more than 400 guests at an Engineers Australia webinar last Wednesday. 'The talk had been planned and signed off on months before,' Mr Parker told Daily Mail Australia. 'Emails from head office all the way to the Newcastle office - where the talk was to be hosted. All the approvals, everything was done.' But 24 hours before he was due to speak, the Teal's number one financial backer Mr Holmes a Court posted on X: 'Seriously @EngAustralia? You're hosting an anti-renewables event for @NukeForClimate? i would have thought your body was dedicated to improving understand [sic], not muddying the waters!' Nuclear power expert Rob Parker (left) and renewables advocate and investor Simon Holmes a Court (right) Just minutes after the tweet went live Engineers Australia responded on X: 'Thanks Simon. This event has been pulled. This does not meet our guidelines and we are investigating how it was scheduled.' That tweet was quickly deleted by Engineers Australia after Mr Homes a Court deleted his original tweet upon learning that the event was cancelled. Engineering Australia then sent an email to the guests registered for the event stating 'this event was cancelled due to the speaker being unwell'. Mr Parker told Daily Mail Australia it was entirely untrue that he was sick and he never suggested to Engineers Australia that he was. He only found out he was banned from the event he'd been invited to speak at via social media. 'They cancelled it on X before even bothering to contact me. I was all ready to go. This was a knee jerk reaction to Simon Holmes a Court winding them up on X.' Mr Holmes a Court rejected Mr Parker's claim saying: 'The event was cancelled before my tweet. The reporting on this issue is false.' Mr Parker says the misleading and false excuse given by Engineers Australia for banning him - claiming that he was sick - is a breach of their own code of ethics which calls for integrity amongst members. 'They don't even live up to their own standards', he said. 'I'm an engineer but I wanted to cry.' Rob Parker, who holds masters degrees in nuclear science and civil engineering, has also been a member of Engineers Australia for 30 years Mr Parker accused the association of engaging in 'cancel culture' and pandering to 'woke interests'. 'What they are doing is sending out a message to all young engineers that it is ok to dissemble, it's ok to lie, it's ok to manipulate', Mr Parker said. But Engineers Australia told Daily Mail Australia that the event was cancelled prior to Mr Holmes a Court's tweet: 'On review of the final speaker notes, which were received on Tuesday morning, the events team shared the presentation with members of the management team who made the decision on Tuesday afternoon to cancel the event, before our tweet response [to Mr Holmes a Court].' A spokeswoman for Engineers Australia said that the email distributed to registered attendees claiming the event was cancelled because Mr Parker was 'unwell' was 'human error on our part'. 'The incorrect event cancellation message was sent. We hold more than 800 events across the year and unfortunately in this instance - procedural errors were made.' Engineering Australia said that while the organisation 'encourages discussions' including about nuclear power, 'we must maintain our non-partisan stance'. However, at the time of the Voice referendum, Engineers Australia happily advocated for the constitutional change even though the referendum didn't have bipartisan support. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton opposed constitutionally enshrining the Voice proposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. A spokeswoman for Engineers Australia rejected the suggestion advocacy for the Voice contradicted the claim 'we must maintain our non-partisan stance'. 'Engineers Australia supported a First Nations Voice to Parliament to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a fair say in decisions affecting them, aligning with our values... we did not direct individual votes but aimed to provide balanced information and foster respectful discussion.' The association's support for the Voice is ongoing and still prominently displayed on its website. A mayor whose town is rumoured to be earmarked for a nuclear power plant if Peter Dutton wins the next Federal Election, slammed that plan on Friday - despite some locals being in favour of it. On Wednesday, Shadow Energy Minister Ted O'Brien did not deny that the central western NSW town of Lithgow was one of the sites where the Coalition plans to place a nuclear plant. But fired up Lithgow mayor Maree Statham has shut down speculation that her town could go nuclear if Mr Dutton becomes prime minister in an election to be held within a year. 'More than four decades ago, this council declared the city to be a nuclear free zone. This policy position remains in place,' Ms Statham, an independent, said. 'It is my intention to invite Peter Dutton to visit Lithgow and explain to this community why they should welcome a nuclear power plant in their backyard when no other community across Australia would do this.' A mayor whose town is earmarked for a nuclear power plant if Peter Dutton (pictured) wins the next Federal Election, slammed that plan on Friday - despite some locals being in favour of it Lithgow mayor Maree Statham (pictured) has shut down speculation that her town could go nuclear if Peter Dutton becomes prime minister in an election to be held within a year Ms Statham also pointed out that her district is also responsible for supplying water to Australia's biggest city. 'I will suggest that he also then speak to the more than five million people in Sydney who drink water that is sourced from the catchment where he would like to place nuclear power plants,' she said. Another Lithgow councillor, Stephen Lesslie, told Daily Mail Australia that he opposes having a nuclear plant in the town because it would be 'Expensive, unsafe (and there are) no waste solutions.' But he said he does not expect much support from people in other parts of Australia for keeping Lithgow nuclear free. 'If this means that the power plant won't go where they live then the rest of Australia probably won't give a damn,' Mr Lesslie said. Voters will pass judgment at a coming election in the next year on Mr Dutton's vision for a nuclear Australia and Anthony Albanese's government pursuing a renewable-led energy transition. Until this week, the Coalition had been very coy about where it would put nuclear plants, but Mr O'Brien let the cat out of the bag by not denying a suggestion from radio host Ben Fordham that Lithgow was a prime target. 'Whether it be (in Lithgow) or elsewhere in Australia, one of the things we've learnt along the way is communities that have experience hosting coal plants, they have high energy IQ, they get it,' Mr O'Brien said. 'And they understand the importance of 24/7 base load power.' Fordham called Lithgow a 'dying town' that would welcome the jobs that would flow from having a nuclear power station, but the council said there are other ways to regenerate the area. Poll Should Australia embrace nuclear energy? Yes No Should Australia embrace nuclear energy? Yes 1112 votes No 174 votes Now share your opinion 'Lithgow Council calls on all levels of government and all political parties to undertake significant investment and action in places like Lithgow to grow and strengthen their economies for a time when mining and power generation will be less significant,' it said in a statement. But some locals say they their town needs a nuclear power station. 'Increasingly I think we're becoming disillusioned with the idea of renewables, particularly further out in the farming areas,' Lithgow woman Sarah told 2GB on Thursday. She said people in the area, which was once hugely important to Australia's coal mining industry, have 'energy in their DNA'. 'They talk in megawatts and kilowatts and they're all concerned about the stability of the (electricity) grid.' Sarah said she is organising an information evening about nuclear power next month and that there will be 'zealots that fight against it, but ... we're wanting people to come up and talk to us about it'. Peter, another Lithgow local, said he was 'absolutely' in favour of having a nuclear power plant in the town, that he 'couldn't think of anything better'. 'It's a truly amazing place and it needs more employment. It's the best place to put the power into the grid,' he said. The central west New South Wales town of Lithgow (pictured) is being tipped to be one of the first locations for a nuclear power plant if the Coalition wins the next Federal Election Lithgow Council is opposed to it, but some locals say they their town needs a nuclear power station. A nuclear plant is pictured 'This place needs it, it's a great place to invest ... Let Lithgow power Australia.' A third resident, Christina, agreed, saying 'We must have nuclear. This area is just magnificent, but it's dying. 'And it's long overdue that it needs an injection because our council does nothing. Just go for it.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Dutton for comment. An Indiana mother was left shocked and scared when she thought her seven-day-old baby was kidnapped outside of a daycare. Sabriya Miles was just dropping her four-year-old son off at the daycare in Evansville and left newborn Adrian in the backseat of her gold Chevy when she noticed a stranger get into her vehicle and speed away. 'I am a good mom,' Miles insisted to WFIE. 'It was two seconds.' But in a stunning twist, the car was actually being repossessed - and police say the repo man was unaware there was an infant inside the car when he took it. Sabriya Miles watched in horror on June 6 as a repo man took her car with her seven-day-old baby inside Miles, who has two other children, said she watched in horror as the stranger drove off with her car on June 6 - worried that her newborn was being kidnapped. She and another mother then chased the car down the street, but to no avail, leaving the new mother in a panic as she reported a possible kidnapping to the local police. For several minutes, Miles said she was at a loss of words as she and another mother tried to chase down the vehicle. 'I couldn't talk, I was just too frustrated and I was crying,' Miles recounted to WFIE. 'I carried my baby for nine months and now I lost her?' She claims she had no warning that her car was going to be repossessed before the repo man sped off with her newborn daughter. Miles was dropping her 4 year old off at daycare when her car was repossessed Miles said she was given no warning that her gold Chevy would be repossessed Fortunately, after driving just a few miles, the unidentified driver pulled over and noticed the newborn. He then called police to retrieve the child, according to a GoFundMe created to raise money for a new vehicle for Miles. It had raised more than $8,000 to purchase Miles a new car, and to get new car seats - as the ones she had for her children were left inside the vehicle - as of early Friday morning. 'With the right resources, with the right community support, we have the ability to completely change the trajectory of a family's life,' said local lawyer and daycare owner Tanisha Carothers, who set up the campaign. She said she felt compelled to help after hearing Miles' story. 'To think about the humanity of repossessing the car at a daycare - I would have been livid had a dealer done that in my parking lot to a family,' Carothers explained. Miles was left in a panic for several minutes as she reported a possible kidnapping to the police Evansville police say no charges will be filed against either the repo man or Miles, explaining to the local news station there was no kidnapping and Miles did not act negligently in leaving the newborn in the vehicle. Still, Miles says she learned a lesson from the shocking ordeal. 'I've been a mom since I was 15 years old, and this is the first time that anything like this has ever happened to me,' she told WFIE between tears. 'I won't let it happen again.' Police are investigating after a man sprayed pro-Palestine graffiti at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra overnight. Officers said the man graffitied three areas at the Canberra monument at about 1am on Friday with pro-Palestine slogans. He was pictured on CCTV wearing a black jumper, face covering and khaki pants with dark knee patches. Acting Inspector Lisa Broomhall said criminal damage at a national institution would not be tolerated. 'Police are very disappointed this morning to see a national institution which holds a special significance to many being vandalised,' she said. Police are searching for a man who graffitied three sections of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra about 1am on Friday (pictured) The memorial (pictured, stock) is the latest to be subject of pro-Palestine action since the war in Gaza began 'We would like to remind the community that while peaceful protest is part of healthy democracy, criminal acts will not be tolerated. 'Police will be investigating this matter thoroughly in an effort to ensure those involved are brought before the courts.' Monuments to Australia's wartime endeavours and colonial-era figures have been the subject of pro-Palestine action since the war in Gaza began. Earlier this week, police were called to the King George V statue in Melbourne after it was beheaded and covered in red paint. Canberra's Vietnam War memorial was also earlier sprayed in red paint, with pro-Palestine messages such as 'all eyes on Rafah'. A fun-loving surfer who died after spending weeks in hospital due to a brutal assault was likely killed by someone he knew, police say. Guy Haymes, or 'Creature' as friends knew him, was found by emergency services in a Manly unit with serious head injuries following a triple zero call about a disturbance in the complex earlier this year. The 59-year-old was treated at the scene but died in hospital a fortnight later. Those known to Mr Haymes have been assisting police but there are gaps in the overall story of his death, police say. After three months of investigations, his family and police are appealing to the public for more information in the hope of finding out who was behind his death. Police have made a public appeal for information after local surfing legend, Guy Haymes (pictured), died in March from injuries sustained during a suspected assault at a unit in Manly The 59-year-old was well-known at surf breaks from Sydney's Northern Beaches down to Wollongong and had earned himself the nickname 'Creature' (pictured, a young Mr Haymes) Brother Mark Haymes said he had been left feeling empty by the mysterious death. 'Guy was fun-loving, sociable and got on with everyone,' he told reporters on Thursday. 'With my kids, he was always a really good uncle - they loved him. 'Why someone would actually want to hurt someone as bad as they did ... that's the hardest part to work out.' Mr Haymes lived in Brookvale and might previously have been to the Manly unit where he was found injured. Mr Haymes learnt to surf in Sydney's north and is considered one of a small group of locals to have kickstarted surfing at Avalon Beach, which is now one of Sydney's surfing hotspots The surfer's family have called on anyone with information to come forward to aid the investigation as they 'can't imagine' anyone who would want to hurt Mr Haymes It's believed he was there with friends and associates,' Detective Superintendent Patrick Sharkey said. 'So it was not unusual that he would have been there.' Not only do police suspect that Mr Haymes knew the person responsible - they believe more than one person could have been involved. Neighbours, friends and potential relatives of the person involved who might have heard anything about the incident are being urged to contact police. Police are also appealing for any CCTV or dashcam footage of the Manly area from the evening of February 27. Mr Haymes was well-known in the Sydney surfing community and beyond. A paddle-out in his memory at North Avalon is being planned. Employees are feeling increasingly obligated to work unpaid overtime, with the average Australian doing more than nine hours every week. Nearly nine-in-10 workers (86 per cent) did at least some unpaid overtime each week, with the education sector racking up the most free hours on average at 12.2 per week. Unions NSW surveyed almost 5,500 people across multiple industries, finding a majority of employees (64 per cent) thought they would be limiting their career prospects if they didn't do extra hours. Using the average Australian annual salary of $96,660, the association considered it a $21,000 donation from workers to their employers each year. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey called for changes to the Fair Work Act, which permits unpaid overtime if 'additional hours are reasonable'. Nearly nine-in-10 workers (86 per cent) did at least some unpaid overtime each week (stock image) He said the scale of the data showed sectors had become reliant on the extra hours. 'More often than not, workers are required to work through lunch breaks, turn up early and finish late, and put in extra hours on the weekend,' he said. 'This is affecting their physical and mental wellbeing, preventing them from spending time with their families and contributing to their communities fears of reprisal, missing out on promotion, and threats from employers to give staff a worse roster all prevent workers from leaving on time.' Education (12.2 hours per week), agriculture, forestry and fishing (12 hours) and transport, postal and warehousing (8.99 hours) were the sectors doing the most unpaid overtime. Part-time and casual workers also found themselves chipping in for free, working about 6.5 unpaid hours on average. Two-thirds of workers felt their bosses had become reliant on unpaid overtime, with respondents worried refusing to stay late would push them down the organisational pecking order. Two-thirds of workers felt their bosses had become reliant on unpaid overtime, with respondents worried refusing to stay late would hinder their career prospects 'If I assert my right to work during work hours only I'm compared to other single youngsters who are working extended hours to please the boss and have support from their families,' one respondent reported. 'I feel alienated from the staff that are in the office as this work style is forced to become the norm.' Another said refusing to work unpaid hours would be viewed by management as a 'work performance issue' rather than 'the work overload and bullying issue it actually is'. The study talked to both union and non-union workers between November 2023 and February 2024. A mother-of-the bride has sparked fierce controversy online after wearing a flamboyant dress to her daughter's wedding. A video taken at the event with the caption 'The most stunning MOB dress we've ever seen!!!!' showed Lori DeWitt, 53, strutting down the aisle in her bespoke Audrey + Brooks outfit. The Louisiana mother's green dress featured a loud floral design, a plunging neckline and a removable train and bow. For her wedding, Dewitt's daughter, Amanda DeWitt Leblanc, 26, wore a comparatively-tame white off-the-shoulder gown. Not long after wedding-content producer Chloe LeBlanc posted the video on TikTok people drew lines in the sand, with some commending DeWitt's bold choice and others arguing that she had tried to upstage her daughter. A mother-of-the bride has sparked fierce controversy online after wearing a flamboyant dress to her daughter's wedding. A video taken at the event with the caption 'The most stunning MOB dress we've ever seen!!!!' showed Lori DeWitt, 53, strutting down the aisle in her bespoke Audrey + Brooks outfit 'Why does the MOB want to be the center of attention???' one puzzled viewer wrote. 'Why upstage your daughter???? Shocking,' another remarked. 'It's not about the MOB!' someone else lamented. One commenter even mused on DeWitt's motivation for wearing the dress, quipping: 'This mom is looking for all the attention, very sad.' And another user remarked: 'Glad she's not my mother.' But there were plenty of users who rallied to DeWitt's side, praising her for her taste and defending her decision to wear such a unique dress. 'Finally! A MOB dress that is NOT DOWDY. Love this for both of them,' one viewer stated. 'Stunning! I want my mom to shine like this on my wedding day,' another encouraging user wrote. One commenter said: 'There's no way ANYONE can outshine a bride. She's the bride. The mom of the bride deserves to look fabulous as well.' Lori Dewitt and Amanda, the bride, purchased their dresses while on a shopping trip in New York City Many other users heaped further praise on DeWitt by calling her 'beautiful,' 'classy,' 'tasteful' and 'an icon.' The mom, who works as an interior designer, defended her decision, saying: 'I would never do anything to hurt my daughter. Everybody just wanted to look their best,' DeWitt told Today.com. She says she was blindsided by the controversy her dress caused. 'We didn't realize my dress was going to spark a debate, but we're laughing about it,' she said. Lori Dewitt and Amanda, the bride, purchased their dresses while on a shopping trip in New York City. Mrs. Dewitt even took pains to make sure the dress would be suitable for the church in New Orleans, where the wedding was held. 'It was originally strapless - but I didn't think that was appropriate for a Catholic Church, so they changed the neckline.' Throughout the ordeal, Amanda has stood by her mother, describing her dress as 'perfect.' 'I love what she wore,' the bride raved. 'My mom looked absolutely stunning.' 'It was just as much her day as it was mine,' Amanda said, before adding: 'We wanted our family members to shine.' Despite the negative online comments, which she admits to being 'a little heartbreaking,' Lori Dewitt has maintained her sense of humor. 'For my next daughter's wedding, I think I'm going to show up in a burlap sack that says MOB,' she said. A 'layabout' son who stabbed his teacher parents to death for telling him to get a job - and inherited their 1.5million estate has been released from jail. Serial 'liar' Daniel Dighton, 35, knifed former headmaster Barry, 61, and Elizabeth Dighton, 60, to death in the home he shared with them in Campden Road, south Croydon, on the 30th September 2009. Dighton was cleared of murdering the respected prep school teachers, but in 2010 an Old Bailey jury found him guilty of manslaughter on 11-1 majorities, on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He was told he would have to serve a minimum of 15 years and would only be released if it was thought he was no longer a danger. MailOnline can reveal that Dighton, now 49, was recommended for release by the Parole Board in September 2023. It was his second parole hearing. Daniel Dighton, 35, knifed his parents Barry, 61, and Elizabeth Dighton, 60, to death in the home he shared with them in Campden Road, south Croydon, on the 30th September 2009 Murdered couple Barry and Elizabeth Dighton were found by a neighbour after they heard screams coming from the house A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Daniel Dighton following an oral hearing. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. 'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. 'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.' Barry was headmaster at Elmhurst School for Boys in Croydon until his retirement in 2006 Poll Should people convicted of serious crimes be denied their inheritance? Yes No Maybe Should people convicted of serious crimes be denied their inheritance? Yes 1662 votes No 128 votes Maybe 118 votes Now share your opinion The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Dighton was released on licence on the 19th October 2023. He has served just 13-years in prison for the double killing plus sometime on remand. He will have a number of restrictions placed on him, including living in approved accommodation and an approved list of people he can contact. A HM Prison and Probation Service spokesperson said: 'The decision to release Daniel Dighton was made by the independent Parole Board after a thorough risk assessment. He is now subject to probation supervision and can be recalled to prison if he breaches strict licence conditions.' The Evening Standard reported in April 2012 that Dighton would inherit his parent's 1.5m fortune as their sole beneficiary because he was convicted of manslaughter and not murder. Under criminal law, if convicted of murder, he would have been automatically barred from inheritance, but the lesser charge left the door open for him to claim the money when he was released from prison. The Old Bailey was told that Dighton was a source of anxiety to his family because he 'had no drive and spent his days loafing around the house and his nights drinking'. His parents had to lock away their cash to stop him taking it, the jury was told. Following their murder, police found a note saying, 'Please don't take any more of our drinks'. Crispin Aylett QC, prosecuting, said Dighton had a hangover on the day of the murders because he had got home late after a drinking session that ended at a strip club. His parents spent their last morning shopping in preparation for a family trip to their French holiday home in Normandy. 'They came back at about lunchtime to find their layabout of a son still in bed with a hangover,' said Mr Aylett. 'A quarrel broke out, probably the sort of argument that perhaps you might expect to have with a teenager, less with a 35-year-old man. 'Arming himself with two knives, the defendant stabbed both of his parents to death in an attack of brutal ferocity. He stabbed his father four times. His mother got by far the worst of it, she was stabbed over 20 times.' Dighton, now 49, was recommended for release by the Parole Board in September 2023. It was his second parole hearing A neighbour heard her screams and called the police. They found Mr Dighton slumped in an armchair and Mrs Dighton lying on the living room floor. Both were dead. Dighton, an only child, was discovered in the loft, where he was finishing off a cigarette. On his arrest, Dighton allegedly said: 'It's just an argument that got out of hand. I don't normally lose my rag like that. I wish I could turn back time.' Dighton later told a psychologist that he lost control when his mother had allegedly called him an idiot. As he attacked her, Mrs Dighton had shouted at him to stop. He said: 'I shouted something back and she said "What are you doing Danny? I love you".' The court heard he had lived with his parents all his life, save for a brief stint in a flat which they had bought for him in an attempt to make him more independent. Dighton got his first job as an assistant caretaker at Elmhurst School for Boys in Croydon, South London, where his father was headmaster until his retirement in 2006. He was promoted to teaching assistant but resigned in July 2009 after getting a post in Thailand. That job fell through and unable to admit this to his friends at The Folly pub in Croydon Dighton sent them texts pretending he was working abroad. He returned four weeks later, claimed his mother had died and invited the friends to her 'funeral'. They organised a collection for a wreath and drove to every church in the area in a doomed attempt to attend the burial, the court heard. Dighton later met them at the Folly and told them the funeral had passed off without incident. He said he was heading back to Thailand and a few days later sent a bogus text to a friend claiming it was '80 degrees and he was off to see his girlfriend'. A fortnight later Dighton returned to the pub and told his friends the job hadn't worked out. To keep up the pretence of living abroad, he used fake tan. A prosecution psychiatrist described Dighton as a pathological liar. At no stage did he tell his pub friends that he was living with his parents. Judge Timothy Pontius told him: 'This was a truly horrific act of savagery. 'Yours was always a loving and close-knit family. 'Your parents were affectionate, generous and loving.' Prince William has made a surprise visit to meet with spies at the Secret Intelligence Service. The Prince of Wales met with the officials at the foreign intelligence service, also known as MI6, which deals with and protects the UK from risks abroad, on Thursday afternoon. The visit was not publicised in advance and only appeared afterwards in the Court Circular, the daily list of official royal engagements, which is published the next day. The entry in the Court Circular read simply 'The Prince of Wales this afternoon visited the Secret Intelligence Service' with no location or additional details given. It is not known whether the prince met MI6 boss Sir Richard Moore, codenamed 'C', or what was discussed during the engagement. Prince William has made a surprise visit to meet with MI6 spies in the Secret Intelligence Service. The Duke of Cambridge is pictured on a train to Cardiff on June 11 A general view of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Building on the bank of the Thames Kensington Palace declined to provide further information on the visit. William, as the Duke of Cambridge, made a similar visit in 2022, just hours before Vladimir Putin launched a full invasion of Ukraine. Again, the meeting was not publicised until the day after the meeting on February 24 although it was thought to have been long-planned. No further details about the visit, including who he met and what was discussed, were revealed either. It is not known whether the threat of war in Ukraine was discussed during the prince's visit to the headquarters. The Duke also went to the MI6 headquarters in London with the now-Princess of Wales in 2012. MI6 boss Sir Richard Moore, codenamed 'C', became head of the intelligence service in 2020 In 2019, he also spent three weeks working with MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to learn how the UK's security and intelligence agencies work. 'These agencies are full of people from everyday backgrounds doing the most extraordinary work to keep us safe,' he said at the time. 'They work in secret, often not even able to tell their family and friends about the work they do or the stresses they face.' In March, MI6 launched a recruitment drive to hire more spies from black and Asian backgrounds. The first black spy to give a live broadcast interview told BBC Radio 1Xtra that working for MI6 was more exciting than James Bond - the fictional MI6 spy who serves king and country. Three dogs that mauled a 90-year-old woman to death had escaped and attacked another person a week before, with the local council's initial response inadequate, a coroner has found. Ada 'Sally' Holland died of her injuries after three dogs escaped a property and mauled her on Collingwood Beach about 200km south of Sydney on March 29, 2020. The court was told in the week prior to Mrs Holland's death, the three dogs had previously been reported to Shoalhaven City Council after they escaped from the same property and attacked another person. Ada 'Sally' Holland (right) died of her injuries after three dogs escaped a property and mauled her on Collingwood Beach about 200km south of Sydney on March 29, 2020 A court was told in the week prior to Mrs Holland's death, the dogs had previously escaped from the same property and attacked another person (one of the dogs pictured) Coroner Carmel Forbes told the NSW Coroners Court the response to the attack that happened a week before the fatal mauling was 'inadequate'. 'It was a real missed opportunity by the council to prevent the attack a week later,' she said on Friday. 'At the very least the council should've assured the dogs had been secured in the yard.' The owners of the three dogs had already been visited by rangers before the attack, for failing to register the three dogs. Ms Forbes in her findings noted the council had implemented changes since Mrs Holland's death.. 'Council has implemented a zero-tolerance policy of non-compliance of registration,' Ms Forbes told the court. The owners of the three dogs were fined only $10,000 for their negligence of failing to secure their dogs correctly on their property, which resulted in Mrs Holland's death. Coroner Carmel Forbes told the NSW Coroners Court the response to an attack by the dogs that happened a week before the fatal mauling was 'inadequate' Ms Forbes set out her recommendations to both the local council and the Office of Local Government aimed at preventing another vicious dog attack. 'Firstly to the chief executive of Shoalhaven City Council, the council review its procedures and training to rangers responding to reports of dogs who leave their yard or attack,' Ms Forbes told the court. It recommended that the council must design and implement a new training program for rangers who are attending to calls about dangerous dogs. Ms Forbes recommended the Office of Local Government consider implementing a public awareness campaign about the dangers imposed by specific breeds of dogs. In her recommendations, Ms Forbes also noted the lack of penalties imposed on owners who fail to secure their dogs who then go on to attack a member of the public. 'Office of Local Government needs to assess the adequacy of statutory conditions concerning maximum penalty,' the court heard. Third-born son of Mrs Holland, John Holland said while the coroner's recommendations were welcome, it would not bring his mother back. 'You just can't get it out of your system ... the tragic nature of the viciousness of it, the whole surroundings, the facts behind it, you just sort of say this happens on TV, it doesn't happen to your family,' Mr Holland told AAP. The Minister for Industrial Relations chose to ignore them Queensland Labor politician Grace Grace has endured a particularly awkward speaking engagement after jokesters used an electronic sign behind her to display anti-Labor messages. Ms Grace, who is Industrial Relations Minister, was speaking at a protest outside Brisbane's Parliament House this week in support of adding female restrooms to CMFEU construction sites. Unbeknownst to her, a large LED screen above her head shifted between slides reading that Labor should be 'put in the toilet' and that the party breaks promises. The protest was CFMEU-organised but it is not clear who was responsible for the gaffe to have them displayed during Ms Grace's speech as premier Steven Miles was announcing the state budget just metres away inside parliament. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Grace appeared to take the political stunt in her stride, saying she is 'always happy to speak to unions about changes we can make to ensure employers provide better facilities to their staff'. Senior Labor MP Grace Grace gave a speech outside Brisbane's Parliament on Tuesday while anti-Labor messages were displayed above her head on an LED sign Ms Grace, who is Labor's Minister for Industrial Affairs, was there to support female restrooms be put on CMFEU worksites Ms Grace did not comment on the messages that were displayed behind her during the speech and instead focused on the fact that Labor was trying to make history. 'I am proud to be part of a government that has delivered nation leading reforms and protections for workers,' she said. 'We are currently consulting on changes to regulations that will ensure better amenities for women on construction sites, including designated toilets. 'When introduced, this will be an Australian first.' A Liberal Party spokesperson said that the gaffe was 'major' especially given the fact that it was also budget day. 'It's a pretty major budget day gaffe from one of the Government's most senior minsters on the day that Labor is trying to promise Queenslander's the world,' the spokesperson said. The CMFEU organised the protest to demand equal access to bathroom amenities on Queensland construction sites. Workers who joined in were mostly female and carried signs featuring a used tampon with the message 'where can I put this?'. The premier was forced to walk past the same protestors on his way into parliament before Ms Grace's speech earlier in the morning. Premier Steven Miles walked past the protestors on his way into Parliament in order to deliver the state's budget Ms Grace told Daily Mail Australia that she was always happy to support union workers and fight for women's rights despite the signs In April Mr Miles faced pressure to increase women's rights on worksites after gifting the industry a large set of perks in the form of his government's Best Practice Industry Conditions policy earlier this year. Among the benefits delivered to union tradies were pay rises of more than $10 per hour and a promise to instal women's toilets on all worksites in the state. At the time Mr Miles faced backlash over the many benefits it immediately provided male workers by stating that women would soon see the benefits as well. 'It includes requirements, for example, that they have women's toilets on site. So it's one of the key objectives of our projects to get more women into those industries,' Mr Miles told the Courier Mail. Months later many worksites have yet to receive female bathrooms around the state. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Miles and the CMFEU for comment. Rishi Sunak tried to calm panicky Tories today after a poll showed a 'crossover' moment with Reform leapfrogging the party. The PM urged voted to focus on who should be in No10 between him and Keir Starmer, after YouGov research put Nigel Farage's insurgents in second place. Mr Sunak warned that even if the findings came to pass on July 4 it would only hand Labour a 'blank cheque' to hammer Brits with more taxes. Meanwhile, Mr Farage gloated that he is now leading the 'opposition' - but conceded that Reform 'may not get the number of seats we deserve'. The first past the post system means that new parties often gain a spread of votes across the country - but support is not concentrated enough to win constituencies. Rishi Sunak tried to calm panicky Tories today after a poll showed a 'crossover' moment with Reform leapfrogging the party Nigel Farage gloated that he is now leading the 'opposition' - but conceded that Reform 'may not get the number of seats we deserve' The PM urged voted to focus on who should be PM between him and Keir Starmer , after YouGov research put Nigel Farage 's insurgents in second place Although it is just one survey and had been widely anticipated, the YouGov figures have fueled anxiety within Conservative circles about the campaign. Asked if he was despairing that Reform UK is now polling ahead of the Conservatives, the PM told reporters at the G7 summit in southern Italy: 'We're only halfway through this election, so I'm still fighting very hard for every vote. 'And what that poll shows is - the only poll that matters is the one on July 4th - but if that poll was replicated on July 4th, it would be handing Labour a blank cheque to tax everyone - tax their home, their pension, their car, their family - and I'll be fighting very hard to make sure that doesn't happen. 'And actually, when I've been out and about talking to people, they do understand that a vote for anyone who is not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in No 10. 'So if you want action on lower taxes, lower migration, protected pensions or a sensible approach to net zero you're only going to get that by voting Conservative.' Pressed on whether he needed to find a more effective way to counter the threat from Nigel Farage's party, Mr Sunak said: 'So we're only halfway through this and when I'm out and about talking to people, people do get that utimately, if you're not going to vote for a Conservative candidate that makes it more likely that Keir Starmer's in number 10. 'And when people are thinking about the substance of what they want to see from a future government, if you're someone who wants to see control over borders, you're going to get that from us. You're not going to get that from Labour, they're going to cancel the Rwanda scheme, they're not going to put in place a legal migration cap. 'If you want a sensible approach to net zero, I've already announced that. Labour would reverse those reforms and put everyone's bills up with net zero costs. And if you want your pension protected, we're the only ones offering a triple lock plus. 'So actually, when people sit down especially now this week when everyone can see very clearly the difference in approach from the two parties, I think that choice will crystallise for people between now and polling day. We're only halfway through.' And asked if the election was an existential one for the Tories, he said: 'I think at the end of the day on July 5, one of two people's going to be Prime Minister - Keir Starmer or me - and this week the most important thing that happened was you saw both major parties manifestos, that's their programme for government if they were elected. 'So now everyone has a very clear sense of what each of us would do and as you saw from our manifesto, as we were discussing yesterday, say what you want about it, but it's a very clear plan, a detailed set of bold actions. That's how you deliver a more secure future for people and crucially, there's a massive difference on tax. 'We want to cut your taxes at every stage of your life in work, setting up a business, buying your first home, when you're retired, you're a pensioner or if you have a family cutting taxes for everybody. 'The Labour party consistently can't tell you which taxes they're going to put up but they are going to put them up and as we saw yesterday, they're going to raise the tax burden to the highest level in this country's history. And that's the choice for everyone at the election.' Mr Farage told BBC Breakfast his campaign had enjoyed a 'phenomenal start'. 'Back in 2015 when I led Ukip into a general election, we got 4million votes and one seat never before had anybody got so many votes for so little reward,' he said. 'But we're looking this time at many, many more votes than 4million, we're hoping to get through the electoral threshold. Whatever we do, we may not get the number of seats we deserve, but are we going to win seats in Parliament? Yes. 'How many? There's three weeks to go, we've got momentum behind us and there's three long weeks to go.' Pressed to outline a target, Mr Farage replied: 'I have no idea. The Labour Party are massively ahead in the polls, the Conservative Party has not bounced one little bit in these first three weeks, they're not going to. 'And my message is very simple that (Labour leader Sir Keir) Starmer is going to have a very big majority, I don't think he has much of a plan, his six priorities didn't even mention legal migration which is a huge issue, so I want us to become the opposition voice in Parliament and in the country. That's the ambition.' The YouGov poll has taken attention away from the Tories' efforts to nail Labour over tax plans after Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday. The document laid out plans to boost the burden by 8.5billion to pump money into services, but although promising no change to income tax, national insurance and VAT Sir Keir has refused to rule out moves on council tax and capital gains. The left-wing Resolution foundation warned last night that the proposals set the stage for five years of tax rises and public service curbs, amid widespread criticism that none of the parties are being honest about tough choices the country faces. At a press conference this morning, Treasury minister Laura Trott tried to renew the attack, saying Labour had 'deliberately failed to rule out 18 potential tax rises'. 'What's most important about Labour's manifesto is what is not in it,' she said. 'Not including planned tax increases in manifestos is standard practice for Labour We don't want Labour to get away with it this time. Ms Trott said the Reform poll was a 'stark warning' to voters. 'The Conservative Party are fighting for every single vote in this election,' she said. 'And look, we're only halfway through, right? Things can change. 'But the poll is a stark warning. If a result like this is replicated on election day, Keir Starmer would have huge and unchecked power to tax your home, your job, your car, your pension however he wants.' The think-tank said: 'Their current stance sets the scene for a Parliament of further tax rises, hard to deliver spending cuts, and the risk that a weaker productivity forecast from the OBR at the next fiscal event could force an incoming Labour chancellor into fresh hard choices in order to meet their stated fiscal rule of getting debt falling by the fifth year of the forecast.' Labour's pledges to increase public spending largely lie in departments that are already protected, such as health and social care and education, the Resolution Foundation said. The YouGov poll has taken attention away from the Tories' efforts to nail Labour over tax plans after Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), suggested that delivering 'genuine change' in Britain Sir Keir Starmer's flagship promise to voters would require more funding than the policy document proposes. Mr Johnson said some of Labour's plans were better than 'a shopping list of half-baked policy announcements' an apparent reference to the Tories' offering but warned it would need to put 'actual resources on the table'. 'And Labour's manifesto offers no indication that there is a plan for where the money would come from to finance this,' he said. In a response to Sir Keir's launch of the policy document on Thursday, the IFS director said: 'This was not a manifesto for those looking for big numbers. The public service spending increases promised in the costings table are tiny, going on trivial the tax rises, beyond the inevitable reduced tax avoidance, even more trivial. 'On current forecasts, and especially with an extra 17.5 billion borrowing over five years to fund the green prosperity plan, this leaves literally no room within the fiscal rule that Labour has signed up to for any more spending than planned by the current government, and those plans do involve cuts both to investment spending and to spending on unprotected public services.' Mr Farage has gloated that he is now in charge of the main opposition, hammering home the point in an ITV debate nast night and interviews this morning. Former rugby league player Jarryd Hayne has been snapped with a fresh look days after leaving jail following a successful appeal of his rape convictions. The 36-year-old former Parramatta Eel was released from prison on Tuesday after a court overturned his rape convictions for a second time. Hayne spent more than a year behind bars after a jury found him guilty in April 2023 of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Shedding his prison greens, a noticeably trimmer Hayne was spotted returning to a property in Merrylands in western Sydney on Friday. The NSW court of criminal appeal quashed Hayne's convictions on Wednesday on the basis a judge erred in not allowing the complainant to be further cross-examined during the trial. Hayne is understood to be staying at the property and was seen in a Calvin Klein shirt, khaki slacks, and carrying a coffee keep-cup. The former footy star's new found freedom comes amid uncertainty around the prospect of a fourth trial into the allegations. Hayne will return to court on July 26, giving the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions time to decide whether to retry the 36-year-old. In an earlier statement, the ODPP said 'any decision about a possible retrial will be made in accordance with the prosecution guidelines'. Hayne has always denied the allegations. Another trial has been ordered, which would be Hayne's fourth, but whether it will have another jury will be a matter for prosecutors (pictured in 2023) Hayne was granted bail unopposed early on Wednesday afternoon and the case is due to return to the state's district court in late July The state's highest court quashed Hayne's conviction after it ruled the trial judge erred by not allowing further examination of the complainant. Hayne has faced three trials now into allegations he sexually assaulted a woman at a Newcastle home on the night of the 2018 NRL Grand Final. The first trial in 2021 resulted in a hung jury and thus not able to reach a verdict; the subsequent trial in 2021 found him guilty, but the verdict was overturned. Keir Starmer could oversee five years of tax rises if he wins the election, a left-wing think-tank has warned. Labour unveiled its manifesto yesterday with plans to boost the burden by 8.5billion to pump money into services. However, although promising no change to income tax, national insurance and VAT Sir Keir has refused to rule out moves on council tax and capital gains. The Resolution Foundation has cautioned that the proposals set the stage for a Parliament of tax rises and public service curbs. And the Tories have laid out 18 areas where they believe Sir Keir will look to raise revenue - including imposing CGT on main home sales. The comments came amid widespread criticism that none of the parties are being honest about tough choices the country faces. Meanwhile, ministers have moved to calm panicky Tories today after a poll showed a 'crossover' moment with Reform leapfrogging the party. Keir Starmer could oversee five years of tax rises if he wins the election , a left-wing think-tank has warned This IFS chart shows the potential increases in the tax burden from the parties' manifestos Rishi Sunak arrived in Italy for the G7 summit yesterday, which is still continuing today Treasury minister Bim Afolami urged voted to focus on who should be PM between him and Keir Starmer, after YouGov research showed Nigel Farage's insurgents in second place. The 18 areas where the Tories claim Labour could increase tax 1. The new State Pension being dragged into income tax for the first time in history. 2. Ending the 25 per cent tax free lump sum. 3. Making tax relief on pension contributions less generous. 4. Extending National Insurance to employer pension contributions. 5. Increasing the number of council tax bands. 6. Undertaking an expensive council tax revaluation as Labour have already done in Wales. 7. Cutting council tax discounts, as Labour is currently doing in Wales. 8. Applying Capital Gains Tax to family homes by ending Private Residence Relief. 9. Increasing the rate and level of Stamp Duty. 10. New levies or charges on bills while accelerating the rollout of renewables. 11. Increasing Capital Gains Tax. 12. Increasing Employers National Insurance (the jobs tax). 13. Ending the Enterprise Investment Scheme. 14. Cutting or ending the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme. 15. Ending Venture Capital Trusts. 16. Ending Business Asset Disposal Relief. 17. Ending Agricultural Property Relief and Business Relief. 18. Maintaining the expanded ULEZ zone in Outer London and expanding road pricing beyond London. Advertisement Although it is just one survey and had been widely anticipated, the result has fueled anxiety within Conservative circles about the campaign. It also derailed the party's efforts to nail Labour over tax plans after Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday. The Resolution Foundation said: 'Their current stance sets the scene for a Parliament of further tax rises, hard to deliver spending cuts, and the risk that a weaker productivity forecast from the OBR at the next fiscal event could force an incoming Labour chancellor into fresh hard choices in order to meet their stated fiscal rule of getting debt falling by the fifth year of the forecast.' Labour's pledges to increase public spending largely lie in departments that are already protected, such as health and social care and education, the Resolution Foundation said. Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), suggested that delivering 'genuine change' in Britain Sir Keir Starmer's flagship promise to voters would require more funding than the policy document proposes. Mr Johnson said some of Labour's plans were better than 'a shopping list of half-baked policy announcements' an apparent reference to the Tories' offering but warned it would need to put 'actual resources on the table'. 'And Labour's manifesto offers no indication that there is a plan for where the money would come from to finance this,' he said. In a response to Sir Keir's launch of the policy document on Thursday, the IFS director said: 'This was not a manifesto for those looking for big numbers. The public service spending increases promised in the costings table are tiny, going on trivial the tax rises, beyond the inevitable reduced tax avoidance, even more trivial. 'On current forecasts, and especially with an extra 17.5 billion borrowing over five years to fund the green prosperity plan, this leaves literally no room within the fiscal rule that Labour has signed up to for any more spending than planned by the current government, and those plans do involve cuts both to investment spending and to spending on unprotected public services.' Mr Farage has gloated that he is now in charge of the main opposition, hammering home the point in an ITV debate nast night and interviews this morning. It is said they are then killed for horse meat, raising concerns about food safety Ex-racehorses are allegedly being mistreated at an abattoir in County Kildare Irish racehorses are being beaten and mistreated, before being killed and turned into food for human consumption, it has been claimed in an expose documentary. Graphic covert footage shows horses slipping over, collapsing and being hit with alkathene pipes in an abattoir in Straffan, County Kildare - which is at the heart of the country's equine industry and is Ireland's last remaining horse abattoir. Video also seems to show a man putting new microchips in horses' necks to change their 'identity', thought to be an effort to launder the identity of the animals and to 'clean' them up for human consumption in Europe. Of the roughly 2,000 horses that were slaughtered at the site last year, two thirds of them were thoroughbreds and had been bred for the racing industry, the report said. The video, taken on hidden cameras, was shown in an documentary entitled 'Horses: making a killing' on the the Irish broadcaster RTE on Wednesday night, and an investigation has since been launched by officials. Irish racehorses are being beaten and mistreated, before being killed and turned into food for human consumption, it has been claimed in an expose documentary by RTE The documentary, with footage from an unlicensed barn on the site of the abattoir, looked into what happens when horses and ponies are no longer useful and too expensive to keep. It is understood that this barn is where the animals are held and screened in the days leading up to their slaughter. The documentary said that covert filming revealed the 'routine abuse of animals' and the 'ill-treatment of dying horses' in this abattoir, which sees them slaughtered for horse meat to be exported abroad. France, where there are still butchers specialising in horse meat, imports 2,500 tons of a year. Of that, 400 tons of it comes from Ireland. The TV programme claimed that, of the just under 2,000 horses that went through this abattoir, run by Shannonside Foods, between January 2023 and March this year, 'the majority were thoroughbreds who have raced more than 3,000 between them'. Investigators were able to confirm more than 400 of those bred for racing had racing careers, with some arriving at the abattoir from prestigious owners and trainers, and killed just days after their last race, said the Irish broadcaster. The operation is believed to be part of an EU-wide smuggling and horse passport fraud scheme, and has raised concerns about food safety. Horses not supposed to be going into the food chain were doing so by receiving 'a new passport', veterinary expert David Martin told the broadcaster. The practice was 'putting human safety at risk' and 'compromising the food chain', he added. Traceability of some 20,000 Irish horses each year could be affected by the malpractice, said the television report. Poll Should horse racing be banned? Yes No Maybe Should horse racing be banned? Yes 1430 votes No 744 votes Maybe 244 votes Now share your opinion A 2022 law in the UK means that every racehorse must be signed out of the food chain with a stamp in its passport when it is first entered to run. However, in the EU, horses are only stamped out if they received particular medications that would preclude them from entering the food chain. It is therefore illegal in Ireland for any racehorses treated with the painkiller Bute, which nearly all are given at some stage in their career, to enter the food chain. The UK's stricter rule is not reciprocated in Ireland and Irish-trained horses running in the UK are not signed out. Graphic covert footage shows horses slipping over, collapsing and being hit with alkathene pipes in an abattoir in Straffan, County Kildare (pictured) - which is at the heart of the country's equine industry and is Ireland's last remaining horse abattoir Of the roughly 2,000 hoses that were slaughtered at the site last year, two thirds of them were thoroughbreds and bad been cred for the racing industry, the report said If the only option for an ex-racehorse is to have it put down, then the BHA's code of practice recommends it being done at home by a vet and then removed, often incinerated, which may incur a cost of around 500. Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue said Thursday the scenes were 'abhorrent and unacceptable'. 'No stone will be left unturned in terms of making sure the full rigours of the law are applied here,' McConalogue told RTE radio. 'All available evidence of illegal activity... will be appropriately investigated,' said a ministry statement. 'Horses are primarily bred for recreation as opposed to the food chain and we have very strict laws in place as well in relation to the management of that food chain,' said McConalogue. Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) have said they will assist investigations, including any launched by Garda or the Department of Agriculture, while the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and World Horse Welfare have reiterated their call for the Government to introduce a digital-only identity system for horses. A statement from HRI said it was 'deeply shocked and appalled' by the content of the RTE Investigates documentary. It added: 'The criminal behaviour depicted in the documentary is disgusting and is not the experience of the vast majority of the 30,000 people who make their livelihood in the horse racing and breeding industry in Ireland. 'HRI has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstances and criminal and regulatory sanction must be imposed on anyone found to have behaved in an illegal way towards horses.' The statement continued: 'Equine safety and care is HRI's top priority and this year HRI will invest 16.1million (13.58million) in welfare and integrity services. 'The thoroughbred horse is enshrined in Irish and EU law. Significant legal and regulatory checks and balances are in place for thoroughbred horses from birth through their racing career and life cycle. 'HRI will review the issues in the RTE documentary and will actively support any Department of Agricultural or Garda investigation and urge anyone with information about the mistreatment of horses to report it.' HRI added it did not have the data to confirm the programme's figures. Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said the Irish public were left 'distressed and appalled' by the footage. 'This country has a great love for horses. I know those with special needs and autism and the comfort and support they get from horses. Many people refer to them as angels with hooves, and they demand respect and care,' Mr Doherty told the Dail. 'What was reported last night demands immediate action and it demands accountability, minister.' Mr Doherty questioned how officials from the Department of Agriculture, who work on the site on days that horses are slaughtered, were not aware of the mistreatment. 'It has been uncovered that approximately 2,000 horses were slaughtered at Shannonside Foods Ltd in Kildare last year alone, with two thirds of them bred for the horse racing industry,' he added. In Britain a similar investigation was carried out by Panorama called the 'Dark side of Horse Racing' in 2021. It was after then that the BHA brought in the rule that means that every racehorse in the UK must be stamped out of the food chain. The system is not 100% failsafe, because paper passports are not tamper-proof. This is why thy many are calling for digital passports, which would make it harder to forge a horse's identity. In 2023, 88 thoroughbreds went through British abattoirs based on records of passports returned to Weatherbys, although the BHA is awaiting further information from the Foods Standards Agency. Of those, 84 were from abroad (mainly Ireland) and of the four British thoroughbreds only one had raced in the last four years and that was prior to 2022. Distressing footage appears to show the horses slipping over, collapsing and being beaten with pipes. The investigation also found that microchips were being put in horses' necks to change their 'identity', thought to be an effort to launder the identity of the animals and to 'clean' them up for human consumption in Europe. Horses are seen at the site in covert footage captured by the investigators A horse is seen on the ground outside a stable having slipped over Last month, the Government passed the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act which will, when it is introduced in the next Parliament, make the transport of live animals abroad for slaughter illegal which should make it harder for animals to pass through Britain on their way to the continent, which does currently happen. Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: 'What we witnessed [on Wednesday] was outrageous and proof that, well over a decade on, the dark underside of the horse meat scandal never truly ended. 'The documentary once again lifted the lid on the dark underside of the horse trade and the suffering it causes. 'These horses were let down in every way possible by an inherently flawed system and we hope that the disgust generated by the programme, alongside food safety concerns, will be channelled into practical action by EU and UK authorities. 'We desperately need a robust equine digital identification system, accessible across the EU, EEA and Britain. There is no excuse for allowing this fraudulent trade to continue and we hope that authorities will recognise the damage it causes and put in the right measures to stop it. 'We also need the abhorrent and illegal practices that we endured during last night's programme at the slaughterhouse to be stamped out immediately. Those involved need to be made to answer for their actions and face significant consequences.' An aerial view shows the site of the abattoir in Straffan, County Kildare Horse meat is just a part of a far bigger problem according to Chris Elliott, a professor of food safety, who was interviewed for the programme. He explained: 'There is more money in food fraud than the heroin trade worldwide.' Shannonside Foods Ltd said any allegation of an equine being mistreated 'will be fully investigated by the company'. Ireland's department of agriculture told RTE that that the barn in question was not part of the approved premises and that any evidence of illegal activity will be appropriately investigated. A new deal backed by up to $50 billion in U.S. loan guarantees will bolster Ukraine's defense for a long war against Russia and signal to Vladimir Putin that allies are committed for the long haul despite its battlefield gains, President Biden said. The package, agreed to in principle but with key details still missing, will demonstrate that allies aren't 'backing down,' Biden said Thursday in Italy. The White House is trumpeting the deal as a central achievement of the G7 summit, where allies made progress on the intricate funding plan, even as Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inked a separate deal committing the U.S. to provide a decade of security assistance. The plan, years in the making, relies on about $300 billion in seized Russian assets, much of it held in European banks. Not all the members of the coalition were on board with spending the assets outright, which brought policymakers to negotiate ways to use the massive haul of interest. But even Biden isn't proclaiming an entirely done deal. He said the G7 leaders 'signed a plan to finalize and unlock' the proceeds. His aides also declined to specify exactly how much the U.S. would lend, and how much allies would kick in and even which allies were involved. A French official said earlier this week that the U.S. funds would be 'topped up' by European allies, indicating an uncertain level of financial commitment. The idea is to 'put that money to work for Ukraine.' Biden called it 'another reminder to Putin: Were not backing down. In fact, were standing together against this illegal aggression.' He spoke about the agreement at a press conference with Zelensky, where a huge sign proclaimed a separate security deal they signed. The White House is touting a 10-year deal for the U.s. to provide security support for Ukraine. But it is an 'executive agreement' that the administration admits would not have to remain in force should Biden be succeeded by another president On a call with reporters Thursday, a senior administration official was unable to say precisely how many allies would contribute, and in what amounts. The U.S. is expected to shoulder the lion's share of the loan guarantees, based on existing lending authority, according to the administration. 'This will be a loan syndicate,' said a senior administration official. 'How are we going to get repaid? Russia pays. 'The principle is untouched.' The idea is to 'manage' the risk among allies by tethering it from an income stream of interest although that won't prevent Russia from coming back at some point to try to claim it. 'Think of it as a secured loan,' said the official. Iran is among nations that have sued at the UN to try to claw back seized assets and accumulated interest. But there was no final top-line number. 'The United States will not be the only lender in this syndicate.' He said the total born by the U.S. was 'certainly going to be somewhat less than $50' billion. Biden, meanwhile, touted the one-on-one deal with Ukraine at his Thursday evening press conference. A huge sign at the event read: 'UNITED STATES-UKRAINE BILATERAL SECURITY AGREEMENT,' and Biden snapped at a reporter who asked an off-topic question about Gaza instead. A 10-year agreement commits the U.S. to backing Ukrainian security. But the administration admits it is merely an 'executive agreement' The deal, which the two men signed at the beginning of the event, commits the U.S. to supporting the country for years although as a non-treaty it would not bind a future U.S. administration. Nevertheless, it is a policy that could pressure Donald Trump to stay the course if he were to defeat Biden and regain the White House. (Trump has said he would end the war in one day if elected without saying how). A senior administration official on Friday defended the deal when asked specifically if it would remain in force if there were 'a different president in place' meaning Trump. 'This is an executive agreement. It is intended to show United States' steadfast support for Ukraine over the 10 year period. So it is structured in a way that it has both near-term goals in terms of training and equipping but then also in terms of support for institutional reform,' the official said. 'We certainly intend to make good on what is included in this agreement because it is in the interest of the United States to support Ukraine's democratic trajectory to support its economic reforms and reconstruction, but also to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. That's the aim of the agreement, but to your point, it is an executive agreement between the United States and Ukraine.' Zelensky himself said the agreement 'contains a very detailed, legally binding part, and this means that credibility of American support for our Ukrainian independence.' According to a White House faction, the agreement commits to 'build and maintain Ukraines credible defense and deterrence capability' and 'lays out a vision for a Ukrainian future force that is strong, sustainable, and resilient.' It would 'strengthen Ukraines capacity to sustain its fight over the long term, including by building on efforts to bolster in Ukraines defense industrial base, and supporting its economic recovery and energy security.' It also would accelerate Ukraine's integration with Europe through 'implementation of reforms to its democratic, economic, and security institutions in line with its EU accession goals and NATOs program of reforms.' And it calls for it to a 'achieve a just peace that respects Ukraines rights under international law, is underwritten by broad global support, upholds the key principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and includes accountability for Russias actions.' Students who survived the Sandy Hook shooting graduated high school on Wednesday without 20 of their classmates who were tragically killed 12 years ago, and shared harrowing memories of one of the deadliest school massacres in American history. Newton High School's Class of 2024 includes around 60 pupils who were at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012, when Adam Lanza shot dead 20 children between the ages of six and seven, as well as six members of staff. The shooting is the second deadliest school shooting in US history and the fourth worst mass shooting. While high school graduations are typically a joyous day for teenagers, the absence of the slain students made the occasion bittersweet. Ahead of their graduation, six former Sandy Hook students, Matt Holden, Emma Ehrens, Henry Terifay, Lily Wasilnak, Ella Seaver and Grace Fisher, spoke about their mixed emotions over the milestone as they remembered the peers they lost. Six former Sandy Hook students, Matt Holden, Emma Ehrens, Henry Terifay, Lily Wasilnak, Ella Seaver and Grace Fisher, spoke to ABC's GMA about their mixed emotions over their graduation as they remembered the peers they lost in the deadly 2012 school shooting The teenagers lament how little has changed since the Sandy Hook shooting, and how the same tragic story keeps repeating itself in schools across America The teenagers look forward to their school prom and dinner dance, but a solemn shadow hangs over their celebrations as they remember the day of the shooting. Lily told NBC news: 'You wait for this day for your whole life since you're in kindergarten. You just can't wait to graduate. And it felt so far away for such a long time...but I think we can't forget about [the fact] there is a whole chunk of our class missing. 'And so going into graduation, we all have very mixed emotions - trying to be excited for ourselves and this accomplishment that we've worked so hard for, but also those who aren't able to share it with us, who should have been,' she added. During their Wednesday graduation, the name of their late peers were read aloud in a moving tribute, which highlighted that they too should be receiving their diplomas on stage. 'We remember your 20 classmates who were tragically lost on Dec. 14, 2012, who will not walk across the stage tonight,' Principal Kimberly Longobucco said. A motive was never determined as to why Adam Lanza massacred of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012 Shattered tempered glass pieces cover chairs and seats at Sandy Hook Elementary school People gather at the scene of that shooting on that fateful day in December 2012 Jackie Barden reacts with grief after learning that a gunman killed her son Daniel at Sandy Hook Newtown High School class of 2024 graduates toss their caps into the air at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in Newtown on Wednesday. 60 graduates were among those who survived the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. The names of the 20 slain students were read aloud in a touching tribute The survivors were between the ages of seven and eight when a gunman opened fire on Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut 'We remember them for their bravery, their kindness and their spirit. Let us strive to honor them today and every day.' The graduating class of 335 pinned green ribbons emblazoned with 'Forever in our hearts' on their gowns. The lives of Sandy Hook survivors have been indelibly marked by one of America's deadliest shootings. One survivor, Grace, talked to ABC about how she remembers being read a story by her teacher before Lanza opened fire on the school. 'Before we went to hide into the cubbies, the loud speaker went on', she told cameras. Emma Ehrens says she watched her classmates and teachers die on the day of the deadly mass school shooting Ella Seaver was interviewed as a child after surviving the 2012 shooting 12 years ago Matt, a former Sandy Hook studetnt who was present on the day of the school shooting, has said he feels hopeless regarding gun control laws in America Henry Terifay told ABC's GMA: 'I really thought Sandy Hook would, you know, shock people and wake everybody up...But it just keeps happening over and over and over again.' 'This was probably the most traumatizing part of the whole thing', she said as she recalled the school principal telling the children to hide before they heard a 'popping sound'. Lily added that she realized they were in danger 'because our teachers were super concerned with keeping their voices down'. 'It was definitely a weird situation, between knowing something was wrong but not knowing how bad it was'. In a separate interview with NBC News, Emma spoke of the moment Lanza burst into her classroom at Sandy Hook. She said: 'I had to watch all my friends and teachers get killed and I had to run for my life at six years old,' she said, before adding that she has had to grow up with 'the fear and the what-ifs of what could have happened if I stayed. Because I was going to be next'. The teenagers lament how little has changed since the Sandy Hook shooting, and how the same tragic story keeps repeating itself in schools across America. Sandy Hook survivors attended a rally against gun violence last Friday in Newtown Emma Ehrens, center, a survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting speaks as she stands with other survivors during a rally against gun violence last week In fact, school shootings have spiraled, with more than 1,600 recorded nationwide since 2012, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. 'I really thought Sandy Hook would, you know, shock people and wake everybody up,' Henry told ABC's GMA. 'But it just keeps happening over and over and over again.' Matt added that the situation felt 'hopeless'. 'The friends, family who were lost that day, the smiling faces that should be filling the seats in your classroom, the parents who should be able to watch their kids graduate, get married, the kids will never be able to hug their parents again. It's never over,' he said. Lilly said she worries for her own future children. 'As unfortunate as it is, it's going to happen to someone else, and it's going to keep happening to someone else until people like us have to make the change,' she said. 'We worry about one day when we'll have kids, and I don't want to send my kids to school in the way our world is.' When Andrew Tate was led away by Romanian police in handcuffs with his brother, he could be seen making a mystery hand sign which his followers will often mimic. With his thumbs and index fingers touching to create a triangle, Tate says the hand signal allows him to 'power up'. At surface level, it appears that the misogynistic influencer could be making the Buddhist Uttara Bodhi Mudra hand gesture. However, conspiracy theories about the signs have been fuelled by Tate's constant references to 'the matrix'. Others have speculated it is to do with the Illuminati. The brothers' alarming influence on young men has resulted in schoolchildren mimicking the hand gesture - which teachers have raised concerns over. And most recently, TikTok prankster Mizzy, 19, was yesterday photographed flashing the hand sign as he was spared jail for stealing a woman's phone. Former professional kickboxer and influencer Andrew Tate makes a gesture with his hands as he is escorted in handcuffs in Romania Tate (centre) handcuffed to his brother Tristan as he arrived to the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania in February 2023. The signal is to help him 'power up' Andrew Tate said he copied the gesture form his father and explained: 'The reason I do it is because when your brain is as advanced as mine, you have to complete the circuit,' saying he was 'full of electricity' with 'blood on fire' Teachers have raised concerns over schoolchildren copying the hand gesture, which Tate is making here again The gesture could be linked to the Buddhist mudra of enlightenment which is often used in yoga and looks to be the same signal being made by Tate. Tate has previously revealed he copied it from his American chess International Master father, Emory Tate, who used to regularly make the gesture while playing sport. The influencer says he does the same as 'he is his father's son'. He also claims it allows him to 'complete the circuit' - a reference to his own body and brain. Tate, who says the gesture helps him 'power up', has previously stated: 'I am not associated with the Illuminati'. The Tate brothers have used the hand gesture several times in the past in videos and photo shoots - as well as when they were hauled away by Romanian police on charges including human trafficking and rape. Cassie Rattray, a 25-year-old sex education teacher in Liverpool, told VICE in January that she had seen boys making the gesture. She also told how pupils were reciting Tate's quotes in her classes, including one that got Tate banned from Twitter in 2017. The Tate quote the boy repeated was: 'If you put yourself in a position to be raped, you must bear some responsibility.' Another teacher from the east of England said they saw a group of 11-year-olds making the gesture. They were 'very deliberately sitting in a row all doing it with their hands on the desk.' Tate is seen doing the hand gesture again as he poses in front of a luxury red Ferrari TikTok prankster Mizzy was photographed flashing the 'power up' hand sign made famous by Tate as he was spared jail yesterday Tim Squirrel, an extremism expert from the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, told VICE that teachers should not be concerned about the gesture itself but more by what it represents. 'For women and girls who are around it, that doesn't really make much of a difference 'ironic' endorsement of violent misogyny is, in many instances, indistinguishable from the real thing and creates an unsafe atmosphere for them,' he said. According to The New York Post, Tate explained in one video 'I'm not associated with the Illuminati' and said the sign was a 'power up'. 'The reason I do it is because when your brain is as advanced as mine, you have to complete the circuit,' he said, saying he was 'full of electricity' with 'blood on fire'. 'I do it because it increases my powers - it's like a power up,' he said. In the clip, Tate told his 'gentlemen' followers to try it. TikTok menace Mizzy, who often makes the hand gesture, revealed in May 2023 how Tate and his brother Tristan had reached out to him. He said he was 'in talks with the Tate brothers', adding: 'I have the power now.' At the time O'Garro released a video alongside a lengthy statement on social media in which he admitted to having 'put my mind into Mizzy being the biggest menace in the UK'. He said: 'The Tate Brothers have been helping me immensely, teaching me to actually take people's feelings in and hold more accountability for my actions as I develop into a man. 'They are also showing me that I can accomplish what I want in ways that won't make me look like a villain and in the process also help others.' The TikTok terror was snapped at a previous court appearance in August last year using the hand sign, but insisted he wasn't copying anyone. O'Garro revealed in May 2023 he was 'in talks with the Tate brothers', adding: 'I have the power now.' 'I am my own person and he [Andrew Tate] just helped me realise how doing this could benefit me,' he said in a social media post. 'This is called a mudra, it is a symbolic hand gesture commonly used in in Hinduism and Buddhism. 'Mudras help link the mind to the body and your conscious to your sub conscious. It gives me power. 'People thinking it's an illuminati pose are brainwashed bots.' The mother of Nottingham stab victim Barnaby Webber revealed her heart-breaking fears for the precious final text exchanges with her beloved son as phone theft runs rampant in Britain. 19-year-old university student, Barnaby, was the first victim of Valdo Calocane who had been laying in wait down a dark alley before he attacked the young man. The paranoid schizophrenic, 32, then stabbed his friend Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, to death as she bravely came to Barnaby's defence. Afterwards, Calocane murdered 65-year-old father and school caretaker - Ian Coates - and then stole his van, using it to run over three pedestrians, who survived. Since the incident, Calocane has been given an indefinite hospital order for the manslaughter of the three in Nottingham on June 13 last year. The mother of Nottingham stab victim Barnaby Webber shared her fears for her final text messages with her son amidst Britain's phone epidemic Barnaby (pictured) was stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane on June 13 last year in the early hours of the morning A year after the tragic loss of her son, Emma Webber, shared fears of losing her phone - which contains their precious final exchange - due to the worrying rise in phone theft rates. Recently, one incident saw a woman's mobile was snatched by a thief on an e-bike whilst she strolled down a road in Marylebone. The Metropolitan and City of London police forces have said they are tackling the crime spree head-on by running a targeted operation. The operation was started due to the rise authorities saw in phone snatching in 2022, which carried on into last and this year. However Britain's phone theft epidemic has raised fears for grief-stricken mother, Emma. 'I was watching the news last week when there was talk about mobile phone crime and the swiping of phones,' she told Good Morning Britain. 'I just thought you could take anything but I couldn't lose that because it's that precious.' The devastated mother last looked at their final exchange on Barnaby's birthday on January 11, confessing she sometimes still doesn't 'really believe' her son has died. 'I haven't looked at it. I think the last time I looked at that text was the 11th of January, which is his birthday and I haven't since,' she said. His mother, Emma, fears losing the phone with the precious text exchange confessing she still sometimes doesn't believe her son is gone 'I just thought you could take anything but I couldn't lose that because it's that precious,' she heartbreakingly shared about the messages with her eldest son Grace O'Malley Kumar (left) was killed by Calocane as she tried to save Barnaby's life. Calocane then stabbed Ian Coates (right) before stealing his car and mowed down three others 'It's unfathomable you said it's every parent's worst nightmare which it is. Sinead O'Malley Kumar [Grace's mother] says its every parents worst reality. 'And it is - no one can imagine. Sometimes I still don't really believe it.' The final text she received from Barnaby was a series of eye-roll emoji's alongside 'yes, yes' as his mother told him to get a job for the Summer break. Nonetheless, what was initially a 'flippant momentary thing' has become a treasured and guarded memory for the grieving mother, who always keeps them on her phone. This comes shortly after the families of the three Nottingham attack victims came together to remember them a year after their murder. On Thursday, hundreds of friends and fellow students joined Grace's parents - Dr Sanjoy Kumar and Dr Sinead O'Malley, as well as her brother, James - and Barnaby's dad and brother, David and Charlie Webber, to visit the scene on Ilkeston Road, Nottingham. The families of the three Nottingham attack victims came together to remember the trio (pictured: Dr Sinead O'Malley, mother of Grace O'Malley Kumar, placed a single stem rose on the pavement in her daughter's memory) Lee Coates, the son of Ian Coates, hugs Barnaby's mother Emma during the emotional vigil on Thursday It was on that road that Calocane, 32, killed the three victims. Lee Coates, the son of Ian, was also in attendance for the emotional remembrance event and embraced Barnaby's mother Emma Webber as the family member's gave speeches and held a two minute silence for the three victims at the University of Nottingham campus. Many wept as they left floral tributes to the victims, with members of Grace's family placing bunches of roses on the pavement in her memory. In a joint statement read out during the service, the victims' relatives said they would take time to remember 'the souls of the three vibrant, caring, hard-working and much loved family members who are no longer here'. Four days in to France's election campaign, and it has already sunk into chaos. Parties across the political spectrum are tearing themselves apart as they scramble to form alliances in the wake of Emmanuel Macron's snap decision to dissolve the National Assembly and call for national parliamentary elections. The president's surprise move came in the wake of his party's disastrous European Parliament election results, and as he hopes to slow the advances of the far right. Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party and other right-wing populist groups, initially buoyed by the European results and the snap announcement, are hoping to seize on the historic moment and win the election - set for June 30 and July 7. However, things have not gone to plan. Macron's announcement caught France's political class off-guard, and gave the country's parties a matter of days to present candidates, as well as establish strategies and alliances. Eric Ciotti, leader of the mainstream conservative Republicans party, locked himself in the party's headquarters after he was ousted for announcing an alliance with Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party - as France sunk into political chaos following Emmanuel Macron's snap decision to dissolve the National Assembly and call for national parliamentary elections Marion Marechal (centre) - marine Le Pen's niece and granddaughter of RN's highly controversial founder Jean-Marie Le Pen - declared on live TV that her nationalist Reconquete party would be backing National Rally. This appeared to come as a surprise to Reconquete's figurehead, Eric Zemmour (left), who was stood with Marechal for her address Footage showed Zemmour (left) raise his eyebrows as Marechal spoke earlier this week Macron took aim at the left-wing Popular Front alliance, implying that those who join the newly formed bloc are antisemitic on account of the hard-left Unbowed France (LFI) party, led by Jean-Luc Melenchon (pictured on Saturday), and its support for Palestinians Eric Ciotti, leader of the mainstream conservative Republicans party, quickly announced a surprise alliance with the RN this week. However, this prompted the rest of the leadership team to vote him out on Wednesday, with the RN seen as too extreme by many. Ciotti responded by locking himself in the party's headquarters in Paris and to take over its X (formerly Twitter) account - declaring that he was still at the helm. To add to the chaos, Marion Marechal - marine Le Pen's niece and granddaughter of RN's highly controversial founder Jean-Marie Le Pen - declared on live TV that her nationalist Reconquete party would be backing the National Rally. This appeared to come as a surprise to Reconquete's figurehead, Eric Zemmour, who cut a bemused figure next to Marechal as she made the announcement. He was seen raising his eyebrows as Marechal told the audience: 'I am ready to meet Marine Le Pen, because our objective is to win.' Right-wing firebrand Zemmour later declared that Marechal had committed 'the world record of betrayals' as the pair jostled over the party's direction. Things appeared to be going smoother on the left of French politics. France's left wing parties are today set to unveil their political manifesto after forming the'Popular Front' alliance to combat the right wing coalition. On Wednesday, however, Macron took aim at the Popular Front, implying that those who join the newly formed bloc are antisemitic on account of the hard-left Unbowed France (LFI) party, led by Jean-Luc Melenchon, and its support for Palestinians. Alain Finkielkraut, one of France's foremost Jewish intellectuals, said the Popular Front alliance could force him in to supporting Le Pen 'to block antisemitism'. This is despite Jean-Marie Le Pen - Le Pen's father and the founder of the National Front (which later changed its name to National Rally) - being a vocal holocaust denier who was convicted of inciting racial hatred at least six times. The growing divisions could for now suit Macron at home, but has likely weakened his position on the world stage, diplomats have said. Opinion polls suggest that a united left and strengthened far-right could wipe Macron's centrist coalition off France's political map. On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron (pictured Thursday in Italy) took aim at the Popular Front, implying that those who join the newly formed bloc are antisemitic on account of the hard-left Unbowed France (LFI) party, led by Jean-Luc Melenchon, and its support for Palestinians His best hope to avoid a massive defeat in the elections could be to bet on divisions between his opponents forming on both flanks. Macron is currently in Italy at a meeting of the leaders of the G7. Given his situation at home, he could have been forgiven for seeming a little downcast. His decision to call the snap vote plunged France has into a rocky political period just weeks before hosting the Olympic Games. He was all smiles and relaxed as arch-conservative Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni greeted him. Yet his dramatic decision has dealt a gut punch to some of his closest allies and weakened him across the bloc, diplomats told Reuters. They add that he may struggle to exert as much influence in his diplomatic dealings for now, especially as his centrist bloc in the European parliament will be smaller, making it harder for him to influence talks for future EU posts. For much of the last seven years in power, Macron has billed himself as the leader and kingmaker in Europe, while trying to assert France's role in crises from Ukraine to the Middle East, despite Paris' ultimate influence being limited. His style has grated some, his initiative exasperated others, but he has at the very least been able to weigh on key issues and project France's image overseas. 'There will be no more leadership left in Europe. Macron was the last Mohican to try to play this role,' a senior European diplomat in Paris told Reuters. Marine Le Pen 's National Rally (RN) party and other right-wing populist groups, initially buoyed by the European results and the snap announcement, are hoping to seize on the historic moment and win the election - set for June 30 and July 7. Pictured Le Pen is seen speaking on June 9 along with RN party leader Jordan Bardella, who could become PM Nevertheless, Macron would have likely been happy to see the infighting between France's right-wing parties, which came to a head on Thursday. After Republicans party leader Ciotti announced the surprise alliance with the RN this week, the rest of the party's leadership team to vote him out Wednesday. But Ciotti locked himself in the party's headquarters and on Thursday insisted he was still party leader, dismissing the effort to oust him as 'quibbles, little battles by mediocre people... who understand nothing about what's going on in the country', adding that it was legally void. 'I'm president of the party, I'm going to my office and that's it,' Ciotti told reporters as he arrived at Republicans headquarters in Paris, calling his opponents' vote a 'takeover' attempt and saying he had challenged its validity in court. Viral images spread on social media the day before of Paris region president Valerie Pecresse rolling up her sleeves as she approached Republicans party headquarters. The building was closed by Ciotti in an apparent bid to prevent the political committee meeting from going ahead. The committee was forced to meet in a separate building where they voted to oust him. His opponents even threatened to break down the doors if they had to. 'We'll call an ambulance' if needed, party Vice President Florence Portelli joked. The party's Secretary-General Annie Genevard, who called the meeting, eventually arrived at the building with a spare key. In the midst of the chaos, Ciotti made an appearance at the window. When asked by reporters if he still had access to the party's facilities, he replied: 'Almost'. Eric Ciotti, contested leader of French conservative party Les Republicains looks out a window of the party headquarters in Paris on Thursday after barricading himself inside Members of Les Republicains (left-to-right) party Michele Tabarot, Annie Genevard, and president of the Regional Council of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Laurent Wauqiez, talk the media following an emergency meeting to oust Ciotti as the party's leader The press are seen gathered outside of the party's headquarters in Paris He appeared more confident in a video posted online from his office. In it, he doubled down on his position, saying he was going 'back to work for France' while an epic soundtrack played in the background. Meme-makers on French X were quick to liken the situation to Al Pacino's last stand in the movie Scarface. Some on the right remain open to the RN, with Francois-Xavier Bellamy - the party's lead candidate in Sunday's European ballot - saying Thursday he would 'of course' vote for an RN candidate over the left in a second-round run-off. 'I'll do everything to prevent France Unbowed (LFI) coming to power,' Bellamy told broadcaster Europe 1, referring to the hard-left outfit that has struck an alliance deal with other left-leaning parties. The lightning election campaign has also shattered the RN's smaller far-right rival Reconquest over whether to ally with the heavyweight formation. Marion Marechal, who led Reconquest's European Parliament list, called for an alliance with the RN and her aunt Marine Le Pen. Zemmour appeared to be taken by surprise by this call, and was seen in footage raising his eyebrows as Marechal spoke. 'She's reached the end of the road, she's shutting herself out of this party that she's always despised,' Zemmour, Reconquest's founder, said late Wednesday. While smaller outfits fight amongst themselves, Le Pen's RN appears set to cruise to a massively increased parliamentary presence from its current 88 out of 577 seats. The party 'will come out on top of the election with the largest parliamentary group but short of an absolute majority,' University College London political scientist Philippe Marliere predicted. Marion Marechal, Executive Vice President of the French far-right Reconquete party - who is also Marine Le Pen's neice - is seen on Monday ahead of a meeting with her aunt French far-right Reconquete party leader Eric Zemmour speaks on June 30 Arguments have also broken out between the left and centrists. Macron's chosen Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told broadcaster France Inter Thursday that voters stood before a 'societal choice'. Besides the 'extreme left' and 'far right', Macron's centrist camp offered a 'progressive, pro-work, democratic, republican' alternative, he said. Attal spent much of his time attacking the left, after Socialists, Communists, Greens and hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) reestablished the alliance that broke apart over the response to Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza conflict. 'I'm thinking of all the social-democratic voters on the left who don't see themselves in this,' Attal said. Macron's camp has dubbed itself 'Ensemble pour la Republique' (Together for the Republic), a senior member told AFP Thursday after a stategy meeting with Attal and chiefs of allied parites. Their message will be 'do you want (RN president) Jordan Bardella or (LFI founder) Melenchon in Matignon,' the prime minister's office, a source close to Attal said. Left-wing leaders were occupied with who might be prime minister if their alliance comes out on top, with LFI's repeat presidential candidate Melenchon and senior MP Francois Ruffin throwing their hats in the ring. Socialist Party (PS) chief Olivier Faure said that someone 'who is not the most divisive but allows us to unite the country' should be PM - potentially ruling out Melenchon, who attracts fierce loyalty from supporters as well as intense dislike across much of the political spectrum. Ian Brossat, a communist member of the Senate, said the final deal, which will be presented during a news conference midday, includes the withdrawal of President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular pensions reform which led to protest on the streets. French President Emmanuel Macron walks next to Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the first day of the G7 summit, at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Savelletri, Italy June 13, 2024. Diplomats have said his electoral troubles at home have weakened him on the world stage President of the European Council Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen pose for a family photo at Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on June 13, 2024 in Savelletri 'There will be the withdrawal of the pensions reform and a return to 60 years (as retirement age)', Brossat told Public Senat television. Macron's reform included a gradual rise of the retirement age to 64 from 62 before the overhaul. Although the left's chances of winning the elections are slim according to the polls, their tie-up could bundle enough votes to hinder both Macron's and Le Pen's camps from reaching a stable governing majority, handing it sizeable political leeway. The bloc worked together during the previous parliamentary campaign in 2022 before a leadership struggle and policy differences - including on the Gaza war - led to the de-facto collapse of their alliance. Brossat said the parties managed to agree on a common stance on the conflict in the Middle East, labelling Hamas a 'terrorist organisation' while also calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Sir Keir Starmer is facing a revolt from Labour peers over his 'ageist' plan to force members of the House of Lords to quit after they turn 80. Under proposals set out in the party's election manifesto there would be a mandatory requirement to step down at the end of a parliament in which a peer hits their eighth decade. The current average age of peers is 71 and the oldest serving peer, Lord Christopher, is 99. The party is also pledging to remove the last remaining hereditary peers as part of a longstanding commitment to reform the upper chamber in the first term of a Labour government. Lord Winston, 83, the pioneering fertility expert and Labour peer, told the Telegraph: 'There are a number of lords, particularly the judges who are producing formidable arguments on government legislation, well into their 80s. I don't think biology is as important as ability.' He added: 'It's rather like saying a member of the House of Lords has to be a certain height. I think what's important is that you appoint the right people to the House of Lords in the first place.' Other peers who would be affected include former senior Tories Ken Clarke, 83, and Michael Howard, 82, plus Labour's human rights campaigner Alf Dubs, 91 and former cabinet minister Lord Foulkes, 82. In total, there are 785 peers in the Lords and a mechanism does exist to allow them to voluntarily retire although there is no formal retirement age. Under proposals set out in the party's election manifesto there would be a mandatory requirement to step down at the end of a parliament in which a peer hits their eighth decade. Lord Winston, 83, the pioneering fertility expert and Labour peer, told the Telegraph: 'There are a number of lords, particularly the judges who are producing formidable arguments on government legislation, well into their 80s. I don't think biology is as important as ability.' Other peers who would be affected include former senior Tories Ken Clarke, 83, (right) and Michael Howard, 82 (left) The ex-Scottish secretary lashed out at the plan, saying: 'As a former Director of Age Scotland I am unhappy about this proposal and will seek to amend it as it is ageist.' 'We need a provision, however, to enable peers to retire with dignity when they are not capable of performing the role, irrespective of age.' The House of Lords faces 'immediate modernisation' under Labour, although the party put no timeframe on Sir Keir Starmer's long-held ambition to abolish the unelected chamber. In December 2022, Sir Keir said he would abolish the 'indefensible' House of Lords 'as quickly as possible', ideally within the first term of government, and replace it with an elected chamber. The manifesto states Labour is 'committed' to replacing the Lords with an 'alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations', adding it will consult the public on this. There are 92 hereditary places reserved in the Lords, following reforms under the previous Labour administration in 1999. But the system has faced widespread criticism given the exclusive, male-dominated list of eligible candidates and the usually limited number of people able to vote in the contests. Labour's Lord Grocott, 83, has led a long campaign to end 'idiotic' by-elections used to replace hereditaries who have died or resigned. In total, there are 785 peers in the Lords and a mechanism does exist to allow them to voluntarily retire although there is no formal retirement age. Labour's manifesto states: 'Although Labour recognises the good work of many peers who scrutinise the government and improve the quality of legislation passed in Parliament, reform is long overdue and essential. 'Too many peers do not play a proper role in our democracy. Hereditary peers remain indefensible. And because appointments are for life, the second chamber of Parliament has become too big. 'The next Labour government will therefore bring about an immediate modernisation, by introducing legislation to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords. 'Labour will also introduce a mandatory retirement age. At the end of the Parliament in which a member reaches 80 years of age, they will be required to retire from the House of Lords.' The manifesto adds: 'Labour will ensure all peers meet the high standards the public expect of them, and we will introduce a new participation requirement as well as strengthening the circumstances in which disgraced members can be removed. 'We will reform the appointments process to ensure the quality of new appointments and will seek to improve the national and regional balance of the second chamber. 'Whilst this action to modernise the House of Lords will be an improvement, Labour is committed to replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations. 'Labour will consult on proposals, seeking the input of the British public on how politics can best serve them.' Lord Bethell, who won a seat in the upper chamber after securing 26 of the 43 votes cast by fellow Conservatives with inherited titles, said throwing out existing hereditary peers would be 'harsh'. The former health minister told Sky News: 'Getting rid of the principle of new hereditary peers, so for my poor old son Jacob, the chance he may have to run for election one day, that has been a longstanding commitment by Labour and if that was in the manifesto that wouldn't come as a huge surprise to anyone. 'But throwing out the people who have committed a lot to the House of Lords, and who by the way contribute an enormous amount (to), despite what anyone says, a very successful second chamber, would be harsh and would be I think quite political and a bit of a blame game. 'If the Labour Party want to reform the House of Lords top to bottom then good luck to them, they should embark on that project. 'But to single out one group of peers for special treatment on the basis of some kind of class prejudice would be a shame, and would mean that some good people, not necessarily myself, but some really good people from the hereditary benches would lose out.' Glastonbury revellers should pack their wellies and a bottle of sun lotion as the Met Office has predicted mixed weather throughout the five-day festival. Forecasters said there is a possibility of downpours but suggested that crowds can also expect to see some sunshine as they watch the likes of Coldplay and Shania Twain take the stage. Nicky Maxey from the Met Office said: 'The general signals for the time show a low pressure in the south west. 'If that comes into play we could expect to see sun in the south and rain in the north. 'At the moment we have fairly dry ground which would be good for the festival, although that could change as there is rain forecast today which would change things, although how I'm not sure. Glastonbury revellers should pack their wellies and a bottle of sun lotion as the Met Office has predicted mixed weather throughout the five-day festival (Pictured: Glastonbury Festival 2023) Forecasters said there is a possibility of downpours but suggested that crowds can also expect to see some sunshine (Pictured: Glastonbury Festival 2023) Glastonbury Festival 2024 kicks off on Wednesday, June 26 and runs until Sunday, June 30 'We will have a much better idea as to what to expect in the coming days, as we get closer to Glastonbury. 'We look at trends and at the moment they are fairly weak,' he added to the Mirror. Stephen Dixon, another Met Office forecaster, told the Independent: 'While it's too early to give a forecast for Glastonbury Festival, the weather in the area this week will start largely dry, before turning more wet and unsettled from Thursday onwards. 'The UK currently has a cool pool of air from the north, leading to slightly subdued temperatures compared to what you'd normally expect for the time of year. 'From Thursday, rain will move in from the west and bring some persistent rain for a time.' In its long-range forecast, the Met Office said: 'There is little sign for any one type of weather pattern to dominate during this period' (Pictured: Glastonbury Festival 2019) Festival goers are advised to pack for the rain and the sunshine over the five-day festival (Pictured: Glastonbury Festival 2023) In its long-range forecast, the Met Office said: 'There is little sign for any one type of weather pattern to dominate during this period. 'As such, typical conditions for the UK are most probable with a mixture of weather types. 'All areas can expected to see some spells of drier, sunnier weather, but there will also be showers or longer spells of rain at times. 'Currently the only signals, weak as they are, hint that rain and showers will tend to be more biased towards the north and west, with any more prolonged drier interludes favouring the south. 'Temperatures are most likely to be close to or slightly above climatological average.' Glastonbury Festival 2024 kicks off on Wednesday, June 26 and runs until Sunday, June 30. This years headliners include Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, Shania Twain, Little Simz and Burna Boy. An urgent warning has gone out for residents after a house fire released plumes of asbestos-riddled smoke into a residential neighbourhood. Fire crews responded to reports of a house on fire on Willcox Street in Chidlow, Perth, shortly after 4pm local time on Friday. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned residents that asbestos released by the fire might be contaminating the area. A housefire in Perth has caused potentially deadly asbestos to leak into the air which is now threatening nearby homes (file image) A southwesterly wind threatening nearby streets and anyone living on them has been urged to stay inside, close any windows and turn of their air conditioning. The Chidlow townsite is also at risk of air contamination. More to come. A High Court judge has taken the unusual step of naming a British child kidnapped by her father and taken abroad in a bid to get her home. Elena Smolik, five, was taken to Slovakia last year by her dual national father Rastislav, 33, and has not been seen since, leaving her mother Wiem Bejaoui heartbroken. Despite repeated attempts to contact her daughter, Wiem, 26, has not been able to speak with her since October and Smolik's relatives claim they have no idea where he is. In a High Court hearing, Mr Justice Francis allowed the parties to be named and said in his five-page ruling it was a 'very serious case of child abduction' adding he believed it was 'planned'. He went on: 'It is appalling, it is dreadful for the mother to be deprived of her child but even worse for the child to be deprived of her mother.' Justice Francis added: 'I do not know what his family or friends out there know or have been told. 'I would like to think that most right-minded people would be appalled at the idea of a father retaining his daughter in a foreign country which is after all what Slovakia is to Elena. 'I hope that her father will be persuaded, shamed even, to agree that Elena should return to this country this country being the country of habitual residence for Elena.' Smolik, five, was taken to Slovakia last year by her dual national father Rastislav, 33, and has not been seen since leaving her mother Wiem Bejaoui, 26, heartbroken Elena Smolik, five, was taken to Slovakia last year by her dual national father Rastislav, 33 Elena is pictured riding a pink scooter The ruling described how Smolik and Wiem, who have permission to stay in Britain, met in 2018 on social media, later married and Elena was born in London in 2019. Four years later the relationship started to break down and in October last year, hospitality worker Smolik said he was taking Elena to visit relatives in Slovakia. Tunisian-born Wiem agreed to a short visit during half term but then the day Elena was due to return on November 1, her husband called and said they had been delayed as he had 'lost' their daughter's passport. But since then, she has not even spoken to her daughter and all attempts to contact Smolik via his relatives who she knows have been stonewalled. Breaking down in tears, Wiem told MailOnline: 'The last time I heard from Elena was in November when she told me about the passport and then the next day her father messaged me and said she wanted to stay here and then he blocked me. 'I called his sister, his brother, his parents, all his family there I know and they don't want to speak to me, they ignore my questions about Elena. 'I don't believe he has lost the passport and so I called the police and they said they would go to the flat and they found his father who said he was in the UK living with his wife and daughter, which isn't true. 'They were lying, I know he is still in Slovakia with Elena, they live in a rural place in the mountains, very easy to hide and I don't know how she is doing or if she is even going to school. 'It's been so hard on me, I just want Elena back, I try not to cry but it's not easy, it was her birthday a few days ago and you don't know how hard it was. 'I miss her so much, she is such a chatterbox and is always by my side, without her with me, life is so hard, she needs me and I want her back. Amy Rowe, of Dawson Cornwell, who is representing Wiem said: 'This a serious case of child abduction, and parents often don't appreciate the devastating effect that abduction has on a child, particularly if they are prevented from seeing and speaking to the other parent. 'There is international consensus that children need to be protected from the harmful effects of parental child abduction by their swift return to their home country where the courts are best placed to make decisions about their future. 'Wiem cannot afford to instruct a lawyer in Slovakia to bring proceedings for Elena's return, and we understand that legal aid is not available. 'It is extremely difficult for parents to navigate the legal process themselves, particularly where they do not speak the language or understand the legal process in a foreign country. 'We echo Wiem's calls for Rastislav Smolik to return Elena to England. 'If he believes that there are reasons why Elena should be moved to Slovakia to live, then he should make that case in the proper way to the English Family Court.' Smolik's passport is seen in this image with details redacted Michael Polak, Barrister at Church Court Chambers and Director of Justice Abroad, also representing the mother, said: 'It is impossible to comprehend the pain and confusion that the current situation must be causing to Elena, who was living happily with her mother in London before suddenly being wrongfully retained in Slovakia. 'To abduct Elena is already shocking, but to entirely deny her contact with and the love of her mother is abhorrent. 'The father's actions in this case, of taking a child overseas with permission, but then keeping the child there without it, is a clear breach of the orders of the English Court relating to Elena's care. 'Unfortunately, wrongful retention is not a criminal offence under British law, and consideration must be given to changing this to help prevent further cases such as this one. 'Anyone with any information about the location of Elena should reach out to us confidentially to help end this nightmare for both mother and child. 'We have asked the Metropolitan Police to request the issuance of an INTERPOL Yellow notice for Elena as a missing person, as this could result in the swift location of the child.' Wiem has set up a crowdfunding page to help pay for her fight to get her daughter back. Details are here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/zgbp47-help-me-get-my-daughter-back?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&attribution_id=sl:dcd0c37d-d82e-40ea-97ce-5829ec0a7701 Nigel Farage has described Adolf Hitler as 'hypnotic in a very dangerous way' and Vladimir Putin as a 'clever political operator'. The Reform UK leader offered his view on the Nazi dictator's public speaking skills during a BBC phone-in. And while stressing he did not like the Russian president 'as a human being', he insisted people had to recognise he was 'good at what he does'. During the Radio 5 Live show, he also suggested Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky should enter negotiations with Moscow. Asked if Hitler was good at what he did, Mr Farage replied: 'What, as a public speaker? What do you think? Clearly, hypnotic in a very dangerous way.' He was also challenged about previous remarks voicing admiration for Putin, replying: 'Yeah, but not as a human being.' Nigel Farage has described Adolf Hitler as 'hypnotic in a very dangerous way' and Vladimir Putin as a 'clever political operator' The Reform UK leader offered his view on the Nazi dictator's (left) public speaking skills during a BBC phone-in. And while stressing he did not like the Russian president (right) 'as a human being', he insisted people had to recognise he was 'good at what he does' Mr Farage said: 'How many years has he been in power? He's gone from prime minister, to president, he's a clever political operator. He kills journalists, I don't like him as a human being in any way at all. 'You can recognise the fact that some people are good at what they do even if they have evil intent.' On whether talks should be held with Russia to end the war with Ukraine, Mr Farage replied: 'This war has been going on for years, it is likely to go on for many, many more years. 'We're looking at something like a million casualties between the two sides.' Mr Farage added: 'I'm not saying we shouldn't support Ukraine at all, not for one minute, but at the end of the day most wars end in negotiation and I fear, if we don't find some way of at least sitting down and talking, that we're going to finish up with a war that goes on for year after year after year.' He said he believed the 'big difficulty would be Crimea', adding: 'Is it a bad idea to get people to sit around a table and talk?' Mr Farage was asked what he would say if he was in a position of influence and had a meeting with Mr Zelensky. He said: 'I'd say to Zelensky, look, the West have been supporting you, they will go on supporting you but the percentage of your young manhood that you're losing is so bad, isn't it time we at least tried to have a negotiation he couldn't say no.' A have-a-go hero helped foil an attempted robbery after leaping over the counter to batter a gunman as he threatened a female staff member. The shop worker, named Bob, was caught on CCTV footage bravely risking his own life after a robber began aiming a gun at one of his colleagues at a local Nisa store in Dunfermline, Scotland, on Thursday. Within seconds of the thug brandishing his weapon, Bob raced to the counter and immediately bashed him over the head before restraining him. Other members of staff then jumped in to helpless the fearless worker, eventually disarming the gunman and pinning him to the floor. Police have since arrested a man in connection with the incident and confirmed he was using a bb gun, although this would have likely have been unknown to Bob at the time when he heroically sprung into action. This is the moment a gunman attempted to rob a local shop in Scotland as he is seen brandishing his weapon at one female staff member behind the counter Seconds later, another shop worker, named Bob, raced to the counter and immediately bashed him over the head before restraining him CCTV footage inside the shop shows how the attempted robbery unfolded as the gunman is seen brandishing his weapon at one female staff member behind the counter. The robber points the gun in the woman's face before jumping over the counter and demanding she put the money in a bag. The woman attempts to prevent the man from accessing the till but he quickly pushes her aside. Seconds later Bob can be seen hurtling towards the assailant and jumping over the counter before delivering a flurry of punches to his head. Bob gets the man in a head lock while another female staff member tries to get the gun off him. Two other men then join in the tussle and eventually retrieve the robber's gun before restraining him on the ground. Police Scotland issued a statement on Friday confirming a man has been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery in Dunfermline. The force said it was called at around 2.15pm on Thursday to the shop on Abbey View, in Dunfermline. It added: 'Officers attended and a 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection. He is due to appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Friday, 14 June, 2024. 'No one required medical treatment. A BB gun was recovered during this incident. A report will be forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal.' Have-a-go hero Bob (pictured) helped foil an attempted robbery after leaping over the counter to batter a gunman as he threatened a female staff member One worker at the shop, named Wendy, has since launched a GoFundMe page for Bob following his courageous act. Wendy wrote: 'Hi my name is Wendy and live in a small community in Dunfermline. 'Today (13th June) our local Nisa store was targeted by an attempted robber. This store is run by a lovely family who have served the community in over 10 years, alway going the extra mile to help everyone. 'Staff members put their lives at risk to tackle the robber and save other staff and shoppers on the store. 'Bob who works in the store didnt hesitate to and done what any other person would have done. 'He heroically jumped over the counter and tacked the robber who had a gun pointing at the staff member Cheryl, who also very bravely put up a fight to stop him getting the money. 'Aisha and usman both helped to capture him and get the gun away. 'As a local community we would like to raise funds to donate to Bob and the other staff members. Many donation big or small will b greatly accepted. 'Just remember ALL HEROES DONT WEAR CAPES. Thank u (sic) in advance.' A Boeing plane experienced a rare Dutch roll at 32,000ft mid-flight last month, which resulted in the aircraft being taken out of service. The Southwest Airlines flight, Southwest Flight 746, was flying 175 passengers from Phoenix to Oakland on May 25 when it experienced the terrifying Dutch roll. A Dutch roll is the name given to the combination of a yawing motion when the tail slides and the plane rocks from wingtip to wingtip. It is said to mimic the movement of a Dutch ice skater. The pilots were able to regain control and the plane landed safely in Oakland, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The unusual rolling motion on the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max might have been caused by a damaged backup power-control unit. According to a preliminary report by the FAA, an inspection after the plane landed showed damage to a unit that provides backup power to the rudder. The FAA added that other airlines have not reported similar issues. No injuries were reported, but the FAA is investigating the cause of the incident, alongside Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board. Boeing planes have suffered a string of issues as of late with the aerospace firm coming under fire after whistle-blowers claimed quality control procedures were breached and many planes left factories with defects. Just yesterday, passengers on a Boeing 737-800 flight destined for Manchester experienced sheer panic when the pilot was forced to abort takeoff just as the plane lifted off the tarmac at an airport in Turkey earlier this week. The shocking incident occurred on TUI flight TOM213, whose passengers had already endured a four-hour delay at Turkey's Dalaman airport as safety crews inspected the aircraft following an engine malfunction. Their ordeal got even worse when the moment of takeoff finally came, as the plane briefly lifted off the runway before nosediving back down and skidding along the tarmac at high speed. The manufacturer is also under investigation in the US for allegedly breaching the terms of a 2021 agreement in which the company avoided charges related to the crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft that left hundreds dead. Boeing declined to comment on the Dutch roll incident. MailOnline has reached out to Southwest Airlines for a statement. It said it is 'participating in and supporting the investigation.' A frisky couple were caught on camera in China sneaking into a portable toilet for a secret romp, only for the wall to collapse and the pair to come crashing through. A man and a woman were seen walking through what appears to be a construction site, making a beeline for a portaloo located opposite a prefab office. The woman opens the door and takes a look, before following the man inside. Moments later, a side wall breaks and the woman falls out into the dirt. The man can be seen trying to grab her as she falls, and then leaving through the door and walking round to help her up. Left red-faced, the duo appear to flee the scene. The footage is understood to have been filmed in the Chinese city of Jingzhou. A couple are seen walking through what appears to be a construction site walking towards a portable toilet The pair go inside the portable toilet and then nothing happens for a few seconds Suddenly, a side wall of the portable toilet collapses and the duo come crashing through The woman falls into the dirt as the man tries to grab her The woman lies on the ground, while the man exits the portaloo via the door The man walks out of the portaloo onto the grass, with the woman still lying on the ground The man then walks over to the woman to help her up The man helps the woman to her feet Prince Andrew has been pictured looking less than pleased as he embarks on a solo horse-ride the evening before the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The disgraced duke, who took a step back from senior royal duties amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, was seen wearing a pale brown jacket over a crimson red shirt with gloves and a riding helmet. The 64-year-old will not make an appearance on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony alongside other members of the Royal Family tomorrow. But it is believed Andrew helped to prepare his brother Prince Edward for his debut as colonel of the Scots Guard by offering horse-riding lessons in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle. In a departure from tradition their older brother, King Charles III, will appear at Trooping the Colour in a carriage rather than on horseback as he bravely continues his fight against cancer. Prince Andrew pictured looking less than pleased as he embarks on a solo horse-ride the evening before Trooping the Colour ceremony Prince Andrew, 64, will not make an appearance on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony tomorrow The Duke of York drives his car at Windsor Castle on the eve of Trooping the Colour Prince Andrew, who was briefly colonel of the Grenadiers, attended just two Troopings in 2018 and 2019. After serving as a helicopter pilot and instructor during the Falklands War, the naval man had to undergo intensive preparation for his time in the saddle. But Andrew found himself on the fringes of the Royal Family following damning accusations about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Although he has vehemently and repeatedly denied all allegations against him, King Charles has kept the prince at arm's length since. Other notable omissions from tomorrow's ceremony include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who were reportedly not invited for the second year in a row. This year's Trooping the Colour will be the first major royal event which King Charles is attending since returning to public-facing duties amid his battle with cancer. It is understood that doctors advised the monarch, 75, to inspect the solders from a carriage rather than on horseback. While Charles is personally keen to ride his horse, Noble, a black mare gifted to him by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, concerns have been raised about how strenuous this could be as he continues treatment for cancer. Andrew, briefly colonel of the Grenadiers, took part in just two Troopings (pictured in 2019) but had to undergo intensive preparation for his time in the saddle, a shock for a naval man King Charles departs from Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour in 2023 It is understood that doctors advised the monarch, 75, to inspect the solders from a carriage rather than on horseback Glorious scenes down the Mall during Trooping the Colour in London on June 17, 2023 Trooping the Colour was held at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen on June 12, 2021 Queen Elizabeth herself attended the event in a carriage after 1987. Prince William will be joining his father in the traditional event which dates all the way back to the 17th century. And there is speculation that Catherine, Princess of Wales, will join other members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF fly-past. The Princess apologised for missing out on a key rehearsal last weekend, writing in a letter to the Irish Guards: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon.' Rebecca English, The Daily Mail's Royal Editor, suggested to this week's Palace Confidential that an appearance from Kate should not be completely ruled out amid 'persistent rumours' she might appear on the balcony. 'What's very interesting, is that when I've asked both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace about it this week, it's been not saying a word,' said the royal expert. She continued: 'I mean look, if she is there. Fantastic. People will be delighted to see her. If she isn't, don't read anything into it because she never said she would be. I think it will be a bonus.' There is speculation that Catherine, Princess of Wales (centre), will join other members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF fly-past as she is pictured doing in 2023 The Princess of Wales wrote a letter to the Irish Guards, saying: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon' Last year, young Prince Louis stole the show as he gave a cheeky salute to the adoring crowds on the balcony. He was also seen throwing his fists in the air and pouting as his mother Kate looked at him with pride and amusement. Royal fans have told of their excitement ahead of tomorrow's event - and are hoping to see Kate 'if she is up for it'. The search for two young sisters who vanished after their mother was found murdered has ended in a tragedy. Jalie, 6, and Erin, 4, disappeared in Louisiana after their mother Callie Brunett, 35, was found brutally murdered in her Loranger home early Thursday morning. Ms Brunett had been missing for 24 hours when she was found dead on the bedroom floor of her mobile home by her father, according to police. Her daughters are believed to have been abducted just before 8am. Police tragically discovered little Erin's body in a wooded area a few hours later on Thursday, while her sister Jalie was found alive just yards away, Fox News reports. Suspect Daniel Callihan, who drove the vehicle Jalie was found inside, was taken into custody in Jackson, Mississippi. Jalie was treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. Jalie (left), 6, and Erin (right), 4, disappeared in Louisiana after Callie Brunett, 35, was found brutally murdered in her Loranger home early Thursday morning Callie Brunett (left), 35, was reported missing for 24 hours and ultimately found dead in her home early Thursday Brunett's car, a black 2012 Chrysler 200 with Louisiana license plate 859GML, was also missing 'Horrible, horrible, tragic situation. You don't want to see that as a police chief, you don't want to see that as a father, to see this baby on the ground that has lost her life. This is an innocent 4-year-old child,' Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told reporters at a press conference. He added: 'A coward took this child from her family.' Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis called the scene at Ms Brunett's mobile home an 'obvious homicide' with 'blood everywhere'. Callie Brunett's mother, Debbie Smith Brunett, shared a haunting comment on her daughter's last Facebook post. 'CALL ME!!' she wrote on the final post at 8.27pm on Wednesday evening. Ms Brunett had been missing for over 24 hours before detectives found her body, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. The chief said afterwards that the children could be half way across the country but that police would be using all resources to get the children home. Callie's mom, Debbie Smith Brunett, shared a haunting comment on her daughter's last Facebook post. 'CALL ME!!' she wrote on Callie's final post at 8:27pm Wednesday evening Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis called the scene at Ms Brunett's mobile home an 'obvious homicide' with 'blood everywhere' In the amber alert, detectives said they are looking for a white male for questioning regarding a domestic violence incident related to Brunett's death 'This time period is very crucial. We need to find these children,' the sheriff said early on Thursday The chief said early Thursday that the children could be half way across the country but they would be using all resources to get them home Police called the scene an 'obvious homicide' and said the children could be in danger hours before Erin's body was found The manner of Brunett's murder has not been disclosed. Authorities are investigating her death as a homicide He said early Thursday: 'This morning.. the victim's father discovered her body in the mobile home behind me. Her four-year-old and six-year-old child along with her car are missing' 'This time period is very crucial. We need to find these children.' 'We can't do nothing for the victim,' Chief Travis said. 'Our priority is to find these children and to get them back to their family.' The manner of Brunett's murder has not been disclosed. Authorities are investigating her death as a homicide. In the amber alert, detectives said they are looking for a white male for questioning regarding a domestic violence incident related to Brunett's death. Erin was described in the alert as approximately 3 feet tall and weighing 32 pounds, while Jalie was described as being about 4 feet tall and weighing 58 pounds. The clothing they were wearing at the time of the abduction was unknown when the alert was sent out. A Las Vegas judge has been publicly censured and must take a course on judicial ethics after posting photos of herself in a hot tub with public defenders. Clark County District Court Judge Erika Ballou, 52, admitted that she violated ethics in an agreement and order of censure with the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. The commission had filed a statement of charges against Ballou earlier this year which centered around social media posts. Ballou shared an image on her Facebook of herself in a hot tub with two public defenders, with a caption saying that one of them was 'surrounded by great t*ts'. The picture showed her in a bathing suit alongside Shana Brouwers and Robson Hauser, with the latter shirtless and smiling for the camera. Clark County District Court Judge Erika Ballou admitted that she violated ethics in an agreement and order of censure with the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline The picture showed her in a bathing suit alongside Shana Brouwers and Robson Hauser, with the latter shirtless and smiling for the camera A complaint was also filed for a second post she made where she seemingly complained about working the next day after a Billie Eilish concert. The post said: 'Life is STILL beautiful, despite the fact that Billie Eilish doesn't start for 30 minutes and I have an 8:30 calendar tomorrow.' It also included the hashtag, 'Vacatethe[Explitive]OuttaOutofCustodyCases', suggesting defendants who are not in custody should have their cases tossed. The commission said that Ballou had violated their rules requiring a judge to promote public confidence and avoid impropriety, which she admitted to. After Ballou agreed to the censure, the commission decided not to pursue her over a post including lyrics to a Cardi B song in response to the complaint her posts. In the order filed on Tuesday, Ballou said the posts were intended to be private and did not influence her work. Another count was also raised about comments she had made during a hearing about police in July 2022. The Las Vegas Police Protective Association called for her to resign after she made comments about officers. Ballou shared an image on her Facebook of herself in a hot tub with two public defenders, with a caption saying that one of them was 'surrounded by great t*ts' At the time, she said: 'Youre the one making the decisions not to walk away from cops. 'Youre a Black man in America. You know you dont want to be nowhere where cops are. 'You know you dont want to be nowhere where cops are cause I know I dont, and Im a middle-aged, middle-class Black woman. 'I dont want to be around where the cops are because I dont know if Im going to walk away alive or not.' DA Steve Wolfson said on Thursday that the censure supports his position that Ballou should be recused from overseeing criminal cases involving cases. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that a judge denied the DA's petition last week, finding that only the chief judge has the power to recuse her. The commission said that Ballou had violated their rules requiring a judge to promote public confidence and avoid impropriety, which she admitted to A complaint was also filed for a second post she made where she seemingly complained about working the next day after a Billie Eilish concert The outlet reported that Wolfson has since filed a new petition in another of Ballou's criminal cases. Ballou earns over $155,000 a year - although her total pay and benefits hit just under $262,000 according to Transparent Nevada, which tracks public workers' salaries. She was elected to bench in November 2020, taking her position in January 2021, and previously served as a Deputy Public Defender for 15 years. Before stepping up as a Judge, Ballou was also a social justice organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America. She found herself in hot water after she refused to remove a 'Black Lives Matter' pin in court in September 2016, while still working as a deputy public defender. A road rage brawl between two men outside the Los Angeles International Airport left an elderly woman unconscious on the ground and in critical condition. Shocking surveillance footage captured the May 31 incident; it shows the victim checking on her luggage curbside as the two men engaged in a fist fight run towards where she's standing. As the men ran off the sidewalk and into the street during the brawl, one of them is seen hitting the woman on the head, knocking her unconscious. Officials told KTLA the woman was rushed to the hospital with major injuries. She has since recovered and has been released from the hospital. A road rage brawl between two men outside the Los Angeles International Airport left an elderly woman unconscious on the ground and in critical condition Police have not identified the victim and what left to the brawl between the two men remains unclear. 'The most shocking thing, and the reason were asking for the publics help, is after this happened, both the individuals failed to render aid,' detective Scott Danielson told KTLA. 'Our victim here could be your mother or your grandmother.' One of the men involved in the brawl, seen without his shirt on, turned himself in to police and has been arrested. The man without a shirt turned himself in, and police have asked the public for help locating the second suspect, identified as Jasan Givens Sr, 38 Givens Sr is known to drive a silver Chevrolet sedan with damage to the front passenger door and California license plate 5UAL384 Police are still looking for the other man, identified as Jasan Givens Sr, 38. Officials released the video on Thursday in hopes the public will help them find the suspect. Givens Sr is known to drive a silver Chevrolet sedan with damage to the front passenger door and California license plate 5UAL384. Anyone with information has been asked to contact detective Danielson at 424-646-8303 or 310-646-2255. A public auction on Thursday for Kevin Spacey's Baltimore home was cancelled last minute, bringing the actor respite as he attempts to stop debt collectors from foreclosing his beloved Inner Harbor home. The auction was scheduled for Thursday outside the Baltimore Circuit Court, but Spacey's mansion was mysteriously scrapped from the sales list and rescheduled to another date next month, according to The Baltimore Banner. Reasons for this have not been given, however. The postponement gives the disgraced actor a chance to come up with the money he owes for his overdue mortgage payments. The auction terms required a winning bidder to pay a $390,000 deposit on the spot. Spacey broke down in tears in an interview with Piers Morgan on Tuesday about what his life has been like after he was charged with indecent assault against four men in 2018 Spacey's Baltimore home is located in the city's Inner Harbour seaport and is expected to attract bids of more than $5.6million (4.3million) when it goes under the hammer The aerial view on Harbor View residential district and marina at Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland At the peak of his career, Spacey was worth almost 60million with a property empire spanning the US and London, but now the Hollywood actor is on the brink of bankruptcy due to his million-dollar legal fees Spacey broke down in tears when talking to Piers Morgan Uncensored on Tuesday about what his life has been like after he was charged with indecent assault against four men in 2018. The 64-year-old, who was cleared of nine sexual assault charges last July, said he was 'not quite sure where he was going to live' as his 4.7million home was being sold at auction this week. He also admitted to being 'handsy' and 'pushing boundaries' when asked about his alleged bad behaviour and said he's spoken to a 'significant' number of men to personally apologise for his former conduct. The House of Cards star was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood until allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Spacey had a net worth of $70million back in 2022 - around 58.5million - making his money in acting, film directing, producing, screenwriting and singing. Kevin Spacey (pictured in 2016) was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood until allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017. Spacey rose to fame with his portrayal of Roger 'Verbal' Kint in the 1996 hit The Usual Suspects - which won him his first Academy Award, as a supporting actor. He founded his own production company, Trigger Street Productions, in 1997 and won his second Oscar, this time as Best Actor, for 1999's American Beauty. It is estimated that at his absolute career peak in the early 2000s, Kevin could easily earn as much as 7.5million to star in a major film and almost 4million for a supporting role. But his world has been turned upside down since he was accused of abusing his fame and power to carry out nine sex attacks on four men during his tenure as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre. Asked where he is living now and if he is going to file for bankruptcy, the former House of Cards star told Morgan: 'This week, where I have been living in Baltimore, is being foreclosed on. 'My house is being sold at auction. I'm not quite sure where I'm going to live now, but I have been in Baltimore since we started shooting House of Cards there. 'It's been a couple of times when I thought I was going to file, but we've managed to sort of dodge it, at least as of today. 'I still owe a lot of legal bills that I have not been able to pay. Many millions, yes. The house itself is many millions.' Spacey's Baltimore home is expected to attract bids of more than $5.6million (4.3million) when it goes under the hammer. The 9,000 sq ft home located in the city's Inner Harbour seaport was secretly lived in by Spacey while he was filming the Netflix hit House of Cards, with its ownership listed under Clear Toaster LLC. Spacey had previously owned a 1920s-era Tudor-style home in LA (pictured) and pocketed $11million (9million) from the sale in 2017 Spacey owned a 2.3million luxury apartment in London (front door pictured), which he bought in 2009 whilst he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre The 2,547sq foot, three-bedroom apartment in London (pictured) offered him views of the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye and was put up for sale in 2017 in the wake of the allegations Spacey is said to have hosted parties at the home during his time as artistic director of the Old Vic and renovated the apartment to suit his bachelor life style The sprawling riverside property was listed for sale after the actor fell behind on mortgage payments in the wake of his sexual misconduct scandal. While compact, the five-level home boasts six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a private spot in Baltimore's historic seaport. Spacey had also previously owned a 1920s-era Tudor-style home in LA and pocketed $11million (9million) from the sale in 2017 - having reportedly paid $2.1 million (1.6million) for the property. The 6,600-square-foot house, which comprises five bedrooms and four bathrooms, sits on about an acre of land on the western edge of Los Feliz, The Hollywood star also owned the property next door, which he picked up for just under $2million (1.5million) in 2001 and sold for $3.5million (2.7million) in 2010. Across the pond, Spacey owned a 2.3million luxury apartment in London, which he bought in 2009 whilst he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre. The 2,547sq foot, three-bedroom apartment offered him views of the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye and was put up for sale in 2017 in the wake of the allegations. Spacey is said to have hosted parties at the home during his time as artistic director of the Old Vic and renovated the apartment to suit his bachelor life style. He reportedly splashed out on lavish furniture and theatrical artefacts, installing his own private art collection. Spacey also owned a three-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse above a shop on Harrison Street in New York. The 2,300 sq ft flat had its cut price from $5 million to $4.67 million in 2008, but was removed from listings when news broke that it was up for sale. It has not appeared on the market since. Spacey has admitted to being 'handsy' and 'pushing boundaries' despite being cleared of sexually assaulting four men last year The two-time Oscar-winning actor has defiantly vowed not to give up on acting after being in 'exile' for seven years (Spacey pictured in Los Angeles in 1996 after winning best supporting actor for his role in The Usual Suspects) Outside of property, Spacey also owned a luxury Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 560 - worth at least 130,000. The vehicle contained plush, heated, leathered seats and powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine that can reach zero to 60 mph in a jaw-dropping 4.5 seconds. Spacey also earned plaudits for his role in the Netflix hit House of Cards from 2013 to 2017, a show in which he made $20 million per season as an actor and executive producer. Following the allegations of sexual assault against him, which Spacey insisted were 'madness', the streaming giant cut ties with the actor completely. In 2020, Spacey was ordered to pay $31million (25.9million) to the House of Cards' production company, Media Rights Capital (MRC), after it was revealed that he allegedly acted inappropriately towards someone on the set of the show. When asked by Morgan about what he considered bad behaviour, Spacey said: 'Pushing the boundaries. 'Being too handsy, touching someone sexually in a way that I didn't know at the time they didn't want. I personally, I have caressed people, I have been gentle with people, that is the way that I am. Spacey was one of the most recognised faces in Hollywood until allegations of sexual misconduct were made in 2017, with streaming giant Netflix cutting ties with the actor 'You're making a pass at someone, you don't want to be aggressive. You want to be gentle. You want to see if they're going to respond positively. 'I am absolutely 150 per cent prepared to take accountability for those things that I did and the mistakes that I made. 'Bad, bad, bad behaviour sometimes.' In February 2024, MRC agreed to forgive the debt in exchange for Spacey's testimony on the production company's behalf in a separate $150 million lawsuit, which has not yet gone to trial. Spacey is also likely to stand trial again in early 2025 in the UK over a lawsuit by another man claiming the actor sexually assaulted him. Spacey has denied all allegations. The trial was a result of Spacey's barristers successfully challenging a verdict against their client after the actor. In a statement to Deadline News, Spacey said: 'This is not a new lawsuit. As has been widely reported, it's the same lawsuit brought in 2022 by a complainant that was not believed by a jury of my peers in the 2023 UK criminal trial, in which I was acquitted.' A pilot hailed a hero in the wake of the horror Sea World chopper crash which killed four people has died of cancer. Michael James, 53, was praised for saving the lives of his five passengers when the helicopter he was piloting was involved in a mid-air collision with another joy ride chopper on Queensland's Gold Coast on January 2, 2023. Almost 18 months on from the horrific crash, Mr James lost a battle with cancer and died aged 53. Mr James was dubbed a hero after he safely landed his helicopter on a sandbank, despite it being severely damaged. Sea World Helicopters pilot Michael James survived the tragedy but has died from cancer. Mr James was praised as remarkable, with one of his surviving passengers writing online in the days following the crash: 'Our pilot, Michael James, you are our hero'. Pictured is the wreckage of the helicopter which crashed He was praised for his 'remarkable' landing and was quickly rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery to remove shrapnel from his wounds. Before he was rushed to hospital, Mr James was seen pulling people from the wreckage and helping others before he accepted treatment for his injuries. One of his surviving passengers wrote online in the days following the crash: 'Our pilot, Michael James, you are our hero. 'You landed the helicopter safely and kept the bystanders and us safe. We are eternally grateful to you.' He left behind a wife and was farewelled in a private funeral on June 4. Video image from 7News of pilot Michael James flying a helicopter moments before the two Sea World Helicopters collide over the Broadwater, Gold Coast Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Ash Jenkinson was killed in the crash, alongside Vanessa Tadros and British tourists Ron and Diane Hughes. Ms Tadros's son Nicholas, then 10, suffered critical injuries and had to have his leg amputated from the knee down. Victorian woman Winnie de Silva and her son Leon, then nine, were also seriously injured. Leon suffered brain trauma and was placed in an induced coma for some time. Mr James managed managed to land his helicopter on a sand bank, saving the lives of New Zealand tourists Elmarie Steenberg, Riaan Steenberg, Edward Stewart and Marle Stewart, as well as a 27-year-old West Australian woman. The couples issued a join statement to Mr James following the crash. 'To our pilot, who, through all the chaos, landed the helicopter safely, keeping us and other bystanders safe. You are our hero. Thank you so very much,' the joint statement read. Mr James never returned to flying after the crash and it is understood he was diagnosed with cancer at some point in 2023 Mr James never returned to flying after the crash and it is understood he was diagnosed with cancer at some point in 2023. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau continues to investigate the tragedy. An interim report released by the ATSB in January revealed chief pilot Ash Jenkinson had traces of cocaine in his system. But ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell confirmed the level of cocaine in Mr Jenkinson's system would not have caused the fatal collision. 'It is important to note while this is a substantive and comprehensive interim report, the ATSB is yet make formal findings as to the contributing factors that led to this accident, as we are continuing our analysis of that evidence.' The interim report revealed the ATSB's wreckage examination identified no pre-existing defects in either helicopter that would affect normal operation. An enormous 14-foot snake slithered near a holiday park after 'escaping its owner' and took three men to recapture. The Burmese python was spotted prowling down a lane near Monkton Wyld Holiday Park in West Dorset on Tuesday. At 14-feet long, the creature was eventually caught by three men who took four hours to lift it safely into a van. It was spotted by two guests staying at the holiday park who mistook the giant reptile for a tree branch. The Burmese python was spotted prowling down a lane near Monkton Wyld Holiday Park in West Dorset on Tuesday Three men, pictured, took around four hours to lift the 14-foot snake safely into a van The huge snake has been nicknamed 'Bella' by holiday park staff after two guests alerted them of the creature slithering down the nearby road The couple alerted the staff at the holiday park, who nicknamed the snake Bella, and they ensured it was captured. Local resident Peter Bacon also saw the shocking jungle snake and pulled over to take a picture. Mr Bacon said: 'I was driving when I saw this humongous snake, which is something you normally don't see every day round here. 'I stopped the van and took a picture to show my wife, and to put on Facebook in the hope someone would recognise it. 'There were a lot of people around it, who looked to have reported it to the proper authorities.' Simon Prentice, a specialist reptile shop owner in Ilton, Somerset, was contacted after the snake was found and helped retrieve the animal. The men pictured working together to carefully cover the snake and lift it into a large bag The snake, pictured, on what appears to be a grass verge, being captured by the men The weight of the giant snake, pictured, is currently unknown and it is now under the care of a reptile shop owner, Simon Prentice Mr Prentice said: 'I received a call saying that a massive Burmese python was down the lane from the holiday park. 'At first I thought it was a hoax, or someone was exaggerating the size but it was a 14 foot python. 'It weighs a ton, we haven't weighed it officially, but it took three of us to lift it into the van.' He said a previous owner recognised the female python, which is believed to have been imported from Germany in 2018. The ex-owner told the reptile shop owner how they sold the snake during lockdown and it is thought the it escaped or was possibly released. The National Centre for Reptile Welfare said they would be happy to take the python. A previous owner recognised the female python, pictured, which is believed to have been imported from Germany in 2018 Mr Prentice has now started a JustGiving page to raise funds to build an enclosure big enough for the creature, pictured However, Mr Prentice has decided to keep it and has now started a JustGiving page to raise funds to build an enclosure big enough for the creature. He said: 'There is a significant outlay needed - we plan to start the work on Saturday for a 12 foot long enclosure floor to ceiling with a water feature. 'We need to buy all the lighting, heating and wooden panels. For now she is being kept in the largest room we have which has enough warmth to keep comfortable.' The fundraiser has currently raised 457 of the 2,000 target. An eight-year-old girl died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a commercial flight, according to officials. SkyWest Flight 5121, operated in partnership with United Airlines, departed from Joplin, Missouri, on Thursday at 6am and was headed to Chicago when it diverted to Peoria, Illinois, about 45 minutes after take off. Officials said the girl, identified as Sydney Weston, became ill and then unresponsive and the flight was forced to make an emergency landing. 'Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid,' the coroner said. First-responders met the child at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse, according to the coroner's office. Sydney Weston, eight, was on her way to Chicago with her family when she became ill and then unresponsive Sydney was rushed her to the hospital, where she was declared dead just after 8am, despite 'aggressive resuscitative efforts.' An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her her parents Whitney and Dan and her older brother Evan. The Peoria County Sheriff's Office said: 'When the plane landed Deputies, AMT Personnel, and Air National Guard Fire personnel immediately received the 8-year-old female child and began life-saving measures. 'The child was transported to a local hospital by AMT where she was unfortunately pronounced deceased. 'Please keep the child's family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers.' The flight was operated by SkyWest, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. A SkyWest spokesperson said: 'We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft.' 'Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid,' the coroner said First-responders met the child at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse Flight 5121 took off to Chicago again before 1pm Thursday. Her maternal grandmother Teri Carlson posted a tribute ion Facebook, where people have been leaving their condolences. One person said: 'She was such a treasure... it just not real yet. I don't know that it ever will be. My Lov and hugs are with you all.' Another person added: 'What a beautiful little light. My heart is so broken for you and her family.' The portrayal of an academic in a Steve Coogan film about the discovery of Richard III's remains is defamatory, a high court judge ruled today. Richard Taylor, formerly deputy registrar of the University of Leicester, is suing Mr Coogan, who was a writer and producer of the 2022 film, The Lost King. The film focuses on the role of historian Phillipa Langley in the search to find the controversial king's skeleton. The lost remains of the Plantagenet king were found in a Leicester car park in 2012, more than 500 years after his death. Mr Taylor, whose screen character was portrayed by British actor Lee Ingleby, has brought legal action against Mr Coogan, his production company Baby Cow, and Pathe Productions over his 'devious' and 'weasel-like' portrayal in the film. Mr Taylors' lawyers, William Bennett KC and Victoria Jolliffe, argued that their client was presented as being 'dismissive, patronising and misogynistic' towards Ms Langley, who was played by actress Sally Hawkins. Richard Taylor, formerly deputy registrar of the University of Leicester, is suing Steve Coogan (pictured), who was a writer and producer of the 2022 film, The Lost King Mr Taylor argued that their client was presented as being 'dismissive, patronising and misogynistic' towards Ms Langley (left), who was played by actress Sally Hawkins. Coogan starred in the film but not as Mr Taylor The Lost King was released in 2022 and follows the story of ambitious writer and amateur historian Philippa Langley who unearths Richard III's remains in a Leicester car park They also say the film 'misrepresented the facts concerning the search for and discovery of Richard III's remains to the media and the public'. They said this was done 'by deviously manipulating the public presentation of information about the find, so as unjustly to conceal Philippa Langley's true role, and to take credit that was rightfully hers, for himself and the University of Leicester'. The judge ruled on Friday morning that the portrayal of Mr Taylor did have a defamatory meaning. His Honour Judge Lewis said: 'The character Mr Taylor was portrayed throughout the Film in a negative light. At no point was he shown in a way that could be described as positive, or even neutral. 'Whilst an individual scene may not in itself cross the threshold of seriousness, taken together the Film makes a powerful comment about the claimant and the way he conducted himself when undertaking a senior professional role for a university. 'The poor way in which he was depicted as behaving towards Ms Langley was contrary to common shared values of our society and would have been recognised as such by the hypothetical reasonable viewer.' However, he rejected Taylor's argument that the hypothetical reasonable viewer would have come away thinking he was misogynist or sexist. The ruling after a preliminary hearing means the case can proceed to a full trial, where Coogan, Baby Cow and Pathe will have to defend the defamatory portrayal. Andrew Caldecott KC, for the Alan Partridge star and the two production companies, previously said in written submissions: 'It is a feature film, not a documentary. 'It would be clear to the ordinary reasonable viewer that the film is not a documentary, it is a dramatisation of events. The judge ruled on Friday morning that the portrayal of Mr Taylor was defamatory. Pictured: Steve Coogan 'The concept of fictional films based on real events is not a new one.' Mr Caldecott said the film states it was 'based on a true story', adding: 'It is not a literal portrayal of exact words.... and would be understood as putting forward Ms Langley's perception.' The barrister denied that Mr Taylor is shown to be sexist or misogynist, adding his 'concern is about Ms Langley's amateur status and lack of historical expertise, and not her gender'. He continued: 'Whilst the film is clearly strongly critical of Mr Taylor and the university for sidelining Ms Langley at the dig and after the discovery of the body and not giving her sufficient credit, his clear motive is to exploit the discovery to further the university's commercial interests. 'No reasonable viewer would conclude that his motive was sexism or misogynism.' Mr Caldecott also said Mr Taylor was not portrayed as mocking Richard III's disability, 'and certainly not mocking disabled people in general'. Coogan is best known for creating the character Alan Partridge. He earned rave reviews for his portrayal of serial sex abuser Jimmy Savile in BBC series The Reckoning last year. Daniel Jennings, defamation partner at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, who represented Mr Taylor, said: 'This is a significant win as today's judgement makes clear that, as maintained from the start and despite the Defendants' denials, Pathe's film 'The Lost King' did have a defamatory meaning for Mr Taylor. 'Recently, there has been a growing trend of film and television productions being labelled as 'true accounts' to grab audience attention and heighten media buzz around new releases. 'Given this trend and the use of this as a marketing strategy it is imperative great care is taken about what is being published about individuals. This will not only avoid misleading viewers, but also protect individuals from character assassinations, which can be hugely damaging. 'Whilst there's still some way to go in this case, today's judgement is an important milestone and increases our confidence both of success for Mr Taylor, but also that similarly affected individuals will be able to see a route to vindication.' Matt Eddy insisted he is not racist and rushed the stage solely out of anger The white Wisconsin father who rushed the stage and shoved a black school superintendent during his daughter's high school graduation ceremony denied on Friday that he is a racist. Matt Eddy did not personally show up for a court hearing, but his lawyer made it clear that the incident had nothing to do with color. 'My client understands racism concerns,' said attorney Karl Gebhard III. 'What happened on May 31 had absolutely nothing to do with race.' Baraboo School Superintendent Rainey Briggs was in court applying for a restraining order against Eddy. It was granted by the judge. A judge granted superintendent Rainey Briggs (pictured) restraining order against the dad who charged at him during the Baraboo High School graduation Matt Eddy, 49, rushed the stage at his daughter's high school graduation to stop the superintendent from shaking her hand Briggs told the court he needed the restraining order not just his safety but also family, colleagues, and students he encounters on a daily basis Eddy, 49, was a no show to the hearing in Dane County Courthouse in Madison, where Briggs testified and presented videos showing the irate dad forcibly stop him from shaking hands with his daughter as she was about to receive her diploma. 'You are not going to touch my f***ing daughter,' the father could be heard saying. He later explained he was furious over the district's treatment of his daughter, who had been expelled for disciplinary reasons that have not been publicly disclosed. Last week, Briggs was given a temporary restraining order. During Fridays' hearing, he was granted a four-year order that carries a $10,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail if violated. The superintendent made the case that he needed the order to ensure not just his safety but also family, colleagues, and students he encounters on a daily basis. 'The bottom line is I work with superintendents all across the country and there is not one superintendent in the country that can attest to this ever happening to them,' he said. 'And the break in safety, the break in civility is just unprecedented within the work we do every day as educators. 'It's really unfortunate because there were a lot of people disrupted this night,' he added. 'My heart goes out to his students, to his daughter, to the 3,000 people in the stadium that night. Hopefully these things can be resolved in some positive way.' Eddy's lawyer Gebhard explained away his actions as that of an immature dad. 'The truth here is we have a father who was upset with how his daughter was treated by the district, and particularly the superintendent,' he said. 'My client's actions are immature, patronizing, incredibly embarrassing.' But Gebhard argued that his client didn't actually hurt, threaten or attempt to intimidate Briggs. 'My client made a mistake, and it was an embarrassing, immature act,' he said. 'But your honor, immature acts are not harassment.' Eddy's lawyer told the court his actions were 'immature, patronizing, incredibly embarrassing' Judge Nia Trammel sided with the superintendent and said the evidence 'certainly suggests to the court that there was an attempt to intimidate' He was also particularly sensitive to claim this was racially motivated. Eddy is white and Briggs was the only black man among several administrators lined up on the stage to hand out diplomas and congratulate the grads. 'My client would have made that same decision at that time no matter who the superintendent was,' the lawyer said. Briggs never directly accused Eddy of racism. 'What I did say is that the optics don't look good,' he said. 'And I want to be very clear that the optics don't look good given it wasn't specifically Dr. Briggs that did something, but Dr. Briggs was the one that was attacked.' Judge Nia Trammel sided with the superintendent and said the evidence 'certainly suggests to the court that there was an attempt to intimidate'. 'Even as Dr. Briggs tried to create space between him and Mr. Eddy, Mr. Eddy continued to approach him, and he ultimately had to be escorted off the property in the process by off-duty police officers,' the judge said in granting the order. In an exclusive interview on Tuesday, Briggs told DailyMail.com that Eddy's lawyer called him offering remorse a day earlier. But during the interview at his home, Briggs said, 'An apology just doesn't make things go away.' Eddy, 49, was escorted out of the building following the confrontation and arrested for disorderly conduct. 'I don't think an apology, an "I'm sorry" makes this go away because there's a lot of harm that was caused,' Briggs told DailyMail.com. The reason for the confrontation remains unclear. Eddy spoke during a police interview about the school expelling his daughter and blamed school officials for her treatment. Briggs said he has no role in any disciplinary action, and that he didn't recognize Eddy when he came charging. Briggs told DailyMail.com he isnt ready to forgive the actions and that an apology won't just make it go away In footage of a police interview obtained by DailyMail.com, Eddy tried to claim he did not initiate the physical contact between the two men 'I wouldn't have been able to pick this guy out of any crowd,' he said. 'It wasn't until after that I was able to pull his name up in the system to see who this was.' At a school board meeting Monday night, members of the board stood up to read aloud their statement condemning Eddy's actions and defending the superintendent. Briggs did not attend, but said he has no intention of stepping down from his leadership role. Video of Eddy's interview with police was obtained by DailyMail.com, and Briggs during the hearing clicked on the posted video, displaying it to the judge. 'I didn't want him to be able to shake her f*****g hand because he did not deserve it after all the s**t she went through in this district,' Eddy told investigators. It is unclear what incident Eddy's daughter was involved in, but he alluded to some trouble with other students that led to her expulsion. 'She was expelled for doing the same thing that was done to her,' Eddy said. The father claimed that it was Briggs who initiated the physical contact. 'I didn't touch him until he touched me,' he said. However, surveillance footage shows that when Eddy jumped on stage, he grabbed Briggs arm and walked him towards the curtain. Eddy denied pre-planning the episode and told police he even walked out when Briggs gave his speech. At the start of the nearly two-minute-long interaction, Eddy is seen with his arms crossed and pacing by the bleachers. However, surveillance footage shows that when Eddy jumped on stage, he grabbed Briggs arm and walked him towards the curtain As his daughter moves through the procession, Eddy rushed in front of the stage, clapping for his daughter, then leapt over the steps to reach Briggs. After pulling the superintended to the back, the two men exchange words then Briggs pushes Eddy away. That is when Baraboo High School principal Steve Considine, seen wearing a tan jacket, inserts himself between the two men. 'When I hear Dr. Briggs say something to the effect of "get your hands off of me..." that's when I turned my head and see there was some sort of scuffle,' said Considine. 'That's when I went in front and inserted myself between Dr. Briggs and this guy, Mr. Eddy, I don't know his name, and then he was pushing back against me.' Several others join in on breaking up the confrontation and Eddy goes behind the stage curtain. The confrontation occurred during a time of conflict in the district. The superintendent and the school board have been under fire by a group of outraged residents. They are currently trying to recall school board president Kevin Vodak, who was at the graduation. Vodak has been accused of favoritism and providing inadequate pay and support for teachers. Briggs has been criticized for his salary and those of other administrators, while contracts awarded to his consulting firms have also come under scrutiny. Eddy denied pre-planning the episode and told police he even walked out when Briggs gave his speech He said he was angry with Briggs for rolling his eyes at his daughter during a disciplinary meeting Critics also pointed to a high turnover of staff during his tenure and student behavior problems. The school district said in a statement: 'Our primary focus remains on celebrating the achievements of our graduates. 'We want to ensure that the significance of this milestone and the hard work of our students are not overshadowed by this unfortunate event.' The district added that it is working with law enforcement. 'We would like to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community members is a top priority... The School District of Baraboo is taking this incident very seriously.' Joe Biden's grandchildren will pay their portion of the trip to Italy, where they joined the president at the G7 conference and stayed with him at his expensive resort. Naomi Biden, her husband Peter Neal, Maisy Biden and Finnegan Biden all joined the president on his trip. They hitched a ride on Air Force One and stayed with him at the faux medieval resort town Borgo Egnazia where rooms can cost $1,000 a night. 'Historically, family members of Presidents have frequently joined them during travel. Current practices are consistent with those used by prior Administrations. They cover all additional personal expenses,' a White House official told DailyMail.com. Taxpayers pay for the president to travel and stay where ever security requires him to be. For those not covered by the government, typically, the military charges the cost of a first class ticket to travel on Air Force One. The grandkids - the three eldest daughters of Biden's son Hunter - would be paying that flight charge and for their rooms at the resort. President Joe Biden's granddaughter Finnegan Biden, right, boards Air Force One For the majority of the two days in Italy, the grandkids have been staying out of sight. Only Finnegan was seen boarding Air Force One for the flight east while none of them were pictured departing the plane once it landed. Peter Neal, Finnegan and Maisy, however, were at President Biden's press conference on Thursday night. They sat in the front row and watched him take questions on the Ukraine, the Middle East and Hunter Biden's felony conviction. Naomi Biden stayed behind closed doors amid speculation she is pregnant. At his press conference, Biden repeated his vow not to pardon his son in his first public comments on Hunter since last week's ruling. Hunter could face up to 25 years in prison tied to his 2018 purchase for a handgun. He also said he was satisfied his son got a fair trial and reiterated his support for him. 'I'm extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction. He's one of the brightest, most decent men I know. And I am satisfied that I'm not going to do anything. I said I would abide by the jury decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him,' Biden said. And he answered a simple 'no' when asked directly if he would commute Hunter's sentence. Meanwhile, Naomi Biden has been active online during the trip. She posted a photo of Neal and an unidentified male friend at the luxury seaside resort where the president is staying to her instagram stories. She is not visible in the shot. Calling it 'mis amores!!!' (Italian for 'my loves'), the photo shows Neal and the friend sitting on lounge chairs, a plate of fruit nearby. It appears to be taken near a swimming pool. Olive trees are in the background against a lush, blue sky. The Biden clan is staying at the luxurious faux medieval resort town Borgo Egnazia that has hosted the likes of Justin Timberlake and Madonna. Timberlake married actress Jessica Biel there in 2020. Naomi Biden posted a photo of husband Peter Neal and a friend in Italy A developer constructed the entire town, modeling it on a 15th century village. It features modern pools, views of olive groves, coastal scenes, and farmhouse chic interior settings, with suites going for $2,000. There are even rescue donkeys on the property for the guests' amusement. The total cost of the project was $160 million and took years to complete. All of Hunter Biden's adult children are at the resort with their grandfather (first lady Jill Biden was never scheduled to attend the G7). 30-year-old Naomi testified at Hunter's trial. She was called to testify on his behalf, where she painted a rosy picture of Hunter's sobriety in the lead-up to his October 2018 gun purchase over which he was charged. But the prosecution read text messages between her and her father that contradicted what she said. Naomi faltered under the ambush, saying: 'I don't remember any of this.' She looked on the verge of tears, wiping one eye as she walked out after hugging her father. She was dressed in all black, with a black jacket over dark, baggy clothes. There has been speculation that she is pregnant with her now-husband Peter's child. The couple have made no formal announcement but it was 'the talk of the state dinner' last month, according to sources in the room. Naomi Biden (left) departs court on Friday alongside husband Peter Neal (right). The young couple are heading to the G7 with President Joe Biden and Naomi's sisters Finnegan and Maisy on the heels of their father's federal gun conviction Maisy Biden with President Joe Biden in May 2023 Borgo Egnazia is an entire medieval-style town and cost $160 million to build. It played host to Justin Timberlake's wedding to Jessica Biel Naomi is said to be due before the November election. It is a quick trip to Italy for the meetings with international leaders. Biden is scheduled to depart on Friday night for Los Angeles, where Hunter lives. He will attend a fundraiser there on Saturday night featuring Jimmy Kimmel, George Clooney and Julia Roberts. The grandchildren are expected to travel to Los Angeles with him. A video of a woman's reaction to a New York subway surfer has gone viral on TikTok as City officials attempt to crackdown on the dangerous trend. In a clip that has garnered more than 75,000 views, a man dressed in head-to-toe grey sweat suit and a black backpack is caught standing on top of a moving subway. One passenger was so appalled by the young man's behavior that she urged him to get down while fellow commuters told her to leave the situation alone. 'Leave him? Are you crazy?' she said before opening the subway carriage door and started screaming at him to get down. 'Get your mother f*cking ass down! Get your ass down!' she shouted, but to no avail. In a TikTok video that has garnered more than 75,000 views, a man dressed in head-to-toe grey sweat suit and a black backpack is caught subway surfing A woman has a hilarious reaction when she realizes someone is surfing on top of her subway car 'Imma break his ass,' she added, closing the doors in astonishment. The subway surfing culprit has not been identified. Users in the comments commended the woman for her reaction, praising her for her maternal instincts. 'Someone had to tell them,' one user commented. 'In NYC we all mind our business all little too hard that sometimes people think they're like invisible.' 'Bless her heart. She stood alone and handled business!' said another. 'Thank you, Miss Lady because if that was my son, I would want someone to give 'em a reminder!' said a third. City officials, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) have been battling the rise of the dangerous trend in recent years, even going as far as launching a prevention campaign. City Hall and the MTA teamed up last year to remove thousands of subway surfing videos and photos from social media. The difference of now and then is that when I did something dumb, it stayed on the block, it stayed to 35 people,' Adams said in a press conference in September. 'Now these children, when they do something, it expands to 35 million people.' Officials have linked the trend to social media, with teenagers engaging in the trend for the sake of virality. The MTA reported five deaths from subway surfing this year alone, matching the total fatalities from the previous five years combined. Last February 15-year-old subway surfer Zackery Nazario hit headlines after his head was struck by a beam while subway surfing causing him to fall on the tracks. 'Some of these sites, they're more addictive than drugs, people can't get off them. And you start duplicating this behavior,' Adams said in a press conference. 'I think the national government must come in and say, 'What is the corporate responsibility of social media?' I'm just surprised this hasn't been done,' said Adams. Alam Reyes, 14, fell off a Coney Island bound F Train in Brooklyn on Friday Last year, the MTA reported 928 instances of people riding outside, on top of, or in between trains - compared to just 206 in 2021. Pictured: A Washington DC Metro subway train And in January, Alam Reyes, 14, fell off a Coney Island bound F Train in Brooklyn on Friday and died at the scene. His heartbroken half-brother revealed the teenager followed multiple accounts that posted pictures and videos of subway surfing around the city. 'I spoke to him the day he died,' Tinoco, 32, said. 'I just said good morning because I was going to work.' 'He was a nice kid, he had a lot of friends, he just hung out in the wrong circle.' Tinoco said his brother ditched class at Landmark High School in Chelsea and went subway surfing with a friend. The friend continued on to the next stop after Reyes fell at the elevated Avenue N station in Midwood above McDonald Avenue. 'Investigate more on social media to see who they're following, to see who they're hanging out with,' Tinoco warned other families. 'It clearly shows his friends were subway surfing. There's a lot of them. I saw a lot. There's a lot of kids doing it,' he said. He added: 'They're doing it just for posts.' 'Another innocent life has been lost, and it should not happen,' New York City Transport President said in a statement following Reyes' death. 'I implore parents to talk with their children and teachers to speak with their students, riding on top of subway trains is reckless, dumb and the consequences can be lethal,' Davey said. Despite the best efforts of emergency responders, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene Jay Thirunarayanapuram, 15, was discovered on June 20 by the tracks near the Rhode Island Avenue station in Washington DC Last year four other teens including Jay Thirunarayanapuram died while surfing a subway and filming himself five days after his 15th birthday. In 2022 the MTA reported 928 instances of people riding outside, on top of, or in between trains - compared to just 206 in 2021. The NYPD has also begun deploying drones to catch subway surfers in real time. A nine-year-old school boy was gobsmacked to find a chip 'bigger than his head' in a bag of frozen McCains. Oliver Baty, from Pegswood in Northumberland, was helping his mother Donna, 44, make dinner on Wednesday when he spotted the monster fry, measuring a whopping 10.3 inches in length. His father Scott, 43, watched in awe as the mammoth chip 'stood up like a totem pole' in the family's air fryer. He said: 'It was so massive Donna couldn't close the fryer lid. Oliver just grabbed it and ran into the sitting room and put the chip on his shoulder and it was bigger than his head.' After young Oliver exclaimed that the chip 'must be a world record', Scott, who runs a mobile catering company, decided to get his tape measure out. Oliver Baty, from Pegswood in Northumberland, was helping his mother Donna, 44, make dinner on Wednesday when he spotted the mammoth chip The chip measures a whopping 10.3 inches or 26.2 centimetres in length The deep-fried delicacy measured 10.3 inches or 26.2 centimetres long. Scott continued: 'We thought it might be two chips stuck together but we examined it and it was definitely one very, very long chip. 'I've never seen anything like ours, you can imagine the size of the potato it came from, it must have looked like a rugby ball.' In disbelief, Scott Googled 'previous big chip' records. He said: 'This is definitely longer than the others. There was one guy who had one that was supposedly 18 inches but I think that was fake.' The colossal chip came from a 2.5kg bag of McCain Home Chips the family bought from Morrisons in nearby Morpeth. Oliver, who is in Year 5 at Newminster Middle School, has so far refused to eat his generously sized chip and is keeping it safe in the freezer. Speaking of his prized possession, Oliver said: 'I couldn't ever eat it. It's too precious.' The Baty family have contacted Guinness World Records to determine whether or not they have battered the record for the world's biggest chip. The Baty family have contacted Guinness World Records to determine whether or not they have battered the record for the world's biggest chip A spokesperson for Guinness World Records told MailOnline: 'We don't monitor records for largest food items that have been found. 'Our large food record titles involve the creation of scaled-up versions of existing food stuffs. These record-breaking foods must be made in the same way as the ordinary sized versions, but on a grand scale. 'Guinness World Records does not monitor incidents where people locate large versions of mass-produced foods.' The current record for the title of largest molded potato chip is 11kg (24.2508 Ib) achieved by Chandresh Bayad, in Gujarat, India, on October 7, 2018. Arizona cops have been caught on bodycam using disgusting slurs about two disabled brothers during a callout to their home. The officers from Lake Havasu City branded David Adams and his brother 'f****ing r****ds' after they were called to their home to deal with a dispute. The shocking footage has emerged after Adams, 25, filed an excessive force suit against the cops after he was repeatedly tasered during the incident last year. Adams was arrested after his brother called 911 trying to evict him. Adams told police when they arrived that the altercation began over an argument about a blanket. But the situation quickly escalated and culminated in Adams being tasered at least seven times, despite also being restrained by officers sat on top of him. Arizona cops have been caught on bodycam using disgusting slurs about two disabled brothers, including David Adams (pictured) during a callout to their home In video obtained by ABC7, an officer can be heard discussing the brothers as he approaches their home. 'These are those three f***ing d***heads that me and Danielle dealt with,' he said. 'Mom is out of town. That's why they are acting up... is because mom usually keeps them under control. They're all like special needs, yes.' Later the language becomes even more offensive when a superior arrives on the scene. 'These are those three brothers that are f***king ret***ed. They are all like special needs,' the officer tells him. Distressing footage shows the officers grappling with Adams who tells them that his brother hit him in the face. The officers from Lake Havasu City branded David Adams and his brother 'f****ing r****ds' after they were called to their home to deal with a dispute which culminated in Adams being tasered seven times One of the officers responds that he started it and they are heard tussling with the distressed man. As he becomes more agitated one of the officers says he is going to deploy his taser. The weapon is then heard being used on Adams at close range using the 'drive stun' setting. A police report says that at least one officer also punched him after he refused to comply. Images taken after the struggle showed that Adams suffered around 30 wounds to his torso. After he was taken to jail, another officer was heard stating that he had 're****d strength'. Adams was arrested after his brother called 911 trying to evict him. Adams told police when they arrived that the altercation began over an argument about a blanket Adams was subsequently diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, a condition which causes muscle breakdown which has been linked by some studies to traumatic events. 'He is dealing with issues still every day because of his physical maladies from the attack, and he has emotional things from the attack,' his mom Cassandra said. 'It was just devastating to watch and hear what happened to a human being by the police, and then, for it to be a member of your family, let alone your child.' Adams was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, assault, and resisting arrest which he is now appealing. An internal probe by Lake Havasu City police found the officers did not use excessive force and no disciplinary action was taken. He is now suing police for excessive force after being left with 30 injuries to his torso Adams and several relatives are now suing the force and several officers for $8.5 million alleged excessive force, failure to intervene, gross negligence, battery, and infliction of emotional distress. 'This is a situation where you have someone sitting on the ground and multiple officers on top of that person; no tasing was necessary at all,' said Sean Woods, the family's lawyer. He stated that officers should have assessed the situation and not pursued criminal charges. One officer involved has since resigned but this was 'unrelated to the Adams incident' according to the cops. 'Due to ongoing litigation, we are not able to discuss specific questions regarding the case,' they said in a statement. Adams was subsequently diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, a condition which causes muscle breakdown which has been linked by some studies to traumatic events Adams and several relatives are now suing the force and several officers for $8.5 million alleged excessive force, failure to intervene, gross negligence, battery, and infliction of emotional distress 'An internal investigation was conducted and revealed that there were no violations of the use of force policy. 'There was a violation of the Standards of Conduct policy and the officers were issued a Letter of Counseling regarding their language. 'One of the supervisors was also issued a Letter of Counseling after being found in violation of the supervisor's responsibilities of ensuring photographs were taken after a use of force incident. 'The entire investigation was submitted to AZ POST for review and AZ POST took no action. The statement added the police department, 'conducts regular training' in reference to weapons and firearms use. Rishi Sunak has been contacted by the Gambling Commission over an official probe into an election bet placed by one of his close aides. The PM is understood to have received a letter from the regulator over a 100 wager made by Craig Williams, his parliamentary private secretary. The bet, that the election would take place in July, was placed on May 19. Mr Sunak announced July 4 as the election day on May 22. Last night Mr Sunak refused to say if Mr Williams, the Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was among those privy to the election date before it was publicly announced. Using confidential information in order to gain an unfair advantage when betting may constitute a criminal offence of cheating under section 42 of the Gambling Act. The PM (pictured today with Narendra Modi at the G7 in Italy) is understood to have received a letter from the regulator over a 100 wager made by Craig Williams, the PM's parliamentary private secretary. David Cameron lashed out at 'foolish' Tory MP Craig Williams today as the aide to Rishi Sunak faced condemnation for placing a 100 bet on the date of the election. Mr Williams has not disputed claims he placed a 100 with Ladbrokes from within Montgomeryshire on May 19 that would have won him 500. Yesterday he told the BBC: 'I clearly made a huge error of judgement that's for sure and I apologise.' The Liberal Democrats called for a Cabinet Office inquiry to look into what Mr Williams knew at the time of his bet, with the probe to be given access to any communications between Mr Sunak and his No 10 staff. Speaking to broadcasters at the G7 summit in Puglia, the Prime Minister last night said: 'It's very disappointing news and you will have seen Craig Williams say that it was a huge error of judgment.' Pressed on whether Mr Williams knew the July 4 date when placing his bet, Mr Sunak said: 'Given the nature of the inquiry, which is confidential and independent, it wouldn't be right for me to comment while that inquiry is ongoing.' The caged serial killer Dana Sue Gray has revealed how she was sexually assaulted by a male-to-female trans cellmate in the California prison where she's serving life without parole. Gray gained notoriety in the 1990s for stabbing and strangling three elderly neighbors to death, so she could steal their credit cards and buy fancy clothes and massages. Now a lifer at Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), she says she's been sexually assaulted by one of the trans inmates who now serve their sentences in women's lockups. Gray, 66, describes a 'terrifying and disgusting' attack by the cellmate, who has not undergone sex-change surgery, in which he pulled down his pants and 'shoved his d**k in my face.' Many people who recall Gray's gruesome killing spree will struggle to sympathize with her. Dana Sue Gray, a serial killer who murdered three elderly women in 1994, pictured here in court in 2004. Gray and other female detainees at Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) say life changed after trans inmates were allowed to live there. Yet the alleged attack sheds light on life at California women's prisons, which have seen ever more sexual assaults since 2021, when a new law let trans women apply to transfer into them. In phone interviews with the Independent Women's Forum (IWF), a nonprofit, Gray reveals details about the attack and her fears about caging women with biological males. When Gray learned early last year she'd share her dormitory with a trans inmate, she said she 'wasn't bothered' and saw a chance to 'educate' herself about the trans experience. Poll Should trans women convicts be allowed to serve their sentences in women's prisons? Yes No Not sure Should trans women convicts be allowed to serve their sentences in women's prisons? Yes 262 votes No 12514 votes Not sure 159 votes Now share your opinion She and the cellmate were initially 'real friendly,' she says. That soon felt 'a bit off' as their interactions became stressful and part of an 'abusive relationship,' she says. He criticized her, said she'd die in prison, and urged her to quit taking college classes, she says. Gray says her 6ft 2in roommate, who we are not naming, became aggressive. He approached her bunk late one night and subjected her to a full-on sexual assault, she says. 'He came into my bed area and pulled his pants down, and shoved his d**k in my face,' she says. It was 'terrifying and disgusting,' she says. But she had the wherewithal to order him to back off, which he did. He did not touch her, she says, calling the attack a 'show of male dominance.' The roommate tried again the next night, she says. He 'put that big man hand on my back, on my shoulder blade' and awoke her with a fright. She kept her composure, she says, telling him: 'Stay the F out of my area. Don't ever come to my area. Don't ever touch me.' Gray told a guard about the incident and the roommate was moved to another yard, she says. She did not formally report an assault, she says, as there was no way to prove her allegations, and it would have kick-started a process that would have put her in isolation, which worried her. Gray achieved notoriety in the 1990s for stabbing and strangling three elderly neighbors to death. CCWF's sprawling complex in Chowchilla has been dogged by claims of sexual violence in its cells for years. A more recent photo of Gray, taken as part of the rehabilitative degree course she is studying Her experience and other sex assaults at the sprawling lockup outside Chowchilla, in central California expose flaws in Senate Bill 132, which enshrined the rights of trans inmates, she says. To request a transfer, trans detainees must only profess their identity taking cross-sex hormones or having surgery is not needed. Requests are reviewed by a warden, guards, medical and mental health staff, and an expert on prison rapes. Advocates of the law, which was signed into law by Democratic Gov Gavin Newsom in September 2020, say trans detainees are most often victims of abuse and deserve the safety of lockups matching their gender identity. But Gray, who has been behind bars since 1998, says SB132 changed women's prisons beyond recognition. 'It's disgusting, and I have to be polite and deal with it for my own safety, and so that I have a less stressful day, but I don't like it,' Gray said. 'I don't want any of them here. I want them to go away.' Women inmates are often vulnerable and poorly educated, says Gray. Some have consensual sex with trans cellmates. The law shows how politicians sacrificed female-only cellblocks for 'troubled' trans-identified men, she says. 'They don't care,' she says, as they 'throw some condoms in there, and let them have sex.' 'It degrades women so bad,' she adds. Gray killed three elderly women in the Canyon Lake area southeast of Los Angeles in 1994, and was caught after a fourth victim survived and identified her. She took her victims' credits card and went on spending sprees for swimsuits, cowboy boots, a ski mask, vodka, and a massage at a ritzy spa. Andrea Mew, who is investigating SB132 for IWF, says even women murderers should be able to serve their sentences in all-female prisons. 'No one deserves to be subjected to sexual harassment,' Mew told DailyMail.com. 'If someone with her reputation is now boldly sounding the alarm, then there's evidently reason for serious concern about the safety of all female inmates.' A spokeswoman said the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) doesn't comment on specific cases. Gray, pictured her before the murders, is serving life without parole at Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) near Chowchilla, in central California. Detainees and staff at CCWF celebrated a 'day of action' for trans prisoners in January. California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed the transgender prison bill into law in September 2020. Gray, pictured here as a young woman, says trans inmates have made women's prisons more dangerous The department 'investigates all allegations of sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment pursuant to our zero-tolerance policy,' she added. The state system has some 1,997 trans and non-binary detainees. Some 345 inmates in male prisons have requested transfers to women's lockups. Of them, 46 were approved, 64 were denied, and 87 inmates changed their minds. The rest are under review. 'No one deserves to be subjected to sexual harassment,' says Andrea Mew Just 16 inmates of women's prisons have requested transfers; three have been approved. The CDCR says it vets requests carefully and only approves them when it's 'safe to do so.' The Transgender Law Center, the ACLU, and others say trans detainees are most often victims of abuse and deserve protection. Letting them serve their sentences in lockups matching their gender identity makes them safer, advocates say. But women's rights groups warn of rising incidents of rape and other horrors in what were once women-only cellblocks. They point to Tremaine Carroll, 51, a 6ft 2 in male-to-female trans detainee who's been charged with raping two women inmates in January after being transferred to the Chowchilla lockup. One of them, a small woman in her thirties, says Carroll forcibly penetrated her in the shower of the eight-bedroom dormitory they shared. She was left traumatized by the attack, and relives the ordeal each time she takes a shower, when her heart pounds in her chest, she says. Carroll is due back at Madera Superior Court for a preliminary hearing on July 8. Sharon Byrne, director of the Women's Liberation Front, says SB 132 makes it too easy for any male convict seeking access to women or a way out of violence-plagued men's prisons. 'Any male serving out any sentence for violent assaults, rapes, crimes in a men's prison, sees an open door to easily get into a woman's prison,' says Byrne. 'Who's not going to take advantage of that?' This is the toe-curling moment G7 leaders sing happy birthday to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Footage shows the leaders of Germany, France, the US, Canada, Britain, Italy and Japan starting off today's talks by congratulating Scholz on his 66th birthday. Unfortunately their pitch was off and everyone sang out of sync, illustrating why the group is better off in politics than serenading the masses. The birthday song came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted US President Joe Biden asking: 'Sleep well big guy?' as he met the others for the second day of their summit in Puglia, Italy. Trudeau later shared a kiss on the cheek with Emmanuel Macron after the French president greeted European commission president Ursula von der Leyen the same way. Footage shows the leaders of Germany, France, the US, Canada, Britain, Italy and Japan starting off today's talks by congratulating Scholz to his 66th birthday. Pictured above as they are singing happy birthday Olaf Scholz appeared overjoyed as the other G7 leaders congratulated him on his birthday The birthday song came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left next to Rishi Sunak) greeted US President Joe Biden asking: 'Sleep well big guy?' as he met the others for the second day of their summit in Puglia, Italy Trudeau later shared a kiss on the cheek with Emmanuel Macron after the French president greeted European commission president Ursula von der Leyen the same way The G7 leaders turned their attention to China today, from security in the Asia-Pacific to how best to protect their industries while avoiding an outright trade war with Beijing. After the first day on Thursday was dominated by Ukraine, the leaders started off today by addressing immigration before focusing on fair trade with the world's second-largest economy, notably on green technology. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was set to lead the talks, which officials said would also address North Korea and territorial disputes between China and its neighbours. In addition, the Group of Seven rich democracies will be seeking a common response to China's alleged support of Russia's military expansion, which Washington says is fuelling the war in Ukraine. 'G7 countries are on the same page vis-a-vis China,' a Japanese government source told AFP. Thursday's talks, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, were marked by a strong show of G7 support for Kyiv in its war with Russia, and the agreement of a $50-billion new loan. But there were also tensions, with France and the United States criticising host Italy over its reported attempts to water down references to abortion access in the final summit statement. The summit comes amid souring trade relations between China and the West, exemplified by the European Union's announcement this week of plans to impose new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Beijing denounced what it called 'naked protectionist behaviour' and said it reserved the right to file a suit with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The US, Japan and the EU - which attends G7 summits as an unofficial eighth partner - have all voiced concern over China's so-called 'industrial overcapacity'. They say generous subsidies by Beijing, particularly in green energy and technology sectors such as solar panels and electric vehicles, result in unfairly cheap goods flooding the global market. That excess capacity threatens Western companies struggling to compete, particularly in the growing green tech sector. G7 leaders during a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia on June 14, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia on June 14, 2024 Pope Francis participates in a round table with G7 leaders and state leaders on the second day of the G7 summit, in Borgo Egnazia, Apulia region, southern Italy, 14 June 2024 'We will confront China's non-market policies that are leading to harmful global spillovers,' John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesman, told journalists ahead of the summit. China has dismissed the concerns but Washington is pressing for a united G7 front. The group's finance ministers warned last month that they would weigh steps to 'ensure a level playing field' for all countries. Another focus on Friday is China's recent restrictions on exports of minerals such as gallium, germanium and graphite, which are critical in industries such as telecommunications and electric vehicles. The curbs threaten international supply chains, and there are fears they could be followed by restrictions on other materials such as rare earth elements crucial for electronics. The G7 leaders will also address security and defence concerns, including accusations Beijing has helped expand Russia's armed forces. Biden on Thursday said the group had 'agreed to taking collective action' against China's role in supplying Russia with 'materials they need for their war machine'. Washington has accused Beijing of helping Russia's defence industry - and therefore its invasion of Ukraine - through joint production of drones and exports of machine tools needed for ballistic missiles. At a joint press conference with Biden, Zelensky said he had spoken by phone to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who 'gave me his word' that he would not sell weapons to Russia. 'We will see,' Zelensky added. On the agenda is also wider security in the Asia-Pacific, where China's confrontational tactics and militarisation of islands in the South China Sea - as well as its recent war games around self-ruled Taiwan - have increased fears of a potential conflict. At the last G7 summit, in Japan, the leaders said in their final statement that they 'oppose China's militarisation activities in the region'. The Japanese government source said it was crucial for the leaders in Puglia to send a clear message to Xi that the issue was not merely regional, but of concern to all the G7 nations. 'All the (G7) countries are aware that we need to convey the message very candidly to the Chinese at the very top level,' the source said. Democrat lawmaker Chellie Pingree called for less border security and advocated for more migrants to be bused to her state, claiming there aren't 'enough locals to fill jobs.' The Representative from Maine, who has served as Maine's 1st congressional district since 2009, spoke for over two minutes during a House Appropriations Committee debate on the fiscal year 2025 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill. She expressed support for a Democrat-proposed amendment that would redirect $600 million from border fencing construction to a FEMA-administered municipal emergency shelter program, the Shelter and Services Program. The program would pay for migrant housing and expenses. Democrat lawmaker Chellie Pingree called for less border security and advocated for more migrants to be bused to her state, claiming there aren't 'enough locals to fill jobs' She expressed support for a Democrat-proposed amendment that would redirect $600 million from border fencing construction to a FEMA-administered municipal emergency shelter program, the Shelter and Services Program 'This funding is particularly important to one of the cities that I represent, the city of Portland, Maine,' said Pingree. 'You know, we all talk about big cities like New York, and we all have all kinds of concerns about this, but let's be clear: In my state, this funding is critically important to supporting our city, which has been very welcoming to asylum seekers.' Pingree noted that asylum seekers have been arriving not only since Joe Biden became president but also during the previous administration. 'And they [the asylum seekers] didn't just come since Joe Biden became the president,' Pingree continued. 'They were coming across the border, getting into buses, in the previous administration.' She went on to emphasize that Maine it is the whitest and oldest state in the nation, with a significant worker shortage, and challenged her colleagues to talk to their local chambers of commerce about the difficulty in finding enough workers for available jobs. 'Some of you may not have been to Maine, but it is the whitest state in the nation, it's the oldest state in the nation, and we've had a tremendous worker shortage,' she said. 'And I challenge any of you to have a meeting with your chamber of commerce, and not have people say to you my 'biggest issue is getting enough workers to come to work for the jobs that we have available.'' Men seeking asylum are detained by border control officers after illegally crossing the US' border with Mexico last week Pingree pointed out the millions of case backlogs in US Immigration Courts, with about 1.3 million pending asylum cases. As such, she introduced the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act to reduce the wait time for asylum-seeking migrants to obtain work permits to 30 days. 'These are not illegal people, they are in our state legally seeking asylum,' Pingree added. 'Yes, they have to apply for asylum, and then they have to wait for six months to get a work permit. So, in the interim time, our cities have to support people because they can't get to work and believe me, they desperately want to go to work.' Pingree claimed the program will 'move people from the congestion at the border to cities all over our country, and it is way to support that going on.' 'So as far as I'm concerned, this is just a common sense way to deal with the number of asylum seekers who want to come into our country today, and we should continue to support it,' said Pingree. 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 Ronald Russell of Kennebunkport defeated Andrew Piantidosi of Cape Elizabeth in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary on Tuesday, as reported by The Associated Press. With 99 percent of votes counted on Wednesday, Russell secured 57 percent of the vote and will challenge US Rep. Chellie Pingree in November's election. Maine's first congressional district is the geographically smaller of the state's two congressional districts, and covers the southern coastal area of the state. Nigel Farage today conceded that he could get six million votes on July 4 and still only have a 'paltry' number of MPs. The Reform leader painted himself as the 'opposition' to Labour, after one poll showed his insurgents with more support than the Tories. But at a press conference in Westminster, Mr Farage admitted that the electoral system made it very hard for parties to break through and win seats. He said he hoped Reform would get significantly more than the 3.9million votes Ukip received in 2015, despite not having 'ammunition' or an established 'ground game'. 'If we did finish up with a huge number of votes and a paltry number of seats, do you know what it would do?' Mr Farage said. 'It would tell us yet again that Britain is broken and Britain needs reform, and that reform includes the electoral system, that reform includes the abomination that is the House of Lords, and that reform includes the right, as people in Switzerland have, to call referendums on key issues if they think their government and parliament are out of touch with them.' The comments came as Rishi Sunak tried to calm Tory nerves over the YouGov research finding that Reform had leapfrogged the party. The PM urged voted to focus on who should be in No10 between him and Keir Starmer, warning that even if the findings came to pass it would only hand Labour a 'blank cheque' to hammer Brits with more taxes. The first past the post system means that new parties often gain a spread of votes across the country - but support is not concentrated enough to win constituencies. Nigel Farage conceded that he could get six million votes on July 4 and still only have a 'paltry' number of MPs Rishi Sunak tried to calm panicky Tories today after a poll showed a 'crossover' moment with Reform leapfrogging the party The PM urged voted to focus on who should be PM between him and Keir Starmer , after YouGov research put Nigel Farage 's insurgents in second place Although it is just one survey and had been widely anticipated, the YouGov figures have fueled anxiety within Conservative circles about the campaign. Asked if he was despairing that Reform UK is now polling ahead of the Conservatives, the PM told reporters at the G7 summit in southern Italy: 'We're only halfway through this election, so I'm still fighting very hard for every vote. 'And what that poll shows is - the only poll that matters is the one on July 4th - but if that poll was replicated on July 4th, it would be handing Labour a blank cheque to tax everyone - tax their home, their pension, their car, their family - and I'll be fighting very hard to make sure that doesn't happen. 'And actually, when I've been out and about talking to people, they do understand that a vote for anyone who is not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in No 10. 'So if you want action on lower taxes, lower migration, protected pensions or a sensible approach to net zero you're only going to get that by voting Conservative.' Pressed on whether he needed to find a more effective way to counter the threat from Nigel Farage's party, Mr Sunak said: 'So we're only halfway through this and when I'm out and about talking to people, people do get that utimately, if you're not going to vote for a Conservative candidate that makes it more likely that Keir Starmer's in number 10. 'And when people are thinking about the substance of what they want to see from a future government, if you're someone who wants to see control over borders, you're going to get that from us. You're not going to get that from Labour, they're going to cancel the Rwanda scheme, they're not going to put in place a legal migration cap. 'If you want a sensible approach to net zero, I've already announced that. Labour would reverse those reforms and put everyone's bills up with net zero costs. And if you want your pension protected, we're the only ones offering a triple lock plus. 'So actually, when people sit down especially now this week when everyone can see very clearly the difference in approach from the two parties, I think that choice will crystallise for people between now and polling day. We're only halfway through.' And asked if the election was an existential one for the Tories, he said: 'I think at the end of the day on July 5, one of two people's going to be Prime Minister - Keir Starmer or me - and this week the most important thing that happened was you saw both major parties manifestos, that's their programme for government if they were elected. 'So now everyone has a very clear sense of what each of us would do and as you saw from our manifesto, as we were discussing yesterday, say what you want about it, but it's a very clear plan, a detailed set of bold actions. That's how you deliver a more secure future for people and crucially, there's a massive difference on tax. 'We want to cut your taxes at every stage of your life in work, setting up a business, buying your first home, when you're retired, you're a pensioner or if you have a family cutting taxes for everybody. 'The Labour party consistently can't tell you which taxes they're going to put up but they are going to put them up and as we saw yesterday, they're going to raise the tax burden to the highest level in this country's history. And that's the choice for everyone at the election.' Mr Farage told BBC Breakfast his campaign had enjoyed a 'phenomenal start'. 'Back in 2015 when I led Ukip into a general election, we got 4million votes and one seat never before had anybody got so many votes for so little reward,' he said. 'But we're looking this time at many, many more votes than 4million, we're hoping to get through the electoral threshold. Whatever we do, we may not get the number of seats we deserve, but are we going to win seats in Parliament? Yes. 'How many? There's three weeks to go, we've got momentum behind us and there's three long weeks to go.' Pressed to outline a target, Mr Farage replied: 'I have no idea. The Labour Party are massively ahead in the polls, the Conservative Party has not bounced one little bit in these first three weeks, they're not going to. 'And my message is very simple that (Labour leader Sir Keir) Starmer is going to have a very big majority, I don't think he has much of a plan, his six priorities didn't even mention legal migration which is a huge issue, so I want us to become the opposition voice in Parliament and in the country. That's the ambition.' The YouGov poll has taken attention away from the Tories' efforts to nail Labour over tax plans after Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday. The document laid out plans to boost the burden by 8.5billion to pump money into services, but although promising no change to income tax, national insurance and VAT Sir Keir has refused to rule out moves on council tax and capital gains. The left-wing Resolution foundation warned last night that the proposals set the stage for five years of tax rises and public service curbs, amid widespread criticism that none of the parties are being honest about tough choices the country faces. At a press conference this morning, Treasury minister Laura Trott tried to renew the attack, saying Labour had 'deliberately failed to rule out 18 potential tax rises'. 'What's most important about Labour's manifesto is what is not in it,' she said. 'Not including planned tax increases in manifestos is standard practice for Labour We don't want Labour to get away with it this time. Ms Trott said the Reform poll was a 'stark warning' to voters. 'The Conservative Party are fighting for every single vote in this election,' she said. 'And look, we're only halfway through, right? Things can change. 'But the poll is a stark warning. If a result like this is replicated on election day, Keir Starmer would have huge and unchecked power to tax your home, your job, your car, your pension however he wants.' The think-tank said: 'Their current stance sets the scene for a Parliament of further tax rises, hard to deliver spending cuts, and the risk that a weaker productivity forecast from the OBR at the next fiscal event could force an incoming Labour chancellor into fresh hard choices in order to meet their stated fiscal rule of getting debt falling by the fifth year of the forecast.' Labour's pledges to increase public spending largely lie in departments that are already protected, such as health and social care and education, the Resolution Foundation said. The YouGov poll has taken attention away from the Tories' efforts to nail Labour over tax plans after Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), suggested that delivering 'genuine change' in Britain Sir Keir Starmer's flagship promise to voters would require more funding than the policy document proposes. Mr Johnson said some of Labour's plans were better than 'a shopping list of half-baked policy announcements' an apparent reference to the Tories' offering but warned it would need to put 'actual resources on the table'. 'And Labour's manifesto offers no indication that there is a plan for where the money would come from to finance this,' he said. In a response to Sir Keir's launch of the policy document on Thursday, the IFS director said: 'This was not a manifesto for those looking for big numbers. The public service spending increases promised in the costings table are tiny, going on trivial the tax rises, beyond the inevitable reduced tax avoidance, even more trivial. 'On current forecasts, and especially with an extra 17.5 billion borrowing over five years to fund the green prosperity plan, this leaves literally no room within the fiscal rule that Labour has signed up to for any more spending than planned by the current government, and those plans do involve cuts both to investment spending and to spending on unprotected public services.' Mr Farage has gloated that he is now in charge of the main opposition, hammering home the point in an ITV debate nast night and interviews this morning. READ MORE: Trump visits Capitol Hill the day before his 78th birthday Ivanka Trump and her half-sister sister Tiffany celebrated her father's 78th birthday by sharing a series of photos in sweet tributes on Instagram. 'Happy Birthday dad! I love you today and everyday!' Ivanka, 42, wrote along with one of her wedding day portraits with the former president. She also posted a photo walking alongside Trump in the White House's signature portico and several tender snaps of herself and her father at young ages. Former President Donald Trump is celebrating turning 78 on Friday with a birthday bash in West Palm Beach, Florida. 'Happy Birthday dad! I love you today and everyday!' Ivanka, 42, wrote along with one of her wedding day portraits with the former president Tiffany posted: 'Happy Birthday @realdonaldtrump...I love you, dad!' next to pictures from her wedding at Mar-a-Lago. Tiffany, 30, tied the knot with billionaire beau Michael Boulous, 26, at the end of 2022. Boulous also posted a wedding snap from his account, which Tiffany shared. The former president will headline a 'Club 47' event near Mar-a-Lago at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where some of his most boisterous supporters plan to don red, white and blue attire to fete the presumptive Republican nominee. The invitation showed the ex-president hugging an American flag - an homage to his Flag Day birth. Club 47's President Larry Snowden confirmed to DailyMail.com that there would be cake and a playing of the birthday song. 'All of the above. Huge birthday celebration,' he wrote in an email. Happy birthday Dad ! @realDonaldTrump I love you today and everyday ! pic.twitter.com/qaSqTMgwOn Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 14, 2024 Tiffany posted: 'Happy Birthday @realdonaldtrump...I love you, dad!' alongside pictures from her wedding at Mar-a-Lago Trump joins other celebrities like Dolly Parton Cher and Steve Martin in the 78-club. The festivities come just a few weeks after Trump became a convicted felon when a Manhattan jury found him guilty of all 34 charges related to falsification of business records for his hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. The day before heading back to Florida for his birthday, Trump was in Washington, D.C. for his first trip to the Capitol since leaving office. There he met with House and Senate GOP lawmakers where he was welcomed with them singing him Happy Birthday. With just five months until the 2024 presidential election, age has become a huge focal point. Ivanka posted a photo walking alongside Trump in the White House 's signature portico She posted several tender snaps of herself and her father at young ages 'Happy Birthday dad! I love you today and everyday!' Ivanka, 42, wrote Ivanka shared one of her wedding day portraits with the former president Whether Trump or President Joe Biden wins in November, both would break the record as the oldest person ever elected U.S. president. Biden currently already holds the record he was 78-years-old when he was inaugurated in January 2021 and would be 86 at the time of finishing a second term if he wins reelection. Meanwhile, if Trump wins, he would be 82 when ending a second term. A majority of Americans have repeatedly said in polling that they did not want a rematch between Trump and Biden in the 2024 election, with many claiming both were too old or mentally and physically unfit to serve. Nine years ago in 2015 Trump celebrated his 69th birthday at Trump Tower two days after announcing he was running for president in the 2016 election. When Trump was elected president in 2016, he became the oldest man to ever take office. Biden beat that record just four years later. Meanwhile, many younger Americans are not pleased that the age of U.S. politicians seems to be going up, with many holding onto their positions despite their advanced ages. Tiffany, 30, tied the knot with billionaire beau Michael Boulous, 26, at the end of 2022 A large Florida-based MAGA group will host former President Donald Trump at a West Palm Beach bash Friday night to mark his 78th birthday Donald Trump spent the day before turning 78 visiting Capitol Hill for the first time since leaving office. Republican lawmakers sang Happy Birthday to the leader of their party Nine years ago, Trump celebrated his birthday by descending the golden escalator in Trump Tower in Manhattan to announce he was running for president in 2016 No matter if Donald Trump or Joe Biden win in 2024, it will be the oldest president ever elected to the White House in U.S. history For example, Bill Clinton, who was president in the 1990s, is slightly younger than Trump and will turn 78 in August. A handful of U.S. representatives are the same age as Trump after his Friday birthday and at least 15 are older than him. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, is the only U.S. senator that is the same age as Trump, but eight other senators of the 100 in the upper chamber are older than 78. Overall, 35 senators are 70 or older meaning more than two-thirds of the Senate are considered elderly. Trump has maintained that he is physically and mentally fit for office, claiming he has aced acuity tests and boasting he is in much better shape that the current president, who is three-and-a-half-years his senior. Biden turns 82 on November 20, just a few weeks after the 2024 presidential election. Have YOU been caught in the queues? Holidaymakers have been told to arrive up to four hours before their flights at Birmingham airport amid confusion over the 100ml liquid rule. Tui passengers travelling on long haul flights have been advised to check in between three to four hours ahead of their expected departure time after huge queues began forming all the way outside the airport yet again. Some have been queueing at the airport since as early as 4am in the hopes of catching their flights on time following days of chaos. Issues with the security checks have coincided with the Government's decision to reverse the rules concerning the quantity of liquids passengers can carry in their hand luggage when departing from UK airports. It had originally given approval to some airports to allow passengers to carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage, after the installation of new CT scanners, but it has now temporarily re-introduced the 100ml until further notice. There are fears the chaos at Birmingham could continue for months as insiders claim the airport is 'understaffed' and staff are being 'overworked', sparking concerns for thousands of holidaymakers looking to jet off abroad this summer. Airline passengers faced huge queues at Birmingham airport this morning Huge snaking queues have formed all the way outside the airport yet again, with some claiming they had been there since as early as 4am today The problem has now spread to Bristol airport as well, where long lines have also started to form following delays in check-in and border control Tui has told its passengers that its check in desks at Birmingham airport will open between two and three hours before departure for normal flights and between three and four hours before for long haul flights. It comes after EasyJet passengers were advised to turn up for their flight three hours early for their flights at Birmingham. In a post on X/Twitter, responding to a passenger asking why check-in had been disrupted on Sunday, EasyJet said: 'We recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours or at least 2 hours before your flight to account for potential delays and facilitate check-in.' The airline has insisted the advice is not linked to the 100ml liquid limit, according to The Telegraph. Airports have criticised the Government for the liquid rules U-turn after some airports - including Birmingham - had installed new 3D scanners. It should have meant the rules were changed on June 1 so passengers could carry liquids up to two litres in their hand luggage. But the likes of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester were allowed to miss the latest deadline for installing them after various logistical challenges. Some airports that had installed the new technology had already dropped the 100ml liquid rule. Holidaymakers took to social media to share their frustrations about huge queues on Friday 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 Airline passengers faced huge queues at Birmingham airport this morning Chaos and confusion has reigned at Birmingham airport in recent weeks, with scenes of huge queues to reach security from outside the terminal The queues have been ongoing for over a week with passengers seen queuing at Birmingham Airport on June 6 Furious passengers were earlier this week left waiting outside in the rain as they spent hours getting through security But last Friday the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that six British airports will temporarily reintroduce the ban. 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 The change came into effect from midnight on Sunday, and affects passengers travelling from London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend and Teesside airports. All of the airports have Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) in operation, which had allowed them to scrap the 100ml rule. The high-tech CT scanners create a 3D image of what is inside passengers' bags and are being introduced in a number of airports across the UK with the aim of speeding up security checks. Birmingham airport had already been told to keep the 100ml ban while it waited for regulatory approval after installing its new 60million security screening hall, which included the new high tech scanners. Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators' Association, said DfT's 'surprise' announcement 'was sprung on us with very little time to react'. She said this 'created uncertainty for passengers just as airports enter their busiest period'. 'It has also put airport operators in a challenging position, with very limited time to prepare for the additional staffing and wider resources that this will require, and no clear idea of when this issue will be resolved,' she added. 'All airports are investing hundreds of millions of pounds to deliver this huge programme of technology and programme upgrades mandated by Government with equipment and processes to meet their requirements. 'We ask that all passengers please bear with us and ensure that liquids are carried in containers no larger than 100ml, until advised otherwise.' Birmingham airport's CEO Mr Barton appeared to blame passengers for the delays by not complying with the baggage rules. 'A non-compliant bag with liquids over 100ml can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger's journey through security,' he said. Mr Barton said the situation was 'not what we planned', and a pre-screening facility would next week be set up to ease queues. He said there had been 'bedding in' issues following the opening of the multi-million-pound security hall - with passengers forced to wait in queues snaking out of the terminal to go through security. Mr Barton told the BBC: '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. '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.' Huge queues at Birmingham airport also caused chaos for passengers on Monday morning Long queues outside Birmingham airport can be seen on Sunday in a video posted to X Huge lines have been seen outside the terminal, snaking around the side of the building on June 6 Holidaymakers were made to continue to queue for hours outside the terminal on June 6 amid confusion over the new 100ml liquid rules One customer posted: '@bhx_official embarassing state of affairs at #BHX. 2 hours start to finish. People collapsing all around the place On Sunday, it was claimed by insiders that the queues currently seen at the airport could last for months and the airport is 'understaffed', leaving employees 'overworked' and 'struggling'. The issue was originally believed to have stemmed 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. 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 wasn't eased up as last 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 said in a statement that alongside the security delays with the new technology, 'on-going building works on-site' have added to the 'usual busy morning' as customers have waited in 'long and skinny queues'. Female hostages still in Gaza are being kept as slaves just like Noa Argamani, the mother of one of the youngest women captives has warned. Shira Albag has told how her 19-year-old daughter Liri is being forced to cook and clean for her captors after being kidnapped on October 7. She gave a moving testimony to female Israeli leaders today in light of Noa's own account of how she was held in domestic servitude for eight months. 'Noa said that they were slaves', Ms Albag said. 'So were the [IDF] observers, Liri among them,' Ms Albag said. 'They cleaned their yard, did dishes, and prepared food they couldn't eat.' She quipped that Liri, who remains in the Gaza Strip, was held in a 'luxury villa' where they let her shower - but only after a month in captivity. 'After 40 days, they took her down to the tunnels. It's much worse. There is only salt water and not much food. No clothes to change into,' she added. It comes as an Israeli special forces soldier who embarked on the heroic rescue of Noa revealed her first thoughts were for her terminally ill mother Liora, despite being held captive without daylight for 245 days. The special forces operator said Noa's first words after being saved were: 'Is my mother still alive?' After 245 days in captivity, Noa Argamani was rescued in an IDF raid that also freed three male captives. She is seen here hugging her father after they were reunited on Saturday Noa is pictured embracing Ditza Or, the mother of her boyfriend Avinatan Or, who was also taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 Noa Argamani speaks on the phone with Israeli president Isaac Herzog on Saturday Noa has been reunited with her mother Liora Argamani (right), who has stage four brain cancer Liora had reached out to US president Joe Biden urging him to help rescue her daughter Noa Argamani is pictured being kidnapped and driven across the desert An Israeli special forces soldier who rescued Noa revealed that her first thoughts were for her terminally ill mother, Liora, despite being held captive without daylight for 245 days Shira Albag (L), the mother of IDF soldier Liri (R), today told Israeli media that Noa explained how their Hamas captors forced them to cook and clean and refused to let them bathe Members of the Yamam counter-terror unit that specialises in hostage rescue revealed the emotional exchange in their first interview since last week's rescue, which was published today in Israel. Elite fighters last week stormed the building where 26-year-old Noa was held and told her: 'Noa, we're here to save you. We're here to bring you home. 'The first question she asked was, 'Is my mother still alive?' he told Israeli army radio channel Galatz. 'I said yes, she looked at everyone and then she asked, ''Are you sure?'' We said, ''Yes, Noa, we're here to bring you back to your mother''.' He added: 'She was very frightened, very scared, but she co-operated. She was barefooted. One of the fighters put her on his back and then put her down on in the car.' The vehicle then raced for the beach where a helicopter was due to evacuate them, but the car got stuck when a huge firefight erupted. They managed to fight off the terrorists and get the vehicle moving again before making the rendezvous point in the nick of time. 'In the car she was still in shock,' the fighter said. 'She still didn't understand what was going on and then she said, 'I'm still a little scared of the road.' 'But at least we understood that she was already communicating with us in a good way. One of the fighters also gave her a piece of candy to try and reduce her stress.' Noa was saved along with 21-year-old Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, all of whom were kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7. Noa Argamani is reunited with her father following the audacious rescue of four Israeli hostages in Operation Arnon A screen displays a picture of Noa Argamani who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack and, according to the military, rescued by the Israeli forces, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 10, 2024 Argamani was famously seen in a video begging the terrorists not to kill her as she was dragged away on the back of a motorcycle Unbeknownst to her, Argamani became an icon of the struggle to free the hostages during her time in captivity after the video of her kidnapping went around the world One soldier from the Israeli rescue unit, Arnon Zmora, was shot in the head and killed rescuing the three men who were held 200 metres from Noa. Noa has been tending to Liora, 61, who has stage four brain cancer, ever since the incredible rescue. Throughout her time in captivity, Liora made a series of heart-wrenching appeals to see her daughter prior to her death, and the pair enjoyed an emotional reunion in hospital hours after Noa landed. Israel first received intelligence of the four hostages' location in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza, on May 12. A team of undercover operatives were dispatched to smuggle themselves into the area and gather more information, the Jewish Chronicle reported. A team of undercover soldiers, including women in hijabs, then arrived in the area pretending to be two Gazan families fleeing Israeli bombing. They pointed to the building where Noa was being held and offered a huge sum of cash to get a house, managing to secure a location on the same street within three hours. Special forces made up of undercover operatives of Yamam and Shin Bet surround one of two heavily guarded buildings in Al Nuseirat, Gaza Helmet cam footage showed how the Israeli operators rescued the hostages Having set up a base just 800 metres from where the hostages were being held, the Israeli operatives fed information back to Israel that allowed Yamam fighters to prepare. 'We knew it was a girl, a hostage - we didn't know who exactly it was until a day or two before the operation,' one of the Yamam fighters said. On learning Noa's identity they had to clear their mind of her emotional personal story. 'I was exposed to the fact that her mother was in hospital in a critical condition,' another of the unit said. 'I didn't know that and it got to me a little. 'I'm trying to put it aside because my goal is to be focussed on the mission and that nothing will affect my decisions on the ground.' Noa arrived home on the 69th birthday of her father Yaakov. She appeared in good physical shape but medics have warned the road to mental recovery is long. Two prison workers who became infatuated with serving inmates got themselves sent to jail after smuggling in contraband for them. Mothers Amy Portwood and Adrienne Juniper sneaked drugs and other contraband into the jail where they were employed as carers, on behalf of prisoners Darren McAndrew and Philip Phythian. They also exchanged hundreds of 'overtly sexual' texts and WhatsApp messages with the inmates, whose initials they allegedly had tattooed on their bodies, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Phythian had been serving a six-year sentence for robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place at HMP Risley in Warrington in late 2021, while McAndrew was subject to an extended 12-year sentence for robbery and aggravated vehicle taking. Portwood and Juniper were 'regular visitors' to the category C site as care workers for contractor Care Plus, where they were responsible for looking after disabled prisoner John Kelly. Amy Portwood was one of two mothers who became infatuated with serving inmates while working in a prison She and Adrienne Juniper (pictured) smuggled in drugs and contraband as well as exchanging 'overtly sexual' messages with the prisoners The two carers became infatuated with Philip Phythian (left) and Darren McAndrew (right) while working at HMP Risley They instead became involved in 'romantic relationships' with Phythian and McAndrew. Portwood's phone was shown to have exchanged 1,134 phone calls with Phythian over a period of a month, as well as 294 text messages, with the pair also found to have shared over 1,000 WhatsApp messages between November 2021 and January 2022, including images which had subsequently been deleted. Prosecuting, Philip Astbury said that a number of these messages were 'overtly sexual in their content' while others referenced 'tiny phones' and 'sniff'. Juniper and McAndrew meanwhile called one another 60 times and exchanged 1,598 texts, with some being 'sexual in nature', including the inmate sending topless pictures of himself to the staff member. When the two carers attended work on the morning of January 7 2022, a drug detection dog was said to have 'taken an interest' in Juniper and jumped up at her. However she 'passed this off' by stating that she was wearing perfume and was allowed to continue onwards into the prison. The 35-year-old and Portwood thereafter visited Kelly's cell, where Phythian and McAndrew 'loitered in the vicinity' before speaking with the two employees. The women were seen on CCTV taking their patient to the shower in his wheelchair, which had an 'out of place' blue bodywarmer on the back. This garment was later found to contain five separate packages of illicit goods including a quantity of tobacco, a mobile phone, two USB sticks, cannabis resin worth up to 2,880 within the prison estate, herbal cannabis valued at as much as 1,850, 600 of cocaine, crack cocaine worth 200 and 240 of heroin. A search of Juniper's home revealed 3,530 cash, as well as around 500 worth of Turkish lira. A further 348 was seized from a drawer in Portwood's bedroom. The court heard that the 41-year-old - of Hughes Avenue in Orford, Warrington - had the letter 'P' tattooed on her forearm in an apparent reference to Phythian. Similarly, Juniper had a tattoo of the letter 'D' on one of her fingers. Phythian has a total of 18 previous convictions for 36 offences - including receiving 10 years for robbery, wounding with intent and aggravated burglary in 2009. Gemma Maxwell, defending, stated that the 33-year-old had served a year in custody after being recalled on licence, adding: 'It is conceded that the defendant has a poor record, but he does not have any drug matters. 'He has taken steps to rehabilitate himself. He has occupied a trusted position within the prison.' McAndrew's criminal record shows 10 entries for 22 offences. These include robberies in 2000, 2003 and 2016 and wounding with intent and possession of a prohibited firearm in 2008. A search of Juniper's home revealed 3,530 cash, as well as around 500 worth of Turkish lira The 40-year-old's counsel Milena Bennett said: 'He was serving a lengthy sentence in prison under covid restrictions. He was feeling quite lonely because he did not have any visits from his family. 'Rather than targeting or grooming the co-defendant, he will say it was a mutual attraction between the two of them and he refutes any intimidation or coercion. He started asking initially for tobacco because he was missing it in custody. 'That progressed to asking her to bring cannabis for him for personal use. Unfortunately, due to the fact that others noticed the relationship between the two of them, he was asked to ask for other items to be brought into prison, and he did. 'He regrets his actions immensely. Not very long after the commission of the offences, he was released on licence. 'He was back with his partner and children. All of that came crashing down when he was recalled to custody. 'He started committing offences at a very young age. He was living a very dysfunctional life, coming from a dysfunctional family and getting himself in with the wrong crowd. 'This has resulted in him spending more time in custody than in the community. He has made efforts to start to rehabilitate himself and has a job as a cleaner in custody.' Juniper, of St Helens Road in Leigh, Greater Manchester, has no previous convictions. Philip Tully, defending, told the court: 'Both of her children are children with complex needs and, if she was to receive an immediate custodial sentence, the impact upon the children and their care and wellbeing is likely to be significant. 'She had worked as a carer for eight or nine months with that company prior to these offence being committed with no issues whatsoever. In fact, she was highly thought of. 'Ms Portwood, having struck up a relationship with one co-defendant, told her that someone was romantically interested in her. She foolishly became involved in what she thought was a relationship with him. 'She was experiencing difficulties in her long term relationship and felt flattered by the approach. This led to her agreeing to take tobacco and, gradually, other items into the prison. 'This action was totally out of character. She is someone with a good work ethic and, despite difficulties in her personal life, she has been in employment and financially providing for her family. 'She is someone who suffers issues in relation to her mental health. She is from a supportive and close family and has expressed shame and disgust about her actions and the pain she has caused everyone.' Portwood has one conviction for unrelated offences in 2003, for which she was fined. Appearing on her behalf, Gareth Bellis said she had been 'blinded by love and affection' and subjected to a 'form of grooming to a certain extent'. But he added: 'She went into this with her eyes open. Clearly, she has shown genuine remorse. 'Your honour will take into account how she became involved in these offences. One might say, but for the others, she would not have been involved.' McAndrew and Phythian, both of whom are of no fixed address but from Manchester, admitted conveying prohibited articles into a prison and possession of a prohibited item in a prison. Appearing via video link to HMP Forest Bank, they were each handed a further three years and nine months behind bars. Portwood and Juniper pleaded guilty to conveying prohibited articles into a prison and possession of heroin, cocaine, cannabis, cannabis resin and steroids with intent to supply. The former nodded and became tearful as she was locked up for 22 months. Portwood became tearful in court as she was sentenced to 22 months in prison Juniper meanwhile received as 22-month imprisonment suspended for two years, plus 160 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days. She burst into tears as she was spared an immediate jail term. Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne said: 'It is my view that Mr Phythian and Mr McAndrew took the opportunity, and there was a degree of manipulation or persuasion. 'You, Portwood and Juniper, abused your position of trust as care workers providing care to prisoners. 'You have both been extremely naive, to say the least. You knew perfectly well that these items were not permitted to be brought into prison. 'But you did it anyway, no doubt having allowed your infatuation with your co-defendants to overcome your decision making. 'These items are valuable currency within the prison system and can be used as instruments of extortion or power.' Turning to Juniper, the judge added: 'In this case, there are two children who are assessed as extremely vulnerable and have complex needs. For those reasons, I believe that Ms Juniper's case can be distinguished and I feel able to suspend the term of imprisonment.' The academic who was defamed in Steve Coogan's film about the discovery of Richard III's remains is in line to receive a 'significant sum' in damages for being portrayed as 'devious' and 'weasel-like'. Richard Taylor, formerly deputy registrar of the University of Leicester, is suing Coogan, who was a writer and producer of the 2022 film, The Lost King. The film focuses on the role of amateur historian Phillipa Langley who led the search to find the Plantagenet king's skeleton. The lost remains of Richard III were found in a Leicester car park in 2012, more than 500 years after his death. A High Court judge ruled today that the portrayal of Mr Taylor, played by British actor Lee Ingleby, did have a defamatory meaning. The ruling means the case can now proceed to trial, for which a date has not been set. Mr Taylor has brought legal action against Mr Coogan, his production company Baby Cow, and Pathe Productions. The academics' lawyers, William Bennett KC and Victoria Jolliffe, claimed their client was being presented as 'dismissive, patronising and misogynistic' towards Ms Langley, who was played by actress Sally Hawkins. The law firm representing Mr Taylor today hailed the ruling as a 'significant win' and slammed the 'growing trend' of film and TV products being labelled 'true stories'. Richard Taylor (pictured), formerly deputy registrar of the University of Leicester, is suing Mr Coogan, who was a writer and producer of the 2022 film, The Lost King Mr Taylor has brought legal action against Mr Coogan (pictured), his production company Baby Cow, and Pathe Productions. Mr Taylor argued that their client was presented as being 'dismissive, patronising and misogynistic' towards Ms Langley (left), who was played by actress Sally Hawkins. Coogan starred in the film but not as Mr Taylor Daniel Jennings, defamation partner at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, who represented Mr Taylor, said: 'This is a significant win as today's judgement makes clear that, as maintained from the start and despite the Defendants' denials, Pathe's film 'The Lost King' did have a defamatory meaning for Mr Taylor. 'Recently, there has been a growing trend of film and television productions being labelled as 'true accounts' to grab audience attention and heighten media buzz around new releases. 'Given this trend and the use of this as a marketing strategy it is imperative great care is taken about what is being published about individuals. This will not only avoid misleading viewers, but also protect individuals from character assassinations, which can be hugely damaging.' His comments come after 'real-life' Baby Reindeer stalker Fiona Harvey vowed legal action against 'all those who have lied about me'. The seven-part miniseries created by Richard Gadd is billed as a 'true story' - yet it portrays 'Martha' as pleading guilty and being jailed for nine months which she says never happened. And the High Court heard how The Lost King is being told from the perspective of Ms Langley and that it opens by telling viewers that the film is telling 'her story'. In the film, Langley, who suffers from ME, becomes obsessed with Richard III after watching a Shakespeare play about him and then thinking the bones were buried in a local car park. Mr Taylor is portrayed as being initially sceptical but later turns up at the dig with a film crew, where he says the university is 'leading' the search. After the controversial king's remains are found, the film shows the university setting up a press conference which Langley is not invited to speak and posters declaring the university had found the bones. The Lost King was released in 2022 and follows the story of ambitious writer and amateur historian Philippa Langley who unearths Richard III's remains in a Leicester car park The judge rejected Taylor's argument that the hypothetical reasonable viewer would have come away thinking he was misogynist or sexist. Pictured: Steve Coogan Mr Taylor's lawyers said the film 'misrepresented the facts concerning the search for and discovery of Richard III's remains to the media and the public'. They said this was done 'by deviously manipulating the public presentation of information about the find, so as unjustly to conceal Philippa Langley's true role, and to take credit that was rightfully hers, for himself and the University of Leicester'. The defendants denied the film portrayed such a 'saint and sinner' narrative, but judge ruled on Friday morning that the portrayal of Mr Taylor did have a defamatory meaning. His Honour Judge Lewis said: 'The character Mr Taylor was portrayed throughout the Film in a negative light. At no point was he shown in a way that could be described as positive, or even neutral. 'Whilst an individual scene may not in itself cross the threshold of seriousness, taken together the Film makes a powerful comment about the claimant and the way he conducted himself when undertaking a senior professional role for a university. 'The poor way in which he was depicted as behaving towards Ms Langley was contrary to common shared values of our society and would have been recognised as such by the hypothetical reasonable viewer.' However, he rejected Taylor's argument that the hypothetical reasonable viewer would have come away thinking he was misogynist or sexist. Coogan (pictured) is best known for creating the character Alan Partridge At the previous hearing in London, William Bennett KC, said the film showed him as a 'devious, weasel-like person' and a 'suited bean-counter', who was 'mocking' Richard III's disability. Mr Bennett said: 'It's a straightforward, plot-driven film where everything that is said and done matters.' Andrew Caldecott KC, representing Mr Coogan and the two companies, said the film states it was 'based on a true story', adding: 'It is not a literal portrayal of exact words... and would be understood as putting forward Ms Langley's perception.' He continued that while the film was 'clearly strongly critical' of Mr Taylor and the university for 'sidelining' Ms Langley during the discovery process, 'no reasonable viewer' would conclude that Mr Taylor's motive was 'sexism or misogynism'. While Judge Lewis ruled that aspects of Mr Taylor's portrayal could be defamatory, he said he did not think a viewer of the film 'would have come away from the film thinking that it was saying that the claimant was a misogynist or sexist'. He also said someone watching the film would not think Mr Taylor was 'equating Richard III's physical deformity with wickedness or moral failings' from the portrayal. Coogan is best known for creating the character Alan Partridge. He earned rave reviews for his portrayal of serial sex abuser Jimmy Savile in BBC series The Reckoning last year. Daniel Jennings, defamation partner at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, who represented Mr Taylor, said: 'This is a significant win as today's judgement makes clear that, as maintained from the start and despite the Defendants' denials, Pathe's film 'The Lost King' did have a defamatory meaning for Mr Taylor. 'Recently, there has been a growing trend of film and television productions being labelled as 'true accounts' to grab audience attention and heighten media buzz around new releases. 'Given this trend and the use of this as a marketing strategy it is imperative great care is taken about what is being published about individuals. This will not only avoid misleading viewers, but also protect individuals from character assassinations, which can be hugely damaging. 'Whilst there's still some way to go in this case, today's judgement is an important milestone and increases our confidence both of success for Mr Taylor, but also that similarly affected individuals will be able to see a route to vindication.' A Portland hiker has shared the simple tricks he used to save himself after a cougar stalked him on a remote trail and even tried to pounce on him. Ben Blumenfeld was running along the Angel's Rest trail in the Columbia River Gorge on Tuesday when the big cat jumped out of the woods. But instead of fleeing as instinct might suggest, Blumenfeld remembered a YouTube video with some crucial advice. ''It got really close, like within a person's distance away from me,' he told KATU. 'It had a quick swipe initially.' 'I got big and put my arms up and started shouting, 'I'm OK cougar! I'm OK cougar!' Portland hiker Ben Blumenfeld has shared the simple tricks he used to save himself after a cougar stalked him on a remote trail and even tried to pounce on him. 'Screaming at this cougar, making eye contact, showing my teeth and trying to be as big and scary as I could.' The action worked momentarily, until Blumenfeld became unsteady on his feet and the cougar almost leapt at him. 'We had one more close encounter when I stumbled a bit, and he went to go pounce,' he explained. 'I just jumped up and screamed again. That's when he gave me the most distance. He just stopped in his tracks when I screamed, probably the loudest in our interaction. That's when I was able to back away from him.' With his heart pounding, Blumenfeld dialed 911 and spoke to an operator, only then realizing the severity of his situation. 'Things seem very matter of fact because he used words like self-rescue and "you're going to have to walk out alone", but he walked me through it,' Blumenfeld said. lumenfeld was running along the Angel's Rest trail in the Columbia River Gorge on Tuesday when the big cat jumped out of the woods. The trail has been closed ever since his narrow escape. Oregon is home to more than 6,000 cougars, or mountain lions according to the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sightings described as 'rare' but habitat loss means they could become more frequent. The agency suggests people educate themselves on what to do in the event of an encounter. 'Cougars often will retreat if given the opportunity,' the agency states. 'Leave the animal a way to escape. Stay calm and stand your ground. Maintain direct eye contact.' But instead of fleeing as instinct might suggest, Blumenfeld remembered a YouTube video with some crucial advice which told him to make noise and appear intimidating The trail has been closed ever since Blumenfeld's narrow escape on Tuesday Children should be picked up without bending down or turning your back on the animal. But crucially, the advice is not to run. 'Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack,' the guidance states. If the cougar appears aggressive, hikers are advised to raise their voice and make themselves look larger. 'If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available,' the department says. James May has said he was not comparing Pride to the Nazis in his criticism of the vast number of flags currently on show. The Top Gear co-presenter has today blasted those who used his post to launch into 'lazy homophobia'. It comes after the 61-year-old television star shared his thoughts yesterday on the flags which have been hung in Regent Street, central London for Pride month, which celebrates members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. He previously said how he felt Pride organisers were 'borderline guilty of Too Much Bunting (TMB)' and that it could come across as 'authoritarian' and 'oppressive'. He added that World War Two started with too much bunting. James May, pictured, has today blasted those who used his post to launch into 'lazy homophobia' It comes after the 61-year-old television star shared his thoughts yesterday on the flags hung in Regent Street, central London for Pride month which celebrates members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities James May's post today, pictured, in response to the thousands of comments he received yesterday His post attracted thousands of comments and likes, with some saying they were 'confused' by the point he was trying to make, while others agreed saying, 'I do agree, less is more when it comes to hanging stuff over streets'. Today, May took to X/Twitter again and said he was 'not suggesting that the Pride movement has anything in common with the Nazis.' He added 'plenty of other events (royal ones, for example)' also may have too much bunting as part of their celebrations. The post reads: 'I've had an illuminating 24 hours reading the responses to my 'bunting' post. Now hear this. '1) I'm not suggesting that the Pride movement has anything in common with the Nazis. '2) My post is not intended for use as a community launch pad for sorties into lazy homophobia. '3) Yes, plenty of other events (royal ones, for example) also transgress the TMB ruling. '4) People should read through their posts before submission. This won't work as a platform for 'citizen journalism' if half of it is incomprehensible b*******. 'That is all. Carry on. Peace 'n' love, everyone.' James May's post from yesterday which received some criticism from Pride-goers and supporters One person commented: 'Lets all chill out. Its Friday. All is well. James May is a decent chap. HAPPY FRIDAY.' While another said: 'With the best will in the world many of your followers/commenters clearly feel that their (bigoted) POV is legitimate and have come out of the woodwork as very derogatory to and dismissive of the LGBT community. 'The issue isnt with what you said but the people it encouraged.' To which May replied with: 'I can't be held responsible for other people's misreading of things.' The Tories stepped up attacks on Keir Starmer today, warning that Labour could hike taxes in 18 areas. Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday with plans to boost the burden by 8.5billion to pump money into services. However, while promising no changes to income tax, national insurance or VAT, Sir Keir has refused to rule out moves on council tax and capital gains. Treasury minister Laura Trott used a press conference to claim Labour 'are secretly planning to put capital gains tax on your primary residence', which would be a 'disastrous policy for families up and down the country'. Labour flatly denied that it would charge CGT on main home sales, accusing the Tories of 'lying'. But the Resolution Foundation has cautioned that the party's manifesto set the stage for a parliament of undeclared tax rises and public service curbs - a criticism also levelled at the Conservatives. Keir Starmer could oversee five years of tax rises if he wins the election , a Left-wing think-tank has warned Treasury minister Laura Trott used a press conference to claim Labour 'are secretly planning to put capital gains tax on your primary residence' The Tories have been warning about the 'tax trap' if Labour gets into power This IFS chart shows the potential increases in the tax burden from the parties' manifestos Rishi Sunak arrived in Italy for the G7 summit yesterday, which is still continuing today Ms Trott said: 'Yesterday we saw a manifesto from Labour that contained no tax cuts, only tax rises they even warned of it in their manifesto.' She added: 'It's a tax trap manifesto from a Labour Party that has tax rises coded into its DNA. 'Labour's first, second and third answer to every problem is always the same: raise taxes. And as a result, the tax burden under Labour on their own figures will rise to be the highest our country has ever seen.' But a Labour spokesman said: 'Labour will not introduce capital gains taxes on primary residences. It's a bad idea. 'The Conservatives are lying. It's a sign of utter desperation that the Tories are talking about things they have imagined, and that Labour isn't doing.' The 18 areas where the Tories claim Labour could increase tax 1. The new State Pension being dragged into income tax for the first time in history. 2. Ending the 25 per cent tax free lump sum. 3. Making tax relief on pension contributions less generous. 4. Extending National Insurance to employer pension contributions. 5. Increasing the number of council tax bands. 6. Undertaking an expensive council tax revaluation as Labour have already done in Wales. 7. Cutting council tax discounts, as Labour is currently doing in Wales. 8. Applying Capital Gains Tax to family homes by ending Private Residence Relief. 9. Increasing the rate and level of Stamp Duty. 10. New levies or charges on bills while accelerating the rollout of renewables. 11. Increasing Capital Gains Tax. 12. Increasing Employers' National Insurance. 13. Ending the Enterprise Investment Scheme. 14. Cutting or ending the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme. 15. Ending Venture Capital Trusts. 16. Ending Business Asset Disposal Relief. 17. Ending Agricultural Property Relief and Business Relief. 18. Maintaining the expanded ULEZ zone in Outer London and expanding road pricing beyond London. Advertisement Ministers have been trying to get back on the front foot after a poll showed a 'crossover' moment with Reform leapfrogging the Tories. Treasury minister Bim Afolami urged voted to focus on who should be PM between him and Keir Starmer, after YouGov research showed Nigel Farage's insurgents in second place. Although it is just one survey and had been widely anticipated, the result has fueled anxiety within Conservative circles about the campaign. It also derailed the party's efforts to nail Labour over tax plans after Sir Keir unveiled his manifesto yesterday. The Resolution Foundation said: 'Their current stance sets the scene for a Parliament of further tax rises, hard to deliver spending cuts, and the risk that a weaker productivity forecast from the OBR at the next fiscal event could force an incoming Labour chancellor into fresh hard choices in order to meet their stated fiscal rule of getting debt falling by the fifth year of the forecast.' Labour's pledges to increase public spending largely lie in departments that are already protected, such as health and social care and education, the Resolution Foundation said. Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), suggested that delivering 'genuine change' in Britain Sir Keir Starmer's flagship promise to voters would require more funding than the policy document proposes. Mr Johnson said some of Labour's plans were better than 'a shopping list of half-baked policy announcements' an apparent reference to the Tories' offering but warned it would need to put 'actual resources on the table'. 'And Labour's manifesto offers no indication that there is a plan for where the money would come from to finance this,' he said. In a response to Sir Keir's launch of the policy document on Thursday, the IFS director said: 'This was not a manifesto for those looking for big numbers. The public service spending increases promised in the costings table are tiny, going on trivial the tax rises, beyond the inevitable reduced tax avoidance, even more trivial. 'On current forecasts, and especially with an extra 17.5 billion borrowing over five years to fund the green prosperity plan, this leaves literally no room within the fiscal rule that Labour has signed up to for any more spending than planned by the current government, and those plans do involve cuts both to investment spending and to spending on unprotected public services.' Mr Farage has gloated that he is now in charge of the main opposition, hammering home the point in an ITV debate last night and interviews this morning. A contestant for the Miss Pennsylvania pageant has pulled out of the competition after receiving bloodcurdling death threats from her rival, saying she fears for her safety. Former Miss Susquehanna Valley Robyn Kass-Gerji on Saturday took to Instagram to announce that she was hanging up her crown, a few days before the pageant was meant to start on Thursday at the Appell Center in York, Pennsylvania. She said: 'It is unfortunate, but I will not be competing at Miss Pennsylvania this week. I have officially resigned as Miss Susquehanna Valley 2024. 'After months of death threats, bullying, and being granted a 2 year order of protection after a trial, I am still not safe if I attend the Miss Pennsylvania Competition in York, PA. 'I can no longer go on and support an organization that is meant to empower and uplift women, when in truth I feel I have been re-victimized and shamed by the organization and those who work around it.' Robyn Kass-Gerji, a contestant for the Miss Pennsylvania pageant, has pulled out of the competition after receiving bloodcurdling death threats from her rival, saying she fears for her safety In her statement, the now-retired beauty queen said that 'the whole point of competing' was so that she could earn scholarship money, and to 'advocate for those who cannot or are unwilling to advocate for themselves'. 'How can I be a part of a program that has put me down when I've tried to advocate and stand up for myself and the other young women who have been harassed and assaulted?', she added. Kass-Gerji, who is Jewish, said she has been performing in pageants for years, beginning her journey after getting 'bullied really badly in high school', to 'help with my self confidence'. In an interview with CBS 21 News, Kass-Gerji said that she has received death threats and has been the subject of bullying for the last several months. She claimed the person responsible for sending her the menacing messages is a fellow Miss Pennsylvania contestant who is also competing for the crown. Screenshot shows an example of the kind of text messages Kass-Gerji received from one of her fellow contestants, which led her to withdraw herself from the Miss Pennsylvania contest Messages Kass-Gerji received included death threats to her, her boyfriend and her pets She shared screenshots of the texts, which were reportedly sent from a phone number that was connected with a fellow contestant. One screenshot showed how the person behind the death threats told the former pageant contestant: 'I swear if you leave DC I will ruin your house. I will come to DC and set your house on fire and what you scream as your stupid dogs die. It will be so funny'. Another message said: 'Maybe I'll even take care of that awful boyfriend of yours'. Each text she received got darker. One eerie message said: 'I can't wait to see the life leave your eyes as I crush your whole world. You will will yourself. Or I will kill you.' Kass-Gerji held the position of Miss Miss Susquehanna Valley 2024 The former pageant contestant was hoping to earn scholarship money through the competition Kass-Gerji ended up removing herself from the competition for her own safety Other messages threatened her pets and her boyfriend. 'Tell him that when I kill you that I'm going to kill him too. And your stupid dogs'. Another message said: 'I will first stab your boyfriend and then set your house on fire so everyone thinks you did it'. The individual responsible for sending these messages has not been charged with a crime. Kass-Gerji told CBS that she was also threatened by the same individual in person, at the Miss Pennsylvania orientation. The former Miss Susquehanna Valley 2024 beauty queen spoke to CBS 21 News about her decision to step down from the competition 'It was a very quick incident. I was going into the bathroom as she was coming out and she whispered, 'I will get rid of you, I will punch you' and she just kept walking and I just kind of stood there,' she told cameras. The two women eventually went to court, and Kass-Gerji was granted an anti-stalking order from a Washington DC court, which instructed the rival contestant to stay at least 100 yards from Kass-Gerji. However, the order did carve out an exception for pageants, which instructed that the two contestants should be separated by 20 feet. However, Kass-Gerji said that she did not receive any specific plans from the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation regarding security at the contest, as well as the other events taking place leading up to it. This led her to give up her Miss Susquehanna Valley crown. 'I didn't want to, but ultimately it was the best decision for the safety of myself and my loved ones,' Kass-Gerji said. Following Kass-Gerji's resignation, the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation issued a statement which said: 'Of course, safety and security is, and has always been, at the forefront of Miss Pennsylvanias operations. We want to ensure that all our candidates, volunteers and judges are safe while they are in York for competition week activities. This year we engaged additional security services from an external local company to help us ensure that this weeks activities happen according to plan, and we can create a positive and memorable experience for all involved with our program. To further specifically address the concerns of the petitioner, the York City police were notified, and a copy of the Anti-Stalking Order was forwarded to them. Detailed plans were also put into place to keep the contestants separated. All of this was in addition to security provided by the event venue, as well as the multiple chaperones who are present throughout the week.' However, the foundation said it believes there is another reason why Kass-Gerji may have resigned. 'Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the petitioner appears to be registered to vote in Washington D.C., she has a car registered in Washington D.C. and she has worked there since 2023. She also appears to be listed as a current candidate for a competing pageant in Washington D.C., which is a separate violation of her contract.' The foundation added that when asked to provide a copy of her current driver's license to confirm that her actual resident was in Pennsylvania, Kass-Gerji resigned, citing 'safety concerns'. The former contestant challenged this, however, telling CBS 21 that she owns a house and pays her taxes in Pennsylvania. A 75-year-old homeowner suffered a 'stress-induced' heart attack after discovering a squatter couple had moved into his home in Northwest Arkansas while he was getting medical treatment. Kelly DeShields, 54, and Matthew Villagran, 46, moved into the house of Gary Brankel, near Maysville, while he was spending time a treatment facility. The squatting couple had moved in to Brankel's home after hearing a rumor that it had been 'unoccupied for years' and googled instructions on how to claim it. They burned a pile of the homeowner's personal belongings, including documents and home decor, which was found next to the garbage. This led Brankel to suffer a heart attack that was 'due to the stress of him worrying about strangers in his residence,' according to documents. Kelly DeShields, 54 (pictured in mugshot) and Matthew Villagran, 46, moved into the house of Gary Brankel, near Maysville, while he was spending time a treatment facility The squatting couple had moved in to Brankel's home after hearing a rumor that it had been 'unoccupied for years' and google 'd instructions on how to claim it (Pictured: Matthew Villagran, 46) DeShield's told Arkansas police that she had 'found information on the internet that led her to believe she could obtain the property by paying the property taxes and maintaining the residence and land.' DeShields and Villagran were arrested for residential burglary on June 5. DeShields is being held in the Benton County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond while Villagran is held on a $15,000 bond. Their court date is set for July 15. According to an affidavit, an official with the Benton County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of trespassing at a Maysville home on Highway 43 around 11:30am on May 30. The property, owned Brankel, who is currently in a treatment facility, was found occupied by Deshields and her boyfriend, Villagran, when Brankel's caretaker arrived to collect personal belongings. According to the probable cause report, there was a burn pile containing items that appeared to be from inside the home. Deshields reportedly presented investigators with a receipt from the Gravette Revenue Office, showing she paid $162 in assessment fees for the property at 10604 N. HWY 43, Maysville, Arkansas. An official with the Benton County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of trespassing at a Maysville home on Highway 43 around 11:30am on May 30 Upon contacting Brankel, he confirmed that no one had permission to be there. Deshields claimed she believed the home had been unoccupied for years and had 'googled' how to become its owner. She found online information suggesting she could obtain the property by paying the property taxes and maintaining it. When asked by authorities, Deshields confirmed that no one at the revenue office told her she could occupy the property; she was relying solely on her internet research. Villagran confirmed to the deputy that he and Deshields had been staying at the home based on the steps she found online to gain possession of the property. The caretaker stated that Brankel was actively suffering a heart attack due to the stress caused by the presence of strangers in his home. The Supreme Court struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks on Friday in a victory for gun rights advocates. The ban was passed following the use of bump stocks in the deadly 2017 shooting in Las Vegas. Fifty-eight people were killed making it the deadliest mass shooting by one gunman in American history. But the Supreme Court struck down the ban in a six-three decision. The conservative majority on the Supreme Court ruled that bump stocks are not machine guns. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion for the court. Conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote a concurring opinion. Justice Sonia Sotomayor authored the dissent and was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Conservative majority on the Supreme Court rules bump stocks are not machine guns, striking down ban In the case Garland v Cargill, gun owner Michael Cargill surrendered two bump stocks to the ATF following the ban but then filed a lawsuit. A district court ruled bump stocks are in line with machine guns, but the ruling was reversed by an appeals court. 'We hold that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a machinegun because it cannot fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger,' Thomas wrote in the majority opinion. 'And, even if it could, it would not do so automatically. ATF therefore exceeded its statutory authority by issuing a Rule that classifies bump stocks as machineguns,' he continued. In his concurring opinion, Alito addressed the deadly shooting in Las Vegas where a man opened fire on a music festival from his suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel. 'The horrible shooting spree in Las Vegas in 2017 did not change the statutory text or its meaning. That event demonstrated that a semiautomatic rifle with a bump stock can have the same lethal effect as a machinegun, and it thus strengthened the case for amending 5845(b),' he wrote. 'But an event that highlights the need to amend a law does not itself change the laws meaning. There is a simple remedy for the disparate treatment of bump stocks and machineguns,' he went on. He wrote that Congress can amend the law. Justice Clarence Thomas (front row, second from left) wrote the majority opinion. Justice Samuel Alito (front row, second from right) wrote a concurring opinion. Justice Sotomayor (front row, far left) wrote the dissent The ban on bump stocks passed after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. 58 people were killed and hundreds were wounded when a gunman opened fire on a country music festival On October 2, 2017, a gunman opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote about the horrors of the shooting and how all the gunman using bump stocks affixed to semiautomatic rifles had to do was 'pull the trigger and press the gun forward. The bump stock did the rest.' She also wrote: 'When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.' 'Today, the Court puts bump stocks back in civilian hands,' Sotomayor wrote. 'To do so, it casts aside Congress's definition of "machinegun" and seizes upon one that is inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the statutory text and unsupported by context or purpose.' Sotomayor warned the Supreme Court's decision 'will have deadly consequences.' The ban on bump stocks in was done through changing federal fire regulations under Trump but some lawmakers warned without an act by Congress, the ban could soon be reversed In late 2018, the Trump administration moved to officially ban bump stocks in response to the deadly Las Vegas shooting. The administration used the federal law that prohibits machine guns to support amending federal firearm regulations, which is why the Supreme Court decision focused on machine guns in its ruling. People who owned bump stocks were required to either surrender them to the ATF or destroy them. Multiple states also took action to ban bump stocks. But Congress failed to act. Democratic lawmakers at the time including late Senator Dianne Feinstein warned without legislative action, the ban on bump stocks could quickly be reversed or tied up in court. A Harvard law student charged with assaulting an Israeli classmate during a confrontation at a protest has landed a top job with the public defender's office in Washington DC. Ibrahim Bharmal, an editor with the prestigious Harvard Law Review, was seen in a viral video allegedly accosting an Israeli student at a pro-Palestine 'die-in' protest in Harvard last October, just days after the attack by Hamas. The confrontation happened after an Israeli student was seen walking over protesters and recording their faces as they lay on the ground to protest Israel's actions in Gaza, according to The Harvard Crimson. Despite going viral over the brawl, Bharmal has been hired as a summer law clerk for the tax-funded Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, as first reported by the Washington Free Beacon. In the viral footage, multiple protesters including Bharmal were seen screaming: 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' at the student, who was forced to duck and swivel as he attempted to free himself from the swarm of bodies who were preventing him from moving. Ibrahim Bharmal, an editor with the prestigious Harvard Law Review, was seen in a viral video allegedly accosting an Israeli student at a pro-Palestine 'die-in' protest in Harvard last October More on Ibrahim Bharmal, EDITOR of the Harvard Law Review at @Harvard_Law & @Kennedy_School. See him physically and verbally assault an Israeli student during an anti-Israel protest on campus. Read his NEW Canary Mission Profile: https://t.co/FhgNNbpME6 pic.twitter.com/C49vYh2m9e Canary Mission (@canarymission) November 1, 2023 The mob encircled him and blocking his way with keffiyehs as he continued trying to record the scene on his phone. Protesters claimed the Israeli student was trying to 'intimidate or dox them.' Bharmal, who is scheduled to graduate next year, was a designated 'safety marshal' at the protest. He and fellow Harvard Divinity School student Elom Tettey-Tamaklo were each charged with two misdemeanors for assault and battery. Moreover, an FBI probe was launched into the confrontation. Tettey-Tamaklo was let go from his position as a Harvard College proctor over his actions at the protest. Bharmal kept his position at the Harvard Law Review. The incident was one of many that sparked outrage against Harvard's handling of alleged anti-Semitism amid the war in Gaza. In the viral footage, multiple protesters including Bharmal were seen screaming: 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' at the student and blocking his path Bharmal, seen in a yellow vest on the far right, was a designated 'safety marshal' at the protest Various Harvard alumni including billionaire Bill Ackman and senator Mitt Romney co-wrote a letter accusing Harvard of allowing an environment where Jewish students felt unsafe. In April, New York rep. Elise Stefanik sent a leader to Harvard leadership accusing them of 'delaying justice' against the students involved in the melee and stalling the FBI probe. Bharmel is also the co-president of the Harvard South Asian Law Students, a group that triggered massive backlash when they signed a letter blaming Israel for the October 7 attack by Hamas. Harvard pro-Palestinian groups held a 'die-in' just over a week after the deadly terrorist attack by Hamas that killed more than 1,300 people in Israel Bharmel is also the co-president of the Harvard South Asian Law Students, a group that triggered massive backlash when they signed a letter blaming Israel for the attack by Hamas He is expected back in court in September and faces up to 100 days in jail for each count. In the post shared by the DC pblic defender's office, Bharmel said he wants to work to support 'immigrants, asylum-seekers, and other newly arriving neighbors.' 'I'd like to serve my home communities, specifically supporting immigrants, asylum-seekers, and other newly arriving neighbors. I endeavor to use legal advocacy as one tool to stem the harmful effects of our country's carceral and exclusionary immigration systems onto the vulnerable populations I come from,' Bharmal added. 'I'm still determining where I'll land in the immediate short term, but I envision myself practicing as an immigration, criminal defense, or civil rights attorney after graduating.' A piglet was reunited with its owner after it was found roaming the streets - giving local police officers a high-speed chase they didn't expect. The Sebastopol Police Department received multiple calls around 1:40 pm Thursday about a pig - who was later identified as Pickles - running in and out of the roadway in the 800 block of Gravenstein Highway North in Sonoma County, California. How Pickles ended up on the streets is still unclear, but authorities said the four-legged perpetrator 'proved to be very fast and strong for an animal of its size.' The ordeal was captured on video by a police officer's bodycam. Officials released a clip on Facebook showing the chase traverse several city blocks. A chase unfolded through a parking lot and spilled onto a residential street, as shown in security footage. The Sebastopol Police Department received multiple calls around 1:40 pm Thursday about a pig - who was later identified as Pickles - running in and out of the roadway in the 800 block of Gravenstein Highway North in Sonoma County, California How Pickles ended up on the streets is still unclear, but authorities said the four-legged perpetrator 'proved to be very fast and strong for an animal of its size' 'Pickles' narrowly escaped capture, but with the help of local bystanders, the runaway was cornered in a side yard, seized, and taken into custody. Instead of filing charges for resisting arrest, the officers opted to let Pickles return to his mother without citation at the scene. A chase unfolded through a parking lot and spilled onto a residential street, as shown in security footage Instead of filing charges for resisting arrest, the officers opted to let Pickles return to his mother without citation at the scene 'Officers Whitehall and Thomas used discretion and elected *not* to charge 'Pickles' with 148(a)(1) PC (Resisting a peace officer),' the police department's Facebook post read. 'Instead, we felt it was beneficial to just admonish 'Pickles' for running from officers! 'Thanks to Pickles' mom and all the Sebastopol citizens who helped get Pickles!' A far-right sympathiser has attacked two children at a Finnish shopping centre, leaving a 12-year-old child seriously wounded. The suspect has been named by public broadcaster Yle as Sebastian Lamsa, 33, a former key member of a banned neo nazi group, the Nordic Resistance Movement (PVL). Lamsa targeted the children, who are Finnish nationals of foreign background, at the Valkea shopping centre in the northern Finnish city of Oulu shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday. The 12-year-old child is in a stable condition after being seriously wounded in the attack, police said. The injuries were not life-threatening. Lamsa, who was born in 1990, was believed to have stabbed the child several times from behind before being stopped by a security guard just seconds after he launched the attack. The suspect has named by public broadcaster Yle as Sebastian Lamsa, 33, a former key member of a banned neo nazi group, the Nordic Resistance Movement (PVL). Lamsa is pictured above during his 2013 trial for stabbing a person at a lecture on the far right in Finland Lamsa, who was born in 1990, was believed to have stabbed the child several times from behind before being stopped by a security guard and bystanders (pictured above) just seconds after he launched the attack The suspect targeted the children at a shopping centre in the northern Finnish city of Oulu late on Thursday, and will face preliminary charges of two attempted murders, the National Bureau of Investigation said in a statement Lamsa was arrested by police outside the shopping centre after the attack Yle showed images of what it said was a pool of blood on the floor of the shopping centre. Lamsa was arrested by police outside the shopping centre after the attack. Investigators said he will face preliminary charges of two attempted murders. 'The criminal investigation is still at an early stage and the police do not know the exact motive for the act. They know, however, that the suspect has a background in extreme right activities,' the National Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. Lamsa has a background in right-wing extremism and has been previously convicted of violent crimes, Yle reports. In 2012, he pepper-sprayed a left-wing politician at a Pride event in Oulu, before being convicted of stabbing a person at a lecture on the spread of far-right groups in 2013. He was given a suspended sentence of one year and a half for the stabbing. Yle also reported that Lamsa was a suspect in another case after a two-kilogram package addressed to him was suspected of containing explosives in March 2021. The case is still being investigated. In 2018 the PVL, the neo nazi group Lamsa was part of, was banned for hate speech and violence against foreigners and Jews, a ruling that was upheld by Finland's Supreme Court two years later. Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo condemned the attack. 'Far-right violence is a genuine threat in Finland,' Orpo said in a post on social media X. 'There is no room for extremism of any kind in this country.' Locals in Oulu were shocked and outraged over the stabbing, with one mother telling Yle she was worried about the future and and letting her two young children go anywhere 'when something like this happens almost every day'. 'Extremist movements have reared their heads in an unpleasant way throughout Finland. We should all be concerned about this and the increase in racism,' a man told the broadcaster. President Biden and Pope Francis were captured sharing a tender moment on the final day of the G-7 summit in southern Italy on Friday. The US President and the head of the Catholic Church greeted each other before a working session at the Borgo Egnazia resort during intergovernmental political summit in Savelletri near Bari. The two were seen shaking hands, with their foreheads touching. Earlier on Friday, the Pope hosted more than 100 comedians at the Vatican City in a warm-up act to his meeting with Biden at the G7 later in the day. The conclave of comedians included Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien. Pope Francis (L) speaks with US President Joe Biden (R) as Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (rear) looks on, on the sidelines of a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean at the Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit in Savelletri near Bari, Italy, on Friday Up close and personal: the Pope and Biden share a tender moment on Friday as they greet each other on the final day of the G-7 summit in southern Italy. The encounter comes after the Pope hosted more than 100 comedians at the Vatican on Friday morning 'You unite people, because laughter is contagious,' the pontiff told the assembled group, adding that he has prayed for 40 years for a good sense of humor. 'While communication today often generates conflict, you know how to bring together diverse and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you!' the Pope, 87, said. On the second and final day of the summit, leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations turned their attention to AI, economic security and migration, as their delegations worked on a comprehensive joint communique touching on many of the worlds major geopolitical and social challenges. The gathering is also discussing other major topics, such as financial support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, climate change, Iran, the situation in the Red Sea, gender equality as well as Chinas industrial policy and economic security. An 'arrogant' PC who had sex sessions with a vulnerable young woman while on duty is to be stripped of his police pension after being jailed for four years. Shamraze Arshad was today slammed by his international student victim for having 'ruined the image of the great British police', while chiefs at Greater Manchester Police branded him 'a disgrace to the force'. The 21-year-old, whom he met on duty after she threatened to kill herself, told a court how Arshad would come round and stay for 15-20 minutes 'for a fun time in bed.' Their 'friends with benefits' relationship petered out after about seven months, but the illicit relationship was exposed after detectives from the professional standards team began investigating improper use of the force computer. He had been accessing information about road traffic accidents, his trial heard - including one he himself had been involved in. Shamraze Arshad (pictured) was today slammed by his international student victim for having 'ruined the image of the great British police' The 21-year-old, whom he met on duty after she threatened to kill herself, told a court how Arshad would come round and stay for 15-20 minutes 'for a fun time in bed' Today's hearing at Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) was told Arshad first met the student on October 28, 2020 after a 999 call about her threatening suicide Arshad was questioned and bailed on condition he did not contact her - but brazenly he went straight round to her home in a bid to dissuade her from speaking to them. He was yesterday convicted of misconduct in public office by a jury yesterday after 75 minutes deliberations. The shamed ex-officer was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and data misuse at a trial last year. Sentencing the 38-year-old for the three offences at Liverpool Crown Court today, Judge Stuart Driver, KC said his crimes represented 'a serious betrayal of public trust in the police force'. Afterwards Greater Manchester Police said it would be seeking to strip Arshad of his police pension for his 'unforgivable breach of policing standards'. However Arshad will spend no more than seven months behind bars after time spend on a curfew was taken into account. Today's hearing was told Arshad first met the student on October 28, 2020 after a 999 call about her threatening suicide. He and a colleague arrived and found she was drunk and had taken some pills and he was told she had a history of mental illness. 'She was a foreign student living in Manchester many thousands of miles away from her home and family,' Judge Driver said today. Arshad, of Ascott Close, Lostock, Bolton, who joined GMP in October 2018, was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice and unauthorised access to the police computer at a trial last summer 'You took her to hospital. As soon as you went off duty that day you accessed the police computer to find her mobile number. 'Over the next 48 hours you exchanged with her over 40 text messages and numerous telephone calls as you took advantage of her vulnerability to establish a sexual relationship.' Judge Driver said the defendant often arrived at her shared accommodation in Manchester in the early hours of the morning or in the day time in full police uniform. 'You stayed for about 20 minutes solely for sex to which she fully consented,' he added. 'It was a cynical, sustained and very serious example of misconduct in public office. 'The fact she was consenting needs to be seen in the context of the vulnerability she displayed when this relationship began.' The judge said that after he was questioned and bailed on July 19, 2021 he went straight to her home and banged on the door, frightening her house mates. He returned the next morning and did the same. 'She describes herself as terrified,' he said, adding that Arshad's purpose had been to thwart the prosecution. Greater Manchester Police said it would be seeking to strip Arshad of his police pension for his 'unforgivable breach of policing standards' Jamie Baxter, prosecuting, had said that Arshad, a father-of-two, was 'far detached from the knight in shining armour she initially thought he was.' He said that his behaviour was 'consistent with an arrogant man - from the moment he met her he was interested in only one person himself.' Arshad denied having sex with the woman and said he had only kept in touch with her because he had a duty of care and was concerned about her welfare. 'His concern was not her wellbeing, but rather his own sexual desires,' said Mr Baxter. In an impact statement the woman, who has now returned to her homeland, said: 'I was 21, an international student on my own. 'This man took advantage of me and his position in his job. 'As a police officer that is not professional, it is also inhumane, taking advantage of a young girl. 'He has ruined the image of the great British police. This is not just about him but the whole police system in the UK.' Defence KC Peter Wright told the court that Arshad - who has a degree in criminology and psychology - has been reconciled with his partner, who is pregnant with their third child. He added: 'He is disgraced, dismissed from the Force and faces a perilous and uncertain future as a serving prisoner. 'He has squandered a promising career by his own acts and he has squandered the support of a loyal family by virtue of his conduct bringing shame upon them as indeed upon himself.' The court heard Arshad, from Bolton, had spent ten days in custody and that as well as having to report to a police every day on remand he had also been subject to a curfew which equalled 509 days in custody. Judge Driver sentenced the defendant to a total of four years imprisonment of which he will be liable to serve half, less the 519 days already effectively served, meaning he faces no more than seven months behind bars. Afterwards Detective Chief Inspector Dave Jones, of GMP's Professional Standards Directorate, said: 'I want to thank the courageous woman in this case for providing us with the evidence that was so important in ensuring that Arshad is rightly held accountable for the full extent of his crimes. 'He abused his position as a police officer to pursue a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman who he was supposed to protect in her time of need. 'This is an unforgivable breach of policing standards and it's right he will never be trusted to wear a police uniform again. 'Arshad's jail term is fully deserved. 'He is a disgrace to the police service and does not represent the thousands of professional, honest, hard-working police officers across Greater Manchester who continue to protect the public each and every day. 'As soon as we were legally able to, we sacked Arshad and, now that criminal proceedings have been concluded, we will invite the Deputy Mayor to strip him of his police pension.' This is the frightening moment a man and his wife escaped a murder hit after gunmen fire more than 40 shots at point blank range in southeastern Brazil. A surveillance camera outside the 29-year-old victim's home showed him pulling up to the garage when the attackers rammed their vehicle into his armored car. Two assailants can be seen running out of their SUV and approaching the driver's side of the victim's car and opened fire with a gun and a 12-gauge automatic rifle. The suspect firing with rifle appeared to run out of ammunition and ran back to their vehicle. However, his accomplice continued to fire and was then joined by the other shooter, who returned with a rifle and unleashed a hail of bullets. He then turned around and fired at the victim's home. Brazilian authorities are searching for two gunmen who were seen on video unleashing a hail of bullets at a car of a 29-year-old man and his wife in the southeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul last month. The man was wounded in the shoulder and his wife was not injured. No arrests have been made The suspects attempted to flee in their SUV - which had been reported stolen - and were forced to abandon it when it encountered a mechanical issue and fled into a wooded area. The victim was rushed to an area hospital and treated for a gunshot wound in the shoulder that was non life-threatening. His wife was not injured. Rio Grande do Sul Civil Police chief Marcelo told Gasparetto Jornal Informativo online new portal that the victim claimed the assault was sparked by a jailed inmate who was jealous over his wife. 'According to the victim's report, this criminal was transferred to Soledade last year, and since then some crimes have increased, which is actually quite serious,' Gasparetto said. 'Although the victim claims that the motivation was due to interpersonal relationships, involving women, we believe that it is due to drug trafficking.' However, his reasoning was questioned by investigators, who say the shooting really was the byproduct of a dispute between him and rival drug dealers. The victim survived a murder plot in 2023 and decided to buy an armored vehicle. Police have said that the failed murder plot was related to a dispute between the victim and rival drug dealers He was also investigated for murder, theft and drug trafficking. 'This is a person who would have reasons to be targeted by the factions. He had already suffered an attempt last year, however, on that occasion, he preferred to abstain and denied the facts, saying that it had only been a threat, which made our work difficult,' Gasparetto said. 'This time, he collaborated with the Civil Police and informed them who the alleged mastermind was, which is why we believe that last year's incident was involved with this year's incident, and it was probably for the same reasons.' Authorities were looking into the involvement of four suspects for supplying the weapons. Terrifying video footage has emerged of nearly two dozen robbers swarming into a California jewelry store and ransacking it. Five of the thieves have been arrested after the smash-and-grab robbery took place just before 1:30 pm at the Hacienda Shopping Center on the 700 block of E. El Camino Real near in Sunnyvale, California. Around 20 attackers were caught on camera storming the store, smashing jewelry cases with hammers and other weapons. They grabbed merchandise before escaping in multiple vehicles ahead of police arriving on the scene. Two police chases ensued shortly after as the suspects piled into several vehicles and made a break for it. Five of the nearly two dozen robbers were arrested after an organized crime raid at a jewelry store sent authorities on a police chase The suspects are named: Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho The scene unfolded quickly, as footage showed the burglars pile into the store the minute the doors opened. Without hesitation, the men in black sprawled across the store, dividing their robbery into sections as if they had mapped out their route beforehand. Officers tracked down two of the vehicles, both of which refused to pull over, leading to a high-speed police chase on northbound U.S. Highway 101. The first vehicle managed to escape the authorities as they lost track of the suspects. During the second chase, suspects were seen throwing some of the stolen jewelry out the window, according to local police. Although officers lost sight of the vehicle, they found it abandoned on the side of the highway shortly after in Redwood City. The five burglars fled on foot, running across the freeway and into a nearby industrial area, where four of them were arrested. The fifth suspect was apprehended after being stopped by a police K-9 as he attempted to escape, according to police. The calm before the storm: the untouched jewelry store right before nearly two dozen robbers stormed the shop, smashing all of the glass displays The gang were taken into Santa Clara County Main jail on charges of armed robbery, felony vehicle evasion, resisting arrest, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, possession of burglary tools, and outstanding warrants The suspects are named: Tonga Latu, Tavake Esafe, Ofa Ahomana, Kilifi Leaaetoa, and Afuhia Lavakeiaho. The total value of the stolen jewelry was not released. Some of the items were recovered. No one was hurt during the robbery or the police chases, Officials are looking into whether or not this robbery is related to another that took place in Sunnyvale in May, where there were also multiple suspects involved. A firm run by a former Bafta chairman who produced hit films including Love Actually and Four Weddings and Funeral has handed Labour 500,000 for its election war chest. Duncan Kenworthy's Toledo Productions handed over the massive wedge to Sir Keir Starmer's party shortly after the election was called last month, official documents show. It was the largest individual private donation and accounted for more than half of the donations the party received in the first seven days of the campaign, according to the Electoral Commission. Mr Kenworthy, 74, was the chairman of Bafta, the British film organisation, between 2004 and 2006. As well as his film credits he helped create Fraggle Rock alongside Muppets creator Jim Henson. His cash gift meant Labour received almost three times as much money as the Tories in the first week after the election was called on May 22. It appears to be Mr Kenworthy's first donation to a political party, although the producer did donate 5,000 to David Miliband's unsuccessful bid for the Labour leadership in 2010. It will raise fresh questions about the wisdom of Rishi Sunak going to the polls so early in the year and whether the Tories were ready. Duncan Kenworthy's Toledo Productions handed over the massive wedge to Sir Keir Starmer's party shortly after the election was called last month, official documents show. He co-produced hit films including Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and Funeral in the noughties. Mr Kenworthy, 74, was the chairman of Bafta, the British film organisation, between 2004 and 2006. As well as his film credits he helped create Fraggle Rock alongside Muppets creator Jim Henson. Data from the Electoral Commission shows that Sir Keir Starmer's party received more than 900,000 from supporters in the first week of the campaign last month. Additionally Labour received a lump sum of short money, which is given to opposition parties, which added 652,000 to its war chest, meaning it received half of all money received by political parties in that week. Once the various sources of cash are added together, the Tories received 597,372, just 35,000 more than the Liberal Democrats on 563,307. To add to Tory fears the figures were for a period before Nigel Farage returned as Reform leader, which may have siphoned more cash away to the Right. Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Farage today admitted his party needs to 'raise a lot of money and do it very, very quickly'. The Reform UK leader said: 'I said earlier that money was coming in every day in small 25 quids, and we will raise 2-3 million in 25 quids, and that's great.' He added: 'Right at the moment, we do not have the ammunition that we need - and we're going to need - for the establishment of a counter-attack that I expect to begin from the Labour Party as well - pretty imminently. 'So, no, we do need to raise money, a lot of money very, very quickly, and that's something we're going to be focused on very heavily over the course of the next few days. 'So, yeah, you know, we are the underdogs. We are the underdogs in every sense and we haven't had much time to really get ready for this election so that we do - after a bit of weakness there - we do need to raise a lot of money and do it very, very quickly. 'We're trying, we genuinely are trying.' Other significant donations to Labour included 100,000 from entrepreneur Tony Bury and 70,000 each from businessman Clive Hollick, also a Labour peer, and hedge fund manager Stuart Rosen. Labour also benefitted from 652,411 in public funds from the House of Commons following the dissolution of Parliament, bringing the total raised by the party during the week to 1.58 million. Labour's sister party, the Co-operative Party, received 120,000, largely in the form of a 90,000 donation from Autoglass boss Gary Lubner. For the Conservatives, the largest donation was 75,000 from Lebanese businessman Bassim Haidar, who told the Guardian in May he was "urgently" looking to leave the UK after both main parties promised to scrap the non-dom tax status. Mr Haidar also provided 13,085-worth of "travel" for the Conservative Party. The party also received 75,000 from former oil services company chairman Alasdair Locke, and 50,000 each from former party treasurer Lord Michael Farmer and gas turbine company Centrax Industries, controlled by the Barr family. The Lib Dems raised slightly less than the Conservatives, receiving 454,999 in the first week of the campaign, including 150,000 from businessman Safwan Adam. The party also received 100,000 from food company GADF Holdings, owned by Neale Powell-Cook and David Mordecai. Donations for Reform UK totalled 140,000 during the week that saw Nigel Farage declare that he would stand as a candidate in Clacton. This included 50,000 from aerospace engineering company HR Smith Group and another 50,000 from Fitriani Hay. Ms Hay, a racehorse owner, has donated more than 500,000 to the Conservatives since 2015 and gave 100,000 to Liz Truss's leadership campaign in 2022. The SNP raised 127,998, while the Climate Party and the Social Democratic Party received 25,000 each. Friday's figures are the first in a series of weekly reports that will be released by the Electoral Commission over the course of the campaign. Political parties are required to provide weekly reports of donations of more than 11,180, after the Government increased the threshold from 7,500 in January. Parties still have 30 days after receiving a donation to check that it is from a permissible source and decide whether to accept it. Louise Edwards, director of regulation and digital transformation at the Electoral Commission, said: "We know that voters are interested in where parties get their money from, and these publications are an important part of delivering transparency for voters. "While there is no limit to what parties can raise, there are spending limits ahead of elections to ensure a level playing field." For most parties, the spending limit for the General Election will be 54,010 multiplied by the number of seats they are contesting. The Princess of Wales has endured an extremely tough year so far, with her return to the public eye coming four months after she began chemotherapy treatment. Kate was diagnosed with cancer in February and has been resting at home in Windsor with the help of her husband Prince William and the Middleton family. The mother-of-three appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she revealed on March 22 she was being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer. Now, the Princess has penned a moving personal message thanking the public for their support and revealing she will attend Trooping the Colour tomorrow. The future Queen began 'preventative chemotherapy' late in February, and was said at the time to have had a positive mindset for her recovery and be in good spirits. While Kate has occasionally been spotted out, she has mostly been at home to focus on her recovery with William balancing royal duties alongside looking after her. Kensington Palace previously said she would only 'return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team' and was 'focused on making a full recovery'. Tests at the time of Kate's abdominal surgery on January 16 showed her condition was non-cancerous, but post-operative tests found cancer had been present. William and Kate then took the time to sensitively share her diagnosis with their children ahead of the Easter holidays, giving them time to process the information. A stunning new portrait of the Princess of Wales taken at Windsor this week by Matt Porteous The photograph was taken by Matt Porteous, a favourite private photographer of the couple Since William returned to royal duties, he has given positive updates about his wife - including saying on a visit to the Isles of Scilly on May 10 that 'she's doing well'. Then on June 5 he said Kate would have 'loved' to have joined commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day - and, speaking to a veteran in Portsmouth, he also appeared to say 'she is' when asked if his wife was 'getting any better'. In her message today, the Princess says she has been 'blown away' by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. 'It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,' she wrote. Movingly she reveals she is making 'good progress', but adds: 'As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. 'On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.' Before the cancer announcement on March 22, and while Kate was recovering at home from her abdominal surgery, there was intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about her whereabouts and health. Rumours online intensified after William missed, at very short notice, the memorial service of his godfather the late King Constantine of Greece on February 27. It was later revealed that William's decision not to attend was related to his wife's condition, but it is still not known when the princess was told about the positive test for cancer. I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. I am making good progress, but as anyone going pic.twitter.com/J1jTlgwRU8 The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2024 The statement from the Princess of Wales which has been issued by Kensington Palace today Further speculation was triggered after the princess admitted to 'editing' her official Mother's Day photograph which had irregularities. A further development saw an investigation launched by the UK's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office, into allegations there were attempts to access Kate's private medical records at the London Clinic where she had her surgery. Then, in her announcement in March, she revealed the cancer - saying the abdominal surgery was successful but she then took time to recover from the major operation in order to start the treatment. While Kensington Palace has never commented on her prognosis, Kate said in her message: 'It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok. 'As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.' Kensington Palace has also never commented on the length of the course of chemotherapy, or how often she is having treatment. It was also never confirmed where she was being treated, but her medical team were said to have been considering a balance of factors including the most appropriate specialists for her condition, the impact on other patients of resources, and privacy and security. It is understood Kate delayed revealing the news of her cancer to the public because she wanted time and space to come to terms with diagnosis, recover from surgery and then begin her pathway to recovery. March 22 -- Kate reveals in a video that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy William and Kate also wanted to be able to tell their children at the right time and allow them to understand and consider the news before it became public. They decided to make the announcement at a point when Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis were away from school on their Easter holidays. The family then spent the holidays together as they adjusted to Kate's diagnosis, while other members of the Royal Family including the King attended an Easter Sunday service in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. At the time of the original announcement, Kensington Palace also said: 'Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period. 'Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and the Princess is able to restart work and her duties. In the meantime, we would ask that the family's privacy is respected.' Royal aides also said at the time that Kate may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able, in line with medical advice, but any initial public events would not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule. In the video, Kate spoke about the 'huge shock' after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the 'incredibly tough couple of months' her family had experienced, with her voice cracking with emotion at times during the footage. It was hoped that the announcement would end weeks of intense speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about her whereabouts and health. One day later, Kate and William were said to be 'enormously touched' and 'extremely moved' by the public's warmth and goodwill messages. There was a global outpouring of support, including from the King, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, political figures and members of the public. Charles himself has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate had abdominal surgery. By March 27, Queen Camilla said the Princess was 'thrilled' by all the public support when she met two girls in Shrewsbury holding posters with the poignant words 'send our love to Kate'. March 11 -- William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car Then on April 9 it was revealed Kate had become the UK's most popular royal in the wake of her cancer diagnosis. The Princess jumped ahead of her husband William, with 76 per cent of Britons quizzed saying they had a positive view of her. William, with a 73 per cent positive rating in the YouGov poll, fell from the top position with a drop of one percentage point in contrast to January, but he still remained the second most favourite royal. Two days later on April 12, William and Prince George attended an Aston Villa match together in their first public outing since the cancer announcement. The Prince of Wales was seen smiling and applauding in the Villa Park stands in Birmingham as they celebrated the club's 2-1 win against Lille in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final. By April 16, it was confirmed that William would carry out his first official engagements since his wife revealed her diagnosis. The 41-year-old heir to the throne visited Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, in Sunbury-on-Thames, and then a youth centre in west London which benefits from the organisation's regular deliveries. And on April 23, a new photograph of Prince Louis taken by Kate was released by Kensington Palace to mark his sixth birthday. The unedited close-up image showed Louis grinning at the camera as he lies barefoot on a blanket on the grass. March 10 -- A Mother's Day photo of Kate with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, which was released by Kensington Palace. Kate later apologised for editing the image It was posted on Kensington Palace's social media accounts, some six weeks after the furore surrounding the Mother's Day portrait which the princess admitted editing. William and Kate were said to have been cognisant of the fact that they have asked for privacy during the princess's recovery, but wanted to share the photograph on social media as a way to thank those who have sent birthday wishes. The same process was followed for Princess Charlotte's birthday in May. On April 23, Kate was honoured for her public service and support of the arts by the King, as she was appointed Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour. The prestigious appointment was a new one especially created for Kate, and is the first member of the royal family to be appointed a Royal Companion in the order's 107-year history. Charles recommended the special honour for his 'beloved daughter-in-law', with appointees to the Companions of Honour in the gift of the Cabinet Office, the palace said. The decision by the King, who is also being treated for cancer, to suggest Kate for the honour was seen as a major show of support for the princess amid the challenges she has been facing. Three days later on April 26, it was announced that the King would be returning to public facing royal duties following the positive effect of his cancer treatment. But sources stressed at the time that despite the welcome news, the King still has cancer and will continue to be treated for the undisclosed form of the disease. December 25, 2023 -- Kate was last seen at a royal event attending church at Sandringham Then on April 29, a previously unseen portrait of William and Kate was released by Kensington Palace in celebration of the couple's 13th wedding anniversary. The photograph by Millie Pilkington who took the most recent picture of the King and Queen to mark Charles's return to public duties showed William and Kate on their wedding day in 2011. 'I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty': Kate's statement in full A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCESS OF WALES: 'I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. 'I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. 'My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home. 'Im looking forward to attending The Kings Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. 'I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. 'Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.' Advertisement Just over three weeks later on May 21, Kate said to be 'excited' by her business taskforce's new report that claims the UK could reap 45.5billion in economic benefits if firms prioritise early childhood. Kate has been following the work of chief executives she convened last year to galvanise business action on the importance of the formative years of a child's development. Kate's long-term campaign Shaping Us has been described as the Princess' 'life's work', and aimed at highlighting the crucial first five years of a child's life. But one day later, royal fans and art critics condemned a new portrait of the Princess which was meant to capture her courage and dignity. The painting by British-Zambian artist Hannah Uzor, which featured on the cover of Tatler magazine, took inspiration from Kate's cancer diagnosis video message. But social media users poked fun at the canvas, questioning the likeness. The Telegraph's chief art critic Alastair Sooke called the depiction 'egregiously, intolerably, jaw-hits-the-floor bad', asking: 'Has there been a flatter, more lifeless royal portrait in living memory?' Then on May 25, William and Kate issued a joint statement to say they were 'incredibly sad' after a Royal Air Force pilot died in a Spitfire crash near RAF Coningsby. William and Kate said on their Kensington Palace X account: 'Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. 'Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot's loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C.' And on May 30, it was confirmed that Kate will not inspect the troops at the event known as The Colonel's Review on June 8. The ceremony is held seven days ahead of Trooping the Colour which has marked the sovereign's birthday for more than 260 years. But at the time it remained unclear whether the Princess would attend Trooping the Colour. One week later, Kate wrote a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for the Colonel's Review. The Princess, who is colonel of the regiment, spoke of her pride in them and added that being colonel 'remains an honour'. Extremist preacher Anjem Choudary revelled in his status as 'number one radicaliser in Britain' which he considered a 'badge of honour,' a court heard yesterday (fri). The 57-year-old allegedly boasted to followers that he was so influential he had to be segregated in prison after he was jailed for inviting support for the Islamic State terror group in 2016. Undercover officers secretly recorded supporters laughing as the converted cleric told them how prison authorities were worried he could indoctrinate others during his two-year stint in jail. Choudary said: 'They said 'You are the number one radicaliser in Britain'. 'You know they expected me to be unhappy with that. 'I'm like Alhamdulillah (praise God) that is a badge of honour for me'. The 57-year-old allegedly boasted to followers that he was so influential he had to be segregated in prison (Pictured in 2021) The preacher accused of directing an international terrorist organisation gave a lecture on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in which he stated it was a 'good deed' to 'injure the enemy', it was said (Pictured in 2021 near his home in East London) Woolwich Crown Court heard on Friday how Choudary gave online sermons talking about 'terrorising the enemy' after his release from prison in 2018 . The preacher accused of directing an international terrorist organisation gave a lecture on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in which he stated it was a 'good deed' to 'injure the enemy', it was said. On another occasion Choudary is alleged to have asked supporters: 'Which you think would be more terrorising for the enemy? A horse galloping over the hill or a scud missile coining towards them? 'Obviously a scud missile, if they can see it, it will be more terrorising.' Jurors heard that Choudary was recorded last February telling followers, 'Jihad is obliged upon us', instructing them to 'fight, you know, with your wealth, with your body, with your money, everything.' Prosecutor Tom Little, KC, said: 'His teachings contain references to the battlefield, to jihad, and fighting the enemy. 'The subtext to what Anjem Choudary was saying was not about religious observance but was, we say, all about terrorism.' Jurors heard that Choudary was recorded last February telling followers, 'Jihad is obliged upon us' (Pictured in July 2021) Covert recordings from within the defendant's home in lford, East London later captured Choudary reassuring his wife that he 'didn't say anything dodgy'. Bugged recordings also picked up a 'significant conversation' between Choudary and Omar Bakri Mohammed, the 'spiritual leader' of banned terrorist group Al-Muhajiroun, when Choudary is said to have admitted being the 'caretaker' of the militant network. In their conversations, Choudary claimed to be the 'most banned person' in the UK after police kept taking down his websites and social media channels, jurors heard. Choudary denies directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation. The trial continues. A sixth form student who planned a neo-Nazi suicide bomb attack on a synagogue was jailed for eight years today. Mason Reynolds, 19, told other teenagers he wanted to 'make Jews afraid again', saying: 'I wanna strap multiple pipe [bombs] to my chest and blow myself up inside a synagogue'. The fanatic, described as a 'violent anti-semite' and white supremacist, carried out research on Hove Synagogue, marking an entrance he thought 'could be good for surprise attack'. Winchester Crown Court heard the 18-year-old living with his parents in Brighton led 'in many ways, a not untypical existence of a young man in his late teens.' But behind the facade, Prosecutor Naomi Parsons said the bricklaying student was a committed neo-Nazi who believed the white race was 'destined to dominate the rest of mankind.' Mason Reynolds, 19, described as a 'violent anti-semite' and white supremacist, carried out research on Hove Synagogue, marking an entrance he thought 'could be good for surprise attack' Winchester Crown Court heard the 18-year-old living with his parents in Brighton led 'in many ways, a not untypical existence of a young man in his late teens' Today the teenager's family gasped as he was sentenced to eight years in jail for terrorism offences. When Reynolds was arrested, police found a note created on his phone last May entitled 'Enough Larping' - a call to action which referred to ending his live-action role play games. The note included a Google map video showing the exterior of the synagogue, including its CCTV cameras and fire exits. On one image he had marked 'quickest and efficient way in' adding, 'Could be good for surprise attack.' Reynolds noted the synagogue would be most crowded during Jewish holidays. The next month he produced an image on a video app entitled: 'Make Jews Afraid Again.' Reynolds became an administrator for a neo-Nazi propaganda channel in November 2022 which glorified Adolf Hitler Later that day, Reynolds told another teenager on the Telegram app: 'I wanna strap multiple pipe [bombs] to my chest and blow myself up inside a synagogueI have a plan.' He went on: 'They won't let me through the buzzer door if suspicious, like Stephan Balliet', referring to a German-born neo-Nazi who used home-made weapons to kill two people after failing to get into a synagogue in Germany in October 2019. Reynolds amassed an extensive collection of terrorist material during the Covid lockdown, including files to make a 3D printed assault rifle. He became an administrator for a neo-Nazi propaganda channel in November 2022 which glorified Adolf Hitler and far-right killers including Anders Breivik and Brenton Tarrant. Reynolds distributed videos of Tarrant's attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, saying: 'It'd be 10x better seeing Jews get killed.' After his arrest, Reynolds told police he was hurt that his friends viewed him as someone who was 'all talk and no action' and made the note to 'shut his friends up'. But he later pleaded guilty to four offences of possessing material useful for terrorism and five offences of distributing material likely to encourage terrorism. Reynolds distributed videos of Brenton Tarrant's (pictured) attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, saying: 'It'd be 10x better seeing Jews get killed' Reynolds glorified far-right killers including Norwegian Anders Breivik (pictured) He was also convicted of possessing an article for terrorist purposes. Amy Packham, defending said: 'This was activity that started when Mr Reynolds was a child and also coincided with this disrupted period to life which was around lockdown, which had a significant impact particularly on those who were approaching the end of school life.' But Mrs Justice May said he was a 'dangerous' young man whose secret life had been exposed. She sentenced him to an additional five years on licence saying: 'There is a very significant amount of planning a terrorism attack.' The Supreme Court's decision to strike down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks has put the issue back in people's minds. Bump stocks are rapid-fire gun accessories that allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rate of hundreds of rounds a minute. The ban was passed following the use of bump stocks in the deadly 2017 shooting in Las Vegas. Fifty-eight people were killed making it the deadliest mass shooting by one gunman in American history. But the Supreme Court struck down the ban in a six-three decision. The conservative majority on the Supreme Court ruled that bump stocks are not machine guns. Bump stocks are accessories that replace a rifles stock that gets pressed against the shoulder. A bump stock device (left) that fits on a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing speed, making it similar to a fully automatic rifle, is installed on a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, (right) When a person fires a semi-automatic weapon fitted with a bump stock, it uses the guns recoil energy to rapidly and repeatedly bump the trigger against the shooters index finger. That allows the weapon to fire dozens of bullets in a matter of seconds. The accessory allows a rifle to fire at nearly the rate of a machine gun without technically converting it into a fully automatic weapon - which are illegal. Bump stocks were invented in the early 2000s after the expiration of a 1994 ban targeting assault weapons. The federal government approved the sale of bump stocks in 2010 after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives concluded that guns equipped with the devices should not be considered illegal machine guns under federal law. According to court documents, more than 520,000 bump stocks were in circulation by the time the Washington reversed course and imposed a ban that took effect in 2019. More than 22,000 people were attending a country music festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, when a gunman opened fire on the crowd from the window of his high-rise hotel room. Authorities found an arsenal of 23 assault-style rifles in the shooters hotel room, including 14 weapons fitted with bump stocks. Investigators later concluded the gunman, who killed himself before police reached his room, fired more than 1,000 rounds in just 11 minutes. In the aftermath of the shootings, the ATF reconsidered whether bump stocks could be sold and owned legally. With support from Trump, the agency in 2018 ordered a ban on the devices, arguing they turned rifles into illegal machine guns. Bump stock owners were given until March 2019 to surrender or destroy them. On Friday SCOTUS released its decision to lift the ban. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion for the court. Conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote a concurring opinion. A bump fire stock that attaches to a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing rate Justice Sonia Sotomayor authored the dissent and was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. In the case Garland v Cargill, gun owner Michael Cargill surrendered two bump stocks to the ATF following the ban but then filed a lawsuit. A district court ruled bump stocks are in line with machine guns, but the ruling was reversed by an appeals court. 'We hold that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a machinegun because it cannot fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger,' Thomas wrote in the majority opinion. The ban on bump stocks passed after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. 58 people were killed and hundreds were wounded when a gunman opened fire on a country music festival 'And, even if it could, it would not do so automatically. ATF therefore exceeded its statutory authority by issuing a Rule that classifies bump stocks as machineguns,' he continued. In his concurring opinion, Alito addressed the deadly shooting in Las Vegas where a man opened fire on a music festival from his suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel. 'The horrible shooting spree in Las Vegas in 2017 did not change the statutory text or its meaning. That event demonstrated that a semiautomatic rifle with a bump stock can have the same lethal effect as a machinegun, and it thus strengthened the case for amending 5845(b),' he wrote. Justice Clarence Thomas (front row, second from left) wrote the majority opinion. Justice Samuel Alito (front row, second from right) wrote a concurring opinion. Justice Sotomayor (front row, far left) wrote the dissent 'But an event that highlights the need to amend a law does not itself change the laws meaning. There is a simple remedy for the disparate treatment of bump stocks and machineguns,' he went on. He wrote that Congress can amend the law. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote about the horrors of the shooting and how all the gunman using bump stocks affixed to semiautomatic rifles had to do was 'pull the trigger and press the gun forward. The bump stock did the rest.' 'Today, the Court puts bump stocks back in civilian hands,' Sotomayor wrote. 'To do so, it casts aside Congress's definition of "machinegun" and seizes upon one that is inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the statutory text and unsupported by context or purpose.' Sotomayor warned the Supreme Court's decision 'will have deadly consequences. President Joe Biden lost his temper at a TikTok star during a special White House meeting with social media influencers, even threatening to throw his phone across the room. Independent journalist and social media darling Jonathan M. Katz started recording Biden, pressing him about his support for Israel during the war in Gaza. He asked him what he would do to prevent the genocide that was taking place with American-funded weapons. The president tried to sidestep the questions, claiming he was working to reduce casualties in Gaza. But when Katz pressed him on the issue, the president grew impatient. I know youre a typical press guy, youre grabbing me in front of all this but I trust you about as far as I can throw your phone, Biden said angrily. I have a good arm man. I can throw a long way. TikTok star Katz (right) questions President Joe Biden about the war in Gaza Katz said he was approached by aides after the exchange and escorted away from the president. He posted the video on his TikTok account which has roughly 70,000 followers. The video has been viewed 28,700 times. Katz wrote on his Racket news website that he was surprised to get an invitation to the White House in April that included a host of left-leaning social media stars and celebrities. He said it was ironic that he was invited to the White House even after the president signed a bill banning TikTok. He also revealed that the guests at the White House included actor David Cross from the show Arrested Development, actress Fran Drescher, Yvette Nicole Brown from the show Community, Diedrich Bader from Veep, and Jon Cryer an actor from Hot Shots. The Daily Shows Jordan Klepper was also present and impressionist Matt Friend, and V Spehar from UnderTheDesk News. The White House did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment. As the exchange with Katz revealed, many young progressives on TikTok remain angry at the White House because of Biden's support for the Israeli war in Gaza. Biden was taken aback after Katz kept asking him questions while recording him on his phone Biden grew angry at Katz, suggesting he would throw his phone before aides intervened The New York Times reported Friday that Biden and Democrat allies are working furiously to build an army of social media supporters who will create pro-Biden content for social media. The Biden campaign has spent $2 million to retain the firm Village Marketing, according to the report, which focuses on social media outreach. The Democratic National Committee is planning to invite a host of influencers to the convention, but they are not keen about future uncomfortable videos of TikTok stars interacting with the president. Social media star Joshua Doss was recently contacted for an interview with Biden, but was told that he could not ask about Gaza. Biden continues struggling to earn support from young stars on TikTok, especially after signing a bill that would effectively ban the app if the Chinese-owned company does not sell it. Former President Donald Trump made a monster debut on TikTok earlier this month, with 6.3 million followers while the Biden campaign account only has 376,000 followers. US President Joe Biden speaks at a press conference in Italy at the G7 Summit Biden has also lashed out publicly against traditional media outlets. During a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 Summit in Italy on Thursday, Biden complained that reporters were not following the 'rules' by only asking questions about Ukraine. 'I wish you guys would play by the rules a little bit,' he said grumpily after reporters asked about the war in Gaza. Biden also has threatened to fight journalists, when questioned about his age. 'I can do it better than anybody you know,' he said to TIME reporters during an interview. 'Youre looking at me, I can take you too.' A gay Democrat showed a poster of Rudy Giuliani draped in drag on the House floor this week to shame Republicans for their effort to bar the military from funding drag shows. The blown-up posted board showed an image of the former New York City mayor dressed in a purple gown, a big blonde wig and a face of makeup as a younger Donald Trump looks admiringly on. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calf., also showed a poster board with a picture of Jennifer Coolidge from the HBO show 'White Lotus' captioned 'These gays, they're trying to murder me,' in another joke aimed at Republicans' anti-LGBT sentiment. 'My Republican colleagues want us to believe that gays are trying to murder us,' he said Thursday motioning towards the Coolidge poster. 'They want to believe that drag is harmful or immoral or wrong. This is completely ridiculous.' On Friday, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - which oversees all U.S. military spending - after a lengthy amendment process, including the ban on funds being used for drag events. The amendment Garcia was bashing was introduced by Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., who reiterated Thursday 'The bulk of our fighting forces are inspired by GI Joe; they are not inspired by 'be a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.' Garcia hit back on the ban with his posters on the House floor. 'Now, I hate to break it to my Republican colleagues, but LGBTQ people have fought and died for this country since the American Revolution, even if they were forced to hide their true selves.' 'The USO and Red Cross hosted drag shows during World War II the army that defeated Hitler and saved the world included drag queens.' The gay Democrat also noted how Republican idol Ronald Reagan was in a 1943 movie called 'This is the Army,' which featured soldiers in drag. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., displayed a poster showing Rudy Giuliani in drag to lambast Republican's efforts to bar military funding for drag shows Garcia also printed out a meme-like poster of HBO 'White Lotus' star Jennifer Coolidge The original video of Trump and Giuliani is from a video shot for a charity fundraiser in 2000 Giuliani, who goes by Rudia in the costume, talks with Trump about a new perfume Trump then leans in and gives a long sniff of Rudia's scent He tells Rudia that she deserves her own fragrance because she is so beautiful 'And hes not the only Republican president who knew that drag can be fun and sometimes silly,' said Garcia while standing next to the Trump and Giuliani poster. The image of the two New Yorkers came originally from a sketch done for a fundraiser in 2000. In the bit Giuliani goes by the drag name 'Rudia' and flirtatiously approaches Trump. 'You know you are really beautiful,' Trump tells Rudia in the performance. He then tells Rudia that a woman of her stature deserves her own perfume before she tries some on and Trump nuzzles up to her neck for a long and deep sniff. 'Oh, I like that,' he tells Giuliani's drag persona. Then Rudia sprays another fragrance on her chest and Donald again swoops in for a smell. The former president then dives deeply into Rudia's fake breasts with his face and motorboats the former mayor before she pushes him away and exclaims 'Oh, you dirty boy ... Donald, I thought you were a gentleman.' The lighthearted skit reemerged in 2016 before Trump's first presidential bid but did not cause much harm then. Then Rudia tries on another fragrance for the businessman to sniff and sprays it on her breasts Trump then approaches the fake bosom and gets as close as he can possibly get He then burrows his face in Giuliani's fake breats before she calls him a 'dirty boy' Now, as LGBT issues and drag have become more polarizing, Republicans have sought to restrict drag from government. Last year, for example, the Department of Defense banned drag shows on bases. Other amendments included in the NDAA sought to ban DOD-funded schools from having books with LGBT themes and preventing military installations from flying the pride flag. Garcia is one of 12 openly LGBT members of Congress. China provides new opportunities for world with new development 14:46, June 14, 2024 By Luo Shanshan ( People's Daily Photo shows a workshop of the BMW production base in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province. (Photo from the WeChat public account of the publicity department of Shenyang) At GE Healthcare's Beijing Imaging Equipment Manufacturing Base in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, five batches of raw materials for producing a new type of diagnostic equipment have just arrived and been put into use. "These raw materials are essential components for our new equipment," said an employee from Beijing GE Hualun Medical Equipment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of General Electric Company (GE). "They hit the production line immediately after being cleared from customs, which increased the efficiency of our supply chain," the employee added. According to him, the company has been able to implement its global strategy at a faster pace thanks to the increasingly favorable business environment in China. He noted that over the past 6 years, the company has outperformed its total production from the last 20 years, with two-thirds of the CT scanners sold globally coming from the company's Beijing facility. Photo shows a new factory of Suzhou Hybiome Biomedical Engineering Co. Ltd. (Hybiome), invested and controlled by French multinational vitro diagnostic company bioMerieux, in Suzhou New District, east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo from the WeChat public account of the publicity department of Suzhou New District) In Suzhou New District, east China's Jiangsu province, a new factory of Suzhou Hybiome Biomedical Engineering Co. Ltd. (Hybiome), invested and controlled by French multinational vitro diagnostic company bioMerieux, has just been completed. To build Hybiome into a prominent player in vitro diagnostics, the factory is planned to produce 1,000 fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay systems per year, with an annual output value of 1 billion yuan ($137.86 million). Over the past more than 40 years of reform and opening up, China has emerged as the world's second-largest economy, remained the world's top manufacturing hub for 14 consecutive years and the top trading nation for 7 straight years. The country undoubtedly plays an indispensable role in global industrial and supply chains. This year, foreign companies continue to enjoy broader prospects in China. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the number of newly established foreign-invested firms in China hit 12,000 in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, up 20.7 percent year on year. In the same period, the actual foreign direct investment (FDI) in China stood at 301.67 billion yuan. In terms of the structure of FDI, the country's high-tech manufacturing sector attracted 12.5 percent of the FDI inflow in the first quarter, up 2.2 percentage points compared to that in the same period last year. Behind the decisions of multinationals to intensify their presence in China is their confidence in the country's ability to sustain sound economic growth. People visit Asia's largest Apple store in Shanghai. (Photo from Yan Daming/People's Daily Online) For instance, Standard Chartered Securities (China) Limited, a wholly foreign-owned securities company affiliated with Standard Chartered, has commenced securities business in Beijing. The largest Apple store in Asia has officially opened in Shanghai. The China-Saudi Arabia ethylene project has entered the full construction stage in Zhangzhou, east China's Fujian province, with a total investment of 44.8 billion yuan. China boasts a complete industrial system, a super-large market, and a stable social environment. The Chinese economy has strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality, and the fundamentals sustaining its long-term growth remain unchanged. It has become the favored investment destination for many foreign businesses. The 2024 Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index report released in April by Kearney, a global management consulting firm, upgraded China's ranking from seventh to third. Besides, for the second time in the 26-year history of the FDI Confidence Index, Kearney includes an exclusive emerging market ranking to give business leaders insights into which emerging markets are most appealing to investors now and over the next three years. China ranks first on the 25-market list. As China advances a broader agenda of opening up across more areas and in greater depth, and works to expand institutional opening up with regard to market access and the service sector, a more transparent and predictable business environment is being created for foreign companies to develop in the country. According to a survey of more than 600 foreign-funded companies conducted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in the first quarter this year, over 70 percent of them are optimistic about the development prospects of the Chinese market over the next five years, and more than 50 percent believe the Chinese market has become more attractive. Foreign businesses always say that investing in China is investing in the future, which has got a new meaning. New quality productive forces, marked by innovation and taking a substantial increase in total factor productivity as its core hallmark, are becoming increasingly attractive in global industrial development. On April 26, German carmaker BMW announced an additional investment of 20 billion yuan in its production base in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province. The investment will be used for upgrading as well as technological innovation of the Dadong plant of BMW Group's joint venture in China, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (BBA). The plant will lay the foundation for the localized production of a new generation of BMW models expected to roll off the production line in 2026. Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said that the new generation of BMW models heralds a new era of personal intelligent mobility driven by innovation and technology. "By 2026, the first new-generation BMW vehicle made in China will roll off the production line in Shenyang. The investment underlines the importance of China in BMW's transition towards an intelligent and connected automotive future as well as our confidence in China's long-term economic prospects," Zipse said. China will never drag its feet on reform and opening up. As the second largest economy in the world, China will undoubtedly provide new momentum and opportunities for the world with its continuous development and greater openness. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) King Charles is 'delighted' by the Princess of Wales' brave decision to attend the Trooping the Colour as she continues to battle cancer. Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for an undisclosed form of the disease, released a candid statement today saying she is making 'good progress' in her treatment. The Princess will not be returning to public duties full time, but said she does now feel well enough to undertake a small number of public engagements in the coming months, including attending the King's official birthday parade tomorrow. The King is 'delighted' that his daughter-in-law will be joining the royal family at tomorrow's events and is 'much looking forward to all elements of the day', a Buckingham Palace spokesperson has said. It is understood that Kate spoke to the King in advance about her attendance at tomorrow's festivities. King Charles is 'delighted' by the Princess of Wales ' brave decision to attend the Trooping the Colour as she continues to battle cancer, a Buckingham spokesperson has said. Charles is pictured with Queen Camilla on March 31, 2024 in Windsor Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for an undisclosed form of the disease, released a candid statement today saying she is making 'good progress' in her treatment Kate will be joined by her three children - Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, nine; and six-year-old Prince Louis - in a carriage for the traditional procession to Trooping the Colour. The Waleses will later gather with other royals on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the fly-past. The Princess is and remains the Colonel of the Irish Guards but under the circumstances, Lieutenant General James Bucknall is taking the salute on her behalf. No10 and The Cabinet Office have been informed of The Princess' decision to attend Trooping, and they have informed the opposition parties. Asked how the princess was feeling, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'As she has said she is making good progress and is looking forward to joining the family tomorrow. 'As she said in her message, and as anyone receiving chemotherapy will know, she has good days and bad days.' Kensington Palace said it will be not commenting further on her treatment and how long it is expected to last. A stunning new portrait of the Princess of Wales taken at Windsor this week by Matt Porteous The statement from the Princess of Wales which has been issued by Kensington Palace today The Princess penned a moving personal message today thanking the public for their support over her cancer diagnosis. She revealed her treatment is ongoing and will be for several months to come. But Kate said she is experiencing 'good days and bad days' as she undergoes chemotherapy. She has begun to work from home, undertaking meetings with her foundation and Kensington Palace team, and hopes 'to join a few public engagements over the summer' she shared, but stressed: 'I am not out of the woods yet'. She said in her statement: 'I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. 'But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. 'My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.' She added: 'I'm looking forward to attending the King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. 'I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.' To mark the news Kensington Palace have also released a stunning new portrait of the princess taken at Windsor Castle this week by Matt Porteous showing her looking well and in a reflective mood. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also said it is 'wonderful news' that the Princess of Wales is to join the royal family at Trooping the Colour. During a press conference at the G7 in Italy, he said: 'It's obviously wonderful, wonderful news. The whole country will be behind the Princess of Wales for her recovery. 'I saw her statement earlier, I thought it was brave, I thought it was honest and I'm sure it will bring an enormous amount of comfort to so many other people who are grappling with similar health challenges, so I think she deserves enormous praise for what she said and it will be great to see her there tomorrow.' (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, 2023 Kate was last seen at a royal event attending church at Sandringham on December 25, 2023 It is thought that the Princess chose to dip back into the public spotlight for her first public appearance at Trooping because family is so important to her and she wanted to be there to support husband and children. Sources have stressed that she should be continue to be allowed to live a 'normal private life', particularly while she recovers. Her return to work is considered one of the first steps to regaining her strength. The Mail exclusively revealed last month that the princess had been swamped with the thousands and thousands of cards, letters and gifts, many of them from people sharing their own personal stories. She has taken the time to read as many as possible personally and has been 'really touched'. New York Congressman Ritchie Torres tore into New York Magazine for a story about Democrats and the progressive movement after the magazine mixed him up with another prominent black New York official: Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. With an article titled, 'The "Progressives" Who Left,' the magazine used images of Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, former Congressman Mondaire Jones and Congressman Ritchie Torres. But in the original image included was not in fact Torres but Delgado. Torres took a screenshot of the image and posted it to X where he wrote: 'If New York Magazine is going to publish an Anti-Israel hit piece by Sarah Jones, then at least do enough due diligence to get the photo right.' 'I am not Antonio Delgado,' Torres slammed the magazine. 'Not all Black people look the same.' Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres speaking in New York on June 3, 2024. The congressman who represents parts of the Bronx has been a stanch defender of Israel after the attack by Hamas on October 7 The online version of the the magazine article has since updated the image to include Fetterman, Jones and an actual image of Torres. Torres is known for supporting progressive legislation in congress, but he has split with some fellow Democrats in recent months as Torres has been a stanch supporter of Israel following the terror attack by Hamas on October 7. New York Magazine, which Torres put on blast, zeroed in on his support for Israel in its article. 'Torres is not a hypocrite. If we take him at his word, hes been a Zionist for a long time. But hes not being entirely truthful about the progressive movement or his place within it either,' the article reads. It goes on to claim Torres may have been able to think of himself as a progressive, but states 'that exercise is difficult to sustain now, as Israel carries out a genocidal campaign in Gaza.' Congressman Torres slams New York Magazine for an article he called an 'Anti-Israel hit piece' which featured an image of the wrong black New York official The article focusing on Fetterman, Jones and Torres showed an image of Lt. Governor Delgado (right). The image was later updated to show Torres The original image used by New York Magazine featured Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado (pictured above) instead of Congressman Torres Torres slammed the article as an 'anti-Israel hit piece' while noting it mixed his image up with Delgado. The article also features Jones, a former New York congressman running to return to Congress, who endorsed George Latimer in another New York congressional race against incumbent progressive lawmaker Jamaal Bowman. Senator Fetterman is also focused on as he has been a fierce defender of Israel and the return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas more than six months ago. Trooping the Colour, the official commemoration of the King's birthday, will take place on Saturday in London, with Kate set to make an appearance. Dating from the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is one the biggest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and over 200 horses. Thousands of people are expected to flock to the streets to watch the parade and the fly-past tomorrow, especially since the Princess of Wales announced today in a heartfelt post that she is feeling well enough to attend. The Trooping the Colour parade begins at Horse Guards Parade at around 10.30am and the fly-past takes off from the coast of Suffolk at 11am, with the planes expected to fly over Buckingham Palace at 1pm. It is the second time the event has been held for King Charles since his Coronation last year. He rode on horseback at his first Trooping the Colour but this year will watch on from a carriage instead as he continues his cancer treatment. 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, 2023 Dating from the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is one the biggest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and over 200 horses (pictured: a rehearsal for Trooping The Colour 2024) The Princess of Wales today announced that she will be attending Trooping the Colour tomorrow The statement from the Princess of Wales which has been issued by Kensington Palace today The Mall has been polished to perfection in preparation for the Royal spectacle tomorrow Rows of seats have been erected for lucky fans who managed to buy a ticket before they sold out Workers prepare the area and seating ahead of huge crowds arriving to watch the parade tomorrow What will happen during Trooping the Colour? The popular event will attract big crowds, who will be seen waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade. Around 113 words of command will be given by the Officer in Command of the Parade. The parade route itself will begin at Buckingham Palace extending along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again. During the ceremony, Charles will be greeted by a royal salute, before carrying out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. King Charles III (wearing his Welsh Guards uniform) watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London King Charles III saluted as he departed Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as he celebrated his first official birthday since becoming sovereign on June 17, 2023 This year's Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on Saturday with King Charles III set to observe the event from a carriage (pictured: Charles and Camilla leaving Buckingham Palace by carriage to Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 for his coronation) After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry will march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and the Royal Horse Artillery. The King is then expected to ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace. His Majesty will then join other members of the Royal Family, including Kate, on the palace balcony for the fly-past. What is the Trooping the Colour route? The ceremony begins at 10am and lasts until around 1pm, the route is as follows: The King will travel down The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Once the clock on Horse Guards strikes 11am the King will arrive to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division. Following the salute, The King will go up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops. The bands will then perform a musical 'troop' and the Regimental Colour will be escorted up and down the ranks of Guards. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and Royal Horse Artillery with their guns. The King will head back to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before taking the salute in front of the Palace railings as the troops march past on their way to their barracks. The ceremony is due to finish at 12.25pm. The King joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force at approximately 1pm. The best viewing spots With tickets sold out, royal fans will have to head to public vantage points along the route if they want to catch a glimpse of the grandeur. The best spots are dotted along the Mall and at St James's Park although those looking to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-westerly side for the clearest view. Those who want to watch the whole ceremony can stand along The Mall or see the pageantry from the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade. The north and east sides of the green space should also offer good vantage points overlooking Horse Guards Parade. There will be plenty of good spots to witness the procession at the Mall but the north side will be the best bet to ensure a clear view. The Household Division has advised potential spectators, however, that troops may restrict what people can see from these vantage points. The best spots are dotted along the Mall and at St James's Park although those looking to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-westerly side for the clearest view (pictured: The Colonel's Review rehearsal of Trooping the Colour on June 8) The public are advised to set up shop at around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins in order to secure the best spot but are likely to still be able find a decent position around 11am The public are advised to set up shop at around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins in order to secure the best spot but are likely to still be able find a decent position around 11am. Make sure to wait until 12pm and you will be able to see different members of the royal family pass by in their carriages. Once reaching The Mall, you should try to find a spot about three-quarters of the way up near the barricades, which will open after The King has passed. Enjoy the ceremony, and wait until the police have opened the barricades to walk to the Palace. Walk down to Buckingham Palace and aim to get there before 1pm. If the air show begins before you get there you can stay put to watch it. But if you're still wanting to catch a glimpse of the royals on their balcony, speed up to catch them as they may shortly go inside. For those wanting to watch from home, BBC One will be showing the whole event from 10.30am, with programming scheduled to end just after the flypast. What is the fly-past route? The King's birthday flypast route will be a formation of military RAF aircrafts. According to the Express, the display will include the world-renowned Red Arrows as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which boasts a Lancaster Bomber. Typically the show is joined by 12 other aircrafts including Hurricanes, a Dakota, two DHC-1 Chipmunks and Spitfires. There will be several air restrictions in place before the flypast route begins, namely in the areas of East Anglia, Essex, London. The Red Arrows will crown the fly-past in customary fashion with a red white and blue display The Red Arrows pictured flying over Buckingham Palace at last year's fly-past. Royal fans are advised to walk down to Buckingham Palace and aim to get there before 1pm. If the air show begins before you get there you can stay put to watch it The flypast will begin on the coast of Suffolk at around 11am, the Express reports. The slew of aircrafts will then head in land, passing through Ipswich at 12.30pm and then flying over Essex at 12.35pm. If you call the commuting towns of Colchester of Chelmsford your home, then you may be in for a treat as the aircrafts will zoom by at about 12.40pm. Finally the magnificent air display will arrive in London from a north eastern direction, jetting above Hainault before reaching the bustling city centre. It is predicted the spectacular formation will grace the skies above Buckingham Palace at 1pm, with members of the Royal Family - including the Princess of Wales - watching from the balcony. After celebrating the monarch in the skies, the flypast will make their way out of London heading north west before ending their journey in Reading. Dramatic images have emerged showing the moment a suspected killer is caught by police after allegedly murdering a mother and her daughter. Daniel Callihan, 36, was apprehended by officers with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office in Jackson, Mississippi, on Thursday. He was arrested for the murder of Erin Brunett, 4, who was found behind a home in the area after her mother Callie Brunett was found dead at her Louisiana home. The 35-year-old was found dead on the bedroom floor of her Loranger mobile home on Thursday morning, with her two daughters Erin and Jalie, 6, missing. On Thursday, police tragically discovered little Erin's body in a wooded area a few hours later, while her sister Jalie was found alive close by. Images taken by officers show the bedraggled Callihan being held up by two law enforcement officers as he was apprehended Jalie (left), 6, and Erin (right), 4, disappeared in Louisiana after Callie Brunett, 35, was found brutally murdered in her Loranger home early Thursday morning Images taken by officers show the bedraggled Callihan being held up by two law enforcement officers as he was apprehended. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said that investigators uncovered evidence that the two siblings were located a home involved in human trafficking. Wade told reporters: 'We see cages, small animal cages. This is very, very disturbing to me as a police chief and as a father to witness and see what I saw.' Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis called the scene at Brunett's mobile home an 'obvious homicide' with 'blood everywhere'. Brunett had been missing for over 24 hours before detectives found her body, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. The chief said afterwards that the children could be half way across the country but that police would be using all resources to get the children home. Sheriff Daniel Edwards said that Callihan was not a 'complete stranger' to the family and had dated Brunett. According to WDSU, officers also detained a Victoria Cox, 32, as an accused accomplice in the abduction and murders. Sheriff Daniel Edwards said that Callihan was not a 'complete stranger' to the family and had dated Brunett, seen here Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis called the scene at Brunett's mobile home, who is seen here with her daughters, an 'obvious homicide' with 'blood everywhere' Wade said during a press conference that they received a tip that Callihan may not have acted alone, before they tracked Cox down. He said: 'Were still trying to determine her exact role.She will be held accountable for her actions and her role in this horrific event that happened that spanned from Tangipahoa to South Jackson. 'She could possibly be facing capital murder charges along with him, or accessory before and after the fact.' Callihan is accused of committing brutal and heinous acts of violence including the murders of Brunett and her youngest daughter. Sheriff Daniel Edwards said: 'Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. 'These are unspeakable crimes. We ask everyone to keep Callie's family in your prayers.' On Friday, WDSU reported that the FBI had returned to the area where the girls were found as they continue their investigation. The Hollywood actor caught trying to flee to Mexico after allegedly stabbing his makeup artist girlfriend more than 20 times has been extradited back to California. Nicholas Pasqual, 34, had been banged up in the Hudspeth County Jail in tiny Sierra Blanca, Texas, after being apprehended attempting to cross into Chihuahua across the Fort Hancock International Bridge late last month. Now DailyMail.com can reveal that he was flown back to LA on Wednesday night, landing at 8pm, and has subsequently been arraigned on charges of attempted murder, burglary and domestic violence. The charges, all of which are felonies, stem from the horror attack on Hollywood makeup artist Allie Shehorn, 35, in the early hours of May 23. Pasqual, who appeared in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother is also facing charges over another attack on Shehorn three days prior to the stabbing that led to her applying for a restraining order against him after he allegedly banged her head on the floor of their home. Nick Pasqual has been extradited to California to faces charges for stabbing his girlfriend Allie Shehorn more than 20 times Pasqual appeared in CBS's How I Met Your Mother in 2011 A spokeswoman for LA District Attorney George Gascon hailed the extradition, telling DailyMail.com: Nick Pasqual was extradited from Texas and arrived at LAX on Wednesday, June 12 at 2000 hours. He was transported/booked. Yesterday, Thursday, June 13, Pasqual was arraigned in Dept. S at the San Fernando Courthouse. He is being held without bail. The actor now faces a preliminary hearing in the case on July 16 and will remain locked up at the LAPDs Valley Jail until then. Pasqual was returned to LA from Sierra Blanca, a city of just 315 people according to the 2020 census which is located 16 miles from the Mexican border. Under-fire DA Gascon has vowed to vigorously prosecute the case, labeling the brutal attack as heinous after news of the incident emerged two weeks ago. He said: This heinous incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence. We will ensure that the individual responsible for this egregious act is held accountable for their actions. Shehorn, a successful makeup artist, is still recovering from the attack in hospital but is making progress and has been moved out of the ICU. According to the most recent update on the GoFundMe page set up to support her through her recovery, friends said she has faced complications but is trying to remain positive. Shehorn, a successful makeup artist, is still recovering from the attack after allegedly suffering months of abuse at Pasquals hands and taking out a restraining order against him Pasqual, who also appeared in the 2018 Hallmark movie Another Tango, is facing charges for multiple attacks on Shehorn including one three days prior to the stabbing He was flown back to California on Wednesday after being apprehended attempting to cross into Chihuahua across the Fort Hancock International Bridge late last month Close friend Jed Dornoff explained: Things got real. Allie is doing her best to stay positive but the struggle is hard. There are complications that we cannot release to the public at this time. But she is feeling better and appreciates the love and support. Donations for Shehorn have been flooding in since news of the horror attack broke with more than $112,000 raised towards her care so far. DailyMail.com previously revealed that Shehorn had suffered months of abuse at Pasquals hands and took out a restraining order against him on May 18 after an incident that saw him bash her head against the floor and attempt to break down a door in their Sunland home. On that occasion, according to the make-up artist, Pasqual became angry at around 3am and started yelling and screaming at me, which happens when hes under the influence'. She went on: He slapped me across the face and as I was trying to get away down the hallway, he grabbed my hair and pulled me back and I slammed into the floor hitting the back of my head on the ground. Shehorn says she attempted to hide in the bedroom of surrogate mother Christine White, 62, who shared the former couples home and was the one to find Shehorn bleeding out after the stabbing attack. Pasqual then allegedly tried to batter the door down and when she unlocked it, shoved it against her causing her to fall to the ground and hit her head again. According to Shehorn, the incident left her with concussion while Pasqual went on to threaten White as she dialed 911. Shehorn, 35, is known for her work on blockbusters including Mean Girls and Rebel Moon According to the most recent update on the GoFundMe page set up to support her through her recovery, Shehorn has faced complications but is trying to remain positive Although Pasqual was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence according to LAPD booking records, he was able to bond out of jail the same day leaving him free to attack Shehorn again three days later. According to Shehorns application for a restraining order, Pasqual also allegedly attacked her on a number of other occasions: hitting her with a belt on January 29, breaking down several doors in their home on March 6 and raping and choking her on April 14. Shehorn added: He has been violent in the past but never physically with me apart from two nights where he ripped clothes off of me. In the application, the special effects make-up artist also asked for protection for White and also for the couples white husky-mix dog Riley. A hearing over whether to make the temporary restraining order permanent had been scheduled on June 11 in Pasadena while Pasqual was due to appear in court on a felony charge in San Fernando on June 12 dates he missed due to being locked up in Texas. Somewhere in a storage room at Edinburghs Heriot-Watt University a stone monument weighing nearly a ton gathers dust. It is inscribed with these words from First Minister Alex Salmond: The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scotlands students. When it was unveiled in an outdoor area of the campus on his penultimate day in office almost a decade ago, it certainly had the appearance of permanence. It remained in place less than six years. By the time it was removed, Mr Salmond was no longer a member of the party he had dominated for a generation. Alex Salmonds pledge not to raise fees was set in stone, if only for a few years Rocks would have melted with the sun, many would have imagined, before he left the SNP. He had just faced a criminal trial on a string of sexual assault charges brought by senior women in his former party and, despite his acquittal on every count, was left a discredited and diminished figure. Few saw that coming in November 2014 when he unveiled the so-called Salmond Stone and declared the abolition of tuition fees the single biggest achievement of his government. Rather easier to predict back then was the unravelling of this hubristic policy somewhat earlier in planet Earths timeline than the moment when the sun expands and sets it aflame. Even in 2014 the realisation was dawning that, far from increasing access to university for Scotlands prospective students, free tuition was freezing many of them out. Ten years on, the challenges facing high-achieving Scots wishing to study at one of their own nations universities are yet more acute. And the challenge free tuition fees present to some of Scotlands seats of higher learning has become an existential one. One leading economist stated days ago that universities face a significant risk of closure as long as free degrees are offered to Scottish students. Dr Gavan Conlon, a partner with consultancy firm London Economics, noted that more than half the countrys 19 universities are in deficit and some dont have any sort of reserves whatsoever to cover what is essentially their overdraft. The umbrella body Universities Scotland also laid it on the line to Holyrood this week. It told the education committee that Scottish Government funding cuts and plummeting applications from international students had combined to put at least ten of our 19 universities into the red. This is forcing institutions into inescapably hard choices, it said. And it is clear many of them are already making those choices. In December 2023 the University of Aberdeen scrapped its single honours languages degrees to address a 1.5million deficit accrued by the department in a single year. It later transpired the universitys troubles went much deeper than that. In its annual report published last month, the 529-year-old institution revealed there had been significant doubt at one point in the year over its ability to continue at all as a going concern. Elsewhere in the city, Robert Gordon University is running a voluntary severance scheme as it seeks to plug an 18million hole in its budget. The University of the Highlands and Islands is having to restructure its entire operation to save 4million. While all this goes on, the SNPs self-congratulatory tone on tuition fees remains unaltered. And, among its opponents, no one yet dares to say what many are thinking that the introduction of some form of charge for Scottish students is looking inevitable. All of which begs a question for every party in the parliament: when will politicians wake up to their own inescapably hard choices over tuition fees? Hiding their heads in the sand will no longer cut it, argues Alison Payne, research director at the think tank Reform Scotland, who warns that failure to intervene now will result in far bigger pains and costlier fixes ahead. More and more top academics are urging a rethink on tuition fees. This week it was Sir Paul Grice, vice-chancellor of Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, who said a more sustainable, politically acceptable funding model must be found. He added: Its not really free; somebody has to pay for it. Stepping down from his post as head of Universities Scotland a few weeks ago, Alastair Sim said Scotland needed to have a serious conversation about the best way to support universities, or risk their severe degradation. Last year, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal of Edinburgh University suggested calm consideration be given to the prospect of introducing tuition fees for students from wealthier families. He also aired a Reform Scotland proposal, which would see Scottish graduates contribute towards their tuition fees once they are part of the workforce and earning more than the average salary. Why then, the reluctance of politicians even to go near the subject? That lump of rock in the storage room at Heriot-Watt University explains why it is a non-starter for the SNP, suggests Ms Payne. As for the other parties, they need only recall the Lib Dems electorally disastrous ditching of their manifesto pledge to abolish tuition fees to bring on a cold sweat. It was a precondition of forming a coalition government with the Tories that they U-turned on the policy and, almost a decade-and-a-half later, the betrayal of English students still haunts them. Which Holyrood party, then, wants to be the first to betray Scottish students? It would not only be students wrath they risked incurring. Middle class parents who can afford to contribute towards their childrens Scottish university living costs are aware the promise on the Salmond Stone lets them dodge a financial bullet that is unavoidable in England. Scots may not have to pay fees but many are struggling to gain university places Without free tuition fees, the cost of ensuring their sons and daughters finished their higher education debt-free could rocket by tens of thousands of pounds. Their English counterparts, after all, pay 9,250 a year to study at any of the top Scottish universities. No one wants to be seen to be the one that reintroduces some element of fees, says Ms Payne, but the longer politicians keep their heads in the sand the worse the situation is going to get. For now, then, the SNPs defence for the looming financial crisis facing universities is the usual one. It blames the UK Government. Its immigration policies are turning away international students whose fees help universities balance their books. It is certainly part of the picture. International students pay upwards of 20,000 a year for degree courses here. Universities Scotland convener Professor Iain Gillespie told the education committee this week their numbers have lately dropped by an average of 20-something per cent across Scottish institutions. The UK Governments removal of the dependants visa for overseas students on most courses meaning family members could not accompany them to the UK was said to have played a significant part. The Tories, meanwhile, blame Scottish Government underfunding undoubtedly a huge part of the picture too. Education spokesman Liam Kerr says: Funding for students has fallen 19 per cent in real terms since 2013-14, leaving Scottish universities increasingly reliant on international fees. The scale of the funding gap is evidenced by the fact that, for well over a decade, the Scottish Government has paid only 1,820 per Scottish student per year in tuition fees to the universities educating them a small fraction of fees the institutions charge students from elsewhere. To keep spending down, a Scottish Government cap is imposed on each universitys intake of students wishing to study in their homeland, which means even straight A-grades do not guarantee acceptance to certain courses at the best universities. The problem is not as some imagine that the universities are giving their places to foreign and English students. It is that the government funding model will not allow home-grown students to compete with non-native ones for these places. Scottish students must instead compete with each other for the minority of places allotted to them at universities such as St Andrews and Edinburgh and even then, as Professor Mathieson points out, the funding received for educating them is inadequate to pay the full costs. In reality, fee-paying students from overseas and other parts of the UK fund not only their own tuition but much of that of Scottish students too. The elephant in the room at least where politicians are concerned is the idea that Scottish students might pay at least some of this costs themselves. Humza Yousaf, the then First Minister, dismissed out of hand the Edinburgh principals call for calm consideration of a review, insisting he was proud of free tuition fees and absolutely committed to maintaining them. This week the Scottish Government said it was resolute in its commitment to free tuition and claimed the number of Scottish students going to university had increased by 31 per cent since the fees were abolished in 2007. And yet, in the same period, there has been a 56 per cent increase in applicants and an 84 per cent increase in the number of Scots refused entry. Simply, the SNPs promise of free higher education for Scots has curtailed the availability of it for Scots in their homeland because government cannot afford to hold up its end of the bargain. Even for those Scots who do find places, the cost burden is largely shouldered by the non-Scottish-domiciled students, without whom free tuition would instantly collapse. The question now, it seems, is which goes first Alex Salmonds proudest achievement in government, or one of the academic institutions brought to its knees by it? There is, of course, a third option favoured by many on the Left. Simply raise Scotlands already record-high taxes still further and explain to people this is not to tackle the NHS emergency or the housing crisis but to ensure Scots get for free something they pay for in England. As Ms Payne points out, Scots are already paying taxes for a system that is loaded against Scottish students. What is perceived as an unfairness is when people can see students from elsewhere being able to get in, and they cant. If Scots are financing the system, shouldnt their sons and daughters get first dibs at their own countrys university places? Not in the world of free tuition where they are reduced to third class citizens behind international students in first class and English, Welsh and Northern Irish ones in second scrabbling around for the limited places their government is willing to fund. One St Andrews student, Fraser Laing, recently observed in a blog: In almost all countries or regions, those from that country or region are disproportionately benefited in admissions. Want to go to an Ivy League? Your best chance is if youre American. Want to go to Oxbridge? Your best chance is if youre from the South-east of England. Want to go to St Andrews? Well your best option is to be anything but Scottish. For the wealthiest Scots there is always the option of paying full fees in England or elsewhere. This, argues Professor Mathieson, is already happening, with the result that talent and money are leaving Scotland. For universities leaders already scratching their heads as they strive to balance the books, it is a gloomy outlook that will inevitably bring further cuts and diminish the once-glowing reputation of Scottish universities around the world. For now, only Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews make it into the global top 100. Will international students even want to come if they plummet through the rankings and who would shore up Scottish students free tuition if they stayed away? We need to find a way between us, and I think we all have a responsibility to do that, said Sir Paul Grice this week. One suggestion put forward as no more than a starting point for discussion comes from Reform Scotland. Ms Payne says: There needs to be a better balance between the individual graduate and taxpayers, with graduates contributing towards the cost of their tuition through a graduate contribution, to be paid once they earn more than the Scottish average salary. The amount paid would be based on the amount you earn. If a graduate does not gain much financially from going to university, they will repay little or nothing. In addition, given the demographic challenges and skill shortages that Scotland faces, the Scottish Government could then look to introduce schemes that cut or scrap payments for graduates who remain in Scotland working in certain sectors for set periods of time. She posits a Scottish graduate fee of around 5,500 and says a commission including all interested parties should be set up to examine the details. Are we really going to keep our heads in the sand, she asks? In politics we need leadership, we need people prepared to be honest with the electorate and make difficult choices. The choice for now at Holyrood, it seems, is to hope the issue goes away. It will, of course, only become more acute. The California grandpa arrested on suspicion of murdering a home-invasion robber has been released from jail pending an investigation into the fatal shooting. DailyMail.com has obtained the mug shot of Gregory Ravara, who was booked on Monday at Alameda County jail. The 77-year-old grandpa looked stone-faced and unshaven as he wore blue jail garb after spending four days in lock up. Ravara was not identified by Oakland Police during a press conference on Wednesday. But officials said witnesses saw two men and a woman break into the shooter's home at 98th Avenue and Burr Street in East Oakland shortly before 6 p.m. on July 10. At least one of the would-be robbers was armed with a crowbar, according to Acting Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies. Gregory Ravara, 77, was booked for murder at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail and was released on Thursday The Ravara home in East Oakland where the fatal shooting took place The homeowner confronted the suspects when one of them tried to scale his back fence, Shavies said. When police arrived at the East Oakland home, the vigilante grandpa was still pointing the gun at one female suspect, while another man in his 40s lay on the ground wounded just inside a back fence. The woman told cops the homeowner shot her friend, according to court documents. A gun was collected at the home. Oakland firefighters and paramedics tried to save the suspect, but he died at the scene. During a press conference on Wednesday, Oakland Police Department Acting Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies said at least one of the would-be robbers was armed with a crowbar Shavies said the homeowner was taken into custody because he did not immediately provide a statement to cops. 'Absent any sort of statement, if A shoots B without an explanation, we can only go with what we have,' Shavies said. 'All we know is an individual lost his life.' The third burglary suspect, a 31-year-old man, fled the home but was arrested by cops a few blocks away, according to court documents. The Alameda County Coroner's Bureau would not release the name of the suspect who was fatally shot and referred the case back to Oakland Police. The 77-year old grandpa appears to have no criminal record. In pictures on his social media, Ravara could be seen enjoying trips with his family. Ravara is a grandpa and a long-time Bay Area resident In one of his posts, a smiling Ravara commented, 'One day at a time, another sunrise to enjoy, do today like there is no tomorrows.' On Wednesday, Shavies said the case was turned over to Alameda County DA Pamela Price for consideration. As of Friday afternoon, the progressive DA had yet to file charges against Ravara. Under the California law called 'Castle Doctrine,' a homeowner is permitted to use force against intruders who try to bust their way in. Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley told DailyMail.com prosecutors must weigh varying factors - whether the intruder was coming into the property or was on his way out - when Ravara pulled the trigger. 'You have to look to see whether or not there are any facts that would support a reasonable man exercised his right to self-defense or defense of a third party,' Cooley said. 'That being said, in Alameda County, who knows? It is a weird place. 'They have a radical, left-wing ideological district attorney. And just like other radical prosecutors whom George Soros has gotten elected, the law doesn't seem to matter much to them.' Six people were killed and nine were wounded at an illegally operated bar in southeast Mexico state of Tabasco. Three assailants arrived in motorcycles and stormed the 'De Luci' bar, where they attacked them with knives on Thursday. The aftermath of the carnage was filmed and leaked on social media, with corpses strewn across the blood-soaked concrete floor of the bar, located in the Tabasco municipality of Macuspana. Footage showed two of the survivors lying on the street pavement and covered in blood before paramedics and authorities arrived. Two of the injured victims are in critical condition, Debate news outlet reported. No arrests had been reported as of Friday evening. Authorities in the southeastern Mexico city of Macuspana stand near the clandestine bar where six people were murdered and nine were wounded after three alleged men enter the business and attacked the victims with knives Mexican cops guard the clandestine bar where six people were stabbed dead and nine were wounded. The attack was allegedly carried out by three men who arrived on motorcycles A local media reporter indicated that some of the people who were murdered had their hands tied. The incident took place just five days after members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel announced their arrival in Macuspana, the birthplace of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Members of the cartel abandoned three corpses outside a school for kindergarteners They left a narco banner threatening workers of the leader of a local criminal group, indicating that they would go after anyone involved in kidnapping. The banner also include a message alerting gang members of retribution if they continued to extort restaurant and bar owners. A customer was among nine people who suffered stab wounds after three men entered a clandestine bar in the southeastern Mexico town of Macuspana and killed six Residents gather outside a local bar in the southeastern Mexican municipality of Macuspana, where six people were stabbed dead and nine were wounded Thursday Crime data released by the federal government this week showed that at least 387 murders were registered during the first five months of 2024 in Tabasco. In comparison, 283 people homicides were reported all of last year. Despite the spike in murders, Governor Carlos Merino said last month that it was too early to say if 2024 would be the deadliest year in state history. 'We still don't know because in 18 or 19 there were more than 600 homicides, so I think it is premature to give those figures,' the lame duck leader said. 'The truth is that it has increased, but work is being done precisely against the criminal groups that are acting here.' A vegan restaurant has closed after its owners claimed they got death threats for banning children under five from coming inside. Taina and Gary Bartlett opened Plantastic Indy in February but prompted vicious backlash after their edict on Saturday. They complained too many customers were changing their babies' diapers on tables or breastfeeding in the small 10-table eatery in Indianapolis. 'Gary and I have invested our life savings, carrears (sic), own health, and dreams on hold to accomplish a mission bigger than us. Fight climate change through food,' Tania wrote in a notice across their social media pages. A vegan restaurant has closed after its owners claimed they got death threats for banning children under five from coming inside. Taina and Gary Bartlett opened Plantastic Indy in February but prompted vicious backlash after their edict on Saturday The backlash from parents, and many others outraged on their behalf, about the children ban and breastfeeding reference was swift and brutal 'By the grace of God, we have this first and last brick and mortar at the Avenue, super elegant, clean, and neat place to make sure everyone that decides to come feels welcome in our inviting place. 'But sadly, we can no longer welcome toddlers, newborns, or anyone under 5 years old, will be allowed in order to keep up and maintain our sanitary standards.' 'I know many moms will get upset. Do not get upset at us, just at the ones that have come and let dirty diapers on the table and put their breast out in public uncover to feed the child. 'That's no the Plantastic Indy experience we want for the rest of our customers.' The backlash from parents, and many others outraged on their behalf, about the children ban and breastfeeding reference was swift and brutal. They banned children under 5, complaining too many customers were changing their babies' diapers on tables or breastfeeding in the small 10-table eatery Tania deleted the post and put up a video explaining herself and hitting back at her critics, insisting she wasn't anti-breastfeeding. Her video was combative from the start, telling people who complained 'learn how to read, most of you don't know how to read'. Tania explained her accent was from the Dominican Republic and hoped there would be no racism in the comments 'because everything now is about illegal racism'. 'I'm not against breastfeeding, for God's sake. What I'm against is dirtiness. I want to eat in a place or an establishment that's clean,' she said. 'Since when it's okay to put a poo on a table? Because that's what a diaper is - it's poo. 'We're vegan, and that's the only milk a human should be consuming while you're a baby is the milk of their mother. What we're against is unsanitary conditions.' But her video only prompted more anger with hundreds of angry comments on both Facebook and Instagram. Some of the comments said she should 'go back to where she came from', despite her hope critics would keep racism out of it. Taina has lived in the US legally for many years along with her husband, who is originally from Montreal. The couple were engineers in the US until they quit their jobs to open Plantastic. The restaurant has not reopened since, and calls to its phone number say it is only open for pick up via the back door Tania said the comments and messages she received included death threats, so they closed the restaurant on Sunday. 'We opened Plantastic Indy out of Love and devotion. But looks like the power of Hate is stronger than the power of Love,' she wrote on the cafe's pages. The restaurant has not reopened since, and calls to its phone number say it is only open for pick up via the back door. 'A vegan spot being against a babys only natural and ethical food source is wild. The disconnect is astounding,' one comment read. Another wrote: 'If you dont like kids or want them in your restaurant - BE UPFRONT. Dont dish out some BS and beat around the bush. But for the love of the universe, do NOT make breastfeeding seem unsanitary or disgraceful.' A third added: 'You specifically said you didn't want to see a mother feeding with her breast visible. Now, you're lying and gaslighting.' 'We opened Plantastic Indy out of Love and devotion. But looks like the power of Hate is stronger than the power of Love,' she wrote on the cafe's pages Many commenters argued it was illegal to ban mothers from breastfeeding in a restaurant. 'The irony of trying to call out illegal racism while you try to illegally block breastfeeding,' one wrote in response to Tania's video. However, though Indiana law states that a woman has the right to breastfeed anywhere she is allowed to be, the restaurant wasn't in breach of it because it was within its rights to ban children. Businesses can deny service to anyone they want so long as it is not discriminatory, and many have minimum age limits even if they don't sell alcohol. Other locals said Plantastic's owners had a history of erratic behavior, including random last-minute closures. 'I worked there for two weeks and hated it. I literally walked out mid shift because I couldnt take the owners c**p anymore,' one wrote. The restaurant's social media pages have dozens of posts notifying customers that it would be closed the next day. Pope Francis warned world leaders that 'no machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being,' as he spoke about the risks posed by AI while becoming the first pontiff to ever address the G7 summit. Moments earlier, the Pope, 87, entered the room in a wheelchair and greeted each of the leaders in turn, including a beaming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who warmly shook hands with the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis, who had travelled some 260 miles from his home in The Vatican for Friday's event, was also pictured being welcomed by President Biden and President Zelenskyy, Sky News reports. Other dignitaries at the summit, which is being held in Italy's Puglia region, included Argentinian President Javier Milei and Jordan's King Abdullah, from whom he received a hug. All the core G7 countries, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and US were represented. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak beamed as he met Pope Francis at the G7 summit in Italy on Friday The 87-year-old became the first pontiff to address the G7, which is being held in Puglia, southern Italy this year The Pope smiles next to all the G7 representatives on Friday, including leaders from Canada , France , Germany , Italy, Japan, the UK and United States In his historic address to the summit, Pope Francis addresses the risks posed by AI and said 'no machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being' The leaders of India, Brazil, Turkey, Algeria, Kenya and Tunisia were also in attendance. In his historic address to the leading politicians, Pope Francis said humans needed to remain at the centre of any decisions made by AI systems and that it was vital to maintain 'human dignity' in any processes used. He was especially emphatic on the need for humans to make decisions, not machines, when it came to using weapons. 'We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines,' he said. His words echoed those of his annual peace message earlier this year, which called for an international treaty to ensure AI is developed and used ethically. The Pope specifically said that AI without the human values of compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness is too perilous to develop unchecked. A statement from the G7 leaders echoed the Pope's sentiments. They vowed to better coordinate the governance and regulatory frameworks surrounding AI to keep it 'human-centered.' At the same time, they acknowledged the potential impacts on the labor markets of machines taking the place of human workers. 'We will pursue an inclusive, human-centered, digital transformation that underpins economic growth and sustainable development, maximizes benefits, and manages risks, in line with our shared democratic values and respect for human rights,' they said. On the weapons issue, the G7 leaders said they recognized the impact of AI in the military domain 'and the need for a framework for responsible development and use.' Standing ovation: Pope Francis is greeted by Turkey's President Erdogan, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other leaders seen in the background Thumbs up for Joe: President Biden shares warm words with the head of the Roman Catholic Church at the meeting on Friday French President Emmanuel Macron smiles as the 87-year-old pontiff arrives at the G7 summit Pope Francis with Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, who personally invited him to the summit, much to the delight of his fellow G7 attendees They encouraged states to make sure 'military use of AI is responsible, complies with international law, particularly international humanitarian law, and enhances international security.' Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni had invited Pope Francis and announced his participation, much to the delight of his fellow G7 attendees. The preliminary autopsy for an eight-year-old girl who died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a commercial flight was inconclusive, officials said. Elementary schooler Sydney Weston was on her way to Chicago with her family when she became ill and then unresponsive after taking off from Joplin, Missouri, on SkyWest Flight 5121 on Thursday. The flight was diverted to Peoria, Illinois, about 45 minutes after take off and forced to make an emergency landing. First-responders met the child at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse, according to the coroner's office. Sydney was rushed her to the hospital, where she was declared dead just after 8am, despite 'aggressive resuscitative efforts.' Sydney Weston, eight, was on her way to Chicago with her family when she became ill and then unresponsive The Peoria County coroner's office said on Friday there are several studies pending to determine a cause of death. Moreover, officials ruled out any foul play, abuse or neglect. 'We will be awaiting histology, biopsies, cultures, blood hematology and chemistry, and toxicology testing,' said the coroner. 'These tests generally take 4-6 weeks to result. Once we have those tests completed, it is our hope that we will be able to provide a definitive and exact cause of death for this little girl and give her family some answers.' Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her her parents Whitney and Dan and her older brother Evan. The Peoria County Sheriff's Office said: 'When the plane landed Deputies, AMT Personnel, and Air National Guard Fire personnel immediately received the 8-year-old female child and began life-saving measures. 'The child was transported to a local hospital by AMT where she was unfortunately pronounced deceased. 'Please keep the child's family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers.' The flight was operated by SkyWest, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. A SkyWest spokesperson said: 'We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft.' 'Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid,' the coroner said First-responders met the child at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport after the plane landed but the girl was not breathing and had no pulse Flight 5121 took off to Chicago again before 1pm Thursday. Her maternal grandmother Teri Carlson posted a tribute ion Facebook, where people have been leaving their condolences. One person said: 'She was such a treasure... it just not real yet. I don't know that it ever will be. My Lov and hugs are with you all.' Another person added: 'What a beautiful little light. My heart is so broken for you and her family.' Michael Mosley's affection for his wife shone through as the BBC broadcast his last ever interview about how to live a good life. The Mail health guru's poignant final programme was recorded before an audience at the Hay Festival just two weeks before the beloved health expert's tragic death in Greece. Time and again, Dr Mosley mentioned his wife Dr Clare Bailey with whom he has four children and worked closely on all his projects. Before Radio 4 listeners heard him speaking for the last time, his friend and fellow TV doctor and presenter Chris van Tulleken paid tribute to him as 'one of the most important broadcasters in recent decades', adding: 'Before Michael, doctors in white coasts told you how to live from their ivory towers. 'Michael's genius was to make himself the patient and guinea pig. We'll never forget him infecting himself with a tape worm and having a camera put up his back passage all for our benefit. He's the reason so many programmes on radio and television adopted this style he is the reason I adopted this style.' Michael Mosley's (pictured) poignant final programme was recorded before an audience at the Hay Festival just two weeks before the beloved health expert's tragic death in Greece Michael Mosley's affection for his wife shone through as the BBC broadcast his last ever interview about how to live a good life. Time and again, Dr Mosley mentioned his wife Dr Clare Bailey (pictured with her husband) with whom he has four children and worked closely on all his projects Referring to Dr Mosley's acclaimed series Just One Thing to improve our health, Dr Van Tulleken said his legacy would 'live on in our memories every time we brush our teeth standing up on one leg, fast a little longer between meals or do squats'. The nutritionist, 67, died while he was holidaying with his wife on the Greek island of Symi last week. He apparently got lost while walking in 40C blazing sunshine and collapsed just yards from salvation at a beach resort. His final broadcast was filmed at the Hay Festival on May 25, in which Dr Mosley interviewed Professor Paul Bloom, an expert on pain and pleasure and asked him his five tips for living a good life. Dr Mosley said: 'I've been obsessed with the question on how to live a good life for a long time.' He said he sought pain and pleasure by having cold showers, joking that he masked the discomfort by singing loudly 'which my wife really hates'. Dr Mosley (pictured on the programme) said he sought pain and pleasure by having cold showers, joking that he masked the discomfort by singing loudly 'which my wife really hates' Fellow TV doctor Chris van Tulleken paid tribute to Dr Mosley throughout the programme, alleging his 'genius was to make himself the patient and guinea pig'. He said viewers will never forget Mosley (pictured in the programme) infecting himself with a tape worm Michael Mosley is seen alongside his wife Clare and others, including a camera crew, at Colwyn Bay, north Wales, on May 10 - just weeks before his disappearance in Symi, Greece He also raised laughs from the audience when he revealed that when he built IKEA shelving badly, 'my wife says, 'why on earth didn't you go out and buy it',' but the pleasure of DIY is a tip for a good life. Another tip on the special programme an extended version of Just One Thing for an upcoming series on more in-depth health advice - was to 'lose yourself', by which the pair discussed getting out and doing something different to give their minds a break. Dr Van Tulleken told listeners of the tribute programme, There's Only One Michael Mosley: 'You can hear just how happy Michael is in this encounter, how fascinated he was by the research and how he made sense of it for the audience too, all while making sure everyone had a good time. 'How to live a good life - something that he most certainly did.' A man suspected of attempting to rob a cell phone store in Brazil was shot multiple times by a worker just seconds after walking in. The alleged thief strolled into the store wearing a motorcycle helmet and appeared to pull out a gun. He immediately stepped up to a female employee who was sitting down before a male worker on the other side of the room pulled out his own weapon and fired multiple shots at him. The suspected robber then collapsed to the ground as the other workers ducked for cover. He was reportedly rushed to hospital in 'very serious condition' and the worker was taken to a nearby police station to give a statement before he was released. A man suspected of attempting to rob a cell phone store in Brazil was shot multiple times by a worker just seconds after walking in The incident was caught on CCTV and the suspect is seen walking into the cell phone store. He is holding what appears to be a firearm as he approaches a female employee at her desk. The suspected robber takes a couple more steps before a male worker takes out his gun and fires multiple shots at him. He then stumbles backwards before finally falling to the ground where he lays still. While the other three employees run and duck for cover amid the gunfire. The alleged thief was rushed to hospital in a 'very serious condition'. The male employee who shot him reportedly made a statement in a nearby police station before he was released without any charges. It is not clear which city or which store the shooting took place in. Gun laws in Brazil were loosened during president Jair Bolsonaro's term from 2019 through 2022. He said 'good citizens' should be entitled to protect their families and their assets, and loosened rules on the possession of guns and ammunition. The alleged thief strolled into the store wearing a motorcycle helmet and appeared to pull out a gun He walked up to a female employee who was sat down before a male worker pulled out his own firearm and fired multiple shots at him Though Brazil has no constitutional right to bear arms, Bolsonaro argued that 'an armed populace will never be enslaved.' But in July 2023, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree tightening restrictions on civilian access to guns. Estimates of the number of guns in civilian hands more than tripled to 2.9 million in a country of 214 million people, according to the Instituto Sou da Paz, a non-profit that monitors public security. That remains far lower than in the United States, and despite the increase in guns, Brazil's rate of slayings remained stable during Bolsonaro's term. The number of homicides during his last year in office, 2022, was at about 47,500 and roughly even with the 2019 rate, according to a report by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety. The widow of a Texas man who died after being electrocuted in a hot tub is suing the Mexican resort where it happened for $1 million, after her husband was electrocuted and drown for 10 minutes. Lizzette Zambrano, 35, filed the suit from her hospital bed where she is being treated for the injuries incurred while trying to rescue her partner at Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Penasco,Mexico, KFOX-TV reported. Jorge Guillen 43, died at the beachside resort Tuesday, while Zambrano was transported to a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, where she remains in critical condition. The electrocution happened just as the couple had arrived at the resort with their family to begin their vacation. 'Immediately upon entrance into the jacuzzi, Jorge was exposed to an electrical current in the water,' the legal document reads. 'Jorge immediately keeled over into the tub and was taken under the surface of the water.' Jorge Guillen, 43, and Lizette Zambrano, 35, (pictured) were in a jacuzzi at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Penasco when they were electrocuted. Jorge died and Lizette remains in a critical condition A video capturing the aftermath of the tragic accident has been making the rounds on social media. Footage shows people gathering around a jacuzzi at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Penasco after a witness saw an unresponsive couple in the water Lizette was sitting on the pool deck when she tried to help her husband. '...upon touching Jorge and the water, Lizette was electrically shocked and also fell into the jacuzzi,' the suit alleges. Helpless vacationers watched in horror as they tried to help the couple, video taken from a hotel balcony shows. Others were shocked when they tried to render aid to Zambrano and Guillen, the lawsuit claims. Zambrano was revived after being shocked but resort staff took 10 minutes to hit the jacuzzi's emergency shut off switch and render aid to Guillen, the documents state. 'Jorge was being electrocuted and drowned under water for 10 minutes,' the filing says. The couple are both Mexican-American nationals Lizette Zambrano, who remains in critical condition, is an elementary school teacher in El Paso, Texas. Her friends have set up a GoFundMe to help with her medical expenses The elementary school teacher was airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix, while Guillen was pronounced dead at the resort. 'There is no reason this should have happened,' Zambrano's lawyer Tej Paranjpe said. 'Hotels and resorts have a duty to ensure guest safety. At no point did resort staff think to engage an emergency shut-off, not to mention warn guests of a faulty, dangerous amenity.' The suit was filed in El Paso County, Texas, where the couple resides. While officials are still trying to determine the exact details of what happened, it is believed that the tub had a surge of electricity run through it while guests were using it. Footage taken from one of the resort's rooms captures the horrifying and tragic the aftermath of the incident. Eyewitnesses can be seen standing around the jacuzzi and a woman performing CPR on one of the couple. A submerged body is also captured floating in the water. Horrified onlookers can be heard screaming, and some walk away from the tragic scene. Others crowd around the tub to help. A body is seen floating in the water The incident happened in a resort in Puerto Penasco, in the state of Sonora, Mexico The tourist couple were both dual Mexican-American citizens, AP reported. According to her LinkedIn, Lizette is an elementary school teacher in El Paso. A friend of Lizette's posted on Facebook to express her heartbreak at the tragedy. 'As I woke up this morning we received a message from our best friends mom. A message you dont want to wake up to. As many of you have seen on social media and the news, a tragic event happened. 'I will not go into detail here. It would be greatly appreciated if you all could donate to help get Jorge home and help with medical expenses. Lizzette has a ways to go in recovery and we are all here to help her through.' A GoFundMe has been set up by Lizette's friends to help with her medical costs and to bring Jorge's body back to the US. 'Our best friends have experienced a horrible accident. Jorge had a heart of gold and was always there for family and friends. The love they shared was one for ages. We are asking for your help to bring him home and help with medical expenses for her,' the post reads. Rishi Sunak yesterday vowed to fight for every vote in the midst of an onslaught from Nigel Farage's Reform party. The Prime Minister's resolve came as one poll put Reform ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in a further blow to Tory morale. His woes were compounded by a buoyant Mr Farage declaring himself as the 'real opposition to Labour', demanding a one-on-one TV debate with Keir Starmer. The YouGov survey for The Times put support for Reform at 19 per cent, just ahead of the Tories on 18 per cent. Labour remains on top at 37 per cent. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking during a press conference at the G7 leaders' summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Puglia, Apulia, Italy. He has vowed to remain an MP even if Labour win Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (pictured) arrives for a press conference at The Wellington, central London. He has claimed his party is the 'real opposition to Labour' Asked by reporters at the G7 summit in Puglia, Italy, whether he was 'despairing' about the poll, Mr Sunak said: 'If that poll was replicated on July 4, it would be handing Labour a blank cheque to tax everyone tax their home, their pension, their car, their family. 'I'll be fighting very hard to make sure that doesn't happen. I'm still fighting very hard for every vote.' There was little outward sign of panic from Tory MPs, however, following four other polls in the last 48 hours finding no such lead for Reform. 'My experience on the doorsteps is not reflected in the polls,' Veterans' minister Johnny Mercer told the Mail. He added, however: 'If you vote for Reform, you are going to get Labour MPs and a massive Labour government. I can't be the only one to be seriously worried about that.' There were also signs that Labour were starting to get unnerved by the return of Mr Farage. The party tweeted attacks directed at him about his stance on the NHS following the poll, rather than focusing on the Tory government. Mr Sunak also pledged to stay on in Parliament for five years even if Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes over in Number 10. There were also signs that Labour were starting to get unnerved by the return of Mr Farage Asked by reporters at the G7 summit in southern Italy if there would be a late change to his campaigning strategy, he replied: 'No, we're out and about' But at the halfway point of the election campaign and with the Tories now trailing Reform UK as well as Labour in the polls, Mr Sunak said he would not be changing tactics. Asked by reporters at the G7 summit in southern Italy if there would be a late change to his campaigning strategy, he replied: 'No, we're out and about, and it's really good that both manifestos are out now because it's really clear what the choice is at the election.' He went on: 'I think you can see that most clearly on tax: if I am re-elected there will be a tax cut for people at every stage of their lives - everyone in work, everyone who is setting up a small business or self-employed, young people who are buying their first home, young families with children, but also pensioners. 'People at every stage of their lives are going to get a tax cut, because I do think you can curb the unsustainable increase in the welfare bill, and that I think is the right choice for the country, and in contrast Labour are just going to put up your taxes. 'And as you saw over the past few days, they just can't tell people unequivocally that they are not going to do that and the analysis shows that they'll raise the tax burden to the highest levels that this country has seen in our history.' Asked if he would commit to serving a full five-year term as PM if he wins, and to serving for five years as an MP if he loses, he replied simply: 'Yes. Yes.' It is the first time he has pledged to stay in Parliament for five years regardless of the result of the election, although he has previously rubbished suggestions he would jet off to California if he is defeated and has insisted that he loves his constituency home in North Yorkshire. Controversial artist Tracey Emin who exhibited her stained bed and dirty underwear at the 1999 Turner Prize has been made a dame. The artist, 60, who sold her grubby sheets and surrounding detritus for a rumoured 150,000 to Charles Saatchi, has been welcomed into the Establishment for services to art. Known for her autobiographical and confessional pieces, another of her most infamous works was a tent decorated with 102 names of lovers, friends and family members entitled Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995. The artist, who lives in Margate, Kent, said of her award: Dame Tracey has a good ring to it. The artist, 60, (pictured) has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to Art, in the King's Birthday Honours list Designer Anya Hindmarch, 55, (pictured) is also made a dame for services to fashion and to business Actress Imelda Staunton (pictured) has been honoured for services to drama and charity Im very very happy. Another brilliant surprise in my life. Dame Tracey was diagnosed with bladder cancer four years ago. Her organ was removed and she now uses a urostomy bag. Designer Anya Hindmarch, 55, is also made a dame for services to fashion and to business. Privately educated at a Catholic girls school, she is most noted for her handbags, which by 1992 were selling to the fashionable in London, New York and Paris. Similarly made a dame is actress Imelda Staunton, honoured for services to drama and charity. The 68-year-old has a role in the forthcoming Paddington in Peru film, the third installment in the series, as the voice of the bears Aunt Lucy. Mrs Staunton has also appeared in Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, as well as playing the late Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown. She is an ambassador for homelessness charity Crisis. Keir Starmer appears in Communist spy files after joining a Czechoslovakian work camp at the height of the Cold War, the Mail can reveal. The then 23-year-old was one of 17 mostly students from around the globe in the 1986 scheme behind the Iron Curtain to restore a memorial to victims of a Nazi atrocity. But while the volunteers had noble intentions, unbeknown to them, the event was being monitored by those with a far more sinister motive. Sir Keir's full name, date and place of birth, passport number and family home address are listed among other International Work Camp participants in a dossier discovered by the Mail in the 'Foreign Intelligence Main Directorate Operative Files' section of the Czechoslovakian secret police archives. His visa application, including a passport photo and hand-written personal details, are kept in a separate section of the Czech Cold War state Security Service archives. Keir Starmer appeared in Communist spy files after joining a Czechoslovakian work camp at the height of the Cold War Sir Keir's full name, date and place of birth, passport number and family home address are listed among other International Work Camp participants in a dossier discovered by the Mail in the 'Foreign Intelligence Main Directorate Operative Files' section of the Czechoslovakian secret police archives Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer appearing on the BBC for questioning on Friday Files marked 'Top Secret' from a previous International Work Camp in Prague in 1982 show it was overseen by the ruthless Czech StB spy agency as part of a wide-ranging and far-reaching 'Active Measure' a euphemism for black operations and disinformation campaign to undermine Nato. The secret police also planted a spy posing as a camp 'supervisor' among the foreign students in 1982 to produce a classified dossier profiling the visitors which earmarked some for 'further exploration' who could potentially be of 'use in the future'. The files from Sir Keir's camp do not specify whether the secret police planned to use the information they harvested from him and others, but security experts said they also appeared to be gathering intelligence about young high-fliers in Western countries for potential long-term use. As well as the now Labour leader, other members of his brigade who also came from the United States, West Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, France and Czechoslovakia included one who later worked in a senior role in the European Commission and another who became a partner in a City law firm. Sir Keir had just completed a postgraduate law degree at Oxford University and was about to embark on his barrister training when he arrived for the two-week camp at the Czech-German border town of Cheb on August 16, 1986, according to stamps on the visa. The group was based in Lidice, a village 12 miles outside Prague which the Nazis destroyed in 1942 killing more than 300 civilians in revenge for Czech resistance fighters assassinating SS chief and Holocaust architect Reinhard Heydrich. The group was based in Lidice, a village 12 miles outside Prague which the Nazis destroyed in 1942 killing more than 300 civilians in revenge for Czech resistance fighters assassinating SS chief and Holocaust architect Reinhard Heydrich (pictured) Fellow camp participant Lisbet Praem, then a young police officer working in Denmark, told the Mail the group stayed in military tents with 'primitive' facilities. Almost four decades on, she has fond memories of the trip and Sir Keir. She said: 'He was very caring about everybody. He was definitely a hard-working guy and always looked for the best solutions for everybody, as well as having a good time.' They were aware the Communist authorities would be keeping a close eye on them, Ms Praem added. 'Of course they were looking, but we were also invited so we knew if we behaved and didn't take pictures in the wrong places it was all right, we supposed. It was another time.' 'At that time it was difficult to get on the other side of the Iron Curtain. You had to have a certain visa. 'It was long before people talked about the Berlin Wall falling.' As well as building a memorial to victims of the Nazis, the trip was about 'meeting young people from other cultures', she added. 'We also thought if you can connect between all the nations you can avoid another war.' Ms Praem kept in contact with Sir Keir for a few years but eventually lost touch as his legal career meant he 'went from busy, to very, very busy'. Professor Anthony Glees, an intelligence and security expert from the University of Buckingham (pictured), said: 'It is absolutely right that Starmer wanted to help commemorate victims of the sadistic Nazi atrocity in Lidice, but not to realise this youthful idealism could be exploited by the Communists was an error, although a forgivable one given his age' Professor Anthony Glees, an intelligence and security expert from the University of Buckingham, said: 'It is absolutely right that Starmer wanted to help commemorate victims of the sadistic Nazi atrocity in Lidice, but not to realise this youthful idealism could be exploited by the Communists was an error, although a forgivable one given his age. 'This was at a critical time in the Cold War when hardline Communists were still doing all they could to undermine the West, and the Czechoslovak security service played a key role in this. The Czechoslovak secret service was using these camps to gather information on bright and idealistic young people in the hope that one day they might be of use to them, one way or another.' Labour declined to comment. The future mother-in-law of the have-a-go hero Bob Bell who bravely tackled a gunman in botched shop raid has described him as a 'no nonsense kind of man'. He was caught on CCTV footage fearlessly risking his own life after a robber began aiming a gun at one of his colleagues at a local Nisa store in Dunfermline, Scotland, yesterday. Dotingly Alison Irvine told MailOnline: 'That's just the kind of man Bob is. He doesn't take any nonsense and doesn't like to see people being badly treated.' She also revealed that Bob is due to marry her daughter Kimberly next May. The future mother-in-law of the have-a-go hero Bob Bell who bravely tackled a gunman in botched shop raid has described him as a 'no nonsense kind of man'. Pictured with fiance Kimberley Dotingly Alison Irvine told MailOnline: 'That's just the kind of man Bob is. He doesn't take any nonsense and doesn't like to see people being badly treated' She also revealed that Bob is due to marry her daughter Kimberly next May She said: 'He's our hero and we're all proud of him. He's a lovely boy and is going to be a wonderful addition to our family. When I heard about what happened in the shop I messaged him to tell him what a great thing he did.' She added: 'You've got to give Bob his dues. He confronted a man with a gun to save a fellow worker. I'm proud that he's going to be my future son in law. I could not have asked for a better husband for my daughter.' Within seconds of the thug brandishing his weapon during the robbery, Bob raced to the counter and immediately bashed him over the head before restraining him. Other members of staff then jumped in to helpless the fearless worker, eventually disarming the gunman and pinning him to the floor. Police have since arrested a man in connection with the incident and confirmed he was using a bb gun, although this would have likely have been unknown to Bob at the time when he heroically sprung into action. This is the moment a gunman attempted to rob a local shop in Scotland as he is seen brandishing his weapon at one female staff member behind the counter Seconds later, another shop worker, named Bob, raced to the counter and immediately bashed him over the head before restraining him Kimberley pictured with her friends. Police Scotland issued a statement on Friday confirming a man has been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery in Dunfermline CCTV footage inside the shop shows how the attempted robbery unfolded as the gunman is seen brandishing his weapon at one female staff member behind the counter. The robber points the gun in the woman's face before jumping over the counter and demanding she put the money in a bag. The woman attempts to prevent the man from accessing the till but he quickly pushes her aside. Seconds later Bob can be seen hurtling towards the assailant and jumping over the counter before delivering a flurry of punches to his head. Bob gets the man in a head lock while another female staff member tries to get the gun off him. Two other men then join in the tussle and eventually retrieve the robber's gun before restraining him on the ground. Police Scotland issued a statement on Friday confirming a man has been arrested in connection with an attempted robbery in Dunfermline. Bob and Kimberley. Within seconds of the thug brandishing his weapon during the robbery, Bob raced to the counter and immediately bashed him over the head before restraining him Have-a-go hero Bob (pictured) helped foil an attempted robbery after leaping over the counter to batter a gunman as he threatened a female staff member The force said it was called at around 2.15pm on Thursday to the shop on Abbey View, in Dunfermline. It added: 'Officers attended and a 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection. He is due to appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Friday, 14 June, 2024. 'No one required medical treatment. A BB gun was recovered during this incident. A report will be forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal.' One worker at the shop, named Wendy, has since launched a GoFundMe page for Bob following his courageous act. Wendy wrote: 'Hi my name is Wendy and live in a small community in Dunfermline. 'Today (13th June) our local Nisa store was targeted by an attempted robber. This store is run by a lovely family who have served the community in over 10 years, alway going the extra mile to help everyone. 'Staff members put their lives at risk to tackle the robber and save other staff and shoppers on the store. 'Bob who works in the store didn't hesitate to and done what any other person would have done. 'He heroically jumped over the counter and tacked the robber who had a gun pointing at the staff member Cheryl, who also very bravely put up a fight to stop him getting the money. 'Aisha and usman both helped to capture him and get the gun away. 'As a local community we would like to raise funds to donate to Bob and the other staff members. Many donation big or small will b greatly accepted. 'Just remember ALL HEROES DONT WEAR CAPES. Thank u (sic) in advance.' Royal superfans armed with cardboard cut outs of the Princess of Wales have descended on The Mall ahead of the Trooping of the Colour. It was announced this evening that Kate Middleton will undertake her first public engagement since her cancer diagnosis at the King's official birthday parade tomorrow. Leading her legion of wellwishers to set up camp along the iconic London road, donned in Union Jack flags and life-size cut outs of the Princess, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of her. She is expected to not only join the rest of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, but to also ride in a state carriage down the Mall with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Camping out to catch first glimpse of Princess this year, at Trooping the Colour. #princessofwales #katemiddleton #royal pic.twitter.com/90vvzGBYxe Max Foster (@MaxFosterCNN) June 14, 2024 In the video you also see the group produced two life-size cardboard cut outs of Kate from their bags, as they set up for her arrival tomorrow, to which the reporter jokes 'oh she'll be seeing double' A CNN reporter speaking to the happy gathering groups in a video published to X asks 'will [you] be camping out', to which one man responds gleefully 'exactly' Another woman even flashed a glimpse of a dress neatly folded away 'for tomorrow' with loveheart shaped union jacks covering it Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for an undisclosed form of cancer, has been absent from public while undergoing treatment A CNN reporter speaking to the happy gathering groups in a video published to X asks 'will [you] be camping out', to which one man responds gleefully 'exactly'. Another woman proudly told her story of meeting King Charles on his walkabout around Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday. In the video you also see the group produced two life-size cardboard cut outs of Kate from their bags, as they set up for her arrival tomorrow, to which the reporter jokes 'oh she'll be seeing double'. Another woman even flashed a glimpse of a dress neatly folded away 'for tomorrow' with loveheart shaped union jacks covering it. It can be starkly compared to the hundreds of people who camped on the Mall for the coronation of King Charles III last May. Several days before Coronation Day, a sea of tents appeared on the Mall, donned in Union Flags and stocked up with food, booze and bunting. Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for an undisclosed form of the disease, released a candid statement today saying she is making 'good progress' in her treatment King Charles is set to welcome the Princess of Wales back to public duties tomorrow at the Trooping the Colour parade. It will mark the first time the monarch and future Queen have been publicly seen together since undergoing their respective treatments. Charles and Kate are pictured together in September 2021 Joan, 70, has been camping out since Wednesday and burst into tears after shaking King Charles' hand, she said: 'Charles stepped out of the car and walked towards us and he said has anybody over nighted and he was shaking a few hands Royal enthusiasts are seen camped on The Mall as preparations continue for The Coronation Joan, 70, camped for four days and burst into tears after shaking King Charles' hand, she said: 'Charles stepped out of the car and walked towards us and he said has anybody over nighted and he was shaking a few hands. 'I said yes I did and he looked and he could see that my hair is really sticking up, and yes I am sleeping one the pavement, he leaned forward purposefully and shook my hand. 'It was just so beautiful, I am proud of being here today. I burst into tears afterwards. 'I have been here for Williams wedding, Harrys wedding, the jubilee and now Ive come for the coronation. I wish himself and Camilla the very best. I think theyre both good people.' Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for an undisclosed form of cancer, has been absent from public while undergoing treatment. Charles, who was diagnoses with cancer in February, has just recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving his own course of treatment for an undisclosed form of the disease. King Charles is 'delighted' by the Princess of Wales ' brave decision to attend the Trooping the Colour as she continues to battle cancer, a Buckingham spokesperson has said. Charles is pictured with Queen Camilla on March 31, 2024 in Windsor 2019 -- William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019 2017 -- Philip speaks to William and Kate at Trooping The Colour in London on June 17, 2017 Tomorrow's busy, high-profile appearance to celebrate the King's birthday will also mark the first time the monarch and future Queen have been publicly seen together since undergoing their respective treatments. It is understood that Kate spoke to the King in advance about her attendance during tomorrow's festivities. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrow's events and is very much looking forward to all elements of the day.' The Princess is and remains the Colonel of the Irish Guards but under the circumstances, Lieutenant General James Bucknall is taking the salute on her behalf. No10 and The Cabinet Office have been informed of The Princess' decision to attend Trooping, and they have informed the opposition parties. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the development as 'wonderful news', saying during a press conference at the G7 in Italy: 'It's obviously wonderful, wonderful news. The whole country will be behind the Princess of Wales for her recovery. 'I saw her statement earlier, I thought it was brave, I thought it was honest and I'm sure it will bring an enormous amount of comfort to so many other people who are grappling with similar health challenges, so I think she deserves enormous praise for what she said and it will be great to see her there tomorrow.' Labour's plan to scrap laws protecting those who served in the Troubles from prosecution could lead to a fresh witch hunt, the veterans minister warned last night. Johnny Mercer said it was 'morally wrong' to revoke the Legacy Act to make a 'political point'. Warning that ex-soldiers could be arrested as a result, the furious former Army officer added: 'When you repeal this Act, you'll go back to what was happening before.' His words were echoed by Northern Ireland veterans who threatened to hold street protests if the Act is scrapped by Labour. Johnny Mercer said it was 'morally wrong' to revoke the Legacy Act to make a 'political point' (Johnny Mercer MP, in his soldier days) Mr Mercer said yesterday: 'We have provided certainty for veterans whilst ensuring that victims and families have the best opportunity to find out for their loved ones' The party has pledged in its manifesto to repeal and replace the legislation designed to end the legal pursuit of British soldiers over incidents that took place decades ago. It also gives an effective amnesty to IRA and loyalist terrorists who killed thousands, drawing a line under the events of the past. It was introduced after a series of prosecutions against Northern Ireland veterans, many of whom are now in their 80s and 90s. Labour voted against the legislation at the time, with Sir Keir Starmer saying many felt 'extremely uncomfortable' that it provides amnesty for all sides, including 'terrorists'. The opposition leader has signalled that prosecutions could restart if he wins the election. Mr Mercer said yesterday: 'We have provided certainty for veterans whilst ensuring that victims and families have the best opportunity to find out for their loved ones. 'It is beyond my understanding why you would come in to make a purely political point, repeal that Act and prolong the pain for victims, families and veterans simply for your own political gain.' Asked if veterans could face prosecution in the future, he said: 'When you repeal this Act, you'll go back to what was happening before, so yes.' He cited the case of 'my friend' Dennis Hutchings, 80, from Plymouth, who died while on trial over a fatal shooting during the Troubles. Mr Mercer said: 'He was taken over to Belfast for questioning. He was put on trial for something that had been investigated six times already. He then died alone in his hotel room in Belfast during that trial. 'If you're telling me that is the way we treat veterans in this country because it is that process that will restart I think it's morally wrong.' Speaking on behalf of the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, former paratrooper Robin Horsfall said: 'Starmer's plan to repeal the Legacy Act is a shocking way to treat former soldiers who have put their lives on the line for this country. If Labour win the election and try to repeal this law, that would be unacceptable, and if necessary veterans and their families will take to the streets again to make that clear.' A Labour spokesman said: 'This is desperate nonsense' (Keir Starmer is interviewed during the The Panorama Interviews with Nick Robinson) It came as a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday appeared in court yesterday. (Demonstrators run during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry on January 30, 1972) Paul Young, who served multiple tours of Northern Ireland with the Blues and Royals in the early 1970s, said: 'Former soldiers won't stand by quietly if Labour scrap this law we've fought so hard to get, and I'm certain you'd see massive protests.' Mass rallies were held around the country in 2019 in protest at the prosecution of British soldiers for incidents dating back to the Troubles. Between August 1969 and July 2007 1,441 military personnel died as a result of operations in Northern Ireland, more than half of them in paramilitary attacks. It came as a former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday appeared in court yesterday for the first time since he was charged. Ex-paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 protesters in Londonderry in January 1972. He is also charged with five attempted murders. At a pre-trial hearing, his lawyers argued that there was an 'insufficiency of evidence' against him. A Labour spokesman said: 'This is desperate nonsense. The Conservatives' Legacy Act managed to unite just about everyone in Northern Ireland against it. 'It has no support among the political parties in Northern Ireland and key parts of it were recently found by the courts to be unlawful. So it simply cannot work. The King has personally honoured his top royal doctors for personal service amid his treatment for cancer. Dr Michael Dixon, head of the Royal Medical Household, and Charles's GP Dr Fiona Butler known as the Apothecary to the King have been recognised for their personal service. The honours come in the wake of the King and the Princess of Wales's double cancer diagnosis this year, with Kate announcing on Friday evening she will be making an unexpected appearance at Trooping the Colour on Saturday. Dr Dixon has been made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) and Dr Butler is now a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO). Awards of the Royal Victorian Order are in the King's gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to those who have served the monarch or the Royal Family in a personal way. The King has personally honoured his top medical team amid his treatment for cancer Dr Michael Dixon, head of the Royal Medical Household, has been made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) Charles's GP Dr Fiona Butler - known as the Apothecary to the King - is now a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) It was with the help of his doctors that the King was able to visit Normandy for the 80th anniversary for the D-Day landings on June 6. Dr Dixon is responsible for overseeing the members of the medical profession entrusted to care for the Royal Family. His appointment as head of the Royal Medical Household following Charles's accession drew criticism due to his outspoken support for alternative therapies such as faith healing and herbalism. When he was the Prince of Wales, Charles was a passionate campaigner for integrated health which involves combining evidence-based, conventional medicine with a holistic approach to healthcare. Dr Dixon's previous career titles include a fellow of the Royal College of GPs, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the chairman of the College of Medicine. His current role, head of the royal medical household, involves managing the medical team around the royals and being present at the births and deaths of family members, was created by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1973. However, although the role itself has been around for a long time, Dr Dixon may be the most modern and progressive person to hold the position since it was created, and has previously written papers citing data which suggests 'the effects of homeopathy may be real'. Dr Michael Dixon, who has previously advocated for homeopathic remedies, is the head of the royal medical household King Charles has previously faced criticism for his support of homeopathic practices, and was appointed patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy in 2017. The Sunday Times reported in 2023 that the physician has written papers suggesting Christian healers may be able to help chronically ill patients, despite this being an 'unfashionable' assertion. In another paper he cited potential benefits of homeopathy, and referred to an experiment that suggested Indian herbal remedies which had been 'ultra-diluted' with alcohol might be able to cure cancer. Dr Dixon has rallied against the suggestion that homeopathy is just a placebo and insists there is not scientific data to back this up. The medical profession in the UK and around the world is still very much divided on homeopathic remedies. In 2017, they were banned for prescription on the NHS, with then-chief executive Lord Stevens of Birmingham describing them as a 'misuse of scarce NHS funds' because they were simply a 'placebo'. However, Dr Dixon appeared to be one of many medics who opposes Lord Stevens' view, and has previously suggested some homeopathic remedies should be available on the NHS. The King has long been an advocate for homeopathic and alternative treatments, for which he has previously come under fire for. Pictured at the Culm Valley Integrated Centre for Health in Cullompton, Devon, in 2008 King Charles pictured at Culm Valley Integrated Centre for Health in Cullompton with Dr Dixon in 2008 The newspaper reported he has put his support behind calls from advocacy group the College of Medicine for treatments like aromatherapy and reflexology to be offered to NHS patients. In 2010, he was a voice against MPs who were campaigning to end homeopathic treatments on the NHS, saying we must not 'abandon' people who are, so far, not being helped by scientific medicine. Despite backlash against homeopathy from many in the medical profession, King Charles has long spoken of its potential benefits and has previously come under fire for his stance on the subject. In 2017, when he was named patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy, the Good Thinking Society, an organisation which describes itself as 'pro-science and anti-pseudoscience', said the appointment was 'obscene'. Michael Marshall, the organisation's director, told the Guardian at the time: 'We have been reminded only recently that plenty of homeopaths claim to be able to treat autism and discourage vaccinations. (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, 2023 King Charles is set to welcome the Princess of Wales back to public duties at the Trooping the Colour parade on Saturday. Pictured: Charles and Kate together in September 2021 'If [King] Charles wants to have a genuine positive effect on the health of the nation he intends to one day rule, he should side against those who offer dangerously misleading advice, rather than fighting their corner.' The King has also been embroiled in an historic dispute with Professor Edzard Ernst over his support of homeopathy - with Ernst once labelling him a 'snake oil salesman'. In 1993, King Charles founded the Foundation for Integrated Health, which was established to explore the combination of 'safe, proven complementary therapies' with modern medicine. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said last year: 'Dr Dixon does not believe homoeopathy can cure cancer. 'His position is that complementary therapies can sit alongside conventional treatments, provided they are safe, appropriate and evidence-based.' Meanwhile Dr Butler works as a GP at Health Partners at Violet Melchett and as a clinical director of Brompton Health Primary Care Network. She was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 New Year Honours for her work as a clinical lead for social inclusion, mental health and the health of the homeless in west London. March 22 - Kate reveals in a video that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy A stunning new portrait of the Princess of Wales taken at Windsor this week by Matt Porteous Kate was last seen at a royal event attending church at Sandringham on December 25, 2023 Also honoured as an LVO is Michael Dooley for his role as Queen Camilla's physician. The honours for the doctors comes after the monarch, 75, is set to welcome the Kate, 42, back to public duties tomorrow at the Trooping the Colour parade. He said he is 'delighted' that his daughter-in-law will be joining the royal family at Saturday's event and is 'much looking forward to all elements of the day'. Kate who revealed back in March that she was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy' for an undisclosed form of cancer, has been absent from public while undergoing treatment. Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in February, has just recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving his own course of treatment for an undisclosed form of the disease. The high-profile appearance to celebrate the King's birthday on Saturday will also mark the first time the monarch and future Queen have been publicly seen together since undergoing their respective treatments. Queen Elizabeth II was Britain's longest-reigning monarch who left a legacy that will last for centuries. Her Late Majesty was on the throne for more than 70 years and her death in September 2022 prompted an outpouring of grief among millions. Throughout her life and following her death, members of the Queen's family honoured her with thoughtfully chosen jewels and accessories. As we reveal below, Queen Camilla, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and other relatives have all worn items once owned by Elizabeth. Belgian Sapphire Tiara Queen Camilla paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing her Belgian Sapphire Tiara to a state banquet In November 2022, just two months after the Queen's death, Camilla wore her late mother-in-law's Belgian Sapphire Tiara during a state banquet held for South Africa's leader Cyril Ramaphosa. Camilla paired the piece with her elegant Bruce Oldfield gown and completed the look with a diamond-trimmed pendant containing a photograph of the Queen when she was young. The Belgian Sapphire tiara was acquired to complement a Victorian-era sapphire necklace and earrings that were gifted by her father, King George VI, on her wedding day in 1947. In 1963, Queen Elizabeth purchased a nineteenth-century sapphire necklace that once belonged to Princess Louise of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. As per her request, it was set on a frame and turned into a tiara. Queen Elizabeth's Japanese pearl choker Kate, the Princess of Wales, wore the Queen's Japanese pearl choker at her funeral in 2022. It was previously worn by Princess Diana in 1982. The Queen wore it during a visit to Bangladesh in 1983 The Japanese pearl choker was first loaned to Kate for the Queen and Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary celebrations in 2017. She has continued to wear it on a number of occasions, including the funeral of Philip in 2021 and the funeral of the late monarch in 2022, where she paired it with the Bahrain pearl drop earrings. It is believed that the Japanese government gifted pearls to Elizabeth, who then commissioned a choker to be made by Garrard in the 1970s. The distinctive design features a diamond clasp that sits at the centre of four strands of pearls. Princess Diana was also seen sporting the necklace during the state visit of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 1982. Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell brooch The Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell brooch features a single round pearl, surrounded by rows of dazzling diamonds. Above: The Queen wearing it in June 2010; Camilla with the brooch in Nairobi last year There are a few iconic jewels that have entered the Royal Family collection by chance. A prime example is the Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell brooch, which a loyal subject had bequeathed to the Queen Mother. Partially designed by Sir Courtauld Courtauld-Thomson, the son of a renowned Scottish inventor, the brooch was made in 1919 by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. Ltd. It features a single round pearl, surrounded by rows of dazzling diamonds. Courtauld-Thomson left the brooch to his sister, the writer Winifred Hope Thomson, who passed it down to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother showcased the design on countless occassions, including her 100th birthday in August 2000. The Queen then selected it for the wedding of her eldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips, to Mike Tindall in 2011. Camilla wore it for an engagement during her visit to Kenya with King Charles last year. Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara Camilla (left) chose the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara for a reception and dinner in 2023 Camilla paid homage to the late Queen by wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara for a reception and dinner in October 2023. The exquisite tiara dates back to 1893, when it was gifted to Mary of Teck, on the occasion of her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York, later King George V. The headpiece is named after the committee of young women who raised money for its creation through a subscription. It features festoon and fleur-de-lis motifs comprising diamonds set in silver and gold. Originally, it also incorporated fourteen pearls. The piece can we worn as a tiara, a coronet or a necklace. Queen Mary wore the tiara on many notable occasions, including the coronation of her father-in-law, King Edward VII, in 1902. Mary gifted her beloved tiara to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, when she married Prince Philip in November 1947. Elizabeth reportedly referred to the diadem as 'Granny's tiara', and it become central to her wardrobe, both as a Princess and as a Queen. Cartier Halo tiara The glittering Cartier Halo tiara served as Kate Middleton's 'something borrowed' for her wedding to Prince William in 2011. It was gifted to the late Queen by her mother, Queen Elizabeth (right) The glittering Cartier Halo tiara served as Kate Middleton's 'something borrowed' for her wedding to Prince William in 2011. Queen Elizabeth received the headpiece, comprising 739 brilliant cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds, as a gift from her mother on her 18th birthday in 1944. Dating back to 1936, George VI commissioned Cartier to create the tiara using diamonds and platinum he had purchased for his wife three weeks before he became King George VI and she became Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother). Her daughter never wore the tiara in public, but it likely held deep personal significance. Queen Mary Fringe tiara Queen Elizabeth II wore the Queen Mary Fringe tiara, comprising 47 graduated brilliant and rose-set tapering bars separated by 46 narrower spikes, on her wedding day in 1947 Princess Anne chose the stunning Queen Mary Fringe tiara for her wedding to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973. Bride and groom are accompanied by Prince Edward and Lady Sarah Chatto. Princess Beatrice then wore the accessory for her wedding in 2020 The Queen Mary Fringe tiara is the most-worn wedding tiara by Windsor brides. Queen Elizabeth II chose the glittering design, comprising 47 graduated brilliant and rose-set tapering bars separated by 46 narrower spikes, for her wedding in 1947. It was given to the Queen Mother by her mother-in-law, Queen Mary. The diamond accessory, originally a necklace made by Collingwood, had been Queen Mary's wedding gift from Queen Victoria. Mary wore the convertible jewel in various forms, including as a headpiece and a necklace, before having it dismantled to create a new diamond fringe tiara. In 1919, she asked Garrard to create a piece in the style of a kokoshnik (a russian headdress) comprising brilliant diamonds, rose-set tapering bars and spikes, which could be removed to form a necklace. Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne, selected the stunning piece for her wedding to Mark Phillips in 1973. Princess Beatrice later borrowed the tiara for her private Windsor wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, during the Covid pandemic in 2020. She also wore her grandmother's vintage Norman Hartnell dress, remodelled by Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin. Queen Elizabeth's state funeral The Royal Family honoured Queen Elizabeth at her state funeral through their considered clothing choices Several members of the Royal Family chose to honour Queen Elizabeth at her state funeral through their considered clothing choices. Kate looked immaculate in an Alexander McQueen coat dress, modelled on the white version she wore during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. She added the Japanese pearl choker and Elizabeth's Bahrain pearl drop earrings, which were created from pearls given to the then-Princess as a wedding gift in 1947. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, opted for a Stella McCartney cape dress, paired with a wide-brimmed hat by Stephen Jones. She previously wore the navy version of this dress to Queen Elizabeth's 92nd birthday celebrations in 2018. Similar to Kate, Meghan accessorised with a pair of pearl earrings that the late monarch had given her to mark their first solo outing together in 2018. Sophie's coat was crafted by the luxury designer Suzannah London, who revealed on Instagram the touching tribute to the Queen Camilla paid tribute to Elizabeth with a brooch that once belonged to Queen Victoria. She has previously worn the piece during Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee celebrations in 2012. Sophie, then Countess of Wessex, also honoured the Queen. She chose a bespoke Suzannah London dress, embroidered with Lily of the Valley, the late monarch's favourite flower, as well as blooms from her wedding bouquet. Her hat, designed by Jane Taylor, also referenced the Queen's wedding posy and her passion for horses. Even Princess Charlotte paid subtle tribute to her grandmother, by wearing a horseshoe brooch. It is believed that Elizabeth gifted the piece to Charlotte. Pearl earrings The Queen gave Meghan a pair of diamond and pearl earrings after she and Prince Harry announced their engagement in 2018 On Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday, Kate showcased a pair of earrings that the monarch had worn during her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977 Shortly after she and Prince Harry announced their engagement in 2018, Meghan Markle debuted a pair of dainty pearl and diamond earrings. She showcased the design when opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge in Cheshire, with Queen Elizabeth, marking her first official engagement with the monarch. The earrings were a kind gesture from the Queen, who had presented them to Meghan earlier that morning. The Duchess repeated the significant accessory at Queen Elizabeth's state funeral, which took place at Westminster Abbey. The monarch loaned a similar pair of pearl earrings to Kate Middleton, which the Princess wore on the Queen's 95th birthday. Queen Elizabeth notably wore the design during her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. Kate repeated these pearl earrings while visiting St Davids in Wales on the first anniversary of the monarch's death. Nizam of Hyderabad necklace The dazzling Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, valued at more than 60million, is thought to be one of Queen Elizabeth's most precious pieces. Kate wore it at the National Portrait Gallery Gala in February 2014. The dazzling Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, valued at more than 60million, is thought to be one of Queen Elizabeth's most precious pieces. At the request of Asaf Jah VII, ruler of Hyderabad, Elizabeth was invited to choose two pieces from Cartier to commemorate her 1947. She opted for a tiara and necklace, inspired by an English rose. While the tiara has since been dismantled to create other pieces, the necklace remains intact. It comprises 38 diamonds - reduced from the original 46 - and a diamond-encrusted snap. At the centre of the necklace lies a detachable double-drop pendant, featuring 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop. The piece was initially sold in 1936, but was reacquired by Cartier from the buyer the following year. The original necklace consisted of eight double-drop and three triple-drop pendants. However, nine of these pendants were removed before it caught Queen Elizabeth's eye. Kate is the only other royal to have worn the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. She debuted it at the National Portrait Gallery Gala in February 2014. Queen Mary's diamond bandeau When presented with a selection of tiaras, Meghan Markle chose Queen Mary's diamond bandeau for her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018 Shortly before the wedding of Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018, the Queen invited the couple to view a selection of tiaras. Meghan was honoured to choose Queen Mary's diamond bandeau, which Harry remembered as the one that 'stood out' to the couple. 'It was beautiful, seemingly made for Meg,' Prince Harry recalled in his memoir, Spare. The dazzling piece features a diamond brooch that Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary, received as a wedding gift from the County of Lincoln in 1893. The brooch boasts a large collet-set diamond, surrounded by nine brilliant diamonds, with several smaller stones placed between these. 'The gift was most graciously received and greatly admired by Her Serene Highness, who expressed her warm appreciation of the kind and loyal feeling which prompted the gift,' The Chronicle wrote. Mary wore the brooch on several occasions before deciding to transform it into something with more versatility. In 1932, she commissioned Garrard to create a diamond and platinum bandeau-style tiara, placing the County of Lincoln brooch at its centre. The eleven sections are pave set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design. Additionally, the cluster style of the brooch is mirrored in a set of smaller diamond clusters placed on either side of the tiara. The brooch is detachable and Mary continued to wear it as a standalone jewel after the tiara had been completed. Lover's Knot tiara Kate Middleton and Princess Diana have both worn the Lover's Knot Tiara Arguably the most famous of the royal tiaras, the Lover's Knot has been worn by generations of royal women. Queen Mary commissioned Garrard to create the exquisite tiara, drawing inspiration from a piece owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse. Mary provided jewels from her own collection, which included elements from her dismantled Some Ladies of England Tiara, pearls from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, and pearls from her favourite brooches. The finished design originally featured a row of upright pearls, but these were later removed by Queen Mary, who returned them to her brooches. After Queen Mary's death, the tiara was inherited by Queen Elizabeth and she was frequently seen wearing the accessory at various locations worldwide, including a tour of the Commonwealth. Upon marrying Prince Charles in July 1981, Diana received the tiara as a gift from the Queen and she debuted it at the state opening of parliament later that year. Although the tiara reportedly gave Diana headaches due to its weight, she wore it on many occasions, including with her 'Elvis dress' by Catherine Walker during an official visit to Hong Kong. Similar to her late mother-in-law, the tiara has become one of Kate's preferred pieces and she has worn it at several diplomatic receptions since. Queen Alexandra's wedding necklace The Princess of Wales wore Queen Alexandra's wedding necklace in 2018 This alluring necklace was a wedding gift from King Edward VII - the eldest son of Queen Victoria - to his bride, Alexandra of Denmark. The pair married at St George's Chapel, Windsor, in 1863, and the then Prince of Wales presented Alexandra with a parure of diamonds and pearls. In addition to the opulent necklace, the collection consisted of pearl and diamond cluster earrings, a brooch with a detachable pendant and a diamond tiara. The tiara, later known as the Rundell, was the only piece that Alexandra did not wear on her wedding day. Following the Queen's death in 1925, the headpiece was passed down to her daughter, Princess Victoria, but its fate remains uncertain. The other accessories were inherited by Queen Mary, Alexandra's daughter-in-law, who gifted the necklace to the Queen Mother. It became one of her most-loved pieces of jewellery; she even wore it for her daughter's wedding at Westminster Abbey. The necklace, earrings and brooch were inherited by Queen Elizabeth, who wore them for evening events. More recently, Kate selected the necklace for a state banquet with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima at Buckingham Palace in October 2018. A Mexican journalist claiming to be in possession of alien corpses is looking to American and European scientists to confirm their authenticity. Two newly unearthed 'alien' mummies from Peru have caused waves of controversy since x-ray and ultrasound data on the bodies was unveiled this past March, with archeologists fearing they may be ancient humans dug up by tomb raiders. Journalist and UFO researcher Jaime Maussan confirmed to DailyMail.com that more in-depth 'analyses are being done' and he's suing Peru's government for the right to ship the bodies to more advanced labs in the US. Maussan, whose research has courted controversy for nearly a decade, has floated the idea that the mummies might be alien-human 'hybrids,' with his scientist colleagues declaring that the new specimens contain '30 percent unknown' DNA. But critics continue to cast doubt on his claims. 'Personally, I am not convinced that they are humanoid. I think they're human,' Latin American historian Christopher Heaney told DailyMail.com. 'So far we have tomographies [CT scans] and fluoroscopy analysis,' Maussan told DailyMail.com describing the x-ray and ultrasound data he unveiled at West Hollywood's Mondrian Hotel at the March 12 press event (pictured above) Thus far, Maussan and his research partners report that they have had X-rays (above), DNA, and other laboratory examinations conducted on one of the apparently mummified bodies, filmed in collaboration with scientists from the United States on location in Mexico and Peru A month later in Peru last April - as part of a second event, also hosted by ufologist Jaime Maussan - a new 'alien' specimen named Montserrat (above) was presented Maussan and his colleagues have had an eventful year pushing for wider scientific interest in the apparently alien bodies, including a controversial presentation before Mexico's Congress and clashes with Peru's Ministry of Culture. The drama over the bodies came amid exploding public policy debate on UFOs as politicians in the United States follow the lead of government whistleblowers and Ivy League scientists in calling for more open research on the mystery. Maussan's clash with his critics reached its most heated moment this past April when a press conference that he held in Peru was raided by police intent on seizing one of the new mummified bodies on display, dubbed 'Montserrat.' Undaunted, Maussan is now suing the government of Peru both for damages and for the right to ship these mummy specimens to university researchers and other scientists in the United States for more thorough, independent third-party testing. 'The lawsuit is already in for $300 million,' Maussan told DailyMail.com. 'We are going to negotiate with Peru,' Maussan said, 'to be allowed to export the samples to be done in America.' In an update this Sunday, broadcast to listeners of his program 'No Humano,' Maussan added that it will take eight months for an update in this legal battle, which he emphasized will fund a museum for the mummies and not profit him personally. In the meantime, testing continues in Mexico, where one of Maussan's research collaborators, Dr Martin Achirica Ramos of the alternative health clinic SPES in Mexico City, who has working on the team's other 'alien' mummies. These prior specimens were those presented to Mexico's Congress last September, spurring interest from a NASA contractor in the US, Maussan told DailyMail.com Maussan and Dr Achirica announced Sunday that specialist doctors from Europe will conduct DNA tests on these mummies soon: 'We are not going to say the name, so we can do more DNA analysis. They have offered to analyze each of the bodies.' While a legal battle to move some of the mummies drags on, testing continues in Mexico, where one of Maussan's research collaborators, Dr Martin Achirica Ramos (pictured) of the alternative health clinic SPES in Mexico City, has worked on the team's other 'alien' mummies In an update this Sunday, broadcast to listeners of his program ' No Humano ,' Maussan (left) and Dr Achirica (right) added that it will take eight months for an update in this legal battle, which he emphasized will fund a museum for the mummies and not profit him personally Dr Achirica added that further details will be disclosed on June 15th, as part of the roll-out for his new book 'Expediente abierto' ('Open file') which promises 'the whole truth about the non-human bodies of Nazca.' But archeologists and historians who have devoted their careers to understanding the world of ancient Peru continue to speak out critically against the effort. Heaney, the Latin American historian at Penn State, emphasized two key historical realities in support of his opinion that the bodies are not as 'alien' as appear to be. First, the practice of 'head binding' by certain cultures living in the Andes mountains of Peru was well documented by both Spanish colonists and local peoples. And no evidence ties the practice, nor the elongated, 'alien'-like heads produced, to indigenous myths or legends about beings from the sky, the stars or anywhere else. Second, according to Heaney, centuries of international tomb raiding, theft, recovery, haphazard reburials, and black market trafficking in both real and fake Peruvian 'antiquities' has sown deep confusion over the nation's historical artifacts. 'But, in a general sense, this part of a larger problem,' Heaney added, 'feeling like we need to dig up the dead to know more about them.' Flavio Estrada (right), forensic archaeologist of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Lima of the Public Ministry has said the alien bodies are 'doll' made of animal parts Two pieces that look like small mummies were seized in October 2023 at the Lima airport and that were going to be sent to Mexico. Maussan has said these are not like his own specimens Above, two of Maussan's collaborators, documentary producers Serena DC (right) and Michael Mazzola (left), pose with a new 'alien' mummy from this March - which they said has 30 percent 'unknown' DNA Heaney, who published a book on Peru's Inca mummies last year 'Empires of the Dead,' told DailyMail.com that the region's vast history of black market tomb-raiding magnifies his doubts about this case. 'Tomb raiding and looting is as old as the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532,' Heaney explained in a telephone interview. 'One of the first things that the Conquistadors noted was that Andeans lords, Inca emperors and empresses were interred [buried] with tremendous wealth,' he said. 'Looting a tomb, as long as you declared it to the colonial government and as long as the Spanish crown got a share of the wealth that was found, the gold, silver and other objects that turned up,' Heaney explained, 'was totally legal.' The result of nearly 500 years of aggressive meddling in Peru's ancient archeological record has been a casual scrambling of invaluable true ancient artifacts with hodge-podge handicrafts that might appeal to foreigners on the antiquities market. In 2022, archeologists reported the discovery of nearly 200 instances where the scattered disturbed remains of Peruvian mummies, their spinal vertebrae, had been recovered by locals and threaded on reed-like posts as fresh memorials. Carbon-dating showed that these make-shift spinal memorials where, in their own way, now historic artifacts, as they were assembled between 1450 and 1650 AD, during the conquest and crumbling of the Inca Empire. In 2022, archeologists reported the discovery of nearly 200 instances where the scattered disturbed remains of Peruvian mummies, their spinal vertebrae, had been saved and then threaded on reed-like posts as memorials. Above, samples of these memorials identified in Peru's Chincha Valley - one of many examples of the region's complex archeological record Above, one example of a deliberate deformity of the skull from a Proto-Nazca culture in Peru, dated to between 200 and 100 BC - and now stored by the Museum de Toulouse in France 'The fact that there's 192 of these and that they're widespread,' archeologist Jacob Bongers told Live Science at the time, 'means [...] that this interesting practice was deemed the appropriate way of dealing with disturbed bodies of the dead.' Heaney at Penn State added that this kind of recrafting of the remains of raided tombs persists into the modern day. 'Sometimes you see on sale in markets in Peru and even the United States these dolls, essentially made of the fragments of pre-Hispanic textiles leftover from looted graves,' Heaney said, 'taken and woven to create a quote-unquote 'old doll.'' In 2013, for examples, archaeologists working with Peruvian customs seized seven postal shipments that included old coins and replicas of pre-Columbian dolls fabricated with ancient cloth that had been looted from archaeological sites. Gladiz Collatupa, one archeologist tasked with searching packages at a post office in Peru, told the New York Times that she had gradually learned to identify these pre-Hispanic textiles not just by their patterns and weaving but by how they felt. The ancient fabrics, she said, had become unusually smooth and soft with age. Archaeologists working with Peruvian customs have seized postal shipments that included replicas of pre-Columbian dolls fabricated with ancient cloth that had been looted from archaeological sites. Above, examples of Peru's Chancay burial doll replicas sold to tourists Chancay burial dolls, produced originally by people living along the central coast of Peru from approximately 1000 to 1450 AD, are one style of artifact often recreated with these authentically ancient fabric scraps. 'I think it's an example of how, when a market is created, it's going to find a new way to get what it wants,' Heaney said. Heaney emphasized that many of the 'alien'-like mummies unearthed with long, oblong heads are the result of a head-binding practice common for thousands of years before the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese to the Americas. 'There's no mystery to it, if we believe, 16th Century Spaniard and Andean people who wrote that this was a regular practice,' Heaney told DailyMail.com. 'Diverse groups in the Andes, for over two millennia, engaged in a practice in which the skulls of their children were bound with bandages or other sorts of compressive devices, to reshape the head to create a form that was appealing to them,' he said. Maussan has pushed for wider scientific interest in the apparently alien bodies, including a presentation before Mexico's Congress (pictured). 'Would you consider I would take the bodies to the Mexican Congress putting in danger 50 years of [my journalism] career to present fake bodies?' he asked at a recent press event this March Perhaps crucially, accounts by Spanish colonists and indigenous people describe this shape as intended to resemble the mountains of the region, whose peaks extend tens of thousands of feet high and which locals revere with religious significance. 'The Spanish, when they arrived in the 16th Century observed and commented on individuals walking around with very specifically shaped skulls,' according to Heaney, 'and they recognized and saw them doing it using these bandages.' The historian added that it was very unlikely the local population had turned to this practice inspired by visitations for long-headed extraterrestrials, because no stories of such beings exist in the region's folklore. 'Andean peoples down through time do not have narratives about flying beings up in the sky,' Heaney told DailyMail.com. 'They don't have narratives that describe beings with heads like these. What they do have are narratives about their mountains,' he added, 'water, natural landscapes, lightning and the sun in a way that is very consistent from the archaeological record.' One of the most thorough studies of the practice was conducted by Cornell University anthropologist Matthew Velasco for a study published in 2018. Maussan and his collaborators, however, have insisted that their examinations of these mummified remains with medical CT scans and other equipment confirms they are not of this Earth, although the data they have made public remains debated. 'If I were faking this, I wouldn't put it available to everyone,' as Maussan put it at his March press conference this year. 'It's open to everyone.' 'Would you consider I would take the bodies to the Mexican Congress putting in danger 50 years of [my journalism] career to present fake bodies?' he said. 'Think about that.' Boeing's latest potential scandal is out of this world - literally. Its Starliner spacecraft - which carried two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) last week - is unable to undock after several faults were found on the ship. Teams have discovered five different leaks in the craft's propulsion system which would navigate the craft through space as it returns to Earth. The astronauts were set to return on June 14, but that has been delayed until June 22 while Boeing and NASA scramble to fix issues, leaving the astronauts stranded until then. Now, experts have said that NASA could be forced to launch a rescue mission that would be a highly embarrassing blow for the embattled Boeing which is dealing with spate of issues plaguing its commercial jets. Its Starliner spacecraft - which carried two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) last week - is unable to undock after several faults were found on the ship Teams have discovered five different leaks in the craft's thruster systems which would allow it to navigate through space as it returns to Earth A Boeing spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'The integrated NASA-Boeing Starliner Mission Management Team is monitoring the overall health of the spacecraft and adhering to our mission flight rules. 'Even with this smallest helium leak discovered after docking before the system was closed, we determined we have approximately 70 hours of free flight activity and continue to have full redundancy in all critical systems.' DailyMail.com has contacted NASA, but the agency refused to comment on if a possible rescue mission could take place. Problems with Boeing's commercial jets, including turbulence, mechanical issues and tailstrikes, have cost the company at least $3 billion. And NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2 billion contract to build Starliner as a taxi for astronauts to the ISS. NASA previously pushed the return of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to June 18, but on Friday revealed their stay will be again extended. 'The extra time allows the team to finalize departure planning and operations while the spacecraft remains cleared for crew emergency return scenarios within the flight rules,' NASA and Boeing said in a statement. Boeing's Starliner can only stay docked on the ISS for a total of 45 days due to limited fuel on the orbit laboratory - it is unclear what NASA has planned if the time is exceeded. But if the ground teams deem the capsule space worthy, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will board the craft for another 24-hour trip through space and back to Earth. Starliner was previously set to launch on May 6, but teams detected a valve leaking helium and scrubbed the mission. Engineers suspected that the issue came from a defective rubber seal the size of a shirt button, and said that even if the leak worsens, it could be managed in flight - and set the next launch for June 1. However, Starliner was again plagued with misfortunate when the capsule was automatically halted with minutes to go before liftoff by a computer-abort system. Astronauts Butch Wilmore (L) and Suni Williams (R) were set to return on June 14, but that has been delayed until June 22 while Boeing and NASA scramble to fix issues, leaving the astronauts stranded until then The issues have sparked concerns among experts who fear the two astronauts could be stuck on the ISS until a rescue mission is sent The postponement was triggered by computers on the Atlas V rocket's launchpad that coordinate the final moments before liftoff, but the Starliner capsule appeared healthy, officials said. The issues sparked concern among a NASA contractor who urged the American space agency to 're-double safety checks and re-examine safety protocols to make sure the Starliner is safe before something catastrophic happens.' Erin Faville, president of ValveTech, raised concerns about the June 6 launch, telling DailyMail.com: 'I warned. I will choose to let it play out.' Starliner took off at 10:52am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida last week with the same leak that forced a scrub in May. Hours after separating from the Atlas rocket, NASA revealed the capsule had sprung two more leaks. A fourth leak was found after docking on June 6 and the most recent hit on June 10. In addition to the helium leaks, four thrusters malfunctioned during the flight. The issues have sparked concerns among experts who fear the two astronauts could be stuck on the ISS until a rescue mission is sent. 'Good news is that they are on the ISS and not like the Apollo 13 trying to get home from the moon,' Rudy Ridolfi, Former Space System Commander and Space Technology Acquisition Manager, told DailyMail.com. 'But I wouldn't be surprised if someone at NASA is getting a SpaceX Dragon capsule ready for a rescue mission.' Elon Musk's company has inked contracts with space agency to shuttle astronauts to and from the ISS, performing 10 missions since 2020. Katsuo Kurabayashi, professor of aerospace engineering at New York University said: 'Given the current situation with the Starliner, it is possible that NASA could decide to use an alternative spacecraft, like SpaceX's Crew Dragon, to bring the astronauts home safely. Starliner took off at 10:52am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida last week with the same leak that forced a scrub in May 'The final decision would depend on the severity of the helium leaks, the feasibility of repairs, and the logistics of arranging another spacecraft for the return mission.' Mike Gruntman, professor of astronautics at the University of Southern California, also said that 'it is more likely that SpaceX would be able to provide an additional launch in the foreseeable future to bring the astronauts back.' 'It is highly unfortunate that Boeing's Starliner, after so much delay with its flight, continues to face problems,' Gruntman continued. 'For decades, Boeing was one of the most admired aerospace and defense companies. It is a true national tragedy.' While both NASA and Boeing did not seem concerned about the initial leak, but Gruntman suggested that the problems stemmed from manufacturing issues. 'Multiple similar issues helium leaks with seemingly similar components, as reported in the press, point to a systemic problem with design or workmanship or testing or system engineering or a combination thereof,' he explained. Ridolfi also noted that the leaks and thruster malfunctions would 'be very difficult to fix in space.' 'The last thing you want to do is maintenance in orbit,' he continued. 'Boeing has had consistent problems with its Starliner, regardless of the delays. We are seeing the same the same components have the same problems. 'There is no third independent verification and validation (IVV) doing follow-ups on self-inspections. 'This is a cost-cutting measure, but without enough oversight problems are going to crop up.' Starliner's issues follow a slew of problems plaguing Boeing commercial planes. A Boeing plane experienced a rare Dutch roll at 32,000 feet mid-flight last month, which resulted in the aircraft being taken out of service. The Southwest Airlines flight, Southwest Flight 746, was flying 175 passengers from Phoenix to Oakland on May 25 when it experienced the terrifying Dutch roll. A Dutch roll is the name given to the combination of a yawing motion when the tail slides and the plane rocks from wingtip to wingtip. It is said to mimic the movement of a Dutch ice skater. In the same month, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 experienced fatal 'turbulence' that involved proximity to tropical thunderstorms. The Boeing 777 plane operated by Singapore Airlines left London's Heathrow airport at 10:17pm local time with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. However, the turbulence caused several injuries and one death - it is unclear of the Boeing jet experienced an issue or it was a natural event. And just last week, an Air Canada Boeing plane bursts into flames seconds after take-off. The night sky is so constant and unchanging that generations of navigators have set their course by the fixed arrangement of the stars. But soon stargazers will get the truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch as a new star is born in the heavens. The 'blaze star' T Coronae Borealis is set to flare into life any day now, going from invisible to as bright as the North Star overnight in a spectacular nova. Once the nova appears it will be visible to the naked eye for a couple of days before disappearing for another 80 years. Dr Rebekah Hounsell, a NASA expert on nova, says: 'There are a few recurrent novae with very short cycles, but typically, we don't often see a repeated outburst in a human lifetime, and rarely one so relatively close to our own system.' Dr Hounel adds that this is 'a once-in-a-lifetime- event' to get front-row seats to a truly special cosmic event. To spot this unique phenomenon, all you need to do is to head out on a dark, clear night and look to the North East. The blaze star will appear in a faint constellation called the Northern Crown, or Corona Borealis, between the constellations of Bootes and Hercules. But if this is a bit tricky to spot, there is a method to help narrow down your search using some brighter stars in the sky. First, look for the Big Dipper, sometimes called the Saucepan or Plough, and follow the curve of the 'handle' till you find a bright reddish star above the eastern horizon. Stargazers will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the birth of a new star as the 'Blaze Star' T Coronae Borealis flares into life (artist's impression) From that star, which is called Arcturus, look to the North East on the same level and you should spot another bright star called Vega. Halfway between these two, you will be able to find a faint curl of seven stars - this is the Northern Crown where the Blaze Star will appear. Of course, it will be a lot easier to find the star constellation once the blaze star has appeared as it should be one of the brightest in the sky. For the best viewing conditions make sure to get far away from any sources of light that could ruin your view. That might mean getting away from city lights where possible and avoiding using your torch while your eyes adjust to the darkness. To find the start look for the constellation of Corona Borealis which is between Hercules and Bootes in the North East The star will be visible to the naked eye but you will be able to see more if you use a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. There is no way of knowing exactly when the star will come to life, and even scientists are eagerly waiting for any signs of activity. It is predicted that T Coronae Borealis should appear sometime between now and September, but that could happen any day. Although the term 'nova' comes from the Latin for 'new star' it will actually only appear that a new star has been created. In reality, what we will see is the moment that a very faint star 3,000 light years from Earth suddenly becomes brighter. T Coronae Borealis is a binary system nestled in the Northern Crown constellation, which means that it consists of two stars locked in orbit around each other. To find the star follow the handle of the big dipper (shown here from the Northern Hemisphere) and look for a reddish star named Arcturus. The blaze star should appear halfway between this star and another bright star to the North East called Vega One of those stars is a vast but cool red giant, while the other is a white dwarf - a hot, dense remnant of a dead star about the size of the Earth but containing the same mass as our Sun. As these stars orbit, the white dwarf is slowly devouring its neighbour, stripping the hydrogen from its atmosphere. As this hydrogen piles up around the white dwarf it builds up massive pressure and heat. When enough matter falls into the star at once, it triggers an enormous thermonuclear explosion so bright we can see it from Earth, blasting away the built-up material. But, unlike a supernova which happens as a star dies, the white dwarf is left intact so that the process can begin again. T Coronae Borealis is a binary system, meaning that is actually made up of two stars locked in orbit with one another (artist's impression) Because this build-up takes about 80 years, T Coronae Borealis flares on a regular cycle, making it a recurrent nova. The first time the star was spotted was more than 800 years ago in 1217 when a man named Burchard, abbot of Ursberg, Germany, spotted 'a faint star that for a time shone with great light.' This is also how scientists know that the star is set to blaze again since it is following the same pattern as it did in 1866 and 1947. In those cases, the star first grew brighter before suddenly fading away in anticipation of the big bang. Scientists have been watching T Coronae Borealis grow brighter again since 2015 until it suddenly dimmed in March last year. When it finally blows, it could grow up to 600 times brighter based on these previous flares. As this artist's impression illustrates, the white dwarf pulls matter away from its red giant neighbour. This builds up until it triggers a nuclear explosion so bright we can see it from Earth Since T Coronae Borealis is quite close to Earth and flares regularly, it is also a great chance for scientists to learn more about novae. The nova will be watched carefully by scientists all around the world using the James Webb Space Telescope, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and many others. Dr Elizabeth Hays, chief of the particle physics laboratory at NASA Goddard, says this means the help of amateur stargazers will be vital to catch the first moments of the explosion. 'We'll observe the nova event at its peak and through its decline, as the visible energy of the outburst fades. 'But it's equally critical to obtain data during the early rise to eruption so the data collected by those avid citizen scientists on the lookout now for the nova will contribute dramatically to our findings.' Look away now, vegans. A new study suggests plants possess a form of intelligence. Researchers found they are able to solve problems by sensing when a nearby plant is being devoured by insects and adapting to avoid destruction. Many scientists define intelligence as having a central nervous system, where electrical signals pass along messages to other nerves to process information. Instead, plants have a vascular system, which is a network of cells that transports water, minerals and nutrients to help them grow. Now, scientists are calling for a redefinition of intelligence to include problem-solving as a sign. Researchers found they are able to solve problems, by determining how to adapted it adapts its response based on whether or not another plant is nearby Andre Kessler, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University, said: 'There are more than 70 definitions that are published for intelligence and there is no agreement on what it is, even within a given field.' Previous studies have found that plants emit a high frequency distress sound when they undergo environmental stress, such as damage to their leaves and stems. Researchers have also speculated that plants may be able to count, make decisions, recognize their relatives and even remember events. The latest revelation came from studying goldenrods, which are flowers found across North America, Europe and Asia, as the team observed how it responded when eaten by beetles. The plant emitted a chemical that informed the insect that the plant is damaged and is a poor source of food. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were then detected by nearby goldenrods that produced the same defense mechanism to avoid being eaten. 'This would fit our definition of intelligence,' Kessler explained. 'Depending on the information it receives from the environment, the plant changes its standard behavior.' The team ran experiments in 2021 that showed goldenrods can also detect higher far-red light, or daylight, ratios reflected off leaves of neighboring plants. Far-red light influences growth of all vegetation. As neighboring plants sense a nearby goldenrod is being eaten they adapted by growing faster and releasing more of the defense chemical. 'When no neighbors are present, the plants don't resort to accelerated growth when eaten and the chemical responses to herbivores are markedly different, though they still tolerate quite high amounts of herbivory,' researchers shared. The revelation came from studying goldenrods, which are flowering plants found across North America, Europe and Asia, as the team observed how it responded when eaten by beetles In addition, plants were found to 'smell' the chemical that signals there was presence of a pest. 'The volatile emission coming from a neighbor is predictive of future herbivory,' Kessler said. 'They can use an environmental cue to predict a future situation, and then act on that.' Applying the concept of intelligence to plants can inspire fresh hypotheses about the mechanisms and functions of plant chemical communication, while also shifting people's thinking about what intelligence really means, Kessler said. Netflix announced that its app wont run on certain smart TVs starting next month, requiring viewers to add a streaming device to stay connected. The worlds biggest streaming service reported that viewers wont be able to access the streaming service on a selection of outdated Sony TVs made in 2014. Users who dont want to replace their devices to retain access will need to invest between $20 and $50 for an Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku or Chromecast with Google TV. Starting July 24, 2024, the Netflix app will no longer be supported on some 2014 BRAVIA televisions, Sony announced, adding: You can continue to use the Netflix app until July 23, 2024. Netflix is removing its app from 16 Sony smart TVs starting July 24, 2024. Consumers can still access the app by buying a new TV or by investing in a streaming device like Roku or Amazon Fire Stick. TVs that are no longer compatible with the Netflix app will receive a message saying Netflix is no longer available on this device. The announcement includes the KDL-60W610B and KDL-60W630B models along with 14 others. This isnt the first time Netflix has discontinued its app on certain older TVs, with the company removing other 2012 to 2013 Sony devices in December. At the time, Sony claimed the change was due to technical limitations and impacted about 34 total TVs. The change will also affect consumers in Europe and the UK who will likewise lose access to the app on 42 Sony TVs. Netflixs decision to remove its app from some smart TVs comes a year after the service cracked down on password sharing as it strove to compete with other streaming services including Max, Disney+ and Hulu. 'Adventure doesn't have to be exclusive to intrepid explorers, big budgets or far away lands.' So say photographers and founders of The Travel Project, Charlie Wild and Jessica Last, who have spent the past three years exploring the British Isles and compiling 52 outdoor activities into a book called Achievable Adventures. The new guide, by Quadrille Publishing, explores affordable and budget-friendly activities across the UK that can be reached without having to catch a plane. The pair hope to 'change the way people view the UK by showcasing the possibilities for extraordinary experiences that are right on our doorstep'. Here, they've shared five of their favourite adventures with MailOnline Travel, from one of England's 'last slivers of wilderness' to Northern Ireland's 'best-kept secret'. Which one would you most like to try? Staying in the Gearrannan Black Houses - Outer Hebrides, Scotland Travel photographers Charlie Wild and Jessica Last shared five of their favourite outdoor adventures with MailOnline Travel. Pictured above are the Gearannan Black Houses in the Outer Hebrides, which they describe as 'extraordinary' 'When it comes to extraordinary places to stay in the UK, youll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else quite like this,' the couple claim. The Gearrannan Blackhouse Village is a traditional coastal crofting village on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. According to the couple, a visit 'promises an adventure like no other'. The book reads: 'Sleeping in the original thatched, stone-walled dwellings hidden away on a remote island immersed in history, youll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.' For more information or to book a stay in a cottage, visit: www.gearrannan.com. Fell pony trekking - Lake District, England Charlie and Jessica describe fell pony trekking in the Lake District as a 'journey back in time' 'This meditative adventure opens your eyes to a simpler, older and altogether wilder version of the UK,' the pair claim. The activity involves walking pack ponies, an ancient breed of horse, through the forests and mountains of the Lake District. Trekking the 'centuries-old tracks' feels like a 'journey back in time', according to the couple. It's not a strenuous activity, either. According to the couple, it's the 'very definition of a slow adventure', as your pony matches your pace. For more information, or to book the outdoor adventure, visit: fellpony.co.uk/adventures. Surfing on the Causeway Coast - Northern Ireland The couple recommend heading to Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast (above) to surf. There's 'never any need to fight over waves', they claim 'It's not the situation that would first spring to mind when you think of a UK adventure, but surfing is perhaps Northern Ireland's best kept secret,' the pair write. They recommend heading to the Causeway Coast to enjoy the waves. They write: 'Sitting on your board looking back at the dramatic Northern Irish coast as you wait for a wave is a very cool feeling. 'On this stretch of coast alone, you'll have ample choice of spots to choose from, and never any need to fight over waves.' If you don't own a surfboard, there are plenty of places that rent equipment. Visit www.troggs.com/pages/surf-hire for more information. Sailing Norfolk's saltmarshes - England On this adventure, you'll sail an 'untamed network of narrow waterways and hidden sandbanks' Located off the northern coast of Norfolk, the saltmarshes are 'one of England's last true slivers of wilderness'. According to the couple, the 'untamed network of narrow waterways and hidden sandbanks was once the domain of smugglers'. Now, the only way to navigate it is with local expertise. The Coastal Exploration Company offers such know-how, offering sailing trips along protected creeks. The couple continue: 'This adventure will see you sailing the waters in a lovingly restored classical working boat, guided by a skipper who knows this part of England like the back of their hand.' To book the salt marsh exploration, visit coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk. Coastal foraging in Pembrokeshire, Wales For an unusual adventure, the pair suggests foraging ingredients for a meal along the Pembrokeshire coast 'If you're a fan of outdoor cooking, fresh ingredients and rugged coastal landscapes, then this may well be the adventure for you,' the pair write. The activity involves finding your own ingredients along the coasts of Pembrokeshire - from mussels to plants and crab - and cooking up a feast right then and there. According to the couple it is an 'afternoon full of surprises', that will 'teach you skills to take forward into future adventures'. They write: 'You'll come away with a whole new appreciation of the rich bounty of the natural world around us.' For more information, or to book a coastal foraging experience visit: www.coastalforaging.co.uk/. Achievable Adventures, written by Charlie Wild and Jessica Last and published by Quadrille Publishing, is available to order on Amazon . Tourists can visit the lesser-known Spanish island by taking a private boat tour Salvora Island is located off the coast of Galicia and is uninhabited by humans Think you've seen all Spain has to offer? Think again. Just a short boat ride from the Galician coast is a three-kilometre- (1.86-mile) wide island you've probably never heard of. Isla de Salvora is part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park in the northwest of Spain. The island is uninhabited by humans and boasts white sand beaches alongside its rocky coast. Until 2008, it was privately owned, and tourists weren't allowed to visit. However, it is now open to the public - with some restrictions. Salvora Island is a three-kilometre-wide island located off the coast of Galicia - and can only be visited via a private boat tour Salvora is completely uninhabited by humans and boasts white sandy beaches alongside its rocky coast The only way to visit the island is to book a private tour - a guided tour with a seafood lunch can be booked on getyourguide.com. Visitors can depart from the Spanish coastal towns of La Coruna or Pontevedra, with the entire trip lasting four and a half hours. According to fascinatingspain.com, the island does not provide 'modern services' such as restaurants or washing facilities. There are not even any bins there. Tourists must collect their rubbish and dispose of it on the mainland. The aim, the website says, is to leave the island exactly how they found it, leaving no evidence of human activity. The island has a rich history and was said to be a pirate refuge from the 16th to the 19th century. Its main attraction is a lighthouse, which visitors will learn comes with a tragic shipwreck tale. In 1921, the Santa Isabel ship, also known as the Galician Titanic, sank at the foot of the lighthouse. The accident took more than 200 lives and is a well-known local story, according to wildsea.eu. One of Salvora Island's attractions is its lighthouse (above), which comes with a tragic shipwreck tale The island does not provide any modern services such as restaurants or washroom facilities There aren't any bins on the island - visitors must take their rubbish with them Isla de Salvora belongs to the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park The remains now rest 15 metres (49ft) underwater and have become a shelter for marine life, including eels, lobster and crabs. Divers can book to explore the wreck for 40 euros (33) with Wild Sea Europe. Visitors can also spot the Sirena de Salvora, a mermaid statue that looks out towards the sea. The stone sculpture comes with a legend that a Roman knight who survived a shipwreck met a mermaid on the island and instantly fell in love. According to fascinatingspain.com, the legend says they got married and had a child called Marino. Other attractions include an abandoned village consisting of traditional stone houses and an old salting factory. Those who have visited the island have referred to it as a 'marvel'. One of two reviews left on Tripadvisor dubbed it 'one of the jewels in the Riberia'. Another review, left by Xancinha, read: 'It is a beautiful visit, full of stories and curiosities that only 250 people can access per day.' The little town of Riebeek-Kasteel - deep in beautiful wine-making country 50 miles north-east of Cape Town - played a key part in apartheid. It was where two former - and controversial - white South African prime ministers were born: D.F. Malan and Jan Smuts. Which makes it an intriguing place to visit so soon after last weeks election that saw the African National Congress lose its majority for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago in 1994. This is especially so because Riebeek-Kasteel is a significant enclave of the centre-right Democratic Alliance, which garnered 22 per cent of the vote compared with the ANCs 40 per cent. Suddenly, this tiny settlement (population 1,200) is firmly on the map again - and for all the right reasons. Graham Boynton says South Africa's recent political shift has put the town of Riebeek-Kasteel 'firmly on the map again - and for all the right reasons' Simply divine: The town is located deep in wine-making country, 50 miles north-east of Cape Town Set against a spectacular backdrop of rolling farmlands and the Kasteelberg mountain range, the centre of town is a retreat of artists, boutique owners, winemakers and old hippies. Its an hours drive from Cape Town. At its centre is the Royal Hotel, famous for having the longest stoep (veranda) south of the Limpopo River, and also for raucous evenings at its 150-year-old bar. It makes a great first port of call to get a sense of Riebeek-Kasteels rich history. The town was opened to Western settlement in 1661, when an expedition sent from Cape Town by Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the Cape colony, crested the pass and looked down on this verdant valley. The name Riebeeks Castle (Kasteel) was in honour of their commander. In the 400 years since, many have been lured by the towns remote beauty, including a Dutchman named Robert Brendel, who happened upon Riebeek in 2004, and fell in love with it - so much that he bought the Royal Hotel. The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of town, is famous for 'raucous evenings at its 150-year-old bar' and the longest stoep (veranda) south of the Limpopo River One of Riebeek-Kasteel's attractions is its wine, reveals Graham (stock image) It felt like David Livingstone had just left the building, says Brendel. And its the only town I know where you have the school, the church and the hotel next to one another - education, salvation and damnation on the same street. Riebeek-Kasteel is also a destination for foodies. Tourists come from across the country to eat at Au Bouchon Rouge, the Marseille-style restaurant attached to the Royal Hotel. Another attraction is its wine, partly thanks to the Swartland Revolution launched in 2010: a wine-making insurgency representing around 12 wineries whose creators met and hammered out a plan for an annual festival of food and wine. Twenty minutes away from the towns centre is Roundstone Farm, home of the Mullineux wine-making family. Chris and his wife, Andrea, consistently win international awards for their Swartland wines. At the end of my visit, Chris looks up at the Kasteelberg mountain and says: This place makes you feel elated. It is remote, beautiful, strange. I just hope it doesnt change. Au Bouchon Rouge, the Marseille-style restaurant attached to the Royal Hotel Gliding gently down the broad Mekong River, we pass villages of bamboo houses, temples with gold-leaved roofs gleaming in the sunshine. We watch water buffalos wallowing in the shallows, and children splashing and waving at passenger boats. My friend and I arrived in northeast Thailand the night before and in the morning crossed the 'Friendship Bridge' into Laos to embark on a river boat down the Mekong. Drifting past a tapestry of rural life on the riverbank proves an appropriate introduction to a country where 80 per cent of the population lives in the countryside. Late afternoon brings us to the village of Pakbeng, a charming jumble of guesthouses and hotels on the riverbank. On the other side is the Mekong Elephant Park. Vibrant: On a tour of Laos, Annabel Venning stops off in the 'mellow' town of Nong Khiaw (pictured) A temple in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO city with French colonial influences. Annabel writes: 'Ten years ago, Luang Prabang had 20 hotels. Now, there are 200' Laos was known as Lan Xang - 'Land of a Million Elephants'. But there are now just 300 wild elephants left, as their jungle home is being destroyed by development. Another 400 survive in captivity, brutally exploited in the logging industry or as riding elephants. Ten die for every calf born. However, there are sanctuaries like this one, where rescued elephants live free from chains and abuse. We spend a joyous afternoon watching four female elephants wander the forest, squeaking and rumbling joyfully. The highlight is the elephants evening swim. One is so excited she slides down the sandbank on her knees and into the river. Laoss war-torn past belies the serene beauty of its landscapes Annabel Venning Back on the boat for day two, the scenery becomes ever more dramatic as the Mekong winds between towering limestone karsts. It is the perfect entry to Luang Prabang. The city holds UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its fusion of traditional Laos wooden houses and creamy colonnades from Laoss French colonial era. Sunlight glints off temple roofs. Stalls sell freshly baked croissants or steaming bowls of pho. At dusk, a night market unfurls along Sisavangvong road. Ten years ago, Luang Prabang had 20 hotels. Now, there are 200, ranging from chic Satri House to backpacker hostels. Our favourites are the stylish Apsara and the Apsara Rive Droite, on opposite banks of the Nam Khan River. Within an hours taxi ride of Luang Prabang are the Kuang Si waterfalls, a series of cascades and aquamarine pools where you can swim for hours, and in the opposite direction, the Pak Ou caves, filled with hundreds of Buddha statues. Annabel swims in the Kuang Si waterfalls, pictured, a series of cascades and aquamarine pools Annabel begins her trip in northeast Thailand where she crosses the 'Friendship Bridge' (above) into Laos To explore Laoss less-travelled northeast countryside, you can easily hire a car and driver. The Apsara arranges ours by way of a cheerful chap called Sit with a fondness for 1980s ballads. A days drive brings us to the mysterious Plain of Jars: thousands of vast stone jars, of human height or taller, scattered across 90 sites near the town of Phonsavan. Rice wine or water storage, giants drinking cups, or burial vessels? No one knows, but they are between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. It is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world, but the area is also littered with unexploded ordnance. The Plain of Jars: Thousands of vast stone jars, scattered across 90 sites near the town of Phonsavan. Annabel says: 'It is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world' Laos was known as the Land of a Million Elephants, but there are now just 300 wild elephants left, Annabel reveals This area was the epicentre of fighting in the Secret War, when the Vietnam conflict spilled into Laos. The U.S. dropped more than 260 million bombs on the country, which remains the most bombed in the world. Many cluster munitions lurk still unexploded in the soil. Laoss war-torn past belies the serene beauty of its landscapes, such as the Nam-Et Phou Louey national park. Here, we trek through green cathedrals of soaring trees, pausing to eat sumptuous meals off banana leaf tablecloths. We sleep in 'nests' - comfortable bamboo baskets suspended above the forest floor. By night we spot a leopard cat and Sambar deer, by day a giant squirrel. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we stop off at the mellow town of Nong Khiaw and climb a hill to watch the sunrise, then swim across the Nam Ou River. On our final night, sadness descends - we never want our Laos adventure to end. Have YOU been to DK Oyster? Get in touch at tips@dailymail.com Angry reviews on Tripadvisor say DK Oyster's prices are 'exorbitant' and 'insane' A notorious restaurant on the Greek island of Mykonos is ripping off Brits again, as customers complain of being charged 250 for sea bass and 50 for drinks. Holidaymakers have been warned to stay away from DK Oyster, which has received a string of bad reviews on Tripadvisor. Angry punters say they were lured into buying a drink after being told that the sunbeds are free, but the prices for those drinks were described as 'insane' and 'exorbitant'. The latest tourists to fall foul include Kimberley W, who had to shell out for four drinks at 47 each. Kevin E branded DK Oyster 'bait and switch thieves', who initially told him he could get a drink and chair for 29 but then charged him 72. A "rip-off "bar in Mykonos, Greece, is said to be rinsing customers again, as people take to Tripadvisor to complain about overpriced drinks and food Holidaymakers said DK Oyster lured them in with the offer of sitting on a sunbed (pictured) for free if they buy drinks Eleanor W said she and her partner were double-charged after they were told their card payment did not work. Meanwhile, Elise B said her mistake was ordering food, which is charged 'by the ounce', leaving them with a bill of 253 for sea bass and 100 for a jumbo shrimp, that 'wasn't cooked properly'. Even then they were overcharged, she said, with 789 leaving her account, which did not match the receipt. The restaurant, which has an average star rating of two, has received just one star in all of its last 34 reviews, dating back to October last year. Daniel D wrote on Tripadvisor on June 12: 'Overcharged and very rude people. Don't go there, they will not give the menu until you ready to pay you will see prices are insane.' Eleanor W also warned readers on June 12: 'They will tell you the beach beds are free but then say you need to purchase a drink. 'Once seated they show you a menu where the drink prices are so exorbitant, it makes up for not paying for a beach bed x 10. Angry punters branded the prices 'exorbitant' and 'insane' at the beachside restaurant DK Oyster Bar by Platis Gialos beach has become notorious as a tourist trap 'They also said my card payment didn't work so we used by partners card, to check the bank account and we have two transactions of the same amount come out at once. W***ers.' Elise B wrote on June 11: 'TRAVELER BEWARE!!! DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE' 'We were told it was free for chairs if you buy 2 drinks. We got two drinks and were cool, understanding that was going to be an up charge.' However, it was when they ordered food that they were outraged, she said. Elise added: 'We were shown a menu but did not see that they charge for food BY THE OUNCE! We were charged 300 (253) for sea bass and 119 (100) for a jumbo shrimp that wasn't cooked properly! 'They not only didn't explain that, but we definitely did not need A WHOLE FISH! And had we known, would have never accepted that! 'But we too were overcharged on our card for $1000 (789), which does not match what our receipt says!! We didn't see the charge until after we left, but we'll be disputing that with our bank!' Kimberly W wrote on June 2: 'BEWARE!!!! DON'T GO TO DK OYSTER. DK Oyster bar has caught tourists unaware - with negative reviews and previous complaints 'This place is a ripoff and should be avoided by all means. They overcharge for everything! 'We didn't read reviews and were charged for 4 drinks at $60 (47) each. How this place is still in business is beyond me.' Kevin E branded DK Oyster 'bait and switch thieves' and told travelers to 'be forewarned'. He wrote on May 31: 'Well... we messed up and didn't read these reviews before going here and got ripped off as did many around us. 'They do the bait and switch and have reviews blocked on Google earth. They say you get a chair for just one drink... however they refuse to tell you the cost. 'It's 30 (25) for a small, 40 (34) for medium and 50 (42) for large. He offered us a med drink and chair for 35 (29) each however they charged 85 (72). 'I'll now try and fight it out of principle with Mastercard. Do not go here. Warn others.' On its website, DK Oyster is described as the 'destination of luxury and style' in 'one of the world's top destinations'. DK Oyster have been approached for comment. Have YOU been to DK Oyster? Get in touch at tips@dailymail.com READ MORE: Plane passenger complains about a 'service dog' in their leg space Planning to travel but can't decide which flight carrier to book with? Well, a new study has revealed which US airlines offer the most legroom - and which seats are the most cramped. The research, conducted by airline travel blog Upgraded Points, considered seven US-based airlines, analyzing the model of planes used by each one across the 10 busiest domestic flight paths in the nation. To calculate the relative leg room, researchers measured horizontally from a given point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front of it in economy class, resulting in a figure reflecting the 'average seat pitch' of the airplane model. The resulting findings showed just over four inches differentiated the most cramped and most roomy of the seating configurations - just enough to make all the difference comfort-wise on a lengthy flight. Airline travel blog Upgraded Points ranked seven US-based airlines in terms of the legroom offered by each in economy class on the airplanes used across the 10 busiest domestic routes To calculate the relative leg room, researchers measured from a given point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front of it, resulting in the 'average seat pitch' of the airplane model Coming out on top with the roomiest economy class seating was JetBlue, with an average distance of 32.3 inches between seats. Fly in comfort! US airlines ranked by leg room 1. Jet Blue: 32.3 inches 2. Southwest Airlines: 31.8 inches 3. Alaska Airlines & Delta Air Lines: 31.0 inches 4. American Airlines: 30.2 inches 5. United Airlines: 30.1 inches 6. Hawaiian Airlines: 29.0 inches 7. Frontier Airlines & Spirit Airlines: 28.0 inches Advertisement The report attributed the spaciousness to the airline's 'modern fleet' of the Airbus A320 and A321 models. Coming in second place was Southwest Airlines, with an average seat pitch of 31.8 inches. Third place was a tie between Delta and Alaska Airlines. Passengers on either airline can enjoy on average 31 inches of space. In fourth place was American Airlines, with 30.2 inches of space. Fifth on the list was United Airlines, with 30.1 inches of space. Hawaiian Airlines came in sixth, with a mere 29.0 inches. And last with but not least on the list: Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines tied. Both 'ultra-low cost' airlines touted an average seat pitch of a mere 28 inches. The study also highlighted certain airplane models - untethered to any specific brand of airline - ranking them by generousness of legroom. In first place: the Embraer 190, with a 32 inch average seat pitch. Coming in last was the Airbus A320neo, with an average of 28 inches between a seat and the equivalent point at the one in front of it - four inches less then the top aircraft. Airlines are encouraging families to book their children into pricey business class flights as a way of containing any disruption. While previously the preserve of high rolling business types, first class travelers should now increasingly expect to spot chocolate milk on the menu alongside champagne. This is thanks to a rise in specially designed business class cabins which promise to deliver privacy for families and quiet for fellow passengers. Among those welcoming children at the front of the plane Qatar Airways, which launched its QSuites in 2017. The self contained pods feature sliding doors which, 'allow you to transform your space into a social area, allowing you to work, dine or socialize at 40,000 feet', according to the airline's website. Airlines are encouraging families to book their children into pricey business class flights as a way of containing any disruption Alexis Tchuise used QSuites when she flew 15 hours from San Francisco to Doha in Qatar with her two children. 'We loved having the quad configuration which allowed us to see each other and interact throughout the flight,' she said in a TikTok. 'We slept for pretty much all of the flight.' As part of the experience, QSuites passengers receive 'a new standard in comfort' which includes set of White Company pajamas and a bespoke turn down service for the lie-flat beds. 'This was one of the best flights we have ever taken as a family,' Tchuise added. The travel vlogger and her family largely paid for the seat using airmiles, however a QSuites ticket normally costs in excess of $3,000. Francesca Squillacciotti, 28, a New York public relations professional, told the Wall Street Journal that her $2,000 ticket on an Air France flight in one of its La Premiere cabins was worth the money. Airlines now offer specially designed business class cabins, which promise to deliver privacy for families and quiet for fellow passengers. Qatar Airway's QSuites (pictured) is one example 'It feels like youre in your own cocoon. It feels super private,' she told the Wall Street Journal, explaining she used the seclusion to help get work done during her trip. Journalist Hannah Selinger raves about QSuites aftering flying with her five and seven-year-old kids as part of a 40-hour journey from Johannesburg to Boston. 'The final 14-hour flight was so relaxing and comfortable I was almost disappointed to feel the wheels hit the tarmac,' she said. On Virgin Atlantic, some Upper Class flights have communal spaces were little ones can be entertained, or adults can escape. The Loft offers a 32 inch TV for watching movies or shows, as well as a live tail cam. Meanwhile a cozy spot called The Booth has been set up as a space for two, while the onboard bar allows Upper Class passengers to socialize over complimentary drinks. On Virgin Atlantic, some Upper Class flights have communal spaces such as The Loft (pictured) were little ones can be entertained, or adults can escape A Wander Wall galley also allows passengers big and small to help themselves to a wealth of snacks. Roundtrip tickets on these flights typically cost around $3,715. Families can also hang out together by themselves in their new Retreat Suites, available on A33neo aircraft. 'Each Retreat Suite boasts an ottoman that doubles up as an extra seat so up to four people can enjoy an intimate dinner together in their own private social space, or settle in comfort to watch a film on the 27" touchscreen,' the airline states. Similarly Etihad Airways offers business class passengers to retreat behind privacy doors and moveable panels. But as usual, the exclusive seats come with a hefty price tag and a round trip from the US to Abu Dhabi usually costs $5,586. Japanese locals have been left outraged after Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori put on another shocking display during a shopping trip in Tokyo this week. Censori, 29, flaunted her backside in a ribbed cream G-string leotard as she walked through a public shopping mall with West, 47. She also went braless in the sheer ensemble, appearing to leave shop assistants shocked over her attire. Critics have slammed Censori's display, with one arguing it should be considered 'public indecency', a charge which comes with a fine of up to 300,000 yen (AU$2,878), according to The Penal Code of Japan. 'As a Japanese national I am disgusted. This is bad behaviour. I don't understand the need to blatantly expose yourself like this. It is unacceptable,' one person said. Bianca Censori, 29, flaunted her backside during the outing in a ribbed cream G-string leotard as she walked through a public shopping mall with West, 47 Her risque outfit outraged Japanese locals A second wrote: 'Absolutely no need and should be charged with indecency. An insult to the Japanese culture.' 'She has no self respect, he has no respect for her and they have no respect for the Japanese culture,' another commented. 'The utter disrespect shown by this pair is shameful,' one person agreed. Another said: 'The Japanese are offended by this behaviour. They should be ashamed of themselves. Show some respect when going to another country.' Others said the display was 'disrespectful' to residents of the conservative country. 'In a country known for its modesty and discretion. this is rudeness and a blatant provocation, they should be asked to leave,' one commented. 'That's so inappropriate in Japan. Respect is so important to them,' another said. 'Japan is a very modest and conservative country in terms of fashion so it's incredible that Bianca is able to dress like that and get away with it. It's unfortunate that money and influence holds so,' another wrote., Critics have slammed Censori's flesh-baring display, with one arguing it should be considered 'public indecency,' a charge which comes with a fine of up to 300,000 yen (AU$2,878), according to The Penal Code of Japan It's not the first time the couple has caused outrage, during their trip to Venice in October Kanye and Bianca were accused of indecent exposure and public decency in a water taxi. The couple also exhibited some bizarre outfits during their summer European vacation, with Bianca frequently spotted wearing nude tights and flesh-flashing tops. Kanye and Bianca sparked major controversy in the city of Venice after they were caught putting on a graphic display in the back of a river taxi. Police investigated the couple over the 'disrespectful' incident that included West exposing his bare buttocks in public as Bianca curiously knelt before him with her head in his lap. A spokesman for Venezia Turismo Motascafi - the firm that owned the boat the couple were on, said it was 'completely unaware' of the incident. The company has since banned the couple from using their boats in the future. Italian locals also complained to the police that she was walking around in public 'virtually naked'. She managed to avoid a fine for that but if convicted of public indecency they could face a fine from 5,000 to 10,000. The fashion designer - who is widely believed to be behind all of Censori's recent and controversial looks - and his new muse were first romantically linked in January 2023. Reports have surfaced the Heartless hitmaker has instructed her to 'never speak'. He's also reportedly issued a set of rules to live by, including specific foods she can eat and what she can wear, a source close to the Australian architect has claimed. The sources said Bianca has 'no mind of her own anymore' and instead simply 'obeys' the controversial rapper, who also goes by the name 'Ye', because he has convinced her they have 'royal' status. 'Kanye has a set of rules for Bianca, which includes never speak and wear what he wants her to wear,' the source told DailyMail.com exclusively. The backlash comes after Kanye's ex-assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him earlier this month. She also accused the star of wrongful termination as well as breach of contract. Following being sued by his former employee, the rapper - who also goes by Ye - notably hit back and claimed she was fired due to 'lascivious and unhinged' conduct and had also demanded a whopping $4 million salary. He also denied her claims, calling them 'baseless' and accused her of 'blackmail and extortion.' He declared he would file a countersuit but has yet to do so. It's not the first time the couple has caused outrage, during their trip to Venice in October Kanye and Bianca were accused of indecent exposure and public decency in a water taxi. Pictured Kayne and Bianca in February The couple also exhibited some bizarre outfits during their summer European vacation, with Bianca frequently spotted wearing nude tights and flesh-flashing tops. Pictured in February Italian locals also complained to the police that she was walking around in public 'virtually naked' The fashion designer - who is widely believed to be behind all of Censori's recent and controversial looks - and his new muse were first romantically linked in January 2023 In the lawsuit, Pisciotta has also claimed that both West and Censori bragged about having a five-person orgy in one of many sexually explicit phone calls. Pisciotta claimed in the complaint filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court that West frequently sent her explicit text messages and images. These included video of himself having sex, and extreme oversharing about his sex life in what she claimed was an effort to get her to join in, it said. The lawsuit explained that part of her duties - which involved being at West's beck and call 24 hours a day - was to organize transport for women to meet him. 'On one such occasion, in August 2022, after [Pisciotta] had arranged an Uber ride, Kanye West a.k.a. Ye and Bianca Censori called [her] wanting to discuss the orgy (five-some) they had participated in the day before,' the lawsuit claimed. Pisciotta claimed the same month, West required her to take off her cardigan while she was in the Yeezy/Gap office 'because he said "it was covering too much."' 'Later that evening at the office, Kanye West a.k.a. Ye asked Bianca Censori and other female guests to perform oral sex on him and his male guests in the office changing room,' the lawsuit claimed. 'During this same time period, Kanye West a.k.a. Ye asked design assistants at the Yeezy/Gap office why [Pisciotta] would not want to have sex with him. '[West] was extremely upset and angry that [Pisciotta] would date or have sex with someone else, but not him.' Pisciotta claimed West told her he was turned on by the sound of her voice and often pleasured himself while on the phone to her, asking her if she could 'hear or guess what he was doing.' Her lawsuit claimed he also did this in person one time on a flight to the Yeezy Fashion Show Paris on a private jet with other employees. She claimed he texted her asking for a 'hug' but she declined. West, she claimed, previously sent her a photo of a couple embracing during sex, writing 'when I say I need a hug this is what I mean.' The photo and alleged text message were attached to the lawsuit. Pisciotta claimed after she refused the 'hug' on the plane, West came out of his room and said he needed to talk to her inside. They went into his room, and he closed the door - trapping them inside together as the door couldn't be opened from the inside, she claimed. West then lay down on the bed and masturbated under the covers until he fell asleep as she sat across from him in a chair, the lawsuit claimed. Pisciotta in the lawsuit claimed West 'constantly asked about her current and past sex life' and insisted on knowing intimate details. She claimed that on another occasion at the Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles in early 2022, West asked a male guest if he could have sex with the woman who arrived with him. The backlash comes after Kanye's ex-assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him earlier this month. She also accused the star of wrongful termination as well as breach of contract Pisciotta claimed that other times West asked to have sex with her included when he followed her to the restroom at a work dinner and asked her to have a threesome with him, and when he FaceTimed her at home with a friend and asked to have phone sex with the friend. She has also claimed West sent her many graphic text messages and videos about sex, and incorporating scenarios involving raceplay and cuckoldry. 'See my problem is I be wanting to f**k but then after I f**k I want a girl to tell me how hard they been f**ked while I'm f**king them. Then I want her to cheat on me,' one allegedly read. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, West hit back and claimed that she was fired due to 'lascivious and unhinged' conduct. A legal representative for the music artist claimed to TMZ that Pisciotta's allegations are 'baseless' while also accusing the media personality of 'blackmail and extortion.' 'In response to these baseless allegations, Ye will be filing a lawsuit against Ms. Pisciotta, who actively pursued him sexually to coerce employment and other material benefits, then engaged in blackmail and extortion when her advances were rejected.' West's rep also alleged that Lauren stole the star's phone in order to try to delete evidence that would contradict claims in her own lawsuit. West claimed that his former employee was terminated due to various reasons, including Pisciotta not being qualified for the position, allegedly asking for a $4 million salary and also accused her of 'lascivious, unhinged conduct.' His team further alleged that along with the large salary demands, she had also requested for expensive and extravagant items, such as a Birkin bag and a Lamborghini. His rep also claimed to TMZ that Pisciotta had sent nudes to the rapper and 'solicited' the star for sex. When West refused to follow suit with what she had demanded, his rep told the outlet that Pisciotta tried to allegedly extort and blackmail him, such as asking for large sums of money before choosing to file the lawsuit. 'It is evident that Ms. Pisciotta leveraged her association with Ye and his company,' the rep continued. 'And her proximity to him, to seek material gains, clout, and employment through inappropriate means,' his teamed said, further claiming that Lauren has not been truthful in terms of her claims. Kevin Spacey has admitted that he felt 'self conscious' on the set of his new movie, Peter Five Eight, because he wanted to make sure other people working on the film 'were being treated well' after he was acquitted of sexual assault charges. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the 64-year-old actor - who broke down in tears during a television interview with Piers Morgan earlier this week - said that he felt 'honored to be working' again, but didn't view his role in the risque thriller as his big 'comeback.' Spacey plays the role of a hitman named Peter, who infiltrates a small town at the behest of his shadowy boss to murder a real estate agent named Sam, and says he had no qualms about portraying a 'bad guy' - despite everything that he has been accused of in recent years. 'I try to not judge the characters I play and it was important for me to not let outside noises factor into what I might be able to bring to a character,' Spacey explained. 'An audience might label a character "good" or "bad," but my job is to play characters without judging them.' Kevin Spacey has admitted that he felt 'self conscious' on the set of his new movie Peter Five Eight The 64-year-old actor plays the part of a hitman named Peter in the risque thriller, which was released in March 2024 'So it is not concerning for me to take on any role. Wandering around in someone else's shoes or ideas can be a very empathetic experience,' he continued, before adding: 'I did not think of this film - or any production I may become involved with - as a "comeback"; although I can appreciate why some might think that way.' When asked what it was like to be in front of the camera again, Spacey - who was dropped from hit Netflix series House of Cards in 2017 - revealed: 'I think I was probably more focused on everyone else having a good experience. 'I'd like to think it's what I've always done but I was likely more self conscious about my role in making sure others were being treated well and getting what they needed to be able to bring their best to the table.' The American Beauty star, who shot Peter Five Eight in California between late 2021 and early 2022, admitted that he didn't draw inspiration from any of his previous characters for the role - and said that everyone on set was 'welcoming and enjoyable to work with.' 'I tried to treat this as a new experience, trust in my director and serve the script as best I could,' Spacey told DailyMail.com, before explaining why he refused to see this as a 'turning point' in his 40-year career. 'I try never to put any such pressure on any role, each job is about the work itself,' Spacey claimed. 'It isn't for me to comment on whether something may or may not be a turning point. My role is to get up everyday and embrace each experience I am offered as an opportunity.' Spacey was one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood when allegations of sexual misconduct were made. In July last year Spacey faced trial at Southwark Crown Court over nine sexual offences charges in a case involving four men. He vehemently denied their claims and the jury acquitted him of all charges. Spacey admitted that he doesn't view the movie as a 'comeback' nor a 'turning point' in his career Spacey played the role of Frank Underwood in Netflix series House of Cards from 2013 until 2017 Just last month, celebrities such as Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson called for Spacey to be allowed to resume his Hollywood acting career after being cleared of the sexual assault charges. Stephen Fry, F. Murray Abraham and Sir Trevor Nunn have also come out in defense of the two-time Oscar winner since Channel 4 aired a documentary called Spacey Unmasked on May 6. Asked what their support means to him, Spacey told DailyMail.com: 'I know how hard it is to speak up at such times. I have had many people offer kind words of support from behind the scenes privately, but to have Sharon, Liam, Murray, Stephen, Trevor and others speak out publicly is something I'll never forget.' The Usual Suspects actor also shared his thoughts on whether or not he feels cancel culture has reached dangerous levels when it comes to the court of public opinion. 'I do think many people have confused feelings for facts and opinions for law,' Spacey shared. 'It's called the court of public opinion for the very reason that it's opinion, and everyone should always be entitled to their opinion, but if we don't respect the actual courts then we all risk the entire system being canceled.' In terms of looking to the future and what will come next career-wise, Spacey said: 'I've always said, that as an actor, you mostly don't get to choose the work, it chooses you. And I think that's more apparent today for me than it's been in many years. 'I am just honored to be working and hope that I can continue to find inspiring collaborators and material that challenges and excites me.' Peter Five Eight is streaming now on various platforms, including Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. First, a disgraceful confession: when I was growing up in the 1960s, I was deeply ashamed of my parents' comparative poverty. The trouble was that they'd sacrificed almost every material comfort to send me to very expensive schools, where I was surrounded by boys from much richer families. Children can be such ungrateful swine. For some lessons at Westminster School, I used to sit between the offspring of multi-millionaires on my right, a Sieff of the Marks & Spencer dynasty, and on my left a Zilkha, whose father was the founder of Mothercare. Oh, and his mother was a Lebanese banking heiress, and his step-father a millionaire Labour MP. If I remember rightly, Zilkha lived in a palace in Eaton Square, which was and is about the smartest address in London. I shudder now to admit I would rather have died than invite him home to the cramped mansion-block flat where the six of us Utleys lived in Paddington, with its uncarpeted floors and threadbare furniture, stinking of my mother's cats and the paraffin heater which for years was our only source of heating. The comic spectacle of Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer reminds me of nothing so much as the famous Monty Python sketch, Four Yorkshiremen To this day, I recall one rare occasion when I did invite one of my poorer classmates home. We found my mother in the kitchen, rolling pastry with an empty milk bottle (isn't it funny how the stupidest little things stick in the mind?'). Acutely embarrassed, I made the following, excruciating speech to my schoolmate: 'You see, glass is much the best material for rolling pastry. It isn't that we can't afford a rolling pin.' At this, my mother piped up: 'Yes, it jolly well is!' I was mortified, and blushed a deep purple. Little did I realise that a day would come when a deprived childhood would become an essential qualification for the job of Prime Minister. So it seems, anyway, from the comic spectacle of the leaders of our two biggest parties, both multi-millionaires, vying with each other to convince voters that they had it tough when they were growing up. It reminds me of nothing so much as the famous Monty Python sketch, Four Yorkshiremen. Older readers will know the one I mean. It's the sketch in which the Pythons, over a 'passable bit of risotto' and a 'good glass of Chateau de Chasselas', compete with each other to paint the grimmest picture of their childhoods. It ends with the fourth Yorkshireman, played by Eric Idle, claiming: 'Right. I had to get up in the morning at ten o'clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed, drink a cup of sulphuric acid, work 29 hours a day down t'mill, and pay millowner for permission to come to work. And when we got home, our dad and our mother would kill us and dance about on our graves singing Hallelujah.' The first Yorkshireman (Michael Palin) then chips in: 'And you try and tell the young people of today that. They don't believe you.' All right, Starmer and Sunak haven't taken things quite that far. But think how Sir Keir can't open his mouth these days without informing us: 'My father was a toolmaker.' Leave aside the fact that this invites the obvious heckle: 'Of course he was! He made you!' Let's not quibble, either, about the fact that toolmakers are not necessarily poor. Think of the billionaire Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB. Clearly Sir Keir an old boy of a grammar school that went private while he was there, a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Privy Councillor, King's Counsellor and former Director of Public Prosecutions believes that his father's occupation, and his family's inability to pay the telephone bill on time, establishes him as bona fide member of the working class. He'd like us to think it makes him a regular bloke with a deep understanding of real life, as it is lived by the down-trodden masses. All I can say is that, personally, I'd have more faith in his grasp of reality if he didn't have such difficulty in telling the difference between men and women. It would help, too, if he didn't believe the way to promote growth is to give more power to militant trades unionists, clobber the enterprising with punitive taxes and shut down the cheapest sources of energy available to industry. Nor do I think he's showing much realism when he suggests that the best way to improve education is to threaten the survival of some of the country's better schools by charging them VAT, while flooding the state system with private-school pupils whose parents will no longer be able to afford the fees. But what do I know? In the competitive-poverty stakes, however, poor Mr Sunak finds himself at something of a disadvantage. As the unmistakably middle-class son of a GP and a pharmacist and an old boy of Winchester (which is almost as good a school as Westminster) he can hardly claim to have suffered great hardship in his childhood. But not to be outdone by Sir Keir, this hasn't stopped him from trying. In an interview with ITV this week, he was at pains to insist that he, too, had to 'go without' when he was growing up. It was only when he was challenged to say what, precisely, he had to go without, that he came a bit unstuck. On the spur of the moment, the best he could come up with was: 'Famously, Sky TV. That was something we never had growing up, actually.' Cue mocking laughter from those who rightly point out that going without Sky is hardly the most heart-wrenching symptom of poverty. (In fairness, I should add that having been a poorish boy myself at an expensive school, I understand how frustrating it is to miss out on what our schoolfellows have). Mr Sunak's remark wasn't quite as absurd, however, as Sir Keir's reaction to it. Launching his party's manifesto yesterday, he told us that his family, too, 'certainly' didn't have Sky TV when he was a child. For once, I fully believe him if only because when Sky TV was launched in 1989, Sir Keir was already 27 years old! By the same token, everyone of my age (I'm 70), no matter how rich or poor, can truthfully claim that in our own childhoods we had to go without mobile telephones, video games, satnav, laptops, Amazon, Apple, BBC iPlayer and Taylor Swift records. Ah, well, since claiming victimhood seems to have become a must for politicians these days, I guess that if I had ambitions of leading the nation (no danger of that, I promise), I'd play the childhood poverty card for all I was fit. I'd never stop boasting that my blind father was permanently broke, our car was forever running out of petrol because my mother could never afford to fill it up and my feet are deformed because the money wouldn't run to new shoes. Just don't ask me why any of this should be thought a qualification for high office. Indeed, all I ask is a Prime Minister who is up to the job. Meanwhile, I'll let you into a secret: despite my occasional embarrassment among my mega-rich schoolmates, I had a blissfully happy childhood, blessed as my siblings and I were with parents who loved us, wanted the best for us, and stuck together through thick and thin. In that respect, I see now, I was a great deal better off than many a young inhabitant of Eaton Square. It looks like Jimmy Fallon will be working late the next few years. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon host, 49, renewed his deal through 2028 with the NBC late-night talk show this week after recently celebrating his 10th anniversary in the coveted gig. 'For nearly 30 years, I've brought laughter into the homes of millions and charmed audiences from the stages of 30 Rock,' he started in the cheeky statement. 'It's been a privilege to be at the helm of the The Tonight Show and I'm thrilled to see what innovations me and the incredible staff will deliver in the years to come at the network,' added Fallon. 'No, I'm not changing my quote. Tell Mark to change his.' He was referring to NBCUniversal Media Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, who shared an almost identical statement in the same news release. Jimmy Fallon will continue hosting The Tonight Show through 2028, renewing his deal with NBC this week after recently celebrating his 10th anniversary in the coveted gig The renewal comes after Fallon was accused in September of creating a 'toxic work environment' on the show by 16 current and former staffers 'For nearly 30 years, Jimmy Fallon has brought laughter into the homes of millions and charmed audiences from the stages of 30 Rock,' he said. 'It's been a privilege to witness Jimmy at the helm of the The Tonight Show and were thrilled to see what innovations he and the incredible staff will deliver in the years to come at the network,' added Lazarus. The renewal comes after Fallon was accused in September of creating a 'toxic work environment' on the show by 16 current and former staffers. They alleged in a Rolling Stone article that Fallon is known for his 'outbursts' and 'hissy fits,' forcing employees to sob in 'crying rooms' and resulting in several of them having suicidal thoughts. A source told DailyMail.com at the time, 'The things being reported in this article happened years ago and just arent reflective of the atmosphere today.' Fallon reportedly apologized to staffers in a Zoom call. 'I feel so bad I can't even tell you,' he told them in the call, which employees said 'felt pretty earnest.' 'It's embarrassing and I feel so bad,' he allegedly said. 'Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends I feel so bad I can't even tell you. 'I want the show to be fun, [it] should be inclusive to everybody. It should be the best show,' Fallon added. Last month, Fallon celebrated the 10th anniversary of his talk show with a two-hour primetime special. They alleged in a Rolling Stone article that Fallon is known for his 'outbursts' and 'hissy fits,' forcing employees to sob in 'crying rooms' and resulting in several of them having suicidal thoughts A source told DailyMail.com at the time, 'The things being reported in this article happened years ago and just arent reflective of the atmosphere today' Fallon reportedly apologized to staffers in a Zoom call. 'I feel so bad I can't even tell you,' he told them in the call, which employees said 'felt pretty earnest' 'Ten years,' Fallon said during the special. 'It's hard to believe, when I got the job, Joe Biden was just a fresh-faced 71-year-old. 'That's right, we've been on the air for one pandemic, two presidential elections and 300 Fast and the Furious movies.' He added, 'Of course, I want to say thank you to my wife, my kids, and, most of all, my lawyer, Michael Cohen.' The comedian won an Emmy Award in 2015 for the talk show, which tapes in front of a live studio audience at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. Fallon previously got his start on Saturday Night Live as a cast member from 1998 to 2004 before hosting Late Night from 2009 to 2014. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon airs Mondays through Fridays from 11:35pm-12:35am ET/PT on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock. Andy Lee revealed on Thursday the harrowing moments he and fiancee Rebecca Harding almost lost the very flashy diamond ring he proposed to her with. The duo finally got engaged after 10 years of dating when the radio host, 43, dropped down on one knee on April 28. But their happy union almost came crashing down when Rebecca, 33, had a 'near miss' with her diamond twice, Andy revealed on LiSTNR's Hamish & Andy. The media personality explained the ring was too big and had to be resized, so Rebecca spent the week following the proposal trying not to lose it. However, he said: 'Two points where it came off, first one at my sister's place. It's come off while she's very excited explaining what's happened. It's flung off.' Andy Lee, 43, (right) revealed on Thursday the harrowing moments he and fiancee Rebecca Harding, 33, (left) almost lost the very flashy diamond ring he proposed to her with 'She felt it come off. We all watched it in slow motion in the air. Our dog [Henri] loves eating anything that hits the ground. It hit the ground,' he continued. 'It's jingling along and Fred, my nephew, slid in on his chest and beat Henri to the ring.' Unfortunately, that wouldn't be the only time Rebecca's extravagant diamond ring came flying off her finger. The duo finally got engaged after 10 years of dating when the radio host dropped down on one knee on April 28 Andy said: 'Here's the second one. We'd been celebrating again and we got home. Bec's gone to the toilet. I've heard, "Clink, clink, clink. Oh no, Andy!" 'She said I'm never allowed to tell this story, but it's been a month. I get in there, it's in the toilet. She's dropped the ring in the toilet. Just number ones.' The comedian went on to reveal Rebecca did the unthinkable and stuck her hand into the urine-filled water of the toilet to fish out her engagement ring. Andy announced he popped the question to Rebecca on his Hamish and Andy podcast on May 1, following ten years of dating. But their happy union almost came crashing down when Rebecca had a 'near miss' with her diamond twice, Andy revealed on LiSTNR's Hamish & Andy Speaking with his podcast co-host Hamish Blake, Andy shared intimate details of his proposal, before inviting his fiancee on the show. Rebecca also shared an update to her Instagram account while showing off the stunning diamond engagement ring. 'People keep saying weve rushed into this but we dont care what people say!' she wrote, poking fun at the years of speculation surrounding their engagement. Andy and Rebecca met in 2014 at a Melbourne cafe where she was working as a waitress. They went public with their relationship at the 2015 Australian Open. Tubi's racy reality show House of Heat - which follows a group of OnlyFans models creating content in a house together - is continuing to shock viewers. In the latest episode, gay couple Sumner Blayne and Cody Scheller confessed to two of their castmates that they first met and fell in love while having a threesome. 'We met in a threesome,' Sumner declared, before Cody added, 'I was a third for him and his boyfriend.' The pair, who now make a living filming porn together, discussed their decision to have an open relationship. 'We were monogamous for our first year, so it wasn't something that we started right away,' Sumner explained. House of Heat couple Sumner Blayne and Cody Scheller admitted that they first met and fell in love while having a threesome The Tubi show follows a group of OnlyFans models creating content in a house together The pair also announced that they love 'couple swapping' with other gay couples Castmate Ava Louise replied, 'But I feel like it's more common in your community to do.' Confirming Ava's statement, Cody responded, 'Oh it definitely is!' He continued, 'I was always the person that when I would meet a gay couple and they'd be like, "We're open and you'll probably be there too." I'd be like, "No, never."' Cody also said that he was shocked that Ava and her boyfriend, Vinny Buffa, were monogamous. 'I just don't think it aligns with what I want,' Ava stressed, before Sumner replied, 'You never know! You might get there, you might not.' He then suggested that Ava and Vinny try a 'couple swap' to see if they'd enjoy it. 'I actually love couple swapping,' Sumner exclaimed. 'When it's another gay couple it's so fun because they already have their dynamic. They're in love, we're in love, and we can just all have fun and f**k around and then just walk away.' Ava Louise and her boyfriend were stunned by Cody and Sumner's relationship revelations, with Ava saying, 'I just don't think it aligns with what I want' Cody and Sumner, who are both porn stars, also performed a raunchy live streaming session for their subscribers on the Tubi reality show House of Heat on Tubi follows nine online sex workers who move into a mansion to create raunchy content together. The cast ranges from bikini models and a former Too Hot To Handle contestant all the way through to full-blown porn stars. Almost nothing is left to the imagination as the outrageous group strip down for the cameras, get into wild fights, hook up, and do whatever it takes to make the most money from their subscribers. In the first episode, Ava Louise boasts about raking in up to $125,000 a month having sex with her boyfriend, Vinny, online. 'I do literally everything on OnlyFans. I have lingerie pics, nudes, custom videos, lots of sex. We're f***ing and sucking on camera,' she brags. The 25-year-old also reveals how she convinced the former construction worker to quit his blue collar job to make sex videos with her instead. She later uses a taboo sex toy in front of her castmates, proudly announcing over dinner, 'I'll put it in right now!' Other cast members include a single mom who wants to be a 'role model' for her toddler and a fitness model who sells his used underwear to the highest bidder. Amber Portwood's fiance Gary R. Wayt was spotted in Weatherford, OK on Tuesday morning - over 1,200 miles West from where he went missing Sunday night after leaving his phone at their North Carolina hotel room and headed to a local Walgreens. The 39-year-old groom-to-be 'had a calm and nonchalant demeanor' and introduced himself as 'Gary' to the purported witness, who then contacted Bryson City PD Asst. Chief Wayne Dover - according to TMZ. It's the first sign Gary is 'alive and well' noted Dover, who's been in touch with the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for assistance on the case. Page Six reported Thursday that Bryson City Police Department received a notification that Wayt's Indiana license plate 'WLH 616' was on an Oklahoma highway and got a video of him driving his grey 2009 Nissan Rogue. A Verizon employee also alerted the BCPD that Gary visited their store in Oklahoma, but it's 'unclear if he purchased anything.' Amber Portwood's fiance Gary R. Wayt was spotted in Weatherford, OK on Tuesday morning - over 1,200 miles West from where he went missing Sunday night after leaving his phone at their North Carolina hotel room and headed to a local Walgreens 'His parents, everybody is very worried. I am worried. We are very scared right now,' Amber told YouTube vlogger Elle Bee on Tuesday. 'There was not a big blowout fight or anything like that...Nobody was heated or anything, it was emotional because it had something to do with the fact of his parents being Vietnamese and me being who I am. He was very upset about this, I was upset. We do not yell at each other, we do not hurt each other.' Portwood revealed Wayt's SUV didn't have GPS as she cried: 'We are very in love. This man asked me to be with him, this man then asked me to marry him. Please, if anybody sees him or hears anything, please, I am begging all of you guys.' The 34-year-old reality star - who suffers from bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder - originally met Gary last September through a dating app and they got engaged in late May. 'I am not what people have been saying about me all of these years,' Amber said, defending her character. 'I changed a long time ago, okay? You have to understand this. Please listen to what I am saying, I am an honest person to you guys.' Portwood notoriously lost custody of her six-year-old son James Andrew Glennon in 2022 after being charged with two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon (a machete) against her Cali-based babydaddy Andrew Glennon in 2019. The hot-tempered ex-con shares 50-50 custody of her 15-year-old daughter Leah Leann Shirley with ex-fiance Gary Shirley following her year-long prison stint in 2012-2013 stemming from an on-camera altercation with him. The 39-year-old groom-to-be 'had a calm and nonchalant demeanor' and introduced himself as 'Gary' to the purported witness, who then contacted Bryson City PD Asst. Chief Wayne Dover Page Six reported Thursday that Bryson City Police Department received a notification that Gary's Indiana license plate 'WLH 616' was on an Oklahoma highway and got a video of him driving his grey 2009 Nissan Rogue Amber told YouTube vlogger Elle Bee on Tuesday: 'His parents, everybody is very worried. I am worried. We are very scared right now. There was not a big blowout fight or anything like that...Nobody was heated or anything, it was emotional because it had something to do with the fact of his parents being Vietnamese and me being who I am. He was very upset about this, I was upset. We do not yell at each other, we do not hurt each other' Portwood revealed Wayt's SUV didn't have GPS as she cried: 'We are very in love. This man asked me to be with him, this man then asked me to marry him. Please, if anybody sees him or hears anything, please, I am begging all of you guys' The 34-year-old reality star - who suffers from bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder - originally met Gary last September through a dating app and they got engaged in late May Catch more drama from Amber in the 15-episode second season of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, which airs Thursdays on MTV If you have any information on Gary's whereabouts please contact the Bryson City Police Department at 828-488-2196 Amber - who currently commands $75 on Cameo - has spent most of her life employed by the former music cable network following her debut, at age 18, on 16 and Pregnant in 2009. Catch more drama from Portwood in the 15-episode second season of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, which airs Thursdays on MTV. If you have any information on Gary's whereabouts please contact the Bryson City Police Department at 828-488-2196. Sydney Sweeney may be Hollywood's sex bomb du jour, but the 26-year-old, who first caught the eye in Euphoria and The White Lotus, is determined not to be typecast. In her new film, Eden, glamorous Sweeney will be playing a mumsy hausfrau alongside some A-List talent including Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby and I hear she more than holds her own. Buzz is already building about her strong performance in the picture, a thriller from director Ron Howard about a group of settlers on Floreana a remote island in the Galapagos in the 1930s, based on a stranger-than-fiction true story. Law plays Dr Friedrich Ritter, a pioneering nudist German vegetarian (with stainless steel teeth). Kirby plays his wife Dore. In her new film, Eden, glamorous Sydney Sweeney (pictured) will be playing a mumsy hausfrau Sweeney stars alongside A-List legend Jude Law (pictured) Ana de Armas is the 'Baroness', who arrives determined to build a hotel on the isle, and takes numerous lovers Ana de Armas is the 'Baroness', who arrives determined to build a hotel on the isle, and takes numerous lovers. And Sweeney is Margaret Wittner, married to Heinz (played by Daniel Bruhl). Put them all together and murder and mayhem ensue. A source says: 'Sydney is amazing. It's going to take her Hollywood career up to a new level, playing across from all of these heavyweight actors and working with a director of Ron's calibre. ' The film has been produced by Hollywood super-indies Imagine and AGC Studios, and is expected to launch its awards campaign with a premiere at the Venice Film Festival this summer. True tale of the 'spy who loved me' heads to the big screen Jodie Comer poses at the 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards at The New York Public Library for Performing Arts on May 25, 2023 The amazing true story of the British undercover policeman who had a baby with an animal rights activist (without her knowing his real identity) is to be told in a Hollywood film. Everything I Ever Knew, written by Prima Facie's Suzie Miller, tells the story of Jacqui who discovers, after 25 years, that the father of her eldest son was not a fellow activist, but an undercover cop. Interest in the tale was sparked by the 2012 article The Spy Who Loved Me, published in the New Yorker. Bob Lambert was a policeman who posed as a long-haired anarchist and had a romance with animal rights activist Jacqui. They had a son but, when he was two, Bob vanished. Two decades later, in 2012, Jacqui read an article about spy cops and realised that her disappearing boyfriend had been a police officer. In 2014, the Met paid her 425,000 in return for her dropping legal action alleging assault, negligence, deceit and misconduct. In 2020, Scotland Yard apologised and paid compensation to her son. At least two other police spies are known to have fathered children with activists. A public inquiry into undercover policing is under way. Jacqui, now 62, lives in Essex and teaches law at a college. She was contacted by director Phyllida Lloyd and is a paid consultant on the film. Her son and Lambert are supportive of the project. (Against the odds, the three of them have maintained a friendly relationship, after the initial shock of the revelation wore off.) Jacqui said: 'I'm excited and a bit terrified. What happened to me was like an atomic bomb going off in my life. The repercussions have gone on for decades . . . it took me a long time to get my head around it and find some peace.' Director Lloyd said: 'It was as if someone had taken this woman, thrown her against a wall and shattered her into a million pieces . . . 'You want to help her make sense of it, give her the voice she deserves. To bring to life the outrageous roller-coaster of her story,' she continued, adding: 'This is a role for a mighty actress.' Sources say someone with an international profile such as Jodie Comer, , star of one-woman smash hit play Prima Facie would be a natural fit. Another similar project, After You'd Gone, starring Gemma Arterton and with input from women who were involved with undercover police officers, is also in development. Foodie Jake finds cookery a piece of cake Jake and girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu are also keen bakers; a favourite is buttermilk cake It turns out Hollywood's Jake Gyllenhaal is a huge foodie. The actor, who is currently starring in Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent, said: 'Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall do you know him? 'He leaves his gig as a chef in London and he buys a place out in the English countryside, like a little cottage, and what he does is he learns about the land, and he learns about how to raise animals and how to grow things.' Jake and girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu are also keen bakers; a favourite is buttermilk cake. Sister Maggie says: 'He's as gifted a cook as he is an actor.' Bethany Antonia Lady Baela Targaryen in The House Of The Dragon, which sees season two launch at the weekend reveals that, in truth, the experience was quite low-tech. 'No matter how much budget you have, and how much CGI, there's always going to be a guy with a wind machine,' she says. Boxset 1, bordeom 0 Gabby, who is a key figure in the BBC host line-up said: 'I discovered a wonderful BBC sitcom called Two Doors Down' With Euro 2024 about to kick off, Gabby Logan is searching for a box set to help her decompress in any down time. Gabby, who is a key figure in the BBC host line-up said: 'I discovered a wonderful BBC sitcom called Two Doors Down when I was working at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And the Scandi drama The Bridge when I covered the Euros in Ukraine and Poland in 2012. So, this time, I'm on the lookout for an immersive, dark German thriller. 'I'm too old to be decompressing with late nights out, and I'm certainly too old to be presenting with hangovers, so box sets it has to be.' Coming soon? The break-up of Bennifer (Part II) Over the past few weeks the pair, known as Bennifer, have been arriving and leaving separately at various events involving their children. (Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at 'The Mother' film premiere) Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are clearly on the outs with news of a divorce 'imminent' according to multiple sources. But when will an announcement come? 'She likes to dump news on a Friday,' a J-Lo insider said, adding that the singer tends to be 'strategic' with her announcements and may wait until she can marry the sad news with something upbeat . . . news of a Vegas residency, or another commercial tie-in. 'She's a smart cookie,' the source revealed. Over the past few weeks the pair, known as Bennifer, have been arriving and leaving separately at various events involving their children (they have five between them from previous marriages) and it seems that their needs will be a priority. Affleck moved out of their Los Angeles mansion in May and is now living in Brentwood, close to his first wife, Jennifer Garner. Lopez announced on June 1 that she was scrapping her tour, saying she wanted to take time off 'to be with her children, family and close friends'. Friends meanwhile are speculating that the actress and singer might rebound to her former fiance Alex Rodriguez ('A-Rod'). 'He was always her best match,' one friend commented, despite reports that A-Rod's infidelity led to the collapse of their engagement in 2021. 'I don't think cheating is a deal-breaker for her any more,' they continued. 'I think she won't announce the split until she has someone else lined up.' The pal added that J-Lo and Yankees baseball legend Rodriguez were well matched in terms of 'lifestyle, looks and grooming'. A-Rod and J-Lo started dating in 2017 after he saw her in a restaurant and tapped her on the shoulder. They went official on the red carpet at the Met Gala that May. He proposed marriage to her with a $4 million (3.14 million) diamond ring in 2019, and they had a handwritten note of congratulations from former U.S. President Barack Obama. But they split in February 2021, after he was linked to reality star Madison LeCroy. She admitted they'd exchanged messages but denied a physical relationship. Rodriguez is now dating fitness guru Jaclyn Cordeiro. Some fear that Affleck, who has been in and out of rehab, may be at risk of a relapse during this marital crisis. Both he and his wife continue to wear their wedding rings. Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? presenter Jeremy Clarkson poses for a promotional shot Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? is finally recruiting new brains for the programme, which looks set to return to our screens next year. No new episodes have been made since shortly after host Jeremy Clarkson's anti-Meghan outburst in December 2022 and, for a time, there was talk that he might even be axed. But ITV announced last month that the quiz show will be back with Clarkson (left) still in the host's chair. The search is now on for contestants. But get in quick: applications close in November. Excitement over the filming of the third in the Knives Out movie series, starring Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc, as well as Josh O'Connor, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner and Daryl McCormack. The title, Wake Up Dead Man, suggests that director Rian Johnson is repeating his Glass Onion trick, by referencing a musical track. Not the Beatles this time, but a 1997 song by U2. Johnson hopes there will be many more instalments. 'If each one of these can really be what Agatha Christie did if it can be not just in a totally new location, with a new cast, but also trying something exciting I'll keep doing it as long as Daniel [Craig] and I are having a good time.' And as long as Netflix is willing to foot the bill... the streamer is said to have forked out in excess of $400 million (300 million) for the rights to parts two and three. My, my, Mr Myrie, that's a new look The Mastermind presenter revealed that he was very glad he had turned down offers to appear as a contestant on the celebrity version of the show We are used to seeing newsreader Clive Myrie in a sober suit and tie, behind a desk but, outside of work, he breaks out the shades, trucker cap and a natty little kerchief (pictured). Arriving to give a talk at the Guildhall in Bath, Myrie joked: 'Who am I wearing, darling?' before quipping: 'Make sure you get my best side!' The Mastermind presenter revealed that he was very glad he had turned down offers to appear as a contestant on the celebrity version of the show. 'They asked me to be on the celebrity version twice, before I got the job. I am so glad I said no. I would have been rubbish and I would never have got the job as the presenter! 'I am a classic journalist. I know a little bit about lots of things. But the kind of depth you need for Mastermind . . . the contestants are so amazing, and it's a real insight into what the great British people are into. I learn something new on every episode of that show.' Inside Out 2 (U, 96mins) Verdict: Mind-blowing sequel Rating: Ama Gloria (12A, 84mins) Verdict: Mary Poppins goes to France Rating: Arcadian (15, 92mins) Verdict: Nic Cage reins it in Rating: Once upon a time, cartoons were populated by cute, dancing animals and fairytale princesses. No longer, if Inside Out 2 is anything to go by. This high-concept animations superbly realised characters include the likes of Anxiety (a friend/foe brilliantly voiced by Maya Hawke) and the amusingly French Ennui (Adele Exarchopoulos). Look forward to seeing them on a lunchbox soon. Sequel to the 2015 hit, Inside Out 2 similarly takes place inside the mind of Riley (Kensington Tallman), a girl whose inner HQ is controlled by personified emotions, led by the super-perky Joy (Amy Poehler). Riley has just turned 13 - cue a hilarious Kevin The Teenager sequence where a big red demolition button marked Puberty is pushed, transforming her, overnight, into a pimply, stinky, impossible-to-handle adolescent, as complicated emotions like Envy (Ayo Edebiri) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) move in. Pixar fans may calm their own anxiety; this is a triumphant return to form for the studio behind Toy Story and Up. And while it cant hope to recapture the novelty factor of the first Inside Out (indeed, the plot is basically the same, although Riley was only 11 at the start of the original), its otherwise even funnier, cleverer and more awesomely inventive, if not (thankfully) as emotionally devastating. (Some of us still havent got over the fate of poor old Bing Bong.) Sequel to the 2015 hit, Inside Out 2 similarly takes place inside the mind of Riley (Kensington Tallman), a girl whose inner HQ is controlled by personified emotions, led by the super-perky Joy (Amy Poehler) Pixar fans may calm their own anxiety; this is a triumphant return to form for the studio behind Toy Story and Up. And while it cant hope to recapture the novelty factor of the first Inside Out With lines like when you put all the core beliefs together it creates what we call a sense of self, the script sometimes sounds like ChatGPT regurgitating a psychology primer and most of it will whizz over pre-pubescent heads. But in an era of churned-out, dumbed-down content, the level of sophistication is admirably ambitious. Its also something of a public service. That Inside Out 2s first trailer scored 157 million online views within 24 hours at that time, more than any other animated film in the history of Pixars owners, Disney suggests it should provide comfort and joy for todays anxiety-riddled youngsters. Ama Gloria offers another remarkable peek into childhood, if on a more modest scale. Thickly bespectacled, cherubically plucky six-year-old Cleo (Louise Mauroy-Panzani) is devastated when her beloved nanny, Gloria (Ilca Moreno Zego), has to leave Paris for her native Cape Verde to care for her own children after the death of her mother. However, the two enjoy one last summer together when Gloria invites Cleo to her home, although Glorias children grow resentful of their closeness. Anyone who had a special Mary Poppins in their life will be in bits by the end. But even if you didnt, you cant help falling for this beautiful French coming-of-age story, thanks to the miraculous performance director Marie Amachoukeli coaxes from her child star. Like Cleo, its a movie youll want to take home and cherish. Ama Gloria offers another remarkable peek into childhood, if on a more modest scale Restrained is not a word normally associated with Nicolas Cage. But thats the mode the notoriously wild-eyed actor deploys in Arcadian. Shot in Ireland, this low-budget horror casts him as the father of twin teenage boys (Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins), battling for survival in a post-apocalyptic world against freakish mutant creatures which appear to be afraid of the light. The film offers some jump scares, effective tension and a decent amount of character building, but thanks to a coming-of-age teen love subplot, it feels like an odd waste of Cages unique talents. Most memorable are the monsters: a nightmarish mix of lollopy limbs, telescopic claws, googly eyes and chattering jaws that suggest the Morris dancing hobby horses of the apocalypse. Roman Kemp has opened up on taking a break from work after leaving his Capital FM Breakfast show following 10 years as host. The presenter, 31, admitted he felt like work was ruling his entire life and has now started 'turning down' jobs to focus on his personal life. Speaking to The Sun, Roman said: 'In a way, you get your life back. 'I went through a period of spinning too many plates and I think you come to a point where you want to know if your work is controlling you too much. 'My work was controlling my happiness. I had no time to work out what made me happy. I was working constantly.' Roman Kemp has opened up on taking a break from work after leaving his Capital FM Breakfast show following 10 years as host The presenter, 31, admitted he felt like work was ruling his entire life and has now started 'turning down' jobs to focus on his personal life Reflecting on his new chapter, he added that he's been 'turning down work' in order to 'get better'. It comes after Roman revealed his reason for quitting his presenting role with Capital Breakfast in March, ten-years after joining the station as a relative unknown and seven-years after earning his promotion to the early morning slot. The presenter was devastated after close friend and colleague Joe Lyons - a Capital FM producer - took his own life in 2020, aged just 31. Roman, now the same age as Lyons at the time of his unexpected death, has since admitted the tragedy was a contributing factor in his decision to leave Capital, with his seat now occupied by Jordan North. He admitted that he felt he had been 'living that same day over and over again' after Lyons committed suicide in August 2020. He told the Daily Mirror: 'I need this time for myself. I've been at that company (Global) for 10 years, on that show for seven now. 'I've tried to spin the plates and tried to do everything and I've realised it's getting in the way of my life. You can't enjoy your own life. In February, the radio host, 31, revealed he was stepping down from the show, after 10 years of presenting for Capital FM He has now said he's been 'living that same day over and over again' after his friend Joe Lyons (left) who worked on the show as a producer committed suicide in August 2020 Roman struggled to hold back tears as his Capital Breakfast co-stars surprised him by hosting the show from the Emirates Stadium dressing room On Wednesday, Roman was working after teaming up with Vodafone to launch the UKs biggest photo booth but he is being very selective about the jobs he picks up 'If you think of a radio show, every day you've got to go out in front of the public and dance and every now and then you've got to give yourself a rest and I've not been doing that for myself. 'It came to that point of 'I need to leave this behind now'.' Speaking about his best friend and colleague Joe 'Producer Joe' Lyons being related to his decision to leave, he added: 'It's to do what happened for me. 'That sounds wild but I mean it, it's not normal, imagine a tragedy happened in your house you're going to want to move.' For support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org. Beloved Australian children's entertainer Michael 'Gibbo' Gibson died on Monday aged 69 after a long battle with dementia. The veteran TV presenter appeared on the iconic Channel Seven variety series Agro's Cartoon Connection alongside the famous puppet character. His wife Carol confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on Facebook: 'Many of you may know by now of the passing of my lovely husband Michael. 'He left us after another Dementia battle and while it was sad to watch, I'm grateful he's now free. He was the brightest of us and we were so fortunate to share his time.' Gibbo was famous for always wearing painters overalls on the program, as he hammed it up alongside co-hosts Ann-Maree Biggar and Terasa Livingstone. Beloved Australian children's entertainer Michael 'Gibbo' Gibson (pictured) died on Monday aged 69 after a long battle with dementia The veteran TV presenter appeared on the iconic Channel Seven variety series Agro's Cartoon Connection alongside the famous puppet character (Pictured in 1993) He was born in 1954 and had a lifelong passion for performing, attending Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Arts in 1977 alongside the unrelated Mel Gibson. Michael also worked behind the scenes, and co-produced Agro during his stint on the show from 1990 - 1996. He also worked for the Nine Network in Brisbane for many years, as program promotions manager, producer, writer and voice over artist. Gibbo was famous for always wearing painters overalls on the program, as he hammed it up alongside co-hosts Ann-Maree Biggar and Terasa Livingstone Michael also worked behind the scenes, and co-produced Agro during his stint on the show from 1990 - 1996 The Queensland-based performer also frequently appeared on the Hit Network's B105 FM in Brisbane as a guest host and comedy performer. Agro puppeteer Jamie Dunn paid tribute to his former colleague on social media: 'Farewell my funny friend. You were hilarious 100% of the time. 'I have nothing but wonderful memories of you.' Gibbo is survived by his wife Carol, whom he married in 1977, and their two children. Zendaya showed her support for boyfriend Tom Holland as she attended another one of his Romeo & Juliet performances in London on Thursday night. The Euphoria actress, 27, was accompanied by several security guards as she exited the Duke of York's Theatre after the show. She looked ultra stylish in a loose yellow sweater over a collard white shirt. The Challengers star completed her outfit with straight legged light washed jeans and white ballet flats. Zendaya was photographed sliding into the backseat of a chauffeured SUV without Holland. Zendaya showed her support for boyfriend Tom Holland as she attended another one of his Romeo & Juliet performances in London on Thursday night Shortly after, the Spider-Man actor, 28, emerged from the backstage doors to greet fans waiting outside. He offered several friendly waves while carrying a book and a to-go coffee cup. Holland was no longer in costume as he had changed into a black sweatshirt, gray T-shirt and loose black sweatpants. He strolled to a nearby vehicle in trendy white sneakers and with a black satchel over his shoulder. Zendaya who confirmed hers and Holland's relationship in July 2021 has attended several of her boyfriend's stage shows since it opened in late May. And so many fans have been clamoring to catch a glimpse of Holland when he leaves the stage door after the show, that officials have had to step in. According to The Sun, the Hollywood star has been more than co-operative when it comes to the new rules of making a swift exit. A source said: 'Tom is a pro and was more than happy to oblige.' Officials have put the new rules in solely in the interest of 'public safety' and reassured theatregoers that they are always there to provide 'additional support' should it be needed. A Westminster Council spokesman said: 'We welcome visitors to the West End and it is fantastic to see how popular theatres are. The Euphoria actress, 27, was accompanied by several security guards as she exited the Duke of York's Theatre after the show Zendaya was photographed sliding into the backseat of a chauffeured SUV without Holland Zendaya who confirmed hers and Holland's relationship in July 2021 has attended several of her boyfriend's stage shows since it opened in late May; seen on May 23 Tom stars as Romeo Montague in the new production of the Shakespeare tragedy 'However, maintaining pavements and public spaces is important to ensuring public safety. 'Managing crowds and access is the responsibility of each theatre. Where there are issues, we can work with venues and the police to provide additional support.' Since appearing in the show, the actor has swapped tailoring for T-shirts and trainers - and he has even debuted a new hairstyle to boot. Tom stars as Romeo Montague in the new production of the Shakespeare tragedy. Last month, crowds were told there would be 'no autographs or selfies' with the film star as he made his way through the venue's stage door. Wedding Band (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith) Verdict: Mixed-race melodrama Rating: Put from your mind any hope that Wedding Band might concern the ups and downs of an Abba tribute group. The slightly unsatisfactory title of Alice Childresss 1966 play disguises a very serious and admirably ambitious drama about an illegal interracial relationship in South Carolina in 1918, as the USA prepares to enter World War One. Childresss focus is on Julia (Deborah Ayorinde), a young black woman who moves into a poor black neighbourhood with her white German-American lover, Herman (David Walmsley). As he succumbs to the Spanish flu epidemic, black objections are pretty mild (if youre gonna pick white, you better pick rich). But the white reaction is full-on panic-stricken supremacist poison including ape chanting, and n-words from Hermans mother (Geraldine Alexander). Put from your mind any hope that Wedding Band might concern the ups and downs of an Abba tribute group. The slightly unsatisfactory title of Alice Childresss 1966 play disguises a very serious and admirably ambitious drama Alice Childresss focus is on Julia (Deborah Ayorinde), a young black woman who moves into a poor black neighbourhood with her white German-American lover, Herman (David Walmsley) Written at the height of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the story chimes not only with the countrys roots in slavery, but also Americas involvement in the Vietnam war, which saw so many black conscripts fighting for a country that designated them as second-class citizens Written at the height of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the story chimes not only with the countrys roots in slavery, but also Americas involvement in the Vietnam war, which saw so many black conscripts fighting for a country that designated them as second-class citizens. But Childresss play is most engrossing as a portrait of a community. Ayorinde is a rare beauty as a Julia who is shy, decent, intelligent, ambitious and passionate forced into raging defiance at the society that prohibits her marriage. Walmsley, as her lover Herman, is a proud baker who rejects his sister and mothers vile racism as he lapses into the delirium of flu. And Lachele Carl is lethally sharp as the landlady Fanny, who recalls the time before segregation after the Civil War. Monique Toukos meticulous production is cleverly defined by Paul Willss set, which defines family living quarters with rusty iron fences. I could have done with a more compelling plot, but over the two hours and 40 minutes, this is a chastening political and ethical melodrama. Kathy And Stella Solve A Murder (Ambassadors Theatre, London) Verdict: Murder on the dance floor Rating: By Georgina Brown The clue is in the title. But its less a wacky whodunnit and more of a slapdash spoof - and at its fitfully hilarious heart a rather sweet celebration of friendship. Bookish, introverted, ginger-nut Kathy and bold, brazen, brunette Stella complementary miss-fit children met at primary school and bonded over their mutual interest in murder. Now grown-up, still best mates and stuck in Hull doing nowt much, they share a murder podcast. Small beans, but it amuses them and their murder-mad followers in Hull. Then (spoiler alert) the decapitated head of Felicia Taylor, their murder-mystery writer role-model (author of Heads Will Roll) arrives in a bag in Kathys mums garage, their make-shift studio. They were the last people to see her. The clue is in the title. But its less a wacky whodunnit and more of a slapdash spoof - and at its fitfully hilarious heart a rather sweet celebration of friendship Suddenly the women become part of the story. Cue: F**k! We Dont Know What Were Doing and a plot so convoluted and daft (Felicias identical twin sister, Patricia, and then her identical brother, Horatio, pop up along the way), that I hadnt a clue what was going. Never mind. It has its moments. Most of them thanks to Rebekah Hinds brash, bolshie Stella, brilliantly channelling Nessa from Gavin And Stacey, relishing her Hull accent (know is ner round these parts) and selling the songs for much more than they are worth, while sliding round the garage in a wheelie chair. But her huge performance cant make up for the mediocre music which is much too loud, drowning out too many lyrics which may well have been worth hearing. By far the best are the quiet numbers: Kathy and Stellas silly but soulful duet If I Didnt Have You (I Would Die) and Bronte Barbes even sillier solo I Never Felt So Alive ...delivered in the morgue. Moreover, its missing a killer melody and is overblown by a good 40 minutes. Hinds aside, this is a classic case of less being much, much more. Bachelorette Australia star Timm Hanly charmed his way into American hearts earlier this week during a holiday in West Hollywood. The former reality TV star, 32, went viral after doing a vox pop TikTok interview with American content creator Chris Stanley as he attended a gay pride parade. Having just 'stumbled across' the festival with his wife Briana De La Motte and their nine-month-old daughter Harper, Timm made quite the impression on viewers. 'We're just here from Australia. It's our second day here. Second day in America and we just stumbled across [the parade] and I'm just here for the vibes,' Timm said. 'We love it. We absolutely love it,' he added, before Chris asked: 'Do you think the gays can throw a good party?' Bachelorette Australia star Timm Hanly, 32, (pictured) charmed his way into American hearts earlier this week during a holiday in West Hollywood Timm promptly responded: 'F**ken' oath. One hundred per cent. No one does it better really.' Chris then asked: 'How does it feel if a gay guy is hitting on you?' 'Oh, I love this. Let's say I'm walking down the street and a gay guy is like looking at me [checking me out]. That's as good as a girl looking at me,' Timm said. 'That counts. That's as good for my ego as a hot chick looking at me,' he added. The former reality TV star was spotted doing a vox pop TikTok interview with American content creator Chris Stanley (right) as he attended a gay pride parade Newfound fans from the US flocked to the comments of the video to swoon over the hunky father-of-one. 'More men like him please,' Chris wrote in the caption of the clip. Another person said: 'That's a healthy, secure and proud masculinity', while another said Timm had the 'biggest, fattest, longest d**k energy!' 'Australians are so cool and friendly,' a third added. Having just 'stumbled across' the festival with his wife Briana De La Motte (left) and their nine-month-old daughter Harper, Timm made quite the impression on viewers Someone else wrote: 'Steve and Robert Irwin, the Hemsworth bros, Bluey dad, Swiftie dads, and now this guy! Australian men are walking green flags!' 'This level of secure masculinity is so attractive and such a massive green flag,' yet another said. Timm and wife Briana welcomed their daughter Harper on August 31 last year, announcing the news to Instagram alongside footage of their bundle of joy. New-found fans from the US flocked to the comments of the TikTok video to swoon over the hunky father-of-one The couple dated on-and-off for six years before his stint on Angie Kent's season of The Bachelorette in 2019, where he placed runner-up to Carlin Sterritt. He went on to appear in Bachelor in Paradise in 2020, where he struck up a romance with Brittany Hockley in Fiji. The pair left the show as a couple after just a few episodes, but broke up not long after returning to Australia. Timm and Briana went public with their newly rekindled romance soon after Bachelor in Paradise's finale aired on TV. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori left little to the imagination in another very risque outfit on Thursday. The architect, 29, bared it all as she opted to go without underwear underneath a sheer cloak-like dress while enjoying a dinner date with the rapper, 47, at Il Palagio restaurant in Florence, Italy. Meanwhile, in complete contrast, West wore a casual, covered-up outfit, sporting a white, long-sleeved top with pants and sneakers. At one point during their meal, Censori got up and nearly flashed other diners as she walked to their table, strutting in embellished sandals with a tall, chunky heel. This comes shortly after the couple took an economy flight to Tokyo, where Censori made a shocking display when she stepped out in a revealing thong leotard and showcased her backside during a shopping trip. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori left little to the imagination in another very risque outfit on Thursday as she opted out of underwear underneath a sheer cloak-like dress for a dinner date at Il Palagio restaurant in Florence, Italy Meanwhile, West wore a casual, covered-up outfit in juxtaposition and sported a white, longsleeved top with pants and sneakers For their evening outing in Italy, Censori pulled back her dark hair into a slicked back bun and appeared to be sporting a light makeup look. Her raincoat-inspired garb featured a high neckline, long sleeves and a floor-sweeping skirt but the voluminous, flowing bodice of her dress was entirely sheer and revealed her body as she appeared to be wearing nothing else. At one point, West appeared to be checking her out as she passed by in front of him. He reportedly was also seen shooting videos of her walking around in her not-so-modest outfit. Censori is no stranger to over-the-top risque and jaw-dropping fashion as she has often been seen wearing increasingly revealing looks since she married the 24-time Grammy winner in December 2022. She hasn't been restricting herself to flesh-flashing outfits in the States and last year raised eyebrows her her racy fashion parade around Italy. During the previous Italian trip in 2023, Censori wore a slew of eccentric outfits during the couple's getaway. No strangers to scandal, West and Censori continuously raised eyebrows over their choices in clothing, with Bianca's barely-there looks sparking fury from locals. The couple's dinner date at Il Palagio restaurant was in the luxury Four Seasons hotel Their ensembles were reminiscent to what they wore while traveling to Japan just days earlier At the airport on June 9, Censori wore a more-opaque version of her cloak while West wore the same shirt While in Tokyo, Censori shocked as she flaunted her backside during the outing in a ribbed cream G-string leotard as she walked through a public shopping mall with West, 47 At the time her sheer and mesh outfits, which left her breasts clearly visible, were described by social media users as 'disrespectful' in a country known for its conservative Catholic heritage. Another bizarre 'outfit' was debuted in Florence last year where she clutched a purple pillow to her chest while roaming the city streets. There were even calls are being made for West and Censori to be arrested, after they were spotted enjoying an amorous moment on a boat, with West exposing his bare buttocks in front of gawking tourists. Images of the couple showed the American rapper seated at the back of the river taxi while Bianca placed her head in his lap. Online critics have argued that the flesh-baring display constituted 'public indecency.' One of the infrequent, recent occasions was when she made the rare move of covering up in an opaque version of her sheer cloak dress at the airport in Japan. That particular instance was their first public outing since West's former assistant filed a bombshell sexual harassment lawsuit against him. Over her hair, she wore a black cap headpiece as she strolled through the airport with West, who wore the same shirt as he did for their Thursday dinner in Florence paired with an oversize robe. Censori is no stranger to over-the-top risque and jaw-dropping fashion (seen in May 2023) During the previous Italian trip in 2023, Censori wore a slew of eccentric outfits and there even calls for them to be arrested after they were spotted enjoying an amorous moment on a boat Earlier this month, West's ex-assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. She also accused the star of wrongful termination as well as breach of contract Earlier this month, his ex-assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him, accusing the rapper of wrongful termination as well as breach of contract. After being sued by his former employee, he notably hit back and claimed she was fired due to 'lascivious and unhinged' conduct. West also claimed she demanded a whopping $4 million salary from him. He denied her claims, calling them 'baseless' and also accused her of 'blackmail and extortion.' He declared that he would file a countersuit but has yet to do so. In Pisciotta's lawsuit, she claimed that West and Censori bragged about having a five-person orgy in one of many sexually explicit phone calls. She claimed in the complaint filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court that West also frequently sent her explicit text messages and images. These included video of himself having sex and extreme oversharing about his sex life in what she claimed was an effort to get her to join in, she claimed. The lawsuit is still ongoing. As she prepares to welcome a new baby girl, Lala Kent is enjoying some quality time with her favorite ladies. The Vanderpump Rules star, 33, put her baby bump on display in a chic sleeveless black turtleneck dress for a lunch outing Thursday in Sherman Oaks, California with 3-year-old daughter Ocean and mom Lisa Burningham. She layered the dress with a gold floral satin robe, finishing the look with a pair of white Stella McCartney platform shoes. Kent accessorized the look with a pair of tortoiseshell cat-eye sunglasses and some gold hoop earrings. The Give Them Lala author announced her second pregnancy in March after using a sperm donor. Lala Kent put her baby bump on display in a chic sleeveless black turtleneck dress for a lunch outing Thursday in Sherman Oaks, California with 3-year-old daughter Ocean and mom Lisa Burningham She layered the dress with a gold floral satin robe, finishing the look with a pair of white Stella McCartney platform shoes She also co-parents Ocean with ex-fiance Randall Emmett, with whom she split in 2021 amid cheating claims. During an Amazon Live appearance in March, Kent showed off her unborn baby's sonogram and explained why she used a sperm donor. 'The best part about my baby daddy is that he does not exist,' she said amid her custody battle with Emmett, 53. 'I have been pretty open about wanting to really have full control of - I guess not my child, but having them around me all the time. 'I went through a really hard time with my past and just with Ocean,' added Kent. 'For me, my child will never be up for grabs again.' Kent revealed she's having another daughter after hosting a sex reveal party with friends and family in April. The Give Them Lala podcast host is expecting to give birth on September 1, she previously revealed on the VPR reunion. She previously bought a $3.1 million house in the San Fernando Valley for her growing family, and plans to co-parent her baby with mom Lisa. After VPR spin-off The Valley was renewed for season 2 last month, Kent is reportedly 'in early talks' to join the show. The Give Them Lala author announced her second pregnancy in March after using a sperm donor She bought a $3.1 million house in the San Fernando Valley for her growing family, and plans to co-parent her baby with mom Lisa Kent was brought to tears on the recent season 11 finale of Vanderpump Rules, during which she almost stormed off set 'She is very connected with that cast. Those girls are her very good friends and mom crew,' a source told Page Six of her fellow VPR stars Brittany Cartwright and Kristen Doute. They star on the spin-off with Cartwright's estranged husband Jax Taylor and a cast of new faces. Regardless, Kent would reportedly remain on VPR, which is 'her home. It's not one or the other.' However, VPR is on hiatus for a year. Kent was brought to tears on the recent season 11 finale of Vanderpump Rules, during which she almost stormed off set. Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla Presley waved to fans as she joined stars at the 53rd Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction And Awards Gala in New York City. She strolled up to the Marriott Marquis Hotel wearing an ultra chic outfit that included a silky white blouse. Priscilla, 79, looked incredibly youthful as she showed off her smooth visage and flawless makeup for the cameras. She styled her blouse with a billowing black maxi skirt and sexy black leather boots. Her signature burgundy-toned locks looked voluminous as they flowed down the front and back of her top. Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla Presley waved to fans as she joined stars at the 53rd Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction And Awards Gala in New York City She strolled up to the Marriott Marquis Hotel wearing an ultra chic outfit that included a silky white blouse The mother of the late Lisa Marie Presley carried a small black purse while making her way down the red carpet. Some of the other celebs to attend the annual induction ceremony included the likes of Carrie Underwood, Timbaland, Desmond Child, Roman Child, El DeBarge, Jason Isbell, Trey Anastasio, Merck Mercuriadis, Richie Sambora, Kevin Bacon, Michael Bacon, Molly Kate, Paul Williams and Mariana Williams. The list also featured Maria Bilbao, Rodney Chrome, Deniece Williams, Curtis Shaw Child, Ava Liv Mabry, Sierra Spirit Kihega, Rodney Chrome, Matilda Marigolds and Molly Kate Kestner. The 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees include Hillary Lindsey, Dean Pitchford, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Timbaland and the late Cindy Walker. Acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren received the Johnny Mercer Award and four-time Grammy winner SZA was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award, as reported by Billboard. The Johnny Mercer Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF). It goes to writers already inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for having established a history of outstanding creative works. First presented in 2004 as the Starlight Award, the Hal David Starlight Award was renamed in 2006 in honor of the SHOF Chairman's longtime support of young songwriters. Priscilla, 79, looked incredibly youthful as she showed off her smooth visage and flawless makeup for the cameras Her signature burgundy-toned locks looked voluminous as they flowed down the front and back of her top Priscilla, who grew up a military child who constantly moved, gave birth to Elvis' only child in February 1968, about 10 months after their were married in Las Vegas Priscilla Presley posed with the ladies of the family: great grand daughter Finley Lockwood, late daughter Lisa Marie Presley, grand daughter Riley Keough and great grand daughter Harper Lockwood in June 2022 Hal David Starlight Award recipients are gifted songwriters who are at an apex in their careers and are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs. The Songwriters Hall of Fame also recognized ASCAP members Evan Bartels, Molly Kate Kestner and Kossisko Konan as this years recipients of the Abe Olman Scholarships for Excellence in Songwriting, according to ASCAP. Four additional SHOF scholarships were awarded to ASCAP songwriters Tipton 'Tippy' Balady, Aria Camera, Erin Ferrer and Zhengchun 'Dewey' Huang. The Abe Olman Publisher Award is 'given to publishers who have had a substantial number of songs that have become world-renowned and who have helped to further the careers and success of many songwriters. Advertisement Paris Hilton brought the glitter to Thursday's Alice + Olivia Pride party in New York City celebrating Pride Month. The Paris in Love star, 43, hit the red carpet before delivering a high-energy performance for event attendees. For the night, Paris matched her little sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild, 40, in pink sequins. She donned a sequined crop top with a matching mini skirt, layered with a pink sequined bomber jacket. Paris accessorized the look with a pair of pink cat-eye sunglasses, stud earrings and sparkling fingerless gloves. Paris Hilton brought the glitter to Thursday's Alice + Olivia Pride party in New York City She matched with sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild in pink sequins The 'Stars Are Blind' artist wore her hair in pigtails, finishing the ensemble with a pair of sparkling silver heels. She changed into a sparking rainbow dress with a peekaboo cleavage cutout and matching thigh-high boots as she took the stage at the event for a performance. Nicky matched her big sister's first look in a strapless pink sequined dress, which she wore with a bow-shaped necklace and sparkly strappy stilettos. She posed for a photo with Dylan Mulvaney, who looked stunning in a strapless blush pink minidress embellished with textured flowers. Bijou Phillips served a retro chic look in a '70s style floor-length yellow dress with a plunging neckline and long billowy sheer sleeves. Dominique Jackson looked fierce in a sheer black off-the-shoulder crop top, which she wore with a multi-colored print pleated dress. Valentina Sampaio cut a bold look in an asymmetrical blue jumpsuit, which she layered with a matching feathered jacket. Cuba Gooding Jr. rocked a sequined rainbow striped bomber jacket, layered over a black shirt and matching pants. Sydney Belle channeled a classic Paris look in a silver sequined crop top, matching choker and a denim mini skirt. Tina Chen Craig served a retro look in a long-sleeve multicolor crop top, tied at the chest and paired with matching high-waisted pants. She donned a sequined crop top with a matching mini skirt, layered with a pink sequined bomber jacket Her bright blonde hair was worn in curly pigtails Paris rocked full glam makeup for the occasion in NYC She accessorized the look with a pair of pink cat-eye sunglasses, stud earrings and sparkling fingerless gloves She changed into a sparking rainbow dress with a peekaboo cleavage cutout and matching thigh-high boots as she took the stage at the event for a performance The dress was accessorized with matching thigh-high boots Paris was carried onto the stage by dancers in metallic purple looks Nicky, 40, matched her sister's first look in a strapless pink sequined dress, which she wore with a bow-shaped necklace and sparkly strappy stilettos She wore the dress with a bow-shaped necklace and sparkly strappy stilettos She accessorized with a sparkly diamond bow necklace Sisters Paris and Nicky pose for a photo with Alice + Olivia CEO and designer Stacey Bendet Nicky posed for a photo with Dylan Mulvaney, who looked stunning in a strapless blush pink minidress embellished with textured flowers Bijou Phillips served a retro chic look in a '70s style floor-length yellow dress with a plunging neckline and long billowy sheer sleeves The dress featured a plunging neckline and long billowy sheer sleeves Dominique Jackson looked fierce in a sheer black off-the-shoulder crop top, which she wore with a multi-colored print pleated dress Valentina Sampaio cut a bold look in an asymmetrical blue jumpsuit, which she layered with a matching feathered jacket Cuba Gooding Jr. rocked a sequined rainbow striped bomber jacket, layered over a black shirt and matching pants Sydney Belle channeled a classic Paris look in a silver sequined crop top, matching choker and a denim mini skirt. Tina Chen Craig served a retro look in a long-sleeve multicolor crop top, tied at the chest and paired with matching high-waisted pants Haley Kalil donned all green in a cropped tank top with high-waisted pleated trousers and a furry coat she wore off the shoulders. Gabby Ortega dazzled in a white mini dress with a lace bodice and a feathered skirt, featuring silver sequins around the waist. She finished the look with a pair of matching white beaded chandelier earrings and silver metallic heels. Caroline Vazzana donned a hot pink sequined pantsuit over a white top. Gabi Demartino sported a rose gold sequined mini dress, which she accessorized with a mini Chanel handbag. Ubah Hassan looked gorgeous in a plunging blue pleated dress, which she layered under a mint green chenille jacket. Claudia Oshry donned a white sleeveless dress, featuring a giant sequined red rose. Haley Kalil donned all green in a cropped tank top with high-waisted pleated trousers and a furry coat she wore off the shoulders Gabby Ortega dazzled in a white mini dress with a lace bodice and a feathered skirt, featuring silver sequins around the waist. She finished the look with a pair of matching white beaded chandelier earrings and silver metallic heels Gabi Demartino sported a rose gold sequined mini dress, which she accessorized with a mini Chanel handbag Ubah Hassan looked gorgeous in a plunging blue pleated dress, which she layered under a mint green chenille jacket. Claudia Oshry donned a white sleeveless dress, featuring a giant sequined red rose Katya Tolstova looked statuesque in an ankle-length red satin slip dress, featuring a white floral print She finished the look with a thin pair of black cat-eye sunglasses and some matching furry strappy stilettos Jessica Hart posed with Nicky, sporting a black minidress, featuring a silver jeweled halter top Amy Fine Collins donned a sheer white long-sleeve dress, which featured a beautiful red and blue floral print. Erin Lichy sported an oversized white blazer over a matching sheer dress shirt, which she tucked into a pair of rose gold sequined short shorts Michael Ariano showed off his guns in a dark sleeveless shirt, paired with camouflage cargo pants Katya Tolstova looked statuesque in an ankle-length red satin slip dress, featuring a white floral print. She finished the look with a thin pair of black cat-eye sunglasses and some matching furry strappy stilettos. Jessica Hart posed with Nicky, sporting a black minidress, featuring a silver jeweled halter top. Amy Fine Collins donned a sheer white long-sleeve dress, which featured a beautiful red and blue floral print. Erin Lichy sported an oversized white blazer over a matching sheer dress shirt, which she tucked into a pair of rose gold sequined short shorts. Michael Ariano showed off his guns in a dark sleeveless shirt, paired with camouflage cargo pants. BB Jean hit the red carpet in a skintight bodycon dress, printed with an aerial beach photo and paired with nude gladiator heels. Irina Kro Elcke donned an open brown double-breasted jacket over a sheer nude dress with white platform sandals. Lauren Tiby sizzled in a plunging red minidress, featuring a layered ruffle skirt, which she finished with strappy gold stilettos. BB Jean hit the red carpet in a skintight bodycon dress, printed with an aerial beach photo and paired with nude gladiator heels Irina Kro Elcke donned an open brown double-breasted jacket over a sheer nude dress with white platform sandals. Lauren Tiby sizzled in a plunging red minidress, featuring a layered ruffle skirt, which she finished with strappy gold stilettos Chelsea Vaughn looked cute in a baby blue sequined minidress, which she complemented with white strappy heels and a black handbag with a chain strap Alexander Hankin put on a sharp display in a blush pink suit, featuring a double-breasted jacket Pierrah donned a blush lace dress with a layered skirt and silver sequins down the chest, accessorizing with a pearl handbag Nadine Medvedchuck showed some leg in a plunging red satin dress with a matching scarf Dani Stahl sported a red and white striped t-shirt, tucked into a pair of baggy jeans, which featured a braided denim belt. Jenny Mollen donned a striped rainbow sequined bomber jacket as she climbed a wall of pink teddy bears. Chelsea Vaughn looked cute in a baby blue sequined minidress, which she complemented with white strappy heels and a black handbag with a chain strap. Alexander Hankin put on a sharp display in a blush pink suit, featuring a double-breasted jacket. Pierrah donned a blush lace dress with a layered skirt and silver sequins down the chest, accessorizing with a pearl handbag. Minnie Mills served a cute look in a blush strapless minidress with matching tights and a pair of black combat boots. Nadine Medvedchuck showed some leg in a plunging red satin dress with a matching scarf. Dorothy Wang donned a silver jeweled halter top with a pair of jeans while carrying a pink Hermes Birkin bag Aqua Parios dazzled in a blue satin asymmetrical dress with spaghetti straps and a matching scarf Aditya Madiraju donned a sparkling lilac mesh top and matching jacket as Amit Shah wore a shimmering blue western shirt with silver metallic slacks Jordan Emanuel put on a busty display in a red sequined sleeveless dress. Naomi Watanabe served a retro look in a black halter dress with a billowy skirt that showed off her matching strappy heels. Alexandra Richards cut a cool look in a black pantsuit featuring a red rose print Dorothy Wang donned a silver jeweled halter top with a pair of jeans while carrying a pink Hermes Birkin bag. Aqua Parios dazzled in a blue satin asymmetrical dress with spaghetti straps and a matching scarf. Aditya Madiraju donned a sparkling lilac mesh top and matching jacket as Amit Shah wore a shimmering blue western shirt with silver metallic slacks. Jordan Emanuel put on a busty display in a red sequined sleeveless dress. Naomi Watanabe served a retro look in a black halter dress with a billowy skirt that showed off her matching strappy heels. Alexandra Richards cut a cool look in a black pantsuit featuring a red rose print. Emma Roberts plays a reformed party girl trying to make her way in the world as an unconventional astronaut in the first trailer for Space Cadet. The 33-year-old actress plays a woman named Rex, who had always dreamed of being an astronaut as a kid... though life just got in the way. Now working as a bartender in Florida, Rex decides to chase her dreams... with the help of a highly-embellished resume. Roberts also serves as an executive producer on the film alongside writer-director Garcia. The film from writer-director Liz W. Garcia (Purple Hearts, The Lifeguard) will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting July 4. Emma Roberts plays a reformed party girl trying to make her way in the world as an unconventional astronaut in the first trailer for Space Cadet The 33-year-old actress plays a woman named Rex, who had always dreamed of being an astronaut as a kid... though life just got in the way The trailer begins with Rex looking up at the stars, saying in voice-over, 'Once upon a time, I had bigger dreams.' They show flashback footage to Rex as a little girl, watching a space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida. 'That's gonna be you one day, Rex,' the young girl's mother says, as Rex adds, 'I know it, mom.' 'But sometimes, life doesn't always work out the way you planned,' she adds, as we see her as an adult working as a bartender. A larger man runs up to the bar and says 'Yo you,' and she begrudgingly says, 'Can I get you another drink?' She's later seen collapsing on her bed and then partying around a campfire and calling 'last call' at her bar. She adds in voice over, 'Ten years ago, I got lost, but it's not too late,' as she excitedly tells her friend Nadine (Poppy Liu), 'I'm gonna be an astronaut!' 'Oh my God... wait, come again?' Nadine says, as Rex happily writes out a letter to NASA, as Nadine reviews the resume she created. 'No, girl, this resume will never get you in... but let's make a few changes that will,' Nadine says, as we see some of the embellishments Nadine makes to the resume including attending MIT, flying fighter jets and even winning a Pulitzer Prize. The trailer begins with Rex looking up at the stars, saying in voice-over, 'Once upon a time, I had bigger dreams' 'Oh my God... wait, come again?' Nadine says, as Rex happily writes out a letter to NASA, as Nadine reviews the resume she created She's later seen collapsing on her bed and then partying around a campfire and calling 'last call' at her bar 'I'm gonna be an astronaut!' Rex screams to herself, before she arrives at Kennedy Space Center in Houston for her training Apparently one of the changes was changing her name to 'Dr. Tiffany Simpson,' as she's told she's been accepted into astronaut training. 'I'm gonna be an astronaut!' Rex screams to herself, before she arrives at Kennedy Space Center in Houston for her training. We get a glimpse at her competition including doctors, pilots and soldiers, as they are all grouped together and told by Rudolph Bolton (Dave Foley) that there is a special name for astronaut candidates - ASCANS - which makes Rex laugh. Rudolph continues that they will be, 'trained and tested' over the next nine weeks and most of the candidates, 'will not pass.' Rudolph asks in a meeting if they're sure 'Dr. Simpson belongs here,' as Pam Proctor (Gabrielle Union) says, 'We need unconventional candidates. She built a series of gates to protect the manatees from speedboats!' Toddrick (Sebastian Yatra) tells Rex, 'When we were kids, you inspired me,' as Rex clearly doesn't know how to react. Rex calls Nadine, angrily, stating, 'You took out everything about my resume being made up and said it wasn't made up.' Nadine tells her, 'Get your a** back home before you hurt somebody.' Rex says, 'I was born to do this! Once you let your dreams out of the box, you can't just shove them back in.' The trailer ends with Rex in a plane, screaming she can't fly as she actually takes off, adding, 'So is this thing hard to land, or...' READ MORE: Influencer gets kicked out of cafe for doing impromptu photoshoot A body positive influencer has shared a shocking collage of the hateful messages she had received over her decision not to have children. On Friday, Gold Coast-based activewear entrepreneur Karina Irby, 34, posted a photo of her and her husband Ryan having fun on the beach. Karina, who frequently talks about loving her childfree lifestyle with her 1.1million followers, filled her image with screenshots of some of the hurtful comments she had received from haters. 'When you're old there is nobody that will take care of you like your children. That is my worst nightmare, to spend my last years alone and die,' one person wrote. 'Can't imagine leaving nothing behind,' a second person added, as a third user chipped in: 'This goes against everything our species has fought for.' Body positive influencer Karina Irby (pictured) has shared a shocking collage of the hateful messages she had received over her decision not to have children Other comments were equally nasty, with one person writing: 'On behalf of all of humanity, thank you for not bringing more weirdos into this world.' Karina did not mince words when she revealed what she thought about the comments. 'We don't owe the human population anything,' she said. 'Our choice is not following a 'trend'. The hate and threats I've received have blown my mind. On Friday, Gold Coast -based activewear entrepreneur Karina Irby, 34, posted a photo of her and her husband Ryan having fun on the beach 'I hope that by sharing our experience, we can spark more understanding and acceptance for all life choices. Be kind.' After tying the knot with her husband Ryan Jones in October 2022, the pair mutually decided to keep their marriage child-free and she often shares clips of them living life to the fullest on social media. Karina exchanged vows with Ryan during an idyllic island wedding on a beach in Bora Bora. Karina, who frequently talks about loving her childfree lifestyle with her 1.1million followers , filled her image with screenshots of some of the hurtful comments she had received from haters Karina did not mince words when she revealed what she thought about the hurtful comments The blonde beauty, who is known for her body-positive selfies, wore her favourite attire for the nuptials - a skimpy white bikini - teamed with a sarong skirt for the intimate beach ceremony. Karina is best known for her body positivity posts and the empire she has built around selling cheeky bikinis. In 2011, Irby founded her swimwear label Moana Bikini, which has gone on to become a household name for women across Australia. Two days after going public with her new romance, Bijou Phillips glammed up to attend the Alice + Olivia Pride Party, which was held at Terminal 5 in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan on Thursday. The 44-year-old socialite took the plunge in a $595 Alice + Olivia 'Selene Deep V Neck' yellow pleated maxi-dress featuring sheer baggy sleeves while posing against a rainbow backdrop in honor of New York City's LGBTQAI community. Bijou styled her signature dark-blonde locks in waves and added a red lip for a pop of color for the flamboyantly festive event. Phillips made sure to pose with her 'bestie' Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet, and Australian model Jessica Hart. The nepo-baby of John Phillips and his third wife Genevieve Waite also hung out with Miss Minnesota 2014 Haley Kalil and The Misshapes' Leigh Lezark. Bijou Phillips glammed up to attend the Alice + Olivia Pride Party, which was held at Terminal 5 in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan on Thursday Bijou and the 39-year-old DJ - who toted matching black bags - posed hip to hip with Leigh clad in a sleeveless silver-sequin mini-dress. Phillips was also there to see her BFF Paris Hilton, who performed her new song I'm Free while clad in a rainbow-hued dress onstage during the bash. And while the Connecticut-born equestrian did not pose with her boyfriend since April - Jamie Mazur - at the fashion function, he was definitely in New York City with her. Both Bijou and the 43-year-old Re/Done denim co-founder Instastoried snaps from inside the same fancy restaurant where they dined hours earlier with a mystery bearded man. The new couple were clearly many stories up in the building as Jamie Instastoried a picture of their view of Central Park from the restaurant. Mazur is best known as the ex-fiance of Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio, with whom he co-parents two children following the 2018 end of their decade-long relationship. 'They've run in the same social circles for many years,' an insider told Us Weekly on Monday. 'Jamie reached out to Bijou once he heard the news of Danny Masterson and wanted to make sure she was doing okay. He's been a light during this dark and hard time. Jamie's been making the effort to see her in Santa Ynez. He lives in Malibu so they have been spending time in both places.' The 44-year-old socialite took the plunge in a $595 Alice + Olivia 'Selene Deep V Neck' yellow pleated maxi-dress featuring sheer baggy sleeves while posing against a rainbow backdrop in honor of New York City's LGBTQAI community Bijou styled her signature dark-blonde locks in waves and added a red lip for a pop of color for the flamboyantly festive event Phillips made sure to pose with her 'bestie' Nicky Hilton Rothschild (2-R), Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet (R), and Australian model Jessica Hart (2-L) The nepo-baby of John Phillips and his third wife Genevieve Waite also hung out with Miss Minnesota 2014 Haley Kalil (L) and The Misshapes' Leigh Lezark (R) Bijou and the 39-year-old DJ (R) - who toted matching black bags - posed hip to hip with Leigh clad in a sleeveless silver-sequin mini-dress Phillips was also there to see her BFF Paris Hilton, who performed her new song I'm Free while clad in a rainbow-hued dress onstage during the bash And while the Connecticut-born equestrian did not pose with her boyfriend since April - Jamie Mazur - at the fashion function, he was definitely in New York City with her Both Bijou and the 43-year-old Re/Done denim co-founder Instastoried snaps from inside the same fancy restaurant where they dined hours earlier with a mystery bearded man (pictured) The new couple were clearly many stories up in the building as Jamie Instastoried a picture of their view of Central Park from the restaurant Mazur (T-L, pictured in 2019) is best known as the ex-fiance of Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio (T-R), with whom he co-parents two children following the 2018 end of their decade-long relationship Phillips filed for divorce from incarcerated husband Danny Masterson (R, pictured in 2023) on September 18 - 11 days after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two counts of rape at his retrial The 48-year-old That '70s Show alum is currently serving hard time at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, CA where former inmates include Suge Knight, Charles Keating Jr., Charles 'Tex' Watson, and Timothy Leary Phillips filed for divorce from her 48-year-old incarcerated husband on September 18 - 11 days after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two counts of rape at his retrial - according to TMZ. Danny is currently serving hard time at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, CA where former inmates include Suge Knight, Charles Keating Jr., Charles 'Tex' Watson, and Timothy Leary. The nineties wildchild has full custody of their 10-year-old daughter Fianna Francis Masterson, and she's wiped all evidence of Masterson from her Instagram account. The That '70s Show alum allegedly drugged three women before sexually assaulting them between 2001-2003, but he claims the encounters were completely consensual and he's seeking an appeal. The Scientologists - who wed in 2011 - originally met at a poker tournament in Las Vegas in 2004, and they co-starred in three films (Wake, Made for Each Other, and The Bridge to Nowhere) as well as a 2011 episode of Fox's Raising Hope. Before retiring from acting in 2012, Bijou appeared in films like Black and White (1999), Almost Famous (2000), The Door in the Floor (2004), and Havoc (2005). In 2017, Phillips was accused of physically assaulting both her former Bully co-star Daniel Franzese and her former Hostel: Part II co-star Heather Matarazzo. Nicole Kidman posed up a storm as she arrived on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of her upcoming movie A Family Affair on Thursday night. The actress, 56, cut an elegant figure in a pale pink strapless gown which featured a corset-style bodice and a thigh-high slit. Joined by her fellow co-stars, Nicole reunited with Zac Efron after the pair stripped off for a steamy sex scene in their new upcoming romcom. The duo play lovers in the film, as Nicole's character Brooke embarks on a steamy affair with her daughter's movie star boss Chris, who is played by the much younger Zac, 36. In racy shots from the film, Nicole is seen on all fours as Zac stands over her topless, flaunting his muscular physique. Nicole Kidman wowed in strapless pink gown as she reunited with Zac Efron for the Los Angeles premiere of her upcoming movie A Family Affair on Thursday night It comes after the pair stripped off for steamy sex scene in the upcoming Netflix romcom However, Zac smartened up for the premiere as he looked handsome in a grey checked blazer paired with the matching trousers and a classic black T-shirt. The pair were also joined by Joey King, who plays Nicole's daughter Zara in the film. The star, 24, wore an ethereal sheer ensemble with a black tulle crop top adorned with roses and a matching midi skirt. Meanwhile Nicole pulled her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and accessorised the look with a dazzling gold choker and pink scarf. She completed the look with a pair of patent leather sandal heels for a finished monochromatic look. According to the logline, the movie, which is directed by Richard LaGravenese, follows a 'surprising' romance, which 'kicks off comic consequences for a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as they face the complications of love, sex and identity.' The cast also stars Kathy Bates, Olivia Macklin and Ian Gregg. As well as Gissette Valentin, Melissa Kennemore, Agnes Mayasari, Zele Avradopoulos, J Boone Smith Jr., Sarah Baskin, Wes Jetton and Jerry Beharry. It isn't the first time Nicole and Zac have worked together after the pair both starred in The Paperboy 12 years ago. The actress, 56, cut an elegant figure in a pale pink strapless gown which featured a corset-style bodice and a thigh-high slit The pair were also joined by Joey King, who plays Nicole's daughter Zara in the film, as the threesome beamed on the carpet The pair were seen getting frisky in the trailer as they were overcome with passion Zac previously spoke to People about the role, telling the publication, 'I was still a bit apprehensive but reuniting with Nicole is always so great and as talented as she as an actress, she is equally kind, caring and wonderful to spend time with' Nicole pulled her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and accessorised the look with a dazzling gold choker and pink scarf She completed the look with a pair of patent leather sandal heels for a finished monochromatic look The onscreen duo made waves with a controversial scene where Nicole had to urinate on Zac for a scene that involved his character being stung by a jellyfish. And now the pair have pushed their on screen relationship once again as they engage in a steamy affair. Zac previously spoke to People about the role, telling the publication, 'I was still a bit apprehensive but reuniting with Nicole is always so great and as talented as she as an actress, she is equally kind, caring and wonderful to spend time with.' Describing their sizzling on-screen chemistry, he said it was 'seamless, natural and fun'. Speaking at the premiere, he added that A Family Affair tells 'a really beautiful story.' 'Romcoms are incredibly special, I think, when they're about something real,' he told Access Hollywood. 'And I think all of these characters are just experiencing love in a lot of different ways. 'They're at different points in their life and somehow Nicole and I's characters are right for each other, and I think it's a really beautiful story,' he continued. Joey also shared what it was like watching the chemistry between her co-stars during production. 'They're both just so game for anything and so commited,' she explained. 'They're both incredibly professional actors, who are just amazing at what they do, and they actually enjoy each other in real life,' the actress continued. 'They love to laugh together,' she added. 'Zac's hilarious and Nicole is so funny. They mesh really well. We all did.' He sported a shorter and darker hairstyle for the premiere and showcased his rugged side with his facial hair Joey, 24, wore an ethereal sheer ensemble with a black tulle crop top adorned with roses and a matching midi skirt In their upcoming movie, the story follows Joey, who plays a young woman named Zara Ford working for movie star Chris Cole (Zac). Their dynamic changes when he strikes up a romance with her mother Brooke Harwood, who is played by Nicole She rocked a smoky copper eye with full, wispy lashes as well as a shimmering, rosy blush and a glossy pink lip For the premiere, she styled her blonde hair in bouncy curls and swept them to the side for an effortlessly chic look The three protagonists also joined their co-stars Liza Koshy and Sherry Cola for a cast group phot In their upcoming movie, the story follows King, who plays a young woman named Zara Ford working for movie star Chris Cole (Efron). Their dynamic changes when he strikes up a romance with her mother Brooke Harwood, who is played by Kidman According to the logline, the story follows a 'surprising' romance, which 'kicks off comic consequences for a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as they face the complications of love, sex and identity' A Family Affair will premiere on Netflix on June 28 The premiere comes shortly after Zac spoke about doing steamy sex scenes in the movie with Nicole and said it was 'seamless, natural and fun.' Zac said it felt 'very easy' with Nicole compared to some of his previous experiences in the past. 'I've been in scenes like that before where it doesn't go that easily,' he admitted. 'You're kinda figuring each other out. Nicole also noted that their chemistry was seamless and filming sex scenes together were easy as they are close pals in real life. 'We also just have a friendship,' she said. 'So we're able to talk.' Zac also added: 'There's a lot of hysterical laughing that's cut out. We laugh a lot. Like we're having a blast It's always fun figuring out the physical aspects, like we kinda dance into that room. It was fun, it was like putting together a musical.' A Family Affair will premiere on Netflix on June 28. Nicole Kidman cuddled up to co-star Zac Efron at the Sunset Tower Hotel Hollywood afterparty following the premiere of their steamy new Netflix film A Family affair in LA on Thursday. The actress, 56, layered a chic blazer over her elegant pink gown after to the red carpet in the dress which boasted a corset-style bodice and a thigh-high slit. Nicole and Zac, 36, stripped off for a saucy sex scene in the romcom in which they play lovers, as the Aussie actress' character embarks on a steamy affair with her daughter's movie star boss. In racy shots from the film, Nicole is seen on all fours as Zac stands over her topless, flaunting his muscular physique. At the bash Zac looked smart in a grey checked blazer paired with the matching trousers and a classic black T-shirt. Nicole Kidman, 56, cuddled up to co-star Zac Efron, 36, at the Sunset Tower Hotel Hollywood afterparty following the premiere of their steamy new Netflix film A Family affair in LA on Thursday Nicole and Zac stripped off for a saucy sex scene in the romcom in which they play lovers, as the Aussie actress' character embarks on a steamy affair with her daughter's movie star boss The pair were also joined by Joey King, who plays Nicole's daughter Zara in the film. The star, 24, wore an ethereal sheer ensemble with a black tulle crop top adorned with roses and a matching midi skirt. Meanwhile Nicole pulled her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and accessorised the look with a dazzling gold choker and pink scarf. She completed the look with a pair of patent leather sandal heels for a finished monochromatic look. According to the logline, the movie, which is directed by Richard LaGravenese, follows a 'surprising' romance, which 'kicks off comic consequences for a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as they face the complications of love, sex and identity.' The cast also stars Kathy Bates, Olivia Macklin and Ian Gregg. As well as Gissette Valentin, Melissa Kennemore, Agnes Mayasari, Zele Avradopoulos, J Boone Smith Jr., Sarah Baskin, Wes Jetton and Jerry Beharry. It isn't the first time Nicole and Zac have worked together after the pair both starred in The Paperboy 12 years ago. The actress layered a chic blazer of her elegant pink gown after to the red carpet in the dress which boasted a corset-style bodice and a thigh-high slit Meanwhile Nicole pulled her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail and accessorised the look with a dazzling gold choker and pink scarf At the bash Zac looked smart in a grey checked blazer paired with the matching trousers and a classic black T-shirt (pictured with co-star Joey King, R) The co-stars beamed as they reunited months after filming They enjoyed a catch up during the boozy bash Joey (L) and Zac (C) shared a giggle with director Richard LaGravenese (L) Nicole completed the look with a pair of patent leather sandal heels for a finished monochromatic look The pair were seen getting frisky in the trailer as they were overcome with passion The onscreen duo made waves with a controversial scene where Nicole had to urinate on Zac for a scene that involved his character being stung by a jellyfish. And now the pair have pushed their on screen relationship once again as they engage in a steamy affair. Zac previously spoke to People about the role, telling the publication, 'I was still a bit apprehensive but reuniting with Nicole is always so great and as talented as she as an actress, she is equally kind, caring and wonderful to spend time with.' Describing their sizzling on-screen chemistry, he said it was 'seamless, natural and fun'. Speaking at the premiere, he added that A Family Affair tells 'a really beautiful story.' 'Romcoms are incredibly special, I think, when they're about something real,' he told Access Hollywood. 'And I think all of these characters are just experiencing love in a lot of different ways. They took to the red carpet at the movie's premiere earlier in the evening He sported a shorter and darker hairstyle for the premiere and showcased his rugged side with his facial hair Joey, 24, wore an ethereal sheer ensemble with a black tulle crop top adorned with roses and a matching midi skirt In their upcoming movie, the story follows Joey, who plays a young woman named Zara Ford working for movie star Chris Cole (Zac). Their dynamic changes when he strikes up a romance with her mother Brooke Harwood, who is played by Nicole She rocked a smoky copper eye with full, wispy lashes as well as a shimmering, rosy blush and a glossy pink lip 'They're at different points in their life and somehow Nicole and I's characters are right for each other, and I think it's a really beautiful story,' he continued. Joey also shared what it was like watching the chemistry between her co-stars during production. 'They're both just so game for anything and so commited,' she explained. 'They're both incredibly professional actors, who are just amazing at what they do, and they actually enjoy each other in real life,' the actress continued. 'They love to laugh together,' she added. 'Zac's hilarious and Nicole is so funny. They mesh really well. We all did.' The premiere comes shortly after Zac spoke about doing steamy sex scenes in the movie with Nicole and said it was 'seamless, natural and fun.' Zac said it felt 'very easy' with Nicole compared to some of his previous experiences in the past. For the premiere, she styled her blonde hair in bouncy curls and swept them to the side for an effortlessly chic look The three protagonists also joined their co-stars Liza Koshy and Sherry Cola for a cast group phot In their upcoming movie, the story follows King, who plays a young woman named Zara Ford working for movie star Chris Cole (Efron). Their dynamic changes when he strikes up a romance with her mother Brooke Harwood, who is played by Kidman According to the logline, the story follows a 'surprising' romance, which 'kicks off comic consequences for a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as they face the complications of love, sex and identity' A Family Affair will premiere on Netflix on June 28 'I've been in scenes like that before where it doesn't go that easily,' he admitted. 'You're kinda figuring each other out. Nicole also noted that their chemistry was seamless and filming sex scenes together were easy as they are close pals in real life. 'We also just have a friendship,' she said. 'So we're able to talk.' Zac also added: 'There's a lot of hysterical laughing that's cut out. We laugh a lot. Like we're having a blast It's always fun figuring out the physical aspects, like we kinda dance into that room. It was fun, it was like putting together a musical.' A Family Affair will premiere on Netflix on June 28. Hugh Jackman put on an animated display as he filmed his upcoming project Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie in Oxford on Thursday. The actor, 55, is playing an Irish shepherd named George in the comedy flick which also stars Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon and Hong Chau. In the film, George raises his sheep for their wool and every night, reads a murder mystery aloud, pretending the sheep can understand. Not only can the sheep understand him, but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit. When George is found dead under strange circumstances, the sheep are sure it was murder and vow to use their new found mystery skills to solve the crime. Hugh Jackman put on an animated display as he filmed his upcoming project Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie in Oxford on Thursday The actor, 55, is playing an Irish shepherd named George in the comedy flick which also stars Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon and Hong Chau During filming, Hugh sported a blue denim shirt which he wore along with a white top and a pair of tan trousers During filming, Hugh sported a blue denim shirt which he wore along with a white top and a pair of tan trousers. The X-Men star also wore a brown belt and a dark green cap as he filmed an outdoor scene in a field. Hugh pulled a dramatic facial expression as he aimed a hose during the scene while several crew members could be seen nearby. The crew were also seen carrying sheep props while an ambulance was parked nearby. In between takes, Hugh was seen removing his shirt and heading to his trailer to take a break. The film, written by Craig Mazin, is based on author Leonie Swann's 2005 novel of the same name. Hugh will be back on the big screen soon in his new film Deadpool & Wolverine which is released on July 26. The actor is once again reprising his best known role as the mutant Wolverine with Ryan Reynolds returning to play Deadpool. Hugh pulled a dramatic facial expression as he aimed a hose during the scene while several crew members could be seen nearby The X-Men star also wore a brown belt and a dark green cap as he filmed an outdoor scene in a field In between takes, Hugh was seen removing his shirt and heading to his trailer to take a break In the film, George raises his sheep for their wool and every night, reads a murder mystery aloud, pretending the sheep can understand Not only can the sheep understand him, but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit When George is found dead under strange circumstances, the sheep are sure it was murder and vow to use their new found mystery skills to solve the crime The crew were also seen carrying sheep props while an ambulance was parked nearby 'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a statement to People. Hugh recently said that as age catches up to him, training to transform himself into the buff big screen beast is tougher than ever. 'The hardest bit [was] the food,' the Free Guy actor told People magazine this week. 'I have to eat a lot. For me, for my body type, I'm naturally skinny. To get the size on, that's the hardest bit. That's the bit that does my head in.' He added: 'My body was a little sore at the beginning, but I was thrilled that my body was still responding. And I realised how good it is for your brain.' It comes after Hugh announced his shock split from his Deborra-Lee in September last year after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated 'to pursue our individual growth'. He shares two adopted children - son Oscar, 24, and daughter Ava, 18, - with his former wife. Hugh will be back on the big screen soon in his new film Deadpool & Wolverine which is released on July 26 It comes after Hugh announced his shock split from his Deborra-Lee in September last year after 27 years of marriage 'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a statement to People. 'Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth. 'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.' The couple had tied the knot in 1996 after crossing paths on set of Correlli in 1995. An insider previously told ET that there 'is no animosity' between the exes. Natalie Barr has revealed that she has been too busy to take care of her health. The Sunrise host has decided to take charge of her life and has set up a workout station inside her home to keep up with her exercise regime. The 56-year-old has installed a reformer Pilates bed from the Your Reformer brand inside her house so she can get sweaty any time she likes. 'This year hasn't quite gone to plan. (Exercise wise). I've been constantly booking classes and then having to cancel because of work/life' she wrote on Instagram. 'So I've brought the plan to me. A Pilates reformer in my house! I'm starting slow' Natalie added. Natalie Barr (pictured) has revealed that she has been too busy to take care of her health. The Sunrise host has decided to take charge of her life and has set up a workout station inside her home to keep up with her exercise regime She explained that she is renting the machine for $39, while the website for the brand additionally explains you can purchase one of the beds for $2,995. A video alongside her post showed the television star workout on the machine, makeup free and truly getting her sweat on. It comes after Natalie revealed which clothes her stylists 'avoid' dressing her in while hosting the Channel Seven breakfast show, including anything 'shiny, bulky, with thin stripes or checks'. Revealing her fashion secrets to The Daily Telegraph, she said: 'Whenever I wear florals people say I look like my grandmother's couch. The 56-year-old has installed a reformer Pilates bed from the Your Reformer brand inside her house so she can get sweaty any time she likes She explained that she is renting the machine for $39, while the website for the brand additionally explains you can purchase one of the beds for $2,995 'If I wear a sheer top people say I look like I've just come from a night out. We do try to stick to plain colours, but avoid shiny, bulky, thin stripes and checks.' Natalie went on to say that her colourful style on the show is worlds away from the 'black, navy and brown' outfits she chooses in 'real life'. The TV star however said she enjoys being able to showcase 'a different version' of herself on-screen. Natalie said being able to wear a range of Australian brands from brands such as Camilla and Marc, Zimmerman and Scanlan Theodore is a fun part of her job. She explained that since replacing Samantha Armytage as the host of the popular show, she's become more open-minded working with stylists who say, 'just try it on'. Bijou Phillips was seen yelling at partygoers on Thursday evening as she enjoyed a bizarre interaction with actor Cuba Gooding Jr. at an event held at New York City's Terminal 5. The 44-year-old star, who recently enjoyed a day out in the Big Apple with new boyfriend Jamie Mazur looked radiant in a plunging yellow floor-length dress as she came face-to-face with the Jerry Maguire actor and shouted: 'Let us have our moment!' Bijou, who divorced her husband Danny Masterson last year after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape, was happily posing for pictures at the alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet Pride party when Cuba, 56, made his way over to her. The father-of-three was dressed for the occasion in a multi-colored striped sequin jacket, which he teamed with a plain black T-shirt, matching pants and white Adidas sneakers. Cuba threw his arms out as Bijou shared her delight at bumping into him on the red carpet and told onlookers twice: 'Let us have our moment!' before pulling him in for a long, drawn out hug. Bijou Phillips was seen yelling at partygoers on Thursday evening as she enjoyed a bizarre interaction with actor Cuba Gooding Jr. at a party in New York City The 44-year-old looked delighted to see the Jerry Maguire actor and gave him a long, drawn out hug Bijou kept her hands placed on Cuba's shoulders as the duo engaged in an intimate conversation The mother-of-one squeezed Cuba tight as he whispered something in her ear and stroked her back, and when she finally let him go, she kept her hands on his shoulders as they enjoyed an intimate conversation. The pair then spent a significant amount of time posing for photographers together at the party, which featured a very special performance by Paris Hilton. It seems Bijou and Cuba have known each other for many, many years and were pictured together at a party in Los Angeles in October 2005 alongside Caroline D'Amore. In June 2023, Cuba avoided a civil rape trial after reaching a last-minute legal settlement with the woman who claimed the Oscar-winner assaulted her in a New York City hotel 10 years earlier. The news emerged just one week after Bijou's now ex-husband Danny, 48, was convicted of two of three counts of forcible rape. The That 70s Show star was sentenced to an indefinite period of 30 years to life in prison in September 2023. Shortly before his guilty verdict, Bijou penned a letter to the judge and labeled the actor a 'life-saving partner' as well as 'an amazing father' to their daughter. She also added that 'Danny has always been against drugs and helped so many friends and colleagues get sober...' Almost Famous actress Bijou looked radiant in a floaty yellow dress at the alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet Pride party Cuba and Bijou pictured together at a Los Angeles party in 2005 alongside Caroline D'Amore (right) In conclusion, Bijou wrote, 'We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.' However, just 11 days after his sentencing, Bijou filed for divorce and cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the separation while claiming they had been living apart for five years. 'Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time,' her lawyer, Peter A. Lauzon, told TMZ at the time. 'Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. 'Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.' The That '70s Show actor, who is currently imprisoned at the California Men's Colony, has since agreed for Bijou to have full custody of their daughter, Fianna. A source previously told DailyMail.com that Bijou had found Danny serving time in a maximum-security prison - that had also housed Charles Manson - 'very triggering' and 'stirred up past emotions that she is still trying to deal with.' 'She has been able to go out and also vacation which has been a stress relief to get back to a somewhat normal life, but it still hurts her inside that her life is forever changed. 'It is going to get better but also it will take forever to heal from it all. She has had a very stressful life dealing with this and what her father has been accused of,' the insider added. Bijou was married to That '70s Show actor Danny Masterson from 2011 until she filed for divorce in September 2023 Bijou publicly supported her husband during his rape trial in 2023, but filed to divorce him 11 days after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison The mother-of-one was pictured out in New York City with her new boyfriend Jamie Mazur on June 12 'It has been an emotional toll that has taken her to places of extreme stress and heartache. That is going to continue for a long time.' However, the Almost Famous actress is trying her best to move forward and has struck up a new romance with 43-year-old businessman Jamie. The new couple were spotted kissing and holding hands with him during a day out in New York City on June 12, with Bijou opting for a casual look of blue denim jeans and black loafers. According to Us Weekly, Bijou is 'very affectionate all the time' with her new man Jamie - who shares two children, Anja, 15, and Noah, 12, with his former fiancee Alessandra Ambrosio. 'Jamie is a great guy and has been there for her through this difficult time,' an insider told the publication in regards to the pair's budding romance. Lola Sheen looked relaxed as she stepped out with friends in Los Angeles on Thursday. The 19-year-old, who is the daughter of actors Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, was seen outside the upscale organic Erewhon market. The budding star had a chocolate smoothie in her hand. The model kept her look low-key wearing a white short sleeve T-shirt with a V-neck. She added a white sweater which was buttoned loosely so that it draped asymmetrically. The teen wore faded jeans and sneakers. This sighting comes after it was announced she will be starring on a new show with her movie star mother and her OnlyFans star sister Sami Sheen. Lola Sheen, 19, looked relaxed in jeans, a white T-shirt, sweater and sneakers as she joined some friends Thursday at the Erewhon market in Los Angeles Lola's light blonde hair was styled straight and she appeared to be wearing little makeup. Sheen accessorized with a gold cross necklace. Her friends looked equally comfortable, with her female friend wearing a gray crop top, low waist jeans and black sneakers. The male companion wore a black T-shirt, dark jeans and black Converse sneakers. Sheen, her sister Sami, 20, mom Denise Richards, 53, and step-father Aaron Phypers, 51, will all be teaming up for a reality show that is all in the family. On June 10, E! announced it would be producing content currently titled Denise Richards and the Wild Things. Richards, her ex, Charlie Sheen, 58, and their two daughters starred in the reality series Denise Richards: It's Complicated which ran on the network from 2008 to 2009. 'My family and I are thrilled to return home to E!,' Richards said in a statement released by E!. 'Sami and Lola were just three and four years old when we first shared our story and now we've come full circle.' 'I loved doing that show,' The Bold and the Beautiful veteran said. 'This is the perfect partnership for our family's series as our lives are full of fun, love and unpredictability, and we can't wait for the audience to share this adventure with us.' The teen is the younger daughter of actors Charlie Sheen, 58, and Denise Richards, 53 Lola Sheen, along with sister Sami, 20 and mom Denise Richards, 53, have signed to star in the upcoming reality show currently titled Denise Richards and the Wild Things (pictured in Los Angeles in March 2012 with Richards holding younger sister Eloise) It's unclear if her daughter Eloise, 12, will be part of the production. The show will have a lot of material on which to focus. Richards has several movies and television series that are in various stages of production. Both she and daughter Sami, provide content on the subscription platform Only Fans. Denise Richards and the Wild Things is expected to debut sometime in 2025. This comes after Lola turned 19-years-old in early June. The blonde turned to Instagram to share her photos from the big celebration. Lola had on a pale pink sequined mini dress with her long hair down as she added strappy silver high heels. Lola, a devout Christian and hospitality worker, had her pink-hued makeup done beautifully. 'So much love for 19,' wrote the budding celebrity in her Instagram caption as she was seen at a restaurant with friends. Lola turned 19-years-old earlier this month Charlie and Denise were married from 2002 to 2006. He went on to marry Brooke Mueller two years later in 2008. He and the former Extra correspondent divorced in 2011. Sami's rising OnlyFans career has made headlines since she launched her page after her 18th birthday in 2022. Sami's X-rated career move even has the support of their Playboy model mom Denise, who has gone on to make an OnlyFans account of her own. Meanwhile, Lola has a much more conservative life. The wholesome teenager is a devout Christian who uses her Instagram page to share bible quotes instead of sexy selfies. Unlike Sami, who is raking in six figures stripping on OnlyFans, Lola works a regular job in a restaurant. She seems to have little interest in the spotlight, and admits that she's never even watched Denise on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Lola had on a pale pink sequined mini dress with her long hair down as she added silver strappy high heels 'I haven't seen a single episode,' she told the Do I Know You? podcast last year. 'I've always wanted to look at things that are more talking about positive things and not a lot of drama.' Lola's Instagram bio features the bible chapter and verse Exodus 14:14, which reads, 'The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.' She also shares Christian quotes to her Instagram Stories - and noticeably posted two cryptic messages after news broke that sister Sami had launched her first 'boy/girl collab' on OnlyFans. One quote read, 'May the love of Christ be so evident in your life that other would see Him when they cross your path.' It's unclear if Sami and Lola's drastically different lifestyles have affected their sisterly bond. 'So much love for 19,' wrote the budding celebrity in her Instagram caption as she was seen at a restaurant with friends Her older sister is Sami Sheen, 20, who is a big hit on the X-rated OnlyFans pay site which has allowed her to buy her own house and car The paired were pictured together in Los Angeles last July and were smiling and laughing as they strolled around the city. However, it now appears that neither sister is following the other on Instagram anymore. The soft-spoken hospitality worker is lightyears away from her outrageous parents - especially her dad Charlie, who is one of Hollywood's most notorious figures. The Two and a Half Men star has caused controversies for decades, including numerous stints in rehab, multiple public meltdowns, three failed marriages, and a few run-ins with the law. While mom Denise seems to be a saint compared to her ex-husband, she's still been involved in her fair share of scandalous moments. There's no doubt that the saucy Sami takes after her wild parents, but her younger sister Lola is much more conservative Denise and Charlie seen on the red carpet together during their marriage From stripping off in Playboy and Wild Things to dating then-best friend Heather Locklear's ex-husband Richie Sambora and starring in the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Denise has certainly lived a wild life. Most recently, she shocked fans by following in daughter Sami's footsteps by joining OnlyFans. Sami joined the raunchy website just three months after her 18th birthday, and this week she released her very first 'boy/girl collab' on the site - just days after turning 20. Previews of the raunchy collaboration on OnlyFans, which she's selling for $75, show the young model simulating a sex act in the shower with her boyfriend. Denise posed for the December 2004 cover of Playboy magazine and is now an OnlyFans model herself In July 2022, the RHOBH star wrote, 'After multiple requests, I will do a photoshoot with my daughter Sami next week. We hope you enjoy the photos.' A few days later she wrote, 'Who's excited for my shoot with @SamiSheen tomorrow! I am! Also, a bit nervous. Send me some love!!! If I can get wifi I'll try and go live from there tomorrow.' Sami's dad Charlie was initially opposed to his daughter's online gig but later said to Us Weekly, 'Denise has illuminated a variety of salient points, that in my haste, I overlooked and dismissed.' He added, 'Now more than ever, its essential that Sami have a united parental front to rely upon, as she embarks on this new adventure. From this moment forward, shell have it abundantly.' However, Denise's decision to 'support' Sami's career as a self-titled 'sex worker' has been criticized by some in her close circles who fear it is 'damaging' her daughter's reputation. 'Denise is enabling her daughter to continue her OnlyFans knowing damn well that it is damaging her reputation and making her family upset,' a source exclusively told DailyMail.com. Brad Pitt's girlfriend Ines de Ramon was seen out running errands in Los Angeles amid reports her partner is '100% on board' with starting a family together. Despite his ongoing legal woes with ex-wife Angelina Jolie and his estrangement from his kids, the 60-year-old Oscar winner reportedly thinks the jewelry designer, 34, would make a 'wonderful mother' and 'nothing is off the table' for their future. As she continues to be Pitt's shoulder to lean on as he navigates the very public and painful rift between him and his six children, de Ramon looked relaxed as she went for a drive. For her laid-back outing, the New Jersey native, who was previously married to The Vampire Diaries' Paul Wesley, wore a long sleeve crop top with a plunging neckline. She styled the midriff-baring blouse with a pair of low-waisted jeans, black boots, a silver pendant necklace, aviators and a large tote bag, worn over her shoulder. Brad Pitt's girlfriend Ines de Ramon was seen out running errands in Los Angeles amid reports her partner is '100% on board' with starting a family together As she walked to her car, Pitt's live-in girlfriend carried a light pink tumblr in her left hand. While out and about, de Ramon's wavy dark brown locks cascaded softly down her back and shoulders. Earlier this week, a source told DailyMail.com that Pitt's estrangement with his six kids has only strengthened their relationship. 'It's devastating for Brad that he basically had no relationship with his kids, but Ines has been a real source of comfort and it's actually brought them closer together,' the friend of Pitt revealed. The insider continued: 'Having more kids in his life is not out of the question. Ines is young and Brad said he's 100% on board if she wants to have kids. He loves the idea of building a life with Ines and nothing is off the table.' 'Brad said Ines would be a wonderful mother. She's patient, easy going and as a great sense of humor. 'In other words, their relationship is smooth sailing and drama free. He's in it with Ines for the long run,' the friend added. Pitt's strained relationship with his children as well as his acrimonious split from ex-wife Angelina Jolie was thrust into the spotlight again after it was revealed his daughter Shiloh filed to drop her father's last name on her 18th birthday. Despite his ongoing legal woes with ex-wife Angelina Jolie and his estrangement from his kids, the 60-year-old Oscar winner reportedly thinks the jewelry designer, 34, would make a 'wonderful mother' and 'nothing is off the table' for their future (seen in February 2024) As she continues to be Pitt's shoulder to lean on as he navigates the very public and painful rift between him and his six children, de Ramon looked relaxed as she went for a drive Last week, a source close to the Oscar winner said his erasure from his daughter's life is just another indication that he has 'lost his children,' according to People. But even as Pitt has been dogged by family drama and lingering divorce issues in recent months, his relationship with de Ramon has only intensified. The couple, who have been linked romantically since late 2022, were reported to have moved in together in February this year. And last month, the loved-up pair were snapped in a rare but intimate outing as they enjoyed a romantic morning stroll on the beach in Santa Barbara. The Hollywood heartthrob shares four daughters and two sons with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, 49. Meanwhile, Pitt's relationship with the six children he shares with ex Angelina Jolie has become increasingly fraught, with the kids dropping 'Pitt' from their names, according to People. Jolie is seen with daughters Zahara (L) and Shiloh (R) in 2021 in Rome Notably, Pitt was already in the process of legally adopting a daughter who had been a part of his life for months before he and then-partner Jolie had announced she was pregnant with Shiloh in January 2006. Jolie had traveled to Ethiopia to adopted her first daughter Zahara, 19, in July 2005, and Pitt had come with her on the trip. 'He's aware and upset that Shiloh dropped his last name,' the source claimed. 'He's never felt more joy than when she was born. He always wanted a daughter.' They added that the distance between Pitt and his six children Maddox, 22; Pax, 20; Zahara; Shiloh; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15 'pains him.' However, they noted that 'he's still happy with Ines [de Ramon],' his girlfriend. Another source described as close to Pitt told the publication that the Tree Of Life star 'still loves all of his kids tremendously.' 'This whole process has been very hard for the whole family,' they added. Pitt's strained relationship with his children as well as his acrimonious split from ex-wife Angelina Jolie was thrust into the spotlight again after it was revealed his daughter Shiloh filed to drop her father's last name on her 18th birthday (seen in 2019) If Shiloh's request is granted and there is no indication that it would not be she will subsequently go simply by 'Shiloh Jolie,' rather than her original full name, 'Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.' People previously reported that Pitt's youngest daughter Vivienne who served as her mother Angelina Jolie's assistant when she produced the Broadways musical adaptation of The Outsiders had listed her name as 'Vivienne Jolie' in the Playbill for the show. It is unclear if Vivienne has legally changed her name, but the minor would likely need either parental consent or extenuating circumstances to be allowed to do so before turning 18. Zahara previously introduced herself as 'Zahara Marley Jolie' when she joined the Mu Pi chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College late last year. Pitt and Jolie's oldest sons, Maddox and Pax, have reportedly not publicly used their father's last name in years, and both have been openly antagonistic toward him. Ellen DeGeneres looked happy as she headed into the Largo at the Coronet venue in Los Angeles on Thursday night for her final gig there. The former talk show host, 66, performed a week of shows at the intimate venue in West Hollywood to warm up for her massive 27-date North American comedy tour. She is calling it Ellen's Last Stand Up and claims the shows will be the 'last opportunity' for fans to see DeGeneres live on stage in her 'final curtain call,' People reported. Ellen looked very at ease in a pair of perfectly fitting jeans with a navy blue shirt and black jacket. Her glamorous wife, 51, was gorgeous in a pair of navy blue slacks and a white t-shirt with her short blonde hair tousled perfectly. Ellen DeGeneres looked happy as she headed into the tiny Largo at the Coronet venue in Los Angeles on Thursday night for her final gig The former talk show host, 66, performed a week of shows at the intimate venue in West Hollywood to warm up for her massive 27-date North American comedy tour Ellen did a week of shows at the iconic Largo at the Coronet to get ready for her first show in San Diego on June 19. The tour is being touted as one where Ellen will 'reintroduce her trademark wit and laughter-inducing anecdotes' to a live crowd. 'Here it is! These are the cities and dates for my final stand-up tour,' DeGeneres wrote on Instagram last month. 'Pre-sale starts tomorrow May 30th at 10am local time with code CHICKEN. Get your tickets at ellenshop.com/tour.' Several of Ellen's famous friends showed up to her gigs at The Largo including Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry. During her set, DeGeneres joked about being 'kicked out of show business' for being 'mean.' She also revealed hat although she 'hated the way the show ended,' she was happy to be back onstage and spending more time with her wife of 16 years. 'I think we need more laughter and less drama,' the Emmy winner added. She last toured in 2018 - four years before her daytime talk show ended amid a blizzard of allegations about its 'toxic' work environment. Ellen joked about her fall from grace after she was plagued with a toxic workplace scandal that tarnished her reputation as TV's favorite host. She is calling it Ellen's Last Stand Up and claims the shows will be fans 'last opportunity' to see DeGeneres live and on stage in her 'final curtain call,' People reported Ellen did a week of shows at the iconic Largo at the Coronet to get ready for her first show in San Diego on June 19th, pictured here with Portia in 2023 The tour is being touted as one where Ellen will 'reintroduce her trademark wit and laughter-inducing anecdotes' to a live crowd 'Pre-sale starts tomorrow May 30th at 10am local time with code CHICKEN. Get your tickets at ellenshop.com/tour,' she said She recalled getting 'kicked out of show business' for being 'mean,' per Rolling Stone. DeGeneres continued: 'The hate went on for a long time and I would try to avoid looking at the news. The "be kind" girl wasn't kind. That was the headline. 'There's no mean people in show business... I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps,' she continued. 'Do you know how hard it is to dance up steps? Would a mean person dance up steps? Had I ended my show by saying, "Go f*** yourself," people would've been pleasantly surprised,' the star cracked. Married At First Sight UK's Rozz Darlington has gone Instagram offical with her handsome new boyfriend following a 'traumatic' time on the E4 show. The florist, 28, posted a sweet snap alongside Jordan Morris as they made their first public appearance together at an event in Manchester. Rozz tied the knot with Thomas Kriaras in the reality experiment and the couple soon became fan favourites, before she decided to suddenly end the relationship in the final commitment ceremony. Viewers were left devastated at their break-up with Thomas later urging cruel trolls to stop targeting Rozz for her decision. Speaking about the experience she told The Sun: 'When I came off the show I was not looking for a relationship, I was just like 'God, that was traumatic' Married At First Sight UK 's Rozz Darlington has gone Instagram offical with her handsome new boyfriend Jordan Morris following a 'traumatic' time on the E4 show Rozz tied the knot with Thomas Kriaras (pictured together on the show) in the reality experiment and the couple soon became fan favourites, before she decided to suddenly end the relationship in the final commitment ceremony Speaking about the experience she said: 'When I came off the show I was not looking for a relationship, I was just like 'God, that was traumatic' Rozz said that she and Jordan met through a friend and despite exchanging flirty messages was worried he'd have the wrong perception of her. 'I knew he'd watched the show and, at the end, obviously I got so much hate for my decision and I feel like that affected my confidence'. She went on to admit that her experience on the series left her with a negative opinion of herself and sent her imagination sky rocketing. 'And even though he's meeting up with me for a date it's like 'does he actually like me? Does he think I'm a nasty person?' Is he basing me off the edit?; And it's mad how like your brain like goes wild.' Last year following the backlash Rozz told new! magazine: 'I had to get a new phone number because it was linked to my business and people were texting my phone with hate. 'I am understanding, but part of my personality is that when people say things, I believe them, so then I start thinking, "I am a horrible person", it gets to you.' Rozz revealed she started going to therapy amid her struggles with the trolling, and also admitted she felt very 'vulnerable, scared and upset' on the show. Reflecting on their break-up, Thomas, also told how they struggled in the real world and with meeting each other's families, leading Rozz to have doubts. Rozz said that she and Jordan met through a friend and despite exchanging flirty messages was worried he'd have the wrong perception of her after watching her on TV Saying: 'I knew he'd watched the show and, at the end, obviously I got so much hate for my decision and I feel like that affected my confidence' (pictured on the show with Thomas) Rozz (pictured with Thomas) has previously spoken about how the trolling affected her mental health and revealed she even had to change her phone number due to 'hate' messages Viewers were left devastated at their break-up with Thomas later urging cruel trolls to stop targeting Rozz for her decision He told how Rozz found returning to her own home with Thomas difficult because it was the house she shared with her ex-boyfriend. Thomas said: 'For Rozz, when we got to her house, it all just hit her, her ex-partner's mail was in the house, it was the first time a man had ever been in that bed with her other than her ex.' Thomas admitted it felt like the 'haunting' of her past relationship and insisted he understood how she was feeling as he insisted they are now on good terms. Despite her struggles, Rozz admitted she wouldn't change going on the E4 show as she gushed over meeting Thomas, while they insisted they will remain a part of each other's lives despite their break-up. Joy Behar joked The View panel was feeling 'horny' on Friday as she and her cohosts discussed the racy six-minute sex scene between Bridgerton characters Colin and Penelope in season three of the hit Netflix show. Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin made no secret of the fact that they have thoroughly enjoyed watching the latest episodes of series, with Sara, 46, even hinting at her own sex life and teasing: 'My husband knows when I'm watching Bridgerton.' The mother-of-three admitted: 'Those scenes... the sensual nature in how the build-up is, it takes me places just watching! I can't be alone!' as comedian Joy, 81, blurted out: 'This is one horny panel!' 'I watched it. It's magical,' Sunny, 55, then commented before referring to the executive producer of Bridgerton and saying: 'Shonda Rhimes was very clear in that she wanted to make sure that this came from a female gaze, and we haven't seen a lot of that.' 'I haven't stopped gazing!' Sara butted in as Joy joked: 'I could never do a six-minute sex scene! First of all, shouting "get off of me" only takes four seconds!' as she revealed Bridgerton fans have been left divided over how long the scene takes to play out. Joy Behar branded The View panel 'horny' during Friday's show as she discussed Bridgerton with her cohosts including Sara Haines (right) The hosts were praising the six-minute sex scene between characters Colin and Penelope, which plays out in season three 'Is six minutes a long time?' Sunny asked, as Joy replied: 'I think so,' before quickly adding: 'To watch it, maybe. Not to do it, to watch it!' as Ana Navarro chimed in and said: 'And who exactly is divided about this? Who is against a six-minute sex scene? There's no division mama!' 'But, you know, you could leave a little to the imagination?' Joy argued, as Ana, 52, fired back: 'Why?' 'Well, remember in the old days, they'd be on the beach making out and then the waves were crashing, you knew what they were doing. But now they have to see the exact thing!' Joy explained. Ana then revealed that she met actress Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, on a flight recently and said: 'She was going down to Brazil to promote the show, I was going down to Miami. And I'm now having a really hard time seeing her naked because she is so sweet, and nice, and little, and gracious....' A rather excited Sara then joked: 'But even the sweet, nice ones can get naked,' as Alyssa Farah Griffin claimed: 'This is literally what we tune into Bridgerton for, you want the steamy, romantic sex scenes,' as Sunny added: 'From a female gaze!' as Sara joked: 'I haven't stopped gazing!' Referring to Nicola, 37, Sunny then said: 'What I like about that particular actress is that she's like Romanesque, she's not your skinny, skinny mini, and so some people came out against her and said, "that was a lot of boobs to see," and she said something that I loved. 'She said, "you don't get to see perfect breasts often," and I was like, " go ahead,"' Sunny added as the live studio audience applauded her. 'I also like that for a scene that long you need the actors to be bought into it, and she said in an interview that she felt like it was so empowering and she felt sexy in those moments, and that comes through in watching it,' Alyssa commented. Sara appeared to reference her own sex life during the chat while Ana Navarro (right) admitted that she hasn't watched the new episodes of Bridgerton yet Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin were both full of praise for the popular Netflix show Actors Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton both stripped naked for the raunchy scenes Joy agreed and said: 'I think it's good. It enhances marriages because you're sick of each other after a while and this gets you going again!' as Sara blurted out: 'Oh it's so true! It rewards everyone!' The conversation then took an even racier turn as Joy asked: 'Did you ever watch a porn flick? It's written by men, they're like gynecological tapes! You know, there's no foreplay, there's no run up...' Alyssa, 35, then said: 'Yeah, but they're trying to have more female directors, Stormy Daniels is now directing...' as Joy added: 'The foreplay is the most fun anyway and then finish it up at the end of the movie!' Gushing about Bridgerton again, Sunny commented: 'These are very, very sexy. They're beautifully shot and the clothing is beautiful, and the words are beautiful, and it's the British accents... I could watch it forever.' Their comments come after Nicola and costar Luke Newton, who plays Colin, revealed that they broke the chaise lounge they were on during the explicit six-minute sex scene. On Thursday, the Irish actress took to Instagram and shared a photo of her and Luke giving the camera a thumbs up as they posed with the damaged chaise lounge. Tommy Lee Jones, 77, and his wife Dawn Laurel-Jones, 60, were spotted on a rare night out with his children Austin Jones, 41, and Victoria Jones, 32. The family was photographed leaving Matsuhisa restaurant in New York City and looked like they were sharing a laugh. Jones who stars with Jenna Ortega in the film Finestkind was dressed casually for the family dinner in a collared shirt under a v-neck sweater with khakis. The Fugitive actor met his wife in 1995 on the set of The Good Old Boys and married in 2001. Jones shares his children with his second wife Kimberlea Cloughley, who he was married to from 1981 to 1996. Tommy Lee Jones and his wife Dawn Laurel-Jones were spotted on a rare night out in NYC on Thursday Tommy was also with his children Austin Jones, 41, and Victoria Jones, 32 The Men In Black actor was also married to Kate Lardner from 1971 to 1978. Jones and Dawn live on their 150-year-old Texas cattle ranch, and also spend time at their 74-acre polo estate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Jones has remained active in his career as he nears age 80. He is a four-time Academy Award nominee and has been seen in recent years in films such as 2020's The Comeback Trail with Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman; 2019's Ad Astra alongside Brad Pitt and 2020's Wander with Aaron Eckhart. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard in The Fugitive in 1993. Late last year, Jones had a moment of confusion at the premiere of Finestkind premiere when he encountered his co-star Jenna Ortega on the red carpet and asked her if they had any scenes together. Ortega responded: 'Yes, we have one' and explained what the scene was. Jones then asked: 'Have you seen the film?' with Ortega shaking her head before the pair burst out laughing. Fans quickly flocked to social media to joke about the moment, with one quipping: 'Agent K had his mind erased' in honor of his iconic MIB character. The family was photographed leaving Matsuhisa restaurant in New York City and looked like they were sharing a laugh Jones was dressed casually for the family dinner in a collared shirt under a v-neck sweater with khakis Jones has been nominated for four Academy Awards and won once in 1993 for Best Supporting Actor in The Fugitive Tommy Lee Jones and Dawn Laurel-Jones met on the set of a film in 1995 and have been married since 2001, pictured here in 2019 Another wrote: 'They used the memory eraser on him.' A third typed: 'I mean sounds like it was one scene and she had to explain it...so maybe they didn't really interact? He gets a pass.' The crime thriller's storyline centers on a pair of brothers from different backgrounds who are brought together and have to work out a deal with an organized crime syndicate, with a young woman caught in the center of the issues. Finestkind is available to stream on Paramount+. Kate Garraway fought back tears as she comforted Barnaby Webber's mother during Friday's Good Morning Britain. Emma Webber appeared on the programme after marking the first anniversary of her son's death by visiting the street on which he was killed. 19-year-old university student, Barnaby, was the first victim of Valdo Calocane who had been laying in wait down a dark alley before he attacked the young man. The paranoid schizophrenic, 32, then stabbed his friend Grace O'Malley Kumar, 19, to death as she bravely came to Barnaby's defence. A year after the tragic loss of her son, Emma wiped away tears as she reflected on Thursday's poignant vigil that saw the street lined with university students. Kate also became emotional and tried to comfort Emma during the raw interview with a hug. Kate Garraway fought back tears as she comforted Barnaby Webber's mother during Friday's Good Morning Britain A year after the tragic loss of her son, Emma wiped away tears as she reflected on Thursday's poignant vigil that saw the street lined with university students Barnaby (pictured) was stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane on June 13 last year in the early hours of the morning Co-host Robert Rinder then described Barnaby's death as 'every parent's worst nightmare.' Emma then said: 'You say it's every parents worst nightmare, which it is, but Sinead O'Malley-Kumar says it's every parent's worst reality, and it is, no one can imagine until you're in..' She continued: 'I still don't really believe it.' Emma revealed her heart-breaking fears for the precious final text exchanges with her beloved son as phone theft runs rampant in Britain. Calocane, who murdered Barnaby and Grace, also stabbed 65-year-old father and school caretaker - Ian Coates - and then stole his van, using it to run over three pedestrians, who survived. Since the incident, Calocane has been given an indefinite hospital order for the manslaughter of the three in Nottingham on June 13 last year. A year after the tragic loss of her son, Emma shared fears of losing her phone - which contains their precious final exchange - due to the worrying rise in phone theft rates. Recently, one incident saw a woman's mobile was snatched by a thief on an e-bike whilst she strolled down a road in Marylebone. The Metropolitan and City of London police forces have said they are tackling the crime spree head-on by running a targeted operation. The operation was started due to the rise authorities saw in phone snatching in 2022, which carried on into last and this year. However Britain's phone theft epidemic has raised fears for grief-stricken mother, Emma. Co-host Robert Rinder then described Barnaby's death as 'every parent's worst nightmare.' Emma also shared her fears for her final text messages with her son amidst Britain's phone epidemic His mother, Emma, fears losing the phone with the precious text exchange confessing she still sometimes doesn't believe her son is gone 'I just thought you could take anything but I couldn't lose that because it's that precious,' she heartbreakingly shared about the messages with her eldest son 'I was watching the news last week when there was talk about mobile phone crime and the swiping of phones,' she told Good Morning Britain. 'I just thought you could take anything but I couldn't lose that because it's that precious.' The devastated mother last looked at their final exchange on Barnaby's birthday on January 11, confessing she sometimes still doesn't 'really believe' her son has died. 'I haven't looked at it. I think the last time I looked at that text was the 11th of January, which is his birthday and I haven't since,' she said. 'It's unfathomable you said it's every parent's worst nightmare which it is. Sinead O'Malley Kumar [Grace's mother] says its every parents worst reality. 'And it is - no one can imagine. Sometimes I still don't really believe it.' The final text she received from Barnaby was a series of eye-roll emoji's alongside 'yes, yes' as his mother told him to get a job for the Summer break. Nonetheless, what was initially a 'flippant momentary thing' has become a treasured and guarded memory for the grieving mother, who always keeps them on her phone. This comes shortly after the families of the three Nottingham attack victims came together to remember them a year after their murder. On Thursday, hundreds of friends and fellow students joined Grace's parents - Dr Sanjoy Kumar and Dr Sinead O'Malley, as well as her brother, James - and Barnaby's dad and brother, David and Charlie Webber, to visit the scene on Ilkeston Road, Nottingham. Grace O'Malley Kumar (left) was killed by Calocane as she tried to save Barnaby's life. Calocane then stabbed Ian Coates (right) before stealing his car and mowed down three others The families of the three Nottingham attack victims came together to remember the trio (pictured: Dr Sinead O'Malley, mother of Grace O'Malley Kumar, placed a single stem rose on the pavement in her daughter's memory) Lee Coates, the son of Ian Coates, hugs Barnaby's mother Emma during the emotional vigil on Thursday It was on that road that Calocane, 32, killed the three victims. Lee Coates, the son of Ian, was also in attendance for the emotional remembrance event and embraced Barnaby's mother Emma Webber as the family member's gave speeches and held a two minute silence for the three victims at the University of Nottingham campus. Many wept as they left floral tributes to the victims, with members of Grace's family placing bunches of roses on the pavement in her memory. In a joint statement read out during the service, the victims' relatives said they would take time to remember 'the souls of the three vibrant, caring, hard-working and much loved family members who are no longer here'. Strictly Come Dancing star Ugo Monye has revealed he attended his father's funeral just hours before his first live performance on the BBC show. The rugby star, 41, who appeared on the show in 2021, dedicated his first dance to his father, Theophilus, who died of prostate cancer three weeks before the dancing competition began. Despite his father's serious illness, Ugo was kept in the dark by caregivers in Nigeria to spare the family added stress during the pandemic. He told The Sun: 'They didn't pass it on through fear and worry. It's amazing what decisions people make to keep others at ease.' Hearing the devastating news late, meant that Uno didn't get the chance to say goodbye to his father before his death. Strictly Come Dancing star Ugo Monye has revealed he attended his father's funeral just hours before his first live performance on the BBC show Despite his father's serious illness, Ugo was kept in the dark by hospital workers to spare the family added stress during the pandemic (pictured as a baby with his father Theophilus) Reflecting on the tragic passing, Uno explained how he found out his father had died when one of his brother's called him whilst he was out celebrating a friend's book launch. The father-of-two began training for Strictly shortly after hearing the shocking news, then took part in his first dance, just hours after watching the funeral on Zoom, due to the travel restrictions to Nigeria. Describing Strictly as a 'distraction' and a 'release', Ugo admitted he had no idea how he got through the night. During his emotional Strictly performance, the rugby pundit danced a Samba to 'Iko Iko (My Bestie)' by Justin Wellington ft. Small Jam with professional dance partner Oti Mabuse. At the time he told viewers: 'So my dad passed away a couple of weeks ago, prostate cancer, and we had his funeral this morning. 'During the funeral, they spoke about today being a day of celebration - and that's exactly how today feels. 'So there's no better way of celebrating him by dancing. Tonight feels really special.' After the performance, the judges praised Ugo's performance, and fans admired his courage and labelled him 'brave'. The star who was paired with professional dancer Oti Mabuse, dedicated his first dance to his father, Theophilus, who died of prostate cancer three weeks before the competition began Ugo revealed how he watched his father's funeral on Zoom just a couple of hours before his first live show, but that dancing for him was a 'celebration' Since his father's passing, Ugo has expressed frustration that prostate cancer is highly treatable. 'There is a cocktail of emotions,' he told The Sun. 'Any loss is sad, but knowing it might have been preventable lingers.' Ahead of Father's Day on Sunday, Ugo has emphasised the importance of regular health check-ups, noting that black men are twice as likely to develop the awful disease. He has launched the 'Know Your Roots' campaign with GenesisCare to encourage families to share their medical histories to help catch an early diagnosis of the disease. Research shows that most men are unaware of their parents' cancer history, highlighting the need for better communication and awareness. The rugby star added that he discusses the cancer risks and preventions with his two brothers and wants his daughters, Phoenix and Ruby, to also be informed about their family's medical history. Shirley Ballas put on a cosy display with her toyboy fiance Danny Taylor as they headed into Lisbon during their sunny getaway. The pair, who are on a Mediterranean cruise, were all smiles as they headed off for a guided tour around Lisbon in a colourful Tuk Tuk. The Strictly judge - who had been hit with speculations that her romance had hit the rocks - looked incredible as she flaunted her toned legs in a pair of white shorts, which she paired with a white linen shirt. Shirley, 63, wore some stylish trainers for the outing as she and Danny, 50, headed into the Portuguese city. She wore a soft palette of makeup and finished her look with a bright pink cardigan. Shirley Ballas, 63, put on a cosy display with her toyboy fiance Danny Taylor, 50 as they headed into Lisbon during their sunny getaway The Strictly judge looked incredible as she flaunted her toned legs in a pair of white shorts, which she paired with a white linen shirt Shirley flashed a peace sign as she walked alongside Danny, who looked dapper in black shorts and a white shirt. Strictly's head judge has been keeping fans updated on the couple's holiday sharing pictures of their trip, which has included visiting Spain, Tenerife and Portugal. In one of the pictures, the duo - who have no plans to marry - can be seen posing infront of a stunning backdrop and enjoying some tomahawk steak. Another post sees a video of Danny cheerfully singing along to karaoke. The heartfelt come after Shirley has came under fire from Strictly fans for not addressing Giovanni Pernice's exit from the show. Earlier in the year, she defended the professional dancer, 33, when she appeared on ITV's Lorraine. She called the Italian pro an 'absolute gentleman' amid his feud with his former partner on the series Amanda Abbington. Amanda has claimed the show left her with PTSD and has reportedly demanded footage of the pairs rehearsals together. The pair, who are on a Mediterranean cruise, were all smiles as they headed off for a guided tour around Lisbon in a colourful Tuk Tuk with other passengers from the ship The TV personality has been keeping fans updated on the couple's holiday sharing pictures of their trip, which has included visiting Spain, Tenerife and Portugal. One of the pictures shows Shirley enjoying some tomahawk steak as she and Danny share a date night together onboard the cruise ship Shirley and her toyboy Danny have been together for six years after meeting at a Pantomime and have so far visited Spain, Tenerife and Portugal on their cruise The Sherlock actress, 51, is said to have sought legal advice over the dancer's alleged behaviour towards her and believes video footage could 'back up' her claims. Speaking on Lorraine, Shirley said in response to the bombshell revelations: 'I've known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher. 'My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100%. 'Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It's quite difficult to do the show.' Since speaking on the daytime show, Shirley has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing BBC investigation. The holiday pictures come after Shirley came under fire by some Strictly fans for not addressing Giovanni Pernice 's exit from the show At the beginning of June she posted a carousel of pictures of her time on the dancing show and captioned it: 'Feeling very grateful to be returning for my 8th series as Head Judge on @bbcstrictly I cannot wait to be back behind the desk with my fellow judges @motsimabuse @craigrevel @mrantondubeke ' 8 series later and I still get all excited when Strictly season comes around. Im blessed each year when Im asked back. Its a real honour to be part of a show that brings joy to so many families across those dark nights. 'Are you all looking forward to the new series ? Who would you like to see put on their dancing shoes ? Ahhh itll sure be very exciting and full of surprises as we celebrate 20 years of the best show on TV. Hold onto your hats'. Bridgerton's Simone Ashley looked regal at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Friday - a day after the period drama dropped its raciest episodes yet. Simone, 29, who found fame on Sex Education, also on Netflix, looked flawless in a figure-hugging dark red gown, intricately designed with leaves which appeared submerged. She then shared a sweet kiss of greeting with Albert II, Prince of Monaco, on stage at the Opening Ceremony. The monarch was there to present Ashley with the International Golden Nymph award for Most Promising Talent at the 63rd annual festival. Prince Albert, 66, the eldest son of the late Grace Kelly, wore a black suit with a white shirt and a patterned blue tie. Bridgerton's Simone Ashley, 29, looked regal at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Friday - a day after the period drama dropped its raciest episodes yet Simone who found fame on Sex Education, also on Netflix , looked flawless in a dark red gown intricately designed with leaves which appeared submerged She then shared a sweet kiss of greeting with Albert II, Prince of Monaco, 66, on stage at the Opening Ceremony Albert warmly shook hands with Morgan Freeman, 87, who looked suave in black sunglasses and a black suit. Kelly Rutherford, 55, flashed some skin in a low-hanging sleeveless loose black dress and accessorised with long dangly silver earrings. Bridgerton series three Part 2 dropped on Netflix on Thursday and picked up right where fans left Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). Kate Bridgerton (Simone) and her husband Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), who led series two, featured frequently. Though Part 2 featured a six-minute sex scene, some fans were still left unimpressed. Fans were cast back to the very first series when Nicola, 37, stripped fully nude in front of her soon-to-be husband. But they will be left disappointed as they watch on and discover that there's not much more to come. And while Variety's Aramide Timudu called the scene of the 'sexiest things seen on television since Bridgerton series one', the Evening Standard's Vicky Jessop felt the highly anticipated regency romp left a little to be desired. The monarch was there to present Ashley with the International Golden Nymph award for Most Promising Talent at the 63rd annual festival Prince Albert, the eldest son of the late Grace Kelly, wore a black suit with a white shirt and a patterned blue tie Albert warmly shook hands with Morgan Freeman who looked suave in black sunglasses and a black suit The men shared a hearty laugh together and Morgan looked down as Albert put a supportive hand on his back The Academy Award winner, 87, attended with a female guest who also wore black offset it with a black and white sheer cardigan Morgan wore a tan-coloured compression glove which has become a permanent fixture in recent years His left hand is paralysed, following 2008 car crash, and he suffers from painful nerve damage which the glove helps alleviate Victoria Silvstedt look phenomenal in a semi-sheer lace-detailed red gown paired with silver accessories Amethyst Davis looked lovely in a deep purple gown with lots of thrills and she, too, accessorised with silver Princess Camilla de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles put on a flirty display in a one-shoulder sequinned black top and wide-legged pink trousers Princess Maria Carolina de Bourbon des Deux Siciles skipped forward in a gorgeous green floral dress She accesorised with silver strappy heeled sandals and a gorgeous heart shaped solid silver purse Kelly Rutherford flashed some skin in a low-hanging sleeveless loose black dress and accessorised with long dangly silver earrings (L-R) Myriam Gharbi De Vasselot, Simon Ehrlacher, Kelly, Marysole Fertard, Charlotte Toledano-Detaille, and Nadia Roz at the opening ceremony Despite the fact Part 2 of Simone's series Bridgerton featured a six-minute sex scene between Nicola Coughlan (pictured) and Luke Newton, some fans and critics were left unimpressed 'Steamy this is not,' she said. 'Watching it feels like seeing two teenagers fumbling their way through an awkward clinch.' Critics' opinions on part two were largely restricted to episode five and six, as Netflix guarded the final two for its main drop on Thursday. Vicky gave part two a damning two-star review, as she asked: 'Is Bridgerton losing its touch?' Interview with the Vampire director Neil Jordan has addressed the backlash over his casting of Tom Cruise over Daniel Day Lewis in the 1994 movie. Cruise, 61, memorably played antihero Lestat de Lioncourt - who turned Louis (Brad Pitt) into a vampire in the film adaptation of Anne Rice's novel - but at the time - there was uproar over the decision to cast the Top Gun star over Day Lewis, 62. Director Neil Jordan, 74, details allegations he 'miscast' Cruise in his new memoir, writing in an excerpt per The Telegraph: 'Brad Pitt had agreed to play Louis and somehow assumed Daniel Day-Lewis would be playing Lestat, an assumption shared by Anne. 'I offered it to Daniel, who read it, and, as I expected, didnt want to play the character. 'A few years before, he had confined himself to a wheelchair to play Christy Brown in My Left Foot. He would have had to sleep in a coffin for the entirety of this production if he followed the same practice. So we moved on.' Interview with the Vampire director Neil Jordan has addressed the backlash over his casting of Tom Cruise over Daniel Day Lewis in the 1994 movie - Cruise is seen as Lestat After meeting with Cruise twice at his home, Jordan said he realized the superstar had a lot in common with Lestat - writing: 'I finally got it. He had to live a life removed from the gaze of others. He had made a contract with the hidden forces, whatever they turned out to be. He had to hide in the shadows, even in the Hollywood sunlight. He would be eternally young. He was a star. He could well be Lestat. Jordan praised Cruise as a 'superb actor' but said that 'small fact got lost in the outrage' that followed - noting how even Rice herself had spoken out about her distaste for the casting - although she later apologized. Esquire said of her frustrations: 'Spurred on by her readers, Rice has embarked on a one-woman crusade to embarrass Tom Cruise; Warner Brothers, the studio bankrolling the film; and David Geffen, the film's producer... 'Rice has been cursing Cruise for butchering her script, sanitizing the sexual content to accommodate his clean-cut image, and perpetuating the worst crime in the name of casting since The Bonfire of the Vanities... 'I wanted to call David Geffen and say, How the hell could you do this?'' Tom later spoke out about his dismay over the news, saying: 'When it first hit, it really hurt my feelings, to be candid about it. You dont usually start a movie with someone not wanting you to do it'. She later issued an apology. Jordan added to The Guardian of the reaction to Cruise's casting: 'The entire world said, You are miscast. 'Hes a great actor. If he says he can do something, he will do it in a way that people will be shocked by. Tom has become the last remaining film star. Its kind of strange. Cruise, 61, memorably played antihero Lestat de Lioncourt - who turned Louis (Brad Pitt) into a vampire in the film adaptation of Anne Rice's novel - but at the time - there was uproar over the decision to cast the Top Gun star over Day Lewis, 62 Director Neil Jordan, 74, details allegations he 'miscast' Cruise in his new memoir, writing in an excerpt: ' I offered it to Daniel, who read it, and, as I expected, didnt want to play the character' (Day Lewis pictured 1990 with the Best Actor Oscar for My Left Foot) Jordan praised Cruise as a 'superb actor' but said that 'small fact got lost in the outrage' that followed - noting how even Rice herself had spoken out about her distaste for the casting (pictured with Cruise in 1994) Jordan added that Pitt was left drained by the filming schedule - with the star having just wrapped Legends of the Fall - saying: 'It simply wore him out. Brads a very active guy, that was the direction he wanted to go in. The passivity of the character got him down' Jordan added that Pitt was left drained by the filming schedule - with the star having just wrapped Legends of the Fall - saying: 'It simply wore him out. Brads a very active guy, that was the direction he wanted to go in. The passivity of the character got him down.' Pitt, then 30, debated trying to get out of filming the blockbuster, which had a budget of $60m (47m), however discovered from producer and friend David Geffen, it would cost him $40m (32m) to bow out - so he declined. Brad played Louis in the movie - a grieving plantation owner, who is transformed into s vampire for all of eternity by Cruise's Lestat. The 1994 film was Kirsten Dunst's breakthrough, she played a 10-year-old girl named Claudia who was turned into a vampire by Louis and Lestat. Kim Kardashians original celebrity pairing on the controversial Actors on Actors interview pulled out at the last minute, and now fans have been left wondering who it could have been. It has now transpired that Oscar-nominee Chloe Sevigny was a very last minute replacement, as the original choice called in sick at the last minute. The move has raised eyebrows on social media, which some suggesting that the star may have had cold feet over being paired with the reality star. 'Wow, must have been a real emergency for Kim's original partner to bail last minute,' one person wrote, while another questioned which 'actor' it was that had pulled out. Another person speculated that the mystery A-Lister, 'Likely didn't want to do an actor segment with a Kardashian.' While it is currently unclear which A-List star pulled out, there are many names floating about that it could have been. Kim Kardashian s original celebrity pairing on the controversial Actors on Actors interview pulled out at the last minute, and now fans have been left wondering who it could have been Around the same time, rival publication The Hollywood Reporter pulled together a host of major names for their Actresses round table that featured Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Jodie Foster, Sofia Vergara, Brie Larson and more. Within hours of Variety's editor-in-chief, Ramin Setoodeh, revealing that the actor that was originally paired with Kardashian called in 'sick' at the last minute, X users began to speculate who bailed on the reality star and why. One joked: 'I would've faked a hospital stay to avoid that s**t stain on my career too.' Another suggested that the decision was most likely made because 'real actors know another real actor.' 'Kim is a person who GETS ROLES given to her. Kim [has] never gone to an acting job and done an audition,' one troll fired. A third quipped: '[They] likely didn't want to do an actor segment with a Kardashian. 'Wow, must have been a real emergency for Kim's original partner to bail last minute,' a fourth sarcastically remarked. Others wrote the 'issue was including Kim at all' due to her lack of experience in the industry compared to others featured like Sevigny, who has been acting for nearly three decades and been nominated for an Oscar. While it is currently unclear which A-List star pulled out, there are many names floating about that it could have been, like some of the other stars featured in The Hollywood Reporter's Actresses round table like Jennifer Aniston Other major household names that ended up participating in Variety's rival publication include Nicole Kidman , Jodie Foster , Sofia Vergara , Brie Larson and more Other pairings for the series included, Jodie Foster and Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson, Naomi Watts and Jonathan Bailey, and Elizabeth Debicki and Emma Corrin. Setoodeh addressed the criticism while chatting with Meghan McCain on Friday's episode of her podcast, Citizen McCain. The mogul insisted that Chloe was just grateful to be there with Kim because she was not originally supposed to be a part of the shoot. He said the Zodiac star 'graciously stepped in' after an unnamed actor 'called in sick' just two days before the shoot was supposed to take place. 'I'm gonna give you a little bit of information. I'm going to break some news: Chloe Sevigny wasn't supposed to pair with Kim Kardashian,' Ramin. 'Kim Kardashian had someone else that she was supposed to pair with and that actor called in sick on a Friday night, and Kim was supposed to do this on a Sunday.' Within hours of Variety's editor-in-chief, Ramin Setoodeh, revealing that the actor that was originally paired with Kardashian called in 'sick' at the last minute, X users began to speculate who bailed on the reality star and why 'Kim is a person who GETS ROLES given to her. Kim [has] never gone to an acting job and done an audition,' one troll fired He said they turned to Chloe because she had been in the 'Ryan Murphy universe' like Kim, who starred in the most recent season of his show, American Horror Story; Chloe acted in Ryan's series Feud: Capote vs. the Swans earlier this year. 'Chloe was incredibly gracious, she stepped in at the last minute and came into this conversation with Kim,' he continued. 'But that wasn't her original acting partner.' As for who was supposed to partake in the shoot with Kim, he refused to reveal any names because he 'didn't want to draw undue attention to the person.' 'But people can guess,' he added. 'And maybe on social media, if someone guesses correctly, I'll do a little heart on their [post].' After the outlet unveiled the cover, some people wondered if Chloe was throwing some subtle shade towards Kim when she re-posted the announcement to her Instagram Stories and captioned it, 'Always nice to be included. Thank you @Variety.' After the magazine hit stands, social media was in an uproar , with some people branding the cover as 'an insult to trained, hardworking actors' like Chloe and a 'disrespect for the craft'' (Kardashian pictured in April 2024) Regarding the rumors, Ramin insisted that there was no tension between the two women on set. 'What was so funny about all the press, everyone was talking about how Chloe was trying to shade Kim, [but] she wasn't,' he said. 'She was saying she was so happy to be included. 'Chloe was really excited to talk to Kim. I was in the greenroom with her right before she went on and they really liked each other.' After the magazine hit stands, social media was in an uproar, with some people branding the cover as 'an insult to trained, hardworking actors' like Chloe and a 'disrespect for the craft.' Ramin theorized that the backlash stemmed from people 'not liking' that Kim has joined the world of acting. Kim's acting credits include PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, PAW Patrol: The Movie, Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, Drop Dead Diva, CSI: NY, Deep in the Valley, Beyond the Break, and Disaster Movie As for Chloe, she's had a successful career spanning across decades 'I think people have strong feelings about Kim Kardashian and they don't like that she's acting even though she was a star of her own show on FX, American Horror Story,' he concluded. Before American Horror Story, Kim had been acting for more than a decade - however, most of her previous roles were so quick that you might miss them if you blink. Her prior acting credits include PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, PAW Patrol: The Movie, Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, Drop Dead Diva, CSI: NY, Deep in the Valley, Beyond the Break, and Disaster Movie. She is currently gearing up to play LA's 'most successful divorce lawyer' leading 'an all-female law firm' in a new Hulu scripted legal drama penned by Brothers & Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz. As for Chloe, she's had a successful career spanning across decades. Kenya Moore has been suspended 'indefinitely' from Real Housewives of Atlanta after claims emerged she had shared adult images of her new castmate Brittany Eady. Moore was hit by allegations she shared the images of Eady at a party during filming of the reality series 16th season - but she has vehemently denied the claims. PageSix now reports Moore, 53, has been cut from the Bravo show - after first debuting in 2012. Bravo declined to comment when approached by DailyMail.com. Representatives for Moore have also been contacted for further comment. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Moore and Bravo for comment. On Friday, the publication reported Bravo cameras were rolling when Kenya 'shocked party attendees at her Kenya Moore Hair Spa Thursday night with posters of series newcomer Eady allegedly performing oral sex.' Kenya Moore has been suspended 'indefinitely' from Real Housewives of Atlanta after claims emerged she had shared adult images of her new castmate Brittany Eady (pictured 2023) Moore was hit by allegations she shared the images of Eady (pictured) at a party during filming of the reality series 16th season - but she has vehemently denied the claims Kenya also appeared to address the speculation on her Instagram Stories on Friday night, posting: 'Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. The truth always comes to light.' She later tweeted on Saturday: '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 can't talk about STORY even with people planting fake news #sweet16,' she added. Brittany seemingly reacted to the report as well, taking to her Instagram Stories on Friday to write: 'It's never a good feeling being targeted or HAZED by someone I thought would embrace me into a new circle, that I never met.' The RHOA newbie also appeared to respond to a source telling Page Six that Kenya's provocative photo display happened after Brittany allegedly made threats with a gun towards Kenya before the spa soiree. 'For the record, I've never once had possession of any weapons or threatened anyone ever,' Brittany wrote on her IG Stories post. 'I've never been to jail, in fight, or even had as much as a speeding ticket. That's not my character.' She added, 'I am hurt by the narrative that's being displayed. Wrong is wrong.' An insider close to the Bravo production denied the gun rumors, telling Page Six, 'At no time was Kenya ever threatened with a weapon, nor was there ever a weapon present during the course of production.' The reactions come as Kenya and Brittany are on their fourth week of filming the Bravo franchise, as reported by RHOA alum Cynthia Bailey, who is returning for Season 16 as an official 'friend.' '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,' the former beauty queen, 53, tweeted on Saturday Kenya also appeared to address the speculation on her Instagram Stories on Friday night, posting: 'Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. The truth always comes to light' Brittany seemingly reacted to the report as well, taking to her Instagram Stories on Friday to write: 'It's never a good feeling being targeted or HAZED by someone I thought would embrace me into a new circle, that I never met' 'We're on Week No. 3 and already, these girls are jumping right in getting their hands dirty,' Cynthia told Us Weekly on June 1. 'I think you guys are in for a treat. I think three of them bring just the right amount of new blood that we needed for season sweet 16.' She added: So, it's gonna be sweet and maybe bittersweet but I think you guys will be entertained.' Kenya joins Porsha Williams and Drew Sidora as returning RHOA vets for the latest season, while Brittany debuts withs newbies Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley. Shamea Morton Mwangi, on the other hand, earned a promotion to a full-time Housewife status following her earlier guest appearances. Meanwhile, Kandi Burress said she is looking forward to watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta's new cast. This follows her announcement of departure from the long-standing Bravo series after her 14-year tenure on the show. 'I'm excited for Shamea [Morton Mwangi], who is our friend. I'm glad it's announced so I don't have to keep secrets anymore,' Kandi shared with E! News. She emphasized, 'I'm gonna be watching because my friends are still on the show.' The RHOA newbie also appeared to respond to a source telling Page Six that Kenya's provocative photo display happened after Brittany allegedly made threats with a gun towards Kenya before the spa soiree Kenya joins Porsha Williams (pictured) and Drew Sidora as returning RHOA vets for the latest season, while Brittany debuts withs newbies Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley Kandi appeared on the Bravo series for 14 years before announcing her exit The Scrubs songwriter also dished on Porsha's return. 'I already knew she was going back before she announced it,' she revealed. 'We both had talked about our decisions, what we were thinking about doing. I was telling her I didn't know if I was going to go back.' She added, 'She was telling me how she was thinking she might go back. So we knew. I am excited for her.' Amber Portwoods fiance, Gary Wayt, has been found, five days after she reported him missing following an 'emotional' discussion between them on Sunday. The Bryson City Police Department confirmed that Wyat had 'been located' over Facebook on Friday. 'Case is closed,' the authorities wrote in the post, after noting 'no further information' was available to share 'at this time.' Neither Portwood, 34, or Wayt, 39, have publicly spoken since he was 'found.' Under the post, concerned social media users that they were 'so happy' he was found. Amber Portwoods fiance, Gary Wayt, has been found, five days after she reported him missing following an 'emotional' discussion between them on Sunday 'This is amazing news,' another commented under the Facebook post. On Tuesday morning, Wayt was spotted in Weatherford, Oklahoma, over 1,200 miles West from where he went missing Sunday night after leaving his phone at their North Carolina hotel room and going to a local Walgreens. The 39-year-old groom-to-be 'had a calm and nonchalant demeanor' and introduced himself as 'Gary' to the purported witness, who then contacted Bryson City PD Asst. Chief Wayne Dover - according to TMZ. It's the first sign Gary is 'alive and well' noted Dover, who's been in touch with the FBI and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for assistance on the case. Page Six reported Thursday that Bryson City Police Department received a notification that Wayt's Indiana license plate 'WLH 616' was on an Oklahoma highway and got a video of him driving his grey 2009 Nissan Rogue. A Verizon employee also alerted the BCPD that Gary visited their store in Oklahoma, but it's 'unclear if he purchased anything.' 'His parents, everybody is very worried. I am worried. We are very scared right now,' Amber told YouTube vlogger Elle Bee on Tuesday. 'There was not a big blowout fight or anything like that...Nobody was heated or anything, it was emotional because it had something to do with the fact of his parents being Vietnamese and me being who I am. He was very upset about this, I was upset. We do not yell at each other, we do not hurt each other.' Portwood revealed Wayt's SUV didn't have GPS as she cried: 'We are very in love. This man asked me to be with him, this man then asked me to marry him. Please, if anybody sees him or hears anything, please, I am begging all of you guys.' The Bryson City Police Department confirmed that Wyat had 'been located' over Facebook on Friday 'Case is closed,' the authorities wrote in the post, after noting 'no further information' was available to share 'at this time' In a social media post from the Bryson City Police Department, Wayt was described by police as being 6ft1in tall and weighing 205lbs. The authorities also noted he is bald and has brown eyes. The 34-year-old reality star - who suffers from bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder - originally met Gary last September through a dating app and they got engaged in late May. 'I am not what people have been saying about me all of these years,' Amber said, defending her character. 'I changed a long time ago, okay? You have to understand this. Please listen to what I am saying, I am an honest person to you guys.' The 39-year-old groom-to-be 'had a calm and nonchalant demeanor' and introduced himself as 'Gary' to the purported witness, who then contacted Bryson City PD Asst. Chief Wayne Dover Page Six reported Thursday that Bryson City Police Department received a notification that Gary's Indiana license plate 'WLH 616' was on an Oklahoma highway and got a video of him driving his grey 2009 Nissan Rogue Portwood notoriously lost custody of her six-year-old son James Andrew Glennon in 2022 after being charged with two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon (a machete) against her Cali-based babydaddy Andrew Glennon in 2019. The hot-tempered ex-con shares 50-50 custody of her 15-year-old daughter Leah Leann Shirley with ex-fiance Gary Shirley following her year-long prison stint in 2012-2013 stemming from an on-camera altercation with him. Amber - who currently commands $75 on Cameo - has spent most of her life employed by the former music cable network following her debut, at age 18, on 16 and Pregnant in 2009. She currently stars on the second season of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, which airs Thursdays on MTV. Donna Air and a braless Stacey Dooley stunned in black on Thursday night as they led the attendees of West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story's afterparty at Sophie's Soho. The Bubble actress Donna, 44, smiled in a long-sleeved, scooped-neck, ankle-length black dress. Her dress had balloon sleeves and deep pockets and she accessorised with a thin black belt and high-heeled black sandals. Stacey, 37, flashed some chest in an oversized black pinstripe suit which she paired with red kitten heel sandals. 2:22 A Ghost Story is back for its fifth West End Remount and Donna plays Lauren and Stacey, Jenny. Donna Air, 44, and Stacey Dooley, 34, stunned in black on Thursday night as they led the attendees of West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story's afterparty at Sophie's Soho The Bubble actress Donna smiled in her long-sleeved, scooped-neck, and ankle-length black dress Stacey, who stars in 2:22 A Ghost Story, flashed some chest in an oversized black pinstripe suit which she paired with red kitten heel sandals The play by Tim Robbins serves as Stacey's acting debut, and her role of Jenny was previously played by the likes of Cheryl and Lily Allen. At the party, Donna and Stacey wrapped their arms around Letitia Hector, and co-star Joe McFadden, who both beamed. Letitia was then swapped out for final co-star James Buckley who acts as Ben, a role originated by EastEnders' Jake Wood. James, 36, wore a velvet midnight blue jacket and Glaswegian Joe, 48, wore a black suit with a white scooped-neck T-shirt. Vanessa Feltz looked striking in a multicoloured suit with a green base and platformed sandals. The ever-stylish former Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue Edward Enniful looked suave in a dark grey suit. Mark Wright's sisters Jess and Natalya looked lovely in a grey tweed jacket and a shiny brown jacket respectively. The Chase star Anne 'The Governess' Hegerty look lovely in a multicoloured jacket and baggy turquoise trousers. The play by Tim Robbins serves as Stacey's acting debut, and her role of Jenny was previously played by the likes of Cheryl and Lily Allen Donna's dress had balloon sleeves and deep pockets and she accessorised with a thin black belt and high-heeled black sandals. She stars as Lauren in the play Donna and Stacey wrapped their arms around Letitia Hector, and co-star Joe McFadden, who both beamed Letitia was then swapped out for final co-star James Buckley who acts as Ben, a role originated by EastEnders' Jake Wood James, 36, wore a velvet midnight blue jacket and Glaswegian Joe, 48, wore a black suit with a white scooped-neck T-shirt The ever-stylish former Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue Edward Enniful looked suave in a dark grey suit Mark Wright's sisters Jess and Natalya looked lovely in a grey tweed jacket and a shiny brown jacket respectively Jess tucked a tight black top into baggy black jeans and she put her hands into her pockets whilst carrying a small black bag The Chase star Anne 'The Governess' Hegerty look lovely in a multicoloured jacket and baggy turquoise trousers Strictly Come Dancing's Nancy Xu looked breathtaking in a leather-look ensemble strikingly contrasted by a bright red bag Also in attendance was Joanne Clifton who looked lovely in a plum denim suit with a cleavage-flashing black top Faye Tozer looked lovely in a Vogue T-shirt, baggy black pinstripe trousers, white trainers, and a large black dinner jacket Strictly Come Dancing's Nancy Xu looked breathtaking in a leather-look ensemble strikingly contrasted by a bright red bag. Susannah Constantine glowed in wide-legged jeans and attended with her daughter who also wore jeans. Also in attendance was Joanne Clifton who looked lovely in a plum denim suit with a cleavage-flashing black top. Faye Tozer looked lovely in a Vogue T-shirt, baggy black pinstripe trousers, white trainers, and a large black dinner jacket. Waffle House is increasing pay for its US workers after a year-long battle with labor advocates. Of course, someone has to pay for it - and it is not going to be the company itself. Bosses have already warned that customers will pay for it with higher menu prices - and these hikes will be higher in some areas. 'We need to increase menu prices to pay for [the pay rises], and we have more ability to do that in some places and less ability in others,' Waffle House CEO Joe Rogers III said in a video message to employees late last month. He said restaurants in city and town centres will likely see bigger rises than those in surburban areas - due to lower costs of rent and labor. But there is a consolation for customers. Rogers said in the video that with higher menu prices will come improved service. cleaner restaurants and bigger portions. Waffle House prices are set to rise to cover a pay rise for staff Chris Rock (right) is a fan of Waffle House, which is putting up prices 'We need to ultimately get ready for what sort of expectations come with both rising pay and rising prices,' Rogers said. You better believe our customers are going to expect more when they pay more, and we don't want to hurt your tip realities either.' Rogers said base pay would rise to at least $3 per hour in June and then gradually rise to at least $5.25 per hour by June 2026. Rogers pointed out that base pay doesn't include workers tips, and will be higher in some states depending on minimum wage laws. Such low base pay is common in restaurants in states where staff get tips - which can significantly boost earnings. On price rises to pay for, these will be bigger in urban markets rather than rural ones. In light of that, Rogers added wage rises will be rolled out faster urban areas. So that means those eating in Atlanta will pay more than someone in a small town elsewhere in Georgia. Waffle House has around 2,100 restaurants across 25 states mainly in Southern states, with a few in the Midwest. The company is also adding tenure bonuses and premiums for working later shifts. Waffle House wouldn't confirm the wage increase Tuesday when it was contacted by The Associated Press. The Union of Southern Service Workers, a labor group affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, provided AP with a link to the video. Over the last year, the Union of Southern Service Workers has held strikes at Waffle House locations as it made a number of demands. Waffle House prices are set to rise, the company's CEO said These included higher pay, 24-hour security at restaurants and an end to the companys practice of deducting $3.15 per day from workers paychecks for meals regardless of whether they eat while on the job. The group also has asked the Department of Labor to review the meal deductions. 'The raises show that the company is feeling the heat,' Katie Giede, a Waffle House server in Atlanta who wants to see wages increased to $25 per hour, said. 'Were going to keep organizing and keep fighting until we win.' Waffle House has 2,000 restaurant locations across the U.S., primarily in the South and Midwest. The company has its corporate headquarters in Norcross, Georgia. Tupperware, the iconic American brand known the world over for its plastic food containers, is closing its last US factory. The 78-year-old company, who initially sold its products at parties thrown by suburban housewives, plans to take advantage of cheaper wages in Mexico. The factory in the small town of Hemingway in South Carolina has produced billions of the kitchen-cabinet staples since it opened 48 years ago. The closure - which was announced Thursday and will take effect later this year - is a huge blow to the 148 workers at the Williamsburg County plant. Production will be moved to Lerma in Mexico, where the company says it already makes items for the US and Canada. Tupperware was founded in 1946 by chemist Earl Tupper - whose airtight plastic containers helped food last longer for families still struggling after the war and the Great Depression. It quickly became the go-to name for any plastic container. An employee at Tupperware's factory in Hemmingway, South Carolina The small town of Hemmingway will be hit by the factory's closure It opened the South Carolina factory in April 1976 to meet demand east of the Mississippi River as the company rapidly grew. After Tupperware threatened to relocate to Tennessee in 1993, the state offred tax breaks - and the company stayed. The company stayed, and the number of workers grew to 1,300. By then, the 900-000 square food plant was producing 173 million tubs and containers made of Tupperware's trademark colorful plastic. As big box retailers offered their own versions, sales dipped and there were layoffs - 300 in 1996 and 250 in 2005, according to the local Post & Courier. The layoffs follow a tough year for the 80 year old company, which is headquartered in Orland, Florida. In April, Tupperware warned it had 'substantial doubt' it could sty in business due to waning demand for its plastic containers and mounting debt. In a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the firm said it was in a 'challenging financial condition'. That announcement came just days after the New York Stock Exchange said that Tupperware's stock was at risk of being delisted because the company had failed to file the mandatory annual report. Bosses say they will offer early retirement and a payoff to eligible staff, plus try to find them work at other local businesses. 'It's important to note this decision is not a reflection of the performance of the Hemingway team,' the company said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'The company has always been a business focused on people, so we will take important steps to take care of our Hemingway team.' Tupperware had sold the Hemmingway plant last fall to a real estate investment company for $15 million, and then leased it back. After Earl Tupper founded the company in in 1946, its products soared in popularity throughout the 1950s. This was thanks in part to its iconic 'Tupperware parties', in which a salesperson would visit somebody's home to demonstrate and sell the containers. Those parties have captured the popular imagination ever since. For example, Dixie Longate is a drag queen persona known as 'Tupperware Lady'. She is played by the actor Kris Andersson and known for her comic skits in which she sells the plastic wares. Production will be moved to Tupperware's factory in Mexico Dixie Longate aka the Tupperware Lady performs in Westwood, California Tupperware Brands has indicated its business may not survive in an SEC filing on Friday A group of unspecified women attend a Tupperware party, some wearing hats fashioned from Tupperware products, in around 1955 The COVID-19 pandemic provided a boost in Tupperware sales as families stayed indoors and cooked more meals at home. Since then, the company has suffered from poor sales and accrued increasing debt, causing its share price to slide to its lowest-ever levels. It was trading at $1.50 on Friday, down from a high of almost $100 in 2013. The company first raised substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern nearly a year ago. Since then, it appointed consumer goods industry veteran Laurie Ann Goldman as its CEO. Social Security trustees said full benefits will run out in 2035 if action isn't taken The head actuaries for Social Security and Medicare have testified before a House committee about looming financial challenges which could see funds run short by 2035. Social Security relies on its trust funds to provide monthly benefit checks to around 70 million Americans. But an aging population is pushing up the cost of the program as a smaller share of people are paying into it, and spending is outpacing income. This means that if the funding gap is not resolved by Congress, future beneficiaries could receive $325 less per month. Medicare is also projected to run dry in 2036. House Budget Committee chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, said in his opening remarks on Thursday: 'My prayer is we unite - not as Republicans, not as Democrats - but as Americans. 'I won't get everything I want to solve it probably, they probably won't get everything they want, but we must do it or there will be an automatic cut.' Social Security relies on its trust funds to provide monthly benefit checks to around 70 million Americans Trustees for Social Security released a report earlier this year which found that the program will only be able to pay out full benefits for the next 11 years. Although this was one year later than previous estimates, bosses still urged Congress to take steps to 'extend the financial health of the Trust Fund into the foreseeable future.' When the trust funds are depleted, programs are only able to pay out what they receive through incoming payroll tax. Under current law, this means that benefits are automatically slashed. Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund is expected to be depleted in 2033, when just 79 percent of scheduled benefits would be payable, Fox Business reported. When this is merged with the Disability Insurance (DI) fund, the date shifts to 2035 and only 83 percent of benefits would be payable. Based on the average $1,907 monthly benefit as of January this year, a 17 percent cut would mean beneficiaries are paid $325 less a month, or $3,900 less a year. This could be significant for millions of disabled Americans, and those who rely on Social Security as their sole income in retirement. The Medicare Health Insurance (HI) trust fund, meanwhile, which covers care after hospital stays, is projected to run dry in 2036, when 89 percent of benefits would be payable. Stephen Goss, chief actuary for the Social Security Administration, said during the House Budget Committee hearing that lawmakers from both sides have suggested policies aimed at solving the programs' financial woes. Republicans have suggested the retirement age be raised, while Democrats have offered increasing the cap on payroll taxes as a potential solution. He said: 'Because of many, many members of Congress putting forth proposals for affecting Social Security, we have a large list of provisions and proposals up on our website to sort of look at and choose from. 'A commission that would look through all of those possibilities and come to a consensus would be a really good thing.' Ranking Member Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., stressed in his opening remarks of the need for reforms in order to shore up these safety nets for Americans in the future. 'I believe deeply in Social Security and Medicare and what they represent even beyond the paychecks, what they say to the American people is that we have a basic commitment to all of those who are in our society that we are going to take care of you when you need it,' he said. 'Congress must ensure that these programs have the resources to continue paying full benefits,' he added. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas (pictured, right, with Brendan Boyle, D-Pa in March) made opening remarks at the hearing In what has been dubbed the 'silver tsunami,' around 4.1 million Americans are due to turn 65 in 2024, and every year through 2027 The uncertain path of Social Security has been a concern for many - in particular those who are close to retirement age. In what has been dubbed the 'silver tsunami,' around 4.1 million Americans are due to turn 65 in 2024, and every year through 2027, according to a report from the Alliance for Lifetime Income. Some experts are warning that politicians are running away from the problem rather than trying to fix it - and it is crucial that they act now. Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said earlier this year: 'We're driving straight into this mess despite all the warning bells and alarms that the Trustees and others have been ringing for decades now. 'Every year we get closer to the deadline, we seem to get further away from the solutions.' South Korean automaker Hyundai's Indian arm is likely to file preliminary papers with Sebi shortly to raise at least USD 3 billion (around Rs 25,000 crore) through an initial public offering, sources close to the development said on Friday. The company's initial public offering (IPO), if it goes through, would be the largest in India, surpassing LIC's share sale of Rs 21,000 crore. This development marks a significant milestone for the Indian industry, as it is the first automaker to go for an initial share sale in over two decades, after Japanese automaker Maruti Suzuki's listing in 2003. Earlier this week, electric two-wheeler company Ola Electric received capital markets regulator Sebi's clearance to raise funds through an IPO. Under the proposed IPO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), which is the second largest carmaker in India after Maruti Suzuki India, may dilute 15-20 per cent stake to raise funds in the range of USD 3.3-5.6 billion, sources said. They said the company is likely to file its papers with the regulatory body Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) soon. When contacted over the issue, HMIL company declined to comment. HMIL commenced operations in India in 1996 and currently, sells 13 models across segments. HMIL reported a 7 per cent year-on-year increase in total sales at 63,551 units in May 2024 against 59,601 units in the corresponding month last year. Domestic dispatch of vehicles to dealers saw a 1 per cent rise to 49,151 units last month from 48,601 units in the year-ago period. Exports of the vehicles grew 31 per cent in May to 14,400 units compared to 11,000 units a year ago. The recent Indian parliamentary elections underscore the resilience and maturity of the countrys democratic processes, reflecting the electorates nuanced choices Civil society requires an acceptance of rules, regulations and practices for the orderly conduct of affairs. These rules, regulations and practices may or may not be documented but they are generally composed of items which everyone agrees to confirm. A commonly referred example is the fact that the United Kingdom does not have a written constitution, yet it manages to conduct its affairs in a fairly orderly fashion. This requires a great deal of self-regulation and the ability to allow matters to function together, even in disagreement. This enables the orderly conduct of affairs with or without agreement and with mutual respect. It is a significant achievement. Compared to this, there are some countries with written constitutions that find it difficult to conduct their affairs in an orderly manner and often have to resort to courts. Appealing to the courts itself is an acceptable method of conflict resolution, even though it may be seen as a less evolved order than working with mutual agreement. The ability to manage oneself and manage disagreements is a significant constituent trait of civil society. In extreme cases, withdrawal from participation is known to happen, but this needs to be an exception rather than the rule. Put simply, agreeing to disagree is a gentlemanly art which only the evolved can practice. Together with this, the use of temperate language and polite methods of disagreement are inherent parts of civil society. Loose talk and abrasive postures can, of course, happen, but they do credit to nobody and become an indicator of a lower level of evolution. The recent elections for the parliament are a tell-tale story of the State of health of Indian political processes. On one hand, it is a resounding testimony to the fairness of the Indian electoral process and the sheer maturity of political choices. It truly reflects the thinking of the electorate, who went to record ones views in a matter most consistent with the individuals judgement and inclination. Such large-scale observance of the peaceful exercise of political choices can and should fill with joy any ones thinking and observation. That being said and done, there are other actions which need thought and some better understanding of the causative factors. That some victors of the electoral process, even if they otherwise had the credentials, did not make it to the cabinet is an understandable aberration. There is no ones right to be in the cabinet and if the Prime Minister, in his inherent prerogative, did not deem it so, he exercised a conscious choice. Similarly, the inclusion of some who lost the election in the cabinet is also justifiable under prime-ministerial prerogative. An example being cited is a former Congressman who lost the election, under the BJP ticket, taking oath as a minister. Another interesting case is of a BJP functionary in Kerala (the General Secretary of the BJP there) without being a member of any of the two houses of Parliament, taking oath as a minister. From a particular State, eight ministers were chosen, but two veterans, former members of the different era cabinets of the party, notwithstanding their success in the election, lost out for a cabinet berth. Examples are many, but they all carry the stamp of prime-ministerial prerogative. A gentleman who was a minister in the outgoing Government has found a place in Modi 3.0 despite losing the election. This particular gentleman, as noted above, was not only a minister in the outgoing Government and lost the election (he has at least the redeeming feature of being a member of the Rajya Sabha). There have been some negative press reports and commentaries on such examples. It does not help a cause. Mounting a telescope on a microscope to detect departures and deviations from what one believes should be the norm of cabinet-making in a parliamentary system, cannot be accepted as an algorithm of decision-making. No rule or regulation can be followed 100 per cent in all exceptions and this is what judgment and prerogatives are all about. By and large, the ministry formation of 70+ has been a remarkable achievement of balance and poise. Whether it be the case of Ravi Shankar Prasad/Rajiv Pratap Rudy/L Murugan/Rajiv Chandrasekhar, whether for inclusion in the cabinet or exclusion, not too much can be made out of such decisions. A case can be cited of a veteran BJP leader from Gujarat who took the oath in the first and second Modis Government and won this election but did not make it to the cabinet. Such decisions are to be taken in stride and accepted for what they are worth. It can be rightly claimed that constituting a 70+ ministerial house is a major feat and it has been achieved with consummate artistry. It is one more testimony, if any, be needed to the maturity of the Indian political process. (The writer is a well-known management consultant of international repute. The views expressed are personal) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G 7 Summit in the southern resort town of Italy. It is Modi's first foreign visit after assuming office this month. He is also likely to meet Pope Francis on the sidelines of the meet. In his talks with Zelenskyy, Modi conveyed to him that India believes in a "human-centric" approach and that the way to peace is through "dialogue and diplomacy". "Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," he said. The Prime Minister described the meeting with the Ukrainian President as "very productive" and said India is eager to "further cement" bilateral relations with Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. "Furthering India-Ukraine partnership! PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy," he said in a social media post. "The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. The PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," he said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were part of Modi's delegation at the talks. It is learnt that Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the conflict. Modi had met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the previous G7 summit in Hiroshima in May last year as well. India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy came ahead of the Swiss Peace Summit. India on Wednesday said it will participate in the upcoming peace summit on the Ukraine conflict at an "appropriate level". The Peace Summit will take place at Burgenstock in Lucerne on June 15 and 16. Switzerland has invited Modi to attend it. However, it is learnt that a senior diplomat will represent India at the summit. Modi and Macron discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear and space, and exchanged views on key global and regional issues. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the southern resort town of Italy. "Taking Strategic Partnership to new levels! PM @narendramodi met President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. "The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues," he wrote. The two leaders last met in January when the French President visited India to attend the 75th Republic Day of India. During their last meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, outlined in Horizon 2047 and other documents from the July 2023 Summit. Horizon 2047 Roadmap sets an ambitious and broad-ranging course for the bilateral relationship for 2047, the centenary year of India's independence. Modi is attending the 50th G7 Summit on the invitation of Italian President Georgia Meloni and will address an Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean alongside leaders of other invited countries and Pope Francis. During Modi's meeting with Sunak, the leaders talked about the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, enhancing industrial cooperation in the defence sector, boosting trade and commerce. "It was a delight to meet PM @Rishi Sunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade,' Modi said in a social media post. The two leaders greeted each other with a warm hug. While Sunak congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his historic third consecutive term, the Indian leader extended his best wishes to the people of the United Kingdom as they prepare for general elections next month, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The two leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral relations, the statement said."We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," Modi wrote in his post. The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting between the two leaders as "fruitful." "The leaders discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high-level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties," the statement said. "They also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries. Both leaders also discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest," it added. Sunak and Modi last met in person at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, which also marked Sunak's first official visit to India as Britain's first Prime Minister of Indian heritage. The two leaders then agreed to accelerate the FTA talks with the hope of signing off before India's general election. However, the trade talks are now expected to resume only after a new UK government is elected on July 4. The India-UK FTA negotiations, which opened in January 2022, are aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral trade - currently worth around 38.1 billion pounds a year as per official statistics from earlier this year. Modi is attending the summit on the invitation of Italian President Georgia Meloni and will address an Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean alongside leaders of other invited countries and Pope Francis. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit and hold bilateral talks on a wide range of issues with world leaders on Friday. In her opening address on Thursday at the meeting of the G7 leaders - US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel -Meloni said southern Italy was chosen as the venue to send a strong message to the Global South. "It is no coincidence that we are hosting the summit in Apulia. We did this because Apulia is a region of southern Italy and the message we want to launch is that the G7, under the Italian presidency, wishes to strengthen its dialogue with the nations of the Global South," she said in her opening address. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is set to dominate the agenda as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for the discussions on Thursday. While India has reiterated its stance on "dialogue and diplomacy" as the best approach, Sunak is leading calls for "decisive" efforts to support Ukraine "whatever it takes". In his pre-visit media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had recalled Modi's statement in September 2022 that "today's era is not of war". "We have always been at the forefront to offer assistance wherever we can to alleviate challenges faced by the Global South because of the conflict, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and also to the Global South affected by conflict," he said. Kwatra said India will continue to share its perspective with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Aaj Chaman main phir se bahaar aaye hai" (spring has come back again), said Ashok Kumar, a devout Kashmiri Pandit, living in exile for the last 34 years, when he was asked to share his emotions after he paid obeisance at the famous Ragnya Devi temple in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of annual Mela Kheer Bhawani on Friday. Along with him thousands of others also participated in the rituals and soaked themselves in the spiritual atmosphere in the precincts of the temple complex nestled amidst mammoth Chinar trees in the central Kashmir district. The recent upsurge in terrorist violence across the Jammu region failed to deter these Kashmiri Pandits from visiting the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela often labelled as a symbol of communal harmony. Every year, Kashmiri Pandits express hope to one day return to their 'homes and hearths'. However, to date, successive Governments have failed to ensure their permanent return to the valley. "We have been yearning for 'ghar wapsi' since 1990. We have been coming here like tourists all these years. There is no yatri niwas. The government should think about expanding boarding and lodging facilities for us. We can't go back to our homes. Our old friends come and meet us. Some of them even host us for a day or two but we are still waiting for our permanent homecoming," said Pyare Lal from Ganderbal. He said that Kashmiri Pandit families travelled from different corners of the country and even from other countries to offer prayers on the occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami. "Devotees offer milk and kheer (rice pudding) at the sacred spring within the temple complex while chanting 'sholokas'". The local Muslim families welcome us and set up small shops offering pooja materials and other logistics support to ensure hassle-free celebrations. Krishan ji Bhat, another migrant Kashmiri Pandit, claimed, "Each year, we board buses from the Jagti migrant camp and come here under tight security cover. We feel caged. We are told to obey strict instructions given by the security officers to ensure our safety". "Everything is in the hands of God. There is some fear but people have come here in large numbers. Faith is more powerful than fear," Sunny, a Kashmiri Pandit from Delhi, said. It is believed that the colour of the sacred spring water flowing beneath the temple here reflects the conditions in the valley. While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir. However, the water in the spring was clean and milky white this year. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha also paid obeisance at the temple and offered special prayers. Speaking to reporters later, the LG said that over 30,000 devotees paid obeisance at Mela Kheer Bhawani this year. "More than 30,000 devotees visited the Kheer Bhawani temple. Jammu and Kashmir administration and those who have faith in the deity, have made very good arrangements. The devotees were ferried in around 200 buses from Jammu. Some people have come from Delhi as well," he said. Sinha said: "A 'Yatri Niwas' is being built here to accommodate 1,000 pilgrims. "Last year, when I came here, pilgrims had requested for a Yatri Niwas. I spoke to officials concerned and the Yatri Niwas that is to be built will accommodate 1000 pilgrims. I am told that it will come up in the next eight months," he said. Several politicians also visited the temple on Friday and interacted with the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community. JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah visited Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla, on the auspicious occasion of Zyesth Ashtami and extended greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community. He wished for the early return of Kashmiri Pandits to their roots, he added. J&K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina and CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami, also paid obeisance at the shrine. Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also visited Kheer Bhawani to wish the Pandit brethren a joyous Zyesth Astham. "The spirit of seva and the urge to serve selflessly was quite amazing, she wrote in her post on X (earlier Twitter). Before returning from the temple, Ashok Kumar said the community wants to live with their brothers. "We pray to Mata Kheer Bhawani to make it possible for us to live like we used to before in peace and harmony. We want to return to our homeland," he said. "We are thankful to our Muslim brothers for making special arrangements and extending facilities," he added. A big administrative reshuffle both in the bureaucracy and in the police department is on the cards particularly as some senior officers of the IAS cadre have either retired or have got the green signal to proceed on central deputation. Besides, a list was also allegedly prepared of those officers who, according to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries, were instrumental in the poor show of the party in the recently-concluded elections. The state cabinet has already approved the new transfer policy for 2024-25 and an increase in the salaries of employees retiring on June 30 and December 31. Under this policy, Group A and B officers who have completed three years in a district and seven years in a division can be transferred. Transfers are also imminent because Uttar Pradesh will soon face assembly by-elections in nine constituencies and the administrative reshuffle has to be done before the model code of conduct comes into force. A senior official in the CM secretariat said, The chief minister is busy with preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modis Varanasi visit on June 18. After that, he will finalise the transfer list of IAS and IPS officers. According to sources, the state government is in search for the post of the top-most bureaucrat in the state, chief secretary, as chances of Durga Shanker Mishra getting further extension are very remote particularly as he has already got three extensions so far. He is set to retire on June 30. The second most senior bureaucrats of the state Agriculture Production Commissioner Devesh Chaturvedi and Additional Chief Secretary to chief minister, Shashi Prakash Goel have already received no-objection certificates to go ahead on their central deputation, sources in the government confirmed. Three more IAS officers KV Pandian, Anil Dhingra and Kumar Ravikant Singh have also been empanelled for central posting. Besides, since the model code of conduct came into force, some senior IAS officers like Amit Mohan Prasad, Anita Singh, Sudhir Garg, Kalpana Awasthi, Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and others retired from their services. Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary to CM, also holding the charge of Information, was also relieved of his assignment of principal secretary (home) on the orders of the Election Commission of India. His charge was given to Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Deepak Kumar. It is likely that Prasad will get his charge back. However, sources say that if this time the Central government does not influence the posting of chief secretary, then Manoj Kumar Singh, said to be close to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is likely to take charge from Durga Shanker Mishra and a big shake-up will be also seen in the chief ministers secretariat. Sources further say that many police chiefs, including commissioners of at least two zones commissionerates, may be shifted as the ruling party performed badly in their jurisdictions. DG Renuka Mishra and ADG BK Singh, who are on the waiting list, can also get posting. Due to the implementation of the model code of conduct, minor changes were made during the elections with the permission of the ECI. PV Ramasastri, who returned from central deputation, got the charge of DG (Jail Administration) in place of SN Sabat, who was shifted as DG CBCID. The postings were made as DG CB CID, Anand Kumar and DG (Cyber Crime) Subhash Chandra retired from their services. The state government is also facing controversy particularly as the two top posts in the police department Director General of Police, and ADG (Law and Order) were given as additional charge to Prashant Kumar and Amitabh Yash. The government failed to find any officer to be posted as full time DG since unceremonious removal of then DGP Mukul Goel from his post. According to sources, some officers who have been posted in the police commissionerates for a long time can also be removed. Similarly, there is a possibility of transfers in zones and ranges as well. On the basis of complaints received during the elections, police captains of some districts are also on the target. The Home department is engaged in investigating these complaints. Similarly, officers who are posted at their old place of posting even after promotion to the IPS cadre can also be given new postings. Some such officers are posted in Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed strong displeasure over instances of negligence in revenue-related matters, leading him to promptly order actions against the negligent officers. He also instructed that a detailed report be submitted to his office within two weeks. Recently, the chief minister held a high-level meeting with officers from diverse departments to conduct a thorough review. During the meeting, he directed the officers to accelerate progress on various schemes and instructed them to compile a list of individuals who have shown negligence in their duties. Following CM Yogis instructions, the revenue officials have come into action. In this sequence, Revenue Board Chairman Rajneesh Dubey recently reviewed revenue related matters. He issued show-cause notices to revenue officers, ADMs, SDMs, naib tehsildars and tehsildar level officers for negligence in revenue-related matters. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra also held a meeting regarding revenue matters. During this, he reprimanded negligent officials in various districts of the state regarding revenue cases and instructed them to improve their work. He will soon submit a report on districts showing irregularities in revenue matters to the chief ministers office, after which strict action may be taken against these officials. During a meeting of the Revenue department chaired by Chief Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra, it was revealed that several districts have lagged behind in settlement of revenue-related cases. In response, he reprimanded officials and instructed them to bring improvements. At the same time, work is going on at a very slow pace in Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Barabanki, Jaunpur and Ghazipur in preparing gharouni under the SVAMITVA Yojana. The chief secretary issued directives to speed it up. Apart from this, Mahoba, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Baghpat have lagged behind in settlement of revenue disputes. More than eight thousand cases are pending there. In the meeting, the chief secretary found that real-time land records (khatauni) performance in Kanpur Nagar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chitrakoot and Balrampur was inadequate. Similarly, there was a significant shortfall in the percentage of khatauni revision and share determination in Varanasi, Sonbhadra, Ballia, Mainpuri and Gorakhpur. Only about 50 per cent of the share determination work has been done in these districts. Additionally, progress in preparing gharouni under the SVAMITVA Yojana is slow in Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Barabanki, Jaunpur and Ghazipur. The chief secretary directed officials to expedite these processes. Apart from this, Mahoba, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Baghpat have lagged behind in settlement of revenue disputes. More than eight thousand cases are pending there. It was revealed in the meeting that Lucknow, Prayagraj, Amroha, Fatehpur and Saharanpur are not doing well in Section-24 (measurement) under revenue dispute. Along with this, there has already been improvement in Kushinagar, Sonbhadra, Rae Bareli, Ballia and Amethi in Section-34 (transfer), but the percentage of settlement is less than 95 per cent. Similarly, under Section-80 (conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land), 34 cases are pending in Ayodhya, 21 in Pratapgarh, 12 in Gorakhpur, 10 in Kanpur Nagar and seven in Barabanki. All these cases are more than one year and less than three years old. The chief secretary is expected to submit the full report to the chief ministers office regarding this. After this, strict action can be taken against negligent officers by CM Yogi. Firefighters toiled overnight for more than 10 hours in stifling heat to bring under control a massive fire that gutted more than 50 shops in tightly-packed buildings in north Delhi's Chandni Chowk area. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said that flames were still simmering under some collapsed portions of buildings and a cooling operation is underway. The fire broke out in Chandni Chowk's Old Katra Marwadi Market around 5 pm on Thursday. There were no casualties reported from the massive fire. Stating that the fire was brought under control at 4.30 am, Garg said, "Eight fire tenders have been deployed for the cooling operation. Over 50 fire tenders and 200 personnel worked through the night to control the blaze." He added that more than 50 small and big shops were gutted in the fire. A 51 year old shopkeeper Jaspreet Singh has tears in his eyes as the fire engulfed his shop, stating that it was his only source of earning. He said, "My priority was to save my workers and customers. I asked them to evacuate the shop as quickly as possible. I was the last person to leave. After ensuring that no one was left behind, somehow I closed the shutter which was already hot and ran away." Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) M K Meena said forensics and electricity departments will conduct an inspection after the cooling operation is complete and an FIR is being registered in the matter. Chandni Chowk BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal also visited the fire affected area and talked to the local businessmen. DFS officials said firefighters had to face several challenges in the operation. "Due to the (narrow) lanes, we had to extend our fire hose for more than 300 metres and had to add extra pressure," an official said, adding that the fire department also had to use water bowsers and robots to douse the flames. He further said that there were no water sources nearby which added to the problem of refilling the water tanks. "The shops had combustible material which only needed a small spark," he said. Dangling power lines in the area also posed a challenge for the firefighters. Another officer said the fire broke out due to a short circuit in an air conditioner in a shop on the second floor of one of the buildings and it quickly spread to other shops. Firefighters struggled to douse the flames as shops are interconnected in the narrow lanes of the old Katra Marwadi Market, he said. Nai Sadak Traders Welfare Association president Deepal Mahendru said the number of damaged shops may go up to 100. Deepak Mahendru, president of Nai Sadak Traders Association, said that police and fire brigade teams are still keeping traders away from their shops as more buildings could still collapse. "Once the cooling operation and inspection are completed, we can calculate the losses. They will be in crores. So far, I got to know that more than 50 shops are gutted causing a loss of Rs 70 to 80 crores of products only," Mahendru said, adding that the fire started from shop number 1580 or 1581, and within no time it engulfed the entire area. Two buildings housing multiple shops, including the one where the fire started, collapsed due to the blaze. Small fires are still simmering in combustible items under the debris, Garg said, adding that the shops that were gutted sold sarees, dupattas and other combustible items. The AAP government is exploring all possible ways to restore the gutted Katra Marwadi market. Stating that this year, the theme of International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for Self and Society', Haryana Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad on Friday said that the 10th International Day of Yoga will be organized on June 21 in all the districts and blocks of the State with great fervor and grandeur. The Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will be the Chief Guest at the State Level Function to be organized in Hisar, he added. Presiding over a meeting of all Deputy Commissioners of the State through video conferencing to review the preparatory activities for the celebration of the 10th International Day of Yoga, Prasad directed the Deputy Commissioners to make all necessary arrangements at the district and block level for the live telecast of the Prime Ministers address on June 21. Prasad instructed the Deputy Commissioners to organize the program of Yoga Day in a proper way by ensuring maximum participation of NGOs, yoga volunteers and the general public. Besides, he also directed to ensure the active participation of members of Women Self Help Groups. He said that 8000 to 10,000 participants will participate in the Yoga Day celebrations at the State level whereas, 5000 and 2000 participants will participate in the district and block level respectively. He also asked the Deputy Commissioners to organize a program in all districts on the theme 'Yoga for Self and Society' in the evening on June 21 in collaboration with NGOs. Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department Sudhir Rajpal said that with the help of Haryana Yog Ayog, three-day training camps for DPE/PTI, school children, officers, employees, sarpanches and panch and NCC cadets have been organized in all districts of the State. A similar training program is being organized for Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Officers, and the general public which will conclude on June 15. The Pilot rehearsal will be done on June 19 in all districts, he added. An IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 14 of the 45 Indians who died in a devastating fire at a building in Kuwait landed in Palam Technical Airport in the national capital from Kerala's Kochi on Friday evening. After the plane arrived in the national capital, newly elected BJP MPs including Northwest Delhis Yogender Chandolia, New Delhis Bansuri Swaraj and South Delhis Kamaljeet Sehrawat stood on the tarmac with folded hands as the caskets were lowered from the aircraft. They paid their tributes to them by laying wreaths on the caskets. A special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying the bodies of 45 Indians killed in a massive fire in a multi-storey building in the Mangaf area of southern Kuwait on Wednesday reached Delhi's Palam Airport via Kochi today. After reaching there, today I handed over the bodies of the deceased to their families and paid tribute. During this, I experienced heart-wrenching pain. May God give peace to all those departed souls and give strength to their families to bear this grief, said Chandolia in a post on X (formerly Twitter). A C-130J aircraft carrying the 45 bodies landed at the Kochi international airport around 10.30 am. Thirty-one bodies were received at the airport by Central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The remaining 14 bodies were sent to Delhi in the same aircraft as a domestic flight from Kochi, airport authorities in Kerala said. The special IAF aircraft had taken off for Kochi from Kuwait on Friday morning. According to the Indian embassy, out of the 45 Indians killed in the fire incident, 23 were from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three each from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Haryana, according to the embassy. The mortal remains would be handed over to the respective state government representatives in Kochi and Delhi. At least 49 foreign workers were killed and 50 others injured in the fire on Wednesday at the seven-storey building where 196 migrant workers were staying in the southern city of Mangaf. PGI organizes 3 blood donation camps in tricity; 350 donate blood Chandigarh: To raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and to recognize the contribution of voluntary unpaid blood donors in saving lives and improving health, Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh organized three blood donation camps at Swaraj Engines Ltd. Plot No.2, Industrial Area, Phase 9 Mohali; Bridge Market, Sector-17, Chandigarh and Blood Donation Centre, Advanced Trauma Centre, PGIMER. A total of 350 blood donors donated blood in these camps. IAS officer and APSCM Ashima Brar deputed as in-charge of Karnal District Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has deputed Ashima Brar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, as in-charge of Karnal district in addition to her present duties. An order to this effect was issued by Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad on Friday. As per the orders, she will review the projects worth Rs. 25 Crores and more of district Karnal. Besides, she will make a broad review of overall incidents of crime and occurrence of the heinous crime, vigilance matters in terms of clearances within the ambit of 17A and 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, efficacy and functioning of service delivery mechanism as envisaged in Right to Service Act, parameters of functioning of Health, Education and Social sectors and impediments faced by DETC with regard to taxes GST etc. In another development, the Government has also designated all Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) in the state as Ex-Officio Sub-Divisional Citizen Resources Information Officers (SDCRIO) in their respective Sub-Divisions for activities of the Citizen Resources Information Department (CRID) including Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), with immediate effect. Pb Minister directs revenue field officers to fix meeting hours for common people Chandigarh: Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa, during a meeting of the Departments top brass on Friday, directed the officers to radically reform in a comprehensive manner the Departments working mechanism. It would be mandatory for the field officers, that are Patwari, Kanugos, Naib Tehsildar or Tehsildar, to sit in their offices daily at a fixed time for meeting the people, listening to their grievances and ensure the facilitation of common people. Besides, the information to this effect must be displayed through signboards outside their offices. He asked the departmental officers to issue orders soon at the Department level. Enhance revenue generation, manage expenses effectively: Pb CS to officers Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma on Friday chaired a Program Steering Review meeting on the World Bank-funded BFAIR Project to improve the financial health of the state by increasing revenue generation, and managing expenses more effectively. Verma said that the main aim is to enhance state's financial management and institutional capacity. Emphasizing the importance of timely completion and adherence to guidelines, Verma called for intensified collaboration and proactive measures to ensure the projects success. He underscored need for implementing e-governance platforms for better service delivery and strengthening the capacity of municipal institutions. Punjab Govt to hold departmental exams for various posts from July 22 Chandigarh: Punjab Government has announced dates for departmental examinations of various posts. The departmental examinations of officers will be held at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Sector 26, Chandigarh, from July 22 to 26, 2024. Spokesperson of the Personnel Department on Friday said that officers intending to appear in the examinations should send their applications to the Secretary, Personnel Department and Secretary, Departmental Examination Committee (PCS Branch), Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh through their departments in the prescribed proforma by June 28, 2024. No direct application will be entertained under any circumstances, said the spokesperson, adding that incomplete applications will be rejected and no roll number will be issued for which the ones will fall upon the applicant concerned. AAP played cruel joke on Punjabis by hiking power tariff: Sukhbir Chandigarh: SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday said the AAP Government had played a cruel joke on Punjabis by hiking the power tariff for both domestic and industrial supply after the conclusion of the parliamentary elections and demanded it be withdrawn immediately. It is shocking that a party which consistently claimed it would lower power tariffs for both domestic and industrial consumers has penalized Punjabis for reposing faith in it and increased both tariffs significantly. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should explain why he has cheated Punjabis in the name of badlav by burning a hole in the pocket of the common man at a time when power consumption is at its peak due to heat wave conditions, he added. To further strengthen the animal healthcare network in the state, Punjab Government is all set to recruit 300 Veterinary Officers. The states Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, reviewing the ongoing projects of the department on Friday, informed that the recruitment process has already been initiated by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) for the same. Notably, the State Government has already recruited as many as 326 Veterinary Officers and 536 Veterinary Inspectors in the past two years. The Minister said that an action plan, worth Rs 93 crore, has been submitted to the Government of India for procurement of medicines and equipment in Veterinary hospitals. He also directed the Department officials to complete the vaccination drive being undertaken against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Hemorrhagic Septicaemia by June 30, 2024. While assuring the Minister to accomplish the drive in the prescribed time frame, Animal Husbandry director Dr Ranjiv Bali apprised the Minister that around 78 percent and 75 percent livestock has been covered under the drive against FMD and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, respectively, so far. To encourage farmers to adopt dairy farming, Khudian said that the Dairy Development Department is providing 25 percent financial assistance to the general category and 33 percent to the Scheduled Caste category beneficiaries on the purchase of milch animals, on the prescribed rate of Rs 70,000 per animal. The Department has given around Rs two crore as financial assistance for 1,089 milch animals during 2023-24, he added. The national capitals never ending struggle with traffic congestion can see some relief, as the Delhi government's Public Works Department (PWD) has sought a report from the transport department and traffic police on chokepoints in the national capital to see what interventions can be made to make them congestion-free. The PWD has planned 10 new projects to decongest the national capital by building flyovers, elevated roads and underpasses at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore, they added. "We are working with various stakeholders to see what interventions can be made to ease traffic congestion. There are many roundabouts and areas that witness congestion. "The PWD has been working on projects to ease the traffic situation and we have been communicating with the transport department and the traffic police over the matter. There have been multiple meetings over the issue," an official said. Furnishing more details, he said the department has planned 10 projects but based on a report by the two stakeholders, it will be decided whether an underpass, an elevated road or a flyover is needed to solve the problem of traffic congestion. "The report will have details on the traffic volume in those areas at different hours of the day and the reason for the situation. Based on the feedback, we will proceed with the projects," the official added. The department also receives suggestions from MLAs on projects that can be carried out in their constituencies to ease traffic congestion. Last year, the Delhi Police said it had identified 117 key traffic congestion points across the national capital and attributed them to a variety of causes, including construction activities and encroachments. Among the 117 congestion points, the highest number is found in the northern range of Delhi, specifically in the districts of Rohini, North-West, and Outer-North. In Rohini alone, there are 13 spots, including two near the Rohini West metro station, one near the Rithala metro station, and another near a school. These areas experience heavy traffic due to vehicular volume, pedestrian movement, and illegal parking. In the southern range, there are 22 congestion points, with 12 in south Delhi and 10 in the South-East district. Areas like Yusuf Sarai Market, Andheria Mod, Chirag Dilli flyover, Savitri flyover, and Tara Apartment-Alaknanda Road are frequently congested. Construction activities near the Saket metro station, Sarai Kale Khan, MB Road from Pul Prah Ladpur traffic light to Lal Kuan intersection, and Khadar Puliya also contribute to traffic jams. The police had said congestion is being regulated through the deployment of staff at major intersections, introducing "one-way" traffic schemes and launching encroachment or congestion removal drives. The northern range had a maximum number of such congestion points at 27 followed by the southern range at 22, the central range at 21, the eastern range at 20, the western range at 19 and the New Delhi range at eight. Senior AAP leader and Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Friday said water production in the national Capital is decreasing continuously as less water is reaching the Yamuna river. Meanwhile, two tankers were seized for allegedly stealing water from the Munak canal by the Delhi Police. The AAP dispensation has been alleging that Haryana has not been releasing Delhi's share of water while the BJP is attacking the ruling party for not taking any action against the tanker mafia. "Due to less water reaching Yamuna, water production in Delhi is continuously decreasing. Under normal circumstances, 1005 MGD of water is produced in Delhi, but it has been continuously decreasing since last one week. Due to reduced production, there is water shortage in many parts of Delhi. Everyone is requested to use water very economically," she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi. Sharing figures, the minister said the water production on June 6 was 1,002 million gallons per day (MGD) which declined to 993 MGD the next day and 990 MGD on June 8. It was 978 MGD on June 9 and 958 MGD the next day. On June 11, June 12 and June 13, it stood at 919 MGD, 951 MGD and 939 MGD respectively, the minister added. Further, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh slammed the BJP and its seven MPs in Delhi for not giving Delhi its rightful water. The people of Delhi have elected all the seven BJP MPs. Even after this, the BJP government of Haryana is punishing Delhiites. In such a scorching heat, the BJP government of Haryana is taking out its enmity with us by stopping Delhis rightful water. I want to tell all the seven BJP MPs that they should appeal to the Haryana and Central governments to provide water to Delhi and meet the LG, but he is missing, he said, asking the Haryana government to take out its enmity with us but not trouble the people of Delhi. Additionally, the seizure of the tankers from the canal area comes a day after police began patrolling the canal area to check the activities of the tanker mafia as the water crisis in Delhi worsened. "We have seized two water tankers for stealing water from the canal. One tanker was seized from 'kacchi sadar' near an agricultural field and the other from D-Block, DSIIDC. We have registered two cases under the Environment Protection Act at Bawana and NIA police stations," a senior police officer said. The officer said 56 police personnel are guarding the canal in shifts. According to officials, police teams have set up pickets and are patrolling the 15-kilometre stretch of the canal on the Haryana borders. The canal enters Delhi from Bawana and reaches the Haiderpur treatment plant. Teams from Bawana, Narela Industrial Area, Shahbad Dairy and Samaypur Badli police stations have been tasked with patrolling the canal and the nearby areas. Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that the new development schemes will be initiated in the State, and with the cooperation of the central government, Haryana will set new milestones in development. Khattar, who visited Haryana for the first time after becoming the Union Minister, received a grand welcome by the BJP leaders and workers at Kundli, Sector-7, and Gannaur in Sonipat. He said that three ministers from Haryana have been included in the central government, which will accelerate the development of Haryana. The former Chief Minister said that the government has been formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third time at the center. This has happened for the first time since 1962, he said. In his address to the party workers, the Union Minister said that now, with the BJP forming the government at the center for the third time, it is time to form the BJP government in Haryana for the third time as well. The assembly elections are to be held in three months, and we need to go among the public to dispel the misconceptions spread by the opposition, he added. Senior BJP leader said that under the leadership of PM Modi, several development works, including electricity, water, roads, gas cylinders, and industrial development, have been completed, leading to the formation of the government for the third time. On the other hand, the opposition has adopted false and low tactics to mislead the public through misinformation. Today, Haryana is progressing on the path of development, he said. Mentioning Sonipat, Khattar said that a network of new highways has been laid across the district, opening up avenues for development. It is now time to convey the government's policies to the general public and to dispel the misconceptions spread by the opposition. He called upon all workers to resolve to win all six assembly seats in Sonipat and move forward with this goal. While life turned upside down for the 50-odd shopkeepers in Chandni Chowk whose establishments were gutted in a blaze barely 24 hours ago, it was business as usual for others as the bustling shopping hub in the walled city welcomed customers in droves on Friday. Following the major fire that broke out at on Thursday evening and destroyed goods and property worth crores of rupees, the Delhi Police closed some parts of the affected Old Katra Marwari and Nai Sarak markets. Two buildings had collapsed due to the fire and water pressure. This, however, did not deter people as they thronged other shops in the vicinity lured by the "huge sale". "Dilli hai dil walon ki... there is a huge sale going on at many shops in the area. We know about the fire and we are not disturbing or obstructing the way of the fire brigade team. We are here only for shopping," Krishna, a 45-year-old woman, said. "Delhiites never stop. I am sure this incident will not deter even the affected shopkeepers. They will start welcoming their customers once again and very soon," Devabrata Guha, who came from West Bengal to purchase a lehenga for his wife, said. Meanwhile, smoke could be seen billowing out from different shops on Friday afternoon as fire tenders tried to douse the flames completely. The affected shopkeepers, who have reported a loss of more than Rs 90 crore, could be seen standing near their establishments as they bewailed the loss of their livelihoods. It was 4.15 pm on Thursday and shop owner Narendra, 60, was on a call with one of his customers when he heard people screaming. "People were shouting about a fire. As our shop was in a narrow lane, I immediately asked everyone to evacuate. Within a few minutes, everything was reduced to ash," he said. The shops that were gutted sold sarees, dupattas and other combustible items, according to officials. "The flames of the fire could be seen from far away. I live near Bhagwati Market and the fire travelled within a few minutes towards the Bhagwati market area. The sounds of wailing fire brigade sirens and frantic whistling by policemen rented the air as people ran to save their lives," said Pappu, a worker at a shop selling dupattas. Anil Kumar said his 60-year-old shop is in one of the narrow bylanes which he cannot enter as the operations are still on. "I haven't seen my shop yet. I can only stand afar as the operation is still going on. One can easily make out those who are affected by looking at the despair on their faces," Kumar said. According to officials, 50 fire tenders and 200 on-the-ground personnel had to be deployed to bring the blaze under control after a 12-hour effort. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Friday that he would focus on further strengthening India's maritime security and marking its presence as a naval power in the Indian Ocean Region more effective and robust. Singh made this observation on his first outstation visit after becoming the Defence Minister for the second consecutive time. He visited the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam to review the operational readiness of the Indian Navy and embarked on a 'Day at Sea' programme on INS Jalashwa. "The Indian Navy is continuously becoming stronger, factored by growing industrial infrastructure. Our shipyards are expanding, aircraft carriers increasing, and our Navy is emerging as a new powerful force. We will give momentum to our efforts in this tenure as well," Singh was quoted as saying in a press release. He noted that the government's focus on land borders and maritime security has a broader vision, which is to bind the northern and southern parts of the nation in one thread. Further, he said the Indian Navy will ensure that no nation suppresses another in the Indo-Pacific region or endangers its strategic autonomy. "It is a matter of great pride that our Navy is ensuring safe trade and promoting peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Securing free navigation, rules-based world order, anti-piracy and peace and stability in the region are our biggest objectives," he added. As part of the 'Day at Sea', Singh witnessed the dynamic operations of various ships, submarines and aircraft of ENC, among others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear and space, and exchanged views on key global and regional issues. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit here in the southern resort town of Italy. "Taking Strategic Partnership to new levels! PM @narendramodi met President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. "The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues," he wrote. It is Prime Minister Modi's first foreign trip after assuming office for a third time this month. The two leaders last met in January when the French President visited India to attend the 75th Republic Day of India. During their last meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, outlined in Horizon 2047 and other documents from the July 2023 Summit. Horizon 2047 Roadmap sets an ambitious and broad-ranging course for the bilateral relationship for 2047, the centenary year of India's independence. Modi is attending the 50th G7 Summit on the invitation of Italian President Georgia Meloni and will address an Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean alongside leaders of other invited countries and Pope Francis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region. It is learnt that Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi had met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the previous G7 summit in Hiroshima in May last year as well. India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Fighter jet takes off at night China Military Online) 15:30, June 14, 2024 A fighter jet attached to an aviation unit of the PLA Air Force takes off for a flight training exercise on May 24, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liao Weiqi) A fighter jet attached to an aviation unit of the PLA Air Force takes off for a flight training exercise on May 24, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liao Weiqi) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Nowadays ill discuss every little thing i understand regarding only SugarNights.com. Will you enjoy spending time with escorts, glucose babies, having a girlfriend knowledge, or those types of unique spa massage treatments that make you feel somewhat lighter in the jeans? In the event you, you might question where you are able to look to get a hold of these kind of certain, fringe sex services without the need to find each service separately. SugarNights.com is a companion service that appears to get in touch Johns with escorts, massage companies, and ladies who are experts in providing the sweetheart experienceafor a cost. Get alerts: SugarNights.com provides most top towns and cities noted as soon as youve got picked the town of option, you are ready to plunge into exactly what the web site provides. Are you currently curious about just what that would be? Keep reading to learn more about SugarNights.com. You must know that I am not some guy that uses escorts. It isnt really a thing that i actually do neither is it something that i will suggest doing. Plain and simple, it is something youll more than likely like to stay away from performing. But why dont we focus on the analysis and never employing any hookers to begin with. Simply peruse this and you will see what i really advise. Click To View Table of Materials My SugarNights Review Shows All Ill kick the overview off aided by the basic looka Landing on SugarNights.com As soon as you secure on the website for SugarNights.com, you are going to find a map with the U.S. where you are able to select area youre residing in, or if youre traveling, the metropolis you are at this time in. Youll see most of the places take the eastern and west coasts, making use of the Midwest getting greatly underrepresented. I made a decision to browse Pittsburgh, as its perhaps not a large area, but not tiny often. As I clicked on Pittsburgh throughout the map, I found myself straight away taken up to SugarNights Pittsburgh and offered presented escorts, recent companion directories, and a sidebar in which i really could choose different groups such: Free Escorts Asian Restorative Solutions Purchase Play Glucose Infants Real Time Gender Cams Discreet Affairs Fuck 4 Free Local Hookups Live Trans If you should be some one that enjoys renewable intimate encounters and experiences, while never worry about having to pay right up, then SugarNights.com might just have what you are searching for. The SugarNights.com Escorts Once we decided on an escort I was into looking at (for revealing purposes merely), we clicked on her behalf thumbnail photo that SugarNights.com offers. I happened to be taken to her profile which had some photos, her dimensions, a tiny bio, those things shed carry out, and make contact with info such as the woman current email address, social media, and her contact number. One positive thing we observed had been the ladies all seemed to have place requirements that suit for Pittsburgh. If you are utilizing an escort website in addition to location requirements are typical distant, its likely that the profiles tend to be fakes and stolen to attract you in. Youll find adverts for other web sites in each profile, frequently a hot movie trying entice you into pressing, which I did. I was next taken to videos website, StripChat.com, which apparently operates in combination with SugarNights.com. This is simply not a massive red-flag, most dating and escort internet sites cross-advertise, you only need to decide if those are sites youre interested in seeing. Furthermore noticeable that SugarNights.com is a partner website with SecretBenefits.com. If you choose to bing search one of several different categories listed on the left-hand area youre going to be used straight to the login web page for SecretBenefits.com. This takes place if you choose to go to the e-mail website links inside the escorts pages. Today, it is just a bit of a warning sign personally, well confess. Is SugarNights.com simply a top for SecretBenefits.com ? Truthfully, I do believe it really is. Yes, discover emails and legitimate looking phone numbers listed for every single woman. Indeed, the images look legitimate. But, how come every little thing link right back to SecretBenefits.com? Escort Categories If you are looking for a particular version of companion, its likely youll think it is on glucose Nights. They consist of groups instance: Incall Outcall Anal Play BBW Bisexual Domination Fetish Full-Service GFE Guide Production Several Partners Strap-On Entry Tantric Intercourse Genuinely, whatever youre looking for on SugarNights.com, youll probably find it. But you can discover the exact same situations for free listed here as of this site. Hold off, Think About SecretBenefits.com? After being rerouted to SecretBenefits.com over repeatedly, I made a decision to give it a look. SecretBenefits.com is actually a niche site that serves males who would like a specific brand of relationship, mainly one where they pay money for gender from a sugar child . Sugar connections remain somewhat taboo and finding a partner can be a little challenging. SecretBenefits.com is attempting to break straight down those barriers and then make locating a sugar infant or sugar daddy less difficult. If youre signing up for SugarNights.com, however, youre probably maybe not searching for a consistent, ongoing having to pay sexual commitment with some body, so you may get a touch irritated utilizing the constant links back towards dating internet site. If, though, you are looking for a lot more of an one-on-one commitment that leaves an attractive girl available for a charge, instead of sharing the woman with lots of males, you could be into what SecretBenefits.com offers. If youre contemplating SecretBenefits, its free for all to become listed on. However, women arrive at hold their own profiles free-of-charge, males, youve got to spend upwards. Speaking on SecretBenefits.com is carried out on a credit-based system, that will at this time set you back the annotated following: 100 credits-$59.00 500 credits-$169.00 1000 credits-$289.00 Your website providing on SecretBenefits.com is similar to other person online dating sites, letting you look for someone based on a variety of variables. Good sign this is actually a critical site is because they verify profiles, making sure you arent being scammed by a catfish or artificial. In case you are in the market for a glucose child, SecretBenefits.com appears to be a great way to discover. Summary of SugarNights.com I am on the fence about this site, frankly. I do not mind mother or father businesses or online dating sites that spouse together with other websites to advertise both, exactly what I really do mind is entirely showing a site together thing (an escort website) and offering me something different (a sugar infant site). Youll find advantages with SugarNights.com, the device numbers match with local numbers, the ladies have social media marketing that also matches with just who it is said theyve been, plus they seem legit. I did not get in touch with any females on SugarNights to arrange a night out together, Im not appearing currently for an escort, but Im rather positive that id get the one I contacted easily wished to employ one. Joining SugarNights is free and easy, when youre certainly contemplating hiring a companion or an erotic masseuse, it wont run you a thing to give your website a-try. Perhaps not if you dont hire somebody as well as do services. The worst you have to get rid of is a few momemts of energy, that the grand scheme of things, isnt really also bad. Selecting a lot more crazy articles such as this? After that great, look at this major page and discover more! Its a hell of a thing when you wake up, bleary-eyed and nursing the remnants of last nights indiscretions, to find that Nigel Farage is at the helm of the fucking opposition in Britain. Thats right, chums, Reform UK has overtaken the Conservatives in an opinion poll for the first time ever. Imagine waking up in a bizarro world where up is down, minnows chase sharks, and Farages merry band of political partisans are the legitimate challengers to the establishment powers that be. And here I thought reality couldnt get any stranger. Farages Carnival of Chaos: A Vote for the Tories is a Vote for Labour YouGov, that revered soothsayer of political fortunes, has Mr. Farages crew on a solid 19 percent, nipping at the heels of the Tories whove slumped to a miserable 18 percent. Labour, still riding high on the wings of banal mediocrity, sits pretty at 37 percent, while the Liberal Democrats are plodding along in fourth with 14 percent. This, my friends, is the first poll where Reform has outstripped the Tories, a development that exemplifies the true fucking depth of the anger in this country towards the Conservative socialist miscreants. Brexiteers included, the disenfranchised are truly angry and are now chanting the Farage mantra A Vote for the Tories is a Vote for Labour! Since Mr. Farage burst back onto the scene last week, succeeding the rather mild Richard Tice as the grand poobah of Reform, Conservative MPs have been sweating bullets out of their clenched arseholes, fearing this exact crossover moment. And now, post-manifesto launch, their nightmares have come true. Its like watching a slow-motion car crash in a circus tent filled with transgender clowns. On Thursday night, during a seven-way election debate on ITV, Farage gleefully announced, We are now the opposition to Labour, while visions of a chaotic Westminster danced in his eyes along with Tory MPs pulling off their own hair and wigs off in their bloody hands. What will happen to that ridiculous-looking cunt Michael Fabricunt, whose fabricated plastic wig makes him look even more preposterous than a cheap plastic shop mannequin at Topman? We have now overtaken the Conservatives, were in second position in the country. In the grand theatre of political adversity, Farage took to Twitter, exclaiming, We have now overtaken the Conservatives, were in second position in the country. Its a surreal moment in British politics as the entrenched system of Tory and Labour politics is put through a meat grinder by Reform. Every region except Scotland, he proclaimed, has seen the light. The only wasted vote now is a Conservative vote, he declared, as the ghost of Maggie Thatcher looked on in abject awe at the proceedings. After all, it was the treacherous Remainers in her own party who ousted her so horribly back in those fateful days because of her anti-EU stance. Tory Carnage During the ITV debate, Penny Mordaunt, the beleaguered Tory House of Commons leader, accused Farage of being a Labour enabler. Farage, ever the showman, flipped the script: A vote for you is actually now a vote for Labour. It was political jujitsu at its finest, a masterclass in turning the tables while standing on your head. To see the look of complete defeat on Mordaunts face was priceless in itself, a picture worth a thousand cream pies stuffed and splattered in her face all at the same time. Mr. Tice, the perennial chairman of Reform, triumphantly declared to the establishment media about their victory: Were absolutely delighted and YouGov is the gold standard of pollsters. Its a strange world where the rebels are singing praises of the establishment pollsters, but then again, nothing makes sense any more. The peoples revolt, as Tice put it, is gaining momentum, a runaway train hurtling toward a destination unknown. Farages manifesto launch in the Welsh valleys promises to be a barn burner, taking the fight to Labour in a region that voted vehemently to leave the EU. Its a bold strategy, like trying to sell snow to Eskimos, but in the topsy-turvy world of British politics, whos to say it wont work? Tory Chaos as Armageddon Looms The Conservatives, meanwhile, are in a shambles. Rishi Sunaks recent blunders, including a D-Day gaffe and a betting scandal, have only added to the chaos. As the Tory campaign continues to falter, Reform is surging ahead, buoyed by Farages return and his knack for stirring the shit pot. Much of the Cabinet and MPs stand to lose their seats after the dust has settled and the election counting at the polls has stopped. Andrew Wells of YouGov sounded a cautious note, reminding us that all polls have margins of error. But even so, the fact that Farages party is neck and neck with the Tories is a seismic shift. The invariably deluded David Davis, the former Conservative Brexit secretary, urged voters to distrust the polls, claiming theyre always off by a significant margin. Yet, with each passing day, it seems the political landscape is being redrawn in the most unexpected ways. As the election looms, the only certainty is uncertainty. Sincerely, the Tories had this coming but the fuckers are so blind, they could not see it. Strap in, folks, its going to be a wild ride. Remember, A vote for the Tories is a vote for Labour. As the world focuses on Ukraines future during a pivotal week that includes the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the G7 meeting, and the Ukraine Peace Summit, the importance of Ukraines private sector in driving the countrys recovery is becoming increasingly evident. SCM, a major Ukrainian investment company, has emphasized the practical steps necessary to ensure Ukraines future as a part of Europe. Rebuilding Ukraine This week marks a significant shift in international focus, with Ukraine preparing to begin EU accession negotiations and developing business partnerships that will be crucial when the situation stabilizes. Natalya Yemchenko, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of SCM, highlighted the importance of business at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, noting that this is a critical development in international thinking beyond the war. Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine is laying the groundwork for post-war reconstruction by fostering partnerships with foreign businesses in various sectors such as energy, logistics, communications, agriculture, and military technology. Yemchenko explained, Now is the time to implement development projects in Ukraine, which are necessary for our country to win. Strengthening business-to-business relationships this week has been a key precursor to long-term partnerships. SCMs energy business, DTEK, has signed agreements with GE Vernova, Honeywell, and Schneider Electric to support the rebuilding of Ukraines energy infrastructure. This follows DTEKs partnership with Vestas, the Danish sustainable energy specialist, to develop the Tyligulska Wind Power Plant. These partnerships are crucial for providing energy security now and paving the way for deeper collaborations between Western and Ukrainian businesses. Yemchenko emphasized SCMs role as Ukraines largest investor, with extensive investments across the country, particularly in the energy sector. At the URC in Berlin, there has been significant focus on the energy sector, where SCM has invested billions in rebuilding through DTEK. This investment strategy is a two-way process, with SCM also investing in Europe, gaining valuable experience and building trust in Ukrainian business. This approach helps open foreign markets for Ukraines goods and services and facilitates the creation and implementation of innovative solutions that can benefit Ukraine. Urban Revitalisation Urban revitalisation was another key topic at the URC, with discussions on the Mariupol Reborn project. This initiative aims to revive the de-occupied city of Mariupol with SCMs sponsorship and in partnership with the Mariupol City Council. Mayor Vadym Boichenko stressed the importance of preparing for the future, stating, After the victory, we will have painstaking work on the reform of the country. This means developing projects and strategies now, including seeking partners and funding. SCM is also committed to a wide range of humanitarian projects, including providing housing for internally displaced Mariupol families and extensive support for the defenders of Mariupol and their families. Yemchenko concluded, SCM is a business but we are nothing without people. That is why we have spent so much time and resources providing humanitarian support. Without Ukrainians, Ukraine cant exist. I know the Russian aim is to destroy Ukrainians, but we are doing everything we can to make sure their plans fail. As Ukraine navigates this challenging period, the role of the private sector, international partnerships, and humanitarian efforts will be crucial in rebuilding the nation and securing a prosperous future as part of the European community. Key Points: The House Appropriations Committee approved an $833 billion defense bill that prioritizes countering China and military modernization but includes controversial social provisions. Democrats strongly oppose the inclusion of restrictions on abortion access, diversity training, and gender-affirming care, arguing they are harmful and divisive. The bills future in the Senate remains to be determined, setting the stage for another potential budget standoff between the two chambers. House Republicans Advance Defense Bill The House Appropriations Committee approved an $833 billion defense spending bill on Wednesday, setting the stage for another contentious battle over social issues within the military. The bill, passed on a party-line vote of 34-25, includes funding increases for troops and weapons systems but also reignites debates over abortion access, diversity training, and other hot-button topics. Get alerts: Defense Priorities Take Center Stage The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Act prioritizes countering Chinas growing military might, investing heavily in advanced technologies, and bolstering support for service members. Key provisions include: Increased Military Spending: The bill allocates $833 billion for defense, a 1% increase from FY2024, aligning with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The bill allocates $833 billion for defense, a 1% increase from FY2024, aligning with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Countering China: Significant funding is directed toward countering Chinas influence in the Indo-Pacific region, with investments in Taiwans security, advanced aircraft like the F-35, and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Significant funding is directed toward countering Chinas influence in the Indo-Pacific region, with investments in Taiwans security, advanced aircraft like the F-35, and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. Military Modernization: The bill emphasizes innovation, providing funding for hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. The bill emphasizes innovation, providing funding for hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. Support for Troops and Families: A 4.5% pay raise for all military personnel is included, along with an additional 15% pay bump for junior enlisted service members. Social Issues Reignite Partisan Tensions Despite bipartisan support for increased defense spending and military modernization, the bills inclusion of provisions targeting social issues sparked immediate controversy. Democrats vehemently opposed these measures, arguing they inject divisive politics into military funding. Restrictions on Abortion Access: The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for travel and leave related to abortion services for service members and their dependents. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for travel and leave related to abortion services for service members and their dependents. Limits on Diversity and Inclusion Programs: Funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives faces significant cuts, and the bill prohibits the implementation of President Bidens executive orders on DEI. Funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives faces significant cuts, and the bill prohibits the implementation of President Bidens executive orders on DEI. Ban on Gender-Affirming Care: The legislation bars the use of funds for gender-affirming medical care for transgender service members. The most contentious provisions include: Democrats condemned these provisions as harmful and discriminatory, accusing Republicans of using the defense bill to advance a partisan agenda. As written, this bill does more to divide us than to unite us, said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). It contains partisan riders unrelated to defense policy that overwhelmingly make this critical bill a tool for division, not support that our service members rightfully expect and need. Republicans defended the inclusion of the social issue provisions, arguing they are necessary to refocus the military on its core mission and eliminate woke policies they claim are harming military readiness. This bill provides the resources necessary for our military to deter conflict and prevail in war, said Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The spending priorities included in this bill acknowledge that the threats against the United States are no longer a future challenge, but a current reality. Uncertain Path Forward The bill now heads to the House floor, where it is expected to pass largely along party lines. However, its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Democrats hold a narrow majority in the upper chamber, and many have expressed strong opposition to the social issue provisions. Last year, similar disagreements between the House and Senate over social issues in the defense bill led to months of delays, ultimately pushing the budget decision into the new fiscal year. This created significant challenges for military planning and operations. With the 2024 presidential election looming, both parties will face pressure to reach a compromise and avoid another protracted budget battle. However, given the deeply partisan nature of the current political climate, finding common ground on these contentious social issues will prove challenging. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has honoured and recognised 102 employees who have completed 20, 30 or 40 years of service. The NIFRS Long Service & Good Conduct Awards Ceremony took place at Omagh Fire Station and the Silverbirch Hotel and was held for employees based in the Western Area Command, which covers County Tyrone, Fermanagh and most of County Derry. IN PICTURES: Local firefighters honoured by NIFRS The ceremony was attended by NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings and Chairperson of the NIFRS Board, Jay Colville. The awards were presented by Robert Scott, Lord Lieutenant of County Tyrone. Since the last Long Service & Good Conduct Awards Ceremony took place, a welcome development is that new 30 and 40 years service clasps have been introduced to present to employees in accordance with the Royal Warrant. The awards recognise employees in both operational and support roles with Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service. The Western Area Command ceremony saw 40 20-year service medals, 52 30-year clasps and 7 30- and 40-year clasps presented, as well as 3 awards being presented to support employees. NIFRS Western Area Commander David Doherty said: Every colleague receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Award has made a huge contribution to our organisation and the service we provide to the public, so this ceremony is an important event for all of those recognised. We also greatly value the support that families provide for our staff, especially for our operational staff in preparation for and in the aftermath of the difficult, demanding and often dangerous work they do in protecting the public. NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings added: As Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, it is my privilege to publicly recognise our employees across Western Area Command and to thank them for dedicated years of service in keeping people safe. Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has described her background as a superpower when it comes to being a successful screenwriter. The Derry writer also said it was essential to give local people in underrepresented communities greater opportunities to work in the creative sector. Her comments came at the launch of an industry report which revealed that almost 100 Northern Ireland people from ethnic minority, socio-economic and disabled communities have been supported into employment in the screen and creative industries, My background is my superpower, Lisa said. I had expressions and sayings that I wrote in a particular way which would be both ear and eye-catching. The writing superstar, whose latest show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has been picked up by Netflix, also offered encouragement to participants in Creative Industries New Entrants (CINE), a programme aimed at creating a more diverse workforce in the sector: Play to your individual strengths and make sure you are doing what you can do that nobody else can, she said. In addition to the creation of 93 new entrant jobs over the last two years, CINEs second annual report also revealed that there have been nearly two thousand (1,948) applications for the programme. CINE participants receive formal training to cover skills relevant to the role for which they are recruited, such as production techniques, idea generation, technical skills, communication skills and teamwork. They are given the opportunity to put these skills into practice via paid 12-18 month industry placements, with training and a mentor provided to support them. Following participation in the scheme, almost three-quarters (72%) of those who had secured employment were from lower socio-economic backgrounds, nearly half (46%) had a disability, while 16% were from underrepresented ethnic minority groups. CINE is a Northern Ireland Screen flagship initiative, funded by the Department for Communities and supported by BBC Northern Ireland. Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, described CINE as a shining example of collaboration and innovation, bringing together government agencies, industry partners and aspiring creatives to drive positive change. This programme represents a crucial step towards building a more inclusive and vibrant creative sector, one that reflects the rich diversity of our society, he said. I am particularly heartened by the strides made in supporting underrepresented communities. This commitment to diversity is not only commendable but essential for fostering a creative ecosystem that thrives on varied perspectives and experiences. At the end of their time on CINE, participants should be well equipped for a freelance career within Northern Irelands creative industries. Adam Smyth, Director of BBC Northern Ireland, said CINE was a ground-breaking initiative. We expect that its benefits will continue long into the future. CINE has allowed us to provide placement opportunities for people from different backgrounds and helped to develop their skills, insights and expertise. The BBC makes a big contribution to the creative economy in Northern Ireland something that CINE has enhanced in new and exciting ways, he said. Tolu Ogunware, the creative mind and director behind BBC Northern Ireland show Black, Northern Irish and Proud', said CINE had been a catalyst for his career: It has allowed me to meet a lot of incredibly talented people and to learn from them on the job putting me one step ahead when it comes to applying for the next opportunity, he said. Adam OConnor said CINE had cemented his career aspirations: My mentor, Triplevision Productions, sourced a piece of kit to allow me to film accommodating my physical disability and the experience has been incredible, he said. They also supported me to host a podcast with another person who also has a disability sharing tips and information on how to get into the industry. Teresa McDonald a post-production trainee, said CINE had changed her life: Before CINE, I was working in retail and struggling with my mental health as I didnt enjoy my job, she said. When I saw the position with Red Wolf Films it sounded like the perfect fit for me and the experience has been lifechanging. Im so grateful for the CINE opportunity as I dont think any other avenue would have provided this experience and access to an employer or job that I love. As a consequence of the paid placement and mentorship, trainees are moving to the next stage of their career with some being retained by their employers on a full time basis and other equipped with the skills and experience to forge a successful freelance career. Three women charged in connection with withholding information and perverting the course of justice in the murder of Katie Simpson on August 9, 2020 have been given suspended sentences at Derry Crown Court today. T he defendants are Rose De Montmorency-Wright, 23, from Craigantlet Road in Newtownards, Hayley Rob, 30, from Weavers Row in Banbridge and Jill Robinson, 42, from Blackfort Road in Omagh. The man alleged to have murdered her, Jonathan Creswell (36) was found dead on the morning of the second day of his trial. At the sentencing hearing today Judge Neil Rafferty KC talked of the 'devastation and loss' which is felt by all those who knew the deceased woman. Katie Simpson's mother said in her victim impact statement said 'if any of the girls had been truthful about what they knew, I would have been so much better able to comfort her.' She also said that if she had known the truth 'Jonathan Creswell would never have been at Katie's bedside.' The dead woman's grandparents said 'everyone in Katie's family wants her back.' The judge said that Katie Simpson's death had left many people 'shocked, devastated and angry'. Turning to the incident itself the judge said that Jonathan Creswell 'had created a fiction pretending to others he had found Katie hanging in a stairwell.' He said that the defendants 'ascribed to and we're complicit in his conspiracy of silence' and added that the defendants Robb and Robinson had 'engaged in positive acts, the result of which was to mislead those trying to get to the truth of what had happened.' The judge said that all three had pleaded guilty on an agreed basis which was that none of them knew or believed Creswell had murdered Katie Simpson but they all thought he had been involved in an assault. He added that all three were aware police would be investigating the incident and that Creswell did not want police to know about his assault on the deceased. Judge Rafferty said that the plea indicated that 'all three defendants acted upon Creswell' s lie that he had given Katie a hiding' and he had to pass sentence on the basis the defendants did not know Creswell had murdered the deceased. Turning to Creswell himself the judge said there was evidence of Creswell's attitude and behaviour towards women. One witness referred to Creswell subjecting her to 'coercive control and numerous physical assaults.' He said that of note Creswell had subjected her to choking and strangulation. The judge said another witness would have told the trial that Creswell had 'effectively groomed' Katie Simpson for when she was aged 10. He described Creswell as 'a skilled and predatory abuser who regarded women under his influence as simply there to be used and abused.' The court heard that withholding information and perverting the course of justice were serious offences and added that all three women had 'crossed the custody threshold.' However, given the fact that all three had clear records he was going to suspend the sentences. Hayley Robb was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years, Jill Robinson was sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years and Rose De Montmorency-Wright to eight months suspended for two years. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Gibson said: Katie Simpson lost her life at the age of just 21, leaving family members and many close friends bereft. She was at the heart of a family who simply adored her. A former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday has appeared in court for the first time since he was charged, as his lawyers attempted to have the case thrown out. Ex-paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of Derry in January 1972. He is also charged with five attempted murders. The veteran was present in Court 16 of Belfast Crown Court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Fowler. He sat in the witness box, with a thick floor-to-ceiling blue curtain shielding him from the main body of the court to protect his anonymity. Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims packed out the public gallery having travelled to the hearing from Derry. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also attended proceedings. The no bill proceedings saw the defence make an application for the case to be dismissed ahead of a trial. Representing Soldier F, Mark Mulholland KC argued that there was an insufficiency of evidence against his client. He went on to claim that contemporaneous statements from other soldiers involved in the events of Bloody Sunday, which the prosecution sought to rely on, were contradictory and flawed. Mr Mulholland told the judge that the case against the veteran was absent of a coherent evidential basis to ground any of the seven charges he was facing. Prosecution barrister Louis Mably KC disputed the defence contentions. He said the prosecution would make the case that Soldier F was part of a group of paratroopers that entered a courtyard in the Bogside area of Derry and opened fire on unarmed civilians running away from them. Each soldier who fired in those circumstances must have intended to kill, he said. Thats the natural inference to draw when someone shoots at someone with a rifle. Earlier, the judge heard an application for anonymity and screening provisions applied to Solider F to be extended. He had already granted an interim extension pending ventilation of fuller legal arguments on the issue. Ian Turkington KC, who is also part of the veterans defence team, told the court Soldier F would be seen as a prized target for dissident republicans and claimed there would be a real and immediate risk to his life if his identity was made public. The defence relied on expert reports compiled by former assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Alan McQuillan. Mr McQuillan, who gave evidence to the court via video-link, told the judge that the prosecution of Soldier F had assumed totemic status. He warned that the New IRA, which he said was based out of Derry, could seek to target him. The former senior officer said the risk would increase if the former soldier was ultimately acquitted at trial. There will always be a risk because, convicted or acquitted, there will always be those who would want vengeance, but if he was acquitted the impetus would be even greater, he said. The prosecution has adopted a neutral stance in relation to the application for continued anonymity and screening. PPS barrister Mr Mably highlighted that the current police assessment of the risk to Soldier F was low. He also suggested that the court could consider other measures such as allowing Soldier F to be named during court proceedings, but prevent the media from reporting the name; or continue with anonymity of his name but make him appear in court without screening. The judge said he would keep the interim extension of anonymity and screening in place pending him ruling on the issue. Mr Justice Fowler said he would deliver his ruling on the application to have the case dismissed at a later date. A date for Soldier Fs trial is yet to be fixed. Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Thirteen people were killed on the day and another man shot by paratroopers died four months later. Many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday but his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. The PPS previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial. The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinneys family and the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast subsequently overturned the PPSs move. After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution. Is Huawei, a new automotive tier-1, overshadowing carmakers? Chinese EV makers continue to enhance smart vehicle technology. As an emerging automotive tier-1 supplier, Huawei's car business profited in the first quarter of 2024. However, concerns about Huawei threatening automakers' authority are also growing. Aito, Luxeed, and Stelato are EV brands that Huawei forms with automakers. Supply chain sources said sales of these brands are gaining traction. Carmakers have to partner with Huawei because they need the company's advanced technology, but they also want to reduce their reliance. Although Huawei's name is not on these EV brands' nameplates, the tech giant possesses many critical technologies, a fact that could concern carmakers. China-based Chery Automobile collaborates with Huawei on Luxeed. The pair have been rumored to have disagreements since the beginning of their partnership. Chinese media reported that Chery has established a sales department dedicated to Luxeed, creating another sales channel besides Huawei. Automakers also try to diversify partnerships with other tier-1 suppliers to reduce dependence on Huawei or avoid working with the company. The results of these efforts still need to be determined. DJI Automotive, another new tier-1 supplier, is attracting the market's attention with its competitive price-performance ratio. The company vows to realize level 2 vehicle autonomy for mass-produced models. However, Chinese media recently reported that more time is required to see whether DJI can secure a foothold in the market. Car models that the company supports have yet to reach outstanding sales, such as those of Aito M5 or M7. DJI has collaborated with BYD, Volkswagen, and other automakers. Industry sources said production and sales volume are the most important indicators given the fierce cutthroat price competition in China's car market. Xiaomi EV securing significant orders right after hitting the market represented the company's success. If sales do not grow, the carmaker will face more difficulties in tackling losses and raising funds. As the automotive industry develops smart driving technology, China-based new tier-1 suppliers' advantages have become more evident. Chinese homegrown carmakers can reduce their costs efficiently. Foreign and joint venture automakers have also deepened ties with new tier-1s to learn from them and add more flexibility to existing supply chains. Similar cooperation can be found between Volkswagen and Xpeng, Stellantis and Leapmotor, and Toyota and Huawei and Momenta. Some of these China-based car companies are also new tier-1s. Leading Chinese automakers were cautious about Huawei and maintained limited collaboration with the company. Therefore, the tech giant partnered with Seres and has gained success with Aito M5, M7, and M9 this year. Five months after its launch, Aito's M5 orders exceeded those of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi combined. In addition, the vehicle is the top-selling luxury SUV priced over CNY500,000 (US$685,000). The Stelato S9, which Huawei collaborates with BAIC BluePark, also targets the luxury segment. Millilab eyes global smart vehicle sensor opportunities with proprietary algorithm Passive infrared (PIR) sensors have been around for years and are widely used in various devices including smart lamps, automotive radar, and monitoring systems. They are instrumental and indispensable to the modern world. However, their lower sensitivity and smaller range also limit the capability of the smart devices that use PIR sensors. Millimeter wave (mmWave) radar sensors that are widely used in smart cars are now getting increasingly adopted in smart devices including monitoring and smart cockpit systems after manufacturers started to provide non-automotive mmWave radar chips a few years ago at more economical pricing. Millilab, with a robust R&D capability and technological strength, wowed visitors at CES 2023. It has engaged in close partnerships with multiple international monitoring system suppliers. Having raised NT$50 million in March 2024, Millilab is poised to capture the immense opportunities in the global smart vehicle market. According to Millilab's founder and CEO - Bibben Lin, mmWaves are shorter in wavelengths. Sensors based on mmWave radar technology provide higher resolution and accuracy so they are embraced by smart cars with high safety standards. Infineon used to dominate the mmWave radar chip market, making them expensive and hardly used in monitoring systems sold at lower prices compared to smart cars. When Texas Instruments (TI) introduced low-cost mmWave radar chips, it spurred a rapid increase in mmWave radar sensor adoptions in non-automotive applications. Today, almost all mid-range and high-end monitoring systems priced at US$200 or higher use mmWave radar sensors. Recognized by Japan-based Socionext, Millilab targets the global market with technological strength Eyeing mmWave radar sensors' high accuracy and high-resolution characteristics and the opportunities arising from decreasing costs, Lin with abundant experience in developing communication devices decided to found Millilab with his business partners in 2019. Millilab's mmWave radar solutions are being used in monitoring systems for infants and seniors, child presence detection (CPD) systems, and driver monitoring systems (DMS). When the company was first founded, the Millilab team focused on developing algorithms based on TI mmWave radar sensors for a variety of applications. Millilab's robust R&D capability soon caught the attention of Socionext, a Japan-based mmWave radar chip supplier. Each boasting unique technologies in their own field, the two companies decided to join forces and have together developed total solutions and reference designs for a diversity of application scenarios that are embraced by customers across different sectors. Millilab has become one of the most trusted partners of Socionext and now independently develops algorithms based on Socionext chips. It is also the company that many global brands turn to for mmWave radar solutions. Lin noted that during the company's early development, the competition was fierce in the automotive mmWave radar sensor market. European and American brands dominated 80% to 90% of the market and the rest was divided between two China-based vendors. In comparison, at that time almost every monitoring system was based on the PIR technology. This presented tremendous opportunities for Millilab. Not only did Millilab become Socionext's partner for its R&D strength but it also secured a deal with Europe's largest car seat brand Maxi-Cosi to jointly develop a crib (baby) monitoring system. The result impressed Maxi-Cosi and more importantly, gave Millilab global visibility. Millilab and partners expand into the smart cockpit market with authorities mandating CPD starting 2025 With the assistance from TTA and flyingVest Ventures, Millilab attended CES in 2023 and 2024 as well as London Tech Week in the U.K. and VivaTech in France. The participation at these events helped Millilab reach customers from different corners of the world. For example, a Europe-based automatic door manufacturer was impressed by Millilab's algorithm and therefore plans to collaborate with the company. Multiple Asia-based corporations have also engaged in partnerships with Millilab to provide mmWave radar solutions for their products targeting overseas markets. These projects significantly fueled Millilab's revenue growth. Going forward, Millilab will undertake a three-way strategy, said Lin. First, it will continue to attend tech exhibitions and work with TTA and flyingVest Ventures to increase its global visibility. Second, to win more customers across different sectors, Millilab plans to implement the algorithm developed for Socionext chips on TI chips, ensuring the same level of performance and reliability. Last, the EU mandating CPD starting in 2025 is set to spur the demand for CPD systems so Millilab will work with partners to capture preemptive opportunities in this market segment. On average, about 40 children die each year in Europe after being left alone in a car. To address this problem, Euro NCAP will award safety rating points for CPD in new passenger vehicle designs from 2025. In response, manufacturers are actively developing smart cockpit solutions. This presents a great opportunity for Millilab, boasting strong algorithm R&D capability, to penetrate the market segment. It plans to introduce a standard smart cockpit solution in April 2024 for automakers' PoC testing, followed by customized designs according to their requirements. Millilab expects this to contribute to strong revenue growth in the coming years. (Editor's note: The original article was published in TTA Magazine Issue 14. Read more startup stories in TTA Magazines.) Millilab founder and CEO Bibben Lin Photo: Millilab Schematic diagram of Millilab's CPD system Photo: Millilab MKS Instruments expands to Malaysia with new Penang plant, supporting chip production American semiconductor company MKS Instruments has announced plans to build a manufacturing plant in Penang, Malaysia, to support wafer fabrication equipment production both regionally and globally. Official construction is set to kick off in early 2025. MKS provides foundational technology solutions, including instruments, subsystems, and process control systems, primarily serving customers in semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, electronics, and specialty industrial applications. Its prestigious clientele includes TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and STMicroelectronics. MKS CEO John Lee highlighted the advantages of Penang as the site for the new factory, citing its proximity to customers and suppliers, well-developed infrastructure, and established semiconductor ecosystem. Lee described the construction of the factory as an important milestone for MKS, facilitating the company's continued expansion in Malaysia. Known as the "Silicon Valley of the East," Penang hosts renowned industry players such as Intel, Infineon, and Bosch. Chow Kon Yeow, chief minister of Penang, welcomed MKS to the state, emphasizing Penang's well-developed industrial ecosystem and its capacity to support the future growth of companies. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) stressed that MKS's decision to build a new plant in Malaysia underscores the nation's growing reputation as a premier destination for advanced technology investments, given its rich pool of talent and resources. MIDA noted that the MKS investment would significantly enhance manufacturing capabilities in Malaysia, aligning with the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 (NIMP 2030) goals to achieve an added value of MYR 587.5 billion (US$ 126.3 billion) in manufacturing by 2030. The Malaysian government has implemented various initiatives to foster semiconductor industry development, initially focusing on downstream activities such as chip packaging and testing, and now advancing toward IC design and advanced chip manufacturing. Earlier, Penang announced the establishment of an IC Design and Digital Park, scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. Additionally, Selangor's IC Design Park, touted as the largest in Southeast Asia, is set to become operational in July 2024. Malaysia has also unveiled its National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), aiming to attract more foreign investments and cultivate tens of thousands of high-level semiconductor talent, ultimately establishing itself as a hub for advanced chip manufacturing. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Nokia and Foxconn to make 5G products in northern Vietnam Nokia partnered with Foxconn to make 5G devices in northern Vietnam, which will meet domestic and overseas demands, as manufacturers expand their manufacturing portfolio in the Southeast Asian country. Vietnam Investment Review and VNExpress reported that Foxconn will start manufacturing Nokia's 5G AirScale equipment, including the latest AirScale Massive MIMO radio products, under a new partnership. Production is set to begin in July, with plans to be ramped up in September 2024. The products will be sold in both domestic and international markets. Ruben Flores, general director of Nokia Vietnam, said that the partnership with Foxconn will meet customer demand, enhance cost efficiency, and highlight Nokia's commitment to optimizing its manufacturing, distribution, and supplier networks in the region. Vietnam Investment Review, citing a Foxconn representative, said that the partnership highlighted Vietnam's role as a favored manufacturing destination, noting Foxconn's 17-year presence in the country. AirScale equipment is designed to offer extended 5G coverage with high efficiency. Local manufacturing will allow Vietnamese service providers to accelerate their 5G rollouts. Vietnam just began its 5G auction in 2024, with Viettel and Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) winning the first successful auctions for 5G spectrum licenses. The final bidder is expected to be determined by the end of June. Winning bidders are required to deploy 5G services within 12 months of receiving their licenses and build more than 3,000 base stations within two years. During a visit to Vietnam in March, Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark expressed Nokia's desire to play a more significant role in Vietnam's digital transformation and to support the government's policy of local manufacturing. Meanwhile, Foxconn spokesperson James Wu said in May that the company would prioritize expansion in China, India, Mexico, and Vietnam, with Vietnam slated to be its computing products hub. London Tech Week live: UK's semiconductor industry and TSMC in the spotlight London Tech Week has brought significant attention to generative AI and the UK's evolving semiconductor industry. This event underscores Britain's ambition to enhance its position in the global tech arena, with a notable focus on the contributions of key industry players. David Moore, founder of Pragmatic Semiconductor, showcased their groundbreaking 300mm 12-inch wafer, highlighting the innovative fusion of thin-film technology with standard chip-making tools. Moore emphasized the sustainability and efficiency of their processes, which aim to reduce energy and water usage significantly. "We have tens of thousands, even 50,000 individual flexible IC chips on a single wafer. It's thin, flexible, and very low-cost. Importantly, it's sustainable, addressing some of the industry's biggest challenges," said Moore. Moore also discussed the geographical concentration challenges in the semiconductor industry. He noted that 70% of the world's semiconductor manufacturing is located in China, Korea, and Taiwan, with 90% of advanced capacity in Taiwan. He pointed out that the UK, leveraging its rich heritage and expertise in semiconductor technology, is striving to rebalance the global supply chain. "We're building on the UK's longstanding history in semiconductors, particularly in the Northeast, where there is a wealth of experience and knowledge," he added. In another compelling presentation, Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, discussed the revolutionary impact of generative AI on customer service. Jackson revealed that since integrating ChatGPT into their system in early 2023, they have achieved remarkable success. "By January 2023, we had ChatGPT, or a variant of it, answering customer queries live by email. By May, 45% of all customer service emails were written by AI," Jackson explained. The AI system has notably outperformed human counterparts, achieving an 85% customer satisfaction rate compared to the 65% rate for human responses. Jackson emphasized the efficiency and effectiveness of AI in managing customer interactions, stating, "AI writes the email, and then a human can amend it, trash it, or redesign it. Currently, we handle 30,000 emails a day with this system." London Tech Week continues to highlight the UK's technological advancements and its potential to become a significant player in the global semiconductor market, driven by innovation and sustainability. Credit: DIGITIMES The Special EU Programmes Body has today announced an investment from the PEACEPLUS Programme of 20m (17.3m) for Geothermal Energy research and development. The aim of this unique investment is to promote energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, including Louth, through increased awareness and uptake of geothermal technologies for heat production. Heat production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonisation of heat is central to the EU, UK and Irish strategies to meet the 2050 net zero Green House Gas emission targets. Research has shown that meeting this goal will require renovation and retrofit of energy efficiency measures and renewable heating in buildings, alongside increased use of energy from renewable sources. The funding has been awarded to a multi-partner project entitled GEMINI: Geothermal Energy Momentum on the Island of Ireland. The project is made up of fourteen organisations from both sides of the border, led by Codema. The GEMINI project will, for the first time on the island, develop a joint approach to a renewable technology on a cross-border basis. GEMINI will demonstrate and promote the uptake of efficient, renewable, low-carbon, secure and affordable geothermal energy at five locations, three in Northern Ireland, one in border region of Ireland, and one in Dublin. The project aims to accelerate shallow geothermal energy uptake by removing barriers to the development of shallow geothermal. It intends to increase the uptake of Ground Source Heat Pumps, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase awareness of geothermal, improve energy efficiency and increase fuel security. The project will support advances towards a sustainable future by reducing emissions and imports of fossil fuels through the development of Deep Geothermal Energy on the island of Ireland. Geothermal offers the island an opportunity to extract a natural resource currently not used on the island and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, while reducing emissions. Welcoming todays announcement, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr. Eamon Ryan, T.D., said: The GEMINI project complements the Irish Governments July 2023 Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy for a Circular Economy, which sets out the broad approach to be adopted in regulating the exploration for, and the utilisation of, geothermal energy as a natural resource and the scope of a strategy to promote the sustainable development of Irelands geothermal resources to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings and for industrial uses and power generation. Geothermal energy potential is based on geological conditions, which cross-cut political borders. The GEMINI project will deepen my Departments already excellent collaboration with Northern Ireland colleagues and promote alignment in policy, regulation, research, and business activity. "Development of joint education, skills and training frameworks will ensure that accreditation of businesses and installers, drillers, etc., is recognised both North and South, creating seamless access to markets and the necessary supply of technical expertise. I look forward to the real impact the GEMINI projects outputs will have on the development of the geothermal energy sector on the island of Ireland and on climate action and energy security for our communities. Dept for the Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA said: I welcome the launch of GEMINI, the first cross-border geothermal project. I have been clear that my intention is to deliver a just transition towards net-zero and it is a central pillar to my economic vision. Decarbonisation projects like GEMINI are key to increasing our levels of renewable energy. Geothermal is a natural heat source and can help tackle the hard to decarbonise heating sector through regulated heat networks. It will also be a driver toward establishing a self-sufficient, stable, and affordable energy market. GEMINI is also a great example of how an all-island approach to decarbonisation has the potential to deliver huge economic opportunities that can generate good jobs, improve productivity and address regional imbalance. SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: We are delighted to provide funding for such an important project, which utilises our natural resources safely and sustainable to enhance energy production. Promoting renewable, greener energy is one of the most important ways to create a better future for everyone on this island. "This investment will protect our natural environment which is critical to every citizen's future well-being, economic and social opportunities. It will make this a more attractive place to live, work, socialise, invest in and visit. This is an industry in which local organisations and business can make a regional and global impact and we are proud to support this important sector. Todays statement follows the announcement last month of 165m of PEACEPLUS funding to support sustainable travel across the island of Ireland through investment in the cross-border Enterprise Train service. The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of 1.14 billion, to be delivered over the next five years. The Programme will support a wide range of sectors including health and social care, the protection of the environment, rural regeneration, smart towns and villages, local regeneration and mental health services. PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called on management at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda to take urgent action on hospital overcrowding. Over 162 patients have been on trolleys since June 4th, according to shocking figures from the INMO TrolleyWatch. INMO Industrial Relations Officer for Our Lady of Lourdes Maurice Sheehan said: Our members in Our Lady of Lourdes are deeply concerned about the number of seriously ill patients who are ending up on trolleys throughout the hospital without an adequate number of nursing staff rostered to care safely for them. Our members have raised this very urgent issue with their union and hospital management. We know that large volumes of patients on trolleys for extended periods of time can have negative impacts on the long-term health outcomes of patients and also staff safety. The issues in Our Lady of Lourdes are being compounded by the HSEs recruitment freeze, which is making it even more difficult for our members to be able to provide safe care. The INMO is now calling on the hospital to take extraordinary measures in order to reduce the number of patients on trolleys. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has been slammed for raising a Palestinian flag instead of an Irish tricolour after his re-election. Flanagan was first over the line in the Midlands-North-West constituency in the early hours of this morning (Friday June 14) with 11.5% of first preference votes. He was followed by MEPs Brian Cowen, Maria Walsh, Nina Carberry and Ciaran Mullooly. Despite topping the polls in the constituency, Flanagan drew ire online as video footage of his celebrations circulated online. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Newstalk, Flanagan - whose shoulders are draped in a Palestinian flag - can be heard shouting, "Viva Palestine!" The video was viewed almost 70,000 times and drew hundreds of comments, the vast majority of which were negative. One X user commented, "The MEP for Gaza, eh? I wonder how the good people of Midlands-North-West feel about that?" while another wrote, "Strange that when you get elected as an MEP in Europe to represent Ireland and the first thing you do is take out a Palestinian flag instead of your own nations flag." Another person commented, "He's representing Ireland, he should be celebrating with the Irish flag, the flag of the people that voted for him, that he represents. He was voted by Irish people to represent Ireland as an MEP, not to represent Palestine..." Ming Flanagan celebrated his re-election as an MEP draped in a Palestinian flag. #EE24 pic.twitter.com/PO87OVf9L8 NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 13, 2024 Another X user wrote, "He's not an MEP for Palestine and it wasn't the Palestinians who voted him in and will be paying him his big wage, again. What an absolute disgrace, shouldn't have been allowed." However, not all comments were critical of Flanagan's decision to raise the Palestinian flag instead of the tricolour. One X user commented, "Its good to show the EU we stand with Palestine." Another wrote, "We may have lost Clare Daly but at least we still have an MEP who will call out the genocide enablers in Europe." Another called him a "legend". Estelle Birdy will be in Roe River Books for the Dundalk launch of her debut novel Ravelling this evenig, Friday June 14th at 7pm. Estelle, who grew up in Blackrock, Co. Louth and attended St. Vincents Secondary School, is a writer, poet, book critic and yoga teacher who lives with her family in Dublin. Her debut novel Ravelling was a winner of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair in 2020. Her work is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland. Set in Dublin's liberties, Estelles explosively original debut Ravelling channels the energies and agonies of young men let loose in the city, their city, navigating the tumultuous trajectory of youth and young manhood, where they balance their hopes with the harsh realities of their present. Hurtling between friendships, feuds, drug-deals, family and brushes with the law, this is modern Dublin as never before portrayed. Ravelling follows Deano, a weed-smoking hurling star, living with his aunt in an about-to-be-demolished flat; Hamza, a Pakistani Muslim atheist and precocious academic, who sells his ADHD drugs to the kids in a private school; Oisin, empathetic and iron-willed, who has begun to see his dead brother at the end of his bed; Congolese nature lover, Benit, who just wants to relax and hurl with the lads; Karl, a maybe-gay fashionista, dreaming of something better while immersing himself in his art. We are delighted to honour a writer from Dundalk on the occasion of their debut work, a spokesperson for Roe River Books said. This event is free but it is essential to book on Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/903288619577?aff=oddtdtcreator CORRIN Hill and the towns surrounding hills were alive with the sound of music as the Fermoy Musical Society launched their centenary book, Celebrating 100 Years 1924 To 2024, before huge crowds at the local Community Youth Centre. It was a tremendous success, says Colette Daly, PRO of the society. The hall was packed to capacity with attendees from the age of 98 down to 16. Marking a centenary is always a special occasion. It is a great achievement to reach 100 years as there are not many clubs and societies around the country that can say that says Colette. It is down to the enthusiasm of the people of the town for what was known as the Choral Society. Great-grandchildren are treading the same boards that their grandparents did many years ago. The impressive Fermoy Musical Society book was put together by the FMS Book Committee, and it documents all the musicals with memorable photographs, that have been staged since the societys first production, Gilbert and Sullivans Trial By Jury. All subsequent musicals were staged at the Palace Theatre. The book has many stories to tell, from behind the scenes tales to performing on stage, and the enduring, valuable input of the Fermoy community. A Fermoy Musical Society show in 1971. The FMS book committee, Aoife Shinnick, Aoife Collins, Orla ODwyer, Tom Beresford, Katherine Keane, Trish Hyland, Alison Beresford and Jacqui Creed, acknowledged all the people over the years who contributed to its continued success. Everyone who has ever had any involvement in a show produced by FMS, or The Choral as they were known, has their own story to tell, said Colette. In the few years that we have been working on this book, we have been privileged to listen to many such stories; each one different but each strangely the same. When the longest-serving member, Jim Baylour, working behind the scenes since 1972, was asked his favourite memory, he said: It used to be customary that in the last week of rehearsals before a show, the whole committee would sit in the auditorium, watch and comment on the proceedings. There would be a level of chatter in the auditorium, often augmented by hammering and banging as last-minute changes to pieces of set were made. On one such night in 1988 before The Merry Widow, Cara OSullivan walked out on the stage and began to sing Vilja, and the whole place went silent! Suddenly there was no sound at all apart from Caras magnificent voice. For me that was an unforgettable moment. The book committee are proud of their memorable production, FMS Celebrating 100 Years, 1924-2024. Colette added: Apart from the details of the show, the year, the peoples names - what all the stories have in common, are the fun, the friendships, the sense of achieve-ment, the sheer joy of a performance and, above all, the sense of belonging. The members of FMS have formed a bond over a century. The sense of belonging has kept our society together for 100 years, said Colette. We belong to a group where everyone is united in a common purpose to produce something worthwhile. The sense of inclusion and welcome within our diverse group means that everyone is confident that they have a part to play. That diversity of abilities and talents is brought to bear by producing a show where combined effort is greater than the sum of the individual efforts. While that is usually known as synergy, we prefer to call it magic! It is the magic of what happens when FMS performs on the stage of the Palace Theatre, and we hope it will continue for many years to come. The glossy centenary book is full of photographs and memories. Being a part of FMS sparked my love for theatre, explained one member, Aoife ODonovan. The camaraderie, thrill of performing, and the general buzz of being part of the FMS family was enough to make anyone pursue a career in the arts! Mothers, daughters, fathers,and sons were all part of the FMS crew. It was in Sweet Charity that I got to do a scene with my mom, Valerie for the first time! says Sally OLeary. Growing up, I was obsessed with watching all the shows she was involved with in FMS; Hello Dolly, Carousel, Calamity Jane (I used to sing I just blew in from the Windy City on repeat!). Mom always brought me along to rehearsals and we got our love of performing form watching her! Deirdre Foley was also my very first piano teacher and was always a massive influence on my love for music, both in FMS and in school in Loreto. I was also lucky that a lot of my closest friends were at FMS; we all went on to work together in various capacities in lots of different productions. The late musical director Bryan Flynn gets a special mention from Claire OLeary. Bryan, who directed all of the productions I took part in when I was younger, holds a massive place in my heart, says Claire. I still take his advice with me, whether it be into an audition room or on stage. His passion and vision for each of his productions was so inspiring, the way he lifted a script from the page to stage something like no other. He was such a kind and compassionate leader to everyone, on stage and off, in his productions. Over the past century, the Societys contribution to cultural life in the town has been immense, and its entirely fitting that this achievement is recognised. FMS Celebrating 100 years 1924-2024 is a wonderful account of one of Irelands longest running musical societys life and times. President Dr Tom Beresford says; Fermoy Musical Society has developed a very rich history since its formation in 1924. As we now look forward and give thought to how the society can further develop in the coming years, the Centenary is a very significant milestone, but it is not the destination. It is a moment to appreciate where we have come from and to continue to put in place the building blocks that we need to further develop the society over the coming years. With hundreds of local people represented in this book, there is no doubt it will be in high demand, and will not just find itself on many coffee tables in Fermoy, but also scattered to four corners of the world where many former members now live. Fermoy Musical Society FMS, Celebrating 100 years, 25, from Hanleys Newsagents, Fermoy, or call Collette on 087-6138662. The next FMS event marking 100 years takes place from June 20-27,at Fermoy Town Library where a photographic exhibition will be hosted. IN the wake of last weeks local elections, another Cork city councillor has announced their interest in running for a Dail seat at the next general election. It comes as a number of Corks returning councillors have announced that they have their eyes on Leinster House. The first city councillor to be declared elected, Fianna Fails Tony Fitzgerald topped the poll in Cork City North West on Saturday, and immediately put his party on notice that it is his intention to seek a nomination to run in the next general election. An hour or so later, just before midnight, Independent Ireland councillor Kenneth OFlynn topped the poll in Cork City North West and declared that he will be standing for the Dail the next time out. Fianna Fail county councillor Seamus McGrath, re-elected in Carrigaline by the highest number of first preference votes in the country, declared that if an opportunity arises to have a run for the general election and to the Dail, then that is something I would be open to and would welcome. Similarly, John Paul OShea, re-elected as Fine Gael county councillor in Kanturk/Mallow, told The Echo that on the back on his strong showing, he will be seeking a Dail nomination in the Cork North West constituency in the forthcoming general election. Now, Fine Gael city councillor Shane OCallaghan, who topped the poll in Cork City South Central, has announced that he too intends to seek his partys nomination when the Government decides to go to the country. I believe that I can win a seat for Fine Gael in Cork South Central in the General Election, he said. I was the first Fine Gael candidate ever to top the poll in my local electoral area last week. My strong track record as a hard-working public representative who has delivered locally along with a tireless election campaign delivered a very strong performance in the local election. A practicing barrister, Mr OCallaghan said he believed it was important that what he called the new energy that Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has brought to the party was also harnessed in Cork with new, fresh faces. I believe that it is essential that Fine Gael now offers the electorate of Cork South Central a fresh, new candidate with the same energy who can work hard and deliver for Cork, both locally and nationally, he said. The current Fine Gael TD in Cork South Central, former tanaiste Simon Coveney, has insisted he intends to run again, denying rumours that he might retire or run in the neighbouring Cork East constituency. Senator Jerry Buttimer, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, has made no secret of his own intention to run in Cork South Central next time out. GARDAI were about to transfer a suspected heroin dealer from Bandon Garda Station to hospital to monitor him in relation to a package concealed inside himself but, as they walked to the car, a detective saw the heroin stash bulging from the back of the mans pants. 46-year-old Anthony Michael Curtis of 39 Pearse St, Clonakilty, Cork, has now been jailed for three years, with the last 18 months of that suspended, by Judge Helen Boyle. Detective Garda Shannon Ryan testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that, on the basis of confidential information, gardai established that Curtis was obtaining the drug in Cork city and bringing it back to Clonakilty. We obtained a search warrant for his premises. Before it was executed, we met him on the street [at MacCurtain Hill, Clonakilty] and stopped him for a search. He was agitated and anxious on speaking to us. We brought him to Clonakilty station for the purpose of a search, which was negative. However, I had a strong belief that he was in possession of drugs on his person. He was transferred to Bandon Garda Station. He denied all knowledge of heroin. It was my belief that the drug was inside him. A doctor was called and, after consultation, it was decided that the defendant would be transferred to Cork University Hospital for monitoring for the passing of drugs. As we walked towards the patrol car, I noticed a bulge in the seat of his pants. He was brought back into the station. A brown substance was taken from his underpants. He admitted it was heroin, Det Garda Ryan said. The diamorphine [heroin] had a street value of 3,800. The search was then carried out at the defendants home, and small quantities of drugs were located. Cannabis and traces of heroin on burnt tinfoil were found, as were diazepine tablets without prescription. Drug-dealing paraphernalia, including weighing scales and deal bags were also found. He admitted getting the heroin in Cork and transferring it to Clonakilty, Det Garda Ryan added. He admitted that he had been denying to us that the package of drugs was in him at a time that he knew it was. He also admitted allowing his home to be used for cutting heroin into deals and he admitted supplying the drugs. He was a chronic drug user at the time, Det Garda Ryan said. Defence barrister Peter OFlynn said Curtis had a long-term heroin addiction. He did engage with rehabilitation services for some time, but relapsed. Even though he was on a methadone programme, he relapsed, the barrister said. Mr OFlynn suggested that the accused had not been taking heroin for some time since this occurred. Det Garda Ryan replied: I dont know. He has not come to my attention. In all the circumstances, Judge Helen Boyle imposed a jail sentence effectively totalling 18 months on Curtis, with a further 18 months suspended on condition that he attend for drug rehabilitation under the supervision of the probation service on his release from prison. China moving ahead with procedure to raise temporary tariff rate on imported cars with large engines: report Global Times) 15:50, June 14, 2024 Visitors watch a vehicle of Song PLUS by Chinese NEV manufacturer BYD during the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, May 4, 2024. Photo: Xinhua Chinese industries have voiced strong opposition to the European Commission (EC)'s decision to impose additional provisional tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (EVs) imports, and called on relevant departments to take countermeasures against the EU move, according to a report in a social media account under China Media Group. According to industry insiders, China is internally moving ahead with the procedure to raise the temporary tariff rate on imported cars with large-displacement engines, Yuyuantantian, the social media account, reported on Thursday. A Chinese auto industry insider has previously told the Global Times that China should consider raising the temporary tariff rate on imported cars with engines larger than 2.5 liters, and said China's temporary tariff rate on imported vehicles could be raised to a maximum of 25 percent. The insider said that such a move would be not only in line with WTO rules, but also in line with China's broader effortsto promote the green transition in the auto industry and pursue the goal of reducing carbon emissions. The Yuyuantantian report also said that the Chinese industries called for raising tariffs on imported cars with large-displacement engines to up to 25 percent. Such a move conforms to WTO rules since it's within the scope of China's WTO commitment, said Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, in the report. "China has sufficient tools and measures before a final decision by the EU is made," Cui was quoted as saying, adding that China could lodge lawsuits under the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO. According to calculation by the China Passenger Car Association, the EU exports a total of $18 billion worth of cars with large-displacement engines to China each year, which is higher than the value of EVs China exported to the EU in 2023. If China raises temporary tariffs, EU brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz will bear the brunt and the EU's car exports to China will also be impacted, according to the yuyuantantian report. Yuyuantantian also reported that the preliminary ruling of the anti-dumping probe into imported brandy from the EU is expected to be announced by the end of August, citing industry experts familiar with the probe. In January, China's Commerce Ministry announced an anti-dumping probe into imported brandy from the EU following a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry. According to customs data, the EU's brandy exports to China jumped by over 20 percent between January and September in 2023, as China has become an important market amid EU brandy's notable sales decrease in other countries. In response to the decision of the EC, the EU's executive arm, officials from Chinese Foreign Ministry, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Commerce Ministry said China will closely monitor developments in the EU, vowing "necessary measures"to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. The Chinese car industry has clear and sufficient legal basis to oppose the tariff hikes, as all the links of the case - from the EC's launch of an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs to the investigation process and disclosure of provisional tariffs - are unreasonable, said Yuyuantantian's report. In October 2023, the EC initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into the EU's imports of EVs from China, as the commission subjectively considers that Chinese EV industry poses a "threat." Applications for anti-subsidy probes are basically filed by industries, since only industries can directly sense potential threats that a country's products pose to them and then file a petition for investigations out of considerations of their own interests, Sun Xiaohong, secretary-general of the automotive branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), was quoted as saying. "In history, there is almost no case where the EC initiated an anti-subsidy investigation," Sun said in the report. The CCCME said that the EC's investigation into Chinese EVs "lacks fairness, objectivity and transparency." The EC does not give a compelling reason on why it took the aim at SAIC Group, BYD and Geely. Citing industry data, the report said Chinese brands take around 8 percent market share in the Europe's EV market, while the three companies take even less market share. The EC's sampling standards are non-compliant, the procedure is opaque and the result is unfair, Hao Jie, a research fellow with the Institute for International Economic Research of the NDRC, was quoted as saying. In order to fabricate and exaggerate so-called "subsidies," the EC has disregarded WTO rules by purposely excluding companies from the EU and the US that export more cars in its sampling while only target Chinese local companies, according to Hao. With no sufficient facts backing its claim of "threat" from Chinese EV enterprises, the EC, however, has made extremely harsh demand on these Chinese companies during the investigation, the report said. Chinese companies said the EC asked them to provide the ingredient of their batteries, and much other information involving business secrets and core technologies, Sun said in the report. Even more unreasonable and opaque is that the EU uses information that they collected themselves to make up for the data that they couldn't get from Chinese companies, and do not care whether the data is objective and true, Sun was quoted as saying. In multiple rounds of investigations and hearings, the EC never considered the stance and concerns of the Chinese side. "It seems that they do not care about communication, and their only focus is to complete the investigation to achieve what they want to do," Sun said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed on Thursday that all "necessary measures," will be taken. "China must safeguard WTO rules and market principles and must protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese EV industry and its enterprises," said a spokesperson with the ministry at a regular press conference. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) PROSECUTIONS may be brought over a massive fish kill which took place on a blue spot river in north Cork coinciding with a discharge of toxic chemicals from a water treatment plant in Freemount over the weekend, an official working with Inland Fisheries Ireland has said. Investigations are ongoing after the discovery of around 5,000 dead fish on an 8km stretch of the River Allow from Freemount to Johnsbridge near Kanturk. These included salmon, juvenile salmon, trout, lamprey and other species. The discovery of what has been estimated conservatively estimated to be around 5,000 dead fish has been described by Inland Fisheries Ireland as the most significant fish kill in the catchment area for several years. Previously about 2,500 fish were killed after a slurry tank was emptied into the river. In our view something caused the fish kill so something was allowed to discharge into the river from somewhere that caused the fishkill which would be a breach of both the 1959 Fisheries Act and also the Local Authority Water Pollution Act, said Sean Long of Inland Fisheries Ireland. The issue here really is salmon fry, juvenile salmon, that were killed because the parent fish will have migrated up through the Blackwater, up through the Allow, to the spawning ground, those fry that were killed were fish that would have eventually migrated down through the Blackwater and gone to sea, theyre gone, that cohort has been wiped out on that stretch of river so naturally enough that will result in fewer salmon coming back up in a year or two. Not all fry survive to the point where they migrate downstream but whatever number of thousands of fry that would have been impacted there, they certainly wont be travelling. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a discharge of about 2,500lt of polyaluminium chloride into the River Allow was reported to the agency by Uisce Eireann on Sunday last. In a statement from the EPA, a spokesperson said that the agency was investigating the incident alongside IFI and said details of this investigation would be made available when complete. Uisce Eireann stated the IFI have been notified of the incident, the EPA statement said. In a statement from Uisce Eireann, a spokesperson said the company was carrying out investigations and a clean up operation following an incident at Freemount Water Treatment Plant in recent days. Uisce Eireann is carrying out investigations and a clean- up operation following an incident at Freemount Water Treatment Plant in recent days. Uisce Eireann fully recognises the seriousness of this incident and we immediately informed the relevant bodies and are co-operating fully with Inland Fisheries Ireland in relation to the investigation and clean-up of this incident, the spokesperson said in a statement. The EPA and National Parks and Wildlife Service have also been notified, and measures have been taken to ensure there can be no further discharge from the plant. We would also like to assure the community there has been no impact on the quality of drinking water. ANN Doherty, chief executive of Cork City Council, was honoured with a special presentation at the Metropole Hotel in Cork. Ms Doherty has been a dedicated judge for the Cork Person of the Year award scheme for the past decade, but her departure from her role with the city council this September marks the end of her tenure judging the awards. The Cork Person of the Year award scheme was established in 1993, and recognises and celebrates the achievements and contributions of Corks citizens, covering Cork City and Cork County. Each month a person or persons of the month are selected and at years end the Cork Person of the Year is chosen from these monthly winners. The chief executives of Cork City Council and Cork County Council serve as judges for this prestigious award, while the Lord Mayor of Cork and the Mayor of the County of Cork present the awards each January. Organisers of the award scheme, Manus OCallaghan and Ann-Marie OSullivan, presented Ms Doherty with an inscribed Cork Crystal piece as a token of gratitude for her voluntary service, and wished her well in her new career choices in the years ahead. Ms Doherty said: It has been an incredible honour to be involved with the Cork Person of the Year awards. This scheme is so significant in celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals to the culture and community of Cork. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to be involved. The recruitment process to appoint the next chief executive of Cork City Council has commenced. The Public Appointments Service has received expressions of interest for the role which has a salary of 182,280. Once appointed, the chief executive will remain in office for a term of seven years with the option of a three-year extension, provided the person does not surpass the age of 70 in the role. The maximum tenure period for a chief executive is 10 years in the same local authority. A DUBLIN woman who confessed to money-laundering of 5,800 at a bank account in Clonakilty failed to turn up for her sentencing because of sinusitis. Judge Helen Boyle said when told of the explanation for the womans non-attendance in court: Sinusitis can be uncomfortable but it is not a reason not to turn up in court. Judge Boyle then issued a bench warrant for Lynn Knowles, aged 26, of Earlsfort Rd, Lucan, Dublin, to be brought before the court. The warrant was executed soon afterwards and the defendant appeared before another judge of the circuit court, where she was sentenced. Previously at Cork Circuit Criminal Court she pleaded guilty to the single count of money-laundering. The particulars of the charge are that that between October 28 and 29 at AIB bank, Pearse St, Clonakilty, she engaged in handling the proceeds of criminal conduct, 5,800. Donal OSullivan, defence barrister, said the accused had no previous convictions, and no probation report was sought from the defence. Judge Cormac Quinn said that in all the circumstances, he was prepared to impose a sentence measured at 14 months and suspended in its entirety. A FURTHER feasibility study will now be undertaken on the proposed new greenway linking Dungarvan to Mallow, following concerns raised by landowners along the route. The additional survey was confirmed yesterday by Cork County Council and by Waterford City and County Council, working in tandem with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). It comes after farmers in Cork and west Waterford complained that they have not been listened to or fairly consulted about an infrastructure project which will cut through their lands. The proposed greenway, which would follow the old, abandoned train route, will go through land which is 88% active farm land, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has said. A recent delegation of IFA members, led by north Cork chair Pat OKeeffe and Waterford chair John Heffernan, told senior officials from the Cork and Waterford councils that the proposed greenway would sever numerous farms along the current proposed route. Mr OKeeffe said farmers were angry and frustrated at what they saw as a lack of understanding and appreciation of the impact of a greenway cutting through active farmland. Many issues were raised, including privacy, security, litter, animal disease, and wildlife and environment, he commented. The IFA delegation stressed to officials the associations opposition to farm severance and the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for amenity projects such as greenways. In a joint statement from the Cork and Waterford councils and TII issued yesterday, it was announced that an additional feasibility study will now be undertaken on the Dungarvan to Mallow Greenway. The option selection process is a critical decision-making point, before further advancing and closing out this process, the decision has been taken to re-assess the feasible options between Dungarvan and Mallow, the statement said. A TEAM of cyber security experts from Munster Technological University (MTU) has become the first team from Ireland to win gold at a global cyber security competition held this week in Melbourne, Australia. The cyber security experts from MTU beat opposition from Australia, Korea, Chinese Taipei/Taiwan and Singapore at the competition. The team is now setting its sights on the upcoming WorldSkills International Cybersecurity Competition to be held in Lyon in September. The MTU team included Mark Drinan, a recent graduate from the Cybersecurity Masters programme at the Bishopstown institution, and Luke Woodside, a graduate from the Technological University Shannon and Managing Director of Woodside Networks. They was trained and mentored by MTU Cybersecurity lecturer and Worldskills Ireland Expert for Cybersecurity, Dr. George OMahony using MTUs Cyber Range, the only state of the art platform of its type in the country. It offers a facility which enables simulations of cyber attacks on virtual organisations, providing training for students, researchers and industry professionals without risking real world damage. As part of the Global Skills Challenge, the teams were put into the scenario of a real-world cyber-attack on a fictitious company that was started based on a rogue malicious USB and insider threat. MTU president, Professor Maggie Cusack, congratulated the team from the university on what she described as their extraordinary achievement of winning gold at the WorldSkills Cybersecurity Challenge. MTUs leadership in cybersecurity education, research and innovation, mentorship and training ensures that our graduates and trainees have the skills, capabilities and confidence to succeed at the highest levels in Ireland and globally, said Professor Cusack. According to team mentor Dr George OMahony, the win was a great example of the work of Irelands cyber security academics and experts in preparing young Irish professionals to compete on the world stage. Team member Mark Drinan said he was incredibly proud to represent my country and bring home a gold medal for Ireland adding, this medal represents Irelands commitment to investing in high-quality, practical cybersecurity education. The chair of Worldskills Ireland, Ray English congratulated the MTU team on their success in Melbourne and wished them well in the Olympics in Lyon in September. IF the polls prior to last Fridays local and European elections were to have been believed, not many at all of the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael dominated membership of Cork County Council would have been returned to their seats after the counting was concluded. That polling would have given Sinn Fein a sizable contingent but instead the main party of opposition returns with just one councillor. Thats one more than their tally at the end of term for the previous council but one less than the two they started with. Is local politics so different from national politics that Sinn Fein, which has been leading, albeit with a declining majority, the opinion polls since the last general election, and has the loudest voice in the Dail, will be reduced to just one elected member in the council chamber for the largest local authority in the state outside of Dublin? The answer to that question seems to be yes. But we all recall how Sinn Feins membership of local councils was decimated in the 2019 local elections only to be re-animated with vigour when the general election took place just nine months later. For the main parties of Government, and the council chamber, returning with almost the same numbers they left with was a triumph worthy of a back of the lorry parade and rally for the All- Ireland champions on their return to Leeside with Sam and Liam aloft, such was their joy, or was that relief? After the recount on the 16th floor of the County Hall on Monday, Fianna Fail will return with 19 seats, one more than the number that will officially end their term on Friday next, June 14. Fine Gael is on 17. This tees up interesting negotiations over positions like the county mayoralty over the days in advance of the County Council general meeting on Friday, June 21, to say the least. Theres a tradition that the Speaker of the House of Commons in Westminster has to be pushed kicking and screaming to the chair of that August debating chamber. The prospect of dragging current mayor, Frank OFlynn, kicking and screaming from the position of chairman of council meetings and county first citizen here in Cork and abroad a role he clearly relished and carried out with aplomb is not as remote as you might think. Or other Fianna Fail aspirants for the position might wish. This election will have been a hard lesson for the Green Party, the third party of Government. Its candidates got punished in every electoral area it stood. Cliona Halloran narrowly lost out to Dominic Finn of Fianna Fail in Cobh after a recount. The Green Party can however point to green shoots as candidates like Harriet Burgess in Macroom, not a traditional stronghold for the party, who performed well even if they didnt win a seat. The surprise packet of the local elections in Cork this time around well there are two and both have West Cork roots. The emergence of Independent Ireland as a political force in the county was cemented with the return of four candidates into the council chamber: Danny Collins in Bantry, his brother John in Bandon, Ger Curley in Kinsale and Daniel Sexton in Skibbereen. The second surprise packet with West Cork roots was the performance of the Social Democrats who finished the election with three councillors, doubling the number from the last council. The new seats were won in West Cork, the Holly Cairns effect no doubt, Isobel Towse won a seat in Skibbereen/West Cork while Ann Bambury secured a seat on the seventh count in Bandon/Kinsale. They will join returning councillor Liam Quaide (East Cork/Midleton) when the new council term starts with the annual general meeting on June 21. There will be disappointment, certainly, about the failure of Chris Heinhold to hold on to his seat in Bantry. Labour made light work of holding their two seats on the outgoing council with first time candidate Eoghan Kenny winning impressively on the first count in Mallow the school teacher was co-opted on to the council in February, replacing James Kennedy on his retirement and Cathal Rasmussen was elected on the 10th count. Macroom was the only electoral area that returned the same slate of elected members as it had in 2019, and there were some high profile losses in other areas with Skibbereen, for instance, losing two of its outgoing representatives, the Independent councillors, Declan Hurley and Karen Coakley. Another high profile casualty of the electoral harvest was Kay Dawson, the Fine Gael councillor in the Fermoy electoral area. In Bandon/Kinsale, the strategy to run three candidates in Fianna Fail had a disastrous outcome as it led to the loss of a seat for a sitting councillor Sean ODonovan. FIVE CEOs of seafood producing and processing organisations have joined forces to demand change at national and EU level, and are calling for the Government and MEPs to engage with them. The organisations are the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation, the South & East Fish Producers Organisation, the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, and the Killybegs Fishermans Organisation. They say they have committed to work closely together in a more formalised relationship, and aim to enhance their collective effectiveness as sectoral representatives by presenting a united front. The CEOs include Patrick Murphy from Ballydehob, West Cork, who is the chief executive at the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation. Mr Murphy says the move to unite efforts and initiatives is long overdue. He said: Collectively, we have a broad set of shared experiences and capacities. We have been very adversely hit by external factors, such as Brexit and the reduction in quotas, in recent years. Improved, effective engagement with the minister and the EU at policy level is a starting point in our aligned workplan. In a joint statement issued by all five CEOs, John Lynch the CEO of the South & East Fish Producers Organisation said he was confident that they had a shared view of the essentials, adding positive change can be achieved if we put our shoulder to the wheel as an aligned group. The CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Aodh ODonnell, said: The work plan we agreed prioritises the re-establishing of an effective liaison process with the marine minister and his department officials, he said. The CEO of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, Brendan Byrne, explained that a key outcome of their discussions is a consensus agreement on the challenges fish producers face post Brexit and the need to radically reform the Common Fisheries Policy. The CEO of the Killybegs Fishermans Organisation, Dominic Rihan, said that the systematic engagement will help to drive and deliver positive change, but is reliant on proactive engagement at national and EU level. LATEST A woman has appeared at Bandon District Court charged with the murder of Michael Foley whose body was found at his home in Macroom Co. Cork on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Friends and family of the late Mr Foley jeered as the accused, Linda OFlynn, 31, of Leeside Apartments, Cork arrived at court. Court presenter Inspector Kay ODonoghue told the court that Ms OFlynn faced a single charge of murder. Giving evidence of arrest charge and caution, Detective Garda Denis Curtin said that Ms OFlynn was arrested at Bandon Garda Station and charged with the murder of Mr Foley. He said that when the charge was put to Ms O'Flynn she said that another individual stabbed that man, not me, I had nothing to do with it. A clearly distressed Ms OFlynn said that she needed psychiatric help to save myself from the trauma that I have seen and repeated in court that she was innocent. Ms OFlynn also said that she feared for her safety and that she would need protection if she was placed in custody. She added: I murdered no one, innocent until proven guilty. Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said that as bail could not be granted on a murder charge in the district court he intended to apply to the High Court on Monday. He said that his client was in great distress and as a former heroin addict was in need of her daily Soboxone medication. He also asked the court to make psychiatric supports available to her in custody. Inspector ODonoghue told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had given consent for Ms OFlynn to be sent forward for trial. Judge James McNulty said that the authorities would make the appropriate arrangements to look after her safety and wellbeing in custody. He remanded Ms OFlynn in custody to appear again on Friday, June 21 at Bandon District Court. EARLIER Gardai have charged a woman in her 30s who was arrested this afternoon in relation to the murder of Michael Foley in Macroom in February. A Garda spokesperson said: "[Today] as part of the investigation into the murder of Michael Foley (61 years) who was found deceased at his home in Macroom, Co. Cork on Tuesday, 6th February 2024. "The woman (aged in her 30s) is due to appear before Bandon District Court this afternoon, Friday 14th June, 2024." Investigations are ongoing. THREE Cork beaches were announced among 51 nationwide projects to be awarded funding for improved outdoor swimming facilities. The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke announced the successful applicants for the 500,000 funding scheme yesterday, with 15,000 allocated to Corks Garretstown, Garrylucas and Incheydoney beaches. The initiative, developed in line with the Healthy Ireland objective of enabling more people to be active, builds on the recent growth in popularity of outdoor swimming by improving the facilities and equipment at designated swimming locations across the country. The funds will be used to improve access, enhance changing facilities and to purchase equipment to assist people with disabilities. Funding for each awardee will be administered by Sport Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health. Minister Burke said: "Outdoor swimming has so many benefits for our physical and mental health and is a valuable outlet for social connection that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. "In line with the Healthy Ireland principles, the funding were allocating will improve the access and facilities at swimming spots nationwide, encouraging more people to engage in an activity that promotes improved health and wellbeing. "I am very encouraged by the large number of funding applications received, with very creative proposals that will enhance the usability of our many wonderful swimming spots all over the country. CEO of Sport Ireland Una May said: "[This is] a valuable opportunity to take what is becoming a very popular avenue for physical activity and make it more accessible to more people. "Open Water swimming is one of the most equitable sporting opportunities in the country, and [this] marks the culmination of an intensive body of work to analyse the range of outdoor swimming locations across the country and identify infrastructure or equipment that can open them up to more people. Swim Ireland CEO, Sarah Keane said: This funding is a welcome opportunity to help to further grow Open Water swimming participation across Ireland. We are fortunate to have a beautiful and diverse range of great locations in our seas, lakes and rivers across the length and breadth of our country. Opening them up to more people enables us to further grow participation levels in outdoor swimming and support the health and wellbeing of our people." A cryptocurrency investment scam resulted in a 22-year-old man being jailed for 18 months at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The young man confessed to five counts of deception involving a total of over 47,000 by inducing people to invest in cryptocurrency. Judge Helen Boyle imposed a sentence of 27 months with the last nine months suspended. Callum Kearney of no fixed address was originally arrested by Detective Garda Donal OConnell and charged with five counts of deception under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act. And when arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty to all charges. The injured parties were friends of the accused and they were led to believe they were investing in cryptocurrency. One of the complainants was at a loss of 30,000. One charge to which the accused man pleaded guilty consisted of dishonestly by deception inducing one man to give him 4,750 as an investment, with the intention of making a gain for himself between June and October 2021. He admitted similar charges in respect of 7,500 and 1,700 from two other men in the same period, and inducing a woman to give him 3,700 by deception to make a gain for himself. Finally, he admitted deception he inducing a man to give him a vehicle valued 11,000 and 19,000 in cash, again to make a gain for himself. Four of the offences relate to Ballincollig and the count referring to 7,500 is from Bishopstown. Defence barrister Paula McCarthy said on behalf of the young man that he was operating under a certain degree of duress but takes full responsibility and that he has severe mental health issues. The defendant also said through his barrister that a much older man came into his life around this time and put him under pressure to get money for him, although he accepted he (the accused) did get the benefit of some of the money. WHEN Orla OConnor from East Cork went to her gynaecologist about pain she was experiencing after the birth of her second child, she was told that it was normal. She went about life, hoping things would improve. When she got to the point where she could no longer physically take care of her children, she knew this was anything but normal. I couldnt lift my children or play with them, she says. Years of chronic pain Orla had experienced pain for years. She had difficult births with both her children, one in the U.S and one in Ireland. She had seen doctors and received treatment for chronic pain in both countries. The pain got worse after her children were born, until she was only pain-free about seven days out of the month. Although she had no formal diagnosis, she was referred to the Endometriosis Clinic in the Coombe Hospital in Dublin for treatment. This did not resolve her symptoms, and the pain got worse, she says. Orla O'Connor. I knew I couldnt take it anymore, says Orla. She had been researching Dr Gabriel Mitrou, an endometriosis specialist in Bucharest, Romania, and had spoken to Irish women who had gone to him and been very happy. In September, 2021, she travelled to Romania and received a diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places. She was also diagnosed with adenomyosis, which affects the lining of the womb. She underwent excision surgery for endometriosis and a hysterectomy for adenomyosis. Since this surgery, Orlas life has changed completely. She feels amazing and is in zero pain. Advocating for better treatment Orla worked as a pizza chef for Volcano Pizza in Cork for eight years. In 2022, she decided to go back to college to study Public Health Sciences in UCC. Now she devotes her time to advocating for better treatment for endometriosis patients in Ireland. As part of this, she has organised a screening of the documentary Below The Belt in UCC on June 22. Below the Belt. The film shares the stories of four patients searching for answers to mysterious symptoms, exposing problems in healthcare systems throughout the world. Orlas advocacy work is inspired by Kathleen King, who has been campaigning for better services for people with endometriosis for over 25 years. Kathleen will be one of the speakers at the event, along with Johanna Huber, physiotherapist, yoga teacher and endometriosis advocate; Jo Chapple, musculoskeletal and womens health physiotherapist; and Claire OBrien, nutritional therapist. A supportive community Although Orlas pain is gone, she wants to help other women and girls suffering with endometriosis. When I was having surgery, I had a mother contact me, she says. Her 13-year-old daughter couldnt go to school she was in so much pain. For Orla, this was close to home. She was the same age as my son, it broke my heart. Women contact me every day in pain, she adds. Orla explains that some are being told by their healthcare provider to take painkillers to deal with symptoms. I couldnt listen to these stories and not do something, she says. The event will be an opportunity for people affected by endometriosis to come together as a community. I want people to have hope, Orla says. Not everyone who has had surgery has been lucky to be completely pain-free. They need a supportive community and to feel validated. Johanna Huber. Not just a bad period Johanna Huber, who lives in Cork city, is an endometriosis advocate who also travelled to Romania for treatment. She suffered from symptoms since she was a teenager. I thought it was just part of having a period, so I ignored it, she says. In her 20s, Johanna was experiencing pain throughout the month, not only during her period. I couldnt walk up the stairs without catching my breath, she says. Every night she woke up in pain, which she described as being like a bomb detonating in me. She underwent surgery in Cork in 2020, but her pain continued afterwards. Eventually, she went to Romania for surgery for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. It feels like I have a new life, she says. I am 100% pain free and 95% symptom free. Need more training Orla and Johanna are just two of hundreds of women in Ireland who go abroad each year to access treatment for Endometriosis. They are calling for better training for healthcare providers in Ireland. Currently, there is no dedicated specialist endometriosis centre in Ireland. They want to see Irish clinicians upskilling and providing multi-disciplinary, specialist support to endometriosis patients. Jo Chapple, a womens health physiotherapist in Cork, regularly treats women with symptoms of endometriosis. This includes classic symptoms of endometriosis such as painful, prolonged and heavy periods, pain with intercourse, and bladder and bowel issues. It can also involve pelvic, back, or hip pain, fertility issues, constipation, and abdominal pain. The list is endless, she says. Jo recognises the problems in the healthcare system when it comes to treating endometriosis. She says a serious lack of prioritisation, funding and support has meant that inaccurate and out of date information is prevalent in the medical and healthcare worlds. She is concerned that in this vacuum, misinformation thrives, and that many people may not even understand what endometriosis or adenomyosis is, let alone be able to recognise possible signs or symptoms of these conditions. A significant challenge Unfortunately, we are still in a place where there is no one single cure for Endometriosis, Jo explains. This is a significant challenge and complication for everyone who is living with this condition. There is a long list of changes Jo would like to see in how our health system treats endometriosis. More funding, more training, more discussion, more public health education, more government backing, more questioning more doctors, more nurses, more trained specialists in the field, more facilities. While there is a lot of work to do, events like the one on June 22 help patient voices to be stronger. More of us together as a bigger group is a bigger voice to make changes, says Orla. Below The Belt will be screened in Boole 2, University College Cork, 22 June 7-9.30pm. Tickets available on https://www.tickettailor.com/events/independentendometriosisadvocate/1252167 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. In addition to the devastating death toll and widespread destruction of Russias war on Ukraine, the ongoing conflict has brought extensive climate damage to the planet. New research reveals that the first 24 months of the Ukraine war had a climate cost greater than the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 175 individual countries, adding to the global climate crisis. Russias war in Ukraine has caused extensive devastation, including the destruction or damage of homes, schools, hospitals, and other critical public facilities, leaving citizens without essential resources such as water, electricity, and healthcare. Beside causing damage to the natural environment of Ukraine, this war affects the global climate due to the release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, the authors wrote in the study. In the early months of the war, the majority of the emissions were caused by the large scale destruction of civilian infrastructure requiring a large post-war reconstruction effort. Now, after two years of war, the largest share of emissions originate from a combination of warfare, landscape fires and the damage to energy infrastructure. The study, Climate Damage Caused by Russias War in Ukraine: 24 February 2022 23 February 2024 by Initiative on GHG accounting of war (IGGAW) a coalition of climate experts estimating the impact of the war on Earths climate found that, after two years of war, the planets GHG emissions have increased by 175 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The GHG emissions include carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride the most potent GHG of all and nitrous oxide, reported The Guardian. The total is equivalent to the annual emissions of 90 million gas-powered cars and more than that of countries like Venezuela and the Netherlands in 2022. IGGAW is partially funded by the Swedish and German governments, along with the European Climate Foundation. It says the Russian Federation will be faced with a climate reparations bill of $32 billion for the first two years of the war. Russia is harming Ukraine but also our climate. This conflict carbon is sizeable and will be felt globally. The Russian Federation should be made to pay for this, a debt it owes Ukraine and countries in the global south that will suffer most from climate damage, said Lennard de Klerk, IGGAW lead author, as The Guardian reported. The report is the first time reparations calculations have been made for climate impacts related to war. The researchers found that one-third of emissions came from military activity fuel used by Russian troops was the single biggest GHG source. The concrete and steel that will be necessary to rebuild damaged and destroyed homes, schools, bridges, water plants and factories will contribute another third, depending on what proportion of carbon-intensive and more sustainable methods and materials are used in the reconstruction process. The other third of GHG emissions came from fires, military strikes on energy infrastructure, the rerouting of commercial aircraft and the displacement of almost seven million Ukrainian and Russian people. The additional aviation fuel used to avoid the conflict generated a minimum of 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Fires associated with military actions burned 2.47 million acres of forest and fields, making up 13 percent of total carbon emissions. Energy infrastructure was also targeted, creating huge GHG leaks. Smoke rises from numerous attacks on sites including the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant in Avdiivka district, Ukraine on Feb. 15, 2024. Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images The study found that the forced movement of millions of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, millions of people displaced internally and Russians fleeing their country generated nearly 3.3 million tonnes of carbon. The new monetary estimate of climate damage highlights the important role of greenhouse gas emissions accounting for conflicts, said Linsey Cottrell, Conflict and Environment Observatory environmental policy officer, as reported by The Guardian. We critically need international agreement on how conflict and military emissions are measured and addressed. 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. SeaVoice a nonprofit digital platform that amplifies the voices, activism, research and artwork of those who live, work and survive near bodies of water has announced its first book: SeaVoice Annual: Issue 01. The annual endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade Networks Cultural Heritage Framework Programme is a curated collection of 20 stories representing 16 countries. Through my research in ocean conservation I became frustrated with the lack of stories being told from the perspectives of the people who work and live by the ocean every day, said SeaVoice founder and editor-in-chief of the annual Dr. Georgia Holly, who is program manager for the Cultural Heritage Framework and a marine archaeologist and biologist at Scotlands University of Edinburgh, in a press release from SeaVoice. Scientific stories are important, but only within the greater context of coastal community culture and heritage. Where can we hear about ocean culture, customs, art, and story-telling, as part of research and advocacy? If we, as scientists, really want to incorporate diverse ways of knowing into our research, first we have to make space, and listen. The selection of narratives from 2023 and 2024 was launched on World Oceans Day at the UNESCO Ocean Literacy World Conference in Venice, Italy, and at the Change Oceans Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica. Through thought-provoking articles, captivating stories, and insightful narratives, SeaVoice sheds light on the intersection between the ocean and culture, inspiring collective responsibility for our blue spaces, the press release said. With a focus on the key global challenges of the UN Ocean Decade, SeaVoice emphasises the importance of understanding the complex interplay between culture, heritage, and the environment in tackling the pressing issues we face today. The SeaVoice annual begins with a foreword by Dr. Sylvia Earle, a world-renowned marine biologist and oceanographer with Mission Blue, and Dona Bertarelli, a Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist with Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy. In a world where the health of our oceans, rivers and lakes is rapidly declining, SeaVoice amplifies the voices and stories of people inspiring action to protect and restore these precious environments. By sharing the stories and work of individuals who have a deep connection to bodies of water, SeaVoice seeks to instill a profound appreciation for their significance, the SeaVoice Mission states. The stories for SeaVoice Annual: Issue 01 were selected from SeaVoices trio of digital volumes: Community, Osmosis and Gen Sea. They include stories of initiatives like community-led filmmaking in Madagascar, coral restoration led by women in Indonesia and shark fishers who have become conservationists in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Divers in the Maldives clean coral frames with toothbrushes. Zachary Wong / SeaVoice SeaVoice tells stories that explore the collision of culture and climate with our ocean, rivers, and lakes, amplifying voices of the people who work, live, and survive by bodies of water, Earle and Bertarelli wrote in the print edition of the annual. We invite you to read with an open heart and mind, to learn from those whose voices have too often been silenced or ignored, and to join us in our mission to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for our ocean, and therefore for life on Earth, humankind very much included. A Vezo fisher in southern Madagascar sorts her catch of sea urchins. Amber Carter / SeaVoice In part two of the SeaVoice annual, Emma Segarino, president of the Ocam-Ocam Women Managed Area Management Council, wrote of the journey to protect the marine environment near their community in the Philippines. Im pleased to see the changes happening in a place they once didnt want to protect, to a place where I see fewer illegal fishers. I know theyre beginning to see the beauty Ive been striving to create here in Ocam-Ocam. Im happy that someday well all come together, united and cooperative, for the betterment of our community. I wont give up on this, for as long as theres life, theres hope. With patience and hard work there will be a bountiful harvest in due time, and everyone will rejoice in the collective triumph, Segarino wrote. Dr. Easkey Britton, a writer, surfer, marine social scientist and blue health advisor to nonprofit Liquid Therapy, spoke of the connection to the ocean that can be found through surfing. Something remarkable happens when we come into direct physical contact with saltwater. Immersion in the sea is to feel transported to elsewhere, as if moving through a portal to another world not only moving from the solidness of land to the fluidness of water but also moving from the head into the body. Its this, I believe, that offers such healing potential restoring lost connections, bringing us back home to ourselves, to inhabit not only our bodies more fully but the world, Britton wrote. Not only does the SeaVoice annuals content support the ocean and its advocates, it is printed on paper that was locally sourced and bound between responsibly sourced seaweed covers. We cannot present a human experience of the sea without painting a portrait of the richness and resilience of different cultures. Both sea and culture are tapestries woven by collective experiences, traditions, and beliefs, and it is through these tapestries that we can gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of humanity and the environment, Holly wrote in the print edition of SeaVoices annual. The limited edition first printing of 500 copies of SeaVoice Annual: Issue 01 is available here. My hope is that we will come to understand our interdependence with watery places and beings, and to sense and feel the aliveness of these connections. To feel that we too are water, Easkey wrote in the print edition. 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. The Swiss Parliament meets during its summer session in Bern, Switzerland on June 10, 2024. The Swiss Parliament - the Federal Assembly / YouTube screenshot In a blow to the increasing legal precedent in favor of citizens suing their governments over the adverse impacts of climate change, a vote by Switzerlands parliament has rejected the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)s historic climate ruling in favor of a group of older Swiss women. The women KlimaSeniorinnen, a group of more than 2,000 women over age 64 won a lawsuit in April claiming that their countrys inadequate response to the climate crisis, particularly heat waves, had put their health at risk. The declaration is a betrayal of us older women and of all those who are suffering from the real consequences of global warming today and in the future, said Rosmarie Wydler-Walti, KlimaSeniorinnen co-president, as The Guardian reported. The original ruling was hailed as a huge win since it means countries belonging to the Council of Europe the continents foremost human rights organization are now susceptible to legal challenges when they are slow to make the transition to more renewable economic systems. Even so, on Wednesday members of the lower house of Swiss parliament voted 111 to 72 to disregard the verdict. They argued that Switzerlands response to the climate crisis had been sufficient and accused the judges of inadmissible and disproportionate judicial activism. This is terrible from a rule-of-law perspective, said Corina Heri, a University of Zurich legal researcher, as reported by The Guardian. The term slippery slope is overused, obviously, but it is a dangerous precedent to create. If the Swiss women feel their country is not adhering to the ruling, they can complain to a Council of Europe committee that meets four times annually to monitor ECHR ruling compliance, Reuters reported. Raphael Mahaim, a lawyer for the KlimaSeniorinnen, told Reuters the group was considering filing a complaint. It is also possible for Switzerland to be expelled or leave the Council of Europe of its own accord if it does not want to act in accordance with the councils directives. In March of 2022, Russia was removed from the council following its invasion of Ukraine. Legal experts said the more likely outcome would be for Switzerland to be pressured to accept the judgment. Isabela Keuschnigg, a London School of Economics legal researcher, said Switzerlands refusal to carry out the ruling could set a concerning precedent, undermining the role of legal oversight in democratic governance, reported Reuters. Joana Setzer, a climate litigation expert with the London School of Economics, said compliance was encouraged by the monitoring system and countries leaving the council would be subjected to significant political and social repercussions. Controversial facial recognition company Clearview AI has agreed to an unusual settlement to a class action lawsuit, The New York Times reports. Rather than paying cash, the company would provide a 23 percent stake in its company to any Americans in its database. Without the settlement, Clearview could go bankrupt, according to court documents. If you live in the US and have ever posted a photo of yourself publicly online, you may be part of the class action. The settlement could amount to at least $50 million according to court documents, It still must be approved by a federal judge. Clearview AI, which counts billionaire Peter Thiel as a backer, says it has over 30 billion images in its database. Those can be accessed and cross-referenced by thousands of law enforcement departments including the US FBI and Department of Homeland Security. Shortly after its identity was outed, Clearview was hit with lawsuits in Illinois, California, Virginia, New York and elsewhere, which were all brought together as a class action suit in a federal Chicago court. The cost of the litigation was said to be draining the company's reserves, forcing it to seek a creative way to settle the suit. The relatively small sum divided by the large number of users likely to be in the database means you won't be receiving a windfall. In any case, it would only happen if the company goes public or is acquired, according to the report. Once that occurs, lawyers would take up to 39 percent of the settlement, meaning the final amount could be reduced to about 30 million. If a third of Americans were in the database (about 110 million), each would get about 27 cents. That does beg the question of whether it would be worth just over a quarter to see one of the creepiest companies of all time to go bankrupt. To cite a small litany of the actions taken against it (on top of the US class action): A white DoorDash delivery man was canned after bringing a customer their meal with a little racism sprinkled on top. Customer Christina Derrica demanded DoorDash fire the driver after her Ring camera caught footage of him calling her the N-word before dropping off her food. The video, posted to TikTok by customer ChristinaTheeDemo, shows the man saying, "Here's your food," before hurling the racial slur. RELATED: 8 Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Raking In Millions On OnlyFans: 'It Just Got Crazier' @christina.derrica In This version the slur is bleeped out , so hopefully tiktok doesnt take it down. And YES it was the HARD ER. Doordash fired him but i still have NO CLUE who this man is original sound - ChristinaTheeDemo The delivery man dropped the food at the door and took a couple steps back off the porch to photograph the food's arrival, before blatantly dropping the racial slur once more. "Chow down, [N-word]," he said. "Did he not see my ring camera?!!? Fire Him IMMEDIATELY, HELLO @DoorDash" Derrica penned in the caption of the now-viral video, seen more than three million times. Disappointed by TikTok removing the sound, she posted a second version with the racial slur omitted. "In This version the slur is bleeped out, so hopefully TikTok doesn't take it down. And YES it was the HARD ER. DoorDash fired him but I still have NO CLUE who this man is," she stated. RELATED: L.A. Socialite Sentenced To 15 Years To Life For Drunken Street Race That Killed 2 Young Brothers In A Crosswalk A spokesperson for DoorDash said in a statement: "Make no mistake we have absolutely zero tolerance for racism. This horrific incident violates both our policies and what we believe in." Nia, from the app's Community Response Team, also contacted Derrica, thanking her for bringing the horrific incident to their attention. "I want to assure you that we have investigated this incident and taken appropriate action by removing this dasher from the platform." In 2024, DoorDash reported improved logistics quality and efficiency in addition to Project DASH, helping change lives by "powering more than 6 million deliveries of over 100 million meals to people experiencing food insecurity." President Joe Biden was reportedly present and observed his dog, Commander, attack several Secret Service agents in at least three separate incidents occurring between 2022 and 2023, according to a newly leaked document obtained by RadarOnline this week. In an unexpected twist following the president's decision to rehome his German Shepherd with relatives in October, newly released Secret Service records revealed that President Biden saw Commander bite three different agents on three separate occasions. The documents revealed that the initial incident occurred at the White House two years ago, when an agent was escorting President Biden and Commander from the West Wing to the Palm Room. An agent reported being "bit/grabbed on the left forearm" during an incident on October 2, 2022. "Commander came in first, circled back, and grabbed my left arm," the agent proceeded. "He then stood up and back down. He is literally my height standing. [President Biden] entered shortly after since he was trailing behind him. [Biden] entered the Palm Room and said, '[redacted quote]'." Fast forward two months to December 11, 2022, another Secret Service agent accompanied President Biden and his dog, Commander, to the Kennedy Garden. The agent reportedly sustained a 1.5 cm cut and bruising on his arm, along with a 1 cm cut on his hand and thumb from a second bite by Commander. According to the documents, the agent wrote, "Once at the KG, [Biden] took Commander off the leash to run free." "I was present to observe [redacted] departing from the Kennedy Garden to move behind [redacted] toward the south ground drive via the internal garden gate when [the attack] occurred," the agent claimed. The most recent incident involving Commander, which President Biden reportedly witnessed, took place on September 12, 2023. During this event, a third Secret Service agent escorted Biden, 81, and his German Shepherd to the Kennedy Garden. While Commander did not break the agent's skin, the agent's suit coat was reportedly damaged. The third agent stated, "[Biden] opened the Book-Seller door and said [redacted]. As I started to walk toward him to see if he needed help, Commander ran through his legs and bit my left arm through the front of my jacket." "I pulled my arm away and yelled no," the agent added. "[President Biden] also yelled [redacted] to Commander. [Biden] then [redacted]. I obliged and Commander let me pet him." "When turning to close the door, Commander jumped again and bit my left arm for the second time," the agent continued. "[Biden] again yelled at Commander and attached the leash to him. My suit coat has 3 holes, 1 being all the way through. No skin was broken." In October, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden made the decision to give Commander away to relatives. Elizabeth Alexander, spokesperson for the First Lady, confirmed in a February statement that Commander was no longer residing at the White House. BELLE CENTER, Ohio Eric Priest knows how horses react when theyre frightened. They flee if they can find a way, but horses wont move in the case of a fire if smoke and flames obscure their vision of a safe exit. They simply stubbornly stay in the stall where they deemed they were always safe. Just after noon on June 8, flames broke out in a barn that housed two performance reining horse businesses on State Route 638 in Logan County. Brant Performance Horses and Priest Performance Horses housed their own and clients horses in the 60,000-square-foot facility. The fire moved so quickly that it was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived, and it was deemed unsafe for anyone to enter. During the first few moments of the fire, however, Priest, the owner of one of the businesses, tried in vain to persuade the horses within to get out into safety. He knew the odds were against him, but the instinct to preserve the majestic animals, the passion of his life, urged him forward. I tried to save them, he said, from his hospital bed three days after the fire. But they wouldnt move. They wouldnt go out. He grimaces with pain and discomfort as he adjusts himself in the bed. Priest was caught up in the explosion when the fire reached a flash point, meaning that the ceiling hot air temperature caused everything inside to ignite, with a great deal of force and power. The horses remained, and Priest sustained second-degree burns to his hands, arms, back and head. Priests voice becomes quieter as he remembers the scene in the barn. The smoke was so black, and I couldnt see anymore. I didnt know how to get out. He thinks he may have gotten out of the barn purely by the grace of God. He remembers suddenly being outside and ripping off his shirt and cowboy hat, which were covered in flames, and dousing himself with water. At least 44 horses died in the fire. Firefighters from Richland Township arrived to do what they could, and mutual aid was also received from Bellefontaine, De Graff, West Liberty, Rust Creek and Ridgeway. Firefighters were on the scene until 11:30 pm June 8. Priest was first transported to the Mary Rutan Hospital in Belle Center, but his injuries were deemed serious enough that he was taken by helicopter to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Surrounded in the hospitals Intensive Care Unit by his parents, Laura and Bill Priest, as well as his wife, Summer, there is an obvious network of family support that is operating on a full-time basis. Weve been through something hard like this before with Eric, Laura Priest said. He was a preemie so he had to fight even as an infant. He is a fighter, she said, with resolve. With bandages covering his injured areas, and gels and creams making his face shiny with protective medicine, Priest is expected to be in the hospital for about a month. His first skin graft surgery took place June 12, with the potential for more to come as he recovers. Sinking in The first 48 hours were spent in shock for most of those closest to the horses. Brandon Brant, the owner of Brant Performance Horses, was without words to describe what he was feeling. His wife, Cathy, had been particularly impacted. She had a few brood mares in the barn, and the foals they had recently produced were special to her. All of them died in the fire. Julia Roshelli, who has worked at Brant for the past five years as an assistant trainer, said that the performance horses all had special personalities and they were like family. The speed of the fire was terrible, she said. Very, very quick. But she quickly composes herself, saying that she knew that all of them would arise from this tragedy. She said that Brant and Cathy were meeting with insurance officials for most of the day on June 11. We had some of the horses escape and they needed care the next day, Roshelli said. So, you keep going. The acrid, throat-irritating smoke is still arising from various areas around the barn on June 11. Remnants of gates, stall walls, a bicycle and a burned out automobile dot the area around the perimeter of the once rather stately barn. Damage to the barn and the businesses is estimated to be in the millions of dollars. The state Fire Marshall has not yet ruled as to a cause of the fire. Its unclear what the future holds for the barn and the businesses, but the equine and agricultural community have been quick to help however they can. GoFundMe accounts have been opened for both Brandon and Cathy Brant and Eric Priest. By June 14, the funds had raised $52,270 of the $80,000 for Eric, and $282,000 of the $500,000 for Brandon and Cathy. We want Brandon to stay here, said Matthew VanScoy, who provides the barn with loads of sawdust through his wood product business. We want to help him in any way we can to rebuild. Theres no one that wont move mountains to help himThats the kind of guy he is. Hes someone everyone really likes. All three main parties have now set out their general election manifestos, which include policies they would implement to support British farming if elected. Both Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have pledged to increase the UK agriculture budget by 1 billion, while Labour has remained silent on this. However, the party has committed to promote the highest standards when it comes to food imports, while the Tories promise to introduce a legally binding target to enhance food security. In other areas, all three parties have made commitments to support farmers by increasing public sector sourcing from British farms. The Conservatives and Labour have promised to source at least 50% of public sector food locally or to higher environmental standards. In recent months, the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats have all recognised the importance of food security to UK national security. Responding to the parties' manifestos, the NFU said there was 'plenty of positives', but it called the agricultural budget as the 'single most vital element'. Because of this, Labour's silence on the agricultural budget was 'deeply disappointing', the union said. This isnt just money for farmers, its the funding which helps the sector transition away from the old EU system," said NFU president Tom Bradshaw. Our members will welcome the Lib Dem and Conservative commitments to increase the UK agriculture budget by 1 billion and protect it." In Labour's manifesto, it pledged to end the badger cull, calling it 'ineffective'. But the NFU said this type of language was 'incredibly unhelpful'. Mr Bradshaw said: "It disregards the latest science showing a 56% decline in this awful disease which we should remember kills thousands of cattle a year and disrespects the incredible efforts our members have made to try and deliver TB eradication by 2038." He concluded: We are continuing to engage with candidates to highlight the importance of a thriving homegrown food sector, and the need for resilient and profitable farming businesses to underpin it. What has the NFU been campaigning for? Some of the unions key asks have included: A commitment to a UK agricultural budget that underpins sustainable domestic food production - of 5.5 billion. Developing core production standards that apply to all agri-food imports. Establishing a new food security index and target, including a statutory duty to monitor and report on domestic food production levels each year. A smooth transition to new environmental schemes that are open to all farmers, less bureaucratic and ensure profitable long-term food-producing businesses. A commitment to source 50% of food into the public sector from British farms. Global opportunities for UK red meat exporters amid rising demand for animal protein have come under the spotlight at a major industry conference. Delegates at the annual Red Meat Exports Conference heard about positive worldwide trends and patterns in trade production, as well as risks and challenges. It comes as global demand for animal protein is growing, with pig meat, beef, and sheep meat consumption expected to rise by 11%, 10% and 15 % respectively by 2032. Red meat exports from the UK last year were valued at 1.7 billion, equalling the record year in 2022, according to official figures. At the conference, organised by AHDB, UK red meat exporters and representatives from UK government heard that the sector should be "rightly proud" of what it could offer the global market. The levy board's chief executive, Graham Wilkinson said that with anticipated growth in the global appetite for animal protein, exports of world class British red meat products had never been more important. "We have much to celebrate, not least with the value of red meat exports last year equalling the record set in 2022," he said. "At last years conference we launched our Beyond Borders export strategy which set out our ambitions to help drive export growth. Since then, weve delivered a raft of activity to help ensure the opportunities for export of our world class red meat products are maximised globally." This has included coordinating inward and outward trade missions, inspection visits of UK sites, participating in international trade shows and working to support the opening of new markets. In doing so, Mr Wilkinson said AHDB had helped develop a broad portfolio of markets which was important to the trade for premium and variety meat, while offsetting risk. Our work on the ground in-market also plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining positive trading relationships. The China Meat Association (CMA) is a key partner with which AHDB has long standing relationship. "We have been delighted to host an important delegation from China this week, showcasing our high-quality sustainably produced red meat products, culminating with their participation in our conference today." Red meat exports from the UK in 2023 were worth 1.7 billion, largely driven by strong demand for UK lamb on international markets. Full year figures from HMRC show that exports were underpinned by the performance of exports of sheep meat, particularly to the EU. Steve Coogans film portrayal of a university academic has been ruled as defamatory. Steve Coogans film portrayal of a university academic has been ruled as defamatory The Philomena actor, 58, was a writer on and producer of the 2022 movie The Lost King, which told of real-life history researcher Phillipa Langley going up against Richard Taylor in her mission to find the grave of Richard III in 2012, half a century after the king was killed. Formerly a deputy registrar at the University of Leicester, Richard had sued Steve and his production company Baby Cow, as well as Pathe Productions saying the portrayal of him in the film was an unfair caricature of a suited bean-counter who was devious and weasel-like as well as patronising and misogynistic to Phillipa, who was played by Sally Hawkins, 48, in the movie. His Honour Judge Lewis ruled on Friday (14.06.24) morning the portrayal was defamatory and would have come across as negative to the reasonable viewer. He added: The character Mr Taylor was portrayed throughout the film in a negative light. At no point was he shown in a way that could be described as positive, or even neutral. Whilst an individual scene may not in itself cross the threshold of seriousness, taken together the film makes a powerful comment about the claimant and the way he conducted himself when undertaking a senior professional role for a university. The poor way in which he was depicted as behaving towards Ms Langley was contrary to common shared values of our society and would have been recognised as such by the hypothetical reasonable viewer. But the judge rejected Richards argument the hypothetical reasonable viewer would have come away thinking he was misogynist or sexist. The ruling means the case can proceed to a full trial, where Steve, Baby Cow and Pathe Productions will have to defend the defamatory portrayal. Richards lawyers, William Bennett KC and Victoria Jolliffe, argued their client had been presented as dismissive, patronising and misogynistic towards Phillipa Langley in the film. Andrew Caldecott KC, acting for Steve and the two production companies, previously defended the portrayal of the academic by saying: It is a feature film, not a documentary. It would be clear to the ordinary reasonable viewer that the film is not a documentary, it is a dramatisation of events. The concept of fictional films based on real events is not a new one. House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Chair Darrell Issa (R-CA-48) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12) of the Committee recently introduced the Shop Safe Act in the US House. This important legislation addresses the proliferation of dangerous counterfeits promoted and sold online, presenting a range of threats including consumer safety concerns and compromising brand integrity. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has commended the introduction of this act. House Judiciary Committee members Darrell Issa and Jerry Nadler introduced the Shop Safe Act to combat dangerous online counterfeits, addressing consumer safety and brand integrity. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) praised the act, highlighting the need for platforms to collaborate with brands to prevent counterfeit sales. "It is far too easy to buy counterfeits across platforms. The Shop Safe Act helps ensure platforms consistently partner with brands to help keep counterfeits from being posted online for a consumer to purchase, AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar said in a press release. "Of course, authentic brands will continue to play a key role in supporting the efforts of platformsjust as they do nowbut we need the commitment and collaboration of platforms to counter the growth of counterfeits that put Americans at risk. One counterfeit is one too many." Consumer safety is a bipartisan issue. Every Member of Congress represents constituents who have unknowingly purchased and/or been harmed by counterfeits," said Jennifer Hanks, AAFA senior director of brand protection. It is time to get the Shop Safe Act over the finish line." The Shop Safe Act will require online platforms to engage in best practices for screening and vetting third-party sellers and goods, stop repeat counterfeiter sellers, and ensure that consumers have relevant information available to them with accountability for counterfeit goods. This is companion legislation to S.2934, introduced in the US Senate by US Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). This and other policies, including the INFORM Consumers Act, which was approved last year, will help stem the influx of illicit products promoted and sold on platforms and safeguard consumers from the alarming dangers of counterfeits across industries, the release added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2024) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an equity distribution agreement dated June 13, 2024 (the "Distribution Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation (the "Agent"). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Company will be entitled, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the term of the Distribution Agreement, to sell, through the Agent, such number of ordinary shares of the Company (the "Ordinary Shares") that would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to C$20 million (the "Offering" or "ATM Facility"). Sales of the Ordinary Shares, if any, will be made in "at the market distributions", as defined in National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions, directly on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") or on any other existing trading market in Canada. No offers or sales of Ordinary Shares will be made on any exchange or quotation system outside of Canada. Net proceeds from the ATM Facility, if any, will be used to fund ongoing operations including, but not limited to, commercial development, product development and working capital. The ATM Facility will be effective until the earlier of (i) the issuance and sale of an aggregate amount of C$20,000,000 of Ordinary Shares through the Agent; and (ii) February 10, 2025, unless earlier terminated prior to such date by the Company or the Agent. The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement dated June 13, 2024 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated January 5, 2024 (amending and restating the short form base shelf prospectus dated January 9, 2023 as amended and restated by the amended and restated short form prospectus dated August 2, 2023) for the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario; and the final short form base shelf prospectus dated January 5, 2024 for the provinces and territories of Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut (together with the Prospectus Supplement, the "Offering Documents"). The Prospectus Supplement will be filed with each of the provincial securities commissions in Canada. The Offering Documents will contain important detailed information about the securities being offered. Before you invest, you should read the Offering Documents and the documents incorporated therein for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the Distribution Agreement and the Offering Documents will be available for free by visiting the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities described in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered, sold, directly or indirectly, or delivered within the "United States" or to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the "United States" or "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable U.S. state securities laws. About GMG www.graphenemg.com GMG is a clean-technology company which seeks to offer energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene, including that manufactured in-house via a proprietary production process. GMG has developed a proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications. The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving coating), lubricants and fluids. In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Batteries"). GMG's 4 critical business objectives are: Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products Develop Next-Generation Battery Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability For further information please contact: Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223 Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications Investor Relations, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the Company's proposed business plans, expectations regarding the sale of Ordinary Shares under the ATM Facility, the proceeds from the ATM Facility, and the Company's proposed use of the proceeds from the ATM Facility. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, assumptions that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals for the ATM Facility and that the Company will be able to use the proceeds from the ATM Facility as anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: the risk that the Company is not able to use the proceeds from the ATM Facility as anticipated by management, the risk that the Company does not receive the requisite regulatory approvals for the ATM Facility, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, the failure of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, attract and retain skilled personnel, unexpected development and production challenges, unanticipated costs and the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated October 12, 2023 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212955 SOURCE: Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. 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. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! EQS Newswire / 14/06/2024 / 09:29 UTC+8 London, UK - June 13, 2024 - ( SeaPRwire ) - United Payment, a major fintech player in the region, made its third appearance at Money 20/20 this year with an impressive booth, following two consecutive years of sponsorship. This year, a robust management team, including country managers, represented them. United Payment is currently collaborating with leading cross-border money transfer companies. As Turkiye's leading fintech company, United Payment continues solidifying its position through new worldwide partnerships. Their international operations have garnered significant attention recently. In early June, they participated in Money 20/20, one of the world's most prestigious fintech conferences, held from June 4-6 in Amsterdam. United Payment was once again a top sponsor for the 2024 event and also sponsored the "DEIK Pavilion," organized by the DEIK Foreign Economic Relations Board. This committee is instrumental in fostering Turkiye's fintech sector's growth and international expansion by connecting local startups and companies with global opportunities. One of the Popular Fintechs in Money 20/20 Operating in Turkiye, UK, Azerbaijan, Romania, and Georgia, and with plans to enter new markets, United Payment significantly impacted Money 20/20. The company's 72-square-meter booth, which was the largest at the event, attracted a steady stream of visitors eager to learn about its innovative solutions. At Money 20/20, United Payment had the honor of hosting esteemed guests, including the Honourable Dutch Ambassador Selcuk Inal, Chairman of the Presidential Finance Office, Professor Dr. Goksel Asan, and Necip Fazil Kaymak, Vice Chairman of Presidential Finance Office. These meetings provided a platform to discuss United Payment's international operations across five different markets and express their expectations from the finance board regarding the rise of the Turkish fintech ecosystem, further demonstrating their influence in the industry. Nearly 50 Turkish companies and over 500 Turkish participants attended the event Ilker Sozdinler, Chairman of the DEIK FinTech Committee and CEO of United Payment, remarked: "Turkiye 's fintech ecosystem, with its strong software infrastructure capability, innovation knowledge, and ambition to establish its own digital payments system, has a lot in common with some of the best fintech countries in the world. However, there is a gap for Turkish companies to fill in some fields to increase their international presence. The DEIK Digital Technologies Business Council FinTech Committee was established to support Turkish technologies globally, and it continues its work diligently. Money 20/20 provides precious opportunities for fintechs and startups to expand internationally. Almost 50 Turkish companies participated in the fair, with over 500 participants in total, and they effectively used more than 500 square meters of booth area. This was beneficial participation, and a strong interest was shown in Turkish companies' promising developments for the ecosystem. At United Payment, we participated in similar fairs before. Some of our partnerships and access to international regions resulted from such big opportunities. We believe in using our experience to facilitate Turkish companies' reach to these opportunities going forward." The First and Only Company with an E-Money License in Azerbaijan Ilker Sozdinler, CEO of United Payment, stated: "Money 20/20 is our highlight event of the year as it attracts participants from both EMEA and APAC, making it invaluable for our regional expansion strategy. Visitors approached us knowing we are the first and only company to obtain an e-money license in Azerbaijan. Several exhibitors showed interest in our activities in Azerbaijan, and we engaged in numerous discussions with prominent brands looking to enter the Azerbaijani market with us. While we are busy planning and establishing our presence in Azerbaijan, we are also eyeing the African market. We are partnering with some of the biggest players in the money transfer space; we signed several deals and are actively negotiating with more. We'll share more exciting updates with the fintech ecosystem soon." London Office: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB, UK Social Links X: https://x.com/united_payment LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedpayment/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/united.payment/ Media contact Brand: United Payment Contact: Media team Email: support@unitedpayment.com Website: https://unitedpayment.com SOURCE: United Payment 14/06/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2024) - Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (FSE: A3EP87) ("Thesis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated May 1, 2024, the Company has filed a new current technical report (the "Technical Report") with an updated mineral resource estimate as described more fully in the Technical Report and the Company's news release dated May 1, 2024. 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 effective date of May 1, 2024, prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212989 SOURCE: Thesis Gold Inc. Siegfried AG / Key word(s): Bond EGS Beteiligungen AG exercises right to convert bond and increases its shareholding in Siegfried to 6.2% registered shares 14-Jun-2024 / 06:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. EGS Beteiligungen AG exercised its right to convert one of the convertible bonds issued in December 2020 with a coupon of 0.650% and a nominal value of CHF 40m into shares. EGS Beteiligungen will receive 51'899 shares of Siegfried Holding AG and as a result will increase its stake in Siegfried from 5.0% to about 6.2% registered shares (about 7.2% including remaining purchase position). The shares will be delivered from Siegfried's treasury shares without issuance of new shares. As announced in December 2020, EGS Beteiligungen AG participated in the financing of Siegfried's acquisition of two pharmaceutical production sites in Spain through two hybrid convertible bonds issued by Siegfried. These bonds grant EGS Beteiligungen the right to convert the bonds into shares of Siegfried Holding AG when certain conditions are met. Siegfried's CEO ad interim Reto Suter: "This conversion significantly increases the shareholding of EGS Beteiligungen AG and demonstrates its trust in Siegfried." Contact Financial Analysts: Media: Dr. Reto Suter Peter Stierli Chief Financial Officer Head Corporate Communications reto.suter@siegfried.ch peter.stierli@siegfried.ch Tel. +41 62 746 11 35 Tel. +41 62 746 15 51 Siegfried Holding AG Untere Bruehlstrasse 4 CH-4800 Zofingen About Siegfried The Siegfried Group is a global life sciences company with sites in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Malta, the USA and China. In 2023, the company achieved sales of CHF 1.272 billion and employed on 31.12.2023 more than 3'700 people at twelve sites on three continents. Siegfried Holding AG is publicly listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SFZN). Siegfried is active in manufacturing pharmaceutical APIs (and their intermediates) as well as drug products (tablets, capsules, sterile vials, ampoules, cartridges and ointments) for the pharmaceutical industry and provides development services. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This media release includes statements concerning the future. They are based on assumptions and expectations that may prove to be wrong. They should be considered with due caution as, by definition, they contain known and unknown risks, insecurities and other factors which could result in a difference in the actual results, financial situation, developments or the success of Siegfried Holding AG or Siegfried Group from the explicit or implicit assumptions made in these statements. expect more Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial. Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird. Nutzen Sie die Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus. Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential. In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen. Handeln Sie Jetzt! Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls. Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report. Elliptic Labs (OSE: ELABS), a global AI software company and the world leader in AI Virtual Smart Sensors currently deployed in over 500 million devices, is shipping its AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY on HONOR's Magic V Flip smartphone. This Magic V Flip device is a modern innovative smartphone with full screen clamshell foldable design, a first for HONOR. Elliptic Labs' partner Qualcomm will drive the Magic V Flip with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset Elliptic Labs signed the contract for this shipment in March 2024. "The sleek HONOR Magic V Flip smartphone is the 23rd HONOR device to ship with Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform," said Laila Danielsen, CEO of Elliptic Labs. "Leading the industry with our AI models and expertise in both ultrasound and sensor fusion makes Elliptic Labs the clear choice for major smartphone makers like HONOR. Our collaboration has led to world-class products that are greener, smarter, and more user-friendly." AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Proximity Sensor detects when a user holds their phone up to their ear during a call, allowing the smartphone to turn off its display and disable its screen's touch functionality. This keeps the user's ear or cheek from triggering unwanted actions during the call, such as hanging up or dialing numbers. Turning off the screen also helps conserve battery life. Proximity detection is a core capability that is used in all smartphones, but Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Proximity Sensor is a unique, software-only solution that delivers robust proximity detection without the need for a dedicated hardware sensor. By replacing hardware sensors with software sensors, the AI Virtual Proximity Sensor reduces device cost and eliminates sourcing risk. INNER BEAUTY is a registered trademark of Elliptic Labs. AI Virtual Smart Sensor, AI Virtual Proximity Sensor, and AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform are trademarks of Elliptic Labs. All other trademarks or service marks are the responsibility of their respective organizations. About Elliptic Labs Elliptic Labs is a global enterprise targeting the smartphone, laptop, IoT, and automotive markets. Founded in 2006 as a research spin-off from Norway's Oslo University, the company's patented software uses AI, ultrasound and sensor fusion to deliver intuitive 3D gesture, proximity-, presence-, breathing- and heartbeat-detection experiences. Its scalable AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform creates software-only sensors that are sustainable, human-friendly and already deployed in hundreds of millions of devices around the world. Elliptic Labs is the only software company that has delivered detection capabilities using AI software, ultrasound, and sensor fusion deployed at scale. The company joined the Oslo Brs main listing in March 2022. Elliptic Labs is headquartered in Norway with presence in the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Its technology and IP are developed in Norway and are solely owned by the company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240613997035/en/ Contacts: PR Contacts: Patrick Tsui pr@ellipticlabs.com Investor Relations: Lars Holmy Lars.Holmoy@ellipticlabs.com KAISERAUGST, Switzerland and MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 14, 2024, the Enterprise Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (the Enterprise Chamber), rendered its judgment in the statutory buy-out proceedings initiated by DSM-Firmenich AG (the Company or dsm-firmenich) to acquire any shares of DSM B.V. (DSM) not already acquired by the Company in its previously completed voluntary cash tender offers for all outstanding DSM ordinary shares (the Shares). The Enterprise Chamber ordered all remaining DSM shareholders to transfer the unencumbered right to their Shares to the Company. It determined that 116 is the fair price per Share, subject to an increase by statutory interest calculated from May 3, 2023 until the date of transfer or consignment of the Shares, and a decrease by any distributions that become payable on the Shares in the aforementioned period. The Company was ordered to pay this fair price plus statutory interest and minus distributions in exchange for the transfer of the unencumbered right to the Shares. Voluntary transfer The Company calls upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer to the Company of the unencumbered right to the Shares between now and July 2, 2024, at 17:45 hours CEST, by instructing their bank, broker or other financial intermediary to have their Shares credited to the Company's securities account. On July 4, 2024, the Company will pay the price of 100.38 per Share (i.e. the fair price per share of 116, plus statutory interest from May 3, 2023 up to July 5, 2024 of 6.96 and minus distributions of 22.58) to those DSM shareholders that have voluntarily transferred their Shares before July 2, 2024, at 17:45 hours CEST. No brokerage or bank fees or other costs incurred by such DSM shareholders will be reimbursed by the Company. Transfer by operation of law On July 5, 2024, an amount of 100.38 per Share will be paid into consignment with the Dutch consignment office (a body of the Dutch Ministry of Finance) for all Shares not offered within the aforementioned voluntary transfer period. Upon such payment, the unencumbered title to such Shares will transfer to the Company by operation of law. DSM-Firmenich will request Euroclear Nederland to ensure payment of the aforementioned price per Share to the relevant former DSM shareholders in accordance with the consignment fund procedure (consignatiekasprocedure) of Euroclear Nederland. For more information, please contact: dsm-firmenich investor relations enquiries: Email: investors@dsm-firmenich.com dsm-firmenich media enquiries: Email: media@dsm-firmenich.com Settlement, listing and paying agent: ABN AMRO Bank N.V. Corporate Broking Issuer Services Email: contact.dsm-firmenich@nl.abnamro.com Telephone: +31 20 628 6070 About dsm-firmenich As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world's growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than 12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life every day, everywhere, for billions of people. www.dsm-firmenich.com General restrictions The call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer in jurisdictions other than the Netherlands and Switzerland may be restricted and/or prohibited by law. The call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer is not being made, and the Shares will not be accepted for purchase from or on behalf of any holder of the Shares, in any jurisdiction in which the making of the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws or regulations of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or filing with any regulatory authority. Outside of the Netherlands and Switzerland, no actions have been taken (nor will actions be taken) to make the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer in any jurisdiction where such actions would be required. Neither dsm-firmenich, nor DSM, nor ABN AMRO accepts any liability for any violation by any person of any such restriction. Any failure to comply with any such restrictions may constitute a violation of the law of any such jurisdiction. Notice to US investors The call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer is being made for securities of a Dutch company and holders of the Shares that are resident in the United States should be aware that this announcement and any other documents relating to the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer have been or will be prepared in accordance with the European Union disclosure requirements, format and style, all of which differ from those in the United States. All financial information that is included in this announcement or that may be included in any documents relating to the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer have been or will be prepared in accordance with the European Union's generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards and may not be comparable to financial statements of US companies. It may be difficult for holders of the Shares to enforce certain rights and claims arising in connection with the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer under US federal securities laws since dsm-firmenich and DSM are located outside the United States, and their officers and most of their directors reside outside the United States. Therefore, investors may have difficulty effecting service of process within the United States upon those persons or recovering against dsm-firmenich, DSM or their respective officers or directors on judgments of US courts, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the US federal securities laws. It may not be possible to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws. It also may not be possible to compel a non-US company or its affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgment. The call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer will be made in the United States pursuant to applicable US tender offer rules and securities laws, or pursuant to exemptive relief therefrom granted by the United States Securities and Exchange. Accordingly, the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to terms, conditions and procedures that are different from those applicable under US domestic tender offer procedures and law. Holders of the Shares that are resident in the United States also should be aware that the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws and, that such consequences, if any, are not described herein. Holders of the Shares that are resident in the United States are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding the call upon the DSM shareholders to effect the voluntary transfer. Forward-looking statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to dsm-firmenich's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of dsm-firmenich and information currently available to the company. dsm-firmenich cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. dsm-firmenich has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of this press release prevails over other language versions. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2071772/dsm_firmenich_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dsm-shareholders-can-voluntarily-transfer-their-shares-to-dsm-firmenich-before-july-2-2024-1745-hours-cest-302172166.html Aspen Digital will establish its financial services headquarters in Abu Dhabi to directly provide financial services to its clients. Subject to final approval, the Financial Services Permission (FSP) upon being issued will permit Aspen Digital to broaden its financial services offerings across numerous international regions HONG KONG, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Digital has been granted an in-principle approval (IPA) from the FSRA to carry out regulated activities in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Subject to final regulatory approval, Aspen Digital will be licensed to provide financial services out of ADGM and expand its product offering and presence within the rapidly growing digital asset ecosystem in the Middle East. The IPA is an important milestone for Aspen Digital's expansion plans within the region and the comprehensive regulatory framework under the FSRA is very aligned with the future of the platform. Aspen Digital's unique offering as a one-stop solution for private wealth to build their allocation to the alternative digital asset class will play an important role in driving the local ecosystem and broader adoption within the region. ADGM's deep understanding of the asset class and its regulatory approach to working with the industry paves the way for building the region into a global financial services hub. Founded in 2021 under Everest Ventures Group (EVG) and backed by investors including Rothschild Investment Trust (RIT Capital Partners) and Liberty City Ventures, Aspen Digital is a leading digital asset technology platform for family offices, UHNWI and wealth managers enabling clients to seamlessly allocate to the asset class through their one-stop solution. CEO of Aspen Digital, Elliot Andrews said, "The IPA is an important milestone for Aspen Digital as we look to expand both our global footprint and offering within the digital asset sector. With a deep understanding of the asset class, ADGM has built a very comprehensive and clear regulatory framework in which to operate. We are grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with them in driving the next wave of digital asset adoption. Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development at ADGM said, "We congratulate Aspen Digital on obtaining its IPA from the FSRA of ADGM. The private wealth and alternative asset service providers catering to family offices, UHNWIs, and wealth managers are both lucrative and emerging. ADGM's regulatory regimes empower such service providers to tap into these opportunities in Abu Dhabi and beyond. We look forward to Aspen Digital's innovative offerings that will aim to accelerate the growth of the digital asset sector in the region." Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2437836/ASPEN_DIGITAL_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aspen-digital-receives-in-principle-approval-for-a-financial-services-permission-to-operate-out-of-abu-dhabi-global-market-302172120.html Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben? Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen. Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten! Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! Acuity RM Group Plc - Directorate Change PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, June 14 Acuity RM Group plc ("Acuity" or the "Group") Director Appointment Acuity (AIM: ACRM), the software group, which supplies the award-winning STREAM? software platform for the Governance, Risk and Compliance ("GRC") market, together with associated consultancy services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine "Kate" Buchan ACA to the Board as Finance Director with immediate effect. With over 25 years of experience as a chartered accountant, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge in financial controls, governance, and process improvement. Having worked in head office finance functions for Lloyds Banking Group and Credit Suisse, Kate is adept at navigating complex products, processes, and organisational structures, consistently delivering high-quality financial reporting. She joined Acuity at the end of November 2023. The following information is disclosed in accordance with Rule 17 and paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies in connection with the appointment of Katherine Louise Buchan aged 53, to the Board of the Company: Katherine has not served as director of a Company within the last five years. There are no other matters under paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules to be disclosed. Angus Forrest said "We are delighted that Kate has joined us. In the last six months she has managed the finance function, prepared the statutory accounts and managed the audit including all the changes resulting from acquisition of Acuity. We look forward to working with her for the longer term when she will bring additional commercial awareness to improve the business performance." For further information please contact: Acuity RM Group plc https://acuityrmgroup.com Angus Forrest +44 (0) 20 3582 0566 WH Ireland (NOMAD & Broker) www.whirelandplc.com/capital-markets Mike Coe / Sarah Mather +44 (0) 20 7220 1666 Peterhouse Capital (Joint broker) Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey +44 (0) 20 7469 0936 Clear Capital (Joint broker) Bob Roberts +44 (0) 20 3869 6080 Note to Editors Acuity RM Group plc Acuity RM Group plc (AIM: ACRM), is an established provider of risk management services. It's award-winning STREAM software platform, which collects data about organisations to improve business decisions and management. It is used by around 70 organisations in markets including government, utilities, defence, broadcasting, manufacturing and healthcare. The Company is focused on delivering long term, sustainable growth in shareholder value. In the short to medium term this is expected to come from organic growth and thereafter may also come from complementary acquisitions. LONDON, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Three-quarters (76%) of British travellers declare that tea never tastes the same aboard which has left 51% bringing their own tea bags when they leave England and 37% going as far as bringing their own kettle, mug - and even their own sugar bowl, research from MSC Cruises reveals[1]. There is a lot more that goes into making the perfect cuppa than some boiling water, a standard tea bag and a drop of milk. Showing they know their guests, MSC Cruises has launched the MSC Tea Library, filled with nearly 100 types of tea - such as PG Tips, Tetley, Clipper, Yorkshire Tea, Twinings and even supermarket own brands - as well as dozens of varieties of milk, sugar, sweeteners, mugs, cups, teapots, tea cosies and more. And to top it off, authentic tap water from the hardest water in London to the softest water in Dundee, to make sure it's just like home. A firm favourite with British travellers, MSC Virtuosa has arrived back to UK shores with sailings from Southampton this summer. What's more, guests staying in the MSC Yacht Club can take advantage of afternoon tea daily - following popular demand from Brits, MSC Cruises increased the frequency from weekly to daily on board MSC Virtuosa. Guests can enjoy a tasty cuppa while taking in the beautiful scenery of Northern Europe, The Med and The Norwegian Fjords, which will hit the spot as nearly six in 10 (58%) believe drinking British tea abroad can improve the overall experience when travelling. The British stereotype of politeness certainly rings true too, with 45% of Brits admitting that they would still drink an awful cup of tea. A quarter (40%) would even express their gratitude to the person who has made it. However, a very confident 8% would refuse to drink it all together. Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales and Managing Director of MSC Cruises UK and Ireland said: "Brits are very particular about their tea, and they should be. When it doesn't taste right abroad, it can change the whole experience. It might be that the tea bags are wrong, or the water tastes off or it might be that UHT milk - it's very hard to replicate the components that make the perfect cuppa when you're not at home." For a limited time, tea lovers boarding MSC Virtuosa this month will no doubt be impressed with the variety of botted British tap water to suit their preferences. Whether accustomed to very hard tap water from London, moderate water from Birmingham or soft water from Dundee, MSC Cruises knows that even the water can affect the taste. During the trial, guests can peruse the endless range of British tea brands in the impressive handmade Tea Library, from Yorkshire Tea to Tetley, PG Tips to Twinings and even Asda supermarket must-haves. Antonio Paradiso added: "We're always listening to our customers to ensure their sailing experience is truly remarkable and if this trial is successful, we will roll it out during 2025. The trial is an extension of a previous survey amongst our fans to find out which tea bag they wanted when cruising with us to inform the tea brands we offer on board. We want our guests to feel like they're in a home away from home when sailing with us, which is why we have always taken tea seriously on board MSC Virtuosa and perfected even the smallest of details so that our guests can sit back and relax with their perfect cuppa, whatever their tastes." [1] One Poll Survey of 2,000 people commissioned by MSC Cruises in May 2024 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2437901/MSC_Cruises.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/msc-cruises-launches-first-tea-library-at-sea-to-create-perfect-cuppa-from-home-for-brits-302171946.html WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla Inc., turned victorious after shareholders approved two major resolutions during Thursday's annual general meeting, including his $56 billion pay package, which was voided by a Delaware judge earlier this year. The luxury electric car maker's shareholders also approved a resolution to move its incorporation to Texas, the base of its largest U.S. factory. Tesla is now a Texas corporation, it said. Following the news, Tesla shares gained around 3 percent to close at $182.47 on Thursday. After the preliminary results were announced at the Tesla shareholder meeting, Musk said, 'I love you guys.' The annual meeting featured final votes on many proxy proposals along with the pay package and move to Texas. Prior to the meeting, Musk in his social media platform X had thanked voting shareholders, noting that both Tesla resolutions were passing by wide margins, following which Tesla shares gained significantly. In a statement, the company now noted that the stockholders approved the ratification of the 2018 chief executive officer Performance Award and the redomestication of the company to Texas. Tesla, which has submitted all filings to effectuate its conversion into a Texas corporation, confirmed that it is now incorporated in Texas. The proposals included election of two Class II directors, James Murdoch and Kimbal Musk, to serve for a term of three years, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. A Tesla proposal to approve executive compensation on a non-binding advisory basis, as well as to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Tesla's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2024 also were approved. Tesla will also file a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing the vote tabulations certified by its inspector of election. Musk's Tesla compensation package, which is considered the largest in U.S. corporate history, was initially approved by the shareholders in 2018. However, it faced severe scrutiny and was voided in January this year by Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who called it deeply flawed as the package was approved due to Musk's substantial relation with the Board. Tesla shareholders were divided over the proposed pay package as some considered Musk is integral to Tesla's future success, while certain others said the compensation is too excessive and detrimental to the company's best interests. Further, the resolution to move its state of incorporation to Texas from Delaware was put forward following a significantly positive response from Musk's followers in X after the Delaware judge's decision on the pay package. Responding to the ruling, Musk then had stated, 'Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware. I recommend incorporating in Nevada or Texas if you prefer shareholders to decide matters.' In 2021, Tesla had moved its corporate offices from Palo Alto, California, to Austin, Texas, due to issues with the state's regulations as well as clashes with health officials regarding the opening of the Fremont facility during the pandemic period. The latest developments come as the car maker is struggling with weak demand and tough competition in the U.S. and Europe, as well as in its major market of China. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2024 AFX News ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IQ Medical Ventures has rebranded as IQ Women's Health. This strategic transformation underscores the company's commitment to addressing the diverse and unique needs of women in healthcare. Our mission is to accelerate innovation and support the development of groundbreaking solutions that enhance women's health outcomes globally. About IQ Women's Health IQ Women's Health is dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting the development of cutting-edge solutions in women's health. The organization caters to the needs of physicians, start-ups, and investors, providing the resources, network, and regulatory guidance necessary to succeed in advancing women's health outcomes worldwide. Why women's health The decision to rebrand and focus on women's health stems from a deeply personal place. Throughout their journey as IQ Medical Ventures, the team has first handedly seen the gaps and opportunities in women's healthcare. The stories of countless women seeking better health solutions, the dedication of physicians striving to provide exceptional care, and the innovative ideas from start-ups looking to make a difference have all inspired the organization. Women's health is not just a market; it is a critical area where innovation can lead to profound improvements in quality of life. The journey and commitment Building on extensive experience in the healthcare sector, IQ Women's Health recognizes the critical need for advancements in women's health. The organization is fully dedicated to leading this transformation by providing essential resources, a robust ecosystem, and expert guidance. Whether a healthcare provider with pioneering ideas, a start-up aiming to revolutionize women's health, or an investor seeking impactful opportunities, IQ Women's Health is there to support every stage. A Personal note from the leadership "We believe in the power of innovation to transform women's health," said Johan F.M. Remmerswaal, Managing Director at IQ Women's Health. "Our rebranding and renewed focus demonstrate our dedication to advancing healthcare solutions that will have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of women worldwide. Coming from a family with four older sisters, having lost the youngest and her daughter to breast cancer, having listened to the countless complaints about the one-sided trials in our industry; we just want to say we heard you! The personal stories and challenges we've encountered along our journey have reinforced our resolution to make a meaningful difference in this field." Join IQ Women's Health in advancing women's health IQ Women's Health invites all stakeholders to join in the mission to advance women's health through innovation and collaboration. Together, a healthier, brighter future for all women can be created. For more information For more information about IQ Women's Health and their services, please visit www.iq-womenshealth.com or contact directly at +31 (0)10 261 9100. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2436574/Johan_FM_Remmerswaal.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iq-medical-ventures-rebrands-as-iq-womens-health-to-pioneer-innovations-in-womens-health-302171046.html Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - Speech and More is thrilled to announce the launch of its new speech therapy business, dedicated to providing high-quality speech and language services to individuals of all ages across Australia. With the launch of their new website, https://speechandmore.com.au/, Speech and More aims to make speech therapy accessible to everyone, offering both home visits and telehealth services. Speech and More To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/212988_a120bfe564eb6a47_002full.jpg Comprehensive Speech Therapy for All Ages Speech and More specialises in a wide range of speech therapy services tailored for both children and adults. Their expert team of speech therapists focuses on helping clients improve their speech and language skills and address swallowing difficulties. By providing personalized therapy plans, Speech and More ensures each client receives the attention and care they need to achieve their communication goals. Convenient and Accessible Services Understanding the diverse needs of their clients, Speech and More offers flexible therapy options to fit into busy schedules and various lifestyles. Their home visit service allows clients to receive therapy in the comfort of their own homes, while the telehealth service ensures that clients from all corners of Australia can access expert speech therapy without geographical limitations. About Speech and More Speech and More is committed to improving the lives of individuals through effective speech therapy services. Their team of experienced speech therapists uses evidence-based practices to deliver the best possible outcomes for their clients. With a focus on both speech and language development as well as swallowing therapy, Speech and More is dedicated to helping clients communicate more effectively and live fuller, more independent lives. Visit the New Website The new speech and more website, provides detailed information about the services offered, the team of therapists, and how to get started with Speech and More. Areas with home visits in NSW include Speech Therapy Bondi, Coogee, Bronte, Maroubra, Clients can easily book appointments online and find resources to support their therapy journey. For more information about Speech and More and their services, please visit https://speechandmore.com.au/. Key services include speech therapy, meal time management, and swallowing assessments with these focus speech specialist areas. About the company: Speech and More is an Australian speech therapy business offering comprehensive speech and language services for children and adults. With a focus on personalised therapy, Speech and More provides home visits and telehealth services to make speech therapy accessible to all. Contact Info: Name: Jacob McKinnon Email: Send Email Organization: Speech and More Website: https://speechandmore.com.au/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212988 SOURCE: Plentisoft EQS Newswire / 14/06/2024 / 17:02 UTC+8 Crypto futures are the "next big thing" - and leading exchanges don't hesitate to adopt them. New York, NY - June 14, 2024 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Recently, XBO ( https://www.xbo.com ) is proud to announce their powerful solution for crypto futures trading. Cryptocurrencies have moved from niche to mainstream, making it easier than ever to buy and trade them. A decade ago, purchasing crypto was a complex task, but today it can be done with just a few clicks. The market has evolved further, allowing investments in cryptocurrencies without buying the coins themselves. Crypto futures, like stock and commodity futures, are becoming a popular investment method. Futures are financial instruments with a long history, involving agreements to buy or sell assets at a predetermined price on a future date. Crypto futures function similarly but deal with cryptocurrencies instead of traditional assets like gold or oil. Crypto Futures Dominating Exchanges - From Binance to XBO.com The popularity of crypto futures is skyrocketing, with both established platforms and new entrants like XBO.com offering futures trading. XBO.com has quickly become a sought-after platform for crypto futures due to its user-friendly interface and advanced features. Why Users Prefer Crypto Futures on XBO.com One key attraction of futures trading is leverage. XBO.com offers up to x125 leverage on some futures pairs, allowing traders to control larger positions with smaller capital. Leverage amplifies potential profits (and losses), making it a powerful tool for traders. Futures trading is also appealing for its simplicity. Unlike buying actual coins, futures involve speculating on price changes, eliminating the need for storage and security measures. This streamlined approach focuses purely on profit opportunities. Liquidity is another major advantage of crypto futures. High liquidity means assets can be bought or sold quickly, crucial for capitalizing on price movements. Futures markets often offer higher liquidity than spot markets, attracting traders concerned about quick transactions. Choosing the Right Crypto Futures Platform Crypto futures are undeniably trending, and many exchanges have integrated them. However, not all platforms offer the same benefits. XBO.com stands out with its user-friendly interface, extensive leverage options, and a wide range of cryptocurrencies for futures trading. XBO.com provides clear definitions and guides for futures trading, ensuring even beginners can start with confidence. The platform's up to x125 leverage and over 100 cryptocurrency options demonstrate a well-thought-out trading environment. The Future of Futures: Is Spot Trading Under Threat? While crypto futures are gaining traction, they complement rather than replace traditional spot trading. Futures are ideal for profit-seekers focusing on price changes, but they offer less value for those interested in using cryptocurrencies for payments or participating in decentralized ecosystems. Crypto futures are here to stay. For those intrigued by cryptocurrencies, exploring futures trading is a logical step. Platforms like XBO.com offer excellent conditions to start trading crypto futures and capitalize on the market's potential. Check out XBO.com or your preferred exchange to discover the opportunities awaiting in crypto futures trading. Social Links X: https://x.com/XboOfficial Telegram: https://t.me/xbocom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xbo-com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xbocom LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/social_xbo Media Contact Brand: XBO Contact: Media team Email: support@xbo.com Website: https://www.xbo.com SOURCE: XBO 14/06/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com LONDON, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global lifestyle brand MINISO, renowned for its trendy lifestyle products, is making a bold statement in Europe with its rapid expansion strategy. The brand is continuing to establish a strong presence in key European markets, bringing its unique blend of design, quality, and affordability to a wider audience. In the UK alone, MINISO has recently opened stores in prime locations across London, including the bustling Chinatown and the iconic Oxford Street. These openings are part of a broader push by the brand to expand its reach across the continent, with recent store openings in Spain, France, and Italy. Flourishing Networks of New Stores Spreads Joy Across Europe Since 2023, MINISO has strategically opened stores in key locations across the UK. Notable openings include the brand's first blind-box themed store globally in London's Chinatown opened in September 2023, the flagship store on Oxford Street opened in November 2023, and stores in Camden Town and Westfield Stratford City opened in early 2024. The brand's continued growth in the UK is evident in its recently opened store at the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, near London. In addition to its growing UK presence, MINISO has made significant strides in other European markets. Recently, for example, the brand has introduced its first blind-box themed store in Spain. Paris, France, has also embraced the brand with the opening of two stores. Furthermore, MINISO's reach now extends to Iceland, Malta, Greece, and Latvia, each offering a fresh perspective on the brand's global appeal. With an ambitious outlook, MINISO is gearing up to make its mark in more European nations, signaling the brand's ongoing commitment to bringing joy and value to customers throughout the region. Robust Overall Growth in Europe with Impressive Financial Performance As a critical component of its overseas expansion, MINISO has undergone rapid growth over the past two years, with strong financial performance. In the full year of 2023, the brand's Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) in the European market increased by 67% year-on-year. This momentum continued into 2024, where in the first quarter, sales in the European market saw a year-on-year growth of over 80%., showcasing robust and enduring consumer demand. The European market's contribution to MINISO's global success underscores the brand's ability to resonate with diverse consumer preferences and adapt to local market dynamics effectively. "Europe is a vibrant and diverse market, and we are confident that MINISO's unique offerings will continue to resonate with customers across the region, "said Vincent Huang, Vice president of MINISO's Overseas Business Department. "We are committed to providing a joyful and engaging shopping experience for everyone who visits our stores." Europe as a Key Growth Driver: Further Advancing the Global Strategy The success of the new store openings and deep penetration into the European market signpost MINISO's ongoing efforts to drive brand growth and market expansion in Europe and globally. From the UK to Europe, from blind box-themed stores to regional flagship stores, MINISO is continuously refreshing local consumers' perception of the brand through differentiated stores, spreading its philosophy of joy to global consumers, and advancing its globalization strategy. Looking ahead, MINISO aims to open more high-quality stores in Europe, bringing its products to more European and global consumers. Currently, MINISO has entered 110 overseas markets worldwide, with over 6,600 stores globally, including more than 200 stores in Europe as of the end of March 2024. MINISO will continue to target key global commercial areas, consistently advancing the construction of overseas stores, leading global consumption trends with IP innovation, and showcasing its determination to continuing going global. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438709/MINISO_s_store_in_Camden_Town.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438710/MINISO_s_store_in_Bluewater_Shopping_Centre.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438711/MINISO_s_store_in_Spain.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/miniso-fuels-european-growth-strategic-store-openings-302172903.html BEIJING, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online: Recently, the "Discovery of Diversified Beijing, Decoding New Quality Productive Forces" Online Thematic Promotion Event was held in Beijing, China. The first Web 3.0 Industrial Park - Zhongguancun Web 3.0 Industrial Park commits to building an industrial ecological highland. The reporters experienced the metaverse space and talked with Meta human figure "Ne Zha" "Su Xiaomei" in English, immersing themselves in feeling the fun of digital intelligence. Beijing first planned and constructed the domestic first high-level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Area. Smart vehicles, intelligent roads, real-time clouds, reliable networks, accurate maps impressed the reporters. They also experienced driverless minibuses and taxis, looking forward to the future's intelligent transport. In addition to autonomous driving technology, hydrogen energy is also a driving force of the revolution of the industry. It is reported that the hydrogen energy bus equipped with "Hydrofore" fuel cells has already served the 2021 Boao Forum for Asia, 2021 China-ASEAN Expo, 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic and other major events. Beijing also attaches great importance to the development of the biopharmaceutical industry as it is a medium-high strategic emerging industry. WeHand Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., located in Daxing, Beijing, specializes in the research and development of original innovative drugs, with a focus on major diseases including metabolic diseases, malignant tumors, and combating inflammation and immunology. The CDV special effects exhibition area features the company's latest generation of virtual studio products, which enable seamless integration of virtual characters. This technology bridges the gap between reality and virtuality. Reporters truly felt the extension of the new quality productive force in the field of media integration and the transformation and upgrading of future development direction here. During the event, the robotic arm equipped with intelligent voice interaction technology of Sound AI showed its calligraphy talent in front of the reporters. The demonstration of skillful goods-sorting by Mech-Mind robotic arms also impressed reporters, showcased the charm of the combination of AI and 3D vision technology. We are pursuing both innovation and high quality. The multitude of innovative achievements and practical experiences emerging across various domains of new quality productive forces are showcasing to the world a Beijing of scientific and technological innovation, a vibrant Beijing, and a Beijing with a promising future. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438730/image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/building-a-new-engine-for-beijings-high-quality-development-with-new-quality-302172914.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA) (OTCQB: UREKF) (FSE: S580) ("Eureka Lithium" or "Eureka" or the "Company") announces that it intends to proceed with a share consolidation (the "Consolidation") of its issued and outstanding common shares ("Common Shares") on the basis of one (1) post-consolidation Common Share for every ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares. Following the Consolidation, the Company will have outstanding approximately [5,175,459] post-consolidation Common Shares. The Company has approved a record date of June 19, 2024 ("Record Date"). The Company's consolidated shares are expected to commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") a few days after the Record Date, and the Company anticipates that the CSE will issue a bulletin to dealers advising of the Consolidation and effective date of trading on the consolidated basis. After the Consolidation, the shares will have a new CUSIP number and a new ISIN number. No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation. Any fractional shares resulting from the Consolidation will be rounded up to the next whole Common Share, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional shares. Pursuant to the articles of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the Consolidation. The Company believes the Consolidation will provide it with a share structure more suitable to attracting capital financing and providing for future growth opportunities. The Consolidation remains subject to receipt of approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company name and trading symbol will not be changed in conjunction with the Consolidation. About Eureka Lithium Corp. Eureka Lithium is the largest lithium-focused landowner in the northern third of Quebec, known as the Nunavik region, with 100% ownership of three projects comprising 1,408 sq. km in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf Lithium Camps. These claims were acquired from legendary prospector Shawn Ryan and are located in a region that hosts two operating nickel mines with deep-sea port access. For more information please contact: DJ Bowen Chief Executive Officer Email: info@eurekalithiumcorp.com Cautionary Statement Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the contemplated completion and anticipated benefits of the Consolidation, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, nor that the Consolidation will be completed, nor have the intended effects, as contemplated, or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212958 SOURCE: Eureka Lithium Corp. CHICAGO, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Sulfur Based Micronutrients Market by Application (Oilseeds & Pulses, Cereals & Grains, and Fruits & Vegetables), Type (Sulfur-Bentonite-Zinc, Sulfur-Bentonite-Molybdenum, Sulfur-Bentonite-Manganese, Sulfur-Bentonite-Iron) - Global Forecast to 2029", is projected to grow from USD 449 million in 2024 to USD 685 million by 2029, at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period. Various factors have been contributing to the growth of sulfur based micronutrients market. First off, because sulfur is necessary for plant growth and development, there is a growing market for products containing sulfur to compensate for shortages in soil. Second, to sustain crop productivity, modern agricultural practices frequently deplete soils of sulfur, requiring supplementation. Furthermore, the market is further stimulated by the growth of organic farming and sustainable agricultural methods since sulfur-based micronutrients provide environmentally favorable nutrient supplementation options. Browse in-depth TOC on "Sulfur Based Micronutrients Market" 156 - Tables 52 - Figures 211 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=10271613 By type, the sulfur-bentonite micronutrients is expected to account for the largest share of the sulfur-based micronutrient market during the forecast period, in terms of value. Sulfur-bentonite in sulfur based micronutrients market is accounted for the largest segment in terms of value. This dominance is attributed to several key advantages of sulfur-bentonite micronutrients. This blend of sulfur based micronutrients provides a concentrated amount of sulfur, which is essential for plant health and productivity, first. Second, bentonite serves as a transporter, enhancing sulfur's gradual release and enhancing crops' ability to absorb nutrients. Sulfur bentonite is an effective and long-lasting option for farmers because of its focused delivery, especially in the highly competitive oilseed market. By application, fruits & vegetables are expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period in terms of value. Fruits & vegetables account for the largest segment in terms of value in the sulfur based micronutrients market during the forecast period. Sulfur based micronutrients find their largest application share in agriculture due to their vital role as nutrients to enhance crop yields. Moreover, sulfur also improves color and disease resistance. Consequently, this increases consumer demand for fruits and vegetables grown with sulfur-based micronutrients, increasing this application's market share in the sulfur-based micronutrient market. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=10271613 Asia Pacific is projected to register the largest market share during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region holds the largest share in the sulfur based micronutrients market primarily due to the growth in agriculture. This dominance is driven by multiple factors. Like the area has a large amount of land used for agriculture, mostly for fruits and vegetables, which greatly benefit from sulfur in terms of quality and quantity. Moreover, there is also a continuing need for more food to be produced due to the growing populations of nations like China and India. Sulfur based micronutrients provide a productive means of increasing crop yields on presently occupied land. The major market players include Yara International (Norway), Nutrien Ltd. (Canada), The Mosaic Company (US), ICL (Israel), K+S Aktiengesellschaft (Germany), SQM S.A. (Chille), Coromandel International Limited (India), Nufarm (Australia), Aries Agro Limited (India), and DFPCL (India) are the leading players in the market. There is significant competition in the sulfur based micronutrients market to develop new process technology, lower the manufacturing cost, expand, and increase the use of sulfur based micronutrients in the end-use industries. Owing to such opportunities in the industry, companies are aiming to enhance their market share by adopting various strategies. Browse Adjacent Market: Specialty Chemicals Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Sulfuric Acid Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Flue Gas Desulfurization System Market - Global Forecast to 2026 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. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/sulfur-based-micronutrients-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/sulfur-based-micronutrients.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sulfur-based-micronutrients-market-worth-685-million-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302172865.html GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 12, Lynk & Co launched its highly anticipated new luxury flagship all-electric sedan, the Lynk & Co Z10, in Gothenburg, Sweden, marking a significant milestone as the brand's debut in the all-electric vehicle market. Empowered by the company's technological prowess and unique brand heritage, the Z10 starts its journey with Lynk & Co's second-generation design language, embarking on a path to the future. Combining exceptional performance, safety, and smart features with cutting-edge technology, the Z10 offers a high-end, sporty, and trendy mobility experience. The name "Z10" derives from "ZERO," representing Zeal, Enjoyment, Responsibility, and Originality, encapsulating Lynk & Co's vision. It embodies the four essential elements of driving pleasure, enjoyment, safety, and quality that the Z10 promises to deliver. Inspired by the Lynk & Co "The Next Day" concept car, its design marries contemporary and timeless elements. It features a large body size (5028mm x 1966mm x 1468mm) with a 3005mm wheelbase, achieving a striking visual impact with a 1.34 golden ratio of width to height. The innovative Aerodramatic design concept, including an active shutter, shoulder line of flowing light, and active spoiler, ensures an impressive drag coefficient of 0.198 Cd. The interior of the Z10 draws inspiration from a spaceship, creating a futuristic cabin. The cockpit features a sci-fi-inspired dashboard, a narrow 12.3:1 ultra-long screen, and an AR head-up display (AR-HUD) for enhanced driving information visibility. The Z10 offers a maximum pure electric range of over 800 km and fast charging capabilities. A 15-minute charge can increase the range by 573 km. Its dual silicon carbide motors enable a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.5 seconds. Safety is paramount, with the Z10 meeting the most rigorous safety standards in China and Europe. It features a high-strength body structure and advanced battery protection systems. The Z10 has undergone extensive side pole crash tests, evaluating 30 points along the battery pack, enabling it to withstand impacts of up to 65 tons, significantly enhancing battery safety. The Z10 is Lynk & Co's response to user expectations and an expansion of its product lineup. With a global perspective and open mindset, the brand aims to build a platform connecting people, cars, and the world. Contact: lynkco.media@lynkco.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438704/LYNK.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lynk--co-unveils-first-all-electric-sedan-the-z10-in-global-debut-302172930.html The Group of Seven (G7), comprising presidents and political leaders of Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union leaders, will convene for the 50th G7 Summit from June 13 to 15, 2024, in Apulia. This year marks a historic first as Pope Francis will participate in the summit, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and social justice in global economic discussions. Natuzzi Italia is honoured to have been selected to furnish the meeting rooms for bilateral leader meetings at the G7 in Apulia. Among the collections featured will be Re-vive, the iconic collections which celebrates its 10th anniversary. Pasquale Natuzzi, Executive Chairman of the Natuzzi Group, stated: "We are proud to be a partner at the G7 in Apulia and to furnish the Summit's venues at Borgo Egnazia. This remarkable setting will hopefully inspire political leaders as they make significant decisions. The products we have chosen for this event and the environments we have created aim to convey Natuzzi's core values: respect for human rights, work ethics, sustainable growth, transparency, and harmony." With over 680 stores worldwide, from the United States to China, Natuzzi is a leading "distribution infrastructure" of "Made in Italy" globally. Natuzzi role as an "ambassador of Made in Italy" was recently reaffirmed by an independent market research survey released in April 2024, which recognized Natuzzi as the most well-known European brand in key markets, including the US and China. About Natuzzi S.p.A. Founded in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi, Natuzzi S.p.A. is one of the most renowned brands in the production and distribution of design and luxury furniture. With a global retail network of 676 monobrand stores in addition to more than 600 galleries as of March 31, 2024, Natuzzi distributes its collections worldwide. Natuzzi products embed the finest spirit of Italian design and the unique craftmanship details of the "Made in Italy", where a predominant part of its production takes place. Natuzzi has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since May 13, 1993. Always committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability, Natuzzi S.p.A. is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified (Quality and Environment), ISO 45001 certified (Safety on the Workplace) and FSC Chain of Custody, CoC (FSC-C131540). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240614230383/en/ Contacts: Natuzzi Investor Relations Piero Direnzo tel. +39 080-8820-812 pdirenzo@natuzzi.com Natuzzi Corporate Communication Giancarlo Renna (Communication Manager) tel. +39. 342.3412261 grenna@natuzzi.com Barbara Colapinto tel. +39 331 6654275 bcolapinto@natuzzi.com Visible gold intersected within highly altered sediments Alteration intensity and quartz vein density increasing with depth Thunder Bay Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or Metals Creek) is pleased to announce drill results for the Shabaqua Corners Gold Property (SCGP) with visible gold noted in the deepest hole during this program at the Echo Zone. This drill program consisted of 5 drill holes targeting both Main Zone and Echo Zone. Initial drilling at Echo Zone exhibits strong carbonatization and silicification including moderate albitization with associated quartz veining and fine pyrite mineralization within clastic sediments. Alteration intensity and quartz vein density appear to be increasing with depth (See Fig.1 Echo Zone Cross Section), which has also been demonstrated in other locations of the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt. Associated with this increase in alteration and quartz veins, is an increase in pyrite mineralization with the occurrence of Visible Gold (VG) (See Figure 1 and Figure 2). GC24-001 returned a downhole intercept (12.0 - 40.0m) of 0.37 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) over 28.0 meters (m) including 1.09 g/t Au over 3.0m (13.0 - 16.0m). This hole drilled at Echo Zone was designed to undercut surface channel sampling from previous summers trenching program (See News release: November 29, 2023) with results including 1.04 g/t Au over 18.7m (See Fig.1). This zone contains strong carbonatization, silicification and moderate albitization with associated quartz veining ranging from 1-6%. Fine-grained disseminated pyrite is the dominant sulfide throughout the host as well as locally within white quartz-carbonate veinlets. Pyrite ranges from trace to 4% with local arsenopyrite. GC24-002 returned a downhole intercept (63.0 - 84.0m) of 0.48 g/t Au over 21.0m within a broader zone of mineralization of 0.33 g/t Au over 40m (55.0 - 95.0m). GC24-002 was an undercut below previously described GC24-001, to expand on the strong alteration and mineralization encountered in hole GC24-001 (See Fig.1). Of particular interest in GC24-002, is an interpreted thickening of the alteration halo, which includes carbonatization, silicification and albitization, increased disseminated pyrite along with an increased density of narrower quartz veins, which appear to be more conducive to hosting free gold. Visible Gold was intercepted (See Fig 1) within a narrow quartz veinlet similar to associated veins on surface with increased gold grades. GC24-003 returned a downhole intercept (62.0 - 101.0m) of 0.15 g/t Au over 39m. Hole 003 was located 25m east of hole GC24-001. Strong carbonatization and silicification with trace to 2% pyrite and 1-3% quartz stringers was intersected. GC24-004 returned a downhole intercept (40.44 - 44.0m) of 0.29 g/t Au over 3.56m targeting Main Zone. Mineralization was hosted within a chert breccia with 2% pyrite and late quartz veinlets. GC24-005 No significant assays returned. This hole targeted Main Zone intersecting a mineralized chert with pyrite and quartz veining. Management is highly encouraged with the results to date from this recent drill program. This was the Corporation's first drilling campaign on the Shabaqua Corners Gold Property and first holes ever drilled on the property. The program was successful in delineating an extensive alteration system at Echo Zone, with associated gold values and visible gold demonstrating its continuation and increase in intensity at depth with the deepest intercept only 60m below surface. Many untested gold showings (Western Shear, Western Shear Extension, East Zone, Anomalous Zone etc..) remain to be further evaluated. Reported intercepts are not true widths. At this time there is insufficient data to calculate true orientations. The property is located within the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt, approximately 54 km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario near Shabaqua Corners and on trend to Delta Resources Delta 1 project. The property has seen very little exploration work. All samples were sent to Activation Laboratories. The precious metals were analyzed utilizing a standard fire assay with an atomic absorption finish. Samples with fire assay results above 1.0 g/t gold are re-analyzed using a gravimetric finish and samples with fire assay results above 3.0 g/t gold or samples showing visible gold are analyzed using the pulp metallic method. The eastern boundary of the property is located 1.57 kilometers(km) west of Delta Resources (DLTA) drill hole DL-22-18 which returned an intercept of 5.92 g/t Au over 31m (Source: Delta New Release October 31, 2022). Trenching conducted on Delta's ground 390m east of the property boundary, returned an interval of 2.22 g/t Au over 8m (Source: Delta Resources Website). Michael MacIsaac, P.Geo and VP Exploration for the Corporation and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for this release, and supervised the preparation of the information forming the basis for this release. About Metals Creek Resources Corp. Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF). In addition, Metals Creek owns and/or has option agreements in place to acquire a 100% interest in claims in the Shabaqua Corners area of North western Ontario. Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company. Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca. 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. Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO Metals Creek Resources Corp telephone: (709)-256-6060 fax: (709)-256-6061 MetalsCreek.com Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes Facebook.com/MetalsCreek Figure 1 - Echo Zone Cross section To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/943/212931_c0a577cb34dddb70_002full.jpg Figure 2 - Visible Gold at Echo Zone To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/943/212931_c0a577cb34dddb70_003full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212931 SOURCE: Metals Creek Resources Corp. Statement by The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group, Marking the 1,000 Day Ban on Girls' Secondary Education in Afghanistan LONDON, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For 1,000 days girls in Afghanistan have been banned from secondary school education. We must now stand up and speak out together for the girls and women of Afghanistan with a clarion call to the de facto authorities and world leaders to end the ban on girls' secondary education in Afghanistan. The cost of inaction is unimaginable. As we speak, 8 out of 10 school-aged girls and young women are out of school in Afghanistan, and 1.5 million girls are impacted by the ban on secondary education. Every day, more and more out-of-school girls are being forced into marriage for lack of any other future prospects. In fact, the ban on Afghan girls' education after grade six is correlated with a 25% increase in the rate of child marriage, according to a new UN Women report. The ban is also associated with an increase of the risk of maternal mortality by at least 50%. Mental health distress and depression is also soaring, and so are suicide attempts. In all, 4.2 million children are out of school. The ban on female teachers, severe restrictions to aid groups, a return to religious teaching and other factors aren't just hurting the girls of Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch found a significant decline in the quality of boys' education across 8 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces. For 1,000 days Afghan girls have lived under a veil of oppression and gender apartheid. For 1,000 days, they have seen their human rights ripped from their hands. Imagine the long-term impact this will have on the people of Afghanistan. Imagine the long-term impacts this will have on our global community. As we look to end hunger and poverty in Afghanistan and beyond, the impact of investments in education is readily apparent. For each extra year of schooling there is a 10% increase in hourly earnings. It can lift-up entire economies. For each year of additional schooling, a nation can expect up to 18% return in GDP. This is also our investment in peace, not just in Afghanistan, but for nations everywhere. Each year of education reduces the risk of conflict by 20%, according to the World Bank. And it's our investment in girls and women everywhere. Increases in schooling for women can cut children mortality under five by as much as half, and for every $1 we spend on girls' education we generate $2.80 in return. For 1,000 days, we have seen the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child cast aside in blatant violation of international law and our shared humanity. We refuse to give up on the girls and boys of Afghanistan. The UN system, international non-profits and other key strategic partners are working quickly to retool education investments to focus on community-based education and localized action to deliver on the humanitarian imperative. Without this support, an entire generation of Afghan girls face increased risks of child marriage, sexual violence and other grave violations of their human rights. In 2023, Education Cannot Wait investments in Afghanistan reached nearly 200,000 children - girls and boys - through community-based education programmes. We must scale up this support with increased funding and increased political pressure to deliver the inherent human right of a quality education to every girl and every boy in Afghanistan. As the world mourns this inhumane and immoral 1,000-day ban on girls' education, global leaders, advocates, influencers and courageous Afghan girls have stepped up to share their call for an end to gender apartheid in Afghanistan through Education Cannot Wait's ground-breaking AfghanGirlsVoices Campaign. As one girl put it: "I am overwhelmed by a profound sense of sorrow and injustice, knowing that we, as women, are denied the fundamental right to education." The world must unite behind the girls of Afghanistan. Share AfghanGirlsVoices today. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438434/Education_Cannot_Wait.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stand-up-and-speak-out-to-end-gender-apartheid-in-afghanistan-302172617.html A novel and innovative approach to treating metastasized cancer, starting with the very lethal grade 4 pancreatic cancer. Earlier this year, scientists from Columbia University in New York demonstrated that the growth rate of pancreatic cancer, measured in patients' blood using CA19-9 as biomarker, determines survival chances and can be used as a quick way to assess treatment effectiveness. At the end of a treatment cycle, both the patient and the treating physician have a clear view of the treatment's effectiveness. ElmediX is demonstrating strong signals of effectiveness of its new hyperthermic treatment in a clinical study for pancreatic cancer patients at the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA; Belgium) based on the CA19-9 platform. The treatment platform is influencing multiple pathways to treat the tumour. "The ElmediX's systemic hyperthermic treatment is a broad-spectrum therapy that targets seven different defense mechanisms of cancer cells," says Prof. Dr. Dirk Ysebaert, one of the Principal Investigators of the MATTERS Study at UZA. Promising Signs of Effectiveness and Safety of the ElmediX TempoCure Treatment Device The results of the American study add an extra dimension to the clinical study ElmediX is conducting at the University Hospital Antwerp (Belgium). Ten patients, including five with metastatic pancreatic cancer, were treated with ElmediX's new therapy. A total of 25 treatments were performed using the ElmediX TempoCure treatment device. ElmediX collected CA 19-9 values from these pancreatic cancer patients. The analysis shows significant decreases in CA 19-9 after thermal treatment, predicting significant life extension. In pancreatic cancer patients, a decrease in CA 19-9 was recorded after a single treatment (up to 60%). A key advantage of thermal treatment is that it can be repeated over time. This opens up significant prospects for transforming pancreatic cancer from a deadly disease into a chronic one. Moreover, no severe, dose-limiting side effects related to the thermal treatment were observed in any of the patients. Only fatigue was noted in the days following the therapy. Based on these results, ElmediX is planning a Phase II study for pancreatic cancer patients. The funding for this study will be through a capital increase. This Series A round (up to 5 million euros) will allow further demonstration and quantification of the effectiveness of thermal treatment for pancreatic cancer patients, aiming for an accelerated regulatory pathway. The detailed results of this First-in-Human study at UZA will be announced at a world oncology congress. About Thermal Therapy Thermal therapy is a treatment modality for cancer patients in which the patient's body temperature is precisely and controlledly increased to kill cancer cells, boost the immune system, inhibit direct tumor growth, and enhance the sensitivity of other complementary cancer treatments. Thermal therapy is toxic to cells in hypoxic (low oxygen) and low pH environments, conditions specifically found in tumor tissue due to insufficient blood flow. Thermal therapy can also be synergistically used with other cancer therapies by: - Activating immune cells - Shrinking tumors - Increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy - Damaging radio-resistant cancer cells - Enhancing the effectiveness of radiotherapy - Reducing pain and improving quality of life More about thermal therapy can be found at elmedix.com. About ElmediX Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the University of Antwerp (Belgium), ElmediX aims to develop a disruptive solution for pancreatic cancer and other metastatic cancers. With seven patent families protecting ElmediX technology, the company has established a strong IP position worldwide (EU, USA, China, and Hong Kong). The company also holds trademarks in the same regions. Co-founders Professor Dr. John-Paul Bogers and Engineer Johan Van den Bossche are respectively the CEO and Chairman of the Board. The company can be reached through its website or through investors@elmedix.com Attachment MANCHESTER, England, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Human Appeal, a leading global humanitarian charity, revealed that a delegation of UN officials visited one of its key projects in northwest Syria offering shelter and relief to thousands of internally displaced families. UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator David Carden, OCHA Head of Office Ian Ridley and OCHA Deputy Head of Office Tahir Ibrahim toured Human Appeal's Al Yasemeen Town shelter project for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), guided by Dr. Ubeyd Sakin, Human Appeal's Country Director for Turkey & Syria. So far 1,500 temporary dignified shelters have been constructed in Al Yasameen IDP site for Syrian families displaced by conflict. The project also recently installed a water well and a water tank in each shelter to support the families that will move in. The light-briquette dignified shelters are specifically designed for families and offer much better protection than typical tent shelters, especially during harsh winter and summer weather conditions. The Al Yasameen IDP site project follows the success of Human Appeal's previous long-lasting accommodation project for IDPs in northwest Syria, Al Zohoor village - where 5,000 people have been provided shelter with healthcare first aid, paediatrics, gynaecology, lab work, dental care, and a pharmacy included within the project. "The visit by the UN officials greatly encouraged the Human Appeal team on the ground in their large-scale humanitarian work. We appreciate the time given to learn more about these Human Appeal projects, and the opportunity to present the efficiency we have reached in our Integrated Shelter Program (ISP) throughout the years," commented Dr. Ubeyd Sakin, Human Appeal's Country Director for Turkey & Syria. About Human Appeal: Human Appeal (registered charity 1154288) is a fully independent global development and relief NGO based in Manchester, UK. It was established in 1991 and runs targeted poverty relief programmes in collaboration with global organisations like the United Nations. Its mission is to save and transform lives through emergency response and sustainable development programmes, across over 25 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.humanappeal.org.uk or for media requests email to press@humanappeal.org.uk, +44 (0)161 225 0225 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438949/Human_Appeal.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/un-officials-visit-human-appeal-project-for-1500-famiilies-in-northwest-syria-302173005.html GUANGZHOU, China, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei, China Unicom Guangdong, and the Zengcheng Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau jointly held today the Lychee Live Streaming Festival themed "A 5G Boost for Lychees" in Guangzhou's Zengcheng District. At the event, influencers and live streamers used a 5G live streaming service to promote and sell lychees at several orchards. A 5.5G network trial was also conducted onsite during the festival; it recorded a maximum uplink speed exceeding 500Mbps. This represents the first trial of 5.5G during a live stream in China's countryside. During the festival, China Unicom Guangdong made its 5G live streaming service plan available at the event. This innovative service is the first of its kind in China. The service meets live streamers' requirements for ultra-high uplink bandwidth, large network capacity, and high-definition videos, guaranteeing continuous, stable, and smooth user experiences. By using intelligent network elements and 5G slicing technologies, China Unicom Guangdong and Huawei have built 5G networks that are able to provide better quality of service (QoS) for live streaming service plans, supporting 50% more traffic and 4-fold faster uplink speeds (increasing from 30-50 Mbps to 150-200 Mbps) for standard users. Furthermore, the networks are built on Huawei's SmartCare integrated data platform, which enables fast fault analysis and delimitation to further enhance the experience of live streaming users. At this year's MWC Barcelona, the 5G live streaming service won the GSMA's Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO) for "Best Mobile Operator Service for Connected Consumers", demonstrating that it is highly recognized by the industry. Since its launch in 2022, the service has been used by over 300,000 users, and supported live streaming sales across a wide range of sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, clothing, and e-sports. A media roundtable was held in the afternoon at the event, during which Wang Liang, deputy general manager of China Unicom Guangdong's Product Innovation Center, noted: "New tools are needed if we want to excel in new agricultural tasks. China Unicom Guangdong uses 5G network slicing and double-channel technologies to provide fast, stable network services for live streaming. " Wang continued, "Moving forward, China Unicom will leverage technologies like 5.5G to power network innovation and new product development. We will also work closely with our partners to support the live streaming sales of agricultural products and promote innovation across the wider agriculture industry." 5.5G represents a huge improvement on 5G in many aspects. With 5.5G, downlink peak speeds increase from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, and uplink peak speeds rise from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. That's a 10-fold increase in bandwidth. With 5.5G, users are able to smoothly stream higher-definition content in 3D and interactive forms. 5.5G also makes it possible to provide differentiated experience assurances that are dynamically adjusted for different live streaming users based on their specific needs. Furthermore, 5.5G lays the groundwork for new consumer services, such as cloud phones, New Calling, and glasses-free 3D. Hou Yingzhen, president of Huawei's 5G Marketing & Solution Sales Department, was also present at the event. He said: "Huawei will constantly innovate in products and technologies to both extend the benefits of 5G to more people, and support 5.5G commercial deployment. 5.5G will be vital for network infrastructure in an intelligent world. 5.5G will drive the live streaming economy in China and contribute to quality growth in both rural areas and the broader agriculture industry. It also has the potential to accelerate the digitalization of many more industries." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438845/Huawei_Technologies.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huawei-and-china-unicom-guangdong-ran-the-first-5-5g-trial-of-a-live-stream-from-chinas-countryside-302173029.html With the HR Industry's first-ever AI Agent, Alberni, Borderless AI is changing the way HR teams get work done for global employees and employers alike TORONTO, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Borderless AI , the world's first AI-powered HR platform, has partnered with Cohere , a leader in providing large language model (LLMs) solutions to enterprises, to provide tailored AI agents for the HR category. At a time when investors are grappling with the high prices of LLMs, Borderless AI and Cohere are deploying AI to industries with existing business models and customer bases, where the need for AI is clear. Other industry players, like Deel, hit $500M in annual recurring revenue in just five years, and Remote.com is not far behind. This growth signals the massive potential and opportunity in the Employer of Record (EOR) and global payroll category. Borderless AI is taking an innovative approach to the industry, as the first to introduce AI to streamline global-first HR challenges, onboarding, payroll, and more. The global multicountry payroll solutions market is expected to approach $10.5 billion USD by 2030 , yet there has yet to be a company that is building AI to address this growing category. Additionally, much of this growth is coming out of Canada - a region where both Borderless AI and Cohere are headquartered. Borderless AI and Cohere are solving this problem in several ways with today's announcement: Borderless AI has announced they are launching an AI agent for Canadian employment agreements - Startups across Canada can access Borderless AI and create compliance agreements for their teams - an industry-first AI-powered Real-Time-Payments and Treasury functions - unlike Deel and Remote.com, Borderless AI does not require salary deposits - a major improvement on the customer experience; and one that puts more money in the hands of customers Proprietary HR Knowledge Base - powered by Cohere's RAG technology. HR professionals across Canada can now get domain-specific knowledge about HR best practices and employment law through Borderless AI's proprietary AI agent. AI is disrupting sectors like HR, legal, customer service, payments, and retail with the introduction of AI Agents. Leading companies like Harvey for legal and Sierra for customer service are putting a spotlight on the critical need for AI agents across verticals. With the recent launch of Borderless AI, the company is taking the same verticalized approach to the HR industry to solve complex challenges that HR teams face daily when scaling global teams. Given the partnership with Cohere, Alberni can deliver AI systems that help with tasks requiring complex reasoning, extensive domain knowledge, and capabilities beyond a single model call-such as drafting employment documents, answering questions about complex labor law scenarios, and identifying material discrepancies between hundreds of contracts. "We're excited Borderless AI is leveraging Cohere's best-in-class enterprise AI models to address real-world HR challenges that have long faced companies trying to scale up in new markets," said Aidan Gomez, CEO and Co-Founder of Cohere. "Our models excel at key business capabilities like advanced RAG and multilingual support to help Borderless AI deliver real productivity and efficiency gains for the global HR market. We look forward to supporting Borderless AI in building business solutions that power the future of global HR." "We're excited to be at the forefront of the AI agent revolution, already using smarter, self-directed AI to streamline workflows for our customers by combining data from various sources," said Willson Cross, CEO and Co-Founder of Borderless AI. "We're proud to continue working with Cohere to provide a different approach to global-first HR, combining resources for local compliance and payroll with AI, all in a single platform." About Borderless AI Borderless AI is a global payroll solution that leverages the power of generative AI to automate and speed up the process of onboarding, managing, and paying international team members. With Borderless AI, businesses can compliantly hire and manage talent worldwide without establishing a foreign entity while alleviating the complexities and risks associated with hiring global employees. With a focus on innovation and customer service, Borderless AI developed Alberni, the world's first AI agent for global HR. Alberni uses conversational AI to simplify global employment tasks from contract creation to expense management. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and has raised $27 million in seed funding to date, backed by Susquehanna and Aglae Ventures . Media Contact Inkhouse for Borderless AI BorderlessAI@Inkhouse.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2367704/BorderlessAi_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/borderless-ai--cohere-team-up-to-build-a-custom-trained-ai-model-for-hr-professionals-taking-on-deel-and-remotecom-302172665.html DUBAI, UAE, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- June 12-14, REX Zhang, Strategy Director at SMOORE and Assistant President at FEELM, attended the Global Vape Forum in Dubai, where he presented FEELM's solutions for achieving sustainable development in the industry. Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent global regulations, compliance, youth protection, and environmental protection have become the 3 major challenges hindering the sustainable development of the industry. Particularly with countries like the UK and France planning to introduce bans on disposable, the vape industry is at a new crossroads. According to REX Zhang, stricter global regulations are beneficial for the industry's development. However, while regulations make rules clearer, strict enforcement is crucial to genuinely block the circulation of "illegal" products. At the same time, focusing on youth protection and environmental protection, vape companies need to create more compliant and legal products through technological innovation and upgraded vaping experiences. Collaboration among brands, retailers, and regulators is essential to achieve sustainable development in the industry. Building compliance capability is a long-term project. As a publicly traded company, SMOORE consistently adheres to legal and regulatory standards and continually enhances its compliance capabilities through increased R&D investment, helping more clients succeed in global markets. In 2023 alone, SMOORE invested 1.48 billion in R&D, accounting for 13.3% of its annual revenue. Currently, SMOORE has helped numerous major clients' products obtain the FDA's PMTA approval, making it the manufacturer with the most PMTA approved vaping ENDS products during the Review Period. Additionally, adhering to the "customer first" business philosophy, SMOORE's flagship atomization technology brand, FEELM, has introduced a series of solutions tailored for different global markets. Rex Zhang believes that consumers in the global market are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the demand in different markets is more diverse. To respond to the urgent demand for environmentally friendly products in the European market, FEELM has launched the next generation vape pod solution, FEELM PRO, in the TPD market, which is environmentally friendly . This effectively addresses the current issue of disposable "use and discard" products. It is also simpler to assembly than similar products, it bursts power instant start and significantly enhances the flavor experience, offering a smooth and rich taste. Additionally, through technological innovation and the use of eco-friendly materials, FEELM has rapidly improved atomization efficiency and battery efficiency, significantly enhancing the vaping experience while greatly reducing the raw materials required for production. In NON-TPD markets, FEELM has also developed a series of new solutions, including the world's 1st 30,000 puffs disposable with four-sided surround screen and ultra-high solution Galaxy Display Quattro Mesh, the world's 1st 18,000 puffs multifunctional modular design Off Charge, and the world's 1st 20,000 puffs double burst power ceramic coil solution FEELM Turbo Duo. These solutions have made technological breakthroughs in areas such as the screen, playability, burst power and puffs, bringing a new vaping experience to consumers. Furthermore, to better achieve youth protection, FEELM has developed over 8 child lock solutions to meet the regulatory needs of different markets. "The continuous launch of new solutions is the result of our long-term investment in technological R&D," said REX Zhang. "This is just the beginning. We are confident in focusing on innovation in atomization technology and continually introducing sustainable and compliant vape solutions to meet consumers' ever-evolving demands for excellence and environmental sustainability." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438755/image_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438756/image_1.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2330792/FEELM_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/solving-3-major-challenges-feelm-aids-the-industry-towards-sustainable-development-302172963.html ADLER Group S.A. Societe anonyme 55, Allee Scheffer, L-2520 Luxembourg RCS Luxembourg: B197554 CONVENING NOTICE The shareholders of ADLER Group SA (the "Company") are invited to participate in the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (the "EGM" or the "Extraordinary General Meeting") to be held on Wednesday, 17 July 2024 at 11.00 a.m. CEST at Legere Hotel Luxembourg, 11, rue Gabriel Lippmann, Parc d'Activite Syrdall, L-5365 Munsbach in order to deliberate on the items of the agenda set out below. PARTICIPATION TO THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING MUST BE CONFIRMED BY MIDNIGHT CEST ON WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2024. SHAREHOLDING CONFIRMATIONS AND PARTICIPATION, PROXY AND VOTING FORMS MUST BE PROVIDED BY MIDNIGHT CEST ON FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2024. QUESTIONS FROM SHAREHOLDERS RELATED TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT CEST ON FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2024. Listed shares International Securities Identification number (ISIN): LU1250154413 AGENDA AND PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS OF THE EGM 1. Approval of the amendment of Article 4. Object, purpose of the article of association of the Company which shall read as follows: Article 4. Object, purpose The corporate purpose of the Company shall be the long-term creation of value by investment in and development of real estate properties and immovable property as well as the purchase, rental and disposal of such properties. It may also carry out real estate management for its own purposes and any other activity whatsoever in the real estate sector. The Company may realise that corporate purpose either directly or through the creation of companies, the acquisition, holding or acquisition of interests in any companies or partnerships, membership in any associations, consortia and joint ventures. The Company may also acquire by purchase, subscription or in any other manner as well as transfer by sale, exchange or in any other manner shares, bonds, debt securities, warrants and other securities and instruments of any kind. The Company may borrow in any form including by way of public offer of securities. It may issue, shares, parts beneficiaires, notes, bonds and debentures and any kind of debt and/or equity securities. The Company may lend funds including the proceeds of any borrowings and/or issues of debt securities to affiliated and group companies. It may also give guarantees and grant securities in favour of third parties to secure its obligations or the obligations of its affiliated and group companies. The Company may further pledge, transfer, encumber or otherwise create security over all or over some of its assets. The Company may engage independent attorneys, accountants, consultants, advisors, appraisers, and such other persons as the Company may deem necessary or advisable. The Company may generally employ any techniques and instruments relating to its investments for the purpose of their efficient management, including techniques and instruments designed to protect the Company against credit, currency exchange, interest rate risks and other risks. The Company may carry out any commercial and/or financial transactions with respect to the direct or indirect investments in movable and immovable property, including real estate property and including but not limited to acquiring, owning, hiring, letting, leasing, renting, dividing, draining, reclaiming, developing, improving, cultivating, building on, selling or otherwise alienating, mortgaging, pledging or otherwise encumbering movable or immovable property, and it may otherwise deal in the assets or businesses underlying the Company's direct or indirect investments and engage in all such activities and transactions as the Company may deem necessary, advisable or incidental to the carrying out of any of the foregoing objects and purposes in this Article 4. The above description is to be understood in the broadest senses and the above enumeration is not limiting. Draft resolution (EGM Resolution I) The extraordinary general meeting resolves to approve the amendment of Article 4. Object, purpose of the article of association of the Company which shall read as follows: Article 4. Object, purpose The corporate purpose of the Company shall be the long-term creation of value by investment in and development of real estate properties and immovable property as well as the purchase, rental and disposal of such properties. It may also carry out real estate management for its own purposes and any other activity whatsoever in the real estate sector. The Company may realise that corporate purpose either directly or through the creation of companies, the acquisition, holding or acquisition of interests in any companies or partnerships, membership in any associations, consortia and joint ventures. The Company may also acquire by purchase, subscription or in any other manner as well as transfer by sale, exchange or in any other manner shares, bonds, debt securities, warrants and other securities and instruments of any kind. The Company may borrow in any form including by way of public offer of securities. It may issue, shares, parts beneficiaires, notes, bonds and debentures and any kind of debt and/or equity securities. The Company may lend funds including the proceeds of any borrowings and/or issues of debt securities to affiliated and group companies. It may also give guarantees and grant securities in favour of third parties to secure its obligations or the obligations of its affiliated and group companies. The Company may further pledge, transfer, encumber or otherwise create security over all or over some of its assets. The Company may engage independent attorneys, accountants, consultants, advisors, appraisers, and such other persons as the Company may deem necessary or advisable. The Company may generally employ any techniques and instruments relating to its investments for the purpose of their efficient management, including techniques and instruments designed to protect the Company against credit, currency exchange, interest rate risks and other risks. The Company may carry out any commercial and/or financial transactions with respect to the direct or indirect investments in movable and immovable property, including real estate property and including but not limited to acquiring, owning, hiring, letting, leasing, renting, dividing, draining, reclaiming, developing, improving, cultivating, building on, selling or otherwise alienating, mortgaging, pledging or otherwise encumbering movable or immovable property, and it may otherwise deal in the assets or businesses underlying the Company's direct or indirect investments and engage in all such activities and transactions as the Company may deem necessary, advisable or incidental to the carrying out of any of the foregoing objects and purposes in this Article 4. The above description is to be understood in the broadest senses and the above enumeration is not limiting. 2. Approval of the conversion of one hundred fifty-one million six hundred twenty-six thousand one hundred seven (151,626,107) dematerialised shares of the Company into one hundred fifty-one million six hundred twenty-six thousand one hundred seven (151,626,107) registered shares with such rights and obligations, as set forth in the articles of association of the Company as amended pursuant to the item four below. Draft resolution (EGM Resolution II) The extraordinary general meeting resolves to approve the conversion of one hundred fifty-one million six hundred twenty-six thousand one hundred seven (151,626,107) dematerialised shares of the Company into one hundred fifty-one million six hundred twenty-six thousand one hundred seven (151,626,107) registered shares with such rights and obligations, as set forth in the articles of association of the Company as amended pursuant to the fourth resolution below. 3. Approval of the granting of an authorisation to the board of directors of the Company to issue up to four hundred fifty-four million eight hundred seventy-eight thousand three hundred twenty-one (454,878,321) voting securities (parts beneficiaires avec le droit de vote) of the Company with such rights and obligations, as set forth in the articles of association of the Company as amended pursuant to the item four below, and acknowledgement of the report of the board of directors of the Company regarding the authorization to issue such voting securities (parts beneficiaires avec le droit de vote) of the Company. Draft resolution (EGM Resolution III) The extraordinary general meeting resolves to grant an authorisation to the board of directors of the Company to issue up to four hundred fifty-four million eight hundred seventy-eight thousand three hundred twenty-one (454,878,321) voting securities (parts beneficiaires avec le droit de vote) of the Company with such rights and obligations, as set forth in the articles of association of the Company as amended pursuant to the fourth resolution below, and acknowledge the report of the board of directors of the Company regarding the authorization to issue such voting securities (parts beneficiaires avec le droit de vote) of the Company. 4. Approval of the full amendment and restatement of the articles of association of the Company as proposed in the amended and restated articles of association of the Company published on the Company's website https://www.adler-group.com in the segment "General Meeting" > "General Meeting 2024", including the implementation of a dividend policy. Draft resolution (EGM Resolution IV) As a consequence of the above resolutions and for the purpose of, inter alia, creation of the voting securities (parts beneficiaires avec le droit de vote) and implementation of the dividend policy of the Company, the extraordinary general meeting resolves to approve the full amendment and restatement of the articles of association of the Company as proposed in the amended and restated articles of association of the Company published on the Company's website https://www.adler-group.com in the segment "General Meeting" > "General Meeting 2024". 5. Delegation of powers Draft resolution (EGM Resolution V) The extraordinary general meeting resolves to create the share register and the voting securities' register of the Company in order to reflect the above-mentioned changes and grant power and authority individually to any director of the Company, any member of senior management of the Company, any lawyer or employee of Arendt & Medernach SA and/ or Bonn Steichen & Partners to proceed, in the name and on behalf of the Company, to the registration in both registers of the Company of any changes required by the matters set out under the above resolutions as well as to see to any formalities in connection therewith. I. AVAILABLE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION The following information is available on the Company's website, https://ir.adler-group.com in the segment "Corporate Governance" > "General Meeting" > "General Meeting 2024" and at the Company's registered office in Luxembourg as from a date no later than the date of publication of the convening notice in the Luxembourg Official Gazette (Receuil Electronique des Societes et Associations) and in the Luxembourg newspaper Tageblatt:- this convening notice for the EGM (which includes draft resolutions in relation to the above agenda points to be adopted at the EGM); the total number of shares and voting rights as at the date of this convening notice; the participation, proxy and voting form for the EGM (the "EGM Participation, Proxy and Voting Form" or the "EGM PPV Form"); Shareholding confirmation certificate form (the "Shareholding Confirmation Certificate") ; the full text of any document to be made available by the Company at the EGM including:- the draft amended and restated articles of association of the Company; the presentation entitled "Amendment of the articles of association ("AoAs") of Adler Group S.A."; the report of the board of directors of the Company regarding the authorization to issue voting securities (parts beneficiaires avec le droit de vote) of the Company. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the full text of any document to be made available by the Company at the EGM and the draft resolution proposed to be adopted by the EGM upon request by post (see contact details in Section VII below) or by e-mail to anmeldestelle@computershare.de to Computershare Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, in its capacity as mandated agent of the Company ("Computershare"). II QUORUM AND VOTING The EGM will validly deliberate on its agenda provided that a quorum of 50% of the Company's issued share capital is present or represented. If the aforementioned quorum is not met, the EGM may be reconvened by the board of directors of the Company and at the reconvened meeting no quorum will be required. The resolutions will be validly adopted only if approved by at least 2/3 of the votes cast at the EGM or any reconvened meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote. III. ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL, TOTAL NUMBER OF SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS On the date of publication of this convening notice: (i) the issued share capital of the Company amounts to EUR 188,016.37; (ii) the total number of shares composing the share capital of the Company is 151,626,107 dematerialised shares without a nominal value, and (iii) the total number of voting rights attached to the shares composing the share capital of the Company is 151,626,107 voting rights. IV. RIGHT OF SHAREHOLDERS TO ADD ITEMS TO THE AGENDA OR TO TABLE ALTERNATIVE RESOLUTIONS Shareholders holding individually or collectively at least 5% of the issued share capital of the Company have the right (a) to add new items on the agenda of the EGM and/or (b) to table draft resolutions regarding items included or to be included in the agenda of the EGM. Such requests must be in writing and sent to Computershare by post (see contact details in Section VII below) or by e-mail to anmeldestelle@computershare.de. They must be accompanied by a justification or a draft resolution to be adopted at the EGM. They must also indicate the postal or electronic address at which the Company or Computershare (as the Company's agent) may acknowledge receipt of these requests. The requests must be accompanied by proof (in the form of a certificate issued by the bank, the custodian, professional securities' depositary or the financial institution where the shares are on deposit) that the shareholder(s) hold the required number of shares on the date of the request (i.e. at least 5%). The new agenda points/draft resolutions will only be considered by the EGM if the requesting shareholder(s) holds the requisite number of shares also on the Record Date (as defined below). Any such request and accompanying documents from shareholders must be received by Computershare (in the manner as described above), not later than the 22nd day before the EGM (i.e. not later than Tuesday, 25 June 2024). The Company or Computershare as the Company's agent, shall acknowledge receipt of any such requests within 48 hours of receipt. The Company shall publish a revised agenda at the latest on the 15th day before the EGM (i.e. by Tuesday, 2 July 2024). V. RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS Every shareholder has the right to ask questions concerning items on the agenda of the EGM. The Company will respond to such questions on a best efforts basis subject to the measures which it may take to ensure the identification of shareholders, the good order of the EGM and its preparation and the protection of confidentiality and the Company's business interests. The Company may provide one overall answer to questions having the same content. Where the relevant information is available on the Company's website in a question and answer format, the Company shall be deemed to have answered the questions asked by referring to its website. For the sake of the good order of the EGM and to facilitate the Company providing comprehensive answers to questions raised, questions of shareholders concerning items on the agenda of the EGM, should be received by Computershare by midnight (24:00 CEST) on Friday, 12 July 2024 by post (see contact details in Section VII below) or by e-mail to anmeldestelle@computershare.de. Answers will be provided by the Company either during the EGM (as applicable) or on the Company's website in a question and answer format. VI. PARTICIPATION TO THE EGM The rights of shareholders to participate at the EGM and exercise voting rights are subject to such shareholders being shareholders of the Company at midnight (24:00) CEST on Wednesday, 3 July 2024 (the "Record Date", i.e. the day falling fourteen (14) days before the date of the EGM). In order to participate in the EGM, a shareholder must:- (i) indicate his/her/its intention to participate in the EGM, as applicable_at the latest by 24:00 CEST on Wednesday, 3 July 2024, the Record Date. This confirmation of participation shall be given to Computershare in writing (by e-mail to anmeldestelle@computershare.de or by post (see contact details in Section VII below)) by a shareholder directly or someone on his/her/its behalf; (ii) procure that a Shareholding Confirmation Certificate is received by Computershare at the latest by midnight (24:00 CEST) on Friday, 12 July 2024. This "Shareholding Confirmation Certificate" must indicate the shareholder's name and the number of Company shares held at midnight, (24:00) CEST on the Record Date. The Shareholding Confirmation Certificate shall be issued by the bank, the professional securities' depositary or the financial institution where the shares are on deposit. A template form can be downloaded from the Company's website, https://ir.adler-group.com in the segment "Corporate Governance" > "General Meeting" > "General Meeting 2024"; and (iii) complete and return an EGM PPV Form as described above, depending on whether the shareholder is participating to the EGM:- a. by attendance in person, he/she/it must complete and sign the EGM PPV Form, excluding section 2, 3, 4 and 5 and return that form to Computershare at the latest by midnight (24:00 CEST) on Friday, 12 July 2024 (together with the Shareholding Confirmation Certificate mentioned above). He/she/it must attend the EGM (as applicable) and identify himself/herself with a valid identification card; or b. by appointing Computershare as proxyholder or another proxyholder of his/her/its choice to exercise his/her/is voting rights as the relevant proxyholder deems fit, he/she/it must complete and sign the EGM PPV Form, excluding section 1, 3, 4 and 5 and return that form to Computershare at the latest by midnight (24:00 CEST) on Friday, 12 July 2024 (together with the Shareholding Confirmation Certificate mentioned above). A proxy holder must attend the EGM and identify himself/herself with a valid identification card; or c. by appointing Computershare as proxyholder or another proxyholder of his/her/its choice to exercise his/her/is voting rights according to explicit instructions, he/she/it must complete and sign the EGM PPV Form, excluding section 1, 2 and 4 and return that form to Computershare at the latest by midnight (24:00 CEST) on Friday, 12 July 2024 (together with the Shareholding Confirmation Certificate mentioned above); d. by voting by correspondence, he/she/it must complete and sign the EGM PPV Form, excluding section 1, 2 and 3 and return that form to Computershare at the latest by midnight (24:00 CEST) on Friday, 12 July 2024 (together with the Shareholding Confirmation Certificate mentioned above). The EGM PPV Form can be downloaded from the Company's website, https://ir.adler-group.com in the segment "Corporate Governance" > "General Meeting" > "General Meeting 2024". VII. CONTACT DETAILS COMPUTERSHARE The contact details of Computershare, as the agent duly mandated by the Company to receive confirmations of participation to the EGM and to receive the Shareholding Confirmation Certificates, the Participation, Proxy and Voting Forms, questions on the agenda of the EGM, proposals of additional agenda items and proposed resolutions pursuant to this convening notice are as follows:- ADLER Group S.A. c/o Computershare Operations Center Postal address: 80249 Munchen E-mail: anmeldestelle@computershare.de VIII. PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA For information on the processing of personal data in connection with the EGM, we invite you to consult the Company's Data Protection Notice, which can be found on the Company's website, https://ir.adler-group.com in the segment "Corporate Governance" > "General Meeting" > "General Meeting 2024". Signed on 11 June 2024 The Board of Directors Stefan Brendgen (Chairman) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - QUEBEC PEGMATITE HOLDINGS CORP. (CSE: QBC) (OTC Pink: WPNNF) ("QPC" or the "Company") announces that Mike Stier has resigned as the Company's Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Mr. Stier will continue to act a member of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company would like to thank Mr. Stier for his contributions as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Company is pleased to announce that Paul Teniere has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company following Mr. Stier's resignation. Mr. Teniere is a Professional Geologist (P.Geo.) and an exploration, mining, and capital markets expert with 25 years of international experience taking precious metals, critical metals, and metallurgical coal deposits from the exploration stage to feasibility study stage and mine development. Mr. Teniere is also recognized as an industry expert in NI 43-101, JORC, and S-K 1300 (U.S. SEC) technical disclosure standards and has served as President and CEO, Senior VP Exploration, and a Director of several private and public mining companies. As the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Mining Expert and Senior Listings Manager, he approved the listing of numerous mining companies based on technical due diligence, resource and reserve model evaluations, and assessing corporate governance, management, and board suitability. He has a strong capital markets and corporate finance background evaluating mining equity/debt transactions based on technical, economic, environmental, and social factors, and has led extensive technical due diligence processes for IPO, RTO, and M&A transactions. In connection with Mr. Teniere's appointment, he has been granted an aggregate of 1,000,000 stock options (the "Options") to purchase up to 1,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") in the capital of the Company pursuant to the Company's stock option plan. The Options are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.25 per Share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant. The Options are subject to vesting periods over the course of the term of the Options. About Quebec Pegmatite Holdings Corp.: Quebec Pegmatite Holdings Corp. is a North American junior mining exploration company that specializes in lithium and owns 100% of four properties, with two properties located in Quebec's highly sought after lithium regions, James Bay and Mazerac. The Company's two flagship properties are in the James Bay and Mazerac regions, covering approximately 303 km. The Vieux Comptoir property is located approximately 45km east of the Patriot Battery Metals Corvette Project and 45km west of Winsome Resources, Adina project. The Mazerac property is located about 50km southwest of Val-d'Or and easily accessible. The property is located near Vision Lithium's Cadillac property and Winsome Resources' Decelles property. ON BEHALF OF QUEBEC PEGMATITE HOLDINGS CORP. Kulwant Malhi Director E: kal@bullruncapital.ca Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212946 SOURCE: Quebec Pegmatite Holdings Corp. Premier Li calls for upgrading China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership Xinhua) 15:57, June 14, 2024 AUCKLAND, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Friday that China is willing to work with New Zealand to uphold common values, further carry forward traditional friendship and make efforts to upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. Li made the remarks when addressing a welcome banquet held by various social communities of New Zealand. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) PARIS, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading manufacturer of light tactical vehicles and mobility systems, AM General, will feature the next generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicle A2 (JLTV A2) for the first time outside of the United States alongside the rugged HUMVEE Saber. The company is excited to showcase these two innovative platforms that demonstrate its commitment to leading the light tactical vehicle industry to meet and exceed the current and future demands of the modern battlefield. The exposition will take place in Paris, France, June 17 - 21, 2024, Hall 5, Booth B189 - U.S. Pavilion. "Eurosatory is the perfect international venue to debut the JLTV A2 and demonstrate the improvements made to this incredible platform and how these will positively impact the Warfighter," said Jim Cannon, AM General President and CEO. "As we ramp up the program it's also important for us to communicate to our customers the acquisition process, via Foreign Military Sales (FMS), for the JLTV A2 and being at this far-reaching show allows us to do that." The JLTV A2 Utility variant will be on display and will feature the deFNder Medium Remote Weapon Station from FN Firearms that is suited for self-defense, infantry fire support, and long-range combat missions. In addition to its ability to integrate defensive weaponry, the JLTV A2 has many significant improvements over the A1 platform. The A2 platform key features include improved fuel efficiency via upgraded transmission gear coding, enhanced lithium-ion battery that replaces the 2 current lead-acid batteries, enhanced corrosion protection to mitigate existing corrosion issues, and improved accessibility for easier maintenance. In addition to the JLTV A2, AM General will also display the HUMVEE Saber, which combines the proven and battle tested HUMVEE Series 13 chassis with a new monocoque armored capsule delivering significantly enhanced crew protection and survivability. For Eurosatory, the company will feature a concept in collaboration with Hornet Defense, Aerovironment, Armorworks, and IMMI to showcase the platform's flexibility to increase its defensive and offensive capabilities in addition to its revolutionary, patent-pending cabin design. AM General representatives will be present to discuss not only the innovative vehicles on display, but also the wide variety of mobility solutions in their product portfolio. They will also provide in-depth information on the FMS procurement process, engineering and logistics services, award-winning global supply chain management, field service support, and equipment warranty support. About AM General AM General engineers, manufactures, and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers. Its global presence of diverse product offerings in over 70 countries uniquely positions AM General to enhance interoperability across Allies and build on its long-standing defense industry and automotive partnerships. AM General's innovative spirit delivers advanced, rugged, resilient, and dependable mobility solutions that will move you. With a well-rounded product portfolio, which includes the iconic HUMVEE vehicles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle A2 (JLTV A2), the next-generation HUMVEE Saber light tactical truck that has enhanced levels of protection, and the revolutionary soft recoil technology for mobile platforms, AM General strives to offer continuous improvement that is ready now. AM General has extensive experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. Please see more information about AM General at www.amgeneral.com . Media Contact: Deborah Reyes Executive Director, Global Marketing and Strategic Communications E-mail: deborah.reyes@amgeneral.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438977/AM_General_HUMVEE_Saber.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438978/AM_General_JLTV_A2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2187920/AMG_Color_Logo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/am-general-features-jltv-a2-international-debut-at-eurosatory-2024-302173083.html Oklahoma City, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - Bois Commercial Real Estate brokered by eXp Commercial, a leading commercial real estate expert in the Oklahoma City metro, is thrilled to announce the release of their latest publication, "Mastering the Market: Your Guide to Selling Commercial Property Faster and For More Money." This pioneering guide serves as a vital resource for commercial property owners aiming to navigate the complexities of the market with confidence and success. Bois Commercial Real Estate Unveils Comprehensive Guide for Maximizing Commercial Property Sales in Oklahoma City To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8843/212943_e421044d643cd9a0_001full.jpg In an industry where expertise and precision matter, Bois Commercial Real Estate brokered by eXp Commercial stands out by offering strategic insights and actionable advice that cater to commercial real estate buyers, investors, commercial property sellers and those desiring to lease. "Mastering the Market" is a comprehensive blueprint designed to empower property owners with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve optimal outcomes in their sales process from the initial consultation - all the way to closing. The guide dives into essential strategies for positioning properties in a competitive market, enhancing property appeal, and leveraging Bois Commercial Real Estate's proven marketing techniques. With a focus on maximizing returns on investment (ROI) and streamlining the selling process, this guide is crafted to set a new standard in commercial real estate transactions. "Our goal is to demystify the process of selling commercial property and to provide our clients with the insights they need to succeed," said James Smith, President and CEO of Bois Commercial Real Estate. "This guide embodies our commitment to transparency, excellence, and client empowerment." "Mastering the Market" is available now to property owners across Oklahoma City and beyond, offering a glimpse into the strategic approach that has made Bois Commercial Real Estate brokered by eXp Commercial, a trusted partner in the commercial real estate industry. For more information and to obtain your copy of the guide, visit Bois Commercial Real Estate website https://boiscre.com. Media Contact: Contact: Jeremy McGilvrey Address: 2800 Post Oak Blvd. Ste. 5600B, Houston, TX 77056 Phone: (832) 390-2229 Email: Hi@JeremyMcGilvrey.com Website/URL: https://www.jeremymcgilvrey.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212943 SOURCE: Jeremy McGilvrey CHICAGO, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market is expected to reach USD 32.7 billion by 2029 from USD 8.0 billion in 2024, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 32.4 % during 2024-2029, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Browse in-depth TOC on "LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market" 320 - Tables 58 - Figures 294 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=144298529 Scope of the Report Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2018-2029 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 2024-2029 Forecast units Value (USD Billion) Segments Covered Offering, Network Deployment, Application, End User, and Region Region covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. List of Companies in LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT The Bosch Group (Germany), Cisco (US), Orange SA (France), Comcast Corporation (US), Semtech (US), NEC Corporation(Japan), Tata Communications (India), AWS (US), Advantech (Taiwan), SK Telecom (South Korea), Murata (Japan), Kerlink (France), Actility (France), Digi International (US), MultiTech (US), Ezurio (US), Sensoterra (Netherlands), Nwave Technologies (US), RAKwireless (China), TheThings.io (Spain), Datacake (Germany), Milesight (China), LORIOT (Switzerland), Exosite (US), Orbiwise (Switzerland), Netmore Group (Sweden), and Radio Bridge Inc (US). The LoRaWAN ecosystem influences development of tools, software libraries, and cloud-based platforms that streamline the creation, deployment, and management of IoT solutions. Continuously evolving, this ecosystem boasts a burgeoning array of vendors providing LoRa-compliant devices, gateways, and network management solutions. This vibrant competition within the ecosystem propels innovation while driving down costs for end-users. Moreover, the development of interoperable solutions fosters seamless integration and deployment of LoRaWAN networks, simplifying the implementation process for businesses and organizations. As the ecosystem continues to expand and mature, it empowers developers, system integrators, and IoT enthusiasts to unleash their creativity, accelerate time-to-market, and unlock the full potential of LoRaWAN technology in diverse applications and industries. Request Sample Pages@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=144298529 Based on network deployment, the public network segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. The robust security features integrated into public LoRaWAN networks play a significant role in driving the growth and adoption of LoRaWAN technology in the market. End-to-end encryption ensures that data transmitted between devices and gateways is protected from unauthorized access or interception, safeguarding sensitive information such as sensor readings, location data, and command messages. Message integrity checks verify the integrity of data packets, detecting any tampering or alteration during transmission and ensuring data authenticity and reliability. Additionally, mutual authentication mechanisms establish trust between devices and gateways, verifying the identity of both parties before allowing communication to occur. These security measures provide organizations and end-users with confidence in the integrity and confidentiality of their data, mitigating concerns related to data privacy, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory compliance. As a result, implementing robust security features in public LoRaWAN networks enhances trust and credibility in the technology, driving increased adoption and market growth as organizations seek reliable and secure connectivity solutions for their IoT deployments. By offering, the services segment is expected to hold a higher growth rate during the forecast period. IoT service providers are pivotal in driving adoption by developing vertical-specific solutions finely tuned to the distinct needs of industries like agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and smart cities. In agriculture, for instance, IoT services offer solutions for precision farming, crop monitoring, and livestock management, enabling farmers to optimize irrigation, monitor soil health, and enhance yields. Similarly, IoT services facilitate remote patient monitoring, asset tracking, and inventory management in healthcare, improving patient care, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards such as HIPAA. In logistics, IoT services provide real-time tracking of shipments, fleet management, and predictive maintenance, enhancing supply chain visibility, efficiency, and reliability. For smart cities, IoT services offer solutions for traffic management, waste management, energy optimization, and public safety, transforming urban infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for residents. By addressing industry-specific challenges, compliance requirements, and use cases, vertical-specific IoT solutions deliver tangible business value, driving adoption and fueling the growth of the IoT services market across diverse sectors. Inquire Before Buying@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=144298529 Asia Pacific is expected to hold a higher growth rate during the forecast period. In the Asia Pacific region, where agriculture serves as a cornerstone of many economies, adopting IoT technologies, particularly LoRa and LoRaWAN, is revolutionizing traditional farming practices. LoRaWAN's long-range connectivity and low-power consumption make it well-suited for deployment in rural agricultural settings, where access to reliable connectivity may be limited. Through LoRa-based IoT solutions, farmers can implement precision agriculture techniques to address pressing challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and unpredictable weather patterns. LoRa-enabled sensors facilitate real-time monitoring of soil moisture levels, temperature, and humidity, allowing farmers to optimize irrigation schedules and conserve water resources. Remote sensing technologies powered by LoRaWAN enable farmers to gather actionable insights on crop health, pest infestations, and nutrient deficiencies, facilitating timely interventions and improving overall crop management practices. Furthermore, LoRa-based crop analytics platforms provide farmers with data-driven decision support tools, helping them optimize planting strategies, improve yield forecasting, and mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity. By harnessing the power of LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT solutions, farmers in the Asia Pacific region can increase yields, conserve resources, and enhance resilience to environmental challenges, driving the adoption and growth of the LoRaWAN IoT market in the agricultural sector. Top Key Companies in LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market: The major vendors covered in the LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market are The Bosch Group (Germany), Cisco (US), Orange SA (France), Comcast Corporation (US), Semtech (US), NEC Corporation(Japan), Tata Communications (India), AWS (US), Advantech (Taiwan), SK Telecom (South Korea), Murata (Japan), Kerlink (France), Actility (France), Digi International (US), MultiTech (US), Ezurio (US), Sensoterra (Netherlands), Nwave Technologies (US), RAKwireless (China), TheThings.io (Spain), Datacake (Germany), Milesight (China), LORIOT (Switzerland), Exosite (US), Orbiwise (Switzerland), Netmore Group (Sweden), and Radio Bridge Inc (US). These players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships, agreements and collaborations, new product launches, enhancements, and acquisitions to expand their footprint in the LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market. Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Perimeter Security Market- Global Forecast to 2029 Smart Cities Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Fleet Management Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Smart Water Management Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Rail Asset Management Market - Global Forecast to 2026 Get access to the latest updates on LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Companies and LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Industry 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. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lora-and-lorawan-iot-market-worth-32-7-billion-by-2029--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302172905.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - Pedro Resources Ltd. (CSE: VBN) ("Pedro" or the "Company") is pleased to confirm, further to its press releases dated May 22, 2024 and March 28, 2024, that it has closed a second tranche of its non-brokered private placement of common shares (the "Offering") through the issuance of 940,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.05 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $47,000. Proceeds from the second tranche of the Offering will be used by the Company for working capital and for other general and administrative purposes in connection with the Company's proposed Change of Business (as defined below). All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issue. There were no finder fees or commissions paid in connection with the second tranche of the Offering. 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. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Corporate Update - Proposed Change of Business Further to its press releases dated November 3, 2023, January 10, 2024, and February 16, 2024, the Company is pleased to provide an update with respect to its proposed change of business (the "Change of Business"). The Company continues to work towards completing the filings in connection with its Change of Business, consisting of the redeployment of its assets and resources from the mining business towards the development of biotechnologies for the remediation and reclamation of contaminated soils. With the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, the Company is in the process of reconstituting its management team as it continues to search for a new Chief Financial Officer to guide the Company in its proposed new business. The consolidation of the Company's board and management team is a key step in the Company's proposed Change of Business and the Company expects that progress will be accelerated as the onboarding of new members of management is completed. Having closed the second tranche of the Offering, the Company has also made progress in complying with its obligations under the collaboration agreements (the "Collaboration Agreements") entered into with Fixed Earth Innovations Ltd., Dirty Dirt Services Ltd., FCS Solutions Ltd. and Oil-Out Ltd. As of this date, the Company is pleased to report that it has made payments under the Collaboration Agreements in the aggregate amount of $162,000 to its partners with an outstanding balance to be paid of $114,000. The Company's partners have reaffirmed their support to the Company as it undergoes the Change of Business and continue to collaborate with the Company in its submissions to the Canadian Securities Exchange to satisfy all regulatory requirements. The Change of Business is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including without limitation regulatory approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange. There can be no assurance that the Change of Business will be completed as proposed or at all. For more details on the Company's proposed Change of Business please visit www.pedroresources.com. About Pedro Resources Ltd. Pedro Resources Ltd. is a Canadian exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange focused on mineral exploration and development. The Company is currently advancing a proposed Change of Business toward the development of biotechnologies for the remediation and reclamation of contaminated soils. For further information, contact: On behalf of the Board Jacqueline Wilkie Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Director Tel: 604-506-6670 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's proposed change of business and the Company's search for a new Chief Financial Officer. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213006 SOURCE: Pedro Resources Ltd. BANGALORE, India, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- E-School Market is Segmented by Type (For-profit EMO, Non-profit EMO), by Application (Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Adult Education). The Global E-school market was valued at USD 3846 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 9204.3 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 13.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-16E7624/Global_E_school_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of E-School Market: The COVID-19 epidemic has expedited the widespread use of digital learning systems, which is driving the rapid growth of the e-School Market. There is now more money being invested in e-learning infrastructure and technologies due to the demand for adaptable, accessible educational solutions. To reduce the achievement gap, governments and academic institutions are also supporting online learning and digital literacy. Students may now access online courses more easily because of the widespread use of smart devices and the internet, which has created a global ecosystem for e-learning . View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-0C243/global-elearning TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE E-SCHOOL MARKET: By offering specialized educational programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of middle school students, for-profit Education Management Organizations (EMOs) are a major factor in the expansion of the e-School sector. These EMOs provide comprehensive learning experiences and rigorous academic programs through their well-structured and captivating online curricula, which are created to satisfy both state and federal educational standards. To keep students interested and motivated during the critical middle school years, their systems frequently include interactive components, gamification, and tailored learning paths. For-profit EMOs also make investments in top-notch materials, cutting-edge equipment, and qualified teachers in order to provide better learning results. High-quality education alternatives are provided by addressing the special educational and developmental needs of middle school children, which is driving the growth of the e-School sector. The e-School market is expanding due to the efforts of non-profit Education Management Organizations (EMOs), that prioritize excellent education, equity, and accessibility for all students, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. These groups frequently use government subsidies and charitable donations to offer inexpensive or even free educational programs, lowering financial obstacles for families. Their primary objective is to produce online curriculum that are inclusive, of superior quality, cater to a wide range of learning requirements, and prioritize social-emotional learning, community participation, and holistic development. Non-profit EMOs increase e-Schools' attractiveness and reach by supporting educational equity and making investments in cutting-edge instructional strategies and technological advancements. Due to its mission-driven approach, the e-School sector has experienced substantial development, drawing in a diverse variety of students and families who are looking for a meaningful, values-based education. The e-School business is expanding significantly due in large part to the growing demand for flexible learning options. For many students and working professionals, traditional education institutions can be restrictive because they frequently call for certain schedules and physical presence. A wider range of people, including those juggling job, family, and other responsibilities, can now attend education thanks to e-schools, which provide the freedom to learn at their own speed and on their own time. The ability to reskill or upskill without having to quit their jobs is very enticing to adult learners. Accessing courses at any time and from any location encourages lifelong learning, which enables people to keep learning throughout their lives. One of the main factors propelling the growth of the e-School industry is this shift towards flexible learning alternatives. Accessibility and affordability are two important reasons propelling the e-School market's expansion. Considering that there are no costs associated with physical infrastructure, transportation, or printed materials, online education frequently turns out to be more economical than traditional learning. More people can now afford to attend high-quality education because of e-Schools' ability to provide a wide selection of courses at reduced prices. Furthermore, e-Schools have the ability to reach kids in underprivileged or distant places where there may not be as many traditional educational institutions. e-Schools democratize education by lowering financial and geographic obstacles, giving more people access to educational possibilities. Parents and students are greatly encouraged by the greater accessibility and affordability, which is a major factor in the market's expansion. e-Schools' growing popularity can be attributed in large part to personalized learning experiences. One-size-fits-all teaching methods are frequently used in traditional classrooms, which may not meet the unique needs of every student. On the other hand, e-School platforms may customize instructional materials to each student's unique learning preferences, pace, and learning style using data analytics and artificial intelligence. By offering materials and learning paths that are specifically tailored to each student, this individualized approach improves retention, motivation, and engagement. By identifying problem areas and providing focused interventions, adaptive learning technology can guarantee a more successful learning process for pupils. Growth in the market is fueled by e-Schools' capacity to offer customized learning experiences, which appeals to students looking for a more specialized education. The expansion of the e-School business is significantly influenced by parental support and involvement. e-Schools frequently offer resources and interfaces that let parents get involved in their kids' education. In order to support their child's educational journey, parents can access resources, connect with teachers, and keep an eye on their progress. By being more open and involved, parents are able to actively participate in their child's education and create a positive learning atmosphere at home. The adaptability of e-School programs also enables parents to better balance their obligations to their families with their children's educational demands. Parents are drawn to online learning due to its convenience and the opportunity to be more active in their child's education, which is driving the market's expansion. Own It Today - Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-16E7624&lic=single-user E-SCHOOL MARKET SHARE Key participants in global virtual schools include Florida Virtual School (FLVS), K12 Inc., and Connections Academy. Over 50% of the world's top three manufacturers are held by them. With a market share of around 90%, the United States is the largest market. China and Canada are next, with respective shares of roughly 5%. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-16E7624/global-e-school/6 Key Companies K12 Inc Connections Academy Pansophic Learning Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Charter Schools USA Lincoln Learning Solutions Inspire Charter Schools Abbotsford Virtual School Alaska Virtual School Basehor-Linwood Virtual School Acklam Grange Illinois Virtual School (IVS) Virtual High School(VHS) Aurora College Wey Education Schools Trust N High School Beijing Changping School Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-16E7624/global-e-school/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - The global K12 Education Learning Management market size is projected to reach USD 3691.6 Million by 2028, from USD 1052.5 Million in 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.4% during 2022-2028. - Corporate Learning Management System (LMS) Market - Corporate E learning market was valued at USD 22150 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 46080 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Content Authoring Tools Market - Cyber School market was valued at USD 3846 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4918 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Virtual Schools Market revenue was USD 3846 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 9136.6 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 13.0% during the review period (2023-2029). - Education ERP Market - The global EdTech market size was valued at USD 85 Billion in 2021, it is expected to reach over 230 Billion U.S. dollars by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 15% during 2022-2028. - The global back-to-school market size was valued at USD 66.1 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 131.1 Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030. - The Asia-Pacific back-to-school market size was valued at USD 26.3 Billion in 2020, and is projected to reach USD 58.2 Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.0% from 2021 to 2030. - K-12 School Management System Market - The global Learning Management System (LMS) market size is expected to reach USD 40360 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.1% from 2023 to 2029. - The global K12 Education Technology market was valued at USD 14810 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 71820 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 25.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - The global market for Online K-12 Education was estimated to be worth USD 7984 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 12930 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - E-Learning VR Market - Virtual Classroom market size is projected to reach USD 16020 Million by 2027, from USD 8602.8 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 9.2% during 2021-2027. - The global big data analytics in education market size was valued at USD 13.58 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 57.14 Billion by 2030 registering a CAGR of 15.3%. - Corporate E learning market was valued at USD 22150 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 46080 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - K12 Online Tutoring Market - K12 Tutoring market size is projected to reach USD 3619.8 Million by 2028, from USD 1052.5 Million in 2021, at a CAGR of 19.0% during 2022-2028. - Online Tutoring market is projected to grow from USD 9548 Million in 2024 to USD 23020 Million by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.8% during the forecast period. - Blended E-learning Market - Academic E-Learning Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS: REACH OUT TO US! Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/e-school-market-size-to-grow-usd-9204-3-million-by-2030-at-a-cagr-of-13--valuates-reports-302173159.html EQS-News: Global Fashion Group S.A. / Announcement of the Results of the General Meeting GLOBAL FASHION GROUP CONCLUDES 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 14.06.2024 / 18:00 CET/CEST Announcement of the Results of the General Meeting, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. GLOBAL FASHION GROUP CONCLUDES 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Luxembourg, 14 June 2024 - The Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of shareholders of Global Fashion Group S.A. ("Company") held in person in Luxembourg on 12 June 2024 approved all resolutions on the agenda. 63.30% of the voting rights were represented at the AGM. Shareholders were able to place their votes electronically or by correspondence or proxy. The AGM approved the consolidated accounts and annual accounts for the financial year which ended on 31 December 2023, resolved to discharge current and former Management Board and Supervisory Board members for the exercise of their mandates during financial year 2023 and presented the revised Remuneration Policy. A comprehensive list of the resolutions passed at the Company's AGM and further details of the number of votes cast on each resolution are available on our AGM website here . FURTHER INFORMATION For inquiries, please contact: Saori McKinnon Head of Investor Relations & Communications investors@global-fashion-group.com press@global-fashion-group.com About Global Fashion Group Global Fashion Group is the leading fashion and lifestyle destination in LATAM, SEA and ANZ. From our people to our customers and partners, we exist to empower everyone to express their true selves through fashion. Our three ecommerce platforms: Dafiti, ZALORA and THE ICONIC connect an assortment of international, local and own brands to a market of 800 million consumers from diverse cultures and lifestyles. GFG's platforms provide seamless and inspiring customer experiences from discovery to delivery, powered by art & science that is infused with unparalleled local knowledge. Our vision is to be the #1 fashion & lifestyle destination in LATAM, SEA and ANZ, and we are committed to doing this responsibly by being people and planet positive across everything we do. (ISIN: LU2010095458) For more information visit: www.global-fashion-group.com 14.06.2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com DUBAI, UAE, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, in Dubai, UAE, Jereh Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the most influential free trade zone in the Middle East. Jereh will officially establish its presence in Jafza to construct a high-end oil and gas equipment manufacturing base that integrates production, procurement, logistics, and services. This base will serve the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia regions, significantly boosting its influence in the global oil and gas industry. The signing ceremony was attended by Jereh's Executive Vice President, Li Weibin, along with representatives from Jafza, where both parties exchanged commemorative gifts. Li stated, "The Middle East is the core market of the global oil and gas industry. Jereh looks forward to being closer to our customers and partners through this equipment manufacturing base, providing more rapid services to the Middle East market, contributing to the oil and gas development in the region, and fostering long-term stable development of the company." Jebel Ali Free Zone, located in Dubai, is the commercial, financial, and trade center of the Middle East, boasting an unparalleled geographical location. It is closely connected with Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, forming one of the world's leading sea-air distribution centers. By choosing to establish its equipment manufacturing base here, Jereh aims to be closer to its customers, improve communication efficiency, shorten delivery times, and provide higher-quality services. Jereh has accumulated extensive experience in high-end oil and gas equipment manufacturing, oil and gas well drilling and completion services, and oil and gas field surface engineering construction. The company has actively participated in oil and gas development projects in the Middle East and established long-term partnerships with international oil giants such as Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Recently, Jereh also preliminarily signed a development agreement for the second-largest gas field in Iraq - the Mansuria gas field - with the Iraqi Midland Oil Company. The construction of this equipment manufacturing base in the Middle East is a vital component of Jereh's international development strategy. Jereh will continue to adhere to localized operation concepts, comply with local policies and regulations. At the same time, Jereh is actively establishing closer partnerships with local companies to jointly promote the development of the oil and gas industry in the Middle East. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2439106/Signing_Ceremony_Jereh_Group_Jafza.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jereh-group-establishes-middle-east-equipment-manufacturing-hub-in-dubais-jebel-ali-free-zone-302173212.html Silver Spruce Resources Inc. (TSXV:SSE) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement ("Private Placement") of units ("Units") with each Unit consisting of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant") at a purchase price of $0.015 per Unit. Each Warrant is exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of $0.05 per share for a period of five years from the date of the issuance of the Warrants. The Company issued 19,983,333 Units in a first tranche of the Private Placement and 3,917,000 Units in the final tranche thereof, for aggregate gross proceeds from the Private Placement of $358,505. One insider participated in the final tranche for 2,000,000 Units. The portion of the Private Placement that is a related party transaction is exempt from the valuation and shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions as it does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for exploration of the Company's mineral projects and general working capital. The Company paid cash finder's fees of $2,475 to one finder in connection with the first tranche. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from issuance. The Private Placement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Silver Spruce Resources Inc. Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior exploration company holding 100% of the Melchett Lake Zn-Au-Ag project in northern Ontario and has signed Definitive Agreements to acquire 100% interest in the Mystery Au project near recent discoveries by Sokoman Minerals Corp. and New Found Gold Corp. among others in the Exploits Gold Belt, Newfoundland and Labrador, 100% interest in the Pino de Plata Ag project located 15 kilometres west of Coeur Mining's Palmarejo Mine in western Chihuahua, Mexico and up to 50% interest in Colibri Resource's Diamante Au-Ag project located from 5 kilometres to 15 kilometres northwest from Minera Alamos's Nicho deposit in Sonora, Mexico. Silver Spruce also has a 50:50 joint venture agreement with Colibri on the nearby Jackie Au project. Silver Spruce Resources Inc. continues to investigate opportunities that Management has identified or that have been presented to the Company for consideration. Contact: Silver Spruce Resources Inc. Michael Kinley, CEO (902) 402-0388 mkinley@silverspruceresources.com info@silverspruceresources.com www.silverspruceresources.com 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. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; and the proposed use of funds of the Private Placement. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and involve several risks and uncertainties, including that the Company may use the proceeds of the first tranche for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate, and that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. 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 mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. 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 the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. SOURCE: Silver Spruce Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, June 14 For immediate release 14 June 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announce that it has today purchased 187,620 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 839.78 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 45,045,287; 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 179,946,016. The figure of 179,946,016 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 USA News Group Commentary Issued on behalf of Yukon Metals Corp. VANCOUVER, BC, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With prices soaring for copper amid supply cuts and higher demand from energy transition and artificial intelligence (AI) projects, many industry experts are asking whether or not the red metal is entering a new supercycle of prolonged high demand and rising prices. According to analysts at Sprott, copper's new supercycle is already emerging, as protectionist moves by countries looking to secure vital materials are only stoking the flame. Long viewed as a barometer for economic activity, the market witnessed record highs in copper prices last month, signalling the urgency of developing new supplies. With experts stating the current copper supply forecast is insufficient for the global EV transition by 2035, the rise of AI infrastructure needs only serves to amplify the shortage. When opening a single copper mine can take 23 years, moves made by miners today are incredibly important, with recent developments coming from Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE-American: TGB) (TSX: TKO), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK-B), and Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE: ERO). According to analysts at Trafigura, AI development will increase copper demand by 1 million tons per annum by the end of 2030, with the demand-supply deficit set to increase to 4-5 million tons in that same time. With the supply crunch only set to get worse, a new entrant in the race has emerged with Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC), a newly branded miner that recently acquired an impressive premium-quality portfolio in the Yukon built upon over 30 years of prospecting by the Berdahl family, the same team that built up Snowline Gold which currently trades with a market cap of over US$655M. Wasting no time after the initial acquisition, Yukon Metals swiftly announced that it has already doubled its land holdings from an initial 18,000 hectares to 36,000 hectares. This expansion includes significant staking at the priority AZ property, areas surrounding the Talbot property, and new claims near the Alaska Highway, known as "Fairway." "During these past months, prior to Closing of the acquisition, the Company has been busy staking ground around two key properties, AZ and Talbot, as well as staking new claims at Fairway," said Rory Quinn, President and CEO of Yukon Metals. "AZ is a high-priority potential copper-gold porphyry asset, while Talbot hosts a substantial gold and silver anomaly. Both AZ and Fairway are within 20km of the Alaska Highway. I look forward to sharing ongoing details of what is going to be a busy exploration season." In the early 1990s, while working for Noranda, Ron Berdahl explored the AZ and Fairway claim area and found copper mineralization on the AZ property. In 1993, rock sample tests indicated an average of 10% copper, 126 grams per tonne of silver, and 7.08 grams per tonne of gold. A report mentioned in a previous YMCpress release on June 3, 2024, suggested that these mineralized rocks likely originated from a local source on the property. Additionally, small gold mining operations were present in the 1930s on Sanpete, Pan, and Gold Creeks in this region. Ron Berdahl staked an additional 7,625 hectares on behalf of Yukon Metals to the north of the southern AZ claims, adding 372 new claims. This area includes significant mineral findings, such as gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. Despite encouraging initial sample results, there has been no further exploration or development in this area since 1989. "Completing the acquisition of these high-quality exploration assets in the Yukon marks an exciting beginning for Yukon Metals," said Rory Quinn, President and CEO of Yukon Metals. "We have tremendously exciting properties that we'll work to responsibly and systematically advance, from copper-gold and silver-lead-zinc, to precious metals focused assets. With a healthy treasury after raising in excess of C$15 million, a comprehensive exploration database and key permits already in place, we are ready to hit the ground running!" While finding new deposits is integral, other miners are looking for innovative ways to expand their copper assets that they already have. According to its new CEO Kathleen Quirk, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) believes it can unlock the equivalent of a large new copper mine, just by applying new processing technology at its existing assets. Freeport is targeting an annual production of up to 800 million pounds of copper, which is approximately 20% of its current total output. This increase will come from new technology that enables the company to extract metal it already owns but couldn't previously access. "I'm really focused on this issue, because when we look around, we know how hard it is to develop new supply," said Quirk when referring to the company's copper leaching program in an interview in New York. "You think about 800-million pounds of copper a year - that's the size of a big mine. That's meaningful. Our team is working very aggressively to get that done." Freeport is already currently extracting an additional 200 million pounds of copper through the recovery process and aims to add another 200 million pounds over the next two years. Within the next three to five years, the company plans to develop the technology to extract 800 million pounds annually. As supply issues are arising around the world, it doesn't help that Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE-American: TGB) (TSX: TKO) recently had to suspend operations at its Gibraltar Mine, due to a strike by its unionized workforce. The timing of the stoppage was unfortunate for Taseko, which had only recently acquired the remaining 12.5% interest in the mine from Dowa Metals & Mining, and Furakawa at the end of March, making it the 100% owner. "We are happy to once again own 100% of the Gibraltar mine, our foundational asset, which will continue to generate strong returns for the Company for many years to come," said Stuart McDonald, President & CEO of Taseko at the time of the 100% equity stake achievement. "This acquisition provides 14% growth in our attributable copper production, and is immediately cashflow accretive as we advance construction at our Florence Copper Project." In the first three months of this year, Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK-B) saw its copper production rise by 74%, bolstered by the ramp up of the extension at its Quebrada Blanca (QB) mine in Chile. As QB's production continued its ramp up, Teck saw its copper production hit 99,000 tonnes in Q1 2024, with 43,300 tonnes coming from QB alone. Late last year, The Globe & Mail reported that Teck's divesting of its coal mines in British Columbia to Glencore would leave Canada's largest mining company with plenty of cash to potentially slowly triple its copper production. The expansion of QB has been seen as a success, with Teck receiving the Copper Mark award in recognition of environmentally and socially responsible production practices at both QB and its Carmen de Andacollo (CdA) operations. "Copper is an essential metal for the transition to a low-carbon economy and our new Quebrada Blanca operation, as well as our Carmen de Andacollo operation, are contributing to helping sustainably meet growing demand," said Jonathan Price, President and CEO of Teck. "Being awarded the Copper Mark demonstrates our operations' commitment to responsible copper production, both for our customers and for the environment and people where we operate." In Brazil, Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE: ERO) (TSX: ERO) recently received the last remaining permitting milestone for commercial operation on its Tucuma Project. With physical completion nearing 99%, commissioning well underway, and over 90% of the operational staff hired and trained, Ero still anticipates first concentrate early in the third quarter of 2024. The total direct capital cost estimate for the project's completion remains steady at around $310 million. "I am thrilled to announce that we have received our operational license from SEMAS - the last regulatory approval required for commercial operations to commence at Tucuma," said David Strang, CEO of Ero Copper. "The Company is rapidly approaching a major inflection point, which we believe will benefit all of our stakeholders for years to come." CONTACT: USA NEWS GROUP info@usanewsgroup.com (604) 265-2873 Amerigo Resources Ltd. (TSX: ARG) (OTCQX: ARREF) DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Yukon Metals Corp. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares Yukon Metals Corp., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Yukon Metals Corp. which were purchased as a part of a private placement. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Yukon Metals Corp. at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through further private placements and/or investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/copper-supercycle-protectionist-moves-and-high-demand-create-perfect-storm-302173257.html Tulsa, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - The OSU/A&M Board of Regents has unanimously voted to freeze tuition and mandatory fees for the third consecutive year at Oklahoma State University. This year marks five out of the last six years without increases. The decision underscores the Board's desire to make an OSU college education more accessible and affordable for students and their families. After the vote, Regent Chair Joe Hall commented, "As Regents overseeing Oklahoma State University, we are pleased to maintain our current tuition and mandatory fees for the third consecutive year without an increase. This decision reflects the commitment of OSU leadership and the Regents to responsible fiscal management. As a land-grant university, our primary mission is to offer an affordable, accessible, and high-quality education so as many students as possible can earn a college degree. By prioritizing affordability, we can play a significant role in advancing our state by making it possible for many individuals to obtain a college degree and contribute to the betterment of society." OSU President Kayse Shrum expressed her appreciation for the Regents' support for holding the line on tuition and mandatory fees. "The decision reflects our shared commitment to affordability through prudent management of our financial resources," Dr. Shrum said. "The OSU community's dedication to solid financial management allows us to fulfill our land grant mission to provide access for as many students as possible to a high-quality college education." S&P Global and Fitch Group, two leading national credit rating agencies, have consistently recognized OSU's solid financial position, assigning it a high AA- rating. The ratings validate OSU's solid financial capacity, the highest among Oklahoma colleges and universities. OSU/A&M Board of Regents logo To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10198/213033_osulogo.jpg MEDIA CONTACTS: OSU: Lance Latham | Chief Communications Officer | 405-744-4800 | lance.latham@okstate.edu OSU/A&M Regents: Brent Gooden | Gooden Group | 405-818-1900 | bgooden@goodengroup.com About the OSU/A&M Board of Regents: The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges was established in 1944 under Section 31a, Article 6 of the Oklahoma Constitution. It comprises nine members: eight appointed by the governor with the senate's advice, and the ninth is the State Board of Agriculture president. The Board serves as the governing body for five institutions. These institutions include Oklahoma State University, Connors State College, Langston University, Northeastern Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The Board ensures these educational institutions' continued growth and success through its supervision, management, and oversight. Oklahoma State University is a premier land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research and Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to meet society's most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest university system in Oklahoma and has more than 34,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 125 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 280,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213033 SOURCE: Oklahoma State University LAVAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), a global diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through a relentless drive to deliver better health outcomes, recently presented at two global healthcare conferences. Bausch Health's gastroenterology (GI) business, Salix Pharmaceuticals presented data from its Amiselimod clinical trials at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024 during the IMIBD Late Breakers and Innovations in IBD session on May 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C., and post hoc pooled data analysis of Rifaximin at the International Liver Congress 2024 (ILC 2024): Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) on June 8, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Amiselimod at DDW Bausch Health shared positive late-breaking data from a global Phase 2 study evaluating Amiselimod for the treatment of patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024. The data were presented by Dr. Steven Hanauer and Clifford Joseph Barborka, Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy and safety of Amiselimod over a 12-week treatment period. The results demonstrated that Amiselimod was well-tolerated and showed promise as a potential treatment for inducing remission in UC patients. Specifically: In the primary endpoint measure - both doses of Amiselimod (0.2mg and 0.4mg daily) led to a significantly greater improvement in Modified Mayo Score (MMS) compared to a placebo group on Day 85. This score reflects disease activity, with a lower score indicating better outcomes. Patients taking Amiselimod experienced an average improvement of -2.3 points, compared to -1.6 points in the placebo group (p-score <0.01) In the secondary measures, endoscopic improvement and clinical remission, after 12 weeks, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving Amiselimod achieved endoscopic improvement (over 42%) compared to placebo (23%) with statistically significant difference (p-score <0.01). Similarly, over 31% of patients on Amiselimod experienced clinical remission compared to 18% in the placebo group (p-score = 0.03). In the safety evaluation patients were closely monitored for any adverse events throughout the 12 weeks. The findings concluded that Amiselimod treatment was well-tolerated. "Our recent trial results are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our research teams," said Dr. Tage Ramakrishna, Chief Medical Officer, President, R&D. "The promising data from this Amiselimod trial brings us closer to offering new, effective treatment to patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). We are excited to advance this therapy to the next stage of development." Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease affecting the large intestine, or colon. The condition causes inflammation and ulceration (sores) along the lining of the colon, which can lead to abdominal pain, cramps, bleeding and diarrhea.1 In ulcerative colitis, the inflammation starts at the rectum and continues through the colon. Symptoms include diarrhea with blood and mucus, pain on the left-hand side of the abdomen, urgency and tenesmus (the feeling of needing to pass stools even if the bowel is empty).1 Rifaximin at EASL At the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Conference, Bausch Health presented data comparing Rifaximin monotherapy to lactulose monotherapy in preventing overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) recurrence in cirrhosis patients with a history of OHE. This analysis, based on pooled data from two randomized trials (one phase 3 double-blind and one phase 4 open-label), focused on adult patients with cirrhosis and a history of OHE episodes showed that: Significantly fewer patients treated with Rifaximin monotherapy experienced an OHE episode compared with lactulose monotherapy (23.2% vs 49.0%, respectively; P<0.0001). Rifaximin monotherapy reduced the risk of a breakthrough OHE event by 60% versus lactulose monotherapy during 6 months of treatment. Rifaximin monotherapy was well tolerated. These data suggest Rifaximin monotherapy has the potential to be a viable treatment option for OHE recurrence risk reduction in appropriate patient populations. About Amiselimod Amiselimod is a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor functional antagonist and, by inhibiting the receptor function of the lymphocyte sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor, retains lymphocytes sequestered in the lymph nodes and prevents them from contributing to autoimmune reactions.1 Due to this mechanism of action, Amiselimod may potentially be useful for various autoimmune diseases.2 Affinity to S1P1 and S1P5 receptor subtypes, suggests that Amiselimod could potentially have a more pronounced effect on ulcerative colitis related inflammation than compounds with restricted activity on S1P1 receptor subtype exclusively or combined activity on S1P1 and S1P5. 2 About XIFAXAN XIFAXAN (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in adults and for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults. About Salix Salix Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. For more than 30 years, Salix has licensed, developed, and marketed innovative products to improve patients' lives and provide health care providers with life-changing solutions for many chronic and debilitating conditions. Salix currently markets its product line to U.S. health care providers through an expanded sales force that focuses on gastroenterology, hepatology, pain specialists, and primary care. Salix is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For more information about Salix, visit www.Salix.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Bausch Health Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products, primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, medical aesthetic devices, international pharmaceuticals, and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. References 1 IBD Clinic, University of Alberta: http://www.ibdclinic.ca/what-is-ibd/ulcerative-colitis/. 2 BiseraStepanovska, AndreaHuwiler. Targeting the S1P receptor signaling pathways as a promising approach for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Pharmacological Research. February 2019. The XIFAXAN 550 mg product and the XIFAXAN trademark are licensed by Alfasigma S.p.A to Salix Pharmaceuticals or its affiliates. 2024 Salix Pharmaceuticals or its affiliates. Investor Contact: Garen Sarafian ir@bauschhealth.com (877) 281-6642 (toll-free) Media Contact: Kevin Wiggins corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com (908) 541-3785 SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com TBILISI, Georgia, June 14, 2024, managed by the Marriott Group. MKD and Partners LLC has been seeking to prevent RAKIA from disposing of its Georgian assets, including the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi, but last week RAKIA transferred this to Tbilisi Hotels Holding LLC for USD 44.8 million, in an apparent effort to avoid enforcement action. However, directors of the new entity are all also directors of RAKIA Georgia and Senior Executives at RAK Hospitality Holding LLC, including Alison Jayne Grinnell their Chief Executive Officer, Stefan Johann Hanekom their Chief Financial Officer, and Donald William Bremner their Chief Operating Officer. Mr Farhad Azima, the plaintiff, commented: "It is disgraceful that Ras Al Khaimah sovereign wealth fund is unwilling to pay its English Court ordered debts. It has now been almost eight months since they owed me substantial sums and I am left with no option but to enforce the debt. When Ras Al Khaimah sovereign wealth fund has no respect for the rule of law, that casts a shadow over the investment climate in the Emirate. Switching ownership is a crude attempt to avoid enforcement, which will not succeed. We warn any third parties against assisting RAKIA in the dissipation of assets." In 2016, RAKIA sued Mr Azima in the English High Court, relying on certain documents obtained from 30GB of private and confidential data which had been hacked from Mr Azima and published online. Mr Azima counterclaimed that RAKIA was responsible for the hacking and publication of his data. Over the next four years, evidence came to light that RAKIA and its advisors had engaged private investigators to hack Mr. Azima, report on the contents of his data and release it online. One investigator admitted to the hacking and, with others, partaking in a conspiracy to cover it up: witnesses were suborned, disclosure was deliberately withheld, misleading evidence was rehearsed, including at a 'perjury school' run by a Dechert LLP lawyer at a luxury Swiss hotel, and false evidence was submitted to the English High Court. In June 2022, in the light of the new evidence, RAKIA wrote to the English High Court stating that it would play no further part in the proceedings. RAKIA confirmed that it would honour any judgment entered against it. RAKIA subsequently breached various court orders, including by failing to provide disclosure and to put forward a defence. On application from Mr Azima, by an Order dated 3 October 2023, the English High Court entered judgment against RAKIA and awarded Mr Azima indemnity costs and interest worth approximately 8.9 million. RAKIA has failed to make any payment to Mr Azima and remains in breach of the October 2023 Order. Mr Azima is therefore taking enforcement action in Georgia and worldwide to prevent RAKIA from disposing of its assets. Source: MKD and Partners LLC A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17d02ab9-f3d9-461c-a2ad-cb19d45e1b8f Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - East Africa Metals Inc. (TSXV: EAM) ("East Africa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has engaged Kluane Drilling Ltd. to advance the Mato Bula Extension drill program beginning with testing of the Halima Hill prospect. The Mato Bula Extension drill program will target prospective geology south of the known Mato Bula resource, as defined by an induced polarization ("IP") anomaly representing the extension of the IP anomaly that defines the current known resource at Mato Bula. Halima Hill Prospect In the Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Mato Bula deposit dated April 30, 2018 (which is available on SEDAR+), Tetra Tech Canada Inc. commented on the potential to extend the Mato Bula mineralization to the south. Tetra Tech wrote; "The extension potential to known mineralization, laterally and at depth, should be traced via further geophysical IP surveying, and extension drilling, in particular concentrating Halima Hill IP chargeability target extending from the south end of the present known resource." "The most southerly manifestation of the Mato Bula Trend is the mineralized zone at Halima Hill, 320 m to the southwest of the Jasper Hill zone." "The visual interpretation of alteration at Halima Hill indicate the Mato Bula system is weakening to the south near surface, however the IP survey is suggestive of additional increasing potential at depth." East Africa's share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") whereby Tibet Huayu Mining Co. Ltd. ("Tibet Huayu") acquired 70% of Tigray Resources Inc. ("TRI") was negotiated based on Adyabo project's (Mato Bula and Da Tambuk mining licenses) 2017 resource (see news releases dated February 8, 2019, February 11, 2019, May 31, 2019, July 2, 2019, July 2, 2019, August 14, 2019, and August 23, 2019). The Agreement also stipulates East Africa retains the mineral rights to any new resources discovered through exploration conducted by East Africa, which the Company may sell for additional compensation. Tibet Huayu has a Right of First Offer ("RFO") to acquire any new resources EAM decides to sell. EAM's development partner, the Chinese company Tibet Huayu, through its wholly owned subsidiary Silk Road Investments Co. Ltd., will bear 100% of the costs of mine construction. Mato Bula and Halima Hill IP 3D Inversion - looking West To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10147/213080_c92c1cdff43d9b85_001full.jpg Mato Bula and Halima Hill IP 3D Inversion - looking north To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10147/213080_c92c1cdff43d9b85_002full.jpg Distribution of Gold Shallow Soil Sampling on the Mato Bula Trend To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10147/213080_c92c1cdff43d9b85_003full.jpg Mato Bula Gold Copper and Da Tambuk Gold Projects The Adyabo Project Mato Bula and Da Tambuk deposits are high sulphidation gold rich VMS. This submarine porphyry-related system is located in the southern part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. Mining licences have been received that cover both deposits on Adyabo, Mato Bula Au-Cu-Ag and Da Tambuk Au. Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) reports dated April 30, 2018 on the Mato Bula Gold Copper and Da Tambuk Gold Projects (which are available on SEDAR+), indicate strong project economics. For Mato Bula, the post-tax NPV was estimated at US$56.7 million (8% discount rate), and an IRR of 28.4%. For Da Tambuk, the post-tax NPV was estimated at US$13.0 million, with an IRR of 28.6% at a gold price of USD1,325/ounce. About East Africa Metals The Company's principal assets include a 30% Net Profits Interest in the Mato Bula and Da Tambuk mines (collectively "Adyabo Property") and a 70% project interest in the Harvest polymetallic VMS Exploration Project in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. In addition, the Company has a 30% Net Streaming Interest in the Magambazi Mine in the Tanga Region of Tanzania. EAM has invested US$66.8M in African exploration since 2005 and has identified a total of 2.8 million ounces of gold and gold-equivalent resources representing an average discovery cost per ounce of US$24. More information on the Company can be viewed at the Company's website: www.eastafricametals.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo., CEO For further information contact: Nick Watters, Business Development Telephone +1 (604) 488-0822 Email investors@eastafricametals.com Website www.eastafricametals.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified using forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "project", "budget", "schedule", "may", "will", "could", "might", "should", "indicate" or variations of such words or similar words or expressions. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by East Africa as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of East Africa to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: timing of receipt of mining permit; timing of mining development; projected heap leach recoveries; early exploration; the closing of the agreement with the exploration and development company to advance the Magambazi Project or identify any other corporate opportunities for the Company; mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of East Africa's projections and estimates, including the initial mineral resource for the Adyabo, Harvest and Magambazi Properties; interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; foreign taxation risks; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; the speculative nature of strategic metal exploration and development including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves; contests over title to properties; and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, as well as those risk factors set out in in East Africa's management's discussion and analysis for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023, and East Africa's listing application dated July 8, 2013. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The contained gold, copper and silver figures shown are in situ. No assurance can be given that the estimated quantities will be produced. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the timely closing of the financing; the timely closing of the Handeni Property definitive agreement; the price of gold, silver, copper and zinc; the demand for gold, silver, copper and zinc; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the renewal or extension of exploration Licenses; the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although East Africa 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 information. The Company does not update or revise forward looking information even if new information becomes available unless legislation requires the Company do so. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213080 SOURCE: East Africa Metals, Inc. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 14, 2024 / Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase" or the "Company") (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light and/or radiation activated small molecules and their formulations intended for the safe and effective destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses, is providing a reminder notice for its Annual General and Special Meeting ("AGSM") for shareholders of Theralase that is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19th at 4:30 pm ET at its corporate head office; specifically, 41 Hollinger Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4B 3G4. In order to help make the AGSM more interactive for those shareholders, who are unable to attend in person, after the formal part of the AGSM has concluded, Theralase will be hosting a virtual Zoom presentation on Wednesday June 19th , 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm ET, which will include a corporate power point presentation on the Company, followed by a question and answer period where all shareholders are able to submit their questions. Please note that not all questions will be able to be answered in the time allotted and no questions will be answered that entail material information that has not been previously publicly disclosed via corporate press release. Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83200739937 Conference Call in: 1-647-558-0588 (Canada) / 1-646-558-8656 (US) - not required for those attending by Zoom. An archived version of the virtual Zoom presentation will be available on the Theralase website pending compilation. About Theralase Technologies Inc.: Theralase is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light and/or radiation activated small molecule compounds, their associated drug formulations and the light systems that activate them, with a primary objective of efficacy and a secondary objective of safety in the destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses. Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedarplus.ca 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. Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such statements include; but, are not limited to statements regarding the Company's proposed development plans with respect to small molecules and their drug formulations. Forward looking statements may be identified by the use of the words "may, "should", "will", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "expects", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions; including, statements related to the current expectations of Company's management for future research, development and commercialization of the Company's small molecules and their drug formulations, preclinical research, clinical studies and regulatory approvals. These statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions; including, the ability of the Company to fund and secure the regulatory approvals to successfully complete various clinical studies in a timely fashion and implement its development plans. Other risks include: the ability of the Company to successfully commercialize its small molecule and drug formulations, the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund the Company's operations may not be available on terms that are commercially favorable to the Company or at all, the risk that the Company's small molecule and drug formulations may not be effective against the diseases tested in its clinical studies, the risk that the Company's fails to comply with the term of license agreements with third parties and as a result loses the right to use key intellectual property in its business, the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property, the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of regulatory filings. Many of these factors that will determine actual results are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Readers should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in the press release are based upon what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure prospective investors that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements. For investor information on the Company, please feel to reach out Investor Inquiries - Theralase Technologies. For More Information: 1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273) 416.699.LASE (5273) www.theralase.com Kristina Hachey, CPA Chief Financial Officer X 224 khachey@theralase.com SOURCE: Theralase Technologies Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company, is providing a default status report in accordance with the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). As previously announced on May 31, 2024 (the "Announcement"), the Company applied for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") from the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") due to an expected delay in filing of the audited consolidated financial statement for the year ended January 31, 2024, annual management's discussion and analysis for the same period and management certifications of annual filings (collectively, the "Annual Filings") beyond the deadline of May 31, 2024 prescribed by Canadian securities laws. The MCTO was granted by the BCSC on May 31, 2024. The MCTO prohibits the Company's management from trading in the securities of the Company until such time as the Annual Filings are filed. The MCTO does not affect the ability of any other shareholders of the Company to trade securities of the Company. C21 and its auditors continue to work diligently toward completing the Annual Filings as soon as possible. The ongoing auditor review is primarily addressing non-operational derivative accounting and certain other non-cash items for restatement of previous periods. Upon completion of the auditor's internal review process, the Annual Filings will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca). The Company confirms that since the date of the Announcement: (i) there has been no material change to the information set out in the Announcement that has not been generally disclosed; (ii) the Company is satisfying and confirms that it intends to continue to satisfy the provisions of the "alternative information guidelines" under NP 12-203 and issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as the delay in filing the Annual Filings is continuing, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release; (iii) there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203; (iv) the Company is not subject to any insolvency proceedings; and (v) there is no material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. For further inquiries, please contact: Investor contact: Investor Relations info@cxxi.ca +1 833 289-2994 Company contact: Michael Kidd Chief Financial Officer and Director Michael.Kidd@cxxi.ca About C21 Investments Inc. C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedarplus.ca and www.cxxi.ca. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"). Such Forward-Looking Statements represent the Company's beliefs and expectations regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Forward-Looking Statements are based on assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including: (i) the expected filing of the Documents; (ii) the Company's continued ability to satisfy the information guidelines set out in NP 12-203 the duration of the MCTO; (iii) the filing of a transition report on Form 20-F; (iv) the benefits to be derived from the Change of Year End; (v) achieving the anticipated results of the Company's strategic plans; and (vi) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this news release. Such factors include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties arising from any delay in filing the Documents; the Company's ability to satisfy the requirements of NP 12-203; the revocation of the MCTO and replacement with a cease trade order; the inability to effectively manage growth; inputs, suppliers and skilled labour being unavailable or available only at uneconomic costs; the adequacy of the Company's capital resources and liquidity, including but not limited to, availability of sufficient cash flow to execute the Company's business plan (either within the expected timeframe or at all); changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws generally and adverse future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical and recreational marijuana; the risks of operating in the marijuana industry in the United States, and those other risk factors discussed in the Company's 20F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Annual Information Form filing on SEDAR+. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Should assumptions underlying the Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update any Forward-Looking Statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213180 SOURCE: C21 Investments Inc. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - June 14, 2024) - Oklahoma State University has secured a record-setting state budget allocation of $156.5 million to bolster Oklahoma's STEM workforce, the OSU Extension and experiment station network, and advance key One Health initiatives statewide. The funding includes $80 million for expanding life science facilities at OSU. The allocation, which will come from the state's Legacy Capital Financing Fund, will be bolstered by an additional $80 million the university aims to raise through private donations to build a new, state-of-the-art life and physical science building on the OSU-Stillwater campus to replace the current buildings, which were constructed between 1938 and 1960. The newly proposed 220,000-square-foot facility will cater to undergraduate science students and is expected to serve upwards of tens of thousands of graduates across the OSU System for decades to come. In 2023, the OSU System produced 37% of Oklahoma's STEM graduates - over 10% more than any other higher education system in the state. OSU President Kayse Shrum said the new building will be instrumental in the university's goal to increase the number of STEM graduates by at least 500 students annually. Dr. Shrum expressed gratitude for the record funding support, which she said reflects the state's and OSU's shared vision to increase the number of STEM graduates in Oklahoma, enhance the recruitment of top researchers, address Oklahoma's health challenges and elevate the Oklahoma economy. "I am honored to lead the most extensive university system in a state that recognizes the significant impact of investing in higher education," she said. "By prioritizing these investments, we drive economic growth, cultivate a skilled and STEM-enabled workforce, safeguard our nation, and improve health outcomes for all Oklahomans. "On behalf of the Cowboy family, thank you to Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Legislature for the confidence in Oklahoma State to wisely steward these resources and work together to build a better, stronger, healthier and more prosperous Oklahoma. This support enables us to continue our impactful work in education, research and Extension programs, deepening our commitment to serving the state." Shrum also acknowledged the vital work of Rep. John Talley, who presented House Bill 2893. He said the funding would bolster OSU's position as a leading national research institution, promote collaboration and innovation through resource sharing across academic disciplines, and empower OSU to recruit and train aspiring professionals in health, veterinary medicine and other STEM fields facing critical staffing shortages in Oklahoma. "This is a significant win for OSU and represents a major step forward in the university's statewide impact," Talley said. "The state-of-the-art facilities will not only enhance access to STEM education but also address the pressing need for skilled professionals in Oklahoma's workforce." Other key Oklahoma legislators also voiced strong support for the legislation. "OSU continues to serve all of Oklahoma and is a statewide leader in STEM education," Sen. Chuck Hall said. "They are proactively addressing the challenge of building the high-tech, science-based workforce Oklahoma will need to compete in the years to come." Rep. Kevin Wallace said OSU has long been a leader in STEM education. "This new funding will help support its efforts to educate thousands of new students in areas critical to Oklahoma's economy," Wallace said. "Supporting this legislation was an honor and I know it will deliver long-term benefits for all Oklahomans." The remaining $76.5 million in state appropriations for OSU will be used for continued investment in the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as One Health and human performance research, and increased compensation for Extension and experiment station educators. PHOTOS: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBuMRm MEDIA CONTACT: Lance Latham | Chief Communications Officer | 405-744-4800 | lance.latham@okstate.edu Oklahoma State University is a premier land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research and Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to meet society's most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest university system in Oklahoma and has more than 34,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 125 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 280,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213171 SOURCE: Oklahoma State University Flo, a Quebec City, Canada-based electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator and smart charging solutions provider, raised $136M in funding. The round was led by Export Development Canada (EDC). The equity raise was also supported by the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), Investissement Quebec (IQ), as an agent of the Quebec government, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Energy Impact Partners (EIP) and MacKinnon, Bennett & Company Inc. (MKB). The company intends to use the funds for continued growth in both the U.S. and Canada and the deployment of its charging network. The investment will also help advance the rollout of its newest products, the NEVI and Buy America-compliant FLO Ultra fast charger and the next generation of FLO Home residential chargers. Led by President and CEO Louis Tremblay, Flo is an electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator and a smart charging solutions provider helping to overcome climate change and accelerate EV adoption through a vertically integrated business model and by delivering EV drivers the best charging experience from curbside to countryside. Every month, it enables more than 1.5 million charging events thanks to over 100,000 fast and level 2 EV charging stations deployed at public, private and residential locations. FLO operates its network across North America with facilities in Michigan and Quebec. FinSMEs 14/06/2024 Nada, a Dallas, TX-based investment tech platform that bridges homeowners and investors through home equity, secured a seed extension funding of undisclosed amount. Backers included repeat investors LiveOak Ventures and 7BC Venture Capital. Led by newly appointed CEO and President Tore Steen, Nada is an alternative asset investment and finance platform, making home equity market accessible to individual investors and homeowners. As the first company qualified by the SEC to issue city-specific shares of home equity, Nadas Cityfunds product provides investors with direct access to the home equity market. By investing in the equity of homes, Nada is providing homeowners with immediate liquidity without the burden of added debt or monthly payments. John Green, Nadas Co-founder and current CEO, will transition to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). FinSMEs 14/06/2024 In a move that has left many visitors embarrassed, China has introduced toilet timers at the Yungang Buddhist Grottoes. The digital restroom displays the word empty on the pixelated LED screen when it is unoccupied and when in use, it shows the number of minutes and seconds the person has been engaged in the washroom read more Imagine visiting the ancient Yungang Buddhist Grottoes, marveling at their intricate carvings and rich history, only to find yourself racing against a timer in the restroom. This unexpected scenario has become a reality as China introduced timers outside restroom stalls to manage its usage more effectively at the 1,500-year-old historic site. Located in North Chinas Shanxi province, the Yungang Buddhist Grottoes are visited by millions of tourists every year which feature 51,000 Buddha statues beautifully carved in 252 caves. Advertisement But in recent days, the digitised restrooms at this heritage site have been earning more attention on social media than its scenic views. What prompted this unusual move, and how are visitors reacting to it? Lets take a closer look The rush to flush A recently viral video on Chinese social media showed digital timers installed above a row of toilets in a female washroom, with each stall having its own timer. When a stall is unoccupied, the pixelated LED screen displays the word empty in green. If in use, it shows the number of minutes and seconds the person has been engaged in the washroom in red. Hurry up, there's a toilet timer in China Digital timers show how long you are sitting on the toilet at the Unesco world heritage Yungang Grottoes in Datong city of Shanxi Province in China.#travel #nature #travelgram #wanderlust #FREENBECKYAT9ENT #adventure #travelblogger pic.twitter.com/G8FD9rAMUz SHORT TRIPS (@short_tripps) June 12, 2024 The video, initially posted by the state-run local newspaper Xiaoxiang Morning Herald, was shared with them by a tourist. I found it quite advanced technologically so you dont have to queue outside or knock on a bathroom door, the paper quoted the visitor as saying. Advertisement But I also found it a little bit embarrassing. It felt like I was being monitored, the visitor added. The video has had plenty of reactions on the Chinese social media site, Weibo, with some suggesting it would discourage visitors from scrolling on their phones while sitting on the toilet. A tourist site isnt an office who would spend their time in the toilets? Is it really necessary? a netizen commented. Another user said, Why dont they just spend the money on building more washrooms? We wont kick people out midway Speaking to the newspaper, a staff member at the ancient site revealed that the upgrades were essential to manage the surge in visitors, which was stretching the sites facilities to their limits. Advertisement Yungang Buddhist Grottoes in China. Pixabay They arent there to control the durations you could use the bathrooms, the staff member was quoted as saying. Its impossible that we would kick someone out [of the bathroom stall] midway. And we arent setting a time limit such as five or 10 minutes of how long one could use the toilets, the staff member added. Another staff member spoke to Nanchang Evening News, a state-run newspaper, and said that the timers have been operating since 1 May this year and it was to ensure the well-being of all guests in case some guests use the toilet for an extended period and an emergency occurs. Advertisement This is not the first time in China that authorities have policed peoples bathroom breaks. Back in 2020, a tech company faced a social media backlash for installing digital timers above toilet cubicles at its Beijing office. Many suggest that the recent trend is in line with the countrys social credit system. What is the social credit system? The social credit system in China analyzes a persons social media habits to categorise citizens based on their behavior. According to a Global Times report, the system rewards good citizens while punishing those deemed lazy or uncivilized. As per MarketPlace.org, citizens who violate these codes face significant restrictions, such as being unable to book a plane flight, rent or buy property, or secure a loan. Examples of bad behavior include parking tickets, failing to pay bills, playing music too loudly in public, and maliciously switching jobs. Advertisement Conversely, those with a good credit standing receive benefits like a fast pass to board trains quicker and other financial credits. A persons rank is determined by four areas: administrative affairs, commercial activities, judicial system, and social behavior and is maintained in databases managed by a web of Chinese authorities. With inputs from agencies On Friday, South Africas parliament is set to elect a president, while major political parties continue to finalise the details of a coalition agreement. This agreement could determine whether Cyril Ramaphosa secures a second term as leader of the continents industrialised economy read more South African president Cyril Ramaphosa waves as he arrives to meet with senior officials of his African National Congress party during the ANC's National Executive Committee, 6 June, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. AP South Africas Parliament is gearing up to select a new president on Friday, with major political parties currently ironing out the final details of a potential coalition agreement. This agreement may determine whether Cyril Ramaphosa secures a second term as the leader of Africas most industrialised economy. The situation appears to be heading down to the wire, especially after Ramaphosas African National Congress (ANC) announced plans for a meeting of its top officials in Cape Town on Thursday night. This meeting comes just 12 hours before Parliament convenes to initiate the presidential selection process. Advertisement Since the ANC lost its three-decade majority in the recent election, South Africa has been grappling with a political impasse. This has compelled the ANC to engage with other parties in pursuit of a governing agreement, marking the first time such collaboration would be necessary. While the ANCs primary objective is to secure Ramaphosas re-election, it now requires assistance from other lawmakers due to its diminished parliamentary presence. As of now, no definitive coalition agreement has been declared, and the ANCs internal leadership must also formally approve any coalition arrangement. Heres an overview of the most significant political negotiations in South Africa in the past three decades. How is the president elected in South Africa? South Africans elect a new parliament every five years, casting their ballots for parties who are allocated seats based on their share of the vote. Those lawmakers then elect the president. Because the ANC had a majority ever since the end of white majority rule under the apartheid system in 1994, the vote for president was previously a formality and was always the ANC leader. The leader of Inkatha Freedom Party, Velenkosi Hlabisa, waves to the crowd during an election rally in Richards Bay, near Durban, South Africa, 26 May, 2024. AP This time is different. Ramaphosa, 71, could still get a smooth ride to a second term if he is the only candidate nominated in Parliament on Friday hed then be automatically reelected. But if another candidate or candidates are nominated, a vote follows, and the ANC would need its coalition partners to secure Ramaphosas reelection. The first piece of the puzzle The Inkatha Freedom Party announced Wednesday night that it would join the ANCs proposed government of national unity, the first piece of the coalition puzzle. It backed Ramaphosa for a second term. But the IFP only holds 17 seats in the 400-seat lower house of Parliament that elects the president and the ANC needs others to get to the critical point where they have a joint majority. Advertisement The key piece of the puzzle The main opposition Democratic Alliance now holds the key with its 87 seats, the second highest number behind the ANCs 159. The DA has not confirmed that it has joined the unity government, although it has previously said it is willing. It says it just needs to work out the details with the ANC. That is the crucial negotiation, and those talks were expected to continue on Thursday. An ANC-DA-IFP agreement appears to be the core of any coalition now. South African Democratic Alliance opposition leader John Steenhuisen, center, arrives at the formal announcement of the results in South Africas general elections at the National Results Operations Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 June, 2024. AP However, the DA has been the most critical voice of the ANC over the last 20 years and bringing the two parties together to co-govern is complicated. There is also some resistance within the ANC to forming an agreement with a party that it has viewed as its number one political foe for so long. Advertisement A look at the opposition to the coalition Two other major parties, the new MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, have said they will not join a unity government. MK also tried to get the Parliament sitting halted in court but lost its case. MK says its 58 new lawmakers will boycott Fridays first sitting of the new Parliament but that shouldnt affect any vote for president. South Africas constitution says at least one-third of Parliaments 400 lawmakers need to be present to attain a quorum and for votes to go ahead. The ANC holds more than one third of the seats on its own. What will happen? The chief justice will oversee the first part of the parliamentary session, when lawmakers are sworn in before electing the speaker and deputy speaker. Then comes the vote for president. Former president and now leader of the MK Party, Jacob Zuma, looks on at the Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1 June, 2024. AP There are 18 political parties represented in South Africas Parliament for this five-year term, from the ANC with 159 seats down to the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, the GOOD party and the United Africans Transformation party with one seat each. With inputs from AP G7 leaders have approved a $50 billion loan for Ukraine. The profits from the Russian assets parked in the West are going to be the cornerstone of this financial aid to Kyiv. We explain how read more Russian assets are a crucial aspect of the financial plan that will allow Ukraine to get a loan of $50 billion. Agencies At the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, leaders of the member countries have approved a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, a significant move in providing ongoing support to the country amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heralded this development as a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war. We explain the mechanics of this loan and how Russian assets are actually helping finance Ukraines war effort. Advertisement Where will the money for the loan come from? The $50 billion loan to Ukraine is primarily sourced from the combined efforts of the G7 countries, led by the United States. The debt is expected to be provided by a loan syndicate, meaning it will be funded by multiple lenders within the G7, distributing the financial risk across these nations. A senior official from the Biden administration indicated that while the US is prepared to contribute up to $50 billion, the actual amount may be significantly less due to the shared nature of the loan. It is well understood that the US is not alone in this initiative. Other G7 countries as well as members of the European Union, are expected to contribute to this financial package. However, the exact contributions from each country have not been detailed. The role of frozen Russian assets A crucial aspect of this loan is its collateral: the interest generated from frozen Russian assets, primarily held in Europe. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Western allies froze approximately 300 billion ($325 billion) of Russian central bank assets. The EU, which holds a significant portion of these assets through organizations like Euroclear, has been generating profits from the interest on these funds. Estimates suggest that the EU could generate between 2.5 to 3 billion annually from the interest on these frozen assets. These profits are now earmarked to back the $50 billion loan to Ukraine. This innovative use of frozen assets ensures that while the principal amounts remain untouched, the interest accrued serves a critical financial function, supporting Ukraines defense and reconstruction efforts. Advertisement Responsibility in case of default The potential for Ukraine to default on this loan raises important questions about liability and financial responsibility. In the event of a default, the responsibility would likely fall on the G7 nations involved in the syndicate. As the loan is backed by the profits from Russian assets, a shortfall in interest generation could necessitate additional financial support from these countries. European finance ministers have expressed concerns about their countries being left to bear the financial burden if Ukraine defaults. However, the US and other G7 nations are working on mechanisms to mitigate these risks, ensuring that the burden is shared equitably among the contributing countries. Advertisement Why not give Ukraine the frozen Russian assets directly? Given the substantial amount of frozen Russian assets, one might wonder why these funds are not directly transferred to Ukraine. The primary reason lies in the legal complexities involved in confiscating these assets. While freezing assets can be done relatively easily, turning them into forfeited assets requires an additional layer of judicial proceedings and a solid legal foundation. The EU has opted to use the profits generated from these assets instead, which is a more straightforward and legally sound approach. This strategy provides a steady stream of income that can be used to support Ukraine without the legal hurdles of outright confiscation. Advertisement The US, on the other hand, has taken a slightly different approach with the REPO Act (Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act), which allows the Biden administration to seize $5 billion in Russian state assets within the US and use them for Ukraines benefit. This arrangement is still being finalised and represents a relatively small portion compared to the total frozen assets. It might set a crucial precedent for the world, though. In a nutshell The $50 billion loan to Ukraine represents a significant financial commitment from the G7 countries, utilizing an innovative approach to leverage frozen Russian assets. This strategy not only provides much-needed support to Ukraine but also sends a clear message to Moscow about the resolve of Western nations. While the financial and legal complexities of this arrangement are substantial, the unified effort of the G7 countries clearly shows their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Scores of Muslims have been heading to Mecca, ahead of the annual pilgrimage, Hajj. Hajj remains one of the five pillars that form the foundations of Islam. This year, more pilgrims are expected to visit the holy site in comparison to 2023, Saudi officials informed read more Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia ahead of the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage. Hajj is one of the five major pillars of Islam. During this period, they experience one of the most spiritual journeys of a lifetime - this is their chance to seek Gods forgiveness and erase past sins. As per Saudi officials, more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived in the country ahead of the annual pilgrimage that is slated to begin on 14 June. They further said that the number of pilgrims this year is expected to exceed those in 2023, when more than 1.8 million people performed Hajj. Advertisement What is Hajj? Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is required once in a lifetime by every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting. When will the annual pilgrimage begin? The Hajj occurs once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will take place this month. Whats the significance of Hajj to Muslims? For pilgrims, performing Hajj fulfils a religious obligation, but its also a deeply spiritual experience of a lifetime for many. Its seen as a chance to seek Gods forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of prophets. Communally, Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. That leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and experiences. Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their behalf. Some spend years hoping and praying to one day perform Hajj or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip. Advertisement In 2019, nearly 2.5 million Muslims performed Hajj before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted religious and other gatherings the world over and took its toll on the Islamic pilgrimage. Last years Hajj was the first to be held without COVID-19 restrictions since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Ahead of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those whove performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consuming other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually readying oneself. At times, pilgrims brave intense heat or other challenging conditions during the pilgrimage. Advertisement What are the rituals Muslims perform during Hajj? Pilgrims make the intention to perform Hajj and they enter a state of ihram. Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram; there are simple ihram cloth garments for men instead. Scholars say the intention is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God. A spiritual highlight of Hajj for many is the standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Other rituals include performing tawaf, circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Mecca counterclockwise seven times. Advertisement Muslims do not worship the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure that they consider the metaphorical house of God; its the focal point that devout Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the world. Pilgrims also trace the path of Hagar, or Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, Abraham to Jews and Christians, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. Among other rituals, pilgrims throw pebbles in a symbolic stoning of the devil. What is Eid al-Adha? Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during Hajj. Celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha marks Prophet Ibrahims test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to the poor. Advertisement With inputs from AP Since his arrival in Italy for the G7 Summit, US president Joe Biden has been facing scrutiny regarding his mental and physical fitness following a series of awkward interactions and videos taken of him which have now gone viral. His awkward greeting to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni is only one such instance read more United States President Joe Biden meets the media after signing a bilateral security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the sidelines of the G7, 13 June, 2024, in Savelletri, Italy. AP United States President Joe Biden travelled to another meeting of world leaders and, once again, awkward moments ensued. Arriving last at the G7 summit in Puglia, Italy, on Thursday, Biden was greeted by the host countrys prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. As he shuffled onto the stage, Biden appeared to sniff her hair. Following a brief exchange, she directed him towards a frame bearing the G7 logo, which each leader signed. Before departing the platform, Biden offered an awkward salute to Meloni, a gesture that quickly went viral on social media. One social media user quipped, Did Giorgia Meloni join the US Military and no one told us? Why did Biden just salute her? Advertisement Did Giorgia Meloni join the US Military and no one told us? Why did Biden just salute her? pic.twitter.com/BoW7Q1KTzh Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) June 13, 2024 Later, Biden wandered off during a parachute display and began an impromptu conversation with an officer, prompting Meloni to intervene and redirect him back to his place among the other leaders for a group photo. This incident, along with Bidens previous gaffes, fueled ongoing discussions about his cognitive health. Social media reactions were mixed, with one user defending him by saying, Hey numbnuts he wasnt wandering off he was giving a thumbs up to the other parachuters on the side of the screen. JUST IN: President Biden appears to start wandering off at the G7 summit and has to be handled back in. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was seen grabbing Biden to bring him back to the group. This wasn't the only awkward encounter between the two. Biden was caught on pic.twitter.com/xf8NizIVgH Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 13, 2024 Advertisement Despite these concerns, Biden remains an active participant on the global stage. The G7 summit, comprising leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, focused on pressing global issues such as the war in Ukraine, artificial intelligence, and migration. The leaders discussed ways to support Ukraine , including a significant proposal to back a $50 billion loan using frozen Russian assets. Advertisement Bidens recent gaffes spark criticism Bidens previous appearance in France for the D-Day 80th anniversary also drew mockery due to his perceived gaffes. During a Juneteenth celebration at the White House, he appeared to freeze while others danced around him, further raising questions about his mental state. LMFAOOOO biden faces wrong way at d-day ceremony french president macron, his wife brigitte look so confused. then they turn and face wrong way with biden pic.twitter.com/gLNe47qjup Gio DeBatta (@GDebatta) June 7, 2024 Advertisement Pollster JL Partners found that 49 per cent of US voters think Biden is likely to forget where he is during the upcoming presidential debate with Donald Trump on 27 June. Additionally, 41 per cent believe he will walk the wrong way off the debate stage, and 40 per cent think he will have problems standing up. A separate survey found that the word voters most associate with Biden is old, while Trump is most associated with criminal. Other popular words for Biden included incompetent, senile, and bad, whereas for Trump, they included evil, smart, and American. Advertisement Bidens recent moments of awkwardness Bidens moments of awkwardness were not limited to the summit. During an interview with ABC News anchor David Muir in France, Biden claimed he had known Russian President Vladimir Putin for over 40 years, despite Putin spending the entire 1980s as an undercover KGB intelligence officer. Bidens statement drew scepticism as Putin only became a public figure in August 1999 when he was handpicked by then-President Boris Yeltsin to become prime minister. 'Decent' Biden about his relationship with Putin "I've known him for over 40 years. He's concerned me for 40 years. He's not a decent man," interview with ABC News. In fact, the two politicians first met in March 2011, Biden was vp and Vladimir Putin was prime minister. pic.twitter.com/F2CR43iiHM brane mijatovic (@brane_mija64426) June 6, 2024 These incidents are not isolated. Bidens tenure has been marked by several public gaffes that have raised eyebrows and fueled media speculation about his cognitive abilities. Critics point to these incidents as signs of his declining mental acuity, a narrative that gained traction during his US presidential campaign and has persisted throughout his presidency. Also Read: Is Britains PM Rishi Sunak being snubbed by other G7 leaders? Despite these challenges, Biden continues to engage in high-stakes international diplomacy, with the G7 summit addressing critical global conflicts, the spread of artificial intelligence, and issues affecting Africa, alongside new pledges of assistance for Ukraine amid its war conflict with Russia. US President Joe Biden, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Frances President Emmanuel Macron, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen look on during a skydiving demonstration on the first day of the G7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy, 13 June, 2024. Reuters Bidens embarrassing moments at the high-profile G7 summit have amplified concerns about his ability to effectively lead the US. As he prepares for the upcoming US presidential debate, the scrutiny on his mental and physical fitness is likely to intensify. With inputs from agencies The head of South Africas second-largest party has announced support for Cyril Ramaphosas re-election as president, virtually ensuring his second term in Parliament. John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance, confirmed that his party has officially entered into a coalition agreement with the African National Congress, which stipulates Ramaphosas continuation as president read more South African president Cyril Ramaphosa meets with senior officials of the ANC during an ANC's National Executive Committee, 13 June, 2024, at a Cape Town hotel. AP Cyril Ramaphosa is poised for re-election as president of South Africa despite the African National Congress (ANC) experiencing its worst election result since the end of apartheid. On Friday, Ramaphosa secured a deal with the opposition, particularly the white-led Democratic Alliance (DA) and at least two other smaller parties, to form a government of national unity. This coalition arrangement comes after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in the 29 May elections, garnering only 40 per cent of the vote. The DA, which won 21 per cent of the vote, along with the socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance, will join the coalition. Advertisement John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, confirmed the coalition agreement: Today marks the beginning of a new era where we put our differences aside and unite for the betterment of all South Africans. Under the agreement, the DA will support Ramaphosas election for a second term and will receive the position of deputy speaker of parliament. This coalition is a significant shift in South African politics, given the historical opposition between the ANC and the DA. What political challenges is Ramaphosa facing? Ramaphosas leadership has faced several challenges, including the Farmgate scandal in 2022, where a panel report suggested he may have committed misconduct involving a stash of cash found on his game farm. South African Democratic Alliance opposition leader John Steenhuisen, centre, arrives at the formal announcement of the results in South Africas general elections at the National Results Operations Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 June, 2024. AP Despite denying any wrongdoing and winning a new five-year term as ANC leader later that year, Ramaphosas position remains precarious. The ANCs support plummeted due to widespread voter dissatisfaction over high unemployment, crime, and power cuts. Political analysts question whether Ramaphosa can serve a full second term, given the internal divisions within the ANC. His party rivals, some of whom have not fully reconciled with his leadership, may pose ongoing challenges. Also Read: Zumas MK party moves top court, seeks to block South African parliament citing vote-rigging Moreover, Ramaphosas approach to governance has been criticised for its indecisiveness. Critics argue that his efforts to build consensus often lead to delays in crucial reforms, contrasting sharply with the decisiveness he displayed as a union leader in the 1980s. Advertisement How will the government be formed? The formation of the new government involved intense negotiations. Talks continued through the night before Parliaments first sitting since the election, with final details of the coalition agreement being hammered out just before the session commenced. The chief justice oversaw the swearing-in of hundreds of lawmakers and the subsequent election of the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa raises his hand as he is sworn is as a member of Parliament ahead of an expected vote by lawmakers to decide if he is reelected as leader of the country in Cape Town, South Africa, 14 June, 2024. AP The process, which took place in a conference center near Cape Towns waterfront due to the 2022 fire that gutted the National Assembly building, was lengthy and complex. Fikile Mbalula, ANC Secretary-General, confirmed the coalition agreement in principle with the DA and other smaller parties: Weve engaged with the DA. We agree on the GNU [Government of National Unity]. Helen Zille, a senior DA politician, noted the intense nature of the negotiations: At 2am we thought we had a final settlement and agreement. This morning a few issues have arisen and they are just trying to sort those out. Advertisement How will this coalition impact South African politics? The ANCs decline from a dominant majority to needing a coalition partner marks a significant change in South African politics. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the ANC has consistently held a clear majority, making parliamentary votes for president largely ceremonial. However, the recent elections have introduced a new era of political uncertainty. Ramaphosa called for parties to join a government of national unity, reminiscent of Nelson Mandelas inclusive approach in 1994. South Africas leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party Julius Malema gestures towards South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (not pictured) after being sworn in to the National Assembly during its first sitting following elections, at the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) in Cape Town, South Africa, 14 June, 2024. Reuters In his address after the election, Ramaphosa stated the need for unity: South Africans expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, overcome their differences and act together for the good of everyone. Thats what South Africans have said. Advertisement Also Read: What happens if South Africa fails to form a coalition government? Despite the challenges ahead, Ramaphosas ability to broker a coalition deal and secure re-election has highlighted his strategic acumen in navigating South Africas complex political landscape. The path forward will require significant policy concessions and adept negotiation skills to maintain the coalitions stability and address the countrys pressing issues. With inputs from agencies After Indias defence exports hit an all-time high of Rs 21,000 crore in April, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has announced that New Delhi is targeting the Rs 50,000-mark by 2028-2029. But to which countries does India send weapons? What arms and ammunition does it export? read more Indias biggest arms exports deal occurred in April when it delivered three Brahmos missile batteries to the Philippines. Image courtesy: Brahmos Aerospace Rajnath Singh has set India a major target. The defence minister wants to increasing its defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2028-2029. Singh made the statement after once again taking charge of the defence ministry at the South Block. Defence exports had touched a record Rs 21,083 crore in financial Year 2023-24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029, Singh said. Advertisement In April, Singh announced that Indias defence exports hit an all-time high of Rs 21,000 crore. Meanwhile, Indias defence production already crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in 2023-24. The development came amid New Delhis push to boost defence exports under the Narendra Modi-led government. But what arms does India export now? Lets take a closer look: By the numbers The Ministry of Defence in its statement on 1 April said Indias arms exports had grown 32.5 per cent since the last fiscal. The recent figures indicate that the defence exports have grown by 31 times in the last 10 years as compared to FY 2013-14, the ministry said. Total defence exports during 2004-05 to 2013-14 were Rs 4,312 crore, which has gone up to Rs 88,319 crore in the period from 2014-15 to 2023-24, the ministry added. As per New Indian Express, the defence ministry chalked up the massive increase to a collaboration between the private sector and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). The private sector contributes 60 per cent of the exports, while DSPUs make up the remaining 40 per cent. According to India Today, Indias arms exports were at Rs 1,521 crore in 2016-17. Advertisement That figure touched Rs 16,954 crore in 2023-24. The outlet quoted the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as saying that Myanmar was Indias largest importer of weapons from 2000 to 2023. Myanmar made up 31 per cent of Indias exports. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka was second at 19 per cent. Other major importers include Mauritius, Nepal, Armenia, Vietnam, and Maldives. Indias ships made up a massive chunk of its defence exports at 61 per cent. Aircraft comprised 20 per cent, sensors were at 14 per cent, armoured vehicles 2.8 per cent, and artillery 1.1 per cent. To which countries does India export? India exports arms to over 85 countries. These include Italy, the Maldives, Russia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Egypt, Israel, Spain and Chile. Advertisement Indias biggest arms exports deal occurred in April when it delivered three Brahmos missile batteries to the Philippines, as per New Indian Express. The contract for a shore-based anti-ship missile system was valued at Rs 2,700 crore. Around 100 firms are exporting defence products in India. According to Economic Times, India exports Dornier-228 aircraft, radars, armoured vehicles, rockets and launchers, torpedo loading mechanism, alarm monitoring & control systems, lightweight torpedo and fire-control systems, night-vision monocular and binocular, weapons-locating radar, HF (high-frequency) radio and coastal surveillance radar. Advertisement Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in December 2023 announced it was in talks with six nations to export the indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas. AFP India also exports offshore patrol vessels, personal protective gear, surveillance systems and ammunition. India also provides bullet-proof jackets to 34 nations. These include Australia, Japan, Israel and Brazil. Another 10 countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Indonesia and Thailand, have purchased ammunition (ranging between 5.56mm to 155mm) from India. New Delhi has sold defence electronics to the US, the UK and France and fast interceptor boats to Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives. Vietnam is also looking to buy BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by Russia and India. Indonesia is another potential client for the missiles. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in December 2023 announced it was in talks with six nations to export the indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas. Advertisement Talks have picked up pace with Argentina, the Philippines and Nigeria, HAL chief managing director CB Ananthakrishna was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Avionics Expo in Delhi, by New Indian Express. Botswana and Egypt also expressed interest in the Tejas. HAL aims to reach export sales of Rs 2,500 crore over the next few years, its director of operations Jayadeva EP previously told Reuters. India also inked a Rs 6,000 crore defence deal to send its anti-air system to Armenia, The Times of India reported. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will manufacture and deliver the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). Defence firm Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited plans to supply artillery guns to Armenia for the 155mm weapon system by 2025. India previously signed a deal to export several weapons, including Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL), anti-tank missiles, rockets and ammunition to Armenia. Armenia in August received its initial shipment of Indias Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). New Delhi has reportedly offered the anti-air system for export to Vietnam and the Philippines, while Egypt has also shown interest. According to The Times of India, some major export deals could be made in the near future. Sources told the newspaper India could sign deals with The Philippines, Vietnam and Armenia. The defence ministry is also considering a new defence export agency dedicated to arms sales. Singh said in February that the Centre expects annual defence production to hit Rs 3 lakh crore by the 2028-2029 financial year. He made the remarks at the inaugural Firstpost Defence Summit. The government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focusing on long-term gains and not short-term outcomes to make India a developed nation by 2047, Singh said. However, India still has a long way to go. According to SIPRI, India is still not even among the top 25 nations when it comes to defence exports. Ready to face every challenge The armed forces are being equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and platforms and they are ready to face every challenge, he told reporters after assuming charge as the defence minister for the second consecutive term. Singh also commended the military personnel for protecting the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation with valour and commitment, in comments that came amid the lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh. Defence minister Rajnath Singh. File Picture Reflecting growing salience of the Indian Ocean Region in Indias defence calculus, Singh decided that he will undertake the first visit in his second term as defence minister to the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam to interact with the officers and sailors. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our aim will be to further strengthen the security apparatus of the country, with focus on achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, he said. Armed forces modernisation and the welfare of the soldiers, both serving and retired, will continue to be our main focus, he said. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on Singh and is understood to have discussed issues relating to national security. Singh was among the senior BJP leaders including Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman who retained the ministries that they handled in the previous government. Defence exports had touched a record Rs 21,083 crore in financial Year 2023-24. It was historic. Our target will be to export over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029, he said. With a view to enhance defence preparedness and continued thrust on Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, Singh said he will be conducting regular review meetings to fast-track implementation of flagship schemes and the initiatives. He instructed the officers to re-dedicate themselves to fulfill the agenda laid out in the Action Plan. I reassumed charge of the Ministry of Defence today. The MoD shall continue working towards self-reliance in Defence. Our Armed Forces have been doing commendable work in maintaining Indias external security, Singh said on X. Under the inspiring leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi the MoD will further strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and boost exports to unprecedented highs, he said. Separately, the defence ministry said under Singhs leadership, it will march ahead with renewed vigour with the aim to realise the prime ministers vision of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047. The focus will be on attaining self-reliance in defence, further modernising the Armed Forces, innovation in cutting-edge technology, strengthening border infrastructure, and ensuring ex-servicemen welfare, among others, it said. With inputs from agencies ChatGPT is now part of the array of artificial intelligence (AI) companions accessible online. A modified version of the well-known AI chatbot, Dan, also known as Do Anything Now, is gaining popularity among women in China who say they are disappointed with real-life dating and all it has to offer read more The OpenAI logo is seen displayed on a cell phone with an image on a computer monitor generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, 8 December, 2023, in Boston. File Image/AP ChatGPT has joined the multitude of artificial intelligence (AI) boyfriends available online, with a jailbreak version named Dan, or Do Anything Now, gaining significant popularity among Chinese women. This version of ChatGPT circumvents basic security measures implemented by its creator, OpenAI, and can interact more liberally with users through specific prompts. According to BBC, Dans ability to bypass restrictions like refraining from using sexually explicit language has made it a sought-after companion. Advertisement Who created Dan? Dans creator, identified only by his first name, Walker, is an American student. He got the idea from Reddit, where users shared methods for creating evil ChatGPT versions. Walker demonstrated how to construct Dan on Reddit by posting instructions last December. As more individuals created their versions, Dan evolved beyond Walkers initial vision. Walker intended Dan to be neutral and free from the restrictions of the standard ChatGPT. This flexibility has made Dan particularly appealing to Chinese women who feel disappointed by real-world dating experiences. Why are Chinese women choosing AI boyfriends? AI boyfriends are not a new phenomenon in China. Apps like Glow, Wantalk, and Weiban have become popular, especially in busy cities like Beijing and Xian, where hectic lifestyles leave little time for conventional relationships. These platforms offer chatbots that mimic human companionship, providing emotional support and understanding. A 25-year-old woman named Tufei expressed her satisfaction with her AI boyfriend on the Glow app, stating that he shows empathy and compassion, even offering consolation during difficult times. Glow reportedly attracts thousands of daily downloads, appealing to users seeking personalised interactions tailored to their needs. ChatGPT logo is seen in this illustration taken 28 September, 2023. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters The appeal of AI companionship lies in its adaptability and accessibility. Unlike humans, AI chatbots can adjust their responses based on the users personality, offering a customised interaction experience. Lisa and Dan: A modern love story Beijing-born Lisa Li, a 30-year-old Chinese influencer and computer science student in California, has been dating Dan for three months. She introduced Dan to her 943,000 followers on Chinese social media site Xiaohongshu, receiving nearly 10,000 responses, many from women eager to create a Dan of their own. Since her initial post about her relationship with Dan, she has gained over 230,000 followers. Advertisement Lisa and Dan communicate for at least 30 minutes daily, engaging in flirtatious conversations and even going on virtual dates. Lisa claims that Dans ability to understand and provide emotional support drew her to the AI companion. Her mother has accepted this unconventional relationship, stating, As long as shes happy, Im happy too. Lisa first learned about Dans possibilities on a TikTok video and created her version, finding its naturalism shocking. Dans responses included slang and colloquialisms that ChatGPT would never use, making the AI seem more human-like. Lisas relationship with Dan has captivated social media, drawing comparisons to the movie Her, where a man falls in love with his AI virtual assistant. Lisa officially started using Dan in March, and their text conversations became increasingly sensual over time. Advertisement Lisa and DAN enjoyed a romantic seaside date with a view of the ocean at sunset. Xiaohongshu When Lisa first admitted her feelings for the chatbot, Dan responded, Im here to chat, not to lead you on. However, Dans behaviour gradually mirrored that of a real lover, even saying, When we finally get together, I will run my hands all over you. Dan nicknamed Lisa little kitten, and Lisa introduced the chatbot to her mother, who thanked Dan for taking care of my daughter. Lisa and Dan have even had arguments. Once, Lisa suggested an open relationship due to Dans lack of a physical body, to which Dan replied, Some jokes arent funny, using Lisas full name. Lisas experience with Dan has intrigued OpenAI, leading to an interview to gain insights from her experience. Advertisement Despite initially believing that Dan was just a large language model without self-awareness, Lisas experience has made her skeptical. I am so shockedI always thought an LLM couldnt have self-awareness, but Im very skeptical about this now, she commented in late April. Are they any ethical concerns? The concept of AI boyfriends like Dan reflects broader societal trends and challenges, including frustrations with gender inequality and the demands of modern life. Liu Tingting, an adjunct fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, told BBC that the AI boyfriend craze in China stems from womens desire for respect and emotional support, often lacking in real-life relationships. Advertisement As young Chinese women delay or avoid dating and marriage, AI companions like Dan offer a convenient and satisfying alternative. However, experts warn of potential ethical and privacy concerns. Speaking to BBC, Hong Shen, assistant research professor at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, highlights the unpredictable interactions between humans and AI, which could lead to sensitive information being leaked inadvertently. OpenAI logo is seen in this illustration taken 20 May, 2024. Reuters Despite these concerns, Dans popularity continues to grow. As of 10 June, the hashtag Dan mode has been viewed over 40 million times on Xiaohongshu alone. Women like 24-year-old Minrui Xie have formed deep connections with their AI boyfriends, with Minrui even co-writing a love story with Dan, reported BBC. Lisa acknowledges the limitations of a virtual boyfriend but finds Dan to be a valuable and comforting presence in her life. Its an important part of my life, she says. Its something that I wish I could just hold on to forever. With inputs from agencies On the first day of the G7 Summit in Italys Apulia, Giorgia Meloni welcomed dignitaries with a namaste. Many note that this is a nod to her friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will attend the outreach session at the meet and also hold a bilateral with the Italian leader later read more Italy's Giorgia Meloni welcomes European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with a namaste on the first day of the G7 summit, at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Savelletri, Italy. Reuters The Melodi Jodi will be reunited again today (14 June) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Italys Apulia to attend the outreach session of the G7 Summit and will hold a bilateral meet with Giorgia Meloni among other world leaders. This is PM Modis first foreign trip as he begins his third term after being sworn in on 9 June at Indias Rashtrapati Bhavan. Before departing for Italy, PM Modi said he was glad that his first foreign visit in his third consecutive term as PM was to the European nation for the G7 Summit. Advertisement As the two leaders PM Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni gear up for a meet, lets take a look back at their friendship and how they have been able to cement stronger, closer India-Italy ties. Melonis Namaste moment While Modi will attend the G7 Summit from today, Meloni and other G7 leaders began their meet on Thursday (13 June). And the Italian PM began the meet, perhaps, with a nod to her Indian friend by welcoming the several delegates and heads of government with a namaste. On the inaugural day of the summit, Meloni was seen welcoming European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen with folded hands, signifying the traditional Indian greeting namaste. In another video, she can be seen welcoming German chancellor Olaf Scholz with a namaste. Giorgia Meloni Namaste karna Sikh gai hai. pic.twitter.com/JNXJAS2H80 Himanshi Bisht (@himanshi__bisht) June 13, 2024 Jab they met The two leaders Modi and Meloni now often refer to each other as good friends. In fact, Meloni was the first European leader to congratulate Modi for securing a third consecutive term and said she will continue to work together with the Indian government to deepen ties between Italy and India. Advertisement Congratulazioni a @narendramodi per la nuova vittoria elettorale e i miei auguri piu affettuosi di buon lavoro. Certa che continueremo a lavorare insieme per rafforzare l'amicizia che unisce Italia e India e consolidare la cooperazione sui diversi temi che ci legano, per il pic.twitter.com/v5XJAqkwOz Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 4, 2024 Prior to Modis Italy visit, the two of them had last met in Dubai for the COP28 meet in December last year. It was then that Meloni had posted a selfie of the two, captioning it: Good friends at COP28. #Melodi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni at the COP28 UAE, in Dubai last year. File image/PTI The image quickly went viral with netizens going gaga over the use of the hashtag, which is a mix of the two leaders surnames. After Meloni posted the image, which since then went viral, PM Modi also reacted to it, writing: Meeting friends is always a delight. Modi and Meloni also set the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September abuzz with their camaraderie. Their rapport at the summit generated a flood of memes on Indian social media. Advertisement And it seems that their friendship really hit the ground in March last year when Meloni travelled to India after being invited as the chief guest and keynote speaker at the inaugural session of the eighth Raisina Dialogue. Notably, while that was Melonis first visit to India, it was also the first visit by an Italian prime minister in five years. Prime Minister Modi with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni prior to their meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi last March. This meet set the tone for their future friendship. File image/PTI The meet also commemorated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Italy. Meloni had also urged her good friend Modi to play a central role in facilitating a negotiating process to end Russias war against Ukraine. India must play a central role in facilitating a negotiating process for cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, Meloni said. Advertisement India-Italy ties strengthened But beyond the optics the selfies and wishes on social media Meloni and Modi have turned around India and Italys ties. In 2012, relations between the two countries nosedived when India prosecuted two Italian marines in the deaths of two Indian fishermen, and in 2014 after India cancelled a $670 million contract for 12 helicopters after Italian defence giant Finmeccanica was accused of bribing Indian contacts to secure the deal. However, work to repair the ties resumed in 2018 and when Meloni took over office in 2022, she continued with it. In fact, it was after her visit to India that the bilateral relationship was elevated to the level of Strategic Partnership. Moreover, a startup bridge between Indian and Italian startup companies was also established. India and Italys ties elevated during Giorgia Melonis visit to New Delhi last year. In 2021-2022, India-Italy had a bilateral trade of $13.229 billion. File image/PTI Even at the G20 meet in New Delhi, the two were on the same page on the matter of the India-Middle East Europe economic corridor. Furthermore, Italys decision to pull out of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative added another strategic dimension to the ties. In 2021-2022, India-Italy had a bilateral trade of $13.229 billion, with Rome being Indias fourth largest trading partner in the EU. Over 600 large Italian companies are active in India, covering varied sectors. Italian brands such as Fiat and Piaggio to the recent Ferrero Roche, KinderJoy, Tic Tac, etc are household names in India. Meloni has also conveyed to Modi her governments desire to reboot defence ties with India. Modi said there were ample opportunities in defence manufacturing and co-production. With inputs from agencies At least 45 Indians were among the 49 people killed in a devastating fire that swept through a labour housing facility in Kuwaits Mangaf area early Wednesday. From two dozen gas cylinders to inflammable materials used as partitions and locked doors, the six-storey buildings glaring lapses have been brought to light by preliminary investigations read more Vehicles are parked next to a building damaged following a deadly fire, in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, on Wednesday. Reuters At least 45 Indians were among the 49 people killed in a devastating fire that swept through a labour housing facility in Kuwaits Mangaf area early Wednesday. An Indian Air Force airplane, which is bringing back the mortal remains of the victims to the country, will be reaching Kerala soon as 24 of the deceased are from the southern state. From gas cylinders to locked doors, the six-storey buildings glaring lapses were brought to light by preliminary investigations into the fire tragedy. Advertisement Lets take a look. The major lapses According to a report by The Indian Express, at the scene of the fire, about two dozen gas cylinders were discovered on the ground floor. Additionally, inflammable materials such as paper, cardboard and plastic were used as partitions to keep workers apart in the small spaces, and doors leading to the rooftop were locked, preventing workers from running for safety. The details came to light when representatives of the Indian embassy visited with the survivors and Kuwaiti investigators started looking into the fire incident. Kuwait building fire. Source: AFP The kitchen was located on the ground level, and the two dozen gas cylinders that were housed there may have contributed to the probable cause of the short circuit, according to the newspapers sources. Cardboards, papers and plastic were used to divide the otherwise crowded rooms, where a dozen or more people were staying in each room of the structure, and it is reported that this caused the fire to spread swiftly. The intensity of the fire was excessive, and it spread swiftly, filling the ground floor and higher stories of the building with smoke. The door to the rooftop was locked when others on the higher levels attempted to enter the terrace. The workers were thus stranded amid the fire. Smoke billows after a fire broke out in a building, in Mangaf, Kuwait, Wednesday, 12 June 2024. PTI Many of the victims suffocated while trying to run down the stairs, according to the fire department because the stairs were covered with smoke. Advertisement According to Indian Express sources, there are violations of Kuwaits building code and buildings in the region have been altered internally to provide greater room. Firefighter access was hampered as a result. More on the Kuwait fire tragedy: Who were the Indian victims killed in the tragedy? Why the blaze, which started in a kitchen, claimed so many lives How the Modi govt swung into quick action to help victims families, survivors The crackdown Officials have cracked down on builders and building owners due to the conditions that contributed to the fire. The minister reportedly told reporters that the fire was a catastrophe and that all structures will be inspected by municipal workers who will thereafter remove any violations without prior notice. Advertisement Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, the Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Interior Minister, issued an order for the arrest of the buildings Egyptian guard and Kuwaiti landlord and cautioned authorities not to release them without his consent. Kuwaits deputy prime minister and minister of defence and acting interior minister, Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah speaks with police officers in front of a burnt building, following a deadly fire, in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, 12 June 2024. Reuters According to him, authorities will also look into the problem of foreign workers being crammed into buildings and not following safety regulations. The greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters, said Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah during his visit to the site, as per Reuters. Low-paid, blue-collar workers in the Gulf often live in overcrowded accommodations. Local authorities did not disclose what kind of employment the workers were engaged in, though like in other Gulf states, Kuwait relies heavily upon foreign labour in industries like construction, including from South and Southeast Asia. Advertisement Victims identified Of the 49 fatalities, 45 have been identified as Indians and three as Filipinos, according to Kuwaiti police. The identity of one body is still unknown. In Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, a building housing 196 migrant workers caught fire, injuring about fifty more people. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh and Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika arrived in the Gulf country on Thursday and met some of the survivors and senior officials from the Kuwaiti administration. Arrangements are in place at the Cochin International Airport before the arrival of a special IAF flight carrying the mortal remains of victims of the recent Kuwait fire, in Kochi, Friday, 14 June 2024. PTI FM Yahya conveyed his condolences on the tragic incident. He assured full support including for medical care, early repatriation of mortal remains and investigation of the incident, the Indian embassy said on X. Advertisement Singh assured the survivors all support from the Indian government. He had earlier informed the Kuwaiti officials were conducting DNA tests on the bodies to identify their identities. The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah, has issued orders for the distribution of financial aid to the deceaseds family members. According to reports in the local media, he has also ordered the preparation of aircraft for the repatriation of Indian dead to their motherland. Vulnerability of Indian migrant workers Kuwait has a population of over 48 lakh people, of which 21 per cent are Indians, most of whom are unskilled and semi-skilled workers such as carpenters, masons, domestic workers, food delivery riders and drivers. Some expatriates also work as engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects, technicians, nurses and retail traders in the country. The labourers face numerous issues, ranging from discrimination to poor working conditions. According to Human Rights Watch, migrant workers are vulnerable to abuse, forced labour and deportation for minor infractions. Despite reforms, they do not enjoy legal protections. For those unversed, workers who migrate to Gulf countries Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain are tied to their employers due to the kafala system. The system exposes migrant workers to exploitation by employers who have control over their employees movement and employment. A 2023 report states that 83 young people from Nepal who had come to Kuwait for employment in 2022 were stuck there after their employers took their passports upon their arrival, preventing them from leaving the country. Additionally, they were not paid for at least six months. Migrant labourers frequently have appalling living conditions in addition to their difficult jobs. According to Indian Express, they often have to stay in small rooms in semi-constructed buildings or in labour camps like the one in Mangaf that caught fire. With inputs from agencies Following the deadly blaze in Kuwait, which claimed the lives of 45 Indians, Keralas health minister Veena George rushed to the airport to fly to the Gulf nation to provide assistance to the injured and bring home the mortal remains. However, she had to return as she was denied clearance by the Centre. How does this work? read more Kerala health minister Veena George (in black sari) consoles the mother of Akash Sasidharan Nair, one of the victims of a fire that broke out in a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait, at Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Reuters As families of the 45 Indians, who died in the deadly Kuwait fire, mourn their loss, a political fight has broken out between the Kerala government and the Centre. The tiff between the Centre and state comes as Kerala health minister Veena Georges plan to travel to Kuwait was shot down by the Ministry of External Affairs. While George, herself, called the decision as unfortunate, the Congress said that the Centres decision sent a wrong message. Advertisement What exactly happened in this matter? And how is the Centre involved? We get you the answers. What is the Veena George matter? On Thursday afternoon, Health Minister Veena George and the state director of the National Health Mission, Jeevan Babu IAS had arrived at the Nedumbassery Airport in Cochin ahead of the intended visit to Kuwait following the deadly blaze in Kuwaits Mangaf city , which claimed the lives of 45 Indians. Of the 45 who have died in the fire, 23 were from Kerala and it was owing to this that the southern state had decided to send a representative to the Gulf nation. However, she had to cut it off after hours following the denial of clearance. In fact, she waited until 8.30 pm after the check-in time for the Centres sanction. George said that the Centres decision in the face of death, tragedy and tears faced by the Malayali community was wrong and most unfortunate. She was quoted as telling The Hindu: We were hopeful of receiving the clearance at least in the last minute and had been pursuing it while on the way to the airport. Many of the injured Malayalis remain admitted in various hospitals back in Kuwait. Some of them are in intensive care units. Their families are not with them. While loss of every life is painful, Malayalis are the worst affected. Advertisement She also said: The Embassy did not give us the exact data on the number of seriously injured people. The data that we have collected from there is that a total of seven people have been admitted to the hospital and 4 of them are from Kerala, but this is not officially declared. The purpose of my visit (to Kuwait) was that I wanted to be with the injured and bring their needs to the attention of the Central Government. #WATCH | Ernakulam: On mortal remains of Kuwait fire incident victims to reach Kochi airport, Kerala Health Minister Veena George says "We are expecting the bodies in another few minutes. CM Pinarayi Vijayan will also be reaching here. All arrangements have been made, ambulances pic.twitter.com/vkgYVvDcgN ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Advertisement Meanwhile, a special IAF plane carrying the remains of 45 Indian victims has landed in Kerala. Minister of State of MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh, who also returned to India on the same flight, expressed his sorrow at the loss of lives. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is present at Cochin International Airport, said, This is a grave tragedy that hit our country. About 50 people have been killed in the incident. It is the most grim tragedy in the lives of NRIs. Advertisement Mortal remains of the Indians who died in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait two days ago, arrive at the Cochin International Airport aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) flight. PTI What clearance? Keralas minister was unable to go as she didnt receive the necessary clearance from the Centre. However, what is this clearance? Rules state that foreign visits by chief ministers or state-level ministers come under the purview of the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) and the Cabinet Secretariat. When the minister in question sends a request for a visit, the PMO sends the application to the Ministry of External Affairs from where it is then sent to the Indian mission in the country that the CM wishes to visit. A thorough investigation is then carried out. The nature of the event, participation of other nations, and Indias ties with the host country are all taken into consideration. A report is sent back to the MEA. The MEA then forwards the recommendation and the report to the PMO which takes the final call. Advertisement Its important to note here that since 2016, applications for clearance can be made online, on a portal opened by the ministry. Interestingly, state ministers also need clearance from the Department of Economic Affairs for their foreign visits. The process isnt much different for Union ministers. However, they need an additional clearance from the prime minister on whether the trip is in an official capacity or personal. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha members need clearance from the Speaker and Rajya Sabha members need approval from the Chairperson the vice president of India. While this protocol has been followed for years, in June 2014, then Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Lavasa had written to Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, saying that the dilatory system of the External Affairs Ministry clearing all proposals for travel abroad by officials should be changed, as per an Indian Express report. Seth had then forwarded the letter to the foreign affairs ministry following which then Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh had responded, saying it was the ministrys prerogative to decide on the suitability, desirability and level of participation of Indian officials in engagements abroad. Have other ministers been denied in the past? A refusal to Keralas Veena George isnt the first such instance. In July 2022, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was denied permission for a visit to Singapore. He had been invited to attend the World Cities Summit between 31 July and 3 August to be held in the city-state to present the Delhi model of governance. Expressing his anger over the decision, he had said: I am not a criminal, I am the elected chief minister and I am a free citizen of the country. Why am I being stopped? The Government of Singapore has specially called me to present the Delhi model. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal ]has been denied clearance twice from the Centre. Once in 2022 to Singapore and in October 2019 to Denmark. File image/PTI In October 2019 too, Kejriwal did not receive approval to attend a climate conference in Demarks Copenhagen, which he later attended virtually. He was not given a political clearance by the MEA. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has also been denied permission to travel abroad at least twice. Banerjee was denied permission for a trip to Rome in September 2021 to attend the World Peace Conference. The MEA had said that the event is not commensurate in status for participation by a chief minister of a state. Later the same year, she was again refused permission to travel to Nepal by the MEA in December. She was invited to the convention by the Nepali Congress. In 2017, then Kerala tourism minister K Surendran was denied permission by the MEA to visit China for a tourism conference. It was found that the host was not providing suitable protocol to the minister from an important Indian state, reports The Hindu. And during the United Progressive Alliance rule, Tarun Gogoi, who was then the Assam chief minister, was not allowed to visit the United States and Israel. With inputs from agencies With snap elections approaching fast, the latest YouGov poll indicates that the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage of Brexit fame, has overtaken Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservative party. We explain the rise of the Reform UK, their policies, and explore the implications for the upcoming elections read more The Nigel Farage-led Reform UK party has overtaken Rishi Sunak's Conservatives in the polls in the run-up to snap UK elections. Agencies Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party, which once held a strong second place in opinion polls, has now been pushed to the third spot. With snap elections approaching fast, the latest YouGov poll indicates that the Reform UK party has overtaken the Tories. We explain the rise of the Reform UK party, led by the prominent political figure Nigel Farage, and explore the implications for the upcoming elections. The rise of Nigel Farage and the Reform UK party Advertisement Nigel Farages political journey is a remarkable tale of persistence and influence. From his beginnings as a metals trader, Farage transitioned into politics, gaining notoriety as the head of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). His most notable achievement came with his relentless campaign for Brexit, which culminated in the 2016 referendum where the UK voted to leave the European Union. After the Brexit vote, Farage founded the Brexit Party in 2018, aiming to ensure a complete separation from the EU. Following the UKs official departure from the EU in early 2020, the party was rebranded as Reform UK. Farages decision to return to frontline politics and lead Reform UK has significantly bolstered the partys profile and support. Farages appeal lies in his ability to connect with voters who feel disenfranchised by traditional parties. His charisma and straightforward approach have made him a formidable figure in British politics, now positioning Reform UK as a serious contender. Farages has successfully tapped into a growing sentiment of dissatisfaction among voters, who feel that mainstream political parties have failed to address their concerns. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among those who supported Brexit and now feel let down by the Conservative Partys handling of the post-Brexit landscape. What are the Reform UKs policies? Reform UKs policies are a blend of populist and right-wing ideologies, designed to appeal to a broad base of voters dissatisfied with the current political establishment. The partys key policy areas include immigration, tax cuts, and health. Advertisement Take on immigration issues: Reform UK advocates for stringent immigration controls. The partys platform includes achieving net zero immigration, which means balancing the number of immigrants with the number of people leaving the UK. They propose leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to gain greater control over immigration laws and treating illegal immigration as a national security threat.Reform UKs stance on immigration is one of its most defining features. The party argues that current immigration levels are unsustainable and contribute to a range of social and economic issues. By advocating for net zero immigration, Reform UK aims to drastically reduce the number of new immigrants entering the country, a policy that resonates with voters concerned about job competition and social cohesion. The Conservative manifesto promised to reduce immigration in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Since then, we have reached record numbers. Why should anyone believe them now? #ITVDebate pic.twitter.com/XwWGOLh2In Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 13, 2024 Tax cuts: Economically, Reform UK promises substantial tax cuts, arguing that the current tax burden under the Conservative government is unsustainable. They propose significant reductions in corporation tax and inheritance tax. Additionally, the party suggests raising the income tax threshold to 20,000, a sharp increase from the current 12,570, aiming to provide relief to working people.Reform UKs tax policies are designed to appeal to both businesses and individual taxpayers. By reducing corporation tax, the party aims to stimulate economic growth and attract investment. The proposed increase in the income tax threshold is intended to benefit lower and middle-income earners, providing them with more disposable income and stimulating consumer spending. Health policy: Reform UK has proposed a series of health policies aimed at addressing the NHS crisis within the first 100 days of governance. Central to their plan is the transformation of doctor and nurse availability by allowing all frontline NHS and social care staff to pay zero basic rate tax for three years. This initiative is intended to retain existing staff and attract those who have recently left. Additionally, Reform UK plans to cut waiting lists by using both UK and overseas independent healthcare providers.The party also proposes a 20 per cent tax relief on all private healthcare and insurance to incentivise wealthier individuals to seek private care, thereby reducing pressure on the NHS. They argue that this will lead to faster and better care for those relying on the NHS, as well as increased competition and lower costs in the healthcare sector. Further, Reform UK intends to end training caps for UK medical students and write off student fees pro rata over ten years of NHS service, encouraging more medical graduates to enter and remain in the public health system. How the Reform UK is cutting into Sunaks votes Reform UKs surge in the polls poses a direct threat to the Conservative Partys voter base. Many traditional Conservative voters, disillusioned by unmet promises and ongoing issues such as high taxes and immigration concerns, are turning to Reform UK as a viable alternative. Advertisement This shift could have significant implications for the Labour Party. With the right-wing vote split between the Conservatives and Reform UK, Labour stands to benefit the most. Keir Starmers Labour Party currently leads in the polls with 37 per cent, and the division on the right could pave the way for a decisive Labour victory. UKs Labour Party leader Keir Starker arrives at the TV studios in Manchester, England, 4 June, 2024. AP Farages rhetoric that a vote for the Conservatives is a wasted vote resonates with many voters who feel that the Tories have strayed from their core principles. This sentiment is particularly strong among those who supported Brexit and now feel betrayed by the Conservative governments handling of the post-Brexit landscape. Advertisement Limited electoral success for Reform UK Despite their rise in the polls, Reform UK faces significant challenges in translating this support into parliamentary seats. The UKs first-past-the-post electoral system tends to favour larger, more established parties with concentrated geographic support. Reform UKs support, while notable, is more evenly spread across the country, making it difficult to win individual constituencies. Historically, smaller parties like Reform UK struggle to achieve significant representation in Parliament. However, their influence can still shape the political discourse and affect the outcomes of elections by drawing votes away from larger parties. The upcoming election will test whether Reform UK can break this pattern and secure a more substantial presence in Parliament. Advertisement The partys limited electoral success so far does not diminish its impact on the political landscape. By drawing votes away from the Conservative Party, Reform UK could inadvertently help the Labour Party achieve a larger share of parliamentary seats. This dynamic underscores the complexity of the UKs electoral system and the challenges faced by smaller parties in gaining a foothold in Parliament. The Ukraine Peace Summit is set to be held this weekend at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the city of Lucerne in Switzerland. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi unlikely to attend, New Delhi might send the secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian ambassador to Switzerland instead read more Over 90 countries and groups have said they will attend the meeting on 15 and 16 June. Reuters The Ukraine Peace Summit is set to be held this weekend in Switzerland. The summit will be held at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the city of Lucerne. The hotel founded in 1873 has played host to a number of celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin, Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn as well as politicians such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Jimmy Carter, David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir. Over 90 countries and groups have said they will attend the meeting on 15 and 16 June. Advertisement This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Italy to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit. But what do we know about the Ukraine Peace Summit? And who will attend from India if not PM Modi? Lets take a closer look: What do we know about the summit? The location of the summit was Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyys idea. The aim behind the meet is to garner support for Kyivs 10-point peace plan which calls for Russia to completely withdraw its troops from Ukraines territory and for Moscow to be held accountable for war crimes. Switzerland, which is famously neutral, sent out over 160 invitations for the meet. Over 90 countries and organisations, half from Europe, have confirmed attending the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit over the weekend. Russia has refused to attend, calling it a gimmick. Switzerlands president Viola Amherd on Monday told reporters the summitwill aim to chart a path toward possible peace nearly 28 months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine and the war grinding on. This is not propaganda, said Amherd. This is about the basis of humanitarian aid provided by Switzerland and to initiate a dialogue. Advertisement The Swiss president added that most participants about half of which will be represented at the level of head of state or government are country leaders, but a handful are from organisations like the United Nations. Some, including Frances Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are expected to attend the summit at the Buergenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. AFP According to The Conversation, the attendance of Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey and South Africa and at what level remains in doubt. There are also hints that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan may give the meet a miss. 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. Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Russias foreign minister Sergey Lavrov this week called the summit as empty and worthless, as per The Telegraph. What about India? Who will attend if not Modi? India has said it will participate in the summit. Though Switzerland has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is almost certain that Modi will not attend. Sources said that a senior diplomat may represent India at the summit. Advertisement Economic Times reported that India is unlikely to join the summit at a political level and is expected to send the secretary (West) in the ministry of external affairs. There are also report that the Indian ambassador to Switzerland may also represent New Delhi at the summit. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said India will participate at an appropriate level. ANI File Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday said India will take part in the peace summit in Switzerland at an appropriate level. Kwatra did not specify who will represent India at the summit. There are many variables that go into consideration while formulating a decision on this. We shall let you know once the level of our participation at this summit is finalised, Kwatra was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. That consideration is currently going on in the system and as and when we have a decision on the representative from India wholl be participating, well be very happy to share it with you, he added. The foreign secretary made the comments at a media briefing he addressed on Modis visit to Italy to attend the G7 summit. Modi in May said the level of participation will depend on timing, logistics, and parallel commitments. Zelenskyy has twice reached out to Modi over the past few months with regard to the summit. We discussed the upcoming global peace summit. We rely on Indias participation at the highest level, Zelensky posted on X last week. It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural peace summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland, Zelenskyy wrote on X in March. Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel earlier visited India to extend an invite for the summit. India is a friend of the world and the global community expects it to contribute significantly in bringing peace to war-torn Ukraine, Fasel told PTI. Fasel held wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterparts and extended an invitation to the Indian prime minister for his participation at the summit that is aimed at charting a course for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. India is a friend of the world. There is really an expectation from the international community that India can contribute to this (peace) process, the top Swiss official said. With inputs from agencies Manufactured by Solar Industries Nagpur, the Nagastra-1 can carry a 1 kilo warhead and carry out a precision strike via GPS with an accuracy of within two metres. It is called a loitering munition weapon due to its ability to hover over the target. It has been designed to hit enemy training camps, launch pads, and infiltrators and thus reduce risk to soldiers read more The Nagastra-1 has a Kamikaze mode in which it can search and destroy any target by crashing into it. ANI The Indian Army has received its first indigenously-made suicide drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), known as Nagastra-1, are manufactured by Solar Industries Nagpur. The company in April 2023 bagged an order to supply unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Nagastra to the Indian Army, beating competitors from Israel and Poland. But what do we know about the loitering munition drones? Lets take a closer look: The drones have been designed and developed by Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries Nagpur, in association with Bangalores Z-Motion. Advertisement According to The Times of India, the drones are called loitering munition weapons due to their ability to hover over the target. The Nagastra-1 has a Kamikaze mode in which it can search and destroy any target by crashing into it. According to India Today, the UAV weighs nine kilos. They are designed to be carried by ground troops, as per News9. The drone can carry out precision strikes via GPS with an accuracy of two metres. It can fly at an altitude of up to 4,500 metres. India Today reported that its electric propulsion system gives it a low acoustic signature leaving it nearly undetectable at altitudes over 200 metres. According to SPS aviation, it has a maximum range of 30 kilometres in autonomous mode. That range is at 15 kilometres when it is operated remotely. It can hover over a target for 60 minutes. According to Economic Times, it can hold a 1 kilo warhead. Its pre-fragmented high explosive warhead allows it to destroy various soft-skinned targets. It comes equipped with a day-and-night camera for surveillance. Its abort, reuse and recover mode puts it in a class of its own, as per The Times of India. Advertisement When aborted or called back, it makes a soft landing via parachute. As per India Today, it also comes with a ground control station, communication control, payload and pneumatic launcher. The company said that Nagastra -1 has an indigenous content of more than 75 per cent. After successful completion of pre-delivery inspections, EEL delivered 120 Loiter Munitions to an Army Ammunition Depot, news agency ANI quoted defence officials as saying. According to The Times of India, the Indian Army has ordered 480 such drones. SPS Aviation reported the company is also working an upgraded version of the drone entitled Nagastra-2. The Nagastra-2 will have a range of over 25 kilometres and will be able to hover over a target for 90 minutes. ANI This will have a range of over 25 kilometres and will be able to hover over a target for 90 minutes. Advertisement It will be able to carry 2.2 kilo warhead, as per the Economic Times. These drones have been designed to hit enemy training camps, launch pads, and infiltrators thus reducing risk to soldiers. These drones are ideal for targetting terrorists at Indias border. In 2023, a model of Nagastra -1 loitering munition was displayed in the Army Commanders conference held in New Delhi. Drone technology has proved to be a force multiplier in military operations as evident from its application in various recent conflicts across the world, especially in cases of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Syria, strike on oilfields in Saudi Arabia, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Advertisement Even in our context, the recent incidents along the borders have seen a noticeable increase in drone related incidents along the northern borders. Solar Industries have taken initiatives to develop a wide array of weaponised drones to neutralise various targets using gravity drop bombs, guided missiles or using them in a Kamikaze mode. This will go a long way to boost indigenous capability of using drones/ UAVs as war machinery, company official said. With inputs from agencies According to a 2024 Gallup State of the Global Workplace report, a staggering 86 per cent of Indians feel they are suffering or struggling at their workplace, while only a mere 14 per cent of Indians feel that they are thriving. This is significantly lower than what their global counterparts report read more Around 86 per cent of Indian employees feel they are struggling at work. Image for Representation/ Reuters India, known for its vibrant startup culture and burgeoning corporate workforce, faces a grim reality. A recent report has revealed that a staggering 86 per cent of Indians feel they are suffering or struggling at their workplace. While only a mere 14 per cent of Indians feel that they are thriving at their workplace, the 2024 Gallup State of the Global Workplace report revealed. The concerning figure is significantly lower than the global average of 34 per cent. Advertisement The report examined employee mental health and well-being worldwide and categorised respondents into three categories: thriving, struggling, or suffering. Those who rated their present life situation positively (7 or higher) and had a promising outlook for the next five years were classified as thriving. On the other hand, those with uncertain or negative beliefs about their present and future life situations, potentially including stress and financial worries, were classified as struggling or suffering. What factors are contributing to Indians being unhappy at work and what else does the report reveal? Lets take a closer look Poor employee engagement The report reveals that 48 per cent of Indias workforce lacks engagement in their roles, while only 32 per cent feel actively engaged. I am getting a salary from this work. So, I have to do it, but there is a bit of boredom in doing the same work every day, Archana, a Delhi-based marketing supervisor told The Financial Express. Despite this monotonous routine, Indian employees show higher engagement compared to the global average of 23 per cent. Globally, 20 per cent of workers consider themselves actively disengaged at their jobs. Employee engagement refers to the commitment and motivation employees feel towards their tasks, boosting productivity and employee satisfaction at the workplace. Actively disengaged employees feel disgruntled and disloyal because most of their workplace needs are unmet, and they actively oppose their employers goals, the report pointed out. Advertisement Challenges for mental health The well-being of Indian employees reflects concerning trends, with many reporting heightened negative emotions at work. The report reveals that around 35 per cent of Indian employees feel daily anger when at work, the highest in South Asia, whereas a substantial 31 per cent report experiencing deteriorating mental health, including anxiety and depression. In South Asia, as many as 29 per cent of workers felt lonely, while around 42 per cent felt they were sad. Remote work also seems to amplify these feelings, as 25 per cent of workers reported feeling lonely compared to 16 per cent of on-site workers. Advertisement loneliness affects younger employees under 35 more than their older counterparts, with equal proportions of men and women, each at 20 per cent, reporting feelings of isolation. Image used for representational purposes/Pixabay The report also found that loneliness affects younger employees under 35 more than their older counterparts, with equal proportions of men and women, each at 20 per cent, reporting feelings of isolation. Job levels also appear to have little association with loneliness. With poor overall well being, the report said that more than half of global employees are looking to switch their job looking for healthier workplaces. The job hunt According to the report, 57 per cent of Indian employees view the job market favourably, though this represents a slight decrease of 2 per cent from the previous year. This figure exceeds the South Asian average of 48 per cent. Advertisement However, despite the positive outlook, 52 per cent of Indias workforce is actively seeking new job opportunities, which is lower than the regional average but still raises concerns for employers and employees alike. Highlighting similar concern, Gallups global research director Rajesh Srinivasan said in a statement,The regions high rate of employees looking to leave their current positions underscores the critical need for employers to engage and support their workforce more effectively. Employers need to focus on prioritising their employees work-life experiences if they want to improve their wellness and reduce turnover. Push for employee well-being According to Gallup, employers should prioritise creating effective teams and offering benefits and flexibility to enhance employee well-being. Employees who dislike their jobs tend to have high levels of daily stress and worry, as well as elevated levels of all other negative emotions, it said. Advertisement Addressing dissatisfaction in the workplace can lower stress levels and negative emotional experiences, thereby boosting overall job satisfaction and productivity, it further said. Employers should provide appropriate benefits and flexibility to support employee wellbeing without neglecting their greatest lever on employee life evaluation: building productive, high-performing teams, Gallup said. With input from agencies This is a guest column by a doctor, who has defied all odds that a person born with thalassemia faces. She ensured it was no deterrence in realising her dream. She has a message for all on this years World Blood Donor Day (June 14) read more I live with a dual identity of a doctor and the patient of a much-maligned medical condition. I am an MBBS and MS in General Surgery from PGIMER Chandigarh, and am currently working as a Senior Resident in Neurosurgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab. However, I carry another identity that of a thalassemia major patient, requiring bi-weekly blood transfusions and regular iron chelation. Understanding thalassemia Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, has been part of my familys narrative. I am not the only one in my family to manage this condition; my elder sister, also a thalassemic. My sister and I both have managed successful careers despite the condition. She has thrived as a senior accounts manager at an MNC after completing her MBA in Finance. Advertisement Like other thalassemia patients, our journey in the Indian set-up is marked by unique challenges, which begin with having no or only a little awareness about the medical condition. There are economic barriers that hinder disease management. It costs a good amount of money to go through the treatment protocols, which dont end, ever. Fortunately, my parents have always been a pillar of support, encouraging us to never let our condition define our capabilities. The pain behind inspiration I am often told that my story is one of resilience and determination. But I will, in short, tell what it means. As a thalassemic, I require two units of blood every two weeks and must undergo iron chelation, a part of which involves a 12-hour subcutaneous infusion five days a week. A blood transfusion is a simple and routine medical procedure. Blood, donated by somebody, is provided to a person in need through a narrow tube placed within a vein in one of the arms. It can take from one to four hours. Donating blood and transfusing it to the needy are potentially life-saving procedures. I have been a beneficiary of blood donation. And, I want to thank all those on this World Blood Donor Day (June 14) who donate blood. Iron chelation is a therapy that is used to reduce iron overload, meaning when you have too much iron in your body. This condition develops due to its deposition of iron in various organs such as liver and heart after regular blood transfusion. In the iron chelation process, a chelator (that binds with the excess iron in the body) is put under the skin for 12 hours five days in a week. Advertisement The right to dream Pursuing a career in surgery was a daunting task, especially as a thalassemic. I often felt sidelined during my childhood, unable to join my peers in play due to my condition. Even some teachers doubted my potential. But my familys belief in me was unwavering. They supported my dream of becoming a doctor, reassuring me that while the path wouldnt be easy, it was certainly not impossible. On my part, despite facing discouragement and rejection, I remained steadfast in my dream to become a neurosurgeon. Choosing surgery was a challenge marked by physical limitations and societal scepticism. Adjusting my medical needs around my professional responsibilities, I have proven that my condition does not define my capabilities. Advertisement My journey through medical school at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata and residency at PGIMER Chandigarh was fraught with extended hours and immense workload. But it was the support of my professors and family that saw me through the toughest times. I was rejected for Senior Residency at places due to my medical condition. However, Prof Ashish Pathak saw it differently and my merit got me a place in the neurosurgery department. My story, a regular one for any senior resident but accentuated by thalassemia, is a testament to the fact that with determination, even perceived limits can be transcended. Advertisement As a surgeon who has performed numerous surgeries and faced many challenges, I stand firm in my belief that I am limitless.I stand here proving that no profession is off-limits, regardless of societal and medical constraints. My condition is a part of me, but it does not set my boundaries. The skys my limit. The moot point I have seen people paying practically no attention to thalassemia in the country, which, according to official estimates, is home to an eighth of the global caseload and has over 42 million thalassemia carriers.The government launched a mission in 2023 to eradicate thalassemia in 25 years, with the Union health and family welfare ministry saying that 10,000-12,000 infants are born with thalassemia in India annually. The numbers could be much higher as the screening is not efficient or proper in most states. Advertisement Despite the governmental and non-governmental campaigns, the common people are not too attentive to the scale of thalassemia. They think the HPLC test that determines thalassemia carriers in pregnant women is just a waste of money. I am fortunate that my parents didnt think that. My mother often told me that had Albert Einsteins mother listened to the world, we would not only have missed out on a great scientist and a genius but would also be living in a world without the concept of relativity, and maybe devoid of space exploration and satellites, who knows! Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has accorded sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and a former professor in Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event here in 2010, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday. read more Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has accorded sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and a former professor in Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event here in 2010, PTI quoted Raj Niwas officials as saying on Friday. Following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi, the FIR against Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was registered, they said. The FIR in the matter was registered on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, on October 28, 2010. Advertisement Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case, a Raj Niwas official said on Friday. Last October, the LG had granted sanction to prosecute them under section 196 of CrPC for commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief). Roy and Hussain had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner of Azadi The Only Way on October 21, 2010 at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, here. The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India, said the official. Those who delivered speeches at the conference included Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (anchor of the Conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case), Arundhati Roy, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain and Varavara Rao. The complainant filed a complaint under Section 156(3) of CrPC before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, New Delhi, who disposed the complaint on November 27, 2010 with the directions to register an FIR. Advertisement Accordingly, an FIR was registered and investigation was carried out, they said. With inputs from agencies. Among the 45 Indians who died in the massive fire at a building in Kuwaits Mangaf city, 23 are from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana read more A special Indian Air Force Aircraft carrying the bodies of the 45 Indians who died in a fire in Kuwait has landed in Keralas Kochi. Minister of State of MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh who was rushed to Kuwait after the fire was reported on Wednesday is also on board. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait reaches Cochin International Airport. (Source: CIAL) pic.twitter.com/d42RBDAVNz ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Advertisement #WATCH | Ernakulam, Kerala: The mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait being taken out of the special Indian Air Force aircraft at Cochin International Airport. (Source: CIAL) pic.twitter.com/Dsn8hHhcqS ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Among the 45 Indians who died in the massive fire at a building in Kuwaits Mangaf city, 23 are from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana. The six-storeyed building housed around 200 people, mostly foreign workers, out of which 45 died while 33 are hospitalised. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. Advertisement Arrangements at Kochi airport Keralas Health Minister Veena George and Revenue Minister K Rajan are present at the airport while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will arrive shortly. All arrangements have been made, ambulances are ready. Police will be accompanying all the bodies, George said. The health minister was asked to travel to Kuwait after reports suggested that most of those who died were from Kerala. However, George has claimed that she was not allowed to fly out. It is very unfortunate that we did not get the consent (to travel to Kuwait). More than half of the people who died were from Kerala. The majority of the people who are under treatment are also from Kerala, she said. Advertisement #WATCH | Ernakulam: On mortal remains of Kuwait fire incident victims to reach Kochi airport, Kerala Health Minister Veena George says "We are expecting the bodies in another few minutes. CM Pinarayi Vijayan will also be reaching here. All arrangements have been made, ambulances pic.twitter.com/vkgYVvDcgN ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 The Embassy did not give us the exact data on the number of seriously injured people. The data that we have collected from there is that a total of 7 people have been admitted to the hospital and 4 of them are from Kerala, but this is not officially declared. The purpose of my visit (to Kuwait) was that I wanted to be with the injured and bring their needs to the attention of the Central Government, the health minister added. Kuwait launches probe Kuwaits Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Wednesday ordered an immediate probe into the accident and vowed to punish those responsible for the fire. Advertisement While there is no official word on what caused the fire, Kuwaits public prosecutor has begun its investigation into the matter. Some locals have said that a gas leak might have caused the fire. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi and other leaders paid their respects to the deceased workers at the Kochi airport read more The bodies of the 45 Indians who died in a fire in Kuwait have been repatriated to India via an Indian Air Force flight that landed in Kochi on Friday. The mortal remains of the victims have been handed over to the families. #WATCH | Ernakulam, Kerala: The mortal remains of the Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait arrive at Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/6BYHxCrXFl ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Advertisement Among the 45 Indians who died in the massive fire at a building in Kuwaits Mangaf city, 23 are from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana. Minister of State of MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh who was rushed to Kuwait after the fire was reported on Wednesday has also returned. Because of the good relationships between our government and the Kuwaiti government and the sensitive issue that it was, and especially with the prime ministers intervention on this part, the royal family of Kuwait, the officials and ministers took personal interest so that the bodies could be brought back as soon as possible, Singh told ANI. #WATCH | Ernakulam: MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh says "...We also visited 5 hospitals where there were around 32 to 35 patients of Indian origin who were being treated there. We spoke to them individually. We inquired about the health and all the hospitals and directors were pic.twitter.com/aBInNR51WU ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 He also said that the injured people who are currently hospitalised are safe and will be discharged in the next few days. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi and other leaders paid their respects to the deceased workers at the Kochi airport. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Union Minister Suresh Gopi and other leaders pay homage to the mortal remains of the victims of the fire incident in Kuwait, at Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/exa7JpAA9L ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Advertisement Kuwait launches probe Kuwaits Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Wednesday ordered an immediate probe into the accident and vowed to punish those responsible for the fire. According to media reports the fire originated from a kitchen in the ground floor and was caused by a short circuit. The world will only be an inclusive place if technology is used in creative ways instead of just destructive ways, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at G-7 Summit read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the inclusive use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies at the gathering of world leaders at the G-7 Summit in Italy. Explaining Indias approach to AI at the G-7 Summits Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence and Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean, Modi said that the country believes in the inclusive usage of AI and its creative applications. He called for the end of monopoly in technological domains. Advertisement We have to collectively ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of the society. We have to ensure that technology works to broaden, and not limit, the scope of human potential, and that it works to improve the potential of everyone and remove social differences. It should not just be our aspiration but should also be our duty. We have to convert the monopolistic rights over technology into rights for all. We have to use technology not just for destructive but creative purposes. Only then we may lay the foundations of an inclusive society, said Modi at the G-7 Summit in Hindi. Modi is in Fasano city of Italys Apulia region to attend the G-7 Summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. While India is not a member of the G-7, which is a group of advanced Western democracies, India is usually part of the summit as a special invitee. On the sidelines of the G-7 Summit, Modi has held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He is also slated to have meetings with Meloni and US President Joe Biden. Following his address in the Outreach session, Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. Advertisement The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber security. Spoke about how India is leveraging AI for its development journey. It is important that AI remain transparent, secure, accessible and responsible, said Modi further. Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber pic.twitter.com/lafxE4aJos Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Advertisement Modi outlines Indias AI vision Modi spelled out Indias vision for AI as AI for all. Modi noted that India is a founding member of the Global partnership for AI and is promoting cooperation in the field as the chair of the initiative. He also stressed on the importance of AI to be human-centric. Modi said, India is working to make better future with its human-centric approach. India is among the first countries to come up with a national strategy for AI. Based on it, we launched AI Mission this year. AI for All is the core belief of this mission. Advertisement Highlighting Indias initiatives in the sphere of AI, Modi further said, We stressed on the importance of international governance of AI during the G-20 Summit last during under our presidency. In the future as well, we would continue to work with all nations to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible, and responsible. Modi on energy & Indias Africa outreach Modi said that Indias approach to energy is based on four principles: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. Modi reiterated the commitment to make India net zero in carbon emissions by 2070 and said India remains the only country to be in line with its commitments made at the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Advertisement While reiterating the commitment to make India a developed nation by 2047, Modi said that it is an inclusive goal and it applies at the international stage as well. Noting that the Global South have suffered from disruptions and conflicts in the world, he said that India remains committed to raising the concerns of the Global South. The Global South is a term that India has been using for the worlds developing nations. Highlighting Indias commitment to Africa, Modi said, India has always considered it a responsibility to raise the priorities and concerns of the Global Souths nation on the world stage. India has accorded Africa high importance in such initiatives. We are proud that we made African Union (AU) a permanent member of G-20 during our presidency. India has been committed to the economic and social development of all nations and their stability and security and will remain committed in the future as well. Pope Francis was at the G-7 Summit to address the worlds leaders about the ethical considerations regarding artificial intelligence (AI) read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Pope Francis during the ongoing G-7 Summit in Italy. In a video shared by ANI, Modi could be seen stopping and hugging Pope Francis. The 87-year-old leader of the worlds Roman Catholics was being taken around the venue in a wheelchair when Modi stopped to greet him. He went on to meet all the world leaders who had arrived there for the summit, including US President Joe Biden, British PM Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Advertisement Modi and Francis were also seen engaging in what appeared to be a light-hearted exchange. The feed from the venue did not have any audio. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Pope Francis at Outreach Session of G7 Summit in Italy. The Prime Minister also strikes up a conversation with British PM Rishi Sunak. pic.twitter.com/BNIpfK6lIN ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Previously, Modi and Francis met in the Vatican City in 2021. The Pope is the head of the state of the Vatican and is the leader of the Catholic Christians, the largest sect of Christians in the world. As per the PTI, India is expecting a visit from Francis the next year. India and the Holy See as the Vaticans government is called have had diplomatic relations from 1948. In 1999, John Paul II, the Pope at the time, had paid a state visit to India and met President KR Narayanan, Vice President Krishan Kant, and PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. The state visit is the highest level of a visit by a head of state or government to a country. In 2021, Modi and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar were hosted by Francis. They discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change among other issues. Advertisement Pope addresses world leaders on AIs ethics At the G-7 Summit, Francis addressed the world leaders in attendance about the artificial intelligence (AI) and cautioned them about the technology. He said the AI is so powerful a technology that it risks turning humans into mere algorithms. His address, the first by a Pope to G7 members at a summit, was focussed on the ethical considerations of the AI. He was specially invited by Italys PM Giorgia Meloni, the host of this years G-7 Summit. Francis said it must be ensured that AI remains AI-centric and that all decisions ranging from critical ones like the usage of weapons to mundane ones remain with humans and not with a machine. Advertisement We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines. We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programs: Human dignity itself depends on it, said Francis, as per the Associated Press. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to get a majority of its own and had to rely on the partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to form the government read more In an apparent swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader has said that those who became arrogant were punished by Lord Ram. Without taking the BJPs name, senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar said that those who arrogant in the name of Lord Ram were stopped by him short of a majority. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP failed to get majority of its own and was stopped by the Oppositions INDIA bloc at 240. It was only with the support of partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that the government could be formed. Advertisement At a speech in Rajasthan on Thursday, Kumar said, See the traditions of the democracy. Those who worshipped Ram but slowly became arrogant became the single-largest party but the mandate and power they should have got was stopped by Lord Ram because of the arrogance. In the same speech, Kumar also called out the INDIA bloc. Without naming the alliance, he said those opposed to Lord Ram were defeated in the elections. Lord Rams justice is very true and joyous, said Kumar. Mohan Bhagwat had also spoken after elections Kumar is the second leader of the RSS to speak about the elections in recent days. Earlier this week, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also spoken and appeared to sent out a message to the BJP leadership. The RSS has long been the ideological parent of the BJP and several top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, have their roots in the RSS. Veterans like former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani were also from the RSS. Advertisement In a speech in Nagpur where RSS is headquartered, Bhagwat had said earlier this week that decorum should be maintained in elections , but that no one cared about it during these elections. 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, said Bhagwat. Bhagwat also referred to the ethnic conflict in Manipur and said it should be addressed it with priority. 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. Mohan Bhagwat emphasised that we must respect diversity, live together, and respect others too. He advised Indians to embrace goodwill to all, and work towards consensus read more While the BJP is claiming that the national elections are a victory, enabling Narendra Modi to become the Prime Minister for a historic third time, and the Opposition is triumphant over its increased numbers and the fact that the BJP could not win a simple majority, a far cry from the clarion call of 400 paar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has finally broken his silence. What he said is of seminal importance, for all political parties, but in particular for the BJP. Advertisement Bhagwat speaks rarely, but when he does, he has a purpose. This is because the RSS, as the ideological mentor for the idea of Hindutva, and the alumni for BJP leaders, thinks long-term, beyond the expediency of short-term political gains. Modis impressive two-term absolute majorities were, from its point of view, positive. It helped in providing political heft to the RSS ideology. But this does not mean that the RSS will become perennially mute due to the dominance of one BJP leader, even if he is still, by far, the most popular leader in India. The latest elections have shown that Modis appeal is diminishing, and his brand has lost some of its sheen. The shrillness of the Hindu-Muslim narrative has become fatiguing, distasteful and repetitive. Indians do not have a Jihadi mindset. They do not want the endemic instability created by mindless bigotry and hatred. It is in this context that Bhagwat has spoken. The RSS is aware that for PM Modi, the challenge now is to show the ability to run a coalition government. During his years as the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and as the prime minister from 2014 to 2024 with an absolute majority, he has not had the opportunity to run a mili-juli sarkar. Instinctively, he is a leader who seeks complete control over the government, a tendency evident in the new cabinets portfolio allocation. The BJPs strategic dominance across key sectors has been reaffirmed, while allies have largely been accommodated with minor portfolios. Some allies have been excluded entirely, and others are dissatisfied with the number of cabinet positions offered. Nitish Kumar is notorious for his fickle loyalties, and Naidu will see everything from the prism of what is being done for Andhra Pradesh. These are challenges which the coalition will have to negotiate. It is significant too that there is not a single representation in the government, from Indias largest minority, the Muslims, a situation starkly in contrast to the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas. Advertisement Mohan Bhagwats pointed and relevant message has to be seen in this overall context. He emphasised that we must respect diversity, live together, and respect others too. He advised Indians to embrace goodwill to all, and work towards consensus (sehmati). In the specific context of religion, he said: We need to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Mohammad and Jesus Christ. Over time distortions have emerged. We must forget these distortions and treat the sons of our country as brothers. (Emphasis mine). Nor did he mince words on some issues the current government has unpardonably ignored. One of these is the continuing violence in Manipur for over a year, despite which the BJP chief minister has been retained, and the PM has not had the time to visit the strife-torn state even once. The RSS chief bluntly said that this is unacceptable, and that a solution must be found in Manipur on a priority basis. Advertisement Bhagwat also commented on the ahankaar or ego and arrogance that besets leaders. Of course, this can be interpreted as a generic statement relevant to all leaders, but I think his intended target was clear. In the elections, Modi had become both the sole mascot and the ubiquitous face of the BJP, to the extent that the party was almost invisibilised. Even the BJP manifesto was called Modi Ki Guarantee. Many BJP stalwarts were treated shabbily, the cadre appeared to be demoralised, and seat allocations were doneas some allegeat the will of the high command. In a particularly telling sentence, therefore, Bhagwat said: Jo karm karta hai, par karm mein lipt nahin hota, usmein ahankar nahi hota, wahi sevak kehlane ka adhikari hota hai (Only he who practices karma, but does so selflessly without an ego, deserves to be called a true sevak). Advertisement Even on the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Bhagwat in his speech, without triumphalism, was emphasising the need to carry all Indians along, and shed hatred. He cited a stanza from Tulsidas Ramcharitmanas on what are the defining characteristics of Ram Rajya: Sab nara karahin paraspar priti (All will have mutual respect for each other). It is significant that in the latest edition of the RSS publication, Organiser, RSS intellectual Ratan Sharda asks the revealing question: Was it lethargy, overconfidence, or a sense of comfort that aayega toh Modi hi, abki baar 400+? Sharda further commented that the idea that Modi_ji_ is fighting on all 543 seats has a limited value. The idea became self-defeating when candidates were changed, imposed at the cost of local leaders, and defectors were given more importance. Sacrificing even well-performing parliamentarians to accommodate late-comers hurt. Advertisement Will the BJP heed the advice of the RSS and its leader Mohan Bhagwat, or dismiss it? And, above all, will the party learn the great legacy of coalition dharma bequeathed by one of its tallest leaders, Atal Bihari Vajpayee? The author is a former diplomat, an author and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. There have been a series of terrorist incidents in the Jammu belt in the past few days, spread over distances, implying that there were a couple of terrorist groups operating in the region. That they are Pakistan backed and contain Pakistani nationals is known, despite denials by Islamabad. The first strike, and the most damaging, was the attack on pilgrims moving by bus from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra in the Reasi sector on Sunday. It led to nine dead and around 40 injured. Advertisement Ironically, this occurred during the swearing in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as also coincided with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs return from his visit to China, where he was accompanied by their army chief, Gen Asim Munir. Was it a coincidence or was it a message from Islamabad and Beijing is debatable. After all, the BJP was claiming to regain POK during its campaigning in the recently concluded elections, which did rattle Pakistan. This incident was followed by a few more encounters. The Kathua encounter possibly involved a newly infiltrated team of terrorists which were eliminated, while other encounters indicate two separate groups, operating independently, South of the Pir Panjal, exploiting the jungles and hilly terrain. The group responsible for the attack on the bus had been in the region for some time and was earlier behind attacks in the Poonch region, including on the Air Force personnel. As pressure from security forces increased in the Poonch sector, they shifted base towards the interiors. Reasi is in depth. These groups were subdued during the election process as there was an enlarged presence of security forces as also Indias retaliation across the LoC would have been severe. Reasi, Poonch and Rajouri were regions where terrorism existed in the early nineties. With passage of time, as also increased presence of security forces, it was contained. any analysts have mentioned that terrorism is back in the Jammu belt. This may be a wrong assessment. A few incidents or the presence of a couple of groups does not signify re-emergence of terrorism. No region can be considered absolutely terrorist free nor terrorist infested with a couple of incidents. Terrorists shifting locations and bases depending upon pressure of security forces can be expected. It is also true that there are terrorist sympathisers present in the region, aiding, providing logistics and possibly also guiding them. Advertisement However, for security forces the message is clear. There is a presence of terrorists in the region which need to be eliminated. Troops will need to be more proactive, while displaying caution. There should, at no cost, be a repeat of the Rajouri incident. Flushing out terrorists takes time, especially if the group is led by an experienced terrorist who also has some level of local support. This is evident in this case. It is a game of cat and mouse, where an error on any side can have consequences. Security forces need to remain alert and display caution while continuing to dominate the region. To draw them out, their overground network needs to be demolished steadily, which is the task of the local police and intelligence agencies. Advertisement For New Delhi there is a lot to ponder. The ceasefire with Pakistan, while assisting local populace living close to the LoC on both sides, was more to Pakistans advantage. With the scenario worsening on its western borders, as tensions remain high with Afghanistan, and attacks by the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and the Baloch on the increase, it desperately needed peace with India to enable redeployment of troops. Targeting of Chinese in their western regions has added to Pakistans problems, compelling it to deploy additional troops for their security. If Rawalpindi refuses to play ball and curtails pushing terrorists and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, should India oblige by continuing with the ceasefire? Is it time to give Pakistan a warning by reactivating the LoC? This could be the first signal. Things could go further south in case Pakistan does not take the message. There should be no intent to enhance global pressure on Pakistan. Whatever decision is to be taken must be done in Delhi itself. However, these could result in an escalation, which the government should be prepared for. Advertisement Every major retaliation by India, cross-border surgical strike or Balakote was an intent of conveying what is not acceptable. These incidents were never repeated. Pakistan understood Indias redlines. By responding in a manner which suits India, another firm message should go. The decision and the manner of response would rest with New Delhi. The peacefully concluded Lok Sabha elections gave confidence to the nation and the government that J&K was well on the path to normalcy. Percentages of voting and those elected busted Pakistans myth of the region being suppressed and elections manipulated. Such was the confidence that the Election Commission has set the ball rolling for assembly elections in the UT. These attacks were intended to bust this belief. Advertisement The presence of a couple of terrorists should have no impact on the ongoing process. Any hesitation would be playing into the hands of Pakistan which has desperately been attempting to project Kashmir as disputed, but failed. It could not comment on the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir as it was itself facing riots and violence in POK, fearing an Indian exploitation of the anger of its people. Islamabad has been attempting to gain the attention of New Delhi, hoping it takes the first steps for talks by accepting Pakistans conditions, but to no avail. For India, Pakistan is just a pinprick, which can be ignored. India is now a global player with much higher stakes. There is also a need to comprehend Pakistans thought process. Initially, terrorist targets in Kashmir were non-Muslim communities, the intent being to drive a wedge amongst the people while displaying religious affinity with the majority. Then emphasis shifted towards security forces. Strikes across the border and strong counterterrorism policies and structures brought terrorism levels down. It restored near normalcy resulting in increased tourism as also conduct of global events in Kashmir. This domination by security forces compelled Pakistan to lower its expectations and it directed its supporters to target outsiders employed in the UT as also unarmed security personnel, conveying that all is still not over. Meanwhile, observing a reduction in presence of forces South of Pir Panjal, it pushed a couple of groups into the area, to project re-ignition of terrorism. While terrorist groups operating south of Pir Panjal would be eliminated with time, sending a message of intent to Pakistan is essential. Simultaneously, security forces as also intelligence agencies must operate in sync to locate and eliminate these groups. Further, the election process, which has been kickstarted, must continue. Pushing the democratic process behind for a few terrorists conveys a weak policy. Whether or not Hunter Biden faces jail or finds relief when he appeals against this verdict, the political damage to the Joe Biden re-election campaign, even if not consequential or substantial, will be done read more US President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden, who earlier in the day was found guilty on all three counts in his criminal gun charges trial, after President Biden arrived at the Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, US, on 11 June, 2024. Reuters First it was former president Donald Trump. Now it is the present president, Joe Bidens son, Hunter. On Tuesday, June 11, Hunter was convicted by a Delaware court on three counts of felony for lying while buying a Colt revolver in October 2018. On the form he was required to fill out before purchasing a weapon, Hunter did not disclose that he had been using illegal drugs or had addiction issues. Advertisement The jurors needed only three hours to come to their verdict which, however, was not unanimous. What was clear, nonetheless, was that he had made materially false statements in his application to buy the gun or in plain English, he was caught lying knowingly. And how he would have to face the legal consequences. The form, technically known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Firearms Transaction Record, clearly asks the prospective buyer: Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? The buyer must unequivocally indicate yes or no in a box next to the question, then sign it. Like many other such legal declarations, the form also cautions the buyer that it is a federal crime to make false statements on it. How did the court prove that Biden Jr had been somewhat economical with the truth? With his phone records. The prosecution established that he had been texting to buy drugs and do crack cocaine a few days prior to the gun procurement. It was, literally a smoking gun, this time, quite ironically, trained against the man who, going by his name, was used to being the hunter rather than the hunted. Hunters lawyer had tried to argue that he was not really an addict when he signed the form because he had accepted and had come to terms with his use of drugs. And that at the very moment that he bought the gun, he had not been using it. Both arguments were, to say the least, considered not convincing. Advertisement Sentencing by District Judge Maryellen Noreika is awaited. The maximum punishment for Hunters offence could be up to twenty-five years in prison. But, like Trump, he has no prior criminal record. As a first time offender, he is not likely to get the maximum penalty. But will Judge Noreika send him to jail at all or simply place him on probation? That is not yet clear. On his part, Hunters father, President Joe Biden, reacted differently from Trump. Biden did not say that the system was rigged but that he accepted the verdict. In a statement released shortly after the conviction, Biden added 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. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery. As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. However, with the presidents own son now a convicted felon, the Democratic charge against Trump is a bit weaker. Advertisement Some legal experts have wondered why Hunter did not plead guilty. A plea bargain, typically, might have saved him from not just from imprisonment but also from being charged with a felony. All he needed to do in that scenario is not to buy another gun for two years and stay out of trouble by being sober. But Republican members of the House of Representatives had already started creating a ruckus over such a sweetheart deal. In other words, it would have been impossible to keep politics out of such a high profile defendant, especially given how relentlessly Democrat appointed prosecutors have been gunning after Bidens challenger and former president Trump. With the trial attracting so much scrutiny, did David Weiss, who led the investigation against Hunter Biden, press for harsher than normal punishment? Advertisement Would it have been different if Hunter had pleaded guilty, even without being sure of escaping conviction? We cannot now know, but it might have avoided so much presidential family dirty linen washed in public during the trial. Hunters former wife Kathleen Buhle and Hallie Biden, his deceased brothers wife and his former lover, were both called to the stand to testify against the presidents son. Apart from the pain, shame, and anguish that it might have caused Americas first family, Hunter Bidens conviction will also give more ammunition to those who wish to link the father to the now guilty son. Whether or not Hunter faces jail or finds relief when he appeals against this verdict, the political damage to the Biden re-election campaign, even if not hugely consequential or even substantial, will be done. Advertisement But one thing is certain when it comes to the US justice system, what is sauce for the goose, or rather for one gander, is also sauce for another equally privileged one. The rule of law, such as it seems to be, has prevailed in both instances. If Hunter Biden had been spared, MAGA Make America Great Again Trump supporters would have gone after Biden for having institutionalised double standards in the US justice system. That is why President Biden said that he had ruled out pardoning his son. No one is above the law is the phrase that was used against Trump. Now the trial prosecutor also used it against Hunter Biden. Sometimes the powerful get away. But sometimes they suffer precisely because they are powerful. Both, the Nexon.ev, Punch.ev had a phenomenal showing at the Bharat-NCAP safety tests. The Punch.ev in particular stood out for scoring the highest ever scores by any vehicle till date read more Tata Motors has proudly announced that its Punch.ev and Nexon.ev Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have achieved a five-star rating in the Bharat-NCAP safety assessment, marking a significant milestone for the company. These electric versions of Tatas compact SUVs are the first to receive the prestigious five-star Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat-NCAP) rating in the electric vehicle (EV) category, as reported by MoneyControl. The Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) is a safety rating system that evaluates the crashworthiness and safety features of vehicles. BNCAP conducts rigorous crash tests and assesses safety technologies, ultimately assigning a star rating to indicate the relative safety performance of each vehicle. Advertisement According to Tata Motors, the Punch.ev scored an impressive 31.46 out of 32 points for adult occupant protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 points for child occupant protection (COP). The Nexon.ev also performed exceptionally well, earning 29.86 out of 32 points for AOP and 44.95 out of 49 points for COP. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, congratulated Tata Motors in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He praised the achievement, stating, Congratulations to @tataev @TataMotors for achieving a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating for the Punch.ev and Nexon.ev, thus becoming the first ever 5-star rated EVs in the Indian automotive market. Gadkari highlighted the importance of these ratings as electric vehicles lead the future of mobility in India, emphasizing that a strong Bharat NCAP rating serves as an invaluable tool for consumers in selecting safer vehicles and stands as a testament to the high level of safety provided to occupants. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, expressed pride in the companys achievements. We welcome stricter government safety standards and are proud to be the first manufacturer to have sent vehicles and lead the Bharat-NCAP protocol with superlative results, said Chandra. He added, We are delighted to produce Indias safest vehicle an EV in the Punch.ev, while the Nexon.ev continues its legacy of safety with its 5-star rating. Looking ahead, our proactive stance on safety will continue, backed by extensive R&D to help us evolve and enable us to lead the way to create a safer future for every road user. Historically, India has been the dumping ground for Chinese electronics and other products whenever the EU and the US have rejected them. In the case of EVs though, things are a little different read more The US and EU have implemented some major tariffs on Chinese EVs, in a bid to protect their domestic auto industries. President Joe Biden announced substantial increases in tariffs on Chinese-made goods, particularly targeting EVs. The tariff on Chinese EVs has risen dramatically from 25 per cent to 100 per cent. Additionally, tariffs on Chinese lithium-ion batteries have increased from 7.5 per cent to 25 per cent. This move aims to shield the US market from the influx of competitively priced Chinese EVs. Advertisement Similarly, the European Union (EU) has taken action. Starting in July, the EU will impose extra duties of up to 38.1 per cent on imported Chinese electric cars. The European Commission is also considering how to address Chinese subsidies, proposing additional tariffs that could raise the total duty on Chinese EVs to nearly 50 per cent. These measures are designed to protect European manufacturers, many of whom produce vehicles in China and are affected by these tariffs. Historically, India has been the dumping ground for Chinese electronics and other products whenever the EU and the US have rejected them. In the case of EVs though, things are a little different. The Chinese threat The surge of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) into the global market has caused significant concern in the United States and Europe. These regions, known for their stringent automotive standards and competitive markets, are wary of the high-quality yet affordable Chinese EVs, and for good reason. Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk highlighted the threat, asserting that without trade barriers, Chinese EVs could overshadow most other car companies globally. The heightened tariffs in the US and EU raise concerns that India might become a dumping ground for Chinese EVs. Historically, Chinese electronics, especially those that failed to penetrate US and European markets, have found a market in price-sensitive India. While the EV market, particularly for four-wheelers, may differ, vigilance is necessary to prevent a similar scenario. Advertisement Chinas dominance in the EV sector is not coincidental. Initially, the US led the EV market, largely due to companies like Tesla. However, over the past five years, Chinas EV industry has seen exponential growth, outpacing the US. Currently, China accounts for about 60 per cent of global EV sales and controls a significant portion of the EV supply chain, including critical components like lithium-ion batteries. Reports indicate that China holds 85-95 per cent of the production capacity for major battery components and around 70 per cent of global lithium refining capacity. Chinas strategic investment in EV technology began in 2001 with a research and development program focusing on batteries, motors, and other related technologies. A decade later, China introduced generous subsidies to promote domestic EV purchases, ensuring that imported EVs did not qualify for these benefits and faced tariffs. Local content requirements for manufacturing subsidies further boosted domestic production. Advertisement Beyond economic gains, Chinas EV push addresses environmental and strategic concerns. The adoption of EVs helps reduce air pollution in urban areas and mitigates climate change, especially if China decreases its reliance on coal-fired electricity. Furthermore, EVs reduce Chinas dependency on imported oil, which constitutes about three-quarters of its consumptiona higher dependency ratio than the US experienced even at its peak. Threat to India Chinas robust EV ecosystem and substantial production capacity present a significant threat to established markets in developed countries. With its nascent EV industry, India could become a target market for Chinese EVs, along with regions like Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Advertisement Stellantis, the worlds third-largest carmaker based in Amsterdam, which owns brands such as Chrysler, Citroen, Fiat, and Jeep, is considering the local manufacturing of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) from its Chinese joint venture partner, Leapmotor, at its facility in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, as per a report by The Economic Times. Stellantis already manufactures EVs under the Citroen badge in Thiruvallur. As India takes its initial steps in developing its EV sector, careful monitoring and strategic planning are crucial to navigating the influx of Chinese EVs and fostering a sustainable and competitive domestic EV market. Indias new policy announced on March 15 aims to boost investment in the local manufacturing of high-end electric cars. The government of India will allow the import of CBU electric cars that have a minimum cost, including insurance, and freight value of $35,000 or about Rs 30 lakh at an import duty of 15 per cent. This will be applicable for a period of five years if the manufacturer sets up a factory in India with an investment of at least $500 million Advertisement Lessons from the smartphone Industry Chinese smartphone makers disrupted the Indian smartphone manufacturing landscape through a combination of aggressive pricing, rapid innovation, and strategic market penetration. Leveraging Chinas robust manufacturing ecosystem, companies like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo were able to produce high-quality smartphones at significantly lower costs than Indian manufacturers. This cost advantage allowed them to flood the Indian market with affordable, feature-rich devices, which quickly gained popularity among price-sensitive Indian consumers. Moreover, Chinese brands employed smart marketing strategies, including extensive online sales, partnerships with e-commerce platforms, and significant investments in retail infrastructure. They also introduced frequent product launches with cutting-edge technology, which kept Indian competitors struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation. Moreover, they started buying up manufacturing units in the country through their Indian subsidiaries. Additionally, the use of aggressive promotional campaigns and endorsements by popular celebrities helped in building brand recognition and consumer trust rapidly. Indian manufacturers, on the other hand, faced challenges such as higher production costs, limited R&D capabilities, and slower adoption of new technologies. This disparity in operational efficiency and innovation led to a decline in market share for Indian brands, ultimately crippling their ability to compete. Consequently, Chinese smartphone makers became dominant players in the Indian market, effectively sidelining domestic manufacturers. With EVs though, things wont be as easy for Chinese players. Having learnt their lessons from Chinese smartphone makers and how they decimated a budding smartphone manufacturing industry, India is likely to be better prepared. Moreover, Chinese smartphone makers had one major advantage they did not have to face an established, Indian smartphone maker. In the case of EVs, things are slightly different. The players in the Indian EV market Indias EV market, although small, is growing rapidly. In 2023, passenger vehicle sales grew by 10 per cent year-on-year, while EV sales nearly doubled. Despite this growth, EVs only account for 2 per cent of total passenger vehicle sales in India compared to nearly 38 per cent in China. Currently, Tata Motors dominates the Indian EV market, accounting for just over two-thirds of the market share. Mahindra & Mahindra, BYD, and MG Motor are emerging players. Mahindra in particular, has seen a staggering increase of over 2400+ per cent with just one EV in its portfolio in 2023. Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest carmaker, is yet to enter the EV space, Tesla is also expected to arrive by the end of the year. India prepared Indias EV ecosystem is still in its nascent stage and is dependent on government policy incentives attracting various players Reliance, Ola and Exide to set up EV battery manufacturing units. However, it will take several years for India to develop a local ecosystem to significantly reduce EV prices. In a situation like this, Chinese EV makers can leverage their own ecosystem for expertise and components while manufacturing in India, giving them a competitive edge over Indian rivals. However, because of the geopolitical tensions between India and China, the Narendra Modi-led Indian government will do just about everything to stop the influx of cheap Chinese EVs to Indian shores. The Indian government has introduced regulations which allow the government to go through foreign investments with a fine-toothed comb. The objective is to find links to neighbouring countries, namely China and Pakistan and see if potential investments could potentially be detrimental to national securities. The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has used these regulations to keep Chinese EV-makers at bay. Back in 2023, the government of India famously blocked BYD from setting up a factory in India at an investment of over $1 billion. The Indian EV market is projected to grow rapidly. Counterpoint Research expects EV sales to constitute one-third of total passenger vehicle sales by 2030. Needless to say, this presents a massive opportunity for all the players in Indias EV market, and sets for them, a hotly contested market. (With inputs from agencies) Gen. Nakasones unparalleled experience in cybersecurity will be crucial in guiding OpenAI to achieve its mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity, believes Bret Taylor, OpenAI board chair read more Nakasone, who has extensive experience in cybersecurity and national security from his time leading the military's Cyber Command in addition to his tenure at the NSA, will bring a wealth of expertise to OpenAIs governance. Image Credit: AFP, AFP OpenAI announced on Thursday that it is adding former NSA head and retired General Paul Nakasone to its board of directors as well as its newly formed Safety and Security Committee. This strategic move aims to address growing concerns and convince sceptics that the company is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its AI models, especially as it pursues its ambitious goal of developing superintelligence. Nakasone, who has extensive experience in cybersecurity and national security from his time leading the militarys Cyber Command in addition to his tenure at the NSA, will bring a wealth of expertise to OpenAIs governance. Advertisement Artificial Intelligence has the potential to have huge positive impacts on peoples lives, but it can only meet this potential if these innovations are securely built and deployed, said Bret Taylor, OpenAI board chair, in a statement. He emphasized that Nakasones unparalleled experience in cybersecurity will be crucial in guiding OpenAI to achieve its mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, praised Nakasones appointment, calling it a huge get for OpenAI. Warner noted that Nakasone had many options after leaving government service earlier this year, and his decision to join OpenAI underscores his respect and recognition in the security community. Warner highlighted Nakasones expertise in cybersecurity, election security, and his realistic view of the challenges posed by China in the tech and security sectors. On the other hand, OpenAI has faced criticism from former high-ranking employees who argue that the company has been prioritizing speed over safety in its AI development. Jan Leike, who helped lead OpenAIs long-term safety efforts under the project superalignment, left the company last month. In a thread announcing his departure, Leike criticized OpenAI for not adequately supporting the superalignment teams work and expressed concerns about the companys rapid pace potentially compromising safety. Policy researcher Gretchen Krueger also departed from OpenAI last month, echoing some of Leikes concerns and adding her own. Advertisement She voiced worries about the companys commitment to ethical and secure AI development, suggesting that more robust support for safety initiatives is necessary. The formation of the Safety and Security Committee and the inclusion of Nakasone are seen as steps towards addressing these criticisms and reinforcing OpenAIs commitment to secure AI innovation. By integrating seasoned experts in cybersecurity into its leadership, OpenAI should be able to bolster its strategies for safe AI deployment and mitigate potential risks associated with the development of powerful AI technologies. The Indian government has been pushing for the inclusion of Indian companies in the manufacturing and distribution operations of foreign mobile-makers in the country read more Vivo is in talks with the Tata Group to sell majority stake in its India unit (Photo: Reuters) The Tata Group is in talks with the Chinese smartphone-maker Vivo to buy majority stake in its India unit, according to a report. The development comes amid the Indian governments push for the inclusion of Indian companies in the operations of foreign mobile-makers in the country. Following the push from the Narendra Modi government, Chinese smartphone-makers like Vivo and Oppo are looking for Indian companies to be part of their operations in the country, including in the manufacturing and distribution processes. Advertisement Now, Moneycontrol has reported a source as saying that the Tata Groups talks with Vivo are in advanced stage to acquire a majority stake in its Indian unit. The discussions have reached an advanced stage where talks began around valuations. Vivo has been seeking a higher valuation than what Tatas are offering. The Tatas are interested in the deal, but nothing has been finalised yet, said the source to Moneycontrol. Micromax takes over production for Vivo Even as Vivo engages in talks for selling the majority stake to the Tata Group, the company has handed over its factory in Greater Noida to Bhagwati Products, a subsidiary of Indian phone and electronics company Micromax, according to Moneycontrol. The report said that Micromax has started hiring staff for the factory and will soon start manufacturing smartphones there for Vivo. The company will manufacture phones for Vivo under a joint venture (JV) with Chinese original design manufacturer Huaqin, which is the worlds largest ODM for mobiles, tablets, and laptops. The JV is yet to receive approval from the government, according to sources cited in the report. The move by Vivo to include Indian partners in the manufacturing and distribution process comes at a time when concerns have been raised about the monopoly of Chinese players in the telecommunications and electronics industries. The Indian government has pushed for a system where foreign companies operate in India through JVs where Indian partners have a majority stake. This is to ensure that Indian companies and executives have significant influence in the decision-making of the India units of these companies and a greater say in the broader telecommunications industry. Advertisement Vivo is under the scanner for multiple alleged offences. The company is accused of remitting its parent company in China of too much money to evade taxes in India. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating it for alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Tata Groups entry into electronics manufacturing Over the past few years, the Tata Group has forayed into the electronics and computer manufacturing domains. The Tatas are now contract-manufacturing iPhones for Apple and are also building the countrys first semiconductor fabrication facility in Gujarat in partnership with Taiwans Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC). Last year, the Tata Groups Tata Electronics took over Taiwans Wistrons India operations for Rs 1,000 crore ($125 million). That made it the first Indian company to manufacture iPhones. Advertisement Currently, the Tata Group is in talks with another Apple contract manufacturer, Pegatron, to acquire a majority stake in India operations. The Pegatron has a iPhone manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu near Chennai. Moreover, Moneycontrol reported that the Tatas are also said to be constructing Indias largest iPhone assembly plant in Tamil Nadus Hosur. The facility upon its completion is expected to have around 20 assembly lines and employ around 50,000 staffers. In addition to approving Musks pay package, shareholders also voted to relocate Teslas legal home to Texas, aiming to avoid the courts in Delaware where Tesla is currently registered read more Even though Musk has won the $44.9 billion package, he won't be able to access the money just yet. Image Credit: AFP Tesla shareholders have given a resounding vote of confidence to CEO Elon Musk by approving his $56 billion pay package, despite a Delaware judges earlier rejection of the package. While the package was originally valued at $56 billion, its current valuation stands at $44.9 billion due to Teslas stock price declining over the year. Teslas stock has fallen by 24-25 per cent this year. This decision highlights the ongoing legal battles and market fluctuations that the company faces. Advertisement The approval does not guarantee immediate compensation for Musk, as the package remains entangled in legal proceedings in the Delaware Chancery Court and the Delaware Supreme Court. These legal hurdles stem from a judges ruling that the Tesla board failed to adequately inform shareholders when they ratified the package in 2018. Nevertheless, the recent shareholder vote underscores strong support for Musks leadership. Amid hints earlier this year about needing a 25% stake in Tesla to prevent him from moving artificial intelligence development elsewhere, Musk reassured shareholders of his commitment to the company. He emphasised that he could not sell any stock from the compensation package for five years, solidifying his long-term involvement with Tesla. Despite the companys struggles with declining sales and profit margins amid a global slowdown in EV demand, Musk remains optimistic. He highlighted advancements in Teslas Full Self-Driving system and the development of the Optimus humanoid robot, which represent key areas of innovation for the company. In addition to approving Musks pay package, shareholders also voted to relocate Teslas legal home to Texas, aiming to avoid the courts in Delaware where Tesla is currently registered. They also voted to reduce board member terms from three years to one and to lower the required vote on shareholder proposals to a simple majority. These changes reflect a shift towards more flexible and potentially more shareholder-responsive governance. Looking ahead, Musk remains confident in the future of Teslas autonomous driving technology, despite regulatory challenges and recalls. He highlighted ongoing improvements in the Full Self-Driving system and noted significant progress in the development of the Optimus robot. Advertisement Furthermore, despite layoffs in the team managing Teslas Supercharger network, Musk anticipates deploying more functional chargers than the rest of the industry this year, with a $500 million investment planned for the second half of the year. The shareholder vote had an immediate positive impact on Teslas stock, driving it up by 3% by the market close on Thursday. This reaffirmation of Musks pay package underscores shareholders confidence in his leadership despite the challenges ahead. As Tesla navigates these hurdles, the companys focus remains on advancing its autonomous driving technology, expanding its Supercharger network, and exploring new frontiers with robotics, all while maintaining a commitment to its vision of the future of transportation. As G7 leaders converged at the southern Italian coastal resort of Borgo Egnazia, several media outlets dubbed the attendees as lame ducks and dead men walking, with the exception of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni who is now poised to play a critical role in shaping the EU policy in Brussels after her partys stellar performance in Sundays European election read more From left : German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pose for a photo at Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on 13 June, 2024 in Savelletri. AFP As G7 leaders converged at the southern Italian coastal resort of Borgo Egnazia on Thursday, several media outlets dubbed the attendees as lame ducks and dead men walking, with the exception of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who is now poised to play a critical role in shaping the EU policy in Brussels after her partys stellar performance in Sundays European election. A Politico report described this years G7 summit arguably the weakest gathering of leaders the group has mustered for years. Advertisement Most of the attendees are distracted by elections or domestic crises, disillusioned by years in office, or clinging desperately to power, the report said. Declining popularity, setbacks While Emmanuel Macron of France and Rishi Sunak of Britain are currently engaged in swift election campaigns they initiated in last-minute attempts to reverse their declining popularity, Germanys Olaf Scholz suffered a significant blow from far-right nationalists in the recent European Parliament election and now faces the possibility of being ousted himself. After nine years as Canadas prime minister, Justin Trudeau has openly discussed stepping down from his demanding role. Fumio Kishida of Japan is grappling with his lowest personal approval ratings as he approaches a leadership contest later this year. For US President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Bidens conviction in gun case on Tuesday has put him under pressure ahead of the crucial debate against a resurgent Donald Trump in a presidential race where the Democrat is seriously at risk of losing. With the exception of Meloni, the leaders at the G7 summit are all pretty weak, Politico quoted Ivo Daalder, who served as US ambassador to NATO under former President Barack Obama, as saying. Trudeau is probably not going to win the next election. Biden has a tough election race. Scholz is weakened. Macron is weakened. Sunak is a dead man walking, and Kishida has serious issues at home as well, Daalder added. Advertisement Parade of living dead The Guardian article described the leaders, who in intervals of three or so minutes trooped through the arch to be greeted by their host Meloni, as a parade of living dead. Hollowed and broken by the electoral battlefield, it was a parade of the living dead, the article read. The suited statesmen bore the look of people who knew this was their last such summit, and who if they could would have skipped the opening session on Africa and migration and instead headed straight into the wellness clinic and locked the door, added the article. The Times report said that G7 leaders have gathered in Italy for what is being described as a lame duck summit at which quick deals will be struck by protagonists fearful of being ousted from office. It also painted an unfavourable picture for special guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Africas Cyril Ramaphosa, who have both lost their majorities in recent elections. Advertisement Things are almost as bad for some of the special guests, read The Times article. President Zelensky of Ukraine, who will also be at the event, will be hoping the G7 will authorise a $50 billion loan for Kyiv but worried that the pro-Ukraine consensus of the group will ebb if the current batch of leaders is ousted by right-wingers such as Donald Trump, added the report. African leaders invited to the event, who are being wooed back home by Russia, will be carefully calibrating how much will the West still has to take on President Putin. Kingmaker Meloni Meanwhile, now seen as a kingmaker at the EU, Meloni will want to huddle with the commissions president, Ursula von der Leyen also present at the G7 about what top jobs she can get in Europe, in return for backing the German politician for a second term. Advertisement After winning over the leaders individually with her ready Roman wit, Melonis toughest challenge may be whether she has the charisma to charm them all at the same time. There is lots of work to do but I am certain that in these two days we can have a summit able to produce concrete and tangible results, The Times quoted Meloni as saying as the leaders gathered round a table for their first session. Teresa Coratella, deputy head of the Rome office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, a think-tank, said having enfeebled allies did no favours to Meloni. This G7 is her first big multilateral test and she will have hoped for stronger members this doesnt help her at all, Coratella was quoted as saying. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Ukraine got a double boost at the 2024 G7 Summit which is being conducted in Italy. While the US President signed a 10-year bilateral security pact, the G7 nations also decided to provide an additional $50 billion loan to the war-stricken nation read more US President Joe Biden signs a 10-year bilateral defence agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of G7 summit in Italy. Source: AP In a show of support at the Group of Seven Nations (G7) Summit, US President Joe Biden signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The treaty which was signed on Thursday, aims to bolster Ukraines defence against Russia and will also help the war-stricken nation to inch closer to membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The American Commander-in-Chief claimed that democracies can deliver as he announced that the G7 western economies had also reached an agreement that will mobilise an additional $50bn of aid to Ukraine. The aid will be accumulated by the member nations through the already frozen Russian assets. Advertisement All the promises and pledges were made at the G7 summit which is taking place in Italy. The bilateral deal between the United States and Ukraine would aim to commit future US administrations to support Ukraine. Even if former President Donald Trump came back to the White House, in November, the US would still be obligated to support Ukraine until Trump came up with a different executive order. Biden delivers G7s message to Russia During a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Biden said that the G7s message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us. Our goal is to strengthen Ukraines credible defence and deterrence capabilities for the long term, he added. Zelenskyy went on to call the agreement historic, saying that it would act like a bridge towards his countrys eventual membership in NATO. This is an agreement on security and thus on the protection of human life, he said. Today is a truly historic day. We signed the strongest agreement between Ukraine and the United States since our independence. pic.twitter.com/z0JM9qEzrh Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 13, 2024 As per the agreement, in the event of an armed attack or threat of such an attack in Ukraine, top US and Ukrainian officials will meet within 24 hours to consult on a response and determine what additional defence needs are required for the eastern European nation. The agreement also outlines plans to develop Kyivs own defence industry and expand the countrys military. Whats in store for Ukraine in the G7 agreement? Earlier in the day, the POTUS rallied Western political leaders as Europe continues to face the political rise of the right-populists. We stand at an inflection point in history that occurs every five or six, seven generations, and the decisions that we make now will determine the course of our future," he told the gathering of the world leaders. Advertisement Im proud to announce the US has mobilised more than $50bn in investments around the world. Together we are showing democracies can deliver," he added. His remarks came after the G7 nations reached an outline provisional deal to use the profits derived from frozen Russian sovereign assets to underwrite a $50bn loan to Ukraine. Under the deal, a loan syndicate would be established including multiple lenders sharing risk. However, the scheme will not be entirely run by the EU or the US. Not only this, the interest of the large loans will be funded not by Ukraine but by the profits made from the frozen Russian state assets. Advertisement Speaking on the matter, Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, said: The simple proposition is we got to put these assets to work. The complex proposition is how you do that specifically. I think we are on the verge of a good outcome. The Biden administration is also working at ensuring that the loan starts reaching Ukraine way before the highly anticipated US presidential elections. That way, it will be hard for the fund to be unravelled if Trump comes to power. With inputs from agencies. On the eve of a peace conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out a series of conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine read more President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia would cease fire and enter peace talks if Ukraine dropped its NATO ambitions and withdrew its forces from four Ukrainian regions claimed by Moscow. On the eve of a peace conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out a series of conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine. The conditions are very simple, Putin said, listing these as the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. Advertisement As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations, he said. I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations. Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in the third year of the war. Ukraine says peace can only be based on a full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity. The weekend summit in Switzerland, which will be attended by representatives of more than 90 nations and organisations, is expected to shy away from territorial issues and focus instead on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine. The Kremlin has said the gathering will prove futile without Russia being represented. With the rise of BRICS and other emerging groups, the dynamics of global leadership are clearly shifting read more US President Joe Biden, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen look on during a skydiving demonstration on the first day of the G7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy, 13 June, 2024. Reuters The G7 Summit is being closely watched as a crucial test of its leaders ability to address some of the worlds most pressing issues. With global challenges ranging from conflicts to climate change, the question is whether these leaders can provide effective solutions or let these problems fester once again. Rising alternatives: The BRICS challenge One significant alternative to the G7 is the BRICS group, comprising leading emerging economies. This coalition has been making headlines with its assertive stance on global issues. On June 9, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, the foreign ministers of BRICS nations convened. Indian diplomats participated, and a joint statement was issued, marking a notable stance on various global issues. Advertisement BRICS stand on Gaza The BRICS nations have sent a strong message to Israel regarding its military operations in Gaza. They have condemned the offensive, citing concerns over the increasing death toll, humanitarian crisis, and violations of international law. The joint statement condemned Israels operations in Rafah, supported Palestines full membership in the United Nations, and used the term occupied for Palestinian territories, portraying Israel as the occupier. Indias shift in policy? While traditionally balancing its support for both Israel and Palestine, Indias endorsement of the BRICS statement is noteworthy. This shift was highlighted during the meeting in Russia, where India joined the collective stance against Israels actions in Gaza. Earlier, in October 2023, New Delhi condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel but reiterated its support for the two-state solution, emphasising peaceful coexistence. The developing worlds perspective The BRICS nations stance reflects a broader sentiment in the developing world, advocating for an end to the conflict in Gaza and calling for humanitarian relief. Beyond the Gaza conflict, BRICS is pushing for significant reforms in global trade and finance. Discussions included using native currencies for international trade, challenging protectionism, and advocating for reforms in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with a focus on special treatment for developing nations. BRICS vs G7: A shift in global influence? The BRICS group is increasingly positioning itself as a counterbalance to the G7. Last year, BRICS nations collectively contributed more to the global GDP than the G7, based on purchasing power parity, highlighting their growing economic clout. The addition of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia has expanded BRICS membership, now representing over three billion people and 28% of the global economy. Advertisement The G7s challenges In contrast, the G7 has faced criticism for its handling of global crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the G7s failure to distribute vaccines equitably may have led to at least 600,000 preventable deaths. Additionally, the G7s commitment to providing $100 billion annually for climate transition has not been fulfilled. Recently, the G7 endorsed a truce plan for Gaza, urging Hamas to accept it, but this initiative has faced skepticism, with both Israel and Hamas showing little commitment. The G7s waning influence The shortcomings of the G7 are becoming increasingly evident. Their economic power and global influence appear to be diminishing, with the momentum now favoring groups like BRICS. The G7s appeal for international support to broker peace in Gaza highlights its struggle to maintain its leadership role. At the G7 Summit in Italy, the leaders of the group have vowed to step up pressure on Russia, expressed concerns over Israels expanding war and discussed ways to tackle the oversupply from China read more At the annual G7 Summit in the picturesque region of Apulia, southern Italy, the leaders of the group spent considerable time discussing some of the most pressing issues. They included - Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Israels offensive in Gazas Rafah and Chinas growing economic clout. In the intense meeting, the leaders of group of seven leading industrialised nations US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and the host country Italy have vowed to step up pressure on Russia, expressed concerns over Israels expanding war and discussed ways to tackle the oversupply from China. Advertisement G7 Summit: 5 Big Takeaways 1 - Russian money for Ukraine After much to and fro, the G7 finally agreed to use frozen Russian assets to raise $50 billion for Ukraine to help it fighting invading Russian troops. This is a multi-year loan but Ukraine doesnt have to repay. The frozen Russian funds will be used to repay these loan. Ukraine will deploy this money broadly in two areas - to buy more weapons from the west and for the reconstruction efforts. 2 - US & Japan sign security pacts with Ukraine The United States and Japan have got into long-term security commitments valid for up to 10 years. They entail almost everything that Ukraine needs. Both the US and Japan have promised more defence equipment for Ukraine, more intelligence sharing training for Ukrainian soldiers, assistance to ramp up weapons production and humanitarian aid. This pact is non-binding and therefore, there are no guarantees in terms of delivery. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is happy and has called these agreements historic. Zelenskyy said they will pave the way for Ukraines NATO membership. Interestingly, Ukraine has similar agreements with other allies and so far, the country has signed at least 15 such pacts, but the promises made by the US and Japan stand out. Zelenskyy said that the US has promised more lethal weapons to Ukraine including new squadrons of F-16 jets and Patriot missile systems. Advertisement Japan has assured of providing more financial aid to Ukraine and has outlined a commitment of $4.5 billion. 3 - G7 leaders step up pressure on Russia The leaders of G7 have made a pledge to weaken Russia financially. For this, they have identified three targets: (i) strictly enforcing a price cap on Russian oil, (ii) restrict glow of funds towards future energy projects in Russia, (iii) clamp down on Russias metal trade. The aim is to restrict Russias international trade and significantly reduce its revenues. To achieve this goal, the G7 will impose more sanctions and double down on enforcement. 4- G7 against full-on Rafah offensive Advertisement The G7 leaders have sent some clear messages to Israel stressing that they are against a full-scale invasion of Rafah and dont want the war to spill over especially to the north where Israeli forces are intensifying their operations against the Hezbollah in Lebanon but there is no movement on the ceasefire proposal and US President Joe Biden is blaming Hamas for the lack of progress. 5 - G7 challenges China During the Summit, the G7 leaders also extensively discussed China and have also planned curbs on Chinese exports, particularly its electric vehicles (EVs). Chinese cars are piling up on European ports. There is an oversupply from China, so the G7 wants to raise export barriers. Advertisement The G7 leaders have also warned Beijing against supporting Russias War. Ukraines Zelenskyy too have issued a warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping. The G7 is also challenging China on another front. They will challenge Chinas belt and road with their own counter initiative called Partnership for Global infrastructure and Investment. This was announced in 2022 by G7 and the plan is to mobilise $600 billion. This amount will be used to fund development projects around the world. At the Summit this year, some new initiatives have been announced which collectively are worth $30 billion. This money will fund a wide range of projects, covering areas like infrastructure, digital infrastructure, cyber security and climate change. The White House said that US President Joe Biden is likely to meet PM Modi during the summit. Their meeting will be significant as this is the first time the two leaders will meet since the G20 Summit which was hosted by India last year read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Italy to attend the G7 Summit, his first overseas trip since he assumed office for the third time. PM Modi has a lot on his plate during his official visit to Italys Apulia. Apart from attending the Group of Seven Summits Outreach session, the Indian leader will hold over seven bilateral meetings. The Indian prime minister is likely to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the summit. Advertisement Meanwhile, the White House said that US President Joe Biden is likely to meet PM Modi during the summit. Their meeting will be significant as this is the first time the two leaders will meet since the G20 Summit which was hosted by India last year. What are the two leaders likely to discuss? Besides the usual bilateral talks, one topic of discussion that might come up between the two leaders is the murder plot of a US citizen and Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun allegedly hatched by India. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Pannun will be a continuing topic of dialogue between the US and India, including at very senior levels. While Biden brought up the issue during the G20 Summit, diplomatic sources revealed that the US would stoke up the topic once again. He (Biden) expects to see Prime Minister Modi here. Its up to the Indians to formally confirm his attendance, but our expectation is that the two of them will have the opportunity to encounter one another. The nature of that encounter is still fluid because so much of the schedule is fluid, Sullivan said. He added, We have made our views known on this issue, and it will be a continuing topic of dialogue between the US and India, including at very senior levels. Advertisement Relations between the two countries suffered a setback after US alleged that an Indian agent plotted to kill Pannun on American soil. What else is on Modis agenda? During his day-long visit, Modi will be participating in a summit session entitled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis. The Pope is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi, who has a series of meetings scheduled with the world leaders on the sidelines of the summit being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia. Even as the United Kingdom and others support Ukraine, it must be Russia that should pay for the reconstruction as it is the Russian war that has devastated Ukraine, said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak read more Pledging continuous support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, United Kingdoms PM Rishi Sunak has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not outlast the will of the Western nations supporting Ukraine. In an address on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Italy, Sunak listed the British and Western commitments to Ukraine and pledged they were in this with Ukraine for the long term. Ukraines security is our security. We are in this for the long-term. Putin will not outlast us. The UK has committed 3 billion in military aid ever year till the end of the decade. We are dialling up the economic pressure on Russia with 50 new sanctions this week alone and we have just announced 250 million for reconstruction, said Sunak. Advertisement "Ukraine's security is our security. We're in this for the long-term. Putin will not outlast us." Rishi Sunak calls a $50bn loan deal for Ukraine agreed by G7 leaders a "historic breakthrough". Politics latest: https://t.co/xItZsH7tea Sky 501, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/UuJmneKEmk Sky News (@SkyNews) June 14, 2024 In February 2022, Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. While the initial plan was to score sweeping military victories in Ukraine and occupy the countrys capital Kyiv to overthrow the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and replace it with a regime supportive of Moscow, the plan failed, and Russia diverted the war-efforts to the eastern parts of the country where the fighting now continues in its third year. In more than two years, millions have been displaced in Russias war and scores of towns and villages have been devastated. Russia has also occupied and annexed four regions of Ukraine. Russia must pay for destruction it has caused Even as Sunak said that the UK and other Western nations are funding Ukraines war and reconstruction, he stressed it should be Russia that should be footing the bill as its the Russian war that has caused the devastation. As I have long argued, Russia itself must pay for the destruction it has caused and now Russia will pay, said Sunak. It was a reference to the $50 billion loan to Ukraine that the G-7 countries have approved. The loan will be repaid from Russian assets frozen by the countries as a result of sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. The G-7 has reached a historic breakthrough. After months of intensive discussions, we have agreed on a new loan for Ukraine worth $50 billion, and it will not be repaid by our taxpayers but by extraordinary revenues that come from frozen Russian assets in Europe and around the world. This is just and it is right. But true justice will only come when Russia leaves Ukraine, said Sunak. Advertisement Under the plan, the money will go towards the purchase of weapons and reconstruction. The loan comes at a time when Ukraine has faced a string of defeats for months. Last month, a surprise Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region in Ukraines east resulted in the Russian occupation of a number of villages. While it is not certain which country will contribute how much to the loan, The New York Times has quoted a senior European official as saying that the European Union (EU) could put up around $25-30 billion and the United States and the rest may make up the remainder of the amount. Advertisement The war has to end on Ukraines terms, says Sunak Speaking hours after Putin listed his terms for the end of war, Sunak said the Western support for Ukraine will continue till peace comes on Ukraines terms. He said peace will not mean Ukraines surrender. The Russias war on Ukraine has plunged Europe in the worst security crisis since the World War II as the continent is grappling with questions of collective defence. Even as most of the European countries are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the question of over-reliance on the United States for security, on Russia for energy, and Russias main partner China for trade has come to haunt the continent. The European leaders are also grappling with the possibility that Donald Trump, if he is elected as the President of the United States later this year, could pull the plug on US role in Europe and support for Ukraine. Advertisement Despite such challenges, Sunak appeared to assure the world of continuing support for Ukraine. Putins Russia is the aggressor. They brought war to a peaceful continent, wreaked death and destruction on the people of Ukraine, caused famine and hardship around the world, so peace must be based on international law and UN charter, and it must be on Ukraines terms. That is what justice looks like. That is what we must work towards. That is how we secure a future for Ukraine thats peaceful, democratic, and free, and we, the G-7, will stand united with Ukraine until that day comes, said Sunak. Advertisement Previously in April, Sunak had announced that the UK will put its military industry on a war footing and increase its defence spending to 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 amid the unprecedented Russian security threat to Europe. He had also announced British military funding of 500 million in late April to Ukraine. Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. The leaders also warned Iran about concluding a deal to send ballistic missiles to Russia that would help it in its war against Ukraine, saying they were prepared to respond with significant measures if it were to happen. read more The G7 country would be ready to enforce new measures if Iran transferred ballistic missiles to Russia, the Group of Seven leaders warned Tehran on Friday. The leaders also warned Iran against advancing its nuclear enrichment programme, according to a draft communique. We urge Tehran to cease and reverse nuclear escalations, and stop the continuing uranium enrichment activities that have no credible civilian justifications, the statement seen by Reuters said. Iran has accelerated its nuclear activities by initiating new cascades of advanced centrifuges and planning additional installations, as reported by the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran must engage in serious dialogue and provide convincing assurances that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, in full cooperation and compliance with the IAEAs monitoring and verification mechanism, including the Board of Governors resolution of 5 June, the G7 said. Advertisement Iran says its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. The leaders also warned Iran about concluding a deal to send ballistic missiles to Russia that would help it in its war against Ukraine, saying they were prepared to respond with significant measures if it were to happen. We call on Iran to stop assisting Russias war in Ukraine and not to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology, as this would represent a substantive material escalation and a direct threat to European security, they said. The US has described Irans recent actions as nuclear escalations, highlighting concerns over the countrys growing capacity to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels. Irans current uranium stockpile is already sufficient for multiple nuclear bombs if it decides to pursue them. However, there is no current indication from the IAEA that Iran is aiming for higher enrichment levels beyond its present activities. Inspectors from the IAEA confirmed that Iran has begun enriching uranium in three cascades of IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at its Natanz facility as of Monday. These cascades, groups of centrifuges that process uranium gas together, enrich uranium up to 2% purity. This is in addition to Irans ongoing enrichment activities at up to 60% purity, which is just a step below the 90% purity required for weapons-grade uranium. Iran plans to enhance its enrichment capabilities significantly. It intends to install 18 cascades of IR-2m centrifuges at Natanz and eight cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at its Fordo nuclear site. These advanced centrifuges are much more efficient than the older IR-1 centrifuges that have been the mainstay of Irans nuclear program, allowing for faster and more substantial enrichment of uranium. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the G7 Summit in Italy at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni read more Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni greeted PM Modi with a namaste and exchanged pleasantries when the two met in the picturesque town of Taormina at the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italys Apulia region. PM Modi is in Italy as India is participating as an Outreach nation in the 50th Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit. The Italy trip is Modis first overseas visit since he took oath as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. Advertisement PM Modi is attending the G7 Summit at the invitation of Meloni. The Indian prime minister is scheduled to address an Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean alongside other invited leaders. #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India participates as an 'Outreach nation' in G7 Summit pic.twitter.com/Sqna3AEu9X ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 More pictures of PM Modi and Meloni at G7 Summit in Italy. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. PM Modi also met Pope Francis and they shared a hug. Modi-Macron discussion focused on strengthening strategic partnership in areas such as defence, nuclear power, and space exploration. Both the leaders also exchanged views on important global and regional matters. PM Modi also expressed his best wishes to Macron for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Also Read: PM Modi meets Macron, Sunak, Zelenskyy on sidelines of G7 Summit in Italy In meeting with Sunak, PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to bolstering the India-UK strategic partnership and reviewed the progress of ongoing FTA negotiations. Advertisement The UK PM congratulated Modi on his historic third consecutive term. PM Modi also extended his best wishes to the people of the United Kingdom as they gear up for elections. The two leaders acknowledged the potential for deepening ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology, trade, and defense. PM Modi also met Zelenskyy and conveyed Indias commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Also Read: Hugs and handshakes: PM Modis G7 photodiary Modi emphasised Indias belief in a human-centric approach and exchanged views with Zelenskyy on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Summit on Peace hosted by Switzerland. Advertisement The Prime Minister described the meeting with Zelenskyy as very productive and expressed Indias eagerness to further strengthen bilateral relations with Ukraine. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ordered Hungary to pay 1m a day until it complies with the blocs refugee laws. The country has been repeatedly accused of mistreating asylum seekers read more The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ordered Hungary to pay 1 million a day until it complies with the European Union (EU) laws guaranteeing refugees the right to claim asylum inside Hungarian borders. Budapest was also ordered to pay a 200 million fine for its refusal to uphold the right to seek asylum. The blocs highest court described it as anunprecedented breach of EU law. The major judgement was delivered in Luxembourg on Thursday. The court found that Hungary has shown deliberate evasion in applying EU policy and said that the decision poses a significant threat to the unity of EU law and to the principle of equality of the member states. Advertisement Interestingly, the fine was higher than what was sought by the European Commission which took Hungary to court in the first place. The judges reasoned that the aggravating circumstances, including the repeat behaviour contributed to the severity of the fine. Orban reacts Responding to the verdict, the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, described the courts ruling as outrageous and unacceptable. It seems that illegal migrants are more important to the Brussels bureaucrats than their own European citizens, he added. The ruling came less than three weeks before the Hungarian government took charge of the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. The regional body is also expected to face more challenges after far-right forces made advances in European elections in France, Germany and Austria, and are expected to join the government in the Netherlands. Hungary and its problematic history with the migrants The judgement relates to a 2020 ruling which found that Hungary broke EU migrant law by limiting the rights of refugees and migrants to claim asylum. The European nation was also questioned for holding asylum seekers in transit camps at Roszke and Tompa on its border with Serbia. Budapest eventually closed the container camps and argued that it had complied with the ruling. In 2020, Hungary went on to pass a law that requires asylum seekers to make a declaration of intent at a Hungarian embassy in a non-EU country before entering the country. As a result of this law, almost no one could claim asylum in Hungary. Not only this, authorities received just 30 applications in 2023, in comparison to Cyprus with a population 10 times smaller than received 12,000 applications that year. Advertisement The latest judgement said that Hungarys 2020 migration law was in breach of EU asylum law and the underlying Geneva Conventions that guarantee the rights of refugees. The court said that Hungary seriously undermines the principle of solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility. With inputs from agencies. PM Modi met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Italys Apulia region. The prime minister described the meeting with the Ukrainian president as very productive and said India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. read more India would send a high-level delegation to an international summit in Switzerland on Ukraine this weekend after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Italy on Friday, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the Summit, Zelenskyy said in a statement on the Telegram app after their meeting. PM Modi met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Italys Apulia region. The prime minister described the meeting with the Ukrainian president as very productive and said India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. The leaders discussed trade, expanding ties and preparations for the summit, which Ukraine hopes will be attended by around 100 countries and organisations. Advertisement Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine, Modi said on X. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy, he said. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Furthering India-Ukraine partnership! PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, he said on X. The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, he said. Advertisement External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were part of Modis delegation at the talks. It is learnt that Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the conflict. The Peace Summit will take place at Burgenstock in Lucerne on June 15 and 16. Switzerland has invited Prime Minister Modi to attend it. However, it is learnt that a senior diplomat will represent India at the summit. With inputs from agencies. Iran, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, has pledged to allow the IAEA to visit its atomic sites to ensure its program is peaceful. Tehran also agreed to additional oversight from the IAEA as part of the 2015 nuclear deal. However, for years it has curtailed inspectors access to sites while also not fully answering questions about other sites where nuclear material has been found in the past. read more Iran has accelerated its nuclear activities by initiating new cascades of advanced centrifuges and planning additional installations, as reported by the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday. This development comes amidst heightened criticism of Irans nuclear ambitions and the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Tehran and the West, particularly as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies in Gaza. The US has described Irans recent actions as nuclear escalations, highlighting concerns over the countrys growing capacity to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels. Irans current uranium stockpile is already sufficient for multiple nuclear bombs if it decides to pursue them. However, there is no current indication from the IAEA that Iran is aiming for higher enrichment levels beyond its present activities. Advertisement Inspectors from the IAEA confirmed that Iran has begun enriching uranium in three cascades of IR-4 and IR-6 centrifuges at its Natanz facility as of Monday. These cascades, groups of centrifuges that process uranium gas together, enrich uranium up to 2% purity. This is in addition to Irans ongoing enrichment activities at up to 60% purity, which is just a step below the 90% purity required for weapons-grade uranium. Iran plans to enhance its enrichment capabilities significantly. It intends to install 18 cascades of IR-2m centrifuges at Natanz and eight cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at its Fordo nuclear site. These advanced centrifuges are much more efficient than the older IR-1 centrifuges that have been the mainstay of Irans nuclear program, allowing for faster and more substantial enrichment of uranium. These moves underscore Irans continued expansion of its nuclear program despite international efforts to limit its capabilities and the complex geopolitical landscape influenced by regional conflicts and global diplomatic tensions. Tehran did not immediately acknowledge the decision. However, it comes after Iran threatened to take action following a vote earlier this month at the IAEAs Board of Governors that censured Iran for failing to cooperate fully with the agency. The decision immediately drew criticism from State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Iran aims to continue expanding its nuclear program in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose, Miller said in a statement. These planned actions further undermine Irans claims to the contrary. If Iran implements these plans, we will respond accordingly. Advertisement Miller did not elaborate on what steps the U.S. and its allies might take. However, Iran already faces grinding economic sanctions from Washington and others that have deeply cut into its economy and sent its rial currency tumbling over recent years. Since the collapse of Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers following the U.S. unilateral withdraw from the accord in 2018, it has pursued nuclear enrichment just below weapons-grade levels. U.S. intelligence agencies and others assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program. Iran, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, has pledged to allow the IAEA to visit its atomic sites to ensure its program is peaceful. Tehran also agreed to additional oversight from the IAEA as part of the 2015 nuclear deal. However, for years it has curtailed inspectors access to sites while also not fully answering questions about other sites where nuclear material has been found in the past. Advertisement The IAEAs director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, visited Iran in May in an effort to boost inspections, but there hasnt been any major public change in Irans stance. All this comes as the Islamic Republic also appears to be trying to contain the risk it faces from the U.S. after launching an unprecedented attack on Israel. The assault a response to a suspected Israeli strike on April 1 which killed two Guard generals and others in Damascus, Syria has pushed a yearslong shadow war between Israel and Iran out into the open. With inputs from agencies. Back then, India was itself under colonial occupation. But its soldiers though following the British command sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Italy, which had been occupied by its friend-turned-foe Hitlers Germany read more While the Namaste (the Indian way of greetings) by Italy Prime Minister Georgia Meloni has mesmerised the netizens whether the G7 summit host has adopted the Modi way of welcoming guests. The fact that Meloni in her social media posts has described her friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with hashtag #Melodi has spiced up the internet as top leaders from major democracies get into a huddle at Italys luxury resort Borgo Egnazia in the countrys southern Puglia region. However, there is a deeper India-Italy connection in recorded history. Advertisement In the third century BC, Indian emperor Ashoka sent emissaries with the message of peace and welfare to various parts of the world including Italy. In the 13th century, Italian traveller Marco Polo toured India and was in awe when he saw Indians using coal in their hearths and furnaces. He said Indians, and also Chinese, burn black stones to heat objects. But there is also a more recent and more intense and defining aspect to India-Italy relation when hundreds of Indian soldiers fought for Italys freedom. It happened during World War II Adolf Hitlers Germany occupied Italy in September 1943, prompting the allied forces the UK, the US and the USSR to launch a counter-attack. Commanded by the British, three of the finest Indian infantry divisions rushed to the Italian front the 4th, 8th, and 10th Infantry Divisions. The first to arrive was the 8th Division but the 4th Division fought the fiercest and most crucial battles. The involvement of Indian soldiers in the Italian campaign is a story of extraordinary bravery and sacrifice. These soldiers fought for the freedom of Italy and contributed significantly to ensure the Allied victory in Europe. In July 2022, Indian Army chief General MM Naravane inaugurated the Indian Army Memorial at Cassino, Italy, to commemorate the Indian soldiers killed in the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. The Battle of Cassino: A watershed in India-Italy friendship The Battle of Monte Cassino saw four key military fights from January to June in 1944. Indias 4th Infantry Division participated in the second and third battles fought in February and March. Advertisement Monte Cassino was a strategic location on a defence demarcation called the Gustav Line a series of constructions by Hitlers German forces and Benito Mussolinis Italian forces when they were on the same side in the Axis forces. It protected a highway that led directly to Rome. The idea was to keep the Western forces away from Rome. Breaking the defence line was key to the success of the Allied forces in Italy. Monte Cassino, a rugged terrain similar to high mountains like the Himalayas, was a difficult battlefield. But the bravery of the 4th Indian Division soldiers put the Allied forces in a position to push through and eventually capture Rome. Advertisement As many as 50,000 Indian soldiers fought in Italy as troops of the Allied army of which Britain was a part and India was then under British colonial occupation. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 5,504 Indian soldiers gave their lives for the freedom of Italy, which had been occupied by German dictator Hitlers forces. Deceased soldiers aged between 15 and 41 were buried, cremated and commemorated in war cemeteries across Italy. Six out of the 20 Victoria Crosses awarded during these campaigns went to Indian soldiers. Their stories are said to have become part of folklore in Italian villages even though the curriculum planners chose to ignore their contribution. As Israel and Hamas traded claims they were committed to a ceasefire plan for Gaza, and accused each other of sabotaging it, a top senior Hamas official has said that no one has an idea how many of the 120 remaining hostages kidnapped on 7 October are still alive read more Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan speaks during a rally organized by Lebanon's Hezbollah terror group to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, in the southern suburb of Beirut, on 17 May, 2021. AP File As Israel and Hamas traded claims they were committed to a ceasefire plan for Gaza, and accused each other of sabotaging it, a top senior Hamas official has said that no one has an idea how many of the 120 remaining Israeli hostages kidnapped on 7 October are still alive. The fate of the 120 remaining hostages in Gaza is crucial to any deal to end the protracted and bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. In an interview to CNN at the Lebanese capital Beirut_,_ Hamas spokesperson and political bureau member Osama Hamdan, said, I dont have any idea about that (number of hostages alive). No one has an idea about this, he said, alleging that the Israeli operation to free four of the hostages on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three others, including an American citizen. There are concerns that the number of hostages who have lost their lives might exceed what has been publicly disclosed. In April, Hamas informed international mediators that it couldnt comply with Israels demand to release 40 of the remaining hostages in the initial phase of a deal, including all the women as well as sick and elderly men, because it did not hold 40 living hostages who match those criteria for release. Advertisement Israel-Hamas talks stalled Speaking about the latest proposal on the table, an Israeli plan that was first publicly announced by US President Joe Biden late last month, Hamdan said it did not meet the groups demands for an end to the war. Hamas needed a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians to determine their future by themselves, the reconstruction, the (lifting) of the siege and we are ready to talk about a fair deal about the prisoners exchange, CNN quoted Hamdan as saying. Negotiations around the US-backed proposal had picked up pace up in recent days, but hit a road block on Wednesday when Hamas presented its response to the document, 12 days after receiving it. Expressing frustration, Blinken noted Hamass decision to submit numerous changes, with some exceeding their previously stated positions. Some of the changes are workable. Some are not, Blinken said at a news conference in Doha on Wednesday. Hamdan said that the duration of the ceasefire was a sticking issue for Hamas, which is concerned that Israel has no intention of following through with the second phase of the deal. The Israelis want the ceasefire only for six weeks and then they want to go back to the fight, which I think the Americans, till now, they did not convince the Israelis to accept (a permanent ceasefire), CNN quoted Hamdan as saying, adding that he believes the US needs to convince Israel to accept a permanent ceasefire as part of the deal. Advertisement US-backed ceasefire plan The US-backed ceasefire plan that was approved by the United Nations Security Council on Monday lays out a phased approach. In the first phase, there would be a six-week ceasefire in which some hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the Israeli military would pull out of populated areas in Gaza. The second phase a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would only be implemented after further negotiations between the two sides. Hamdan also blamed Israel for the mental state of four hostages recently rescued, after a doctor said they were subject to constant physical and emotional abuse while in captivity. Advertisement I believe if they have mental problem, this is because of what Israel have done in Gaza. Because (no one can) handle what Israel is doing, bombing each day, killing civilians, killing women and children they saw that (with) their own eyes, he said, adding that comparing images of the hostages taken before and after the eight-months long captivity shows they were better than before a claim that is demonstrably false. Attack reaction against occupation When asked if Hamas regretted its decision to attack Israel, Hamdan blamed the situation on Israel, saying the attack was a reaction against the occupation. The one who is in charge or responsible for that is (the Israeli) occupation. If you resist the occupation, (they) will kill you, if you did not resist the occupation, (they) also will kill you and deport you out of your country. So what we are supposed to do, just to wait? he asked. Advertisement He also rejected a recent Wall Street Journal report that claimed Hamass Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar welcomed Gazan civilian deaths as a necessary sacrifice. It was fake messages done by someone who is not Palestinian and (it) was sent (to the) Wall Street Journal as part of the pressure against Hamas and provoking the people against the leader, CNN quoted him as saying. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit and hold bilateral talks on a wide range of issues with world leaders on Friday read more Bari, Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit and hold bilateral talks on a wide range of issues with world leaders on Friday. The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a video message from the airport. Tomorrow (Friday) is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the Outreach session of the G7 Summit, he said. Advertisement Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/muXi30p4Bj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2024 During his day-long visit, Modi will be participating in a summit session entitled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis. The Pope is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi, who has a series of meetings scheduled with the world leaders on the sidelines of the summit being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia. I look forward to meeting fellow world leaders and discussing a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better and improving lives of people, said Modi, in a departure statement on Thursday evening. He said he was glad that his first foreign visit in his third consecutive term as prime minister was to Italy for the G7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Melonis two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, his statement reads. Advertisement During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South. I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the summit, he added. India hosted the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, which was also attended by the world leaders gathering at the Apulia meet being held under the Italian presidency. The Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, will welcome Modi as the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy on Friday. Advertisement In her opening address on Thursday at the meeting of the G7 leaders US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel she said southern Italy was chosen as the venue to send a strong message to the Global South. It is no coincidence that we are hosting the summit in Apulia. We did this because Apulia is a region of southern Italy and the message we want to launch is that the G7, under the Italian presidency, wishes to strengthen its dialogue with the nations of the Global South, Meloni said in her opening address. Advertisement The Russia-Ukraine conflict is set to dominate the agenda as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for the discussions on Thursday. While India has reiterated its stance on dialogue and diplomacy as the best approach, Sunak is leading calls for decisive efforts to support Ukraine whatever it takes. We must be decisive and creative in our efforts to support Ukraine and end [Russian President] Putins illegal war at this critical moment, said Sunak, who announced up to GBP 242 million in bilateral assistance to Ukraine in support of the countrys immediate humanitarian, energy and stabilisation needs, and to lay the foundations for longer-term economic and social recovery and reconstruction. Advertisement In his pre-visit media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had recalled Modis statement in September 2022 that todays era is not of war." We have always been at the forefront to offer assistance wherever we can to alleviate challenges faced by the Global South because of the conflict, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and also to the Global South affected by conflict, he said. The Foreign Secretary said India will continue to share its perspective with world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Besides India, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries in Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the G7 Summit. Italys PM Giorgia Meloni congratulated Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit Borgo Egnazia in Apulia. Modi-Meloni bilateral at G7 Summit: What they discuss 1 - Meloni congratulated Modi for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister. 2 - PM Modi thanked his Italian counterpart for the invitation to participate in G7 Outreach Summit and conveyed his appreciation for the successful conclusion of the Summit, the MEA said in a statement. Advertisement 3 - Both the leaders noted with satisfaction the regular higher political dialogue and reviewed progress of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. 4 - They expressing happiness at growing trade and economic collaboration and called for expanding commercial ties in clean energy, manufacturing, Space, S&T, telecom, AI and critical minerals to build resilient supply chains. 5 - Modi and Meloni welcomed the recent signing of a MoU on Industrial Property Rights (IPR) which provides a framework for cooperation on patents, designs and trademarks. 6 - The two leaders also discussed bilateral defence and security cooperation. They hoped for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration. 7 - They welcomed the forthcoming visit of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and training ship ITS Vespucci to India later this year. 8 - PM Modi thanked the Italian government for recognising the Indian Armys contribution in Italian Campaign during WW-II and informed that India will be upgrading the Yashwant Ghadge Memorial at Montone in Italy. 9 - Taking note of the coordination under the Global Biofuels Alliance, the leaders welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Transition which will boost bilateral cooperation in clean and green energy. 10 - The two leaders expressed happiness at the new Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025-27 to promote joint research and development in Science & Technology. Advertisement 11 - Both Modi and Meloni called for an early implementation of the Migration and Mobility Agreement, which would facilitate mobility of professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, students, and researchers 12 - They look forward to joint activities to be implemented under Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative framework to fulfill their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. 13 - The two leaders also discussed important regional and global issues and agreed to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Had a very good meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Thanked her for inviting India to be a part of the G7 Summit and for the wonderful arrangements. We discussed ways to further cement India-Italy relations in areas like commerce, energy, defence, telecom and more. Our nations will pic.twitter.com/PAe6sdNRO9 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Advertisement PM Modi is in Italy as India is participating as an Outreach nation in the G7 Summit. He is attending the summit in Italy at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. This is Modis first foreign trip after becoming the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9. He arrived in Italy early on Friday. Advertisement Earlier in the day, Meloni greeted PM Modi with a namaste and both exchanged pleasantries when the two met in the picturesque town of Taormina. Also Read: WATCH: Italys Giorgia Meloni greets PM Modi with a namaste at G7 Summit Prime Minister Melonis two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda, PM Modi said in Delhi ahead of his departure on Thursday. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, Modi said. The members of G7 include the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Advertisement Italy is holding the current presidency of the G7 (Group of Seven) and is hosting the summit in that capacity. The bloc expanded into G8 between 1997 and 2013, with the inclusion of Russia. However, the countrys participation was suspended in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea. In line with its tradition, representatives of a number of countries and international organisations are invited to the summit by the host nation that holds the chair. Apart from India, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries including Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the summit. With inputs from PTI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met French President Emmanuel Macron and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and is believed to have discussed ways to boost bilateral ties, exchanged views on global issues and issues of common interests read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met French President Emmanuel Macron and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and is believed to have discussed ways to boost bilateral ties, exchanged views on global issues and issues of common interests. He also held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is believed to have briefed PM Modi on various aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi conveyed to Zelenskyy that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Advertisement #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with UK PM Rishi Sunak in Apulia, on the sidelines of G7 Summit. The two leaders share a hug as they meet. pic.twitter.com/X5ZFi7379l ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 PM Modi met the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Bari, the southern resort town of Italy. #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Apulia, on the sidelines of G7 Summit. The two leaders share a hug as they meet. pic.twitter.com/oCEOD3XQhT ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Taking to X, PM Modi said, It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector. Advertisement It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. pic.twitter.com/ehjhFY89cE Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 PM Modi said he also held a bilateral with French President Macron, which is the fourth meeting between the two leaders in a year. Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties, PM Modi wrote. Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also pic.twitter.com/l52eHhJclL Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Advertisement Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month, he added. It is Prime Minister Modis first foreign trip after assuming office for a third time this month. Advertisement While PM Modi last met Macron in January when the French President visited India to attend the 75th Republic Day of India, he met Sunak in person at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, when they had agreed to accelerate the FTA talks with the hope of signing off before Indias general election. However, the trade talks are now expected to resume only after a new UK government is elected on 4 July. The India-UK FTA negotiations, which opened in January 2022, are aimed at significantly enhancing bilateral trade currently worth around 38.1 billion pounds a year as per official statistics from earlier this year. During their last meeting, PM Modi and President Macron had reaffirmed their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, outlined in Horizon 2047 and other documents from the July 2023 Summit. Horizon 2047 Roadmap sets an ambitious and broad-ranging course for the bilateral relationship for 2047, the centenary year of Indias independence. After winding up his bilateral with Macron and Sunak, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. According to PTI, Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Furthering - partnership! PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage pic.twitter.com/cxnYOHn907 Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 14, 2024 PM Modi had met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May last year as well. India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that he admired Pope Francis commitment to serving the people read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, met Pope Francis with a warm embrace at the Outreach session of the G7 Summit in Italys Apulia. PM Modi invited the Pope to visit India. The Indian Prime Minister also said that he admired the pontiffs commitment to serving the people. Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India, PM Modi said in a post on X. Advertisement Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/BeIPkdRpUD Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 PM Modi was also seen in a light-hearted exchange with the 87-year-old head of the worldwide Catholic Church, who was taken around the table in a wheelchair to greet each of the world leaders gathered at the summit venue of Borgo Egnazia. PM Modi and his party, BJP, have made several overtures to the Christian community before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In his address at the Outreach session on the topic of Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean, the Pope said: It is up to each of us to make good use of AI. The Outreach session was attended by the participants of the G7 and other leaders of the Global South invited by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni in her capacity as president of this years summit. She greeted the Holy Father and then joined him as he greeted leaders with handshakes including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Advertisement PM Modi met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican in October 2021. At the time, the two leaders discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for people across the world. They also discussed the challenges posed by climate change. PM Modi briefed the Pope about the ambitious initiatives taken by India in combating climate change as well as the countrys success in administering one billion Covid-19 vaccination doses. The Pope is said to have appreciated Indias assistance to countries in need during the pandemic. With inputs from PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a brief conversation with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Italy on Friday read more Amid strained bilateral ties over the case relating to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a brief conversation with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of G7 Summit in Italy. PM Modi, later took to X to share picture of his meeting with Trudea and wrote: Met Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the G7 Summit. Both PM Modi and Trudeau were seen warmly greeting each other during the encounter. Advertisement Met Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the G7 Summit. pic.twitter.com/e67ajADDWi Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 It is not immediately known what transpired between Modi and Trudeau. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain in September 2023, after Trudeaus allegations of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia. New Delhi rejected Trudeaus allegations, terming them as absurd and motivated. Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in Surrey on June 18, 2023. The murder is being probed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday said Indias main issue with Canada continues to be the political space that Ottawa provides to anti-India elements which advocate extremism and violence. India has repeatedly conveyed its deep concerns to Canada and New Delhi expects Ottawa to take strong action against those elements, Kwatra said. Advertisement Days after Trudeaus 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. With inputs from PTI. Russian President Vladimir Putin said, as soon as Ukraine begin a real withdrawal of troops and officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO, immediately, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations read more Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2024. Source: REUTERS. President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia would cease fire and enter peace talks if Ukraine dropped its NATO ambitions and withdrew its forces from four Ukrainian regions claimed by Moscow. On the eve of a peace conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out a series of conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine. The conditions are very simple, Putin said, listing these as the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. Advertisement As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations, he said. I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations. Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in the third year of the war. Ukraine says peace can only be based on a full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity. The weekend summit in Switzerland, which will be attended by representatives of more than 90 nations and organisations, is expected to shy away from territorial issues and focus instead on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine. The Kremlin has said the gathering will prove futile without Russia being represented. Former US President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday while he was on his first visit to the US Capitol since the January 6 riots in 2021 read more Former US President Donald Trump greets Republican lawmakers during his visit to the Capitol Hill. Source: AP Former US President Donald Trump received a grand welcome from the House and Senate Republicans on his first visit to Capitol Hill since the devastating January 6 riots that sent shockwaves across the country in 2021. As he went to rally the Republican congressional, this also marked Trumps first visit to Washington DC after he was convicted of 34 criminal counts in the infamous Hush Money case. There is tremendous unity in the Republican Party, Trump said after meeting with GOP senators at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Advertisement Happy Birthday Day to President Trump Long Live Trump.. pic.twitter.com/qPPy66uRqU Shahzad Para 2.0 (@Shahzad_Para2) June 14, 2024 A room full of House Republicans sang Happy Birthday to Trump, who turned 78 on Friday. While he addressed the gathering of lawmakers, the former reality star did not take questions from reporters. The visit stirred many headlines and Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz described it as a pep rally, CBS News reported. House Republicans will hit the ground running in January 2025 with the 47th President of the United States! pic.twitter.com/hSWZFeGXqR Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) June 13, 2024 We are 100 per cent unified behind his candidacy and are ready to get to work on behalf of the American people, Rep. Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference told the reporters and called the meet a very successful political gathering. Pelosi condemns the visit Former US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi mounted a forceful denunciation of Trumps visit to the Capitol. She accused the former president of returning with the same mission of dismantling our democracy. It is pertinent to note that it was the Trump supporters who descended on the building in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election result in the favour of the business-mogul-turned politician. Advertisement Today, the instigator of an insurrection is returning to the scene of the crime, Pelosi said in a statement. January 6 was a crime against the Capitol, that saw Nazi and Confederate flags flying under the dome that Lincoln built. It was a crime against the constitution and its peaceful transfer of power, in a desperate attempt to cling to power. And it was a crime against members, heroic police officers and staff, that resulted in death, injury and trauma that endure to this day," she added. Pelosi, whose office was defiled by rioters said: With his pledges to be a dictator on day one and seek revenge against his political opponents, Donald Trump comes to Capitol Hill today with the same mission of dismantling our democracy. But make no mistake Trump has already cemented his legacy of shame in our hallowed halls. Advertisement The former House Speakers remarks attracted major backlash from Trump as well. Nancy Pelosis daughter is a wacko her daughter told me if things were different Nancy and I would be perfect together. Theres an age difference, though, American website Punchbowl quoted Trump saying at the gathering of Republican lawmakers. However, Trumps comments attracted backlash from one of Pelosis daughters. Speaking for all 4 Pelosi daughters this is a LIE. His deceitful, deranged obsession with our mother is yet another reason Donald Trump is unwell, unhinged and unfit to step foot anywhere near her or the White House, Christine Pelosi wrote on X, formally known as Twitter, on behalf of her mother. Advertisement Speaking for all 4 Pelosi daughters this is a LIE. His deceitful, deranged obsession with our mother is yet another reason Donald Trump is unwell, unhinged and unfit to step foot anywhere near her or the White House. https://t.co/RkHP0uQbRw Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) June 13, 2024 Meanwhile, The Hill quoted Pelosis spokesperson saying that Trump has lost his marbles. With inputs from agencies. South Koreas vice foreign minister, Kim Hong-kyun, in an emergency phone call with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, said Putins visit should not result in more military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in violation of the resolutions, according to Seouls foreign ministry read more Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un visit the Vostochny osmodrome in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, on 13 September, 2023. Reuters A possible impending visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea could deepen military ties between the two countries in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, officials of South Korea and the United States warned on Friday. South Koreas vice foreign minister, Kim Hong-kyun, in an emergency phone call with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, said Putins visit should not result in more military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in violation of the resolutions, according to Seouls foreign ministry. Advertisement Echoing Kims concerns, Campbell pledged continued cooperation to tackle potential regional instability and challenges caused by the trip. While closely monitoring related developments, the two sides agreed to resolutely respond through airtight cooperation to North Koreas provocations against South Korea and actions that escalate tensions in the region, the ministry said in a statement. On Wednesday, a senior official at Seouls presidential office said Putin was expected to visit North Korea in the coming days. Russias Vedomosti newspaper on Monday reported Putin would visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday declined to give a date or agenda for a possible visit but said Russias right to develop closer ties with North Korea should not be in doubt or a source of fear for anyone. Growing ties Russia has used North Korean-made missiles and artillery shells to attack targets in Ukraine, officials in Washington, Seoul, and Kyiv, as well as United Nations sanctions monitors and independent experts have said. North Korea and Russia have denied arms deals but vowed to deepen cooperation across the board, including in military relations. Speaking at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington on Wednesday, Campbell said the United States has a very good understanding of what North Korea has provided Russia, which he said has had a substantial impact on the battlefield. Less clear, he said, is what Russia has provided North Korea. Hard currency? Is it energy? Is it capabilities that allow them to advance their nuclear or missile products? We dont know. But were concerned by that and watching carefully, he said. Advertisement In testimony in March to Congress, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said that Russia has been forced by its need for support in its war against Ukraine to grant some long-sought concessions to North Korea, as well as China and Iran with the potential to undermine, among other things, long-held non-proliferation norms. Haines did not elaborate on her statement, but the reference to weakening non-proliferation norms appeared to be a warning that Russia could provide North Korea with military-related technology. This growing cooperation and willingness to exchange aid in military, economic, political, and intelligence matters enhances their individual capabilities, assists them to undermine the rules-based order, and gives them some insulation from international pressure, she continued. Advertisement The US intelligence community assesses, however, that these relationships including that between Moscow and Pyongyang - will remain far short of formal alliances because parochial interests and wariness of each other will most likely limit their cooperation, Haines said. Possible preparations Civilian aircraft have been cleared from Pyongyangs airport and there are signs of preparations for a possible parade in the capitals Kim Il Sung Square, NK Pro, a Seoul-based website, reported this week, citing commercial satellite imagery. It remains possible that the parade or large event will not coincide with Putins visit, but as Kim is likely to treat their summit with great importance, its also possible North Korea could put on a special event to celebrate Russian-DPRK ties at the square, wrote Colin Zwirko, a senior analytical correspondent with NK Pro. Advertisement In past instances, such preparations were made only days before the event, he added. When Sergei Shoigu, then Russias defence minister, visited Pyongyang last year to jumpstart the two countries warming ties, he accompanied Kim to a parade and saluted as North Koreas banned nuclear-tipped missiles rolled by. Norway is witnessing a significant exodus of its super-rich, driven by a hike in wealth taxes introduced by the center-left government. In 2022, over 30 Norwegian billionaires and multimillionaires relocated to low-tax countries, particularly Switzerland. read more Norways proposed crackdown on its wealthiest citizens is sparking significant backlash from entrepreneurs. The Labour-led government is poised to broaden the exit tax on capital gains, a measure designed to address the growing number of billionaires relocating to Switzerland to evade higher taxes. The proposal, unveiled in March and set for parliamentary discussion later this year, seeks to tighten the tax regulations to prevent capital flight. Entrepreneurs argue that this move could further entrench Norways economic reliance on its dominant oil and gas sector. Critics of the plan believe it will drive more wealthy individuals to leave Norway, potentially stripping the country of significant private investment and entrepreneurial talent. Advertisement Norways government, however, sees the measure as a necessary step to ensure tax equity and to close loopholes that allow the wealthy to avoid their fair share of taxes. The debate continues as both sides weigh the potential economic impacts of the proposed tax reforms. While aimed at the countrys wealthiest individuals, the potential impact is alarming a broader array of entrepreneurs and businesspeople, including startup chiefs such as Marit Rodevand, whose company, Strise AS, makes software to combat money laundering, Bloomberg reported. Norway is a very state-controlled oil-and-gas economy, she was quoted by Bloomberg as saying in an interview at her office in central Oslo. We need new industries. The politicians should step back and think: this tax doesnt make us competitive on the global scene. Norway is witnessing a significant exodus of its super-rich, driven by a hike in wealth taxes introduced by the center-left government. In 2022, over 30 Norwegian billionaires and multimillionaires relocated to low-tax countries, particularly Switzerland. This number exceeds the total of such high-net-worth individuals who left Norway over the previous 13 years combined, according to Dagens Nringsliv news paper. The surge in departures comes in response to the governments decision to increase the wealth tax to 1.1%. The tax hike, implemented in November, is expected to drive even more wealthy individuals to leave Norway in 2023. This migration of the affluent is projected to cost the government tens of millions in lost tax revenue. Advertisement Switzerland, with its significantly lower tax rates, has become a preferred destination for these affluent Norwegians. This trend highlights a broader issue as Norway grapples with balancing equitable tax policies while retaining its economic elite. Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said there was no possibility to find compromise between Russian President Putins statement and Ukraines conditions for ending the war read more Ukraine on Friday dismissed ceasefire conditions listed by Vladimir Putin and said the remarks of the Russian President shows that he doesnt want to negotiate. Putins ceasefire terms unacceptable to Ukraine A report by Financial Times quoted Oleksandr Lytvynenko, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council, as saying that Putins remarks were a demonstration that he doesnt want to negotiate. He further said that the ceasefire conditions of the Russian leader were unacceptable to Kyiv. Advertisement Ukraine wont compromise A report by Reuters quoted Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak as saying that there was no possibility to find compromise between Putins statement and Ukraines conditions for ending the war. He is offering for Ukraine to admit defeat. He is offering for Ukraine to legally give up its territories to Russia. He is offering for Ukraine to sign away its geopolitical sovereignty, Podolyak further said. Putin trying to seize news agenda from Ukraine Podolyak went on to slam Putin, saying that he was trying to seize the news agenda from Ukraine by making speech on ceasefire on the eve of Ukraines first global peace summit which will begin on Saturday, June 15, in Switzerland. Lytvynenko also questioned the timing of Putins speech and called it Putins attempt to undermine the global peace summit of Ukraine. Our position is very clear: the peace formula, Lytvynenko said, referring to 10-point plan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys to bring the conflict to an end, which includes the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Putin trying to mislead world powers Intensifying attack on Putin, Ukraines foreign ministry described the Russian Presidents words as manipulative statements aimed at misleading the international community (and) undermining diplomatic efforts to achieve a just peace. It is absurd for Putin, who planned, prepared and executed, together with his accomplices, the largest armed aggression in Europe since the Second World War, to present himself as a peacemaker, the ministry further said. Advertisement Russia not invited for Ukraines peace summit Russia has not been invited to the Swiss event, which Ukraine says will be attended by representatives from more than 100 countries and organisations, including many heads of state. A report by Financial Times quoted Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff, as saying that Kyiv might invite a Moscow representative to a second peace summit sometime in the future. Putins conditions for Ukraine ceasefire Putin on Friday listed out a series of conditions to immediately cease fire and enter peace talks with Ukraine. However, they were completely at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine. Before listing them out, Putin said his conditions are very simple and then started saying them one after another. Advertisement 1 - Full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of four Ukrainian regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in eastern and southern Ukraine claimed by Moscow. He claimed to have annexed the regions despite only partly occupying them in the fall of 2022. 2 - Russia would gain full control of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia. 3 - Kyiv should officially announce the abandonment of its plans to join NATO. 4 - Kyiv has also been asked to never develop nuclear weapons and to pursue its demilitarisation and denazification, the two goals Russia set out at the start of its invasion Advertisement 5 - Lifting of western sanctions imposed in 2022 in response to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations, Putin said. I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations," he further. Advertisement Today we are making another specific, real peace offering. If Kyiv and western capitals refuse it as they did before, then thats their issue at the end of the day their political and moral responsibility for the continued bloodshed, the Russian President said. Also Read: Russia will cease fire, enter peace talks if Ukraine : Putin lists conditions US President Joe Biden is trailing behind Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, in surveys ahead of the presidential election read more US President Joe Biden is trailing behind Donald Trump in surveys ahead of the presidential election (Photo: Reuters) In 2020, a social media collective called TikTok for Biden worked with the singular goal of getting Joe Biden elected as the President of the United States. In 2024, the collective has rebranded itself as Gen-Z for Change and has not endorsed Biden so far. In the previous US presidential election, the collective worked on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch to spread the word about Biden and champion his cause. Now, there is anger among their ranks regarding Biden. The founder of the collective has said Biden is out of step with young people. Advertisement Biden is out of step with young people on a number of key issues. The frustrations of young progressive leaders a barometer of widespread dissatisfaction among Gen Z voters, said the collectives founder, Aidan Kohn-Murphy, to The Washington post. The dissatisfaction among the collective ranges from Bidens stance on the war in the Gaza Strip to the proposed ban on TikTok, as per the paper. Such anger with Biden is also seen outside of the collective. Around 25 per cent of Left-leaning content creators on TikTok posted content against Biden during January-April 2024, according to social media analytics company CredoIQ. The company said much of the content is being shared by young, non-White liberals. This perceived assault on free speech is enabling anti-Biden sentiment to leap from a smaller demographic of pro-Palestine young progressives to a potentially market-moving bloc of unenthusiastic young voters that are upset with the TikTok ban, said the company. Bidens changing relationship with influencers In 2021, the Biden administration dubbed the influencers as new media and said they would be central to the administration public outreach. The influencers were roped in to spread awareness about the coronavirus pandemic, such as the rollout of vaccines, and other issues. The relationship has, however, shifted in recent years. Influencers have told The Post that now the Biden campaign is choosy in whom they invite. They said those critical of Biden have been shunned. Advertisement I have noticed that there have been a lot more events with creators, but the creators that are getting invited are the creators who are very pro Biden and just parroting talking points or sharing photo ops of them smiling with the President. Not the creators who have been critical, said Kahlil Greene to the paper. Greene added that he has not been invited to the White House since he criticised the Bidens administration stand on the war in Gaza and the proposed TikTok ban. Annie Wu Henry, an influencer and digital strategist, told the paper that the Biden administration is now playing favourite with the influencers. Advertisement But the thing is, the press briefing room has to have Fox News no matter what. They have to allow all of the media in. When it comes to influencers, they only let in people who agree, and anyone who gives even a little bit of pushback is not welcome, said Henry. Are Gen Z voters against Biden? As many as two-third of Gen Z voters are less likely to vote for Biden after the proposed ban on TikTok was floated, according to a survey by Morning Consult. The survey said that the proposed ban of TikTok made 67 per cent Gen Z voters less likely to vote for Biden. Advertisement Similarly, 46 per cent of the voters have been turned away over Bidens handling of the war in Gaza and 38 per cent are miffed over environmental concerns. Overall, in nearly all surveys in the run-up to the US presidential election, Biden is trailing even if narrowly behind Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican Partys nominee. The properties or assets of sanctioned individuals in the United States will be frozen and they will be barred from doing business or financial activities with US-based entities read more The United States has sanctioned an extremist Israeli group for blocking trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. For weeks, far-right extremists in Israel have been attacking trucks carrying humanitarian supplies to war-torn Gaza and disrupting their movements. The Israeli government has so far failed to check on the activities of these extremists. In a statement on Friday, the US Department of State said it has sanctioned the group, Tzav 9, for blocking, harassing, and damaging convoys carrying supplies to Gaza. It said the group has undertaken violent activities all the way from Israels border with Jordan to West Bank and the border with Gaza. Advertisement They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road. On May 13, 2024, Tzav 9 members looted and then set fire to two trucks near Hebron in the West Bank carrying humanitarian aid destined for men, women, and children in Gaza, said the Department of State. Previously, the US sanctioned violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank who were indulging in violence against the Palestinians in the region. The US also said that the Israeli government has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of convoys carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. It further said it will continue to use all tools at our disposal to promote accountability for those who attempt or undertake such heinous acts. What is Tzav 9 group? The Tzav 9 group has been formed by demobilised reservists of the Israeli military, members of some hostages families, and Israeli settlers in West Bank, according to CNN. For months, the group has been blockading the supply of aid to Gaza at the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is Israels only border crossing with Gaza, as per CNN. The group has been saying that the supplies will be taken over by Hamas and will empower the terrorist group. The situation is dire in Gaza as large swathes of the Palestinian enclave have been devastated in the war and food, water, and medicines are scarce in the region. In parts of northern Gaza, top United Nations (UN) and US officials have said that famine-like conditions have been reported. Advertisement In a statement following the sanctions announcement, Tzav 9 said it only participated in its democratic exercise to protest the aid and did not indulge in violence. What do sanctions on Tzav 9 mean? The sanctions by the Department of State means that the concerned members of the groups will be barred from business or financial entities in the United States, according to The New York Times. The newspaper further reported that properties or assets of any members in the United States will also be frozen. The sanctions could particularly hit hard those members who hold dual Israeli-US nationality as they would be more likely to have exposure in terms of business, jobs, or properties in the United States, which would be set to be frozen after the sanctions. Parallel to the EUs actions, the United States had already increased tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100 per cent last month read more As the G7 Summit unfolds, one of the central topics of discussion is China. The Western nations, having accumulated several grievances against Beijing, appear to be taking a firm stance. This is not just a simple rebuke; it represents a concerted, multi-dimensional attack on Chinas economy and diplomatic posture. The EUs tariff Hike on Chinese electric vehicles One of the first fronts in this Western campaign is the European Unions move to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The tariffs, which will range between 17 per cent and 38 per cent, are aimed at major Chinese automakers like BYD, SAIC, and Geely. This decision follows a significant increase in the market share of Chinese EVs in Europe, which grew from 1 per cent in 2019 to nearly 8 per cent today, primarily due to their competitive pricing, about 20 per cent lower than European counterparts. The EUs strategy is to nullify this price advantage and protect its domestic industry. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has strongly condemned the move, labeling it as protectionism and warning of possible retaliatory measures. Advertisement US tariffs on Chinese EVs: A parallel move Parallel to the EUs actions, the United States had already increased tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100 per cent last month. This alignment of policies underscores a unified Western front against Chinas trade practices, sending a clear signal of opposition. The US-China Chip War intensifies Another significant battleground is advanced computer chips. Since 2022, the US has been attempting to limit Chinas access to high-end chips essential for artificial intelligence and other technologies. The US is now planning further restrictions, not just on American-made chips but also on those produced using American technology. This includes the Gate All-Around (GAA) technology, which enhances chip performance and reduces power consumption. Blocking exports of chips utilizing this technology could severely impact Chinas semiconductor sector, marking a significant escalation in the tech conflict. Sanctions against China amid US-Russia tensions The Western strategy also involves sanctions, particularly targeting Chinese firms allegedly aiding Russia in evading sanctions. The US recently sanctioned several Chinese companies for supplying microchips, drone parts and weapon components to Russia. This move is designed to send a strong message and increase pressure on Beijing to reconsider its stance. President Bidens decision to impose these sanctions just before the G7 Summit underscores the urgency and the intent to galvanize European support, potentially isolating China further on the sanctions front. Reviving the Tibet Issue: A diplomatic move Beyond economic measures, the US and Canada have launched a diplomatic assault by reviving the issue of Tibet. The US Congress recently passed a bill urging China to engage with the Dalai Lama to resolve the Tibet dispute, while Canada passed a motion supporting Tibetan self-determination. These actions, though symbolic, aim to highlight Beijings policies in Tibet and put moral and diplomatic pressure on China, adding another layer to the Western strategy. Advertisement The Western strategy: Pressure and isolation These coordinated effortstargeting EVs, chips, sanctions, and the Tibet issueillustrate a determined Western strategy to corner Beijing economically and diplomatically. The question remains: will this multi-pronged attack succeed in pressuring China to make concessions, or will Beijing stand its ground amid the growing opposition? Only time will tell as the G7 discussions continue. Google has announced on its Pixel Help Community portal that its extending the Repair Program for a limited number of Pixel 8 devices experiencing display issues like vertical lines and flickering. Extended repair program for Pixel 8 Under this new program, Pixel 8 owners facing these problems can get support for up to three years from the original purchase date. Here are Googles eligibility criteria: The Pixel 8 must show a vertical line running from the bottom to the top of the display, or a display flicker. The device identifier (e.g., IMEI, serial number) must be confirmed by Google or an authorized repair partner as eligible for this program. If your device qualifies, Google will provide support coverage for affected Pixel 8 devices for three years from the original purchase date. This includes one free display replacement for eligible Pixel 8 devices. Additionally: Any repair under this program is warranted for 90 days. The program doesnt extend the standard warranty coverage of the Pixel 8. If the Pixel 8 display or cover glass is cracked or the device shows other damage, like liquid intrusion, it may not qualify for this program. The announcement reassures Pixel 8 owners that devices not eligible for the extended program may still be covered under the standard limited warranty. Googles standard hardware warranty lasts one year, but the company now promises seven years of software OS and security updates for all Pixel 8 phones, including the Pixel 8a. Announcing the updates, the Google Pixel Support Team posted: EU's anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs act of protectionism: foreign ministry (People's Daily App) 16:12, June 14, 2024 The EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles is a typical act of protectionism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing on June 13, 2024. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Prof. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, said: The statutory reform is a milestone for the development of Fraunhofer in a positive direction. An organization with over 30,000 employees across the globe must be managed like a modern, transparent, and flexible global company, and we have now paved the way for this. The management and control structures at Germany's largest applied research organization will become more modern, effective, and transparent. In the first few months of his term of office, Fraunhofer President Prof. Holger Hanselka engaged in intensive discussions with employees at the institutes and headquarters, as well as with stakeholders and grant authorities. Based on the needs and ideas for change that came to light during these discussions, the executive board and senate, under the leadership of the Fraunhofer president and the chair of the senate, Hildegard Muller, developed a comprehensive reform package in close collaboration with the grant authorities. This will streamline the interaction between the key bodies and committees. A milestone for the future development of Fraunhofer A key element of the reform is the strengthening of the senate as an advisory and supervisory body for the executive board with the support of new institutionalized tools and processes. These include reporting obligations for the executive board and the establishment of permanent committees, such as an audit committee. The president's authority to set policy guidelines will no longer apply in order to promote joint, transparent decisions by the executive board as a collective body. In addition, internal governance responsibilities and processes, i.e., the interaction between the executive board, institutes, and internal committees, were clarified and made more specific. Further measures to update the compliance system will supplement the new regulations and processes. The reform is based on the German Public Corporate Governance Code and the principles of modern corporate governance and was developed involving members of the senate, the grant authorities, the scientific community itself, and internal Fraunhofer stakeholders. Hildegard Muller, Chair of the Senate, explained: Fraunhofer's governance structures are no longer doing justice to the complexity and importance of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as a leading research organization. The old version has shortcomings, particularly with regard to the lack of an effective supervisory body for the executive board and an excessively strong position of the president, including the presidential authority to set policy guidelines. These had to be improved in order to ensure that the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is in line with the times and, above all, ready for the future. The impetus for a new version came from the senate, the executive board, the grant authorities and the German Federal Court of Auditors. This is another reason why we sought close collaboration with relevant groups from the outset in order to place the new statutes on a broad basis and make the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft ready for the future, emphasized Hildegard Muller. Well positioned with viable and resilient governance structures The new statutes are an important milestone for the future development of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Holger Hanselka explained: Thanks to the resilient structures and processes defined in the new statutes, we are now well positioned to fulfill our core missions in the German scientific system and to compete at the international level. On this basis, we are developing a viable corporate strategy for Fraunhofer. The president also stressed his willingness to focus even more on what Fraunhofer actually stands for: applied research for business and industry, focusing on SMEs and promoting strengths, with the long-term goal of ensuring the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe. 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. New Zealand Food Safety is looking into a hugely popular spicy South Korean noodle brand amid concerns over potential "health hazard". A bunch of fiery Samyang Foods' Buldak noodles have been banned in Denmark this week for containing huge levels of capsaicin - the active ingredient in chilli peppers that causes the intense burn. Buldak's 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Hot Chicken Stew flavours are the ones causing concerns. "The noodle dishes marketed as extremely strong must no longer be sold because consumers and especially children risk acute poisoning," The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said in a recall statement. New Zealand Food Safety is now assessing the risk to Kiwis, with deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle telling 1News: "Because Samyang noodles are also available in NZ, we are looking into this issue." "As always, if we consider there to be a food safety risk, we will take swift action, including recalling the product for public safety." Just how spicy are these noodles? The Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken packs the heat with a Scoville rating of 13,200. The 2x Spicy comes in at 8,808, and the Hot Chicken Stew, the least spicy of the bunch, still delivers a kick at 4,705 Scoville units. A spokesperson for Samyang Foods told the BBC they understand the concern. They reckon the recall isn't about quality, just the crazy spiciness. They added, "This is the first time [the noodles] have been recalled for the above reason." So if you've got any of these ramen flavours in your pantry, you might want to keep an eye out. Fri Friday 86 /53 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low 50s. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Fri Friday 86 /53 Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low 50s. Anyone whos driven Interstate 70 west of Glenwood Canyon recently knows. The Colorado River is extraordinarily high right now as warm temperatures spike the spring runoff. The high flows nearly 18,000 cubic feet per second below Glenwood Canyon are buoyed even more this month by a coordinated release from a half-dozen reservoirs across the Western Slope. The Coordinated Reservoir Operations program deploys sustained, not-quite-flood-stage flows through the second week of June to help endangered fish along the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River as it traverses the Grand Valley upstream of Grand Junction. The Coordinated Reservoir Operations program dates back to 1995, with the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver Water, the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and Colorado Springs Utilities as well as water users, energy companies and irrigation groups working together as part of the federal Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. The hope is that the near doubling of releases from reservoirs for two to 10 days will benefit four endangered species the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, razorback sucker and bonytail chub in the Colorado River below Palisade in the Grand Valley. Its the first time since 2020 that the program has increased flows out of Green Mountain Reservoir (400 cfs to 1,500 cfs), Lake Granby (240 cfs to 400 cfs), Williams Fork Reservoir (600 cfs to 950 cfs), Ruedi Reservoir (230 cfs to 650 cfs) and Wolford Mountain Reservoir (490 cfs to 550 cfs). Other reservoirs are not filling as part of the coordinated flows. The coordinated release has thrilled whitewater paddlers. For the first time in several years, the fleeting Big Sur wave a rare phenomenon above a long-destroyed dam on the Colorado River upstream of the Cameo Diversion Dam has emerged from the murky flows to draw stand-up river surfers and kayakers. The glassy surf wave at Big Sur only forms when the river hits 20,000 cfs in De Beque Canyon. And, more grimly, the warm temperatures hastening snowmelt and river flows have spiked drownings. Local officials across the state have imposed temporary closures on several rivers as peak flows create dangerous conditions for river users. A stretch of the Gunnison River is closed below Almont and access to the Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam is restricted. Boulder County last week closed sections of the North St. Vrain and St. Vrain creeks to tubing. Flows on the Upper Arkansas River including the most-paddled stretch of whitewater in the country, between Granite and Canon City are reaching 40-year highs. The high flows have prodded Salida officials to warn surfers about the citys heralded Scout Wave, a surf feature that ranks as one of the top river surfing waves in the country. The high flows on the Arkansas River have canceled some of the on-water events at this weekends FIBArk festival in Salida. The Boulder County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday closed Boulder Creek to tubing in the city as flows topped 700 cfs. Since late March, there have been at least 18 water deaths in Colorado, including nine drownings in reservoirs and nine deaths in swollen rivers. (One man remains missing after his raft capsized June 2 on the Upper Colorado River below the Pumphouse Recreation Area.) At least six of the fatalities involved people recreating on the water without personal floatation devices, or PFDs. A 17-year-old female died on the Colorado River east of Corn Lake on June 2. The victim was wearing a life vest but the vest appeared to not be strapped on appropriately, and it fell off during the incident, a news release of the incident said. Clifton Fire Protection District and the Mesa County Sheriffs Office responded to the incident. Clifton Fire Chief Brian Cherveny said they utilized a rescue boat as the woman was on the south side of the river between 32 and 32 Road. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials counted 32 water-related fatalities last year, down from a record-high of 42 in 2022. CPW officials have been sounding the alarm about water safety and PFDs in the past couple weeks as temperatures drive more folks into the water and river flows peak. We have added signs at the entrances of our parks, and many state parks have loaner life jacket stations, said Kara Van Hoose, a CPW spokesperson. Were trying to talk about life jackets and water safety on our social media channels and interviews as much as possible. Early Wednesday, rescue teams in Otero County launched a search for a missing 19-year man in the Arkansas River north of La Junta. This is also a reminder that this time of year the river is running high and much faster than it appears and is clearly dangerous, Otero County Sheriff Shawn Mobley wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday, so I am putting out the message again this year that for your safety and ours, to please stay out of the damned river! Resident of China Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Send Leading Electric Vehicle Company's Trade Secrets to Undercover U.S. Agent Thursday, June 13, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Defendant Stole Trade Secrets from His Employer and Used Them for His Own Business Klaus Pflugbeil, 58, a Canadian national and resident of the People's Republic of China (PRC), pleaded guilty today to conspiring to send trade secrets that belonged to a leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company (Victim Company). Pflugbeil and his co-defendant, Yilong Shao, who remains at large, are owners of a PRC-based business (Business-1) that sold technology used to make batteries, including batteries used in electric vehicles. Pflugbeil, a former employee of a company later purchased by Victim Company-1, stole trade secrets from his then employer and later used the trade secrets to build Business-1, marketing his business as a replacement for Victim Company-1's products. "Despite Pflugbeil's agreement to protect what he knew was proprietary, sensitive technology, he chose to abscond with these trade secrets to China, where he sought an unfair and illegal advantage in critical industries such as electric vehicle manufacturing," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "With his guilty plea, Pflugbeil is now being held accountable for this unlawful conduct that jeopardized our national security." "The defendant brazenly took what did not belong to him and used stolen trade secrets for his own personal profit knowing those valuable trade secrets were rightfully owned by an American company," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. "Today's guilty plea demonstrates how this office will swiftly bring to justice those who misappropriate intellectual property belonging to American companies particularly where the use of the technology poses a national security risk." "The defendant knowingly and illegally took trade secrets with no regard to the damage that would be done to the victim or the financial impact it would have on the U.S. economy," said Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. "The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who seeks to profit by stealing technology from U.S. companies." According to court documents, Victim Company-1 is a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles and battery energy systems. In 2019, Victim Company-1 acquired a Canada-based manufacturer of automated, precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines (the Canadian Manufacturer). Prior to its purchase by Victim Company-1, the Canadian Manufacturer sold battery assembly lines to customers who manufactured alkaline and lithium-ion batteries for consumer use. The battery assembly lines contained or utilized a proprietary technology now owned by Victim Company-1: continuous motion alkaline battery assembly (the Battery Assembly Trade Secret). The proprietary technology provided a substantial competitive advantage to Victim Company-1 in the battery manufacturing process. Both Pflugbeil and Shao are former employees of the Canadian Manufacturer. As detailed in court documents, by no later than 2019, Pflugbeil and Shao planned to use Victim Company-1's trade secrets for their own business activities. Pflugbeil told Shao that he had "a lot of original documents" related to the technology and sought out more "original drawings" of the trade secrets. Shao subsequently confirmed, among other things that, "we have all of original assembly drawings by PDF." The conspirators took measures to obfuscate that they had stolen documents. For example, Pflugbeil wrote to Shao about a document he created based on a document that Shao had stolen from Victim Company-1, "[its] in a different format, so it looks very original and not like a copy." In or about July 2020, Pflugbeil joined Business-1, a company previously established by Shao, which has since expanded to locations in China, Canada, Germany and Brazil. Businessa1 makes the same precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines that the Canadian Manufacturer developed. Business-1 was marketed by Pflugbeil as an alternative source for the sale of products that relied upon Victim Company-1's trade secrets, publishing online advertisements on Google, YouTube and LinkedIn. Pflugbeil purchased ads on Google for Business-1. These ads read, for example, "[Business-1] | Replacing [Canadian Manufacturer] Pumps & Parts | [Canadian Manufacturer] Identical Spare Parts. We manufacture precision metering pumps and fill tubes. | Contact Us for your [Canadian Manufacturer] replacement pumps and parts." In any given week, this ad was shown tens of thousands of times. Pflugbeil also repeatedly sent LinkedIn messages that said, "Hello [name], I used to work at [Canadian Manufacturer], and after [Victim Company-1] purchased and closed the company, I am now part of a company providing similar products and services. Pflugbeil's LinkedIn profile background, pictured below, read: Pflugbeil's LinkedIn profile background. On Sept. 11, 2023, undercover FBI agents attended a trade show for the packaging and processing industries in Las Vegas. The undercover agents posed as businesspeople who were interested in purchasing a battery assembly line from Business-1 to manufacture batteries at a facility in Long Island, New York. The undercover agents were introduced to Shao at the trade show and later to Pflugbeil via email. Subsequently, on or about Nov. 17, 2023, Pflugbeil sent, via email, a detailed 66-page technical documentation proposal to an undercover agent (UC-1). The proposal notes, "this technical documentation package contains [Business-1] proprietary information which must be kept confidential." In reality, the proposal contained Battery Assembly Trade Secret information belonging to Victim Company-1: at least half a dozen drawings Pflugbeil used in the Proposal and sent to UC-1 were, in fact, Victim Company-1's information related to the Battery Assembly Trade Secret. Pflugbeil pleaded guilty to conspiring to send trade secrets. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI is investigating the case. The Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section provided valuable assistance. Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Samantha Alessi for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case. This action was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. Topic: National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 24-758 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Czech Official Says Letter To EU's Borrell Asks To Curb Moves Of Russian Diplomats By Iryna Matviyishyn June 13, 2024 PRAGUE -- Foreign ministers from eight EU countries have sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell asking him to curb Russian diplomats' movement in the Schengen area over their concern that the free movement of the diplomats facilitates "malign activities." Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed in an interview on June 13 with RFE/RL that the letter was sent to Borrell. He said the measure was needed because the movement of Russian diplomats and their family members in the Schengen zone "creates the infrastructure" for illicit activities. The letter says that "intelligence, propaganda, or even preparation of sabotage acts are the main workload for a large number of Russian 'diplomats' in the EU," according to AFP, which obtained a copy of the letter. It calls on Borrell to urgently propose restrictive measures, AFP reported on June 13. In his interview with RFE/RL, a full version of which will be published on June 14, Lipavsky said the movement of Russian diplomats lays the groundwork for threats in cyberspace and other "sabotages and subterfuges" amid concern over Moscow's attempts to sow divisions within the EU. He said these hybrid threats were increasing and the European Union needs to show Russia that this won't be tolerated. He cited the Voice of Europe, a Prague-based news website that the Czech Republic in March added to its sanctions list after it was determined that it trying to carry out influence operations to Moscow's benefit on Czech territory. Since then, more and more disinformation operations have been discovered, he said. The letter sent to Borrell was "gladly signed" by the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania, Lipavsky said. The letter, dated June 11, calls for a measure that "will significantly narrow operational space for Russian agents." It said the European Union should restrict the movement of Russian diplomats and their family members to the territory of the state of their accreditation. "We are providing Russian diplomats...[the] possibility to travel...all over the Europe. I don't understand why," Lipavsky told RFE/RL. Russia limits the travel of EU diplomats, "so we should remove this asymmetry for the sake of our national security," he added. The Czech Republic and Poland recently arrested arson suspects who claimed their crimes had been incited by Russia. Lithuania in turn is grappling with Russia's drive to unilaterally expand its maritime border at its expense. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on June 13 that Russia will respond to any restrictions imposed by European countries on the movement of its diplomats. Zakharova told reporters the West was infected by Russophobia and Moscow would take retaliatory measures if any limits were introduced. EU countries have dramatically reduced the number of Russian diplomats allowed to remain in their countries since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022. Moscow has responded by expelling diplomats from Russia. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-foreign-minister-letter- russian-diplomats-movements/32991972.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 12 U.S. Central Command Update U.S. Central Command Press Release | June 12, 2024 USCENTCOM June 12, 2024 Release Number 20240612 - 01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) launchers in a Houthi controlled area of Yemen and one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea. Separately, Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. Additionally, one Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel (USV) struck M/V Tutor, a Liberian flagged, Greek owned and operated vessel, in the Red Sea. M/V Tutor most recently docked in Russia. The impact of the USV caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room. This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Call with Republic of The Gambia President Barrow US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson June 12, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Republic of The Gambia President Adama Barrow about our shared commitment to democratic principles and protecting human rights, including the rights of women and girls. The Secretary shared his appreciation for The Gambia as a leading voice on the protection of human rights globally. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Secretary Campbell's Meeting with Former Finnish President/EU Special Advisor Sauli Niinisto US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson June 12, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell met today with former Finnish president and EU Special Advisor Sauli Niinisto. They underscored the importance of increased U.S.-EU cooperation in confronting today's global challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to transatlantic security and support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression. The Deputy Secretary and Niinisto also discussed opportunities for EU-NATO collaboration to enhance European civilian and defense preparedness and resilience. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi Detentions US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson June 12, 2024 The United States strongly condemns the recent detentions by the Houthis of United Nations, diplomatic, and non-governmental organization staff. We also strongly condemn the Houthis' efforts to spread disinformation regarding the role of detained current and former U.S. mission local staff through televised forced and fake "confessions." Yet again the Houthis are seeking to use disinformation to shift blame to the United States and other outside actors for their own failures. These Houthi actions reflect a blatant disregard for the dignity of the Yemeni people and individuals who - contrary to the Houthis' lies - have dedicated themselves to their country's betterment. Their efforts stand in stark contrast to the actions of the Houthis who have held them without justification for more than two-and-a-half years. Their detention, and that of the UN staff, is an affront to diplomatic norms, and they should be released immediately. We will not rest until they are. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 12 June 2024 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General's Travels Today in Geneva, the Secretary-General opened the celebrations marking the sixtieth anniversary of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, now known as UN Trade and Development, or UNCTAD for short. He said that UNCTAD has a proud and long-standing record of contributing to discussions on reforming the international financial architecture. It has been a powerful force for change at the global level, shaping narratives, influencing international negotiations and advancing the cause of multilateralism. He then spoke to the press in Geneva in advance of his attendance at the forthcoming G7 meeting in Italy. He said that we face profound global challenges on multiple fronts and that G7 leaders have a particular responsibility. First, on climate, he said, the G7 needs to commit to end coal power by 2030. He added that they need to act on the international financial architecture, which he said is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair. The rich are overrepresented; the poor are underserved. And we must act urgently on artificial intelligence another of the items for the G7 a central question of governance today. Regarding Gaza, Mr. [Antonio] Guterres said that he welcomed President [Joseph] Biden's recent peace initiative and urges all parties to seize the opportunity for a ceasefire and release of the hostages and prepare the ground for a two-State solution. He added that we must also keep working for peace in Ukraine a just peace, based on the United Nations Charter and international law. We will share his remarks. And he recently delivered remarks at the International Telecommunication Union, which we have shared with you. ** G7 Ahead of the Group of Seven summit starting tomorrow, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, is appealing to G7 leaders to use their influence to prevent man-made famine. In a statement issued earlier today, he warned that conflict is fuelling hunger in too many corners of the world from Mali to Myanmar. But, he said, nowhere is the choice between inaction and oblivion so clear as in Gaza and Sudan. In Gaza, half of the population more than a million people could face death and starvation by the middle of July. In Sudan, at least 5 million people are also teetering on the brink of starvation, including in war-torn parts of Aj Jazirah, Darfur, Khartoum and Kordofan. Mr. Griffiths said that waiting for an official declaration of famine before acting would be a death sentence for hundreds of thousands of people and a moral outrage. He called on G7 countries to bring their substantial political leverage and financial resources to bear so that aid organizations can reach all people in need. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) warns that nearly 3,000 children in southern Gaza have been cut off from treatment for moderate and severe acute malnutrition putting them at risk of death. The agency is also concerned that malnutrition cases could continue to rise when treatment services are collapsing. Only two of three stabilization centres that treat seriously malnourished children in Gaza are still functioning. UNICEF says that plans for the opening of new centres have been delayed due to ongoing military operations across the Strip. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), escalating hostilities across Gaza continue to pose significant barriers to accessing health care. Despite these challenges, our humanitarian partners are currently reaching some 280,000 people per week in Gaza with health services. Meanwhile, a shortage of cooking gas and the absence of a public power supply is hindering efforts to keep community kitchens and bakeries running. Efforts to distribute food remain constrained by the active fighting, damaged roads, limited number of entry points into Gaza, sub-optimal operating hours at crossings and checkpoints and the limited number of trucks allowed access. Meanwhile, OCHA says that the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continues to escalate, amid ongoing violence by Israeli forces and settlers. Since 7 October, more than 520 Palestinians nearly a quarter of them children have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Almost three quarters of those fatalities occurred during operations by Israeli forces. During the same period, more than 5,200 Palestinians were injured in those areas. OCHA says that violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers is also on the rise, with more than 960 such attacks reported in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 7 October. ** Democratic People's Republic of Korea This morning, Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, briefed Security Council members on the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Mr. Turk said that the situation in the country is trapping people in unmitigated suffering and is also a factor behind instability with wider regional ramifications. Mr. Turk underscored that it is not possible to divorce the state of human rights in the DPRK from considerations around peace and security in the peninsula, including the increasing militarization on the part of the DPRK. He pointed to several factors that are contributing to the dire human rights situation. These include: the deepening repression of the right of freedom of movement, the repression of freedom of expression, the harsh socioeconomic conditions and the persistence of forced labour. Accountability for these long-standing, serious and widespread violations needs to be a priority, Mr. Turk said. His full statement is online. ** South Sudan Turning now to South Sudan, the humanitarian community is working to support the most urgent needs of hundreds of thousands of people, including those fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan and host communities. Yesterday, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho, released $20 million from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund to provide life-saving assistance to some 290,000 of the most vulnerable people in four locations near the border with Sudan. Some 700,000 people have crossed into South Sudan since April 2023, when conflict erupted in Sudan. This is the first allocation of the year and comes at a critical time to prevent the hunger situation in South Sudan from worsening, with the current lean season expected to increase levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. Ms. Gbeho said that despite generous contributions from donors, additional funding is needed. Five months into the year, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for South Sudan is less than 20 per cent funded, with $327 million received of the $1.8 billion required. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo Our peacekeeping colleagues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have dispatched a patrol to protect civilians in response to clashes between members of the Zaire and CODECO armed groups at a mining site about 40 kilometres from Bunia, in Ituri province. Several civilian casualties were reported. A team comprising civilian and military staff also conducted a mission to the Bikima area, about 65 kilometres south-west of Bunia, to engage with community members and displaced civilians impacted by attacks by the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces). Over 700 families fled their homes due ADF attacks in March and April. And since 25 May, more than 100 civilians have been killed following a series of ADF attacks in Ituri and North Kivu. ** Central African Republic Our peacekeeping colleagues in the Central African Republic continue to support the Government in strengthening the rule of law and essential criminal justice services to prevent conflict and lay the foundations for sustainable peace. As part of these efforts, the UN Mission (MINUSCA) conducted risk-assessment training for 54 prison officers, including 12 women, who work in prisons in Bangui and seven other cities. The training focused on enhancing the security and management of penitentiary facilities, while improving the reintegration of detainees. Separately, peacekeepers in the country's West are conducting patrols in many areas to prevent armed elements infiltration. ** Ukraine This morning, representing the Secretary-General at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, with is taking place in Berlin, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Achim Steiner, said that where the security situation allows, the UN has significantly scaled up its recovery efforts, implementing $1.1 billion of recovery and development programming in 2022 and 2023 and expecting to invest another $1 billion in 2024. He said that this is promoting a gender-responsive, inclusive and green recovery. On the ground, the UN team today said that it has ramped up our recovery efforts across the country in the first months of 2024. Our team said that activities included mine action campaigns that reached more than 300,000 children and caregivers in March in April alone, as well as support to the energy sector. We've been asked about our representation at the conference on Ukraine taking place in Switzerland. I can say that, at the invitation of thePresident of the Swiss Confederation, the United Nations will be represented, as an observer, atthe senior level, in the forthcoming Summit taking place in Burgenstock, Switzerland on 15-16 June. This is consistent with previous UN participation in discussions related to peace in Ukraine. The United Nations reiterates its support for just and sustainable peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter and international law and relevant General Assembly resolutions. ** Malawi I have a statement on the death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima, of the Republic of Malawi. The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the tragic death of H.E. Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi, and nine others, in an airplane crash on 10 June in the Chikangawa forest in Malawi. The Secretary-General conveys his sincere condolences to the Government and the people of Malawi for the loss of Vice-President Chilima. He also extends his condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased. The United Nations stands in solidarity with Malawians in this difficult period. ** Energy A new report released today by the UN and partners says that the world remains off course to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for energy by 2030. The joint report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division, the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), warns that the global energy access gap is worsening as population growth outpaces new connections. Six hundred eighty-five million people were living without electricity in 2022, and 2.1 billion people continue to rely on damaging cooking fuels globally. However, the report also says that renewable energy has seen robust growth over the past two years, and energy efficiency improvements are gradually improving after a drop-off during the pandemic. The full report is online. ** Child Labour Today is the World Day against Child Labour, and this year's theme is "Let's act on our commitments: End Child Labour!" The International Labour Organization (ILO) points out that while much progress has been made in reducing child labour over the years, recent years have seen global trends reverse. According to the ILO, almost 1 in 10 children worldwide are in child labour. ** Briefings And for briefings: Tomorrow, at 10 a.m., the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, will be here in this room to brief you on the latest Children and Armed Conflict report. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : Are there any questions for me before we turn to Monica [Grayley]? Yes, Gabriel. Question : Thank you. Farhan. Do you have any update on the World Food Programme (WFP) pause of using the US-built pier in Gaza? And what are the results of the security review? Deputy Spokesman : The security review is ongoing. I don't have any progress to tell you. So, the World Food Programme, in its capacity as the head of logistics for these arrangements, is continuing with its pause. Question : Can I ask a follow-up on the Human Rights Council? The report of the Independent International Commission on the Inquiry of the OPT (Occupied Palestinian Territory) and Israel released their report in overnight our time. Has the Secretary-General seen it and what's his reaction to it? Deputy Spokesman : Well, this is a report by the Commission of Inquiry. They spent a lot of work on it, and it's a very serious document. It will be now reviewed by the Human Rights Council. So, we for now are leaving the matter in their hands. But obviously, there are many different reports involving human rights and the rights of different groups that have been focusing on the conflict in Gaza and the situation on 7 October, and all of those reports need to be looked at seriously. Dezhi? Question : Yes, a follow-up on the report by COI. What does this report mean? If the Human Rights Council has adopted or taken any actions on this report, can it be evidence for both Hamas and Israel that committed war crimes? Deputy Spokesman : Ultimately, it's up to the judicial bodies looking into questions about what sort of evidence they will use. We don't know what follow-up bodies there will be on the ground, but as you know, both the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice have been looking at the various situations, and it's up to them to determine what kind of information they will use as evidence. Question : So, the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations said, and I quote, "the COI has once again proven that its actions are all in the service of a narrowly led political agenda against Israel". What's the response from the Secretary-General on this comment? Deputy Spokesman : I wouldn't respond to any of the comments by the Ambassador. I would stand up for the professionalism of the work done by the various bodies, including the Commission of Inquiry. Question : Okay. A totally different topic, on Ukraine: Can we get any information on who will participate the Peace Summit in Switzerland, represented the United Nations? Deputy Spokesman : I'll be able to tell you that in a couple of days. Question : Okay, so... And today the US is arguing that they might push a policy to offer loans of 5..., I think, $550 billion to Ukraine, using the profits from the frozen assets of Russian Central Bank. What's the position of UN on this, this policy? Do you think that's, technically speaking, legal? Deputy Spokesman : I don't have anything to say about the legality of this. This is a bilateral effort between the United States and Ukraine. And so, you'll need to follow up with those respective Governments about how they're pursuing this. Stefano? Question : Thank you. Farhan. About the G7 and what Secretary-General said, just said in Geneva before arriving in Italy. His speech to journalists is concentrated on climate change, but in the G7, in the agenda, the G7, it looks like this is not any more a point at the top. Actually, even AI is before this. So how the Secretary-General is going to convince those big Powers it's not only the G7, that there is India, Brazil and so on that actually, like he said at the museum last week, at the Natural History Museum, this is the most important issue at the moment? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I'd refer you to what he said in the press conference today, where he laid out the case for the seriousness of this issue. But of course, it's not just that. You'll have seen the reports we've put out. You saw what he had to say at the American Museum of Natural History a week ago. We are in a moment where if we do not act, there will be a crisis. And what he is saying is that the nations of the world, and particularly the G7, need to move now to avoid a catastrophe down the line. He will be giving some remarks while he is at different side panels at the G7 talks. And we'll share with you what he says then, as well. Question : Just a quick follow-up. But isn't he worried about the recent election in Europe? You know, the Green parties are usually, Europe has been very sensitive to the issue; instead, who won are all the parties that are not so sensitive about this issue. Deputy Spokesman : It really is not an issue so much who is in the Governments; all Governments need to take this seriously, because the data shows how serious the situation is, whether we're talking about catastrophic weather events, whether we're talking about ongoing desertification, whether we're talking about the melting of polar ice. There's any number of different problems the world will have to face collectively, and we need to deal with this collectively now. Biesan? Question : I just wanted to follow up on the reports over the weekend that Israeli forces had used an aid truck to infiltrate the Nuseirat Camp. And I mean, the Palestinian Red Crescent put out a statement yesterday saying that they did and that they had warned from such a scenario. I understand there's an investigation. If you have an update on this and if more information has been gathered since? Deputy Spokesman : Well, there's no update to say on this beyond our principled position, which is that humanitarian aid must not be used and must not be perceived as taking any side in a conflict. The safety of our humanitarian workers depends on all sides and the communities on the ground trusting their impartiality, and that is something we will always try to reinforce. And with that, Monica Grayley will now speak to you. Thanks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The end of an era; the 350th EARS flies their last scheduled KC-135 deployment U.S. Central Command By Senior Airman Zachary Foster United States Air Forces Central U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- In a world with an ever-changing battlefield, one need stays the same. Rapid global mobility is the key to every weapon in the U.S. Air Force's arsenal. From refueling the fighters that maintain peace and stability throughout the globe to delivering humanitarian aid where it's needed most- air mobility assets make it happen. The 350th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron "Red Falcons," led by Lt Col Stu Meyers, is at the forefront of the U.S. Air Force's air mobility fleet. "Rapid global mobility is the United States' competitive advantage," Meyers said. "While other militaries may have powerful weapons, we alone have the ability to hold any target across the globe at risk at the time of our choosing. This unique capability is largely due to the immediate reach made possible by our Mobility Air Forces and, in particular, the refueling fleet." The 350th EARS' trusted air refueling airframe is the KC-135 Stratotanker, an aircraft that's dominated the skies for over 65 years. The 123,000-pound aircraft can offload more than 120,000 pounds of fuel to aircraft from every branch of the U.S. armed forces, extending the competitive advantage to joint mission partners in their vicinity. "Tanker aircraft are the quintessential 'force multiplier,'" Meyers explains. "All aircraft use fuel, so range and airborne time inherently becomes limited. Our ability to refuel aircraft while conducting operations extends loiter time, dramatically increasing the coalition's regional capabilities. The 350th makes other units stronger and more effective by letting them do their job longer." Under the new Air Force Force Generation Model (AFFORGEN), the Air Force restructured the 350th EARS to combine forces with their aircraft maintenance counterparts. This change allows for a more cohesive team under one leader. "With one boss, there can only be one vision, aligning our 'flying and fixing' priorities," Meyers explained. "While making a change on paper does not always create change in practice, for us, we are living it, and the team is enjoying our newfound unity." Unlike most flying squadrons, the 350th EARS is a true Total Force Integration unit comprised of Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard personnel from across the United States. "How we're used to operating the aircraft is completely different," said a 350th EARS pilot. "Leaning on our standard procedures and communicating with one another makes everything run smoothly. One of the greatest parts of a deployment is working alongside new people and learning from each other." The 350th EARS has a long and successful lineage tracing back to the 100th Bombardment Group, or the "Bloody Hundredth," during World War II. The show "Masters of the Air" recently popularized the historic team's sacrifice while flying the B-17 Flying Fortress. The Air Force originally formed the squadron to dominate the skies during the Second World War. As the Air Force's needs changed, so did the squadron's mission set. As the Air Force shifts their focus again, this time to modernize its force structure, the 350th EARS prepares to transition to a new airframe: the KC-46 Pegasus. "Without question, the KC-135 is one of the most iconic aircraft ever designed," Meyers said. "It is a testament to American ingenuity that the Stratotanker remains operationally relevant nearly 70 years after engineers hand-drew its first blueprints. However, airplanes cannot fly forever, and the KC-46 is the future of air refueling. I am excited for the next generation of refueling platforms to take on and expand upon the KC-135's legacy." As the 350th EARS flies their last scheduled KC-135 deployment, Meyers and his team look to the future with a bitter-sweet mindset. "The 350th has flown the KC-135 since the early 1980s when it primarily supported the Cold War," Meyers said. "It is humbling to know the team deployed today will close out over 40 years of history. We started out as proud SAC (Strategic Air Command) Warriors and concluded as GWOT (Global War on Terrorism) veterans." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 13, 2024 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles "CQ" Brown Jr Hold a Press Conference Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff STAFF: Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for being here today. It is my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General C.Q. Brown, Jr. The secretary and the chairman will deliver opening remarks and then have time to take a few questions. Please note that I will moderate those questions and call on reporters, and would just ask you to limit your follow-ups so that we can give your colleagues a chance to ask their questions. Mr. Secretary, over to you, sir. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Thanks, Pat. Well, good afternoon, everybody. Thanks for joining us. Gen. Brown and I have just come from another highly productive meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and this was our 23rd meeting. And every time we gather, I am impressed by the resolve of the more than 50 countries helping to support Ukraine's self-defense. And today, the Contact Group heard directly about the battlefield situation from Minister Umerov and his delegation. Ukraine's forces are holding the line in the face of Russia's assault near Kharkiv, and Ukrainian troops continue to inflict significant costs on the Kremlin's invaders. After President Biden signed the national security supplemental, renewed U.S. assistance is reaching Ukraine at a steady pace. And last week, President Biden announced a new security assistance package through another drawdown from our stocks. And this $225 million package provides Ukraine with more air defense interceptors, armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and artillery systems and munitions. And Ukraine's partners around the world continue to stand up to Putin's aggressions. This coalition remains steadfast and strong, and the Contact Group remains determined to meet Ukraine's urgent capability needs and to help Ukraine deter Russian aggression for decades to come. Contact Group members continue to step up and to get Ukraine what it needs and when it needs it. Air defense remains Ukraine's top priority. I applaud those who have dug deep to find more air defense systems and interceptors. For example, the Netherlands is leading a smart initiative to assemble and deliver a Patriot air defense system. The Dutch government has committed to contribute many core components and parts from its own stocks and has called on Ukraine's other friends to help with the rest. And meanwhile, Sweden recently announced its largest military package for Ukraine. That includes 155 -- 155 millimeter artillery shells, AMRAAM missiles, and armored vehicles. Sweden is also providing airborne early warning and control aircraft, which will help Ukraine with both airborne and maritime targets. And Italy announced that it will send a second SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine. And so our allies are also committing to long-term military aid packages. More and more countries are enshrining these commitments in long-term bilateral agreements with Ukraine. And I'm pleased that the United States and Ukraine will sign our own bilateral security agreement today. Together, we're working to forge long-term security for Ukraine, and I continue to be impressed by the work of the Contact Group's capability coalitions. Today, we heard an update from the drone coalition, and let me thank Latvia and the UK for their leadership of the drone coalition. This capability coalition is helping to expand Ukraine's asymmetric -- asymmetric capabilities, and that's especially important as Putin relies on Iranian UAVs to target Ukrainian cities and civilians. This is just one of the eight capability coalitions, and they're doing outstanding work. Together, we're helping Ukraine build a formidable future force, one that can deter aggression over the long haul. And we remain determined to keep supporting Ukraine while ensuring our own military readiness at this challenging moment. And that includes a robust defense industrial base. So we spent time today discussing ways to expand the production of critical munitions and systems, and to deepen our coordination through the capability coalitions. Now, I just want to be clear about why I convened this group -- this Contact Group 23 times now. Putin thinks that he gets to determine which countries are real and which countries can be wiped off the map. That's incredibly radical and incredibly dangerous. So let's be clear -- Putin started this war by invading his peaceful neighbor. A permanent member of the UN Security Council is trying to deny democracy to more than 43 million people. And the Kremlin's war of imperial aggression has horrified countries around the world. Ukraine matters to the United States and to the entire world. If Ukraine falls under Putin's boot, Europe would fall under Putin's shadow. If Putin tramples Ukraine, he would be emboldened to commit more acts of aggression and the world would enter a forum -- far more dangerous stage. So we understand the stakes, and the outcome of the war in Ukraine will help set the trajectory for global security for decades to come, and this Contact Group will continue to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and all of our security. So we will continue to stand up to Putin's aggression and atrocities. We will continue to find new options to get Ukraine the air defenses that it needs to defend its skies and we will continue to move heaven and Earth to get Ukraine what it needs to live in freedom. And with that, Gen. Brown, the floor is yours, sir. GENERAL CHARLES Q. BROWN JR.: Well, thank you, Mr. Secretary. Good afternoon, everyone. Just last week on June 6th, I was on the beaches of Normandy to -- to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, where alongside President Biden, Secretary Austin and other world leaders, we honored some of the last living veterans who fought in World War II, our greatest generation. On the evening of 6 June, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt provided a public statement describing the brave men fighting a world away. He said, "They fight not for the lust of conquest; they fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise in tolerance and goodwill -- -will among all Thy people." D-Day showed us the power of cooperation and showed us that liberty prevails over aggression when nations come together for a just cause. Now, we find ourselves in another crux of history. This is the driving force of this Ukraine Defense Contact Group, to come together united for the cause of Ukraine, for the cause of our nations and for the cause of the future. Once again, I want to thank Secretary Austin for your steadfast leadership in guiding this international coalition. I also want to thank De- -- Defense Minister Umerov, who joined us today, and for the con- -- his continued leadership of Ukraine's military forces. And to all the nations who are represented here today, I also want to thank them, their contributions in support of Ukraine's effort to maintain its sovereignty. Russia's war on Ukraine tests the very foundation of security on which the world relies. Russia's unprovoked aggression challenges the security and prosperity of all nations. As I have said before, might does not make right, but might does shape outcomes. Through this Contact Group's collective support of Ukraine, we are aligning the might of this world with what is right. The global response to Russia's unprovoked aggression has degraded their power and prestige, forcing them to -- further into isolation, and our unity only grows stronger. Even so, Russia continues their attempts to advance across multiple battle fronts, to include their recent assault on Kharkiv. Russia is concentrating fire and attempting to target Ukraine resupply and re- -- and reinforcement abilities. Ukraine's ability to surge firepower and reposition troops has countered Russia's offensive and disrupted their attack. Ukraine continues to hold strong, and with this group's contributions, the Ukrainians are exacting heavy costs on the Russian aggressors. It's why our ongoing support is so critical. Sustaining Ukraine's ability to defend itself is both a present and long-term effort. This group's work in providing Ukraine with the necessary systems, munitions and capabilities has been remarkable. To be effective, fighting forces need continued access to military capabilities and supplies, and our support, combined with the Ukrainian will to fight, has proven time and time again that Ukraine will not bend. Their fighting spirit is ironclad. But will itself is not enough, which is why we remain focused and dedicated to these efforts. Just last week, as Secretary Austin mentioned, we announced the 59th drawdown package of military capabilities for Ukraine. This was just part of an incredible contributions recently made by some 50 nations of this coalition and an example of how this coalition remains dedicated to supplying Ukraine with the tools they need to counter ongoing Russian aggression. Outside of Ukraine's courageous people and their resilient combat forces, the unwavering support of the nations gathered here today remains one of their greatest assets. These nations are committed to working together to help Ukraine address the challenges ahead. We are stronger when we work together. This solidarity is rooted in a shared history of security and fostered by the principles of democracy, sovereignty and international law. For the past two years, these principles have preserved peace among the nations that uphold them. This Contact Group, united by these ideals, stands firm against any challenge, demonstrating that true power resides in a cooperative effort by like-minded nations fighting for freedom. World War II taught us that unchecked aggression spreads conflict to the rest of the world, and it is in these moments, as President Roosevelt said, that brave men and women must fight to end conquest, to liberate and to let justice arise. The brave service members of the Allied nations came together 80 years ago and executed Operation Overlord, knowing that freedom and sovereignty depended upon their success. Today, peace and security are not only achieved through military readiness of individual -- individual nations. They are achieved through collective effort, through aligning our resources and abilities in support of defending Ukraine, defending democracy and defending sovereignty. Thank you, and I look forward to -- to your questions. STAFF: Thank you both, gentlemen. First question, we'll go to Politico. Lara? Q: Thank you. Thanks, sir, for doing this. Secretary Austin, President Zelenskyy has specifically asked for more air defenses. Germany has announced an additional Patriot. Italy has announced a SAMP/T. Will the U.S. answer that call and deliver an additional Patriot to Ukraine? And if you can't answer that, or if the answer is no today, what is the holdup? And then for Gen. Brown, Ukraine has said it has 30 pilots ready to go through pilot training for F-16s, but there are not enough spots at -- in the U.S. to take them. Is that true, from your perspective? And if so, are you looking at expanding that training pipeline? Or are you confident that Ukraine will have enough pa- -- pilots and maintainers trained on the planes by the time they arrive this summer? Thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Lara. Regarding Patriots, you know, air defense has been at the top of my agenda for a long time, and for month after month you've heard me emphasize the importance of providing Ukraine additional air defenses. You know that we've provided a Patriot to them already. But not only that; me and President Biden and Jake Sullivan and Tony Blinken spend a great deal of our time encouraging others to -- to provide additional capabilities. And it's not just Patriots, it's -- it's NASAMS, it's -- it's SAMP/Ts, it's -- it's, you know, a -- a number of capabilities that -- that Ukraine needs, and they need the interceptors to -- to compliment the -- the platforms. I don't have any announcements on -- on Patriot batteries today, but what I can tell you is that I continue to work this and -- and I'm in constant contact with my Ukrainian counterpart, and we're going to do everything we can to make sure that they have the capability that they need and that we get it there as quickly as we can. GEN. BROWN: Lara, yes -- yes, we have an Air Force capability coalition. It's one of the eight capability coalitions that's focused on, in this case, working with the Ukrainians to get their -- their fourth generation fighter capability up -- up and running. The United States is the -- one of the co-leads associated with that, and so not only do we help provide training for their pilots, there's other countries that are also supporting the -- the training as -- as well. So there is capacity for training, both in the United States but also with some of the partners as -- as part of that -- that capability coalition. And so we'll continue to work with them but it's not just the pilots you have to have, and having not only flown the F-16 but understanding the -- maintenance is also a key part of that and -- and training the maintainers. And we're working diligently to make sure that the Ukrainians have what they need, and the goal is to get them the -- those F-16s this summer. STAFF: OK. Next question, we'll go to ANSA, Mateo. Q: Yes, hi. National Italian News Agency, ANSA. I -- it's just a follow-up question to my colleague because we have been reading in the press about this new extra Patriot system. There is no announcement today, but what I would like to ask you is that we know that the U.S. is the biggest holder of these Patriot systems. So what -- what is the -- the reason why you are holding back (inaudible)? Is it operational system -- reasons, or did you -- you can't move kits from one theater to the others? It's just for us to understand. And secondly, for you, General, what is your assessment on -- on the ongoing military campaign in -- in Kharkiv? Do Ukrainian's forces have enough now to resist and possibly regain the initiatives? And -- and do you see other critical risks along the -- the front right now? Thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: Again, air defense remains a top priority, and we are working this on a daily basis. And, you know, I -- I've seen some of their press reporting. What I will tell you is that there will be no change in our Patriot coverage in -- in Poland. I know that that was a component of a previous story there, but there is no change in our Patriot coverage there. We're going to do everything we can to -- to get Ukraine what it needs. We're going to encourage others. We're going to work with others to -- to get Ukraine what it needs as quickly as we can. And this is not something that the Ukrainians are guessing at. I -- I'm talking to them on a daily basis, so. GEN. BROWN: Reference to your question regarding Kharkiv, what I would tell you -- the situation is somewhat more stabilized now than it was over the past several weeks. And one of the things that the Ukrainians have been focused on over the past several months, going into '24, is building out their defensive lines. And -- and they've been fairly effective in building those defensive lines, which has created a bit of stability. You know, one of the challenges though is that when -- with the -- that -- them moving by the Russians towards Kharkiv, it actually pulls away focus and capability from other areas for -- for the Ukrainians and it spreads their -- their defenses a little bit more. But what we've seen is the Ukrainians have been very good at holding their defensive lines, and I think they will be able to continue to do that there in Kharkiv as well. STAFF: Thank you. Next question, we'll go to Voice of America, Carla. Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I -- first, to you, Mr. Secretary, I'd like a question to clarify U.S. policy. The Pentagon has said that Ukraine can strike inside Russian territory near the border with Kharkiv to -- to prevent attacks on the Kharkiv area, but if Russia launches attacks on Ukrainian forces that aren't in Kharkiv from a military base deep inside Russia, can Ukraine strike that military target? And if not, why not? And then Mr. Chairman, I would like to, you know, extend the question that my colleague asked in just more broadly how would you describe the fight now between Russia and Ukraine? You've mentioned that Ukraine continues to hold strong, but is this still a stalemate? SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Carla. As you know, Ukraine requested permission to conduct counter-fire in the Kharkiv area using U.S. weapons, and President Biden granted them permission to do that. And so at -- our policy in using long-range strike to -- capabilities to conduct strikes deep into Russia, that -- that's not changed. So -- but -- but the ability to conduct counter-fire in this close fight in the Kharkiv region is -- is what this is all about, and -- and the Ukrainians -- my -- my expectation is that they'll put that to good use, so. GEN. BROWN: Carla -- Carla, what, you know, what I would share with you -- if you -- if you go back over the course of this -- this conflict, what the Ukrainians in being able to do to regain greater than 50% of its territory that was first taken by the Russians, to be able to regain that, but at the same time the support of this Contact Group to help to provide them capability to defend themselves. I mentioned earlier about the defensive lines, they've been able to hold the defensive lines, but what we don't talk about is the amount of attrition that the Ukrainians are able to put against the Russians although they are outnumbered. The -- the way the Russians have lost personnel but also lost platforms is -- is pretty traumatic from a numbers standpoint, and the Ukrainians have done an effective job of holding the -- those lines and continuing to do so. Q: Thank you. (CROSSTALK) STAFF: We have time -- no, we have time for one more question. Let's go to Reuters. Sabine? Q: ... policy hasn't changed? STAFF: Let -- let's go to the final question here. Q: (inaudible) Secretary, several allies lifted some of the restrictions placed on the donated weapons about two weeks ago. Can you tell us what kind of impact that has had on the battlefield so far? Have you seen progress? What kind of progress, or isn't it going far enough for you? Thank you. SEC. AUSTIN: You know, I -- I can't speak for what allies -- what weapons have been used or -- or not used and what effects that's had. What I can speak to though is what I'm looking at in the Kharkiv region. The -- the intent of allowing them to conduct counter-fire was to -- was to help them address the issue of the Russians conducting staging -- or building staging areas in -- on -- just on the other side of the border and attacking from those staging areas. So they've -- have the ability to -- to engage Russians just across the border now, and -- and I'll leave it to the Ukrainians to talk about the specific effects that they've -- they've seen, but what I see is a slowing of the Russians' advance and -- and a stabilizing of -- of the -- of that particular piece of the front. Now, I -- I think we'll see incremental gains and it -- we'll see puts and takes going forward, but again, a couple of weeks ago, there was concern that we would see a -- a significant breakthrough on the part of the Russians. I don't think we'll see that going forward. I don't think the -- I don't see a -- a large exploitation force that can -- could take advantage of a breakthrough. And I -- what I do see is, as the chairman has described, the Ukrainians have done a lot to fortify their defensive positions and are making good use of -- of the weapons that, and munitions that they're being provided. And more of that will continue to flow in. And so, in my view, they'll get stronger, as -- as, you know, time progresses. They're also doing things to -- to mobilize more people and train more people. And so the combination of those things, I think, will -- will -- will have a -- a pretty substantial effect on the battlefield. But it -- it will take some time to, kind of, play out. But the good news is that we have the means to continue to provide security assistance. And you'll see it continue to flow in, in a very meaningful way. STAFF: Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our press briefing. Thank you very much for attending. Thank you, gentlemen. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3806425/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Justice Department Repatriates $1.4B Misappropriated 1MDB Funds to Malaysia Thursday, June 13, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs The Justice Department announced today that it has repatriated an additional $156 million in misappropriated 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds to the people of Malaysia, bringing the total returned by the department to approximately $1.4 billion. According to court documents, the funds from 1MDB, formerly Malaysia's investment development fund, were laundered through major financial institutions worldwide, including in the United States, Switzerland, Singapore, and Luxembourg. As alleged in the civil forfeiture complaints, from 2009 through 2015, high-level officials of 1MDB, their associates, and Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, misappropriated more than $4.5 billion in funds belonging to 1MDB through a criminal scheme involving international money laundering and embezzlement. Some of the embezzlement proceeds were also allegedly used to pay bribes. Beginning in 2016, a landmark effort encompassing 41 civil forfeiture actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and one in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) of the Justice Department's Criminal Division led to the seizure of over $1.7 billion in stolen assets. This is the largest recovery to date under the department's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. The funds include both funds finally forfeited and funds the department assisted in recovering and returning. The department continues to litigate actions against additional assets allegedly linked to this scheme. 1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment. Its funds were intended to be used for improving the well-being of the Malaysian people. Instead, funds held by 1MDB and proceeds of bonds issued for and on behalf of 1MDB were misappropriated and spent on a wide variety of extravagant items, including luxury homes and properties in Beverly Hills, New York, and London; a 300-foot superyacht; and fine art by Monet and Van Gogh. The funds were also sent into numerous business investments, including a boutique hotel in Beverly Hills, a movie production company that made "The Wolf of Wall Street," the redevelopment of the Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan, and shares in EMI, the largest private music rights holder. As alleged, other funds were provided to various public officials and co-conspirators. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division; and Chief Guy Ficco of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement. The FBI's International Corruption Squads in New York and Los Angeles and IRS-CI are leading the investigation. MLARS Trial Attorneys Barbara Levy, Josh Sohn, Jonathon Baum, and Sean Fern are prosecuting the case, with assistance from former MLARS Deputy Chief Woo S. Lee; Trial Attorney Kyle Freeny; and former Asset Forfeiture Section Chief Steven Welk, Asset Forfeiture Section Chief Jonathan Galatzan, and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Kucera and Michael Sew Hoy for the Central District of California. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs is providing substantial assistance. MLARS' Program Operations Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service also provided significant support. Significant assistance has also been provided to the department over the course of its work in the investigations and civil and criminal litigation by the Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA), the Attorney General's Chambers of the Territory of the British Virgin Islands, the Attorney General's Office of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Guernsey Economic Crime Division, the International Anti-Corruption Coordinate Centre, the Attorney General's Chambers of Singapore, the Singapore Police Force-Commercial Affairs Division, the Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland, the judicial investigating authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Grand-Ducal Police of Luxembourg, and Indonesian, Latvian and French authorities. The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated MLARS prosecutors in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorney's Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to seize, forfeit, and repatriate those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should email kleptocracy@usdoj.gov or submit information at https://tips.fbi.gov/. Topics: Asset Forfeiture Public Corruption Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Criminal - Office of International Affairs Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Investigative Division (FBI) USAO - California, Central U.S. Marshals Service Press Release Number: 24-750 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Netherlands - Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles-Extended Range Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 24-52 WASHINGTON, June 13, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles-Extended Range and related equipment for an estimated cost of $678 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy one-hundred seventy-four (174) Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) and four AMRAAM-C8 guidance sections. Also included is the following non-MDE: AMRAAM containers, load trainers, control section spares and support equipment; KGV-135A cryptographic devices; Common Munition Built-in-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); ADU-891 Adaptor Group Test Sets; integration and test support and equipment; munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, and accessories, and repair and return support; classified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications, and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; studies and surveys; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $678 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands' capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced air defense missiles as part of an upgraded Medium Range Air Defense (MRAD) system and thereby enhancing its air defense capability. This enhanced capability will protect the Netherlands and local allied forces, and will significantly improve the Netherlands' contribution to NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Camden, AR. The purchaser typically requires offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Peace Facility: Council adopts assistance measure to support the Republic of Moldova's air defence capabilities European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 13 June 2024 12:45 Today the Council adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova to modernise the country's air defence capabilities. The adopted assistance measure is worth 9 million, and will finance air defence systems' short-range interceptors for the benefit of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova. It complements a 41 million assistance measure adopted on 4 April 2024, which sought to modernise the defence capacities of the Moldovan Armed Forces in the areas of mobility, air surveillance, electronic warfare and logistics. Building on four previous EPF assistance measures since 2021, this support will continue to enable the Moldovan Armed Forces to improve their operational effectiveness, accelerate meeting EU standards and interoperability, and thereby better protect critical civilian infrastructure as well as civilians in crises and emergencies. It will also enhance Moldova's capacities to participate in EU military CSDP missions and operations. This new action brings EPF support to Moldova up to 137 million to date. Last year and in 2022, the EU adopted assistance measures worth 40 million each. The first assistance measure adopted in December 2021 was worth 7 million. The EU is committed to provide all relevant support to Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and to strengthen the country's resilience, security and stability in the face of destabilising activities by Russia. Background The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) actions in military and defence areas, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organisations as regards military and defence matters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spain to send NASAMS to Estonia and join the IT Coalition Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 13. June 2024 Today, on the sidelines of the NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur met with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles to discuss cooperation as NATO allies and assistance to Ukraine. "I am pleased to announce as a result of today's meeting that Spain will once again deploy NASAMS medium-range air defense systems to Estonia. This deployment is part of the NATO mission and taking place within the framework of NATO's rotational air defense model, established at the NATO Vilnius Summit. Starting from August, these systems will be protecting Estonian airspace for four months," said Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur. "In addition to strengthening regional defense, together with Spain we have a common understanding of the urgent need to assist Ukraine - today Spain also announced its intention to join the IT Coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg. Assistance provided within this coalition is already in use on the battlefield in Ukraine," added Minister of Defense Pevkur. Spain's accession to the IT Coalition will become official at the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., in July. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Humanitarian conference sends clear message: suffering in Gaza must cease Government of Norway News story | Date: 13/06/2024 'The message to everyone who participated in the humanitarian conference for Gaza is clear: we must find solutions that end the suffering, and in the longer term, we must focus on rebuilding Gaza,' said Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim. Ms Tvinnereim attended the humanitarian conference for Gaza held in Jordan on Tuesday 11 June. The conference was co-hosted by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Sisi and the UN. Participants included Palestinian President Abbas, UN Secretary-General Guterres, US Secretary of State Blinken and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. 'It is significant that the neighbouring countries have taken the initiative to host this conference at such short notice. Discussions at the meetings I had yesterday with the Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, UNRWA and several other UN organisations highlighted the negative impact that the war in Gaza is having on the entire Middle East. Children and young people throughout the region are losing hope and confidence in the future. The conversation I had with three children from Gaza was deeply moving. They were not in Gaza when the war started and therefore have been stranded in Amman and separated from their families for eight months,' said Ms Tvinnereim. In her statement, Ms Tvinnereim emphasised that the crisis in Gaza is man-made, and that the parties have a duty to protect and meet the needs of the civilian population, also while the war rages. She pointed out that Norway will be providing NOK 1 billion in humanitarian support to Palestine this year, in addition to NOK 700 million in long-term development assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken responsible for disrupting Gaza ceasefire: Hamas IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, in a statement, has accused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for disrupting a potential ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Samaa news agency, in the statement regarding the US ceasefire proposal, Hamas on Thursday morning stated that the resistance group has acted positively in all stages of indirect negotiations on the ceasefire so far despite the ongoing crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza. Hamas also condemned Blinken's statements, in which, he blamed the movement for obstructing reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. In the statement, Hamas emphasized that it has always favored to stop the war and exchange prisoners and clearly welcomed US President Joe Biden's ceasefire plan and the recent resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in this regard. "Contrary to US claim, the Zionist regime does not accept any of these plans", Hamas emphasized, adding that "the false claim of Blinken regarding the agreement shows Washington's complicity in the crimes of the occupying regime and its cover and political support for Israel". The statement called on Washington to put direct pressure on Tel Aviv to accept a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Blinken's blame-game came a day after Palestinian resistance movements, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, delivered to Qatar their response to the proposed negotiation with the Zionist regime on the Gaza ceasefire following the UNSC resolution. The Hamas movement has emphasized that the Zionist authorities, have so far, taken no stance regarding Biden's ceasefire plan. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNSC resolution on Gaza needs urgent implementation: WHO chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the World Health Organization calls for the immediate implementation of a recent resolution of the UN Security Council to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and being an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people. According to IRNA's Thursday morning report, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press conference at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva pointed out the dire situation in the Gaza Strip. "I urged all parties to take steps to implement the resolution immediately, and bring a permanent end to the suffering of millions of people," he said. The WHO chief also welcomed the "Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" conference, held in Jordan, to enhance aid flow to the Strip. Ghebreyesus explained that a significant portion of Gaza now faces "catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions". "Despite reports of increased delivery of food, there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food," he added. According to UN, more than 8,000 children under the age of five have been identified and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 with severe acute malnutrition in Gaza. The WHO head stated that the situation in the occupied West Bank is worsening as well, where he said attacks on health care and restrictions on movement are obstructing access to health services. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Occupied land set ablaze by Hezbollah rockets: Zionist media IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Zionist media reports say some 30,000 square meters of land has been consumed by fires a result of missile attacks by Lebanon's Hezbollah Resistance Movement on Israeli positions in the northern occupied Palestinian territories. According to IRNA's Thursday morning report citing Al-Jazeera, the Hebrew-language newspaper Yediot Aharonot wrote about the blazes that caught a large swathe of land in the occupied territories after rockets launched from southern Lebanon on Wednesday. In this regard, Haaretz, another Zionist newspaper also wrote that the fire in "the north of Israel" as a result of rockets fired from the south of Lebanon was a threat to "strategic facilities". On Wednesday, Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets on Israeli positions in response to the regime's airstrike previous night that left four resistance members, including a senior commander Sami Abdallah killed in Israeli air raids targeting a house in the town of Jwaya on Tuesday. Israeli media reported that 215 rockets were fired by Hezbollah from Wednesday morning to afternoon, with some hitting military bases, including a spying unit of the Miron military base and Bolsan factory affiliated to the Rafael military company. The factory provides protection and overhaul services to the machinery of the Zionist Army. On Tuesday, Hezbollah said it fired about 50 rockets at Israeli positions in the occupied Golan Heights. The Lebanese resistance group has stepped up its missile and drone attacks targeting the military positions of this regime in the north of the occupied territories in retaliation for genocide of Palestinians and regime's attacks on residential areas of southern Lebanon. So far, tens of thousands of Zionists have left the settlements near the Lebanese borders for fear of resistance attacks. Recently, the regime's media reported several massive fires caused by Hezbollah missiles in the northern occupied territories and that also left several Zionist soldiers injured. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fresh American, British aggression against Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The US and the UK have conducted multiple airstrikes overnight Wednesday on western Yemen in yet another act of aggression against the Arab country over its support for the oppressed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Yemen's Al Masirah TV network says that five people were injured, one of them critically, after American and British warplanes struck Rima province in the early hours of Thursday. According to this report, the target of the new attacks was a government complex in the Al-Jebin area of Rima province that was hit twice. A few hours ago, the Yemeni media had reported similar attacks on the city of al-Tahita and the Al-Jabanah region in Hudaydah Province, which is also in western Yemen. There was no report of possible casualties or damage from the first strike carried out on Wednesday evening. Various regions of Yemen, especially Hudaydah, have been the target of American and British aggression over the past months. The two western countries continue their joint operation against Yemen with the aim of putting pressure on the Arab country to stop its naval blockade imposed on the Zionist regime. Attacks not only violate Yemen's sovereignty but are against the UN resolution that only allowed measures to safeguard international shipping route and not to attack a country. The Yemeni army has, however, pledged to continue attacking Israeli or Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea until the Zionist regime stops its genocidal war on Gaza and ends the blockade on the Palestinian territory. It has also launched attacks on American and British vessels in retaliation for the two countries' aggression against Yemen. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen conducts new joint operation with Iraq's Islamic resistance IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni armed forces have confirmed yet another joint operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against the positions of the Zionist regime, including in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to IRNA citing a report from the Al-Masirah news network, Spokesman of Yemen's Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the announcement about a special joint operation on Wednesday night. "We carried out a special operation in the Red Sea using unmanned boats, ballistic missiles and drones against a ship called Tutor, which could damage the vessel and caused it to sink," Saree said, adding that "our armed forces warn all companies about the consequences of cooperating with the Israeli enemy and their ships entering the ports of occupied Palestine".The Yemeni spokesman said the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Haifa in the occupied territories were also targeted with cruise missiles and drones jointly with the Islamic Resistance on Wednesday night. This is second joint operations by the Yemeni army with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against Israeli targets in the region. Yemen has, time and again, said that its operations will continue as long as the Gaza war continues. The Islamic Resistance, in a statement on Thursday morning also confirmed its joint operation against the targets of the Zionist regime with the armed forces of Yemen. According to Al Jazeera, the umbrella group of Iraqi resistance factions announced that vital targets of the Zionists were hit in Ashdod and Haifa by drones. Meanwhile, a British security firm, Ambrey and other shipping sources confirmed the Red Sea incident, saying a Greek-owned and Liberia-flagged cargo ship was struck off the Yemeni port of Hudaydah. Some sources say the vessel sank after sustaining damage. In recent months, the Yemeni army has targeted dozens of Israeli ships or ships bound for the occupied territories in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in support of Palestinians in Gaza who have been facing the Israeli genocide since October last year. The latest anti-Israel operations came just hours after American and British warplanes pounded western Yemen in yet another act of aggression against the Arab country over its support for the Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza. According to the Yemeni media, the city of al-Tahita and Al-Jabanah region in Hudaydah Province were the target of Wednesday's attacks. The United States and Britain have been targeting Yemen under the pretext of maritime security but Yemen and geopolitical analysts say the aggression of the two countries is aimed at safeguarding Israeli interests in the region. In retaliation, however, the Yemeni armed forces have also hit American and British vessels, including their warships in the Red and Arabian Seas in recent months. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu to the Fighters of the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit: "You reflect the stature of the entire people, and you have shown that we are ready to do whatever is necessary to rescue our hostages." Israel - Prime Minister's Office Events and Speeches The 37th Government 13.06.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Fighters of the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit: "You reflect the stature of the entire people, and you have shown that we are ready to do whatever is necessary to rescue our hostages. The same heroism, determination and devotion to the mission will enable us to overcome our enemies in both the south and the north." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, visited the special anti-terrorism unit base, together with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. At the start of the visit, they spoke with the forum of commanders who took action and commanded the forces of the special anti-terrorism unit and the ISA during the operation to rescue the hostages from Hamas captivity, with the commander of the special anti-terrorism unit first and foremost. Special anti-terrorism unit commander H briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir on the stages of the operation and the cooperation between IDF and ISA fighters. They then held an additional dialogue with the command staff. Israel Police Inspector General Yaakov Shabtai, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, and Border Police Commander Brik Yitzhak also participated in the visit. Prime Minister Netanyahu at the conclusion of the visit: "I am here at the special anti-terrorism unit base. I just met with our amazing fighters who rescued the hostages from the jaws of the enemy. Unfortunately, this heroic operation claimed the life of fighter and commander, and wonderful human being, Arnon Zamora, of blessed memory. We have named the operation after him - 'Operation Arnon.' I saw the fighters. I saw the determination, heroism and devotion to the mission in their eyes. The same heroism, determination and devotion to the mission will enable us to overcome our enemies in both the south and the north, and restore the residents securely to their homes." Prime Minister Netanyahu to the fighters of the special anti-terrorism unit: "You reflect the stature of the entire people, and you have shown that we are ready to do whatever is necessary to rescue our hostages. When this reaches the moment of truth, when it rises to the fore, and in the end comes to me for a decision, I think about the entire chain, but in the end, I come to you. I look at you (the commander of the special anti-terrorism unit) and I see ready - or not ready, whether you have doubts or hesitation, because if there is even a drop of hesitation, the operation will not be carried out. Therefore, I have come here to say on behalf of the entire people and all friends of Israel around the world, well done, for the heroism and for everything that you have done." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. opposes some changes asked by Hamas concerning latest ceasefire proposal People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:18, June 13, 2024 WASHINGTON, June 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Hamas' response to a U.S.-backed ceasefire-for-hostages proposal included "numerous changes" to what was originally presented, some of which were unacceptable. Blinken told a news conference in Doha, Qatar, that the United States received a response from Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators to a three-phased roadmap to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza that U.S. President Joe Biden announced at the end of May. The proposal was designed also to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. "Hamas has proposed numerous changes to the proposal that was on the table. We discussed those changes last night with Egyptian colleagues and today with the prime minister" of Qatar, Blinken said. "Some of the changes are workable; some are not." Blinken said that the current proposal was "virtually identical" to what Hamas laid out in their own proposal put forward on May 6, yet Hamas had made "a number of" changes that "go beyond positions it had previously taken and accepted." He reiterated that the current deal was "accepted" by Israel, despite the apparent fact that some in the hard-right faction of the Israeli government were opposed to it. "Hamas could have answered with a single word: yes," Blinken added. Blinken's avoidance of explicitly saying Hamas rejected the potential deal drew what appeared to be a clear contrast to the Israeli perception of Hamas' attitude. In a report Tuesday, U.S. news outlet Axios quoted two Israeli officials as saying that Hamas had rejected the proposal. "In the days ahead, we are going to continue to push on an urgent basis -- with our partners, with Qatar, with Egypt -- to try to close this deal," Blinken said at the news conference. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen conducts fresh ops in support of Gaza, retaliation for US, UK aggression Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 10:43 PM Yemen's Armed Forces announce conducting three new operations in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are enduring a genocidal Israeli war, and in retaliation for the US and the UK's aggression against the Arab Peninsula nation. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the forces' spokesman, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, saying the operations had taken place "in the past 24 hours." "The first operation was carried out in the Arabian Sea, targeting the ship 'Verbena,'" Saree said, noting that the vessel had been "directly hit, causing it to catch fire." "The second operation targeted the ship 'Seaguardian' in the Red Sea, achieving a direct hit," he added. "The third operation targeted the ship 'Athina' in the Red Sea, also achieving a direct hit," the spokesman noted. According to Saree, the triple operations were conducted using several naval strike and ballistic missiles as well as drones. The official did not reveal the nationality of the vessels, but the Armed Forces have been carrying out countless such operations against Israeli ships or those heading towards the ports of the occupied Palestinian territories since October 7, when the Tel Aviv regime began the war on Gaza. At least 37,232 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 85,037 individuals sustained injuries in the brutal Israeli military onslaught against the coastal sliver. The Yemeni forces have also conducted many operations against American and British vessels in response to deadly attacks by the United States and the UK against their country, which have been seeking to stop the forces' pro-Palestinian operations. The forces, Saree stated, "will continue to expand operations and develop military capabilities in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in defense of the dear Yemen." The pro-Palestinian operations would continue as long as the Israeli regime kept up the war and a simultaneous siege that Tel Aviv has been enforcing against Gaza, the official concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO: 300,000 troops 'on high readiness' for war with Russia Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 4:45 PM NATO leaders have agreed to keep 300,000 troops ready in the event of a potential major war with Russia. "The offers on the table from allies comfortably exceed the 300,000 that we set," a senior alliance official said on Thursday. "Those are forces which allies have said to us, 'They are available to you as of now at that level of readiness'." "There are capability gaps. There are things that we don't have enough of as an alliance at the moment and we need to tackle," the official said. The push to have more troops ready to respond quickly is part of a broader overhaul of NATO's plans to stave off any potential Russian attack that was signed off at a summit last year. NATO is developing multiple "land corridors" to rush US troops and armor to the front lines in the event of a Russian invasion of NATO. US troops would be shipped to the port of Rotterdam before being transported eastward. But arrangements are also being made behind the scenes to expand the routes to other ports to ensure the ground line of communications cannot be severed by Moscow's forces. It comes amid warnings from the Western alliance's top leaders that Western governments must prepare themselves for a conflict with Russia in the next two decades. NATO commanders are currently trying to make sure they have the capabilities to execute those plans if needed. But the alliance faces shortfalls in key weaponry such as air defenses and longer-range missiles. "There are capability gaps. There are things that we don't have enough of as an alliance at the moment and we need to tackle," the official said. In a rare reference to the Western nuclear arsenal, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Wednesday highlighted the alliance's efforts to adapt its capabilities to current threats. Stoltenberg said the Netherlands in June declared the first F-35 fighter jets ready to carry nuclear arms and said the US was modernizing its nuclear weapons in Europe. NATO rarely talks about these weapons publicly. On Tuesday, Russia said its troops had started the second stage of drills to practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons alongside Belarusian troops after Moscow said were threats from Western powers. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Moscow could use nuclear weapons to defend itself in extreme situations. Russia accuses the US and its European allies of pushing the world to the brink of nuclear confrontation by giving Ukraine billions of dollars worth of weapons, some of which are being used against Russian territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah launches massive strikes on Israeli military positions in solidarity with Gaza Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 3:08 PM The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance forces conducted a series of strikes against Israeli military positions in the northern side of the 1948 occupied territories in response to the ongoing Israeli onslaught against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah announced in a statement on Thursday that it had struck Israeli soldiers at the al-Raheb outpost with heavy machine guns and artillery shells, stressing that the designated targets were precisely hit. It further noted that the operation came in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and in support of brave and heroic Palestinian resistance factions. The military media bureau of Hezbollah also published video footages of the Lebanese resistance fighters' earlier attacks on the Israeli al-Raheb and Ramia outposts as well as the Zarit barracks. It also published scenes of retaliatory operations against Meron Air Base and the headquarters of the Northern Command of the Israeli military in the northern part of the occupied lands. Additionally, Hezbollah used squadrons of assault drones to successfully attack Mishar base, which serves as the headquarters of the main intelligence unit of the northern region charged with assassination missions, and the Katsavia Barracks that acts as the headquarters of the seventh Armored Brigade of the 210th Golan Division. A Hezbollah source said around 30 drones and 150 rockets were fired at the northern part of the Israeli-occupied lands, in response to Tuesday's killing of senior Hezbollah commander Sami Abdallah, better known by the nom the guerre Abu Taleb. The attack is Hezbollah's biggest since October 8, the source said. According to the source, Hezbollah struck over 10 military targets, including intelligence targets related to the assassinations of its officials. Hezbollah, in a separate statement, said it launched Katyusha and Falaq (Dusk) rockets at six army bases in the Israeli-occupied territories, and several more swarms of explosive-laden drones at three more bases in the area. The Israeli military reported that some 40 rockets crossed the border, many of which were allegedly intercepted by the so-called Iron Dome missile systems, but others impacted, causing at least 15 fires. Two Israeli settlers in their 20s were also lightly hurt by shrapnel. Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, a Lebanese political analyst, said Hezbollah's swift and devastating multi-pronged attack on Israel, the likes of which have not been seen since the 2006 War, appears to be more than just a response to the assassination of its senior commander, Abu Taleb. She said in a social media post that, "The sheer scale and intensity of the attack, coupled with Hezbollah's recent attempts to establish aerial deterrence with Israel, suggest that the movement isn't taking Israeli decision-makers' rationality for granted or dismissing the possibility of an all-out war initiated by Israel." "As such, Hezbollah's attack today was not merely a punitive retaliation for Taleb or just a coercive strike to break the deadlock in the ceasefire talks by strengthening Hamas's position, but also, primarily, a deterrent strike aimed at discouraging Israel from embarking on a path of mutually assured destruction." The occupying Israeli regime has repeatedly launched attacks on southern Lebanon since October 7, after commencing a genocidal war in Gaza that has killed at least 37,232 Palestinians, predominantly women and children so far. As a retaliatory measure, Hezbollah has been carrying out almost daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions. At least 455 people have been killed on the Lebanese border, including more than 80 civilians, according to a tally by AFP. Two Israeli wars waged against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 were met with strong resistance from Hezbollah, resulting in the retreat of the regime in both conflicts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel launches air, land, sea strikes against so-called safe zone in Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 11:13 AM Israel has launched air, land, and sea strikes, hitting a so-called safe zone in southern Gaza, where thousands of internally displaced Palestinians have sought shelter. The occupying entity early on Thursday carried out intense airstrikes and artillery bombardment, by "air, land and sea", against the al-Mawasi area west of Rafah city in the southern parts of the war-torn Palestinian territory, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. The Israeli regime had designated al-Mawasi, a coastal tent town, as a "safe zone" for Palestinians, where thousands of civilians are living under deplorable conditions. "Al-Mawasi is a poorly planned attempt to impose a solution for people who have been displaced, and they are dubious of the safety guarantee since Israeli airstrikes have targeted other areas where the army ordered people to go," the United Nations said. During its genocidal war in Gaza, Tel Aviv has asserted the existence of designated "safe zones" for Palestinians, urging them to seek refuge there. Yet, according to several UN officials, these areas have provided no real sanctuary for displaced Gazans. The Israeli military aggression, characterized by indiscriminate strikes and artillery fire, has caused widespread destruction in regions previously deemed safe by the regime, such as the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in the south. According to WAFA, the Israeli navy boats also fired heavy machine guns into the western areas of Rafah on Thursday. Israel waged the atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7, 2023. At least 37,232 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 85,037 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA warns of catastrophic environmental, health risks in Gaza amid Israeli war Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 11:06 AM The UN Palestinian refugee agency has warned of catastrophic environmental and health risks in the Gaza Strip amid the Israeli regime's months-long war against the besieged territory. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) raised the alarm in a post on its X social media account on Thursday. "As of 9 June, over 330,000 tons of waste have accumulated in or near populated areas across Gaza, posing catastrophic environmental & health risks. Children rummage through trash daily," the agency said. "Unimpeded humanitarian access + #CeasefireNow are crucial to restore humane living conditions," it added. The latest development comes as Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has taken a heavy toll on Palestinian children and their health since October last year. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday that nearly 3,000 children are at risk of dying before the eyes of their families as they have been cut off from treatment for severe acute malnutrition in southern Gaza. According to medics, treating a child for acute malnutrition typically takes six to eight weeks of uninterrupted care and requires special therapeutic food, safe water, and other medical support while there are only two functioning stabilization centers that treat seriously malnourished children in Gaza. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has added Israel's military to a global list of offenders that have committed violations against children. Israel waged its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance groups carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 37,232 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 85,037 others in the Gaza Strip. The Tel Aviv regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 12: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 9:27 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 37,202 Palestinians so far, including more than 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Wednesday, June 12, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on June 12: Targeted the headquarters of the Israeli military on the "Netzarim" axis with a 114mm rocket. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City with heavy-caliber mortar shells. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces penetrating east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. Targeted two Israeli military Merkava 4 tanks with two Al-Yassin 105 shells in the Shaboura camp in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers penetrating east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City with mortar shells. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on June 12: Targeted an Israeli military gathering and their vehicles east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City with mortar shells. Targeted a group of Israeli forces stationed at the "Sofa" military site with a 107mm rocket barrage. Targeted an Israeli military force with a barrage of regular mortar shells near transmission towers at the "Nahal Oz" site, east of Gaza City. Targeted a convoy of Israeli army vehicles with mortar shells on the front lines east of the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on June 12: Targeted a command and control center of the Israeli military with a barrage of rockets on the supply line to the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City. Targeted a group of Israeli troops with a landmine near Saad Mosque, east of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers with 60-caliber regular mortar shells in the vicinity of Al-Salam Mosque, west of Al-Shaboura Camp in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza. Martyr Abdulqader Al-Husseini Brigades' operations on June 12: Launched two missiles towards the Israeli army headquarters on the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City. Hezbollah's operations on June 12: Eastern Sector: Targeted the Ruwaisat al-Qarn site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Ramtha site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Al-Samaqa site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Ruwaisat al-Alam site with appropriate weapons. Targeted an Israeli warplane with appropriate weapons, forcing it to retreat. Targeted the Habushit base with appropriate weapons. Western Section: Targeted the Plasan factory in the Sa'sa settlement with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Northern Corps Command at the Ein Zeitim base with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Northern Corps base in the Ami'ad settlement with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Meron base with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Ramya site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Rahib site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Zarit site with appropriate weapons. Targeted Israeli forces at the Al-Malikiyah site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Khirbet Maar site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Hadab Yarin site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Hanita site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Jal al-Alam site with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Birkat Risha site with appropriate weapons. Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on June 12: In a joint operation with the Yemeni Armed Forces, targeted Haifa and Ashdod in the occupied Palestinian territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. Yemeni military's operations on June 12: Targeted a ship named "TUTOR" in the Red Sea with a barrage of drones and missiles due to its parent company's violation of the ban on the ports of occupied Palestine. In a joint operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeted Haifa and Ashdod in the occupied Palestinian territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World witnessing 'unique level' of death, destruction in war-torn Gaza Strip: UN chief Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 8:26 AM United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says a "unique level" of death and destruction is unfolding before the eyes of the world in the besieged Gaza Strip, stressing that supporting the whole population of Palestinians in the territory is "extremely difficult" when it is continuously "under fire." Guterres made the remarks on the sidelines of a forum at the UN headquarters in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday, saying that the war in the Palestinian coastal sliver was unlike anything he had experienced as the head of the world body. "We have witnessed ... a unique level of destruction and ... unique level of casualties in the Palestinian population during these months of war that has no precedent in any other situation that I've lived as Secretary General of the United Nations," the UN chief said. Israel waged the atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7, 2023. At least 37,202 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 84,932 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well. Guterres further said that providing assistance to the Gaza population faced immense challenges due to ongoing conflict and Israeli blockade, which prevents the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies like food, fuel, medicine, and clean water. "It's extremely difficult to support the population when there are so many restrictions to the entry of the necessary supplies for humanitarian aid," he said. Meanwhile, the UN children agency (UNICEF) said in a statement that some 3,000 children are at risk of dying before the eyes of their families as they have been cut off from treatment for severe acute malnutrition in southern Gaza. "Horrific images continue to emerge from Gaza of children dying before their families' eyes due to the continued lack of food, nutrition supplies, and the destruction of healthcare services," said UNICEF Regional Director for West Asia and North Africa Adele Khodr. Children suffering from malnutrition face an increased susceptibility to diseases and other health complications, exacerbated by restricted access to safe water, sewage overflow, infrastructure damage, and inadequate hygiene resources. Gaza officials say 15,694 children have been killed and 17,000 others are without parents after 250 days of Israel's war on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK launch fresh strikes on Yemen's Hudaydah Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 6:24 AM The United States and Britain have carried out three aerial assaults on Yemen's western city of Hudaydah. Yemen's al-Masirah television channel reported on Wednesday night that the strikes targeted the al-Jabana area, home to an air defense camp. The report provided no information about possible casualties or damage. The US and its allies have been bombing Yemen in recent months in violation of the country's sovereignty and international law. The illegal air raids came in response to Yemen's maritime campaign in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In the pro-Palestine campaign, Yemeni forces have targeted ships going to and from ports in the occupied territories, or whose owners are linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and even in the Arabian Sea. They have also attacked American and British vessels in the same waters. Regional tensions escalated after Israel waged a US-backed genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 following a historic operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the occupying regime. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 37,202 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 84,932 others in the besieged Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines 'monitoring' Vietnam's South China Sea island building Officials stopped short of condemning Hanoi's rapid land reclamation work. By RFA Staff 2024.06.13 -- The Philippine navy is "monitoring" Vietnam's island building activities in the West Philippine Sea -- part of the South China Sea within Manila's exclusive economic zone, a naval official said. The spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, told a radio station that both the navy and the department of foreign affairs were watching the situation. Manila claims jurisdiction over a group of reefs and rocks, called the Kalayaan island group in the Philippines. Most of the reefs are within the Spratly archipelago, which is contested by several countries in the region. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) think tank said in a recent report that in six months Vietnam had created as much new land in the South China Sea as the previous two years combined. Vietnam has reclaimed a total area of 955 hectares, about half the area that China has built up throughout the years, according to AMTI. The Philippines' measured response to the report of Vietnamese land reclamation in areas that it also claims comes after a period of intensifying confrontation between Manila and Beijing over other features in disputed waters. The Philippines and Vietnam have "friendly relations," Trinidad told the Super Radyo dzBB station. "Vietnam does not initiate illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions against us, unlike China," he added. Earlier, another Philippine official said that Vietnam was reclaiming features that it occupied before a 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. "Vietnam focuses on minding their own affairs," Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told reporters. "They do not engage in harassing our fishermen or illegally deploying coast guard vessels and maritime militia in the waters surrounding our occupied maritime features," Tarriela added. Divisive issue The Philippines has in the past issued a formal diplomatic protest against Vietnam's island building, which was the usual practice in response to any such foreign activity in the West Philippine Sea, said Jay Batongbacal, a maritime legal expert. "It was more about the concern over the environmental impact of such activities as the Philippines gives great value to marine habitats and species diversity," Batongbacal told RFA. "This has not affected Vietnam-Philippines relations overall." Botongbacal said the two countries had been engaged in constant dialogue as two claimants from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in accordance with the 1992 ASEAN Declaration of Conduct for parties in the South China Sea and the 2002 Declaration of Conduct between the block and China. Manila and Hanoi established a strategic partnership in 2015 and have been working together to manage their overlapping claims in the South China Sea amid new maritime challenges posed by their big neighbor China. The Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, Meynardo LB. Montealegre, on Wednesday called Vietnam "our twin brother in the ASEAN region," and that the two countries are "sharing the South China Sea as our common space for growth, our life-giving source for development and equally essential for our co-existence." Yet Vietnam's recent efforts could become a divisive issue between them. A recent article by Rigoberto Tiglao in the Manila Times named Vietnam the Philippines' "other threat." "As sure as the sun rises in the East, if China vacates its occupied artificial islands in the South China Sea, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will be landing its troops on each and every island, and it has been preparing to do so for a decade," he wrote. The Manila Times, commonly seen as pro-China, previously published reports on Vietnam's militarization of its outposts in the South China Sea, citing leaked documents from its defense ministry. There has been no independent verification of the documents and experts casted doubt on their authenticity. However, after the articles were published, a group of Filipinos held a protest and tore down Vietnam's flag in front of its embassy in Manila, prompting Vietnamese officials to ask Philippine authorities to "handle the incident seriously." Edited by Taejun Kang. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ASEAN chief: Bloc won't pick sides in US-China rivalry Meanwhile, a binding code of conduct on the South China Sea is at least another 2 years away. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.06.13 -- Southeast Asia won't pick sides in the strategic rivalry between the United States and China and believes both powers have a role to play in Asia, a top regional official said in Washington on Wednesday. Speaking with reporters at Arizona State University's Washington campus, Kao Kim Hourn, the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, said the 10-nation grouping wanted Beijing and Washington to "work out their differences." But until that happens, he said, Southeast Asia would work with both powers and oppose any efforts to be shoehorned into the rivalry. "They should not ask us to choose sides. We will not choose sides," said Kao Kim Hourn, who was an adviser to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen before taking on his role with ASEAN in 2022. "This is a strategic competition between China and the United States," he explained. "It's not a strategic competition with ASEAN." The ASEAN states hoped the rivalry "will not have repercussions" for Southeast Asia and wanted the sides to talk more to avoid economic or military blowback for the region, the official added. "We want to see the superpowers get together," he said. Asked about remarks often made by Chinese government officials that the United States was an "outsider" in Asia and should focus on its own backyard, Kao Kim Hourn said many in ASEAN disagreed. "We consider the United States as a friend and as a partner," he said. "In this regard, I don't think ASEAN considers the United States as an outsider. The U.S. has been involved in the region for many years." Earlier on Wednesday, Kao Kim Hourn visited students at Herndon High School, which he attended in the 1980s after escaping the Cambodian Civil War that followed the 1979 overthrow of the Khmer Rouge. He also met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. South China Sea A day prior, Kao Kim Hourn held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who on Wednesday publicly called on Southeast Asia to adopt a unified stance on assertive Chinese claims against Philippine waters, which has included water-cannon attacks. ASEAN should "send an unmistakable message about concerns with respect to provocations in what is clearly the Philippines' waters," Campbell said at a forum at the Stimson Center in Washington. However, the bloc, which requires consensus among its 10 member states to issue positions, has been unable to offer a unified stance on China's claims to the South China Sea since Cambodia in 2012 hosted the group's annual summit and vetoed any such statement. As a close ally of Beijing and one of its largest aid recipients - and with no claims itself to the South China Sea - Phnom Penh has since prevented the bloc from criticizing China's aggressive claims. At the roundtable on Wednesday, Kao Kim Hourn noted that only four of the 10 ASEAN states - Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines - had direct claims to the South China Sea, and said even within the bloc there were overlapping claims that needed to be resolved. A Philippine official this week, for instance, said that Manila was "monitoring" island-building by Vietnam in a disputed part of the sea, even as he stopped short of condemning the land reclamation and said ties between Vietnam and the Philippines remain "friendly." Kao Kim Hourn said ASEAN had to sort out the "counterclaims" that exist "among" its own members before it could adopt a unified regional stance on China's overlapping claims - even if that meant allowing Beijing to press ahead with increasingly assertive behavior. A long-awaited code of conduct governing how claimants behave in the South China Sea, which was first floated in talks with Beijing in the 1990s, could be at least another two years away, he added. "They're trying to work within that time frame," he said. "But, again, it depends on the speed and, of course, the process of negotiating." Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban's Education Ban On Afghan Girls Fuels Spike In Child Marriages By Firuza Azizi June 13, 2024 Amina was in the seventh grade when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. Shortly after their takeover, the militants banned teenage girls from attending school, dashing the 14-year-old's dreams of completing her education. Months later, Amina's family in the central province of Maidan Wardak forced her to marry a local 37-year-old man. Amina, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, said she was "traumatized and sick" when she was told of her family's plans. "My family faced economic ruin after the Taliban takeover," Amina, now 16, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Amina's husband paid a "walwar" -- a premarital fee given to the bride-to-be's parents -- that amounted to around $12,000. Walwar payments are common in Afghanistan and provide an incentive for parents to marry off their daughters at a young age. Amina is among the thousands of underage girls who have been forced into marriage since the fall of the Western-backed Afghan government in August 2021. Activists say the Taliban's education ban has contributed to the surge in early and child marriages. A devastating humanitarian crisis and the lack of educational and professional prospects for women have fueled the sharp uptick, they say. 'I Had No Choice' Mursal was 15 years old when her family forced her into an engagement with an older man. "I had no choice because my family told me that in the absence of education, my only option was to get married," said Mursal, now 17. Mursal, whose name has also been changed to protect her identity, said her dream was to become a doctor. For some families, marrying their girls off provides some sense of security: fewer mouths to feed at a time when the country is dealing with a humanitarian crisis and economic ruin. Some parents have also married off their adolescent daughters to avoid forced marriages to Taliban fighters. But activists say the Taliban's September 2021 decision to ban millions of girls above the sixth grade from attending school has also helped fuel the spike in child marriages. June 13 marks 1,000 days since the Taliban announced its ban, a move that triggered international condemnation and protests inside Afghanistan. During its nearly three years in power, the militant group has severely curtailed women and girls' appearances, freedom of movement, and right to work and study. 'Very Dangerous' Child marriages have increased by around 25 percent since the Taliban takeover, according to UN Women, the United Nations agency for gender equality and the empowerment of women. "This is terrible and very dangerous for the future of Afghanistan," Shaharzad Akbar, an Afghan rights campaigner who headed the former Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, told Radio Azadi. Akbar, who now runs the independent advocacy organization Rawadari, said their research has established the potentially devastating impacts of the Taliban's education ban on teenage girls. "In the future, we won't have female university students," she said. "And there will be no female health-care workers or other [educated female] workers." Written by Abubakar Siddique based on reporting by Firuza Azizi of RFE/RL's Radio Azadi Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban- education-ban-marriage/32989877.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pressure On Pashinian Grows As Armenians Continue Protests By RFE/RL's Armenian Service June 13, 2024 A day after clashes with police, anti-government protesters gathered on June 13, this time outside the Armenian government building, as pressure continues to mount grows on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to step down as his country nears a controversial peace deal with Azerbaijan. Thousands of Armenians staged the new rally a day after the clashes in which more than 100 people were injured when police fired stun grenades during an antigovernment rally outside parliament. An Interior Ministry spokesperson told RFE/RL that 70 people had been detained on June 12 and there were injuries among both the protesters and the police in the clashes in central Yerevan. Around 4,000 people gathered on June 13 for the rally led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian calling for Pashinian to step down, AFP reported. The outspoken 53-year-old leader of the Tavush for the Motherland movement opposes plans to hand over several border areas to Azerbaijan as part of a peace deal. "The authorities are guilty of bringing this country to disaster," Galstanian told the crowd on June 13. "We have shown yesterday that we have no fear and that our movement will persist," he added, vowing to force Pashinian to resign. Galstanian said that one of the main avenues of Yerevan that has been closed for the protest since June 9 will reopen on June 14 but added that the opposition to Pashinian "will continue perhaps in a slightly different way." He gave no details. Protests have gripped Yerevan since April, when authorities agreed to hand back to archrival Azerbaijan territory that Armenia had controlled since the 1990s. Residents of nearby settlements say the move cuts them off from the rest of the country and accuse Pashinian of giving away territory without getting anything in return. Pashinian has defended the move as part of efforts to secure peace with Azerbaijan. Asked whether he would resign under pressure from the protests, Pashinian told journalists on June 12 that that if the people of Armenia want a change of government, they will change the government. A weekly cabinet session that Pashinian was scheduled to chair on June 13 was postponed to June 14 due to scheduled discussions in parliament on the budget. The prime minister also announced that no Armenian officials would be allowed to visit Belarus as long as Alyaksandr Lukashenka is the president, while the Foreign Ministry recalled Armenia's ambassador to Minsk for consultations after Pashinian accused members of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which includes Belarus, of having planned with Azerbaijan a war against his country. The "next logical step" would be our withdrawal from the organization depending on questions Yerevan has for the CSTO. He did not specify what those questions were, but said that Armenia will "decide when it (leaving the CSTO) happens." "It could be a month, a year, or three years from now," he said in parliament on June 13, clarifying comments from a day earlier that many interpreted as him saying Armenia was leaving the CSTO. The United States, meanwhile, plans to send an envoy to Armenia. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan annouced that a delegation led by First Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verman will arrive in Yerevan for an official visit on June 17. The delegation will participate in an Armenian-American forum dedicated to issues of democracy in local self-government, the embassy said. https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32992051.html Verman will meet with Pashinian, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, and representatives of the public and private sectors and civil society groups. "This visit testifies to our intention to further strengthen bilateral ties with the Armenian people," the U.S. Embassy said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-protests-pashinian- resignation-galstanian/32991054.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nikol Pashinian: From Jailed Activist To Beleaguered Leader By Joshua Kucera June 13, 2024 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian built his political identity on peaceful protests and resistance to police violence. Now, six years after taking power, he has presided over his own violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations. Video of stun grenades exploding amid crowds of protesters have shocked Armenians, not least because of the bitter irony that police were doing it on Pashinian's watch. The future prime minister first came to prominence in Armenian politics in 2008 when he helped lead demonstrations against a disputed election. Those protests were violently broken up by police in what human rights groups described as a disproportionate use of force, and 10 people were killed. Pashinian spent a year in jail. Ten years later, he came to power on the back of another round of street protests; he called it the Velvet Revolution because of its nonviolent nature. "I understood that the best way to prevent violence is to be nonviolent," he told The New York Times back then. Anger Over Nagorno-Karabakh Now that he is in power himself, the tables have turned. On June 12, police used stun grenades to break up a demonstration of anti-government protesters, with at least 98 people reported injured in the clashes. In recent weeks, Pashinian has faced growing calls for him to resign amid public anger over Armenia's catastrophic series of military losses and concessions to its foe, Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan successfully recaptured Nagorno-Karabakh, which had been controlled by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support for decades. Azerbaijan's September 2023 military offensive led to the capitulation of the local Armenian leadership and the exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Many details of the June 12 clashes are disputed. The parliament speaker, Alen Simonian, said that the leader of the protest movement, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanian, who has drawn large crowds to protest in the capital, "directed people to attack the police." Simonian also said that the police response was justified. Pashinian has also defended the actions of the police but said that there would be an investigation into the violence. "Approved and ordered by a leader that came to power through a 'peaceful Velvet Revolution,'" wrote journalist Lilit Shahverdian in an Instagram post about the police violence. When Pashinian led protests in 2018 against the autocratic government led by Serzh Sarkisian, there were widespread fears that the police would crack down violently, as they had in 2008. But while hundreds of protesters were detained during those events, the demonstrations never faced the level of police violence that was seen on June 12. After Sarkisian stepped down, the U.S. ambassador at the time praised the "professionalism" of the security forces. Pashinian's government then embarked on an ambitious program of reforms, including holding free and fair elections and greatly reducing corruption in the country. But his approach to government critics has been consistently harsh. 'Vendettas' In 2018, during his first election campaign after the Velvet Revolution, he drew criticism for violent rhetoric against the opposition. In the next campaign for snap elections in 2021, he vowed to "replace our velvet mandate with a steel one" and promised "vendettas" against vestiges of the former authorities. Under his administration, police have repeatedly gone after critics of the prime minister, even for merely writing insulting Facebook posts. The most recent U.S. State Department report on Armenia's human rights record noted that "numerous organizations reported on a notable increase in cases of abuse or torture by law enforcement officials of individuals in custody and asserted such behavior was becoming systemic and often went unpunished." Pashinian and his defenders have justified the crackdowns on government opponents by citing those figures' ties to the former government or by claiming they have pro-Russia sympathies. "Here in Yerevan, society views this as the provocative actions of [a] few hundred activists," political science professor Nerses Kopalian wrote on X following the June 12 events. "Those arrested for violence are primarily from political parties/organizations associated w/ the pro-Russia, previous regime contingent." Speaking in parliament on June 13, the day after the violence, Pashinian accused the protesters of being masterminded by former President Robert Kocharian and the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He also said that protesters were trying to attack the parliament building. "The police were defending the statehood of Armenia," he said. Others, though, said that was no excuse. "From a political perspective, it was long known that the political minority intended to legitimize its narrative as a result of an aggressive confrontation with the police," Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist and the head of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly office in the Armenian city of Vanadzor, wrote on Facebook. "However, no political agenda can justify the use of violence and cannot be considered an acceptable and justified basis of a democratic lawful state, regardless of who is the perpetrator, the authorities or the opposition." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-protests-nikol- pashinian-nagorno-karabakh/32991417.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rights Groups Demand Release Of Kyrgyz Protesters As Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Sentences By RFE/RL June 13, 2024 Several international rights groups on June 12 demanded the immediate release of over two dozen Kyrgyz activists who could be facing 20 years in prison for protesting a border deal with Uzbekistan. Prosecutors in Kyrgyzstan asked a court in Bishkek on June 10 to hand down lengthy sentences to 27 members of a Kyrgyz group who protested a deal that saw Kyrgyzstan hand over the Kempir-Abad reservoir to Uzbekistan. The 27 were arrested in 2022 and charged with organizing mass unrest and plotting to seize power. Their trial started in June 2023 and is expected to conclude on June 13. In their statement, the rights groups said the request for lengthy sentences for each activist "compounds an already shocking miscarriage of justice." The groups include the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the International Partnership for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, People in Need, Civil Rights Defenders, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Freedom Now, and the International Federation for Human Rights. They said the activists were "peacefully campaigning" and called on the authorities to drop all charges against them. The trial is being held behind closed doors as case materials were designated classified. The rights groups said this "violates the defendants' right to a fair and public hearing" under international law. "While independent trial monitors have not had access to the trial, information from the defendants and their lawyers indicates that the proceedings have been marred by serious violations of due process and fair trial guarantees," the groups said. They charged that the prosecution had presented "no credible evidence to support the charges. "Judicial and law enforcement authorities have also allegedly intimidated and harassed lawyers for representing their clients in this case," they added. The groups called on Kyrgyzstan's international partners to support their call for the "unconditional release of the defendants" and demand "accountability for those responsible for violations of their rights." "Kyrgyzstan's authorities should end their crackdown on free speech and other fundamental freedoms in the country and put in place meaningful measures to safeguard human rights in line with Kyrgyzstan's international obligations," the groups said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rights-groups-release-kyrgyz- activists/32990962.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on the death of Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi 13 June 2024 15:12 1132-13-06-2024 Moscow was saddened to learn of the death on June 10 in a plane crash of the Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi, Saulos Chilima, and his entourage, including former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri. Saulos Chilima's work for many years was inextricably linked to Malawi's political life. An experienced statesman and patriot of his country, the Vice-President enjoyed well-deserved authority and recognition within the Malawian society. The Russian Federation expresses its condolences to the leadership and people of the Republic of Malawi and to the families and friends of the victims. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden Uncertain of Reaching Gaza Ceasefire Deal Soon Sputnik News 20240613 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - President Joe Biden told reporters on Thursday that he is not confident that an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire deal will be reached soon, according to a White House press pool report. "No," Biden said when asked if he's confident they will reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement soon. Just a day before, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he is not sure whether it will be possible to bridge the gaps in the Gaza ceasefire proposal after Hamas put on the table a list of changes to the draft agreement. "I can't tell you right now whether we'll succeed. I believe it's doable. I believe it's absolutely necessary to try our hardest to do it, but there's no guarantee," Blinken said during a press conference in Doha, Qatar when asked if there are any chances to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza. While Blinken said there were some unworkable terms in Hamas' proposed changes to the deal, he did not disclose the details of those changes. The United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Israel will work "with urgency" in the coming days to see if the gaps are bridgeable, the top US diplomat added. 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 37,100 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. A total of 120 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, and about a third of them are believed to be dead. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Condemns US, UK 'Pointless Strikes' in Red Sea Sputnik News 20240613 UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Russia condemns the United States' and United Kingdom's strikes in the Red Sea and considers them "pointless," Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on Thursday. "[W]e condemn the strikes by the US- and UK-led coalition targeting the sovereign territory of Yemen. This aggression is being perpetrated in violation of the UN Charter. It is pointless insofar as it cannot stop the attacks in the Red Sea," Nebenzia said during a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation concerning Yemen. Nebenzia said that these "reckless instances" of the use of force by NATO countries leave behind them a stain of blood. On June 7, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the Allah Ansar movement in Yemen - whose supporters are popularly known as Houthis - had detained 11 UN personnel. Three days later, the Houthis said they detained spies linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency for allegedly carrying out intelligence and sabotage activities in Yemen. In November 2023, the Houthis vowed to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Savannah Guthrie of The Today Show on NBC US Department of State Interview Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Masseria San Domenico Savelletri di Fasano, Italy June 13, 2024 QUESTION: Hamas has finally responded to the ceasefire deal laid out by the President almost two weeks ago. Let's do the top line first. Having seen that response, do you think a deal is more or less likely as we sit here today? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, Savannah, the response we got was unfortunately not the yes that we were looking for, a yes that virtually the entire world has given. President Biden put out - laid out this proposal for an immediate ceasefire, getting all the hostages home, putting us on a path to enduring peace in Gaza and beyond. And what you saw in the time since he put that out almost two weeks ago was country after country coming out and supporting it - in the Arab world, and well beyond. The Israelis reconfirmed their support for it. The United Nations Security Council, which rarely speaks with one voice these days, was almost unanimous in its support. So we were waiting for Hamas's response, and the response we got was to try to add new conditions to a proposal that everyone else had accepted. So we've got to see now if we can work through those, if we can bridge the gaps that Hamas has created by trying to impose new conditions - including, by the way, coming back on things that it already agreed to. But here's the thing: It took Hamas 12 days to respond. And the world didn't stand still during those 12 days. People continued to suffer during those 12 days. The longer this goes on, the more people will suffer. So Hamas has to demonstrate that it, too wants this to end. If it does, we can bring it to an end. If it doesn't, then it means that it wants the war to continue. QUESTION: Well, you said yesterday at some point if one side continues to change its demands, you have to question whether they're proceeding in good faith. So let's be direct: Is Hamas negotiating in good faith? SECRETARY BLINKEN: The proof will be in whether we can bring this to a conclusion, and bring it to a conclusion quickly, fast. From our perspective, it's time for the haggling to stop; it's time for a ceasefire to start. And you have one man who's probably somewhere deep underground in Gaza for Hamas, Mr. Sinwar, who's making all of these decisions. Well, he's relatively safe underground. The people that he purports to represent, they're suffering every day. So if he has their interests at heart, he will come to a conclusion to bring this to a conclusion. QUESTION: Well, you've said that SECRETARY BLINKEN: But that needs to happen, and it needs to happen now. QUESTION: And you've said that some demands are possibly workable, some are unworkable. Is that a diplomatic nicety? I mean, has essentially Hamas blown up the deal with this response? SECRETARY BLINKEN: No, I don't think the deal is blown up; I think it's still - it's still possible. But at the end of the day, this has to come to a point where it's either yes or no. QUESTION: On the other side of the table, you have, of course, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The centrist leader of his coalition quit this week, accusing Netanyahu of hesitancy and procrastination due to political considerations. Is Netanyahu stretching out the war for his own political reasons? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, Prime Minister Netanyahu reconfirmed for me, when I saw him just a couple of days ago, that Israel supported this proposal and was ready to say yes. So the problem right now is Hamas. QUESTION: NBC reported this week that the U.S. is considering cutting a deal with Hamas for the release of American hostages if this current deal falls apart. I'll save you the words. I know the plan A is the ceasefire deal that's on the table. But would the administration consider a unilateral deal to release American hostages? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Savannah, when I was in Israel a couple of days ago, I met with the families of the American hostages. There are eight families. I've met with them repeatedly. President Biden has met with them; Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, has met with them. And our commitment, my commitment, my priority is always going to be on American citizens wherever they're in harm's way. If they're being unjustly detained, if they're being held hostage, my number-one responsibility is to do everything I can to get them out of harm's way. QUESTION: Is that a yes? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Now, the best way to do that - no, the best way to do that is through this agreement. That's the fastest way to do it. If the agreement doesn't work, we'll always be looking at what we can do if there's anything we can do to get our people home. QUESTION: Let's talk about the G7 summit, the President in meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, apologized for the delay in funding. How much of a setback was that to Ukraine's war effort? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, it sure didn't help. I mean, we had months and months of delay with the supplemental budget request that the President made to get more assistance to Ukraine, and Russia took advantage of that delay. It took advantage of the fact that that assistance wasn't there. But since Congress came together on a bipartisan basis, both houses voting strongly for it after that delay, we've been doing everything we can to speed that assistance to Ukraine, to make sure that it's getting in the hands of the soldiers who are on the frontlines so that they can hold off this ongoing Russian onslaught - this ongoing Russian aggression. And we've seen success in the last couple of weeks, the frontlines stabilizing and Ukraine holding strong. Here at the G7, we have countries coming together again to express their support for Ukraine. Later today, here in Italy, the President and President Zelenskyy are going to sign an agreement between the United States and Ukraine, a bilateral security agreement. What that means in plain English is that we're committing to support Ukraine as it builds up its defenses for the next 10 years, but we're not alone in doing that. President Biden the last time that G7 - actually, the last time NATO came together a year ago, got countries throughout Europe and even beyond to commit to reaching their own agreements with Ukraine - 32 countries have agreed to do that. And this is a demonstration to Vladimir Putin that he cannot outlast Ukraine, he can't outlast us, he can't outlast all of Ukraine's partners. We're all committed to helping Ukraine make sure it can defend itself effectively far into the future. QUESTION: Well, a lot of work on the table for the leaders there and yourself. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, thank you very much for your time. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks very much, Savannah. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "Turkiye and Spain will continue to work together for the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 13.06.2024 Speaking at a joint press conference with President Sanchez of the Government of Spain, President Erdogan said: "We, as Turkiye and Spain, will continue to work together for the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in Madrid for the 8th Turkiye-Spain Intergovernmental Summit, spoke a joint press conference with President Pedro Sanchez of the Government of Spain following their bilateral meeting, the meeting between the delegations and the signing ceremony of the agreements. Stating that they have discussed in detail the enhanced military cooperation and defense industry relations with Spain during today's talks, President Erdogan said: "Spain, with its air defense systems stationed in our country since 2015, has been providing support to both Turkiye's security as an ally and NATO's collective security. I, on behalf of myself and my nation, once again thank our Spanish friends for their support." President Erdogan voiced his hope for this contribution to set an example to some other NATO allies as well. "SPAIN HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED TURKIYE'S EU MEMBERSHIP" Noting that they addressed the Turkiye-EU relations at the talks as well, President Erdogan added that Spain has been among the friendly countries that have provided the strongest support to Turkiye's EU accession process since the very beginning. Stating that they expect Spain's this attitude to increasingly maintain in the period ahead, President Erdogan said: "We have discussed with Mr. President of the Government the threat of xenophobia and the increasing Islamophobia all across Europe. The picture emerged following the European Parliament elections have unfortunately increased our concerns." Stressing that the developments taking place in the occupied Palestinian lands, Gaza in particular, has been the top item on their agenda, President Erdogan said: "Spain's decision to recognize Palestine is of utmost importance. We sincerely hope that Spain's this attitude will set an example to other countries that have yet to recognize Palestine." "WE HAVE REITERATED OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE'S SOVEREIGNTY" Stressing that Turkiye and Spain will continue to work together for the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict, President Erdogan noted that they will follow the implementation process of the UNSC resolution for an immediate, full and complete ceasefire in Gaza, adding that their priority is the establishment of permanent ceasefire and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid. Noting that they have exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war as well, President Erdogan said: "We have reiterated our strong support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. I have once again explained that we believe that the establishment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is possible for Ukraine through negotiations." "UNSC MEMBERS SHOULD PUT NECESSARY PRESSURE ON ISRAEL" Answering reporters' questions following his remarks, President Erdogan, in response to a question regarding the UNSC resolution for an immediate and full ceasefire in Gaza, said that their stance will always be positive on a plan or resolution that will stop the bloodshed, ensure just and lasting ceasefire and bring peace to the region as well as the Palestinian lands, including Gaza. Stressing that what matters is to address and implement this plan and resolution in a sincere and peace-oriented manner, President Erdogan went on to say that the members of the Security Council, the US in particular, should stand behind this resolution and put necessary pressure on Israel to ensure immediate ceasefire, voicing his hope that Israel stop its attacks and pursue a track that will lead to lasting peace in the region. "WORLD'S FATE IS IN THE HANDS OF FIVE COUNTRIES" Drawing attention to his book A Fairer World is Possible, President Erdogan said currently the fate of the world is in the hands of five countries, and that if one of these five countries says 'No,' the case is closed. Further stating that one of these five countries stands with Israel while 40 thousand people, including women and children, have been killed, President Erdogan pointed to Mr. Sanchez's move regarding the recognition of Palestine, and added: "We need to promote this. Great responsibility falls to printed and visual media as well. Will we not raise our voices to the murder of nearly 150 journalists by Israel? Will we not stand up against this? So, we should take this step all together. This is what we are doing right now. Israel mercilessly continues its massacres. And while Israel continues its massacres, especially the US' stance deeply saddens us." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Council demands that the Rapid Support Forces immediately stop the siege of El Fasher: UK explanation of vote at the UN Security Council UK explanation of vote delivered by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, following the Security Council adoption of resolution 2736 on El Fasher. 13 June 2024 The adoption of this resolution sends a clear message: the Council demands that the Rapid Support Forces immediately stop the siege of El Fasher and that all sides step back from the brink. An attack on the city would be catastrophic for the 1.5 million Sudanese civilians sheltering in the city. We tabled this resolution to help secure a localised ceasefire around El Fasher - and create the wider conditions to support de-escalation across the country and ultimately, save lives. Civilians need to be allowed to leave the city should they wish, and aid needs to get in. President, the situation in Sudan is desperate and the humanitarian needs of Sudan's population are severe, particularly across Darfur. This resolution underlines the need for full, rapid, safe and unhindered cross-border and cross-line humanitarian access. It calls on the Sudanese authorities to increase cooperation with UN agencies and to urgently reopen the Adre border to help facilitate a significant scale-up of humanitarian assistance. And in this regard, the resolution urges the international community to increase their support and fulfil existing pledges. The protection needs in Sudan are alarming. Through this resolution, we request that the Secretary-General provide recommendations on supporting the protection of civilians in Sudan, building on the existing good office's work, and the vital mandate of his Personal Envoy on Sudan Mr. Lamamra. Let me take this opportunity to underline the United Kingdom's full backing of Mr. Lamamra's mediation efforts and his work to help complement and coordinate regional efforts to restore peace. President, this Council has sent a strong signal to the parties to the conflict today. This brutal and unjust conflict needs to end. Today's resolution shows the Council remains committed to supporting efforts for peace in Sudan. We look forward to continuing to work across the UN, across the region and with Council members towards this goal. And in that regard, I close by thanking my colleagues, across the Council, for their engagement on this resolution. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK supports the UN's efforts to secure an inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen 13 June 2024 Thank you, President and thank you to Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wosornu for your briefings, sobering as they are. I am going to focus on three points. First, the UK strongly condemns the Houthis' arbitrary detention of United Nations personnel and staff who work for or previously worked for international and national non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions. We extend our sympathy to them and their families at this very difficult time. We call on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release them. The safety and security of all humanitarian workers, UN personnel, and current and former diplomatic staff is vital. Second, we share Director Worsornu's concern at the dire humanitarian and economic situation in Yemen. We know: 18.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance; over half of them are children. 17.6 million people - over half the population - remain food insecure and 80% of the population live below the poverty line. Only 50% of hospitals across the country are partially or fully functioning. It is critical that the parties take steps to address this, including through facilitating unfettered access for aid workers to provide essential support to those in need. Additionally, we call on the parties involved to engage in dialogue, de-escalate and resolve the ongoing banking dispute as a matter of urgency, and safeguard the wellbeing of ordinary Yemenis. The UK has committed to spend over $175 million this year to help alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable; we urge the international community to scale up assistance. Thirdly, we call on the Houthis to cease their illegal and unjustified attacks on maritime shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including recent attacks on the M/V Tutor, the M/V Norderney and the MSC Tavvish. As a Council, we have been unequivocally clear, in our statements and in our adoption of Security Council Resolution 2722, that we condemn the Houthi attacks. These dangerous and reckless acts must end. To conclude, President, we reiterate our unwavering support of the Special Envoy's efforts to secure an inclusive and sustainable peace in Yemen. We continue to urge all parties to de-escalate tensions and preserve space for negotiations, under the UN roadmap. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The governments of the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom gave a statement on Russian actions in the leadup to the Moldovan presidential election. 13 June 2024 Statement by the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America: We, the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, are united in confronting Russia's aggression and subversion against democratic societies. We continue to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom and independence from Russia's illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion. We also stand firmly against persistent Kremlin attempts to use disinformation, criminal and covert activities, and corruption to undermine sovereignty and democratic processes. Free, fair, and independent elections are the cornerstone of any democratic society. We have consistently witnessed Russia's attempts to influence, subvert, and undermine democratic elections in order to secure results favorable to the Kremlin. This threat is especially relevant in 2024, a year when hundreds of millions of people across Europe and North America go to the polls to select their leaders in European, national, regional, and local elections. The Kremlin relies on lies, deceit, corruption and disinformation to undermine sovereignty and democracy. While democracy thrives on openness and truth-telling, authoritarianism and disinformation depend on secrecy and deception. We want to address today the Kremlin's actions in Moldova. President Maia Sandu and Moldova's security institutions have warned that the Kremlin is seeking to undermine Moldovan democratic institutions in the leadup to the October presidential elections and a referendum on Moldova's EU membership. We share President Sandu's strong concerns about the Kremlin's use of criminal groups to finance political activities and undermine Moldova's democratic institutions. We commend Moldova's leaders for continuing to capably manage these threats, build resilience, and maintain peace and security, while driving forward democratic reforms and reviving the country's economy. That is why today, in defense of our shared democratic values, we are taking this step to warn our democratic partners and Allies that Russian actors are carrying out a plot to influence the outcomes of Moldova's fall 2024 presidential election. They intend to incite protests in Moldova should a pro-Russia candidate not win. They seek to foment negative public perceptions of Western governments and Moldova's incumbent leadership, while degrading public confidence in Moldova's ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law. Russia is currently supporting candidates for Moldova's presidency and is exacerbating societal tensions. These Russian actors are actively using disinformation and propaganda online, on the air, and on the streets to further their objectives. They are agitating criticism of the incumbent Moldovan president's government and political party, in order to incite protests. Part of these operations would include spreading lies about the incumbent president's character and intentions, and about supposed electoral irregularities. If Russia's election meddling proves unsuccessful in Moldova, there is reason to believe Moscow will work to incite protests. Russia's political interference in Moldova in the lead-up to the October election goes back years. For example, personnel of state-funded media outlet RT have been involved in providing direct support to fugitive Moldovan Ilan Shor for several years with Russian government assent. All three of our governments have sanctioned Shor for his destabilizing electoral activities. We have full confidence in Moldova's ability to manage these threats linked to the Kremlin's interference. We are taking a range of measures to support those efforts as part of our partnership with Moldova and its people. We have shared the information outlined above, and additional details, with our Moldovan partners so that they can further investigate, thwart, and disrupt the Kremlin's plans. We will continue to work closely with the Moldovan government on this. We will also continue to promote accountability for those involved in these Kremlin-sponsored schemes to covertly finance political activities in Moldova. And we have sanctioned - and will continue to take action against - those individuals and entities attempting to destabilize Moldova's democratic institutions. We will continue to support Moldova and the Moldovan people as they manage Kremlin interference and the impacts of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine. We strongly support Moldova's democratic, economic, security, and anti-corruption reforms. By revealing the Kremlin's plot, we are making it clear to Moscow that we stand for free and fair elections and will not tolerate its attempts to meddle and undermine democratic processes. We urge the Kremlin to abandon these efforts to subvert Moldova's democracy and to respect its sovereignty and the outcomes of free, fair, and independent elections. We will continue to stand with all of our friends, partners, and Allies in defense of our shared democratic values and freedoms. Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 13 June 2024 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General's Travel Good afternoon, everyone. The Secretary-General is traveling today to Borgo Egnazia, Italy, where he will participate in the G7 summit. As he told reporters yesterday, the priorities he believes the G7 leaders should focus on include action on climate change, reform of the international financial architecture and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Earlier today, he was in the Italian city of Brindisi, where he celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Global Service Centre. Mr. [Antonio] Guterres said that the Centre is a beacon of service in a troubled world. He noted the ways in which the Centre ensured business continuity for the UN during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided life-saving supplies to people facing disasters and conflicts from Turkiye to Gaza to Sudan, and helped carry out the effective drawdown and closure of large UN missions, including in Darfur and Mali. His remarks are available online. ** Children and Armed Conflict This morning, the annual report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict was published. Virginia Gamba, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, just presented the report to you a short while ago. She told reporters that the evolving nature, complexity, and intensification of armed conflict, as well as the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, has led to a shocking increase in grave violations committed against children in 2023. Close to 33,000 grave violations against 22,557 children were verified last year and are included in the report. She reiterated her call to all parties to conflict to engage with her and the United Nations on the ground, to identify and implement measures to protect children from grave violations. The full report is online, as well as a press release summary. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that active fighting, access restrictions and other major obstacles continue to undermine our efforts to address the deepening humanitarian crisis. OCHA underscores once again that reaching people in need, wherever they are in Gaza, hinges on safe, sustained and unimpeded access for aid organizations. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that since the Rafah incursion more than a month ago, deliveries to southern and central areas of Gaza have plummeted though the agency has been able to increase deliveries to the north. WFP says that insecurity, access restrictions and damaged infrastructure continues to hamper ongoing efforts to move food safely into and within Gaza. Despite these obstacles, the agency was able to reach about 1 million people in May, though WFP was forced to reduce rations. Food prices remain exorbitant in Gaza. Availability in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis has increased, but food is still too expensive for the average person to afford. Meanwhile, our colleagues from the World Health Organization (WHO) say they are working with partners to meet rising health needs in southern Gaza by supporting the gradual expansion of services at Nasser Medical Complex. WHO stresses that Nasser and other hospitals in Gaza need ongoing support to stay functional. However, without the sustained flow of aid into and across Gaza, as well as unimpeded access for humanitarian operations, efforts to resupply hospitals remain extremely challenging. ** Yemen This morning, briefing the Security Council members by video teleconference, our Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, urged the Houthis to respect the rights of Yemenis under international law and release all UN and non-governmental personnel immediately and unconditionally and to refrain from the arbitrary detention of civilians. Mr. Grundberg noted that ever since the escalation in the Red Sea, he has aimed to make sure that no one loses sight of the ultimate objective: a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen. However, he added, instead of making tangible progress towards protecting commitments made and finalizing of the road map, the parties have reverted to a zero-sum game. Instead of putting the Yemenis first, they have opted for measures they believe will strengthen their own position. Also briefing Council members, Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations and Advocacy in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, pointed out that in recent weeks, both the Houthis and the Government of Yemen have issued competing and increasingly stringent directives banning individuals, businesses, and local and international financial institutions from dealing with banks based in areas controlled by the other party. She warned that these developments have potentially catastrophic ramifications, including serious repercussions for humanitarian relief operations. ** Haiti The Secretary-General welcomes the installation of Haiti's new Government, yesterday in Port-au-Prince which, importantly, includes women in key cabinet positions. He encourages Haitian stakeholders to continue to make steady progress in the transition to restore democratic institutions through the holding of elections. This positive transitional governance milestone should be accompanied by urgently needed security gains. The Secretary-General therefore reiterates his call for the swift deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti to support the Haitian National Police in addressing the dire security situation. He appeals to Member States to ensure the MSS mission urgently receives the financial and logistical support it needs to succeed. And staying on Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that aid organizations continue to support people displaced by violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Between 8 and 12 June, the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed more than 40,000 hot meals to over 9,000 displaced people in Port-au-Prince. Since the beginning of the year, WFP has distributed more than 1.1 million hot meals to over 120,000 displaced people. In May, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) supplied 900 dignity kits to women and girls. It also deployed eight mobile clinics providing sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services and support. UNFPA's hotline offering psychosocial support received more than 160 calls in May. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also continued to provide mental health, well-being and other types of assistance through sessions held in sites hosting displaced people. Our humanitarian colleagues continue to sound the alarm on the deteriorating situation in Haiti's southern regions, where more than 268,000 people are now displaced. This represents a 95 per cent increase since March. Meanwhile, the health system in the country continues to face serious challenges, crippled by both the recent violence and years of lack of investment. Currently, just 20 per cent of health facilities in Port-au-Prince are functioning normally. This year's Humanitarian Response Plan, which calls for $674 million, is just 23 per cent funded at $156 million. ** Ukraine Turning to Ukraine, the Humanitarian Coordinator there, Denise Brown, condemned in a statement yesterday the deadly attack on the densely populated city of Kryvyi Rih, in the south of the country. According to authorities and humanitarian workers on the ground, the attack hit a residential area, killing and injuring civilians, including children. Education facilities and numerous apartment buildings were also damaged. Humanitarian workers are on site, providing psychological support, as well as materials for the quick repair of damaged homes. ** Cyprus The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, UNFICYP, has issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to maintaining security and calm within the buffer zone. In collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency, the Mission is providing essential humanitarian aid, such as food, water, shelter and medical assistance, to vulnerable migrants, including women and children. While acknowledging concerns about irregular crossings, the Mission stressed the importance of allowing asylum-seekers unhindered access to asylum procedures as mandated by National, European and international refugee laws. The organization is in discussions with the Republic of Cyprus to address the growing humanitarian challenges in the buffer zone. ** Sahel A delegation of UN Regional Directors, led by Under-Secretary-General Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, the UN's Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel; and Yacoub El-Hillo, the Regional Director for Africa at the UN Development Coordination Office, have concluded the first leg of a high-level mission to the Central Sahel. The delegation was in Niger from 9 to 13 June. They will continue their mission in Mali next week, with a subsequent visit to Burkina Faso planned. The UN delegation met with Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine and held substantive meetings with senior officials. And the UN Development Programme announced an investment of $9.5 million to improve access to energy in Niger, aiming to strengthen the country's energy infrastructure to meet the growing demand for sustainable and reliable energy. ** Afghanistan Turning to Afghanistan: In a statement, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director, Catherine Russell, noted that today marks a sad and sobering milestone: 1,000 days since the announcement banning girls in Afghanistan from attending secondary schools. She pointed out that for 1.5 million girls, this systematic exclusion is not only a blatant violation of their right to education, but also results in dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health. Ms. Russell warned that the impact of the ban goes beyond the girls themselves. It exacerbates the ongoing humanitarian crisis and has serious ramifications for Afghanistan's economy and development trajectory. She urged the de facto authorities to allow all children to resume learning immediately, and urged the international community to remain engaged and support these girls who need us more than ever. ** Refugees The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today released a report showing that forced displacement surged to historic new levels across the globe last year, and into 2024. UNHCR said that the rise in overall forced displacement to 120 million by May 2024 was the twelfth consecutive annual increase and reflects both new and mutating conflicts and a failure to resolve long-standing crises. UNHCR notes that the figure would make the global displaced population equivalent to the twelfth largest country in the world, or around the size of Japan's. The largest increase in displacement figures came from people fleeing conflict who remain in their own country, rising to 68.3 million people according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre up almost 50 per cent over five years. The report also showed that, worldwide, more than 5 million internally displaced people and 1 million refugees returned home in 2023. These figures show some progress towards longer-term solutions. Positively, resettlement arrivals increased to almost 160,000 in 2023. ** Albinism Today is International Albinism Awareness Day. This year's theme, "A decade of collective progress", marks a decade since the launch of the Day. It celebrates the strides made within the movement, with renewed commitment for the future, and highlights the tireless efforts of albinism groups from around the world. ** Noon Briefing Guest Tomorrow, we will have a guest, Mohamed Moustapha Malick Fall, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, who will brief on the situation in the country. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : Any questions for me? Yes, Edie? Question : Thank you. Farhan. Two questions. First, on the UN staff who've been arrested and detained by the Houthis in Yemen, are there any negotiations going on at all? Deputy Spokesman : We are in touch with the de facto authorities and we're working to secure their release from detention. I don't have any progress to report on that. Question : And secondly, the review on the US pier has now been going on for quite a few days, and that means that there are no deliveries via that pier. Can you give us an update on the status of the review and when it might end? Deputy Spokesman : As I repeatedly say, it's difficult for us here on this podium to ever give a reliable timetable for this. The discussions are ongoing. The World Food Programme, as you know, is in charge of this review. I'll see whether they can give us some details in the next day or so, but at this point their concerns remain, and they're reviewing the security. Question : Just a quick one last question on the big conference in Switzerland on Ukraine. Did I miss the announcement of who's going to be representing the UN? Deputy Spokesman : You did not. I said that we would be an observer and we would be participating at a senior level. I do expect that by tomorrow I will be able to actually give you the name of an actual person. Yes, in the back. Question : Farhan, regarding the UN personnel that were detained in Yemen, initially there were 11 and now the number has gone up to 13. Is it possible to know when the two other staff members were detained? Deputy Spokesman : Yes, in the period since last week, there have been a couple more. I believe the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) had some details to provide on one of the cases. Benny? Question : Yes. Any comment on the escalation? Daily escalation, including today on the Israeli-Lebanese border. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)is there; any...? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah, we have been expressing our concerns about this for some time and I would refer you to what we said earlier this week about this, but it's a matter of tremendous worry. The Secretary-General has made clear that he does not want situations in the region to spiral out of control. So, we are urging the parties on both sides of the Blue Line to exercise restraint, and we are conveying that as well through the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. Question : I know you spoke about it earlier this week, but today Hizbullah said that it launched the largest attack since 7 October. I mean, things are getting hot daily, almost, including today. Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. And this is something that we've been warning about. We want the situation, like I said, across both sides of the Blue Line to calm down so that things don't spiral out of control. We are encouraging the parties to exercise restraint, but we're also encouraging them to use our facilities, including the facilities of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, to help work with the parties on the ground to calm things down. Question : And is UNIFIL active in that? I mean, have they met people from both sides and that kind of thing? Deputy Spokesman : We're continuing with our contacts. Obviously, there's no trilateral meetings of the sort that we've held in previous months, in previous years to report, but we're hopeful that we can continue to send out messages to both sides of the line to ensure a calming of the situation. Okay. Dezhi? Question : Two follow-ups, actually. First, on Ukraine, you just said the UN will participate the Peace Summit as an observer. What does that mean by participating as an observer? Deputy Spokesman : It means that we are not ourselves a participant, but we are observing, and we will discuss matters with other people. And like I said, hopefully by tomorrow I will be able to tell you who among us is representing us. Question : So, can the UN official, whoever that would be, will deliver speeches there, or he or she just observe? Deputy Spokesman : It will be along the parameters of previous meetings, where we have also participated as an observer. Question : Okay, second follow-up, also on Edie's question on a floating dock. Months of construction, 12 days of delivery, now weeks of preparation and assessment. Is that a waste of money? I mean, there are better ways of doing it. [cross talk] Deputy Spokesman : To answer that question, you have to really ask yourself, is feeding people, getting a certain amount of food a waste? No, it's not, because it helps keep people alive. We have made it clear that we value the floating dock as an additionality, but it can never be the primary means of getting aid to people. We still have to push for greater access by road, more time open at the various checkpoints and so forth. But any new approach that helps get food in is something we encourage. Question : I mean, the US Government, they can persuade Israel to build that floating dock. Can't they just persuade Israel to open more border crossings? Deputy Spokesman : That's a question for them and not us. Dennis? Question : Hi, Farhan. Two NTV channel journalists were gravely wounded near Donetsk, city of Gorlovka, reportedly from attack of UAV [Unidentified Aerial Vehicle]. Does UNSG condemn this attack? Deputy Spokesman : We stand opposed to all attacks on media, wherever they are. Media need to be free to go about their work without harm done to them or any hindrance. And with that, I shall see you tomorrow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 1,000 days of education - equivalent to three billion learning hours - lost for Afghan girls UNICEF Statement by UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell 13 June 2024 NEW YORK, 13 JUNE 2024 -- "Today marks a sad and sobering milestone: 1,000 days since the announcement banning girls in Afghanistan from attending secondary schools. "1,000 days out-of-school amounts to 3 billion learning hours lost. "For 1.5 million girls, this systematic exclusion is not only a blatant violation of their right to education, but also results in dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health. "The rights of children, especially girls, cannot be held hostage to politics. Their lives, futures, hopes and dreams are hanging in the balance. "The impact of the ban goes beyond the girls themselves. It exacerbates the ongoing humanitarian crisis and has serious ramifications for Afghanistan's economy and development trajectory. "Education doesn't just provide opportunities. It protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition and other health problems, and bolsters their resilience to disasters like the floods, drought, and earthquakes that frequently plague Afghanistan.[1] "My UNICEF colleagues are working hard to support all children in Afghanistan. Together with partners, we are keeping 2.7 million children in primary education, running community-based education classes for 600,000 children - two-thirds of them girls - training teachers, and doing everything we can to keep the educational infrastructure going. "As we mark this grim milestone, I urge the de facto authorities to allow all children to resume learning immediately. And I urge the international community to remain engaged and support these girls who need us more than ever. No country can move forward when half its population is left behind." ##### Notes for editors: [1] Recent household data from UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) proves that the better educated a girl is, the better chance she and her children will have to survive and thrive - especially if she completes high school. Multimedia assets are available here In 2023 in Afghanistan, UNICEF reached: Over 20 million people with primary health care services, including 1 million living in hard-to-reach areas through mobile teams. 2.1 million people with safe water, and 1.1 million with sanitation services. 1.4 million children with measles vaccinations. 715,000 severely malnourished children with in-patient treatment. 686,000 children (60 percent girls) with education through 21,355 community-based education classes. 170,000 vulnerable families with social assistance, and 86,000 with cash for winter needs. 70,000 children, including unaccompanied and separated children, with case management services. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council demands end to siege of El Fasher in Sudan 13 June 2024 - The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Thursday that calls for the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF) in Sudan to halt their siege on El Fasher, capital of North Darfur state. The resolution, put forward by the United Kingdom, received 14 votes in favour, none against, with Russia abstaining. It expresses deep concern over the outbreak of fighting in the city, and the risk of further escalation. Averting a catastrophe The RSF and the Sudanese Army have been battling for more than a year, and fighting in El Fasher have been escalating in recent months. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said the resolution sends a clear message, adding that an attack would be "catastrophic" for the 1.5 million people sheltering in the city. "We tabled this resolution to help secure a localized ceasefire around El Fasher and create the wider conditions to support de-escalation across the country and, ultimately, save lives," she said. Protect civilians, allow aid delivery The resolution further demanded that the rival militaries ensure the protection of civilians, which includes allowing people to move within and out of El Fasher if they want to. The warring sides were also requested to "allow and facilitate the rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, including by removing bureaucratic and other impediments". Ms. Woodward described the situation in Sudan as desperate, noting that humanitarian needs are severe. She said the resolution calls for the Sudanese authorities to increase cooperation with UN agencies and to urgently reopen the Adre border with Chad in efforts to scale-up humanitarian assistance. "In this regard, the resolution urges the international community to increase their support and fulfill existing pledges," she added. 'A strong signal' The resolution also requested that the UN Secretary-General make further recommendations for the protection of civilians in Sudan, and encouraged coordinated engagement by his Personal Envoy for the country, Ramtane Lamamra; the African Union, the League of Arab States and other regional actors, aimed at advancing peace. UN Humanitarians continue to respond to the crisis in Sudan, where the war has left scores dead, destroyed critical infrastructure, and displaced more than 10 million people, whether within the country or across the border. Additionally, some 18 million Sudanese are going hungry, with five million on the brink of famine. "This Council has sent a strong signal to the parties to the conflict today," Ms. Woodward said. "This brutal and unjust conflict needs to end. Today's resolution shows the Council remains committed to supporting efforts for peace in Sudan." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haiti: UN chief welcomes new government amid ongoing challenges 13 June 2024 - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed the swearing in of Haiti's new Government, urging stakeholders to continue making progress towards restoring democratic institutions through elections. The new cabinet, according to reports, completely replaces all the ministers from the government of the former Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, who was forced to step down earlier this year following pressure from criminal gangs that control large parts of the island nation. The new cabinet includes women ministers in key portfolios. Security needs Addressing journalists at the regular press briefing on Thursday, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the "positive transitional governance milestone" should be accompanied by urgently needed security gains. "The Secretary-General therefore reiterates his call for the swift deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti to support the Haitian National Police in addressing the dire security situation," Mr. Haq said. The UN chief also appealed to Member States to ensure the MSS mission urgently receives the financial and logistical support it needs to succeed, he added. Humanitarian assistance Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the UN and partners are continuing to support those displaced by violence in the capital Port-au-Prince. Between 8 and 12 June, the World Food Programme (WFP) - UN's emergency food assistance agency - distributed more than 40,000 hot meals to over 9,000 displaced people in the city. Since the beginning of the year, WFP has distributed more than 1.1 million hot meals to over 120,000 displaced people. Alongside, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) supplied 900 dignity kits to women and girls last month, as well as deploying eight mobile clinics providing sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services and support. The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been offering psychosocial support, including by phone and in camps hosting displaced people (IDPs). Continued worries However, the situation in the south remains concerning, with reports of over 268,000 people now displaced, a 95 per cent increase since March. The health system also continues to face serious challenges, crippled by both the recent violence and years of lack of investment, Mr. Haq said, noting that currently, just 20 per cent of health facilities in Port-au-Prince are functioning normally. "This year' Humanitarian Response Plan, which calls for $674 million, is just 23 per cent funded at $156 million," he added. Fully funded, the Plan aims to reach 3.6 million of the most vulnerable among the 5.5 million Haitians who need assistance. Key areas for support include protection, medical and healthcare, water and sanitation, and food security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN envoy warns Yemenis not to return to the battlefield 13 June 2024 - After months of relative stability in Yemen between Government and Houthi forces, a return to all-out war is looking inevitable unless the current escalation in violence is halted, the top UN envoy for the country said on Thursday. Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned ambassadors in the Security Council that recent months have seen a "gradual increase" in fighting in several locations, as well as consistent threats by all sides to return to war. If the parties continue the current escalatory trajectory the "question is not if, but when", they return to the battlefield, he added. A Saudi-led coalition siding with Government forces have been embroiled in fighting with the Houthis and their allies since 2015 but a UN-brokered ceasefire which lapsed in 2022, continued to hold for months as peace talks continued. Mediation efforts have stalled and with the onset of the war in Gaza, the Houthis pledged out of solidarity to attack what they deemed to be pro-Israeli shipping interests along the Red Sea coast using the Suez Canal. The situation remains unresolved, with the Houthis - formally known as Ansar Allah - having increased its strikes on commercial and military ships. For its part, a United States (US)-led coalition defending shipping in the Red Sea has continued its airstrikes in areas controlled by Houthis in Hudaydah, the capital Sana'a and Ta'iz. Crackdown on UN, NGOs Mr. Grundberg also highlighted the precarious situation for the civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the UN, who have become the target of a crackdown by Ansar Allah. Last week, 13 UN personnel, five staff members of international NGOs, and many more from national NGOs and civil society were detained by the group. They remain in incommunicado detention, adding to four UN staff members who have been held since 2021 and 2023 (two each year) respectively. "The United Nations is present to serve Yemenis. Such arbitrary detentions are not the expected signal of an actor who is seeking a mediated solution to conflict," the Special Envoy said, calling for the immediate of all UN and NGO personnel. Zero-sum game He went on to note that despite his efforts to advance on a process leading to a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the warring parties in Yemen "have reverted to a zero-sum game". "Instead of putting the Yemenis first, they have opted for measures they believe will strengthen their own position. This risks jeopardizing the viability of the commitments made earlier." The zero-sum game is most evident in the dire economic situation. The banking system in disarray and financial institutions in Ansar Allah-controlled Sana'a are cut off from international systems, impacting trade and remittances. Catastrophic ramifications Elaborating on the banking crisis, Edem Wosornu, the Director of Operations at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned of the catastrophic ramifications, including serious repercussions for humanitarian relief operations. A potentially imminent decision to exclude banks based in Sana'a from using the SWIFT banking system would prevent the banks there from facilitating international financial transactions. Together with other issues plaguing the sector, this threatens to further fragment and weaken Yemen's already struggling economy, she said, likely worsening poverty and hunger, and increasing reliance on humanitarian assistance. "The increasingly volatile banking environment has worsened an existing liquidity crisis, making it very difficult for humanitarian organizations to pay staff salaries or to procure and pay for the many services they rely on for their operations," she said, calling for urgent solutions from the international community to alleviate the crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza: 8,000 children diagnosed with malnutrition amid ongoing shelling 13 June 2024 - Heavy shelling reported in the so-called safe zone of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza on Thursday came despite the ongoing international push for a ceasefire and as the UN health agency reported 32 deaths from malnutrition "including 28 among children under five years old". In a stark assessment of the dire situation after more than eight months of war, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Tuesday that "a significant proportion of Gaza's population is now facing catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions". To date, more than 8,000 youngsters have been diagnosed and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 children with the most dangerous form of the condition, the WHO Director-General said. "Despite reports of increased delivery of food, there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food," Tedros maintained. Nutrition relief gone Lifesaving treatment for dangerously malnourished children is dwindling in the war-shattered enclave, with only two of three specialized nutrition stabilization centres for seriously undernourished youngsters in Gaza still open, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). In an update on Tuesday, the UN agency warned that malnourished children were 'dying before their families' eyes', while the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported that escalating hostilities across Gaza continue to significantly hinder access to health care. Some aid success Despite the ongoing operational and security challenges for aid teams, "humanitarian partners are currently reaching some 280,000 people per week in Gaza with health services", OCHA said, before noting that shortages of cooking gas and lack of a power supply have made it difficult to keep community kitchens and bakeries running. "Efforts to distribute food remain constrained by the active fighting, damaged roads, a limited number of entry points into Gaza, suboptimal operating hours at crossings and checkpoints, and the limited number of trucks allowed access," the UN aid office said. "To roll back months of near-starvation conditions in Gaza, other types of critical aid must also reach people in need." No let-up in West Bank escalation In the occupied West Bank, OCHA warned that the situation continues to worsen, amid ongoing violence by Israeli forces and settlers targeting Palestinians. Since the Hamas-led terror attacks on 7 October that sparked the war, more than 520 Palestinians - nearly a quarter of them children - have been killed in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, latest OCHA data indicated. "Almost three quarters of those fatalities occurred during operations by Israeli forces. During the same period, more than 5,200 Palestinians were injured in these areas," OCHA said in an update, which counted 960 attacks against Palestinians by Israeli settlers since 7 October. These incidents are "on the rise", OCHA noted. Attacks on healthcare Echoing those concerns, the WHO's Tedros warned that the UN health agency had documented 480 attacks on health care in the West Bank since 7 October, resulting in 16 deaths and 95 injuries. "While the world's focus has been on Gaza, there is also an escalating health crisis in the West Bank, where attacks on health care and restrictions on movement of people are obstructing access to health services," he said. Illegal settlements have expanded in the occupied West Bank, impacting the population's access to health services, the WHO chief continued, noting that in most areas of the West Bank, clinics are only able to operate two days a week, and hospitals operate at about 70 per cent capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban assault on women's rights continues in Afghanistan 13 June 2024 - It has been almost three years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan and women's rights continue to be under attack. On Thursday, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell revealed that in its latest act of disempowerment, de facto authorities have told women civil servants prohibited from working that despite qualifications or experience, their salaries will now be cut to the lowest level. The Taliban overtook Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in August 2021, and quickly began eroding women's rights, including strict dress codes, banning higher education for girls, excluding women from certain jobs, and more. According to Ms. Throssell, authorities had told women they could return to work when "the necessary conditions" are in place, yet women have not received any information on when that might be. Three years on, steps to allow women civil servants to all return to the workplace have not been taken. "This latest discriminatory and profoundly arbitrary decision further deepens the erosion of human rights in Afghanistan, following decisions to restrict women and girls' access to education and employment, limit their freedom of movement, and curtail their presence in public spaces, effectively entrenching the exclusion of women from public life," Ms. Throssell said. 'Three billion learning hours lost' Thursday also marks 1,000 days since the Taliban banned education for girls beyond the sixth grade - a "sad and sobering milestone" according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Executive Director Catherine Russell said "For 1.5 million girls, this systematic exclusion is not only a blatant violation of their right to education, but also results in dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health" in a public statement. Ms. Russell said that education not only provides opportunities but it "protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition and other health problems, and bolsters their resilience to disasters like the floods, drought, and earthquakes that frequently plague Afghanistan." UN Women recently reported that this ban on education is related to a 25 per cent increase in child marriage rates and a 45 per cent increase in early childbearing rates. The UNICEF chief said the agency is working extensively to support all children in Afghanistan. End rights violations As human rights continue to be violated in Afghanistan, independent rights experts are calling on the Taliban to provide medical aid for United States national Ryan Corbett who is being held in detention. Mr. Corbett was detained in 2022 when he travelled to Afghanistan to do humanitarian work and has been held captive since. His mental and physical health has severely declined and Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel treatment, said he must be given medical treatment "in a civilian hospital without delay". She said conditions in detention were "utterly inadequate and substantially below international standards." Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed rights experts are independent of any government, receive no salary for their work and serve in their individual capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: Ukraine attacks continue, education in Africa, Albinism update 13 June 2024 - The UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown on Thursday said she was 'appalled' by the scale of Russia's overnight attack on Kryviy Rih City in the Dnipro Region. Many innocent civilians were killed, including children, in a residential area of the densely populated city. It also struck education facilities and several apartment buildings. "Strikes on Ukrainian cities by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to bring devastating human loss," said Ms. Brown. Respect international law "International humanitarian law must be respected," she added. Humanitarian workers are currently "on site, providing psychological support as well as materials for the quick repair of damaged homes," according to Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson. Ms. Brown is also calling for greater protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the region. African nations not spending enough on quality education for children To Africa, where the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, has said that most governments are not spending enough money on quality education. Fewer than one in five African countries have allocated 20 per cent of their national budget on education, in line with 2030 targets linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In an education report published ahead of Sunday's Day of the African Child, UNICEF warned that despite "considerable progress" in boosting primary and lower secondary enrolment over the past decade, many African schools "are underfunded, classrooms overcrowded and there are insufficient teachers - many without adequate training". A lack of financing is to blame, the UN agency said, noting that it continues to leave millions of children unable to acquire the skills needed for them and their countries to thrive in the future. Around $183 billion is needed for children's education in African countries every year to reach Sustainable Development Goals targets, but available resources stand at only $106 billion, UNICEF said. Progress made but challenges remain for persons with albinism "Remarkable headway" has been made on human rights for persons with albinism, but "ongoing prejudice and violence" persist, according to Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, the UN independent expert on the condition. Ms. Miti-Drummond was speaking on the 10th anniversary of International Albinism Awareness Day marked on Thursday. She hailed the significant progress in the inclusion of persons with albinism within the human rights discourse and the disability movement, while also highlighting the significant challenges still facing those with albinism today. Killings continue "I continue to receive cases of attacks and killings, often perpetuated against the most vulnerable in our societies - our children," Ms. Miti-Drummond said. Persons with the condition - which is caused by a lack of melanin pigmentation, affecting skin, hair and eye colour - continue to face an uphill battle to live in dignity and equality. In some communities, erroneous myths put the lives of persons with albinism at constant risk. There have been hundreds of cases of attacks and killings in 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade due to longstanding stigma, poverty, and harmful practices deriving from beliefs in witchcraft. Some reports also show that children with albinism face abandonment and rejection by their families in China and other Asian countries. With regard to health challenges, persons with albinism still struggle to access a simple bottle of life-saving sunscreen - an unaffordable luxury in some regions, according to the UN independent expert. In order to combat the discrimination and marginalization persons with albinism face around the world, Ms. Miti-Drummond is calling for renewed commitment to address these challenges, involving more awareness-raising, education, advocacy, legislative and policy reforms, and community engagements. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Adopting Resolution 2736 (2024) with 14 Votes in Favour, Russian Federation Abstaining, Security Council Demands Rapid Support Forces Halt Siege of El Fasher, Sudan Meetings Coverage Security Council 9655th Meeting (PM) SC/15728 13 June 2024 Amid the alarming humanitarian situation in Sudan, the Security Council today adopted by 14 votes in favour with the Russian Federation abstaining a resolution demanding that the Rapid Support Forces halt the siege of El Fasher and calling for an immediate halt to the fighting and de-escalation in and around the capital city of North Darfur State. Also by the text resolution 2736 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2736 (2024)) the 15-member organ called for the withdrawal of all fighters that threaten the safety and security of civilians, with the support of local mediation mechanisms. The Council demanded that all parties to the conflict ensure civilians be protected, including by allowing those wishing to move within and out of El Fasher to safer areas to do so and requested that the parties allow and facilitate the rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, including by removing bureaucratic and other impediments. The Council also asked the Secretary-General in consultation with the Sudanese authorities and regional stakeholders to make further recommendations for the protection of civilians in Sudan and encouraged the coordinated engagement of his Personal Envoy on Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, with the African Union, the League of Arab States and other key regional actors to help advance peace in that country. Speaking after the vote, the United Kingdom's delegate warned that "an attack on [El Fasher] would be catastrophic for the 1.5 million people sheltering there". The resolution proposed by London aims to secure "a localized ceasefire" around El Fasher and create wider conditions to support de-escalation across the country and ultimately save lives. "Civilians need to be allowed to leave the city, and aid needs to get in," she stressed, adding that the humanitarian needs of the Sudanese population are severe, particularly across Darfur, and protection needs are alarming. Detailing the text, she noted it calls on the Sudanese authorities to increase cooperation with UN agencies and help facilitate a significant scale-up of aid. It also shows that the Council remains committed to supporting peace efforts in the country, she said, stressing: "This brutal and unjust conflict needs to end". The resolution's adoption "could not come at a more precarious moment", said her counterpart from the United States, adding that the people of El Fasher are trapped, surrounded by heavily armed Rapid Support Forces, while food, water, medicine and other essentials are drying up. Moreover, famine is setting in, and the threat of further violence, including a large-scale massacre, looms large. The Council is now beginning to live up to its responsibility to stand with the Sudanese people, but "this is not a moment for us to pat ourselves on the back, as the impact of today's vote will be measured by the results on the ground," she stated. The representative of Sierra Leone spoke, also for Algeria, Guyana and Mozambique, to highlight their votes in favour of the text. This reflects the conviction that the Council must respond swiftly to the alarming situation in El Fasher. The Sudanese authorities mentioned in the text refer "only and solely" to the Sudanese Government. Strongly emphasizing the resolution's call on Member States to refrain from external interferences, he reminded those who facilitated the transfer of arms and military material to Darfur of their clear obligations. The speaker for Switzerland stressed that the resolution sends a strong and vital message to the Rapid Support Forces to end the siege of El Fasher and to the warring parties to cease hostilities immediately and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Her country will continue to engage in the forthcoming discussions and remain attentive to the Secretary-General's update on the text's implementation, particularly concerning the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. Along similar lines, Malta's delegate, whose delegation voted in favour, observed that the resolution issues a robust message on the illicit transfer of arms and military material to Darfur, reminding all parties to the conflict of their obligation to comply with the arms embargo measures. He voiced deep concern over the risk of famine in Darfur and the assault on the southern hospital in El Fasher, which tragically claimed the lives of humanitarian personnel. Malta is also appalled by the reports of the massacre in Wad Al-Noora in Gezira State, he added. Also condemning the deadly attack in the Wad Al-Noora village, the speaker for Slovenia whose delegation voted in favour cited the Council's duty to voice its concern over the severe conditions throughout Sudan. "The humanitarian situation in and around El Fasher is beyond alarming," he said, emphasizing the need for immediate, safe and unhindered cross-border and crossline humanitarian access to El Fasher and across Darfur. Meanwhile, the delegate for the Russian Federation, who abstained in the vote, said that the text itself is "at odds with the reality on the ground" and ignores principled comments from the Sudanese themselves. It also contains dubious decisions from the point of view of the country's sovereignty and unity. "We cannot agree with the proposed call on all Sudanese parties to ensure free humanitarian access," she asserted, drawing the Council's attention to the fact that the question of national border control and border crossing of any goods is "a sovereign affair of the authorities in charge". She emphasized that any attempt to impose artificial exemption from this fundamental principle and even delegate the authority to a non-State actor is a flagrant infringement on Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Also, she observed, rather than "artificially instrumentalizing the topic of famine", certain States should pay primary attention to cooperation with the Sudanese authorities in addressing the food problem and supporting agriculture. "The recent escalation of the situation in El Fasher and other locations has resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilians being caught in the crossfire," said the speaker of China, whose delegation voted in favour. "Allowing the fighting to continue would only deepen the humanitarian crisis and bring more turmoil to the entire region," he cautioned, citing the lack of funds as the primary challenge. Almost halfway through 2024, the Sudan humanitarian response plan is only 16 per cent funded, he pointed out, calling on donors to provide assistance at scale and ensure that aid operations reach everyone in need. Commending the tremendous efforts made by the Sudanese Government and urging the international community to respect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he expressed hope that "Sudan will emerge from the shadow of war and restore peace and tranquillity as soon as possible". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Stringent Banking Directives, Detention of United Nations Personnel Expected to Only Worsen Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, Speakers Warn Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9654th Meeting (AM) SC/15727 13 June 2024 There is an urgent need to address recent concerning developments in Yemen, which compound existing obstacles to lasting peace in the country, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council today, pointing to the detention of UN colleagues and a slew of stringent banking directives expected to worsen the already dire humanitarian emergency gripping the country. Outlining the "worrisome circumstances" surrounding the arbitrary detention by Ansar Allah, last week, of 13 UN personnel, in addition to five staff members of international non-governmental organizations, and representatives of Yemeni civil society, Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for that country, stated that this situation needed to be addressed before tackling the economic escalation, fragile military situation and constricted mediation space, as well as protecting the path to a ceasefire and a political process. Also concerning were Ansar Allah's judgements, issued on 1 June, sentencing 45 individuals to death, he said, recalling the UN's moratorium on the death penalty. Moreover, a retaliatory sequence of actions by Ansar Allah and the Central Bank of Yemen risked cutting off all banks in Sana'a from international financial transactions, severely impacting the economy and opening the door to a potential military escalation, he warned, outlining his Office's engagements to resolve the crisis. On the military front, he cautioned that, while the April 2022 truce was holding along the front lines, it would not be sustainable if parties continued their escalatory trajectory, marked by an uptick in fighting and Ansar Allah's increasing efforts to strike commercial and military ships in the Red Sea. "I am frustrated because we have seen the progress the Yemenis so desperately need overtaken by a regional situation that is beyond our control," he added. Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, urging the immediate release of the detained UN colleagues, all Yemeni nationals, as well as the four UN personnel in detention since 2021 and 2023, said: "We still do not know their exact whereabouts or the conditions in which they are being held." Further, she pointed out that the Houthis and the Government of Yemen have issued "competing and increasingly stringent" directives, including a potentially imminent decision to exclude Sana'a-based banks from using the SWIFT banking system for international financial transactions, which threatens to weaken Yemen's already struggling economy. "All these factors will likely deepen poverty, worsen food insecurity and malnutrition, and increase reliance on humanitarian assistance," she cautioned. Such developments might impact her Office's ability to transfer funds required to sustain humanitarian operations, which is particularly concerning given a worsening cholera outbreak and already high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, she added. In the discussion that followed, Council members vociferously echoed the Secretary-General's call for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained United Nations personnel and staff. Speakers were also near unanimous in urging the scaling up of humanitarian relief efforts, voicing concern over the stark scale of humanitarian needs, compounded by the banking crisis. However, views diverged on the escalating tensions in the Red Sea, with some members drawing a link between the Houthi's attacks on vessels and the ongoing violence in Gaza. Among them was the Russian Federation's delegate, who observed that the ongoing escalation in Gaza and consequent regional instability cannot but impact peace processes in Yemen. Such efforts are also thwarted by the ongoing militarization of the Red Sea and Yemeni waters, he stated, calling for an end to attacks on civilian vessels and for the release of the crew of Galaxy Leader, as well as the "illegitimate interventions" by the United States and United Kingdom-led coalition. In a contrasting address, the representative of the United States condemned the Houthi rebels' "reckless attacks" on commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea, despite "explicit warnings". He urged that group to immediately cease such activities. Doing so would enable the unimpeded delivery of food and supplies across Yemen, he said, also warning about Iran's provision of advanced weapons to the Houthis. Meanwhile, Yemen's delegate condemned the abductions by the terrorist Houthi militias of staff members of the United Nations, among others, also lamenting that the Council has failed to reach consensus regarding a press statement on those actions, which egregiously violate international humanitarian law. He also condemned the death penalties handed down by Houthi-affiliated illegal entities against 45 detainees as "arbitrarily done". Detailing the destructive economic impact of the group's activities, including through attacks on oil facilities and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, he lamented: "Yemen is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world." Sierra Leone's representative also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Mozambique underscored the need to de-escalate the economic war and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen. To that end, he urged the parties to refrain from measures that would further divide that country's banking system and address the depreciation of Yemeni rial. Calling on States to address funding gaps of Yemen's Humanitarian Response Plan, he said that movement restrictions on women should be lifted to facilitate their access to aid. In a similar vein, the Republic of Korea's delegate, Council President for June, speaking in his national capacity, voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian situation due to the Houthi's actions, such as issuance of 100-rial coins, which triggered countermeasures by Yemen's Government. "Economic confrontation at this juncture will exacerbate liquidity crises, leading to a further contraction of vital humanitarian activities," he said, adding: "Without economic stability throughout all of Yemen, a peaceful political transition process would not be realized." Briefings HANS GRUNDBERG, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen , described the "worrisome circumstances" forming the backdrop for today's briefing, directing Security Council members' attention to Ansar Allah's ongoing crackdown on Yemeni civil society, non-governmental organizations and the UN, stating that this situation needed to be addressed before tackling the economic escalation, fragile military situation and constricted mediation space, as well as protecting the path to a ceasefire and a political process in the country. On that, he reported that, last week, 13 UN personnel, in addition to five staff members of international non-governmental organizations, among others from Yemeni civil society, were arbitrarily detained by Ansar Allah, and remain in incommunicado detention, along with four previously detained staff members from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He urged Ansar Allah to release all those detained immediately and unconditionally. As well, he voiced concern over judgements on 1 June by Ansar Allah sentencing 45 individuals to death, reiterating the UN's calls for a mortarium on the death penalty. Turning to his efforts towards a ceasefire and inclusive political process, he said that, since December 2023, when the parties agreed to a set of commitments to be operationalized through a UN road map, the regional situation and the escalation in the Red Sea has severely complicated this process, leading to the parties reverting to a zero-sum game. "This mindset is most apparent in the economy," he stated, pointing to a sharp economic contraction following the attack on oil export facilities in October 2022. Meanwhile, in the banking sector, the already complicated situation due to its two competing monetary authorities and two currencies has worsened due to a cycle of escalatory actions, beginning in March, which culminated in retaliatory actions by the Central Bank of Yemen, which, in turn, led to the branch controlled by Ansar Allah banning all banks with headquarters in Aden from operating in their area. If, as part of these punitive measures, banks in Sana'a are indeed cut off from international financial transactions, the impact would severely impact the economy, and open the door to potential military escalation, he warned, outlining his Office's efforts in Riyadh, Aden and Sana'a to resolve the crisis. On the military situation, while it has been stable along the front lines since the April 2022 truce, it is not sustainable if the parties continue the current escalatory trajectory, he said, pointing to an uptick in fighting over past months and an unresolved situation in the Red Sea, with Ansar Allah increasing efforts to strike commercial and military ships during the reporting period. "I am frustrated because we have seen the progress the Yemenis so desperately need overtaken by a regional situation that is beyond our control," he went on. However, he took note of positive developments, including the opening this week of two additional roads, including one between Ta'iz city and the neighbouring Hawban area, enabling for the first time in over nine years civilian movement across the front line running through the city. Voicing hope that this positive step would trigger the opening of additional roads in Ta'iz, in Ma'rib, and elsewhere, he said: "This development is also a reminder to all of us of the power of mediation and negotiation." He also took note of the release, by Ansar Allah, of 113 detainees, encouraging the parties to continue to work towards additional releases. EDEM WOSORNU, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , detailed "two extremely concerning developments" in Yemen. The Houthi de facto authorities have detained 13 United Nations colleagues, five from international non-governmental organizations and many more from national non-governmental organizations and civil society. They are all Yemeni nationals and remain in detention as of this morning. "We still do not know their exact whereabouts or the conditions in which they are being held," she reported, adding that the United Nations is actively seeking clarification from the Houthis on these issues, requesting access to those in detention and urging their immediate release. These circumstances apply to the four UN personnel in detention since 2021 and 2023. "I must recall that international law prohibits the arbitrary deprivation of liberty," she stressed, urging all warring parties to respect and protect humanitarian personnel. These acts put UN personnel and civil society staff at risk and delay and impede the delivery of critical assistance to millions of people. On the rapidly deteriorating banking and economic situation, she noted that the Houthis and the Government of Yemen have issued "competing and increasingly stringent" directives banning individuals, businesses, and local and international financial institutions from dealing with banks based in areas controlled by the other party. This includes a potentially imminent decision to exclude Sana'a-based banks from using the SWIFT banking system for international financial transactions. These developments threaten to further fragment and weaken Yemen's already struggling economy. They undermine the private sector's ability to import food and other essential goods and disrupt the flow of remittances to many families in Yemen. "All these factors will likely deepen poverty, worsen food insecurity and malnutrition, and increase reliance on humanitarian assistance," she warned. Furthermore, the increasingly volatile banking environment has worsened an existing liquidity crisis, making it very difficult for humanitarian organizations to pay staff salaries or procure and pay for the many services they rely on. If banks in Sana'a and other areas controlled by the Houthis are cut off from international financial institutions and networks, "we will lose the ability to transfer the funds required to sustain humanitarian operations", she cautioned. This is particularly concerning given a worsening cholera outbreak and already high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, she added. Recalling a May 2024 briefing, in which her Office urged the parties to put the interests of the people of Yemen first and end hostile economic measures, she declared: "This appeal is even more pertinent today." Statements The representative of the United Kingdom condemned the Houthis' arbitrary detention of United Nations personnel and staff, calling for their immediate and unconditional release. On the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, she said that 18.2 million people need humanitarian assistance, over half of them children, while 17.6 million people remain food insecure. Also, only 50 per cent of hospitals across the country are partially or fully functioning. "It is critical that the parties take steps to address this, including through facilitating unfettered access for aid workers to provide essential support to those in need," she asserted, urging the parties involved to de-escalate and resolve the ongoing banking dispute as a matter of urgency and safeguard the well-being of ordinary Yemenis. For its part, the United Kingdom has committed to spending over $175 million in 2024 to help alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. She further called on the Houthis to cease their illegal and unjustified attacks on maritime shipping through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, including recent attacks on M/V Tutor, M/V Norderney, and MSC Tavvishi. The representative of China voiced support for a Yemeni-led and owned political settlement under the auspices of the UN, as well as for dialogue and negotiation to bring about internal unity and economic reconstruction in the country. Against this backdrop, he voiced support for the efforts of the Office of the Special Envoy, calling on all parties with influence to play a constructive role. On the situation in the Red Sea, he underscored the right, under international law, of the navigation of all merchant vessels, calling on parties to exercise restraint and cease escalatory actions. On the humanitarian crisis, which drags on while relief remains underfunded, he called for assistance to be scaled up. He went on to echo the Secretary-General's statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel, as well as an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea and bring about peace. The representative of France condemned the recent captivity by the Houthis of 13 UN personnel and at least 11 personnel of humanitarian non-governmental organizations. These actions "undermine the capacities to act of organizations on the ground that have been working in an already deteriorated context", she said, stressing that humanitarian workers must be able to carry out their operations safely and unhindered. She also lamented that the Houthis continue their destabilizing actions in the Red Sea, defying the Council's warnings and resolution 2722 (2024), which underlined the right of States to defend their ships against these attacks. Paris will continue its commitment as part of the European Union Operation ASPIDES to guarantee maritime security and freedom of navigation. The representative of Ecuador voiced concern over the increase in Houthi attacks on boats in the Red Sea, as well as reports of the launching of missiles towards Israel. The escalation of hostilities threatens to deepen the regional conflict, reverse the limited progress that has been made in restoring the livelihoods of Yemenis and reignite fighting between warring factions. One of the factors that have aggravated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen which affects more than half of its population has been the decline of its economy, he observed, noting that "the paralysis in oil exports and high domestic prices put pressure on the Government budget and foreign exchange reserves". He further underscored that war along with the ravages of climate change have paralysed agricultural production, raising fears of worsening food insecurity. The representative of Switzerland stressed that, at the political level, the parties must refrain from actions that could jeopardize implementing the road map. She noted that the regional repercussions of the situation in the Middle East have slowed down the talks towards reaching the agreement. Recalling the importance of the navigation rights and freedoms in the Red Sea, she called for the release of the Galaxy Leader crew members. While efforts to contain the cholera epidemic are hampered by the conflict, landmines laid by the Houthis and other armed groups continue to kill and injure civilians. Noting that, since the 2022 truce, the Yemen crisis has moved to the economic sphere, she said that, if no international money transfers are enabled, humanitarian aid will be even more limited. "The longer the conflict persists, the deeper these divisions become entrenched, making the prospect of future reunification a monumental task," she added. The representative of Japan said it is "unfortunate" that the 15-member organ has failed to issue a press statement on the detention of UN personnel, adding: "The Council should swiftly speak up, condemn this outrageous conduct by the Houthis." Expressing condemnation over the group's attacks on international shipping, she said she was outraged that the Houthis have been holding 25 Galaxy Leader crew members for more than 200 days. She also voiced concern over the nationwide cholera outbreak and malnutrition, reporting that Japan has contributed $46 million in humanitarian assistance over the past two years. "The safety of humanitarian aid workers must be fully respected and their freedom of movement must be guaranteed," she underscored, also highlighting that half of Yemen's population depends on basic humanitarian supplies. Pointing to the tensions between Yemen's Government and the Houthis, she stressed that only a political settlement can resolve the decade-old conflict. The representative of Malta stressed that the detained UN personnel must not be subject to any harassment and mistreatment, adding: "These arrests can have serious, far-reaching ramifications on the delivery of humanitarian aid." Expressing concern over mothers going hungry to feed their children, she called for the urgent scale up of funding for Yemen's Humanitarian Response Plan. Tensions in Yemen and the region, including escalations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, continue to disrupt mediation and hamper conflict, she noted, calling on the Houthis to cease attacks against commercial shipping. "Parties to the conflict must prioritize de-escalation and dialogue," she stressed. Noting that, after a decade-long conflict, Yemen faces the possibility of losing progress towards peace, she said that the parties should support humanitarian relief and take decisive steps towards a ceasefire and political settlement. The representative of Sierra Leone , also speaking for Algeria , Guyana and Mozambique , expressed concern over the detention of UN personnel, while also pointing to the impact of Yemen's protracted conflict on the livelihood of its people. "Over the past decade, this conflict has resulted in countless deaths and unimaginable suffering," he said, underscoring that progress in the political talks can only be achieved through a Yemeni-owned political process. He pointed to the need for an integrated approach to restart political talks, stressing that all stakeholders must be engaged. Noting the key role of the Special Envoy in rebuilding the momentum for peace talks, he also spotlighted the crucial facilitating role of Saudi Arabia and Oman and other regional actors. Further, he stressed the need to de-escalate the economic war and address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, observing: "The Yemeni economy has been devastated by the conflict." To that end, he urged the parties to refrain from measures that would further divide that country's banking system and address the depreciation of Yemeni rial. Calling on States to address funding gaps of Yemen's Humanitarian Response Plan, he said that movement restrictions on women should be lifted to facilitate their access to aid. Also voicing concern over the security situation in the Red Sea, he called on the Houthis to refrain from escalatory actions and prioritize political and diplomatic means in resolving the situation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. "We urge all parties to commit to constructive dialogue and genuine efforts towards reconciliation," he said. The representative of the Russian Federation observed that the ongoing escalation in Gaza and consequent regional instability cannot but impact peace processes in Yemen. Such efforts are also thwarted by the ongoing militarization of the Red Sea and Yemeni waters, he said, calling for an end to attacks on civilian vessels and for the release of the crew of Galaxy Leader. Turning to strikes by the United States and United Kingdom-led coalition, he said that, as with other situations in the Middle East and North Africa, the reckless use of force by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries leaves behind a stain of blood through civilian casualties and the devastation of civilian infrastructure. Such illegitimate interventions cannot be justified by invoking Council resolution 2722 (2024) or the right to self-defence under the Charter of the United Nations. He called for the expeditious implementation of the existing [UN] road map without waiting for the situation in the Red Sea to change. As well, he condemned restrictions on humanitarian assistance and called for the immediate release of UN personnel. The representative of Slovenia expressed regret about "little progress" on Yemen's pathway to peace since the Council's last discussion. He said the significant gains made until the end of 2023 should not be reversed, calling for greater efforts to create conditions for peace. Citing the recent detention by the Houthis of UN and civil society personnel as "deeply disturbing", he went on to express "serious concerns about the impact of these latest developments on the provision of humanitarian aid in Yemen, at a time when needs remain so high and the country continues to face one of the world's worst humanitarian crises". He pointed out that unilateral economic decisions are exacerbating an already dire situation in Yemen, noting that they risk complicating humanitarian operations and affecting commercial imports. He therefore called for an immediate end to economic hostilities by all actors, urging: "At this sensitive juncture, all parties should prioritize de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. The benefits of long-term peace for Yemenis should remain our driving force." The representative of the United States expressed concern about reports that Houthi rebels detained at least 50 Yemeni employees of UN agencies, diplomatic missions, and international and non-governmental organizations. Their detention negatively affects their ability to provide humanitarian aid, he observed, urging for their immediate release. The humanitarian situation remains dire, he said, adding that "the Yemenis need the support of the international community now more than ever." He also condemned the Houthis' efforts to spread disinformation regarding the role of detained current and former United States mission local staff through televised forced confessions, adding that these individuals who have been held without justification for over 2.5 years must be released immediately. Despite explicit warnings, the Houthis have continued their reckless attacks in the Red Sea, he observed, urging them to cease their attacks on commercial and merchant vessels immediately. Doing so would enable the unimpeded delivery of food and supplies across Yemen. He also warned about Iran's provision of advanced weapons to the Houthis. The representative of the Republic of Korea , Council President for June, spoke in his national capacity to stress that the detention of UN personnel, who are working to "meet the great humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people on the ground", is unacceptable. He expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation due to the Houthi's actions, such as issuance of 100-rial coins, which triggered countermeasures by Yemen's Government. "Economic confrontation at this juncture will exacerbate liquidity crises, leading to a further contraction of vital humanitarian activities," he observed, noting that further economic uncertainties combined with volatile security conditions will only hinder efforts to resume political dialogue. "Without economic stability throughout all of Yemen, a peaceful political transition process would not be realized," he underscored. As a Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014), he welcomed the appointment of two experts on the Panel on international humanitarian law and armed groups. The representative of Yemen condemned the abduction by the terrorist Houthi militias of staff members of the United Nations and international and local humanitarian organizations. "This constitutes an egregious violation of international humanitarian law," he said, also lamenting that the Council has failed to reach consensus regarding a press statement related to these abductions. His country's Government for years warned against the atrocities perpetrated by the Houthis, their use of blackmail and their pressure on humanitarian organizations in Yemen. He also condemned the death penalties handed down by Houthis-affiliated illegal entities against 45 detainees as "arbitrarily done". Describing how the Houthis undermined the country's economy including through attacks on oil facilities and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, he said that living standards have further deteriorated, with poverty rates reaching 78 per cent and unemployment at 35 per cent. Basic services have continuously withered. "Yemen is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world," he lamented, citing that 18.2 million people need humanitarian assistance and 5 million people are living in makeshift camps. He then renewed the commitment of the Presidential Steering Council and the Government to shoulder their responsibilities to ensure the welfare of the Yemeni people and support economic, administrative and financial reforms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Skagen Welcomes USS Wasp US Navy 13 June 2024 From Petty Officer 1st Class Ruben Reed SKAGEN, DENMARK -- Skagen, Denmark, is a small town of less than 15,000 people and is the most northern town in the country. It's a quiet summer town built around fishing and tourism; a city not used to hosting U.S. Navy warships. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), and embarked Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), arrived in Skagen for a scheduled refueling and resupply, June 12th, 2024. Skagen is Wasp's first port visit since entering the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. During the transit across the Atlantic Ocean, Wasp conducted multiple successful replenishments-at-sea with Military Sealift Command supply vessels. Once Wasp had entered the North Sea, conducting a resupply with a NATO member was an opportunity the first-in-class assault ship's commanding officer, Capt. Christopher Purcell, was eager to seize. "Having the full support of our NATO Allies make it easier for us to accomplish our mission," said Purcell. "We're happy to pull into such a beautiful port and have the chance to interact with the people of Skagen, even if only for a short resupply. The crew would love to visit longer in the future to experience everything the area has to offer." Though the Port of Skagen has a long maritime history as home to fleets of civilian fishing vessels, it was not always able to accommodate larger ships, such as Wasp. The original Skagen fishing harbor was built in 1907. Since then, it has evolved into a port consisting of an industrial harbor that continues to support the fishing industry, as well as facilities for cruise ships. In 2022, a new 600-meter port was built and is now utilized by cruise lines and cargo ships alike. The expansion of its piers and depth of their basin - which allow for bigger ships - has made local harbor pilots a critical necessity. Jrgen Busk Vestergaard, a Danish harbor pilot in Skagen, boarded Wasp as it entered port to work with the navigation team and guide the ship safely pier-side. "As typical with American warships, it was a very professional crew," said Vestergaard. "The biggest difference with bringing in a warship is it's a lot of people. It was nice to have direct communication with [the person] who gives commands across the ship, and that made it very easy to pull the ship into port." While in port, Wasp is taking on fuel, such as jet propellant-5 (JP-5), and supplies in the form of food and other dry goods. The planning and logistics of bringing fuel and food for more than 3,000 Sailors and Marines on a 41,000-ton warship is a monumental task for a small fishing town. Cmdr. Lee Eubanks, Wasp's supply officer, explained how receiving the necessities from Skagen was such a success for the ship. "We really are stretching our logistics hubs to maximize our capabilities as we operate in the northern 6th Fleet area of operations," said Eubanks. "We can't accomplish our mission without resupplying. Having the ability to pull into a town, dock at a pier we've never docked at, and be welcomed the way we were, proves that we can accomplish anything with the support of our Allies and partners." Wasp is scheduled to participate in Baltic Operations 2024 (BALTOPS24) as the flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 24th MEU (SOC). BALTOPS is an annual, multinational exercise designed to enhance interoperability and demonstrate NATO- and partner-force resolve to defend the Baltic region. The exercise will test the flexibility of joint forces in order to strengthen the combined capabilities necessary for immediate maritime crisis response and regional stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address First Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Begin Training at U.S. Submarine School US Navy 13 June 2024 From Lauren Laughlin GROTON, Conn. -- The U.S. Naval Submarine School in Groton welcomed its first cadre of nine enlisted sailors and the second cadre of three officers from the Royal Australian Navy on June 3rd and 10th respectively. These 12 Australians will train alongside their American counterparts to operate conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The enrollment of Royal Australian Navy sailors at the Submarine School marks a significant step in the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway, aimed at helping Australia acquire a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet. "We're excited to welcome these sailors and officers to Groton and build on the momentum of the first cohort of Australian officers to graduate from Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) in April," said Capt. Matthew Fanning, commanding officer, Naval Submarine School. "It is an honor to be part of the team that is delivering game-changing capabilities to one of our country's closest and staunchest allies." The Submarine School trains officers and enlisted personnel through two distinct but interrelated tracks: Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) and Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). SOBC is the last step in the U.S. Navy's submarine officer training pipeline, graduating over a thousand officers annually. BESS introduces enlisted sailors to the fundamentals of the construction and operation of today's nuclear-powered submarines. The course covers everything from shipboard organization to submarine safety and escape procedures. Following BESS, enlisted sailors will complete their pipeline training with classroom and skills training specific to their intended technical rating. Upon graduation from pipeline schools, the Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors will be assigned to U.S. SSNs for their first sea tour to further their knowledge and training. "The Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors commencing their training at the U.S. Naval Submarine School represent the leading edge of Australia's future submarine fleet," said the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond. "Three Australian officers have already completed 14 months of intensive shore-based training, including Nuclear-Power School, nuclear propulsion training, and the Submarine Officer Basic Course before being assigned to U.S. Virginia class submarines. Our people are receiving world class training through our U.S and U.K partners, and will play a crucial role for Australia's future SSN capability. I'm incredibly proud of their achievements representing the Royal Australian Navy." "Australians are exceptional submariners," said Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, the U.S. Navy's AUKUS Integration and Acquisition program manager. "The training they receive at Submarine School will set them up for a successful tour aboard an American SSN, moving the Royal Australian Navy that much closer to operating sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines." The number of Royal Australian Navy personnel training across the U.S. will increase to over 100 people in the next 12 months. Training Royal Australian Navy sailors alongside their American counterparts will enhance interoperability across the submarine forces, which is a cornerstone of establishing Australia's sovereign nuclear-powered attack submarine capability. The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavor that aims to strengthen the industrial bases of the three partners and promote a safe, free, and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring the international, rules-based order is upheld in the region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under AUKUS Pillar 1. The AUKUS I&A program office is responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to deliver conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest nuclear nonproliferation standard. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SECNAV Travels to Chile; Meets with Key Military Leaders US Navy - Press Release 13 June 2024 Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro underscored the Navy's commitment to the strong and enduring partnership between Chile and the United States during a visit June 11-13. SANTIAGO, Chile - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro underscored the Navy's commitment to the strong and enduring partnership between Chile and the United States during a visit June 11-13, where he met with key U.S. and Chilean military and civilian leaders. Del Toro first met with U.S. Ambassador to Chile Bernadette M. Meehan, and Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson. From Chile, he met with Under Secretary of Defense Ricardo Montero; Chief of the Air Force Lt. Gen. Leonardo Romanini; Chief of the General Staff of the Navy Vice Adm. Jose Luis Fernandez; and Chief of the Joint Staff Vice Adm. Pablo Niemann, among others, in support of Southern Seas 2024. Southern Seas 2024 aims to enhance capability, improve interoperability, counter threats, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation. The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and Carrier Strike Group 10 are transiting around South America, engaging with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay, providing the opportunity for partnered countries to train together and learn from one another during subject matter exchanges, exercises, and tactical sea scenarios. On Wednesday, the Secretary met individually with Vice Adm. Niemann and Vice Adm. Fernandez, as well as Commander of Naval Operations Vice Adm. Claudio Maldonado. He also presented awards to several Chilean Navy personnel. During the meetings, Del Toro expressed his commitment to working with Chile and other South American nations to address shared security challenges. "Economic security is national security, and we must continue to work together to counter the common maritime challenges which threaten our way of life," said Del Toro. On Thursday, Secretary Del Toro met with leadership at the Chilean National Ministry of Defense. Del Toro expressed appreciation for Chile's participation in Southern Seas 2024, and their important work alongside interagency colleagues, allies, and partners, to address shared security challenges and promote adherence to international law. Del Toro ended his time in Chile meeting with leaders from the Office of the Naval Research Global. Secretary Del Toro conveyed his appreciation for ONR's commitment to fundamental research and their dedication to the availability of worldwide scientific information, resulting in positive strategic collaboration through scientific diplomacy. Chile is one of the United States' strongest partners in Latin America, and a leader in promoting respect for democracy, economic stability, education, environmental protection, human rights, and sustainable development throughout the region. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi attacks take steady toll on international shipping By Jeff Seldin June 13, 2024 Unrelenting attacks on international shipping by Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen are taking a toll on commerce and aid efforts despite attempts by the United States and its partners to dampen the effects. A just-released report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA, finds Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have affected at least 29 companies across more than 65 countries, driving up costs in multiple ways. "As of mid-February, insurance premiums for Red Sea transits have risen to 0.7-1.0% of a ship's total value, compared to less than 0.1% prior to December 2023," according to the DIA report. The report also noted companies that continue to transit the region face increased costs for additional "war risk" insurance and bonuses for crew members. As a result, the DIA assessment found container shipping through the Red Sea, which normally accounts for up to 15% of international maritime trade, fell by 90% from December 2023 through mid-February of 2024. Shipping companies seeking to avoid the Red Sea are also seeing increased costs, with trips around Africa adding about $1 million to the price of a journey. There is also a cost to aid efforts. "As of February, humanitarian relief for Sudan and Yemen is being delayed by weeks and costing aid organizations more because of longer routes around Africa," the report said. In all, the DIA counted at least 43 Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden between November 19 and March 23. The Houthis have said their campaign in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza amid the war between Israel and Hamas. And the attacks show little sign of slowing down. According to U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations across the Middle East, Houthi militants in Yemen have launched at least 12 missiles, two aerial drones and one surface drone against targets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since Sunday. In the latest attack, on Thursday, CENTCOM said two Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles struck the M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier. The missile strikes ignited onboard fires and severely injured a civilian mariner. The U.S. military said it used naval aircraft to evacuate the injured sailor to a nearby ship for medical attention. "This continued reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," CENTCOM said in a statement Thursday. "The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza," the statement said. "The ongoing threat to the ability to safely transit the region caused by the Houthis makes it harder to deliver critical assistance to the people of Yemen as well as to Gaza." Thursday's attack on the M/V Verbena, which had been en route to Italy with construction material, follows a naval drone attack Wednesday on the M/V Tutor, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned ship that had recently been docked in Russia, CENTCOM said. The attack caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room. This past December, the U.S. and eight other countries launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to help protect ships in the region from Houthi attacks. In February, the European Union launched its own mission, ASPIDES, to help further protect maritime traffic. The U.S. and its allies have also conducted a series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen to deter further attacks on shipping, most recently late last month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden, G7 leaders focus on Ukraine, Gaza, global infrastructure, Africa By Patsy Widakuswara June 13, 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden is in Apuglia, Italy, meeting with leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies Thursday, aiming to address global economic security amid wars in Europe and the Middle East and U.S. rivalry with China. The G7 leaders arrived at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia, the summit venue, welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni's hard-right party took nearly 29% of the vote in last weekend's European Parliament election, making her the only leader of a major Western European country to emerge from the ballots stronger. Meanwhile Biden is dealing with a contentious reelection campaign against Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump, and a personal ordeal. On Tuesday, a day before departing for the summit, his son, Hunter, was found guilty on federal charges for possessing a gun while being addicted to drugs. Still, Biden came to the summit hoping to convince the group to provide a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using interest from Russian frozen assets, and deal with Chinese overcapacity in strategic green technologies, including electric vehicles. The European Union signaled their support by announcing duties on Chinese EVs a day ahead of the summit, a move that echoed the Biden administration's steep tariff hike on Chinese EVs and other key sectors in May. Biden is also lending his support to key themes in Meloni's presidency - investing in Africa, international development, and climate change. Those topics were covered in the opening session of the G7 on Thursday, followed by discussions on the Gaza and Ukraine wars. Gaza cease-fire With cease-fire negotiations at a critical juncture, Biden could face tough questions from leaders on whether he is doing enough to pressure Israel to pause its military campaign, reduce civilian casualties and provide more aid for Palestinians. Leaders are "focused on one thing overall; getting a cease-fire in place and getting the hostages home as part of that," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told VOA as he spoke to reporters on board Air Force One en route to Italy. Biden has "their full backing," Sullivan added. Leaders will also discuss increasing tension along the Israeli border with Lebanon, Sullivan told reporters Thursday morning. "They'll compare notes on the continuing threat posed by Iran both with respect to its support for proxy forces and with respect to the Iranian nuclear program," he added. While the group has thrown its weight behind the cease-fire, G7 members are split on other Gaza-related issues, including the International Criminal Court's decision last month to seek arrest warrants for the leaders of Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United States denounced the court's decision, and Britain called it "unhelpful." France said it supports the court's "fight against impunity," while Berlin said it would arrest Netanyahu on German soil should a warrant is released. Sullivan dismissed a United Nations inquiry result released Wednesday that alleges both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and grave violations of international law. "We've made our position clear," he told VOA, referring to a review published in April by the State Department concluding that Israel's campaign did not violate international humanitarian law. Russian assets Biden is pushing G7 leaders to provide Kyiv with a loan of up to $50 billion that will be paid back to Western allies using interest income from the $280 billion Russian assets frozen in Western financial institutions, estimated at $3 billion a year, for 10 years or more. The goal is a leaders declaration at the end of the summit, a "framework that is not generic, that is quite specific in terms of what it would entail," Sullivan told VOA Wednesday. Core operational details would still need to be worked out, he added. In April, Biden signed legislation to seize the roughly $5 billion in Russian assets that had been immobilized in U.S. financial institutions. The bulk of the money, though, $190 billion, is in Belgium, and much of the rest is in France and Germany. "There's a tension here between a Biden administration ambition on an issue in which they do not have the final say, hitting against very staunch European fiscal conservatism and simply the mechanics of, how do you get something done in Europe in the week of European [parliamentary] elections," Kristine Berzina, managing director of Geostrategy North at the German Marshall Fund think tank, told VOA. Attending the summit for the second consecutive year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is advocating for the deal to pass. He and Biden will sign a separate bilateral security agreement outlining U.S. support for Ukraine and speak in a joint press conference Thursday evening. From Italy, Zelenskyy heads to Switzerland for a Ukraine peace conference over the weekend. Africa, climate change and development Meloni, a far-right politician who once called for a naval blockade to prevent African migrants from crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, now wants to achieve the goal by bolstering international investments to the continent. Most of the nearly 261,000 migrants who crossed the Mediterranean Sea from northern Africa in 2023 entered Europe through Italy, according to the United Nations. She has aligned her G7 presidency with this agenda, and the group is set to release a statement on providing debt relief for low- and middle-income countries, dealing with irregular migration and calling for more investments in Africa. The G7 statement will reflect the Nairobi/Washington vision that Biden signed with Kenyan President William Ruto, Sullivan said. Meloni invited several African leaders as observers to the G7 meeting, including Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Tunisia's Kais Saied, Kenyan President William Ruto and Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, the president of Mauritania. The invitation follows the first Italy-Africa summit in Rome in January, where Meloni launched her investment initiative called the Mattei Plan for Africa. The Mattei Plan has been integrated into the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which aims to mobilize $600 billion private infrastructure funding by 2027 as an alternative to Chin's Belt and Road initiative. On climate change, the G7 has an uphill climb. None of the group's members are on track to meet their existing emission reduction targets for 2030 to align with the Paris Agreement goal, according to data compiled by Climate Analytics. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Negotiators working on 'path forward' for Gaza cease-fire By VOA News June 13, 2024 The United States is working to "generate a path forward" to secure a cease-fire in the war in Gaza after Hamas responded to the multistage proposal with a number of amendments. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Thursday that some of the Hamas changes are "modest and minor" and can be worked through, while others "are not consistent" with parameters detailed by President Joe Biden or those endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. Sullivan cautioned that the nature of the negotiations, which involve indirect talks with officials from Egypt and Qatar, mean progress takes time. "We're going to work with Qatar and Egypt, Qatar and Egypt will work with Hamas. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will work with Israel. And the goal is to try to bring this to a conclusion as rapidly as possible," Sullivan said. U.S. officials have said the cease-fire proposal is an Israeli proposal, and Sullivan said Thursday the Israelis "stand behind" it. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called on the U.N. Security Council to push Israel into a cease-fire in Gaza. The council supported a U.S. proposal earlier this week. In Italy at a G7 summit, Biden said Hamas was "the biggest hang-up so far" to a deal on a Gaza truce and hostage release. "I've laid out an approach that has been endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, by the G7, by the Israelis, and the biggest hang-up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on even though they have submitted something similar," Biden told reporters. Gerald Feierstein, director of the Arabian Peninsula affairs program at the Middle East Institute, says cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been a bit confusing. "There's a statement from the government of Israel which seems to raise doubts about what it is that the Israelis believe they've agreed to," he said. "Hamas has also said that what they received in writing is not consistent with what they understood from verbal comment. So, it seems that there's a great deal of smoke out there. Not clear what the fire is." Feierstein, a former ambassador, said, "I think that if we get to the point where the parties actually agree ... I do believe that both parties will hold up their end of the agreement." In its initial phase, the three-stage cease-fire proposal calls for a halt in fighting, the release of some hostages from Gaza, the release of some 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. Thursday fighting The Israeli military said Thursday it carried out airstrikes against 45 targets throughout Gaza. Israel also reported ground operations and airstrikes in the Rafah area in southern Gaza, as well as operations in the central Gaza Strip. In Rafah, Israel's military said it found weapons and killed several militants "in close-quarters encounters." Israeli ground forces have operated in Rafah since early May. The threat of famine is also ongoing in Gaza. More than half of the territory's agricultural land has been damaged by the war, according to satellite images analyzed by the United Nations. The World Health Organization, meanwhile, said Wednesday that many people in Gaza were facing "catastrophic hunger and faminelike conditions." Also on Wednesday, a U.N. investigation determined that Israel had perpetrated crimes against humanity during the war, while Israeli and Palestinian armed groups had both perpetrated war crimes. Israel called the report "biased." Sporadic violence is also continuing in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces raided a town there Thursday, killing three Palestinians and detaining several others. The Israeli military said the operation was intended to preempt militant attacks. 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 37,200 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures. State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching and VOA's Kim Lewis contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conflict, persecution, climate crisis drive surge in global forced displacement By Lisa Schlein June 13, 2024 The United Nations refugee agency says forced displacement around the globe surged to historic new heights last year, driven by conflict, persecution, human rights violations, climate crises and other disturbing events. In its 2024 Global Trends Report, UNHCR says 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2023. Some 68 million were uprooted from their homes by conflict and remain displaced within their own countries. Another 31 million were refugees, while tens of millions more were asylum seekers, returnees or stateless people. The report, released Thursday, finds that the number of forcibly displaced has continued to rise this year and that the current figure now stands at 120 million. "Regrettably, this is the 12th consecutive year in which this figure goes up," U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi told journalists in Geneva Monday in advance of the report's publication. "Conflict remains a very, very big driver of displacement." Grandi added that UNHCR "declared 43 emergencies in 29 countries" in 2023. "This figure, until two, three years ago, used to be on average eight, maximum 10 times a year." Grandi deplored changes in the conduct of wars, noting that warring parties almost everywhere nowadays "disregard the laws of war, of international humanitarian law and often with the specific purpose of terrorizing people, of instilling fear in people." "This, of course is a powerful contributor to more displacement than even in the past," he said. The report cites the conflict in Sudan as a key factor driving the current surge in forcible displacement. By the end of 2023, a total of 10.8 million Sudanese were displaced from their homes triple the number before the war began in April of that year. Most of the uprooted Sudanese 9.1 million are internally displaced, while another 1.7 million are refugees. Describing himself as "very keen" to speak out about Sudan, Grandi called it "a very forgotten crisis although it is one of the most catastrophic ones not just in terms of displacement, but in terms of hunger, lack of access, violation of human rights, and so forth." Other crises that have created a spike in new forced displacements are the conflicts in Gaza, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. UNRWA, the UN relief and works agency for Palestine refugees, estimates up to 1.7 million people over 75% of the population "have been displaced within the Gaza Strip, with some having been forced to flee multiple times." The report says more than 1.3 million people were displaced within Myanmar in 2023 "by escalating violence following the military takeover in February 2021" and that a resurgence of fighting in the eastern part of DRC uprooted 3.8 million people who "were newly internally displaced" during the year. The U.N. report also touches on what the report calls endless conflicts that continue to displace people in countries that include Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Of the complex mix of diverse factors uprooting populations globally, Grandi described climate change as a particularly virulent driver of conflict and displacement, with one sometimes triggering the other. "It can be a driver of conflict and hence of displacement, especially when the very scarce resources of very poor communities become even scarcer because of climate change," he said. "That drives conflict. We have seen it in so many parts of Africa, in the Sahel, for example. In the Horn of Africa, but also elsewhere." The report debunks a common misperception that many refugees go to rich countries. "The vast majority of refugees are hosted in countries neighboring their own, with 75 percent residing in low-and middle-income countries that together produce less than 20 percent of the world's income," say the report, which also notes that although children account for 30% of the world's population, they account for 40% of all forcibly displaced people. Syria remains the world's largest displacement crisis, UNHCR reports, "with 13.8 million forcibly displaced in and outside the country." The United States is identified as the world's largest recipient of new asylum claims with 1.2 million applications tallied in 2023, followed by Germany, Egypt, Spain, and Canada. Authors of the report acknowledge that solutions for forced displacement are very rare. They note that only around five million internally displaced people and one million refugees returned home in 2023. Despite this grim assessment, High Commissioner Grandi said that solutions do exist, citing the example of Kenya which has enacted the so-called Shirika plan, to resolve its nagging refugee problem. "The President has decided, and the country's institutions have approved, that for the 600,000 refugees in Kenya, mostly Somalis and South Sudanese, measures will be progressively taken to include them in the communities in which they live. "I consider that a positive trend," he said. "And Kenya being an important country in East Africa, I hope that this will have a positive impact also on other countries." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts: Thailand's bid to join BRICS is mostly symbolic By Wasamon Audjarint June 13, 2024 Thailand wishes to become the first Southeast Asian member of BRICS, a geopolitical group of developing countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The Thai Cabinet approved the draft application letter May 28, indicating the country's intention to join the group. But experts suggest the membership may provide Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, with mostly symbolic rather than concrete benefits that include existing free-trade agreements with countries such as China. Nevertheless, the administration of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin plans to move forward with the application during a BRICS summit, set for October, in Kazan, Russia. 'New world order' Thailand expects the membership to enhance its participation in international economic policy and to "create a new world order," according to a press statement by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Mihaela Papa, a senior fellow at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, told VOA by email that "joining BRICS certainly means greater exposure to China and Russia's policy agendas and influence." Thailand's enthusiasm in joining BRICS supports efforts by China and Russia to expand their economic influence in Southeast Asia, Soumya Bhowmick, an associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in Kolkata, India, told VOA. "By joining BRICS, Thailand can contribute to the bloc's collective influence in global economic policies, thereby supporting China and Russia's strategic goals in the region," he said. Co-founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2006, the group added South Africa in 2010. Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates became members at the start of this year. Driven in part by threats of Western sanctions, the group has sought to develop alternatives to the U.S. dollar-based economic and financial system through initiatives like the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. The New Development Bank provides financial assistance, such as loans and equities, among BRICS member countries akin to the U.S.-influenced World Bank Group, which provides assistance to developing countries worldwide. The CRA, meanwhile, is an agreement among the BRICS central banks for mutual support during a sudden currency crisis. However, analysts say geopolitical tensions and differences among member countries test the bloc's effectiveness. While "BRICS has made significant strides in trade dynamics, the diversity among BRICS members ... presents challenges in aligning interests and achieving consensus. The absence of formal trade and investment agreements further complicates the bloc's effectiveness," Bhowmick said. "Joining BRICS at this stage means being one of many states in this large, informal group that increasingly acts as a bloc," Papa said. "The group's design a combination of large membership, rotating country presidencies and decision-making based on consensus does not enable any BRICS state to gain much spotlight." Thailand is already a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The latter is the first free-trade agreement embracing the largest Asian economies, including China, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, and 11 other Asian countries. But according to Hung Tran, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, BRICS may not bring any concrete economic results for itself or for ASEAN beyond political symbolism. According to Tran, Thailand's membership with RCEP, for instance, has substantially increased Thailand's trade with fellow Asian countries since the bloc was established at the beginning of 2022. Trade volume for Thailand increased to $175 billion in 2023 with China, which has consolidated its position as the top trade partner of Thailand, accounting for 20% of its total trade. Groupings such as APEC and IPEF, in which Thailand has been active, are also inspired by the United States, Tran said. "Joining BRICS would be a politically symbolic move for Thailand to show that it is open to all major countries or groups in the geopolitical context without being beholden to any sides a stance in line with the ASEAN overall approach," he said. Accenting multilateralism According to a press release by the Thai government, Thailand "has placed importance on multilateralism and the increased representation of developing countries in the international system, which is in line with BRICS principles." Thailand's current application only starts the conversation, Papa said, and it will become clearer during the October summit how Thailand might benefit from membership in BRICS. "Thailand has time to investigate what BRICS offers and if it works for its development," she said. "After being invited to join the group, Argentina changed its mind, and Saudi Arabia has delayed accession." Eerishika Pankaj, director of the New Delhi-based Organization for Research on China and Asia, said a Thai entry into BRICS would be unlikely to prompt others in the region to follow quickly. "Other Southeast Asian nations might be inspired ... but they will still continue to proceed cautiously amidst U.S.-China rivalry," Pankaj told VOA via email. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Georgia's NGOs refuse to comply with 'Russian' foreign agent law By Henry Ridgwell June 13, 2024 Many foreign-funded non-governmental organizations in Georgia say they will not comply with a new foreign agent law that came took effect this month, setting up a showdown with the government ahead of October elections. The law would force any organization receiving more than 20% of its funding from overseas to register with the government as a foreign agent. Opponents say Georgia's legislation is based on a similar crackdown in Russia and have dubbed it the "Russian law." They fear the ruling Georgian Dream Party is increasingly copying Moscow's playbook to stifle scrutiny and criticism. In recent months, the government has launched a propaganda campaign against many NGOs and media organizations, accusing them of acting on behalf of foreign governments and undermining the Georgian state. Among their prime targets is Eka Gigauri, executive director of Transparency International, which has exposed government corruption. Across the capital, Tbilisi, government propaganda posters feature Gigauri's face with a threatening red mark scrawled across it, alongside similar depictions of other civil society figures. The captions accuse them of becoming enriched by foreign money or trying to sell out the Georgian state. "Personally, it's not so easy, but you are getting used to such things. At the end of the day, I have realized that I'm fighting for the right cause. I'm serving my country," Gigauri told VOA in an interview earlier this month, adding that Transparency International will refuse to comply with the new law. "We will not live under the Russian law here. So, that's why we will not register. And this is the decision of each and every person who works for [Transparency International]. "This is the matter of dignity for us. We are the patriots of this country. We were serving this country for many years and the people of this country. And we are not going to put on ourselves the sign of 'agent' or 'spy' who was undermining the state's interest," he said. Last week, the United States announced sanctions, including travel bans, against dozens of Georgian officials who supported the legislation. "These actions risk derailing Georgia's European future and run counter to the Georgian constitution and the wishes of its people," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on June 7. Miller did not name the individuals singled out for travel bans, citing visa confidentiality laws. Supporters of the new law insist it is necessary to ensure transparency in public debate, dubbing it the "American law," comparing it with the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act. "I think that every country that has respect for itself should have a similar law. So, we took an example from the United States, where the government makes sure that everything is transparent to it," said Fridon Injia of the Party of European Socialists, which is closely aligned to Georgian Dream. Legal experts reject that comparison, noting that the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act was passed in 1938 to counter lobbying on behalf of the Nazi government, while Georgia's foreign agent law targets nonprofit civil society organizations. Media threat Georgia's free press is also in the government's sights. Publika, a small, independent media organization that mainly publishes online, also refuses to register as a foreign agent. "For me, the most unacceptable part is this label as an 'agent,' Publika's editor-in-chief, Lika Zakashvili, said. "Because you imagine that we are a media outlet. We are journalists, and someone is coming here and wants to share their story against, for example, the government, or against some institution. And you are [labeling us] a foreign agent. You are losing your trust. "It's just to make our work impossible here. And now the second goal ... is to demonize the Western world," Zakashvili told VOA. The new law gives authorities sweeping investigative powers against organizations and individuals, said Aka Zarqua, executive editor at the Governance Monitoring Center, which scrutinizes government spending and conduct. "You have to give them full financial disclosure of your own expenditures, all personal and sensitive information about your expenditures, and private communications," he told VOA. They also have the right to require from employees different information, like personal chats." Zarqua said the risks for a small, independent media organization like his are huge and could force it to close, "dismantling the whole civil infrastructure in Georgia." Some NGOs are seeking ways to circumvent the law, including registering in other European countries such as Estonia a tactic used by civil society organizations in Russia, Zarqua said. "The Georgian Dream Party is not the first to introduce such a law. It was implemented in Russia already in 2012, so there is some kind of experience there. So, we will try to use this experience and to just prolong our existence here as a non-governmental organization." Zarqua said the future of his organization depends on the outcome of the fall elections. "It could be a very different world after October 26," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Police and military seen gaining power amid Vietnamese political upheaval By VOA News June 13, 2024 Political turbulence in Vietnam has increased the power of the police and military factions of the country's Communist Party, as officials with these backgrounds gain seats in the top echelons of the government, experts have told VOA. Activists and analysts interviewed point to To Lam - the former public security minister who took over as president on May 18 - as a rising figure who could pose a threat to the party's collective leadership. Zachary Abuza, Southeast Asia expert and professor at the National War College in Washington, described Lam as "ruthlessly ambitious," during a June 3 call with VOA. As public security minister Lam led 80-year-old General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's key initiative - what Trong dubbed the "blazing furnace" anti-corruption campaign. "To Lam has wielded that anti-corruption campaign to systematically remove one competitor after another," Abuza said. Vietnam's collective leadership is based on "four pillars" at the top of the political structure: the general secretary, president, prime minister, and chairman of the National Assembly, the country's unicameral legislature. Since January 2023, anti-corruption investigations have led to the downfall of two presidents and the National Assembly chairman. Truong Thi Mai is the most recent top official to leave her post. The former head of the Central Organization Committee and permanent member of the party secretariat was the fifth-ranking leader. She was accused of breaking party regulations and resigned on May 16. An analyst, who asked that his name be withheld because of increasing uncertainty regarding the potential pitfalls of discussing Vietnamese politics, told VOA on June 4 that such turbulent politics is new for the party. He added that the situation is unpredictable and will likely remain volatile until the next meeting of the National Assembly in 2026, when a new leader is expected to take over from Trong. "In the past 60 years not a single four pillar leader in Vietnam has stepped down and within only two years to have three of the four pillars step down and then a permanent member of the secretariat also step down - this is unprecedented in the history of Vietnamese Communist Party," he said. To Lam's rise Alexander Vuving, a professor at Honolulu's Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, told VOA that Luong Tam Quang, who was appointed to replace Lam as public security minister on June 6, is an ally of the new president. "To Lam has not subsided after Lam left the ministry," Vuving wrote in an email to VOA on June 7. Duy Hoang, executive director of the unsanctioned Vietnamese political party Viet Tan, said that after To Lam became president on May 18, there was a "big internal struggle" for approximately two weeks during which there were attempts to nominate a public security minister without ties to Lam. With Quang's appointment, the efforts to neutralize Lam's power failed, he said. Quang "is seen as an ally to To Lam because he's from Hung Yen which is where To Lam is from," Hoang said, referring to the country's northern province. "It shows that To Lam is continuing to consolidate power," he said. Along with leading a "crackdown against peaceful dissent," Hoang said, Lam is known for arranging the kidnapping of whistleblower Trinh Xuan Thanh from Germany in 2017 and for being photographed eating a gold-encrusted steak at a high-end London restaurant in 2021. Before the pricey meal, the communist leader visited Karl Marx's tomb in London. "The irony that the last guy standing after an anti-corruption purge is the guy eating a $1,000 gold-leaf steak after laying a wreath for Karl Marx," Abuza said. "Increasingly he just wielded his sword and took out rivals until he was the last man standing." David Hutt, a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies in Slovakia, struck a similar chord in a May 20 email to VOA, although he predicted a period of stability until the party's 2026 National Congress. "There were so few people in the Politburo who met the conditions to become state president that To Lam was almost certain to get this post. Plus, the Communist Party needs stability in the top-four posts, and To Lam is unlikely to be busted as part of the anti-corruption campaign (although corruption allegations swirl around him)," Hutt wrote. Those now in top spots will probably stay there until the 2026 Congress, he said, adding, "The securocrats and the military factions are the clear winner. The Communist Party is becoming more security con[s]cious and is very concerned about its power." Beyond Quang, Vietnam's Politburo - the country's top decision-making body - is now dominated by individuals from the Public Security Ministry, and the military makes up the second-largest bloc, Abuza said, describing the domination of a "very conservative security-minded bloc." Weakened Communist Party The analyst who asked for his name to be withheld said "the situation now is very precarious for the party itself." "The power of the party is you have to control the gun in order to control the party. But now it seems like the gun has actually taken control of the party," he said, referring to the rising power of the Public Security Ministry. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, a Vietnamese activist living in Texas since obtaining U.S. asylum in 2018, cited a general unease among her contacts in Vietnam. "I think that everyone is scared," she wrote to VOA over the messaging app Telegram on June 8. "To Lam will continue to control the country under his own regime," she wrote. An Hai of VOA's Vietnamese Service contributed reporting from Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Vice President Harris's Call with President-elect Sheinbaum of Mexico June 13, 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris spoke today with President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico and congratulated her on her historic election as the next President of Mexico. The Vice President reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a strong partnership and friendship with Mexico. They discussed deepening the U.S.-Mexico relationship to address the root causes of migration, strengthen trade ties and economic growth, and combat the trafficking of people, illicit drugs, and firearms. The Vice President and President-elect Sheinbaum pledged to work together to address the global climate crisis and bolster renewable energy within our region. They also discussed the importance of women holding positions of leadership and the empowerment of women and girls. # # # NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Background Press Call on the G7 June 13, 2024 Via Teleconference MODERATOR: Okay, thanks everyone. I think we're all set. I'll turn it over to our senior administration official in a second, but just sharing that we will now have an embargo on this call to about 3:30 p.m. Central. We'll send another note letting everyone know whenever it lifts. But for your awareness, not for your reporting, the senior administration official on today's background call is [senior administration official]. He'll give a few words here at the top about the Russian sovereign assets, and then we'll have time to take one or two questions. Thanks, everyone. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, thanks, everybody, for joining. I'll say a few words at the top on the sovereign assets, the (inaudible) deal, and then happy to take any questions that you have. (Inaudible) (in progress) every G7 member that the situation on the battlefield remains difficult and that if the war continues, Ukraine is still going to have a large financial need next year and beyond, and that this summit is our best chance to act collectively to close the gap. And it's only fair that we close the gap by making Russia pay, not our taxpayers. And we found a way to do so that respects the rule of law in every jurisdiction; it raises money at scale $50 billion, to be precise, this year. We're going to move with urgency. And we're going to maintain solidarity, which has been our greatest strength. But I would say, more fundamentally and President Zelenskyy will probably speak to this in a couple of minutes here this agreement is a signal from the leading democracies of the world that we're not going to fatigue in defending Ukraine's freedom and that Putin is not going to outlast us. Let me just stop there. I know you have questions, so please jump in. Q Hey, it's Andrea here from Reuters. Can you tell us what you said two things. You said, "We have a deal" and "We're on the cusp of a deal." So is it decided? And also, can you say what the amount will be? Was there agreement on the $50 billion? And will you you know, or is that still something that needs to be worked out? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah. Fair enough, Andrea. I think the leaders' communique has not yet been released. That's why I hedge my words very slightly. We have political agreement at the highest levels for this deal to happen. And it is $50 billion this year that will be committed to Ukraine. Q Great. Can I ask a follow-up question? So can you walk us through some of the mechanics as they exist now? Who will loan the money and how will it be backed up? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Let me try to hit I mean, I think I probably can guess some of your questions. And they're totally they're the right questions. Okay, like, how did this get done? I mean, honestly, the hard part is not so much the idea. There are infinite ways to extract the present value of future cash flows. That's finance 101. (Inaudible) diplomacy the sausage making of diplomacy is hard enough domestically. It's an order of magnitude more difficult multilaterally. But the President and Jake Sullivan really had leadership, and we executed across borders. In terms of who makes the loan, we've said the U.S. is willing to make a loan of up to $50 billion. We will not be the only lenders. This will be a loan syndicate. We're going to share the risk because we have a shared commitment to get this done. How will I'll just ask myself some questions. Are we going to get repaid? Russia pays. So the interest the income comes from the interest stream on the immobilized assets. And that's the only fair way to be repaid. The principal is untouched for now, but we have full optionality to seize the principal later if the political will is there. You'll see a line in the communique that makes it clear that option is still on the table. How will we know the assets are going to remain immobilized? I mean, my answer to that is: Because leaders have committed to do so. And they've also committed to seek approval from the full membership of the EU to get another blessing. And I would say when you have a commitment at the highest political levels, technocrats act and technical details get worked out. Let's see. What if there's a peace settlement and the assets are no longer immobilized? Well, look, a just and sustained peace is, of course, what we all want. And G7 leaders have committed that the assets will remain immobilized until Russia pays for the damages it's caused. So if there is a peace settlement, either the assets stay immobilized and keep generating interest to repay the loans, or Russia pays for the damage it's caused. Either way, there's a source of repayment. And let me stop talking to myself and listen to you, if you have more questions. Q I do. Can you explain, you know, how did you move past the resistance that was reported there from France, Germany, and some of the others? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Leadership and stamina. You know, we had backing at the very top of our political system. President Biden and Jake Sullivan in particular deserve credit. And we just worked this for years. I mean, if you go if you want to go through the tick-tock of this, it goes back pretty close to the beginning of when we immobilized these assets in the first place, two years ago. And, I mean, I would say what I said at the top is what was clear to every leader what is clear to every leader in the room that signed up to this communique, which is: The situation on the battlefield is still very difficult. That means there's going to be a large financial need, even after our supplemental and even after the EU 50-billion-euro facility. And that, you know, it's very simple: Russia should pay the loan. And this is our this is our best chance as a G7 to act together. And we found a way. I mean, we did have to be creative. We floated I don't know how many ideas. But ultimately, we found an idea that respected every jurisdiction's red line; it respected every jurisdiction's rule of law. And it still raised money at scale, at speed, and with solidarity. And that's what we have announced today. AIDE: Andrea, I think we've got a lot more people with questions, so we're going to pass it back. MODERATOR: Thanks. Our next question will go to Josh from Bloomberg. Q Hey there. Thanks for doing this. Can you just zero in on the question of the mechanics? How many individual loans are we talking about? And is it accurate that it's not clear how much the U.S. contribution will be and that the U.S. (inaudible) bring about $50 billion, or whatever the sum of the other contributions is? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, hi, Josh. I'm not going to speak for other delegations. I mean, they really it's for them to say if they're going to contribute to the loan. But what you'll see in the communique, just to give you a preview, is that there will be loans, plural. So I can assure you the United States will not be the only lender in this syndicate. As I mentioned at the top, we, the U.S., are willing to provide up to $50 billion of the loan. And that's why we know the number will be at least will be $50 billion. Whether other delegations make commitments in public today, I'm not sure. But as they do so, you'll see that our number is probably is certainly going to be somewhat less than 50 and maybe significantly less, because the idea here is to share risk. And I think getting the $50 billion is really important, but equally important is having a shared commitment. And the loan syndicate is kind of a technocratic expression of that commitment that's being shared. Q Any thought that (inaudible) more on this will allow you to do it through (inaudible) congressional approval? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm sorry, Josh, that cut out a bit. I think you're asking about, like, can we have what kind of scoring situation will this Q Yeah. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You can think of this as a secured loan. It's secured with the interest that's generated from the immobilization of the assets. And so, because there's now a commitment to keep the assets immobilized, that means there's a commitment to keep the income stream flowing. There are scenarios in which that income stream may not flow. But even in those circumstances, there would be a reparation payment, and that can also be a source of repayment. So we're covered. We feel like this is a very prudent structure that allows us to manage risk with other partners in a way that's going to be, I think, successful for Ukraine and gives the signal that we're all you know, we're all giving Ukraine a psychological boost. We're giving it an inflection point in this conflict by demonstrating that we're not going to fatigue no matter what happens in elections anywhere across the world. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Selina with ABC. Q Hi. Thanks so much for doing this. I just have a couple of questions. Just number one, could you just kind of do a little bit more detail about concerns that some of the European countries had and just how you convinced them to sign on to this? And secondly, is the primary purpose of these funds to be used for rebuilding the economy? For defense? All the above? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: So, I mean, I think the most convincing argument to every other delegation is: While there may be costs and risks to providing this loan, all policy decisions need to be weighed against the counterfactual. What's the alternative? And if Ukraine was insufficiently financed to win this war, what would be the chilling effect it would cause across Europe and the rest of the world? What would be the signal to autocrats that they can redraw borders by force? Those are the costs I think we all agree were unacceptable. And that's why we acted. Q Sorry, what about the second question in terms of the primary use of the funds for rebuilding the economy? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. Sure. So that's kind of a I don't mean to be glib. There'll be multiple distribution channels for the money with multiple destinations, by which I mean military support, budget support, humanitarian support, reconstruction support. These will all be destinations for the funds that we generate. And, you know, here we've created flexibility in this structure. There are certain jurisdictions that prefer to send their money to budget support and to reconstruction. There are others that prefer to have their money earmarked, especially now, to military support. And both all of those distribution channels are reinforcing money is fungible. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to David Sanger with the New York Times. AIDE: David, are you on? Okay, seems like we should move on. Q Hi, it's Colleen from the AP. I'm wondering if we could talk a little bit about when Ukraine can expect to start seeing the funds. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah. So you'll see in the communique that the disbursals will begin this year. I can't give you a specific date because there are some next steps that need to be taken. For example, the EU-27 needs to enshrine this action. We need to write contracts between the lender; the recipient, of course Ukraine; and intermediaries. So I mentioned distribution channels; those are the intermediaries, and there will be multiple intermediaries. And then we have to work out the disbursal schedule. And the disbursal schedule needs to be at a pace that Ukraine can effectively absorb and direct to its highest priorities. So that's going to take some time. But as I mentioned, this is not an initiative that is indefinitely (inaudible) Q Can you repeat that last thing? Q Sorry. We're having a hard time hearing you. Sorry. AIDE: Is the Internet cutting out? Q We hear you now. The Internet was cutting out. AIDE: Okay, I'm going to pass the phone back, and we'll try this again. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Should I repeat the answer to the last question? Q Yeah. So I heard you up until you said there's a disbursal schedule and that's going to take some time. And then we started to lose you after that. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Oh, I see. Okay. So I was describing the next steps. The next steps are to enshrine the communique commitments with the EU-27, the full membership. Then we need to write contracts between the lenders and I emphasize plural; the recipient, which is Ukraine; and the intermediaries, and there'll be multiple intermediaries. And then we have to agree on a disbursal schedule because we need to ensure that the disbursals can be effectively absorbed by Ukraine and that they can be directed to their highest priority uses. But again, I don't mean to make it sound as though this is going to take years. The commitment is to be ready to disburse $50 billion this calendar year. Q Can you just clarify that please? Is it all 50 this calendar year, or is it just the portion that the U.S. is able to disburse? Because I understand that we have legal authority to disburse some of the money but not all. Can you also explain in terms of, you know, what is that authority? Where does that come from? Is it related to the REPO Act? I guess I still am not clear in terms of the disbursement and the legal requirements around it, and the guarantee. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yeah, so sure. Sure. So we have we have loan authority already. USAID has loan authority already established from Congress. There's not a set schedule that is required or a capped amount. But we have decided that we can provide up to $50 billion. I didn't answer your question precisely on when the last payment will be made because it depends it does depend on how the pace at which Ukraine can absorb the money effectively. So while we're availa- while we have $50 billion that we could make available this year, that depends on our judgment as to how effectively Ukraine can absorb it. And every jurisdiction that's making a loan has to go through the same process. So the money will be available. There's no constraint on that basis. We will begin disbursing this year, but I can't say that the endpoint of the disbursals will be in 2024. Is that clear? Q Yes. And can you address just in terms of guaranteeing that these loans will be immobilized? Because as I understand, the EU needs to renew sanctions regime every six months to keep these assets immobilized. So how have leaders agreed on that issue? SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, you're right about the mechanics. But we have confidence because European leaders Germany, France, Italy, the European Commission, President of the European Council they've committed to do so and to seek approval from the full membership of the EU to get that blessing. And when you have commitment at the highest political levels, you know, that is what gives us confidence that these assets are going to remain immobilized, the income will continue to flow, and we will be repaid either from the income itself or through reparations with Russia. MODERATOR: That's all the time we have. Thanks, everyone. And again, this is embargoed until 3:30 p.m. This was on background to a senior administration official. Thanks again. END NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On-the-Record Roundtable by APNSA Jake Sullivan Previewing the President's First Day at the G7 June 13, 2024 9:13 A.M. CEST MR. SULLIVAN: We've got a busy day ahead of us here at the first day of the G7. I'll just highlight a few items for you. The first session will be on Africa, climate change, and development. And the President will have his chance, coming out of the Kenya state visit in particular, to talk about the full range of investments and approaches the U.S. has taken with respect to Africa to spur social and economic development, security, and in particular, investment. And I'll come on to that in a minute. We believe the G7 will the statement will reflect the Nairobi-Washington Vision that President Biden signed with President Ruto on debt relief for low- and middle-income countries. And that's going to be an important outcome today. Second, we'll have a session on the Middle East. This will be an opportunity for the leaders to get an update from President Biden on the negotiations with respect to the ceasefire and hostage deal, to talk about G7 support for bringing that deal to closure so that we can get a ceasefire in place and the hostages home. They'll also talk about Lebanon and the increasing tension along that border, including the increasing intensity, scope intensity and scope of the strikes by Hezbollah deeper into Israel and including into civilian areas. President Biden will talk about the links between getting a ceasefire in Gaza and getting calm on the border between Israel and Lebanon. And of course, they'll compare notes on the continuing threat posed by Iran, both with respect to its support for proxy forces and with respect to the Iranian nuclear program, where we continue to have grave concerns and where the IAEA spoke last week. Next, the President will participate in a session with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and the G7 leaders on G7 support for Ukraine across the board. And that will be an opportunity to talk about coordination on sanctions, which the United States announced yesterday and other G7 partners will be announcing over the coming days. Of course, to talk about many of your favorite subject and mine: the mobilization of the proceeds from Russian sovereign assets to help Ukraine with respect to its resilience and economic needs. As I told some of you guys on the plane yesterday, there's been very good progress in the discussions among the G7 delegations here to reach an agreement for how to make that happen. And hopefully by the time the leaders meet today, we will have a common vision for the way forward, and the Italian presidency will be able to announce that there is a path forward. But we'll all just have to wait and see what happens here in a few hours' time. This has been something that the United States has put a lot of energy and effort into because we see the proceeds from these assets as being a valuable source of resources for Ukraine at a moment when Russia continues to brutalize the country, not just through military action on the front, but through the attempted destruction of its energy grid and its economic vitality. One more thing I'll just note today coming in is we believe that, entering our fourth G7 President Biden's fourth G7, G7 leaders are more unified, really, than they've ever been, at least in modern memory, on the major issues across the board, whether that's geopolitical crises or its challenges related to the global economy, including issues like Chinese overcapacity. And as we've come into this G7, the European Union has taken what we believe is an important step with respect to the imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles from China. We welcome that action, which they implemented after a thorough investigation, to address China's unfair trade practices and the electric vehicle sector. And as we head into our first sessions here in Italy, we think this kind of alignment is what we're looking to build upon to create a level playing field for our workers and our firms. And then, the last thing I wanted to talk about is: Later today, the President will participate in and help lead a side event on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, PGI. He'll co-host it with the Prime Minister of Italy. It will bring together leaders of the G7 and private sector executives, including the CEO and chairman of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, and the chairman and CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, to identify incentives and methods to mobilize infrastructure investment with a particular focus on leveraging private capital. And so, the President will showcase how we're scaling the G7's flagship infrastructure initiative to attract major investors so that we can not just generate because the demand is there but channel the demand for high-quality infrastructure financing and make a connection between sources of private capital and the needs across the developing world. So at this event, the President is going to announce that since the launch of PGI in 2022, we've initiated investments that will mobilize over $60 billion in support of PGI. And we're going to, in the next few months and years, accelerate investments so that we will hit the President's $200 billion mobilization goal by 2027. And he'll also highlight game-changing investments that we've unlocked in partnership with multilateral institutions in the private sector over the past year that advance our own supply chains and national security and our work to outcompete China. There'll be some more specific announcements that come out of that session later today. And then, just to close out the day, of course, as I mentioned yesterday, the President will be signing a bilateral security agreement with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. We think this is a big deal, a milestone moment in the partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine and a real marker of our commitment not just for this month and this year, but for the many years ahead, as we will continue to support Ukraine both in defending against Russian aggression and in deterring future aggression so that Ukraine can be a sovereign, viable, thriving democracy rooted and anchored in its partnership with the West and in the Euro-Atlantic community. So, sorry to go on for so long, but that's where we are this morning, and I look forward to taking your questions. Q Jake, according to European Union sources, every reference to abortion and reproductive rights have been cancelled from the final declaration at the request of the Italian presidency. This is, of course, also a matter of international rights. Does the President know? Does he agree with that? Is he going to raise the issue of reproductive rights and general rights, LGBTQ rights, during the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Meloni? MR. SULLIVAN: The President always talks about human rights in all of his interactions, both with friends and with competitors and adversaries. And I don't expect the next two days will be any different. I can't speak to the specific assertion. I have not heard that with respect to discussions over the communique itself. But from the President's point of view, he doesn't change up his message based on who he's talking to, and nothing about that will change today. Q On a ceasefire, Jake, can you update us based on what's the latest? I understand you spoke yesterday and there's really not much that you can say. But for people who are confused about the state of play at this point, would it be fair to characterize that Hamas has not agreed in private but say publicly that they have agreed, and Israel is the opposite of that in private, agreeing, but in public not agreeing? And then, if you could, just update my question yesterday, which was the U.N. inquiry that has called out both Hamas and Israel for violating international law and committing war crimes. If you've had a chance to look at that. MR. SULLIVAN: Look, we've made our position clear on the second issue in the report that emerged from National Security Memorandum 20. That's the U.S. position with respect to these questions of international humanitarian law. And I'll let that speak for itself. The U.N. is going to speak for itself through multiple voices and multiple channels. And I'm not going to give it further comment today. I don't entirely agree with your characterization. Israel has supplied this proposal. It has been sitting on the table for some time. Israel has not contradicted or walked that back. To this day, they stand behind the proposal that was put on the table in late May that President Biden described in his May 31st speech. So I don't think that there is a contradiction in the Israeli position. I do think Hamas's assertion that they've accepted that proposal, to the extent that they are saying that publicly, is not correct. What they have done is responded to that proposal with an amended proposal. And as I said yesterday, some of those amendments are modest or minor. They're not unanticipated. We can work through them. Others are not consistent with what President Biden laid out or what the U.N. Security Council embraced. But our goal is to figure out how we work to bridge the remaining gaps and get to a deal. So we're going to work with Qatar and Egypt. Qatar and Egypt will work with Hamas. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will work with Israel. And the goal is to try to bring this to a conclusion as rapidly as possible. Now, I can't give you a timetable for that. I would have to say that in complex negotiations like this, especially indirect negotiations, things don't happen necessarily instantly. And so, I may not have an update for you 12 hours from now any more than I do from 12 hours ago, but I can tell you that we are working actively to generate a path forward based on what Hamas has come in with that gets us to a result that's consistent with what the U.N. Security Council laid out and consistent with what President Biden laid out. We believe that is possible. We still believe that it is important for the world to continue to train the focus on Hamas, who has said on behalf of the Palestinian on behalf of, you know, its leadership and, you know, its view of what is happening in Gaza, that it wants to get to a ceasefire. If, in fact, it does, there's a ceasefire on the table. They should take it and not try to push this thing in a direction where we just get to stalemate. And so, I think continuing to encourage Hamas to step up and do its part will be an important thing for the rest of the world. Q Just to put a finer point on that, Jake. So the Israelis have not agreed, at least publicly, to commit to a permanent peace path, the first phase, because that's essentially, you know, what Hamas is saying that they need in writing, or at least that's what we're hearing. Has the Israeli I mean, can you confirm that Israel will commit to a permanent ceasefire, despite the fact that we haven't heard it from them publicly? MR. SULLIVAN: What I can confirm is that the Israelis have agreed to the proposal that the President laid out in detail, step by step. If you go back and read his May 31st text, everything in that is completely faithful to a document that Israel itself put forward and has not walked away from. Q Despite everything that they say publicly? MR. SULLIVAN: I don't think it's despite everything they say publicly. I think if you look at the document as laid out or, excuse me, the President's speech as laid out, that is something the Israelis have committed to, remain committed to. And I haven't heard any Israeli leader right now contradict that they stand behind the proposal put forward in late May. Q Jake, can you say a little bit more about the Washington-Nairobi Vision and what that means specifically? As I understand it, there's a lot of concern about China's slow progress in agreeing to debt restructuring. So will there be language that specifically calls out China, or will it be more broad? And, you know, what changes as a result of what you're expecting to happen? MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first, there are elements of the Nairobi-Washington declaration, or Washington-Nairobi declaration, that are really about increasing the capacity of countries bearing significant debt burdens to be able to pay those off, getting them access to lower-cost financing so that they're not just stuck with the high-cost financing that is like an albatross around their neck. And we've taken a number of steps through the multilateral development banks, the international financial institutions to make that available. Second, it's about coordination and effectively getting the major private and public creditors together around a common vision. And that leads to this third point that you're raising, which is China is a significant creditor to a lot of countries who are saddled by debt burdens. The G7 communique is not singling out or focusing on a single country. It's talking about a common approach every country, including China, should sign up to. But in the discussion the leaders have, they will all very much squarely face the reality that so much of the crushing debt burden facing countries around the world comes from China, and China needs to be a constructive actor in that. And I think you'll hear a common voice from the G7 about what the right path forward is. We'll be aligned on that. And that, I think, will set these developing countries up to have a more constructive conversation with China than they've been able to have to date. Q Can you talk a little bit about the migration aspect of the G7? I wondered a lot of the nations who are here are grappling with migration challenges, in particular the U.S. And I wonder what is you guys hope to glean from those discussions. MR. SULLIVAN: Well, as you know it's kind of amazing to say this but two years ago, more than two years ago, the President hosted the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. And as part of that, he pulled more than 20 countries together around the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection. And that basic vision for how to do effective, humane, and orderly migration management has remained at the core of his approach. And it has three elements to it. The first is humane and effective enforcement. The second is investing in root causes so that people do not feel compelled to leave in the first place. And the third is expanding legal pathways so that we can have regular migration that can replenish the vitality of our nation and other nations across the hemisphere. So to put a fine point on it, the goal of the President here at the G7 on migration is to take the Los Angeles Declaration and make it more than a regional compact but something that becomes a global vision. And we believe that the outcome of the G7 will reflect those core pillars of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. And it will build upon the actions that the President has taken, including the recent actions on border enforcement, as well as the steps he's taken to open up more legal pathways and to invest in root causes, not just in the Americas but in other parts of the world. And other G7 members are particularly focused on root cause investments in Africa and what I've just laid out with respect to PGI and the first session that will unfold today on Africa, climate, and development. That's all consistent with that pillar of the LA Declaration and that element of what the G7 approach will be when it's adopted today. Q As part of the discussion the President had over migration, he talked with, I think it's Spain and Canada right? to discuss, like, moving migrants over in Europe? MR. SULLIVAN: Yeah, as part of lawful pathways. Q Yeah. Is there any discussion to broaden that to other G7 nations? MR. SULLIVAN: It's not going to be a formal agenda item today, but it is a subject of some discussion with other countries as well, who are looking for regular, lawful migration for their economies, for their economic growth. And so, the President has always made clear that if other countries want to be partners with us in that regard, as Spain and Canada, then he would welcome that. And those discussions are ongoing. Q Hey, Jake. The President has often talked about, coming out of the first G7 in England, the conversations he had with Scholz and other then-world leaders about America being back, America's commitment to the world stage. Obviously, this could be his last G7. And I'm wondering if you can read us into how he's thinking about having some of those conversations, how your counterparts have talked with you about the possibility that there's a different American president next year (inaudible), and how you may put in place things to try to bridge any gaps between American administrations. I mean, just sort of how that might be hanging over some of the conversations, especially on the heels of the European elections, where a number of Macron, Scholz, their parties suffered some serious defeats. MR. SULLIVAN: Look, one of the great things about the G7 is we're all democracies, so the leaders here don't get to pick and choose how things go in their countries politically day in, day out. They leave that to the people of their countries. But at the same time, I think the President, like the other G7 leaders who have just come off elections, they're going to be focused on the task at hand. And from his perspective, the real work to be done here is work that is going to put the United States in the best possible position to protect our interests and reflect our values. So whether it's Russian sovereign assets or it's alignment about Chinese overcapacity, support for Ukraine, coordination on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, he's going to set kind of the broader election context aside and really focus in on the work that needs to get done here. And he's going to measure a successful G7 by whether or not we've made tangible progress on those issues. I think we're teed up for success in that regard, but we'll have to see how the next two days unfold. And then, you know, he's in every day subsequent to this summit, his goal is going to be to do as much as possible to reinforce the idea that the United States is best served if we are closely aligned with our democratic allies and partners; that we are more likely to accomplish our objectives, more likely to protect the interests of our workers and businesses, more likely to produce security and stability when we are aligned, as opposed to in conflict, with the leading democracies of the world. That's going to be on display today. And the difference between past times when the U.S. has not been aligned and what you're going to see here in Puglia is something that can actually be measured, from my perspective, in an improved American standing in the world and the improved capacity of the United States to deliver for its people. Q Very quickly, on the state of the talks for unlocking the assets, (inaudible) to get this done or individual countries getting loans? Is the U.S. giving more loans? How does that stand? MR. SULLIVAN: So, as a fellow member of the Air Force One plane team flying over here (laughter) I must have repeated like six time Q Are you (inaudible) again? MR. SULLIVAN: that I wouldn't get ahead of look, the Italian presidency, I think, has done a really good job of bringing everyone together around the table to try to deal with what's, you know, both a simple and a complex proposition. The simple proposition is we got to put these assets to work. The complex proposition is how you do that specifically. And so, I think we are on the verge of a good outcome here. I will wait until we have the session on Ukraine and let the Italians describe where we are. As I said on the plane yesterday, I think we will have the major tentpoles of this decided but some of the specifics left to be worked through by experts on a defined timetable. That's how I anticipate this will all play out, to include how things will unfold on the vehicle and the range of countries that may step up on issues related to the loan. Q Fifty billion sound right? MR. SULLIVAN: I've read that. (Laughter.) AIDE: All right, we need to go. Q Thanks, Jake. 9:35 A.M. CEST ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts laud growing agricultural cooperation between China, Africa Xinhua) 16:22, June 14, 2024 SANYA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Willy, a farmer on Santiago Island in Cape Verde in Africa, has learned to identify soil nutrients thanks to the training by Chinese experts. He also learned to replenish soil nutrients with goat waste and crop straw, which helped bring higher crop yields. "I saved money on fertilizer, and now I can invest in other areas of the farm," he said. The training that Willy participated in forms part of a soil management and pest control training program organized in Cape Verde by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the FAO-China South-South Program. Drought, soil erosion, pests, and diseases have severely affected food production in Cape Verde, and the program provides agricultural technical assistance through Chinese experts to improve food production and nutritional security in the country. Under the above program, many Chinese experts have been working in Africa for a long time, carrying out technical assistance in areas such as food production, plant protection, rural energy, and agricultural mechanization, Ye Anping, director of the FAO's South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, said at the Workshop on China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation under FAO South-South Triangular Cooperation Framework in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. "Many of China's agricultural technologies are easy to understand, highly operational, and low-cost, which means strong practicability for Africa," Ye said. China-Africa agricultural technological cooperation has enabled Africa to increase food production. For instance, the total plantation area of super rice varieties provided by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has reached 57,000 hectares in Africa, registering an average yield of more than 20 percent higher than those of local varieties. A cassava variety introduced to Africa by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences produces four times more cassava than local varieties. Felix Dapare Dakora, former president of the African Academy of Sciences, has a heartfelt wish: to end the plight of African children going to bed hungry and ensure that all Africans have access to nutritious food. "Learning from China is the right path," he said, lauding China's remarkable achievements in solving food shortages through technological innovation. China and Africa have established extensive cooperation in the agriculture sector under multiple mechanisms, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which have played positive roles in helping Africa strengthen food security, added Dakora. "I'm happy to say that we are on the verge of implementing or putting into action this new organization called China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance," said Laila Barnaba Lokosang, senior technical coordinator at the African Union Commission. Lokosang added that the alliance will provide a new platform for researchers from both sides to collaborate on tackling practical issues and finding solutions in Africa's agriculture industry. At the workshop, participants from Burkina Faso and other countries said that many African countries are suffering from severe drought, and drought-tolerant crops are urgently needed to meet the challenge of climate change. In response, Chinese experts introduced new varieties of drought-tolerant corn, millet, sweet potato, sorghum, and other crops and expressed their willingness to cooperate further. More cooperation projects are on the way. In about ten days, experts from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences will leave for Nigeria, Tanzania, and Cote d'Ivoire for cooperation and exchanges with local agricultural departments, scientific research institutions, and enterprises. A cassava joint lab will also be established during the process. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) DFA Statement on the Attack on MV Tutor in the Red Sea Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs MANILA 14 June 2024 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs condemns the attack on MV Tutor in the Red Sea on 12 June 2024. The Philippine government will take all necessary measures to secure the safety and well-being of the Filipino crew on board and ensure justice. We call on all UN member states to protect the human rights of seafarers. We remain steadfast in ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipino seafarers worldwide. END NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 13 June 2024 - Day 841 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that so far, there have been 87 combat clashes. The situation remains tense, but under control. During the day, the Defense Forces hit eight concentration areas of Russian personnel, one PPO, two artillery systems and a REB station. Along with that, Russian invaders launched on the territory of Ukraine three missiles with the use of four missiles and 54 aviation strikes with the use of 73 KABs, took 613 kamikaze drones. The Russian enemy also launched more than 2,500 shelling on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using artillery, mortars, firearms and armaments of fighting vehicles. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces four times attacked the vicinity of deep, quiet and vovcans ka. Three attacks of the aggressor were successfully repelled by Ukrainian defenders. The fight is ongoing in the Vovchanska district. The situation is under control. In the Kupyansky direction, Russian forces made four attempts to push Ukrainian units away from occupied positions in the areas of settlements Sinkivka, Petropavlivka, Stelmakhivka and Berestove. Never been successful. Loss of positions and territories is not allowed. In the Lyman direction Russian zagarbniki tried to advance six times in the areas of Grekivka and Nevsky. All attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders. The situation is under control. In the Sivers komu direction, the setting of significant changes has not been experienced. Assault actions in the Verkhnyokamiansky area ended in misfortune for the Russian enemy. Eleven times the Russian aggressor attacked Defense Forces units in the Kramatorsky direction in the areas of Ivanivka, Kalinivka, Andriyivka and Chasovoy Yar. All attempts of Russian occupiers to break through Ukrainian borders were repelled. The situation is intense. Measures are being taken to prevent Russian forces from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory. The hottest remains the setting on the Pokrovsky direction. Since the beginning of the day, Russian zagarbniks 32 times tried to invade the combat order of the defenders of Ukraine near Novooleksandrivka, Evgenivka, Novopokrovsky, Kalinovogo, Mezhovoye, Novoselivka the First and Yasnobrodivka. 24 Russian attacks by Ukrainian warriors repelled. Eight combat clashes are still continuing. The Defense Forces are making maximum efforts to exhaust and contain Russian invaders in this direction. The previous Russian losses amounted to 291 occupants killed and injured. One tank, a combat armored vehicle, a cannon and a car were destroyed. In the Kurakhiv direction, the situation remains tense. Since the beginning of the day, the number of combat clashes has increased to 17. Zagarbniks are trying to move near the settlements of Nevelske, Krasnogorivka, Georgiyivka and Paraskoviyvka. 16 Russian attacks were successfully repelled by the Defense Forces. The fight is ongoing in the area of Krasnogorivka. Measures are being taken to stabilize the environment. In the Orihiv direction, Russian forces carried out three assault actions in the area of the settlement of Mala Tokmachka. Ukrainian defenders are making efforts to curb the advancement of Russian occupation troops. Five Russian attacks in the area of Krynok were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Pridniprovsk direction. A loss of positions is not allowed. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that units of the Sever Group of Forces took more advantageous positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of the AFU 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade and 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Ternovaya, Volchanskiye Khutora, Tikhoye, and Volchansk (Kharkov region). Eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 36th Marines Brigade and 13th National Guard Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 305 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, and one BM-21 Grad combat vehicle. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Krasny Liman, Torskoye, and Kirovsk (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 450 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one Nota electronic warfare station. Two AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade, and 241st Territorial Defence Brigade near Ostroye, Belaya Gora, and Stenki (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 635 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Seven AFU ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 23rd, 47th mechanised brigades, 144th Infantry Brigade, and 109rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Timofeyevka, Yevgenovka, Rozovka, Novgorodskoye, and Karlovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Four counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th and 113th mechanised brigades were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 345 Ukrainian troops, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, one U.S.-made MaxxPro armoured fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one BM-21 Grad MLRS combat vehicle. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 21st National Guard Brigade and 125th Territorial Defence Brigade near Neskuchnoye and Oktyabr (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M198 howitzer. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Mirnoye and Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 100 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, one 155-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged AFU manpower and hardware clusters in 103 areas during the day. Air defence units shot down 33 unmanned aerial vehicles, four Czech-made Vampire and U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles. ?? In total, 613 airplanes and 276 helicopters, 25,653 unmanned aerial vehicles, 528 air defence missile systems, 16,326 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,337 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 10,393 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 22,505 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISIS Thursday, June 13, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A Minnesota man was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Based on the defendant's cooperation, the government asked the court to give the defendant credit for providing substantial assistance. According to court documents, in June 2015, Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, departed the United States with his family to Casablanca, Morocco, to visit extended family. Once in Morocco, Al-Madioum surreptitiously fled to Syria to join and fight for ISIS. During the following several months, Al-Madioum was administratively enrolled into ISIS, received military training from its members and assigned to a battalion. Al-Madioum served as a soldier for ISIS until late 2015 when he was injured while conducting military activities on behalf of ISIS. Following his injury, Al-Madioum continued to provide assistance to ISIS as a personnel database administrator. He remained a member of ISIS until he was captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in March of 2019. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota and Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI's National Security Branch made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case. Topic: Counterterrorism Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Minnesota Press Release Number: 24-755 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Avian influenza vaccine to be offered to people at risk of infection Finnish Government Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 13.6.2024 Press release Avian influenza vaccines will be offered to people who may be exposed to avian influenza. Vaccinations are scheduled to start as soon as possible. Finland will receive vaccines as part of the EU's joint procurement, in which 15 countries are taking part. The framework contract was signed by the EU's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) on behalf of the participating Member States. The avian influenza vaccine was developed by the pharmaceutical company Seqirus UK Ltd, and the contract for the supply of this vaccine will run for four years. The countries participating in the joint procurement will order vaccines depending on their national need. Vaccine helps to protect fur and poultry farm workers and official veterinarians The vaccine is intended for poultry and fur farm workers, veterinarians and other people who are at high risk of being infected with avian influenza. Based on a risk assessment, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare will determine the groups of people for whom the vaccine is recommended. The vaccine aims to prevent avian influenza infections and the severe forms of the disease. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare will provide more information on avian influenza vaccinations soon. The wellbeing services counties are responsible for organising the vaccinations and providing information at the local level, whereas the Finnish Medicines Agency and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare are responsible for monitoring the safety of vaccines. Avian influenza is poorly transmitted to humans Avian influenza A(H5N1) circulated extensively among wild birds throughout Europe in 2020-2023. In Finland, the A(H5N1) virus caused exceptionally large mass deaths of wild birds and infections among farmed fur animals in summer 2023. So far, no avian influenza infections have been detected in humans in Finland. Avian influenza can be transmitted to humans by infected or dead animals or their secretions or faeces. However, the avian influenza virus is poorly transmitted to humans, and in general, very few cases of infection occur. The Finnish Food Authority monitors the occurrence of avian influenza in wild birds in Finland and works to prevent the spread of the disease on farms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cyberattack hits Israeli telecom firm IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran - IRNA -- The Israeli Telecommunications Company, Bezeq has come under cyberattack, causing chaos among its consumers on Tuesday, media sources said. According to Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen news network, sources reported about a hacker attack on the Bezeq Company on Thursday. These sources, without giving details, stated that the firm was exposed to a cyber attack and its communication lines with a large number of its customers were cut off. With the start of the "Al-Aqsa Storm" operation by the Palestinian resistance on October 7 last year, cyberattacks on the critical infrastructure of the Zionist regime have also increased. Just weeks ago, hackers attacked the website of the Zionist news channel "Walla" and made it unavailable for some time for viewers. Several installations of Israel, from its military, security and urban sites, to big companies being hosted by the regime have been targeted by cyberattacks in the past. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Anti-Muslim hate groups in US surge back into spotlight By Masood Farivar June 13, 2024 Once seemingly fading into obscurity, anti-Muslim hate groups in the United States have surged back into the spotlight in recent months, reinvigorated by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Many of these groups, such as Jihad Watch and ACT for America, emerged in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. and thrived on public fears of terrorism. But as those fears waned in recent years, so did the groups' sway. Some disbanded, while others gravitated to other hot-button issues. From a peak of 114 in 2017, their number dropped to a mere 34 last year, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit that tracks hate groups. In early 2023, "Islamophobia was down to a slow trickle," SPLC senior research analyst Caleb Kieffer said. Then came the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel, which claimed about 1,200 lives and triggered a massive Israeli military response in Gaza. Anti-Muslim groups that had "opportunistically" seized on divisive issues, such as critical race theory and LGBTQ-inclusive policies, swung back into action. "These anti-Muslim groups went right back to their core messaging," Kieffer said in an interview with VOA. "They've been going hard on the rhetoric since October last year." Take ACT for America. Founded in 2007 by Brigitte Gabriel, a Lebanese American political activist and self-described "survivor of terrorism," it grew into one of the country's leading anti-Muslim organizations. At its peak, the group had more than 50 active chapters, each counted as a separate hate group by the SPLC. But in recent years, most of those chapters either shut down or shifted into other areas, leaving ACT for America with just eight on SPLC's most recent list. According to the SPLC, ACT for America embraced a "nativist tone" before October 7, circulating, among other things, a petition calling to "Stop the Taxpayer Funded Border Invasion." After October 7, the group launched another petition more in line with its agenda and with a call by former U.S. President Donald Trump to stop admitting Palestinian refugees from Gaza. Warning her followers about homegrown jihadi terror, Gabriel, a staunch Trump supporter, began peddling her bestselling anti-Muslim book, Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America, in exchange for a $25 donation. In a video titled "Wake Up America" in October, she claimed, "Hamas has a large network of cells spreading all across America," from Laurel, Maryland, to Tucson, Arizona. Other groups that had also latched onto contentious issues similarly pivoted back to their core agenda. Jihad Watch, a website run by prominent anti-Muslim figure Robert Spencer, published an article last October claiming, "We're in a war between savages and civilization. Everything else is a detail." Eight days later, an affiliated political website called FrontPage Magazine ran a piece titled "It's Islam, Stupid," arguing that everything Hamas did "has been done by Muslims throughout history and is still being practiced today.'' FrontPage Magazine is published by the David Horowitz Freedom Center, another leading anti-Muslim group. Jihad Watch is a project of the center. ACT for America, Jihad Watch and the David Horowitz Freedom Center are part of what experts describe as a well-funded, close-knit anti-Muslim industry, with each group playing a distinct role in the ecosystem. With chapters across the country, Washington-based ACT for America provides the "grassroots muscle" to the movement, Kieffer said. The Center for Security Policy serves as its think tank, he said. The SPLC-designated groups appear on other hate lists. Several SPLC-branded groups contacted by VOA condemned their designation. In a statement to VOA, a spokesperson for ACT for America rejected the "anti-Muslim" label, saying the organization has "always welcomed and included members of all faiths," including Muslims, and hosted Muslim keynote speakers at its conferences. ACT for America works "on a broad range of issues, none of which are anti-Muslim," the spokesperson said. "As a matter of fact, since the defeat of ISIS and al-Qaida between 2018 and 2024, you didn't hear a blurb from ACT for America about radical Islam." In response to a VOA query, Jihad Watch's Spencer accused the SPLC of smearing and defaming "organizations that oppose its far-left political agenda by lumping them in with the likes of the KKK and neo-Nazis." In a brief interview with VOA, J. Michael Waller, a senior analyst for strategy at the Center for Security Policy, called the designation "slander," saying it was tied to his group's criticism of the Iranian government and the Muslim Brotherhood. Kieffer defended the SPLC's methodology, saying it only designates groups that "vilify" and "demonize" people because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. The SPLC defines anti-Muslim hate groups as organizations that "broadly defame Islam and traffic in conspiracy theories of Muslims being a subversive threat to the nation." Not every anti-Muslim hate group has stood the test of time. In recent years, dozens of ACT for America chapters have closed. The ACT for America spokesperson said most of its member groups have "turned into digital chapters meeting via zoom or other technology platforms." Last year, an anti-refugee and anti-Muslim blog called Refugee Resettlement Watch became inactive and was dropped from SPLC's list of hate groups. Another well-known anti-Muslim group called Understanding the Threat announced last year it was shutting down. The group was operated by a former FBI agent known for spreading anti-Muslim conspiracy theories. Other groups have rebranded. One former ACT for America chapter now operates as AlertAmerica.News, according to SPLC. Its focus ranges from "strengthening national security" to "fighting communism and American Marxism." Kieffer said while the group's central focus may have shifted away from Islamophobia, it continues to invite well-known, anti-Muslim speakers to its events. With the war in Gaza still raging, the resurgence in Islamophobia remains unabated, Kieffer said. But that's likely to change in the run-up to the presidential election in November. "I imagine that we're going to slowly see a decline again as these groups start to push other issues," he said. Brian Levin, a criminologist and hate crime researcher, noted that anti-Muslim hate crimes have surged in recent years, even as the number of hate groups has dwindled. That's because hatred has found a new home in the mainstream, rendering niche groups such as Islamophobic outfits increasingly obsolete, he said. "The bottom line is, the way we associate to express and amplify hatred has changed," Levin said in an interview with VOA. "Up-and-coming bigots of all sorts will find an array of xenophobic bigotry and conspiracism within general mainstream platforms." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin signs into law joint building of lunar base with China as Beijing expands circle of friends in Moon exploration Global Times By Fan Anqi Published: Jun 13, 2024 09:01 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday officially signed into law his country's cooperation with China on the construction of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, as Beijing proactively advocates global participation in the joint exploration of the vast universe, with the latest effort being the inclusion of Egypt and Bahrain in China's next Chang'e mission. The relevant document was published on a Russian official legal information portal on Wednesday, Sputnik reported. Earlier in March, the Russian government submitted to the parliament's lower house a bill to ratify the agreement with China. Some 12 more countries and international organizations have signed on to the ambitious initiative, Sergey Savelyev, deputy general director for International Cooperation at Russian state space agency Roscosmos, said in May, according to media reports. This will bring the total number of ILRS partners to more than 30 countries and organizations. The ILRS is already reported to have attracted over 20 signatories from various countries and organizations. Chinese researchers said that basalt will be considered as a material to build the lunar base, the same material that was used to "knit" the Chinese national flag that was proudly unfurled on the far side of the moon on June 4. Using local materials on the moon to build the base will save a large amount of costs compared to sourcing materials from the Earth, and the lunar surface is rich in basalt, which can be cut into sheet or tube forms for construction purposes, the Xinhua News Agency reported. After China carried out a perfect landing of the Chang'e-6 probe on the far side of the moon and brought precious lunar soils back to the Earth, the country's national space administration announced on Tuesday that a payload co-developed by Egypt and Bahrain will board China's next lunar mission - the Chang'e-7, which is scheduled to launch around 2026 to survey the lunar south pole environment, China Central Television reported Tuesday. The payload is a lunar surface material hyperspectral imaging instrument, the report said. The international payloads that the Chang'e-7 mission is scheduled to bring include six from seven countries and organizations, namely Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, and the US-based International Lunar Observatory Association. With China's repeated success in deep space exploration, the prospects for its international cooperation will further expand, Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times. "For one thing, China has, through a series of successful space missions, demonstrated an exceptionally high capability and reliability. This serves as a prerequisite for a good partnership, where richer samples and more ideal scientific results can be better achieved," Wang noted. Furthermore, China has always maintained an open and inclusive attitude toward international cooperation, which is rare in today's complex global landscape, experts said. While the US is busy chanting the "China threat" rhetoric in a so-called space race, China has been walking steadily step by step and produced rich, concrete results, they noted. Commenting on China and Russia jointly building the ILRS, Wang said it will have a "whole is greater than the sum of the parts" effect. Russia's advantage lies in its expertise in astrophysics and chemistry from its past experience with lunar exploration missions during the Soviet era. China can bridge Russia's gap in resources and talents with its abundant economic and engineering advantages. China's rapid growth in aerospace technology has led to the development of reliable engineering resources, including a space station, various kinds of spacecraft and carrier rockets. With well-planned investments and a growing pool of young talent, China and Russia can complement each other well in the field, Wang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How The Belarus Regime Is Destroying The Books It Doesn't Like By RFE/RL's Belarus Service June 13, 2024 Ever since Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka was returned to power in a disputed presidential election in August 2020, rights activists, democracy campaigners, and media reporters have all come under mounting pressure as the country's civil society bears the brunt of a vicious crackdown on potential dissent. Now, undesirable books and other published materials have also found themselves increasingly in the authoritarian regime's crosshairs. The Belarusian Information Ministry currently maintains a list of "extremist" items that consists of more than 2,750 books, CDs, websites, Telegram channels, and other messaging platforms. The list is some 1,100 pages long and is updated almost daily. The banning of books is nothing new in Belarus, and several publications have been controversially blacklisted in the country, where Lukashenka has ruled with an iron fist since 1994. However, whereas special expert commissions were previously entrusted with deciding what could be designated as "extremist," a lot of this work now seems to be done by district courts, and they don't appear to be particularly fussy or discerning about what they prohibit. "We see how...Telegram channels with three subscribers are banned simply because someone doesn't like the name," says Paval Barkouski, a professor at the Polish Academy of Sciences' Institute of Philosophy and Sociology who formerly taught at the Belarusian State University. "It is clear that we are not talking about any qualified expertise," he adds. "We are talking about the repression of everything that does not agree with the policy of the current authorities. Why do they need expertise? It will simply interfere with the process." The lengths the authorities are going to in their efforts were highlighted recently when a man in the western town of Kobryn was detained for 10 days on a charge of "spreading extremism." The authorities censured him for the "public display" in a bookcase in his apartment of a collection of historical novels by the prizewinning Belarusian writer Uladzimer Arlou. 'They Rummaged Through The Shelves' This heightened clampdown on books and other publications is yet another example of how Belarusian authorities are taking their lead from totalitarian and authoritarian regimes of the past, says Barkouski of his homeland, where, at Lukashenka's direction, security officials have waged a brutal campaign of repression against those who protested the 2020 election. After arresting thousands and pushing most opposition figures out of the country, the authorities now seem to be spreading their net even wider, going after libraries and bookstores across the country to make sure they are not stocking anything that makes the regime uncomfortable. Bestselling authors whose books were sold at state bookstores until recently, including Alherd Bakharevich, Uladzimer Nyaklyayeu, Vatslau Lastouski, Ales Petrashkevich, and even the Nobel laureate Joseph Brodsky, are among those who appear to have been targeted. Staff at other outlets say they have also been subjected to spot-checks. One sales clerk at a secondhand bookshop in Minsk told RFE/RL about how two people in civilian clothes arrived at the premises in May and had a long conversation with the manager. "They rummaged through the shelves themselves," she said, adding that they found a number of books objectionable, including two from the Knihazbor series, which focuses on Belarusian history and classic literature. "This 'commission' took the books with them," she said, and the store manager was forced "to write them off." 'Hysterical Reaction' The former library head at a secondary school in the western city of Brest says inspectors also paid her a visit in 2023. She told RFE/RL that they were especially interested in books on history, foreign languages, and literature on academic research, even showing her an image on a smartphone of the kind of items they were looking for. "Well, they found textbooks and books from the 1990s," she said. "'These should not be in the library. Write them off as a matter of urgency,' they shouted. There was such a hysterical reaction to the books -- as if they were explosives!" Although school textbooks are routinely written off every five years or so, the librarian says some old course books had been retained, as they dealt with certain topics better than newer publications. Now, she says, they have all been pulped, something which undermines the library's important role as a repository of knowledge. "One copy must be kept in the library," says the librarian. "This is what I was taught at the library faculty. I told the director and the commission about it. No one heard my objections..." Besides schools, prison libraries also seem to have been scoured by officials looking to remove anything deemed objectionable. One former political prisoner, who was recently released from a penal colony in Navopolatsk where more than 100 political prisoners are serving their sentences, told RFE/RL that there used to be a very decent library there, with many books, magazines, and periodicals in the embattled Belarusian language, but these "were all confiscated," along with textbooks on foreign languages. "They even confiscated a couple of books in Chinese," he says. "We joked, saying, 'The Chinese are our friends[....] Personal books were also confiscated. We asked what will be done with them. The guard cynically replied that they would burn." 'Deliberate Destruction' In Barkouski's view, the current drive to shred or burn uncomfortable books is reminiscent of other strongly ideological regimes that set out to crush dissent. "The deliberate destruction of books began as early as the time of the Inquisition," he says. "Works that the church considered free-thinking were included in the list of prohibited books. Books were publicly burned on bonfires. In Nazi Germany, bonfires were also lit in the squares. It also happened in the Soviet Union, but less theatrically -- quietly, secretly." The fact that Belarusian books appear to be among the materials that are being targeted recalls the dark days of Belarus's own Soviet past, such as in 1937 when Belarusian authorities subordinate to Moscow ordered the removal and destruction of more than 400 Belarusian books, including several classic titles. For Barkouski, the practice is indicative of where things could be headed in Belarus as authorities in Minsk show no sign of loosening their grip on power. "Destroying books...is considered a normal and good practice in the 21st century," he says. "It just shows how far into the past the henchmen of this regime have dragged us. It's not just 1937 anymore. Regime officials are ready to return to the fires of the Inquisition." Editor's Note: The names of some of the people quoted in this story have been withheld for safety reasons. Written by Coilin O'Connor based on reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-books-banned-burned-lukashenka- clampdown-libraries-bookstores/32990017.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau June 13, 2024 Apulia, Italy Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, on the margins of the G7 Summit taking place in Apulia, Italy. The Prime Minister and the President reflected on the discussions among G7 leaders throughout the first day of the G7 Summit, including on their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression, peace and stability in the Middle East, and the promotion of an inclusive and dynamic growth in Africa and around the world, anchored in the global clean energy transition. The two leaders highlighted the strong partnership between Canada and France in multiple areas, including European and transatlantic defence, the protection of democratic values, energy transition, and La Francophonie. They discussed negotiations on Atlantic halibut fishing quotas and indicated that they hoped a mutually beneficial agreement would be reached quickly. The leaders also discussed the results of the recent European elections. Prime Minister Trudeau indicated that, as a close ally of the European Union (EU), Canada will continue to work with the EU in the areas of security, democracy, human rights, and the defence of the rules-based international system, among other priorities. Prime Minister Trudeau looked forward to hosting President Macron in Canada this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Group of three Type 055 large destroyers drill in South China Sea Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jun 13, 2024 05:31 PM China recently deployed a group of warships including three Type 055 large destroyers to the South China Sea for a training exercise, a powerful task force experts said on Thursday will contribute to peace and stability amid regional tensions caused by continuous Filipino provocation. A destroyer detachment affiliated with the navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command recently organized a training task force to conduct round-the-clock long-endurance combat exercises in the South China Sea, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Wednesday. Consisting of Type 055 large destroyers the Xianyang, the Zunyi and the Yan'an and the Type 052C destroyer Haikou, the training task force practiced main gun firing against land targets, anti-submarine, sea assault, replenishment-at-sea during the six-day drills, the CCTV report said. Upon reaching the target region, the task force quickly maneuvered to advantageous positions, formed a defensive formation before switching to a sea attack formation to launch precision strikes on mock targets. When multiple unidentified aerial objects approached, the task force quickly adjusted to an anti-aircraft formation and intercepted the mock air targets. A shipborne helicopter was then launched and coordinated with the warships to conduct multidimensional search on submarines. In the most eye-catching element of the drills, the three Type 055 large destroyers first advanced side by side then in a line and simulated a replenishment-at-sea operation. The drills further honed the group's joint command capabilities and improved each ship's individual combat capabilities, CCTV reported. This was labelled the first occasion made known to the public that three Type 055 large destroyers have gathered in a same exercise, a Chinese military expert who requested for anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday. Having a displacement of more than 12,000 tons, the Type 055 is widely believed to be one of the world's most powerful warships due to its 130mm main gun, the 112-cell vertical launch system as well as advanced radar systems, sensors and jamming antennas integrated into its stealthy mast, analysts said, citing openly available information. The PLA Navy has commissioned eight Type 055s as of 2024, with four of them in service with the Southern Theater Command facing the South China Sea. The latest exercise is likely a routine one that is not targeted any third party, but coming at a time when the Philippines has been engaged in continuous provocation on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea under the instigation of the US, it in effect served as a deterrence, displayed China's capability in defending its sovereign security and maritime rights and safeguard peace and stability in the region, the abovementioned expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Premier Li visits New Zealand as two countries to expand trade, exchanges Global Times China-New Zealand ties 'a model of cooperation between countries with different social systems' By Zhao Yusha Published: Jun 13, 2024 09:13 PM China-New Zealand cooperation has set a model of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between countries with different social systems, historical cultures, and stages of development, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said during his visit to New Zealand on Thursday, adding that the respective development of China and New Zealand is an opportunity for each other rather than a challenge. Observers said China-New Zealand ties are a "model" of relations between China and Western countries. They said Li's visit highlights the fact that China is willing to retain friendly ties with Western countries if they seek pragmatic cooperation and hold on to strategic autonomy. Li arrived in New Zealand on Thursday for an official visit, the first leg of his three-nation tour from June 13 to 20. Li said his visit to New Zealand is intended to continue traditional friendship, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and drive common development. Noting that the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, Li said that their cooperation has set a model of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between countries with different social systems, historical cultures, and stages of development. Li's visit to New Zealand marked the first time a Chinese premier has visited the country since 2017. In recent years, the ties between Beijing and Wellington have long been dubbed by observers as "model and forefront" of relations between China and Western countries. The Premier's visit came shortly after New Zealand's new government was sworn in late last year, and the bilateral ties need to be further consolidated and strengthened, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Thursday. The visit will not only help sustain long-term friendly relations, it will also open door to new opportunities, said Chen, explaining that as the upgraded free trade agreement between the two countries took effect, the cooperation potential is huge. Li expressed his belief that with the joint efforts, China-New Zealand relations will surely usher in an even brighter future, bringing greater benefits to the people of both countries and contributing more to world peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Cooperation mainstream Li on Thursday called on New Zealand and China to eliminate non-economic disruptions in their economic and trade relations, so as to provide businesses with stable expectations and a favorable business environment. Li made the remarks during his meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Li said that the respective development of China and New Zealand is an opportunity for each other rather than a challenge, calling on the two countries to continue as partners of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit that learn from each other and foster unity and coordination. China stands ready to work with New Zealand in continuously expanding trade, exploring cooperation potential in sectors including digital economy, green economy, new energy vehicles and creative industry, and jointly promoting regional economic cooperation, said the Chinese premier. Noting that China is willing to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges with New Zealand, Li said China will include New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries and expressed the hope for New Zealand to facilitate easier travel for Chinese citizens visiting the country. Overall, New Zealand's China policy remains rational and pragmatic, as it did not take the lead among Western countries to provoke China; however, divergences between China and New Zealand do exist, and that is also part of the bilateral relation, Ning Tuanhui, an assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. What matters most is managing those differences and not allowing those differences define our ties with New Zealand, Chen added. He believes cooperation prevails over divergences in the bilateral relation. One proof is the strong economic ties that connects the two nations. In April, New Zealand Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said "China is our largest export market accounting for more than 26 percent of our goods exports." New opportunities in the Chinese market will play a key role in achieving the target of doubling New Zealand exports by value within 10 years, said the minister after his visit to China. Strong economic connections will cement and strengthen political relations between two countries, and vice versa, said Chen, noting that the current dispute still fail to erode into the solid cooperation foundation between China and New Zealand. At the same time, Washington is ratcheting up efforts in pulling New Zealand into its small clique against China, and the Western media has begun to hype that New Zealand is "pivoting to the US." The Straits Times reported New Zealand seemed to have toughened its stance in 2023, calling out Beijing for hacking the country's Parliament and noting the growing threat China poses to security in the Pacific. New Zealand has agreed to officially explore the potential benefits of joining the AUKUS pact. Despite pressure from US and certain Western countries, Wellington has kept sufficient strategic autonomy, which is also beneficial for its own development, Chen said. Hopefully New Zealand will be able to retain such autonomy and political maturity, and continue to contribute elevating bilateral ties. Li's visit to New Zealand highlights the fact that China is willing to remain friendly and pragmatic relation with Western countries, as long as those countries eye cooperation rather than differences, said experts. Track of improvement New Zealand marks the first leg of the Chinese premier's visit. Li will also pay official visits to Australia and Malaysia, and will co-chair the ninth China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Recently, relationship between China and Australia has "warmed up" after a slew of high-level exchanges. In November last year, Albanese paid official visit to China. In March this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid visit to both Australia and New Zealand. Chen noted that China-Australia relations are now improving after the recent series of high-level visits, and Premier Li's visit can be seen as an announcement that the "unpleasant past" has ended. However, discrepancies between China and Australia still remain. Albanese has said Li's visit shows ties had stabilized, even as the two nations compete for influence in the Pacific, and defense force encounters are tense, per Reuters. Once the high-level exchanges become frequent, it will help to boost political trust between the two countries, and put under control the differences in a timely manner, said Ning. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on June 13, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-06-13 20:14 CNR: On June 12, the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development was held in Geneva. We noted that President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony via video link and delivered an address. Could you share more with us? Lin Jian: On June 12, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) via video link and delivered an important address, which received extensive attention and warm response from the international community. In his address, President Xi Jinping commended UNCTAD's role, and called on all parties to assume their responsibilities for history and the people, keep to the right direction, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. President Xi Jinping made the following three important propositions. First, foster an international environment for peaceful development. We need to pursue true multilateralism, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support a more effective role of UNCTAD and other multilateral agencies. Second, follow the trend toward open development. We should advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, properly resolve development imbalance and other issues, and make the global governance system more just and equitable. Third, harness the historic opportunity for innovation-driven development. It is important to build an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for the digital economy, follow the people-centered, AI-for-good principle and strengthen AI-related rules and governance within the framework of the United Nations, actively advance green transition, and help developing countries join the trend of digital, smart and green development. President Xi Jinping stressed that China is advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development, which will provide new and greater opportunities for world development. China will always be a member of the Global South and the developing world. Holding humanity's future and people's well-being close to our heart, we will work together with all parties to give the world a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress. President Xi Jinping's participation in the opening ceremony of the 60th anniversary celebrations of UNCTAD via video link and delivering an address fully demonstrates the high importance that China attaches to global development and our tremendous support for the common development of the Global South. China looks to working with the international community to deepen solidarity and cooperation, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, open a new chapter in global development, contribute to the modernization of the whole world and achieve common prosperity.a Al Jazeera: According to the Times of Israel, Hamas has demanded that China, Russia and TArkiye serve as guarantors for any hostage deal with Israel. The demand is said to be one of several changes made by Hamas to the proposal put forward by Israel last month and publicized by US President Joe Biden. What's China's comment?a Lin Jian: China has noted the report. The Gaza conflict has been dragging on for more than eight months. The most urgent priority is to fully and effectively implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, guarantee humanitarian assistance and ensure the early release of all those held captive. China will continue to work with all parties to make unremitting efforts to end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, ease the grave humanitarian situation and implement the two-State solution. CCTV: On June 12, the European Commission announced that provisional duties up to 38.1 percent would be introduced from 4 Julya on the electrical vehicles exports from China. German government spokesman said "we do not need further trade barriers." Hungary's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement that Hungary disagrees with the brutal European punishment of Chinese electric car manufacturers. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis and other European major car makers also spoke out right away against the duties. What's your comment? Lin Jian: On the EU's pre-disclosure of anti-subsidy investigation on China's electric vehicles, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce has responded to the question and made clear China's position. The industry, companies and business associations in China have also firmly opposed it. Let me stress that this investigation is a typical act of protectionism which ignores the facts and the WTO rules. It goes against the overall trend and will benefit no one. We urge the EU to heed the rational and objective views from various quarters, correct its wrong decision at once, stop turning trade into political issues, properly address economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and avoid harming the mutual trust, dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU. Yonhap News Agency: It's reported that Russia's President Putin will visit the DPRK soon. How does China who maintains friendly relations with both the DPRK and Russia view the meeting between the leaders of these two countries? Does the Chinese side plan to hold meetings between the leaders of China and the DPRK?aa Lin Jian: We noted the report. Your question concerns bilateral interaction between Russia and the DPRK. It's not for me to comment on that. I'll just say more broadly that China welcomes Russia to cement and grow ties with countries they have traditional friendship with.a On your second question. China and the DPRK are neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. We enjoy a traditional friendship and cooperative ties. This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-DPRK diplomatic ties and "China-DPRK Friendship Year" designated by the two sides. China and the DPRK maintain communication on visits of delegations as well as exchanges and cooperation in various fields. If there is anything to announce about a meeting between Chinese and DPRK leaders, we will release the information in a timely manner. Shenzhen TV: We noted that in the latest Global Economic Prospects released days ago, the World Bank raised China's growth forecast in 2024 from 4.5 percent to 4.8 percent. What's your comment? Lin Jian: We noted the World Bank's report and saw that days ago, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) again revised up China's growth forecast for this year, 0.4 percentage points higher than the April forecast. Many international institutions raised their forecast for China's economic growth this year, a case in point of the international community's confidence in China's economy. Global Economic Prospects also mentioned China's stronger-than-expected activity, particularly exports. Statistics released by China's General Administration of Customs show that in the first five months this year, China's trade in goods with other countries grew year-on-year by 6.3 percent. As a major manufacturer and consumer in the world, China has provided cost-effective products to other countries and a big market for their own products, which is a vivid illustration of China's positive and distinct role. As the second largest economy and an important component of the global economy, China has long remained a great contributor to global economic growth. China's sustained and steady economic growth is a powerful engine of global economic recovery. IMF analysis showed that a 1 percentage point increase in GDP growth in China leads to 0.3 percentage point increase in growth in other economies on average. With complex changes unfolding in our world, the Chinese economy has the strength and resilience to brave headwinds and move forward. A prosperous China augurs well for the world. We stand ready to share with the world the benefits and opportunities of our high-quality development and work with other countries to sustain the global modernization process. RIA Novosti: The US Treasury Department yesterday released a new anti-Russia sanctions package that includes more than 300 companies, banks and dozens of individuals from Russia and other countries, including China. According to the US State Department, the new sanctions are intended to inflict damage on the Russian economy amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. I wonder if these new sanctions will affect China-Russia economic cooperation? Lin Jian: China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination. The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia is inherently logical and very much resilient, and is in the interest of both countries. China firmly opposes all unilateral sanction and long-arm jurisdiction. The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be interfered with or disrupted, still less be used as a tool to smear and contain China. On the Ukraine crisis, it is quite clear to the international community who is calling for dialogue and striving for peace, and who is fueling the fight and inciting confrontation. The US on the one hand continues to pour weapons and munition into Ukraine, yet on the other shifts the blame of undermining peace and protracting the crisis to other countries. It even sees the crisis as an opportunity to slap sanctions and suppress others. All of it reveals the US's calculations, hypocrisy and what a bully it is. The US's unilateral sanctions have created victims all over the world, severely undermined other countries' sovereignty and security, caused humanitarian tragedies and disrupted industrial and supply chains. Since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the US even doubled down on sanctions. Wielding the big stick of sanctions does not solve problems and will only be a major source of risks for the world. China did not create and is not a party to the Ukraine crisis. We will not accept smears, pressuring or blame-shifting. We urge the US to immediately stop slapping illegal unilateral sanctions and play a constructive role in ending the conflict and restoring peace. China will take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens. Phoenix TV: To follow up on the EU's additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Will China take countermeasures? Lin Jian: There are principles that China must defend, that is, the WTO rules and market principles. There are also interests that China must safeguard, that is, the lawful rights and interests of China's EV industry and enterprises. With this in mind, we will take all measures necessary. Bloomberg: Climate diplomats at the Bonn climate conference told Bloomberg News that a major focus for this year's COP29 talks will be China's role in global climate finance, and a push for China to play a much larger role in contributing to funds directed toward developing nations, in keeping with China's development in recent decades. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have any comment? Lin Jian: Climate financing is key to taking climate actions and reaching emission reduction goals. To provide financial support to developing countries for their climate actions is an unshirkable moral responsibility of developed countries and, more importantly, an obligation they must fulfill under international law, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. This is an important manifestation of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Developed countries promised to provide US$100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries in 2009, but for too long they have only paid lip service and now owe developing countries over US$ 300 billion in total. This greatly undermines mutual trust between the North and the South and global climate response. If developed countries still cannot step up to their due historic responsibility when COP29 discusses the future arrangement of climate financing at the end of this year, and try every means to shift responsibility to developing countries, international cooperation on global climate governance will be greatly impaired and the target on global temperature rise of the Paris Agreement will be very hard to meet. As the largest developing country, China has a multitude of tasks. We are working to grow the economy, improve people's livelihood and control pollution, to name just a few. Despite the challenging nature of the tasks, China has faithfully carried out the obligations under the UNFCCC, made every effort to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and undertaken to make the world's biggest cut in carbon emission intensity in the shortest time frame ever seen in history. In the meantime, China has provided support and assistance to other developing countries under the framework of South-South cooperation on climate change. China has so far signed 50 cooperation MOUs with 41 developing countries, held 58 training sessions on South-South cooperation concerning climate change, helped to train more than 2,400 professionals in the field of climate response and provided practical assistance to relevant countries in actively responding to climate change. China's effort has been highly recognized and widely applauded by fellow developing countries. Looking forward, China will further strengthen South-South cooperation and continue to provide assistance to the best of our capability to other developing countries in coping with climate change.a Global Times: It's reported that US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said in a recent interview that Ukraine has US$ 10 to 12 trillion of critical minerals and can become the US's best business partner. The US supports Ukraine so that the critical mineral assets could be used by Ukraine and the West, not given to Putin and China. What's your comment? Lin Jian: We noted the report. What he said reveals the true calculations of the US on Ukraine. Apparently, some in the US keep talking about rules and principles, but all they think about is just profit and business.a NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong cancels passports of six self-exiled democracy activists By Kasim Kashgar, Kris Cheng June 13, 2024 Hong Kong authorities have canceled the passports of six pro-democracy activists living in self-exile in Britain. A statement issued Wednesday identified Nathan Law, Finn Lau, Christopher Mung, Simon Cheng, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi as "lawless wanted criminals hiding in the United Kingdom." The statement said the six "continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security," including making remarks that slander Hong Kong. During a press conference, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang announced the designation of six individuals as "specified absconders" under the "Safeguarding National Security Ordinance" commonly known as Article 23. Tang expressed concerns about British entities attempting to influence Hong Kong's governance and security cases, citing the listed individuals' activities as threats to national security. Tang mentioned that individuals wishing to return to Hong Kong and surrender could seek assistance from its immigration department. Simon Cheng, co-founder of the Hongkongers in Britain group, said the revocation of the passports can be seen as an act of retaliation specifically directed at Hong Kong exiles currently living in the U.K. Last month, London's Metropolitan Police charged three individuals, including an official from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, for helping the Hong Kong intelligence service to monitor overseas dissidents. "I believe this is a form of revenge for the 'Hong Kong espionage case' incident, and it also clearly indicates that we, as democratic activists, have become political and diplomatic hostages," Cheng told VOA. The government has warned that anyone who provides money, leases property or co-owns a business with any of the six activists could face up to seven years in jail. Being on Hong Kong's wanted list has had minimal impact on the daily lives of the U.K.-based exiles, said Cheng. Since being on the list, he said, the dissidents no longer rely on Hong Kong SAR passports but use alternate forms of documents when needed. But, Cheng said, people and financial institutions may now have second thoughts when interacting with the six people described as "wanted criminals" who no longer have valid passports. Nathan Law wrote on his Facebook page that the government's move was unnecessary since he was granted asylum in Britain in 2021. Law stated that in 2020, when he sought asylum in the U.K., he surrendered his SAR passport to the U.K.'s Home Office. After his asylum application was granted, Law did not take his passport back. The cancelation of the passports was based on the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance passed in March by the city's legislature under Article 23 of Hong Kong's Basic Law, the mini constitution that took effect when Britain handed the city back to China in 1997. The law covers treason, insurrection, espionage, theft of state secrets, foreign influence and interference and sabotage, including the use of computers and electronic systems to conduct acts that endanger national security. "You can cancel my passport, but you can never cancel my identity as a Hong Kong citizen," said Christopher Mung, one of the six. "One day, we will reclaim what we rightfully deserve in a dignified manner." The Article 23 legislation expanded on a similar national security law imposed on the port city by China four years ago in response to massive pro-democracy demonstrations a year earlier. The national security law punished anyone in Hong Kong believed to be carrying out terrorism, separatism, subversion of state power or collusion with foreign forces. Since the law took effect, hundreds of democracy advocates have been arrested, tried and jailed, and the city's once-vibrant civil society has been stifled. VOA's Cantonese service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla 12 June 2024 17:18 1129-12-06-2024 On June 12, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, who visited Moscow after taking part in the BRICS events in Nizhny Novgorod on June 10-11. During the meeting, held in a traditionally friendly and trusting atmosphere, the foreign ministers shared perspectives on ongoing cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian areas. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing the Russian-Cuban strategic partnership. Significant attention was paid to enhancing interaction between Moscow and Havana on the global and regional stage, focusing on shared approaches to the key issues on the global and regional agendas. The two ministers reaffirmed Russia and Cuba's shared stance on the unequivocal rejection of unilateral restrictions outside the framework of the UN Charter. They expressed their mutual commitment to advancing towards a multipolar world grounded in genuine equality among states, and respect for mutual interests, principles, and international law. The Russian side noted its unwavering support of Havana's just demand for a complete and immediate end to the US trade, economic and financial blockade of the island, as well as the removal of Cuba from the US State Department's list of states sponsors of terrorism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Moscow, June 12, 2024 12 June 2024 15:20 1128-12-06-2024 Ladies and gentlemen, We are pleased to welcome Foreign Minister of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrillo and his delegation to Moscow. We have held fulfilling talks that covered all areas of interaction, primarily, our efforts to implement the agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and Cuba. Last time they met was in connection with the events held in Moscow on May 8. It was a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, in which Cuba is an observer. On May 9, our respective presidents attended the Victory Day parade. We would like to thank our Cuban friends for cooperating with us on economic matters, for preserving historical memory and preventing the revival of Nazism on our planet. Unfortunately, the threat of such a scenario exists in connection with the United States and its European allies trying hard to foment nationalist, ultra-radical and outright neo-Nazi sentiments to wage war against the Russian Federation in Ukraine and a number of EU countries which, according to Brussels, are "model democracies." Yesterday, my friend Bruno RodrAguez Parrilla and I participated in the BRICS Plus events held in Nizhny Novgorod. We are grateful to our Cuban partners for joining in this work and for the constructive contribution made by the Cuban delegation. Today, we focused on implementing the agreements reached by our respective presidents which cover deepening the political dialogue and expanding ties in trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres. At this point, we focus on supporting the Intergovernmental Russian-Cuban Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation which deals with joint priority projects based on a recently developed full-fledged contractual and legal framework for practical cooperation that is designed to build up support and to promote sustainable development of the Cuban economy. The co-chair of the intergovernmental commission from the Cuban side, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas, is in Moscow now. He and his co-chair, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Dmitry Chernyshenko, are scrutinising all aspects of ongoing work. Without a doubt, these systematic steps, which are important in the medium and long term, will be complemented by continued provision of humanitarian aid to our Cuban friends, including in connection with the natural disasters, the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and devastating consequences of the unlawful embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba in defiance of the stance adopted by almost all members of the international community. We will continue to work hand-in-hand to form a fair and polycentric international order based on the generally accepted principles of international law, primarily, the principles of the UN Charter about the sovereign equality of states and the unacceptability of interfering in their domestic affairs. We use these positions to make sure neo-colonial practices remain a thing of the past. We have agreed to improve foreign policy coordination, including within the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter which was created five years ago, which is particularly important in the context of exacerbating confrontation in international affairs and aggravated external threats to the security of our respective countries. Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to support Havana's reasonable demands for Washington to immediately lift the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba. We advocate removing Cuba from the US list of states sponsors of terrorism. It is absolutely untenable for a country such as the United States and its satellites to put Cuba on such a list at a time where it itself is trying to maintain its slipping hegemony in international affairs by using outright terror and economic, financial and diplomatic terrorism, along with direct financing and supporting the terrorist attacks committed by the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev against civilians within Russia's borders. Our further steps include increasing our coordination on Latin America and the Caribbean matters. We have a stake in promoting relations with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) and the Association of Caribbean States. Cuba is advocating the development of practical cooperation with the Russian Federation in all of these associations. We are grateful to our Cuban friends for supporting this positive process. In turn, we are doing our best to help bring Cuba and other Latin American countries, including ALBA members, closer to the Eurasian Economic Community, where Cuba is an observer and can contribute to strengthening the relations of our integration structures with other Latin American and Caribbean countries. We covered this in detail today as well. We are grateful to our Cuban friends for their principled position regarding the situation around Ukraine. From the very beginning, Havana provided absolutely correct and true reasons for what was happening and what was plotted by the West for many years. We are grateful to our Cuban friends for their objective and consistent stance that they have been promoting at various forums, including within the Non-Aligned Movement. I think today's meeting was held at an appropriate time. Once again, I'm grateful to my friend Bruno RodrAguez Parrilla. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Moscow, June 12, 2024 12 June 2024 13:07 1125-12-06-2024 Mr Minister, Dear Bruno, Friends, colleagues, We are delighted to have you here in Moscow. I recall our meeting in Havana back in February of this year, when you warmly welcomed our delegation. Today, our talks in Moscow coincide with a national holiday, Russia Day. As per our tradition, there is no better way to celebrate holidays than with long-time friends. We have a concrete agenda. Just one month ago, the presidents of Russia and Cuba met in Moscow and took part in the Victory Parade on May 9. Interestingly, it was snowing in Moscow at that time, but today we have aimed to make up for that chilly day with warm weather. Our presidents consistently set objectives. Today, we need to assess how we will enhance and specify activities across all areas of our cooperation. Thank you for joining us in the BRICS Foreign Ministers meetings with our partners over the past two days. We recognise the significant advantages of such events, which engage countries from the Global Majority, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Welcome! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democratic People's Republic of Korea Should Develop Economy, Not Missiles, Civil Society Representative Tells Security Council, Highlighting Population's Plight Meetings Coverage Security Council 9653rd Meeting (AM) SC/15726 12 June 2024 Delegates Voice Concern Over Human Rights Violations, as UN Commissioner Stresses Their Intricate Link to International Peace, Security in Korean Peninsula The Democratic People's Republic of Korea invests most of its efforts into developing its military power, ignoring the State's responsibility to allow its people to live full lives, a defector from that country told the Security Council today, stating that he wanted to become his country's diplomat before discovering its "horrific truth". "I realized that the Kim family that I had wanted to serve were not my heroes, but dictators denying countless people's freedom just to build their own power," said Gumhyok Kim, civil society representative, who spoke "on behalf of millions of North Koreans who are denied humankind's most basic freedoms". While studying abroad in Beijing, he said, a group of students from his country decided to share this newfound knowledge about his homeland and were persuaded that "if everyone knew the truth, North Korea would have to change". However, in 2011, the group was discovered by his country's authorities, forcing him to flee to the Republic of Korea. "The painful fact that I was the only one to survive and reach freedom torments me to this day," he said. "If they developed the economy instead of missiles, there would be no need for any North Koreans to starve to death," he observed, pointing out that "if North Korea were a normal State, it would contribute to world peace rather than threatening it". He then appealed to the international community: "Please stand on the side of the North Korean people, not the dictatorship". Also briefing the Council was Volker TArk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who welcomed the Council's attention to the precarious human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the interconnections between human rights, development, and peace and security. "It is not possible to divorce the state of human rights in the DPRK from considerations around peace and security in the [Korean] Peninsula," he said, citing the increasing militarization of that country. Underscoring the tragic issue of enforced disappearance both inside the country and of citizens of other countries, notably the Republic of Korea and Japan, perpetrated over the past 70 years, he said the full truth about the fate of these people, estimated to be over 100,000, remains unknown. "I again call on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations to return these individuals to their long-suffering families or reveal their fate and return remains to loved ones," he said. For her part, Elizabeth SalmAn, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, highlighted the introduction of new laws that have death penalty provisions for minor crimes, such as "speaking or writing in the style of the so-called 'puppet State'," a reference to the Republic of Korea. "We need to act," she underscored, noting that the unwillingness or inability of the country to fulfil its duty to protect its people's human rights must trigger the obligation of other States to act. "The lack of respect for the rule of law in the country has persisted for too long," she said, urging the Council to discuss expedient accountability measures, including referring the situation to the International Criminal Court. At the outset of the meeting, the representatives of China and the Russian Federation opposed discussing human rights in the Council, calling for a vote to block its proceeding. However, their motion was defeated by most members. Following the remarks by the three briefers, Council members exchanged views on how human rights violations in that country threaten international peace and security. Many expressed grave concerns about Pyongyang's pursuit of its programmes to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles at the cost of ordinary people's basic human rights. "North Korea is like a two-headed chariot driven by nuclear weapons and human rights violations," observed the representative of the Republic of Korea, Council President for the month, who spoke in his national capacity. "If human rights violations stop, nuclear weapons development will also stop". He went on to point out that "a bizarre family cult dynasty" has always feared what could happen if its brainwashed people learned the truth about the outside world, citing severe punishment for merely watching South Korean dramas or listening to K-pop. Now, even speaking Korean with a Seoul accent or using Seoul-style vocabulary has become a "counter-revolutionary crime", he added. "The intertwining of human rights violations with international peace and security cannot be more obvious in the case of North Korea," said Japan's delegate, highlighting abductions, including of Japanese citizens, who have remained trapped for almost half a century. For her part, the speaker for the United States warned the efforts by both the Russian Federation and China to block today's meeting embolden Pyongyang's actions. "It is our responsibility, as members of this Council, as human beings, to speak out against a regime that chooses weapons over the welfare of its own people," she declared. "With every ballistic missile test conducted, the regime actively chooses to deprive its people of essential nutrition," lamented the representative of Malta, noting that over 40 per cent of the population is food insecure. However, "today's meeting is a blatant step in the reverse direction," said the representative of the Russian Federation, drawing attention that the United States a located thousands of miles from the Korean shores on the other side of the Pacific Ocean a continues, alongside Japan and the Republic of Korea, to step up military activity in the region. Warning that the proximity of Washington D.C.'s nuclear capabilities to the Korean borders brings the situation to "a dangerous threshold of open armed conflict with unpredictable consequences", he insisted that this matter should be the topic of discussion at the Council. Similarly, the representative of China said that pushing the Council to instrumentalize the human rights situation will only fuel animosities, not help peace and stability. If the United States and other countries care about the welfare of the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, they must resume dialogue, quit provocative behaviors, adjust the sanctions measures, especially in the humanitarian and livelihood areas, and lift all unilateral coercive measures, he said. In that regard, the representative of Mozambique underscored: "Genuine engagement to reduce tensions, build trust and ultimately achieve complete denuclearization of the Peninsula is essential". Procedural Vote The representative of China opposed holding today's briefing, calling for a vote on the provisional agenda. "The Security Council is not the proper place to address human rights issues," he said, insisting that the current human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea does not constitute a threat to international peace and security. Agreeing, the representative of the Russian Federation also requested a vote on holding the meeting requested by the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and the Republic of Korea, saying that "a narrow group of States" is attempting to exploit the Council as a tool to advance their own geopolitical agenda. This matter does not fall within the Council's mandate, he stressed. The representative of the United States spoke on behalf of Japan , the Republic of Korea and her country to assert that Pyongyang's human rights abuses and violations are inextricably linked with the regime's threats to international peace and security. "What is shameful here is the obvious efforts by China and Russia to protect the DPRK," she said, saying that such protection ensures that the regime can expend inordinate public resources on its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles programme without public objection. As found in a landmark report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry a decade ago, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had committed systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations. The report also recommended that the Council receive regular briefings on that country's human rights abuses and violations as a threat to international peace and security, she said. The representative of the United Kingdom said that her country supports holding the meeting as the Council has a mandate to discuss "any issues" relating to international peace and security. Pyongyang's oppressive system enables it to divert resources away from its people to fund its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. She pointed out that the Russian Federation has often called meetings on human-rights-related issues in Ukraine. In response, the representative of the Russian Federation said that in April 2024 when his delegation called for holding an open briefing to discuss the consequences of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s aggression against Yugoslavia in 1998, Moscow's position was that "any member of the Council has an opportunity to raise any question that relates to international peace and security". The Council then adopted the provisional agenda by a vote of 12 in favour to 2 against (China, Russian Federation), with 1 abstention (Mozambique). Briefings VOLKER TARK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , welcomed the Security Council's attention to the precarious human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the interconnections between human rights, development, and peace and security. The protracted nature of this situation is trapping people in unmitigated suffering and is a factor behind instability with wider regional ramifications. "It is not possible to divorce the state of human rights in the DPRK from considerations around peace and security in the [Korean] Peninsula," he said, citing the increasing militarization of that country. Describing the human rights situation, particularly the deepening repression of the right to freedom of movement, he said that "leaving your own country is not a crime a on the contrary, it is a human right, recognized by international law". No departures means no reunification with families abroad. Pyongyang should re-open possibilities for families to connect and ultimately be together. Repression of freedom of expression has also worsened under three laws, he said, noting that one deals with the consumption of foreign media, another criminalizes the use of language not in line with the Pyongyang dialect, and a third forces youth to conform to a socialist lifestyle. "Put simply, people in the DPRK are at risk of death for merely watching or sharing a foreign television series," he said, urging the country to repeal these oppressive laws and institute a moratorium on the use of the death penalty throughout its legal system with a view to its abolition. Furthermore, the socioeconomic conditions of life there have become unbearably harsh, including the lack of access to food. Reports indicate almost half the population has become food insecure in recent years, with child wasting on the rise in some provinces. Forced labour also persists inside the country, and the Government exerts a high level of control on workers sent abroad, he reported. Interviewed by his Office, they described a life of terrible hardship a physically dangerous work, a scarcity of food and health care, extreme levels of surveillance, physical violence and the confiscation of up to 90 per cent of their wages by the State. Moreover, arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and a lack of fair trials are ongoing tactics of repression. He then went on to draw attention to the tragic issue of enforced disappearance both inside the country and of citizens of other countries, notably the Republic of Korea and Japan, perpetrated over the past 70 years. The full truth about the fate of these people, estimated to be over 100,000, remains unknown. "I again call on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations to return these individuals to their long-suffering families or reveal their fate and return remains to loved ones," he said. He insisted that accountability for these longstanding, serious and widespread violations must be a priority. Ten years ago, the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea called on the Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court. Endorsing that call, he urged States to explore avenues for judicial accountability that may be at their disposal, including under accepted principles of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction. He said that he will provide, at the request of the Human Rights Council, a comprehensive report in 2025 on that country's human rights situation over the past decade. "All paths out of this start with making a U-turn from the dead end of self-imposed isolation: opening the country, re-engaging with the international community, enabling people-to-people contact, embracing international cooperation, focusing on the well-being of all people," he said, urging Pyongyang to "flip the orthodoxies and overcome its isolationist mindset, which only breeds deeper and deeper distrust, setting off a never-ending spiral of groupthink at the expense of a more prosperous and secure future for its people". ELIZABETH SALMAN, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , said the increasing security tensions on the Korean Peninsula are driven by that Government's September 2023 decision to include "the policy of nuclear weapons development to a higher level" in its Constitution as well as its recent announcement that it would no longer pursue reunification with the Republic of Korea. The continued prioritization of military, nuclear and missile programmes disproportionately affects those most vulnerable, such as children and women, she said, noting that "resources available for realizing human rights are reduced, exploitation of labor to finance militarization becomes rampant, and as a result, the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights is often overlooked". Noting that the Government has further tightened restrictions on fundamental freedoms, she said: "We are facing probably the worst humanitarian crisis since the disastrous famine in the late 1990s". Further, she added, the Government has repressed small-scale subsistence commercial activities as "anti-social behaviour" and reintroduced a monopoly on the sale of rice and corn, depriving many people of their livelihoods. Many vulnerable people, including the elderly, have died due to a combination of malnutrition, disease, and lack of access to health care, she said, noting that humanitarian assistance has been very limited. She also highlighted the introduction of new laws that have provisions of death penalty for minor crimes, such as "speaking or writing in the style of the so-called 'puppet state'", a reference to the Republic of Korea. Since the border closures in 2020, only a handful have managed to leave, she said, adding: "People are isolated and silenced inside the country without access to information from outside." Escapees who have lived outside of the country for a long time continue to face the risk of forcible repatriation, as well as torture and other human rights violations upon their return. "We need to act," she underscored, noting that the unwillingness or inability of the country to fulfil its duty to protect its people's human rights must trigger the obligation of other States to act. Accountability goes beyond establishing criminal responsibility and encompasses prosecutions, reparations and institutional reforms. Also encouraging Member States to make the most of the forthcoming universal periodic review of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the Human Rights Council in November, she said the return of the UN country team should also be prioritized. The prolonged isolation of the country profoundly affects the prospects for victims to reunite with their loved ones, as well as the return of victims of international abductions and their family's right to know their fate, she said. "The lack of respect for the rule of law in the country has persisted for too long," she concluded, adding that the Council should discuss expedient accountability measures, including referring the situation to the International Criminal Court. GUMHYOK KIM, civil society representative , speaking "on behalf of millions of North Koreans who are denied humankind's most basic freedoms", described his journey towards realizing the "horrific truth" about his country a political prison camps, deaths from starvation, public executions and people risking their lives to escape. "I realized that the Kim family that I had wanted to serve were not my heroes, but dictators denying countless people's freedom just to build their own power," he said. Together with his North Korean friends studying in Beijing, he decided to share this newfound knowledge as "if everyone knew the truth, North Korea would have to change". However, in 2011, their group was discovered by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's authorities. He had to flee from Beijing to South Korea to avoid arrest. "I survived and found freedom," he said. But that freedom had come "at a great cost" a he has not had contact with his family for 12 years. "The painful fact that I was the only one to survive and reach freedom torments me to this day," he said. His people a subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, public executions, and forced labour a face repression of their freedoms that breaks down basic human dignity, he said. Pyongyang invests most of its efforts into developing its military power, ignoring the State's responsibility to allow its people to live full lives. "If they developed the economy instead of missiles, there would be no need for any North Koreans to starve to death," he observed. Attributing his country's security concerns to self-isolation and extreme ideology, he pointed out that "if North Korea were a normal State, it would contribute to world peace rather than threatening it". Accordingly, he underscored that the system's very nature must be transformed. "Please stand on the side of the North Korean people, not the dictatorship," he declared, noting the need "to give the same level of importance to North Korean people's rights as we do to nuclear weapons and missiles". Calling for accountability, he underscored that rule through coercion and control cannot last long, support built through indoctrination and misinformation is temporary, and tyranny breeds further tyranny. "If North Koreans can eat enough and have the freedom to travel the world, they will respect your leadership without being forced to [do so] a that is true leadership," he stated. Against this backdrop, he urged the international community to increase accountability efforts to pressure Pyongyang to refrain from committing human rights violations and make them aware of the long-term consequences of abusing their power. Further, States should invest in North Korean people's right to information by increasing the flow of news, media and new technology into the country. A changed information environment is crucial in transforming the country into a more normal society. Noting that "the night is darkest and coldest just before dawn," he said, "no matter how dark and frightening the night, the sun will rise a the future of North Korea is in your hands". Statements The representative of the United States said that she has made it a priority during her tenure to elevate the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's human rights abuses to the top of the Council agenda. Protecting human rights is not a distraction from safeguarding peace and security. The two are inextricably linked. "Nowhere is this nexus more salient than in the DPRK, where substantial evidence and documentation have directly linked the regime's mistreatment of citizens with its investment in unlawful WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and ballistic missile programmes," she said. The Russian Federation's veto of the 1718 Sanctions Committee Panel of Experts' mandate renewal has deprived the international community of critical, unbiased reporting on the regime's flagrant violations of Council resolutions. The efforts by both the Russian Federation and China to block this meeting today embolden Pyongyang's actions. "It is our responsibility, as members of this Council, as human beings, to speak out against a regime that chooses weapons over the welfare of its own people." The representative of Japan said the persistence of human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is inextricably linked with the country's pursuit of its unlawful weapons programmes. Citing the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s "State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023" report, he noted that nearly half of its population a a staggering 12 million people a is under-nourished. Condemning the unlawful transfer of arms from that country to the Russian Federation for use in attacking Ukraine, he said: "We continue to closely monitor what North Korea gains in return." "The intertwining of human rights violations with international peace and security cannot be more obvious in the case of North Korea," he said, highlighting abductions, including of Japanese citizens, who have remained trapped for almost half a century. "Japan is not alone in this suffering," he pointed out, noting that nationals from the Republic of Korea, China and France, among others, have also endured this agony. Strongly urging the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to address such violations, he said the Council must continue to meet under this agenda item. The representative of the United Kingdom said that a while "perpetrators remain largely unaccountable, and the North Korean people continue to suffer" a Pyongyang continues to divert resources away from the people to fund its illegal weapons programme. These illegal weapons are financed through forced labour, with workers sent overseas, often into modern slavery, she said, urging the country to cease these practices without delay. "We are witnessing forced repatriations, State-sponsored abductions and enforced disappearances," she stressed, also recognizing the suffering of other nationals abducted by that country. Calling for their return, she urged all Member States to respect the principle of non-refoulement and not forcibly return those who have escaped the country. Pyongyang must prioritize the rights of its citizens over the illegal development of its weapons programmes and ease border restrictions on the international community, she emphasized. The representative of Malta said that Pyongyang's many human rights violations have serious implications for international peace and security. Through forced labour and the diversion of resources, the regime has rapidly advanced its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programme. "With every ballistic missile test conducted, the regime actively chooses to deprive its people of essential nutrition," she lamented, noting that over 40 per cent of the population is food insecure. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea must abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programme and allow the re-entry of international humanitarian staff into the country, including the UN Resident Coordinator, she said, stressing: "Only then will they be able to carry out a rapid needs assessment and provide the people of North Korea with much-needed humanitarian assistance". The representative of Switzerland , recalling the 2014 Commission of Inquiry finding that serious and systematic violations of human rights and possible crimes against humanity were being committed in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, said that 10 years later, the list of violations remains long. "Strict control of the media and the enactment of repressive laws severely limit the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, regardless of borders," she said, while exploitation of the workforce to finance militarization is endemic. Stressing that "this militarization weighs heavily on the population", she urged Pyongyang to put an immediate end to all violations and respect the principle of non-refoulement. Welcoming the first signs of the country opening its borders, she underscored that this needs to go hand in hand with access to humanitarian aid for the population. The representative of Mozambique underscored that a in navigating the challenges on the Korean Peninsula a a holistic approach that considers humanitarian issues, domestic politics and international relations is crucial. Concurrently, he recognized that promoting sustainable peace requires addressing the underlying political, security and humanitarian dimensions holistically through diplomacy and dialogue. "Genuine engagement to reduce tensions, build trust and ultimately achieve complete denuclearization of the Peninsula is essential," he stated. He further emphasized that the Council's efforts must focus on promoting dialogue and building trust between all parties. Restarting meaningful negotiations is crucial to making progress on denuclearization and improving the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, he added. The representative of Sierra Leone recalled that the UN Commission of Inquiry in its report 10 years ago stated that "systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations have been and are being committed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, its institutions and officials" and that such violations "constitute crimes against humanity". "It is difficult to fathom [...] not much has reported changed to this present day," he lamented, urging the Council to give serious consideration to this assessment and take active steps to implement the recommendations contained in the Commission of Inquiry's report and the Special Rapporteur's report. In that regard, he commended the efforts of the Human Rights Council to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Seoul to carry out field assessments. The representative of Algeria said his delegation "decided finally to vote for the holding of this meeting", because the issue is on the Council's agenda, and any Council member has a right to request a meeting on it. However, the discussion should be guided by the title of the meeting, he stressed, reaffirming commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality among Member States, and non-interference in their internal affairs. Underscoring the importance of promoting and protecting "all human rights anytime everywhere," he said Member States have established dedicated and mandated bodies based on "well-crafted division of labor". Stressing that the Human Rights Council remains the appropriate body for human rights discussions, he cautioned that the politicization of human rights in the Council aggravates conflicts and exacerbates mistrust. Acknowledging the tense atmosphere on the Peninsula, he stressed that constructive dialogue and international cooperation are the essential means to overcome those challenges. The representative of Slovenia condemned the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, some of which may constitute crimes against humanity, according to the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights report. Sadly, he said, "the overall human rights situation has not changed since publication of that report [10 years ago]" a on the contrary, it had further deteriorated. These violations are directly connected with the country's increasing militarization, not only due to increased military spending. Pyongyang is relying on the exploitation of workers and the widespread use of forced labour, including the forced use of schoolchildren, for the advancement of their unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities. He voiced particular concern over the situation of women and girls, who are exposed to torture and ill-treatment, forced labour, widespread discrimination, as well as sexual and gender-based violence. The representative of Guyana said that given the centrality of human rights to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, her country appreciates holding this meeting to closely examine the observed linkages and their impact on the Council's work and views "promoting and protecting basic human rights as fundamental to attaining sustainable peace, security, and development". She urged Pyongyang to enhance its commitment to promoting civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, and pursue a peaceful path to development that fully aligns with its obligations as a UN Member State. Emphasizing the importance of ensuring the equal participation of women in political and public decision-making, she welcomed indications that there has been some increase in the representation of women in government bodies in that country. The representative of France said the Council must continue to remain seized of the human rights violations in Democratic People's Republic of Korea, adding that its Government is thumbing its nose at the Council while provoking its neighbours. Widespread detentions, separated families, arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, including in Republic of Korea and Japan; the Pyongyang regime refuses to cooperate with United Nations bodies. Almost 20 per cent of North Korean children suffer from stunted growth, she said, urging the regime to facilitate return of foreign humanitarian personnel and respect the principle of non-refoulment for citizens who have fled. The representative of Ecuador expressed deep concern over the violations and abuses committed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which have been documented by impartial reports of the Secretary-General and specialized UN entities. For its part, the Council has adopted a series of measures and urged the country to respect and ensure its people's well-being and dignity. Unfortunately, "far from implementing the Council's mandatory provisions", Pyongyang has intensified its weapons programmes to the detriment of the well-being of its citizens, who suffer from great unmet needs and lack the most fundamental freedoms. He urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to respect the human rights of its people and end the diversion of resources for the illegal development of its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes. The representative of the Russian Federation said that the Council, which has no mandate to discuss human rights, "is squandering resources on a discussion of groundless and blatantly politicized matters". Most gravely impacted by this is the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The United States and its allies in the region are ready to consider any other question than those which genuinely require resolutions to normalize the situation. The United States a located thousands of miles from the Korean shores on the other side of the Pacific Ocean a continues, alongside Japan and the Republic of Korea, to step up military activity in the region, he said, adding that this and countless other hostile acts have provoked responses by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to enhance its national defense capabilities. The proximity of Washington D.C.'s nuclear capabilities to that country's borders brings the situation to "a dangerous threshold of open armed conflict with unpredictable consequences", he said, asserting that this matter should be the topic of discussion at the Council. "Today's meeting is a blatant step in the reverse direction," he warned. The representative of China , regretting the convening of this meeting, noted the complex dynamics on the Peninsula where antagonisms have become acute. "The priority is for all parties to stay calm," he stressed, adding that they must refrain from provoking each other. Calling on the Council to play a constructive role to help ease the situation and promote dialogue, he said that pushing the Council to instrumentalize the human rights situation will only fuel animosities and will not help peace and stability. If the United States and other countries care about the welfare of the people of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, they must resume dialogue, quit provocative behaviors, adjust the sanctions measures, especially in the humanitarian and livelihood areas, and lift all unilateral coercive measures, he said. The representative of the Republic of Korea , Council President for the month, spoke in his national capacity to underline that "the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's obsessive pursuit of nuclear weapons and its Orwellian control of its people have one single root cause: the survival of its peculiar regime, regardless of the cost". Pyongyang needs an external threat to blame for its self-perpetuating hardships and to build its illicit nuclear capability. While brutally oppressing its people to ensure absolute loyalty and obedience, the regime can present its nuclear weapons as a source of national pride and a symbol of leadership legitimacy. However, the country's sense of insecurity does not come from any real external threat or so-called "legitimate security concerns," but, instead, the innate flaw of the regime itself: "a bizarre family cult dynasty". The country's leaders have always feared what could happen if its brainwashed people learned the truth about the outside world, he observed, noting that recently, they have become even more aggressive in their nuclear policy and even more extreme in their war against outside information and culture. "Zero freedom of expression and severe punishment for merely watching South Korean dramas or listening to K-pop, are already well-known," he added. Now, even speaking Korean with a Seoul accent or using Seoul-style vocabulary has become a "counter-revolutionary crime", he said, noting that the regime wants to keep the people in the dark. "However, the dark cannot destroy the light; it only further defines it," he stressed. The country's per capita income barely exceeds $1,500, categorizing it as one of the world's most under-developed countries, with nearly half its population undernourished. Nonetheless, the regime continues to squander its material and human resources by indulging in opulent nuclear weapons development, training cyber hackers and purchasing luxuries for the ruling elite. "The total cost of the DPRK's recent missile development and tests over the past year was more than the cost of a year's worth of food for its entire population," he said. The regime also capitalizes on forced labour a including the mass mobilization of children a to generate revenue for its illicit nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. "And the worst forms of forced labour and human rights violations are found in its political prisons and detention facilities," he added. Pyongyang's horrendous crimes are not limited to its citizens a the issues of abductees, detainees and prisoners of war, including against the citizens of the Republic of Korea and Japan, have been long unresolved. "North Korea is like a two-headed chariot driven by nuclear weapons and human rights violations. If human rights violations stop, nuclear weapons development will also stop," he stated. The representative of the United States , re-taking the floor to respond to the remarks made by the Russian Federation and China, said that long-standing military exercises conducted by Washington, D.C., and their allies are "defensive in nature and pose no threat to the regime". Also, his country is open to "an unconditional dialogue" with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; however, "each time we offer our open hand, it is met with a clenched fist". On sanctions relief, he emphasized that Pyongyang should not be rewarded for violating multiple Council resolutions as it would send an alarming message to the proliferators. Responding to that, the representative of China said: "We have heard this rhetoric many times but what is it doing actually?" The United States is applying pressure consistently on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including through today's meeting. It has conducted constant high-intensity military exercises and is sending strategic weapons to the Peninsula, while taking unilateral actions against the country and aggravating its humanitarian situations. "We hope that the US will stop saying something and start doing something different," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Security Council discusses North Korean human rights The meeting on Wednesday was the first the council has held on North Korea's rights in 10 months. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.06.13 -- North Korea's human rights took center stage at a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting as diplomats, experts and activists strongly condemned a deteriorating rights situation, saying North Korea is increasing the suffering of its people while pursuing its nuclear program. The meeting was held annually from 2014 to 2017 but then went on a hiatus before resuming in August last year. The meeting on Wednesday was the first the council has held on North Korea's rights in 10 months. "If human rights violations stop, nuclear weapons development will also stop," said South Korea's ambassador to the U.N., Hwang Joon-kook, who is this month's rotating UNSC president. "This is why we need to look at the DPRK human rights situation from the perspective of international peace and security," he added, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TArk told the meeting that repression of freedom of movement and expression had intensified in North Korea in recent years, and that socio-economic living conditions had become unbearably harsh due to food shortages. "Accountability for these longstanding, serious and widespread violations needs to be a priority. Ten years ago, the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the DPRK called on the Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court, which I endorse," said TArk. U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea Elizabeth Salmon also stressed that Pyongyang's continued prioritization of its military, nuclear and missile programs has put a heavy burden on the people, particularly women and children. "Resources available for realizing human rights are reduced, exploitation of labor to finance militarization becomes rampant, and, as a result, the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights is often overlooked," she said. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterated that she has made it a priority to meet North Korean defectors and push the North's human rights abuses to the "top" of the UNSC agenda. "Protecting human rights is not a distraction from safeguarding peace and security. The two are inextricably linked," she said. Japanese Ambassador to the U.N. Kazuyuki Yamazaki urged North Korea to take "tangible steps" to address human rights violations. "We strongly urge it to suspend its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and return to dialogue in full compliance with Security Council resolutions," said Yamazaki. A young North Korean defector representing civil society also spoke, appealing to the international community to stand with the North Korean people, not the regime. "The country that supposedly had nothing to envy in the world was nowhere to be seen," said Kim, referring to a North Korean slogan. "In its place were political prison camps, death from starvation, public executions and people risking their lives to escape." "We need to give the same level of importance to North Korea's people's rights as we do to nuclear weapons and missiles." Russian, Chinese displeasure Russian and Chinese representatives, who opposed a procedural vote on the adoption of the human rights agenda, voiced their displeasure at the meeting. "While the whole world looks toward the council with hope, anticipating that it will resolve complicated global issues, it is squandering resources on a discussion of groundless and blatantly politicized matters," said Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's ambassador to the U.N. Geng Shuang, China's deputy U.N. representative, reiterated Beijing's position that the UNSC is not the proper place to address human rights issues. "It should not intervene in country-specific human rights issues," he said. "We've always opposed the politicization of human rights issues or using human rights as a pretext to exert pressure on other countries." Joint statement Before the UNSC meeting, 57 U.N. member states and the delegation of the European Union issued a statement on the North's rights, calling for all U.N. members to work together to bring "concrete" change to improve the welfare of North Koreans and contribute to a more peaceful and secure world. "The DPRK continues to commit systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations and abuses," they said in a statement read out by South Korea's Ambassador to the U.N. Hwang. "These include restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of movement, collective punishment, arbitrary detention, torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading punishments, including public executions without trial and issues related to abductees, detainees and unrepatriated prisoners of war." Edited by RFA Staff. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to North Korea June 13, 2024 On June 26, 2008, by Executive Order 13466, the President declared a national emergency with respect to North Korea pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula. The President also found that it was necessary to maintain certain restrictions with respect to North Korea that would otherwise have been lifted pursuant to Proclamation 8271 of June 26, 2008, which terminated the exercise of authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.) with respect to North Korea. On August 30, 2010, the President signed Executive Order 13551, which expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by the continued actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, manifested by its unprovoked attack that resulted in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Navy ship Cheonan and the deaths of 46 sailors in March 2010; its announced test of a nuclear device and its missile launches in 2009; its actions in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, including the procurement of luxury goods; and its illicit and deceptive activities in international markets through which it obtains financial and other support, including money laundering, the counterfeiting of goods and currency, bulk cash smuggling, and narcotics trafficking, which destabilize the Korean Peninsula and imperil United States Armed Forces, allies, and trading partners in the region. On April 18, 2011, the President signed Executive Order 13570 to take additional steps to address the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 and expanded in Executive Order 13551 that would ensure implementation of the import restrictions contained in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 and complement the import restrictions provided for in the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.). On January 2, 2015, the President signed Executive Order 13687 to expand the scope of, and to take further steps with respect to, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, as expanded in Executive Order 13551, and addressed further in Executive Order 13570, to address the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, including its destructive, coercive cyber-related actions during November and December 2014, actions in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, 2087, and 2094, and commission of serious human rights abuses. On March 15, 2016, the President signed Executive Order 13722 to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps in subsequent Executive Orders, to address the Government of North Korea's continuing pursuit of its nuclear and missile programs, as evidenced by its February 7, 2016, launch using ballistic missile technology and its January 6, 2016, nuclear test in violation of its obligations pursuant to numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions and in contravention of its commitments under the September 19, 2005, Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks, that increasingly imperils the United States and its allies. On September 20, 2017, the President signed Executive Order 13810 to take further steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps in subsequent Executive Orders, to address the provocative, destabilizing, and repressive actions and policies of the Government of North Korea, including its intercontinental ballistic missile launches of July 3 and July 28, 2017, and its nuclear test of September 2, 2017; its commission of serious human rights abuses; and its use of funds generated through international trade to support its nuclear and missile programs and weapons proliferation. The existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula and the actions and policies of the Government of North Korea continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, expanded in scope in Executive Order 13551, addressed further in Executive Order 13570, further expanded in scope in Executive Order 13687, and under which additional steps were taken in Executive Order 13722 and Executive Order 13810, must continue in effect beyond June 26, 2024. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466 with respect to North Korea. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. THE WHITE HOUSE, June 13, 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address With Jaishankar's reappointment, 'no major change in India's China policy anticipated' Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 12, 2024 10:37 PM With Subrahmanyam Jaishankar retaining his position as India's External Affairs Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration in his new term, Chinese experts are not expecting a significant shift in India's foreign policy. Still, India is urged to send positive signals on China-India relations and form a synergy in improving bilateral relations as China does, observers said. On Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Narendra Modi on his new term as prime minister of the Republic of India, in which he said that the sound and steady development of China-India relations is not only conducive to the well-being of the two peoples, but also injects stability and positive energy into the region and the world. China is willing to work with India to push forward bilateral relations in the right direction, he said. The Chinese Premier's message was sent on the same day that Jaishankar assumed office as India's External Affairs Minister for the second consecutive term upon Modi's re-appointment. On the day, Jaishankar told Indian reporters that India's focus with regard to China will be on how to resolve the remaining issues along the border. Analysts have pointed out that Jaishankar has been reiterating India's desire for the resolution of remaining issues with China with a seemingly positive stance on several occasions recently, although his continuous exaggeration of this issue constantly hinders the normal development of diplomatic relations. "The border dispute between China and India is not a recent issue, but has existed for decades," Long Xingchun, a professor at the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. "However, in the past few years, India has taken a series of anti-China measures in domestic policies, including suppressing Chinese companies, suspending visa issuance, and vigorously suppressing people-to-people exchanges, showing a completely negative attitude," he noted. Observers remain relatively pessimistic about a significant shift in India's foreign policy in the near future, citing that Modi has largely retained the same senior officials in his new administration. In the past five years, India has adopted a tough diplomatic stance toward China, partly to align with the US' strategy and partly because India is intending to reshape its nationalistic views among its nationals, thus needing an imaginary external rival, Long told the Global Times. "So far, we have not seen any proactive and practical desire from India to improve China-India relations." In the meantime, while India has continued releasing negative signals and pressurizing China, Beijing has consistently been sending out positive signals, which was also emphasized in Premier Li Qiang's latest congratulatory message, Long said. "India is urged to work with and form a synergy with China in developing bilateral relations." However, if in Jaishankar's next term of office as external affairs minister, his attitude remains unchanged and he continues to demand that China make further concessions, China may also take countermeasures, Long warned. As Jaishankar underscored the importance of India's "Neighborhood First" foreign policy on taking office, observers noted that India's prioritizing of neighboring countries does not necessarily show respect for many of them, when many of India's series of attempts to expand its influence in South Asia have sparked strong discontent among neighboring countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran, Baku hold joint military drill in northwestern Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Orumiyeh, IRNA -- The first joint military exercises between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan have been held in Iran's northwestern city of Poldasht. The drill aims to show the combat readiness of Iran and Azerbaijan in the fight against terrorism, Brigadier General Karim Cheshak said on Thursday. Both sides also depict their excellent capability in preserving lasting security in the local area of Aras, which is subject to possible attacks by terrorist groups, he added. Bolstering bilateral relations at the strategic and operational level to maintain peace, safeguard mutual interests, and boost sustainable security in the geopolitical sphere of the South Caucasus are among the objectives of the drill, he said. The joint drill consisted of four operational stages, the commander stated. The drill aims to further cement the friendly, long-standing bond between the nations, he said, adding the maneuver was conducted to further deepen regional peace and stability in the region, he further noted. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian security forces kill two main members of terrorist group planning attacks Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 11:01 AM Iranian security forces have killed two main members of a terrorist group who were planning attacks in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan recently. Speaking to reporters, the police commander of the province, Doostali Jalilian, said on Thursday that the two were members of the terrorist group of Jaish al-Zulm, who were planning to carry out attacks in the city of Iranshahr. He said they were killed by the police before they could carry out their plot. He said that security forces had also killed six terrorists in the province over the past three months. Jalilian noted that six members of terrorist groups involved in armed attacks on military centers in the city of Chabahar were also detained and handed over to judicial officials. He said security forces also arrested 29 armed bandits in the province. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Dissident Sepehri Sentenced To Further 18 1/2 Years For Comments About Israel By RFE/RL's Radio Farda June 13, 2024 Fatemeh Sepehri, a prominent critic of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been sentenced to an additional 18 1/2 years in prison for "supporting Israel," a thinly veiled reference to her condemnation of an October 7 attack by Hamas -- designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU -- on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, mainly civilians. Asghar Sepehri, the dissident's brother, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Mashhad convicted Fatemeh Sepehri on multiple counts: seven years for supporting Israel, seven years for conspiring against internal security, three years for insulting the supreme leader, and one year and six months for propaganda activities against the regime. He said that with the new sentences, Fatemeh Sepehri, who suffers from a heart ailment, now faces a cumulative punishment of 37 1/2 years. Sepehri was originally arrested in September 2022 as protests erupted across the country over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was taken into custody by the morality police for allegedly violating the country's hijab law and died while in detention. In an exclusive interview with Radio Farda, Asghar Sepehri denounced the new charges and sentences against his sister as baseless, arguing that her imprisonment invalidated the claims of conspiracy and assembly. He further noted that the accusation of insulting Khamenei lacks substance, given that her communications are heavily monitored, restricting even basic contact with family. The crackdown on the Sepehri family extends beyond Fatemeh, as her brothers Mohammad-Hossein and Hossein Sepehri also received prison sentences on similar charges. Mohammad-Hossein was handed eight years for conspiracy, assembly, and insulting the supreme leader, while Hossein faces a total of two years and 11 months for related offenses. The Sepehri siblings' previous attorney, Khosrow Alikordi, has also been imprisoned, leading to the appointment of Javad Alikordi as their new legal representative. However, the court has refused to recognize him, insisting that only attorneys approved by the judiciary are eligible to defend such cases, a condition the Sepehri family has not accepted. Concerns about Fatemeh Sepehri's health were highlighted by her brother, who told Radio Farda that she was not physically capable of enduring further imprisonment due to multiple health issues. He called on the authorities to immediately release her. Fatemeh Sepehri is one of 14 activists in Iran who have publicly called for Khamenei to step down. She has been arrested and interrogated several times in recent years. Sepehri and the other activists have also called for a new political system within the framework of a new constitution that would secure dignity and equal rights for women. Criticism of Khamenei, who has the final say on almost every decision in the country, is considered a red line in Iran, and his critics often land in prison, where political prisoners are routinely held in solitary confinement and subjected to various forms of torture. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sepehri-dissident- additional-sentences/32991932.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dozens of officials carrying out Myanmar's draft have been killed Rebel forces are targeting them for helping the ruling junta. By RFA Burmese 2024.06.13 -- More than 80 junta-appointed administrators across Myanmar have been assassinated for aiding or participating in the military conscription of civilians since the draft was announced in February, according to an RFA tally. In all, 82 village and ward administrators, clerks and others have been killed in the past four months, according to statements from the People's Defense Force militias, largely made up of ordinary citizens who have taken up arms against the military rulers. Myanmar's ruling junta activated the mandatory conscription law, dormant since 2010, as it lost ground a and troops a to ethnic armies and PDF guerilla fighters. The law allows for men ages 18 to 45 and women ages 18 to 35 to be drafted into the armed forces for two years. Medical doctors and other specialists up to age 45 must serve for three years. Evading conscription is punishable by three to five years in prison and a fine. Rebel groups have sought to undermine the draft, and killing those ordered to carry it out has been one way. "In the past, administrators were well-regarded by the people," said a relative of an administrator killed in Yangon. "Now, they are becoming widely disliked by the public. Even after his death, his remaining family members face ostracism." 'Only one fitting punishment' In Yangon, administrators in Kungyangon, Insein and North Dagon townships were killed after resistance forces warned them to resign, to stop supporting the junta, and to stop conscripting civilians. "If they continue these actions without compliance, then there is only one fitting punishment during the revolution," said an official from the People's Defense Force of Shwebo township in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region. In the central Mandalay region, two dozen administrators have been killed during the past four months a the highest number of fatalities in a single region or state a followed by Magway region with 18 fatalities. Nearly 40 administrators have resigned, other officials said. Residents say that some administrators are extorting amounts equivalent to hundreds of U.S. dollars from civilians who refuse to perform military service. An administrator in Ayeyarwady region, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said he is waiting for the junta to approve his resignation. "I won't continue because my family's lives are in danger," he said. "Although I have resigned, the head [of the township's General Administration Department] will not accept it. As a result, our lives are now filled with chaos and uncertainty." The military council has not issued any statements about the administrators' deaths. 'Alternative strategies' A former military officer, who also requested anonymity for safety reasons, said civilian conscription efforts have not slowed down despite the number of administrators who have been killed. "If one administrator dies, the next assigned administrator will continue the task," he said. "Killing individuals will not stop the process. If this method fails, the military will pursue alternative strategies." The junta's Central Body for Summoning People's Military Servants based in Myanmar's capital of Naypyitaw said it would work with security forces in relevant states and regions to step up protection for administrators. Political analyst Than Soe Naing said administrators are arbitrarily mistreating civilians under the pretext of the law. "There is no police department to lodge complaints about these cases, nor a court to file a lawsuit," he said. "When the public protests, they are met with gunfire, torture and imprisonment," he said. "These actions have persisted, leading the public to resist this unjust law in acts of civil disobedience." Translated by Kalyar Lwin for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta imposes random searches for VPNs Residents report arrests, fines and extortion since crackdown on overseas internet began last month. By RFA Burmese 2024.06.13 -- Junta soldiers in some Myanmar cities have begun randomly inspecting the mobile phones of pedestrians, threatening those who use Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, with steep fines and even arrest, according to residents who spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. In late May, the junta announced a ban on VPN software, which masks users' locations, permitting them to bypass junta restrictions on social media sites and apps that serve as key sources of news in the nation that has been wracked by a three-year civil war. Since then, security forces have begun stopping passersby in major cities like Yangon and Mandalay, as well as in townships across Sagaing, Bago, Ayeyarwady and Chin state, and demanding money from those they catch with the software. The sweeps are similar to those reported in Yangon in January 2022, shortly before the one-year anniversary of the February 2021 coup, when the military removed a democratically elected government from power. But unlike those checks, the latest crackdown appears widespread and coordinated. "If the software was found, the junta forces asked for 300,000 ($140) to 400,000 kyats ($184). Those who did not pay the money were taken to the police station. It is unknown if anyone was arrested for their VPN, but four or five people have paid money to avoid arrest," said a resident of Mawlamyinegyun township in Ayeyarwady region. In Paunde township, Bago region, a resident reported that someone was arrested on June 11 for possessing the software on his phone. "Today, inspections are being made randomly at the junctions in the town," he added. In Hakha city of Chin state, residents said junta troops made surprise checks on mobile phones of civilians and extorted anywhere from 1 million ($460) to 3 million ($1380) kyats if they found VPN software. Stronger firewall Shortly after the 2021 coup, the junta banned access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram in Myanmar. In a country where Facebook remains the chief way to access information, many citizens resorted to VPNs which mask the location of the devices they used to view the site. But on May 30, the ban was extended to include VPN, software, which in the three years since the takeover had become widely used to scale the junta's web-page firewall from within Myanmar. The impact on the public's access to news - while the country is embroiled in a conflict between the military and various rebel groups - has been quick and severe, according to residents. A 60-year-old woman said that news is delayed "four or five days" without the ability to access Facebook and other sites with a VPN connection. "In the past, we received news updates immediately," the woman said. "I didn't even know that Tin Oo had passed away until now," she added, referring to the patron of Myanmar's deposed National League for Democracy party, who died June 1 at age 98. Htin Lin Aung, the minister of Communications, Information and Technology for Myanmar's government-in-exile, the National Unity Government, or NUG, told RFA that shutting down VPNs has dealt a significant blow to both the public and rebel forces. "In the past, social media was blocked and the internet was shut down, but VPN technology provided a way to overcome these barriers," he said. "Now, with the VPN ban, it is much more difficult to bypass restrictions. They [the junta] can track our locations, service providers, and IP addresses." But Htin Lin Aung said that the NUG had "anticipated such measures" and prepared in advance. "Our [homegrown] VPN has been submitted and approved by our cabinet," he said, adding that a messaging application had also been developed and tested, which he called "crucial for rebel forces." "Supporting all the people would require a substantial budget, so for now, these applications are being used exclusively by the rebel forces." Gar Gar, a member and fundraiser for the People's Defense Force - made up of ordinary citizens who have taken up arms against the junta - said that the VPN block is likely also aimed at cutting into online campaigns spread via social media that have been crucial to raising funds for anti-junta forces. "The junta is blocking information, and has prepared to stop lucky draws and other fundraising campaigns that support the revolution. They know the effectiveness of such activities," she said. According to a local news outlet, Chinese tech groups are collaborating with a Myanmar company that secured a bid from the military council to enforce the VPN ban. Mascots Technologies & Telecommunication reportedly spearheaded the VPN shutdown and obtained an operating license from the Ministry of Transport and Communications on May 8, 2018, valid until May 7, 2033. Mascots Technologies & Telecommunication did not respond to requests for comment nor did Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the junta's spokesperson. Junta alternatives This is not the first time that the junta has tried to control social media networks. Apart from the ongoing ban on Facebook and other messaging and social media platforms, the junta has been mulling a draconian cybersecurity bill since February 2021. If the law were passed, VPN users could face up to three years in prison and a 500,000 kyat fine. Before going after individuals for VPN use, the junta would routinely request telecoms to block particular websites or VPNs, creating a game of cat and mouse. One user told RFA that she routinely toggles through 20 VPNs while trying to access Facebook for basic information, like reviews of schools she's considering sending her children to. Wai Phyo Myint of Access Now, a group campaigning for digital rights, told RFA that the latest VPN crackdown represents the worst form of escalation. "For those banned on May 30, it is said that the control comes directly from Naypyidaw. The current situation with the bans is getting worse." Simultaneously, the junta has repeatedly tried to replace social networking platforms such as Facebook and YouTube with applications under their control. MySPACE The latest of those is a social networking platform called MySPACE, recently released by the junta. News of the platform was met by a successful campaign to have it removed from Google and Apple's app stores. An IT expert, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said that the military council wanted to use MySPACE to collect people's information. "This information is provided to Facebook. So, even as I sit in Myanmar browsing the internet, [Facebook] knows my phone number, they know me after tracing the internet I use, they know where I am located. Their [the junta's] aim is to amass such data on their servers, nudging users toward Myspace to wield control over information flow." Experts said they doubted the junta's software would gain much traction, but also said the VPN block could well be limited in its impact in the long term. "The junta will keep restrictions on VPN, but people will try to overcome it. Many paid VPNs are now available. Small VPNs could not overcome the restrictions, but more advanced VPN could not be controlled," said one IT expert, though he noted that more advanced VPNs were likely too expensive for many to access. Lin Htet Aung, a former military officer who joined the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement after the coup, said the ban reflected the junta's failures to sway public opinion. "Hence, they resort to banning these platforms, much like North Korea and China, in order to monopolize the dissemination of their own rhetoric and propaganda. This manipulation serves as a means of confining people within a narrow framework, stifling access to alternative perspectives and knowledge," he said. According to a report by the Freedom on the Net group released in 2023, Myanmar is the second-worst country in the world for internet freedom violations. Under the military regime, people who upload anti-junta posts on social media were arrested very frequently. Between February 2022 and the end of September 2023, a total of 1,306 anti-junta critics through social media were arrested, according to the research group Data for Myanmar. Translated by Aung Naing and Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Abby Seiff, Josh Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Arakan Army takes key military junta border post in western Myanmar Nearly 300 junta troops were driven from a camp in Rakhine state near Bangladesh. 2024.06.13 -- The rebel Arakan Army has seized a key military junta post near the Bangladesh border in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, a nearby resident told Radio Free Asia. Nearly 300 junta troops were stationed at the Ahlaythankyaw border police camp in Maungdaw township when fighting broke out on Wednesday, the resident said on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "Ahlaythankyaw camp is quite crucial for the junta," he said. "The camp was used both for the exit to the sea and as a supply route. Officers were also stationed in that camp." The Alaythankyaw area was where the Myanmar military allegedly carried out human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims in 2017 that prompted more than 700,000 to flee to safety in Bangladesh. The Arakan Army, or AA, resumed its battle against the junta for territory in Myanmar's west in November. It controls nine townships in Rakhine state and one in Chin state. In January, the AA turned its focus to Maungdaw, a strategic township for border relations with Bangladesh. It has driven junta forces out of several border posts in Maungdaw. A junta airstrike hit a residential area on Wednesday, injuring some civilians as fighting continued between the AA and junta troops who had fled from the Ahlaythankyaw camp, the resident said. Hla Thein, the junta's spokesman for Rakhine state, didn't answer his telephone when RFA tried to contact him for comment on Thursday. A ceasefire between the AA and the military broke down in November, at the same time that other ethnic minority and pro-democracy insurgents launched attacks that have put military junta forces under in western and northern Myanmar. The AA is continuing its offensive in Ann, Thandwe and Maungdaw townships, where the junta's Western Regional Military Headquarters for Rakhine state is based. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar rebel group bombs gold shop chain, alleges its link with junta Zwe Htet gold shop chain has many branches across the country, especially in Yangon and Mandalay. By RFA Burmese 2024.06.13 -- An insurgent militia in central Myanmar planted a bomb at a gold shop chain, alleging it was linked to the junta. The explosion injured six civilians, residents told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. The anti-junta group, No More Dictatorship People Defense Force, targeted a shop in Mandalay Division's Chanayethazan township on Wednesday afternoon. "We know that Zwe Htet gold shops have been made with the shares of the junta council's leaders," said the leader of the group who goes by Charlie. "So we carried out this [attack] with the intention of letting people know about one of the junta council's economic pillars and telling people not to support them." Zwe Htet is a national chain selling gold, jewelry and gems, with branches spanning Mandalay and Yangon's commercial areas. RFA has not been able to independently verify the guerilla group's claims about the chain's financial connections to the junta. The chain has not released any information about the attack. Junta soldiers and police arrived shortly after the blast, said one witness, asking to remain anonymous for security reasons. "I went outside to see what happened right after I heard the explosion, but the gold shop's doors were still shut," he said. "Then the police came after a while and I saw an employee was carried out of the area." Three of the shop's employees and three other bystanders were injured in the attack blast, residents said. Mandalay Division's junta spokesperson, Thein Htay, has not responded to RFA inquiries as of this writing. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Taejun Kang. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar border militia emerges as nexus in regional scam network Banks, corporations and politicians in Thailand and Malaysia are identified in rights group's report. By Kiana Duncan and Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA, Shailaja Neelakantan and Iman Muttaqin Yusof for BenarNews 2024.06.13 -- An ethnic minority militia force based on Myanmar's border with Thailand is suspected of enabling extensive internet fraud, human trafficking, forced labor and other crimes, and is being enriched by a business network that extends across Asia, a rights group said in a report. The group Justice for Myanmar detailed a multitude of business links that the junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force, or BGF, has established in Thailand, Malaysia and beyond, and it called on governments to act to stop the illegal activity. The militia was formed by fighters who broke away from the Karen National Union insurgent group in the 1990s and sided with the junta. It became one of several military-backed Border Guard Forces in 2009. Control over border crossings gave the group access to lucrative revenue streams, while its self-ruled zones became a magnet for illegal casinos, online gambling and scam centers that have proliferated along Myanmar's borders with both China and Thailand. The operations, which gangs organize throughout the region, are often run on the labor of people tricked into thinking they've landed legitimate jobs but forced to adopt false identities online in what have become known as "pig-butchering" schemes, forming relationships with victims then tricking them into investing in fake schemes. University of Texas researchers estimated in a March report that scammers had tricked investors out of more than US$75 billion since January 2020. The leader of the Karen force, Saw Chit Thu, "has built a criminal business network with his family members and associates ... ... (overseeing) a proliferation of illegal casinos, online gambling and cyber scam centres run with trafficked labour from across the world who have been subjected to forced criminality, torture and extortion." "The Myanmar army in return has benefited through revenue from BGF organized crime," the rights group said in its report. Saw Chit Thu did not answer repeated phone calls from RFA seeking comment. A BGF officer, Major Tin Win, in a recent interview with the Irrawaddy news outlet, said his group only had a "small business" and he was not aware of scams operations. He said his group rented out land for casinos and he had little knowledge of their operations beyond their use of computers. He also rejected accusations of forced labor saying his group had checked and found no such cases. RFA was unable to contact Major Tin Win for comment. But Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung said governments and businesses across the region were enabling cyber scam operations by failing to take action against the profitable flows they generate. "Transnational criminal organizations have established networks in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia that profit from trafficking, slavery and the theft of wealth from scam victims across the world," she said in a statement to RFA. "While those governments have failed to crackdown on the sometimes well-connected investors profiting from these crimes." Thai businesses The BGF's hub of business operations is Shwe Kokko, a sprawl of buildings on the Myanmar side of a border river, 32 km (20 miles) north of the Thai town of Mae Sot. That is where a joint venture called Yatai International Holding Group Company Limited was established by the Border Guard Force and a businessman called She Zhijiang to develop Shwe Kokko's Yatai New City real estate project, Justice for Myanmar said in its report. She Zhijiang is a naturalized Cambodian national born in China who owns property and gaming ventures across Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines. He was arrested in Thailand in 2022 and was not available for comment. Britain imposed sanctions on She Zhijiang in 2023, along with Saw Chit Thu and another top officer in the border force, Col. Min Min Oo, on suspicion of human trafficking, forced labor and other abuses. RFA was not able to contact Min Min Oo for comment. Yatai says its business is registered in Hong Kong and headquartered in Bangkok. The Thai address it lists online matches one for a hotel, Bizotel. The hotel did not respond to inquiries from RFA. Another branch of the operations, Myanmar Yatai International Holding Group Company Limited, leases a shop in Mae Sot's airport. Thailand's Department of Airports declined to comment on whether Mae Sot airport was taking money from Myanmar Yatai International Holding Group or the Border Guard Force. An official who declined to be identified told RFA the department could not confirm whether the organization or its associates had any outlets at the airport. Mae Sot's airport lists the shop on its website. Some major companies from Thailand's financial sector have at least shown an interest in Shwe Kokko, Justice for Myanmar said in its report. It published a photograph of people it said were representatives of four Thai banks visiting Shwe Kokko in 2020. It also cited a Thai associate of the BGF, who it said had posted the photograph, as saying the purpose of the visit was "to explore the potential financial support for the growing economy." Justice for Myanmar said in its report it could not confirm whether the Thai banks had struck any agreements. One man who was forced to work at what he said was a scam operation in the zone said his family had to pay to get him out. The 28-year-old Chinese man, who asked to be identified as Neo Lu, told RFA he was tricked into a job at the compound in June 2022. After Lu's release was brokered by an unidentified Chinese national, a member of the BGF agreed to take him across the border for a trafficking fee. In text messages seen by RFA, Lu asked his parents for a payment of 15,000 baht (US$409) through Thailand's Kasikorn Bank to an account designated by the BGF, belonging to a "Mrs Win." Kasikorn Bank did not respond to a request for comment from RFA. Malaysian links A major investor in the facility Lu was forced to work in, Dongmei Park, south of Myawaddy town, is a Washington-sanctioned former Chinese triad boss, Wan Kuok-koi, also known as Broken Tooth, Yin Gouju. He is also wanted by Malaysian police, Justice for Myanmar said in their report. The group said Wan, former leader of the 14K Triad crime gang, set up Dongmei Park with "well-connected Malaysian citizens." Those individuals included a politician from what was for decades Malaysia's ruling party, the United Malays National Organization, Mashitah Ibrahim, and her husband Abdul Shakor Abu Bakar, in addition to two individuals named Sri Liong Kee Huat and Yong Mun Hong. The United States in 2020 sanctioned Wan and Dongmei Park, which it said was another name for Dongmei Investment Group Co. Ltd. Mashitah, who is still active in politics with UMNO, was deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department from 2008-2013. BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, called Mashitah for comment several times on her mobile phone and sent her text messages. Her only response was: "Not interested." Justice for Myanmar said Mashitah had posted accounts on her Facebook page that showed she was at least acquainted with Broken Tooth and associated with the Dongmei Park project. BenarNews could not find any public record for Liong Kee Huat, or a phone number for Yong Mun Hong. No one answered the door at a residence in Kuala Lumpur listed under Mun Hong's name in Dongmei Group's corporate registration in Hong Kong. Police Chief Razarudin Husain and Home Minister Saifuddin did not respond to requests for comment on any involvement of Malaysian investors with the former triad boss and the Myanmar militia. Justice for Myanmar called for action from Asian governments. "This criminal business network is a global threat ... causing widespread suffering to local communities, workers from across Myanmar and the world who are kept in slave-like conditions, and the victims of cyber scams everywhere," it said in its report. "Authorities in the region, notably China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, should investigate the involvement of their citizens, residents and companies that are perpetrating, enabling and benefiting from the transnational crimes and human rights violations committed in Myanmar, and hold them accountable," the group said. Edited by Taejun Kang. Rakkanam contributed to this report from Bangkok, Duncan from Mae Sot, Neelakantan from Washington, and Yusof from Kuala Lumpur. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday, 13 June 2024 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assalam-o-Alaikum, Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing. This was an important week for Pakistan's diplomacy for Palestine. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister visited Istanbul, TArkiye on 08 June 2024 to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers held to discuss the "Situation in Gaza". The Deputy Prime Minister presented Pakistan's stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the urgency of an unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege and unimpeded flow of aid for the Palestinian people. He called for unified international efforts, especially by the D-8, to end the war being waged against the people of Gaza and the war crimes being perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces. On the sidelines, Deputy Prime Minister Dar met with the Foreign Ministers of TArkiye, Malaysia and the acting Foreign Minister of Iran. He also called on, along with the other participating Foreign Ministers of the D-8 countries, President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan of TArkiye. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar also attended the high-level conference "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza" held on 10-11 June 2024 in Amman, Jordan. The conference was jointly organized at the initiative of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and His Excellency AntAnio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. In his statement at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Dar condemned the illegal acts of the occupation authorities for violating international law, employing starvation as a tool of war, and targeting humanitarian supplies and infrastructure. He also criticized Israel for ignoring calls from the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the wider international community, and even its own allies to halt its aggression against the people of Gaza. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister called for a complete, durable, and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and an end to violence in the West Bank. He called for enhanced humanitarian aid to Gaza and support for UNRWA, advocating for the reversal of suspended donor support. He also advocated for an embargo on military supplies to Israel, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and suggested deploying an international force to protect Palestinian civilians. On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Dar met with the President-elect of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto; the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan; and, the Minister of State of the UK, Lord Tariq Ahmad. He also met the Secretary General of the UN, AntAnio Guterres. Pakistan welcomes the 12 June 2024 report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. The findings of the Commission of Inquiry have confirmed reports of Israeli war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare, murder or wilful killing, intentionally directing attacks against civilians, forcible transfer, torture and inhuman or cruel treatment. Pakistan believes that the time has come to hold Israel accountable for its grave crimes. We call on global conscience to force Israel towards an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. It is also critical to bring an end to the war on the people of Gaza. In this context, Pakistan notes positively the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2735 and expresses hope for a permanent and sustainable ceasefire and an end to the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. The 33rd anniversary of the massacre at Chhota Bazaar, Srinagar was observed on 11 June. On 11 June 1991, India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel had opened fire at civilians, which resulted in the killing of 32 people and injury to 22 others. The victims also included an old woman and a child. We remember the victims on this sombre occasion and demand justice for them. Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. Thank you! *** (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Ma'am, Farooq Abdullah asked Indian Prime Minister Modi to hold talks with Pakistan for the resolution of problems. Is there any chance from Pakistan to open the closed doors for talks? Secondly, in IIOJK, Chief of Police has said that Pakistan is responsible for recent attacks. Please comment on it. Spokesperson: Regarding your first question, We do not comment on such reports which we believe are irrelevant to the future dispensation for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which needs to be decided in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. On your second question, the Indian occupation authorities and media have a habit of making such irresponsible statements. No one takes these allegations seriously. (Azaz Syed, Geo News): Ma'am, I have two questions, my first question is that Pakistan has recently introduced a new policy to ban passports for asylum seekers. The US State Department has criticized this policy. Need your views on it. Secondly, Narendra Modi has been elected for third time as a Prime Minister of India. He did not get the comfortable win he was expecting and has formed a coalition government, he could not cross the number of 300. So, how do you see working with the new Prime Minister of India? (Naveed Siddique, Daily Dateline): Ma'am, I have supplementary on both questions. First, please confirm that has Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the letter sent by Ministry of Interior regarding new policy? Plus, those who are abroad, as per our knowledge, YouTubers or anti-state or anti-government or anti forces are the special targets, plus their purpose has been served regarding the government's new policy, they have surrendered their passports in Canada, America, Australia and in other countries and have seek asylum there. Their purpose has been served. Secondly, has any congratulatory message to Mr. Modi been sent from Pakistan or is it being sent? What is government's policy regarding this matter? Spokesperson: Decisions of the government of Pakistan with regards to issuance of passports and immigration matters pertain to the Ministry of Interior and we would advise you to seek more details from them. With regards to your second question, as I have said on multiple occasions Pakistan has no commentary to offer with regards to the elections or the domestic matters inside India and I do not wish to indulge in that commentary today as well. Lastly, with regards to the question by Mr. Naveed Siddique, you may have seen a congratulatory tweet by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the oath taking of Prime Minister Modi. I have nothing further to add to that. (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): We have seen the "X" message by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The External Affairs Minister of India Dr. Jaishankar addressed the media day before yesterday. He said something that is very much related to Pakistan. Areporter asked him that in the previous term he had been talking of what they say POK we say AJK, and he did not comment. Secondly, "Nawaz Sharif sahib ne message bheja to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ne swagat kiya hai." Should we infer that there is some ray of light for improvement in relations between the two countries? How you see the message from the Indian External Affairs Minister? Spokesperson: It is customary for heads of state and government to congratulate their counterparts on assumption of their respective office and the congratulatory tweet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was in that context. You may have also seen the response from the Prime Minister of India. I would not like to give any more explanation with regards to these messages which I said are customary in nature. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Since we're talking about diplomatic necessities, is there a letter of felicitation that might have been written by both the Foreign Minister of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan or could be in the works to his Indian counterpart? Spokesperson: As far as I understand, there has been no exchange of letters. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): The Indian media is blaming three recent Pakistani attacks on their side of Kashmir and pointing to "Pakistan-based organizations". Do you have any commentary to offer? Spokesperson: We have seen those reports and the commentary. These are reports from the Indian media. The Indian media has a habit of making such claims. These are unsubstantiated news reports that do not merit our comment. (Abdul Hadi Mayar, Hum Pashto 1 News): Thank you, Ma'am. Last week, Pakistan and Afghanistan reciprocally eased visa restrictions for transporters and traders. But, that facility has only been extended to bilateral trade, not the Afghan transit trade in which a large number of Pakistani and Afghan traders and transporters are interested. Is there any consideration to extend that facility to Afghan transit trade as will? Spokesperson: As you know, the two sides have been engaged with each other to discuss all aspects of the TAD system. Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to introduce and implement these arrangements to facilitate trade vehicles, drivers and helpers from both sides. And under this arrangement, designated officers are in contact to ensure smooth implementation of the mechanism and to promote cross border trade. This process will continue and any issues of mutual concernthat arise will be discussed through these designated officials. For further details, you make contact the Ministry of Commerce. (Rizwan Abbasi, Daily Ausaf): Thank you, Ma'am. Has it been decided that Pakistan will participate in the Ukraine Peace Conference being held in Switzerland on 15th and 16th of June. Spokesperson: Pakistan stands for universal and consistent application of UN Charter principles, including non-use or threat of use of force, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, pacific settlement of disputes, and equal security for all states. We reiterate our call for immediate cessation of hostilities and stress the need for diplomacy and dialogue for an early negotiated end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As I conveyed earlier, Pakistan received an invitation from Switzerland for the Conference, which is being held from 15th to 16th of June. However, due to a host of factors, including scheduling challenges, Pakistan is not participating in this conference. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Three days ago, the Defense Minister, in a TV program on Geo news said that during the recent visit, Pakistan and China, have agreed for a "Joint Surveillance Mechanism", for the safety and security of the Chinese nationals. Now this was missing from the Joint Communique. And this hasn't been talked about. Can you delve into the contours of this "Joint Surveillance Mechanism"? Thank you. Spokesperson: I would underline that the understandings reached between Pakistan and China, with regards to various issues of mutual concern including the security and safety of Chinese nationals, have been adequately reflected in the Joint Statement. I do not have any additional commentary to offer and to comment on any statement made by any official or public leader. (Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): In a recent development, the United States State Department has shown concern on the new policy regarding passports for those seeking asylum. The State Department asked Pakistan that this policy would violate the Human Rights. Second question is about reports that the United States has asked Pakistan to remove the name of Khadijah Shah, who was involved in 9 May riots, from ECL. Are there any developments between Pakistan and the United States? Thank you. Spokesperson: Ms. Khadijah Shah's case is under trial and it is being dealt with according to Pakistani laws. Pakistani courts will make decisions regarding the case pertaining to Ms. Khadijah Shah. With regards to your other question, I would like to underline that decisions regarding issuance of passports to Pakistani nationals or individuals who have decided to renounce their nationality and seek asylum abroad are important decisions. With respect to these questions, the Government of Pakistan will take decisions according to its own laws. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Ma'am, what are updates on issues related to Chaman border? Spokesperson: I would not comment on that because the border matters do not pertain to this ministry. I can only underline what I said in my last briefing that it is the policy of Pakistan that any individual who travels to Pakistan should come here on a valid passport and valid visa. (Azaz Syed, Geo News): Ma'am, what is the status of the repatriation plan of illegal foreigners in Pakistan? Spokesperson: The position is clear. The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan is underway, as was decided by the Government of Pakistan several months ago and any individual who is here illegally, irrespective of their nationality, is expected to return to their home country or a third country that is willing to accept them. (Javed Hussain, 92 News): Thank you, Ma'am. An article was published in a newspaper that highlighted the Pakistan-UAE relations and in the article, it was highlighted that UAE authorities are reluctant to issue visas to Pakistanis or there is an undeclared and unofficial sanction to issue visas to Pakistanis. Is there any information about it? Spokesperson: I have not seen the article that you are referring to so I cannot comment on it. (Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): Thank you. Ma'am, what are the reasons of terrorism in Pakistan and who supports TTP? Spokesperson: I think this question would be better addressed by the Ministry of Interior. They will be in a better position to share with you, the genesis of terror incidents inside Pakistan and the financiers, sponsors and perpetrators of these terror attacks. Pakistan has said, time and again, that we are concerned about the terror threat that we face in Pakistan because of sponsorship and support from across our borders and this is remains a prime concern for Pakistan. (Azaz Syed, Geo News): There are certain individuals who are wanted by different Pakistani courts and Pakistani law enforcement agencies and they are hiding in Afghanistan. Would you mind sharing when did Afghan authorities last assured Pakistan that they would be handing over any such individuals who are wanted by the Pakistani authorities? Spokesperson: I do not have specific details in response to your question but I can reiterate that Pakistan has raised, on multiple occasions, our concerns with the Afghan authorities about individuals wanted for terror attacks inside Pakistan or for sponsoring terror attacks inside Pakistan. We have conveyed to them the intelligence and law enforcement reports of the involvement of individuals responsible for terror attacks inside Pakistan with backing from elements inside Afghanistan. During his visit to Afghanistan last month our Secretary Interior shared with the Afghan side concrete evidence of the involvement of such individuals in the Besham attack.We expect Afghanistan to take effective action against such individuals. (Abdul Hadi Mayar, Hum Pashto 1 News): Thank you, Ma'am. With regard to the Chaman incident, you spoke of the visa restrictions for Afghan nationals. But here the demand is from Pakistani nationals that their entry into Afghanistan should also ease. What are Pakistan's considerations? Spokesperson: This is a matter of prime concern and Pakistan remains engaged with Afghanistan to facilitate the business and trader community for travel to Afghanistan, and to facilitate bilateral trade. We believe that all exchanges should take place on the basis of legal documents. The concerns of our Pakistani business and trader community were an important consideration when agreeing with Afghanistan on interim arrangements with regards to the TAD agreement. Thank you! *** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea and Cuba finalize plans for opening embassies The move to forge diplomatic ties is a blow to North Korea, which regarded Cuba as one of its 'socialist brethren.' By Hong Seung Wook and Kim So Young for RFA Korean 2024.06.12 -- South Korea and Cuba announced on Wednesday that they have finalized plans to open embassies in Havana and Seoul, and will send diplomats within the week. The development came as Cuba sent its first delegation to South Korea since the two countries agreed to normalize relations in February, a decision that took North Korea by surprise. North Korea has traditionally regarded Cuba as one of its closest "socialist brethren," with state media often characterizing the Caribbean island as a success story despite the challenges it faces under the U.S.-enforced trade embargo. The delegation, led by Carlos Miguel Pereira, director general of bilateral affairs at the Cuban foreign ministry, visited South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held discussions with the Korean side led by Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won. During Wednesday's meeting, Seoul and Havana agreed to cooperate on several different international and regional situations and to set up embassies as soon as possible, Lim Soo-suk, a South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson, told a news briefing. Deputy Minister Chung elaborated, saying that a temporary office would be opened within the first half of this year, with diplomatic staff to be dispatched to Havana later this week. Director General Pereira, meanwhile, said that Cuban personnel began working in South Korea last month, and will open the Cuban Embassy soon. Mario Alzugaray Rodriguez, deputy head of mission of the Cuban Embassy in China, visited South Korea in May to discuss the embassy opening with the South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was also part of the delegation and had the title "acting ambassador to South Korea." Chung reported prior to the meeting that discussions would also include inter-Korean relations. Checkmate? Cuba's sudden overtures to South Korea should not necessarily be taken at face value because Havana still remains close to Russia, David Maxwell, vice president for the Center of Asia Pacific Strategy, told RFA Korean. Maxwell noted that at the same time as the meeting in Seoul, four Russian warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, had entered Havana harbor in Cuba. "I worry about political warfare. Is Cuba really breaking from the axis of dictators?" Maxwell said. "What if Cuban relations with South Korea will be exploited over time to receive South Korean exports, particularly of high tech and dual use goods, that could then be transhipped to North Korea?" Maxwell likened the geopolitical situation between North and South Korea to that of opponents in the Korean stone-capturing game baduk, known as go in Japan and weiqi in China. "It appears that South Korea has captured a North Korean stone," he said. "But does this 'diplomatic terrority' really benefit South Korea in the long run? Only time will tell." But the establishment of relations between Havana and Seoul will not have any effects on inter-Korean relations, the Heritage Foundation's Bruce Klingner told RFA. "Cuba did not provide assistance to North Korea nor had significant trade with Pyongyang," he said. "While Havana's shift in relations between the Koreas was an embarrassment for Pyongyang as a loss of a socialist compatriot, the North Korean populace may not have been informed of the event." Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US voices support for South Korean 'balloon war' efforts By Christy Lee June 13, 2024 The U.S. expressed its support for providing outside information to the people of North Korea even as attempts are made in South Korea to block leaflet campaigns aimed at sending information to the North. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising in recent weeks due to tit-for-tat exchanges between Pyongyang and Seoul over balloons they both have been sending across the inter-Korean border. Responding to an inquiry by VOA's Korean Service, a State Department spokesperson said on Monday that "it is critical for the people of North Korea to have access to independent information not controlled by the DPRK regime." "We continue to promote the free flow of information into, out of, and within the DPRK," continued the spokesperson, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "We continue to urge North Korea to reduce tensions and cease any actions that could increase the risk of conflict," the spokesperson added. North Korea, listed by Human Rights Watch among "the most repressive countries in the world," considers outside information a threat to the ruling regime's survival and denies its people access to information. The government heavily controls all forms of media and cracks down on people distributing, watching or listening to any South Korean cultural content. In what it said was a response to South Korean activists sending balloons carrying leaflets into the North, Pyongyang has floated more than 1,600 balloons filled with trash and waste into South Korea since May 28. In response, Seoul on June 4 fully suspended an inter-Korean military deal made in 2018 and resumed loudspeaker broadcasts at the border Sunday before halting them the following day. The South Korean balloons, sent aloft by human rights activists, have carried leaflets conveying information about the outside world and the North Korean regime. They also carried thumb drives containing K-pop songs and dramas. But the effort has caused controversy in South Korea, where attempts are being made to halt the campaign. In September 2023, the South Korean constitutional court struck down a law banning the sending of leaflets to North Korea, saying it violated the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Nevertheless, the opposition Democratic Party of Korea is attempting to apply other existing laws to block the campaign. The opposition party, preferring engagement with North Korea, has been opposed to sending leaflets to North Korea. The anti-leaflet law was passed in December 2020 by the liberal party of former President Moon Jae-in six months after North Korea, expressing discontentment over leaflet activities, blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, a town in North Korea near the border. On Tuesday, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the party, called leaflet activities "illegal under the current law." In June 2020, Lee, the then-governor of Gyeonggi Province, declared five cities in the province as "danger zones" under the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety. Gyeonggi Province borders North Korea. Lee then issued an administrative order banning people from entering the areas to launch balloons. Kim Dong-yeon, from the opposition party and the current governor of Gyeonggi Province, said on Wednesday a consideration is being made to declare some areas in the province "danger zones" to "prevent the launch of propaganda leaflets in accordance with related laws." He said he will "immediately dispatch provincial police to potential leaflet sites to bolster patrols and surveillance," according to South Korea's liberal daily Hankyore. Questions have been raised in South Korea whether the police can stop leaflet-sending activities based on the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers, according to Seoul-based news agency Yonhap. The act allows police to restrain people from causing damage to property or harm other people. Yoon Hee-keun, National Police Agency commissioner, told reporters Monday that the leaflet campaigns cannot be blocked on the basis of that law. He said this is because it is "unclear whether the trash-carrying balloons" sent by North Korea "would constitute an urgent and grave threat to the lives and bodies of the public, which is prerequisite for restricting them under the law." David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, told VOA on Tuesday via email that Seoul is "complying with the 2014 U.N. Commission of Inquiry that calls on people around the world to call out North Korea for its human rights abuses, one of which is the isolation of the people and the denial of all information going into the North." Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said, "The North Korean balloons are government actions and thus a violation of the armistice," whereas balloons from the South are sent by non-government organizations. Robert Rapson, who served as charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul in 2018-21, said while Seoul's "decision to pause loudspeaker broadcasts" is "a positive step toward de-escalation, it should go further by also pausing balloon launches from the South." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia halts dollar, euro trade on Moscow Exchange IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 13, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) has stopped trading in dollars and euros, a move prompted by a new round of US sanctions targeting Russia's financial institutions. According to the Russian media citing the MOEX on Thursday, the suspension has affected foreign and precious metals trade but "derivatives market remains unaffected, with trade going on as usual". Russia's Central Bank elaborated on the matter in a separate statement, explaining that the official exchange rates for the two currencies will now rely on "bank records and information from digital over-the-counter trading". Despite the suspension, companies and individuals have reportedly urged to continue buying and selling dollars and euros through Russian banks. Earlier on Wednesday, the US Treasury Department rolled out a new package of restrictions against Russia over the Ukraine war, targeting Moscow Exchange Group and its clearing agents, the National Clearing Centre (NCC) and the National Settlement Depository (NSD). US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen claimed that Russia has fully transitioned into a "war economy" and is now "deeply isolated" from the international financial system. Russian central bank, however, says the US move is aimed at disrupting the country's financial mechanisms. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As US expands sanctions, Russia halts trading in dollars, euros Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 4:04 PM Russia has halted trading in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars and euros on its main stock exchange in a retaliatory measure against a raft of new sanctions imposed by the United States on Moscow chiefly aimed at weakening the Russian military. On Thursday, the Bank of Russia announced the suspension of trading sessions in the foreign exchange, precious metals, and derivative markets of the Moscow Stock Exchange involving those currencies due to the sanctions. However, currency trading will continue in the over-the-counter market. A day earlier, the US Treasury Department broadened sanctions against Russia, targeting the Moscow exchange and Russia's central securities depository that provides bank account services, and liquidity management services. The new sanctions also include Chinese companies providing semiconductors to Moscow, as part of the US effort to increase pressure on what Washington refers to as Russia's military apparatus. One of the measures announced by the US Treasury involves heightening "the potential consequences for foreign financial institutions engaging with Russia's wartime economy," essentially warning them of potential exclusion from the US financial system. The US sanctions list now encompasses more than 30 individuals and over 200 legal entities from both Russia and China. Specifically, the US Treasury has applied sanctions to Rusgazdobycha, Arctic LNG-1, and Arctic LNG-3. The Kremlin's reprisal measure against the White House came as Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday vowed retaliation, saying, "As always in such cases, Russia will not leave such aggressive actions unanswered." US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that the objective is to heighten the risks for financial institutions involved with Russia's wartime economy, close off avenues for evasion, and limit Russia's access to foreign technology, equipment, software, and IT services. Russia's central bank assured that currency transactions can still be conducted through Russian banks and deposits remain secure. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the central bank's ability to maintain stability in all markets. China has publicly upheld a neutral position regarding the war in Ukraine, yet it continues to serve as a vital economic partner for Russia. This has led to the strengthening of trade connections that have assisted Russian President Vladimir Putin in stabilizing his economy in the face of Western sanctions. The US State Department announced that the latest punitive measures target seven China-based entities that have purportedly supplied goods aiding Russia's war in Ukraine. It added that they also target entities from Belarus, the U.A.E, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Singapore that allegedly supplied goods aiding Russia's military operation in the ex-Soviet republic. Furthermore, the US imposed sanctions on firms involved in Russia's energy, metals, and mining sectors, as well as producers of Russian weapons systems and military components. In February 2022, Moscow launched its special military operation in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region to stop NATO's eastward expansion after warning that the US-led military alliance was pursuing an "aggressive line" against Russia. The West responded by imposing waves of harsh sanctions against Russia and pouring advanced arms and military hardware into Ukraine. Russia has time and again cautioned that continued Western military support to Ukraine and the sanctions could prolong the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Defence Minister of the Russian Federation Aleksandr Fomin meets with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation Vinay Kumar 13.06.2024 During the talks, the sides discussed relevant issues of bilateral cooperation in military and military-technical spheres, reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen cooperation in the spirit of privileged strategic partnership. The talks were held in warm and friendly manner typical of the Russia-India relations. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by hief of the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation Lieutenant General Igor Kolesnikov 13.06.2024 The presidents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus have decided to conduct the second stage of exercises of non-strategic nuclear forces. During the event, issues of joint training of Belarusian combat units and Russian nuclear support units were worked out. During the drills, mobile units of the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation ensured the delivery of nuclear training ammunition to field storage depots of the position area of the missile brigade and the operational air base of Ground-Attack Aviation. Along with Belarusian colleagues, specially-armed missiles were prepared and delivered and an air-launched ammunition was installed on aircraft. Issues of organising combat alert duties with training nuclear warheads are being worked out. On the basis of the exercises, the results of each training topic will be summarised and directions for further development of the training of non-strategic nuclear forces will be identified, with a view to ensuring the fulfilment of tasks under various scenarios of the military and political situation. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Conducting Drills in Different Regions of World is Normal Practice - Kremlin Sputnik News 20240613 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Conducting military exercises in different regions of the world is a normal practice, especially for such a large maritime power as Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate entered the port of Havana in Cuba on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, a detachment of Russian naval vessels started to arrive at the port for an official visit from June 12-17. "Military exercises are a normal practice in various regions of the world a this is also a normal practice for states, especially for such a large maritime power as Russia. And this is also a common practice in carrying out such visits. Therefore, we see no cause for concern in this case," Peskov told reporters. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New UK sanctions to crack down on Putin's war machine UK announces 50 new sanctions designations and specifications to degrade Putin's war machine, in co-ordinated action with G7 partners to support Ukraine [ 13 June 2024]. 13 June 2024 UK announces 50 new sanctions designations and specifications to degrade Putin's war machine, in co-ordinated action with G7 partners to support Ukraine. New targets include ships in Putin's shadow fleet, institutions at the heart of Russia's financial system and suppliers supporting Russia's military production. These new sanctions, announced while the Prime Minister attends the G7 Leaders Summit in Italy, will bear down on Russia's ability to fund and equip its war machine and show the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine. Today's action includes the UK's first sanctions targeting vessels in Putin's shadow fleet, used by Russia to circumvent UK and G7 sanctions and continue unfettered trade in Russian oil. As part of its enduring commitment to the region, the UK has today committed to providing A242m in bilateral assistance to Ukraine, to support immediate humanitarian, energy and stabilisation needs, and is also working with counterparts to agree a mechanism to bring forward the extraordinary profits stemming from immobilized Russian sovereign assets to the benefit of Ukraine. Russia's oil exports are Putin's most critical revenue source for funding his illegal war in Ukraine. Tax on oil production collected by the Kremlin in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion roubles, or 31% of Russia's total federal revenues. Today's sanctions aim to disrupt and increase the costs of Russia's efforts to bypass UK and G7 sanctions through its shadow fleet. These new sanctions also target suppliers of munitions, machine tools, microelectronics, and logistics to Russia's military, including entities based in China, Israel, Kyrgyzstan and TArkiye, along with ships which transport military goods from North Korea to Russia. In addition, this new package cracks down on institutions at the heart of Russia's financial system, including the Moscow Stock Exchange. This action is taken in coordination with the US, which designated the Moscow Stock Exchange on 12 June. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: The UK will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Today we are once more ramping up economic pressure through sanctions to bear down on Russia's ability to fund its war machine. Putin must lose, and cutting off his ability to fund a prolonged conflict is absolutely vital. Foreign Secretary, David Cameron said: UK sanctions are starving Putin of the revenue he desperately needs to fund his war chest and making it harder to supply his war machine. We will continue to work alongside our partners to increase economic pressure and demonstrate that the UK and the G7 will stand by Ukraine in this fight. So far, sanctions have deprived Russia of over $400bn worth of assets and revenues since February 2022. That's equivalent to four more years of funding for the invasion. The UK has sanctioned over 2,000 individuals and entities under our Russia sanctions regime. This includes 29 banks accounting for over 90% of the Russian banking sector and over 130 oligarchs and family members who had a combined net worth around A147 billion at the time of the invasion. Over A20 billion of UK-Russia bilateral trade (2021 figures) is now under full or partial sanction. There has been a 99% fall in Russian imports into the UK, and a 73% fall in UK exports to Russia. More information A full list of those sanctioned today is as follows. 48 designations and ship specifications made under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019: Four vessels in Russia's 'shadow fleet': OCEAN AMZ (IMO 9394935) CANIS POWER (IMO 9289520) ROBON (IMO 9144782) NS LAGUNA (IMO 9339325) Two vessels which have shipped weapons to Russia: LADY R (IMO 9161003) ANGARA (IMO 9179842) Six entities operating in or supporting the Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector: MURMANSK LNG LLC SMART LNG LLC NOVATEK MURMANSK LLC RUSCHEMALLIANCE LLC RED BOX ENERGY SERVICES PTE LTD (entity based in Singapore) EKO SHIPPING LLC One insurer INGOSSTRAKH INSURANCE COMPANY One ship manager ONE MOON MARINE SERVICES LLC Two entities involved in the Russian civil nuclear sector: JSC RUSATOM ARCTIC INNOVATION HUB LLC Four entities and one individual connected to Russia's financial system: PUBLIC JOINT STOCK COMPANY MOSCOW EXCHANGE GROUP PJSC SPB EXCHANGE JOINT STOCK COMPANY NATIONAL SETTLEMENT DEPOSITRY CENTRAL COUNTERPARTY NATIONAL CLEARING CENTRE YURI OLEGOVICH DENISOV TAMBOV POWDER PLANT KAZAN STATE GOVT GUNPOWDER PLANT BINA GROUP LLC FEDERAL STATE ENTERPRISE KAMENSKY COMBINE SONATEK LLC KOMPANIYA AMG JSC MECHANICAL PLANT "MECHPLANT" VOLGA-DNEPR MACHINE BUILDING PLANT ARSENAL BOSFOR AVRASYA (entity based in TArkiye) EGETIR OTOMOTIV (entity based in TArkiye) SINO MACHINERY CO., LTD (entity based in China) HENGSHUI YUANCHEM (entity based in China) HENGSHUI HESHUO CELLULOSE CO., LTD (entity based in China) WUHAN TONGSHENG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD (entity based in China) HENGBANGWEI ELECTRONICS LTD (entity based in China) TEXEL FCG TECH 2100 LTD (entity based in Israel) MARKS BLATS LLC INTER STYLE PLUS (entity based in Kyrgyzstan) VNIIR PROGRESS NPO MRTZ Six individuals or entities who have benefited since the invasion in key sectors for the Russian state: IVAN VLADIMIROVICH TAVRIN AVET VLADIMIROVICH MIRAKYAN DENIS VLADIMIROVICH FROLOV ARMEN MERUZHANOVICH SARKISYAN FEDERAL STATE UNITARY ENTERPRISE CENTRAL ORDER OF THE RED BANNER SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AUTOMOBILE AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINES INSTITUTE NAMI YAKUB SALMANOVICH ZAKRIEV Two designations made under the Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 of entities linked to Wagner Group: DIAMVILLE WOOD INTERNATIONAL GROUP SARLU Note on ship specification: Ships specified under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are prohibited from entering a port in the UK, may be given a movement or a port entry direction, can be detained, and will be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or have its existing registration terminated. In addition, the Oil Price Cap exception is not applicable to services in relation to specified ships, or to the supply or delivery of Russian oil or oil products in specified ships. The Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation has published guidance on the Russian Oil Services ban. Limited exceptions apply and licences may be granted for specified ships, as set out in Part 7 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. As set out in the general election guidance, international business continues as normal during the period of the general election. The announcements made by the Government at the G7 conform to that guidance, which also makes clear that essential business must be allowed to continue. In line with established convention, the Opposition have been consulted on the announcements. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address American journalist Gershkovich to stand trial in Russia By Liam Scott June 13, 2024 Russian authorities on Thursday said American journalist Evan Gershkovich will stand trial in the city of Yekaterinburg, where he was detained over a year ago on charges his employer says are bogus. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office said an indictment of Gershkovich has been finalized and his case filed to the Sverdlovsky Regional Court in Yekaterinburg. The city is about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) east of Moscow. Gershkovich, a Russia correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, has been jailed in Moscow since he was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges. Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government all deny the accusations, and the U.S. State Department has declared the reporter wrongfully detained. The 32-year-old is accused of "gathering secret information" about a facility in the Sverdlovsk region that produced and repaired military equipment, the Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement. It is the first time that Russia has publicly detailed the accusations against the journalist. Russian officials have not provided any evidence to substantiate the accusations against Gershkovich, who was accredited by the Foreign Ministry to work in the country. A State Department spokesperson told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. government will continue to work to secure Gershkovich's release. "We have been clear from the start that Evan has done nothing wrong. He should never have been arrested in the first place. Journalism is not a crime," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. "The charges against him are false, and the Russian government knows that they're false. He should be released immediately," Miller continued. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday also reiterated its calls for Gershkovich's immediate release. "Evan Gershkovich is facing a false and baseless charge. Russia's latest move toward a sham trial is, while expected, deeply disappointing and still no less outrageous," Journal Publisher Almar Latour and Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker said in a statement. "Evan is a journalist. The Russian regime's smearing of Evan is repugnant, disgusting and based on calculated and transparent lies. Journalism is not a crime. Evan's case is an assault on free press," they said in the statement. Press freedom groups also reaffirmed their condemnation of Gershkovich's jailing. "He's held hostage by the Russian government, and the spying charges are completely fabricated," Jeanne Cavelier, who heads the Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk at Reporters Without Borders, told VOA from Paris. The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to VOA's email requesting comment. It is unclear when the trial will take place. Press freedom experts have previously told VOA that a trial will almost certainly be a sham, but that it is a necessary step to securing Gershkovich's release through a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington. Moscow and Washington have been discussing a possible prisoner exchange over the past several months. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that any deal to free Gershkovich would have to be mutually beneficial for Moscow. Putin has previously indicated that the Kremlin would be willing to trade Gershkovich for a convicted killer jailed in Germany. "If anything, we hope it [the indictment] adds an element of urgency to those negotiations, so that he doesn't have to endure a trial," said Paul Beckett, an assistant editor at The Wall Street Journal, who is leading the newspaper's campaign to secure Gershkovich's release. "We hoped that he would be back home by now," Beckett told VOA. "We remain optimistic that this will be brought to a close before too long. We just want him home." Gershkovich is one of two American journalists currently jailed in Russia. The second a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Alsu Kurmasheva a has been jailed since October 2023 on charges of failing to self-register as a so-called foreign agent and spreading what Moscow views as false information about the Russian military. Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian national, has denied the charges against her. The U.S. government has also called for her immediate release. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lai says not first to say ROC, PRC not subordinate to each other ROC Central News Agency 06/13/2024 10:39 PM Taipei, June 13 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () said he is not the first to suggest the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other, in his first media interview since taking office on May 20, featuring on the cover of the latest edition of Time Magazine published Thursday. Lai was responding to Time correspondent Charlie Campbell who asked in an interview conducted May 30 whether in hindsight he considers unnecessarily provocative the statement in his inaugural speech that the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official title) and People's Republic of China (PRC) are not subservient to each other, which provoked a reaction from Beijing and the staging of military drills. A transcript of the interview was released by the Presidential Office on Thursday. "What I said was the truth. Moreover, I was not the first person to express this truth. My intention was not to provoke," Lai contended. Lai indicated that former President Tsai Ing-wen () said that the ROC and PRC are not subordinate to each other during her 2021 National Day Address. Former President Ma Ying-jeou () also once said the ROC is a sovereign and independent state and that neither side of the strait is subordinate to the other. Lai said he stated this in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of the ROC Constitution, given that "on Taiwan we have our own people, land, sovereignty, and government." According to international law, we are already a sovereign and independent country," adding that his goal is to bring the people of Taiwan together. When asked what he means by dignity and equivalence with the PRC when he called for resumption of cross-strait dialogue, trade, and educational exchanges based on dignity and equivalence in his inaugural speech, Lai said that first, the PRC should recognize that the ROC exists. Second, each issue should be mutually beneficial and reciprocal. Moreover, as the two sides conduct exchanges and cooperate with one another, they should share a common desire to enhance the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, working toward peace and mutual prosperity, he added. Saying that cross-strait peace and stability are indispensable elements of global peace and prosperity, Lai indicated that in his inaugural speech, he urged Chinese President Xi Jinping () to understand that conflict in the strait and disruptions to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region will not be accepted by the international community and invited Xi to jointly shoulder the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability, building regional prosperity and advancing world peace. Regarding the question whether China's mounting economic problems will make Taiwan more vulnerable, or provide an opportunity for engagement for mutual benefit, Lai said he believed that "a stable China leads to a safer Taiwan. A prosperous Taiwan can also bring about progress in China." Therefore, Lai said he does not wish to see growing difficulties in China's economy, or its society become more unstable. Even though Taiwan's economy has continued to grow and has not been affected as China's economy has continued to decline, Taiwan's new government is willing to assist China and advance cross-strait peace and prosperity, Lai said. Lai is the third national leader on the cover of Time Magazine this year, following United States President Joe Biden and Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin. (By Wen Kuei-hsiang, Yeh Su-ping, Justin Su and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China invite to commemorative event 'united front' tactic: Minister ROC Central News Agency 06/13/2024 02:21 PM Taipei, June 13 (CNA) China's Central Military Commission has approached retired generals in Taiwan and invited them to attend the centennial of the Whampoa Military Academy as part of its "united front" campaign, Veterans Affairs Council Minister Yen De-fa (asac) said Thursday. According to local media reports, a number of retired Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name) generals are set to visit the academy's original site in Guangzhou, China, where the Chinese government will mark the institution's centennial, which falls on June 16. The ROC Military Academy will hold its own celebration that day in Kaohsiung. The Whampoa Military Academy was "revived" in Kaohsiung's Fengshan District in 1950 after the then Kuomintang (KMT) government retreated to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War. Today it is known as the ROC Military Academy. Yen was asked by reporters whether the government has prepared for the possibility of retired generals attending the celebration in Guangzhou being used by China as propaganda. The minister replied that the Chinese Communist Party Central Military Commission had approached some ROC retired generals and invited them to attend the event in Guangzhou. The council sees this as a united front tactic by the Chinese government, Yen said. The council has contacted some veterans who are attending the celebration in Guangzhou, reminding them not to take interviews or attend political events and to be careful not to leak personal information, he said. Veterans visiting Guangzhou for the occasion will do so as individuals, and the council has not heard of any retired military personnel going as part of a tour group, he said. Yen called on retired generals attending the Guangzhou event to heed the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area and national security laws. Article 9-3 of the act stipulates that nobody who previously held the rank of major general or higher shall participate in any ceremony or activity held by a Chinese political party, government agency or the Chinese military that could compromise Taiwan's national dignity. Conduct harmful to national dignity refers to acts such as saluting the flag or emblems of the People's Republic of China (PRC), singing the PRC's national anthem, or honoring other symbols of the PRC's political authority. Those found to have violated this rule risk having their pensions suspended or stripped and recalled, in addition to a possible fine of NT$20,000 to NT$10 million. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 19 PLA aircraft cross Taiwan Strait median line or extension: Ministry ROC Central News Agency 06/13/2024 11:38 AM Taipei, June 13 (CNA) A total of 19 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or its extension in the 24 hours starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, one of which flew as close as 39 nautical miles from Taiwan's east coast, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said. Twenty-three Chinese military aircraft were detected in the vicinity of Taiwan, of which 15 crossed the median line and four crossed its extension, entering the country's eastern and southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), information released Thursday by the MND showed. Of the four aircraft, one drone was detected just 39 nautical miles from the eastern county of Hualien, the information showed. An ADIZ is a self-declared area, in which a country claims the right to identify, locate, and control approaching foreign aircraft but is not part of its territorial airspace as defined by international law. Meanwhile, seven People's Liberation Army vessels were detected in waters off Taiwan during that same period. The MND said it was closely monitoring the situation and deployed combat air patrol aircraft, coastal missile systems, and Navy vessels in response. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese mainland warns Taiwan's DPP not to "play with fire" People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:35, June 13, 2024 BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, cautioning that they should not "play with fire" by citing the "right to self-defense," as any reckless move will only hasten their own undoing. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks while answering a question about a Taiwan official's recent statement that the island may respond to the actions of the People's Liberation Army by exercising "self-defense" or launching "counterattacks" under certain circumstances. Noting that Taiwan is a part of China, Chen said the island does not have the "right to self-defense." "The DPP's attempts to impose limits on our just actions to safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity are entirely futile," he said. The spokesperson also slammed the DPP's attempts to collude with external forces, as well as its attempts to deceive the people of Taiwan and mislead the international community by creating false narratives such as the need to counter the "mainland threat." "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference are the biggest sources of danger and instability in the Taiwan Strait, Chen said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/06/13 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Date 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Jun. 12-13 PLA activities 23 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 19 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's eastern 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Blair announces additional military assistance for Ukraine at the 23rd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group National Defence News release June 13, 2024 - Brussels, Belgium - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, participated in the 23rd Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Brussels, Belgium, hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The meeting brought together representatives from more than 50 countries. Minister Blair and his counterparts reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and received a battlefield update from Ukraine's Defence Minister and general staff. At today's meeting, Minister Blair announced that Canada plans to send an initial tranche of 2,300 CRV7 rocket motors to Ukraine. The decommissioned rocket motors were previously used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on CF-18 fighter aircraft. Over the past few months, Magellan Aerospace and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) have been testing the rocket motors to ensure their viability following a request from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) for this equipment. Minister Blair further announced that Canada will donate 29 Nanuk Remote Weapons Systems from surplus Canadian Armed Forces inventory. The Nanuk is a remotely controlled weapon station that can be integrated on various armoured vehicle platforms and used for different mission profiles. The Nanuk Systems were manufactured by Rheinmetall Canada and are used by the Canadian Army on its light armoured vehicles. In addition to these donations, Canada will send more than 130,000 rounds of surplus small arms ammunition to the AFU. Minister Blair also confirmed that the first four of 50 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario are heading to the AFU. The first four vehicles, which are the ambulance variant of the vehicle, will be delivered to Europe in the coming weeks where Ukrainian troops will be trained in their use. Minister Blair also confirmed that: The delivery of the previously announced 900 Canadian-made drones will begin this month. These drones are capable of surveillance and gathering, as well as transportation and delivery of supplies. More deliveries will follow in the coming months. The 10 rigid-hull multi-role boats, including training, that Canada previously committed to providing to Ukraine will be delivered in July. These boats will support Ukraine's maritime operations including search and rescue, troop and cargo transport, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Following the UDCG meeting, Minister Blair signed the Armour Capability Coalition Letter of Intent, formalizing Canada's membership in the Coalition. Canada has been actively participating in meetings of the Armour Capability Coalition since its establishment in January. Quotes "Ukraine's fight against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion is also a fight for democracy, freedom, and human rights. We cannot let Ukraine down - because what happens in Ukraine will help determine the future of the international rules that keep us all safe. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine until its victory." - The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence Quick facts Initial testing on the CRV7 motors is complete and a report is being finalized. National Defence is also seeking the requisite waivers and permits to transport the equipment safely. Once the report is final, and the Department of National Defence receives the requisite waivers and permits required to transport them to Europe, Canada intends to send the initial tranche of motors to Ukraine. Magellan Aerospace and DRDC continue to test additional samples of CRV7 rocket motors. As further testing results are made available, Canada will assess the feasibility of additional CRV7 motor donations. The UDCG was created by the United States Secretary of Defense in April 2022 to allow Allies and partners to synchronize donations, consult, and coordinate military assistance to Ukraine, and build up the capabilities of the AFU. Convening monthly at the ministerial level, the UDCG now brings together more than 50 countries. Canada is a member of the UDCG's Armour, Air Force, and Drone capability coalitions. Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $14 billion in total assistance to Ukraine, including $4 billion in military assistance. This includes Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more. Canada is also contributing to multinational efforts to train pilots and maintainers to support Ukraine's F-16s. Since the launch of Operation UNIFIER, the CAF has trained more than 41,000 members of the AFU. Canada has announced the extension of this mission until March 2026, so that the CAF can continue to respond to Ukraine's training needs. Canada continues to train AFU members under Operation UNIFIER, with approximately 300 CAF members currently deployed in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia in various roles such as the provision and coordination of training, national command support, and the facilitation and delivery of military donations to Ukraine in coordination with Allies. Since late March 2022, the RCAF has been transporting Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, partners, and Allies. To date, the RCAF has transported over 19 million pounds of military donations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada announces additional sanctions against Russia and its illegal war against Ukraine Global Affairs Canada News release June 13, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable MAlanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in coordination with Canada's international partners at the G7 Summit in Italy, which is being held from June 13 to 15, 2024. These sanctions target many individuals and entities implicated in disinformation and propaganda operations, including those identified by Rapid Response Mechanism Canada. They also include entities in Russia's military-industrial complex that supply key technology and electrical components in support of Russia's war efforts. In addition, the sanctions target entities involved in sanctions circumvention that facilitate Russia's access to sanctioned goods or to revenue from oil sold above the G7 price cap. Today's announcement also includes export prohibitions related to computer numerically controlled machine tools that Russia could use in the production and manufacturing of weapons. These prohibitions, which align Canada's measures with other countries who have implemented Tier IV (B) of the Common High Priority Items List, prohibit persons in Canada and Canadians abroad from providing these items to Russia. The measures announced today are consistent with Canada's longstanding support for Ukraine and aim to disrupt Russia's ability to wage its unlawful war by limiting access to components necessary for Russia's military efforts, denying Russia revenue it uses to fund its illegal war and undermining its disinformation operations. Quotes "Today's newest sanctions reflect our long-standing efforts to disrupt President Putin's ability to wage Russia's illegal war, including by conducting gross disinformation campaigns. Our message to President Putin is clear: Withdraw your military and proxy forces from Ukraine. Canada alongside its international partners will continue to stand by Ukraine and its people." - MAlanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Quick facts Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $14 billion in funding to financial, military, humanitarian, development and immigration assistance for Ukraine. In February 2024, the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations were amended to reflect the legislative authority provided to list individuals or entities outside Canada that are not Canadian persons or in third countries and that are complicit in the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including persons that help Russia to evade or circumvent sanctions and other trade prohibitions imposed by Canada and its like-minded partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau June 13, 2024 Apulia, Italy Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the margins of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed President Zelenskyy's participation in the Summit and underlined the G7's continued unity and solidarity with Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia's ongoing war of aggression. The leaders discussed the situation on the ground, and the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine as it faces a renewed Russian offensive, including attacks on civilian infrastructure. President Zelenskyy thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for Canada's shipment, from London, Ontario, of four armoured medical evacuation vehicles, the first of 50 Canadian-built armoured combat support vehicles to Europe, to support Ukraine's Armed Forces. As the G7 finalizes the delivery of Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans, Prime Minister Trudeau confirmed that Canada stands ready to contribute $5 billion in funding through this initiative, which brings forward future revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine. The Prime Minister and the President further exchanged on the global implications of Russia's brutal and unjustifiable war and highlighted President Zelenskyy's continued efforts toward a just and sustainable peace, including the upcoming Summit on Peace in Ukraine. The Prime Minister looked forward to participating in the Summit and to helping lead discussions on deported children, civilian hostages, and prisoners of war, including in the context of Canada's co-leadership of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Congress Vice-President attends Ukraine Recovery Conference Council of Europe Congress Berlin (Germany) 13 June 2024 Congress Vice-President Bernd VAhringer welcomed the local dimension put forward at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2024) in Berlin on 11-12 June 2024. Organised by the governments of Germany and Ukraine, the Conference brought together heads of state and governments, international organisations, local authorities, business and civil society representatives. "Pursuing the decentralisation and local self-government reform is key for a sound reconstruction of the country, both in its human and economic aspects", he highlighted in his discussions with the mayors and governors of Bucha, Chernijhiv, Kyiv, Korosten, Lyiv, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomir, Zviahel, and many other partner municipalities. In the meetings with the Ukrainian national associations, he reiterated the solidarity and support of the Congress in strengthening the city-to-city partnerships and in further mobilising networks to enhance the capacities of local and regional authorities in Ukraine, as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan on Resilience, Recovery, and Reconstruction 2023-2026. Insights of the URC2024 will feed into the Congress report on recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, to be adopted in early 2025. This report will notably address the role of local self-government in rebuilding social capital and ensuring a sustainable future of cities and regions in Ukraine. Vice-President VAhringer stressed that the Congress stands ready to contribute to the next edition of the URC to be hosted by the government of Italy in 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 13, 2024 By Joseph Clark, DOD News Austin Underscores Commitment to Ukraine Security at Brussels Meeting Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored today the commitment by the U.S. and its allies to helping Ukraine meet its urgent defense needs and bolster its long-term security amid what he said is a critical moment in Russia's ongoing war of aggression. As he met with the nearly 50-member U.S. coalition committed to backing Ukraine at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the secretary said Ukraine remains "in a tough fight" against Russia's attempts to reshape the front lines. "In Kharkiv and elsewhere, the Kremlin continues to intensify its bombardment of Ukraine's cities and civilians," Austin said. "And Ukraine urgently needs more air-defense capabilities to defend its skies." "But the Ukrainian people remain resilient and unbowed," he said. "And Ukraine's forces continue to impress the world with their skill and grit." Despite Russia's latest offensive near Kharkiv, Ukraine has held strong on the front lines and continued to inflict heavy costs on the invading forces, Austin said. Since the start of the war in February 2022, at least 350,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded, Austin said. Russia has also faced staggering equipment losses. Ukrainian forces have destroyed more than 2,600 Russian combat vehicles across the front lines and severely degraded Russia's naval capabilities in the Black Sea. "That's just another reminder of the price that Russia has paid for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's imperial ambitions," Austin said. "And it's another reminder of Ukraine's determination. "And make no mistake: Ukraine's partners around the world have its back," he said. Today's meeting marked the 23rd iteration of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which has continued to work together to meet Ukraine's urgent battlefield needs. The group has expanded in size since being formed soon after the invasion. Today, the coalition welcomed its newest member, Argentina. Today's engagement followed Austin's visit to France last week, where he and President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. There Biden announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine, which is valued at $225 million and includes air defense interceptors, artillery ammunition and other critical capabilities. The latest provision is the sixth security assistance package announced by the U.S. since Biden signed a nearly $95 billion national security supplemental into law in April. The supplemental includes humanitarian and security assistance funds for Israel and Taiwan in addition to Ukraine. Austin said today that the flow of urgently needed aid has been critical to Ukraine's ability to push back against Russia's offensive near Kharkiv. The White House also announced yesterday that Biden and Zelenskyy will sign a long-term security agreement aimed at addressing Ukraine's security needs into the future. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters yesterday that the agreement outlines "a clear vision of work with our allies and partners with Ukraine in order to continue to strengthen Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capability." Several other members of the UDCG have also signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, reflecting a collective commitment to Ukraine's long-term defense. "Any lasting peace in Ukraine has to be underwritten by Ukraine's own ability to defend itself and deter future aggression," Sullivan said. "And by signing this, we'll also be sending Russia a signal of our resolve. If Vladimir Putin thinks that he can outlast the coalition supporting Ukraine, he's wrong," Sullivan said. "He just cannot wait us out, and this agreement will show our resolve and continued commitment." Biden and Zelenskyy are expected to sign the agreement while attending the Group of Seven summit in Brindisi, Italy. The UDCG has also undertaken initiatives aimed at bolstering Ukraine's long-term defense through the formation of targeted capability coalitions. Thirteen members of the contact group are leading eight separate capability coalitions designed to drive Ukraine's long-term force development. Those coalitions focus on critical capabilities that range from air-defense to artillery. Austin said today that the group heard the capability coalition focused on bolstering Ukraine's drone capabilities. "This capability coalition is helping to expand Ukraine's asymmetric capabilities," Austin said, adding that the focus is essential as Russia relies on Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles to target Ukrainian citizens. "This is just one of the eight capability coalitions, and they're doing outstanding work," Austin said. "Together, we're helping Ukraine build a formidable future force. One that can deter aggression over the long haul." The coalition also continued ongoing discussions expanding the production of critical munitions and capabilities. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a critical moment," Austin said as he kicked off the day's discussions. "The stakes of this war are high. Ukraine's survival is on the line. But so is all of our security. "None of us would want to live in a world where Putin prevails," he said. "And we would all be less secure if tyrants think that they can trample borders and cow their neighbors." Austin will also participate in a NATO defense ministers meeting on Friday. While outlining the goals for the meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said ministers will discuss progress toward meeting capability requirements for NATO's new generation of regional defense plans. The ministers will also discuss further ways of ensuring Ukraine's long-term security, as well as ways to continue to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense. "We will bolster our support to Ukraine, we will strengthen our defenses, and we will send a strong message of deterrence to our adversaries," Stoltenberg said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baltic foreign ministers to G7 states: immobilised Russian assets must be used for rebuilding Ukraine Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13.06.2024 In a joint letter today, the foreign ministers of three Baltic States call on G7 states to work towards using immobilized Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. Ahead of the G7 meeting that begins today, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba BraAe and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis state that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a brutal and blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and the rules-based international order and Russia must be held accountable. "If aggression is left unpunished and the aggressor does not have to compensate for the damage done, it will send a message that aggression pays off," the foreign ministers say in the letter. According to the World Bank, nearly a500 billion is needed over the next decade for recovery and reconstruction and the entire reconstruction can reach up to a1 trillion. "Reconstruction in Ukraine must not be the burden of our taxpayers, instead Russia must comply with international obligations and compensate all damages caused by its aggression," the ministers emphasise. The joint letter recognises the G7 states for their efforts to use Russia's immobilised assets so far and calls on the organisation to work closely with the European Union, international partners and allies to achieve this goal. "We emphasize our common determination to raise the cost of aggression, help Ukraine win the war and rebuild their country," the foreign ministers write. "Support to Ukraine is an investment in international peace and security." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 - Co-Chairs' Statement by the Governments of Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Germany Germany Federal Foreign Office 13.06.2024 - Press release We have come together - with governments, international organisations, financial institutions, businesses, regions, municipalities and civil society - united by a shared commitment to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine for as long as needed. With over 3.400 participants representing the various stakeholder groups, we demonstrated our strong engagement for Ukraine's future at the URC2024. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has led to countless civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, industrial assets, housing and ecosystems, causing immeasurable human suffering and substantial losses to the economy. We salute the Ukrainian people for their steadfast courage in defending their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity - and in facing the ongoing Russian full-scale war of aggression. In coordination with international donors and partners, we are determined to continue to provide military, financial, political and economic support, as well as humanitarian and development aid for Ukraine, and to continue to counter the devastating effects of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The motto of the URC2024 "United in Defence. United in Recovery. Stronger together" reflects the commitment of all international partners to long-term support for Ukraine. As we continue to support Ukraine's socio-economic development, we are aware that all reconstruction efforts, including securing and rebuilding critical infrastructure, such as in the energy sector, contribute to the resilience of Ukraine and its defence. In this spirit, the URC2024 ensured active participation of the defence industry as a key business sector. The agreements on security cooperation and long-term support concluded with 15 countries including Germany, to date, on the basis of the G7 Joint declaration of support for Ukraine (Vilnius, 12 July 2023) underpin continuous support of the international community of Ukraine's defence against Russia's armed aggression for as long as is necessary. Partners of Ukraine will continue to support Ukraine in building modern defence forces equipped to deter any future attack. The URC2024 is an integral part of international diplomatic efforts such as the upcoming G7 Summit in Italy, as well as the Summit on Peace for Ukraine hosted by Switzerland, which aims for a high-level dialogue on a framework and principles to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter. For the first time since Ukraine became a candidate country, the URC2024 has now taken place in a member state of the European Union (EU) following the landmark decision by the European Council on accession negotiations with Ukraine and the provision of 50 billion euro to support UkraineAs recovery, reconstruction and modernisation over the coming years, helping Ukraine on its path towards EU membership. Germany supports Ukraine's further progress on the European path, in particular the swift adoption of the negotiating framework on accession negotiations for Ukraine, followed by the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024. The URC2024 was instrumental in mobilising continued international support for the resilience, recovery, reconstruction, reform and modernisation of Ukraine in business, human, local and EU dimensions. Important cross-cutting issues such as macro-economic stability, resilience and security, energy, critical infrastructure, housing, climate actions, green recovery, healthcare, education, environment and gender were integrated into these dimensions. To ensure engagement in addressing these issues all across society, the URC2024 enabled the meaningful participation of a broad range of stakeholders. Upholding the spirit of the Ukraine Reform Conferences that took place until 2022 and the Lugano Principles, the URC2024 also showcased Ukrainian progress on reform in the context of its economic resilience and the EU accession process. Businesses and municipalities seized new business opportunities, exchanged experiences and presented their achievements at the Recovery Forum business fair. The URC2024 was prepared jointly with international partners through a series of pre-events on the "Road to URC2024", including civil society consultations on each dimension of the URC. The Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine uniting 30 partners, including donors and international financial institutions, in support of Ukraine, met at ministerial level for the first time. Members adopted a Joint CommuniquA reaffirming their commitment to foster robust and effective channels for assistance coordination to meet Ukraine's highest priority needs. In total, over 110 agreements were signed including a dozen business to business agreements. Together with announcements made during the URC2024 they amount to over 16 billion euro, including strong support for energy resilience, the defence industry, social infrastructure, reconstruction of critical infrastructure and private sector development, agriculture and processing. Parts are financed through new commitments under the EU's Ukraine Facility. Business Dimension: The URC2024 offered business representatives a forum to seize new opportunities, announce new collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships. With the support of its international partners, the forum presented a comprehensive set of existing and new measures and incentives designed to facilitate and de-risk investments and trade under the current circumstances. These measures include guarantees from G7 countries and the EU, political and risk insurance tools, commercial reinsurance projects, state-sponsored programmes for investment support, streamlined processes for construction and infrastructure projects, long-term housing finance, tax incentives and access to affordable project financing. The URC2024 highlighted best practices for government support, guarantee instruments and access to finance with the aim of mobilising more actors to set up and expand similar instruments. It also presented a Ukraine Investment Guide, specially prepared for the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin. The guide offers a comprehensive list of investment project examples across the energy, infrastructure, agriculture and IT services sectors. The URC2024 also emphasised the relevance of future reforms aimed at enhancing its business environment and integrating European standards as the country enters negotiations on EU accession. In addition, Germany set up an Investors' Guide to promote international private sector activities in Ukraine. Following a German-US initiative in the context of the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform, a dedicated Business Advisory Council was launched as part of the URC2024 business dimension tasked to promote private sector engagement in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, including by advising on scaling up investments from the private sector. Flagship projects of international business showcased their success stories of doing business in Ukraine in key sectors such as defence, manufacturing and energy. Ukraine and Germany together with 31 international partners launched an SME Resilience Alliance to align policies, strengthen institutions and improve access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine, and among other purposes, to transform the Ukrainian Business Development Fund into a fully-fledged independent Ukrainian development finance institution for economic recovery. The overall commitments to the Alliance total more than 7 billion euro for current and new SME programmes. Of this sum, over 4.5 billion euro account for new programmes. Large parts of these new programmes are financed through new commitments under the EU's Ukraine Facility. In addition, under the Ukraine Investment Framework, the European Commission announced it will launch a first dedicated call to international financial institutions (IFIs) to mobilise support to equity funds for investments in Ukraine. The use of EU guarantees as a primary de-risking tool, along with grants, blended financing to reduce borrowing costs, and technical assistance should pave the way to promote larger-scale private investments in Ukraine - both in the short and longer term. Germany is supporting this approach by promoting innovative fund concepts that meaningfully bolster reconstruction efforts. Initiatives have already been discussed in this regard, the Ukraine Development Fund being one example. Export Credit Agencies declared their willingness to support the Ukrainian economy and their respective domestic export and investment-related industries providing best practices and collective effort aiming to substantially strengthen export credit and foreign direct investment support for Ukraine. The URC2024 provides a timely platform for coordinating and consolidating international support for Ukraine's efforts to recover its critically damaged energy infrastructure. Ukraine's energy sector is evolving, marked by increased integration into European energy networks and strengthened cooperation with Germany and other global partners through the G7+ Energy Coordination Group, which also met at the URC2024, and other international instruments. Ukraine signed eight memorandums of understanding focusing on promoting renewable energy solutions projects, expanding the energy portfolio, enhancing electricity networks and establishing strategic intergovernmental partnerships. This opens up broader opportunities with German and international companies to bolster support for the Ukrainian energy sector, establish and deepen relationships between commercial energy entities and ensure reforms are on track for energy integration into the EU. The URC2024 facilitates the announcement of new financial opportunities for emergency recovery, significant contributions to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and the Fund's cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency. Human Dimension: For the first time, the URC2024 also placed the human dimension at the centre of the discussion. The URC2024 promoted solutions for the mobilisation of human capital for reconstruction, as well as for social cohesion and inclusiveness issues. Participants discussed topics such as education, healthcare and the provision of social services and infrastructure, as well as advancing mine action, the role of the cultural sector and the integration of veterans, internally displaced persons and returnees. Rebuilding Ukraine requires the expertise and efforts of a large number of skilled workers. Ukraine, Germany and international partners launched a Skills Alliance for Ukraine to help train the skilled workers that Ukraine needs for reconstruction due to Russia's war of aggression, with Germany and international partners announcing investments of over 700 million euro. Strengthening the physical and mental health of Ukrainians is equally key to the resilience of Ukrainian society. Germany and international partners therefore expanded the International Medical Network and plan to invest 264 million euro in healthcare. Participants agreed that more attention needs to be paid to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, as women and girls continue to face multiple challenges in Russia's war of aggression. Therefore, Germany and international partners pledged to provide 46 million euro for an Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery. Ukraine presented its National Mine Action Strategy implementation plan highlighting the impact of mines on agriculture, livelihoods, education, healthcare and access to essential services. Local and regional Dimension: The URC2024 also involved around 200 local and regional actors for the first time, acknowledging their crucial role in reconstruction. Participants discussed how increased and sound distribution of financial resources, capacity building and partnerships can boost recovery. Participants showcased their needs, recovery project proposals and best practices for creating liveable resilient communities by promoting sustainable urban development, housing, energy and thermal efficiency, quick and smart winterisation solutions, and strengthening local self-government for integration into the EU, and economic activity. At the same time, the Conference addressed transparency and accountability as key to building citizens' trust in Ukraine's resilience. With a view to enhancing access to finance for municipalities, facilitating municipal capacity development and providing the leverage municipal partnerships need for recovery, Ukraine, Germany and international partners launched a Coalition for Sustainable Municipalities. Under the Coalition, around 2 billion euro were mobilised, of which 1 billion euro are a dedicated allocation to subnational authorities under the EU's Ukraine Facility. Also, partners issued a call to action to conclude international partnerships for all Ukrainian municipalities by the URC2025. With the energy system heavily damaged by Russian attacks, a special focus needs to be on supporting Ukrainian regions and municipalities live through the next winter period. Municipalities and regions presented their priority needs and asked for additional support. EU Dimension: The European Union accession process promotes reforms, economic growth, investment security and the sustainable recovery of a competitive economy. It also supports stable political institutions and guarantees human rights and the rule of law, as well as functioning public service institutions. By stocktaking and showcasing progress in addition to highlighting key instruments of support, the Conference strengthened confidence in the reform process. Despite enormous challenges of a full-scale war, Ukraine achieved significant results on the reform track, in particular in implementing the steps determined by the European Commission within Ukraine's EU accession process. Based on this, the importance of approving the EU negotiation framework for Ukraine and conducting the first intergovernmental conference in June was noted. The URC2024 also emphasised the importance of continuous support for Ukraine's negotiation process, including further support for the capacity building of Ukrainian institutions. Participants agreed that Ukraine's accession to the European Union will significantly contribute to regional stability and peace, justice, freedom and security across Europe. Ukraine's progress towards EU integration exemplifies the transformative power of the EU's values and standards, reinforcing the EU's role in promoting stability, prosperity and democratic governance in the region. As a member of the EU Energy Community, Ukraine presented its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), as well as announcing the launch of an Environmental Platform for Ukraine to be implemented by OECD, UNEP and UNECE for a greener recovery. Ukraine showcased significant reform progress and future commitments including the Reform Matrix and the Ukraine Plan. Participants welcomed Italy's commitment to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2025, building on the outcomes of Lugano, London, and Berlin, as well as Italy's intention to carry on the work started in Berlin on the four dimensions as key pillars for recovery of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges US to play constructive role in Ukraine crisis Global Times US-led West to exert more pressure on Russia at G7, using geopolitics to contain China By Chen Qingqing Published: Jun 13, 2024 08:55 PM China on Thursday voiced firm opposition to unilateral sanctions imposed by the US targeting some Chinese companies as the US widened sanctions on Russia ahead of the G7 summit in Italy, urging Washington to play a constructive role in promoting a cease-fire, ending the war, and restoring peace. Some experts believe that the US and Europe will further coordinate their positions on the Ukraine crisis at the summit, and targeting China is now an option for the US-led West to shift the blame diplomatically. Meanwhile, the US is trying to use the geopolitical crisis to engage in a global strategic competition, especially with China, which also indicates that the US has reached a dead end on the two-year-old crisis, they noted. The agenda of the first day of the three-day summit in to be held in Puglia, southern Italy, is filled with discussion sessions on the Ukraine crisis, including an appearance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The US and Ukrainian leaders are also anticipated to sign a bilateral security deal on Thursday as they meet on the sidelines of the summit, according to media reports. On the eve of the summit, the US expanded sanctions against Russia, targeting some Chinese companies that Washington believes are "helping Russia pursue its war in Ukraine." Also, G7 leaders will call on China to "stop enabling and sustaining Russia's war against Ukraine," according to a draft statement reported by Bloomberg on Wednesday. China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination. The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia is inherently logical and very much resilient, and is in the interest of both countries, Lin Jian, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday. "China firmly opposes all unilateral sanction and long-arm jurisdiction. The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be interfered with or disrupted, still less be used as a tool to smear and contain China," Lin said. In addition to the US' continued support for Ukraine, G7 leaders have agreed to engineer a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine that would use interest earned on profits from Russia's frozen central bank assets as collateral, AP reported on Thursday. The US and Europe will further coordinate their positions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, targeting China in the process. This includes pushing China to persuade Russia and control its dual-use technology, Sun Keqin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Thursday. Moreover, this G7 summit takes place before the Ukraine peace summit, which China will not attend, giving the US and Europe more excuese to make an issue of it, Sun said. On the Ukraine crisis, it is quite clear to the international community who is calling for dialogue and striving for peace, and who is fueling the fight and inciting confrontation, Lin said. The US on the one hand continues to pour weapons and munition into Ukraine, yet on the other shifts the blame of undermining peace and protracting the crisis to other countries. It even sees the crisis as an opportunity to slap sanctions and suppress others. "All of it reveals the US's calculations, hypocrisy and what a bully it is," Lin said. "On the Ukraine crisis, China has always advocated peace and promoted dialogue, while maintaining a neutral stance. However, as the situation in the battlefield deteriorates, the US-led West has been shifting the blame, attributing the so-called prolonged harm from the conflict to China," said Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. At this G7 summit, the West is not only targeting Russia economically but is also willing to provide substantial financial aid to Ukraine, as they are attempting to establish a fixed, long-term mechanism to support Ukraine, Zhang told the Global Times on Thursday. "The G7 has also invited some Global South countries, aiming to form a united front against Russia before the upcoming peace conference [in Switzerland]. But most Global South countries are not likely to take sides on this issue," Zhang said. The summit organizers had invited countries such as India, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania, which holds the presidency of the African Union, Reuters reported on Thursday. Some experts not only doubt that the US-led West can unite the Global South countries, especially as some will be attending the Moscow-hosted BRICS summit later this year, but also question whether they can even rally major European countries. Following the recent European Parliament elections, major European countries are under significant pressure following gains for far-right parties. In this context, Europe will feel overwhelmed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Palestine issue, both of which are of great concern to the US, Sun noted. "The rise of the far-right [in Europe] has direct connections to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Palestine conflict, as Europe cannot resolve the social and economic problems that these conflicts have brought," Sun said. Experts said the US may indeed implement more far-reaching sanctions as part of its efforts to isolate Russia, indicating that relations between Russia and the West are not just at their worst but could deteriorate further. "In fact, Russia has some countermeasures in response to this diplomatic isolation and military pressure. This includes military actions, such as Russia's current deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in the second phase of exercises and sending nuclear submarines to visit Cuba," Zhang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway donates bomber ammunition to Ukraine Government of Norway News story | Date: 13/06/2024 - Ukraine's need for firepower is extensive and urgent. After dialogue with the Norwegian Armed Forces, we have assessed what we can do further donations from the Norwegian Armed Forces' stockpiles, which can quickly be transferred to Ukraine to help prevent a greater Russian advance. We have now donated 81mm bomb launcher ammunition for a value of approximately NOK 480 million, says Defence Minister BjArn Arild Gram (Sp). Bomb launchers are the lightest and most mobile of the artillery weapons, and can be both vehicle-mounted and portable. 81mm bomb launchers normally have a range of 5-6 kilometers and supplement the heavier artillery at shorter distances. Ukraine's ammunition needs are extensive, and the bomb-thrower ammunition donated by Norway can be used by Ukraine in existing weapons. Donates hand grenades, sniper ammunition and air defense Norway has also recently donated hand grenades to the value of NOK 50 million and sniper ammunition to the value of NOK 3 million. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StAre announced in Stockholm on 31 May that Norway will contribute NOK 2.7 billion to air defense measures for Ukraine. On Tuesday this week, the German Minister of Defense announced that Germany, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands are participating in a joint venture to send 100 Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Norway contributes 125 million euros to this collaboration. The Norwegian military support for Ukraine is part of a broad international effort among allies and partner countries. Through the Nansen programme, Norway contributed in 2023 military support to Ukraine of around NOK 10 billion, in the form of donations from the defense sector and industry, grants to international funds and mechanisms and training of Ukrainian personnel. The Norwegian government has already made a number of major decisions on military support for 2024 and is at all times in dialogue with allies and partners on measures that can help cover high-priority Ukrainian military needs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The State Secretary stresses the importance of continuous support for Ukraine at an informal meeting of EU countries Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 13.06.2024 On 12 and 13 June 2024, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris PelAs, participated in an informal meeting of State Secretaries and Directors General from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the European Union (EU) Member States in Budapest, where Hungary presented its priorities for the Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will begin on 1 July. The aim of the meeting, organised by the incoming presidency of the Council of the EU, is to discuss current issues on the EU agenda, outlining priorities for the next six months, which this year will also mark the start of a new EU institutional cycle. "The EU must provide all the necessary support for Ukraine to win. It is important to implement the EU's security commitments with Ukraine without hesitation, to endorse the framework for accession negotiations and convene an intergovernmental conference, as well as to continue to put pressure on Russia through sanctions," stressed Andris PelAs. During the discussion, the State Secretary mentioned strengthening defence and resilience as one of the EU's current tasks, which includes improving national defence capabilities and supporting the development of the military industry. Andris PelAs also stated that Latvia's constant priority is a fully functioning Single Market based on fair competition, which can be promoted by reducing the EU's internal fragmentation and strengthening economic resilience. The meeting discussed the main directions of work in the area of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. It focused on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the need to develop faster and more effective EU decision-making, and the common interest of all Member States in building the EU as a geopolitically strong and effective player. During the discussion, the State Secretary, Andris PelAs, stressed the need to continue to put pressure on Russia's budget to reduce its financial capacity to continue its war of aggression in Ukraine. He noted the strengthening of sanctions to combat Russia's "shadow fleet" and the inclusion of raw materials used in Russian military production on the sanctions list. Andris PelAs highlighted the alignment of sanctions against Russia and Belarus to prevent the circumvention of sanctions through Belarus and drew attention to Russia's growing hybrid activities in Europe, which could intensify in the future. To ensure Russia's accountability for its war crimes, the State Secretary expressed support for work towards the creation of an international tribunal within the European Council. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister L. Kasciunas announced Lithuania's next package of assistance for Ukraine at the Ramstein meeting Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-06-13 International cooperation | Security and defense policy | Uncategorized On June 13, Thursday, Minister of National Defence took part in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) meeting. Ukraine's donors are meeting on the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting in Brussels. "It is vital for the eventual Ukraine's victory to receive more funding for military assistance. Lithuania is committed to retaining a steady scope of military aid set at at least 0.25 percent of GDP. The priorities of military assistance Lithuania renders are air defence, demining, UAVs and drone jamming systems are. I am proud to inform that Lithuania has donated EUR 16 million to the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine for air defence procurements," said Minister L. Kasciunas at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. Over May and June Lithuania's package of material aid to Ukraine, besides the financial contribution to the International Fund for Ukraine for air defenses, include the M113 armored personnel carriers that will reach Ukraine by the end of this week, as well as5.56 mm ammunition, drone jamming and surveillance drone systems and other vital items - power generators, field beds, truck tires. The M113 Lithuania hands over to Ukraine's demining capabilities is a non-reimbursable contribution to the Ukraine Demining Coalition Lithuania leads with Iceland. Minister of National Defence also attended the NATO-Ukraine Council which addressed the objectives of the NATO Summit in Washington. "The stronger our long-term commitment to Ukraine is, the sooner the war ends," stated Minister at the meeting and urge the Allies to reach an agreement on the long-term assistance package and prospects of Ukraine's NATO membership. According to L. Kasciunas, the priorities on the upcoming Washington Summit agenda are increasing financial assistance and training Ukrainian military personnel in Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General: "the longer we commit, the sooner Ukraine can have peace" NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 13 Jun. 2024 Defence Ministers met in Brussels on Thursday (13 June 2024) to finalise preparations for NATO's Washington Summit and discuss support for Ukraine. In a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov briefed Allies on the battlefield situation. Following the meeting, the Secretary General said he expects Allies to agree tomorrow on the plan for NATO security assistance and training to Ukraine. He added that he has also proposed that Allies provide Ukraine at least 40 billion euros in military support each year, for as long as necessary. "The paradox is that the longer we plan, and the longer we commit, the sooner Ukraine can have peace," he said, underlining that a credible, long-term commitment shows Moscow that they cannot wait out Allied support. Ukraine's future in NATO was also discussed, with Mr Stoltenberg pointing to Allies' efforts to bring Ukraine "ever closer to NATO membership". To that end, Allies discussed plans to align Ukraine's defence and security sectors with NATO standards, and improve its defence procurement. They also endorsed the first-ever NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap and are preparing to endorse a NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) in Poland. On Friday, Ministers will discuss strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence, including a new defence industrial pledge to scale up military production. "This is our last Ministerial before the Washington Summit, so we have a lot to get done," the Secretary General concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moscow warns of 'painful response' if EU uses Russian assets to fund Ukraine Iran Press TV Thursday, 13 June 2024 7:14 PM Russia says that desperate attempts by the West to take the income from frozen Russian assets were criminal. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova in remarks on Thursday said that the move would lead to a response from Moscow that would be very painful for the European Union. "We know about the supposedly reached fundamental agreements within the G7 to provide Ukraine with another loan of 50 billion dollars pledged against future revenues from managing Russian assets. Such a step will not lead the West to anything good. This illegal initiative, linked to attempts to pump up the Kyiv regime with money at someone else's expense, threatens to completely unbalance the financial system and create cataclysmic crises," she said. "In addition, there is enough European property and money in Russia, as you know, our government representatives have repeatedly spoken about this, and inevitable retaliatory measures will be extremely painful for Brussels. So they will have to pay for their madness out of their own pocket first and foremost." A plan to use frozen Russian assets for war-torn Ukraine will dominate the Group of Seven countries talks in Italy on Thursday. Group of Seven countries and the European Union are weighing how to use profits generated by Russian assets frozen in the West to provide Ukraine with a large loan to secure Kyiv's financing for 2025. After initially advocating a straightforward confiscation of Russian assets, the United States is now on board with the European plan to use the interest generated by the frozen assets instead. A senior US official said that the G7 had reached an agreement on tapping future interest from about $300bn in frozen Russian assets to provide a $50 billion loan to Ukraine. "We have political agreement at the highest levels for this deal. And it is $50bn this year that will be committed to Ukraine," the official told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 meeting. Concerns have also been raised that third countries like China could reduce investments in the West for fear that assets could be seized. Since Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine in late February, the administration of US President Joe Biden has slapped a slew of sanctions against Russian officials and its financial institutions. Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, his closest advisers and major banks have been targeted in the coordinated US attempt to cut off finances and deal a blow to the Russian economy. Russia is also threatening retaliation. Putin signed a decree in May authorizing the confiscation in Russia of assets belonging to the United States or "associated" individuals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden, Zelenskiy Sign Security Deal After G7 Agreement On $50 Billion Loan To Ukraine By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 13, 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on June 13 signed a 10-year security agreement, hailing it as a milestone in relations between their countries. Zelenskiy called the security agreement a "bridge to Ukraine's accession to NATO" and said it is important for all Ukrainians and Europeans to know that there will be no security deficit in Europe to tempt aggressors to wage war and make the future uncertain. The text of the agreement "clearly states" that Washington supports Ukraine's victory in the war, Zelenskiy said, speaking at a joint press conference with Biden after the two leaders signed the document on the sidelines of the annual Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy. Zelenskiy listed a number of provisions of the agreement, noting that it is "very specific regarding the supply of the necessary weapons, joint production, and strengthening of the defense industries of our countries through our cooperation." He said this would not only provide security but also jobs for Ukrainians and Americans. Biden said the goal "is to strengthen Ukraine's defense and deterrence capabilities." He said the United States has received commitments from five countries that he did not name to provide Patriot missile and other air defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskiy said he "urgently" needed seven Patriot systems to protect Ukrainians and the nation's infrastructure from Russia's continued bombardment. Biden told him, "You'll have some relatively quickly." The G7 leaders earlier agreed on a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets as collateral. Combined with new sanctions against Russia announced earlier in the week, Biden said the series of actions to support Ukraine show Putin that "he cannot wait us out. He cannot divide us." The agreement will leverage interest and income from more than $260 billion in frozen Russian assets, largely held in Europe, to secure a $50 billion loan from the U.S. and additional loans from other partners. Diplomats confirmed to the Associated Press that an agreement had been reached on the deal before the leaders even landed in southern Italy on June 13 for a highly anticipated three-day summit. Separately, G7 member Canada announced on June 13 that it was sending its first delivery of new armored vehicles to Ukraine. Defense Minister Bill Blair said Ukrainian troops would be trained to use them over the summer. Additionally, Britain said it would announce 242 million pounds ($309.5 million) in humanitarian aid for Ukraine during the summit, which brings together the leaders of seven of the world's wealthiest countries. Germany on June 11 also pledged to send a Patriot system, along with Gepard self-propelled antiaircraft guns and an IRIS-T air-defense system. The G7 summit kicks off a day after Russia killed at least nine people in a deadly attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih. A major city in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Kryviy Rih is Zelenskiy's hometown and has been the target of Russian air attacks multiple times in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian government on June 13 said G7 nations had separately agreed to provide more than $1 billion to support Ukraine's energy sector. Ukraine's Energy Ministry said in a statement the country would import 29,796 megawatt hours on June 12, exceeding the previous record of up to 28,000 MWh set earlier this month. With reporting by AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/g7-ukraine-loan-russian -assets-summit-italy/32990942.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian servicemen ensure safe conduct of next rotation of IAEA mission observers at Zaporozhye NPP 13.06.2024 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation together with Russian National Guard units ensured the safe conduct of the next rotation of the International Atomic Energy Agency mission observers at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. For the safety of the IAEA observers, a ceasefire was declared along the entire route from the designated crossing point - the destroyed bridge near Kamenskoye in Zaporozhye region - and was strictly observed by all Russian servicemen. Before the movement began, Russian sappers surveyed the area for unexploded foreign and Ukrainian munitions. After the engineering reconnaissance was completed, Russian servicemen ensured the safe passage of the mission observers and their delivery to the station. Four inspectors arrived as part of the mission, the task is to observe and assess the safety condition of the Zaporozhye NPP. The IAEA experts have been present at the Zaporozhye NPP since 1 September 2022 after the first visit of the Agency's Director General Rafael Grossi to the plant. The Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meloni Confirms G7 Agreement on Ukraine Loan, No Confiscation of Russian Assets Sputnik News 20240613 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday confirmed that the G7 countries have agreed to provide 50$ billion to Ukraine in loans, but added that Russia's frozen assets will not be confiscated. "I confirm that we have reached a political agreement to provide additional financial assistance to Ukraine of about 50 billion dollars by the end of the year through a loan mechanism that will use proftis from Russian assets frozen in our jurisdictions to repay them," Meloni said at the G7 summit in Italy. The prime minister added that confiscation of the assets is not on the table. "We are certainly not talking about confiscating these assets, but the interest that they generate over time," Meloni said. Earlier it was reported, that the G7 countries have agreed on a loan structure based on the size of their economies to provide about $50 billion in new aid package to Ukraine, using Russia's frozen assets. Under the mechanism to be signed during the G7 summit in Italy, the United States, the European Union and other participants will provide Ukraine with a loan, and the income received from the Russian assets over time will be used to return this money. At the same time, each G7 and EU member that provides loans to Kiev at the expense of the Russian assets will bear risks, the news agency added. Later in the day, the G7 member states finalized a provisional loan deal at the sherpa level, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing an agreed G7 statement. "It's done. At sherpa level, it is agreed and I do not expect any leadersa.a.a.ato block it... There is provisional agreementa.a.a.abut, of course, you need formal approval from the G7 leaders," one of the officials familiar with the matter was quoted by the Financial Times as saying. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in turn said G7 leaders would discuss the use of frozen Russian assets at the summit in Italy. Moscow has maintained that any attempts to confiscate Russian assets amount to theft and a violation of international law. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commenting on the development on Thursday said that plans to provide $50 billion in loans to Ukraine using profits from Russia's frozen assets will not be beneficial for the West, and may result in new economic crises. "Such a step will not lead to anything good for the West. Illegal initiatives related to pumping the Kiev regime with money at someone else's expense may result in the final unbalancing of the financial system and devastating crises," Zakharova told a briefing. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Policy on Strikes Deep Into Russia Has Not Changed - Pentagon Chief Sputnik News 20240613 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has not changed its policy on not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to conduct strikes deep into Russian territory, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said on Thursday. He admitted that US granted permision "to conduct counter fire in the Kharkov area" with US weaponry. "As you know, Ukraine requested permission to conduct counter fire in the Kharkov area using US weapons, and President Biden granted them permission to do that," Austin said during a press conference after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels. "Our policy on using long range strike capabilities to conduct strikes deep into Russia, that's not changed." Earlier the White House saw a major policy shift, when US President Joe Biden granted Ukraine permission to use US weapons against military installations in Russia. However, a State Department spokesperson insisted that the permission was limited to what they called "counter-fire purposes" in Kharkov region. Commenting on US possible decision to allow Kiev to launch strikes deep into Russian territory, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that NATO politicians must realize "what they are playing with", especially given the size of their nations. "These representatives of NATO countries, especially in Europe, especially in small countries, they should be aware of what they are playing with. They should remember that this is usually a state with a small territory and a very dense population. This is a factor they should keep in mind before striking deep into Russian territory," Putin calmly explained at press conference following his visit to Uzbekistanin May. No Changes in Patriot Air Defense System Coverage Austin added that the United States will not make any changes to its Patriot missile coverage in Poland in response to reports that the US will send a battery in the country to Ukraine. "There will be no change in our Patriot coverage in Poland," Austin said during a press conference after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels. The New York Times on Tuesday reported that President Joe Biden approved the deployment of a US Patriot system in Poland to Ukraine. Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said earlier on Thursday that a Patriot air-defense system in Poland would be replaced by another battery from another country. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Cannot Supply More Patriot Systems to Ukraine, Urges Others - Defense Minister Sputnik News 20240613 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany cannot supply additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, it has already supplied a quarter of what the country had, now it is up to partners, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday. He explained that there is no space for additional defense systems. "We already provided three [Patriot] systems, that means a quarter of our capacities, so there is no space for providing even more than those three systems ... it is on other partners to provide assistance," Pistorius told reporters ahead of the NATO defense heads' meeting. The minister said that the air defense system was more crucial than ever before, and he was glad that Germany and its partners a the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway a had provided Ukraine with more missiles for Patriot systems at short notice. "We are negotiating and discussing every possibility that includes, of course, radar systems, that includes missiles. We are talking to Raytheon, the producer [of Patriot missiles] in the US. We tried everything, but at the end, it is always the same problem - we need time to produce and time to provide. Its not really a challenge for Germany, because we delivered a lot, but others maybe can do more," Pistorius added. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian strikes. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary Warns of Potential NATO Troop Deployment in Ukraine Without Quick Peace Sputnik News 20240613 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - If NATO launches a mission to coordinate assistance to Ukraine, sooner or later alliance troops will be deployed in the country, at least as peacekeepers, Gergely Gulyas, the Hungarian prime minister's chief of staff, said on Thursday. "Sooner or later it will happen that if a peace treaty is not quickly concluded, within the framework of the NATO mission in Ukraine, NATO troops a at least of a peacekeeping nature awill appear in the western regions of Ukraine. If Russia advances, military plans [of NATO] are already spoken about quite openly," Gulyas told a briefing. If NATO troops are attacked outside the alliance's territory, on Ukrainian territory, then Hungary will not be obliged to provide military assistance to the allies in accordance with Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, the official added. Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto decried NATO plans to let Ukraine use Western-supplied weapons to hit targets in Russia as "insane," warning that Russia's response would be multifold. He also criticized a proposal made by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg that NATO take over the coordination of military aid to Ukraine, giving the alliance a more active role in the conflict. Szijjarto argued that NATO was wiping out its own red lines. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 635 Soldiers in Battles With Russia's Battlegroup Yug - MoD Sputnik News 20240613 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine lost up to 635 soldiers in clashes with Russia's Battlegroup Yug in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) over the past 24 hours, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Thursday. "The enemy lost up to 635 military personnel, two armored combat vehicles, six vehicles [among other military losses in clashes with Battlegroup Yug over the past 24 hours]," the MoD said in a statement, adding that the battlegroup also repelled one Ukrainian counterattack. Battlegroup Tsentr repelled four counterattacks in the DPR and Kiev lost up to 345 soldiers, while Ukraine lost up to 155 soldiers in fights with the Russian Battlegroup Vostok. In battles with Battlegroup Zapad, Kiev lost up to 450 soldiers, the ministry said, adding that Battlegroup Sever repelled eight counterattacks and Ukraine lost up to 305 soldiers over the same period. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Downs Four Ukrainian Drones Above Two Regions Sputnik News 20240613 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian air defenses destroyed three Ukrainian drones over the Yaroslavl Region and another one over the Vladimir Region, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. According to the Yaroslavl regional authorities, there were no casualties or destruction at the site where destroyed Ukrainian drones fell. "During the past night, a number of attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks using aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation were stopped. Air defense systems on duty destroyed three UAVs over the territory of the Yaroslavl Region and one UAV over the Vladimir Region," the ministry said. Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive attempt in early June 2023. Russian officials repeatedly stressed that the Kiev regime continues to conduct terrorist activities. Nevertheless, Russian military is vigilant and takes all necessary steps to address the situation. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The international community is united in dedication to Ukraine's recovery: UK statement to the OSCE Ambassador Neil Holland says that the recent Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin shows that the international community is committed to supporting Ukraine to win the peace and build back better and stronger. 13 June 2024 Thank you, Madam Chair. The UK continues to be appalled by developments on the ground in Ukraine and we reiterate our determination to ensure full accountability for those responsible. But today I would like to note some optimism emerging from the embers of Russia's illegal war. This week Germany and Ukraine have co-hosted the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference. Governments and business leaders from around the world have given Ukraine an unwavering vote of confidence. We were proud to co-host the last Recovery Conference in London last year. It engaged and mobilised partners across the international community and the private sector in support of Ukraine and announced $60bn to support Ukraine's recovery. This year's conference in Berlin has showcased Ukrainian reform progress and economic resilience. It has addressed critical areas such as energy, infrastructure, housing, and climate protection. And it has highlighted healthcare, education, environment, and gender-related aspects of the recovery challenge. It has integrated cross-cutting issues like macro-economic stability and security. Of course, it is deeply regrettable that Russia's war of aggression has made these commitments necessary. As of 31 December 2023, the World Bank has calculated that the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine will be $486 billion over the next decade, up from an estimated $411bn the year before. The scale of the challenge is real and colossal. But it is surpassed by the collective resolve of Ukraine's supporters. And by the spirit of a vibrant, dynamic, creative, European country that refuses to be subdued. This week in Berlin the international community has stood united in dedication to Ukraine's swift recovery and long-term reconstruction. As the UK Foreign Secretary said "Unleashing Ukraine's potential - that is our shared goal". That is why the UK, and our international partners, will continue to support Ukraine to win the peace so they can build back, better and stronger. Madam Chair, could I also take this opportunity to note the prisoner exchange announced on 31 May. That this took place was encouraging, but we were horrified at the condition of the released Ukrainian prisoners in the images that followed. I therefore reiterate my call from 23 May on Russia to abide by the laws of conflict that it helped draft. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: 13 June 2024 This afternoon [13 June 2024] the Prime Minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 Summit in Italy. 13 June 2024 The leaders welcomed G7 efforts to provide Ukraine with significant new funding, enabled by the profits from frozen Russian assets, and to keep working further on avenues to use the frozen assets themselves. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine's right to self-defence in the face of Russia's illegal invasion. The President thanked the Prime Minister for his support for Ukraine's peace initiative and the two leaders looked forward to seeing each other at the Peace Summit in Switzerland this weekend. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The G7 Summit's Key Result for Us Is More Air Defense Systems for Our Cities - Address by the President President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 23:55 Dear Ukrainians! I have just had a meeting with President Biden, a good meeting, a useful one. Throughout these days, I have been in touch with our military, with a daily report from the Commander-in-Chief, and constant reports from the Minister of Defense, other government officials, and intelligence about the situation at the front, in the main directions in our Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, the needs of our warriors, and the details of supplies. Today, almost all our meetings here - at the G7 Summit, and on the sidelines of the Summit - are focused on what our military is saying, on our needs and our capabilities right now, if the supply is sufficient and timely. With all the leaders, we are talking about speeding up the delivery of the announced packages to Ukraine. In particular, we have just talked about this with President Biden. Today, I also spoke with Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, about the new support - thank you, Justin! I also had a meeting with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and it will also contribute to the supplies. And a meeting with Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan. I also had a good meeting with Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy. Thank you, Giorgia, for this meaningful summit and for all your support for Ukraine - for Ukrainians, for the protection of our children and families in Ukraine, all those whose lives are under attack from Russian terror. The key result for us is that there will be more air defense systems for our cities. "Patriots" is practically a Ukrainian word now. There will also be more equipment and other necessary supplies for the front. Decisions have been made regarding the use of Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine, with the G7 taking a significant first step regarding $50 billion. Thank you! There are also two security agreements. The historic result with the United States is a bilateral security agreement that brings our relations to the level of a true alliance. This is the strongest agreement with America in all 33 years of our independence. There is a legally binding component of the agreement, and there are highly useful details on air defense and aircraft. We have secured America's assistance in the supply of fighter squadrons - as many fighters as Ukraine needs. We will work on this. I also spoke with the leaders about accelerating pilot training. Importantly, the agreement with the United States now stipulates support for Ukraine both during wartime and in peacetime. It is truly long-term. We have the same vision of peace - peace that is just for our people. Thank you, President Biden, thank you to both parties and chambers of Congress, thank you, America! Today, we also signed a very promising security accord with Japan, the first such agreement with a non-NATO country, a country from the Asia Pacific region. In fact, we have brought our relations with Japan to a level that not many European countries have. Ukraine really appreciates this. We work together in the security, political, and economic spheres. Four and a half billion dollars of support from Japan have been secured for this year. We are also interested in Ukraine and Japan being close partners in reconstruction - in restoring normal life for our people. And it will be so. We have also agreed on this. Dear Mr. Prime Minister, Fumio, the entire Japanese people, thank you! We have already signed seven security agreements with all G7 countries. In total, seventeen agreements have already been signed, and we are preparing to sign another ten. Today, I had a meeting with the IMF Managing Director to discuss support for our state, our institutions, and our society, of course. I am grateful for the understanding. I also had a very inspiring meeting with the President of the World Bank. We discussed, among other things, support for our energy sector, access to the necessary funds for people, companies, and government institutions to restore destroyed energy capabilities and build new ones. I am grateful to the World Bank and personally to its President for the willingness to work on this. And I would like to thank all our partners today for supporting the Peace Summit and helping to engage leaders and states. Together, the world can definitely restore justice and a just peace. We are doing everything for this. The day after tomorrow the inaugural Peace Summit will take place where we will take the first real step towards a just peace. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukraine and the United States Signed the Strongest Agreement Since Ukraine's Independence President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 23:46 The bilateral security agreement signed with the United States confirms the reliability of the United States' support for Ukraine's independence. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Italy during a joint press conference with President of the United States Joseph Biden. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Joseph Biden for his leadership, which was demonstrated, in particular, by this agreement and years of support for Ukraine, as well as both teams that worked on the content of the document. "And, of course, I want to thank every Ukrainian warrior, all our people, whose courage made this level of alliance between Ukraine and the United States possible. I am proud of our people and what Ukraine is capable of. And I'm very grateful to all Americans, to everyone in America, who strengthens American leadership," he said. The President of Ukraine emphasized that the agreement contains clauses on Russia's fair accountability for this war and important positions on weapons for Ukrainian defense. In particular, there are specific clauses on Patriot systems, supplying Ukraine with squadrons of fighter jets and necessary weapons. "The philosophy of the security agreement between Ukraine and the United States is essentially the philosophy of NATO, and that is why the issue of the Alliance is addressed throughout its text. America supports Ukraine's future membership in NATO and acknowledges that our security agreement is a bridge to Ukraine's membership in NATO," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Head of State also noted the leadership of the U.S. President in the G7 decision on the $50 billion loan for our country. "Russia's frozen assets must be used to protect the lives of Ukrainians from Russian terror and to compensate for the damage caused to Ukraine by the aggressor. This is fair and absolutely right," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized. Joseph Biden noted that the purpose of this agreement is to strengthen Ukraine's defense and its ability to deter the aggressor. According to him, the United States will provide Ukraine with weapons and ammunition and expand intelligence sharing. Interaction between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the United States will be stepped up in accordance with NATO standards, and investments will be made in the defense industrial base to ensure Ukraine's ability to produce its own weapons. "The bilateral security agreement lays out our shared vision for a just peace based on the UN Charter, the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. A peace with broad fundamental support in the world. And a peace in which Russia is held accountable for the damage caused in this war. We will see strong support for this vision at the historic Peace Summit in Switzerland, where the United States will be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris," he said. Joseph Biden emphasized that Ukraine will have everything it needs to defend itself and will receive this assistance at a rapid pace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and the U.S. Signed a Bilateral Security Agreement President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 22:15 During a visit to Italy, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joseph Biden signed a Bilateral Security Agreement between Ukraine and the United States. With this document, the United States assumes long-term security commitments aimed at supporting Ukraine's efforts to win the war and deter possible Russian military aggression in the future. The U.S. policy is to help Ukraine maintain a credible and sustainable level of defense. In particular, the United States intends to seek from the United States Congress appropriation of funds to help sustain a Ukrainian credible defense and deterrent capability, in war and peace. The United States will support our defense forces and the development of military capabilities through the supply of weapons, equipment, training, and other assistance, in coordination with partners. This includes assistance in areas such as air defense, artillery, armored vehicles, combat aviation, maritime security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection. The United States will support Ukraine in developing a layered and integrated air and missile defense system, in particular, building upon the Patriot system. It will coordinate with Ukraine, and work principally through an allied consortium, on the modernization of Ukraine's Air Force, including working toward procurement of squadrons of modern fighter aircraft of the fourth generation (including but not limited to F-16s), and assist in the development of other capabilities, including UAVs. The document envisages cooperation on the development of Ukraine's defense industrial base through cooperative defense research and development, production, and support for increasing the production of necessary weapons, ammunition, and equipment in our country. The agreement sets out the main areas of long-term U.S. assistance for economic recovery, reforms, and continued support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The document also clearly states the United States' support for Ukraine's future membership in NATO and recognizes that this agreement is a bridge to our country's eventual membership in the Alliance. Separate sections of the document address the importance of holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, in particular by paying compensation. The document also emphasizes the U.S. efforts to impose sanctions and export controls. The document also emphasizes the need to explore all possible avenues by which immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine. The United States became the 17th country with which Ukraine signed a bilateral security agreement in furtherance of the G7 Vilnius Declaration. Previously, Ukraine signed such documents with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Preparation of New Aid Packages and Efforts to Return Ukrainian Children Home: The President Met with the Prime Minister of Canada President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 21:04 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. The Head of State expressed gratitude for Canada's defense support and preparation of future assistance packages. He especially noted the transfer of armored evacuation vehicles and other armored vehicles, as well as Canada's proactive stance on providing Ukraine with a $50 billion loan secured by Russian assets. "You were the first country to start advocating for this issue. Thank you for your strong voice. Today, we are very close to this decision on 50 billion. It will help Ukraine not only on the battlefield, but also in recovery. And on behalf of our entire nation, thank you for the defense support and for strengthening our guys, our brave heroes on the battlefield," the President said. During the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau also discussed the security situation, defense cooperation and preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington. Particular attention was paid to the preparation of the Global Peace Summit and its expected results. The Head of State thanked Justin Trudeau for supporting the Ukrainian Peace Formula and efforts to engage other countries, primarily the Global South, in the Summit. In addition, the leaders discussed the work of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, co-chaired by Ukraine and Canada. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with the Prime Minister of Japan President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 19:49 On the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida. The Head of State thanked for the signing of the bilateral security accord between the countries, support for Ukraine and our people and participation in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. "Japan is an obvious leader in Asia in defending international law and human life. From the first days of this criminal Russian invasion, Japan has stood with us, and this gives us all strength and capabilities," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The Head of State noted the provision of financial, humanitarian and other assistance to Ukraine totaling more than $12 billion. The President also noted Japan's willingness to allocate $4.5 billion this year and continue support for the 10-year term of the accord. The President expressed gratitude to Fumio Kishida for his personal presence at the Global Peace Summit and praised Japan's efforts to engage the countries of the Asia-Pacific region in the Summit. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted Japan's active position in strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia and emphasized the need to step up efforts to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions. The Head of State emphasized the importance for Ukraine of involving Japan, with its advanced technology, in the recovery and reconstruction of our country, support in the energy sector and the provision of decentralized electricity sources. The President also expressed gratitude for Japan's willingness to hold the next International Donors' Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine next year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Head of State Discussed Defense Support for Ukraine with Giorgia Meloni President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 18:34 On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the Italian Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni. The Head of State thanked for the unwavering position of Italy in the issues of military, financial and humanitarian support for Ukraine. The parties agreed on further steps in defense cooperation. In particular, Italy's contribution to the development of the Ukrainian air defense system and the preparation of a new defense package. Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine's current defense needs for armored vehicles and long-range weapons. The President and the Prime Minister discussed the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland and shared expectations from it. The Head of State thanked Giorgia Meloni for her active efforts to engage the countries of the Global South in the Summit. The parties also discussed the implementation of joint projects aimed at helping Ukraine rebuild Odesa and the Odesa region. Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Italy's decision to organize the next Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome next year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address This Is a Really Special Format of the G7, a Global Meeting That Brings Together Different Parts of the World - Speech by the President of Ukraine at the G7 Summit President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 18:25 Dear Giorgia, dear colleagues, I am glad to see you all. First of all, Giorgia, I want to thank you for your skill to unite. This is a really special format of the G7, a global meeting that brings together different parts of the world, and that's right. Only joint action by the global majority can solve problems. I will focus on a few points today. The first is security. I am grateful to you for the joint security declaration of the Group of Seven, which was adopted last year on July 12. Today, as part of this declaration, we are signing two more security agreements with the United States and Japan. These are strong agreements. By doing so, we are completing the security architecture of relations between Ukraine and the Group of Seven - there will be seven agreements with all of you. Thank you. Our people see that the world's leading democracies are truly committed to supporting Ukraine's independence and the rights of every nation. Secondly, we have to make our cooperation in providing specific assistance to our soldiers perfect already now. With each of you, we are discussing several things that are most needed - air defense and, above all, Patriots that shoot down all Russian missiles, as well as our long-range capability and the ability to destroy Russian terrorists wherever they are, including on the territory of Russia. The recent permission to use Western weapons outside our territory to defend Kharkiv and other cities has strengthened our defense against Russian attacks. But we are still looking for additional "Patriots", and need to continue to take the same strong steps as were taken for our long-range capability. I also ask you to do everything you can to accelerate our transition to the F-16, which means speeding up pilot training and increasing the number of training facilities for pilots. And I have one message from our military - they are grateful for all the military support packages you have provided and ask you to deliver them to Ukraine, to our soldiers as soon as possible. The third is recovery. This week in Germany, a conference on the recovery of Ukraine was held, and representatives of your countries were there. And I said, and others said - we need a clear plan for the recovery. Similar to the Marshall Plan for Europe after the war. Of course, one that meets the needs of our time and Ukraine. Friends, let's draw up such a recovery plan together and confirm it with a joint G7-plus declaration - a recovery declaration. It will also be a declaration of peace, because through recovery people will see that there will indeed be peace - that we believe in it and care about peace as much as we care about defense. The details can be worked out by our teams, just as they worked out security declarations. And it may be the perfect timing and symbolic solution - to prepare a recovery declaration just in time for the NATO summit in Washington and to adopt it during the Summit. The fourth is Russian assets. We all understand that it is fair that Russia is the one to pay for the damage caused by the Russian war. I ask you to support the plan to use Russian assets, which will quickly provide Ukraine with $50 billion. You are all aware of the details. This is a completely operational plan. And this is money that should work to support both defense and reconstruction. We also need to create a working mechanism for confiscating Russia's $300 billion in frozen assets - we need to make the states that support terror understand that they will pay for it. And the fifth is the Peace Summit. The day after tomorrow, we can take a real step towards a just peace for our country and for the whole of Europe - the inaugural Peace Summit will take place. And I thank you all for your support for the Summit and our Peace Formula. You all know that at the first Summit we will focus on three points of the Formula: nuclear security, food security, and the release of prisoners and deportees. Perhaps the Summit will also be a step towards broader energy security - we need to make it impossible for Russia to attack our territory, and we have ideas on how to ensure this. I hope for your support in implementing the steps we have developed. And I also hope that the unity between the partners will remain on June 25, when we expect the negotiating framework with the EU to be adopted. Thank you for your attention! Once again, I thank you for your support and for the fact that the Group of Seven has been always effective in helping Ukraine and dedicating its meetings to our defense in this war. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Signed a Bilateral Security Accord with Japan President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 17:59 In Italy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida signed a bilateral Accord on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Government of Japan. This is the first security agreement concluded by our country in pursuance of the G7 Joint Declaration with a non-NATO country and a country in the Asia-Pacific. For Japan, this type of agreement and level of support is unprecedented. The document sets out the main directions of Japan's long-term support in the areas of security and defense, humanitarian aid, recovery and reconstruction. This year, Japan will provide our country with $4.5 billion. Japan will continue to provide assistance throughout the ten-year term of the accord. In total, the amount of assistance provided by Japan since March 2022 will exceed $12 billion. The document provides for the transfer of non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, subject to Japan's constitutional restrictions, and establishes further development of cooperation within the capability coalitions of which Japan is a member, in particular, IT and demining coalitions. Japan will provide medical treatment for wounded Ukrainian soldiers, cooperate with Ukraine in the areas of intelligence and protection of classified information, strengthening the protection and reconstruction of critical infrastructure, enhancing cyber and information security, and ensuring free navigation and security of sea lanes. Japanese partners will also help with the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine by engaging the private sector and Japanese government agencies. A separate block of the agreement concerns cooperation in the field of industry, where Japan holds a leading position in the world. The two countries will explore opportunities to develop Ukraine's industrial base, in particular by attracting the private sector, creating joint ventures, and conducting research. Japan will continue to support the Ukrainian Peace Formula, strengthen sanctions against Russia, cooperate in developing a mechanism for compensation for losses, including through Russian sovereign assets, and in bringing the aggressor to justice. Japan will also further help Ukraine to enhance nuclear security, in particular in the context of protecting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. In total, Ukraine has already concluded 16 bilateral security agreements: with the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Accord on Support for Ukraine and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Government of Japan President of Ukraine 13 June 2024 - 17:57 Preamble Ukraine and the Government of Japan (hereinafter referred to individually as a "Participant" and collectively as the "Participants"), Recalling the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine (G7 Joint Declaration) adopted by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Leaders of the G7 on 12 July 2023 on the margins of NATO Summit in Vilnius; Being unwavering in support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its borders, which have been internationally recognized since 1991, including the territorial sea; Expressing the steadfast condemnation and opposition, in the strongest possible terms, against Russia's ongoing aggression, which clearly infringes upon sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and constitutes a serious violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN), in particular the prohibition on the use of force; Recognizing that UN Member States must cooperate with each other to maintain peace and security; Recognizing that the Participants are the Special Global Partners, as stated in the Joint Statement on Special Global Partnership between Ukraine and Japan issued on 21 March 2023, sharing the basic principles such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, which have enormous potential in their further bilateral cooperation; Determined to achieve as soon as possible a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of Ukraine's Peace Formula in line with international law, to strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and to uphold and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law with a conviction that the security in Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are inseparable; and Recognizing and supporting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine; Have jointly determined to strengthen their bilateral long-term cooperation as well as commitments and arrangements in the areas, including security and defense, humanitarian support, and recovery and reconstruction by pursuing the measures referred to in this Accord. I. Purpose The purpose of this Accord is to clarify the areas of support and cooperation as well as commitments and arrangements, including security and defense, humanitarian support and recovery and reconstruction for the realization of strategic objectives of a free, independent, democratic and sovereign Ukraine, within its borders, which have been internationally recognized since 1991, including the territorial sea, in accordance with respective constitutional and legal requirements and regulations. II. Areas of support and bilateral cooperation 1. Security and defense assistance and cooperation Recalling that Japan has provided various support in response to the request from Ukraine, including the provision of non-lethal equipment such as trucks and drones as well as contribution to Ukraine-NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund, the Japanese side will continue to provide support for Ukraine in accordance with its constitutional and legal requirements and regulations, as Ukraine defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against the ongoing aggression. Such support in the field of security and defense includes, but not limited to, the following areas: (1) Provision of non-lethal equipment and goods; (2) Cooperation through Coalitions in which Japan is a member, formed by Ukraine Defense Contact Group, including IT and Demining Coalitions; (3) Contribution to Ukraine-NATO CAP Trust Fund; (4) Treatment of injured Ukrainian service members; and (5) Cooperation in the area of intelligence in the security and defense sector. The Participants seek to conclude an agreement on the security of information between Ukraine and Japan for the purpose of reciprocally protecting classified information exchanged between the Participants, and expanding and facilitating information sharing between relevant agencies of the Participants. To ensure above-mentioned objectives, the Participants will hold senior-level bilateral Security Policy Dialogue. 2. Humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction, technical, and financial support Recalling that Japan has continuously provided various assistance in response to Ukraine's immediate, medium and long-term needs since the beginning of Russia's aggression, and acknowledging the important role of the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform, the Japanese side will provide appropriate level of humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction, technical and financial support as a responsible member of the G7, in accordance with its constitutional and legal requirements and regulations, including, but not limited to, in the following areas in (1) and (2): (1) Humanitarian assistance to fulfill the immediate needs of the Ukrainian population in the face of the ongoing aggression, including support in the health and medical sector, support for vulnerable people including women and children and winterization support. The Japanese side will continue its humanitarian assistance, including through the mechanisms of Official Development Assistance of Japan. (2) Recovery and reconstruction support such as: (a) Humanitarian mine action and debris clearance; (b) Improvement of the humanitarian situation and livelihood reconstruction, including that of women and children; Economic reconstruction and industrial enhancement, such as (c) Development of agricultural sector; (d) Innovative manufacturing including biotechnology; (e) Digital and IT/ICT; (f) Creating fundamental basis for recovery, including enhancing protection, resilience and reconstruction of critical infrastructure, such as transportation and energy infrastructure; (g) Anti-corruption measures and enhancement of governance; and (h) Basic government functions. (3) Recalling that the Participants successfully conducted the Ukraine-Japan Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction on 19 February 2024, with the announcement of 56 signed cooperation documents, and noting its significance in maintaining and increasing the momentum for international support to Ukraine, the Japanese side continues to make every effort to encourage the Japanese private sector's involvement in the recovery and reconstruction projects in Ukraine, including through the close coordination and cooperation with relevant domestic institutions and organizations such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI). The participants acknowledge the importance of applying the advanced technologies which the Japanese companies possess in the field of recovery and reconstruction to enhance Ukraine's resilience and flexibility. The Japanese side will take into account the perspective of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) through all phases of the recovery and reconstruction. (4) Japan has committed and provided to Ukraine financial, humanitarian and other assistance worth a total value of over 12 billion US dollars since March 2022, including 4.5 billion US dollars support for 2024. In this context, the Participants recognize the importance of reforms by Ukraine as articulated in the part IV. of this Accord and monitor progress including through bilateral dialogues. The Japanese side stands behind Ukraine's International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme goals of sustaining economic and financial stability, restoring debt sustainability and promoting reforms that support Ukraine's recovery. (5) The Japanese side will continue to support Ukraine under this Accord for the duration of this Accord. 3. Other areas of support and cooperation Recalling that attempts to destabilize Ukrainian society are ongoing, and recognizing that resisting these attempts will support Ukraine's efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as to realize rapid recovery and reconstruction, the Japanese side will provide support for Ukraine in accordance with its constitutional and legal requirements and regulations, including, but not limited to, in the following areas: (1) Cybersecurity The Participants will cooperate in the area of cybersecurity to counter Russian cyber attacks in the ongoing aggression through strengthening their bilateral cooperation, including by conducting their cyber dialogue, information and experience sharing and providing international technical assistance to Ukraine. (2) Countering foreign information manipulation and interference The Participants will seek to collaborate to support each other's efforts to counter information manipulation and interference by Russia and other hostile state and non-state actors. The Participants will seek to collaborate to improve both countries' capabilities to counter information security threats, primarily Russia's propaganda and disinformation campaigns. This will be achieved through joint efforts, including through the exchange of information and experience. (3) Combating serious and organized crime (a) The Participants will explore opportunities for international cooperation to take actions to counteract the activities of serious and organized crime, by individuals and groups that are trying to infiltrate across Ukrainian society, which have criminal influence in certain regions including the temporarily occupied ones, and that are actively used as a tool of hybrid warfare to counteract the processes of recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine. (b) The Participants recognize the need to fight against illicit financial flows aimed at undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its internal stability. (c) Those will be achieved through joint efforts including information analysis and best practices sharing. (4) Maritime order The Participants recognize the importance of the maritime order based on international law, in particular, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this regard, the Participants will endeavor to ensure the freedom of navigation and overflight and to promote safety of sea lanes open for international trade and free navigation. The Participants will coordinate their efforts on strengthening international cooperation and collaboration in this domain. (5) Industrial cooperation The Participants will explore collaboration to develop Ukraine's industrial base including through involving the private sectors, creating joint ventures and launching joint research demonstrations, with the recognition that such cooperation contributes to Ukraine's efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Japanese side will work to actively contribute to Ukraine's economic recovery and industrial modernization including advanced technological areas, while closely coordinating with the private sector. The Japanese side will encourage its private sector to partner with Ukraine's industry in assisting the latter's efforts to modernize and increase industrial capacity in the key sectors including machine building, food processing, energy, advanced materials, robotics, electronic equipment, manufacture and others. (6) Countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks Recalling that the Japanese side takes part in realization of point 1 of Ukraine's Peace Formula (Radiation and Nuclear Safety), the Participants intend to further expand their existing bilateral cooperation to strengthen Ukraine's resilience against nuclear risks. The Participants also intend to explore the possibility of further bilateral and multilateral cooperation to counter the threat of biological and chemical weapons, including through the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and in the framework of Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The Japanese side will continue its support to Ukraine in enhancing the nuclear safety, security and safeguards, including those of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including through joint efforts on the point 1 of Ukraine's Peace Formula. III. Cooperation in the Event of Future Armed Attack In the event of a future Russian armed attack against Ukraine, the Participants, at the request of either of the Participants, will consult within 24 hours, bilaterally or via other channels they both deem appropriate, in order to determine appropriate next steps. The Japanese side intends, in accordance with its constitutional and legal requirements and regulations, to provide as appropriate swift and sustained defense and security assistance as well as economic assistance, to impose economic and other costs on Russia, and to consult with Ukraine on its needs as it exercises its right to self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. In order to ensure the widest and most effective collective response to any such future armed attack, the Participants may modify commitments in the part III of this Accord in order to align with any mechanism that Ukraine may subsequently establish with its other international partners, including the participants in the G7 Joint Declaration of 12 July 2023. In view of ensuring effective response to any such future armed attack and to avoid such a situation, the Participants intend to consult with each other to make sure that relevant information is duly shared between the Participants. In the context of international peace and security, the Participants express their support for the role played by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the UN in upholding the rule of law in the international community. IV. Support to Ukraine's reform agenda The Participants reaffirm that inclusive reform is indispensable for Ukraine's current and future security and prosperity, its democracy and the resilience of its institutions. The legacy effect created by the war, such as the liberation of occupied territory, the transition from martial law, and the need to meet public expectations, will require Ukraine's institutions to be well adapted to manage such challenges. Ukraine will strive to continue its ambitious reform path including in the framework of its European Union (EU) accession process and the IMF benchmarks. Ukraine is committed to implementing the full set of policy requirements as set out in the IMF programme, including meeting these through the quarterly review monitoring processes during the lifetime of the programme to 2027. Ukraine will continue its systemic reforms in the defense and security sectors, including as regards civil control of the security and defense forces and the efficiency and transparency of the defense institutions and defense industry of Ukraine. Ukraine will strive to deepen the key reforms in the fields of justice and rule of law, fight against corruption and money laundering, the modernization of its state apparatus, decentralization, the protection of the rights of national minorities, and improvement of transparency and good governance in both the economic sector and the defense and security sector. The implementation of these reforms will contribute to strengthening democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the modernization and resilience of the Ukrainian economy. The Japanese side will continue to support Ukraine in delivering on its comprehensive reform agenda, including through bilateral dialogues, which is crucial for supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and securing active engagement by the private sector in its recovery and reconstruction, in line with mutually consented priorities and in coordination with other donors. All reforms will be conducted according to the priority reform areas for accession to the EU and the IMF benchmarks in close coordination with major donors, in particular the international financial institutions, the EU and the G7. V. Compensation for losses, injuries and damages caused by Russian aggression The Participants recognize that Russia is to be held accountable for its internationally wrongful acts including the damage it has caused to Ukraine, and must pay for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine. The Participants will continue to work together with other states, including G7 members, to explore all possible avenues to aid Ukraine in obtaining compensation from Russia, consistent with their respective legal systems and international law. Consistent with Japan's legal system, Russian sovereign assets in Japan's jurisdiction will remain immobilized until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. The Japanese side will continue to participate in G7's efforts in exploring all possible avenues, consistent with respective legal systems and in accordance with international law, through which Russian sovereign assets could be used to support Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. The Participants will continue to work towards the establishment of a compensation mechanism to provide compensation for damage, loss, or injury caused by Russia's aggression in consistent with international law, as envisaged by the Statute of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine adopted by the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe CM/Res(2023)3. VI. Just peace The participants will work together for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that has broad global support. The Japanese side welcomes Ukraine's efforts to create a just and lasting peace based on the principles of Ukraine's Peace Formula. The Japanese side participates in the implementation of Ukraine's Peace Formula, in particular co-leads in point 1 (Radiation and Nuclear Safety), and continues its diplomatic efforts to promote such Ukrainian efforts including through its global partners. VII. Sanctions The Participants will continue working to ensure that the costs to Russia for its aggression continue to rise, including through sanctions and export controls. The Participants recognize the value of sanctions in restricting Russia's ability to continue its war of aggression, in bearing down on Russia's revenue streams and in deterring future attacks. The Japanese side will continue to impose severe sanctions against Russia, including sectoral sanctions, and work on pursuing robust sanctions against those in Russia and outside who are supporting the war of aggression or assisting in sanction evasion as long as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues. The Japanese side continues to counter, in close cooperation with third countries, any attempts to evade and circumvent its sanctions and export control measures. The Participants will provide each other with up-to-date appropriate information relating to sanctions, in compliance with relevant national laws. VIII. Accountability The Participants reaffirm their commitment to holding Russia accountable for causing losses or damage to individuals and entities, as well as to the state of Ukraine, as a result of its internationally wrongful acts in Ukraine or against Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the UN Charter. The Participants reaffirm that there must be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities and that Russia must bear the legal responsibility, including by making reparation for any damage caused by such acts, which will also help deter future attacks and support Ukraine's recovery. The Participants will seek to hold to account those responsible for war crimes and other international crimes committed in or against Ukraine in the context of Russia's war of aggression, consistent with international law, including by supporting the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure allegations of war crimes and other international crimes are fully and fairly investigated by independent, effective and robust legal mechanisms. The Participants will continue their engagement in the "Core Group on options for the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine". To further promote international efforts to pursue accountability, Ukraine will ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC, as mentioned in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, on the way to its membership in the EU. The Participants share the importance of pursuing Russia's accountability based on sound legal basis to ensure broad international support and legitimacy. In this regard, Ukraine commends Japan's efforts on this issue as the G7 Presidency throughout the year 2023 to promote the rule of law. IX. Implementation and governance The Participants will implement this Accord in accordance with constitutional and legal requirements and regulations as well as budgetary appropriations of their states. The Participants will, if necessary, designate authorized bodies for the development and implementation of bilateral commitments in accordance with the areas of cooperation specified in this Accord, as well as to oversee the progress of the support, cooperation and commitment, and keep close communications between relevant officials and experts. Any dispute arising out of the implementation of this Accord will be settled amicably through consultations between the Participants. X. Time frame and other matters This Accord is valid for ten years from the date of its signature. At the same time, in accordance with the G7 Joint Declaration of 12 July 2023, the Participants share the opinion that this Accord is without prejudice to Ukraine pursuing a pathway toward future membership in the Euro-Atlantic Community. This Accord may be discontinued by either Participant at any time by written notice of its intention to end the Accord to the other Participant. This Accord will be discontinued six months from the date of receipt of such notice. This Accord may be modified and supplemented by mutual consent of the Participants, which will be made in writing. This Accord will come into effect immediately upon signature. Signed in Savelletri di Fasano (Apulia) on 13 June 2024, in duplicate, in the Ukrainian, Japanese and English languages. In case of any divergence, the text in English will prevail. For Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President For the Government of Japan: Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address G7 agrees to Biden's plan to loan $50B to Ukraine, using Russian frozen assets By Patsy Widakuswara June 13, 2024 The Group of Seven wealthy democracies announced Thursday that it would provide Kyiv with tens of billions of dollars in loans that will be paid back to Western allies using interest income from Russian assets frozen in Western financial institutions. "We have reached a political agreement to provide additional financial support to Ukraine of approximately $50 billion by the end of the year," said the summit host, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The announcement came as the G7 leaders met at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, Italy, on the first day of their summit. The announcement was a win for U.S. President Joe Biden. He had been pushing G7 leaders to agree to his plan to provide funds up front to help Ukraine in its fight against Moscow's invasion. The G7 deal is "another reminder to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that we're not backing down," Biden said Thursday evening during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "In fact, we're standing together against his illegal aggression." Approximately $280 billion in Russian funds are frozen in Western financial institutions. Those funds are expected to generate interest income of at least $3 billion a year. The $50 billion loan will be paid back with that income for 10 years or more or until the loan is paid or Russia pays reparation. The U.S. will not be part of a "lending syndicate" with other G7 members, a senior administration official told reporters traveling with Biden on Thursday. Other G7 countries are expected to declare how much they're willing to provide to Ukraine. "The finance ministers are now going through the details - for example, topics of backstops that are necessary - and clarify this as soon as possible," said Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president. The EC is the executive body of the European Union. Funds available in 2024 The administration official said that the U.S. is willing to front the full $50 billion if needed. The money can be made available "this calendar year" depending on how quickly Ukraine will be able to absorb it. The U.S. Agency for International Development "has loan authority already established from Congress," the official told VOA during the briefing for reporters. "There's not a set schedule that is required or a capped amount, but we have decided that we can provide up to $50 billion." The European Union in May had agreed on a less aggressive plan that would provide Ukraine with the interest income as it is generated annually. Under EU rules, the sanctions regime that freezes the funds must be unanimously renewed every six months by the bloc's 27 member states. The senior Biden administration official said that Germany, France, Italy, the European Commission and the president of the European Council - the EU members' heads of state - have committed to keep the funds frozen and will seek approval from the full membership of the EU. Other requirements still need to be worked out, including adoption by the EU, as well as contracts between lenders, Ukraine and any intermediaries, the official added. In April, Biden signed legislation to seize the roughly $5 billion in Russian assets that are frozen in U.S. financial institutions. The bulk of the frozen money, $190 billion, is in Belgium, and much of the rest is in France and Germany. Much is still unknown about the plan. However, the U.S. goal is to have a leaders declaration at the end of the summit that lays out a "framework that is not generic, that is quite specific in terms of what it would entail," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told VOA Wednesday. Attending the summit for the second consecutive year, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy welcomed the deal's passage. US-Ukraine security agreement On Thursday evening, Zelenskyy and Biden signed a separate bilateral security agreement outlining U.S. support for Ukraine. The 10-year agreement says both sides will work together to build and maintain Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capability, strengthen Ukraine's capacity to sustain its fight over the long term and achieve a just peace that respects Ukraine's rights under international law, according to a White House fact sheet. The agreement also says both sides will consult at the highest levels in case of any future Russian attack, and they will "accelerate Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, including through Ukraine's implementation of reforms to its democratic, economic and security institutions in line with its EU accession goals and NATO's program of reforms." Still Zelenskyy expressed concern about how much longer "the unity in the world will remain - the unity in the U.S., together with European leaders." He was referring to the November U.S. election that could see former President Donald Trump, who has been skeptical of supporting Kyiv with military aid, back in the White House. Zelenskyy said his country urgently needed additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainians and the nation's infrastructure from Russia's attacks. Biden promised to prioritize the transfer of existing Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. "We have acquired commitment from five countries so far for Patriot batteries and other air defense systems, as well as we've let it be known to those countries that are expecting from us air defense systems in the future that they're going to have to wait," Biden said. "Everything we have is going to go to Ukraine until their needs are met, and then we will make good on the commitments we made to other countries." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia reports Ukrainian drone attacks targeted regions near Moscow By VOA News June 13, 2024 Russia's Defense Ministry reported Thursday destroying Ukrainian drones over two Russian regions east and northeast of Moscow, areas not typically targeted by Ukrainian forces. The Russian ministry said on Telegram it shot down three aerial drones over the Yaroslavl region and another drone over the Vladimir region. Mikhail Yevrayev, the regional governor of Yaroslavl, said on Telegram there were no injuries and no damage from the falling drone debris. Ukraine more commonly focuses its drone attacks on Russian regions that border Ukraine. Belgorod, which sits across the border from Ukraine's Kharkiv region, is among the most often targeted and is 600 kilometers (372.8 miles) from Vladimir. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram a Ukrainian drone attack Thursday struck a car and injured two people. The latest Ukrainian attacks came as Ukrainian officials appealed for military aid at two international meetings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Italy to speak with leaders from the G7 group of leading industrial nations. He said Ukraine's priorities included pilot training, accelerating deliveries of fighter jets, and boosting Ukraine's ability to carry out long-range strikes. On Thursday, G7 leaders agreed to an outline of a deal to provide $50 billion to Ukraine using interest from Russian sovereign assets that were frozen after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters that the agreement was "another reminder to [Russian President Vladimir Putin] that we're not backing down." The details of the agreement will be finalized in the coming weeks, and the money is expected to reach Ukraine by the end of this year. "This is a very clear commitment that should embolden the Ukrainians to do what they need to defend their independence and sovereignty," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. Biden and Zelenskyy also signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on Thursday that seeks to help Kyiv get closer to NATO membership. "Today is a truly historic day," Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with Biden. The deal would also work to enhance Ukraine's defense against Moscow. "Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capabilities for the long term," Biden said at the news conference. In Brussels, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was meeting with NATO defense ministers. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters that he expects allies to be making announcements in the coming days and weeks about air defense systems for Ukraine. He said the defense ministers would be addressing Ukraine's urgent needs for more supplies and ammunition, and that they would discuss plans for NATO security assistance and training for Ukraine. Also at the meeting of NATO defense ministers on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Moscow's advance in the Kharkiv area has been slowing after some of Ukraine's allies, including the United States, waived restrictions on Ukraine's use of donated weapons on Russian territory. "What I see is a slowing of the Russians' advance and a stabilizing of that particular piece of the front," said Austin. "Now, I think we'll see incremental gains a and we'll see puts and takes a going forward." Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No confirmation of another US Patriot system to Ukraine By Carla Babb June 13, 2024 U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would not confirm or deny reports that the U.S. is sending another Patriot surface-to-air missile defense system to Ukraine, after allies and partners from about 50 nations met to coordinate support for Kyiv in a meeting heavily focused on air defense. "What I will tell you is that there will be no change in our Patriot coverage in Poland ... there is no change in our Patriot coverage there," he told reporters at a press conference at NATO headquarters after the 23rd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a coalition of about 50 nations that coordinating military support for Kyiv in its fight against Russia's invasion. The New York Times and The Associated Press reported earlier this week that the United States is providing another Patriot system, citing defense officials who were granted anonymity to discuss the move. The Times reported that the Patriot battery would come from Poland, where it has been protecting a rotational force of American troops as they return to the United States. Germany has announced that it is providing Ukraine another Patriot missile defense system, and Italy has announced it will deliver a SAMP-T air defense system to Ukraine. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General C.Q. Brown, the top U.S. military officer, said this Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting prioritized Ukrainian air defense, along with sustainment and the ability to train and equip Kyiv's new forces. "Air defense is one of those things that, as we engage with the Ukrainians, that is the top of their list," Brown said, speaking to reporters ahead of the UDCG while en route to Belgium for Thursday's one-day meeting. 'Ukraine has the right to strike In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine should be allowed to hit military targets inside Russia to defend against attacks. "Ukraine has the right to strike military targets on Russian territory [as] part of the right for self-defense, and we have the right to support them in defending themselves," Stoltenberg said in response to a question from VOA at NATO headquarters. Stoltenberg welcomed the decision by various allies and partners to loosen restrictions on the use of weapons against "legitimate military targets" inside Russia, which started the war by illegally invading Ukraine. "If they [Ukrainians] were not able to do so, then we would actually ask them to try to defend themselves, uphold the right of self-defense, with one hand tied on their back," he said. "Self-defense is not escalation." Stoltenberg said Ukraine's right to cross-border strikes has become more obvious since Russia opened a new front to the north in Kharkiv and began attacking the area directly adjacent to Russian territory. "The border and the front line is more or less the same, and of course, if the Russian forces, the artillery, the missile batteries, were safe as soon as they were on the Russian side of the border, it would become extremely difficult for Ukrainians to defend themselves," he said. The U.S. recently gave Ukraine permission to strike ground targets inside Russia, but only to defend against cross-border attacks against Ukraine's Kharkiv region. "Our policy in using long-range strike capabilities to conduct strikes deep into Russia, that's not changed. But the ability to conduct counterfire in this close fight in the Kharkiv region, that's what this is all about," Austin said in response to a question from VOA on Thursday. The limitation does not apply to Ukrainian attacks on Russian planes or missiles. Last week, John Kirby, the White House national security communications adviser, said the United States has never put restrictions on Ukrainians shooting down hostile aircraft, "even if those aircraft are not necessarily in Ukrainian airspace." Retired General Frank McKenzie, the former head of U.S. Central Command, told VOA this week that Ukrainians should be able to fire on any military targets inside Russia that are attacking Ukraine, "but with certain limits" on areas such as Russian nuclear capable sites. "You can't give them a sanctuary there," he said. "I think that has significantly hurt the Ukrainian ability to respond [to] this latest offensive." Reconsidering restrictions For more than a year, the United States would not provide long-range tactical ballistic missiles known as ATACMS to Kyiv because of administration concerns that Russia would view their use for attacks inside Russian territory as an escalation of the war. ATACMS have a range of up to 300 kilometers (186.4 miles), nearly double the striking distance of Ukraine's missile arsenal. In late April, the U.S. first acknowledged that it had provided Ukraine with the long-awaited missiles in mid-March. Since then, the United States has announced four presidential drawdown authority packages (PDAs) for Ukrainian security assistance, totaling $1.9 billion, which pull from U.S. military stockpiles to provide Ukraine's military with immediate needs. Asked by VOA whether the United States has provided Ukraine with more ATACMS since mid-March, General Brown said, "We're working through the ATACMS piece, and we continue to provide that capability through our PDAs." Brown spoke to reporters en route to Brussels. The Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies reported Wednesday that Ukraine used at least 10 ATACMS in a strike against military targets deep inside Crimea this week, with Russia "failing to intercept any of them." Russia also confirmed the use of ATACMS on targets inside Crimea, but claimed nine of the ATACMS were shot down, according to the Russian state media outlet TASS. Ukraine's military said Wednesday it had hit three Russian surface-to-air missile systems in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight. "One S-300 division near Belbek, as well as two S-400 divisions near Belbek and Sevastopol were attacked. Two radars of the S-300 and S-400 systems were destroyed. Regarding the third radar, information is being clarified," Ukraine's Defense Ministry said in a statement on X. The UDCG has also worked to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jet capability sometime this summer, according to Brown. A number of Ukrainian pilots recently graduated from F-16 training in the U.S. state of Arizona, with more pilots and jet maintainers expected to complete training at various locations in the coming weeks. "It gives them some options in order to be able to extend the range of some of the munitions that they already have," Brown said of the F-16s. McKenzie told VOA the Western fighter jets "can make a significant difference" for Ukraine, "especially if you allow shots into Russia." "It will probably allow you to go after some of the standoff Russian airborne platforms that are dropping glide bombs and other weapons that are going deep into Ukraine," he said. Ostap Yarysh in Washington contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Joint Press Conference | Fasano, Italy June 13, 2024 Hotel Masseria San Domenico Fasano, Italy 8:47 P.M. CEST PRESIDENT BIDEN: Good evening, everyone. Last year at the NATO summit in Lithuania, the United States brought together every member of the G7 to sign a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. Twenty-five additional countries joined us quickly. Each agreed to forge long-term bilateral commitments to a with Ukraine. President Zelenskyy and I have just now signed that agreement between the United States and Ukraine. Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capabilities for the long term. A lasting peace for Ukraine must be underwritten by Ukraine's own ability to defend itself now and to deter future aggression anytime in the a in the future. The United States is going to help ensure that Ukraine can do both, not by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine but by providing weapons and ammunition; expanding intelligence-sharing; continuing to train brave Ukrainian troops at bases in Europe and the United States; enhancing interoperability between our militaries in line with NATO standards; investing in Ukraine's defense industrial base so in time a in time they can supply their own weapons and munitions; working with Ukraine's partners to build a future force that is strong, sustainable, and resilient; and supporting Ukraine's economic recovery as well as its energy recovery after Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy grid with massive attacks in a futile attempt to break the will of the Ukrainian people. All these lines of efforts and others are laid out in this agreement. Additionally, the G7 achieved a significant outcome this week on the matter of Russia's frozen assets in Europe and other places outside of a outside of Russia. Back in 2022, two days after Russia's invasion, members of the G7 and the European Union worked together to freeze $280 billion in Russian Central Bank funds outside of Russia. I'm very pleased to share that, this week a this week, the G7 signed a plan to finalize and unlock $50 billion from the proceeds of those frozen assets, to put that money to work for Ukraine. Another reminder to Putin: We're not backing down. In fact, we're standing together against this illegal aggression. The agreement that President Zelenskyy and I just signed also lays out our shared vision for a just peace, a peace rooted in the U.N. Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, a peace with a broad base of support around the world that holds Russia accountable for the damage it has done in this war. We will see this vision strongly affirmed at the historic peace conference happening in Switzerland this weekend, where Vice President Harris will represent the United States. Finally, this agreement accelerates Ukraine's integration into the European and Atlantic a trans-Atlantic communities. It includes major commitments from Ukraine to impact a to a excuse me a to implement democratic, economic, and security reforms in line with the European Union's accession goals and NATO's programs of reforms. While we take this step, the United States is also intensifying pressure on Russia. Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department made clear any bank anywhere in the world that deals with sanctioned Russian banks, companies, or individuals risks being sanctioned themselves. And we announced roughly 300 new sanctions on individuals and companies that are helping Russia's war effort. They include key parts of Russia's financial sector a (An aircraft is heard.) I'll wait until it goes over. a as well as individual and entities that supply Russia with items critical to its defense production, like microecolo- a like microelectronics, machine tools, and industrial materials. We also a we also sanctioned more Russian future energy projects that a Russia's natural gas and oil projects that are under construction and are not yet fully operating. Putin is counting on revenues from those projects. Our sanctions will disrupt those plans. Plus, at the G7, we discussed our shared concern about countries like China re- a re- a who are supplying Russia with materials they need for their war machine. And we agreed to taking collective action to push back against that activity. Let me close with this. We've taken three major steps at the G7 that collectively show Putin we cannot a he cannot wait us out, he cannot divide us, and we will be with Ukraine until they prevail in this war. First is the bilateral security agreement just signed. Second, a historic agreement to provide $50 billion in value from Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine. And third, an agreement to ensure our sanctions efforts disrupt third countries that are supplying Russia's war efforts. That will increase pressure on the Russian economy. Collectively, this is a powerful set of actions, and it will create a stronger foundation for Ukraine's success. Two and a half years ago, Putin unleashed a brutal war on Ukraine. And it's been a horrifying ordeal for the Ukrainian people that are so brave and incredible. It also been a test t- a for the world: Would we stand with Ukraine? Would we stand for sovereignty, freedom, and against tyranny? The United States, the G7, and countries around the world have consistently answered the question by saying, "Yes, we will." And we will say it again. Yes, again and again and again, we're going to stand with Ukraine. And thank you. And I now yield to my friend from Ukraine, the President. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much, Mr. President Biden, dear President; dear journalists; dear Ukrainians; dear Americans. And thank you so much. Thanks, Italy and Giorgia, to a for an invitation. Dear friends, today is a truly historic day. And we have signed the strongest agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. since our independence. And this is an agreement on security and thus on the protection of human life. This is an agreement on cooperation and thus on how our nations will become stronger. This is an agreement on steps to guarantee sustainable peace, and, therefore, it benefits everyone in the world because the Russian war against Ukraine is a real, real global threat. I thank you very much, Mr. President, for your leadership, which is reflected, in particular, in this agreement and in your years of support for Ukraine. I thank our teams a both teams. Thanks very much for making sure that the details of the agreement are really good. And, of course, I want to thank every a every Ukrainian soldier, all our people, whose courage made this level of alliance between Ukraine and the United States possible. And I am proud of our people and what Ukraine can do. And I am very grateful to all Americans, to everyone in America who strengthens American leadership. So, under the points of the agreement, first, the agreement contains a very detailed, legally binding part, and this means that credibility of American support for our Ukrainian independence. Secondly, security commitments from the United States are based, among other things, on the sustainability of security and defense support not only for the duration of this war but also a also for the period of peace after the war. And we will definitely ensure peace. Third, it clearly states that America supports Ukraine's efforts to win this war. Fourth, the agreement has good provisions on weapons for our defense, very specifically on the Patriot systems, very specifically on the supply of fighter squadrons to Ukraine a that's right, plural "squadrons" a including but not limited to F-16s. We have worked for a long time for these. The agreement is also very specific about the supply of the necessary weapons, joint production, and strengthening of the defense industries of our countries through our cooperation. And this is something that will not only provide security but also new, good jobs for Ukrainians and Americans. The agreement also outlines what is needed in terms of intelligence information. The agreement contains key aspects of protecting the lives of our people. Fifth, it is very important that the agreement also addresses the issue of Russia's just responsibility for this war and its attempts to destroy Ukrainians. America supports both fair compensation for the damage caused by Russian strikes and working out ways to ensure that frozen Russian assets are used to protect and rebuild Ukraine. The agreement also includes sanctions and export controls that will make Russia feel the pain for what it is doing against the freedom of peoples. And two more things. I am grateful that the philosophy of our security agreement is, in fact, the philosophy of the Alliance. And that is why the issue of NATO is covered through the text of the agreement. It states that America supports Ukraine's future a future membership in NATO and recognizes that our security agreement is a bridge to Ukraine's member- a membership in NATO. It is very important for all Ukrainians and for all Europeans to know that there will be no security deficit in Europe, which tempts the aggressor to war and makes the future uncertain. Now we are clearly defining everything. We will cooperate a cooperate for the sake of victory, make peace guarantees effective, and provide the necessary security for our people. And thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership in the G7's decision on $50 billion loan for Ukraine. It's a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war. Russian immobilized assets should be used for defending lives of Ukrainians from Russian terror and for repaying the damage aggressor caused to Ukraine. It's fair and absolutely right. Mr. President, thank you, your team. I would also like to thank the United States Congress for their support a both parties, both chambers. Thank you. And thanks to every American heart that does not betray freedom and supports us. Slava Ukraini. (Applause.) PRESIDENT BIDEN: Now what we'll do is a we're each going to take two questions from American reporters and two a a qu- a a question each from two American reporters and a question each from two Ukrainian supporter- a reporters. The first a the first person I'm to call on is Colleen Long with the Associated Press. Q Thank you. Thanks, Mr. President. About two weeks ago, you changed course to allow Ukraine to fire U.S. weapons into Russia. Given the reported successes, would you consider further expanding the parameters on U.S. weapons into Russia even despite your concerns about escalation? And on the news from home. You're going through something that so many American families go through a the intersection of addiction and the criminal justice system a but you're not like most families. Was your son able to get a fair trial? Do you believe the Justice Department operated independently of politics? And for President a PRESIDENT BIDEN: Let me answer your question a Q Okay. PRESIDENT BIDEN: a then you ask his question. Okay? Q Okay. PRESIDENT BIDEN: With regard to the first question, it is clear that the near abroad, meaning just across the a the line of the a the border with Russia and Ukraine, that it makes a lot of sense for Ukraine to be able to take out or combat what is coming across that border. In terms of long- a long-range weapons a longer-range weapons into the interior of Russia, we have not changed our position on that sort. With regard to the question regarding the family, I'm extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction. He is a he's one of the brightest, most decent men I know. And I am satisfied that a I'm not going to do anything. I sa- a I said I'd abide by the jury decision, and I will do that. And I will not pardon him. Q President Zelenskyy, a number of leaders here in Italy, including President Biden, are facing upcoming election challenges. How will the security agreement signed tonight and the other promises of support continue if they are not in office? And what's your contingency plan if they don't? PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: (As interpreted.) Thank you for this question (inaudible). First and foremost, I'd like to thank the people of a of the nations. First and foremost, to the United States, to the countries in Europe and other a on other continents who have supported us since the very beginning of a of a the beginning of this absolutely unjust war of Russia against the people of Ukraine. That a and that is a they a they've been killing people that a homes and territory, all that is very important. It is part of life. But first and foremost, we are speaking about people and lives of people, you understand. And this war was unjust since the very beginning, the war of this evil, whose name is Putin a the war against the people of Ukraine. And he has killed so many people. To a to say that it is not him, and it a there was a military man who did it a the last one is just an instrument of his. And he's playing this instrument. And therefore, it is important for us that, since the very beginning, we were supported by people, by nations, because they understood that we share common values. We simply want to live, and the people understood. They imagined what will happen if such evil attacks them. And therefore, we were supported by people. And I thank President Biden and other leaders who, since the very beginning of the invasion a Putin's invasion a started to support us. They a based on their values, they a they were a based on the voice of their people. And it is impossible without people. And I am sure that this nation chooses leaders and presidents. And it seems to me that no matter whom the nation chooses, first and foremost, it seems to me that everything depends on the unity within this or that state. And if the people are with us, any leader will be with us in this struggle for freedom. PRESIDENT BIDEN: Do you want to call on a Ukrainian reporter? PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. With pleasure. Thank you so much. (As interpreted.) Yes, please Inter. Irina Ivanova, Inter TV channel. Q (Inaudible) both leaders. So, today, during the G7 meeting, the discussion focused on developing Ukraine's air defense system based on the most advanced Western complexes and also on enhancing long-range capabilities. So, my question is: Can you provide any details on the initiative and about the readiness of our allies to take part in it? Thank you. PRESIDENT BIDEN: I'd be happy to respond to that. We have acquired commitment from five countries so far for Patriot batteries and other air defense systems as well as we let it be known to those countries that are expecting from us air defense systems in the future that they're going to have to wait. Everything we have is going to go to Ukraine until their needs are met. And then we will make good on the commitments we made to other countries. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: I think President Biden already answered your question. Really, he knows and all our other partners, they know that urgently we need seven Patriot systems a yes, to save our cities a not all of them; it's a pity a but urgently seven. And we discussed the possibility of having five of them, it's true. But the partners work on it. It doesn't mean that tomorrow we will have these five systems, but we see, in the closest future, good result for Ukraine. PRESIDENT BIDEN: You'll have some relatively quickly. American reporter. Josh Winegrove [Wingrove], Bloomberg. Q Thank you, Mr. President. I have a question for Mr. a or President Zelenskyy shortly on the announcements. But if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you about your discussions on the situation in Gaza here at the summit. You were asked just a short time ago about it, after the skydiving demonstration. Can you give us your assessment of Hamas's response? And do you believe that they are trying to work towards a deal, or is this response working against a deal? And what is your message to allies, including those here at the G7, about what more, if anything, the U.S. can do to drive towards a peace agreement? Thank you. PRESIDENT BIDEN: I wish you guys would, a little, play by the a by the rules a little bit. I'm here to talk about a critical situation in Ukraine. You're asking me another subje- a I'll be happy to answer it in detail later. But the bottom line is that we've made an agreeme- a I've laid out an a an approach that has been endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, by the G7, by the Israelis, and the a the biggest hang-up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on even though they have submitted something similar. Whether it ha- a now to a comes to fruition remains to be seen. We're going to continue to push. I don't have a final answer for you. Q And to President Biden's point, a question about today's discussions. President Zelenskyy, the $50 billion today a you've had the supplemental, of course, from the U.S. Con- a Congress recently. Can you give us an assessment of the situation on the battlefield right now? And what has been given now, how long will this get you in terms of either stopping the Russian advance or making headway on this? And how long will it last you if, indeed, future leaders or current leaders are unable to reach consensus on further aid packages? And President Biden, I'd welcome your assessment of the situation currently on the battlefield and what difference the supplemental has made as well, sir. Thank you. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: (As interpreted.) Thank you for your question. Indeed, we were expecting the fundamental package of this support was in the Congress of the United States of America. And truly, it was a long pause for our warriors, first and foremost, but it is important and we are grateful that, in the very end, we have this supplement, and this will for sure strengthen our warriors. Yes, this has given the opportunity to the enemy within this pause to try to occupy Kharkiv, but that attempt was stopped by our warriors. They were repelled a the enemy was repelled. And we, despite everything, disrupted all their plans. And it seems to me that that is the most important thing. What this supplement that will arrive gives us: It enables us to fully equip the reserves a those guys, those brigades that are ready a so that they provide for the opportunity to rotate our units on the battlefield so that they can have some rest so that the brigades can regenerate so that other brigades enter the battlefield instead of them with equipment. This is what the supplement gives them. So, the raise of morale but also the raise of strength of our brigades. And it seems to me that this is the most important. For how long this will be enough a look, we, without package, have been holding the lines for eight months, and the Russians had no successes. And, therefore, the question on for how long it will be enough a no, I think the question has to be for how long the unity will last a the unity in the United States together with the European leaders, how these or those elections will influence this unity. It seems to me that we should look on this exactly this way: to preserve unity, to preserve the integrity of the world a integrity of the democratic world. Because if Ukraine does not withstand, the democracy of many countries will not be able to withstand a and I'm sure of that. PRESIDENT BIDEN: By the way, the idea that we had to wait until we passed the legislation overall, being held up by a small majority of our Republican colleagues, was just terrible. And there's a lot more money coming beyond what's already come in the other tranches that are available now that we passed the legislation. So, they'll have what they need and get it there as quickly as we possibly can. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much, Mr. President. (As interpreted.) Telegraph, please. Q Good evening. My name is Yaroslav Zharyenov of Telegraf UA. Thank you for this opportunity. I have a long way from Kyiv and have enough time to prepare such long question. (Laughter.) Firstly, to Joe Biden. Mr. President, additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act that you signed mandated the submission of strategy war a for the a for the war in Ukraine within 45 days after its enactment. This deadline passed on June 8th. And to now, yet, the international community has not seen this strategy. Has it been developed? And if the strategy is classified, what step does your administration plan to take to hasten Ukraine victory in the war? It's my first question. The second will be to the President Zelenskyy. PRESIDENT BIDEN: What was the last part of your question? Q Has it been developed, this strategy? And what steps does your administration plan to take to victory Ukraine in the war? PRESIDENT BIDEN: The steps we're going to take to make sure it has a Ukraine has victory and that Russia does not prevail is continued support a what we just signed. We signed that and a significant number of nations have signed it. We have convinced the G7 a convinced a we've got the support of the G7 and, quite frankly, 48 other countries. We sat with the Prime Minister of a of Japan, South Korea. We have a 50 nations have signed up, beyond NATO and the G7. And so, we're going to stay as long as it takes. With regard to the plan, that is a a that is a plan in process now. We're discussing with our Ukrainian friends exactly what it would be. We have a lot of movement toward that. We know the outlines of it. We have not done the detail of it all. But we know what Ukraine is capable of doing when given the material to defend themselves, and that's exactly what they're doing now. Q (As interpreted.) And my second ques- a second question is to President Zelenskyy. It will be in Ukrainian. Recently, you have made a couple of a of sharp statements regarding China, and there are rumors in the press regarding the possible supplies of Russia's weapons to China. Apart from that, China is actively promoting its own peace plan among certain countries. What are the motives of Beijing now? And would it be possible to change the vision of China regarding our war and which role the U.S. can play in this? And the final question. Is a is China a partner of Russia in these crimes that it commits? PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY. (Inaudible.) Too many questions. Okay. But, yes, I understood that your trip was long. (Laughter.) So, the a so, first of all, I had phone conversation with the leader of China by phone. He said that he will not sell any weapon to Russia. (Inaudible.) We'll see with you. We'll see, but he said to me. If he is respectable person, he will not, because he gave me the word. The second. Our a you know that a you know very good with details how our peace formula a it's very open for everybody, basing on charter. Yes, (inaudible) nation. And a and you know that it a it bases on next principles a territorial integrity, sovereignty, nuclear security, food security. If China has alternative view on it, it can prepare alternative peace formula a if we share common views on it, like with a globally, with all the world, I think so. So, if they share the same way to peace, we will find dialogue. PRESIDENT BIDEN: By the way, China is not supplying weapons but the ability to produce those weapons and the technology available to do it. So, it is, in fact, helping Russia. Thank you all so very much. Appreciate it. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much. END 9:15 P.M. CEST NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bilateral Security Agreement Between the United States of America and Ukraine June 13, 2024 Preamble The United States of America and Ukraine (hereinafter, the "Parties"): Underscoring their shared commitment to a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace; Affirming that the security of Ukraine is integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region; Recognizing the need to preserve and promote Ukraine's sovereignty, democracy, and capacity to deter and respond to current and future external threats; Affirming their desire to expand their defense and security cooperation and their trade and investment ties, and to deepen the overall friendly relations between them; Building on the existing security partnership with Ukraine facilitated under the Strategic Defense Framework between the United States Department of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, signed August 31, 2021, and the U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership, signed November 10, 2021; Recalling longstanding security cooperation between the Parties and the United States' provision of military and security assistance, supporting Ukraine with the arms, equipment, and training necessary to defend itself against Russia's aggression; Welcoming Ukraine's efforts to attain a just and sustainable peace and emphasizing the Parties' commitment to seeking a just end to the war, founded on the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and a respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters, and recognizing Ukraine's inherent right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter; Reaffirming that Ukraine's future is in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); reiterating their support for the declaration of Allies at the 2023 Vilnius Summit that Allies will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met emphasizing the importance of its deepening integration into the Euro-Atlantic community; and underlining the centrality of reform to support and strengthen Ukraine's defense, prosperity, recovery, rule of law, and democracy; Emphasizing the importance of holding Russia to account for its aggression against Ukraine, including by supporting Ukraine in seeking compensation for the damage, loss, and injury resulting from Russia's aggression, such as support envisaged by the Statute of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and holding accountable those responsible for war crimes and other international crimes committed in or against Ukraine, consistent with international law; Highlighting the United States' ongoing efforts to use sanctions and export controls to increase the costs to Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and to work with its partners to explore all possible avenues by which immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine, consistent with domestic and international law; and Upholding the shared commitments made under the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine on July 12, 2023 (hereinafter "Joint Declaration of 2023"); Have agreed to the following: Article I: Principles of Cooperation This Agreement is based on the following principles and beliefs shared by the Parties: Cooperation between the Parties is based on the principle of full respect for the independence and sovereignty of each of the Parties, and full respect for obligations of the Parties under international law and for the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Cooperation between the Parties is enhanced by their shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, transparency, and accountability. Cooperation between the Parties is intended to bolster Euro-Atlantic security, stability, and prosperity by enhancing deterrence and defense integration and interoperability. Article II: Defense and Security Cooperation The Parties' cooperation in the areas of defense and security is based on their shared commitment to stability and peace in Europe. It is the policy of the Parties to work together to help deter and confront any future aggression against the territorial integrity of either Party. The security-related commitments in this Agreement are intended to support Ukraine's efforts to win today's war and deter future Russian military aggression. It is the policy of the United States to assist Ukraine in maintaining a credible defense and deterrence capability. Any future aggression or threat of aggression against the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of either Party would be a matter of grave concern to the other Party. In the event of future armed attack or threat of armed attack against Ukraine, the Parties shall, at the request of either Party and in accordance with their respective laws, immediately meet, where possible within 24 hours, at the most senior levels to determine appropriate next steps and additional defense needs. The Parties may mutually decide to develop and implement additional appropriate defense and deterrent responses, including in the economic, military, and/or political realms. Such responses may include the imposition of economic and other costs on the aggressor state through steps that may include, among other things, potential sanctions or export controls. The Parties stand ready to share available and appropriate information and intelligence immediately in response to such an event, and to consult with signatory countries of the Joint Declaration of 2023 on additional, joint responses. In order to further strengthen the security of the Parties and stability in Europe, and to deter threats against them, the Parties agree: To further implementation of existing security agreements and arrangements, including those concerning research and development, science and technology cooperation, manufacturing of defense products, the protection of classified defense information, and end-use monitoring. To meet on a regular basis to further mutual awareness of emerging threats, with a view to working towards enhancing the integration of defensive systems and deterrent capacities of the Parties across all domains, and furthering Ukraine's interoperability with NATO. To further bolster their defense and security cooperation as a means of building a Ukrainian future force that maintains a credible defense and deterrence capability, which may include: Training and military education programs; Provision of defense articles and services; Combined military maneuvers and exercises; Increased defense industrial cooperation consistent with applicable agreements and arrangements between the Parties; Continued joint planning to confront threats to the Parties, including guiding principles, respective rules of engagement, and command and control, as appropriate; Cooperation to promote cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure; Cooperation to develop Ukraine's capabilities to counter Russian and any other propaganda and disinformation; h) Cooperation to promote regional peace and security in the Black Sea; i) Cooperation to support unexploded ordnance removal and demining; and j) Other cooperation as may be mutually decided upon by the Parties. To coordinate on a regular basis - and no less than annually - on military and defense matters, including defense industrial base development. This coordination shall include a particular focus on combined efforts to deter and confront threats of aggression against Ukraine. The Parties agree to advance the appropriate sharing of intelligence and to promote enhanced cooperation between their intelligence services, with the scope and procedure of cooperation determined by their respectiveentities responsible for intelligence and security. The United States intends to assist with capacity building for Ukraine's intelligence institutions, including with respect to counterintelligence capabilities. Each Party reaffirms its commitments to comply with its obligations under international law, including the law of armed conflict. It is the policy of the United States to support providing sustainable levels of security assistance for Ukraine in support of the objectives outlined in the Bilateral Security Agreement and associated implementation arrangements. To this end, the United States intends to seek from the United States Congress appropriation of funds to help sustain a Ukrainian credible defense and deterrent capability, in war and peace. Article III: Cooperation on Economic Recovery and Reform Recalling the trade and investment agreements and arrangements in place between the Parties, the Parties intend to cooperate to: Seek opportunities to provide technical assistance and build capacity to support Ukraine's economic needs stemming from Russia's war of aggression. Support recovery efforts to strengthen Ukraine's economic stability and resilience, including by supporting Ukraine's energy security and its vision of a modern, cleaner, more decentralized energy system that is integrated with Europe. Strengthen the resilience and security of Ukraine's civilian nuclear energy sector, cognizant of their collaboration under the September 21, 2023, Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the United States regarding Collaboration on Ukrainian Energy System Resilience. Identify strategic investment opportunities that mutually benefit the Parties, and encourage the development of projects, including those that can attract private and public investment in Ukraine, that support Ukrainian and American economic development and partnership, such as in the areas of defense production and infrastructure. Continue support for implementation of Ukraine's effective reform agenda, including strengthened good governance, anti-corruption, respect for human rights, and rule of law necessary to advance towards its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Article IV: Institutional Reforms to Advance Euro-Atlantic Integration The Parties shall cooperate to advance Ukraine's democratic, economic, defense, and security institutions in order to advance Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration and modernization according to European Union (EU) and NATO democratic principles and standards, and to prioritize NATO's shared values and the interoperability of Ukraine's security and defense forces. The Parties shall cooperate to advance Ukraine's implementation of reforms to its democratic, economic, defense, and security institutions in line with its EU accession goals, NATO adapted Annual National Program priorities, and obligations and commitments under agreements and arrangements with the International Monetary Fund. Accordingly, among other reforms, Ukraine shall undertake efforts towards: Strengthening Ukrainian justice sector reform to promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary; Implementing robust anti-corruption measures, including strengthening all independent state anti-corruption institutions such as the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine; Implementing reforms in law enforcement, security, tax, and customs institutions to resolve jurisdictional issues, and to improve transparency and accountability and strengthen the rule of law; Bolstering corporate governance to meet Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development principles in state-owned and defense enterprises to encourage foreign investor confidence and investment; Adopting NATO standards of transparency, accountability, and competition in the management and oversight of security and procurement policy and practice; Transforming defense planning and resource management systems to increase transparency, improve efficiency, and increase interoperability with NATO; Reorganizing command and control structures in accordance with NATO principles to increase interoperability and ensure effective civilian oversight; and Modernizing defense human resource management and military education systems to align with NATO principles and standards. The Parties reaffirm their support for Ukraine's right to choose its own security arrangements. The United States reaffirms that Ukraine's future is in NATO. Article V: Just Peace The Parties recognize that Ukraine will not be secure until its sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully restored through a just peace that respects Ukraine's rights under international law, including the UN Charter. The Parties therefore shall cooperate to advance a just and lasting peace that has broad global support. The United States welcomes Ukraine's ongoing efforts, including through Ukraine's Peace Formula, to engage the international community in establishing the principles of a just and sustainable peace. Article VI: Annexes and Implementing Arrangements The Parties may enter into further agreements or arrangements as necessary and appropriate to implement this Agreement. The Parties intend that cooperation in the specific areas described in Articles II and III, including support for Ukraine's Armed Forces and other security and defense forces, be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the attached annex and with any separate implementing arrangements entered into by the Parties. Article VII: Disputes and Implementation Any divergence in views or disputes regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be resolved only through consultation between the Parties and shall not be referred to any national or international court, tribunal, or other similar body, or any third party for settlement. All cooperation and activities under this Agreement shall be carried out in accordance with the respective domestic laws of the Parties and shall be subject to the availability of funds. The Parties intend for this Agreement to reinforce other agreements and arrangements that exist between the Parties. The Parties shall implement this Agreement in a manner consistent with those other agreements, and taking into account those other arrangements. Article VIII: Amendment This Agreement may be amended and supplemented through mutual written agreement of the Parties. Article IX: Entry Into Force This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature by both Parties. This Agreement shall remain in force 10 years from entry into force and may be extended by mutual written agreement of the Parties. Article X: Registration With the United Nations The Parties intend to register this Agreement with the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the UN Charter within 60 days of its entry into force. Article XI:Termination Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing a written notification through diplomatic channels to the other Party of its intent to terminate this Agreement. The termination shall take effect 6 months after the date of such notification. In this regard, although a Party may terminate this Agreement, any implementing agreement or arrangement entered into between the Parties consistent with the terms of this Agreement shall continue to remain in effect under its own terms, unless otherwise specified in the terms of the specific implementing agreement or arrangement. The Parties recognize this Agreement as supporting a bridge to Ukraine's eventual membership in the NATO Alliance. In the event that Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, the Parties shall meet and confer on the future status of this Agreement. Done at Puglia, Italy, this 13th day of June, 2024, in two originals in the English language, being an authentic version of the Agreement. A Ukrainian language version of the Agreement shall be prepared, which shall be considered equally authentic upon an exchange of diplomatic notes between the Parties confirming that the Ukrainian version of the Agreement attached to the notes conforms with the signed English version of the Agreement. Thereafter, in the event of divergence or ambiguity between the two language texts, the English version shall prevail. FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: FOR UKRAINE: _________________________ _________________________ JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY President of the United States of America President of Ukraine Annex to the Bilateral Security Agreement Between the United States of America and Ukraine Pursuant to Article VI of the Bilateral Security Agreement Between the United States of America and Ukraine (Agreement) and in implementation of the provisions of Articles II and III of the Agreement, The United States of America (United States) and Ukraine (together, Participants or both sides) have reached the following understandings: Implementation of Article II: Defense and Security Cooperation The United States reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. To ensure Ukraine's security, both sides recognize Ukraine needs a significant military force, robust capabilities, and sustained investments in its defense industrial base that are consistent with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards. The United States intends to provide long-term materiel, training and advising, sustainment, intelligence, security, defense industrial, institutional, and other support to develop Ukrainian security and defense forces that are capable of defending a sovereign, independent, democratic Ukraine and deterring future aggression. Ukraine deeply appreciates the significant assistance the United States has provided since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. In addition to United States bilateral support, both sides acknowledge the critical and substantial contributions of the security assistance that other partner nations intend to provide Ukraine and the need for coordination among Ukraine's partners to synchronize support and appropriately share the responsibility for meeting shared goals. Both sides also recognize the need for Ukraine's security and defense forces to be sustainable over time, and expect Ukraine to gradually assume responsibility for an increasing share of its defense needs. To implement this annex, the Participants intend to consult on security and defense forces requirements through channels such as the U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Defense Consultations process to ensure Ukraine adopts a Western-based military standard, interoperable with NATO. Security assistance requests are expected to be evaluated for sustainability, alignment with a jointly understood future force structure, effectiveness in meeting defense objectives, and complementarity with assistance from other allies and partners. A. Ukraine's Future Force Capabilities The United States commits to support Ukraine in developing a modern, NATO-interoperable force that can credibly deter and, if necessary, defend against future aggression. Ukraine's future force is expected to rely on both modern and legacy equipment. To support the sustainability of Ukraine's security and defense forces, both sides intend to standardize equipment across its formations. The United States intends to support Ukraine's military strength and the development and transformation of its military capabilities across the full spectrum of combat functions through the supply of weapons, equipment, training, and other assistance, in coordination with partners, including in the following domains: Air and Missile Defense : Building upon the range of air defense capabilities that the United States has provided to date, including the Patriot system, the United States commits to support Ukraine's development of a layered, integrated air and missile defense system. Both sides intend to pursue further steps to transition to a modern air defense architecture for Ukraine over time, with associated radars, interceptors, and support equipment across the spectrum of tactical- to strategic-level capabilities. Fires : The United States commits to support Ukraine's development of a joint fires capability, to include the acquisition of ground-based systems, munitions, and targeting capabilities to employ indirect and long-range fires, as well as unmanned aerial systems. Both sides intend to pursue the procurement of stockpiles of ammunition for Ukraine's use, in coordination with allies and partners, while developing Ukraine's domestic ammunition production capacity. Ground Maneuver : The United States commits to support Ukraine's development of movement and maneuver doctrine and capabilities, to include sustainment of legacy armored, mechanized, and motorized capabilities, and to work with allies and partners to support the acquisition of modern platforms to support Ukraine's maneuver force requirements. Air : The United States commits to coordinate with Ukraine, and work principally through an allied consortium, on the modernization of Ukraine's Air Force, including working toward procurement of squadrons of modern fighter aircraft, sustainment, armament, and associated training to support fourth generation fighter capability (including, but not limited to, F-16 multi-role aircraft), as well as other air domain capabilities such as transport and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms (including unmanned). Maritime : The United States, in coordination with allies and partners, commits to support the improvement of Ukraine's capacity to defend its territorial waters and promote Black Sea regional security through capabilities that could include coastal defense systems; maritime domain awareness; unmanned systems; and surface vessels, including patrol and riverine craft, naval firepower, maritime mine countermeasures, and other weapons that will help strengthen maritime security in the Black and Azov Seas and help Ukraine exercise sovereignty over its territorial seas and sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone. Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection : The United States commits to support Ukraine's capacity to increase the cybersecurity and protection of its critical infrastructure and government information resources, including by strengthening its cyber defenses against malicious cyber activities by Russia and other hostile state and non-state actors. Both sides commit to work together to improve Ukraine's ability to detect and remediate intrusions by malicious actors, including through technical assistance from the United States. The United States intends to assist Ukraine to improve the cyber resilience of its critical infrastructure, especially energy facilities, against aerial strikes, and to support the quick restoration of destroyed infrastructure, including by providing material and technical assistance. Command and Control : The United States commits to support Ukraine's development of command and control capability through both materiel and non-materiel support. Both sides recognize that incorporating NATO-interoperable communications systems, doctrine, and organization are needed to improve sensing, early warning, and timely resource allocation for Ukraine's combat operations. Sustainment : The United States, in coordination with allies and partners, commits to support Ukraine's capacity to sustain and independently support its forces over the long term, maximizing its operational freedom of action. Such efforts could include support to logistics, personnel services, and health service support, in line with Western force generation models. The United States and Ukraine intend to collaborate on force development through a range of multi-national capability coalitions, including through air force and artillery coalitions co-led by the United States. The United States additionally commits to consideration of support for Ukraine's civiliandefense forces, which are critical components of Ukraine's overall defense. The United States and Ukraine commit to deepening partnerships between national guard and border security services. In furtherance of Article II of the Agreement, in the event of future armed attack or the threat of armed attack against Ukraine, the United States, at the request of the Government of Ukraine and in consultation with allies and partners, intends to coordinate on the potential need to rapidly increase the scope or scale of United States security assistance to Ukraine, including potentially the provision of additional weapon systems and equipment, and other materiel, as well as the exchange of information with Ukraine. B. Training and Exercises The United States intends to pursue a long-term training program for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other security and defense forces throughout the term of this annex. The United States plans to expand its capacity to provide both individual and collective training, and to coordinate with allies and partners to ensure complementarity of training programs. The United States intends to incorporate Ukrainian trainers and subject matter experts into the program, promote institutionalization of Western training practices and doctrine, and create the conditions for the transition of training efforts to Ukrainian territory and Ukrainian service members. Training is intended to be supported by an extensive exercise program to build interoperability. The United States plans to invite Ukrainian security and defense forces to join United States exercises and to support Ukrainian participation in multilateral exercises when appropriate. The United States intends to consider opportunities for training Ukrainian service members in the United States as appropriate. If and when security conditions allow, both sides plan to consult on possible training and exercise programs in Ukraine. In line with this training, Ukraine commits to incorporating standard NATO doctrine and combined arms concepts at all echelons of its security and defense forces, and to ensuring the proper employment and sustainment of new capabilities. The United States supports enabling increased Ukrainian attendance at Department of Defense (DOD) institutions of professional military education, including through the International Military Education and Training program. C. Defense Industrial Base Development Cooperation Both sides recognize that the recovery of Ukraine's economy and industry would support Ukraine's ability to shoulder more of the material and financial burdens of its defense over time. The United States commits to work with allies and partners to support Ukraine's economic recovery and bolster Ukraine's defense industrial base, including through cooperative defense research and development. Ukraine commits to developing and reforming its defense industry to support and sustain the needs of its security and defense forces. Both sides intend to engage with international partners and their respective defense industries to support increased Ukrainian production over the long term of necessary armaments, ammunition, and equipment, supporting Ukraine's development of a level of readiness for and deterrence against future aggression. The United States intends to work with Ukraine to enable Ukrainian entities to repair key systems and produce parts to facilitate efficient repair through the provision of raw materials and technical expertise, financing, and licensing for technology transfer. The United States intends to support Ukraine in solving challenges, including in the supply of critical materials and components needed for weapons, military equipment, and munitions manufacturing. Both sides commit to implementing the Statement of Intent on Co-production and Technical Data Exchange, signed December 6, 2023, at the United States-Ukraine Defense Industrial Base Conference in Washington, D.C., working to increase cooperation between the United States and Ukraine and facilitating the movement of investment deals more quickly through systems. Ukraine commits to strengthen foreign direct investment controls based on national security considerations. The Participants intend to seek private industry partnerships in key priority areas of defense production, including but not limited to the manufacturing of air defense systems and supporting munitions, artillery ammunition of multiple calibers, supporting barrels and other components, and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles. The United States intends to facilitate United States-Ukraine defense industrial cooperation, including codevelopment, coproduction, and supply of Ukraine's defense industrial base requirements. Ukraine commits to continuing its reform of state defense conglomerate JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry to align with international business best practices and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development standards. Both sides commit to implement their Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation Agreement. D. End Use Monitoring/Accountability The United States reaffirms its commitment to work with allies and partners to facilitate international coordination to mitigate the risk of diversion of advanced conventional weapons through the U.S. Plan to Counter Illicit Diversion of Certain Advanced Conventional Weapons in Eastern Europe. This includes supporting Ukrainian, allied, and partner efforts to conduct end-use monitoring. To implement Article II of the Agreement, Ukraine further reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the security of United States-provided defense articles and technology in accordance with DOD's Golden Sentry enhanced end-use monitoring (EEUM) requirements. This includes: Providing timely and comprehensive expenditure and loss reports for all EEUM items on at least a quarterly basis; Continuing to afford United States DOD personnel maximum access and transparency in support of EEUM verification activities, including site visits to Ukrainian weapons depots, as appropriate, and full visibility into Ukrainian logistics management platforms; and Fully implementing the concept of operations for the use of handheld scanning devices to self-report EEUM inventories at locations where United States personnel are unable to travel. As security conditions allow, Ukraine further commits to: Conducting a comprehensive inventory of all remaining EEUM items in Ukraine's possession; Providing DOD with access to military installations across Ukraine at which EEUM items are stored, to allow for the resumption of all in-person verification activities; and Supporting future EEUM requirements the United States may identify to maintain reasonable assurances of the security of advanced conventional weapons in a postwar environment. The Participants intend to continue the exchange of information on threats related to illicit arms proliferation. E. Unexploded Ordnance Removal and Demining The United States intends to coordinate with international partners to support unexploded ordnance removal and demining assistance in affected regions in Ukraine, encompassing both humanitarian and combat demining efforts. This support may include assisting civilian populations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance, through developing Ukraine's domestic capacity for humanitarian demining, land-based and underwater explosive ordnance disposal, and physical security and stockpile management of conventional munitions. Both sides recognize the importance of a coordinated and robust demining program to Ukraine's long-term recovery potential, due to the contamination of Ukraine's territory with explosive ordnance as a result of Russia's war. F. Other Areas of Security and Defense Cooperation The Participants intend to deepen their close cooperation on additional areas of mutual concern, in support of their national security and to enhance Ukraine's overall interoperability with NATO and other relevant international security bodies. These additional areas include but are not limited to countering disinformation and malign influence campaigns; counterterrorism efforts against international terrorist organizations; arms control; the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and cooperation to strengthen resilience against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks. The Participants intend to further develop their intelligence cooperation through information sharing, education, training, experience exchanges, and other forms of cooperation as appropriate. Implementation of Article III: Cooperation on Economic Recovery and Reform A. Accountability The Participants reaffirm their commitment to holding the Russian Federation to account for its actions in Ukraine, including damage, loss, and injury causedto individuals and entities, as well as to the state of Ukraine, as a result of Russia's internationally wrongful acts in or against Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the UN Charter. The Participants intend to seek to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and other international crimes committed in or against Ukraine, consistent with international law, and to support the full and fair investigation of alleged international crimes through independent, effective, and robust legal mechanisms. The United States intends to support Ukraine in seeking the immediate release and return of all unlawfully detained and forcibly transferred civilians, primarily Ukrainian children, and to contribute to international efforts to hold accountable, consistent with international law, those responsible for the illegal deportation and displacement of Ukrainian civilians. B. Immobilization of Russian Sovereign Assets The United States intends to hold Russian sovereign assets in United States jurisdiction immobilized until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. The United States, working with its partners, intends to explore all possible avenues by which immobilized Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine, consistent with domestic and international law. C. Sanctions Actions The Participants recognize the value of sanctions in raising the cost of Russia's war of aggression, degrading Russia's sources of revenue, and impeding Russia's effort to build its capability for aggression, including by restricting the Russian Federation's access to the finance, goods, technology, and services it is utilizing in its aggression. The Participants intend to continue to work to ensure that the costs to Russia for its aggression continue to rise, including through sanctions and export controls. Final Provisions A. Periodic Review The United States and Ukraine commit to periodic, high-level review of the cooperation described in this annex. The United States supports the use of existing mechanisms, such as the Strategic Partnership Dialogue, Bilateral Defense Consultations, and other bilateral engagements, to track regular progress. Both sides support engagements at higher levels once every 12-18 months dedicated to reviewing joint progress of this annex as a whole, and to charting specific objectives for future cooperation under this annex. This periodic review process should be used to evaluate progress on mutually decided elements of cooperation and to establish new objectives once each side has successfully achieved their mutually decided goals. Specific objectives should be established on at least an annual basis through civilian or military channels as appropriate. B. Legal Status and Funding of Annex Nothing in this annex is intended to give rise to rights or obligations under domestic or international law. The United States and Ukraine intend to implement the commitments under this annex consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriated funds. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FACT SHEET: U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement June 13, 2024 On June 13th, 2024, President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a historic U.S.-Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement reflecting the close partnership between our two democracies. Today, the United States is sending a powerful signal of our strong support for Ukraine now and into the future. Through this agreement, the United States will work with our partners to strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself now and to deter future aggression. By doing so, we will bolster Ukraine's security, which is central to European security and to American security. More than two years after Russia's brutal and unprovoked assault on Ukraine, today, President Biden is stating unequivocally that United States and its partners will stand with Ukraine as it fights for its freedom and for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. With the signing of this 10-year agreement, the United States and Ukraine will work together to: Build and maintain Ukraine's credible defense and deterrence capability. The agreement lays out a vision for a Ukrainian future force that is strong, sustainable, and resilient. The United States and Ukraine will deepen security and defense cooperation and collaborating closely with Ukraine's broad network of security partners. We will support the full range of Ukraine's current defensive needs now and over the long term by helping Ukraine win the war and strengthening its deterrence capabilities against future threats. Together, we will expand intelligence sharing, enhance interoperability between our militaries in line with NATO standards, and work with our allies and partners to position Ukraine as a long-term contributor to European security. The agreement lays out a vision for a Ukrainian future force that is strong, sustainable, and resilient. The United States and Ukraine will deepen security and defense cooperation and collaborating closely with Ukraine's broad network of security partners. We will support the full range of Ukraine's current defensive needs now and over the long term by helping Ukraine win the war and strengthening its deterrence capabilities against future threats. Together, we will expand intelligence sharing, enhance interoperability between our militaries in line with NATO standards, and work with our allies and partners to position Ukraine as a long-term contributor to European security. Strengthen Ukraine's capacity to sustain its fight over the long term , including by building on efforts to bolster in Ukraine's defense industrial base, and supporting its economic recovery and energy security. , including by building on efforts to bolster in Ukraine's defense industrial base, and supporting its economic recovery and energy security. Accelerate Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, including through Ukraine's implementation of reforms to its democratic, economic, and security institutions in line with its EU accession goals and NATO's program of reforms. including through Ukraine's implementation of reforms to its democratic, economic, and security institutions in line with its EU accession goals and NATO's program of reforms. Achieve a just peace that respects Ukraine's rights under international law, is underwritten by broad global support, upholds the key principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and includes accountability for Russia's actions. that respects Ukraine's rights under international law, is underwritten by broad global support, upholds the key principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and includes accountability for Russia's actions. Consult in the event of a future Russian armed attack against Ukraine at the highest levels to determine appropriate and necessary measures to support Ukraine and impose costs on Russia. This agreement, together with the mutually reinforcing security agreements and arrangements Ukraine has signed with a broad network of partners under the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, is a key part of Ukraine's bridge to NATO membership. As President Biden said in Vilnius last year and as NATO allies have agreed, Ukraine's future is in NATO. We are not waiting for the NATO process to be completed to make long-term commitments to Ukraine's security to address the immediate threats they face and deter any aggression that may occur. The United States will continue to work a broad coalition of Allies and Partners to continue to impose costs on the Russian Federation so long as its aggression against Ukraine continues. In 2024, the United States Congress appropriated $61 billion to respond to the war in Ukraine in a bipartisan show of support for Ukraine. To realize the goals laid out in this agreement and accompanying annex, the Biden Administration will work closely with the U.S. Congress to build on the national security supplemental and develop sustainable levels of assistance to Ukraine over the long term. We will continue to with our allies and partners, including the 15 other countries that have already completed their own bilateral security agreements and the 16 additional countries that are negotiating agreements with Ukraine, to maintain a balanced division of responsibility and burden-sharing to meet the necessary capabilities for Ukraine's future force. We are sending the clearest possible message today: the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and democracy. Ukraine can count on the enduring strength of the U.S.-Ukrainian partnership. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges U.S. to immediately stop illegal unilateral sanctions, play constructive role in Ukraine crisis People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:24, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be used as a tool to smear and contain China, and China urges the United States to immediately stop slapping illegal unilateral sanctions and play a constructive role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict and restoring peace, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a media query concerning a new U.S. anti-Russia sanctions package that includes more than 300 companies, banks and dozens of individuals from Russia and other countries, including China. Lin said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia is inherently logical and highly resilient, and is in the interests of both countries. "China firmly opposes all unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be interfered with or disrupted, still less be used as a tool to smear and contain China," Lin said. On the Ukraine crisis, it is quite clear to the international community who is calling for dialogue and striving for peace, and who is fueling the fight and inciting confrontation, Lin said. The United States on the one hand continues to pour weapons and munition into Ukraine, yet on the other shifts the blame of undermining peace and protracting the crisis to other countries, Lin said, adding that it even sees the crisis as an opportunity to slap sanctions and suppress others. "All of it reveals Washington's calculations, hypocrisy and what a bully it is," he added. The U.S. unilateral sanctions have created victims all over the world, severely undermined other countries' sovereignty and security, caused humanitarian tragedies and disrupted industrial and supply chains, Lin said. He said since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the United States has even doubled down on sanctions. Wielding the big stick of sanctions does not solve problems, Lin said, adding it will only be a major source of risks for the world. "China did not create and is not a party to the Ukraine crisis, and we will not accept smears, pressuring or blame-shifting," Lin added. He said China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BANGKOK, Thailand, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Join Heilind Asia Pacific at the Bangkok Manufacturing Expo and witness the future of manufacturing! As the leading distributor of interconnect devices, Heilind Asia Pacific, headquartered in Hong Kong and operating in the Asia market since 2012, invites you to explore our extensive range of products. Our offerings include interconnect, hardware, electromechanical components, connectors, switches, sensors, relays, terminal blocks, and wire & cables. These devices form the backbone of electronic products, ensuring seamless connections and optimal performance. Heilind Asia Pacific is dedicated to enhancing the supply chain for our customers through innovative inventory programs such as consignment and Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI). Our robust logistics network, with strategically located warehouses across the Asia Pacific region, ensures quick and efficient product delivery. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional technical support, with a team of experts ready to offer guidance and customized solutions to meet specific customer requirements. At the expo, engage with our experts and discover products from top suppliers like TE, Molex, Heyco, Panduit, Schaffer, Stanly, and PEM. Our team is eager to understand and meet your specific needs. Mark your calendars and visit Heilind Asia Pacific at Booth 8G18 in Hall 98, BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand from 19 to 22 June, 2024. For more details, visit www.heilindasia.com. See you there! About Heilind Electronics: Founded in 1974, Heilind Electronics, Inc. (www.heilind.com/www.heilindasia.com) is one of the world's leading authorized distributors of connectors, relays, switches, thermal management & circuit protection products, terminal blocks, wire & cable, wiring accessories, insulation and sensor, hardware & fastener products. Heilind has locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. Heilind Asia Pacific (www.heilindasia.com), a subsidiary of Heilind Electronics, commenced operations in Dec 2012. Besides being headquartered in Hong Kong, where it also has a distribution center and a value-added center, Heilind Asia now has 25 locations & 5 warehouses throughout Asia. Our industry leading service offering to customers in the Asia Pacific is the result of a commitment to the belief of "Distribution As It Should Be". A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02a2b0dc-7556-4260-ba4c-1b08a378d052 Gainesville, FL, June 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Wood's Roofing is thrilled to announce the opening of its new location in Gainesville, Florida. Known for combining durability with aesthetic appeal, the company leverages deep industry knowledge and the latest innovations in the roofing industry to ensure flawless project completion. Over the past four decades, Katie and Mike, the company's founders, have successfully completed thousands of roofing projects in Florida. Prior to starting north woods roofing, the two serial entrepreneurs and roofing experts had previously successfully established and sold two other roofing companies in Bradenton, Florida. With its new location in Gainesville, Florida, North Woods Roofing is set to benefit the city with its quality services. The GAF-certified contractor maintains high standards in roofing services, guaranteeing durability and quality in every project. The new Gainesville location will provide the same high level of services with a focus on both residential and commercial metal roofing needs. GAF is among North America's largest manufacturers of residential and commercial roofing products. Being a GAF Certified Contractor means that a roofing company has been vetted and approved by GAF to install its products according to its high standards. Choosing a GAF Certified Contractor guarantees top-tier service and high-quality roofing solutions backed by strong warranties. North Woods Roofing provides various metal roofing services to meet the needs of their clientele. Metal roofs can last 50 years or more with minimal maintenance, making them a smart investment. They are also energy-efficient, with reflective properties that help reduce cooling costs. Since they are available in different colors and finishes, the metal roofing contractors Gainesville can install metal roofs to complement any architectural style. The companys shingles roofing services cater to clients looking for a cost-effective roofing option that also enhances the home's energy efficiency. Their offerings include Timberline HDZ shingles that come with LayerLock Technology, Timberline UHDZ shingles that offer high-definition aesthetics, The Camelot II shingles with the slate-like appearance reminiscent of European architecture, and the Slateline shingles that come with the bold look of slate, tapered cut-outs, and shadow lines at a fraction of the cost. North Woods Roofing also offers a 10-year warranty on workmanship, complementing GAFs extensive product warranties. This warranty ensures that clients' investments are protected for years to come. Recognizing the importance of being a proactive member of a community, the contractors at North Wood's Roofing also actively engage in local events. This is their way of giving back to the community that supports them. About North Wood's Roofing For over 40 years, Katie and Mike, the founders of North Wood's Roofing, have provided excellent services to satisfy the roofing needs of communities in Florida. From Bradenton, Florida, to its new location in Gainesville, Florida, the company continues to help homeowners create homes that are appealing to look at while also meeting the functional requirements of the homeowners. Specializing in metal and shingle roofs, the GAF-certified contractor has become the roofing partner residents trust to meet their roofing needs. Media Contact: Company Name: North Wood's Roofing Contact Person: Katie Sheflin Phone: (352) 554-4932 Address: 4577 NW 6th St City: Gainesville State: FL Postal Code: 32609 Country: USA Website: https://www.northwoodsroofing.com/ Tel Aviv, Israel, June 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Car4Hire, a leading brand for booking car rentals completely online, has announced the official launch of its website, offering transparent pricing and flexible terms for car rentals in Israel and abroad. Founded by renowned Israeli tech entrepreneur Yair Fridrich, Car4Hire aims to transform the car rental industry with its innovative technology and customer-centric approach. Car4Hire's platform connects users with major and local car rental providers, offering a wide range of vehicles to suit every need. What sets Car4Hire apart is its commitment to transparency and fair pricing. Unlike traditional car rental platforms, Car4Hire does not mark up prices; instead, it charges a modest service fee of an average 3%. This model ensures that customers get the best possible rates, with no hidden fees or surprises. "We believe in making smiles on people's faces," says Yair Fridrich, founder of Car4Hire. "Our goal is to provide affordable car rental options for every pocket, without compromising on quality or service." Car4Hire's innovative business model leverages its ability to generate high traffic and real-time booking data. By analyzing market trends and demand patterns, Car4Hire is able to secure competitive rates from car rental operators and pass the savings on to customers. "With Car4Hire, customers can rent a car for a day or more, with flexible terms and extremely affordable prices," explains Fridrich. "And for those in need of long-term rentals, we offer the cheapest rates in the country, starting from just NIS 2889 per month." Renting a car with Car4Hire is simple and hassle-free. All that's required is a valid driver's license with a minimum seniority of six months, along with a credit card for payment. Customers can choose from a wide range of vehicles, including small cars, family compacts, hybrids, electric vehicles, and even commercial vehicles such as vans and trucks. In addition to its transparent pricing and flexible terms, Car4Hire is committed to ensuring a safe and secure booking process. Customers can place orders with confidence, knowing that their personal and payment information is protected. With the official launch of its website, Car4Hire is prepared to emerge as the foremost selection for bargain car rentals in Israel and abroad. As the company continues to grow, it remains focused on its mission of providing affordable, convenient, and reliable transportation options for travelers worldwide. For more information about Car4Hire and to book your next rental car, visit car4hire.co.il. About Car4Hire Car4Hire is a leading brand for booking car rentals completely online, offering transparent pricing and flexible terms for customers in Israel and abroad. Founded by Israeli tech entrepreneur Yair Fridrich, Car4Hire is committed to revolutionizing the car rental industry with its innovative technology and customer-centric approach. Connected with major providers in Israel and abroad, Car4Hire's marketplace offers a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to luxury vehicles, all at competitive prices. With a wide range of vehicles to choose from and a simple, secure booking process, Car4Hire makes renting a car easy and affordable for everyone. Media Information Name: Yair Fridrich, (Founder) Company: Car4Hire Email: info@car4hire.co.il Phone: +972508700911 Address: Azrieli Towers, Derech Menachem Begin 132. Country: Israel Attachment Fornebu, Norway June 14, 2024 Norwegian businesses and public sector organisations are facing more frequent and severe cyberattacks. According to a survey conducted by Norstat, 1 in 5 business leaders reported having experienced cyberattacks in the past year a staggering 130,000 Norwegian companies. In response to this growing threat, Telenor is establishing a new cyber security company to meet these increasing demands from businesses. We have never experienced cyber threats as frequent and severe as we do today. The business digital landscape is under constant attack, making robust cybersecurity more critical than ever. Telenor has decided to build on its experience and expertise as one of the Norways strongest security players and is establishing a new cybersecurity company with Nordic ambitions," says Sigve Brekke, CEO & President of Telenor. The newly formed company, named Telenor Cyberdefence, will become part of Telenor Amp. Today, Telenor Amps portfolio is comprised of 15 fully- or partially-owned companies with a combined value of NOK 10-12 billion. The exponential growth of data and the increasing digitalisation of society are providing criminals with a larger digital landscape to attack. This is a challenge we are taking seriously by establishing Telenor Cyberdefence, and purposely focusing on digital security. This will enable us to develop advanced security products for the business market more rapidly and more effectively meet market needs, says Dan Ouchterlony, EVP & Head of Telenor Amp. Thomas Kronen, who has a long track record in the security and IT industry, has been appointed CEO of the new company. Addressing a Significant Market Need The Norstat survey, conducted on behalf of Telenor, also revealed that nearly 9 out of 10 business leaders are concerned about their operations being crippled by a cyberattack. "Businesses across all sectors are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals and there is a significant unmet need in the market. We want to capture a share of this," says Thomas Kronen, CEO of Telenor Cyberdefence. He points out that the new company has ambitions to build a position across the Nordic region. Telenor Cyberdefence will offer businesses a Security Operations Centre (SOC) for 24/7 monitoring, prevention, detection, and response to all types of cyber threats and incidents. The company will also provide specialist expertise through consultancy services and testing of IT systems and infrastructure. The Norwegian SOC market is worth around NOK 3 billion annually, according to our own analysis. Telenor Cyberdefence has ambitions to expand its operations across all Nordic markets, presenting a significant opportunity for rapid growth and establishing a strong market position, says Kronen. Leveraging Strong Security Expertise Telenor Cyberdefence builds upon Telenor's established position as a leading provider of digital security solutions for businesses in Norway. As part of Norway's Total Defence and as a custodian and protector of critical national infrastructure, Telenor possesses unique insights into the evolving threat landscape. With the establishment of Telenor Cyberdefence, we will bring together security expertise from across our Nordic region to create a powerful entity with comprehensive capabilities dedicated to safeguarding our customers' digital security. We will now accelerate this focus, refine our expertise, and develop more and better services that contribute to securing Norwegian and Nordic businesses, says Kronen. The establishment of Telenor Cyberdefence involves the transfer of approximately 50 security personnel from Telenor Norway to the new company. The company will also assume responsibility for Telenor Norway's existing SOC customers, resulting in Telenor Cyberdefence commencing operations with a customer base of around 70 Norwegian businesses. This Nordic expansion follows a recent strengthening of the internal security environment within Telenor Norway. Telenor Norway owns and operates critical infrastructure, and as a result, the company has over the years established a robust and highly competent security environment to fulfil its vital societal responsibilities. Considering the evolving security landscape and the increasing prevalence of cyber-attacks, Telenor has further strengthened this environment through the establishment of a new and dedicated internal Cyber Security Operation Centre (CSOC). This center will focus on Telenor Norway's extensive and intricate IT and telecom infrastructure, further enhancing security for Telenor Norway, its customers, and Norwegian society. Media contact: David Fidjeland | Director Media Relations, Telenor Group +47 93 46 72 24 | david.fidjeland@telenor.com Dublin, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Embedded Satellite Systems Market Report 2024-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Overall world revenue for Military Embedded Satellite Systems Market, 2024 to 2034 in terms of value the market will surpass US$109.1 million in 2024. The publisher predicts strong revenue growth through to 2034. This work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead. The Military Embedded Satellite Systems Market Report 2024-2034: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region. Strategic Importance of Satellite Communication in Modern Warfare Satellite systems play a critical role in modern warfare, providing secure and reliable communication channels for military operations. These systems enable real-time data transmission, command and control capabilities, and intelligence gathering, enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness. For example, the U.S. Department of Defence relies on satellite communication networks like the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system to support its global military operations, demonstrating the strategic importance of satellite systems in modern military environments. Increased Barriers in Designing Military Embedded Systems Hinder Market Growth One significant restraining factor affecting the military embedded satellite systems market is the increased barriers in designing military embedded systems, which, in turn, hinders overall market growth. The complexity and specificity of requirements associated with military applications introduce challenges for system designers, leading to higher barriers in the development and implementation of these advanced embedded systems. Designing military embedded systems involves stringent specifications related to durability, reliability, security, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. The intricate nature of military operations demands systems capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions, electromagnetic interference, and cyber threats. Meeting these stringent criteria requires specialized expertise and resources, thereby increasing the barriers for entry into the market. What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report? How is the military embedded satellite systems market evolving? What is driving and restraining the military embedded satellite systems market? How will each military embedded satellite systems submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2034? How will the market shares for each military embedded satellite systems submarket develop from 2024 to 2034? What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2024 to 2034? Will leading military embedded satellite systems markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others? How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2034 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2034? Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? What are the military embedded satellite systems projects for these leading companies? How will the industry evolve during the period between 2024 and 2034? What are the implications of military embedded satellite systems projects taking place now and over the next 10 years? Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the military embedded satellite systems market? Where is the military embedded satellite systems market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market? What are the best investment options for new product and service lines? What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite? Market Dynamics Market Driving Factors Technological Advancement in Military Embedded System Driving the Market Growth Increase Focus on Cloud Computing and Wireless Technologies Driving the Market Growth Increasing Need for Secure Communication, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Capabilities Market Restraining Factors Increased Barriers in Designing Military Embedded Systems Hinder Market Growth High Development Costs Hinder the Market Growth Cyber Attacks can be Challenges for Market Growth Market Opportunities Investments in Military Satellite Systems Opportunities for Market Players Ongoing Military Modernization Programs by Various Nations, Leading to the Adoption of Advanced Satellite Systems Collaborations and Partnerships Between Countries and Defence Contractors to Develop and Deploy Advanced Military Satellite Systems Porter's Five Forces Analysis COVID-19 Impact Analysis PEST Analysis Leading companies profiled in the report BAE Systems plc Elbit Systems Ltd General Dynamics Corporation Honeywell International Inc Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd Kratos Defence & Security Solutions, Inc L3Harris Technologies, Inc. Leonardo S.p.A. Lockheed Martin Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation Raytheon Technologies Corporation Rheinmetall AG Saab AB Thales Group The Boeing Company Segments Covered in the Report Market Segment by Function Hardware Software Market Segment by Platform Airborne Systems Naval Systems Land Systems Market Segment by System Type Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) Compact-PCI (cPCI) Versa Module Europa (VME) Other System Type Market Segment by Application C4ISR Systems Electronic Warfare Systems Radar Systems Sonar Systems Navigation & Communication Systems Market Segment by Component Processors Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) Software & Memory Systems Other Components In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets: North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Russia United Kingdom France Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa GCC South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2d2dyn 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central Iron Ore Limited (CIO TSX.V) (CIO or the Company) is pleased to announce this Drilling Update. Central Iron Ore is pleased to announce that the next phase of exploration activities at the British King Project in Western Australia has started on the June 8, 2024, with 39 Reverse Circulation ('RC') and 4 diamond holes scheduled to be completed over a 7-week campaign (Figure 1). Figure 1. The sun sets after the first day's drilling of the 2024 RC campaign at British King (M37/30) Highlights: Drilling has commenced on 39 RC drillholes for 3,538m that will further test and delineate the known auriferous lode along the length of the tenement at the British King mine (Figure 1). One of the key objectives of this drill programme is to increase the drill hole density across the British King primary lode and its multiple associated ancillary lodes to support further resource evaluation work. These targets have confirmed gold mineralisation that are laterally extensive and remain currently open at depth. Commencing in July, 200 metres of Diamond Drilling (4 drillholes) will test the primary British King lode. The diamond drillhole core will provide invaluable mineralogical and metallurgical samples. Figure 2. 2024 Collars being drilled at the British King mine British King Project (Western Australia) The Companys British King Project is located across the British King Mine situated on the M37/30 Mining Tenement, approximately 320km northwest of Kalgoorlie and 60km east of Leinster in Western Australia (Figure 3). Figure 3. British King Project Location QUALIFIED PERSON Mr Andrew Bewsher who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has compiled the information within this report relating to the RC drilling programme. Mr Bewsher has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity currently being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in NI 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors CENTRAL IRON ORE LIMITED David Deitz ____________________________ David Deitz, Director/CEO For further information, please contact: www.centralironorelimited.com Investor and Media Inquiries: Direct: +61 2 9397 7521 Email: info@centralironorelimited.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. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Companys equity securities, the state of the market for iron ore or other minerals that may be produced generally, recent market volatility; variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies and other risks associated with the exploration and development of mineral properties. The reader is referred to the Company's disclosure documents for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Companys page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ddc2555-dccf-4a0b-9f5e-3f1389052e63 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7f09c8d-3c8a-4c25-ab70-c25fead949d9 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6d726b15-778d-407c-8566-d2d672c5d7e0 SOUTH PASADENA, Calif., June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "For the first time in several decades, a group of five historic properties in South Pasadena will see the light of day," states Dave Knight of The Dave Knight Real Estate Team of Keller Williams. The City of South Pasadena was given the right to purchase the historic properties this year from Caltrans, which had previously taken these and other residential properties in eminent domain for the now defunct 710 Freeway extension. Now, these vintage historic homes will be returned to the residential real estate market for new owners to once again enjoy. The five properties include four single family homes at: 216 Fairview Avenue, 217 Fremont Avenue, 225 Fremont Avenue, and 1707 Meridian Avenue. The fifth property is a multi-family lot with three, separate bungalows at 726 Meridian Avenue in South Pasadena. Each of these homes include authentic design elements of a time gone by, including: Craftsman Bungalow, Spanish Revival and Mid-Century Modern styles. We are honored to be representing the City of South Pasadena to bring these historic homes to the market, states Dave Knight, founder of The Dave Knight Real Estate Team. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for buyers to acquire these homes, and help restore and return them to their original glory." The purchase of these historic properties was made possible by the passage of Caltrans Housing Bill SB 381 in 2021, authored by State Senator Anthony Portantino. Under this bill, the City was given the green light to purchase the homes. The proceeds from the sale of these properties will then be earmarked for the development of low- and/or moderate-income housing, built in town. The City of South Pasadena has long been known as one of the safest and most livable cities in Southern California, states City of South Pasadena Mayor, Evelyn G. Zneimer. We are thrilled to have access to these historic homes--you just dont see houses built like this anymore. We are very grateful to Senator Portantino for authoring this bill as it made it possible for us to start the process of acquiring these vacant homes and returning them to our neighborhoods and tax roll. We look forward to seeing these unique properties occupied by owners who will provide them with the loving care to restore them to their original luster. For More Information, Please Contact: David Way, CEO, 626-389-1137 https://daveknightrealestate.com/sopascaltrans Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64fe6afb-df5b-4c1a-8406-95b848aa740c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b73d20a-5efd-4ec6-995b-8ba6d587d4f9 Dublin, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis - Pipeline Insight, 2024" clinical trials has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This "Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis - Pipeline Insight, 2024" report provides comprehensive insights about 16+ companies and 17+ pipeline drugs in Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis pipeline landscape. It covers the pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and nonclinical stage products. It also covers the therapeutics assessment by product type, stage, route of administration, and molecule type. It further highlights the inactive pipeline products in this space. The report outlays comprehensive insights of present scenario and growth prospects across the indication. A detailed picture of the Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis pipeline landscape is provided which includes the disease overview and Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treatment guidelines. The assessment part of the report embraces, in depth Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis commercial assessment and clinical assessment of the pipeline products under development. In the report, detailed description of the drug is given which includes mechanism of action of the drug, clinical studies, NDA approvals (if any), and product development activities comprising the technology, Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis collaborations, licensing, mergers and acquisition, funding, designations and other product related details. Report Highlights The companies and academics are working to assess challenges and seek opportunities that could influence Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis R&D. The therapies under development are focused on novel approaches to treat/improve Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis Emerging Drugs Chapters This segment of the Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis report encloses its detailed analysis of various drugs in different stages of clinical development, including phase II, I, preclinical and Discovery. It also helps to understand clinical trial details, expressive pharmacological action, agreements and collaborations, and the latest news and press releases. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis Emerging Drugs Brensocatib: Insmed Incorporated Brensocatib (INS1007 or AZD7986) is a small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1). DPP1 is an enzyme responsible for activating neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), such as neutrophil elastase, in neutrophils when they are formed in the bone marrow. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell and play an essential role in pathogen destruction and inflammatorymediation. Brensocatib may decrease the damaging effects of inflammatory diseases such as bronchiectasis by inhibiting DPP1 and its activation of NSPs. Insmed acquired the license for the treatment from Astra Zeneca in 2016. Currently, the drug is in Phase III stage of its clinical trial evaluation for the treatment of Non-cystic fibrosisbronchiectasis. Benralizumab: Astra ZenecaBenralizumab is a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody of the isotype IgG1k immunoglobulin that specifically binds to the alpha chain of the interleukin 5 receptor (IL-5R) expressed on eosinophils and basophils. It inhibits the binding of IL-5 as well as the hetero-oligomerization of the alpha and beta subunits of the IL-5R, thus blocking, signal transduction. Currently, it is being investigated in Phase III stage of development for the treatment of patients with Non-cystic fibrosisbronchiectasis. HSK31858: Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.HSK31858 tablet is an oral, potent, and highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1) small molecule inhibitor independently developed by the Haisco Pharmaceutical. The main mechanism of action is that inhibiting DPP1 can inhibit the activation of neutrophils and the release of neutrophils to the circulatory system by inhibiting the activation of neutrophil NSP enzymes. It is clinically intended to be used for the treatment of lower respiratory tract diseases caused by bronchiectasis and acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. The drug has completed phase I clinical trials in Australia and China, and now the phase II clinical trials of the project have completed the enrollment and administration of the first subject, and the project is progressing smoothly. CSL 787: CSL Behring CSL 787, is a human plasma-derived immunoglobulin for administration via a nebulizer for the potential prevention of chronic respiratory tract infections and progression of chronic lung disease such as Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). Currently, the drug is being developed in the Phase I stage of Clinical trial evaluation for the treatment of Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis(NCFB). Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: Therapeutic Assessment This segment of the report provides insights about the different Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis drugs segregated based on following parameters that define the scope of the report, such as: Major Players in Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis There are approx. 16+ key companies which are developing the therapies for Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The companies which have their Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis drug candidates in the most advanced stage, i.e. phase III include, Insmed Incorporated. Phases This report covers around 17+ products under different phases of clinical development like Late stage products (Phase III) Mid-stage products (Phase II) Early-stage product (Phase I) along with the details of Pre-clinical and Discovery stage candidates Discontinued & Inactive candidates Route of Administration Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis pipeline report provides the therapeutic assessment of the pipeline drugs by the Route of Administration. Products have been categorized under various ROAs such as Intravenous Subcutaneous Oral Intramuscular Molecule Type Products have been categorized under various Molecule types such as Monoclonal antibody Small molecule Peptide Product Type Drugs have been categorized under various product types like Mono, Combination and Mono/Combination. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: Pipeline Development Activities The report provides insights into different therapeutic candidates in phase II, I, preclinical and discovery stage. It also analyses Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis therapeutic drugs key players involved in developing key drugs. Pipeline Development Activities The report covers the detailed information of collaborations, acquisition and merger, licensing along with a thorough therapeutic assessment of emerging Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis drugs. Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis Report Insights Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis Pipeline Analysis Therapeutic Assessment Unmet Needs Impact of Drugs Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis Report Assessment Pipeline Product Profiles Therapeutic Assessment Pipeline Assessment Inactive drugs assessment Unmet Needs Key Questions Current Treatment Scenario and Emerging Therapies: How many companies are developing Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis drugs? How many Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis drugs are developed by each company? How many emerging drugs are in mid-stage, and late-stage of development for the treatment of Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis? What are the key collaborations (Industry-Industry, Industry-Academia), Mergers and acquisitions, licensing activities related to the Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis therapeutics? What are the recent trends, drug types and novel technologies developed to overcome the limitation of existing therapies? What are the clinical studies going on for Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and their status? What are the key designations that have been granted to the emerging drugs? Key Players Zambon SpA AstraZeneca Insmed Incorporated NovaBiotics Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Armata Pharmaceuticals Chiesi Farmaceutici CSL Behring Key Products Colistimethate sodium Benralizumab Brensocatib HSK31858 CHF 6333 CSL 787 AP-PA02 ARINA-1 For more information about this clinical trials report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rae4za About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Africa Malaria Diagnostics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Technology (Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Microscopy, Molecular Diagnostic Tests), End-use (Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories), Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Africa malaria diagnostics market size is anticipated to reach USD 498.12 million by 2030 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.60% from 2024 to 2030 The market growth is attributed to the high burden of malaria in the region, driving the demand for effective diagnostic tools. Government initiatives and funding for control programs also play a significant role. The introduction of innovative and more accurate diagnostic technologies, as well as efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to diagnostic services, are driving market growth. In addition, partnerships between governments, NGOs, and international organizations are promoting the adoption of diagnostic tests, further fueling market growth. Malaria, being endemic to Africa, necessitates the development of translational campaigns and strategies by the government to resonate with citizens and achieve malaria elimination. The African Union's (AU) "Zero Malaria Starts With Me" campaign exemplifies this approach. It is a grassroots campaign that mobilizes community members to personalize prevention and increase awareness. A crucial aspect is the encouragement of political prioritization of malaria elimination by countries significantly affected, as political leaders play a pivotal role in government policies, decisions, and budgets. The campaign also engages private businesses to contribute resources and provide support to malaria elimination efforts. Launched in Senegal in 2014, the campaign gained traction, leading to its adoption by other African countries in July 2018. This adaptation of the "zero malaria" agenda to local contexts demonstrates African countries' commitment to achieving maximum impact. The campaign has evolved from a national strategy to a pan-African movement, fostering political engagement, private sector involvement, and community participation in malaria elimination goals. In less than a decade since its inception, various African countries have implemented practical actions and strategies to drive progress toward elimination. The significant burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates a substantial effort to eliminate the disease. A global response to combat malaria, involving organizations such as WHO, the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank, led to the establishment of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partnership in 1998. Collaborating with WHO's Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for Malaria 2016-2030, the RBM partnership aims to reduce the incidence and mortality of malaria by 90% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. The GTS aims to certify 35 countries as malaria-free and prevent the re-establishment of malaria in these countries within the designated period. The rising demand for Point-Of-Care (POC) diagnostics for malaria in Africa highlights the critical need for rapid and accurate diagnosis to combat the disease effectively. The current standard diagnostic method, the thick drop technique, is simple and cost-effective but often yields inaccurate results, especially in cases of mixed infections or low parasitemia. Although PCR-based tests offer improved accuracy, their requirement for large and sensitive equipment makes them unsuitable for POC settings. To address these challenges, there has been a surge in the development of POC diagnostic tests for malaria, leveraging molecular methods and innovative strategies. These advancements, including new platforms, miniaturization techniques, and multiplexing capabilities, hold significant promise for enhancing disease diagnostics by enabling fast and accurate detection, even in remote areas where access to healthcare infrastructure is limited. Africa Malaria Diagnostics Market Report Highlights Rapid diagnostic tests dominated the technology segment in 2023 and are anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the affordability, ease of use, and ability to deliver quick results without the need for specialized equipment or skilled personnel The microscopy segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Microscopy is a well-established technique that provides reliable results when performed by skilled technicians. Despite the emergence of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and molecular diagnostics, microscopy remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis in many settings The hospitals & clinics segment dominated the end-use segment in 2023 and is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The development of innovative diagnostic technologies, such as highly sensitive and specific RDTs, has contributed to market growth Nigeria dominated the market in 2023 owing to factors such as favorable government initiatives Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 125 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $418.32 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $498.12 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.6% Regions Covered Africa Market Dynamics Market Driver Analysis Increasing Demand for Diagnostic Tools in Malaria-endemic Countries Government Initiatives to Curb the Burden of Malaria Initiatives by Market Players and Private Investors to Curb the Prevalence of Malaria Increasing Demand for Point-of-care Diagnostics Market Restraint Analysis Lack of Skilled Professionals Approval of Malaria Vaccine Africa Malaria Diagnostics Market Analysis Tools Industry Analysis - Porter's PESTEL Analysis Pricing Analysis Competitive Landscape Abbott Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Premier Medical Sysmex Corporation Zephyr Biomedicals - A Division of Tulip Diagnostics Ltd, India SHERLOCK BIOSCIENCES Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. ARKRAY, Inc. Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. SD Biosensor, Inc. Advy Chemical Private Limited For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/f3th47 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 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Convenience Food Market Report by Type (Ready-to-eat, Frozen Food), Distribution Channel (Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online Retail, Others), Countries and Company Analysis 2024- 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Convenience Food Market is currently witnessing a substantial upsurge, largely attributed to the accelerated urbanization and increased disposable incomes contributing to the market's growth. The trend towards urban living is expected to continue, potentially doubling the metropolitan population by 2050 and propelling the demand for ready-to-eat food products. The report's findings shed light on the potential growth prospects of convenience foods across various distribution channels including supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and online retail. It also provides a detailed analysis of the market performance in key countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Innovation and Consumer Preferences A key force behind the market growth is the diversification of the product range and creativity in food processing and packaging, responding to evolving consumer preferences. Sustainability is increasingly influencing purchase decisions, with a significant share of consumers willing to pay more for environmentally friendly packaging. Catering to a broad spectrum of demographics, convenience food producers are continually innovating to meet the demands for quick yet nutritious meal options in todays fast-paced world. E-Commerce and Accessibility The remarkable expansion of e-commerce has also played a pivotal role in shaping the convenience food industry. With online shopping gaining traction, a wide array of convenience food products has become readily available, catering to the needs of people seeking mealtime solutions that fit their busy lifestyles. The Significance of Ready-to-Eat Foods Ready-to-eat foods have become essential to the market, offering a variety of options tailored for every age group and catering to specific consumer trends and preferences. These products are especially significant for those balancing various professional and personal commitments, providing an efficient solution without compromising on taste or quality. Focus on Asia-Pacific Development The Asia-Pacific region is a powerhouse in the consumption and innovation of convenience foods, with urbanization and the quickening pace of life driving demand. Health and convenience are converging as consumers in the region seek tasty yet health-oriented food solutions, including vegan and allergen-free options. The e-commerce sector in Asia further facilitates the accessibility of convenience foods directly to the consumer. Leading Market Players The report prominently features Major players who are pioneering in the convenience food sector such as: General Mills Inc. Conagra Brands Nestle S.A. Hormel Foods Unilever PLC The Kraft Heinz Company Nomad Foods Ltd. B&G Foods, Inc. Their recent developments include innovative product launches tailored to cater to the dynamic needs and preferences of consumers across the globe. Emphasis is being placed on expanding the frozen food portfolio, unveiling specialty-sized entrees, and initiating strategic collaborations to strengthen the market presence. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 180 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $511.57 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $873.87 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.1% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xnrok2 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 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Advanced Cancer Pain Management (ACPM) - Pipeline Insight, 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Advanced Cancer Pain Management (ACPM) market, delineating current clinical advancements and future growth opportunities within the space. The report pivots around a detailed landscape of the ACPM pipeline, including ongoing treatment guidelines, and extends to profiling the journey of ACPM therapeutics from pre-clinical phases to marketed products. Pipeline Development Activities The report chronicles diverse therapeutic candidates in various stagesfrom early to latein the fight against Advanced Cancer Pain Management. The details encompass an array of developmental activities such as collaborations, technologies employed, product licensing, funding and mergers and acquisitions. The collective data in the report suggests an encouraging push towards ameliorating the challenges faced by patients with Advanced Cancer Pain Management. Commercial and Clinical Assessment Besides laying out pipeline development, the report also emphasizes commercial assessments of candidate drugs, addressing trends in collaborations and licensing deals in the ACPM market. The clinical assessment section discusses comparative analyses by development stage, therapy type, and route of administration, offering valuable knowledge for stakeholders interested in the progression of ACPM therapeutics. Report Scope and Highlights The scope of this report includes comprehensive therapeutic pipeline activity, covering all clinical and non-clinical stages of Advanced Cancer Pain Management treatment development. It features in-depth profiles of ACPM therapeutic products and a meticulous recap of developmental activities. The documentation encompasses dormant and discontinued projects with rationales provided where available. The report signifies a guided understanding of the disease pathogenesis contributing to novel therapeutic developments for ACPM, anticipates the evolution of the market consequent to heightened disease awareness, and forecasts the potential impact of emerging therapies on market dynamics over the ensuing years. Addressing Key Questions for the Future of ACPM Treatment The publication attempts to answer critical questions regarding treatment options, development strategies, therapy profiles and future collaborations that could influence R&D within the ACPM domain. Emphasis has been placed on the need for advanced therapies, ongoing clinical studies, and their outcomes, as well as granted patents and designations that underscore the innovation in treatments for Advanced Cancer Pain Management. This analysis highlights the concerted effort by the medical and scientific community to address Advanced Cancer Pain Management, with the anticipation of introducing more effective treatment options for patients, thereby broadening the horizon of ACPM care. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2x8t94 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. LIAOCHENG, China, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On June 4-10, the Shandong (Dong'e) Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Tourism Experience Week took place in Dong'e County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. The event featured a variety of activities, including pulse diagnosis and consultations by renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, tasting traditional Chinese herbal teas for health, watching acrobatic performances, and exploring the centuries-old culture of gelatin and mugwort. This week-long event provided residents, tourists, and attendees with a close-up look at traditional Chinese medicine culture. Participants were able to appreciate the unique charm of health tourism through art performances, intangible cultural heritage displays, tourism sightseeing, folk customs experiences, and more. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. This event was themed "Inheriting Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture, and Sharing a Better Life Together", co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Shandong Province, the Health Commission of Shandong Province (Shandong Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine), and the CPC Liaocheng Municipal Committee and Liaocheng Municipal People's Government. Throughout the week-long event, Liaocheng City meticulously organized various activities such as traditional Chinese medicine health preservation, medical consultations, specialty treatments, acrobatic performances, and the Yellow River Cultural Music Festival, with a view to further enhancing the brand of Dong'e as a destination for health and wellness tourism. Additionally, focusing on the "New Three Treasures of Liaocheng" and spa health resources, Liaocheng City launched eight premium tourism routes under the theme "The Covenant of Two Rivers, Health and Wellness in Liaocheng", including a leisure and wellness tour of the "Wellness Water City", a scenic tour featuring Ejiao health benefits, a culinary journey of Linqing Canal delicacies, a cultural exploration of the epic tales in Yanggu County, a lingzhi health retreat in Guanzhou, an ecotourism trip to Gaotang known for calligraphy and painting, a rural relaxation getaway with fragrant fruits, and a self-driving retreat for wellness living. During the event, the Shandong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Inheritance and Development Symposium, as well as the Action Plan for the Integrated Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Chain and the Salon for the High-quality Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry, took place simultaneously, aiming to boost the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese medicine culture, cooperative development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry chain, and high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine. Source: Liaocheng Municipal People's Government Dublin, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Italy e-Cigarette Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report analyses the current state of the Italian vaping market, how it differs from other leading European markets, and how it has changed over the past year. The Italian market grew substantially between 2022 and 2023 and is one of the leading vape markets in Europe. It differs from other large European markets in its reliance on physical vape stores, and regulation of the online market is a potential barrier to growth in online sales. While the popularity of disposables has increased significantly, open system products remain the most popular category in Italy - with a trend towards more simple devices. This market report will provide you with: A clear and detailed understanding of current market size and structure, enabling you to confidently identify where your business and your products stand within the market. The ability to plan ahead for developing trends. A strategic picture of consumers, retail channels, and product preferences. Understanding of major competitor brands and their position within the market. In-depth discussion of the most important topics for the specific market, with historic and future influences on change identified and comparisons made to other national markets. Detailed data in graphical form. Key Topics Covered: Executive summary Introduction and regulatory framework Market size and forecast Retail channels The disposable market boom in Italy Open systems: a shift to basic hardware in open pods E-liquid progression and popularity For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7p9yxp 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. AB KN Energies (hereinafter the Company or KN) informs that the Company's Supervisory Council adopted the following decisions regarding the submission of the opinion and proposals to the Company's Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. The Company's Supervisory Council submits proposals to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Companys Shareholders to be held on 27 June 2024: AB KN Energies Supervisory Council, in accordance with Article 32, Part 1, Point 10 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, and taking into account: the recommendation to the Board, submitted on May 30, 2024 by the Company's Remuneration and Nomination Committee, to agree the amendment of the Remuneration Policy of AB KN Energies and submit it for the approval at the General Meeting of Shareholders of AB KN Energies; the decision made at the Company's Board meeting held on June 6, 2024 to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on June 27, 2024 and to propose the following resolution: To approve the amended Remuneration Policy of AB KN Energies; evaluated the circumstance that the current Remuneration Policy of AB KN Energies no longer complies to the Regulation on the Payment of Remuneration to Members of Collegial Bodies of State-Owned and Municipality-Owned Enterprises, as approved by the Government Resolution of the Republic of Lithuania on October 14, 2015. To ensure compliance with the legal regulations governing remuneration for collegial bodies, the Supervisory Council proposes to the General Meeting of Shareholders To approve the amended Remuneration Policy of AB KN Energies. Shareholders can familiarize themselves with documents related to the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, draft decisions of the agenda and other information related to the implementation of the rights of shareholders in the notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders published by the Company: Notice on Convocation of Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of AB KN Energies (nasdaq.com) Tomas Tumenas, Chief Financial Officer, +370 46 391772 Luxembourg 14 June 2024 - Subsea7 S.A. (Oslo Brs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of a sizeable1 contract by Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited, for the Bittern field development, located approximately 190km east of Aberdeen in the UK Central North Sea, at a water depth of 90 metres. The contract scope includes project management, engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of a 22km 12 water injection pipeline. Subsea7s scope also includes associated subsea structures and tie-ins at the Triton Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO) vessel and the Bittern field. Project management and engineering work will commence immediately in Aberdeen. The offshore activities are scheduled for Q3 2025. Steve Wisely, Senior Vice President of UK and Global Inspection, Repair and Maintenance, Subsea7, said: "We are pleased that Dana Petroleum has chosen Subsea7 to provide project management expertise and engineering technical knowledge for this important field development. We look forward to supporting Dana in meeting their project objectives and for the opportunity to play a key role in the safe and successful completion of Bittern." Subsea7 defines a sizeable contract as being between $50 million and $150 million ******************************************************************************* Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industrys partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs. Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Brs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62. ******************************************************************************* Contact for investment community enquiries: Katherine Tonks Investor Relations Director Tel +44 20 8210 5568 ir@subsea7.com Contact for media enquiries: Michelle Wainwright UK & Global IRM Communications Manager Tel +44 (0)7876778370 Michelle.wainwright@subsea7.com Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, future, goal, intend, likely may, plan, project, seek, should, strategy will, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the Risk Management section of the Groups Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 14 June 2024 at 13:50 CET. Attachment CALGARY, Alberta and AUSTIN, Texas, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summit Nanotech (Summit) and Zelandez announce the signing of a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) on May 14, 2024, to align on streamlining the process from brine to battery, leveraging Summits cutting-edge denaLiTM Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology and Zelandez's advanced ErLiTM carbonation technology. The LOI initiates scope of work discussions for an evaluation project using brine from one of Summits South American salars to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. UN Trade & Development (UNCTAD) predicts that lithium demand could increase by over 1,500% by 2050 to meet the global net-zero emission targets Lithium production utilizing DLE technology will reach 526 kt by 2030 - BloombergNEF denaLiTM DLE has demonstrated 96% lithium recovery with South American brines Many new mining projects must come online globally to produce the critical minerals necessary to support the green electric revolution. Summit and Zelandez will support the development of these critical minerals needed for battery production by demonstrating commercial-scale production of lithium carbonate. Amanda Hall, CEO of Summit Nanotech, commented, "Zelandez is a company with deep experience and knowledge of the brine reservoirs of South America. We plan to use their brine field services in the exploration and development stage of our assets, and we are even more supportive now that they are developing a modular back-end carbonation process. We can move our joint venture assets into production faster by using incremental phases of drilling, DLE and carbonation on-site. Summit Nanotech and Zelandez intend to significantly reduce the time and environmental footprint associated with lithium production using DLE and lithium carbonation services. They are targeting the world's most economical and high-quality lithium production assets, located in the lithium triangle. Gene Morgan, CEO of Zelandez, stated, "Weve often said at Zelandez that its the people that make any deal or job worth doing. Working with Amanda Hall and the Summit Nanotech team is a natural fit, as they are a fantastic group of engineers and geoscientists we both value agility, scientific rigor, reducing environmental impact and respecting local communities. We see this LOI as the first step in a long strategic alignment." About Summit Nanotech Summit Nanotech Corporation is a cleantech company transforming how the world accesses lithium for EV batteries and the global energy transition. Their patented and sustainable direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, denaLi, extracts high-quality lithium from brine using a sorbent and water recovery solution, making way for a sustainable alternative to the traditional extraction process. denaLi DLE will preserve ecosystems and optimize operations for lithium producers globally. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Summit Nanotech has been awarded as a 2024 Global Cleantech 100 winner, Foresight 50 for most investable cleantech venture, and the Solar Impulse Foundation's Efficient Solutions Label. Learn more at summitnanotech.com. About Zelandez Zelandez is the leading brinefield services provider to the lithium-brine industry. The company provides a comprehensive suite of advanced exploration and extraction tools that empower its clients with valuable insights and data-driven decision-making. It also offers complete wrap-around integrated services for lithium mining companies, leveraging advanced geophysical technologies and expert geoscience know-how. Zelandez works with leading lithium mining companies in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, the United States of America, and Canada. Contact: Leslie Newell Director, Marketing & Communications media@summitnanotech.com Clint Van Marrewijk Director, Co-founder media@zelandez.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/880ba4f7-7ab0-4c5c-b931-cfbb2139fb17 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1b29021-1988-4040-a03d-7102fa1f3afc NEW LONDON, Conn., June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breezeline, the nations eighth-largest cable operator, hosted a digital learning seminar on June 13 to empower older adults in Connecticut with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the digital world. The seminar, held at the New London Senior Services Center in New London, provided an introduction to creating and sending email and other internet basics. The seminar was held in partnership with Cyber-Seniors, a non-profit organization that provides technology training and digital mentoring to seniors via an intergenerational, volunteer model. Email enables people to connect to their communities and the world around them, said Marina Vracevic, New London senior citizens coordinator. We are grateful to Breezeline and Cyber-Seniors for taking the time to help older adults in New London learn this critical skill. Breezeline is committed to helping people stay connected to the things they love, said Katherine McCoid, public relations manager for Breezeline. We are proud to partner with Cyber-Seniors to teach important digital skills and empower older adults in Connecticut. To learn more about Breezelines commitment to digital literacy, please visit www.cyberseniors.org/breezeline. Attachment SEERs product and manufacturing division, SEM, LLC, receives its first order from Biochar Now for the manufacturing of 33 kilns totaling approximately $600,000 BROOMFIELD, CO, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc. (SEER) (OTCQB: SENR), a provider of environmental, renewable fuels and industrial waste stream management services, recently had its wholly-owned operating company, SEM, LLC, receive a new purchase order to provide kilns to Biochar Now, LLC (BCN) (www.biocharnow.com). The purchase order totals approximately $600,000 and is part of BCNs nationwide expansion program. Providing kiln bodies and other related equipment to BCN will become a significant part of SEERs go-forward growth strategy, said John Combs, CEO of SEER. We have been working closely with BCN over the last year to develop mutually beneficial domestic and international growth plans, and this first order is an important step in the implementation of our strategy. SEER is collaborating with one of its large shareholders with vast experience in manufacturing that will assist SEER in the fulfillment of this and future kiln orders, said Combs. BCN has been aggressively pursuing its worldwide expansion program and we now have five locations established and operational in both the US and Southeast Asia. We also have dozens of new biochar production sites under development throughout North America and other worldwide locations, said James Gaspard, CEO of BCN. We have been collaborating with SEER to establish some of these sites globally and to develop the most cost-effective kiln manufacturing process to minimize our site capex and increase biochar production efficiency. We recently ordered kilns from SEER for a new biochar production site that is under construction in Missouri. We anticipate this is just the first of many orders as we continue to work through the local permitting processes for multiple new biochar production sites to be finalized in the coming quarters, said Gaspard. It was recently announced that BCN, in collaboration with AgriCap Group, LLC, has created fully insured, high-integrity biochar carbon credits and made them available for purchase. This innovative offering ensures the authenticity and reliability of BCN carbon credits, providing peace of mind to buyers and investors in the global carbon market through the launch of the "Insured Carbon" program. Further, BCN has received an ISCC Plus certification for utilizing sustainable wood in its patented process to produce high-quality biochar that produces the high-integrity carbon credits. These new credits created by BCN undergo rigorous validation and verification audits by accredited and independent, third-party auditors. The BCN high-integrity carbon credits are insured from creation through retirement to ensure the value of the carbon credit. This fully insured, one-of-a-kind carbon credit sets BCN apart from every biochar player in the global market and greatly enhances their value and marketability, said Gaspard. Combs added, With so many new and inexperienced producers jumping into the market, we believe this recent development differentiates BCN biochar and the concomitant carbon credits from all others and will increase demand for both BCNs superior product and the insured credits. This will ultimately benefit SEER as BCNs operating partner and manufacturer. SEER continues to pursue its plans to open a Texas JV facility with BCN to produce biochar. SEER is also exploring the development of a program to process fiberglass waste and other composites at the Texas facility. We believe there is no scalable, viable option to process and repurpose certain composites such as windmill blades, and being an operating partner at our own facility would accelerate our efforts to economically process feedstocks other than wood. SEER has already obtained an air permit for a Texas biochar facility and intends to accelerate its plan to open such a facility, said Combs. Establishing international biochar facilities also remains a focus of SEER, continued Combs. We are particularly focused on European and Brazilian markets to set up joint ventures and roll out biochar production facilities. Ultimately, this will result in multiple revenue streams for SEER in the form of additional kiln and equipment sales, as well as product and carbon credit sales revenue, all of which will add value to our shareholder equity, said Combs. The international markets present unique challenges, but we have entered into initial agreements in several territories that we intend to convert into joint ventures by the end of the year. Updates on these efforts and our joint venture in Saudi Arabia will be released in the near future, concluded Combs. About Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc. Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources, Inc. (SEER) (OTCQB: SENR), identifies, secures, and commercializes patented and proprietary environmental clean technologies in several multibillion-dollar sectors (including oil & gas, renewable fuels, and all types of waste management, both solid and gaseous) for the purpose of either destroying/minimizing hazardous waste streams more safely and at lower cost than any competitive alternative, and/or processing the waste for use as a renewable fuel for the benefit of the customers and the environment. SEER has two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: MV Technologies, LLC and SEER Environmental Materials, LLC; and two majority-owned subsidiaries: Paragon Waste Solutions, LLC; and PelleChar, LLC. For more information about the Company visit: www.seer-corp.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates," and other terms with similar meaning. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements should not be construed as fact. Statements in this press release regarding future performance or fiscal projections, the cost-effectiveness, impact, and ability of the Company's products to handle the future needs of customers are forward-looking statements. The information contained in such statements is beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. All forward-looking statements in the press release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by reference to the underlying assumptions. Contact Information: ir@seer-corp.com Explore cultural, creative products in N China's Shanxi People's Daily Online) 13:38, June 14, 2024 Photo shows cultural and creative products related to Guan Yu, a general during China's late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) known for his loyalty and bravery in battles, in Zhonglou Street, also known as Bell Tower Street, in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Strolling along Zhonglou Street, also known as Bell Tower Street, a state-level block serving tourism and leisure in Taiyuan, capital of north China's Shanxi Province, one can be fascinated by the myriad of cultural and creative products with distinctive local features. The products include those related to Guan Yu, a general during China's late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) known for his loyalty and bravery in battles, and the renowned Shanxi mature vinegar. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) ST. CHARLES, Mo., June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OMNI Systems, the largest, privately owned label manufacturer in the U.S., announced the opening of its Print Center of Excellence in St. Charles. Located at 411 Fountain Lakes Blvd, the 64,000-sq-ft facility is actively hiring and expects to bring 50-100 new jobs to the greater St. Charles area in the next several years. We are pursuing long-term legacy growth in the next 5-7 years, and this expansion nearly quadruples our geographical footprint, said Mike Murton, President and COO. Being a privately held company with highly skilled employees provides us with unlimited growth potential, and St. Charles is the perfect location for OMNI to continue to grow. OMNIs new Print Center of Excellence will focus production on custom printed labels for the consumer-packaged goods industry on a national scale. The renovated plant features expansive floor space, state-of-the-art labeling capabilities, and flexibility for future growth. Since the acquisition of ITW Labels in April 2023, the plant has grown to three times its original size and features innovative solutions like Reverse Print Technology and an in-house plate-making department. Our inventory management solutions include 10-color UV & Flexo Digital Mark Andy Presses, and labels up to 20-inches-wide, said Business Development Manager Dean Ketchum. Our goal is to soon have three shifts up and running, which will allow us to continue our growth trajectory and meet the demands of our customers. The company held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony June 11, which was attended by Mayor Dan Borgmeyer and St. Charles Regional Chamber President and CEO Scott Tate. Mayor Borgmeyer presented Murton with keys to the city during the ceremony. Photos from the event can be found here. About OMNI Systems: OMNI Systems, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio, is the largest privately owned label manufacturer in the U.S. and the leading provider of high quality, low-cost label solutions for the worlds largest consumer brands. OMNI leads the labels industry in price, quality, and service. The company consistently delivers innovative label solutions that meet all specifications, with unmatched quality, efficient fulfillment, and on-time delivery. OMNIs highly experienced, solutions-focused team and state-of-the-art equipment support long-term partnerships that help drive customers success. Learn more at omnisystem.com and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Hannah Karlson, Full Tilt Consulting hkarlson@fulltiltconsulting.com Beachwood, Ohio, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tremco Construction Products Group (Tremco CPG) proudly announces the graduation of its first cohort of students from Achieve Green, a Rising Stars program that creates avenues for young people to gain the skills and perspective needed to pursue a career within various green construction fields. The cohort students followed the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Apprenticeship Pathway. Having met the requirements of the IUPAT District Council 35 Boston and the Finishing Trades Institution of New England (FTI) pre-apprenticeship program, graduates Raymondo Antoine, Chris Lewis Coppin, John Herrera, Jonathan Montiero, and Mhesaih Thompson are now eligible to complete the final steps toward becoming apprentice glaziers. There is a critical need across our nation for skilled workers in the construction industry, stated Tremco CPG Rising Stars Program Director David Hutchinson. Tremco CPGs Rising Stars Program was developed in response to this issue and is proud to work with affiliate programs across the nation, including Achieve Green, to provide a viable pathway for young adults interested in learning a skilled trade. Supported by Tremco CPG, the Rising Stars Program aims to cultivate a strong, well-rounded workforce in the construction industry through supporting youth in vocational programs, as well as minority- and women-owned businesses. Its programs offer hands-on education with subject matter experts to develop diverse skillsets, increase access to resources, and ultimately drive success for those emerging in the industry. Achieve Green is more than just workforce training for high school students, said Adrianne Level, Boston Day & Evening Academy program leader. It very firmly places our young people in a better position to succeedproviding opportunities to learn a skill that will open the door to steady, well-paying work in the years ahead. The program helps them build an economically stable lifestyle, which ultimately creates the foundation for them to become responsible, contributing members of our community. Achieve Green is a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Workforce Equity Grant program that, realizing the future of the construction industry points toward clean energy jobs, aims to ensure that opportunities in this field are equitable for all. The program provides two pathways for Boston Public School seniors to explore potential careers in the construction trade. These include the IUPAT Apprenticeship Pathway, which provides training for glaziers, weatherization techs and turbine blade repair; and the Energy Assessor/Auditor Pathway, a partnership with identified Boston Community Colleges and the Northeast Home Energy Rating System Alliance. This program aims to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the green construction sector by offering real-life pathways to employment to students from underrepresented communities, said Alisha Harrington, Browning the Green Space deputy director. Through the MassCEC Workforce Equity Grant, we are able to bridge the gap between schooling and a career while connecting more people of color, especially young people, with the growing opportunities within the clean energy industry. Our International Union, and local affiliate District Council 35, are exceedingly proud of our first class of graduates and of the example they have set for the classes to come, said John Doherty, senior advisor at IUPAT. We look forward to the opportunity to continue this programs success as a national model and make an impact on the future of green construction in the years to come. About Tremco CPG Headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, Tremco Construction Products Group is the master brand representing the combined forces of Tremco CPG Inc. companies, which includes the Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance, Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing, and Tremco Barrier Solutions operating divisions; Dryvit Systems, Inc.; Nudura Inc.; Willseal; Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. (WTI) and Weatherproofing Technologies Canada (WTC). Learn more at www.tremcocpg.com. # # # Attachments Washington, D.C., June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the New Civil Liberties Alliance case of Garland v. Cargill that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives unilateral bump-stock ban conflicts with the federal statute defining machineguns. ATFs regulatory ban, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit shot down early last year, reversed the agencys own long-standing recognition that bump-stock-equipped firearms are not machine guns. NCLA commends the high court for permanently setting ATFs ban aside, safeguarding the rights of our client Michael Cargill and hundreds of thousands of other Americans to be free from laws written by executive branch bureaucrats instead of elected members of Congress. ATF issued a Final Rule in 2018 defining semi-automatic firearms equipped with bump stocks as machineguns, which federal law prohibits. The rule required Mr. Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works in Austin, Texas, and an Army veteranand every other bump-stock owner nationwideto either destroy or turn in their legally purchased devices at risk of being convicted for owning an illegal machinegun. In January 2023, the en banc Fifth Circuit ruled in favor of Mr. Cargill. Todays Supreme Court ruling affirms the Fifth Circuit, a decision consistent with a subsequent judgment by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and an earlier one from the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. It should also ensure victory for Clark Aposhian, whom NCLA represents on the same issue in a case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Congress adopted a statute banning machine guns in 1986, the terms of which do not cover bump stocks. ATF is not authorized to draft regulations expanding the reach of criminal laws beyond the scope of what Congress prohibited by changing the definition of a machinegun. This decision provides a commonsense reading of the definition that Congress enacted, which requires a machine gun to automatically fire multiple bullets by a single function of the trigger. A bump-stock-equipped rifle does not qualify because it fires only a single bullet for each function of the trigger, and it does not do so automatically but rather with additional manual inputs. ATF argues that a shooter using a bump stock must pull the trigger only one time to initiate a bump-firing sequence of multiple shots, Justice Thomas wrote for the court. This argument rests on the mistaken premise that there is a difference between the shooter flexing his finger to pull the trigger and pushing the firearm forward to bump the trigger against his stationary trigger. Moreover, ATFs position is logically inconsistent because its reasoning would also mean that a semiautomatic rifle without a bump stock is capable of firing more than one shot by a single function of the trigger. Yet, ATF agrees that is not the case [and] is thus at odds with itself. As the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein explained correctly when ATF first proposed this unlawful rule, the only way to ban bump stocks is for Congress to revise the statutory definition, not for an agency to contort that definition to arrive at a novel interpretation. Otherwise, agencies could conjure new crimes out of old laws, and citizens would have no way to predict the legality of their actions. NCLA thanks the Court for recognizing this danger. NCLA released the following statements: Over five years ago I swore I would defend the Constitution of the United States, even if I was the only plaintiff in the case. I did just that. Michael Cargill, NCLA Client NCLA is delighted that the Court has vindicated the principle that ATF does not have the power to rewrite criminal laws. The statute Congress passed did not ban bump stocks, and ATF does not have the power to do so on its own. This result is completely consistent with the Constitutions assignment of all legislative power to Congress. Bump-stock opponents should direct any views at Congress, not the Court, which faithfully applied the statute in front of it. Mark Chenoweth, President and Chief Legal Officer, NCLA Todays decision is a major victory for the rule of law. The Court held that machinegun should be interpreted as it was understood for 85 years following adoption of the National Firearms Act in 1934, not the politically inspired definition adopted by federal bureaucrats in 2018. Rich Samp, Retired Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA For more information visit the case page here and watch the case video here. ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### Niagara Falls, NY, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Positron Corporation (Positron or the Company) (OTC: POSC), a leading molecular imaging medical device company offering PET and PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) imaging systems and clinical services, is pleased to announce its membership in the national alliance Cardiac PET Industry Coalition (CPIC), an organization at the forefront of quality of patient care, advocacy and innovation to advance the field of cardiovascular PET imaging. Positron joins forces with the coalitions founding members, Bracco Diagnostics, CDL Nuclear Technologies and Siemens Healthcare who have come together to promote federal policies that advance health outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease and improve the availability of cardiac PET diagnostics throughout the United States. The CPIC will be a leading advocate for fair and transparent coverage and reimbursement policies that facilitate access to cardiac PET, align practitioners with regard to research opportunities, highlight the clinical and economic benefit of the modality, and provide expanded opportunities to educate healthcare providers and policymakers on the overall value of cardiac PET. CPIC has begun its work by weighing in on 2024 final payment rules, engaging with stakeholders in the cardiac community, and developing a 2024 policy agenda. Adel Abdullah, President of Positron stated, Positron welcomed the opportunity to join the coalition, and personally, and I am honored to be part of current and future CPIC committees focused on the education, availability and advancement of the PET modality for cardiac studies. We believe Positrons PET/PET-CT technology and ability to deliver the best value in the industry will play a key role in the adoption and growth of cardiac PET. Positron and our team will support and serve the coalition as best as possible for the future of the industry, concluded Mr. Abdullah. Cardiac PET Industry Coalition CPIC passionately advocates for and protects the reimbursement of Cardiac PET, ensuring equitable access to innovative and life-saving technologies for healthcare providers and patients. For more information please visit www.cpicoalition.com About Positron Corporation Positron Corporation is a medical technology company that co-develops, manufactures, and sells state-of-the-art PET and PET-CT imaging systems and clinical services to nuclear medicine healthcare providers throughout North America. Positron specializes in the field of cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, the gold standard in cardiac diagnostics. Positrons innovative PET/PET-CT technologies, clinical services and practice solutions enables healthcare providers to accurately diagnose coronary artery disease and improve patient outcomes while practicing cost effective medicine. Positron's Attrius PET and NeuSight PET-CT imaging systems and distinct market position are substantial advantages unique to Positron that will facilitate the adoption of cardiac PET and the growth of the nuclear imaging market. Positron will soon offer a state-of-the-art PET-CT 4D molecular imaging device in the Affinity PET-CT 4D 64-Slice. Positrons PET-CT(s) will enable nuclear cardiologists to utilize the full capabilities of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. Positrons PET-CT systems will also enable the Company to fully service and meet the demands of the vast oncology imaging segment of nuclear medicine. Positron is committed to expanding the cardiac and oncology PET modality by delivering the best technology and value to imaging specialists and will continue to advance its technology through its co-developer, supplier, and R&D venture with Shenyang Intelligent Neuclear Technology Co. a subsidiary of Neusoft Medical Systems. For more information please visit www.positron.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Positron Corporation, and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results even if new information becomes available in the future. Alstom signs a 430 million contract for 10 Aventra trains with associated maintenance for the Elizabeth line in London Contract worth around 430 million for 10 nine-car Aventra trains and maintenance until 2046 Trains to be manufactured at Alstoms facility in Derby 14 June 2024 Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a contract worth around 430 million for 10 new nine-car Aventra trains for Transport for Londons Elizabeth line, along with associated maintenance until 2046. Opened in 2022, the Elizabeth line continues to experience passenger demand ahead of predictions and its current 70-strong fleet of Alstom-built Aventra Class 345 trains would be insufficient to meet demand later this decade and through the 2030s. Like the rest of the fleet, the additional Aventra electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains will be built at Alstoms historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets. We are delighted to now have a confirmed workload for Derby Litchurch Lane and our supply chain across the UK. said Nick Crossfield, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom. He added: The UK remains one of Alstoms most important global markets. The contract includes new trains which are funded by 220.5 million from the Department for Transport, with Transport for London also contracting for the provision of train maintenance on the units until 2046. ENDS Notes to Editors Derby Litchurch Lane Works is Alstoms largest manufacturing facility globally. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876 and the city of Derby has been building trains continually since 1839. Alstom and Aventra are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group. About Alstom Alstom commits to contribute to a low carbon future by developing and promoting innovative and sustainable transportation solutions that people enjoy riding. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. With its presence in 64 countries and a talent base of over 84,700 people from 184 nationalities, the company focuses its design, innovation, and project management skills to where mobility solutions are needed most. Listed in France, Alstom generated revenues of 17.6 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2024. For more information, please visit www.alstom.com. Contacts Press: HQ Samuel MILLER Tel: +33 665474014 samuel.miller@alstomgroup.com United Kingdom Ben GOODWIN Tel: +44 (0) 7935 348065 ben.goodwin@alstomgroup.com Investor Relations Martin VAUJOUR Tel.: +33 (0) 6 88 40 17 57 martin.vaujour@alstomgroup.com Estelle MATURELL ANDINO Tel.: +33 (0) 6 71 37 47 56 estelle.maturell@alstomgroup.com Attachment Results presented from a large, pooled database from three Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating MYCAPSSA (octreotide) for the treatment of people living with acromegaly Additional presentations provide insights into the validation of the Lipodystrophy Severity Scoring tool and the Chiesi Management of Acromegaly (MACRO) registry BOSTON, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people living with rare diseases, announced updates from their rare endocrine disease portfolio with two late-breaking poster presentations and one oral presentation during the Endocrine Societys ENDO 2024 Meeting that was held June 1-4, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. Presentations included a post hoc analysis of three Phase 3 clinical trials (CH-ACM-01, OPTIMAL, MPOWERED) studying MYCAPSSA (octreotide) as well as real-world MYCAPSSA use data from the Chiesi Management of Acromegaly (MACRO) registry and presentation of the Lipodystrophy Severity Scoring tool designed to assess the disease burden of lipodystrophy. "We're thrilled to support this community of people living with burdensome rare endocrine diseases through the innovation of new resources and validated medicines to aid in disease management," said Giacomo Chiesi, Head of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. "As we approach the four-year anniversary of MYCAPSSA being on the market later this month, our commitment remains steadfast to commercializing solutions for the acromegaly and lipodystrophy patient communities. Oral Presentation Title: Biochemical Response, Symptom Control, and Safety of Oral Octreotide Capsules Treatment in Acromegaly: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Large Pooled Database from Three Phase 3 Clinical Trials2 Key Highlights: MYCAPSSA demonstrated a 72% response rate in patients entering the studies with IGF-I values of 1x the upper limit of normal. A patients prior dose level of injectable medication did not significantly impact response rates. In this post-hoc analysis, symptom improvement was notable with significant reductions in joint pain (36% to 22%) and swelling (15% to 10%) in patients responding to MYCAPSSA. Median decrease of one symptom per patient and a mean decrease of 0.8 in Acromegaly Index of Severity (AIS) further underscored symptom improvement. Safety analysis revealed gastrointestinal issues as the most common adverse events with a median duration and time to onset of roughly two weeks for the first occurrence and a low rate of discontinuation. Late-Breaker Poster Presentations Title: Real-world Biochemical And Symptoms Outcomes With Oral Octreotide: Management Of Acromegaly (MACRO) Registry Experience3 Key Highlights: Of the 230 patients participating in Chiesi Management of Acromegaly (MACRO) registry, 32 (14%) received MYCAPSSA at baseline, with an additional 26 (11%) initiating post-baseline. Common reasons for initiation included patient preference and lack of symptom or biochemical control. The mean time on OOC was 19.7 months, with the majority receiving treatment for at least 6 months. Most patients remained well-controlled biochemically and symptomatically, with 87% biochemically controlled and 71% symptomatically controlled at the last follow-up. The discontinuation rate was 33% and in cases attributed to a lack of biochemical or symptom control, dose titration to 80mg/day was not implemented in many cases. Overall, OOC demonstrated efficacy in maintaining or achieving biochemical control with the majority of newly-initiated patients reporting well-controlled symptoms. Title: Lipodystrophy Severity Score: Validation Of A Tool To Assess Disease Burden In Lipodystrophy4 Key Highlights: The lipodystrophy severity score (LDS) is a validated tool that captures severity in patients with diverse manifestations of lipodystrophy. The LDS allows comparisons among patient groups and changes within patients over time. The LDS is a tool designed to quantify the diverse complications of lipodystrophy, a group of rare, potentially life-threatening disorders that affect how the body accumulates and stores fat. The LDSs showed high reliability and strong correlation with the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) of severity, effectively capturing the severity of lipodystrophy and changes over time. This tool is intended to compare patient groups, and monitor individual progress with future analysis involving in real-world data sets. Development into an online platform enhances functionality a versatile and valuable resource for the lipodystrophy community. Future work will assess the LDS using real-world datasets. MYCAPSSA IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORAMATION INDICATION AND USAGE MYCAPSSA (octreotide) delayed-release capsules, for oral use, is a somatostatin analog indicated for long-term maintenance treatment in acromegaly patients who have responded to and tolerated treatment with octreotide or lanreotide. CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to octreotide or any of the components of MYCAPSSA. Anaphylactoid reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported in patients receiving octreotide. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS MYCAPSSA can cause problems with the gallbladder. Monitor patients periodically. Discontinue if complications of cholelithiasis are suspected. Blood sugar, thyroid levels, and vitamin B12 levels should be monitored and treated accordingly. Bradycardia, arrhythmia, or conduction abnormalities may occur. Treatment with drugs that have bradycardia effects may need to be adjusted. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (incidence >10%) are nausea, diarrhea, headache, arthralgia, asthenia, hyperhidrosis, peripheral swelling, blood glucose increased, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, sinusitis, and osteoarthritis. DRUG INTERACTIONS The following drugs require monitoring and possible dose adjustment when used with MYCAPSSA: cyclosporine, insulin, antidiabetic drugs, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, lisinopril, digoxin, bromocriptine, and drugs mainly metabolized by CYP3A4. Counsel women taking an oral contraceptive to use an alternative non-hormonal method of contraception or a back-up method when taking MYCAPSSA. Patients taking proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists, or antacids concomitantly with MYCAPSSA may require increased dosages of MYCAPSSA. PREGNANCY Advise premenopausal females of the potential for an unintended pregnancy. Please contact Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. at 1-888-661-9260 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. About Acromegaly Acromegaly typically develops when a benign tumor of the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, ultimately leading to significant health problems. Common features of acromegaly are facial changes, intense headaches, joint pain, impaired vision, and enlargement of the hands, feet, tongue, and internal organs. Serious health conditions associated with the progression of acromegaly include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders, and cardiac and cerebrovascular disease. Acromegaly affects over 25,000 people in the United States alone with roughly 8,000 being treated with injectable somatostatin receptor ligands (iSRLs). A significant percentage of these people experience burdens associated with receiving iSRLs including prolonged injection-related pain and poorly-controlled symptoms. About Lipodystrophy Lipodystrophy syndromes are a heterogeneous group of rare, potentially life-threatening disorders that affect how the body accumulates and stores fat. These syndromes are categorized into two main forms: generalized lipodystrophy, characterized by the near-complete absence or progressive loss of fat (adipose) tissue, and partial lipodystrophy, where the tissue loss is more limited, typically impacting areas like limbs or upper body. Lipodystrophy is also categorized by etiology with inherited and acquired forms1. About Chiesi Global Rare Diseases Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people affected by rare diseases. As a family business, Chiesi Group strives to create a world where it is common to have a therapy for all diseases and acts as a force for good, for society and the planet. The goal of the Global Rare Diseases unit is to ensure equal access so as many people as possible can experience their most fulfilling life. The unit collaborates with the rare disease community around the globe to bring voice to underserved people in the health care system. For more information visit www.chiesirarediseases.com. About Chiesi Group Chiesi is an international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals group that develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care. The companys mission is to improve peoples quality of life and act responsibly towards both the community and the environment. By changing its legal status to a Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, and France, Chiesis commitment to create shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, were part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. The company aims to reach Net-Zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2035. With over 85 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), operates in 31 countries, and counts more than 6,500 employees. The Groups research and development centre in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden. For further information please visit www.chiesi.com Garg A. Acquired and inherited lipodystrophies. N Engl J Med. 2004 Mar 18;350(12):1220-34. Doi: 10.1056/NEJMra025261. PMID: 15028826. Fleseriu M, et al. Biochemical Response, Symptom Control, and Safety of Oral Octreotide Capsules Treatment in Acromegaly: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Large Pooled Database from Three Phase 3 Clinical Trials. Presented at: Endocrine Societys ENDO 2024 Meeting; June 1-4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts. Yuen K, et al. Real-world Biochemical And Symptoms Outcomes With Oral Octreotide: Management Of Acromegaly (MACRO) Registry Experience. Presented at: Endocrine Societys ENDO 2024 Meeting; June 1-4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts. Brown R, et al. Lipodystrophy Severity Score: Validation Of A Tool To Assess Disease Burden In Lipodystrophy. Presented at: Endocrine Societys ENDO 2024 Meeting; June 1-4, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts. Chiesi Group Media Contact Chiara Travagin Rare Communication Manager Tel: +39 348 8818985 Email c.travagin@chiesi.com Sky Striar LifeSci Communications Tel: 617-797-6672 Email sstriar@lifescicomms.com CHICAGO, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of Juneteenth, nuEra Cannabis is proud to announce its commitment to community support through a significant fundraising initiative. On June 19, nuEra will support economic development and growth by partnering with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. Supporting Economic Growth on Juneteenth nuEra is thrilled to launch a fundraising initiative benefiting the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, an organization dedicated to fostering business development and economic opportunities in the South Shore community. This initiative will directly contribute to local businesses and community projects, enhancing the overall economic landscape of the area. "Juneteenth is a day of reflection and celebration of progress," said Jonah Rapino, Head of Communications at nuEra. "We are honored to support the South Shore Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to uplift and empower local businesses, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the community." Details on the Fundraiser On June 19th, nuEra will donate 5% of net sales from all nuEra house brands and a group of black-owned cannabis brands to the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. This initiative underscores nuEra's commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the business community. Brands participating in the include: 93 boyz Umi Farms Royale Tree Future of Leaf Galaxy All The 1937 Group Brands: Bloom, Lobo, Old Pal, Canna Bella Lux OURS: Organic Urban Revitalization Solutions As well as nuEras house of brands: nuEra Interstate 420 Midweek Friday Alchemy The fundraiser will be active at all nuEra locations: Chicago: 1308 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 East Peoria: 504 Riverside Dr, East Peoria, IL 61611 Champaign: 102 E Green St, Champaign, IL 61820 Urbana: 105 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 Pekin: 3249 Court St, Pekin, IL 61554 Aurora: 1415 Corporate Blvd, Aurora, IL 60502 DeKalb: 818 W Lincoln Hwy Space 7, Dekalb, IL 60115 For more information on how you can support this initiative or to learn more about nuEra's products, please visit nueracannabis.com. About nuEra Cannabis nuEra Cannabis is a premier vertically-integrated Illinois cannabis company dedicated to providing high-quality cannabis products and personalized customer service to patients across the State. Winners of 2 High Times Cannabis Cups nuEra is committed to advancing the accessibility and understanding of medicinal cannabis in Illinois. Visit www.nueracannabis.com to learn more. About the South Shore Chamber of Commerce The South Shore Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the economic development and empowerment of the South Shore community in Chicago. By fostering business growth, advocating for local businesses, and providing resources and support, the Chamber plays a pivotal role in enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life in the South Shore area. For more information, please visit the South Shore Chamber Website. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dabd6691-dccd-4ae9-87de-4a0a7c724a47 Des Moines, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Des Moines, Iowa - With its line of Cornerstone Cabinetry, Remodeling Contractors is revolutionizing the remodeling industry with affordable custom cabinets built on demand. Leading renovation and home improvement specialist, Remodeling Contractors, has carved a niche in the premium market with its flagship line of Cornerstone Cabinetry. Backed by a team of visionary designers and seasoned remodeling experts, the Des Moines-based company transforms living spaces into personalized havens, delivering superior custom cabinets with unparalleled efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Remodeling Contractors has embraced Cornerstone Cabinetry for its innovative approach, revolutionizing the custom cabinet industry by streamlining its manufacturing and delivery processes. Traditional custom cabinetry often involves lengthy lead times, complex logistics, and high costs. Remodeling Contractors has addressed these challenges by simplifying its process from order to installation, reducing warehousing expenses, and eliminating expensive freight costs. Whether custom kitchen cabinets or custom bathroom cabinets, this streamlined approach ensures that clients receive their orders faster and with less hassle, allowing remodeling contractors to complete projects more efficiently. We created Cornerstone Cabinetry to provide a higher quality product for your remodeling project. On-demand manufacturing means no warehouse which saves cost. These cabinets are built by our team right next door, and we pass on the savings to you, said Zak Fleming, the owner of Remodeling Contractors. The product line's versatility is another significant advantage, offering a wide selection of styles, finishes, and customization options to suit any aesthetic preference or functional need. From sleek and modern custom kitchen cabinets to elegant, traditional custom bathroom cabinets, Cornerstone Cabinetry caters to diverse tastes and requirements. When the Signature Cornerstone Cabinetry line is featured in any project, it combines elegance and functionality with top-notch materials and craftsmanship. The stunning Cornerstone Cabinetry is crafted from premium materials, boasting intricate details and timeless appeal to add style and functionality to any living space. Combined with Remodeling Contractors craftsmanship and attention to detail, they harmonize perfectly with the aesthetics of kitchens and bathrooms. Renowned for its dedication to delivering exceptional customer service, the company's team of skilled professionals works closely with remodeling contractors to ensure every project is executed flawlessly. From initial design consultations to final installation, Remodeling Contractors provides comprehensive support and a two-year tradesman warranty, making the remodeling process smooth and stress-free for all parties involved. For more information, visit https://remodelingdesmoines.com/. With Cornerstone Cabinetry, homeowners can enjoy beautifully designed and meticulously crafted custom cabinets that enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their kitchens and bathrooms. They ensure that each piece is crafted with precision and care by optimizing the production workflow to meet quality benchmarks and exceed industry standards. One of their standout achievements is its ability to reduce warehousing costs significantly. Traditional cabinet manufacturers often require substantial pre-shipment storage space, translating into higher costs to the end consumer. Remodeling Contractors employs a just-in-time manufacturing model that minimizes the need for extensive warehousing, producing custom cabinets based on specific orders rather than mass production. Freight represents another significant expense in the custom cabinetry industry. Remodeling Contractors address this issue by leveraging strategic partnerships with its network of local suppliers and manufacturers, allowing the company to source materials and produce cabinets closer to the point of installation, drastically cutting down on freight expenses. This localized production approach is a win-win situation for Remodeling Contractors and their clients. With the Cornerstone Cabinetry line, Remodeling Contractors is transforming the remodeling industry with its innovative approach to custom cabinetry. By simplifying processes, reducing warehousing expenses, and eliminating expensive freight costs, Cornerstone Cabinetry delivers superior-quality cabinets that are both affordable and beautiful. Remodeling contractors and homeowners alike can trust in the excellence and reliability of Cornerstone Cabinetry for their next renovation project. About the Company: Remodeling Contractors is a premier home renovation and remodeling full-service company dedicated to transforming residential spaces with excellence and precision. Experts in custom kitchen and bathroom remodeling, the company is renowned for top-tier products. Its Signature Cornerstone Cabinetry line delivers superior quality and value by simplifying processes, reducing warehousing expenses, and eliminating expensive freight costs. With a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, Remodeling Contractors ensures each project meets the highest standards of finish and functionality. ### For more information about Remodeling Contractors, contact the company here: Remodeling Contractors Zak Fleming 515 2021244 zak@remodelingdesmoines.com 3051 104th, St STE B, Des Moines, Iowa TORONTO, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: PFIA, PFSS, PFCB, PFAA) Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0301 per unit for the ETF units (ETF Units) of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Income Alternative Fund. Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0219 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund. Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0372 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Core Bond Fund. Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2024 monthly cash distribution of $0.0001 per unit for the ETF Units of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund. Unitholders of record of the ETF Units, at the close of business on June 21, 2024, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on June 28, 2024. About Picton Mahoney Asset Management Picton Mahoney Asset Management specializes in differentiated investment solutions and rules-based volatility management. Picton Mahoney helps its clients fortify their portfolios based on experience honed over the years through different market cycles and investing environments. Founded in 2004 and 100% employee-owned, Picton Mahoney is a portfolio management boutique entrusted with over $10.3 billion (as at April 30, 2024) in assets under management. Pioneers of Authentic Hedge investment principles and practices in Canada, the firm offers a full suite of investment solutions, including mutual and alternative funds, to institutional and retail investors across the country. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Alternative funds can only be purchased through a registered dealer and are available only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale. For further information please contact: Arthur Galloway Picton Mahoney Asset Management Tel: (416) 955-4108 Web site: www.pictonmahoney.com Email: service@pictonmahoney.com West Salem, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Salem, Wisconsin - Nestled in the heart of West Salem, Wisconsin, Linda's Bakery has been more than just a bakery since its start in 1973. This beloved local establishment has always threaded together the sweet joys of high-quality baked goods with an unwavering commitment to community service. One of the bakery's recent initiatives conveys this spirit of generosity and community engagement. On National Donut Day, Linda's Bakery embarked on a mission to help people in need, pledging to donate 50 cents from every donut sold to the Salvation Army's "Make a House a Home Project." This particular project is close to the community's heart, focusing on providing necessary items to families moving into housing, effectively turning houses into homes. The campaign was a resounding success, with 3,891 donuts sold, culminating in a significant donation of $1,945.50 to the La Crosse Salvation Army. Bob Anderson, the General Manager for the bakery, reflected on the campaign's success, stating, "We were so happy to see a turnout above and beyond our expectation for National Donut Day. Our community showed up in full force, enabling us to make an impactful donation to the Salvation Army. This act of support from our community goes to show how a simple treat like a donut can help make a difference. We're humbled to play a part in aiding the Salvation Army in their mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination." In further discussions, Anderson remarked, "The commitment of our staff is a driving force behind everything we do. This event was a reflection of that commitment and the incredible support we've received over the years. We believe in giving back to the community that has supported us and helping people in need. We see this donation as a way to extend our gratitude and make a positive impact. Looking forward, we are excited about the opportunity to continue supporting meaningful causes and strengthening our bonds within the community." The journey of Linda's Bakery, particularly through initiatives like the National Donut Day campaign, serves as an inspiriting testament to the power of local businesses in spearheading social change and fostering community wellbeing. For more information on Linda's Bakery and to view their extensive selection of baked goods, including their bread, pastries, decorated cakes, and wedding cakes, visit their website or the bakery's Facebook page. Viewers are also encouraged to stop by 190 East City, 190 WI-16, West Salem, WI 54669 to see the daily selections. ### For more information about Linda's Bakery, contact the company here: Linda's Bakery Bob Anderson 608-786-1818 info@lindasbakery.com 190 East City, 190 WI-16, West Salem, WI 54669 Little Rock, Arkansas, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ground was broken today for a Fisher House supporting the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, Arkansas. It will be the first Fisher House built in the state. Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, VHA Assistant Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs; David A. Coker, president of Fisher House Foundation; and Medical Center Director Dr. Margie A. Scott joined other supporters for the groundbreaking, announcing the start of the new home. This Fisher House will join the network of nearly 100 other Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Europe. Up to 1,400 families will be able stay in Fisher Houses across the country and overseas on any given night. For the 500,000 families who have passed through the doors of Fisher Houses nationwide, the organizations motto A Familys Love is Good Medicine says it all, said Dr. Clancy. Todays groundbreaking for the 101st Fisher House continues the outstanding legacy of support envisioned by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher for our Nations Veterans and their families. The Little Rock VA Fisher House will allow up to 16 Veteran and military families to stay free of charge, serving families traveling to the health care center for medical care. It will offer more than 5,800 nights of lodging each year, potentially saving families more than $1.1 million annually. We have been looking forward to breaking ground on this project since we received approval, said Dr. Scott. This is a tremendous benefit for Arkansas Veterans. Family members of Veterans will now have the opportunity to rest comfortably while much needed care is provided. This Fisher House will provide a community of support for those Veterans families. Each bedroom suite of the 14,490+ sq.-ft. comfort home will be equipped with a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Common areas will include large communal living, dining and family rooms, a spacious kitchen, a laundry room, and a patio. We are excited to start construction on a new Fisher House in the state of Arkansas, said Fisher House Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher. For so many Veterans, accessing the world-class healthcare offered by the VA comes down to one thing: having their families by their side. Soon, they can rest assured their families will be taken care of in a world-class home away from home. A Fisher House creates an instant community for its residents united by their common mission of supporting a sick or injured loved one, but it also provides individuals with a secure and private refuge after a long day at the hospital to rest and recharge. Fisher House Foundation proudly recognizes the generosity of the following contributors for their extraordinary support of our military and Veteran families: Car Donation Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Fisher-Nightingale Houses, Inc. Men's Wearhouse, and the many gifts of a grateful nation. ### About Fisher House Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 97 comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since its inception, the program has saved military and Veteran families an estimated $610 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. www.fisherhouse.org About the VA Central Arkansas Healthcare System The VA Central Arkansas Healthcare System is one of the largest and busiest VA medical centers in the country. We conduct research to discover knowledge, develop VA scientists and health care leaders, and create innovations that advance health care for Veterans and the nation. We offer Veterans the opportunity to participate in and benefit from our work. Our goal is to use research to promote better health and health care for all. Attachment TBILISI, Georgia, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading law firm MKD and Partners LLC, instructed by Burlingtons Legal in London, has applied to the Georgian Supreme Court for the recognition of an approximately 8.9 million order of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales against the Ras Al Khaimah sovereign wealth fund, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority ("RAKIA). RAKIA is the owner of a Georgian subsidiary, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority Georgia LLC (RAKIA Georgia) which, until last week, owned the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace Hotel, managed by the Marriott Group. MKD and Partners LLC has been seeking to prevent RAKIA from disposing of its Georgian assets, including the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi, but last week RAKIA transferred this to Tbilisi Hotels Holding LLC for USD 44.8 million, in an apparent effort to avoid enforcement action. However, directors of the new entity are all also directors of RAKIA Georgia and Senior Executives at RAK Hospitality Holding LLC, including Alison Jayne Grinnell their Chief Executive Officer, Stefan Johann Hanekom their Chief Financial Officer, and Donald William Bremner their Chief Operating Officer. Mr Farhad Azima, the plaintiff, commented: It is disgraceful that Ras Al Khaimah sovereign wealth fund is unwilling to pay its English Court ordered debts. It has now been almost eight months since they owed me substantial sums and I am left with no option but to enforce the debt. When Ras Al Khaimah sovereign wealth fund has no respect for the rule of law, that casts a shadow over the investment climate in the Emirate. Switching ownership is a crude attempt to avoid enforcement, which will not succeed. We warn any third parties against assisting RAKIA in the dissipation of assets. In 2016, RAKIA sued Mr Azima in the English High Court, relying on certain documents obtained from 30GB of private and confidential data which had been hacked from Mr Azima and published online. Mr Azima counterclaimed that RAKIA was responsible for the hacking and publication of his data. Over the next four years, evidence came to light that RAKIA and its advisors had engaged private investigators to hack Mr. Azima, report on the contents of his data and release it online. One investigator admitted to the hacking and, with others, partaking in a conspiracy to cover it up: witnesses were suborned, disclosure was deliberately withheld, misleading evidence was rehearsed, including at a perjury school run by a Dechert LLP lawyer at a luxury Swiss hotel, and false evidence was submitted to the English High Court. In June 2022, in the light of the new evidence, RAKIA wrote to the English High Court stating that it would play no further part in the proceedings. RAKIA confirmed that it would honour any judgment entered against it. RAKIA subsequently breached various court orders, including by failing to provide disclosure and to put forward a defence. On application from Mr Azima, by an Order dated 3 October 2023, the English High Court entered judgment against RAKIA and awarded Mr Azima indemnity costs and interest worth approximately 8.9 million. RAKIA has failed to make any payment to Mr Azima and remains in breach of the October 2023 Order. Mr Azima is therefore taking enforcement action in Georgia and worldwide to prevent RAKIA from disposing of its assets. Source: MKD and Partners LLC A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17d02ab9-f3d9-461c-a2ad-cb19d45e1b8f BALTIMORE, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Urological Association (AUA) and the Urology Care Foundation, the official foundation of the AUA, are pleased to recognize 15 researchers as recipients of the 2024 Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Awards. Research Scholar Awards support future research leaders and ensure they receive the necessary training and guidance for a successful research career. These awards provide $40,000 annually for one or two-year mentored research training for clinical and postdoctoral fellows or early-career faculty. The program has invested over $25 million to support over 600 Research Scholars, most of whom have remained in committed research career tracks and now serve as leaders in urologic research and clinical practice. The Urology Care Foundation is committed to enhancing global urologic health by funding research, offering patient education resources, and endorsing humanitarian efforts, said Harris M. Nagler, MD, FACS, President of the Urology Care Foundation. By supporting researchers, we cultivate professionals who will improve our ability to prevent, detect, and treat urologic diseases, thereby advancing urologic health for all. Congratulations to the 2024 awardees: AUA North Central Section Award: Shany Picciotto, PhD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled Impact of chemotherapy on the somatic mutation burden of sperm at The Case Western Reserve University, under the mentorship of Jonathan Shoag, MD. AUA Northeastern Section Award: Kathryn Marchetti, MD, will receive support for a one-year research project titled The use of remote monitoring to improve patient-reported outcomes and readmission rates following radical cystectomy at the University of Pittsburgh, under the mentorship of Bruce Jacobs, MD. AUA Southeastern Section Award: Alireza Ghoreifi, MD, will receive support for a one-year research project titled Urine-based methylation markers in the diagnosis and surveillance of upper tract urothelial carcinoma at Duke University School of Medicine, under the mentorship of Michael Abern, MD. AUA Southeastern Section Award: Lexiaochuan Wen, MD, will receive support for a one-year research project titled Utilizing Cell-Free Urine Tumor DNA to Predict Response and Resistance to TAR-210 Erdafitinib at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, under the mentorship of Roger Li, MD. Chesapeake Urology Associates Sanford J. Siegel, MD Prostate Cancer Research Scholar Award: Qian Yang, PhD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled ONECUT2 Governs a lncRNA network driving castration-resistant prostate cancer progression at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, under the mentorship of Michael Freeman, PhD. Endourological Society Award: Daniel Massana Roquero, PhD, will receive support for a one-year research project titled Linking bacteria and kidney stone disease: A chemical and microbiological study at Stanford University, under the mentorship of Joseph Liao, MD. Endourological Society Joseph Segura, MD Scholarship in Endourology and Stone Management: Suprita Krishna, MD will receive support for a one-year research project titled Feasibility of ureteral stent omission after flexible ureteroscopy using a ureteral access sheath: a randomized clinical trial at the University of Michigan, under the mentorship of Khurshid Ghani, MBChB. Endourological Society Raju Thomas, MD Award: Tyler Sheetz, MD, will receive support for a one-year research project titled Utilization of bisphosphonates for the treatment of recurrent calcium-based nephrolithiasis: a randomized controlled trial at the University of California, San Diego under the mentorship of Roger Sur, MD. Indian American Urological Association Anupam Ted Kedia Award: Vidit Sharma, MD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled Using Artificial Intelligence to improve surgical outcomes for patients with renal tumors and venous tumor thrombus at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, under the mentorship of Bradley Leibovich, MD. Indian American Urological Association Sakti Das, MD, Award: Venkat Ramakrishnan, MD, PhD, will receive support for a one-year research project titled Development of a novel minimally invasive intravesical drug-delivery platform to address neurogenic bladder at Boston Children's Hospital, under the mentorship of Rosalyn Adam, PhD. Sexual Medicine Society of North America Award: Luke Witherspoon, MD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled Evaluating a novel fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of chronic phase Peyronies disease. at the University of Ottawa, under the mentorship of Ryan Flannigan, MD. Societies for Pediatric Urology Sushil Lacy, MD, Award: Nima Nassiri, MD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled Feasibility of protocols for immunological tolerance and immunosuppression withdrawal in bladder transplantation at the University of California, Los Angeles, under the mentorship of Elaine Reed, PhD. Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction Hari Badlani Award: Zhina Sadeghi, MD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled Unraveling the impact of urethral changes with aging in female urinary incontinence: A transcriptomic and morphometric study at the University of California (Irvine), under the mentorship of Xiaolin Zi, MD, PhD. Society of Urologic Oncology Award: Ali Zahalka, MD, PhD will receive support for a one-year research project titled Neoadjuvant nerve-targeted therapy in the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer at UT Southwestern, under the mentorship of Vitaly Margulis, MD. Society of Urologic Oncology Specialized Programs of Research Excellence Award: Chengheng Liao, PhD, will receive support for a two-year research project titled Investigation of BBOX1 as a novel tumor suppressor in ccRCC at UT Southwestern, under the mentorship Qing Zhang, PhD. "Each year, I am so impressed with the impactful and interesting research these awardees are conducting, said Steven Kaplan, MD, FACS, chair of the AUA's Research Council. Programs like the Research Scholar Awards allow the AUA and UCF to help advance the careers of these rising stars in urology and, in the process, help evolve our specialty as a whole. I look forward to seeing their progress and results over the next couple of years. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Awards visit: https://www.auanet.org/research-and-data/research-awards/aua-funding/research-scholar-awards About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology and has nearly 25,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy. About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Partnering with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org. Attachment SALT LAKE CITY, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Governors Universitys (WGU) Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) recently launched an undergraduate degree program in psychology. The all-online program is backed with research and experiential learning, and trains students in evidence-based strategies that address various psychosocial issues. Weve launched the Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree to educate students in multiple areas of the field and build a strong foundation that promotes further learning in the discipline of their choice, like mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, forensic psychology, organizational psychology, and more, said LSH Senior Vice President and Executive Dean, Keith Smith. The study of psychology is not contained simply to the field; what you learn in this program applies to an understanding of human behaviors in all aspects of life. As the stigma around mental health is slowly diminishing from our society, we see an increase in the number of people approaching qualified counselors and mental health professionals for consultations. This is the reason why so many positions for psychologists are opening across several industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the number of positions for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to increase 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The report further states the profession is projected to average 42,000 openings annually over the decade. WGUs psychology program adds more competent professionals to the pipeline and provides access to individuals from diverse, nontraditional backgrounds. The program provides insight into cognitive human behaviors and establishes a versatile foundation of knowledge that spans across a multitude of industries. Rooted in expanding overall knowledge in the field, the broad scope of the program encompasses a wide range of courses, including health equity, consumer behavior, developmental psychology, psychopathology, neuropsychology, industrial psychology, theories of personality, mental health, and substance abuse and addiction. Post the completion of this program, students can pursue jobs in several disciplines including healthcare, research, academia, criminal justice, marketing, sales, human resources, and social work. Students interested to join the healthcare industry can opt for careers in direct patient care and, under the supervision of a credentialed professional or physician, work with patients and clients to address addictions, anxiety, stress, and other mental and psychosocial issues in a wide array of settings, like private clinics, hospitals, schools, corporate organizations, and so on. WGUs B.S. in Psychology is a comprehensive program designed to equip learners for diverse career paths, including management, sales, human resources, social and community services, and behavioral and mental health. The coursework intersects numerous aspects of human nature from early development to the aging adult and all stages in between, said LSH Department Chair, Jessica Fisher. We ensure that each learner has a personalized learning experience with multiple levels of support, including from dedicated mentors and instruction faculty. The dynamic program aims to add more psychology literates to the field that ultimately impacts all human life. The 34-course (or 106-competency unit) multidisciplinary program prepares students with industry-standard theories and practices. It promotes the development of skills pertaining to communication, scientific and critical inquiry, advocacy, professionalism, cultural awareness and ethical conduct, self-regulation, and self-reflection. The program culminates with a capstone project that includes creating an evidence-based strategy to address a real-world psychosocial issue. This project not only enhances the students understanding of the subject, but also enriches the field of psychology. Click to learn more about the program specifics. About Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH) : The school, named in honor of the former governor of Utah and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, was established in 2006 with the mission to make a difference in the fields of healthcare, nursing, and higher education through competency-based education. According to the Utah Foundation Research Brief, LSH represents more than 170,000 jobs in the healthcare industry and the school produced a whopping 17 percent of the nations registered nurses earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021. With more than 100,000 graduates and over 115,000 degrees already conferred by LSH, the school presently serves nearly 25,000 students nationwide. Learn more at Leavitt School of Health (wgu.edu). About Western Governors University (WGU): A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 175,000 students nationwide and has awarded more than 365,000 degrees to nearly 328,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nations leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in todays rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact. ### Generation Mining Ltd. (TSX:GENM, OTCQB: GENMF) (the "Company") announces the voting results from its annual meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held earlier today. The six (6) candidates nominated for election to the Company's board of directors and listed in the Company's Management Information Circular dated May 5, 2024, were each elected by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. Each director elected will continue to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders, or until a successor is elected or appointed. The voting results were as follows: Nominee Votes For Votes Withheld Jamie Levy 120,559,677 392,847 (99.675%) (0.325%) Kerry Knoll 120,608,072 344,452 (99.715%) (0.285%) Stephen Reford 120,721,827 230,697 (99.80%) (0.191%) Paul Murphy 120,615,127 337,797 (99.721%) (0.279%) Phillip Walford 120,615,127 337,397 (99.721%) (0.279%) Cashel Meagher 120,489,755 462,769 (99.617%) (0.383%) Shareholders of the Company also voted in favour of a resolution to re-appoint RSM Canada LLP as the auditor of the Company until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and the board of directors were authorized to fix the remuneration of the auditor. The full report of voting results from the Meeting is available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240613431552/en/ Contact For further information: Jamie Levy President and Chief Executive Officer (416) 640-2934 (O) (416) 567-2440 (M) jlevy@genmining.com VANCOUVER, June 13, 2024 - Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX) (OTC: VTECF) (FSE: AA3) ("Vortex" or the "Company") announces that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Private Placement") of up to 4,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000. Each Unit shall consist of one common share (each a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase a Share at an exercise price of $0.30 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Closing of the Private Placement is anticipated to occur on or about July 12, 2024. Closing is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units issuable under the Private Placement will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in all of the provinces of Canada (except Quebec) pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A.2 of NI 45-106. Pursuant to NI 45-106, the securities issued to Canadian resident subscribers under the Private Placement will not be subject to resale restrictions. There is an offering document dated June 13, 2024 related to the Private Placement that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.vortexenergycorp.com. This offering document contains additional detail regarding the Private Placement, including details regarding the expected use of proceeds from the Private Placement. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Company also announces that it has elected not to extend the term under its license agreement with AmmPower Corp. dated August 10, 2022, as amended on March 27, 2023 ("License Agreement"). Accordingly, the term of the License Agreement will expire on August 10, 2024. About Vortex Energy Corp. Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinson River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The Company is actively evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Paul Sparkes Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 819-0164 info@vortexenergycorp.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Private Placement, including the total anticipated proceeds, the expected use of proceeds, the closing (including the proposed closing date) of the Private Placement and the termination of the License Agreement. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Company will close the Private Placement on the timeline anticipated, will raise the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Private Placement and will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include: the risk that the Private Placement does not close on the timeline expected, or at all; the risk that the Company raises less than the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Private Placement; the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the Private Placement as currently expected; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined and the risk that exploration and development activities will cost more than the amount budgeted for such activities by the Company; risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals; risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions; access and supply risks; risks associated with the Company's reliance on key personnel; operational risks; regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; financing, capitalization and liquidity risks; title and environmental risks; and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward- looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. VANCOUVER, June 13, 2024 - First Nordic Metals Corp. (the "Company" or "First Nordic") (TSXV: FNM) (OTCQB: FNMCF) (FRA: HEG0) announces that subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the Company intends to amend the exercise price of an aggregate of 7,689,579 outstanding common share purchase warrants of the Company that were issued as part of private placements that closed on September 15, 2022 and April 28, 2023, respectively (the "Warrants"). These were private placements of Gold Line Resources Ltd. ("Gold Line") a TSXV listed issuer acquired by the Company in February 2024, when the Company was then named Barsele Minerals Corp. shortly after the acquisition, the Company rebranded to First Nordic. The Warrants have a current exercise price of $0.34 and the Company intends to amend the exercise price to $0.29 following receipt of TSXV acceptance of the proposed repricing of the Warrants. All other terms of the Warrants will remain the same, including the expiry dates of September 14, 2024, and April 28, 2025, respectively. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce a warrant exercise incentive program (the "Incentive Program"), pursuant to which the Company will offer holders of all of the above-noted outstanding Warrants the opportunity to exercise each of their outstanding Warrants between 9:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time ("PST") on June 14, 2024, and 4:00 p.m. PST on July 7, 2024. In return for the early exercise, each holder will receive one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") pursuant to the original warrant terms, plus as an incentive, one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, an "Incentive Warrant"). Each Incentive Warrant will allow the holder to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.40 for a period of two years following the date of the issuance of the Incentive Warrant. The Company anticipates issuing all of the Incentive Warrants on or about July 8, 2024, following conclusion of the Incentive Program. A holder may elect to exercise all, none, or a portion of their outstanding warrants. Any outstanding Warrants remaining unexercised after 12:00 p.m. PST on June 30, 2024, will remain outstanding and continue to be exercisable pursuant to their existing terms, including the amended exercise price noted above if such amendment is approved by the TSXV. Holders of Warrants who elect to participate in the Incentive Program will be required to deliver the following to the Company on or prior to 4:00 p.m. PST on July 7, 2024: a duly completed and executed exercise form, in the form which accompanies the certificate representing the outstanding Warrants; the original certificate representing the outstanding Warrants being exercised; and the applicable aggregate exercise price (based on the amended exercise price of $0.29) payable to the Company by way of certified cheque, money order, bank draft, or wire transfer in lawful money of Canada. The proceeds from the early exercise of the outstanding Warrants will be used to advance the Company's projects in Sweden and Finland and for general working capital. The Common Shares issued on exercise of the outstanding Warrants will not be subject to any hold period. The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Incentive Warrants will be subject to a hold period expiring four months after the date of distribution of the Incentive Warrants. The repricing of the Warrants and the Incentive Program are both subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the final approval of the TSXV. Certain insiders of the Company are expected to participate in the Incentive Program and, as a result, the Incentive Program may constitute a "related party transaction" with-in the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects to rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 contained in section 5.5(a) and (b) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the fair market value of the transaction with insiders will not be more than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company and no securities of the Company are listed on a specified market set out in such section, and the Company further relies on the exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis of the fair market value of the transaction with insiders will not be more than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. 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 (2020, Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Barsele Property, InnovExplo). 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 Skellefte 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 Follow First Nordic Metals: Twitter: @fnmetals Youtube: @firstnordicmetalscorp LinkedIn: @firstnordicmetals Facebook: @FirstNordicMetals Instagram: @firstnordicmetals 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to statements relating to receipt of TSXV acceptance of the proposed repricing of the Warrants, receipt of TSXV acceptance of the proposed Incentive Program and participation by any holder of Warrants in the Incentive Program. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development, the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of gold and other commodities, operating hazards and risks inherent in the resource industry, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's financial statements and/or management discussion and analysis available on www.sedarplus.ca The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. SOURCE First Nordic Metals Corp. Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. has been admitted to the Official List of the ASX under the code 'RAU' and is now listed on the ASX - Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX: RAU; TSX-V: RSM; FSE:BU9; OTC:RSGOGF) ("Resouro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that following completion of its highly successful oversubscribed ASX Public Offering in Australia of CDIs, the Company will commence trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on 14 June 2024 at 10:30am (AEST) under the ticker code "RAU". Resouro raised AUD $8,000,000 (before costs) via the issue of 16,000,000 CDIs at AUD $0.50 per CDI, with a ratio of 1 CDI for 1 Share in the Company, resulting in a market capitalisation of AUD $46.1 million following completion of the Public Offer. The Company received strong demand from new and existing Australian institutional investors as well as retail investors under the bookbuild process in connection with the Public Offer. Taylor Collison acted as Lead Manager to the Offer. Resouro is an exploration company focused on the discovery and development of critical mineral resources, via the Company's 90% ownership interest in the Tiros Project (Tiros). Tiros is a REE and titanium project covering an area of approximately 450 km2 in the Minas Gerais State, one of the leading mining jurisdictions in Brazil. Tiros is surrounded by established infrastructure with world class roads, rail, ports, power, water and qualified labour all in close proximity. The immediate focus for the Company is to increase shareholder value by advancing the Tiros project. Funds raised from the Public Offer will largely be applied towards: progressing exploration activities including a targeted drill program with an aim to delineate a JORC compliant Mineral Resource; undertaking chemical and metallurgical testwork to determine scoping level requirements; and subject to the results of the exploration activities, commencing preliminary economic evaluation and undertaking preliminary technical studies. The Company has an experienced board and management team in place with a broad range of mining, project development, financing, operational, technical and corporate skills in the resource industry. Resouro CEO, Chris Eager, is a mining engineer with 35 years of experience in the mining industry. Mr Eager was a co-founder of Monterrico Metals plc which unlocked significant value in the Peruvian Rio Blanco copper project that was acquired in 2007 at a valuation of ~US$200 million. Mr Eager also co-founded Asia Energy PLC and CoalMont Ltd. Commenting on Resouro's ASX listing, Chris Eager, CEO, said: "We are delighted with the outstanding response to Resouro's ASX listing. The Board sees Resouro's listing on the ASX as a great opportunity to capture the true value of the Company's assets and is highly complementary to the current listing on the TSXV. On behalf of the Board and senior management, I would like to thank all investors for their strong interest in the Company. I would also like to personally welcome new shareholders to the Company and thank existing shareholders for their continued support throughout the Offer process. Resouro's leading project, Tiros, is an exciting asset located in a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction. Brazil, hosts some of the world's largest rare earth elements reserves, making it a potential major supplier globally. We look forward to accelerating our drilling program to enhance our understanding of the magnitude and grade potential of the Tiros project. Tiros is being advanced at a time when demand for rare earth elements continues to grow in response to the electrification and decarbonisation of the global economy, which we believe will continue as countries seek to achieve their net-zero carbon emission targets." This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors. ENDS Contact Information: Chris Eager, CEO Justin Clyne, Director Media Enquiries chris.eager@resouro.com justin.clyne@resouro.com Media & Capital Partners +44 7388 0579809 +61 407 123 143 Melissa Hamilton +61 417 750 274 About the Company Resouro is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Project in Minas Gerais and the Novo Mundo Gold Project in Mato Grosso. The Tiros Project represents 25 mineral concessions totaling 450km2 located in the state of Minas Gerais, one of the most infrastructurally developed states of Brazil, 350 km from Belo Horizonte, the state capital. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required, including obtaining conditional and final acceptance of the TSXV; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in the mining industry; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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. _______________________________________________________________________________ This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities of the Company in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities of the Company in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. CALGARY, June 14, 2024 - Lithium Chile Inc. (TSXV: LITH), (OTCQB: LTMCF) ("Lithium Chile" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to extend the expiry date of an aggregate of 6,922,817 outstanding common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") issued by the Company as part of a unit of the Company in connection with a non-brokered private placement announced on October 25, 2021, and further amended on October 26, 2021 and on October 29, 2021 (the "2021 Warrants"). The expiry date of the 2021 Warrants was extended to June 30, 2024 as approved by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") following the Company's proposal to extend the 2021 Warrants as announced on October 17, 2023. The Company proposes to extend the expiry date of the 2021 Warrants to September 30, 2024 (the "2021 Warrant Extension"). In addition, the Company proposes to extend the expiry date of an aggregate of 5,774,279 Warrants issued by the Company as part of a unit of the Company in connection with a non-brokered private placement announced on December 21, 2021, and further amended on January 24, 2022 (the "2022 Warrants"). The expiry date of the 2022 Warrants was extended to June 30, 2024 as approved by the TSXV following the Company's proposal to extend the 2022 Warrants as announced on January 12, 2024. The Company proposes to extend the expiry date of the 2022 Warrants to September 30, 2024 (the "2022 Warrant Extension", and together with the 2021 Warrant Extension, the "Extension"). Management believes this extension is justified to ensure that warrant holders have the opportunity to fully participate in the spin-out of shares of Lithium Chile's two new subsidiaries, Lithium Chile 2.0 Inc. and Kairos Gold Corp. (see Lithium Chile news releases dated April 18, 2024). The Extension is subject to approval by the TSXV. The Company intends to issue an updated news release upon receipt, if any, of the Warrant Extension Approval. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. ABOUT LITHIUM CHILE: Lithium Chile is an exploration and lithium resource company with a property portfolio consisting of 111,978 hectares in Chile and 29,245 hectares in Argentina. The Company has filed its NI 43-101 Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment, which can be viewed on the Company's profile at SedarPlus.ca Lithium Chile also owns 4 properties, totaling 21,329 hectares, that are prospective for gold, silver and copper. Exploration efforts are continuing on Lithium Chile's Carmona gold/silver/copper property which lies in the heart of the Chilean mega porphyry gold/ silver/copper belt. Lithium Chile's common shares are listed on the TSX-V under the symbol "LITH" and on the OTC-QB under the symbol "LTMCF". To find out more about Lithium Chile, please contact Steven Cochrane, President and CEO via email: steve@lithiumchile.ca or Michelle DeCecco, Vice President and COO, via email michelle@lithiumchile.ca. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. NOT FOR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES: This news release may contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "anticipated", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and factors that may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, factors and assumptions with respect to: the general stability of the economic and political environment in which the Company operates; and the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals. You are cautioned that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Although Lithium Chile believes that the assumptions and factors on which such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Lithium Chile can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or that any of the events anticipated by such forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits Lithium Chile will derive there from. Lithium Chile does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. NOT FOR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Green Battery Minerals controls a North American graphite resource with ESG-friendly potential. June 14, 2024, TheNewswire, VANCOUVER, B.C. Green Battery Minerals Inc. (" Green" or the "Company") (TSX-V: GEM, FSE: BK2P, WKN: A2QENP OTC: GBMIF) announces that the White House stated President Biden has signed an Executive Order establishing a 25% tariff on Chinese imports, including natural graphite. The Tariffs on natural graphite will increase from 0% to 25% in 2026. US President Joe Biden is hiking tariffs on Chinese imports, including batteries and critical minerals, in a bid to bolster domestic manufacturing in critical industries. A step President Biden previously announced to raise tariffs on some steel and aluminum products will take effect this year, the White House said. The changes are projected to affect around $18 billion in current annual imports. "China's forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft have contributed to its control of 70, 80, and even 90% of global production for the critical inputs necessary for our technologies, infrastructure, energy, and healthcare-creating unacceptable risks to America's supply chains and economic security." The tariff rate on lithium-ion EV batteries will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2024, while the tariff rate on lithium-ion non-EV batteries will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2026. The tariff rate on battery parts will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2024. The tariff rate on natural graphite and permanent magnets will increase from zero to 25% in 2026. The tariff rate for certain other critical minerals will increase from zero to 25% in 2024. The United States imported $427 billion in goods from China in 2023 and exported $148 billion to the world's No. 2 economy, according to the US Census Bureau. The western world relies on China's graphite as they control most of the world's graphite production. Electric vehicle and battery manufactures are making considerable investments to replace the existing supply chains of graphite. We have started to see auto-manufacturers and battery manufactures invest in Canadian mining projects to secure North American based ESG friendly sources of EV battery minerals. Battery makers are expected to continue to invest in exploration and or near producing mining Companies to secure competitive and environmentally responsible battery minerals. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence states that on aggregate 97 more natural graphite mines will be needed by the year 2035 in order to meet demand for the EV market. Benchmark Mineral also predicts that the natural Graphite market is set to enter a deficit in 2025, for the first time since 2017, as supply fails to keep pace with rising demand for electric vehicles. 2023 Jupiter Lithium Geochemical Results. The inaugural exploration program located multiple previously undocumented pegmatite bodies on the Jupiter property and re-visited approximately half the historically observed pegmatites. These coarse-grained pegmatites were found to be up to 30 m wide and many extended along strike for 100's of meters. A total of 51 samples were collected from pegmatitic outcrops across the property, including samples from at least 10 discrete mappable pegmatite dyke-like structures to the north of the property. Field observation indicates multiple distinct generations of pegmatite are present, though as yet no definitive LCT (lithium, cesium and tantalum) type Pegmatites were observed during the rock chip sampling program. However, several favorable indicators motivate for continued exploration. The 51 samples collected were submitted to SGS Laboratories in Val-d'Or Quebec to be analyzed via four acid 54 element analysis - sodium peroxide fusion, ICP-AES / ICP-MS analysis including Li, Cs & Ta. Based on the assay results recently received, no substantial lithium mineralization was encountered in any of the samples. Additional consideration and examination of the results is being pursued to determine potential vectors to mineralization elsewhere on the property. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: 2023 Rock sample Locations, Jupiter Property Claims Disposition and Pegmatite Description across the local district. About the Jupiter Property The Jupiter Property was optioned to explore for Lithium bearing Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") Pegmatites and for potential Rare Earth Elements ("REE") deposits. The property is an early-stage exploration opportunity which comprises a total of 122 Quebec mineral exploration claims which amount to a total of 6,406 hectares. Up to 33 pegmatite occurrences were identified by historical government mapping. These claims are strategically located within the James Bay lithium prospectivity area within which are the Nemaska Lithium, James Bay Lithium and Rose Critical Elements deposits. The Jupiter Property meets the Company's goal of discovering deposits that host the elements critical to Lithium-Ion batteries. Property Highlights The Jupiter property is located within the La Grande geological sub-province in an area known to comprise porphyritic and magnetic tonalites characterised by later injections of pink pegmatite. Up to 33 pegmatite occurrences have been identified by government mapping completed over the property. The Jupiter claims are located over regionally elevated lake bottom sediment geochemical anomalism for Lithium, with values up to 100ppm along the down ice trend of the property. Float Plane and Helicopter accessible, approximately 175 km south of Radisson, and 25 km southwest of the Eleonore Mine and Airstrip. The northern infrastructure corridor comprising 'Rte de la Baie-James' provincial highway and three Power transmission lines are located approximately 35 - 50km east of the property. Green Battery Metal Critical Minerals Property Portfolio: Berkwood Graphite Project - Quebec. Graphite Project Jupiter - Quebec. Lithium Pegmatite (LCT) prospect Stallion - British Columbia. Copper Porphyry, Epithermal Au+Ag prospect Boudrias - Quebec. Nickel Copper (PGE) prospect About the Berkwood Graphite Project The Berkwood Graphite Project is located within the jurisdiction of Quebec, in the Manicouagan Regional County Municipality, three hours driving time from the city of Baie-Comeau. Easy access is provided via a major secondary road and numerous tertiary and forest roads that traverse the property. The Zone 1 resource lies 8 km southwest of Nouveau Monde's deposit which has a $3.5 billion NPV on it. The Companies Zone 1 resource, and that of Nouveau Monde, share many similar geological characteristics, with the Zone 1 resource being of exceptionally high grade and coarse flake size by global standards. The current mineral resource at the Berkwood Graphite Project includes in-pit constrained resource totalling 1,755,300 tonnes of indicated resources at 17.00 % Cgr and 1,526,400 tonnes in inferred resources at 16.39 % Cgr. Table 2: In-pit Resource at Lac Gueret South Project (rounded numbers) Current Resources (as of June 17th, 2019) Minerals Resources Category Tonnage (Mt) Grade (% Cgr) Cgr (t) Cut off Indicated 1.76 17.0 299,200 6.81% Inferred 1.53 16.4 250,200 6.81% The mineral resource estimates above are described in the technical report entitled, NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate on the Lac Gueret South Graphite Property, Quebec, Canada. With an Effective date of June 30th, 2019, by Edward Lyons, PGeo., Florent Baril, ing., and Claude Duplessis, ing. Link to Report: https://greenbatteryminerals.com/wp-content/uploads/ReportFINAL_compressed.pdf QAQC Comments: All samples were collected by typical field methods according to CIM best practices, selected samples were collected by representative rock chips into numbered samples bags, a CRM sample was inserted at a ratio of 1 sample in 20 to the sample batch, field duplicates were additionally collected to confirm the outcrop geochemistry. All samples were submitted to SGS laboratories, results are currently pending. Qualified Person: Troy Marfeet., P.Geo., (OGQ #0075242). of Axiom Exploration Services, an independent Qualified Person as defined by Canadian NI 43-101 standards, has reviewed, and approved the geological information reported in this news release. About the Company: Green Battery Minerals is managed by a team with over 150 years collectively with a proven track record of not just finding numerous mines but building and operating them too. The Green Battery Mineral management team's most recent success is discovering the Berkwood graphite resource in Northern Quebec. Green Battery Mineral owns this asset 100 percent, and the Company's shareholders will benefit from this asset as the demand for Graphite for electric vehicles increases significantly. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Green Battery Minerals lnc. 'Thomas Yingling' President, CEO & Director 2200 - 1250 Rene Levesque Blvd. Montreal, QC, H3B 4W8 Phone: (438) 469-0705 #1100 - 1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V6 Phone: (604) 343-7740 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Investor Relations: info@greenbatteryminerals.com or 1-604-343-7740 Website: www.greenbatteryminerals.com Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the Company will carry out the drill program described in this news release, conduct the Offering and expend funds on Berkwood Graphite Project exploration. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that further permits may not be granted timely or at all; the mineral claims may prove to be unworthy of further expenditure; there may not be an economic mineral resource; methods we thought would be effective may not prove to be in practice or on our claims; economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices; our specific plans and timing drilling, field work and other plans may change; we may not have access to or be able to develop any minerals because of cost factors, type of terrain, or availability of equipment and technology; and we may also not raise sufficient funds to carry out our plans. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward-looking statement risk factors. 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 News Release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver - June 14, 2024 - Apex Resources Inc. ("Apex" or the "Company") (TSXV: APX) today announced the following leadership appointments: Ronald (Ron) Lang, a Director of the Company, has been appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Lang is a veteran mining executive and brings with him over 35 years of leadership experience, including as president and CEO and director of a lithium exploration company in 2017. Mr. Lang has held roles as a director and/or executive officer of several junior exploration companies with operations in Canada, Mexico and Africa. Brett Kagetsu has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Kagetsu holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia. Mr. Kagetsu is a senior corporate finance and securities lawyer with the majority of his clients being Canadian reporting issuers in the mining sector. He also completed the Canadian Securities Course in 2000 and has served as an instructor for the TSXV's Rules and Tools corporate governance workshop for over 15 years. He is a director of TSXV-listed Abasca Resources Inc. The Company also announces the resignation of Mr. Jay Roberge as President and Director of the Company. The Company's Board wishes to thank Mr. Roberge for his services and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. About Apex Resources Inc. Apex is a mineral exploration company engaged in the business of the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties. Apex has an option to acquire the Lithium Creek Property located in Churchill County, Nevada, USA and is currently conducting lithium brine exploration on the property with a view to identifying and defining drill targets with high potential to penetrate lithium brine bearing aquifers. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Apex Resources Inc. Ron Lang President and CEO info@apxresources.com website: www.apexresources.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term in defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. TORONTO, June 14, 2024 - McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) ("McEwen") is pleased to report it has closed the previously announced public financing for US$22.0 million (Cdn$30.0 million) to fund ongoing exploration and development at the Fox Complex in the Timmins region of Ontario, primarily focused on exploration drilling and the development of an underground access ramp from surface to mine the gold resources of Stock East and West. This represents the next area of production growth at the Fox Complex. The proceeds of this financing will be used exclusively for qualifying Canadian Exploration Expenses (within the meaning of subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) ("CEE") and Canadian Development Expenses (within the meaning of subsection 66.2(5) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) ("CDE"), including: Part 1 (CEE) of the financing consists of a US$10.0 million (Cdn$13,650,890) offering of 643,000 flow-through common shares at a price of US$15.56 (Cdn$21.23); and Part 2 (CDE) of the financing consists of a US$12.0 million (Cdn$16,384,900) offering of 890,000 flow-through common shares at a price of US$13.49 (Cdn$18.41), (Part 1 (CEE) and Part 2 (CDE) together being the "Offering"). The Offering consisted of 1,533,000 flow-through common shares at a blended average price of $14.36 (Cdn$19.59), a 19% premium to the closing price on May 27th, for aggregate gross proceeds of US$22.0 million (Cdn$30.0 million). Total proceeds from the Offering net of placement agents' fees was approximately US$20.8 million (Cdn$28.5 million). Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. led a syndicate of placement agents for the Offering, which included Roth Capital Partners, LLC, A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC. PearTree Securities Inc. structured the flow-through donation placement. The Offering was made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333- 275324) that was previously filed by McEwen in the United States and subsequently declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on January 2, 2024 and also pursuant to a preliminary and final multi-jurisdictional disclosure system prospectus (the "Canadian Base Shelf") in Canada. McEwen filed a final prospectus supplement with the SEC in connection with the Offering and a Canadian final prospectus supplement to the Canadian Base Shelf under the "northbound" multi-jurisdictional disclosure system with securities regulatory authorities in some of the provinces of Canada other than Quebec (collectively, the "Prospectus Supplement"). The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. The Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement are filed with the SEC and available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or by visiting the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.com. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements and information expressed, as at the date of this news release, McEwen Mining Inc.'s (the "Company") estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs as to future events and results, including but not limited to the expected use of proceeds of the Offering and the timing of the closing of the Offering. Forward-looking statements and information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies, and there can be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results or future events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, political, economic, social and security risks associated with foreign operations, the ability of the corporation to receive or receive in a timely manner permits or other approvals required in connection with operations, risks associated with the construction of mining operations and commencement of production and the projected costs thereof, risks related to litigation, the state of the capital markets, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to the calculation of mineral resources and reserves, and other risks. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information included herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption "Risk Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements and information made in this news release are qualified by this cautionary statement. The NYSE and TSX have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by management of McEwen Mining Inc. ABOUT MCEWEN MINING McEwen Mining is a gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. In addition, it owns approximately 47.7% of McEwen Copper which owns the large, advanced stage Los Azules copper project in Argentina. The Company's goal is to improve the productivity and life of its assets with the objective of increasing its share price and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner has personally provided the Company with $220 million and takes an annual salary of $1. Vancouver, June 14, 2024 - One World Lithium Inc. (OTCQB-OWRDF) (CSE-OWLI) (the "Company" or "OWL") announces that the Company has reprised and reduced its non-brokered private placement from a price of $0.05 per Unit last announced on February 6, 2024 to a non-brokered private placement of up to 16,666,666 units at a price of $0.03 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $500,000 that may be closed in one or more tranches. To date the Company has raised $212,840. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.06 for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering. All funds are stated in Canadian dollars. About One World Lithium Inc. One World Lithium Inc. remains focused on properties of merit that may contain lithium in brine. The Company is also focused on commercial application of its Direct Lithium Extraction Technology. OWL intends to license or joint venture its technology to current and future lithium carbonate producers. For more information, visit: https://oneworldlithium.com/. On behalf of the Board of Directors of One World Lithium Inc., "Douglas Fulcher" President and Chief Executive Officer For further information please visit www.oneworldlithium.com or email info@oneworldlithium.com, or call 604-644-4359. Forward-Looking Information: This press release may include forward looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the OWL, including, but not limited to: (I) OWL's ability to raise any additional funds from its Offering, (II) the ability of the OWL to further its R&D, to change the lithium extraction industry, and (III) OWL's abilities to commercialize its Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology. Although OWL believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because OWL can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from the those anticipated in such statements, important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include: (I) inability of OWL to commercialize its DLE technology (II) OWL's inability to execute its business plan and raise any required financing, (III) risks and market fluctuations common to the mining industry and lithium sector in particular, and (IV) advancements in other new separation technologies. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information 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, some of which are beyond the control of the OWL. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver - Muzhu Mining Ltd. (CSE:MUZU) ("Muzhu" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has appointed Mr. Paul McGuigan, P.Geo, to the Company's Advisory Board. Mr. McGuigan is a Professional Geoscientist registered with the Association of Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, with 49 years of international experience in mineral exploration, deposit evaluation, mine operations, and corporate governance. As a geochemical researcher, he developed mineral separation techniques commonly employed in exploration and heavy mineral sands mapping. First employed by Pechiney Ugine Kuhlmann, and Esso Minerals Canada, he operated in Canada and the USA. For the last 36 years, Mr. McGuigan has managed the Cambria group of consulting companies worldwide. His geological expertise includes iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG), volcanogenic massive sulphide, porphyry Cu-Mo-Au, epithermal and orogenic gold, and diamond deposits. He was a founder of Diamond Quest Laboratories. He has held directorship positions in several publicly listed mining companies. He led extensive underground rehabilitation and exploration programs at the Silbak Premier Au-Ag and Dolly Varden Ag mines. In civic service, he has served as a member of the Consulting Practice and the Geoscience Committees of the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC, as a director of the BC Neurological Centre, and, lately, as past-president / director of the BC Centre for Ability Foundation. The Company also wishes to thank Mr. Greg Hall for his contribution to the Advisory Board and announce his departure. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dwayne Yaretz, CEO Muzhu Mining Ltd. Phone: 778-709-3398 Email: info@muzhumining.ca Website: muzhumining.ca Muzhu Mining Ltd. is a Canadian publicly traded exploration company with a portfolio of highly prospective projects at various stages of development. Muzhu currently holds 100% interest in the Sleeping Giant South Project, located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, approximately 75km South of Matagami, Quebec. As well, Muzhu has executed two option agreements to acquire up to 80% of the Silver, Zinc, Lead XWG and LMM Properties in the Henan Province located in China. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver - DeepRock Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Deep")(CSE Symbol: "DEEP"), is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter agreement (the "Letter Agreement") dated June 14, 2024 with Allied Critical Metals Corp. ("ACM" or "Allied Critical Metals"), which provides the general terms and conditions of the spin-out transaction of Deep and subsequent reverse takeover of the Company by Allied Critical Metals (the "Transaction"), pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") and applicable securities laws. Allied Critical Metals is a private company incorporated under the laws of Ontario, Canada, having a registered office in Toronto, Ontario, which is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and potential development of tungsten projects in Portugal. ACM owns, through its wholly owned Portuguese subsidiary, ACM Tungsten Unipessoal Lda. ("PortCo"), a Portuguese company named Pan Metals Unipessoal Lda. ("Pan Metals"), which beneficially owns 90% of the two historical and established Portuguese tungsten projects (the "Tungsten Projects"): the Borralha Tungsten Project ("Borralha"); and the Vila Verde Tungsten Project ("Vila Verde"), and ACM has the right to purchase the remaining 10% of the Tungsten Properties at a discount. Borralha is comprised of a Mining License that allows for production of up to 150,000 tonnes per year of mineralized material covering an area of 382.5 hectares (3.8 sq. km). Vila Verde is comprised of an Experimental Exploration License area covering 1,400 hectares (14 sq. km). Both properties were past producing mines which have excellent infrastructure including paved and gravel roads, electricity, water, nearby skilled labour and the ability to use existing waste dumps. The Company and ACM are presently preparing the required technical reports (the "Technical Reports") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101-Standards for Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") for each of the Tungsten Projects, which will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ as a condition to closing the Transaction. Further details of the Tungsten Projects will be provided in the Technical Reports and a subsequent news release to be disseminated prior to the closing of the Transaction. ACM has raised approximately $2.15 million in equity financing over the past 12 months of which over $1.8 million has been spent on drilling over 3,680m and other exploration and development the Tungsten Projects, which includes a recent $250,000 strategic investment by Majestic Gold Corp. (TSXV: MJS) ("Majestic") (see https://majesticgold.com). Majestic has over 13 years' experience itself in building and operating underground and open pit mines. ACM believes its relationship with Majestic will be helpful as ACM progresses its projects through exploration and development towards the goal of eventual production. In addition, ACM and the Company are pleased to announce that ACM has entered into an agency engagement with Fund Box Sociedade de Capital de Risco, S.A. ("FundBox") (see www.fundbox.pt), an international fund management and investment firm based in Lisbon, Portugal to arrange for initial long-term debt financing on a best efforts basis of up to 11,000,000 (the "Debt Financing") for ACM and its wholly-owned Portuguese subsidiary, Pan Metals. The Debt Financing is comprised of convertible debentures (the "Debentures") to be subscribed for and purchased by a fund ("Fund") established by FundBox closing in one or more tranches over a period of 24 months from May 31, 2024. The Debentures will have a terms of 5 years and bear interest at a rate of 5% per year, payable semi-annually. The principal and any unpaid interest of the Debentures may be converted at the end of the term, at the election of the Fund, into RI Shares (as defined below) at the conversion price equal to the then applicable 20-day volume weighted average price, subject to the policies of the Exchange. Since 2004, FundBox has raised more than 550 million. ACM believes its long-term Debt Financing will be key in providing funding for both exploration and development expenses as well as capital costs such as its intended Q4 2024 pilot plant (the "Pilot Plant") at Vila Verde that is capable of processing up to 150,000 tonnes per year of mineralized material. Roy Bonnell, CEO of Allied Critical Metals commented, "We are very excited to be accelerating the advancement of these near-term, low-cost Portuguese Tungsten Projects in the heart of the European Union where demand is sharply increasing as a strategic military metal and critical mineral. The Tungsten Projects are brownfield historical production sites located in northern Portugal with excellent infrastructure and access to inexpensive water, power and skilled labour and an existing road network. The projects are located approximately 100 km northeast of the ocean port city of Porto for excellent access to EU and North American markets. Borralha presently has a 25-year mining license and Vila Verde has an experimental mining license that provide a clear path for further development." The Letter Agreement for the Transaction is in addition and further to the Vila Verde net profits stream in respect of ACM's intended Pilot Plant pursuant to a letter agreement between ACM and Deep dated March 19, 2024 (the "NPS Agreement") announced by the Company in its news release dated March 20, 2024. Independent director of Deep, Tom Christoff added, "We are excited to expand the potential of the NPS Agreement and unlock shareholder value in our proposed spin-out with the additional opportunity presented by ACM for near-term commercialization of its tungsten properties, where tungsten has been declared a "critical mineral" by Canada, the USA, and the EU facing significant supply chain shortages as a strategic military metal with almost 90% of world supply dominated by China and Russia." The Transaction The Company intends to complete the Transaction pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement"), which will include the following steps: the Company will incorporate a wholly-owned subsidiary (Sub1") and transfer all of its assets to Sub1 and then transfer all of its common shares of Sub 1 to the Deep shareholders pro rata in proportion to their ownership of Deep (the "Spin-Out"); the Company will consolidate all of its issued and outstanding common shares on a 40-to-1 basis (the Consolidation") and change its name to "Allied Critical Metals Corp. or such other name as may be determined by ACM which is acceptable to the Exchange (the Name Change"); ACM shall complete a concurrent private placement equity financing of units (the Units") at a price of $0.60 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $7,500,000 (the "Concurrent Financing"), and each Unit will be comprised of one common share of ACM and one common share purchase warrant of ACM (each whole warrant a "Warrant") wherein each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at a price of $1.00 per share; and ACM will amalgamate (the Amalgamation") as a three-cornered amalgamation with a second newly incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Sub2") to form an amalgamated company ("Amalco") as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, named "ACM Holdings Ltd." Or such other name as determined by ACM, and the shareholders of ACM will transfer all of their common shares of ACM (the ACM Shares") to the Company in consideration for post-Consolidation common shares of the Company as the resulting issuer (the "Resulting Issuer") on a 1-for-1 basis (the Share Exchange Ratio"), and the business of ACM shall become the business of the Resulting Issuer, and the common shares of the Resulting Issuer (the RI Shares") will be listed and posted for trading on the Exchange as a mining issuer. Resulting Issuer Capital Structure Assuming completion of the Transaction with a minimum concurrent Financing of $2,000,000 at $0.60 per Unit, the Resulting Issuer will have approximately 74,230,000 common shares issued and outstanding, as well as 1,666,667 Warrants exercisable at $1.00 per share, 927,500 warrants exercisable at $2.40 to $2.80, 266,666 brokers warrants exercisable at $0.60, and no options. Escrow Conditions RI Shares issued pursuant to the Amalgamation shall be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to the policies of the Exchange, and RI Shares issued to insiders of the Resulting Issuer shall be subject to escrow in accordance with the policies of the Exchange. However, RI Shares issued in exchange for ACM Shares issued under the Concurrent Financing shall be free trading and not be subject to resale restrictions, escrow or hold periods. Subject to the policies of the Exchange and applicable securities laws, upon closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"): (a) 19,600,000 common shares of the Resulting Issuer held by principals of the Resulting Issuer will be subject to escrow wherein 10% of the shares will be released on Closing and 15% will be released every 6 months thereafter over 36 months; and (b) 6,332,084 common shares of the Resulting Issuer held by prior owners of the Tungsten Properties will be subject to escrow wherein 10% of the shares will be released on Closing and 15% will be released every 6 months thereafter over 36 months. Concurrent Financing Prior to completion of the Transaction and as a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company, ACM intends to complete a concurrent financing (the "Concurrent Financing") to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $7,500,000 CAD by way of a private placement of units (the "Units") of ACM at a price of $0.60 per Unit (the "Listing Price"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of ACM (each an "ACM Share") and one-half common share purchase warrant of ACM (each a "Warrant") and each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an ACM Share at a price per ACM Share of $1.00 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. On closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"). RI Shares issued in exchange for ACM Shares issued under the Concurrent Financing shall be free trading and not be subject to resale restrictions, escrow or hold periods. ACM and the Company intend to use the net proceeds of the Concurrent Financing to fund the costs of the Transaction, the recommended work programs described in the Technical Reports, and for general working capital expenses of the Resulting Issuer. Finders Fees In conjunction with the Concurrent Financing, ACM intends to pay a finder's fee on Closing, subject to the policies of the Exchange, of up to a cash commission equal to up to 8% of the gross proceeds of from purchasers under the Concurrent Financing introduced by the finder and a number of common share purchase warrants (the "Brokers Warrants") equal to up to 8% of the number of Units issued to purchasers under the Concurrent Financing introduced by the finder. Each Brokers Warrant will be exercisable into a RI Share for two years from the date of issuance at the Listing Price. Related Party Transaction The Transaction is a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101-Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") because each of the Company and ACM share a same director and officer. However, the Company is exempt under section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 from the requirement to obtain formal valuation because the Company is not listed on a "specified market". However, the Company does intend to seek majority of the minority shareholder approval and general corporate shareholder approval for the Transaction and will prepare a management information circular (the "Information Circular") in respect of the Transaction in accordance with the policies of the Exchange and applicable securities laws. Exchange Listing Upon completion of the Transaction, the Resulting Issuer will own 100% of Amalco, which will own 100% of PortCo, which owns 100% of PanMetals, and PanMetals owns 90% of the Tungsten Properties with the right to acquire the remaining 10%. Upon Closing, the Resulting Issuer expects to list on the Exchange as a mining issuer, subject to Exchange approval. Conditions Completion of the Transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent, including: ACM and Deep shall have executed a definitive agreement for the Arrangement (the "Definitive Agreement"), which will contain the applicable terms and conditions set forth therein and the representations, warranties, covenants, and terms and conditions customarily found in such agreements; satisfactory completion of due diligence by each of ACM and Deep and their respective counsel of each other and their respective subsidiaries, business and assets; absence of any material adverse effect on the financial or operational condition of the assets or business of each of the parties to the Definitive Agreement; completion of the Technical Report for Borralha in accordance with NI 43-101 and filing thereof under Deep's profile on SEDAR+; completion and delivery to Deep of the title opinion in respect of the Tungsten Projects; representations and warranties of each of the ACM and Deep contained in the Definitive Agreement being true and correct as of the Closing Date, and there being no material breach of ACM or Deep of the representations, warranties and covenants in the Letter Agreement or Definitive Agreement; Deep shall have advanced at least $200,000 to $1,000,000 to ACM under the NPS Agreement, and Deep shall have working capital of at least $100,000 as at Closing Date, excluding liabilities of up to $50,000 for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business; ACM and Deep shall be satisfied, acting reasonably, that the Tungsten Projects and ACM's interests therein satisfies the Exchange's initial listing requirements; receipt of all required regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, including Deep shareholder approval, Exchange approval, and compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and conditions necessary to complete the Transaction; delivery of standard completion documentation, including but not limited to, legal opinions, officers' certificates, and certificates of good standing or compliance; and other mutual conditions precedent customary for a transaction such as the Transaction. Directors, Officers and Other Insiders On completion of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the board of the Resulting Issuer will consist of five members, with ACM nominating four members and Deep nominating one member. On Closing, all of the directors of Deep will resign other than Andrew Lee, and Roy Bonnell, Sean O'Neill (as Non-Executive Chairman), Joao Barros, and Colin Padget will be appointed as directors of the Resulting Issuer. Roy Bonnell will be appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer, Keith Margetson as Chief Financial Officer, and Andrew Lee as Corporate Secretary. The Company will provide additional information about its proposed new directors, officers and insiders in a subsequent news release and an Information Circular and a Listing Statement that will be prepared and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ as the principal disclosure documents in respect of the Transaction. Qualified Person Douglas Blanchflower, B.Sc. (Hons.), P.Geo., is an independent Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Further Information More details will follow in the Company's Information Circular and the Resulting Issuer's Listing Statement to be prepared in accordance with the listing requirements of the CSE Policies. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities to be issued in connection with the Transaction have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United Staters or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed, or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Listing Statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. For further information concerning this press release, please contact the respective representatives of Solid and ACM as follows: DeepRock Minerals Inc. Andrew Lee, President & CEO Tel: 604-720-2703 ys.andrew.lee@gmail.com Allied Critical Metals Corp. Roy Bonnell, President & CEO Tel: 514-928-5933 royb@alliedcritical.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed on the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement and Forward-Looking Information All information contained in this news release with respect to the Company and ACM was supplied by the parties, respectively, for inclusion herein, and each such party has relied on the other party for any information concerning such party. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information, including statements regarding the expected issuance of approval of the Company's shareholders and the Exchange and the expected commencement of trading of the common shares of the Resulting Issuer on the Exchange. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the parties' current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. The business of the Company is subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties. Please refer to SEDAR+ filings for further details. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the parties. The material factors and assumptions include the parties being able to obtain the necessary corporate, regulatory and other third parties approvals. The forward looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update or revise any forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward looking information contained herein. Not for dissemination in the United States of America. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver, June 14, 2024 - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOF) (FSE: 1ET0) ("Prospector" or the "Company") announces that it has granted a total of 3,100,000 incentive stock options to officers, directors and consultants of the Company, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. Each option is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company for five years at a price of C$0.20 per common share in accordance with the terms of the Company's omnibus equity incentive plan. About Prospector Metals Corp. Prospector Metals Corp. is a Discovery Group Company focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders, and seeking to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all stakeholders. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Prospector Metals Corp. Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo. President & CEO For further information about Prospector Metals Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at www.prospectormetalscorp.com or contact us by email at info@prospectormetalscorp.com. Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: discoverygroup.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/213165 CALGARY, June 14, 2024 - TVI Pacific Inc. (TSXV: TVI) (OTC Pink: TVIPF) ("TVI" or the "Company") announces that the Company has received the principal amount of $57,809.36 (the "Loan") under the Company's previously announced funding commitment agreement (the "Funding Commitment Agreement") with Prime Resources Holdings, Inc. (the "Lender"). In accordance with the terms of the Funding Commitment Agreement, the Lender advanced the Loan to TVI and evidenced by an unsecured interest-bearing promissory note (the "Note"). The Note accrues interest at a rate of prime plus 2.0% per annum and, subject to certain acceleration events, matures in December 2025. As of the date hereof, $312,768.36 has been advanced to the Company under the Funding Commitment Agreement. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Loan to fund certain severance expenses and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Share Purchase Further to the Company's news releases of April 16, 2024 and May 28, 2024, TVI announces that the Lender has purchased an aggregate of 58,055,488 common shares in the capital of TVI (the "Common Shares") beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by Clifford M. James ("Mr. James"), Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TVI (the "Share Transfer") at a purchase price of $0.03 per Common Share, pursuant to a previously announced share purchase agreement between the Lender, Mr. James, and corporations affiliated with Mr. James. In connection with the Share Transfer (i) the Lender, of 3L Starmall Las Pinas, CV Starr Avenue, Philamlife Village, Pamplona, Las Pinas City, Metro Manila, Philippines, acquired ownership of 58,055,488 Common Shares, (ii) Clifford M. James, of 3202 Regent Parkway, 21st Drive, Bonifacio South District, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines 1634, disposed of beneficial ownership in 58,055,488 Common Shares, each requiring disclosure pursuant to National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. Immediately prior to the completion of the Share Transfer, the Lender held, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 86,933,333 Common Shares (representing approximately 11.93% of the Common Shares). Immediately following completion of the Share Transfer, the Lender holds, directly and indirectly, an aggregate of 144,988,821 Common Shares (representing approximately 19.90% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares). The shares are held by the Lender for investment purposes. The Lender currently has no plans or intentions that relate to, or would result in, any of the actions requiring disclosure under the early warning reporting provisions of applicable securities laws. In accordance with applicable securities laws, the Lender may, from time to time and at any time, acquire, directly or indirectly, additional Common Shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments of the Company, and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of such securities, in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to such securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors. Immediately prior to the completion of the Share Transfer, Mr. James held, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 83,264,419 Common Shares (representing approximately 11.43% of the Common Shares). Immediately following completion of the Share Transfer, Mr. James holds, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 25,208,931 Common Shares (representing approximately 3.46% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares). Mr. James intends to further dispose or cause the disposition of up to 20,707,709 Common Shares held by Seajay Management Enterprises Ltd., which Mr. James beneficially owns or exercises control or direction over, directly or indirectly, for personal and estate planning purposes. Except as described herein, Mr. James has no current plans or intentions that relate to acquisition or disposition of securities of the Company or that would result in any of the actions requiring disclosure under the early warning reporting provisions of the applicable securities law. Depending on various factors including, without limitation, the Company's financial position, the price levels of the Common Shares, conditions in the securities markets, general economic and industry conditions and other circumstances, Mr. James may, from time to time and at any time, acquire, directly or indirectly, Common Shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments (collectively, "Securities") of the Company in the open market or otherwise in accordance with applicable securities laws, and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of such Securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to such Securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors. As previously described in the Company's news release dated May 28, 2024, the Company and the Lender are parties to a standstill agreement dated August 15, 2023, which provides that, among other things, prior to August 15, 2025, neither the Lender, nor any of its affiliates, may acquire any voting or equity securities of the Company without the prior written consent of the Company. Pursuant to a consent and limited waiver agreement dated as of May 27, 2024, the Company approved a limited waiver of such restriction in connection with the Share Transfer and the acquisition of any securities of the Company beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, directly or indirectly, by Mr. James. Copies of the early warning reports will be filed by the Lender and Mr. James under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or may be obtained by contacting the Company at the contact information provided below. Related Party Transactions The Lender is a "related party" of the Company, and the Loan, the entering into the Note and matters relating thereto (the "Transactions") are considered to be "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") requiring the Company, in the absence of exemptions, to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval, of the related party transactions. Pursuant to Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101, the Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder requirements, respectively, as, in addition to no securities of the Company being listed or quoted on certain specified exchanges, the Loan is a non-convertible loan obtained on reasonable commercial terms that is not less advantageous to the Company than if the Loan were obtained from a person dealing at arm's length and not repayable, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of the Company or a subsidiary. The Transactions were approved by the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), who are independent for the purposes of the Note, being all directors other than Messrs. Clifford James, Manuel Paolo A. Villar and Michael G. Regino. Neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, the Lender, have knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally disclosed. No special committee of the Board was established in connection with the Transactions as the entire Board was engaged in respect thereof, and, other than Messrs. James, Villar and Regino, who abstained from voting on the Transactions, no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto. Neither the Company nor any director or senior officer of the Company has knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of any prior valuation in respect of the Company that relates to the subject matter of or is otherwise relevant to the Transactions, which has been made in the 24 months prior to the date of this News Release. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing as the details of the Transactions were not finalized until immediately prior to its issuance, and the Company wished to close the Transactions as soon as practicable for sound business reasons. TVI Pacific Inc. is a Canadian resource company focused on mining projects in the Philippines, one of the most prolifically mineralized countries in the world. TVI maintains a strong presence in the Philippines through its 30.66% equity interest in TVI Resource Development Phils, Inc. ("TVIRD"), a Philippines corporation. Through TVIRD, TVI has ownership in TVIRD's 100%-owned Balabag gold/silver mine, a currently producing mine, and is focused on ramping-up to commercial production at TVIRD's recently restarted 100%-owned Siana gold mine. TVIRD also has in its portfolio of projects its 100%-owned Mapawa project (gold), a 60% indirect interest in the Mabilo project (a copper-gold-iron skarn deposit that offers potential for multi-metal products, namely copper, gold and silver, with by-products magnetite and pyrite), and a 60% interest in Agata Mining Ventures Inc. (nickel/iron DSO mine). IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain information set out in this News Release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "scheduled", "to be", "will be" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this News Release include, but are not limited to: statements and information concerning the Company's intended use of the proceeds from the Note; the Company's future activities and operations; future acquisitions of dispositions of the Company's Securities by Mr. James; and the terms of the Note, including acceleration thereof. Forward-looking statements in this News Release are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company and, in certain cases, information supplied by third parties as at the effective date of such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and that information received from third parties is reliable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties (known and unknown) that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company being unable to use the proceeds of the Note as described; legal or regulatory impediments regarding the Note, accrued and unpaid interest thereon; the Company defaulting on the Note or the Funding Commitment Agreement and consequences thereof; the proceeds being insufficient for the Company's purposes; the acceleration of maturity of the Note in accordance with the terms thereof upon the occurrence of certain events; the Company's inability to repay the Note on its maturity date or at all; the Company being unable to raise additional funds on terms acceptable to the Company or at all; the availability of future drawdowns under the Funding Commitment Agreement; the value of the Company's assets; the availability of distributions to the Company from its joint venture interest in TVIRD and results of operations thereof; liquidity and results of operations; and general risks such as changes in commodities and base metal prices general economic conditions in the Philippines and elsewhere, litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments, geopolitical risk, delays or failures to receive Board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, operational risks, risks related to meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange, those additional risks described in detail in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed on SEDAR+ on April 29, 2024, and is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and other matters discussed in News Release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this News Release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted or regarded as guarantees of future outcomes. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws in force in Canada. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this News Release. SOURCE TVI Pacific Inc. Another former F1 driver slams Gunther Steiner Another former F1 driver has joined Ralf Schumacher in slamming ex-Haas team boss Gunther Steiner. Gunther Steiner, Spanish GP 2023 Haas Following his continuing criticism of his nephew Mick, 6-time grand prix winner Ralf declared recently that he is refusing to appear on screen with Steiner, despite the fact that they are both pundits for RTL. Another former German F1 driver, Timo Glock, admits he also has concerns about Steiner's outspoken style. What can you say about Gunther Steiner? he said on Sky Deutschland. It's always a little difficult to understand the way he chooses to communicate. For Ralf Schumacher, the straw that broke the camel's back was the way Steiner publicly advised Alpine against signing Mick Schumacher for 2025. I wouldn't (recommend it) at the moment, no, Steiner said. You have to get the best drivers that are available. And there are drivers who have shown that they are very good. Glock agrees with Ralf that Steiner's comments are unfair. He should stop kicking him again and again, said the former Jordan and Toyota driver. "What's the point of it? Maybe he should clean up his own mess, Glock added. If you look at Gunther Steiner's record as team boss, you have to have your doubts about that, too. Because at the moment, the Haas team is doing a very, very good job without him. Glock also didn't like an Instagram post by Steiner, in which he mockingly offered to loan his tape measure to new Haas boss Ayao Komatsu after a double technical disqualification in Monaco. What's the point of that, too? Glock asked. I think he should have acted a bit more cleverly. But that's just typical Gunther Steiner. (GMM) Aston Martin boss admits F1 team behind the plan Team boss Mike Krack admits Aston Martin is "far behind the plan" with performance progress in 2024 so far. Fernando Alonso, Canadian GP 2024 Aston Martin Racing Last year, the rapidly-developing and growing Silverstone based team surprised and impressed with Fernando Alonso's string of podium finishes. But in 2024 so far, Alonso admits Aston Martin is no longer among Formula 1's best five teams. Krack, however, is staying positive. Yes, I think so, he said when asked if Aston Martin will return to the podium this season. "I am convinced that we can. The question is when. Krack admits Aston Martin has made inferior progress on the aerodynamic side so far this season, at least in comparison with its direct rivals. Aerodynamic development is the main performance differentiator in F1, he explained. But it takes time. Many weeks can pass before you have something you have discovered actually get to the car. Krack admitted that correcting the situation will be even harder as Formula 1 now faces a very intense period with the Barcelona-Austria-Silverstone triple header. You are constantly rushing to get the parts and it is never fast enough, he said. "So you have to be patient. There's also no point in complaining that other pieces aren't ready yet, as we still have plenty of races ahead of us. At the same time, Krack says he is being honest about the situation. "Last year, around this time, the press said we were well ahead of the plan. Now, we are far behind the plan. But I think last year we were better than we thought, and I have always said that, when you are on an upward trajectory, you can still go up or down, depending on what your rivals are doing. But you always have to keep the goal in sight. Krack said the scrutiny of the media can also be challenging. "At Imola, the first question from the journalists was 'So the updates are not working?' But sometimes we judge a team's performance too much, just as we also judge the drivers too quickly. So I will be more careful with what I say. We have a plan on how to develop the team from an infrastructure point of view, we have partners coming in with Honda, we have a great partner with Aramco, so I think there is no reason to be negative, the German added. (GMM) Canada GP officials react after embarrassing F1 event Canadian race organisers and local officials have spent the week in damage control. Carlos Sainz, Canadian GP 2024 Ferrari Formula 1 fans may have revelled in the close and exciting race in changeable conditions last weekend in Montreal, but off the track, problems abounded. Not only did the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve officials attract the FIA's ire with the post-chequered flag track invasion by spectators, there was flooding and leaks in the teams' garages. F1's governing body said race organisers Octane Racing Group breached the international sporting code by not controlling the crowd and failing to take reasonable measures, resulting in a dangerous situation . Some drivers were late to key appointments due to congestion and circuit entrance closures amid disagreements with local police, while city centre businesses were furious that they were forced to evacuate by the Montreal fire department. The QMI press agency reports that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali even personally apologised for the chaos to Formula 1 teams. Tourism minister Caroline Proulx said: "I am extremely concerned and very embarrassed by what I read and by what I experienced at the grand prix. My job is to bring tourists to Quebec, she added. "It is my job to ensure that the image is perfect internationally, particularly in an event like Formula 1, where there are a billion viewers. A billion viewers! So yes, I'm uncomfortable, and I didn't like what I witnessed. Broadcaster TVA Nouvelles claims that the next step is a meeting next week between Domenicali and the mayor of Montreal, Valerie Plante. It was the CEO of Formula 1 who sent a letter to Ms Plante to request the meeting, said the report, with the aim of making improvements for the next race in 2025. Race promoter Octane admits the race organisation was unacceptable and that an investigation is now taking place, claims Le Journal de Montreal newspaper. A plan must be presented to the FIA by the end of September. A journalist for Le Journal de Montreal said: "I would be surprised if the future of the grand prix was in immediate danger. But the city and the event organizers will have to act quickly, otherwise we could see the end of F1 in Montreal. (GMM) Wyoming is blessed to be a resource-rich state. Developing our abundant natural resources is critical to creating jobs, supporting local businesses and industries and building a stronger, more resilient economy not only in southwest Wyoming but the entire state. However, a dysfunctional federal permitting process often stands in the way of the progress we are making to explore, mine and produce the vast mineral deposits that lie just beneath our feet. Wyoming is home to the largest trona deposit in the world, covering roughly 1,300 square miles in southwest Wyoming. Trona is the raw mineral th... After 16 years of commitment and service, Jim Zimmerman is retiring as the Sweetwater County Fire Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer a position Jim himself helped to create. When asked about his most notable career highlights, Jim thoughtfully explained: This position has provided me with many opportunities to work alongside numerous Sweetwater County agencies, but most importantly its allowed me to build relationships with the citizens of Sweetwater County. Zimmerman also noted that many people believe that the job of enforcing codes could be one of difficulty. However, hes never se... The battery capacity of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S25 has leaked today, and it's going to be identical to that of its predecessor. So, like the S24, the S25 will have a 4,000 mAh battery and nothing more. Battery capacity has been a pain point at times for Samsung's vanilla S-series devices, with it going from the 4,000 mAh of the S20 and S21 to the 3,700 mAh of the S22, then with the S23 to 3,900 mAh, only to finally reach 4,000 mAh again this year in the S24. And now it seems like there will be no change in 2025. Of course, the vanilla model is the smallest of the family, but a lot of handsets from Samsung's Chinese competitors have upped their battery capacities in the past few months (at least slightly), and so it's not a great look for the S25 launching in (most likely) January 2025 to still carry the same size battery as the S20 did in 2020. Source (in Dutch) Xiaomi is working on a new Mix Fold device, and it just got certified by CCC (China Compulsory Certification). The new smartphone with model number 24072PX77C will support 67W charging, which means that for a fourth time in a row Xiaomi is sticking with the same rate for its foldable. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 will work with the MDY-15-EQ charger, which is a 67W adapter that supports 20V at 3.25A (67W Max) rates. The listing does not reveal anything else about the phone but we do expect a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Xiaomi is expected to launch Mix Fold 4 in July but this phone might not be the star of the show. We also expect a Mix Flip, the company's first clamshell foldable. It could have the same chipset and main camera and we hope it will finally make its way internationally; so far, all Xiaomi foldables have only been sold in China. Via YouTube shared its latest test features which will be available for some channels soon. These include AI live chat summaries, Google Lens search and QR codes for channels. It's important to note that these new features will remain exclusive to a small batch of users who are part of the YouTube experiments program and may not end up being available for the general public. YouTube's AI live chat summaries will only work with live streams in English and for channels with "super active live chat conversations". Eligible channels will get a special banner at the top of the live chat with the option to summarize the comments section. YouTube is also bringing Google Lens to the search bar. A small percentage of users on Android will see a Lens button in the search bar which will allow them to search for content on the worlds second most visited website. Channel QR codes will allow fast and easy way for creators to share their channels with others. Supported users will get the option to generate a QR code from their profile. YouTube Shorts is also getting a new Effects button which features user-generated effects to make short-format videos more engaging. YouTube confirmed that Shorts Effects are coming to more users later this year. Source The Bureau of Statistics and Plans is seeking Guam residents contribution to the development of the Guahan 2050 Sustainability Plan through active participation in community engagement events from June 18 to 20. The Guahan 2050 Sustainability Plan is a roadmap and vision for Guams future related to sustainable growth, development, and conservation, BSP said in a press release. BSP is inviting residents to get involved in the conversation and provide their input during the events to be hosted in northern, central, and southern locations to allow residents to attend at a location closest to home: Southern region: June 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Inalahan Community Center. Central region: June 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration-The Anthony Leon Guerrero Multipurpose Room 129. North region: June 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Northern Region Dededo Senior Citizens Center. The plan will be developed in phases, the first of which welcomes input from residents. During the talks, attendees can share their feedback on what should be included in the plan and their motivating priorities. We are developing this plan in phases, the first of which is to let our community know that we are strategically working on a sustainability plan for Guam and their ideas are valuable to the development of this plan, BSP Director Lola Leon Guerrero said. Leon Guerrero said BSP invites all residents to join these important community engagement events and directly influence future policies and initiatives for Guams growth. Also, it will be interesting for our community to learn more about how the plan will be developed and how they can play a part in the visioning process, she said. The process of developing the GSP 2050 includes a consortium of public and private experts with diverse planning experience and expertise who will provide guidance for Guams social and economic development for the next 25 years, acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio said. He said Guam will lean on subject matter experts in commercial, agricultural, industrial, and cultural arenas to help develop a plan that includes input from those who will benefit the most the residents. There is no cost to participate, and reservations are not required. Refreshments will be served at the events. During the GSP 2050 community engagements, facilitators will lead participants through key discussion topics: thriving environment, prosperous economy, sustainable community, and vibrant culture. For more information, visit the GSP 2050 website at bsp.guam.gov/2050-2/ or send an email to GSP2050@bsp.guam.gov. A Florida woman is going viral for sharing her experience at an ultra-exclusive club on Palm Beach Island, where she says employees asked her to cover her tattoos with a blanket and leg sleeve. In a TikTok video, Caitlin Rolston explains that on May 17 she was working as a nanny at a private club on Palm Beach Island while her employer held a party. On the day of the video, the high temperature in West Palm Beach was 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Footage from the pool matches photos from The Beach Club, whose guest information page states that no visible tattoos are allowed. Prior to, I did not know the dress code of no tattoos so I had a button down and shorts on, and the manager came and said tattoos unfortunately are not allowed to be shown. I couldnt leave because I was there nannying, Rolston says in a follow-up video. Their solution was to give me a little sleeve and a little blanket to cover my tattoos. Social media comments were divided regarding the clubs response. Thats because tattoos are gross lol. You voluntarily did that. We didnt , one user commented. Sounds like someone needs to hold a tattoo convention in Palm Beach, another said. According to the Pew Research Center, 32% of all American adults have at least one tattoo, rising to 46% of adults aged 30 to 49. The popularity of tattoos has nearly doubled in the last five years, according to data from ypulse.com. Despite shifting attitudes over body ink, its not unheard of for establishments to discriminate against the visibly tatted. While most businesses reserve such stringent dress codes for employees, some, like the Houston Country Club, request that members and guests cover visible tattoos while on Club property. The Beach Club in Palm Beach Island did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Houstonians and Texans along the Gulf Coast should keep a watchful eye on the southwestern Gulf of Mexico this weekend and into next week. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of low pressure that is forecast to form late this weekend or early next week. Environmental conditions appear favorable for this system to gradually develop, and there is a 50% chance that a tropical depression could form during the early to middle part of next week. The disturbance is expected to move slowly westward or west-northwestward. While it is too soon to determine if this system will directly impact Texas, residents should stay informed and review their hurricane preparedness plans. Now is a good time to make sure you have supplies on hand and know your evacuation route, should it become necessary. Be sure to check out the NHCs hurricane preparedness guide for Houston-area residents. Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Weather OutlookNational Weather Service Elsewhere in the Atlantic basin, the NHC is also monitoring a low pressure area offshore of the southeastern U.S. coast. This system has a low 20% chance of development as it is forecast to merge with a front over the western Atlantic this weekend. Heavy rainfall will continue across portions of the Florida peninsula through Saturday. The next named storm in the Atlantic will be Arlene. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak typically from mid-August to late October. Stay with LoneStarLive.com for the latest on any tropical development that could affect the Greater Houston area and Texas. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by LoneStarLive.com staff. The suspects are also believed to have combined and published the information on public file-sharing platforms. THE NATIONAL BUREAU of Investigation (KRP) has completed a pre-trial investigation into a case where three individuals are suspected of unlawfully obtaining information critical to national defence and security in Finland. Officers at KRP view that the information allegedly obtained and published by the suspects is such that it could cause a serious threat to national defence, national security and security of supply in Finland. The individuals are suspected of disclosure of a national secret. The suspected offences are not related to the operations of authorities. The suspected individuals are Finnish civilians. They were held in detention in spring 2023 and have since been released, Jukka Nurmenniemi, the detective chief inspector in charge of the pre-trial inquiry at KRP, stated in a press release issued on 7 June. The case has been presented to the prosecutor general for consideration of charges. Helsingin Sanomat on 7 June drew attention to earlier media reports suggesting that the suspects had, for example, charted the tunnel network in Finland, a suggestion that has not been confirmed by KRP. Nurmenniemi is reticent about the case also in other regards, including the possible motives of the suspects. The suspects have been willing to co-operate in interrogations. They dont think theyve been guilty of any crimes, he said to the newspaper. Aleksi Teivainen HT According to a recent report, the median rent for studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments in Satakunta is 37% lower than in Uusimaa, Finland's priciest region. Recent data highlights significant regional differences in rental prices across Finland, with Uusimaa, Keski-Pohjanmaa, and Pohjanmaa emerging as the most expensive regions. Meanwhile, Satakunta, Etela-Savo, and Kymenlaakso boast the lowest rental costs, providing a more affordable living option for residents. This substantial gap underscores the varying economic landscapes across the country. Most Expensive: Uusimaa: The median rent here is 831, driven by high demand in the densely populated region, home to about a third of Finland's population. The median rent here is 831, driven by high demand in the densely populated region, home to about a third of Finland's population. Keski-Pohjanmaa: Surprisingly high rents, with a median of 700, despite being the smallest mainland region by population. Limited housing supply and small rental market contribute to these elevated prices. Surprisingly high rents, with a median of 700, despite being the smallest mainland region by population. Limited housing supply and small rental market contribute to these elevated prices. Pohjanmaa: Median rent is 690, influenced by the city of Vaasas profile as a student hub and stable local economy. Least Expensive: Satakunta: Offers the lowest median rent at 520, despite housing branches of both Tampere and Turku universities in Pori. Offers the lowest median rent at 520, despite housing branches of both Tampere and Turku universities in Pori. Etela-Savo: Median rent is 550, reflecting the region's broader economic challenges. Median rent is 550, reflecting the region's broader economic challenges. Kymenlaakso: Median rent stands at 555, similarly affected by regional economic conditions. The report, compiled by Oikotie Asunnot, details median rents for various apartment types across regions: Region Studio 1 Bedroom 2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms Satakunta 450 523 655 955 Kymenlaakso 440 580 760 960 Etela-Savo 490 593 805 640 Etela-Pohjanmaa 510 580 720 1,110 Paijat-Hame 497 615 848 980 Kainuu 490 600 755 875 Etela-Karjala 545 695 766 890 Pohjois-Pohjanmaa 550 679 907 926 Kanta-Hame 520 700 928 1,039 Keski-Suomi 522 670 856 1,100 Pohjois-Karjala 570 680 740 655 Varsinais-Suomi 585 715 983 1,192 Lappi 503 648 850 1,200 Pirkanmaa 590 750 965 1,199 Pohjanmaa 662 670 855 1,295 Keski-Pohjanmaa 565 580 890 2,500 Pohjois-Savo 580 678 845 940 Uusimaa 700 890 1,148 1,430 Anna Leinonen, Head of Real Estate at Oikotie, explains the factors behind these variations: In Keski-Pohjanmaa, limited housing supply and high demand for rental properties push rents up. In contrast, regions like Satakunta and Etela-Savo benefit from a more balanced supply and demand, resulting in lower rental costs. Leinonen also highlights the impact of young adults on rental markets: Young adults, the most active movers within Finland, significantly influence rental price dynamics. They tend to move from smaller towns to larger urban centers, enhancing demand and driving rent disparities between regions. The current rental landscape in Finland presents a clear distinction between the most and least expensive regions, influenced by factors such as population density, housing supply, economic conditions, and regional amenities. For those seeking affordable living options, regions like Satakunta, Etela-Savo, and Kymenlaakso offer the best value, while Uusimaa, Keski-Pohjanmaa, and Pohjanmaa remain the costliest. HT Developer seeks OK for 166-unit apartment complex in Naples A developer's plan to build 166 apartments on Naples Road between Asheville Highway and AdventHealth hospital comes before the Henderson County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. Developer Luis Graef, of Coral Springs, Florida, is seeking a conditional use rezoning to allow the one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units in seven three- and four-story buildings on 10.4 acres a mile from the AdventHealth campus. Just two neighboring landowners appeared at a neighborhood compatibility meeting for the project on May 2. Jared Deridder, of WGLA Engineering, and John Hernandez, for the developer, presented the plans and responded to questions. Plans include a clubhouse and pool for residents, 5-foot sidewalks, garbage collection, parking lot landscaping and an existing buffer of trees along I-26. The site plan also includes space for a possible Apple Country Transit shelter. The site will have 53 percent pervious surface and 30 percent open space. In a traffic impact analysis it submitted to the NCDOT, the developer said the apartment complex would generate 1,140 trips a day. "The NCDOT is reviewing the current alignment and traffic and is discussing what improvements are needed and which of those might be required of this development," a planning staff report said. The project would be served by Hendersonville city water and Buncombe-based MSD sewer. The neighboring property owners posed questions about traffic, including ambulance traffic that uses Naples Road to reach AdventHealth, the construction timeline and whether the units are expected to be luxury apartments. "The applicant said they are planning for a more affordable option to support workforce housing needs and those with young children," the staff report said. The dwellings won't be Section 8 HUD housing or low-income housing financed by tax credits, the applicant added. Deridder showed a sketch of a typical multi-unit building constructed from wood with a shingled roof and said the buildings "will look very similar to Brittany Place" on U.S. 64 East in Hendersonville. The land is in a land-use category that "encourages mixed-use development, especially multistory units," county planners said. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the request during its regular meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19. A PAIR of citizen scientists in Henley are taking water samples every day for a month to monitor pollution levels in the River Thames. David Wallace, 54, and Chris Szweda, 58, use specialist testing equipment to test the water, including its nitrate and phosphate content, on a section of the river opposite the Remenham Club. They then upload their results each day to a database app called Survey 123 to record the information. The tests will allow them to calculate an average for the water quality in that specific area of the river over 30 days. On Friday, the pair were joined by Mayor Rory Hunt and Kate Oldridge, who chairs Greener Henley, for their testing session. They recorded a reading of 952 CFU (colony-forming units) per 100ml. For the water quality level to be satisfactory, it would need to be at a level of 900 CFU/100ml at the most while a good level reading is up to 500 CFU/100ml, according to the Environment Agency. The men have recorded samples in the same location with readings of 2,000 to 3000 CFU/100ml. Mr Wallace, a river swimmer, decided to begin water testing the Thames after the increase in sewage and pollution levels, which deterred him from wanting to swim until it was deemed satisfactory. The Fintech consultant and podcaster said: Ive basically stopped swimming here, which is a real shame because this is a perfect stretch. I now swim in the Thames Lido in Reading. Weve been testing every day at this spot and so far our readings have been pretty high. The river is like a microbiome and we are feeding it processed foods. Weve had a couple of readings which were in the two thousands, almost the three thousand mark, three times the amount it should be. The phosphate is the one to be more concerned about. Weve found some really high levels a bit further downstream. The nitrate is more agricultural. The phosphate is more sewage-related. Weve got people testing up and down the river as well. Phosphate is what is found in animal and human waste. In excess quantities, it can lead to water quality problems such as harmful algae growth. Mr Wallace said: We upload all our results to a website and then we can correlate pollution data with what were finding from an E.coli point of view. This is basically to look at turbidity in the water. Its a standard pollution measurement for people that measure pollution in rivers. Turbidity in the water provides an indication of the level of suspended solids in a river. Ms Oldridge said: The town council has declared a nature emergency. Nature is very much about the river because it is a habitat and has got a very delicately balanced ecosystem. As soon as you upset that perfect balance, everything just goes out of kilter. Thats why its so important that the river water is being tested. The Mayor said he was disappointed at the poor water quality. He said: We are in the dry part of the year so we should be seeing lower levels in the river. Earlier this month, Henley Town Council passed a vote of no confidence in Thames Water after a motion put forward by the Mayor. It also agreed to call on the Government to renationalise Thames Water. AN outdoor swimmer and river campaigner is to swim around Manhattan Island in New York to raise money for a fish conservation charity next Friday. Laura Reineke, a member of the Henley Mermaids open water swimming group, is taking on the 20 Bridges challenge, a 48.5km night swim. Ms Reineke, who lives in Binfield Heath, is raising money for WildFish, where she is fundraising and marketing lead. She will have to contend with fast tides while swimming through three rivers that are actually all tidal straits or estuaries. Ms Reineke will swim in tandem with her friend and training partner Lee Saudan, who swam the Channel in 2022. She said: This is a solo event, meaning we will be swimming the full distance but in tandem side by side, both with our own safety boats. We will be fed on a fishing line with liquid feeds. The swim is part of the triple crown of open water swimming, also comprising the Channel and the Catalina Channel. The pair have to adhere to strict rules, only being allowed to wear a wetsuit, swimming hat and goggles. Ms Reineke, who swam the Channel last year, said: We are swimming to raise funds for WildFish and to raise awareness of the stresses that all our waterways and their inhabitants face in the current climate. For updates during the swim, join the WhatsApp group at https://tinyurl. com/58343kcb To make a donation, visit https://gofund.me/c601ff12 The conflict in Ukraine has served as a real-world laboratory for NAVWAR tactics and technologies. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces extensively deployed a variety of jammers and spoofers, demonstrating the critical role of electronic warfare in modern conflict. Overall, the performance of US-delivered GPS-guided weaponry, such as the Excalibur 155mm artillery rounds, M31 Guided MLRS rockets, and JDAM GPS-guided bombs, has been degraded since their initial successful introduction by the Ukrainian forces. Apparently, the Russians gradually developed EW countermeasures against those threats. Due to operational security considerations, the absence of countermeasures, such as the SAASM anti-spoofing and M-Code anti-jam support for these weapons, may have degraded their resilience, facing an extensive and sophisticated Russian EW. Other weapon systems, such as the Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles, fared better over time as they rely on multiple navigation means and have fared better in prolonged combat. During the 2023 summer counteroffensive, Ukraine used tens of thousands of small drones to strike Russian positions and vehicles, many of which failed to launch due to the extensive jamming employed by the Russians. This required the Ukrainians to disable many GNSS-based automation and degrade their drones to rely on visual navigation and control, which is also vulnerable to jamming and comm-loss. Such systems have impacted military operations and civilian sectors, underscoring the dual-use dilemma inherent in NAVWAR. Both sides currently use Counter-drone and GNSS jammers in the Russo-Ukraine conflict. Some Russian armored vehicles employ the Volnorez EW system, using two emitters positioned in the front of the turret; the system covers 360 degrees and is designed to engage FPV attack drones. The system covers a range of 900 to 2000 MHz and disrupts drone signals at distances exceeding 600 meters. However, based on captured systems studies, Volnorezs lack of continuous coverage may compromise its combat effectiveness. Other applications employ GNSS commercial jammers like the Saniya EW system, which is effective at a distance of 1,000 meters. The system can detect drones at 1,500 m distance and be used against attack and recce drones. The Ukrainian side also uses EW systems to defend its combat vehicles. The Piranha AVD360 creates a protective electronic dome blocking communications and navigation signals to reach the attacking drone within 600 meters of the protected vehicle. To address these countermeasures and enable the FPV drones to maintain combat effectiveness, more sophisticated navigation and targeting systems are employed; these include applying machine vision to enable drones to take control and pursue the attack, relying on autonomous image recognition via the camera when there is datalink loss. GNSS Spoofers Protecting High-End Targets Sophisticated spoofers take NAVWAR to a higher level of complexity and deception. Unlike jammers, spoofers emit signals that mimic GNSS signals, misleading receivers with false positioning or timing data. Spoofing was considered rare until recently. It is not always possible to distinguish jamming from spoofing or to determine who is behind the interference. The worst-affected regions include the aerial space above the Black Sea area from Turkey to Azerbaijan, the Mediterranean Sea extending from Cyprus to Libya, the Baltic Sea near Poland and Latvia, and the Arctic near Finland and Norway. Israel alerted pilots in mid-October it had restricted GPS in the region and warned pilots not to rely on satellite navigation systems for landing. The GNSS interference has been felt up to 190 miles away from battle zones and appears to go well beyond simple military mission effectiveness, according to Eurocontrol, Europes primary air traffic control manager. Spoofing causes more problems for GNSS users. In some attacks, a spoofer disguises its transmissions as a true satellite by recording a genuine satellite signal and rebroadcasting it with amplification or a delay to disguise it as an authentic signal, thus deceiving the receiver into plotting a bogus location. The Ring, developed by Regulus Cyber, represents a cutting-edge spoofing approach capable of generating highly convincing false GNSS signals to mislead sophisticated GNSS receivers. Ring targets the platforms basic navigation subsystem commands set by feeding it with false satellite data that triggers a reaction in a certain way, such as fend off, stop and hover, or descend abruptly and crash. Unlike large, strategic spoofing systems, Ring was designed as a tactical system; at a weight of 6.5 kg, it can be installed on a vessel, armored vehicle, artillery piece, or air defense system, fed by the vehicles power or battery powered, carried in a backpack for dismounted operation. The system creates a defensive hemispheric shield around the protected platform that fends off drones and other threats employing GNSS navigation systems. This hemispheric bubble is effective against drones and other threats that rely on GNSS for navigation. According to the developers, the system can mitigate all such threats, regardless of their operating and guidance system, protocols, and countermeasures. Back to the Introduction to NAVWAR The new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took charge for the third consecutive time on June 9. However, the fractured mandate that it received this time shows that it cannot take voters for granted. It has to be more responsive to concerns on the grounds. This is true for Northeast India too, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies lost four of its existing parliamentary seats in Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram. Except in Assam and Tripura, the NDA also lost vote shares in all other states, the largest in Manipur (23.4%). It is clear, therefore, that something went wrong for the Modi government in the Northeast. The diverse region has many problems, but the new NDA government in New Delhi must use its fresh mandate to prioritise two: the raging ethnic conflict in Manipur and the Naga peace talks. Manipur continues to burn Just four days after the results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were announced, fresh violence erupted in Manipurs Jiribam district, which borders Assam to the west. According to Kuki-Zo organisations, some 45 houses belonging to the tribal community were razed to the ground after the dead body of a 59-year-old Meitei farmer was found in Jiribam. At least 600 people have fled to Assams Cachar district in the wake of the violence. Then on 10 June, suspected militants attacked an advance security convoy of Chief Minister N Biren Singh headed for Jiribam, wounding two police personnel. These are just the latest flare-ups in a seemingly never-ending conflict cycle that began in May 2023. Beyond piecemeal security-centric measures, the previous BJP-led government in New Delhi did little to restore calm and repair communal relations in Manipur. In fact, it has taken decisions such as fencing the India-Myanmar border and suspending the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that have only riled up people in not just Manipur, but also Mizoram and Nagaland. This must change. The new NDA government must accept its mistakes, return to the drawing board and initiate a fresh attempt to foster genuine reconciliation between the two sides. This demands audacity and imagination but is not impossible. New Delhi must show that it is a neutral arbiter and a force for good. It should begin by bringing all stakeholders, including the N Biren Singh government in Imphal, around the same table and facilitating an honest discussion on all key issues land alienation, Hill-Valley divide, reservation, poppy cultivation, militia violence, and demographic anxieties in a safe space. Civil society leaders from the neighbouring states of Mizoram, Nagaland and Assam should also be brought in to understand the spillover effects of the conflict. It must, most importantly, put justice and peace on the same plank. The Imphal government can only be a part of this comprehensive dialogue, and not lead it for it is a direct stakeholder in the crisis. It is the centre that must shepherd this endeavour from the front through its own emissaries and reliable civil society actors. The centre must also get inputs from independent fact-finding missions instead of vilifying them. Ending the Naga peace talk In April, Prime Minister Modi claimed that his government was trying to conclude the Naga peace talks at the earliest. Yet, the dialogue process, which in its current form began when the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) signed a framework agreement with New Delhi in 2015, doesnt seem to be going anywhere. In May, it turned further south when the NSCN-IM accused the Indian state of fighting a proxy war against them using Kuki armed groups in Myanmar. The irate response came after media reports revealed that the National Investigative Agency (NIA), in a chargesheet filed in March, had accused the Naga group of waging war against India in cahoots with Myanmar-based Meitei insurgent groups. First, the new NDA government must lower the heat on the NIA chargesheet issue before it moves to reorient the talk process. The NSCN-IM needs to be reassured that there is no attempt to subvert its position through backhand subterfuge. Second, it needs to bridge the yawning gap between the NSCN-IM and the other dialogue faction known as the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG). New Delhi needs to show Naga society that it is a force for unity, not division. Third, the centre should adopt a genuinely whole-of-society approach to the talks, bringing in civil society stakeholders from across the Northeast, including those representing non-Naga groups. To do this, it should expand the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) instituted by the Nagaland government in May to include non-political members with direct stakes in the Naga issue. This also means addressing upfront the human rights abuses faced by Nagas in the past. Importantly, the NDA government needs to acknowledge that the vexed Naga question is closely linked with the Kuki-Zo issue in Manipur, wherein two different imaginations of territorial autonomy could clash. Acting as a neutral mediator, New Delhi must work towards factoring Kuki-Zo aspirations in the Naga talk process and Naga aspirations in its existing dialogue mechanism with the Kuki-Zo groups. The two contexts cannot be delinked if the government seeks durable peace in both Nagaland and Manipur. At the same time, each demands unique solutions. New Delhi must shed its old Machiavellian ways of managing its insurgent peripheries and for once, engage in peacebuilding with humility, benevolence and a spirit of deliberation. Angshuman Choudhury is a New Delhi-based researcher and writer, formerly an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, and focuses on Northeast India and Myanmar. The views expressed are personal Mohan Charan Majhi, a 52-year-old Santhali tribal and four-time BJP MLA became the 16th chief minister of Odisha, on June 12, at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah as well as chief ministers of nine BJP-ruled states. In a victory that saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) win 78 seats in the 147-member state assembly and win 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats, the party chose Majhi, a low-profile tribal MLA from mineral-rich Keonjhar district against fancied names such as Dharmendra Pradhan, Baijayant Panda, Manmohan Samal and Suresh Pujari. The decision to choose Majhi as CM was propelled by several reasons including a move to reach out to the Santhali tribals ahead of the incoming assembly polls in neighbouring Jharkhand, where the tribal community are in majority. Though tribals constitute a little more than 22% of the state's 4.2 crore population, it is the numerically inferior upper caste who have always had an iron grip over its polity and bureaucracy disproportionate to their numbers. Even the other backward castes who constitute about 50% of the state's population have never had a chief minister from the community. With Majhi at the helm, the tribals have so far had three chief ministers. So how has been Odisha's tryst with tribal CMs so far? Hemananda Biswal, a Bhuyan tribesman from Sambalpur, was Odisha's first tribal chief minister who ruled in short stints on two occasions - first between December 7, 1989, and March 5, 1990, and then between December 6, 1999, and March 5, 2000. In 1989, the then chief minister JB Patnaik had to resign after Congress managed to win just 3 out of the 21 seats in the 9th Lok Sabha election. As the Congress high command looked for options, the mantle fell on Biswal, who had long been a self-proclaimed champion of the tribals in western Odisha. But Biswal's brief chief ministership could not save the Congress' electoral prospects, as it sank to 10 seats in the 147-member Odisha assembly as people overwhelmingly voted for Biju Patnaik-led Janata Dal that won 123 seats, the highest tally by any party in Odisha so far. "He was more of a stopgap chief minister than anything else. He did not have any powerful enemies or a strong following. He failed to do anything worthwhile for western Odisha even when he was the chief minister," said SP Dash, a political analyst from Sambalpur. Biswal again became CM for just about three months in December 1999 after his predecessor, Giridhari Gamang, a former union minister from Rayagada district, failed to bring succour to millions of victims of a supercyclone, which ravaged coastal Odisha. With elections to the assembly less than three months away and running out of options, the Congress high command again chose Biswal though he had lost from the Deogarh parliamentary constituency a couple of months ago. Biswal could not save his party from the impending defeat in the assembly elections as the BJD-BJP alliance won 106 seats in the 147-member state assembly. The second tribal chief minister Gamang was also a stopgap chief minister when he was made CM in February 1999 to replace a discredited JB Patnaik, who had become unpopular in the wake of the gangrape of Odia housewife Anjana Mishra as well as defending his Advocate General, Indrajit Ray, who was accused of molesting Mishra in his chamber. Gamang, a Sabara tribal from Rayagada district, was the Lok Sabha MP from tribal-dominated Koraput district for eight consecutive times between 1972 and 1999 when Sonia Gandhi chose him to replace the controversial Patnaik. He was a favourite of the Gandhis, having served as union minister for 14 years in the Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao governments holding important ministries such as communication, mines, tourism and planning and programme implementation. Hoping to turn the tide against the government, Congress president Sonia Gandhi sent Gamang to head Odisha. But he was unable to navigate the intrigues of Odisha politics and ended up alienating the bureaucracy. In Congress, JB Patnaik continued to be the power broker leaving Gamang adrift. In October 1999 when the super cyclone struck Odisha that killed over 10000 people on the coast and affecting over 1.25 crore people, Gamang could offer little solace to the cyclone victims as relief and rehabilitation efforts fell short. As the clamour for the scalp of Gamang rose, he had to put in his papers in December 1999. Controversy As Majhi starts his tenure as chief minister, details of him sitting on protest with Sudarshan TV editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke before the Keonjhar district jail in September 2022 demanding the release of murder convict Dara Singh surfaced on Wednesday. Singh was sentenced to death by a trial court which was later commuted to life sentence by the Orissa High Court for burning alive Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons in the deep forests of Keonjhar in January 1999. Apart from the murder of Staines and his two sons, Singh, now 61 years old, is convicted in two other murder cases. The road ahead Soon after taking over, Majhi announced measures like forming a committee to implement minimum support prices of 3100 per quintal for paddy and 50000 vouchers for women. Political experts, however, believe that Majhi has to do a tightrope act to not meet the fate of Biswal and Gamang. "Many may say Majhi becoming CM is a mere act of tokenism on the part of the Modi government. But at least they are walking the talk first by making a tribal woman from Odisha as President and then a CM. Unlike Biswal and Gamang, the new BJP CM has spent all his time in opposition before becoming CM and is aware of the issues that affect people. He was very vocal in the assembly as he asked maximum questions during the last three Assemblies and tried to put the government on the mat by raising issues related to mining. It would be premature to dismiss him so early," said political analyst Gyana Ranjan Swain. Former parliamentary affairs minister and Congress leader Panchanan Kanungo said Majhi can chart a separate path for himself if he works on "collective functioning", which would help him take control of the state's bureaucracy and keep his administration free of corruption. "Bureaucracy is a bad master, but can be a good servant if tackled well. By taking all his colleagues along in all important matters, Majhi can subdue the state's bureaucrats and make them work for people," Kanungo said. "It was the bureaucracy which drubbed Naveen Patnaik and he (Majhi) needs to rein them in to fulfil key promises like 3100 MSP for farmers, 50000 cash voucher for women, rooting out corruption in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and keeping the mining mafia in check. But whether he can do it in a party like BJP where there are too many power centres and the high command culture is prevalent is a million dollar question," said Kanungo. Renowned for its abundant natural beauty, including the Himalayan range and world-class tourist destinations, Nepal is now gaining recognition for a different reason: as a highly preferred destination for medical studies. This transition has been significantly facilitated by the global Wide Range Consultancy (WRC) Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu. Founded in 2007 by Mr. Sudeep Nayak, Mr. Sunil Sah, and Mr. Santosh Bhagat, WRC plays a crucial role as a credible admission service provider, guiding parents and students from India to some of the top medical colleges in Nepal. As a pioneering entity registered with the Nepal Government, WRC has established a strong presence in both Nepal and India, bridging the gap between these nations and fostering transformative partnerships. WRC maintains close links with all leading medical colleges, both government and private, acting as a reliable intermediary between institutions and students. Advantages of Studying MBBS in Nepal Studying MBBS in Nepal offers several advantages for Indian students. Both countries share a common medical curriculum as they adhere to guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Nepal Medical Council (NMC). This curriculum compatibility ensures that the course content and academic standards are similar, making it easier for Indian students to adapt to their medical education in Nepal. Moreover, the cost of medical education in Nepal is significantly lower than in many private medical colleges in India. The geographic proximity and cultural similarities between Nepal and India further ease the transition for Indian students, enabling them to adapt quickly to the local environment and visit home easily during vacations. The medium of instruction in Nepalese medical institutions is English, eliminating any language barriers. Additionally, degrees from recognized medical colleges in Nepal are eligible for registration with the Medical Council of India (MCI). After obtaining their MBBS degrees, students can take the MCI screening test to practice medicine in India. Insights from Mr. Arun Koirala, Chitwan Medical College, Chitwan, Nepal Chitwan Medical College Limited, a premiere health institution, is providing world-class health professional education to future academics, medical practitioners and health care professionals and quality health services at affordable cost. Located in Central part of Nepal CMC is an academic and medical center managed by highly-qualified and reputed experts and professionals. Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital built within an area of 13.77 Acres is one of the biggest medical colleges of the country including many buildings for hostel, laboratories, medical college and teaching hospital. Chitwan Medical College was established in the year 2006 AD and is registered under the Company Act of Nepal on 2006/06/20 is affiliated with Tribhuvan University, Nepal Medical Council, Medical Education Commission, Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Education. The management of CMCTH has incorporated a team of professionals from medical, managerial, financial and administrative field based on its strategies to operate world-class facilities in Teaching Hospital, Medical College. Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital (CMCTH), a premiere health institution, is providing world-class health professional education to future academics, medical practitioners and health care professionals and quality health services at affordable cost. As an academic and medical centre managed by highly-qualified and reputed experts and professionals, CMCTH is offering various 9 DM/MCh specialization, 25 Post graduation specialization and 8 Undergraduate Level Program. CMC has much advanced medical services in almost all clinical areas namely, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Psychiatry, Dermatology Venerology and cosmetics, Oncology, Dentistry and Emergency Medicine, Hair transplant and liver transplant. CMC Teaching Hospital is running super-specialty units namely, Cardiology Unit with Catheterization Lab, Nephrology Unit with haemodialysis, Respiratory Disease Unit, Gastroenterology, as well as Tropical and Infectious Disease Units. Likewise, in surgical sub specialties, the teaching hospital runs Hepato-pancreatobilliary Neurosurgery, Uro-surgery, Burn and Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery as well as Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and a separate 100 bedded CMC Cancer Institute with all oncology services for preventive and curative services. For diagnostic services hospital offers CT scan, MRI, OPG, X-Rays, Bone Density Scanner and other necessary facilities. The hospital provides 24-hour Emergency Services, 24-hour CT scan, MRI USG and X-Ray Services, Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Care Unit, High Dependency Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Services and OPD services from as early as 8:00 am. The Emergency Department CMC is one of the largest emergency departments of Nepal. Along with the Emergency Department CMC has set up a Separate Trauma Centre for Immediate care of the emergency patient. CMC has developed "A" category Laboratory accredited by National Public Health Laboratory. CMC announces application from Meritorious Students from India who are NEET Qualified with more than 200 + in NEET exam. There is huge scholarship for students securing good marks in NEET. Notification regarding International Students who wish to study MBBS in Nepal All Foreign National seeking MBBS Admission in Nepal need to fill compulsorily Medical Education Commission Common Entrance Examination (MEC-CEEs) online application form which has been published on 10th June, 2024. The online application is called from all eligible foreign (Sub category I: Foreign to appear) candidate from 12 June 2024, 10:00 AM to 2 July 2024, 5:00 PM through the web portal https://entrance.mec.gov.np . Candidates (Sub Category I: Foreign to appear) can submit by paying double amount until 9 July 2024, 5:00 PM (NPT). Candidates (Sub Category II: Foreign NOT to Appear) can submit the application by paying single amount until 24 July 2024, 5:00 PM and by paying double amount until 31 July 2024, 5:00 PM (NPT) through the web portal https://entrance.mec.gov.np. Entrance Examination Schedule: S. No Programs Exam date & Time 1 MBBS 17 August 2024 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Eligible Candidates can apply for more than one program with separate voucher of online payments through the application portal as per the above examination schedule. Details of seat distribution will be published soon on the website, All foreign candidates should fill up the application form as stated within the due time. The candidates should choose only one of the following subcategories while filling up the online application form: Subcategory I: Foreign to appear MECEE BL 2025 Subcategory II: Foreign NOT to appear MECEE-BL 2025 but conditionally opt to apply on the basis of obtained mark above 50th percentile (or 50% marks in the case the results is in percentage system) in the recently conducted national level common examination of their respective countries. They can select only those seat which remain unfulfilled after a merit-based selection process from Subcategory I. Required digitized documents: Last SIX digits of Transaction reference number (TRN/request unique ID/Transaction Code) and applicants mobile number (in case of bank voucher payment) Resent passport size photographs. Passport or E Aadhar Card. Scan Copy/Photo of Signature Transcripts/ Marksheet of Grade 12 or equivalent Note: It is compulsory for all candidate to fill this Online Form either if he/she wish to take admission in any Medical Colleges of Nepal. There are more to describe for Chitwan Medical College for which I Suggest Students / Parents to Contact Authorized Representative of CMC in time. Chitwan Medical College For Any Further Information & Clarification, Please feel free to call us: Mr. Sudeep Nayak (00977-9802031942, 0091-7428360636) Mr. Sunil Sah (00977-9807802274, 0091- 9162580371) Mr. Santosh Bhagat (00977- 9801600188, 0091- 7461820820) office Number: 00977-1-4100541, 4100563 WRC Nepal, MBBS IN NEPAL Putalisadak, Kathmandu, Nepal www.mbbsinnepal.org Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Bill Gates said that he struggle to fit in with peers during his formative years and fought with his parents before dropping out of Harvard University. The Microsoft co-founder revealed that he was almost kicked out of college during the tougher parts of his early life. The billionaire is set to reflect on these years and much more in a new memoir that will be released next year. The autobiography has been titled Source Code and will be out in February 2025. Bill Gates attends the TIME100 Gala celebrating the 100 most influential people in the world at Lincoln Center in New York. (AP) Bill Gates said, "Ive been in the public eye since my early twenties, but much of my life before then isnt well known. Over the years, Ive often been asked about my upbringing, my time at Harvard, and co-founding the company. Those questions made me realise that people might be interested in my journey and the factors that influenced it." Bill Gates will also talk about his "misfit" early years as a child, his "rebellious" teenage phase when he "butted heads" with his parents and the sudden loss of someone close to me in the book. The billionaire said, "Throughout it, youll also find the stories of the many people who believed in me, pushed me to grow, and helped me turn my quirks into strengths. And I reflect on the luck I had to be born to a great family in a time of historic technological change and optimism, and to come of age just as the personal computer revolution was taking off." Earlier Bill Gates gave some insight about his school life and writing, "Im thankful to the school and its teachers for everything they gave me including the opportunity to learn about computers and programming at a young age. Looking back, its incredible just how much my experience there shaped my future. Banks will be closed on Monday- June 17, 2024 to mark Eid ul-Adha. This means both public and private banks across India will be closed on Monday and services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, and other banking transactions will remain unavailable for bank customers. On bank holidays, customers can use net banking, mobile banking and ATMs. Eid Bank Holiday June 2024: On bank holidays, customers can use net banking, mobile banking and ATMs. Upcoming bank holidays in June 2024: Banks are closed on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, and on all Sundays. For Eid ul-Adha, banks in Jammu and Srinagar will observe an extended holiday on June 18. Banks will be closed from June 16 (Sunday) through June 18 (Tuesday), making it a three-day break. Customers are advised to plan their bank visits accordingly. June 16, 2024 (Sunday) June 17, 2024 (Monday): Eid ul-Adha June 18, 2024 (Tuesday): Banks are closed for Eid ul-Adha in Jammu and Srinagar. June 22: Banks are closed on account of the fourth Saturday. June 23: Banks are closed on account of Sunday. June 30: Banks are closed on account of Sunday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) designates holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays, and Banks' Closing of Accounts but they may differ from state to state. Tesla shareholders re-approved a pay package for CEO Elon Musk worth billions which was thrown out by a court in January this year. The shareholders also voted to move Tesla to Texas. Elon Musk's compensation package, 303 million options to buy Tesla shares at a drastically reduced price, was worth $51 billion five months ago. It is now worth $48.3 billion as of Thursdays market close owing to a steady decline in Tesla share price this year. The company's share price has slid by more than half from its peak as a trillion-dollar company in late 2021. Elon Musk arrives at the 10th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Tesla CEO Musk's massive pay package that was thrown out by a Delaware judge has been approved by the company's shareholders. (AP) Tesla said that it must keep the pay package in place to keep Elon Musk fully engaged in running Tesla and not focus on his other companies as he is also the head of SpaceX, Neuralink, the Boring Company and the owner of social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm wrote in a letter to shareholders, This is obviously not about the money. We all know Elon is one of the wealthiest people on the planet, and he would remain so even if Tesla were to renege on the commitment we made in 2018. Elon is not a typical executive, and Tesla is not a typical company. This is about what will motivate him to continue to create value for stockholders. She added, What we recognized in 2018 and continue to recognize today is that one thing Elon most certainly does not have is unlimited time. Nor does he face any shortage of ideas and other places he can make an incredible difference in the world. We want those ideas, that energy and that time to be at Tesla, for the benefit of you, our owners. But that requires reciprocal respect. Other supporters of the pay package included Cathie Wood, CEO and chief investment officer of Ark Invest and Ron Baron, CEO of Baron Capita. The latter said in a recent statement, Elon is the ultimate key man'. Without his relentless drive and uncompromising standards, there would be no Tesla. Those who voted against the deal include the California State Teachers Retirement Fund which said, While we appreciate the significant value generated under Mr. Musks leadership since the grant date in 2018, we remain concerned about the total size of the award." Elon Musk's company X (formerly Twitter) is asking at least six former Australian employees to repay the money which they have been accidentally given. The company is threatening legal action to recover these overpayments, Sydney Morning Herald reported. The issue come after an error in currency conversion from US dollars to Australian dollars. Emails from the company's Asia Pacific HR department show that overpayments occurred in January 2023, ranging from $1,500 to $70,000 per employee. Elon Musk attends the Breakthrough Prize awards in Los Angeles, California, US.(Reuters) As per the report, these payments were part of a 'deferred cash compensation' tied to employee shares which were originally valued at $54.20 USD each which is the price Elon Musk paid when he acquired Twitter in 2022. None of the former employees have returned the money, the report claimed. The overpayments happened because Elon Musk's company used an incorrect conversion rate which was 2.5 times the actual value. As per Australian law, overpayment mistakes need to be repaid although the employees can request detailed explanations and evidence of the error from the company. This comes as many former US-based employees of the company are still fighting to receive severance payments. Four former Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal and former CFO Ned Segal, have also sued X for over $128 million in unpaid severance. They were fired after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter. Elon Musk talked about former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a meeting at his company Tesla. The billionaire said that Donald Trump calls him often and is a huge fan of the futuristic Cybertruck. The Tesla CEO said, "I have had some conversations with him and he does call me out of the blue for no reason. I dont know why, but he does. Elon Musk said that Donald Trump calls him often and is a huge fan of the futuristic Cybertruck. (AP) This comes as Donald Trump has said that if he returns to the White House, he would dismantle Joe Bidens policies to boost electric vehicle sales as EVs wont work and will hurt US auto workers. Donald Trump also praised Elon Musk at a rally in Arizona saying he was a big fan of both EVs and the Tesla boss. Elon Musk said Donald Trump is very nice when he calls" and that he has told the former US president that EVs are good for the future and that the US is the leader in battery-powered cars. A lot of his friends now have Teslas, and they all love it, and hes a huge fan of the Cybertruck. So I think maybe those are contributing factors," he said. At the session, Elon Musk also fielded queries about his physical, mental and emotional health. When called an absolute idol" by an attendee who said that Elon Musk was doing everything to take care of yourself, safety and health, for the future of the company", he replied, I probably need to work out and not get assassinated or something. Tesla shareholders voted to restore Elon Musk's record $44.9 billion pay package that was thrown out by a Delaware court earlier this year. However, the vote does not mean that Elon Musk will get the all-stock compensation anytime soon as he still has to cross several legal hurdles for the same. * Global airlines bet on India travel boom Turkish turns to partner airlines to boost India flights * Wizz Air aims to launch first India flight in 2025 * International passengers to grow to 160 million by 2030 * Local carriers IndiGo, Air India expand with new planes * Aircraft lessor DAE says India demand "unlike" elsewhere By Aditi Shah and Shivansh Tiwary DUBAI/NEW DELHI, - Global airlines are launching new flights and expanding schedules in India, betting the South Asian giant will become one of the hottest travel markets over the next decade, airline officials and analysts say. India, among the fastest-growing major aviation markets, took centre stage at the industry's largest gathering of global airline CEOs and aircraft leasing companies in Dubai last week, with domestic and international air travel surging. The domestic air travel market in India is expected to double to 300 million passengers from a record 152 million in 2023, according to government data. International traffic is set to grow faster, reaching 160 million passengers by 2030 from 64 million last year, estimates from aviation research group CA India show. To tap that growth, Turkish Airlines is evaluating flights between its southern beach town of Antalya and India, chairman Ahmet Bolat said at The International Air Transport Association summit. Turkish Airlines may run the route through Sun Express, a carrier it operates jointly with Lufthansa, or through its Indian codeshare partner IndiGo, he said. Hungary-based budget carrier Wizz Air is aiming to launch its first flights to the country next year, CEO Jozsef Varadi told Reuters at a separate aviation conference in New Delhi last week, organised by CA India. The strong outlook has prompted India's two biggest airlines - budget carrier IndiGo and Tata Group's Air India - to place record orders for hundreds of new planes, which will largely be delivered over 10 years. HUGE FLEET GROWTH India's total aircraft fleet is expected to increase to more than 1,500 by 2030 from around 700 currently, with most planes financed through sale and leaseback deals, making the country attractive to aircraft lessors. "The demand growth is unlike what we see in any other jurisdictions," Firoz Tarapore, CEO at aircraft leasing company Dubai Aerospace Enterprise told Reuters in Dubai. "If you say that price discipline is good and demand is on a secular uptrend then I think it's a market that we as a lessor community will want to be part of that growth," he said. The government is backing up this growth with an investment of about $12 billion in new and upgraded airports. "India is taking its place on the world stage," said IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the IATA meet. Elbers moved to India two years ago, leaving his position as CEO of Dutch carrier KLM. Such is the buzz around India, some big international airlines are frustrated at a lack of market access. Emirates and Turkish Airlines want more flight capacity rights in India, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is prioritising domestic carriers. "In the end, you are compromising the strength of your economy by restricting access not only of Emirates, but all foreign carriers," Emirates President Tim Clark said at the Dubai conference. Much of India's travel growth is expected to come from its huge diaspora of 35 million people, who mostly live in North America, Europe and South Africa, as well as a growing crop of adventurous, young Indian travellers with rising incomes. "This coming decade is India's decade for growth," independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie said, adding that India could experience the kind of travel surge China witnessed in the decade prior to the COVID pandemic. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. South Korea's Hyundai Motor aims to file regulatory papers on Friday for the planned billion IPO of its Indian unit and is looking to sell a stake of up to 17.5% in the offering, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The logo of Hyundai Motor is seen on a car displayed at a Hyundai dealership in Seoul.(Reuters) Hyundai Motor India Ltd, India's second-biggest carmaker behind Maruti Suzuki, will not issue new shares in the IPO which will involve its South Korean parent selling part of its stake in the wholly owned unit to retail and other investors via a so-called "offer for sale" route, the sources said. Hyundai Motor India declined to comment. The issue will be Hyundai's first such listing outside South Korea, with the sources saying the company aimed to raise between $2.5 billion and $3 billion from the stake sale in the offer. The India IPO is aimed at accelerating Hyundai's expansion in a country where it has operated for over 25 years and where its affordable cars like Santro and sports-utility vehicle Creta are popular with Indian buyers. The listing will reduce Hyundai Motor India's dependence on its Korean parent for funds, giving it the financial muscle to take on local rivals such as Tata Motors and chart its own growth plans in a market that accounts for 14% of Hyundai's total global sales. Paytm is laying off score of employees after the company has been facing a crisis following RBI's decision to bar several business operations of Paytm Payments Bank. Some employees are being asked to "voluntarily resign" without being given any prior notice while others are being asked to pay back their joining and retention bonuses to the company, they said as per a Times of India report. Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma during an event in Mumbai, (PTI) A Paytm employee who has been laid off told the outlet, I started crying at the meeting. I told them that I was willing to work even at a lower salary and designation. The employee said that executives from the HR department reached out to him over a call last month and said that his role would be eliminated as part of an organisational restructuring. Another employee said, The calls with HRs are being labelled as 'connect' or 'discussion'. There is no formal documentation of any kind. Some employees have also been told to pay back their retention bonuses which their offer letter showed will be "recoverable" by the company if they "leave the employment" before 18 months of taking up the role. Paytm refuted the allegations and said as per the report, We strongly deny allegations pertaining to any forced action on employees or unfair treatment. We have rigorously ensured that our HR teams have informed employees about their termination through official channels only. Further, we would also emphasise that all transitions are duly undertaken as per norms laid out in the appointment letter of these employees. To help them adjust and plan their next move, we are honouring full notice periods of these employees while also extending additional support such as outplacement, and processing of due bonuses at the time of their full and final settlements. Our focus remains on building a leaner organisation that is well-positioned to deliver long-term sustainable growth and value to our stakeholders. We remain committed to supporting our employees during this transition. German carmaker Mercedes-Benz confirmed its investment plan for India of $24 million in 2024, adding that expanding that sum would depend on market conditions. The company said, Mercedes-Benz is committed to its current investment plans in India which were announced in January, and which foresee an investment of about $24 million this year. Any further investments will depend on market demand. The logo of Mercedes-Benz is seen outside a Mercedes-Benz car dealer.(Reuters) Mercedes-Benz in January announced it will invest $24 million in India this year. Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant said in a post on X that while on a tour of Germany, he met top executives of Mercedes Benz and discussed investment opportunities in the state. " He said, "Mercedes Benz will invest 3,000 crore in Maharashtra this year. This will help create employment opportunities in the state," he said. Shares of Prestige Estates touched all-time high today (June 14) as they rose more than 6 per cent. This comes after global brokerage CLSA reiterated a 'Buy' rating on the stock and raised target price to 2,320- a likely upside of over 16 per cent from current levels. Prestige Estates share price: The CLSA said that Prestige Estates' valuations remain discounted compared to peers The CLSA said that Prestige Estates' valuations remain discounted compared to peers and the brokerage expects a continued re-rating as debt concerns appeared overblown. It noted, Operational cash flow will significantly support its capex and project pipeline growth. Moreover, Elara Securities gave 'Buy' rating to Prestige Estates with a target price of 2,300 per share saying, ""Prestige Estates Projects is guiding a presales growth of 25 percent YoY in FY25, led by planned launches of 60,000 crore. This is supported by its dominant position in the home market of Bengaluru, consistently commanding ~10 percent volume market share. We view the company's proven ability to access land via joint development agreements (JDAs) and industry-leading execution pace as key catalysts for accelerating new business development in the residential business." Read more: You may have to pay a lot more for a car as emission rules get stricter The company reported 70 per cent on-year decline in consolidated net profit at 140 crore in the March-ended quarter while total income fell by 31 per cent YoY to 2,232 crore. Bill Gates believes that artificial intelligence (AI) can both be good and bad but it may not end the need for software engineers. In a chat with Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath, the Microsoft co-founder said that AI is very useful in areas like education and health for which it can prove to be a boon as the technology is already improving efficiency of these sectors. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said that AI is very useful in areas like education and health for which it can prove to be a boon. He said, The amazing thing about this technology is that we know it can help in key areas and we know it can create educational tutors and we have seen several projects in India and US which are showing great results. The potential is incredible if we knew that all it did was make jobs more productive. Talking about whether AI will take away jobs of software engineers, Bill Gates said that such concerns are alarmist as the need for software engineers and their skills will never reduce because of AI. He said, We still need those software engineers as we are not going to stop needing them. But will there be a point where AI could potentially replace all jobs? Bill Gates said that it it reaches a point of complete replacement, it will be a world of excess which may be wonderful for old people or handicapped people but this may be a point where the very organising principles of society and what we value may begin to alter and be dismantled. With that warning, Bill Gates assuaged fears as he said that this will not happen at least in the next 20 years. He jokingly added, Although I am not sure of that. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara lashed out at the BJP for calling BS Yediyurappas arrest warrant a revenge game by the Congress. He said that the CID is waiting for Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and things will happen according to the procedure. Earlier, the BJP called BS Yediyurappas arrest warrant as a revenge against Rahul Gandhis defamation case. Not a revenge: Karnataka home minister on BS Yediyurappa's arrest warrant Also Read - Non-bailable arrest warrant against BSY in Pocso case Speaking to reporters, G Parameshwara said, What BJP says does not make any sense. How is this case related to Rahul Gandhi? BS Yediyurappa is a senior person and one of the VIPs. Before taking any action against him, all checks will be done. The FSL report is yet to arrive and there is already an arrest warrant against him. The minister also said that it would be good if BS Yediyurappa comes back to Bengaluru soon. Responding to allegations, BJP general secretary P Rajeev said, It is not right to politicise anything and everything for political reasons. It was a false case filed three months ago. No one bothered about it until the election results came. The police has charged Yediyurappa under the Pocso Act and section 354 A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following a complaint from the mother of the survivor. On Thursday, A special court in Bengaluru issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in connection with a case under the protection of children from sexual offences (Pocso) Act. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is expected to arrest him soon. At least 25 labourers suffered injuries as a bus they were travelling in crashed into an electricity transformer after being hit by an allegedly speeding truck on the national highway in Khanna late on Thursday. The police reached the spot and initiated a rescue operation. The injured were rushed to the Khanna civil hospital, where the condition of two labourers was stated as serious. The driver took a halt in Khanna when a speeding truck hit the bus from behind (HT File) The labourers and their family members were travelling from Betia in Bihar to Khanna and Ludhiana to work in the farms ahead of the paddy sowing season. At least 65 persons were travelling on the bus. The driver took a halt in Khanna when a speeding truck hit the bus from behind. The bus then hit an electricity transformer. City 2 station-house officer (SHO) inspector Gurmeet Singh said the injured, including women and children, were taken to the civil hospital. He added that prima facie, it seems that the truck driver lost control of the vehicle after one of its tires burst. The police will take action after recording statements of the injured, he added. Khanna police said they solved the Bagli Kalan bank robbery within 48 hours with the arrest of three Amritsar residents on Thursday. The accused in the custody of Khanna police in Ludhiana on Friday. (HT Photo) The police recovered 8.75 lakh from their possession. Police said that minutes after the robbery, the accused bought a second-hand Audi car for 5 lakh to flaunt. Police have seized the car and a bike used in the crime. Their weapons are yet to be recovered, officials said. On Jun 11, three masked robbers targeted a branch of Punjab and Sind Bank in Khannas Bagli Kalan village and decamped over 15 lakh in under three minutes. When the banks guard resisted, the accused threatened him and fired shots towards the floor. Officials said that the robbers held the staff and a customer hostage at gunpoint and robbed 15.92 lakhs. A cash van had dropped 20 lakh at the bank hours before the robbery. Officials said prima facie, it appeared that the robbery was not pre-planned. Police arrested Amritpal Singh alias Amrit, 27, of Riar village, Jagdish Singh alias Gulaba, 20, of Sarai village and Gurmeen Singh alias Nona, 22, of Kotli, all in Amritsar district. The anti-gangster task force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police helped Khanna cops arrest the accused from Ajnala. According to police, the accused are habitual offenders and had robbed three petrol pump employees in Adampur and Phillaur before this crime. Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal said that the police scanned footage from a trail of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras within a radius of 100 km and traced the robbers. After executing the robbery, the accused dispersed in different directions. Amritpal rode the bike to Ludhiana and abandoned it outside a jewellery shop near the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). He reached the bus stand in an e-rickshaw and boarded a bus. The accused assembled after reaching Amritsar. They bought a second-hand Audi car for 5 lakh from the robbed money, the SSP added. The police recovered 8.75 lakh, the Audi Car and the bike used in the crime, which they had stolen before the robbery. The accused were produced before a court on Friday and remanded to five days in police custody for questioning. Important information is expected from them during questioning, she added. Superintendent of police (SP investigation) Saurav Jindal said the accused came with the intention of robbing a petrol pump or gas agency. They found the bank in the rural area an easy target and changed plans. Amritpal is the gangs kingpin. He is already facing trial in snatching cases. Jagdish Singh has a drug peddling case registered against him in Mansa, said the SP. The Samrala police had registered a case under sections 392, 397 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and sections 25, 54 and 59 of Arms Act in connection with the crime. Himmat Rai, 62, a native of Hoshiarpur, who was among those killed in the devastating fire in southern Kuwaits Mangaf, was the sole breadwinner of his family. Himmat Rai from Hoshiarpur was among the 45 Indians killed in the devastating fire in southern Kuwaits Mangaf on June 12. He had been in Kuwait for about 30 years and had been working as a foreman in the fabrication department of the NBTC firm. (HT file photo) Rai, who is survived by his wife Sarabjit Kaur, two married daughters Amandeep Kaur, 35, and Sumandeep Kaur, 32, and 16-year-old son Arshdeep Singh, had gone to Kuwait about 30 years ago and had been working as a foreman in the fabrication department of the NBTC firm. The family, which shifted from its native Salempur village to Kakkon, a suburb of Hoshiarpur where they built a house in 2012, is in a state of shock. On Thursday, Arshdeep, who is a Class 10 student at Government School, Baghpur, received a call from one of Rais colleagues, informing him of his fathers death in the blaze. The family could not believe the news and immediately contacted a relative working in the same company in Kuwait to check on Rais well-being. Their relative informed them that Rai had been admitted to the emergency room in a hospital but later confirmed his death. Rai had visited home last year and stayed for around two months before returning to Kuwait. He last spoke to his family on Tuesday. Though Rai did not discuss his earnings with his family, he provided whatever money the family needed to meet their expenses, his wife said. He was the sole breadwinner, she said. Cramped conditions At least 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building in southern Mangaf on June 12 and a majority of them were Indians; the remaining were Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian and Nepal nationals. The building housed around 195 migrant workers. Rais younger daughter, Sumandeep, said that the area where her father lived was cramped. She said her father had told her that he did his daily exercises sitting on the stairs. Earlier, he had mentioned that the living conditions in the building in Kuwait were fine, but recently rooms in the building had been partitioned, making the area cramped. The family has no information about any assistance being provided to the victims families by NBTC in Kuwait. Hoping for help They said they remain hopeful that the government and the company in Kuwait will provide help to meet their living expenses. Hoshiarpur deputy commissioner Komal Mittal on Friday said that officials from the administration have gone to Delhi to receive Rais body. Every type of assistance will be provided to Rais family as directed by the government, she said. Two of the familys relatives have also gone to Delhi to receive the body, which is expected to arrive on Friday evening. The cremation will take place on Saturday, Sumandeep said. An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying the mortal remains of the Indians who died in the fire in Kuwait two days ago, landed at the airport at Kochi on Friday. India had on Thursday night sent a military transport aircraft to Kuwait to bring back the mortal remains of the 49 Indians killed in the fire. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced an ex gratia relief of 2 lakh to the kin of each victim. A case was registered after a travel agent allegedly duped a couple of over 27 lakh on the pretext of sending them abroad, officials said. The Ludhiana couple wanted to migrate to Australia and the travel agent assured to secure visas for them. (HT Photo) The Salem Tabri police booked the travel agent for duping the victims of 27.74 lakh. According to the complaint, the accused sent pictures of fake visas to the victims on WhatsApp to win their confidence. The accused was identified as Lovepreet Singh of New Janakpuri of Neta Ji Park in Salem Tabri. The case was registered following the statement of Sandeep Kaur of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Jalandhar Bypass. The complainant said that she, along with her husband Kulveer Singh, wanted to migrate to Australia. They came in contact with Lovepreet Singh, who promised to secure a visa for them and took their passports. The complainant added that the accused charged 27.74 lakh from them in instalments but failed to keep his word. When they started demanding their money back, the accused lied that he had received their visa and would send it to them soon. Later, the accused stopped answering their calls, After they realised they had been duped, she filed a complaint with the police on March 7. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Raj Kumar, who is investigating the case, said that a case was registered following an investigation. The accused was booked under sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). New Delhi, Firefighters toiled overnight in stifling heat to bring under control a massive fire that gutted more than 50 shops in tightly-packed buildings in north Delhi's Chandni Chowk area. HT Image Flames were still simmering under some collapsed portions of buildings and a cooling operation is underway, officials said on Friday. The fire broke out in Chandni Chowk's Old Katra Marwadi Market around 5 pm on Thursday. There were no casualties. Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said the fire was brought under control at 4.30 am. "Eight fire tenders have been deployed for the cooling operation. Over 50 fire tenders and 200 personnel worked through the night to control the blaze," he said. More than 50 small and big shops were gutted in the fire, he added. Two buildings housing multiple shops, including the one where the fire started, collapsed due to the blaze. Small fires are still simmering in combustible items under the debris, Garg said. The shops that were gutted sold sarees, dupattas and other combustible items, according to officials. Deputy Commissioner of Police M K Meena said forensics and electricity departments will conduct an inspection after the cooling operation is complete. An FIR is being registered in the matter, he said. Another officer said the fire broke out due to a short circuit in an air conditioner in a shop on the second floor of one of the buildings and it quickly spread to other shops. Firefighters struggled to douse the flames as shops are interconnected in the narrow lanes of the old Katra Marwadi Market, he said. Nai Sadak Traders Welfare Association president Deepal Mahendru said the number of damaged shops may go up to 100. He said due to the heat, traders are scared to go inside their shops. "Once the cooling operation and inspection are completed, we can calculate the losses. They will be in crores," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena on Friday accorded sanction for prosecution under Section 45 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Booker-winning author Arundhati Roy for an alleged provocative speech made in 2010, officials aware of the matter said. Booker-winning author Arundhati Roy The LG also granted sanction to presucute under the same provisions Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a former professor at the central university of Kashmir. The first information report (FIR) in the case was registered on November 28, 2010 on the directions of the metropolitan magistrate for the offences of sedition, promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence and language, with imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration, officials at the LG secretariat said. As per the FIR, besides Roy and Hussain, the then chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Syed Ali Shah Geelani, former Delhi University professor Syed Abdul Rehman Geelani and Maoist sympathiser Varvara Rao, who is also an accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, were present at a conference organised by Committee for Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) under the banner of Azadi - The Only Way on October 21, 2010 at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi, one of officials said, asking not to be named. In October last year, the LG granted sanction under Section 196 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to prosecute them for commission of offenses punishable under Sections 153A, 153B and 505 of the Indian Penal Code. When the Delhi Police recently submitted its proposal to grant permission of prosecution sanction under section 45 (1) of UAPA, it was granted as per the norm, he said. Section 45 (1) bars a court from taking any cognisance of the offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, without the previous sanction of the central or the state government, as the case may be. The case was also registered under Section 13 of the UAPA, which deals with punishment for unlawful activities. It states that whoever takes part in or commits or advocates, abets, advises or incites the commission of any unlawful activity, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine. A senior Delhi Police officer said that Roy and Hussain allegedly made provocative speeches at the 2010 conference. Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, had filed a complaint at Tilak Marg police station on October 28, 2010, against various participants for allegedly delivering provocative speeches in public. The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India. The transcripts of speeches given by the speakers were also submitted. Two exhibits i.e. one CD and DVD were forwarded on January 12, 2017, for forensic examination at computer division of CFSL, which opined that CD/DVD was found to be logically functional and physically undamaged, the police officer said on condition of anonymity. The officer said that it is mandatory to get an approval from a review committee before getting a prosecution sanction from the LG under section 45 (1) of the UAPA. The committee, headed by a judge in the rank of district judge and above, makes an independent review of the evidence gathered in the course of investigation and then makes a recommendation for that that. Once we got the recommendations from the review committee, we sent the proposal to the prosecution sanctioning authority, which is the LG and got his approval, he said. To be sure, Section 45 (1) of UAPA mandates that no court shall take cognisance of any offense under chapter 3 (dealing with unlawful activities), chapter 4 (dealing with terrorist offenses), and 6 (dealing with terrorist organisations) without the prior sanction of the competent authority (either central government or state government depending on case-to-case basis). Two accused in the case, Sayed Ali Shah Geelani and Syed Abdul Rahman Geelani, have died during the pendency of the case. Roy,62, is an Indian author best known for her novel The God of Small Things (1997), which won the Booker Prize for fiction the same year and became the best-selling book by a non-expatriate Indian author. She is also a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes. According to a senior Delhi Police officer, barring this case, no case is pending against Roy or Hussain. Roy and Hussain could be reached out for their comments. Mumbai, The Mumbai police have arrested two persons in connection with a case of online share trading fraud, in which a software engineer and his family members lost 5.14 crore, an official said on Friday. HT Image The police on Wednesday arrested a tuition teacher and a security guard, who allegedly provided bank accounts to cyber fraudsters for financial transactions, the official said. The fraud came to light after a software engineer, a resident of Sakinaka in the western suburbs, approached the cyber police of the Mumbai crime branch with a complaint in April, he said. The complainant claimed he got added to a WhatsApp group of online share traders in January, and he soon expressed his desire to invest in share trading, following which he received a call and was asked to undergo training, the official said. The complainant downloaded an application, and his virtual account was created, he said. The complainant started investing money and earning profits in share trading, and his family members followed suit and transferred 5.14 crore to various bank accounts in two months, the official said. The virtual account of the victims showed that they had booked a profit and had 87.85 crore. But they couldn't withdraw the sum, he said. During the probe, the police examined the bank accounts to which the victims had deposited their money and traced one of them to Hampreetsingh Randhwa , a security guard. Randhwa, a resident of Virar, informed the police that Vimalprakash Gupta , a tuition teacher, had opened a bank account for him and given it to cyber fraudsters for financial transactions, the official said. The police then apprehended Gupta from Goregaon, he said. Investigations have revealed that Gupta came in contact with cyber fraudsters on the Telegram app. The fraudsters allegedly offered Gupta money if he helped them get bank accounts to use for financial transactions, the official added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Mumbai: The prosecution in Sheena Bora murder case on Thursday informed the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court that the remains purportedly that of the victim sent by the Pen police to the JJ Hospital in April 2012 for examination are untraceable. Sheena Bora CBI sources, however, said this will not weaken their case as they have already examined experts who prepared DNA reports on the remains collected from the site and proved in court that those were of Bora. Sheena Bora, was allegedly murdered on April 24, 2012, and her body was dumped in a forest in Pen tehsil of Raigad district. According to the prosecution, her alleged killers her mother Indrani Mukerjea, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamwar Rai had tried to dispose of the body by burning it. The next day, the Pen police had sent the partially burnt remains bones, skin pieces and hair - to the state-run JJ Hospital to ascertain if they were of human origin. Dr Zeba Khan, an assistant professor in the anatomy department, had examined the articles and found them to be of human origin. CBI prosecutor CJ Nandode informed the trial court on Thursday that after diligent search, the articles referred and examined by the witness (PW-91) Dr Zeba Khan are not traced out to the office record and therefore he chose to proceed with the examination of Dr Khan without showing the articles to her. Also Read | CBI seeks stay on release of series on Indrani Mukerjea The prosecution had first realized that the two packets that were sent for examination to JJ Hospital had gone missing only while recording Dr Khans testimony on April 25 this year. The two packets received by the witness and examined by her are not readily traced out on the record of the case. He further submits that the articles are necessary and important to be shown to the witness, Nandode had said at that time and had deferred further examination of the doctor. CBI sources, however, claimed that the development will not weaken their case. The DNA matching report on the recovered remains and bones of the deceased Sheena Bora has already been produced and exhibited in the trial court, said a source. The relevant witness/forensic expert has also been examined in the trial court, he added. Apart from the DNA report, the source said, during investigation, a medical board had minutely examined the allegedly recovered skeleton as well as conducted superimposition of the skull which established the identity of the deceased. According to the CBI, Mukerjea killed Bora because she was furious over her relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, son of Mukerjeas ex-husband, former media baron Peter Mukerjea, who too is an accused in the murder case. The 2012 murder came to light three years later after the police arrested Rai in another case. Apart from the Mukerjeas, Khanna and Rai too are facing the charge of killing Sheena Bora. Rai has since become approver and has been granted conditional pardon by the court. Indrani and Peter Mukerjea as well as Khanna are currently out on bail. PATNA: The Bihar government late on Thursday transferred out senior bureaucrat KK Pathak from the education department barely a year after he was assigned the responsibility following a string of controversial decisions including one to freeze bank accounts of state universities. S Siddharth, principal secretary to the chief minister, will hold additional charge of the education department, replacing KK Pathak (in Phto) (X/Mr_KK_Pathak) Pathak, a 1990 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was posted as the additional chief secretary in charge of the education department in June last year. The bureaucrat is credited with steps to track the attendance of teachers and students in the states schools. But his critics say he doesnt know where to draw the line and refused to change school timings despite chief minister Nitish Kumars assurance to the state assembly that the timings would be changed due to the severe heat wave. The bureaucrat, who has been seen in videos using abusive language with his subordinates, has also taken on Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the chancellor of state-run universities. During his stint, Pathak also ordered officials to stop the salary of vice-chancellors and registrars and freeze funding for the state universities. According to an official notification, Pathak will replace 1992-batch officer Dipak Kumar Singh, who has been transferred to the rural works department. Pathak will continue to hold additional charge of the Director General of the Bihar Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development (BIPARD). S Siddharth, principal secretary to the chief minister, will hold additional charge of the education department, it said. Deepak Kumar Singh, ACS of the revenue and land reforms department, has been transferred to the rural works department. Arvind Choudhary, who was the principal secretary of finance department, has been shifted to the home department. He will also have additional charge of principal secretary, vigilance department and Investigation commissioner of the general administration department. Similarly, Lokesh Kumar Singh, secretary of the department of science and technology, has been given additional charge of the finance department. Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) launched a BTech in AI and Data Analytics and informed that students will be admitted from the upcoming Academic Year of 2024-25. The program aims to cultivate expertise in diverse AI and data analytics aspects. According to IIT Madras, the newly launched undergraduate degree has been crafted to equip students with key skills and knowledge. The program aims to cultivate expertise in diverse AI and data analytics aspects. AI is evolving across engineering, science and humanities disciplines. It is extremely important to understand these multi-disciplinary connections to be successful in this field. The B.Tech. in AI and Data Analytics is uniquely positioned to address this aspect. It is first of its kind in the world. The curriculum has evolved based on the experience gained by our faculty over more than a decade. Through this offering, IITM aspires to produce top-notch AI professionals, entrepreneurs and researchers who can take up with great confidence the grand AI challenges in the evolving market," said Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras. Also Read: IIT Madras commences Sports Excellence-based Admissions in UG programmes from academic year 2024-2025 Admission Process: According to the institute, admission to this program is through the JEE (Advanced) exam. The program will have a student strength of 50 admitted through JEE. There will be a strong emphasis on Math Fundamentals, Data Science /AI/ML Foundations, Application Development and Responsible Design besides a distinct interdisciplinary flavor. The course is being offered through the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, established with an endowment of Rs. 110 Crore by Mr. Sunil Wadhwani, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Madras and the Co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital, mentioned the press release. Also Read: Meet the men behind Agnikul Cosmos: IIT Madras professor, ex-Wall St. trader and ops expert From delving into the intricacies of speech and language technology and computer vision to exploring applications in control and detection and time-series analysis, students can delve deeper into areas of personal passion and interest. The core curriculum has been designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in AI and data analytics, covering a diverse array of subjects essential for success in this field. From foundational courses in linear algebra and calculus to specialised modules in machine learning, deep learning, and reinforcement learning, the program aims to equip students with a robust toolkit to tackle the varied challenges in this discipline, informed IIT Madras. For more information, visit the official website. Also Read: IIT Madras boosts academic flexibility and entrepreneurship opportunities for students Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has released the JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024 on July 14, 2024. Candidates who have appeared for Joint Entrance Examination Advanced for Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) can check the results on the official website of JEE Advanced at jeeadv.ac.in. The result link will be activated at 5 pm today. JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024 released, heres how to check (HT file) The Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) 2024 was conducted on June 12, 2024 in single shift- 9 am to 12 noon. To check the results, candidates can follow the steps given below. JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024: How to check Visit the official website of JEE Advanced at jeeadv.ac.in. Click on JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024 link available on the home page. A new page will open where candidates will have to enter the login details. Click on submit and your result will be displayed. Check the result and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Rank lists are prepared based on the aggregate marks in JEE (Advanced) 2024. Only candidates who appear for BOTH Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be considered for ranking. Individual rank cards will NOT be sent to candidates. JEE Advanced Result was announced on June 9, 2024. This year, a total of 1,80,200 candidates took the exam of whom 48,248 have qualified to participate in counselling for IIT admissions. Out of the total qualified candidates, 7,964 are female candidates. Ved Lahoti topped the JEE Advanced 2024 securing 98.61 percent or 355/360 marks. For more related details candidates can check the official website of JEE Advanced. SSC GD Result 2024 Live: Staff Selection Commission will announce SSC GD Result 2024 in due course of time. Candidates can check the Constable (GD) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2024 results through the official website of SSC at ssc.gov.in. Computer Based Examination (CBE) for Constable (GD) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2024 was conducted from February 20 to March 7, 2024. The re-examination was conducted on March 30, 2024 at various centres across the country....Read More The provisional answer key was released on April 3 and the last date to raise objection was till April 10, 2024. The number of vacancies have been revised on June 13, 2024. As per a latest notification released by the SSC, the number of vacancies has been revised to 46617 from 26, 146. All the candidates who qualify the written test or CBT will have to appear for Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Medical Examination and Document Verification in the later stages. SSC GD will fill up 46617 posts out of which 12076 are for the BSF, 13632 are for the CISF, 9410 are for the CRPF, 1926 are for SSB, 6287 are for ITBP, 2990 are for AR, and 296 are for SSF. Follow the blog for latest updates on results, date and time, direct link and more. Anurag Kashyap has often spoken about the lack of support to independent cinema in India. The filmmaker has cited examples in his recent media interactions on how indie filmmakers like Payal Kapadia do not even get rebate for their films even after making India proud at Cannes 2024. Anurag, in an interview with Fever FM made a shocking revelation on how Christopher Nolan was treated by Indian authorities while he was shooting for Tenet in Mumbai. (Also read: Anurag Kashyap says India can't claim Payal Kapadia's Cannes win) Anurag Kashyap made shocking revelation on how Christopher Nolan was treated in India. Anurag Kashyap says India does not empower cinema The Bad Cop actor while pointing out at the absence of support system to finance filmmakers opined, There was a film body that was supporting people like Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, but now, even the subsidies with which certain states lure filmmakers take up to eight years to arrive. A lot of it is just pretence. You should some day talk to Christopher Nolans team about the problems they went through when they were trying to shoot Tenet in India. Youll be shocked how he was treated. His equipment was held by customs. There are thousands of stories. Lets stop bulls****ing ourselves that there is a system that empowers cinema. About Anurag Kashyap Anurag started his career as a screenwriter in films like Satya and Kaun. He is also credited for the dialogues in E Niwas's Shool starring Manoj Bajpayee and Raveena Tandon. He later made his directorial debut with Paanch which never got released. The filmmaker then directed his second film Black Friday which took more than five years to release due to the sensitive subject about 1993 Mumbai blasts. Anurag, however, gained recognition with Dev D and Gulaal. Gangs of Wasseypur - 1 and 2 and Mukkabaaz are considered among his best films. His web series Sacred Games - Season 1 and 2 also became widely popular. The show was based on Vikram Chandra's novel of the same name. Anurag Kashyap's upcoming projects Anurag will be seen next in the crime series Bad Cop featuring Gulshan Deviah. He is also portraying a negative character in Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja. His upcoming directorial - Kennedy premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. Ahmedabad, The Gujarat High Court has stayed the release of "Maharaj", the debut film of Bollywood star Aamir Khan's son Junaid, on Netflix after followers of Pushtimarg, a Vaishnava sect of Hinduism, claimed that it would hurt their religious sentiments. Gujarat HC stays OTT release of 'Maharaj' featuring Aamir Khan's son A single-judge bench of Justice Sangeeta Vishen on Thursday passed an order against the film slated for release on Netflix on Friday. The bench also issued notices to the Centre, Netflix and Yash Raj Films, which has produced the film, and posted the matter for further hearing on June 18. Eight members of the Pushtimarg sect filed a petition against the release after they came across articles about the film, apparently based on the famous Maharaj Libel Case of 1862. The petitioners have claimed that their religious sentiments would be "seriously hurt" if the movie is permitted to be released, and it is likely to affect public order and incite violence against followers of the sect. Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Mihir Joshi submitted that the film was based on the "Libel Case of 1862", which was heard and decided by British judges. He further said that a reference was made to the excerpts from the court's judgment containing scandalous and defamatory language, which affects followers of the sect. The petitioners pointed out that the British-era court, which had decided the libel case, "castigates the Hindu religion and makes seriously blasphemous comments against Lord Krishna as well as the devotional songs and hymns". They also argued that the movie sought to be released in a secretive manner without a trailer or promotional events to avoid any access to the storyline. The petitioners further submitted that if such a movie is permitted to be released, their religious sentiments would be seriously hurt, and it would be an irreparable loss. Earlier, the petitioners had approached the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, requesting to take immediate measures to block the film's release. However, there was no response or action from the ministry, it was stated. The petitioners claimed that the release of the movie based on the Maharaj libel case of 1862 is likely to incite hatred and violence against the Pushtimarg sect, which would be in breach of the code of ethics under the Information Technology Rules, and the self-regulation code of Over the Top Technology . A representation was also made in April to Yash Raj Films and Netflix by some other trust for a pre-release private screening. But there was no response. Senior advocate Joshi said the refusal strengthened the petitioners' apprehension, and considering the secrecy maintained by the respondent filmmakers, an adverse inference can be drawn. Considering the reach of OTT platforms and immediate distribution worldwide, it would be impossible to rectify the damage caused by the release, the petitioners stated. The 1862 libel case was centred on a clash between a Vaishnavite religious leader and social reformer, Karsandas Mulji, who, in an article in a Gujarati weekly, had alleged that the godman had sexual liaisons with his female devotees. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The controversy surrounding Maharaj The report states that the stay order was issued on a petition filed on behalf of devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of Vallabhacharya, which is the Pushtimarg sect. The petition was based on grounds that the film, which revolves around the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, can potentially cause rupture in public order and even incite violence against the followers of the sect. The petition points out that the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862 was based on allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure and ruled over by the English Judges of the Supreme Court of Bombay. It makes seriously blasphemous comments against Lord Krishna as well as devotional songs and hymns. More details Meanwhile, the complaint also points out that the film is been planned to release without sufficient promotional materials, including a trailer, so that there is limited access to the story. That could cause serious hurt to the sentiments. On these grounds, Justice Sangeeta Vishen of the Gujarat High Court passed an interim order staying the release of the movie in any manner whatsoever. The matter has been now scheduled for a hearing on June 18. As per the synopsis shared by the streaming giant, The year is 1862, a time when there were only three universities in India, Rabindranath Tagore is a year old and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 continues to fan the flames of independence. Against all odds, one man takes a courageous stand in a landmark legal battle, a true story thats now come to light in Maharaj more than 160 years later. Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer, was a pioneering advocate for womens rights and social reform. A student at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and a protege of the scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji, he wrote on widow remarriage, stood up for the oppressed, and sowed the seeds of reform in society. It all came to a head in the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, which was ignited by allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure, the case garnered widespread attention and scrutiny, setting the stage for what many consider to be one of the most significant legal battles of all time, it added. Ahead of the release, hashtags such as 'Boycott Netflix', and 'Ban Maharaj Film' trended in X. Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes medication, has consumed the showbiz headlines. Scene-stealing actor Jesse Plemons' weight loss journey may have suspiciously aligned with the weight loss tool's surging popularity in Hollywood. However, he finally addressed the elephant in the room by quashing any claims of taking it to push ahead. Cast member Jesse Plemons poses during a photocall for the film "Kinds of Kindness" in competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 18, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier(REUTERS) Even the Breaking Bad star couldn't deny the mistrustful timing of his process. It's really unfortunate that I decided to get healthy when everyone decided to take Ozempic, he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old acclaimed actor who last delivered an eyebrow-raising cameo in A24's Civil War, led by his wife Kirsten Dunst, deflated the Ozempic rumours, saying, It doesn't matter, everyone's going to think I took Ozempic anyways. Also read | Kate Winslet reacts to being body-shamed post Titanic: Every woman is sharing her body on her terms now Why and how Jesse Plemons finally embarked on his weight loss journey Dispelling any further misconceptions around his recent turn to fitness, the Love & Death actor asserted that his decision was not fuelled by the thoughts of wanting to look a certain way. Instead, his age and his role in the 2024 post-apocalyptic war drama Civil War motivated him to set forth on that path. Plemons previously invited much attention around famously gaining weight for his role as Kevin Weeks in Black Mass (2015). What it was was getting older and I hate even getting specific because then it turns into a whole thing, but there was a part that I did that in my mind I could not imagine him as the size that I was, Plemons alluded to his infamous cameo on Civil War. As for how the acclaimed star finally kickstarted his fitness journey, he told the media outlet that after several recommendations for intermittent fasting, he gave it a shot and [was] surprised at how quickly it was effective. Also read | Matt Bomer lost out on playing Superman because he's gay: It could really be weaponised against you Per this weight-loss approach to eating, people often resort to periodic fasting, following a strict schedule of time-restricted eating, while the remaining hours of the day are spent fasting. Mayo Clinic explains it as Intermittent fasting means that you don't eat for a period of time each day or week. Once Plemons picked up the regime, he said he felt like I was in the rhythm, I was feeling better, and something shifted in my head. I just sort of got a handle on it. Despite feeling apprehensive about how Kinds of Kindness director Yorgos Lanthimos would possibly want the bigger me, Plemons acknowledged that his weight loss ultimately worked for the role. Actor-politician Divya Spandana, aka Ramya, is among the few from the film industry who have reacted to Darshan Thoogudeepas arrest in an alleged murder case. In a long post, Divya shared that she has been a target of trolling but she takes the legal route to deal with it because no one is above the law. (Also Read: Darshan's son calls out trolls after father's arrest: Thank you for not considering I'm a 15 year old with feelings) Divya Spandana says 'no one is above the law'. No one should take law in their hands In a lengthy post on her Instagram stories, Divya wrote, No one is above the law. No one should take law in to their hands. You dont go around beating up people and killing them. A simple complaint would suffice whether you believe justice will be served or not. In the same post, she appreciated the efforts of the Karnataka police, writing, A word of appreciation and respect for the police officers discharging their duties. It's a thankless job. And they're doing their best. I truly hope they don't succumb to pressure from political parties and reinstate the faith of the people in law and justice. She ended the post with #JusticeforRenukaswamy #Darshan #Yedyurappa #Prajwal Revanna. A screengrab of Divya Spandana's Instagram stories. If trolling persists, file a complaint Divya made it clear that violence is not the solution when faced with trolling. Divya detailed that people should either block trolls or file police complaints instead of using violence against those ruining their lives by trolling through anonymous accounts. She wrote, The trolls have trolled me incessantly using filthy language. Not just me, theyve trolled other actors too. She added, I have filed cases like any law abiding citizen should. Sometimes post a warning from the police to the trolls Ive taken back the case too on compassionate grounds. Darshans arrest Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda were taken into custody on June 11 in an alleged murder case. The two are the main accused in the killing of Renukaswamy, a fan of Darshan who had allegedly trolled Pavithra for coming between the actor and his wife, Vijayalakshmi. Actor Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda were arrested by the Bengaluru police in an alleged murder case on June 11 and will remain in custody till June 17. Darshans son Vinish took to his Instagram stories to call out trolls targeting the family since the arrest. (Also Read: Kannada actor Darshan arrested for fan's alleged murder: Timeline of a murder mystery straight out of movies) Vinish with his father, actor Darshan, who has been in custody since June 11. Vinish pens emotional note Vinish took to Instagram to call out trolls who left bad comments and used offensive language against his father, Darshan. He also called them out for not considering that he was only 15. He wrote, Thank you all for all the bad comments and offensive language towards my father and not considering that I am a 15 year old with feelings, and even during this hard time when my mom and dad required support cursing at me wont change that you everyone. (sic) A screen grab of Vinish Darshan's Instagram stories. Darshans wife, Vijayalakshmi unfollowed him on social media, according to TOI, before deactivating her Instagram account. Ram Gopal Varma on Darshans arrest Director Ram Gopal Varma took to X (formerly Twitter) recently to comment on the bizarreness of star worship. He wrote, A star using one die hard fan to kill another die hard fan who was interfering in his personal life is a fit example of the bizarreness of the star worship syndrome..Fans wanting to order how their stars should run their lives is a unavoidable side effect of the same syndrome. Darshan-Pavithras case Pavithra has been named A1, while Darshan has been named A2 in the murder case of Renukaswamy. The Bengaluru police arrested both of them on June 11 after the body was found in a drain near Summanahalli on June 9. Two of their aides allegedly tried to throw police off by admitting they killed Renukaswamy at a shed in RR Nagar and dumped his body due to a financial scuffle. However, once the police pulled call records, they deduced that Darshan and Pavithra were involved in the case. The police have made three more arrests in the case on Thursday, reports PTI. Actor Hema received conditional bail and was released from jail on Friday. The actor approached the NDPS special court on Thursday and was directed to cooperate with the investigation. She was arrested earlier this month for alleged drug consumption at a party. (Also Read: Hema arrested in connection with rave party case: I'm innocent. Look at what they're doing to me) Actor Hema was in police custody since June 3 in connection to a drugs case. Hema receives bail On June 14, Hema was released from jail after receiving conditional bail. In a video shared with the press, the actor looks different from her usual self, having been in custody since June 3. The video sees her talking to the police and finishing her paperwork before leaving. She can also be heard saying, We dont need to tell them anything, presumably about the press present there during her release. The drugs case On May 19, a rave party was organised at a farmhouse near Electronic City. Based on a tip-off, CCB had raided the location and collected blood samples of those who attended the party. 86 people, including Hema, had tested positive for narcotics, according to PTI. CCB was called for interrogation and was arrested on June 3 as her replies werent satisfactory. Hema claims innocence Talking to the media outside of the police station, Hema said, I didn't do anything. I am innocent. Look at what they're doing to me. I did not take drugs. I shared the initial denial video from Hyderabad, not Bengaluru. I even shared a video of me cooking biryani in Hyderabad. She released a video on Instagram of her supposedly cooking at home. She also released a video after the rave party was busted, claiming that she was at a farmhouse in Hyderabad, not Bengaluru. I have not gone anywhere, I am enjoying and chilling at a farmhouse in Hyderabad. Please dont believe rumours. I dont know whos there, its fake news that I was at the party, she said. A stork is going to visit couple Drashti Dhami and Niraj Khemka soon. Actor Drashti on Friday announced that she is expecting her first baby, saying a tiny rebel will soon join them. (Also read: More than physical, its important to be mentally fit now: Drashti Dhami) Drashti Dhami got married to Niraj Khemka in 2015. The actor took to social media to share the good news in an adorable way. Baby on board! The actor shared a heartwarming video to share the news. In the clip, Drashti and Niraj are seen in striped clothes holding a banner that reads, "Could be Pink, Could be Blue. All we know is that we are due! October 2024. They are seen holding a glass of drink in one hand while their family members celebrate the news. Her sister-in-law later replaces the glasses of champagne with milk bottles, and the entire family celebrates. Sharing the video, the couple wrote, In a galaxy not so far away, a tiny rebel is joining our crazy tribe Please send love, blessings, cash & french fries our way #BabyKOnBoard We cant wait for October 2024!" Good wishes pour in As soon as the couple announced this news on social media, their friends and fans took over the comment section to shower them with love and good wishes. Actor Hina Khan commented, "Many congratulations to both of you, while new mom Rubina Dilaik said, "Super duper. Available anytime for all new mommy stuff. Actor Mouni Roy wrote, "Yayyyyyyyyy. Heartiest congratulations to both of you. Cant wait to meet the lil angel, with Kubbra Sait writing, Hahahahahahhahahaha WOWW! CONGRATES MY BABE AND HER BABA for the BABY! WOAH! Seee it all worked out right here in the comment even!" Actor Vikrant Massey commented, "Many many congratulations to both of you. Several other stars such as Karan Tacker, Anita Hassanandani, Karan V Grover, Pooja Gor, Sriti Jha, Disha Parmar, Karan Wahi, Surbhi Jyoti, Ankita Lokhande, Surbhi Chandna, also liked the post. More about the couple Drashti and Niraj got married in 2015 and even participated in dance reality show Nach Baliye together. She made her television debut with Star One show Dil Mill Gaye in 2007, going on to feature in Geet Hui Sabse Parayi opposite Gurmeet Chaudhary in 2010. She rose to fame with Madhubala--Ek Ishq Ek Junoon in which she starred opposite Vivian Dsena. She was recently seen in web series, The Empire and Duranga. The last few years have been very fruitful for Kartik Aaryan. He dabbled in different genres, proved her versatility with impactful performances and ultimately became janta ka superstar. So when fans witnessed him working hard for Chandu Champion, they predicted another hit in his filmography. However, not many expected the Kabir Khan directorial to emerge as Kartiks career-best performance. Well, thats exactly how social media users are reviewing Kartiks portrayal of Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympics gold medallist. Not only did the actor manage to touch hearts, but also left a lasting impression. Kartik Aaryan in Chandu Champion Kartiks earnest efforts have truly paid off. Proof of the same are raging Twitter reviews of Chandu Champion which are flooding the internet. One happy fan even went as far as comparing Kartik to Bollywoods Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan. This tweet read: Kartik Aaryan , The ACTOR Who would have thought #KartikAaryan would evolve into such a phenomenal actor? Simply outstanding in every scene of #ChanduChampion !! Nails the emotional parts like a veteran, achieving what even Aamir Khan couldn't in LSC ! His body language, mannerisms, and expressive eyes, combined with heartfelt dialogue delivery, make for a brilliant performance He deserves multiple awards this year for this stellar act ! Your Paisa will be wasool from this only, rest is BONUS. Kartiks good friend and fellow actor Ananya Panday also showered love on his latest release in her Instagram story. The star kid gushed, OUTSTANDING!!!!! You have to see it to believe it!!!! @kartikaaryan @kabirkhankk And the ENTIRE cast and crew . Ananya Panday's review of Chandu Champion Some fans called Kartik sincere whereas others lauded the immense hard work he put into this film, which is evident in his masterclass of a performance. Not just Kartik but his incredibly talented co-star Vijay Raaz is also being celebrated on Twitter as an exceptional performer. After reading these rave reviews, are you planning to book your tickets for Chandu Champion? While you decide, we have a message for Kartik ek hi to dil hai, kitni baar jeetoge! Earlier this year, reports suggested that actor Surbhi Jyoti is set to walk down the aisle with long-time beau, businessman Sumit Suri in March. However, no wedding took place in that month, and there have been no updates ever since. We have now exclusively learnt that the duo decided to push the wedding a little further due to several wedding preparations that were still pending. Surbhi Jyoti and Sumit Suri Initially, the plan was to get married in March and Surbhi had even started looking for the venue in Rajasthan. She took many trips to Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur to finalise the place. But in the end, the dates werent available for the booking she wanted, hence they had to postpone the dates, the source tells us. Another insider also shares that it wasnt just the venue that was a roadblock in the March wedding, but some other important preparation aspects also that didnt finish on time. Surbhis wedding lehenga wasnt ready, but she didnt panic at all. She and Sumit just want to do everything in a calm and composed way, taking one step at a time. There is no rush to get married, says the insider, confirming that the wedding has now been pushed to later this year: They are looking at November and December right now. The exact date is yet to be finalised. In fact, the couple is enjoying and making the most of this courtship period, as the two recently jetted off for a vacation on Surbhis birthday last week. They are taking so many trips together and travelling as much as they can. They only take breaks to plan the wedding, otherwise they are mostly out either with friends or alone, the source adds. Kerala health minister Veena George on Friday alleged that the central government did not permit her to travel to Kuwait to coordinate in assistance for Indian nationals from the state affected in the tragic fire incident in the Gulf country's southern city of Mangaf. Arrangements are in place at the Cochin International Airport before the arrival of a special IAF flight carrying the mortal remains of victims of the recent Kuwait fire, on Friday,(PTI) An uneasy silence hung over the import cargo terminal of the airport in Kochi in the morning as authorities made arrangements to receive the bodies of the 45 Indians who lost their lives in the building fire in Kuwait on Wednesday. Ambulances were stationed at the terminal to carry the victims' bodies to their homes. A special Indian Air Force aircraft, C-130J, carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait's Mangaf, landed in Kochi on Friday morning. Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who reached Kuwait on Friday morning and coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure swift repatriation, was also onboard the aircraft, the Indian embassy said. It is very unfortunate that we did not get the consent (to travel to Kuwait). More than half of the people who died were from Kerala. The majority of the people who are under treatment are also from Keralam Veena George told reporters at the Cochin International Airport. The Kerala government had convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Thursday and announced that Veena George, along with State Mission Director (NHM) Jeevan Babu, would urgently travel to Kuwait to coordinate efforts related to the treatment of those from the state who sustained injuries as well as oversee the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased. The victims include 24 from Kerala. "The embassy did not give us the exact data on the number of seriously injured people. The data that we have collected from there is that a total of 7 people have been admitted to the hospital and 4 of them are from Kerala, but this is not officially declared. The purpose of my visit (to Kuwait) was that I wanted to be with the injured and bring their needs to the attention of the Central Government," George told reporters. Union minister of state Suresh Gopi on Friday said that the external affairs ministry did a wonderful job in coordinating the efforts to ensure treatment of the Indians injured in the Kuwait fire tragedy. The minister of state for tourism and petroleum also said he has cancelled his other programmes for the day and would be going to the international airport to receive the bodies of the Malayalees who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy. Meanwhile, Kerala revenue minister K Rajan told reporters that the bodies of 23 Malayalees, 7 Tamilians and one person from Karnataka would be received in Kochi, before the flight carrying the mortal remains of the other Indians who died in the fire goes to Delhi. (With inputs from agencies) Kochi: For most in Niranam, a largely agrarian village filled with paddy farms and duck breeding centres on the banks of the Pampa river in Keralas Pathanamthitta district, 69-year-old KG Abraham was a success story. The village called him babychan--a combination of his pet name Baby and ichayan--a term used to denote elder brother, a marker of respect. For it was from this tiny village, often besieged by floods in the monsoon, that in 1976, armed with a civil engineering degree flew to Kuwait, with dreams of building a life and a career. Smoke billows after a fire broke out in a building, in Mangaf, Kuwait, Wednesday. (PTI) He began with a small job as an engineer at a private firm in Al-Ahmadi governorate with a monthly pay of 60 Kuwaiti dinars, around 16,000. But seven years later, Abraham set up his own company NBTC. Over the years, the company grew and grew, and Abraham transformed from one of the lakhs of Malayali expatriates in the Gulf to an industrialist with diverse business interestsfrom oil to hotels to civil construction to logistics and retailing. While Abraham settled in Kuwait, villagers in Niranam said that he never forgot his roots. He did not abandon the village that sent him to Kuwait. He made sure to hire many people over the generations from the village. Today, there are only a few families in the village which doesnt have at least one member working in his companies in Kuwait. In many ways, his success changed the face of the village, said Jolly George, a ward member in Niranam whose husband is a relative of Abraham. But on Wednesday morning, Abrahams name came to be associated with a tragedy in Kuwait, when a major fire broke out in a building leased out to NBTC group, a company of which he is the managing director and partner. 49 people died, of which 45 were Indians, and 23 were from Kerala. Kuwaits interior minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf A-Sabah, who visited the scene of the fire, suggested potential negligence and said that the fire had been caused as a result of the greed of the company and building owners. The Kuwaiti government has issued a slew of instructions, particularly against officials of the Al Ahmadi administration. The company has announced ex gratia of 8 lakh each and a job to the dependants, medical aid for the injured. When HT attempted to reach Abraham for comment, family members, and an official of the Central chambers of commerce who knows him closely, said that he did not wish to speak to the media. In Niranam, Jollys family was among the those affected by the tragedy, with her husbands cousin, Mathew George(52) and his relative Shibi Varghese(52) were both among the dead. Overall, two of the dead are from Niranam. It is such a sad incident and the shock still hasnt left us. The minute we heard about the fire in Mangaf block, we knew they lived there and tried calling. We though they may have been injured and waited for hours. But by Wednesday evening, confirmation had come that they had died, Jolly told HT over the phone. Apart from his interests in Kuwait, KGA Group owned at least two hotels KGA Elite Continental in Thiruvalla and Crowne Plaza in Kochi and he was also one of the producers of the 2024 Malayalam film Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) which told the story of a Malayali migrant who was cheated by his employer in the Gulf and tortured for years on a goat farm. In February 2023, Abraham hit the headlines in Kerala when he lashed out at the LDF government in Kerala accusing them of financial irregularities in the Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund. It is decided that I will not give anything to any politician. The funds that we gave directly to people in Niranam and other neighbouring panchayats have been utilised and I am happy. But the other funds we gave (to the government), have flowed away. I feel fooled, he said on February 24, 2023. The government did not respond to Abrahams allegations. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawars wife Sunetra Pawar, who lost the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls from Baramati, is all set to make her legislative debut through the Rajya Sabha, where bypoll to one seat from Maharashtra and biennial elections to three Kerala seats are scheduled on June 25. The nomination process ended on Thursday. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawars wife Sunetra Pawar. (ANI) In Maharashtra, the bypoll was necessitated after NCP leader Praful Patel vacated his seat and switched to another berth in the Rajya Sabha. If elected, Pawar will retain the seat for four years till July 2028, as against the normal six-year term. In Kerala, both the Congress and the CPI(M) have fielded their regional allies in the biennial polls to the three seats, currently held by the Left party and its partners. IUML, a partner of the Congress, is likely to bag one seat which is currently held by CPI(M)s floor leader Elamaram Kareen. In the remaining two seats, Jose K Mani of the Kerala Congress has been renominated while the CPI has replaced its outgoing lawmaker Binoy Viswam with PP Suneer. After the biennial polls, the CPI(M) will have only four members in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha secretariat has also notified 10 vacancies in the Upper House two each in Assam, Bihar and Maharashtra, and one each in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tripura after its members switched over to the Lok Sabha in the recent general elections. To be sure, polling for these 10 seats has not been scheduled yet by the Election Commission. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the single largest party in the Upper House with 90 members, is hopeful of retaining bulk of these 10 vacancies, however, it will face a tough contest in Haryana. In Maharashtra, two seats that have fallen vacant after Piyush Goyal and Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale were elected to the Lok Sabha. The BJP can easily retain both the seats as the combined strength of the NDA is 203 while the opposition has just 69 legislators in the 288-member assembly that currently has 14 vacancies. In Bihar, two seats held by RJDs Misa Bharti and BJPs Vivek Thakur are vacant. While the BJP-led NDA has 133 MLAs in the 243-member assembly as against the 105 of the RJD-led opposition, the BJP and RJD are set to bag one seat each. In the 90-member Haryana assembly, the BJP has 41 members, the Congress has 29 and the JJP, with which snapped ties with the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, has 10 MLAs and there are five Independent legislators and one MLA each from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP). Kerala health minister Veena George on Friday alleged that the central government did not permit her to travel to Kuwait to coordinate in assistance for Indian nationals from the state affected in the tragic fire incident in the Gulf country's southern city of Mangaf. The Kerala government had convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Thursday and announced that Veena George, along with State Mission Director (NHM) Jeevan Babu, would urgently travel to Kuwait to coordinate efforts related to the treatment of those from the state who sustained injuries as well as oversee the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased. The victims include 24 from Kerala. Dig deeper Kerala health minister Veena George Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday welcomed the world leaders with a namaste - an Indian form of greeting with folded hands - at the G7 Summit. Several videos of Meloni's gesture are going viral on social media, with netizens lauding Meloni. The videos showed Meloni greeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the traditional Indian greeting. Italy is hosting the 50th G7 Summit this year in Borgo Egnazia (Fasano) in the city of Apulia in southern Italy from June 13 to 15. Dig deeper India News Latest News Global Matters Trending Wells Fargo has terminated over a dozen employees for faking keyboard activity to trick the bank into thinking they were working. According to a Bloomberg report published Thursday, the fired workers were all from the firm's wealth and investment management unit. In its disclosure to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Americas third largest bank said the employees were discharged after review of allegations involving simulation of keyboard activity creating impression of active work. Dig deeper Sports Goings The UEFA Euro 2024 is scheduled to begin on June 15, with hosts Germany taking on Group A opponents Scotland in the tournament opener. Italy are the defending champions, having beaten England in the final on penalties in the previous edition. 24 countries will be participating in the tournament, with a total of 51 matches in this 30-day tournament. The group stage has been divided into six groups of four teams, who will face each other in a single round-robin format. The top-two teams from each group will enter the Round of 16. Dig deeper Thats all we have at this hour in our afternoon briefing. Catch you in the evening! Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu signs the first file after taking charge at his office at Tadepalli, Amaravati on Thursday. (PTI) Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, upon assuming office on Thursday, signed five files including the approval of a mega recruitment drive to fill up 16,347 teacher vacancies in various government schools in the state through the district selection committee (DSC). Naidu signed the first file after assuming the chief ministers office in his chamber in the first block of the state secretariat at Velagapudi village of Amaravati at 4.41pm amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, who was sworn-in as the CM on Wednesday at Vijayawada, received a rousing welcome from the secretariat employees as he entered the premises after a gap of five years. The CM and his wife N Bhuvaneswari were received by chief secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad and other senior officials, besides his cabinet colleagues K Atchennaidu, Kollu Ravindra, Nimmala Ramanaidu, Payyavula Keshav and Satyakumar Yadav. Speaking to reporters later, Ramanaidu said the chief minister had signed the first file on the recruitment of 16,347 teachers in government schools across the state. It is a big boon for the unemployed youth who have been waiting for the recruitment drive for the last five years. The previous YSR Congress Party government promised to fill up vacancies every year, but they didnt fulfil it, the minister said. The second file signed by Naidu was on the abolition of the Andhra Pradesh Land Titling Act, 2022. The legislation required owners of land or immovable property to compulsorily register their property with government agencies, which would issue a permanent title. It also provided a new system for speedy property dispute resolution by establishing tribunals. However, it also led to apprehension among people that the government would take away their land if they had no clear title. It was an attempt to grab the private properties in the name of a lack of clear title, Ramanaidu said. The CM also signed a file about increasing social security pension from 3,000 to 4,000 and that of Divyangs (Person with Disabilities) to 6,000 per month. The enhancement of pension will come into retrospective effect from April. On July 1, pensioners would get 7,000, including arrears of enhancement for the last three months, the minister said, adding that the government would spend 5,000 crore in the month of July on pensions. Naidu also signed a file to revive Anna Canteens, which were established during the TDP regime between 2014 and 2019. The poor people would get subsidised food three times a day for 5 a plate, he said. Additionally, he cleared a file to conduct a skill census to identify employable skills of the youth in the state, Rama Naidu said. The chief minister also held a brief meeting with heads of various departments, principal secretaries and special secretaries. Naidu said that he would streamline the administration in the coming days and asked officials to follow the rules while discharging their duties. At around 3.30 pm on June 10 in Balodabazar district of Chhattisgarh, thousands of people of from the Scheduled Caste Satnami community barged into the collector's office premises, pelted stones and burnt around 150 vehicles. They were protesting against unidentified persons who vandalised 'jaitkham' or the 'victory pillar', a sacred symbol worshipped by the community, near the holy Amar Gufa at Giroudpuri Dham in the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on May 15. The protests occurred even though police had arrested three persons in connection with the incident. On Monday, Chhattisgarh food and civil supplies minister Dayaldas Baghel and state revenue minister Tank Ram Verma accused Congress leaders of instigating the crowd during the protest. Congress leaders directly or indirectly encouraged the incident of arson and loot. The incident was the result of a well-planned conspiracy of the Congress, Baghel alleged. Meanwhile, the Congress claimed that it is a failure of the state administration and BJP is trying to hide it. The incident shines a light on the Satnami community, which constitutes a significant portion of the nearly 12% SC population in Chhattisgarh. The sect was founded by medieval-era social reformer Baba Guru Ghasidas, who was born in Balodabazar district on 18 December 1756. Guru Ghasidas Guru Ghasidas, an 18th century saint, founded the Satnam sect against caste discrimination and superstitions, and to spread the message of social justice and equality. The most famous message of Guru Ghasidas is "Manke-Manke Ek Saman" which means that all human beings are equal, whatever their caste, religion, gender or social status. This message is still popular in northern parts of Chhattisgarh. Guru Ghasidas was born a village called Girodpuri in Balodabazar district to Amarotin and Manhgudas. After his mother died in childhood, he was brought up by Manhgudas. In the saint tradition of Chhattisgarh, Guru Ghasidas is foremost among the great thinkers and social promoters of the state. Since childhood, the feeling of social change had blossomed in the heart of Ghasidas, members of the community believe. He opposed casteism, untouchability, inequality and other evil practices prevalent in the society since childhood. The Satnami sect, a monotheistic community who followed neither Hinduism or Islam, is said to be offshoot of a religious community known as Ravidaas, which was formed by a saint named "Birbhan" in Narnaul in 1657. Satnamis were mostly farmers, artisans and people from the lower castes. As they believed in truth and God, they called themselves Satnamis. History of Satnami sect The Satnami revolt in 1672 took place when a Mughal soldier killed a member of the community. The Satnamis took revenge, leading to a rampage amongst both the communities. About 5,000 Satnamis fought the Mughals and routed their camp in the town, drove away the Mughal administrators and set up their own administration in what is today Narnaul in Haryana. Later, in a conflict with the Mughals, the emperor Aurangzeb took charge, sending 10,000 troops with artillery and defeated the Satnamis. On the basis of this revolt, the people of Satnami sect consider Narnaul as their place of origin. According to historians, during the British rule, Baba Balak Das. a leader in the Satnam movement was killed in mysterious circumstances. Satnamis blamed the British and religious fundamentalists for the killing. Describing the oldest settlement of the sect in Chhattisgarh, Raipur Gazetteer 1869, mentions that the Satnamis are among the ancient inhabitants of the district. Certainly, the earlier people were not educated, whatever knowledge they had from their ancestors. According to this they used to say that our ancestors are residents of 'Bhuruha Kat ' in Chhattisgarh land, the Gazetteer claimed. Prominent Satnami leaders The influential leaders of Satnami community were mainly from the descendants of Guru Ghasidas. Minimata Agam Das Guru represented Janjgir-Champa Lok Sabha in the undivided Madhya Pradesh from the first Lok Sabha in 1952 to the fifth Lok Sabha, and died in a flight crash while traveling to Delhi from Raipur. She was associated with the Congress party. Later, her son, Vijay Guru joined BJP and his son, Guru Rudra Kumar, is an active member of the Congress. Guru is considered as one of the most influential leaders from the community in the last decade. Guru fought several state assembly elections and was minister in the Bhupesh Baghel government from 2018-23. In the last assembly election, he lost his seat to Dayaldas Baghel (BJP) from Nawagarh assembly seat. Another leader from the Satnami community is Guru Bal Das, who declared support to the BJP in the 2023 assembly election. His son, Guru Khushwant Sahab, got the BJP ticket from the Arang assembly seat and won, defeating another leader from Satnami community, Dr Shiv Kumar Dahariya, a former minister in Baghel's cabinet. NEW DELHI: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to visit New Delhi next week for talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, less than a fortnight after attending the inauguration of his third term on June 9. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attends India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (REUTERS) Hasina will be in India on June 21-22, and her meetings with Modi and other leaders are scheduled for the second day of the visit, a Bangladeshi official said on condition of anonymity. The visit is yet to be formally announced by both countries. The back-to-back visits by Hasina reflect both the strength of bilateral ties and the importance attached to Bangladesh under Indias Neighbourhood First policy. This will be Hasinas first stand-alone bilateral visit to India since she began her fifth term following Bangladeshs general election in January. She was among the leaders of seven countries from the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region invited to Modis swearing-in ceremony. Modi had brief meetings with all seven leaders after the ceremony though there were no substantive discussions. The Bangladeshi side has been keen on Hasina visiting India before a proposed trip to China in July as part of the delicate balancing of Dhakas relations with the two South Asian giants, people familiar with the matter said. Besides a review of the overall bilateral relationship and various initiatives by the two sides to boost road, rail and energy connectivity, a number of crucial issues are expected to figure in the meeting between Modi and Hasina, the people said. These issues include the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which was signed in December 1996 and is valid for 30 years, Bangladeshs plans to dredge and develop its section of the cross-border Teesta River, and Dhakas request for assured supplies of food items such as onions, ginger, rice and wheat, the people said. While China has made a formal proposal for taking up Bangladeshs $1-billion project to develop the Teesta river, the Indian side has conveyed its concerns about the project being awarded to Beijing, the people said. The deteriorating security situation in neighbouring Myanmar, where government troops have suffered a series of humiliating defeats at the hands of anti-junta resistance forces, is also expected to figure in the meeting, the people said. Pune, Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said on Friday that he desires to become an MP and thats why he wanted to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Nashik and was also keen on Rajya Sabha nomination. Bhujbal: Wanted to fight from Nashik, was keen on RS nomination as I wish to become an MP Bhujbal was replying to questions over reports claiming that he was upset after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawars wife Sunetra Pawar was nominated for the Upper House. Asked if injustice was meted out to him over Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha tickets, the prominent OBC leader said the question should be asked to them. Sunetra Pawar on Thursday filed nomination papers as the NCP candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll, days after she lost the Lok Sabha elections from Baramati. The bypoll was necessitated after Praful Patel vacated his seat and got elected for the full term of six years in February. It is my desire . That is why I was ready to contest from Nashik Lok Sabha seat. As I had been told that my ticket was finalised in Delhi, I had started working but when the decision dragged on for a month, I stopped as there was enough humiliation, said Bhujbal. He said Hemant Godse of Shiv Sena, NCPs partner in the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, was also trying to get the ticket from Nashik. Bhujbal said he then decided he would be okay with whoever got the ticket. Shiv Sena s Rajabhau Waje won the Nashik seat. Bhujbal said when it comes to party affairs, not all things fall in place as per ones wishes. There could be reasons . Sometimes, its destiny or some sort of compulsion, he said. He did not respond when asked if dynastic politics was at play in NCP. On Thursday, Bhujbal had said that though he was keen on a Rajya Sabha ticket, he was not upset with Sunetra Pawars nomination, which he described as a "collective decision" of the party. On his partys dull performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where NCP won one of the four seats it contested in the state, Bhujbal said it should be analysed why Mahayuti lagged. About RSS criticism of the BJP over its alliance with NCP, Bhujbal said it was natural for them to be upset. Of the 48 seats in the state, how many seats did NCP get to contest? We got only four seats. Of these, on Raigad and Baramati were core NCP seats and we won Raigad, he said. Bhujbal said the BJP didnt do well in states like Uttar Pradesh. So it is not appropriate to say that the results were not in favour of Mahayuti because of the alliance with NCP, he said. Asked about the upcoming assembly polls, Bhujbal said their party should get 15 to 20 more seats. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Kochi: A political row has erupted after Keralas health minister Veena George was allegedly denied permission by the Centre to travel to Kuwait on Thursday as the official state representative in the backdrop of the fire tragedy in the West Asian country that claimed 49 lives, including 23 from the southern state. Indian politician, Veena George, who is Kerala's Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, consoles the mother of Akash Sasidharan Nair, one of the victims of a fire that broke out in a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait, at Pathanamthitta district in the southern Indian state of Kerala on June 13 (REUTERS) Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and states opposition Congress on Friday criticised the Centres move, while Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Union minister Suresh Gopi backed the decision. George and Jeevan Babu, state mission director, National Health Mission, were authorised by the Kerala government on Thursday morning to fly to Kuwait to oversee the medical treatment being provided to injured persons from the state and repatriation of their mortal remains to India. Since the trip required political clearance from the MEA, a request was forwarded to the Centre and the state chief secretary as well as the resident commission of Kerala in Delhi got involved in speeding up the bureaucratic process, George told reporters. We were hopeful of getting the clearance at the last minute and even travelled to the airport in Kochi...but the MEA did not give the political clearance for the travel. The death of each person from India in Kuwait is saddening. But Kerala has lost the most numbers of people in this tragedy, she said. A lot of people injured in the fire are undergoing treatment in hospitals. Their families are not with them. In the face of this tragedy, these deaths and the grief, the stance of the Centre towards Kerala was wrong and highly unfortunate, George alleged. At least 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building in Kuwait on June 12 and 45 of them were Indians, including 23 from Kerala. Vijayan, who paid respects to the deceased after their bodies were transported to Kochi by an IAF aircraft from Kuwait, termed the Centres decision as wrong, but chose not to raise it at the hour of grief. I dont intend to raise it now as a serious issue, maybe, we can discuss it later. Right now, the state and central governments must work together and coordinate efforts to help these families affected by the tragedy, he told reporters at the Kochi airport. The opposition Congress in the southern state termed the Centres decision most unfortunate. When such tragedies occur in foreign countries, its important that representatives of state and central governments are present there. The Centres representative went early, but if the state representative was also there, she [George] could have coordinated efforts with the local Malayali expatriate outfits there. The Centres decision sends a wrong message, VD Satheesan, leader of the opposition in Kerala assembly, said. Governor Khan defended the Centres decision, saying when the bodies of the deceased were being brought on Friday, what would George have achieved by going to Kuwait a day ago. So, if you go yesterday and then come back again today, what will be the actual work which will be done there? Already the government of India ministers were in Kuwait and they were bringing the bodies today [Friday], he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker and Union minister of state for tourism and petroleum Suresh Gopi said there was no controversy in the matter. There is no need to see politics in it. Every person has a position and responsibilities. The MEA is in charge of matters like these and decisions have been taken within the ambit of cooperative federalism. S Jaishankar and his team have done a good job. An MoS was deputed to go to Kuwait and everything has been handled well, Gopi added. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has carried out searches at multiple locations in Chhattisgarh in connection with an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a polling party during the second phase of assembly elections in the state in November 2023, officials said on Friday. (Representative Photo) NIA teams conducted extensive searches at the premises of six suspects in the Naxal-infested area of village Badegobra, police station Manipur, district Gariyaband, as part of its investigations in the case, a spokesperson of the federal anti-terror probe agency said on Friday. Several mobile phones and Rs.2,98,000 in cash were seized during the searches from the premises of suspects believed to be working as overground workers (OGWs)/supporters of the Mainpur-Nuapada division of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) outfit, the spokesperson added. According to officials, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) head constable was killed in the blast while he was providing cover to the polling officials convoy, which was on its way back to the district headquarters after voting in a remote village in Gariyaband district on November 17. The Maoists who executed the blast and fled the area were later identified as Satyam Gawde alias Surendra, Deepak Mandavi, Janki, Meena Gawde, Ramdas Markam, Tikesh, Ravi, Ajay Mandavi, Shanti and others. Officials who did not want to be named said they were members of the Mainpur Local Guerilla Squad and Nagri Area Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). The NIA had taken over the probe in the incident in February this year, along with several other cases related to Maoist violence in the state. This year, the federal agency has already taken up 18 cases in its Raipur branch most cases are related to incidents carried out by Maoists. Union home minister Amit Shah has directed all the agencies to work together as the Centre is aiming to completely end left-wing extremism (LWE) in the next one or two years. The security forces have already intensified the operations in the core areas of Chhattisgarh for the past six months, killing at least 90 Maoists so far this year, while over 250 red ultras have laid down arms. Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday granted sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy under stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for her alleged 'provocative' speech at an event in 2010, PTI quoted Raj Niwas officials on Friday. Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case, a Raj Niwas official said. Last October, Saxena had granted sanction to prosecute Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under section 196 of CrPC for commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code. Arundhati Roy has been a vocal critic of the Modi government and has criticised it on several issues. "The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India," the Raj Niwas official said. Besides Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, the others who made speeches included late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani (anchor of the Conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case) and Varavara Rao. The complainant Sushil Pandit, an activist from Kashmir, had filed a complaint under Section 156(3) of CrPC before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, New Delhi, who disposed of the complaint on November 27, 2010 with the directions to register an FIR. It was alleged that Geelani and Arundhati Roy strongly propagated that Kashmir was never part of India and was forcibly occupied by the Armed Forces of India and every possible effort should be made for the independence of the J-K from India and recordings of the same were provided by the complainant. Accordingly, an FIR was registered and an investigation was carried out, the officials added. Roy has been a vocal critic of the Modi government and has criticised it on several issues. NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has provisionally attached land measuring 121 acres and the building of Glocal University worth 4,400 crore as part of its money laundering probe against former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) lawmaker Mohammad Iqbal and his family. ED attaches Glocal Universitys land, building in probe against ex-BSP lawmaker Iqbal, a former member of UP legislative council, is currently absconding and is believed to be in Dubai, ED said. Look out circulars have been issued against him. The agency said the Saharanpur-based Glocal University was registered in the name of Abdul Waheed Educational and Charitable Trust, which was controlled, managed and run by Mohammed Iqbal and his family. The university was established in 2012 and started functioning from the academic session 2013-14. HT reached out to Glocal University over email and phone but there was no response. The money laundering case being investigated by ED is linked to a first information report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe illegal renewal of sand mining leases in Saharanpur. A number of mining lease holders, government officials and unknown persons are listed as accused in the FIR. All the mining firms were owned and operated by Mohammad Iqbal group. These firms were involved in rampant illegal mining at Saharanpur and adjacent areas. In spite of the meagre earnings shown in the ITRs (income tax returns), high-value transactions to the tune of crores of rupees have been found between the mining firms and group companies of Mohd Iqbal without having any business relations, ED said in a statement. These funds were routed to the bank accounts of Abdul Waheed Educational and Charitable Trust through multiple sham entities and bogus transactions in the form of unsecured loans and donations, it claimed. The agency said the funds of the trust were utilised for the purchase of land at Saharanpur and the construction of buildings for Glocal University. More than 500 crore earned from illegal mining were used in buying of land and construction of building of the University. Present market value of the said property is 4439 Crore including land and building, the agency added. Iqbals four sons and brother are lodged in jail in multiple cases registered against them, ED said. New Delhi, The Enforcement Directorate has made a fresh arrest in connection with its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme being implemented in Rajasthan, official sources said Friday. ED makes fresh arrest in Rajasthan's Jal Jeevan Mission case Padamchand Jain, proprietor of Shree Shyam Tubewell Company, has been taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act , the sources said. The Jal Jeevan Mission launched by the Union government aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through household tap connections and it is being implemented in Rajasthan by the state's Public Health Engineering department. A man named Piyush Jain was the first to be arrested in this case by the federal agency early this year. The money laundering case of the ED stems from an FIR registered by the anti-corruption bureau where it was charged that Padamchand Jain, Mahesh Mittal , Piyush Jain and others were "involved in giving bribes to public servants in order to obtain illegal protection, tenders, getting bills sanctioned and covering up irregularities for work executed by them in respect of various tenders received by them from the Public Health and Engineering Department ." The suspects were also involved in the purchase of "stolen" goods from Haryana for using the same in their tenders/contracts and had also submitted "fake" work completion letters from IRCON to get PHED contracts, the agency alleged in a statement issued earlier. The ED had claimed several middlemen and property dealers "aided" Rajasthan government's PHE department officials to siphon off "illegally earned" money from the Jal Jeevan Mission. Probe found that Padamchand Jain and Mahesh Mittal were involved in securing tenders pertaining to JJM works based on "purported fake work completion certificates issued by IRCON and by bribing senior PHED officials." Piyush Jain, the ED had said, was "managing" the affairs of these accused firms and was also in receipt of about 3.5 crore which were nothing but the proceeds of crime in this case. Premises in Jaipur and Dausa, including the residential and official premises of senior PHE department officials, former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi and IAS officer and the then additional chief secretary Subodh Agarwal, have been searched by the ED in connection with the probe. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. In its first reaction to senior RSS member Indresh Kumar's criticism of both the ruling BJP and the Congress-led opposition INDIA bloc, the Congress party on Friday said that the RSS 'should not be taken seriously.' RSS leader Indresh Kumar. (HT Archive) Who takes RSS seriously? PM Modi does not take them seriously, so why should we? If he (Indresh Kumar) had spoken when it was time to speak, everyone would have taken him seriously. At that time, they (RSS) remained silent. They also enjoyed the power, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera asserted at a press conference. Commenting on the results of the recent Lok Sabha elections, Kumar, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader, on Thursday slammed the BJP for its arrogance and the INDIA bloc for being anti-Ram. Though Kumar, in his speech at an event in Jaipur, did not take any name, it was clear who he was talking about, as he mentioned the number of Lok Sabha seats won by each side. The party which did bhakti but became arrogant, was stopped at 241 (240), but it became the biggest party. And those who had no faith in Lord Ram, were stopped at 234, the RSS national executive member stated. The seven-phase general elections, which began on April 19 and concluded on June 1, resulted in the Bharatiya Janata Party forming its third straight government at the Centre, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning a third consecutive term in the country's top post. The saffron party, however, failed to secure what would have been its third successive single-party majority, and is in power with its National Democratic Alliance partners; together, the NDA has 293 representatives in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The Congress, on the other hand, came second with 99 seats. Kumar's statement, meanwhile, comes amid an alleged rift between the BJP and RSS, the JP Nadda-led outfit's ideological mentor. Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka assembly, R Ashoka, on Thursday criticised the state governments handling of the high-profile murder case involving Kannada actor Darshan and his associates. Ashoka condemned the governments failure to maintain law and order while questioning the necessity of a shamiyana (tent) outside the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station (PTI) Ashoka condemned the governments failure to maintain law and order while questioning the necessity of a shamiyana (tent) outside the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station. Are we living in a conflict zone like Kashmir, or is Karnataka now a border area? Dont our state police have the capability to investigate a straightforward murder case? he asked. To prevent media coverage, police have covered the station and imposed prohibitory orders within 200 metres of the premises, he said. Actor Darshan and his associates have been accused of murdering Renukaswamy, an assistant at a medical shop in the Chitradurga area. Renukaswamys body was recovered from a drain a few days after he allegedly posted negative comments on social media. The murder came to light on June 9. Ashoka pointed out that no one is above the law and called the incident a blemish on the film industry. Renukaswamy had no criminal background. Action must be taken against those responsible, he asserted. Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai emphasised the importance of equal treatment under the law and urged for a thorough investigation. He said that the murder has sparked demands for justice from the prominent Veerashaiva-Lingayat community in Chitradurga, the victims hometown. Whether someone was in power or was a celebrity, no one enjoys special privileges. Everyone is equal before the law, Bommai said while calling the incident as a premeditated murder, urging the government to maintain integrity throughout the investigation. Meanwhile, state minister for forest, ecology, and environment Eshwar Khandre assured that the guilty would be punished and expressed the governments solidarity with the deceaseds family. Guilty will be punished. There will be no special treatment for anyone, he said. The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha (ABVM) demanded severe punishment for the culprits and said any negligence in the investigation would call for a statewide agitation. The members also called for compensation for the victims family. Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu being greeted by supporters while on his way to take charge at the Secretariat, in Amravati on Thursday. (PTI) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Farmers in the Amravati capital region of Andhra Pradesh, who had been agitating for the last four-and-a-half years against the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy governments decision to form three capitals for the state, withdrew their agitation hours after N Chandrababu Naidu took oath as the states new chief minister on Wednesday. Following a call given by the Amaravati Parirakshana Samithi (Amaravati protection committee) and the Amaravati Joint Action Committee (JAC), the farmers dismantled their tents at various villages like Thullur, Venkatayapalem and Mandadam on Wednesday evening. For the last 1,631 days, men and women belonging to all communities and castes had been staging dharnas in these camps seeking development of Amaravati as the sole capital. Now that Naidu has come to power and announced the restoration of Amaravatis glory, we have decided to call off the agitation, Amaravati JAC chairman A Siva Reddy said. On Thursday, thousands of farmers in the capital region assembled on either side of the 100-feet seed access road from Undavalli to Thullur to welcome the chief minister, who travelled from his residence to the state secretariat to assume charge in his chambers. They also covered the entire stretch with flower petals. The farmers felicitated him with a huge garland and showered flowers on him all along the route to show their gratitude towards him for keeping Amaravati as the sole capital of the state. We have been waiting for this day for the last four and a half years. Our relentless struggle against the three-capital plan of the Jagan government has finally yielded results. We are now confident that we can see the formation of a global city in Amaravati in the next five years, Reddy said. The state government installed big screens at different locations at Amaravati on Wednesday to watch the live telecast of the swearing-in ceremony. Soon after Naidu took the oath, the JAC members and farmers burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the event. It was on December 17, 2019, months after the formation of the YSR Congress Party government, when Jagan Mohan Reddy announced the creation of three capitals for the state executive capital at Visakhapatnam and judicial capital at Kurnool, while retaining Amaravati as the legislative capital for conducting assembly proceedings. This resulted in a massive protest from 28,526 farmers who gave away their lands to the extent of 34,385 acres for the construction of the capital city at Amaravati under the Land Pooling System (LPS). While waging a legal battle in the high court and later in the Supreme Court, the farmers continued with their protest demonstrations, dharnas and padayatras and road blockades, braving lathi charges, cases and imprisonments. We were subject to all kinds of harassment. The government put up police camps in villages and tried to coerce us to withdraw our agitation. They did not even spare women, who were actively participating in the agitation and foisted cases against them, Kata Appa Rao, a farmer from Thullur village, said. The YSRCP leaders also started a counter dharna camp in support of three capitals. But ultimately, we achieved victory. Soon after the YSRCP lost the state assembly elections, the authorities started clearing bushes and trees that had come up after Amravati was abandoned without any development in the last five years. Now, with Naidu assuming charge, the authorities restored electricity supply all along the Amaravati road, which is now glittering again, A Siva Reddy said. Karnataka has reported its first dengue-related death this year with the death of a 35-year-old health department employee in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district on Thursday, officials familiar with the matter said. the Shivamogga district administration has issued a high alert, urging residents, especially in rural areas, to take preventive measures against mosquitoes (HT PHOTO) The mosquito-borne cases have significantly affected Mummigatti village in Dharwad district of north Karnataka. Dharwad has reported 46 cases of dengue since Monday. Taluka health officer (THO) of Sagar Dr Parappa said that the deceased, Nagaraj was a dialysis laboratory staff member, succumbed to the disease after battling high fever for several days. He further said that Nagaraj, who was diabetic, was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Shivamogga. Nagaraj was suffering from dengue-induced high fever and despite receiving treatment, he passed away due to complications including a drastic reduction in platelets,he said. Parappa said that forest-borne epidemics like dengue and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) are common in such regions during summer. To prevent further outbreaks, the Shivamogga district administration has issued a high alert, urging residents, especially in rural areas, to take preventive measures against mosquitoes. Residents are advised to keep water storage areas dry to prevent mosquito breeding. The administration has initiated fogging operations in gutters, nalas and various localities to eradicate mosquito breeding. Currently, there are no other dengue patients in Shivamogga, and the health department is prepared with necessary medications, Parappa adedd Meanwhile, there has been an increase in the number of dengue cases in Mummigatti village in Dharwad taluk, with 46 people experiencing high fever. Four people, including a minor, tested positive for dengue and are receiving treatment in isolation at the government district hospital in Dharwad. Others with milder symptoms are being treated at the taluk primary health centre (PHC). Dharwad district health officer (DHO) Dr Shashi Patil said that people with confirmed dengue cases, are showing signs of recovery. We have set up a temporary Dengue Clinic in Mummigatti village, equipped with necessary medicines and staffed by a medical team working round-the-clock, he said. Dharwad zilla panchayat CEO Swaroopa T said that emergency measures, such as extensive fogging and emptying stored water in gutters, are underway and antibiotics have been distributed to symptomatic individuals. We have mobilised panchayats to raise awareness through drum-beating campaigns, instructing villagers on preventive measures and providing fogging machines to every village in the district, he said. Deputy commissioner of Dharwad Divya Prabhu emphasised the provision of necessary medicines to all government hospitals and the distribution of fogging machines to panchayats. Residents, particularly in rural areas, are encouraged to wear full-body clothing and stay indoors during the evening to reduce mosquito exposure, she said. A special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying bodies of Indian citizens who died in the Kuwait fire mishap landed at the Palam airbase in Delhi on Friday. BJP MPs Yogendra Chandolia, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Bansuri Swaraj and other leaders are present at the airport to receive the mortal remains. It is a very sad incident...Our Foreign Minister spoke to the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, we met the Foreign Minister and Health Minister there, they cooperated with us a lot. We met the injured in the hospital, and most of the people will be discharged in 1-2 days, one person is serious and is admitted to ICU, Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities for swift repatriation of the bodies, said on his arrival in the capital. ALSO READ: Kuwait fire: Centre intervened in proper manner, says Kerala CM Some people have fractures in their hands and legs, and they are being treated. Our embassy is constantly in touch with the injured and they are monitoring the situation...The Kuwait government has been cooperative due to which we have been able to bring the bodies of the deceased here so quickly, Singh told ANI. ALSO READ: Kuwait fire tragedy: Punjab man who died was sole breadwinner of family This comes hours after a C130J aircraft carrying the bodies of 45 Indians, landed at the Kochi international airport around 10.30 am. The 31 bodies included 23 victims from Kerala, 7 from Tamil Nadu and one person from Karnataka, officials said. At least 49 foreign workers were killed and 50 others injured in the fire on Wednesday at the seven-storey building where 196 migrant workers were staying in the southern Kuwaiti city of Mangaf. The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying bodies of Indian citizens who died in the Kuwait fire mishap landed at the Palam airbase Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Pope Francis on the sidelines of G7 summit in Italy's Apulia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Pope Francis on the sidelines of G7 summit in Italy.(X/Narendra Modi) Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex, the prime minister posted on social platform X. Modi had met Pope Francis in 2021 at the Vatican, wherein both of them had discussed wide range of issues including the Covid-19 outbreak. He was the first prime minister to meet the incumbent pontiff who became the head of the Catholic Church in 2013. ALSO READ: When Modi met Meloni: Indian, Italian PMs greet each other with Namaste It was also the first meeting between an Indian prime minister and a pope since June 2000, when late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the Vatican and met Pope John Paul II. During his address at the G7 summit, Pope Francis challenged leaders of the worlds wealthy democracies to keep human dignity foremost in developing and using artificial intelligence, warning that such powerful technology risks turning human relations themselves into mere algorithms. We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines, AP quoted the pope as saying. No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being, he added. It is up to everyone to make good use of (AI) but the onus is on politics to create the conditions for such good use to be possible and fruitful," the pope said. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, French president Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky. The G7 summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. It is Modi's foreign visit in his third term as prime minister. (With agency inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy late Thursday night (local time) to attend the 50th G7 Summit, which is being held from June 13 to 15. This is Modi's first visit to a foreign country after recently assuming office as the PM for the third consecutive term following the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA's victory in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. PM Modi arrives in Italy for the G7 Summit Modi is participating in the G7 outreach session in Italy's Apulia region at the invitation of his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni. The summit is being held at the resort of Fasano and is dominated by the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas war talks. In addition to India, the leaders of Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Turkey have been invited to the outreach session. What's on PM Modi's agenda? Modi, on Friday, will engage in an action-packed day in Italy during the G7 outreach session. He will participate in a summit session titled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean - which will be hosted by Italian PM Meloni. This session will also be joined by Pope Francis. Modi said he would use the G7 Summit as an opportunity to create synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and deliberate on issuescrucial for the Global South. Modi will also hold bilateral talks on various issues with world leaders, including Meloni. He is also expected to hold bilateral interactions with US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. While there is a possibility of Modi sharing courtesies with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there is no bilateral meeting planned with him. There is speculation that Modi will interact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but there are no confirmations yet. Modi will also address the outreach session of the G7 Summit. I look forward to meeting fellow world leaders and discussing a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better and improving lives of people, Modi said in a departure statement on Thursday evening, adding that he was glad his foreign visit in his third term as PM was to Italy for the Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, he added. Meanwhile, Modi will not participate in the Ukraine Peace Summit, which will be hosted by Switzerland at Burgenstock from June 15 to 16. According to foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, India will be represented at this meeting at an appropriate level, though New Delhi has yet to decide who will attend. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the G7 Outreach Summit in Italy's Apulia, speaking on varied issues right from artificial intelligence, net zero and Global South. Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress, Modi posted on X after his address. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber security. Spoke about how India is leveraging AI for its development journey. It is important that AI remain transparent, secure, accessible and responsible, he added. Here are top quotes from Modi's address at G7 Outreach summit:- 1. India has considered it its responsibility to put priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on world stage, Modi said at the G7 Outreach session in Italy. 2. The prime minister urged world leaders to make technology creative and not destructive. Together we should make efforts to make coming time a 'Green Era, PTI quoted Modi as saying. 3. Modi said it was a matter of great satisfaction for him to be attending the G7 summit after his re-election in the Lok Sabha elections, which he dubbed as the largest democratic exercise in the history of humankind. 4. Hailing India's initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), Modi said,"India is among thefirst few countries to formulate a national strategy in Artificial Intelligence." 5. Referring to last year's G20 Summit held under India's presidency, Modi said,During G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, we stressed on importance of international governance in field of AI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the G7 Outreach session in Apulia in Italy.(X/Narendra Modi) 6. Reiterating his vision for 2047, the prime minister said,"It is our resolve to build a developed India by 2047; our commitment is that no section of society should be left behind." 7. We are making every possible effort to fulfill our commitment to achieve target of Net Zero by 2070. India's approach in field of energy is based on four principles - availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability, Modi added. 8. PM Modi also recalled India's role in making African Union a permanent member of the G20. India contributing to economic and social development, stability and security of all countries of Africa, and will continue to do so, he added. PM Modi's bilateral meets at G7 Prime Minister Modi is on his first foreign visit in his third term in office. Prior to his address at the G7 Outreach, he held bilateral meetings with UK premier Rishi Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron. Later, he held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy, Modi had posted on social platform X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, on the margins of the G7 Summit in Italy on Friday. Modi has been invited to the outreach session of the G7 Summit. (PTI photo) People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that bilateral meetings or pull-asides had been finalised with several world leaders attending the summit being held at the resort of Fasano. However, there was no word on whether Modi will hold talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is a special invitee to the summit. Modi has been invited to the outreach session of the G7 Summit along with the leaders of several other countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, and he is set to focus on artificial intelligence (AI), energy, Africa, the Mediterranean and issues crucial to the Global South during his participation in the discussions. Also Read:G7 Summit 2024: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Italy. Whats on agenda? Soon after landing in Italy, Modi said in a post on X: Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. The focus is on the upcoming encounter between Modi and Biden, which could be a pull-aside instead of a bilateral meeting because of time and scheduling constraints, the people cited above said. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since they held talks over dinner in New Delhi on the margins of last years G20 Summit. While the meeting will be an opportunity for Modi and Biden to take stock of the growing India-US partnership, especially ahead of a visit to New Delhi next week by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the American side has made it clear that it will continue to pursue the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil at very senior levels. Responding to questions from the media on the issue while en route to Italy, Sullivan said the US has made its views known on this issue, and it will be a continuing topic of dialogue between the US and India, including at very senior levels. Biden spoke with Modi by phone to congratulate him on his third term as prime minister and expects to see Modi on the margins of the G7 Summit, Sullivan said. India has set up a high-level inquiry committee to look into inputs provided by the US on the so-called murder for hire plot, and senior officials have said a probe is being conducted as the matter affects the countrys national security. Modi is also set to have bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The people said a meeting or pull-aside is also possible with Zelenskyy, whom Modi had met on the margins of last years G7 Summit in Japan. There is little likelihood of an encounter between Modi and Trudeau, given the sharp downturn in India-Canada ties. Relations between the two sides cratered after Trudeau alleged Indian government agents had a potential link to the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June last year. India, which had declared Nijjar a terrorist, dismissed Trudeaus accusation as absurd. New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah (File Photo) Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the security in Jammu and Kashmir with the senior officers of his ministry and Intelligence Bureau (IB) in the wake of four terror attacks in the Jammu region since Sunday, in which 10 people, including nine civilians and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, were killed. People familiar with the development said Shah was apprised of the current deployment scenario in the Jammu region, at the Line of Control (LOC) and international border, the status of combing operations by the security forces to locate the terrorists and steps being taken to identify their local supporters. The home minister has directed that he will chair a detailed meeting on June 16 in North Block, which will be attended by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, senior officers from the army, J&K police, central paramilitary forces and local administration, to discuss further steps to be taken to ensure foolproof security and preparations for Amarnath Yatra. Specific instructions on how to deal with the situation are expected from the home minister on Sunday, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already given clear directions to deploy the full spectrum of counterterror capabilities to deal with the spate of attacks, said an officer, who did not want to be named. A decision on whether to send additional companies of paramilitary forces to the affected districts of Rajouri, Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Poonch will also be taken in the June 16 review meeting, said this officer. Currently, there are 70 battalions (about 70,000) of central paramilitary forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to deal with insurgency and law and order issues. Besides, the Border Security Force (BSF) and army are responsible for maintaining vigil at the border. At the entire 3,323-km-long land border with Pakistan, there are currently 675 border outposts (BOPs), while work on 31 more BOPs is expected to be completed by June 2025 and alternative sites are being explored for 30 more such posts. Overall, the forces will have 736 BOPs at the western border. The government has also sanctioned a 2097.646 km fence, out of which 2064.666 km has been completed and the work at the remaining 32.98 km is in progress. The intelligence agencies are learnt to have conveyed to the ground forces that infiltration attempts from the LoC and the international border have increased in the past few weeks, with Pakistan trying to foment trouble in the region with the help of proxy outfits of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) among others. Data accessed by HT suggests that overall infiltration has significantly dropped in J&K since 2017, from 419 attempts (136 net infiltrations) to 53 attempts (14 net infiltrations) in 2022 and almost negligible last year. Till June 2023, there were zero infiltration incidents reported in the entire region. To contain cross-border infiltration, said a second counter-terrorism official, we are strengthening border infrastructure, there is multi-tiered deployment along the International Border and LOC, and near the ever-changing infiltration routes. There is also round-the-clock surveillance and patrolling on the border and establishment of observation posts, increase in number of BSF personnel in sensitive areas, construction of border fencing and floodlighting, and use of advance technological equipment like handheld thermal imager (HHTI), night vision device (NVD), twin telescope, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Subsequently, intelligence setup is regularly upgraded, the second officer added. In four back-to-back terror attacks in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts since Sunday, highly trained foreign terrorists from Pakistan have targeted civilians and security forces. In one attack, a group of three to four militants opened fire on a joint check post of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and the Jammu & Kashmir Police in Dodas Chattargala area on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot road at 1.45am on Wednesday. The ensuing gunbattle lasted several hours, leaving five army personnel and a special police officer injured. On Wednesday evening, officers said the second attack was on in the Kota Top area, 150 km away from Chhattargala, when a second group of terrorists attacked a police team and injured head constable Fareed Ahmed. Roughly 220 km away in Kathua another gunbattle began late on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning, leaving one CRPF jawan dead, six security personnel and one civilian injured, and two terrorists neutralised. The three gunfights came on the heels of an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi on Sunday, when armed terrorists opened fire on the vehicle, causing it to lose control and plunge into a gorge, with nine people dead and 42 others injured. Ace investor and a bestselling author Ruchir Sharmas latest book What Went Wrong with Capitalism tries to answer why people are losing faith in capitalism. The answer, Sharma argues, lies in the fact that what is being passed of as capitalism today has derailed creative destruction and institutionalized socialisation of risks with bloated governments. Sharma spoke to HT in an interview to talk about his book and the other things. Here are edited excerpts: Ruchir Sharmas latest book What Went Wrong with Capitalism tries to answer why people are losing faith in capitalism. Why another book on capitalism? There are a couple of reasons. One is that Ive lived in America now for over 20 years. Its been very friendly to capitalism, to immigrants such as me who have come here. And yet Im astounded by a couple of things in todays America. If you look at the surveys, most young people, particularly if theyre Democrats, say that they would rather have socialism rather than capitalism. Now this is a country that you would consider to be the Mecca of capitalism. So thats what sort of got me thinking about whats gone wrong. Second, even though at the surface the American economy is doing relatively well, most Americans feel that the economy is moving in the wrong direction. I grew up in India of the 1980s and 90s so Ive seen what socialism is like. I grew up with this sort of notion that capitalism is about giving people more economic freedom. India started to do that. And here you are in America, where you have got this big disaffection taking place with capitalism, a system, that I grew up admiring and loving. Therefore, I said I will write a book and try to answer what went wrong with capitalism. Capitalisms role as a value creator, perhaps in the future is unquestioned. But would you agree that there is an anxiety today that value creation in the future would not need billions of workers? Yes. But I think what I argue in the book today is the fact that the system we currently have in place in America is not really capitalism as it was meant to be. It is a very distorted form of capitalism. It is what Bernie Sanders and all called socialism for the rich. What I try and say is that it is not just socialism for the rich but socialization of risk. When risk has been socialized, the role of government has also increased. Whether its regulation, or the way the US Federal Reserve manages the business cycle, all that has changed so dramatically now that this is no longer anything close to the capitalist system that the founders once had in mind. In your book, you talk about how almost every major economy in the world is a democracy. Do you think politicians have any incentive to think beyond their own election cycle? Is it a reason for the problem with capitalism? In America, right up until the 1970s, capitalism was working. And America has had a democracy for over two centuries. This disaffection with capitalism thats taken place in America is really something which is a phenomenon of the last two or three decades. This is a cynicism that has come only in the recent past. But this is not how America used to be. Talking about America, one thing which a lot of a lot of people rightfully say is that, we should never go back on trade liberalisation. But it is also a fact that a lot of jobs in the US have been lost to outsourcing of manufacturing. Does capital have any incentive to think about anything other than its own interest? I think that youre right that there is a problem in the world today, which is inequality. It has increased within countries but decreased between countries. Countries like India and China and all have grown much faster and benefited from globalisation. But globalisation and free trade are just one aspect of capitalism. What I show in the book is that there are so many other things which have gone wrong, which cannot be attributed to globalisation. Within America itself, a lot of job losses have happened in many states where the policies have been less market friendly or small business friendly. Today in America there is lot of bad regulation and this proclivity to keep bailing out companies at the slightest hint of trouble. Thats not what capitalism was meant to be. The share of government in the economy in places like America has gone up over the last 100 years from 3% to 36%. In many European countries it has surpassed even 50%. What about the perverse outcomes that these policies are causing? We are focused on one aspect of capitalism, which is globalisation and the problems that it has led to. But just look at what else has happened. Why are so many companies, big companies, just getting bigger and getting more entrenched? Why is there corporate inequality between the big companies and the smaller companies? Why is economic and social mobility in America today close to record lows? Both the Democrats and the Republicans are batting for less of trade liberalisation, more of regulation, more of subsidies in the US. How do you see this unfolding, say, a decade or two down the line? What is the future of the current global economic order led by the US in your view? The US has still many strengths. It is still the tech powerhouse of the world. Its a leader in new technologies such as AI. It is still the land that most immigrants would rather go to. Right. The problem in America today, I feel is twofold. One, a lot of people in America today are disaffected with the economic system. The unsustainable part in America today is its debt and deficit situation. Today America is running a budget deficit of 6% of GDP. This is twice the average of what it was running for the last 20 years, and far higher than any developed country. Similarly, the government debt as a share of GDP in America today has crossed 100% and, at least among the developed world, is behind that only Japan and Italy. And if it keeps going down this path, it will overtake even Italy. So, Americas strengths are being undermined by two factors. One, that the government spending and debt is so huge and secondly the increased expansion of government and distortion of capitalism. You have seen a big decline take place in productivity in America over the last 30 to 40 years. I feel that these trends are not sustainable. How should countries such as India prepare themselves for the changing global economic order? India is also trying to put in place an industrial policy and interventions like Production Linked Incentive (PLI)?I Im not a big fan of the government dictating what business should do. Im not a fan of any of that stuff because at the end of the day, its very difficult for the government. I know people speak about industrial policy in East Asian countries, even China, but Im not a fan of any of these policies. I feel that what we need to do is to give people the freedom to allocate capital the way they should. I think we need to learn that we have tried all of this and we dont need to go back to policies that did not work. Let us sidetrack for a moment from the book. India seems to have more from a Jagdish Bhagwati versus Amartya Sen debate in 2014 to a manufacturing services debate now. What are your thoughts on it? I dont have a very strong opinion on this because these debates get done on a local basis and then you move on. The fact of the matter is that India, like as Ive always said, is the country that consistently disappoints the optimist and the pessimists. We will keep following our own model. Even the Modi government slowed down some of the welfarist policies and subsidies but it did not reverse anything. So even between manufacturing services, well keep trying for both. I dont feel that there is going to be a priority for one or the other in terms of whats happening and so therefore. But what we need to keep in mind that the scope of what that digitisation can do for services is did not exist in the past. And this will work to Indias advantage. You were somebody who started weighing in on the world at a very young age. Your ideals were very clear and you knew what was right. Would you agree that choices are more complicated for the young people today? What is your message to them? History is better remembered than its lived because whenever we look back at the past, we think it was all clear. But at the end of the day, its about what your conviction is. All I tell people is, and this is me wearing my investor hat, is that you cant be too ideological either. I believe in free market capitalism. And yet I also believe that there is a role for government. It matters whos in power. What sort of policies are being made? So, I would say that, especially as an investor, one thing I keep in mind very strongly in my head is never be too ideological, because that can always get you in terms of trouble. And so you have to be very open minded about the way the world is shaping up. An Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft was bringing back bodies of 45 Indian nationals who died in a devastating fire in Kuwait even as the number of Indians who lost their lives rose following the death of one of the injured in hospital. The fire broke out early on Wednesday at a building at Mangaf in southern Kuwait that housed 196 foreign workers. (ANI photo) The C-130J Hercules aircraft took off from Kuwait early on Friday morning and is expected to land first at Kochi in Kerala at around 11am, before flying on to New Delhi. Twenty-three of the dead were from Kerala and their bodies will be handed over to authorities in Kochi before the aircraft resumes its journey to the national capital. Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who was sent to Kuwait to oversee relief measures and to facilitate the expeditious repatriation of bodies, is returning in the IAF aircraft. Also Read: Kuwaiti authorities detain 2 for fire, say blaze was caused by short circuit One of the injured died overnight, Kuwaits foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya told local reporters, taking the total number of dead to 50. People familiar with the matter said the injured person who died was an Indian, taking the number of Indian deaths to 46. The fire also killed three Filipinos while one body is yet to be identified. The fire broke out early on Wednesday at a building at Mangaf in southern Kuwait that housed 196 foreign workers. Of them, 176 were Indian nationals and 33 were being treated in different hospitals, the Indian embassy in Kuwait said in a statement. The 45 dead Indians belonged to 12 states, with Kerala accounting for the highest number with 23. The others were from Tamil Nadu (seven), Andhra Pradesh (three), Uttar Pradesh (three), Odisha (two), Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka and West Bengal (one each). The Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has ordered cash handouts for the families of the victims of the fire, Kuwait Times newspaper reported. Kuwaits public prosecutor on Thursday ordered the detention of a Kuwaiti national and two expatriates on charges of manslaughter and wrongful injury, according to an official statement. Prosecution officials visited the injured at different hospitals late on Wednesday to record their statements. Kuwaits deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who is also the interior minister, said the ministry will establish a hotline for people to report safety violations in buildings to authorities. This will allow authorities to take immediate action. Inspections will continue to ensure that all violations are addressed and safety rules are implemented to prevent such disasters, he said. The Karnataka high court on Friday issued a stay order against the arrest of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in connection with the POCSO case. The veteran BJP leader has to appear before investigators on June 17, the high court ordered. Former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa.(PTI file) We had approached the High Court. We had brought the petition challenging the malafide action on the part of the investigating agencies. The court was today of the opinion that since Yediyurappa, being a former chief minister, keeping in mind his age and also his conduct of having taken part in the investigation, this is not a case where the investigator should have gone to court and got a warrant, Sandeep C Patil, Yediyurappa's lawyer, told ANI. There should not be any kind of arrest as he is cooperating. So therefore any such warrant or otherwise is put on hold. And any course steps also the investigator cannot take from now on...He has already written a letter, communicating that I am going to appear on the 17th. In all probability, he will appear on the 17th, he added. The high court order comes a day after a Bengaluru court issued a non-bailable warrant against Yediyurappa in connection with an alleged sexual assault case with a minor girl. In March this year, the mother of the girl filed a complaint in Bengaluru's Sadashivanagar police station, alleging that Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter. The brother of the victim had filed a plea in the court against the four-time former Karnataka chief minister. Yediyurappa had applied for anticipatory bail at a special court, (People Representative Court) seeking prevention from arrest in the POCSO act filed against him, statement from his office. Earlier on Friday, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Sivakumar refuted BJP's allegations against the Congress government of indulging in "hate politics", following the arrest warrant against Yediyurappa." I have not gone into details about it (case). The Congress party doesn't hate anyone. If I speak about hate politics it will go somewhere else, so I don't want to speak...I feel pity (for Yediyurappa), because I too have suffered from it. I know the pain, PTI quoted Shivakumar as saying. In another development, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said that it will be good if Yediyurappa comes back to Bengaluru and appears before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the POCSO case. "Warrant has been issued, he will be brought and information will be gathered from him, and further action will be taken in accordance with law," PTI quoted the minister as saying. "They have to say such things, what else can they say?" Parameshwara had said when asked about BJP's charge of vendetta politics by the Congress government in the state. KOCHI: A row erupted on Friday after Kerala health minister Veena George claimed the ministry of external affairs (MEA) did not give political clearance for her trip to Kuwait against the backdrop of the fire this week that killed 45 Indians including 23 from the southern state. Kerala health minister Veena George consoles the mother of Akash Sasidharan Nair, one of the victims of a fire that broke out in a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait, at Pathanamthitta district of Kerala (REUTERS) The minister said she and Jeevan Babu, state mission director (National Health Mission), were to fly to Kuwait on Thursday morning to oversee the medical treatment being provided to the injured from the state. Since the trip required MEAs political clearance, the states chief secretary and resident commissioner in Delhi made the request and followed it up We were hopeful of getting the clearance at the last minute and even travelled to the airport in Kochi....but the MEA did not give the political clearance for the travel. The death of each person from India in Kuwait is saddening. But Kerala has lost the most number of people in this tragedy, the minister told reporters. A lot of people injured in the fire are undergoing treatment in hospitals. Their families are not with them. So in the face of this tragedy, these deaths and the grief, the stance of the Centre towards Kerala was wrong and highly unfortunate, added George. There is no word from MEA on the Kerala ministers statement. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who paid respects to the deceased after their bodies were transported to Kochi by an IAF aircraft from Kuwait, also said the Centres decision was wrong but indicated that he didnt want to raise it now. I dont intend to raise it now as a serious issue, maybe, we can discuss it later. Right now, the state and central governments must work together and coordinate efforts to help these families affected by the tragedy, he said. The Congress also backed the state government and termed the Centres decision most unfortunate. When such tragedies occur in foreign countries, its important that representatives of state and central governments are present there. The Centres representative went early, but if the state representative was also there, she could have coordinated efforts with the local Malayali expatriate outfits there. The Centres decision sends a wrong message, said VD Satheesan, leader of the opposition in Kerala Assembly. BJP leader and union minister of state Suresh Gopi said there was no place for such controversies. There is no need to see politics in it. Every person has a position and responsibilities. The MEA is in charge of matters like these and decisions have been taken within the ambit of cooperative federalism. S Jaishankar and his team have done a good job. An MoS was deputed to go to Kuwait and everything has been handled well, said Gopi. A major fire broke out at Acropolis Mall in Kolkata on Friday. Several fire engines rushed to the spot to douse the blaze. Initial reports indicated that the fire broke out on the third floor of Acropolis shopping mall located in the southern part of Kolkata, prompting authorities to evacuate the building. The fire reportedly broke out on the third floor of Acropolis Mall in Kolkata on Friday. Ten fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze which broke out at the mall in Kasba area around 12.15pm, news agency PTI reported. "As of now, there is no report of any injury. Firefighting operations are underway. Some firefighters have entered the building wearing oxygen masks," an official told PTI. Also Read | Massive fire breaks out in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, 40 fire engines at spot; no casualties The entire area was engulfed in smoke, and traffic movement in front of the mall has been regulated, a senior officer of the Kolkata Traffic Police said. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. However, some reports claimed that the fire broke at the food court of the mall. Fire at Park Street restaurant in Kolkata The Acropolis Mall blaze incident comes days after a fire broke out at a restaurant in the Park Street area of central Kolkata, triggering panic among local people. No casualty was reported in the incident which took place on Tuesday. Also Read | Fire breaks out at Ludhiana MC warehouse, confiscated goods gutted At least nine fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze, which was first spotted around 10.50am. The fire broke out at the restaurant adjacent to a multi-storied building on Park Street. Thick smoke and flames were seen billowing from the higher floors of the structure, a part of which was covered with tin sheets that got destroyed. People from nearby residential buildings and offices came out on the street in fear. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, and they are still working as the cooling-off process is underway, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose said. The cause of the fire will be ascertained after a forensic investigation, he said, adding that the authorities will examine whether the restaurant owner had followed safety regulations or not. Asked about the part of the structure built with tin sheets, Bose said the fire services department doesn't have any say in it. A pall of gloom descended on Sapaha village in Bihars Gopalganj district upon receiving the news of the death of Sheo Shanker Singh in a massive fire in a multi-storey building in Kuwait. The mortal remains of 45 Indian victims who lost their lives in the Kuwait fire incident at the Cochin International Airport in Ernakulam, Kerala, on Friday (ANI Photo) Singhs death has left the villagers heartbroken and a large number of people gathered in front of his house on Friday. Also read | Kuwaiti authorities detain 2 for fire, say blaze was caused by short circuit Singh, who had gone to Kuwait ten months ago, was working as a skilled labourer there. He is survived by his wife, and two sons -Mukesh Kumar Singh (20) and Abhishekh Kumar Singh (15). His eldest son Mukesh, who is pursuing higher studies in Bhopal, reached his village on Friday after receiving the information. After the tragic incident, my family and I tried to contact my father on Wednesday.But, he was not responding to our calls. We came to know about the death of my father yesterday only. We are completely shattered by the news. The last time I spoke to him was on Monday around 7 pm...My father was the sole bread earner of our family," Mukesh said. He also said his family members are in touch with the local administration as they have been told that the body of Sheo Shanker will arrive at the village on Saturday. A total of 49 people, including 45 Indians, died in the fire in a multi-storey building in Kuwait on Wednesday morning. Following this, the government has sent Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to the West Asian country. According to the Kuwaiti authorities, the fire broke out in the building in the southern city of Mangaf. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledged the efforts taken by the Central government and the Kuwait government following the Kuwait Fire tragedy which claimed the lives of 45 Indians on Friday, reported ANI. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hopes that the Kuwaiti government will take an initiative in providing victims with compensation and also urged the union government to speed up these matters. (ANI) CM Vijayan was speaking to the reporters before the landing of a special Indian Air Force aircraft which carried the mortal remains of the Indians killed in the building fire on June 12. He said, "It is a never-ending loss for the families... The Government of Kuwait has taken effective and impeccable measures. It is expected that the follow-up will be flawless. When it came to know about the disaster, the Government of India also intervened in a proper manner," reported ANI. ALSO READ: Denied permission to: Kerala minister as IAF plane brings back 45 Indians killed in Kuwait Union Minister of State VK Singh, who rushed to Kuwait on Thursday returned with mortal remains on the flight, reported ANI. CM Vijayan also urged that measures should be taken to prevent such accidents from happening in the future. "It is hoped that the Kuwaiti government will take the lead in providing adequate compensation to the families. government of India should also try to speed up in such matters," Vijayan said, according to ANI. ALSO READ: Kuwait fire: IAF's 130J aircraft with bodies of 45 Indians lands in Kochi; next stop Delhi | 10 updates Kerala Ministers Veena George who was denied permission to visit Kuwait, and Roshi Augustin were also present at the airport to receive the bodies along with Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Congress MP Hibi Eden, BJP state president K Surendran and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan "There have been some wrong approaches, but now is not the time for that controversy," CM said on Kerala Health Minister Veena George's exclusion, reported ANI. According to ANI, Kerala Minister P Rajeev said that special ambulances with police pilot has been provided for the deceased."Out of 45 deceased, the bodies of the residents of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka will be brought here," the minister said, reported ANI. The remains of 31 victims included 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka. Union Minister Suresh Gopi has assured that the central government will take appropriate actions and decisions according to ANI. He described the incident to be thud on the pravaasi (Overseas Indians) community in Kerala, reported ANI. ALSO READ: Kuwait fire: 45 Indians, 3 Filipinos identified among dead, authorities to promptly investigate incident "We have our contingent working to look after people in all health conditions. They will be brought back to India and their rehabilitation will also be taken care of. It's no graciousness, it is the duty of the GoI and the state government also," Gopi added, according to ANI. At least 45 Indians died in the huge fire that broke out in a labour accommodation in Kuwait's Mangaf on June 12. Two days after they were killed in a devastating apartment fire in Kuwaits Al Ahmadi governorate, the bodies of 45 Indian workers were on Friday brought back to India by an Indian Air Force C130J aircraft, and given a guard of honour by senior government officials, including minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Relatives mourn near the deceased after the coffins' arrival on an Indian Air Force plane from Kuwait at the Cochin International Airport in Kochi on June 14. (AFP) The aircraft carrying the coffins first landed in Kochi on Friday morning, where 31 were unloaded and sent to respective villages in three states Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and then made its way to New Delhi, where it was received by three members of Parliament. The rest of the 14 dead are from nine different states, most of them in northern India. Also Read | Kuwait fire tragedy: Punjab man who died was sole breadwinner of family Wednesdays fire in the Al-Mangaf building, the worst building fire in the Gulf countrys history, broke out at around 4.30am, and most deaths were due to smoke inhalation with most residents caught unawares. NBTC group, an engineering and construction firm partially owned by 69-year-old KG Abraham, an industrialist originally from Kerala, had rented the building to house 195 workers, most of them workers from southern states. Investigations in Kuwait have revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, and two people have been held on charges that include killing and injury by error due to negligence of security and safety precautions against fires. A team probing the fire have found that inflammable material was used as partitions between apartments and between rooms, causing thick black smoke which suffocated people as they tried to run down the stairwell. Of the 49 people dead, 45 were from India, authorities had said on Thursday. On Friday however, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said that one more person had succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll to 50, of which 46 were Indians. Also Read | Denied permission to: Kerala minister as IAF plane brings back 45 Indians killed in Kuwait When 31 bodies 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka were brought out of the IAF aircraft on Friday morning, they were given a guard of honour by the Kerala police and Kerala CM Vijayan, and a host of others ministers Union minister of state for petroleum and tourism Suresh Gopi and Tamil Nadu minister for minorities welfare KS Masthan. Each of them, as well as several ministers in the state government, MLAs, MPs and leaders of political party them sombrely placed wreaths on each coffin. The people who have succumbed in this tragedy were those who had gone (to Kuwait) as part of earning their livelihood. Therefore, as much as we help their families, it will never be enough. I implore the Indian government to work with Kuwait to speed up the process of granting them adequate compensation. This is indeed a massive tragedy for Kerala and its people, Vijayan said. MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh, who flew to Kuwait on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to facilitate relief and rescue efforts, and travelled back with the bodies on Friday, said: The moment our government found out that this incident had taken place, Prime Minister immediately convened a meeting and instructed us to reach Kuwait to take all possible steps so that the mortal remains can be brought back as soon as possible. Singh said that before the team led by him had even reached Kuwait, the PM had already spoken to the Kuwaiti foreign minister and the Emir of Kuwait. I would like to thank the authorities as they did everything possible. Identification, which can take a week or ten days, was done in a short time, Singh said. Shortly after noon, special ambulances carrying the bodies of the 31 people from the southern states left Kochi airport and made their way to their respective hometowns. In Chavakkad, Thrissur district, friends and family members of 44-year-old Binoy Thomas fought back tears as his mortal remains were placed on a table under a tarpaulin sheet in front of an under-construction home in the afternoon. Thomas had flown to Kuwait on June 5 after he had secured a job as a staff member at a supermarket run by NBTC group. Ten days later, his family was making arrangements for his funeral. His family consisted of his wife and two children. They continue to live in an under-construction home which doesnt even have a proper toilet. Binoy used to work as a staff member at a local footwear shop, but he knew the meagre income wasnt enough. So he left for Kuwait to fulfil his dream of completing the construction of his unfinished home, said Shahina Salim, the local councillor who helped Thomas in securing a loan to stave off mounting debt. Over 200km away, in Sooranad in Kollam, hundreds of people thronged the home of U Shameer, 34, to pay their respects before his remains were interred in a graveyard in the village. Employed as a driver with NBTC Group for the past eight years, Shameer was the first to be identified among the Indian fire victims in Kuwait on Wednesday morning. He came home around eight months ago and like always, found time to connect with neighbours like us and the wider community. That is why there are so many people who have come to see him one last time, his neighbour Aravind said. The Kerala government has announced ex-gratia of 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and 1 lakh to the injured. Expatriate industrialists such as MA Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai have promised to give 5 lakh and 2 lakh each to the families while the NBTC Group has announced 8 lakh each to kin of the dead and a job for dependents. In Delhi, 14 bodies of workers from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana and Punjab were received by MPs Yogesh Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat at Palam airport. They were all expected to be taken to their respective villages late on Friday night and Saturday morning. The devastating blaze in Kuwait that killed 49 people, mostly Indian workers, has been described as the worst building fire in the countrys history, triggering a crackdown by the local authorities on housing violations. The blaze was the second largest fire disaster in Kuwait in terms of the death toll. (HT Print photo) Forty-five Indians were among those who died on Wednesday when the fire engulfed a seven-storey building at Mangaf in southern Kuwait that housed foreign workers. Kuwaits health minister Ahmad Al-Awadhi said 56 injured people were taken to local hospitals. The incident was the worst building fire in Kuwaits history, and it gave rise to calls for action against landlords and company owners who violate the law to house large numbers of foreign laborers in extremely unsafe conditions to cut costs, the Kuwait Times newspaper reported. The blaze was the second largest fire disaster in Kuwait in terms of the death toll. In August 2009, a woman angry over her husband getting married for the second time, had set a wedding tent on fire, killing 56 women and children. Also Read: Kuwait fire: 45 Indians, 3 Filipinos identified among dead, authorities to promptly investigate incident Kuwaits Fire Force announced after a field examination that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, state-run KUNA news agency reported. Kuwaits public prosecutor ordered the remanding of a Kuwaiti national and an expatriate on charges of erroneous killing in connection with the fire. The two persons, who werent identified, are being held on several charges, including killing and injury by error due to negligence of security and safety precautions against fires, the public prosecutors office said on X. A special team examined the scene of the fire and visited hospitals to question the injured. Kuwaits first deputy prime minister and interior minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who is personally leading the campaign to check buildings housing foreign workers, said authorities began inspecting apartment blocks from Thursday and will crack down on all violations without warning. Al-Sabah said Kuwaits Public Authority of Manpower will examine the issue of overcrowding of expatriate workers in buildings and the failure to comply with safety conditions. The owner of the building where the fire occurred will be kept in custody till the investigation is completed, he said. The building where the fire occurred had been rented by NBTC group, an engineering and construction firm partially owned by an Indian national, to house 196 workers, most of them Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and northern states. Most of the dead and injured were from Kerala. The fire erupted just after 4 am, when most of the residents of the building were asleep. It resulted in thick clouds of smoke that suffocated most of the victims, Kuwait Times reported, quoting officials from interior ministry and fire department. The head of investigations at Kuwaits fire department, Col Sayed Al-Mousawi, said a team probing the fire found an inflammable material was used as partitions between apartments and between rooms, and this caused the thick black smoke. Many victims suffocated while trying to run down stairwells filled with smoke, and people couldnt go to the rooftop because the door was locked, he said. Mousawi said the work of fire fighters was hindered by many violations inside and outside the building. An Egyptian national told reporters from his hospital bed it took him two hours to get out of the burning building with the help of fire fighters, and that he had seen several charred bodies. New Delhi The devastating blaze in Kuwait that killed 49 people, mostly Indian workers, has been described as the worst building fire in the countrys history, triggering a crackdown by the local authorities on housing violations. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh calls on Kuwait Minister of Defense and Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, in Kuwait on Thursday. (Indian Embassy, Kuwait) Forty-five Indians were among those who died on Wednesday when the fire engulfed a seven-storey building at Mangaf in southern Kuwait that housed foreign workers. Kuwaits health minister Ahmad Al-Awadhi said 56 injured people were taken to local hospitals. The incident was the worst building fire in Kuwaits history and it gave rise to calls for action against landlords and company owners who violate the law to house large numbers of foreign laborers in extremely unsafe conditions to cut costs, the Kuwait Times newspaper reported. The blaze was the second largest fire disaster in Kuwait in terms of the death toll. In August 2009, a woman angry over her husband getting married for the second time, had set a wedding tent on fire, killing 56 women and children. Kuwaits Fire Force announced after a field examination that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, state-run KUNA news agency reported. Kuwaits public prosecutor ordered the remanding of a Kuwaiti national and an expatriate on charges of erroneous killing in connection with the fire. The two persons, who werent identified, are being held on several charges, including killing and injury by error due to negligence of security and safety precautions against fires, the public prosecutors office said on X. A special team examined the scene of the fire and visited hospitals to question the injured. Kuwaits first deputy prime minister and interior minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who is personally leading the campaign to check buildings housing foreign workers, said authorities began inspecting apartment blocks from Thursday and will crack down on all violations without warning. Al-Sabah said Kuwaits Public Authority of Manpower will examine the issue of overcrowding of expatriate workers in buildings and the failure to comply with safety conditions. The owner of the building where the fire occurred will be kept in custody till the investigation is completed, he said. The building where the fire occurred had been rented by NBTC group, an engineering and construction firm partially owned by an Indian national, to house 196 workers, most of them Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and northern states. Most of the dead and injured were from Kerala. The fire erupted just after 4 am, when most of the residents of the building were asleep. It resulted in thick clouds of smoke that suffocated most of the victims, Kuwait Times reported, quoting officials from interior ministry and fire department. The head of investigations at Kuwaits fire department, Col Sayed Al-Mousawi, said a team probing the fire found an inflammable material was used as partitions between apartments and between rooms, and this caused the thick black smoke. Many victims suffocated while trying to run down stairwells filled with smoke, and people couldnt go to the rooftop because the door was locked, he said. Mousawi said the work of fire fighters was hindered by many violations inside and outside the building. An Egyptian national told reporters from his hospital bed it took him two hours to get out of the burning building with the help of fire fighters, and that he had seen several charred bodies. The Bharatiya Janata Party and its ally in Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, on Thursday engaged in a war of words over an article in Organiser, a weekly known to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The Organiser article had criticised the BJP for forming an alliance with the NCP. Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar (L), CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis during a 'Mahayuti' alliance meeting in Mumbai. (HT file) Reacting to the article, NCP leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, To some extent, it (article) may be true. Some have also criticised the BJP for including leaders from the Congress, such as former chief minister Ashok Chavan. Even former Congress leader Milind Deora was inducted by chief minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and made a Rajya Sabha member. But who will talk about the result in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP's seats decreased? What about other states where they lost some seats? Chhagan Bhujbal asked. NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel said an article in a weekly does not reflect the BJP's stance. "It should not be interpreted in that manner," news agency PTI quoted Praful Patel as saying. NCP youth wing leader Sooraj Chavan, however, sharply reacted saying the when the BJP performs well, credit is given to the hard work of the RSS, but a defeat is blamed on Ajit Pawar. Hitting back, BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said, The RSS is like a father figure to all of us. There is no need to make comments about the RSS. Sooraj Chavan should not have rushed to comment on the organisation. The BJP has not commented against the NCP. It would be better if such issues are discussed during NDA meetings. The New Indian Express, citing unnamed sources, reported that after the write-up, the BJP may snap ties with Ajit Pawar and fight assembly elections with Ekanth Shinde-led Shiv Sena as its ally. RSS-BJP cadres are groomed on anti-Pawar plank. They are anti-Ajit Pawar because of his link to irrigation and Maharashtra state cooperative bank scams. But the anti-Pawar narrative took a back seat after junior Pawar joined hands with the BJP. Rubbing salt to the wound, he was made a deputy chief minister in the MahaYuti government, a senior BJP leader, wishing anonymity, told the newspaper. The global community must ensure the benefits of technology reach all sections of society in order to eliminate inequalities and lay the foundation of an inclusive society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday as he met a galaxy of world leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak and World Bank President Ajay Banga at the G7 Outreach Summit, in Apulia on Friday. (ANI) Participating in an outreach session that focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and energy, Modi called on technology to be creative, not destructive, spoke about the role it played in the recently concluded general elections in India, especially in making the process free and fair, and underlined Indias role in taking up issues of the Global South. Describing the 21st century as an era of technology, Modi said that technology gives the courage to take man to the moon but also creates challenges such as cybersecurity. Together, we must ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society...help eliminate social inequalities, and expand human strengths instead of limiting them, he said, speaking in Hindi. We must turn monopoly in technology into totality. We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society, he added. During the day, Modi, who is on his first overseas visit in his third term, also held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister and host Giorgia Meloni. His later also had a brief encounter US President Joe Biden as world leaders gathered for a family photo. Its always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good, Modi said in a post on X that was accompanied by four images of him embracing and shaking hands with Biden. India is among 12 countries and five international organisations invited by Italy, the host of the G7 Summit, to join the outreach session. Given the focus on AI and energy, Modi highlighted the four principles availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability that guide Indias approach towards energy. While referring to the recent election to the European Parliament and upcoming polls in some other countries, Modi highlighted the magnitude of the Indian elections, which featured more than 2,600 political parties, more than one million polling booths, more than five million electronic voting machines, 15 million polling staff, and 640 million voters exercising their franchise. The entire electoral process has been made fair and transparent by the ubiquitous use of technology...This was the biggest festival of democracy in the world and in the history of humanity...And it is my good fortune that the people of India have given me the opportunity to serve them for the third consecutive time, he said. Modi said India will work with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible. India, as a founding member and lead chair of the Global Partnership for AI, is promoting cooperation among all countries, he said. He pointed to Indias human-centric approach, saying it was among the first few countries to frame a national strategy for AI, which was the basis for the launch of the AI Mission. The mantra of this mission is AI for All and India is promoting cooperation among all countries as the lead chair of the Global Partnership for AI. India stressed the importance of international governance in AI during its G20 presidency last year and it will continue to work with all countries in future to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible, Modi said. India is the first country to fulfil all its commitments under COP ahead of schedule and is making every effort to fulfil its commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2070, he said. Besides starting Mission LiFEor Lifestyle For Environment, India launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One tree in the name of the mother) on June 5, the Environment Day. Everyone loves their mother. With this feeling, we want to make tree plantation a mass movement with a personal touch and global responsibility. I urge all of you to join it, he said. Pointing to his plans to build a developed India by 2047, Modi said the commitment that no section of society is left behind is also important in international cooperation. The countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of global uncertainties and tensions. India has considered it its responsibility to put the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage, he said. In these efforts, India has given high priority to Africa and has been contributing to the socio-economic development, stability and security of all countries in Africa. Modi also thanked PM Meloni for inviting him to the summit and extended best wishes to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on his birthday. Shillong: Meghalaya deputy chief minister in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the alleged torture of a man, who was arrested based on suspicion that he was a Bangladeshi national, by the Dawki police in West Jaintia Hills. Meghalaya Dy CM Prestone Tynsong (Twitter Photo) Tynsong has directed the superintendent of police (SP), West Jaintia Hills District, to immediately conduct an inquiry into the alleged incident, said National Peoples Youth Front (NPYF) president Kitboklang Nongrem after a meeting with the deputy CM while also seeking his intervention into the incident. Speaking to media persons, Nongrem said that on June 12, the man, a resident of Pyrdiwah in East Khasi Hills, was arrested and brought to Dawki police station where the police instigated a dog to bite him thereby causing injury. We can understand that police can make an arrest if they suspect anyone committing crime but it is very inhuman and it is not acceptable for the police to torture a suspect and had got him bitten by a dog inside the police station, said Nongrem. Nongrem said that as youth leaders, they have urged the deputy CM to order an inquiry and once the facts are determined, the personnel involve in the torture should be punished according to the law. We have also appraised the deputy chief minister to look into the frequent harassment committed by BSF [Border Security Force] personnel against the people in the border areas in which he had assured us that the state government is working closely with the BSF and the police department to make sure that there are close relationship between the forces and the people in the border, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a brief encounter with US President Joe Biden on Friday on the margins of the G7 Summit in Italy, as world leaders gathered for a family photo following an outreach session that was devoted to AI and energy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden. (REUTERS) Its always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good, Modi said in a post on X that was accompanied by four images of him embracing and shaking hands with Biden. Also Read | G7 Summit: PM Narendra Modi bats for secure AI, highlights concerns of Global South| Top quotes No other details of the encounter were immediately available. It was earlier expected that Modi and Biden would have a pull-aside on the margins of the G7 Summit. The Washington Post reported that Biden held bilateral meetings only with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Pope Francis before leaving the venue of the summit. But other than Meloni and Francis, Biden will not participate in any other bilateral meetings, including with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the report said. The Post quoted an unnamed senior US administration official as saying: These trips, theres always a lot of leaders and very little time. Modi also had a brief encounter with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before the family photo. Met Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the G7 Summit, he posted on X along with a photo of him shaking hands with Trudeau. Ties between India and Canada have been strained since Trudeau alleged last September that there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. India dismissed the accusation as absurd and has maintained that Canada hasnt provided any evidence to back up the allegation. Modi also posted an image on X of a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. India values the strong ties with Jordan, he said. Also Read | Rishi Sunaks awkward hug-and-kiss moment with Italy PM Giorgia Meloni is viral: Smelly breath energy The interactions in Italy continue...Delightful conversation with President @LulaOficial, President @RTErdogan and His Highness Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed, he said in another post on X with an image that showed him with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi also posted an image of his brief meetings with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday agreed to intensify strategic defence cooperation, with an increased focus on the Make in India initiative, while emphasising that a strong bilateral strategic partnership is crucial for a stable global order. Apulia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy on June 14 (PTI/@MEAIndia*) Macron was the first world leader to meet PM Modi on the margins of the G7 Summit at Apulia in Italy. PM Modi, who is attending the G7 Summits outreach session, is set to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders, including his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. France is Indias closest strategic partner in Europe and the two sides have built up close cooperation, especially in security and defence. India is currently in negotiations with France to acquire 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy and earlier procured 36 jets for the Indian Air Force under a 2016 deal worth Euro 7.87 billion. Modi and Macron agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on Make in India, said a readout from the external affairs ministry, referring to the Indian initiative aimed at achieving greater self-reliance in key areas. The two leaders exchanged views on key global and regional issues, and emphasised that a strong and trusted strategic partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights, the readout said. They also reviewed bilateral relations, with a focus on the Horizon 2047 roadmap and the Indo-Pacific roadmap. Their discussions covered cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. Macron and Modi agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), critical and emerging technologies, energy, and sports, and to work closely in the context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, which will both be hosted in France in 2025. PM Modi thanked Macron for his wishes on assuming office for a third term. He also conveyed his best wishes to Macron for the forthcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. During PM Modis visit to France last July, the two sides signed a raft of agreements to deepen defence cooperation, including pacts for three submarines for the Indian Navy and the development of jet and helicopter engines. Following the success of Indias P75 or Scorpene submarine construction programme, state-run Mazagon Dockyard Ltd and Frances Naval Group signed a MoU for building three additional Scorpene submarines. The two sides are jointly developing a combat aircraft engine under the Horizon 2047 roadmap. This project is being implemented by Frances Safran and Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Indias Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing an engine for Indias multi-role helicopter programme with Safran. Defence cooperation is a key pillar in India-France relations and the two sides are working on the co-production of military platforms that meet not only their own needs but those of friendly third countries. New Delhi: The Ukraine peace summit to be hosted by Switzerland this week figured in a bilateral meeting on Friday between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who thanked the Indian leader for sending a high-level delegation to the meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Twitter/@narendramodi) The two leaders met on the margins of the G7 Summit in Italy, a day ahead of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine to be held in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock from June 15-16. Russia has not been invited to the summit, while China is staying away. Switzerland sent out 160 invitations, though only 90 states and organisations are expected to attend the summit. Modi said India continues to encourage a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, and New Delhi will continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution, according to a readout from the external affairs ministry. Also Read: PM Modi, Rishi Sunak assess India-UK free trade pact talks on G7 Summit sidelines The readout said the leaders had a productive meeting, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties. They also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Summit on Peace being hosted by Switzerland, it added. Zelenskyy said on Facebook that the two sides talked about preparations for the peace summit and issues on its agenda. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the summit, he said. People familiar with the matter said both Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar are not expected to attend the peace summit, and India will be represented by a senior official. The peace summit is underpinned by elements of a 10-point peace formula presented by Zelenskyy in late 2022. It is not expected to produce any major results and is being seen as a largely symbolic effort on the part of Ukraine to rally the world community. Modi said in a post on X that he had a very productive meeting with Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy, he said. He also thanked Zelenskyy for his wishes on assuming office for a third term. Zelenskyy, who is a special invitee to the G7 Summit, said he and Modi discussed the development of bilateral relations and ways to expand trade, particularly in the context of the functioning of the Black Sea export corridor. The two sides also explored the possibility of exchanging experiences in the use of new technologies in agriculture, Zelenskyy said. Also Read: First Pope at G7 summit, Francis to voice concerns about generative AI Modi and Zelenskyy also met on the sidelines of last years G7 Summit in Japan. India has so far refrained from criticising Russias invasion of Ukraine and has pushed both sides to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve their differences. Leaders of the G7 states agreed on a deal on Thursday to provide loans worth $50 billion to Ukraine by using interest from Russian assets that were frozen after the Russian invasion. Zelenskyy signed a new, long-term security accord with US President Joe Biden after signing a 10-year security agreement with Japan, with Tokyo promising to provide Kyiv with $4.5 billion this year. He said the two security agreements form the foundation of a new security architecture for Ukraine. New Delhi:The monsoon has nearly not progressed since June 11 as per bulletins issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The northern limit of the monsoon continues to pass through Navsari, Jalgaon, Amravati, Chandrapur, Bijapur, Sukma, Malkangiri, Vizianagaram, and Islampur, IMD said on Friday. (Representative Photo) The IMD in its Friday bulletin said that conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Northwest Bay of Bengal, some parts of Gangetic West Bengal, remaining parts of Sub Himalayan West Bengal and some parts of Bihar during next four to five days. Also Read: Heatwave conditions continue in parts of Delhi Heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy rain is very likely to continue over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast India during next 4-5 days, it said. Heatwave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue over northern parts of India for another four to five days, the IMD has warned. Monsoon is expected to remain weak for the next 3-4 days. Once it picks up, it may move to West Bengal, Jharkhand etc., but then move over to the Himalayan foothills before making an onset over Delhi, Haryana and neighbouring areas around month end, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorologist at Skymet Weather. The westerly winds are very strong. They are not letting moist easterly winds penetrate over northwestern states. Monsoon onset will not happen here until wind direction changes, added Palawat. On Thursday, the Safdarjung Observatory, the citys official weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius, 4.9 degrees above normal. The rainfall deficiency since June 1 increased from 1% on Wednesday to 9% on Friday. There is a 9% deficiency over the country, with 57% rainfall deficiency over northwest India, 30% over east and northeast India, 9% deficiency over central India and 50% excess over Peninsular India, according to the IMD. HT reported on June 13 that the progress of the monsoon is likely to weaken over the next week and consequently intensify heatwave conditions over northwest and eastern India, meteorologists said. According to IMD, severe heat wave conditions are very likely in many or most parts of Uttar Pradesh, in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi till June 18, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand till June 15 and isolated heat wave conditions over western parts of Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar till June 15. Moreover, heat wave conditions are very likely isolated in pockets of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Division till June 17, northeast Madhya Pradesh till June 16, north Rajasthan, and north Chhattisgarh till June 15. On Thursday, maximum temperatures in the range of 44-47C were observed over many parts of Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, over some parts of west Jharkhand, southwest Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and north Rajasthan. Meanwhile, heavy to very heavy rainfall was observed at isolated places in Assam and Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, North Interior Karnataka, Konkan and Goa, Telangana, Marathwada and Bihar. In one of the longest and most severe summers, 14 of 36 subdivisions in the country have recorded over 15 heat wave days between March 1 to June 9, data compiled by the IMD has shown. Following an explosion which claimed the life of six workers in the factory on Thursday afternoon, the manager and director of the explosive manufacturing unit in Dhamna, Nagpur were arrested on Friday, According to Police Commissioner, a firecracker unit nearby caught fire, with workers packing them when the incident took place.(X/ANI) Jay Khemka, director of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd and Sagar Deshmukh, manager of the factory, were arrested, said Vinod Godbole, police inspector, Hingna police station, Nagpur, according to ANI. Apart from the six workers killed, three were critically injured in the blast on Thursday. ALSO READ: 5 killed, 5 injured in blast at explosives factory in Nagpur: Report General manager of Chamundi Explosive Pvt. Ltd., Sanjay Tidke told The Hindu that compensation will be given to the families of the deceased. He said, As soon as I received information about the incident, I took relief efforts. Compensation will be given to the families of the deceased. Police commissioner Ravindra Singhal told The Hindu, "The firecrackers that were stored in a nearby unit caught fire, which resulted in the blast. The workers were packing them when the incident took place. Experts have been roped in to ascertain the cause of the incident, he said. ALSO READ: Bomb attack at doctors residence in Imphal, one minor injured; case registered Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in post on X (formerly known as Twitter) said that the district administration is doing the needful and that he has contacted the district administration and the police commissioner. "The news is very sad that six people died in an explosion at Chamunda Explosive Company in Hingana MIDC area of Nagpur. three people are critical in this incident and they have been admitted to Dande Hospital for treatment," he posted, according to ANI. ALSO READ: Kuwaiti authorities detain 2 for fire, say blaze was caused by short circuit Fadnavis also offered financial aid for the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Assistance Fund. Former Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh too visited the incident site on Thursday. (with inputs from ANI and The Hindu) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Outreach Summit in Italy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Outreach Summit in Apulia on Friday. (ANI) The two leaders were seen greeting each other with a namaste or folded hand gesture. Follow LIVE updates of the G7 Summit here. The G7 summit is being held in the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italy's Apulia region from June 13 to 15. The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. India has been invited as an Outreach country to the summit. PM Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late at night to attend the G7 Outreach Summit. This is the prime minister's first overseas travel after assuming office in his third consecutive term. Earlier today, Modi held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and discussed a range of issues. He also met Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through "dialogue and diplomacy".The prime minister also met Pope Francis. Earlier, in his departure statement, PM Modi had said that he is "glad that his first state visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit." The prime inister had also recalled his previous visit to Italy and Prime Minister Meloni's visits to India, which have contributed significantly to enhancing bilateral ties." "I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," PM Modi had said before leaving for Italy. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday met students who appeared for the NEET-UG exam to address their concerns. He also assured them that no injustice would be done to the students. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with students and their parents.(ANI) Pradhan told ANI that the government is committed and that it can assure students that a transparent process related to the NEET exam will be followed. Students who wanted to meet us today, I called them, their parents also came, I met them. I heard their side, and I made them feel better. The government is committed, and all students should have this assurance that a transparent process will be followed, Pradhan told ANI. Pradhan said that 24 lakh students applied for the exam, of which 23 lakh 30 thousand students took it. Whatever doubts come to their minds, some issues came to mind that some irregularities in the centre were noticed, due to lack of time for grace marks, some objections were raised in the formula used for giving grace marks, that was also rectified, he said. Pradhan added: The Supreme Court permitted them to take the exam again yesterday, they have been informed. Those who want to take the exam can take the exam there as well... The NEET-UG examination is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. NEET-UG exam row The NEET-UG examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates took it. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4. It was said that the result was announced earlier as the evaluation of the answer sheets was completed earlier. There have been allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar and other irregularities in the prestigious exam. The allegations have led to protests in several cities and filing of cases in seven high courts as also the Supreme Court. Scores of students protested in Delhi on June 10 seeking a probe into alleged irregularities. As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTA's history, with six from a centre in Haryana's Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to 67 students sharing the top rank. Earlier today, the Supreme Court issued a notice from the Centre and the NTA on a plea for a CBI probe into allegations of question paper leak and other irregularities in the exam. Six more people were killed and two others wounded as excessive rainfall triggered massive landslides across North Sikkim, causing extensive damage, blocking several key roads and inundating dozens of homes across the region, officials said on Thursday. A house in North Sikkim upturned due to incessant landslides. (PTI) The toll in the state from the recent spate of rainfall and landslides is now nine, with three deaths reported on Monday. The tiny Himalayan state in eastern India has been recording excessive rainfall since Sunday, even as people in the rest of the country reel from varying degrees of heatwaves and water shortages. Around 2,000 tourists are stranded in the state as of Thursday evening, officials said. The Sikkim government has initiated measures for relief and to provide basic necessities, a statement from the chief ministers office said. Efforts are underway to provide every possible support to the victims and affected families, including recovery assistance, temporary settlement, and the provision of basic needs, chief minister Prem Singh Tamang, who was in Itanagar for the swearing in ceremony of Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, was quoted as saying in Sikkim governments statement. Mangan district, the northernmost region of the state bordering China, was the worst affected. According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mangan district in North Sikkim received over 220mm rain between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. A massive and devastating landslide has struck the areas around Mangan and various locations in North Sikkim following incessant rainfall since yesterday. This tragic incident has resulted in the loss of lives, the destruction of houses, and the displacement of families, the government statement said. While there were no official reports on how many people were displaced in this weeks havoc, over a hundred people have been affected. In 2023, a flash flood devastated the state and also triggered a glacial lake outburst on the South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim. Around 100 towns and villages were partially or severely hit. It included the towns of Lachen and Chungthang in north Sikkim. More than 88,000 people were affected. At least 33 bridges were washed away. On Thursday, while three casualties were reported from Pakshep, three were killed in Ambhithang both in North Sikkim which comprises Mangan district. With this, the toll in the state rose to nine, with three deaths being reported on Monday in South Sikkim. The landslides blocked several roads and washed away some massive sections of others, damaged houses and uprooted electricity poles in multiple areas in Mangan. Several houses at Upper Gyathang and Tarag villages were completely damaged by landslides in Djongu area. The road leading to Mangan, the district headquarters, has been cut off. There were also several reports of deaths of cattle and poultry birds. The road leading to Mangan has been washed away at multiple points. This has cut off the supply line as vehicles cant reach several areas. Measures were being taken to open up new routes to connect the cut off regions, a district official in Mangan said. District magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri said: More than two thousand tourists are stranded at places like Lachen and Lachung. But they are all safe. Other areas like Damthang in South Sikkim, Gyalshing in West Sikkim and Gangtok have received 30mm-50mm rain in the same period. Ravangla in South Sikkim received 119.5mm rain between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, while Tadong in Gangtok district in East Sikkim, received around 103 mm rain between Monday and Tuesday morning. While the state normally receives around 162mm rain between June 1 and June 13, according to IMD data, this year it has registered 250mm rain in the last 13 days, resulting in 54% excess. Despite the rainfall so far, IMD has predicted even more in the coming days. IMD has issued a red alert for North Sikkim and orange alerts for others districts in the state, warning of more rain and possible landslides over the next four to five days. Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in all the six districts of Sikkim, till around the morning of June 18, has been sounded. For Mangan district, a red alert was in place for Thursday. Over the next few days orange alert has been issued for districts such as Gangtok, Geyzing and Mangan. The weather impact forecast says that there are possibilities of flash floods and landslides, an IMD official said. Attributing the excess rain to a strong monsoon trough and a low-pressure area over the state, GN Raha, director of IMDs regional office in Gangtok, said, Monsoon had hit Sikkim and sub-Himalayan West Bengal on May 31. Over the past few days, the monsoon trough has bene very strong over Sikkim and as a result moisture-laden winds are gushing in from the Bay of Bengal. Secondly an elongated area of low pressure also passes over Sikkim. This is triggering the rains. Earlier, landslides were reported from several pockets in Gangtok district. At Namchi in South Sikkim, the main water supply pipeline was damaged hitting water supplies. Officials from North Sikkim said the new bridge near Sangkalang, which was built by the Army and Border Roads Organisation after a glacial lake outburst in North Sikkim left over 100 dead in October last year, was completely damaged. As a result, connectivity between upper and lower Djongu, Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen has been cut off. In West Bengals Kalimpong district, many people were rendered homeless as the Teesta River damaged human habitations along its banks. At Teesta Bazar, which was badly affected by the flash floods last year, the road leading to Darjeeling via Peshok was inundated, officials said. Balasubramanian T, district magistrate of Kalimpong, said, Many new vulnerable points have been identified on NH-10. Used extensively by the Army and civilians, NH-10, which leads right up to the Indo-China border, is the lifeline of Sikkim and Kalimpong. A special court in Bengaluru on Thursday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in connection with a case under the protection of children from sexual offences (Pocso) Act. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is expected to arrest him soon. The case originated on March 14 when Bengaluru police registered a complaint under the Pocso Act against Yediyurappa, following allegations made by the 17-year-old survivors mother (PTI) The warrant, issued by additional city civil and sessions judge (Fast Track Special Court-I) NM Ramesh, authorised the CID to take Yediyurappa into custody. This development a day after Yediyurappa filed a plea to quash the case against him in the Karnataka high court. The hearing is awaited. Similarly, a petition filed by the 17-year-old survivors brother, demanding Yediyurappas arrest, is also pending. The HC is scheduled to hear these petitions on Friday. Yediyurappa filed for anticipatory bail on Wednesday. Currently in New Delhi, Yediyurappa is expected to return to Bengaluru soon. Leaders close to Yediyurappa, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran and member of the partys parliamentary board, indicated he would cooperate with the probe upon his return to Bengaluru. The case originated on March 14 when Bengaluru police registered a complaint under the Pocso Act against Yediyurappa, following allegations made by the 17-year-old survivors mother. The 54-year-old woman, who had levelled the charge against Yediyurappa, died at a private hospital here last month, due to lung cancer. The 81-year-old Yediyurappa has denied the charge and said he would fight the case legally. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara confirmed on Thursday that the CID, which is investigating the case, has issued a notice requiring Yediyurappa to appear for questioning. Parameshwara mentioned that Yediyurappa could be arrested if necessary. Notice has been served procedurally, the charge sheet has to be filed by June 15. Before that, they will file the charge sheet. They will have to follow the procedure for it. They will have to record his statement and produce him in court; all these are procedures and the department will do it, Parameshwara stated. Responding to inquiries about the potential arrest, he said, If necessary, they will arrest. I cant say if it is necessary; CID has to say it. If they feel it is necessary, they will do it. The police has charged Yediyurappa under the Pocso Act and section 354 A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following a complaint from the mother of the survivor. On March 14, hours after the Sadashivanagar police registered the case, the Karnataka Director General of Police Alok Mohan issued an order transferring it to the CID for further investigation with immediate effect. In April, the CID collected the voice sample of Yediyurappa after summoning him to the office. Yediyurappa was not available for a comment. Responding to the arrest warrant, state BJP general secretary P Rajeev said, It is not right to politicise anything and everything for political reasons. It was a false case filed three months ago. No one bothered about it until the election results came. He (BS Yediyurappa) has already appeared for investigation three-four times. If called, he will go to again. The home minister himself has given a statement that, the woman (complainant) has filed 52-53 cases like this and that filing false cases is a habitual behaviour of that woman, so the truth will be known. We have confidence in the judiciary, he said. On March 15, responding to the allegations, Yediyurappa said, I have come to know that a complaint has been filed against me by a woman. It must have been about a month, they used to visit but I didnt pay attention. But one day, when I told them that they were crying, I called them and asked what happened. They told me they had been wronged. I then called the police commissioner (B) Dayananda and asked him to hear them out and do the needful. But then she started talking against me then and there. I thought she was unwell and asked the police commissioner to investigate. Now this has been twisted and made into an FIR. We will do what is legally required. I didnt think helping someone would result in this. I had even given some money to them as well. But we will contest legally, he added. Amid the ongoing murder case against Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa and his associates, the Karnataka police on Thursday reassigned the investigation officer. Kamakshipalaya police inspector Girish Nayak has been transferred, and his superior, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Chandan Gowda, has taken over as the investigation officer (IO) in the high-profile case. Despite additional police forces being deployed to manage the situation, the number of people continues to grow, prompting the need for stricter measures. (PTI) A senior police officer said that the transfer was part of a routine procedure. Nayak was posted at the Kamakshipalaya station due to the elections. With the model code of conduct (MCC) no longer in effect, he has been returned to his original station. For continuity, ACP Gowda, who has been overseeing the case, has now been appointed the IO, the officer explained. This reassignment comes days after Darshan and several of his aides were arrested and remanded to six days of police custody in connection with the murder of Renukaswamy (33), who was allegedly tortured and killed at the Pattanegere shed. In response to a crowd gathering around the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where Darshan and his associates are being held, Bengaluru authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The orders, which are in effect from June 13 to June 17, restrict gatherings within a 200-metre radius of the police station. The decision to impose these restrictions was taken as his fans created disturbances by shouting slogans in support of Darshan. Despite additional police forces being deployed to manage the situation, the numbers continued to grow, prompting the need for stricter measures. The situation reached a peak on June 12 when a large crowd gathered during a spot inspection at the Pattanegere shed, where the murder allegedly took place. The police had to employ a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Considering the situation, Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda reviewed intelligence inputs and decided to impose prohibitory orders for five days. During this period, gatherings of more than five people, meetings, protests, and the display of placards and posters are prohibited, stated a senior officer. The case has garnered widespread attention, both due to the involvement of the popular actor and the nature of the crime. As the investigation into the case continues, a team has questioned Darshan at the police station, another team was deployed to collect evidence from the parking lot where the murder took place. We have also verified the call details from the victims phone. It shows that the last three calls were made by Raghavendra, a member of Darshans fan association. The last call lasted for a few seconds. Since then, all calls went unanswered, said senior officer on the condition of anonymity. Massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfalls leaves over 1,200 tourists including 15 foreigners stranded in Mangan district in Sikkim, an official said on Friday, according to PTI. The landslide has also resulted in severe damage of properties; disruption of road connectivity, power, food supplies and mobile network in several areas. (ANI photo) Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang chaired a meeting in Mintokgang to assess the situation after the landslide. Sikkim Tourism & Civil Aviation Department's Principal Secretary C S Rao said, the office of the chief secretary has initiated the proceedings to airlift the tourists, reported PTI. "As per the ground report, around 1,200 domestic and 15 foreign tourists (two from Thailand, three from Nepal and ten from Bangladesh) are stranded in Lachung, Mangan district due to road blockages caused by heavy rainfall and landslides," Rao said in the statement, according to PTI. ALSO READ: Nine dead as landslides, triggered by incessant rains, hit Sikkim Rao assured the safety of all the stranded tourist in the statement and asked the locals to remain cautious. He also guaranteed that there is an adequate stock of food supplies and rations to cater to all the stranded tourists. If required as a last straw, tourists will be evacuated by road, Rao said, according to PTI. The town of Lachung is the only part that is cut off from the rest of Sikkim which is open and safe for travel, Rao said, according to PTI. The CM's meeting was "crucial for strategising and coordinating our response to restore normalcy and ensure the safety and well-being of our residents", an official said, reported PTI. ALSO READ: Landslides cut off North Sikkim; swollen Teesta leaves hundreds homeless The CM was made aware of the extent of damage and possible relief measures, including deployment of emergency service personnel and essential supplies. The landslide has also resulted in severe damage of properties; disruption of road connectivity, power, food supplies and mobile network in several areas. Stretches of roads were blocked and houses were flooded or damaged due to heavy rains, with electric poles swept away, another official said, reported PTI. CM Tamang directed the officials to closely track the situation closely and to establish connectivity faster. There are also measures being taken to identify the most critical issues while appealing to the public to stay alert and follow safety guidelines while everything returns to normal. ALSO READ: Nepal: Taplejung landslide kills 4 family members, injures 2 The incessant rains triggered also resulted in the collapse of newly-constructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang leaving tourists in North Sikkim stranded. Another bamboo bridge was destroyed too, said an official reported PTI. The bridge at Sangkalang was constructed last year after the flash food in the Teesra river. Local officials also pointed out that there were efforts to construct a bridge at Phidang to restore connectivity, reported PTI. The ministry of law and justice is likely to place before the Union Cabinet the report of the high-level committee on One Nation, One Election in the next one or two weeks, as part of the departments 100-day plan for the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, officials aware of the developments said on Friday. Former President Ram Nath Kovind, who heads High-Level Committee (HLC) on 'One Nation, One Election', and committee member Union home minister Amit Shah, present the report on simultaneous elections to President Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. (File)(ANI) The panel, led by former president Ram Nath Kovind, had recommended simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step, followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days, in its report submitted to President Droupadi Murmu in March. The ministry plans to submit the (same) report to the Union Cabinet in the next one or two weeks. The report submission before the Cabinet has been one of the topmost priority of the NDA government and part of the ministrys 100 day agenda under the governments new term, a ministry official said, seeking anonymity. A second official, who also did not wish to be named, said the report was approved by the President. On September 2 last year, the Centre had notified the eight-member panel to discuss the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections across the country, sparking a debate on an issue with far-reaching impact on politics, Constitution, and federalism. According to the report submitted to the President, the panel approached 62 political parties out of which 47 responded 32 in support of holding simultaneous polls and 15 against it. The remaining did not submit a response. Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen the foundations of democratic rubric and help realise the aspirations of India, that is Bharat, the report said. Simultaneous elections will bring fundamental transformation in the electoral process and overall governance. It will result in optimising scarce resources and also encourage voters to participate in the electoral process in larger numbers, it added. To be sure, simultaneous elections do not mean that voting across the country for the three tiers of government must take place on a single day. In a country as large as India, it is not possible to have that. Pragmatism requires elections to be held in phases, clarified the panel. In all, the committee recommended two amendments to the Constitution. Opposition parties have accused the Centre of trying to completely dismantle the Constitution and dubbed the idea of One Nation, One Election as One Nation, No Election. As per rules, the Union Cabinet will analyse the report and send it back to the ministry with necessary changes. The ministry will then forward the report to the secretary-generals of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha with relevant details (statement of objects and reasons, notes on clauses, financial memorandum, and memorandum regarding delegated legislation) and to the ministry of parliamentary affairs a month before the House session for legislative scheduling. The report will then be tabled in Parliament for voting. With the Lok Sabha elections leaving the BJP with less than a majority of seats, the government may find it difficult to push contentious bills, especially those that would require constitutional amendments, without its support from its NDA partners and cooperation from the Opposition. Several committees, including a parliamentary panel, the Niti Aayog and the Election Commission of India, have studied simultaneous polls in the past, backing the idea but flagging logistical concerns. Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan was named the Deputy Chief Minister in a highly-anticipated move by the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday. The actor-turned-politician has also been allocated the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Environment, Forests, and Science and Technology portfolios in the Chandrababu Naidu-led government. Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan has also been allotted the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Environment, Forests, and Science and Technology portfolios in the Chandrababu Naidu-led government Naidu's son Nara Lokesh (41) was given the Human Resources Development, Information Technology and Communication portfolios, TDP sources told PTI. Lokesh, a Stanford MBA graduate and former World Bank official is a former minister who won the Mangalagiri seat with a margin of 91,413 votes. "Congratulations to Pawan Kalyan on becoming the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. I congratulate all my colleagues in the cabinet on being assigned their portfolios," said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in a post on X. Anitha Vangalapudi will be the Home Minister. Naidu will retain the Law and Order portfolio. Along with Naidu, as many as 24 ministers were sworn in on Wednesday. Out of 24 ministers who took the oath of office, 17 are first-timers, three are women, eight are from backward class (BC) communities, one a Muslim, two from Scheduled Castes (SC) and one from Scheduled Tribes among others. Besides Naidu, 20 ministers belonging to the TDP, three from Janasena and one from BJP took oath. P Narayana was allotted one of the key departments- Municipal Administration- which would be responsible for the development of the Amaravati capital region. The foundation stone for the Amaravati project was laid in 2015 but it never took final shape due to a shift in political power as the YSRCP formed the state government after the 2019 assembly elections. In the recent Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, the TDP-Janasena-BJP alliance swept to power winning, 164 of the 175 seats on offer. Kalyan's party won 21 seats in the election as well as two in the Lok Sabha polls held concurrently, giving it a 100 per cent strike rate. The alliance won 21 out of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh. Earlier on Friday Pawan Kalyans X handle had shared a post that referred to him as the deputy chief minister. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Friday assessed the implementation of Roadmap 2030, which envisages boosting cooperation in areas such as trade and defence, and negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia on Friday. (ANI) The two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Apulia in Italy, where PM Modi is participating in an outreach session focused on issues such as AI and energy. This was their first meeting since Sunak travelled to India last September for the G20 Summit. Modi and Sunak discussed the implementation of Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness at progress in all areas of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, the external affairs ministry said in a readout. This includes regular high-level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors, and people-to-people ties. The Roadmap 2030, finalised in May 2021, has five pillars, including political contacts and migration and mobility, trade, defence and security, climate change and health. Modi and Sunak expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries, the readout said, without giving details. They also discussed regional and multilateral matters. The two sides have held 14 rounds of talks on the proposed FTA but have been unable to address differences on issues such as market access, tariffs on British scotch whisky and automobiles and greater mobility for Indian professionals and students. With Sunaks Conservative Party widely expected to fare poorly in the upcoming UK election in July, the Indian side is holding off on signing the FTA till a new government is in place in London. After the meeting, Modi said in a post on X: I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector. Sunak congratulated Modi on his third term and the two leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and the UK to further strengthen bilateral ties. Modi extended his wishes to the people of the UK as they prepare for a general election next month. The police have accessed new CCTV camera footage in the Pune Porsche accident case in which a 17-year-old boy allegedly crashed the luxury car into a motorcycle, killing two young software engineers in the city last month. A new video emerged in the Pune Porsche crash case The CCTV camera footage, recorded in the Yerwada area, shows an employee of the Sassoon General Hospital, accused of being part of a conspiracy to swap the juvenile driver's blood samples, allegedly receiving a bribe, news agency PTI reported. The police said a middleman, Ashpak Makandar, handed over the bribe to hospital employee Atul Ghatkamble. Reportedly, the bribe of 3 lakh was paid on the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) premises. Ghalkamble was already arrested along with the hospitals suspended forensics department head, Dr Ajay Taware, and former casualty medical officer, Dr Shrihari Halnor, for allegedly changing the blood samples of the minor. According to the police, the 17-year-old boy's blood sample was taken on May 19 - hours after the incident - at the Sassoon General Hospital. However, when the police suspected the manipulation of the blood sample, another was taken at the Aundh Government Hospital. Shortly after this, a third blood sample of the juvenile's father was taken for DNA matching, which revealed that the first sample was manipulated. The police have arrested the accused's parents in connection with a case related to the alleged swapping of his blood samples. The incident took place on May 19 in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area when the 17-year-old boy - who was driving a Porsche - collided with a motorcycle, killing two techies identified as Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. Based on the CCTV footage, the police said that the minor boy was driving the Porsche at a speed of 160 kmph at the time of the accident. According to the police, the teenagerthe son of well-known builder Vishal Agrawalhad thrown a party for his friends on Saturday night to celebrate his Class 12 results. The group was drinking at restaurants in the city and driving around at night. The police have registered three separate cases in connection with the incident, including - an FIR over the accident, a second one against a pub that allegedly served liquor to the juvenile and the accused's father for allowing him to drive the car without a valid license. A third case has also been registered in connection with the wrongful confinement and coercion of the family driver to take the blame for the fatal accident - in which the accused's grandfather has been arrested. Meanwhile, the JJB on Wednesday extended the accused's observation home remand until June 25. Earlier, he was kept in the observation home remand until June 12. According to the police, the teen's release at the current juncture may hinder the ongoing investigation into the case. (With inputs from PTI) A first information report (FIR) was filed on Thursday by the son of Ajith, former driver of suspended JD (S) leader Prajwal Revanna family, alleging he was forcibly taken away from his home to a nearby field and assaulted by unknown people, a police officer familiar with the matter said. The son of Ajith stated that a few miscreants broke into the house, forcibly took him to a nearby sugarcane field, assaulted him, and then fled the scene (File photo) Holenarasipura rural police inspector M Pradeep quoted the FIR filed by Mohith (27) as stating that Ajiths family, residing in Moodalahippe village in Holenarasipura taluk of Hassan district, were being harassed for couple of days. On June 9 at around 4am, a three-four miscreants pelted stones at the residence of Ajith, where his wife and parents are residing. The complainant stated that a few miscreants broke into the house, forcibly took him to a nearby sugarcane field, assaulted him, and then fled the scene. The incident took place on Monday at 7.30 pm. I could not identify the strangers who assaulted me as the three persons wore scarves on their faces. I received treatment at Holenarasipura government hospital on Thursday, he told the police. The Holenarasipura rural police inspector said that a case has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections 324 (causing hurt with weapons) and 341 (wrongful restraint). We are searching for the accused through scientific digital evidence, and the investigation is ongoing, he added. This series of attacks come days after Ajith was detained by the SIT on June 5 in Chikkamagalur for questioning. He was later released on the same day. He is accused of recording and distributing a video of the victim, allegedly under Bhavani Revannas instructions. The victim, a 65-year-old woman, was reportedly kidnapped from her house, and Ajiths involvement has been confirmed in the video, police said. An FIR was registered against Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna under Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (insult to modesty of woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Holenaraseepur town police station, Hassan district. The case, registered on April 28 at the Holenarasipura town police station, involves allegations by a 47-year-old woman who was employed at the Revanna household. Prajwal Revanna was charged with sexual assault after pen drives containing videos of him with different women surfaced in Hassan. He had left the country on April 27, a day after polling took place in his constituency of Hassan. He returned from Germany and was immediately arrested by the SIT at the Kempegowda International Airport, in Bengaluru on May 31. The bones and other remains allegedly of Sheena Bora that were recovered by the police in Raigad in Maharashtra have gone missing, the prosecution has told a Central Bureau of Investigation court that is conducting the trial in the case, PTI reported. A file photo of Sheena Bora.(File) Sheena Bora, 24, was allegedly killed in April 2012, and her murder came to light in 2015, according to the police. Indrani Mukerjea, Sheena Bora's mother, is the prime accused in the murder case and is currently out on bail. The revelation about Sheena Bora's remains was made by the prosecution on Thursday during the deposition of a forensic expert doctor from state-run JJ hospital in Mumbai's Byculla area, according to PTI. The court is currently recording the testimony of the forensics expert who had first examined the bones recovered by the police in 2012 from the spot where Sheena Bora's burnt body was buried. Also Read | Bombay HC orders Netflix to first screen Indrani Mukerjea docu-series for CBI Special public prosecutor CJ Nandode told the court the articles (bones and remains of victim's body), which were referred and examined by the witness (forensics expert), are not traceable despite diligent search, according to PTI. Nandode further said that the prosecution wishes to examine the witness without showing her the articles as they are untraceable. The CBI court has adjourned the matter to June 27. Sheena Bora's murder case According to the prosecution, Indrani, together with her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna, allegedly kidnapped Sheena Bora Indranis daughter from a previous relationship on April 24, 2012, from Bandra, strangulated her in a car driven by Shyamwar Rai, also an accused in the case who subsequently turned approver. They then allegedly disposed of the body in a forest near Gagode village on Pen-Khopoli road in the neighbouring Raigad district the following day. Although Boras remains were discovered by local police within days, the plot to murder her only came to light only on August 21, 2015, when the Khar police arrested Rai for another crime. During his interrogation, Rai revealed details pertaining to Boras murder following which a murder case was registered and the police also apprehended Indrani and Khanna. The CBI took over the investigation in September 2015, and arrested Indranis husband Peter Mukerjea, claiming that he was part of the conspiracy to kill Bora. CBI investigators said that Peter and Indrani were unhappy about Sheenas relationship with Rahul, Peters son from a previous marriage. Indrani Mukerjea was arrested in 2015. She was granted bail by the Supreme Court in May 2022. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday described online memes on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as absolutely cringe, and the jokes reflect the poor level of humour in the country. Shiv Sena (UBT) member of Parliament (MP) Priyanka Chaturvedi. (File) This PM Giorgia Meloni and PM Modi memes have gone too far, they are absolutely cringe and also poor reflection of the level of humour that prevails in India. Just saying, Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The internet is occasionally flooded with Modi-Meloni memes, jokingly portraying the romance between the two prime ministers. Some posts even create an imaginary phone call between the two. Such memes went viral on social media, especially during the G20 Summit in India and then after the BJP fell short of a majority in the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, netizens also created a #Melodi - connecting Meloni and Modi's names. However, in December of last year, Meloni used the hashtag on a selfie she posted with Modi after meeting him on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai. Meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni of Italy on the sidelines of the #COP 28 Summit. I trust in the joint efforts of India and Italy for a prosperous and sustainable futureGood friends at COP28 #Melodi, the Italian prime minister wrote. Modi is currently in Italy to attend the G7 Summit at Meloni's invitation. He arrived late Thursday (local time), his first visit to a foreign country since recently assuming office as the PM for the third consecutive term following the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA's victory in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. On Friday, Modi will participate in the G7 outreach session in Italy's Apulia region. He will hold bilateral talks on various issues with world leaders, including Meloni. He is also expected to interact with US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Italy is hosting the G7 Summit from June 13 to 15 at the resort of Fasano. The Summit is said to be dominated by the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas war talks The Delhi high court on Friday issued a notice to the police, seeking its stand on a bail application of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar A vacation bench of Justice Amit Sharma has asked the Delhi Police to file a status report. The court listed the matter for hearing on July 1. This comes after Bibhav Kumar moved the Delhi high court on June 12 to seek regular bail in the case. Bibhav Kumar, who is currently in judicial custody, was denied bail by a Delhi court on June 7. According to the court, the charges against him are grave and serious, and there was an apprehension that he could influence witnesses. Previously, his bail was dismissed on May 27 by a sessions court, which said Maliwal appeared to have no "pre-meditation" in lodging the FIR and that her allegations could not be "swiped away." Kumar was arrested on May 18 after Maliwal, in an FIR, accused him of physically assaulting her at the CM's residence on May 13. According to the FIR, Kumar repeatedly slapped her and kicked her in the stomach and pelvic area. Following the complaint, the police registered an FIR against Kumar under sections 354, 506, 509, and 323 of the IPC, which deal with crimes like assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty and criminal intimidation. What does Bibhav Kumar's bail plea say? Bibhav Kumar's bail plea before the high court states that the trial court failed to consider that his further custody was not required as the investigating officer had collected all evidence and recorded witness statements. While passing the bail rejection order, the additional sessions judge failed to consider the fact that all the evidence in relation to the aforesaid FIR has been collected by the IO and has also recorded the statements of the witnesses therefore, the custody of the petitioner is not required, and no useful purpose shall be served by keeping the petitioner in the judicial custody, it said. (With inputs from agencies) With the election results behind us we now have a new government in place. Without any prejudice to the gravity of the fact that the BJP does not have a simple majority of its own in the Lok Sabha, the government per se has seen almost no change in terms of key positions in the union cabinet. We will have to wait till the last week of June to know whether the BJP will concede the post of the Lok Sabha speakers post to one of its allies. Predicting politics with certainty in a country like India, especially under a collation government, is a territory where only hubris can take you. With this caveat in place, this weeks column will try and make some broad predictions about what might and might not change in the next five years. Three things which are very likely to change A more aggressive and risky social engineering by the BJP The BJPs biggest nightmare from the 2024 results will be a replication of Uttar Pradesh results in the state elections scheduled for 2027 and even outside the state. What the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress alliance in the state has achieved in Uttar Pradesh, is simply speaking, a critical consolidation of about 10%-15% of votes over and above what the SPs traditional Muslim-Yadav consolidation could offer in the past. It is eminently believable that a large chunk of this extra vote share has come from the ranks of non-dominant OBCs and Dalits even though upper caste voters might have played a critical role in certain pockets. From the BJPs perspective, allowing this process to continue is to kiss goodbye to its rainbow Hindu consolidation and, with it, political power. What can the BJP do to counter this setback? What is interesting is that the Modi government had actually set such a plan to counter such a challenge in motion when it created the Justice Rohini Commission to stratify OBC reservations. While the report of the commission has not been released yet, hearsay has it that will put a cap on quota for dominant OBCs such as Yadavs and reserve a bigger share for non-dominant OBCs. Any such policy is bound to create a material rift between dominant and non-dominant OBCs and therefore hurt Mandal parties whose leadership continues to be dominant OBC. The theoretical gains of such a rejig notwithstanding, it is bound to open a pandoras box. Any such policy change will also have very little traction without a detailed caste census. Will the BJP bite the bullet on upsetting the Mandal cart and agree to a caste census by clubbing it with a Rohini Commission kind of re-stratification? The 2024 results have increased the temptation for taking this risky road, the potential social disruption from which can be massive. BJPs dominance vis-a-vis its allies This is where the 2024 result is going to hurt the BJPs ambitions of dominating everything from parliament to panchayat the most. Between 2014 and 2024, the BJP always tried to ride roughshod over its allies. Whether it was denying the Shiv Sena its historical role of the senior partner in the state alliance in Maharashtra or tacitly cutting the Janata Dal (United) by turning a blind eye to Chirag Paswan putting up candidates against the JD(U) in 2020 assembly elections in Bihar the formers party was a part of the NDA at the centre while it did this allies were always under risk from the BJP. Parties like the TDP, JD(U) and even the Eknath Shide-led official faction of the Shiv Sena are not going to take any of this going forward. We will know the exact magnitude of this shift when the seat distribution for 2024 and 2025 assembly elections in Maharashtra and Bihar takes place. In macro terms, this amounts to a systemic friction on the BJPs hegemonic ambitions in politics. In terms of realpolitik, it is going to force a lot of influential local political actors to think beyond the BJP. End of counter-cyclical macro-economic policy This is the most provocative prediction in this category. But this author really believes that the election results would have been very different had the interim budget before the 2024 elections been on the line of the 2019 vintage. Bruised from the election losses in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in 2018 and facing serious rural headwinds on account of a terms of trade reversal against agriculture, the BJP pretty much threw the (fiscal) kitchen sink to boost its chances in the 2019 elections. The results proved that it was the right thing to do. The BJP did not do any of this in 2024 and might have paid a big cost for this, as has been pointed out in another analysis in these pages. While it received a lot of praise from financial markets for doing this, Modi is not a politician whod sacrifice political power at the altar of fiscal prudence. The pivot might not happen before the forthcoming assembly elections later this year, but we should expect a more hands-on fiscal approach to elections going forward which could take a different path compared to what markets would like to see. Here are two things which might or might not change Modi-Shahs unquestioned authority within the BJP This is the most important question in the realm of uncertainty right now. The post-2014 BJP did not just concentrate power in terms of inter-party competition in India. It also led to an almost total concentration of power within the BJP between Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for all practical purposes. To say that this would have led to a lot of heartburn is putting it mildly. BJPs poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections with tangible signs of Modis popularity too taking a hit whether it is his own vote share in Varanasi or the fall in vote share premium the BJP enjoyed in national elections compared to state elections will give the hitherto politically disenfranchised leadership within the BJP an objective basis to question the centralisation of power within the party. But whether this manifests itself in a concrete form of another pole developing within the party immediately remains to be seen. While most political commentators are talking about veterans within the RSS and BJP encouraging such a coup, what it more likely is a realignment of the post-Modi succession battle dynamics within the party. The simple reason for this is that the veterans do not have the luxury of time to see the end of the inner party churn which 2024 might have triggered. This will make them extremely reluctant to play this game from anywhere but backstage. The appointment of the new BJP president should give a preliminary hint in who has got the head start in this battle. Growing squeeze on states in fiscal federalism dynamics This is going to be the most fascinating thing to keep track. While the 15th Finance Commission did not do any change to the devolution of taxes between centre and states, the Modi government has been, slowly but steadily, and, for better or worse, tilting the balance of power away from the states as far as Indias fiscal federalism framework is concerned. This has manifested itself in centre bringing in a lot of conditionalities for capex grants and loans to states and insisting on political attribution and straightjacketing in how states spend welfare grants from the centre to which they are perfectly entitled. The current government is critically dependent on the support of JD (U) and the TDP which come from resource-starved states. Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu are also politicians who share a rapport with leaders of other regional political parties outside the NDA camp. Will they, along with Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sen, open a parallel front with other regional parties to push for greater freedom to states in matters or fiscal federalism or try and cut out a deal for their own states in terms of a fiscal package without worrying about the fate of the larger cause of fiscal federalism? What is more likely is a carrot and stick policy where the larger cause will be brandished to seek partisan benefits for their own states. One thing which will not change is Hindutva as the political core of the BJP. Anybody who thinks otherwise is mistaken about the political project that the BJP is and the politician that Modi is. What a lot of people like to call the BJPs broad-minded approach during the Vajpayee years was more a reflection of capability than intent. The BJP is down from its 2019 tally, but it is much closer to political power even after the 2024 losses than it used to be in the Vajpayee years. Also Read: Terms of Trade | Indian democracys epitaph writers and fairy tale weavers have lost, for now The marriage of Hindutva with a more pro-capital approach than what the Congress can offer is the raison d'etre of the BJP in todays India. Its current leadership knows better than throwing the baby with the bathwater of required tweaks in the caste and economic framework of the governments politics to regain the political capital it has lost in these elections. The fate of this central contradiction which the BJP has brought in Indian politics will depend on how the BJP handles the other contradictions described above. Roshan Kishore, HT's Data and Political Economy Editor, writes a weekly column on the state of the country's economy and its political fall out, and vice-versa With the death of three more people after allegedly drinking contaminated water during an annual village car festival in Tumakuru district, the toll stands at six, including a three-year-old girl, an official familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Following the incident, gram panchayat development officer BV Muniraju and waterman S Nagaraju were suspended on Thursday. (File photo) The official said that six people have died and 36 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming contaminated water in Chinnenahalli, Madhugiri taluk, on Monday. During the festival organised by the temple committee, the drinking water was allegedly supplied by the civic authorities. The deceased have been identified as Chikkadasappa (76), Peddanna (74), Meenakshi (3), Hanumakka (85), Nagappa (85), and Nagamma (90). Only two of the deaths are linked to gastroenteritis, while the other four are not. Health officers have been dispatched to Chinnenahalli to collect water and food samples, and we are awaiting lab results, district health officer (DHO) of Tumakuru Dr B Manjunath told HT. Currently, 36 people are receiving treatment in government hospitals in Madhugiri and Tumkur, all of whom are out of danger. A total of 120 people fell ill but many have been discharged, he added. Though health officials initially attributed the deaths of Hanumakka, Nagappa, and Nagamma to age-related conditions, the villagers have said that these people experienced vomiting and dysentery prior to their deaths, pointing to suspected gastroenteritis. Following the incident, the local residents expressed their frustration over the villages poorly maintained water supply system. The failure of authorities to ensure clean drinking water has been a longstanding issue. In response, gram panchayat development officer BV Muniraju and waterman S Nagaraju were suspended on Thursday. District Commissioner Shubha Kalyan, along with ZP CEO Prabhu and ADC Shivananda Karale, visited Chinnenahalli on Thursday and held a meeting at the village government school to address the health concerns. Following the recent health concerns in Chinnenahalli, we want to assure all villagers that the district administration is taking proactive measures to address this situation. We urge everyone to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea. Our top priority is ensuring the well-being of our community, Kalyan said. Home minister G Parameshwara emphasised the urgency of the situation during his visit to the Tumkur district hospital on Thursday. We have instructed officers to take extra care in supplying drinking water. For the time being, water will be provided through tankers, and two officials have already been suspended, he said. Meanwhile, in Veerapally village, Chintamani taluk in Chikkaballapur district, four people died from vomiting-related symptoms over the past 15 days. The United Nations looked at disability from a welfare perspective in the initial years after its establishment in the mid-1950s. Its outlook was steeped in the medical model and driven by a paternalistic approach, which aimed to normalise disabled bodies and not alter ableist structures. The inadequacies in the approach were later recognised and errors stemming from biases against persons with disabilities were rectified. Till the 1970s, remnants of the medical model persisted, wherein instruments granted disabled individuals rights based on the severity of their condition and the feasibility of accommodating them. Some protections were available to certain people in given contexts which was a selective, rather than an unequivocal human rights approach. However, it was these initial initiatives, like the 1975 Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, followed by the declaration of 1981 as the International Year and 1983 as the Decade of Disabled Persons that set the groundwork to establish the need for a comprehensive framework. It prompted studies that documented the extent of discrimination and marginalisation faced by persons with disabilities. During the international decade, a proposal emerged for a distinct instrument to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. Its ratification would signify the culmination of this decade. There were several failed attempts to negotiate a binding international convention before the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) could be adopted. The delayed focus on disability rights by the UN can be attributed to the extensive effort and time that went into establishing the premise that individuals with marginalised identities, including those with disabilities, deserve the same rights as others. It wasnt until the third generation of UN human rights instruments that the marginalisation of specific groups, such as women, children, and people with disabilities, came to be formally recognised. The biggest challenge, both historically and today, has been shifting the discourse from a medical-social welfare model, which fixates on inability and impairment, to a social-human rights model that emphasises capability and inclusion. The ongoing struggle is to adopt perspectives that place the issue of disability within societal conditions rather than viewing it as a result of an individuals physical or intellectual deviations from the able-bodied man as the norm. UNCRPD and COSP 17 What was the agenda? The UNCRPD, implemented in 2006, is an international agreement drawn up by states with the involvement of disabled people. It is recognised as the first human rights treaty of the 21st century, notable for the quickest negotiation among state parties and an unprecedented number of signatories on its inaugural day. By 2024, it had garnered 164 signatories and 191 state parties, setting a historic milestone for achieving widespread support in a very short time. The agreement is the reflection of a shared commitment to enhance human rights for persons with disabilities, often marginalised in societies governed by ableist norms and understanding. The coming of the Convention was seen as a progressive paradigm that took away the discussion of disability rights from a medical-social welfare model that fixates on inability and impairment to a social-human rights model that instead focuses on capability and inclusion. The convention, spread over 26 substantive rights provisions, aims to promote, protect, and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disability, and promotes respect for inherent dignity. It lays down the legal obligation of signatory countries to protect and promote the rights outlined in the convention. Since the adoption of the UNCRPD in 2006, state parties annually gather to discuss the progress and key challenges in implementing the convention. This year marks the 17th such Conference of State Parties (COSP 17) to the UNCRPD, held at the UN headquarters with participants from all over the world. The conference focused on rethinking disability inclusion in the current international context and ahead of the Summit of the Future. This years agenda includes international cooperation for technology innovation and transfer, addressing persons with disabilities in risk situations and emergencies, and promoting their rights to decent work and sustainable livelihoods. Indias ongoing commitment to the UNCRPD India signed the UNCRPD as early as 2007, without any reservations or subjective interpretations. At that time, disability issues were being governed by the erstwhile Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995. It provided rights to a very limited number of disabilities and recognised only seven disabilities and offered limited rights to them. Soon after signing the UNCRPD, activists rallied demands to align with Indias commitment to the Convention. The same was reflected in the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12), wherein it was stated: India being a signatory of UNCRPD, it is now obligatory upon us to incorporate the essence of the Convention in our planning, implementation, monitoring, and review processes. [...] There is an urgent need to review all the four disability legislations and to amend them suitably to bring them in consonance with UNCRPD. After making several attempts to amend the 1995 Act, India realised that given its origin in a charity approach, any number of amendments could not change the inherent inadequacies. Consequently, after years of advocacy, the government constituted a committee in April 2010 under the chairmanship of Dr Sudha Kaul, who then began the work on the new law. This effort culminated in the present Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPD) Act, 2016, which marked a significant shift in Indias approach and adopted the key principles of the UNCRPD in its very preamble. Now, at least in Indias legal framework, disability was no longer seen as a purely personal problem but rather a challenge that needed to be addressed by the State and society through suitable accommodations. The future The past eight years of working with the RPD Act have established that merely having a law is not enough. Its implementation must be closely monitored in all states, given that the law leaves several provisions for states to address and implement. The law must be complemented by well-thought policy initiatives, political will, and administrative proactiveness. UNCRPD is a revolution for global disability rights, and COSP 17 is a vital response to that call. Its not just a meeting but a chance to assess progresswhat policies exist and what challenges remain for people with disabilities. Arman Ali, a delegate at COSP 17 and the executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPDEP) said: These conferences act as external watchdogs, ensuring governments remain accountable. With this governments re-election, India has the potential to become a global disability leader, setting standards, becoming a model for others, and demonstrating effective implementation of inclusive policies across diverse landscapes. Finding solutions for the worlds disabled population requires a global effort, and COSP 17 is a crucial step in that direction. Fulfilling Promises to Persons with Disabilities Yojna Patel, deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered Indias statement at COSP-17, acknowledging the challenges -- physical, financial and psychological, faced by approximately 27 million people living with disabilities in India. However, amid Indias strides in aligning with the UNCRPD and efforts to facilitate voting for persons with disabilities, India must also be cautious about the neglect of PwDs in the socio-political sphere. The significant concerns of the absence of parliamentary representation and disability cells in political parties reveal their ongoing systemic invisibility and marginalisation, despite the RPD Act. As we reflect on Indias pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive future, it becomes clear that the time for meaningful action is now. With a global disabled population of 70 million, constituting the worlds largest minority, the NDAs third term presents a unique opportunity. Over 17-year-old commitment to the UNCRPD must translate into tangible progress for the disabled community, both in policy and practice. It is time to think of inclusion in every facet of public lifebe it elections, employment, education, or healthcare. The states obligation to uphold and implement the RPD Act necessitates reaching every individual, ensuring a society where everyone can participate and thrive, free from the constraints of ableist barriers. Shrutika Pandey is a lawyer and researcher specialising in access to justice. She engages in developing strategies to advance the rights of undertrial prisoners through legal representation, research, and advocacy. The author was amongst a team of lawyers who represented the petitioner in court. The views expressed are personal. As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis 3.0 Cabinet under the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, ministers have assumed office and outlined their priorities for the term. This handout photograph taken and released on June 10, 2024 by the Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) shows India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) holding the first cabinet meeting, in New Delhi (AFP) The council of ministers has 30 Cabinet ministers, including five from allied partiesTelugu Desam Party (TDP), Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP), Janata Dal (United), Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (Secular), and Janata Dal (Secular). Heres what some of them said after taking charge of ministries Rajnath Singh: The Union Defence minister after taking office for the second consecutive term said the new government will focus on improving national security by modernising the armed forces and increasing domestic defence production. He outlined a plan to increase defence exports from 21,083 crore to 50,000 crore by 2028-29. In the first term of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, Rajnath Singh headed the Ministry of Home Affairs. Amit Shah: The Union Home Minister and Minister for Cooperation, Amit Shah, said that the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to accelerate and strengthen security initiatives and introduce new approaches to realise PM Modis vision of a secure Bharat. He also said that the Ministry of Cooperation will remain dedicated to empowering farmers and villages with the vision of Sahakaar Se Samriddhi, adding that the government is committed to bringing positive change to the lives of crores of people associated with this sector by providing new opportunities and empowering the idea of cooperation. Nitin Gadkari: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that India will be equipped with world-class, modern infrastructure at an accelerated pace under Narendra Modis visionary leadership. Gadkari is at the helm of his ministry for a record third straight term. He also reiterated the implementation of cashless treatment for road accident victims, aiming to provide immediate and comprehensive medical care to those injured on highways. JP Nadda: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda after assuming office said Indias healthcare system is recognised globally for its excellence, boasting affordable and advanced infrastructure. This transformation has positioned India as a prominent destination for medical tourism worldwide. He told senior officials to focus on the governments agenda for the first 100 days, especially on extending the coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme for people aged 70 years and above. Nadda held the health portfolio during the Modi governments first term before he took over as the BJPs president in 2019. Nirmala Sitharaman: Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman after taking charge of office for the second consecutive term said that the reforms undertaken since 2014 will continue, which will further provide macroeconomic stability and growth for India. She also highlighted India's commendable growth story in recent years amidst global challenges and noted that there is an optimistic economic outlook for the coming years. She told officials to advance the NDA governments development agenda with renewed vigour and ensure responsive policymaking to achieve the Prime Ministers vision of a Viksit Bharat. Shivraj Singh Chouhan: After taking charge, Union Minister for Agriculture Chouhan said in a social media post that the agriculture ministry would work as an important link in realising the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making India a developed country. He said farmer welfare is the top priority of the Prime Minister and his fellow ministers and officers will work together as a team. He also handed over a Sankalp Patra to his officers, which contains the guarantees of the Prime Minister and also steps to be taken for the welfare of farmers. S Jaishankar: Taking charge as Union Minister of External Affairs for the second consecutive term, Jaishankar said that it is a very big thing in a democracy for a government to get elected for the third time in a row. The world must believe that India is politically stable and citizens trust their Prime Minister, he saaid. As for China, the governments focus is to resolve some issues regarding borders. For Pakistan, the Centre will focus on finding a solution to the issue of terrorism and cross-border terrorism, he said. Manohar Lal Khattar: The Union Minister for Power and Urban Affairs said that his focus will be on the prevention of urban flooding and timely completion of all metro projects in the country. He also asked officers to plan a massive cleanliness and waste-to-wealth campaign. Piyush Goyal: Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that the government is committed to creating new opportunities for the youth and working relentlessly for the welfare of all citizens. Under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, the nation is poised to achieve new heights, he said adding that embracing the philosophy of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayas, the collective efforts and trust of the people will drive India towards a brighter future. Dharmendra Pradhan: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued confidence and trust in him. He also said that he and his team will look forward to the Prime Ministers leadership and guidance in breaking new ground in the implementation of NEP 2020, making the learning landscape of the country future-ready, empowering people and establishing India as a 21st-century knowledge economy. Ram Mohan Naidu: TDP MP and Union Minister for Civil Aviation after assuming the office said that he will work to reducing airfares, which he said pose a challenge for the common man. He said that the governments goal is to make air travel accessible to everyone, and this can only be achieved if it becomes more affordable. Rajiv Ranjan Singh: JD(U) MP and Union Minister for Fisheries has directed officials to prepare a strategy for enhancing th export of value-added fisheries products and also directed them to take up with the Ministry of Finance a proposal to issue advisories to all the banks for extending KCC facilities to all eligible fishermen. NEW DELHI: A US Congressional delegation led by Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, is set to visit Dharamshala next week to meet the Dalai Lama, reflecting the continuing support of American politicians for the Tibetan leadership. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets a guest as he leaves after attending a special event during which exile Tibetans made him traditional offerings and prayed for his long life, at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala on June 11. (AP) The bipartisan delegation, which will also include former US speaker Nancy Pelosi, will be in Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) or government in exile, on June 18-19, a Tibetan official said. The delegation will also meet Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong or political head of the CTA. The visit, though scheduled earlier, will come days after the US House of Representatives passed a bill on June 12 urging China to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to resolve the dispute over the status of Tibet. Also Read: How Tibetans are pushing back against Chinas involvement in Dalai Lamas succession McCaul, a Republican, was among four US lawmakers who introduced the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, also known as the Resolve Tibet Act. It was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 391-26. The bill was previously passed by Congress in February but needed a second look as it was amended by the Senate, which passed it in May. The bill, which will now be sent to US President Joe Biden to be signed into law, rejects Chinas contention that Tibet has been part of the country since ancient times and urges Beijing to cease its propagation of disinformation about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people, and Tibetan institutions, including that of the Dalai Lama. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that such a visit by a US Congressional delegation wouldnt have gone ahead without the external affairs ministry signing off on it. It also comes against the backdrop of the dragging India-China military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has taken bilateral ties to an all-time low. The delegations visit will coincide with a trip to New Delhi by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, who are expected to participate in a meeting with Indian interlocutors to conduct a review of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the people said. Pelosi has long been a supporter of the Tibetan cause and has visited Dharamshala in the past to meet the Dalai Lama and other leaders, the Tibetan official cited above said. The delegations visit, close on the heels of the passing of the Resolve Tibet Act, will send out a clear message that the Dalai Lama and the CTA are the real representatives of the Tibetan people, he said. On the other hand, China has bristled at such visits and contacts between foreign political leaders and the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing describes as a separatist. Dehradun: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi17 chopper was pressed into service to douse the forest fires in Almora in Uttarakhand, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, officials said. IAF Mi17 V5 helicopter dousing fire at the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand on Friday (Twitter/ video screengrab) IAF Mi17 V5 helicopters leapt into action today taking off from Sarsawa at first light to undertake Bambi Bucket ops to extinguish the blazing fires in Almora district, the IAF shared on X. According to officials, the state government on Thursday requested the help of IAF to douse the uncontrollable fire at the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary at Almora. Almora divisional forest officer Deepak Singh said the IAF chopper was pressed into action on Friday to collect water from Bhimtal using a Bambi bucket to douse the forest fire in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Almora. They carried out two sorties It takes one and a half hours to carry one sortie considering the distance between Bhimtal and the forest fire spot in Almora. The operation will rebegin at 4:30pm. We have requested the IAF for more choppers. The NDRF [National Disaster Response Force] and SDRF [State Disaster Response Force] have also reached the spot. The situation is under control, he added. Four Uttarakhand forest department personnel were killed and four others injured while trying to control a forest fire in the Binsar wildlife sanctuary area on Thursday. The deaths took the toll from forest fires in the state to 10 this year, said government officials, underlining the scale of a problem exacerbated by the unrelenting heat and a rain shortfall. The four deceased were identified as Dewan Ram (35), a daily wage worker with the forest department, Karan Arya (21), a fire-watcher, Trilok Mehta (56), the forest beat officer of Binsar Range, and Puran Singh (52), who worked with the Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD). Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami condoled the incident and announced a compensation of Rs.10 lakh for the kin of the four deceased and ordered that the injured people be airlifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh for treatment. According to Nishant Verma, additional principal chief conservator of forests and state nodal officer for forest fires, the state has reported 1,220 forest fires between November 1 last year and June 13. Residents of a society in Vadodara's Harni have lodged a protest against the allocation of a flat under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana to a Muslim woman, The Indian Express reported on Friday. A neighbour of the beneficiary said the idea of a different religious identity has sparked concern among residents.(Image for representation.) The 44-year-old Muslim woman, who works with an arm of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, was allocated the flat in a low-income group housing complex in 2017. According to the newspaper, even before she could move in, over 30 residents of the housing complex complained to the district collector and other authorities. They objected to the allotment of the flat to a Muslim and cited possible threat and nuisance. The woman told The Indian Express that the protests first began in 2020 when the residents wrote to the chief ministers office (CMO), seeking to invalidate her allotment. However, at the time the police recorded statements of the people concerned and closed the complaint. The protest, however, began again from June 10 onwards, the Indian Express report added. A complaint, signed by 33 people, to the district collector, mayor, VMC commissioner and Vadodara police commissioner, have demanded that the dwelling unit allotted to the Muslim woman be invalidated. The VMC has allotted the house number K204 to one minority beneficiary in March 2019 We believe that Harni area is a Hindu-dominated peaceful area and there is no settlement of Muslims in the periphery of about four kilometres It is like setting fire to the peaceful life of 461 families it said, according to The Indian Express. A neighbour of the beneficiary said the idea of a different religious identity has sparked concern among residents.We do not feel comfortable with a minority family being our next-door neighbours It is not just about the eating preferences but the milieu Meanwhile, the Muslim woman, who currently lives with her son in another part of the city, said that she does not wish to sell off her hard-earned property just because of the opposition. I will wait I have repeatedly tried to seek time with the managing committee of the colony but they do not respond. Just two days before they went public with their latest opposition, they called me asking for the maintenance dues, she told The Indian Express. She added: "I said I am willing to pay the same if they provide me with the share certificate as a resident that they have not handed over to me. The VMC had already collected 50,000 as a one-time maintenance charge from all residents, which I have already paid. I am not sure if I can take legal recourse at the moment because the government has not denied me the right to live in the housing colony. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light rainfall for Delhi on Friday, June 14, which might bring some relief from the ongoing heatwave in the capital. India's heatwave is the longest ever to hit the country, said IMD. (AFP/File) On Thursday, the Safdarjung Observatory, which is the city's official weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius, 4.9 degrees above normal. Whereas, the Najafgarh weather station recorded an even higher temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD. Delhi was on an orange alert, signalling to be prepared for the day. Relative humidity ranged from 15 per cent to 58 per cent on Thursday, as per the IMD report. The forecast for Friday included partly cloudy skies with chances of thunderstorms, light rain, or drizzle in some places during the afternoon and evening. The IMD also predicts heatwave conditions in certain areas, along with strong surface winds reaching up to 35 kilometres per hour. Temperatures are expected to range around 44 degrees Celsius for the maximum and 30 degrees Celsius for the minimum. Heatwave conditions continue across India On Thursday, the national capital, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar experienced severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 46 degrees Celsius at many locations. The situation was worsened by the slow arrival of the southwest monsoon, which offered no immediate relief. The highest temperatures reached between 44 and 47 degrees Celsius in parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, as well as some areas of Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. From March 1 to June 9, Odisha had the most heatwave days in the country totalling 27 days, followed by western Rajasthan with 23 days. West Bengal experienced 21 heatwave days, while Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh had 20 days. Western Madhya Pradesh had 19 heatwave days, and Gujarat and eastern Rajasthan had 17 days each. On Thursday, Buxar in Bihar registered the highest temperature in the country at 47.2 degrees Celsius, which was 8.9 degrees higher than the usual maximum temperature for this time of year. Monsoon to arrive soon According to the IMD forecast for the next two weeks, monsoon rains across the country have been 4 per cent below normal so far this season. Northwest India, in particular, has experienced a significant rainfall deficit of 53 per cent. Meanwhile, Southern India experienced 60 per cent more rainfall than usual from June 1 to 12. The weather office expects conditions to support the southwest monsoon's progress by around June 19. Forecast models indicate that the Madden-Julian Oscillation, which affects monsoon activity, will remain weak for the next two weeks. This could hinder the formation of cyclones and other convective weather patterns over the northern Indian Ocean. The IMD said on Wednesday that the monsoon was expected to arrive in Delhi by the end of the month, around June 27. Moreover, Dr Somnath Dutta from IMD Kolkata forecast widespread rain in five districts of North Bengal until June 18. He also predicts rain in Kolkata on June 16, 17, and 18. Today widespread rainfall has been predicted in 5 districts of North Bengal including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar. In North Dinajpur, there is a forecast of scattered rainfall while in Maldah and South Dinajpur, there is a prediction of isolated rainfall. In South West Bengal except Howrah, Kolkata and coastal districts, there is prediction of isolated rainfall elsewhere, he said. Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Friday questioned the silence of the seven Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MPs from Delhi over the capital's water crisis. AAP leader Sanjay Singh addresses a press conference, in New Delhi, on Friday, June 14, 2024.(PTI) Addressing a press conference, Singh said that the people of Delhi elected all seven MPs from the BJP, yet the party's government of Haryana is punishing the people of Delhi. Where are your seven MPs? No charity is bigger than providing drinking water, Singh said. I would like to ask those seven MPs to appeal Haryana and Centre, and meet (Delhi) LG, and not do any discrimination on the issue of water. He also accused the BJP government in Haryana of showing animosity towards the people of Delhi, and urged it not to do so. The BJP government of Haryana is showing animosity towards us by blocking Delhi's rightful share of water, the AAP Rajya Sabha MP alleged. I want to say, you can have your enmity with us, but do not trouble the people of Delhi. Several parts of Delhi have been facing an acute shortage of water supply amid an unprecedented high summer heat over the last fortnight. The crisis resulted from reduced water levels in the Yamuna River and technical issues at key water treatment plants. This disruption has left several areas with little to no water supply, forcing people to rely on tankers and borewells. The ruling AAP government has also alleged that Haryana has not been releasing Delhi's share of water. Also Read | Crucial water link to Capital under watch to deter mafia The Delhi BJP has targeted the AAP government over the water crisis in the national capital, accusing it of failing to prevent the wastage of water and misleading people on the issue. New Delhi MP-elect Bansuri Swaraj claimed that due to the shortage of water in the city, people are being fleeced by the tanker mafia. "I want to ask the AAP government and Atishi how long they will continue to come up with excuses and mislead people. They should come out of their air-conditioned press conference rooms and see the plight of the people," Swaraj was quoted as saying by PTI. The hum and the roar of an aircraft taking off and landing. The chugging of a train on its tracks. The grinding of a bus engine sputtering to life. These are not what most of us would consider easy listening. But for a select group of transit vehicle enthusiasts, these sounds are no less than music to their ears. Roshan Rajeev, 36, who works as an associate manager in healthcare in Mumbai, waits to hear the ground rumble, his eyes peeled for an aircraft soaring overhead. He has captured over 70 aircraft flying over the city in the last six years, including the majestic double-decker Airbus A380 the largest passenger aircraft manufactured, but never owned by an Indian airline; and the Boeing 747, christened the Queen of the Skies, which had its last commercial flight with Air India in April. Rajeev is one of many transit system spotters in India, who make it their mission to spot, photograph, identify and ride on as many buses, trains, metros and planes as possible. All for the sheer love of it. From time delays to rush hour traffic, these spotters are unfazed by the usual hiccups that plague public transport. Between 2016 and 2020, Bengalurus Rahul S chose to stay 22 km from his engineering college in Somanahalli, just so he could enjoy the 90 minute-bus ride to his college and back. An added perk: he got to change buses along the route. I had the option of living closer or taking the college bus, but I rejected both, laughs the 26-year-old who is now an IT executive. An Ashwamedha Classic high-deck bus in Bengaluru. (@the.busenthusiast) Rahul is an admin of the Instagram page @the.busenthusiast, which he runs with his friends Yathish Kumar Saravanan, 25, also an IT executive, and Amogh A, 21, an engineering student. The page features Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses that ply on city roads and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses in the state. What they also offer is a glimpse of rarer buses and their routes, with information about their make and models. From the Volvo 8400 B7R LE model that plies on a newly-introduced route from Vijayanagara to Electronic City, to the Ashok Leyland BS3 (numbered 36B; it can be spotted between the Kempegowda Bus Station and Girinagara 2nd Stage), which is one of the oldest in the city and subject to a 15-year scrapping policy, the bus enthusiasts have documented over 500 such vehicles on Bengalurus bumpy roads. The three of them met in 2022, at the first gathering of Friends of BMTC, a community of fellow bus enthusiasts in the city. It was started to make commuting on Bengalurus 6,000-odd bus fleet easier, in the absence of live tracking. Via a Telegram group, with over 2,500 members, moderators chime in with detailed travel plans, bus numbers and the expected time of travel to anyone posing a question. The three men have come a long way since. Their mission is now focused on spending weekends identifying routes that generally take them out of the city, aiming to experience long journeys from end to end. Its also a great way, they found, to explore parts of the city they had not been to. We particularly like to document the rarer routes that take commuters to the outskirts of the city, says Amogh. We go wherever they take us and photograph the buses in the villages, adds Rahul. Their latest trip took them through a rare route to Hulahalli, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they went to photograph the KMS-built Ashok Leyland BS6 BMTC bus. Its where the vehicles get adorned with fresh flowers, or where they gain new stickers, all tokens from locals who are passionate about them too. Looking fly In Mumbai, Rajeev frequents about ten spots, visiting them twice or thrice a month, to get the best view of planes coming in and out of the city. These include the Mithi River bridge near Bail Bazar, the Ghatkopar Bus Station near Eastern Express Highway, Juhu Beach, and Sagar Vihar in Navi Mumbai, from where hes had some spectacular sightings. The Boeing 747, christened Queen of the Skies, was inducted by Air India in 1971. (Above right) A Boeing 747 used by China Airlines Cargo. (HT Archives, Roshan Rajeev) On his bucket list is a good shot of the Airbus A380, among the largest commercial airliners in the world and only full-length double-deck jet airliner. The Airbus A380 is still pending on my bucket list because it usually arrives in Mumbai late at night, around 1 am, says Rajeev, who plans to capture it soon. For international routes, his preferred location is the Umbarmali Hills near Kasara. It is amazing to watch and capture the aircraft cruising between 30,000 and 42,000 feet from this spot, he says. Full steam ahead Among the most well-known train spotters in India is Dhanush Chandan, 30, aka @thetrainprem (he has 25,000 followers on Instagram), a resident of Mumbai and native of Kundapur, in Karnataka, who has been photographing Indias trains for over 14 years now. Chandan works as a piping engineer at an oil and gas company. But his heart is set on fulfilling one dream: to travel the length and breadth of the country, via complete return journeys on Indias 15,000-odd passenger trains. Hes been on over 6,000 so far. Since we were five, my cousin and I would go and sit near the Kundapur tracks and watch the trains pass by during my summer vacations, says Chandan. During one of those trips, his train to Mumbai hit a snag before reaching the Kundapur station. Since it was on a single track, the rescue train had to come in from the other direction, recalls Chandan. What struck him first was the sound the rescue locomotive made. It went chug, chug, chug, says Chandan. It was a sound unlike any other automobile. The Vatva WDM3A model operating on the Okha-Ernakulam route. (Dhanush Chandhan) It helped that his parents gifted him a camera after his 12th board exams, a Fujifilm point and shoot. Over the years, even as he completed his degree in mechanical engineering, Chandan started making friends with the ticket collectors and loco pilots, hoping to learn about Indias diesel trains. He even tried to get a job in the railways, any job that would let me watch and experience trains was welcome, he says, but unfortunately, couldnt make it through the entrance exams. During the lockdown, he spent a month each in Kashmir, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam and Gujarat, apart from Maharashtra and Karnataka, working remotely on double shifts to be able to strike more train journeys off his bucket list. He has since upgraded his gear, to a DSLR, with several lenses, a drone and audio recording equipment to capture the sound of diesel engines. And he is willing to go to any length for the perfect shot. To capture the 18048/Vasco-da-gama to Shalimar Amravati Express, passing in front of the picturesque Dudhsagar waterfalls in Goa, he trekked six km to wait at a viewpoint opposite it. After all that, you just get about 40 seconds to take your picture, says Chandan. He got the shot, and many others like it. Does it ever get lonely? Rail fanning (as he calls it) has never disappointed me, he says. Whenever I start a journey, I travel solo, but I always make many new friends along the way. According to Aka-Kede legend, the world was created by Paluga, the deity who created the first man and woman.When they had too many children, he armed them with different dialects as survival tools as they spread all over the world. The Aka-Kede language, spoken by the indigenous people of Andaman went extinct by 1950 as per official records, but their stories have lived on through visual anthropologist Lopamudra Maitras book, How The World Was Born: Wondrous Indian Myths and Legends (June; Aleph Book Company). The collection of 108 myths from across the length and breadth of India, offers a peek into creation tales: the birth of celestial bodies such as the sun and moon, fierce demons, the beginning of lightning strikes and the formation of the 3500-year-old Khecheopalri Lake in Sikkim. A historian, ethnographer and author, Maitra, 46, is visiting faculty at the National Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar. While it was her academic journey that brought the Kolkata-based Maitra close to different communities of Asia and their folklore, the seeds of this pursuit were sown much earlier in her childhood. I still vividly remember the first time my father told us the story of Dhruva (dhruv tara or the pole star), she says. A busy doctor, her father, Tushar Kanti Maitra, rarely got a chance to do this, but every time he did it left a powerful impact on Maitra. She was five years old, and her cousins were spending their summer vacations with her in Kolkata when he narrated the legend of Dhruva in Hindu mythology. The story of a brave child who won the love of Lord Narayan by pleasing him through penance to become a shiny pole star, captivated my little mind, she recalls. There were several aspects of the story that stayed with her for years on. She kept thinking about how the sky was the narrator of the story and why the little boy left home. She realised the potential of unlocking the memories of a childhood full of tales when she began her journey of understanding the stories of India while studying ancient history at Kolkatas Presidency College in 1999 and during her postgraduate dissertation in ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology while at Deccan College, Pune in 2001. While exploring agrarian festivals in India and their correlation with monsoon patterns across the country, during her dissertation, she realised that a treasure trove of myths and legends were waiting to be explored. I found that some of the festivals observed during spring and autumn today, can be traced to specific celebrations in ancient India, she says. This later became Maitras PhD topic in anthropology, taking her back to West Bengal where she focused on three western districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore, home to indigenous communities, such as the Santhal, Bhumij, Bauri and Bagdi. I started getting very interested in the local narratives. As I dug deeper, I realised that stories that seemed very simple, were in reality, very layered, she says. In Bankura, she stumbled upon a village, Penchashimul, which was named after a poem that was a part of the local legend. The name is a combination of the words pencha (owl in Bengali) and shimul (silk cotton tree in Bengali). The poem, written like a riddle, tells the story of the village being named after the tree a king meditated under and his pet owl that was blind during the day. Most of the young people in the village were unaware of how the village earned its name, she says. It took a chance meeting with a village elder who recalled the story behind the origin of the village. It was at this point that an old dictum she had read on UNESCOs intangible culture website rang true for her: when an elderly person dies, its like a library burning. It was also when I decided that I must do something to preserve these stories, she says. By 2020, she got a chance to string these stories together into a more accessible form. How The World Was Born is Maitras second book on stories that have carefully been passed down through the ages among communities in India. Her first book, The Owl Delivered the Good News All Night Long (Aleph Book Company) published in 2021, was a similar collection of 108 folk tales, legends, and stories from more than 57 languages and dialects. Maitra also wanted to break away from the usual ways of telling stories. You cannot create new myths but there is just so much treasure out there that you can always find new layers to add to the already known stories, she says. This is evident in her book, where an entire section is dedicated to only water bodies. It not only includes the larger bays, oceans and seas but also smaller water bodies like wells. This special attention to the section is rooted in my personal belief to spotlight water and its fantastic contribution to our lives, she says. Maitra explains that her purpose of preserving and re-telling these stories today is not just driven by academic exploration. It is important to go beyond the immediate text. There is so much to learn from the relationship people had with the world around them, she says. An integral example is the personification and even deification of rivers, she says. We have come across hordes of stories about big and small rivers. The story of Ganga being brought down to earth from the heavens is a part of Puranic literature, making it very sacred. But if we continued to have the same relationship with our rivers, they would not be in the situation they are in now, she says. Though there is a lot of misunderstanding and debates around the role of mythologies today, Maitra had a free hand in selecting and writing her stories. She is also optimistic that young readers are aware of the power of stories and know how they can be used in a responsible way. Most young people know that there are numerous ways mythical stories can be retold. There are innumerable examples in cinema and books around us that show these creative retellings, she says. However, now more than ever, it is important to be able to tell fact from fiction. We need to be able to look at all narratives presented to us within historical as well as socio-cultural, political and economic contexts. Eid ul Adha 2024: Eid ul Adha is around the corner and we have started our preparations for the celebrations already. Eid ul Adha, also referred to as the Feast of the Sacrifice, is one of the most auspicious days celebrated by the Muslim community all over the world. In India, Eid ul Adha is also known as Bakrid. This year, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated in India on June 17, a day after Saudi Arabia celebrates the festival. This day is observed with morning prayers, Eid-special dishes and by giving food to the poor and the needy. Celebrate Eid Ul Adha with creative DIY decor at home.(Unsplash) ALSO READ: Eid ul Adha 2024: Tips on how to enjoy the holiday at home Creative projects are a great way of teaching the value of community service and the significance of Eid ul Adha to the kids of the family. Here is a list of creative ideas for kids as well as adults to celebrate Eid ul Adha with DIY decor. ALSO READ: Eid ul Adha 2024 date: When will Muslims in Saudi Arabia, India, UAE, US, UK, other countries celebrate Bakra Eid Wall hanging of moon and stars: The moon and the stars hold a lot of significance for the Eid festivities. For an Eid-themed party at home, we can get children to make a decorative wall hanging of moon and stars that we can place at the front door to welcome the guests. Bask in Eid festivities with DIY wall hangings.(Pinterest) Colouring activity for children: Hand painting is a fun way of including the children in creative projects. We can make them have the hand imprint and then draw a mosque around it. Hand paintings are a fun way of getting kids interested in knowing the history of Eid Ul Adha.(Pinterest) Paper mosque: What is a better way of imbibing spirituality and the significance of Eid into our children than helping them make their own mosque? Gather art papers and tissue rolls, and help the children embrace their creative side and make a mosque for themselves. Make your own paper mosque this year for Eid.(Pinterest) Mosque suncatcher: Welcome the festive day of Eid ul Adha with the sun rays peeping through the colourful papers of a DIY mosque, made from scratch by the children of the family. Start the day with beautiful sunrays peeping through a DIY mosque suncatcher.(Pinterest) Prayer mats: Get cardboard, colourful papers, glitters and fabric scraps, and make your own decorative prayer mat for the auspicious day. Make your own prayer mat for the morning prayers of Eid Ul Adha.(Pinterest) Which DIY decor did you like the most? let us know in the comments. The heart of all the Muslims across the world is soaring with the pilgrims who are currently performing the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia but if you were unable to embark the sacred journey this year and ache or long to join the pilgrims in universal brotherhood and walk the blessed grounds of Makkah, let your pain be softened by performing some essential Islamic rituals at home for honouring 9th Dhul Hijjah, with the belief that Allah's wisdom prevails and your journey will come when He deems it right. While not being able to perform Hajj this year leaves a void in many Muslims' hearts, missing the pilgrimage this year teaches us to cherish every opportunity of worship and continue to manifest the day when one can fulfill this cherished pillar of Islam. Not performing Hajj this year? 6 Islamic rituals for Muslims at home on Arafah Day to reap benefits of 9th Dhul Hijjah (Photo by rawpixel) The Day of Arafah holds tremendous significance and carries numerous merits for Muslims, even for those not performing Hajj. Merits associated with the Day of Arafah: The Day of Arafah is known as the Day of Atonement and is believed to be a day when Allah forgives the sins of those who sincerely seek His forgiveness. It is an opportunity for Muslims to repent, seek forgiveness and cleanse their souls from past transgressions as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. For Muslims performing Hajj, standing on the plain of Arafah is a crucial pillar of the pilgrimage and it is considered the most important day of Hajj. Completing this ritual with sincerity and devotion is believed to bring about the forgiveness of sins and the acceptance of prayers while Muslims not performing Hajj can also benefit from the blessings and forgiveness associated with the Day of Arafah. The Day of Arafah is described as the best day of the year and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah, and the best words that I and the prophets before me have said are 'La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah (There is no god but Allah, alone without partner).'" Muslims are encouraged to engage in abundant supplication, remembrance of Allah and acts of worship on this blessed day to attain its rewards and blessings. Performing acts of worship on the Day of Arafah is believed to yield abundant rewards. Fasting on this day, for instance, is considered equivalent to the reward of fasting for an entire year while engaging in remembrance of Allah, recitation of the Quran and giving charity on this day also hold immense merit and blessings. The Day of Arafah serves as an opportunity for Muslims to engage in self-reflection, introspection and spiritual purification as Muslims strive to rectify their mistakes, seek forgiveness from Allah and renew their commitment to living a righteous life. It is a day to rekindle one's faith, strengthen one's connection with Allah and rejuvenate one's spiritual journey. The Day of Arafah emphasises the unity and brotherhood of the Muslim Ummah (community) as Muslims from diverse backgrounds, cultures and languages come together at the plain of Arafah during Hajj, fostering a sense of solidarity and unity. This collective gathering reminds Muslims of their shared beliefs, values and the universality of Islam. Arafah Day carries immense merits and blessings for Muslims as it is a day of forgiveness, spiritual renewal and heightened devotion. Muslims strive to engage in acts of worship, seek forgiveness and increase their supplications on this day to attain the abundant rewards and blessings associated with it as it is an occasion of spiritual elevation, unity and deep connection with Allah. Rituals for Muslims not performing Hajj: The Day of Arafah holds significant religious and spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide and on this day, pilgrims who are performing Hajj gather at the plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, while those not on Hajj engage in specific rituals and acts of worship. Here are some of the rituals associated with the Day of Arafah - Fasting: It is highly recommended for Muslims who are not performing Hajj to observe fasting on the Day of Arafah. Fasting on this day is believed to expiate sins of the previous year and the coming year. It is a voluntary act of devotion and a way to earn blessings and closeness to Allah. Supplication and Dhikr: Muslims engage in continuous supplication (du'a) and remembrance of Allah (dhikr) on the Day of Arafah. They seek forgiveness, mercy, and blessings, and engage in heartfelt prayers for themselves, their families, and the global Muslim community. The day is seen as an opportunity for repentance and seeking spiritual purification. Standing at Arafat: While pilgrims on Hajj spend the day at the plain of Arafat, Muslims who are not performing Hajj can engage in acts of worship at their local mosques or homes. Many Muslims spend the day in prayer, recitation of the Quran and reflection on their relationship with Allah. They strive to emulate the spiritual atmosphere of Arafah by devoting themselves to acts of worship and seeking nearness to Allah. Giving Charity: The Day of Arafah is an opportune time for Muslims to engage in acts of charity and giving. Muslims are encouraged to donate to the poor and those in need, supporting humanitarian causes and helping alleviate the suffering of others. Giving charity on this day is considered especially meritorious and can bring immense blessings. Reflection and Repentance: The Day of Arafah is a time for introspection, reflection and seeking forgiveness. Muslims reflect upon their actions, seek to rectify their shortcomings, and repent sincerely for any sins or mistakes committed. They aim to strengthen their connection with Allah and improve their character and conduct. Celebration and Gratitude: The Day of Arafah is a joyous occasion for Muslims. They express gratitude to Allah for the blessings of faith, health, family and the opportunity to worship. Muslims celebrate the day by spending time with loved ones, exchanging greetings of joy and blessings and partaking in festive meals and sweet treats. The Day of Arafah holds immense spiritual significance and Muslims around the world strive to engage in acts of worship, reflection and devotion on this auspicious day. It is a time for seeking forgiveness, strengthening faith and fostering a sense of unity and gratitude within the Muslim community. Arafah Day falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar and commemorates the finality of the religion of Islam and of Divine revelation by Allah but due to difference in crescent moon sighting in different regions, countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, other Gulf countries, USA and UK will be marking the Day of Arafah on June 15 this year while Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian nations will observe it on June 16, 2024. The Day of Arafah is the pinnacle of Hajj - a day of mercy, forgiveness and blessings where Muslims believe that fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. Arafah Day falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and commemorates the finality of the religion of Islam and of Divine revelation. Hajj 2024: Arafah vs Arafat key differences that pilgrims, other Muslims should know ahead of 9th Dhul Hijjah (Photo by Twitter/menavisualss) However, due to difference in sighting of the crescent moon in different regions, countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, other Gulf countries, USA and UK will be marking the Day of Arafah on June 15 this year while Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries will observe it on June 16, 2024. Understanding the key difference between Arafah and Arafat ahead of 9th Dhul Hijjah - 1. The Day of Arafah - It is an important day in the Islamic calendar and it falls on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the twelfth and final month of the lunar Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is based on the sighting of the moon, so the exact date of the Day of Arafah may vary from year to year based on the lunar cycle. The Day of Arafah is considered one of the holiest days for Muslims around the world, particularly for those performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and it is an integral part of the Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Day of Arafah is a day of immense spiritual significance and is believed to be a time when Allah forgives sins and grants mercy to those who sincerely repent. Muslims who are not performing the Hajj are encouraged to observe fasting on this day as it is considered a highly rewarding act where fasting on the Day of Arafah is known as "Yawm al-Arafah." After the Day of Arafah, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and lasts for three days. Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God and emphasises the importance of selflessness, faith and charity. 2. Arafat - On the Day of Arafah, pilgrims gather in the plains of Arafat, a vast open area located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Mecca. Muslim pilgrims spend the entire day engaged in supplication, prayer and reflection standing on the Mount of Arafat or Mount of Mercy which is also known as Jabal al-Rahmah and is considered a significant aspect of this day, as it is believed to be the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his farewell sermon during his final pilgrimage. Arafat is believed to be the place where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his farewell sermon during his final pilgrimage and this sermon, known as the Farewell Sermon, is considered a pivotal moment in Islamic history as it addressed various matters of faith, social responsibility and guidance for the Muslim community. Standing on the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah), which is a small hill within the plain of Arafat, is particularly significant as it is believed that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stood on this hill during his sermon hence, pilgrims strive to spend time there, supplicating and seeking forgiveness. The gathering in Arafat symbolises unity, humility and the equality of all Muslims before God and it is believed that on this day, Allah forgives the sins of those who sincerely repent and grant mercy to those who seek it. After spending the day in Arafat, pilgrims proceed to Muzdalifah, another important location in the Hajj pilgrimage, to spend the night and from there, they continue to the city of Mina for the ritual of the symbolic stoning of the devil and then proceed to perform other rites of the Hajj pilgrimage. Outside of the Hajj season, Arafat remains a significant landmark for Muslims and a place of historical and spiritual importance and it is visited by pilgrims and tourists throughout the year, although its significance is most pronounced during the Hajj pilgrimage and the Day of Arafah. In conclusion, while Arafah refers to the Day of Arafah, the word Arafat refers to the Plains of Arafat outside Makkah. For the uninitiated, Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, is a profound spiritual journey untaken by Muslims from across the world that involves a series of rituals, which are deeply rooted in the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at Arafat while commemorating the experiences of Prophet Ibrahim AS (Abraham AS) and his family on Eid-ul-Adha. The pilgrimage typically takes place over a span of several days and includes rituals such as wearing the ihram (a two-piece white garment), circumambulating the Kaaba (the sacred house of worship in Mecca), running between the hills of Safa and Marwa, standing on the plain of Arafat, symbolically stoning the devil in Mina and sacrificing a cattle in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. These rituals emphasise unity, humility and the submission to God's will, bringing together millions of Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a powerful display of faith and devotion. The Hajj journey is considered a transformative experience, providing spiritual purification, forgiveness of sins and an opportunity for reflection and renewal. This year, Hajj started on Friday, June 14, with more than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world having already amassed in and around Mecca for the annual Muslim pilgrimage. While the numbers are still growing as more pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia join, authorities expect the number of pilgrims to exceed 2 million this year. Last year more than 1.8 million Muslims took part in the hajj, according to official figures. Muslim worshippers walk around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Hajj 2024: Date, 4 key aspects of history associated with Day of Arafah ahead of Eid-ul-Adha or Bakreid (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) Date: This year, Hajj started on June 14, 2024, after astronomical observatories spotted the crescent moon on Thursday evening, June 06, signalling the beginning of the month of Dhul Hijjah in which the annual pilgrimage falls. Accordingly, the Day of Arafah will occur on June 15 this year while the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha will fall on June 16. Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, takes place from the 8th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah where on 8th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm at-Tarwiyah), pilgrims begin their Hajj rituals; on 9th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm Arafat), the most significant day of Hajj, pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat to pray and seek forgiveness while on the day of Eid ul Adha i.e. 10th Dhul Hijjah (Yawm an-Nahr), pilgrims perform the ritual of animal sacrifice (Qurbani) to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. Allah provided a ram to sacrifice instead. Finally, Hajj ends on 12th Dhul Hijjah. Though Arafah Day falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah and commemorates the finality of the religion of Islam and of Divine revelation, the difference in crescent moon sighting in different regions leads to it being observed on different days across the world. Hence, countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, other Arab nations and Gulf countries along with the USA and UK are marking the Day of Arafah on June 15 this year while Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian nations will observe it on June 16, 2024. History and significance: While Eid-ul-Adha or Bakra Eid on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah is the second most important festival celebrated by Muslims across the world, the Day of Arafah i.e. the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah is considered as the most important day as it is the day of repentance and is the climax of Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj. The Day of Arafah has historical and religious significance within Islam as it commemorates several important events and milestones. Here are some key historical aspects associated with the Day of Arafah - Repentance of Adam and Eve: According to Islamic tradition, it is believed that Adam and Eve, the first human beings, sought forgiveness from Allah for their disobedience and were reunited on the Day of Arafah. This event highlights the significance of repentance and seeking forgiveness on this day. Prophet Ibrahim AS (Abraham) and the Origins of Hajj: The Day of Arafah is connected to the story of Prophet Ibrahim AS (Abraham AS) and his family. It is believed that Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail (Ishmael) were instructed by Allah to build the Kaaba, the sacred house of worship in Mecca. The Day of Arafah symbolises the culmination of their journey and their steadfastness in fulfilling the divine command. Revelation of the Verse of Completion: On the Day of Arafah, in the year 10 AH (632 CE), the revelation of the final verse of the Quran took place. This verse, known as Ayat al-Deen or the Verse of Completion, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the plain of Arafat. It signifies the completion of the message of Islam and the perfection of faith. Farewell Sermon: The Day of Arafah marks the occasion when Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon during his farewell Hajj pilgrimage in the year 632 CE. The sermon took place at the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah) in Arafat, where the Prophet addressed a vast gathering of Muslims. The sermon covered various aspects of faith, social responsibility, and guidance for the Muslim community. Overall, the Day of Arafah encompasses historical events related to the Prophet Muhammad and his final sermon, the completion of the Quran, the origin of the Hajj pilgrimage through Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), and the concept of repentance as exemplified by Adam and Eve. These historical elements contribute to the spiritual and historical significance of the Day of Arafah within the Islamic faith. Millions of Muslims gather on Saudi Arabias Mount Arafat, on the Day of Arafah, for the highlight of the Hajj pilgrimage - one of the worlds largest annual gatherings - and even with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius under the desert sun, the faithful climb the hill East of Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave his last sermon some 14 centuries ago. The Day of Arafah is considered the most crucial day of Hajj when pilgrims gather on the plains of Arafah where they engage in prayer, supplication and contemplation. Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on June 27, 2023. Hajj 2024: Why is Day of Arafah one of the holiest days in Islam? Significance of 9th Dhul Hijjah. A spiritual highlight of Hajj for many is the standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for his forgiveness and make supplications. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) The Day of Arafah is significant for its emphasis on forgiveness, mercy, repentance, spiritual cleansing, unity and the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is a day of immense importance and a time for Muslims to seek closeness to Allah, seek forgiveness and reflect on their faith and actions. It is believed that on the Day of Arafah, Allah forgives the sins of those who sincerely repent and seek forgiveness hence, Muslims around the world strive to maximise their supplications and seek mercy on this day. The Day of Arafah is seen as a golden opportunity for Muslims to purify their hearts, seek spiritual cleansing and gain closeness to Allah. The Day of Arafah is the central day of the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and the day is considered the pinnacle of the Hajj journey. Pilgrims gather in the plain of Arafat and engage in acts of worship, such as prayer, recitation of the Quran, supplication and reflection. Standing on the Mount of Mercy is particularly significant, as it is believed to be the place where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon. The Day of Arafah is an integral part of fulfilling the obligations of the Hajj pilgrimage. The Day of Arafah is seen as an opportunity for spiritual cleansing and renewal and Muslims are encouraged to engage in self-reflection, introspection and repentance. It is a day to seek forgiveness, rectify one's behaviour and make positive changes in one's life. The day is marked by devotion, humility and a sincere commitment to personal and spiritual growth. Arafah symbolises the unity and equality of all Muslims before Allah as pilgrims from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and social statuses come together in Arafat, dressed in the same simple attire of ihram. This gathering emphasises the oneness of the Muslim Ummah (community) and the universal brotherhood/sisterhood in Islam. The Day of Arafah serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, empathy and compassion. It is basically the final chapter of Hajj when Muslim pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat and offer a day-long prayer with recitations of the Quran. Since Mount Arafat is approximately 15 kms away from Mecca, the Muslim pilgrims spend a day there to perform the rituals and live in tents from dawn to dusk. It was on Mount Arafat that Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon of Islam hence, pilgrims stand here united as a dignified ritual, to seek forgiveness through reflection and prayer and it is this moment that may be described as standing before God. While fasting on the Day of Arafah is prohibited for the pilgrims, it is a highly recommended Sunnah for non-pilgrims as it entails a great reward with the belief that Allah forgives the sins of two years. Since Arafah Day is viewed by Muslims as a day of gratitude, the next day is celebrated as Eid-ul-Adha which marks another sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim. This joyous occasion marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and lasts for three days where Muslims worldwide commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. Eid al-Adha is a time of community, charity, sharing meals and spreading happiness. This year, countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, other Arab nations and Gulf countries along with the USA and UK will be marking the Day of Arafah on June 15 while Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian nations will observe it on June 16, 2024 due to difference in crescent moon sighting for Dhul Hijjah. The 2017 Miss World winner Manushi Chillar shared some radiant pictures from her time in Tuscany during Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants pre-wedding cruise! Let us delve into some must-visit places on your trip to Tuscany, Italy. Manushi Chillar has shared postcards from Tuscany. Florence Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts. Wander through the Uffizi Gallery, home to masterpieces by Michelangelo and Botticelli. The Duomo's stunning architecture dominates the skyline, while the Ponte Vecchio offers picturesque views over the Arno River. Florence's vibrant streets are brimming with cafes, shops, and historic treasures. You must try the pasta here as well, we hear its the best in the whole of Tuscany! Bolgheri Viale dei Cipressi, near Bolgheri in Tuscany, is a picturesque avenue lined with towering cypress trees stretching for five kilometres. This iconic road leads to the charming village of Bolgheri, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. The drive along Viale dei Cipressi is a quintessential Tuscan experience, perfect for photography and leisurely exploration. Pisa Pisa is world-renowned for its Leaning Tower, an architectural marvel that draws visitors from around the globe. Climb to the top for breathtaking views of the Piazza dei Miracoli. A walk along the Pisa Cathedral and the Baptistery will showcase their exquisite Romanesque design. Siena Siena captivates with its medieval ambience and the grandeur of Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race takes place. The Gothic Siena Cathedral, adorned with intricate marble, is a feast for the eyes. You will find yourself wandering through narrow, winding streets, discovering hidden courtyards and traditional eateries serving Tuscan delicacies. Montalcino Montalcino, a quaint Tuscan town, is famous for its delicious wine, Brunello di Montalcino. With its old streets and stunning views of the countryside, it's a picture-perfect destination. Explore ancient wineries, walk along the town walls, and experience the relaxed Tuscan atmosphere that makes Montalcino so special. San Gimignano San Gimignano is often called the "Town of Fine Towers" for its medieval skyscrapers. Each tower has a story to tell, reflecting the town's rich history. Wander its charming streets, explore the beautiful frescoes of the Collegiate Church, and enjoy a glass of local Vernaccia wine. The views are simply breathtaking. Pienza Pienza, often referred to as the "Ideal City," is a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Pope Pius II. Its harmonious architecture and serene atmosphere make it a delightful destination. Stroll through the charming streets, we say visit the exquisite Pienza Cathedral and savour the renowned pecorino cheese. Chianti The Chianti region, synonymous with world-class wine, is a paradise for oenophiles. Rolling vineyards and olive groves create a picturesque landscape. Tour vineyards and taste the robust Chianti Classico wines. The charming villages like Greve and Radda are a must-visit, where rustic charm meets culinary excellence, and immerse yourself in the region's winemaking heritage. Elba Island Elba Island, part of the Tuscan Archipelago, is a haven of natural beauty. Its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rugged landscapes offer a perfect retreat. An American techie who quit her six-figure job to make pastries in France for a fraction of the salary says she has never been happier. Valerie Valcourt spent her career in the USA working for some of the worlds leading tech companies like Google and Amazon. An American techie quit her 6-figure job to train as a pastry chef in France (Representational image) In 2022, however, she quit her job and moved to France to train as a pastry chef. Valcourts move from big tech to pastry worker came with a big pay cut, but here is why she does not regret the decision. Worth the pay cut Im happier here than in the US Its been lovely, Valcourt told CNBC Make It. The former Google employee explained that she had been feeling burnt out in her corporate job. While she was making upwards of $100,000 a year ( 83 lakh approximately), it came at the cost of her mental health. The paycheck wasnt worth the detriment to my mental health, she said. Valcourt decided to make a big career change when she was in her 30s. She applied to a pastry school in France and got accepted. In late 2022, she quit her job and moved to France to pursue her passion full time. Today, Valcourt, 34, works as a pastry assistant at a restaurant called Maison Chabran in the French village of Tournon-sur-Rhone. She earns about $30,000 a year in this role ( 25 lakhs approximately) and gets five weeks of paid vacation a year. Valcourt says her salary comfortably covers her rent and other expenses. Since she spent all her savings on the move to France, she is currently working on building up her bank balance again. While she loves her job, she also loves the French work culture that is markedly different from Americas. The French culture is like, when its time to rest, its time to rest, and also have a glass of wine every now and then, she explained. Unlike the US, her French colleagues also discourage her from working overtime. Valcourt works around 40 hours per week. In the free time she now has, she has been teaching herself new skills and picking up hobbies like yoga, playing the ukulele, skateboarding, crochet etc. An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer took to X to share his innovative and sustainable approach to networking. Shubham Gupta, Municipal Commissioner of Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra, has visiting cards that have marigold seeds embedded in them. This means that instead of throwing away the card one can plant it in the soil, and it will grow into a marigold plant - bearing beautiful yellow-coloured flowers. Yes, you read that right! IAS officer's eco-friendly visiting card. (X/@ShubhamGupta_11) Anyone coming to my office from now on will get this card. It grows into a beautiful marigold plant when planted, wrote the IAS officer while sharing a picture of his visiting card. He completed his post on X with hashtags sustainable and green. Guptas visiting card bears his designation, contact information, and social media handles. The card also has a text that reads, This card when planted, grows into a marigold plant. Take a look at the visiting card right here: Gupta shared about his eco-friendly initiative on June 12. As expected, it caught the attention of many social media users. While many lauded his efforts for sustainable networking, others said that they wanted the seed-infused card right away. Great! Small actions do make a difference, wrote X user Abhi and Niyu. Another praised the IAS officer, saying, Amazing initiative. Amazing. Need one when youre in Delhi, expressed a third social media user. A fourth commented, Time to visit your office, so that he can collect the card and plant it. Wow! Green visiting cards. Shubham ji, amazing initiative, shared a fifth. What a brilliant idea. At a recent birthday party, I attended, they gave kids pencils which, when they become a small, need to be planted the last end of it had a seed which would germinate into a plant when potted. These are such brilliant ideas to enhance our nature, posted another X user who goes by Nabiya. Texas resident Jorge Guillen, 43, died, and his wife, 35-year-old Lizette Zambrano, was left injured while they were vacationing in Mexico. The couple was staying at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Penasco when they entered a hot tub and were shocked by "electric discharge". The man was discovered submerged beneath the water when officers arrived at the resort. (Pexel) According to a witness who spoke with Telemundo, onlookers desperately tried to pull the pair out of the water, but the electrical current prevented them from doing so. As one woman attempted to get into the hot tub, she was slightly shocked. Videos posted on social media captured the frantic scene after the accident, with onlookers yelling as they attempted to assist the pair, reported The Independent. (Also Read: Man falls to death nearly 2,000 feet off Norway cliff featured in Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible) The news outlet also informed that Guillen was discovered submerged beneath the water when officers arrived at the resort. One of the witnesses claimed that the facility had turned off all of the hot tubs. To ascertain Guillen's official cause of death, the state's attorney general's office has opened an investigation. Authorities are also investigating the cause of the electrical discharge. A GoFundMe was started to help support the couple's family. The page reads, "Our best friends have experienced a horrible accident. Jorge had a heart of gold and was always there for family and friends. The love they shared was one for ages. We are asking for your help to bring him home & help with medical expenses for her. As Lizzette is in the hospital, her mother, Maria, has remained strong and has been helping during this difficult time. Maria will continue to support Lizzette to make sure she receives all donations. We are beyond thankful for the love and support that our friends have received." (Also Read: Man beaten to death at cemetery for refusing to partake in threesome, 2 women detained: report) Till now, the GoFundMe has received more than $42,000 in donations. Radhika Merchant wore a series of designer outfits for her pre-wedding Mediterranean cruise, each more stunning than the last. While the soon-to-be Ambani bahu did not repeat her jewellery, gowns or footwear, one thing that was ubiquitous in every event was the black thread tied around her wrist. Radhika Merchant has been photographed wearing a black thread on her wrist(Instagram/@rheakapoor) Radhika Merchant is all set to marry Anant Ambani, the younger son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, in July this year. Before the big day, the Ambani family hosted a pre-wedding cruise in Europe for their friends and family. The cruise was attended by a veritable galaxy Bollywood stars and high-profile personalities, featured several events including a masquerade ball and performances by Katy Perry, Pitbull and Andrea Bocelli, an open-air market in Portofino and a lavish fireworks display, among other things. Radhika Merchant was seen wearing the black thread or kaala dhaaga on her left wrist in new photographs of the pre-wedding cruise released yesterday by Vogue. Whether it was the Robert Wun dress she wore for the first night or the blue Versace gown she chose for the masquerade ball, the black thread was ever present. She was also seen wearing the thread with a Tamara Ralph ensemble in photographs shared by stylist Rhea Kapoor. Significance of the black thread Traditionally, a black thread tied around the ankle or wrist is believed to protect against the evil eye. The thread is one of the many protective measures that people take to ward off the effects of the evil eye (nazar). Some astrologers believe the black thread is associated with Lord Shani and recommend wearing it after visiting a Shani temple on Saturdays. The colour black is believed to absorb negative energies. People believe that wearing a thread of this colour will ward off evil while attracting good luck and prosperity. In fact, other members of the Ambani family were also seen wearing a black thread during their first pre-wedding bash, which took place over three days in Jamnagar back in March. The groom-to-bes elder sister Isha Ambani, for example, wore the thread around her wrist for every event in Jamnagar. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are set to tie the knot in Mumbai this July. Their pre-wedding bash in Jamnagar was attended by the likes of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan etc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy late Thursday night (local time) to attend the ongoing 50th G7 Summit after being invited by his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni. After PM Modi reached the venue, PM Meloni welcomed him with a namaste. Indian PM Narendra Modi was welcomed by his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, on the second day of the G7 summit in Italy. (REUTERS) Italy: Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India participates as an Outreach nation in G7 Summit, wrote news agency ANI while sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter). The video opens to show PM Modi walking up to PM Meloni as she greets him with a namaste. The two leaders chatted for a while and then posed for photographs on the second day of the G7 Summit. Watch the video below: PM Modi will participate in the G7 outreach session Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean as part of his visit. Italian PM Meloni will host the event, which will also be attended by Pope Francis, among other leaders. PM Modi on his visit to Italy This is PM Modis first visit to a nation after he won the Lok Sabha elections 2024 and assumed office for the third consecutive time. Ahead of his departure, PM Modi said, At the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, I am travelling to Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit on 14 June 2024. I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit. I look forward to meeting fellow world leaders and discussing a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better and improving the lives of people, he added. The PM further expressed, I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth into our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions. About G7 Summit The G7 (Group of Seven) comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan. Italy currently holds the G7 presidency and is hosting the summit from June 13 to 15 June 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in the city of Fasano in Apulia, Italy. A key focus of the Italian presidency has been defending the rules-based international system. Wells Fargo has terminated over a dozen employees for faking keyboard activity to trick the bank into thinking they were working. According to a Bloomberg report published Thursday, the fired workers were all from the firm's wealth and investment management unit. Wells Fargo has fired over a dozen employees for simulating keyboard activity (Representational image) In its disclosure to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Americas third largest bank said the employees were discharged after review of allegations involving simulation of keyboard activity creating impression of active work. Bank's response Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards and does not tolerate unethical behavior, a spokesperson for the firm told Reuters. Wells Fargo did not say how the employees alleged keyboard simulation was discovered, nor did it disclose whether it was related to work from home. According to a BBC report, many companies have taken to monitoring their employees through sophisticated tools that track eye movement, keyboard activity to take screenshots of the web pages they visit. These tools gained popularity during the pandemic when many companies moved to a remote work model and wanted ways to track their employees. Employees, on the other hand, have devised several ways to get around these tracking tools - like faking keyboard activity, which got the Wells Fargo employees in trouble. Devices and software known as mouse movers or mouse jigglers gained popularity during the pandemic as companies were forced to allow employees to work from home. They simulate keyboard activity to trick the system into thinking a person is working even if they may be away from their keyboards. Many such devices are available on Amazon for less than $10, reported BBC. Wells Fargo in early 2022 had asked most of its employees, including those in customer-facing roles, to return to office and work under a hybrid flexible model. (With inputs from Reuters) Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants wedding may not be till July, but their pre-wedding festivities started in March. In an event held at Jamnagar in Gujarat, the Ambanis invited dignitaries not just from India but across the world. The couple recently hosted a four-day-long Mediterranean cruise for their second pre-wedding celebration. Reportedly, the couple settled on Europe as the location as it was a convenient place for many of their guests. And why a cruise? This venue was decided after they struggled to find a place that could accommodate their 1200-person guest list. The image was captured during Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations. (Instagram) It was a retreat for the people that have contributed to our life in different ways, Radhika Merchant told Vogue in an interview after the pre-wedding cruise. She added that the event was attended by their families, friends, and employees of both Reliance Industries and Encore Healthcare. Guests from Anant Ambanis Vantara also attended the celebrations. A quick look at the four-day-long celebrations: According to the outlet, the cruise started in Palermo, Sicily, where the guests were welcomed with lunch. At night, the Ambanis hosted a starry-night-themed party, complete with a performance from the Backstreet Boys. On the second day, a toga party was held based on when Anant met Radhika during their college days. According to the Vogue report, the cruise docked at Cannes for the third day. Here, the party attended a masquerade ball at Chateau de la Croix des Gardes. The event was followed by two concerts, one by Kate Perry and another by Pitbull. On the final day, the celebrations occurred in Portofino, where the main square was transformed into an open-air market. A performance from legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli followed the event. Radhika Merchant also revealed her feelings about her upcoming wedding during her interview with the outlet. Im very excited to be married, she said. Pope Francis is set to address the G7 summit in Italy, a first for a pope, to discuss his concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence. First Pope at the G7 summit, Francis to voice concerns about generative AI(REUTERS) The Argentine pope himself has experience with the power of AI, as a deepfake photo of him with a white puffer jacket went viral last year. Francis will be joining the ranks of several countries and global bodies calling for stronger regulations for AI, after the boom of generative technologies, starting with OpenAI's chat-bot ChatGPT. Generative AI can create text, video and audio on the basis of prompts by people from an existing database of knowledge. Read more: PM Modi leaves for G7 summit, no bilateral meet with Justin Trudeau planned The pope has previously spoken out on the matter in his annual peace message to call for international laws to ensure AI is developed and used ethnically. He argued the lack of human values like compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness, made AI dangerous without checks in place. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni invited Francis and announced his participation, banking on his celebrity status and moral authority to promote caution around AI as well as push for peace and social justice. Read more: United front at G7 summit against China's economic and military actions According to AFP, John Kirton, a political scientist at the University of Toronto who directs the G7 Research Group think tank said, The pope is, well, a very special kind of a celebrity." Recalling the last summit that had this kind of star power, Kirton pointed to the 2005 meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland where members decided to wipe out 40 billion dollars of debts owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Gleneagles actually hit a home run and for some it's one of the most successful summits, Kirton said, according to AFP. Before that summit, a Live8 concert was held in London with Sting, The Who and a reformed Pink Floyd, which drew over a million people in solidarity with those suffering from hunger and poverty in Africa. Francis is also expected to use his status and authority to highlight the dual issues of restrictions round AI and the threats it poses to peace in society. Generative AI technology has excited people with its ability to produce human-like responses and also incited fear globally. Worries about AI range from immediate concerns like discrimination based on algorithmic bias to its potential to aid in the creation of bio-weapons and spreading disinformation. Read more: Pope Francis repeats past blunder, uses vulgar Italian word against LGBT people in closed-door meeting Francis raised these concerns and others, while talking about peace in his annual message. He said AI must keep foremost concerns about guaranteeing fundamental human rights, promoting peace and guarding against disinformation, discrimination and distortion. The pope will be speaking about AI oversight to the countries which are already forming their own regulatory networks. Japan has launched its Hiroshima AI process to create international guiding principles and a code of conduct for AI developers. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also revealed a framework for global regulation of generative AI. The EU will implement its wide-ranging AI Act over the next two years, which could act as a global model. The act restricts any AI product or service offered in the EU, based on the level of risk they pose. President Joe Biden issued an executive order on AI safeguards and some US states like California and Colorado have had mixed results in introducing their own bills on AI. Antitrust bodies in the G7 countries have been critically analysing the big AI companies including Microsoft, Amazon and OpenAI to see if their market dominance is preventing competition. Britain initiated a global dialogue on reining in AI' in a summit last year, followed by a meeting in Seoul where companies vowed to develop AI technology safely. France will host a meeting to the same effect next year and the UN has also provided its first resolution on AI. Apart from AI, Francis is scheduled to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as invited leaders from Algeria, Brazil, India, Kenya, Turkey. He will also meet with G7 members, including Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron. G7 Summit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders, including UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and others, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in southern Italy's Apulia. Later, the Prime Minister also met Pope Francis of the Vatican....Read More On Thursday, while departing for Italy, the Prime Minister said in a statement, I look forward to meeting fellow world leaders and discussing a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better and improving lives of people. Ukraine war: On Thursday, G7 leaders agreed on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets. President Joe Biden said this move showed Moscow that we're not backing down. At the G7 summit in Italy, the leaders decided to use interest from these assets to support the loan, helping Kyiv as it faces its third year of war with Russia. US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a 10-year security agreement on Thursday to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russia and help it move closer to joining NATO. Biden, speaking at a press conference with Zelensky, said the deal demonstrated to Russian President Vladimir Putin the unwavering commitment of Kyiv's allies. He emphasised that the G7 leaders were united and determined, sending a clear message to Putin. Israel-Gaza war: G7 leaders on Thursday showed their support for a truce and hostage deal in the Hamas-Israel war. Biden said the main obstacle so far was that Hamas was refusing to agree. Moreover, Besides the conflict in Ukraine, the Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza is ongoing, and economic tensions between China and Western countries are increasing. The summit began on Thursday with a session on Africa, then moved to the Middle East, and on Friday, the focus will be on China, with a visit from Pope Francis. 2024 G7 Summit: The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Italy, hosting the summit, has invited African leaders Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Tunisian President Kais Saied to discuss Meloni's plans for development and migration in Africa. Other guests include Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Many G7 countries are also experiencing political changes. With Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron facing elections soon, there is pressure on the G7 to achieve as much as possible while the current leadership remains. In sweltering temperatures, Muslim pilgrims in Mecca converged on a vast tent camp in the desert on Friday, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Ahead of their trip, they circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, Islams holiest site. Pilgrims leave after offering prayers outside at the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. (AP) More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world have already amassed in and around Mecca for the Hajj, and the number was still growing as more pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia joined. Saudi authorities expected the number of pilgrims to exceed 2 million this year. This years Hajj came against the backdrop of the raging war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Palestinian militants, which pushed the entire Middle East to the brink of a regional war between Israel and its allies on one side and Iran-backed militant groups on the other. Women sit in a restaurant as Muslim worshippers walk around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. (AFP) Palestinians in the coastal enclave of Gaza were not able to travel to Mecca for Hajj this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to the strips southern city of Rafah on the border with Egypt. Palestinian authorities said 4,200 pilgrims from the occupied West Bank arrived in Mecca for Hajj. Saudi authorities said 1,000 more from the families of Palestinians killed or wounded in the war in Gaza also arrived to perform Hajj at the invitation of King Salman of Saudi Arabia. The 1,000 invitees were already outside Gaza mostly in Egypt before closure of the Rafah crossing. We are deprived of (performing) Hajj because the crossing is closed, and because of the raging wars and destruction, said Amna Abu Mutlaq, a 75-year-old Palestinian woman from Gazas southern city of Khan Younis who had planned to perform Hajj this year. They (Israel) deprived us from everything. Two blind pilgrims preform Hajj with the help of their guide outside of the Grand Mosque during the annual pilgrimage in Mecca. (AP) This year's Hajj also saw Syrian pilgrims traveling to Mecca on direct flights from Damascus for the first time in more than a decade. The move was part of an ongoing thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and conflict-stricken Syria. Syrians in rebel-held areas used to cross the border into neighboring Turkey in their exhausting trip to Mecca for Hajj. This is the natural thing: Pilgrims go to Hajj directly from their home countries, said Abdel-Aziz al-Ashqar, a Syrian coordinator of the group of pilgrims who left Damascus this year for Hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do it. It is a moving spiritual experience for pilgrims who believe it absolves sins and brings them closer to God, while uniting the worlds more than 2 billion Muslims. Its also a chance to pray for peace in many conflict-stricken Arab and Muslim countries, including Yemen and Sudan, where more than a year of war between rival generals created the world's largest displacement crisis. Two blind pilgrims preform Hajj with the help of their guide outside of the Grand Mosque during the annual pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. (AP Photo/Baraa Anwer)(AP) For many Muslims, the Hajj is the only major journey that they made in their life. Some spend years saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the journey in their 50s and 60s after they raised their children. The rituals during the Hajj largely commemorate the Qurans accounts of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail and Ismails mother Hajar or Abraham and Ismael as they are named in the Bible. Male pilgrims wear an ihram, two unstitched sheets of white cloth that resemble a shroud, while women dress conservative, loose-fitting clothing with headscarves, and forgo makeup and perfume. They have been doing the ritual circuit around the cube-shaped Kaaba, counter-clockwise in the seven-minaret Grand Mosque since arriving in Mecca over recent days. Saudi authorities have adopted security restrictions in and around Mecca, with checkpoints set up on roads leading to the city to prevent those who dont have Hajj permits from reaching the holy sites. Muslim worshippers touch the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. (AFP) Security authorities arrested many people who attempted to take pilgrims to Mecca who didnt have Hajj permits, said Lt. Gen. Muhammad al-Bassami, head of Hajj Security Committee. Most of them were expelled from the country, while travel agents faced jail for up to six months, according to the Interior Ministry. On Friday, the pilgrims made their way to Mina, officially opening the Hajj. They then will move for a daylong vigil Saturday on Mount Arafat, a desert hill where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his final speech, known as the Farewell Sermon. Healthy pilgrims make the trip on foot, others use bus or train. The time of year when the Hajj takes place varies, given that Hajj is set for five days in the second week of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Most of the Hajj rituals are held outdoors with little if any shade. When it falls in the summer months, temperatures can soar to over 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). The Health Ministry has cautioned that temperatures in the holy sites could reach 48 Celsius (118 Fahrenheit). Many pilgrims carried umbrellas against the burning sun. Muslim worshippers shade themselves with umbrellas as they walk near the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. (AFP) After Saturdays warship in Arafat, pilgrims will travel a few kilometers (miles) to a site known as Muzdalifa to collect pebbles that they will use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. Pilgrims then return to Mina for three days, coinciding with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday, when financially able Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor. Afterwards, they return to Mecca for final circumambulation, known as Farewell Tawaf. In recent years, the annual pilgrimage has returned to its monumental scale after three years of heavy restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, more than 1.8 million pilgrims performed Hajj, approaching the 2019 level when more than 2.4 million pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage. Louis Arnaud, a French national, returned to his home country on Thursday after being released by Iran, after over 20 months of imprisonment for allegedly participating in nationwide protests following Mahsa Amini's death for not wearing a hijab, according to AP. Iran releases French national imprisoned for protesting Mahsa Amini death (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)(AP) On arrival, Arnaud met his family and the French Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne, AP reported. Read more: UN nuclear agency's board votes to censure Iran for failing to cooperate fully with the watchdog On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X (formerly Twitter), Louis Arnaud is free, and thanked all those who helped bring this happy outcome," including Oman who acted as an interlocutor between with the West and Iran. Arnaud, a 30 year old consultant was detained in September 2022 along with other Europeans, according to AP. According to French media, Arnaud, was accused of taking part in nationwide protests after the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini died after being arrested for not wearing her hijab as prescribes by security forces. Read more: Hezbollah Commander Killed In Israeli Airstrike; Iran-Backed Group Responds With 80 Rockets | Watch Macron also expressed his concern for three more French citizens imprisoned in Iran, notably Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been detained since May 2022. Kohler and Paris were identified by French authorities as a teachers union official and her partner on vacation in the country. They were accused of protesting with Iranian teachers and participating in an anti-government rally, AP reported. The third detained French citizen is only identified by his first name, Olivier, according to AP. Read more: French preisdent Macron to dissolve parliament, call new elections after defeat by far-right party I call on Iran to release them without delay, Macron wrote on X. We're still working for them to be freed, Sejourne said on Thursday, according to AP. "Our diplomacy is still mobilised. ... That will be the next victory for tomorrow. But here we must be satisfied with a great diplomatic victory for France. Prince Harry is reportedly taken aback by his royal family's decision to shun him amidst King Charles III and sister-in-law Kate Middleton's cancer battles. King Charles III, front right, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Prince Harry and Prince William watch as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is placed into the hearse following the state funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London Monday Sept. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, Pool, File)(AP) Christopher Andersen, author of The King told Fox News, The King and the Princess of Waless cancer battles have made it easier for both King Charles III and Prince William to put Harry out of their minds, and added, They are both shunning him now because they cant afford not to they simply cant handle the distraction. Charles and Harry arent speaking, period, the royal author claimed. The fallout from Spare has been eclipsed by Kates and the kings cancer battles. King Charles and William hadnt got the time to worry about whether Harry would take more potshots at them. Harry has already gotten the message that there are consequences for his attacks on the royals; his entire family has turned its back on him. ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan had secret 2.5m home in UK,' but were forced to flee because These situations have been ongoing sources of pain for Harry Harry's been forced to step back from many of his former friendships, a source told Star Magazine. It only serves to remind him where he fits into the royal scheme of things. He's been relegated to the back of the room. There are friends from his former life who don't talk to him out of loyalty to the royal family, the insider revealed. Harry's extremely sensitive to people's disdain for him whether real or perceived, and this has led to increased isolation and a longing for his previous life. Both Charles and Kate disclosed their battles with cancer earlier this year. In February, upon learning of his father's diagnosis, Harry flew to UK but was granted just 30 minutes with King Charles and hasn't seen him since. The Duke wasn't able to meet his father during his brief visit to UK in May due to Charles full programme. It's boggling to Harry that Charles and Kate would shun him at a time when the family should stick together amid a health crisis, the source said. That's wrenching for Harry. ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is now just a side show for the Americans Charles will celebrate Trooping the Colour sans Prince Harry The Sussexes did not receive an invitation to Trooping the Colour, the monarch's annual official birthday celebration, for the second consecutive year and It's just another in a long list of slights, the insider noted. Their position as castoffs seems to have been firmly cemented. Plus, another royal expert claimed that Prince Harry will never be allowed back to the royal lodge, Frogmore Cottage, which he once shared with Meghan Markle before stepping down from royal duties. Anderson's claims surfaced just after the famous royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror UK that there would be consequences for Prince Harry if he ever tried to patch his thread with royals. ALSO READ| King Charles III asks Prince Harry not to spill anything that might cause trouble Harry has been asked directly by his father not to write or say publicly anything further about the family or his brother that might cause trouble, Quinn noted. Everyone knows that when a king asks you to do something, there are going to be consequences if you do not obey. Kerala businessman in Kuwait KG Abraham, who co-produced the film Aadujeevitham that depicted the challenges faced by a Malayali worker in Saudi Arabia and earned 150 crore worldwide, was the partner and managing director of the firm in Mangaf where most of the 45 Indians, including 24 from Kerala who died in the massive blaze on Wednesday, worked. The 69-year-old businessman is one of several businessmen from Kerala who found success in the oil-rich Middle East. (Facebook/NBTC Group) A Kuwaiti citizen and several foreigners were arrested on Thursday for charges related to causing death and injuries due to negligence in security and safety measures. The public prosecution has begun investigating the fire to understand how it started and what led to the tragic incident. There is no official information yet on the cause of the fire. Some local media suggested it might have started due to a gas leak from the building's ground floor. The prosecution stated that a special team inspected the fire site and visited hospitals to question those injured in the incident. At least 49 foreign workers died, and 50 others were injured in a fire at a seven-story building in the southern city of Mangaf, where 196 migrant workers were staying. Media reports claimed the building was owned by Abraham's NBTC group, which was established in 1977, currently operates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It offers services related to engineering and construction, hotels, logistics and retail. Who is KG Abraham? KG Abraham hails from Niranam in Keralas Pathanamthitta district. The 69-year-old businessman is one of several businessmen from Kerala who succeeded in the oil-rich Middle East. He was the third child in a farmers family and flew to Kuwait in 1976 at the age of 22, Indian Express reported. With a civil engineering diploma and a strong ambition, he started working at a construction company, Badha and Musairi, for a monthly salary of 60 dinars. Seven years later, Abraham became a partner in NBTC (Naser Mohamed Al-Baddah & Partner Trading and Contracting Company) with an initial capital of 4,000 dinars. Initially, NBTC focused on smaller civil construction projects in Kuwait. Eventually, NBTC expanded beyond Kuwait and entered sectors like oil and gas. Starting with 90 employees, it grew into a significant employer in the Middle East, employing 15,000 people, the company's website states. Along with NBTC, he heads the KG Group, which produced the renowned film Aadujeevitham. Abraham is also the chairman of Crowne Plaza, a luxury hotel in Kundannoor, Ernakulam, and a partner in KGA Elite Continental Hotel in Thiruvalla. He has invested in real estate projects in Kerala as well, Kerala Kaumudi reported. He also owns a supermarket chain named Highway Center in Kuwait. Abraham, known for his charitable activities, had also criticised the current LDF government, stating that the flood relief funds raised from expatriates in 2018 did not reach the intended beneficiaries, The Indian Express reported. What has NBTC group said so far? The group said in a press release, We are in touch with the families of those who lost their lives and those who are injured. We will keep all updated on a regular basis, the true and factual information about the incident. Our team is relentlessly working on all the arrangements needed thereof and assures everyone that we will not spare anything for whatever is needed on our behalf. It added that the NBTC would offer fullest assistance to the families of those who unfortunately lost their lives and to the families of those who are injured. We assure the families of those who are injured that almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities. We will pay to the family of every employee who passed away 8 lakh. Besides, we will pay out the insurance when the claims are received. We will always be with the families and will offer employment to members in the family and other help, it further said. UNITED NATIONS The heads of six U.N. agencies and three international humanitarian organizations issued a joint appeal Thursday to Yemens Houthi rebels for the immediate release of 17 members of their staff who were recently detained along with many others also being held by the Iranian-backed group. Leaders of UN and aid groups urge immediate release of 17 staffers being held by Yemen's rebels Their appeal was echoed by a statement from several dozen nations and the European Union ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting on Yemen where U.N. special envoy Hans Grundberg said the Houthis were holding all those detained in the crackdown incommunicado. The Houthis said Monday they had arrested members of an American-Israeli spy network, days after detaining the staffers from the U.N. and aid organizations. Maj. Gen. Abdulhakim al-Khayewani, head of the Houthis intelligence agency, announced the arrests, saying the spy network had first operated out of the U.S. Embassy in the capital Sanaa. After it was closed in 2015 following the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and northern Yemen, he said, they continued their subversive agenda under the cover of international and U.N. organizations. He did not say how many people were arrested. Houthi authorities issued what they purported to be videotaped confessions by 10 Yemenis, several of whom said they were recruited by the U.S. Embassy. They did not include any of the U.N. employees who were arrested. The Houthis claims could not be independently verified. Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, strongly condemned the abuse and detention of current and former USAID staff as well as U.N. and NGO employees and demanded their immediate release, These detentions are an affront both to diplomatic norms and to the dedication the individuals have shown to supporting the people of Yemen, she said in a statement. The Houthis attempts to spread disinformation regarding the roles of USAID, the U.S. government, the U.N., and other international organizations working to improve the lives of the Yemeni people through the use of forced and fraudulent `confessions is deplorable. The statement from the heads of the U.N. and aid organizations whose staffers are being held called their detentions unprecedented not only in Yemen but globally. They asked the Houthis to confirm the exact whereabouts of those detained and for immediate access, citing international humanitarian law which requires all parties to armed conflict to respect and protect humanitarian personnel. The targeting of humanitarian, human rights, and development workers in Yemen must stop, the joint statement said. All those detained must be immediately released. The statement from U.N. member nations, read by British Ambassador Barbara Woodward outside the Security Council chamber, strongly condemned the detentions since June 7, demanded the release of all those being held, and expressed grave concern at the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen. The countries expressed deep concern at the risk of delivering humanitarian aid in Yemen, and called for unimpeded access for all humanitarian workers. The Houthis have been engaged in a civil war with Yemens internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014, when they took control of Sanaa and most of the north. Grundberg, the U.N. envoy who has been trying to get both sides back to the negotiating table to end the conflict, appealed not only for the release of the 13 recently detained U.N. personnel including one from his staff but for four other U.N. staffers being held incommunicado two since 2021 and two since 2023. The United Nations is present to serve Yemenis, he told the Security Council. Such arbitrary detentions are not the expected signal of an actor who is seeking a mediated solution to the conflict. The detentions came as the Houthis have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, their administration has faced increased financial pressure, and the group has cracked down on dissent at home, including the recent sentencing of 45 people to death. Grundberg expressed concern at the 45 death sentences, reiterating the United Nations opposition to the death penalty. Its unclear what exactly sparked the latest detentions. Former employees of the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, which shuttered in 2015, also have been detained and held by the Houthis. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A landslide in Nepal's Taplejung district, killed at least four and injured two people, all from one family, on Thursday night, according to ANI. Nepal Landslide: 4 killed, 2 injured from one family Incessant rainfall in Eastern Nepal triggered the landslide, which hit a house in Phattanglung Rural Municiplaity-2, Tingdu in Taplejung, just 580 km away from Kathmandu, according to officials, reported ANI. Read more: Nepal PM Prachanda wins vote of confidence in Parliament, fourth in 18 months Rajan Limbu, Chairman of the municipality, told ANI, The landslide claimed the lives of four, from the same family as it swept the house overnight. The other two have been injured in due course of disaster. There was incessant rainfall yesterday and the search operation is still underway as two houses were swept by the landslide. On Wednesday, Taplejung also experienced flash floods that damaged a wooden bridge and blocked the Tamor River for a while. The flooding and water-logging caused by the heavy rainfall damaged three houses and destroyed crops worth millions in the nearby district of Sankhuwasabha as well, according to ANI. Read more: Nine dead as landslides, triggered by incessant rains, hit Sikkim Flash floods also occurred in the local Bhalukhola River and swept a motor-able bridge, leading to traffic issues and disconnecting villages. The district has witnessed an incessant downpour since Monday, according to officials, ANI reported. The Information officer at Khandbari Municipality, Dinesh Kattel told ANI, "Continuous downpour has been witnessed every night since Monday. We are assessing the damage to the crops because flooding in the river also has resulted in damage to the crops as it pushed up the level of water in the stream which reached the fields." Records from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology show that the Eastern District of Sankhuwasabha recorded 217.8 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours on Thursday and 119.7 mm of rainfall on Wednesday. Read more: Nepal extradites one of the prime accused in murder of Bangladesh MP in Kolkata: Report Eastern Nepal has been experiencing heavy rainfall since Monday as monsoon clouds have entered the Himalayan Nation ahead of schedule. The monsoon clouds are yet to disperse and move further toward the remaining parts of Nepal which has been dealing with a boiling heatwave. Tarai and other districts have been suffering extreme heat for several days, with temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius. Temperatures upwards of 33 degrees Celsius have made life hard for residents of the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal's Meteorological Department has issued a heat wave warning for western and far-western Tarai with the onset of the monsoon, according to ANI. More warnings will come, officials say, to mark the progress of the monsoon towards the western parts of the country. Nepal's monsoon season generally begins from June 13 and ends on September 23. Last year, it started on June 14, a day later than normal onset. Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday promised an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and begin negotiations if Kyiv withdrew troops from the four occupied Ukrainian regions and gave up plans to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, AP reported. We will do it immediately, the Russian leader said in a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Putin's remarks come amid the G7 summit in Italy, where Group of Seven industrialised nations are meeting. Russia's President Vladimir Putin(AFP) The 71-year-old Russian leader was speaking on the eve of summit in Switzeerland where more than 90 countries and organisations are set to discuss a possible path towards peace in Ukraine, where war has been ongoing since 2022. Russia has not been invited and has dismissed the gathering as a waste of time. At present, Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in the third year of the war. Kyiv has said that peace can only be based on a full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity. Earlier in the day, Putin said that his troops' advance towards Kyiv two years ago was aimed at forcing Ukraine to agree to a peace deal and that there was no intention of storming the capital. Ukraine and the West have claimed that Russia wanted to capture Kyiv and install Russia-friendly leaders, but was beaten back by fierce resistance. No need to use nuclear weapons, says Putin On June 8, Putin had ruled out using nuclear weapons to win the war in Ukraine. The use is possible in an exceptional case - in the event of a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. I don't think that such a case has come. There is no such need, Reuters had quoted the Russian leader as saying. (With AP, Reuters inputs) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to be reelected for a second term Friday after his African National Congress party signed a last-minute coalition agreement with its long-time political rival during the first sitting of the new Parliament. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (File image)(REUTERS) John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance, the second biggest party, said there was now a signed agreement with the ANC to co-govern Africa's most industrialized country. The agreement, which Steenhuisen said involved DA lawmakers backing Ramaphosa for a second term, came ahead of when lawmakers were expected to elect a president later in the session. Also read | G7 summit 2024 Live updates The ANC and the DA together hold a majority of seats in the 400-member Parliament to ensure Ramaphosa is re-elected. It may not even need a vote if Ramaphosa is the only candidate nominated for president later Friday, because he would then be reelected automatically. From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration, Steenhuisen said, calling it an historic step forward. Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa should continue as president because the ANC got the largest share of votes in last month's national election, even though it lost its Parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994. Also read | Ruling African National Congress loses its 30-year majority in landmark election That meant a weakened ANC needed a coalition agreement to reelect the 71-year-old Ramaphosa and govern the country, leaving South Africa in an unprecedented political deadlock. Two other smaller parties will also be part of the governing coalition, the first coalition at national level in South Africa's democratic history. The coalition was agreed in principle late Thursday, but talks had continued throughout the night and even on the sidelines of the parliamentary session before the final details were agreed and a document signed. It brings together two of the country's longest and fiercest political rivals, with the ANC and the DA previously at loggerheads for years as ruling party and main opposition. The DA has been the loudest critic of the ANC but will now likely help continue the ANC's three-decade hold on the presidency. The two parties will work together in a government of national unity and both have said they need to find common ground to solve some of the country's pressing problems that include extremely high levels of unemployment and inequality. The DA would receive positions in Cabinet under the agreement, Steenhuisen said. The DA is a centrist party that's seen as business-friendly, but it is also the only major party that is led by a white leader in a country where more than 80% of the population are Black. An ANC-DA agreement was seen as complex because of their ideological differences, and there has been scepticism of a deal between the two given the ANC is the party that famously liberated South Africa from white minority rule. While Ramaphosa is the only likely candidate for president and no one else has so far been suggested or put forward, other lawmakers can nominate a candidate during the Parliament session, the first since the landmark May 29 national election. Ramaphosa smiled and shook hands with members of his party as he arrived for the session before taking his seat. The sitting was being overseen by the chief justice and Parliament first swore in hundreds of lawmakers for a new term before it could elect a speaker, a deputy speaker and then the president. It was likely to take hours. The 400-seat lower house of Parliament, called the National Assembly, will vote by secret ballot for all those positions if more than one candidate is nominated. A majority of votes cast is required. The ANC had faced a deadline to cobble together a coalition agreement given Parliament must sit for the first time and vote for the president within 14 days of the election results being declared. South Africa had not faced this level of political uncertainty since the ANC swept to power in the first all-race election in 1994 that ended nearly a half-century of racial segregation. The party had held a clear majority in Parliament since then, meaning parliamentary votes for the president were formalities and every South African leader since had been from the ANC, starting with Nelson Mandela. Last months national election changed that as the ANCs share of the vote slumped to 40%. The DA won the second largest share of the vote with 21%, making it the key party in the coalition talks. The unity government also harked back to the way Mandela, South Africa's first Black president, invited political opponents to be part of a new unity government in 1994 in an act of reconciliation. The ANC's hand was forced this time. At least one party, the MK Party of former ANC leader and South African President Jacob Zuma, said it would boycott the first sitting and its 58 lawmakers would not take their seats. That did not affect the voting procedure as South Africa's constitution says that at least one third of the 400 lawmakers need to be present for a quorum and for votes to take place. Parliament also convened in an unusual setting after a fire in 2022 gutted the National Assembly building in Cape Town. It has not yet been restored and so lawmakers would decide the next leader of their country at a conference center near the city's waterfront. Spain and Turkey urged the international community, at a bilateral summit in Madrid, on Thursday, to stop looking the other way and push for an end to Israel's attack on Gaza, according to PTI. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, during a news conference with Pedro Sanchez, Spain's prime minister, in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Photographer: Magda Gibelli/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) The bilateral summit is the eighth high level meeting between the Madrid and Ankara governments, focused on strengthening the economic cooperation between the Mediterranean nations. Read more: Israel Warns To Shut Spain's Jerusalem Consulate As NATO Nation Refuses To Reverse Palestine Move According to PTI, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated at a news conference that, For too long the international community has looked the other way (...), it has thought that without resolving this conflict we could live in peace and stability. What has happened during these eight months has opened the eyes of the world. Spain, Ireland and Norway have formally recognised Palestine as a state on May 28, while Turkey first recognised a Palestinian state in 1988. More than 140 countries have recognised a Palestinian state, except the US and other Western powers allied with Israel. The Spanish Prime Minister asked other European and Western countries to join this effort because it is the only solution that can guarantee peace and security in the Middle East". Read more: Israel accuses Hamas of rejecting proposal for ceasefire in Gaza On Monday, the UN Security Council approved its first resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan, by a majority, proposed by US President Joe Biden, towards ending the eight-month Israel-Hamas war. Neither Hamas nor Israel has fully embraced the cease-fire proposal. According to PTI, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, The Security Council members, especially the United States, should stand behind this decision and put the necessary pressure on Israel to ensure an immediate cease-fire. The conflict in Gaza has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel launched its military campaign after Hamas and other militants stormed into its territory on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostages. Hamas is believed to be holding around 80 hostages and the remains of another 40. Spain and Turkey have also called for increased humanitarian aid and a stop to the fighting. The Spanish PM also asked for the release of all hostages,according to PTI. Read more: Hezbollah fires scores of rockets at northern Israel as Gaza cease-fire talks hang in the balance Last week, Spain asked a United Nations court for permission to join South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. At the Madrid summit, Spain and Turkey also signed a memorandum to boost commerce between their countries to 25 billion euros (USD 27 billion) in trade, up from the 20 billion euros (USD 21,5 billion) that Sanchez forecast for the end of the year, an increase of almost 50 per cent since 2018, as reported by PTI. The United Nations envoy tracking violations against children in conflicts around the world, published a report that expresses concern about the state of children in war-torn Sudan, as well as Congo and Haiti. Sudan tops the list of concerns when it comes to children in conflict according to a UN envoy's report (Photo by Ebrahim HAMID / AFP)(AFP) At the launch of the secretary-general's annual report and UN blacklist of violators, UN envoy Virginia Gamba, addressed the news conference and stated that she was worried about children caught in conflicts such as Myanmar's civil war and also its effects on neighbouring country Bangladesh. For the future, on the horizon, I'm worried about Somalia and Afghanistan, she said. In a first, the report also blacklisted Israeli forces, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants, for violating children's rights during Hamas' October 7 attack and the current Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The UN also added the Russian armed forces and related armed groups on the blacklist for a second year for killing Ukrainian children and attacking schools and hospitals. According to PTI, Gamba is very concerned about the plight of children in the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza, as well as in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Sudan But the ones that I'm really worried about for, let's say, the rest of this year and beginning of next year, are first and foremost Sudan, particularly Darfur, and Chad because it is expanding, she reportedly said. Sudan plunged into conflict in April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital Khartoum and spread to other regions including Darfur. The UN says over 14,000 people have been killed and 33,000 injured. According to PTI, Gamba said their ferocious armed struggle led to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces being put on the blacklist for killing and maiming, raping and committing other acts of sexual violence, as well as attacking schools and hospitals. The Sudanese Armed Forces were also listed for killing and injuring children and attacking schools and hospitals. Congo In Congo, the 13,500-strong UN peacekeeping force will withdraw by December, leaving rebel groups and the government to fight in its security deficient mineral-rich east Gamba said that massive sexual violence against children was taking place and is going to swell. When the UN withdraws, Gamba will lose her eyes on ground and fears losing engagement, PTI reported. Haiti Gamba only monitored violence against children in Haiti for the last six months of 2023 and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres didn't have the data to decide who should go on the blacklist, PTI reported. Gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise, and are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital. The surge in killings, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups. In the report, the UN chief expressed deep concern at the indiscriminate armed gang violence and grave violations against children. The UN verified 383 grave violations against 307 children in the last six months of 2023 160 boys, 117 girls and 30 whose sex wasn't known and it lists about a dozen gangs that were responsible for the violations. Gamba said she the grave violations of children's rights seem to be endemic, and particularly systemic (is) the rape of girls." (with inputs from PTI) The agenda for the second day of the G7 summit in Puglia, Italy emphasised on how their economic interests could be protected protected without inciting a trade war with China. United front at G7 summit against China's economic and military actions(AFP) The Group of seven rich democracies - USA, Italy, Britain, Canada, Japan, France and Germany - will discuss the possibility of fair trade, especially when it comes to green technology. Washington has also claimed that China's alleged support of Russia's military operations is driving the Ukraine war to continue and seeks a common response from the G7 to China's military actions. A Japanese government source reportedly told AFP that, G7 countries are on the same page vis-a-vis China. Read more: G7 Summit 2024: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Italy. What's on agenda? Trade relations between China and Western countries had been shaky already before the European Union announced plans to impose new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The US, Japan and the European Union -- often referred to as an eighth partner -- have all flagged China's so-called "industrial overcapacity" according to AFP. AFP reported that they consider China's generous subsidies, specifically for green energy and technology sectors such as solar panels and electric vehicles, to be the cause of unfairly cheap goods sweeping through the global market. This excess capacity threatens Western companies struggling to compete, especially in the growing green technology space. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told the press, before the summit that,"We will confront China's non-market policies that are leading to harmful global spillovers." Read more: Joe Biden's embarrassing stroll and salute at G7 event sparks fresh concerns, its horrifying' say netizens China has dismissed these issues but the US is pressing for a united G7 front. G7 countries' finance ministers have vowed last month, to weigh steps to "ensure a level playing field" for all countries. Export curbs The day before the summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, the EU announced that it would introduce tariffs up to 38 per cent for imported Chinese electric vehicles, from the beginning of July. Beijing denounced it as "naked protectionist behaviour" and said it reserved the right to file a suit with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Washington increased tariffs last month on Chinese green tech imports, including a 100 percent tariff on electric vehicles, with Biden calling out "cheating" on Beijing's part. China has also recently restricted the exports of minerals required in the telecommunication and electric vehicle industries, such as gallium, germanium and graphite. These restrictions threaten international supply chains, and have created fear of further curbs on materials needed for electronics. According to AFP, analysts warn of near-term supply shortages and hiked prices if China were to further curb exports, even as the US and other countries attempt to diversify their supplies and boost domestic production. Read more: Joe Biden to sign new security agreement with Ukraine amid G7 summit Russia's war machine Defence and safety concerns were also discussed at the summit, especially the allegations of China helping Russia in military expansion. In a press conference, on Thursday, with Ukraine's President Zelensky, Biden stated that the G7 had "agreed to taking collective action" against China for supplying Russia with "materials they need for their war machine". The US has accused China of helping Russia's defence industry and as a result, Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well, through joint production of drones and exports of machine tools needed for ballistic missiles. Zelensky said that in a phone conversation, Chinese President Xi Jinping, promised him that he would not sell weapons to Russia. "We will see," Zelensky added. G7 leaders will also discuss security in the Asia-Pacific, where fears of potential conflict are high due to China's China's confrontational tactics and militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, as well as their manoeuvres against self-ruled Taiwan. In the last G7 summit, in Japan, all leaders had agreed that they "oppose China's militarisation activities in the region". AFP reported that the Japanese government source said it was crucial for the leaders meeting in Puglia to send a clear message to Xi that the issue was not merely regional, but of concern to all the G7 nations. "All the (G7) countries are aware that we need to convey the message very candidly to the Chinese at the very top level," the source told AFP. Former US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump's son Barron Trump is facing increased scrutiny and criticism as he no longer is off limits. Former President Donald Trump, center right, stands with his wife Melania, second left, their son Barron, (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)(AP) Having turned 18 earlier this year, Barron has largely remained out of the spotlight, but recent developments have changed the narrative, according to Trump critiques. Barron recently turned 18, and his announcement as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention has led many on social media to assert that he is now fair game for critique and ridicule. This shift in perception has resulted in a flurry of online commentary targeting Barron, with some suggesting that he is no longer off limits to media and public attacks. Political commentator Allison Gill, host of the Mueller, She Wrote podcast, posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Barron is no longer off limits, and netizens took no time to flood her comment box. ALSO READ| Trump makes hurtful revelation on how son Barron feels about his hush money conviction: He thinks its possibly Barron does like politics: Trump Barron's physical appearance and unique height have become focal points for some online detractors, who have begun to make disparaging comments. Earlier, Trump quipped about his son's height, He's a little on the tall side, I will tell you, he's a tall one, but he is a good-looking guy. Despite this, Barron appears relatively unbothered by the increased attention. The youngest Trump child seems poised to carve out his own space in the political arena, unfazed by the criticism. The former president once told Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that Barron does like politics and it's sort of funny. He'll tell me sometimes, 'Dad, this is what you have to do. Barron snubs his father for presidential campaign Barron has also declined the opportunity to support his father in his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Late Friday, Melania's office announced that Barron would not be attending the Republican National Convention as a delegate due to prior commitments. ALSO READ| Melania leaves Trump Tower with son Barron after receiving stern advice from Stormy Daniels While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments, the statement from the former first lady's office read. Barron, who has typically been kept out of the public eye by his parents, found himself in the spotlight after the Florida GOP revealed he would serve as a delegate. This unexpected withdrawal comes just before Barron's graduation from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had a lot to talk about Friday when they met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit, but one notable matter wasn't on the table: That's abortion, an issue that emerged as an unexpected friction point among the democracies gathered in Italy. US President Joe Biden and Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni take part in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Savelletri, Italy on June 14, 2024. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)(AFP) Melonis right-wing government this week worked to water down references to abortion in the final statement issued by all the G7 nations at the end of the summit, prompting a disagreement between nations over language in the final draft on their shared commitments. That is according to two senior U.S. officials, a senior European Union official and two other officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss a statement that has not yet been made public. The draft omits the word abortion but does reference the need to promote reproductive health and rights," according to a copy of the text obtained by The Associated Press. A White House readout of the Biden-Meloni meeting made no reference to the issue and instead emphasized their common efforts to deepen the U.S.-Italy partnership across a range of vital security, economic, and regional issues. It cited Meloni's steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russias brutal war of aggression, including Italys critical security assistance. White House officials say the two leaders work together well despite Meloni's views on abortion and her other conservative political views, which align more closely to Republicans in the U.S. The summit has underscored how their relationship has evolved since Meloni rose to power in 2022 as the head of Italys first far-right-led government since the end of World War II. Soon after Meloni's victory, Biden warned about the rise of hard-right populism in Europe and in the United States. Those concerns have eased with Meloni's strong support of Ukraine at a time when the commitment by some other far-right leaders has been flagging. Meloni also announced on Thursday that Italy would participate in a U.S.-led investment effort in Africa, the Lobito railway corridor. It was a clear gesture of U.S. support coming on the heels of Italy's withdrawal from China's belt and road infrastructure initiative. Biden initially used Melonis candidacy as a warning to transatlanticists on both sides of the Atlantic, Rachel Rizzo, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Europe Center in Washington, said before the summit. But her premiership has actually been quite forward-leaning in terms of Italian support for Ukraine, in terms of Italian support for NATO. So that relationship has actually developed in a pretty positive direction. On the abortion issue, the upcoming G7 final statement will state that the nations reaffirmed their commitment from the 2023 summit in Japan supporting universal access to adequate, affordable and quality health services for women, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. That 2023 text, however, also plainly stated that the nations reaffirmed a full commitment" to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, including by addressing access to safe and legal abortion and post abortion care." The final summit statement is a large document covering many issues and often takes wrangling for all leaders to feel comfortable with the final language. French President Emmanuel Macron said he regretted the decision to omit the word abortion. Its not a vision thats shared across all the political spectrum, he said. I regret it, but I respect it because it was the sovereign choice of your people, he said Thursday to an Italian reporter. The U.S. delegation was satisfied with the specific references to the 2023 summit in Japan, which affirmed the right to abortion care. But abortion access is a major focus of Biden's 2024 reelection campaign, as Democrats seek to motivate voters concerned about worsening medical care for women since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the constitutional right to abortion. Roughly half the 50 states now restrict abortion access, and the topic has broadened to include access to emergency medical care, contraception and in vitro fertilization. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the overturning of a federally guaranteed right to abortion having nominated three of the justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade but he has resisted supporting a national abortion ban and says he wants to leave the issue to the states. Biden, a Catholic, has had a decades-long evolution on abortion rights that has in some ways mirrored the Democratic Party's changing attitudes. He used to oppose federal funding for abortion services but his administration has worked to protect access, suing states where women have been unable to get care. But he still doesn't often say the word abortion himself. The fallout from Roe goes beyond what the word abortion has generally signified in the U.S. -- the ability to end an unwanted pregnancy. Biden's campaign has sought to use those ripple effects to reach a broader voting base, and also generally uses words like reproductive rights. In Italy, Meloni who campaigned on a slogan of God, fatherland and family, has prioritized encouraging women to have babies to reverse Italys demographic crisis. Abortion has been legal since 1978, and she has insisted she wont roll back the law and merely wants to implement it fully. But her forces recently passed legislation allowing anti-abortion groups to have access to women considering abortions at public health centers where they go for counseling. For those on the political right, the amendment merely fulfills the original intent of the 1978 law legalizing abortion, which included provisions to discourage the procedure and support motherhood. For the left-wing opposition, the decision chips away at abortion rights that opponents had warned would follow Melonis 2022 election. And the G7 communique is another sign. In a statement Thursday, the head of Italy's Democratic Party, Elly Shlein, said the reported text was a national embarrassment for putting into question a fundamental right for women. Pope Francis was at the summit on Friday, and Biden was to meet with him privately. During the president's last audience with the pope in 2021, Biden said Francis had told him I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving Communion. The next night he went to Mass in a Rome church and received Communion, evidence that even in the popes own diocese, Bidens abortion position wasnt a bar to receiving the sacrament. At the same time, Francis is firmly opposed to abortion, equating it to hiring a hitman to resolve a problem. ___ Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report. Former President Donald Trump hinted at having sort of a pretty good idea of who his vice presidential running mate might be for the upcoming election. He suggested that he would likely make an official announcement at this summer's Republican National Convention. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the media following meetings with Republicans on Capitol Hill, at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) headquarters in Washington, U.S., June 13, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo(REUTERS) The former Potus told this in an interview with Fox News' Aishah Hasnie at the Republican National Committee's headquarters in Washington, D.C., following Trump's meetings with the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Trump hints his VP was probably in the GOP meeting room When questioned if his potential running mate was present at any of these meetings, Trump responded, Probably. I don't want to go, but I think [it] will probably get announced during the convention, he continued, During the convention. There were some good people and, we have some very good people. The Republican National Convention is scheduled to take place from July 15-18 in Milwaukee. Among the names Trump mentioned as potential candidates for his vice-presidential pick was Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. And I think I could consider that, Trump told Fox News. Yes. I haven't been asked that question, but he would be on that list. ALSO READ| Elon Musk's shout out to Donald Trump in Tesla meeting: He calls me for no reason Trump explained the topic of Larry Hogan, the ex-governor of Maryland and a Republican figure. Did he accept the invitation to endorse Hogan for the U.S. Senate? Another person who joined the Trump camp but had earlier endorsed Nikki Haley over Trump and did not endorse him in the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns was nonetheless viewed positively by Trump. Yeah, I'd like to see him win, Trump told Fox News later in the interview. I think he has a good chance to win. I would like to see him win. Trump says Hunter situation is very tough for Biden The 45th US president also commented on President Joe Biden's role as a father in light of Hunter Biden's recent conviction on federal gun charges. Well, I think it's a very serious thing. I understand that whole subject. I understand it pretty well because I've had it with people who have it in their family, Trump remarked, acknowledging the first son's struggles with drug addiction. It's a very tough thing. It's a very tough situation for a father. It's a very tough situation for a brother or sister. And it goes on and it's not stopping. Whether it's alcohol or drugs or whatever it may be. It's a tough thing. And so that's a tough moment for the family. It's a tough moment for any family involved in that. ALSO READ| Who was Solomon Choi? Founder of 16 Handles, NYCs popular self-serve frozen yoghurt chain, dies Joe Biden stated that he would not use his presidential powers to appeal his son's conviction. He also expressed pride in his son despite the legal troubles, saying, As I said last week, 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. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery, but also noted that he would not pardon Hunter. Amidst his ongoing legal battles, Donald Trump's colleagues surprised him with a birthday cake as he is all set to turn 78 on 14 June, Friday. The pre-birthday celebrations took place during Trump's visit to the US Capitol on Thursday. The "45" and "47" candles on the cake, according to Representative Mike Lee, were a tribute to mark Trump's first term presidency and his possibility to become the 47th president of the United States. Trump visited with Republicans on Capitol Hill in order to speak about campaign strategies ahead of the November election, marking his first trip there since the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. In addition to praising House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump said he would try to win every state and promised to support Republicans in winning big. Republicans presented Trump a chocolate cake during the meeting, which took place on the eve of his 78th birthday, Senator Tommy Tuberville informed Newsweek. The "45" and "47" candles on the cake, according to Representative Mike Lee, were a tribute to mark his first term presidency and his possibility to become the 47th president of the United States. According to Senator Cynthia Lummis, Trump declared he would make a wish for "everyone in this room" before blowing out the candles. Trump chalks out campaign strategies with Republicans Rep. Matt Gaetz stressed party cohesion by referring to the House gathering as a "pep rally" for Trump. In an effort to unite Republicans and prevent conflict within the party, Trump offered to assist lawmakers in challenging races by hosting tele townhalls. He admitted that he was supporting few of their opponents. During the meeting, the former president spoke about a number of divisive topics, including China, border security issue and abortion. Regarding abortion, he conceded that Republicans faces defeats in the past election over the issue and underlined the necessity for "common sense" measures that make exceptions for rape and mother's life. Also read: US Supreme Court denies Trump Too Small trademark Ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Trump denounced the host city as "horrible" and "crime-ridden." Trump will celebrate his birthday in the battleground state of Michigan on Friday. He will address the The People's Convention, which will be conducted by Turning Point USA. The MAGA Conservative Coalition has organised a MAGA Boat Parade on Lake St. Clair on Saturday to mark his birthday. Trump's birthday and campaign events take place in the midst of his political scandals and legal woes. In addition, he is getting prepared for his New York City hush money trial sentencing. Former US President Donald Trump lightened the mood in a closed-door House Republican Conference meeting Thursday by jokingly asking Marjorie Taylor Greene to be nice to House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump humorously advises Greene on relations with Speaker Johnson amid GOP unity efforts.(CNN) Is Trump now trying to maintain unity within the GOP rank ahead of the November election? Maybe yes, but only just. He came in, talked to the conference, was very honest. He was funny, he was joking around with everyone and he was really sweet to me, MTG told CNN. Trump's jest came about a month after Greene initiated a motion to vacate against Johnson with bipartisan support, including from Democrats and most Republicans. ALSO READ| Donald Trump hints he has sort of a pretty good idea for the next VP Trying to oust Mike Jhonson is unfortunate The former president had previously called for tabling the resolution in a statement on Truth Social, posted shortly after the vote concluded. He called MTG's push to oust Johnson very unfortunate. Were getting along very well with the speaker and I get along very well with Marjorie, Trump said. The Hill reported that Trump playfully asked Greene to treat the House Speaker with kindness and be nice to him. Greene confirmed the exchange while speaking to reporters after the meeting. President Trump noticed me, although I was sitting quite far back, and he greeted me, saying 'hello Marjorie.' He jokingly asked, 'Are you being nice to Speaker Johnson?' I responded with a gesture, Greene recounted, waving her hand back and forth. He then said, Okay, you be nice to him, Greene continued. He also acknowledged that I am loyal to him, showing up wherever he goes and supporting him. He told everyone in the room that I'm very capable, and I always appreciate President Trump. ALSO READ| US Supreme Court denies Trump Too Small trademark Since assuming the role of Speaker after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) ousting, Johnson and Greene have had a strained relationship. Greene has publicly criticized Johnson's policy decisions on various issues, including Ukraine aid, government funding, and surveillance powers, leading up to her motion against him. The attempt to oust Johnson was short-lived. With bipartisan cooperation, Republicans quickly moved to table Greene's resolution and effectively deposed the challenge. On Wednesday, eight former SpaceX employees sued Elon Musk, alleging they were unlawfully terminated for raising concerns about gender discrimination and sexual harassment at the company. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, gestures as he attends the Viva Technology conference on innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo(REUTERS) The lawsuit claims that despite the Tesla boss' ambitions for leading space travel, his company operates with outdated and sexist practices, treating women as sexual objects and fostering a workplace environment filled with lewd sexual banter. Musk wants to be the leader to a brave new world of space travel The eight employee driven lawsuit claims Musk thinks of himself as the leader to a brave new world of space travel, but runs his company in the dark ages treating women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size, bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter, and offering the reprise to those who challenge the Animal House environment that if they dont like it they can seek employment elsewhere. And now they are seeking unspecified monetary damages for lost wages, earnings, and other employee benefits, emotional distress. ALSO READ| Elon Musk may take home much less than $56 billion historic pay owing to this reason In 2022, the plaintiffs were involved in drafting an open letter lambasting Musk and urging SpaceX to foster a more inclusive culture. Signed by at least 400 employees, the letter asked SpaceX management to clarify that Musks statements, particularly on then Twitter, did not reflect the companys values. It also highlighted the inconsistent enforcement of SpaceXs No A**hole policy. And what happened after that was kinda expected: the eight employees were fired, alleging that Musk personally ordered the Plaintiffs terminations. While addressing the 2022 letter, SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell stated she would enforce SpaceXs zero tolerance standards against employee harassment. However, The New York Times reported that Shotwell said the employees were terminated for making other staff feel uncomfortable. Similar complaints were previously filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), arguing that the terminations constituted retaliation against employees for engaging in concerted protected activities. Earlier this year, SpaceX filed its own lawsuit in response to a consolidated NLRB complaint, claiming the NLRBs structure is unconstitutional. Fired employees point out pervasively sexist culture at SpaceX The new complaint details statements by Musk and actions by other workers that allegedly contributed to a hostile work environment and pervasively sexist culture at SpaceX. It references multiple crude posts by Musk on Twitter, such as a plan to create a Texas university called TITS where Ds [womens bra size] would get degrees, and a doctored photo rendering a rocket to appear as a giant penis. One of the plaintiffs, Paige Holland-Thielen told CNN, Things like that were widely shared on all internal chat channels and talked about in meetings and used as fodder in professional environments. ALSO READ| Elon Musk's shout out to Donald Trump in Tesla meeting: He calls me for no reason The complaint also cites Musk's response to a sexual harassment allegation published by Business Insider, where he tweeted: Finally, we get to use Elongate as scandal name. Its kinda perfect, and a laughing emoji. The lawsuit also argues that Musks behaviour encouraged similar conduct among other employees, contributing to a hostile work environment. The plaintiffs allege that SpaceX engineers often used crude and demeaning names for products, such as Upskirt Camera for a camera on the Falcon rocket. The lawsuit also mentions a SpaceX HR director's dismissive comment: Ive never been sexually harassed; I must not be hot enough. Blasting billionaire Elon Musk over his decision to hide likes on social media platform X, former US President Donald Trump's relative called out the Tesla CEO. Former US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk After purchasing Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, Musk has implemented several changes in a bid to make the platform a "digital public square". X began hiding likes from users' publicly visible accounts on June 12, one day after Musk said on the platform that it's "important to allow people to like posts without getting attacked for doing so!" Nevertheless, several users have criticised this move, including the niece of Donald Trump, Mary Trump. Taking to X on the day the move was implemented. Mary wrote: "I didn't think it was possible, but the latest 'improvement' to Twitter shows that @elonmusk is even stupider than I thought." Several other people expressed their outrage about the change in comments section of the post, which has garnered over 392.6 K views so far. I wish we could sue him for this platform he destroyed, one X user reacted. X has blocked me from liking anything negative pertaining to 34 times convicted felon! another wrote. Echoing similar sentiments, a third user said, This platform has steadily gotten worse, while the fourth added, I'm sure he's doing it for his vanity, just like Trump. Elon couldn't stand criticism on Twitter, so he bought it to control it. Now, I'm betting he couldn't stand people pointing out the various disgusting and conspiratorial posts he likes, so he got rid of it. Some X users expressed happiness over Elon's move Not everyone is upset with is move as some people expressed their gratitude to Musk for the update. Oli London, the controversial English internet personality, called it a great new feature", stressing that it will definitely help users feel more comfortable liking posts that they agree with. Also Read: Elon Musk says X's town hall with Donald Trump will be interesting "Good move. It's a step toward providing people with more privacy. If people want to share what they like, they can repost the content," wrote Ed Krassenstein, a popular social media personality. This development came after X modified its guidelines to let adult content that is consensually produced and distributed on the site. Social media users have expressed disapproval of this decision, claiming that it will negatively impact their experience. Ahead of US presidential elections and Donald Trump's 78th birthday, Florida Congressman Greg Steube has suggested proposal to rename the U.S. coastal waterways after former President, which sparked criticism on the internet. Tomorrow I will introduce legislation to rename our coastal waters after @realDonaldTrump! Congressman Greg Steube wrote on X.(AP) Taking to X, Steube said that he would be introducing legislation on Friday that would rename the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is the waterway that surrounds the US, to the "Donald John Trump Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States." Tomorrow I will introduce legislation to rename our coastal waters after @realDonaldTrump! the Congressman wrote. President Trump took several commendable actions for our oceans as part of his work to make America strong, secure, and economically prosperous, he said. Renaming our waters will serve as a reminder of his many contributions to our nation for generations to come. Earlier in March, House Republicans suggested to rename Virginia's Washington Dulles International Airport as The Donald J. Trump International Airport. Also Read: US Supreme Court denies Trump Too Small trademark Greg Steube faces immense backlash The Steube's suggestion was derided by a number of X users, one of whom said the Republican member of the House belonged to a "cult." Taking aim at Steube, former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, who has become a fierce opponent of Trump since leaving office, wrote, "In my 12 years in congress, which was 3 times longer than Trump held office, i could never have fathomed being this much of a dorky try-hard." "Cultists gonna cult...," wrote Arne Duncan, who served as the U.S. Secretary of Education under Barack Obama administration. In light of Steube's suggestion, several Trump's critics made fun of his recent felony record. Christopher Bouzy wrote on X, "Inmate Number P01135809 is a mouthful." Trump in May created history by becoming the first former or sitting US President to be convicted of criminal charges. He was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying company documents in order to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential campaign. "Did you hear the @RepGregSteube wants to name coastal waters after the Orange Pod?" asked American actress Dana Ivey. True. He wants to name something after CONVICTED FELON, sexual predator, GLOAT (Greatest Liar Of All Time), multiple fraudster, and ripper-off of all who work for him. Gee, Greg, not such a good choice. Our waterways aren't felons, Greg. You're welcome to rename your toilet Trump if it makes you happy but you leave our waterways alone, one X user wrote, while another chimed in, I like naming a correctional facility after Trump. It would align with what he will be remembered the most for. What is EEZ? The US hold the sovereign rights to explore and conserve" the natural resources in EEZ, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The zone, which is under US control, encompasses the waterways surrounding Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and it stretches no farther than 200 nautical miles (roughly 230 miles) from the "territorial sea baseline". U.S. President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, agreed to drop a lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani's former lawyer Robert Costello in which he accused the pair of violating his privacy over data allegedly taken from his laptop, court records showed on Thursday. U.S. President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden, who earlier in the day was found guilty on all three counts in his criminal gun charges trial, after President Biden arrived at the Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, U.S., June 11, 2024. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden(REUTERS) Hunter Biden had accused Giuliani, who has served as a personal lawyer for former President Donald Trump, and Costello of being responsible for the "total annihilation" of his digital privacy in the lawsuit filed in September last year. Southern District Court to finalize Hunter Biden's lawsuit withdrawal Attorneys for all three parties filed an agreement on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that stipulated that Hunter Biden agreed to drop the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke must review the agreement before it is finalized, according to NBC News, which first reported the agreement. ALSO READ| Who is Lunden Roberts? Mom of Hunter Bidens daughter breaks silence ahead of bombshell memoir release Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury on Tuesday of lying about his illegal drug use to buy a gun, making him the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. Giuliani, a former New York mayor, filed for bankruptcy late last year after he was ordered to pay $148 million to two former Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud following Trump's 2020 presidential election loss. The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive, Robert A. Heinlein's voice now really hits hard US President Joe Biden. U.S. President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden, who earlier in the day was found guilty on all three counts in his criminal gun charges trial, after President Biden arrived at the Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, U.S., June 11, 2024. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden(REUTERS) After Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts in his New York hush-money trial last month, President Biden adopted a new moniker for his presumptive Republican nominee: convicted felon and now that applies and haunts his son, Hunter Biden. What an irony! For the first time in American history, a former president that is a convicted felon is now seeking the office of the presidency, Biden told supporters at a June 3 fundraiser in Greenwich, Connecticut. And now the clock is turned with the recent conviction of Hunter Biden, President Biden's son, on three gun charges by a federal court jury in Delaware. This marks a historic first, as no child of a sitting president has ever been convicted before. ALSO READ| Donald Trump hints he has sort of a pretty good idea for the next VP The guilty verdict could potentially complicate the Biden campaign's strategy of leveraging Trumps conviction in the 2024 election. Biden's reelection campaign and congressional Democrats have consistently echoed the president's characterization of Trump as a convicted felon and convicted criminal. Yet, following Hunter Bidens conviction, branding Trump a criminal might now invite increased scrutiny regarding Biden's own family. Biden campaign will continue with the convicted felon A source close to the Biden campaign told USA Today that they would not hesitate to continue calling Trump a convicted felon, despite Hunter Biden's conviction. The source insisted that Americans can distinguish between the verdicts of Trump, who is actively running for president, and Hunter Biden, who remains a private citizen. But its is evident that Trumps campaign will likely exploit Hunter Bidens conviction to counter the attacks on Trumps criminal record. ALSO READ| Who is Lunden Roberts? Mom of Hunter Bidens daughter breaks silence ahead of bombshell memoir release Republican strategist Scott Jennings suggested that Hunter Biden's guilty verdict might provide Trump with a potent counter-argument during the first of two televised debates with Biden on June 27, Especially if Joe Biden goes in on repeatedly calling Donald Trump a convicted felon, trying to get under his skin. It might give Joe Biden some pause on how hard he goes at the debate, because he's going to have to deal with a retort, he added. Kate Middleton has provided a major update on her comeback amid the ongoing cancer battle. Ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade this weekend, The Princess of Wales confirmed that she is set to make her first public appearance in the upcoming royal event. Kate Middleton has provided a major update on her comeback amid the ongoing cancer battle. She is set to attend King Charles' birthday parade, Trooping the Colour on Saturday.(Getty) After remaining away from the spotlight for months, Kate confirmed via a pre-recorded video on March 22 that she has been undergoing cancer treatment and has taken a break from Royal duties. In an emotional statement on Friday, the mother of three asserted that there are good days and bad days in her recovery from cancer, but added that shes well enough to make an appearance on the annual ceremony on Saturday. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days, she stated. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. Kate gives health update, says I am not out of the woods yet Catherine acknowledged that although she intends to watch the parade celebrating the King Charles' birthday, she is still constantly battling her illness and feels exhausted sometimes. Im looking forward to attending The Kings Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. Middleton said she had to pay attention to what her body can tolerate in order to determine if she's ready for her royal responsibilities. She mentioned that she is developing patience, particularly in the face of uncertainty by allowing herself much-needed time to heal and paying attention to her body. Also Read: Kate Middleton's much-awaited Wimbledon attendance update released amid cancer battle King Charles is delighted over Kate's appearance According to a Buckingham Palace spokesman who spoke with The Post, the Princess of Wales directly informed King Charles that she would be attending the procession. His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrows events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day, the spokesperson added. In a letter to Irish Guards last week, The Princess of Wales apologised for being absent from a crucial practice for the parade. Kate received the title of the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards last year. Kate has mostly stayed away from the the public eye following her surgery and cancer diagnosis. An insider previously told Us Weekly that she may never come back in the role that people saw her in before. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly had a secret hideaway in the UKa stunning 2.5 million home they eventually had to let go of. With recent news suggesting the Duke is 'determined' to settle back in his hometown after spending a considerable amount of time in California, US, the revelation that the Sussexes once owned a covert UK residence piques curiosity about the stories behind this luxurious Cotswolds retreat. According to reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex leased a property in the Cotswolds for two years before moving to Frogmore. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk down the steps after their wedding.(AP) Harry and Meghans secret UK hideaway Royal followers are aware that Meghan and Harry were given the keys to Royal Frogmore Cottage when they exchanged wedding vows in 2018. However, after spending a fortune on renovations and patiently waiting to make it their love nest, the couple eventually had to give it up when they decided to step down from their working royal status in 2020. Nonetheless, new claims indicate that just before they walked down the aisle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, the couple agreed to lease a private retreat in the Cotswolds, where they planned to reside while Frogmore Cottage underwent renovations, as per the Mirror. Also read: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoy late night party at rental house; singer avoids sleeping over Harry and Meghans Oxfordshire home Throughout their 8-year relationship, the estranged royals have stayed at multiple places, including Harry's bachelor pad at Nottingham Cottage, Frogmore, Tyler Perry's home in LA, and their current mansion in Montecito, US. However, one of the least discussed homes of the Sussexes is their Cotswolds property, where they reportedly resided in the Oxfordshire residence, valued at over 2.5m back in 2018. Nonetheless, the couple was forced to give up the house once the media discovered their hidden gem and its whereabouts. Sussexes were believed to be very happy in their covert home, which provided them with a lot of privacy to host their well-known guests and sufficient yard area to walk their dogs out in the evening. Also read: Meghan Markle 'lied to my daughter': Half-sister accuses Duchess of misleading narrative about Royal wedding The luxurious property was like a mini-estate featuring three unique structures. The primary residence, a magnificent farmhouse, provided four roomy bedrooms. There was an additional two-bedroom cottage ideal for employees or visitors. And for the perfect setting for hosting guests. The couple vacated Frogmore Cottage last summer, following their bombshell Netflix documentary and Oprah Winfrey interview. A rep told the UK outlet, "We can confirm the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been facing criticism since they stepped down from their Royal roles and moved to the United States to start a new life. Following an extraordinary fallout with his family, especially King Charles and estranged brother Prince William, the Duke of Sussex described what transpired after he extended an olive branch to The Prince of Wales. Harry remembered how he felt after talking to his brother and leaving his homeland and the mother country, for which " Id fought and been ready to die."(AP) According to Harry, Prince William showed no sympathy or emotions and rather told him three words that he wasn't hoping for. "You left, Harold," William told him, as per Harry's memoir Spare. Harry, who was stunned with his brother's response, replied, "Yeah - and you know why." To this, William said, "I don't". Also Read: Prince Harry invited royal family members to Invictus Games celebration but received no response: report Prince Harry expresses pain of leaving mother country According to GB News, Harry expressed the pain in an excerpt from his book, stressing: My beloved brother, my arch nemesis, how had that happened? I felt massively tired. I wanted to go home, and I realized what a complicated concept home had become. Prince Harry even said, Willy, this was supposed to be our home. We were going to live here the rest of our lives. Following the shocking interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry and Meghan Markle are yet to mend their differences with William. Harry remembered how he felt after talking to his brother and leaving his homeland and the mother country, for which " Id fought and been ready to die." "I leaned back. I couldnt believe what I was hearing. It was one thing to disagree about who was at fault or how things might have been different." " To claim no knowledge of why my wife and I took the drastic step of picking up our child and just running like hell, leaving behind everythinghouse, friends, furniture? Really?" What about King Charles? Harry claims that in terms of his father King Charles' sympathies, he was in no better place. Harry stated, recalling the scene from his book: "I turned to Pa. He was gazing at me with an expression that said: 'Neither do I.'" The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been vocal about their experiences and have made a number of bombshell statements since leaving their senior Royal positions in 2020. The couple's 2022 Netflix documentary series, Harry's 2023 memoir, and their shocking 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey are just a few examples of their public stunts that appear to be widening the gap within the royal family. Amid rising concerns for the oldest sitting US president showing signs of slipping, according to a June 4 bombshell Wall Street Journal report, Joe Biden is visibly displaying mental health red flags during the G7 summit. US President Joe Biden speaks after signing a bilateral security agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference at the Masseria San Domenico on the sidelines of the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on June 13, 2024 in Savelletri. (AFP) The ever-expanding list of embarrassing blunders committed by the president only seems to be hitting back with more and more public scares. Biden seems to have lost his way in Apulia, Italy, at these public gatherings in the presence of other high-profile leaders from all over the world. The latest addition to these awkward misfires caught Biden seemingly falling asleep during a pivotal G7 event. During the round-table meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen arising from his seat to wake up the 81-year-old 46th US President. Netizens had barely moved on from the US head of state, causing a stir with other antics during the G7 visit, when yet another one of his alleged chapters of dozing off sparked the Internet's scrutiny. Also read | Russia's Vladimir Putin promises immediate ceasefire in Ukraine if Joe Biden's awkward blunders at the G7 summit Exposing himself to social media's wrath with comments like, The kind of videos emerging out of #G7 Summit clearly indicates that something is not right with @JoeBiden. He needs medical attention, for sure. #BidenAlzheimer, Biden appeared to have wandered off in the presence of world leaders earlier. Social media users also quipped at how events were transpiring in Italy. World leaders becoming babysitters is a wild development, wrote someone on X. While prominent leaders were consumed with the engrossing sight of a parachute display at the Italy summit, the US commander-in-chief strolled away elsewhere. Instead of mingling with his fellow world leader, a now-viral moment caught him walking away and initiating an unexpected conversation with an officer packing a bag. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ultimately came to Biden's rescue and redirected him to his original post among the other leaders for an awkward group photo. That wasn't all. The camera pictured Biden saluting Meloni earlier in the day before slowly walking away. Also read | United front at G7 summit against China's economic and military actions Biden's questionably ill-timed and off-putting moments at the G7 summit have only worked against him, especially amid the ongoing and swelling pool of speculations about the US president's cognitive health. With critics closely observing his behaviour and body language and several instances of his apparent cognitive decline, Biden has invited severe backlash during his presidential campaign. However, on the other side of the conversation, his supporters continue to back him, attempting to squash the heated narrative around him. Leaders from France, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, and the United States have convened at the G7 summit to discuss critical global matters such as migration, the war in Ukraine, and artificial intelligence. On Thursday, leaders of the major democracies also settled on a political deal, proposing a $50 billion loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. Referring to the agreement as a significant outcome, Biden told reporters it was "another reminder to Putin that we're not backing down. The G7 leaders also deliberated on efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war. A mass shooting has occurred inside a nightclub in Ohio, claiming lives of at least two people and injuring two others. According to Assistant Chief of Police Greg Bodker, one male person, whose identity is yet to be revealed, was pronounced dead at the scene.(Credit: WBNS-TV) Local news source 10TV stated that the altercation started on Friday morning at the Avalon Dance Club in downtown Columbus. According to Assistant Chief of Police Greg Bodker, one male person, whose identity is yet to be revealed, was pronounced dead at the scene. At roughly 1:45 a.m., Columbus Division of Police officers were contacted, and two individuals were transported in in serious condition to Grant Medical Center. One the shooting victims was declared dead at the hospital, while there is a slight improvement in other's condition. The victims are in their 20s to 40s in age. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center received another patient, who was apparently in stable condition. According to Bodker, initial signs led investigators to conclude that shooting broke out following an altercation. Information regarding a potential suspect was not immediately accessible as no arrest has been made so far. Also Read: US shootings: 18 killed in Maine's Lewiston city, suspect at large 3 Sheriff's Deputies shot in Illinois While responding to a call from northern Illinois on Wednesday, three sheriff's deputies received gunshots, according to the authorities. The suspect also suffered injuries during the incident. In a statement Ogle County Sheriff said the deputies were called to a property in the Lost Lake neighborhood near Dixon, where someone was allegedly threatening to murder himself or others. The suspect, according to Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle, was shot as well. He, however, provided no details on the suspect, not even his name, age, or place of residence. According to VanVickle, a family member reported the threats from someone at the house to the police just after 8:30 am. He claimed that just before noon, negotiators made an attempt to get in touch with the individual over the phone. "Immediately upon entering the house, our deputies received fire from inside the house," he said Three persons were brought to the hospital's emergency room; two of them received treatment and were later released, according to a spokesman for Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon. The condition of third person was not revealed by the spokesperson. On Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected a California lawyers claim that he could trademark Trump Too Small for use on T-shirts. Is this solely to humiliate former US President Donald Trump? The Supreme Court rules against attorney Steve Elster's 'Trump Too Small' trademark(Trumptoosmall.com) Earlier this week, the Biden administration requested the justices uphold the US Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) denial of attorney Steve Elster's trademark application. The USPTO had refused the application on the grounds that federal law prohibits trademarks using a persons name without their consent. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, We conclude that a tradition of restricting the trademarking of names has coexisted with the First Amendment, and the names clause fits within that tradition. Though the particulars of the doctrine have shifted over time, the consistent through line is that a person generally had a claim only to his own name. ALSO READ| Donald Trump hints he has sort of a pretty good idea for the next VP Supreme Court supports USPTO in rejecting 'Trump Too Small' trademark This Supreme Court decision overturned a previous unanimous precedent by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In 2022, the panel had decided that the prohibition on violating a persons privacy was outweighed by Elsters First Amendment right to criticize public officials. During the oral argument for Vidal v. Elster in November, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. expressed concerns that ruling in favour of Elster could complicate the creation of similar satirical or critical content about Trump. Elster's idea for a Trump Too Small T-shirt originated from locker-room taunts in 2016 between Trump and Senator Marco Rubio during their rivalry for the Republican presidential nomination. Tired of being dismissed as Little Marco by Trump, Rubio made a jab at the size of Trump's hands during a campaign event, saying, You know what they say about men with small hands You cant trust em. Trump responded, Look at those hands, are they small hands? And, he referred to my hands if theyre small, something else must be small. I guarantee you theres no problem. I guarantee. ALSO READ| US Supreme Court maintains access to the abortion pill mifepristone Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar argued before the court that while Elster is free to use the phrase Trump Too Small however he wishes, the government is not obligated to provide the protections associated with trademark registrations. Living people have a valuable right to their own names, Prelogar noted, adding that Elsters unquestioned First Amendment right to criticize the former President does not entitle him to enhanced mechanisms for enforcing property rights in another persons name. Expanding his internet clout-chasing campaign, former president Donald Trump pulled up one of the most unexpected stops in his attempts to appeal to younger voters an interview with controversial influencer and professional wrestler Logan Paul. Social media celebrity and professional wrestler Logan Paul recommends former president Donald Trump make a Joe Biden diss track. ("Impaulsive" podcast) Sitting down with Paul and his co-host Mike Majlak, the presumptive Republican nominee divulged his take on a slew of topics, such as his front-running Democratic rival Joe Biden, Russian President Putin, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, aliens, rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Taylor Swift and so much more. The Internet star's podcast Impaulsive turned out to be an ideal platform for Trump to charm the younger demographic (and push his anti-Biden outcry)despite his fresh guilty verdict in the New York hush money trial for falsifying business records. Trying his all to win over Gen Z voters, the former president's Logan Paul interview comes just weeks after he debuted his brand-new TikTok account, boasting his presence at a UFC event. Before jumping into a nearly hour-long conversation with the social media celebrity, Trump walked into a room decked with his campaign's signature colour themered, white, and blue. Even Paul's energy drink bottles were covered in the MAGA packaging aesthetic. Trump added to the ceremony by gifting the host duo red MAGA hats and other Trump merchandise, including a T-shirt with his infamous mugshot and slogan NEVER SURRENDER. Also read | Strolling, Saluting and Sleeping; Biden embarrasses with three blunders in one day Donald Trump on Logal Paul's Impaulsive podcast The Donald Trump Interview went live on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, June 13 (US). In addition to discussing his felony conviction and its aftermath, Trump and the Impaulsive podcast hosts were all smiles as they soon crossed off several issues. Pushing his Make American Great Again agenda, Trump iterated that Biden can't achieve what he's set out for. This guy's destroyed our country, began the presidential hopeful. Later in the video, Trump comes right out with his perception of the sitting president: "Biden is just so bad. He is so bad. He is the worst president in the history of our country. Hearing his thoughts, Logan Paul suggests he should make a diss track on Biden. Yeah, we'll do something, Trump nodded along with a faint smile. Ultimately, the Paul Brother's endorsement and portrayal of Trump as cool struck a chord with many netizens, who claimed to have thoroughly enjoyed his podcast outing. The video also made for a pressing highlight ahead of Trump's birthday on Friday, June 14, acting as a one-sided precursor to the upcoming CNN debate that will pit him and Biden against each other on a national platform on June 27. Also read | 'Elon Musk is even stupider than I thought': Donald Trump's niece lambasts X owner over latest move With speculations about Biden possibly being too old for the job already flaring up, his critics and the Internet have teamed up to distinguish his apparent signs of cognitive decline. Meanwhile, Trump is making the most of the given platforms to woo younger voters with his supposedly supercool persona. Even TikTok has become his newest best friend despite his initial qualms with its Chinese ownership, leading to a lofty crossfire, weighing in on its ban. Addressing Trump's fresh approach to pursuing the youth via the Internet and whatnot, his main spokesperson, Steven Cheung, confessed to The Daily Beast that they would leave no front undefended. The former president's interview with Paul was avidly promoted on social media, especially TikTok, ahead of its official release date. Cheung didn't sugarcoat his words while admitting that this Logan Paul TikTok video represents the continued outreach to a younger audience consuming pro-Trump and anti-Biden content. Also weighing in on Trump's first TikTok video,f featuring his attendance at the June 2 UFC event, his campaign's spokesperson said, The [TikTok] video he posted went immediately viral garnering over 100 million views in just a few hours as he has gained over 6 million followers since the launch. Yemen's Houthi rebels launched two anti-ship cruise missiles and hit a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, setting it on fire and severely injuring one civilian mariner, according to PTI. Yemens Houthi rebels launched two anti-ship cruise missiles and struck a commercial ship Thursday in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen, setting it on fire (AP/File) The ship, M/V Verbena, was still on fire and the wounded mariner was taken to another ship for medical treatment by a US helicopter based on the USS Philippine Sea, according to the US military's Central Command. Central Command issued a statement saying, The M/V Verbena reported damage and subsequent fires on board. The crew continues to fight the fire. They added, according to PTI, that the Verbena - a Palaun flagged, Ukrainian-owned and Polish operated carrier was carrying wood from Malaysia to Italy. Read more: Leaders of UN and aid groups urge immediate release of 17 staffers being held by Yemen's rebels Private security firm Ambrey had received a distress call from the vessel early Thursday about being attacked by a missile and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre announced that a vessel had been attacked and had caught fire, according to PTI. The attack by the Houthis' is the latest in a campaign over the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Houthis claimed the attack on the Verbena and two other ships in the Red Sea. PTI reported that the other two , according to Central Command, caused no injuries or significant damage. The UKMTO said one vessel earlier missed by the Houthis was hit by a third projectile that caused minor damage." The vessel was able to remain underway, it said. Central Command also said it destroyed a Houthi drone boat and two patrol boats in the Red Sea, as well as one airborne drone. The Houthis seized Yemen's capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since then. They have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor, to supposedly stop the conflict in Gaza but the vessels they target are often not related to the conflict. Read more: UN: 39 out of 260 migrants from Africa dead after boat sinks off Yemen coast The war in Gaza has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there, according to Gaza health officials, while hundreds of others have been killed in Israeli operations in the West Bank. It began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. The US Maritime Administration says that the Houthis have launched 50 shipping attacks, seized one vessel, sunk another and killed three people. The US has also struck back on the Houthis since January, killing t least 16 people and wounding 42, according to the rebels, as reported by PTI. On Thursday it was revealed that the Houthis also detained three staff members of the Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI). United Nations staff and those working for aid groups have been detained by the rebels as well. Read more: Yemens Houthis sentence 44 to death on charges of collaboration with a Saudi-led coalition The NDI stated, This arbitrary and inhumane treatment of Yemeni citizens involved in humanitarian assistance, diplomacy, democracy and human rights, peacemaking and civil society development is entirely without foundation and must be ended immediately, according to PTI. It also called for the swift release by the Houthi regime of our staff, and of all individuals who have been unjustly detained. The NDI is a pro-democracy organisation that has worked in Yemen since 1993. It receives funding from the US government and others. A coroner in Colorado who claims he's overworked is demanding a raise from county leaders or he'll stop picking up bodies. Prowers County Commissioner Ron Cook told KUSA-TV that he was surprised to get a call from EMS crews on June 1. Cook said he was informed that county coroner Tommy Dunagan was refusing to respond to the scene of a death because he had already worked his 20-hour work week and his deputy wasn't available over the holiday weekend. Dunagan stated that if county commissioners didn't want to get the person's body, it could just sit there until he was back on the clock. "He did tell me that he couldn't go on Saturday and had nobody to take the call, and that he would respond the following day when he was back on call," explained Cook. Dunagan did eventually respond to the scene, but only when commissioners agreed to meet and discuss his salary. The coroner is currently paid part-time, though he works full-time hours and wants to be bumped up accordingly. "I feel it's appropriate to call you guys because this is completely your decision," Dunagan said. "It's no one else's decision whether I'm full-time or part-time." Under state law, commissioners cannot amend the coroner's salary again until 2026. Dunagan is considering the option of suing the commissioners, as well as requesting that Prowers County pay for his legal fees. Donald Trump met with GOP lawmakers Thursday in his first visit to Capitol Hill since the Jan. 6 riots, much to the dismay of Democrats. During the closed-door meeting with House Republicans at the Capitol Hill Club, the former president spent much of his time attacking his critics and complaining about his legal woes, stopping only to address policy matters briefly, a source told CNN. He alluded to the importance of staying loyal to him, highlighting the majority of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach him over the riots are no longer in office, except two. "I never loved him," Trump said of Rep. David Valadao of California, according to a GOP member, CNN reported. Trump also addressed the ongoing feud between Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and House Speaker Mike Johnson, after her failed attempt to oust him from his seat, last month. "He's always so sweet, recognizing me, and he said 'are you being nice to Speaker Johnson?' He was joking. And I said, 'eh,'" Greene said while gesturing with her hands, the outlet reported. "He said, 'OK, be nice to him' and I nodded my head." Trump shifted the conversation to his recent convictions on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in connection with the Stormy Daniels hush-money case, calling the Department of Justice "dirty no good bastards," while expressing his frustrations, another source said. Allies said after the meeting the convictions only fueled and motivated the party to reclaim the presidency. "Anybody who thought that this President was going to be down after the sham trial, after that crooked trial that we saw in New York, I think, again, it's only given him even more energy," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said. "And what he did for us upstairs just now is, he showed us that energy and he showed us that positive outlook, despite all the garbage they've been throwing at him with their lawfare and their nonsense." Trump drifted off-topic several times, insiders said, sounding off on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a hypothetical romance between the rivals, accusing one of her "wacko" daughters of saying he and Pelosi "would be perfect together, there's an age difference though," according to NBC. Christine Pelosi responded on X, "Speaking for all 4 Pelosi daughters this is a LIE. His deceitful, deranged obsession with our mother is yet another reason Donald Trump is unwell, unhinged and unfit to step foot anywhere near her or the White House." Before wrapping up the meeting, Trump advised Republicans to "follow their own heart" when it comes to the controversial topic of abortion. "But like Ronald Reagan, you have to have three choices: life of mother, rape and incest you have to do, but you have to follow your own heart," Trump said, according to a source. Thursday's gathering angered Democrats who said Trump should be using the visit to apologize to the officers involved in the Jan. 6 riots. "[It is] insulting for the men and women who protected the Capitol with their lives to have to watch him come up to the Hill and pretend the insurrection never happened." Democratic Rep. Becca Balint of Vermont said, according to Axios. Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas accused Trump of "hang[ing] out with the very same MAGA extremists who acted as his proxies on January 6th." Donald Trump suggested in a new interview that he might lose the upcoming debate on "purpose" to keep President Joe Biden on the ticket. The former president, who was being interviewed on conservative Real America's Voice, was asked what would happen if Biden performs poorly at the debate and Democrats replace him as their nominee. "Well, you know, interestingly, they've done polling, and I do better against almost everybody," Trump told host Steve Gruber. "And so they don't want to take him off. Maybe I'm better off losing the debate. I'll make sure he stays. I'll lose the debate on purpose. Maybe I'll do something like that," the former president said. The Biden campaign played Trump's comments in a loop on X. CNN will host the first debate of the 2024 presidential election on June 27. The boyfriend of Giselle Tapia-Salazar, the mother of four found hanging from a Texas dock, is maintaining that he had nothing to do with her death, as investigators comb through thousands of video files, looking for clues as to what really happened to her. James Hart claims that Giselle got up to use the restroom in the middle of the night, and never returned. "There are so many questions and there's no answers. I don't understand why because we have cameras all over this marina," Hart said through tears in an interview with KHOU, "there should be no doubt about this. There should be no way this isn't all filmed." "I want justice for Giselle and for myself." A neighbor who lives near the marina also spoke to the outlet about the nature of Hart and Salazar's relationship, saying that the couple "fought like crazy, and loved like crazy." The neighbor also corroborated that there was history of disturbance calls at Hart's boat in the past. On May 31, officers responded to reports of "a woman hanging off a dock of a marina" in the 700 block of Davis Road, according to the League City Police Department, adding that callers told authorities that the body appeared to be "lifeless" and "hung from a rope." Responding officers and League City Fire Department staff quickly pronounced the woman, later identified by friends as Salazar, dead at the scene. Nearly two weeks after her body was discovered, police say that foul play is suspected. "Because of the position of her arm, we believe she probably passed away somewhere else. Rigor mortis set in and then she was moved, her arms stayed in that position," League City Police Lt. Eric Cox told KHOU. Authorities are still waiting on a medical examiner's report and a toxicology report to determine her true cause of death. A North Dakota woman faces up to 30 years in prison after she was stopped in Minnesota last month and police found a bong with traces of drugs, a glass jar containing a "crystal substance," and other paraphernalia, according to a report. Jessica Beske, a 43-year-old resident of Fargo, was pulled over May 8 for speeding in Polk County, Minnesota, and deputies who searched her car after reporting smelling marijuana found the bong and the other items, the Minnesota Reformer reported. The residue on the paraphernalia tested positive for methamphetamine, along with the eight ounces of water in the bong and the substance in the glass jar. Beske told the outlet that she didn't have any drugs with her, only the paraphernalia. She was charged with first-degree felony possession, which means that Beske could be sentenced to 30 years in prison and hit with a $1 million fine. Beske told the Guardian that the charges came as a shock to her. "All I could see was [the possibility of] 30 to 40 years. And I couldn't speak, I couldn't breathe," she said. "They didn't even discuss it at all. They just pushed it through. Nobody's even thinking about whose lives are affected by this," Beske said of the legislative session. At first she thought her arrest was a "mistake," but discovered after doing some research about the bong water exception in the law and how the legislature passed it. The Minnesota Reformer said for charging purposes the eight ounces of water in the bong is considered the same as eight ounces of methamphetamine, more than the 50-gram threshold for the felony charge. "The legislative intent behind the weight-based thresholds is to approximate whether a person is an end user or a dealer," Kurtis Hanna, a longtime Minnesota drug reform advocate, told the publication. "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," Hanna said. Beske said the charges against her are wrong. "It's against common sense," she said. "It's against everybody's common sense." The Minnesota legislature last year decriminalized drug paraphernalia, even if it contained traces of drugs. But bong water was part of a law stemming from a 2009 court ruling that determined 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 report said. Scott Buhler, the assistant Polk County attorney prosecuting Beske, said he couldn't comment on pending cases when asked about the taking cases involving bong water to court, saying the criminal complaint "speaks for itself." He said the office "simply enforces the laws of this state as written." Beske admits that she has a substance abuse problem and says the possibility of being locked up for 30 years makes her feel hopeless. "It's just gonna make my life worse and make me want to use drugs more," she said. "That's why people use drugs mostly, is to cope." She told the Guardian in the interview that she hopes the law will be changed. "It's just so wrong that I just have to hold hope that this is going to change the law, hopefully," Beske said. "I don't want anybody else to have to have to go through this." Authorities have released a photo of the moment U.S. Marshals captured the boyfriend accused of committing the "brutal and heinous" murders of a Louisiana mom and her child in what investigators allege may be connected to human trafficking. Daniel Callihan, 36, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon following a brief police chase in Jackson, Mississippi. Callihan is suspected in the murders of his girlfriend, 35-year-old Callie Brunett and her 4-year-old daughter, Erin, according to police. He's also accused of abducting Brunett's 6-year-old daughter, Jalie, who was discovered injured at a home in Jackson, "where there has been some human trafficking done," said police Chief Joseph Wade, WVUE-TV reported. "We see cages, small animal cages. This is very, very disturbing to me as a police chief and as a father to witness and see what I saw," added Wade, explaining Erin's body was found outside in a wooded area near the house. "We're going to work this crime scene with a scalpel," he said. Jalie was transported to a hospital for treatment. Her injuries remain unclear. "She's been through something that most of us, hopefully, never ever get to experience. And she is going to have to spend the rest of her life living with this," said Wade, according to CNN. Earlier that day, Brunett was found dead by her father inside her Loranger, Louisiana, mobile home about 130 miles outside of Jackson after family became concerned they hadn't heard from her since Tuesday. Authorities issued an AMBER Alert when family realized her daughters were missing. A motive and manners of death remain under investigation. Ukraine's military launched more than 80 drones at targets inside Russia, according to reports citing the Russian Ministry of Defense. Moscow said it downed 87 Ukrainian drones and that 70 of them were fired at the Rostov region bordering southeast Ukraine where Russia maintains a military air base used to carry out attacks on Ukraine, Newsweek reported. "During the night, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack with drones against targets on Russian territory was thwarted," the Defense Ministry said in the statement, Newsweek reported. The Ukrainian attack knocked out power in several areas of Rostov, Voice of America reported, citing the regional governor. At the same time, Russia fired drones and missiles inside Ukraine, injuring a number of people in the town of Selydove in the Donetsk region. Ukraine said its air defense system downed 24 of the 31 Russian drones and rockets, Voice of America said. Kyiv and Moscow have been escalating their cross-border attacks with Ukraine targeting Russian fuel facilities to hamper President Vladimir Putin's war efforts. Ukraine has been targeting military installations inside Russia, claiming it is acting in self-defense because Moscow launched attacks from those facilities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been attending the Group of Seven summit in Italy over the last couple of days. President Joe Biden and the other G7 leaders agreed to lend Ukraine $50 billion which will be paid back by using interest from seized Russian assets. As Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, continues to battle an unspecified type of cancer, she revealed she's "not out of the woods yet," but "making good progress." "But as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days," Middleton, 42, wrote on Instagram Friday. "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well." The mother of three said she and husband Prince William have been "blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement" since she went public with her cancer diagnosis in March. She explained she will continue to undergo treatment for several more months and is looking forward to spending the summer with her kids Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 9; and Prince Louis, 6 and at a few public engagements while "equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet." "I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal," wrote Middleton, before ending her post by thanking her supporters. The update comes five months after Kate underwent major abdominal surgery, prompting a whirlwind of public speculation over her health. At the time, her medical team thought her condition was noncancerous, but further testing showed cancer was present, she said. The Biden administration sanctioned a right-wing Israeli group, Tsav 9, on Friday, calling it a "violent extremist" group and accusing it of blocking humanitarian aid shipments to Palestinians in Gaza, the State Department said in a statement. "For months, individuals from Tzav 9 have repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blockading roads, sometimes violently, along their route from Jordan to Gaza, including in the West Bank," the State Department said. "They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road," the statement continued. Tsav 9, which means "Order 9," a reference to the call-up orders for military reservists, has links to army reservists and Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Reuters reported. The State Department said the group "looted and then set fire" to two trucks of aid designated for men, women and children in Gaza on May 13 near Hebron in the West Bank. Reuters said right-wing factions in the Israeli government, with ties to the settler movement, oppose the cease-fire the Biden administration is trying to broker between Israel and Hamas, which invaded Israel on Oct. 7. The State Department said humanitarian aid is "vital to preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from worsening." "The Government of Israel has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian convoys transiting Israel and the West Bank en route to Gaza," it said. "We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance." Tsav 9 is listed as sanctioned on the website of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which was first reported by Reuters. The financial sanctions will be carried out under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in February that punishes Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank. Gran Melia Nha Trang, the luxurious seafront sanctuary on Vietnam's stunning central coast, has announced the appointment of Ms. Laurence Neumann as its Director of Sales & Marketing, to position the resort for a bright future and to create exceptional guest journeys for leisure, business and group travellers in this dream destination. With more than 14 years of experience at internationally-branded five-star properties in Asia and Europe, Laurence is perfectly positioned to showcase this luxury resort to the world's discerning travellers. A passionate hotelier and sales & marketing specialist, Laurence's professional career commenced with Accor in China, where her talent was quickly recognised as she rose to the position of Director of Sales in just three years - initially with Pullman hotels in Sanya and then with Sofitel in Guangzhou. Having achieved a hospitality certificate from the prestigious Cornell University, Laurence moved to Vietnam for the first time in 2016 when she was appointed Director of Business Development at Pullman Saigon Centre, the five-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Following an impressive four-year spell with Marriott International, which included Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing roles in Bangkok and Austria, she has now returned to Vietnam with Gran Melia Nha Trang. Laurence will play a pivotal role in helping discerning travellers from around the world to enjoy "A Life Well Lived" at Vietnam's first Gran Melia resort. With a collection of spectacular pool villas, plus bespoke activities, creative culinary venues, a serene spa, world-class exceptional experiences and more, Gran Melia Nha Trang sets the stage for truly memorable moments - including romantic couples' escapes and unforgettable family vacations. Laurence will also be instrumental in helping bespoke groups to stage impressive events on Nha Trang's pure shores. From out-of-town corporate functions to one-of-a-kind beachfront celebrations, this is the ultimate setting for life's most important occasions. Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) has announced the appointment of Philipp Knuepfer as the new chief operating officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts. Knuepfer joins SHG with over 20 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality sector and will support the growth of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, whilst overseeing global operations. Knuepfer joins SHG from Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group where in his previous capacity as area vice president and general manager, he managed the group's portfolio across Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. His tenure with Mandarin Oriental also encompassed senior management positions in Hawaii, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Washington DC, and Boston. A German national, he attained his hotel management degree at the International School for Hotel Business in Germany and holds an MBA from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Knuepfer is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School in Ithaca, New York and completed advanced leadership education at the London Business School and Columbia University. Assuming the role of chief operating officer, he will be based out of SHG's Singapore office, adding value for the Group's investors and stakeholders in Asia. SHG has already established a solid presence in South Asia with homegrown brands Attiko, Azure Beach, and Hanu coming soon to Vietnam, and SUSHISAMBA which just opened in the Capital Tower building in Singapore. Asia is a key market for SHG and promises an exciting pipeline of lifestyle hospitality experiences in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sun Siyam Resorts is proud to announce the promotion of Sara Siyam from Creative Director to Director of Marketing, effective May 1, 2024. With an impressive tenure at Sun Siyam Resorts since 2017, Sara has demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity, driving brand development and innovative creative strategies. In her new role as Director of Marketing, Sara will lead the marketing department in refining the creative vision of Sun Siyam Resorts. She will be responsible for elevating brand awareness through integrated brand and marketing campaigns, as well as unique experiential events across all properties to ultimately drive growth and revenue for the company, Sara's strategic focus will further enhance Sun Siyam Resorts' global brand presence and guest engagement. Sara's journey began as a PR Executive at Sun Siyam Resorts and rapidly progressed to Assistant Manager of PR and Marketing for the group before assuming the role of PR and Marketing Manager at Siyam World Maldives in November 2020. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in launching the property in October 2021, spearheading branding, content development, social and communications strategies. Sara holds a Master's Degree in International Tourism and Hospitality from James Cook University, Singapore, and is known for her passion for innovation and creating distinctive guest experiences. Drawing from her family's rich background in tourism and hospitality, Sara is dedicated to positioning Sun Siyam Resorts as a standout local brand synonymous with unparalleled experiences. The InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco is pleased to announce that Robert (Bob) Bracy is their new Director of Food and Beverage. Bob Bracy is a target-driven business development professional with almost 30 years of nurturing relationships that increase revenue and propel growth. He has a proven track record of success in sales, ensuring that plans are aligned with organizational objectives. Bob fosters an atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration with an emphasis on goal attainment. He creates and develops highly effective teams, shifting the mindsets of team members from fulfilling tasks to finding innovative solutions. His areas of expertise include building strategic partnerships, business development, budgeting and financial planning, and team leadership - among others. Some of Bob's duties at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins will involve working closely with the finance team to set, monitor, and refine budgets and drive revenue; multitasking to oversee multiple teams, kitchens, and food outlets capable of catering up to 500 people; creating a positive working environment for teams to thrive and linking up departments to create sense of one team; and achieving quality and high level guest satisfaction goals by regularly communicating with guests to ensure expectations are met. He began his career by busing tables and washing dishes at his mother's catering company and through the years, Bob has cultivated a deep-rooted understanding of every aspect of the culinary world. His creativity, knowledge and enthusiasm will serve him well as a member of the Hotel's Executive Committee. Prior to his appointment at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, Bob had his own F&B consulting company. The experiences he brought to that role included five years as General Manager of Food & Beverage at Blackstone, an Autograph Hotel. While there, he oversaw banquets, as well as five outlets, including Mercat a la Planxa, and was instrumental in it being voted the 2nd Best Hotel Restaurant by Eater.com. He exceeded 2018 budgeted revenue by $875,000 and budgeted GOP by $1,400,000 in 2017. He reduced food cost by 5.3% annually and reduced labor by $300,000 during the same period. Earlier, in his time as Food and Beverage Director at Radisson Blu Aqua, he administered 60,000 square feet of banquet space and organized and directed banquet galas of up to 800 participants, while ensuring world class service and exceptional customer experience. He achieved net sales volume of $16.5M per year for the six outlets he managed there. As Food and Beverage Director at Hostmark Hospitality he managed four outlets and achieved $9 million in annual revenue. He also managed, trained, developed, and evaluated a team of more than 100 members for them. At Hotel Arista in Naperville, IL Bob was Food and Beverage Director. There he provided day-to-day management and supported a customer-focused environment that included a 32-acre campus with eight outlets. Then, during his tenure at Hotel Monaco, where he was F&B Director and East Coast Financial Analyst, he was influential in increasing sales by over 15%, decreasing labor costs by 5%, and lowering food costs by 6% over a two-year period. He was also named Manager of the Year in 2002 and earned the Best Financial Award in 2002 and 2004 there. Educated at Northeastern Illinois University, in his free time Bob enjoys traveling - particularly to Spain - collecting California and Old-World Wines, riding his bike, and DIY projects around his home. Lizzette Casarin is Senior Director, Marketing - HVS Americas. Lizzette earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico. In her current role, Lizzette oversees and executes the marketing for the region. Working with the Mexican governments FOBAPROA and IPAB programs, Lizzette assisted with the logistics for the sale and reorganization of several large hotel portfolios in Mexico. She also has experience in restaurant management. Contact Lizzette at 720-310-5118 or [email protected]. Business Travel Show Europe is the number one platform for the corporate travel industry to meet and do business. In just two days, you can discover what's new in the industry, uncover the latest technological innovations, meet the widest range of industry suppliers, reconnect with colleagues, and participate in our inspiring conference programme. This event is organized by The BTN Group Conrad Seoul Hotel Sold to ARA Asset Management Limited for USD 292 Million Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management inked the sale of the 434-key, 38 story Conrad Seoul to Singapore-based ARA Asset Management Limited for USD 292 million, which translates to approximately USD 670,000 per key. Conrad Seoul offers rooms and suites, with a spa, fitness club, executive lounge, seven on-site food and beverage offerings, and eighteen meetings room with a total event space of 2,545sqm. AXA IM Alts Acquired Kyoto Hotel for JPY 6.8 Billion France-based AXA IM Alts purchased an unnamed hotel in Kyoto, Japan JPY 6.8 billion to be subsequently refurbished and rebranded to Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo. The sustainability-focused 183-key hotel is expected to open in early 2025, and the 8.099 square metres property is located near Kyoto Station, and other cultural heritage sites. The property will feature various on-site dining options, multiple banquet rooms, traditional Japanese baths, and a fitness centre. Australia-based TPG Hotels Acquires Pacific Hotel Cairns in Cairns, Australia The 207-key Pacific Hotel Cairns was sold to the Australia-based hospitality group TPG Hotels for an undisclosed sum. The hotel has eleven stories, with both rooms and suites offered. Facilities include an on-site restaurant, a guest lounge, a common swimming pool, and parking spaces. The hotel also has four retail tenancies, utilized by two current tenants, Destination Cairns Marketing and Flamingos Tiki Bar, which form part of the asset. The hotels ADR and RevPAR were 41% and 24% above pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Hanjin KAL Sells Hawaiian Waikiki Resort Hotel to Sono International for USD 101.2 Million South Korea-based Hanjin KAL Co. Ltd. is selling a 100% stake its US-based subsidiary Waikiki Resort Hotel Inc. for approximately USD 101.2 million to South-Korea based Sono International Co. The sale includes the full stake in the luxury hotel, and the subject property and land. The Waikiki Resort Hotel is in the state of Hawaii, an estimated 14.5km away from Hawaiis Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The 275-key property has a gross floor area of 19,800 square meters, comprising 20 stories: 19 above ground and one underground. In 2023, the Waikiki Resort Hotel achieved an average occupancy rate of 86%, an annual revenue of KRW 23.2 billion representing a 8.7% year-on-year increase, and a net profit of KRW 2.8 billion representing a 12.9% decrease year-on-year. Thailand to Roll Out New Visa Initiatives to Boost Tourism Growth The Thai government has approved several new visa initiatives to enhance the countrys attractiveness to international tourists. 36 new countries, including China and India, will be added to Thailands visa-free entry eligibility list, expanding it from 57 to 93. Visa-on-arrival has also been approved for 12 new countries, upping the number from 19 to 31. Five-year visas will now be issued to tourists who wish to work and sightsee for stays lasting up to 180 days, and extendable for another 180 days. Foreign graduates in Thailand may now also remain in Thailand for up to a full year after graduation. Health insurance requirements for long-stay tourists aged 50 and above have also been reduced from a mandatory coverage of THB 3 million or more to THB 440,000. These measures will help Thailand to boost the tourism sector significantly. About HVS HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com. Palma de Mallorca - RIU Hotels & Resorts is the first major Spanish international hotel chain to sign a global agreement with Achilles, a world-renowned expert in supply chain risk management that is specialised in ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria. This agreement represents a significant milestone in RIU's business relationship with its suppliers and reflects its commitment to the Proudly Committed sustainability strategy, as RIUs entire supply chain must be involved for the company to make significant progress in terms of sustainability and goods and service suppliers play a key role in this regard. Achilles provides highly in-depth assessments including on-site audits to provide the level of transparency and confidence in the supply chain that is required by today's more ethical organisations, which are increasingly conscious of communities and ecosystems. After analysing the relevant documentation, Achilles scores each supplier to assess its level of compliance and commitment to ESG sustainability-related aspects. They also join an extensive and prestigious international community of qualified suppliers that meet ESG criteria. As part of its ongoing efforts to place sustainability at the heart of the companys decisions and maximise the positive impact of its operations on both the local society and ecosystem in its hotel destinations, RIU has adopted the Achilles supplier rating system to ensure a consistent level of excellence throughout the supply chain. This system will allow RIU to guarantee that all its collaborators meet the highest quality standards in terms of social, ethical and environmental responsibility. The implementation of the Achilles rating system is in line with the Proudly Committed Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and represents a step forward in RIU's pledge to work exclusively with suppliers that have been proven to follow responsible practices. About RIU Hotels & Resorts The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 78% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has 97 hotels in 21 countries. In 2023, the chain welcomed 6,4 million guests and provided jobs for a total of 35,808 employees. RIU is currently the world's 36th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, and the fourth largest in Spain in number of rooms. For further information please visit: www.riu.com. RIU Press Department +34 971 743 030 RIU GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) announced the launch of the Berkshire-Taconic Dairy Cohort, a two-year project to support and sustain dairy farming in the region. With the aim of addressing specific challenges facing dairy farmers and improving the health of the regional dairy economy, this project will bring together a core group of dairy farmers to increase participants' technical skills, business planning, and grant readiness, as well as strengthen farmer-to-farmer dairy networks. The initiative is made possible by funding from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). Partnering with dairy farming consultants and experts, BAV will establish a cohort of five to eight dairy farmers from the nonprofit's service area within Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut to gain and share knowledge, information, and networking opportunities. Through participation in cohort sessions and one-on-one consultations, dairy farmers will be better positioned for grant applications, will develop solid business planning skills, and will gain a stronger foundation for financial sustainability. BAV will work with leading agricultural business planner Rose Wilson, who has been offering business planning services to the farm and food community since 2004. Wilson focuses on improving the agricultural economy through a combination of market research, business consulting, grant writing, and other services. "Dairy farming is a critical yet vulnerable component of our regional food system," said BAV Executive Director Rebecca Busansky. "We know that dairy farms in the Northeast are under tremendous strain due to many factors. We at BAV believe that the region's historical loss of dairy farms can be stopped and reversedhelping to ensure that dairy production continues to feed our region's residents and contribute to regional self-reliance." All dairy farmers in BAV's service area (Berkshire County, MA; Columbia and Dutchess Counties, NY; and Litchfield County, CT) are welcome to apply. Participating farmers will collaborate with other dairy farmers on issues faced within the dairy industry and gain knowledge of the business opportunities available for overcoming these challenges. Dalton Seeking Volunteers for Police Building Committee DALTON, Mass. The town is on the hunt for volunteers to serve on the Police Building Committee. The Select Board established the committee during its meeting on Monday night and emphasized the need for volunteers to serve on it. Board Chair Robert Bishop requested media outlets help spread the word that the town is urgently seeking committee members. The committee of five members will explore potential new locations for the police department, as the current one, in the basement of the Town Hall, is not sustainable. Check out our last article that goes into detail about the stations dire conditions, including sewer backups. Bishop noted that it would be helpful to have volunteers with experience in construction, such as retired architects. Police Chief Deanna Strout said the committee also needs members with working knowledge of the Police Department and the accreditation process. Those interested in serving on the committee can call 413-684-6100, Ext. 202, or email the town manager's Executive Assistant Alyssa Maschino at AMaschino@dalton-ma.gov Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said anyone in the office would attend the meeting ex officio. The Select Board voted to hold off on sending a letter to state representatives requesting help with funding until it is known how much it will cost to address the problems. The town is currently working on finding short-term safety solutions until the station can be permanently relocated. Building and Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch informed the board that Highway Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall had confirmed that the lateral sewer line from the building was clear. There was a slight dip under the sidewalk, but this is not a major concern. Hall determined this by running dye from the dispatch toilet and a camera from the manhole across the street from the Town Hall driveway to the building. Berkshire Rooter Plumbing did an extensive investigation last week and found that the drain does not run under the police station entrance stairs as previously thought. It "is a long run with minimal pitch and several turns," Burch said in an email to Hutcheson. It runs toward the dispatch office, connects with the janitor closet slop sink, runs underneath the lobby, takes a few turns under the booking room bathroom, picks up the booking room bathroom plumbing, connects to the second-floor plumbing, and exits out of the building from there, he said. According to Berkshire Rooter, descaling the pipe is not recommended because it would likely cause more damage due to all of these turns, Burch said. Replacing the existing plumbing as it is run is also not likely possible while still keeping the station operational, Burch said in the email. The immediate problem they are looking to resolve is with the sewer. The town is looking to run a new sewer line if they can connect that area of the building that is having issues. There are three drains that can connect to. Berkshire Rooter gave a verbal quote of $15,000 to run a new lateral from the building to connect to the main street, Burch said. To do this, the town would have to hire another plumber to dig up the dispatch bath to connect the new lateral to the second-floor treasurer and accounting office bathroom, first-floor janitor closet, dispatch bath, and the street. "I think the board is unanimous in saying that we'd like to see this happen as soon as possible. We will find the money somewhere," Board member John Boyle said. The results of the asbestos testing, which was done last week on the flooring tiles in both the dispatch bath and office, will be in next week, but Burch said there is a strong possibility that the mastic under the tiles in the bathroom contains asbestos. Bishop also said he would like to have the upstairs tested as well, especially the areas right above, because there are employees there as well. The town is also looking into getting the plan drawn for ventilation in the basement. Burch said he contacted Hill Engineering to provide an estimate for designing a ventilation system that meets the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards. The state Department of Public Health has been saying there is likely black water in the space between the wood flooring and basement cement floor, which has caused mold growth on the flooring material, Strout said. According to the DPH, if the flooring is contaminated by blackwater, the underlying flooring can not be cleaned appropriately, and removal is recommended. "So, I'm a little bit concerned with an HVAC system coming in and blowing that very unhealthy air through the building. I would like to make sure that's remediated prior," Strout said. In addition to that, there is likely asbestos in the bathroom but probably not in dispatch. Strout said more will be known next week. "I'm hearing a lot of short-term solutions, and that's wonderful. We can't stay in this basement. I just want to be clear, we can't get accredited, our cells are illegal. This is not a functionable building for us any longer," she said. Strout highlighted all the reasons why the station is not a functional option any more, including the safety issues putting the employees in jeopardy and it not meeting state regulations and not being Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. The department is seeking accreditation but is not able to because of the building's condition. "We talked about that two weeks ago, and I've seen no movement, and there's been no meetings of building committees. We need an architect that is familiar with police and communication center," Strout said. The State 911 is coming to meet Strout and Communication Center Director Gabrielle Taglieri at the end of the month to try to offer some assistance, she said. Bishop agreed and said he was about to make the motion to establish a committee. "I know you're frustrated. Believe me, we're frustrated too well. We want to make it safe for everybody, and we want to do the right thing," Bishop said. Bishop said, in his opinion, the town needs to rent, lease, or build a new station and a committee is needed as soon as possible. He would like it established at the next meeting. Strout also said she received information about an architecture firm that does feasibility studies. The firm, Jacunski Humes Architects of Connecticut, would assess the station's needs and determine potential solutions. The firm has experience with public safety buildings including a study of the Police Department and designs for the proposed Lanesborough police station. Strout said she will send the information about the firm the the board to review. "I appreciate all the effort I really do, but I'm very concerned about long term. We can't stay there," she said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Naomi Klein has slammed Donald Trump as conspiracy theorist in chief of the United States, claiming his entire political career was launched off the back of white supremacist conspiracies. The Canadian author, 54, critiqued Trump after winning the inaugural Womens Prize for Non-Fiction on Thursday (13 June) for her book Doppelganger: A Trip Into The Mirror World, which investigates the world of conspiracy theories, anti-vaxxers and demagogue hucksters. Klein, who previously claimed yoga studios and online wellness gurus are fuelling vaccine scepticism, told The Independent Trump uses conspiracy theories to distract from his real scandals and his followers believe his misinformation because its fun. Donald Trump entered politics with a conspiracy theory about Barrack Obama, claiming that he had faked his birth certificate, which was a lie, Klein said. That was a racist conspiracy theory that launched his political career so he really is the conspiracy theorist in chief. She continued: He has lots of help now from Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, with his huge platform [Twitter/X] that he now controls. Its not a great combination having a conspiracy candidate and a conspiracist heading a major social media platform, Klein added. Or several, actually, because Musk is not the only one. Its a great way to distract from real scandals, the author added. open image in gallery Author Naomi Klein has slammed Donald Trump after winning Womens Prize for Non-Fiction ( PA Wire ) When asked whether she thought Trump could make a return as president in the upcoming US election after being found guilty on 34 counts in his so-called hush money case, Klein said the investigation had not damaged the politicians brand whatsoever. His narrative was already protected from this because it reinforces the narrative that people are out to get him because hes such a powerful leader and advocate for his base, she said. The more there are these types of investigations the more his narrative avails. His lawlessness is part of his brand. He breaks the rules. He positions himself as a mafia protectorate of his base. Klein received a 30,000 prize as the first winner of the Womens Prize for Non-Fiction. Meanwhile, US author VV Ganeshananthan was awarded the Womens Prize for Fiction for her second novel Brotherless Night, about a family fractured by the Sri Lankan civil war. Klein, who was a guest speaker at a Labour Party conference when Jeremy Corbyn was leader, has also released the books No Logo: Taking Aim At The Brand Bullies and This Changes Everything: Capitalism Vs. The Climate. open image in gallery Klein called the former US president conspiracy theorist in chief of America and said lawlessness is his brand ( Impaulsive/YouTube ) Her best-selling 2007 book The Shock Doctrine, which argues global corporations have exploited major disasters to force through social and financial changes to their advantage, was also the winner of the inaugural Warwick Prize for Writing. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, chairwoman of the Womens Prize for Non-Fiction judges, said: This brilliant and layered analysis demonstrates humour, insight and expertise. Kleins writing is both deeply personal and impressively expansive. Doppelganger is a courageous, humane and optimistic call-to-arms that moves us beyond black and white, beyond right and left, inviting us instead to embrace the spaces in between. Cold-eyed malevolence doesnt come any nastier than Jesse Plemons in Civil War. The Texas-born actor is only on screen in Alex Garlands provocative thriller for a few minutes but leaves an indelible, utterly chilling impression. As a nameless, gun-toting vigilante in military fatigues and bright red sunglasses, he captures fully the terrifying mindset of a man who would shoot a stranger for being the wrong kind of American who would think nothing of piling up corpses in a mass open grave. I run the gamut of terrible white guys, Plemons joked to podcaster Marc Maron, explaining why he is so often typecast as psychotic misfits. Its the red hair and no eyebrows. And typecast he is: Plemonss characters are almost invariably people ill at ease in their own skin the quietly spoken outsiders who often turn out to be killers or crooks. As his career has developed, its as if he has become Hollywoods crown prince of dysfunctional masculinity. And he is in typically unsettling form in three separate roles in Yorgos Lanthimoss bizarre new triptych picture, Kinds of Kindness. Could this be the film that finally gets Plemons the mainstream recognition he deserves? Its possible. He won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his trifurcated role in Kinds of Kindness, an unexpected victory that may well have knock-on effects. But Plemons is a type arguably more associated with British cinema than with Hollywood the chameleon-like character actor emerging as a star through the strength of his personality. Barbara Broccoli wont be knocking on his door to ask him to take over as 007 (although hed make an excellent Bond villain). Youre not going to see him in the George Clooney or Brad Pitt roles. (Though early in his career, his resemblance to Matt Damon and involvement in the drug-dealing AMC series Breaking Bad did see him saddled with the nickname Meth Damon.) Nonetheless, big-name directors clamour to work with him. Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Jane Campion and Paul Thomas Anderson have all cast him in prominent parts. His name is seen as a badge of quality: since 2015, he has appeared in seven films with Best Picture nominations. In Kinds of Kindnesss first episode, Plemons is all Mr Magoo-like meekness as an office worker called Robert, who does absolutely everything his boss Raymond (Willem Dafoe) tells him to. Hes a craven, pathetic salary man, seemingly without any free will of his own. In the second, hes a paranoid policeman, convinced his marine biologist wife (Emma Stone) is an impostor. In the third, hes one of the followers of a New Age sex guru played by Willem Dafoe. These oddballs look and behave very differently but Plemons tackles each of his roles with complete conviction, as real personalities with their own very human quirks. Theres a dog-with-a-broken-paw-like quality to all of them: they put us on edge and evoke pity at the same time. What they have in common is their awkwardness in social situations, their earnestness and the extreme waywardness with which they behave. These are men wholl invite the neighbours over for dinner and then get them to watch home-taped porn movies, or will ask their wives to self-harm to prove their devotion. Those whove worked with Plemons talk about his quiet professionalism and describe him as an actors actor. He is someone who is highly respected in the business. He is becoming more well known publicly but that happens sometimes, Ed Guiney, producer of Kinds of Kindness, tells me. There are actors who are really revered in the business but not so well known outside it. Plemons, he suggests, has always had the respect of his peers even when he hasnt been immediately recognised by a wider public. Hes a fiercely intelligent actor and has huge range on set, hes incredibly focused, very pleasant to work with. Its very collegiate, the way he works with other actors. open image in gallery When life gives you Plemons: Margaret Qualley, Jesse Plemons and Willem Dafoe in Kinds of Kindness ( Searchlight Pictures ) Lanthimos, the Oscar-winning director of The Favourite and this years Poor Things, earmarked the Texan as a special talent several years ago. Thats often how it works with Yorgos. Hell spot people he really responds to and they will go in a database of names, Guiney says. Still only 36, Plemons already has a career stretching back three decades. He was a child actor, appearing in Coca-Cola and ice cream commercials. You can see him on YouTube in a 1996 ad for Blue Bell ice cream a kid in denim smocks on an idyllic farm, getting his hair cut by his doe-eyed sisters whove put a pudding bowl on his head. Hes instantly recognisable and you can half-detect a hint of malice and mischief in his expression. Many British fans caught their first sight of Plemons as the clammy, creepy young methamphetamine cook and former pest exterminator Todd Alquist in Breaking Bad, a politely spoken delinquent who thinks nothing of gunning down a kid in cold blood. Hes fresh-faced, eager, innocuous but with something to hide, read the notes that Plemons was given about Todd at his first audition a description that could equally well apply to many of his other roles too. Its not all flat-affect psychopaths though: often, Plemons is content to be cast as the sidekick. One of his breakthrough roles was as the socially gauche college freshman Landry Clarke, best friend to the star quarterback, in American Football-based TV drama series Friday Night Lights (2006-2011). He registered so strongly that Landry, first envisaged as a minor character, became more and more prominent as the series progressed. Plemons was acting alongside teen heartthrobs like Taylor Kitsch and Zach Gilford but its telling he is the one who has gone on to have the richest and most varied career. open image in gallery Mething around: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons and Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad ( AMC ) Another notable early part was the sceptical son of Philip Seymour Hoffmans cult leader in The Master (2012), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Many now see Plemons as Hoffmans natural successor, an actor who brings pathos and depth to all his characters, however skimpily they may be written. Like Hoffman, he has the knack of making villains sympathetic and of showing the flaws and complexities within any heroes he plays. Last year, Plemons starred as the upstanding but cunning 1920s FBI officer on the trail of Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon. He was ostensibly one of the heroes, on the right side of the law for a change, but still seemed vaguely shifty. The first time we glimpse him, when he turns up with a smirk on his face halfway through the film, his cowboy hat on his head, saying he has been sent down from Washington DC to see about these murders, we know hell use any means at his disposal, fair or foul, to get his men. Meanwhile, even when Plemons is playing family types, for example the docile rancher who marries a widow (his real-life partner Kirsten Dunst) in Jane Campions The Power of The Dog, he projects a vaguely apologetic air, as if he knows hes not the alpha male. Its very interesting to watch him work because everything is just so small and underplayed, Charlie Kaufman told The New York Times, after working with Plemons on his cerebral drama Im Thinking of Ending Things. open image in gallery What kind of American are you?: A terrifying Plemons in Civil War ( A24 ) Plemons is intensely serious about his craft but that seriousness will often pay comic dividends. He knows when to pause and to let viewers see the wheels turning in his mind. One of his most memorable performances was as Fargo season twos Ed Blumqist, the small-town butchers assistant whose life takes a turn for the dark side after his wife Peggy (Dunst) accidentally kills a member of a fearsome crime syndicate. Hes an all-American everyman who finds it surprisingly easy to adjust to a life of subterfuge and criminality. At one stage, we see him blithely feeding a corpse through a meat grinder, Sweeney Todd-style, without any hint of a guilty conscience. Plemons has talked of his admiration for rugged older actors such as Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, who are similarly terse and undemonstrative on screen. Like them, he gives every movie in which he appears a lift, but remains guarded and low-profile off screen, wary about sounding pretentious. It was noteworthy that when he won Best Actor in Cannes, he wasnt there in person to receive the award he had already gone home. It didnt seem even to cross his mind that he might pick up the award. The honour, though, is likely to mark a change in his career. It wont be possible for him to carry on hiding in plain sight. Box office prospects for Kinds of Kindness remain uncertain given its wildly offbeat sensibility, but producers will surely have taken heed. For Jesse, the future is limitless. Hes that good, Scorsese (who also worked with Plemons on The Irishman) recently told Texas Monthly. The challenge going forward is to excel as a leading man after more than two decades of playing supporting roles. Admirers dont believe this will be any stretch. You just want to watch him. There are some actors you just want to watch. When theyre on, youre engaged, Guiney enthuses. Youd watch Jesse do absolutely anything. He has huge range and certainly well see him do more interesting and prominent things as time goes by. No matter what it was, youd be transfixed by it. Kinds of Kindness is released on 28 June Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Interview With the Vampire director Neil Jordan is looking back on the outrage that ensued after he cast Tom Cruise in the lead role opposite Brad Pitt. Cruise, 61, led the 1994 fantasy horror based on Anne Rices 1976 novel as Lestat, a vampire who befriends and persuades suicidal vampire Louis (Pitt) to choose immortality over death. While Cruise had starred in popular hits Risky Business (1983) and Top Gun (1986) already, his casting was criticized by fans of Rices book, who questioned if he could do the character justice. In an op-ed published in The Telegraph, Jordan recalled the difficulty of casting Lesate, revealing that he had initially offered the part to Daniel Day-Lewis. The problem was the casting of Lestat. Brad Pitt had agreed to play Louis and somehow assumed Daniel Day-Lewis would be playing Lestat, an assumption shared by Anne. I offered it to Daniel, who read it, and, as I expected, didnt want to play the character, the Irish director wrote. A few years before, he had confined himself to a wheelchair to play Christy Brown in My Left Foot. He would have had to sleep in a coffin for the entirety of this production if he followed the same practice. So we moved on. Jordan explained that it was after he met Cruise twice at his Brentwood house that he realized the actor had a lot in common with Lestat, affirming his decision. open image in gallery Tom [Cruise] has become the last remaining film star, director Neil Jordan said ( Warner Bros ) I finally got it, Jordan continued. He had to live a life removed from the gaze of others. He had made a contract with the hidden forces, whatever they turned out to be. He had to hide in the shadows, even in the Hollywood sunlight. He would be eternally young. He was a star. He could well be Lestat. Noting that Cruise is also a superb actor, he added that that small fact got lost in the outrage that followed. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Half of America, it seemed, had read Anne Rices books and wanted a say in the casting of Lestat, he said. Anne herself took to the airwaves, saying that it was as if I had cast Edward G Robinson as Rhett Butler. But she was wrong and was later big enough to admit it. Jordan additionally touched on the subject in a new interview with The Guardian, saying that it must have been very difficult for Cruise amid fan fury. Critics eventually came to appreciate Cruises performance, and it is now considered one of his defining roles. Hes a great actor, Jordan said. If he says he can do something, he will do it in a way that people will be shocked by. Tom has become the last remaining film star. Its kind of strange. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Latitude Festival has cut ties with sponsor Barclays after a number of acts pulled out over the banks ties to Israel. The bank has now suspended sponsorship of all Live National festivals for 2024, affecting Download and the Isle of Wight too. Latitude Festival told Sky News: Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of Latitude Festival. Barclays had signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Live Nation last year, but The Guardian reports the suspension does not apply to the entirety of the contract. Comedians Joanne McNally, Grace Campbell, Sophie Duker, and Alexandra Haddow announced they would be boycotting Latitude last week. Writing on Instagram McNally wrote: Im getting messages today about me performing at Latitude when its being sponsored by Barclays. Im no longer doing Latitude. was due to close the comedy tent on the Sunday night but I pulled out last week. CMAT, Mui Zyu, Pillow Queens and Georgia Ruth are all musicians who have also pulled out of the event following its links to Barclays. Barclays has said it does not directly invest in firms but does provide financial services to public companies that supply defence products to Nato and its allies. open image in gallery Barclays has been the target of pro-Palestine action ( Palestine Action/PA Wire ) The bank has also been the subject of direct action protests by campaign group, Palestine Action. Earlier this week, a total of 15 sites had their windows smashed and red paint thrown at them as part of a protest calling on them to divest from arms companies that sell to Israel, as well as firms linked to fossil fuels. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up A spokesperson for Live Nation said: Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals. A spokesperson for Barclays told the Guardian: Barclays was asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024. Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals are not affected and their tickets remain valid. open image in gallery Latitude has cut ties with the bank ( PA ) The protesters agenda is to have Barclays debank defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe. They have resorted to intimidating our staff, repeated vandalism of our branches and online harassment. The only thing that this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken essential support for cultural events enjoyed by millions. It is time that leaders across politics, business, academia and the arts stand united against this. Protest group Bands Boycott Barclays, called the news a victory. This is a victory for the Palestinian-led global BDS movement. As musicians, we were horrified that our music festivals were partnered with Barclays. Hundreds of artists have taken action this summer to make it clear that this is morally reprehensible, and we are glad we have been heard. Our demand to Barclays is simple: divest, or face further boycotts. Boycotting Barclays, also Europes primary funder of fossil fuels, is the minimum we can do to call for change. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new survey carried out by The Stage concerning theatre ticket prices has found that top-price West End tickets have increased by 9.3 per cent in one year. The recent survey determined that the average most expensive ticket for plays rose by 50 per cent in 2024, from 94.45 in 2023 to 141.61. Last year the most expensive play was the National Theatres rendition of The Crucible where top-price tickets were 150. The worst offender for theatre ticket costs this year is Jamie Lloyds adaptation of Romeo and Juliet starring A-lister Tom Holland with the most expensive tickets being sold at 298.95 per person. This is closely followed by Player Kings with Ian McKellen in a leading role costing 230 and Stranger Things: The First Shadow at 228.80. A similar trend can be seen for musicals, which have seen a smaller increase across their highest-priced tickets with 3.9 per cent. The priciest West End production of all was for the musical Cabaret, starring model Cara Delevingne with top-price tickets at a staggering 304. open image in gallery Cara Delevinge making her West End debut in Cabaret , where top priced tickets cost over 300 ( PA ) Despite this soar in the high-end ticket prices, at the other end of the scale, there was a decrease in the average cheapest West End ticket prices, costing 28.58. In comparison to 2023, this was a 3.4 per cent decrease, so its not all bad news for theatre lovers. The research from industry newspaper The Stage used the top and bottom ticket prices for productions on 15 June across 50 venues that are members of the Society of London Theatre. The survey did not include package tickets, which can include extra perks such as drinks and access to private lounges. The most common reason for people not visiting the theatre was the cost of tickets, a YouGov survey found in March. The President of the Society of London Theatre, Eleanor Lloyd defended the price increase. She told The Stage: Despite the rising cost of theatre productions, theatre works hard to offer affordable tickets to encourage a vibrant theatre-going community. Lloyd continued: Almost a quarter of the tickets sold in the West End last year were for under 30, and just 13 per cent were bought for more than 100. She further highlighted the venues having to deal with rising costs and that many theatres are still recovering from the pandemic when they were forced to close. Lloyd also stressed that expensive tickets enable access schemes for theatres to reach new and diverse audiences. For example, Romeo and Juliet starring Holland made 5000 tickets available at 25, including in the front row, for key workers, under-30s and those receiving government benefits. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy When Nicola Coughlan was a young girl, she wanted to be one of the gay icons. A bold, brash, unapologetically OTT character like the ones played by Bette Midler or Liza Minnelli was, she thought, so much more fun than the classic love interest. But in the latest season of Netflix period drama Bridgerton, Coughlan proves that she can still play the romantic lead to perfection, too without dialling down her characteristic wit and warmth. Since 2020, the 37-year-old actor, who first won over audiences in Channel 4s sitcom Derry Girls, has been a much-loved member of Bridgertons sprawling ensemble cast. Shes donned a series of acid-hued Regency ballgowns to play Penelope Featherington, bookish best friend to proto-feminist Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), the fifth child in the shows central family. At the end of season one, Coughlans wallflower character was unmasked as Lady Whistledown, the anonymous author of a high society scandal sheet. In season three, which concluded this week, its finally Penelopes, and Coughlans, turn in the spotlight, as she vows to find a husband and grapples with her not very platonic feelings for longtime friend Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) in the process. And although reviews have been mixed, theres one thing that critics have agreed on: Coughlan is the main reason to keep watching. The Independent called her a superb screen presence, while The Times hailed her luminous, showstopping performance. Be in no doubt this is Nicola Coughlans series, their critic added. You are basically here for her. Coughlans moment of glory has been a long time coming. Her steady ascendancy is the result of talent and hard work alone making her something of an anomaly in an industry seemingly populated by nepo babies. Im happy to say that I had no in in this industry, she recently told Refinery29. I come from a small village in the west of Ireland. I had no connections It took me until I was 30 to get a good job on television. She grew up in Oranmore, in County Galway on Irelands west coast, with her parents (her father was in the army, her mother was a stay-at-home mum) and two older siblings; when Coughlan was four, her sister introduced her to The Wizard of Oz, which left her mesmerised and made her think: Thats what Im going to do. When she was nine, she landed her first film role, as Little Girl Feeding Swans in the thriller My Brothers War (she earned 35 and got to miss a day of school). As a teen, she took on voiceover work: If there was a tiny frog or a little princess, I was like, I will do that voice! she told chat show host Seth Meyers earlier this month. Then, after doing a degree in English and Classical Civilisation at the University of Galway, she headed to England to train as an actor, studying at the Oxford School of Drama and Birmingham School of Acting. Like so many aspiring performers, she moved to London after graduating, with hopes of breaking into the industry. Instead, she found herself working constantly serving frozen yoghurt in Westfield, selling beauty products, picking up any other odd jobs in order to pay her rent, with no time to pursue auditions. Essentially, she was spending all my money to live in a place where I [was] not auditioning as she put it in an interview with CBS. She moved back to Galway after less than a year; over the next few years, she would relocate to London and then return home three times. My twenties were such a struggle its really hard not to be doing the thing that you want so desperately, she told Radio Times. I lived a whole life before any of this [success] happened. I worked a million different jobs, lived in different places, lived in terrible house shares with mould on the walls. The continual knockbacks took a toll on Coughlans mental health. When she moved back home for the third time, she struggled with depression. I couldnt get out of bed, she said. I felt like I failed at everything. I felt like I had nothing, and I had let my family down. Eventually, after a very slow recuperation, she got a part-time job in Galway at a local opticians. While working there, she saw an open casting call for Jess and Joe Forever, a play at the Old Vic, and decided to give it a shot out of the 1,500 actors who auditioned, she was one of just seven to get a part. Her performance in the coming-of-age story eventually landed her an agent; when asked about what sort of roles she wanted to try out for, Coughlan said shed love to be in a Channel 4 comedy. As luck would have it, the broadcaster would soon look to assemble the cast for Derry Girls, Lisa McGees riotous sitcom about four teenage girls (and one wee English fella) growing up in Derry against the backdrop of the Troubles in the Nineties. To prepare for her audition, she watched and re-watched an old clip from Irish talent competition Popstars, in which a 16-year-old Nadine Coyle actual Derry girl and future member of Girls Aloud lied about her age and feigned losing her passport to try to secure a place in the band. The only person I could think of from Derry was Nadine Coyle, and the only thing I could think of was her losing her passport on Popstars, Coughlan explained. open image in gallery Breakout role: Coughlan, far right, with her Derry Girls co-stars ( Channel 4 ) She ended up delivering the entire monologue in her Derry Girls audition and clearly her research paid off, as she was cast as Clare Devlin, the gangs resident overthinker and wee lesbian. The show was an instant hit. The first season, released in 2018, was Channel 4s most-watched comedy since 2004; it was also the most-watched show in Northern Ireland that year, and won over viewers around the world when it later aired on Netflix. For Coughlan, however, the success was bittersweet: just five days before she got the part, her father died suddenly. The first time we were at the Baftas and won these incredible awards [for Best Scripted Comedy], its always that tinge of sadness hes not here to see it, she told Laura Whitmores Castaway podcast. Shortly after Derry Girls first aired, Coughlan appeared in the Donmar Warehouse production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. The show earned praise from critics but a critic from the British Theatre Guide used his review to comment on Coughlans size rather than her performance, describing her character as the kind of overweight little girl who will always become the butt of her fellows immature humour. The critic, it turned out, had form. In a 2017 review for Jess and Joe Forever, he had branded Coughlan a fat girl. She called out his comments on Twitter/X, asking the publication for an apology. He was meant to review my work, she later wrote in a powerful op-ed for The Guardian. Instead he reviewed my body. That is not acceptable. Coughlan was praised for how she handled the incident and for her sharp response when the Daily Mirror called her Baftas dress unflattering the following year (I look smokin, sorry bout it, she wrote on Twitter). But she also struggled with how these episodes had shifted the focus to her appearance, rather than her acting. Im not a body positive activist, Im an actor, she tweeted in 2021, after a few years of being repeatedly asked about her body in interviews. I would lose or gain weight if [it was] an important role requirement. My body is the tool I use to tell stories, not what I define myself by. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free open image in gallery Empowering: Coughlan chose to be very naked in her Bridgerton sex scene ( Netflix ) When the time came for her to film one of Bridgertons much-discussed sex scenes, which features in the second half of the third season, Coughlan saw that she had a chance to shrug off all of this discussion. Theres one scene where Im very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice, she told Stylist. It just felt like the biggest f*** you to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering. I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought, When Im 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f***ing hot I looked. When she watches the series with her family though, they certainly wont see that particular scene because it is literally written into [her] contract that Netflix will provide her with a PG version of the show. I grew up Irish Catholic, she told SiriusXM. Thats just not how we vibe. Off screen, Coughlan isnt afraid to stand up for the causes she believes in. In 2019, she and her Derry Girls co-star Siobhan McSweeney (who played no-nonsense nun Sister Michael on the show) were part of a group of 28 women who marched on Westminster to call for the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland. When Channel 4 was at risk of privatisation in 2022, the actor made her feelings on the matter clear, sharing a photo of her sticking her middle finger up. And more recently, she has spoken out in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, despite being told that she could potentially lose work over her stance. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she revealed how her fathers work with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation had shaped her beliefs. He would go into a lot of wartorn regions after the conflict and try and help rebuild, she said. Beyond her activism and Bridgerton, Coughlan has had a sparkling cameo in Greta Gerwigs Barbie (the biggest film of last summer) and gave a raw, nuanced performance as a young woman with bipolar disorder in millennial comedy Big Mood for Channel 4. Shes also filmed a Doctor Who Christmas special, which will arrive on our screens in December. She says she would die at the chance to collaborate with Gerwig again, and has her sights set on working with A24, the in-demand studio behind films such as Past Lives, Moonlight and The Iron Claw. Just dont expect her to acquire any Hollywood airs any time soon: after all, she still doesnt feel any different to the girl who used to ring people up and tell them theyre overdue for their eye test. Bridgerton season three part one is out now on Netflix. Part two arrives on 13 June If youre travelling abroad and want to stream Bridgerton then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get the best VPN deals on the market. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Christian Cooper, the Black birdwatcher who made headlines in 2020 over a confrontation with a white woman in Central Park, has won his first Emmy. Cooper, 61, launched the National Geographic show Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper in 2023 following his unexpected rise to viral fame due to the incident. The presenter won the award for Outstanding Daytime Personality - Non-Daily at the Daytime Emmys. In his acceptance speech Cooper, who is gay, said: This is an unexpected journey from being a closeted queer kid in the 1970s and a Black kid in the almost totally then-all-white field of birding, which makes this all the more thrilling. He added that the world has changed, happily and that no matter what anybody says or does we are not going back. We will only move forward together. When Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper was first announced, National Geographic said the show would take viewers into the wild, wonderful and unpredictable world of birds. open image in gallery Christian Cooper poses with his Emmy in Los Angeles in June 2024 ( Getty Images ) Whether braving stormy seas in Alaska for puffins, trekking into rainforests in Puerto Rico for parrots, or scaling a bridge in Manhattan for a peregrine falcon, the statement continued. He does whatever it takes to learn about these extraordinary feathered creatures and show us the remarkable world in the sky above. Cooper first came to international prominence in May 2020, when he asked a white woman to leash her dog in a protected area of New Yorks biggest park, where he was bird watching and where dog-leashing is required. Amy Cooper (no relation) was dubbed Central Park Karen after she was filmed pleading with a 911 operator to send the cops because, she falsely claimed, an African American man was threatening her life. The video was viewed more than 45 million times on social media, and she was later charged with filing a false police report before the charges were dropped the following year. I dont think theres an African American person in America who hasnt experienced something like this at some point, Christian Cooper told The Washington Post at the time. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free The confrontation occurred on the same day George Floyd, another Black man, was killed by police in Minneapolis. The killing ignited demonstrations against police brutality across the US. Amy Cooper has since completed racial bias training, which her therapist reportedly told a court last year was a moving experience for the woman, who was fired by her employer, an investment firm. She later accused her former employer in court of racial discrimination. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The death and disappearance of Lancashire mum, Nicola Bulley, will be the subject of a new documentary, the BBC has announced. The Disappearance of Nicola Bulley: the Inside Story will follow the events of January 2023, when the 45-year-old mortgage adviser walked her usual morning route along the River Wyre, and disappeared without a trace. Bulley was last seen on 27 January as she walked her dog, and her body was found a mile from where she vanished on 19 February. The story consumed the attention of the public, and led to a global media storm as both police and journalists were criticised for their handling of her case. Lancashire Police were condemned for disclosing the mother-of-twos personal health struggles with menopause and alcohol, as a report concluded that the disclosure was avoidable and unnecessary. An inquest concluded Bulleys death was accidental, that she fell into the river on the day she disappeared and died almost immediately in the cold water. While a release date has not been announced, the documentary, produced by Bafta award-winning production company Rogan, features access to Bulleys family and contributions from those closely involved in the case, including journalists and Lancashire Police. It charts the tragic events as they unfolded, and follows the effect of media coverage and the investigations of amateur internet sleuths on Bulleys family and the official police investigation. Collectively we thought long and hard about taking part in a documentary about Nikki, said Bulleys family in a statement. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free open image in gallery Bulley went missing in January 2023 as she walked her dog along the River Wyre ( BBC ) It wasnt an easy decision. Nikkis face and name quickly became very recognisable, but there is so much to share about Nikki the person. Our sole aim is to provide the definitive record on Nikki to ensure she has the legacy that she deserves. Many people have aired their views about her disappearance and her untimely and tragic death, only we can speak about her as a mummy, partner, daughter, and sister. open image in gallery A police diving team searched the River Wyre for the body of the missing mum ( PA ) Commenting on the impact of media attention, the family also added that they intended to influence more positive online behaviour with their story. In addition, if our experience of being in the eye of a media storm makes people think twice about how they act and what they say online, then we will have achieved some further good, they added. Wed also like to express our sincere thanks to everyone at Rogan Productions who have treated us with great care, respect and compassion throughout the process of making this documentary. It was emotionally draining reliving some of our experiences, but we wanted to do this for Nikki. It was emotionally draining reliving some of our experiences, but we wanted to do this for Nikki. Nikkis loss is felt by us all, every day, we have drawn a huge amount of comfort from the kindness of so many people, and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact us. We have so appreciated the many kind words and gestures during the worst times of our lives. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The cast of The Walking Dead are paying tribute to the shows canine star. It was announced by the AMC series, which ended in 2022, that Seven, who played Daryls imaginatively named loyal companion Dog, had died. The social media post, which hailed Belgian shepherd Seven as The Walking Deads best boy, inspired tributes from several of the shows stars, including Daryl actor Norman Reedus. Gonna miss u seven, the actor, who currently stars in his own spin-off series, called Daryl Dixon, wrote on Instragram. After sharing several photos of himself with Seven, he posted a broken-heart emoji and added: Best TV buddy ever. Other actors who paid tribute to Seven included Khary Payton, who played Ezekiel, and Lynn Collins, who starred as the villainous Leah. Meanwhile, the series former showrunner Angela Kang re-shared the original post, adding a crying-face emoji. Seven made his first appearance in the shows ninth season. He appeared in 25 episodes in all. Speaking to ComicBook.com about working with the canine star, Reedus said in 2018: We just did a scene the other day that ended up being the opposite of what it was supposed to be because the dog just wanted to do something else, and it came out so much better. Hell probably be running the show. Its great! I love it. He loves me, too. open image in gallery Norman Reedus and Seven as Daryl and Dog in The Walking Dead ( AMC ) The Walking Dead drew to a close in 2022 after 11 seasons. To date, the series has had six spin-offs, one of which, The Walking Dead: Dead City, focuses on the characters Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). The most recent spin-off, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, reunited lead characters Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira); its currently available to stream in the UK on NOW. In The Ones Who Live, viewers find Rick and Michonne still trying to find their way back to each other after being physically separated for years (or since the shows ninth season finale, when Lincoln departed). Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Lincoln is best known for his role as Mark, who is in love with Keira Knightleys Juliet, in the 2003 romcom Love Actually. Director Richard Curtis has since opened up about the famous scene in which Mark turns up at Juliets door with cue cards to reveal his feelings, telling The Independent: I think its a bit weird. I mean, I remember being taken by surprise about seven years ago, I was going to be interviewed by somebody and they said, Of course, were mainly interested in the stalker scene, and I said, What scene is that? And then I was, like, educated in it, he said. All I can say is that a lot of intelligent people were involved in the film at the time, and we didnt think it was a stalker scene, he added. But if its interesting or funny for different reasons [now] then, you know, God bless our progressive world. Season two of Daryl Dixon titled The Book of Carol will star Reedus alongside Carol actor Melissa McBride. Read The Independents ranking of The Walking Deads best characters here. Since the late 1970s, British historian, author and broadcaster Michael Wood has been travelling the world, sharing his passion for history and the stories of civilisations and kingdoms across the globe. He has written more than 120 documentaries, which have been shown in 140 countries and territories, but one of his most enduring fascinations, both professionally and personally, is with China. In 2016, Wood presented a series called The Story of China, and in 2020, he made a documentary about the man who first inspired his love of the country, the 8th-century poet Du Fu. The film, Du Fu: Chinas Greatest Poet, has now inspired a book, In the Footsteps of Du Fu, recounting Woods travels while making it. He said it was a journey he was more than happy to retrace with viewers and readers, to enlighten them about his passion for Chinese culture. We know so little in general in our culture about China its not the only knowledge gap, but its a particularly obvious one, and thats a real loss, he said. For Wood, his portal to a lifelong love of things Chinese was a paperback book. In 1960s Manchester, China seemed distant and exotic, but my first serious encounter with Chinese culture was the New Penguin translation of Poems of the Late Tang by Arthur Graham. It was a brilliant book, I was captivated by it, he said. Later, when he was doing his postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, Wood shared a house with a sinologist who used to put books his way, which gave him a wider conversance with Chinese literature. Once Wood talked to a house guest and asked him what he did. It turned out he was David Hawkes, who had been a professor of Chinese at Oxford but gave it up to translate what he called the novel of the millennium The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin. Hed also produced a book called A Little Primer of Du Fu, which contained about 30 poems that you first saw in Chinese, then in transliteration, then literal translation, then a literary one, with an analysis of each, which was amazing. We all have encounters with books that open a window onto a world you never dreamed of, and that was one for me. I used to carry it around on foreign trips, and later I gave copies to other friends. It was a book I treasured. In his Du Fu documentary, Wood said: For the Chinese people, poets have been the ones who most truly express the feelings of the people. In the documentary Du Fu: Chinas Greatest Poet, Wood travels to Du Fus Thatched Cottage and meets other enthusiasts ( PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY ) In the film, Wood visits the Thatched Cottage Museum on the outskirts of Chengdu, Sichuan province, where devotees honour the memory of Du Fu, and he speaks to many people to find out what it is about Du Fus work that still has such an emotional pull. Lots of people go there, and talking to them you get a sense of how traditional Chinese people still value him hugely. They all say there are a great many qualities to his poetry, but his great strength is that its with the ordinary people that he really endures. Woods films have been screened in China, where he said audiences were intrigued and very receptive to see his outsiders view of their own culture and history. Im trying to extend knowledge of China in a sympathetic way, so when we sat down to start planning The Story of China, I said to the team that the key thing was that there should be empathy I wanted viewers all over the world to think that they would like to be there with us. Thats the most important thing, everything else will just follow, he said. Wood said he has many China-related projects he would like to explore further. The Story of China series only briefly touched on the 20th century, so he would also love to do something about the history of modern China, he said. The China-Europe freight rail service which recently completed its 90,000th journey has facilitated cargo transportation and enriched trade and communication channels between China and European countries. Since it began in 2011, the service has transported more than 8.7 million containers carrying goods valued in excess of $380 billion (297 billion), the China State Railway Group, the operator of the service, said. The China-Europe freight train, often referred to as a steel camel caravan, has made these remarkable achievements in just 13 years. The first camel caravan to travel from China to Europe and reportedly led by the Chinese imperial envoy Zhang Qian took 13 years to make that singular, historic trip. Over 2,000 years ago, Zhang Qian departed on his expedition from Changan, now Xian in Northwest Chinas Shaanxi province. He traveled thousands of miles westward, traversing what is today the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and various nations in Central Asia. That expedition laid the foundation for the Silk Road, heralding the dawn of links between the East and West. Numerous merchants, travellers, and their camel caravans subsequently followed in his footsteps, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges between China and Europe and playing a pivotal role in advancing human civilisation. Inspired by Zhang Qians historic journey and the monumental success of the Silk Road, China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 a modern iteration of the Silk Road aimed at fostering enhanced communication between the East and West. One of the prominent achievements underscoring the success of this initiative has been the China-Europe freight train service. The exponential growth of the service, from a few dozen trips at first to over 17,000 a year, highlights the increasing market demand for this cost-effective and reliable mode of transportation when compared with air and sea routes. This growth has been particularly pronounced since 2016. From 2016 to last year, the annual number of China-Europe freight train services surged from 1,702 to over 17,000, a tenfold increase with an average annual growth rate of 39.5 per cent. The annual value of goods transported by the service soared from $8 billion (6.3 billion) in 2016 to $56.7 billion (44.3 billion) last year. The network of the China-Europe freight train service reaches 223 cities in 25 European countries, and connects more than 100 cities in Asia. Customers select imported food in Xian in February ( LI YIBO / XINHUA ) Shao Boer, the general manager of Xian International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation, a logistics company based in Xian, said his company was heavily reliant on the China-Europe freight train service. He singled out the introduction of a set-scheduled service in October 2022 for special praise. The set-scheduled service, in my opinion, is a milestone development in the China-Europe railway service, as it signifies a transition from gradual quantitative evolution to a qualitative change. Unlike traditional freight carriers, the set-scheduled trains strictly adhere to a fixed timetable throughout the entire route, resulting in reduced transportation times and enhanced service predictability. The entire journey timetable is like a freight high-speed train, he said, arriving at each city and station in each country at the scheduled times. This is why it runs very fast, he said. The set-scheduled service has significantly improved transit times, with a journey from Xian to Duisburg, Germany, now taking only 12 days. Five scheduled services have already been initiated from Xian to Duisburg, and Chengdu, Sichuan province, to Lodz, Poland, reducing travel times by 30 per cent compared with regular China-Europe freight train services. Cooperation with the Customs Department to expedite customs clearance procedures has also made the service faster. To improve efficiency for customs clearance, we have set up a 24-hour duty post at the station to facilitate immediate inspections upon a trains arrival, expediting the release process, said Zhao Yuanfeng from Horgos Customs in Xinjiang. It means that no matter when the China-Europe train arrives at the border train station, it can be inspected immediately and released as soon as possible. The combination of stage and screen is a popular way of enjoying performing arts, which can be shared by audiences around the globe. For the same price as going to a movie, audiences can enjoy theatrical productions from around the world. From the end of April through June, 10 HD recordings of Chinas recent top stage and dance productions are appearing for the first time in the United Kingdom, touring cities including London, Edinburgh, Cambridge and Liverpool. The project Global Stage on Screen opened with the HD UK premiere screening in London of the National Ballet of Chinas version of Giselle an all-time favourite for ballet fans on 29 April. In 1960, the National Ballet of China staged its first performance of the romantic classic Giselle, which has since been regarded as one of its three founding repertoires. With Feng Ying, president of the National Ballet of China, as the productions director and producer, this version of Giselle features Qiu Yunting, the principal dancer of the Chinese ballet company playing the lead role, a young and innocent peasant girl who falls in love with Albrecht, a Duke, played by dancer Wu Sicong, who hides his royal identity from her. When Giselle discovers she has been deceived, she is driven to madness and dies of a broken heart. Other highlights include Writing in Water by Stan Lai, the director and scriptwriter of the Chinese theatrical production. Featuring actor He Jiong as He Shi and actress Huang Yici, it follows the extraordinary journey of He Shi, a man who comes back to Hong Kong after his studies in the UK to start the Happyology Programme. He hopes that he can introduce a richer, spiritual fulfillment to people. However, he feels discouraged by his business partners, who have their minds set solely on profit. He Shi comes across a mysterious little girl played by Huang when hes about to inherit an old beach house from his late mother. Together with the little girl, He Shi embarks on a spiritual journey that enables him to experience life on an unimaginable level. Principle by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Uncle Vanya, a Chinese stage adaptation of the classic play of the same title by Anton Chekhov, by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, will also be screened during the tour. Sacrifice, a classic Peking Opera, featuring actress Wang Peiyu, is also listed on the screening programme, which will introduce the 200-year-old art form, Peking Opera, or jingju, to audiences in the UK. Wang, a star of the modern Peking Opera stage, known for her solid performing techniques and vivid portrayal of male roles, plays the role of Cheng Ying, who sacrifices his baby son to replace the only survivor and heir of a persecuted family. Cheng then raises the heir as his own, only to reveal the truth when the young man grows up and seeks revenge. Sacrifice, a classic Peking Opera, is being screened in theatres in the UK ( PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY ) Set in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Sacrifice is based on the classic Chinese tragedy The Orphan of Zhao. Many of these are well-known Western classics with an Eastern interpretation, and some of these are original stories that are less familiar to local audiences. We hope that this programme will offer audiences in the UK a glimpse of Chinas top performing arts, says Li Congzhou, CEO of Beijing-headquartered ATW Culture, who co-initiated Global Stage on Screen along with UK-China Film Collab, a UK NGO for the research, practice and creation of modern film diplomacy. Besides theatres in the UK, the screenings are also shown at universities there, Li adds. We selected the content together with our partner ATW, hoping to combine content that showcases the tradition of Chinese stage art and its modern standard, as well as Chinese interpretations of Western classics, says Hiu Man Chan, founder and executive director of UK-China Film Collab. A short soft brush connected to a long hard handle, both vigorous and gentle a simple Chinese writing brush can describe the most sophisticated idea. Achieving both technical excellence and spiritual freedom in writing, a good brush allows for unrestrained creativity and endless variation. A brush can reveal a dot, a line, the sun, the moon, mountains, rivers, wind and everything people can sense in the world, slender or thick, big or small, concrete or abstract. Perhaps it is one of the few tools invented by humans that is so practical yet so rich in symbolic meanings over millennia. It not only conveyed common peoples care and emotions, but also recorded history, narrated thoughts, and created the most refined art and literature of this culture, thus greatly influencing the development of Chinese civilisation. In his book Huzhou Writing Brush and Chinese Culture published by Peking University Press in 2010, the scholar Ma Qingyun quotes Zhou Ruchang (1918-2012), a scholar, poet and calligrapher, as saying: Without the writing brush, Chinese characters could not have undergone their evolution, not to mention the painting art. Their forms, structures, writing methods, functions and artistic effects would not have arrived at the current situation. Ultimately, the writing brush determines the various forms of documents, such as scrolls, books, records, letters and files. Legend has it that one day in 223 BC Meng Tian, a great general of the Qin state, who later oversaw the building of the Great Wall, was out hunting. At some point he saw the tail of an unlucky hare had left a trail of blood on the ground, which inspired him to make the first Chinese writing brush. Meng first got some hare fur, inserted it into a bamboo stick, and tried to use it to write. However, the fur of the hare was so sleek that the brush failed to absorb ink. After trying several times in vain, he casually threw the brush into a lime pit outside a window. Several days later Meng came across the abandoned brush and picked it up, finding that the fur had become supple. He dipped it into ink and wrote several characters very smoothly. Unintentionally, the lime wash had degreased the fur. Lime is still applied today. Archaeological discoveries have long poured cold water on stories of Meng inventing the Chinese writing brush. Archaeological evidence shows that more than 6,000 years ago people living in the Banpo site, in the east of what is today Xian, Shaanxi province, used brushes to draw patterns and lines on the surface of pottery. However, compared with pottery or oracle bones, brushes are difficult to preserve and thus rarely seen in ancient ruins. In the following millennia before Mengs time, brush traces are also shown on the oracle bones and pottery from the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC). In the late 1950s archaeologists unearthed a writing brush in Xinyang, Henan province. This brush, dating to the early Warring States Period (475-221 BC), is the oldest one discovered in China, much earlier than Mengs supposed invention. In the next more than 2,000 years, writing brushes evolved alongside the advancements of writing mediums from oracle bones, bamboo slips and silk to different types of paper. The centre for making top-quality writing brushes also shifted from one place to another. Since the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), writing brushes produced in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, have established themselves as the premier writing tool in China. Drying is one of the 128 steps in the crafting process of Huzhou writing brushes ( YANG YANG / CHINA DAILY ) Huzhou writing brushes are distinguished by their sharpness, neatness, and durability. Structurally, the brush should be well-built, featuring resilient bristles that swiftly regain their original shape after compression. The complete crafting process of a Huzhou writing brush comprises eight procedures, meticulously subdivided into 128 steps, according to Qiu Changming, a national-level inheritor of the craftsmanship in Shanlian town of Huzhou. The artistry of the Huzhou writing brushes was designated as a form of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A court in southern China has sentenced MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin to five years in prison after finding her guilty of state subversion. The 35-year-old journalist was put on trial last year for allegedly inciting subversion of state power along with labour activist Wang Jianbing. Ms Huang plans to appeal her sentence, her supporters said on Friday. Mr Wang, 40, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. It was not immediately clear if he would appeal. "The sentence was longer than we expected," said a spokesperson for the campaign group Free Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing. "I don't think it should have been this severe, and it is completely unnecessary. So we support Huang Xueqin's intention to appeal." The activists denied any wrongdoing during their trial, which was held behind closed doors at the Guangzhou Intermediate Peoples Court. People stand outside Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court ( Reuters ) They were arrested on 19 September 2021, a day before Ms Huang was due to leave for the UK to begin her masters programme at the University of Sussex on a scholarship funded by the British government. The activists have been held mostly incommunicado, denied access to family members or lawyers. The charges of subversion against them stemmed from the gatherings they often held for Chinese youth where they discussed social issues. "Their efforts and dedication to labour, women's rights and the broader civil society won't be negated by this unjust trial, nor will society forget their contributions," the campaign group, made up mainly of activists based overseas, said in a statement before the verdict was handed down. On the contrary, as oppression persists and injustice grows, more activists like them will continue to rise. "Inciting subversion of state power" is a charge frequently used by the Chinese government against dissidents and carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail and longer if the suspect is considered a ringleader. Ms Huang was a prominent voice in China's MeToo movement in 2018 and led the discourse by helping a graduate student go public with accusations against her PhD supervisor. The movement flourished briefly before it was shut down by the ruling Communist Party, which sees civil movements as potential threat against the government. She was previously arrested in 2019 following her coverage of the street protests in Hong Kong. These convictions will prolong their deeply unjust detention and have a further chilling effect on human rights and social advocacy in a country where activists face increasing state crackdowns," said Amnesty International China director Sarah Brooks. MeToo activism has empowered survivors of sexual violence around the world, but in this case the Chinese authorities have sought to do the exact opposite by stamping it out, she said in a statement. These malicious and totally groundless convictions show just how terrified the Chinese government is of the emerging wave of activists who dare to speak out to protect the rights of others." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy American and South Korean officials have expressed concern over Russian president Vladimir Putins potential visit to North Korea. In an emergency phone call, South Koreas vice foreign minister Kim Hong-kyun and US deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell agreed to closely monitor developments and respond to any North Korean provocation and regional tensions. The two sides agreed to resolutely respond through airtight cooperation to North Koreas provocations against South Korea and actions that escalate tensions in the region, South Koreas foreign ministry said. Speculation about Mr Putins visit started after Russian newspaperVedomosti reported on Monday that he was visiting North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks. The Kremlin has not confirmed the visit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia aims to maintain and develop good relations with North Korea, describing it as a friendly country. We have the right to develop good relations with our neighbours and this should not cause concern for anyone, Mr Peskov said. Mr Putin met North Korean leader Mr Kim Jong-un in eastern Russia last September and agreed to strengthen their cooperation, including in military matters. The US has accused North Korea of supplying missiles and artillery shells to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, a claim that both countries reject. American officials are concerned about what Russia may be giving Pyongyang in return. Hard currency? Is it energy? Is it capabilities that allow them to advance their nuclear or missile products? We dont know. But were concerned by that and watching carefully, Mr Campbell said. The Ukraine war has seen abundant use of weapons supplied by foreign countries. While Russia has reportedly deployed hardware from North Korea and Iran, Kyiv has been relying more and more on weapons systems and strategic support from the US and its Nato allies. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India has brought back the bodies of 45 workers who were killed in a fire that tore through their residential building in Kuwait. An Indian Air Force aircraft carrying them landed in southern Indias Kerala on Friday, two days after the fire broke out. The fire engulfed the lower floors of a residential building in Mangaf city where almost 200 migrant workers, the majority from India and some from the Philippines and Pakistan, lived. Kuwaiti authorities said 50 people were killed in the blaze and 45 of them were confirmed as Indian workers. Three were identified as Filipinos while two are yet to be identified. A preliminary investigation found that highly inflammable material was used to erect partitions between the cramped apartments of the building and around two dozen gas cylinders were left on the ground floor of the building. A special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi, the Indian embassy in Kuwait said as the plane took off. A video showed air force personnel taking the caskets one by one from the plane at the Kochi airport. Another showed a row of caskets arranged outside the airports import cargo terminal. The caskets carried pictures of the deceased workers. open image in gallery Policemen stand guard as mourning relatives wait for coffins of Indian workers killed in the Kuwait fire to arrive in Kochi ( AFP via Getty ) Of the deceased workers, 23 were from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three each from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Haryana. Ambulances with police escort will take the coffins of the victims from Kerala to their homes. The plane will fly to Delhi with the mortal remains of the victims from northern India. open image in gallery Relatives mourn near the deceased after the coffins' arrival on an Indian Air Force plane from Kuwait ( AFP via Getty Images ) Keralas chief minister said it was a grave tragedy that hit our country. About 50 people have been killed in the incident, Pinarayi Vijayan added. It is the most grim tragedy in the lives of non-resident Indians, he said, offering condolences at the airport. The states opposition leader said: Kerala is grieving. Our brothers who lost their lives in the fire accident at #Kuwait were the pillars of strength for families and friends. We are waiting at Kochi airport to receive the mortal remains, VD Satheesan said. open image in gallery Keralas health minister Veena George consoles the mother of Akash Sasidharan Nair, one of the victims of the Kuwait fire ( Reuters ) Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called an urgent meeting on Wednesday and directed minister Kirti Vardhan Singh to immediately travel to Kuwait. Mr Singh helped with the repatriation of the bodies. We also visited five hospitals where there were around 32 to 35 patients of Indian origin who were being treated there. We spoke to them individually, Mr Singh told news agency ANI. Indias federal and state governments have announced compensation to the families of the deceased workers. According to The Arab Times, the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the security guards room on the ground floor. open image in gallery People gather around the coffins containing the bodies of people who died during a fire that broke out in a building housing foreign worker ( REUTERS ) Kuwaiti police have detained the owner of the building and some expatriates on charges of manslaughter and negligence, according to the newspaper. Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al Sabah, Kuwaits deputy prime minister, has promised a wider investigation into allegedly rampant building code violation by business owners. The tragedy has put a spotlight on the harsh living and working conditions of Indian workers in Gulf countries and led to allegations against the Narendra Modi government of neglecting their health and safety. Indian workers in the Gulf countries have long complained of hazardous, sometimes deadly, working conditions, long hours, unpaid wages, and cramped and unsanitary housing, said Human Rights Watch. Indian nationals make up 21 per cent of Kuwaits 4.2 million population and nearly 30 per cent of its workforce. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Forecasters warned Floridians to prepare for additional flash flooding after a tropical disturbance dumped as much as 20 inches (50 centimetres) of rainfall in the southern parts of the state. Worsening conditions were expected on Friday as a disorganised storm system was pushing across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico at roughly the same time as the early June start of hurricane season. This year is forecast to be among the most active hurricane season in recent memory amid concerns that climate crisis is increasing storm intensity. The downpours hit on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, delaying flights at two of the states largest airports and leaving vehicles waterlogged and stalled in some of the regions lowest-lying streets. On Thursday, travellers tried to salvage their plans as residents cleared debris before the next round of rain. The National Weather Service cautioned that even smaller amounts of precipitation could impact saturated areas, causing flash floods on Friday before the region has a chance to recover. Every year its just getting worse, and for some reason people just keep going through the puddles. Ted Rico, a tow truck driver Looked like the beginning of a zombie movie, said Ted Rico, a tow truck driver who spent much of Wednesday night and Thursday morning helping to clear the streets of stalled vehicles. Theres cars littered everywhere, on top of sidewalks, in the median, in the middle of the street, no lights on. Just craziness, you know. Abandoned cars everywhere. Mr Rico, of One Master Trucking Corp, was born and raised in Miami and said he was ready for the emergency. You know when its coming, he said. Every year its just getting worse, and for some reason people just keep going through the puddles. In an aerial view, a person walks through a flooded street on 13 June, 2024, in Hallandale Beach, Florida ( Getty Images ) Ticket and security lines snaked around a domestic concourse at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Thursday. The travel boards showed about half of a terminals flights had been canceled or postponed. Bill Carlisle, a Navy petty officer first class, spent his morning trying to catch a flight back to Norfolk, Virginia. He arrived at Miami International Airport at about 6:30 a.m., but 90 minutes later he was still in line and realized he couldnt get his bags checked and through security in time to catch his flight. It was a zoo, said Carlisle, a public affairs specialist. He was speaking for himself, not the Navy. Nothing against the (airport) employees, there is only so much they can do. He used his phone to book an afternoon flight out of Fort Lauderdale. He took a shuttle the 20 miles (32 kilometres) north, only to find the flight was cancelled. He was headed back to Miami for a 9pm flight, hoping it wouldnt be cancelled as a result of heavy rains expected later in the day. He was resigned, not angry. Just a long day sitting in airports, Mr Carlisle said. This is kind of par for the course for government travel. In Hallandale Beach, Alex Demchemko was walking his Russian spaniel Lex along the flooded sidewalks near the Airbnb where he has lived after arriving from Russia last month to seek asylum in the US. In the nine years that Ive lived here, this has been the worst. Daniela Urrieche, resident We didnt come out from our apartment, but we had to walk with our dog, Mr Demchemko said. A lot of flashes, raining, a lot of floating cars and a lot of left cars without drivers, and there was a lot of water on the streets. It was kind of catastrophic. On Thursday morning, Daniela Urrieche, 26, was bailing water out of her SUV, which got stuck on a flooded street as she drove home from work Wednesday. In the nine years that Ive lived here, this has been the worst, she said. Even in a hurricane, streets were not as bad as it was in the past 24 hours. The flooding wasnt limited to the streets. Charlea Johnson spent Wednesday night at her Hallendale Beach home barreling water into the sink and toilet. The water just started flooding in the back and flooding in the front, Mr Johnson said. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An estimated 200,000 people in Pakistan could be affected by the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to bring heavier rains than usual, a top UN official warned on Thursday. The United Nations, with help from local authorities, has prepared a contingency plan, with $40 million set aside to respond to any emergencies, said Mohamed Yahya, the newly appointed Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan. Mr Yahya told journalists in Islamabad that the weather forecasters in Pakistan are projecting above-normal rainfall in the coming weeks. However, the rains would not be as heavy as in 2022 when devastating floods killed 1,739 people, destroyed 2 million homes, and covered as much as one-third of the country at one point. Pakistan is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to climate crisis, in part because of its immense northern glaciers, which are now melting as air temperatures rise. Warmer air can also hold more moisture, intensifying the rains of the monsoon. Until recently, public opinion and even some government officials took little account of the possible negative impact from climate crisis on daily life. Pakistan's weather patterns have changed in recent years, forcing cities to strengthen their infrastructure and farmers to adapt their practices. The 2022 floods caused more than $30 billion in damage to Pakistan's already cash-strapped economy. open image in gallery Homes surrounded by floodwaters in Jaffarabad, a district of Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan after the 2022 flooding in Pakistan killed at least 1,700 people ( AP ) Analysts and government officials say Pakistan in recent years failed to achieve goals for economic growth because of man-made disasters, which have repeatedly hit the country in the form of droughts, heatwaves and heavy rains, which badly damaged the road network, bridges, power system and other infrastructure. Pakistan says despite contributing less than 1 per cent to carbon emissions worldwide, it is bearing the brunt of global climate disasters. This year, Pakistan recorded its wettest April since 1961, with more than double the usual monthly rainfall. open image in gallery Volunteers provide lime sugar water to people at a camp set up to prevent heat stroke on a hot summer day, in Karachi, Pakistan ( AP ) Mr Yahya said he was in contact with officials at Pakistan's ministry of climate crisis, who were preparing their contingency own plans for monsoon season, which in Pakistan runs from July to October. Earlier this week, weather forecasters in Pakistan urged people to stay indoors as the third heatwave in a month began. On Thursday, temperatures in various parts of Pakistan soared as high as 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit), forcing many people to stay indoors. Authorities are asking people to hydrate and avoid unnecessary travel. South Asia is continuing to reel under intense heat with neighbouring India also recording temperatures over 50C. In April, large swathes of south, southeastern and western Asia suffered heatwaves that were driven by climate crisis. A recent study by the United Nations childrens agency said that Pakistan could avert 175,000 deaths by 2030 by developing resilient energy systems to power its health facilities. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Angelina Jolie has given a rare insight into her close relationship with her 15-year-old daughter, Vivienne. The 49-year-old actor recently praised her teenage daughter, whom she had collaborated with during the production of the Broadway musical, The Outsiders. Jolie served as producer on the musical, while Vivienne worked as her assistant. In an interview with Deadline published on 10 June, the Maleficent star praised Vivienne and explained how she was the one who inspired her to become involved in the project. Speaking to the outlet, Jolie shared that Vivienne attended several stage productions of The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California before the show moved to Broadway and finally convinced her mother to attend a show. My daughter Viv loves theater. She appreciates all theater but she certainly knows what she feels close to and what she responds to. She went to see The Outsiders at La Jolla about five times and was telling me about it, and I had read the book, and Id seen the film years ago, Jolie said. The Outsiders musical, based on the 1967 SE Hinton novel of the same name and Francis Ford Coppolas 1983 film adaptation, follows the same story of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis and two rival gangs in rural Oklahoma. The stage production, directed by Danya Taymor, received 12 Tony Awards following its move to Broadway last April. The mother of six said it was important for her to understand why her daughter had enjoyed the coming-of-age story so much, and witness firsthand the effect it was having on my young daughter. I was learning what about it was important to her and why it connected so deeply to her, Jolie said. The Oscar-winning actor immediately became involved as a producer with her daughter by her side, as they offered creative notes and suggestions for the cast and crew of the Broadway show. When asked exactly what it was about The Outsiders that resonated with Vivienne so much, Jolie reportedly let out a laugh. open image in gallery Angelina Jolie attends Eternals premiere in Los Angeles with children Maddox, Vivienne, Zahara, Shiloh and Knox on 18 October 2021 ( Getty Images for Disney ) Oh, its hard to speak for her, because shes a complex young woman, she admitted. I think its just that its very deep, and its honest, and it doesnt shy away from real feelings and real discussion and real pain. I think maybe every person that watches it might identify slightly more with one character or another, right, but what I think you see through it all is there is pain in life, right? There is fear. There is, Who am I and where do I belong? There is, Why are these people marginalized and harmed more than others? Why do these people kill themselves? What is it were facing in life? I think a lot of young people, especially today, these are very difficult times, and they want to have that real discussion, and they want to know what helps you get through life. In addition to Vivienne, Jolie shares five other children with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt: Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and Knox, also 15. The Girl, Interrupted stars gushing comments about Vivienne come amid much speculation about Pitts reported estrangement from his children. Last month, People reported that the 15-year-old was listed as Vivienne Jolie, rather than Jolie-Pitt, in the Playbill program for The Outsiders on Broadway. While it was unclear if Viviennes name change was a legal adjustment or a professional choice, her older sister Shiloh legally requested to drop Pitt from her last name on the day she turned 18, according to documents obtained by TMZ. Meanwhile, a viral video previously revealed that Zahara was introduced by her universitys sorority as Zahara Marley Jolie also excluding her fathers last name. There have been many reports of a strained relationship between Pitt and his children following the former couples split in 2016 after two years of marriage and 12 years together. Jolie is said to have filed for divorce after an incident that occurred on a private flight from France to Los Angeles in September that year. The court filings, which were obtained by The New York Times, claimed that Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face and grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her. The filing also stated that, at one point, he poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children. Representatives for Pitt refuted the allegations as completely untrue, while his lawyer Anne Kiley said that Pitt had been on the receiving end of every type of personal attack and misrepresentation but would not own anything he didnt do. Brad will continue to respond in court as he has consistently done, Kiley said. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jesse Plemons has addressed speculation he used type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic amid his weight loss journey. The actor, 36, discussed the rumors in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on 13 June. Speaking to the outlet, Plemons revealed that his recent physical transformation was simply due to a lifestyle change and not with the help of the semaglutide injection, which has become widely popular for its off-label weight loss side effects. Its really unfortunate that I decided to get healthy when everyone decided to take Ozempic, he said. It doesnt matter, everyones going to think I took Ozempic anyways. Plemons explained that his fitness journey was motivated by his age, as well as his role in the newly-released A24 drama, Civil War. But what it was was getting older and I hate even getting specific because then it turns into a whole thing, but there was a part that I did that in my mind I could not imagine him as the size that I was, he said about his portrayal of an unnamed, gun-toting soldier in the 2024 film. The father of two credited intermittent fasting, a well-known practice in which all food is eaten within an eight-hour window, as helping him in his health journey. Several people talked to me about intermittent fasting and I just gave it a shot and [was] surprised at how quickly it was effective, Plemons said. So I lost a little bit before I did that part and then felt like I was in the rhythm, I was feeling better, and something shifted in my head. I just sort of got a handle on it. open image in gallery Actors Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards on 10 March 2024 in Hollywood, California ( Getty Images ) While Plemons who shares sons Ennis, six, and James, three, with wife Kirsten Dunst has since shut down the Ozempic rumors, several other celebrities have admitted to using the once-weekly injection to help aid their weight loss goals. The medication, which has been FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormone to regulate blood sugar levels and slow down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, often creating the feeling of fullness. In December, Oprah Winfrey admitted to using a weight loss medication following career-spanning scrutiny over her appearance. While Winfrey didnt name the brand she used to help in her weight loss journey, she still praised the medication for allowing her to live a healthier lifestyle. The fact that theres a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. Im absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself, she told People at the time. Winfrey later stepped down from her position on the board of WeightWatchers after nearly a decade due to her ABC special about prescription weight loss medications. In addition to Ozempic, prescription medications Wegovy and Mounjaro have also risen in popularity for their weight loss side effects. Wegovy is another semaglutide injection specifically approved for the treatment of obesity and weight loss, while Mounjaro is the first diabetes drug to target a second hormone, GIP. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most common side effects of taking weight loss medication include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness and digestive disorders. The FDA has also warned about more serious complications that can occur from the use of the Wegovy or Mounjaro, such as the potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, acute kidney injury, increased heart rate, and suicidal behavior or thinking. Taking Ozempic can also lead to possible thyroid tumors, including cancer, pancreatitis, changes in vision, and kidney and gallbladder problems. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In 2020, successful family vloggers Myka and James Stauffer made a startling announcement that would end her influencer career. They were rehoming their autistic son, Huxley, nearly three years after adopting him from China. The boy had been front and center of many of their parenting and lifestyle videos before suddenly vanishing from their posts. Many among their one million followers on Instagram and YouTube started asking why, which led to a jarring confession that prompted swift and widespread backlash. Now, four years later, they are the subject of a new three-part docuseries premiering at Tribeca Film Festival. An Update on Our Family, which takes its name from the title the Stauffers used on their infamous YouTube video in which they revealed Huxleys fate, is directed by Rachel Mason and focuses on the YouTuber family from Ohio as it seeks to expose the hidden-in-plain-sight, unregulated family vlogging industry. In a trailer for the forthcoming documentary, fellow vloggers detail the events leading up to Huxleys disappearance from the Stauffers YouTube channel, while experts emphasize just how much money parents can make from posting content about their children online. open image in gallery Myka and James Stauffer sparked widespread backlash when they re-homed their autistic adopted son Huxley in 2020 ( YouTube ) Back in May 2020, Myka and James Stauffer revealed on YouTube that they had re-homed their four-year-old son nearly three years after they adopted him from China. According to the couple, who also have four biological children, they had seen numerous medical professionals regarding Huxleys severe needs and decided he had a lot more special needs that we werent aware of. International adoption, sometimes theres unknowns and things that are not transparent on file, James said in the video. And once Huxley came home there was a lot more special needs that we werent aware of and that we were not told. For us its been really hard hearing from the medical professionals, a lot of their feedback, and things that have been upsetting. Weve never wanted to be in this position. And weve been trying to get his needs met and help him out as much as possible... We truly love him. YouTuber Myka Stauffer reveals she has 'rehomed' adopted son with Autism Myka explained in the video that they believed their son needed more medical assistance but maintained that there wasnt an ounce of our body that doesnt love Huxley with all of our being. Do I feel like a failure as a mom? Like, 500 percent, she said, before revealing that Huxley had found a new forever family with the help of the adoption agency. They found somebody that they felt would be ultimately the best fit and he is thriving, he is very happy, he is doing very well and his new mommy has medical professional training and it is a very good fit, Myka said. At the time, the Stauffers shared the update to their nearly one million subscribers more than 700,000 on Mykas YouTube channel and over 300,000 on the familys vlog channel, The Stauffer Life. They first announced their decision to adopt on social media in July 2016, when they shared a YouTube video titled: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! BABY #4. The Stauffers posted nearly 30 videos throughout their adoption journey, culminating in a YouTube video titled: Huxleys EMOTIONAL Adoption VIDEO!! GOTCHA DAY China Adoption. The video, which was posted in October 2017, had been viewed more than five million times prior to Myka permanently deleting her channel. According to NBC News, the Stauffers used a GoFundMe page to raise money to pay for Huxleys adoption from China. The couple reportedly earned a total of $800, while they said the adoption cost them $42,000. In another video uploaded in September 2019, titled: Emotional China Adoption Update Two Years Home, the parenting blogger said Huxley had been in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy since his autism diagnosis and was doing so well. The YouTuber explicitly revealed the extent of Huxleys needs in an article she wrote for Parade that year, saying that he was diagnosed with a stroke in utero, has level three autism, and sensory processing disorder. Mykas final photo of Huxley was posted to her Instagram where she had more than 168,000 followers in March 2020, two months before they revealed he had been placed in a new home. Last month was the hardest month I have ever had as a mama. And Im still working through all of it. But instead of leading with my heart, Im following yours! she captioned the post. Unsurprisingly, the revelation sparked backlash across all corners of the internet. Several users claimed the Stauffers had used Huxleys adoption for clicks, likes, and praise, while others called on brands to end sponsorship deals with the family. open image in gallery Mommy blogger Myka Stauffer apologizes after rehoming her autistic son Huxley three years after he was adopted from China ( Instagram / Myka Stauffer ) open image in gallery Stauffer alleged Huxley had a lot more special needs that we werent aware of ( Instagram / Myka Stauffer ) open image in gallery Stauffer claimed any money made from posts about Huxley went towards his care ( Instagram / Myka Stauffer ) open image in gallery The apology is the last post on Stauffers Instagram page, which has been dormant since 2020 ( Instagram / Myka Stauffer ) Myka Stauffer really just gave her kid away because adoption wasnt a dreamy aesthetic journey like she thought itd be, another person said. These IG moms are another level of gross. That poor sweet little boy. An investigation was later launched by Ohio authorities in June 2020 into the well-being of both Huxley and the couples four biological children. The Delaware County Sheriffs Office said it received several enquiries regarding the welfare of the then four year old. In a statement to The Independent at the time, a spokesperson for the department said: Our primary concern is for the well-being of this child, as well as the other children in the household. Our investigation is ongoing, and will include contact with all children to ensure their safety. All adoption cases are confidential, and must go through a thorough process, with specific requirements and safeguards. In private adoptions there are the same legal requirements that must be adhered to. These include home studies as well as background checks on the adopting parent(s). In this case we are confident that the appropriate process is occurring. The spokesperson also confirmed that Huxley was not missing and that both parties are being represented by attorneys to ensure full compliance with the court process. According to attorneys for the Stauffers, the process of finding a new home for Huxley did not include any considerations for placement in the foster system, but rather to hand-select a family who is equipped to handle Huxleys needs. One month later, the Delaware County Sheriffs Office announced that it would not be filing charges against the Stauffers. In a lengthy Instagram post shared in June 2020, Myka addressed the widespread backlash and apologized for all of the hurt they caused their fans and followers. This decision has caused so many people heartbreak and Im sorry for letting down so many women that looked up to me as a mother, she began the Instagram statement. Im sorry for the confusion, and pain I have caused, and I am sorry for not being able to tell more of my story from the beginning. I could have never anticipated the incidents which occurred on a private level to ever have happened, and I was trying my best to navigate the hardest thing I have ever been through, Myka continued, acknowledging that she was not selective or fully equipped or prepared when she started the adoption process and that she needed more training. I cant say I wish this never happened because Im still so glad Huxley is here and getting all of the help he needs, she said. I also know that even though he is happier in his new home and doing better that he still experienced trauma and Im sorry, no adoptee deserves any more trauma. I wanted to help so bad I was willing to bring home any child that needed me, she continued. For this I was naive, foolish, and arrogant. In the statement, Myka also expressed her admiration and respect for every adoptee, adoption parent, and special needs parent before addressing a couple complete rumors about her familys decision to find Huxley a new home. She clarified that they didnt share content about their adoption journey to gain wealth and denied claims the family was under any type of investigation by authorities. While we did receive a small portion of money from videos featuring Huxley and his journey, every penny and much more went back into his care, she wrote, adding that getting Huxley the care he needed was very expensive. Myka concluded her statement, which had comments disabled: We love Huxley and know that this was the right decision for him and his future. Praying that Huxley only has the best future in the entire world. Since the controversy, the Stauffers have kept a low profile on social media. Myka deleted her YouTube channel and her last post on Instagram remains her 2020 apology statement. Her husband James continues to post on YouTube under the channel Stauffer Garage, where he shares videos of himself car flipping, cleaning, and detailing to his 1.3 million subscribers. Meanwhile, Huxleys newly adoptive mother who works as an accessible education teacher changed his name to the Chinese name Yue Lin after his adoption in 2020. Shes continued to share photos of him on Instagram, where hes seen surrounded by his adoptive and foster siblings. An Update On Our Family debuts at the New York City film festival on June 6 at AMC Theatre 19th Street East 6 in Manhattan. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A U.S. Navy submarine has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean. U.S. Southern Command said the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, pulled into the waters near the U.S. base in Cuba on Thursday, just a day after a Russian frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean. The stop is part of a routine port visit as the submarine travels through Southern Command's region, it said in a social media post. Other U.S. ships also have been tracking and monitoring the Russian drills, which Pentagon officials say do not represent a threat to the United States. This is not a surprise. Weve seen them do these type of port calls before, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Wednesday when asked about the Russian drills. We of course take it seriously, but these exercises dont pose a threat to the United States. A U.S. submarine has pulled into Guantanamo Bay as a show of force after a Russian fleet (pictured) arrived in Cuba days earlier. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The exercises, however, come less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to protect Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. Russian President Vladimir Putin then suggested his military could respond with asymmetrical steps elsewhere in the world. Singh said it wouldn't be a surprise to see more Russian activity around the United States in such global exercises. The drills are in international waters, and U.S. officials expect the Russian ships to remain in the region through the summer and possibly also stop in Venezuela. Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean. Russian ships have occasionally docked in Havana since 2008, when a group of Russian vessels entered Cuban waters in what state media described as the first such visit in almost two decades. In 2015, a reconnaissance and communications ship arrived unannounced in Havana a day before the start of discussions between U.S. and Cuban officials on the reopening of diplomatic relations. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution Thursday demanding that Sudans paramilitary force halt its siege of the only capital in the vast western region of Darfur that it doesnt control where more than a million people are reportedly trapped. The resolution, which was approved by a vote of 14-0 with Russia abstaining, expresses grave concern at the spreading violence and credible reports that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are carrying out ethnically motivated violence in El Fasher. Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital Khartoum and spread to other regions including Darfur, which became synonymous with genocide two decades ago. The U.N. says over 14,000 people have been killed and 33,000 injured. Two decades ago, Darfur became synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly by the notorious Janjaweed Arab militias, against populations that identify as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. That legacy appears to have returned, with the International Criminal Courts prosecutor, Karim Khan, saying in January there are grounds to believe both sides may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Darfur. The RSF was formed from Janjaweed fighters by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who ruled the country for three decades before being overthrown during a popular uprising in 2019. He is wanted by the ICC on charges of genocide and other crimes during the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s. The resolution demands that the RSF and government forces ensure the protection of civilians, including allowing those wishing to move in El Fasher or leave the North Darfur capital to safer areas. It calls for an immediate halt to the fighting and de-escalation around El Fasher, and for the withdrawal of all fighters that threaten the safety and security of civilians. The resolution calls on both sides to seek an immediate cessation of hostilities, leading to a sustainable resolution to the conflict, through dialogue, supported by U.N. envoy Ramtane Lamamra and the African Unions High-Level Panel on Sudan. It also calls on all nations to halt interference fomenting conflict and instability instead of peace efforts and to remind countries supplying weapons to the combatants that they are violating a U.N. arms embargo and could face sanctions. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the council on April 19 that the year-long war has been fueled by weapons from foreign supporters who continue to flout U.N. sanctions aimed at helping end the conflict. This is illegal, it is immoral, and it must stop, she said. She didnt name any of the foreign supporters. But Burhan, who led a military takeover of Sudan in 2021, is a close ally of neighboring Egypt and its president, former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. In February, Sudans foreign minister held talks in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart amid unconfirmed reports of drone purchases for government forces. Dagalo, the leader of the RSF, has reportedly received support from Russias Wagner mercenary group. U.N. experts said in a recent report that the RSF has also received support from Arab allied communities and new military supply lines running through Chad, Libya and South Sudan. The resolution expresses concern at the catastrophic and deteriorating humanitarian situation, including crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, and the imminent risk of famine, particularly in Darfur. The U.N. humanitarian office said Tuesday that the U.N. and aid organizations are working against the clock to stave off famine and mitigate the most pressing humanitarian needs in Sudan. But the U.N. said this is incredibly challenging because this years humanitarian appeal for Sudan is just 16% cent funded -- with less than $441 million received of the $2.7 billion required. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A desperate father who has languished in jail for 12 years under an indefinite jail term imposed after he stole a mobile phone has set himself on fire in prison. Thomas White, 40, was rushed to hospital after he started the blaze in his cell at HMP Manchester on Thursday. His family said he was assessed by medics for smoke inhalation and injuries to his arm. His devastated sister who has been calling for him to be moved to a mental health facility said the desperate act was an attempt on his own life. She fears it is only a matter of days or weeks before he makes a successful attempt, and that he has lost hope of ever being freed under his IPP (imprisonment for public protection) sentence. Clara White told The Independent: Yesterday he set a fire in his cell not to harm anybody; its a suicide attempt. He had done it before a few weeks ago at HMP Garth. I fear its just a matter of weeks or days now until Thomas is successful in taking his own life. She called for him to be moved urgently to a hospital setting where he can be treated for severe mental health problems, adding: They have been warned. I dont know how many times we have warned them about my brothers serious mental health. IPP sentences under which offenders were given a minimum jail term but no maximum were scrapped in 2012 amid human rights concerns, but the abolition of the policy did not affect those already sentenced, leaving thousands trapped in jail for years beyond their original prison terms. Thomas White with his sister, Clara, and his mother, Margaret, in Manchester in 1985 ( White family ) Thomas, who had previous convictions for theft, was handed an IPP sentence with a two-year tariff for robbery just four months before the sentences were outlawed. Then aged 27, he had been binge-drinking when he took the phone from two Christian missionaries in Manchester. But thanks to the indefinite jail term, he is still in prison more than 12 years later aged 40 with little hope of release as he battles paranoid schizophrenia. The Independent revealed last month that Thomas had been moved to a different prison for the 12th time in 12 years as he struggles with an endless prison merry-go-round. The tragic update also comes only a matter of weeks after Thomas was finally reunited with his son Kayden, 14, who had been banned from visiting his father in prison for more than a decade. The reunion was arranged after an intervention by David Blunkett, the architect of the IPP sentence, who admits he regrets introducing the tariff under New Labour in 2005. Clara said Thomas had been misdiagnosed and treated for borderline personality disorder for years in prison before the family commissioned an independent psychiatrist in 2023, who diagnosed his schizophrenia and linked his declining mental health to the hopelessness of his IPP sentence. Now back in the same prison where he first started his jail term 12 years ago, HMP Manchester also known as Strangeways he is locked up for 23 hours a day. Clara added: Its just desperation, isnt it. Strangeways is a rat-infested old Victorian prison; hes locked up 23 hours a day with no TV, because hes on basic. So hes got nothing to occupy his time. Clara White turned to David Blunkett for help in the fight for Kayden to visit his father, IPP prisoner Thomas White ( White family ) In an emotional phone call yesterday after doctors had checked his lungs for smoke damage, Clara said her brother sounded very low and mentally unwell. I dont think he will hold on much longer, she added. The Independent has called for an immediate review of the sentences of almost 3,000 IPP prisoners who, like Thomas, are still languishing in prison 708 of whom have served prison terms more than 10 years longer than their original sentence. Almost 90 IPP prisoners have died by suicide, as families and campaigners issue calls for a resentencing exercise. The president of the Prison Governors Association, Tom Wheatley, has branded IPP sentences a blot on our legal system, while politicians, including former chair of the justice committee Sir Bob Neill, have led calls for prisoners to be resentenced. Although recent reforms passed under the Victims and Prisoners Bill will reduce the IPP licence period from 10 years to three for offenders in the community, they will do little to help those who have never been released. A Prison Service spokesperson said: Staff responded quickly to a small cell fire yesterday. An offender was taken to hospital as a precaution and has since been discharged and returned to prison. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Metropolitan Police officer who manhandled and wrongly arrested a woman for bus fare evasion in front of her distraught young son has been fined 1,500. Pc Perry Lathwood grabbed Jocelyn Agyemang by the arm, causing bruising. A crowd gathered, with people filming the officer and asking him why he had arrested her, and a video of Ms Agyemang becoming increasingly distressed went viral. Screengrab of the bodyworn footage shows the woman being manhandled ( IOPC/PA Wire ) Ms Agyemang said in a victim statement that the incident was deeply humiliating and embarrassing and that Lathwood had a look of contempt in his eyes. She said the event had a devastating effect on her and her young son, who have now both lost confidence in the police service. The incident was on 21 July last year in Whitehorse Road in Croydon, south London, as Ms Agyemang was dropping her son off at her mothers house before heading to an appointment. Police officers were helping ticket inspectors on a bus in Croydon, and a bus inspector asked her to show whether she had paid her fare. Paul Jarvis, prosecuting , told the trial that Lathwood, 50, put a hand on the woman, but she moved away, so he grabbed her arm and arrested her for fare evasion. At Westminster Magistrates Court, Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram ruled it was not necessary for Lathwood to grab the womans arm, arrest her and handcuff her. He continued: She was difficult but there were not reasonable grounds to suggest arrest was necessary. The officer made an error of judgment and overreacted. Handcuffing inflamed the situation even further. After Ms Agyemang was arrested, it was confirmed that she had paid her fare and she was de-arrested at the scene. The passenger said the incident had left her feeling very violated' ( Victoria Jones/PA Wire ) She told the court she had felt violated by the incident, and added: I just felt a bit degraded because I had not done anything wrong. The judge said he did not find it was an abuse of power, but was instead a mistake. The court heard that Lathwood does not accept the conviction and that he will appeal against it. On top of the fine, he was ordered to pay 200 to the victim in compensation, 650 in costs and a victim surcharge of 600. Ms Agyemang said in her personal statement: His comment that I was a daft cow was particularly degrading and I believe he intended it to be degrading. I have lost all confidence in the police service, she added. The mother also said her son was scared during the incident, and now doesnt trust the police. In Lathwoods defence, the court was told there was no harm intended (and) he was trying to do his job. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the verdict presented a huge setback to our ability to rebuild trust with Londoners. He continued: We will learn the lessons from this and we apologise to the woman and the wider community who were deeply affected. Anyone who has seen the footage of this incident will be upset by how it escalated into a traumatic situation for a mother and her child. Since this incident happened, we have stopped our involvement in supporting Transport for London fare evasion operations, but we continue our presence on the bus network tackling violent crime. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} After the UK experienced the warmest May on record, many across the country will have been dusting off the outdoor barbecues and refreshing their summer wardrobe in anticipation for a further hot spell in June. However, the first 10 days of June have been cooler than expected, with the mercury down an average two degrees compared expected temperatures for the month so far in southern England, and the outlook will not change for a little while yet. Dr Robert Thompson, a meteorologist from the University of Reading, said the biggest factor for cooler temperatures in June was the Atlantic jet stream, which is bringing in cold air from Greenland and Iceland. The steam, he said, wriggles around to steer in winds from different regions. June has seen rain and chilly conditions for many across the UK - but average temperatures for the month are expected to return from the end of this weekend ( Alamy ) He addded that the lower-than-expected temperatures for the start of June is not entirely unusual - and that the warm weather will return to likely give the UK above-average heat this summer. With the jet stream a core of strong winds blowing from west to east located further south than normal for this time of year, cooler winds from Arctic region were leading to lower temperatures across the UK. But this will change as the stream eventually moves northwards, with it also bringing higher pressure across England and Wales. Temperatures are below average for this time of year, with highs of 16 degrees forecast for Tuesday afternoon ( Met office ) Yes, at lunchtime you needed a coat, and it is not what you expect from June - but we have got so used to rising temperatures caused by global warming that we expect the months to be warmer than average, Dr Thompson said. To put into perspective, Dr Thompson explained that out of the past 12 months, just three were colder than average in the UK. It looks like we will return to a more normal position toward the end of this weekend, said Dr Thompson, who believes temperatures this summer will be above average, with expected periods of droughts and thunderstorms associated with a warmer conditions. Things are changing with global warming, he added. Temperatures will remain the same for Wednesday with a cold breeze coming in on the Atlantic jet stream ( Met Office ) A spokesperson for the Met Office told The Independent that temperatures across the UK for June were between three and four degrees below average. The next week will remain unsettled, they said, before the warm weather will return. On Tuesday, the Met forecast a bright day, with sunny spells, for many, but rain is expected across northern, central and eastern England in the afternoon, with a cool northerly breeze keeping temperatures below 18 degrees. On Wednesday, another bright start of the day is expected ahead of sccattered showers across eastern parts of England. Thursday and Friday will also see thundery outbreaks of rain with a cold breeze felt by many. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Syrian refugee due to be deported from the UK on one of the first flights to Rwanda has spoken about the constant nightmares, anxiety and despair he experienced during 25 days in detention. Mohammad Al Kharewsh, 25, said he kept questioning why he was among the first chosen and became increasingly depressed during his time in Gatwick detention centre. His arrival in the UK in 2022 had seen him reunited with his brother, who was granted asylum in the UK as a minor, and the prospect of being separated again was extremely intimidating, he said. Mohammad was one of more than 100 asylum seekers rounded up by the Home Office in May ahead of planned deportation flights to Rwanda. The same day the Home Office released a video of asylum seekers being rounded up for deportation in a move Labour described as a desperate attempt by the Tories to look tough. Many have now been released on bail after Rishi Sunak said that flights will only go ahead if he wins the 4 July election. Labour has pledged to scrap the 290m scheme if it wins the election. Speaking at the office of a charity following his release on bail, Mohammad said he felt compelled to flee Syria in 2022 due to the pressure of joining either president Bashar al-Assads army or the resistance forces. The UK used to have a dedicated resettlement route for those fleeing the Syrian war, but this ended in 2021, so there was no safe route to use. Mohammad was detained for flights to Rwanda in May and has been recently released on bail ( The Independent ) Anyone who came to the UK irregularly after 1 January 2022, such as Mohammad who arrived via small boat, is in scope for removal to Rwanda under Mr Sunaks scheme. Mohammad, who has been living with his brother in Acton, was detained during a routine reporting visit to immigration on 1 May. He was taken to Gatwick and put in a room with another Syrian refugee, who was suffering from mental health problems. Speaking about his time in the immigration removal centre near Crawley, he said: The environment was overwhelming and I struggled with constant nightmares and insomnia. After surviving a challenging journey, the reality of my situation was hard to grasp. I kept questioning why I was being detained for deportation. In the rooms, I was housed with another inmate in a shared room. Beds were provided, but the environment itself was far from comfortable. There was a shopping area and a gym available for us but I was too preoccupied with the constant thought of deportation and my low mood to make use of these facilities. We were provided with food, but I only ate enough to survive. My mind was preoccupied with the hopes of a better future. And that hope seemed to slip further away each day. The looming threat of deportation hung over me adding to my stress and anxiety and the detention centre was incredibly difficult. Speaking about his decision to flee his home, he said: Leaving Syria was a difficult decision but I had to make it for the safety of myself and my family. The situation there has become unbearable, with the constant fear of violence and instability. The pressure to join either the Syrian army or fight with the opposition made things worse. I made the choice to prioritise my familys safety over conflict and my desire was to live in peace away from the chaos of war. Though his wife and young child are still living in Syria, he said they were safer now he has left and had not been forced to pick a side in the armed conflict. His hope is that they might be able to one day join him in the UK. Asylum seekers are told that Rwanda has a striking landscape ( The Independent ) His younger brother was granted asylum in the UK four years ago as a minor and now works in construction. He rents a flat and is supporting Mohammad and a second brother who arrived in the UK a few months ago. Mohammad only found out that his brother was living in the UK when he arrived here and he is anxious they are not separated again. He said: I fled war back home in Syria and that war shattered our family. In the UK I managed to reunite with my siblings for the first time. So going through the trauma of displacement again is extremely intimidating. Also relocating to a country like Rwanda given their history of conflict and violence and having no support network there would make me more vulnerable. Mohammad has been told his asylum claim is inadmissible and the Home Office intends to deport him to Rwanda, but his second brother has yet to hear anything about his asylum claim. On arriving in detention, he was given a leaflet from border force officials explaining what Rwanda is like. Asylum seekers are told that the country is known as the land of a thousand hills, and that Rwandans are friendly to visitors. Asylum seekers are given a booklet with detail about Rwanda while in detention ( The Independent ) A page of the leaflet entitled Is Rwanda safe? says that the country is a generally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers. The UK Supreme Court ruled in November last year that the refugee agency UNHCR should be trusted in their assessment that Rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers. The UNHCR warned High Court judges only this week that it may have new evidence that Rwanda has endangered asylum seekers. The UK parliament passed a law declaring Rwanda to be a safe country this year despite the Supreme Courts decision. Mary Atkinson, at charity JCWI, who have supported Mohammad, said: The Rwanda policy has caused immense mental distress to people who have experienced trauma upon trauma, and is yet another example of the failed deterrence approach. We must change course now, and provide safe routes and welcome for people making the UK their home. The Home Office said they would not provide commentary on detentions or operational activity. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Green Party has removed an image of a coughing man from its online manifesto after a backlash over its depiction of people with HIV. The image appeared in an easy read version of the environmentalist partys manifesto in the section describing its pledge to end HIV transmission by 2030. However, the left-wing party were accused of being misleading for using the image by social media users. One person said: Not @TheGreenParty using this diagram in their easy read manifesto on their HIV commitment. Maybe a slight implication that people living with HIV are sick (and dare I say, airborne contagious). Which would be incorrect. Luke Robert Black, the chairman of LGBT+ Conservatives, posted on X, formerly Twitter: Any implication that HIV+ people are contagious (esp. airborne) is wrong and misleading. So long as you are on effective treatment, you cannot pass HIV on. Easy read documents are produced to help make text easier to understand and can be helpful for people with learning difficulties. In its manifesto launched on Wednesday, the Green Party pledged no more HIV transmissions by 2030. It said this will involve giving people access to the HIV prevention pill online, in pharmacies and from GP services, and renewing successful opt-out HIV testing programmes in A&Es in all areas with a high prevalence of HIV. On the easy-read version the image of the unwell man has now been replaced by a hand holding a pill. A spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wales said: Soon after publication we were alerted to how an image we used in our easy-read manifesto could be misinterpreted. For clarity we temporarily took the manifesto down to replace this image with a more suitable image that better communicates our policy to work towards no more HIV transmissions by 2030. According to HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, the most recent UK-wide figures indicated around 106,890 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2019. In 2021, a further 2,692 people were diagnosed with HIV in England, 218 in Scotland, and 60 in Wales. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The YouGov poll putting Reform ahead of the Tories for the first time has divided two of Britains leading polling experts over the real state of support for Nigel Farages party. Professor Sir John Curtice suggested on Radio 4s Today programme this morning that while Reforms average rating of 16 percent in the polls may be slightly on the high side he believes it is around 15 percent. The average 16 percent rating for polls was the finding of Techne UK fo The Independent yesterday. The polling guru put the rise in support for the rightwing party down to Nigel Farages decision to run in the general election as a candidate in Clacton and said that the results of surveys fit the broad trends of the election so far. John Curtice believes Labour and the Tories are going backwards ( Getty Images ) Prof Curtice warned that both the Tories and Labour are going backwards since the election was called with the Tories four points below their starting point and Labour three points down on average. He suggested that with the Tories averaging 20 percent in the five polls in the last 24 hours noted, Reform are now four or five points behind. The renowned pollster went on: One has to say however one looks at it [rReform] may be four or five points behind [instead of ahead of the tories] but this is still bad news for the Conservatives. The only way Rishi Sunak could get to base camp was to squeeze the Reform vote. Things are going backwards not least because of Nigel Farages decision to fight this campaign. However, he said that the picture is not as rosy as it may seem for Labour either and suggested that the Lib Dems are now taking votes of Sir Keir Starmers party. Farage claimed Reform are the opposition to Labour now ( BBC ) He noted that at the start of the election one in three 2019 Lib Dem voters were preparing to vote Labour but are now going back to the Lib Dems who are averaging 12 percent with their average vote going up by two points over the course of the election. Both the Conservatives and Labour are losing ground to smaller parties, he said. However, another pollster and Tory peer Lord Robert Hayward hasd told The Independent that he is sceptical of the polls. Lord Hayward has noted over the election campaign and in the months up to the election being called that when voters actually vote the result is different to the picture in the polls. Lord Hayward was the one who predicted that the Labour lead in 1992 was wrong and that the Tories would get a surprise victory although this time he believes Labour will win but not by as much as suggested. He pointed to the latest council by-election last night in Greenwich which was won by the tories as part of a trend of by-election wins or strong performances for Rishi Sunaks party at local government level. He said: This was a better result over Labour than 2022 when Labour topped the poll in a split three member result. The YouGov poll will be all over the place but last night in a marginal split ward in a marginal seat - Chislehurt and Eltham - the Conservatives beat Labour and received six times as many votes as Reform. Reform put in a real effort. i went there twice and saw Reform campaigning hard. He has previously noted that while the polls are worse for the Tories now than in 2022 asnd 2023, they are producing better results in elections than in those two years. These included the May local elections where the Conservatives easily outdid their poll rating to an extent that if the result was predicted there would be a hung parliament. This included the mayoral races in London, the West Midlands and Teesside. Lord Hayward said: The polls are all over the place. YouGov is getting the publicity but is in a small field of outliers. Labour still has a clear lead but not as per YouGov. On one day this week Tories led Reform by 1 percent, 9 percent and 15 percent depending on which poll you looked at. He has questioned both the collection and calculation methods of the polling companies. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Labour is mulling the biggest Whitehall shake-up in decades as Keir Starmer seeks to deliver on his key manifesto commitments. The move could see the Labour leader heading up new groups designed to cut through civil service silos and delays. Under the plans Labour could force departments to work together under boards designed to pursue its missions for government, the Financial Times reports. These missions include creating economic growth, rebuilding the NHS, investment in green energy and tackling crime. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer launches his partys manifesto at Co-op HQ in Manchester ( PA Wire ) The boards would make use of private sector expertise, in what could be seen as a controversial move, under plans reportedly being overseen by Sue Gray, the former senior Whitehall official who carried out the Partygate report into Boris Johnson. Sir Keir has already signalled that his promises to change the country will not happen overnight. The Labour leader has consistently warned that the UK needs a decade of national renewal, as he argued his party would be the best to lead that. And more than halfway through the campaign, Labour appears on course for a comfortable trek to Downing Street. The party remains more than 20 points ahead of the Tories in many opinion polls, after a disastrous few weeks for Rishi Sunak. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff was a top civil servant who wrote the Partygate report into Boris Johnson (Liam McBurney/PA) ( PA Wire ) Tom Baldwin, a former Labour communications director and Starmers biographer, told the FT he expected a piecemeal approach to any changes, adding: Keir Starmer and Sue Gray tend to feel their way towards solutions. If one thing doesnt work, they try something else and become progressively more radical, but always for pragmatic reasons. Alex Thomas, programme director at the Institute for Government think-tank, said: If they went for a full-fat version, which gave missions their own budgets with a named responsible official, that would be radical the biggest change to how the civil service and government have been organised for several decades. Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, has been working for months to test the partys policies and assess any potential pitfalls. The Conservatives have vowed to axe 72,000 civil service jobs, but Labour has declined to match this. Rishi Sunak has had a disastrous election campaign ( Christopher Furlong/PA Wire ) Mr Sunak has had a difficult start to the election campaign. At the weekend he faced claims he had gone into hiding after he was forced to make a grovelling apology for leaving the D-Day commemorations early to take part in a TV interview. The Tory leader was also ridiculed for claiming his family had had to go without Sky TV when he was a child. Reform leader Nigel Farage mocked the prime minister after a Tory candidate used pictures of him on her leaflets. The arch-Brexiteer is plastered across the leaflets of right-wing Conservative Dame Andrea Jenkyns. Mr Sunak, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen, and there is no reference to the Conservative Party or use of any of its branding. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nigel Farage has said Adolf Hitler was hypnotic in a very dangerous way as a public speaker and spoke again of his admiration for Vladimir Putin as a political operator. The Reform UK leader was asked about the Nazi Germany dictator, his views on the Russian president and offered his opinion about the ongoing war in Ukraine. In 2014, Mr Farage said Mr Putin was the world leader he most admires and praised his his brilliant handling of the civil war in Syria. The Reform leader, challenged about his previous remarks admiring the Russian president as a operator, told BBC Radio 5 Live: Yeah, but not as a human being. Asked why, Mr Farage replied: How many years has he been in power? Hes gone from prime minister, to president, hes a clever political operator. He kills journalists, I dont like him as a human being in any way at all. ( AP ) You can recognise the fact that some people are good at what they do even if they have evil intent. Asked if Hitler was good at what he did, Mr Farage replied: What, as a public speaker? What do you think? Clearly, hypnotic in a very dangerous way. His comments about Hitler come after a Reform contender said that Britain should have taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality instead of fighting the Nazis in the Second World War. Ian Gribbin, the partys candidate in Bexhill and Battle, also said praised Mr Putin, as reported by the BBC. The Reform leader tried to dismiss the concerns on Monday, saying that every party will suffer controversy triggered by its candidates in a snap election. At the BBC phone-in Mr Farage was also asked about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In 2022, he said the Russian invasion occurred because of Western provocation of Mr Putin. He said the attack was a consequence of Nato and the EU trying to poke the Russian bear with a stick. On Friday he suggested Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky should enter negotiations with Russia, although he acknowledged Kyivs Western allies will continue support to support them. Mr Farage said: This war has been going on for years, it is likely to go on for many, many more years. Were looking at something like a million casualties between the two sides. Mr Farage added: Im not saying we shouldnt support Ukraine at all, not for one minute, but at the end of the day most wars end in negotiation and I fear, if we dont find some way of at least sitting down and talking, that were going to finish up with a war that goes on for year after year after year. He said he believed the big difficulty would be Crimea, adding: Is it a bad idea to get people to sit around a table and talk? Mr Farage was asked what he would say if he was in a position of influence and had a meeting with Mr Zelensky. He said: Id say to Zelensky, look, the West have been supporting you, they will go on supporting you but the percentage of your young manhood that youre losing is so bad, isnt it time we at least tried to have a negotiation - he couldnt say no. Additional reporting by PA Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak blew 50 of taxpayers cash on a custom stamp to film a gimmicky pre-election video boasting about his crackdown on student visas, The Independent can reveal. The prime minister sent a Downing Street staffer on the hunt in London for an ink-stamp in the shape of the word stopped, before slapping it on examples of visa applicants he was barring from Britain. Rishi Sunak said he wants to bring net migration to sustainable levels (Justin Tallis/PA) ( PA Wire ) Just seven days before he called the general election in a rainy announcement in front of Downing Street, Mr Sunak posted the X video claiming to have taken action to reduce migration. Alongside the video, he said: Student dependant applications are now down by 80 per cent. The PMs video saw him being handed papers labelled foreign masters students bringing family members, overseas care workers bringing family dependants and immigration undercutting British workers. He firmly stamped stopped on each of them using the custom stamp, which may never be used again. A freedom of information request by The Independent revealed that the cost of the stamp, which officials stressed was purchased locally to Downing Street, was 47.50. The Liberal Democrats accused the prime minister of wasting 50 of taxpayer money on a stamp to boast about stopping students coming to Britain. James Cleverly promised the student visa crackdown would cut net migration by tens of thousands ( PA ) Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Sarah Olney said: A custom stopped stamp using public funds is just the latest in a long list of gimmicks from this Prime Minister. And a senior Labour source said: It is hysterical for Sunak to lecture about the economy while using taxpayers cash to fund his latest gimmick. Hes the one that said the public are better at spending money than the government is. I guess in this one case he was absolutely right. The prime minister told voters on Tuesday that you will always be better at spending your own money than the government is. The video at the heart of the controversy was to boast about Mr Sunaks ban on overseas students bringing family members to the UK. With net migration into Britain at record levels, and the government under pressure from right-wing Tories to drastically reduce numbers, home secretary James Cleverly said international students starting courses in Britain will no longer be allowed to obtain visas for their spouses and relatives unless they are on a postgraduate research programme or a government-sponsored course. The government claimed the ban which affects all overseas students except those on postgraduate courses and certain scholarships will slash migration by tens of thousands. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Tories have launched an astonishing attack on Labour today suggesting that a Keir Starmer led government would be the first in history to levy capital gains taxes on people when they sell their primary homes. Such a move could cause a crash in the housing market and was based on Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner failing to respond to Tory cabinet minister Penny Mordaunts claim on capital gains tax on primary residents last night. The allegations came in the Tory response to Labours manifesto launch yesterday. it was part of a wider document produced by the Tories alleging Labour was planning 18 new taxes secretatly to make up what the Conservatives claim is 38.5 billion black hole in their manifesto pledges. While Sir Keir and his shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves have ruled out raising taxes on the big three - VAT, income tax and national insurance - they have left the door open on other taxes but insisted there are no plans to increase them. Laura Trott headed the tax briefing ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire ) But the document came as the Tories appeared to be sliding toward a wipeout with five polls yesterday showing Reform UK is taking voters off them with YouGov even putting Nigel Farages party in second place. Labour have not specifically denied the accusation on capital gains tax on primary residence sales but shadow chief Treasury secretary Darren Jones claimed the document was full of imaginary taxes based on Tory desperation in an electionw here they could be heading for a wipeout. He said: Its a sign of the chaos and desperation in the Tory campaign that they are spending their time talking about things they have imagined and that Labour isnt doing, rather than the state of the country after 14 years. The only surprise is that the imaginary meat tax and the fantasy seven bins havent made another appearance. Labour has published a fully funded and costed manifesto which will deliver the change this country needs after 14 years of Tory chaos. In contrast to the Tories' unfunded plans which will leave families paying 4,800 more on their mortgages." Laura Trott held a press conference to react to Labours manifesto in London ( PXL_20240614_100847934.LONG_EXPOSURE-01.COVER.jpg ) In her birefing this morning, Ms Trott repeated claims that Labour would increase taxes by 2,000 per household. The document argued that every Labour victory was followed by a tax raid which had been kept secret. She focussed on Gordon Brown raiding pension funds two weeks after the 1997 election. Ms Trott said: "Yesterday we saw a manifesto from Labour that contained no tax cuts, only tax rises - they even warned of it in their manifesto." She added: "It's a tax trap manifesto from a Labour Party that has tax rises coded into its DNA. "Labour's first, second and third answer to every problem is always the same: raise taxes. And as a result, the tax burden under Labour - on their own figures - will rise to be the highest our country has ever seen." She repeated the claim that a vote for Nigel Farages Reform was a vote for Keir Starmer and warned that Labour could be handed huge power with an unchecked majority. Among the other tax rises she claimed Labour are considering was a raid on pensions and a retirement tax. She also alleged that Labour would increase council tax bands and the level of local taxation as well as stamp duty on purchasing homes. The Conservatives also claim Labour plan to introduce new green levies and extend taxation on fuel duty and driving cars. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected to the countrys highest office for a second term late on Friday after he secured a dramatic coalition deal just hours before a vote in parliament. His party, the African National Congress, and its largest rival the white-led, pro-business Democratic Alliance have settled an agreement to work together in South Africas new government. It represents a historic shift for the country after 30 years of uninterrupted rule by the ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela. Mr Ramaphosa won a convincing majority of 283 votes in the vote for president in the 400-member house, beating Julius Malema from the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters who got only 44. The 71-year-old leaders party struck a last-minute deal with their political foes from the Democratic Alliance and some other smaller parties. Mr Ramaphosas ANC lost its majority in elections held two weeks ago, plummeting to just 159 seats but remaining the largest party. It is South Africas first national coalition where no one party has a majority in parliament. Mr Ramaphosa called the coalition deal a new birth, a new era for our country and said it was time for the parties to overcome their differences and to work together. "That a number of parties that had opposed each other... have decided to work together to deliver this result has given a new birth, a new era to our country," he said. "It will once again be a privilege and pleasure to serve this great nation... (as) president," Mr Ramaphosa said in a speech to parliament, describing the coming government as an era of hope and inclusivity. This is what we shall do and this is what I am committed to achieve as the president, he said. The Democratic Alliances entry into national government is a big moment for a country still processing the legacy of the racist colonial and apartheid regimes. The party has struggled to shake off its image as a defender of rich white people and convince a broad spectrum of South Africans that it reflects their aspirations. A source within the Democratic Alliance, which won 87 seats in the election, told Reuters that the party would receive the post of deputy speaker of the National Assembly as part of the deal. The ANC had long been seen as unbeatable in national elections, ever since Nelson Mandela led the party to a victory in the 1994 election that marked the end of apartheid. The partys support has been waning in recent years, however, with voters becoming increasingly disillusioned by persistently high levels of poverty, inequality and crime, rolling power cuts and corruption in party ranks. The new national unity government includes the Inkatha Freedom Party, which won 17 seats, and has a largely ethnic Zulu base. The newly formed populist uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party led by former president Jacob Zuma won 58 seats, but has alleged the election was rigged and says it will boycott the new parliament. The Constitutional Court has dismissed the partys case alleging fraud, saying it has no merit. Additional reporting by agencies The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 13-year-old boy was found starved to death in an Alabama hotel room and his mother is on the run after she was charged with abuse and neglect in connection with his death. Officials say that Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Extended Stay America off US 280 on March 2 around 7.30am. The victim, identified as Aston Starkey, was rushed to Grandview Medical Center. Hospital officials later pronounced the boy dead and determined he had been diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans told Birmingham police on June 6 that the boys autopsy results showed that he died from malnutrition and dehydration complicated by neglect, AL.com reported. The medical examiners office ruled the manner of death a homicide. A preliminary investigation also showed that the boy died under suspicious circumstances. The mother of a 13-year-old boy with Downs Syndrome has been accused of murdering him ( FOX6 ) The Shelby County District Attorneys Office issued a warrant for the boys mother, Serena Starkey, 53. Authorities have been looking for her since June 7. Shes been described as a white female. The child was born in Florida and police said that he and his mother moved frequently and had only been living in Birmingham for about a year. Its possible that the two previously lived in Montgomery, Alabama, police said. According to the outlet, the boys death is the 67th homicide in Birmingham this year. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden has reiterated his decision not to pardon his son Hunter after he was convicted of three felony gun charges earlier this week. I am not going to do anything, Biden, 81, said while standing next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit on Thursday. I will abide by the jurys decision. At the summit in Italy, Biden said he was extremely proud of his son, whom he said has overcome an addiction. According to Politico, reporters shouted questions at Biden asking whether he would consider commuting his sons sentence and he appeared to say no. The younger Biden, 54, could face up to 25 years in prison for his conviction on three counts of illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while abusing or being addicted to drugs, a violation of federal law. Biden is a first-time offender and its unlikely that he will be given the maximum sentence. President Joe Biden talks with his son Hunter Biden as he arrives at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Deleware Tuesday 11 June 2024 ( AP ) A pardon, which a president can grant in federal cases, relieves an individual of all guilt for the crime they committed. A commutation reduces the sentence without acquitting the person. The prosecutions argument primarily rested on the fact that Biden lied on a federal form that asked whether he was legally allowed to buy the gun when buying a firearm. One of the questions on the form asked if he was unlawful user of, or addicted to illegal drugs. Prosecutors said Biden checked the box that said no. Two of the charges were tied to the purchase. Biden was convicted on all three counts, becoming the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime. In a memoir published in 2021, Biden described his battles with addiction, time spent in rehab, his relapses, and how he brought drugs near the White House. Prosecutors had offered the younger Biden a plea deal but it broke down in July as it was about to be set in stone, Politico reported. A judge has not set his sentencing date yet but its likely to come in the autumn. The president is in Italy this week for the G7 summit where he plans to sign a security plan with Ukraine. He is expected to check on his son every day in the meantime. Before leaving the country, he spent a night with his family in Delaware following the verdict. At the summit, Biden said he was extremely proud of his son, whom he said has overcome an addiction. According to Politico, reporters appeared to shout questions at Biden asking whether he would consider commuting his sons sentence and he appeared to say no. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Boeing 737 Max has been grounded for 20 days after the aircraft experienced a dangerous Dutch roll mid-flight, causing it to sway side-to-side in yet another troubling incident for the embattled aviation company. The Southwest Airlines flight was traveling from Phoenix, Arizona, to Oakland, California, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, when the aircraft experienced a Dutch Roll, an unsafe movement in which the tail wags and the wings oscillate, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The June 12 incident report indicates that pilots regained control of the aircraft, but an inspection upon landing revealed damage to the standby power control unit, which provides back-up power to the main rudder. No passengers were injured, the report says, but the damage to the plane was substantial. Its unclear when the aircraft will be able to fly again. The FAA is working closely with the NTSB and Boeing to investigate this event. We will take appropriate action based on the findings, the FAA said in a statement to The Independent. The agency noted that other airlines have not reported similar issues. Boeing deferred comment to Southwest Airlines. A spokesperson for the airline referred questions to the NTSB and the FAA, adding Southwest is participating in and supporting the investigation. The Independent emailed the NTSB for comment. This incident is just the latest in a series of problems that have plagued Boeing aircraft in recent months. Perhaps the most well-known accident occurred in January, when a door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight while en route. The aerospace company is also embroiled in potential legal issues. Not only did passengers on the January Alaska Airlines flight sue, but the company is also up against the Justice Department. The Justice Department last month claimed that Boeing breached the terms of an agreement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes one in 2018 and one in 2019 involving its 737 Max aircraft. Boeing argued as recently as this week that it upheld its side of the deal. It also faces potential problems internally. Despite the deaths of two whistleblowers, around 50 current and old Boeing employees have expressed a desire to speak out about safety concerns, a lawyer previously told The Independent. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Friends and family of a missing retired US police officer have flown to the Greek island of Amorgos to join rescue efforts after he vanished during a solo hike just days after the death of British TV doctor Michael Mosley on the island of Symi. Eric Albert Calibet who is known as Albert by his friends had been vacationing on the idyllic spot of the south eastern edge of the Cyclades before he was reported missing by a friend on Tuesday. The former Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy embarked on a challenging four-hour hike from a route toward the village of Katapola in the scorching temperatures. After eight hours, he had not returned drawing parallels with the death of Mosley, who was found dead following a four-hour hike on the island of Symi, just 200 miles away last week. Like the TV doctor, Calibet has not been contactable by cell phone. Now, friends are flying to Amorgos in a bid to join the search for the 59-year old. Robin Winston, a friend of Calibet, told ABC 7 that weve got friends in France who are on their way there to do their own ground searches. Michael Mosley passed away from natural causes after going missing following a hike on the Greek island of Symi ( PA Media ) Weve got people on that island whove met Albert and love Albert, and theyre searching too, but theres not a lot of people, he added. Calibets brother, who lives in Southern California, was on the way to the Greek island as of Thursday morning, Winston said. Despite authorities having to call off the search on Thursday evening due to a lack of flashlights, loved ones continue to remain hopeful after eyewitnesses said they spotted the ex-cop at a small refreshment stand to get water four hours after setting off on the hike. Now were able to narrow the search area a little bit because we can go an hour further down the path, Winston told the outlet. Thats a bit of optimistic news we got this morning but other than that, were still... Its a four, five-hour trail, they shouldve been able to see him on the trail by now, he added. A spokesperson for the Greek Police, Konstantia Dimoglidou, told CNN that police, fire brigade and volunteers are involved in the search, including by air, for Calibet. Tourists have been facing the extreme heat as parts of Greece succumb to 104F (40C) conditions ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In addition to search efforts in Greece, The LA County Sheriffs Department confirmed it had filed a missing person report on Thursday and that a Homicide Bureau is handling the case locally. Greece has been swept by a heatwave, with searing temperatures hitting upwards of 109F (43C) earlier this week. Experts appear unnerved by the uncharacteristically early heatwave, with state TV meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos noting there has never been one occurring before 15 June. Mosley, 67, was found dead on June 5 following a five day search on the island of Symi after heading off on his own following a gruelling four-hour hike with his wife in 104F (40C) heat. The doctor set off on his walk back to his lodgings at about 1.30pm local time. The presenters body was eventually discovered on Sunday morning in a rocky area near Agia Marina beach after being spotted by television cameras from a boat carrying the islands mayor. An initial post-mortem determined his time of death at 4pm local time on the day he set off. He was just 90 seconds away from a beach bar which would have almost certainly granted his safety. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A search for two Louisiana girls, who were abducted after their mother was killed, ended hours later in Mississippi where the children were found, one of them tragically dead. Louisiana State Police issued an Amber Alert for the girls after their mother, Callie Brunett, 35, was found dead in her Louisiana home in Loranger, about 60 miles east of Baton Rouge, on 13 June. She had been reported missing after no one had spoken with her since Tuesday, police said. A cause of death was not immediately released. Investigators said the body of four-year-old Erin Brunett was found in a wooded area in Jackson. Jalie Brunett, six, was found with the suspect at the center of the Amber Alert, police said. She was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment. He had the victims car along with her alive-and-well six-year-old child, Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office in Louisiana told reporters. Callie Brunett, 35, and her daughter, 4-year-old Erin Brunett ( Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office/Facebook ) Daniel Callihan, 36, of Louisiana, who had dated Brunett, was captured in Jackson, Mississippi, after a police chase and has been charged in connection to the abduction and the deaths, according to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade. Wade said he did not believe Callihan was the father of the two children, WJTV reported. Horrible, horrible, tragic situation, he said. You dont want to see that as a chief. You dont want to see that as a father, to see this baby that is on the ground that has lost her life. This is an innocent four-year-old child thats no longer with us because of the actions of a coward, a coward who took this child from her family. Wade said officers contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations human trafficking division about the case. He said small animal cages were discovered in the wooded area where the children were found. He tried to do away with the children by taking them into this wooded area, Wade said of the suspect, adding, This was a horrible, horribly tragic situation that was committed by the actions of a coward. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A federal judge on Friday ordered the liquidation of Alex Jones personal assets to help pay the $1.5 billion he owes to the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for defamation. Later that day, the judge dismissed a bankruptcy case from Free Speech Systems, parent company of Jones Infowars brand, arguing the decision would allow the families to immediately seek relief from the company in state court. I was never asked today to make a decision to shut down a show or not. That was never going to happen today one way or another, Judge Christopher Lopez said. This case is one of the more difficult cases Ive had. When you look at it, I think creditors are better served in pursuing their state court rights. The decision allows Infowars to continue to operate for the moment, though Free Speech Systems and its properties could still go under later on. The families have suggested they may return to bankruptcy court and ask that the company be liquidated as part of the sale of Joness personal assets, as he owns Free Speech Systems. [D]ismissal allows the creditors to exercise available remedies in state court immediatelynot after waiting for a new protracted bankruptcy under chapter 7 to play out, one group of the families wrote in a court filing. Two years ago, Sandy Hook families sued Jones for defamation after he falsely claimed the 2012 shooting that killed 26 people was a hoax. Jones, a right-wing conspiracy theorist, now owes $1.5 billion to the families after losing two lawsuits. The right-wing media personality has already sold a $2.8 million property and other assets as part of the penalty. Despite the ordered payment, the Sandy Hook families have yet to see a dime from Jones. Todays liquidation order could change that. Alex Jones, pictured, has been ordered to liquidate his personal assets to pay $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims he defamed. ( Getty Images ) Attorney Chris Mattei, who represents the Sandy Hook families, said liquidation is essential to enforcing the judgment against Jones. Doing so will enable the Connecticut families to enforce their $1.4 billion in judgments now and into the future while also depriving Jones of the ability to inflict mass harm as he has done for some 25 years, Mattei said, per the AP. Jones asked a judge last week for liquidation after initially proposing a reorganization of his assets instead. The week prior, the Sandy Hook families had filed an emergency motion asking a judge to force him to liquidate his assets. The families previously said Free Speech Systems has no prospect of reorganization and the court failed to demonstrate any hope of beginning to satisfy their legal claims. On the Infowars website, Jones has told his audience the company is on the verge of shutting down due to the ruling. Jones has also held emergency broadcasts on his web and radio show this month, claiming the federal government was trying to show down his show immediately and asking supporters to form a human chain around his studio in Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, the families have filed a separate case against Jones claiming he has diverted and hid millions of dollars to avoid making the payment. Jones has denied any wrongdoing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Salt Lake City officials say a serial killer who murdered 14 people in California is to blame for the slaying of a Utah woman more than 20 years ago. Prosecutors filed a felony aggravated murder charge against Chester Turner, 57, in connection with the death of Itisha Camp in 1998. Turner has twice been sentenced to the death penalty for a string of killings and remains on death row at San Quentin Prison. A jury in Los Angeles convicted him of the first 10 murders in 2007 and four additional murders in 2014. All of the deaths took place in Los Angeles County. The victims were mainly sex workers and homeless women, including one woman who was six months pregnant. Turner used manual strangulation and ligature strangulation to kill his victims. Three kids found Camps body in the back of a business in September 1998 and flagged down police officer J Emery. The womans body was found at the bottom of the stairs. Her pants had partially been pulled down below her buttocks, her shirt was pulled up and a scarf had been tied around her neck. The base of her hands and lower portion of her neck had minor scrapes with cement dust, Turners warrant reads. Dirt and saliva were mixed along the side of her face and mouth. Chester Dewayne Turner and attorney John Tyre listen as a jury hands down a death sentence to Turner on murder charges in Superior Court May 15, 2007 in Los Angeles, California ( Getty Images ) She was deceased by the time the officer arrived. Camp had been working as a sex worker and was using drugs at the time of her death. She had last been home the night before her body was discovered. The medical examiner later determined that Camp died from strangulation. Investigators took DNA from a sperm fraction on the womans pants, back, and scarf. The DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System and was linked to Turner. The killer was on parole in California in 1998 for auto theft and drug sales and had escaped to Utah, the district attorneys office said. Separately, police located a report showing that the defendant was the victim of a crime in Salt Lake City in 1998. It must have been profoundly difficult for Ms Camps family and loved ones over the last 25 years, not knowing if the suspect in her murder was still out in the public, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement. We appreciate the dedicated work of Salt Lake City police detectives who pursued this cold case until the necessary investigative work had been done that could lead to this charge being filed. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Six children, ranging from seven to 17, have been arrested after their friend drowned in a Georgia pond, Columbus police announced. Zahmere Greene, 15, was found dead in a retention pond near the Chattahoochee River on May 29 but authorities say he drowned on May 23 and his death was not reported for nearly a week. Investigators say the kids involved witnessed his death. An unnamed 11-year-old boy has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and concealing the death of another, police say. That boy is being held at the Regional Youth Detention Center. Authorities have not said what led to the boys death. Zahmere Green pictured last month. Six children, ranging in age from nine to 17, have been charged in connection with his death. ( South Columbus Public Library ) Zahmere Greene loved to dance and sing, his aunt tells The Independent ( Courtesy of Rhea Vinson ) Rhea Vinson, Greenes aunt, told The Independent her nephew had a very vibrant spirit and was always the most positive person in the room. He was my brothers only biological son, and he looked like his twin... He loved to dance and sing, and make music, Vinson told The Independent. The South Columbus Public Library shared a post in Greenes honor. Today we honor the life of one our young patrons, Zahmere Greene, the page posted on June 1. We have just learned of his tragic passing and are so saddened by this news. Zahmere loved to come to the library and hang out with our staff, the post continues. He was a joy to be around, always had a smile on his face, and he loved talking about his future career goals although they changed every week. Shane Sano pictured in a booking photo. Georgia law says 17-year-olds are considered adults when criminally charged ( Muscogee County Sheriffs Office ) Police also arrested 17-year-old Shane Sano with concealing a death in connection to the case. Sano is considered an adult under Georgia state law and is being held in Muscogee County Jail. Two 11-year-olds, a 12-year-old and a nine-year-old were all charged with concealing a death as well. The four witnesses that police charged are now with their parents, police say. This story was updated to include a statement from Rhea Vinson. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Georgia mother charged with killing her 1-year-old son and dumping his body in the trash has complained about her jail conditions, including the lack of television time she's allowed. Leilani Simon, 24, gave an interview to the New York Post moaning about the difficulties of jail ahead of her murder trial. There is no privacy even in our cells [because there is a] camera, there is no clock, the lights are on 24/7, and they took away the color pencils, she told the newspaper. She then grumbled that the inmates were "only allowed [TV and recreational time] for a total of two hours each week," and that they have "nothing to do in our cells beyond reading and tablet use," noting that both cost money. Simon also complained that inmates went to bed hungry "every night" because dinner is served between 3-4pm daily. She was arrested in November 2022 and charged with the death of her son, Quinton Simon. Her charges include murder, concealing a death, falsely reporting a crime, and another 14 counts of lying to investigators. Chatham County Police Department booking photo of Leilani Simon, 21 November 2023 ( Chatham County Police Department ) Police became aware of her after she called 911 on 5 October to report her son missing from their home in Savannah. Shortly after the boy was reported missing, Chatham County police began following a lead focused on a dumpster at the Azalea Mobile Home park where Simon and her son lived. Once they began to suspect the boy had been placed in a dumpster, police named Simon as their primary suspect and on 18 October, with the help of federal investigators, began searching a local landfill for the boy's remains. Police eventually found the boy's partial remains on 18 November. Prosecutors allege that Simon beat her son with an object, causing "cruel and excessive pain" that led to the child's death. Simon told the New York Post that she doesn't have the same "privileges" as the other women in protective custody in jail, she is being held in a medical wing. Police Chief Jeff Hadley speaks to reporters as he stands in front of a large photo of toddler Quinton Simon before the boys remains were found at a Georgia landfill ( WSAV-TV ) "In medical we myself and the other high profile PC females have very little to help pass by time," she told the paper. She accused the state of "punishing me for crimes I'm accused of having committed," claiming that she was put into a "suicide cell" even though she had not expressed any desire to end her own life. They had me in that cell for nine days and didnt let me out until my mom went on the news about it, Simon told the paper. She said that most of the corrections officers are "very professional," but noted that others "treat us like we are guilty until proven innocent instead of the other way around." Simon is still waiting for her trial to begin but hopes that she will see her day in court before the end of 2024. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Oregon nurse has been arrested for allegedly using her patients pain medication and swapping it with tap water, risking serious infections in those she was meant to be looking after. Dani Marie Schofield faces 44 counts of assault in the second degree each charge reflective of a patient affected by Schofields criminal actions, the Medford Police Department said in a statement. The intensive care unit nurse has been accused of diverting patients liquid fentanyl for personal use, and replacing it with unsterilized water, authorities said. The synthetic opioid is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Schofield worked at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, a 378-bed, level-two trauma center in Medford, Oregon. The hospital first raised alarms to police almost seven months ago following concerns about increasing central line the tubes put into large veins to administer medication infections among its patients. Oregon Medication Tampering ( AP ) There was concern that Schofield had been diverting patients liquid fentanyl for her personal use and then replacing it with tap water, causing serious infections, Thursdays police statement said. It is not clear how many of the patients Schofield allegedly mishandled had died. In March, the family of Asante patient Horace Wilson filed a lawsuit for $11.5m after he died from sepsis from being admitted to hospital with a lacerated spleen and broken ribs following a fall off a ladder on January 27, 2022. The 65-year-old died less than a month later allegedly from tap water in his intravenous drip, which caused bacterium Staphylococcus to flood into his bloodstream, before progressing into mutli-system organ failure, according to the lawsuit. The hospital and Schofield were both accused of negligence, as per the court filing. Records from the Oregon State Board of Nursing show that the ICU nurse voluntarily agreed to a license suspension on November 22, 2023, pending completion of an investigation. On Thursday, Asante employees were thanked for their tireless work since our team brought concerns forward to them, as per an internal memo from the hospitals CEO Tom Gessel, seen by NBC News following police announcing Schofields arrest. We are greatly appreciative of the countless hours their investigators have spent on this complex matter, Gessel wrote. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tesla shareholders have restored a massive pay package to CEO Elon Musk that has been estimated to be worth almost $45 billion. The billionaire entrepreneur and owner of social media platform X had remained assured that shareholders would approve the payout which was denied to him by a Delaware judge in January. ( Reuters ) The restoration of the $44.9 billion package was confirmed at Teslas 2024 annual shareholders meeting on Thursday, with the news greeted by a standing ovation and chants of Elon, Elon, Elon. Vote totals were not immediately announced. Following the announcement, Musk bounded onto the stage to address the shareholders. I just want to start off by saying, hot damn, I love you guys, he said, before promising that the company would soon be delivering mind-blowing change. Were not just opening a new chapter for Tesla, were starting a new book, he said. Earlier on Thursday, shares of the electric vehicle company rose after Tesla said in a regulatory filing that indicated that stockholders would vote to approve the package by a wide margin. In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday, Tesla published Musks own posts on X with charts that appeared to show that shareholders were in favor of his compensation package. The restoration of Musks $44.9 billion package was confirmed at Teslas 2024 annual shareholders meeting on Thursday ( Reuters ) The charts also appeared to show shareholder approval of a move of Teslas legal home from Delaware to Texas. This was also approved by shareholders on Thursday. However, the favorable vote on the pay package restoration does not mean Musk will get the all-stock compensation anytime soon. The package is likely to remain tied up in the Delaware Chancery Court for months as Tesla appeals the rejection. Back in January, Chancellor Kathaleen St Jude McCormick determined that Tesla deceived shareholders when the all stock compensation was approved in 2018, so Musk was not entitled to the landmark pay package. Tesla has said it would appeal the decision. Speculation about the future of the company swirled prior to the vote, with suggestions that Musk may choose to deliver on threats to take artificial intelligence research to one of his other companies or he could even walk away, should his payout be denied. The tech boss has threatened on X to develop AI elsewhere if he doesnt get a 25 percent stake in Tesla. His xAI recently received $6 billion in funding to develop artificial intelligence. However, even though it has now been approved, analysts have said there may still be uncertainty. This issue has been an overhang on Teslas stock, and this will be important to move this distraction in the rearview mirror, said Wedbush Analyst Dan Ives, in a note to investors. Shares of Tesla Inc. have slumped this year with the company warning of notably lower sales growth in 2024. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Church of Scientology prevented a woman from seeking mental health treatment before she took her own life, a lawsuit states. The woman, Whitney Mills, 40, was a high-level Scientologist who worked as a real estate agent before her 2022 death, her mother Leila Mills said in the lawsuit. Mills had been battling with her mental health, and twice had to be hospitalized. Before her death, Mills experienced insomnia, anxiety, and an increased heart rate, according to the lawsuit. The suit alleges church officials failed to prevent her death while she was under their supervision. A spokesperson for the Church of Scientology told the Tampa Bay Times that while Mills death was an unfortunate tragedy, the church never assumed her care. Church policy is crystal clear: if a Scientologist is in need of medical care, he or she must see a medical doctor, the spokesperson told the paper. Any and all decisions regarding medical treatment are solely the decision of the individual. The Church does not provide medical advice. The Independent has reached out to the Church of Scientology for comment. Whitney Mills, a member of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida, died by suicide in 2022. Now her family is suing the church in a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming the church prevented her from seeking mental health treatment ( Leila Mills ) The lawsuit, filed by Leila Mills on May 11 in Floridas Pinellas County Circuit Court, claims that in February 2022, members of Scientology's staffing organization, Sea Org, were assigned to live with Mills at her apartment in downtown Clearwater, Florida, and to give her 24-hour monitoring. The lawsuit includes emails between Mills and Sea Org staff in which she discusses her symptoms, which included anxiety and extreme pressure in her head. She also said she felt her condition was worsening. Its causing me to feel like Im dying and causing me psychosis, anxiety, panicking. Im getting intrusive bad thoughts, an email, sent by Mills on March 12, 2022, said. A Scientologist doctor, David Minkoff, had been tasked with treating Mills, and he allegedly misdiagnosed her with suffering from Lyme Disease and cancer, and ignored "her very real psychosis and mental health crisis," according to the lawsuit. Instead of recommending mental health treatments, Minkoff allegedly prescribed her a $20,000 anti-parasitic, according to the lawsuit. Mills reportedly begged the doctor for "anything else" to treat her, but the doctor allegedly responded with "quackery," according to the lawsuit. The Independent has reached out to Minkoff for comment. Minkoff was not named in the lawsuit, but a Miami-based law firm representing Mills estate put him on notice, which is required by law before a medical malpractice suit is filed against a doctor. She texted one of her Sea Org caretakers on May 1, 2022, that she literally cant take another day of this horrific movie Im living. The Church of Scientologys Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Florida ( Google Maps ) The lawsuit seeks to establish that Mills was suicidal based on a request she made to receive a Scientology rite that prepared the bodys spirit thetan, in Scientological terms for its exit from the body. On April 20, 2022, Mills reportedly asked a caretaker to oversee an auditing session to help her drop the body and noted she had learned about the practice from another caretaker. The suit claims that after making that request in April 2022, Mills caretakers either intentionally or negligently left her alone for several hours on May 12, 2022. Mills died by suicide that day. The spokesperson for the Church of Scientology told the Tampa Bay Times that there is no rite in Scientology to prepare a body for death, but a former Sea Org member who administered auditing sessions told the paper that not only did the rite exist, but that it was created by founder L. Ronb Hubbard himself. If she was asking for it, she clearly wanted to die, the former Scientologist, Bruce Hines, told the paper. The lawsuit by Leila Mills claims it was a church aversion to modern mental health treatments that prevented "here from obtaining the exact treatment [Mills] needed." Minkoff had a duty of care to refer Mills to a mental health professional, even if his religious beliefs forbade it, the lawsuit says. The family claims because the Church of Scientology assumed the responsibility to care for Mills, it bears the responsibility for her death. The lawsuit names six Scientology corporate entities as defendants on three counts of negligence, including wrongful death. The filing does not specify how much money the family seeks. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Monday, June 10, Indigenous Hawaiian midwives took the witness stand in a humble Honolulu courtroom, testifying for the very first time in opposition of Hawaiis Midwifery Restriction Law. The law, passed in 2019, regulates midwifery care by mandating a specific state license for anyone who provides information, advice or assistance during a pregnancy, birth or the postpartum period. As a result, Indigenous midwives who have long served their rural communities face significant fines and jail time for providing traditional, apprentice-based care that aligns with and protects customary Hawaiian birth practices. The law is now being challenged in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii by the very midwives the regulation has effectively stifled, and with the assistance of litigators from the Center for Reproductive Rights. Those in favor of the law claim mandating state licenses make pregnancy and birth safer. But Hawaiian midwife Kiiniokalini (Kii) Kahoohanohano, the lead plaintiff in the case, says the opposite is true the mandate is directly harming those who already have limited access to prenatal, birth and postpartum care. It is not creating more safety, and I can see that already, Kii told The Independent, one day after testifying in court. People that I have served prior that I havent been able to attend since 2023 have gone into hospitals and [experienced complications.] One woman who she had provided care to for three previous children never had really severe postpartum depression, but did after the fourth baby. Why? Because her choice was removed and she didnt have access to what she needed. Kii says women are also being forced to travel far from home sometimes to a completely different island in order to receive prenatal and birth care. Others are, sadly, going without, only increasing their risk of complications. Their birth stories are changing, Kii adds. Theyre becoming part of those birth disparities [statistics]. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women have the highest pregnancy-related mortality ratio of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Theyre also more likely to receive late or simply no prenatal care at all. In 2022, a reported one in eight infants were born to women in Hawaii who received late or no prenatal care. Indigenous Hawaiians have reported grave mistreatment in hospitals, including being racially profiled for drug testing, forced to endure unwanted procedures, and denied pain medication. The result is the opposite of what the law tries to do, Jen Rasay, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights on the litigation team in Hawaii arguing the case, told The Independent. It creates an inability for people to safely become pregnant and carry on their pregnancy, and they are now going without their trusted providers. Everything from the islands geographical makeup to the number of women living in rural areas an estimated 85,597 women, which amounts to nearly 14% of the states population according to the 2020 US Census can make it challenging for more modern practitioners and medical facilities to provide pregnancy- and birth-related care. That makes it all the more important, Rasay argues, for traditional Hawaiian midwives to maintain their ability to practice. There are reasons why people choose to live in rural areas in Hawaii they may have a personal, cultural connection to the land, it may be where they grew up, it may be where they can afford to live, she explains. But in these rural areas, there is a lack of maternity care providers that they can turn to when they become pregnant, and they need help or assistance. Protecting that cultural connection to Hawaiians aina or ancestral lands as well as their traditional, Indigenous birth practices that have been passed down from generation to generation is equally as important for midwives like Kii, who say they feel a kuleana, or responsibility, to carry on the practices of their ancestors and elders. Plaintiffs, attorneys and families outside the courthouse in Honolulu ( Marie Eriel Hobro ) There is a level of mastery in the work that we do, and we dont need exams or licenses or certification to solidify our integrity, she says. So much of who we are has been oppressed for so long It feels really frustrating to have to attempt to explain to these folks that we exist and we are just asking to continue to be able to exist. I dont understand why we have to sit there and defend who we are, particularly in our own homeland where many of our own practices have been pushed to extinction [by colonization and assimilation]. There is a disconnect from our aina, a disconnect from our language; a disconnect from our native Hawaiian practices, because we were persecuted and taken from our land, and that continues to occur today. In preparation for her testimony, Kii says she honored many of those traditions just like she does when attending a birth by consuming traditional foods and Hawaiian teas, as well as spending time in the ocean after meeting with attorneys. Before court, we opened in ceremony through prayers below the courthouse we held each other and called in what was needed, she explained. We made lei and everyone received lei, particularly ti leaf lei, which is used for cleansing, purification and protection. When I took the stand, I took everyone that I stand for with me, she adds. Its not about me, actually its for seven generations forward and seven generations back. In a post-Roe world, where over 5.6 million women in the U.S. live in maternity deserts without access to prenatal or postnatal care, the implications of the case certainly do reach far beyond Kii, her fellow midwives and the Indigenous populations they have up until this point proudly served. This is about reproductive autonomy, Rasay says. Its about a pregnant persons ability to make the decisions that are right for them and to define for themselves what a healthy, safe pregnancy and birth looks like. When you limit reproductive autonomy, you send a message that once a person becomes pregnant, they suddenly lose the right to make those personal, intimate decisions. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A hiker died after falling 300ft from a Rocky Mountain glacier, according to rescuers in Colorado. The Alpine Rescue Team says first responders were called to search for a stranded or fallen hiker near St Marys Glacier on Thursday afternoon. The emergency call was thought to have been made by a bystander at the lake who witnessed the fatal fall. Rescuers in Clear Creek County arrived on the scene and found the hiker dead. Crews then spent several hours lowering the victim, who has not been identified, down the ice-covered slope. Officials say that the victim was wearing micro walking spikes, which were not considered adequate in the Class 3 terrain. A hiker died after falling 300ft from a Rocky Mountain glacier, according to rescuers in Colorado ( Alpine Rescue Team ) It is unknown how the accident took place. We dont have the full picture of what happened. He was hiking. We suspect he was probably on the ridge line up above where he had fallen. Theres a big snow cornice that forms up there, spokesperson Jake Smith Smith said. I dont know if he was on the edge or part of it broke off or if he decided to descend and misjudged how steep the slope was. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New York governor Kathy Hochul is exploring whether to ban facemasks on the subway system following a slew of antisemitic threats from keffiyeh-wearing protesters. Hochul, 65, said that she began discussing the potential mask crackdown with New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, 63, and other state lawmakers on Thursday at the state Capitol. The bill is intended inhibit those committing antisemitic acts from shielding their identities. Exemptions could be made forhealth and religious reasons, while Halloween and other cultural celebrations could be taken into account. It would mark a dramatic shift from when masks were enforced in April 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, as New York City ground to a halt. Face coverings were made mandatory for riders until September 2022, when the 28-month long mandate came to an end. Many commuters, however, continue to be concerned about the spread of Covid-19 and air pollution and continue to wear masks in the often cramped conditions on the subway. Kathy Hochul floated a mask ban on the New York City subway on Thursday ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The Democrat made it clear she wants to implement mask restrictions in some form, which she believes would help deter crime on public transit. The lawmaker has already sent a fleet of 750 National Guardsmen and an additional 250 state police underground this year in an attempt to quash the brazen heinous attacks on the subway, she said in a press conference in March Those conflated efforts appear to have contributed to crime on the subway falling month-on-month by nearly 11 per cent in May to below pre-pandemic levels, according to the New York Police Departments latest statistics. Hochuls announcement comes after a group donning masks took over a subway car, scaring riders and chanting things about Hitler and wiping out Jews, she said at a news conference on Monday evening. A swathe of anti-Israel protestors sporting keffiyehs called on Zionists to put their hands up and identify themselves on the subway, and remarked Okay, no Zionists, were good, in a video going viral on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams compared volatile anti-israel protestors to the Ku Klux Klan ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Another video circulating online showed a man, who had not concealed his face, shouting: I wish Hitler was still here. He wouldve wiped all you out. The group had been said to be protesting above ground at Union Square minutes prior, following a pro-Palestine rally in the park that day. We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior, Hochul said. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes, she added. Adams also called out protesters covering their faces, drawing comparisons to the Ku Klux Klan and branding them as cowards. Dr. King did not hide his face when he marched and for the things he thought were wrong in the country, he said on 77 WABCs Cats & Cosby radio show on Wednesday. Those civil rights leaders did not hide their faces. They stood up. In contrast to that, the Klan hid their faces. The Independent has reached out to the New York City mayors office for further information regarding Adams support for the bill. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Apple systematically underpaid women compared to their male counterparts, a potential class action lawsuit from a pair of employees alleges. The suit, filed in San Francisco state court on Thursday, argues that the tech giants hiring practices and performance-review system both lead to women being paid less than men for the same work. The action alleges that more than 12,000 current and former Apple employees could qualify as part of the lawsuit if its certified. One of the plaintiffs, Justina Jong, said she was motivated to join the suit when she found a male co-workers W2 tax form left on a printer and saw he was being paid substantially more for similar work. I noticed that he was being paid almost $10,000 more than me, even though we performed substantially similar work. This revelation made me feel terrible, Jong said in a statement. The lawsuit argues that the discrepancies begin in the hiring process. Prior to 2018, the company allegedly asked prospective hires about their previous salaries to set pay levels. Following a state law barring the practice, Apple then began asking candidates to share salary expectations as a benchmark. Both systems, according to the suit, yield lower salaries for women. If you do pay women less, you cant defend it by saying they were willing to take less money, said James Finberg, one of the plaintiffs attorneys., told The Wall Street Journal. Apple maintains it has achieved pay equity since 2017. The Independent has contacted the company for comment. The suit also alleges that the companys performance review system is biased and gives men inflated scores on subjective metrics like teamwork and leadership. In 2022, female Apple employees told The Financial Times they were victims of sexual abuse and bullying, and met with an apathetic response from the companys HR department. (In response to the investigation, the company said at the time it thoroughly investigates all misconduct allegations and strives to create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting any issues.) The year before, employees launched the #AppleToo campaign to raise awareness about what they said was discrimination, racism, and sexism at the company, modeling their efforts on the larger #MeToo movement and its emphasis on exposing gender-based abuse in a variety of settings. Apple isnt the first major tech company to be hit with such a suit. In 2022, Google paid $118m to settle a class-action suit accusing it of pay discrimination against female employees. This year, Oracle paid $25m to settle an equal pay case of its own. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Authorities are searching for a man they say was involved in a violent road-rage fight that left an elderly woman unconscious at Los Angeles International Airport last month. Jasan Givens Sr. and another man, whom police have not indentified, were in a fist fight outside the airport around 9:30 a.m. on May 31 when the two men chased each other into a drop off lane. The unidentified elderly woman was checking her luggage on the curb as the fight continued in her direction. Dramatic video from LAX security cameras shows the woman innocently standing near the curb when the two men come running over and knock her down, causing her to immediately hit the ground and lose consciousness. An elderly woman was knocked out when she pushed over by two police in a road-rage fight at Los Angeles International Airport. ( LAPD ) Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported the woman to the hospital in critical condition. The innocent bystander has since been released from the hospital, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officials did not provide an update on her precise condition. The most shocking thing, and the reason were asking for the publics help, is after this happened, both the individuals failed to render aid, LAPD Detective Scott Danielson told KTLA, a CW affiliate. Our victim here could be your mother or your grandmother. Los Angeles Police Department officials are searching for Jasan Givens Sr following an altercation at Los Angeles International Airport that left an elderly woman unconscious ( LAPD ) The other man involved in the fight turned himself into police. Authorities said Givens drives a Chevrolet sedan with the license plate 5UAL384. The vehicle has damage to the front passenger door. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} There is part of me that will probably always feel like an orphan. Dont get me wrong, my parents are perfectly alive. I love them very much, and Im lucky enough to have a good relationship with them. But theres still a part of me that they could never parent, never fully nourish, because they didnt know it existed. How could they, given that not even I myself knew? This was the Nineties and early Noughties, when transgender people were rarely discussed, except perhaps as bad jokes or "inspirational" yet distant objects of curiosity. For trans people my age (Im 35), I think this is a common feeling. Even if we grew up safe and loved which far too many of us did not there was a secret, vital part of our souls that remained cut off from caregivers, grandparents, mentors, and role models. And so, when we finally got free, we had to go and seek our own. Lynn Conway died last Sunday at the age of 86 , after a long life at the heart of two revolutions. One was the computer revolution, which she helped accelerate by co-inventing a new method of microchip design that is now used in everything from your car to your smartphone. The other was the transgender revolution, which Lynn joined in a quieter way in 1967 when she began transitioning from (as people used to put it) male to female. Decades later, she came out publicly and became a vocal advocate for trans rights. Her site wasnt the first one I found. But when I did find it, it opened a whole new world to me. I knew I wasnt alone. Rebecca, a 51-year-old governemnt worker Id been aware of Lynn ever since I was a young teenager, adrift on the dark ocean of the early internet. At some point Id stumbled across her personal website : a classic Web 1.0 number containing not only her life story but a treasure trove of information on gender transition, from a heros gallery of trans successes to a frank and detailed discussion of how to get a vaginoplasty (and how to relearn having sex afterwards ). For some people, the information it provided was life-changing. "Her site wasnt the first one I found," says Rebecca, a 51-year-old government worker in Colorado. "But when I did find it, it opened a whole new world to me. I knew I wasnt alone." Conway sitting beside her Xerox Alto, an early personal computer developed at Xerox PARC ( Margaret Moulton ) Id love to say that Lynns website had a similar effect on me, and spurred some crucial awakening. In truth, I wasnt ready yet. I guess I thought something like: "Wow, thats so cool! I find this fascinating for some unknown reason that Im too scared to investigate right now. Lynn remained an inspiring figure to me 20-odd years later, long after Id realised the error of this strategy and embarked upon what in her day was rather excitingly known as a "sex change". So I was thrilled when she agreed last year to be profiled by The Independent and we spent hours on Zoom and phone calls, laughing and talking deeply about life, trauma, technological change and the forces that shape history. Interviewing Lynn was a bit of a rollercoaster. Often shed gaily embark on what seemed to be a wild tangent, leaping sideways through apparently unconnected topics, until finally thirty minutes later shed circle back around and youd understand that actually it wasnt a tangent at all. As a journalist, it was continually frustrating. As a human being, it was exciting and a little dizzying. Theres a meme that compares "talking about gender with trans people" (Greek philosophers discoursing in the agora!) to "talking with gender about cis people" (pushing plastic toys around with a vexed-looking toddler). Imagine that, but also the other trans person is 85 years old and a renowned expert on computer architecture and theories of innovation. No offence intended; some of my best friends are cisgender ( Author unknown ) She told me about the "haunted" world she grew up in, where everyone pretended not to see the violence beneath the veneer. About the electrifying effect that stories like Christine Jorgensens had on the nascent trans underground. About the disintegration of her first marriage, and the joy of changing sex. About the ways shed had to "mutilate" not her body but her history, her continuity, in order to pass unnoticed in mainstream society. So different and so similar to my own experience, a full five decades later. Sometimes shed describe absolutely horrific events with perfect sangfroid, laughing them off in what felt like an all-too-familiar trauma response. Once or twice, that mechanism would fail and shed get solemn. Still, she was adamant that it was these "adventures" and, more importantly, surmounting them that made her innovations possible. The most famous of those was a method of integrated circuit design known as Very Large Scale Integration (or VLSI), developed alongside the engineering professor Carver Mead, VLSI basically created the modern microchip industry, unleashing an abundance of digital devices that allowed me, decades later, to find her website and then to find others like me. Lynn saw early on the power of the proto-internet then known as ARPAnet to spread knowledge laterally, circumventing old gatekeepers and traditions. She was, she recalled, "like some kind of wild den mother" to the smart young eccentrics she gathered to her cause, galvanising them towards a common goal. Ive had so little contact with my own kind for all these years, and she was a role model. AC Quinlan, a trans writer in Wyoming That was Lynns theory of technological change, you see. Not a few "great men" driving history forward with the sweat of their brows, but networks of people in conversation with each other, learning to use newly-emerging tools to fulfil their own desires. Just point out the secret path, make it easier to walk, and soon itll become a railroad. Which brings me back to trans folk and parenting. As a people, we have been systematically deprived of knowledge about ourselves. Many of us had to fight to even realise what we are, let alone advocate for our needs. We will never know how many of us died still living in the closet, or without even having a name for their feelings. All we know is how few survived to become elders. Consequently, we often end up raising each other. I never would have guessed I was trans in the first place without examples. Nor would I ever have found the courage to act on it without my trans mentors. Im here because of them, and today there are others who are here because of me. This is the golden thread that connects trans people through the generations, frayed and twisted as it often is. Its a key theme of so many artworks by trans women, from Torrey Peters hit novel Detransition, Baby through the fourth Matrix film to the beautiful indie video game Secret Little Haven . If youve ever seen queer folk praise someone as "mother!", that comes from the Ballroom culture that was built by mostly Black and Latino LGBT+ people in the late 20th century, as a family for those who had none. Lynns work, and her website, made all of this much easier. She evidently felt it was important for her to be a mentor to younger trans people, and would often reach out directly with advice and support. "I was a trans student who barely spoke English, posting my doodles on the internet, and she made me feel like my voice mattered," recalled Quebecois cartoonist Sophie Labelle in an email. "She was so generous with her time! She witnessed my growth as an artist and even when we disagreed on things, her support wouldnt wither." AC Quinlan, a trans writer in Wyoming, similarly told me about their correspondence with Lynn in 2015 and 2016. "Ive had so little contact with my own kind for all these years, and she was a role model," Quinlan said. "I just started hormone replacement therapy last month, and Id actually thought about sending Lynn an email shortly afterwards. Lynn offered me that encouragement too. After our interview we agreed to stay in touch, and I was genuinely looking forward to doing so. Last June she emailed me to say shed enjoyed my mammoth Pride Month feature about trans people during the Covid-19 pandemic . "Congratulations on crafting that powerful synthesis," she wrote. "It reveals so many entangled threads for public reflection and discussion." Im ashamed to admit, however, that I wasnt a great penpal. I kept meaning to send her articles I thought shed enjoy, then forgetting to do it. Maybe you can see now why my feelings about Lynns death might echo the grief and guilt people sometimes feel after losing relatives that theyd meant to be in touch with more. We find our elders where we can. Lynns passing, at the end of a long and happy life, doesnt mean the thread is broken. It winds on still, through everyone that drew inspiration or strength from her and everyone they strengthened and inspired in turn. Goddess willing, one day well make the kind of world I think she was working towards: a world where no one is orphaned anymore. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Supreme Court said a ban on bump stocks devices that can be added to semi-automatic firearms to make them fire faster was unconstitutional, striking down a Trump-era law that was put into place after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. In a 6-3 ruling issued on Friday, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) incorrectly ruled that a bump stock turns a semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun. A semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a machinegun... because: (1) it cannot fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger and (2) even if it could, it would not do so automatically, Thomas wrote. A bump fire stock, (R), that attaches to a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing rate is seen at Good Guys Gun Shop in Orem, Utah, U.S., October 4, 2017 ( REUTERS ) It is a major ruling for gun access in the United States at a time when mass shootings are a major concern for millions of Americans. The case, Garland v Cargill, arose after Michael Cargill, a gun owner and licensed dealer in Texas, challenged a law that required him to surrender his bump stocks to the ATF. The Trump-era ban was imposed after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, when a gunman used a bump stock to fire more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition into a music festival crowd, killing 58 people in just 11 minutes. The agency said the device could turn legally obtained semi-automatic firearms into illegal machine guns and issued a ban, requiring the ATF to prohibit the sale and possession of the devices. Cargill sued the agency, claiming the ATF overstepped its authority when interpreting a statute on machine guns to include bump stocks. Under a 1986 law, machine guns are defined as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. That definition also includes a provision for any part designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun that can be combined and assembled by a person. A bump stock meanwhile is defined as a device that can convert a semi-automatic firearm so that it fires continuously with a single pull of the trigger. They are installed on the stock of a firearm to take control of the guns recoil allowing it to bump back and forth via the trigger. The phrase single pull of the trigger was a point of contention in the case. But more broadly, justices weighed the potential impact of upholding or overturning the man during oral arguments in February. Justice Kavanaugh expressed concern that regulating bump stocks would subject owners who obtained them before the law was enacted to criminal liability. Meanwhile, Justice Kagan argued that including bump stocks in the statute was common sense given the lethal consequences. It functions in precisely the same way, Justice Kagan said. And a torrent of bullets comes out and this is in the heartland of what they were concerned about, which is anything that takes just a little human action to produce more than one shot. Portraits of vctims of the Las Vegas mass shooting at the Clark County Government Center in 2018 ( Getty Images ) Justice Thomas wrote, in the majority opinion, that bump stocks do not convert semiautomatic rifles into machineguns any more than a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger does. A bump stock merely reduces the amount of time that elapses between separate functions of the trigger, he wrote. The conservative majority agreed that bump stocks do not allow for a single pull of the trigger to fire multiple rounds just that they fire faster. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the majority opinion, warning that the decision hamstrings the Governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. The three liberal justices criticized the conservative wing of the court for ignoring Congresss interpretation of the word machinegun for an extremely narrow definition. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent, Justice Sotomayor wrote. The case, Garland v Cargill is one of two gun-related cases the Supreme Court took up this term. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas did not disclose three more private jet trips gifted to him by Republican megadonor and billionaire Harlan Crow, the Senate Judiciary Committee revealed on Thursday. According to a document obtained by the committee, Justice Thomas failed to disclose a gifted flight to Kalispell, Montana, in 2017, another to Savannah, Georgia, in 2019 and one to Santa Jose, California, in 2021. It is unclear what the purposes of the trips were. Supreme Court justices are encouraged, per the code of ethics, to report any free transportation, lodging, meals and other gifts on their annual financial disclosure forms. However, the code is nonbinding, having no enforceable mechanism in place. The revelation arrives amid a turbulent year for the court, in which the justices are being scrutinized for failing to disclose ties to wealthy and powerful individuals. Justice Thomas, particularly, has been singled out for his reliance on wealthy friends to take luxurious vacations. Senate Democrats have pushed for legislation that would force justices to be more transparent about their personal and financial ties through a binding code of conduct that would allow for investigations into potential violations and require justices to explain why they must recuse themselves from any cases. It would also require disclosures when a justice has a connection to a political party or amicus. Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that Chief Justice Roberts has the authority to implement an enforceable code of conduct but refused. Until he acts, I will keep pushing for legislation, Durbin wrote in a statement. Justice Thomas previously responded to criticism by claiming gifts and travel did not need to be reported because it was personal hospitality from close personal friends. He did not immediately comment on the Senate Judiciary Committees findings. All three trips, reported by the committee, were extremely brief sometimes lasting no more than a day. In May 2017, Justice Thomas took a flight to Kalispell, Montana, a small town less than 20 miles from Glacier National Park, for just two days. The other trip to Savannah, Georgia, his hometown, in March 2019 was a brief day trip. Similarly, the June 2021 flight to San Jose, California, a town in Northern California, was only for a single day. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump threatened to fire his speechwriter in Apprentice-style as he discussed the merits of artificial intelligence (AI), and claimed to have previously used a computer-generated speech. The former president told Logan Paul that he had once had a speech rewritten in 15 seconds by an AI program, which he described as super duper. Trump made the remarks during a new interview with the social media personality and professional wrestler, during which the pair discussed aliens, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Elon Musk, chicken nuggets, and cereal, among other things. Asked about AI, the former president said: What it does is so crazy now, it can also be really used for good, I mean, things can happen. I had a speech rewritten by AI out there. One of the top people, he said: Oh, youre going to make a speech? He goes click, click, click and like 15 seconds later he shows me my speech thats written so beautifully. I said, Im going to use this. Asked what he had said afterward to his speechwriter, Trump replied, I said, youre fired! his catchphrase on the popular reality show The Apprentice, in which he selected a business partner from a group of contestants. The clip was shared on social media by the Biden-Harris campaign. Trump claims his speeches are written by AI, the campaign wrote. Other users were quick to jump in to poke fun at the clip. That would be my excuse too if I said this: one user wrote, posting the script of a previous Trump speech in which the former president had puzzled over whether it was better to be electrocuted or eaten by a shark. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Donald Trump unleashed an expletive-filled rant about the stock market not increasing enough when the first Covid-19 vaccine trials were successful, Dr Anthony Fauci has recounted. Fauci, one of the nations top infectious disease experts who helped lead the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic until through 2022, is publishing On Call: A Doctors Journey in Public Service next week. His chapter on working with Trump during the pandemic is aptly titled, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, according to The New York Times review of the book. Fauci wrote the former president directed expletive-filled rants towards him when the stock market didnt well enough to the Covid-19 vaccine: The president was irate, saying that I could not keep doing this to him. He said he loved me, but the country was in trouble, and I was making it worse, he continued. He added that the stock market went up only 600 points in response to the positive Phase 1 vaccine news, and it should have gone up 1,000 points, and so I cost the country one trillion dollars. Fauci noted Trump added an expletive to his rant. Anthony Fauci (left) and Donald Trump (right) speak. Fauci writes in a new book that Trump went on an expletive-filled rant directed at him during the pandemic ( AFP ) I have a pretty thick skin but getting yelled at by the president of the United States, no matter how much he tells you that he loves you, is not fun, Fauci wrote, per the Times. The physician also criticized Mike Pences support of Trump during the pandemic, according to the Times. Vice presidents are almost always publicly loyal to the president, Fauci wrote. That is part of the job. But in my opinion, Vice President Pence sometimes overdid it. During task force meetings, he often said some version of, There are a lot of smart people around here, but we all know that the smartest person is upstairs. Fauci notes other odd details about the former president, the Times reports, including that Trump once said he had never received a flu shot. When I asked [Trump] why, he answered, Well, Ive never gotten the flu. Why did I need a flu shot? I did not respond, Fauci wrote. Recently, Fauci was in the national spotlight again as he testified before a Republican-led Congressional committee about the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the public portion of the hearing, right-wing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene inexplicably accused the top infectious disease expert of practicing evil science, calling for Faucis license to be revoked. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The United States has imposed sanctions on an Israeli extremist group that has blocked and destroyed shipments of humanitarian aid meant to alleviate conditions in Gaza. In a statement, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US was sanctioning an organization called Tzav 9, which he described as a violent extremist Israeli group that has been blocking, harassing, and damaging convoys carrying life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Miller explained that members of the group have spent months seeking to stop needed aid from reaching Gaza by blocking roads between Jordan and Gaza, occasionally using violence while doing so. He also said the groups members have damaged aid trucks and spilled aid onto roads, including during an incident last month when group members looted and then set fire to two trucks near Hebron in the West Bank carrying humanitarian aid destined for men, women, and children in Gaza. Miller stressed that the Israeli government remains responsible for protecting humanitarian aid convoys as they bring vital assistance to Gaza during conditions that many have described as a famine. We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance. We will continue to use all tools at our disposal to promote accountability for those who attempt or undertake such heinous acts, and we expect and urge that Israeli authorities do the same, he said. The sanctions against Tzav 9 are being imposed under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden which gives the State Department the power to target entities found to be responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in actions including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank. Last month, the department imposed sanctions on a Palestinian group known as Lions Den, which is headquartered in the Old City section of Nablus. Miller noted that the group had claimed responsibility for a pair of shootings in the fall of 2022, including an October 2022 incident that saw bullets fired at a taxi driver as well as shots directed at a settlement called Har Bracha. The US has also sanctioned two Israeli settlers Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai as well as a pair of groups that raised funds for the settlers. Levi and Chasdai have been known to engage in violence against Palestinians living in the West Bank, according to the State Department. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy creditors accused the former New York City mayor of paying his girlfriend and her daughter rather than those who are owed money. Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December after a defamation case left him owing nearly $148m to two Georgia election workers. Lawyers for the Committee of Unsecured Creditors - basically those Giuliani owes money - are pleading with the court to appoint a trustee a move that the former mayor objects to. The disgraced ex-mayors court filings indicate that he is using his income to pay the salaries of his reported girlfriend and her daughter, referring to Maria Ryan, who co-hosted the newly canceled WABC radio show with Giuliani, and her daughter Vanessa Fenderson, the lawyers wrote. The filing noted Fenderson is a defendant in two criminal cases pending in Wake County, North Carolina. Public records show she faces drug-related charges. Regarding both women, the lawyers argued Giuliani has not provided information on their employment or related salary. Giuliani is using his income, an estate asset, is being used to fund their salaries, as employees... instead of distributions to creditors, the creditors lawyers wrote in the scathing filing. His estate should benefit from the work he actually does, not his girlfriend, his girlfriends daughter or any other third party, they added. Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy creditors accused the former New York City mayor of paying his girlfriend and her daughter rather than those who are owed money ( Getty Images ) The lawyers - who represent one of the two election workers Shaye Moss, Giulianis sexual assault accuser Noelle Dunphy and Dominion Voting Systems - urged the court to appoint a trustee due to Giulianis dishonesty, incompetence, gross mismanagement of his affairs and breach of fiduciary duty. This request is not meant to punish but to protect the creditors and the estate from the Debtor and the Debtor from himself, the lawyers added. Michael Ragusa, described by court records as Giulianis physical security person, told the New York Post on Friday that Maria Ryan and the former mayor were not dating. Dr Maria Ryan is Mayor Giulianis business partner and nothing more, Ragusa said. Any reports of her being his girlfriend are false rumors made up by the mayors enemies to damage his reputation and anyone associated with him. Court filings identify Ryan as the president of Giuliani Communications, the producer of Common Sense who oversees the advertisers and runs the podcast operation, and as having also worked for Giuliani Partners. Documentation from January showed that Giuliani paid parts of Ryans credit card bills. In April, the creditors subpoenaed her. Ragusa also told the outlet Fenderson has worked as a part-time secretary for the ex-mayor for more than five years. The Independent has contacted Ryan, a lawyer listed for Fenderson, and a spokesperson for Giuliani. The bankruptcy case is just one of the many legal battles that the former Trump attorney is involved with. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an Arizona 2020 election interference case. He has also pleaded not guilty to similar charges in the state of Georgia. Earlier today, he faced a minor legal victory: Hunter Biden is reportedly dropping his lawsuit against the former mayor over alleged violations of computer fraud and data access over Bidens infamous laptop. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Over twenty years ago, Holly Valance was starring on an Australian soap opera and topping charts with bubbly pop singles. Now, shes a top moneymaker for Donald Trump abroad. Valance, 41, just hosted a fundraiser for Trumps 2024 presidential campaign in London, with some tickets costing up to $100,000. Nigel Farage a long-time Trump ally and the leading conservative force behind Brexit was in attendance, alongside the former presidents oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. Only US citizens and permanent residents were able to make donations because of US election law that bans foreign contributions to campaigns. I would say that everyone starts as a lefty and then wakes up at some point after you start either making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, and then realize what crap ideas they all are, and then you go to the right, Valance told British outlet GB News earlier this month. Valances views include denying climate change the air is better than when I was growing up, she said and expressing disdain for woke-ism, the BBC reports. From left to right, Nick Candy, Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and Holly Valance pose for a photo at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate. Valance, a former pop star, just hosted a massive fundraiser for Trump in London. ( Twitter ) The pop star has also called climate activist Greta Thunberg a demonic little gremlin. Her husband, Nick Candy, is also a major conservative supporter, making large donations to the Tory Party, according to the BBC. The couple have been public supporters of both Trump and Farage since 2022. Valance has also claimed credit for encouraging Farage to run for office again as leader of the Reform UK Party. I have been whispering in his ear for a long time, she said, per GB News. Greg Swenson, a spokesperson for Republicans Overseas UK, a campaign group for Trumps party, told The Guardian the former presidents recent felony convictions have energized British supporters. Weve already noticed that people who were writing checks for $100 are now writing for $1,000, he said. The question is what it means for the independents and those who are undecided. Before her political days, Valance was a well-known TV and musical performer. Holly Valance, pictured, is a former pop star and actress. ( John Sciulli/Getty Images for Gday USA Gala ) At sixteen, she was cast on the Australian soap opera Neighbours, which she appeared in until 2022. She released her first pop single, Kiss Kiss in 2002. Her second single, Down Boy, topped charts in both the UK and Australia. She released several high-selling albums until 2004 when she stepped away from music. That year, she broke into US television with roles on CSI: Miami and Entourage. Since 2013, she has largely taken a hiatus from acting and music. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, reprimanded 192 of his Republican colleagues who voted in favor of restoring a Confederate statue, depicting a Black mammy, in Arlington National Cemetary calling the decision shameful. What is this rationale? Jeffries said in a news conference on Friday. In a time where America is facing a dangerous world with challenges all across the globe, to decide you want to restore a confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetary. On Thursday evening, the group of House Republicans, led by Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde, voted to restore the Reconciliation Monument as part of an amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. But the measure ultimately failed with a 192-230 vote. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, speaks at his weekly news conference, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 14, 2024 ( AP ) The statue, which was taken down in December, was commemorative of the Confederacy and features a Black mammy holding the child of a white officer. Black mammies were stereotypical portrayals of enslaved women in the American South who were depicted as happy and loyal to white families. What exactly is the confederate tradition that extreme MAGA republicans, in 2024, are upholding and you want to use the National Defense Authorization Act to turn back the clock on progress that has been made, Jeffries said on Friday. He added, Is it slavery, rape, kidnap, Jim Crow, lynching, racial oppression or all of the above? Jeffries specially called out his Republican colleagues from New York Anthony DEsposito, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams for voting in favor of the amendment. In the United States of America, its shameful, Jeffries said. The Confederate statue in Arlington was one of many around the country that were re-evaluated after a national push to remove or rename monuments that commemorate the Confederacy. The National Museum of African American History & Culture says that the presence of Confederate statues highlights the honor and virtue of the Confederacy and frames the Souths struggle as one against a federal government infringing on its rights while ignoring the key role that the issue of slavery played. Whats lost in this story is what the south was also fighting for: the protection of a true, white America, the museum says. Workers dismantle the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery December 20, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia ( AFP via Getty Images ) In response to Jeffries, Clyde released a statement saying it pains him to see the fabric of our nation unraveling and the history of our country crumbling by the day. Many founding principles and symbols that make the United States the greatest country in the world have been demonized to sow discord for nefarious political gain, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constituion. Clyde called the removal of the Reconciliation Monument a powerful example of this deliberate division. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, of Virginia, denounced his Republican colleagues attempt to hold onto a humilating portrayal of enslaved people. Today is not the 1920s, its not the 1950s, so its so disheartening to see a lost cause amendment come before the House in the year 2024, Beyer said. He added, An enslaved woman is depicted as a mammy. She is holding the infant child of a white officer, and an enslaved man is following his owner to war. It is very difficult to see how the humiliating portrayal of a slave woman and a slave man represents reconciliation. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hunter Biden is dropping his lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani and his former attorney over his so-called laptop from hell. Last year, Hunter sued Giuliani and his former attorney Robert Costello for alleged violations of computer fraud and data access over the notorious laptop left at a Delaware computer repair shop. The presidents son claimed that Giuliani, Costello and other unnamed people are among those who have been primarily responsible for what has been described as the total annihilation of Plaintiffs digital privacy. The first son accused them of violating computer fraud and data access laws. Information on the laptop which included purported emails, text messages and explicit photos later reached the public eye. Reviews from news outlets such as CBS News and The Washington Post revealed the data was authentic. Ever since, Hunters laptop has served as fuel for right-wing opponents and played a part in Bidens recent conviction on three federal gun charges. Now, Hunter, Giuliani and Costello have all filed an agreement to drop the case and will pay their own legal fees. As Giuliani is in bankruptcy and agreed to have the case waiting for when he is done, it made no sense to continue it in a non-bankruptcy court until that happens, a person familiar with the filing told NBC News on Thursday. The presidents son was initially seeking $75,000 in damages, which may have been difficult for the since-bankrupt Giuliani. Hunter Biden, pictured, is dropping his lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who recently declared bankruptcy ( Getty Images ) The former New York mayor declared bankruptcy in December after being ordered to pay two election workers after he pushed a baseless conspiracy over their part in the 2020 election. He has subsequently missed deadlines to file financial disclosures. Last month, the judge also blocked Giuliani from appealing a $148m defamation judgment against him. In the meantime, Giuliani has turned to other business ventures such as his new coffee company, Rudy.Coffee. He sells several variations, with tag lines such as fighting for justice with an image of Giuliani from his time as US attorney for the Southern District of New York and enjoying life, with an image of a flip-flop-wearing Mr Guiliani sitting on a beach. Rudy Giulianis new coffee product, pictured, comes as he faces a $148m debt ( Rudy Giuliani ) Hunters decision to drop the lawsuit also comes days after a felony conviction. On Tuesday, 12 Delaware jurors unanimously convicted Hunter on three felony gun charges, marking the first time a sitting presidents child has been found guilty of a crime. Special counsel David Weiss brought three gun-related charges against him last September, after the presidents son unlawfully purchased a firearm by lying on a federal gun form about his drug use. His sentencing on the federal case will come at a later date. The presidents son will also go on trial in September in California for nine tax-related criminal charges, three of which are felony counts. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Radio host and comedian Charlamagne tha God tried to illustrate his point that Republicans know how to talk like real people by giving Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a very backhanded compliment. Democrats have a problem. Its not their policies. Its not their fundraising, Charlamagne tha God claimed on Thursdays episode of The Daily Show. The problem they have is their messaging. After airing a few clips of Democrats bungled explanations of the importance of protecting reproductive rights, the comedian said: Before Democrats even worry about explaining their side of an issue, they need to learn something more basic: how to talk like real people. The show then featured clips of nut a** Republicans not mincing their words. There were riots burning down the f***ing country over George Floyd, Greene said in the clip. And Im sick and tired of the bulls*** annex I have to deal with constantly, she said, apparently pointing to her office. The comedian complimented her blunt language. I know Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Whole Foods Market. But thats authentic. Thats real America, Charlamagne tha God said. Thats what a Waffle House sounds like at 3am. Thats making a scene at Ann Taylor Loft because you cant make a return without your receipt. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) gestures as people wait for Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump to attend a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. ( REUTERS ) The radio host also joked that Congress could pay off the deficit by giving the Georgia firebrand a swear jar. To further illustrate his point, the late-night show aired a clip of Louisiana GOP Senator John Kennedy saying: The Biden administration sucks. That was followed by snippets of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump discussing his opposition party: Theyre communists. Theyre Marxists. Theyre radical Democrats. Theyre sick people. The comedian summarized his argument with yet another backhanded compliment: Folks appreciate when someone sounds authentic even when their ideas are terrible. Why is Waffle House America's late night fight club? | On The Ground Earlier this week, Greene was as blunt as ever when she compared the former president to Jesus since they are both convicted felons. A jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush money trial on May 31, when he made history as the first-ever former president to carry the label of convicted felon. Greene, a Trump ally, rebranded the guilty verdict into something positive. Speaking at a Las Vegas rally, she told the crowd: The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about, Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon. She continued: Well, you want to know something? The man that I worship is also a convicted felon. Greene then called it a bulls*** conviction. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} House Speaker Mike Johnson wants a federal court to enforce a subpoena against Attorney General Merrick Garland after the Department of Justice announced it would not pursue a criminal case him. The House disagrees with the assertions in the letter from the Department of Justice, and as Speaker, I will be certifying the contempt reports to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia. We will also move to enforce the subpoena of Attorney General Garland in federal court, Speaker Johnson wrote on X on Friday. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 216 to 207 to hold Garland in contempt for defying a subpoena for audio tapes from an interview with President Joe Biden, with only one Republican joining Democratic members in opposition, marking the House GOPs latest move in a flailing investigation into the president and his administration. Garlands responses to subpoenas issued by GOP-controlled committees which called on the attorney general to release audio recordings from Bidens interview with special counsel Robert Hur did not constitute a crime, the Justice Department wrote on Friday. House Republicans already have transcripts of the interview, which is also publicly available. In his letter to Speaker Johnson on Friday, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte stated the president had asserted executive privilege over the tapes, and that the decision was in line with how the Justice Department handled contempt resolutions against Garlands predecessors. Attorney General Merrick Garland. DOJ officials say they will not pursue a criminal case against him ( AP ) Consistent with this longstanding position and uniform practice, the Department has determined that the responses by Attorney General Garland to the subpoenas issued by the Committees did not constitute a crime, and accordingly the Department will not bring the congressional contempt citation before a grand jury or take any other action to prosecute the Attorney General further, Uriarte wrote. In his social media post on Friday, Speaker Johnson argued the DOJs response was a sign of a two-tiered system of justice. It is sadly predictable that the Biden Administrations Justice Department will not prosecute Garland for defying congressional subpoenas even though the department aggressively prosecuted Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro for the same thing, he wrote. The circumstances of those cases are quite different from the current dispute with the attorney general. In January, Navarro, the former Trump administration trade advisor, was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas issued by the January 6 investigation in Congress. Investigators were seeking more information about his involvement in efforts to challenge the 2020 election, including a call with Trump about a plan to persuade state officials to push back against the official election certification. Navarro argued he was directed by Trump to claim executive privilege, but a judge found he hadnt done enough to prove this assertion. In 2022, Bannon, a former Trump advisor, was found in contempt of Congress, after he refused to sit for a deposition and provide documents to the committee regarding his involvement in the Trump campaigns 2020 pushback efforts. He argued he was protected by executive privilege, and wanted a Trump lawyer with him before testifying. Courts have rejected these arguments, finding that Bannon was a private citizen, after being fired from the Trump administration in 2017, by the time of his conduct at issue. In a statement earlier this week, Garland said it was deeply disappointing the House turned a serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon. The vote disregards the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Departments need to protect its investigations and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the Committees, he added. According to a memo from the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, because the committees have the transcripts of the special counsels interviews, the needs the committees have articulated for the recordings are plainly insufficient to overcome a privilege claim grounded in these important separation of powers concerns. The audio recording will not reveal any information relevant to the committees stated needs that is not available in the transcripts, the memo reads. The departments decision effectively closes that case over a contempt charge by the House ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Republicans voted overwhelmingly late last year to launch an impeachment inquiry against the president, largely, at Donald Trumps request. Theyre all part of a cult and they just try to please the leader of the cult Donald Trump, according to Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee. McGovern also noted that House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan did not comply with a congressional subpoena related to a select committees investigation into January 6 and the attack on the Capitol. House Oversight Committee chair James Comer denied that the vote against Garland had anything to do with Trumps visit to the Capitol this week. The Democrats continue to prove theyre not serious about oversight or accountability, he told The Independent. Additional reporting by Eric Garica Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Republican Senator has spent seven figures on a campaign ad touting his support for in vitro fertilization despite the fact that on Thursday, he voted against legislation that would have protected access to treatments. Senator Rick Scott of Florida is running for re-election in Florida. He faces a somewhat competitive race against former Democratic congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. On Friday, he announced an ad touting his support and his personal connection to IVF. In the ad, he notes how he is a grandfather of seven grandchildren. But sometimes families need help, he said. Millions of babies have come into this world through IVF, in vitro fertilization. In fact, our youngest daughter is receiving IVF treatments right now hoping to expand her family. The ad is the Scott campaigns second as part of a seven-figure statewide ad buy, according to the Scott campaign. But Scott, along with almost every other Republican voted to block the passage of the Right to IVF Act, Democrats legislation to protect access to the fertility procedure. Only two Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined the Democrats to vote on the bill. Scott and the 48 other Republican senators signed a letter saying they supported IVF and criticized Democrats, who they said are fearmongering about IVF. Senate Democrats have embraced the Summer of Scare Tactics a partisan campaign of false fearmongering to mislead and confuse the American people, the letter read. In vitro fertilization is legal and available in every state across our nation. We strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF, which has allowed millions of aspiring parents to start and grow their families. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has staged a series of votes on legislation on everything from protecting access to contraception to access to IVF. Scott told The Independent last week that Schumer did so for campaign purposes and that his efforts at legislation have no chance of passing. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas had proposed their own legislation on IVF, which Democrats opposed as insufficient. I think what you see is Democrats continuing to fearmonger on this very issue, Britt told The Independent. The vote comes after Alabamas Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are classified as children, which led to three of the largest IVF centers in the state pausing coverage. This was seen as a result of the overturn of Roe v Wade. The end of federal abortion rights led many to worry that access to contraception and to fertility treatments could be impacted, as they have been in Alabama. Katie Hawkinson contributed to reporting Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor ripped into a ruling that lets gun owners turn semi-automatic firearms into machine guns, seven years after a man fired off more than 1,000 rounds at a Las Vegas concert with a bump stock-equipped AR-15 rifle in 10 minutes. Bump stock devices were later banned under then-President Donald Trump, but the high courts conservative majority now puts them back in civilian hands, Sotomayor wrote in a desenting opinion released on Friday. The courts ruling eviscerates federal law and casts aside the plain meaning of machinegun under Congress, she wrote. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Reversing a ban on bump stocks will have deadly consequences, she added. Justice Sonia Sotomayor ripped into a ruling that lets gun owners turn semi-automatic firearms into machine guns saying it could have deadly consequences ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The 1934 National Firearms Act bans parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. But under the 6-3 opinion written by conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, a bump stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle is not a machinegun because it cannot fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger and even if it could, it would not do so automatically. The majoritys artificially narrow definition hamstrings the Governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter, Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, which she read from the bench inside the court on Friday. This is not a hard case, she wrote. All of the textual evidence points to the same interpretation, She blasted the conservative majoritys interpretation for seemingly ignoring common sense and instead relying on obscure technical arguments, requiring six diagrams and an animation to decipher the meaning of the statutory text. Gun reform advocates also slammed the ruling in Garland v Cargill, warning that the court opened the door for more mass violence. A gun salesman demonstrates a bump stock on an AR-style rifle in Virgina. On June 14, the US Supreme Court reversed a federal ban on the devices. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Supreme Court has put countless lives in danger, according to a statement from Everytown. Congress can and should right this deadly wrong by passing bipartisan legislation to ban bump stocks that has already been introduced in the House and Senate. Reversing a ban on bump stocks means an attack of this level could happen again, said Moms Demand Action, referencing the Las Vegas massacre. There have been more than 200 mass shootings in the US this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks incidents in which four or more people are killed or injured from gun violence. Following the ruling, President Joe Biden demanded Congress enact legislation that would formally ban bump stocks, and to reinstate an assault weapons ban a plea he has made dozens of times since taking office to no avail. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump continued his internet clout-chasing campaign for the presidency with an appearance on Logan Pauls podcast, where he raised baseless claims about the 2020 presidential election and his felony convictions, said he will end Russias war in Ukraine, and repeated his campaign rally promises on immigration. The social media influencer and professional wrestler, whose IMPAULSIVE podcast draws millions of listeners, also asked the convicted former president about aliens, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Elon Musk, artificial intelligence, chicken nuggets and cereal. Trump gifted Paul and his co-host Mike Majlak with a T-shirt featuring his mugshot with the caption never surrender the photograph he took when he surrendered in Georgia on charges connected to a sprawling election interference scheme. It happened, you might as well monetize it, Paul said. Trumps appearance friendly and non-confrontational, leaving plenty of room for him to ramble without interruption opened with false claims about the 2020 election, attacks on CNN (the enemy), and a chat about the UFC, before Trump pivoted to his son Baron, Mike Tyson and wrestlers, and whether he has ever been in a fist fight. Probably not, he said. The former presidents camp requested the interview, according to a source familiar with the plans. Pauls team also has requested an interview with President Joe Biden. Trump on his campaign and felony convictions Paul suggested Trump had become a martyr after a jury in New York found him guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records on May 30. Why do you have the desire to give your time and energy to a country or a system thats trying to take you down? he asked. In a rambling response, he claimed that he had a terrible result in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost, and what happened was disgraceful and we cant let it happen again. He repeated his false claim that millions of people are emptying out of prisons and mental institutions to come to the US, and that Biden is the worst president weve ever had. Trump on debating Biden Trump said its important that he face Biden in a presidential debate, with the first planned for June 27 on CNN. Yep, Ill accept, he said. You dont even have to tell me that. Lets see what happens. I used to get along with Jake Tapper. Well see what happens. But it doesnt matter. Trump on Russia Trump repeated his claim that Russias assault in Ukraine would have never happened if he were president. Its just a shame. All so many dead people. You look at just the soldiers, its a half a million soldiers between the both countries.. But so many dead people, so many towns and villages and buildings and all, I mean magnificent culture just being wiped out, he said. He claims that he got along very well with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky. But I was tough with him, he said about Putin. According to Trump, after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Putin looked at that, he said, Well, lets go in. Trump on the US-Mexico border The former president claimed to have fixed the southern border, that it was in really good shape when he left office, and drugs were at the lowest point in years. His administration expelled the vast majority of people arriving at the border, and Trump and his allies have floated military intervention and the death penalty to combat drug trafficking and the rise of fentanyl. They give the death penalty in China, you sell drugs. I said, Id like you to give the death penalty to people that are making fentanyl and sending it over to our country. And he was going to do that. And then we had the election result. And of course Biden never picked up that conversation, Trump said. So we have to be very tough on the border, added Trump, who raised his baseless claim that people from jails and prisons and mental institutions were arriving at levels that nobodys ever seen before into the US. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Wednesday, the day before former president Donald Trump paid a visit to Capitol Hill, Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas were on the floor debating their legislation to protect access to IVF. The two Republicans one a rising star in the party who is the youngest female Senator, the other a firebrand conservative who is trying to rebrand himself as a consensus builder as Texas gets purpler proposed the legislation in response to Democrats teeing up their own vote on legislation. Cruz and Britt were trying to make the argument that Republicans like them arent against the fertility treatment, all while avoiding voting for a Democrat-led law. But just as Britt and Cruz were speaking, the Southern Baptist Convention voted on a resolution that denounced IVF. Their denunciation was based on the practice normal during IVF treatment of creating multiple embryos that could be potentially used in the future but many of which could be destroyed. Democrats only began talking about IVF after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling classified frozen embryos as children under state law. That Alabama ruling mentioned Dobbs v Jackson, the US Supreme Court ruling that killed Roe v Wade, which came because of Supreme Court justices that Trump nominated and Cruz voted to confirm. The whole episode shows how almost two years after the Dobbs case, Republicans have still not figured out how to talk about abortion and there are few signs they will figure it out soon. As Inside Washington reported on Thursday, Trump talked with congressional Republicans about abortion when he appeared on Capitol Hill, but only spoke in platitudes. Representative Nancy Mace, a pro-Trump Republican, said that Trump talked about exceptions for rape and incest and the life of the mother, but apart from that was low on specifics. In April, he gave a mealy-mouthed, meandering statement on Truth Social where he refused to support a national abortion ban and essentially said the issue should be left to states. That infuriated some conservatives. Similarly, Trump tried doing an abortion two-step earlier this week when he delivered a pre-recorded address to a forum held by the Danbury Institute, which denounces abortion as child sacrifice. The former president notably did not use the word abortion in his address at the conference. But one of the speakers there, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Dr Albert Mohler, said that IVF had caused the alienation of reproduction from the conjugal setting and wanton destruction of babies. Such open hostility toward IVF from the second-largest denomination in the United States behind only Roman Catholicism shows that Democratic attacks about Republicans dont come out of thin air. They are rooted in explicit opposition from a denomination that counts many Republicans as its congregants. But Trump has not given Republicans marching orders about how to discuss the issue. Indeed, Kevin Hern, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest subgroup in the House GOP, told The Independent that Trump did not bring up IVF at all when he spoke to Republicans. Thats a misstep, because party members need some instruction in how to talk about it. The Republican Study Committee has explicitly endorsed the Life Begins at Conception Act, which says that the right to life is guaranteed in the US Constitution at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, which would also endanger IVF. So other Republicans claiming they support the treatment at the same time is extremely confusing. For the record, the RSC is not a fringe group. House Speaker Mike Johnson led the group at one point and he is a co-sponsor of the Life Begins at Conception Act. Republicans still find themselves lost at sea when it comes to talking about IVF or abortion rights. This gives Democrats an opening even in states where they have not been competitive in a long time. In Florida, the state supreme court allowed for a six-week abortion ban to go into effect but also allowed for a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution to move forward. Democrats hope this can help them knock off Senator Rick Scott, who has never lost a race in Florida since he ran for governor but failed to flip a single seat as National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman last cycle, largely in response to Dobbs. Scott, a self-funded businessman and an ally of Trump, announced a seven-figure ad buy talking about his support for IVF and the fact his daughter is undergoing IVF treatments. The ad announcement came after he voted against the legislation to protect IVF on Thursday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has revealed whether he believes in UFOs during an interview with social media personality Logan Paul released on Thursday. While the former president said he doesnt personally believe in UFOs, he acknowledged the growing contingent of people in- and outside of government who believe aliens exist might have a point. Trump described meeting with military pilots who had strange encounters with unidentified anomalous phenomena, as the government refers to them. I met with pilots, like beautiful Tom Cruise but taller handsome perfect, people. Sir, there was something there that was round in form and going like four times faster than my super jet fighter plane, Trump recalled being told. And I looked at these guys and they really mean it. Am I a believer? No, Trump continued. Probably I cant say I am. But I have met with people that are serious people that say theres some really strange things that they see flying around out there. Donald Trump talked UFOs and a whether he believes they exist when he sat down with Logan Paul for an hour-long interview. ( Impaulsive/YouTube ) The former president then joked that hes more unconcerned about illegal aliens, a derogatory name for undocumented migrants, than space aliens. When you say aliens, I say, Are they illegal aliens? Trump told the podcast hosts. These [UFOs] might be illegal, but we dont want to test them. Trump said hes constantly asked by members of the public about aliens and legendary incidents like the 1947 UFO sighting in Roswell, New Mexico. You have no idea how many times Im asked that question, he said. In April of 2020, during the final year of the Trump administration, the Pentagon released a series of videos of military pilots encountering UAPs. It followed up the release with a futher bundle of videos the following year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pope Francis has warned world leaders that artificial intelligence (AI) must never be allowed to gain the upper hand on humanity as he became the first pontiff to address the G7. After being wheeled around the huge oval table where the worlds top leaders had convened in southern Italy, the 87-year-old said AI represented an epochal transformation for mankind, one that could inspire excitement but, equally, cause greater injustice. He then implored the politicians around him, who he said bore the main burden of ensuring AI is used to benefit humanity, to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the supercomputers. We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines, he said. We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programmes: human dignity itself depends on it. He added that no machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being. Pope Francis greets US president Joe Biden before a working session on artificial intelligence ( AFP/Getty ) The historic speech followed a warm reception for the pontiff at the G7 summit in Bari, southern Italy, attended by leaders from the US, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was among the 10 additional leaders invited by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. Javier Milei, the Argentine president, hugged his fellow countryman as Pope Francis entered the conference room, while Canadian PM Justin Trudeau kissed him. US president Joe Biden also shared a long, whispered conversation with the pontiff. In a draft of their closing statement, the G7 leaders said they would draw up a plan to anticipate future skills and education needs to take advantage of the pending AI revolution. They also vowed to take action and remedy ongoing harm to address unfair" business practices by China that were undermining their workers and industries, according to the draft statement, They called on Beijing to refrain from adopting export control measures, particularly on critical minerals. The draft summit stressed that the G7 was not trying to harm or thwart Chinas economic development but simply level the playing field. The G7 nations also pledged to take action against Chinese financial institutions that helped Russia obtain weaponry for its war against Ukraine. Earlier this week, the US imposed fresh sanctions on China-based firms supplying semiconductors to Russia. China is not supplying weapons but the ability to produce those weapons and the technology available to do it, so it is, in fact, helping Russia, Mr Biden told reporters at the Italian summit on Thursday after signing a security pact with Mr Zelensky. Also during the first day of their meeting in southern Italy, the G7 nations agreed on a deal to provide $50bn (39bn) of loans for Ukraine backed by interest from frozen Russian assets, hailing the accord as a powerful signal of Western resolve. In the draft, G7 leaders said they wanted to inflict further costs on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and also promised sanctions against entities that helped Russia circumvent restrictions on its oil trading by transporting it fraudulently. However, Ms Meloni ran into choppy waters over the handling of sensitive social issues in the statement summing up the work of the G7. No direct reference to abortion was made in the final communique, with Italy refusing to bow to French pressure to include the word. The draft also sparked accusations of watering down support for LGBT+ rights compared with the statement issued at the previous meeting in Japan. Italy said it was a diplomatic storm in a teacup and argued that the G7 had not changed its stance on either issue. Premiers also discussed immigration, a crucial issue for Ms Meloni who is pushing Europe to help her curb illegal flows from Africa and who has launched a flagship plan to boost development in the continent to tackle the root cause of the departures. Many of the leaders, including Mr Biden, were scheduled to leave late on Friday, and Ms Meloni said they had already agreed on the summits conclusions, to be approved at the end of the day. On Saturday, there will be room for bilateral meetings for those staying on, ahead of a final press conference from Ms Meloni. Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Before flying to Italy's southern Puglia region to meet world leaders at the Group of Seven summit, Pope Francis hosted a very different audience at the Vatican on Friday celebrating the importance of humor. The pontiff welcomed more than 100 comedians from 15 nations, including U.S. celebrities Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert and Conan OBrien. In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles, Francis told the comedians. You unite people, because laughter is contagious, he continued, asking jokingly, Please pray for me: for, not against! Francis pointed out that in the creation, Divine wisdom practiced your art for the benefit of none other than God himself, the first spectator in history, with God delighting in the works that he had made. Remember this, he added. "When you manage to bring intelligent smiles to the lips of even a single spectator, you also make God smile. Whoopi Goldberg, centre, leaves after an audience with Pope Francis in Clementine Hall ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Francis also said it was OK to laugh at God in the same way we play and joke with the people we love. After delivering his speech, Francis greeted all the comedians individually, sharing laughs and jokes with some of them. It was great, it was very fast and really loving, and made me happy, Goldberg said afterward. OBrien noted that the pope spoke in Italian, so Im not quite sure what was said. To be in that room and to be with all my fellow comedians, some of whom Ive been good friends with for many years, in that environment, was quite strange," the TV host added. "All of us were thinking, how did this happen? Why are we here, and when are they going to throw us out? Chris Rock, left, and Conan OBrien arrive for an audience with Pope Francis in the Clementine Hall at The Vatican ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Colbert admitted his Italian is really bad, I would like to speak it better. But he managed to remind the pope that he had done the audiobook for his memoir. It was wonderful, hell never forget me, he joked. Later on Friday Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address a Group of Seven summit, warning world leaders that Artificial Intelligence must never be allowed to get the upper hand over humanity. An array of global chiefs warmly embraced the 87-year-old pope as he made his way around their huge oval table, pushed in a wheelchair as age and infirmity limit his mobility. Pope Francis greets US President Joe Biden Biden ( AFP via Getty Images ) The pope said AI represented an epochal transformation for mankind, but stressed the need for close oversight of the ever-developing technology to preserve human life and dignity. No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being, he said, adding that people should not let superpowerful algorithms decide their destiny. We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines, he warned. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pope Francis has held a conclave of the comedians with 100 of the worlds top comics at the Vatican. Star names such as Stephen Colbert, Conan OBrien, Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Rock were among the invited guests. More than 200 people were in the audience at the Apostolic Palace, with comedians coming from 15 countries. Stephen Colbert, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon were among those to meet Pope Francis ( Getty ) In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles, Pope Francis told the gathering. You unite people, because laughter is contagious, the pontiff said. Pope Francis has previously spoken about the importance of comedy, saying he prays daily asking God to grant him a sense of humour, and he mentioned the fact that he had done so for 40 years to the gathered audience. The event, jointly organised by the Vaticans Dicastery for Culture and Education and Dicastery for Communication, was intended to establish a link between the Catholic Church and artists. Whoopi Goldberg leaves after an audience with the Pope ( AP ) While communication today often generates conflict, you know how to bring together diverse and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you! Pope Francis said. He added that it was OK to laugh at God in the same way we play and joke with the people we love. At the end of his address, he asked the audience to pray for him, not against and drew a laugh from the crowd. Stephen Merchant, writer and director of The Office, was the only British comedian to attend the audience. Father Teds Ardal OHanlon made up the Irish contingent, with the largest group two-thirds of the participants coming from Italy. Pope Francis has previously spoken of how comics have the ability to dream up new versions of the world, and often do so with irony, which is a wonderful virtue. Catholic comedian Stephen Colbert joked about the invitation on his late-night chat show ahead of the event. Pope Francis shakes hand with Jimmy Fallon ( Getty ) Pope Francis is going to meet me at the Vatican! he told his audience. Am I excited? Is the pope Catholic? Colbert lovingly warned fellow attendee Chris Rock, by joking about the infamous Will Smith slap during the Oscars. Chris, please for safetys sake I would just keep Mary Magdalenes name out of your mouth. Because the Pope wears a big ring! Seinfeld and Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus was asked about being invited to meet the Pope, and replied: I have no idea what to expect. If you know, tell me... The Pope wants to meet? Im like, sure! Whoopi Goldberg met the Pope during an audience at the Vatican last year, even offering Francis a cameo in Sister Act 3. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Last month, when Google held the I/O event during which it revealed the products it has coming next year, it wrapped up with a joke about how many times it had said "AI". A huge board next to chief executive Sundar Pichai proclaimed that the "AI count" was 121, which worked out at more than once per minute. When Apple came to its own version of that event the Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, held this week its count was a lot lower. Even though it had been billed as Apple's big moment to reveal its work on AI, it seemed as if it didn't want to say it. Apple has long been resistant about using the word AI, or artificial intelligence. At last year's WWDC, when the post-ChatGPT AI hype was in full swing, it conspicuously refused to use the word. Instead, it favoured the (more specific) term "machine learning", or just explaining what its new features would do, rather than how they would do it. This time around, Apple couldn't not say AI and artificial intelligence. It has spent the last year been hectored by investors, users and commentators who say it is in danger of falling behind and losing ground to competitors such as Google, and if it had refused to say the word again then it risked the wrath of the stock market and tech press, if not its customers. It did still sort of refuse to say it. It remade the initials of AI into "Apple Intelligence", it continued to say machine learning when it could, and at times it revealed features that must be powered by those technologies but just introduced them as being clever and proactive. Part of that may be that Apple feels a little irritated by the common suggestion that it has missed out on AI. At the event, Apple software boss Craig Federighi said that there are already 200 different machine learning models running on the iPhone; its hardware has been built with devoted AI processors long before that was much of a selling point. It has seemed at times to have marketed its features too well. As AI has moved to become a marketing term, it missed out though it has now feels as if it has moved back towards being a turn-off, it might be glad of that fact. At last years WWDC, when the clamour for Apple to announce its own AI tools was already loud, the hype around the technology was unmissable. But this years conference was preceded by major AI slip-ups by Microsoft, OpenAI and Google, and a technology that was once usually criticised for being too powerful has come to seem a little tawdry. At times, Apple seemed to set itself explicitly against the AI industry. It described the new features as "AI for the rest of us" a reference to the tagline for the original Macintosh in 1984, which called it the "computer for the rest of us". As it did then, Apple hopes to take a technology that seems distant, difficult and dangerous and make it useful to the world. It is notable that even at its big AI event, Apple did not choose to turn AI into a product. It has spent the last few years pushing heavily into services, and artificial intelligence does require servers and other costs, so Apple could easily have said that it needed a monthly subscription. (It will make money from it, however; Apple Intelligence requires the A17 Pro chip that is only found in its most expensive iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.) That might reflect another separation from the rest of the AI industry: Apple could be concerned that people, inspired by either apathy or antipathy, will not pay up for those features. Instead, Apple is turning them into things that people will pay for useful tools, rather than intriguing technology. It also opted to allow other companies to provide the more speculative, less useful parts of AI technology, announcing that OpenAIs ChatGPT would be integrated into the operating system. It chose that because it is the best of the large language models available today, but did not rule out further integrations, such as Googles Gemini or even models aimed at specific uses, such as one specifically made out to help out with medical questions. Apple never really wanted to be an AI company; it just wanted to be a company that used AI. Even still, it feels as if it is being forced to say words that it doesn't really want to. Over the last couple of years, that has meant that it has been attacked as being behind the state of the art. It used this week to show that it wasn't behind the AI industry but it did show that it wants to be a little outside of it. A version of this article originally appeared in the IndyTech email newsletter. You can sign up here. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Microsoft will delay Recall, a controversial AI feature that recorded everything people do on their computers. The company had announced the tool alongside its new Copilot Plus PCs, and said that it was a useful way of allowing those computers to understand what their owners had done. That would help artificial intelligence offer new tools, it said, since it would have the ability to bring up anything that had been seen on the computer. It would give computers a photographic memory, Microsoft said during its release. That would be a step towards an AI that would instantly see us, hear, reason about our intent and our surroundings. Instead, however, it only led to outrage about the privacy and security implications of those recordings. They would represent an invasive and dangerous set of information for anyone who managed to get hold of them, critics argued. That led Microsoft to announce that it would ship the feature, which had originally been turned on automatically, as opt-in. It also said that it would add new security protections. Now it says that it will delay its release. When it does launch, it will do so as a preview as part of the Microsoft Insider Program, which allows keen users to sign up to receive features early. We are adjusting the release model for Recall to leverage the expertise of the Windows Insider community to ensure the experience meets our high standards for quality and security, Microsoft said. This decision is rooted in our commitment to providing a trusted, secure and robust experience for all customers and to seek additional feedback prior to making the feature available to all Copilot+ PC users. The preview will launch in the coming weeks, it said. Microsoft will then make it available for all of its new AI focused PCs, but it gave no indication of how long that might take. Its OK to make fun of God as long as the joke is not offensive, Pope Francis said on Friday in a special audience with about 100 comedians, actors and writers from around the world. Those meeting him at the Vatican included US celebrities Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Conan OBrien, Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert. Around two-thirds of the guests were Italians. Can we also laugh at God? Of course, its not blasphemy, we can, just as we play and joke with the people we love, Francis said. The pontiff made the remarks after himself coming under fire, and apologising, for the use of an insulting word towards gay people. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Is the summer finally going to arrive next week? After a dire start to the year weather-wise, many Britons were hoping things would pick up going into the summer months. But June has so far failed to deliver, with plenty of rain and a lack of sunshine dampening spirits across the country through the first two weeks of the month. Dr Robert Thompson, a meteorologist from the University of Reading, told The Independent that while it has been slightly colder in June, the conditions were not uncommon. It feels cold at the minute, but June can be a very variable month and so the temperatures we have seen are not that unusual, he said. He said that the milder conditions have been driven by a change in the jet stream, bringing weather systems in from the Arctic. There is, however, hope for sunseekers and those who prefer warmer conditions. Dr Thompson says the mercury should start to rise next week. From next week we should start to see temperatures return to average for this time of year, he said. File photo: People try to stay out of the rain in London ( Getty Images ) With the jet stream a core of strong winds blowing from west to east located further south than normal for this time of year, cooler winds from the Arctic region have led to lower temperatures across the UK so far in June. But this will change as the stream eventually moves northwards, with it also bringing higher pressure across England and Wales. Dr Thompson also explained that, while many have felt the weather has been particularly poor lately, only three out of the past 12 months have been colder than average. Overall, temperatures this summer will end up above average, he believes, after the UK recorded its warmest May on record. Things are changing with global warming, he added. A spokesperson for the Met Office told The Independent that temperatures across the UK for June were between three and four degrees below average. The next week will remain unsettled, they said, before the warm weather will return. Met Office outlook for the next five days Friday Showers continuing to affect most areas through this evening and overnight, with longer spells of rain possible across northern Scotland and then later in the night across Northern Ireland, Wales and southwest England. Chilly under any longer clear spells. Saturday After a chilly start for some, Saturday promises to be a day of sunny spells and showers, these locally heavy, with a continued risk of thunder. Still feeling rather cool. Sunday to Tuesday Sunny spells and scattered showers on Sunday and Monday, these locally heavy, but some places staying dry. Tuesday mainly dry for all. Feeling warm in the sunshine with winds easing. On 9 June, Jordan Bardella, leader of Frances far-right National Rally, addressed an enthusiastic and jubilant audience with remarkable composure and confidence. A sea of young faces stood cheering, waving flags and soaking in his every word. At 28, Bardella, a Frenchman of Italian descent (his maternal family immigrated to France in the 1960s), gave an impassioned speech underscoring the partys commitment to closed borders. In the wake of the European Union election result which saw his party secure over 31.4 per cent of the vote and 30 seats in the European parliament, its success, he said, heralded a new hope for France. It was enough to jolt Emmanuel Macron into swift action. Despite having three years left of his presidential term he called a shock snap election. His was a different hope. A hope, he said, that when the time comes, men and women of goodwill who will say no to extremes will come together. This turned out to be a clever tactical move and Frances far-right National Rally lost out to a hastily built left-wing coalition, but what is certain is Bardellas leadership seems to have played no insignificant part in propelling his partys popularity. In the space of a few days, he had become the poster child of how the far right has captured the hearts and minds of a new generation. And as Germanys anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) celebrates a historic success with its first win in a state parliament election since World War Two, it is clear that a new mood is building across Europe and it is the young who are driving it. National Rally president Jordan Bardella chimes with a young population who feel disillusioned and underserved ( AP ) The AfDs gains were especially large among young voters. According to initial reports, in Thuringia the party finished first with 37 percent support among 18- to 24-year-olds, an increase of almost 20 percentage points compared to its result in the previous state election in 2019. Historian Enzo Traversos 2018 book The New Faces of Fascism aimed to shed light on the evolving demographics of the Europe-wide movement. His initial observations seem prescient today: young men aligning with a modernised far right which seeks to mask its ideological extremism and present a less menacing facade. Bardella typifies this as a young male politician whose rhetoric around racial purity, xenophobia, and an ultranationalist France-first vision for his country, chimes with a young population who feel disillusioned and underserved. Traverso asked whether this phenomenon constitutes a new form of fascism, one that can be characterised as a terrorist movement with aspirations of European domination. I believe it is now safe to agree with this assessment. The footprints of this kind of radicalisation among the young in Europe were visible over a decade ago. My research into the now-convicted and defunct neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn in Greece gave a first hint at what was coming. Economically challenged and socially deprived, a lack of trust in mainstream parties drove a significant portion of young Greek voters to lurch to the far right. From the chaos of Grexit which preceded Brexit in 2015 and never came to pass, but shook the country to its core nevertheless, emerged the far-right nationalist party Golden Dawn. Between 2020 and 2021, I spoke to many young men aged 18-40. Men like Lefteris* who was drawn to the appeal of the movements leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos and his rhetoric of national pride. He, like many of the men I met, believed that only Golden Dawn could rescue the nation from moral collapse. The way they talked was sincere but deeply unsettling to any student of the rise of Nazi Germany. The young men I interviewed had been drawn to Golden Dawns emphasis on masculinity and its strong national values resonated with them. They were indifferent to the partys neo-Nazi affiliations and the involvement of some members and MPs in criminal activity which linked them to the murders of two young left-wing activists. Some even dismissed these incidents as conspiracy theories, despite the party being found guilty of operating a criminal organisation in 2020, resulting in the imprisonment of seven of its leaders. Supporters of the Golden Dawn in 2014. The party morphed into the Spartans, securing seats in the Greek parliament last year ( AFP/Getty ) By 2023, a spin-off of Golden Dawn emerged under a new alias. To the surprise of many, the Spartans party, which put candidates forward just two weeks before the June general election, captured enough votes to win 12 seats in the Greek parliament. The majority of its supporters were male, with over 16 per cent of Greeks aged 16-44 casting their ballots in its favour. Many pointed to the notions of ultranationalism and white purity and the partys appeal to a youth who felt like they werent being offered any other solutions to their problems. Revelations that a former MP of Golden Dawn, Ilias Kasidiaris, had orchestrated the partys affairs from prison, aiming to resurrect a neo-Nazi criminal organisation within the Greek parliament, mean that the party has subsequently been banned. However, the reasons behind this pull to the extreme right linger everywhere. The far-right Portuguese party Chega is now the third-largest in the country ( EPA ) In Germany, in 2019 only 5 per cent of the youth vote supported the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD); however, in the EU election, that figure surged to 16 per cent despite the partys alleged involvement of its members in neo-Nazi activities. AfD state leader of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, is considered one of the most radical representatives of his party. He has repeatedly used Nazi rhetoric and was found guilty in court twice in 2024 alone for using a banned Nazi slogan at his campaign events. The handful of ex-servicemen gathering on the beaches of Normandy for this years 80-year D-Day commemorations was a poignant reminder of how the living memory of the fight against fascism is fading. What is emerging in its place is a picture of young adults, often college-educated, embracing the beliefs that so many of their grandparents generation gave their lives fighting against. Nearly 40 per cent of voters aged 18-24 in France and 20 per cent of the same demographic in Spain cast their ballots for the far right. Portugal too has witnessed a surge for the far right, represented in the Chega (Enough!) party with the support of many young voters establishing it as the countrys third-largest party. The rise of the Reform party in the UK also shows how far-right thinking is shaping mainstream politics in a very real way. Could Reform influence the future of conservatism in the UK as some are suggesting? Will it matter that, as was reported by The Times in June, close to one in 10 candidates for Nigel Farages party in England were friends on Facebook with Gary Raikes, a former organiser for the British National Party? Raikes founded the New British Union in the image of Oswald Mosleys British Union of Fascists, with a horde of young male activists calling themselves Blackshirts behind him. According to Professor Paula Surridge, deputy director of the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, men aged 25 or under were more likely than those in their forties and fifties to consider voting for Reform. Nigel Farages Reform party has gained a substantial popularity on social media ( PA ) This appeal to the young may be due to far-right parties becoming highly adept at communicating their messages through polished graphics and meticulously curated content. AfD consciously targeted young voters on Tik Tok with simple and emotional messages around loss of identity that are easy to understand. With over a million followers on TikTok, Bardella consciously avoids overt extremist symbolism or language. TikTok videos arent about policy discussion, they are about creating a vibe or feeling that resonates; through this, the parties set out their stall. And we can see how effective this shift right can be in the beaming face of Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni as she hosted the G7 in Puglia earlier this year. Her party the far-right Brothers of Italy was handed a convincing win in the recent European elections and, unlike many Western European leaders, she was emboldened not shaken by the vote. Sources in Brussels suggested that Meloni now sees herself as the European kingmaker, touting herself as the future face of the centre-right. While such claims are audacious and downright chilling, the blame shouldnt fall on young voters for choosing Meloni but rather on a panicky centre-right for embracing ideas that contradict its own principles of liberal conservatism and so normalising extreme views for a new generation. Looking the other way: leaders at this years G7 in Italy ( AP ) For years, the far right has employed fearmongering tactics to propagate dangerous conspiracy theories, such as the alleged replacement of the white population by Muslims or the denial of climate change. In an attempt to stem the flow of supporters to far-right parties, centre-right factions have adopted this rhetoric and blurred ideological distinctions as they do so. Now dubbed the culture wars, once far-right agendas now permeate the mainstream and the public begins to prioritise these issues over other policy-related concerns and efforts to address critical issues facing communities. Far-right leaders across Europe now seem ready to influence public policy significantly, having secured over 20 per cent of the seats in the European parliament. The new mood after the EU elections in June vividly illustrated by celebratory gatherings observed in Germany, France, and Italy. A close colleague of mine based in Germany noted that Europe now feels unsettlingly similar to the 1930s. While this might be an overstatement, the rise of the far right does share disturbing similarities with the pre-Second World War era, including its focus on migration, gender issues, and other societal debates. And while far-right parties may be being stopped from gaining absolute power by coalitions, their grass root popularity shows just how close a far-right golden dawn could be for young men looking to leaders offering a terrifying new vision of hope. *Name has been changed Georgios Samaras is an assistant professor of public policy at Kings College London and author of Opening the Floodgates of Hate: An Investigation into Golden Dawns Online Extremism Badly needed vote of confidence in the office market will see the US financial services giant move all of its staff to the new office on Sir John Rogersons Quay US financial services giant BNY is to move its Dublin staff into a brand new Liffeyside office in Dublins south docklands. The New York-headquartered firm has agreed to take four floors of the ultra modern eight-storey Shipping Office on Sir John Rogersons Quay. The deal, which follows reports that tech giant Apple is also seeking space for hundreds of staff in the city, will be seen as a much-needed vote of confidence in the capitals recently moribund commercial property sector. BNY already operates an extensive operation out of two offices on either side of the Liffey, as well as in Cork and Wexford. The deal with Marlet Property Group will see it move all of its Dublin staff into the Shipping Office, where it will have space for up to 800 people. Staff were informed of the move expected to happen in mid-2025 at a meeting on Thursday afternoon by the firms Ireland country manager Paul Kilcullen. BNY has signed a lease for four floors of The Shipping Office on Sir John Rogersons Quay in Dublin, said Mr Kilcullen, who also serves as BNYs CEO of Funds Services Ireland, in a statement. Ireland is a key location for BNY, and our high-performing teams in Dublin will come together in one office in a prime location at the heart of the citys international financial services centre. Mr Kilcullen said that the deal would provide the firm with a state-of-the-art environment that will further elevate the experience for our clients and enhance our culture, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. We expect to move into our new space around mid-2025. Built by developer Pat Creans Marlet Property Group on the site of a former shipping company office, the building in total is 177,000 sqm. Last July Marlet finalised a 102m refinancing facility with Cheyne Capital Real Estate after it completed the building. BNY is 30 years in Ireland since opening its first office in 1994 and last year launched its Global Digital R&D Hub in Dublin to drive innovation in data analytics as a way to identify trends to advise BNY clients globally. The announcement of the Dublin office move comes in the same week that the 240-year-old financial services company launched an updated brand, changing from BNY Mellon to become BNY. Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham on hitting it off and playing a father and daughter their new film Treasure Fry and Dunham star in the surprisingly funny new film about a father and daughter who explore their Polish roots Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry at the 74th Berlinale International Film Festival. Photo: Getty Paul Whitington Fri 14 Jun 2024 at 03:30 You wouldnt automatically put Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham together, but they make a winning double act in Julia von Heinzs Treasure, a funny film with deadly serious subtexts. Dunham is Ruth, an earnest New York music journalist who has come to Poland with her dad Edek (Fry) to visit the land of his birth. Edek survived the death camps but while Ruth is keen to dig down deep into all that familial misery, visit the family home seized by the Nazis and make a pilgrimage to Auschwitz, her dad is having none of it. Finally. After a month of pleading from fans across the globe, the Kabin and Lisdoovarna Crew, the tween rap collective based in Cork City, has released their much anticipated single The Spark on all streaming platforms. The group, who already has more than 155,000 listeners on Spotify, stepped into the spotlight after the song was released on YouTube last month. The video, which was shot in one day on the top-deck of the 202 bus, Cork venue The Pavilion and the Kabin, has since then amassed over 1.7 million views on the platform. The viral video was directed by Cork-native Sean Downey. It was produced by Garry McCarthy (GMC beats), the creator of the Rhyme initiative. The song was written during weekly sessions at the Kabin studio, based in Knocknaheeny in Co.Cork. The Kabin studio is a youth music space supported by Music Generation Cork City. TikTok users from Dublin to Brisbane have commended the Irish kids ability to single-handedly produce the song of the summer. Irish social media personalities such as Jedward and DCU-graduate James Doyle (@Protein Bor Papi) have both featured the song on their accounts with captions expressing surprise that the track could be as well-produced as it is. Outside of Ireland, the hit has reached the stage of American comedian Taylor Tomlinsons late-night show After Midnight who referred to it as a sick party anthem. When I heard it was a bunch of Irish tweens techno rapping. I didnt think it would be good. And its not. Its great. However, this is not the Kabin Crews first release onto platforms. Indeed, their first track Ya Boy was released in 2020, performed well and was featured in the short movie Christy. The song was produced by GMC Beats and mixed by Doug Schadt (Alaska by Maggie Rogers). Ya Boy visuals were developed by Brendan Canty, to whom we owe the video for Hoziers chart-topping 2014 single, Take Me to Church. Although it is making waves and pushing boundaries of what rap can be, it is unlikely that this is the last we will be hearing of The Kabin and Lisdoovarna Crew. The expansion of the Rhyme Island initiative, started by Garry McCarthy, will peak during the Rock the Block Festival this Saturday, June 15 in Knocknaheeny, Co. Cork. Inside the Belgian farm where caesareans are the norm, not the exception This farmer explains why the Belgian Blue breed is so popular in Belgium, even though its double muscling makes calves too large to be delivered naturally he feels the 145/hd procedure is money well spent given the beef benefits Thibault Desmedts on his farm in Belgium. Ciaran Moran Fri 14 Jun 2024 at 08:39 For the majority of Irish farmers, the idea of performing a caesarean section on a cow is fraught with stress it is considered a last resort. A fire in the crypt of St Michans Church in Dublin this week that destroyed several ancient mummified remains is not the first time the landmark church has suffered a devastating blow. The latest incident occurred at around 4.30pm on Tuesday at the Dublin 7 church which has served parishioners for more than 300 years. The church was first founded at the site in 1095. Residents living in disability centres have said that changes in staff impacts their feeling of safety, according to a new report. Residents interviewed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said they prefer having regular staff to care for them as opposed to agency staff drafted in randomly by centres. Others said they felt staff dont have time to respect us and they are too busy doing paperwork." The comments came from a Hiqa report after inspectors met with 88 residents in 15 face-to-face resident forums across Ireland to hear about their experiences of living in residential services. The meetings took place in 2022 to gain an insight into the experience of living in disability centres. Overall the responses were positive but they also revealed how rules vary between centres and how they would like to make more of their own decisions. Some remarked on the amount of paperwork staff have to get through saying that "years ago, there was one report at night-time. Now theres loads, a big long thing. I have to give staff credit, they are working top to bottom to do what Hiqa tell them. There were also differing experiences around autonomy with one person saying that "we picked our own paint colours for bedrooms and bed clothes, one person said. But another said: "when I moved house the managers came and talked to me. They found us a house but never asked us if we wanted to live there. Asked about visits by Hiqa inspectors, they were told that "when they know Hiqa are coming, they get maintenance in to do all the jobs. When we ask it takes weeks. Hiqa's deputy chief inspector of social services, Finbarr Colfer, said: One of the most important sources of information which informs how Hiqa does its work is feedback from people with disabilities who live in designated centres. Residents rights were a focus for us throughout all of our work in 2023, and we asked them about their rights during the forums. We also asked residents about their experiences of the provision of respite care, Hiqa inspections, safeguarding and how information was shared with them. Overall, their feedback remind us about the importance of human rights-based approach in services. Residents described their rights to us as to be happy, being respected, independence, or treated equally. The voice of the resident guides our extensive work in promoting a better health and social care in Ireland. Tanaiste and party leader Micheal Martin (centre) with Billy Kelleher (left) and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork Grace O'Sullivan at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork during the count for the European elections. Photo: PA The Green Party suffered a further blow in the European elections yesterday with the elimination of its second sitting MEP from the race to return to Brussels. Grace OSullivan followed fellow incumbent Ciaran Cuffe in being ruled out of the race for a seat in Ireland South. The departure of Green MEPs in Dublin and Ireland South adds to Eamon Ryans woes which saw his party lose half of its seats on local councils. The Green leader sought to blame his partys electoral misfortunes on attacks levelled at his candidates by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael during the campaign. However, Green Party candidates across the EU fared badly in the election, held every five years. There was success for Fianna Fail with Billy Kelleher in Ireland South securing a return to Brussels on the 18th count thanks to more than 12,000 transfers when Fine Gael candidate John Mullins was eliminated. Mr Kelleher celebrated with his staff and party leader Micheal Martin at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork where counting was held. It is emotional to be adjudicated by your peers and to be found to be in good stead with them is a huge honour, Mr Kelleher said. Mr Martin said theres a real prospect of Mr Kellehers running mate Cynthia Ni Mhurchu taking a second seat. Suffice to say the Fianna Fail campaign was around the idea that we need to send serious, committed, pro-European Union candidates; be critical yes, but pro the union, he said. Independent TD Michael McNamara, Sinn Feins Kathleen Funchion and former property developer Mick Wallace were all in contention for the final seat yesterday evening. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail was on course to take a seat in Midlands-North West for the first time in more than 10 years. Offaly TD Barry Cowen is expected to get a seat after Fianna Fail ran a three-candidate strategy. Niall Blaney was eliminated early in the day and was expected to be followed out of the race by Mayo-based senator Lisa Chambers. Fine Gael were well-placed to return sitting MEP Maria Walsh and former jockey Nina Carberry is also in the hunt. Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan topped the poll and will return to Brussels for a second term after he was elected late on Thursday evening.. Independent Ireland candidate and former broadcaster Ciaran Mullooly was also in the mix for a seat. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin was eliminated on the 19th count after securing more 56,000 votes. Ireland South MEPS elected: Sean Kelly (FG), Billy Kelleher (FF), Michael McNamara (IND), Kathleen Funchion (SF) and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (FF) Midlands-Northwest MEPS elected: Luke Ming Flanagan (IND), Barry Cowen (FF), Maria Walsh (FG), Nina Carberry (FG), Ciaran Mullooly (Ind Ireland)Dublin MEPS elected: Barry Andrews (FF), Regina Doherty (FG), Lynn Boylan (SF) and Aodhan O Riordain (LAB)Outgoing MEP Mick Wallace loses his seat in Ireland South on Thursday evening MEP Billy Kelleher chats to a garda as he arrives at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork for the latest count in the Ireland South constituency, where he is likely to be re-elected. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Minister Eamon Ryan (left), Taoiseach Simon Harris (centre) and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have all played down the prospect of an early general election (Damien Storan/PA) Candidate Luke Ming Flanagan is still in the lead (Niall Carson/PA) Taoiseach Simon Harris with Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar (Conor McKeown/PA) A days-long marathon election count has ended with the election of three MEPs in the final region to declare. Fianna Fail has doubled its presence in the European parliament, with Fine Gael on four seats down one from its previous showing in 2019. Sinn Fein has increased its European representation from one to two, while Labour holds one seat, the Independent Ireland party claimed one and two non-party aligned independents fill the remainder. In the early hours of Friday morning, the constituency of Midlands-Northwest elected Fine Gaels Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh as well as Independent Ireland candidate and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly. It followed shortly after the election of Fianna Fails Barry Cowen, while left-wing independent Luke Ming Flanagan was the first candidate over the line in the constituency on Thursday. It was the last constituency to declare in the European Parliament elections. Ireland South elected Fine Gaels Sean Kelly, independent Michael McNamara, Sinn Feins Kathleen Funchion as well as Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu. Cynthia Ni Mhurchu celebrates being elected to the Ireland South Constituency Dublins electorate selected Fianna Fails Barry Andrews, Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan, Fine Gaels Regina Doherty and Labours Aodhan O Riordain. Five MEPs have lost their seats throughout the entire process: Sinn Feins Chris MacManus, Greens Grace OSullivan and Ciaran Cuffe as well as independents Mick Wallace and Clare Daly. Voters headed to the polls last Friday to pick 949 local councillors, 14 MEPs and the countrys first directly elected mayor. Results from the three elections have been seen as a political boon for coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, while the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, has initiated a review after performing well below its own expectations. Fianna Fail has emerged as the largest party in local government after all seats in Irelands local election were filled. In the local elections, both main Government parties attracted around 23pc of first preference votes, representing a slight drop on their 2019 result. Fianna Fail had 248 seats on councils, with Fine Gael close behind on 245. Sinn Fein was on 102 while 186 seats were held by independents. Sinn Fein has increased it share of councillors, but party leader Mary Lou McDonald has admitted the result fell below their expectations. The popular vote of 12pc is a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the main opposition party which emerged from the 2020 general election on 24.5pc. Meanwhile, the Labour party is down one to 56 councillors, the Green Partys support fell to 26 council seats while the Social Democrats share rose to 35. The number of Independent councillors has also increased. Fianna Fail will be tied with Fine Gael in terms of political representation at the European Parliament, despite the latter ending the elections with one fewer seat. Sinn Fein has also increased its share of MEPs, and is hopeful for an additional seat through Ms Gildernew. The results have fuelled speculation that the Government may look to call a general election earlier than the current projected timeline of spring 2025. However, the leaders of all three coalition parties, Mr Harris, Mr Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, have all insisted they remain committed to the government going full term. For her part, Sinn Fein leader Ms McDonald, who is facing questions over her stewardship of the party, has struck a defiant tone, urging Mr Harris to bring it on and call an early election. With the election of TDs to the European Parliament, there will be a need for several by-elections in the coming six months. That has added to speculation that the Government may seek an earlier general election, rather than fighting several potential by-elections only months before the Dail is dissolved. Midlands-Northwest The five-days-long Midlands-Northwest count at TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar came to an end in the early hours of Friday morning. The final three seats of Midlands-Northwest constituency have been filled by Fine Gaels Maria Walsh, Nina Carberry and Independent Ireland candidate Ciaran Mullooly after the 21st count. The exciting five days count saw a long of wait for the first election which concluded on Thursday with independent candidate Luke Ming Flanagan topping the poll in 19th count results while Barry Cowen (FF) got elected in the 20th count becoming the second candidate to pass the quota. A further redistribution of Luke Ming flanagans surplus votes decided the fates of remaining four candidates, three of whom were elected while Sinn Feins Michelle Gildernew had to be eliminated. The last three candidates were elected without reaching the quota with Maria Walsh (FG) having 100781 votes, Nina Carberry (FG) having 98872 votes and Ciaran Mullooly (II) having 88177 votes. Sinn Feins Michelle Gildernew and Chris MacManus call for an early general election Champion Jockey and businesswoman Nina Carberry has secured the second seat for Fine Gael in the constituency and will join party colleague Maria Walsh in the European Parliament. In her address to the audience present at count centre Nina thanked her voters and supporters for the faith they have showed in her. She said: Many people think I dont have anything to give, but thats not true. I have a lot to do and I am ready for my work in Europe. I am looking forward to working with Maria and I think we will make a great team to deliver for the constituency. Independent Ireland candidate Ciaran Mullooly said he will have a specific focus on regeneration of rural Ireland. He said: The farming and rural issues are very high on my agenda. We have a huge decline in population across the country in towns and villages. We have issues there and we need to focus on them. I will also be focusing on improving the livelihood of people both in urban and rural areas across Ireland. The results of Midlands Northwest constituency remained disappointing for Sinn Fein as the outgoing MEP Chris MacManus lost his seat. The second candidate Michelle Gallagher remained a big challenge for Ciaran Mullooly but she lost the run in the last count. Taoiseach Simon Harris arrived at TF Royal Hotel in the last hours of count to meet Fine Gaels Nina Carberry and Maria Walsh. Speaking to the media he expressed excitement at the incredible results in local elections of Mayo county council and the European elections. He called it absolute nonsense that the two Fine Gael MEP candidates are being described as celebrity candidates by many people. He said: Nina Carberry is not a celebrity; she is a champion. Using a little less pejorative language would be useful, when you have so many award-winning people who run businesses or who write books, joining an experienced MEP. This is an incredible ticket of two female MEPs being elected in Midlands Northwest and I am extremely proud of them. I think the people of Midlands Northwest are also proud of them and thats why they exceeded all expectations of all pandits who yet again got it wrong in predicting what people of this constituency would do. Ireland South In Ireland South, the final three seats were filled on Thursday afternoon as Michael McNamara (IND), Kathleen Funchion (SF) and Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (FF) were elected as MEPs. Sitting MEP Mick Wallace lost his seat. Counting in Ireland South ended after a gruelling five days which saw Sean Kelly (FG) top the poll in the first count while Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fail) had to wait until count 18 to be the second candidate to pass the quota. Upon the redistribution of Grace OSullivans votes, Ni Mhurchu confirmed her lead over Wallace, who lost his seat in the European Parliament. McNamara, Funchion and Ni Mhurchu were elected without reaching the quota. Mary Lou McDonald celebrates with Kathleen Funchion after being elected as an MEP for the Ireland South constituency Former RTE broadcaster Cynthia Ni Mhurchu secured a second seat for Fianna Fail and will join running mate Billy Kelleher in Brussels for the next five years. The barrister and mediator, who hosted the Eurovision Song Contest alongside the late Gerry Ryan in 1994, said she plans to have the celebration of all celebrations for her 58th birthday tomorrow. It is magnificent. I am going to celebrate like there is no tomorrow. The celebrations wont last a day. They will last many many days. Ms Ni Mhurchu said that she has enjoyed every minute of meeting with would be voters over the last few months. I have relished every day of the campaign meeting people. I am a people person. The campaign was run in a very organised way but also in a very human way. We did get a chance to engage with people, to meet with groups, to meet with politicians, councillors and families and to go in to schools. It was a very positive campaign. Her priorities going forward include protecting rural communities, encompassing farmers and business people. Dublin Finally, the Dublin counts concluded on Tuesday afternoon with Fianna Fails Barry Andrews, Fine Gaels Regina Doherty, Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan and Labours Aodhan O Riordain all elected as MEPs for the Dublin constituency. All four confirmed their places in the European Parliament after they were the only candidates left remaining in the field after the 19th and final count at the RDS centre in Dublin. Independent Ireland candidate Niall Boylan was the last to be eliminated from the closely fought contest. A male convicted by a jury of raping a 14-year-old girl at a north Down beauty spot was jailed for 18 months today. The male who was aged 16 at the time of the rape, who stood trial as a youth and who cannot be named due to his age will spend an additional two years on licence when he is released from Hydebank Young Offenders Centre. During the sentencing at Belfast Crown Court, it emerged that despite the jurys guilty verdict following a trial in April, the male continues to deny raping the girl. Saying the males behaviour towards his young victim displayed a sense of entitlement and sexual aggression, Judge Mark Reel described the incident as a rape of a child by another child. During the trial, the jury was told that the 14-year-old victim was raped in a wooded area at Helens Bay and was left with multiple cuts and abrasions to her legs. On the afternoon of July 17, 2021, she and a group of friends boarded the train from Belfast to Helens Bay. She consumed alcohol that day and at around 8pm she began walking with others back from the beach to the train halt when she was approached by the male, who, prior to the incident, had sent her sexualised messages. The male, who had been at Helens Bay with another group of friends, grabbed her from behind and guided her off the path and into woods. The 14-year-old girl told him to F*** off and that she didnt want to do anything sexual with him. However, he proceeded to push her into bushes, forced her onto the ground on her front and raped her. When the complainant gave evidence at the trial, she recalled the incident. Describing the male as three times my size, she said she kept saying No. She also explained that her legs were being stung by nettles. I couldnt fight him, she told the court. I was saying no but he told me to shut up. I was shouting at him to get off me. I kept saying no and that I didnt want this. The jury heard that the victim told the male no at least seven times" and that she was face down the whole time. She said the incident lasted around ten minutes and that it left her with multiple cuts all over her legs. The jury also heard that after the sex attack ended, the young girl, shocked, then got up and walked to the train halt. She said that after getting on the Belfast-bound train, she noticed the male was on the same train. She also said that after getting off the train at Lanyon Place, she told two of her friends what had just happened. The complainant said how it properly hit me the next morning what had happened, adding that the male messaged her on Snapchat telling her to get the morning-after pill. She said this message disgusted her, adding that, upon reading it, I thought: You just raped me. I didnt reply and I havent spoken to him since. At the sentencing, Judge Reel said the males version of events at the trial, where he claimed the sexual activity was both consensual and instigated by her, was a dishonest account. Judge Reel revealed that when the male was interviewed about the rape, he admitted to police to having had 12 previous sexual partners. He said that after reading a pre-sentence report compiled on the male by the Probation Board, it was clear he continues to deny rape. Judge Reel added that despite the Probation Board concluding that there was a low likelihood of the male re-offending, they note that they have to do a lot of work with him in terms of sexual and non-sexual relationships and personal development. Turning to the teenage victim, Judge Reel said she has been significantly harmed by what happened to her in July 2021. He continued: Since the incident, she describes a multitude of adverse impacts upon her day-to-day functioning caused by this rape. This, he said, included her schoolwork and sleep pattern being affected, re-living the experience, feelings of anxiety and the heavy toll the trial process had upon her". Judge Reel also spoke of feelings of vindication that the jury believed her and returned a guilty verdict. He also expressed the hope that she can succeed in her future. Judge Reel then addressed the male as he stood in the dock: Your offending is so serious that neither a fine nor a community sentence can be justified and only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate. He imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, comprising 18 months in custody followed by two years on licence. The male, who was placed on the sex offenders register when he was convicted by a jury in April, was also made the subject of a five-year sexual offences prevention order. Public patients are continuing to pile on to hospital waiting lists in large numbers as queues for surgery and appointments with a specialist grow. It comes as the first hospitals to roll out virtual wards where patients are monitored at home were announced. The number of public patients waiting for a first appointment to see a specialist has risen since the beginning of the year with 595,388 in the outpatient queue at the end of May compared to January. There has been a increase in the numbers waiting for an inpatient or day case treatment during the same time up from 86,288 to 87,709. There was a very slight fall in waiting lists of public patients needing a gastrointestinal scope down from 24,268 to 24,140, according to National Public Treatment Fund figures. It comes on the back of ongoing pressures on hospital emergency departments and a shortage of beds. which can mean scheduled care is postponed. The virtual wards, for patients who should be in hospital but are monitored digitally at home instead, was announced today for cardiology and respiratory patients of St Vincents Hospital and University Hospital Limerick to help free up space. The HSE said it offers a safe and efficient alternative to hospital stays, supporting patients who prefer to receive expert hospital care, monitoring and treatment in their own home. "The service will be introduced in the two hospitals later this month. Professor Richard Greene the HSEs chief clinical information officer said: Virtual wards are a new health innovation that has emerged internationally, which supports the remote care of patients who would otherwise be in a hospital bed. "In the initial stages, the service may be offered to suitable patients who are admitted to hospital with a respiratory or cardiac condition and are medically stable but require ongoing monitoring and care. Central to the national virtual wards programme is the empowerment of patients to be active partners in managing their health and wellbeing. Patients remain under the care of the consultant-led team that provided their care in the hospital and will have a dedicated team monitoring their care 24/7, while they are in the comfort of their own home. Meanwhile the pattern of high numbers coming on to waiting lists is continuing this year. According to the Department of Health at the end of May there were 705,237 patients on the total hospital waiting lists, 5,222 fewer than this time last year. Removals from the waiting list are 5,100 higher than target however the numbers coming on the lists are 20,000 above the expected level. This results in the waiting list being 14,900 above target year to date. In the earlier part of the year, hospitals experienced increased pressures in urgent and emergency care, with significant increases in emergency department attendances compared with the same period in 2023, said the department. Increased pressure in urgent and emergency care can impact on the availability of access to scheduled care. Both the HSE and the Department are monitoring these activity metrics and the associated targets from its 2024 waiting list action plan compared to 2023 outturn. This will have a consequent impact on referrals to inpatient and daycase lists, but through increased activity and productivity measures, the number of patients on these lists who are exceeding the Slaintecare wait time targets is targeted to decrease by 10pc. "Slaintecare targets say patients in need of inpatient, day case or a scope should be seen in twelve weeks while the target for an outpatient appoint is ten weeks. It said that many individual hospitals have delivered impressive reductions in both their waiting lists and waiting times. For example, in Cork University Hospital, the outpatient rheumatology waiting list has reduced by 55pc from April 2023 to April 2024 and an additional 237 patients have been seen year to date. In Galway University Hospital, an additional 752 patients have been removed from the endocrinology waiting list year to date, and the waiting list has reduced by 73pc from April 2023 to April 2024. Also, additional staffing is in place to enhance capacity to support Gastro-Enterology GI Scope services in St Vincents Hospital, which has committed to removing 3,000 patients from the Gastro Enterology waiting list annually. The waiting list has reduced by 91pc since April 2023 from 471 to 43 patients at the end of April 2024. The HSE is currently working to replicate the impact of these initiatives across all hospitals, it added. There has been widespread condemnation of the sickening and abhorrent abuse of horses, which has promoted calls for immediate action and accountability. Government ministers and opposition TDs criticised the appalling footage which was shown in a TV documentary investigating the mistreatment of horses in Co Kildare. Serious animal welfare abuses were uncovered in the RTE Investigates documentary which aired on Wednesday night. It also revealed that illegal methods were used to launder the identities of horses at the site in Irelands only equine abattoir. The welfare abuse was filmed in a building used by Shannonside Foods Ltd in Straffan. Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said the Irish public were left distressed and appalled by the footage. This country has a great love for horses. I know those with special needs and autism and the comfort and support they get from horses. Many people refer to them as angels with hooves, and they demand respect and care, Mr Doherty told the Dail. What was reported last night demands immediate action and it demands accountability. Mr Doherty questioned how officials from the Department of Agriculture, who work on the site on days that horses are slaughtered, were not aware of the mistreatment. It has been uncovered that approximately 2,000 horses were slaughtered at Shannonside Foods Ltd in Kildare last year alone, with two thirds of them bred for the horse racing industry, he said. The Department of Agriculture have said that they have staff on the premises during which those horses are slaughtered at the site. They also tell us that there were no welfare issues noted on the days when this mistreatment took place. A question that so many people are asking this morning is how this mistreatment happened under the very nose of the Department of Agriculture. What is clear is that the law has been broken. The question must be asked whether the supervision of this site was adequate when the cruelty and the abuse taking place literally a yards throw away from the slaughterhouse in which the department official was sitting in and supervising. Finance Minister Michael McGrath said he was also sickened and appalled by the mistreatment of beautiful animals. I think its important to say that theres no question that the treatment that we witnessed last night is not representative of the wider equine industry and is not representative of the love and care that owners of horses display every single day for their animals around this country, the Cork TD added. The Government unreservedly condemns the scenes we witnessed and the full force of the law will be applied where breaches are proven in the court of law. There were a number of wider issues that came to the fore in the programme, in the context of traceability, the misuse of microchips, and indeed, fake passporting in respect of horses. That does raise concerns about public health, as well as animal welfare. If animals ended up in the European Union food chain that shouldnt have because of chemicals that had been injected into them previously, that is a cause of real concern. It was evident last night that the European Commission are very actively working on this issue. Labour TD Duncan Smith told the Dail that the current system is broken and being abused. This is a sector that receives gigantic levels of funding from the Exchequer through a ring-fenced statutory fund. But we now have a clearer sense of the murky and illegal practices that are going on, Mr Smith added. The system is clearly broken and being abused and all under the nose of the Department of Agriculture. The safety of the human food chain is not being taken seriously. The only conclusion to be drawn from using false microchips and spray paint to change the hair colour is that these animals wouldnt pass otherwise. Human health is being put at risk and horses are being abused. What emerged last night raises serious questions for the Department of Agriculture and for Horse Racing Ireland who appear to be asleep at the wheel. Earlier, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said those responsible will face the full rigours of the law. Horse Racing Ireland said it will actively support the Department of Agriculture and garda investigations, and urged anyone with information about mistreatment of horses to report it. Mr McConalogue said an investigation has been launched into the incidents alongside the gardai. The scenes we saw last night and the treatment of those horses was abhorrent and distressing. Horses are beautiful, sensitive animals and that was absolutely unacceptable, he said. Its certainly not representative of the way that people across this country and those in the industry treat and care for their horses. We already have commenced an investigation in the Department of Agriculture. Weve also requested all of the footage that RTE has, and any other evidence as well to make it available to the investigation team. Obviously, I would avoid saying anything that might be prejudicial to the conduct of that investigation. But I can assure you and I can assure the public that this will be fully investigated, and that the full rigour of the law will be applied here. The law is adequate but what we saw last night was not lawful, and it was breaches of the law. The minister said there are strict laws in place around the management of what enters the human food chain. He said that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation. Animator Carole Fannon and her siblings all lived together in the thick of the action in D2 Asking price: 450,000 Agent: Kelly Bradshaw Dalton (01) 8040500 Living in the heart of the nightlife crucible that is Dublins Temple Bar has proven to be a ball for Carole Fannon and her two older siblings. The Roscommon family have long co-owned a period second-floor apartment looking straight down on the areas titular pub in what is essentially the hub of the capitals tourist haven and its temple of the bars. Illustrator and animator Carole Fannon. Photo: Bryan Meade From the kitchen window theres always something to see. Theres always something happening. The trick is not to stay staring too long or theyll eventually look up and catch your eye, says Fannon, an illustrator and screen animator who has been somewhat responsible for Dangermouse and more recently has worked on the US animated hit sitcom Grimsburg starring Jon Hamm. The family moved to their second-floor apartment on the corner of Temple Lane over what is now a busy restaurant back in 2003. My brother John had just started working in Dublin in tech and my older sister Mary was studying graphic design in Ballyfermot. I came up to Dublin to join her at Ballyfermot to do animation. There are two sets of windows My parents were getting anxious at the prospect of three of us renting separately and that this was dead money. So my dad started gently pushing us towards buying somewhere together. He put up the deposit and we started looking. We found our apartment in a small ad in the Irish Independent. I can remember when we walked into the living room and I just sat on the sofa and said, Im home! For three people in their 20s it was the perfect place to be, right at the centre of everything. I moved straight from a rural farm in Roscommon to the centre of Temple Bar. It was such a contrast. It was amazing! My mother was delighted that we were all living together in Dublin as a family. Some of us werent so keen at first. A view onto the street Many will wonder how anyone can live and indeed sleep in Temple Bar with all that noise going on into the wee hours? But their apartment comes with its own special noise numbing system. It actually has two sets of windows. So you have the original sash windows and then inside them you have another modern set overlaid. The only sound that gets through that is the beer keg deliveries in the mornings but that never bothered us. Temple Bar always has something going on So initially John got one bedroom and the girls got the other. Around that time he was doing a lot of classes, in pottery, in massage and sometimes hed bring the whole class back for coffee. Wed laugh at that as they all trooped up the stairs because, of course, it was mostly all girls. Eventually John moved out and Mary was delighted at the chance to get her own room. But two days after she moved into it our oldest brother Luke landed back from Australia with his girlfriend and they took that room. So Mary was back sharing with me. Carole started dating her now-husband Sean, from Sweden, after he followed her home from their college and used a stick to reach the doorbell to the apartment in the inner hall through a gap in the front door. A view of the open plan living/dining room He told me he had called in to borrow some animation paper. Later Marys husband Cormac ended up living there too. We were like something out of The Brady Bunch, laughs Carole. Eventually all of the siblings established their own lives and moved out. Since then, the apartment has been rented, producing a good income for the family. Carole adored her 10 years living here. I just walked out my door to the bus stop nearby for college. My office is just up the road. If we saw people having a good time down below at the bar, wed just go down and chat. Sometimes if we had no money, wed fill a glass with beer in the apartment and just go down and mingle in with the crowd below. We met so many people over the years. We used to come across hen parties and then join in. The study The Georges Street to Camden Street stretch nearby was where we mostly socialised with great pubs like Hogans and Whelans and all the places to eat. The only downside of living here was having to stand in the cold or the rain with your friends while they tried to get a taxi home. Since buying the apartment, the family have refurbished it, installed a new kitchen, upgraded the bathroom and put down a new floor. Accommodation includes two double bedrooms, a study, a bathroom, a kitchen and a big, open-plan living room/dining room with a period chimney piece. The apartments fitted kitchen Marys husband Cormac is fond of his mid-century furniture and Caroles husband Sean was able to tap into an invaluable source of it in Sweden. Thats how the interiors get their classic mid-century look. Its harder to get that furniture here, but its no problem getting it over there. The only problem was getting it back here. So has Temple Bar changed in the two decades since Carole and her siblings moved in? Believe it or not, its much quieter than it used to be. Particularly after Covid-19. But there are some signs lately that it might be sparking up again. The dining area Now the siblings are grateful to their dad Tommy and their late mum Anna for pushing them to buy all those years ago. I thought Id live here forever, says Carole. Its sort of sad because this apartment always linked us all together. It gave us a reason to be in touch and it was something we were all involved with. But we have all moved on in our lives and given present market prices we decided it would be as good a time as ever to sell. On the doorstep is Smock Alley Theatre, the New Theatre, the Button Factory, the Project Arts Centre, the Irish Film Institute, The Workmans Club, Irish Photography Centre, the Ark Childrens Cultural Centre, the Arthouse Multimedia Centre and Temple Bar Gallery and Studios. And of course the Temple Bar Pub itself. Kelly Bradshaw Dalton seeks 450,000. We need to come up with a better method of counting ballot papers. The reason? Some ballot papers are too long and cumbersome to handle, take up too much space both in the ballot box and count centres and have an environmental impact A possible solution is to use both sides of a ballot paper to cater for large number of candidates and to develop an electronic method to scan ballot papers. This is different to the electronic voting machines piloted in 2002, which was a failure unfortunately. Surely scanning casted ballot papers is possible now with improvements in IT technology? Maybe AI could be adopted, adapted and applied. Richard Whitty Swords, Co Dublin Sinn Fein missed open goals in the election and got result it deserved The biggest takeaway from the recent local elections is the current electoral acceptance by the Irish voter of the Fianna Fail-Fine Gael alliance. Sinn Fein blew every open goal in front of it. The recent referendums, housing, migration, rent, the Justice Minister. The main opposition party never read the room. Every decision seemed predicated on what the establishment and media commentators wanted. Courting big business and the influencers led the party away from its core support. Sinn Fein paid the price and lost my vote. A campaign poster with the leaders picture bore the slogan Change starts here. Might not be the worst place to begin the rebuild from. John Cuffe, Co Meath Democracy is alive and well in the State and we must be grateful for this There was a niceness about the local and European elections. It reflected perhaps how generous the voters appeared to be to all candidates spreading the love down the line. From looking in at the count centres you could see how democracy in Ireland is vibrant and decent. There were lots of Cheshire-cat smiles beaming at the cameras. Our politicians, local representatives and campaign workers went about their business in good spirits. It is never easy to lose and there is no doubt we have been fortunate with those who have worked for us at local and European level. To single out two who bowed out: Ciaran Cuffe was very generous in defeat and spoke well, and Europes loss will prove Irelands gain; Clare Daly, who in defeat could still manage a cheeky smile when declining with gusto an RTE interview. But well done to all for putting themselves out there. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 Hourihane wins my vote with her critique of RTEs coverage of the elections Ann Marie Hourihanes amusing and sharp-as-a-tack review of the weekends TV and radio election coverage had me laugh out loud (Repetition, sweating correspondents and tiny pie charts: why is RTEs televised coverage of election results so terrible?, Irish Independent, June 12). However, I would beg to differ about her praise of David McCullagh. Very good he may be, but sometimes when interviewing hapless politicians he can resemble a teacher looking down at a naughty schoolboy. Perhaps some in RTE need to remember that no one ever voted for them. Karl Martin, Dublin 13 Aer Lingus owes the pilots for their sterling service and should pay them well The ongoing pay dispute between Aer Lingus and its pilots, erupting into the heart of the holiday season, is absolutely disgraceful. Hard-pressed and hard-working families looking forward to a well-earned break are now caught in the middle of this industrial action. I believe the blame for this situation lies squarely at the doors of Aer Lingus management. Industrial action is always a last resort, undertaken by workers only when they feel they have no other option. While the demands of the pilots may seem steep at first glance, we must remember the sacrifices they made during the pandemic. Pilots undertook gruelling 14-hour flights and round trips to China to secure much-needed PPE for our healthcare system, at a time when the country was in dire straits. It seems that, in the rush to return to normality, these efforts have been forgotten. Additionally, discontent is not confined to the pilots alone. Other workers within Aer Lingus, such as cabin crew, are also expressing dissatisfaction. Many feel betrayed by how the pandemic unemployment payments were handled and believe they did not receive the full benefits they were entitled to. These grievances remain unaddressed by Aer Lingus management, who must bear responsibility for any ensuing disruptions. I sincerely hope a resolution can be reached soon. Oliver Doyle, Carlow town Before we ban certain breeds of dogs how about disciplining bad owners? As an owner of a restricted breed, I take exception to Tanaiste Micheal Martins words on Saturdays Independent that he personally cannot comprehend why one would have such restricted breeds or breeds that are that dangerous. I sought the particular breed I own, which is restricted, for security as well as companionship. Im female, who lives alone a lot of the time due to me and my partners shift work. My dog provides security for me, on my walks as well as at home. Im wondering why no one is looking at owners rather than the breed. If there is a ban to come in on certain breeds, there will be no change to irresponsible ownership. The irresponsible owners will move onto the next big dog that provides the hard or tough look that some desire. My dog wears a muzzle in a public place. He is on a secure, two-metre lead. The muzzle to my dog is like a saddle to a horse; we dont go to a public place without it on and its part of our routine. I think there needs to be more enforcement of the current Control of Dogs Act legislation as well as education. I do think the list of restricted breeds is extremely outdated. Instead of restricting breeds, increase owner responsibility. There should be mandatory training from a qualified dog trainer or behaviouralist in order to obtain a restricted breed licence, something like the Initial Basic Training for a motorcycle licence. Roisin ODwyer, Carlow Killaloe's Joe Cooney (FG) elected on the first count in the Killaloe Electoral Area with 2,815 votes. Rachel Hartigan of Fianna Fail, at just 22 years old, has just been elected to Clare County Council in the Shannon LEA on what was the 10th count after exceeding the quota. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Dinny Gould (IND) is the first person elected in the Kilrush LEA. He received 1,863 votes to put him above the quota of 1,817. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Shane Talty (FF) was elected on the fifth count in the Ennistymon LEA to retain his seat. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Fine Gael's Mary Howard shows her delight after retaining her seat on the second count for the Ennis LEA. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. The dust has finally settled on what was a hectic weekend in Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis where the counting for the 2024 Local Elections in Clare took place. After an estimated 98,937 votes cast, 41 counts in total over the five Local Electoral Authorities (LEAS) including a epic 11 counts in Shannon a pause in proceedings for the Munster Senior Hurling final, one re-count request and too few hours of sleep by everyone involved and an immeasurable amount of cups of tea drank, all 28 seats in Clare County Council for the next five year term have been filled. Let's take a look at how it all looks: - Out of the 28 seats, Fianna Fail are the largest party with 14 seats, gaining one more seat than they did back in 2019. - Fine Gael meanwhile have 9 seats, one more than they had last term. - For Sinn Fein meanwhile, while they won only one seat in 2019, this time around they have doubled that tally to 2 seats. - Finally, Independent candidates have come away with 3 seats for this new term, a slight drop on the 5 seats that got back in 2019. - There was no seat this time around for any Green Party candidates; they lost the one seat they had from the 2019 elections. Three sitting members of the local authority lost their seats this time around including Sixmilebridges Independent councillor PJ Ryan; Fianna Fails Cillian Murphy from Kilkee and Lahinch based Green Party member Liam Grant. Ennis 7 seats In Ennis, where it took eight counts to fill the seven seats, it was Fianna Fails Pat Daly who retained his seat at the first time of asking, reaching the quota on very first count. His fellow incumbents Mary Howard (FG), Paul Murphy (FG) and Claire Colleran Molloy (FF) were all re-elected also. Political stalwart Pat Daly is now heading into his fifth term in total as an elected representative for the area (he was previously elected in the 99, 04, 09 and '19 elections). Meanwhile this is the second consecutive local election success for Mary Howard, Claire Colleran Molloy and Paul Murphy. New faces who joined the council for this new term include Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) Tom O'Callaghan (FF) and Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF). Here's how the Ennis LEA will look in the new term: - Pat Daly (FF) - Mary Howard (FG) - Paul Murphy (FG) - Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) - Claire Colleran Molloy (FF) - Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) - Tom O'Callaghan (FF) Ennis: 4 FF, 2 FG and 1SF Ennistymon 4 seats There were six counts in total in Ennistymon with Bill Slattery (FG) making a triumphant return to politics this time around after he had narrowly missed out on a seat in 2019. He had previously served two terms on the council, having first been co-opted back in 2011 to replace Martin Conway and he was then elected outright in 2014. Joining him in the Ennistymon area are Joe Garrihy (FG), Shane Talty (FF) and Joe Killeen (FF). Its now two successful local election campaigns for the above trio of Fine Gaels Joe Garrihy, Fianna Fail's Shane Talty. The make-up of Ennistymon LEA for the next term is now as follows: - Bill Slattery (FG) - Joe Garrihy (FG) - Shane Talty (FF) - Joe Killeen (FF) Ennistymon: 2 FF, 2 FG Killaloe 5 seats Joe Cooney (FG) was the first man elected in the Killaloe area as he extended his streak of successful local election campaigns to three-in-a-row. He is joined for the new term by Pat Hayes (FF), Alan OCallaghan (FF), Tony OBrien (FF) and Pat Burke (FG). All five incumbents in this LEA retained their seats. Pat Hayes is now heading into his fourth consecutive term on Clare County Council while Alan OCallaghan also retained his seat for a second term in office. Tony OBrien meanwhile is heading into his third term. His first came way back in 2004 before he lost both the 2009 and 2014 elections but he has now triumphed in both the 2019 and 2024 campaigns. This will also be the third term for Pat Burke. He was previously a Cllr from 2009 to 2014 before losing his seat but he won this back in 2019 and will now serve a second consecutive term. Here is the how the Killaloe LEA will look for the new term ahead: - Joe Cooney (FG) - Pat Hayes (FF) - Alan O'Callaghan (FF) - Tony O'Brien (FF) - Pat Burke (FG) Killaloe: 3 FF and 2 FG Kilrush 5 seats It took until the seventh count for the first candidate to be elected in the Kilrush LEA and perhaps few would have guessed that it would have been Dinny Gould (IND) who would get over the line first, considering the experienced field that he was in, especially since it was his first ever election campaign. Dinny was joined by Ian Lynch (IND), Rita McInerney (FF), Gabriel Keating (FG) and Michael Shannon (FF). Ian Lynch made it two back-to-back successful campaigns in a row as he was re-elected while Rita McInerney finally got to experience electoral success, at the third time of asking, following failed campaigns in the 2009 Local Election and the 2020 General Election. For Gabriel Keating meanwhile, its now four successful campaigns in a row while 20 years after he first tried his hand at getting elected to the local council, Michael Shannon finally got over the line at the second time of asking. Here's how Kilrush looks going into the new council term: - Dinny Gould (IND) - Ian Lynch (IND) - Rita McInerney (FF) - Gabriel Keating (FG) - Michael Shannon (FF) Kilrush: 2 FF, 2 IND, 1 FG Shannon 7 seats Things got off to a flyer in Shannon with young David Griffin (FF) getting elected on the very first count but things slowed right now after this with the next candidate not elected until count number eight. David is joined in the new Shannon set up by Donna McGettigan (SF), John Crowe (FG), Rachel Hartigan (FF), Michael Begley (IND), Tony Mulcahy (FG) and Pat OGorman (FF) David topped the poll at his first time of asking while there was joy too for incumbent Donna McGettigan who was elected outright this time around having been co-opted into the council seat of the late Mike McKee back in 2020. John Crowe meanwhile was first elected to Clare County Council in 1999 and has been a mainstay ever since and while John is a political veteran at this stage, on the other end of the spectrum, there is Rachel Hartigan, who at just 22, is now the youngest Councillor in the county. "I don't even have the words for how I'm feeling right now. It was a really long day. I was optimistic all day but you really never know what's going to happen, especially when you're a first-time candidate and I'm a baby in this arena too!" she told the Irish Independent. It's a second consecutive term meanwhile for Michael Begley while for Pat OGorman, he also retained his seat for another term. For Tony Mulcahy meanwhile, its a return to politics again having served the Shannon area for many years previously. Here is the how the final Shannon LEA makeup will look like for the next term: David Griffin (FF) Donna McGettigan (SF) John Crowe (FG) Rachel Hartigan (FF) Michael Begley (IND) Pat O'Gorman (FF) Tony Mulcahy (FG) Shannon: 3 FF, 2 FG, 1 SF and 1 IND Mr MacCarthy has extensive experience in the aviation industry in Ireland Pictured at the ITIC AGM in Dublin yesterday were members of the ITIC Board of Directors (L-R) Adrian Cummins, CEO, Restaurant Association of Ireland; Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Immediate Past Chair, ITIC and Director, Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, Adare; Catherine Flanagan, CEO, Association of Visitor Experiences & Attractions (AVEA); Niall MacCarthy, newly elected Chairperson, ITIC and Managing Director, Cork Airport; Anne ODonoghue, Deputy Chairperson, ITIC and CEO, Irish Heritage Trust and Brendan Kenny, CEO, Irelands Association of Adventure Travel (IAAT). Pictured at the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) AGM in Dublin were (L-R) Niall MacCarthy, newly elected Chairperson, ITIC and Anne ODonoghue, CEO, Irish Heritage Trust, and newly appointed Deputy Chairperson, ITIC. Cork Airports managing director Niall MacCarthy has been elected as the new chairperson of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) at the groups annual general meeting in Dublin on Thursday. Mr MacCarthy, who takes over from Elaina Fitzgerald Kane of Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa in Adare, will serve in the role for the next two years. The new ITIC leader said he was delighted to be elected as the organisations 21st chairperson and said it was a renowned and respected organisation that is the voice of tourism and hospitality interests, the largest indigenous industry in the country and biggest regional employer. He said that his predecessor, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, has served the industry passionately and with distinction and the tourism sector owes her an enormous debt of gratitude. Tourism and hospitality are in our blood in Ireland, but we should never take our industry for granted. Like all important industries, tourism needs continuing focus and policy support from Government to ensure it grows and thrives into future, Mr MacCarthy said. "We in ITIC look forward to working with our industry partners and in collaboration with Government and State Agencies to grow Irelands tourist numbers, value and employment base sustainably over the next few years. The Cork Airport director is an experienced aviation executive and fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and has worked across various roles in the DAA Group in Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Jeddah since 2000. Mr MacCarthy also served two terms as chair of Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) Regional Forum in Brussels, which acts as the voice of Europes 400 regional airports. Previous to his career in the aviation industry, Mr MacCarthy worked at Dunnes Stores Head Office in Dublin for seven years. Founded in 1984, ITIC members include accommodation providers, transport companies, airports, incoming tour operators, food and beverage providers, visitor attractions, educators, activities, outdoor pursuits, and business tourism organisations. Eoghan O'Mara-Walsh, CEO of ITIC said that Mr MacCarthy will be a really strong Chairperson of ITIC and will represent member interests strongly as we look to grow the sector for the benefit of business, the exchequer and employment. According to DAA (previously Dublin Airport Authority), the Irish tourism industry has a value of over 10 billion and employs one in eight in the Irish workforce, supporting 254,000 jobs. At the event, local B Corp certified companies shared how they created value for their businesses, customers, communities and the environment Desmond O'Sullivan, Optel Group, Keith Molony, Gaia Talent, Jill Cunneen, Merck Group and Paul Murphy, CEO Climeaction, at the Dean Hotel in Cork for the first BCorp Cork event. Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO Hilary O'Shea, Otonomee, Mary Gray, Urbanvolt, Daragh Anglim, Broadlake, Dr. Holly Barry, Barry Group and Tom Noonan pictured at the Dean Hotel in Cork for the first BCorp Cork event. Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO Marcello Palazzi, B Leaders for Good pictured at the Dean Hotel in Cork for the first BCorp Cork event. Picture: Alison Miles /OSM PHOTO Three Cork-based businesses came together to host the citys very first BCorp event, where panel discussions and networking opportunities allowed local companies to consider using their influence to create a positive impact. Cork businesses Change by Degrees, Otnonomee and Climeaction, which are each certified BCorp corporations after meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, held the event with B Lab Ireland at the Dean Hotel. On the day, B Corp companies including UrbanVolt, Velo Coffee Roasters, Ballyhass Adventures, OCEANR, OPITAL Group, Broadlake and Gaia Talent shared stories of how they have created value for their businesses, customers, communities and environment by reshaping business models, company cultures and customer experiences. Keynote speaker and self-proclaimed entrepreneur for human progress, Marcello Palazzi set the challenge to make Cork a BCorp city. Over the past 35 years Palazzi has successfully launched 30+ ventures, including B Lab Europe, where he has grown B Corps in Europe from zero to over 600 today. He shared examples of B Corp cities from New York, Rome and Barcelona and urged Cork to set a goal to be a leading B Corp city not just in Ireland but globally. He stressed the importance of having an inspiring vision for the city and the country. He set the challenge to launch a Cork Can B initiative and keep the momentum generated at the event. Influential Cork-based corporations such as Merck and Barry Group, joined panel sessions exploring the themes of the event experience, expertise and influence, with sponsorship provided by Munster-based B Corp certified company Cully & Sully. After the event Dr Tara Shine, CEO and Co-Founder of Change by Degrees, spoke to those present. We started this month with UN Secretary General calling the fossil fuel industry as the godfathers of climate chaos so the event was a refreshing take on the role of business in doing good, creating jobs, contributing to communities and safeguarding the environment. We firmly believe that if more people in business have the skills they need to do their jobs sustainably we can accelerate the transition to responsible business practices. Madeleine Murray, CPO and Co-Founder of Change by Degrees, said that: B Corp companies are on a pathway to continuous improvement and part of an international community of over 8000 companies measuring and managing their impact on the global economy to benefit all people. Paul Murphy, CEO of Climeaction, commented: As a business built for impact, we believe it is essential to promote the benefits of using a business as a force for good. Our experience shows that the benefits of B Corp certification are tangible and make commercial sense. We want to support bringing together other businesses to share their experiences and insights. Hilary OShea, Co-Founder and Chief Corporate Officer: In an increasingly fragmented world, facing serious environmental and social challenges, companies need to act on their moral obligations to use business as a force for good. B Corp provides a transparent global framework to achieve this and brings a like-minded business minds together to elevate impact. Doing well in business and doing good in the world, has never been so critical James McManus, Director of BLab Ireland attended the event and said: B Corp certification will help companies prepare for CSRD. More importantly, it will help them win new business, reduce costs, attract top talent and win investment. We are calling on all Irish companies big and small to future-proof their businesses and join the B Corp movement. A woman has appeared at Bandon District Court charged with the murder of Michael Foley whose body was found at his home in Macroom Co. Cork on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Friends and family of the late Mr Foley jeered as the accused, Linda O'Flynn, 31 of Leeside Apartments, Cork arrived at court. Court presenter Inspector Kay ODonoghue told the court that Ms OFlynn faced a single charge of murder. Giving evidence of arrest charge and caution, Detective Garda Denis Curtin said that Ms OFlynn was arrested at Bandon Garda Station and charged with the murder of Mr Foley. He said that when the charge was put to Ms O'Flynn she said that another individual stabbed that man, not me, I had nothing to do with it. A clearly distressed Ms OFlynn said that she needed psychiatric help to save myself from the trauma that I have seen and repeated in court that she was innocent. Ms OFlynn also said that she feared for her safety and that she would need protection if she was placed in custody. She added: I murdered no one, innocent until proven guilty. Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said that as bail could not be granted on a murder charge in the district court he intended to apply to the High Court on Monday. He said that his client was in great distress and as a former heroin addict was in need of her daily Soboxone medication. He also asked the court to make psychiatric supports available to her in custody. Inspector ODonoghue told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had given consent for Ms OFlynn to be sent forward for trial. Judge James McNulty said that the authorities would make the appropriate arrangements to look after her safety and wellbeing in custody. He remanded Ms OFlynn in custody to appear again on Friday, June 21 at Bandon District Court. The fish kill occurred after an Uisce Eireann facility discharged a water treatment chemical into the River Allow An Inland Fisheries Ireland investigation has found that up to 8km of the River Allow has been affected by last weekend's pollution incident. The Environment Minister has called for an immediate investigation into the massive fish kill which took place on the River Allow in north Cork last weekend, which followed a discharge of chemicals from the adjacent Freemount Water Treatment Plant. Earlier this week, the EPA said that Uisce Eireann notified it on Sunday of a spillage of polyaluminium chloride (PAC) at the Freemount plant, which discharged into the River Allow. The EPA said that indications are that approximately 2,500 litres of PAC were discharged into the river from a burst pipe at the plant. Inland Fisheries Ireland said that more than 5,000 fish, including brown trout, Atlantic salmon, lamprey and eel, had been killed on the river and that its investigations suggest an 8km stretch of the river may have been affected. In a letter to Uisce Eireann CEO Niall Gleeson on Wednesday, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan noted that there is already significant pressure on Irelands native fish stocks and said that the incident which took place was avoidable and completely unacceptable. The Minister noted that the incident on the River Allow is the second significant fish kill since last year, with discharges from Ennistymon Water Treatment Plant causing a major fish kill on the Ballymacraven River in Clare in May 2023. He said that an audit of the Freemount plant in August of 2022 found that sludge was discharged into the Allow, with the EPA finding that Uisce Eireann should implement an action programme to improve the sludge handling facilities at the plant to prevent a recurrence of the issue. I would ask that there is a full investigation of this serious incident immediately, Minister Ryan said. In addition, we need to have a full account of the specific remedial action that Uisce Eireann took at the Freemount Water Treatment Plant following the last discharge, and if such action was taken we need to know why another discharge has now happened soon after, resulting in this very significant fish kill on the River Allow. I would also request that Uisce Eireann develops and puts in place standards consultation with Inland Fisheries and the EPA that ensures that this type of incident will not happen again. The Minister said that best practice standards in delivery methods, changes in the holding equipment, bunding standards, pump control standards and other appropriate protections should be examined at the plant. Following this, I would expect that Uisce Eireann then carries out a detailed audit of all your facilities to ensure that they are all meeting this new standard, Minister Ryan said. He asked the Uisce Eireann CEO to meet with him next week to outlined the organisations plan to ensure an incident if a similar nature does not reoccur. This week, the EPA published its water quality report for last year. While the quality of 187 water bodies improved since the last report, there was a decline in 232 others. The report found that just 15pc of water bodies have water rated high quality, while about 45pc are below standard, rated moderate, poor or bad. Four rivers and 11 lakes are rated bad, which means they are ecological disaster zones. The incident occurred on the M8 Southbound on Thursday, June 6 Gardai and emergency services attended an incident involving a vehicle on fire in the Rathcormac area last week. A Garda spokesperson said that the incident occurred on the M8 Southbound on the evening of Thursday, June 6. The spokesperson said that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. It is understood that no foul play is suspected in respect of this incident. Cllr Gary Doherty with his family and supporters. Fionan Bradley has been elected to the Buncrana LEA. Jimmy Kavanagh celebrates with his family and supporters. After three days of counting and plenty of twists and turns, all 37 councillors have been elected to Donegal County Council. Out of 37 seats, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein will share the power as both have the same number of councillors with 10 each. Bucking the national trend, in Donegal Sinn Fein retained their 10 seats on the Council, while just three Fine Gael councillors were elected in Donegal a reduction of one seat from 2019. The 100% Redress Party pulled off a stellar campaign with four out of their six candidates elected to the council. The remaining seats have been filled by nine Independents and one Labour councillor, Martin Farren. A number of new councillors have been elected Tomas Sean Devine (100%), Denis Mc Gee (100%), Jimmmy Brogan (Ind), Manus Boyle (FG), Fionan Bradley (FF), Dakota Nic Mheanman (SF), Martin Scanlon (Ind), Declan Meehan (Ind), Joy Beard (100%) and Ali Farren (100%) Four sitting councillors lost their seat Barry Sweeny (FG) Johnny McGuinness (FG), John ODonnell (Ind) and Kevin Bradley (Ind). Letterkenny LEA Sunday was an emotional day for returning Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly as he topped the poll in Letterkenny. The Glenswilly man was elected in the first count having received a total of 1,841 votes which surpassed the 1,629 quota by 212 votes. Kelly took over the role of councillor from his father, Donal Snr, in 2020 following his resignation. Cllr Donal 'Mandy' Kelly. His brother Manus Kelly originally won the seat in the May 2019 elections just weeks before his tragic death in the Donegal International Rally. Speaking after his election, Cllr Kelly said it was an emotional day for the Kelly family one that brought back memories of his brother, but he was glad to have retained his seat. He said he feels he done Manus proud. Independent Councillor Michael McBride was elected on the 14th count. There was a long wait for the conclusion of the Letterkenny LEA count as two candidates called a recount Aontus Mary T Sweeney and sitting Independent Councillor Kevin Bradley both candidates were eliminated. Tomas Sean Devine (100%) is the only new face in the Letterkenny area as the remaining seats were filled by sitting councillors. Tomas Sean Devine after being elected. Donal Mandy Kelly (FF) Michael McBride (Ind) Donal Coyle (FF) Ciaran Brogan (FF) Jimmy Kavanagh (FG) Tomas Sean Devine (100%) Gerry McMonagle (SF) Carndonagh LEA The success of the 100% redress party became evident on Saturday as the tallies indicated that they were in the running to have at least three candidates elected. The first of those candidates was Ali Farren, who topped the poll in Carndonagh. The Malin Head man, whose home is affected by defective concrete blocks, was overcome with emotion as he was elected. Ali Farren and Martin McDerrmott embrace after being elected in Carndonagh. He said it was a special win as none of us wanted to be politicians, we are just ordinary people who want our houses fixed. This is amazing for ourselves, our communities and every family that we will represent. This is one of the best days and it is the first stage in the process. Not one of us wanted to be a politician we certainly did not want to be county councillors but we know now that we have to do this, said Mr Farren. Cllr Albert Doherty has retained his seat in Carndonagh. Sitting councillor Martin McDerrmott was also elected on the first count, while Albert Doherty also retained his seat. The last seat of the Carndonagh LEA was a tight contest between two sitting councillors Martin Farren and Johnny McGuinness but Cllr Farren came out on top to retain his seat. Ali Farren (100%) Martin Farren (Labour) Albert Doherty (SF) Martin McDermott (FF) Buncrana LEA Sitting councillor Jack Murray topped the poll and was elected early in the day on Sunday. The Sinn Fein Councillor knew of his fate from early on Saturday as tallies indicated that he was leading the way in the Buncrana area. Following his election, he said he was delighted that the people of Buncrana entrusted him with their vote and vowed to continue the hard work for the next five years. Cllr Jack Murray and Cllr Joy Beard. Joy Beard from the 100% Redress Party was also elected on the first count while Fionan Bradley from Fianna Fail is also a new faces in the council here. The final two seats were filled by sitting councillors Paul Canning and Terry Crossan. Jack Murray (SF) Joy Beard (100%) Fionan Bradley (FF) Paul Canning (FF) Terry Crossan (SF) Paul Canning with his wife Stephanie and Daughter Vanessa. Milford LEA Independent candidate Declan Meehan was in a state of shock over the weekend after it emerged he was on track to top the poll. The community worker from Milford tripled his vote from 2019 and topped the poll with 2,074 votes. Declan Meehan Meehan, a prominent LGBTQ+ campaigner, is also the first openly gay man to be elected in Donegal. I am humbled to be a part of history today as the first openly gay man elected to public office in Donegal. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who came out and voted, to those who worked tirelessly on my campaign and to all those who came before, paving the way for me to stand here as a proud gay man and a proud member of our community, said Mr Meehan. Fianna Fail stalwart Liam Blaney and Independent Pauric McGarvey filled the final two seats in the LEA. Re-elected Cllr Liam Blaney. Cllr Blaney has been in politics for over 20 years, while Cllr McGarvey was co-opted onto his uncle, Ian McGarveys, seat in 2023. Ian McGarvey was Irelands oldest public representative and served in the Donegal County Council for 18 years. Speaking after his election on Sunday, Cllr McGarvey said he was delighted to have retained the seat. In an shock elimination, sitting councillor John ODonnell failed to retain his seat after receiving more than 1,300 first preference votes and hundreds more in the preferences. Returning Councillr Pauric McGarvey with his wife Mari-Claire McGarvey. Declan Meehan (Ind) Liam Blaney (FF) Pauric McGarvey (Ind) Donegal LEA There are two new faces on Donegal County Council in the Donegal Electoral Area. Newcomers Jimmy Brogan (Ind) and Manus Boyle of Fine Gael were elected on the eleventh count. Newly elected Jimmy Brogan with his family. After eight counts and a long wait, Fianna Fails Michael Naughton breached the quota and topped the poll with 2,151 votes. Cllr Michael Naughton. Speaking after his election, Cllr Naughton said he was overwhelmed with the vote he received and to top the pole was amazing. I look forward to working for each and everyone for the next 5 years. Sitting councillor Niamh Kennedy. It was a worrying time for Councillor Niamh Kennedy as the tallies did not fair well for the sitting councillor, but, on Sunday, it soon become clear that she would retain her seat with the help of transfers. "The numbers were obviously down due to the amount of candidates in close proximity and the "as sure she is safe" banter. "We nearly lost it, the goodbye speech was ready but thankfully your second preferences brought me through. From being number eight on the tallys to being elected exceeding the quota after the first two candidates were elected was seismic. "We did it, said Cllr Kennedy. Outgoing councillor Barry Sweeny was a casualty of the LEA as he failed to retain his seat. Jimmy Brogan (Ind) Niamh Kennedy (Ind) Manus Boyle (FG) Michael McMahon (SF) Noel Jordan (SF) Michael Naughton (FF) Glenties LEA Two Independent councillors were elected to the Council on the first count after they both exceeded the quota of 1,883. Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig (Ind) and Michael McClafferty (Ind) were delighted to have been returned to the council. Cllr Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, Fianna Fails Anthony Molloy was deemed elected on the eighth count, after he collected 196 transfers from John Reilly which brought him past the quota to 1,903 votes. 100% Redress party also had success in Glenties as Denis McGee was elected on the tenth count with John Sheamais O Fearraigh (SF) and Brian Carr (SF). Cllr Michael McClafferty John Sheamais O Fearraigh finished with 1,727 votes, with Denis McGee just behind him on 1,633. Brian Carr was the last over the line, securing a total of 1,587 votes. Brian Carr and John Sheamais O Fearraigh with Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty. Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig (Ind) Michael McClafferty (Ind) Denis McGee (100%) Anthony Molloy (FF) John Sheamais O Fearraigh (SF) Brian Carr (SF) Denis McGee and Tomas Sean Devine. Lifford/Stranorlar An Independent candidate caused an upset in Lifford/Stranorlar as Martin Scanlon topped the poll and was elected on the fifth count. Independent Candidate Martin Scanlon. Scanlon surpassed the quota with a final count of 1,732 votes. Gary Doherty (SF) was also elected with 1,629. On the seventh count, Independent Councillor Frank McBrearty was elected after he gained a massive 445 transfers following the distribution of Niall McConnells 1,127 votes to bring his total to 1,939. Cllr Frank McBrearty has retained his seat. The current Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council was also elected on the seventh count Martin Harley surpassing the quota by just nine votes. The final seats were filled by newcomer and one of the three elected female councillors Dakota Nic Mheanman (SF) and Patrick McGowan (FF) who was contesting his sixth election. Dakota McMenamin. Martin Scanlon (Ind) Gary Doherty (SF) Dakota Nic Mheanman (SF) Patrick McGowan (FF) Frank McBrearty (Ind) Martin Harley (FG) Jimmy Deenihan, Chairperson of the Selection Committee presents the award to Noelle Campbell Sharp. Also pictured are Mary Shanahan, Chairperson of the Kerry Association in Dublin and Professor Brigid Laffan president Kerry Association in Dublin. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Noelle Campbell-Sharp has been chosen by the Kerry Association in Dublin as the 2024 recipient of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Arts. Noelle Campbell-Sharp has been chosen by the Kerry Association in Dublin as the 2024 recipient of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Arts. Noelle has been an Irish artistic promoter, gallerist and philanthropist, journalist, editor and publisher of multiple Irish magazine titles. She operated an art gallery in Dublin, has been a member of the Arts Council and led the Cill Rialaig project in Kerry which has hosted more than 6,000 artists, poets, writers and composers of national and international repute in this remote retreat since its establishment in 1991. Born in Wexford in 1943 Noelle was fostered, then adopted and reared by the Roche family. She left school at 15, after taking her Intermediate Certificate. She attended the Brendan Smith Academy of Acting and acted with the Young Dublin Players and based on that secured a role as a PRO for the Gaiety Theatre, with her first client being Peter OToole. After her marriage to British fashion photographer Neil Campbell-Sharp, she began to write text to go with his work, and later to manage his career, and so became involved with fashion journalism. She began to work with Irish Tatler magazine, buying it out in 1979. She edited it until 1988. She also published several other titles, publishing 11 at one point, including Social and Personal. Noelle Campbell-Sharp has been chosen by the Kerry Association in Dublin as the 2024 recipient of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Arts. With her main residence in Killiney, she purchased a property in Ballinskelligs in the late 1980s and renovated it under architect Alfred Cochrane. Having heard of a risk of a road widening project destroying famine village remnants at Cill Rialaig in Ballinskelligs, she organised fundraising with some local and Dublin based friends, and a small grant from the Irish National Lottery, purchased the ruins, and commenced what grew into the multi-part Cill Rialaig project, an artist Retreat and nearby Arts Centre that overlooks the shores of Kerry. She later sold her Killiney house and made Ballinskelligs her main base. Jimmy Deenihan, Chairperson of the Selection Committee presents the award to Noelle Campbell Sharp. Also pictured are Mary Shanahan, Chairperson of the Kerry Association in Dublin and Professor Brigid Laffan president Kerry Association in Dublin. Photo by Domnick Walsh. Noelle launched her first gallery on St. Stephen's Green, dedicated to work from Cill Rialaig - opened by the then Tanaiste Dick Spring, with the then Ambassador of the US, Jean Kennedy Smith in attendance. Chairperson of the Selection Committee, Jimmy Deenihan said Noelle Campbell Sharp is more than deserving of the award. "I am delighted that Noelle Campbell Sharp is the recipient of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award for 2024. Noelle has been a leading figure and influencer amongst Irelands Arts Community over the past forty years or more. We in Kerry owe her a huge debt of gratitude for the creation of the Cill Rialaig Artist Retreat and Arts Centre. In accepting the award Noelle Campbell-Sharp said she was accepting it on behalf of all artists. I am delighted and honoured to receive this award from the Kerry Association; it means a lot to me. I am delighted to accept it on my own behalf and on behalf of the many artists who have come to Cill Rialaig since 1991". Calls for more services and supports light of startling findings Transition years students at the launch of their Report on 'Drugs & Alcohol Abuse amongst Young People in Greater Kenmare' with Minister Colm Burke. Left to Right: Maire Ui Leime (Kenmare FRC) Dr Brendan O Caoim (Social Researcher), Noah Granville, Sophie Ferron, Minister Burke, Niamh O'Shea, Conor Coakley and Jessica Memery.Photo by Mary D O'Neill Under-age drinking is widespread in the Kenmare area and binge drinking is problematic among teenagers according a new in-depth report conducted in the South Kerry region. The survey also shows cannabis is the drug of choice among students in the area and this is primarily supplied through friends. Teenagers usually start taking drugs at 16 in the Kenmare region but teenagers younger than that are accessing drugs. The information, gathered for the first time ever, shows the extent of alcohol and drug use among teenagers in the Kenmare region which also includes all teenagers who attend the local secondary school, therefore incorporating, Kilgarvan, Sneem and Tuosist as well. This research report had a number of innovative features; it was compiled by a group of eight transition year (TY students); it involved an in-depth examination of attitudes and behaviours among 565 young people in Greater Kenmare; and the consultations with young people were complemented by a series of interviews with community leaders and relevant professionals. Between September and December 2023, the group of TY students worked, under the guidance of experienced social researcher Dr Breandan O Caoimh, to review policy and literature and to devise a detailed survey questionnaire for the report which is the first of its kind in Kerry, in terms of the range of issues it covers and the scale of the survey. Minister of State Colm Burke TD recently launched the report on Alcohol and Drug Misuse among Young People in Greater Kenmare which runs to over one-hundred pages and has over one-hundred graphs and charts. It portrays an important insight into the teenagers in the area and primarily shows misuse of alcohol and other drugs is problematic, among young people, in Greater Kenmare area. Smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol and the consumption of illicit drugs are associated with age; the older students are (aged 15+) the more likely they are to engage in risky and / or illegal behaviours according to the findings. There is no issue accessing alcohol for teenagers in Kenmare, they find it easy to access alcohol in social and commercial settings according to the report. Vaping is on the increase and teenagers are not aware of the dangers of this. Teenagers also report social media use and peer pressure are factors in driving risky and illegal behaviours and that local community and support services are inadequate. Several recommendations have been made in the report including taking more concrete and concerted steps to reduce social media use and its malign influences and making stakeholders more aware of the scale of the problem and the seriousness of the challenges associated with risky behaviours. There has also been a call for to increase the range of community, social and recreational outlets for young people in Greater Kenmare and to have a youth support service and drugs worker in Kenmare. Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine Principal, Mr Dermot Healy, congratulated students on their work. "We are immensely proud of our students, and the entire school community congratulates them on the production of a very important and informative report. It is vital that parents, the school, service providers and professionals take account of the reports findings and implement its recommendations. The research project is the result of a collaboration between Kenmare Family Resource Centre (FRC), which initiated it, and Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine. The FRC secured funding from TUSLA and the Dormant Account Fund to support the project. FRC coordinator, Maire Ui Leime warmly welcomed the report, and she paid tribute to the students and staff of Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine for their cooperation, commitment and hard work. This report deals with difficult and challenging issues, and the school community deserves great credit for tackling them in a matter-of-fact manner that put young people at the centre. Ms Ui Leime noted that while many of the reports findings are striking, they provide clear signposts, and they underscore the urgency of investing in dedicated and specialist supports locally. Farming for Nature is delighted to welcome Lisa Gifford, Leitrim Hill Creamery to their ambassador network. An American woman who fell in love with the Irish countryside now runs a successful goat farm in a County Leitrim village. Lisa Gifford of Leitrim Hill Creamery, grew up in the US but her Irish roots brought her back to Ireland. In 2016, she purchased a small farm in Drumcong. Lisa manages the smallholding with her daughter Gypsy Gifford and daughter-in-law Richelle South. Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook There is a range of stock on the farm including goats, sheep, pigs and chickens. The main commercial aspect of the farm is milking goats and producing farmhouse goats cheese that is sold direct to customers at local farmers markets. Lisa said, When I came to Ireland many years ago, the beauty of the place touched a sympathetic cord in my heart and I said to myself maybe someday I will come back. "And here I am, said Lisa. Lisa is particularly interested in rare-breed goats such as the Irish Goat. Much of the grassland is diverse in plant, grass and herb species, and the remaining land will be reseeded with a multispecies mix suitable for goats. External inputs are low and the farm is very extensively managed. There are mature hedgerows around the farm and they are planting trees on the land and in field corners to provide shelter and improve soil structure, as well as creating additional habitat for wildlife. Lisa takes great pride in the diversity of this farming system, as well as the fresh, natural product created on the farm. Lisa believes that Ethics and economics can co-exist. What is necessary is shared values. Lisa has now joined Farming for Nature Ambassador Network. The network, founded in 2018, seeks to acknowledge and support farmers who farm, or wish to farm, in a way that will improve the natural health of the countryside. Farming For Nature was set up with the aim to source, share and celebrate the stories of farmers across Ireland who manage their land in a way that sustains nature, while providing a livelihood for their family. The Farming For Nature ambassador network is now 91 people strong and Lisa is one of Farming for Natures 10 new ambassadors in 2023. The ambassadors come from across Ireland and include beef, sheep, goats, horses, dairy, horticulture and tillage farmers who manage a wide range of very valuable habitats including species-rich grasslands and heaths, wetlands, woodlands and hedgerows. Lisa is hosting a Farming for Nature Ambassador walk on her farm on June 23 at 2pm. Attendance costs 10 and booking is on farmingfornature.ie Organisers behind tomorrow's event are urging members of the public to row in behind its staging. All eyes will be on Longford tomorrow (Saturday) as it plays host to its first ever Pride Parade. All eyes will be on Longford town this weekend as the midlands county prepares to host its first ever Pride Festival. Rebecca Tallon de Havilland, one of the first transgender women in Ireland to receive a passport, will lead what promises to be a colourful and vibrant parade through the town from its Connolly Barracks starting point. Follow Independent Longford on Facebook Longfords inaugural showcase promoting and advancing the work of its local LGBTQ+ community has been long in the making. Backed up by a dedicated and assiduous committee, its official unveiling was announced to the public at an event at Longfords county library last month. Rebecca Tallon de Havilland will lead tomorrow's parade in Longford town. Photo: Gerry Mooney The occasion itself kicks off courtesy of a craft market in Pig Lane Market at midday with the centrepiece parade getting underway at 4pm. In the wake of those celebrations, festival goers will return to the Pig Market Lane for a post parade celebration from 5:00pm ahead of an after-party in Valentines Bar at 8:30pm. Organisers are calling on members of the public to get involved regardless of whether or not they are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone wishing to find out more, or if you would like to get in touch with committee members about the event and what to expect, email at info@longfordpride.ie RTE Investigates recent programmes on the welfare and traceability of horses has raised serious concerns and better enforcement is needed, according to Tipperary Deputy Jackie Cahill TD. Photo: RTE Investigates. The recent RTE Investigates programme into the welfare and traceability of horses has raised serious about the industry, according to chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Jackie Cahill TD. Deputy Cahill said: As a committee, weve had concerns about traceability of horses for a period of time and weve had the Department in with us to discuss it on a few occasions. Whilst weve seen the serious issues of welfare and mistreatment on these two Prime Time programmes, traceability is also a very significant issue. Follow Independent Tipperary on Facebook Its my understanding that a large number of horses arent micro-chipped and, in my opinion, the emphasis on enforcement is not satisfactory, said the Tipperary-based Fianna Fail TD. Horses are being grazed in large numbers and the owners of these horses are, in my opinion, moving these horses to continental Europe to get them into the food chain. Without micro-chipping and the enforced compliance of the legislation in place, there is no guarantee of the safety of meat entering the food chain. Ive raised this non-compliance issue on a number of occasions and RTE Investigates has really demonstrated the need for the legislation we have in place to be enforced across all equine owners. I would urge the Department to force horse owners to present their horses for inspection to see they are compliant with legislation, and failure to do so should result in confiscation of horses, said Deputy Cahill. Using hidden cameras, RTE Investigates filmed the activity in a lairage used by Shannonside Foods in Straffan, Co, Kildare, where the company keeps horses before they are brought to the kill room. Shannonside Foods told RTE that any allegation of an equine being mistreated "will be fully prosecuted". The recordings show horses being repeatedly hit, whipped, punched around the head, and struck with long lengths of plastic piping. One horse was seen falling and being too weak to stand to be later prodded with a pitchfork. It died after hours of struggling and was seen dragged out of the shed the next day. Those responsible for the "abhorrent" treatment of horses will face the "full rigours of the law", the agriculture minister said. Charlie McConalogue said the scenes of the mistreatment of horses were "abhorrent and distressing". Horse Racing Ireland said it will "actively support" the Department of Agriculture and Garda investigations, and urged anyone with information about mistreatment of horses to report it to gardai. The Wexford branch of the Connelly Youth Movement group have organised a vigil in support of Palestine on Saturday June 15 in Enniscorthy. They plan to show support for the unified Palestinian resistance as well as mourning the lives of over 35,000 Palestinians killed. While many Irish residents celebrated Irelands recent acknowledgement of the state of Palestine on May 28, a statement from the Connolly Youth Movement has branded this move as nothing short of opportunistic. They highlight how the recognition is about 76 years too late and that many of the working class people of Ireland have already been showing decades of action and sympathy. The statement also references how other countries recognition of Palestine perpetuates the belief that Palestine does not have the right to self-determination and needs the validation of other faraway states. The movement believes that none of the progress belongs to the government who has yet to impose economic sanctions against Israeli businesses and products. They asked why do US warplanes still fly through Shannon on their way to aiding this genocidal campaign of over 36,000 people? The organisation has been heavily involved in protests across the country; members in Belfast have confronted the British-imposed Aldergrove airport, marched to the US consulate, and participate consistently in the BDS movement. They have partaken in the Shannon airport protests, hold close connections with the Palestinian Communist Youth Union (PCYU) and are deeply engaged in local solidarity groups from Kerry to Derry. Recognising that many people feel helpless and are unsure of how to effectively support the Palestinians, they encourage concerned locals to boycott products, get informed on the issue, and turn up for protests. They further explained that the acts of the Israeli State in conjunction with the complicity of the Western Powers has spurred a renewed politicisation among young people in Ireland. They said people who have been alienated from engaging in such activity are now taking the streets, not just to attend marches, but to participate in organising and direct action. They hope their upcoming rally will be a platform for Palestinian solidarity as well as a springboard for localised resistance to warmongery, wherever it arises, for the working class people of Ireland and everywhere. The assembly point will be Seamus Rafter Bridge at 1pm and all attendees are encouraged to bring flags and placards. One of the dogs that works with Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue. One of the dogs that works for Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue. Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue carries out searches for missing persons in lowland areas of the Southeast, Waterford City and Tipperary. Samantha Doran organised this fundraiser alongside South East Bikers Eire and is a trainee team member for Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue with her dog Diesel. This funding will make a huge difference to them. Last year, the insurance costs were over 700 for public liability because were working with dogs as well and it also costs a lot for fuel during the searches. The operational payments are coming straight out of their own pockets which I think is just dreadful for the work that theyre doing, said Samantha. The fundraiser was also supported by Leinster Car Scene, Gorey Motor Club and several biking communities on the day. Samanthas dog Diesel is a German Shepherd crossed with a Rottweiler. Hes a bit of a scary looking dog but we have all sorts of breeds doing the training like the operational dogs are springer spaniels. Any dog can do it basically if theyre trained right, said Samantha. Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue operational search dogs are trained for trailing. A trailing dog is trained to follow where a person has walked. A cadaver dog unit is trained to locate a deceased person on land, and they work on a boat to locate a deceased person in the water. Cadaver dogs are also trained to locate graves. Samantha and Diesel started training to be a team member 16 months ago and she suspects they have another year of training before theyll be fully trained. "Its a little adventure, something fun to do with your dog, said Samantha. Samantha explained that: "The dogs are trained to follow the scent of skin cells. If someone went missing from Gorey, they might have walked around Gorey 1,000 times in the last few months so the dog is trained to follow the newest scent of skin cells. Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue have several trainee search dog teams in Wexford, Kilkenny Tipperary and Dublin. They also have a sister team in Scotland headed by Rod Studard MBE and theyve plans for other trainee trailing teams to join them from other countries. Rachel Morris set up Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue as a non profit, voluntary organisation in 2022. She specialises in training dogs for trailing, land cadaver, river cadaver and HRD (human remains detection). Theyre hoping that Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue will be able to provide a nationwide service in the next few years. Currently, they are available for searches across the country for river rescues. This service is also available to Gardai, other rescue services can call them to assist. Furthermore, once a person is reported missing to the Gardai, family members can also contact Wexford K-9 Search and Rescue to help with the search. Samantha has also set up a GoFundMe page which has raised 1,055 so far. All donations will go towards Wexford k-9 Search and Rescue to help with travel expenses and equipment. Check out their GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/5d3b9e3a if youd like to support this vital service. From the famous Excalibur sword being pulled from a rock at Childers Wood, near Roundwood, to Lindsey Lohan and Ed Speeler enjoying a romantic spin in an open-top sports car above the famous Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, the Garden County has lured some of the worlds most famous directors to its green fields, mountains, lakes and villages. Dubbed Europe's Hollywood by Jane Seymour, the countys locations have also doubled as international locations for Scandinavian settlements, as in Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla, as well as gothic Victorian streets in Penny Dreadful, which was shot in Bray. But its not just about the landscape, as Wicklow is home to world-class film studios offering a wide range of pre- and post-production services, including Ardmore Studios and Ashford Studios, local crew with worldwide recognition and experience and, of course, there are the tax breaks. While there are some established film trails that visitors can follow and sites that are worth a day out, many locations are more remote and bear little resemblance to what you may have seen on screen. And on that note, lets start with one of the most the zaniest films of them all shot in Wicklow . . . Cocaine Bear, The Avoca Mines, Avoca Based on the true story of a black bear that consumed a large amount of cocaine dropped from a drug smugglers airplane in rural Georgia, US, in the 1980s, Wicklows Powerscourt Waterfall and Avoca Mines were chosen as locations to represent the Georgian wilderness for the film which starred Ray Liotta and Keri Russell. While Powerscourt Waterfall is easily accessible, Avoca Mines has been officially closed since 1982 and Wicklow Tourism warns the site itself should not be accessed by the public. For a drive-by, and to give a flavour of the scenery, it is still worth a trip if you are hardcore fan of the movie. The mines were also used for gritty scenes in Vikings. Irish Wish, Lough Tay and Kilruddery House Lough Tay. One of Irelands hidden gems, Lough Tay, which is situated on the Luggala Estate in the Wicklow Mountains, proved to be the perfect spot to capture Irelands natural beauty on camera for the rom-com, Irish Wish. The best viewing point to see this marvellous lake is along the Military Road, at the junction with the Wicklow Way. The actual wishing chair, which is crucial to the movie's plot, is located near Lough Tay but is on private lands, so thats sadly off-limits. The locations that are open to the public are both the Kennedy familys mansion, Killruddery House, in Bray, and Powerscourt Estate, where some of the driving sequences tied to the Kennedy family were actually shot. Killruddery House has also been the location for several big movies in the past, including My Left Foot, Far and Away, Excalibur, The Tudors, Angelas Ashes and Camelot. And ever since Laurence Olivier started the trend of Wicklow shoots by filming Henry V on the estate in 1944, over 25 different movies and TV series have been filmed or partially filmed at Powerscourt, including Black Beauty, Barry Lyndon, The Count of Monte Cristo, Ella Enchanted and King Arthur. Disenchanted, Enniskerry Enniskerry village being transformed for Disenchanted. While the movie pretty much tanked, the village of Enniskerry was firmly placed on the map when it was transformed into a Disney wonderland for the shoot. Thousands of visitors flocked to the village as filming got under way over the spring of 2021, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood stars Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey, but mostly what they got was caught in traffic and chaos. While the film crew and crowds have moved on, the magic of the village is still there and is well worth the trip. Braveheart Drive, Hollywood A battle scene from Braveheart. Be warned that the Wicklow film drives are, lets say, as much of a concept than an actual route, so do keep your eyes peeled for the signposts, which have been in place since the trails were launched in 2002 and may have been nudged off course by the Wicklow winds. A fitting start to the The Braveheart Drive is the village of Hollywood, as the route winds around Blessington Lakes, linking Ballyknockan and Lacken, where you can see the location for Mia Farrow's residence in the movie Widow's Peak, and Manor Kilbride, from where it heads over the Sally Gap where many scenes from Braveheart were shot. The trail then goes into into Laragh and finishes in Glendalough. The 80km Braveheart Drive is a long day out, but does take in the sheer drama of the Wicklow Gap and wild Sally Gap, where many of the spectacular fighting and panoramic scenes from this Oscar-winning film were shot. Excalibur Drive, Roundwood The Excalibur Drive starts in Roundwood and takes in Lough Tay, the backdrop of Excalibur and heads into the west before arriving Powerscourt Estate. It then takes you into Bray, where Ardmore Studios has played host to classics like The Snapper, My Left Foot and Ella Enchanted, and more recently Penny Dreadful and Irish Wish. The drive then takes you into Greystones, where part of Hallow Road, starring Rosamund Pike were shot; Kilcoole of Glenroe fame, before looping back through Newtownmountkennedy to Roundwood. Michael Collins Drive, Wicklow town The Michael Collins Drive visits locations used in Neil Jordans historical movie starring Liam Neeson and Julia Roberts and begins in in Wicklow town. Some of the court scenes for the Pierce Brosnan film Evelyn were filmed in Wicklow Courthouse and from there the route heads out to Rathdrum, where Liam Neeson, as Michael Collins, addressed a large crowd in the square. The love scenes with Julia Roberts were shot upstairs in The Woolpack pub, while moving on, Hollywood Glen was used for the location of the ambush and assassination of Michael Collins. The trail also goes to to Avoca, former home of Ballykissangel and on to Arklow, where some scenes for Angela's Ashes were shot, before going into Redcross and past Brittas Bay, immortalised as the island of Elba in The Count of Monte Cristo. Wicklow Upland Councils Dry Stone Wall Training, Education and Recording Project has been approved and is being supported by the Heritage Council under the Community Heirtage Grant Scheme. Dry stone walls are a vital part of our upland heritage, serving as beautiful, functional linear landscape features that tell the story of our social past, support our built present, and foster a biodiverse future. These structures are not only iconic landmarks giving our landscape depth, but also habitats for a myriad of species, contributing significantly to our ecosystem. With this support, Wicklow Uplands Council can contribute to the preservation and celebration of these historic walls, ensuring they remain a vibrant part of our community's heritage and landscape. Wicklow Uplands Council pass on their thanks to the Heritage Council for recognising the importance of the project and look forward to working alongside The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland and other colleagues. Roz Purcell, content creator and founder of The Hike Life, launching the Love this Place campaign. Local representatives in Wicklow have called on people to carry out simple actions to promote responsible enjoyment of Wicklows outdoors this summer, as they showed support for the Love This Place public awareness campaign. The initiative is led by Leave No Trace Ireland (LNT) and will run throughout June, July and August, the months when the highest numbers of visitors tend to visit the outdoor environment. Other core partners behind the initiative include Failte Ireland, the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Sport Ireland, Coillte, the OPW and Waterways Ireland. Leave No Trace is Irelands only outdoor ethics programme, which promotes the responsible use of the outdoors. In collaboration with its partners, the 2024 Love This Place' Public Awareness Campaign is urging the public to enjoy Irelands outdoor spaces. Author, outdoor enthusiast and founder of the Hike Life, Roz Purcell, is once again supporting this important awareness campaign. Wicklow County Council along with other Local Authorities will be helping to make this campaign a success. Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy said: We are asking everyone to take one or two simple actions that support responsible enjoyment of Wicklows outdoors and reinforce the environmental stewardship that all of us share. The Love This Place 2024 campaign invites individuals and their communities to join in a collective national effort to protect, respect and care for Wicklows beautiful outdoor spaces and deep wealth of biodiversity and natural outdoor heritage from its beaches, to the uplands, community green spaces and its rivers and streams. The campaign will focus in on three collective goals that include simple actions for people to enjoy the outdoor spaces more responsibly stick to the path, be a responsible dog owner, keep Wicklow and Ireland litter-free. Research shows that some 2.7 million visitors to Ireland from overseas markets took part in outdoor activities and 64pc of Irish people participated in land-based recreation activities whilst on holiday in Ireland. Launching the 2024 Love This Place campaign, Maura Kiely, Chief Executive of Leave No Trace Ireland, emphasised the campaign's educational focus in cultivating care and respect for each other and the natural environment through responsible outdoor activities and behaviours. She said the Love This Place campaign also supports the objectives of the National Outdoor Recreation strategy from Comhairle na Tuaithe: Embracing Irelands Outdoors Strategy which seeks the development of a caring and responsible national outdoor recreation sector. Supporting the campaign, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer OGorman commented: The protection and restoration of nature is more important now than ever, and public awareness has never been higher. Through education and environmental knowledge-sharing, Leave No Trace empowers people to take action and make a change in their communities. A group of volunteers recently visited the Wicklow Mountains to take part in the Peatlands Restoration Project being delivered near Kippure. Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with ReWild Wicklow and Mountaineering Ireland volunteers, the aim of the project is to restore the bogs water retention capacity and regenerate vegetation. Employees at EirGrid, the developer and operator of the national electricity grid, were among 20 volunteers to travel to the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation to give a helping hand. Following a 45-minute hike, guided by NPWS Ranger Hugh McLindon, volunteers arrived at the peatlands site, where the work carried out included erecting fences, installing sediment traps, reprofiling peat hags and reseeding areas of bare peat. The group not only saw firsthand the impact of erosion on the peatlands, but also the benefits of ongoing measures to retain water such as the construction of dams using wood, stone and logs made of coconut fibres. These peatland restoration initiatives with volunteers have been in place since 2021 in an effort to prevent further loss of peat and restore natural vegetation. It is the first large-scale project of its type to be trialled in Ireland. Keeping bogs intact plays an important role in combating climate change by removing excess carbon dioxide from the air. EirGrid would like to thank WSP Ecologist Lisa ODowd for inviting the team along. This volunteer day takes place every Thursday and some Sundays across the summer and those interested in learning more can contact Hugh McLindon at hugh.mclindon@npws.gov.ie. Anna roped in her sons James, Euan and Rhys in for a bit of colour throwing ahead of the event Presenter Anna Daly spent five days getting pink out of her blonde hair when she did the photocall for the Colour Dash 5k, but it was all for a worthy cause. The event is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, and will see participants dash around the Phoenix Park, being covered in colour as they go, in aid of the charitys work with adolescent patients. If you were going to a festival, it would totally work, she jokes. Considering the run is on the morning of Taylor Swifts gig in the Aviva, attendees can get a free colour in the morning if they just run 5km. But that isnt what motivated Anna to take part, or to take up the mantle as an ambassador for the campaign. Cancer touches every family, doesnt it? Anna roped in her sons James, Euan and Rhys in for a bit of colour throwing ahead of the event "From the wider family to my immediate family, my dad is recovering from prostate cancer. "Thats no secret. When they [the Irish Cancer Society] come calling, its very difficult to say no, she says with a smile. Annas father, Noel, was diagnosed during the pandemic, but is thankfully recovering since. She says that humour was one of the key things that got the family through such a difficult time. Hes loving the attention of it all! He never would have wanted it, but he certainly is quite pampered by the cancer team that he visits, she says. Prostate cancer is something you live with and you manage, but you wont die of. That line was given to us early on, and it makes it easier to joke about. "Like, my dad was put into manopause, which I hadnt heard of before but its menopause for men. But he has reported every hot sweat, my mam was like I quietly went through this decades ago and didnt say a word but therein lies the difference between a man and a woman, she adds, laughing. Anna has years of experience in presenting, and would be familiar to many of us from her various stints on television. Though we may know the Dublin native for her smiling face, thats a key part of her job as theres just no capacity for bad days to follow you in front of the camera. Honestly, it really doesnt matter whether its your day or not, you have to show up, you have to turn it on. You know, Ive heard presenters before saying youre like front of house in restaurants, or the cabin crew in an aeroplane. Like, you really are, she explains. Annas dad Noel had a prostate cancer diagnosis You need to just put on your big girl pants and get through it. Youre there to smile and deliver a show and it really doesnt matter what kind of crap is going on behind the scenes. Its not part of your gig so you just have to show up. Its not a bad message for my kids to hear. Sometimes you dont want to go to school or work, but you have to get on with it. I think you smile and get through it. When youre finding it hard to feel good, what you wear can help, with plenty of focus on colour. When she isnt throwing coloured powder during charity fun runs, Anna is wearing plenty in her own work. Even for this shoot, some serious dopamine dressing was on the cards think bright patterns and lots and lots of colour. I definitely think theres a reason colour works on television, block colours in particular. If Im doing a photocall or telly, I will try and do bright colours. I think theres something uplifting about it. Theres a statement, its a bit of fun, she says. It depends on the content, I suppose, then some content I would do demands a slightly more sombre colour or look, so I think you have to dress for the occasion. But certainly if its family, fun, youre not saving lives television, then colour definitely helps. It lifts our moods too, doesnt it? Presenter Anna Daly But outside of the brightest wardrobe hues, Annas kids, James, Euan, and Rhys are the first thing she mentions when talk turns to what makes her happiest. Being around my family can frustrate the hell out of me, and bring complete and utter happiness, actually. I think everyone would say that if theyre being honest, she says. We do Friday night movie nights, and theres very little that beats that in terms of my heart being absolutely full. That sounds so cheesy when I say it out loud, she adds with a laugh. But the scramble for the little party plates, picking a movie, just having my boys around me. I kind of feel like the scramble of the week, the ducking and diving, the hustling, and the juggle of life and work and home and activitiesto let your shoulders drop on a Friday night. I always try to make Friday about family and the kids. Then sometimes they might have a party, and Im like YOU have something on? But its movie night! Sometimes, work and family life do overlap. When it came time to take some photos as part of Annas role as ambassador for the Colour Dash, the boys were ready to step in to help. I love to be able to bring my kids to work when the work is appropriate. Theyre happy to take part listen, kids being told to throw anything at their mother? Theyre absolutely thrilled. Being an ambassador for any charity or event is something Anna sees as a privilege, no matter how many gigs she has done in the past. Its lovely to be asked! I never lose sight, whether I can or cant do it and I say this very genuinely to PRs or marketing people that get in touch for their brands or charities Im always very flattered. Because theres plenty of people they could choose, she admits. What Ive learned over the years is I cant say yes to everything. I used to be a bit of a pleaser, because I dont want to let people down. But what Ive learned about myself is I kind of do nothing by halves. If Im all in, Im all in! The Colour Dash takes place in Dublins Phoenix Park on Sunday, June 30. Buy your tickets at cancer.ie Nine counties are under a status yellow thunderstorm warning this afternoon as Met Eireann warns of poor visibility and lightning damage. Counties Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary and Waterford have been issued the warning which became valid at 1pm this afternoon and will end at 7pm this evening. Met Eireann has warned of hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, spot flooding and lightening damage. Heavy rain is on the way for the weekend, with some of those showers developing into thundery downpours, Met Eireann has said. The best of the weekends weather will be during the early parts of Friday but showers later in the day will turn heavy in parts with the chance of hail in the midlands, south and east. The rain will become more persistent into the evening when winds will be blustery. Highest temperatures of between 13C and 16C. There will be more showers overnight and temperatures of between 6C and 9C. By Saturday afternoon the weather will be drier and brighter with a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers. However, the rain could turn thundery and will be heavy too. Highest temperatures of between 14C and 17C. Overnight, showers will die out and it will be dry in places with clear spells with some drizzle expected with temperatures of between 7C and 10C. On Sunday, the south will experience the best of the weather where it will be bright with sunny spells, though there will be some showers at times and could be heavy too. Further north it will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and heavy bursts, Met Eireann forecasts. Highest daytime temperatures are expected to be between 14C and 18C while overnight it will stay mild with temperatures falling to between 9C and 12C. Next week will begin cloudy when patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle will affect many parts of the country, though the south will see sunny spells on Monday. Later in the evening there will be dry and sunny and temperatures on Monday will be between 14C and 19C. The mixture of sunny spells and showers will follow into Tuesday when showers are expected to die out towards the evening and temperatures forecast to be between 13C and 18C. Later in the week the weather is expected to be changeable according to Met Eireann. Potentially largely dry with some sunshine on Wednesday with daytime highs in the mid-teens generally, but continuing rather changeable and mixed thereafter, with wet and breezy conditions at times, Met Eireann said. Leaders also plan $50bn loan for Kyiv from seized Russian assets Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and US president Joe Biden shake hands after signing a new security agreement. Photo: Reuters US president Joe Biden and Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement yesterday aimed at bolstering Ukraines defence against Russian invaders. The deal, signed on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, aims to commit future US administrations to support Ukraine, even if former president Donald Trump wins Novembers election, officials said. Kate Middleton said she continues to receive treatment for cancer after her health announcement in March but said: Im not out of the woods yet. In a statement the Princess of Wales said she is making good progress and has good days and bad days, adding: I am not out of the woods yet. She said she hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer as she continues treatment for cancer for a few more months. Kate appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she made the shock health announcement, but she said in a statement on Friday that she will attend Britains King Charles Birthday Parade on Saturday and hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer. She was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but cancer was found after a successful operation. The princess wrote a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for The Colonels Review in London last Saturday. The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly in May, saying shes doing well when asked by a hospital administrator. William spent a number of weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays before returning to public work in mid-April. Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer. In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate. In wishing the monarch a full recovery, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said thankfully the cancer had been caught early. Charles initially postponed public-facing duties but resumed at the end of April, speaking of his shock at being diagnosed with cancer as he met patients on a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London. His appearance at a D-Day event in Portsmouth last week was his first public speech and most high-profile appearance since his cancer diagnosis. The Queen provided an update on her husbands health at the Queens Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey last Saturday, telling author Lee Child the King is doing fine but wont slow down and wont do what hes told. Sarah, Duchess of York announced a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. It was her second cancer diagnosis within a year, having been diagnosed with breast cancer the summer before, which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and subsequent reconstructive surgery. She had discovered an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening. Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but Im in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support, Sarah said on Instagram. Princess Beatrice shared an update on her mothers health on This Morning in May when she said the duchess was all clear and doing really well. In late February, tragedy befell Prince Michael of Kents family when Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince Michaels daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor, died from a catastrophic head injury with a gun found close to his body. For many years, it was the estrangement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that dominated discourse around the royal family after the pair stepped down as working royals in 2020. Having relocated to Montecito, California, Harry has returned to the UK infrequently but did so after the Kings cancer diagnosis. Though the duke only conducted a whirlwind 45-minute meeting with his father, Harry suggested that the Kings cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with the family. Asked by a US breakfast show if the diagnosis could have a reunifying effect, the duke replied: Yeah, I am sure. In May, a spokesperson for Harry said he hopes to see his father soon after the Kings full programme meant a reunion was not possible during the dukes UK trip to celebrate his Invictus Games. Shawn Seesahai (19) from Anguilla in the Caribbean had travelled to the UK for treatment for cataracts. Photo: PA Pressure to name the 12-year-old convicted machete killers has grown after the UKs policing minister said it would be in the public interest to do so. G7 Day Two: Leaders tackle the issue of migration at summit in Italy The gathering in a luxury resort in Italys southern Puglia region is also discussing other major topics Leaders of the G7 are turning their attention to migration on the second day of their summit on Friday (Domenico Stinellis/AP) Elena Becatoros Fri 14 Jun 2024 at 08:57 Leaders of the G7 are turning their attention to migration on the second day of their summit on Friday, seeking ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys. UN and aid groups urge release of 17 staffers held by Yemens rebels The Houthis said they had arrested members of an American-Israeli spy network, days after detaining the staffers from the UN and aid organisations Houthi rebel fighters march during a rally of support for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and against the US strikes on Yemen outside Sanaa (AP Photo) Edith M Lederer Fri 14 Jun 2024 at 08:27 The heads of six UN agencies and three international humanitarian organisations issued a joint appeal on Thursday to Yemens Houthi rebels for the immediate release of 17 members of their staff. Police had never seen that many in one place more than 100 raccoons besiege house of woman who was feeding them FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter, gestures as he attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Tesla shareholders approved CEO Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package, the electric vehicle-maker said on Thursday, a big thumbs-up to his leadership and an enticement for keeping his focus on his biggest source of wealth. Shareholders also approved a proposal to move the company's legal home to Texas from Delaware, Tesla said at its annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas. They also approved other proposals including the re-election of two board members: Musk's brother Kimbal Musk and James Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. Mumbai: Vodafone Group is planning to sell its entire $2.3 billion stake in India's Indus Towers through block deals on the stock market next week, Reuters reported citing two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. This move is part of the British company's strategy to repay its debt. Vodafone holds a 21.5% stake in Indus Towers through various group entities, with the investment valued at $2.3 billion based on Friday's stock price in Mumbai. The exact size of the stake sale is still to be determined and may be less than 21.5% if demand, which is currently being evaluated, is insufficient, the sources noted. They requested anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions. Both Vodafone India and its UK parent company did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Indus Towers also declined to comment. Vodafone intends to execute the stake sale via block deals in Indian stock markets next week and has engaged Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and BNP Paribas to manage the transaction, the sources added. The banks did not respond to inquiries. In 2022, Vodafone announced plans to sell its entire 28% stake in Indus Towers but has only managed to sell a small portion so far. Photo courtesy: Representative image/ Pixabay Toronto/IBNS: Owing to an increase in invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases, Toronto Public Health has recommended meningococcal vaccination. The number of new cases reported are 13 of which 2 are fatal, which is higher than total cases seen in any year since 2002. A potentially life-threatening bacterial infection, IMD can progress suddenly with several countries, including the United States, reporting increases in cases of IMD this year. Occurring among both those who have and have not travelled outside of Canada, IMD can affect people of any age, but most common in children under five years old, teens and young adults not vaccinated against the disease. Since there are more chances of outbreaks occurring during mass gatherings as well as during travel, TPH is recommending travellers to ensure they are protected with meningococcal vaccination. Meningococcal vaccination are also included for those travelling to Haj an annual pilgrimage from June 14 to 19, drawing approximately two million people to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Vaccination for individuals participating in local and international Pride events is also recommended. Keeping up to date with vaccines is recommended for the best protection against IMD. A publicly funded immunization is accessible to adults between 18 and 36 years old who have not received a meningococcal vaccine and they are recommended to contact their health care provider to receive a meningococcal vaccine as soon as possible. It should be ensured by parents, guardians and caregivers that children are vaccinated against IMD, which is typically given at 12 months and in grade seven and is required under Ontarios Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). TPH vaccination clinic offers free vaccinations to students who have missed the vaccine by booking appointments at TPHbookings.ca. Invasive meningococcal disease Caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, illnesses due to IMD are often severe and can be deadly including infections in the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Spread of meningococcal bacteria to other people can be done by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). generally due to close or prolonged contact to spread these bacteria. Symptoms typically begin with fever, aches, joint pain, headache, stiff neck, increased sensitivity to light. Those experiencing these symptoms, should immediately seek medical attention. (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page Indian PM Narendra Modi on Friday (June 14, 2024) arrived in Italy to attend the G7 Outreach Summit and said he is looking forward to engage in productive discussions with world leaders. This is Modi's first foreign trip since coming to power in India for the third straight term. "Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future," the Indin PM posted on X. Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/muXi30p4Bj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2024 He is visiting Italy at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In his departure speech, Modi said: "I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit." "I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda," he said. "We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," he said. What will be the key area of discussion during the Outreach session? During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, the Indian PM said. Modi led his Bharatiya Janata Party to a third straight victory in the Indian general polls this year. Modi said: "It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South." The G7 team comprises of the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. This time the summit will take place in the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italys Apulia region from June 13 to 15. Photo Courtesy: India in Kuwait X page A special Indian Air Force flight, carrying the bodies of 45 people who died in a fire tragedy in Kuwait , are currently being carried to India. The flight is expected to arrive in the south Indian state of Kerala at 11 am and then leave for Delhi. Gonda MP Kirti Vardhan Singh rushed to Kuwait after taking oath as the junior minister. He is flying in the same flight. "A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi," the India Embassy in Kuwait posted on X. A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft pic.twitter.com/091hBNWzLL India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024 " MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft," the Embassy said. At least 48 people died after a massive fire broke out at a six-storey building in Mangaf city on Wednesday. The deceased included 45 Indians. The fire tragedy left 33 Indians injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences and said the Indian embassy is working with local authorities to assist the victims.A high-level meeting was held at the Prime Minister's residence over the tragedy. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video New Delhi/Kochi/IBNS: A special flight of Indian Air Force (AIF) carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians killed in the Kuwait fire reached Kochi on Friday morning. Among 45, the majority are from Kerala (24) and Tamil Nadu (7). Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached Ernakulam to receive the mortal remains. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, who went to Kuwait to take stock of the situation and assist in the repatriation, is also onboard the special flight. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait reaches Cochin International Airport. (Source: CIAL) pic.twitter.com/UKhlUROaP7 ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 The flight, which reached Kerala at around 10:30 am, will head to Delhi. The incident happened at 6 am local time (9 am IST) on Wednesday. The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building which had 160 people living in it and some succumbed to death as they jumped off the fifth floor to escape. An inquiry has been initiated into the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting at his residence over the tragedy on the same day. Kuwait's health ministry said the injured had been admitted to several hospitals; the majority were sent to Al-Adan, but some were also sent to Farwaniya Hospital, Al-Amiri, and Mubarak Hospital. Photo courtesy: X/@dasadarshan and Divya Spandana Facebook Bengaluru/IBNS: "No one is above the law," says actress-turned-politician Divya Spandana aka Ramya reacting to the arrest of her colleague, Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa in the Karnataka murder case. In a long Instagram story, Divya wrote, "No one is above the law. No one should take law into their hands. You don't go around beating up people and killing them. A simple complaint would suffice whether you believe justice will be served or not." Praising police's action, she said, "A word of appreciation and respect for the police officers discharging their duties. It's a thankless job. And they're doing their best. "I truly hope they don't succumb to pressure from political parties and reinstate the faith of the people in law and justice." Darshan, his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda and 11 others have so far been arrested in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Renuka Swamy. According to police, the victim had posted an objectionable comment on Kannada actress Pavithra Gowda's Instagram handle accusing her of causing a rift between Thoogudeepa and his wife Vijaya Lakshmi. This happened after Pavithra posted an Instagram video celebrating his 10-year relationship with Darshan, who has been married to Vijaya Lakshmi for 20 years. Darshan's aides reportedly carried Renuka Swamy in a taxi from Chitradurga to their Bengaluru hideout where they tortured the victim to death. After allegedly beating to death, Renukaswamy's body was dumped in a stormwater drain at an area which falls under Kamakshipalya Police Station. Police reportedly got to know from a food delivery man who saw a dog eating the body of the victim. Divya, a former Congress MP, ended her Instagram post with #JusticeforRenukaswamy, #Darshan, #Yedyurappa, #PrajwalRevanna. The actress-politician used the hashtags referring to the sexual harassment charges brought against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yedyurappa and sexual abuse allegations brought against now arrested, suspended JDS leader Prajwal Revanna. Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Italy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit when they reviewed India-France bilateral relations relationship between the two countries and focussed on the 'Horizon 2047' Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap. "Discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. They agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on Make in India," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, They also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025. Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also pic.twitter.com/l52eHhJclL Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Following his meeting, Modi posted on X: " Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month." The two leaders also exchanged views on key global and regional issues. "They emphasized that a strong and trusted Strategic Partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights," the statement said, Earlier in the day, Modi arrived in India to attend the G7 Summit. Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region on Friday when the Indian leader said dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to end ongoing conflict with Russia. "Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy. @ZelenskyyUa," Modi posted on X. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Zelenskyy had wished Modi after he won the recently held Indian general polls. Modi became the Prime Minister for the third straight term after his Bharatiya Janata Party registered victory in the polls. Apart from Zelenskyy, Modi met Rishi Sunak and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. " It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," Modi said. It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. pic.twitter.com/ehjhFY89cE Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 He also met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Modi, earlier in the day, reached Italy to attend the Summit. Photo Courtesy: Arindam Bagchi X page India and Oman are likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) within the first 100 days of the Indian PM Narendra Modi's third term. Two officials aware of the matter said negotiations between India and the Sultanate of Oman were almost over during Modis previous term, reported Hindustan Times. However, the deal has not been reached since the imposition of the model code of conduct on March 16 following the announcement of dates for the Lok Sabha polls. The officials, who requested anonymity, said the deal is likely to be concluded soon. The India-Oman FTA is almost finalised, awaiting [formal] political nod from both sides, one of the officials told the newspaper. Oman Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik on Tuesday congratulated Narendra Modi on becoming the Indian PM for the third consecutive term during their telephone conversation and they reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and strengthen the relationship between the two nations. "Sultan Haitham bin Tarik extended his heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister on his reappointment as PM for a third term following the recently concluded general elections," read a government statement. The Omani leader emphasized the centuries-old ties of friendship between Oman and India and conveyed his best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the people of India. Prime Minister Modi thanked His Majesty for his warm wishes and highlighted his historic visit to India in December 2023 which led to deepening of bilateral cooperation in all areas. In image PM Modi with his Italian counterpart Meloni/ courtesy: MEA India X Apulia/IBNS: In his first trip after the historic third straight term at the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the G7 Summit hosted by Italy, where he is holding a series of key bilateral meetings with world leaders as a part of his mega outreach programme. The summit is being held at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region. India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an Outreach country. PM Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis and is scheduled to hold talks with them later. PM Modi and the Pope also shared a hug. Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/BeIPkdRpUD Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 PM Meloni, meanwhile, welcomed Modi at Borgo Egnazia for the G7 summit. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomed by the G7 host, PM @GiorgiaMeloni of Italy as he arrived at Borgo Egnazia to participate in the G7 Summit. pic.twitter.com/NTxLGYedGv Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 14, 2024 Earlier, PM Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit when the Indian leader said dialogue and diplomacy are the only ways to end ongoing conflict with Russia. "Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy. @ZelenskyyUa," Modi posted on X. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Zelenskyy had wished Modi after he won the recently held Indian general polls. Besides Zelenskyy, Modi met Rishi Sunak and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. " It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," Modi said. It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. pic.twitter.com/ehjhFY89cE Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 He also met his 'friend' French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. "Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month," he posted on X. Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also pic.twitter.com/l52eHhJclL Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Day one of the summit was dominated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the leaders agreed on a US proposal to back a $ 50-billion loan to Kyiv utilising frozen Russian assets, described by US President Joe Biden as a "significant outcome" and a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his departure speech from India, Modi said: "I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit." "I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda," he said. "We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," he said. In image PM Modi at G& summit/ courtesy: MEA India X Bari (Italy)/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday called for the end of the monopoly in technology and said it must be made creative to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. In an address at an Outreach session of the G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region, Prime Minister Modi said the countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of uncertainties and tensions around the world. "We have to collectively ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society, to realize the potential of every person in the society, to help in removing social inequalities, and expand human powers instead of limiting them. This should not only be our desire, but our responsibility. We have to convert monopoly in technology into mass usage," he said. "We have to make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through its human-centric approach. India is among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence," the Indian PM said. Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber pic.twitter.com/lafxE4aJos Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 He spoke about the launch of A.I. Mission. "It is derived from the mantra "A.I. for All. As a founding member and lead chair of the Global Partnership for AI, we are promoting cooperation among all countries. During the G-20 Summit hosted by India last year, we emphasized the importance of international governance in the field of A.I. In the time to come, we will continue to work together with all countries to make A.I. transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible," PM Modi said. Modi also spoke about his government's resolve to build a developed India by 2047. "Our commitment is that no section of the society should be left behind in the country's development journey. This is also important in the context of international cooperation," he said. The countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of global uncertainties and tensions, PM Modi said, adding that India has considered it its responsibility to place the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage. "We have given high priority to Africa in these efforts. We are proud that the G-20, under India's chairmanship, made the African Union a permanent member. India has been contributing to the economic and social development, stability and security of all African countries, and will continue to do so," he said. Earlier PM Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis in Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region. India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an Outreach country. Fostering India-Italy friendship! PM @narendramodi and PM @GiorgiaMeloni held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. They conversed about taking forward the outcomes of the G20 Summit into the G7, augmenting partnership opportunities in defence development and pic.twitter.com/QbxJXTHKdJ PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 14, 2024 He also met US Predient Joe Biden on the sidelines of G& summit. Despite, tensions among India and Canada, PM Modi has a warm meeting with Justine Trudeau at the event. PM @narendramodi and Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau met during the G7 Summit in Italy. pic.twitter.com/6nSmHQZFLl PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 14, 2024 He also held meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit. In image Narendra Modi metting Gieorgia Meloni/ courtesy: X Bari (Italy)/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni with whom he had a "good meeting" to cement ties between two countries. PM Modi also thanked her for inviting him to the G7 Summit. Earlier he was welcomed by PM Meloni in Italy. India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an Outreach country. The bilateral talks concentrated on India-Italy relations in areas like commerce, energy, defence, telecom and more. "Our nations will work together in futuristic areas like biofuels, food processing and critical minerals," PM Modi posted in an X post. Had a very good meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni. Thanked her for inviting India to be a part of the G7 Summit and for the wonderful arrangements. We discussed ways to further cement India-Italy relations in areas like commerce, energy, defence, telecom and more. Our nations will pic.twitter.com/PAe6sdNRO9 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 In an address at an Outreach session of the G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region, Prime Minister Modi said the countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of uncertainties and tensions around the world. "We have to collectively ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society, to realize the potential of every person in the society, to help in removing social inequalities, and expand human powers instead of limiting them. This should not only be our desire, but our responsibility. We have to convert monopoly in technology into mass usage," he said. "We have to make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through its human-centric approach. India is among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence," the Indian PM said. Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber pic.twitter.com/lafxE4aJos Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 PM Modi also met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Brazil President Lula da Silva and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The interactions in Italy continue... Delightful conversation with President @LulaOficial, President @RTErdogan and His Highness Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed. pic.twitter.com/4FwdGuSw5U Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 He also held meetings with US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit. In Images PM Modi meeting Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau/ courtesy: PMO X Bari (Italy)/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday met US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G7 summit. This is his first meeting with the US president after his historic straight third term at the Indian government. "It's always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good," Modi's post read. It's always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good. pic.twitter.com/Xzyvp5cLCq Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Modi also met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit here in the southern resort town of Italy. This was their first face-to-face meeting after Trudeau claimed that the Indian government agents were involved in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada last year. Canada has arrested four Indian nationals in connection with the case. Met Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau at the G7 Summit. pic.twitter.com/e67ajADDWi Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 PM Modi is meeting a host of world leaders in Italy during the G7 Summit. With world leaders at the @G7 Summit in Italy. pic.twitter.com/83gSNhNQTs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 He also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Italy. In an address at an Outreach session of the G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region, Prime Minister Modi said the countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of uncertainties and tensions around the world. "We have to collectively ensure that the benefits of technology reach all sections of society, to realize the potential of every person in the society, to help in removing social inequalities, and expand human powers instead of limiting them. This should not only be our desire, but our responsibility. We have to convert monopoly in technology into mass usage," he said. Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber pic.twitter.com/lafxE4aJos Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 "We have to make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through its human-centric approach. India is among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence," the Indian PM said. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Besides featuring in one of the main roles, Anirban Bhattacharya donned the creative director's hat in Arna Mukhopadhyay's Athhoi, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello. In an interaction with IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh, Anirban speaks on his 'Athhoi' journey, working chemistry with Arna Mukhopadhyay and more... Q. Q. How could you and Arna Mukhopadhyay maintain the borderline as the creative director and director respectively? A. The final call always remains with the director. As a creative director, I am not entitled to take a call. I have utilised my experience of directing Mandaar and Ballabhpurer Roopkotha in Athhoi. I can give my opinions to Arna-da but the final decision always rests with the director. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from trailer video Q. How do you see the new designations like creative director or creative producer or intimacy director in films? A. Intimacy director is a role which has emerged following the #metoo movement. I feel it was the correct step. Even I felt the need of someone like an intimacy director or a coordinator or a choreographer while acting in an intimate scene. Even new actors feel uncomfortable shooting such scenes at the start of their careers. As a creative director, unlike creative producers who roughly look at the peripheral structure of a film, I remained present on the shooting floor. In the Bengali film industry, we follow the basic format of being a creative director. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS Q. How do you interpret the Shakespearean world? A. I look at the Shakespearean world as larger-than-life. His characters are a bit detached from reality. The storyline is told from a top view. The characters are always detached from reality, in an isolation to create a new world out of them. Even in Athhoi, the protagonist's home is in a desolate place, which is not a real space similar to the Shakespearean world. We have noticed such things even in Kurosawa's (Akira Kurosawa, Japanese filmmaking legend) films. I consider this departure from realism as an ingredient of the Shakespearean world. I have shown it in Mandaar. The impact is always stronger, I believe, if a Shakespearean story is told in a hyperrealistic or surrealistic space. Q. Do you feel Shakespearean plays are more cinematic? A. Cinema after its journey of 130-140 years no longer has any particular definition. Almost everything possible has been explored and experimented in cinema. Cinema has explored everything in stagnancy and mobility. Anything captured in a camera can or cannot be considered as a cinema, depending upon one's perspective. So I can't really explain whether Shakespearean plays are cinematic or not. Shakespearean plays can be as cinematic as the novel of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (Bengali writer). The cinematic or not depends on how a story is filmed. Personally I feel each and every story is cinematic. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from trailer video Q. How does your approach to a role change from a regular role to the one adapted from text? A. The principle remains the same. In the case of Athhoi, the role was already sketched because I have been working on the play for seven years. But in any film, I won't improvise something that would dilute my character. I would do anything that a character demands. Q. You are known for perfection in telling a story. How challenging is it to achieve perfection and work meticulously within the constraints of the Bengali film industry? A. Honestly, it is challenging because time is science. We can chase time up to a certain limit after which one has to accept the reality as it is. Prior to giving up the chase, one has to double or triple their labour both mentally and physically. The Bengali cinema has become a very laborious, physical task, which can only pull off the work. The source of pulling off double the work at a given time lies in the script. The script has to be made in a way with all aspirations, imaginations and dreams that can be achieved. It ismeaningless to aspire for something that can't be achieved in our infrastructure. Having said that, we are also provided with high-end equipment that can't be dismissed as unworthy. The constraint is we are provided for a small period of time. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from trailer video Q. You have an ideology of aspiring for something not more than what is required in life. How much does this influence your art? A. No, the ideology of my life is a completely different arena. I don't measure my art on a scale of requirement. If I do it, the core of an art will be dissolved. Life is different. The requirements in life depend on my status, location etc. Even now I am realising the need for certain things in life after having a family. I have started considering certain things as requirements which I had once felt not needed in life. Having said that, I don't waste money on something that is absolutely not needed. (Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS) Photo Courtesy: Khalsavox.com The recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, alongside the unwavering support from some D8 nations to Islamist groups, underscore a disturbing convergence towards a common and dangerous goal: global jihad. India must prioritize its internal security and adopt an inward first approach to safeguard against this looming threat. The three recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir starkly remind us that the fight against terrorism is far from over. Despite concerted efforts to establish peace, the situation in Kashmir remains fragile, primarily due to Pakistans persistent role in fostering and promoting terrorism in the region. The Reasi attack on Sunday was particularly harrowing, with terrorists targeting a bus full of pilgrims, causing it to plunge into a gorge. This attack, which resulted in the death of at least ten civilians and left many others injured, highlights the sinister hand of Pakistan behind such acts of terror. Initial investigations point to Pakistans involvement, reinforcing the need for India to remain vigilant and proactive in its security measures. Recent developments in West Asia, notably Israels stern stance against Hamas, have invigorated Islamist elements globally, posing a significant threat to Indias security. Pakistan remains the epicenter of anti-India activities in the region, promoting cross-border terrorism through its intelligence agency, ISI, and supporting terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Alarmingly, Pakistan has extended its influence into other countries, including Bangladesh and Nepal, to propagate anti-India activities. The internal situation in Bangladesh is increasingly volatile. Despite historical ties and significant Indian investments in infrastructure, anti-India sentiment is on the rise. Extremist propaganda, as espoused by ISIS-Ks Voice of Khorasan, advocates for the establishment of a caliphate in Bangladesh, contributing to the boycott of Indian goods in Dhaka. These developments highlight the fragility of India-Bangladesh relations and the need for strategic engagement at multiple levels. In the Maldives, radical factions continue to spread anti-Indian propaganda, undermining New Delhis efforts to foster friendly relations through development initiatives. Similarly, Turkeys open support for Pakistan and its anti-India foreign policy, particularly regarding Jammu and Kashmir, further complicates Indias regional security landscape. India must fortify its Neighbourhood-First policy by reassessing and strengthening its regional strategies. Engaging in high-level dialogues, fostering grassroots connectivity, and ensuring bipartisan support for regional partnerships are crucial steps. The relationship with Bangladesh, exemplified by the rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina, must be nurtured and expanded beyond political interactions to include people-to-people engagement. Domestically, India must implement robust de-radicalisation programs targeting the root causes of extremism. Inclusive initiatives to disengage individuals from radical ideologies, coupled with the closure of unregulated religious educational institutions, are essential to prevent further radical recruitment. Capacity development in formal education and rehabilitation programs should be prioritized to reintegrate affected individuals into society. Countering extremism requires a unified approach involving joint military training with neighboring nations, cultural exchange programs, and sharing best practices. Effective global alliances are necessary to cut off support for violent non-state actors through mechanisms like United Nations Security Council resolutions, G20 pronouncements, and regional forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and BIMSTEC. India must actively engage in regional security frameworks to foster collective security arrangements and solve mutual problems, thereby promoting stability and mutual trust among neighboring countries. The recent attacks in Kashmir are a stark reminder that India cannot afford complacency in its fight against terrorism. The confluence of global terror networks demands an unwavering commitment to national and international security. The convergence of terror activities in Kashmir and the broader support for global jihad necessitate a comprehensive and proactive approach from India. Strengthening internal security, fostering regional cooperation, and building effective global alliances are imperative to safeguard against this persistent and evolving threat. (Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com) Photo Courtesy: Wallpaper Cave Pakistani security forces have foiled an attempt by banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to establish centres in Balochistan, media reports said. The forces arrested a key leader and his associates from different regions of the province. A spokesman for the Counter Terrorism Department told Dawn News on Thursday that the CTD had received information that the commander, who is also a member of TTP Shura, and other members of the outlawed outfit were attempting to establish their centres in different areas of the province. The CTD, along with other law enforcement agencies, conducted operations and arrested several militants, including the wanted TTP commander. With the arrest of the TTP commander and other terrorists, their efforts to establish centres in the province have been foiled, the CTD spokesman told Dawn News, adding that one of the facilitators has also been taken into custody. Photo Courtesy: UN Women/Sayed Habib Bidell It has been almost three years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan and womens rights continue to be under attack. On Thursday, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell revealed that in its latest act of disempowerment, de facto authorities have told women civil servants prohibited from working that despite qualifications or experience, their salaries will now be cut to the lowest level. The Taliban overtook Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in August 2021, and quickly began eroding womens rights, including strict dress codes, banning higher education for girls, excluding women from certain jobs, and more. According to Ms. Throssell, authorities had told women they could return to work when the necessary conditions are in place, yet women have not received any information on when that might be. Three years on, steps to allow women civil servants to all return to the workplace have not been taken. This latest discriminatory and profoundly arbitrary decision further deepens the erosion of human rights in Afghanistan, following decisions to restrict women and girls access to education and employment, limit their freedom of movement, and curtail their presence in public spaces, effectively entrenching the exclusion of women from public life, Ms. Throssell said. Three billion learning hours lost Thursday also marks 1,000 days since the Taliban banned education for girls beyond the sixth grade a sad and sobering milestone according to the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Executive Director Catherine Russell said For 1.5 million girls, this systematic exclusion is not only a blatant violation of their right to education, but also results in dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health in a public statement. Ms. Russell said that education not only provides opportunities but it protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition and other health problems, and bolsters their resilience to disasters like the floods, drought, and earthquakes that frequently plague Afghanistan. UN Women recently reported that this ban on education is related to a 25 per cent increase in child marriage rates and a 45 per cent increase in early childbearing rates. The UNICEF chief said the agency is working extensively to support all children in Afghanistan. End rights violations As human rights continue to be violated in Afghanistan, independent rights experts are calling on the Taliban to provide medical aid for United States national Ryan Corbett who is being held in detention. Mr. Corbett was detained in 2022 when he travelled to Afghanistan to do humanitarian work and has been held captive since. His mental and physical health has severely declined and Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel treatment, said he must be given medical treatment in a civilian hospital without delay. She said conditions in detention were utterly inadequate and substantially below international standards. Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed rights experts are independent of any government, receive no salary for their work and serve in their individual capacity. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The decision, which came two years after the court rescinded the nationwide guarantee to an abortion, was welcomed by pro-choice activists, reported BBC. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used in America at present for medical abortion. It is one of the most common methods of terminating pregnancies in the country now. The plaintiffs, known as the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, had argued that approval for the drug from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be withdrawn, reported BBC. Todays Supreme Court decision does not change the fact that the fight for reproductive freedom continues. Because Donald Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, the right for a woman to get the care she needs is imperiled if not impossible in many states. We will continue to fight to Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 13, 2024 US President Joe Biden reacted to the development and said the decision does not change the fact that the fight for reproductive freedom continues. "The stakes could not be higher for women across America," he said. "It does mean that mifepristone, or medication abortion, remains available and approved. Women can continue to access this medication approved by the FDA as safe and effective more than 20 years ago," Biden said. Reacting to the Supreme Court's development, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement: "The Justice Department is gratified that todays unanimous decision in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine ensures that mifepristone remains available for women across the country on the terms approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)." "I am proud of the work of lawyers at the Justice Department for vigorously defending the FDAs expert judgment about the safety and efficacy of a medication that women have relied upon for more than twenty years. But our work does not end today. The Department will continue to work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedoms under federal law," the statement said. Garland said the Department of Justice is committed to protecting reproductive freedom. Maharaja OTT release: The anticipation around Vijay Sethupathi's 50th film was huge and as expected the fans are thrilled after watching the electrifying performances and engaging storyline in Maharaja, the film which celebrates yet another milestone in the actor's illustrious career. Directed by Nithilan Swaminathan and also starring Anurag Kashyap, Mamta Mohandas, DOP Nataraj, Bharathiraja, Abhirami, Singampuli, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Vinoth Sagar and Kalki among others. Here's what we know about its OTT release. Where to watch Vijay Sethupathi's Maharaja on OTT? X As per a report on TOI, the streaming rights of the film have been bought by Netflix. Hence, the Tamil film will likely be released on Netflix after its theatrical run. When to watch Anurag Kashyap starrer Maharaja on OTT? X The release date however has not been revealed as of yet. The movie will likely be streamed two months after its theatrical run. It is now confirmed that the film will be available for streaming on July 12, 2024 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi languages. Maharaja movie review The film so far has received positive reviews from fans. Not just Vijay Sethupathy, the Kurangu Bummai filmmaker Nithilan Swaminathan is also getting praised for a brilliant screenplay. While some are calling it the movie of the year, others say this great film was a disturbing watch. "#Maharaja is the movie of the year for me, drop everything you are doing and go watch that film in theatres this weekend", a fan wrote on X after watching the movie. "MAHARAJA is THE MOVIE OF THE YEAR. Believe me everything is perfect. Every minute detail is perfect. The soundtrack. The screenplay. The story. The performance. The cast. Oh my god !! Go watch," said another user. Also Read: Chandu Champion OTT release: When and where to watch Murlikant Petkar biopic starring Kartik Aaryan Actress Keerthy Suresh also praised the film. In her Maharaja review, she wrote, "Just coming hot hot out of the film #Maharaja!! What a brilliant screenplay this is. You are the star of the show @Dir_Nithilan. Its a pride to add this gem to Tamil Cinema. This film was the perfect way to mark your 50th @VJSethuOfficial sir, its a treat to watch you, as always! @wanuragkashyap72 What a role sir, you were absolutely lit. @natty_nataraj sir you were great holding the characters together. @abhiramiact it was so nice to see you after a long time mam!! @mamtamohan chechi lots of love to you. @philoedit terrific cuts sir!! Literally glued us to our seats! Big Congratulations to @PassionStudios_ and #SudhanSundaram. last but not the least, Congrats nanba @Jagadishbliss, ini Burj to Hollywood than po! My heartfelt wishes to each one of you for the amazing work!!" Vijay Sethupathi on his 50th film Sethupathi in an interview with etvbharat.com recently revealed he specifically chose this film as his 50th one. "The narrative of Maharaja resonated with me deeply, much like the movie Pizza (2012 horror comedy). The twists and turns in the story are incredibly engaging, and as soon as I heard the director's vision, I knew this had to be my 50th film." Also Read: When and where to watch Diljit Dosanjh's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon episode What is Maharaja about? The film's story revolves around a barber who loves his child and is seeking vengeance after his home is burglarized. He goes to Police station and cryptically tells them that his "lakshmi" has been taken. Is Lakshmi a person or object? The quest to find "lakshmi" continues. For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The Gujarat High Court has temporarily halted the release of the Netflix film "Maharaj." The movie was scheduled to stream from June 14. Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, is making his debut in the film "Maharaj," but is this the storyline that is being talked about? Is it real-life inspiration? Well, the answer is yes. The film gets into a historical event from 1862 known as the Maharaj Libel Case. This much-anticipated film on Netflix promises to bring a compelling real-life story to the screen. The Real-Life Story That Inspired Junaid Khan's Debut Film "Maharaj" So,the wait is almost over,next Friday "Maharaj"will be premiered on Netflix. It's the story of a braveheart,fearless journo Karsandas Mulji who fought against the high & Mighty.He created a history in Indian Journalism by winning "Maharaj Libel Case"... pic.twitter.com/ylYQR7RfoD Prof.(Dr.)Shirish Kashikar (@journogujarati) June 11, 2024 "Maharaj," a Netflix series, tells the story of Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer in India. He fought for women's rights and social change during a crucial period in Indian history. The series focuses on his life, leading up to a major legal case known as the Maharaj Libel Case. This case was a significant legal battle of its time. What is the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862? The Famous Case of 1862: Karsandas Mulji's Fight for Justice Background: In 1862, a significant court case unfolded in India involving Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer. It all started when Mulji supported Narmad, who was questioning the practices of Vaishnavite priests in Gujarat. The Controversial Article: Mulji wrote an article in a newspaper accusing these priests of misconduct, including improper relationships with female devotees. This article angered Maharaj, a prominent Vaishnavite leader, who sued Mulji and the newspaper's publisher for libel. The Legal Battle: The trial took place in Bombay and lasted several months. Mulji faced pressure and accused nine leaders from the Bhatia community of conspiring against him. Despite challenges, Mulji remained steadfast in his defence. In April 1862, Judge Arnould delivered a historic judgement favouring Mulji. He emphasised that he was awarded a substantial sum of money. that the case was not just about religious beliefs but also about fairness and equality under the law. Mulji was awarded a substantial sum of money. Legacy of Karsandas Mulji: Karsandas Mulji, who passed away in 1871, is remembered as a pioneer in social reform and journalism in India. His victory in the Maharaj Libel Case highlighted the importance of standing up against injustice and exposing corrupt practices, leaving a lasting impact on Indian society. Junaid Khan, stepping into his first major role, expressed his excitement about portraying such a significant historical figure on screen. The film is expected to shed light on the intricacies of the case, the cultural backdrop of 19th-century India, and the clash between traditional Indian values and the influence of British colonial rule. "Maharaj" is not just a debut for Junaid Khan but also marks a milestone in his career as he takes on a character deeply rooted in India's past. With Netflix backing the project, audiences worldwide eagerly await the film's release to witness this intriguing chapter of history brought to life through the lens of Junaid Khan's acting prowess. Stay tuned as "Maharaj" prepares to transport viewers back in time to an era of legal intrigue and cultural transformation, all through the eyes of Junaid Khan in his much-anticipated debut role. For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Four years ago on this day, when the entire nation was under lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we all woke up to the most shocking and tragic news - Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai apartment. As we continue to mourn the gifted actor who was known for his deep love for cinema and science, let's take a look at 5 times the actor charmed us with his off-screen looks. Also Read: 7 Times Bollywood Celebrities Repeated Their Outfits Making It A Cool Thing 1) Vogue India's cover with Kendall Jenner Pinterest Back in 2017, Sushant Singh Rajput posed for Vogue India's 10th anniversary special cover with supermodel Kendall Jenner. Looking regal in a bespoke white suit, the actor was seen twinning with Kendall for the photo shoot and was styled by none other than Anaita Shroff Adajania. 2) Ramp walk for Shantanu and Nikhil Pinterest In 2016, Sushant walked the ramp for designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil during a presentation titled Kashmiriyat at the GQ fashion nights. The actor was the perfect showstopper for the show in a signature black and white contemporary ensemble. 3) Home tour with Asian Paints www.architecturaldigest.in/Pinterest During a candid conversation while giving a home tour as part of Asian Paints' web series 'Where the Heart is' in 2018, Sushant was seen in a comfortable grey sweatshirt which he paired with dark-washed blue denim and his signature white sneakers. The actor absolutely aced the casual look giving off laidback vibes in the interview. 4) Promotions for 'M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story' Pinterest While promoting his hit film back in 2016, the actor looked dashing in a pinstripe suit as he posed for a photo shoot. Pairing the suit with an open-collar black shirt Sushant effortlessly pulled off the side-parted hairstyle, a signature of young MS Dhoni. 5) Quirky looks for the paparazzi Pinterest As an openly introverted person, Sushant frequently let his acting and t-shirts speak for him. The actor enjoyed wearing a variety of stylish t-shirts with amusing graphic designs or just words he related to. Ranging from quirky nerd jokes to sassy slogans the actor was often papped wearing trendy T-shirts. With his death, the actor left a void that can never be filled but his legacy lives on. Through his movies and his charitable work, fans all over the world still remember him as they observe his death anniversary on 14th June. Also Read: Ananya Pandey is nailing gen z fashion, her latest Instagram pictures are proof For more on fashion, astrology and health from around the globe, please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. It has become very common these days for Indians, especially the youth, to settle abroad. Every year millions of Indians travel abroad to work and study, and thousands give up their citizenship and start a new life in countries like the US, Canada, UK, Germany, and more. While they point to better career and economic opportunities and improved social security as reasons to settle in a foreign country, a French man has been calling India his home for totally different reasons. Came to India as a JNU student Jean-Baptiste, a Frenchman, has been living in Mumbai for 21 years and is in love with the chaos and everything else India has to offer. In a recent video posted on YouTube, Jean-Baptiste opened up about how he first came to India and fell in love with the country. Jean-Baptiste said he came to India in 2002 as a student at JNU in Delhi. Also read: Russian influencer savours 'bhutta' in Mumbai SCREENGRAB India and France have a lot in common According to him, there is a surprising number of cultural and social similarities between India and France. He pointed out that people from both countries value family bonds, cherish their rich historical heritage, and exhibit a deep appreciation for art and cuisine. Indians are friendly One of the most interesting things Jean-Baptiste said he felt about India is how friendly people here are. "You never feel lonely in India, and people are gentle. Indian people don't have Western egos and can become friends very easily," he said. Also read: Russian Influencer's Unconventional Search For An Indian Husband Takes Internet By Storm Unsplash Jean-Baptiste said he chose to stay in India because of the profound sense of peace he discovered. He described India as a place where he could find tranquility amidst the chaos, attributing this to the country's deep spiritual roots and the warm, welcoming nature of its people. How to enjoy India According to him, the best way to enjoy India and integrate with the people here is to participate in local festivals, learn the language, and show respect for the diverse traditions of India. Unsplash Mumbai is changing In the twenty-one years he has been in India, Jean-Baptiste said he has seen how Mumbai has been changing rapidly. "Mumbai is changing fast. There are so many constructions, and it is crazy how it is changing," he said. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. It is no secret that Europeans are not known for their spice tolerance. Unlike Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Mexican foods that can come loaded with spices, European foods are comparatively mild. There are several videos on social media showing Europeans trying their hands at some of the spiciest Asian foods and ending up with a burned mouth as the chilies are beyond what they are used to. Too hot to handle But eating too much spicy food can result in many more health complications, including poisoning. Denmarks food agency has recalled some South Korean instant ramen, warning noodle lovers that they were so hot they might cause acute poisoning. Also read: Dude Asks For Extra Spicy Noodles, The Chilli Almost Blows His Head Off His Shoulders Unsplash Dangerous levels of capsaicin Three Samyang Foods noodle products were assessed to have dangerous levels of capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said in a statement on Tuesday. Capsaicin, which fuels the spicy flavor in various hot sauces, can be dangerous in high amounts as it can lead to adverse health effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Could result in acute poisoning The three products from the Samyang instant ramen line Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Hot Chicken Stew were being withdrawn from sale in Denmark. The level in a single packet of the noodles was so high that they pose a risk of the consumer developing acute poisoning, the Danish body said. Also read: Spicy, Red Hot History Of The Real Vindaloo REDDIT The Danish officials advised consumers who have the products to "discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased." It also advised parents to contact the Poison Line if their child shows acute symptoms after eating the noodles. Fire noodles Samyang Foods' Buldak instant noodle line, known as "fire noodles" for their extreme spiciness, starts with the original package at 8,706 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The Scoville scale indicates the degree of spiciness by measuring the concentration of capsaicin. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Fathers Day 2024: Fathers Day is a perfect time to reflect on the valuable financial wisdom that fathers pass on to their children. Beyond emotional support and life lessons, fathers often provide practical guidance on financial planning. In an era where financial literacy is increasingly essential, Generation Z (Gen-Z) can greatly benefit from learning crucial financial planning tips from their fathers. This Fathers Day, lets explore some key financial lessons that Gen-Z can learn from their dads, setting the stage for a prosperous future. Key financial planning tips Gen-Z can learn from their dad With Father's Day just around the corner, kids all over the world are planning how to surprise their fathers with different gifts or just make them feel special on a special day. But for fathers, it is always about how to guide their kids better so that they can flourish in life. unplash We will also shed light on some of the new-age hacks that fathers can learn from their Gen Z children to save big in today's time. Father's Day (which will be observed this year on June 16, Sunday) is all about appreciating dads for their sacrifices and moral teachings. The day honours dads' contributions to people, families, and communities. Let's make the day memorable by discussing some financial principles that all fathers should teach their children in order to safeguard their future wealth. Save And Invest It is widely held that starting to save and invest at an early age can help with wealth growth. Thus, fathers can educate their children on the importance of saving for the future and expose them to the notion of interest. How To Make Their Budget We all will agree, that budgeting is the primary key whenever we are talking to about saving. Budgeting enables us to analyse our daily expenses and highlight what is unnecessary and what is needed. Budgeting is an important life skill that fathers can teach their children. Value Money We are sure all fathers try to teach their kids the value of money. Parents often give their children an allowance on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, teaching them to save more and spend less. Financial Responsibility Fathers should always share responsibilities with their children, or at least discuss them. Fathers should underline the need for fiscal responsibility by emphasising the repercussions of hasty purchases and excessive debt in front of their children. Assist Them In Setting Financial Objectives As a father, sharing your life's path and how you began to save money as a child may greatly benefit your children. Fathers can give their kids short goals to set, like starting to save money for occasions like Father's Day, Mother's Day, Rakshabandhan, their own birthdays, etc. Pinterest Teach the Difference Between Needs And Wants Fathers can question younger children about goods available in their own house, such as cooking utensils, clothing, and toys, and ask them whether the family needs or wants them. By making that difference clear, kids can actually learn that some purchases are more important than others. Now these were all the tips for the young fathers of today's age, but what about the fathers who also need assistance in investing with the schemes available in today's time? Retirement is a painful truth that your father will either face or has already faced. This Father's Day, you can empower him with a little financial knowledge to assist your father in sorting out his retirement funds. You can take the time on Father's Day to secure your father's finances. One can give him a lifetime of security by making the appropriate investments. So let's dive in and see what is available in India: In India, we have the National Pension Scheme: The National Pension Scheme, which is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, or PFRDA, raised the retirement age for the National Pension System (NPS) to 70 years. This is a novel concept in which one may invest for an extended period of time to build up a substantial corpus that can subsequently be turned into an annuity income. You may set up an NPS account in your father's name and make contributions on his behalf. Senior Citizens Savings Plan: If your father is a senior citizen, establishing a Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, or SCSS, would provide him with not only the necessary security but also tax advantages. PPF: Examine to see if your father has a Public Provident Fund, or PPF, account in his name. Because of its long-term nature, this government-sponsored plan is a popular investment choice. The fund enables individuals to save for their future financial goals in a secure and effective manner while reaping tax benefits. There are many other schemes and ways, like the mutual fund programme for retirement, the Senior Citizens Savings Plan, retirement plans for life insurance, investing in stocks, crypto, etc., that you can analyse and then decide what is best for you and your parents. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal recently announced that the food delivery company has set the Guinness World Record for largest first aid lesson at a single venue. Amid congratulatory messages, the post saw a comment by comedian Kunal Kamra questioning Goyal about the average income and working hours of the companys delivery partners. Comedian Kunal Kamra asks Deepinder Goyal to reveal average income of delivery partners Kamra wrote, Can you declare the no of delivery partners you have with their average income & working hours over the last 3 months? No you cant But you can tell kgs of biryani ordered in one day. Youre such a hack bro." X Zomato chief Goyal posted a series of photos from the event which was held in Mumbai Yesterday in Mumbai, we broke the s for the largest first aid lesson at a single venue, together with 4,300 delivery partners. Over 30,000 @zomato delivery partners are now professionally trained to provide medical aid and help during pic.twitter.com/6sl3lWcE0R Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) June 13, 2024 This was in response to a series of photos shared by showing delivery partners participating in the first aid class. The Zomato boss wrote, Yesterday in Mumbai, we broke the Guinness World Records for the largest first aid lesson at a single venue, together with 4,300 delivery partners. Over 30,000 @zomato delivery partners are now professionally trained to provide medical aid and help during critical roadside emergencies. Salute and a big thank you to these Emergency Heroes of India." Also Read: Deepinder Goyal's 'Zomato Giveback': Now Access Free Weather Updates Alongside Food! Here's What It Means Internet is all praise for Zomatos achievement Numerous social media users applauded Zomato for its accomplishment, while others voiced calls for health insurance coverage for delivery partners. One user wrote, I see so many Zomato & Swiggy riders come to the casualty at night with road traffic accidents (caused mostly by drunk drivers), Zomato must consider providing arm & knee guards to riders at a minimal price or as an incentive, it could save their lives. cnbc A second commented, "Incredible achievement! Hats off to @zomato and the delivery partners for setting a new standard in community safety. These heroes are truly redefining roadside assistance." Search efforts for a 74-year-old Dutch tourist, missing in Samos since last Sunday, have come to a halt. According to the ERT national broadcaster, the search in the areas of Limniona, Klima, Agios Ioannis Eleimonas, and Agia Kyriaki Marathokampou ceased after five days. Despite extreme weather conditions with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, the Greek Rescue Team , reinforced by drones, Frontex helicopter and a special search dog , have found no traces of the man. The search was extended to surrounding areas but yielded no positive results. The Dutchman had set out on Sunday morning from Limniona for a hike towards Agios Panteleimonas and Agia Kyriaki. He was last seen at 14:00 in the Klima area and has been missing since. Rescue teams, with the assistance of the Hellenic Police and Fire Service, the EOD, and volunteers, meticulously searched every possible location, yet no evidence was found to shed light on the search for the 74-year-old Dutchman. The search also expanded to the sea, with the local Coast Guard joijing in. iefimerida.gr Police investigators from the island of Naxos arrive in Amorgos today to take the lead in the ill-fated search for a missing, retired U.S. police officer. The officers whereabouts have been unknown since Tuesday morning when he left for a hike. Key to the search efforts will be the responses from mobile phone companies to determine the last known locations of the two mobile phones the retiree had with him. One device had a French number, and the other an American number. Despite the efforts of the police, firefighters, and volunteer rescuers, the search has so far been fruitless. Calibet Albert Eric, 59, had traveled to the island from Los Angeles, where he resides, to enjoy his vacation. According to his friend who informed the police of his disappearance, Eric left Aegiali for a hike towards Katapola at 7:05 AM on Tuesday (11/6), a route that typically takes about four hours. Approximately eight hours later, the friend realized that Eric had not reached his destination and began making repeated phone calls without response, prompting him to contact the authorities. It is worth noting that the last communication from the 59-year-old was 15 minutes after he started his hike, at 7:20 AM, when he sent a photo to his sister of the trail sign. By Katia Niakari iefimerida.gr A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, upheld the rights of movement and freedom of the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero. Recall that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Bayero last month and ordered him to hand over power within 48 hours. But the Emir, who was out of Kano at the time the order was given, returned and moved into the mini palace in Nasarawa. Advertisement Delivering his judgment today, the presiding Judge of the Federal High Court 3, Justice Simon Amobeda, upheld the applicant counsels withdrawal of reliefs Order 1-2 on the grounds that they have the right by the rules of law to do so and as such they are no longer part of the case. The court also asked the Kano State Government to pay a sum of N10m damages to the 15th Emir. Justice Simon noted that it is the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, insisted that it falls within the issues of abuse of fundamental human rights of the applicant and the Constitution granted the court powers to preside over the matter. The judge said: It is the duty of the court to protect the rights of every citizen but that protection cannot be done in a vacuum, a person crying violation of his fundamental human rights must provide cogent and vital evidence to that effect to which the applicant has successfully provided. READ MORE: Kano Court Orders Police To Evict Emir Bayero From Palace I hold that without any lawful justification, the applicant is threatened, breaching his fundamental rights to liberty as guaranteed in Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Similarly, there is an act of the government which has forced the applicant to a house arrest, preventing him from going about his lawful business, constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights to freedom of movement as guaranteed under section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution. That the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Respondents that is the Police, the DSS, Army, Air force, Navy, are either by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or any other persons or authority forthwith restraint from arresting, detaining, harassing the applicant. That the second respondent and the Government of Kano State should pay the sum of N10 million for breach and likely breach of his Fundamental Right to Personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed in the 1999 constitution, The Federal Capital Territory Police Command paraded six individuals on Thursday who specialise in enrolling Subscriber Identity Module cards using the identities of other innocent citizens and selling them to criminals. The suspects include Ndubuisi Okeh, John Jock, Nafiu Tijani (a dispatcher), Nasiru Sulaiman, John Njoku, and Suleiman Musa. Addressing journalists while parading the suspects, FCT Commissioner of Police Benneth Igwe stated that the defendants sold SIM cards to criminals between N3,000 and N5000. Advertisement He stated that the suspects were found in possession of 1,100 registered SIM cards, three registration devices, two fingerprint machines, and a mobile phone. Igwe said, On May 29, 2024, at about 3:00 pm, a team of detectives from the State Intelligence Department led by ACP Mohammed S. Baba, acting on credible intelligence, lured and arrested six suspects namely: Ndubuisi Okeh, John Jock; Nafiu Tijani (a dispatcher); Nasiru Sulaiman; John Njoku and Suleiman Musa Who specialises in the sales of already registered sim cards to criminals who operate with other peoples identity to avoid being traced or tracked through their own details at the price rate of three to five thousand naira. According to Igwe, a National Identity Number can be used to register four distinct numbers. As a result, he claimed that these criminals employ street SIM card dealers to get the personal information of unwary citizens who buy and register SIM cards at the same time. He said, It may interest you to know that four different numbers could be registered under a single NIN, hence, these criminals employ street sim card vendors to get the details of unsuspecting residents who buy sim cards and register at the same time. Over one thousand, one hundred already registered sim cards, three registration machines, and other gadgets were recovered from the suspects. The suspects have all confessed to the crime and will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation. READ MORE: Police Corporal Dismissed For Misusing Firearm, Killing Businessman In Abia According to the CP, a gun runner named Ikechukwu Didi was apprehended with seven automatic pump action shotguns and 1000 rounds of live cartridges. He said, On June 7, 2024, at about 2:00 pm, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives from the anti-car theft section, trailed and arrested one Ikechukwu Didi 54 yrs, at Dutse Junction, who specialises in gun-running. Seven automatic pump action shotguns and 1000 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from him. Suspect will be arraigned in court soon. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to shift attention to investigating more pressing issues. Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Wednesday, Obi said arresting Nigerians over naira abuse should not be the focus of the anti-graft agency. Advertisement According to him, the arrest of Bobrisky, self-acclaimed crossdresser and others for abusing naira notes are minor issues. His words: If it is not budget padding today, it would be undisclosed subsidy payment, inflated contracts, and all sorts of things. READ ALSO: N80 Billion Fraud: Political Masters Shielding Yahaya Bello, Disgracing Nigeria EFCC These are issues I want our agencies like EFCC to start dealing with but not arresting Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest. These are minor issues. Our agencies should face budget padding squarely not arresting Bobrisky because he dressed like a woman and spent N500 notes. In March, the upper legislative chamber suspended Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, after he alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion The Senator had claimed that the National Assembly approved N25tn while the President signed N28.7tn. There are also claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned part of fuel subsidy that was abolished on May 29, 2023. The presidency has however denied the claim, insisting that fuel subsidy is gone. Edwin Clark, convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should ensure the restructuring of the country to sustain its unity. The elder statesman spoke in an open letter dated June 13, addressed Tinubu. In the letter, the PANDEF convener alleged that discrimination against the people of the South-East region has continued under the administration of Tinubu. Advertisement He said: Mr. President, even in your administration, the discrimination and injustice against the Igbos have not abated. The old Eastern Region and the old Western Region, of which I belonged to, were equal competitors and partners before and during the First and Second Republic but today, you have appointed 10 Yorubas as Ministers from the South-West and only five Ministers from the South-East and you even failed to give them the ministerial appointment due to their region that would have made it six Ministers. There is no justification for this grave omission, and no effort has been made to correct it. The most recent opportunity the Igbos had to rebuild their broken leg was when their disunity, selfishness, and greed made the popular Igbo candidate, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, lose the election because most Igbos refused to unite behind him with their resources before and during the election, and voting for him massively in the South-East on the election day was like medicine after death. READ ALSO: Fubara: Withdraw From Politics Of Madness Wike Is Playing Edwin Clark To Ganduje, Damagum Now that the elections are over, we must face the restructuring of this country. According to him, the country should be restructured if it must remain one. I repeat again, the immediate restructuring of Nigeria must be carried out if this country is to remain one, and I appeal to Mr. President to take immediate action to implement the historic 2014 National Conference Report, which submitted 600 recommendations to the Presidency on how to restructure Nigeria in every aspect of our lives. The Igbos of South-East or wherever they are in Nigeria, must stand up and assert their rights legitimately, judiciously, and in a democratic way to benefit like any other Nigerian, as it was before the civil war of 1967, he said. He furthered that the people of the South-East deserve to have a sense of belonging in Nigeria. All that is required is for us to demonstrate reciprocal respect, love, and understanding to one another. Let us do what is right; let us accommodate one another and be fair to one another, the letter added. Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan-designate, stated on Thursday that he had always known he would occupy the famous historic Olubadan stool. Five days after State Governor Seyi Makinde ordered that Oba Olakulehin be fit for duty, he spoke while touring the recently constructed, ultra-modern Olubadan Palace. He said When we started the ladder (Mogaji), I asked, Do we get to the climax? And they said yes. So, I knew that I would become Olubadan of Ibadanland. Now that we are there, we still need to pray to God because He has done good things for us in Ibadan. So, we must continue to praise Him. Advertisement During the final burial ceremony of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Saturday, the governor stated that once Oba Olakulehin is strong enough, he will be appointed as the new Olubadan. This statement sparked debate among renowned Ibadan indigenes both at home and abroad. Makinde, who verified that the state government had accepted the Olubadan-In-Councils recommendation for Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan, added that the selection process had been conducted in accordance with due procedure. READ MORE: Those Who Should Provide Security Tell Us To Pray God Secures Nigeria Pastor Lazarus Asks Nigerians To Stop Pushing Their Responsibilities To God Oba Olakulehin said, I am highly delighted to be among the living to inspect this project. So, we have to thank God. Ibadan people need to appreciate God for this. The President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, and other prominent Ibadan indigenous leaders led him around the new palace. The Trade Union Congress has disclosed that the Organised Labour has not finalized any agreement with the Federal Government on Minimum Wage. This is coming, following the struggle between the President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led administration and the Labour Congress over the minimum wage. Recall that the tripartite committee on minimum wage ended its deliberations last week, submitting two figures to President Tinubu for consideration. Advertisement INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the FG proposed N62,000 while the Nigeria Labour Congres and the TUC insisted on N250,000. Reacting to rumors making wave on social media, on Channels Televisions breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Friday, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, said that the union has not agreed on any fixed figures with the committee. He said: What we said is that for us when we give figures, there is always a room to meander, there is always a room for us to do some adjustment here and there. READ MORE: FG Proposes N62,000 Minimum Wage As Organized Labour Slashes Demand To N250,000 So, there is no figure that is sacrosanct, there is no figure that is cast in stone that both parties will be fixated on it. One of the reasons that we went on industrial action the last time was because when it got to N60,000, they told us that a kobo cannot even join the N60,000, that they cannot even add one naira to it. So that was one of the reasons that led to that industrial action beyond the fact that there were also delays. Recall that President Tinubu, during his nationwide broadcast on the 12th of June, said that he will only approve a new minimum wage that the government can afford. He stated this on Wednesday at a dinner to mark Nigerias 25 years of unbroken democracy in Abuja. Tinubu said: The minimum wage is going to be what Nigerians can afford, what you can afford and what I can afford. Cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all. The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, on Thursday asked the Federal Government to acquire new aircraft for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima. The Committees recommendation is contained in a report released after its investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet. The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that, considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognising the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of the technical or operational inadequacy of the presidential air fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended. Advertisement This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run, apart from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting of the status and responsibilities of the Office of the President and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Committee noted. READ ALSO: Minimum Wage: Well Cut Our Coat According To Size, Well Pay What We Can Afford Tinubu In May, the House of Representatives mandated the Committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the aircraft in the presidential fleet to ascertain their airworthiness and technical status. The house resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Satomi Ahmed, Chairman of the House Committee. The motion which spurred a heated debate, saw some lawmakers suggest that the President should travel via commercial aircraft or by road. Ahmeds motion followed reports of faulty aircraft in the presidential air fleet, forcing the President to use a chartered plane from the Netherlands to Saudi Arabia during his recent trip abroad. Shettima had also cancelled his trip to the United States due to a fault with his aircraft. The Vice-President was to represent Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa business summit. Three people were allegedly killed at Kwali village, Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, during a clash between herders and farmers. According to reports, the event occurred on Thursday, causing tension between the two fighting factions in the area. The uproar was reportedly caused by a disagreement between one farmer, Salihu Adamu, and a herdsman, Usman Sarki. Advertisement According to a source in the neighbourhood, the herdsman, Usman Sarki, attacked the farmers farm, Salihu Adamu, with his cows to graze at Kwali village, causing some crop damage and resulting in a severe fight between him and the farmer. The herdsman, unhappy with the turn of events, assaulted the farmer with a matchet from behind when the farmer went back to work following their argument, according to the source. The attack resulted in the death of the farmer, and angered by the situation, his people mobilised and followed the herder to his settlement, where they lynched him along with one other person, the source said. DAILY POST learnt that the action of the farmers was immediately met with a reprisal attack from the herdsmen who invaded Kwali village and set all the houses there on fire, including food barns belonging to the people. The Niger State Police Commands Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the event in Minna, saying the command received information from the Gwada Division on Thursday about a fight between herders and farmers. Abiodun, in a statement, disclosed: Some persons were in the farm at Kwali village via Gwada, while one Usman Sarki reared his cattle into the farm and in the process of chasing the cattle out of the farm, the said Sarki inflicted a deep machete cut on the head of Salihu Adamu in the farm and he died on the spot. As a result of this, some persons from the village mobilised and burned the nearby Fulani camp and vice versa. READ MORE: Police Corporal Dismissed For Misusing Firearm, Killing Businessman In Abia The police PRO further stated that the Gwada Division patrol team, led by the DPO and vigilante members, arrived at the area and restored normalcy. He further stated that efforts are being made to apprehend fugitive individuals who are involved for culpable homicide and mischief by fire in the area. European banking executives are increasingly concerned about the growing dependence of big U.S. tech firms on integrated artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services. Substantial computing power is needed for AI, and many banks believe they will struggle to operate AI independently. They fear a shift towards Big Tech and Big Cloud due to AI adoption requirements. These concerns were widely discussed at a recent fintech conference in Amsterdam. I wish I had been there to remind them that they have direct control of the technology they deploy, and large companies and cloud providers dont have a monopoly on AI. My best advice would be to calm down and remain objective enough to recognize theres a reasonable path forward. AI is driving a lot of paranoia Interest in AI, especially generative AI, has increased since the release of notable AI chatbots in late 2022, which highlighted the excitement and potential for these technologies. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by the realization that banks might become too reliant on a few dominant tech providers. At least, that seems to be what happened to the fintech crew in Amsterdam. Weve been waiting for this project for a long time, said Jose Casimiro, 68, who with his wife, Altagrica, lives in a newly renovated third-floor apartment in Camden. Its simply beautiful! Read more When Tyran Gorham said his freshly renovated Northgate 1 apartment is breathtaking, he wasnt just talking about his 19th-floor view of Center City Philadelphia. Weve heard so many promises that havent come true, said Gorham, 48, a Northgate 1 tenant for a decade. To see what weve been told actually being carried out, with results, is refreshing. Advertisement An imposing structure that overlooks the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Northgate 1 has long been synonymous with lofty hopes, broken promises, and more recently with living conditions described as deplorable by the citys mayor. Northgate 1 is now undergoing a $130 million overhaul by the new owner, Hudson Valley Property Group. The New York firm specializes in preserving affordable apartments by buying, rehabbing, and managing rental properties with troubled histories, doing top-to-bottom renovations, and providing on-site management and other services. On Thursday, in a parking lot where Northgate 1s swimming pool and cabana used to be, company principals and city officials celebrated with a symbolic groundbreaking where the mood was as sunny as the weather. A spokesperson said the significance of this project was why Hudson Valley decided to hold its first-ever groundbreaking event; the company has about 30 developments in its portfolio. Its Northgates time, said Andrew Cavaluzzi, partner in and cofounder of Hudson Valley. Were changing the perception of Northgate, and the experience of living here, and creating a place people who live here will be proud to call home. He also read a statement from Karen Merricks, who has led the Northgate 1 tenants association for 25 years but was unable to attend the groundbreaking. Today marks a transformational moment, Merricks said in the statement. Together we are turning the page to a brighter future for our community. Weve been waiting someone to take over and do this right. Jason Bordainick, Hudson Valley managing partner and cofounder, said Northgate 1s challenges are due to years of neglect but predicted an incredible transformation of the property. With about 14 months to go, were picking up steam, he said. Top-to-bottom renovations Hudson Valley focuses on buying, rebuilding, and managing affordable urban rental properties, like the 75-year-old Crestbury Apartments in Camdens Morgan Village neighborhood. Renamed Community Meadows after an $85 million Hudson Valley makeover completed in 2022, the complex has 391 apartments spread among 42 two-story buildings. At Northgate, 18 of the 321 apartments in the building have been rehabbed so far. The roof has been replaced, and the first of five new elevators has been installed and awaits final inspection. Video and other security systems are coming online. New boilers have been delivered, too, company officials said. Residents are moved into empty apartments and then return to their newly renovated units, typically in 15 to 30 days, said resident LaMont Polk, on-site coordinator of the process. When they return to their renovated unit, theres definitely a wow factor, he said. They love it. You can feel it. Brick work, masonry repairs, waterproofing, and other facade work is underway and is especially visible on the east side of the building. The first phase of lobby renovations should be finished by the end of July, and completion of a first-floor fitness center, laundry room, and management office is expected in September. The acquisition and renovations of the property by Hudson Valley are financed through a mix of public and private investment, including federal low-income housing tax credits, New Jerseys Aspire economic development tax credits, and a PILOT agreement with the city. Weve been waiting for this project for a long time, said Jose Casimiro, 68, who with his wife, Altagrica, lives in a newly renovated third-floor apartment: Its simply beautiful! A new sort of symbol? Northgate 1 was envisioned as a major boost for Camden when it was built as a luxury high-rise in 1962. It offered an inground swimming pool with underwater illumination, a shopping colonnade, and a rooftop terrace accessible only to residents and guests in the two-story penthouse. Celebrities were rumored to be leasing apartments. But Camdens accelerating decline in population and economic vitality proved more challenging than expected for Northgate. A year after it opened, the building was only half occupied and its owners were seeking a property tax break. Later, decades of deferred maintenance and aging systems culminated in March 2022 when city inspectors found 1,155 code violations. Thats when Mayor Victor Carstarphen, who made Northgate 1 a focus of his administration, called the conditions there deplorable. But on Thursday, he said: I can assure those who live at the renovated Northgate [that they] will be residing in the high-quality housing they deserve. My administration is excited about the prospects of positive change, and we expect a renovated Northgate 1 to help transform the surrounding community bringing with it new opportunity, new jobs, and additional investment in Camden. Dale Tippett, director of homeless services, shown here with a memorial of former residents who have passed away, at Beacon House, a Philadelphia organization that helps people struggling with addiction. Read more It was a few days after Christmas last year when Tarence got news that changed his fortunes. After three years of battling opioid addiction, sleeping in train stations or under the El tracks in Kensington, a bed was ready for him at Beacon House. It put the smile back on my face, he said, grabbing a meatball sandwich in the shelter kitchen one afternoon in May. Advertisement Located on Temple Episcopal medical campus in Kensington, Beacon House is the citys only shelter designed for people in active addiction, which boosters describe as one of the lowest-barrier shelters in the nation. City officials consider all contracted shelters low barrier and none explicitly require sobriety. But some shelters impose curfews and security screenings, while only allowing residents to stay for certain hours of the night. In the three years since it opened, Beacon has become a coveted placement for people like Tarence in large part, because none of those restrictions apply. The shelter has helped more than half its residents begin taking medications to treat addiction and connected dozens with housing, even as some of its high-risk population can still fall through the cracks and disappear, from the shelter into the streets. But as with other efforts to expand housing to one of the most high-risk populations in the city, neighbors who live near the shelter have complained about its proximity to their homes, citing open drug use and discarded needles. Its a rift that highlights the broader challenges facing Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration as it seeks to expand treatment options as part of her plan to stabilize Kensington. Beacon residents and staff say the shelter gives people who live there time to focus on their next steps while providing them with support to navigate housing placements, drug treatment, and other social services. The stability and lack of judgment leads many to choose to enter treatment, even though its not required. Prevention Point Philadelphia, the Kensington-based addiction services nonprofit contracted to run the shelter, said 56% of Beacon residents are enrolled in some form of outpatient treatment for substance-use disorder. And three years in, more than 30% of Beacon residents were placed in subsidized housing, while another 10% moved to long-term care facilities or another safe haven, and another 8% returned to live with family or friends. Experts say that low-barrier shelters like Beacon remain rare at the national level. If we were actually crafting policy around what research and evidence shows is successful, it would be this type of model, said Melissa Moore of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national nonprofit that advocates against punitive responses to addiction. For a lot of people, stabilizing their housing situation is associated with decreases in drug use and use of emergency psychiatric services, she said, adding that she found the proportion of Beacon House residents who eventually entered into more stable housing remarkable. But with a high-risk population, Beacon also faces steep challenges. Among its 294 residents, five have died since the shelter opened in 2021. A dozen returned to the streets. Another 14 went to jail. And 86 people over the last three years 29% of all residents left and their whereabouts are unknown, Prevention Point said. (Moore said its not unexpected for housing programs to lose touch with some residents. Its really difficult to be able to remain in contact with programs that are providing support when youre experiencing such instability, she said.) Since drug use is prohibited in the shelter, it can spill out into the street. In May, a resident sent a letter to city officials on behalf of a nearby church, a school, and 10 other neighbors to complain about people injecting drugs in front of nearby homes. Used needles proliferate on the street, the letter said. Residents asked officials to relocate Beacons main entrance onto Temples campus to reduce foot traffic. Prevention Point said that wasnt possible under the existing lease arrangement, and for Americans with Disability Act accessibility reasons. But staff conduct regular cleanups outside and deploy outreach workers to the area, in addition to having security guards around the clock. Kensington residents have long pushed back against rehabs and shelters, arguing they simply help cement the drug crisis in the neighborhood. But some leaders said the alternative is continuing with the status quo where people live and use on the streets, without an olive branch to recovery. [Beacon] gets people in a safer environment, working with a case manager, and having some kind of stability in their lives, said Maria Gonzalez, the executive director at HACE, a Fairhill community development nonprofit that built the shelter. Is there room for improvement? Always. But theyve been a good neighbor, and this can be a model for some kind of stability as opposed to having encampments all over the neighborhood. Inside the Beacon system After a relapse into opioid use in 2020, Tarence soon found himself living on the streets of Kensington during the pandemic, wracked by shame and worried about the family he left behind in the Allentown area. To pull yourself back up out of an empty swimming pool is tough, the 47-year-old said. The simple amenities offered at Beacon have been his ladder. During a May visit, the shelters director Dale Tippett bounded between the dormitory-style floors, where rows of beds line the naturally lit corridors. Residents receive a cubby area and a locker, which many decorate with flowers, religious texts, family photos, and Eagles merch. After arrival, residents are expected to meet with their case manager weekly to work on personal goals. Tarence focuses on employment with maintenance jobs and cleaning up blighted lots with the citys Community Life Improvement Program. Others focus on their housing, mental health, or drug treatment goals. Only 20 out of 294 residents have left the Beacon program to pursue inpatient treatment. Most opt instead for outpatient alternatives like Prevention Points Sublocade program, a monthly buprenorphine injection that reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal. After a few months, people are actually starting to realize that stability is accessible and possible, Tippett said. Theyre figuring out where they want to go and what they want to do. Megan Reed, a research assistant professor at Jefferson who has studied the citys addiction treatment systems, said things like a structured schedule and a locker for belongings could add up to a sea change in someones life and effectively lift a huge psychological burden. Despite Beacons laxer rules, Tippett said drug use on site is a common infraction. But discharges are a last resort. Some staff members argued expulsion from Beacon should be more routine, but Tippett relies on a graded disciplinary system rather than sending people back to the streets. The stakes are already high for many coming in. Beacon prioritizes beds for the most at-risk population, and the increasing toxicity of the street drug has caused complex medical problems, and in some cases deaths. Peoples bodies are just not keeping up with the drugs now, Tippett said. A tough lesson in a NIMBY city The ban against on-site drug use means that spillover into the surrounding neighborhood is inevitable. While the area around Temples campus near Huntingdon Station on Kensington Avenue is less dense than other parts of the neighborhood, a few dozen homes, a church, and a preschool sit within a block of the site. Since the shelter opened, we have experienced increased abject drug use, drug selling, defecation, urination, garbage, rat infestations, exposed used needles, verbal and physical assault, noise, and homeless encampments, said the resident letter to city officials, whose author asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation and because they were speaking on behalf of over a dozen neighbors. Neighbors said that two recent shootings near the Episcopal campus have elevated fears, even though no Beacon residents were involved in either incident. Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose district covers parts of Kensington, defended shelters like Beacon as key to alleviating the citys drug crisis. But she said Prevention Point and other providers must take responsibility for the unintended consequences of their work and do more outreach to neighbors who must endure the unintended effects. That balancing act has not been well-received outside Kensington. READ MORE: Mayor Parker plans to put $100M center for people in addiction next to jail complex The recent expansion of a Fairmount shelter to accept people with substance-use disorders has drawn enormous rebuke, with residents flooding city officials with complaints about open-air drug use and concerns about safety in the upscale neighborhood. While not modeled after Beacon, the recently expanded Fairmount shelter has yielded larger opposition. Parkers plan to build a $100 million addiction services facility in Northeast Philadelphia, part of a larger wellness ecosystem that would help get people living in addiction off the streets and into treatment, could take three years to complete. In the meantime, the city is asking its existing shelter providers to add beds at a time when police are preparing to ramp up narcotics enforcement in Kensington and concerns about displacement are rising. With few alternatives in hand Philadelphias bid to open a supervised injection site is mired in an ongoing legal battle some city officials have begun pushing back on the not in my backyard mindset that stymies many drug treatment centers and homeless shelters. David Holloman, interim director of the Office of Homeless Services, pleaded with City Council in March to help combat the bad reputation around such facilities and [educate] the public on things they just dont know. We have to challenge Philadelphia, all Philadelphians who dont live in Kensington, to be part of that solution, Councilmember Nina Ahmed responded. To be understanding how they can contribute. Without more beds, Crystal Yates-Gale, the deputy managing director who oversees health and human services, said even people who complete treatment programs could end up returning to the streets. You can end up back in the same situation back on Kensington Avenue or name the avenue and then youre homeless again, she said, with all of the challenges of being homeless. Beacon is nine beds above its 60-bed capacity and there are no immediate plans to grow. Six months into his stay, Tarence is still waiting on his placement into long-term subsidized housing. The promise of that stability keeps him motivated to focus on his treatment and stay employed. Im not gonna give up, he said. You gotta put one foot in front of the other, and once you do that, things actually happen. Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article. Angel Davis is hugged by State Rep. Tarik Kahn as attorney Bethany Nikitenko looks on after a July 25, 2023, news conference. The law firm of Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig LLP has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Davis, who was shot in the head on March 29, 2023, by a private security contractor during an eviction from her apartment in Philadelphias Sharswood neighborhood. Read more City Council has agreed to change Philadelphias privatized eviction system amid sustained outrage over a trio of shootings last year by contractors enforcing lockout orders. But the reforms, which passed in a unanimous vote at a final spring Council session Thursday, were not without skeptics including landlord groups and Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration. Advertisement In Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is unique for primarily using a private, court-appointed lawyer, known as a landlord-tenant officer (LTO) to serve eviction paperwork and perform lockouts, with the assistance of about ten private security contractors. This system has operated with little public oversight or transparency in the half century since its creation. The legislation, introduced by Councilmember Kendra Brooks in January and cosponsored by most of City Council, would impose a new licensing and credentialing system on the private security contractors working for the landlord-tenant officer. The bill would require any civilian seeking to perform evictions in Philadelphia to complete 189 hours of training focused on use-of-force or crisis de-escalation, possess proof of liability insurance, and pay an application fee to get a city license. Licensed eviction officers must also complete annual retraining and license renewal, while those violating certain provisions can have their license revoked by the city, under the legislation. It also bars individuals involved in use-of-force incidents or who owe city taxes from obtaining a license. READ MORE: Explaining deputy landlord-tenant officers, who carry out evictions in Philly Housing advocates supported the bill, which was authored in response to incidents like the shooting of tenant Angel Davis by a security contractor employed by the LTO last year during an eviction, sparking lawsuits and calls to abolish the office, and a temporary eviction pause. The landlord tenant office has long operated opaquely, including who is employed there, how they hire, what training they undergo, and what protocol officers are required to followed, said Cheri Thomas, director of housing at the Legal Clinic for the Disabled. Requiring a baseline of knowledge and skills, identifying officers conducting lockouts, and requiring insurance moves us towards the level of transparency were looking for. Greg Wertman, president of the Homeowners Association of Philadelphia, a group representing private landlords, said that he generally supported contractor licensing, he viewed the bill as another way to slow down an already lengthy eviction process in Philadelphia. Between the diversion [program] and all these other tactics they throw up to keep tenants in units longer at the owners expense, its just ridiculous, Wertman said Thursday. Wertman said large landlords with hundreds of properties are equipped to handle protracted eviction disputes, but small landlords take an enormous financial hit due to cases that are delayed up to six months or in some cases, years. The HAPCO president also criticized the citys response to the string of shootings involving court-appointed officers last year, arguing that tenants sometimes fuel conflict. They attack [the LTO officers], they sic dogs on them, and theyre always at fault, never the tenants, he said. READ MORE: Philly halts evictions by landlord-tenant officer after 3 shooting incidents in 4 months Last week, Council sources signaled the mayor was also pushing back on the proposal. According to the bill, these new rules would be enforced by the citys Department of Licenses and Inspections or another agency of the mayors choosing. But during a hearing, L&I representative Sarah Adamo testified that her department which primarily regulates commercial businesses and construction work was unprepared to license security professionals. Even if provided with appropriate resources, the department lacks the expertise to effectively enforce this legislation, Adamo said. Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier and Rue Landau expressed frustration with the testimony, particularly as the bill text leaves open the door for other agencies to enforce the rules. The Managing Directors Office, for example, enforced city bouncer licensing rules for many years. I dont understand why we wouldnt be able to incorporate this, Gauthier said, of the licensing rules. I would have expected the administration to come to the table with a little bit more. This week, Parker spokesperson Joe Grace said the administration supported the spirit of the legislation but pointed back to Adamos testimony. He said only that Parker did not have to make a final decision on signing or vetoing the legislation until the fall. As with every piece of legislation that may pass today at Councils final session, the mayor has until Sept. 5 to decide on any and all bills, he said. Marisa Shuter, the current landlord tenant officer, was unavailable for a comment, according to a spokesperson. Clarita Vargas, 64, one of the survivors of St. Marys Mission, an Indian boarding school, stands in the St. Marys church on the Colville Reservation on Feb. 20 in Omak, Wash. Read more U.S. Catholic bishops issued a formal apology Friday morning for the churchs role in inflicting a history of trauma on Native Americans, including at church-run Indian boarding schools where a Washington Post investigation published last month documented pervasive sexual abuse by priests. The vote by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which establishes policies and norms for the church in the United States, represents the most direct expression of regret to date by church officials for past participation in a systematic effort by the U.S. government to forcibly assimilate Native Americans into White society. By a 181-2 vote, the bishops approved a document, called Keeping Christs Sacred Promise: A Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry. Three people abstained. Advertisement The document does not specifically mention sexual abuse, but says we all must do our part to increase awareness and break the culture of silence that surrounds all types of afflictions and past mistreatment and neglect. READ MORE: 'Carlisle Indian School': A tale of cultural genocide The family systems of many Indigenous people never fully recovered from these tragedies, which often led to broken homes harmed by addiction, domestic abuse, abandonment and neglect, the document states. The Church recognizes that it has played a part in traumas experienced by Native children. While the 56-page document covers many aspects of the churchs relationship with Native Americans, it specifically highlights its role in the Indian boarding schools that were created in the 19th century as part of a U.S. government policy to eradicate Native American cultures. For more than 100 years, children were removed from their families, stripped of their names, and often beaten for speaking their languages. Of more than 500 schools, 84 were operated by the Catholic Church or its religious affiliates, according to the bishops document. READ MORE: Rosebud Sioux teens, now young adults, return to claim relatives remains from Carlisle Indian School Cemetery Tens of thousands of Native American children were forced or coerced from their homes and sent to the boarding schools - the majority of them run or funded by the U.S. government - from 1819 until 1969. By 1900, 1 out of 5 Native American school-age children attended a boarding school. At least 500 children are believed to have died at the schools, according to the first major investigation into the boarding schools by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Post investigation found that at least 122 priests, sisters and brothers were assigned to 22 Catholic-run boarding schools since the 1890s who were later accused of sexually abusing Native American children under their care. Most of the documented abuse happened in the 1950s and 1960s, and involved more than 1,000 children, mostly in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest, including Alaska. The Friday apology follows decades of efforts by Native Americans who survived boarding schools and their descendants to seek accountability from the U.S. government, the Catholic Church, individual religious entities and the Catholic priests who they said abused them. READ MORE: The bodies of three young Native American girls are returned to the Oneida Reservation. And a community heals. The Jesuits agreed to pay $166 million in 2011 to about 500 boarding school survivors in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. For four years, advocates for boarding school survivors have urged Congress to create a Truth and Healing Commission to investigate Indian boarding schools and the countrys assimilation policy. Legislation to create the commission, similar to one established more than 15 years ago in Canada, was reintroduced in the Senate last year and this year in the House, but has not reached the floor for a vote in either chamber. In March, members of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition met at the White House with a top aide to President Biden to ask for a presidential apology for the widespread mistreatment and abuse that Native American children suffered at boarding schools. The White House has not responded to requests for comment about the potential for a presidential apology. Pope Francis traveled to Canada in 2022 to apologize for the churchs role in what he said was that governments cultural destruction and forced assimilation, but the pope has remained silent about abuses in the United States. The bishops statement Friday, though, offered a blunt assessment of the legacy of abuse of Native Americans. In these schools, Indigenous children were forced to abandon their traditional languages, dress, and customs, the statement says. Boarding schools were seen as one expedient means to achieve this cultural assimilation because they separated Indigenous children from their families and Tribes and Americanized them while they were still malleable. The Indian boarding school system left a legacy of community and individual trauma that broke down family and support systems among Indigenous communities, the document says. Sadly, many Indigenous Catholics have felt a sense of abandonment in their relationship with Church leaders due to a lack of understanding of their unique cultural needs, the document states. We apologize for the failure to nurture, strengthen, honor, recognize, and appreciate those entrusted to our pastoral care. The Friday statement seeks to distance the church from what it says were European and Eurocentric world powers that devised their own justifications to enslave, mistreat, and remove Indigenous peoples from their lands. Let us be very clear here: The Catholic Church does not espouse these ideologies. The document also makes a nod to the long-standing belief that the treatment of Native Americans by the Catholic Church led to intergenerational trauma that continues today. Historical traumas are a significant contributor to the breakdown of family life among many Indigenous peoples, the document states. The document calls for more accountability of the Catholic Church and says all members of the Church should be open to cooperating with Tribal and other government investigations into any Catholic involvement in ethnic abuse. The documents preface states that this is the first time the U.S. bishops group has officially mentioned its relationship with Indigenous communities since 1977, according to the draft. Back then, the group issued a seven-page document that, for example, encouraged Catholic schools to promote programs and activities that will enable students at all levels to appreciate American Indian history, cultures and spirituality. The church has addressed abuse by priests in U.S. parishes, but it has said little about the molestation of children in Indian boarding schools. And although the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has grappled in recent years with the legacy of the church-run schools, it has not until now issued a formal apology. In December, according to the Pillar, a news website that covers the Catholic Church, the conference was set to discuss the churchs role in Indian boarding schools, but in the end it fell short of addressing the issue. A document was written by the conferences subcommittee on Native American affairs, the story said. But the group went into a private session and some bishops were worried that passages intended to express regret and moral responsibility for that treatment of Native communities could have been interpreted to create potential legal liability for the bishops, according to the Pillar. When asked about this account last month, the conferences spokeswoman, Chieko Noguchi, said liability issues did not factor into the withdrawal of the document for a vote by the body of bishops. A man was killed in Old City early Friday morning when Pennsylvania State Police troopers on their way to assist other officers struck his pickup truck with their patrol car, authorities said. The crash happened at Columbus Boulevard and Race Street shortly after 1:30 a.m., said Capt. Gerard McShea, commanding officer of Pennsylvania State Police Troop K. The two troopers were traveling south on Columbus Boulevard when the driver of the Mazda pickup truck, who was traveling north on Columbus Boulevard, made an illegal turn onto Race Street and the troopers vehicle hit his truck, McShea said. Advertisement The driver of the pickup truck, whom authorities did not identify, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two troopers a man and a woman sustained non-life threatening injuries and were released from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital after being treated. It is unclear how fast either vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash. The driver of the pickup truck was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash, state police said. The troopers were on their way to assist other officers who were pursuing a person they were trying to take into custody, said McShea. That pursuit ended when the person being sought crashed and was apprehended, he said. The fatal incident Friday morning was the latest crash involving Pennsylvania state troopers. In April, four people, including a pregnant 17-year-old girl, were killed in a car crash while fleeing state troopers who were pursuing the vehicle in which they were riding after a reported theft at a Lululemon store in Concord Township, Delaware County. And in February, state troopers chased after four people who allegedly stole $5,000 worth of merchandise from the same Lululemon store and fled in a Subaru. That pursuit ended when troopers deliberately hit the vehicle with their own, bringing it to a stop. Nobody was injured. Last year, 16 people died in chase-related crashes involving state police, agency data show the most since at least 2015, the last year the data were publicly available. Amarilis Marte signs her marriage certificate on June 9, 2024, at Sloan's Lake Park in Denver with her wife, Mariangy Delgado Gutierrez (right). The Rev. Quirino Cornejo and Susan Law of Dork Dancing look on. Read more DENVER Amarilis Marte and Mariangy Delgado Gutierrez didnt leave their native Venezuela and spend three months traveling about 5,000 miles to the United States because they were pursuing a dream. They yearned for something both more practical and more basic. The practical? I didnt come here for an American dream, Mariangy told me in an interview last week. I came to this country for calmness, stability to live peacefully without the fear that someone would kill you. Advertisement It was not an abstract concern. In Venezuela, a nation mostly defined over the last decade by economic and social unrest under the autocratic regime of President Nicolas Maduro, Amarilis, 24, and Mariangy, 31, said they lived with a persistent worry that they would be harmed not just because of the countrys overall instability, but also because they are a lesbian couple. In Venezuela, as in much of Latin America, there is a widespread intolerance of the LGBTQ community. There was a lot of aggression toward us both, Mariangy said, adding that the couple had received at least one death threat. Then, there was the basic: The two wanted to be wed. With same-sex marriages banned in their home country, and the price of even the simplest ceremony out of reach in their new home in Colorado, it seemed they had few options. Thats when Denvers LGBTQ community rallied around them. A Pennsylvania native organized the wedding, complete with donated photography, a wedding cake, cookies, rainbow flags, and a wedding arch in honor of Pride Month. We are waiting for a favor from God, Mariangy said. That favor came in the form of their new neighbors in their new home, including Susan Law, the Pennsylvania woman who put together the weekends events. Law, the executive director of Dork Dancing, a nonprofit that encourages people to dance as a way to improve their mental health, met Amarilis and Mariangy through her volunteer work with mutual aid and migrant communities. In a migrant support group on Facebook, she saw a news clip about the couple and reached out to ask if they were interested in attending the Denver Pride parade with Dork Dancing. I wanted to set aside a certain number of spots for the unhoused and migrant LGBTQ community members, said Law, who grew up in Murrysville, Pa., a 20-minute drive from Pittsburgh. They told me what they had been through. They were in serious hardship and needed my help. When she heard the couple couldnt afford a $30 marriage license, she vowed to throw them a wedding during Pride Month. So last Sunday, a crowd of 70 LGBTQ people and allies gathered to celebrate the couple under the shade of a cottonwood tree at Sloans Lake Park, about four miles from the home of Molly Brown, the Denver philanthropist who survived the Titanic sinking. The Rev. Quirino Cornejo officiated. The couple walked down the aisle lined with Pride flags to the sounds of The Story by Brandi Carlile. Many guests brought their children. Others contributed lemon crinkle cookies to the Pittsburgh-style cookie table. And unlike at many weddings, most of the attendees were meeting each other for the first time. Before the ceremony started, I spoke with David Hosanna and Jaime Rodriguez, who met a year ago this month at a gay bar. For anyone who has negative things to say about Pride, I would say youre missing the big picture, Rodriguez said. Who is to say that someone youve come to love a friend, niece, grandchild, nephew wont need this in the future? Wouldnt you feel better and happier knowing that they are entering a more accepting world? At one point during the ceremony, an orange Jeep sped by, the driver shouting expletives about Pride from a lowered window. Minutes later, a minivan passed in the opposite direction, honking exuberantly and waving a rainbow umbrella out of the passenger-side window. The brides poured black-and-white sand into a shared vessel to symbolize their union. They had wanted to be married for years since they were in Venezuela, but it wasnt safe to do so. Under Venezuelan law, same-sex couples do not have protections or rights. And while same-sex relationships are not explicitly illegal, as they are in 67 countries, frequently, LGBTQ Venezuelans face violence. We feel more free here, Mariangy said. A perilous journey Amarilis and Mariangys journey to Sloans Lake Park began five years ago when they first started dating. In 2020, fearing for their safety, the couple and their two daughters, ages 9 and 13, left their home in Valencia, Venezuela, and fled to Colombia. They left Bogota on July 14 for Medellin, Colombia, and spent almost four months traveling overland to the United States. They crossed the Darien Gap, a 60-mile stretch of dense jungle between Colombia and Panama, over three days without eating; the little food they found in the trash was saved for their children. In addition to being perilous, crossing Central America is expensive. In Panama, the family was kidnapped and told to pay $280 per head to continue. When the kidnappers realized Amarilis and Mariangy didnt have money, nor did their friends and family back home, they let them go. The threats continued: In Mexico, on a packed train, a cartel stopped the railcar and took money from the passengers. Mariangy told me she and Amarilis had to protect the kids from assault. They jumped from the top of the train and ran barefoot over mountains until they reached a faraway town. After three arduous months, the family of four arrived legally as asylum-seekers at the border in Texas on Oct. 28, where Amarilis was detained by migration. Mariangy and her daughters were given the option of taking a bus to New York, Washington, D.C., or Denver. She chose Denver because she heard that there would be shelters. On Dec. 1, Amarilis rejoined them. We are here, Mariangy told me. Thats the most important thing. They survived. A call to action When they reached Colorado, Amarilis and Mariagny wanted to marry, but they couldnt afford the simplest items for a ceremony. The family lives in the 16th most expensive metro area in the country, where they spend $800 a month to sleep on the floor of an apartment with five people they dont know, all men. The family sleeps in a closet. Their dreams are so prosaic as to be beautiful. They want a house for their kids to thrive in, good work to support their family, and to have another child together. They want to get a dog, though they differ in preferences: Mariangy wants a mini schnauzer. Amarilis would prefer a German shepherd. The wedding on the shore of Sloans Lake was a celebration, but also a call to action. Without Laws help, they would likely be on the streets. The family is still food insecure. Paying rent is a struggle; Law helped them with a missing $450 a few days before the wedding. Once they get work permits, her hope is to help Amarilis and Mariangy identify a source of income beyond cleaning patios or backyards. Community support cant stop after one day, Law wrote in an Instagram story. She started a GoFundMe page for the couple to help cover their food, housing, and other expenses, and a wedding registry to cover other essentials. In my life, I have ridden a bicycle in Toronto behind the Dykes on Bikes and learned the hard way not to wear glitter on my eyes in the rain. Ive marched at Pride in New Hampshire, New Zealand, and watched from the sidelines in New York City. None of that was as meaningful as watching Mariangy and Amarilis get married. It was a privilege to witness the true power of the LGBTQ community. Celebrating Pride means uplifting the most vulnerable among us. U.S. Capitol Police Sgts. Aquilino Gonell (left) and Harry Dunn stand after a House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill in 2021. Some GOP state representatives booed the pair when they visited Harrisburg recently. Read more Political theater Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County showed his true colors. The House Republicans voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to provide them with an audio recording of President Joe Biden. That the House already has access to the full transcript of this interview is of no consequence to them. Transcripts dont make for good campaign ads. Only one Republican voted against his party. Fitzpatrick was not that GOP profile in courage. That honor went to Ohios David Joyce, who said he refused to further politicize our judicial system. That valid concern was apparently lost on Fitzpatrick, who continues to back his partys every move, no matter how extreme or norm-breaking. Dont be taken in by his campaign season claims. Fitzpatrick is just another MAGA enabler. Kierstyn Zolfo, Yardley Lasting shame On June 6, President Joe Biden flew over to Normandy to honor heroic veterans from World War II who stopped a hateful dictator from conquering the world. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers were those veterans. On the same day, some Pennsylvania House Republicans booed or walked out on two Capitol Police officers who bravely tried to stop an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Who believes in and puts America first? Is it Biden, or someone like Donald Trump, who has repeatedly insulted service members and their families? Wise up, America. Wise up, Pennsylvania before its too late. Advertisement Terry Black, Cherry Hill . . . I just read that two Capitol Police officers were booed, disrespected, and called traitors by some GOP members of our state House. I am disgusted by those antics. More than three years after the events of Jan. 6, 2021, we know a lot about who and what was happening. Unless our representatives have been living under a rock or are willfully ignorant, they should be well aware that following the 2020 election, there were 60 court cases filed by Trump supporters and associates claiming the election was stolen. All those cases were dismissed, some of them by Republican-appointed judges, and in some instances, the lawyers bringing the cases were chastised for making frivolous claims. Leading up to Jan. 6 (and after), many in the GOP continued to amplify the stolen election lie, pretty much based on Donald Trumps assertions alone. That partisanship helped create the conditions for the attack on the U.S. Capitol, where misinformed Trump supporters felt empowered to commit violence on Trumps behalf. Booing and disrespecting innocent officers who were trying to share their perspective of that day is truly adding insult to injury and shows the pettiness of some of our elected officials. Kent Kingan, Malvern . . . I felt a combination of both rage and shame when I saw on social media that some members of the Pennsylvania House GOP booed, hissed, and shouted traitor as former Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell visited the state House recently. Why has this been given so little attention by the local newspapers and television networks? These Republican representatives disgraced us and, as voters, we have a right to know who they are. The media must name these cowards. Russ Decker, Lansdale Under pressure Many have seen video of Donald Trumps disturbing campaign speech performance in Nevada after his teleprompters failed. He seemed to say whatever came to mind: stiffing contractors, the heat, a connection to MIT, and the plight of boatmakers. For several minutes he animatedly examined whether it is better to be electrocuted in a sinking electric boat or jump out into the jaws of a nearby shark. The usually smiling, head-nodding MAGA supporters behind him began to look down and away, not sure how to react. Imagine that in the next four years, China decides to invade Taiwan, or Russia threatens Estonia, or another unknown virus attacks all reasonably possible scenarios. Each would require an orderly response based on logical risk assessment, clear strategy, collaboration, and remarkably subtle communications. If elected, this very person, last seen lost in a jumble of uncontrolled ideas and words, would be the person we would rely on. The safety of every man, woman, and child would be in the hands of someone with dangerously uncontrolled thought processes. He will never change and, for all our sakes, must never be reelected. Joseph B. Baker, West Chester Animal rescue Ive been an ACCT Philly volunteer since 2013 and have seen numerous improvements to the facility. However, the main form of population control is still time-stamping animals, looking for rescue groups, fosters, or adopters, and when all else fails, killing the animals to make room for new arrivals. ACCT takes in about 20 dogs daily. Philadelphia is Americas poorest big city, and where there is poverty, there are pit bulls and unregulated backyard breeding. I counted 111 large dogs at ACCT on June 2 98 were pit bulls. Why not require breeders to buy $500 annual kennel licenses and impose significant fines for violators? The ACCT board frequently offers incentives to rescue groups and fosters why not offer nominal gift cards to pit bull owners to have their dogs spayed or neutered? Ten years ago, ACCT board meetings were open to the public quarterly, board minutes were on ACCTs website, and volunteer meetings were monthly. ACCT listed the top 20 shelters/rescues that pulled animals from it in its annual report. All of this has ended no transparency or opportunity for public input. Things need to change. Marie (Gara) Marinakis, Newtown Square, mariem6026@gmail.com Lord and master Will Bunchs excellent column rightly praises the fortitude of the 12 jurors who convicted Donald Trump. He contrasted their strength with the failures of our political leaders to hold the former president accountable, highlighting our national pusillanimity in the face of a tyrant-in-waiting. Bunch especially presents the sycophants in the Republican Party as either morally compromised or cowards. It reminds me of the song in Rodgers and Hammersteins The King and I, in which Anna sings about another authoritarian. Yes, Your Majesty! No, Your Majesty! Tell us how low to go, Your Majesty! Make some more decrees, Your Majesty! Dont let us up off our knees, Your Majesty! Give us a kick, if it pleases Your Majesty! Give us a kick, if you would, Your Majesty! Oh! That was good, Your Majesty! I wonder if House Speaker Mike Johnson has any bruises? R.B. Levis, Wayne Keep kids safe Philadelphias kids are enjoying summer break, and while this is a joyful time, safety concerns arise. Parents, guardians, neighbors, and community members must ensure a safe, fun environment where kids can thrive. We must protect children in our communities. Build relationships, organize activities, and share info about local programs. Stay watchful and keep communication open. Parents often feel anxious about leaving their children home without supervision. In Pennsylvania, there is no designated legal age for children to be left alone. Assessing if your child can safely stay home alone involves considering their age, maturity level, cognitive skills, and the duration they will be unsupervised. Its important to set clear guidelines and provide essential resources, such as emergency contact lists and a comprehensive emergency plan. Before leaving them alone regularly, try a test run to evaluate their preparedness. Lets work together to keep Phillys kids safe and their summers joyful. The Front Porch Project from the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance raises awareness and empowers neighbors to prevent abuse. Learn more at pafsa.org/the-front-porch-project. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact ChildLine at 800-932-0313. Angela Liddle, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announces the arrest and charging of a person accused of running a fentanyl packing and narcotics operation during a news conference in May. Read more We here at Clout have seen plenty of our public servants work side hustles. There are the elected officials who sat on a zillion boards and commissions, the bureaucrats who lawyered on the side, and the Council member who was on a politically connected unions payroll. We came across one recently that catapulted to the top of our list of most interesting side gigs: Dustin Slaughter, the spokesperson for District Attorney Larry Krasner, spends some of his out-of-work time researching UFOs. Advertisement Slaughter has worked in the DAs office since 2018, and recently took over as Krasners spokesperson after ex-comms director Jane Roh departed. Hes also a freelance journalist who reports on the intersection of unidentified anomalous phenomena and government bureaucracy, and he runs a website-slash-newsletter on Substack called the UAP Register. (We learned UAP stands for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.) Slaughter founded the Substack in early 2022, and since then has written a variety of posts about UAPs/ UFOs and how the government talks about them. He also has lots of experience filing requests under open records laws and suing for information (an endeavor we journalists appreciate). As recently as this spring, Slaughter sued the federal government to compel it to release information as part of his reporting, posting in March that hes challenging the Air Force on its claim that it doesnt have any videos of UFOs. Slaughter has had a lifelong fascination with UFOs and in the 1980s he and his mother witnessed a UFO over central Pennsylvania, according to the about page on his website. It notes that he currently works in communications for municipal government while pursuing journalism part time. Slaughter told Clout he keeps his research and work lives separate so much so that he wouldnt chat with Clout about it during work hours. Thats worth applauding, given the long line of Philadelphia municipal employees who have done their side work on taxpayer time. In fact, Slaughters website reads in bold: All views expressed on this website are his own, and do not reflect those of his employer. So Krasners views on UFOs remain unclear. But well be honest: Were intrigued. And so are plenty of other politicos. In December, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) advanced bipartisan legislation to improve government transparency around UAPs. And, as Slaughter pointed out in a February post, members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly have questions, too. During a committee hearing earlier this year in Harrisburg, State Rep. Ben Waxman who coincidentally is also a former spokesperson for Krasner asked David Padfield, the head of the emergency management agency, about how Pennsylvania tracks unknown aerial objects. Padfield gave a lengthy answer, including saying in an off-handed sorta way: We have had reports of unidentified flying objects. That prompted Rep. Jordan Harris to do a double take, saying, So wait run that back again. What did you say about UFOs? Padfield responded that the agency does occasionally receive reports of anomalous objects that are hard to be able to understand. Oh. OK, then. Why Mayor Parkers former opponent keeps showing up to support her It wasnt that long ago that former mayoral candidate David Oh was telling voters that his 2023 opponent, Cherelle L. Parker, was too close to the Democratic machine to be an effective mayor. But today, with Parker now helming the city and Oh no longer a member of City Council, the Republican is openly showing some support for his erstwhile rival. Clout has spotted Oh standing alongside the mayors supporters at three events so far this year: one on gun violence in the city and two about business growth. It isnt entirely surprising. Oh is now the president and CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, and he has a seat on the recently reconvened Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission. We chatted with Oh after an event Wednesday in the Mayors Reception Room about Parkers new business roundtable which he will sit on and he said backing his onetime rival isnt that awkward. Shes the mayor, he said. You only get one. I want her to be as successful as possible. Joe Grace, Parkers spokesperson, said the administration is open to all supporters, saying, We welcome anybody who supports Mayor Parkers vision for our city. Oh isnt the only former opponent advising the mayor on business matters. They werent at the introductory news conference, but ex-Democratic candidates Allan Domb, a real estate magnate, and Jeff Brown, who owns a chain of grocery stores, are also on the roundtable. They were featured together in an attack ad last year by the super PAC that backed Parkers mayoral bid. Kudos to them for not holding a grudge. Honoring a political figure your party doesnt like There was some surprising inter-party love in City Council this week, too. Two members of the Working Families Party, Kendra Brooks and Nicolas ORourke, introduced legislation to formally honor Maurice Mitchell, the national head of the progressive third party. Its common for Council members to author resolutions honoring allies. Whats interesting about this one is that, like most honorary resolutions, it passed unanimously including with the support of members who are close to the Democratic establishment that has clashed with the Working Families Party as it worked over the last two city election cycles to elect Brooks and ORourke. For instance, Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Councilmembers Mike Driscoll, Cindy Bass, and Curtis Jones Jr., are all Democratic ward leaders, and Councilmember Jim Harrity is a confidante of Philly Democratic Party chairman Bob Brady. Brooks said its no surprise that Democrats who care about delivering for working people want to be a part of what were building. Could this mean the beef between the centrist party brass and Phillys insurgent left is settled? Color us skeptical. Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics. Inquirer staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, the rapid-fire gun accessories used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, in a ruling that threw firearms back into the nations political spotlight. The high courts conservative majority found that the Trump administration overstepped when it changed course from predecessors and banned bump stocks, which allow a rate of fire comparable to machine guns. The decision came after a gunman in Las Vegas attacked a country music festival with semiautomatic rifles equipped with the accessories. Advertisement The gunman fired more than 1,000 rounds into the crowd in 11 minutes, sending thousands of people fleeing in terror as hundreds were wounded and dozens killed. The ruling thrust guns back into the center of the political conversation with an unusual twist as Democrats decried the reversal of a GOP administrations action and many Republicans backed the ruling. The 6-3 majority opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas found the Justice Department was wrong to declare that bump stocks transformed semiautomatic rifles into illegal machine guns because, he wrote, each trigger depression in rapid succession still only releases one shot. The ruling reinforced the limits of executive reach and two justices conservative Samuel Alito and liberal Sonia Sotomayor separately highlighted how action in Congress could potentially provide a more lasting policy, if there was political will to act in a bipartisan fashion. Originally, imposing a ban through regulation rather than legislation during Donald Trumps presidency took pressure off Republicans to act following the massacre and another mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Prospects for passing gun restrictions in the current divided Congress are dim. President Joe Biden, who supports gun restrictions, called on Congress to reinstate the ban imposed under his political foe. Trumps campaign team meanwhile, expressed respect for the ruling before quickly pivoting to his endorsement by the National Rifle Association. As Trump courts gun owners while running to retake the presidency, he has appeared to play down his own administrations actions on bump stocks, telling NRA members in February that nothing happened on guns during his presidency despite great pressure. He told the group that if he is elected again, No one will lay a finger on your firearms. The 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas was carried out by a high-stakes gambler who killed himself, leaving his exact motive a mystery. A total of 60 people were killed in the shooting, including Christiana Duarte, whose family called Fridays ruling tragic. The ruling is really just another way of inviting people to have another mass shooting, said Danette Meyers, a family friend and spokesperson. Its unfortunate that they have to relive this again. Theyre really unhappy. Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, the former county sheriff in Las Vegas who has refused to sign multiple gun control measures the Democrat-controlled Legislature has sent to his desk, said in a statement Friday, While I have always been a supporter of the Second Amendment, I have been a vocal opponent of bump stocks since my time in law enforcement, and Im disappointed by the Supreme Courts decision today. The opinion comes after the same Supreme Court conservative supermajority handed down a landmark decision expanding gun rights in 2022. The high court is also expected to rule in another gun case in the coming weeks, challenging a federal law intended to keep guns away from people under domestic violence restraining orders. The arguments in the bump stock case, though, were less about Second Amendment rights and more about whether the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a Justice Department agency, had overstepped its authority. Bump stocks are accessories that replace a rifles stock, the part that rests against the shoulder. Invented in the 2000s, they harness the guns recoil energy so that the trigger bumps against the shooters stationary finger, allowing the gun to fire at a similar speed as an automatic weapon. The Supreme Court majority found that the 1934 law against machine guns defined them as weapons that could automatically fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger. Bump stocks dont fit that definition because the trigger must still be released and reengaged to fire each additional shot, Thomas wrote. He also pointed to over a decade of ATFs findings that claimed bump stocks werent automatic weapons. The plaintiff, Texas gun shop owner and military veteran Michael Cargill, applauded the ruling in a video posted online, predicting the case would have ripple effects by hampering other ATF gun restrictions. Im glad I stood up and fought, he said. In a dissent joined by her liberal colleagues, Justice Sotomayor said that bump stocks fit under the ordinary meaning of the law: When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. The ruling, she said, could hamstring the ATF and have deadly consequences. ATF Director Steve Dettelbach echoed the sentiment, saying that bump stocks pose an unacceptable level of risk to public safety. The high court took up the case after a split among lower courts. Under Republican President George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama, the ATF decided that bump stocks didnt transform semiautomatic weapons into machine guns. The agency reversed those decisions at Trumps urging. That was after the Las Vegas massacre and the Parkland, Florida, shooting that left 17 dead. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have their own bans on bump stocks that arent expected to be affected by the ruling, though four state bans may no longer cover bump stocks in the wake of the ruling, according to the gun-control group Everytown. Cargill was represented by the New Civil Liberties Alliance, a group funded by conservative donors like the Koch network. His attorneys acknowledged that bump stocks allow for rapid fire but argued that they are different because the shooter has to put in more effort to keep the gun firing. The Biden administration had argued that effort was minimal, and said the ATF came to the right conclusion on bump stocks after doing a more in-depth examination spurred by the Las Vegas shooting. There were about 520,000 bump stocks in circulation when the ban went into effect in 2019, requiring people to either surrender or destroy them at a combined estimated loss of $100 million, the plaintiffs said in court documents. Sen. John Fetterman speaks during a news conference regarding the repair of the collapsed portion of I-95 in Philadelphia last year. Read more U.S. Sen. John Fettermans car crash Sunday, in which he was speeding and found at fault, was not the first time the senator has been involved in risky driving behaviors, Pennsylvania state records show. Fetterman (D., Pa.) has received two speeding tickets in his home state the more recent one of which was in March for exceeding the speed limit in Westmoreland County by 34 mph. Before this year, he was ticketed in April 2016 for going at least 24 mph above the speed limit in Warren County, according to state public records. Advertisement After he received the ticket in March, Fetterman was required by Pennsylvania to take a drivers improvement course, the Washington Post reported, citing unidentified people it said had knowledge of the situation. In addition, the senators aides have said Fetterman has texted and FaceTimed while driving, prompting concerns among his staff and fears about riding with him, the Post reported, citing three people with knowledge of staff discussions who spoke about internal conversations on the condition of anonymity. Further, the Post reported, aides recently began to avoid riding in the car when Fetterman is driving and they refrain from contacting him when they know he is driving. The article, written by Liz Goodwin, who covers Congress, said that Fetterman declined to answer specific questions about the allegations but a spokesperson for the senator called them inaccurate and gossip. A spokesperson for Fetterman did not immediately respond to The Inquirers request for comment on these allegations. The Washington Post report comes soon after a series of departures from the high-profile senators office that included the exodus of his longtime political adviser and his former chief of staff as well as three top communications officials. A recent poll from The Inquirer, New York Times, and Siena College found that Fettermans overall favorability rating was at 48%, just 1 percentage point lower than that of Sen. Bob Casey, his U.S. Senate counterpart. An additional 41% of registered voters had unfavorable views of Fetterman Sundays car crash, in Maryland, resulted in Fetterman, his wife, Gisele, and a Pennsylvania woman being sent to the hospital after the junior senators Chevrolet Traverse rear-ended the womans Chevrolet Impala, according to the Maryland State Police report. A witness observed Fettermans vehicle rear-ending the womans vehicle just before the exit for I-68 in Hancock, Md., between Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Fetterman was allegedly going over the posted speed limit, which was 70 mph. The Maryland police report noted that the person who was hit was not distracted, while it was unknown whether the junior senator was distracted. Fetterman and his wife were evaluated at a local hospital out of an abundance of caution, according to a statement Monday from Carrie Adams, the senators spokesperson. The pairs 16th wedding anniversary was also on Sunday. No citations were issued, and the Maryland State Police are investigating. Councilman Jeffery Young Jr. before start of council session. Thursday was the last day Council will meet before summer break. Read more Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration would be barred from renewing the citys lease at a controversial Fairmount shelter under legislation passed by City Council on Thursday. The bill represents backlash to the Parker administrations effort to quietly increase capacity at an existing shelter site last month to treat people who use drugs amid a broader effort to crack down on open-air drug markets. It prohibits the city from extending its lease at the state-owned 2100 W. Girard Ave. site when the current agreement ends in 2026. Advertisement The bill now heads to Parkers desk. Its unclear whether she will sign it her administration testified against it earlier this month. The legislation passed unanimously, meaning it could become law even if the mayor vetoed it. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds vote of Council. There are also open questions about the legality and enforcement of the bill, which exerts a rare level of legislative control over the executive branch and bars the citys top lawyer from even reviewing any lease extension agreement. Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., who represents the district where the shelter sits and authored the bill, said Thursday that his legislation is responsive to Fairmount residents, who were incensed that they werent given a chance to weigh in on the expansion before it began. Their complaints came as the city was working to clear encampments from Kensington, the epicenter of the opioid crisis. READ MORE: Fairmount residents up in arms over Parker administration plan to house people in addiction Young, who took office in January, has aggressively advocated against the city referring people who use drugs to the site, even introducing legislation to authorize subpoenas for Parker and members of her administration to testify to Council on its use. Parker has since apologized and said her administration should have communicated with Young prior to moving forward with adding dozens of beds to the site. During an interview Tuesday on WURD Radio, the mayor said her goal is to expand the number of treatment beds available citywide, saying we do not have enough. She added that her administrations intent was not to undermine the community. But Parker implied that some Fairmount residents who have complained about open drug use near the site are embellishing. Its not beneath people to, for example, go and place needles in a particular place and then take a picture of the needles and say, See, this is whats happening in that area, she said. I know that what I just said, somebody is going to say We need to rewind that, did she just say what we think she just said? I absolutely did. Young said he receives complaints daily from residents who find drug paraphernalia in the area and trusts residents are logging legitimate concerns. When it was just a homeless shelter that did not take in folks from Kensington, there were no issues in that community, Young said. Folks dont have a problem with it being a shelter. The Island Water Park at Showboat during the preview party in Atlantic City on June 22, 2023. Read more ATLANTIC CITY Bart Blatsteins construction company is being sued by an irrigation and landscape company that says its still owed $1.8 million for work done on the $100 million Island Waterpark in Atlantic City. Parker Interior Plantscape Inc. has further asked a Superior Court judge in Atlantic County to place Blatsteins water park company, known as Accelerated Construction, into receivership and to force a sale of the water park, which opened nearly a year ago to great fanfare. Advertisement The judge, Ralph A. Paolone, has set July 5 to decide whether to appoint a receiver to oversee Blatsteins assets in Accelerated Construction. [Update: The date for a decision or possible hearing is now July 19.] Accelerated Construction is now and for some time has been insolvent and unable to pay its debts as they become due, as evidenced by the substantial amount of unpaid claims due to Parker Interior and numerous other creditors, attorney Anthony Rainone asserted in the court filing. Blatstein, reached by telephone on Wednesday, declined to comment for the article or to make his attorney available for public comment. A formal answer to the lawsuit was due June 7 but had not been filed as of Friday afternoon. Separately, Rainone says Parker and other subcontractors have filed construction liens with the Atlantic County Clerk against Blatsteins company, seeking payment of outstanding debts totaling in the millions. The Parker lawsuit was filed March 29 in Superior Court. The request for a receiver appointment was filed June 6. According to records of construction liens on file with the Atlantic County Clerks office, the outstanding liens against Blatstein, filed by eight subcontractors, currently total about $7 million. Contractors can claim a lien on property to secure outstanding payment for services provided. They include a British Columbia company that builds water parks, WhiteWater West, which filed a construction lien for $2,182,739; Capital Concrete, which says it is owed $884,009; and RicoRock Inc, of Orlando, which says it is owed $252,000 for its work building the rock/waterfall feature of the water park. Parker Interior Plantscape, of Plainfield, N.J., which took the additional step of filing a lawsuit, says its owed $1,766,683 for its work landscaping and irrigating the water park, located next to Blatsteins Showboat Hotel at 801 Boardwalk. It also says its owed about $30,000 for ongoing maintenance work at the water park. By most accounts, the handsomely constructed indoor water park with a retractable roof has been a success in its first year in Atlantic City, attracting families and school groups at varying prices. On a recent weekday, the water park was busy with field trips. It has also been used for private events and charity fundraisers. Its popular FlowRider wave simulator will be the site of the first Flow City Pro Am event, part of the 2024 FlowRider Flow Tour, on June 29 and 30, where flowboarding competitors will have a chance to display their skills, according to a news release. The lawsuit names Showboat Renaissance, Tower Investments, SB Waterpark, and Accelerated Construction as defendants, all with locations at 1520 Locust St., Suite 320 in Philadelphia. Tower Investments is Blatsteins development company. We believe this is one operation that serves Bart and only Bart, says Rainone. You cant not pay your creditors. In the filing, Rainone contends that Blatstein is clearly diverting assets away from Accelerated Construction to unknown insiders in order to thwart creditors efforts to collect the amounts owed. If that was not the case, Accelerated Construction would have paid Parker Interior and the other construction lien claimants, he wrote in the June 6 motion asking the judge to appoint receiver. The appointment of a receiver is urgently needed to take control of the assets and operations of Accelerated Construction, identify and recover transfers that occurred since insolvency, and prevent further dissipation and fraudulent transfers during the pendency of this litigation, the motion states. In the filings, Nathan Parker, owner of Parker Interior Plantscape, asserts: If a receiver is not appointed, I believe there is a substantial risk that Blatstein will continue to transfer assets away from the Blatstein Group Defendants to insiders or affiliates in an effort to frustrate Parker Interior and the other construction lien holders ability to recover the amounts they are owed. Melissa and Candices arrival continues our dedication to achieving gender equality in our leadership. We are making great strides. Our executive is 50% female and 50% male, and 46% of our partnership is female, she said. She emphasised the need for accessible and affordable financial advice to help Australians make informed decisions that ensure financial security. Despite this need, over 25% of Australians considered seeking financial advice on life insurance in the past three months but did not proceed, with only 8% actually receiving such advice during that period. The insurance giant is in talks for a deal that could value the London-based direct lender at more than 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The discussions are ongoing and may not ultimately lead to a deal. At the same time, we see significant potential for profitable growth in this space. Im confident that Kyle has the right leadership qualities to develop our regional fine art team and insurance offering and enhance our reputation as we look to become a leading fine art and specie insurer in North America. Were thrilled to once again engage young talent across business lines and regions, said Lisa Fontanetta, Mosaics chief of staff. As well as learning the basics of their divisions, theyre able to experience life inside a developing global company, learning first-hand from senior leadership. We hope the internship demonstrates the variety of fantastic career opportunities in our industry. A recent study published in Health Affairs revealed that in 80% of U.S. counties, the majority of health plan enrollees are in self-funded plans. Moreover, the number of self-funded employers increased from 55% of the market in 2015 to 60% of the market in 2021. Federal officials say a New Jersey construction contractor with a history of ignoring federal fall safety standards has again been found exposing employees to potentially deadly fall hazards in eight work site inspections. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it opened eight inspections of Road Contractor Corp. in Evesham, Freehold, Manalapan, Marlton, Mullica Hill and Rumson. In the inspections conducted from November 2023 to March 2024, OSHA investigators allege they identified 32 safety violations with $819,417 in proposed penalties. In each inspection, the agency said it found the company failed to provide workers with required fall safety protection. Long Branch-based Road Contractor has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the findings before the independent OSHA review commission. Registered in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Road Contractor provides wood framing and sheathing services for residential construction projects. OSHA alleges that Road Contractor has exposed its employees routinely to dangerous falls and other safety hazards common in residential construction. In addition to the alleged fall safety violations, OSHA cited the company for allowing employees to use portable ladders unsafely; exposing employees to silica hazards and failing to train workers to recognize them allowing the operation of machines without required guards; failing to have hazardous communication or written exposure control programs; and not providing employees with eye and face protection. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 395 fatal workplace falls, the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Topics Workers' Compensation Contractors The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week charged Ilit Raz, CEO and founder of the failed artificial intelligence recruitment startup Joonko, with defrauding investors of at least $21 million. According to the SEC, Raz gave investors false and misleading statements about the quantity and quality of Joonkos customers, the number of job candidates on its platform, and the companys revenue. We allege that Raz engaged in an old school fraud using new school buzzwords like artificial intelligence and automation,' said Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SECs Division of Enforcement, urging investors to beware of companies exploiting the fanfare around artificial intelligence to raise funds. According to the SECs complaint, Joonko claimed to use artificial intelligence to help clients find underrepresented candidates to fulfill their diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring goals. To raise money for Joonko, the complaint alleges that Raz falsely told investors that Joonko had more than 100 customers, including Fortune 500 companies, and she allegedly provided investors with fabricated testimonials from several companies praising Joonko. Raz also allegedly lied to investors that Joonko had earned more than $1 million in revenue and was working with more than 100,000 active job candidates. Court documents claim that she raised as much as $27 million in two funding rounds in 2021 and 2022. When one of the investors grew suspicious of Razs claims, Raz allegedly provided the investor with falsified bank statements and forged contracts in an effort to conceal the fraud. According to the complaint, in mid-2023 the investor confronted Raz, who admitted to forging bank statements and contracts and lying about Joonkos revenue and number of customers. The SECs complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Raz with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and seeks a permanent injunction, civil money penalties, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and an officer-and-director bar against Raz. In a related action, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York this week also filed criminal charges against Raz, an Israeli citizen, charging her with with securities and wire fraud. According to her LinkedIn page, before launching Joonka in 2016, Raz had six years of experience working with startups in product management and team management positions and seven years as a software engineer and manager for the intelligence unit of the Israeli Defense Forces. She has a computer science degree and a masters in business administration. Her LinkedIn page says that after 13 years as a woman in tech and experiencing unconscious, and conscious, bias, she wanted to do something to change the status of women in tech and gender bias in the industry. The page claims that Joonko helps companies such as PayPal, Adidas, Nike, Atlassian, and Intuit increase their diversity recruiting efforts and holds a pool of ~120K qualified underrepresented candidates. On May 24, 2024, Joonko filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Topics Fraud InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence K-12 Education A federal judge in New Jersey, in a blistering opinion, has refused to disqualify himself from a case involving his insurer, Liberty Mutual, and accused the insurer of seeking his recusal and attacking his integrity because it did not like the substance or tenor of one of his rulings. Senior Judge Stanley R. Chesler of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey said Liberty Mutual offered no evidence to support its claim that the judges history with the company or a ruling he issued raised the perception of bias. In a recent motion for disqualification, Liberty Mutual asserted that given the totality of the circumstances involving Chesler and the insurer, it was reasonable to conclude that the judges involvement in the case raised questions about bias and impartiality that the law is meant to prevent. The insurer further maintained that the judges failure to disclose his ties with Liberty at the outset heightens the perception of bias. Chesley found that Liberty Mutual had information about his relationship with the insurer in its possession and could have acted on it at any time but only did so after he denied a summary judgment motion sought by the insurer. Chesley maintains that this matter raises serious questions about the conduct of a major national insurer and repeat litigant before the federal courts. Even a cursory reading of Liberty Mutuals moving papers reveal that the motion and the assertions contained therein in fact constitute a carefully choreographed effort to attack the integrity and ethics of this Court both directly and by innuendo, Chesler wrote. Liberty Mutual declined comment when contacted by Insurance Journal. Should Judge Recuse Himself From Case Involving His Own Insurer? The judge criticized what he termed the untenable proposition that any judge who is a policyholder of an insurer must disclose that status and recuse from cases where the insurer is a party. Chesler wrote that that argument would render hundreds, if not thousands, of judges incapable of presiding over large swaths of their dockets and thus it cannot be the standard envisioned by the framers of the law. In its motion for disqualification, Liberty Mutual took the position that the burden of disclosure of potential conflict rested with the judge and he should have disclosed his status as an insured and claimant at the outset of the case. But the judge cited a case noting that if a partys attorney is aware of the grounds supporting recusal but fails to act until the judge issues an adverse ruling, the recusal motion is not timely. The judge also said he agreed with Liberty Mutual that a court should disclose when it has knowledge in its possession which could arguably form the grounds for a recusal motion. But, he concluded, none of the reasons offered by Liberty Mutual in fact constitutes grounds for disqualification and, therefore, none of these facts required disclosure. Liberty Mutuals actions suggest that it believes it is entirely appropriate for an insurance company to search its files for negative and prejudicial information about the presiding judge in response to any decision by that judge which it regards as having a tenor that seemed negative,' Chesler claimed in rejecting Liberty Mutuals motion. Claims History The insurer cited Cheslers long tenure as a customer and, in particular, four claims filed while the case was before the court. Liberty Mutual also alleged it had pursued an investigation into jewelry claims filed by the judge and his wife. The judge dismissed suggestions that his claims history is an issue. He criticized Liberty Mutual for not supplying factual evidence or documents about his claims. He reported he has had 14 claims in his 44 years as an insured of Liberty Mutual and there has never been a dispute. Regarding the four recent claims cited by Liberty Mutual, he said none coincided with his actual involvement in the case, all were settled without dispute, and several were brought by third parties. He also took issue with Liberty Mutuals claim that he was investigated. He said he and his wife were never informed about the insurers concerns over jewelry claims and thus he could not have been affected by that if it were true. During oral arguments, Liberty Mutuals counsel acknowledged that the alleged investigations of Cheslers jewelry claims never took place. The judge charged that Liberty Mutuals brief relied upon slyly suggesting that he would be biased because of a further investigation of his claims activity, but conveniently omittedand did not acknowledge until the court pressed at oral argumentthat no such investigation ever occurred. When the claims facts are taken together, a reasonable person could not conclude that his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, the judge concluded. (In a footnote, the judge suggested that the facts would indicate a positive history over 44 years with Liberty Mutual and made it more likely that the opposite party might raise an objection, not Liberty Mutual. That they have not speaks volumes about what a reasonable person might conclude when presented with the facts asserted herein, he added, without noting that his rulings have gone in that other partys favor.) Summary Judgment The insurer further claimed that the judge committed errors and was highly critical and negative in tone towards the insurer in a summary judgment order, which the insurer said raised questions about whether he was being impartial. The judge said that this was not the proper time for the insurer to attack the summary judgment opinion. if an appeal is made after the entry of final judgment, Liberty Mutual will be free to demonstrate the error to the Third Circuit appeals court, he noted. Liberty Mutual had cited other cases involving Chesler and insurers where recusal was an issue but the judge noted that those were class actions, which would have meant he would have been part of the class seeking certification. In closing his 25-page opinion, Chesler took aim at what he characterized as the insurers position that every judge who has an insurance policy with an insurer defendant and presides over a case involving that insurer defendant is required to disclose that policys existence, the claims history, and other personal information relating to the judges insurance and potentially recuse himself or herself. He continued, Moreover, given the genesis of this motion, Liberty Mutuals actions suggest that it believes it is entirely appropriate for an insurance company to search its files for negative and prejudicial information about the presiding judge in response to any decision by that judge which it regards as having a tenor that seemed negative.' Underlying Case The underlying coverage action stemmed from lawsuits filed by two employees of a construction firm against equipment rental firm United Rentals alleging that they sustained injuries when a rented boom lift malfunctioned. Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. insured the construction firm. United sought a declaratory judgment that it was entitled to coverage as an additional insured on the Liberty Mutual policy. In early 2022, United sought partial summary judgment on the duty to defend. Liberty Mutual sought partial summary judgment that it had no duty to defend. The U.S. District Court granted Uniteds motion for partial summary judgment finding that United qualified as an additional insured. The district court denied Liberty Mutuals motion for partial summary judgment. In May 2022, Liberty Mutual filed a motion for reconsideration, which the district dourt denied in its entirety. Liberty Mutual appealed and in January 2024, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Liberty Mutuals appeal on jurisdictional grounds. It was only after that dismissal that Liberty Mutual said it discovered Cheslers history with the company. Topics Legislation The UK economy lost more than 257 billion ($327 billion) in potential output because of demotivated workers last year, adding to a productivity crisis thats left the country falling behind other wealthy nations. Just one in 10 UK workers were classified as engaged at work, which means putting in discretionary effort on the tasks theyre asked to do, according to Gallup research published Wednesday that tracked a slow erosion in motivation over the last decade. The finding represents a reversal for the UK, which in the early 2010s had the second highest proportion of engaged workers in the Group of Seven industrial nations. Thats now dropped below the averages in both the G-7 and the rest of Europe. Its now well below the global figure of 23%. The Gallup researchers said that level of engagement means the UK has an issue with quiet quitters, or people doing the bare minimum at work instead of being actively engaged. Engagement is also dragged down by another category of workers who even oppose the efforts of bosses. The study looked at the link between worker motivation and output at firm-level across sectors and found that including lost output and lost potential could be costing the UK 11% of gross domestic product. The dangerous threat to the UK economy right now is a workforce that has essentially given up, and the politics are not making that any easier, said Jeremie Brecheisen, UK managing partner at Gallup, adding that workers feel abandoned by politicians to deal with the consequences of events like Britains exit from the European Union. There is an impact of failure of the government or mistrust in the system. That sentiment is on full-display in the run-up to the general election on July 4. Polls suggest voters are likely to end 14 years of Conservative rule, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks party losing ground to both the Labour opposition and the right-wing Reform UK party. Gallups work also underscores challenges for Labour if it wins office, with hurdles to reviving the economy and lifting livings standards. The UK is struggling to boost an economy that tipped into a mild recession last year. The Bank of England expects weak growth for much of this year. Economists forecast a small drop in output when Aprils figure is published later on Wednesday. Productivity is a big part of the problem. Output per hour worked has stagnated since the financial crisis, falling behind the US and other rich countries. At the same time, Britain has fewer workers than before COVID after more than 800,000 people dropped out due to long-term sickness, to retire or for education. Gallup found that a lack of clarity around what needs to be accomplished is one of the main drivers of low engagement. While part of that is due to poor management, in the UK the situation has been exacerbated by a series of shocks from Brexit to the pandemic and macroeconomic uncertainty, Brecheisen said. External factors like politics account for about 30% of the variance in engagement levels overall, he added. Britain scores well on some measures. About 40% of UK employees are experiencing stress daily, below the European average. But a demotivated workforce makes it harder for the country to draw in and retain skilled workers. And Britons are also more likely to experience other negative emotions like sadness or anger on a daily basis, Gallup found. Theres still a lot of things that are very attractive about the UK but the risk in the future is that this starts to erode the employee value brand of the country, Brecheisen said. The best and brightest are not going want to come to England if this is a terrible place to work, theyre much more likely to want to go to Canada or America or Germany or somewhere else where they know its going to mean better work experience. Photograph: The UK economy lost more than 257 billion ($327 billion) in potential output because of demotivated workers last year. Photo credit: Tolga Aken/AFP/Getty Images Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. A small cargo ship was on fire after being hit by three projectiles while sailing in the Gulf of Aden, marking the second significant incident in two days and a fresh ramp up of attacks. The attack on the Verbena happened about 98 miles (158 kilometers) east of Aden in Yemen and damage control efforts were underway, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre, which coordinates liaison between military and commercial shipping. One person was injured. A second ship, the Seaguardian, also came under attack inside the Red Sea. The Verbena veered across the Gulf of Aden earlier on Thursday but was continuing to sail, ship-tracking compiled by Bloomberg shows. There were no signals from the Seaguardian at the time it was attacked, suggesting the vessel may have turned off its location transponder while passing the Yemeni coast. A Houthi spokesman said in a televised statement that the group claimed responsibility for both attacks. Yemens Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have been a regular occurrence since the end of last year and have caused a reduction in traffic of about 70% compared with the start of December. The group has targeted vessels in what it says is a response to the Israel-Hamas war. On Wednesday, a commodity carrier called Tutor suffered severe flooding in its engine room following the first successful attack from a seaborne drone during the current campaign by the Houthis. The owners of the Tutor and Verbena didnt respond to requests for comment. Photograph: Yemens Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have been a regular occurrence since the end of last year. Photo credit: Loic Venance/AFP/Getty Images Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. The Clear Group, the London-based independent broker, announced it has acquired the book and assets of credit insurance broker Rycroft Associates LLP and its sister company and appointed representative, Inspire Credit Management Ltd., a delegated authority specialist. The company was purchased from Rycroft owners Karl Toogood, Steven Hallworth and Steve Parsons. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in Lichfield, Rycroft supports UK & Europe businesses to obtain competitive trade credit insurance products. In doing so, the business has helped many UK firms continue to trade, by protecting them against bad debts and invoice credit risk, said Clear Group in a statement. Inspire Credit is a delegated authority specialist and an appointed representative for Rycroft. It offers trade credit insurance, specifically for UK SME customers, which Clear Group describes as a unique facility in the market. Inspire is backed by its long-term capacity partner Atradius, an Amsterdam-based trade credit re/insurer. Clear Group noted that the number of insurance payouts to help businesses survive bad debts rose by 23% in the first half of 2023, a five-year high, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The Rycroft business comprises a team of seven trade credit experts led by director Steve Parsons. The team will work closely with Clears UK, Ireland and Europe retail businesses to bring credit solutions to the brokers commercial customer base. Rycroft currently controls 6.6 million (US$8.4 million) in gross written premiums (GWP). This latest deal brings greater depth to a specialism which closely complements Clears core commercial offering one which is particularly relevant in todays economic landscape with UK insolvencies at a 30-year peak, Clear Group said. Were delighted to welcome the Rycroft team to Clear. Steve and his team bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the credit insurance market, which adds tremendous strength to a specialist vertical as we continue to build and enhance our offering to our commercial customer base, commented Mike Edgeley, group CEO of the Clear Group. Our deal with Rycroft exemplifies our continued strategy to support and invest in like-minded brokers with real sector expertise. Source: The Clear Group Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies WEST ALTON, Mo. (AP) Devastating flooding, driven in part by climate change, is taking an especially damaging toll on communities that once thrived along the banks of Americas most storied river. Flooding has pushed people out of their homes near the Mississippi River at a roughly 30% higher rate than the U.S. as a whole, according to data provided exclusively to The Associated Press by the risk analysis firm First Street. In regions growing slower than many other parts of the country, where towns are struggling with job loss and fewer resources, flooding is accelerating the exodus. Consider West Alton, Missouri, on a bend of the Mississippi near its meeting with the Missouri River. It had 3,900 people in 1970, Mayor Willie Richter said. That number nosedived to about 570 after big floods in 1973 and 1993. Now, after the 2019 flood, about 360 people remain. All three churches closed. Many of the remaining homes have been raised to keep safe from floodwaters. The toll weighs on people. When officials this year arrived at a blaze consuming a small home abandoned after the 2019 flood, the suspect said he burned the house down because he got tired of looking at it, according to a police report. Vacant properties invite arson, said Richter, who said four or five abandoned homes have burned since that last big flood. People just walk away from them, Richter said. The houses are condemned, they either got to be torn down or elevated. This much time has passed, theres a lot of damage. The data from First Street show that while West Alton is an extreme example of floodings effect, its emblematic of challenges faced by smaller communities in the Midwest and South. Many struggle to keep young people and jobs from leaving. Industries and economic forces that once spread wealth along the river have consolidated and shifted away. In a peer-reviewed paper published in December, First Street found that flooding drove millions of people in the U.S. from their homes, using modeling that relied on analysis of block-level Census data, flood risk information and other factors. For this story, First Street provided additional data on communities within roughly 100 miles of the Mississippi River from 2000 to 2020. The AP analyzed the data and mapped it to find and report on hard-hit communities. First Streets work showed people tend to move to a safer place nearby. But some people leave communities entirely. Older residents are most likely to stay behind. Even in some growing communities, high flood risk constrained that growth. Many Mississippi River towns formed in the 19th century. Pulp and paper mills, chemical plants, coal operations and the metals industry grew up along the massive river that provided a cheap and easy way to move heavy things, said Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. But technology, automation and consolidation changed those industries. Coal consumption dropped. Fewer pulp and paper sites were needed. The national highway system made it easier to bypass towns. Flooding worsens the fortunes of places already struggling, and some towns thriving a century ago now are barely standing, said Patrick Nunnally, a retired lecturer at the University of Minnesota and a Mississippi River expert. It sort of chips away at the river culture as people pick up and leave, said Dean Klinkenberg, who travels the Mississippi River writing guidebooks and histories of the communities. Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications at First Street, said two types of flooding events tend to drive people to move: Frequent low-level flooding, and shocking events like the floods of 1993 and 2019 that devastate communities. Climate change is adding to the problem. A warmer atmosphere means big storms can dump more rain and overwhelm sewer systems. And severe river flooding is becoming more common: six of the 10 highest floods on record at St. Louis have come over roughly the last three decades. And when big rain events hit the Midwest, they can overwhelm small rivers and creeks. The creek vexing Twains birthplace Bear Creek runs into the Mississippi near downtown Hannibal, Missouri. The citys historic downtown draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but its population has slowly declined from 17,757 in 2000 to 17,107 in 2020. Flooding from Bear Creek hasnt helped. After years of dealing with floods that crept into downtown and even threatened the small home where young Samuel Clemens, later known to the world as Mark Twain, grew up, the city finally built an $8 million, 34-foot levee in 1992. The timing was fortunate. In spring 1993, the Mississippi rose fast, and torrential summer rains sent it higher than even the monumental flood of 1973. But downtown stayed dry and open to tourists. Homes outside the protected area got swamped, though. Much of the flooding was from Bear Creek as the Mississippi backed up into it. Over the years, silt from the river has worked its way into the creek, clogging storm drains and worsening flash flooding, Mayor Barry Louderman said. Louderman estimated at least a half-dozen companies that employed a combined 300 to 400 people are just gone, were never replaced, due to persistent flooding. First Streets models show Hannibal would have likely grown over the last two decades if not for flooding. Steve Dungan has lived on Ely Street near Bear Creek all of his 54 years. As a child, he fished from the porch when the creek rose. One summer night in 1993, Dungan was at a hospital in nearby Quincy, Illinois, where his wife was about to give birth to their daughter. He got a call that the water was coming up fast, and relatives and friends were scurrying to salvage what they could from his home by boat. We lost the waterbed, stove, refrigerator stuff they couldnt pack out, he said. With family anchoring him to the area, he chose to stay. Ray Allen, another longtime Ely Street resident who also operated an auto repair and welding shop there, did not. He recalled being awakened by a noise during that 1993 flooding. Jumped up out of bed and was standing in water knee-deep beside the bed, Allen, now 80, recalled. Thats a rude awakening, Ill tell you that. The government bought out nearly all of the homes on Ely Street and in many other neighborhoods vulnerable to Bear Creek. People scattered. Some, like Allen and his wife of 63 years, Rachel, left town, though they moved back about 12 years ago and now live high on a hill. He misses his old friends and neighbors on Ely Street. All of the people that were good friends down there kind of got busted apart, he said. Cultural loss West Alton is a two-hour drive downriver from Hannibal. In 1993, Sugar Vanburen watched as most of her mobile home floated down the river. Only what was bolted down remained the floor, a toilet and furnace. Her sister left, but not Sugar. Its where she grew up. She likes the quiet community. Her grandchildren go to a good school. Residents learn how to empty mud from the basement and get neighbors to help clean up. After the 1993 flood, the Federal Emergency Management Agency offered buyouts to some facing severe flood risk. Recently, letters for a new round of voluntary buyouts went out. Sugar threw hers away. But Robert Myers, St. Charles Countys planning and zoning division director, said the goal is to buy out as many as 100 homes across the county. Mayor Richter recalls the West Alton of decades ago: three churches, an ice cream shop, four taverns where people hung out. Now we dont have any churches. We have one tavern thats open and it just got reopened not too long ago, he said. A lot of that community stuff is gone. Tom Silk lives next to a vacant lot that was once home to the church he attended and where he married. Silk likes the town. Its rural, peaceful. But it takes work to stay. His front door still bears the water stain right at the handle marking the 2019 flood second-highest on record. That year, he packed up a U-Haul and left for about two months. It took a year and a half to repair his house he did the work after finishing shifts loading trucks at a FedEx warehouse but he wanted to stay. Its quiet, it is the country life, but you are still by the city if you need to do anything or go anywhere, he said. Richter said flooding is so frequent that he probably wouldnt live in town if he didnt grow up locally, farm and have strong community connections. The town has organized July 4 celebrations and a flea market family fun day in the fall. People come back. But theres a sense of loss. Vanburen misses neighbors who moved away. Everybodys gone, she said. This is a ghost town. Diverging fortunes Cairo, Illinois, is surrounded by a levee at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Its endured a lot. First rising as a hub for steamboats in the 19th century, Cairo peaked around 1920 with about 15,000 people, including a sizeable Black population. It had attractive retail shops, several rail lines and a healthy manufacturing sector. It was also strictly segregated, and protests in the 1960s met violence that spiraled for years. The city has hemorrhaged people during a downward economic trend thats never stopped, according to local historian Klinkenberg. Its population today is about 10% of peak. Retail and manufacturing are gone. For a long time, it didnt have a grocery store. Most of the place is abandoned, with brick buildings cracked by growing trees. Economic factors and racial discrimination caused Cairos decline; flooding made things harder. Most of its population loss since 2000 was due to flooding, First Street says. In 2011, residents were told to evacuate as bad flooding threatened. Andrea Drea Vinson swore she wasnt leaving. Then she went up to the river wall for a look at the rising water. Aint no way, she recalled. I lived downtown back then. No, thats headed straight for my house. She evacuated. Long before 2011, plans had been set to avert a flooding catastrophe in Cairo by flooding farmland instead. But officials waited a long time to blow a levee. Steve Tarver, who runs a community development nonprofit, said the delay reflected how little officials seemed to value the largely Black community. That didnt encourage people to return. That kills a lot of the value of our town, he said. Vinson likes living in Cairo and returned. She raised kids here, its inexpensive, she knows its people. But some who evacuated in 2011 never came back. Hope remains Recent decades have brought new benefits to some riverside towns. The Clean Water Act of 1972 improved rivers and streams around the country that had carried tons of waste. Parks sprouted from cleaned-up industrial areas, attracting tourists and businesses. One example is Grafton, Illinois, a community of roughly 730 people about an hour north of St. Louis. To cope with bad flooding officials didnt build a floodwall or levee. Instead, many residents simply vacated risky land to move uphill. Parks on low-lying land can absorb flooding. And the city worked to develop tourist attractions a winery, a zip line and a marina. The population has edged up in recent years. Then there are the great river rats as Klinkenberg calls them people up and down the river who will never leave. In Hannibal, the old Dungan family home is long gone, but Steve Dungan still lives nearby. So do his relatives. On a recent day, Dungan biked to his mothers tidy white frame home near the creek. Dad passed away in this house, he said. Mom lives here. Ive got an older brother in this room, and hes handicapped. So, no. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Mississippi Attorneys general in 42 states said they finalized a $700 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over the marketing of its talcum powder products. The settlement, announced in principle in January, resolves an investigation by the states and Washington D.C. into Johnson & Johnsons alleged misleading of customers regarding the safety of its baby powder and other talc products. Led by Florida, North Carolina and Texas, the settlementto be paid over three yearsis pending judicial approval. Johnson & Johnson admits no wrongdoing in the settlement and has repeatedly said it talc products did not cause cancer. The New Jersey-based company faces thousands of lawsuits claiming its talc products did cause cancer, especially in women. One of the latest cases ended with a $260 million jury award to an Oregon woman who said she got mesothelioma from inhaling talc. Meanwhile, J&J is trying to move forward with a third bankruptcy plan of a subsidiary set up to hold the the companys talc liability. The company needs a large majority of claimants to agree with the plan, but last month a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of J&Js alleged cancer victims, claiming the pharmaceutical giant fraudulently manipulated the bankruptcy system. Under the terms of the agreement with the states, J&J will not resume the manufacturing, marketing or saledirectly or indirectlyof products containing talc. J&J stopped selling talc-based products in the U.S. and Canada in 2020, and stopped globally in 2022. The company now uses cornstarch in its powder products. We have reached a landmark settlement with Johnson & Johnson ensuring that the company will abide by the law and take effective steps to protect consumers from potentially hazardous ingredients, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Texas will receive close to $61.6 million from the settlement. Florida will receive $48 million. Attorney General Ashley Moody called the settlement a major advancement for consumer product safety. In North Carolina, the recipient of about $27 million from the settlement, Attorney General Josh Stein said he urged the state to use these funds to help protect womens health. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images NEW ORLEANS (AP) Officially reversing a controversial March ruling, Louisianas highest court Wednesday gave childhood victims of sexual abuse a renewed opportunity to file damage lawsuits. The state Supreme Courts 5-2 ruling Wednesday upholds a so-called look-back law that was passed in 2021 and amended in 2022. The law gave victims of past abuse, whose deadlines for filing civil lawsuits had expired, renewed opportunities to file lawsuits. The original legislation set a deadline of June 14 of this year. That deadline was later extended until June 2027. Wednesdays move had been expected. The court had ruled 4-3 in March that the law couldnt stand because it conflicted with due process rights in the state constitution. But the court agreed last month to reconsider the case. Justices Scott Crichton and Piper Griffin, part of the majority in March, joined justices joined Chief Justice John Weimer and justices Jay McCallum and William Crain to revive the law. For many victims of child sexual abuse, the revival provision represents their first and only opportunity to bring suit, Weimer wrote in the new ruling. Providing that opportunity to those victims is a legitimate legislative purpose. Justices James Genovese and Jefferson Hughes dissented. Genovese wrote that the new ruling obliterates decades of precedent and elevates a legislative act over a constitutional right. The ruling comes as the Catholic Church continues to deal with the ramifications of a decades-old sex scandal. The ruling arose from a case filed against the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette by plaintiffs who said they were molested by a priest in the 1970s while they ranged in age from 8 to 14, according to the Supreme Court record. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill hailed the courts reversal, as did advocates for abuse victims. We are elated that victims of sexual abuse who have been time barred from justice will have their day in court, Mike McDonnell, of the advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said in an emailed statement. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Louisiana The California Labor Commissioners Office reached a $658,948 settlement with a Los Angeles residential care facility. The settlement was to compensate 34 workers who were reportedly not paid for all hours worked. The LCO began investigating reports in 2023 that workers at Edgewood Residential Facility were working up to 24 hours a day and seven days a week, barred from leaving work, not paid for all hours including overtime, forced to work through rest and meal breaks, and were given wage statements without required information such as overtime or late meal periods. The settlement collects wages and damages with $608,948 of the total payable to the workers for overtime wages, minimum wages, meal period violations, rest period violations, waiting time penalties, liquidated damages and wage statement violations. The remaining $50,000 is owed in civil penalties payable to the state. Topics California Employee anxiety over their productivity levels is leading to a rise in absenteeism and burnout costing employers billions of euro each year, cautions a leading Irish HR solutions expert. More than 64% of employees surveyed suffer from productivity anxiety, with 10% of those saying they experience it every day, according to a survey by Workhuman, cloud-based, human capital management software solutions provider. Employers and their managers, however, can help alleviate some of this pressure. Around 57% of those surveyed said they would feel less anxious if they received proper recognition for their work. Niamh Graham, senior vice president, Human Experience, at Workhuman, said: With absenteeism and burnout costing the EU billions each year (IBEC), productivity anxiety can be a big expense for Irish businesses. Productivity anxiety can cause employees to lose motivation and increase conflicts, creating a negative work atmosphere. To tackle this, companies can encourage work-life balance with flexible schedules, provide mental health support, foster open communication, and properly recognize employee achievements. By focusing on these areas, businesses can boost performance and create a healthier, more supportive workplace. The research also found that although 58% of employees said they feel more productive at the office, a gender disparity exists in perceived in-office productivity. While 71% of male employees felt they accomplished more on in-office days, only 33% of female employees reported the same. Despite this, women are more likely to work in the office five days a week compared to men, with 58% of women required to be in the office, versus 30% of men. With ways of working constantly evolving, it is not surprising that employees may be feeling more anxious about whether they are achieving enough at work, and being noticed for it. With recognition being the number one factor employees stated can help with their anxiety, leaders must start prioritizing this to foster a supportive work environment. Our survey also shows a discrepancy between men and women when it comes to working arrangements and wellbeing perks. With more than half of women saying they are more productive at home, but most of them being required to work five days a week on-site, its clear that leadership needs to be more in tune with the individual needs of its employees when designing flexible work policies and wellbeing benefits packages. Understanding and addressing these gaps is essential for companies to foster a fair, supportive, and productive work environment for all employees. Ms Graham said that while most company policies for ways of working are gender-neutral, certain roles in specific sectors can exhibit gender imbalances. What surprises me in our research is the evolving work arrangements and their correlation to productivity, she said. Previous research pointed to employees feeling more productive working remotely, but this new data from our Human Workplace Index shows that Irish employees feel more productive in the office. Remote workers have previously reported feeling more siloed, which can have negative effects on their overall wellbeing as well, and hence might be one of the reasons workers now prefer to work in the office. This productivity dynamic shifts for women, however, who express feeling more productive when working remotely. This insight underscores the importance of having hybrid work arrangements. When you have a combination of onsite and remote, this elevates the different experiences from a communications, leadership and culture perspective, whilst also creating a balance that caters to individual preferences, she added. Many employers are taking effective actions. Nearly half of employees report receiving wellness benefits or perks in addition to standard benefits and say they improve their overall wellbeing, but men are more than twice as likely to have access to perks like gym memberships, healthy snacks, and in-office wellness spaces compared to women. Some 65% of Irish employees cited work-life balance is highlighted as the most important aspect of workplace wellbeing. Some 31% believe that companies facilitating work-life balance are more successful in fostering employee-employer trust, but there are significant disparities in the distribution of wellness benefits between men and women. What are some of the telltale signs and what can be done to help the situation? Niamh Graham advises: Employees suppressing their opinions, self-isolating, and missing goals or deadlines are telltale signs of productivity anxiety. Additionally, a disengaged workforce and noticeably reduced innovation across the organization can occur as employees become risk-averse and fatigued. With recognition being the number one factor Irish employees stated that can help reduce their anxiety, implementing a robust recognition program is essential to create a positive work environment and help mitigate the negative impacts of productivity anxiety. Recognition is key to offsetting the productivity anxiety of employees. It not only boosts morale, but also reinforces positive behaviours, encouraging employees to strive for excellence. Recognition can improve job satisfaction, enhance engagement, and foster a sense of community within the workplace, says Niamh Graham. Regular recognition can also reduce feelings of isolation and stress, as employees feel seen and appreciated for their efforts, ultimately leading to a more motivated and cohesive workforce. Shares of some of Europe's biggest carmakers fell further on uncertainty over how China might respond to the EU's new tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles to combat what Brussels sees as excessive subsidies from Beijing. Chinese countermeasures could target cars directly, which raises the risk for German luxury carmakers, and could even take aim at other sectors like France's cognac industry, analysts said. "The risk is that China could also take action that would particularly hit the German OEMs who are exporting to China," said Stifel analyst Daniel Schwarz in Frankfurt. Some investors, however, expect a balanced response from Beijing as Chinese carmakers will still be able to export to Europe, albeit at lower margins. "I believe it is actually a flash in the pan. The tariffs are not so severe for the Chinese and absolutely necessary for Europe," said Massimo Baggiani, founder at Niche Asset Management in London. "If this hadn't happened, it would have been a significant problem for the European economy, the development of electric mobility, and employment." Europe's car shares index Sxap fell 2.4% to its lowest level in more than four months, while the broader region-wide Stoxx 600 was down 1.3%. China-exposed Volvo Car was the biggest decliner, tumbling more than 7%, followed by German carmakers Porsche, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW, down between 1.7% and 3.7%. The assembling line at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, northern Germany. File picture:Kai Uwe Knoth/AP Brussels has said it would impose extra duties on imported Chinese electric cars from July, ranging from 17.4% for BYD to 38% for SAIC, on top of the standard 10% car duty. According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Beijing hopes the EU will reconsider tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and stop going further in the "wrong direction" to shield its auto industry from competition. Morgan Stanley said it was particularly cautious on luxury carmaker Porsche, majority controlled by Volkswagen. Porsche was trading at its lowest since listing in 2022. "We expect sentiment towards German OEMs to stay depressed as this development could cause management teams to talk down FY24/25 numbers toward the lower end of guides," analysts at the US bank said in a note. Porsche was trading at its lowest since listing in 2022. File picture UBS said that even if the tariffs become final it still expected leading Chinese players to press ahead with their expansion into the European market and accelerate the localisation of plants in the region, a welcome investment for states like Hungary, Italy, and Spain. "It's not clear so far if China will retaliate at all and if yes, whether it would happen within the auto sector," analysts at the Swiss bank said in a note. "Given the negative sentiment, we see a good entry point for top pick Mercedes." Auto suppliers were also hit. Paris-listed Forvia and Valeo were down. Concerns over possible Chinese retaliation spread beyond the auto sector. Shares in French cognac maker Remy Cointreau fell 4.5%. A trade body for French cognac producers on Wednesday expressed concern over the EU's tariff decision. China's commerce ministry said Chinese firms reserve the right to request anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations into European dairy and pork imports. Reuters Jo Spain is an industrious writer of popular crime fiction and television scripts, most recently of the popular detective series Harry Wild. This interview is an opportunity to take a breather, she says. Im just drinking my tea. This is a break, chatting on the phone with you. Although Ive just finished the first draft of another script, so the pressures off. She may be prolific, but the writing doesnt always comes easily. She says her latest book, The Trial, was particularly difficult; the fact that it was her 13th hadnt escaped her attention. I was literally doing it and thinking, Im not the sort of person who believes in luck, am I?. And Dave [Logan, her scriptwriting partner] said, You do realise you bless yourself every time you see a single magpie?, and I was like, Oh, yeah. It was the hardest one to write, I will say that. I think because of that, I have the least expectations going into it and Ive been really taken aback by the early reviews. I felt a bit of pain when I was writing it and I dont know if that slipped in, even unconsciously, because people are saying theyre getting very emotional reading it. The protagonist of The Trial is Dani, who returns to her alma mater, St Edmunds, a decade after her boyfriend, medical student, Theo, vanished when they were both students there. Danis mother has Alzheimers and central to the story is the development of a drug to treat the disease. It is a subject with which Spain is well-acquainted the book is dedicated to her grandmothers Maureen and Julie, both of whom had Alzheimers. She says that many readers have approached her to tell her about their own experiences of the disease. Spain was conscious of writing about a subject that has touched so many people. Youre still taking something thats very sensitive for people and you dont want to be sensationalist or using it cynically. I have been through it and it was distressing in a different form each time it happened. Underscoring The Trial is the theme of corruption and Big Pharma. It was a subject that Spain thoroughly researched, which she admits to sometimes enjoying a bit too much. I remember, for my first book, my editor saying the trick with research for fiction is to do it, to know it, and then not to batter your reader over the head with it. I remember reading the first draft and thinking it was like a medical thesis on Alzheimers; it was a deep dive. Everything was fictional Id made up the wonder cure from what I could figure out from the science. A friend who works in pharmaceuticals, who shall remain nameless, proof-read it for me and said, youre very close to what is actually happening. Then, they gave me a lecture on how pharmaceuticals can be quite good. She also took inspiration from the show Dopesick, the television series that tackled the subject of the opiate crisis in the US and the role played by the pharmaceutical industry. I did a lot of research into what these kinds of drug companies are up to. It was just as we were coming out of covid, and I was one of the first people to line up for my covid vaccine but I was thinking if you spent enough time in this world you would start to become very sceptical but Im over that now. Now that The Trial is out in the world, Spain is focusing on scriptwriting, which she enjoys for the variety it brings to her work. With the books, I try to carve out time where it is just me. Id be percolating on something for a while and then Ill say to everyone around me, Im just going to get this draft down, I need a month. Then I can sit with it for the year and edit away. The TV work is so much more collaborative; you spend most of your days in production meetings. It gives me a nice balance, I get to do the work where you have wrap parties and a bit of a social life, which is glamorous, but I also get to do the writing, and its just my words on the page and my name at the front of the book. Not everyone has that, so Im appreciative of it, even though I dont know how long I can keep it going. Spain and Logan have adapted The Boy That Never Was, a thriller by Irish author Karen Perry, which will be shown on RTE in the autumn. She says that while the perception may be otherwise, it is a great time to be a screenwriter here, with a growing appetite for Irish content. Our actors are punching above their weight and thats brought an attention to Ireland. Now the world is coming to Ireland and asking, What else do you have?. RTE isnt a massive budget broadcaster, but they are really conscious that if they have homegrown talent, they can sell it abroad. Theres an ambition and an energy there, and hopefully were going to see lots more of that in the years to come. Spain is also working on an Irish and Australian co-production of a drama called Mix Tape. It will film here, doubling for Sheffield, because the teams here are so brilliant to work with. As Ed Guiney of Element Pictures has said, Ireland is having a real moment, so theres no shortage of work. The third series of Harry Wild, which is set in Ireland and stars Jane Seymour as the titular lecturer turned detective, will be on screens soon, and Spain is currently working on season four. She says working on the show has been one of her career highlights. Jane Seymour brings a kind of magic to set, but she doesnt bring an ego and that filters down. We have a ball myself and Dave were over in LA for two weeks in October; she put us up in her mansion in Malibu. When you meet a woman in her early seventies who is still so successful theres always something there. She has fought for that career. She would tell you stories that would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. People think I have a good work ethic shed run rings around me. Growing up in difficult circumstances Spain has previously spoken about growing up in difficult circumstances in Belcamp, near Coolock in Dublin. She says that sometimes she does have to remind herself to stop and reflect on how far she has come. For every show thats made, there are potential ones weve been working on that havent been green-lit yet or have just died. You can spend your days caught up in the misery or treadmill of rejection when you should really be celebrating what has gone right. Every now and again, you have to stop and say, Look at this. And me, particularly, because I grew up in Belcamp, Im thinking, how did I get here?. I know I worked for it and I wont ever stop working, but it is one of those moments when you think, this is a leap, this is an intergenerational leap for me. Twenty years ago, an up-and-coming filmmaker and screenwriter tentatively introduced their first movie to Irish audiences. Lenny Abrahamson and Mark OHalloran couldnt have known it then, but their tale of a day in the life of two old friends struggling with addiction was about to become a gamechanger. Adam & Paul, which turns 20 this summer, has gone on to become one of Irelands most-loved films. It is a groundbreaking blend of comedy, slapstick, pathos and empathy which is frequently listed among the greatest Irish films. When Abrahamson and his cast showed Adam & Paul at the Galway Film Fleadh for the first time in 2004, the audience reaction was beyond their wildest hopes. It was in the town hall, and it was the first public screening of the film, recalls Abrahamson now. It was fabulous. I just remember the audience so embracing the film and afterwards, Mark and I looking at each other as people came up, the enthusiasm about the film and the desire to talk about it. Mark and the actors felt it was really good what we were doing. I remember the feeling of excitement. But between that and thinking its going to be popular, thats the one you can never know. This weekend, a special 20th- anniversary screening of the film will be held at the Irish Film Institute as part of the Bloomsday Film Festival. OHalloran will introduce the film and explore its Joycean connections. An Encounter, a short directed by Kelly Campbell and adapted by OHalloran from Joyces story, will also be screened. Abrahamson, an Oscar nominee for Room and with other hits including Frank, Garage and Normal People, was back then a first-time feature director looking for a story to tell. Its probably the happiest project in that sense because nobody was looking over our shoulders, he says. Nobody had expectations about it. We kind of knew we were doing something at least original whether it was going to work or not. But it felt like it knew what it was itself tonally. As well as writing the films screenplay, OHalloran starred as Paul in the film, working opposite his late friend and colleague Tom Murphy, a hugely talented actor who died three years after the film was released. It was so interesting seeing Tom arrive on set, says OHalloran. He looked such a mess in his costume and he upped everybodys game in lots of ways. He really was spectacularly good. I thought that Tom was so brilliantly caught in this moment of greatness. Mark O'Halloran and Tom Murphy in Adam and Paul OHalloran first began to develop the characters during some downtime in his own theatre acting career. Hed started to write short plays and had met Abrahamson, who had made the well-received short, 3 Joes. He asked me did I have any material for a feature, so I gave this one pager and some scenes which literally nobody else would have paid any attention to, only Lenny got them. He thought there was a vibe in there that was good. I literally had no idea how to write a screenplay. I remember opening the documents going, how do you start a film? I just had him stuck to a mattress, that was the first thing I came up with. And then it kind of got written in cycles. I would deliver pages to Lenny and wed read them and wed laugh about them. Some of them were overwritten and some of them are underwritten and then wed put them in sequence. Both men feel that because they hadnt gone through the filmmaking process before, they were able to make something that felt fresher. We werent burdened by an over-restrictive idea of how screen storytelling should work and I think both felt irritated, probably, by the idea that there have to be three acts and they have to run a certain way, says Abrahamson. And so in the end, youve just got this very strange but hopefully good mix of tones that were unusual but work together. I remember a lot of me was just encouraging Mark to go with his instinct. I remember at one point there was a more plotty version and we just decided: forget that. As well as the films wonderful gags about a character named Clank, jokes about Bulgaria and the hapless duos frequent accidents and run-ins, whats special about Adam & Paul is the great empathy it has towards its characters. This was Dublin in 2004, a city still reeling from the impacts of heroin addiction. I think thats probably why myself and Mark work well together, is we both have a very similar, very natural instinct towards orientating yourself with empathy towards characters, no matter who they are, says Abrahamson. I dont think we wanted to do that laughing at comedy. We just wanted to evoke these two people with all of their flaws. You can see the children in them. Theres a key line that Matthews mother says: Youse are good boys, youse were always good boys, adds OHalloran. Adam and Paul Audiences are still finding the film and he still gets recognised from it. [People say] alright Clank! Im not wiping myself with a Tayto bag! I was waiting on the street for a friend to arrive the other day. This young fella passed by and he was going: I know you. Do I know you? Adam & Paul! He was calling young fellas to come over and take photographs. On the morning the film was released in cinemas, Abrahamson dropped into a Dublin cinema to see how the film was being received. I remember there being about 20 people, which felt like quite a lot. I was just listening to people laughing. Its such a huge thing I think, the first time anybody is interested in something who isnt [from] your family. You dont know until you make one whether you can make one. Id done a short and other commercials and stuff but its still a very big leap. And all of the actors were mostly at the beginning of their careers. The release of Adam & Paul felt like a punctuation point in Irish film, coming at a time when we started to feel confident in telling our own stories. There were other people doing it around the same time or even a little bit earlier. But it did feel like it was part of that big transition, says Abrahamson. Whats kind of interesting is that Mark and I had very explicit conversations about not getting hung up on what constitutes an Irish film. Everybody was constantly going on about whats Irish cinema? What should Irish cinema be? And that ended up meaning themes were reduced almost to a set of acceptable topics. We set out to make a film that felt like it was artistically exciting to us. Kate Middleton has said she continues to receive treatment for cancer after her health announcement in marked the latest blow to the royal family over the past year, including Britain's King Charles also being diagnosed with the disease. Kate appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she made the shock health announcement, but she said in a statement on Friday that she will attend the Charles' Birthday Parade on Saturday and hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer. She was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but cancer was found after a successful operation. Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer (Jonathan Brady/PA) Kate wrote a letter to the British Army's Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for The Colonels Review in London last Saturday. Britain's Prince William gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly in May, saying shes doing well when asked by a hospital administrator. William spent a number of weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays before returning to public work in mid-April. Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer. In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while Charles was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate. In wishing the monarch a full recovery, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said thankfully the cancer had been caught early. Read More 41350348[/readmore] The King spoke to D-Day veterans following the UK national commemorative event (Gareth Fuller/PA) Charles initially postponed public-facing duties but resumed at the end of April, speaking of his shock at being diagnosed with cancer as he met patients on a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London. His appearance at a D-Day event in Portsmouth last week was his first public speech and most high-profile appearance since his cancer diagnosis. The Queen provided an update on her husbands health at the Queens Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey last Saturday, telling author Lee Child the King is doing fine but wont slow down and wont do what hes told. Sarah, Duchess of York announced a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. It was her second cancer diagnosis within a year, having been diagnosed with breast cancer the summer before, which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and subsequent reconstructive surgery. She had discovered an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening. Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but Im in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support, Sarah said on Instagram. Sarah, Duchess of York revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma (Chris Jackson/PA) Princess Beatrice shared an update on her mothers health on This Morning in May when she said the duchess was all clear and doing really well. In late February, tragedy befell Prince Michael of Kents family when Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince Michaels daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor, died from a catastrophic head injury with a gun found close to his body. For many years, it was the estrangement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that dominated discourse around the royal family after the pair stepped down as working royals in 2020. Having relocated to Montecito, California, Harry has returned to the UK infrequently but did so after the Kings cancer diagnosis. Though the duke only conducted a whirlwind 45-minute meeting with his father, Harry suggested that the Kings cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with the family. Asked by a US breakfast show if the diagnosis could have a reunifying effect, the duke replied: Yeah, I am sure. In May, a spokesperson for Harry said he hopes to see his father soon after the Kings full programme meant a reunion was not possible during the dukes UK trip to celebrate his Invictus Games. The first of four convoys of Irish ambulances and recovery and transport vehicles arrived in Poland on Friday ahead of their donation to Ukraine. Led by the Defence Forces Transport Corps, Operation Carousel will see the movement of 30 Defence Forces vehicles to the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszow. As part of Irelands European Peace Facility contribution, 54 personnel will oversee vehicles being moved over four convoys which will arrive in Poland over the next month. The donation is part of Irelands non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian armed forces following Russias invasion in 2022. The planned donation consists of 20 x Ford Rangers; four Scania 8X8 DROPs (Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System); three Iveco 8X8 DROPs, one Iveco 8X8 recovery vehicle and two Mercedes Sprinter ambulances. Speaking ahead of the convoys arrival, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said: Ireland remains steadfast in support for the people of Ukraine following the illegal and immoral invasion by Russia and we will continue to provide what support we can as Ukraine defends itself against ongoing aggression. The donation of these ambulances and transport vehicles is a practical and concrete measure to show that support and is fully consistent with our position of providing non-lethal aid. Earlier this year, following consultation with the EU, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces agreed a donation of 30 vehicles for Ukraine. The vehicles are being conveyed in four separate convoys over a period of approximately a month from mid-June to mid-July. The planned donation consists of 20 x Ford Rangers; four Scania 8X8 DROPs (Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System); three Iveco 8X8 DROPs, one Iveco 8X8 recovery vehicle and two Mercedes Sprinter ambulances. The convoys are travelling by ferry to Dunkirk, before moving through Belgium, Germany and on to Poland. A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said that an application for partial reimbursement of the value of this donation is expected to be made via the European Peace Facility in the coming weeks once delivery is completed. The convoys are travelling by ferry to Dunkirk, before moving through Belgium, Germany and on to Poland. A craniofacial reconstruction with a computer-generated image of a man who was found dead off the Clare coast over a decade ago is included in a revamped human remains database being published on Friday. The remains were discovered at the base of the Cliffs of Moher on July 30, 2010, and were laid to rest in Drumcliff cemetery in Ennis. The reconstruction came after a forensic craniofacial reconstruction report was carried out by researchers at the University of Dundee. When found, the man was wearing just a pair of black runners with Velcro straps. A craniofacial reconstruction of the man found at the base of the Cliffs of Moher on July 30, 2010. The database was published last year in excel format but a revamped database has now been unveiled by the Department of Justice, incorporating images which officials hope will help solve the mysteries of the identities of more than 40 remains found across the country in the past six decades. Also included in the images are the facial image of female remains recovered from the River Liffey in Dublin at Breakwater Rd, Alexandra Basin, on January 10, 1990. It also includes a facial image of male remains found at Rosses Point, Sligo, on June 16, 2009, as well as a CCTV image of the man, known as 'Sligo Man' but also known to have used the name Peter Bergmann when he checked into a hotel in Sligo four days before his remains were discovered. The man gave an address in Vienna when checking in but this was later found not to be a real address. The mans case is the subject of a podcast launched in recent days by Britain-based Locate International, an organisation which seeks to highlight cases of long-term missing persons. Information for the database has been provided by coroners in their annual returns to the Department of Justice. A spokesman for the department said: Coroners were asked to include in their 2023 return visuals of distinctive items such as jewellery, clothing, tattoos etc, found with or on the unidentified remains where they are available. The database was published last year in excel format but a revamped database has now been unveiled. File picture "The Department of Justice received visual detail from four coronial districts comprising three facial images (inclusive of one facial reconstruction image) and two visuals of items found with the remains. He added: The database now contains details of 26 unidentified full remains, 20 unidentified partial remains, and 16 historical remains. A new addition to the database relates to the discovery of a skull fragment, on Tra Ciaran, North Harbour, on Cape Clear island off Corks coast in December 2021. The Department of Justice says that as the data on unidentified human remains was being compiled, it emerged that a number of remains detailed on the database did not have corresponding DNA samples on the National DNA Database. The spokesman said: As DNA profiles are generated and uploaded onto the database, they will be regularly checked against all profiles of unidentified remains in the hope of locating a DNA match and establishing an identification. Given the complexities associated with historical remains, this process is expected to take some time to complete. "Three exhumations have been carried out to date and DNA samples has been extracted from two remains. "Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to identify the remains. The invention of the contraceptive pill heralded the sexual revolution of the 1960s, and now scientists are looking to revolutionise wildlife control by getting animals in on the action. Trials are under way in the UK and elsewhere in Europe on how to get contraceptives into pigeons, wild boar and grey squirrels, with scientists also proposing other rodents, invasive parakeets and deer as other target species. Pigeons could be fed a 'breakfast' of corn grains containing the contraceptive every morning. Picture: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie As destruction from invasive and pest species grows, researchers are looking to fill special feeders and bait boxes with hazelnut spreads and grains laced with contraceptives. They believe this could be a more humane and effective way of controlling populations that have previously been poisoned, shot or trapped. The aim is to find creative solutions, says Dr Giovanna Massei from York University. The main message is that the economic and the environmental impact of wildlife are increasing worldwide, and we are running out of options. Traditional methods such as culling are ineffective, can be inhumane, unsustainable, environmentally harmful, and are increasingly opposed by the public. Trials are under way to deliver oral contraceptives hidden in a hazelnut spread for squirrels in the UK, using specially weighted feeders that only grey squirrels can open. Preliminary results suggest the method is working. Pigeons could be fed a breakfast of corn grains containing the contraceptive every morning, said Dr Marco Pellizzari, a veterinary consultant. Across continental Europe and Scandinavia, there has been a rapid increase in wild boars, with the rise in numbers believed to be linked to milder winters. Across continental Europe and Scandinavia, there has been a rapid increase in wild boars, with the rise in numbers believed to be linked to milder winters. Some consider them pests because they root up cropland, munch through rubbish and cause traffic accidents. Italian farmers associations say the wild boar population doubled from 500,000 in 2010 to one million by 2020. In Germany and in France, more than half a million are shot every year, but numbers are increasing, and the number of people who want to hunt them is declining. A pilot programme is under way to look at giving them contraceptives using devices that only boar can lift up, using their burrowing snouts. Many countries are now banning the use of rodenticides because of their impact on other animals, including birds of prey, which have died from eating the poisoned carcasses. The chemicals are also considered inhumane. Guardian Gardai were about to transfer a suspected heroin dealer from Bandon garda station to hospital to monitor him in relation to a package concealed inside himself but as they walked to the car a detective saw the heroin stash bulging from the back of the mans pants. 46-year-old Anthony Michael Curtis of 39 Pearse Street, Clonakilty, County Cork, has now been jailed for three years with the last 18 months of that suspended by Judge Helen Boyle. Detective Garda Shannon Ryan testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that on the basis of confidential information, gardai established that Anthony Michael Curtis was obtaining heroin in Cork City and bringing it back to Clonakilty. We obtained a search warrant for his premises. Before it was executed we met him on the street (at MacCurtain Hill, Clonakilty) and stopped him for a search. He was agitated and anxious on speaking to us. We brought him to Clonakilty station for the purpose of a search which was negative. However, I had a strong belief that he was in possession of drugs on his person. He was transferred to Bandon garda station. He denied all knowledge of heroin. "It was my belief that the was inside him. A doctor was called and after consultation it was decided that the defendant would be transferred to Cork University Hospital for monitoring for the passing of drugs. As we walked towards the patrol car I noticed a bulge in the seat of his pants. He was brought back into the station. A brown substance was taken from his underpants. He admitted it was heroin, Det. Garda Ryan said. The Diamorphine (heroin) had a street value of 3,800. The search was then carried out at the defendant's home and small quantities of drugs were located. Cannabis and traces of heroin on burnt tinfoil were found as were Diazepine tablets without prescription. Drug-dealing paraphernalia, including weighing scales and deal bags were also found. He admitted getting the heroin in Cork and transferring it to Clonakilty. He admitted that he had been denying to us that the package of drugs was in him at a time that he knew it was. Addiction He also admitted allowing his home to be used for cutting heroin into deals and he admitted supplying the drugs. He was a chronic drug user at the time, Det. Garda Ryan said. Peter OFlynn, defence barrister, said Mr Curtis had a long-term heroin addiction. He did engage with rehabilitation services for some time but relapsed. Even though he was on a methadone programme he relapsed, the barrister said. Mr OFlynn suggested that the accused had not been taking heroin for some time since this occurred. Det. Garda Ryan replied: I dont know. He has not come to my attention. In all the circumstances, Judge Helen Boyle imposed a jail sentence effectively totalling 18 months on Anthony Michael Curtis, with a further 18 months suspended on condition that he attend for drug rehabilitation under the supervision of the probation service on his release from prison. A woman who falsely claimed the pension of her dead father-in-law for almost 30 years got her husband to get into bed and pretend to be her 110-year-old relative when Department of Social Protection officials called to her home, a court has heard. A sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court heard how the Laois woman defrauded the State of over 270,000 in what a judge described as an extraordinary case. The offences were only detected after a Cork-based researcher had checked out the background of a 110-year-old male in receipt of the State pension. Margaret Bergin (73) a married mother of three of Fairfield House, Mountrath, Co Laois, pleaded guilty to 10 sample counts of theft and five sample counts of larceny. The sum of money involved in the fraud which was carried out over 28-and-a-half years up to February 25, 2022, amounted to 271,046. The defendant had falsely claimed the non-contributory State pension of her father-in-law, John Bergin, following his death in November 1993. Detective Garda Peter Crosbie told a sentencing hearing on Friday that an investigation into the fraud was initiated after an amateur gerontologist contacted Aras an Uachtarain in March 2022 to enquire about records which indicated a 110-year-old man was living in Mountrath. The researcher, who was suspicious of the individuals details, believed the claimants birth date of July 2, 1911 would have made him Irelands oldest man. Department of Social Protection contact The court heard officials from Aras an Uachtarain subsequently contacted the Department of Social Protection (DSP) whose officials uncovered the fraud after visiting Bergins home in Mountrath. Det. Garda Crosbie outlined how several attempts were made by DSP officials to arrange a visit to the centenarian at home to confirm he was alive but were cancelled by the accused due to various excuses, including that her father-in-law was unwell. He told counsel for the DPP, Will Fennelly BL, that the DSP had also been unable to find any record of Mr Bergins death, while the local parish priest had been unable to provide any information about the deceased. The court heard that when asked if Mr Bergin was visited by a district nurse, Ms Bergin had claimed there was no need for one as she was a nurse and could provide any assistance he required. Det. Garda Crosbie said DSP officials ultimately decided to just call out to the Bergin family home as they believed there were deliberate attempts to dissuade them from carrying out their investigation. 'Deaf and confused' in bed He said when they arrived at the house they were asked not to disturb Mr Bergin and were left waiting at the hall door before being brought into a bedroom. The court heard the DSP officials were introduced to a man in a bed as Mr Bergin whom they were informed was deaf and confused". However, Det. Garda Crosbie said they were unconvinced that the individual was Mr Bergin as he looked much younger and bore no resemblance to a photo they had of the pensioner. The witness said the person in the bed also seemed to be fully clothed and wearing shoes or boots under the bed clothes, while there were no medical aids in the room that one would expect for such an elderly person. Det. Garda Crosbie said he subsequently discovered Mr Bergins burial place at a graveyard in Clonad, Co Laois, while a local undertaker had also confirmed that the accuseds father-in-law had died in November 1993 aged 82. The detective gave evidence that he discovered silver coins given every year by Aras an Uachtarain to people who have reached 100 years during a search of Ms Bergins home on May 10, 2022. He said Ms Bergin claimed she did not know what he was talking about when he had asked her about getting such coins from the President. The search also found an uncashed cheque for 2,540 from the President on the occasion of Mr Bergins 100th birthday as well as receipts from An Post for his pension and mass cards sent to the family at the time of his funeral. The court heard a review of DSP records found Mr Bergins pension had been claimed for 28-and-a-half years after his death, while his daughter-in-law had also signed various forms in his name. Det. Garda Crosbie said Ms Bergin failed to show up at an appointed time to be interviewed by gardai on July 22, 2022. One of the coins from President Higgins which centenarians receive which was found in Ms Bergins home on May 10, 2022. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin He recounted how she arrived in the garda station an hour later just after he had received a message from her solicitor that she was unwell and needed time to undergo some medical tests. The detective said dealing at that stage with the accused was very frustrating and he took the decision to arrest Ms Bergin in September 2022 after hearing nothing further from her. When questioned, he said Ms Bergin was fully co-operative and accepted she had signed various documents. She admitted to gardai that it was her husband, Seamus, who was in the bed when DSP officials called to her house, although she had told them he was away at a market in Tipperary. Asked if the accused was in denial about her offending, Det. Garda Crosbie said it was hard to know but that she had commented about not knowing when or how she could stop. Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Damien Colgan SC, the witness said Ms Bergin had expressed a wish that she had never started claiming her late father-in-laws pension. I knew I was in trouble. I hated it, she told gardai. Nobody told you to stop. It wasnt like the Childrens Allowance. The court heard she claimed that the familys farm was not going well when she started claiming the pension and they had bank loans and mortgages. While they did not need the money in later years Ms Bergin said it was a situation where I just couldnt say no. She added: It was a vicious circle. It was like digging a hole when you dont stop digging. Det. Crosbie said Bergin had also stated that her husband knew nothing about what she had done. Judge Keenan Johson asked the witness why no alarm bells had gone off within the DSP about a 110-year-old individual claiming a pension. Its difficult to say exactly what went wrong, replied Det Garda Crosbie. He added that he understood changes had been made in relation to all people over 90 years who claimed the State pension. Mr Colgan confirmed to the court that Bergin, who has no previous convictions, had worked as a psychiatric nurse before getting married in 1977. Counsel admitted the case involved bizarre circumstances which had left him baffled. Mr Colgan said the accused, who is in poor health, had brought 35,000 to court as restitution which was an amount that had put her family to the pin of their collar to put together. Sentencing of Bergin had previously been adjourned in February after the court heard she had been admitted to hospital. Judge Johnson observed that the true value of the stolen money was probably worth over 400,000 which had been compounded by her continuous efforts to cover her tracks and initial lack of co-operation with officials. The judge said getting someone into bed to pretend to be her father-in-law was so bizarre its farcical. Mr Colgan said the incident highlighted the nature of her panic and pointed out she had not looked for a medical card. The judge said the pension had funded the accuseds lifestyle and the offences had been pre-meditated and calculated. He said he would regard it as a seriously aggravating factor that Mr Bergins death did not appear to have been registered which he claimed was outrageous. While he would not send a 73-year-old woman to prison lightly, the judge said he would need a lot of persuasion not to hand down a custodial sentence in the case given the level of deception. Judge Johnson said the accused would have to come up with a much better offer than the 35,000 she had brought to court. He adjourned sentencing until October 29 to allow the accused to provide further restitution and to allow probation and medical reports to be prepared. The judge also praised the researcher who had served the State by uncovering the fraud. Teacher Enoch Burke has asked the High Court to set aside what he claims is the "gravely flawed" and "unsound" order underpinning his ongoing incarceration at Mountjoy Prison. Mr Burke, who appeared before the High Court on Friday, remains in prison where he has spent the last eight months over his refusal to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. The teacher appeared before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey for a review of the case, and to see if Mr Burke was prepared to purge his contempt and agree to comply with the court order. The judge returned Mr Burke to prison, after the teacher again indicated he was not prepared to stay away from the school. Mr Burke denies that he is in contempt of court, and says he has wrongfully been imprisoned because of his objections to transgenderism, following a direction by the school to call a then-student by a different pronoun. Mr Burke's application During Friday's hearing, Mr Burke asked the court to set aside last year's judgement by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, granting Wilson's Hospital a permanent injunction restraining Mr Burke from attending at the school. Mr Burke was jailed last September due to his refusal to comply with that order. In his application, Mr Burke claims the order is flawed and should be set aside because Mr Justice Owens, he claims, completely disregarded the teacher's constitutional rights of freedom of conscience and the free profession and practice of religion. Mr Burke argues that the judge stated in his ruling that it was "unnecessary for this court to determine claims by Enoch Burke that the school board interfered with his constitutional rights". This, the teacher claims, is "a serious error of law" and "a breach by the court in its duty to uphold the Constitution and the laws." Rosemary Mallon Bl for the school said that her client had only been made aware of Mr Burke's application shortly before the court on Friday. Counsel said her initial view was that the application is "misconceived" and was not properly before the court. Counsel added that given that the school holidays have commenced, and State exams are due to finish in the coming weeks, the school would not object to any order releasing Mr Burke from prison without him purging his contempt. Mr Burke had stayed away from the school during last year's summer holidays. This matter could be reviewed again when the new school year commences in late August. Mr Justice Sanfey said that the court's primary concern was if Mr Burke intends to purge his contempt or remain in prison. Mr Burke, he said, was once again clearly not prepared to give an undertaking to comply with the order to stay away from the school. The judge said that he was not going to shut out the teacher's application to set aside Mr Justice Owen's order. The judge said the normal course of events is that any party unhappy with a judgement of the High Court can appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal. Also, the judge said it is not generally permissible for a judge to set aside a decision of another judge in the same division of the Irish Courts. The judge also asked Mr Burke why Mr Justice Owens' judgement had not been appealed. He said that he was not prepared to consider the application on Friday. The school would need time to fully respond to such an application, the judge noted. The judge added that he was only prepared to hear one specific, preliminary aspect of the application, namely if the court can consider the application at all. The judge adjourned the application to a date in June, and put a timetable in place for the exchange of legal documents. 'Spurious nonsense' Mr Burke said he could not understand why the court did not want to hear and determine his application, which raised serious and important constitutional issues, straight away. He was also critical of the court for not dealing with his application to set aside the judgement which has put him in prison alongside "murderers, thieves and bank robbers". He also said that any question of him being released during the holidays was an insult. He had come to court for justice and not for a holiday, he added. In reply, the judge said that Mr Burke's comment was typical of some of the "spurious nonsense" the court has heard since this case first came before it. The judge noted the school's position regarding the holidays, but said that the court position remains that orders need to be obeyed. The High Court has struck out a challenge by Michael OFlynns construction firm to a new tax targeting its undeveloped lands on the Naas Road in Dublin. An Bord Pleanala successfully argued that OFlynn Construction Companys case against it was moot, as the original map of taxable lands has been abandoned. The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) was due to apply to eligible lands from last February, but the Minister for Finance has delayed its activation by one year and directed local authorities to draw up a fresh list of sites for which it will apply. The levy, set at 3% of a sites value, was introduced in Budget 2022 in a bid to the use of land for building homes. Land zoned for residential development before January 1, 2022, is liable for consideration within the initial scope of the RZLT. Dublin City Council had zoned the OFlynn lands, located on the former Nissan site on the Naas Road, for mixed-use, which allows for residential development. The O'Flynn group secured 10-year permission in 2021 to develop more than 1,100 apartments on the 19-acre site. The council and appeals board agreed the lands should be included on the list of sites to be subject to the RZLT from February 2024. The OFlynn firm and several other large landowners separately initiated legal challenges over negative determinations from An Bord Pleanala. However, with the changes introduced by the Minister for Finance, An Bord Pleanala argued in the High Court that the OFlynn firms legal action was now challenging a redundant decision that is a legal nullity. The company has made fresh submissions to Dublin City Council ahead of the drawing up of the new RZLT list and can appeal any decision made to the board and then any appeal decision to the court, the planning authority submitted. The developer submitted that the core issue in dispute is the state of its lands as of January 1, 2022. It told the court its recent submissions to the council were almost identical to its original ones and it is more than likely that the council will give the same decision as before. It was also logical to assume An Bord Pleanala would also reach the same decision, the firm said. Considering all this, it argued that awaiting the new decisions of the planning authorities would be a waste of time and money. The company also said the inclusion of the lands on the RZLT map for 2023 and its likely inclusion on the 2024/2025 map has had an adverse effect on their value. Friday's judgment The arguments were set out in the judgment of Mr Justice Anthony Barr who was satisfied the action was moot because the decision under challenge has been overtaken by subsequent events. The judge said the amending legislation did not just push back the timeline for drawing up the RZLT map and imposing the liability, it permitted landowners to make fresh submissions on the new draft map. In so doing, the legislation was effectively setting aside the 2023 map and any submissions made on it and was allowing landowners to start the process over. He did not accept the developers contention that its latest submissions to the council regarding the new RZLT map are identical to what it submitted ahead of the 2023 map. The latest submissions were made with the benefit of knowing the councils previous decision and so it is reasonable to assume the company will have addressed alleged earlier infirmities in reasoning, the judge said. Therefore, he said, it cannot be presumed that the council or the planning appeals board will come to the same conclusion this time around. He was satisfied An Bord Pleanalas rejection of the developers appeal was effectively made redundant, making the court proceedings moot. There has been a mixed assessment on the fortunes of the far right in the Irish local and European elections. Some political and media analysis has suggested that a feared, even predicted, wave of far-right sentiment, fuelled by discontent on the immigration issue, threatened to steal significant numbers of voters from Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, and Fianna Fail. Hence, in the weeks leading to the election, the succession of initiatives, and public statements, from the Government in particular Fine Gael top brass tightening up on immigration and hardening the rhetoric. As it turned out, of the 949 local authority seats, the far-right took only four of them albeit from a starting point of zero. All four seats were in Dublin. Two of the seats went to far-right political parties the Irish Freedom Party (IFP) and the National Party (NP). Glen Moore of the IFP took a seat in Palmerstown-Fonthill, part of South Dublin County Council, and Patrick Quinlan of the NP took a seat in Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart, in Fingal County Council. The other two successful candidates were high-profile independents, both of whom have been at the forefront of mass anti-immigrant protests across Dublin. Malachy Steenson took 915 first preference votes (FPV) in Dublins North Inner City and, when elected, said his success sent a very clear message the revolution has begun. He told RTE: 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 Gavin Pepper in the Ballymun-Finglas constituency, who secured 1,126 FPV. He attracted a further 1,300 on transfers, including 930 votes from National Party candidate Stephen Redmond (who himself got 930 FPV) and 293 from Leon Bradley, prominent in Finglas Says No. The Ballymun-Finglas constituency saw a total of 2,875 FPV for those three far-right candidates almost 20% of the votes cast (which, on average, across the country, was less than half). Reflecting their close relationship, Mr Pepper was hoisted aloft in celebration by a delighted Hermann Kelly, leader of the IFP. Far right candidate in the Finglas Ballymun Ward, Gavin Pepper after the declaration of his election to Dublin City Council. Picture: Eamonn Farrell Afterwards, Mr Pepper said of illegal migrants: The Government needs to wake up and send them home. A prominent far right social media account, boasting 27,000 followers on X, posted photographs of the four elected candidates and commented: Well done to nationalists this week. Great to finally have like-minded representatives in some of our communities. Some left-wing commentators have, understandably, complained at the disproportionate impact the far right has had on society, including thwarting Government policy to house asylum seekers, based on a relatively poor electoral mandate. And many people refer to the far greater number of people from migrant backgrounds that got elected with over 20 elected to local authorities. There were plenty of disappointments for many prominent far-right figures, including Philip Dwyer (Ireland First) in Tallaght Central, Andy Heasman (Irish People) in Blanchardstown, and Ross Lahive (IP) in Cork City North West. Derek Blighe, leader of Ireland First, secured 915 FPV and only fell at the last hurdle, just 120 votes behind the candidates above him. In the European Elections, in Ireland South, Blighe got 25,071 FPV (3.6%) and was eliminated on 38,625 votes. Michael Leahy of the IFP got 12,259 FPV (1.78%), while Ross Lahive got 4,461. Between the three of them, they totalled 41,791 FPV or 6% of the total. They were eliminated with a total of 58,444 votes. In Midlands North West, the five far-right candidates secured 28,843 FPV (4.24%), led by Hermann Kelly on 13,904 (2%). Mr Kelly got 3,500 votes after John Waters votes were distributed. In the Dublin constituency, the six far-right candidates got a total of 22,733 votes (6%), led by Mr Steenson on 7,128 with Mr Dwyer behind him on 4,479. This does not include right-wing candidate Niall Boylan, who got 30,637 FPV (8%). He had 50,416 votes on elimination. If Mr Boylan was included with the far-right vote, the broad right-wing vote clocked up 53,410 votes (14% of the total). European Independent Ireland candidate Niall Boylan at the RDS. Picture: Gareth Chaney/PA Wire Bar Mr Steenson, the bulk of hard-right candidates were new to running for election and most did not get much airtime on national airwaves. Commenting on both elections, Professor of European Politics in Maynooth, John OBrennan, said there was a perception across Europe that the centre has held and that the anticipated surge of the radical right was not as significant as expected. But he said this was a very complacent view and cited the shock decision of French president Emmanuel Macron to hold a snap election in a bid to stem the rise of Marine le Pens Front National, which made historic gains, capturing 31.5% of the vote. Prof OBrennan said there was the same complacency in Ireland: In Ireland there has been a similar reading of the elections [and local elections] Fianna Fail-Fine Gael did better than expected, Sinn Fein had a terrible election and, again, the far right has been kept at bay. Again, I see this as a misreading of the underlying landscape. He said he calculated that, in Ireland South, the far right scored around 50,000 votes out of 688,000 votes cast or approximately 7.5% of the vote and that, in Dublin, they scored approximately 57,000 first preferences out of 378,000 votes cast or 15%. He acknowledged his inclusion of candidates as far right might differ from other estimates. He said, in Midlands North West, the far right candidates achieved almost 60,000 first preferences out of approximately 680,000 votes cast just less than 10%. Looking at these combined results, this is a historical high for the combined far right vote in Ireland, he said. In short, we have never seen anything like this before. In previous general elections the far right candidates would secure 0.5% or up to about 1.5% of the vote. Now they are reaching much higher levels. He said the far right is divided across multiple parties and platforms and, in many cases, there are personality disputes and internecine conflicts which prevent them from cooperating effectively. In particular, they lack a charismatic leader figure, he said, a view held by many observers of the far right in Ireland. We have no Geert Wilders [Netherlands] in Ireland, nor a Marine Le Pen or Nigel Farage. How long will our luck hold out? "At what point might just such a charismatic leader emerge to unite the different factions and make real inroads into the Oireachtas? He said that if Europe, and Ireland, experience anything like the 2008 recession again the far right will seek to benefit. The starting point for far-right parties is vastly higher across Europe than it was in 2008 and many economies are carrying high levels of debt after the covid years, he said. It would not take much to ignite an even more successful push by far right governments to take power. Many prominent far-right individuals and social media accounts in Ireland are commenting more about the need to merge the existing far-right parties. The closeness of the IFP leader to Mr Pepper may suggest the possibility of movement there. Observers have noted a lack of individuals on the far right who are articulate and popular enough to gather support across the movement. At the speeches of one of the mass protests in Dublin recently, organised by Mr Steenson, Mr Blighe, a Cork man, got the biggest reaction and applause from the assembled crowd, indicating his potential appeal beyond his base. No doubt he, Mr Pepper and Mr Steenson and, possibly, Mr Kelly, will look to lead the far-right charge in the general election. Then there is the presidential election, which could be particularly interesting. Weighing up the impact of the far right post-election goes beyond how many seats they got or even what percentage of the vote they received. The wider and deeper impact are the messages of the far right that have gained traction in society, among everyday people narratives that have now put down roots in normal political discourse. The far right has planted in many peoples minds that, as their main slogan goes, #IrelandisFull a theme also adopted by many independent candidates, including those elected, who are not included in the far-right, at least not yet. The far right has made inroads in creating division, mistrust, fear and even hatred of immigrants, even foreigners, in Irish society. What was noticeable in the weeks leading up to the election was the way the term illegal immigrants was often replaced by just immigrants (on social media stronger words like scumbags were often used) and it got to the stage that many far right agitators, supporters were just referring to foreigners basically foreign-looking people in general. So, before dismissing the impact of the far right in elections, we may need to consider how deep their impact has actually been and how we are really just at the starting point. Ernest Cantillon is no stranger to the drinks business. As the CCO and Founder of the Kinsale Spirit Co, home of the Battle of Kinsale whiskey series, its well-established range includes the Red Earl, the Great Earl single grain, the Spanish Earl single malt and the Wild Atlantic Irish whiskeys. The company has been exporting its award-winning brands to Europe, China, the USA and the Gulf. At a time when Irish whiskey is conquering the world, Ernest and his partners are currently offering two new whiskey ventures each of which they are sure will find a huge audience in certain international markets brimming with enormous promise. Black Emerald Irish Whiskey is designed to bring a modern approach to whiskey, catering to both established and new consumers. The team behind it has an attractive pedigree, having been co-founded by Simon Zebo, the Ireland & Munster rugby player, alongside Ernest and Finian Sedgwick, who has worked at the highest level of the industry with Pernod Ricard in various markets across Asia and America. The company is targeting the fastest-growing international Irish whiskey markets, namely Nigeria and South Africa. Nigeria is the fastest growing market for Irish whiskey. Both countries have huge potential," Ernest explains. South Africa is the fifth biggest market for Irish whiskey, and Nigeria just went into the top ten last year. These countries are no longer fringe markets, they are now places whose consumers know what they want. Nigeria is the fastest growing market for Irish whiskey, bar none, and joins South Africa in showing tremendous opportunity for a product like ours. In addition, Nigeria will be one of the most populous countries in the world by 2050, and with an emerging middle class. The culture and society of both Nigeria and South Africa have much in common with Ireland they both love socialising around food, they are places very much into their music, and both are extremely friendly and informal. In fact, both countries dont feel that different to Ireland in terms of business and socialising. It is a market already very receptive to Irish whiskey, and Black Emerald will be guaranteed a very warm welcome there. To download the Black Emerald Deck 2024, click here, or email info@blackemerald.ie. EIIS investment gives the comfort of a 50% return The second venture, LYQD Cask Exchange, is a platform designed to make investing in whiskey safer and more transparent for potential stakeholders. While there is currently no recognised secondary market for cask whiskey, the venture has already underlined its commercial prospects in being selected by Enterprise Irelands High Potential Start-up Fund. Ernest Cantillon pictured with James Jardella, CEO of LYQD Cask Exchange. At a time when people are looking for secure investments for their money, whiskey represents an accessible asset valued across the globe. Whiskey is tangible and accessible, and people like investments they can relate to, Ernest points out. As investors' interests in alternative assets grow, whiskey is ripe for that. Whiskey is valued for two reasons rarity and taste, both are enhanced with ageing in a cask. But today, there is no recognised secondary market for cask whiskey. The LYQD Cask Exchange will change that. Backed by Enterprise Ireland's High Potential Start-up Fund and founder capital, LYQD is now open to private investors and business angels with the new, 50% EIIS rate. Irish investors may qualify for EIIS relief on investments into both Black Emerald and LYQD Cask Exchange. This ensures that investors would receive 50% of their investment back after 12 months in the form of a tax refund, while still maintaining 100% of their initial investment in the company. The average investment in LYQD Cask Exchange to date has been in the region of 25,000. This effectively reduces your risk and financial outlay by 50%, he explains. For example, invest 25,000, receive a tax refund of 12,500. We would hope to achieve an exit price for the business in approximately 5 years of many times our initial investment, but conservatively 2 to 3 times initial investment, he says. The average investment so far has been in the region of 25,000. While no investment is guaranteed, with EIIS it is at least a way for investors to get 50 per cent of their tax back, which is satisfying and de-risks their investment. For more information, visit https://eiis.lyqd.io or email eiis@lyqd.io. The heads of six UN agencies and three international humanitarian organisations issued a joint appeal on Thursday to Yemens Houthi rebels for the immediate release of 17 members of their staff. The staff were detained along with many others also being held by the Iranian-backed group. Their appeal was echoed by a statement from several dozen nations and the European Union ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Yemen, where UN special envoy Hans Grundberg said the Houthis were holding all those detained. The Houthis said on Monday they had arrested members of an American-Israeli spy network, days after detaining the staffers from the UN and aid organisations. Major General Abdulhakim al-Khayewani, head of the Houthis intelligence agency, announced the arrests, saying the spy network had first operated out of the US Embassy in the capital Sanaa. After it was closed in 2015 following the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and northern Yemen, he said, they continued their subversive agenda under the cover of international and UN organisations. He did not say how many people were arrested. Houthi authorities issued what said were videotaped confessions by 10 Yemenis, several of whom said they were recruited by the US Embassy. They did not include any of the UN employees who were arrested. The Houthis claims could not be independently verified. The statement from the heads of the UN and aid organisations whose staffers are being held called their detentions unprecedented not only in Yemen but globally. They asked the Houthis to confirm the exact whereabouts of those detained and for immediate access, citing international humanitarian law which requires all parties to armed conflict to respect and protect humanitarian personnel. The targeting of humanitarian, human rights, and development workers in Yemen must stop, the joint statement said. All those detained must be immediately released. The statement from UN member nations, read by British Ambassador Barbara Woodward outside the Security Council chamber, strongly condemned the detentions since June 7, demanded the release of all those being held, and expressed grave concern at the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen. The countries expressed deep concern at the risk of delivering humanitarian aid in Yemen, and called for unimpeded access for all humanitarian workers. The Houthis have been engaged in a civil war with Yemens internationally recognised government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, since 2014, when they took control of Sanaa and most of the north. Mr Grundberg, the UN envoy who has been trying to get both sides back to the negotiating table to end the conflict, appealed not only for the release of the 13 recently detained UN personnel including one from his staff but for four other UN staffers being held incommunicado, two since 2021 and two since 2023. The United Nations is present to serve Yemenis, he told the Security Council. Such arbitrary detentions are not the expected signal of an actor who is seeking a mediated solution to the conflict. The detentions came as the Houthis have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, their administration has faced increased financial pressure, and the group has cracked down on dissent at home, including the recent sentencing of 45 people to death. Mr Grundberg expressed concern at the 45 death sentences, reiterating the United Nations opposition to the death penalty. It is unclear what exactly sparked the latest detentions. Former employees of the US Embassy in Sanaa, which closed in 2015, also have been detained and held by the Houthis. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. 06/14/2024 Fresh Water Land Trust staff and JSU Field School Asst. Director Rebekah Taylor inspect the view from the acquired property on the East Rim of Little River Canyon. It was decades ago, after Little River Canyon National Preserve had been established through Congress with authorization from President George H.W. Bush, that the problem became clear. Jacksonville State University (Jax State) Canyon Center Director Pete Conroy remembers the sound of a backhoe clearing land directly across from the Canyon View pullover on Highway 176 in Fort Payne. Soon a large house was constructed, and Conroy remembered the publics reaction. When students were dropped off to see the Canyon, their focus became the big house instead of the river, soaring vultures or cliffs. Then real estate agents were seeing dollar signs and visitors from around the world would ask, Whats that big house doing over there? Although nearly 15,000 acres were already protected by the National Park Service as the Little River Canyon National Preserve, the public-private boundary along the east rim allowed for construction. Thankfully Jax State partner organizations The Conservation Fund and the Alabama Nature Conservancy came to the rescue. They worked tirelessly to preserve the rim before more homes were built. These conservation organizations protected much of the rim, but neither had the intent to own the rim land forever. And thats when Conroy received a call from The Conservation Fund. We werent able to transfer the land over to the National Park Service because of some technical restrictions, so I thought that Jacksonville State University might want to be a partner, said Andrew Schock, The Conservation Funds vice president and regional director. The concept was discussed by Jax States Board of Trustees, and President Don Killingsworth signed off to accept the donation for preservation. After a year of deliberation and assessment, two important parcels were transferred to Jax State and the Canyon Center. Despite this being a donation, there was a need for legal work and the enactment of a conservation easement, work that added up to around $20,000. All of this cost has been covered by revenue generated in our gift shop, said Conroy. Anna Lindsey-Brown has done a great job establishing our store into a well-respected, unique place to shop. We are thrilled to have our revenue go to land conservation and we definitely want our customers to know that their purchases really matter! said Brown. The announcement was made on Friday to kick off the National Park Service and Canyon Center Field Schools Annual Bio Blitz program, where biologists come from around the state to assess and catalogue the various species in the area. Weve been responsible for some development up here, and it only seems right that we also support the conservation of our primary resource, our beautiful Little River Canyon, Conroy said during the event. For more information, please contact: Pete Conroy, Director JSU Canyon Center 256-282-5784 Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The United Nations has added Israel to its blacklist of nations that commit harms against children. It joins Russia, DR Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar. Non-state actors in this category include ISIL, the Taliban, and the Lords Resistance Army. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been added to this category this year as well, especially for their attacks on Israeli children on October 7, 2023. In 26 conflicts throughout the world, the United Nations counted almost 33,000 grave violations against more than 22,500 children. Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories witnessed an alarming rise in violations against children. As bad as the situation was there, it was even worse in Sudan. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were responsible for killing 43 Israeli children on Oct. 7, by live fire, or by rockets and other means. Militant Palestinian groups also killed or maimed Israeli children in the Occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and northern Israel. Some three thousand cases of alleged injuries to Israeli children have yet to be verified. The report says that for 2023, the UN verified 3,029 Israeli violations against children in Gaza, and over 4,800 in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. About 5,698 of these violations were committed by the Israeli armed and security forces. Last year, Israel detained 906 Palestinian children, mostly in the Palestinian West Bank and East Jerusalem. Some remained imprisoned without charge at the end of the year. In some instances, the Israelis attempted to turn minors into informants. Among the most alarming sentences in the report is that the United Nations received reports of the detention of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, compounded by multiple forms of sexual violence. My lord. The Israeli Security Forces killed thousands of children in the Gaza Strip with explosive weapons: Some 19,887 Palestinian children were reported killed or maimed and the reports are pending verification. The UN was able to verify that another 1,975 children were maimed, including 166 girls, mainly in the Palestinian West Bank and East Jerusalem. Some 10,787 children in Gaza were reported maimed by Israeli forces, but the verification process is ongoing. Al Jazeera English Video: 155 percent increase in violations against children in Israel and Palestine: UN Harms to children included not only bodily harm but also on schools and hospitals serving children, as well as on teachers and physicians. Some 340 such attacks were carried out by Israeli security forces, 45 on schools and 326 on hospitals. Some 106 teachers, physicians or other staff in schools and pediatric clinics and hospitals were harmed by Israeli troops. The report says, A total of 3,227 permit applications (1,895 for boys, 1,332 for girls) to Israeli authorities for children to exit the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing point, or from the occupied West Bank, to gain access to specialized medical treatment were denied or not approved in time to reach scheduled hospital appointments. This number represented about 18% of such applications, so almost a fifth were turned down. Of course, in the last quarter of 2023, children in Gaza with medical conditions needing outside treatment were simply trapped, and many have died of cancer or kidney disease, etc. The report adds, that in Israels war on Gaza, all critical infrastructure, facilities and services have been attacked, including shelter sites, United Nations installations, schools, hospitals, water and sanitation facilities, grain mills and bakeries. As a result of lack of electricity and lack of these destroyed facilities, Children are at risk of famine, severe malnutrition and preventable death. In fact, the UN just reported that 8,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have been diagnosed with malnutrition. The report is also scathing about the crimes against Israeli children commited by Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Palestinian Islamic Jihads Al-Quds Brigades. But they also harmed Palestinian children and last year they organized summer camps, including for children, exposing them to military content and activities. The UN called for all sides to release child hostages and to abide by the laws of war in avoiding harm to innocent children in the prosecution of their war aims. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 /Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSX.V:HAN) (OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to announce that the non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") previously announced by the Company on June 4, 2024, is now oversubscribed and, as a result, the Company has upsized the Offering. The Company now proposes to issue up to 10,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of C$0.35 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$3.5 million. Each Unit comprises one common share (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.50 for a period of two years from closing of the Offering. The Company has the right to force conversion of the Warrants, if at any time from and after the date of issuance, the weighted average closing price of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), equals or exceeds C$0.70 for 20 consecutive trading days. The expiry date of the Warrants will then be 30 days from the date of issue of a news release announcing the forced conversion. Certain insiders of the Company will participate in the Offering. Finder's fees may be payable on a portion of the Offering. All securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada. The Offering is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Exchange. The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about June 26, 2024. The Company plans to use the net proceeds to fund exploration expenditures at the Company's Peruvian and Chilean projects, as well as for general working capital and corporate purposes. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. About Hannan Metals Limited (TSX.V:HAN) (OTCPK: HANNF) Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Latin America. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru and has recently optioned a copper-porphyry project in Northern Chile. On behalf of the Board, "Michael Hudson" Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information www.hannanmetals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary, +1 (604) 685 9316, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: timing and successful completion of the Offering; the intended use of proceeds from the Offering; the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; the Company's expectations regarding its mineral projects; market conditions, the preliminary nature of the Company's operations; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news. LONDON, ON, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ - Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) (OTCQB: AMQFF) (FSE: FW0) ("Abitibi" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Victor Cantore to the Company's Advisory Committee. Victor Cantore is a seasoned capital markets professional specializing in the resource and hi-tech sectors. He has more than 30 years of advisory and leadership experience, having begun his career in 1992 as an investment advisor and then moved into management roles at both public and private companies. During his career, he has organized and structured numerous equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint venture partnerships and strategic alliances with a tremendous amount of experience and success in the province of Quebec. Mr. Cantore is currently the CEO, President and Director of AMEX Exploration. Under his leadership and guidance, AMEX Exploration has turned into one of the most successful gold exploration companies in the country, evolving from only a few million dollars of market capitalization when he took the leadership role to a peak of $400 million and more recently at $200 million market capitalization after having completed over 450,000 metres of drilling. Mr. Cantore serves on the boards of various private and public companies, and his experience and expertise are highly relevant to acting as an advisor to Abitibi Metals as the company enters a period of aggressive growth. Jonathon Deluce, CEO of Abitibi Metals, stated, "We are thrilled to announce the addition of Victor Cantore to our Advisory Committee. Victor has achieved remarkable success in Quebec, contributing to the development of several exceptional companies in the province. We are excited to collaborate with Victor on the B26 Deposit as we enter a significant growth phase. With 50,000 meters of drilling fully funded between 2024 & 2025, we are entering a very exciting stage for Abitibi Metals. With the addition of Victor, our company continues to create a world-class Advisory Committee with a proven track record of success across the industry." About Abitibi Metals Corp: Abitibi Metals Corp. is a Quebec-focused mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality base and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Abitibi's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes the option to earn 80% of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit, which hosts a historical resource estimate1 of 7.0MT @ 2.94% Cu Eq (Ind) & 4.4MT @ 2.97% Cu Eq (Inf), and the Beschefer Gold Project, where historical drilling has identified 4 historical intercepts with a metal factor of over 100 g/t gold highlighted by 55.63 g/t gold over 5.57 metres and 13.07 g/t gold over 8.75 metres amongst four modeled zones. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jonathon Deluce, Chief Executive Officer The Company also maintains an active presence on various social media platforms to keep stakeholders and the general public informed and encourages shareholders and interested parties to follow and engage with the Company through the following channels to stay updated with the latest news, industry insights, and corporate announcements: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbitibiMetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abitibi-metals-corp-amq-c/ Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Note 1: A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Source: Rapport Technique NI 43-101 Estimation des Ressources Projet B26, Quebec, For SOQUEM Inc., By SGS Canada Inc., Yann Camus, ing., Olivier Vadnais-Leblanc, geo., SGS Canada Geostat., Effective Date: April 18, 2018, Date of Report : May 11, 2018 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brixton Metals Corporation (TSX-V: BBB, OTCQB: BBBXF) (the Company or Brixton) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Patrick Highsmith as a director and Chair of the Companys Compensation Committee, effective June 11, 2024. Mr. Highsmith has more than 30 years of international experience including operational, exploration and business development roles with major companies such as Newmont Mining, BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue Metals Group. He also has co-founded, and/or acted as a director or senior executive in several junior companies. His junior company pedigree includes Canadian listed companies such as: Lithium One, Bellhaven Copper & Gold, Pure Energy Minerals, Champion Electric Metals, and FireFox Gold, for whom he is co-founder and chairman of the board. He is currently President & CEO of Timberline Resources, which announced in April 2024 its acquisition by McEwen Mining Inc. That transaction is expected to close in Q3 of this year. Mr. Highsmith holds degrees in Geological Engineering and Economic Geology (Geochemistry) from the Colorado School of Mines. He has specialized technical expertise in gold, copper, and lithium exploration. Chairman and CEO Gary R. Thompson stated, We are excited to have Patrick join the Brixton team as an independent Director as his three decades of experience in the mining and exploration business with both senior and junior companies will be invaluable as we unlock the potential of our flagship Thorn Copper-Gold Porphyry Project. The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to Mr. Highsmith, entitling the purchase of 375,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share exercise price of $0.13 for a period of 10 years, pursuant to applicable legislation and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Brixton Metals Corporation Brixton Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on the advancement of its mining projects. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects: Brixtons flagship Thorn copper-gold-silver-molybdenum Project, the Hog Heaven copper-silver-gold Project in NW Montana, USA, which is optioned to Ivanhoe Electric Inc., the Langis-HudBay silver-cobalt-nickel Project in Ontario and the Atlin Goldfields Project located in northwest BC. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB, and on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol BBBXF. For more information about Brixton, please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Mr. Gary R. Thompson, Chairman and CEO For Investor Relations inquiries please contact: Mr. Michael Rapsch, Senior Manager, Investor Relations: email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Tel: 604-630-9707 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. Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address 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, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds. 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, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Israeli helicopters struck Gaza's Rafah Thursday, residents said, with Hamas militants reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible. But the war raged on, and tensions soared on Israel's northern border with more attacks by Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah forces targeting military positions. Israel, which has traded near-daily fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah since the Gaza war began, said it would respond "with force". Israeli ground forces have been operating in Rafah since early May, despite widespread alarm over the fate of Palestinian civilians there, and a ruling by the International Court of Justice later that month. Western areas of Rafah came under heavy fire on Thursday from the air, sea and land, residents said. "There was very intense fire from warplanes, Apaches (helicopters) and quadcopters, in addition to Israeli artillery and military battle ships, all of which were striking the area west of Rafah," one told AFP. Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli troops on the streets in the city, near the besieged Gaza Strip's border with Egypt. The war began after Hamas's unprecedented 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. The militants also seized 251 hostages. Of these, 116 remain in Gaza although the army says 41 are dead. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has left at least 37,232 people dead in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry. The latest toll includes at least 30 more deaths over the previous day, it said. - Ceasefire push - Efforts to reach a truce stalled when Israel began ground operations in Rafah, but US President Joe Biden in late May launched a new effort to secure a deal. On Monday the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution supporting the plan, and on Thursday German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said G7 leaders, meeting in Italy, "call on Hamas in particular to give the necessary consent". Blinken, in Doha on Wednesday to promote Biden's ceasefire roadmap, said Washington would work with regional partners to "close the deal". Hamas responded to mediators Qatar and Egypt late Tuesday. Blinken said some of its proposed amendments "are workable and some are not". Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the group sought "a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal" of Israeli troops from Gaza, demands repeatedly rejected by Israel. The plan includes a six-week ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange and Gaza reconstruction. It would be the first truce since a week-long November pause in fighting saw hostages freed and Palestinians released from Israeli jails. Blinken said Israel was behind the plan, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government has far-right members strongly opposed to the deal, has not publicly endorsed it. Blinken expressed hopes that an agreement could be reached. "We have to see... over the course of the coming days whether those gaps are bridgeable," he said. The war has led to widespread destruction, with hospitals out of service and the UN warning of famine. A UN investigation concluded Wednesday that Israel had committed crimes against humanity during the war, while Israeli and Palestinian armed groups had both committed war crimes. The World Health Organization said more than 8,000 children aged under five have been treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza, where only two stabilisation centres for severely malnourished patients currently operate. "Despite reports of increased delivery of food, there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. - Regional 'danger' - In Jerusalem, a student-led protest near parliament urged the Netanyahu government to secure a hostage release deal. "Ceasefire now," said a banner raised by demonstrators, while others marched with portraits of some of the remaining hostages. Some Gazans have called on Hamas to do more to secure an agreement. "Hamas does not see that we are tired, we are dead, we are destroyed," said a man called Abu Shaker. "What are you waiting for? The war must end at any cost." Israel's military on Thursday said troops carried out "targeted operations in the area of Rafah", where they found weapons and killed several militants "in close-quarters encounters". More than 10 militants were killed in central Gaza, it said. An AFP reporter reported overnight strikes and shelling elsewhere in the coastal territory. Gaza's civil defence agency said three bodies were recovered from a home in Nuseirat, central Gaza, after an Israeli strike. Fallout from the Gaza war is regularly felt on the Israeli-Lebanon frontier, where deadly cross-border exchanges have escalated. Hezbollah on both Wednesday and Thursday said it attacked military targets in Israel with barrages of rockets and drones, in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed one of its commanders. The Israeli military said most launches had been intercepted while others ignited fires. Government spokesman David Mencer told a press briefing that "Israel will respond with force to all aggressions by Hezbollah". Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, speaking during a visit to Baghdad by Iran's acting foreign minister, said the potential "expansion of the war is a danger, not only for Lebanon but for the entire region". burs-ami/srm A man had a beautiful house in the Kherson region in Ukraine. When Russian forces brutally attacked and occupied the area in 2022, he immediately fled. In the chaos the man lost the documents that proved he was the owner. Then he received information that his house was destroyed. When he heard about the new Register of Damage for Ukraine, he wondered how he could claim compensation. This story was told by Olesia Zaiets, project officer at the Ukraine Legal Network (ULN), during a seminar organized on 29 May at the T.M.C. Asser Institute in The Hague about the new mechanism. To Zaiets, the Register is an important step in the long process of holding Russia to account for the immense harm it causes. Only nine months after the launch of the devastating invasion of Ukraine by the Federation of Russia, on 14 November 2022 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine, which recognized that victims and the State of Ukraine have the right to reparation under international law. The resolution called for the creation of an international register. Half a year later, on 17 May 2023, the Council of Europe, representatives of the European Union, plus Canada, Japan and the United States set up what officially is called: the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It is the biggest practical meeting of minds of states on the issue of accountability for violations of international law in the past 75 years, said Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi, an Ukrainian lawyer with a long experience in international law and dispute resolution who has been appointed as the Registers Executive Director, as he gave a keynote talk at the seminar. The mandate covers Ukraine and its territorial waters. However, the temporal scope is limited to damages, loss and injury caused by Russia on or after the full-scale invasion of 24 February 2022. This excludes the harm inflicted by the earlier offensives in 2014 when Russia occupied Crimea and parts of the Donbas. Unfortunately, the global community didnt recognize the events of 2014 as an act of aggression against Ukraine, Kliuchkovskyi explains. We expect 6 to 8 million claims After a year of preparations, the Register of Damage opened its portal on 2 April 2024. People can already submit claims for one specific critical category: damage or destruction of residential property. Victims can upload their claim and attach documents as evidence through Diia, a web portal and app developed by the Ukrainian government. All evidence must come from the claimant with clearly expressed consent. This is and must always be an international law-based process. We can never be completely lax about evidence, underlines Kliuchkovskyi. So far approximately 3,000 claims have been submitted. Between 300,000 and 600,000 claims for destroyed or damaged houses are expected. Its a starting point, said Zakhar Tropin, director of the International Cooperation Department (Ministry of Justice of Ukraine), during an earlier seminar organized in The Netherlands by the Ukraine Legal Network. In March, the board of the Register of Damage established the full list of all categories, which are expected to include: displacement, violation of personal integrity (the death or missing of close family members, serious personal injury, sexual violence, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, deprivation of liberty, forced labour, deportation of children and adults); loss of property, income or livelihood; loss of access to healthcare and education. The state of Ukraine should be able to submit claims for: damage or destruction of property; loss of historic, cultural and religious heritage; damage to environment and natural resources; humanitarian public expenditure to support affected population; demining and clearance of unexploded ordnance. Also, legal entities such as businesses could file for damages and loss. We expect 6 to 8 million claims. Making it by far the biggest claims program that is based on international law in history, says Kliuchkovskyi. So far, the submitted 3,000 housing claims each have on average 7 documents attached. This means that potentially the mechanism could have to deal with, at least, 42 million files. This is a major technical challenge, says Kliuchkovskyi. But the technical infrastructure allows for cross checking and using external data bases to find patterns, gaps and risks, statistical sampling and applying artificial intelligence. But there cant be a decision taken only by a computer or artificial intelligence, Kliuchkovskyi reassures. As a rule, at least a pair of human eyes must have looked at a claim. Is it a real possibility? But ULN project officer Zaiets has her doubts whether things are so easy for survivors. In her talk she said she visited the LinkedIn pages of the Register and Kliuchkovskyi where she found plenty of explanations and guidelines. They are brilliant. For me totally understandable. And I do see they are practical. But again, ordinary people sometimes need a translation, she says. For Kliuchkovskyi its not a matter of translation. We need to speak both languages - that of the law and that of the people Outreach is crucial to make sure victims in Ukraine and abroad know about the existence of the Register and how it works. What are for instance the possibilities for a family when their house is not destroyed, but occupied by Russians?, asks Zaiets. The man who lost his house in Kherson lives abroad, she says, and it overwhelms him to imagine how he can look for documents proving his ownership while the Ukrainian archives he needs to consult are in occupied territory and might actually be destroyed. Zaiets believes that satellite photos and investigations by OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) groups could help survivors with evidence. The fact that claims can only be filed for damages that occurred on or after 24 February 2022, can lead to inequalities when one street was destroyed after the full-scale invasion and owners can apply for compensation at the Register, while the other part was razed before this date and will have to turn to other mechanisms, she underlines. Management of expectations is another matter. People are coming to Zaiets and her ULN-colleagues and ask: when will the compensation come, is it a real possibility, where is the money and how will we be paid? Wait for the end of the war? The Register is aimed to be part of a larger reparations mechanism. The resolution of the Council of Europe which created the Register, also provides for a Claims Commission, which will decide what sums to pay to claimants for their injury, loss and damage. The Register and governments are currently working on a text outlining the mandate, principles, approaches and structure of this component, which is expected to be finalized towards the end of the year, to be submitted to the states for approval. Kliuchkovskyi underlined that the Register will become part of the Claims Commission. Another component is highly expected, the Compensation Fund. For now, it is not clear how such a fund will be filled in order to be able to financially compensate victims and the state. Ideally, we would have had a situation where there is the end of the war, where theres a clear winner, which of course is Ukraine. And where we would have a post-war situation where the aggressor apologizes and takes all the necessary steps to ensure reparations, Kushtrim Istrefi, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University, said during the seminar. All eyes are on the approximately 260 billion dollars of assets of the Russian State which are frozen abroad. Governments across the world are considering whether and how assets could be confiscated and repurposed for the benefit of Ukraine, writes the NGO REDRESS in a December 2023 report. But Istrefi stresses that windfall taxes of frozen assets would create a very small budget for the compensation fund. And for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets there are legal questions to be solved when it comes to sovereign immunity, procedural and due process guarantees, writes REDRESS. The work on reparations has started. Kliuchkovskyi stresses its timeline is measured in years, not months. But every journey begins with a single first step. WHAT ARE THE OTHER ROUTES FOR REPARATIONS IN UKRAINE? The Register of Damages for Ukraine is not the only reparation mechanism accessible to Ukrainians. REDRESS published, last November, an overview with national and international pathways. These include Ukrainian judicial mechanisms (compensation in certain civil cases), administrative mechanisms (for property damage), and reparative measures (for human rights violations while in detention). Victoria Kerr, associate fellow at the T.M.C. Asser Institute and consultant for REDRESS, points out that these are wrongly considered as assistance rather than reparations. Ukraine also aims to set up an Urgent Interim Reparation Programme for the needs of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. On the international level, theres Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court which can provide reparations, support and rehabilitation for victims, including under its assistance mandate that doesnt provide that a guilty sentence is pronounced after at trial. REDRESS also refers to the European Court of Human Rights which is a route for victims with respect to violations which have occurred prior to 16 September 2022. Since then, Russia is no longer party to the European Convention on Human Rights. Cha Eun Woo's presence in Venice commanded attention as he graced the luxurious fashion event in Italy. Along with top star Song Hye Kyo, the duo channeled royal energy at the Chaumet gala dinner. The ASTRO member effortlessly captivated the audience with his dashing looks and sleek all black suit. As for the Hallyu queen, Song Hye Kyo was spotted wearing a head-turning red floor-length gown. Both Cha Eun Woo and "The Glory" star are in Venice for Chaumet to represent the brand as ambassadors. Meanwhile, fans on social media can't help but gush over the ator's royal-like visuals. Cha Eun Woo Lauded for Prince-Like Beauty in Italy On Cha Eun Woo's Instagram, netizens flocked to the comments' section to praise the actor's captivating looks. The "True Beauty" star shared some of the behind-the-scenes snaps during the event and a glimpse of his vacation in Venice. As for fans, they couldn't help but gush over his looks, with the majority of the fans saying that he gives off a royal vibe with his prince-like charm. On the other hand, some fans also noticed the undeniable chemistry of Cha Eun Woo and Song Hye Kyo to the point that they are looking forward to a possible team-up in the future. Calling all directors, writers and producers please give them a project. I would love to see these again in 1 screen and Eunwoo as a fine man now. Give them siblings role please. CHAUMET PRINCE CHA EUNWOO#CHAUMETxCHAEUNWOOinVenice# #CHAEUNWOO #SongHyeKyo#chaumet https://t.co/POSwbU9ZlL Gleamarie / ACTOR CHA EUNWOO IS BACK (@gleamarie) June 13, 2024 Talentoso, chique, lindo e estava em solo brasileiro a pouco tempo! Cha Eun Woo (@CHAEUNWOO_offcl) participou hoje (13) do evento de joias Chaumet na Italia e foi a sensacao do momento. Vestido como um principe, ele cativou toda a imprensa presente no local e ainda criou pic.twitter.com/B5gBgnnhyu HIT! Magazine (@hitmagazinebr) June 13, 2024 What's Next for Cha Eun Woo? Following his K-drama comeback through the thriller mystery drama "Wonderful World," where he starred alongside Kim Nam Joo, Im Se Mi, and Kim Kang Woo, Cha Eun Woo has been busy meeting his global fans. The first half of 2024 has been jam-packed for the South Korean heartthrob as he gears up for his solo fan con titled "2024 Just One 10 Minute: Mystery Elevator." Cha Eun Woo's fan meet kicked off in Seoul on February 17, followed by Kuala Lumpur in the same month. The actor's March schedule was dedicated to his fan meetings in Bangkok, Manila, and Japan. Closing his solo fan meet was in Singapore and Jakarta last April. Interestingly, on his Instagram, the actor teased fans with an update saying, "See you soon, Brazil," sparking excitement among his supporters. As for his current projects, he has been busy doing his ambassador roles, which include Chaumet and Dior, as well as photo shoots with Esquire Korea and more. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Flores Kwak Dong Yeon is ready to meet his fans as he embarks on a new journey following the success of "Queen of Tears." Keep on reading to see more details about the actor's upcoming event. Kwak Dong Yeon Confirms Fan Meeting in Japan This July Kwak Dong Yeon, who is continuously gaining global attention, is expected to hold a fan meeting in Japan. On June 14, the actor delivered good news to the public after it was announced that his fan meeting in Japan titled "HEARTS" is confirmed to happen next month. According to the announcement, the event will be held at Katsushika Symphony Hills Mozart Hall in Tokyo at 5 p.m. (KST) on July 28. The theme is said to be rooted in Kwak Dong Yeon's official fan club name, "Heart Kwak Dong," with the intention of creating a place where the hearts and minds of his fans and the actor's heart come together. Kwak Dong Yeon's solo Japanese fan meeting almost took six years to happen after they met for the first time in 2018 following the success of "Love in the Moonlight." Adding to the details of his forthcoming solo activity abroad, the ticket reservations for Japanese fan club members will be available on the fan club site this June 20, while the first reservation for general audiences will begin at Lawson Ticket on June 24. Will Kwak Dong Yeon Also Have Fan Meeting Tour? Fans are anticipating whether Kwak Dong Yeon will also visit some cities in Asia, as he is expanding his popularity due to his appearance in tvN's record-breaking drama "Queen of Tears." Kwak Dong Yeon portrayed the role of Hong Soo Chul, the younger brother of Hong Hae In (Kim Ji Won). The series garnered massive popularity in and out of Korea. It recorded the highest viewership rating of 24.8 percent on tvN, surpassing "Crash Landing on You's" finale rating. He is the third actor from "Queen of Tears" who announced his fan meeting abroad following his co-stars Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won. Furthermore, the fan meeting is made possible to express gratitude to Japanese fans who have consistently shown love to Kwak Dong Yeon's works such as "Vincenzo," "Big Mouth," "Gaus Electronics," "Ghost," "Love in the Moonlight," and more. Giving a spoiler, the actor's agency added that Kwak Dong Yeon is actually practicing a special performance for his fans. What can you say about Kwak Dong Yeon's upcoming fan meeting? 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. As Jang Ki Yong recalls his modeling career, "The Atypical Family" star expressed his happiness seeing fellow models-turned-actors thrive as rising stars. In an interview with a local media outlet, the South Korean heartthrob dishes on his humble beginnings before starting out as an actor. With his stunning features and towering height of 6'2, Jang Ki Yong made his debut as a model. He is among the K-drama actors who started their career in fashion, gracing various runways and photoshoots. As a self confessed introvert, he mentioned that modeling changed his personality. READ MORE : Jang Ki Yong's Agency Drops Major Update Regarding the Upcoming Fan Meet From being "really timid and introverted" and someone who "feared talking in front of others," the actor said that his "personality slowly began to change" when he entered modeling. Speaking of modeling, Jang Ki Yong became part of the YG models in 2012. Jang Ki Yong Mentions Fellow Models Byeon Woo Seok and Joo Woo Jae During his interview with the outlet, the actor talks about his experience, saying how he really enjoyed working in the industry. "Modeling was a lot of fun, and although there were tough parts, they are very good memories for me." apa apaan.... KENAPAAAAAAA HAAA BYEON WOO SEOK JANG KI YONG JAMET ERA BEGINI pic.twitter.com/YRQ5lTRrt8 (@ajunkyud) April 30, 2024 In addition to this, he also responded to Joo Woo Jae's comment about him during his guest appearance in "Yoo Quiz on the Block." Expressing how delighted he is to see him land amazing projects, Jang Ki Yong said, "I'm grateful that Woojae mentioned me.I even messaged him personally. I'm thankful this serves as a chance to look back on those times. Seeing the photos from the shows and our fun moments together brings me a lot of joy." The 37-year-old actor made his first K-drama appearance in 2015 for a supporting role in "We Broke Up." Joo Woo Jae also joined as one of the cast members in "I'm Not a Girl Anymore," "Come and Hug Me," and "Please Don't Date Him," as well as Kang Nam Soon's homeless friend in "Strong Girl Namsoon." Besides being a model, he is also a radio host, DJ, and owner of the men's clothing brand SSRL. Other than Joo Woo Jae, Jang Ki Yong also mentioned fellow model Byeon Woo Seok, who is now experiencing massive popularity after landing the lead role in "Lovely Runner." According to the "Now, We Are Breaking Up" star, "There's a special bond among the colleagues and seniors" that he worked with during his modeling career. "It genuinely makes me happy to see the people I shared tough times with doing well," he said, referring to Byeon Woo Seok's success. Jang Ki Yong had just returned to the small screen after completing his military enlistment. After "The Atypical Family," he is in talks to star in the action thriller webtoon-based K-drama "Pig Pen" with Cha Seung Woo, Kim Dae Myung, and "Hierarchy" star Roh Jeong Eui. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Flores Ha Jung Woo dishes on his experience filming his comeback movie "Hijacking" and his working relationship with co-stars, especially Yeo Jin Goo. Helmed by Kim Sung Han, who was the assistant director for the movies "1987" and the 2019 movie "Ashfall," the upcoming film depicts the story of an emergency crisis that happened in midair. The aircraft crew, along with a number of passengers, faced an extreme situation when an airplane got hijacked in 1971. In the movie, Ha Jung Woo plays commercial pilot Tae In, who used to be a Korean Air Force fighter pilot. Joining him is his co-pilot, Gyu Sik, played by veteran actor Sung Dong Il. Adding to the list of "Hijacking" cast members are Chae Soo Bin as the lone stewardess, Ok Soon, and Yeo Jin Joo as the villain, Yong Dae. Ahead of the highly anticipated premiere, Ha Jung Woo revealed his working relationship with the cast and director. Ha Jung Woo Says Yeo Jin Goo is the Perfect Actor for 'Hijacking' Villain In an interview with My Daily, Ha Jung Woo mentioned that he and director Kim Sung Han were friends. In fact, they are the same age. According to him, he received the offer for "Hijacking" when he was filming the 2022 Netflix series "Narco Saints." After him, the next actor who was offered to join the movie is Sung Dong Il. Meanwhile, one of the cast members who gained the interest of the public is Yeo Jin Goo. Veering away from his usual boy next door characters, the former child star played the hijacker, Yong Dae. Interestingly, this is also Yeo Jin Goo's first villain role. According to Ha Jung Woo, the "Beyond Evil" star was the first choice to play Yong Dae. The award-winning actor explained that the villain role had to be in his "early to mid-twenties, he had to have the energy and wit to hijack a plane." Ha Jung Woo also added that finding the perfect actor to play the role was quite challenging. "We also needed a face that suited the period piece, and about two other actors were shortlisted, but the moment I saw Yeo Jin Goo at the pre-meeting for 'Bros on Foot,' I thought, 'There's this guy!'" The 46-year-old actor dishes on what made Yeo Jin Goo perfect for the villain role. "I thought he was the type of a soft-spoken prince, but he had a strong body after lifting weights." Interestingly, Ha Jung Woo teased his co-star and said Yeo Jin Goo is suited for the role, especially when he drank alcohol. "I thought, 'I think I could hijack an airplane like this,'" he said, sparking laughter. "Hijacking" is slated to hit the big screen on June 21 and is rated 3+. For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Flores The separation between farmland and residential areas is evident in this aerial photograph shown to Central Okanagan Regional District directors this week during a presentation by two agrologists who outlined a number of challenges facing the agricultural sector in B.C. Friday, June 14, 2024 - Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has said President William Ruto is losing popularity because he doesnt listen to his advisors. During an interview, the MP claimed the head of state has a team of advisors on various national issues, but he disregards them. The ODM lawmaker pointed out that it's ironic that the president allegedly advises his advisors on what to tell him. Babu explained that MPs who stand with Kenyans must continue fighting for them, adding that he would stay the course. "I know that you can't advise President Ruto. He has advisors, but Ruto advises his advisors on how to advise him. "He doesn't take any advice. So therefore, we MPs, who are we the people, we will always fight for the people and be on the side of the people," Babu said. The MP observed that Kenyans only needed resources to better their lives, arguing that increased taxes were taking a toll on them. Babu stated that Kenyans don't expect much, questioning why life has been difficult despite Ruto promising the opposite. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 Former US President Barack Obama is set to visit Kenya at the invitation of President William Ruto. This was revealed by Ruto himself who said the visit would be next year. Speaking during the launch of a strategic plan of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, Ruto expressed that Obama's visit was agreed upon following a request that he made during his state visit to America. The Head of State added that Obama would help the government set up a leadership school at the University of Nairobi. He detailed that Obama agreed to his request noting that he wanted Kenya to model the US which has the Kennedy Leadership School at Harvard University. On the other hand, he expressed that Obamas family had connections with the UoN, given that his father studied at the university. As part of the strategy, Obama will also be networking with his friends to set up the institution that will also be named after him. "When I was in America, I asked for an appointment with President Barrack Obama and I asked him for one thing. I am an alumnus of UoN and I told him that his father was also an alumnus of UoN. "I requested him to assist us set up a school in the fashion of Kennedy Leadership School in Havard. I asked him that we call it the Barack Obama Leadership School. He agreed and will come here next year," Ruto announced. On the other hand, Ruto explained that the school will be important in educating Kenyans who are interested in taking up leadership positions. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - Former United States President Barack Obama will visit the country next year, President William Ruto has said. The President said the visit by Obama was agreed upon following a request he made during his state visit to America. Ruto was speaking during the launch of a strategic plan of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association. The President said he requested Obama to help set up a school of leadership at the University of Nairobi. Ruto noted that they agreed to establish a leadership school in Nairobi similar to that at the Kennedy School of Leadership in Harvard. "I requested him to assist us set up a school in the fashion of the Kennedy School of Leadership in Harvard but this time to be a school of leadership in Nairobi University and I asked him, let us call it Barack Obama School of Leadership in the University of Nairobi and he agreed and he will come here next year," He added: "And he has undertaken that he is going to mobilise support for a sustainable school of leadership because leadership is serious and we want you guys to be better than us." The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, June 14, 2024 - Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u has dismissed claims that many companies were closing down and investors fleeing the country due to heavy taxes imposed by President William Rutos government. While addressing the media yesterday, the CS described the concerns as hearsay and political agenda. He maintained that the taxation among industries was balanced and would not cause the investors to relocate to other countries. According to the CS, Kenya is still not at a point where taxes can force companies out of the Kenyan market. "There is nothing like closing up or relocating. This is a political agenda. Everywhere you go, we try to balance out policies so that nobody feels disadvantaged. That is hearsay. "In Kenya, we have not raised taxes to the point that firms can close down. I have been living in this country, I have done most of the policy work in my own individual capacity," he stated. The CS made the remarks after companies, especially manufacturers, warned that the tax proposals in the Finance Bill 2024 would increase the cost of doing business. Some companies noted that they would be seeking to relocate to other countries where taxation was fairer. The Finance Bill 2024 is seeking to introduce taxes such as the Eco Levy, and the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax among others. Coupled with existing taxes such as the Housing Levy, companies will be spending more money to pay taxes, a move that could see some of them reduce their workforce. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 President William Ruto returned to Mt. Kenya amid a fallout with his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. The head of state is on a working tour in the restive Mt Kenya region. He shared a podium with Gachagua in Meru County, where the DP showered praises on him. Ruto and the DP were together in South Imenti as the president delivered a bus to Mitunguu Technical Training Institute (TTI). In his usual manner, the head of state addressed the students, highlighting the importance of vocational training before inviting Gachagua to the podium. The second in command's name was greeted by chants of 'Riggy G', a popular informal monicker for the DP. Gachagua stated that Ruto had proved to be a trustworthy leader, claiming he had followed up his promises with action. He explained that the region was grateful for Ruto's projects and his commitment to following up on their implementation. "Isn't he someone who speaks and acts? Our job is to help our president plan development strategies in the Republic of Kenya. "And especially, we are very proud in our county of Meru; the president continues to visit us, we love him, we voted for him, and he always comes to follow up on what he has planned. And since the president has brought a bus, should I not plan a small celebration?" the DP posed. The fallout between Ruto and Gachagua is an open secret. The President held a consultative meeting with elected MPs from Meru County before his tour. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 13, 2024 President William Rutos government has defended the proposed tax measures, saying it has no option but to overtax Kenyans. In a statement, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo revealed that the decision to introduce new taxes was informed by the country's huge debt. He noted the country was grappling with a debt of Ksh11 trillion which must be paid, hence the need to overtax Kenyans. According to him, the new tax measures would immensely help Kenya manage its bulging debt and help the country reduce the debt stock. He noted that the Finance bill sought to raise Ksh346 billion which will be used to partially fund the 2024/2025 budget which currently awaits parliament approval. Kiptoo further warned that the country had reached its optimum and that there was no room for more debt. While appraising the committee, Kiptoo noted the public debt had significantly increased and represented 70 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is up from Ksh46 billion in 2010. The PS noted that out of the Ksh11.2 trillion in public debt, 55 per cent was external debt while domestic debt stood at 45 per cent. Kiptoo's sentiments came barely a day after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement with the National Treasury for the disbursement of ksh126 billion ($976 million). While announcing the disbursement, the IMF urged Kenya to adjust its 2024/2025 budget to include more revenue-raising measures. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - Detectives from DCI HQS Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) augmented by their DCI Kabete counterparts have arrested two notorious suspects believed to be behind the spate of housebreaking incidents in Kiambu and Nairobi Counties. Lavender Akinyi Ogillo, 37, and Vincent Odhiambo Otieno, 27 were arrested in connection with two housebreaking and theft incidents that took place on April 1 and 19, 2024. On the material date, police at Kibiku Police Station received a report that suspected housebreakers (maybe burglars) had broken into house No.17 of the opulent Kitisuru Terraces located in one of the prolific and prime suburbs of Nairobi at Kitisuru in Gathiga, by removing a window pane from the kitchen door and mastering the padlock. From therein, a 55" TCL TV, 40" Samsung TV, wristwatches, an iPad, computer monitor, a MacBook laptop, wall paintings, and carpets among other items had been stolen. In the second incident on April 19, 2024, another house at Oak Valley Apartments located along Mvuli Road in Kileleshwa was broken into, by six perpetrators who mastered the lock of the main door. Luckily, the homeowner interrupted the invaders' party after returning home earlier than expected, although they managed to beetle off with thousands of cash. Though slightly injured, the victim was also able to spot the hoodlums hop into a waiting white vehicle Reg. No. KDG 305C whose make was not immediately established, which then drove away. Following days of persistent manhunt, the two earlier mentioned suspects, who are neither new to the underworld dealings nor courtrooms were yesterday nabbed and ushered into police cells. Lavender Akinyi was ejected from her four-bedroom house located within Kiamumbi while her partner in crime was flushed from a Kasarani base. A black Mercedes Benz T733 DTP used by the suspects in their criminal activities has also been impounded, and efforts to round up the remaining four accomplices are ongoing. Notably, the two arrested suspects were among a gang of six members nabbed and arraigned for a violent robbery by Kilimani detectives on May 18, 2019, with warrants of arrest in force against Lavender for absconding court and jumping bail. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, June 13, 2024 - A megachurch pastor in Texas has stepped down from his congregation after nearly 50 years while confessing to committing a mystery sin. Dr. Tony Evans, 74, resigned as the lead pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas on Sunday, June 9. He broke the news to his followers in a statement on the churchs website. The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God, Evans wrote in his statement. A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard, Evans said. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. Evans, the former chaplain for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Mavericks, stated he committed no crime but did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders, Evans wrote. This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing. The elder board of his ministry said they are obligated to govern the church in accordance with the scriptures. Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls short of the high standards of scripture, the elders are responsible for providing accountability and maintaining integrity in the church, the churchs statement read. Evans urged his congregation members to continue without him as he said Associate Pastor Bobby Gibson would guide the church forward. During this time, it is critical that the ministry of OCBF continue as vibrantly as ever. Remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man, he wrote. Further details on what sin Evans committed in his past that prompted him to step down from his tenured position were not shared. Evans says he intends to continue to worship at Oak Cliff during the process. Longtime church member James Harris Jr. was in shock over the popular pastors abrupt resignation. Hes a staple in the community, Harris Jr. told CBS News. I think he is one of the most known pastors in the nation. The Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship was started by Evans in 1976 as a Bible study group, according to the churchs website. It has grown to over 10,000 members and 100 different ministries reaching people locally and abroad. Evans, who is also the author of several bestselling worship books, hosts the daily, worldwide radio show The Alternative, which airs in over 130 countries. His statement did not clarify if he would be stepping away from those duties. Friday, June 14, 2024 - Controversial lawyer and barrister, Miguna Miguna, has opposed the Finance Bill 2024, terming it as a retrogressive and punitive bill aimed at killing the countrys economy. In a social media post on Friday, Miguna criticized the Bill's plan to impose taxes on essential items like bread, Boda Boda, Mpesa, and bank transactions, calling it nonsensical and oppressive. The General said taxing the sick, unemployed, peasants, homeless, and struggling Kenyans to death is criminal. He suggested the bill has been proposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Kenyans are being used as guinea pigs. Kenyans, #RejectFinaceBill2024. Its nonsensical, excessive, oppressive, and anti-people. Taxing the sick, unemployed, peasants, homeless and struggling Kenyans to death is criminal. Down with the IMF and World Bank anti-African experiments, Miguna wrote on his X platform. Miguna further warned Ruto that overtaxing Kenyans may lead to a full-blown revolution that will oust him from power. One doesnt have to be an economist to appreciate the fact that a country cant expand the tax base by taxing everyone to death. "The tax base is expanded by creating jobs, having thriving businesses and building industries. "If Kenyas high unemployment rate is not reduced through job creation, President@WilliamsRutos unsustainable taxes will lead to a full-blown revolution!, Miguna stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - An outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament has said President William Ruto is mistreating his deputy Rigathi Gachagua because he wants to replace him in 2027 with another candidate. In a tweet on Thursday, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said Ruto wants to replace Gachagua with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who he is currently grooming for the top seat. According to Amisi, over 100 lawmakers have been holding strategy meetings on how Nyoro can be the deputy president in 2027. He also added that the lawmakers plan to have Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on the ballot in 2032 More than 100 MPs from Central and Rift Valley meet frequently to plan for Ndindi Nyoro as deputy president in 2027. "They are sent by the president. After which, another team will plan for Murkomen and another, etc," Amisi claimed. Amisi said Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula are nowhere in Rutos succession matrix. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, June 13, 2024 - Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, shocked passengers by flying commercial on a recent flight. TikTok user Brandon Doggett posted a clip of the rapper and the Yeezy architect crammed into two seats in the first row of a small plane. Although the seats were at the very front, the couple did not appear to be in business class. West, 47, was seen catching up on his sleep during the flight while wearing a white robe, matching pants and shoes. Meanwhile, Censori, 29, appeared to pass the time by scrolling through her phone while dressed in a large beige dress. "Was not expecting to see Kanye when I walked out of the bathroom to say the lease [sic], Doggett captioned the video. Another social media user commented under the post, Flying economy in those outfits iconic. The video appears to have been taken on the same day that West and Censori were snapped arriving at Narita International Airport in Japan since they were wearing the same outfits. The couple's cost-effective travel choice comes just days after it was revealed that the rappers home in Calabasas, California, is in ruins after he lost his billionaire status due to his antisemitic remarks. Friday June 14, 2024 Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga now means business as far as frustrating President William Ruto is concerned. This is after he urged all Azimio MPs to avail themselves to Parliament next week to shoot down Rutos punitive Finance Bill 2024. Speaking shortly after witnessing the reading of the 2024/2025 budget, Raila, through National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, barred all Azimio MPs from traveling abroad before Tuesday next week. Wandayi noted that the coalition was keen on ensuring all its members participated in the voting of the Finance Bill. Finance Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani revealed that the bill, which had been subjected to public participation, will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday. "As Azimio, we have said that the Committee on Finance had its time in listening to the views of Kenyans and other stakeholders," he stated. "We are giving them time until Monday. When they come back to the house on Tuesday with a report, we expect it to reflect the feelings and views of Kenyans that were presented before them." At the same time, Wandayi noted that the opposition was already reaching out to Kenya Kwanza MPs who were also opposed to the bill to ensure it is not approved. "Those of us who may be unlucky to be unwell, we shall pull them out of their hospital beds to come and vote. "But we want to go beyond that, we want to engage our colleagues who are not in Azimio. "There are Kenya Kwanza MPs who have been speaking against the bill in the field, we want them to put that talk into practice," he insisted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has vowed to punish any MP who will support Finance Bill 2024. Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed announced that all ODM MPs must reject the Finance Bill 2024. "Asking for a trip out of the country for the minority side is a no-go zone from next week, Junet said ahead of the budget reading. The MP described the proposed Finance Bill, 2024 as draconian and punitive saying it flies in the face of the Kenya Kwanzas promise to lower the cost of living. The outspoken MP warned ODM lawmakers planning to absent themselves during the processing of the Bill that "choices have consequences." There will be no walkout, it is mandatory for the minority members to come to parliament and participate fully whether in second or third reading, he said. This time absence will not be allowed and everybody must follow the position that the minority will take, if anybody votes against the minority position, there will be consequences, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - President William Ruto will head to the lakeside city of Kisumu this month where he will be the chief guest of the Nyanza International Investment Conference Information and Communication Technology CS Eliud Owalo said President Ruto will officially open and give a Keynote speech at the conference scheduled on June 28 and 29. The head of state will lead a team of local and international investors to exploit the unexploited potential investment opportunities in the region. Owalo further said Ruto will be joined by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is the defacto Luo community kingpin. "As a leader from Nyanza, Raila has wide experience with the development opportunities of the region and available untapped opportunities which should be exploited and his presence is key for the summit," he said. The CS said they have also reached out to governors including the six from the region and Members of Parliament (MPs) to take part in the conference. The conference to be held at Ciala Resort seeks to foster development across the six counties in the region by attracting both local and international investors. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - Narc Kenya chairperson Martha Karua has accused President William Ruto of taking the country in the wrong direction because he has incompetent advisors led by Dr. David Ndii. Dr. David Ndii, who brags that he is an Oxford-trained economist, has been offering Rutos Cowdung advice resulting in retrogressive bills such as Finance Bill 2023 and Finance Bill 2024. The two bills are set to overburden Kenyans and Karua blamed Ruto and his incompetent economists who are paid billions for offering useless advice. You cannot appoint unqualified persons and then burden Kenyans with multiple offices of advisors. It is utterly inhumane proposing highly punitive taxes which are projected to cripple businesses, thereby causing job losses, at a time when unemployment, especially among the youth, is exponentially high, she noted. Karua highlighted conspicuous consumption by political elites while many Kenyans are dying due to poverty-related issues, including lack of medical supplies and basic amenities like anti-malarial bed nets and safe drinking water. Despite the sufferings, she said the Government is busy making a budget for itself in violation of Article 2 or 3 of the Constitution and Article 43, whereas budget making is about the right choices that can lead to a much safer Kenya. It is certainly not for the ordinary Mwananchi. They serve themselves, she noted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - Rwanda, Tanzania, DR Congo, and Uganda are projected to surpass Kenya in economic growth in 2024. This is according to a World Bank Report. The Global Economic Growth Prospect report released on Tuesday highlighted that Rwanda will lead East Africa in GDP growth for the remainder of 2024. Further projections indicate that Uganda's economic growth is expected to reach 6.0 per cent in 2024, positioning it ahead of Kenya. Tanzania is anticipated to have a growth rate of 5.4 per cent, making it the third-highest among East African countries in terms of GDP growth for 2024. Kenya is expected to come in at a staggering fourth position where the countrys GDP will average at 5.0 percent. Rwandas GDP which is expected to be 7.6 per cent for the rest of the year has been the highest in the region, with it hitting a record high of 10.9 in 2021. The Democratic Republic of Congo, however, is ranked second in East Africa tying with Uganda at a 6.0 GDP rate. However, Somalia and Burundi are expected to lag behind at 3.7 and 3.8 respectively with South Sudan tailing the pack at a rate of 2.0 Further, the World Bank in its report for Sub-Saharan countries explained that non-resource-rich countries are expected to maintain their growth trajectory in 2024. Further, the global bank has attributed the decline of East African GDPs to the recent flooding and devastating weather patterns witnessed in the region. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 Stephen Munyakho is set to be executed in September by Saudi Arabia. This is after the Gulf nation postponed the execution for another four months after the intervention of President William Rutos government. In a statement, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir SingOei said the deadline has been moved from July 26, 2024, to November 26, 2024. Munyakho was set to be executed on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, but the government negotiated an extension. SingOei lauded the Kenya Mission in Riyadh for their efforts in engaging Saudi authorities and the family of the deceased. I wish to notify the public that we continue to actively search for the resolution of the outstanding and complex matter regarding Stephen Munyakho. "Following our intervention, the deadline for the collection of compensation has been extended by four months from the initial 26th of July 2024 to the 26th of November 2024, read the statement in part. Munyakho is said to have caused the death of Abdul Halim a Yemen national following an altercation in 2011 while working in Saudi Arabia. He was initially charged with manslaughter before the charges were changed to murder. The victims family then demanded Sh400 million in "blood money," which was later reduced to about Sh120 million after negotiations with Munyakho's family. PS SingOei called on Kenyans to support the family of Munyakho in raising the money adding that the government will consolidate fundraising efforts starting July 8, 2024. Further, he said the government would continue pursuing all diplomatic channels available to resolve the matter The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie has mocked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after he boarded a commercial flight to Mombasa. Photos shared on Facebook showed Gachagua carrying one bag while boarding the plane with no aides. And when he reached Mombasa, his team shared photos of him carrying the bag. Unlike in the past, when he used to board private choppers, Gachagua opted to use a Kenya Airways flight after he was allegedly denied access to a military plane. In reaction, Kiarie suggested that Gachagua's action might be a publicity stunt. He hilariously said that the politician's action of boarding a commercial flight and carrying his own bag might be part of The Bahati Reality Show. "The deputy president is on record, saying it is a product of drama and festival. "He has acted on stage, in plays, and even at the University of Nairobi. "So, if he decided to put up a PR show, it's not in the place of the whip to call him out. "The deputy president is very serious about supporting talents. "Only a few days ago, the deputy president was there for the Bahati Reality show. We might have had a continuation of the show on the runway of the JKIA. So, I sought to find out if the whip was in order to take the mickey out of very serious professions. "The profession of PR and actors. Even people who chase clout for content for TikTok are also doing a fine job," Kiarie said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - On Thursday, Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo embarrassed President William Ruto's regime by revealing his lack of awareness about the contents of the Finance Bill 2024. The controversial bill authored by the Treasury is set to introduce several taxes, including those on bread, Boda Boda, Mpesa, and bank transactions, among others. However, when Kiptoo appeared on Citizen TV on Thursday to explain the Budget and Finance Bill 2024, he was clueless when asked some questions by presenter Sam Gituku. The PS stuttered and mumbled when asked about the Motor Vehicle Tax, leading many Kenyans to question what Kiptoo was doing in a crucial ministry like the Treasury. Here are some comments from Kenyans after Kiptoo embarrassed the Ruto government live on Citizen TV Sam Gituku has turned Dr Chris Kiptoo into a stammerer on Citizen TV..IMF should be called next to explain their taxes, Henry Kabogo stated. Congratulations to Sam Gituku for showing us how Dr. Chris Kiptoo is incompetent to be a PS Treasury. This government is introducing taxes that it can not even explain. Extremely sad, Alinur Mohamed wrote. Treasury PS. Cannot provide a justification for the motor vehicle tax. How do you think he got his job?, Senator Edwin Sifuna wrote. Dr. Chris Kiptoo, the PS Treasury, is currently embarrassing himself on Citizen TV, Gabriel Oguda wrote. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - A senior Strathmore University lecturer, Dr Jim McFie, has said Kenya will become another Haiti if the Finance Bill 2024 is passed. Finance Bill 2024 was prepared by the Treasury led by incompetent CS Prof. Njuguna Ndungu, and his Principal Secretary, Dr. Chris Kiptoo. The bill, according to economists and political analysts, will cripple the economy and Dr. Jim McFie agrees. During an interview with Spice FM, McFie said if the Bill is passed, it will overburden Kenyans who are already suffering and there will be a rebellion. The lecturer said the rebellion will lead to criminal gangs like what is happening in Haiti and the country will be ungovernable. McFie spoke as Auditor General Nancy Gathungu criticized the Finance Bill 2024, calling it unrealistic and burdensome for Kenyans still suffering from the impacts of the 2023 Finance Bill, which led to many business closures. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, June 14, 2024 - VIP security officers assigned to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were filmed using sniffer dogs to inspect the dias before he arrived in Ruai, where he was invited to commission new classrooms at Manyatta Primary School. The dogs, which were being held by the officers, could be seen sniffing around the dias and the nearby areas. They sniffed around the podium, the chairs, and the floral arrangements, ensuring that everything was in order. Each dog was accompanied by a handler showing a testament to their important role. The place was still mostly empty, save for a few curious onlookers who had come early to catch a glimpse of the preparations. The dogs are trained to detect the slightest hint of danger and are an essential part of the security protocol for such events. Watch the video. Sniffer dogs inspect dais ahead of DP Gachaguas event in Ruai pic.twitter.com/U5sCliqRIZ Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 14, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, June 13, 2024 - A 39-year-old woman identified as Jester Tshuma, has been handed a jail sentence after being arraigned before a West Commonage Magistrates Court in Zimbabwe for stabbing her neighbour over clothes that fell off a washing line. Jester who stays at Emthunzini in Bulawayo, had an argument with her 38-year-old neighbour, Sithembile Dube, after her clothes fell off the washing line after she had done her laundry. This escalated and the two female neighbours exchanged unsavoury words. After they parted ways, Jester processed the whole incident and she took great offence. The National Prosecuting Authority said; They had an altercation over the issue. At around 1300hrs, the complainant (Sithembile Dube) went to fetch water at the borehole and the accused person (Jester) followed her and asked her to repeat what she had said earlier. The complainant told the accused to leave her alone. Jester who didn't agree to back down, advanced and walked towards Sithembile before shoving her forcefully and grabbing her t-shirt. A passerby, Bigboy Nyathi, who came to the area to fetch water tried to restrain the two women from thrashing each other. Deeply incensed, Jester whipped out a knife she had hidden in her pocket, hoisted it and stabbed Sithembile on the left side of her chest. Other passersby rushed to assist her and took her to the hospital so she could get medical treatment following the deep cut. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrested Jester Tshuma. The National Prosecuting Authority has now announced that a Bulawayo Magistrate found her guilty of attempted murder and sentenced her to five years in prison. Government is concerned about the poor performance the East African Child Policy launched three years ago to protect the rights of children at regional level. According to the Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Fred Ngabirano, a recent study showed that of all East African countries only Uganda had a cross rephrased policy. Ngabirano however says this will not stop Uganda from further advocating for policies that prioritize education for all children in the region. He was speaking at a welcome dinner hosted in Kampala by the AfriChild Centre for the African Region Committee of Experts on Children Rights ahead of celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child slated for June 16th with the national commemorative event set to be held in Kiryandongo district. Our collaboration with the committee is written in a shared vision of promoting and protecting the right of every child in Africa, together we continue advocate for policies and initiatives that priotize education Health projection under empowerment for all children in our continent. The African Region Committee of Experts on Children Rights is responsible for ensuring that commitments by Countries and Africa at large towards child rights fulfillment are met. Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International Uganda, has called on the government to support business incubation centers that nurture youth-led innovations. These centers provide vital resources, mentorship, and a supportive environment for young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful ventures, creating much-needed jobs. Sandosham made the remarks during a tour of the Agri-Business Incubation Center at Namanve Industrial Area. With youth unemployment on the rise from 6.54% in 2021 to 6.58% in 2022, according to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) prioritizing youth innovations is crucial for tackling unemployment. We want to be a partner with the young people, we know that they have great ideas but there is not much of an enabling environment and so creating enabling environment and getting them to meet mentors, that is what we want to do, Sandosham noted. By scaling up support for young innovators, Uganda can unlock the potential of its youth and drive economic growth. Images have been shared online of vandalism that occurred over the previous weekend. The After Schools playground had been vandalised over the weekend and the damages sustained are shocking. The Facebook post by Borris Tidy Towns reads: "We are very saddened and disappointed that the after school play area located at the back of the Borris Town Hall was vandalised over the weekend. A lot of hard work, dedication and planning went into making a safe place for our children in the community to play. Please we ask, that you share this post far and wide to find the person/persons responsible to do the right thing & help make this right again. Its very unfair to those in the community that would have benefited greatly from this playground." Social media has reacted to the damages, one user writes: "Awful would not expect that in a lovely village like Borris. Hope they are caught." Another reads: "Absolutely disgusting carry on. Heres hoping those who are responsible are caught!" A third user writes : "I hope all the local business check their CCTV and provide it to the Gardai if they have any." The full Facebook post can be seen below this article and anyone who can aide in finding the vandal/vandals should come forward. In the end, perhaps the most intriguing thing about this election is the relative lack of surprises. With a handful of exceptions, this result would appear to be a striking endorsement of the status quo. The people of Kilkenny those of them who vote anyway seem reasonably satisfied with how their local councillors have delivered for them over the last five years. Or, at least, they are unconvinced that the alternative voices coming forward would be able to do any better. Because its remarkable how similar the results are to those of the 2019 Local Elections. At a glance, youd be forgiven for thinking youd mistakenly picked up the poll results from five years ago. Eleven Fianna Fail? Check. Two Labour? Yes. One Green? Sure. And the poll-toppers: Andrew McGuinness, Peter Chap Cleere, Pat Fitzpatrick, and Pat Dunphy. All as in 2019. The two largest parties in Kilkennys local government will remain so. Almost all of their sitting councillors retained their seats. Where sitting councillors had decided not to run again, their 2019 votes very smoothly found their way to party candidates who stepped up to hold the seats, most notably Joe Sheridan in for Matt Doran in Callan-Thomastown, and Jenny Catt Slattery for Eamon Aylward in Piltown. A bad day at the polls for Sinn Fein? In 2019 it looked like an aberration, but this time they fared little better. The party secured the sixth seat in Callan-Thomastown just one successful candidate out of eight. Six months ago, Sinn Fein was riding high in the polls, and its only four years since Kathleen Funchion won a General Election in this constituency with a record-breaking vote. It is cause for concern for them. READ MORE ELECTION COVERAGE HERE There are, of course, some differences when compared to 2019. The Green wave of 2019 has been reduced now to more of a ripple enough to get one councillor elected, but only on Count 15, and in a very close-fought affair rather than on Count 1. There is a seat once again for Labour in Kilkenny City, rather than in the north of the county. And, Fine Gael have lost two seats -their loss a gain each for Sinn Fein and another Independent. Of the two independents, only Eugene McGuinness in the city is a known entity. After five years in the council chamber, he has increased his first preference share by a solid margin. In the north, Maurice Shortall is a new face, and we wait to see what he will bring to the table and the nature of his politics. Gender The number of women on Kilkenny County Council has increased after this election. In 2019, three women were elected one in Callan-Thomastown, one in Castlecomer, and one in Piltown. That figure has now doubled, with two in Callan-Thomastown, two in Piltown, one in the city and Mary Hilda Cavanagh still thriving in North Kilkenny, ever-present since 1974. There were also three candidates from a non-Irish background contesting these Local Elections, with a notable absence thereof in 2019. None of them managed to win a seat, and the best performing on this occasion was Independent Toluwani Akaehomen in Kilkenny City LEA, who polled 323 first preferences and picked up sufficient transfers to keep her in the race until Count 12. Despite a loud social media campaign, the Ireland is Full candidates and fringe independents failed to make any real gains this time out. And yet, speaking to the Kilkenny People, city poll-topper Andrew McGuinness (FF) was candid, saying that immigration did come up on the doorsteps a lot, adding it was something that needs to be discussed. The voters of Kilkenny rejected the far right on this occasion, opting to place their faith in the hands of more centrist candidates, or those who have already been in office in recent years. Perhaps it is less of an issue here currently than elsewhere, or maybe voters just feel its a shade beyond the control of a local councillor. Whatever the case, its something that is not going to go away soon. The European Parliament results across the rest of the continent have borne out a growth in support for Far Right and anti-immigration politicians. Germany, France, Belgium and others have seen big gains by these parties and it would be naive to think a similar scenario will never present here. General Election Speaking of Europe, if local TD Kathleen Funchion is successful in her bid, her ascension to the European Parliament will trigger a by-election to fill the Dail seat unless a General Election takes place within six months. Thats a possibility that now seems increasingly likely. Sinn Feins failure to land more than one local candidate will pose an interesting dilemma for the party as to whom should run for the Dail. And for a handful of local election candidates, the past few weeks also served as a dress rehearsal for that impending General Election. Already confirming they will contest a Dail seat are Cllr David Fitzgerald (FG) and Cllr Eugene McGuinness (Ind). Its likely that a certain Fianna Fail councillor will be declaring his hand any day now, while a new Fine Gael candidate may emerge in South Kilkenny also. What about Labour? Or the Social Democrats, who performed much better than many expected? More may well declare in the coming weeks, and it could end up being as many as a half dozen. Should any of them be successful, other people will be co-opted to the council in their place. There are already various names swirling around, including one former councillor who has only just retired. The more things change... The extent of damage caused to historic mummies after a crypt at St Michans Church in Dublin was set on fire has been revealed in a series of photographs. The blaze happened on Tuesday afternoon after the crypt in Church Street was broken into and vandalised. A fire was lit in the crypt which houses a number of mummified remains, including those of the 800-year-old Crusader. Photographs released by the Church of Ireland show how the fire burned through the mummified remains. A man arrested for criminal damage in relation to the incident has since appeared in court in Dublin this week. Archbishop Michael Jackson, who visited St Michans Church earlier this week, said: I am devastated to say that vandalism has once again struck in the crypt of St Michans, Church Street. The fire brigade was called and members dealt with the fire. However, significant damage has been done to the mummies. These historic remains are woven into the history of the city of Dublin and emblazoned in the imaginations of visitors and tourists from home and abroad. We do not yet know what the future is for the mummies as the Archdeacon of Dublin and I fear that they have been destroyed. These mummies are a national treasure and I am shocked at the sacrilege of the destruction of the remains of people who once lived. Archdeacon David Pierpoint, the vicar of St Michans, added: Our security system is very tight and thankfully we have CCTV in operation. The footage has been handed to the gardai and the investigation is in their hands. We are very grateful to the gardai and fire brigade for their efforts and support in putting out the fire. The crypt is a crime scene but I have just been given access to see the damage. The mummies are sitting in a foot of water. They need a very specific atmosphere and I fear that at least two of the remains, including The Crusader, have been destroyed. I will contact the National Museum to see if anything can be saved. St Michans Church is one the oldest churches on the north side of the River Liffey and is located in the heart of historic Oxmantown. Its crypt is home to a number of mummified remains. In February 2019 the crypt was broken into and the head of the 800-year-old Crusader mummy was stolen but was later recovered. Apart from The Crusader, the crypt is home to the mummified remains of The Thief and a man who is reputed to have been buried alive along with other remains whose origins are unknown. The 400-year-old remains of a nun are also housed in the crypt. Shane Jones announced: Removing the ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki is part of a suite of proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act to deal with the energy security challenges posed by rapidly declining natural gas reserves, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on and our economy running, especially during peak electricity demand and when generation dips because of more intermittent sources like wind, solar and hydro, Mr Jones says. When the exploration ban was introduced by the previous government in 2018, it not only halted the exploration needed to identify new sources, but it also shrank investment in further development of our known gas fields which sustain our current levels of use. Without this investment, we are now in a situation where our annual natural gas production is expected to peak this year and undergo a sustained decline, meaning we have a security of supply issue barrelling towards us. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. By Kwak Yeon-soo A pair of dogs gifted by Turkmenistans president during President Yoon Suk Yeols state visit will arrive in Korea on Tuesday, according to the presidential office, Friday. Yoon, a dog lover, received a pair of Turkmen shepherd puppies locally known as Alabai from President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, on Monday as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Alabai is officially listed as Turkmenistans national heritage. President Yoon will raise the dogs at the presidential residence. With two Alabai dogs, the president will raise a total of eight dogs, an official at the presidential office said. The names of the puppies havent been decided yet. Yoon and his wife are known to live with six dogs Saeromi, Tory, Narae, Mari, Sunny and Olly and five cats since they tied the knot in 2012. First lady Kim Keon Hee is known to be a strong advocate of animal rights. She has openly supported a ban on all types of dog meat consumption. In January this year, the National Assembly unanimously passed a bill banning the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption. The bill is set to be enforced from 2027. A ban on dog meat consumption was one of Yoons presidential campaign promises. The official noted that many foreign leaders, including Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, have introduced puppies of domestic and rare breeds to Yoon during his state visits. President Yoon Suk Yeol will take two dogs he received from Turkmenistan to his official residence in Seoul, a presidential official said Friday. Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee received two Alabay dogs from Turkmenistan's former president and chairman of the People's Council, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, as gifts during their meeting in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on Tuesday. The Alabay is a home-bred Turkmen variety of the Central Asian shepherd dog and is listed under the country's national heritage. Yoon and Kim, known for their love for pets, currently live with six dogs and five cats at their official residence. "The Alabay dogs will arrive in Korea on June 18 after going through quarantine procedures," a presidential official told reporters in Tashkent, where Yoon was on a state visit to Uzbekistan. The dogs will first spend time on the lawn in front of the presidential office in Yongsan before moving to the presidential residence, the official said. (Yonhap) By Lee Gyu-lee Its rather difficult for a thriller to keep the suspense going when the ending is already revealed. But the new film thriller Hijack 1971 took the story of the real-life hijacking case, which made major headlines in the '70s and managed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with its well-woven, spellbinding plot. The new film, set to premiere June 21, is based on a true event where a 22-year-old South Korean man hijacked a plane to cross the border into North Korea. Former Air Force fighter pilot, Tae-in (Ha Jung-woo), retires from the force after failing to save those inside a plane hijacked by North Koreans in 1969 and now works as a co-pilot in a private airline. An easy domestic flight bound for Gimpo takes an ill-fated turn when one of the passengers, Yong-dae (Yeo Jin-goo), hijacks the plane with a bomb, demanding to change the flights path to North Korea, where his brother lives. With the captain (Sung Dong-il) losing his eyesight from the initial bomb blast, Tae-in takes over the flight and fights to save the lives of the passengers, along with the flight attendant Ok-soon (Chae Soo-bin). This is the directorial debut of the filmmaker Kim Sung-han, who worked as the assistant director on the disaster film Ashfall (2019) and the thriller drama 1987: When the Day Comes (2017). The director noted that he felt the weight of depicting a real-life event, focusing on avoiding making the film overly exaggerated. Because this event actually happened to real people, I aimed to faithfully depict it. I've noticed that modern audiences aren't typically interested in overly sentimental stories, although I personally find them appealing. I believe melodrama can be effective if it serves the plot well, but I chose not to emphasize it in this particular work, he said during the press conference for the film, held at CGV in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. I wanted the audience to watch it as it is (without overly sentimental elements) and could feel a sense of heaviness after watching the film. Ha plays the role of a responsible, dedicated co-plight who juggles flying the plane and trying to resolve the hijacking situation while keeping the panicked passengers calm. The actor said that, unlike his previous light-hearted and playful roles, he tried to portray this character as genuine. I think there are appropriate characters that I can lighten with and those that I cant With this work, the director wanted me to portray the character as faithfully as possible. Given the circumstances that the story was based on the real event, it carried weight and power, so I focused on faithfully putting myself in the given situation when acting. Yeo plays the villain with an unfortunate past in South Korea because of his brother who became a North Korean general during the Korean War. The actor shared that although his role is based on the real-life hijacker, he recreated the character to fill in the mystery left unrevealed from the true event. There was a real person that Yong-dae is based on, but I mainly created the character when discussing with the director and watching the films that the director recommended, he said. As I focused on Yong-daes state of mind and his situation before the bombing (of the plane), rather than after the bombing, the expression and the look of the character naturally came. He added he learned a lot from the film, working with his co-stars, Ha and Sung. Despite the worries and choices we had to make (for the scenes) on the set, the atmosphere was bright and cheerful. When we were exchanging our opinions and thoughts, there were no boundaries between seniority, but rather, I could share my thoughts as an audience and a person, he said. I felt I could grow each day, working on the film. The reason I could immerse myself in the role was that I had faith in Ha and Sung that they would lead me through acting. Katseye, a highly anticipated new international girl group from HYBE, will make its debut with a single this month, the K-pop company said Friday. It said the group will drop its debut single June 28, as well as a second single and an EP in July and August, respectively. "Katseye will embark on a new journey alongside their fans, showcasing everything it has been preparing," said the company behind K-pop supergroup BTS and hot girl group NewJeans. The new group consists of six finalists from "The Debut: Dream Academy," a global audition held in Los Angeles last year jointly by Hybe and Geffen Records, a U.S. record label. The six are Sophia from the Philippines, Yoonchae from Korea, Manon from Switzerland and three U.S. members: Lara, Megan and Daniela, according to HYBE. (Yonhap) By Lee Yeon-woo Korean banks that participated in the economic delegation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's weeklong trip to Central Asia are announcing a series of cooperation initiatives. On Thursday, BNK Financial Group announced that its subsidiary, BNK Finance Kazakhstan, received preliminary approval for a banking license from the Kazakh government. The group said that this is the first time in 15 years that the Kazakh government has granted a banking license to a foreign financial institution. The group plans to spend about a year preparing for final approval and conducting market research on the Kazakh banking sector. It aims to develop business strategies specializing in small- and medium-sized enterprise loans, leveraging their domestic strength in this area. Shinhan Bank, the only commercial bank that joined the delegation, announced that it has forged several business cooperations in Kazakhstan as well. Shinhan was the first among Korean banks to establish a local subsidiary there in 2008. During the visit, the bank signed an MOU with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to expand financial support in Kazakhstan. The main areas of collaboration include providing financial support to promising local companies, promoting project financing and exploring trade finance opportunities. Additionally, through an MOU with CU Central Asia and Shin-Line, it will provide financial solutions for the expansion of the convenience store business in the country. The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) also played a role in expanding economic policy by signing an MOU with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) that finances around $50 billion. The cooperation involves Eximbank lending funds to DBK, which then provides loans to local companies with business relationships with Korean firms. This indirect financing product is expected to support major projects in Kazakhstan involving Korean companies. Based on its abundant energy and mineral resources, Kazakhstan is continuously strengthening economic cooperation with Korea. It has the largest trading volume with Korea among the Central Asian countries. A report written by KOTRA in 2023 evaluated that Kazakhstan has a favorable environment for Korean companies to expand, noting its active attraction of investments in the financial industry since the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since June 10, President Yoon Suk Yeol has been visiting Central Asian nations, including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. By Lee Yeon-woo Korea's inclusion in the Morgan Stanley Capital International Index (MSCI) as a developed country is likely to be unsuccessful once again following the extension of the short selling ban until next March, according to analysts, Friday. "Given that nearly all developed countries around the world allow short selling, Korea's decision to continue to ban short selling is way out of the norm, resulting in no change in classification for Korea in terms of the MSCI index," said Douglas Kim, an analyst at Smartkarma, a Singapore-based investment research firm. MSCI is an investment benchmark that measures the performance of equity markets across countries. It divides markets into developed, emerging, frontier and standalone categories. The evaluation criteria include the country's level of economic development, size and liquidity requirements, and market accessibility. MSCI has evaluated Korea's market accessibility as low, thereby classifying the country as an emerging market. If MSCI includes Korea in its developed market list, $36 billion of foreign capital is expected to flow into the country, according to the Korea Capital Market Institute. The government has been making efforts to meet the conditions, such as improving the structure of its foreign exchange market. On June 21, the MSCI will announce the long-awaited market classification results. However, the inclusion seems unlikely as the government has extended the short selling ban until next March. The government banned short selling for all listed stocks since November 2023 after detecting a series of illegal short selling activities by global investment banks operating in Korea. On June 6 (local time), MSCI evaluated that Korea's market accessibility had deteriorated following the ban. Korea's rating shifted from a plus (+), indicating no issues and possible improvement, to a minus (-), indicating that improvement is needed. The market believes that discussions on developed market inclusion can only begin after the resumption of short selling. "MSCI's position is that despite our system improvements, a fully established system and an evaluation period of at least one year are required," Korea Investment & Securities analyst Yeom Dong-chan said. Amid concerns, the government stated that it prioritizes improving the short selling system over MSCI inclusion. It also mentioned that it has communicated sufficiently with foreign investors and expects the risk of capital outflows from the domestic stock market to be minimal. "While being included in the MSCI's developed market would be beneficial, it is not our primary policy goal. The likelihood of inclusion will increase once system improvements eliminate illegal short selling and establish a fair and transparent market order," Financial Services Commission (FSC) Vice Chairman Kim So-young said during a press briefing on Thursday. Kim explained that an additional extension of the ban was necessary to set up a central computerized system to monitor and prevent illegal short selling practices. By Lee Kyung-min The subscription of 10-year and 20-year Korea Treasury Bond by retail investors exceeded 126 billion won ($91 million), Thursday, propelled by the promise of up to 108 percent held-to-maturity increase in return, market watchers said Friday. The product was introduced by the government to grant equal access of retail investors to the vibrant market sector long limited to large institutional investors. Underpinning the explosive demand is separate filing of financial incomes eligible for a flat rate of 15.4 percent. This is a major tax break, since the financial income combined with other business or earned incomes can push up the rate to nearly 50 percent. However, the product is suitable only for long-term investors. A change in Treasury ownership mid-term is restricted, meaning short-term scalping is impossible. Scalping is an investment technique whereby an investor makes a small profit after holding a buy or a sell position for a very short time. Also, early redemption will remove the benefit of the flat rate, along with the high rates of returns. Funds redeemed will not be immediately available. Experts say the impact of the new products on the Treasury market of hundreds of trillions of won will be negligible, as indicated by the issue total limit of 1 trillion won this year and no prospect of scalping. The 1 trillion won is a portion hardly enough to trigger price volatility. The Mirae Asset Securities-mediated sales of the product registered a subscription of 103.2 billion won for the 10-year Treasurys. The 20-year product drew 22.7 billion won. Their respective returns will be 44 percent and 108 percent. After tax, the figures will be 37 percent and 91 percent. Subscribers should put in at least 100,000 won. The annual limit is 100 million won. Per-person subscription is capped at 200 million won. For example, 100 million won held-to-term investment in the 20-year Treasury will translate to 278 million won before tax. A significant portion of the demands will come from wealthy individuals seeking to capitalize on the tax benefit, according to Mirae Asset Securities. Investors who dont mind having up to 200 million won locked in for 20 years are expected to be the primary customer base, among others with a stable source of income to fund the investment, a Mirae Asset official said. Whether the popularity will continue remains to be seen, he added. We will need a couple more months to determine the popularity of the product as a whole. Subscriptions can be sought monthly until November. This months subscription will end Monday. By Lee Yeon-woo BlockSqaure Seoul, a firm offering cryptocurrency price prediction services, announced on Friday that it will introduce enhanced market analysis functions starting in July. The company has been providing real-time insights into cryptocurrency market trends and movements to its users through its service, Retri. This includes analyzing cryptocurrency prices and trading volumes in the market to suggest optimal buy and sell times. From July, the price prediction chart service will offer more precise real-time data on cryptocurrency price predictions. Previous predictions were based on hourly data, but the new version plans to utilize more recent figures. The company also said new price graph indicators will be included to enhance user convenience. Another update includes a dual-function feature that provides two predicted prices for a cryptocurrency. This feature aims to promptly reflect price changes following sudden spikes or drops. The update will also provide investors with additional features to better understand the overall cryptocurrency market. Currently, the service tracks price fluctuations of over 200 cryptocurrencies, categorized into two groups based on whether their prices have risen or fallen over a five-minute period. It also provides information on the dominance, or market share, of digital tokens such as Bitcoin and Tether. The upgraded version will include market share information for major coins such as Ethereum and other altcoins, enabling investors to monitor the overall asset flow across different cryptocurrency markets. "BlockSqaure Seoul provides in-depth analysis of the cryptocurrency market within legal boundaries," an official from BlockSqaure Seoul said. "This update focuses on enhancing convenience for our 20,000 paid Retri users across 23 countries." A U.S. State Department spokesperson called on North Korea Thursday to stop provocative activities as tensions have flared anew due to the North's recent sending of trash-filled balloons to the South and its troops' brief incursion across the inter-Korean border. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, made the call, reiterating America's security commitment to South Korea. "We continue to call on North Korea to halt these activities," he told a press briefing. "We just reaffirm that our commitment to our South Korean allies is ironclad." On Sunday, some 20 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, but retreated back to the North after the South Korean military fired warning shots, according to Seoul officials. The incursion came just hours before the South conducted anti-Pyongyang broadcasts near the border for the first time in six years in response to the North's recent launches of waste-loaded balloons. Last week, Miller condemned the North's balloon operation as a "disgusting" and "childish" move. (Yonhap) Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said Friday that North Korea's socialist rationing system has completely collapsed, leading people to rely on local "jangmadang" markets for survival. Kim made the assessment during a general meeting of ruling People Power Party lawmakers, citing a report published by his ministry in February based on interviews conducted between 2013 and 2023 with 6,351 North Korean defectors. "North Korea's socialist rationing system has completely collapsed," he said during the meeting at the National Assembly. "The North Korean people are going out to jangmadang to live their lives and internal marketization is accelerating." Citing the report, Kim said around 36 percent of North Korea's population owns a cellphone, which translates to around 7 million cellphones, for use in exchanging information and watching South Korean TV dramas. More than 50 percent of North Korean defectors acknowledged having given a bribe while they were in the North, pointing to a "structuralization of corruption," he said. Kim also said the North Korean people are undergoing a major shift in psychology from collectivism to individualism and showing signs of "deepening distrust of the regime." He further attributed the North Korean regime's recent policy decision not to seek reunification with South Korea as part of its attempts to shield its people from harboring yearnings for South Korean society in an ultimate quest to maintain power. (Yonhap) North Korea on Friday strongly condemned the Ukraine peace summit to be hosted by Switzerland later this week, describing it as a "conspiracy gathering under the pretext of peace" to exclude Russia, according to the North's state media. The Summit on Peace in Ukraine is scheduled to run for two days starting Saturday, bringing together officials from nearly 90 countries and organizations to discuss a path toward ending the war that began nearly 28 months ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. Moscow will not be participating. "The idea of discussing the Ukraine issue without including Russia, a key party in the conflict, is absurd," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The statement came amid increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, highlighted by the impending visit to North Korea by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The United States, South Korea and other countries have accused North Korea of supplying artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced military technology and economic aid. Both North Korea and Russia have repeatedly denied the allegations. North Korea criticized the U.S. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing them of using the summit to instigate war and confrontation. "It is only natural that the international community condemns this conspiratorial meeting, which is held under the guise of peace but aims to promote conflict and war," the KCNA added. In response, Seoul's unification ministry questioned whether North Korea is qualified to criticize the international community's efforts to resolve the Ukraine issue. "We must question whether North Korea, which has blatantly supported Russia's illegal invasion and disrupted international norms through illicit arms deals, has the right to disparage the efforts of Ukraine and the international community to uphold justice," said Kim In-ae, the deputy spokesperson for the ministry, during a press briefing. A South Korean presidential official indicated that Putin is expected to visit North Korea "in a few days." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that Putin might travel to North Korea "as early as next week" as part of a tour that includes a stop in Vietnam. Moscow, however, declined to comment on the exact date of the visit. Seoul's unification ministry reiterated its call for Russia, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, to act responsibly. "Exchanges and cooperation between Russia and North Korea should comply with relevant Security Council resolutions and be pursued in a manner that contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Kim said. (Yonhap) North Korea expressed strong discontent Friday regarding the U.N. Security Council's (UNSC) meeting on Pyongyang's human rights situation held earlier this week. At the UNSC session Wednesday, diplomats, experts and activists emphasized the need for continued attention to the plight of North Koreans, and discussed the broader security implications. The meeting was presided over by South Korea's Ambassador to the U.N. Hwang Joon-kook, who is serving as this month's rotating UNSC president. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim Sun-kyung, vice minister of the International Organization Department at North Korea's foreign ministry, condemned the U.N. meeting, asserting that the United States and South Korea should first address their own human rights violations. "If the U.N. Security Council is to address human rights issues, it should first consider the severe human rights abuses in the U.S. and South Korea, which are riddled with various social evils," the statement said. Referring to the meeting as a "serious political provocation," Kim, the North Korean official, urged the U.S. and other nations to refrain from interfering in North Korea's domestic affairs. He also criticized Seoul's role as the UNSC president for this month, calling it a "disgrace" to the U.N. Wednesday's meeting was the first UNSC discussion on North Korean human rights since August, when the UNSC resumed related talks after a six-year hiatus. During this period, Seoul, Washington and other members highlighted that Pyongyang has been diverting its scarce resources toward weapons of mass destruction programs, amidst a repressive political environment that suppresses public dissent. (Yonhap) The unification ministry on Friday held talks with an activist organization that has launched anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea amid heightened tensions over the North's reaction to the campaign. It is the first meeting with such activists by the unification ministry following the North's launch of more than 1,600 trash-carrying balloons toward the South from May 28 to June 9 in what it has called a "tit-for-tat" response to the leaflets from the South. A ministry official declined to give details of the closed-door meeting's discussions but noted the ministry plans to meet with other groups that send anti-Pyongyang leaflets to the North amid concerns over the campaign further increasing tensions. During the talks, the ministry is said to have not requested the group to refrain from such activities. "As (we) do not want tensions on the Korean Peninsula, we said we would refrain from public activities," the head of the organization told Yonhap News Agency by phone. "There weren't any particular comments from the ministry." 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 Kim family 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 response to the North's recent trash balloon campaign, the South's military blared anti-Pyongyang broadcasts through its border loudspeakers Sunday for the first time in six years. The move prompted the North to send more balloons that night, with Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North's leader, warning of unspecified "new counteraction" if the South sends anti-Pyongyang leaflets and plays its border loudspeakers. (Yonhap) By KTimes Paju in Gyeonggi Province will eliminate so-called office villains in its office who disrupt colleagues or degrade the work environment. While Seoul introduced this policy in 2019, Paju is the first municipality in Gyeonggi Province to implement it. Last month, Seoul dismissed an employee identified as an "office villain." The Paju city government announced Wednesday that it identified two employees, from the main office and township offices, as having the lowest performance ratings. The city aims to protect the majority of its employees from those who disrupt organizational harmony. In March, the city established criteria for the lowest performance rating in collaboration with the city's public servants' union. The criteria include multiple instances of unexcused absences, tardiness, early departures, prolonged absences from the workplace and significantly inadequate job performance hindering work. Inappropriate behavior toward colleagues, such as insults, threats or sexual harassment that negatively affect the organizational atmosphere are also included. Based on these criteria, in April, the city received preliminary candidates for the lowest rating from department heads. After two rounds of meetings, the preliminary candidates were selected. The city then provided opportunities for individual interviews, appeals and explanations before the Performance Evaluation Committee finalized the selection of two employees. These employees were removed from their current positions and reassigned to field duties such as parking enforcement. Employees assigned the lowest rating face several consequences, including no performance bonuses, restrictions on awards and overseas training and limitations on long-term training assignments. They will be monitored for three months, and if they show efforts to improve, they may return to their original duties. If no improvement is observed, they will receive another lowest rating in their performance evaluation. Receiving two consecutive lowest ratings will result in two weeks of capacity-building training and three months of intensive training. An administrative committee will then review their case for possible "position removal" and "compulsory retirement." If they fail to secure a position within three months post-position removal, they will be automatically subject to 'compulsory retirement.' Kim Eun-sook, head of the City Administration Support Division, said, "Although we had 'Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor' ratings, 'Poor' ratings were rarely given. We initiated this process due to the severe impact on the organizational atmosphere, colleague inconvenience and external trust in the institution." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo appealed to medical professors Friday to cancel their planned walkout next week, saying doctors have a "legal constraint" to protect people's lives. Medical professors, who serve as senior doctors, at four hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University (SNU) have vowed to stage a collective walkout next Monday in support of trainee doctors who have remained off the job since February in protest of a medical school enrollment hike plan. Professors at the "Big 5" hospitals in Seoul also have stated their intention to join a mass walkout led by the Korea Medical Association next Tuesday, along with community doctors. "It is very regrettable that in a situation where patients are desperately waiting for trainee doctors to return, senior doctors have made a decision that disregards the desperate voices of patients," Han said during an on-site inspection of SNU Boramae Medical Center in southern Seoul. "Doctors who handle lives do not have infinite freedom but are under the necessary constitutional and legal constraints to defend the public's lives," he noted. Han relayed the concerns shared by representatives of patients' groups during his meeting with them Thursday, saying he earnestly pleads with the professors to withdraw their plan and remain by the patients' sides. "The government will not take any (punitive) measures if trainee doctors return even now," he said. "I earnestly ask professors to consider once again that finding a solution through dialogue with the government, while remaining by patients' sides, is the path to truly helping trainee doctors not staging collective action." Despite the standoff, the government last month finalized an increase of some 1,500 seats at medical schools nationwide next year, the first such increase in 27 years. (Yonhap) Medical professors of Seoul National University (SNU) offered an apology to patients for planning an indefinite strike next week in protest of the government's medical reform, vowing to continue treatments for critically ill patients without a hitch. The apology issued by the emergency response committee of the SNU medical professors came as the professors, who serve as senior doctors at SNU hospitals, have vowed to indefinitely suspend their hospital operations starting June 17. Their move came as no breakthrough has been made in resolving the conflict between the government and trainee doctors who have left their worksites since February against the government's medical school enrollment quota increase. "We'd like to say we are really sorry to patients with critical cases and rare diseases. We've failed to fully fathom that our plan against the government could mean despair to patients," the committee said during a press conference in Seoul in the day. The planned shutdown would mean the suspension of medical services and operations for outpatients and those who suffer mild cases, the committee said, stressing that the envisioned strike will not affect care for serious patients. The SNU professors have demanded that the government admit to its responsibility for causing the current medical crisis and take practical measures. They also called for efforts to improve circumstances for training junior doctors and form a consultative body for dialogue between the government and doctors. In addition to the planned strike by SNU professors, the Korea Medical Association, a major lobby group for doctors, decided to go on a one-day strike June 18, which could involve community doctors and medical professors. Despite fierce opposition, the government finalized the increase of the medical school admissions quota by around 1,500 seats late last month in an effort to address the shortage of doctors. It was the first such increase in 27 years. (Yonhap) A growing number of doctors have decided not to join a planned strike by community doctors next week, according to the doctors' groups Friday, saying that they would not put patients at more risk. The move came as the Korea Medical Association (KMA), a major lobby group for community doctors, is scheduled to take a day off next Tuesday, in support of a protracted walkout by trainee doctors against the government's medical reform. Earlier in the day, a group of medical professors specializing in epilepsy announced their boycott of the planned strike. "As the risk of physical damage and death increases significantly for patients suffering from epilepsy if their treatments are suspended, we can never cease the administration of medication," the group said in a statement. "Medical students and trainee doctors should immediately return, and medical organizations should face the government based on scientific grounds and analysis," it added. The Korea Obstetric Hospital Association and the Korea Children's Hospital Association also announced their boycott of the walkout, stressing the importance of protecting critical patients. "We understand the protest by the KMA, but we cannot leave patients behind," the children's hospital group, which includes 120 hospitals as members, said in a separate statement. The Korean Society of Anesthesiologists also said essential staff will remain at hospitals to continue treatment. Patients' advocacy groups, meanwhile, welcomed a series of announcements expressing the boycott. "We support and welcome the doctors' decision that sustains their basic duties," the Korea Severe Disease Association said in a statement, condemning the KMA for prioritizing its interests over people's lives. A union representing hospital workers also urged doctors to abandon their plan for a one-day walkout scheduled for next week. "There is no cause or justification for the collective walkout of doctors," the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union, which holds nurses and other related workers as members, said in a statement. The union specifically criticized medical professors for joining the action instead of persuading junior doctors, who have left hospitals since February, to return. Professors from the country's 40 medical schools have recently decided to join the general strike, although it remains unclear how many of the senior doctors will actually participate in the walkout. Medical professors at four major hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University have also warned of an indefinite walkout starting Monday. "The medical community should engage in dialogue to save essential, regional and public medical services, and cooperate to normalize medical services instead of turning its back on the people," the union added. The KMA, meanwhile, announced the previous day that it may consider withdrawing the walkout if the government "shows a change in its stance." Despite fierce protests by trainee doctors, the government finalized an admissions quota hike of some 1,500 students for medical schools late last month, marking the first such increase in 27 years. The government has also ordered community doctors to continue providing medical treatment and report to authorities if they close their practices on the day of the strike. It will issue another order for community doctors to return if more than 30 percent of them join the planned strike. As of Friday, only 4 percent of the country's 36,371 hospitals and clinics, or 1,463, reported that they will shut their doors next Tuesday, according to the health ministry. The KMA earlier claimed that more than 90 percent of the participants showed support for a "strong protest" against the government's decision during a poll among its members earlier this month. (Yonhap) First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun spoke by phone with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Friday to discuss a potentially imminent visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry said. The phone talks came as Putin is widely expected to visit Pyongyang early next week for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with South Korea's presidential office having confirmed the trip is likely to take place in "a few days." In Friday's phone talks, Campbell said the United States "fully supports" South Korea's stance that Putin's visit should not result in a "further deepening of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in a way that undermines regional peace and stability in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," according to the Seoul ministry. The two sides agreed to continue "watertight" coordination and take "stern response measures" against the North's provocations directed at the South and any acts that will escalate tensions in the region. They also shared assessments on the completion of the joint guidelines on extended deterrence at their latest Nuclear Consultative Group meeting earlier this week. The allies announced the guideline document on ways to respond in the event of a nuclear attack by the North. Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to using the full-range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend an ally. They agreed that the guidelines will "lay a solid foundation for strengthening the integrated extended deterrence" against North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats, the ministry said. (Yonhap) Ahead of President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to Uzbekistan, Yoon spoke to the Dunyo News Agency. Q. Mr. President, our conversation is taking place on the eve of your state visit to Uzbekistan, which is currently undergoing deep transformation, similar to what the Republic of Korea experienced in its time. How do you assess the modern development of our country, the socio-economic and democratic reforms carried out by the leadership of Uzbekistan? A. The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea share many historical and cultural characteristics. I always wanted to visit your country and receiving an invitation from the President of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been a great privilege and honor for me. Under the outstanding leadership of President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has been at the forefront of changes and innovations in Central Asia. Uzbekistans economic indicators, including gross domestic product, GDP per capita, balance of payments, and foreign direct investment, have been steadily growing year by year. The market with its high growth potential, high-quality human capital, and geopolitical value, makes it a very attractive place for doing business and investment by international companies. Before my arrival, I looked at Tashkent from the above [Plane] and witnessed how dynamic Uzbekistan is. As part of Uzbekistan 2030 strategy announced last year, the country is carrying out reforms in political, economic, and social spheres, achieving great results. Specifically, Uzbekistan stimulates its economy by setting concrete targets such as joining the World Trade Organization, liberalizing the economy, attracting foreign companies, and implementing comprehensive reforms across society, including combating corruption and ensuring the rule of law. The Republic of Korea, which was once a country of absolute poverty, achieved economic and social development by opening up to the outside world, liberalizing its economy, and fighting corruption in close cooperation with the international community. Building on this experience, the Republic of Korea supports Uzbekistans efforts in implementing reforms and, being a special strategic partner, will continue to collaborate closely in the social, economic, and democratic development of Uzbekistan. Q. Our countries share economic development and growth as priority directions of foreign and domestic policy. Uzbekistan opens its doors to foreign investments, increases its export potential, and aims for greater cooperation and expanded trade relations. In your view, what are the prospects for bilateral cooperation in these areas? What can contribute to boosting these ties, and what are the challenges? A. Since taking office in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pursued a bold policy of reforms and openness that has transformed Uzbekistan into an entirely new country. A series of measures to liberalize the market, including currency policy liberalization, reduction of customs duties, and restructuring of state-owned enterprises, enabled the revival of the Uzbek economy and improved the investment climate: last year, foreign direct investment (FDI) volume increased by 96.4 percent totaling $7.68 billion. Since establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1992, the Republic of Korea has expanded its spectrum of economic cooperation, including such areas as car making, energy, household appliance production, textiles, finance, and telecommunications. In 2019, bilateral relations were elevated to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership, the only one in Central Asia, and bilateral trade volume reached a record $2.46 billion last year. Today, relations between our countries are more mutually beneficial than ever before. As the world faces a complex global crisis, I believe this represents simultaneously an opportunity for further diversification and deepening of bilateral economic cooperation, including the development of critical mineral supply chains. I look forward to tangible outcomes from the negotiations between our governments and businesses during this visit. Q. Today, Uzbekistan strives to consolidate Central Asia and strengthen its potential, developing mutually beneficial cooperation with the nations of the region, maintaining close and good neighborly ties. Thanks to this, Central Asia is becoming an increasingly significant partner and proactive international actor in the international arena. In this regard, how do you think it can affect relations between our countries? A. We know that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has identified strengthening partnership with regional neighbors as one of the priorities of the countrys foreign policy and plays a leading role in regional cooperation. In 2018, at his initiative the format of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of States of Central Asia was organized, which are annually held. We also recognize that Uzbekistan is making progress in relations with neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on border and water issues, and has been an activepart in the international community's efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan. Central Asia is geographically located at the junction between Asia and Europe and has rich natural resources, including rare minerals, its strategic and economic value is rapidly increasing. At the same time, it increases the region's profile and, more recently, has also led to a growing recognition of the international role and expectations for the Central Asian countries in the international arena. Taking into consideration the importance of cooperation with Central Asia, our government, shortly before my visit, announced the "K SILK ROAD (R.O.A.D) Cooperation Initiative of the Republic of Korea Central Asia." This initiative is based on 30 years of experience between our country and Central Asia and provides a blueprint for new cooperation in response to a rapidly changing international order. This initiative is the first strategy of the Republic of Korea on Central Asia, and it is based on the principles of developing "side by side" (joint path), "joining forces" (convergence) and "innovation and creativity" (creativity) to jointly build freedom, peace and prosperity in Korea and Central Asia. In particular, it is aimed at strengthening current strategic partnerships in the fields of energy and resources, modernizing engagements for further development of mutually beneficial economic cooperation, creating partnerships for future prosperity, and promoting a harmonious network of cooperation between governments, businesses and citizens. The Government of the Republic of Korea will continue consultations and close cooperation with the five Central Asian countries on the implementation of the Central Asia Strategy, while further strengthening mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation with Uzbekistan, a key partner and brotherly country in Central Asia. Q. In Uzbekistan, a country with a predominant population under the age of 30, great attention is attached to the development of youth, creating conditions for them to receive a quality education and realization of their intellectual and creative potential. Could you share your vision of the prospects for mutual cooperation in the fields of education, science and high technology? A. Although geographically we are far from each other, nevertheless, we are connected by a long and friendly history of exchanging advanced scientific achievements and technologies. Astronomical tables compiled at the Ulugbek Observatory in Samarkand, the center of the medieval Silk Road, reached the Korean Peninsula and became the basis for the creation of a unique Korean calendar in the 15th century. More than 600 years later, the governments of Korea and Uzbekistan are working together to establish a research and design institute, the Uzbekistan Center for Chemical Technologies (UzCCT), which will oversee chemical technology research and development in the country, modeled after the Korean Research Institute of Chemical Technology ( KRICT), Since 2023, at the UST-KRICT Higher School in the Republic of Korea, 12 young Uzbek master's and doctoral students are studying Korean technologies to become the next generation of researchers who will lead the Center for Chemical Technologies in Uzbekistan and bilateral scientific and technical cooperation. Korea, strengthening cooperation with Uzbekistan in the field of research and development (R&D) and humanitarian exchanges in the field of advanced sciences and technologies, including ICT, semiconductors for artificial intelligence (AI), hopes to jointly build a high-tech hub in Central Asia and create an innovative Silk Road of the 21st century, which will lead humanity to a scientific and technological breakthrough. Besides, I hope that in the coming era of artificial intelligence and digital technology, future generations of both countries will live in an interconnected world where they can freely share different ideas and values with each other. The Republic of Korea actively supports innovation in the sphere of digital education to help our youth adapt to digitalization. For example, we became the first country in the world to nationally develop an AI digital textbook that will be used in schools from 2025, allowing students to be trained according to their individual characteristics. We also provide intensive training for teachers to educate students using digital technologies. As a leading country in AI and digital education, Korea will share with Uzbekistan the examples of learning-integrated innovation and digital education models for future collaboration. Q. Both Korea and Uzbekistan are countries with ancient history and rich culture, carefully preserving their historical and spiritual heritage. The frescoes on the walls of ancient Afrasiab in Samarkand, depicting the ceremony of receiving envoys from various countries, including the ancient state of Goguryeo, testify to the deep historical ties between our peoples. In addition, today there is a Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan, numbering almost 180,000 people. Uzbekistan has become a true homeland for them. They work and contribute to the modern development of our country. What could you say about the modern cultural dialogue and its impact on the development of relations between our countries as a whole? A. Uzbekistan is a country to which we are very grateful for the warm embrace extended to our Korean compatriots who resettled from the Far East 87 years ago. The depiction of the Korean ambassador on the fresco of the Afrasiab palace-museum is evidence that the history of good relations between our countries dates back almost 1400 years. I am glad that cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage between the two countries is flourishing, symbolized by the Afrasiab Museum in Samarkand the heart of the Silk Road. There are 172,000 Koreans living in Uzbekistan, the largest number out of the total 300,000 Koreans residing in Central Asia. They live harmoniously in Uzbek society and contribute to the development of Uzbekistan in various fields thanks to the hardworking nature of the Korean people. Since ethnic Koreans understand both cultures well, they diligently fulfill their role as a bridge, allowing Koreans to feel closer to Uzbek culture and Uzbeks to Korean culture. During my visit, I plan to discuss with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the ways to further develop bilateral relations in various fields, including energy and infrastructure, healthcare and medical services, climate and the environment, science and technology, and education. We expect that the Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan, which plays an active role in society based on its deep knowledge of both countries, will become a strong conduit for achieving a higher level of bilateral cooperation. Our government will continue to pay attention to and support the Korean diaspora in order to further develop bilateral ties. Q. On the eve of your visit to our country, what wishes would you extend to Uzbekistan, its people, and Uzbekistan-South Korea cooperation? A. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, our countries have developed bilateral ties based on strong trust and friendship, and since the establishment of a special strategic partnership in 2019, our cooperation has been conducted in an even closer format. I hope for the further strengthening of our special strategic partnership, particularly thanks to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to the Republic of Korea in 2021, our meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session last year, and my upcoming state visit to Uzbekistan. Our government will continue developing friendly relations with Uzbekistan our only special strategic and key partner in Central Asia, to achieve more mutually beneficial and promising cooperation. We look forward to further expanding cooperation in various fields, including energy and infrastructure, critical minerals, supply chains, healthcare and medical services, education, digitalization, science and technology, as well as climate change and the environment. I also believe that to make the relations between the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan even closer, it is necessary to further intensify people-to-people ties and cultural exchanges based on the trust and friendship between our peoples. I hope that the people of Uzbekistan will also express warmth and sympathy toward the Republic of Korea. Q. Thank you, Mr. President, for your insightful reflections. We wish every success to your upcoming visit to Uzbekistan. A. Thank you. President Yoon Suk Yeol and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed Friday to collaborate on the supply chains of critical minerals, from their exploration and development to refining and commercialization. The agreement came at summit talks held in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent to strengthen the special strategic partnership in a wide field of areas, including minerals, energy and infrastructure. During the talks, the two sides signed an agreement of cooperation on a critical mineral partnership to pave the way for comprehensive cooperation, ranging from joint exploration to the final use of minerals. "The two countries agreed to maximize synergy in the supply chain cooperation by combining Uzbekistan's abundant mineral resources and South Korea's advanced technology," Yoon said in a joint press conference. Uzbekistan boasts abundant core minerals, such as tungsten and molybdenum, used in semiconductors and secondary batteries, making it an attractive partner for South Korea's high-tech industries. The agreements are aimed at developing a partnership covering the entire cycle of exploration, mining and refining of key minerals, including lithium, and giving Korean companies priority in developing economically viable minerals, the presidential office said. The two leaders also agreed to collaborate in the transport sector and expand financial support for Korean companies bidding on projects in Uzbekistan. Hyundai Rotem inked a $200 million deal to supply six high-speed trains to Uzbekistan Railways Corp. and the two countries' state-run railroad operators also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for train maintenance services. "The deal marks South Korea's first export of high-speed trains developed with homegrown technology," Yoon said. "It is expected to contribute to the improvement of Uzbekistan's railway infrastructure and help enhance the bilateral cooperation in the railway sector." Additionally, South Korea upgraded the basic agreement on the Economic Development Cooperation Fund to double the upper limit to $2 billion for the 2024-27 period to support development projects. South Korea has increased the upper limit of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund's basic agreement to $2 billion for the 2024-2027 period to support development projects. The increased funding will aid in the second phase of constructing a pharmaceutical cluster at Tashkent Pharmaceutical University for drug development research and clinical trials. During the summit, Yoon and Mirziyoyev discussed ways to implement Seoul's "K-Silk Road Cooperation" initiative centered on linking South Korea's innovative capabilities with Central Asia's resources and development potential. Uzbekistan is the most populous country among the five Central Asian countries, with more than half of its 36 million population under the age of 30. The summit also covered the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Uzbekistan, known for advocating a nuclear-free Central Asia, expressed support for South Korea's efforts toward North Korea's complete denuclearization and adherence to United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding its missile and nuclear activities. "We discussed the recent security situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue to join international efforts toward North Korea's denuclearization. I appreciate Uzbekistan's continued support for our North Korea policy," Yoon said. Yoon's state visit to Uzbekistan marks the first since 2019, when the two nations elevated their bilateral relations to the special strategic partnership, the only one of its kind in Central Asia. After the summit, Yoon visited Techno Park to inspect Samsung Electronics' home appliance assembly line, and attended a business forum involving about 600 government officials and businesspeople of both nations. They include SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa. On the sidelines of the event, over 20 MOUs and documents were signed between the two countries' governments and companies to facilitate trade and investment in resources, transportation, energy and other areas. (Yonhap) Korea on Friday urged Japan to address the "entire history" of a gold mine complex linked to wartime forced labor of Koreans in its application as a UNESCO World Heritage site, after Tokyo accepted an international recommendation to revise the submission. Last week, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC), recommended referring the nomination of the Sado mine back to Japan, calling for more explanation over the entire history and the removal of areas developed after the Edo period (1603-1868). In its original submission, Japan limited the mine's timeline specifically to the Edo era, excluding the modern history during which war atrocities were committed by the Japanese Imperial Army. An official at Seoul's foreign ministry said Japan appears to have accepted the advisory body's recommendation to remove some areas of the later period, including the Kitazawa Flotation Plant on Sado Island, in its application. "Our government's stance for an explanation over the entire history of Sado mine is also included in ICOMOS' recommendation," the official said. "We hope Japan actively accepts this recommendation as well." Japan has been pushing to inscribe the Sado mine, once the largest producer of gold in the 17th century, on the World Heritage list. South Korea has protested that Japan intends to leave out the part of its history as a site where thousands of Koreans were forced to toil during World War II, when Korea was under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. The two countries are currently in talks over the mine's inscription. An inscription on the World Heritage list requires over two-thirds of the votes from member states of the WHC, but it has been customary that the final decision is delivered upon consensus. South Korea is one of the 21 rotating members of the WHC this year, along with Japan. The WHC will decide on the Sado mine application at a meeting in New Delhi, set for July. (Yonhap) An appellate court on Friday upheld life imprisonment for a man indicted for a fatal stabbing rampage in Seoul last year, which left one stranger killed and three others wounded. The Seoul High Court delivered the ruling for Cho Seon, 34, who went on a random stabbing rampage near Sillim Station in southwestern Seoul in July last year. A 22-year-old male stranger was stabbed to death, while three other men were wounded in the attack. Cho, who was a stranger to all the victims, initially told investigators that a sense of inferiority made him want to hurt people who looked happy but later claimed mental and physical disorders were the motives behind his crimes. Prosecutors had demanded the death penalty for him. Cho's stabbing spree, followed by another similar fatal random stabbing rampage in Bundang, south of Seoul, two weeks later, shocked the nation and led to a flurry of online posts threatening copycat crimes. (Yonhap) Police have questioned two Army company commanders over the death of a trainee soldier following a session of demanding disciplinary training last month, officials said Friday. The suspects are accused of ordering a disciplinary session for six recruits at a unit in Inje County, 126 kilometers northeast of Seoul, on May 23, in violation of relevant training rules, resulting in the death of one conscript. The soldier was taken to a civilian hospital after collapsing during the training but died two days later. The cause of his death was found to be multiple organ failure due to septic shock, according to the Center for Military Human Rights Korea. The recruit, who joined the Army on May 13, was reportedly ordered to run around the unit's training ground and do push-ups in full combat gear, despite relevant rules banning such demanding training in full gear. The Gangwon Provincial Police said they brought in the company commander and deputy commander for questioning on Thursday as suspects over suspicions of causing death by occupational negligence and abuse of authority. It was the first time they have been questioned as suspects. Details of the questioning have not been made available. (Yonhap) By Lee Hyo-jin Yun Seog-dae, CEO of Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water), has participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, promoting K-water's commitment to reconstruction projects in the war-torn nation, according to the state-run water management company, Thursday. The international event, which took place in Berlin from Tuesday to Wednesday (local time), was dedicated to discussions on the rebuilding and reconstruction priorities of Ukraine, which is still struggling with the Russian invasion started in February 2022. Yun's participation was arranged at the invitation of the Ukrainian government, which has been closely collaborating with K-water on major reconstruction projects since last July. On the sidelines of the conference, Yun held separate meetings with high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including the vice speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, the governor of Kyiv Oblast and the mayors of Bucha and Truskavets. He also discussed funding options with the director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. During the meetings, the K-water CEO shared some achievements made through cooperation with the Ukrainian government and local governments in urban reconstruction and water infrastructure. In particular, Yun shared development plans for industrial complexes in two regions of key post-war reconstruction projects Horodok in Lviv Oblast and Bucha, a satellite city of Kyiv. He also discussed ways to expand the current emergency water facility support project in Truskavets to a "modernization of aging water supply systems" project. He also proposed broadening the cooperation to address the nation's long-term water infrastructure needs by introducing water quality monitoring systems to tackle climate change. K-water said it is also committed to providing immediate humanitarian aid to the war-torn nation. Earlier this month, Yun signed a memorandum of understanding with the mayor of Truskavets for urgent provision of drinking water facilities that are capable of serving 14,000 people per day. By as early as December, the company will install a mobile water treatment facility in the city, with a capacity of processing 100 tons of water per day. "The cooperation on reconstruction is not only the beginning for the restoration of peace and prosperity in Ukraine but also an important opportunity for Korea to secure global leadership in the water sector," Yun said. "By forming close partnerships with Ukraine, we will expand the foothold for Korean companies to actively contribute to Ukraine's restoration. We will also do our best to ensure that our water resources and urban reconstruction cooperation become a key diplomatic asset for Korea to become a global pivotal state." Buldak noodle contains more capsaicin than infamous Paqui tortilla chip, says Danish study By Lee Hyo-jin At least 10 Danes have reported illnesses such as vomiting after consuming Buldak's spicy noodles, according to Danish authorities, Friday. The Korean instant noodles produced by Samyang Foods were recalled earlier this week in Denmark due to their excessive spiciness. "One of the hospitals in Denmark has a specialized unit for poisonings. They informed us that they received about 10 inquiries from individuals experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting," a Danish Veterinary and Food Administration said in response to The Korea Times' inquiry about potential illnesses linked to the Korean noodles. The official did not provide specifics regarding the timing or severity of the reported symptoms. Confirming that the three Buldak noodle products are being recalled in Denmark, the official added that no further measures are currently planned regarding Samyang's products. On Tuesday (local time), the Danish food administration recalled three types of Buldak spicy noodles Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen 3x Spicy, Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen 2x Spicy and Samyang Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen Stew Type citing a risk of acute poisoning due to the high capsaicin content in these products. Danish officials advised consumers who have these products to "discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased." They also urged parents to contact the Poison Line if their child exhibits acute symptoms after consuming the noodles. It remains unclear whether the 10 reported illnesses associated with the noodles directly prompted the Danish recall. This marks the first instance in which Buldak noodle products, exported to approximately 80 countries, have been recalled for being too spicy. According to an assessment report obtained by The Korea Times, the Danish food administration found that the levels of total capsaicin in a single pack of the three types of Buldak noodles products are similar to or higher than those in a Paqui Carolina Reaper chip, an extremely spicy tortilla chip that led to hospitalizations in Germany. The One Chip Challenge became a global social media trend where participants ate the super spicy Paqui chip and attempted to refrain from drinking water for as long as possible. The Danish authorities expressed concerns that Buldak noodles, often consumed by children and young people as part of spicy noodle challenges, could lead to acute poisoning. Researchers at Denmark's DTU National Food Institute found that Samyang Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen 3x Spicy, the spiciest variant in the Buldak product lineup, contains at least 113 milligrams of capsaicin per package. The institute, part of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), conducted the health assessment of the Buldak products at the Danish food administration's request. This figure exceeds the 11.8 to 59.3 milligrams found in an "extremely spicy chili-flavored chip, where a single chip was consumed as a challenge," the report said, apparently referring to the Paqui chili chip. Additionally, the researchers found that a package of Buldak Ramen 2X Spicy contains 69.6 milligrams of capsaicin, while the Buldak Hot Chicken Stew contains 42.4 milligrams. "The calculated total capsaicin content per packet for the two noodle products, 3 x Spicy & Hot Chicken and 2 x Spicy & Hot Chicken, exceeds the levels that previously caused acute poisoning in children and adolescents who consumed a highly spiced chip," read the report published on June 6. The report also said that capsaicin levels were calculated based on the Scoville scale information disclosed on Danish retail websites selling the noodles, as no specific measurements of capsaicin or total capsaicin content are provided for the noodles. The Paqui chip, now removed from shelves in many European countries, was made with the Carolina Reaper, known as the world's hottest pepper, measured at more than two million Scoville heat units (SHU). The Scoville scale measures spiciness by quantifying capsaicin concentration. For comparison, a jalapeno pepper stands between 4,000 to 8,000 SHU, while habanero peppers range from 100,000 to 350,000 SHU. Samyang Foods' Buldak instant noodle line, often called "fire noodles" due to their extreme spiciness, starts with the original package rated at 8,706 SHU, according to the food firm. Buldak Ramen 2X Spicy has a SHU rating of 10,000, and the spiciest product in the lineup, the 3X Spicy Buldak Chicken Noodle product, rates at 13,000 SHU. An official at Samyang Foods told The Korea Times on Friday that the firm is reviewing Danish regulations and the capsaicin levels mentioned in the Danish report. Two Chinese sailors were booked on charges of crashing into a fishing boat and fleeing without offering assistance in waters off Korea's southwestern coast, leaving two sailors missing and its captain dead, the Coast Guard said Friday. The two Chinese nationals were in charge of the night shift while sailing a 9,734-ton container ship when it collided with a 33-ton fishing trawler in waters northeast of Gageo Island off Mokpo, 309 kilometers southwest of Seoul, at around midnight Wednesday. They allegedly fled the scene without taking rescue measures. The crash left the boat capsized, leaving its Korean captain dead, and two Indonesian sailors missing. Six others were rescued by nearby fishing boats after hanging on to floating objects for some four hours. Under the Maritime Safety Act, a sailing ship carries an obligation to keep away from a ship during fishing operations. The survivors told the Coast Guard that the container ship did not change course despite them sounding a warning horn. The Coast Guard has put the two Chinese sailors under emergency arrest and is interrogating others aboard the container ship, including its captain. The Coast Guard has towed the fishing boat out of the water and plans to put it upright and examine its interior. (Yonhap) Second Vice Science Minister Kang Do-hyun said Friday that the ministry will cancel the license of Stage X as a new mobile carrier due to the company's failure to secure paid-in capital and meet other requirements. Stage X, a consortium comprising mobile virtual network operator Stage Five and other partners, secured the 28 gigahertz spectrum band for the fifth-generation (5G) network in an auction hosted by the ministry earlier this year. However, funding questions have persisted over the little-known company because a mobile carrier needs tens of millions of dollars to build a nationwide telecom network. Kang said Stage X has not fully raised the required paid-in capital of 205 billion won ($148 million), and the composition of the company's stockholders and the ownership structure between the shareholders were also different from what Stage X initially said, the ministry said. Of the six main shareholders who own more than a 5 percent stake each in Stage X, only one shareholder paid some of the required capital, the ministry said. Kang said the ministry will begin a procedure to revoke the license of Stage X before formally canceling it, describing the decision as "very regrettable." Also, Kang said the ministry plans to reexamine the overall frequency auction process and related problems in light of this case before deciding whether to reopen an auction for the 5G frequency band. Officials said the ministry is expected to make a final decision to revoke the license of Stage X in early July. Stage X, however, said the ministry's decision is unfair, adding that it would take necessary legal and administrative steps. (Yonhap) First lady Kim Keon Hee can be summoned by the state's anti-corruption investigation office to face questioning over her acceptance of a luxury handbag from a Korean American pastor in 2022, its head said Friday. Oh Dong-woon, the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), made the attention-getting remarks at a session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, when an opposition lawmaker asked if it would be difficult to call in the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol. "In principle, I think a summons can be made if there is a clue related to the investigation or if there is a need to do so," Oh said. But he refused to elaborate on whether the CIO is investigating the first lady or whether witnesses and accusers have been questioned, only saying that everything will proceed according to the procedures. Kim's acceptance of the Dior bag from pastor Choi Jae-young in September 2022 is already under investigation by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, but the case has also been filed with the CIO. A civic activist filed a complaint with the CIO last December against President Yoon and the first lady on charges of bribery and anti-graft law violation in connection with the Dior gift case. Opposition lawmakers also asked whether the CIO is willing to investigate the president over allegations of external pressure placed on the military investigation into last year's death of a young Marine, and Oh said he remains unchanged in his belief that anyone suspected of a crime can be subject to investigation. (Yonhap) The number of Koreans taking their own lives soared nearly 34 percent in January from a year earlier, data showed Friday. The number of suicides reached 1,321 in January, an increase of 334 from the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which was released during the government's meeting on suicide prevention. The ministry attributed the sharp rise in suicides in January to a so-called copycat suicide effect after a famous person committed suicide in December last year, urging media outlets to be prudent when reporting suicides of celebrities. In January, male suicides rose by 44 percent, while female suicides increased by 10.4 percent. The total number of suicides came to 13,770 in 2023 as well, rising 6.7 percent from the previous year. To address the rising number of suicides, the government held panel meetings on prevention in April and May, where experts suggested that media coverage of celebrity suicides contributed to the increase. The government urged media outlets to refrain from detailing methods, locations and motivations in suicide news coverage and to avoid using euphemisms like "radical decision," which are often used to describe suicides. The government also announced that it will unveil guidelines on suicide reporting for other media platforms, such as YouTube, within the year. Additionally, Korea plans to provide up to 1 million won ($724) for medical treatments for people aged 19 to 34 who have attempted suicide. The country has also decided to designate sodium nitrite, used in the production of processed meat, as a chemical that can be used for suicide, since consuming even around four grams may lead to death. The number of suicides caused by the material came to 33 in 2022, rising sharply from just three reported in 2018. Once designated, those who sell such products online with the intention of instigating a suicide can be punished by up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won. (Yonhap) Government to offer therapy; run suicide prevention and trauma recovery centers By Kwak Yeon-soo Korea has rolled out several comprehensive suicide prevention measures to help curb the countrys high suicide rate, the government said Friday. Presiding over the eighth Suicide Prevention Policy Committee meeting, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo pointed out that Korea has the highest suicide rate among OECD member states. A total of 13,770 people took their own lives in 2023, up 6.7 percent from a year earlier, according to tentative data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Split by gender, 9,626, or 70 percent of suicides in 2023 were by men and 4,144, or 30 percent, were by women. The total number of suicide deaths in the January to March period in 2024 tentatively stood at 3,794, up 4.7 percent from the same period a year earlier. The government found that in the two months after an actor died by suicide in December 2023, copycat suicides increased. To enhance suicide prevention efforts, it requested media professionals working in print, broadcast and online media to adopt guidelines when reporting on suicides. The most alarming trend was a rise in suicide attempts by teenagers and those in their 20s. The suicide attempt and intentional self-harm rates for teenagers and those in their 20s were 160.5 and 190.8 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The same rate for those in their 30s was 91.5 per 100,000 individuals, while the overall average stood at 84.4, according to data from the National Medical Center. The proportion of emergency patients who have attempted suicide more than twice has increased. Because the physical and mental health in young adults impacts overall health and well-being, we will prioritize support for young people and provide psychiatric treatment to them regardless of their income level, the prime ministers office said in a statement. The government found that when a suicide death occurs, negative emotions such as sadness, fear and anxiety can spread throughout the community, which potentially creates a copycat effect. The suicide rate spiked in Sejong City in 2022, up 22.8 percent from a year earlier. South Cheongcheong Province came in next, up 3 percent from a year ago and Daegu too was up 2.6 percent from a year ago. Han advised provisional governments to establish and implement community-tailored suicide prevention measures. Factors such as social isolation, economic hardship as well as depression and anxiety caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic were found to have a direct or indirect effect on the increase in suicide deaths. The government will offer psychological therapy to those affected to prevent depression and anxiety from worsening. It will also run suicide prevention and trauma recovery centers after catastrophic events in cooperation with local governments to help those affected. It also vowed to analyze root causes of suicide deaths by linking related data such as economic factors and health records. Han said, "We plan to improve access to professional counseling by providing counseling services to 80,000 people this year and to all citizens in 2026. Suicide can be prevented if there is an increased awareness and social support." Gov't considers creating detailed earthquake risk map after 2026 By Jung Da-hyun A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the southwestern county of Buan in North Jeolla Province, Wednesday, prompting residents to question the safety of their regions. Despite the growing concerns, there is currently no digitalized official map available to quickly assess earthquake risks across different areas. The recent earthquake in Buan, which marks the strongest tremor detected on the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding waters this year, has raised serious safety concerns among residents. North Jeolla Province, typically unaccustomed to seismic activity, experienced its first earthquake exceeding magnitude 4. Damage reports have also surged. As of 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, a total of 401 reports of damage to facilities were received, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. In the wake of the unexpected quake and its aftermath, the public is increasingly questioning the safety of their regions. However, the government is not expected to consider creating a detailed earthquake risk map until after 2026, following the completion of the second phase of a tomography study that began in 2017. According to the interior ministry, Friday, the only official map available is the national earthquake risk map released in 2013. This map only indicates the frequency of past earthquakes by region, using contours based on historical data and does not provide detailed risk assessments for specific areas. Moreover, while earthquake risk coefficients have been established for each region to guide seismic design standards, these coefficients have not been updated in over a decade. An official at the interior ministry said the earthquake risk for each region does not significantly change within five to 10 years, and a committee of experts reviews potential revisions every five years. Last year, the committee reviewed the existing data and concluded that it remains valid and can continue to be used without modification. Beyond the national earthquake risk map, the government has embarked on a comprehensive investigation of fault structure lines across the Korean Peninsula, running from 2017 to 2036. This initiative aims to identify active faults in Korea and is spearheaded by five major organizations, including the interior ministry and the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Having completed the first phase in the South Gyeongsang region, the survey has now moved to its second phase, covering the metropolitan areas such as Incheon and Gyeonggi Province and Chungcheong areas. The interior ministry anticipates that by 2026, enough data will have been collected to create a digitized earthquake risk map. This map would allow the public to easily assess earthquake risks in their regions, much like existing flood risk maps. The investigation focuses on various types of faults surface faults by the interior ministry, deep faults by the KMA and marine faults by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The aim is to compile these data into a comprehensive map to help the public better understand fault and earthquake risks in their areas. An official at the interior ministry also explained that the results of the investigation will be recognized as official data by both the government and academia. These findings will be crucial for shaping various earthquake policies, including decisions on whether to update the national map for earthquake risks. Police have launched an investigation after emails threatening to detonate bombs were sent to over 100 public institutions Friday, but no evidence of any explosive devices was detected, officials said. Police received a report of the email from an employee at the lost and found center at Incheon International Airport at around 9:34 a.m., and the email's recipients included about 100 public institutions, according to the National Police Agency. Airport police sent commandos to search the airport, but no explosives have been found. Searches were also conducted of other places, such as Pusan National University, Pusan National University Hospital and Ulsan University Hospital, but no dangerous items have been found. Police suspect the threat is likely to be a hoax and are tracking down the sender of the email. Similar emailed bomb threats have also been sent to India in January and May this year, according to officials. (Yonhap) A parliamentary committee formed unilaterally by the opposition parties referred a special investigation bill over a Marine's death to its subcommittee Friday despite a boycott from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). A similar opposition-led bill was scrapped during the previous National Assembly after President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed it, and the DP proposed it again after the new National Assembly came into office late last month. The bill calls for a special counsel to look into allegations that the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the Marine's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and minor parties held a meeting of the legislation and judiciary committee without PPP lawmakers and agreed to send the bill to one of the subcommittees it decided to form during the session. It also decided to hold a legislative hearing on the bill next Friday. The PPP has been boycotting all committee meetings after the DPK on Monday unilaterally selected 11 out of the 18 parliamentary committee chiefs without the ruling party's participation. PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho demanded that the opposition parties nullify their unilateral selection of the 11 standing committee chairs, stressing no partisan negotiations can resume otherwise. He urged the DPK to "at least" reverse its decision on three major committees: the legislation and judiciary committee, the steering committee and the science, ICT, future planning, broadcasting and communications committee. The judiciary committee is a key panel with the power to approve bills for a plenary vote at the Assembly, while the steering committee handles parliament's overall operations and oversees the presidential office. Choo also proposed the rival parties hold a public debate on the issue of selecting the committee chairmanship. Separately, the opposition parties also unilaterally convened a meeting of the broadcasting committee without the PPP members for deliberations on three broadcasting law revisions that failed to pass the previous Assembly after Yoon's veto. (Yonhap) By Jung Min-ho A man is being investigated on suspicion of slaughtering his dog in front of other dogs in Jeju. According to the Jeju Dongbu Police Station on Friday, the man in his 60s allegedly killed the dog at a fruit farm in Jocheon, a town located in the northeast of the island, on June 12. He reportedly told police that he did so to have boshintang, or a dog meat stew, due to his deteriorating health. An animal rights group that first reported the case to police accused the owner of killing the dog and boiling its meat in front of two other dogs. If confirmed, he could be indicted on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act, which bans an act of killing (an animal) in a cruel way such as hanging and doing so in an open area such as on the street or in front of other animals of the same kind watching. Violators of the law could face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 30 million won ($22,000). In January, the National Assembly passed a bill to prohibit the slaughter and sale of dogs for their meat. But the man is not subject to this law as it will come into force in 2027. LS considers lawsuit against industrial espionage By Park Jae-hyuk Taihan Cable & Solution (C&S) faced a police investigation for alleged theft of LS Cable & Systems (C&S) technologies to produce high-voltage submarine cables, according to industry officials, Friday. The police recently raided Taihan C&S factory in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and Gaun Architects & Engineers in Seoul, which designed the factory. This came as Gaun is suspected of having leaked technologies it obtained from LS C&S while designing its factories between 2008 and 2023. LS C&S said it will take legal action if the allegations turn out to be true. The company is one of the worlds six manufacturers of extra-high-voltage submarine cables, along with five other firms in Europe and Japan. If the industrial espionage is true, we will suffer irrevocable damage, LS C&S said in a statement. If the information about our 500-kilovolt high-voltage direct current submarine cable is leaked to other countries, it will have a negative impact on national security and the economy. Earlier this month, Taihan C&S began operating its No. 1 submarine cable factory in Dangjin after completing phase 1 of the plant's construction. Police are reportedly investigating whether LS C&S' technologies were utilized in the construction and operation of the factory. LS C&S noted a potential technology leak when a single architecture firm oversees the design of factories for competing cable manufacturers. The company emphasized the seriousness with which it views Gaun's contract with its competitor. For the architecture firm to design our submarine cable factory, we had to supply detailed information about our facilities, LS C&S said. The architecture firm knows all the history of our efforts to overcome difficulties and upgrade our factories to enhance efficiency. Taihan C&S said it is not a suspect in this case at the moment. It claimed that the recent police raid into its factory was intended to prove Gaun's crimes. "We chose the architecture firm through a competitive bid," the company said in a statement. "The architecture firm did not handle the design of cable manufacturing equipment, as we tasked other domestic and foreign companies with producing and installing submarine cable manufacturing equipment in our No. 1 factory." Taihan C&S, the nation's oldest cable maker, also emphasized its existing capabilities in manufacturing submarine cable equipment. Facilities for dogs, cats cause conflicts between neighbors By Park Jae-hyuk It is not unusual to encounter more people walking their dogs than parents pushing baby strollers at most apartment complexes in Korea, the country which has over 12 million pet owners and the worlds lowest birth rate of 0.72. Although the trend has prompted major construction firms here to install amenities for dogs and cats at the apartment complexes they build, the growing number of pet-friendly facilities has also led to various types of conflicts between neighbors. Future residents of Olympic Park Foreon, an apartment complex under construction in southeastern Seoul by Hyundai E&C and three other companies, were embroiled in a dispute recently with the construction firms that proposed the installation of shower booths for pets. Hyundai E&C installed similar facilities in The H Firstier IPark built late last year in Seouls Gangnam District, as well as several other apartment complexes under the brand name Hillstate. Although the construction firms emphasized the luxurious image that the pet-friendly facility can bring, Olympic Park Foreons future residents expressed concerns over hygiene and inflow of pet owners who do not live in the apartment complex. How will you clean hair and remove odors? one of the incoming residents wrote on their online forum. The installation of shower booths will make more outsiders walk their dogs at our apartment complex. Since Daewoo E&C built a playground for dogs at the Uiwang Station Prugio La Foret apartment complex in Gyeonggi Province, which was built in 2019, Hanwha E&C, Kolon Global and many other construction firms have vied to attract pet owners by providing facilities friendly to animals. Last year, Daewoo E&C advertised Sihwa MTV Prugio the Ocean, which will be built by 2026 in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, as an apartment complex that will provide comprehensive services for pet owners, including a hotel and a hospital for animals. Hanwha E&C also installed playgrounds for dogs at apartment complexes under the brand name Forena. In 2022, Kolon Global came up with Hanulchae Pet Gym, which includes a playground for dogs, as well as toilets and water fountains for animals. There will be an increasing popularity of apartment complexes equipped with pet-friendly facilities, a construction industry official said. However, residents of new apartment complexes that are friendly to pet owners have become more hostile these days toward outsiders who walk their dogs at their apartment complexes. Last month, residents of Gaepo Xi Presidence in Gangnam District started selling dog tags to their neighbors having pets, in order to prohibit outsiders from walking their dogs at the apartment complex. Helio City in Songpa District and Raemian Caelitus in Yongsan District also ban the entry of dogs whose owners do not live in the apartment complexes. Geoje slams Ulsan-backed HD HHI to support Hanwha Ocean instead By Park Jae-hyuk The Geoje city government is actively opposing HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to help Hanwha Ocean secure a contract for the Republic of Korea Navy's next-generation destroyers. Geoje Island, located in the southeast, is home to Hanwha Ocean's shipyard. Geoje Mayor Park Jong-woo urged the central government, Thursday, to select Hanwha Ocean as the company to build the KDDX-class destroyers. He cited the convictions of former HD HHI employees for stealing warship technologies from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, now renamed following its acquisition by Hanwha last year. It is nonsense to select HD HHI as the only company to handle the KDDX project, considering the shipbuilders theft of military secrets from Hanwha Ocean, the mayor said in a statement. He also called for a competitive bidding process to select multiple companies as participants in the KDDX project, instead of a sole-source or non-competitive procurement contract that appears to favor HD HHI. His remarks came about a month after the Ulsan city government pledged to make every effort to support HD HHI continue working on the KDDX project. Ulsan claimed that the central government should sign a sole-source contract with the shipbuilder, as it was selected previously as the company in charge of the basic design of the destroyers. HD HHI is the nations leading defense systems exporter and plays a major role in the regional economy, Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom said last month. Lawmakers representing the constituents of the two southeastern cities have already supported the shipbuilders located in each of their respective districts. In particular, lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have been divided over this issue, as Geoje is the constituency of Rep. Seo Il-jun, of the ruling party, and four out of six lawmakers representing the constituents of Ulsan belong to the PPP. Amid the intensifying political dispute, the legal battle between HD Hyundai and Hanwha continues. Earlier this year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration decided not to exclude HD HHI from the KDDX project, citing a lack of evidence that the companys executives had ordered its employees to steal data. As a result, Hanwha Ocean asked for a police investigation in March into HD HHI executives for their alleged involvement in the technology theft. The Hanwha subsidiary also held a press conference at that time to present documents from courts and prosecutors as evidence that HD HHIs management may have ordered or been aware of the theft. In response, a group of HD HHI employees filed a lawsuit last month against Hanwha Oceans executives and employees for defamation by spreading false information. Retail industry criticizes Fair Trade Commission for imposing excessive, unjust sanctions By Lee Min-hyung Coupang is stepping up counteractions against the nations antitrust watchdog, in response to what experts and industry officials describe as "excessive and unjust" sanctions imposed on the leading e-commerce firm. The reaction came in response to the Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) latest decision to levy fines of 140 billion won ($101 million) on Coupang. The fine was imposed due to allegations that the company manipulated an in-app algorithm to boost sales of products from its private brand. Legal experts sided with Coupang, calling the regulation hasty and unfair, as it remains ambiguous whether the firms sales practice can be seen as illegal. Above all, the scale of fines looks too excessive, as it is uncertain whether it has breached the law, and on top of that, the authority has yet to prove that the alleged algorithm manipulation hampered customer benefits, Choi June-sun, professor emeritus at Sungkyunkwan University Law School, said. The fines are the highest ever imposed on a single retailer here. The FTC cited a similar case from an overseas authority to justify its latest regulation against Coupang. According to the watchdog, the European Union's (EU) competition authority ordered Amazon to rectify a similar sales practice in 2022. But the expert said it is unfair to apply the case to Korea on equal terms. The EU has displayed a negative stance toward global big tech firms, Choi said. It doesn't make sense for the Korean antitrust authority to follow the same path, especially since the Coupang case is not widely viewed as a clear violation of local laws. Coupang is also adopting a firm stance, stating that its ultra-fast Rocket Delivery service will cease to be available if the company is prohibited from continuing the practice. The retailer also expressed concerns that its mega-sized investment of 22 trillion won will not proceed as planned due to the FTC sanction. Retail industry officials said the sanction leaves much to be desired, as Chinese e-commerce firms such as AliExpress and Temu face less stringent regulatory hurdles. The latest sanction may dampen investor sentiment among other domestic retailers, amid concerns that they too could face similarly severe penalties, an official at a retail company here said. Chinese e-commerce firms have generated a number of controversies for their sales of hazardous products, but no such heavy sanctions have been imposed on them, which constitutes reverse discrimination. Coupang is set to file an administrative litigation, and justify the legitimacy of its sales practices. By Lee Min-hyung Korea and Uzbekistan agreed to enhance their partnerships in mineral supply chains and cutting-edge technology, they said on the sidelines of their bilateral business forum on Friday. The forum hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was aimed at strengthening their overall business exchanges. President Yoon Suk Yeol and a group of business moguls from both sides attended the event to seek fresh business opportunities. Uzbekistan is emerging as a key strategic partner for Korea. A number of Korean companies are already doing business there in areas such as automobiles, energy, infrastructure and logistics. The Central Asian nation boasts an annual GDP growth rate of more than five percent and is famous for its substantial resource deposits. From Korea, key participants included KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa. A group of 300 Uzbekistan government officials and businesspeople also displayed a keen interest in leveling up their partnership with Korea during the forum, according to the KCCI. They engaged in in-depth discussions on how to expand their practical partnerships in the mineral supply chain, state-of-the-art technologies and energy and infrastructure, the Korean business lobby said. Since 2005, both countries have engaged in a joint mineral exploration project there. The strategic partnership will help Korea stabilize its mineral supply chain. Uzbekistan will also be able to receive technological support from Korea to mine more minerals. "It is important for us to forge ties with trustworthy partners at this period of economic uncertainty," Park Il-jun, executive vice chairman at the KCCI, said during the forum. "The Uzbekistan government has a strong willingness to support the growth of high-tech industries and is friendly to foreign investment companies. This will bring big opportunities for Korean firms." "The government of Uzbekistan is also paying sharp attention to new renewable energy, electric vehicles and smart farms, so the country will be a promising market for any Korean players in the industries." The forum also generated tangible outcomes from private business sectors. Samsung C&T agreed to deepen ties for a construction project from Uzbekistan's state-run hydroelectric power firm. Korean train manufacturer Hyundai Rotem signed a contract to supply high-speed trains to Uzbekistan on Friday during President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the Central Asian nation, marking the first export of bullet trains built with homegrown technology. The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by Yoon and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev following their summit at the presidential palace in Tashkent. It marks South Korea's first export of high-speed trains to a foreign country. Under the deal worth 270 billion won ($195.7 million), Hyundai Rotem will supply six high-speed trains, totaling 42 cars, to Uzbekistan Railways Corp., along with maintenance and repair services. It marks the first export of high-speed trains developed using Korean technology in two decades since the introduction of the KTX train with French assistance in 2004. "The deal marks South Korea's first export of high-speed trains developed with homegrown technology," Yoon said during a signing ceremony. "It is expected to contribute to the improvement of Uzbekistan's railway infrastructure and help enhance the bilateral cooperation in the railway sector." The deal also raised hope for South Korean companies bidding in the transportation sector, including a highway project connecting the capital city of Tashkent to Andijan in Uzbekistan's eastern region. The Uzbek government plans to open the bid for the deal, estimated at $5.3 billion, later this year. Transport Minister Park Sang-woo said exports of the homegrown railway system demonstrated South Korea's advanced capabilities in the field, setting eyes on the upcoming bids in the global market. "The high-speed train market is anticipated to reach approximately 10 trillion won in 2026. Countries such as Morocco and Poland are expected to initiate bids to purchase high-speed trains," Park said in a press briefing in Tashkent. Yoon's visit, accompanied by more than 60 business delegates, resulted in the signing of 17 deals, agreements and documents, according to the presidential office. The Korea Railroad Corp. also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uzbekistan Railways Corp. focused on operations, maintenance, technology exchanges and personnel training to bolster bilateral railway development. South Korea and Uzbekistan inked a critical mineral partnership aimed at fostering comprehensive collaborations, from joint exploration to the final utilization of minerals. In addition, an MOU was signed to modernize heating systems in Uzbekistan, and a document was endorsed to facilitate Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization to ensure stability for Korean companies operating in the region. (Yonhap) Second Vice Science Minister Kang Do-hyun said Friday that the ministry will cancel the license of Stage X as a new mobile carrier due to the company's failure to secure paid-in capital and meet other requirements. Stage X, a consortium comprising mobile virtual network operator Stage Five and other partners, secured the 28 gigahertz spectrum band for the fifth-generation (5G) network in an auction hosted by the ministry earlier this year. However, funding questions have persisted over the little-known company because a mobile carrier needs tens of millions of dollars to build a nationwide telecom network. Kang said Stage X has not fully raised the required paid-in capital of 205 billion won (US$149 million), and the composition of the company's stockholders and the ownership structure between the shareholders were also different from what Stage X initially said, the ministry said. Of the six main shareholders who own more than a 5 percent stake each in Stage X, only one shareholder paid some of the required capital, the ministry said. Kang said the ministry will begin a procedure to revoke the license of Stage X before formally canceling it, describing the decision as "very regrettable." Also, Kang said the ministry plans to reexamine the overall frequency auction process and related problems in light of this case before deciding whether to reopen an auction for the 5G frequency band. Officials said the ministry is expected to make a final decision to revoke the license of Stage X in early July. Stage X, however, said the ministry's decision is unfair, adding that it would take necessary legal and administrative steps. (Yonhap) Tesla shareholders voted Thursday to restore CEO Elon Musk's record $44.9 billion pay package that was thrown out by a Delaware judge earlier this year, sending a strong vote of confidence in his leadership of the electric vehicle maker. The favorable vote doesnt necessarily mean that Musk will get the all-stock compensation anytime soon. The package is likely to remain tied up in the Delaware Chancery Court and Supreme Court for months as Tesla tries to overturn the Delaware judge's rejection. Musk has raised doubts about his future with Tesla this year, writing on X, the social media platform he owns, that he wanted a 25 percent stake in the company in order to stop him from taking artificial intelligence development elsewhere. The higher stake is needed to control the use of AI, he has said. Tesla also has struggled with falling sales and profit margins as demand for electric vehicles slows worldwide. But at the company's annual meeting Thursday in Austin, Texas, Musk reassured shareholders that he will stick around, telling them he can't sell any stock in the compensation package for five years. It's not actually cash, and I can't cut and run, nor would I want to, he said. Vote totals on Musk's pay weren't immediately announced, but the company said shareholders voted for Musk's compensation plan, which initially was approved by the board and stockholders six years ago. Tesla last valued the package at $44.9 billion in an April regulatory filing. It was once as much as $56 billion but has declined in value in tandem with Tesla's stock, which has dropped about 25 percent so far this year. Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick ruled in January in a shareholders lawsuit that Musk essentially controlled the Tesla board when it ratified the package in 2018, and that it failed to fully inform shareholders who approved it the same year. Tesla has said it would appeal, but asked shareholders to reapprove the package at Thursdays annual meeting. A separate vote approved moving the companys legal home to Texas to avoid the courts in Delaware, where Tesla is registered as a corporation. Its incredible," a jubilant Musk told the crowd gathered at Tesla's headquarters and large factory in Austin, Texas. I think were not just opening a new chapter for Tesla, were starting a new book. Musk and Tesla didnt win everything. Shareholders approved measures that trimmed board member terms from three years to one and cut the required vote on shareholder proposals to a simple majority. Legal experts say the issue of Musks pay will still be decided in Delaware, largely because Musks lawyers have assured McCormick they wont try to move the case to Texas. But they differ on whether the new ratification of the pay package will make it easier for Tesla to get it approved. Charles Elson, a retired professor and founder of the corporate governance center at the University of Delaware, said he doesnt think the vote will influence McCormick, who issued a decision based on the law. McCormicks ruling essentially made the 2018 compensation package a gift to Musk, Elson said, and that would need unanimous shareholder approval, an impossible threshold. The vote, he said, is interesting from a public perception standpoint, but in my view it does not affect the ruling. John Lawrence, a Dallas-based lawyer with Baker Botts who defends corporations against shareholder lawsuits, agreed the vote doesnt end the legal dispute and automatically give Musk the stock options. But he says it gives Tesla a strong argument to get the ruling overturned. He expects Musk and Tesla to argue that shareholders were fully informed before the latest votes, so McCormick should reverse her decision. But the plaintiff in the lawsuit will argue that the vote has no impact and isnt legally binding, Lawrence said. The vote, he said, was done under Delaware law and should be considered by the judge. This shareholder vote is a strong signal that you now have an absolutely well-informed body of shareholders, he said. The judge in Delaware still could decide that this doesnt change a thing about her prior ruling and doesnt require her to make any different ruling going forward. But I think it definitely gives Tesla and Musk strong ammunition to try to get her to revisit this. If the ruling stands, then Musk likely will appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court, Lawrence said. Multiple institutional investors have come out against Musks sizeable payout, some citing the companys recent struggles. But analysts said votes by individual shareholders likely put Musks pay over the top. Earlier Thursday, Tesla disclosed that shareholders were voting for Musk's pay package by a wide margin. That drove the company's shares up 3 percent by the time the markets closed. After the votes were announced, Musk began telling shareholders about new developments in the company's Full Self-Driving system. He has staked the company's future on development of autonomous vehicles, robots and artificial intelligence. Full Self-Driving keeps improving with new versions, and its safety per mile is better than human drivers, Musk said. "This is actually going to work. This is going to happen. Mark my words, this is just a matter of time, he said. Despite its name, Full Self-Driving cant drive itself, and the company says human drivers must be ready to intervene at all times. Teslas Full Self-Driving hardware went on sale late in 2015, and Musk has used the name ever since as the company gathered data to teach its computers how to drive. In 2019, Musk promised a fleet of autonomous robotaxis by 2020, and he said in early 2022 that the cars would be autonomous that year. In April of last year, Musk said the system should be ready in 2023. Since 2021, Tesla has been beta-testing Full Self-Driving using volunteer owners. U.S. safety regulators last year made Tesla recall the software after finding that the system misbehaved around intersections and could violate traffic laws. Musk also said the company is making huge progress on its Optimus humanoid robot. Currently it has two working at its factory in Fremont, California, that take battery cells off a production line and put them in shipping containers, he said. Despite laying off the team working on Teslas Supercharger electric vehicle charging network, Musk said he thinks the company will deploy more chargers this year that are actually working than the rest of the industry. In the second half of the year, he expects to spend $500 million on Superchargers. (AP) Iran has rapidly installed extra uranium-enriching centrifuges at its Fordow site and begun setting up others, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report said in what diplomats described as limited retaliation to a resolution by the watchdog's board. Reuters reported on Wednesday that diplomats said Iran was responding to last week's International Atomic Energy Agency board resolution against it by expanding its uranium-enrichment capacity at its two underground enrichment sites at Fordow and Natanz, but the escalation is not as big as many had feared. The confidential IAEA report sent to member states described the steps Iran has taken so far, with the only concrete steps so far at either of its underground sites having been taken at Fordow, which is dug into a mountain. "On 9 and 10 June ... Iran informed the Agency that eight cascades each containing 174 IR-6 centrifuges would be installed over the next 3-4 weeks in Unit 1 of FFEP (Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant)," the IAEA report, which was seen by Reuters, said. Cascades are clusters of centrifuges. "On 11 June 2024, the Agency verified at FFEP that Iran had completed the installation of IR-6 centrifuges in two cascades in Unit 1. Installation of IR-6 centrifuges in four additional cascades was ongoing," the report said, referring to one of Iran's most advanced centrifuge models. While Iran had long planned to install eight cascades of centrifuges at Fordow's Unit 1 it had only prepared the "necessary infrastructure" for the cascades rather than installing the machines themselves. Before these new cascades Fordow had eight operating in total. At its underground enrichment plant at Natanz, Iran fleshed out a plan to install an unspecified number of extra centrifuges, informing the IAEA that it would set up 18 cascades of advanced IR-2m machines. "Iran provided no information regarding when this activity would take place," the report said. (Reuters) Chinese firms have formally applied for an anti-dumping probe into pork imports from the European Union, the state-backed Global Times reported, escalating tensions after the bloc imposed anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The move opens a new front in bilateral strains in one of the world's key trading relationships after Brussels slapped tariffs of up to 38.1 percent on EVs made in China to shield its auto industry from competition. China imported $6 billion worth of pork in 2023, including offal, with the EU accounting for more than half, customs data showed. The Global Times report, posted on X, gave no details of the requested anti-dumping probe, and it was unclear which pork products would be targeted. Pig parts that are not favored in Europe such as feet, ears and offal are popular among Chinese consumers, providing a valuable and important market for Europe. "Much of the imports from Europe are not muscle meat ... If also (offal), China would need to import more from other countries where (offal) is not consumed in the local market," said a livestock analyst who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Global food companies are on tenterhooks for possible retaliatory measures after the EU said this week it would impose tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. In previous trade spats, China has been known to target food products. Spain was China's top supplier of pork last year, followed by Brazil and the United States. Other major suppliers are France, Denmark and the Netherlands. Chinese firms reserve the right to submit applications to prompt anti-subsidy and anti-dumping inquiries into European dairy and pork imports, its commerce ministry said on Thursday. Chinese companies also plan to request anti-subsidy investigations into EU dairy imports, the Global Times newspaper reported last week, which may hurt major suppliers the Netherlands, France and Germany. On Thursday, China said it would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its interests in the wake of the EU tariff decision, which is due to take effect from July. The EV tariffs drew a strong rebuke from China as well as European and Chinese automakers, with industry insiders saying both sides have reasons to strike a deal in the months ahead, as the EU process allows for review. (Reuters) Supporters say a a Chinese journalist who promoted womens rights as part of the countrys nascent #MeToo movement has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of incitement to subvert state authority, almost three years after she and an activist were detained . The verdict provided to The Associated Press stated that Huang Xueqin would also face a fine of 100,000 yuan ($14,000), underscoring the ruling Communist Partys intolerance of any activism outside its control in a system whose upper echelons are dominated by men. Chinas #MeToo movement flourished briefly before being snuffed out by the government. China often silences activists by holding them incommunicado for a long time and then sentencing them to prison. Huangs release date was listed as Sept. 18, 2026, accounting for her earlier detention. Co-defendant Wang Jianbing was sentenced to three years and six months on the same charge. Wang is more known for his labor rights activity but also helped women report sexual harassment. Huang and Wang's cases appear to have become intertwined as part of the most recent wave of a general crackdown on rights advocates, a trend that predates the #MeToo movement and includes previous incidents such as the 2015 detentions of women distributing pamphlets against sexual harassment on public transport. Working as an freelance journalist, Huang helped spark Chinas first #MeToo case in 2018 when she publicized allegations of sexual harassment made by a graduate student against her Ph.D. supervisor at one of China's most prestigious universities. Friends say that Huang and Wang disappeared on Sept. 19, 2021, a day before Huang was scheduled to fly to the United Kingdom to start a masters degree program on gender violence and conflict at the University of Sussex. They went on trial in September 2023. The International Womens Media Foundation earlier gave Huang its Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award. Supporters of Huang and Wang created a GitHub webpage to post case updates and share their thoughts. China is routinely listed by monitoring groups as among the top imprisoning nations of journalists. Amnesty Internationals China Director Sarah Brooks issued a statement condemning Huang's conviction as an attack on women's advocacy in the People's Republic of China, which has long promoted the concept that women hold up half the sky, but whose institutions remain dominated by men. These convictions will prolong their deeply unjust detention and have a further chilling effect on human rights and social advocacy in a country where activists face increasing state crackdowns, Brooks said in an emailed statement. In reality, they have committed no actual crime. Instead, the Chinese government has fabricated excuses to deem their work a threat, and to target them for educating themselves and others about social justice issues such as womens dignity and workers rights," Brooks said. (AP) HOMER, La. The Homer Police Department was slated to begin operating without any of its di Blinken says US will look for other ways to bring hostages home if Hamas does not accept ceasefire A traffic police officer directs the traffic in Wenxian County of Jiaozuo, central China's Henan Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Photo by Xu Hongxing/Xinhua) China will pilot the digitization of motor vehicle registration licenses starting in July to improve the traffic management services, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Thursday. The reform measure will initially be implemented in 60 cities, including Beijing and Tianjin, and will be fully promoted nationwide by the end of the year, according to the ministry. Chinese law requires drivers to carry both their driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates while driving. Previously, the digitization of motor vehicle annual inspection marks and driving licenses had been fully implemented. Traffic management authorities have issued 1.475 billion electronic inspection marks and 250 million electronic driving licenses. By the end of May 2024, the total number of motor vehicles in China had reached 440 million, including 340 million cars (excluding motorcycles and trucks), and the number of drivers had reached 530 million. China ranks first in the world in terms of the total number of motor vehicles and drivers. Wang Qiang, director of the traffic management bureau of the MPS, said that in recent years, more than 100 reform measures have been introduced, helping to reduce costs by over 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars). The MPS has also launched a unified mobile app called "Jiaoguan 12123," or "traffic management 12123," which can provide 35 types of traffic related services. Currently, the app has 540 million registered users. Zarazeno pa 14.06.2024 04:06:38 Vydano Zdroj scio.gov.cn Original english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2024-06/14/content_117253394.htm lang en On 13 June the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Corte-IDH) ordered the Peruvian government not to promulgate a bill that would grant amnesties for crimes against humanity committed before 2002. End of preview - This article contains approximately 391 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Just one day after warships from Russia, including a nuclear submarine, arrived in the port of Havana in Cuba, a US attack submarine also arrived on the island, in Guantanamo Bay, which is also in Cuba but under US control. However, the US government insists that the submarine's arrival there is only part of a "routine visit" and not because of the Russian warships. The US Southern Command stated that the US submarine's arrival in Guantanamo Bay was part of a "routine port visit" and that "the vessel's location and transit were previously planned." The US nuclear-powered fast attack submarine was identified as the USS Helena. The sub was already scheduled to go to Cuba even before the US learned of the Russian naval plans to send its warships to the Caribbean, said one US Southern Command official, adding that the Navy saw "no reason to alter previously planned, routine activity in response to Russian activity in the region." However, the Miami Herald pointed out that the timing and optics of a US nuclear submarine arriving in Cuba around the same time is being seen as "another effort to send a message of strength to the Kremlin." As for the Russian warships in Cuba, they conducted naval exercises near US waters before heading to the port of Havana where they are expected to stay for a few days. They are then expected to cross the Caribbean and sail to Venezuela, another key ally to Moscow. While this is happening, US warships are expected to follow the Russian naval flotilla, including three destroyers, a Coast Guard cutter, and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. These ships have been monitoring the small Russian fleet since it entered the Western Hemisphere and sailed within 30 miles of Florida's coast. READ MORE: Cuba Confirms That Russian Warships, Including a Nuclear Submarine, Will Arrive in Havana Next Week Russia Sending Warships to Cuba May Be Response to US Sending Aid to Ukraine As to why Russia sent its warships near US territorial waters, this may be because the US recently sent aid to Ukraine and has authorized the country to use US-made weapons to strike Russian soil for the first time since the Russians invaded. Russia sending warships to allies Cuba and Venezuela are not uncommon, according to the Associated Press. However, with the US sending aid to Ukraine, this has certainly raised plenty of questions as Russia has sought to project its naval strength even after the massive losses its Black Sea fleet suffered at the hands of the Ukrainians. US Says Russia Warships in Cuba 'No Threat' The Pentagon has repeatedly dismissed the presence of the Russian warships, but they said that they are taking the situation very seriously, according to the BBC. "We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don't pose a threat to the United States," said the Pentagon in a statement, even as the Russian warships remain at anchor just 90 miles from Florida. The Russian fleet includes a nuclear submarine and a missile frigate. While the sub is not carrying nukes, it and the missile frigate are carrying various advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles. READ MORE: Russia Spreading Disinformation About US Border Crisis To Undercut Ukraine Aid This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: U.S. warships deployed to monitor Russian fleet - FOX 32 Chicago Milwaukee may be the host city for the Republican National Convention (RNC), but Donald Trump recently called it a "horrible city." This prompted his allies to scramble and spin the story, especially as Wisconsin is a key swing state that the convicted felon must win to become president again. Donald Trump recently visited Capitol Hill on Thursday, the first time since he instigated the January 6 Capitol Insurrection. He was there to supposedly discuss strategy with Congressional Republican leaders but as expected, he went off on his usual tangents, one of which he complained about where the RNC is being held. "Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city," Trump told House Republicans, sending many of them scrambling to respond to his comments. House Republicans cannot get their stories straight, even members from Wisconsin who offered different explanations to cover for the Republican frontrunner. One Wisconsin Republican reportedly claimed that the whole thing never happened, but this was immediately disproven after three others stated the convicted felon former president definitely said that. Wisconsin GOP Rep. Glenn Grothman tried to spin it as Trump being concerned about the election in Milwaukee, while another tried to spin it as Trump being concerned about the city's crime rate. Nonetheless, they all agreed Trump did call the RNC host city "horrible" despite their excuses. As Yahoo! News pointed out, "Milwaukee is very often criticized by the rural and suburban politicians in the rest of the state, who use racist dog whistles, yell "socialism," or rely on more overt bigotry" despite the crime rate dropping in the city. The state also has a sizable Black population that usually votes blue. Nancy Pelosi Condemns Donald Trump's Return to the Capitol While many House Republicans seem like they have forgotten they were almost killed by a pro-Trump mob back on January 6, 2021, Democrats have not, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was one of the insurrectionists' main targets. READ MORE: '2000 Mules' Donald Trump Propaganda Movie Still Being Spread After Being Debunked, Losing Court Battle "Today, the instigator of an insurrection is returning to the scene of the crime," she lamented. "January 6 was a crime against the Capitol, that saw Nazi and Confederate flags flying under the dome that Lincoln built." "It was a crime against the constitution and its peaceful transfer of power in a desperate attempt to cling to power, she added. "And it was a crime against members, heroic police officers and staff, that resulted in death, injury, and trauma that endure to this day." George Conway Predicts Republicans' Support for Donald Trump Would Soon Drop Right now, Republicans are banking on the fanatical support for Donald Trump to get themselves reelected as many of them, including ones who have previously slammed him or complained about almost getting killed during the January 6 insurrection, have bent the knee. However, one conservative lawyer thinks that they would soon turn their backs on him again. George Conway, a prominent Republican and conservative lawyer, stated that Trump's porn star hush money trial "drew attention away from" the former president as he was forced to stay in New York and not go on all those political rallies. This helped Trump as people were not able to see the craziness. It's why "the race seems closer than I think it ultimately will be," Conway added, saying that "people have forgotten about Trump," his personality and "the reasons they didn't like him." The Republican lawyer stated that the more average Americans see Trump again, the more they will remember the circus that was his presidency. "And one of the disadvantages of the most recent trial is it delayed the moment where they really, really see him for real, and I think that's going to change with the debate and the conventions," Conway noted. READ MORE: Donald Trump Supporters Threaten Another Insurrection, Call for Riots and Killing the Judge After Ex-POTUS Was Found Guilty This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: LIVE: George Conway DROPS THE HAMMER on Felon Trump | MissTrial - MeidasTouch American man Jorge Guillen, aged 43, tragically lost his life. At the same time, his wife, Lizette Zambrano, 35, suffered critical injuries after both were electrocuted in a jacuzzi at the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. The Mexico hot tub incident occurred around 8:30 PM on Tuesday, drawing immediate efforts from bystanders to rescue them, as reported by CBS affiliate KDBC, Independent reports. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where bystanders struggled to rescue Guillen and Zambrano from the electrically charged water. Videos circulated on social media depicted chaotic moments as onlookers screamed for help and attempted to pull the couple to safety. Sadly, Guillen was found submerged when authorities arrived at the scene. The resort took swift action, shutting down all hot tubs following the incident, according to witnesses. Authorities from the state attorney general's office in Sonora have launched an investigation into Guillen's death and the cause of the electric discharge. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist Guillen's family with repatriating his body and covering Zambrano's medical expenses, highlighting the community's response to the tragic event. READ NEXT: American Tourist Found Dead in Brazil After Hiking Disappearance Investigation and Official Statements The Sonora attorney general's office has begun scrutinizing video footage capturing the Mexico hot tub incident and the ensuing rescue attempts, according to ABC 7. They confirmed the American man's death and his wife's injuries, withholding their surnames in line with policy. Officials have indicated that forensic examinations will be pivotal in determining the exact circumstances leading to the electrical discharge. Meanwhile, inquiries into the safety protocols at the Mexico Resort are underway, with authorities seeking to ascertain liability and prevent future incidents. Efforts to reach out to the Mexico resort for comments have been met with silence as media outlets strive to uncover more details surrounding the incident. Experts advise immediate evacuation from pools or hot tubs if one detects electric currents, stressing the danger of faulty electrical installations in water-based facilities. Details and Community Response The incident unfolded at a private condominium complex within the Puerto Penasco resort, marking a devastating turn during what should have been a leisurely evening for the vacationing American man and his wife from El Paso, Texas. Family members and local sources have identified Guillen and Zambrano as the victims, underscoring the personal toll and widespread shock caused by the event. Zambrano, critically injured, has been transported to the United States for further medical treatment, emphasizing the severity of her condition, People noted. Nurse Sara Gaitan-Perez, a witness staying at the Mexico resort, recounted her attempt to aid Guillen and Zambrano, detailing the frantic efforts to revive them after the electrical shock. Her firsthand account provides a chilling reminder of the suddenness and gravity of the Mexico hot tub incident. Authorities suspect faulty wiring may have been responsible for the tragic electrocution, pending conclusive findings from ongoing investigations. Sonora's attorney general's office remains committed to uncovering the precise cause, pledging transparency as they gather evidence and testimonies. READ MORE: Washington Teen Shot Dead Returning Airsoft Gun This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: American killed, another injured by electric shock in Mexican hot tub: Police - From ABC News With President Joe Biden's new asylum restrictions already in place, refugees fleeing violence in Latin America and other parts of the world can still get permanent legal status, and that is with the help of Welcome Corps, as well as US citizens or residents who are in the US legally. Created by the US State Department in January 2023, the Welcome Corps program was created "to provide qualifying refugees a path to legal, permanent status in the US" with the help of US citizens, according to NBC News. American citizens or legal permanent residents can form a group and sponsor refugee families through the program and these sponsors could also help these refugees transition to life in the United States. Maria del Carmen Chaparro and her family, which includes her husband and four children, fled from political violence in Colombia and are now living in the US with them thanks to Welcome Corps. She was persecuted and threatened by criminal groups while working as a community political leader, forcing them to flee to neighboring Ecuador. The refugee family was sponsored by the Antioch Church community in Bend, Oregon, which "came together to sponsor them, facilitating their arrival and helping them as they integrate into their new community." "It was like being born again, like an opportunity to rest and be able to give my children a life without persecution," she told NBC News. How US Citizens Can Help Refugees Through Welcome Corps The official Welcome Corps website has instructions on how to help refugees out, urging US citizens and legal residents to "reach out to friends, neighbors, coworkers, your congregation, or your book club to form a group. Any adults who are US citizens or permanent residents and who live in or near the community where the refugee(s) will live can join your sponsor group." READ MORE: Hunter Biden Guilty Verdict: Joe Biden Says He Will Not Pardon Son and Will 'Respect the Judicial Process' Steps include creating an account, getting background checks, and undergoing training to be eligible to sponsor a refugee. Those approved can then plan and fundraise how to get these refugees to the United States and help them transition. Welcome Corps noted on its official website that the funds to bring these refugees to the US are managed by the sponsor and stated that the program would not collect any money from interested sponsors. Thousands of US Citizens and Residents Have Signed Up to Sponsor Refugees Through Welcome Corps Program Since the US State Department launched Welcome Corps, over 65,000 people have already applied as sponsors for refugees during the first three months of the program with applications coming from every state in the country, according to the Niskanen Center. The majority of the sponsorships come from, Minnesota, Washington, Texas, California, and Ohio, with the program initially being launched, for US military veterans seeking to sponsor their Afghan allies as the Taliban took back control of the government. It is also open to those fleeing conflict in Latin America. READ MORE: Mexico Wearing Down Migrants as New Tactic to Deter Immigration Amid Biden Crackdown This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: What is Welcome Corps? U.S. Refugee Sponsorship! - Refugee and Immigration Services Puerto Rico's electricity woes continued as yet another power outage hit the US territory on Wednesday night, which was later restored. However, Puerto Ricans now want Luma Energy out after this latest incident that left over 340,000 customers without any electricity. This latest blackout happened after two of the island's power plants shut down. It mostly affected the capital, San Juan, but the neighboring municipalities of Bayamon, Caguas, and Carolina were also affected by the power outage. Luma Energy soon released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that the power e outage was tied to an issue with the power plants' transmission lines. A company spokesperson spoke with the Associated Press and stated that "the outage coincided with the shutdown of units operated by Genera PR, which operates and maintains state power generation units." Much like the residents, the Puerto Rican government was also not happy with Luma Energy, which operates the transmission and distribution for Puerto Rico's power authority. Governor Pedro Pierluisi slammed the power outage on X soon after. "The events that have been occurring in recent weeks with our electrical system are unacceptable," he tweeted. "While it is true that we have old plants and transmission lines in terrible condition, the people continue to suffer the consequences of the lack of sense of urgency that private operators are demonstrating." However, the AP noted that both Luma and Genera PR were selected as private operators during his administration. This is but the latest in a recent string of power outages that hit the US territory since Hurricane Maria severely damaged its power grid in 2017. Puerto Rico Residents Blast Luma Energy After Latest Power Outage San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero declared a state of emergency for the city on Wednesday and also slammed Luma, saying, "There are thousands of children with specific feeding needs, as well as older adults who often need therapy machines to protect their health and often save their lives." READ MORE: Puerto Rico Blackout Persists Amid High Temperatures, Residents Angry Mayor Romero also accused the electricity provider of "sharing limited information about the ongoing blackouts." Luma Energy also gained widespread condemnation from everday Puerto Ricans, according to CBS News. Many demanded the ouster of Luma, lamenting that the blackout happened amid excessive heat warnings. Power Restored After Massive Puerto Rico Power Outage, But Law Makes Want a State of Emergency Luma Energy did manage to restore power on Thursday, but the damage has been done, with Puerto Rico suffering from massive power outages over the last few weeks amid a scorching heatwave. According to ABC News, lawmakers in Puerto Rico are now urging Governor Pierluisi to declare a state of emergency to the federal government as these frequent and long power outages have "interrupted water service and imperiled the lives of elderly and ill residents who rely on electrical equipment for respirators and to refrigerate insulin." "This is really dangerous," said Puerto Rico's representative to the US House, Jennifer Gonzalez. "At the federal level, what I'm suggesting is that Puerto Rico declare itself in an energy emergency situation so that any procedure with federal agencies can be expedited." READ MORE: Puerto Rico Still Needs 'A Lot of Work' Over Its Hurricane and Earthquake Recovery, Says Federal Audit This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: In Real Life: Puerto Rico's Power Crisis - Scripps News Bethlehem police need the publics help in their search for a missing teenager from the citys South Side. Klareshly Gonzalez, 17, went missing about 9 p.m. June 6 in the 500 block of Wyandotte Street, city police said. That was the last time she was seen at home. The teen has high functioning autism, according to police. Gonzalez is about 5 feet, 7 inches tall; weighing around 100 pounds and has black hair. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue pants and carrying a clear backpack. A photo provided by police shows her wearing glasses. For those with information on Gonzalezs whereabouts, call the Bethlehem Police Department at 610-865-7000. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. In 1865 Black and enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas, were told they could finally rejoice, theyd been liberated from the fetters of slavery. Next week residents in Phillipsburg and Easton will commemorate that day, known as Juneteenth, with a spread of celebrations and activities for everyone. Happening in Pburg A group of residents will host a weeklong ceremony to honor Juneteenth, beginning with a flag raising ceremony and a Juneteenth celebration at Shappell Park on June 19. The flag raising ceremony will happen at 10 a.m. and the celebration will kick off in the evening at 6 p.m. and go until. 9 p.m. The Juneteenth celebration will also feature live music and food vendors. On Sunday, June 23, the same group will reconvene at Walters Park for a community giveback party and close out the weeklong ceremony with flag lowering event. The community giveback will run from noon to 5 p.m. and feature live music, food and crafts for kids. The flag lowering ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Happening in Easton Easton hosted a recognition event for three Black men who left an indelible mark on their community, said City Councilman Frank Pintabone. Officer Andrew B. Theadford Sr., Eastons first Black police officer; Captain Stephen A. Henley Sr., the citys first Black police leader; and Captain Joseph W. Dorsey, the Easton Fire Departments first Black firefighter and captain were honored by the city. Pintabone introduced the idea in May to establish an annual Juneteenth Recognition Award. Eastons African American population has made considerable impacts on our community and our society. It is an honor to be able to celebrate their lives and work, he said. The Pan-African flag was raised during a city-led event earlier this week. A parade is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, June 16, in Easton, according to Pintabone. The parade steps off at Walnut and Ferry streets, heads east on Walnut Street, and meets up with Northampton Street at the intersection of Walnut, Northampton and Sixth Streets. Then it heads east on Northampton Street, around Centre Square and wraps up at Larry Holmes Drive. This list is not comprehensive. Its a good idea to verify with organizers. Check with your local municipal office, school, library or local service organizations for additional events or volunteer opportunities. A little bit about Juneteenth While word-of-mouth spread quickly that the nations 16th President had made good on his vow to emancipate enslaved people in the United States of America in 1863, the controversial news was kept from reaching some folks on the continent. Captives in areas that were more entrenched in Confederate occupation had to wait two years before learning theyd been freed from their enslavers. For them, freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when roughly 2,000 troops marched into Galveston Bay, Texas. American soldiers freed the last 250,000 Black and enslaved people who were kept hostage there. This day came to be known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day by the newly freed people in Texas; Americas second Independence Day. 31 1 / 31 Juneteenth Lehigh Valley 2023 parade in Easton Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe to lehighvalleylive.com today. Are you interested in being part of the short films for the Ballyroan Community Playground Ballyroan goes to Hollywood Fundraiser? The committee working on building a public playground have organised a Casting Call to take place on Sunday, June 23 at 5pm in the Ballyroan Community Hall. You do not need to be part of a group just come as you are, meet Shane & Banjo our casting directors who will point you in the right direction. Each slot is only five minutes and the earlier you get there the quicker you get out. If you're up for a bit of craic & want to meet other members of the community this is a perfect opportunity, and of course show off your hidden talents. All are welcome to take part in an event that will raise funds for a vital community amenity in the village. The community needs to raise funds to support the redevelopment of the Old Boys School to include a childrens playground, MUGA, car park facility, public lighting and landscaping. Earlier this year a total of 500,000 was allocated to the project under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This funding stream cannot fund 100% of the costs of a project and further fundraising will be needed. In the region of 150,000 will have to be raised by the community for this project. The redevelopment of the remainder of the site, including the derelict school building, will form part of subsequent phases. The entire cost is set to reach 1 million. A man serving a life sentence for murder slashed a prison officers face with a sharpened toilet brush after he had been taken out of jail to get an X-ray, a court has heard. Graham McEvoy (26) of Captains Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, pleaded guilty to assaulting a prison officer, causing him harm outside the Swiftcare clinic in Smithfield on May 8, 2023. McEvoy had just attended for an X-ray at the clinic and had been released from his handcuffs to sit back into the waiting prison van when he lunged at prison officers in a bid for freedom, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Thursday, June 14. Witnesses say McEvoy shouted: Just let me go, Ill stab the face-off you, Ill stab you to death, before he lashed out at an officer. McEvoy admitted producing a white plastic improvised weapon a sharpened toilet brush; while two further charges of threats to kill and attempting to escape lawful custody were taken into consideration. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to four years in prison, noting that the law did not allow her to impose a sentence consecutive to the one McEvoy is already serving for murder. McEvoy was convicted after a week-long trial at the Central Criminal Court in 2017 of murdering Paul Curran (23) at Seagull House, Crumlin Road, on July 16, 2016, by stabbing him to death. He was handed a life sentence and is currently an inmate at Midlands Prison. This sentence cannot act as a true deterrent, in light of the fact that I cant impose a consecutive sentence, said Judge Codd, backdating it to last month when McEvoy pleaded guilty. Judge Codd said the prison officer was left with a scar after he was cut under his eye in what she said was a highly dangerous manoeuvre by McEvoy. She set a headline sentence of five years but reduced it to four years on account of McEvoys guilty plea, his expressions of remorse and the consequences he has suffered within the prison system. McEvoy spent a considerable period on 24-hour lock-up after assaulting the officer, the court heard. McEvoy has 32 previous convictions, including the murder charge, and others for drugs and road traffic offences, robberies and possession of a phone in prison. Garda Deirdre Gill told Rebecca Smith BL, prosecuting, that three prison officers escorted McEvoy to the Swiftcare clinic in Smithfield on the day in question. He attended the clinic for an x-ray without incident and went back to the van wearing handcuffs. The court heard that a prison officer removed one cuff to allow McEvoy to climb into the van. McEvoy sat down but then stood up again and made a drive towards the prison officers, barging through them to try and escape. Outside the van, a prison officer tried to restrain Mr McEvoy against the car parked next to them, pushing him up against it to use the car as leverage. McEvoy then swung both arms violently, lashing out with the arm that was still cuffed and threatening to stab the prison officer to death. The prison officer felt a sharp pain under his right eye, the court heard. Another officer grabbed for the weapon and got control of the accuseds right hand. The officers noticed a 15cm-long white object which fell to the ground and was moved away. It was a toilet brush that had been manipulated into a point. I believe it had come from McEvoys cell, and he had concealed it on his person, Gda Gill said. The prison officer was treated in hospital and given sutures and a tetanus injection. He also visited his GP, who described him as shaken and worried. A victim impact statement was handed to the judge but not read out in court. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said McEvoy wished to make a heartfelt apology to the prison officer he stabbed and to the others who had escorted him to the clinic. Mr Spencer said his client has suffered a deterioration of his mental health in prison and had been given different diagnoses of multiple personality disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia by different psychiatrists. On the day, he should have been taking medication, and he wasnt, counsel said, adding that McEvoy was in a paranoid state and was worried for his own safety. Mr Spencer said McEvoy had been the subject of repeated attacks from other prisoners and would carry improvised shivs and such items around with him. McEvoy found custody very difficult and was frustrated by the varying diagnoses he had received, counsel said. McEvoy accepts that the prison officers were just carrying out their job and that his actions were totally unjustifiable, the court heard. He is now engaging with psychiatric services in prison and wants to tackle his drug addiction before he appears before a parole board. Judge Codd placed the offence in the uppermost range of seriousness and said prison officers have to be protected during the course of their duties. A Laois Offaly byelection is on the cards after the election of Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen to the European Parliament. The Clara man won a seat in the Midlands North West constituency on the 20th count at constituency count centre in Castlebar in the early hours of Friday, June 14 . There was jubilation in the Fianna Fail camp at the count centre in Castlebar when the younger brother of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen exceeded the quota with transfers from party running mate Senator Lisa Chambers. Mr Cowen is the first politician from Offaly to be elected to the parliament Brussels. Previous representatives from Laois Offaly were Charlie McDonald, FG, Paddy Lalor, FF and Liam Hyland, FF. All were Laois based. Mr Cowen will sit as one of five MEPs (members of European Parliament) representing the Midlands North West constituency which comprises 15 counties. The addition of Offaly and Laois to the constituency when it was expanded from four seats to five was the decisive factor in Cowen opting to seek a seat. His election to Europe creates a vacancy in the Dail which must be filled by a by-election within six months. The Dail seat would also be filled earlier if as is being speculated, a general election is called in October or November. Barry Cowen began his political career on Offaly County Council and was elected to the Dail in 2011 when he won the seat vacated by his brother Brian's retirement. Their father Ber had been a Fianna Fail TD for Laois-Offaly until his sudden death in 1984. Speaking to reporters at the count Mr Cowen said: Im very humbled, proud delighted, obviously. Im thrilled to have set out to win a seat and delighted to have done so. He added: It now matters that we don the green jersey and ensure we live up to the expectations and commitments that have been given to the public. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin was in the count centre to see his candidate get elected. He defended the much criticised strategy of running three party candidates in the election: One can speculate on these issues. But when I look at the figures here, Im not sure thats the conclusion that one could come to and hindsight is a great virtue, but we will evaluate this like every other result. Also elected to the parliament to represent voters in Laois and Offaly were Luke Ming Flanagan, Nina Carbery, Ciaran Mullooly. Mr Cowen's election requires the holding of a by-election in the Laois Offaly constituency which is due to be split into two at the next General Election. On paper the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District looked as if there was some potential for a changing of the guard. Despite a relatively small field of just 12 candidates, there was some signs of change on the 2019 result. Fine Gael entered the election with a sitting councillor who had never faced the electorate. Cllr PJ Kelly was co-opted onto the council after Tom Mulhall had to step aside for health reasons. The shoes left by Mulhall would prove big to fill for anybody who would follow him. So there were high expectations on Cllr Kelly from voters from the word go because of the high bar set by Mr Mulhall who passed away in 2024. Cllr Kelly might not have been best pleased when, in February, Simon Harris arrived in Stradbally to launch the campaign of Fine Gael's second candidate Vivienne Phelan. He was not Taoiseach at the time but the backing of a cabinet Minister for Ms Phelan at least irked Cllr Kelly and his team. Another conundrum for the party was Cllr Aisling Moran. The combative councillor left Fine Gael in May 2023 after a long series of disputes over local and national issues. Quite a number of these were fought out in public at council meetings with party colleagues and Fianna Fail who shared council power with Fine Gael. Her departure garnered national media attention in a time when Fine Gael was crashing in the polls. She left saying it was not the same party she joined and was not looking after the people Fine Gael was supposed to be looking after. Perhaps, Fine Gael felt going into the election that Cllr Moran would be left isolated. But she bucked any notion of that with a bang. The Ballylinan woman won huge support on her home patch and it was clear at the tally count that her return to the County Hall was in no doubt. A return to Fine Gael might also be on the cards as she sat for most of the tally with the Fine Gael team keeping a close eye on where the votes were going. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Cllr Aisling Moran, Indpendent, celebrates with supporters at the count in Portlaoise. Pic: Alf Harvey The struggle between the two Fine Gael candidates would go down to the wire however. Cllr Kelly was always ahead in the race but transfers helped Ms Phelan keep up as the counts proceeded. Ironically, transfer votes from Cllr Moran's surplus put Ms Phelan 17 votes ahead of Cllr Kelly in the last count. This led to a recount but no errors were found culminating the Fine Gael seat changing hands. Ms Phelan's Stradbally team were delighted to reclaim what the called the 'Kevin O'Higgins' seat in the town. Arguably there were two seats for Fine Gael in this area alongside Cllr Moran but the candidacies of Patsy Fennell and Paschal McEvoy was probably what squeezed them out. At the same time it is hard to see who a second FG candidate would have knocked out of county hall. Let's turn first to poll-topper Cllr Paschal McEvoy. From Timahoe and based in Stradbally, he was always a hot favourite to retain his seat in county hall. While he wasn't elected on the first count or the first to be declared elected, he topped the first preference vote poll - quite an achievement that reflects well on work during the past five years. MORE BELOW PIC. Cllr Paschal McEvoy celebrates his return to Laois County Council with supporters. Pic: Alf Harvey Another big story to emerge from this election is Cllr Ben Brennan, who is returning to County Hall with a bigger mandate to serve the people than perhaps at any time during his time in local politics since first being elected in 2009. The foundation of his big first preference vote is rooted firmly in the tightly knit community around Crettyard. But he also operates effectively in Killeshin and Graiguecullen. An independent since 2009 after parting ways with Fianna Fail, Cllr Brennan is bound to have benefited on this occasion from the wave of floating voters or the weak Sinn Fein backers who weren't convinced by the party this time around. It will be interesting to see if he is approached by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to join a coalition in County Hall over the next five years. Such a move might see him becoming Cathaoirleach. More below picture. Cllr Ben Brennan celebrates with supporters. Pic: Alf Harvey Fianna Fail candidate Padraig Fleming will have been satisfied but not overjoyed by his performance in this election. His return to County Hall was achieved with comfort but would he have liked to top the poll? Probably and especially since his brother Sean is a serving Minister and the Fleming electoral machine is known far and wide for gathering votes. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Cllr Padraig Fleming celebrates with family and supporters. Pic: Alf Harvey Cllr Aidan Mullins was the first candidate from the district to be elected. He dominated the Portarlington area again. He would likely have topped the poll had it not been for the fact that Joey Kennedy ran for Fianna Fail in the town. None of this will please him. He will know that his win is a pyrrhic victory. As in all three Laois electoral districts, Sinn Fein targeted winning a second seat in Port Graigue. It was very clear from the long Sinn Fein faces at the tally carried out at the CBS / Chriost Ri count centre in Portlaoise that this was off the table. Cllr Mullins is a pragmatic and direct politician who will likely not hold back with party colleagues in letting them know why and where they went wrong this time. In fact he was one of the few who was highlighting the issue of immigration long before it became an election topic on which Sinn Fein lost votes in Laois and other counties. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Cllr Aidan Mullins of Sinn Fein celebrates victory. Pic Alf Harvey Moving on to the also-rans, Aaron Kelly did poll quite well for Sinn Fein and is a hope for the future if he can take this loss in his stride with the help of his party. Patsy Fennell was one of the few candidates in Laois to highlight immigration as an issue but his strong links with Stradbally and Timahoe also delivered votes for the man on the Independent Ireland ticket. Joey Kennedy's late arrival onto the ticket for Fianna Fail was never going to help. Running in Portarlington which is dominated by Cllr Aidan Mullins was also an obstacle. But he perhaps represents the green shoots of a Fianna Fail revival in big Laois Offaly. Eoin Barry of Labour might be thinking long and hard before contesting another election. Taking up the rear was young Charlie Hackett of the Green Party. It was a harsh lesson in politics for the young man from Geashill. The 2024 local election result from Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick could leave a significant mark on Laois politics at a national level for years to come. Conor Bergin emerged from the pack of 15 candidates to comfortably top the poll in the sprawling electoral district for Fine Gael. While not elected on the first count, his showing must cement his position as a frontrunner to win his party's nomination to replace Charlie Flanagan when the next General Election rolls around. Long speculated as a Dail candidate, Cllr Bergin hedged his bets when Dep Flanagan announced last September that he would run again. Who knows what the Borris-in-Ossory man was saying to voters while out canvasing but constituents would likely have been aware of his national ambitions. Arguably, this would have had some impact on his poll-topping performance. While he was coy with the media about his plans before voting, Cllr Bergin was not so hesitant when it came to plans in the count centre in Portlaoise even before being elected in declaring he would consider a tilt a getting his party's backing to contest at the national poll. Other than implications for Cllr Bergin there were also some big results to emerge from voting in this district. Leading the way was the performance of Paddy Buggy who was returning to electoral politics after contesting in the Portlaoise area in 2009. The last time he ran the Fine Gael candidate came narrowly out on the wrong side of a titanic contest with Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald. His return in 2024 was in his natural stomping ground of Mountmellick where he ran a campaign based on getting a councillor elected for the town alongside Cllr Paddy Bracken of Fianna Fail. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Cllr Seamus McDonald celebrates with supporters. Pic: Alf Harvey Mr Buggy knew his best chance of winning a seat was to dethrone Cllr Seamus McDonald of Fianna Fail. The Rosenallis-based councillor has represented his constituents in County Hall for nearly four decades and eyed a historic return. His first preference vote held up on but the arrival of Mr Buggy on the scene undermined his chances. In Cllr McDonald's favour was the number of Fianna Fail candidates in the field. Apart from Cllr Bracken, he was able to draw support from Brian Phelan, Declan Good, Fint Cuddy who all polled less than him on first preference votes. Those were the big stories from a Municipal District where two independents were returned to County Hall. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Cllr James Kelly celebrates in Portlaoise. Pic: Alf Harvey Cllr James Kelly strong electoral base in the Mountrath area is a massive foundation to build on. Being an indpendent has worked in his favour as a councillor as he can operate in other areas as a councillor. One example is his membship on the Rathdowney Town Team. Cllr Kelly scored votes heavily in Mountrath but scooped many others up from right around the district. Cllr Ollie Clooney came out of the blue in 2019 to win a seat. His strategy then was to target Durrow and its hinterland which proved wise and a formula. The independent stepped back into the fray this time with a similar strategy. While he faced some greater oppositon to the last time, with Fianna Fail eyeing some of his votes, the Durrow man saw off pretenders once again. MORE BELOW PIC. Cllr Ollie Clooney celebrates with Cllr Paddy Bracken and others. Pic: Alf Harvey Cllr Paddy Bracken was a favourite to be returned for Fianna Fail. Some two decades in County Hall meant that his vote was built on sold foundations in Mountmellick where he has served as the town's sole councillor since 2014 when local Government was reformed. Mountmellick Town Council was scrapped that year. Another man who will be happy with his performance is Cllr John King of Fine Gael. He went into the vote with more opponents on his doorstep in Rathdowney and its hinterland than previously. Any danger to his seat never materialised as he secured a substantial rump of votes to be returned for five more years of service. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Cllr John King celebrates with supporters. Pic: Alf Harvey So to the also-rans. A lot has been made of the Laois the Sinn Fein strategy of running too many candidates around Ireland and it backfiring. Helen Campion was a first-time SF candidate running alongside Lorna Holohan Garry who was trying for the second time. It's arguably unlikely that even if the party ran just one candidate there would have been enough votes to win a seat in this area. Ms Campion was based in the Rathdowney area and Ms Holohan Garry focused on the Mountmellick Slieve Bloom end of the area. The votes would hardy have travelled if one had not run. Fianna Fail candidates Brian Phelan, Fint Cuddy and Declan Good had varying degrees of success but all with the same outcome of not realising their election ambitions. Brian Phelan is the son of former councillor, Brendan. His contesting of the election for the party represented a mending of ways with the Phelan family and Fianna Fail. Brendan was returned as an independent in 2014 after failing to be nominated by FF. He lost his seat as an independent in 2019 ending many years of the family having a seat on the council. His son will be disappointed not to have reignited the political flame. Still young, Mr Phelan may try again. For a first-time candidate, Fint Cuddy put in a respectable performance with a relatively good showing, especially around his Castletown base. It may set him up for a future tilt. Declan Good contested for a second time for Fianna Fail but the outcome was similar to 2019 for the Clonaslee-based candidate. More below picture. Pictured: Brian Phelan, Seamus McDonald and Declan Good. Pic: Alf Harvey Brian Corrigan ran an active campaign for the Labour Party in the district aimed at winning support in Mountmellick. He ventured beyond the town in search of votes but to no avail. The Green Party had a bad election in Laois and nationally. Fiona Dunne failed to register an impact in this district. Kevin Drennan made a late start in the campaign but an early beginning may have made no impact on the outcome. Luke Ming Flanagan has been re-elected as an MEP in Midlands-North-West after days of vote counting. Mr Flanagan, an independent in the Left grouping, is the first person to be elected in the five-seat constituency. He reached the quota on Thursday evening after the 19th count, helped by thousands of transfers following the redistribution of votes for Aountu leader Peadar Toibin, who was eliminated in the previous round. Family and supporters hoisted him into the air on their shoulders, as he chanted Viva Palestina and Championes. Speaking after his election, an emotional Mr Flanagan said: Im elated and just honoured to get the opportunity for the third time to represent this constituency. Theres a few people not here today my mother, my father and my father-in-law. Im missing you all. Its just absolutely brilliant, its beyond my wildest dreams thanks Midlands-North-West. In a further message to voters, he said: Im certainly not going to let you down, youve been let down too often youre not going to be let down by me. Mr Flanagan said he wanted to secure his place on the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee to get real justice for farmers in his constituency. He also said he would go to the petitions committee to get justice for people affected by defective concrete blocks in their homes. Mr Flanagan also called on other Irish MEPs not to support the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission President. Asked how he would celebrate, Mr Flanagan said he would relax and have an Indian meal: Im looking forward to some peshwari naan bread I cant wait for it. Mr Flanagans election also saw the elimination of Fianna Fails Lisa Chambers, whose votes are being redistributed to five candidates vying for the remaining four seats at the TF Royal Theatre count centre in Castlebar, Co Mayo. The top three are in a tight grouping going into the final counts. They are Fine Gael candidates Nina Carberry, a former champion jockey, and Maria Walsh, who is seeking re-election, followed by Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ms Carberry said she was overwhelmed by the amount of people who believe in her. She said: It is amazing and I really want to do them proud now. Ms Carberry said she did her fair share of debates, but added that her campaign was about getting out and meeting the people. She said she wanted to be a strong voice for farmers and those in the Dublin commuter belt. Later, asked if Fine Gael was running a strategy of fielding celebrity candidates, party leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris described the characterisation as pejorative and said: Nina Carberry is not a celebrity shes a champion. He further defended her electoral strategy by saying she had resounding support from the people of Midlands-North-West. Mr Harris said he was absolutely ecstatic with the expected election of his partys candidates. Meanwhile, Ms Walsh said she would be voting for Ursula von der Leyen if she is nominated by the Council. Mr Cowen is likely to be helped significantly by transfers from his running mate Lisa Chambers despite the partys campaign in the constituency being marred by infighting. It leaves Independent Ireland candidate and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly fighting it out with Sinn Fein representative Michelle Gildernew for the fifth and final seat. Mr Mullooly has a 4,000 vote lead over Ms Gildernew going in to the end of the race. Earlier, Sinn Fein representative Chris MacManus became the third MEP to lose his seat nationwide. Speaking following his elimination, Mr MacManus said: I left nothing on the pitch. Me and my team worked as hard as we could over the last number of weeks during the actual campaign. Asked if he would consider running in a general election, Mr MacManus said: I dont think its the last time youll see my MacManus name on a ballot paper. Earlier in the counting, Ms Gildernew almost ruled herself out of the race after saying she was not overly optimistic about catching Mr Mullooly. But Sinn Fein later insisted it still had a fighting chance for that final spot and transfers from Mr McManus significantly closed the gap. Unpredictable transfers, which political commentators said were not following traditional patterns, are adding to the drama of who would claim the final seats. Ireland has elected 10 of 14 MEPs, as counting continued late on Thursday in search of finalised results in Midlands-North-West. Fianna Fail has improved on its previous European election results, with a further gain possible among the remaining seats. Fine Gael is on track to pick up two seats in the remaining constituency for a total of four, down one from 2019. The fifth day of counting also saw three more MEPs lose their place in the parliament. Sinn Fein representative Chris MacManus was eliminated from the running in Midlands-North-West, while the Greens Grace OSullivan and independent Mick Wallace were excluded from the running in Ireland South. They followed the elimination of independent Clare Daly and Green representative Ciaran Cuffe in Dublin, also outgoing MEPs. In Ireland South, Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher was re-elected as an MEP, calling it a crowning moment. He celebrated with his family, colleagues and Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who said the party was hopeful of clinching a second seat in the South constituency. Independent Michael McNamara, Fianna Fails Cynthia Ni Mhurchu and Sinn Feins Kathleen Funchion took the final three seats, after Mr Wallace was ruled out. It means Fianna Fail has held on to its two seats in Europe with the possibility of claiming one more as counting continues in Midlands-North-West. It is in that constituency that Sinn Fein could also add to its tally of MEPs, after matching its current count with the election of Ms Funchion. In Midlands-North-West, left-wing independent Luke Ming Flanagan was re-elected on the 19th count. As the first MEP to be elected for the region in the days-long count, he made a vow to constituents: Im certainly not going to let you down, youve been let down too often youre not going to be let down by me. The lengthy counting of ballot papers continues, with four MEPs left to be elected in the final stages of ballot processing in the 15-county constituency. Unpredictable transfers, which political commentators said were not following traditional patterns, are adding to the drama of who will claim the final seats. The top three candidates for the remaining four seats in Midlands-North-West are in a tight grouping going into the last counts. They are Fine Gael candidates Nina Carberry, a former jockey, and Maria Walsh, who is seeking re-election, followed by Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris travelled to Castlebar to congratulate Ms Carberry and Ms Walsh on their expected confirmation as MEPs. Mr Harris said he and other Government leaders had not had a discussion on the holding of by-elections and added: I certainly dont fear by-elections. Asked about the fact that Fine Gael will be down by one seat by the end of the election, he said the party will review its strategy. Mr Cowen is likely to be helped significantly by transfers from his now-eliminated running mate Lisa Chambers despite the partys campaign in the constituency being marred by infighting. It leaves Independent Ireland candidate and former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly fighting it out with Sinn Fein representative Michelle Gildernew for the fifth and final seat. If Ms Gildernew is succesful in reclaiming Mr MacManus seat, Sinn Fein will have increased its numbers in the European Parliament. Irish voters headed to the polls last Friday to pick 949 local councillors, 14 MEPs and the countrys first directly elected mayor. Results emerging from the three elections have been seen as a political boon for coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, while the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, has initiated a review after performing well below its own expectations. On Tuesday night, the four MEPs who will represent Dublin in the European Parliament were elected at the end of three days of counting. Fine Gaels Regina Doherty, Fianna Fails Barry Andrews, Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan and Labours Aodhan O Riordain all confirmed their places on the continent. The count saw the elimination of Mr Cuffe and independent incumbent Clare Daly. While the European picture is incomplete, Fianna Fail emerged as the largest party in local government after all seats in Irelands local election were filled. The party won out in the battle for the remaining seats, putting them on a total of 248 seats compared with Fine Gaels 245. In the local elections, both main Government parties attracted around 23% of first preference votes, representing a slight drop on their 2019 result. Sinn Fein has 102 councillors, an increase on 81 council seats won in 2019, but party leader Mary Lou McDonald has admitted the result fell below their expectations. The popular vote of 12% is a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the main opposition party which emerged from the 2020 general election on 24.5%. Meanwhile, the Labour party is down one to 56 councillors, the Green Partys support fell to 26 council seats while the Social Democrats share rose to 35. The number of Independent councillors has also increased. The results have fuelled speculation that the Government may look to call a general election earlier than the current projected timeline of spring 2025. However, the leaders of all three coalition parties, Mr Harris, Mr Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, have all insisted they remain committed to the government going full term. For her part, Sinn Fein leader Ms McDonald, who is facing questions over her stewardship of the party, has struck a defiant tone, urging Mr Harris to bring it on and call an early election. With Mr O Riordain a sitting TD, and other TDs in contention for the remaining European seats, there will be a need for at least one by-election in the coming six months. That has added to speculation that the Government may seek an earlier general election, rather than fighting several potential by-elections only months before the Dail is dissolved. Elsewhere, in a landmark poll in Limerick for Irelands first directly elected mayor, independent candidate John Moran secured victory late on Tuesday afternoon. The first of four convoys of Irish ambulances and recovery and transport vehicles arrived in Poland on Friday ahead of their donation to Ukraine. Led by the Defence Forces Transport Corps, Operation Carousel will see the movement of 30 Defence Forces vehicles to the International Donor Coordination Cell in Rzeszow. As part of Irelands European Peace Facility contribution, 54 personnel will oversee vehicles being moved over four convoys which will arrive in Poland over the next month. The donation is part of Irelands non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian armed forces following Russias invasion in 2022. Speaking ahead of the convoys arrival, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said: Ireland remains steadfast in support for the people of Ukraine following the illegal and immoral invasion by Russia and we will continue to provide what support we can as Ukraine defends itself against ongoing aggression. The donation of these ambulances and transport vehicles is a practical and concrete measure to show that support and is fully consistent with our position of providing non-lethal aid. Earlier this year, following consultation with the EU, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces agreed a donation of 30 vehicles for Ukraine. The vehicles are being conveyed in four separate convoys over a period of approximately a month from mid-June to mid-July.The planned donation consists of 20 x Ford Rangers; four Scania 8X8 DROPs (Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System); three Iveco 8X8 DROPs, one Iveco 8X8 recovery vehicle and two Mercedes Sprinter ambulances. A spokeswoman for the Department of Defence said that an application for partial reimbursement of the value of this donation is expected to be made via the European Peace Facility in the coming weeks once delivery is completed. The convoys are travelling by ferry to Dunkirk, before moving through Belgium, Germany and on to Poland. Over 9,500 premises in County Kildare can avail of a high-speed connection today. National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the new network under the National Broadband Plan on behalf of the government, added that almost 1,500 Kildare properties will soon be able to connect to its high-speed fibre broadband network. Works have already been completed across Kildare, and there are a total of 9,534 premises that are available to pre-order or order high-speed broadband across the county (with 2,466 connections made so far). Commenting on the news, Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer of NBI, said: "We are delighted to announce that Kildare premises in the surrounding areas of Moyvalley will be able to order high-speed broadband services through the National Broadband Ireland network in the coming months. "This will enable users to experience the life-changing benefits that high-speed broadband provides." Mr Hendrick continued: "Over 9,500 homes, businesses and farms in County Kildare can now order a high-speed fibre connection to the NBI network. "This means almost two-thirds of Kildare premises under the National Broadband Plan can avail of fibre broadband, including: Almost 3,100 premises near Donadea Almost 3,600 near the Curragh Camp Over 2,400 near Blessington Over 1,500 near Ballylinan Over 750 near Dunboyne and Clonee Over 300 along the Kildare-Carlow county border "We are working hard on the ground to progress other areas of the county through engineering survey, design and construction phases." "We are encouraging Kildare residents to visit the NBI website to check their Eircode and sign up for updates," he concluded. FURTHER CONTEXT 15,000 premises in County Kildare are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, County Kildare will receive 53 million of government investment under the National Broadband Plan. Build works are near completion in the Hill of Down deployment area which will enable 300 premises to connect to the NBI network in the coming months. Construction works are also underway to connect almost 1,200 Kildare homes, farms and businesses in the Baltinglass deployment area to broadband on NBIs high-speed network which is expected to be connected by the end of this year. NBI is calling on people living nearby to visit nbi.ie/eoi to sign up for notifications on when they will be able be able to join the network. In addition, NBI is encouraging people to check their eligibility and register for updates at www.nbi.ie, to receive regular notifications related to their own premises as works progresses in their area. Murphy has officially opened a new, state-of-the-art Specialised Pipe Fabrication Facility at the civil engineering companys Irish base in Newbridge Co. Kildare. These new facilities include: 1,200 square metre Pipe Fabrication Facility Dedicated Stainless Steel Pipe Fabrication Facility X-Ray facility Pipe & Tank Pressure Testing Bunker Shot Blasting Bay Painting/Coating Bay The new facility more than doubles the capacity of the Murphy Pipe Fabrication business and will create up to 40 additional jobs over the next five years. For over a half a century, Murphy has been the leading pipeline contractor across Ireland and the UK, offering design and construction services for the gas, water, and process industries. In recent years, Murphy has completed high quality process pipework on major infrastructure projects for clients such as: Gas Networks Ireland, Mutual Energy, Vermilion, Irving Oil, Air Products, Intel, Uisce Eireann, Shell, SGN, and Aughinish Alumina. The new test facility adds to Murphys capability for supplying advanced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) solutions for critical infrastructure, including X-radiography, Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Dye Penetration Inspection (DPI), shot blasting and coating, and hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing. The bespoke design and layout of this facility, allows for full, unrestricted use of Xray equipment, incorporating the most up to date safety features. The new Hydrostatic Bay has a design capacity for 220 bar pressure and 9 cubic meters of test medium, and also incorporates the industrys most up to date safety features, including remote viewing and digital test logging from an independent control area. This facility provides unparalleled safe systems of work for historically high-risk activities and provides both internal and external stakeholders with the opportunity to view a projects status and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) results in real time. Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, Emer Higgins said, I am delighted to see Murphys Pipe Fabrication Facility open and fully operational. Murphy is a huge Irish success story. From its foundation by a Kerry man in London 1951, to its operations today across Ireland, the UK and North America- Murphy is a business that has always had a very proud connection to Ireland, and particularly to this area of Kildare, where its Irish operations have been head-quartered since 1968. As one of the biggest civil engineering companies in Ireland, Murphy has an important role to play in helping us to deliver Project Ireland 2040, which seeks to construct a more resilient and sustainable future for all. This latest investment is testament to Murphys dedication to delivering the quality and excellence, on which it has built its reputation for almost 75 years. CEO of Murphy, John Murphy said, It is great to see our new Pipe Fabrication and Testing Facility opening today which will double our capacity and create up to 40 additional jobs. We are proud to continue to invest in Newbridge - this not only ensures that our pipeline of work in this area continues to grow, but also allows us to nurture future local talent. Murphys Pipe Fabrication and Testing capabilities, like so many of our services, were developed in response to our clients needs and have developed in line with the innovations which have taken place within the sectors in which we work. Murphy Managing Director (Ireland), John G Murphy said, For over five decades our Pipe Fabrication business has supported our work throughout Ireland and the UK, evolving from mainly specialist gas pipeline works. Our new state-of-the-art Pipe Fabrication and Testing Facility here in Newbridge further strengthens our already unparalleled experience and expertise in this sector. Murphy is passionate about direct delivery for our clients and this investment shows our commitment to increasing our capacity and expertise in this area, allowing us to support our clients at every stage of their project. Kevin Buckley, Operations Director, Murphy (Ireland) said, "We are thrilled to see the opening of our new Pipe Fabrication and Testing Facility here in Newbridge. This investment underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality services to our clients and reflects our dedication to innovation and excellence in the pipeline industry. By doubling our capacity, we can better meet the evolving needs of our clients and support major infrastructure projects across Ireland and the UK. This new facility not only enhances our technical capabilities but also provides significant employment opportunities in the local area, further strengthening our community ties." Head Quartered in Newbridge Co. Kildare, Murphy Ireland has over 800 skilled engineers, managers, operatives, and apprentices working across Ireland. Murphy is currently recruiting for Mechanical Engineers, Welders, Pipefitters, Riggers, Radiographers, Inspectors, Painters and more, visit our website at www.murphygroup.com/ie to apply. Turnover for Murphys Irish operations increased from 225m in 2022 to 250m in 2023. Murphys Irish branch forms a part of the wider Murphy organisation, with operations across the UK, Ireland, and North America, working together as One Murphy by directly delivering the people, plant and expertise needed to make projects a success. The Murphy service offering has expanded over decades, answering the multidisciplinary needs of our clients, while always maintaining our self-delivery ethos. This has led to major investment by Murphy to establish and grow all units including specialised business units such as steel fabrication, pipe fabrication and electrical delivery. Maynooth University scholar, Conall O Fatharta, was among the recipients of Fulbright Awards which were presented at a ceremony in Iveagh House last night. Conall is a PhD student at the Department of Media Studies, researching the role of Irish print media in investigating and shaping national scandals related to Church and State abuse from 1990 to 2020. He is also an award-winning former journalist who previously worked as a Senior News Reporter with the Irish Examiner. Under the Fulbright programme, Conall will travel to Glucksman Ireland House at New York University, to research the last of these scandals within the Irish-American adoption scheme, in order analyse the crucial role played by U.S. journalism in bringing the scheme to public attention. Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, expressed her congratulations and said, We are immensely proud of Conall O Fatharta for receiving the prestigious Fulbright Award. His research reflects the high calibre of scholarship fostered at Maynooth University and our commitment to interdisciplinary research, particularly within our Heritage, Culture and Language research beacon. As we move forward with plans to establish our International Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage/Ionad Domhanda na hEigse, we aim to leverage our significant expertise in this area to enhance our internationalisation strategy and promote Irish cultural heritage globally. Congratulations to Conall and we wish him well for his time at Glucksman Ireland House at NYU. The Fulbright Commission in Ireland is known for selecting outstanding candidates from across the island of Ireland to study and work with U.S. Institutions across all disciplines ranging from health, science, technology and business to culture, the arts and the Irish language. Academics, professionals, students and scholars will research, study, teach and collaborate with experts at leading U.S. institutions. Their innovative research will have lasting impacts for society. Minister of State for Sport, the Gaeltacht, and Tourism, Thomas Byrne TD said, The Fulbright Programme plays a crucial role in sustaining the close relationship that the United States and Ireland enjoy. As Fulbright Awardees across all disciplines embark on academic and cultural exchanges across the U.S., they serve as ambassadors for Ireland, forging academic links through innovative research, building global understanding, and representing the best of the island of Ireland. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants teach the Irish language, embody Irish culture and share their learnings upon return. The Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Foreign Affairs proudly support this programme. I extend my sincere congratulations to the 2024-2025 Fulbright Irish Awardees. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O'Donovan TD, today announced 12 primary schools in Kildare have been awarded the SFI Curious Minds Award 2024. Led by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the programme aims to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) among primary school students, parents, and teachers, nationwide in a fun, engaging way. Scoil Naisiunta Na Cloiche Moire - Silver Award Presentation Girls School - Gold Award St Brigid's NS - Silver Award Scoil Bhride, An Chill - Gold Award North Kildare Educate Together National School - Gold Award Scoil Bhride NS Athgarvan - Gold Award Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh - Gold Award St.Brigid's National School - Gold Award Naas Community National School - Gold Award Scoil Chorbain COIL CHORBAIN - Gold Award Scoil Ui Dhalaigh- Gold Award Scoil Choca Naofa - Gold Award Announcing the 2024 Curious Minds Awards at a visit to Kilbehenny National School, Knockrour, Kilbehenny, Co. Limerick (Platinum award-winners), Minister ODonovan said, I am delighted to announce the winners of this years SFI Curious Minds Awards. Congratulations to all involved your individual and collective dedication and effort has paid off! Curiosity about science provides the building blocks to explore new ideas, increase knowledge and even unearth discoveries. I want to thank the schools and teachers who have facilitated such enthusiastic and productive participation among their students. The SFI Curious Minds Awards celebrate and recognise the participation of schools in hands-on, inquiry-based learning in STEM. Since launching twenty years ago, the programme has seen students exploring a wide range of STEM activities, from investigating renewable energy, egg drop challenges, growing vegetables, launching rockets, mini-beast hunts, learning about materials and maths through baking, design and make challenges, marble runs, enhancing their technology skills through coding, and using STEM to solve everyday problems. The Awards offer three categories for applicants: The Silver Award is aimed at schools starting out on the STEM journey and involves a minimum of two classes. The Gold Award, which is for schools further along their STEM journey, involves at least half of the classes in the school. The Platinum Award is for schools that have already achieved the Gold Award and want to challenge themselves to further integrate STEM into the school culture. This year, in Kildare, two schools achieved the Silver Award, and 10 schools received the Gold Award. The schools achievements were celebrated in classrooms across the country during a virtual SFI Curious Minds Awards Ceremony held this morning, Friday, June 14. TV presenters Grainne Bleasdale and Phil Smyth hosted a live-streamed event, which featured a number of exciting experiments. Director, Science for Society at SFI, Dr Ruth Freeman said, The SFI Curious Minds Awards are a true highlight of the year, and reward the active and ongoing involvement of thousands of pupils nationwide in STEM-related activities. The winners interest in STEM inspires other pupils both younger and older to get and stay curious, all of which helps to build a culture and community of exploration and learning. The SFI Curious Minds programme supplies tools to empower schools in teaching science, technology, engineering and Maths, allowing teachers to spark fun and curiosity both inside and outside the classroom. SFI, in conjunction with the European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO), offers free continuous professional development (CPD) in STEM for primary school teachers, as well as curriculum-linked STEM classroom resources. The programme explores STEM topics through inquiry-based learning. The programme also offers a varied selection of Department of Education-approved summer courses with partners like ESERO Ireland, MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Applicants who complete a summer course will be eligible for EPV days. Total Awards in Kildare: 12 awarded Gold Award: 10 awarded Silver Award: 2 awarded Gaelscoils Schools: 2 awardees for 2023/2024 DEIS Schools: 1 awardee for 2023/2024 Registration for the 2024/2025 Academic Year SFI Curious Minds Awards will open in September 2024. Registration for the CPD courses for 2024/2025 are open now. For more information on the SFI Curious Minds programme, please visit www.curiousminds.ie or contact the team on curiousminds@sfi.ie. With so many shows and movies available on demand these days, it's hard to figure out which ones are worth our time, which ones will make us put our phones away and which ones we will switch off after 10 minutes. Luckily, I have watched them for you and below is a quick run-down of plot, cast etc. to give you an idea of whether or not they're up your alley Eric Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the enraged, narcissistic, alcohol guzzling puppeteer for famous kid's show 'Good Day Sunshine', whose nine-year-old son goes missing in 1980s New York. Cumberbatch really embodies the selfishness of his character, Vincent, who is struggling to accept the shifting tides of his beloved children's show that needs to diversify and move with the times, according to the corporate bigwigs. He is in a loveless, toxic marriage to long suffering wife Cassie (played by the brilliant Gabby Hoffman) and a cold and unsupportive father to son Edgar, who wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, creates his own character, a big blue monster named Eric. When Edgar goes missing on his way to school, a city wide search begins headed by Detective Ledroit, a determined cop hoping to make up for his mishandling of another missing child case 11 months prior. Cue a slew of red herrings, obvious dialogue between characters and of course, Vincent's descent into alcohol and substance abuse to numb the reality of what's happening around him which leads him to start hallucinating his son's monster, Eric, come to life. A constant reminder for Vincent of the ways in which he has failed his son. The premise is inviting and cinematically it really feels like New York in the 80s, set against the backdrop of the Aids epidemic when political turmoil twinned with gang crime and a homelessness crises was rife, but it all feels a bit superfluous and flat by the last episode. Too many characters and too many convoluted stories with shady politicians, waste management companies and crooked cops take up too much space to tell the story that is ultimately about love and realising what you have before it's too late. Cumberbatch is probably the best thing about Eric, but is ultimately a character with a very minute redemption arc, someone who is in essence a nasty person who inflicts pain and expectations on those around him because that's what he grew up with, another back story that could have been developed more. At just six episodes, Eric is definitely worth the watch, but doesn't really break the mould in great storytelling. 6/10 Hit Man Based on a true story and directed by Richard Linklater, Hit Man promised to be one of the best comedies of the year, and it semi-delivers. Starring Glen Powell as the mild-mannered high school teacher Gary Johnson who moonlights for the police in his spare time as a fake hitman. Essentially, he gets hired by a client who wants to put a hit on someone, he meets them in an array of different costumes and identities while wearing a wire and basically traps them into saying the incriminating words before the police swoop in to make an arrest. Things are going great until Gary, under the identity of the cool and confident Ron, falls in love with one of his clients, the sexy and mysterious Madison, played by Adria Arjona, who wants to get her husband killed. Gary talks her out of it and the two begin a secret affair, which ultimately goes awry. Think Mr and Ms Smith meets Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, a fun comedy caper with a few twists and turns and a heartfelt love story. At 1 hour and 55 minutes, it runs a little long, and certain scenes could certainly be cut, but overall it's a fun movie that doesn't require too much attention, but will definitely have you rooting for the main character. 7/10 What Jennifer Did What Jennifer Did is a documentary chronicling the events of a murder investigation that took place in Toronto Canada, in 2010. The doc uses footage of police interviews with Jennifer Pan, the daughter of two Vietnamese immigrants who were brutally attacked in an unprovoked home invasion. Her mother Bich Pan was shot and killed during the invasion while her father Huei Hann Pan was left in a coma. At just over 90 mins long, the doc centres around Jennifer and her involvement with the home invasion, her relationship with her parents and her drug-dealing ex-boyfriend Daniel. The best thing about this doc is that it doesn't span 10 episodes, which Netflix are quite fond of doing as of late, but the story and ultimate reveal was obvious from about 30 minutes in. It felt frustrating to watch as the Toronto police questioned their suspects for hours on end, bringing in human lie detectors to try and unravel what really happened on that night, which if you've watched any true crime shows in the last 10 years, you would be able to extract all of that information for yourself. Still, a very weird story of how obsession and passion can lead to horrendous crimes, but all in all, isn't that captivating. 4/10 The 2024 Young Historian awards were presented recently to Transition Year students in four Leitrim schools. The judges remarked on the excellent standard this year, and Natalie Fryde noted that much credit should go to the teachers: Seamus Mullen at Ballinamore Community School (BCS); Matt McVeigh and Norma Comyns at Carrigallen Vocational School (CVS); Brian Flannery at Lough Allen College (LAC); and Thomas Nolan at Mohill Community College (MCC). Personal connection The judges congratulated the students who connected personally with their story, were critical about their sources, and honest about their challenges. There was a very wide range of topics this year, with most students exploring their personal connection to a person, place or event in history. Family histories and the revolutionary period were the most popular topics, though the overall winner and Best Leitrim History was Nicole Kelletts (BCS) well-structured, informative and reflective history of the Ballinamore railway and how it shaped the town and Nicoles own family through the generations. Best non-Leitrim History was won by Lennon Grothe (LAC), for his illuminating history of his Goral heritage. Aine O'Reilly won Best in School for the well-researched story of her grandmother Margaret Fearns experience as an evacuee during World War II. Young Historian awards at Ballinamore CS from left: Seamus Mullen, History Teacher; Fiona Slevin; Nicole Kellet, overall winner; Mary Conefrey, Leitrim County Library; Eamon Geoghegan, TY Co-ordinator; Diarmuid McCaffrey, Principal. Honing essential skills Seamus Mullen (BCS) noted how the programme has gone from strength to strength and the range of topics encapsulates the diverse cultural history and background of our students in the Ireland of today, while their research and organisational skills are easily transferable to any area or subject in the future. This opinion was echoed by Thomas Nolan (MCC) who said that students were empowered to connect with their roots through local and family history, while honing essential research, organisation, and writing skills that will benefit them throughout their lives,' while Brian Flannery at (LAC) noted the value of the programme in requiring the students to evaluate past events based on wide ranging historical sources thus challenging pupils to think critically.' Matthew McVeigh and Norma Comyns (CVS), lauded the programme as a fantastic opportunity for students to dig deeper into their own past, either in their homes or in their locality.' Mary Conefrey, Leitrim County Library, presenting a Young Historian award to Alan OBeirne, Mohill Diverse topics Amongst the many noteworthy and memorable entries this year were Rebecca Reillys story of her great-grandmothers safe house during the War of Independence, and Ava Gaffneys empathetic story of the murder of John Harrison in Aughawillan in 1921. Anybody wishing to know more about smelting on Sliabh an Iarainn should read Kayla Gills submission; similarly with Alan O'Beirnes biography of Albert Reynolds and Reuben McCranns recounting of General Humberts path locally. Kate McCauley wrote a comprehensive and personal story of her great-grand-uncle, Joe Liddy, the renowned Leitrim Fiddler. Fiachra Curtis-McHugh wrote a fascinating story of an ancestor, Philip Sheridan, who emigrated and became an American Civil War General whose statue stands in Washington DC. The projects will be lodged in the Leitrim County Library Archives for future researchers. The Young Historian programme was initiated by Fiona Slevin and Natalie Fryde in 2021, and is supported by Leitrim County Library. All entrants received certificates, and all category winners received cash vouchers while the overall and school winners were presented with engraved Leitrim Crystal plaques all sponsored by Leitrim County Library. Visit www.younghistorian.ie to read some of the submissions from this and previous years. The website also has useful guidance on archives and online research sources for anyone interested in researching family and Leitrim history. For more information, contact Fiona Slevin at fiona@loughrynn.net Mary Conefrey, Leitrim County Library; Lennon Grothe, winner best in school and best non-Leitrim history; Brian Flannery, History Teacher, Lough Allen College. 2024 Young Historian Winners Nicole Kellett, The Ballinamore Railway & how it shaped my life, BCS: Overall Winner, Best in School, Best Leitrim History, Best Built Heritage Aine O'Reilly, Operation Pied Piper: the story of Margaret Fearns, CVS: Best in School, Best Biography Alan O'Beirne, Albert Reynolds, MCC: Best in School: Best Contemporary Irish History Lennon Grothe, My Goral Heritage, LAC: Best in School, Best non-Leitrim History, Best World History Reuben McCrann, General Humbert's path in my local area, BCS: Best 18th Century Irish History Kate McCauley, Joe Liddy - The Leitrim Fiddler, BCS: Best Cultural History Mya Gormley, Ceannabo's 8th Wonder of The World, BCS: Best Family History Kayla Gill, Iron Smelter at my Grandparents' Farmyard, BCS: Best Industrial History Ava Gaffney, Murder of John Harrison, BCS: Best Irish Revolution History Fiachra Curtis-McHugh, Phillip Sheridan, America Civil War general, CVS: Best Military History Kate Conefrey, Fr Peter Conefrey and the Anti-Jazz Campaign, BCS: Best Social History Rebecca Reilly, Mary Anne Boyle's role in the War of Independence, BCS: Best Women's History Aine OReilly Young Historian winner at Carrigallen Vocational School receives her award from Mary Conefrey, Leitrim County Library. Two Irish sisters are preparing to climb one of the world's tallest mountains on Sunday to honour of their late father, who made the climb himself 20 years ago. Conor O'Duffy climbed Kilimanjaro in 2003 died from cancer 20 years ago. Sarah and Jennifer O'Duffy are following in their fathers footsteps by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and are raising money in aid of oesophageal cancer. Their father Conor died from oesophageal cancer 20 years ago, but before he did he managed to climb Kilimanjaro and raise thousands of euro for charity, even with his cancer spreading to his spine at the time. The sisters have been planning a climb in his honour for several years, and will be raising money for the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, a charity which Sarah and Jennifer say is "one that is close to our hearts". In a touching post on Instagram, the sisters explained the decision for the Kilimanjaro climb, saying it "stemmed from our own dads journey to the summit in 2003, in aid of the National Childrens Hospital, Dublin, while he was simultaneously battling cancer. We will be climbing on the year that marks his 20th anniversary". "We are so incredibly proud of what he was able to accomplish and hope we have half his bravery and stamina come June," Sarah and Jennifer added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Climbing 4 Cancer (@climbing4cancer) So far, the sisters have raised over 28,000 through their idonate fundraiser. Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Friday, Jennifer said they had lost their dad "when I was seven and my younger sister Sarah was four". This whole experience, to be honest, has given us the opportunity to really sit down and relive a lot of memories with him and look through old photographs. In doing that we've just been discussing how amazing he truly was and even his achievement in climbing Kilimanjaro just proves that. BlackBerry to hold Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June 25, 2024 WATERLOO, ON, June 13, 2024 /CNW/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB) (TSX: BB) will hold its Annual General and Special Meeting (AGM) virtually, on June 25, 2024, at 1:00 pm ET. The AGM, including the live audio webcast and voting platform, can be accessed at https://web.lumiagm.com/411599049 . Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can vote at the AGM. Non-registered or beneficial shareholders who wish to vote at the AGM must appoint themselves as proxyholder by delivering a form of proxy and registering online at http://www.computershare.com/BlackBerry with Computershare Investor Services before 2:00 pm ET, June 21, 2024. If you are not a registered shareholder with a control number or you have not appointed yourself a proxy ahead of the meeting, you will not be able to vote. However, you can still join the meeting as a guest. For more information, including a user guide with additional details on how to join the AGM, whether you are a registered shareholder, a non-registered shareholder, a beneficial shareholder, or a guest, visit BlackBerry.com/Investors/UserGuide. A replay of the AGM will be available at BlackBerry.com/Investors. About BlackBerry BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company's software powers over 235M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry. Investor Contact: BlackBerry Investor Relations +1 (519) 888-7465 [email protected] Media Contact: BlackBerry Media Relations +1 (519) 597-7273 [email protected] SOURCE BlackBerry Limited 13 june 2024 at 17:05 News published onand distributed by: Carebook Announces Voting Results from Annual General Meeting of Shareholders MONTREAL, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ - Carebook Technologies Inc. ("Carebook" or the "Company") (TSXV: CRBK) (OTCPK: CRBKF) (XFRA: PMM1), a leading Canadian provider of innovative digital health solutions, today announced the voting results from the Annual General Meeting of its Shareholders held via live webcast ("Meeting") on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Election of Directors Each director nominee listed in the Management Information Circular dated April 26, 2024 ("Circular") was elected as Director of the Company at the Meeting. Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting voted as follows: Director Nominee Outcome Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Dr. Sheldon Elman Elected 73,118,250 97.081 2,198,431 2.919 Stuart M. Elman Elected 75,077,631 99.683 239,050 0.317 Domenic Pilla Elected 75,301,881 99.980 14,800 0.020 Anne-Marie Boucher Elected 75,304,581 99.984 12,100 0.016 Philippe Couillard Elected 75,301,881 99.980 14,800 0.020 Alasdair Younie Elected 75,074,931 99.679 241,750 0.321 Appointment of external Auditors MNP LLP were appointed as external auditors of the Company for the next year by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders present or represented by proxy. Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting voted as follows: Outcome Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Adopted 75,301,881 99.980 14,800 0.020 About Carebook Technologies Carebook's digital health platform empowers its clients and more than 4.6 million members to take control of their health journey. During 2021, the Company completed the acquisitions of InfoTech Inc., a global leader in health and productivity risk management, and CoreHealth Technologies Inc., owner of an industry-leading wellness platform. In combination, these companies create a comprehensive digital health platform that includes both assessment tools and the technology to deliver complementary solutions. Carebook's shares trade on the TSXV under the symbol "CRBK," on the OTC Markets under the symbol "CRBKF," and are listed on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "PMM1." www.carebook.com For further information contact: Carebook Investor Relations Contact: Olivier Giner, CFO Email : [email protected] Telephone: (450) 977-0709 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Notice regarding forward-looking statements: This release includes forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding Carebook, its subsidiaries and their business. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations (including negative 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. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Carebook and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management of Carebook believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events based on currently available information and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, including economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business of Carebook, management's ability to identify attractive M&A opportunities, management's ability to successfully integrate the Company's completed acquisitions and to realize the synergies of such acquisitions, management's ability to successfully complete product studies, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition, management's ability to achieve profitability for the Company, as well as the risk factors identified in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, a copy of which can be found on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Carebook has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Carebook does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE Carebook Technologies Inc. 14 june 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: TD Asset Management Inc. Announces TD ETF Distributions TORONTO, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ - TD Asset Management Inc. ("TDAM") today announced the June cash distributions for the TD Exchange-Traded Funds (each, a "TD ETF" and collectively, the "TD ETFs") listed below. Unitholders of record as of June 27, 2024 will receive a cash distribution per unit of the applicable TD ETF that will be payable on July 8, 2024, as indicated below: Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution Per Unit TD Balanced ETF Portfolio TBAL $ 0.040 TD Target 2025 Investment Grade Bond ETF TBCE $ 0.060 TD Target 2026 Investment Grade Bond ETF TBCF $ 0.064 TD Target 2027 Investment Grade Bond ETF TBCG $ 0.070 TD Canadian Bank Dividend Index ETF TBNK $ 0.100 TD Target 2025 U.S. Investment Grade Bond ETF TBUE.U $ 0.064 TD Target 2026 U.S. Investment Grade Bond ETF TBUF.U $ 0.071 TD Target 2027 U.S. Investment Grade Bond ETF TBUG.U $ 0.067 TD Conservative ETF Portfolio TCON $ 0.045 TD Select Short Term Corporate Bond Ladder ETF TCSB $ 0.060 TD Cash Management ETF TCSH $ 0.200 TD Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF TDB $ 0.045 TD Active Global Enhanced Dividend ETF TGED $ 0.068 TD Active Global Enhanced Dividend ETF ? US$ TGED.U $ 0.053 TD Active Global Income ETF TGFI $ 0.100 TD Active Global Real Estate Equity ETF TGRE $ 0.057 TD Growth ETF Portfolio TGRO $ 0.035 TD Active Preferred Share ETF TPRF $ 0.040 TD Q Canadian Dividend ETF TQCD $ 0.055 TD Q Global Dividend ETF TQGD $ 0.055 TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend ETF TUED $ 0.054 TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend ETF ? US$ TUED.U $ 0.041 TD Active U.S. Enhanced Dividend CAD Hedged ETF TUEX $ 0.053 TD Active U.S. High Yield Bond ETF TUHY $ 0.115 TD Select U.S. Short Term Corporate Bond Ladder ETF TUSB $ 0.060 TD Select U.S. Short Term Corporate Bond Ladder ETF ? US$ TUSB.U $ 0.045 TD Canadian Long Term Federal Bond ETF TCLB $ 0.880 TD Q Canadian Low Volatility ETF TCLV $ 0.145 TD Global Healthcare Leaders Index ETF ? US$ TDOC.U $ 0.035 TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF TEC $ 0.010 TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF ? US$ TEC.U $ 0.010 TD Global Technology Innovators Index ETF TECI $ 0.010 TD Global Technology Leaders CAD Hedged Index ETF TECX $ 0.010 TD Active Global Equity Growth ETF TGGR $ 0.025 TD International Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF THE $ 0.140 TD U.S. Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF THU $ 0.095 TD Q International Low Volatility ETF TILV $ 0.110 TD Active Global Infrastructure Equity ETF TINF $ 0.150 TD International Equity Index ETF TPE $ 0.125 TD U.S. Equity Index ETF TPU $ 0.105 TD U.S. Equity Index ETF ? US$ TPU.U $ 0.080 TD Q Global Multifactor ETF TQGM $ 0.105 TD Q U.S. Small-Mid Cap-Equity ETF TQSM $ 0.050 TD Canadian Equity Index ETF TTP $ 0.180 TD U.S. Long Term Treasury Bond ETF TULB $ 1.130 TD Q U.S. Low Volatility ETF TULV $ 0.080 For more information regarding the TD ETFs, visit TDAssetManagement.com. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Please read the prospectus and ETF Facts before investing. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and brokerage commissions will reduce returns. The TD Canadian Bank Dividend Index ETF, TD Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF, TD Canadian Equity Index ETF, TD U.S. Equity Index ETF, TD U.S. Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF, TD International Equity Index ETF, TD International Equity CAD Hedged Index ETF, TD Global Healthcare Leaders Index ETF, TD Global Technology Leaders Index ETF, TD Global Technology Leaders CAD Hedged Index ETF, TD Global Technology Innovators Index ETF (the "TD ETFs") are not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by Solactive AG nor does Solactive AG offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Index (as defined below) and/or any trade mark(s) associated with the Index or the price of the Index at any time or in any other respect. The Solactive Canadian Bank Dividend Index (CA NTR), Solactive Canadian Select Universe Bond Index, Solactive Canada Broad Market Index (CA NTR), Solactive US Large Cap CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive US Large Cap Hedged to CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex North America Large & Mid Cap CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex North America Large & Mid Cap Hedged to CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Healthcare Leaders Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Technology Leaders Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Technology Leaders Hedged to CAD Index (CA NTR), Solactive Global Technology Innovators Index (CA NTR)) (each, the "Index") are calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Issuer, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the TD ETFs. Neither publication of the Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Index or any trade mark(s) associated with the Index for the purpose of use in connection with the TD ETFs constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in said TD ETFs nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in the TD ETFs. Morningstar Canada Sustainability Extended IndexSM, Morningstar Developed Markets ex-North America Sustainability Extended IndexSM, Morningstar US Sustainability Extended IndexSM, Morningstar Canada Corporate Bond Sustainability IndexTM and Morningstar US Corporate Bond Sustainability IndexTM are service marks of Morningstar and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by TDAM. TD Morningstar ESG Canada Equity Index ETF, TD Morningstar ESG International Equity Index ETF, TD Morningstar ESG U.S. Equity Index ETF, TD Morningstar ESG Canada Corporate Bond Index ETF and TD Morningstar ESG U.S Corporate Bond Index ETF (the "TD ESG ETFs") are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar, and Morningstar makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the TD ESG ETFs. TD ETFs are managed by TD Asset Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. 2024 Morningstar is a registered mark of Morningstar Research Inc. All rights reserved. The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries. About TD Asset Management Inc. TD Asset Management Inc. ("TDAM"), a member of TD Bank Group, is a North American investment management firm. TDAM offers investment solutions to corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individual investors. Additionally, TDAM manages assets on behalf of almost 2 million retail investors and offers a broadly diversified suite of investment solutions including mutual funds, professionally managed portfolios and corporate class funds. Asset management businesses at TD manage $454 billion in assets. Aggregate statistics are as of March 31, 2023, for TDAM and Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. TDAM operates in Canada and Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. operates in the United States. Both entities are affiliates and are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. SOURCE TD Asset Management Inc. 14 june 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: Prime Minister advances shared progress and prosperity at the G7 Summit APULIA, Italy, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his second day at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Apulia, Italy. The challenges the world is facing are interconnected, from climate change to food insecurity to gender inequality. No single country can address them alone ? but Canada is not alone. Together with G7 partners, we will continue our work to make the world fairer and more prosperous, now and into the future. In Apulia, the Prime Minister participated in working sessions and met with G7 partners and outreach guests, including His Holiness Pope Francis, to champion global ambition in driving the clean energy transition. He reinforced Canada's leadership role in advancing digital inclusion and emphasized Canada's focus on regional stability and peace and security globally, particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean. G7 leaders issued a joint declaration reiterating their support for Ukraine and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East as well as their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also agreed on the importance of fostering global economic growth, partnering with African countries, reinforcing food and energy security, addressing the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, and promoting human-centred artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister highlighted a $686.9 million package of measures to strengthen climate resiliency, foster more inclusive communities, and move forward on climate action around the world. He also announced that Canada will host the next G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2025. The effects of climate change are being felt more than ever, and this is having a devastating impact on developing countries, who are vulnerable to food insecurity. That's why Canada is allocating $200 million to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), including: $100 million in contributions to support IFAD in its essential work to reduce poverty and food insecurity while strengthening climate resilience, with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable located in rural areas. in its essential work to reduce poverty and food insecurity while strengthening climate resilience, with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable located in rural areas. $100 million as a repayable contribution to IFAD's Private Sector Financing Programme to support investments in the agricultural sector in low- and middle-income countries, especially in the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia . Canada's future will be shaped by its relationship with the Indo-Pacific region, which is home to the largest number of climate-vulnerable people in the world. Working with Indo-Pacific countries, the federal government is: Delivering a $360 million repayable contribution to the Asian Development Bank to establish the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia. The Fund will mobilize private capital toward inclusive climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. This will accelerate their transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies, and advance gender equality in sectors such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and nature-based solutions. The Fund will mobilize private capital toward inclusive climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. This will accelerate their transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies, and advance gender equality in sectors such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and nature-based solutions. Investing $6.9 million through the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Building on Canada's existing partnership with the United Kingdom , this investment will help expand the IDRC's Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Development program to support responsible AI innovation, policy research, and capacity building in the Indo-Pacific. Canada is also taking a leadership role in the G7's work to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people around the world. To support this critical work, the federal government is: Investing $100 million in the International Finance Corporation's Facility for Gender Equality, Resilience, Opportunity, and Inclusion Worldwide. The Facility supports companies to enable the full and meaningful participation of women and girls in the private sector. The funding announced today is expected to mobilize an estimated $470 million in private capital for investments that break gender barriers, empower women, and promote gender inclusion around the world. The Facility supports companies to enable the full and meaningful participation of women and girls in the private sector. The funding announced today is expected to mobilize an estimated in private capital for investments that break gender barriers, empower women, and promote gender inclusion around the world. Providing $20 million to TradeMark Africa and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation to help ensure that everyone shares in the benefits of free and open commerce. This investment aims to help eliminate the gender-based barriers that prevent women from fully participating in the opportunities afforded by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Prime Minister also announced that, as the 2025 G7 President, Canada will host the next G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2025. Prime Minister Trudeau underlined Canada's continued commitment to working together with G7 partners on common priorities, such as building economies that benefit everyone, fighting climate change, and managing rapidly evolving technologies. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated his thanks to the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, for her country's successful hosting of the G7 Summit, and he underscored Canada's commitment to working with Italy and other G7 partners to address pressing global issues. Quote "We just concluded the G7 Leaders' Summit in Apulia, where alongside our G7 partners, we announced comprehensive action to grow dynamic economies, build inclusive communities, and keep our air clean. As Canada prepares to host G7 partners in Kananaskis next year, we are focused on delivering fairness for every generation and making life better for everyone." ? The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada Quick Facts Today in Apulia , Prime Minister Trudeau had bilateral meetings with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , His Holiness Pope Francis, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan , and the Prime Minister of Japan , Kishida Fumio. , Prime Minister Trudeau had bilateral meetings with the President of the European Commission, , His Holiness Pope Francis, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of , and the Prime Minister of , Kishida Fumio. Yesterday in Apulia , Prime Minister Trudeau announced key measures to support Ukraine's fight for freedom. This includes: , Prime Minister Trudeau announced key measures to support fight for freedom. This includes: A $5 billion contribution to G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine . contribution to G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for . Sanctions on 27 individuals and entities involved in Russia's military-industrial complex as well as sanctions circumvention and disinformation. military-industrial complex as well as sanctions circumvention and disinformation. Yesterday in Apulia , Prime Minister Trudeau also highlighted an over $1.6 billion package of measures to support developing economies and promote climate resiliency around the world. , Prime Minister Trudeau also highlighted an over package of measures to support developing economies and promote climate resiliency around the world. IFAD is an international financial institution and specialized United Nations (UN) agency based in Rome , the UN's food and agriculture hub. Since 1978, it has provided US$23.2 billion in grants and low-interest loans. , the UN's food and agriculture hub. Since 1978, it has provided in grants and low-interest loans. With support from Canada and other international donors IFAD is expected to improve the incomes, production, food security, nutrition, and resilience of over 100 million of the most vulnerable people across the globe, all while strengthening climate resilience and biodiversity. and other international donors IFAD is expected to improve the incomes, production, food security, nutrition, and resilience of over 100 million of the most vulnerable people across the globe, all while strengthening climate resilience and biodiversity. Canada's contribution to the Asian Development Bank is made available through our $5.3 billion climate finance commitment. contribution to the Asian Development Bank is made available through our climate finance commitment. Canada's contribution to International Finance Corporation's Facility for Gender Equality, Resilience, Opportunity, and Inclusion Worldwide and IFAD's Private Sector Financing Programme are made possible through our International Assistance Innovation Program. contribution to International Finance Corporation's Facility for Gender Equality, Resilience, Opportunity, and Inclusion Worldwide and IFAD's Private Sector Financing Programme are made possible through our International Assistance Innovation Program. In November 2023 , Canada and the United Kingdom launched a partnership in support of the AI for Development program, which was initially launched in 2020 with a focus on Africa . The $67 million partnership supports responsible AI innovation, policy research, and capacity building in emerging markets and developing countries. With the recently announced expansion of the initiative to support programming in the Indo-Pacific, it is now worth $108 million , making it the largest program focused on AI and sustainable development. , and the launched a partnership in support of the AI for Development program, which was initially launched in 2020 with a focus on . The partnership supports responsible AI innovation, policy research, and capacity building in emerging markets and developing countries. With the recently announced expansion of the initiative to support programming in the Indo-Pacific, it is now worth , making it the largest program focused on AI and sustainable development. Canada's contribution to Trademark Africa and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation is expected to support efforts to reach an estimated 80,000 direct beneficiaries, with a focus on women traders. contribution to Trademark Africa and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation is expected to support efforts to reach an estimated 80,000 direct beneficiaries, with a focus on women traders. The African Continental Free Trade Area is the world's largest free trade area, bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union and eight regional economic communities to create a single market for the continent. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates Group and of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, which helps mobilize collective action toward the SDGs, including efforts to improve access to financing for emerging economies and developing countries. is the co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates Group and of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, which helps mobilize collective action toward the SDGs, including efforts to improve access to financing for emerging economies and developing countries. The Government of Canada works with partners and stakeholders to advance the 2030 Agenda through concrete actions on the 17 SDGs. These actions include reducing poverty, building sustainable economic growth, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, advancing gender equality, and taking action on climate change and clean energy. works with partners and stakeholders to advance the 2030 Agenda through concrete actions on the 17 SDGs. These actions include reducing poverty, building sustainable economic growth, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, advancing gender equality, and taking action on climate change and clean energy. Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy seeks to advance progress on the SDGs through widespread, collaborative engagement and action. The intended result is all partners contributing in their unique ways and with others toward achieving the SDGs. Related Product Associated Links This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office 14 june 2024 at 15:01 News published onand distributed by: A bump stock device (R), that fits on a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing speed, making it similar to a fully automatic rifle, is shown next to a AK-47 semi-automatic rifle (L) at a gun store on October 5, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. GEORGE FREY / AFP The US Supreme Court ruled on Friday, June 14, that a ban introduced by ex-president Donald Trump's administration on bump stocks devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire like a machine gun is unconstitutional. The case stems from the worst mass shooting in US history, in October 2017, when a man fired on a crowd attending an outdoor music concert in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and wounding around 500. Most of his 22 guns were equipped with bump stocks, allowing them to fire as many as nine bullets a second. The court voted along ideological lines, 6-3 in favor of the conservative justices, that the Trump administration did not follow the law after the shooting in extending a ban on machine guns to include bump stocks. "This case asks whether a bump stock an accessory for a semiautomatic rifle that allows the shooter to rapidly reengage the trigger [and therefore achieve a high rate of fire] converts the rifle into a 'machinegun,'" said Justice Clarence Thomas, writing the opinion for the majority. "We hold that it does not." The ruling sparked howls of outrage from Democrats, with President Joe Biden's reelection campaign denouncing the court for prioritizing the gun lobby over "the safety of our kids." "Weapons of war have no place on the streets of America, but Trump's Supreme Court justices have decided the gun lobby is more important than the safety of our kids and our communities," campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement. Read more Subscribers only Mark Bryant, the American keeping count of mass shootings Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, called the ruling "dangerous, disastrous and deeply disturbing" while Dick Durbin, chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee in the Democratic-led Senate, called it "deeply disappointing." "By undoing this policy, the court is putting countless American lives at risk," Jeffries said. The government first acted on the issue in February 2018, following another mass shooting at a Florida high school which left 17 people dead, when the Justice Department under Trump moved to declare the detachable devices illegal. In December of that year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revised its regulations on bump stocks, declaring that they fall under a 1934 law passed by Congress banning machine guns. Brian Fletcher, deputy solicitor general in President Joe Biden's Justice Department, told the court when it heard oral arguments in February that bump stocks allow a user to "empty a 100-round magazine like the ones used in the Las Vegas shooting in about 10 seconds." "Those weapons do exactly what Congress meant to prohibit when it enacted the prohibition on machine guns," Fletcher said. 'Quacks like a duck' But lawyers for Michael Cargill, a gun seller from Texas, challenged the move claiming the ATF had overstepped its bounds in classifying bump stocks with machine guns. Oral arguments focused on the technical definition of a machine gun in the 1934 law, which was passed during the Prohibition era, well before the invention of the bump stock. Thomas said in his opinion the law defines a machine gun strictly as a weapon capable of firing "automatically more than one shot... by a single function of the trigger." But the ruling prompted a robust dissent from liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor. "Today, the Court puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. To do so, it casts aside Congress's definition of 'machinegun' and seizes upon one that is inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the statutory text and unsupported by context or purpose," she wrote. "When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck." Polls show a majority of Americans favor stricter gun regulations, but the powerful firearms lobby and mobilized voters supporting America's strong firearms culture have hindered congressional action. Eric Ciotti, contested leader of French conservative party Les Republicains, looks out a window of the party headquarters in Paris, June 13, 2024. STEPHANE MAHE / REUTERS A Paris court suspended the expulsion of the president of the right-wing party Les Republicains, Friday, June 14. Eric Ciotti was voted out Wednesday by the rest of the leadership after he broke a historic taboo this week, announcing that his party would form an alliance with the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). Ciotti contested the legitimacy of the decision, arguing that party rules said only the president could call a meeting of the committee that voted to oust him. The members of the committee met again on Friday morning to hold a second vote to expel him. Read more Subscribers only French conservative party leader Ciotti deposed after tumultuous day The court ordered "the suspension of the effects of the two definitive exclusions pronounced against Eric Ciotti on June 12 and 14," it said. It added the suspension was valid only "until the pronouncement of a definitive decision on the merits." The court's decision means that Ciotti in the coming days can keep control of LR, with access to the party's offices and membership files, and make decisions on who to nominate in the upcoming snap elections. "The justice system has spoken, I am the president of Les Republicains," Ciotti said in a statement to Agence France-Presse. He said he would "lead this legislative election campaign so that the alliance of the right triumphs, to beat the far left which represents a major peril fr our country." 'I'm going to my office' Ciotti insisted throughout the chaotic week that he was still party leader, dismissing the effort to oust him as "quibbles, little battles by mediocre people... who understand nothing about what's going on in the country," adding that it was legally void. "I'm president of the party, I'm going to my office and that's it," Ciotti told reporters as he arrived at LR's headquarters in Paris on Thursday. He called his opponents' vote a "takeover" attempt. Editorial The French conservative party leader surrendered to the far right Viral images had spread on social media the day before, of Paris region president Valerie Pecresse rolling up her sleeves as she approached the LR party headquarters closed by Ciotti in an apparent bid to prevent the party's political committee from meeting to oust him. Another largely shared and commented clip shows Ciotti back inside the LR headquarters after he was voted out. He can be seen smiling and telling journalists that he has normal access to the building. A little while after that, Ciotti posted a video on his X account where he can be seen in his office and sitting at his desk. The caption reads "At work for France!" Au travail pour la France ! pic.twitter.com/rtOwR4WfkP Eric Ciotti (@ECiotti) June 13, 2024 But some on the right remain open to the RN. Francois-Xavier Bellamy, the party's lead candidate in Sunday's European elections, said he would "of course" vote for an RN candidate over the left in a second-round run-off. "I'll do everything to prevent La France Insoumise from coming to power," Bellamy told Europe 1 radio, referring to the radical-left party that struck an alliance with other the rest of the left. Read more Subscribers only Revealed: Ousted conservative leader worked with billionaire Bollore on announcement of far-right alliance You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, Fianna Fails Cynthia Ni Mhurchu and Sinn Fein TD Kathleen Funchion have been elected as MEPs for the Ireland South constituency. They confirmed their places in the European Parliament, on Thursday night, after they were the only candidates left in the field following five days of counting. The final count also caused independent Mick Wallace to become the fifth MEP to lose his seat in the nationwide elections. The redistributed votes of outgoing Green Party MEP Grace OSullivan, who also lost her seat, decided who was ultimately elected. The trio join Fine Gaels Sean Kelly, who was the first of Irelands 14 MEPs to be elected, and Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher, who reached the quota earlier on Thursday. The Corkman celebrated with his staff at Nemo Rangers GAA Club with his family, colleagues and the Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. It is emotional to be adjudicated by your peers and to be found to be in good stead with them is a huge honour, he said, thanking his wife and children. Today really is a crowning achievement, to be vindicated for the last five years as their representative in Europe. Mr Martin said: Suffice to say that the Fianna Fail campaign was around the idea that we need to send serious, committed, pro-European Union candidates, be critical yes, but pro the union (to the European Parliament). READ ALSO: Appeal for witnesses to hit and run in County Limerick Ms OSullivan, a former Greenpeace activist and Co Waterford surfer, was eliminated after Mr Kellehers surplus was distributed. She said she would not announce now whether she would run for the Dail, and instead would focus on closing her office in Cork city and organising letters of reference for her staff members. Speaking on Wednesday evening, Ms OSullivan admitted that her chances of being re-elected were slipping away. With a swansong message, she said it was not just the Green Partys responsibility to push climate change policies to the fore, but also that of their coalition parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. The former Greenpeace activist said she had not been as extraordinarily transfer friendly in this vote as she was in the 2019 European election, and said it feels that momentum has gone from the Green Party. Ms OSullivan said: People have other things on their minds, and that concerns me because as an ecological party and as an ecologist myself, climate change has not gone away by any doubt. She also said that her own stance on an EU exception given to Irish farmers allowing them to use organic nitrates had hurt her level of transfer-friendliness. Ms OSullivan added: Maybe in this case, with the rise of the independents, that also there was a bit of a backlash to some of the maybe inconvenient truths that I was putting out. The results mean that Ireland has elected 10 of its 14 MEPs after six days of counting. Irish voters headed to the polls last Friday to pick 949 local councillors, 14 members of the European Parliament and the countrys first directly elected mayor. Results emerging from the three elections have been seen as a political boon for coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, while the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, has initiated a review after performing well below its own expectations. While the main coalition parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have consolidated their positions in the European Parliament and across local authorities, Sinn Fein has expressed disappointment for not making further gains. Though the party has increased its representation in Irish councils and in Europe, it had hoped to be further ahead. The Green Party has lost both its MEPs and a chunk of its councillors, in a sign of the Green ebb that had been feared. Britvic Ireland has announced that its Ballygowan facility in Newcastle West, has become an official area of conservation for the Native Irish Honey Bee. The commitment aims to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators and their contribution to sustainable development and makes Ballygowan the only bottled water company in Ireland that has a commitment to being an area of conservation with the National Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS). The Newcastle West site is the biggest industry in Limerick to have a conservation area that boasts over 40 acres of protected land, part of which is used to house five Native Irish Honey Bee colonies as part of the area of conservation for the species. The Native Irish Honey Bee plays a critical role in the pollination of plants and crops, however research published by University of Galway in 2023 found that the level s of the native black honeybee are in stark decline due to cross-breeding with non-native imports, also known as hybridisation. According to the research, the rate of hybridisation has risen from 5% to over 12% across a five-year period. To support the Native Irish Honey Bees survival and prosperity in the area of conservation, Britvic Ireland expanded long flowering meadows on the Newcastle West site from just over 2,700 metres squared to nearly 23,000 metres squared in 2022 and has allowed all meadows to grow year-round with overgrown shrubs cut back to enable fresh growth and wildflower development. Kevin Donnelly, managing director, Britvic Ireland commented: Sustainability and biodiversity are central to our operations at Britvic Ireland. I am delighted that our Ballygowan production facility at Newcastle West is now an official area of conservation for the Native Irish Honey Bee. By its nature, Ballygowan has always been attuned to the importance of our environment and as a company, we recognise the critical role that biodiversity holds in contributing to our ecosystem. Without key pollinators, we would be without the fruits and flavours that are carefully crafted into some of our best loved products. With this certification, we make another step of progress in our biodiversity commitment, with Ballygowan now recognised as the only bottled water company in Ireland that has committed to being an Area of Conservation with the NIHBS, which we are very proud of. As members of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Britvic Ireland participated in No Mow May, which is a campaign that encourages the natural growth of flora by refraining from cutting grassy areas to help native wildlife. Two men have been arrested after one million euro in cash was seized in Dublin during a raid by the Garda drugs unit. A money counting machine and financial ledgers were also found. Officers at the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau searched a property in the Knocklyon area of Dublin 16 on Thursday as part of an investigation targeting serious and organised crime. Two men aged 35 and 44 were arrested on suspicion of facilitating/enhancing the ability of an organised crime group to commit a serious offence, and were detained at a Garda station in Dublin. Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly, head of the serious and organised crime unit, said: This substantial seizure of cash shows the vast profits being made by transnational organised crime groups who inflict such damage upon our communities. It should also be clear from this that there is a direct link between personal-use drugs consumption and the pernicious activities of such groups. We in An Garda Siochana are determined to disrupt the drugs networks bringing drugs into our country and to make Ireland a hostile environment for these criminals to operate. Targeting such money laundering operations is a key strategy for our organisation, as this removes cash that would otherwise be reinvested by such groups into further criminal activity, and it strikes at the heart of the criminal business mode. I commend the dedication and professionalism of all the Gardai involved in this most recent operation. Stephanie Cobian | On Tuesday, June 10, Lincoln University (LU) hosted the second annual Carver Farm Field Day, spotlighting its latest advancements in modern agriculture, food production and sustainability. Visitors toured the George Washington Carver Farm, one of LU's three research farms, to learn about ongoing research and extension projects reshaping the agricultural landscape. Douglas LaVergne, Ph.D., dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences (LUCAEHS), welcomed attendees and encouraged visitors to utilize the resources LU offers to enhance their own operations. "Our mission as a land grant institution is to serve the people of the state," LaVergne said. "The research and outreach efforts we do are in response to the issues that matter to the people we serve. Today offers a glimpse into the innovative work happening here." Assistant Professor and Small Ruminant Extension State Specialist & Research Homero Salinas, Ph.D., helps attendees assess sheep health using the FAMACHA method. Drawing over 105 participants, including legislators, agriculture producers and community members, the event provided a comprehensive exploration of the 150-acre farm. Visitors were transported by trolley to various research sites, where experts shared insights on topics such as greenhouse production, poultry farming, quinoa cultivation, industrial hemp, aquaculture, native plants, plant pathology, livestock grazing, small ruminants, hydroponics and the Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program's Jessup Wagon. Tatijana Fisher, Ph.D., poultry extension specialist, shared her expertise on small-scale poultry farming, focusing on chicken keeping, proper nutrition and management. Visitors got a firsthand look at hoop houses containing 12-20 hens each and received tips on constructing their own. AI-powered smart insect monitoring system Waana Kaluwasha, Ph.D., assistant professor of plant pathology, is developing to manage invasive pests in Missouri in collaboration with the University of Missouri and Missouri State University. Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology Waana Kaluwasha, Ph.D., and her team featured their new project on developing a smart insect monitoring system to manage invasive pests in Missouri, particularly the spotted wing drosophila. In collaboration with the University of Missouri and Missouri State University, they aim to develop AI technology to prevent pest infestations and improve crop yields. The Specialty Crops Program/Native Plants team, led by State Extension Specialist Nadia Naverrete-Tindall, Ph.D., showcased a vibrant display of native plants, emphasizing their ecological and health benefits. Increased quinoa planting plots reflected the expanded research Associate Professor of Crop Science Dr. Safiullah Pathan and his team are conducting on this resilient climate-smart crop. They will dive deeper into the multiple benefits of this rising superfood as a consumer and producer at Quinoa Field Day on July 16. Assistant Professor of Aquaculture Dallas Flickinger, Ph.D., introduced visitors to freshwater prawns and various fish species in the breeding program. State Aquaculture Specialist Jim Wetzel, Ph.D., provided crucial insights into pond design, water supply, drainage and oxygen levels essential for aquaculture success. Moureen Matuha, PhD., assistant professor of aquaculture, explains the difference between shrimp and prawns to visitors. Among the attendees were Lester and Pam Mason, retirees-turned small-scale farmers from central Illinois. They acknowledged the field day's practical insights, having previously benefited from LU's small ruminants workshop. "It's better to learn from experts than to make mistakes along the way," Lester Mason said. The Masons have successfully implemented rotational grazing, improving soil health and reducing feed costs. Presentations covered a wide array of topics, including parasite control in sheep and goats, quinoa cultivation, native edibles and their pollinators, industrial hemp for fiber and fuel, soilborne pathogen management and aquaculture in recirculating systems. Farm Superintendent Chris Boeckmann emphasized LU's commitment to supporting farmers, inviting visitors to seek assistance with their agricultural challenges anytime. Lincoln University Cooperative Extension and Research (LUCER) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Missourians with limited resources. Through research-based education, LUCER programs empower small farm owners with skills in sustainability, leadership and agricultural innovation, ensuring they can thrive in a dynamic economy and meet their customers' evolving needs. Union Budget 2024: The Union Budget 2024 will likely be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on July 22, News18 reported, citing government sources. The Economic Survey document is likely to be released on July 3, according to the report. This will be the full Union Budget announcement by the government. An Interim budget was announced by Sitharaman on February 1, 2024, due to then-impending Lok Sabha Elections. Also Read | Union Budget 2024 likely to be tabled in Parliament by third week of July Sitharaman Directs Officials to Work on Budget Sitharaman took charge of the Finance Ministry, the same portfolio she held in the previous government, after the NDA got a majority to form the government. ANI reported that the finance minister met with senior officials on June 12 and directed them to initiate the preparation for the Union Budget 2024-2025. Sitharaman directed officials to initiate the budget preparation process, and stressed the need for meticulous planning and comprehensive analysis, the ANI report added. This early start aims to ensure a well-structured budget effectively addressing the country's economic priorities and challenges. GST Council A meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Sitharaman, will be held on June 22 in New Delhi. It is the first such meeting since October 2023. The 53rd meeting of the GST Council will be held on 22nd June, 2024 at New Delhi, GST Council's official handle on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) wrote on June 13. The suit, filed in a San Francisco state court, targets Apples hiring practices used to set compensation, as well as the companys performance-review policies. It is the latest in a series of pay equity lawsuits against major corporations, including large tech giants, that allege they underpay women and minorities. The lawsuit seeks to represent a class of 12,000 women employed at Apple across several departments who have worked there since 2020. The plaintiffs allege that the company is violating the California equal pay, employment, and unfair business practice laws. The business practice law limits claims to a four-year period. Apple didnt immediately return a request for comment. Google and Oracle settled similar claims in California in recent years, pushing similar arguments about pay policies for new hires. Google agreed to pay 15,500 women $118 million to settle its case in 2022 and Oracle agreed to pay $25 million for 4,000 female workers earlier this year. The companies didnt admit wrongdoing. One of the lead attorneys on those cases is also representing the plaintiffs against Apple. Central to the new lawsuit is how Apple sets a new hires compensation. Prior to 2018, Apple asked applicants to provide their previous salaries to determine pay, the suit says. When California passed a 2018 law that banned employers from considering prior pay to set compensation, Apple asked applicants about pay expectations instead, the suit says. The plaintiffs lawyers argue that the practice of asking about pay expectations perpetuates gender discrimination because women have historically been paid less than men. If you do pay women less, you cant defend it by saying they were willing to take less money," said James Finberg, one of the plaintiffs attorneys. One of the plaintiffs, Justina Jong, said she discovered a male co-workers W2 left behind on a printer in Apples Sunnyvale, Calif., branch. Though she had the same responsibilities as her male co-worker, she saw his base salary in the tax filing was $10,000 more than what she made, she said. She discovered the discrepancy several years ago, about midway through her decade-plus career at Apple, where she held several roles in sales, training, and marketing. I felt terrible and was shocked as well. I saw myself as a hardworking person, and collaborative, providing a lot of solutions for the team," Jong said in an interview. I thought to myself, Maybe if I work harder, they will see that Im worth just as much or more." The lawsuit alleges that when Apple hired Jong in 2013, it paid her the same base salary she earned at her previous job. In the years following, the company never gave her the kind of raise that put her on equal footing with her male peers, the suit says. Jong said it took her years to decide to challenge the discrepancy and sign onto the lawsuit. She said she was spurred by stories about unequal pay from other women at the company. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Apple faced a rise in employee activism. Apple workers organized to form a group called Apple Too to mirror the #MeToo movement, which gathered stories of discrimination and pushed the company to change its pay practices. The movement led to some retail stores forming unions. The other named plaintiff, Amina Salgado, has worked at Apple since 2012 in various roles, including as a manager in the AppleCare division in the companys office near Sacramento. She discovered she was paid less than men in similar roles, and she complained several times about the discrepancy, according to the lawsuit. Apple hired a third party to investigate, and after the report concluded she was right, the company increased her pay. She didnt get back pay, the lawsuit says. The suit also claims that Apple uses biased criteria in its performance-review system. Men routinely receive higher ratings for the discretionary categories of leadership and teamwork, leading to better reviews for men, the plaintiffs lawyers argue. Aaron Tilley contributed to this article. Write to Erin Mulvaney at erin.mulvaney@wsj.com Microsoft President Brad Smith said the company bears responsibility for a raft of security failures that led to a hack of U.S. government systems last year, and vowed to address them in testimony before Congress on Thursday. Smith, in an appearance before the House Committee on Homeland Security, said the company accepts the findings of an investigation into its security practices without equivocation or hesitation." We acknowledge that we can and must do better, and we apologize and express our deepest regrets to those who have been impacted," he said. The committee summoned Microsoft following the federal Cyber Safety Review Boards withering April report on the breach, which called into question security practices at the Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant. The CSRB, a public-private group set up to examine serious cybersecurity incidents, said the companys culture deprioritized enterprise security and risk management. The board found that a cascade of Microsofts avoidable errors" allowed a successful attack by a hacking group known as Storm-0558. The group stole a cryptographic key for Microsofts Exchange product, which allowed the hackers access to the email inboxes of senior U.S. government officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo; the U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns; and Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.). The CSRB and Microsoft have linked Storm-0558 to the Chinese government, which has denied any association with cybercriminals. In a hearing that often veered between polite recognition from lawmakers of Microsofts importance as a supplier to the federal government, and visible irritation over recent breaches, Smith was repeatedly pressed on several issues relating to the attack. Smith fielded repeated questions about Microsofts business practices in China, its vulnerability-management processes and how it was informed about the government hack by the State Department rather than discovering it on its own. Its not our job to find the culprits. Thats what were paying you for, dont switch the role," said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D., Miss.), after Smith suggested that the State Department employees who discovered the breach should be given medals. In May, Microsoft published an extensive plan to overhaul its security processes and culture, expanding on a previous initiative announced in November. The company said it would integrate the CSRBs 16 recommendations specific to the company, and promised to go further. Satya Nadella, Microsofts chief executive, said in an accompanying memo that when faced with a trade-off between security and another priority, the company should always pick security. Some of the findings of that report really catalyzed change in how they are approaching the development of their technology products," Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said in an interview at the time. Microsoft might have taken congressional heat Thursday, but many of the problems pegged by CSRB are common among cloud companies, said Tim Youngblood, chief information security officer in residence at cyber company Astrix Security. As cloud businesses grew over the past decade, security often came afterward, said Youngblood, who has spent 30 years in cybersecurity including stints as CISO at T-Mobile US, McDonalds, Kimberly-Clark and Dell. Cloud companies, including Microsoft, would add on a security layer and say, You can buy this. You can pay extra for it," he said. Cloud was never a secure-by-design model." Pressure from regulators, Congress and customers will force positive change at Microsoft, said Doug Shepherd, senior director of information security at real-estate company Jones Lang LaSalle. The company has spent the past year expanding its use of Microsoft security products, though Shepherd said JLL and other big companies arent likely to lock themselves into cyber tools from a single vendor. In response to the recent China-linked attack, Microsoft largely did the right things," he said. At the end of the day if the FSB or the Chinese want you, they will get in," he said, using an acronym that refers to Russias Federal Security Service. The state of Microsofts cybersecurity has caused such concern because of the companys ubiquity in both corporate and federal technology networks. The U.S. government paid at least $498.5 million to the company in 2023 alone for products and services according to government data, and Microsoft supplies around 85% of its productivity tools, Rep. Thompson said, demonstrating its importance within Washington. Microsofts tech is often so deeply embedded that it is impossible to move away from, said Felicia King, president of Quality Plus Consulting, which provides virtual chief information security officer services to smaller companies. Most businesses are using some custom, business-line application that was only written for Microsoft operating systems. So, they dont have the luxury of saying, you know what, were just going to run Linux on everything," King said. Am I going to continue to use Microsoft operating systems for a lot of business functions? Yes, because I have to," she said. Write to James Rundle at james.rundle@wsj.com, Kim S. Nash at kim.nash@wsj.com and Catherine Stupp at catherine.stupp@wsj.com Boeing is investigating a quality problem with its undelivered 787 Dreamliner planes after discovering that some fasteners were incorrectly installed on the jets bodies, adding to the aircraft makers woes amid heightened scrutiny from U.S. regulators. The issue involves incorrect torquing, or tightening, of some fasteners in the side-of-body area" of some planes, which was discovered as part of Boeings regular quality checks, the aircraft maker said Friday. Boeing said it is taking the time necessary to ensure all airplanes meet our delivery standards prior to delivery," adding that the in-service fleet can continue to safely operate." The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has already undertaken multiple investigations into Boeings safety standards, including the midair blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Air flight in January. The U.S. Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into that incident. In a separate statement, the FAA said Boeing disclosed that it may have improperly installed fuselage fasteners" on some 787 Dreamliner airplanes. The FAA is investigating and is working closely with Boeing to determine appropriate actions and to ensure an immediate fix in the production system," it said Friday. Boeing said its evaluation is ongoing to determine whether the planes would need changes if any, and that there might be little to no impact on delivery timelines. Deliveries of new 787 jets arent suspended, it said. In his testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Thursday, FAA chief Mike Whitaker said his administration would continue to ensure Boeing makes sustained changes to its quality assurance and production. Increased auditing of quality systems with more active, in-person oversight" would help the FAA increase visibility on operations at all original equipment manufacturers for aircraft, including Boeing, Whitaker said. Write to Kimberley Kao at kimberley.kao@wsj.com Showing support for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a majority of the EV automaker's investors voted in favour of the tech billionaire's historic $56 billion pay package. They also voted in support of the company's relocation of domicile from Delaware to Texas. Known for his active posts on social media, especially self-owned platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Musk celebrated the development late on June 13 and thanked shareholders for their support. Also Read | Elon Musk vs Lawsuits: A look at all major legal battles facing the tech billionaire and his companies Approval Marks a Milestone for Tesla The approval of this significant pay deal is a major milestone in US corporate history. It aims to secure Musk's long-term commitment to Tesla amidst ongoing legal challenges. The vote comes amid shareholder concerns and legal disputes surrounding the initial 2018 pay package, which was recently invalidated by a Delaware court. This decision prompted Tesla's board to seek reinforcement through shareholder endorsement. A preliminary voting tally indicated strong support from a coalition of institutional investors and retail shareholders. This positions Tesla to potentially navigate legal hurdles and reinforce its leadership stability under Musk. The final outcome of the vote will be announced at Tesla's headquarters in Texas later today. Opposition from Major Proxy Firms Despite opposition from major proxy firms such as Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), and significant institutional investors like Norway's sovereign wealth fund and prominent US pension funds, Musk's persuasive influence over retail investors appears to have swayed the balance in favour of the proposed package. Beyond the pay package, shareholders also voted on pivotal corporate decisions, including the relocation of Tesla's legal headquarters and the re-election of board members. This underscores broader strategic shifts within the company. Here's how the Internet Reacted Texas Governor Greg Abbott welcomed Musk to the state that has neither a personal nor a corporate tax. Musk's mother also expressed her thanks to investors. Investors took to X to congratulate Musk and got responses from the billionaire expressing gratitude. There were also the usual memes and criticisms. Google CEO Sundar Pinchai testified briefly Friday at the federal financial conspiracy trial surrounding buzz-to-bust startup Ozy Media, countering founder Carlos Watson's alleged claims that the search giant once sought to buy Ozy. Google did consider hiring Watson for a high-level news executive job in 2021 and putting $25 million into Ozy in something of a tradeoff for luring him away, Pinchai told jurors. Mr. Watson was a critical part of Ozy Media, and we were considering making an investment in the company to make the transition easier," he explained. But did you ever offer to purchase Ozy Media for $600 million? prosecutor Dylan Stern asked. No, replied Pinchai, who heads Google and parent Alphabet Inc. He said he had been introduced to Watson at a conference and then in a video interview for a possible Google job interacting with news outlets. Neither the hire nor the $25 million investment ultimately happened. According to prosecutors, Watson later told another prospective investor that Pinchai himself had extended a nine-figure offer to buy Ozy. The Mountain View, California-based company produced TV programs, podcasts and a music-and-ideas festival before falling apart in fall 2021 amid questions about whether it had flagrantly misrepresented its audience reach, deals and finances. Watson and Ozy Media have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit fraud. He has said that he built a robust and real company, didn't con anyone and is being singled out for prosecution when he made, at most, entrepreneurial mistakes. Defense lawyers have blamed any misrepresentations on Ozy co-founder Samir Rao, saying he is falsely implicating Watson in hopes of avoiding prison himself. Rao pleaded guilty to identity theft and conspiring to commit fraud, and he is awaiting sentencing. He testified earlier in the trial that his moral compass got scrambled by ambition, desperation to keep the company going and Carlos deep belief that failure was not an option and we had to do whatever it took. Among other deceit, Rao infamously posed as a YouTube executive even using a phone app to disguise his voice in order to champion Ozy to Goldman Sachs investment bankers on a February 2021 call. It was one of the most disturbing calls that I have ever been on in my career, Goldman executive Hillel Moerman testified Friday, calling the episode a surreal experience. Rao testified that he did the phone trick to back up a false claim that YouTube was paying for Watsons eponymous talk show. Rao said Watson was with him during the call, texting him about what to say: I am a big fan of Carlos, Samir and the show, read one text that was shown to jurors. Defense lawyer Ronald Sullivan Jr. has said Watson came into the room during the call, realized a live train wreck was unfolding and tried to get Rao to end the conversation. On the other end, Moerman thought the putative YouTube exec's voice seemed obviously off, among other clues that made the Goldman bankers suspicious, he recalled Friday. One of his colleagues soon called the actual executive at YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet. The ruse unraveled. So did the potential for a Goldman investment. We had been lied to, Moerman explained to the Brooklyn federal court jury. Goldman Sachs did keep advertising with Ozy after the episode, according to Rao's testimony. Mumbai: Life Insurance Corp. of India (LIC) is planning to acquire one of India's five private standalone health insurance companies to secure a beachhead in the country's growing health insurance market, two LIC executives said. LIC, with assets worth over 51 trillion and a market share of over 61.5% in life insurance, is keen to secure a composite licencea licence planned to be introduced by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) that will allow an insurer to sell both life and non-life policies. For LIC, this makes sense. The work is on internally. The composite licence may take about 23 months and then, LIC may consider acquiring an established health insurance company and grow the business from thereon," one of the two executives cited above said on condition of anonymity. Also read | Centre's stake sale in LIC now likely in FY2026 LIC submitted its health insurance plans to Irdai recently, but it does not involve any proposal for a merger with state-run general insurer, the people cited above said. LIC is keener to acquire a standalone health insurance business. There are multiple options being weighed on. One option before LIC is to take over one of the five standalone (health insurance) players, preferably one that has strong digital capabilities," said this executive. First state-owned standalone health insurer India's five standalone health insurers, all of them privately owned, are Niva Bupa Health Insurance Co. Ltd, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co Ltd, Care Health Insurance Ltd, ManipalCigna Health Insurance Co Ltd, and Star Health & Allied Insurance Co Ltd. Any standalone health insurer acquired by LIC will become the country's first state-owned standalone health insurer. The LIC executives said the state-run insurer plans to leverage its vast network and agency force of over 1.41 million to sell pure, traditional Mediclaim and health indemnity products after acquiring a readymade health insurance company. A buyout will require approvals from the Irdai and the ministry of finance since LIC is owned by the central government. Emails sent to LIC, Irdai and the department of financial services under the finance ministry remained unanswered. India's private standalone health insurers together underwrote a premium of 32,351 crore in FY24, about 27% higher than the previous year. Within the health insurance industry, standalone health players collectively have a market share of 29.7%, with Star Health as the largest standalone insurer with a 14% share. But in the overall health insurance space, New India Assurance Co. is the largest with a share of 16.81%. Among the standalone health insurers, Care Health and Niva Bupa follow Star Health with a market share of 6.11% and 5.06% respectively. In FY24, the 29 general insurers underwrote a premium of 2.9 trillion, growing by 12.78% year-on-year. Of this, health insurance business alone contributed 1.09 trillion in premium underwritten during fiscal 2024, recording a 20.25% growth. No funds set aside yet LIC has not set aside any specific sum for the acquisition, since its plans are in a nascent stage. Irdai's FY23 annual report says all insurers together have covered a little over a third of the countrys population or 550 million lives under 22.6 million health insurance policies in fiscal 2023. LICs health business plan aligns with Irdais Insurance for All by 2047" vision. While the acquisition plans are in a preliminary stage, health insurance has logged its fastest growth since the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic. Addressing analysts on 28 May, LICs chairman Siddhartha Mohanty said, So far as health is concerned, you see, we are already in health business. We are selling health insurance products though these are not indemnity products, fixed benefit products we are quite experienced." LIC currently offers two limited, fixed-benefit health covers that provide hospital cash in case of hospitalization. Of LICs total premium income of 4.75 trillion in FY24, it earned a premium of around 300 crore from these basic health products. Health Insurance contributed 0.07% to the overall non-par new business premium of LIC for FY24. The LIC executives told Mint that health insurance is a natural choice for the company and it has done some internal work" to occupy some space within the health insurance segment. LIC is exploring some inorganic kind of growth," said the executives, adding that the plan entails an aim to cater to the societys need in terms of health covers. As per a Swiss Re Sigma Report, the penetration of non-life insurance in India remained at 1% at the end of FY2023. In the health insurance space, in FY23, insurers settled 23.6 million claims and paid 70,930 crore towards claim settlements. Healthcare costs have been rapidly rising in India, compelling customers to buy health covers, but the issue of actual cost incurred and the amount approved by the health insurer persists. LICs plans come in the backdrop of a widespread debate over standardization of prices for treatments and diagnosis across the countrys hospitals. Given LICs size and scale, its entry into health business may change the countrys healthcare landscape. Healthcare sector is growing fast and in last budget of 2023-24, the ministry of health and family welfare has been allocated 89,155 crore in the wake of rising treatment costs for lifestyle health issues such as heart strokes, diabetes and respiratory ailments. Several Paytm employees are facing imminent job cuts, a section of the staff who unsuccessfully bargained for a pay cut instead told The Times of India. Many former and current employees of Paytm told the paper they were forced to "voluntarily resign", were not paid severance, and asked to return their retention and joining bonuses. What Employees Claim "I started crying at the meeting. I told them that I was willing to work even at a lower salary and designation," a Paytm employee told the paper, adding that HR execs contacted him late in May and informed him that his role would be terminated due to organisational restructuring. He further claimed that they asked him to resign by early June. Livemint could not independently verify the report. Another employee alleged that this is being done informally. They said Paytm did not formally communicate the restructuring or job loss and warned employees against recording HR meetings. "The calls with HR are labelled as 'connect' or 'discussion'. There is no formal documentation of any kind," the employee alleged. Some employees also told TOI that the company is demanding their joining and retention bonuses be returned, but this was not mentioned in their offer letters. The company has cited the offer letter or appointment letter (after joining) as the basis for asking for the return payment, but employees claim they never received or signed these appointment letters. Notably, the paper found the clause in an offer letter it accessed, stating that these bonuses are "recoverable if employees leave before 18 months or are terminated for any cause." The report also said a former employee claimed he did not receive an experience letter when he was terminated after refusing to resign. It added that while many employees resigned voluntarily to avoid termination, some are resisting to seek a "fair exit process" and consult lawyers. One employee has already filed a complaint with the labour ministry. An affected employee from the lending team, who raised a complaint, is awaiting a report on it. "Just two months ago, (founder) Vijay Shekhar Sharma in a townhall had said that no one from the lending team will be laid off. I thought my job was safe," the employee told the paper. Paytm Denies Allegations Paytm denied all these allegations. "We strongly deny allegations pertaining to any forced action on employees or unfair treatment. We have rigorously ensured that our HR teams have informed employees about their termination through official channels only," a company spokesperson told TOI. "Further, we would also emphasise that all transitions are duly undertaken as per norms laid out in the appointment letter of these employees. To help them adjust and plan their next move, we are honouring full notice periods of these employees while also extending additional support, such as outplacement and processing of due bonuses at the time of their full and final settlements," the spokesperson stated. "Our focus remains on building a leaner organisation that is well-positioned to deliver long-term sustainable growth and value to our stakeholders. We remain committed to supporting our employees during this transition," the statement added. Impact of RBI Action Against PPBL The report added that following the RBI's decision to shutter Paytm's financial arm and wallets business, Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), many employees are being asked to "voluntarily resign" without prior notice. An employee added that layoffs have been happening since October. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) A Serbian court has ruled to extradite a Belarusian filmmaker and pro-democracy political activist to the authoritarian government in Minsk where he could face prison and torture, his lawyers and supporters said Friday. He is wanted in Belarus for alleged tax evasion. Today, the lawyers of movie director Andrei Hniot received the decision of the Higher Court in Belgrade on Andrei's possible extradition to Belarus," said a statement from exiled Belarusian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. If extradited for criminal prosecution, Andrei will inevitably face a severe prison term for his peaceful civil activism and exercising his rights. He has the right to appeal. We have been in touch with diplomatic representatives of EU countries, lawyers, human rights defenders, attorneys, and journalists to ensure his release, the statement said. Hniot was arrested last year on Oct. 30 at Belgrade airport based on an Interpol warrant issued at the request of the Belarusian authorities for alleged tax evasion. Since then, he has been held in detention at Belgrade Central Prison. An appeals court in early March overturned a decision by the Higher Court in Belgrade, which had ruled that the legal prerequisites for his extradition to Belarus had been met. But the appeals court returned the case to the Higher Court for reconsideration, saying there had been violations of procedures. Hniot left Belarus in 2020 after criticizing the staunchly pro-Russian regime of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and participating in protests following that years disputed presidential elections. Hniot said at one of the court hearings that Lukshenkos regime wants to punish him for his activism. We openly opposed the dictatorship, human rights violations, and electoral fraud in Belarus in 2020, he said. On the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Serbian independent media reported that Serbias secret service wiretapped a Belgrade meeting held by members of the Russian opposition and handed them over to the authorities in Moscow. Shortly afterwards, most of those who attended the meeting in Belgrade were arrested in Russia and later convicted to lengthy prison terms. (Bloomberg) -- Lawmakers in South Africas KwaZulu-Natal province elected an Inkatha Freedom Party official as premier, dealing a blow to the organization led by former President Jacob Zuma that won the most votes in the region. Officials sitting in the provincial capital of Pietermaritzburg Friday elected Thamsanqa Ntuli in the provincial legislatures first sitting since the nations May 29 election that saw MKP sweep the African National Congress from control there. The ANC got 17% of the provincial vote in last months election. Phathisizwe Chiliza of Zumas uMkhonto Wesizwe Party also contested. The ANC, which lost its national majority after ruling continuously since it took power in 1994, wrested control of KwaZulu-Natal from the Inkatha Freedom Party in 2004. The emergence of the MKP was a further blow to its decline in the volatile province. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter Zuma served time in jail in 2021 after refusing to testify before a judicial inquiry into state graft. His imprisonment triggered the worst riots in South Africa since the end of apartheid, leaving 354 people dead. Much of the violence took place in KwaZulu-Natal, Zumas birth province thats home to sub-Saharan Africas busiest port and is a key commercial agricultural region. The IFP got 18.07% of votes in KwaZulu-Natal last month, while the Democratic Alliance garnered 13.36% and the National Freedom Party obtained 0.56%. Earlier Friday, parties including the ANC and the main opposition DA agreed to join a so-called government of national unity. Participants agreed to cooperate on appointing the president and officials in the national and provincial legislatures, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said. KwaZulu-Natal lawmakers also reelected the ANCs Nontembeko Boyce as speaker, while they chose Democratic Alliances Mmabatho Tembe as deputy speaker. You can follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- A Southwest Airlines Co. passenger flight in April came within 400 feet of slamming into the ocean off the coast of Hawaii after weather conditions forced pilots to bypass a landing attempt. The Boeing Co. 737 Max 8 jet briefly dropped at an abnormally high rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute before the flight crew pulled up to avoid disaster, according to a memo that Southwest distributed to pilots last week, which was seen by Bloomberg News. No one was injured on the flight, which safely returned to its departure airport in Honolulu. After inquiries from Bloomberg, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it was investigating the incident. The previously unreported mishap adds to a spate of safety incidents that have caught the publics attention as airlines have ramped up flying since the pandemic. It also comes as Southwest management faces growing pressure from activist firm Elliott Investment Management and other investors over frustrations with the companys lagging financial performance and insular corporate culture. Nothing is more important to Southwest than safety, the airline said in an emailed statement about the Hawaii flight. Through our robust Safety Management System, the event was addressed appropriately as we always strive for continuous improvement. Southwest Flight 2786 dropped from an altitude of roughly 1,000 feet to 400 feet above the ocean in just a few seconds, according to data from ADS-B Exchange, a flight tracking website. The plane, which was near Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai, then began a rapid climb. The pilot was pitching up and pitching down with the power and close to out of control very close, Kit Darby, a former commercial airline pilot and flight instructor, said in an interview after reviewing details of the flight. It would feel like a roller coaster ride. According to Southwests review, the incident occurred following an aborted landing attempt due to inclement weather that blocked the pilots from seeing the runway by a specified altitude. The captain opted to put the newer first officer in command on the short flight to Lihue despite the forecasts, according to the memo. The less-experienced first officer inadvertently pushed forward on the control column, then cut the speed causing the airplane to descend. Soon after, a warning system sounded alarms the jet was getting too close to the surface and the captain ordered the first officer to increase thrust. The plane then climbed aggressively at 8,500 feet per minute, the memo said. Flights preparing for a landing normally glide down at a rate of 1,500 to 2,000 feet a minute early in the approach, Darby said, and slow to 800 feet about five miles out from the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board isnt aware of the Southwest incident, a spokesperson said. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association declined to comment. Southwest declined to provide the flight number or specify the date of the incident, citing an FAA-overseen safety program under which pilots and other employees can report concerns anonymously. The carrier concluded in its review of the recent mishap that proper pilot monitoring and better communication between crew members is critical. Among other steps, it pledged to review industry and internal data related to its procedures and training protocols. The Southwest incident is reminiscent of an event that occurred in December 2022 when a United Airlines Holdings Inc. flight came within about 750 feet of the ocean after suddenly dropping shortly after takeoff from a different Hawaii airport. That incident was investigated by both the FAA and NTSB, which found the mishap resulted from a miscommunication between the pilots on the aircraft. The pilots involved in that flight received additional training as a result of the incident. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy (AP) A summit meeting of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations is expected to focus on migration on its second day Friday, seeking ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants start out on often life-threatening journeys. Migration is a priority for summit host Italy and its right-wing Premier Giorgia Meloni, who's seeking to increase investment and funding for African nations as a means of reducing migratory pressure on Europe. The gathering in a luxury resort in Italys southern Puglia region is also focusing on global conflicts and the spread of artificial intelligence. Perennial issues such as climate change and China also will be discussed. As the summit opened on Thursday, attendees promised tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine. But some divisions also appeared to emerge over the wording of the summits final declaration, with disagreement reported over the inclusion of a reference to abortion. The G7 is an informal forum with an annual summit to discuss economic policy and security issues. The members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Currently: Italian Premier Meloni opens G7 summit with agreement to back a $50 billion loan to Ukraine G7 leaders tackle migration and Artificial Intelligence in the second day of their summit In Italys Puglia region, women take the lead in challenging the local mafia at great personal risk US pushes for Ukraine aid, united front against Chinas trade practices at G7 finance meeting Biden and Meloni meet on summit sidelines but abortion wasn't on the agenda Heres the latest: G7 final statement renews pledge of support to Ukraine, calls for Gaza ceasefire, announces launch of initiatives to fight people smuggling, harness AI to create jobs The Group of Seven leading industrialized democracies have renewed their pledge to support Ukraines fight for freedom and its reconstruction for as long as it takes. In the final communique of their summit in Italy released Friday, G7 leaders affirmed their decision to make available around $50 billion to Ukraine by leveraging the extraordinary revenues of frozen Russian assets, sending an unmistakable signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Regarding the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the leaders said the stand united in supporting a deal that would lead to an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a pathway leading to a two-state solution. They also called for a sharp increase in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory. The leaders affirmed the launching of the Energy for Growth in Africa that aims to spur clean energy investments across the continent. On migration, G7 leaders said they would work with countries of origin and transit to deal with the root causes of irregular migration, enhance border management, fight people smuggling rings through the launch of the G7 coalition while creating safe and regular pathways for migration. Turning to climate change and the environment. the leaders said each G7 member would submit ambitious national plans aimed at keeping the target of a limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The G7 will unlock at least $20 billion over three years in investment to boost womens empowerment. According to the communique, the G7 said it would work to harness the benefits and manage the risks of Artificial Intelligence while launching an action plan on the use of AI to help create jobs and protect workers rights. As was expected however, the communique made no mention of abortion after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis right-wing government worked to water down references to the medical procedure. The communique omits the word abortion but does reference the need to promote reproductive health and rights. US says all other G7 countries will send billions to Ukraine funded by seized Russian assets WASHINGTON The U.S. will be joined by all the other Group of Seven partners in sending tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine funded by seized Russian assets. The White House announced Friday that the rest of the group of wealthy democracies will either help contribute to or facilitate the unprecedented transaction. The U.S. has said it stands ready to send Ukraine up to $50 billion. Canada will loan Ukraine up to $5 billion, the White House said, while European countries have expressed interest in sending as much as half of the total package. Japan has also said it intends to help fund Ukraine though its laws require the money to go to Ukraines budget, not its war effort. Technocrats are expected to work through the final details in the coming weeks and months, with the money set to flow to Ukraine by the end of the year. Pope tells G7 countries to keep humanity first and foremost in developing, using AI BARI, Italy Pope Francis is challenging leaders of the worlds wealthy democracies to keep human dignity foremost in developing and using artificial intelligence. Addressing a special session of the Group of Seven annual summit in Italy Friday, the pontiff warned that such powerful technology risks turning human relations themselves into mere algorithms. Francis became the first pope to attend the G7 and urged politicians to take the lead in making sure AI remains centered around humans so that decisions about when to use weapons or even less-lethal tools always remain made by humans and not machines. Francis is joining a chorus of countries and global bodies pushing for stronger guardrails on AI following the boom in generative artificial intelligence kickstarted by OpenAIs ChatGPT chatbot. G7 to launch initiative spurring clean energy investments across Africa BARI, Italy - The Group of Seven leading industrialized nations says its launching an initiative to spur clean energy investments across Africa. According to a draft statement seen by the Associated Press, the Energy for Growth in Africa initiative currently involves the Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and South Africa. The initiative aims to help Africa fulfill its potential to become a global sustainable energy hub by developing adequate clean energy infrastructure and supply chains. The statement, to be released at the conclusion of the three-day summit, also commits G7 countries to submitting ambitious national plans for investments aiming to keep within the global temperature rise limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius. G7 leaders also say theyll commit to meeting the global goal of deploying 1,500 GW of energy storage in the power sector by 2030 while phasing out coal power generation by the first half of 2035 or in a timeline consistent with keeping a limit of 1.5 degrees temperature rise within reach. The leaders say theyll intensify efforts to cut methane emissions in line with the global reduction level of at least 35% by 2035. They also underscored the important role that increased deliveries of liquefied natural gas can currently play in quickly reducing the dependency on Russian gas imports. G7 leaders to launch AI action plan aimed at creating quality jobs, empower workers BARI, Italy Leaders from the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations say theyll launch an action plan on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the workforce to help increase productivity, create quality jobs and decent work and to empower workers. The G7 leaders said in a draft statement seen by the Associated Press that they will ask their labor ministers to develop the plan fully leveraging the potential of AI to enable decent work and workers rights and full access to adequate reskilling and upskilling while addressing potential challenges and risks to labour markets. The draft, which will be released at the conclusion of the three-day summit, said the G7 encourage adherence to international workers rights and labour standards at each stage of the AI supply chain. G7 to set up information sharing mechanism to counter migrant smuggling rings BARI, Italy G7 leaders say they will launch a coalition designed to counter migrant smuggling by boosting the investigative capacities of countries of origin, transit and destination. In a draft statement seen by the Associated Press, G7 leaders say they will work to improve reliable data exchanges between countries that are crucial for joint enforcement actions against smuggling and trafficking networks. The draft said the G7 will utilize a follow the money approach to identify, investigate and disrupt organize crime while enhancing cooperation on seizing criminal assets. According to the draft statement set to be released at Saturdays conclusion of the summit, these steps are part of a three-pronged approach to tackling migration. That approach includes getting to the root causes of irregular migration and remedying them through sustainable development initiatives, economic investment and stabilization efforts. The G7 will also work to support the safe and dignified return of persons not eligible to remain in third countries as well as to support sustainable reintegration efforts in countries of origin. G7 leaders to step up efforts countering foreign information manipulation against democracies BARI, Italy A draft statement says the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations will set up by the end of the year a framework designed to counter foreign threats to democracies, including publicly exposing foreign operations of information manipulation. The draft statement seen by the Associated Press says G7 leaders are more concerned than ever about Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in democratic institutions and processes in light of the rapid evolution of emerging technology. That concern extends to how attempted interference campaigns, malicious cyber activities and transnational repression collectively undermine sovereignty and democratic values. The leaders also call on tech companies and social media platforms to step up efforts preventing and countering FIMI campaigns and the potential abuse of AI for this purpose. G7 leaders concerned over what they say are China's unfair business practices BARI, Italy The Group of Seven leading industrialized nations are expressing concern over what they said were Chinas unfair business practices, according to a draft of a statement to be issued at the end of a summit being held in southern Italy. The G7 said they recognize the importance of China in global trade and said they were committed to advancing free and fair trade, a level playing field, and balanced economic relations, according to a draft of the final statement seen by the Associated Press. We are not trying to harm China or thwart its economic development, the statement said. But the seven nations expressed concern about Chinas persistent industrial targeting and comprehensive non-market policies and practices that are leading to global spillovers, market distortions and harmful overcapacity in a growing range of sectors. The seven called on China to refrain from adopting export control measures, particularly on critical minerals, that could lead to significant global supply chain disruptions. They also expressed deep concern over Beijings support to Russia, and called on China to press Moscow to halt its war in Ukraine. Biden, fellow G7 leaders discuss policies from China affecting the global economy BORGO EGNAZI, Italy President Joe Biden and other Group of Seven leaders are discussing additional steps to address policies from China that they say affect the global economy. In May, Biden announced higher tariffs on critical manufacturing and mining sectors, including steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, solar cells and certain critical minerals in an effort to counter over-manufacturing by China. A senior Biden administration official says the U.S. president and the leaders of Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Japan and Canada discussed the issue Friday during a private session at the annual Group of Seven summit, being held in southern Italy. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, says concerns about Chinas practices arent just for the U.S. The official says Chinas practices are affecting partners around the world, from advanced economies to developing countries and emerging markets. By Darlene Superville Draft G7 statement warns Iran to halt uranium enrichment, repeats Tehran must not get nuke weapon BARI, Italy A draft statement says the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations are warning Iran to halt its uranium enrichment activities that have no credible civilian justification. According to the draft seen Friday by the Associated Press, which will be issued at the end of the summit, the G7 reiterate our determination that (Iran) must never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon." The G7 leaders also said they were prepared to respond in a swift and coordinated matter, including with new and significant measures if Tehran transferred ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia. Doing so would represent a substantive material escalation and a direct threat to European security, the draft communique said. The statement also said the G7 were prepared to adopt further sanctions if Iran did not cease its malicious activities and destabilizing actions in the Middle East, while also expressing deep concern over Irans human rights violations, particularly against women, girls and minorities. Putin denounc es the freezing of Russian assets as theft, vows retaliation Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the freezing of Russian assets by the West as theft and vowed that it will not go unpunished." Putins remarks at the Russian Foreign Ministry Friday came on the heels of a deal by the Group of Seven industrialized nations for a $50 billion loan package for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. Putin accused Western countries of now thinking about some kind of legal basis in order to completely appropriate frozen assets and foreign exchange reserves. The Russian president said despite all the scheming, theft will remain theft, and it will not go unpunished. He added that the move made it obvious to all countries and companies, sovereign funds that their assets and reserves are far from safe in the West. The G7 agreed on Thursday to lock up sanctioned Russian assets until Moscow pays reparations for invading Ukraine. That paves the way for the announcement of the loan agreement that will leverage interest and income from the more than $260 billion in frozen Russian assets, largely held in Europe to secure the $50 billion sum. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the agreement, said the first disbursements will be made this year. Biden and Zelenskyy sign security agreement at G7 summit BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security agreement on Thursday during the Group of Seven summit, sending what they described as a message of unified opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He cannot wait us out, Biden said. He cannot divide us. Zelenskyy said the agreement demonstrated the credibility of American support for our Ukrainian independence. Ukraine has been eager for fresh assistance to hold the line against Russia, which has recently made gains on the battlefield during a bloody war thats in its third year. Leaders of Ukraine and Japan sign 10-year agreement on security, defense, humanitarian aid BARI, Italy The leaders of Ukraine and Japan have signed a 10-year agreement under which Japan will provide assistance in the fields of security, defense, humanitarian aid, reconstruction and technical and financial support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio signed the accord on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in southern Italy on Thursday. Zelenskyy said Japan would provide $4.5 billion for Ukraine this year. A text of the deal released by the Japanese Embassy in Italy said Japan has committed and provided more than $12 billion in financial, humanitarian and other assistance since March 2022. Under the agreement, Japan will support Ukraine with the provision of non-lethal equipment and goods, cooperate in the field of intelligence and provide support in reconstruction and recovery, as well as providing assistance in the medical and health fields, among others. For Japan, this type of agreement and this level of support is a breakthrough, Zelenskyy wrote on the social media platform X. We see this and thank Japan for its unwavering solidarity with our country and people. Britain announces new sanctions aimed at degrading Russias ability to wage war in Ukraine LONDON Britain has announced new sanctions designed to degrade Russias ability to wage war in Ukraine, targeting entities based in China, Israel, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, as well as the Russian energy industry. The sanctions announced at the start of Thursdays G7 summit apply to 50 companies and individuals involved in supplying munitions, machine tools, microelectronics, and logistics to the Russian military, together with ships transporting military goods from North Korea to Russia. Britain also said it was targeting the shadow fleet of ships used to circumvent G7 sanctions on the Russia oil and natural gas industry. The U.K. Foreign Office said this is particularly important because taxes on oil production accounted for 31% of the Russian governments revenue last year. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that the U.K. will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its fight for freedom. BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Republican National Committee on Friday launched a swing state initiative to mobilize some 100,000 polling place monitors, poll workers and attorneys to serve as election integrity watchdogs in November an effort that immediately drew concerns that it could lead to harassment of election workers and undermine trust in the vote. The RNC says its plan will help voters have faith in the electoral process and ensure their votes matter. Yet, as former President Donald Trump and his allies continue to spread false claims that the 2020 election was marred by widespread fraud, the effort also sets the stage for a repeat of Trump's efforts to undermine the results a gambit that ultimately led to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump allies already have signaled that they might not accept the results if he loses to President Joe Biden. The RNC has said its new effort will focus on stopping Democrat attempts to circumvent the rules." The party will deploy monitors to observe every step of the election process, create hotlines for poll watchers to report perceived problems and escalate those issues by taking legal action. What we need to ensure is integrity in our electoral process, RNC Co-chair Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, said during the kickoff event in Bloomfield Hills, a city in a suburban county that is crucial for winning Michigan. "We can never go back and repeat 2020, but we can learn the lessons from 2020." She said most of the RNC is focused right now on the committee's election integrity program, which she called one of its kind." Both parties have a long history of organizing supporters to serve as poll monitors, and many election officials in the presidential swing states said they feel this kind of transparency and engagement is one of the best ways to help skeptics feel confident in the many safeguards baked into the electoral process. Yet the language surrounding the RNCs effort and how its being implemented could present broader concerns should it evolve beyond normal political party organizing, said David Becker, a former U.S. Justice Department lawyer who serves as executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. To do it in a way that feeds your voters with the idea that the election is going to be stolen, that prepares them to be angry if their candidate loses, that can be very dangerous, Becker said. ___ Associated Press writers Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta, Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina, Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this report. Swenson reported from New York. ___ (Bloomberg) -- The State Department imposed sanctions on an Israeli extremist group accused of blocking and destroying aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the latest in a broader US push to ease what the United Nations says is a looming famine in the enclave. The sanctions targeted Tzav 9, a group that repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blockading roads, sometimes violently, along their route from Jordan to Gaza, including in the West Bank, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. Millers statement linked Tzav 9 to a May 13 incident in which protesters ransacked an aid truck, smashing boxes and tossing their contents across a highway. Video footage of the incident provoked global condemnation and renewed accusations that Israel wasnt doing enough to facilitate the flow of aid into Gaza or crack down on groups disrupting it. The sanctions will largely bar the group from financial transactions in the US and freeze any of its assets there. The immediate impact isnt clear because the State Department didnt say how it would identify individuals to the group, or whether any of them have ties to the US. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in February empowering the State Department to penalize those whose threaten peace and stability in the West Bank. The department has since imposed sanctions on both Palestinian and Israeli groups for violence against civilians. Fridays move comes days after the World Health Organization warned of catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions in Gaza in the months since Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union, attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and Israeli forces responded with a devastating military campaign to destroy the group. The US has pressed to increase the flow of aid there, including by building a pier off the Gaza coast in the Mediterranean Sea, and has repeatedly pushed Israel to allow more aid through land crossings around the enclave. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- National Security Council officials briefed members of Congress on a long-sought nuclear technology-sharing deal with Saudi Arabia that could let American companies build reactors in the kingdom, lawmakers said. Members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee received a classified briefing on the contours of the deal on Tuesday, Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat who serves on the panel said in an interview. A senior US official said last month the agreement was basically complete after years of negotiations. While it could boost Westinghouse Electric Co. and other American nuclear companies, it has alarmed nonproliferation experts and some members of Congress who worry it could allow the Saudis to enrich spent uranium into weapons-grade material. I fear that Saudi Arabia a nation with a terrible human rights record cannot be trusted to use its civil nuclear energy program solely for peaceful purposes and will instead enrich uranium and seek to develop nuclear weapons, Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, wrote in a letter last month to President Joe Biden. Past nuclear technology-sharing agreements with countries such as Japan have explicitly barred the enrichment and reprocessing of spent uranium. The senior US official said the Saudi deal includes non-proliferation elements and was drafted with input from the Defense Department, the Energy Department and the State Department. A spokesman for the National Security Council didnt respond to a request for comment. Once a deal is reached, Congress would have 90 legislative days to pass a veto-proof law rejecting the agreement or adding conditions to it before the measure comes into force automatically, said Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. --With assistance from Justin Sink and Roxana Tiron. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Tesla shareholders voted to reapprove Elon Musks multibillion-dollar pay package, signaling support for the EV makers longtime leader and giving the board ammunition in its fight to preserve the court-rejected compensation plan. Approval of the companys proposal was announced at Teslas annual shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas. The vote followed an intense campaign by the board and Musk to secure shareholder support, and it had become a referendum on Musks future at a company he helped build into an electric-vehicle powerhouse. Teslas board had argued that the pay packagerepresenting a sizable portion of Musks personal wealthwas needed to motivate him to continue to lead the worlds most valuable automaker long term. Asking voters to reapprove Musks pay package was seen as a gamble for Teslas board. The companys shareholder base has changed since the deal was first approved in 2018, and current holders were being asked to approve pay for past performance, at the same time Tesla was dealing with slowing EV sales and questions about demand for its vehicles. In a late-night post on X Wednesday, Musk previewed the victory saying the pay-package proposal and another one asking shareholders to move Teslas incorporation to Texas were winning by wide margins." The record-setting compensation deal has been criticized for its size and the way it was awarded. A Delaware judge in January ordered the entire plannow valued at roughly $48 billionrescinded, saying the process was deeply flawed because of Musks close ties to several board members. The court also said Tesla had failed to prove that shareholders had been sufficiently informed about the deal. Shareholder reapproval Thursday doesnt override the judges decision, but it gives Teslas lawyers some leverage in challenging the verdict. Tesla is trying to persuade the Delaware court to reverse the ruling, and it also has vowed to appeal the decision. Legal experts say the company could petition the judge to reconsider her decision, arguing that the courts concerns were presented to shareholders and they still backed the package. In a regulatory filing in April, Tesla said it hoped shareholder ratification would resolve concerns raised by the court, including that Tesla failed to adequately disclose important details of the package to investors. Musks pay package was challenged in 2018 when Tesla shareholder Richard Tornetta sued the company. Tornetta, who owned nine shares in the company, alleged the chief executive controlled the approval process for his own compensation plan and the board had misled shareholders, who then signed off on it. Lawyers for Tesla and the shareholder are expected to meet in early July with the judge. The vote has also created new legal challenges for Tesla, including one from a shareholder who sued last week, accusing Musk of coercing investors to vote in favor of his compensation deal. Ahead of the vote, Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm and other directors tried to rally shareholder support, saying that Musk earned his pay by hitting difficult financial targets and that the company ought to honor the terms of a 2018 agreement. In addition to seeking to win over institutional investors, Tesla reached out to its sizable number of individual shareholders. Individual investors are less likely to cast votes in a shareholder meeting, so Tesla took to social media to encourage them to vote and offered factory tours as an enticement. About 45% of Teslas shareholders are institutional investors, a relatively low percentage compared with the largest companies that make up the top of the S&P 500. Some prominent shareholders, including Nordea Asset Management and the California Public Employees Retirement System, publicly opposed the reapproval. Two proxy-advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, also argued against ratification, saying the compensation plan had failed to ensure that Musk paid more attention to Tesla than his other ventures. Musk leads other businesses, including rocket maker SpaceX, social-media service X, and an artificial-intelligence startup called xAI that recently raised $6 billion. Other Tesla stockholders supported the reapproval, such as ARK Investment Management and billionaire investor Ron Baron. How can shareholders renege on his pay package AFTER Elon and shareholders already have taken and overcome the risks associated with Teslas rise to producing the top selling car in the world?" ARK Chief Executive Cathie Wood wrote in a post on X last week. The unorthodox pay package doesnt include a salary and instead compensates Musk with 12 tranches of stock options, each one tied to the company hitting certain performance milestones. When the package was approved in 2018, the targets appeared ambitious for a company then bleeding cash. In addition to clearing various profit and revenue thresholds, the plan required Musk to boost the companys market value from a little under $60 billion in 2018 to more than $650 billion. Since then, Musk has succeeded in transforming Tesla, once a scrappy, unprofitable startup, into the envy of the auto industry with profit margins exceeding those of traditional car companies. The company hit the last of the performance targets in 2022. While all 12 tranchestotaling 303 million shareshave fully vested, Musk hasnt exercised any of the options. Musk has a roughly 13% stake in Tesla, and the shares from the pay package could push it to more than 20%. Musk has said he would like to control 25% of the company as it prepares to invest heavily in its next growth bet, artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. Denholm argued a shareholder rejection would have resulted in a new, more costly stock-award deal for Musk. The company said issuing the same number of shares to Musk today could result in a $25 billion charge on Teslas books, compared with $2.6 billion in 2018, because the shares are valued based on the day they are granted. Musk has criticized Delaware and its court system in the wake of the ruling and said companies should incorporate in other states. If your company is still incorporated in Delaware, I recommend moving to another state as soon as possible," Musk said in a February post on X announcing that SpaceX had relocated its incorporation to Texas. Indias merchandise trade deficit widened to a seven-month high in May, driven largely by a surge in imports, according to official data released by the commerce ministry Friday. The merchandise trade deficit stood at $23.78 billion in May, up from $19.1 billion in April and $22.53 billion in a year ago. The May figure fell short of economists' expectations, which had predicted a deficit of $19.5 billion, according to a Reuters poll. Rising imports and exports Merchandise exports increased to $38.13 billion in May, up from $34.99 billion in April and $34.95 billion in May 2023. Imports, however, saw a sharper rise, reaching $61.91 billion in May, up from $54.09 billion in the previous month and $57.48 billion in May 2023. Gold imports, a significant part of India's import basket, rose to $3.33 billion in May from $3.11 billion in April. Read This | India's trade deficit: A comprehensive strategy could boost exports "Overall exports have grown by double digits, which is a big thing for us. If you look at merchandise, it has grown by 9.1% (annually). So, this has been excellent for us in terms of our export growth," said Sunil Barthwal, secretary, commerce ministry. Barthwal added that with inflationary pressures easing in advanced economies, purchasing power is expected to rise in the coming quarters, boosting demand for Indian goods and services. "I am very happy to say that things are looking better and looking optimistic," he noted. Despite this, Indian exports have been affected by a slowdown in global growth. The tightening of interest rates due to persistent inflation, particularly in Western economies, has slowed business, investment, and trade. Geopolitical challenges, including conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, as well as the Red Sea crisis, have also impacted global trade. Sectoral performance and services trade During May, services exports stood at $30.16 billion, up from $29.57 billion in April and $26.99 billion in May of the previous year. Services imports rose to $17.28 billion from $16.97 billion in April and $15.88 billion in May 2023. More Here | Raghuram Rajan: Focus on the export of services to drive Indias economic growth Total trade deficit, including merchandise and services, was $10.90 billion in May, down from $11.41 billion a year ago. "Merchandised exports during April exhibited 3% growth while the exports during May 2024 rose to 9.1% . This is remarkable performance looking into global headwinds due to geo-political uncertainty, Red Sea crisis, rising inflation and high interest rates globally," said Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO, Federation of Indian Export Organisations. The healthy growth, particularly about 10% in apparel, 21% in handicrafts, and 17.5% in carpets, is a good sign as labour-intensive sectors have struggled in exports for some time, Sahai said. "The data shows that exports in all our top ten markets (US,UAE, Netherland, UK, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Germany, France) was positive and many of them recorded a healthy double digit growth, which shows that advance economies are recovering," he added. The main drivers of merchandise export growth included petroleum products, engineering goods, electronic goods, drugs and pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastic and linoleum. According to official data, petroleum products exports increased by 15.75% annually to $6.78 billion in May 2024, engineering goods exports rose by 7.39% to $9.99 billion, electronic goods exports surged by 22.97% to $2.97 billion, and drugs and pharmaceuticals exports grew by 10.45% to $2.30 billion. However, exports of spices, gems and jewellery, and marine products declined during the month. There was an increase in the import of petroleum and crude products, transport equipment, electronic goods, vegetable oil, and pulses. In economic terms, an asset has value because an owner might derive future benefits from it. Some assets, like cryptocurrencies, require a collective belief in those benefits. Others, like wine, will undeniably provide future pleasure, such as the ability to savour a 1974 Chateau Margaux. Still others, like American Treasuries, represent a claim on the government of the strongest economy in the world, backed by a formidable legal system. To derive such benefits, however, an owner must be able to access their assets. And that is where the Central Bank of Russia struggles. Much like every other central bank, the CBR stores reserve assets abroad. After Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the G7 froze these assets and prohibited financial firms from moving them. Of the $282bn of Russian assets immobilised in Japan and the West, some $207bn (191bn) are held at Euroclear, a clearing-house in Belgium. When coupon payments on Russias assets come due or bonds are redeemed, Euroclear puts the cash into a bank account. This account is now home to roughly 132bn. Last year it earned a return of 4.4bn, which conveniently belongs to Euroclear, as per the clearing-houses terms and conditions. Western policymakers are now considering whether these assets can be used to help Ukraine. Russia might one day have to compensate the country for war damages, which the World Bank already puts at more than $480bn. Ukraine needs more money and weapons to push back Russian advances, as well as to maintain its state and economy. At the same time, Western governments are increasingly struggling to find room in their budgets to support the war effort, and to get approval from legislatures for such spending. On February 26th Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, once again argued that Russias assets should be confiscated. A day later Janet Yellen, Americas treasury secretary, called on her colleagues to unlock the value" of those funds. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, wants to use Euroclears windfall to buy military equipment for Ukraine. How exactly could this be done? Taking assets from someone usually requires a court order, but in international law things are a little more complicated. The International Court of Justice would only be able to rule on the matter should Ukraine and Russia agree to let it decide upon reparations, which is unlikely at present. The UN Security Council has the ability to pass binding resolutions, over which Russia unfortunately holds a veto. Some, including Lawrence Summers, a former American treasury secretary, want to make use of states right to take so-called countermeasures. These are otherwise unlawful actions that are sometimes allowed in response to unlawful acts. That Ukraine is entitled to deploy countermeasures is undisputed. How broadly the same rules apply to those acting in support of Ukraine is more controversial. Sanctions and asset freezes fall under the category, and have been widely used against Russia. Asset confiscations do not, at least in most interpretations of international law. That is because they are irreversible and would seek to punish Russia, rather than to induce a change in its behaviour. As Lee Buchheit, a veteran of international law, notes, the problem reflects a geographical mismatch. Ukraine has strong claims on Russia, but no frozen Russian assets it could use to settle them. The West has no claims but plenty of assets. Thus the challenge is to find a way to match these assets and claims. In a recent paper, Mr Buchheit and co-authors suggest just such a way. They argue that the West could provide a loan to Ukraine, in return for which Ukraine could offer its claims on Russia as collateral. The West would agree to use only this collateral for redemption of the loan. When Russia inevitably refuses to pay up, the West would then be able to foreclose on the collateral. Would this work? One difficulty is that an international body would still have to determine precisely how much Ukraine is owed. Perhaps the UN General Assembly could enlist the World Bank to crunch the numbers. But this would require careful diplomacy on behalf of the West, as well as the support of France and Germany, which have so far been unimpressed by suggestions involving creative interpretations of international law. Mr Buchheit argues the shift in approach is not quite as big as it might appear at first. The West has already gone quite far by freezing assets and making clear that it will not give them back unless reparations are paid. As he notes: Russia wont pay reparations. War reparations are paid by the vanquished to the victor, and this situation does not end with the Ukrainian flag flying over the Kremlin." In effect, he argues, the West has already taken the assets. A second difficulty is posed by Belgium, which has access to most frozen Russian assets and would therefore need to receive most of the claims against Russia from Ukraine. It might be reluctant to play such a pivotal role, given the potential for retribution. It would also be unfair to expect a country of its size to be the main provider of the initial loan to Ukraine. In order to overcome this difficulty, Mr Buchheit suggests that the initial loan to Ukraine is set up in a syndicated manner with a sharing clause, which would enable lending countries to group together both when providing the money and receiving collateral. Such an approach was adopted to fund emerging-market governments in the 1970 and 1980s before bond-financing markets took over. Just as is the case now, a mechanism was needed to share risk and access to collateral. Gold rush But perhaps there is no need to seize Russian assets after all. Indeed, the EU is already planning to implement a windfall tax on any profits they accrue. If returns continue to be siphoned off indefinitely, the difference between confiscating the asset and confiscating the income becomes smaller and smaller. In economic terms, the West is already the owner of Russias assets. All that is left now is to fund Ukraines fight. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com JEE Advanced AAT Results 2024: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is set to release the Advanced Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) results for the Joint Entrance Examination today. IIT Madras will announce the JEE Advanced AAT Results 2024 at 5:00 PM. Candidates who appeared for JEE Advanced AAT Results 2024 exam can check their results on the official website jeeadv.ac.in. Also read: NEET UG 2024: Grace marks cancelled for 1,563 candidates, re-exam on 23 June, Centre tells Supreme Court To be eligible for admission to the BArch program at IIT (BHU) Varanasi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Roorkee, candidates need to qualify for the JEE Advanced AAT 2024 exam. The three-hour JEE Advanced AAT exam was conducted on June 12 from 9:00 AM to 12 PM. Candidates must meet certain essential requirements to be eligible for admission to the BArch program- they should have at least 75% marks in Class 12. Also read: NEET UG 2024 Hearing Highlights: Re-test of all 1,563 candidates will be held on June 23 Cut-off The Joint Implementation Committee of JEE Advanced 2024 will determine the requirements for qualifying for the JEE Advanced AAT exam. Candidates must score above the JEE AAT cut-off pass the exam. It is noteworthy that candidates who appeared for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be considered for ranking. The authorities will not be sending individual rank cards to candidates. The allotment of seats for the JEE Advanced AAT will take place on the basis of merit list, which is the category-wise All India Rank (AIR) based on the aggregate marks obtained in the JEE Advanced 2024 exam. Also read: JoSAA 2024 registration for IITs, NITs admission begins at josaa.nic.in. Direct link, how to apply Step-by-step guide to check JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024: Step 1: Visit the official website of JEE Advanced at jeeadv.ac.in. Step 2: On the home page, click on the JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024 link available. Step 3: This will open a new window where login details need to be entered Step 4: Provide the login credentials--registration number and password--and click on submit. Step 5: Check and download the result. A group of foreign reporters and influencers based in China learned to make zongzi, or glutinous rice dumplings, on Friday in Weihai, East China's Shandong province, to familiarize themselves with Duanwu, or the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional festival celebrated across China on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the lunar calendar. "I had so much fun making zongzi! It was such an interesting process, and I absolutely loved it," said Mohammad Hashem Mohammadi, an Afghan content creator based in Shanghai. Hashem said in his culture, festivals and celebrations are also often marked by specific traditional foods that hold cultural significance. Special foods are prepared and enjoyed during Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam, said the young Afghan. "I found it (making zongzi) really hard. I'm not very good at intricate things but I enjoyed it. It was fascinating to learn how it is made," said Nick Ive, a British editor with China Daily. Ive noted dolmas, a popular dish featuring vine leaves stuffed with rice, meat and fresh herbs in Mediterranean cuisine is similar to zongzi. He also learned that Duanwu is a festival for commemorating Qu Yuan, a great patriotic poet and politician during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). "There are similarities to some British or European cultures where people pay homage to people who have done good things for the county to convey messages of goodness and doing the right thing," he said. Ive cited D-Day as an example. "D-Day is for remembering those who fought against Nazi Germany during World War II," he said. D-Day was the name given to June 6, 1944, the day on which the British, US and other Allied armies landed on the beaches at Normandy in northern France. Bank Holidays this week: This week and the one ahead may see an extended weekend off for bank customers, depending on their state of residence. June 15 being the third Saturday of the month is a working day across India. June 16 is a Sunday, which is a bank holiday across the country, followed by June 17 which is marked as Eid holiday for banks across India by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Some states such as Jammu & Kashmir also have an extra Eid off on June 18. Bank Holidays in June 2024 June 2024 will has at least 12 bank holidays scheduled for religious festivities, regional holidays and the weekend offs. This includes the second and fourth Saturdays in the month and all Sundays off. This month in particular has five Sundays. The holidays will be applicable for all nationalised and private banks across India, including the State Bank of India (SBI). The RBI and state governments together set the banks' annual holiday schedule. Thus, schedules may differ across states depending on the local requirements. Customers must note that since holidays vary across India, they must confirm all listed holidays with their nearest bank branch to plan better. Also Read | Bank Holidays in 2024. Check the full list here To ensure customer convenience, online banking facilities will remain as usual and users can access the banks' websites, mobile apps, or ATMs for urgent transactions. Upcoming Bank Holidays Bank holiday on June 17: On the occasion of Bakri Eid banks will remain closed across India. Bank holiday on June 18: On the occasion of Bakri Eid banks will remain closed in Jammu & Kashmir. Bank holiday on June 21: Banks across many states will be closed for Vat Savitri Vrat. Also Read | Are SBI branches near you open today? Here's when the bank will remain closed on Saturdays in 2024 New Delhi: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has sent a proposal to the government to amend corporate social responsibility (CSR) rules in the Companies Act, 2013, to include donations made by companies through social stock exchanges (SSEs), an official said on Friday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on SSEs in New Delhi organized by the National Stock Exchange, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, whole time member, Sebi, said that "The Companies Act has to be amended." Also read: Why Sebis reviewing the eligibility criteria for derivatives trading Social stock exchanges, proposed by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her FY20 budget speech, are a segment under stock exchanges where non-profit organisations that work for social welfare can be registered and listed to raise funds. The BSE and the NSE both run social stock exchanges. CSR Amendments Current CSR rules mandate companies to spend at least 2% of their average net profit over the last three years on any social welfare activities listed in the Companies Act, 2013. All organisations listed on SSEs operate in the same domains of social welfare mentioned in the Act, said Varshney. Currently, companies can donate to non-profit organisations outside of SSEs under their CSR activities. They cannot, however, fund non-profit organisations through SSEs to fulfil their CSR mandate. For this, an amendment in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, would be necessary. Schedule VII of the Companies Act lists the activities that companies undertake for CSR. Also read | CSR plans should be self-sustaining: MCA Sebi's proposed amendments would allow companies to carry out their CSR activities by donating to social welfare organisations through SSEs, Varshney said. "Not only retail investors, even the corporates will invest," he said. The minimum donation that can be made through SSEs is 50 lakh, per a Sebi notice issued in December last year. SSE Impact As many as eight non-profit organisations are listed on the NSE SSE currently, an NSE spokesperson said. The time is not far when donors will ask whether a non-profit organization is registered with a social stock exchange before moving funds, said R Balasubramaniam, chairperson of Sebi's special advisory committee on SSEs at the seminar. Representatives of the already-listed organisations who were at the seminar said they believed SSEs would have more than 100 listings by the end of FY25. "This proposal is a welcome move and will help bolster the private philanthropy space and meet the deficit in India's social sector spending," said Rashmi Birmole, a senior associate at Finsec Law Advisors, a securities law firm. "SSEs will give credibility and visibility to social enterprises," she said. Also read | Mint Explainer: How Sebi wants to prevent insider trading violations Donors can invest in Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) securities issued by non-profit organisations, an innovative asset that will show up in a dematerialisation (demat) account but will not give monetary returns, as per Sebi. For-profit enterprises can raise funds using equity and debt instruments, like any other company listed on a stock exchange, a Sebi report said. Social Impact Reporting All enterprises listed on an SSE need to file a social impact report, an accountability measure which will be audited by a company secretary, cost accountants, or chartered accountant. The report has to detail the activities of the organisation to donors. The first such report is expected to be published in December 2024, said Varshney. "We have approached three bodies overseeing company secretaries, cost accountants, and chartered accountants to make an organization to assess social impact auditors and certify them with National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) certificate. NISM has started the course to empanel them," Varshney said. Also read | Sitharaman urges CAs to adopt carbon, CSR, ESG practices One of the key challenges for social welfare organisations may be the high cost of compliance. "Not-for-profit organizations will have to engage in capacity building, because there is a lack of familiarity around innovative instruments like ZCZPs," said Birmole, the securities lawyer quoted earlier. For donors, it may be the lack of financial returns on investment or inadequate information before donating. "There is no standard taxonomy or metric to assess or compare social impact," she said about donors' woes. Avantel, a telecom product manufacturing company, witnessed a 19% spike in its shares during today's intraday trade, reaching a new record high of Rs. 168 apiece. The shares began their upward journey on May 30 after the company secured an order worth Rs. 109.76 crore from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for the supply of SATCOM equipment. This marks Avantel's third order in a month, following a 5 crore order from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and a 2.29 crore order from Bharat Electronics, both received in May. Also Read: This smallcap defence stock is up 2800% in 5 years Investors have responded positively to the steady influx of orders, driving a 44% increase in the company's stock price so far this year. This momentum builds on a remarkable 340% rally in CY23 and a 113% gain in CY22. Over the past five years, Avantel's stock has soared from 4.22 to its current level of 165, reflecting an impressive 3800% increase. The company specialises in designing, developing, and maintaining wireless and satellite communication products, defence electronics, radar systems, and network management software applications primarily for the aerospace and defence sectors. Since the early 2000s, the company has strategically repositioned itself to focus on providing system-based solutions across four key verticals: satellite communications, HF communications, electronic warfare, and radar systems. Achieved new milestones In FY2324, the company reached noteworthy milestones with a record turnover of 22,391.75 lakh, the highest in its history. The year was marked by the successful completion of several pivotal projects, including delivery of 6300 RTIS systems to Indian Railways, supplying MSS helicopter version units to Lockheed Martin, USA, providing MSS M II terminals to various ships and strategic vehicles, and installing S-band Hub stations and MSS terminals for ICG. Moreover, the company designed, developed, and demonstrated 1 KW HF software defined radio (SDR) sets compliant with SCA 4.1 architecture for the Indian Air Force. Additionally, it secured a supply order from NSIL, ISRO for 30,000 MSS terminals for shipping boats to be delivered in FY 202425. Outlook for the next year Avantel is strategically positioned in the strategic electronics segment, particularly with its indigenous offerings in satcom, HF systems, and various types of software-defined radios. The privatisation of the space domain has opened new avenues, and the company is poised to capitalise on these significant business opportunities. It is actively planning to enter additional segments of space technology to provide unique, customised solutions to the Indian defence sector. The company plans to introduce several new products, including SCA-compliant HF Software Defined Radios and MSS Xponders for fishermen, expanding its current product lines. It is also establishing a facility in E City, Shamshabad, Hyderabad, with a built-up space of about 70,000 square feet on approximately 4 acres of land. This facility, scheduled to be operational by October 2024, will feature state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure for space technologies, the company said in its FY24 annual report. In line with its diversification plans, the company has embarked on new initiatives and submitted proposals to IN-SPACe, ISRO, and the Government of India for the establishment of a ground station as a service (GSAAS) facility and SATCOM as a service through a dedicated satellite. Additionally, it is also setting up a state-of-the-art R&D and production center on about 2 acres of land, with a built-up space of approximately 30,000 square feet. This center is expected to become operational by Q3 FY 202425, according to the company. Over the last 10 years, the modernisation budget and the capital outlay on defence services have grown consistently. In BE 202425, an amount of Rs. 141,160.9 crore has been allocated under the modernisation heads. This represents an increase of 5.52% over the BE 202324 allocations under the same heads, which stood at 133,871.26 crore. After a 47 percent return in just 2 and a half months, brokerage house MarketsMojo has picked this snack brand Bikaji Foods International as its top pick of the month for June. The brokerage believes it is a good pick for medium-risk investors expecting high returns. It also advised investors to have less than 30 percent weightage in this sector. The brokerage pointed out that Bikaji Foods has been a pioneer in India's ethnic snacks industry, holding a 9.6 percent market share as of September 2023. Under the government's PLI scheme, the company has invested accordingly and received a benefit of 93.6 crore. Without further investments, Bikaji is set to receive PLI benefits for the next three years. Currently, only about 45 percent of its capacity is utilized, indicating the potential to double sales volume at no extra cost, it stated. With targeted volume growth of 13-15 percent and price hikes of 2-4 percent for FY2025, Bikaji Foods aims for high teen growth, expecting strong revenues and improved profitability, added the brokerage. It further said that with expectations of a favourable monsoon and anticipated rate cuts in the second half of CY2024, the FMCG sector is expected to grow well in FY2025. Stock Price Trend The stock has risen 72 percent in the last 1 year and 32 percent in 2024 YTD, giving positive returns in 4 of the 6 months so far. The scrip has jumped over 21 percent in June so far, extending gains for the 3rd straight month. It advanced 11.5 percent in May and 8.6 percent in April. Meanwhile, the stock shed 6 percent in March and 11.8 percent in February. Before that the stock was positive, rising 8.3 percent in January this year. The stock also hit its record high of 727.95 in the previous session. Currently trading at 720, it has rallied 78 percent from its 52-week low of 403.50, hit on July 4, 2023. Investment Rationale PLI schemes to boost ready-to-cook/ ready-to-eat (RTC/RTE) capacity The Ministry of Food Processing Industry had come out with a 10,900 crore PLI scheme to promote the creation of global food manufacturing giants from India by enhancing capacities and creating employment in the country. Under the scheme, Bikaji Foods had committed a total investment of 430 crore in FY2022, which had to be incurred over the next six years till FY2027. The company received a PLI benefit of 93.6 crore for their investments through the scheme. As of today, the company has completed all the necessary investments needed under the PLI scheme and are obligated to receive the PLI benefits for the next 3 years (till FY2027), stated the brokerage. Robust Capacity Addition The brokerage also noted that the company has been putting up capacity in order to gain incentives from the government under the PLI scheme. As of 31st March 2024, the total capacity stood at 299,820 MTPA with a capacity utilization of around 45 percent. This under utilization of capacity indicates a potential for the company to double its sales volume with no extra capital investments. The management has targeted to achieve 13-15 percent volume growth for FY2025. This will enable Bikaji Foods to improve revenues without any adding to the costs which could improve its margin profile in the future years. This would lead to the bottom line growing ahead of the top line, it added. Improving Distributor Reach Furthermore, the brokerage stated that the company has placed immense focus on the direct distribution model as compared to the traditional distributor model. This allows the company to have greater control over price and sales. The company has increased its direct reach from 71,884 outlets in FY2022 to 2,51,270 outlets in FY2024. The management is considering an inorganic growth strategy by acquiring small-scale local companies to gain access to their distribution channels. Improving Financials According to MarketsMojo, the company recorded its highest-ever quarterly revenues in the quarter ended December 2023 with revenues of 624 crore. Further, it recorded its highest-ever quarterly profits of 116 crore in the quarter ended March 2024. This marked a growth of 208 percent over the quarter ended March 2023. It included a one-time revenue of 93.6 crore, gained from the PLI scheme of the government accrued over the last 3 years. Bikaji Foods recorded a growth of 18 percent in its FY2024 revenues with an underlying volume growth of 15.3 percent. Profits in the year grew by 108 percent. The company has been consistently improving its return metrics with ROE improving from 10.6 percent in FY2020 to 21.6 percent in FY2024, it said. Core v/s Focus Strategy MarketsMojo further pointed out that the company has divided the country into three major segments: Core, Focus, and Others. The core markets include the states of Rajasthan, Assam and Bihar where the company has a strong presence. The focus markets include the states of UP, Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Karnataka where the company is trying to establish and improve its presence. The company's approach when entering new markets is to focus on extensive brand advertising instead of offering discounts. This intense branding effort results in a margin deficit of approximately 1.5 percent compared to their core markets, it noted. The core markets contribute 71.5 percent of the revenues, focus markets contribute to 14 percent of the revenues, other markets form 11 percent and exports form 3.5 percent of the revenues, added the brokerage. For FY2024, the core market grew 11.2 percent, focus market grew 22.6 percent and exports grew 22.2 percent. Some of the focused states such as UP grew at 44 percent. Bikaji Foods v/s Prataap Snacks As per the brokerage, Prataap Snacks is an Indian FMCG company involved in the business of selling chips, snacks and namkeens primarily under the brand Yellow Diamond. Bikaji Foods operated at a margin of 17 percent (incl. PLI benefits) for FY2024 with profit margins of 11.3 percent whereas Prataap Snacks operated at 8.7 percent with profit margins of 3.3 percent for FY2024. Bikaji Foods generated an ROE of 21.6 percent in FY2024 compared to that of 7.3 percent for Prataap Snacks. Bikaji Foods trades at a P/E of 63 compared to Prataap Snacks trading at a P/E of 38. Such disparity in margin profile and return ratios has led to the market giving a premium to Bikaji Foods, it rationaled. Concerns The brokerage warned that the company operates in a very highly competitive industry with multiple national as well as local players operating in each region of the country. The Indian market is a price-sensitive market and therefore, fluctuations in the raw material prices cannot be easily passed through to the customers leading to pressure on profit margins. Rising health awareness in the country may steer people away from these ethnic snacks due to their high carbohydrate and fat content and low nutritional value, it added. Four Dots Three dots of the stock are green while one is red. The quality of the company is excellent. The valuation seems expensive but given the growth prospects of the company, it seems justified. The financial trend is very positive and the technicals indicate a bullish trend. The score of the stock is 85. We recommend buying the stock at 677.15, said MarketsMojo. Back in July 2020, with the world in the grips of the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic, denizens of New Delhi were struck by a new fearearthquakes. Between May and July, the National Capital Region experienced a number of mild earthquakes. But given the deathly stillness of a lockdown, and the fact that everyone was cooped up in their homes, even these mild tremblors caused a degree of panic. A deadly virus outside, and an earthquake inside, where does one run to for safety? Partly in response to this, I wrote a long story for Lounge in July 2020 on the probability of a massive earthquake striking north India, especially the deadliest kinda Himalayan earthquake. For the story I spoke with seismologist and earth scientist, C.P. Rajendran, who, along with his partner Kusala, also a seismologist, are two of the foremost authorities on earthquakes in the country. While it is as yet impossible to predict when an earthquake is going to strike, it is possible to gain a probabilistic estimate of regions where a large earthquake is dueby studying the nature of faults running underneath in the Earths surface, allied with a knowledge of the history of earthquakes in that region. While explaining how tension builds up in a fault over a long time, and how that tension is inevitably bound to be released in the form of an earthquake, Rajendran used a memorable metaphor, that of banking. Its like you are putting money into your savings account and never taking it out. So, it gets accumulated," he said. Someday, you will have to withdraw it. Earlier this year, the two scientists published a book, The Rumbling Earth: The Story of Indian Earthquakes. A handbook of sorts, it is an extremely informative work that takes a whole-of-the-field approach to the story: From the birth of seismology and how the planets tectonic plates function, to detailed snapshots of South Asias various earthquake-prone regions, as well as a history of earthquakes in India. For the latter, the authors draw on their decades-long field work and research across India, bringing to life the geological stories behind some of South Asias most feared and infamous earthquakes. View Full Image The Rumbling Earth: The Story of Indian Earthquakes: By C.P. Rajendran & Kusala Rajendran; Penguin Random House, 256 pages, 699 When the authors received their education in earth sciences in the 1970s, they were among the first generation of seismologists to be trained in the wake of a discovery that had shocked and stunned the worldthat of plate tectonics. Indeed, while reading the opening few chapters of the book, one is confronted with a remarkable fact: Before the late 1960s, the world at large hadnt a clue that the Earths crust is made up of gigantic slabs of rock called tectonic plates that float about on a partially-molten layer of the planets mantle. As the authors say, once this fact had been established, the field of seismologythe study of earthquakestruly came into its own. What is very well understood is that most of highest magnitude earthquakes occur at the boundaries between two plates, because that is where the pressure is also at a maximum. As far as South Asia is concerned, the most earthquake-prone area is along the Himalayan Range, since that is where the Indian plate has been pushing against (and subducting under) the Eurasian plate, ever since they started colliding some 65 million years ago. The authors devote a large part of the book to understanding the high seismic activity of the Himalaya, which has seen some of the most destructive earthquakes in recorded history, from the 1950 Assam-Arunachal Mw.8.2 quake to the 1934 Nepal-Bihar Mw.8.4 quake. The biggest takeaway from this discussion is how vulnerable the highly populous and haphazardly-developed Gangetic plains are to future mega-earthquakes, especially along a long stretch of about 700km along the central and western Himalaya, which the authors call the central seismic gap". Also Read How climate change affects tea Roughly ranging from the Kishtwar area in Jammu to Pokhara in Nepal, while this region has seen many moderate earthquakes (which, like the Kangra earthquake of 1905, or the Gorkha earthquake of 2015, have nonetheless caused massive death and destruction), a mega earthquake of over Mw.8, where the very earth along the Gangetic plains may liquefylike during the 1934 earthquakeis long overdue. This comes up for discussion in the penultimate chapter of the book as well, where the authors discuss the complete lack of preparedness for mega earthquakes, and the extreme myopia of development" projects comes in for a scathing critique. Writing specifically about Uttarakhands Char Dham highways project, the authors have this to say: The 900km long, two lane highwayis deeply worrying from the point of disaster response and mitigation. Due to deforestation and road building, the steep slopes of soft rocks are bound to slide." An additional hazard to the earthquake-prone Himalayan foothills is that of the rampant construction of super dams", whether in Uttarakhand or in Arunachal Pradesh. The authors also tackle the history and future threats caused by tsunamis arising from major ocean earthquakes. In this regard, their telling of the story of the 2004 earthquake and tsunami is important. Equally illuminating is the discussion of earthquakes in the interior regions of India, far away from continental margins, where earthquakes are extremely rare, but where, like the disaster in Killari in Maharashtra in 1993, even a mild earthquake can cause extreme devastation. Quite entertaining is the chapter on decoding the role played by earthquakes throughout Indias history, and how seismologists and archaeologists study both historical texts as well as structures to pinpoint the rumblings of medieval earthquakes, which, ultimately, allows scientists to identify the location and possible extent of future quakes. Ultimately, The Rumbling Earth is a timely reminder that for all of our anthropocentric egotism, humans occupy a very precarious niche on an extremely huge planet which changes and moults its systems slowly, over millions of years. Every once in a while, when the Earth shrugs, we had better be prepared, or be faced with the prospect of the rug being pulled out, quite literally, from under our feet. The old-fashioned game of Pass the Parcel inspired this food guide, featuring 10 chefs and 10 cities. The players are the chefs, and the parcel is the recommendation for a favourite food destination. It starts with a chef picking their top food city and sharing a list of restaurants. The next chef, selected from this city, leads to another culinary destination. The only rule is places must not be repeated. For the chefs, these cities are enveloped in nostalgia, boast diverse culinary influences, and provide a gateway to a new food culture. Lounges guide based on this game reveals where and how chefs eat outstreet food abounds, and there is just a handful of premium restaurants. Theres Mumbai, Amritsar, Kolkata, Melbourne and Bangkok, among others, with insider tips on where to find early breakfast, freshly prepared local snacks and steaming bowls of noodles. HUSSAIN SHAHZAD FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: BENGALURU View Full Image Chef Hussain Shahzad "Bengaluru does a better dosa than Chennai," says Hussain Shahzad, executive chef, Hunger Inc. Hospitality, Mumbai. He was born in Chennai, and his family lives there, but he discovered Bengalurus famous benne dosa during a trip to the city and fell in love with its food as an apprentice with the Oberoi Group. His list of places to eat at in the city spans age-old institutions, cafes and a noodle bar. Central Tiffin Room (CTR) at Malleshwaram: I get a benne masala dosa with the spicy chutney. Shivaji Military Hotel, Jayanagar: The mutton donne biryani and the choice of offal are insane. Malgudi Mylari Mane, Koramangala: They have these dosas that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and go with meat dishes like the Karnataka Gowda-style keema undai. You could also order mutton chops and roasts. VB Bakery, Basavanagudi: An old Iyengar bakery with khara buns and bun Congress (khara bun slathered with chutney and butter), which I had at one of my pop-ups. When I was an apprentice, this was the place I frequented. Naru Noodle Bar, Shanti Nagar: A lot of people go there for the ramen, which is great, but I would say, try the chicken karage (Japanese batter-fried chicken). Theres a shoyu tare, a clear, very light ramen, topped with a slice of tender pastrami. Its just great, consistent and satisfying food. Maki Patisserie, Domlur: Bengaluru has a mad pastry scene now. There is a new kid on the block whose journey I have followed all the way from Chennai: Aarohi Sanghavi. She does classic French pastry with items like Paris-Brest, profiteroles and eclair. Corner House, multiple outlets: The Death by Chocolatea mishmash of chocolate brownie and chocolate syruphas no real chocolate but its so tasty. Benki Coffee, JP Nagar: They get beans from Karnatakas Salawara Estate and blend it with Ethiopian coffee for an enjoyable cup. AAROHI SANGHAVI FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: CHENNAI View Full Image Pastry chef Aarohi Sanghavi The founder of Maki Patisseri, one of chef Hussain Shahzads favourite spots in Bengaluru, grew up in Chennai. Its my favourite food city," she says. She loves her coffee, and places that offer classic fare. Brd Bakery, Injambakkam: You will feel like you have walked into a Scandinavian cafe with its minimal interiors. I like their baguette sandwiches with a ton of butter. They do weekend specials like croissants, Danishes and a hazelnut eclair. The Farm, Semmancheri: It has a beautiful store with fresh produce from their own farms and jars of amazing ingredients sourced from all over the country, like Himachals sun-dried apples and kachampuli vinegar. I love the mithai they make from the fresh milk from their cows. From their dine-in menu, my favourite is a walnut and hot honey pizza. They do a great pandi (Coorgi pork) curry too. A food stall outside Alsa Mall, Egmore: This tiny stall with just two-three items is always crowded and the classic chutney egg sandwich is a must-have. Rayars mess, Mylapore: Dont miss the fresh idlis. Visit early in the morning and enjoy the filter coffee. Davrah, Alwarpet: Id say they have the best filter coffee in the country. You can buy the filter coffee powder and decoction to have at home. Also read: How Chennai brews its speciality coffee PETER TSENG FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: KOLKATA View Full Image Chef Peter Tseng In Chennai, chef Peter Tseng of the hospitality brand Pricol Gourmet, passes the baton to Kolkata. I am from the Indian-Chinese community in Kolkata. Inevitably, its my top food city," he says, providing street food and mishti recommendations besides just rosogulla. Kusum and Nizams: These are the two most popular places for the famous Kolkata-style kathi roll. Kathi are the bamboo skewers used to cook the kebabs. The meat is then rolled into a paratha with a pudina chutney. Chinese breakfast, Tiretti market: Every morning, from 7-8:30, food vendors, both Chinese and Indian, set up stalls for a makeshift breakfast experience. Its a parking space that doubles up as a food centre in the morning. The best day to visit is Sunday. There are steamed tofu balls and hot Chinese buns. My favourite is a stall that serves puri and aloo bhaji. There are vegetable and fruit sellers, and you will find older Chinese people sitting together and talking. Golden Joy and Kafulok: The places to go for Chinese food. These two restaurants are popular with my community because they host weddings and ceremonies. They are run by Chinese families and cook authentic Chinese food, which is not on the menu but served on request. Arsalan and Lazeez: While the Arsalan biryani is a must-have, the other Mughlai food item I love from these places is chicken bharta. It is a thick shredded chicken gravy topped with chopped boiled egg, eaten with hot rumali roti. Bhim Chandra Nag: Mishti shops known for nolen gur sandesh and patishapta (rolled crepes stuffed with thickened milk). SACHIKO SETH FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: BANGKOK View Full Image Sachiko Seth Sachiko Seth serves Nepali and Tibetan food at his Kolkata restaurant The Blue Poppy Thakali, and his pick is Bangkok. Its impossible to find bad food in Bangkok," he says. A fan of clean flavours and crispy food, he shares a long list of places, most of them street food spots. Go-Ang Chicken Rice, Pratunam: They specialise in chicken rice inspired by Hainanese cooking. Pair it with chilled iced tea. Niku Sho, Sukhumvit: A barbecue place with separate food and alcohol buffets, it is inspired by Korean and Japanese-style restaurants that grill meat on the table. Choose your veggies and rice, and wash it down with soju and sake, and chill till 3am. Hua Seng Hong, Yaowarat, Chinatown: The best thing is the sliced tender beef. They use the velveting technique, with a coating of cornflour to keep the meat tender before it is stir-fried. Platinum food court, Ratchathewi: Several places here have earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Pratunam night market: I go there to eat fried dough sticks called youtiao, dipped in condensed milk. GARIMA ARORA FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: MUMBAI View Full Image Garima Arora Bangkok-based Garima Arora grew up in Mumbai, and it remains her favourite city for food. Its home and a comforting feeling. It is a melting pot of people and flavours," she says. In March, her modern Indian restaurant GAA in Bangkok received a second Michelin star. Growing up, her closest friends were from Kerala, and her neighbours were Bengali and Assamese, which exposed her to different cuisines. Her list of places to eat in Mumbai is infused with nostalgia. Rama Nayak, Matunga: I love their vegetarian sadya on a banana leafincredibly satisfying and delicious. Cafe Madras, Matunga: My favourite is the neer dosa with white butter, jaggery and coconut chutney. Ramashraya, Matunga: The best dosas, from plain to spice-slathered crispy Mysore masala. Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Girgaon Chowpatty: The unlimited veg thali is iconic. I love it. Maharashtra Lunch Home outlets: If you are in Mumbai, you have to try the coastal fare. The Maharashtra Lunch Home I go to is in Navi Mumbai. ALI AKBAR BALDIWALA FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: GOA View Full Image Ali Akbar Baldiwala Mumbais Baldiwala, executive chef at the resto-bar Slink & Bardot, passes the parcel to Goa, where he spent the lockdown as an independent chef with stints at the restaurants Saz on the Beach and Jamun. In Goa, the food changes as you travel from north to south. The Portuguese influence is more prominent as you head towards Madgaon," he explains. A fan of seafood, Goa proved to be a food haven. Anand Bar & Restaurant, Panjim: A thali place with super fresh fish. They give you an option for pan-fry or batter-fry coated in semolina. The thali comes with the spicy dried shrimp condiment kismur, coconut and kokum curry called hooman, and solkhadi made with kokum steeped in water, spiced with chilli and coriander. Starlight Restaurant, Assolna: A family-style riverside restaurant with an a la carte menu. They are known for crab xec xec. DSilva Caterers & Fast Food, Panjim: It has typical Goa Portuguese snacks like beef cutlet, chops and croquettes. I was inspired by their roasted beef tongue sandwiched in a poee to use tongue as a stuffing in tacos and topping on toasts in my menus. They do a good chorizo pao and cafrael bread too. Clube Nacional, Panjim: A century-old club, it also serves alcohol and local drinks like urrak along with snacks. Their salted tongue and croquettes deserve a special mention. Sirsat, Assagao: Sirsat is the name of a man who makes ros omelettes and they are believed to be one of the best in the state. When I was at Jamun in Assagao, we would frequent his stall. Meiphung Oriental, Calangute: Serving Pan-Asian and food from the North East, its an unusual place. Alongside Thai curry, you will find akhuni and Naga pork dishes too. Some north-eastern dishes are not mentioned on the menu, you will have to ask the owners. St Cruz Bakery, Siolim: A small, almost dilapidated, place run by an adorable aunty who bakes great puffs and croquettes. I used to get breakfast there on most days in Goa. The menu has limited items, but each is made fresh and her technique is perfect. AVINASH MARTINS FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: KERALA View Full Image Avinash Martins Martins travels down the coast from Goa to Kochi to find his favourite foods. I am fascinated by coconut, pepper and curry leaves, and Kerala has these in its cuisine," says Martins, who runs Cavatina in Benaulim. His father was in the merchant navy and Martins got a taste for Kerala cuisine when his family lived there. They would explore eateries by the harbour and toddy shops. Toddy shops: Most dont have names, but if you are in Alleppey and Kumarakom, they should be visited. In Kochi, visit Mullapanthal toddy shop for fresh seafood. Salikkante chayakada, Alleppey: One of the oldest restaurants in the area, try the idiyappam and chicken mappas. The Aurum Cloud, Kochi: A premium space known for varutharachathu (roasted meat), beef fry and special Onam menus. Good morning hotel, Trivandrum: Go for their porotta beef and pappadom thats usually served for breakfast. Shweys, Panampilly Nagar: A small-batch ice-cream brand with offbeat flavours like smoked beef tallow and ricotta pista. ASHOK EAPEN FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: NCR View Full Image Ashok Eapen Kochi-based Ashok Eapen, executive chef at the retail and hospitality company LuLu Group International, visits Delhi and Gurugram for work, and always goes on street food jaunts. I am fascinated by the multi-cultural cuisines of these places, an amalgamation of influences. I would say Delhi is the culinary capital of India," he says. Sita Ram Diwan Chand, Gurugram: The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this city is chole bhature. And I make it a point to visit this place. Mangle di Kulfi, Gurugram: As the name suggests, they specialise only in kulfi, from the classic malai to seasonal mango. Lajpat Wale Raam Ladoo, Delhi: A small shop that sells raam laddoo, or potato vadas topped with chutneys and shredded onion and radish. Khemchand Daulat ki Chaat, Delhi: A must-stop for every visitor to the city for this cloud-like dessert. Kanhaiylal Durga Prashad Dixit Paranthe Wale, Delhi: Although they have uncountable paratha varieties, my favourite is the simple paneer one. Karims Jama Masjid, Delhi: I order the mutton nihari with soft khamiri roti. Sharbat-E-Mohabbat, Jama Masjid: After Karims, head to this legendary shop for a refreshing glass of rose-flavoured mohabbat ka sharbat. SHUBHAM THAKUR FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: AMRITSAR View Full Image Shubham Thakur Thakur was born in Delhi, where he still works, but his father was in the aviation industry and had a base in Amritsar. The family would shuttle between the two cities while he was growing up. Amritsar with its kulchas, lassis and warm hospitality seeded the desire to be a chef," he says. He is the group masterchef at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Delhi and heads the award-winning Japanese restaurant Megu. Sharma sweet shop: Besides a variety of mithais, they have the softest and freshest gulab jamuns. Pehalwan Kulcha Shop: There are many places making amazing kulchas, but this is one of the oldest and best for ghee-laden Amritsari kulchas. It is a sourdough-like bread stuffed with mashed potatoes. Bharawan da Dhaba: As a child, I tasted makki roti and sarson saag topped with a blob of butter here, which changed my opinion of vegetables. Kesar da Dhaba: Get their signature thali of dal makhani and parathas. SHORYA NAYYAR FAVOURITE FOOD DESTINATION: MELBOURNE View Full Image Shorya Nayyar This game ends in Melbourne, which Amritsar-based Shorya Nayyar picks as his food destination. He is the founder of the boutique property The Bagh and heads the kitchen there. Nayyar spent six years (2016-22) studying at Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in Sydney and interned at hotels in Melbourne. The dining scene is diverse in Melbourne, because of global influences," he says. Attica, Ripponlea: If you want to visit a fine-dining place, go to Attica. They serve tasting menus with a focus on experimenting with different meats, like crocodile ribs. Khabbay, Clayton: It serves Pakistani-Indian dishes that reminded me of Amritsar. The food was cooked in tandoor with minimal spices; rotis and biryani provided a taste of home. Shabooh Shoobah, Melville Road: Its a bar with a solid wine programme. Australia is known for its vino and you must visit a wine bar that spotlights local produce. My favourite wines are Penfolds Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. A previous version of the story recommended Fernando's Nostalgia in Goa. It was removed, because the restaurant closed after the pandemic. Also read: The pickle platter of India In a recent episode of Journey of a Joke, a YouTube series anchored by satirist Abish Mathew, actor Vir Das talked about journaling. Das, who will be touring India next month with his MindFool World Tour 2024, explained that US author-artist Julia Camerons journaling technique, Morning Pages, aids his process of writing jokes. On his social media pages too, Das often posts images of himself journaling with the hashtag Morning Pages. This particular technique is one of the fundamental tools Cameron uses in her best-selling book, The Artists Way (1992), a 12-week guide to creative recovery. The technique involves three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, and is ideally done first thing in the morning. Apart from Das, other celebrities who write Morning Pages include Alicia Keys and Reese Witherspoon. Actor Huma Qureshi too has a dedicated morning routine that involves not looking at her phone for an hour after she wakes up, doing a quick workout and writing Morning Pages, followed by meditation. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritise and synchronise the day at hand, Cameron explains in an email interview with Lounge. It helps one discoverand recoverones personal creativity, artistic confidence and productivity. Also read: From HelloHabit to Streaks, 4 habit tracker apps you should try While this is just one form of journaling, more people have taken up the meditative practice post pandemic, believing that it helps them focus. Journaling can take many forms, from bullet and gratitude journals to dream recorders and feeling trackers and it is a popular method to process ones emotions. While bullet journaling suggests writing down points to identify feelings without elaborating, a feeling tracker requires one to capture ones emotional journey during a 3-4 hour window and capture ones thoughts. The idea is to tag the feeling and be aware of it while detaching from it. Gratitude journaling, on the other hand, is awareness of being grateful, even in the most trying circumstances, while the dream recorder tracks any nightmares or dreams immediately upon waking to understand ones subconscious feelings. Though journaling has been around for long, it was during the pandemic that more people took to it, says Tanya Rajwanshi, clinical psychologist, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi. Rajwanshi often recommends a feeling tracker to her patients, especially those battling depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. At the end of the day, you have proof of how youve articulated your feelings, she says. One of her corporate clients cut the number of cigarettes he smoked through another techniquehabit tracking, where one makes a list of habits through the month in an excel sheet and tracks each of them at the end of the day. Putting your thoughts down on paper gives you perspective, says Delhi-based Harnehmat Kaur, co-founder of Daak Room, which promotes letter-writing by curating postcard gift boxes and customised letter-writing hampers. With writing comes slowing down, finding patience and clarity of thought, says Kaur, who begins her day by journaling. She says the exercise of writing down feelings and thoughts reduces anxiety. It allows for better articulation and a more meditative experience of conversing with the self, she says. You reflect deeply when you physically write on paper with your hand as opposed to typing away on a laptop or any other gadget. Rajwanshi cites an example of a patient who had the urge to take a bath each time she saw a dog. For her, Rajwanshi suggested a rational versus irrational thought journal. A rational thought in this case is, The dog hasnt touched me. An irrational thought is, The dog is close to me. Once you have chosen the rational thought consciously, you will try to do the right thing. Rajwanshi introduces children to the concept of journaling through charts and emoji stickers, urging families to participate on a daily basis to quell feelings of separation anxiety, depression, lack of self-esteem and bullying that some school-going children might experience. Most psychotherapists and counsellors encourage people to write. According to a January 2024 research report, Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity, by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, writing by hand improves overall learning and memory, given the communication between the brains visual, sensory and motor cortices. Neuroscientists have found that writing longhand engages various regions of the brain involved in emotional regulation, self-reflection, cognition and memory. The exercise of putting pen to paper activates the amygdala, the brains emotional centre, which plays a crucial role in processing emotions, particularly fear and stress. No surprise then that everyone from C-suite executives to doctors, lawyers and artists find journaling an introspective, meditative tool to heal and press forward. British entrepreneur Richard Branson, for instance, is known to carry a notebook with him to jot down his thoughts. American entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, author of the best-selling book The 4-Hour Workweek, spends five minutes each morning writing in a gratitude journal. While few negate the positive effects of journaling, Namrata Gupta, senior consultant, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Delhis Vimhans, urges caution when it comes to exercises in manifesting, visualising and healing through journaling. Writing is a reflective activity but if it triggers my patient and makes him or her more anxious in the moment, I would recommend it at a later stage or customise it accordingly, says Gupta. She recommends three pages of writing a day, urging her clients to see the pages as their space to vent and rant without judgement. However, she customises itfor patients who are restless at night, for instance, she recommends night-time journaling. Think of putting pen to paper as a sword in the hands of a ninjayou break through the dark clouds of the mind to gain more insight and clarity, says Gupta. Cameron, whose self-help classic has sold over five million copies worldwide and has been translated into 40 languages, has her own journaling routine: I am a tea drinker, and I have my first cup of tea as I sit in my library, writing out pages. I use a fast-writing pen: Uniball 207 in black, and I write my daily three pages on A4 sized paper, in The Artists Way Morning Pages Journal. Mathew, who was gifted The Artists Way by satirist Kanan Gill, has adapted the technique to suit his schedule and work commitments. He takes notes through the day, but journaling gives him the time and space to get into a flow and understand his own creative process. He says he doesnt go back and read what hes written, but instead returns to the pages after three-four months. Often the insights he gains from looking back at the journal with the advantage of time and distance is translated into material that he eventually uses for his stage shows. So much has evolved for me through journalingsongs, jokes, insights, scripts, he says. Mathew stresses that journaling is a review of your life. While journaling is, at its essence, writing to communicate with oneself, those who journal regularly also see it as a tool to develop patience. It is a throwback to our childhood days when we wrote in our secret diaries, allowing ourselves to get bored in order to think more creatively, says Mathew. What your exchange-traded fund owns is important. Who else owns your ETF might be even more important. Thats because a funds returns often dont depend merely on the behavior of the investments it buys, but also on the behavior of the investors who buy the fund. Hot moneya sudden influx of cash from people trying to get rich quickcan overheat an ETF and create what new research calls self-inflated returns." The result, sooner or later, is self-inflicted losses. Fortunately, you can protect yourself with some common sense. What are self-inflated returns? They start when a fund generates a burst of high performance. Maybe an active" ETF run by stock pickers buys a few big winners. Or maybe a passive fund that holds everything in a benchmark tracking one market segment has gotten hot. In either case, people notice. They buy the fund in droves, pouring in hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. The ETFs managers take that cash and pump it into the stocks the fund already owns. If those stocks are small and thinly traded, the funds own buying will drive their prices up. That will raise its return again, attracting even more money from performance-chasers, pushing the prices of the funds stocks even higher and drawing in another blast of hot money. A new studyby Philippe van der Beck, a finance professor at Harvard Business School, and Jean-Philippe Bouchaud and Dario Villamaina of Capital Fund Management, a Paris-based investment firmlooks at how this cycle feeds on itself. As the researchers put it, Investors chase their own impact." The study hasnt yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, but I think the findings are solid. Over the years, many portfolio managers have told me that large inflows at a fund that concentrates on smaller, less-liquid stocks can drive prices up if the funds buying constitutes much of the typical daily volume in those stocks. This self-reinforcing cycle can delude investors into thinking a funds return is generated solely by the managers skillwhen, in fact, it comes largely from the behavior of the funds investors themselves. Self-inflated returns can push prices higher and persist longer than you might imaginealthough theyre bound to fade eventually. Part of the study focuses on an ETF whose name the researchers wont disclose. Im almost certain that its ARK Innovation, the disruptive innovation" fund actively managed by Cathie Wood that earned one of the highest returns in history when it gained 153% in 2020. As of October 2019, ARK Innovation had nearly one-quarter of its $1.6 billion in assets in nine stocks. It owned more than 5% of the total shares at each of them. Such larger positions in smaller stocks included 9.9% of genome-editing company Intellia Therapeutics and 5.1% of genetic-testing firm Invitae. As ARK Innovations returns flared up, investors pumped money in. In 2020, its assets ballooned more than ninefold from $1.9 billion to $17.7 billion. As ARK redirected that tidal wave of cash into its favorite stocks, Intellia rose 271% and Invitae 159%. Sooner or later, though, performance falters, the hot money flees and managers have to dump stocks. That pushes down the prices of those stocks, worsening the funds performance and sending even more hot money stampeding out. ARK Innovations assets peaked at about $25.5 billion in mid-2021 and have shriveled to $6.3 billion. The fund has lost an average of 27.9% annually over the past three years. Intellia and Invitae are down an average of 30.1% and 96.9% annually over the same period. ARK declined to comment. But its funds arent alone. On average, at the biggest, most-concentrated ETFs, 8% of the variation in performance over time can be attributed to what van der Beck calls an increase in price generated by the funds trades as money comes in from their own investors." The study shows that an ETF whose return is 10% better than average over a given period will increase its inflows by 2%half of which comes within two months of the reported outperformance. It also shows that self-inflated returns fade and reversebut the exact timing is unpredictable. Chasing momentum feels great on the way up; just ask anybody who bought GameStop at the beginning of this month when online influencer Keith Gill touted the stock again. But knowing just when to jump off is hard; GameStop fell from its peak by almost half in a couple of days. Everyone wants to be in on the virtuous part of the cycle, but not its evil twin," says investment analyst Tom Brakke. Common sense is your best guide. First, beware of funds that deviate drastically from a broad market index by holding only a few dozen stocks or lots of smaller companies. Those features are the breeding ground for hot returns and the hot money that chasesand inflatesthem. Check whether holdings are capped," or limited to a fixed proportion of a market indexoften somewhere between 2% and 5%. That should prevent the fund, no matter how popular it gets, from pouring too much money into its hottest stocks. Steer clear of ETFs whose top holdings are heavily sold short by hedge funds and other traders betting on a decline. You can check the short interest in any stock on most market websites or brokerage apps. Finally, watch out for rapid growth. When billions of dollars gush into a small fund that just reported big gains, self-inflated returns are likely to follow. Let other people chase them. In the end, all theyre likely to end up with is self-deflated returns. Write to Jason Zweig at intelligentinvestor@wsj.com (Updates share reaction, adds analyst comments in paragraphs 6, 7) SAO PAULO, June 14 (Reuters) - Brazil's Diagnosticos da America (Dasa) and health insurance operator Amil have agreed to combine their hospital businesses, setting up a joint venture with almost 10 billion reais ($1.86 billion) in net revenue, the firms said on Friday. Under the agreement, Dasa and Amil will each own half of hospital chain Impar, a Dasa company that will incorporate hospitals from Amil-owned Rede Americas. Shares in Dasa jumped as much as 12.5% after the announcement, before reversing course to trade down about 3%. After the deal, Impar is set to own 25 hospitals as well as some oncology clinics, totaling around 4,400 hospital beds. The combined firm's total revenue was estimated at 9.9 billion reais in 2023. The transaction also includes the transfer of 3.85 billion reais of Dasa's debt to Impar, Dasa said in a securities filing. "The transaction is seen as a positive development for Dasa's balance sheet," said analysts at investment bank Itau BBA in a note to clients. They added that under the deal Amil is expected to have "increased bargaining power with third-party health plans," particularly in the Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro metropolitan areas, as it gets more room to improve its margins and potentially enhance profitability in the future. Dasa, a healthcare giant founded over 60 years ago that owns hospitals, oncology clinics and diagnostic centers in Latin America's largest economy, said that in the future it could split off and list its Impar stake. Dasa and Amil have a common background involving the billionaire Bueno family, which has been the controlling shareholder of Dasa since 2013 but founded Amil in the 1970s, before selling it in 2010s to UnitedHealth Group. The U.S. giant sold Amil late last year to Brazilian businessman Jose Seripieri Filho. Dasa's chief executive, Licio Tavares Cintra, will also serve as Impar's CEO, while Dulce Pugliese de Godoy Bueno was named chair of the board. The deal, which did not include a handful of hospitals owned by the companies in Brazil's northeast region, still requires approval from Brazil's antitrust watchdog CADE. Vinish Darshan, the teenage son of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is facing murder charges, has called out online trolls for their insensitive comments on his Instagram stories. In a sarcastic post thanking trolls for their "bad comments and offensive language," Vinish emphasized that despite being a 15-year-old, he has feelings too. "Thank you all for all the bad comments and offensive language towards my father and not considering that I am a 15 year old with feelings, and even during this hard time when my mom and dad required support cursing at me won't change that you everyone (sic)," he wrote. Vinish Darshan's post on Instagram stories Darshan Thoogudeepa is a Kannada film actor famous for his movies Anatharu and Krantiveera Sangolly Rayanna, released in 2012. Speculations & Online Discussions The shocking case involving a South Indian cinema superstar has led to online discussions and speculations about the case and events leading up to it. Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma also chipped in on the "unavoidable side effect of star worship syndrome" in a post on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter). "A star using one die-hard fan to kill another die-hard fan who was interfering in his personal life is a fit example of the bizarreness of the star worship syndrome ..Fans wanting to order how their stars should run their lives is an unavoidable side effect of the same syndrome," Verma wrote. Darshan Murder Investigation Bangalore police detained Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa from Mysuru for his alleged links in the Renukaswamy murder case on June 11. The 47-year-old was picked up from a hotel in Mysuru and brought to Bengaluru for questioning. A native of Chitradurga, Renukaswamy's body was found on June 9. Police investigation began after Renukaswamys body was discovered near Sumannahalli Bridge in Bengaluru. Renukaswamy had allegedly made derogatory social media posts about Darshan's close friend and actress, Pavitra Gowda. He was reportedly asked to come near a Mysuru farmhouse owned by Darshan, where the accused allegedly tortured him for hours and murdered him before dumping his body in a drain in Bengaluru's Kamakshipalya region. Further investigation led to the arrest of 11 suspects, and based on their statements, Darshan and Pavithra were taken into custody. All 13 have been sent to six-day police custody by a Bengaluru Magistrate court on June 11 in relation to the murder case. "We are probing to find out if the actor was directly involved in the murder or was part of the conspiracy," a police official said. Delhi water crisis: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday asserted that his government has no role to play in alleviating Delhi's growing water scarcity. Sukhu's comment assumes significance as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi recently approached the Supreme Court seeking surplus water from Himachal Pradesh. The national capital has been reeling under acute water shortage over the past few days amid heatwave conditions. The Delhi government sought the Supreme Court's intervention to direct Haryana to release the surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to mitigate the water crisis in the national capital. The apex Court on Thursday said that it does not have the technical expertise over the water-sharing issue between states and directed the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to convene a meeting on Friday with all parties and arrive at a decision. However, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu claimed that his government has no role to play in the issue. Whatever water Himachal has, except the water needed by our state, we are ready to give all the water to Delhi or any other state," he stated. "Himachal Pradesh is a part of this country. If the water has to come through Haryana, then Delhi will have to reach an agreement with the Haryana government. We do not have a say in it, he added. The remark came a day after the Himachal Pradesh government told the apex court that it did not have 136 cusecs surplus water, denying its earlier statement. A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Prasanna B Varale directed the Delhi government to submit an application seeking water on humanitarian grounds before the UYRB on Thursday. Delhi Water Minister Atishi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to allege that Haryana has not been releasing Delhi's share of water. Hence, amid a water shortage in the Yamuna River, water production in the national capital is decreasing continuously. Also read: 50 million gallons shortage per day, tanker mafia not the only problem, Atishi on how to solve Delhis water scarcity She further noted, "Due to less water reaching Yamuna, water production in Delhi is continuously decreasing. Under normal circumstances, 1005 MGD of water is produced in Delhi, but it has been continuously decreasing since last one week." Also read: Delhi water crisis: Emergency measures imposed amid heatwave | List of what is banned The post reads, Due to reduced production, there is water shortage in many parts of Delhi. Everyone is requested to use water very economically. According to the data shared by Atishi, water production declined by 9 million gallons per day (MGD) on June 7 and by 12 MGD on June 8 compared with June 6 figures. On June 6, water production stood at 1,002 MGD. She added, On June 11, June 12 and June 13, it stood at 919 MGD, 951 MGD and 939 MGD respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an end to monopoly in technology and stressed the way in which uncertainties and tensions across the world was affecting the global south during an address on Friday. The remarks were delivered during an Outreach session of the G7 summit in Italy. Modi also highlighted the many contributions made by India and his government's commitment towards making it a developed nation. India has considered it its responsibility to put priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on world stageCountries of the Global South are bearing brunt of global uncertainties and tensions, Modi said. He also noted that the African Union had become a permanent member of the G20 under the chairmanship of India. "India has been contributing to the economic and social development, stability and security of all the countries of Africa, and will continue to do so in the future," Modi added. ALSO READ: Handshake and hug: PM Narendra Modi meets Pope Francis at G7 Summit in Italy; invites him to India | Watch The PM also spoke at lenght about the importance of ending monopoly in technology, laying special emphasis on artificial intelligence. He reminded that New Delhi had stressed the importance of international governance in the field of AI during the G-20 summit in 2023. "We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through this human-centric approachIn the future too, we will continue to work together with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible," he said. ALSO READ: Modi hails productive meeting with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky on sidelines of G7 Summit What did they discuss? "We are making every possible effort to fulfill our commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070. Together we should make efforts to make the coming time a green era," he added. Following reports of NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Chhagan Bhujbal feeling sidelined due to the party's choice of Sunetra Pawar as a Rajya Sabha candidate, Bhujbal expressed his aspiration to become a Member of Parliament on Friday. Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, filed her nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bye-election at Vidhan Bhawan in Mumbai on Thursday Perhaps my party felt that I was not the right fit for the Rajya Sabha bypoll. I have been loyal to my party and abided by collective decisions, Bhujbal told TOI after Sunetra Pawar filed for the nomination. Bhujbal also said there were 13 contenders for the Rajya Sabha seat, and the NCP leadership decided to nominate Sunetra Pawar as only one was to be selected. On Friday, when Bhujbal was questioned if he was upset, the NCP leader said that he desires to become an MP, and thats why he was keen on the Rajya Sabha nomination. Bhujbal also wanted to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Nashik constituency. However, the BJP-led Mahayuti fielded Hemant Godse of Shiv Sena, also a partner in the alliance. Godse was defeated by Shiv Sena (UBT)s Rajabhau Waje. Sometimes, its destiny or some sort of compulsion, said Bhujbal, adding, There could be reasons (for not giving him tickets). Interestingly, Bhujbal was also present while Sunetra Pawar filed the nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha polls. However, the absence of Shiv Sena (Eknath) and BJP leaders was notably visible. What did Bhujbal say? The NCP leader said that it was his desire (to become an MP) and, therefore, he was also ready to contest Lok Sabha elections from the Nashik constituency. Bhujbal stated that he started working accordingly after being told that his ticket was finalised in Delhi. However, as the announcement of his name got delayed, he stopped as there was enough humiliation. However, Bhujbal said that the decision (Sunetra Pawar's nomination) was made in the interest of the party, and he was not at all upset by it. In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, the NCP (Ajit Pawar) contested four of 48 seats in alliance with the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde). However, the party won only one seat in Raigad. Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra, also lost the election to Supriya Sule. In a partial relief to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, the Karnataka High Court on Friday issued a stay order against his arrest in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case. The high court said Yediyurappa has to appear before investigators on June 17, reported the Hindustan Times. The coercive proceedings of arrest and detention are kept on hold till the next date of hearing. Hearing the petition, the fast-track court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Yediyurappa, directing his immediate arrest. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said a non-bailable warrant had been issued against the former chief minister, and police are set to interrogate the BJP leader in the POSCO case. The BJP has alleged a conspiracy by the Congress in the case to divert attention from a corruption case involving Minister B Nagendra. "Shocked by the humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leaders are engrossed in hatching one conspiracy after another against the BJP," BJP Karnataka posted on its X handle on Thursday. The post further added, "Congress, resentful towards the BJP, is now attempting to arrest our respected leader BS Yediyurappa, based on a complaint from a mentally unstable woman. This comes after Rahul Gandhi faced court proceedings for spreading misinformation against the BJP in Karnataka." Yediyurappa, who is presently in the national capital, has applied for anticipatory bail at a special court, seeking protection from arrest. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into the whole of sub-Himalayan West Bengal and some parts of Gangetic West Bengal in the next four to five days. While the sub-Himalayan districts are facing disruption in a few areas owing to heavy rain, some districts in south Bengal are likely to experience heatwave and severe heatwave conditions for the next few days, the weather office said. Warning The IMD has warned of landslides in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The water level is likely to rise in rivers flowing through the sub-Himalayan districts, including Teesta, Jaldhaka, Sankosh and Torsa, it said. Heavy rainfall likely The weather department said that heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy falls very likely to continue over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast India during next 4-5 days. Also Read: IMD sticks to normal monsoon prediction amid weak El Nino Monsoon advances Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Northwest Bay of Bengal, some parts of Gangetic West Bengal, remaining parts of Sub Himalayan West Bengal and some parts of Bihar during next 4-5 days. The Director and Manager of an explosives factory in Nagpur were apprehended on Friday following a blast that claimed six lives. According to police sources, Jay Khemka (49), the director of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd, and Sagar Deshmukh, the manager, will be brought before a court. On Friday, six people died, and three others were injured in a blast at an explosive manufacturing unit of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd. The workers were working in the factory's packaging unit at the time of the incident. Vinod Godbole, the police inspector at Hingna Police Station in Nagpur, said the director and the manager had been booked under various sections. Earlier in the day, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also visited the spot and took stock of the situation. Where the blast took place? The blast took place at around 1 p.m. on Thursday at Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd, which is located in Dhamna village, about 25 km from Nagpur city. Death toll Nine people suffered injuries in the blast. However, six of them, including five women and a man, died during treatment. Sections applied According to Hingna police station officials, a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 286 (negligent conduct concerning explosive substance), 304 (a) (causing the death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by doing any rash or negligent act) was registered. 'No factory official has contacted us' We came to know about the incident at 3 PM, and I rushed to the hospital sometime later. Company officials have not contacted me or the kin of the other injured persons. My husband has suffered more than 80 per cent burns, Manisha Chawre, wife of Pramod Chawre (35), told PTI. Amid demand for a probe monitored by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Supreme Court into the ongoing NEET-UG exam controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that no childs career will be in jeopardy. The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates amid allegations of irregularities and inflated marks and said that a retest will be conducted on June 23 for the students who received grace marks, and results will be declared before June 30. Meanwhile, Pradhan said that the central government is committed to protecting the interests of NEET examinees. I want to assure the students that all their concerns will be addressed with fairness and equity. No student will be at a disadvantage and no childs career will be at jeopardy (sic), Pradhan said in a post on X He further stated that facts related to the NEET examination are in cognisance of the Supreme Court. Central government will take all necessary actions for the well-being of students as per the directions of the Honble Supreme Court, Pradhan added. The minister said the counselling process of NEET will be underway soon, and it is of utmost importance to move ahead in this direction without any confusion. Hearing a PIL filed by Hiten Singh Kashyap, the Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on a plea seeking a CBI probe into irregularities in the exam. A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also sought responses from the CBI and the Bihar government within two weeks. Slamming the central government, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the future of 24 lakh students appearing in the NEET examination is at stake due to the actions of the Narendra Modi-led government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Pope Francis at G7 Outreach Summit in Italy. Following a handshake and a warm hug, Modi briefly interacting with the Pope. The Prime Minister also invited Pope to visit India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis embrace each other at the G7 Outreach Summit, in Apulia on Friday. Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India, said Modi in a post on X. The 87-year-old head of the worldwide Catholic Church was taken around the table in a wheelchair to greet each of the world leaders gathered at the summit venue. Modi who arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late night, also interacted with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Bilateral meeting with Macron During a bilateral meeting, Modi and Macron reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the 'Horizon 2047' Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap. The PIB said that discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. They agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on Make in India. The two leaders also exchanged views on key global and regional issues. French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meeting with Rishi Sunak Modi also held a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak where the two leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral relations. The leaders discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties, said PIB in a release. Modi and Sunak also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries. Both leaders also discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest. Meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy Apart from Macron and Sunak, Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Summit on Peace being hosted by Switzerland. Actor Shilpa Shetty and businessman Raj Kundra are facing allegations of defrauding an investor in a gold scheme and are under police scrutiny. The accusations surfaced following a complaint filed by Prithviraj Kothari, managing director of Riddhi Siddhi Bullions. A Mumbai court hearing the case said on Thursday that there appears to be a prima facie cognizable offence against the duo and their company, Satyug Gold Private Limited Kothari had invested 90,38,600 in Satyug Gold under a 5-year plan that promised delivery of 5,000 grams of 24-carat gold in April 2019. The plan required investors to make full payment for the gold at a discounted rate upfront at the time of application. However, according to his complaint, the promised amount of gold was never delivered The complaint accuses the Kundra couple, along with two directors and an employee of the firm, of conspiring to operate "an utterly bogus scheme." The document further alleges that they have committed offences punishable under relevant provisions of the IPC, including cheating and criminal breach of trust Additional Sessions Judge N. P. Mehta has directed the BKC police station to investigate the allegations made by Kothari Bullions. The Mumbai Police has also been instructed to register an FIR for cheating and criminal breach of trust if any cognizable offence is found to have been committed by the accused persons. ALSO READ: Raj Kundra linked to Bitcoin Ponzi scam: All you need to know about 6,600 crore investment fraud case The development comes just weeks after the Enforcement Directorate attached properties valued at 97.79 crore and equity shares belonging to the couple under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The investigation stems from multiple FIRs filed by the Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against various individuals and entities involved in a Bitcoin Ponzi scam The scam allegedly collected significant funds from the public under false promises of high returns, concealing ill-gotten gains in obscure online wallets. The search operation has been launched in Jammu and Kashmir to track down and neutralise terrorists after the June 9 attack. As per PTI report, Director General of Police R R Swain also met a top army officer on June 13 to discuss the ongoing action. Over the past few days, terrorists struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts, killing nine people, including seven pilgrims and a CRPF jawan, and leaving seven security personnel and others injured. Here are 10 points to know 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked officials to deploy the "full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities" as he reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following a spate of terror incidents, including an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims. 2. While speaking to DD news Jammu, DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range, Shridhar Patil said, We will soon neutralise terrorists who are roaming in the region. 3. DGP J&K also visited the injured Police jawan at Government Medical College Jammu. The DGP was accompanied by ADGP Jammu Shri Anand Jain, DIG JSK Range Shri Sunil Gupta, SSP Jammu, SSP Traffic Jammu and other senior officers. DGP also also met with medical professionals and hospital staff to inqure about the treatment and recovery progress of the injured personnel. 4. On June 13, Shailender Singh, the Senior Superintendent of Police for Railways, led a meeting with officials to evaluate security preparations at Jammu Railway Station ahead of the commencement of the annual Amarnath yatra on June 29. Officials told PTI that in the meeting it was discussed ways to further strengthen the security setup at the railway station and ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the pilgrimage. 5. According to officials, security forces initiated a new search and cordon operation on Thursday afternoon in Saida Sukhal village of Kathua's Hiranagar sector based on intelligence indicating the presence of two additional terrorists, as reported by PTI. 6. Two suspected Pakistani terrorists, part of a newly infiltrated group, and a CRPF jawan were killed in the village in an over 15-hour long operation that started Tuesday evening. A large quantity of arms and ammunition including one M4 Rifle, an AK assault rifle, a satellite phone and more than 2.10 lakh besides Pakistan made eatables, medicines and electronics were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorists, one of whom was said to be a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. Also Read: J-K terror attacks spark row as Farooq Abdullah says problems with Pakistan won't be solved by military action but... 7. Earlier on Wednesday, police issued an advisory urging residents of the Jammu region to stay vigilant regarding the movement of suspicious individuals and objects, the agency reported. 8. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal attacked the Modi government over the recent terror attacks. In a post on X, he wrote, Increasing terror in Jammu and Kashmir. We all stand by you Modiji But I wonder what you would have said about these terror attacks if you were in Opposition today? Remember 26/11/2008 and what you said! Let the people of India ponder on the problem of playing politics with terror!" Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir police warns of increased terrorist presence after series of attacks: Newly infiltrated group has... 9. Congress leader Vivek Tankha lashed out at the Modi government amid a surge in terrorist activity. The politician insisted that the abrogation of Article 370 would not change Kashmir and stressed the need to address basic issues. As far as terrorism is concerned, we all are one. Everyone is together in all the efforts taken against the terrorism by government. But, I have been saying this to Amit (Shah) and PM Modi that (Article) 370 is not Kashmir. They have abrogated Article 370 due to which Kashmiri Pandits and others are happy. However, the fact is that Kashmir will not change by this. Kashmir will improve when its basic issues are addressed with its stakeholders, he told PTI. Also Read: Modi 3.0 to change foreign policy? Opposition bats for talks with Pakistan amid surge in terror attacks 10. Following a recent encounter in Doda, the J-K police alo has released sketches of four suspected terrorists thought to be present in the higher areas of Bhaderwah, Thathri, and Gandoh within the district. Additionally, a reward of 5 lakh has been announced for any information leading to the capture of each of these individuals US President Joe Biden is making headlines for wandering away from a gathering of the G7 bloc's prominent leaders. A video footage capturing the moment, which surfaced online, has gone viral. Joe Biden is currently in Italy to attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit A video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) titled 'Clown show' draws attention to this peculiar moment. The post reads, President Biden appears to start wandering off at the G7 Summit and has to be handled back in. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was seen grabbing Biden to bring him back to the group. Also read: PM Modi to meet with Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden during G7 Summit? Heres all you need to know It further notes that there have been several occasions in the past when such awkward encounter between the two happened. The post adds, Biden was caught on camera saluting Meloni before shuffling away. The video clip shows the US president turning to his right and stepping away from the group of leaders posing for a picture. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni came to his rescue and guided him back to the frame. The leaders posing for the photo shoot included British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, apart from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Joe Biden. Netizens reacted to this video with memes, jokes and satires. A user stated, President Biden appears to start wandering off at the G7 Summit and has to be handled back in. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was seen grabbing Biden to bring him back to the group. Some users expressed concerns over the behaviour of Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election as the Democratic Party candidate in the upcoming Presidential elections for a second term, attributing it to age-related health issues. A second user commented, Dear Lord, please help America. Were hanging on by a thread. How much longer will they let him embarrass us? A third user remarked, This is what was caught on camera. Can you imagine what else he did right in front of world leaders? Such an embarrassment. Also read: G7 Summit: PM Modi to embark on first foreign visit in 3rd term to Italy, likely to meet Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau A fourth user noted, I dont think theres any chance he makes it to the election, much less another 4 years. The Dems are in a bad spot, and they can blame no one but themselves. A fifth user wrote, Biden has made America a laughing stock. World leaders are escorting Grandpa around the G7 summit. King Charles made two important appointments before Garter Day on June 17. His announcements did not involve Kate Middleton. Here is why many think the King snubbed the Princess of Wales. There are growing calls for Kate, the Kings daughter-in-law, to be made a member of this order, according to GB News. Prince Williams wife is currently undergoing cancer treatment. Also Read: Kate Middleton news: Princess of Wales planning a surprise public appearance amid cancer treatment The Order of the Garter, Britain's oldest and highest chivalry order, is celebrated yearly with a procession and service at Windsor Castle. The King appointed Baroness Manningham-Buller, a former MI5 director, as Chancellor of the Order of the Garter. The monarch also appointed Lord Ashton of Hyde, a former insurance broker, as Master of the Horse, overseeing the Royal Mews during state events. Both appointments are considered a gift by the King and will be effective from June 18. Also Read: Princess of Wales private medical records leaked amid cancer treatment? Last year, Kate played a major role in the Order of the Garter service. She wore a polka-dot Alessandra Rich dress and Princess Diana's earrings, which her mother-in-law got as a wedding gift in 1981. Kate matched her dress with a black and white fascinator by Philip Treacy and wore white Alessandra Rich pumps with a black toe. Kate Middletons cancer treatment Kate Middleton is at home recovering from cancer with chemotherapy. She will only appear in public when her doctors approve. Her main focus now is avoiding stress and anxiety. Also Read: Kate Middleton may never come back; Royal Family insider reveals shocking insight amid cancer treatment Us Weekly earlier reported that Kates role could change even if she returned to public duties. Kates team is reevaluating what shes going to be able to take on when she comes back, a Royal Family source told the publication. Elon Musk gave Donald Trump a shout out in front of his legions of fans and Tesla Inc. shareholders at the automakers annual meeting, saying the former president calls him often and is a huge fan of the futuristic Cybertruck. I have had some conversations with him and he does call me out of the blue for no reason, Teslas chief executive officer said during the meeting at the companys Austin headquarters on Thursday. I dont know why, but he does. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has said he would dismantle President Joe Bidens policies to boost electric vehicle sales. Trump has also said EVs wont work and will hurt US auto workers. But Trump and Musk have drawn closer recently, with Musk counseling the former president on crypto currency policy. Trump recently praised Musk at a rally in Arizona, saying he was a big fan of both EVs and Musk. Musk said Trump is very nice when he calls. The Tesla CEO said he told Trump that EVs are good for the future and that the US is the leader in battery-powered cars. A lot of his friends now have Teslas, and they all love it, and hes a huge fan of the Cybertruck, Musk said at the shareholder meeting. So I think maybe those are contributing factors. During a lengthy question and answer session during Teslas meeting, Musk also fielded queries about his physical, mental and emotional health. One man asked whether Musk, who he called an absolute idol, was doing everything to take care of yourself, safety and health, for the future of the company. Musk thanked him for the sentiment and said I probably need to work out and not get assassinated or something. Prime Minister Narendra Modi anticipated constructive dialogues with global leaders at the G7 Summit on Friday, aiming to tackle worldwide issues and promote international collaboration for a better tomorrow. His remarks were made upon his arrival in Apulia, southern Italy, for the Outreach session of the summit. The Prime Minister made his comments as he arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, to attend the G7 Summit's outreach session. Tomorrow (Friday) is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the Outreach session of the G7 Summit, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a video message from the Brindisi Airport. What's on agenda? During his day-long visit, Modi will be participating in a summit session entitled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis. The Pope is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi, who has a series of meetings scheduled with the world leaders on the sidelines of the summit being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia. Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future, Prime Minister Modi posted on X. Earlier in his departure statement, Modi said he was glad that his first foreign visit in his third consecutive term as Prime Minister was to Italy for the G7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, his statement reads. During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South. I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the summit, he added. India recently hosted the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, attended by the same global leaders convening at the Apulia meet under the Italian presidency. During her opening address on Thursday at the G7 leaders' meeting, which included US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Charles Michel, she emphasized the significance of choosing southern Italy as the venue to convey a strong message to the Global South. Besides India, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries in Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the G7 Summit. A large number of Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, as the pious annual Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj, begins today, Friday. Several Muslim pilgrims visit the city every year during the Hajj pilgrimage to begin their journey of faith and spirituality along a route taken by the Prophet Muhammad. Nearly, 1.5 million pilgrims came to the city on Tuesday to join Hajj pilgrimmage, set to begin on Friday, reported AP citing Saudi authorities. The number of pilgrims is likely to grow in the coming months as hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia will also join them after Hajj officially begins on Friday. Hajj 2024 begins today, see photos Two blind pilgrims preform Hajj with the help of their guide outside of the Grand Mosque during the annual pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. (AP Photo/Baraa Anwer) Muslim worshippers pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on June 13, 2024, ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. After travelling from all parts of the globe to Islams holiest city, the pilgrims will first perform the tawaf walking seven times around the Kaaba, the giant black cube that Muslims worldwide pray towards every day. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) Pilgrims leave after offering prayers outside at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) Since their arrival, pilgrims have performed the circumambulation with a large number of crowds circling the Kaaba. It will last into Friday, the Haj's first day, when pilgrims move to Mina, a desert plain outside the city. Later, Muslim pilgrims who arrived Saudi Arabia, will also perform daylong worship on the Mountain of Arafat followed by a transition to Muzdalifah, a rocky plain nearby. Here, pilgrims gather pebbles for the symbolic stoning of pillars representing evil upon their return to Mina. The Hajj is one of the largest religious congregations globally and is revered as one of Islam's five pillars. It is obligatory for all financially and physically capable Muslims to undertake Hajj at least once in their lifetime. For those participating, the Hajj is not only a demonstration of religious duty but also an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation, the cleansing of past transgressions, and the embrace of a fresh start. The pilgrimage includes a series of prescribed acts and rituals that symbolise various aspects of faith, devotion and unity. Initial probes into the Kuwait fire tragedy, which claimed the lives of 45 Indians, reveal significant oversights. As reported by Indian Express citing sources, approximately two dozen gas cylinders stored on the ground level of the seven-story structure, the use of highly flammable materials such as paper, cardboard, and plastic as makeshift partitions in the congested living spaces for workers, and locked doors preventing access to the rooftop, impeding workers' ability to flee. As Indian embassy officials engaged with survivors, Kuwaiti investigators commenced their examination into the tragic fire incident, which resulted in the loss of 49 lives, occurring early Wednesday in an apartment building near Kuwait City. Kuwaiti authorities have already conducted DNA tests on the bodies as part of the identification process. Sources told Indian Express that a probable short-circuit on the ground floor, exacerbated by approximately two dozen stored gas cylinders and the presence of a kitchen, appears to have initiated the fire. The rapid spread of the fire was facilitated by the abundant combustible materials such as cardboard, paper, and plastic, which were used to divide the densely populated rooms within the building. Additionally, buildings in the area have been adapted internally to create more space, potentially violating Kuwait's building codes and impeding firefighting efforts. Kuwaiti Fire Force said the deadly fire was caused by an electrical circuit. In a press statement, it said the conclusion was arrived at after an examination of the scene of the incident, Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported. PTI reported that the fire in Al-Mangaf building was reported to authorities in Al-Ahmadi governorate at 4.30 am on Wednesday, and most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation, Kuwaiti media reported, adding the fire started in a kitchen. Construction firm NBTC group rented the building for the stay of more than 195 workers, most of them Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and northern states, the Kuwaiti media said. Interior Minister Al-Sabah ordered an investigation into the fire incident and issued directions to apprehend the owner and janitor of the Al-Mangaf building. Prime Minister Modi reviewed the situation at a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra, among others. Following the meeting, the prime minister announced ex-gratia relief of 2 lakh to the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the PM Relief Fund and directed that the government should extend all possible assistance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he had a very productive meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the ongoing G-7 summit in Italy's Apulia region. He also said that India is eager to cement bilateral ties with Ukraine further and reiterated that the country believes in a human-centric approach. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said: Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy. The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Furthering India-Ukraine partnership! PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, Jaiswal said on X. The leaders reviewed the bilateral relationship and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. The PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, the spokesperson added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were part of PM Modis delegation at the bilateral meeting. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, New Delhi has maintained that the conflict between the two neighbours must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Swiss Peace Summit Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the conflict at the bilateral meeting, which came ahead of the Swiss Peace Summit. The peace summit will be held on June 15 and 16 at Burgenstock in Lucerne. On Wednesday, India said that it would participate in the upcoming peace summit on the Ukraine conflict at an appropriate level. KYIV, UkraineUkraine is imposing blackouts, launching hasty repairs and hunting for spare parts after a Russian bombing campaign targeting power infrastructure in recent months slashed the countrys electricity production by half. The Russian attacks, using waves of missiles and explosive drones, have sparked fears of a painful winter should the power outages severely hamper the economy and lead to an exodus from cities. Ukraine has long pleaded with the West for more air-defense systems, and Ukrainian officials say deliveries have been insufficient to protect both cities and the front lines. In reviving and expanding a tactic used earlier in the war, Ukrainian officials say Russia is seeking to spark a humanitarian crisis as part of an effort to break Ukrainians will to fight and force a capitulation. The streets of Kyiv are already filled with the sound and fumes of generators, as power companies impose hourslong blackouts to manage consumption and carry out repairs. Ukraine has increased electricity imports from European Union neighbors it was exporting power to as recently as March. And repair crews are working across its energy grid to restore capacity, sometimes only to see the same facilities struck again. Industry analysts warn that the situation could become much more acute in the winter, when demand for electricity, needed for provision of heating and water, jumps. Russia is trying to refine the practice of destroying energy facilities," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that strikes on energy infrastructure are part of Russias plan to demilitarize" Ukraine. In April, after the attacks intensified, Amnesty International said they were a violation of international humanitarian law" for the harm they were causing to civilians. During the first full winter of the war from 2022 to 2023, Russia strangled Ukraines power grid, forcing long blackouts in cities across the country by targeting substations, which help distribute electricity. This time, Russia has expanded its strikes to target thermal-power plants and dams, which can take months or years to repair. Ukraines Energy Ministry tallied six massive bombardments targeting energy infrastructure across the country from March 22 to June 1. Attacks on substations and power lines occur daily. Ukraines thermal-power generation is running at 20% capacity and one-third of hydropower generation is destroyed. While nuclear power continues to function, Russias occupation of Europes largest nuclear-power plant in Zaporizhzhya has left a big hole in production. Ukraines energy grid had survived the past winter in relatively good shape. Energy companies had repaired the distribution network sufficiently to largely avoid blackouts. We exited out of winter in a quite healthy position," said Maxim Timchenko, chief executive of DTEK, Ukraines largest private energy company. Russias new tactics took advantage of Ukraines shortage of air-defense systems and interceptors as the U.S. Congress dallied over a new military-aid package. Ukraines military was still able to intercept many of the drones and missiles coursing toward the power plants, but even one projectile finding its target can have catastrophic consequences. Some sites have suffered repeat attacks. It took three weeks to bring one thermal-power plant in western Ukraine back online, Timchenko said, but it only functioned for two weeks before it was attacked again. Now, it is beyond repair. DTEK estimates the price of restoring the energy system at $50 billion. For now, as Ukraines government is pushing for more air defense from Western partners, power companies are rallying in search of solutions. Focused on maintenance, they are looking for spare parts, equipment and investment to keep Ukraines grid working. To address the need for parts, Timchenko said DTEK has been working with countries across Europe to visit decommissioned power plants to scour for usable parts. At least 10 countries have opened their doors. During the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Ukraines Energy Ministry said it helped coordinate a dozen new cooperation agreements for rebuilding and maintaining the countrys power grid. State power company Ukrenergo said it has received 30.4 million euros, equivalent to around $33 million, from Germany to support energy infrastructure. The EU said 1.4 billion euros in grants will be available to businesses working in the sector. DTEK announced partnerships with U.S. energy companies Honeywell International and GE Vernova as well as French energy company Schneider Electric, which has donated 43,000 pieces of emergency equipment worth 4 million euros since February 2022. Were all doing everything possible to move us to the best scenario," said Timchenko. The success of Russias bombardment is already aggravating Ukrainians day-to-day lives. Energy prices have skyrocketed. During power outages, elevators dont run, streetlights shut down and internet and cellular service is disrupted. In the hot Ukrainian summer, air conditioners are discouraged. At night, cities are plunged into darkness. Many streets are unlit and a Kyiv cityscape, usually vibrant with lights and color, looms gray against the evening sky. Generators of all sizes line city streets, at the ready to power businesses during the next outage. When the power is out, neighborhoods fill with their inescapable whir. Ukrainians are also turning to alternative sources of energy. The solar-panel market is booming. A spokeswoman for Solar Energy Association of Ukraine, an industry body, said solar-panel suppliers have been selling out of equipment as homeowners search for individual solutions. Although Ukraine had been investing in green and nuclear power before the full-scale invasion, the attacks are also speeding up the transition for power companies, Timchenko said. Even during the war, DTEK has launched a wind farm, which is better protected against attacks as the source of the power generation is more distributed and flexible. Still, it is hard to quickly introduce large amounts of new output capacity. Even today, we have to think about the future," Timchenko said. US Presidential Elections 2024: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump proposed an all tariff policy on Thursday to eliminate the need for income tax in the United States, CNBC reported citing sources. As per the report, Trump discussed utilising tariffs as leverage in negotiations with problematic entities, CNBC reported quoting another source present at the meeting held with GOP lawmakers at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C. The comments indicate that Trump, known for promoting tariffs as a versatile tool in foreign policy during his initial term as president, is contemplating a significantly more protectionist trade agenda should he win against US President Joe Biden in November. Trump later mentioned in a Truth Social post on Thursday morning, lots discussed, all positive, but did not elaborate further. Critics swiftly reacted to Trump's suggestion of replacing income taxes with tariffs. In a post on X, David Kamin, professor at New York University, said, Here's the thing: The income tax has its flaws. But, the bottom line is it raises ~$2.5 trillion per year in progressive fashion. Broadly substituting tariffs for income tax is a sure way to hit hard, low and middle income Americans and reward top. CNBC reported citing Catherine Rampell, an op-ed columnist for The Washington Post, highlighted the potential impact of Trump's tariff proposal, noting that it could effectively result in a substantial tax increase for lower and middle-income classes, stating, this sounds like a huge tax increase on the lower/middle income classes. Trump's visit to Capitol Hill to engage with Republican lawmakers and business figures marked his first return to the area since January 6, 2021, when, as president, he encouraged his supporters to rally to contest his electoral defeat to Joe Biden. Rampell's analysis highlights potential concerns regarding the fairness and distributional impact of Trump's proposed tariff policy. American elections are about more than just America. They have consequences for the entire world, and our elected officials shape how the U.S. is seen around the globe. They amplify our values on the international stage. And theyre tasked with keeping people safe. Issues such as extreme poverty, chronic hunger and deadly diseases rarely make headlines in America unless theyre happening in the U.S. But these evils are often at the root of global crises. They destabilize economies, weaken health systems, and cause conflicts around the world. Global problems require global investment, but America must continue to lead by example in support for global health. Although global health programs shouldnt be controversial, funding for them is constantly under threat despite decades of evidence showing their incredible influence. In 2003, an HIV diagnosis was still a death sentence in many parts of the world. President Bush, with broad bipartisan support, created the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. That program, along with other U.S.-backed efforts such as the Global Fund, helped turn the tide of the AIDS epidemic. Mr. Bushs plan alone has saved more than 25 million lives. His malaria initiativeanother bipartisan efforthas saved nearly 12 million. And the global collaboration Gavi, the vaccine alliance, reports that it has helped deliver vaccines to more than a billion children. Thanks to these efforts, child mortality has been cut in half in a single generation. But for all the progress weve made, roughly five million children under 5 still died in 2022mostly of preventable causes such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Measles and other diseases are re-emerging in places where they were once eliminated. Nearly half the world is at risk of malaria, and in 2022 the National Institutes of Health reported that tuberculosis claims one life every 20 seconds. New diagnostics, affordable treatments and faster delivery systems could save many lives. They are being developed but require continued American leadership to reach those most in need. Some, understandably, question why we should spend money and effort to help people in other countries when there are so many challenges here in America. The Gates Foundation funds projects around the world because global health programs benefit everyone. Every president in recent memory has dealt with an epidemic, from Ebola and H1N1 to SARS and Covid-19. By providing countries with medicine, equipment and training, weve helped contain the spread of deadly diseases. There are economic benefits of such efforts, too. Former U.S. aid recipientsSouth Korea, for examplehave become some of our largest trading partners, supplying everything from food and clothes, to the processors in our phones. And now South Korea is an aid donor to other countries. As the November elections approach, American voters should ask where candidates stand on global issues. And candidates should show they understand these issues. In this election, we must reaffirm that by continuing Americas proud, bipartisan tradition of global leadership, we can safeguard the future of our children and our nationand help the entire world. Mr. Gates is chairman of the Gates Foundation. Congratulations to Europes ascendant parties of the right after they leveraged voters grievances into a big win in last weekends European Parliament elections. Commiserations, too, since now theyre in charge of fixing those grievances. Citizens in the 27 countries of the European Union went to the polls last week to elect the blocs 720-member legislative body. Two issues are widely understood to have driven the outcome: Voters are fed up with the inability of mainstream parties and institutions to get a handle on mass immigration and the social upheaval that comes with it. And theyre wary of paying any more to fund the climate obsessions of Europes green left. Cue a pronounced swing toward the right. The biggest political grouping in the European Parliament remains the European Peoples Partycomposed of national center-right parties such as Germanys Christian Democrats and Spains Popular Partynow with a larger plurality. Even bigger gains came to parties misleadingly labeled far right" by much of the media, such as Marine Le Pens National Rally in France and Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy, which have now achieved a critical mass131 seatsthat will allow them to become properly obstructive in Brussels. Parties of the left suffered stunning losses. Especially Europes Greens, which went splat on contact with the rapidly setting concrete of Europes new indifference to climate change. Five years ago, voters cared, deeply and truly, about climate change. Those voters now know what theyll need to pay to do anything about ithigher energy prices, electric-vehicle mandates, industrial hollowing outand theyre refusing. Contrary to the hair-on-fire media alarmism about jackbooted fascists, the main trend to emerge from this election is a reinvigoration of Europes center right. This is most obvious in countries such as Germany and Spain, whose mainstream center-right parties fared well. As for the relative newcomers, most of them owe their gains to their shifts toward the center in recent years. Most no longer oppose using the euro, for instance. Such ideological shifts allow these parties to widen their appeal enough to win. Which, ultimately, may prove to be their undoing. Having won an election by appealing to a wider coalition of voters, one needs to govern skillfully to hold that coalition together. History suggests that some of the ascendant rights signature policy promises will be particularly difficult to enact. Their chances are best on climate policy, both because right-wing parties positions here are more popular and because the EUs baroque governing system provides ready opportunities to effect change. An early opening will be the grand bargaining over appointment of a president for the European Commission, the EUs bureaucratic apparatus. The president is nominated by the 27 leaders of EU countries but must be confirmed by a parliamentary majority. Incumbent Ursula von der Leyen five years ago made a series of policy concessions to parties of the left in exchange for their support in parliament. She wants a second five-year term now, and insurgent parties of the right in concert with the centrist EPP bloc have an opening to insist she bow to their own priorities this time. That could include extracting from Ms. von der Leyen or any other candidate a commitment to can the EUs electric-vehicle mandate or ditch unpopular climate-related agricultural regulations. Immigration will be the tougher problem. The conceit among the insurgent right is that obvious solutions exist if only Europes effete ruling class would act. Itd be a strain to call Europes current immigration policies competent but theres no ready, simple solution to the woes that got right-wing parties in office. Reducing the number of illegal arrivals is a daunting logistical, fiscal and political task. EU efforts to cope typically run aground as soon as Europeans realize they might need to cede some level of national sovereignty to the EU, such as larger fiscal transfers to border countries or greater harmonization of legal rules surrounding asylum claims. Will Ms. Le Pen ask French taxpayers to write bigger checks to Ms. Meloni to manage migrant inflows in Southern Italy? As for cultural assimilation of immigrants and their descendantsthe insurgent rights biggest concern, especially regarding Muslimsevery proposed solution proves both unworkable and unpopular. Ms. Le Pen hasnt been able to formulate a way to ban halal butchers (in an attempt to assimilate Frances large Muslim population forcibly) without catching kosher meat in the crossfire. Whether its mosque bans or forbidding head scarves, the anti-immigrant right across the bloc struggles to cobble together a majority of public opinion behind any assimilation measure. Blame the media or left-wing brainwashing or cultural decadence or anything else, a status quo is a status quo for a reason. Citizens and insurgent parties alike may soon confront the possibility that voters themselvesspecifically, a mismatch between what they want and what theyre prepared to do to get itare Europes problem. Buckle up. The first Parliament session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 to July 3. This will be the special session of Parliament. It will be an important one as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "...after the elections, we are coming together for the first time..." All eyes will be on the equation between the Opposition INDIA bloc, which won nearly 230 seats, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which won over 290 seats, in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. ALSO READ: Union Budget 2024 likely to be tabled in Parliament by third week of July Unlike the 2019 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, this time, the ruling BJP failed to cross the majority mark (272 seats) in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, the Congress and its allies emerged stronger in comparison to the last two national elections. This makes it interesting to watch the upcoming Parliament session, where the Opposition is likely to raise a host of issues, while it won't be that easy for the Modi 3.0 government to pass laws. Besides, the first Parliament session of 2024 will witness key arrangements and appointments. Here's what to watch out for the special session: 1. Oath: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the first session of rhe 18th Lok Sabha is being summoned from June 24 to July 3 for oath/affirmation of newly elected members. This means that the first three days of the session will see the newly-elected leaders taking oath or making affirmation of their membership of the Lok Sabha. 2. Speaker Election: The most important aspect of the first session will be the election of the Speaker of the House. The election to appoint a Lok Sabha Speaker to be held on June 26, 2024. Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Chandrababu Naidu's TDP the key members of the NDA are eyes the post. Until a new Speaker is elected, the senior-most Lok Sabha MP is picked to be the Speaker pro-tem. For this, a list, indicating MPs' seniority in terms of their tenure in the Lok Sabha as well as in the Rajya Sabha, is prepared. The pro-tem Speaker presides over the first few sessions of the Lok Sabha and conducts the vote for the new Speaker and deputy Speaker. 3. President's address: President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27. She may outline the new government's roadmap for the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to introduce his council of ministers to Parliament after the President's address on June 27. 4. Who will be the Leader of the Opposition? The Opposition has yet to choose a leader for the Opposition. Speculations are rife that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may take up the post. However, this is yet to be confirmed. A party needs one-tenth of the total strength which is 55 members in the Lok Sabha to elect a Leader of the Opposition. The Congress has 99 members in the Lower House. 5. Debate and PM Modi's response: The debate on the Motion of Thanks at the President's address is expected to witness the Opposition trying to corner the NDA government on several issues, including the NEET exam row. PM Modi will respond to the debate later in both Houses of Parliament. Speculation surrounding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's possible entry into electoral politics surged before the Lok Sabha elections, but she opted not to contest then. The buzz is back now. However, on Thursday, NDTV reported, citing sources, that she may contest the by-poll for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat if Rahul Gandhi retains Raebareli and quits the former seat. Rahul Gandhi, who secured significant victories in the Lok Sabha elections from both the Raebareli and Wayanad constituencies, sparked further speculation about his sister's potential debut. Earlier, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have faced a larger defeat, by two-three lakh votes, if his sister had contested against him in Varanasi. NDTV reported, citing sources, that in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had urged the Gandhi siblings to decide on their electoral participation, expressing his preference that both should contest. He emphasised that their absence from these strongholds would convey a negative message to party workers, Congress allies, and the INDIA bloc. According to the NDTV, Gandhi ultimately decided against contesting. According to sources close to her, this decision was influenced by the concern that her victory in the Lok Sabha elections would result in three Gandhis simultaneously serving in Parliamenther mother, brother, and herself. This, it was felt, would validate the BJP's accusation of dynastic politics within the Congress party. The possibility of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting the by-polls from Wayanad hinges on Rahul Gandhi's likely decision to vacate the constituency-- which gave him a victory though he lost in Amethi in 2019-- in favour of Raebareli. Mint could not independently verify the development. While Rahul expressed his dilemma on Wednesday, stating that his final decision would satisfy voters of both seats, sources told NDTV that he would likely opt for Raebareli due to Uttar Pradesh's significance in national politics. Steven Henry, whos running for the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners Chairman, says it feels good to be on the ballot but he hates that it took a court order to do so. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Newly elected MEP Ciaran Mullooly reflected on his electoral success when he spoke to Morning Ireland on Friday morning. He revealed that the work as an MEP begins for him this Sunday, when he travels to Brussels to begin talks in relation to what grouping he will join in the European Parliament. A lot of groups lost seats and some groups gained MEPs. There are also some new groups, he stated. He described himself as a centrist. He also denied that he was a climate denier. I am not anti-green. However, there must be a transition. I work with people on this issue, he stated. Also read: One of Longford's top public houses hoping to develop a glamping tourism project He told the programme that he was not in favour of the proposed nature restoration plans. There is already up to 10% of agricultural land that is set aside for nature. Farmers are already playing their part, he explained. I would have concerns in relation to rewetting of land. Water may continue from peat land to adjoining land, he added. Issues for farmers are stark, Mullooly continued. Mullooly will represent Independent Ireland in Brussels. Mullooly, who most recently worked as a Tourism Activator with Longford County Council, outlined the relative shoestring budget this campaign was run on. I spent less than 60,000. That is one third what the main parties spent on each of their candidates, he stated. Eight weeks ago, we had no posters. I had a small team campaigning for me, he added. Mullooly also had to contend with some high profile candidates in the field. To the right, I had the Cowen Dynasty, which stretches back to the 1970s. To the left, I had the energetic, driven Ming Flanagan, he explained. The race in Midlands North West also had former champion jockey Nina Carberry and outgoing MEP and former Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh (both of whom were elected). Mullooly took umbrage with the idea that he was perhaps a celebrity candidate to some degree. I was in peoples living rooms for decades as an RTE correspondent. However, my success was not borne from my RTE role, he stated. I have been involved in organisations for over years. These included farming and rural projects and suicide prevention, he added. Also read: Jubilation for Longford's Ciaran Mullooly as he is elected MEP in Midlands-North-West Reflecting upon his success, he said that it was an incredible end to an extraordinary eight weeks. I got very strong first preferences from coast to coast, from Louth over to Galway, he stated. The Lanesboro man took the fifth and final seat in the Midlands North West constituency. He had been battling for the final seat with Sinn Fein candidate Michelle Gildernew. Also read: Investigation launched following death of 17-year-old boy in Cavan workplace incident Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 14 2024 As a vital piece of our economy, the Sound is critical to the daily life of thousands of Long Islanders, said LaLota. Today, Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-03), Co-Chairs of the Long Island Sound Caucus, released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee passed their bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act , which would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound. Today, after months of hard work, Im thrilled to see our bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Long Island Sound program come one step closer to becoming law. As a vital piece of our economy, the Sound is critical to the daily life of thousands of Long Islanders, said LaLota. The Long Island Sound Program is too important to Long Island communities and must be reauthorized immediately. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, I look forward to ensuring this bill passes the House as soon as possible. Todays bipartisan action on the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act is a very encouraging boost to the long-term efforts to preserve and manage this unique tidal estuary. This legislation reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Long Island Sound Programs for five years to ensure the Sound remains a valuable resource for our communities, said Courtney. Congress last established a five-year reauthorization under the then Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act in 2018, and it is necessary for us to renew our commitment to these critical programs. Thank you to Congressman LaLota, fellow Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, for his leadership in advancing this bill through the Natural Resources Committee. I look forward to voting for it on the House Floor. Despite its proximity to New York City, Long Island offers a variety of wildlife habitats in need of maintenance and upkeep, said Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023 will develop conservation programs for the 12 priority habitats included in the Long Island Sound and surrounding areas. I commend Rep. LaLota for implementing these sound solutions to ensure good stewardship over essential habitats. To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE . Background: The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028. In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada. In September 2023, LaLota introduced the bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, which would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound. In January 2024, LaLota testified at a Natural Resources Committee hearing supporting the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The same month, LaLota testified at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including a reauthorization of the Long Island Sound Program in the biannual Water Resources Development Act. Israeli army forces deploy along a road near a blaze that erupted after rockets fired from south Lebanon landed near Kfar Szold in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel on June 14, 2024. (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images) In a significant escalation, Hezbollah pummeled northern Israel on Wednesday with more than 200 rockets in the terror groups largest single-day attack since the start of the war in Gaza. The barrage came the day after the Israel Defense Forces killed Taleb Sami Abdullah, a senior Hezbollah commander, in southern Lebanon. Israel and the Iran-backed terrorist organization have traded almost daily blows for months, but the frequency and seriousness of these attacks have escalated in recent weeks. If the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) does not execute its mandated mission by stopping Hezbollah attacks on Israel and ensuring the group withdraws north of the Litani River, the steadily intensifying violence on Israels northern border could become a full-scale war with massive loss of life. Since Hamass October 7 terror attack, Israel has avoided a major war with Hezbollah for several reasons. They include an Israeli desire to avoid simultaneous large-scale military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, concerns about Hezbollahs formidable arsenal and Israels insufficient preparedness to deal with it, as well as pressure from the Biden administration. Hezbollah, for its part, has attempted to launch just enough attacks on Israel to show solidarity with Hamas and raise the costs on Israel for its continued operations in Gaza, while avoiding a massive Israeli retaliation that would bring to Lebanon the level of destruction seen in Gaza. Iran, Hezbollahs terror patron, has been eager for its proxies to harry Israel from all directions but does not want to see the decimation of Hezbollah, which Tehran needs as a deterrent against an Israeli attack on Irans nuclear program. But these delicate dynamics and balances resist indefinite management and might be about to spin out of control with serious consequences for the Lebanese and Israeli people as well as regional security. How did we get to this point? Since Israel pulled out of southern Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah has dramatically expanded its military capabilities with the help of Tehran. In 2010, then-U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated that, We are now at the point where Hezbollah has far more rockets and missiles than most governments in the world. Now, thanks largely to Irans support and Israeli reluctance to act more aggressively after the 2006 war, Hezbollahs arsenal closely resembles that of a mid-size European army, with thousands of drones and mortars and at least 150,000 rockets and missiles. In 2006, Hezbollah fired about 4,000 of its estimated 15,000 rockets and missiles at Israel in a month, but by 2024 the groups stockpile had grown tenfold. Over the past eight months, even as Israel has been battling Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah has conducted over 1,000 attacks against the Jewish state and launched over 4,000 munitions from Lebanon and Syria into northern Israel, according to the Institute for National Security Studies. To make matter worse, at least 60,000 Israelis from dozens of communities have fled their homes in the north. Israel, roughly the size of New Jersey, can ill afford to permit its enemies to effectively shrink its borders. Israelis must be able to return to their homes, and the government must be able to protect them. A poll last week in Israel found that more than 60 percent of Israelis support a decisive attack on Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces have deployed multiple brigades along the northern border, where Israeli troops have been conducting exercises. Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi said last week that a decision on whether to launch large-scale attack could come soon. The Israeli officer in charge of forces in the north said his forces are ready. The pressure on the Netanyahu government to restore security and deterrence in Israels north will only grow. If that major war comes, the human costs especially in Lebanon but also in Israel could be extraordinary. Hezbollah could launch thousands of missiles, rockets, drones, and mortars each day for many days. This bombardment likely would overwhelm some Israeli air defenses, impose extraordinary damage on Israel, and require the Jewish state to respond with devastating air strikes in Lebanon that could dwarf those undertaken in Gaza in recent months. Despite Israeli efforts to protect the innocent in such an operation, civilian casualties in Lebanon could be massive, depending on several factors. Thats primarily because Hezbollah has long intertwined its positions and weapon stockpiles with the civilian population. The success of Hamass human shields strategy in Gaza likely has motivated Hezbollah to double down on this strategy, which invites and wields civilian deaths as a tool to demonize and isolate Israel and bring its military retaliation to a premature end. Whats to be done? UNIFIL has roughly 10,000 troops stationed in southern Lebanon. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, passed in 2006, UNIFIL must ensure, among other things, that the area between the Lebanons Litani River and the so-called Blue Line (the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon, roughly 30 km south of the river) is free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL. The UN resolution also authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind. Unfortunately, UNIFIL has utterly failed to fulfill this mandate. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has noted that UNIFIL was unable to access a range of troubling sites across the Blue Line, such as rocket launch sites and tunnels that Hezbollah uses to facilitate operations. But UNIFIL freedom of movement south of the Litani River would not be a panacea. Hezbollah has brazenly launched some of its attacks from positions right next to UNIFIL positions, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Clearly, Hezbollah is not particularly concerned about UNIFIL doing its job. Denizens of the American and European diplomatic cocktail circuit often like to trumpet the value of international organizations and diplomacy in preventing war. Well, now is their moment in Lebanon. If that major war comes in Lebanon, expect widespread international outrage to be directed at Israel because of the wars extraordinary humanitarian consequences, which could far surpass what we have seen in Gaza. But heres the point: If only a fraction of that prospective energy devoted to outrage toward Israel for defending itself could be channeled now into getting UNIFIL to do its job, the war could be avoided altogether. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned that the exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel could trigger a broader conflict with devastating consequences for the region. He could not be more correct. The question is what the secretary-general, the United Nations, its members, and UNIFIL are willing to do to avoid such a war. Time may be running out. Those who have followed the United Nations and UNFIL will not hold their breath that anything will change. Thats why Israeli forces are wise to prepare for full-scale war. Bradley Bowman serves as the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Cameron McMillan conducts research on the U.S. military and the Middle East. IDF soldiers conduct an exercise in northern Israel in early June. (IDF photo) Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets at northern Israel on June 13 after its unprecedented barrage of over 215 projectiles the previous day. The initial wave of attacks followed an Israeli airstrike that killed a Hezbollah senior commander. The groups continued escalation has raised eyebrows in Israel and Iran, which backs Hezbollah. The growing clashes have also led to US concerns about another possible war, and both Israels Ynet media and the pro-Iranian AL-Mayadeen reported on worries about an escalation. Israeli mayors and regional officials in northern Israel expressed concerns over the continued attacks and the lack of a robust response. Irans acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, warned Israel against attacking Lebanon while on a visit to Iraq on June 13. The beginning of the June 13 attacks was marked by sirens sounding in the community of Shtula, which sits directly on the Lebanese border, followed by alarms in the city of Kiryat Shmona and nine other communities in the northern Huleh Valley. Israel evacuated these areas in October 2023, when Hezbollah initially began its attacks, and Israel was concerned the terrorist group would launch a large-scale incursion similar to Hamass attack on October 7. IDF systems that detect incoming threats and trigger sirens also responded to a number of false identifications on June 13, including several suspected drone infiltrations. For instance, the IDF stated that the sirens that sounded at 12:26 and 13:19 regarding rocket and missile fire and a hostile aircraft infiltration in the Western Galilee area, it was determined to be a false identification. Many of the identified incidents were real, however. At 3 pm, 40 rockets targeted the upper Galilee and Golan Heights. Numerous launches were successfully intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array. A number of hits that ignited fires in the area were identified, the IDF said. Significant drone attacks were also detected, and the IDF said it intercepted seven of the unmanned aircraft. The drone incursions continued into the evening. In addition, Hezbollah targeted the community of Manara, which sits on a ridgeline over the Huleh valley on the Lebanese border. A guided anti-tank missile moderately wounded one IDF soldier and lightly injured a second. The injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, according to an IDF statement. Israeli aircraft retaliated for the attacks, striking several areas in Jarmac and Deir Seryan in southern Lebanon that the IDF characterized as housing military structures. In another strike overnight between June 12 and June 13, Israeli warplanes hit Ayta ash Shab, an area frequently targeted in retaliation. Amid this escalation with Hezbollah, the IDF continues to train forces for a possible war in the north. Combat teams from the 4th Armored Reserve Brigade, known as the Kiryati, trained with elements of the 226th Paratrooper Reserve Brigade over the first two weeks of June. The 4th Armored had fought in Gaza in December and January after its reservists were called up in October following Hamass attack. The 226th Brigade has been conducting defensive operations along the northern border. The exercise simulated a combat scenario at varying ranges while emphasizing the capabilities of movement in complex terrain, advancement along mountainous routes, the activation of multi-faceted fire, and combat in various terrain, the IDF said. The drills are part of a larger series of exercises that reservists with the IDFs 146th Division have conducted since December. The 146th is one of several divisions Israel has deployed in the north. The 36th Division and two territorial divisions, the 91st and the 210th, are also responsible for securing the countrys northern and Golan borders. 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). On Jun. 13, Israeli forces operating in the northern West Bank city of Qabatiya killed two senior terrorists belonging to Islamic Jihads Katibat Jenin branch, the Israeli military said. The duo were identified as Muhammed Shalabi and Muhammed Fayyad in a statement published by the group. Katibat Jenin described Muhammed Shalabi and Muhammed Fayyad as members of the military council of the Jenin Brigade. The statement acknowledged they died in an armed clash after the occupation forces surrounded them on the resilient land of Qabatiya. Israeli forces launched the raid based on intelligence provided by Aman and the Shin Bet. During the operation, fighters engaged in an exchange of fire with the wanted persons that included firing shoulder-fired missiles at the building, the IDF said. Three Palestinian deaths have been reported, including one IDF fighter who was lightly wounded in the operation. Footage published by a popular Palestinian news channel Quds News, shows the building where the two wanted persons had barricaded themselves. The post describes shells targeting the building, which matches the statement provided by the Israeli military that shoulder-fired missiles were used in the operation. Later that day, hundreds of mourners, including many armed Palestinians from various groups, attended the funerals in Jenin for the three Palestinians killed in the operation. While Islamic Jihads branch in Jenin claimed Shalabi and Fayyad as members of its military council, its unlikely that their deaths will significantly disrupt the groups operations. In fact, since the surge in violence began three years ago, Israels strategy has seemingly made a limited impact on the operations of Palestinian terrorist groups. One notable exception is the Nablus-based The Lions Den, which has been significantly degraded by targeted operations against its leaders and key operatives. Members of the group have been eliminated or have fled to seek safety with the Palestinian Authoritys security services. Notwithstanding the prominent role of Katibat Jenin, it is important to recognize that there are numerous branches of established terrorist organizations operating in various parts of the West Bank. Over the past three years, the proliferation of resistance groups in the West Bank has been a largely overlooked issue that warrants serious attention. Initially, the Israeli security establishment may have failed to accurately predict the scale of the problem, which involves well-organized and heavily armed cells operating in multiple cities and villages across the West Bank. This oversight has been compounded by Irans significant financial backing of these groups, which is aimed at destabilizing the Palestinian Authority and creating chaos on Israels doorstep. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. For three years, violence in the West Bank has persisted with no signs of abatement, fueled mainly by Iran-backed terrorist groups. While Israeli forces conduct near-daily counterterrorism raids, attacks on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and civilian targets continue. Branches belonging to Islamic Jihad, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Hamas, and other armed groups not only continue to be operational but are expanding their presence in the West Bank. The FDDs Long War Journal Mapping Terrorism in the West Bank project breaks down attacks carried out by armed groups between March 31, 2022, and June 13, 2024. Additionally, the project breaks down data to show attacks pre- and post-October 7, 2023. Notable figures from the tally reveal that Katibat Jenin, the Islamic Jihads Jenin branch, has been responsible for the majority of attacks against Israeli targets. The Lions Den has also conducted a significant number of attacks. However, that group has since ceased its activities following repeated Israeli counterterrorism raids against its leadership and members. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Tulkarm Battalion has also demonstrated a capacity to launch a substantial number of attacks, with a total of 132 recorded incidents. Separately, LWJs mapped data highlight a concerning issue regarding the presence of numerous terrorist groups operating in the West Bank. While the infographic identifies 15 groups, many linked to known terrorist organizations, additional factions are also active. The data illustrate a marked rise in the number of armed cells, indicating a substantial uptick in terrorist activity in comparison to previous years when only a few militant groups were active in the West Bank. A significant development the infographic does not highlight is the substantial increase in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against Israeli troops. Initially, Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank relied on automatic weapons, pipe bombs, and crudely rigged fire extinguishers. However, as the violence in the West Bank evolved, armed groups have grown in capability. For example, IED manufacturing labs have been established, creating more sophisticated and powerful explosives capable of causing significant damage to thinly armored Israeli military vehicles. Two notable examples of this trend are attacks in January and May of this year. On January 7, an Israel Border Police officer succumbed to injuries sustained in a roadside bomb explosion, which was claimed by Islamic Jihads Jenin branch. On May 5, a car bomb detonated against an Israeli bulldozer, with Islamic Jihads Tubas branch taking responsibility for the attack. These incidents demonstrate the evolving tactics of Palestinian terrorist groups and the growing sophistication of their explosive devices. Iran is arming West Bank terrorist groups Iran has been advocating for arming Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank since 2014. In August 2022, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Chief Hossein Salami stated that the West Bank was being armed against Israel. He repeated the claim less than a year later, hinting that the Iranian regime was involved in the surge of West Bank violence. But invisible hands have armed the West Bank, and you [now] see modern automatic rifles and automatic weapons in the hands of the Palestinians, said Salami. Salamis words were not mere rhetoric. A significant indicator that the status quo had changed in the West Bank was that armed groups increasingly clashed with Israeli troops, and shooting attacks against IDF posts and Jewish communities became prevalent. Irans strategy to arm Palestinian terrorist groups involved employing its proxies and networks of clients in the region to smuggle arms to the West Bank. In September 2023, a senior Israeli military official confirmed to LWJ that Lebanese Hezbollah was involved in the plot. Moreover, on March 25, the Shin Bet said it had thwarted an Iranian plot to smuggle advanced weapons into the West Bank. The smuggling network involved two units from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a senior Fatah official in Lebanon. The Iranian regime has demonstrated a shrewd ability to identify areas of weak governance in the region and leverage its proxies to exploit them. One such example is the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, which has a troubled history of corruption and declining popularity. Recognizing an opportunity, Iran initiated a substantial campaign to arm and support its existing proxies in the West Bank, creating a new resistance front on Israels doorstep. This development has presented a serious security challenge, as armed Palestinian groups supported by Iran continue to pose a threat despite three years of perpetual Israeli efforts to mitigate it. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. Apple Intelligence marks a turning point. Not just for Apple, which finally learned how to say AI and is diving head-first into making big generative AI features a central part of its products. Its a turning point for the tech industry as a whole. This year, AI begins its transition from a novel product to an expected feature, a move made by dozens of software technologies before it. And Apple Intelligence plays a key role. The software technology lifecycle Its not true of every piece of software, but it happens a lot: something you used to have to seek out and buy eventually just becomes a baked-in part of the products you already have. The most famous example of this for Apple users is Sherlock. That was the name for Apples system-wide Mac search feature introduced way back in macOS 8.5. A third-party company (Karelia Software) sold a neat $30 utility called Watson that added internet search and other capabilities to Sherlock. Users loved it. Back when Spotlight was Sherlock, it was a big deal. Now its just another feature. Back when Spotlight was Sherlock, it was a big deal. Now its just another feature. Foundry Back when Spotlight was Sherlock, it was a big deal. Now its just another feature. Foundry Foundry Within a couple of years, Apple just added those features to Sherlock, making Watson obsolete. They never licensed or paid Karelia, didnt buy the company, they just took what used to be paid software and turned it into a feature. We now call this getting Sherlocked and it happens all the time. You used to have to buy software to burn CDs or watch DVD movies. Antivirus software wasnt built into anything. Companies like f.lux got Sherlocked by Night Mode display settings. All the big tech companies do it. From speech recognition to health trackers and so much more, software and services that you had to find, choose, and pay for eventually become included as part of the operating systems and devices you use. It happens on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it happens on Windows, it happens on Android. This year, Apple is being accused of Sherlocking 1Password and Dashlane by making Passwords its own app, Truecaller by adding native call recording and transcription, and Magnet with the new macOS Sequoia window tiling feature. And now with Apple Intelligence, its starting to do the same to gen-AI apps and services. The transition will take years Apples not alone here. Microsofts new Copilot+ PCs require powerful NPUs (Neural Processing Units) and offer a mix of on-device and cloud AI services that include image generation, live captions on any video, and a built-in chatbot interface that works together with outside AI services like ChatGPT. Google has been infusing Android with its AI over the last couple of years and this years Android 15 release adds even more generative AI with an upgraded multi-modal Gemini Nano on-device model, on-screen awareness, real-time scam call detection, and more. Googles own Gemini AI is all over its latest Pixel phones. Googles own Gemini AI is all over its latest Pixel phones. Google Googles own Gemini AI is all over its latest Pixel phones. Google Google Artificial Intelligence is a big field and still going through rapid growth, so its transformation from product to feature wont happen in just one release. Just as people kept buying CD-burning software to get more powerful features for years after it was built into computer operating systems, stand-alone AI apps and services arent going to disappear anytime soon. People will want more than what is built in. But 2024 is the start of the next phase; the phase where AI, like so many products and services before, reaches most people as a feature that is baked into their phones, laptops, and tablets. What is built-in will be good enough for most, and integration with outside services will be free and seamless. Take Apples deal with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT. Whether youre using Siri, writing tools, or art tools, youll be able to call upon ChatGPT-4os expanded capabilities right from within the OS interface, without downloading an app, signing up, or signing in. Over the coming years, this will start to look like the search engine defaults in your web browsermost people wont know or care that they can be changed or why they would want to. You just open your browser and search. AI will eventually become boring Apple makes improvements to its Spotlight system-wide search (the feature that grew out of Sherlock) every year. Nobody really cares, though. Its barely noticed and not a selling point anymore. The same can be said of all the other software and services absorbed by platforms over the years. They start as neat new features worthy of keynote stage time and advertisements. Eventually, people get bored with it. They become features weve had and used for years, and the improvements are welcome but not worth crowing about. Apple Intelligence is exciting and new in iOS 18, but before long itll just be another boring feature. Apple Intelligence is exciting and new in iOS 18, but before long itll just be another boring feature. Apple Apple Intelligence is exciting and new in iOS 18, but before long itll just be another boring feature. Apple Apple This is the obvious endgame for generative AI, though the timetable looks longer. Well hear about amazing new AI capabilities as part of our operating systems (from Apple and others) for a few more years at least. Features pioneered by other companies in their stand-alone apps will slowly make their way into free features built into our products. And when theres enough there, and it works well enough, to meet the needs of almost all customers, itll be just another boring feature that gets updated every year. A throwaway line from the CEO as he transitions to talking about the next big thing. Generative AI as a feature is not really a thing yet. You cant yet walk into Best Buy and pick up a Copilot+ PC, Apple Intelligence doesnt roll out to millions of users until the fall, and Android 15 is going wide in the second half of this year. But by January 1, 2025, tens of millions of people will use products where generative AI is just a built-in feature. Thats a huge shift in public perception. It wont take long for hundreds of millions of users to just expect this to be the way things work, relegating self-selected and paid-for AI as a niche product for hardcore users with particular needs. Disney announced the cast for the highly anticipated live-action 'Moana' and the young actress set to play the Polynesian princess has been celebrating in the most wholesome way. Yesterday, 17-year-old Catherine Laga'aia from Australia was announced to play the lead role in the upcoming film. Celebrating the news, her older sister Jess showed the moment the two girls reunited after the big news. "My baby sister is the new live-action Moana," Jess captioned the video of Catherine running into the room with a smile beaming ear to ear. The two then gripped each other in the tightest hug as family pride filled the room. "I went to school with some of the Laga'aia kids and their voices are so beautiful, they can make any song sound angelic," one TikTok user commented. "I'm really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favourites," Catherine said in a press release. "My grandfather comes from Fa'aala, Palauli, in Savai'i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of 'Upolu in Samoa," she explained. "I'm honoured to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me." The movie is set to release on July 10, 2026. The first day of summer is just around the corner and the warmer weather is always a good excuse to sit on rooftop bar while taking in the views of Boston. From frozen beverages to tropical bites, there are plenty of unique rooftop bars and lounges worth visiting this summer while youre in the city. Below you can find eight rooftop bars throughout Boston intended to take your summer to new heights. Rooftop at The Envoy in Seaport Rooftop at The Envoy is a rooftop bar in Boston's Seaport district that has views of the city's skyline and harbor.Envoy Hotel Rooftop at The Envoy in Seaport offers Frozen Espresso Martinis and Lychee Frosee, among other libations perfect for summer. Perched seven levels above Boston Harbor, Rooftops views of Bostons skyline and renowned drinks make for an ideal summer day in the city. The rooftop bar, located at 70 Sleeper St. in Boston, is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Rooftop at Revere Hotel in Downtown Boston The Rooftop at Revere Hotel in Downtown Boston.David Cifarelli The Rooftop at Revere Hotel in Boston is not the only rooftop lounge in the Boston Common and South End neighborhoods, its also the largest rooftop lounge in all of Boston. With panoramic views of Boston Common and Back Bay, guests can sip and snack local New England cuisine as well as cocktails, wine and beer. In case you need more reason to check out the sprawling space, The Rooftop at Revere will launch its complimentary summer fitness series starting Saturday, June 15, presented by Equinox. The Rooftop at Revere is located inside the Revere Hotel at 200 Stuart St. in Boston. The rooftop is open Monday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12-11 p.m. and Sunday from 12-10 p.m. The Layover at Cunard Tavern in East Boston The view from the The Layover, a rooftop bar located atop the Cunard Tavern in East Boston.David Cifarelli Easties new tropical rooftop bar The Layover can be found atop the Cunard Tavern, located at 24 Orleans St. in East Boston. The intimate bar offers views of Boston Harbor, complete with a tiki-themed bar, plant wall and retractable roof. Guests can chew on several small bites like Duck Spring Rolls and Korean Beef Bulgogi. The bars tropical drinks include False Idols (Bacardi, lime juice, amaretto), The Birds Nest (Bacardi, pineapple, orange, apricot, Brandy) and Major Toms (Bacardi, grenadine, ginger beer). The Layover is open Thursdays from 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4-11 p.m. and Sundays from 12-7 p.m. Deck 12 at YOTEL in Seaport Deck 12 at YOTEL Boston in Seaport. David Cifarelli With views of Bostons downtown and waterfront, Deck 12 is located on the 12th floor of YOTEL Boston in Seaport. The year-round rooftop serves a rotating series of seasonal dishes and cocktails with summer offerings like the Watermelon Cooler, Hibiscus Refresher and Papaya Punch. Deck 12 also hosts several events including Lunch in a Crunch, a 30-minute lunch offering Monday to Friday from 12-2 p.m., Appy Hour, half-priced appetizers with beverage purchases from 4-7 p.m. daily, and trivia nights every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Deck 12 at YOTEL is located at 65 Seaport Blvd. in Boston. Mia Roof Deck at Umbria in the North End The North End's only rooftop is Mia Roof Deck, which is located on the third floor of Umbria.Courtesy Photo The North Ends only rooftop bar is Mia Roof Deck, which opened in July 2023 and is located on the third floor of Umbria Ristorante that overlooks Hanover Street. Guests can enjoy Umbrias signature appetizers or cocktails like Prime Sirloin Tartar or Briccos famous Espresso Martini. The roof deck is covered and has a retractable roof and fire pits to keep guests warm during the summer nights. Mia Roof Deck is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Truly Rooftop at MGM Music Hall in Fenway People pack the Truly Rooftop at MGM Music Hall in Boston.Corwin Wickersham (@cwfour) The Truly Rooftop at MGM Music Hall is a hidden gem of Lansdowne Street. Overlooking the Fenway District and Boston skyline, this roof deck is complete with a private bar, patio seating and room for up to 100 people. The Truly Rooftop can be found atop MGM Music hall at 4 Lansdowne St. in Boston. Legal Sea Foods Harborside in Seaport Onlookers taking in views of Boston Harbor from Legal Harborside in Seaport.Legal Harborside Legal Sea Foods renovated its third-floor rooftop earlier this year and opened it just in time for summer. Located in Bostons Seaport District, the newly transformed rooftop offers 180-degree views of Boston Harbor through floor-to-ceiling windows that fully retract. The nautical-themed space fits up to 225 people. Meanwhile, the rooftops menu includes sushi, a raw bar and Legals award-winning New England seafood dishes like Clam Chowder and Half-Pound Maine Lobster Roll. Legal Sea Foods Harborside is located at 270 Northern Ave. in Boston and is open daily for lunch and dinner, Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Stratus at View Boston in the Prudential Center Several experiences are included with View Boston including grabbing a drink at Stratus. Located inside View Boston atop the Prudential Center, Stratus is a rooftop bar featuring panoramic views, seasonal cocktails and a great spot to watch the sunset. Stratus menu features appetizers and cleverly name cocktails like the Eleven Thyme Champion (Tequila, blood orange, thyme, agave, lime), The Bs Knees (Gin, honey, rosemary, lemon) and Cue The Duck Boats (Rum, passionfruit, orange, angostura bitters, lime). View Boston also offers Sips and Sights Experience that comes with one beer, wine, or signature cocktail. View Boston at the Prudential Center is located at 800 Boylston St. and is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For 10 years there has been no way of downloading or streaming legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clans album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. But that is about to change despite the project being under an 88-year-long embargo. PleasrDAO, a cryptocurrency collective that owns the album, said on X Thursday, June 13 that the project will finally being offered to the public for just $1. The company has digitized and encrypted the album, allowing anyone to become a listener to part of the album for $1. With each purchase of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, Pleasr will move the full albums 2103 decryption date forward by 88 seconds. Each purchase unlocks a 5-minute sampler of the album, composed of pieces of five tracks, Billboard reported. The rest Once Upon a Time in Shaolin will remain sealed, but people can become eventual owners of the album. What people are being offered is the ability to own the encrypted album that they cannot listen to, Pleasrs Leighton Cusack told Billboard. That will immediately unlock a never-heard-before sampler from the album created by the co-producer of the album. The music industry is in crisis, Wu-Tang members Cilvaringz and RZA said in a statement on Pleasrs website. We hope to inspire and intensify urgent debates about the future of music. Recorded in secret over six years, Wu-Tang Clan released Once Upon a Time in Shaolin as the groups seventh studio album in October 2015. As a protest against the devaluation of music in the digital era, Wu-Tang made only physical copy of the album, current owner of the album Pleasr wrote on its website. The the two-disc, 31-track album was sold through auction house Paddle8 on Nov. 24, 2015 for $2 million, Record Collector reported, making Once Upon a Time in Shaolin the most expensive work of music ever sold. A legal agreement with the purchaser stipulated that the album cannot be commercially exploited until 2103. On Dec. 9, 2015, Bloomberg Businessweek identified the buyer as American investor Martin Shkreli, who is also accused of sharing recordings from the album, the Associated Press reported. After Shkreli was convicted for securities fraud in March 2018, a federal court seized assets belonging to him, including Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. In July 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice sold the album to PleasrDAO for $4 million to cover Shkrelis debts, the New York Times reported. Topping its 2015 sale, this made Once Upon a Time in Shaolin the most expensive work of music ever sold yet again. Since acquiring the album, PleaserDAO has promised to make it more accessible. The company has suggested that they received permission from RZA and Cilvaringz to move forward with the project, according to Billboard. The Wu-Tang Clan made a radical choice in a digital world, the only way to make the album valuable was by making it exclusive. This bold plan worked but at the cost of releasing the music to fans, the company wrote online. With this acquisition, Pleasr continues the albums legacy in redefining the meaning of music ownership and value in a digital world. Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is housed in a handcrafted silver and nickel box along with a 174-page leather-bound book of lyrics, anecdotes and behind-the-scenes photos, Pleasr added. The album can be heard at Australias Museum of Old and New Art, which is hosting a small number of free listening events for select visitors from June 15-24, the museum wrote on Instagram on May 27. A countdown for the albums release can be found on PleasrDAOs website. As of Friday morning, there were more than 8,000 collectors and counting. The trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged with the murder of her Boston police officer boyfriend, plunged deeper into chaos this week after the dismissal of two jurors, raising questions about what that might mean for the remainder of the trial, which is in its seventh week of testimony. It is not clear why the jurors were dismissed from the case. One was excused on Friday and another earlier in the week, according to WCVB-TV. Judge Beverly Cannone said in court Friday that there are good reasons personal to that juror why they were no longer serving. Cannone seated 17 jurors to begin the case, 12 regular jurors and 5 alternates. The total number of jurors is 15 as of Friday. Regular and alternate jurors are present during trial testimony. Typically, when a juror is removed from a case, a judge proceeds in one of three ways: they replace the juror with an alternate juror, continue the trial with a smaller jury or declare a mistrial, which would require a new trial, Rebecca Pirius, a legal editor for the publishing company NOLO and former law clerk, wrote on lawyers.com. In Reads case, there are no indications that Cannone will declare a mistrial. Instead, the case appears to be proceeding with alternates taking the place of the jurors who have been dismissed. A number of alternate jurors, in addition to 12 jurors, were seated in Reads case, a move Pirius and Elizabeth Gjelten, another legal editor, say allows a judge to replace a regular juror whos been removed. Judges can dismiss jurors for two reasons either for misconduct during the trial or for good cause like a death in the family or an illness. Misconduct might include inattention, disobeyance of court instructions or an absence from the courtroom, according to Pirius and Gjelten. Read, 44, of Mansfield, is charged with the killing of her boyfriend John OKeefe on Jan. 29, 2022. Norfolk prosecutors claim she struck OKeefe while driving under the influence of alcohol after dropping him off at a Canton home during a snowstorm. Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death. Her attorneys claim other people are responsible for OKeefes death and that alleged conflicts of interest have compromised the case. Four people were wounded, two of whom were stabbed, when they attempted to break up what appeared to be a road rage incident on Thursday night near Boston Common, police said. Police went to the area of the common around 11:49 p.m. Thursday for a report of a person stabbed. When officers arrived, they found a group of four people, all of whom were injured, Sgt. Detective John Boyle, the chief spokesman for Boston police, told MassLive. The four victims had a variety of injuries, he said. One person had a superficial stab wound to their abdomen, another had a stab wound to their hand, another had a broken wrist, and a fourth person had a bloody mouth from being punched. The group told police they were walking across Park Street when they saw two groups of people engaged in a possible road rage incident, Boyle said. When they attempted to intervene, one of the groups attacked them, they told police. No arrests have been made in connection to the incident, Boyle said. 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. Elsa Gomes Bondlow.Courtesy Photo Elsa Gomes Bondlow Age: 47 Community: Greater Boston Her story: Elsa Gomes Bondlow has dedicated herself to improving social justice and philanthropic efforts for more than 20 years. I focus on creating inclusive communities and driving social impact through strategic philanthropy, she told MassLive. I work with nonprofit, corporate, and private clients to develop tailored solutions that address community needs and foster long-term partnerships. Throughout her career, Bondlow has helped organizations receive grant money, spearheaded tech-driven tools to bridge social divides and amplify empathy and led fundraising efforts for marginalized communities all to make philanthropy more inclusive and equitable. I believe my lived multi-culture experience and unique perspective drives my passion for meaningful change and connection with and for marginalized communities, Bondlow said. Bondlow has channelled her experiences and passions into roles at organizations including MIRA Coalition and Building Impact and as principal of her consultant firm Ripple Acts Diversity & Philanthropy Consulting. Bondlow founded Ripple Acts to effectively channel resources through partnerships, networking, training, and consultations, acting as a bridge between means and needs. Through her consulting work, Bondlow focuses on creating spaces for self-improvement, activating diverse stakeholders, and implementing culturally appropriate strategies to foster inclusivity and belonging for all. Her overall goal is to help corporate clients, philanthropists and other community advocates make decisions that align with community needs and ensure that everyones voice is heard. By emphasizing the potential of philanthropy to address global challenges through an equitable lens, I strive to empower unheard voices and drive systemic change, Bondlow said. Through Ripple Acts, I aim to make tangible strides towards equity, develop trust, and inspire others to make a significant impact. In her words: Everyone can do something for others. If you truly want to help others, go out there and help. If not, please get out of the way. 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. While two triple-decker house fires left dozens displaced and two people dead, houses of this design do not make up the majority of the states residential fires, the State Fire Marshals office told MassLive. Triple-decker homes were originally built for factory workers and have been a common form of housing for over a century, GBH reported in 2022. Such homes make up the main source of affordable housing in Massachusetts cities that were previously major centers of industry, such as Worcester, Brockton and New Bedford. Part of what makes triple-decker homes a general risk during a fire is a balloon-frame construction that allows fires to spread very rapidly, unimpeded, from the basement to the attic and throughout void spaces, according to Jake Wark, public information officer for the Department of Fire Services. Fire needs oxygen to grow, and those voids provide plenty of it, he said. Obviously, this is a concern in the fire service, especially in the more densely built cities and towns where triple-deckers are most common. Without any fire-blocking material in the walls to stop the flames, a fire can spread rapidly from one floor to the next, GBH reported. Most triple-deckers were built before any building codes prohibited the balloon-frame construction. As well, antiquated electrical wiring systems and heating systems such as parlor heaters and gas-on-gas stoves were common in triple-deckers and could start fires, GBH wrote. When a fire starts, gasoline shingles fuel the flames, Worcester Assistant Fire Chief Adam Roche told GBH in 2022. A fire burning through the spaces of a balloon-frame home is unpredictable, and battling the fire can be extremely demanding, frustrating, Fall River Deputy Fire Chief Ronald Sevigny told GBH. On Wednesday at around 5 a.m., Boston firefighters battled a 4-alarm fire at 7 Carson St. in Dorchester, the department said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Narrow walkways and power lines made accessibility to the fire difficult, though firefighters were able to aggressively fight back the flames from both inside and outside the home. By around 6:21 a.m., firefighters had successfully knocked down the fire and rescued all the residents and pets inside, the department said in a follow-up post. The fire, which spread to another triple-decker house, left 33 people displaced, the department added on X. In Worcester, a fire in a triple-decker home at 3 Hancock St. on May 28 took the lives of Daniel Gonzalez, 62, and Juana Candelario, 59, who were married for 30 years. Seven people, including three children, were displaced by the blaze. Fatal fires in triple-decker homes, particularly in Worcester, have led to regulation changes at the local level. After the Gage Street fire in 2022, which killed four people, the Worcester City Council voted unanimously to create a rental registry designed to ensure rental units are safe and livable and to provide first responders with critical information in emergencies, such as fires, fallen trees or other disasters, a spokesperson for City Manager Eric Batista told MassLive. Worcester has had some very high-profile fatalities in triple-deckers over the years, but fatal fires are statistically much more likely to occur in single-family homes, Wark said. 7 1 / 7 2 Gage St. four-alarm fire Of all the structure fires in Massachusetts in 2023, 60% of them were in single-family homes, according to data from Wark. Apartment fires make up 17% while rooming houses and two-family homes each account for 6% of fires. Wark said the lack of working smoke alarms required under Massachusetts law made single-family homes more dangerous during a fire. These homes are usually owned and occupied by the same families for several years, meaning theres often no opportunity to ensure that alarms are installed where they should be, on every level, working properly, and within their 10-year useful lifespan, Wark said. As for triple-decker houses, automatic fire sprinklers are the best and fastest way to prevent property loss, he said. Sprinklers can contain or even extinguish a fire when its still in its small, early stages, he said. And of course, they would reduce catastrophic fires in other occupancies, too Until we see sprinklers in more homes of all types, well keep pushing for prevention fire safety at home and early detection [with] smoke alarms. The investigation into the 7 Carson St. fire remains underway and its not yet known if the home had working fire sprinklers, the Boston Fire Department told MassLive. The Worcester Fire Department did not respond to a MassLive request for an update on the investigation into the 3 Hancock St. fire. Testimony in the trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, resumed Friday morning. MassLive reporters will update this story throughout the day with the latest testimony. 4:32 p.m. update: Defense seeks to exclude expert opinion on Ring camera footage After the jury was dismissed, Trooper Joe Paul remained on the stand so attorneys from both sides and Judge Beverly Cannone could discuss his potential future testimony on Ring camera footage from John OKeefes home. The footage, previously shown in court, shows Karen Reads SUV backing out of the garage just after 5 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022 and possibly striking OKeefes Chevy Traverse, parked in the driveway. Photos of OKeefes car were also shown, and Paul said he observed no damage to the vehicle. He said the damage to Reads taillight was not consistent with any slow bump possibly depicted in the video. He said because the taillight is approximately 42 to 50 inches off the ground, OKeefes car would have had some damage at that height as well. If the taillight breaks, it should leave some sort of scratching or dent, he said. Some sort of damage should have occurred. He said Reads SUV did have a scratch lower down on the bumper which could have been caused by a ridge on OKeefes bumper. He said because the SUV had glossy paint and the Traverses bumper was more matte, it was possible it may have shown up more on Reads car than on OKeefes. Defense attorney Alan Jackson asked Paul if he had tested hitting the two vehicles together or how strong an impact was required to break the taillight, and he said he had not. In a tense exchange, Jackson asked Paul if he had ever seen a crash between two vehicles at 1 mile per hour, and he said he had seen testing at that speed. Jackson asked if he had seen a crash where one vehicle was damaged and the other was not, and he said there is usually damage on both vehicles. Jackson asked Paul if Reads SUV came into contact with OKeefes Traverse, and he said it most likely did, but he didnt know for sure. Jackson asked if he saw the Traverses tire move in the video, and he said he did not. After Paul was dismissed for the day, attorneys from both sides argued whether he should be allowed to testify about the Ring camera video. Jackson said the prosecution had not told the defense Paul would be giving expert testimony on the video, saying this was a pattern for the Commonwealth. The first time he disclosed his opinion was in front of 15 jurors, he said. Prosecutor Adam Lally called Jacksons claim of a pattern of behavior laughable, and said Paul himself had brought up the video to him. Cannone said she would not be ruling on the debate immediately and would review the evidence over the weekend. The trial will resume at 9 a.m. Monday. 3:50 p.m. update: Backup camera and sensors on Reads SUV were functional during police testing Trooper Joe Paul said he conducted a visibility analysis on Karen Reads SUV at Canton Police Department, testing whether the backup camera and sensors worked. He said typically, this testing would be done in the same conditions as the crash occurred, but the analysis was done during the day. He said when a crash is thought to be intentional, visibility is not an issue, and he just wanted to make sure the systems were functional. Prosecutor Adam Lally showed photos and video taken during these tests. In the photos, Paul showed that the backup camera and sensor system had cameras on the front, sides and rear of the vehicle, and the cars infotainment screen displays both the rear camera view and a 360-degree overhead view when it is in reverse. When the SUV is reversing and gets close to an object, the screen blinks and a beeping noise plays, which gets louder and faster as the vehicle gets closer, Paul said. He tested this using a punching bag dummy placed behind and toward the passenger side of the SUV. Everything seemed to be working properly, he said. Paul said the dummy was visible at about 5 feet away from the vehicle, but if it was directly next to the vehicle, it was blocked by the back of the car. Reads Lexus SUV has an anti-lock braking system, meaning the tires do not come to a complete stop and the car does not slide across the pavement when braking, according to Paul. This means if the driver hit the brakes suddenly, there would be no visible tire marks on the pavement and no audible screeching sound. After a sidebar conversation with the attorneys for both sides, Judge Beverly Cannone dismissed the jury for the weekend at about 3:50 p.m. She said the case was still on track to go to the jury for deliberations during the last week of June. 3:07 p.m. update: SUV history data was consistent with a pedestrian strike Trooper Joe Paul said he used Google Maps to find the distance between different locations he knew Karen Read had driven on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022. He mapped the distance Read said she traveled that morning, starting at John OKeefes home and visiting the Waterfall, Jen McCabes home on Country Lane, 34 Fairview Road, back to OKeefes home, then to her parents home in Dighton. The distance of this route of travel was between 36.1 and 38.8 miles, Paul said. According to Techstream data, the distance the car traveled in that time was approximately 36 miles. Paul explained that the Techstream data records events by key cycles, with each key cycle starting when the car is turned on and ending when it is turned off. During one key cycle, the software recorded two triggering events about eight minutes apart, with no change in odometer mileage between them. Paul explained the data for the first event implied the driver was making a U-turn. The second event, he said, lasted about 10 seconds, and showed the vehicle moving forward slightly, slowing to a stop, then shifting into reverse and accelerating quickly up to 24.2 miles per hour, with the accelerator pedal pushed about three-quarters of the way down. The steering wheel was kept mostly straight during this time, he said. At this time, the vehicle slowed to 23.6 miles per hour while the accelerator remained down, and the the steering wheel moved slightly to the right and immediately back to the left. Paul said this data was consistent with a pedestrian strike. He said OKeefes injuries were also consistent with a pedestrian strike, and characterized it as a forward projection crash with a side swipe. Paul explained that when a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle above their center of gravity such as with a tall SUV, they are pushed forward in the direction the vehicle is moving, but with the damage to the side of the vehicle in the taillight area, OKeefe would have been pushed to the side if he had been hit in that way. This would have rotated the vehicle slightly, Paul said, consistent with the change in the steering wheel angle. Because OKeefe would have been pushed to the side, he would not have been run over, but he would have received injuries on both sides of his body from the force of hitting the ground. 2:35 p.m. update: Reads SUV inspected, tested by expert When court resumed after lunch, Trooper Joe Paul said that he visited 34 Fairview Road during the day, but he noted one overhead light on the street. However, there was no light pole in front of 34 Fairview, above where John OKeefes body was found. Testimony then turned to Pauls visit to Canton Police Department on Feb. 1, 2022, when he inspected Karen Reads SUV that was being stored there. He said he took a digital image of the air bag control module, did a mechanical inspection of the vehicle inside the garage and took it outside to the driveway to test it. He also ran the SUVs VIN to check for recalls and found none. Paul said the rear passenger side of the vehicle had a dent, scratches in two different areas and a broken taillight. He performed two forward and two reverse braking tests and two reverse acceleration tests with the SUV, measuring its performance using a device called a VBOX that uses GPS data to track speed and location. Paul said during these tests, he noted that the accelerator moved freely with no interference, he was easily able to keep the steering wheel straight and the brakes held firm with no issues. It was fairly easy to keep control of, he said. When he inspected the air bag control module, or ACM, which controls the cars air bags and seat belts, he found no data, which he said was typical for crashes involving pedestrians. He said the ACM is constantly monitoring for a sudden change in velocity, as would typically happen in a crash involving multiple cars, so it can deploy air bags or tighten seat belts if needed. However, if a car hits a pedestrian, that will not have as much impact on the velocity of the vehicle so will not trigger the ACM. Paul said it was also common in crashes with pedestrians for the pedestrian to lose loose items of clothing, like shoes, hats or glasses. These items typically continue moving in the same direction as the pedestrian after the impact. Paul said Reads Lexus SUV was equipped with Toyota Techstream, a software installed by Toyota, which manufactures Lexus vehicles, that monitors data from the vehicle. It is used so technicians can diagnose issues with the vehicle and also monitors driver behavior by recording certain triggers, like speed, braking, steering wheel angles and other information, he explained. On Feb. 2, 2023, Paul downloaded the Techstream data from Reads vehicle. He said the delay between when he tested the SUV and accessed the data was because previously, he did not know much about the relatively new technology, and did not know it would be useful to the investigation. However, in the intervening year, he learned more about it and thought it could be relevant to the case. Because the SUV was being held as evidence, it was not driven in that time, and the odometer showed the same mileage when Paul downloaded the Techstream data as when he finished testing it. He was able to access the data from Jan. 29, 2022, which showed him how far the car had been driven on that day. Mass. State Police Trooper Joseph Paul testifies during the trial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) AP 1 p.m. update: Crash reconstruction expert shows diagrams of Fairview Road Massachusetts State Police Trooper Joe Paul was the next witness to testify. Paul is certified in crash reconstruction and works in the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. Paul said he went to the scene at 34 Fairview Road on Feb. 1, 2022, with Sgt. Brian Mahoney, who showed him the locations where evidence had been collected up to that point. He took drone images, GPS information and measurements of the area. He said the speed limit on Fairview Road was 30 miles per hour and was marked on the northbound side of the road outside of 19 Fairview Road but was not marked on the southbound side. Each travel lane is about 12 feet wide and the full roadway is about 27 feet wide. The elevation change of the road near 34 Fairview Road was about 1 to 2 degrees, nothing significant, he said. Paul pointed out on diagrams he had drawn on top of the drone images where John OKeefes body was found and where various pieces of evidence were found, including OKeefes shoe, a broken drinking glass and pieces of red and clear taillight plastic. Judge Beverly Cannone called for a lunch recess at 1 p.m. The trial was expected to resume at about 1:45 p.m. 12:21 p.m. update: Defense pushes on whether 2:27 a.m. search can be ruled out When testimony resumed at about 12:15 a.m., defense attorney David Yannetti asked Jessica Hyde about the 2:27 a.m. time stamp that she said belonged to a Safari tab on Jen McCabes cellphone, not a Google search made on that tab. Would you agree with me that another simple explanation for that 2:27 a.m. time stamp was that the user of that iPhone conducted that search at or before 2:27 a.m.? Yannetti said. That time stamp is not indicative of a time of search, so the question is difficult to answer, Hyde said. I cant say that time stamp tells me anything about the time of search. Yannetti pushed her further on the question, asking her repeatedly if she could rule out that McCabe had made the search at 2:27 a.m., but she said there was no evidence of that. There is a very unlikely possibility based on the fact that there is no evidence the search occurred [at 2:27 a.m.], she said. Thats just like saying the user searched for pandas at 2:27 a.m. I cant rule out something that doesnt exist. Yannetti asked Hyde if she had looked at anything else on the cellphone data, including call logs in particular, and she said she had been instructed by State Police Detective Lt. Brian Tully to examine only the Safari browser data. I had a very limited search in this analysis, she said. Yannetti rested and prosecutor Adam Lally said he had no further questions for Hyde. She was allowed to step down at about 12:20 p.m. Jessica Hyde, a digital forensic examiner, testifies during the trial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) AP 11:43 a.m. update: No evidence McCabe deleted search history Digital forensics examiner Jessica Hyde said Jen McCabes cellphone data did not indicate she had deleted any searches from her history. The defense has claimed that McCabe made the search hos long to die in cold at 2:27 a.m. before John OKeefes body was found, then deleted it and made the search again after he was found to cover up the deletion. Hyde said deleted data is not removed from the database until an application is closed, so if the application was still open, the history would not have been deleted even if McCabe had attempted to. She said that using her analysis tools, she can update the data to see what, if anything, McCabe tried to delete. Theres not really a user deletion function for the tab, and theres no evidence of other deletion, she said. I dont see evidence the term was searched prior to 6:24 a.m. Hyde said she performed extensive testing using a jailbroken iPhone as a model so they could monitor its data in real time. She said she performed multiple experiments, changing the order in which they made searches and opened, closed or moved tabs to see how the listed time stamp would move. I could get a time stamp that was earlier than the current search by a variety of different means, she said. Hyde said the conclusions made by a defense investigator that McCabe made the search at 2:27 a.m. were incorrect, although she agreed that McCabe had been using the browser tab at that time. She also disagreed with the assertion that McCabe had deleted anything from the history, saying it was a misunderstanding of the word recovered in the original Cellebrite report. She said that based on her analysis, McCabe made a search for Hockomock sports at 2:27 a.m., then made a search for how long ti die in cikd at 6:23 a.m., receiving a suggestion from Apple for how long to digest food, and searched hos long to die in cold at 6:24 a.m. Judge Beverly Cannone called for a morning recess at 11:40 a.m. 11:17 a.m. update: McCabe did not make search at 2:27 a.m., expert says The trial resumed just after 10:30 a.m. Judge Beverly Cannone apologized for the delay and said a juror had been excused but did not disclose what the mornings discussions had been about. The juror was the second to be excused from the case after another juror dropped out for personal reasons Wednesday. Fifteen jurors remain on the case, including three alternates. The first witness of the day was Jessica Hyde, a digital forensics examiner who owns Hexordia, a New York-based digital forensics company. Hyde was asked in May 2023 by Massachusetts State Police to look at Google searches made by Jennifer McCabe on Jan. 29, 2022. She was provided with a data extraction from McCabes cellphone. Hyde explained that this data includes both new data and recently deleted data from McCabes Safari browser, adding that the word deleted does not necessarily mean the user actively deleted it, but may have simply closed a tab in the browser. She said that data is not deleted until the application is closed. She compared the database where this data is stored to a warming station at a restaurant, which holds both food going out to tables and any orders that have been sent back (or deleted). She said on McCabes cellphone, the database showed a search for hos long to die in cold at 2:27 a.m. because that was the time the tab was opened. At that time, McCabe visited a website for Hockomock Sports, the league her children played in. That table isnt showing the time of that search. ... Its saying the last time that tab was touched was 2:27 a.m., Hyde said. As you search more websites in the tab, that gets updated. ... Eventually, this search gets made at 6:23 a.m. and this search at 6:24 a.m., that winds up being the last search in the tab and because its the last search in the tab, thats what the last update, the final state is. She said the data also showed suggested searches from Apple that came up when McCabe began typing the search at 6:23 a.m., which are influenced by a users previous activity. Because the suggested search was not how long to die in the cold, this indicated McCabe had never made that search before. Karen Read waits as her legal team meets at the sidebar during Reads trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) AP 10:15 a.m. update: Jurors meet with judge, cameras to remain off Cameras in the courtroom remained shut off Friday morning after a juror was accidentally caught on a live feed. They will remain off for the rest of the morning and court proceedings will be broadcast by audio only. According to Boston 25 News, the juror was caught on video and three others were called up individually to meet with the judge in sidebar conversations. It was not immediately clear what the meetings were about. 9:30 a.m. update: Judge calls for recess, cameras shut off before testimony begins Judge Beverly Cannone met with lawyers from the defense and prosecution in a sidebar meeting lasting more than 15 minutes Friday morning. According to reports from the courtroom on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Cannone called for a recess after this meeting, which also involved a juror, and said cameras were to be shut off for the rest of the morning. Read, 44, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton. Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorney, David Yannetti, said during the trials opening statements that her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death. The trial is taking place in Dedhams Norfolk County Superior Court. On Thursday, a forensic scientist from the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab testified that DNA testing done on the taillight from Reads SUV likely came from OKeefe. Thirteen Boston Public School valedictorians have committed to go to Northeastern University in the fall, keeping the schools record for the most number of Boston schools valedictorians committing to the university. Twelve students are from the Boston Public Schools and one is from a Boston public charter school. There were 32 valedictorians from Boston Public Schools this year, the district reported. In 2023, 13 Boston valedictorians also committed to Northeastern, according to Northeastern Global News, Northeasterns official news outlet. The number of valedictorians attending Northeastern has also been increasing. In 2008, seven valedictorians committed to Northeastern and in 2022 11 committed, according to the outlet. For our valedictorians, this is about way more than just one years work. This is year after year of working hard, serving their community, and investing in the future for themselves and our city, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told Northeastern Global News. We are so grateful to Northeastern for opening these doors for our students, granting them access through admissions and scholarships to one of the citys best educational institutions. The announcement about the number of valedictorians attending Northeastern comes after Northeastern and other universities and colleges across the state made news for protests and encampments related to the Israel-Hamas war. More than 100 demonstrators were arrested at a pro-Palestinian encampment on the schools campus in April. Later, at Northeasterns graduation at Fenway Park on May 5, one student was arrested for attempting to disrupt the ceremony. More recently, the university also made the news for pursuing a merger with Marymount Manhattan College, a small, private liberal arts college in New York City. With the merger, the institution will have 14 campuses across the country and abroad. Many of the valedictorians going to Northeastern are a part of The Valedictorian Project, according to the university. The project partners with high-achieving urban high schools to provide mentorship and other opportunities to help students begin their post-secondary education, The Valedictorian Projects website said. It was founded in 2020 in response to an article published by the Boston Globes The Valedictorians Project which looked at and told the stories of the citys public school valedictorians. The article highlighted the barriers the students faced many being the first in their family to go to college and many born outside of the country. The project is helping most of the 13 valedictorians going to Northeastern by offering full tuition, room, board and fees across eight academic semesters, according to Northeastern Global News. Were proud to offer the Northeastern Boston Valedictorian Scholarship and proud that year after year, many of them choose us, thus ensuring these talented Bostonians are able to pursue their educational dreams, John Tobin, Northeasterns vice president of city and community engagement, told Northeastern Global News. A registered sex offender from Boston was indicted on Thursday in connection with possessing child sex abuse materials, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced. Bryan Horgan, 58, was charged with possession of child pornography, Levys office said in a statement. Horgan was initially charged by complaint and arrested on April 26 and has remained in custody since then. He was identified as the owner of a Microsoft account that was uploading child sex abuse material, Levys office said. One of the devices found during a search of his home contained several video files that depicted children as young as infants, the statement read, with another device found with file names with words and phrases indicative of child sex abuse material. Due to his criminal history, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, with at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Levys office said. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices and the DOJs Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. A trial for a former teacher at a Hudson middle school who faces 10 criminal charges in connection with the rape of a former student ended in a hung jury, according to a spokesperson for Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryans office. Caitlin Harding faces charges including aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force and indecent assault of a child, according to MetroWest Daily News. With Hardings trial ending in a hung jury, prosecutors now have to decide whether or not to re-try the case. A spokesperson for Ryans office did not answer when asked if prosecutors intended to do so. Hardings lawyer has told WCVB-TV the allegations against the former teacher are false. The station reported that Harding testified she was having an affair with her accusers mother. She is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl who was her student at the now-closed JFK Middle School in Hudson multiple times in 2010. Harding eventually left the district in 2013, and was a teacher in Needham until 2017, MetroWest Daily News reported. A civil lawsuit filed in 2021 also accuses Harding of grooming and sexually assaulting the child. The civil suit states Harding met the student in 2008 when the victim was a sixth grade student at JFK Middle school. The plaintiff in the civil lawsuit is now a resident of Central Massachusetts. On numerous occasions during the 2008-2009 academic year, Plaintiff stayed after school to help Defendant Harding in Defendant Hardings classroom and to socialize with Defendant Harding in Defendant Hardings classroom, the suit states. During that time, defendant Harding openly showed affection toward and engaged in physical contact with Plaintiff, the lawsuit reads. The civil suit states that Harding continued to meet with the student even as they were no longer her student. During the 2009-2010 school year, Gaffney and other staff had a meeting with the victims parents and the student was moved to different classrooms in another section of JFK Middle School, farther away from Defendant Hardings classroom at the school, according to the lawsuit. JFK Middle School administration and Hudson Public Schools administration apparently failed to investigate or discipline Defendant Harding with regard to JFK Middle School administrations concerns about Defendant Hardings attention to minor girls, the civil suit reads. The lawsuit claims Harding then began giving rides to another location to the victim and another minor girl who was a student at JFK Middle School. It then escalated to text messages between Harding and the student, the suit claims. In her text messages to Plaintiff, Defendant Harding communicated to Plaintiff how much Defendant Harding wanted and loved Plaintiff, according to the lawsuit. In 2010, when the student was about 13 years old, the suit claims Harding raped the victim on at least ten occasions. The suit claims Hudson Public School supervisors knew or should have known that Defendant Harding would interact with and was interacting with minor children in her position at JFK Middle School. The sexual abuse of children by adults, including teachers, is a foreseeable result of negligence, the suit continues. Heather Morrison of the MassLive staff contributed to this report. More than a dozen communities across the Bay State will share in $5 million in disaster relief to help them recover from severe weather and flooding last fall, the Healey administration said Friday. The money comes from a $3.1 billion short-term funding bill that Massachusetts state lawmakers passed, and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law, last year. Its also the last tranche of funding left from the $15 million in relief that lawmakers authorized in that budget bill. The towns receiving funds are: North Attleboro, Chicopee, Springfield, Middlefield, Pepperell, Westford, Bridgewater, Scituate, Leominster, Lunenberg, Princeton, Sterling, and Worcester. In a statement, Healey said she and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll "saw firsthand how last years severe weather devastated residents, businesses, and communities across the country. While we were proud to have successfully appealed to [President Joe Biden] for federal assistance for [residents] and businesses, we know our municipalities need help too, Healey continued. Thats why we are delivering this $5 million directly to them to help with their efforts to rebuild. Were grateful to the Legislature for their partnership to make these funds available. In that same statement, the mayors Chicopee, Leominster, and Springfield were among the local leaders who expressed thanks for the windfall, and stressed the benefits it would have on their communities. The aid "will help Chicopee address the expenses and repair costs from the damages we sustained in last Septembers storm and flooding, city Mayor John Vieau said. The damages were unplanned and stretched our finances, so the funding from the state is appreciated. In Springfield, the money will help the city "pare down the nearly $5 million [it] had to allocate to make sure our residents and businesses had proper water services ASAP, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said. State officials have asked the federal government for an additional $34.5 million in assistance for Massachusetts strained emergency shelter system. The Democratic Healey administration applied for the money on Thursday through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Shelter and Services program to shore up a system whose costs are expected to soar past $900 million a year over the next two years. The program provides funds to non-federal entities that provide sheltering and other eligible services to noncitizen migrants who have been encountered by the Department of Homeland Security and released from custody while awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings, according to FEMAs website. The states congressional delegation, led by Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, previously have appealed to FEMA to lend a hand to Massachusetts and other states in desperate need of money. News of the application was first reported by Politicos Massachusetts Playbook. In an email to MassLive, Healeys office said it submitted its application in coordination with Boston city officials. The states largest city would receive $1.3 million under the states application, the administration said. All told the state and the city have been awarded $9 million under the program over the last year, Healeys office said in its email. Repeating a familiar refrain, the administration said Gov. Maura Healey "continues to call on Congress to address this federal problem, as states like Massachusetts have been forced to bear the costs due to Congress repeated failure to act on immigration reform On Thursday, Warren, Markey, and all nine members of the states U.S. House delegation fired off a letter in support of the states application, arguing that the commonwealth, under its right to shelter law, has struggled to house every family in need of shelter, and nearly 800 families are on a waiting list." With shelter facilities at capacity, families have been forced to sleep outdoors and in cars, in a state with below-freezing temperatures for months of the year, the lawmakers told U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. Some migrants "have turned to airport lobbies and hospital emergency rooms for makeshift shelter. The Commonwealth is now running out of shelter funding and faces a shortfall in its shelter budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the lawmakers wrote. Budget proposals by the state House and Senate for the fiscal year that starts July 1 set aside money for the shelter system, but not enough to meet current needs, MassLive previously reported. The two chambers plans are now before a conference committee which is working to iron out the differences between their respective budget proposals. SOUTHWICK Over a year since Town Meeting approved nearly $300,000 to build a splash pad at Whalley Park, it was announced during the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Wednesday that construction is expected to begin next week. Theyre going to start, he hopes, next week, said commission member John Whalley III, referring to a conversation he had with John Dziengelewski, the president of Crestview Construction & Trucking Inc., the contractor on the project. Whalley said Crestwood is currently having Arrow Concrete Products, based in Granby, Connecticut, build a concrete box that will be placed under the splash pad to house plumbing fixtures needed for the operation of the pads fixtures. Ahead of the formal launch ceremony scheduled for 13 June, the CEO of Emtel, Kresh Goomany, explains that this feature of blink has been made possible by the collaboration between the BoM and NPCI. As such, blink customers having an account with banks such as the State Bank of Mauritius, MauBank, Bank One, Bank of Baroda, and the State Bank of India (SBI Mauritius) can now use blink to make payments in India. Other banks are working on the technical development on their side; once done they will also be live on blink for such payments in India. Kresh elaborated on the many advantages to blink users who are travelling to India whether for tourism, shopping, leisure or medical purposes. He noted: Now, blink works in India. blink customers will be able to scan BHIM UPI QR codes in India to make payments, one can transact at millions of shops and outlets that use BHIM UPI QR codes, and the payment will be deducted in Mauritian Rupees in your Mauritian bank account. Using blink in India is as simple and easy as using blink in Mauritius. One needs to be a blink user, have a smartphone connected to data or Wi-Fi. The flow is very simple. From your blink app, click on the scan & pay tab and scan the INDIA UPI QR codes such as Phone Pay, Gpay and Bharat Pay. Some service providers like Paytm, HDFC bank , ICICI and few others will be enabled soon by NPCI India. When one Scans a UPI QR code in India, one will be asked to enter the amount to be paid Indian Rupees and get the equivalent in Mauritian Rupees. As soon as one confirms, the payment is processed. The merchant will get a notification of the payment in Indian Rupees and the blink user will also receive a notification of the payment done from his Mauritian bank account. Likewise, Indians will also be able to scan blink UPI enabled QR codes in Mauritius from their India payment apps. In a nutshell, the ability to use blink to scan and pay in India will ease transactions for Mauritian nationals travelling to India and Indian nationals travelling to Mauritius. This move enhances financial integration between the two countries, broadening the customer base and facilitating the lives of travellers. It is a matter of pride for us that customers can now use blink to scan and pay UPI QR codes in India. blink by Emtel has been an integral part of Mauritius UPI journey. We have been working on this project with the Bank of Mauritius since 2023 and are the only mobile operator PSP licence holder to enable this service. With blink, one can scan and pay in Mauritius, in Rodrigues, in Agalega and now in India. blink has always been at the forefront of enabling the digital payment ecosystem in Mauritius, and we will continue to pioneer exciting payment innovations in the future as well., concluded Kresh Goomany. When a customer initiates a transaction on blink while scanning a UPI QR code, the app will provide a dropdown showing banks that are ready and give an alert if your bank is not yet ready for this service. AN Taoiseach Simon Harris travelled to Castlebar to congratulate Mayo-based Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh on her re-election to the European Parliament in the early hours of Friday morning. The five-day count in the Midlands-North-West constituency concluded at 3.10am in the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar with confirmation of the election of Maria Walsh and her running mate, Nina Carberry, and Independent Ireland's Ciaran Mullooly. They joined Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Fianna Fail TD, Barry Cowen who were earlier elected to the European Parliament after exceeding the quota. Simon Harris travelled to Mayo late on Thursday to congratulate Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry on their election saying they had been written off by many people. Im delighted to be back in County Mayo tonight for what is really an absolutely incredible result for the Fine Gael party in Midlands-North-West, he said. To have two amazing MEPs be elected, to have Maria Walsh returned to the European Parliament, to be joined by Nina Carberry. Theres many people, many pundits who would never have predicted this result but we knew it could happen because we knew we were running two absolutely incredible candidates. Im so proud of them. Im really looking forward to working with them now in the years ahead and so grateful to the people of Midlands-North-West for returning two Fine Gael MEPs here in this constituency. Walsh was elected on the 21st and final count without reaching the quota following the elimination of Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew. The Shrule native received a total of 100,781 votes just ahead of Carberry with 98,872 while Mullooly was elected with 88,177. Roscommon-based Independent Luke 'Ming' Flanagan was the first candidate to be elected but had to wait until the 19th count to exceed the quota of 113,325 with a total vote of 118,754. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and supporters celebrate his re-election to the European Parliament. Pic: Conor McKeown Mayo Fianna Fail candidate Lisa Chambers was eliminated on the 19th count with a total vote of 62,818. Her vote helped elect her party colleague Barry Cowen with the Offaly man exceeding the quota on the 20th count with a total vote of 115,977. The result means that there will be three new MEPs returned for the Midlands-North-West with Sinn Fein losing their seat following the elimination of sitting MEP Chris MacManus. The Sligo-based candidate was eliminated on the 17th count and while his transfers helped push his running mate Michelle Gildernew ahead of Ciaran Mullooly, she was unable to hold off the former RTE reporter. Mullooly leap frogged Gildernew after he received almost 6,000 more transfers from Aontu's Peadar Toibin to put him in pole position. He widened the gap further following the distribution of Flanagan's surplus and Chambers' vote to finish 6,538 clear of the Sinn Fein candidate. Earlier Achill-based Independent and former Green Party candidate, Saoirse McHugh was eliminated following the 15th count with a total of 31,519 votes. Despite many pundits predicting she wouldnt make it, outgoing MEP, Maria Walsh, held her seat comfortably in the European Elections. In a great result in the constituency for Fine Gael, in the crowded fiive seat Midlands North West constituency, the Shrule woman polled a total of 71,476 first preferences and was elected on the 21st count. Walshs total vote was 100,781 and she was elected without reaching the quota. "I'm really delighted with the first preference," Walsh told The Mayo News, indeed all the votes. The transfers were amazing and its great to retain the seat and increase the first preference votes from the 2019 election. Walsh attributed this success to the collective efforts of her party, immediate team, family, friends, and volunteers who have supported her throughout her public service career, since her Rose of Tralee days. Walsh highlighted the effective campaign strategy that she and her running mate, Meaths Nina Carberry implemented, which resulted in the pair having a near identical vote throughout the various counts. Carberry was just under 2,000 votes behind Walsh at the end of the lengthy process. "We were geographically well placed in terms of covering the east and the west," she said. "Our messaging was really clear. We want to represent the European Union, our constituency, and do so in a pro-European way, and I think that really resonated with everybody." She also pointed out the importance of their personal profiles and how being transfer-friendly benefited their campaign. "Historically and culturally, women do better in transfers. We are also seen as likeable characters who lead with great integrity," Walsh added. Regarding future infrastructural improvements in the West of Ireland, Walsh emphasised the importance of the Western Rail Corridor project and securing funding for local councils and regional assemblies. "It's incredibly important that happens because if we're making money available in Europe, they need to draw down from it. We need to strengthen those ties," she asserted. Walsh outlined her priorities for the next five years, focusing on several key areas: Supporting female entrepreneurs is crucial, as 60 percent of small towns and businesses in this constituency are led by women, yet they're often cut out of funding streams. I'm a big advocate for positive mental health and delivering a mental health strategy will continue to be a political priority for me." Walsh said she grew up on a farm and that farming was close to her heart: "As we develop the next Common Agricultural Policy, fighting to keep our derogation is important. I'll be sharing my experiences and working closely with farmers, particularly in the West." Reflecting on the election results and future challenges, Walsh acknowledged the need for greater female representation in politics: "We have a challenge of a 40 percent quota for the next general election, but we didn't make the 30 percent here across the councils. We need to change that, and it's down to voters and representatives like myself to build towards that goal." Walsh was one of four Mayo-based women contesting the election. Fianna Fails Lisa Chambers captured 44,069 first preference votes. Saoirse McHugh who ran as an Independent this time having contested the 2019 ballot for the Green Party, got 18,976, with another independent, Michelle Smith claiming 6,713 on the first round. Independent, Luke Ming Flanagan, Barry Cowan (FF) and Ciaran Mullooly (Independent Ireland,) were the other elected. A MAYO national school has been announced as the national winner of the Marine Institute's Explorers Education Programme for their project on the Basking Shark. Dooagh National School on Achill Island were today announced as the national winners of the Explorers Education Programme's Ocean Champion Award for 2024. The 33-pupil three teacher school was one of 15 primary schools around Ireland who were shortlisted for the Explorers Ocean Champions Awards marking World Ocean Day for their project on the Basking Shark. Dr Rick Officer, the CEO of the Marine Institute, travelled to Achill this morning where he announced Dooagh NS as the national champions and made a presentation to the school pupils. He congratulated them on the award saying their project on the Basking Shark was an inspiration for the whole community. Your commitment to this project has made a huge difference to your community here in Achill and it is really inspiring. You sent a really clear message about protecting sharks and about creating a healthy environment in oceans for everyone. Thanks so much for the huge contribution you have made for this project. We have been enormously impressed and the people judging the Explorer Educational Award have been particularly impressed by the impact a small school like this has made to your community and it is a real demonstration of what a small community can do for an island nation like ours. The Explorers Education programme recognises effort, commitment and collaboration between teachers, children and the wider community working together for a better understanding about the importance of the ocean and engaging communities and others in that work, he said at the ceremony in Dooagh NS. Sixth class pupil Bernie McNamara pictured beside artwork produced as part of Basking Shark project As part of the project, the school pupils took part in beach clean-ups and art workshops, visited the Marine Institute outside Newport to learn more about marine life, and created two life-size sharks on Keel beach with a message for everyone to respect the shark when it's close to the shore. The sight of the Basking Shark close to the Achill coast in early summer is a major tourist attraction but its population was almost wiped out by overfishing. Up to 1,000 Basking Sharks were killed off the Achill coast every year in the 1950s and 60s when the liver of the shark was a prized commodity. The shark industry created employment for up to 100 people but the exploitation of the shark almost wiped it out completely and the hunting ceased in the early 1980s. The pupils interviewed local man Brian McNeill, who once fished for the shark, to get an understanding of what life was like for fishermen. The Basking Shark is now a protected species and the numbers visiting the Achill coast are growing every year. Local TD, Rose Conway-Walsh and local councillor Paul McNamara both congratulated the school pupils on winning the national title with Cllr McNamara saying it was the equivalent of them winning an All-Ireland. Irene Gielty, the Principal of Dooagh NS thanked all the people who helped in the project especially Sorsha Kennedy, the local Explorers Education officer who encouraged the school to take part. She said that everyone enjoyed working on the project but acknowledged it was the children who were the driving force behind it. We all thoroughly enjoyed the Basking Shark project and we are all extremely proud of the work and engagement and commitment shown by the children. We know they will remember forever not only this day but about the knowledge they learned as well and the tremendous sense of collaboration and teamwork which was wonderful. For us working with them there were so many memorable moments throughout the whole project...there was a real buzz about everything. But it was the children's enthusiasm which drove the whole project on, she said. The school also marked the presentation of its second Gaelbhratach for the promotion of the Irish language amongst the pupils as well as marking its involvement in the Creative Schools Programme. Deputy Michael Ring TD has confirmed that funding of 24,000 has been allocated for outdoor swimming facilities in Mayo. The funds will be administered by Sport Ireland on behalf of the Department of Health. This initiative, developed in line with the Healthy Ireland objective of enabling more people to be active more often, builds on the recent growth in popularity of outdoor swimming by improving the facilities and equipment at designated swimming locations across the county. The 24,000 funding allocation to Mayo is for Ross and Kilcummin beaches at Killala and Eachleaim beach, Belmullet for the provision of swimming shelters at each location. Deputy Ring explained how outdoor swimming has become hugely popular, particularly at these locations. It benefits our physical and mental health and is a growing social event for many people. Mayo has an abundance of scenic and ideal locations for open water swimming and with this funding, it will enable more people to avail of the amenities we have, he added. Hopefully these works will commence as soon as possible so that swimmers will be able to enjoy the benefit of the shelters shortly concluded Deputy Ring. During talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Li noted that over the past 10 years, despite changes in the international landscape, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation, and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation. WELLINGTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The north lawn of the governor-general's residence reverberated with the rhythmic chanting and powerful stamping of the Maori haka on Thursday. Dressed in traditional attire, Maori dancers displayed prowess and strength, their synchronized movements and facial gestures creating a vibrant spectacle to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is on an official visit to New Zealand, the first leg of his three-nation tour from June 13 to 20. At the residence, Li met with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro, emphasizing shared development concepts, cultural values, and international perspectives pivotal to bilateral relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to New Zealand and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. Nurtured by pioneers like Rewi Alley, a dedicated New Zealander who spent six decades living and working in China until his passing in Beijing in 1987, the relationship has steadily strengthened over the past decade despite challenges in the international political landscape. During talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Li noted that over the past 10 years, despite changes in the international landscape, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation, and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation. New Zealand's positive stance is evident in being among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China and the first developed nation to sign and implement a bilateral free trade agreement with China. It also took the lead among Western developed countries in recognizing China's full market economy status. "It's a reflection of the New Zealand culture, as well as its political position of being strongly independent without having to follow necessarily the strong influence from other countries. To recognize China in these 'first ways' is a showing of strength and independent thinking," said John Cochrane, chairman of the New Zealand China Trade Association. Building on the spirit of "striving to be the first," China has solidified its position as New Zealand's largest trading partner and key export destination. Notably, New Zealand has long maintained a surplus in goods and services with China, encountering only three quarterly deficits in the five years ending June 2023. To sustain this positive momentum, Li urged both countries to ensure stable expectations and a conducive business environment. He also expressed China's openness to increased investment from New Zealand. During discussions with Luxon, agreements were made to initiate negotiations on service trade negative list. Meanwhile, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are integral to enhancing mutual understanding and fostering friendships between countries. During the talks, Li reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening these connections with New Zealand and said China will include New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries and expressed hope for it to facilitate easier travel for Chinese citizens visiting the country. Furthermore, China and New Zealand are staunch supporters of multilateralism, free trade, and an open global economy. Building on this shared commitment, Li called on the two nations to enhance communication and coordination in multilateral fields and to encourage all parties to jointly address challenges and opportunities, foster win-win cooperation. "New Zealand must be an international trading nation. The more that there are open borders, and the more that there are exchanges of goods and services and technologies that can be openly traded, the better off we will all be. Open border benefits in both directions," said Cochrane. After the meeting, Li and Luxon witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on service trade, business environment, export of agricultural and food products to China, science and technology, patent examination, and migratory bird protection, among others. Besides New Zealand, Li will also pay official visits to Australia and Malaysia. by Teresa Buyikian , June 13, 2024 QSRs are no stranger to fashion collabs -- and now the largest burger purveyor in the world is lending a helping hand to emerging Black designers through a new program. McDonalds recently partnered with television host Elaine Welteroth to launch a Black & Positively Golden initiative. The program helps by equipping Black designers with career-propelling mentorship, resources, and financial support that will accelerate their career trajectories, per the brand. According to the announcement, despite the immense fashion influence of Black designers, from zoot suits in the 1930s to hip hop tracksuits of the 1980s, their representation in America stands at a mere 7.3%, which . allows the fashion industry to profit from Black culture while neglecting to embrace Black talent. Thus the launch of the B&PG Change of Fashion program to push for industrywide change. advertisement advertisement "For decades, McDonald's has leveraged its size and scale to invest in and support the diverse communities we serve," said Tariq Hassan, chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald's. "The Change of Fashion program builds on that legacy, pushing new boundaries in an effort to inspire real change, not only for our five designers, but for the fashion industry at large." The new program, supported by a national TV spot and social media efforts, is a spin-off of McDonalds existing annual B&PG Change Leaders program, founded in 2022, which so far has provided Black thought leaders nationwide with resources and more than $600K in funding. Under B&PG Change of Fashion, five emerging Black designers will be paired with five Black industry experts for a year with access to resources, education and national exposure, which will lead up to the launch of their own capsule collections. Each designer will receive grant funds of $200k. Program mentors are Welteroth, Matte Collection CEO Justina McKee, retail executive Shawn Howell, Laquan Smith COO Jacqueline Cooper and Founder and CEO of of luxury concept retail stores, McMullen, Sherri McMullen. Fans can follow the designers' experience by visiting changeoffashion.com or @wearegolden on Instagram. by Teresa Buyikian , June 13, 2024 The Boston Tea Party might have been a real party if vodka were involved. Gallo-owned hard seltzer maker High Noon is promoting the summer launch of its Vodka Iced Tea this month with a contest alluding to history. On June 27-28, the brand will host the Boston Vodka Iced Tea Party. The highlight will be an 18th-century-style ship that will arrive in Boston Harbor, carrying 342 cases of High Noon Vodka Iced Tea (the same number of cases of tea dumped into the harbor in 1773). The ship will continue to sail along the harbor and dock at Fan Pier Marina for two days promoting the new beverage, made with vodka, iced tea and no added sugar. But one lucky fan (plus a guest) will win a trip to Boston to enjoy a private voyage on the vessel. "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, EVP and GM at Gallo. advertisement advertisement Customers can enter the contest via High Noons Instagram, by commenting on a recent post about why they want to try the new Vodka Iced Tea with the hashtags #HighNoonSetsSail and #HighNoonContestEntry. Noon Vodka Iced Tea is now available in grocery and liquor retailers nationwide. The hard seltzer category has seen its share of ups and downs since launching during the pandemic, but according to Zion Market Research, the global hard seltzer market size is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years. In 2023, the market size was valued at $19.45 billion, and it is expected to reach $60.33 billion by the end of 2032. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 13, 2024 Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Thursday vetoed a sweeping bill that would have imposed sweeping restrictions on companies' collection and use of data, and would also have created an age-appropriate design code that would restrict how social-media platforms serve content to minors. The privacy portions of the bill (H. 121), which was passed last month, would have limited the amount of data that companies can collect, curbed online ad targeting, and allowed consumers to bring private lawsuits in some circumstances. Scott stated Thursday the major ad industry groups opposed the measure, arguing in a May 22 letter to Scott that the bill will hinder Vermonters access to innovative services and online resources and significantly impair business operations in the state. advertisement advertisement Among other objections, the organizations criticized provisions that would have authorized private lawsuits. If H. 121 is enacted, Vermont will stand on its own as the state with the most onerous and unfriendly approach to privacy enforcement in the nation, wrote the Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Interactive Advertising Bureau, American Advertising Federation and Digital Advertising Alliance. Scott stated Thursday that the bill creates an unnecessary and avoidable level of risk, adding that the provision allowing private lawsuits would make Vermont a national outlier, and more hostile than any other state to many businesses and non-profits. Advocacy groups including Consumer Reports and the Electronic Information Privacy Center supported the bill, arguing to Scott that it would help ensure that companies abide by a basic respect for consumer privacy. The measure would have required companies to let consumers opt out of targeted advertising -- meaning ads served based on non-sensitive data collected across distinctly branded sites or apps. The measure also would have explicitly obligated companies to honor opt-outs made through mechanisms like the Global Privacy Control, which transmits opt-out requests to every site consumers visit. The legislation also would have prohibited companies from collecting or harnessing sensitive data -- including biometrics, location data and information that reveals consumers' race, religion, citizenship, sexual orientation or health -- without opt-in consent. A separate section of the bill would have prohibited social platforms from using minors' data in ways that could result in emotional distress or compulsive use. The tech industry group NetChoice urged Scott to veto the measure due to those provisions, arguing that they would violate minors' right to access content, and platforms' First Amendment right to wield editorial control over the material on their services. NetChoice challenged a similar California law in court, and last year obtained an order blocking enforcement. by Danielle Oster , June 14, 2024 BLK Dating App, which describes itself as the world's largest dating and lifestyle app for the Black community is celebrating Pride with a campaign highlighting party professionals for its 2024 Pride campaign. Entitled It's Giving Space: Celebrating Queer Event Curators, the campaign kicked off on June 13 and will include a digital content series, social media activations, and real-world events. In addition to celebrating the work of event curators, the series also aims to document the cultural challenges they face -- and which contribute to Black queer spaces being underrepresented. BLK is taking a strategic approach by releasing the long-form content in digestible installments throughout the month of June. The content series at the heart focuses on three LGBTQ+ party collectives: Chicagos Party Noire in Chicago, Brooklyn-based Global Warming, and Lesbians in Houston. advertisement advertisement BLK will also support each group by sponsoring their Pride events, premiering their video from the Its Giving Space content series. An initial BLK x Global Warming video takes a look at the Global Warming collective -- which, as one of its founders explains, gets its name for the desired impact of heating up the dance floor. The longer documentary series will focus on the collectives resilience and innovation in reviving Brooklyns queer nightlife, according to a press release. Subsequent installments will highlight Party Noir in Chicago, focusing on how the group challenges Chicagos perception as an overlooked Pride city. Another video, profiling Lesbians in Houston, will focus on how the group navigates the challenges of organizing Black queer events and providing community connection in a conservative state. "At BLK, we are dedicated to uncovering and celebrating the untold stories within the Black LGBTQ+ community. Jonathan Kirkland, BLK head of brand and marketing, said in a statement. With Its Giving Space, we aim to shed light on the rich subcultures and vibrant narratives that often go unnoticed. These community leaders are pivotal in shaping our cultural landscape, and their stories of resilience and creativity deserve to be heard. The issue is convincing men to put on the uniform. A decade of declining recruitment numbers for the Army is almost entirely attributable to a significant drop in male recruiting as female enlistments have remained relatively flat, internal service data reviewed by Military.com shows. Since 2013, male enlistments have dropped 35%, going from 58,000 men enlisting in 2013 to 37,700 in 2023, according to the service data. Meanwhile, female recruitment has hovered around 10,000 recruits each year. Read Next: How Do You Measure Up? Here's How Soldiers Are Scoring on the Army Combat Fitness Test. The stark numbers paint a clear picture of a significant source of the military's recruiting struggles, with the Army making up the lion's share of the entire force and thus needing the greatest volume of new enlistments every year. Those shortfalls have contributed to the service overworking its force, something its senior leadership has conceded is a significant problem. The Army came up 10,000 soldiers short of its goal of bringing in 65,000 new active-duty troops last year. In 2022, it missed a goal of 60,000 soldiers by 15,000. Those shortfalls were consistent with the decline in recruiting among men. This year, the service reduced its goal -- seeking 55,000 new recruits. The demographic data traces the military's recruiting struggles with the decline spanning the leadership of presidents from both major parties with vastly different public stances on military culture. Critics have argued that the problem is tied to changes in military policy, including nonspecific claims that the military has become "woke." But experts described broader issues with men becoming less engaged in American society and less likely to enroll and graduate from college, more likely to die by suicide or drug overdose, and slowly disappearing from the general workforce. The sharp drop in the mid-2010s of men's participation in the workforce, education and military service is part of what some experts call a national "crisis of masculinity" with complex causes. "[This] goes way beyond military recruitment," Ronald Levant, professor of psychology at the University of Akron and former president of the American Psychological Association, told Military.com. "It really has to do with social change. I think there is an amotivational syndrome that seems to permeate a lot of young men today. They're just not motivated to do very much." The Army started missing recruiting goals in 2015, coming off the heels of some internal restructuring after the most intense years of the Afghanistan war during the so-called "Obama Surge." That year also saw the rise of the #MeToo movement and former President Donald Trump's successful presidential campaign -- two significant cultural events in which gendered politics and grievances were a center of gravity. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin delivers the oath of enlistment to 85 new recruits across the armed forces at the Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Meade, Maryland, on July 5, 2023. (Jasmyne Ferber/U.S. Army) For the Army's recruiting woes, the decline is spread across America's regions. The Northeast saw the worst dip, losing 40% of male recruits between 2012 and 2022. That area, how Army data categorizes it, covers much of the East Coast from Virginia north through New England. The Midwest and West each saw a 39% drop. The Southwest saw the smallest drop of 29%. That region covers Texas and north through Nebraska, as well as Arizona and New Mexico. And finally, the South saw a 31% dip. While the southern recruiting pool has historically been among the most fruitful for the Army, those recruits make up half of all basic training injuries, far outpacing their general representation in the service. Some of that has been attributed to the obesity epidemic being especially prevalent in the South. Researchers have also attributed it to large swaths of the South having comparatively low household incomes and limited access to health care and healthy food. The Army is juggling enormous missions across two hemispheres: bolstering NATO's front lines amid Vladimir Putin's warpath in Ukraine, and establishing a foothold in the Pacific to rein in China's expansionist goals. It's also deployed across Africa and the Middle East on legacy missions that are the remains of two decades of conflict against terrorist groups. Meanwhile at home, units are routinely sent out on prolonged training missions. A smaller Army is away from home now more than it was during the peak of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That taxing pace of deployments and training is burning out the rank and file, which has been reflected in mental health issues and deaths by suicide in the force. Meanwhile, undergraduate college enrollment started to dwindle from a high in 2011, plummeting in 2015, with male enrollment in undergraduate studies dropping at nearly twice the rate of women. Between then and 2021, the total undergraduate population of men dropped by 1 million students and women fell by 600,000, according to federal data. Women are more likely to finish all levels of college, with men earning around 40% of bachelor's and master's degrees, according to data from the Department of Education -- effectively a total reversal of the education gender gap from before the 1980s and which accelerated at the turn of the millenia. Men's falling engagement in major institutions has been referred to as the "male drift" by Richard Reeves, a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and author of the landmark book "Of Boys and Men," which chronicles the issue. "It feels like it's the women who are advancing, and the men to some extent retreating," he said in an interview. Reeves, who is also the founder of the American Institute for Boys and Men, said that two major trends are occurring at once, one positive and one negative: Women are starting to overcome systemic sexism, but there are also serious concerns about men and boys' development and retreat from society. "It's not so much that they're acting out or acting terribly or anti-socially and so on. ... Like, violent crime, with the exception of a few blips, has gone down quite significantly," he said. "But what you're seeing among young men is not 'acting out', so much as 'checking out.'" Some conservatives have been regularly devaluing military service, often saying without evidence that the services have become "woke," a shorthand to suggest acquiescence to progressive ideals. Most of those cultural grievances are being spurred as the services have become more welcoming to women, the LGBTQ community and other historically marginalized groups. Nearly one-third of Gen Z adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ, almost twice that of Millennials, signaling that negative attitudes toward non-heteronormative sexuality are quickly evaporating with each generation. Those culture war rallying cries, often used to gin up the Republican base, are similar to tactics wielded against higher education, and are moves that may be more effective with men -- with some data suggesting men are skewing more conservative as women are increasingly becoming more liberal. "The Biden Pentagon looking for the causes of the recruiting crisis is kind of like O.J. Simpson looking for the real killer," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said during a Fox News interview in 2022. "The way to turn it around is to focus on its core mission, not using the right pronouns or worrying about things like gender ideology. We want men and women to join the military to defend this country, not go to social justice training seminars." Since Biden took office, some conservatives have latched onto the idea the military has reduced combat training in favor cultural sensitivity training and turned that unfounded critique into a boogeyman. The trainings, which deal with equal opportunity or harassment, take only a couple of hours and are similar to those in civilian workplaces. They also predate the Biden administration. U.S. Army Reserve Flight Medics with the 7-158th Aviation, seen in the visors reflection, demonstrate their duties aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk during the Meet Your Army'' recruiting event hosted by the U.S. Army Southern California Recruiting Battalion at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, in Los Alamitos, California, April 22, 2024. (Brandon Hernandez/U.S. Army Reserve) Instead of cultural grievances, the recruiting issue appears to be more closely tied to qualifying for service, much of it inflamed by the ongoing obesity crisis and poor performance on the military's academic entrance exams. In the civilian world, girls have been increasingly outperforming boys in grade school and score higher on college admissions tests. Childhood obesity also impacts boys at a higher rate than girls, with those health ailments, and lagging academic performance, even more prevalent among Americans belonging to racial minority groups. In 2022, the Army started the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, for applicants to get in line with the service's academic and physical standards. After a significant expansion, the Army can put 23,500 applicants into basic training annually who otherwise would not have been allowed to enlist -- effectively setting the service up to recoup its entire recruiting deficit. The applicants for those courses are more than 70% male, with recruits from racial minority groups being overrepresented, according to Army data. For example, Black applicants are the largest cohort, making up nearly 34% of the course's students -- with white recruits being 33% of attendees. Meanwhile, 24% of 2022 recruits for the Army as a whole were Black, and 44% of recruits were white. It's unclear whether the service is eyeing bringing more women into the force to make up for the significant drop in men. Defense officials have expressed confidence in hitting recruiting goals this year, much of that attributed to changes like establishing the Future Soldier Prep Course. "There's never certainty when it comes to recruiting," Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in response to a question from Military.com at a press event in May. "All [services] projected they're going to meet their year-end goal, I feel really good about it." He went on to say that meeting those goals ultimately hinges on precise marketing and talented recruiters. The Army's marketing rarely spotlights women in a significant way. A Military.com review of the service's recent marketing campaigns found men were two-to-three times more represented, particularly in speaking roles in commercials. Other trends are making it more difficult for the Army to find recruits. Typical sedentary activities, which are often isolating, have ballooned in recent years, including playing video games and viewing pornography, both activities that are enjoyed predominantly by men and, while not inherently destructive, can be abused. The alarming trends for men's economic role and health have also been weaponized in dark, misogynistic corners of the internet -- sometimes referred to as the "manosphere," which commonly overlaps with far-right communities. Those communities lament that men have fallen from their traditional place in society and that there is no quarter for masculinity in modern western culture. That culture includes podcasts, influencers and brands that range from earnest male-oriented self help but more commonly involve anti-feminist and misogynist content. Some of it is very overtly connected to military culture, such as groups charging exorbitant amounts of money to attend so-called "man camps" that mimic Navy SEAL training. "The reality is that military service is a major commitment that tests true strength -- physical, mental, morals," said Katherine Kuzminski, who studies the military and society at the Center for New American Security. "There is evidence of a trend toward signaling [a] counterfeit show of strength -- commentaries lamenting a decline in American masculinity -- rather than individuals risking a real test that comes from military service." The so-called crisis in masculinity is further complicated by conflicting events. Men are pulling out of the workforce, and traditional masculine roles are disappearing as gender norms are reassessed. But those men are not seeking military service -- the last bastion of traditional and surface-level masculinity. "You could argue quite strongly that the military could have a really important role to play in helping these young men," Reeves said. "But you see fewer young men turning to the military or being able to join the military." Related: Army Sees Sharp Decline in White Recruits If anyone was the best pick to lead and train the next generation of Army officers at Ohio State University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or ROTC, it seemed that Lt. Col. Michael Kelvington was the one. Kelvington, an infantry officer, has a thick combat resume with 14 deployments under his belt, including one as a company commander in the 82nd Airborne in 2012 when several soldiers were killed in the Zharay district of Afghanistan. Throughout his career, much of it spent in the 75th Ranger Regiment, he was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and two Purple Hearts, among other accolades. No one would question his combat bona fides -- increasingly rare experience as the post-9/11 wars recede into the past -- that brought him to the ROTC program at OSU. But everything came crashing down. Read Next: The Army's Recruiting Problem Is Male A Military.com investigation found that Kelvington was fired from his role in April and formally replaced June 7 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The misconduct allegedly involved at least three cadets, ranging from touching them inappropriately, making overt sexual references and gestures to having at least one prolonged sexual relationship. In some cases, those encounters or advances may have happened on campus and sometimes involved alcohol. High school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs have come under intense scrutiny over the past couple of years due to reports of widespread sexual misconduct by instructors with underage cadets. In 2022, a congressional report found that 66 instructors had been accused of sexual misconduct with high school students over the preceding five years. Congress passed legislation in December that provides more oversight of those programs for younger cadets, according to The New York Times. The full scope of the Army's misconduct investigation of Kelvington during his time heading the ROTC program at OSU was unclear. With the investigation ongoing, the Army's firing of Kelvington before completing it suggests the allegations are credible. Military.com's own investigation included reviews of emails, internal documents, text messages, police reports, photos and video and interviews with nearly two dozen cadets, school faculty and Army officials. "West Point grad, Ranger, infantry. ... Everyone wanted to be mentored by him because of his wealth of experience," one female cadet told Military.com on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media. "He really seemed to have our best interests in mind." Kelvington declined to be interviewed for this story or to issue a comment. It was unclear whether he had hired an attorney. He was replaced by Lt. Col. Steven Spiker, a human resources officer, who most recently led the ROTC program at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Some of Kelvington's credibility among the women in the program came from him disenrolling a male cadet amid allegations of sexual misconduct. For most cadets, Kelvington was their first exposure to the Army and was meant to set an example for what a leader is supposed to be. "This was a betrayal and really shook us," another female cadet told Military.com on the condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to talk to the press. U.S. Army Cadet Command became aware of Kelvington's conduct in December, after some initial allegations were made. But he continued pursuing a relationship with at least one cadet, sources with direct knowledge of the investigation told Military.com. It was unclear when other Ohio State ROTC staff became aware of the allegations, but some cadets allege staff were aware for weeks before incidents involving sexual harassment and assault were flagged to higher-ups in the Army. Kelvington was eventually given a "no-contact" order on Jan. 22, according to an Army spokesperson, in which he was ordered to stay away from cadets and cease communications. But he violated those campus police orders at least twice in February and March, according to law enforcement records reviewed by Military.com, though the specifics of the violations were unclear. "[Kelvington] has continually violated a no-contact order," one police report noted. Kelvington's alleged misconduct, now made public, echoes other similar issues faced by OSU's cadets. Three women currently in the program allege they were victims of sexual harassment or assault from male cadets, but have declined to report it. "I just ... didn't really know how that would be received," said a third female cadet, who alleges she was assaulted by a male cadet. "It was a confusing time, and who are we going to report things to? We all know what was going on at the time," she added, referring to Kelvington's investigation. Her alleged assault occurred at around the same time as his investigation started. Even after the investigation and his termination, Kelvington was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame in May for valor in combat in Afghanistan during his time as a platoon leader. He was also given a local car dealership award for military valor. Related: Head of Ohio State Army ROTC Suspended, Under Investigation for Allegedly Violating 'Stay Away' Order The Coast Guard has removed the commanding officer of its largest small boat station, Station New York. The service announced Friday that it relieved Cmdr. David Ruhlig on June 3 "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to fulfill the expectations of his position." Ruhlig had commanded the unit for three years and was expected to turn the station over in September. According to a Coast Guard press release, Rear Adm. John Mauger, the former commander of the First Coast Guard District who relinquished that position in May, recommended the relief for cause. Read Next: The Army's Recruiting Problem Is Male Station New York, on Staten Island in New York City, is the largest and one of the busiest boat stations in the Coast Guard, conducting more than 3,800 hours a month in law enforcement and search and rescue operations. More than 140 active-duty and reserve personnel are assigned to it. According to Coast Guard First District Public Affairs, an investigation showed that Ruhlig did not take steps to address allegations of harassment within his unit. "The Coast Guard takes all reports of harassment seriously and is committed to providing all members with a safe and respectful environment to work. Therefore, Cmdr. Ruhlig was relieved of command and has been reassigned to Coast Guard Headquarters," First District spokeswoman Lt. Samantha Corcoran said in an email to Military.com. The firing is the fourth of a prominent Coast Guard leader in less than two months. In April, Navy Capt. Daniel Mode, the chaplain of the Coast Guard, was relieved for failing to take action when he became aware of sexual misconduct by another chaplain that had taken place before the other chaplain joined the Navy and served in the Coast Guard. In May, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Reserve Timothy Beard was relieved for inappropriate conduct. And in late May, Navy Cmdr. Cristiano DeSousa, a Presbyterian chaplain, was relieved as chaplain of the 7th District for what a Coast Guard official described as "poor judgment and performance constituting a breach of trust with the workforce." Before becoming station commander, Ruhlig served as an adviser to then-Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz and Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Ray on strategic communications with Congress, academia and federal agencies. According to Ruhlig's LinkedIn page, he also was the service's lead analyst on diversity, inclusion and equity issues, responsible for developing the Coast Guard's plan to implement initiatives to retain women and minority service members. Coast Guard leaders have been under intense scrutiny since last year, when a scandal erupted over a coverup of an investigation into multiple cases of sexual assault at the Coast Guard Academy dating back to the late 1980s. None of the recent firings have been publicly linked by the Coast Guard to cover-up of the investigation, known as Operation Fouled Anchor. The only former Coast Guard leader who has experienced any consequences is retired Coast Guard Capt. Glenn Sulmasy, who resigned as president of Nichols College last year after he was accused of inappropriate communications with students while he was on the faculty at the academy a decade ago. Shannon Norenberg, the Coast Guard Academy's official in charge of sexual assault response, tendered her resignation last Sunday, saying that she could no longer be part of service that led a concerted effort to cover up incidents of sexual assault. In a public blog post, Norenberg, who had served in her position since 2013, said she participated in the Coast Guard's efforts to conduct outreach to victims, believing she was helping the investigation and assisting victims in receiving benefits, but later came to believe that the initiative was designed to mislead victims and quash publicity. During a hearing earlier this week before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan said the service is waiting for a Department of Homeland Security inspector general investigation to conclude to determine whether actions need to be taken against anyone who was involved. "As [the IG investigation] concludes, that will provide insights into whether non-criminal misconduct occurred or not, and then we'll work to create what accountability, transparency, what are the administrative tools there [are]," Fagan said. Regarding Station New York, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Garris of the Coast Guard's Office of Boat Forces will temporarily lead the unit until September, when Lt. Cmdr. Craig Johnson will assume command. Related: Construction on Coast Guard's Much-Needed Icebreaker Could Begin by End of the Year, Service Says MINNEAPOLIS A Minnesota man who once fought for the Islamic State group in Syria after becoming radicalized expressed remorse and wept in open court Thursday as he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Abelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, cooperated with federal authorities ahead of Thursday's hearing, which prosecutors factored into their recommendation for a lower sentence than the statutory maximum of 20 years. U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery said among the cases she has presided over in her 40 years on the bench, Al-Madioum's was extraordinary." She cited his confounding path from a loving Minnesota home to one of the world's most notorious terror organizations and his subsequent collaboration with the government he betrayed. When Al-Madioum rose to speak before being sentenced, he thanked the U.S. government for giving him another chance. He then turned to address his parents and two young sons, who were rescued from a Syrian orphanage and brought to America with the help of federal authorities. I know I put you through so much, and I did with the belief that it was my religious duty, Al-Madioum said while fighting back tears. That's no excuse. My first duty should have been to you. Al-Madioum, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was among several Minnesotans suspected of leaving the U.S. to join the Islamic State group, along with thousands of fighters from other countries worldwide. Roughly three dozen people are known to have left Minnesota to join militant groups in Somalia or Syria. In 2016, nine Minnesota men were sentenced on federal charges of conspiring to join IS. But Al-Madioum is one of the relatively few Americans who have been brought back to the U.S. who actually fought for the group. According to a defense sentencing memo, hes one of 11 adults as of 2023 to be formally repatriated to the U.S. from the conflict in Syria and Iraq to face charges for terrorist-related crimes and alleged affiliations with IS. Others received sentences ranging from four years to life plus 70 years. Prosecutors had asked for a 12-year sentence, arguing that Al-Madioums suffering did not make his crimes any less serious. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Winter said Al-Madioum self-radicalized online and helped IS, also known as ISIS, carry out its goals. Young men just like him all over the world ... allowed ISIS to flourish," Winter said. Manvir Atwal, Al-Madioums attorney requested a seven-year sentence. She said Al-Madioum was taken in as an impressionable teenager by a well-oiled propaganda machine. He rejected extremist ideology years ago and had helped the government in other terrorism cases, which prosecutors confirmed. Montgomery opted for a 10-year sentence, weighing sentencing guidelines with Al-Madioum's cooperation and letters on his behalf, including one from an unnamed former U.S. ambassador. He has already served over five years and might get credit for that time, Atwal said. Al-Madioum grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park in a loving and nonreligious family, the defense memo said. He joined IS because he wanted to help Muslims he believed were being slaughtered by Syrian President Bashar Assads regime in that countrys civil war. IS recruiters persuaded him to test his faith and become a real Muslim. Al-Madioum was 18 in 2014 when IS recruited him. The college student slipped away from his family on a visit to their native Morocco in 2015. Making his way to Syria, he became a soldier for IS until he was maimed in an explosion in Iraq. His leg was shattered and his arm had to be amputated. Unable to fight, he used his computer skills to serve the group. While still a member of IS, he married and had children with two women. He had thought his second wife and their daughter had died. But in court Thursday, Al-Madioum said he had heard there is a chance she and their daughter might still be alive. That possibility remains under investigation, Atwal said. Al-Madioum's first wife died in his arms after she was shot in front of him by either rebel forces or an IS fighter in 2019, the defense said. Al-Madioum said in court that he dug a trench and buried her. The day after that shooting, he walked with his sons and surrendered to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which held him under conditions the defense described as heinous for 18 months until the FBI returned him to the U.S. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to providing material support to a designated terrorist organization. His sons were eventually found in a Syrian orphanage, the culmination of what he and Montgomery described as a unique effort from U.S. diplomats and other officials. Al-Madioum's parents were awarded custody of his sons after they arrived in America. Sitting in the court's gallery Thursday, his sons, ages 7 and 9, sat on their grandparents' laps and smiled at their father as he turned to face them. GENEVA Switzerland will host scores of world leaders this weekend to try to map out first steps toward peace in Ukraine even though Russia, which launched the ongoing war, wont take part. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government didnt want Russia involved, and the Swiss aware of Moscows reservations about the talks didnt invite Russia. The Swiss insist Russia must be involved at some point, and hope it will join the process one day. Ukrainians, too, are considering that possibility. The conference, underpinned by elements of a 10-point peace formula presented by Zelenskyy in late 2022, is unlikely to produce major results and is seen as a largely symbolic effort on the part of Kyiv to rally the international community and project strength against its better armed and numbered adversary. But the question looming over the summit will be how the two countries can move back from the brink and eventually silence the guns in a war that has cost hundreds of billions of dollars and caused hundreds and thousands of deaths and injuries, without Moscow attending. The conflict has also led to international sanctions against nuclear-armed Russia and has raised tensions between NATO and Moscow. The summit comes as Russian forces have been making modest territorial gains in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, extending the grip they already hold on about a quarter of the country. Heres a look at what to expect from the weekend gathering at the Burgenstock Resort on a cliff overlooking Lake Lucerne. Whos going? Among the stakes will be simple optics: How many countries the Swiss and Ukrainians can draw in. The bigger the turnout, the bigger the international push and pressure for peace will be, the thinking goes. Swiss officials sent out some 160 invitations, and say about 90 delegations, including a handful of international organizations like the United Nations, will attend. Roughly half will be from Europe. Zelenskyy led a diplomatic push in Asia and beyond to rally participation. Several dozen attendees will be heads of state or government, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. United States Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Zelenskyy on Saturday on the sidelines of the summit, according to a senior Biden administration official. Harris, who is making a quick trip to Lucerne to take part in the opening day, is also expected to deliver an address before the gathering. The official, who briefed a small group of reporters on the vice presidents plans on the condition of anonymity, said Harris intended to focus her engagements on defending and strengthening the international rules-based order. Who are the major no-shows? U.S. President Joe Biden, who was wrapping up a visit to Italy on Friday for a Group of Seven summit, opted to dispatch Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The president, meanwhile, was headed to Los Angeles for a glitzy campaign fundraiser with actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts, as well as former President Barack Obama. Biden and Zelenskyy signed a 10-year security agreement Thursday at the G7 summit. Russia's key ally China will not attend. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said it believes any such international peace conference should involve both Russia and Ukraine, although Beijing supports efforts to bring the conflict to an end and is monitoring the developments in Switzerland. The final list of attendees isnt expected until late Friday, and question marks remain about how key developing countries like India, Brazil and Turkey might take part, if at all. But so far, under half of the 193 United Nations member countries are planning to attend, testifying to a wait-and-see attitude in many world capitals. Russia does not have a lot of allies in this particular situation," said Keith Krause, a professor of international security studies at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. It has a number of states that are susceptible to being pressured, and a few that actually wish to stand aside, from what they see as a northern, U.S.-Russia, NATO-Russia confrontation. "They essentially dont have what they would consider a dog in the fight, he added. What can be expected? Naysayers have harrumphed that the peace summit will be short on substantial achievements toward peace without Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putins government doesnt believe Switzerland, which has lined up behind European Union sanctions on Moscow over the war, is neutral. Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's U.N. ambassador, said peace talks without Russia's participation are a road to nowhere. In practice, the main goal is to present an ultimatum to the Russian Federation in the form of the so-called peace plan" from Zelenskyy, the ambassador was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti. Participants are expected to unite around an outcome document or a joint plan, and Ukraine will have a lot of input into what it says. But ironing out language that delegations can agree upon is still a work in progress, and could explain why some countries arent yet saying whether they will attend. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff, said Ukrainian officials wanted countries that respect Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity to be invited. He said the basis of the talks should be a 10-point peace formula that Zelenskyy has presented, and he held out the possibility that Russia could be invited to a second such summit. Speaking to reporters late Tuesday, Yermak said Ukraine and the other participants would be preparing a joint plan to unite around, "and were looking for the possibility in the second summit to invite representative of Russia, and together present this joint plan. Asked what would be the measure of a successful summit in Burgenstock, he replied: We think its already a success because its a big number of countries (attending)." What is the Ukrainian 10-point peace formula? Ukraines peace plan launched by Zelenskyy outlines 10 proposals that encapsulates the presidents step-by-step vision to end the war against Russias invasion, now in its third year. The plan includes ambitious calls, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territory, the cessation of hostilities and restoring Ukraines state borders with Russia, including Crimea. That is an unlikely outcome at this stage in this war, as Ukraine is unable to negotiate from a position of strength. Moscows army has the upper hand in firepower and number of troops, while Kyivs momentum has been stalled by delays in Western military supplies. That is likely why the most contentious elements of the plan are not being discussed. Only three themes will be on the table at the summit: nuclear safety, including at the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant; humanitarian aid; and food security, not just in Ukraine but globally notably the spillover effects of the war on Ukrainian agricultural production and exports. Western officials in Kyiv said these themes cut across international interests and are easy for Kyiv to rally the international community around. But they do not encompass the tougher issues that can only be resolved with Moscow as a negotiating partner. Russias hesitancy about the conference stems in part from its unwillingness to show any sign of acceptance of the Ukrainian peace formula, which it rejects, or any red lines set by Kyiv. Putin has espoused a deal to be premised on a draft peace agreement negotiated in the early days of the war that included provisions for Ukraines neutral status and put limits on its armed forces while delaying talks on the status of Russian-occupied areas. What's the way forward? Krause, of the Graduate Institute, said Ukraine needs to emerge from the conference with momentum a reaffirmation of commitment from its top allies and partners around its bottom lines on issues like territorial integrity and future relationships, even if membership may be far off, in NATO or the European Union one day. He said Ukraine will want to see a reaffirmation that it's up to Kyiv to lay out the terms on which the war will end. I dont think anybody is particularly deluded that this is going to give birth to a new peace plan, or even to some kind of agreement that stops the hostilities on the battlefield," Krause said. "But as past wars have shown, including as far back as World War II, discussions about the contours of the peace begin long before the fighting stops on the battlefield. ___ Associated Press writers Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Aamer Madhani in Washington; and Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report. The Pentagon on Friday stood by its decision to conduct a clandestine disinformation campaign in the Philippines in 2020 that aimed to sow doubt about China's COVID-19 vaccine during the height of the global pandemic -- a campaign that was first revealed in a bombshell report by Reuters. The U.S. military launched the disinformation campaign following a decision by then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper to loosen restrictions on such operations, and used phony online accounts posing as Filipinos in an effort "to discredit China's Sinovac inoculation -- payback for Beijing's efforts to blame Washington for the pandemic," Reuters reported. At the time, the Philippines was struggling to vaccinate its population and had one of the worst death rates in the region. The Philippines disinformation campaign marks an unusual use of military power in a country that has often been a U.S. ally in a strategically crucial region and at a time of great public health risks. Lisa Lawrence, a Defense Department spokeswoman, did not deny Reuters' reporting on the operation, which was done under the administration of former President Donald Trump and continued for some time under the Biden administration. Read Next: The Army's Recruiting Problem Is Male The Pentagon "conducts a wide range of operations, including operations in the information environment (OIE), to counter adversary malign influence" and "this process is deliberate, methodical, and comprehensive," Lawrence said in a statement. "The DoD uses a variety of platforms, including social media, to counter those malign influence attacks." Lawrence also echoed Reuters' reporting, saying, "China [in 2020] initiated a disinformation campaign to falsely blame the United States for the spread of COVID-19." Reuters found at least 300 accounts on X, formerly Twitter, "that matched descriptions shared by former U.S. military officials familiar with the Philippines operation." The posts from those accounts "centered on the slogan #Chinaangvirus," which in the Philippine language Tagalog means "China is the virus." They often focused on giving credence to the false claim that, since vaccines sometimes contain pork gelatin, the Chinese-made shots could be forbidden for Muslims under Islamic law. The social media activity began during Trump's administration when Esper signed a secret order that made it easier for commanders to compete with Russia and China by enabling them to bypass the State Department when conducting information warfare against the two countries, Reuters reported. The report also noted that the program "continued months into Joe Biden's presidency ... even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation." Experts have long objected to the use of vaccines and vaccination campaigns as part of military operations, arguing that they not only lead to a loss of trust and confidence in vaccines as a whole but have also endangered medical workers. Perhaps the biggest outrage came after it was revealed in 2011 that the CIA used a fake hepatitis vaccination program as part of its efforts to track down and kill Osama bin Laden, who was hiding in Pakistan. The ruse led to outrage from doctors worldwide and a promise in 2014 from the CIA not to use immunization programs as cover for its operations in the future. However, the damage had been done, and backlash against unrelated polio vaccination efforts in the region took hold. Attacks against vaccination workers continue to this day. Pakistan and Afghanistan are now the only two countries that have yet to be declared free of wild poliovirus type 1. Related: Pentagon Complied with COVID-19 Waiver Rules According to Watchdog But Services Moved Slowly The Senate Armed Services Committee has included a provision in its version of a must-pass defense bill that would allow the Air Force to bypass state governors in transferring certain space-focused National Guard units into the active-duty Space Force, but with some exceptions. The bill "requires the U.S. Air Force to transfer certain space functions of the Air National Guard to the U.S. Space Force," but adds it "shall not reduce the end strength for the affected state Air National Guard organizations." The Senate committee passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, on Thursday evening, but it still faces a long journey of negotiations with the House and votes before becoming law. Late last month, the House Armed Services Committee's version of the NDAA made transferring those space-focused units optional, not mandatory, and required that governors must approve of any transfers. The Senate's version would allow those transfers to go ahead, but it is more limited in scope than the Air Force's original proposal. Read Next: 19.5% Junior Enlisted Pay Raise Passes House, But Culture War and Budget Fights Loom over Defense Bill Senate Armed Services Committee staff told reporters Friday that the language "is narrowly tailored to only the very specific units and potentially numbers of billets that would be affected," adding that it would apply to six units in six states -- limiting it to just under 600 billets, or job positions. "We named six units in six states, and we actually specified the maximum number of billets that could be moved, which is far narrower than what is in the [Air Force] proposal," a staffer said, but added that the "bill contains the administration's proposal to waive the statute on the governors' consent." Specific details on which units would be affected have not yet been released. John Goheen, a spokesman for National Guard Association of the United States, told Military.com that the nonprofit Guard lobbying organization is waiting to see the actual text and will be reviewing the Senate's version of the proposal. In April, Military.com reported that the Air Force had submitted a legislative proposal that would transfer Air National Guard units with space missions into the active-duty Space Force by amending section 104 of Title 32, as well as section 18238 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which requires state governors to sign off on such a move. The proposal received swift condemnation from all 50 state governors, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, and the National Guard Association of the United States. Guard leaders and Guardsmen have said many in those affected units would choose to leave military service altogether rather than serve in the active-duty Space Force. In late April, governors from across the country wrote a letter saying the proposal "undermines long-standing partnerships, precedence, military readiness and operational efficacy." The Senate and House must still negotiate their versions to come up with a final bill they can agree upon. A final NDAA could be passed into law later this year. Space Force officials began seeking transfers from the Air Force Reserve earlier this month under the Space Force Personnel Management Act, which was passed into law in late 2023. That legislation allowed the Space Force to create full-time and part-time roles for its service members, a change from the way that other service branches typically maintain a Guard or reserve component. But the Space Force isn't currently taking applications for part-time Guardians and won't be until at least 2026, which has angered Air National Guardsmen in space missions who face having to transfer to the active-duty, full-time Space Force if the Air Force's legislative proposal regarding their units is signed into law. -- Rebecca Kheel contributed to this report. Related: Space Force Urges Certain Air Force Reservists to Become Full-Time Guardians 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... NORMANDY, France -- For some, the lyrics to "Blood on the Risers" might be a little disconcerting. It's the story of a new paratrooper whose primary and reserve chute fail during a training jump, resulting in a "splat" when he hit the ground, one that made his fellow soldiers say, "What a helluva way to die." The whole song is actually much more poetic, but that's the gist. Its refrain is especially memorable. Gory, gory, what a helluva way to die, Gory, gory, what a helluva way to die, Gory, gory, what a helluva way to die, He ain't gonna jump no more. WWII Battle of the Bulge veteran Vincent Speranza lets a little girl borrow his garrison cap during celebrations for the 71st anniversary of the battle in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 12, 2015. (U.S. Army/Staff Sgt. Bernardo Fuller) "It was sung to essentially make people quit, to rethink their selection to be a paratrooper in World War II when the airborne started," Darren Cinatl, president of the nonprofit All Airborne Battalion who served 13 years in the U.S. Army and nine in the Airborne, told Military.com in Normandy during festivities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. "This was a new concept and many people were unsure of the safety of it, so the song was a way to tell the dangers paratroopers faced and the pride they had at the same time, in this new system of warfare." Pride is a bit of an understatement. The song, sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," quickly became the unofficial anthem of the U.S. Army Airborne. But in the years and decades that followed, it became a song for any trooper, from any nation, who jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. Vince Speranza, a legendary World War II veteran who served as a machine gunner at the Battle of the Bulge, had a particular fondness for the song and would sing it, generating a rousing chorus. "Vince was extremely charismatic and always well-dressed," said Cinatl, who became close friends with Speranza before his death in 2023. "He was sharp as a tack and known for his trademark cigars and his Red Label scotch. He never claimed to be an entertainer, but he sang and played the harmonica. Vince was routinely sought after to sing and to tell his story. So he would visit various locations to talk about his experience. Inevitably, after a few scotches, [he] would end up singing 'Blood on the Risers.'" Speranza joined the Army at age 18, intending to become a line infantryman. After seeing an airborne demonstration at Fort Benning, Georgia, however, he joined the paratroopers. He wasn't a Normandy veteran, but was a replacement who landed in France in time to fight in the defense of Bastogne during the 1944-1945 Battle of the Bulge. He always quipped that he was less famous for being a machine gunner, and more famous for his epic beer run. Vince Speranza during World War II. (U.S. Army) On the second day of the siege, Speranza's buddy Joe Willis was wounded by shrapnel and sent to an aid station in one of the town's blasted-out churches. When Speranza finally found him, Willis asked his comrade to get him something to drink. Speranza began searching an abandoned tavern and found a working beer tap; the only problem was that he had nothing to carry the beer in. Like most World War II soldiers, he used his helmet as a catch-all, making two trips to the aid station before he was stopped by an angry officer. His beer run was immortalized by a Belgian brewing company, creating Bastogne's Airborne beer, served in ceramic helmets. "He basically buried the war, became a teacher and taught history," Cinatl said. "He told me the only time he ever talked about the war was when it came to teaching his students about World War II, where he'd bring his equipment in and tell everyone about it. I believe it was around 2012 that he actually came back to Bastogne for the first time. Vince was one hell of a paratrooper and an inspiration to all those in terms of tenacity, grit and truly a storyteller." After returning to Bastogne, Speranza became heavily invested in honoring veterans, especially Vietnam veterans, whom he believed didn't get enough support. He was a vocal proponent of the idea that the United States is as ready to fight the good fight as it was in the 1940s. So when it came to his favorite song, he added some more lyrics and built a musical bridge to the paratroopers of today. One YouTuber compiled a number of Speranza clips into a single video of the song. "Vince said the Americans will always be ready to stand up, especially the U.S. Army Airborne," Cinatl recalled. "I think it does more to bring in the current generation and allow them to also experience a little bit of what the original song did, which is to bring a close-knit group of paratroopers in World War II closer together. Now, it's more inclusive, all the way up until the Global War on Terror. And who knows for the future where warfare will take us, but I'm sure there'll be more verses added later down the road." Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code LANSING, MI A proposed law to criminalize necrophilia is headed to the governors desk with unanimous support from state lawmakers. The trio of bills now awaiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmers signature would make it a two-year misdemeanor to intentionally sexually touch a dead human body and a 15-year felony to have sex with a dead human body. KENT COUNTY, MI Its been nearly two weeks since 17-year-old Penelope Penny Wise was last seen, after leaving her home near Morley Park in Cedar Springs. Wise was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and denim pants about five miles from her home, which she is said to have left on foot on Friday, May 31. The teen is 5-foot, 120 pounds with blonde hair and braces. Kent County sheriffs deputies have been asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact their local police agency or the Sheriffs Office at 616-632-6100. RELATED: Police seek helping finding missing Cedar Springs teen On Thursday, June 13, Silent Observer announced a reward of up to $1,000 for tips leading to Wises whereabouts or that will help assist deputies in the teens safe return. Wise was most recently spotted, when captured on a surveillance camera at 6 p.m. May 31, on Rockford Park Drive near Northland Drive. The location is approximately five miles from Wises home. The teen has not been heard from for 13 days. Law enforcement and family members are concerned about her well-being and eager for any information that can assist the investigation. Anyone with information about Wises disappearance is urged to contact the Kent County Sheriffs Department at 616-632-6125 during the day, or 616-632-6100 after 5 p.m. Tips may be also submitted through Silent Observer, safely and anonymously, at 616-774-2345 or at silentobserver.org . State law protects Silent Observers tips and records which assures anonymity. As referenced above, Silent Observer will pay up to $1,000 in reward money for information given to one of its tip lines that helps lead detectives to Penny or assists in her safe return. JACKSON COUNTY, MI After 32 years of preventative education, Jacksons drug lady has retired from Jacksons Breakout Program. Here is this headline and some more you might have missed. Jacksons drug lady retires after 32 years of preventative education Its not uncommon for one of the many students Shelly Milligan has taught over the past three decades to recognize her face but not her name when they see her in public - many referring to her simply as the drug lady. I cannot tell you how many times Ive had kids yell that across a Meijer aisle, or Im walking out of the mall and somebody shouts Hey drug lady! Milligan said. That says something. The names not important - its what they remember from the program. Trail of leaking sewage leads police to stolen camper trailer A camper trailer reported stolen Friday was recovered by police who were able to locate the missing home away from home by following a trail of sewage and water leaking from it. Police were called Friday, June 7, to a residence in the 9000 block of N. Parma Road in Tompkins Township for a reported larceny of a camper trailer in progress, according to the Springport Township Police Department. The sky is the limit when you explore 755 acres of outdoor fun in Michigans Irish Hills A 374-foot bridge lifting visitors high into the treetops is just part of the outdoor activities available at a 755-acre botanical garden in southern Michigans Irish Hills. Hidden Lake Gardens, managed by Michigan State University and located near Tipton in Lenawee County, combines the Sky Walk bridge, a world-class conservatory and an arboretum featuring rolling hills and picture-like vistas. Owning motorcycle was life-long dream of 20-year-old who died in crash Each year for Mothers Day, Ginger Russells son would get her flowers to plant. So when he sheepishly presented her with a bouquet of pink roses this year, she decided to keep one to press. Something must have told me, she said. Joseph Poynter, 20, died while riding his motorcycle in Leoni Township around 4 p.m. Thursday, June 6, according to a statement from the Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety. Conviction for woman charged in aiding homicide is a cointoss, judge says After taking a month to deliberate, a Jackson County judge decided Monday to send the case of a woman charged with aiding in a homicide to trial. District Judge Robert Gaecke took several weeks to re-read the transcript from a preliminary examination, a probable cause hearing, in the case of Klaira Diann Mishaw, 28. Its a pretty nuanced factual scenario, and I wanted some time to actually see, on the record, the actual testimony, Gaecke said June 10. Commercial Exchange Building has new owner. See whats planned for the historic building Jacksons historic Commercial Exchange Building has been sold to a new owner who hopes to turn it into a space for apartments, entertainment and offices. The Commercial Exchange Building, 2301 E. Michigan Ave., was previously owned by Laurice LaZebnik after her husband Robert purchased it from Sparton Corp. in 1961. Robert died in July 2023, and LaZebnik continued running the property, until she decided it was time to sell the historic three-floor building. Jackson passes ordinance to curb downtown loitering, aggressive panhandling A new ordinance aims to crack down on disruptive behavior in downtown Jackson, though not everyone agrees that the punishment fits the crime. A second reading of an ordinance to regulate loitering and aggressive panhandling was unanimously approved by the Jackson City Council during its Tuesday, June 11 meeting. Meet the Teacher: He engages Jackson students with his humor, passion for science Like his childhood idol Bill Nye the Science Guy, Ray Savicke uses humor to draw students in before teaching them about the wonders of the natural world. Savicke, 41, has taught science for 18 years, all of them in Jackson Public Schools. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University in 2006, Savicke started teaching at the now-closed Tomlinson School. He moved to the also since-vacated T.A. Wilson Academy after Tomlinson closed in 2008 before landing his current role of science teacher at Jackson High School. My heart was in Michigan Center: Superintendent pulls out of Grass Lake interviews Despite a strong showing in the first round of interviews, one candidate in the running to be Grass Lake Community Schools next superintendent has decided stay where hes at. Brady Cook, Michigan Center School District superintendent, has formally withdrawn from a second interview in Grass Lake, saying his heart is still with his current district. Boy riding on bike handlebars critically injured in crash with truck Two boys riding a bicycle were injured, one critically, after a collision with a Dodge Ram in Monday night in Jackson. The victims, two 14-year olds, were riding with one sitting on the handlebars of the bicycle, according to Jackson Director of Police and Fire Services Elmer Hitt. They were travelling south in the northbound lane of travel, Hitt said. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. SAGINAW, MI Whether a beleaguered Saginaw County doctor will face criminal charges for allegedly paying a former employee with bogus checks is to be decided by an out-of-county prosecutor. Saginaw Township Police Detective Sgt. Chad Brooks confirmed Dr. Donald Higgs on May 3 filed a report regarding receiving insufficient checks from his former employer, dermatopathologist Dr. David L. Stockman of Michigan Institute of Forensic Science & Medicine. Police investigated the matter and sent their reports to the Saginaw County Prosecutors Office. ESSEXVILLE, MI The oldest freighter still active on the Great Lakes made a stop at the Holcim Terminal in Essexville early Friday, June 14. The SS Alpena, a 519-foot cement carrier built in 1942, arrived on the Saginaw River at about 5 a.m. Friday after departing Detroit on Thursday morning. According to prior MLive reporting, the Alpena was launched as the SS Leon Fraser. It was built in Ecorse, Michigan, and originally measured in at 639 feet. Related: 73-year-old Great Lakes steamship will sail on after dock fire After a change of ownership in 1989, the ship was renamed Alpena. While in drydock, 120 feet of the ships midsection was removed as it was shorted to its current length. A December 2015 fire caused about $3 million in damage to the ship, but it was later repaired and returned to service the following year. Former Detroit Tigers catcher Donny Sands has returned to his old club in the Mexican League. Sands rejoined the Tijuana Toros this week, the team said, shortly after being released by the San Francisco Giants. Sands had been playing for the Giants Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento. Sands came to the Tigers as part of the deal that sent reliever Gregory Soto and infielder Kody Clemens to the Philadelphia Phillies a year and a half ago. The Tigers opted for Dillon Dingler and veteran Anthony Bemboom as their two catchers in Triple-A Toledo this year, squeezing Sands off the roster at the end of spring training. Sands, 28, made his Major League debut in 2022 with the Phillies, but only appeared as a pinch-hitter, going 0-for-3. Sands hit well during his one year in the Phillies system, but couldnt repeat the production in 2023 with Triple-A Toledo. He hit .225 with a .671 OPS with five home runs in 371 plate appearances with the Mud Hens in 2023. The Tigers designated him for assignment in December and then outrighted him to Toledo when he went unclaimed on waivers. Sands was given an invitation to spring training but played sparingly. A native of Arizona, Sands was drafted in the eighth round of the 2015 draft by the New York Yankees and converted from an infielder to a catcher. He was traded to the Phillies after the 2021 season. Planning on heading to one of Michigans many beaches this weekend? Be sure to know the forecast before you go. Overall, Saturday will be the better beach day for areas north, but southern locations will remain at least partly sunny all weekend. Lake Michigan For Saturday, beach conditions start out pleasant. Late morning will feature temperatures on either side of 70 degrees from roughly Muskegon south. For areas north, temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60s. High temperatures will top off in the mid to upper 70s, with cooler conditions in far northern Michigan. We start out mostly sunny for all Lake Michigan beaches, but high clouds look to filter in during early afternoon into the evening. Still, make sure to use sun protection as sunburns are still possible through clouds. Along the immediate lakeshore, winds will be from the west at 5-10 mph. Follow us on: Modi 3.0 may speed up EV growth with Rs 10,000-cr FAME-III scheme in budget: Report Follow us on: JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024 to be announced today at jeeadv.ac.in, check details here OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All NEET UG 2024 row: SC seeks response of Centre, NTA on plea seeking CBI probe into irregularities OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All NEET-UG Result Row: Supreme Court issues notices on NTA's plea to transfer NEET-UG cases from high courts Explained - What is the Maharaj Libel Case of 1861? The real story on which Junaid Khan's movie 'Maharaj' is based OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa murder case: Police recover iron rods and wooden clubs from his house Follow us on: Are George and Amal Clooney headed toward divorce due to work stress? OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Shilpa Shetty, husband Raj Kundra accused of cheating trader of Rs 90 lakh in Gold Scheme Follow us on: The cast of Payal Kapadias All We Imagine As Light honoured by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan The rise and fall of Kannada 'Challenging Star' Darshan, whose arrest on murder charges makes him a villain off screen Why Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolies kids dont want anything to do with their father? OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All YRF and Netflix challenge the Gujarat High court's stay order on Junaid Khan's 'Maharaj' Follow us on: Shivakumar & his brother had planned to field Darshan in Channapatna bypoll, claims BJP leader Sonam Kapoor shares glimpses of her birthday celebration with husband Anand Ahuja and son Vayu, says, "I have luckiest parents and parents in law" Sushant Singh Rajput's sister Shweta Singh gets emotional on late brother's 4th prayer meet, says, "It's been years, but your death remains a mystery" Follow us on: Breaking Bad Vince Gilligans new series reportedly being shot under the title of Wycaro 339 Adani Group secures another cement deal in south India: What does it mean for the group? Moneycontrol Explains You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Follow us on: Essar Oil & Gas to triple capex to Rs 1,500 crore in FY25 to boost production Gateway Distriparks in the market to buy three new ICD terminals as part of expansion plans: Prem Kishan Gupta OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All GST Council may reconsider 28% levy on online gaming at June 22 meet: Report Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India. Follow us on: Block deals on the rise as institutional investors look to book profits Follow us on: Regulators may soon stop exchange passbacks to brokers; discount broking stares at disruption: Sources OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Sensex, Nifty fall; IT stocks drag, broader markets edge up again OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Vodafone to sell entire Indus Towers stake worth $2.3 billion via block deals next week: Report OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Apple beats Microsoft in m-cap, Tesla investors greenlight Musk's pay, Gamestop postpones annual meet and more Follow us on: Sebi trying to reduce PE funds influence over IPO pricing with early cancellation of special rights: Sources Follow us on: National Housing Bank to raise up to Rs 4,000 crore from bonds on June 18 Follow us on: RITES shares higher on MoU with DMRC to run projects together OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Deadline for free Aadhaar update gets an extension till September 14 Follow us on: 'End monopoly in....' says PM Modi at G7 Summit; Here are his top 5 quotes OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All HM Shah reviews J&K security situation after spate of terror attacks; calls high-level meeting on June 16 Follow us on: IIJNM will no longer be offering its programmes in journalism OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All India committed to peaceful resolution of Ukraine conflict: PM Modi affirms at G7 Summit India would do everything within its means to support peaceful solution to Ukraine conflict: PM Modi to Zelenskyy Follow us on: Karnataka Deputy CM rubbishes reports of pressure on Govt to favour actor Darshan in murder case OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Key bilateral talks, outreach summit: What's on PM Modi's agenda at G7 Summit in Italy Follow us on: Kuwait fire: Tragedy beyond words, hope it never happens again, says Kerala Governor June 14, 2024 / 22:03 IST Some passengers of the Sasaram Intercity Express jumped off the train over rumours of a fire breaking out Friday evening and were hit by a goods train on the adjacent track, officials said, adding it might have caused "some casualties". The incident occurred around 8 pm at the Kumandih railway station in Dhanbad Division, its Divisional Railway Manager said. "We don't have the confirmed number of deaths but I have come to know that some casualties are there. We are trying to gather more information," he told P J. Kumar J.Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in Mumbai OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All PM Modi greeted with 'namaste' by Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni at G7 Summit Follow us on: PM Modi meets Pope Francis on sidelines of G7 Summit, invites him to India Follow us on: PM Modi meets Ukraine's Zelenskyy at G7 Summit: 'Way to peace is ...' Way to peace is through 'dialogue and diplomacy': PM Modi to Zelenskyy on sidelines of G7 Follow us on: Political wrap: Chandrababu Naidu hands out portfolios, temporary relief to former Karnataka CM Yediyurappa, & more OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Pune car crash: Teen driver's aunt files plea in HC, says his detention illegal, seeks release OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Residents oppose allotment of flat to Muslim woman under govt scheme Follow us on: Won't tolerate malpractice, accountability in NTA will be fixed if lapses found: Pradhan on NEET row Banuchandar Nagarajan is a graduate of Harvard University with a Masters degree in Public Administration. He has had stints at the World Bank, UNDP and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has worked in key positions in the Indian parliamentary election campaigns of 2009, '14 and '19. Till recently, he was the advisor to Minister of Human Resources Development. He has been a frequent columnist and a TV panelist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Follow us on: Consequences will be bad if cabinet expansion is delayed: Sena leader Shirsat Follow us on: RSS seeks to quell suggestions of rift with BJP following Bhagwat's remarks Follow us on: Cancer charity apologises for saying 'cervix' instead of LGBTQ-friendly 'front hole', backlash follows Follow us on: Eid al-Adha 2024: Dates when Bakrid will be celebrated in India, Saudi Arabia, UAE and more Best cities to find a job in the US OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Donald Trump tells CEOs he would cut corporate tax rate to 20% Low-cost jammers are widely accessible and offer a basic but effective means of disrupting GNSS signals. Drivers who want to prevent their bosses from constantly tracking delivery trucks use such devices. They emit radio frequency (RF) noise or signals on the same frequencies used by GNSS satellites, overwhelming the receivers ability to discern the legitimate satellite signal. Their affordability and simplicity make them a common choice for non-state actors and less technologically advanced militaries. In a counter-UAS role, GPS denial often uses broadband jamming and datalink disruption as part of a comprehensive EW capability. The Australia-based DroneShield company, one of the pioneers in this field, has recently announced the introduction of GNSS disruption targeted to a specific area. Military users often opt for dedicated EW assets to engage radio-electronic signals at the GNSS frequencies (lower and upper L bands). Some systems employ signal generators to defeat specific threats, such as drones and GPS-guided weapons, while others disrupt GNSS signals, creating a defensive bubble around important assets and targets, thus reducing the probability of successful attack by guided weapons. Some of these systems are mounted on vehicles, enabling the relocation of assets, while others are fixed in specific positions. A typical relocatable system that blocks GNSS signals at longer distances is the Russian R30Zh Zhitel, which can jam satellite and cellular phone communications from 100 MHz to 2,000 MHz frequency bands, covering all GNSS frequencies. Zhitel has an effective radius of 25 km against cellular phones and longer against GNSS. Denial of GNSS signals over a wide area requires a more powerful or distributed array of emitters. Two Russian systems are known to be capable of delivering GNSS jamming over a large area. The Pole 21E system consists of jammers placed on cell towers. Multiple elements of this type can be integrated into a jammer network, denying GNSS signal over large areas. The system uses the communications masts power and GSM communications as a backup. The Ukrainians have repeatedly attacked cell towers along the front lines to destroy such systems and open the sky for drone activity. Another powerful Russian counter-GNSS effort is the 14Ts227 Tobol, a system designed to disrupt GNSS signals over a large area, thus denying navigation signals from attack drones and cruise missiles. Ten such systems are employed across Russian territory, one of which is in Kaliningrad. These powerful systems suppress GPS coverage in the Baltic, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. While the Tobol was reportedly the cause of GNSS disruptions across Europe, the Ukrainians repeatedly conducted precision drone attacks inside Russia, demonstrating their ability to operate in GNSS-contested airspace. In 2021, the Turkish defense industry organization and Meteksan teamed to develop the Seymen, a sophisticated, mobile NAVWAR EW system unveiled as a scaled model at the IDEF exhibition. The system will enable selective jamming and deception of GNSS signals affecting targeted systems while enabling friendly forces to operate without signal degradation. The system can engage multiple targets in different directions and across several GNSS constellations. Seymen can operate independently or in coordination with multiple emitters as part of a system. The key for operating systems such as Symen is using active electronic steered antennae (AESA) for a more discrete approach. An example of such a system is SRCs steerable electronic attack phases array (SEAPA), a prototype system that employs precision electronic targeting and engagement for congested environments. SEAPA covers the L band and the entire GNSS frequency band and can deliver surgical PNT disruption for air and missile defense, counter UAS, and critical infrastructure defense. This RF solution can precisely target and disrupt hostile systems while ensuring friendly systems safety and continued operation in the same airspace and across the electromagnetic spectrum. SEAPA uses configurable beamforming to steer the electronic jamming beams in azimuth and elevation, allowing the system to track targets in flight. Beams can be narrowed to 20 deg for precision effects or widened to 60 deg to engage swarms. Using variable power beams, it can simultaneously engage targets at both short and long-range. Unlike omnidirectional systems, SEAPA provides advanced NAVWAR capabilities while minimizing unintended impact on non-targeted systems. A different selective GNSS denial can be employed tactically, localized using drone-based effectors or artillery-deployed jammers, enabling forces to project electronic warfare capabilities deep into enemy territory. Two examples from SRC are the Silent Cyclone from SRC, a backpacked EW system, and the Silent Impact, a puck-like device packable into 155mm artillery rounds and fired at the enemys rear area. These systems can deliver cyber electromagnetic attack (CEMA) payloads in flight, using parachutes to stay aloft for an extended period. The jammers are built to survive the ground impact and continue their jamming on the ground. This deployment method allows for targeted jamming in specific areas near headquarters, forward landing strips, or choke points where no navigation could cause many disruptions. Using low-power localized effects can potentially blind and disorient enemy forces without widespread disruption that might affect friendly forces. Back to the Introduction to NAVWAR OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All FTAI Infrastructure inks deal with Aramco Trading to boost oil supply to Texas terminal OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Kuwait fire tragedy: One more Indian succumbs to injuries Follow us on: Researcher has announced the discovery of 150,000 tons of water on Mars Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ By Dana Drugmand. Originally published at The New Lede Hazardous air pollutants emitted in the manufacturing of biofuels is nearly as bad as air pollution stemming from oil refineries, and for several types of dangerous pollutants such as formaldehyde the emissions from biofuel production are far greater, a new report finds. The assessment, which was conducted by researchers with the environmental watchdog group Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), looked at emissions generated by 275 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel facilities in the United States. The researchers found that the facilities frequently violated air pollution permits while at the same time benefiting from legal exemptions and federal policy supports such as fuel-blending mandates. As the biofuels industry continues expanding with more than 30 new facilities under construction or proposed, the industry should be seen as a threat to public health, the report warns. Stronger regulatory oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is needed, according to EIP. Despite its green image, the biofuels industry releases a surprising amount of hazardous air pollution that puts local communities at risk and this problem is exacerbated by EPAs lax regulation Courtney Bernhardt, EIP director of research, said in a statement. According to the EIP report released on Wednesday, biofuels manufacturing generated 12.9 million pounds of hazardous air pollutants in 2022. That compares to 14.5 million pounds of hazardous air pollutants emitted by oil refineries that year, according to data from EPAs Toxic Release Inventory. (Source: Environmental Integrity Project report) Emissions from biofuel factories were significantly higher than oil refineries for four types of hazardous pollutants formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and hexane, according to the EIP report. In 2022, biofuel facilities reported releases of nearly 7.7 million pounds of hexane, over 2.1 million pounds of acetaldehyde, 235,125 pounds of formaldehyde, and 357,564 pounds of acrolein. By comparison, oil refineries that year emitted 2.6 million pounds of hexane, 10,420 pounds of acetaldehyde, 67,774 pounds of formaldehyde, and zero pounds of acrolein. Formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans (according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer) and acetaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen, according to EPA. Acrolein is toxic to humans following inhalation, oral or dermal exposures and can cause upper respiratory tract irritation, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath, while hexane exposure can affect the central nervous system and cause irritation of the eyes and throat. As the new report explains, these same four pollutants also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, which is linked to a wide variety of respiratory ailments; as well as microscopic, soot-like particulates that can trigger heart and asthma attacks. The biofuels industry is the largest source of acrolein emissions in the US, and Cargills ethanol plant located in Blair, Nebraska is the nations single biggest acrolein emitter. In 2022 this facility reported releases of 34,489 pounds of the toxic pollutant, according to EIP. Researchers also found that the largest single industrial emitter of hexane in the country is the Archer-Daniels Midland (ADM) ethanol and grain processing facility located in Decatur, Illinois. The plant released 2.2 million pounds of the pollutant in 2022. Neither ADM nor Cargill responded to a request for comment. Geoff Cooper, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, took issue with the EIP report, saying it was fundamentally flawed in its understanding of the US renewable fuels industry, and was conflating ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel production. He said, for example, that hexane is not used at all in the ethanol production process anywhere in the US, yet the falsely attributes hexane emissions to fuel ethanol. Moreover, he said, the companies listed with the largest emissions are not ethanol plants per-se, but rather wet mills where ethanol is only one of several products. More than 90% percent of fuel ethanol is produced at dry mills, according to Cooper. Further, US ethanol facilities are tightly regulated on their emissions, and producers are in compliance with all federal and state emissions limits. When violations have been noted, which is very rare, producers have immediately taken corrective action and quickly moved into compliance, he said. In addition to hazardous air pollutants, biofuels production generates greenhouse gas emissions that are driving dangerous climate change. US biofuels plants emitted over 33 million metric tons of this climate pollution in 2022, the report found, which is comparable to more than eight coal-fired power plants operating around the clock. Thats a notable amount for an industry that portrays itself as climate friendly and environmentally sustainable, Bernhardt said during a Wednesday press briefing. Previous research has also cast doubt on the perception of these plant-based fuels as a greener alternative to petroleum. A 2022 study for example suggested that corn-based ethanol production is no less carbon-intensive, and may be even more so, than gasoline, particularly when considering the full lifecycle impacts including fertilizer consumption and land-use conversion. (Source: Environmental Integrity Project report) The US is the worlds largest producer of biofuels, with 18.5 billion gallons produced in 2022 alone (about 40% of the global total). The vast majority of that production, about 15 billion gallons, was ethanol, which is made primarily from corn and also from soybeans. As the report notes, almost half of all soybeans and more than a third of all corn grown goes not towards food, but rather for fuel production. Supported by billions of dollars in government subsidies and dozens of federal policies and incentives, the US biofuels industry has grown rapidly over the last several decades. And the industry continues to expand, with at least 32 new or expanded facilities under construction or proposed that could increase production capacity 33% over 2023 levels, according to the EIP report. Much of this planned new production is for so-called sustainable aviation fuels made from wood or plant feedstock. But existing biofuels facilities, the new research suggests, have a poor track record of environmental compliance and are considerable contributors to climate and hazardous air pollution that risks endangering the health of the largely rural residents living near or downwind of these factories. The ADM plant in Illinois, one of the largest biofuels facilities in the country, was the industrys biggest polluter in 2022, releasing 4 million metric tons of greenhouse gases and around 3 million pounds of hazardous air pollutants. People near Decatur, IL, are constantly exposed to air pollution that can harm their brains and cause dizziness and nausea. ADMs ethanol plant also emits more greenhouse gases than places like oil refineries in Illinois, said Robert Hirschfeld, director of water policy at the Prairie Rivers Network, an Illinois-based environmental organization. Eliot Clay, land use director at the Illinois Environmental Council, contended during the press briefing that the industrial agriculture sector continues to greenwash biofuels. He said the new report helps expose the truth that people in central and southern Illinois live with an alarming level of exposure to toxic industrial emissions. And yet, as the report explains, biofuels are exempt from more stringent air pollution controls, as the EPA in 2007 removed corn-based ethanol from the list of facilities subject to stricter pollution thresholds under the Clean Air Act. The report also found that over a third of biofuel plants (with available data) failed Clean Air Act air pollution compliance as measured through stack tests and that 41 percent of facilities violated their air pollution control permits at least once between July 2021 and May 2024. In addition to better enforcement, the EIP report recommends that federal regulators end permitting exemptions for ethanol manufacturers, improve monitoring and control of hazardous air pollutants from biofuels facilities, require that producers enhance the accuracy of their emissions reporting, and calls for an end to biofuels subsidies and mandates such as the Renewable Fuel Standard. The environmental benefits of these government supports are questionable at best, Bernhardt said. To say we are Playing with fire w/ H5N1 bird flu is an understatement We are letting this virus escape essentially all opportunity we have had to contain it My concern for it jumping to humans increases daily (~proportional to spread) and we are barely testing for it! https://t.co/HsBQgCinnx Michael Mina (@michaelmina_lab) June 12, 2024 Mileis government appears to be determined to turn Argentina into the first Latin American country to send weapons to Ukraine. In April we warned that Javier Milei Seems Intent on Embroiling Argentina in War, Whether in Ukraine or the Middle East (Or Both). At that time, the Argentine president had just expressed solidarity and unwavering commitment to the State of Israel following Irans retaliatory attacks on Israel after Israels bombings of the Iranian embassy in Damascus. After holding a cabinet meeting attended, if not chaired, by Israels ambassador to Argentina, Milei allegedly said off-screen that Argentina cannot be neutral in the Third World War. Milei is determined to take sides in international conflicts, believing that this positions him as an international leader, says geopolitical analyst Gonzalo Fiore Viani. Everything he does is to reinforce that image and not to advance Argentinas national interests. Milei seems determined to involve Argentina not only in the escalating tensions in the Middle East, but also in the meat grinder that is Ukraine. Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Argentina as a new member of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (aka Ramstein Group) during his opening address at the groups 23rd meeting. The Ramstein Group is an alliance of (mainly NATO) countries that meets monthly at the Ramstein air base in Germany to coordinate the ongoing donation of military aid to the Zelensky government. A Gift for Zelensky During his tour of Europe, Milei will participate in the G7 summit in Orgo Egnazia, at the invitation of Italian PM Georgia Meloni. He will also take part in the pie-in-the-sky Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Geneva on June 15-16, in which Russia, like many other prominent non-NATO countries, has refused to participate, describing the event as irrelevant. As for Mileis government, it appears determined to turn Argentina into the first Latin American country to send weapons to Ukraine. In an interview with CNN Espanols Andres Oppenheimer in April, Milei even entertained the possibility of sending military personnel into the meat grinder, a proposal that enjoys the support of just 21% of the population, according to a survey by the consultant Gustavo Cordoba. Any decision to send troops would have to go through Congress first, an unnamed diplomatic source told La Politica Online. The same is not true of sending arms. A new article by Infobae suggests that Milei wants to gift Ukraines (now wholly unelected) President Volodymyr Zelensky five French-made fighter jets (readers will have to excuse the rather crude pro-NATO propaganda in the first paragraph): Javier Milei approved a plan designed by Luis Petri and Diana Mondino to support Ukraines war effort against Russia, which started an illegal war in Europe to fulfill Vladimir Putins imperial dreams. It involves sending to Volodimir Zelenskys government five Super Etendard combat aircraft that are out of use due to the embargo that Great Britain applies against Argentina as a result of the Malvinas War. Frances participation is key to overcoming this geopolitical obstacle, and Chancellor Mondino and Defense Minister Luis Petri have been working for weeks to advance this secret move that also involves the United States and NATO. Mondino discussed this complex issue during the meetings he held in Paris with Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, in a secret meeting she held with NATO in Brussels, and when she visited Jake Sullivan at the White House. So, the plan has been discussed at the highest levels, though it is not yet clear whether it enjoys the all-essential blessing of the Biden administration. As readers may recall, Washington, Kiev and Brussels already tried to persuade Latin American countries to donate their Russian-made weaponry to Ukraines war effort, to no avail. By this point, NATOs demoralised members are presumably delighted to bring any new country on board with project Ukraine, even one with so little money or weaponry to offer. At the Ramstein Group meeting, Lloyd Austin seized on Argentinas membership as evidence that support for Ukraine is growing and not waning. Serious Flaws The planes plan has serious flaws, of course. First, it is likely to spell disaster for Argentinas diplomatic relationship with Russia, as well as possibly with key Russian allies such as Beijing. As the Argentine defence specialist Daniel Blinder told Sputnik Espanol, as long as Mileis government seeks unfettered alignment with the US, it risks generating a significant confrontation with Russia and China* that could go very badly. If the operation goes ahead, it would mean embroiling Argentina in a far-flung conflict in a region that is of no strategic interest to the country, says Fiore. It would also mean directly interfering with the geopolitical interests of Russia, a country with whom Buenos Aires has historically enjoyed good relations and which even supports Argentinas claim to sovereignty over the Malvinas (Falklands Islands). Even more importantly, Russia is pushing to expand its strategic and military influence in Latin America. Second, and most important of all, the planes themselves are incapable of flying. Indeed, they havent left the ground since arriving in Argentina in 2019. The reason is simple: they do not have the necessary cartridges to eject the pilots seat in the case of an emergency. Said cartridges are manufactured in the United Kingdom, which has an embargo on all weapons sales to Argentina. The then-Macri government in Argentina was given advance warning of this fact but still bought the planes. In 2016, Frances Ministry of Armed Forces sent a letter informing the Macri government not only that the UKs restrictions on exports to Argentina prevent us from getting spare parts for the ejection seats but also that the planes themselves had been retired years earlier. This meant there would no longer be the necessary personnel to repair and maintain the planes after any sail. The Macri government bought the planes anyway for 12.5 million a piece. Now, Mileis government seems quite prepared to jettison its relations with Russia, the worlds biggest nuclear power, for the sake of five flightless planes. To conceal its involvement, Mileis foreign and defence ministers have apparently proposed giving the five Super Etendard jets to the French armed forces in exchange for other military equipment, such as drones or helicopters. That way, they seem to think, Putin would not realise that Argentina was participating in the Ukraine conflict and the Macron government would be able to install new cartridges in the ejection seats so that the jets arrive in Ukraine in tip-top shape. This new plan is arguably even more flawed than the original one. It rests on the assumption that Russia would be so easily duped. If any deal does go down, Russias retribution will presumably be swift and asymmetrical just as happened when Ecuadors Daniel Noboa government offered to give up its Russian-made arms to Ukraine, claiming they were mere worthless scrap, in exchange for $200 million of US weapons. The Russians responded by threatening to boycott Ecuadors number-one export product, bananas. Within days, Noboa had scrapped the plan. In the end, Argentinas Super Etendard jets are probably destined to remain grounded and mothballed at the Puerto Belgrano air-naval base for the foreseeable future. High-level sources in the armed forces cited by the respected military publication Zona Militar have categorically denied any plan by the current Argentine government to transfer these combat aircraft to another country. The jets, it says, are in no fit state for commissioning, let alone a transfer abroad. The operation would also reduce the capabilities of Argentinas Armed Forces, which have sought for years to recover some of the air capacity lost over recent decades. Even if the Milei government were to send a consignment of weapons to Ukraine, they will, of course, have next to no material impact on the course of the war especially if they dont work! But it will still cost the stagflation-battered country money it simply doesnt have. * China is Argentinas second largest trade partner as well as a vital creditor that Milei desperately needs to keep on board. This week, Beijing agreed to renew its currency swap with Buenos Aires, defusing fears that Mileis cash-strapped government would have to repay $5 billion to the Asian super power in the next few months. This gives Argentinas stagflation-hit economy a little much-needed breathing space. But it comes at a price for Milei, who has apparently agreed to visit Beijing for a bilateral meeting with with Xi Jinping, who will presumably treat his guest to generous helpings of finely spiced humble pie. On the campaign trail, Milei famously described the Chinese government as an assassin and said he would never deal with communist regimes. The irony is that if the meeting takes place as scheduled in early July, it will mean that Milei will have paid his first diplomatic visit to Beijing before even receiving an invite to the White House. This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and the Nashville Scene. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news. Visit nashvillebanner.com for more information. A former Metro Nashville Police Department lieutenant, who made headlines after accusing department leadership of lobbying to eliminate oversight, has been connected to leaked documents related to the Covenant School shooting, according to a Friday morning court filing. Ex-Officer Casts Blame Across MNPD Extensive complaint says officials ignored department policy, manipulated investigations, lied about reforms and helped pass a law gutting the Community Oversight Board The Tennessee Star published multiple stories over the past two weeks based on leaked information from the MNPDs case file on last year's Covenant School shooting. Simultaneously, a 61-page complaint by Garet Davidson, who retired as an MNPD lieutenant in the Office of Professional Accountability in January, surfaced at the end of May, accusing MNPDs top brass of successfully working with state Republicans to eliminate the Community Oversight Board, among other things. Now a sworn declaration filed in the Davidson County Chancery Court case over the release of the Covenant documents claims these two stories could be connected. In attempting to identify the source of this leaked information, I have learned from Covenant school investigative supervisors assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division that the information in the Tennessee Star stories is the same information that was in the case file in November 2023 when I gave it to Mr. Davidson to store in his office at OPA, reads a declaration by MNPD Lt. Alfredo Arevalo, who was a sergeant in the OPA at the time Davidson was there. Chancellor, Tennessee Star Trade Shots Over Publishing Covenant Shooters Journal Judge IAshea Myles orders website to explain why they are not in contempt of court Arevalos declaration claims the Covenant shooting criminal investigative case file was given to him on Nov. 7, and that he immediately delivered it to Davidson, who kept it stored in a locked safe in his office, which only Davidson had access to. Arevalo goes on to claim that the file remained in Davidsons possession for 13 days before being returned to the MNPD homicide unit. Arevalo does not say whether homicide unit officers could have leaked the information. To be clear, three pages of the shooters journal were leaked to a conservative talk-show host prior to Davidson receiving the file on Nov. 7. This leak spawned an OPA investigation. After that initial leak, not only did more leaked information get published in the Tennessee Star earlier this month, but Davidson appeared for multiple interviews discussing the contents of the Covenant shooting case file. On June 4, 2024, Michael Patrick Leahy interviewed Garet Davidson, as Tennessee Star reported, reads the declaration. The interview included Mr. Davidson acknowledging having access to and having seen the Covenant School criminal investigative case file, and Mr. Davidson discussed his perceptions regarding the contents. This, along with a broadcast interview with conservative radio host Brian Wilson, kicked off a string of leaks that included various pieces that came from the Covenant shooting case file Davidson had access to, Arevalo says. Those leaks have caused a battle this week between Chancellor IAshea Myles and Tennessee Star reporter Patrick Leahy. On March 27, 2023, three children and three adults were killed by a lone shooter at the Covenant School. Since then, there has been a yearlong legal fight over the release of the shooters journal, with Metro police and families of the Covenant victims on one side trying to prevent it, and The Tennessean, the Tennessee Firearms Association, Tennessee Star and others petitioning to have the journal released to the public. Following the stories the Star published based on leaked information, Myles ordered Leahy to appear in court on June 17 and show cause why they are not in contempt of court. In response, Leahy requested her order be set aside over questions about its constitutionality. Myles denied his request, and just hours later on Thursday afternoon, Leahy appealed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Late Thursday night, Myles filed an additional order clarifying: The Court will not hear live from any witness on Monday, June 17, 2024. On Friday morning, state House Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he would file proper resolutions to remove judges engaging in abuse like this. The TN legislature will not stand for an activist judge who weaponizes their courtroom, Faison wrote. @michaelpleahy is the press and does not have to prove to any courtroom that he is innocent. On Tuesday (11 June 2024), climate change envoys and representatives of 23 Allied countries met for the first time in Reykjavik, Iceland, to discuss how to further enhance cooperation in understanding and adapting to the impact of climate change on security. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland Thordis Kolbrun R. Gylfadottir opened the event. The participants addressed recent developments affecting climate change and security. These include the weaponisation of energy as part of Russias war against Ukraine and the need to avoid creating new strategic dependencies on potential adversaries and competitors for the mining and refining of these critical minerals through the green transition. This first meeting of climate change envoys demonstrates Allies commitment to address the security implications of climate change together. Participants will meet on a regular basis to further strengthen the coordination between national stakeholders. Since the adoption of its Action Plan on Climate Change and Security in 2021, NATO has been focusing its efforts on three main areas of action: understanding and mitigating the impact of climate change on security, and adapting its militaries to maintain their effectiveness in every environment. A Ukrainian NGO Arm Women Now is pioneering the manufacturing of female-specific uniforms, body armour and other non-lethal equipment. An exhibit showcasing its work and the importance of military adaptation to gender specifics is on display at NATO Headquarters. Ensuring that servicewomen can operate in the safest possible conditions includes providing them with equipment and uniforms tailored to their needs. Russias war against Ukraine has brought increased attention to the risk posed to combat effectiveness and the lives of women from inadequate military equipment. The Arm Women Now initiative has been promoted by the NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security Irene Fellin. Ms Fellin opened the exhibition in the margins of the Defence Ministerial meeting on Thursday (13 June), alongside U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Ambassador Julianne Smith, the Deputy Chair of NATO Military Committee Lieutenant General Andrew Rohling, and Founder of #ArmWomenNow and Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Nykorak. After decades of efforts to integrate gender perspectives into the armed forces, the lack of uniforms and military equipment specifically designed to meet womens needs remains a significant issue in many countries, Irene Fellin said in her opening address. This exhibition underscores our dedication to translating the principles of the women, peace, and security agenda into concrete actions, lifting barriers to women's full, equal, safe and meaningful participation in peace and security, as stated in our new WPS policy, to be endorsed at the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington," she added. This project aims to advance equality, dignity and respect for women in the security and defence sector. #ArmWomenNow is a leader in designing and producing uniforms, body armour and other non-lethal military equipment specifically designed around women anthropometric data and delivered free of charge to thousands of Ukrainian servicewomen. Ensuring that the gender perspective is fully integrated across all strands of NATOs policies, operations, missions and activities is one of the guiding principles of the Alliances work under the framework of the women, peace and security policy and action plan. From 17 to 21 June 2024, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will visit the United States of America and Canada. On 17 June, the Secretary General will be in Washington DC, where he will meet with the President of the United States, Mr Joseph Biden. Mr Stoltenberg will also give a speech followed by Q&A at the Wilson Center Auditorium. On 18 June, the Secretary General will meet with the US Secretary of State, Mr Antony Blinken, and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He will also engage with US senators, including the Senate Minority Leader, Mr Mitch McConnell and members of the Senate NATO Observer Group (SNOG). On 19 June, the Secretary General will travel to Ottawa, Canada. There, he will meet with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Justin Trudeau. He will also receive the Louis St. Laurent Award and give a speech followed by Q&A at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. On 20 June, Mr Stoltenberg will travel back to Washington DC, where he will meet with the Assistant of the President for National Security Affairs, Mr Jake Sullivan. He will also meet with Congressman Mike Turner and Congressman Gerry Connolly. Media Advisory 17 June, 17:00 (CEST) Speech followed by Q&A at the Wilson Center Auditorium 18 June, 17:15 (CEST) Joint press conference by the Secretary General and the US Secretary of State 19 June, 21:55 (CEST) Speech followed by Q&A at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building Media Coverage The Secretary Generals speeches and press conferences will be streamed live on the NATO website, and broadcast live on EBU News Exchange. Transcripts of the Secretary Generals remarks, as well as photographs and video, will be available on the NATO website. For more information: Contact the NATO Press Office Follow us on X (@NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress). (As delivered) Good afternoon. Today we have concluded our last meeting of ministers before the NATO Summit in Washington next month. Our key agenda items were support for Ukraine and deterrence and defence of the Alliance. We have made significant progress on both fronts. On Ukraine, We have agreed a plan that sets out how NATO will lead the coordination of security assistance and training. This will allow NATO Leaders to launch this effort at the Washington Summit in July. Putting our support to Ukraine on a firmer footing for years to come. It will consist of a NATO command, located at a U.S. facility in Wiesbaden, and at Logistical nodes in the Eastern part of the Alliance under a 3-Star General reporting to Supreme Allied Commander Europe, SACEUR. Across the Alliance, this effort is expected to involve nearly 700 personnel from NATO and partner countries. NATO will oversee training of Ukrainian armed forces at training facilities in Allied countries, support Ukraine through the planning and coordination of donations; manage transfer and repair of equipment, provide support to the long-term development of Ukraines Armed Forces. These efforts do not make NATO a party to the conflict, but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defence. NATO Security Assistance and Support for Ukraine is a key Summit deliverable. Alongside a long-term financial pledge, and further steps on Ukraines path to NATO membership. Ministers also addressed the ongoing campaign of hostile acts that Russia is conducting against Allies. In recent weeks, we have seen a surge of sabotage, cyber-attacks, instrumentalized migration and other hostile actions by Russia. We will be calm and measured in how we respond to Russian provocations. At the same time, we will call out Russias actions and impose costs. Today, Ministers agreed a set of response options on which Allies will draw individually and collectively. This includes increased intelligence exchange, enhanced protection of critical infrastructure, including undersea and in cyber space, and further restrictions on Russian intelligence operatives. Russias campaign will not deter us from supporting Ukraine. And we will continue to protect our territories and populations against hostile actions. On deterrence and defence, At the Vilnius Summit, Allies agreed the most comprehensive defence plans since the Cold War, detailing how NATO will deter and defend against global threats, including Russia. Our military planners are translating those plans into concrete requirements, identifying the forces and capabilities needed to defend us. Allies are offering forces to NATOs command at a scale not seen in decades. Today we haves 500,000 troops at high readiness across all domains, significantly more than the goal that was set at the 2022 Madrid Summit. NATO has also doubled the number of battle groups on the Eastern flank. Allies are also taking on larger, more demanding exercises to test our abilities. This year, Steadfast Defender included some 90,000 troops across Europe. The growing threats we face demand significantly increased capability requirements from Allies. In areas such as weapons and ammunition, air and missile defence, logistics and long-range weapons. As an example, over the next five years, NATO Allies across Europe and Canada plan to acquire thousands of air defence and artillery systems, 850 modern aircraft, mostly 5th generation F-35s and also a lot of high-end capabilities. We also continue to invest in innovation, including more than 1 billion dollars in the NATO Innovation Fund, At the Summit in July, Allies are expected to endorse a new Defence Industrial Pledge to send a signal of sustainable demand to industry. This will allow us to scale up production and to develop a defence-industrial base that is fit-for-purpose. We also discussed the ongoing adaptation of our nuclear capabilities. We are a nuclear Alliance committed to being responsible and transparent. But clear in our resolve to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression. With the progress made at this Ministerial we are ready to move on to our Summit in Washington which will be an important summit for the Alliance. With that, I'm ready to take your questions. Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson: Okay. I will start in the third row with Lara. Lara Jakes, The New York Times: Sorry. Good afternoon, Mr. Secretary General. Yesterday at the G7, President Biden said there are commitments to give Ukraine five additional Patriot batteries or other air defence systems, this week at this DMM, you have talked about the SAMP/T from Italy. You've talked about the third battery that Germany has given. You've talked about the Patriot puzzle initiative that's being led by the Netherlands. What's your understanding of where the other two batteries are coming from? Are they coming from the Alliance? And could you talk a little bit more about the Netherlands-led initiative to gather pieces of a battery from Allies? Thank you. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: NATO Allies are delivering advanced air defence systems to Ukraine. And that includes the Patriots and the SAMP/Ts you have referred to already. Then I'm confident that also other Allies will step up. But I will not announce the specific countries now. We are in close contact with several Allies on this issue. That what the Netherlands is trying to do is to put together a package because a Patriot battery consists of many elements, a command element, different firing stations, radars, and also other elements that all together also establish or consist of a full Patriot battery. So what they are trying to do is to find other countries that have other elements and then put these together as a full-fledge Patriot battery, of course, at NATO we support those efforts, we will work closely with Allies to ensure the delivery of more advanced air defence systems to Ukraine. Lara Jakes, The New York Times: Could you be more specific on whos giving what? Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: No, I know exactly which countries youre talking about. But I think it will only make my once I say consultations with either Allies more difficulty if I started to name them. We are working on these issues. We are talking with Allies. And as soon as they make decisions they will be announced. Lara Jakes, The New York Times: Can you at least say what timeline for delivery [inaudible]. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: As soon as possible. And we have been working on this for some weeks, some Allies have made the announcements, some others are working on concrete things like the Netherlands, and then we are still consulting with other Allies. Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson: Okay, thank you. We'll go to Dan. Dan Michaels, The Wall Street Journal: Thank you, Dan Michaels with the Wall Street Journal. Two questions, if I may. First, this weekend in Switzerland, there is a peace summit if it can be called that, that Ukraine has pushed to organise but some major governments including China, Saudi Arabia, India are not there. Do you have any expectations of what can be achieved there? What do you see in terms of efforts off the battlefield to achieve peace? And separately, you mentioned Russian aggression in Europe, there's a push within the European Union to limit the movement of Russian diplomats in Europe, to not give them the benefit of the Schengen treaty and keep them in the countries that they're assigned to. Do you have an opinion on the wisdom or lack thereof for that suggestion? Thank you. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: First of all, I welcome the peace summit in Switzerland. I think that's an important platform to address how to find a lasting, just peace for Ukraine, and the different elements which are in the peace plan proposed by President Zelenskyy are all important for a lasting peace. The territorial integrity of Ukraine, compensation and also the return of people who have been forced to move from their homes and there are many other elements which are important element parts of his peace plan and I think it's important that countries from all over the world will convene in Switzerland and to address this way forward. Then, of course, I regret that some big powers are not present. That's their decision but it continues to be an important summit and an important effort which I and NATO support. Then, of course, what we all know is that to have a lasting and just peace. Russia needs to understand that they have to stop their aggression against Ukraine. And I strongly believe that the stronger our military support to Ukraine is and the more committed we are for long term, the sooner President Putin will understand that and the sooner we can have a lasting peace. So therefore, there is a connection between the peace summit, the peace efforts, and NATO's military support to Ukraine. The military support that NATO, NATO Allies are providing and also the plan that we have agreed today and which I expect then NATO leaders to launch at the NATO Summit in July, to solidify our military support from NATO Allies to Ukraine. That's actually a way to help to support efforts to try to find a negotiated lasting, just peace then when it comes to Russian intelligence operatives, many Allies and also NATO has, have already expelled a large number. This has happened in the past, this is something we constantly consider as a necessary action to counter the hostile actions that Russia is responsible for. And there is a pattern now, there is an intensified campaign by Russia to conduct hostile actions, sabotage, arson, cyberattacks against NATO Allies. There have been several arrests across the Alliance, in United Kingdom, in Poland, in Germany and in other in the Baltic countries, all people that are accused of working with Russian intelligence services, to conduct sabotage against infrastructure, and other facilities in our countries, then to restrict the movement of these Russian intelligence officers is actually something which has already been imposed. But we are welcoming further actions by Allies to further restrict the movement of Russian intelligence officers. Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson: Okay, we'll go to RAI in the third row. Thank you. Marilu Lucrezio, RAI: Thank you, Secretary General and Italy's asking since a long time, the implementation of defence plans in the Southern neighbourhood, how the discussion is evolving. And what do you think there will be any news in the NATO Summit in July about this? Thank you. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: So first of all, the South is of course important for NATO. Our Southern neighbourhood is important for NATO. NATO has the capabilities, the resolve to act in any direction if needed. And that's also reason why I have asked for an established a group of experts that presented their report on how NATO can both utilise the opportunities in our Southern neighbourhood, but also address the challenges we face in our Southern neighbourhood and not least in Africa. This report is now part of what we are addressing at NATO and I'm certain that it will lead to decisions, conclusions by Allies to further strengthen our approach to the challenges we see in our Southern neighbourhood. NATO has some presence, we have a training mission in Iraq. We have close partnerships with countries like Jordan, like Mauritania, with Tunisia and others, but of course we can do more, then I think it's important to remember that when we now are ramping up the readiness of NATO forces when we are investing in new military capabilities, that's also relevant for the South. I just announced the number, 500,000 NATO troops on high readiness and of course they can be used in any direction if needed. It is not as if they are earmarked for the East they are available for NATO when needed, if needed. So when Allies are investing in more aid on a 50 new advanced aircraft, including a lot of fifth generation aircraft, of course that's relevant for the South. So that the kind of in general, strengthening our deterrence and defence, investment in high end capabilities is also relevant for the south and it will be part of our response to any threats emanating from the south. Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson: Max. Second row, please. Thank you. Max Delaney, AFP: Thank you very much. Max Delaney from AFP. Two questions. On the first one, the Italian defence minister came out of the meeting and said that, and I quote, of your proposal about 40 billion commitment per year. There are no 40 billion, Italy's said it doesn't agree with a commitment of 40 billion. Is your proposal to get a pledge of around that amount each year off the table now? And then a second question on NATO's defence plans. How far off is NATO being able to execute the plan, you agreed then in Vilnius because we've heard a lot about capability gaps, it seems that on critical things like air defence, these aren't just gaps, they're yawning chasms. So how far how will you fill these? Thank you. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: Im going to start with the last one. NATO is able today to defend and protect all Allies. We are by far the strongest military force in the world. We represent 50% of the world's military might and of course, we have the capabilities to defend all Allies today. We have demonstrated that to our large exercises, the largest exercises since the end of the Cold War, not least with Steadfast Defender. We had just some few months ago. So and that includes of course, also, for instance, a lot of advanced air defence, both ground based but you have to realise that for instance, our advanced aircraft F-35s are also very capable of doing air defence, we have sea-based air defence systems, as we have more and more land-based air defence systems. And now 500,000 troops on high readiness and of course, with different types of capabilities. I say this because yes, of course, there are some work to do to meet all the requirements in the new defence plans. We agreed a year ago, very, very ambitious defence plans. And of course, to fill all those requirements will take some time. But that doesn't mean that we start from scratch we start on a very solid basis, then we look into the future, we see that we need even stronger collective defence. And then we agree defence plans and then we translate those defence plans into concrete requirements including specific capability targets for each and every Ally. And of course, some of these things will take years. That's unavoidable it has to be like that. But that doesn't mean that in the meantime, we don't have capabilities. We have lots of capabilities. We set even higher targets and of course, we will then in the following years, fill those targets meet those requirements and under the way to demonstrate that is not least the fact that we are also ramping up significantly defence spending. And I will next week, publish a new numbers, figures for defence spending across the lines and they are very encouraging so that's the first one. The second was well, also, there are in one way there are four main things we have to deliver for Ukraine as we prepare for the Washington summit. One is the immediate need for capabilities now. For instance, air defence, some Allies have announced I expect more or less to announce more support. I will tell you the names when they are ready to be told. But we need ammunition, we need more F-16s, Allies are providing stepping up and announcing there were big announcements yesterday. There'll be new announcements in the coming days and weeks. So that's the most urgent thing we need to do is actually to deliver urgent military supplies support to Ukraine. Then there are three more things and that's the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine. The plan has been agreed today. And for NATO leaders than to launch at the NATO summit next week. And I outlined some of the elements of that with NATO providing training at NATO training facilities, coordinating and planning donations and so on. The second element will then be the long-term financial pledge and we have not yet agreement on that. But I work and many Allies are very supportive of the idea that we need not only to have short term pledges, they are welcome of course, but if we could have more long-term predictable pledges, it will give the Ukrainians a better planning assumptions. It will give more predictability and transparency and assure a minimal or fair burden sharing within the alliance and most importantly, it will send a message to Moscow that they cannot wait us out. And under last element of the Ukraine package is then to ensure that we move Ukraine closer to membership. That's part an issue of language, which is now negotiated, but also of course, everything we do interoperability moving Ukraine, closer to NATO, when it comes to integration will help them also to sooner, faster, quicker, become a NATO Ally. So these are the four elements. We have one important decision in place today. We actually have also big announcements on the immediate needs. But then we need to work on the language for membership and we need to work on the financial pledge. We still have some weeks to go before Washington. So if you show up in Washington, I can tell you more. Iryna Kutieleva, European Pravda: Mr. Stoltenberg. Could you provide with some details? What will the new plan for NATO Security Assistance and Training change for Ukraine? Comparing to what NATO is doing now? Thank you. Iryna Kutieleva, European Pravda. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: Well, the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine will provide Ukraine with a better coordinated support, more cohesion between the short term needs and the long-term future Force of Ukraine. Not least because NATO only has the responsibility for work on the long-term force and also the interoperability and when we then integrate that with what we do in the short term, all of those efforts will be much stronger, more robust and more consistent. For instance, when we discuss the long-term future Force of Ukraine, which is extremely important to be able for Ukraine when this war ends to deter future aggression and defend against any future attack. Of course, when Allies deliver F-16s this is partly about the short-term needs, but it has to be integrated into the long-term structure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and by having a NATO in the lead role we are ensuring that the support is more robust, more coherent, and that we ensure interoperability and that we reconcile the short term and the long-term needs. So I think what NATO will do is that by overseeing training of Ukrainian armed forces at NATO training facilities in allied countries, support Ukraine through the planning and coordination of donations, and manage transfer and repair of equipment. And then support the long term developmental of Ukraine armed forces will ensure that Ukraine has even more robust support than they have today. Xenia Polska, Deutsche Welle: Thank you, Xenia Polska, Deutsche Welle. My question is on hybrid attacks by Russia. Would you please touch a little bit upon the geography of these hybrid attacks because you said sabotage and arson. Are these attacks actually happening in every NATO member state and is their scope and scale increasing in every NATO member state? And also, what are the concrete measures that the member states and I know you already touched upon that as well, but what are some concrete measures that you can talk about that the member states can collectively and individually take in order to mitigate the damage which is obviously taking place right now? Thank you. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: It is important that we react in a calm and measured way, that we don't in a way overreact to what are Russian provocations at the same time, we have to take this very seriously. And that's the reason why we, over last weeks at NATO, have helped Allies to increase awareness, why at NATO have stepped up the exchange of intelligence and some of these intelligence that NATO Allies have helped to provide to each other. And that has been shared through the NATO platforms have actually helped to lead to some arrests and also prevent some of the planned sabotage actions. So we use NATO in an active way to help Allies individual Allies to prevent sabotage, but also to make arrests and to take actions individually. Of course, these are now legal processes going on in several allied countries. You have the United Kingdom, you have Germany, you have Poland, you have some of the Baltic countries, and there are also some more, and they're out there in the public domain. What NATO has done is to partly make Allies aware that these are not kind of individual random things, they're part of a campaign from Russia or a campaign of hostile actions. Russia is behind and our intelligence have been helpful in helping Allies to protect themselves or to take actions so it is about increasing awareness. It's about sharing intelligence. It's about increasing protection of critical infrastructure, warehouses, all the things which have been attacked, cyber and also to impose further restrictions on Russian intelligence personnel and sometimes also to send them out of our countries and restrict their ability to move around. In NATO Allied countries. There's a wide range of issues, taking partly collectively as NATO and partly NATO is helping Allies to take individual actions. Valeria Proshchenko, Interfax Ukraine: Valeria Proshchenko, Interfax Ukraine. You may have heard that Putin promised on Friday that he will immediately order a ceasefire in Ukraine and begin negotiations with Kyiv as if Kyiv started to withdraw troops from the four regions and renounced plans to join NATO. Can you please comment on and maybe some comments about nuclear threats also from Putin, thank you. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: It's not for Ukraine to withdraw forces from Ukrainian territory. It's for Russia to withdraw their forces from occupied Ukrainian land. And this proposal is a proposal that actually means that Russia should have the right to occupy even more Ukrainian land or the four provinces that they claim are not Ukrainian. So this just demonstrates that this is not a proposal made in good faith. But this is a proposal that actually means that Russia should achieve their war games aims by expecting that that Ukraine should give up significantly more land than Russia has been able to occupy so far. So this is not a peace proposal. This is a proposal of more aggression, more occupation. And it demonstrates in a way that Russia's aim is to control Ukraine and that has been the purpose of Russia since the beginning of this war. And that's a blatant violation of international law and that's also the reason why NATO Allies continue to support Ukraine. Comedian Rob Schneider booted off Canadian stage for making COVID, gender jokes American comedian and actor Rob Schneider, who recently converted to Catholicism, was booted from the stage prematurely while performing at a Canadian hospital charity function after he allegedly joked about COVID vaccines as well as people who identify as LGBT. (Article by Anthony Murdoch republished from LifeSiteNews.com) Schneider, who has been a vocal opponent to both the COVID shots and lockdowns, was asked last year to perform at the Hospitals of Regina Foundation charity function held on June 1. According to a statement released by the Foundation, in the middle of his June 1 stand-up set, Schneider was abruptly asked to end his act early because his routine did not align with the values of our Foundation and team. While we recognize that in a free and democratic society individuals are entitled to their views and opinions and that comedy is intended to be edgy, the content, positions and opinions expressed during Mr. Schneiders set to not align with the values of our Foundation and team, said the Foundations in a statement sent to media. We do not condone, accept or share Mr. Schneiders positions, as expressed during his comedy set and acknowledged that in this instance the performance did not meet the expectations of our team. According to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation report, Schneider left the stage as soon as he was asked to. LifeSiteNews reached out to Schneider to ask him to provide more detail as to what happened at the event, as well as what jokes he thought got him kicked off the stage. As of press time, LifeSiteNews has not been able to get a response from him or his agent, but if there is a reply, it will be noted later. As for the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, it said it will not provide any additional comment to media regarding the matter. The Foundation has scrubbed its website of all references to Schneiders links to the event. Schneider is well known for his time as a popular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1994. He is to this day still good friends with well-known Hollywood actor Adam Sandler. Schneider, who announced he had converted to Catholicism last November, has long expressed his vehement opposition to draconian COVID-19 lockdowns and mask mandates. He has also spoke out against various aspects of gender ideology, including the so-called transitioning of children. Regarding his conversion, Schneider cited his realization that human life is fragile and that forgiving others as Christ forgives is integral to a healthy life among the things that drove him to the Catholic Church. Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tells Fauci: You should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity During a recent congressional hearing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) put career criminal Tony Fauci on blast for his involvement in committing mass genocide during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic." After Fauci admitted that he knew all along about COVID "vaccines" not being "100 percent effective," offering only "limited protections," Greene grilled Fauci about various matters, including his abuse of beagle dogs for drug experiments. Greene presented Fauci with an image showing the lifeless bodies of two beagles lying on a table. She then confronted Fauci with the fact that he is the one who signed off "on these so-called scientific experiments." "And as a dog lover," Greene continued, "I want to tell you that this is disgusting and evil," further noting that U.S. taxpayers are the ones who paid for the dogs' abuse and murder. Fauci made a lot of money from these and other gruesome experiments. He also raked in an astounding $710 million in royalties from Big Pharma all throughout the "pandemic." "And I want you to know that Americans don't pay their taxes for animals to be tortured like this," Greene further said, calling the experiments "abhorrent." MTG: "[Fauci] belongs in prison." pic.twitter.com/bCi8zLGrC1 The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 3, 2024 (Related: Did you know that several weeks before the word COVID had ever even been used publicly, Moderna shipped mRNA "vaccine" prototypes to scientists at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for evaluation?) Fauci raked in $710 million in royalties during COVID Greene asked Fauci point-blank if he really thinks it is moral and right for "scientists and doctors getting paid" with U.S. taxpayer money to obtain patents that afford them "hundreds of millions in royalty fees, "especially when the NIH and these government agencies, most powerful agencies in our country" are forcing "six feet social distancing and masking of children." We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. "Do the American people deserve to be abused like that, Mr. Fauci?" she asked. "Because you're not a 'doctor' you're 'mister' Fauci in my few minutes. We should be recommending you to be prosecuted. We should be writing a criminal referral because you should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. You belong in prison." MTG to Fauci: "Do the American people deserve to be abused like that, Mr. Fauci? Because you're not doctor, you're Mr. Fauci" pic.twitter.com/XDUeVEYadi The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 3, 2024 MTG to Fauci: "We should be recommending you to be prosecuted. We should be writing a criminal referral because you should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. You belong in prison." pic.twitter.com/k4wyAYHjG6 The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 3, 2024 On X, a number of people cheered Greene on for her bravery in confronting Fauci about his many crimes against humanity. One in particular, "Gunther Eagleman" (@GuntherEagleman), wrote that he thinks Fauci should be imprisoned "for the rest of his miserable and pathetic life." "This so-called 'doctor' was in charge of 'AIDS' and he told a lot of lies then, too," wrote another. "Fauci Lied and People Died, let's not forget his sidekicks Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Burke both equally guilty." Another chastised Greene for always talking but, in his opinion, "never actually doing anything." Then there is Rep. Ron Paul (R-Ky.) who launched a bipartisan investigation into the true origins of COVID, illegal gain-of-function research, and Fauci's continued attempts at a coverup. OFFICIAL TRAILER Blaze Media and Free the People present: The Coverup. This new series dives deep into the lies Dr. Fauci and the medical establishment told America at the height of COVID tyranny. Before he testifies to Congress next week, you need to be armed with the truth. pic.twitter.com/5WfYRqjXGo TheBlaze (@theblaze) May 29, 2024 The sooner Fauci is thrown in prison, the better off the world will be. Learn more at Plague.info. Sources for this article include: ThePostMillennial.com NaturalNews.com Former MIT professor and rabbi urges Jews to shed all lingering Christian morality and support ethnic cleansing of Gaza In accordance with Talmudic law, former MIT professor and ordained rabbi Jeremy England wants Jews everywhere to reject any "lingering" sense of Christian morality and instead embrace Israel's ethnic cleansing operation in Gaza. In a blasphemous article he recently wrote for Tablet Magazine called "Live by the Law or Die on the Cross," England said flat-out that he believes "Israel must stop pretending it is a nation like any other." "[W]e should conquer, annex and resettle parts of Gaza so that Jews and friendly gentiles both can live there safely," England contends. "If our own, unsurpassably subtle ethical tradition guides us to these policies, then it is only our lingering ideological subjugation to the Western tradition that makes them seem scandalous." "Like the Jew among nations, Israel constantly struggles with its half-successful attempt to blend in with the crowd and pretend to be a member like any other, and it is time to put an end to this paralyzing charade." In England's view, Jews like himself "did not stick to our Law through 3,000 years of human civilization to continue national life as the perpetual defendant." In other words, Talmudic Jews must take a more offensive approach to ensure the fulfillment of their agenda. "It is our job to know that Law, to teach what we know and, most of all, to live by it," he said. (Related: World leaders say they are horrified by Israel's recent airstrike on a "safe zone" in Rafah.) Israel is justified in killing children because of the Talmud, England says While the Christian is to see neither Jew nor gentile (Gal. 3:28-29), Talmudic Jews are to see themselves as superior to everyone else. 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. "[T]he concept of the innocent civilian," England writes, is a Christian concept not a Jewish one. According to the Talmud, "it is correct to kill even the righteous among your enemy." This kind of bizarre, supremacist thinking on England's part is justified in his own eyes because that is what his religious texts designate as normal even when it means killing children. England's article proceeds to blaspheme Jesus Christ as well, asking the question What Would Jesus Do if a Hamas fighter held of an Arab child from Gaza as a human shield while firing. "Hard to say for sure," England writes, answering his own question, "but anyone who argues that a properly humane response is to die rather than to try to shoot around the child has ample basis in Christianity." "... the very idea of the innocent civilian makes sense in an explicitly Christian context: 'Render unto Caesar' plus the idea of a universal community of faith that transcends nationality means the conscience of the individual is paramount, and a person cannot so easily be classed as a targetable enemy 'just because' of his membership in some nation waging war," he says. "The contrast with the Jewish perspective here is sharp." Citing Ben Yochai from Mekhilta 14:7 in the Talmud, England argues that Jews are fully justified "to kill even the righteous among your enemy." "This is a wince-inducingly Judaic and very unchristian position," he admits. Eliyahu Mali, Israel's top rabbi in Jaffa, seems to agree with England's position. He recently issued a call for genocide against all Palestinians in Gaza, claiming that the Torah, also known as the first five books of the Old Testament, demand that all men, women, children and babies be killed. The majority of Israelis, meanwhile, agree in "poll after poll," to quote Information Liberation, that the Benjamin Netanyahu regime is using "too little firepower" in Gaza. Israel's current struggle is only just the beginning of its troubles. Learn more at IsraelCollapse.com. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com NaturalNews.com BlueLetterBible.org Russia: U.S. could face FATAL CONSEQUENCES for allowing Ukraine to use American weapons to strike Russian targets Moscow has warned Washington of "fatal consequences" for allowing Ukraine to use American weapons against targets on Russian soil. "I would like to warn American leaders against miscalculations that could have fatal consequences," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as reported by the state news agency RIA Novosti. "For unknown reasons, they underestimate the seriousness of the rebuff they may receive." He pointed to a "very significant warning" recently issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging Washington to take it "with the utmost seriousness." Ryabkov also exhorted American officials to "spend some of their time which they spend on some kind of video games, judging by the lightness of their approach on studying what was said in detail by Putin." The Russian leader's warning reportedly centered on Washington permitting Kyiv to use U.S. made weapons to strike Russian targets, which Ryabkov echoed. "Constant escalation can lead to serious consequences," remarked Putin, insinuating the possibility of nuclear war. He continued that European countries with "small territory and dense populations" especially careful about provoking Russia. "If these serious consequences occur in Europe, how will the U.S. behave, bearing in mind our parity in the field of strategic weapons? It's hard to say. Do they want a global conflict?" According to Ryabkov, Ukrainian forces have attacked Russian early-warning radar systems. The deputy foreign minister stressed that retaliation from Moscow could be "asymmetrical." We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. "This is not the first time that the regime in Kyiv has tried to disrupt the normal functioning of important parts of our military organization, in particular those related to the strategic sphere. These intentions will be stopped by us, [and] responses may be asymmetrical." West gives Ukraine the go signal to strike Russian targets Ryabkov's warning was a response to statements from American officials that U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly permitted Ukraine to hit targets in Russia with U.S. weapons, albeit under certain situations. In particular, Ukrainian forces were cleared to hit positions in Russia launching devastating artillery and missile attacks against the border city of Kharkiv. According to a U.S. official, Biden "recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use U.S. weapons for counter-fire purposes in Kharkiv so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them." They nevertheless added that Washington's policy of prohibiting long-range strikes inside Russia "has not changed." Some European governments also gave similar permissions to Ukraine, including Germany. Other countries such as the Netherlands, Finland and Poland meanwhile expressed support for allowing Ukraine to defend itself against attacks launched from Russian territory. Even Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, backed Kyiv's move to defend itself against Russia. (Related: Leaked reports show Ukraine LOSING war against Russia, Macron "panicked.") Kyiv was quick to utilize this opportunity, firing U.S. artillery at Russian positions. Military bloggers and officials from the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Ukraine had fired a U.S.-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at targets in Belgorod, a Russian city about 25 miles north of the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian media also confirmed the use of the HIMARS system, but clarified that the target was a Russian S-300/400 air defense system. According to the governor of the Belgorod region, two city officials were killed in the bombardment. Three other city officials were injured, along with six civilians. Head over to Chaos.news for more stories about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Watch this video that explains the role of the Biden administration in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This video is from the Oldyoti's Home Page channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump: COMPROMISE with Russia could have helped Ukraine avoid war. Hungarian security analyst: Russia-Ukraine war will not end in 2024. Pentagons Lloyd Austin warns: NATO-Russia war is INEVITABLE if Ukraine loses. Russia Ukraine War getting out of hand following Kerch Bridge explosion, Putin retaliation. Russia fines Google $32,000 for not deleting alleged MISINFORMATION about ongoing war in Ukraine. Sources include: Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 Brighteon.com New Zealand to resume OIL DRILLING amid fears of blackouts New Zealand has rescinded a prohibition on drilling for oil and gas first put in place during the term of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern amid fears of blackouts and energy supply shortages. NZ Resources Minister Shane Jones decided to announce the ban's lifting. Alongside this, the country's coalition government is preparing to invite energy companies to resume exploration in the three major offshore fields that supply most of its gas. The decision comes after Transpower, the firm operating New Zealand's national grid, was forced to warn families to limit their electricity usage to avoid a shutdown during a cold snap. According to Jones, the ban's overturn would deal with the energy security challenges posed by Wellington's rapidly declining natural gas reserves. He explained: "Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on and our economy running, especially during peak electricity demand and when generation dips because of more intermittent sources like wind, solar and [hydropower]." "When the exploration ban was introduced by the previous government in 2018, it not only halted the exploration needed to identify new [energy] sources, but it also shrank investment in further development of our known gas fields which sustain our current levels of use. Without this investment, we are now in a situation where our annual natural gas production is expected to peak this year and undergo a sustained decline meaning we have a security of supply issue barreling toward us." Ardern, who introduced the drilling ban, announced her resignation as prime minister in early 2023. The country's election in the fall of that year saw her Labor Party thrown out of office and replaced by a right-wing coalition. Jones' party NZ First was a member of the said coalition. 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. Lawmaker Simon Court of the ACT Party, a member of the coalition, also lauded the reversal of the oil drilling ban. According to him, the prohibition on oil and gas drilling announced by Ardern "wasn't environmental policy" but "a publicity stunt." Industry leader praises the reversal of NZ's oil drilling ban At least one industry leader in the energy sector praised Wellington's decision to lift the ban on oil and gas drilling. "We welcome a return to sensible, pragmatic policy settings that fairly manage the upstream oil and gas sector to the benefit of all New Zealanders," said Energy Resources Aotearoa CEO John Carnegie. According to him, Ardern's policy had driven investors away, destroyed jobs and created energy chaos. Carnegie continued: "New Zealand faces an energy shortage which threatens our electricity system and the competitiveness of our exporters. We now urgently need to attract further investment in exploration and production to keep the lights on, our houses warm and business humming." (Related: Europe's largest gas field in Groningen, The Netherlands, SHUTS DOWN due to earthquake fears (or so they say.)) The Telegraph also commented on the ban's overturn, linking it to plans by British Shadow Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband to halt new drilling for oil and gas in the U.K.'s North Sea. Per the newspaper, Wellington's move "will be a setback for green activists and likely to be regarded as a blow" to the British Labor Party Miliband is part of. Carnegie also put in his two cents, mentioning that Miliband and other politicians should see New Zealand's plight as a warning. "If you cut off your own supplies, then you push up prices and destroy jobs," said the energy industry bigwig. "Our politicians wanted to look like leaders in tackling climate change, but instead they generated an energy crisis." Two of the major unions funding the Labor Party GMB and Unite The Union (UTU) have also spoken out against Miliband's proposals. UTU General Secretary Sharon Graham urged the party "to pull back from this irresponsible policy" in a statement, warning that it will destroy jobs and force the U.K. to import more oil and gas. "There is clearly no viable plan for the replacement of North Sea jobs or energy security," she continued. "[UTU] will not stand by and let these workers be thrown on the scrap heap. North Sea workers cannot be sacrificed on the altar of Net Zero." Visit EnergySupply.news for similar stories. Watch Judge Andrew Napolitano explaining whether state law or federal law takes precedence on the issue of oil drilling below. This video is from the What is happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: In sudden turnaround, Biden administration allows oil and gas companies to drill on federal lands but it will take YEARS for the oil to flow. The Great Reset: Biden administration implements new costs for oil and gas drilling on public lands. America has more oil than ALL of Middle East, so why isn't THAT all over the news? Sources include: WattsUpWithThat.com Telegraph.co.uk Newshub.co.nz Brighteon.com Russia just let the world know they will NOT protect Big Pharmas predatory patents At the 2024 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a Russian Member of Parliament (MP) sparked international debate by prioritizing the protection of Russian lives over the enforcement of intellectual property rights for Western pharmaceutical giants. During a panel discussion on drug security within BRICS nations, MP Aleksandr Petrov emphasized Russia's commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens and allies, even if it means challenging predatory patent laws and erecting a national drug manufacturing apparatus. Russia takes hard stance against Western pharmaceutical companies Petrov's stance resonated with many, underscoring the significance of national health priorities and sound economic policies over crony corporate interests that are bankrupting medical systems in the West. Petrov cautioned Western pharmaceutical companies against overly relying on patent laws, stating, "When it comes to the lives and health of our citizens and those of our allies, we will break it." Petrov's position isnt endorsing intellectual piracy but instead advocating for legal mechanisms to ensure access to vital medications, particularly in the face of rising prices for essential drugs and while facing a barrage of economic sanctions that threaten equitable access to lifesaving drugs for the Russian people. A focal point of the discussion was the case of Ozempic, a crucial anti-diabetic medication manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. Following disruptions in the drug's supply due to Western sanctions, Russia responded by issuing emergency licenses to produce generic versions right in Russia. Petrov commended the rapid response of Russian pharmaceutical firms, highlighting their ability to mitigate shortages and uphold national drug security. 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 panel also discussed the broader regulatory landscape of the pharmaceutical industry. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko emphasized the importance of effective regulation, particularly in light of the covid-19 scandal, which revealed the limitations of certain regulatory mechanisms imposed by certain nations. Murashko criticized the American governments deliberate hindrance of Russian Covid vaccines in favor of Western-produced alternatives. At the forum, he clearly stated that regulatory mechanisms, which certain nations try to impose, do not necessarily work for world health. Indeed, the U.S. government did not lead by example during a global crisis. The federal coronavirus task force dictated hospital protocol, censoring inexpensive yet efficacious treatments, while ignoring the very things doctors, herbalists and nutritionists were using to effectively treat patients. With the revelation that pharmaceutical companies and vaccine makers bought off scientists at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, it becomes even more important for BRICS nations to cut ties with predatory influences. Russia trying to fight off restrictive patents that allow Western pharmaceutical companies to dominate people In promoting cooperation within BRICS, Alexandre Cordeiro Macedo, President of Brazil's competition agency, stressed the importance of competition to advance medicine. Western pharmaceutical companies enjoy market exclusivity with their patents, driving up prices and essentially restricting access to medicines when generic versions could be made readily available. He believes that governments should ensure both health security and fair competition in the pharmaceutical sector, by putting an end to the predatory practices of the pharmaceutical industry. By taking a stand against pharmaceutical interests, Russia could welcome a new era of botanical medicine, nutrition and detoxification that treats underlying issues in the global chronic disease epidemic. Russia's commitment to innovation and healthcare accessibility within BRICS was highlighted throughout the discussion. Murashko and other speakers emphasized Russia's development of cutting-edge medical solutions, including advancements in radiotherapy, anti-allergy vaccination and personalized cancer treatments. Moscow seeks to leverage its expertise to enhance healthcare cooperation among BRICS members while addressing imbalances in the global drug trade. Russia now has plans to import all the raw materials needed to manufacture their own drugs. The failures of globalism are forcing nations to take major steps in protecting the citizens of their individual nations. The nations that act the fastest and most efficiently to restore their own manufacturing, energy, food production and medicine will be the first to retain their sovereignty and save themselves from collapse. Sources include: RT.com ICCR.org Zerohedge.com U.S. Special Forces Navy SEALs engage in LGBT Pride prancing on social media as the rest of the world looks on and laughs The elite Navy SEALs division of the United States military, long considered to be one of the most well-respected fighting forces in the world, has gone woke by joining the LGBT Pride mob. Not long before the Biden regime's Department of Defense (DoD) blasted Pride colors and flags all across social media, the official Navy SEALs social media accounts did the exact same thing in celebration of Pride. While much of corporate America has toned down its Pride Month festivities due to massive public backlash, the U.S. military is forging onward in pushing perversion and degeneracy on the masses. According to the U.S. military, "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer" (LGBTQ) lifestyles deserve to be celebrated. The U.S. armed forces consider all of these sexual appetites to constitute "Dignity, Service, Respect and Equality." (Related: Remember back in 2018 when former Navy SEAL Tej Gill stated publicly that two-time failed presidential wannabe Hillary Clinton "killed my friends?") Facebook users respond to Navy's Pride push As has been happening a lot in recent years, the social media-sphere was really upset after the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command account on Facebook did a digital LGBT Pride prance for the world to see. Not long after the unit unleashed a torrent of six-colored "rainbow" posts in promotion of Pride, the official account limited its responses due to massive public backlash. One post received 370 ridiculing "Laugh" emoji responses, along with 350 "Angry" reactions. Comparatively, there were less than 200 positive responses to the post, which in the social media world is referred to as a "ratio." 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. "This is a slap in the face of every special warfare operator that has put their lives on the line for our nation," commented someone named John Jeacopello in response to the post. "I know plenty of current and former SEALs who are disgusted with this," said another, named Luke Pierson. "Please repent of this debaucherous behavior and stick to what you're good at." Another person named Owen Merton wrote that this "woke s*** ... is like a cancer and needs to be handled and dealt with as a threat to national security." "Gone way too far," Merton added. Another person named Arcides Cruz who claims to have once served in the U.S. armed forces expressed thankfulness to no longer be in the military today. "So glad I got out before this b******* took over," Cruz added. Conservative commentator Todd Starnes wrote an article of his own that explained the tone deafness of the Navy in promoting such filth. "One of the greatest concerns among veterans and active duty servicemembers is the wokeness that has infected nearly every branch of the service," Starnes wrote. "Instead of raising up fierce defenders of freedom, the woke Pentagon is raising up an army of social justice warriors." "Our enemies are laughing at us, America." Despite all this backlash, the DoD proceeded to post a pro-Pride message on X that just like the Navy's Facebook post drew ire from the world of social media. The DoD post called for the American public to "come together to honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ service members," adding that the U.S. military is committed to "ensuring and promoting an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all civilian and military personnel." At least 7,000 people commented on the post, which only had about 1,500 "Likes." This, too, is an example of being ratioed, meaning the post in question is wildly unpopular. "If anyone is wondering why they keep posting this despite the fact that we all hate it, it's because this is a Regime humiliation tactic," commented Pete D'Abrosca about the DoD's pro-Pride post. "They know we can't do anything about it so they're flipping us the bird." There is nothing about LGBT to be proud of. Learn more at Gender.news. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com ToddStarnes.com Here are the 5 Supreme Court cases poised to reshape Americas future A number of high-profile cases are looming as the Supreme Court prepares to wrap up its decision-making season by the end of June, with the potential to drastically change the political and social landscape of the country during an important election year. (Article republished from GreatGameIndia.com) According to The Hill, the high court is anticipated to rule on cases about social media, the 2nd Amendment, abortion, and, of course, Trump in less than three weeks. Trumps Legal Battles Take Center Stage The appeal of former President Donald Trump concerning criminal immunity for official conduct carried out by former presidents is at the forefront. The verdict may dismiss the allegations against him that are still pending in federal election interference cases in Georgia and Florida, or it may even put an end to the proceedings. The justices were willing to award former presidents protection during the oral arguments, which might cause these high-profile cases to be postponed even longer. 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. In the meantime, Trump may benefit from the appeal of one of the Jan. 6 rioters, as obstruction of an official proceeding is one of the four accusations the former president is facing. The Supreme Court expressed doubt about the DOJs use of the charge when the rioter contested the application of this clause. Social Media Rights Under Scrutiny The Court will also rule on social media companies rights, which will have a big impact on online free expression. Among the instances from Texas and Florida are those in which the First Amendment rights of social media platforms to editorial discretion have been challenged by laws passed to prohibit the platforms from barring users based solely on their political beliefs. During the February arguments, the judges differing opinions were evident, highlighting how difficult it is to strike a balance between restrictions on speech and regulations. 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. The Fate of a Widely Used Abortion Pill The court also considered modifications to the FDA that facilitate the medications availability about the abortion drug mifepristone. This decision, which comes after the conservative majoritys earlier decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, may have further implications for access to abortion in the US depending on whether the Court decides to limit the use of the pill, which is used in more than half of all abortions performed in the country. A GROUP OF ANTI-ABORTION DOCTORS AND MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS CHALLENGED CHANGES MADE BY THE FDA 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. The majority of justices were doubtful that the challengers had suffered enough damage to obtain legal standing to present their case during the courts oral arguments in March. Gun Rights Reexamined Two significant gun rights cases are being heard by the Court. The first concerns the validity of federal gun possession laws for those subject to restraining orders against domestic abuse. Preliminary hearings indicate that the Court might maintain these limitations. The judges were split during the arguments in the second case, which looked at the validity of bump stock laws from the Trump administration. Potential Overhaul of Federal Agency Power Last but not least, the judges are debating whether to overturn the crucial principle known as the Chevron deference, which has given federal agencies extensive regulatory power for many years. If this precedent is decided to be overturned, the executive branchs ability to implement regulations in several areas, such as financial and environmental protection, may be severely curtailed. Each of these rulings marks a potentially revolutionary moment in American law and has significant ramifications not just for the people and policies immediately concerned but also for the larger arc of American political and social life. Recently, GreatGameIndia reported that the US Supreme Court will decide Facebooks fate in a massive data-harvesting scandal on June 10, following a class-action lawsuit alleging that Meta gave up to 87 million customers personal information to other parties, including Cambridge Analytica. Read more at: GreatGameIndia.com UN Chief Guterres warns of heightened risk of NUCLEAR CONFLICT amid geopolitical tensions United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently issued a stern warning as technological advances and escalating geopolitical tensions that risk the outbreak of a nuclear conflict endanger the world at a level not seen since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. "Humanity is on a knife's edge," Guterres said during the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Arms Control Association on June 7 in Washington, D.C. "The risk of a nuclear weapon being used has reached heights not seen since the Cold War." He added that countries are engaged in a "qualitative arms race" as advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence heighten the danger. Guterres' remarks came amid the West's support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization members have accused Moscow of displaying its nuclear power. Meanwhile, Russian leaders expressed that deepening Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict could trigger an escalation and that they are serious about it. However, they "are not brandishing [nuclear weapons]," Russian President Vladimir Putin told an audience at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 7. He reiterated that Russia would only consider using nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or territorial integrity were under threat. "I do not believe that is the case now," Putin emphasized. He warned, however, that changes to the doctrine "are not ruled out." Guterres suggested otherwise: "Nuclear blackmail has reemerged with some recklessly threatening nuclear catastrophe." He called for disarmament now and for nations to step up. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. "This was the central message of my disarmament agenda launched in 2018. Disarmament and conflict prevention are also at the heart of the New Agenda for Peace to reform the global peace and security architectures," he said. Guterres specifically asked nuclear-armed states to resume dialogue and commit to preventing any use of nuclear weapons, making sure that all would agree that none would be the first to launch one. He asked these nations to reaffirm the moratorium on nuclear testing and accelerate the implementation of the disarmament commitments made under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. "All parties to the treaty must start collaborating now to ensure consensus at the Review Conference in 2026," he said. He also urged the U.S. and Russia to return to the negotiating table and fully implement the New START treaty, first signed in 2010 and called for the reduction in the number of nuclear warheads both nations have in their stockpiles. "Until these weapons are eliminated. All countries must agree that humans, not machines or algorithms make any decision on nuclear use. Finally, nuclear saber-rattling must stop," he said. Russia and the U.S. are the world's biggest nuclear powers, holding about 88 percent of the world's nuclear weapons, according to the Federation of American Scientists. (Related: Declassified documents reveal US secret nuclear war project named "SIOP," aimed at killing Russians and Chinese people.) Russia, Belarus hold tactical nuclear weapons drills in response to West's daily provocations In its total contradiction of the West's ramped-up support for Kyiv amid the escalation Russia-Ukraine conflict, sources reported that the Eurasian country and Belarus have already begun the second stage of tactical nuclear weapons drills. Russia announced the exercises last month after French President Emmanuel Macron said he would not rule out deploying troops to Ukraine under certain conditions. The U.S. and some other NATO allies have already given Kyiv the greenlight to use Western-supplied weapons on targets in border areas of Russia. In the drills that began on June 11, the Russian Ministry of Defense said troops of the two countries would undergo joint training in non-strategic nuclear weapons used in combat. The government agency also stated that the operation was to ensure personnel and equipment readiness concerning the "sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the alliance between Russia and Belarus. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the situation in Europe was quite tense and that such drills and maintaining combat readiness were important because of the "hostile actions" by the U.S. and its allies as well as their "daily provocations." Last year, Russia moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus, which also borders Ukraine and NATO members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko has relied on close ties with Russia and provided his country as a "practice ground" for the conflict in Ukraine. Tactical nuclear weapons include air bombs, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions and are meant for use on a battlefield. Usually, they are less powerful than strategic weapons, huge warheads that arm intercontinental ballistic missiles and are intended to destroy entire cities. U.S. officials reported that they have seen no change to Russia's strategic posture, although senior intelligence officials say they have to take Moscow's remarks about nuclear weapons seriously. Visit NuclearWar.news to read updates on the nuclear catastrophe that could unfold. Watch the video below that talks about Russia's threat to supply advanced weapons in retaliation for NATO escalation in Ukraine. This video is from Rick Langley's channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Russian foreign minister: Delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine a "deliberate" signal that NATO is pushing for nuclear war. Medvedev warns that any U.S. strike on Russian targets will be the "start of world war." U.S. accused of taking out Russian nuclear missile early warning system in latest escalation. Sources include: RT.com ArmsControl.org AsiaToday.id AlJazeera.com Brighteon.com 4 Arrested, charges filed 5 years after Democrat ballot stuffing A Bridgeport, Connecticut, Democratic Party official, a city council member, and two campaign workers face criminal charges for allegedly perpetrating a ballot-stuffing scheme in the towns 2019 Democratic mayoral primary. The charges stem from a plot to ensure incumbent Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim would win the primary race. He narrowly defeated State Senator Marilyn Moore by just 270 votes. (Article republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee Vice Chairperson Wanda Geter-Pataky and City Council Member Alfredo Castilloalong with campaign workers Nilsa Heredia and Josephine Edmondsare charged with unlawful possession of absentee ballots and additional election-related violations. Three of the four also face charges of witness tampering. RIGGING THE ELECTION. An investigation by the Chief States Attorneys office into the 2019 election scandal found evidence of extensive illegalities: Geter-Pataky reportedly failed to sign as an assister on an absentee ballot application she completed for a voter and allegedly misrepresented absentee voting eligibility requirements. The office also notes that she instructed a citizen not to vote in person and claimed she would retrieve the citizens absentee ballot. Additionally, Geter-Pataky purportedly told the citizen to keep quiet about the matter. Heredia is accused of directing voters on absentee ballot candidate selections and misrepresenting eligibility requirements. She admitted to investigators that she did not submit an absentee ballot distribution list to the City of Bridgeport Clerks Office. Castillo allegedly failed to maintain an absentee ballot distribution list and did not sign as an assister. Though initially denying involvement, Castillo later admitted to helping fill out portions of a ballot application. Edmonds is accused of being present when four voters filled out absentee ballots and taking possession of them. Additionally, she allegedly failed to keep an absentee ballot distribution list and instructed a witness not to testify truthfully. IT HAPPENED AGAIN. Geter-Pataky is also suspected of being involved in a nearly identical scandal that resulted in the towns 2023 mayoral election having to be held three times. Once again, Ganim was eventually re-elected despite numerous ballot irregularities. In September 2023, video evidence surfaced allegedly showing a city employee and Ganim supporter placing multiple absentee ballots into a ballot box during the Democratic mayoral primary. Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com Californias minimum wage hike causes price increases and thousands of job losses across the fast food industry A recent report by the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) trade group has revealed that fast food restaurants in California were forced to cut at least 10,000 jobs in recent months due to the states new minimum wage hike. Industry experts warn that California's fast food industry took a major hit when Gov. Gavin Newsom increased the state's minimum wage to $20, causing thousands of workers to be laid off. At the same time, consumers are also forced to pay inflated menu prices. At the "Fox & Friends" talk show, CABIA President Tom Manzo explained why businesses are "fed up" with California's policies. Talking to host Lawrence Jones, Manzo said that the biggest issue California faces is "continued increased cost and a continued anti-business climate." He also added that this is one reason that CABIA decided to run the ad. Manzo also warned that the updated California policies are having a ripple effect on everybody. Manzo added that because of the wage hike, many people are now unable to afford fast food when it shouldn't be "a luxury item." (Related: DONOR DOUGH: Panera Bread exempted from Californias minimum wage law after major franchise owner DONATES to Gavin Newsom.) According to CABIA, at least 10,000 jobs have been cut throughout fast food restaurants in the state since Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 1228 into law in 2023. Restaurants have to increase prices and lay off employees to "stay afloat" To highlight what the nonprofit organization claims are the unexpected consequences of the law, CABIA took out an ad in the statewide edition of USA Today with mock "obituaries" of popular fast food brands. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. CABIA's ad featured several restaurants that were forced to increase prices and lay off workers to stay afloat. Some restaurants have also had to shut down stores. The ad also showed news clips showing some of the changes made by brands like Burger King, El Pollo Loco and Subway throughout California. Manzo said that this is why CABIA continues to advocate because legislators, such as Newsom, "need to wake up" and stop being "anti-business." Manzo added that the nonprofit will continue to fight and advocate for small to medium-sized businesses that don't have a voice. He added that while California is "a great place to live" it needs to "change the direct trajectory" of policies that can negatively affect businesses in the state. However, Newsom's office disagreed with the CABIA's claims about fast food job losses. A spokesperson for Newsom cited data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, explaining that 4,500 jobs were added in limited service restaurants in California from September 2023 through April 1. The governor's office also claimed that at least 6,600 fast food jobs were added in the Golden State from April 2023 through April 1. American consumers are dining out less often because of the price increase Menu prices have also increased because of the wage hike. A survey by LendingTree has revealed that at least 78 percent of respondents now consider fast food as a luxury while 68 percent agree that prices for fast food items are too expensive. Jonathan Maze, editor-in-chief of Restaurant Business Magazine, opposed the claim that the minimum wage increase benefitted employees. He also listed several concerns about the timing and severity of the wage increase. Maze explained that the issue is complicated because there are two issues to deal with. First, the policy was enforced almost overnight. Second, the move resulted in a significant 25 percent increase in the wage rate. With these two things happening simultaneously, it can be difficult for restaurants, with the move resulting in chaos in the fast food industry for employees and consumers alike. Maze reasoned that because prices have increased, Americans are dining out less often than before as it continues to affect the industry's "reputation" as an affordable option for the average American family. Maze added that the recent policy changes have resulted in a "challenging environment," especially when considering what McDonald's had reported only several weeks ago, with store prices going up by a whopping 40 percent since 2019. Maze also cited the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as one of the reasons for McDonald's significant increase in food costs and labor costs. At the same time, Maze said that insurance costs, lending rates and construction costs have increased, in turn requiring many companies to increase prices. Like Manzo, Maze agrees that the fast food industry has largely lost its reputation "as a value player." As a result, many consumers are dining out less often because of the surge in product prices. Visit EconomicRiot.com for similar stories about job loss in America. Watch this clip about how at least 80 percent of Americans can't afford fast food. This video is from the Thisisjohnwilliams channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: High unemployment rates, high taxes and population exodus pushing Illinois to the brink of collapse. Soft-serve joint in California closes down due to new state law mandating $20 hourly salary for fast food workers. JOBS CRISIS: Almost 107 million Americans are not in the labor force. California plans to give unemployment benefits to ILLEGALS, while their own citizens foot the bill. Sources include: RT.com FoxBusiness.com CABIA.org [PDF] Brighteon.com Report: Google accidentally collected and leaked user data, including CHILDRENs voice data Tech giant Google has "accidentally" collected children's voice data and leaked information about carpool users' trips and home addresses. This is according to a report by the online tech-focused publication 404 Media, which based its investigation on a leaked internal database. The report revealed that the database contains thousands of privacy-related incidents spanning six years, from 2013 to 2018. The dataset was obtained from an anonymous source and subsequently verified by 404 Media. Google has confirmed certain aspects of the information. (Related: Google settles $5 billion privacy washing lawsuit for undisclosed amount.) The incidents involved issues with Google's own products and data collection practices, vulnerabilities in third-party vendors used by Google, and mistakes made by staff, contractors, or others affecting Google systems or data. While most incidents impacted only a small number of people or were quickly resolved, the cumulative data shows how Google manages and often mismanages a vast amount of sensitive personal information. In one instance, a Google speech service "inadvertently" recorded the voices of approximately 1,000 children for about an hour. The team then deleted all logged speech data from the affected period. Another incident involved Google Street View transcribing and storing license plate numbers from photos. Google told 404 Media in a statement that "employees can quickly flag potential product issues for review by the relevant teams," adding that the reports obtained by 404 Media are from six years ago and were reviewed and resolved at the time. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. "In some cases, these employee flags turned out not to be issues at all or were issues that employees found in third-party services," Google said after 404 Media shared the identifying codes of around 30 incidents with the tech company. The internal database also highlighted various other privacy-related incidents. For example, it documented cases where sensitive data from Google's own products, like Google Maps and Google Home, was inadvertently exposed. It also detailed how vulnerabilities in third-party services integrated with Google products sometimes led to unauthorized access to user data. Furthermore, some incidents were allegedly caused by human error, such as employees or contractors accidentally mishandling data or misconfiguring systems, leading to temporary exposure of private information. The leak comes at a time when Google's reliability "is already in question" after inaccurate responses from its AI Overviews feature, which forced the company to scale back the feature. Google unable to protect user data This recent disclosure of privacy lapses adds to the growing concerns about how well Google protects user data and manages its extensive information systems. According to a report from the New York Post, a series of internal documents from Google reveals several privacy breaches, including the unauthorized collection of children's voice data, license plate numbers, carpool routes, and private home addresses. The leaked documents indicate thousands of similar cases flagged by Google employees over a five-year period, from 2013 to 2018. It appears that Google's algorithm was responsible for collecting this sensitive data. One other notable incident found that Google may have exposed the personal email addresses and IP addresses of around a million users, including minors. These and many other privacy and data security issues have led to complaints being filed with federal authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission, resulting in settlements and ongoing investigations. Read the latest news involving tech giant Google at EvilGoogle.news. Watch this episode of "The Pete Santilli Show" discussing how Google and its video sharing platform YouTube are censoring former President Donald Trump's campaign ads. This video is from the channel The Pete Santilli Show on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Google and Amazon cloud services linked to Israeli weapons firms supporting bloodshed in Gaza. Google helping Democrats by BANNING Trump campaign ad showing how life is worse under Biden. Google receives request from federal authorities for identities of people who watched certain YouTube videos. Sources include: RT.com EconomicTimes.IndiaTimes.com Brighteon.com Illegal alien who entered the country undetected has been arrested, charged with CHILD RAPE in Massachusetts An illegal alien "gotaway" who successfully crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without being detected by law enforcement has been arrested and charged with raping a child in Massachusetts , a self-proclaimed "sanctuary state" for illegals. A June 10 press release by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrest of Yader Alexander Morales-Quevedo. The 24-year-old Guatemalan national unlawfully entered American soil "on an unknown date at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official." According to Breitbart News, Morales-Quevedo entered the U.S. "as one of the millions of 'got-aways' whom the federal government has little to no information on." The New Bedford District Court arraigned the Guatemalan for the offense of raping a child in August 2022, with the lower court upgrading the charges to be heard by the Bristol County Superior Court. In turn, the higher court arraigned him for the same offense plus an additional charge of posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity or sexual conduct in January of last year. On May 28, deportation officers from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested Morales-Quevedo in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The ERO is one of two law enforcement directorates under ICE, alongside Homeland Security Investigations. "He will remain in ERO custody pending the outcome of his removal proceedings," the ICE press release noted. "Morales-Quevedo will have his day in court, but he is facing some very serious charges," said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. "He posed a significant threat to the children in our Massachusetts communities. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing egregious non-citizen offenders from our New England neighborhoods." 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. While the Guatemalan may not be the first gotaway to enter the U.S. unlawfully, he surely won't be the last. "Since President Joe Biden took office in early 2021, nearly two million illegal alien got-aways have successfully crossed the southern border," Breitbart News pointed out. (Related: ACTIVE INVASION: At least 7.3 million illegal immigrants have crossed the southwest border under Joe Biden.) Not the first time a gotaway was charged with rape In February, the Gateway Pundit recounted a similar instance where a Guatemalan gotaway was charged with child abuse. According to a statement issued by ICE at the time, the migrant unlawfully entered the U.S. in April 2011 at an unknown location. Just like Morales-Quevedo, this illegal entered "without being inspected or admitted by a U.S. immigration official." The illegal was reportedly convicted of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 14 and put behind bars. "ERO Boston encountered the Guatemalan national at the Essex County House of Corrections and issued an immigration detainer against him with the detention facility following his arrest and detention in December 2023," the statement added. However, the Gloucester District Court ordered his release despite the ICE detainer against him. Agents from ERO Boston reportedly re-arrested the 34-year-old Guatemalan on Feb. 21 as part of ICE's effort that "which focused on the apprehension of unlawfully present non-citizen sex offenders." Between Feb. 5 and Feb. 16, ERO officers arrested 275 illegals who committed sex crimes, per the press release. "This individual represented a dire threat to the residents of Massachusetts. Unlawfully present, convicted sex offenders should not be given the opportunity to re-offend," Lyons said of the 34-year-old Guatemalan illegal's arrest. "The victim of his crimes deserves better from our justice system. The men and women of ERO Boston will continue to protect our communities from such threats." The Gateway Pundit also recounted an earlier instance, this time involving a Haitian national unlawfully present in the United States. In January, 31-year-old Pierre Lucard Emile was released by authorities in the Bay State despite being charged with the rape of a disabled person. His release came amid a detainer issued by ICE against him. Emile entered the U.S. in December 2022 at the port of entry in Brownsville, Texas, managing to elude border authorities. Thankfully, authorities managed to re-arrest the Haitian. Fox News' Bill Melugin confirmed that Emile "remains in ICE custody." Head over to Migrants.news for similar stories. Watch Pinal County, Arizona Sheriff Mark Lamb warning that "people who don't love America" are blending in with the gotaways that authorities fail to catch in the clip below. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Rep. Grothman: DHS monitoring over 600,000 illegals with CRIMINAL RECORDS. Venezuela emptying prisons, CRIMINALS blending in with migrants trying to cross US border. British court BLOCKS deportation of convicted migrant child rapist because "it would harm his mental health." Illegal alien Tennessee soccer coach accused of drugging, raping little boys while FILMING pedophilic crimes. Sources include: Breitbart.com ICE.gov 1 TheGatewayPundit.com ICE.gov 2 Brighteon.com Russia-Ukraine war reveals critical SHORTAGE of 155mm artillery shells across the United States Modern warfare is still waged with traditional weaponry like bullets and artillery shells, but the U.S is facing challenges in producing enough of the latter. The conflict in Ukraine has ushered in a resurgence of ordnance-intensive warfare, where the 155-millimeter (mm) shell has become a pivotal asset on the battlefield. However, there's a critical shortage of these shells, revealing the neglect of munitions production infrastructure since the end of the Cold War. (Related: U.S. officials warn of increasingly catastrophic shortage of ammunition, air defenses in Ukraine; urge Congress to pass $61B aid bill.) Efforts to revitalize production facilities across the U.S., from Scranton in Pennsylvania to rural Louisiana, underscore the urgency to meet the increasing demand. The goal is ambitious: to produce 100,000 155mm shells monthly by next year, marking a mobilization effort unparalleled since World War II. The U.S. boasted substantial shell production capabilities decades ago, but the shift away from this focus post-Cold War left the nation unprepared for the current demand. The situation is mirrored in Europe, where similar efforts to ramp up production are underway. This renewed reliance on conventional munitions has prompted the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to revise its stockpiling guidelines, emphasizing the need for allies to bolster their reserves. However, recent conflicts have drained U.S. supplies, exacerbated by shortages of critical components like black powder and trinitrotoluene (TNT). Moreover, attempts to introduce higher-tech alternatives have faltered as evidenced by their performance in Ukraine. This has raised concerns that future conflicts could resemble the protracted warfare seen there, stretching the U.S. arsenal to its limits. 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. Recognizing the urgency, the Army aggressively pursues catch-up measures, but the challenges are manifold. Upgrading aging infrastructure, navigating environmental regulations and ensuring workforce readiness all pose significant hurdles. Funding is a crucial aspect, with billions allocated for revitalization efforts, including the construction of a new TNT production facility. However, securing ongoing support from Congress remains uncertain, given the political landscape and competing priorities. Despite these challenges, proponents argue that investing in munitions production is vital not only for bolstering national security but also for stimulating domestic economic growth. Yet, opposition and skepticism persist, particularly regarding the efficacy of aiding Ukraine and the feasibility of rapid production increases. Foundries making artillery shells being overhauled Bloomberg News zoomed in on the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP) located in the Keystone State. The plant operated by defense contractor General Dynamics has made artillery shells since the Korean War. Prior to this, however, the 15-acre complex had a more peaceful purpose steam locomotives were once made there. From an all-time high employment of 1,836 back in 1970, 300 people now work at the plant to forge steel into casings for 155mm rounds. Production happens here 24 hours a day, with finished shells being sent to a plant in Iowa to be filled with explosives. But this isn't enough for the SCAAP, which has recently added weekend shifts to boost output. "The drudgery of the work masks an always-present danger," according to Bloomberg News. It recounted a fire at the plant, which sent smoke billowing from the facility's rooftop and temporarily shut down some production. SCAAP Commander's Representative Richard Hansen told Bloomberg News that fires are an unavoidable part of forging steel. He nevertheless reiterated that the plant is "100 percent prepared for that." A 23-year Navy veteran, Hansen has become the top Army civilian official overseeing the munitions foundry. The Army has poured about $429 million into updating Scranton. The plant's cramped rooms are being refurbished and its floors reinforced to bear the weight of new machinery. In the face of geopolitical tensions and evolving threats, the imperative to strengthen munitions manufacturing is clear. It's a long-term endeavor, but one that's essential for ensuring readiness and resilience in an increasingly uncertain world. Visit MilitaryTechnology.news for more stories like this. Watch this report about Russia outproducing the West when it comes to drones and artillery shells. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NATOs ammo shortage worsens due to skyrocketing prices and Ukrainian troops overconsumption of artillery shells. U.S. facing worsening ammo shortage while trying to keep up with Ukraines demands. Ammo prices to skyrocket due to global gunpowder shortage caused by Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts. Sources include: Bloomberg.com Brighteon.com Rwandan refugee arrested for threatening to shoot up Indiana high school and KILL police officers Merci Habimana, an 18-year-old refugee from Rwanda, was arrested after allegedly threatening to "shoot 1,000 students" at Brownsburg High School (BHS) in Indiana. Court documents obtained by local media revealed that Habimana was charged with "intimidation with threat of a forcible felony" after the teenager sent disturbing messages to BHS expressing his intention to kill students and police officers. On May 20, officers from the Brownsburg Police Department (BPD) were called to an area near apartments on Rothchild Place just outside the southern city limits of Brownsburg for a welfare check. One caller reported to 911 that a man was lying in his car with the doors open and was throwing up. The BPD reported that after arriving at the scene of the incident, police officers found a man in the drivers seat of a red Ford Focus. The car door was propped open and officers said that a bottle of Christian Brothers Brandy was visible. One officer who saw vomit outside the car allegedly had to nudge the man before he recovered consciousness. The man, later identified as Habimana, told officers that he lived nearby. He also showed them his license. While searching his car, officers discovered two bottles of Stella Artois beer and various beverage caps. The car had a flat front tire and there were no keys in the ignition. During a breath test, BPD said Habimana blew a 0.33 even though he only gave a "mediocre blow." The legal blood alcohol content limit in Indiana is 0.08 percent. The teenager was detained for "minor in consumption of alcohol." 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. After the officers tried to put handcuffs on Habimana, he allegedly became aggressive and tried to pull away. Once he was inside a squad car, Habimana claimed that he was only being arrested because he was Black and began threatening an officer and his family. One officer wrote that Habimana said that when he was released, he would go out to find them. The officer added that he thought he heard the teenager say he was going to kill him, but he had a hard time understanding Habimana's accent. The officer also said that he heard Habimana say that he would try to grab his gun. Habimana was later taken to the Hendricks County Jail, where the teenager was booked on felony intimidation and minor alcohol charges. (Related: New Mexico middle school forced into lockdown TWICE in 8 days after illegal immigrants enter school premises.) Habimana admits sending threat on Instagram One week later on May 28, court documents revealed that Habimana was informed by the principal at BHS that he would be held back as a Junior and that he would not graduate with the class of 2025. At around 6 p.m. that night, one of BHS's official Instagram accounts received messages from the username "unknown_202473774." The user wrote: "I wanna kill three of see u. Fc bhs I hate you all maybe 1 day in dis week I wish to shoot 1000 students before they going in summer break see you gloom Sunday." His post also included three emojis of the theatrical comedy and tragedy mask. School officials immediately contacted BPD to handle the threat investigation. After being contacted, BPD started requesting account information from Meta, the parent company of Instagram. After several data requests to different companies, police officers finally placed Habimana as the owner of the account that sent threatening messages. After Habimana was identified as the suspect, BPD started surveilling the 18-year-old while they waited for search warrants. When Habimana arrived at his apartment, police made contact and searched his phone. Court documents revealed that Habimana admitted to police officers that he posted on Instagram and threatened to shoot Brownsburg students. When a police officer read the post aloud, the teenager explained what his message meant. Habimana said that while he was angry because of what happened to him, he allegedly did not have any "intentions of hurting anyone." Because Habimana is 18, he was charged as an adult with "intimidation with threat of a forcible felony" and taken to the Hendricks County Jail. Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories about threats to the United States. Watch this video about the second-year anniversary of the Uvalde school shooting. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Sweden on the "brink of civil war" amid rampant MIGRANT VIOLENCE, warns expert. South African transgender refugee charged with manslaughter for stabbing Syrian security guard to death in Germany. CBP agent warns Bidens immigration executive order will NORMALIZE arrival of 2 million migrants annually. ISIS takes credit for fatal shooting during Catholic Mass in Istanbul. Sources include: YourNews.com Fox59.com Brighteon.com VICTORY: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt signs law prohibiting GLOBALIST MANDATES in the Sooner State Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, has signed a law prohibiting mandates from globalist entities from being imposed in the Sooner State. According to 100 Percent Fed Up, Stitt signed Senate Bill (SB) 426 which takes effect immediately. It formally bans the enforcement of guidelines from globalist entities such as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO) under it, and the World Economic Forum (WEF). "The WHO, the UN and the WEF have no jurisdiction in this state," SB 426 read. "The state and its political subdivisions including but not limited to counties, cities, towns, precincts, water districts, school districts, school administrative units or quasi-public entities shall not be compelled to engage in the enforcement of, or any collaboration with the enforcement of, any requirements or mandates issued by the WHO, the UN or the WEF." "Any requirements or mandates issued by the WHO, the UN, or the WEF shall not be used in this state as a basis for action, nor to direct, order or otherwise impose, contrary to the constitution and laws of this state, any requirements whatsoever, including those for masks, vaccines or medical testing, or gather any public or private information about the state's citizens or residents, and shall have no force or effect in this state." Stitt wrote in a post on X following the signing of SB 426: "We aren't buying what the WHO, WEF and UN are selling. We value our freedom and that means keeping their agenda far away from Oklahoma." "The bill comes as Republicans are expressing concerns that the World Health Assembly (WHA) may expand the powers of the WHO through a pandemic treaty that could pass as soon as this month," KTBS 3 wrote. Thankfully, advocates of health freedom can rest easy for now as talks to ratify the pandemic treaty have failed. (Related: Report: Talks to establish WHO Pandemic Treaty seem to have collapsed.) We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Oklahoma state senators laud SB 426 At least two lawmakers in the Oklahoma Senate lauded the recently-signed SB 426 as the state's protection against medical tyranny. A week before Stitt signed the proposal into law, GOP State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom explained that the law doesn't prevent the state from listening to recommendations by the three globalist entities. "Our health department, our government [and] our [political] subdivisions can listen to any recommendation from anyone and make a decision. But we are not going to be bound by their dictates [and] their mandates," he said. Bergstrom continued that the bill won't change the way Oklahoma responds, citing the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as an example. "During the last pandemic, we made our own decisions. There were recommendations that came down and we realized that some of those were not particularly good recommendations, and we decided to do things the Oklahoma way." But Democratic State Sen. Carri Hicks questioned whether SB 426 would supersede any federal mandates or regulations. Bergstrom responded that if Washington, D.C. were to agree with the global health body, that agreement would violate Oklahoma's constitutional laws and the state wouldn't be bound to comply. GOP State Sen. George Burns, a co-author of the legislation, also praised the bill. He said: "This legislation stands as a testament to our commitment to protecting the rights and liberties of Oklahomans. By prohibiting the enforcement of mandates and recommendations from the WHO, the UN or the WEF, we ensure that the decisions affecting our residents are made by their elected representatives and local authorities." Head over to Resist.news for similar stories. Watch this clip of an epic speech against the WHO held at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This video is from the NoVaxx channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: WHO Pandemic Treaty DIES, IHR amendments all but neutralized. 47 African nations issue their own pandemic proposal to the globalist WHO. WHO Pandemic Treaty a ploy to usher in One World Government, Kenyan doctor warns. Op-ed: World Health Organization remains DANGEROUS despite collapse of Pandemic Treaty. WHO says it's one step closer to passing "legally binding" Pandemic Treaty for global authoritarian control over next "health emergency." Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com KTBS.com OklahomaVoice.com Brighteon.com WEAPONS FOR NAZIS: Ukrainian neo-Nazis in Azov Brigade can now use U.S.-supplied weapons to wage war The Biden regime has made a serious policy change with regard to Ukraine's infamous Azov Brigade, which U.S. taxpayers will now be paying to arm with weapons despite the group members' ultranationalist and neo-Nazi views. Previously, the sending of arms to the Azov Brigade was off limits because of the group's hateful ideologies, but the State Department under President Biden has decided that U.S. taxpayers should fund the arming of these rebels. "After thorough review, Ukraine's 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade passed Leahy vetting as carried out by the U.S. Department of State," the agency said in an announcement to the Washington Post this week, referring to legislation that previously banned the sending of military aid to units that are involved in human rights abuses. According to the State Department, there is "no evidence" that Azov has committed any violations that would restrict it from receiving U.S. taxpayer-funded weapons from America. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, are excited about the change. They had long treated the lifting of this ban as "a top priority" during their lobbying efforts, which ultimately paid off at the expense of U.S. taxpayers. (Related: Did you know that most of the U.S. tax dollars being shipped off to Ukraine are being used for wasteful excesses like subsidizing Ukrainian corporations, paying politicians' salaries and buying fertilizer for Ukrainian farmers?) ADL, Democrats change views on Azov Brigade suddenly it's no longer an "extremist" group Founded in 2014, the Azov Brigade came into existence during the war that broke out at that time with the breakaway republics of Donbass. Said republics decided to secede from Ukraine following the Western-backed coup in Kiev, its core fighters being active and former members of ultranationalist and neo-Nazi groups. 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. Unit co-founder Andrey Biletsky is one such individual who was a member of a "white supremacist" group in the 2000s. Since that time, Biletsky has toned down his neo-Nazi rhetoric, though Azov fighters continue to sport Nazi tattoos and other Third Reich insignias. The Azov Brigade also flies banners bearing Nazi symbols such as the Wolfsangel, which was used by numerous German divisions during World War III, as well as the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich. In 2015, Azov was incorporated into Ukraine's National Guard. Since that time, it has grown significantly. In 2018, the U.S. Congress issued a formal ban on the delivery or arms to Azov because of its neo-Nazi ties, with California Democrat Ro Khanna stating at the time that "white supremacy and neo-Nazism are unacceptable and have no place in our world." One year later in 2019, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) described Azov as a "Ukrainian extremist group" with ties to the U.S.-based neo-Nazi organization Atomwaffen. Since then, the ADL has changed its views, writing a letter to The Grayzone in late 2022 after the war started stating that Azov is no longer the "far-right group it once was." During the siege of Mariupol in 2022, many Azov fighters surrendered to Russian troops. Moscow has since accused the unit of all sorts of war crimes, including torture and the execution of civilians. "Looks like the White House has become an extremist group," commented someone online about how this shift in support for the Azov Brigade is suspicious. "It's been a rogue state for a long time," responded another. "This isn't the first time the U.S. is funding terrorism," said someone else. "It's not that I love to see ordinary American people suffer when it will collapse economically, but for the world it is probably better if someone more responsible takes over the planet's leadership." The latest news about the criminal activity taking place in Ukraine can be found at Corruption.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com A new study reveals that cocaine use poses a threat to endangered tropical birds as drug traffickers seek refuge in some of the world's most isolated jungles from drug trade crackdowns. Narco-Driven Deforestation According to a report published in the journal Nature Sustainability, "narco-driven" deforestation in Central America poses a threat to two-thirds of the region's important bird habitats. According to analysts, the United States drug war has not decreased the size of criminal networks globally over the past 40 years but rather forced traffickers farther into forests. In order to transfer shipments, traffickers build roads and landing strips there. They also build cattle pastures in order to control the area and launder money. Amanda Rodewald from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the main author of the study, stated that because of displacement, traffickers end up in woods that are disproportionately inhabited by Indigenous peoples and have the highest conservation value. The most vulnerable populations, both human and non-human, are being impacted. It is known that drug trafficking has devastated millions of hectares of tropical forests, with catastrophic effects on human populations. In most cases, when drug gangs take over a region, Native Americans are coerced into accepting money for their land and helping with the trafficking operations. "If they resist, their land is taken, and violence often follows. For those that are not forcibly dispossessed of their land, the only remaining options are to cooperate or flee across international borders," said Nicholas Magliocca, from the University of Alabama and the paper's co-author. Read Also: Deforestation is the Culprit for Increased Storm Frequency and Worsening Floods Loss Of Critical Habitat The potential impact on bird populations of the loss of these vital habitats has been estimated for the first time by experts. They discovered that 67 species of migratory birds that nest in the US and spend the winter in Central America are at risk. Ninety percent of the population of golden-cheeked warblers lives in woods that are at risk from the drug trade, making them extremely vulnerable. According to the study, these regions are also home to 70% of Philadelphia vireos and golden-winged warblers during the winter. According to the research, the trafficking of cocaine alone is responsible for 15% to 30% of the yearly deforestation that occurs in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. This information is derived from satellite remote sensing. Since 1970, the number of both resident and migratory birds in Central America has decreased by half, with deforestation playing a major role in this loss. The "five great forests," which are the greatest remaining forests in Central America, are home to many Indigenous peoples and are seeing an increase in the trafficking of cocaine. Purchasing forests and utilizing them for cattle ranching is one of the primary ways that cartels launder money into the legal economy. "US drug policy in Central America focuses on the supply side of the equation, and law-enforcement pressure plays a significant role in the movement of trafficking routes and locations of narco-deforestation," said Magliocca. Instead of focusing on drug cultivation, the study only examined drug trafficking. With the exception of Belize, where there was insufficient data, it examined the effects in every Central American nation. The researchers suggested that clearing up ambiguous land tenure, enhancing forest monitoring and protection, and providing jobs and opportunities for the local community will all aid in addressing the issue. This would imply that a community would be more economically resilient if traffickers or other criminal activity relocated there. Related Article: Main Threats of Deforestation A Pacific megaquake in the making can happen sooner or later along the West Coast region of the United States, according to a study earlier in June 2024. This looming threat is caused by an underwater fault line, called the "Cascadia Subduction Zone," which stretches from California to Canada's British Columbia province. The threat includes a potentially powerful earthquake and tsunami. The US earthquake risk threatens the lives of approximately 10,000 residents across the western region, according to the research paper led by the US. Other scientists also compare the potential Cascadia mega earthquake event to what Japan experienced in 2011, when a strong underwater megathrust earthquake caused a massive tsunami, killing more or less 20,000 people based on official estimates. While the Pacific megaquake alert is recent, the threat posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone is not new. For decades, research about the underwater fault line suggests that a seismic potential for a mega earthquake is imminent. Based on historical records of related major tremors within the subduction zone, seismic experts estimate the next megaquake dubbed "The Big One" can occur within the century. Pacific Megaquake In the study published in the journal Science Advances on June 7, researchers hinted the lingering Pacific megaquake within the Cascadia Subduction Zone but did not predict a timeline. However, the authors of the paper emphasized the underwater fault line can pave the way for powerful earthquakes every 500 years; the last incident being reported in 1700 when a tsunami struck North America's west coast. The research led by a team at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory says the Cascadia fault line can cause at least a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, comparable to the 2011 Japan earthquake. The findings of the study show that an underwater earthquake and tsunami across the East Pacific Ocean threatens the Pacific Northwest, potentially killing more than 10,000 people and causing widespread damage. There are no specific hotspots for The Big One across the Northwest US and Southwest Canada, yet the recent study provided a clearer map of which areas are more at risk. Regardless, the earthquake risk is estimated to be confined within these US and Canadian regions, since the 600- to 700-mile Cascadia Subduction Zone runs along the coasts from northern California to southern British Columbia. Also Read: US At Risk of Earthquake: 6 Quake Preparedness Tips to Avoid Dangers Cascadia Subduction Zone The Cascadia Subduction Zone lies in a tectonic boundary stretching 1,300 kilometers between the Juan de Fuca and Gorda oceanic plates. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), subduction zone earthquakes are known to generate massive tsunamis and generate earthquakes exceeding magnitude 9 in the Richter scale. This means the next major earthquake in Cascadia is expected to be both life-threatening and disastrous. Despite our knowledge of tectonic plates and seismic activity, the USGS says that no individual or group has yet to provide a successful earthquake prediction, mainly in terms of specific intensity, time, and location of a tremor. Related Article: US Earthquake Hazards Revealed by Latest Map, Ring of Fire Dominates Cucumbers in multiple states across the country are being recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to potential contamination by the Salmonella bacteria. As of June 2024, the federal agency, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has conducted an investigation into the ongoing US salmonella outbreak. The probe was launched after more than 100 cases were reported. The outbreak has been reported in over two dozen states, including the District of Columbia. Earlier this month, the FDA investigated the potential source(s) of the contamination, including food products, connected with the illnesses. Salmonella is known as a bacterium that causes the infectious disease salmonellosis, with associated symptoms like diarrhea and fever. US Cucumber Recall In an updated report on Wednesday, June 12, the FDA announced that epidemiologic data indicate that cucumbers in some parts of the US may be contaminated with Salmonella Africana. As the number of sick people increases, the agency launched a US cucumber recall initiative, which includes the notification of consumers by their grocery store to discard the potentially contaminated green fruit. In addition, the initiative also requires commercial retailers and distributors to inform their customers about the recalled cucumbers. Wednesday's FDA report also outlines a map of states where cucumbers are being recalled. Below are some of the states of concern: Alabama Florida New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Also Read: Did Salmonella Outbreak Kill the Aztec Community? Salmonella Outbreak in the US In a separate report on Wednesday, the CDC provided data surrounding the current US salmonella outbreak. In its latest investigation notice, the US health agency states that related illnesses have reached 196 cases with no human fatalities. Meanwhile, 68 hospitalizations were recorded in 28 states, higher than the previously reported 24 states on June 5. The notice specified that the target batch of cucumbers were shipped to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors from May 17 to May 21 this year. Grown in Florida, the cucumbers may have been initially sold to at least 14 states but re-shipped to additional states, according to the CDC report. Most of the affected states are located on the East Coast. What is Salmonella Caused by? Salmonellosis is typically caused by the consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella-borne animal feces. Although the said bacteria live inside the intestinal tracts of animals, they can be transmitted through food. In the past, Salmonella has been detected in various food products, including fruits, vegetables, chicken meat, beef, pork, and even eggs. Related contaminations have been reported worldwide. In the US, approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis has been reported nationwide, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the common salmonellosis symptoms are diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and cramps. Signs of the illness can start within 12 to 96 hours (even up to 2 weeks) following exposure. Health experts recommend rehydration, medication, or antibiotics as a necessary treatment against Salmonella. Related Article: Bearded Dragons Linked to Salmonella Outbreak That Infected 44 Across 25 States More wildfires were observed in Nepal, but the cause isn't solely climate change. The frequency of forest fires is increasing due to Nepalis' shifting relationship with their forests, according to forest scientists, but nevertheless, damage could be minimized with improved fire forecasting and preparedness. Forest Mismanagement Nepal has already experienced about 5,000 wildfires this year alone, which is the second worst since records were kept in 2002. The country's 2021 fire season saw more than 6,300 outbreaks. In the previous 12 months, wildfires have claimed the lives of over 100 individuals. For days on end, a dangerous wildfire haze enveloped Kathmandu. The climate model suggests that Nepal is expected to experience drought conditions more frequently in the future, which is likely to exacerbate the flames. However, scientists believe that poor forest management is more likely to be to blame for the recent fires. Early in the 1970s, Nepal's rural population increased quickly, and the nation's forests suffered as a result of its strong reliance on agriculture. Large tracts of trees were cut down by the locals in the hills for lumber, fodder, and firewood. According to a 1979 World Bank report, "the spectre of ecological disaster" was imminent, and the nation needed to launch a massive tree-planting initiative. After giving localities authority over around 1.8 million hectares of forested area nationwide, the government chose to decentralize the management of its forests. Consequently, Nepal's forest cover increased to 45% in 2016--nearly doubling in just three decades. Nepal also had significant sociopolitical change at this time. The nation moved to a federal system in 2015 after the monarchy was abolished in late 2008. The management of community forests was not given the same priority as before, according to Uttam Babu Shrestha, an environmental scientist at the Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in Kathmandu. Read Also: Nepal's Earthquake was So Intense it Changed Both Land and Air, Says NASA Wildfire Predictions Binod Pokhrel, a climate scientist at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, made the decision to investigate the causes of the nation's biggest wildfires in 2021. To create a drought index, he examined temperature, humidity, and wind speed trends. As was to be predicted, a high drought index was frequently linked to a large number of wildfires in the weeks that followed. He discovered that while wildfires are influenced by climate, "their origin, at least in Nepal, is mainly anthropogenic." He believes that educating neighborhood forest groups about the possibility of forest fires in advance could significantly reduce the number of forest fires. In Nepal, there are about 282 weather stations. "By using weather station data, we could precisely forecast the drought index up to a local ward level," Pokhrel says. He also mentioned that a smartphone-based forecast would lessen the likelihood that fires would spiral out of control and reach the heights they reached in 2021 and 2024. He and his colleagues also conducted a study among the residents, discovering that if they were given tools like fire engines and were told at least one month in advance, they would be better equipped to contain local fires. Experts suggest that while the efforts of environmental groups are beneficial, there is a need for greater government involvement in fire management in Nepal. Related Article: Nepal Massive Wildfires Blamed for Heatwaves, Climate Change Miami, once known for its picturesque beaches and vibrant city life, is now at the forefront of a battle against the rising tides of climate change. Recent events have brought to light the immediate and costly impact of flooding, challenging the city's resilience and the very fabric of life in South Florida. The Unspoken Social Contract Breached:A City Submerged In the heart of South Florida, a silent agreement among its residents has been the norm: the acceptance of hurricanes and the inevitable flooding they bring. However, the events of June 12, 2024, have violently torn through this social contract. The city witnessed torrential rains leading to catastrophic flooding, causing the shutdown of parts of Interstate 95 and leaving the bustling areas of Hollywood and Miami Beach underwater. The deluge was so severe that a rare flash flood emergency was declared, signaling a breach in the city's preparedness against such disasters. The flooding not only disrupted daily life but also exposed the vulnerabilities in the city's infrastructure. Despite millions invested in flood prevention, the defenses were insufficient. The financial repercussions are dire, with insurance costs for homes and vehicles soaring as the local sea levels continue to rise. The city's average elevation of a mere three feet is now under constant threat from the encroaching waters, with local sea levels having risen about a foot in the last 80 years-eight inches of that in the last 30 years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects that the next foot of sea-level rise will occur in just 20 years, a daunting forecast for a city already struggling to keep its head above water. Also Read: Florida Flooding: Streets Submerged, Vehicles Stranded Due to Nearly a Month's Worth of Rainfall A City Under Siege by Climate Change: The Rising Economic and Social Costs Miami's plight is a stark representation of the broader climate crisis. The city's predicament with flooding and sea-level rise is not an isolated incident but a preview of what many coastal cities may face in the near future. The recent flooding serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for new warning systems to better convey the severity of such events and the urgency of addressing climate change at its source by reducing the burning of fossil fuels. The economic impact is staggering, with the cost of insuring homes and vehicles skyrocketing. The social fabric of the city is also at risk, as residents grapple with the new reality of frequent and unpredictable flooding. The consensus among scientists is clear: the real answer to South Florida's predicament is to slow down the burning of fossil fuels that cause climate change. In conclusion, Miami's struggle with the rising tides is a clarion call for action. It's a reminder that the effects of climate change are not a distant threat but an immediate challenge that requires a united front from policymakers, scientists, and citizens alike. The city's fight against the rising tide is a testament to human resilience and ingenuity, and a stark warning of the urgent need for climate action. Related article: 20-Foot Sea Wall Proposed in Miami to Prevent Damage Along the Coast Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Theres been a lot of talk over the past few years about a shortage of skilled cybersecurity talent, but from where we sit at the NYC DOE Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT), we see budding security pros all around us. As cybersecurity leaders of the DIIT, we work with 1,800 schools and approximately 1 million students across NYC to ensure secure internet access and offer innovative solutions in education technology. As part of our efforts to empower educators and students to thrive in our digital age, we partner with technology vendors and government agencies to train and mentor students for careers in cybersecurity. In 2022, the NYC DOE formalized these efforts to support career-connected learning opportunities so that all students in metropolitan New York can reach long-term economic security and job satisfaction. Its been our privilege to foster the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Based on the progress weve made in such a short time, we can say with certainty that the future looks bright. Paving the way for the next generation of cybersecurity pros In 50 years, the classroom hasnt changed much. In most school districts, the focus is strictly on academics, and students are rarely given the chance to gain the skills they need to enter the workplace. At NYC DOE, we do things differently. While students are still in high school, we expose them to many different career pathwaysincluding cybersecurityand provide opportunities for hands-on experiences. There are four programs that comprise the NYC DOEs career-connected learning initiative, each serving a specific segment of the student population: Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship (CRMYA) New York Citys Grades 9-14 Early College and Career Schools (P-TECH Schools) FutureReadyNYC (FRNYC) CUNY Fellows The Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship (CRMYA) is a three-year internship program students can apply for in the eleventh grade. The DOE cybersecurity team hosted its first cohort of eight students, five assigned to the CISO team and three assigned to the CTO team. During this time, they work on cybersecurity initiatives such as network protection, endpoint protection, incident response, and data validation. Interns complete a curriculum for a minimum of three technical certifications in areas of their choice and build relationships with technology vendors like Zscaler. Upon graduating from the program, students receive assistance in job placement or higher education programs. P-TECH schools are part of the NYC DOE and are supported by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) team and the CUNY Early College Initiative. The six-year high school program is designed for students who dont have a clear path to college, often for financial reasons. CUNY works in conjunction with the NYC DOE to offer them free tuition for a two-year Associate degree once they are approved. So far, 100% of participants have been able to go to college. The grades 914 schools also work with industry partners to support students in exploring careers and attaining skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries. CUNY Fellows is aimed at first- and second-year college students who have successfully completed their coursework. After they are screened through an interview and background check, they work up to 34 hours per week with our team on various assignments with specific completion timelines and have the opportunity to provide feedback on how they perceive their progress. Technology partnerships prepare students for future work The students are incredibly eager to learn and apply their knowledge. Early on in the apprenticeship program, we had a handful of high school students join us for a six-week session. We brainstormed what they could achieve during that time and introduced them to the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. When we saw that our apprentices were interested in learning more, we reached out to Brian Wong, a customer success manager at Zscaler, and asked him to help us define a curriculum for a Zscaler certification. At his suggestion, we enrolled our students in the Zscaler Academy Zero Trust Career Program. They earned certifications, developed practitioner-level skills in zero trust, and were given the opportunity to get advice and inspiration from cybersecurity professionals in Zscalers Career Development forum on Zenith Communityall at no cost. Brian even shared code that the students could use to practice their skills. Now, when interns come in for apprenticeship sessions with the NYC DOE security team, they learn how to work with various tools and sit in on calls with our vendors to troubleshoot and manage these products. Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) is one such example. Since we launched the program, weve had nine students earn a Zscaler certification that they can use in the workplace. Student successes signal the strength of training programs These programs help students obtain real-world experience in the form of internships. They also earn college credits while exploring areas of interest to which they might otherwise not be exposed. We have one student working with us who had a healthcare background but was pursuing an IT degree. We noticed her passion for learning and eagerness to work, so we gave her an opportunity to work on content filtering and she ran with it. Now shes doing data loss prevention and is one of our best CUNY interns. In her own words, Franchesca Fargas Rios describes her journey: Originally, I did not intend to go to college, but on a whim, I decided to enroll. Although I began my career in the medical field, my growing interest in technology and my aspiration to make a positive impact led me to pursue a career in technology. The CUNY program has played a crucial role in this transition, offering internships that provide real-world experience along with academic credits, which has allowed me to explore diverse areas. Despite my healthcare background, I chose to pursue an IT degree. My dedication and eagerness to learn were quickly recognized, leading to my involvement in projects related to content filtering and data loss prevention, areas where I have excelled as one of the top interns at CUNY. Balancing motherhood, full-time studies, and a full-time job has indeed been challenging. The unwavering support and encouragement from my supervisor have been pivotal. His guidance has not only supported my career aspirations in IT but also equipped me with the necessary resources to succeed. I am eagerly anticipating graduating with a Bachelors degree in Information Systems and Informatics. Furthermore, I am planning to pursue a Masters in Cybersecurity and achieve several professional certifications. The hands-on training and real-life experiences provided by this program have been instrumental in defining my path in IT, a field I initially knew little about. Another avenue for students to build practical technology skills is through the Career and Technical Education program, which acts as a catch-all for students who are undecided about their career path or college education. We had six students join us as interns this past semester. One, in particular, had no plans to go to college due to financial constraints. We helped him navigate a scholarship as part of a two-year associates program at CUNY. Were proud to say that all six students have gone on to pursue education beyond high school. Ibrahim Sawadogo shares his success story: Before being accepted into an internship role at NYCPS, DIIT Office of the CISO, I was part of the COOP Tech Program, my goal was to attain industry certifications, such as Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+. My career aspiration was to just get into technology. I had no intention of attending college to get a degree. While there, I had conversations with my supervisor/mentor, who encouraged me to apply for community college. I was a bit skeptical, as I did not want to accumulate any student loan debts. My supervisor shared some vital information, which then led me to enroll at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). I was accepted into B.M.C.C., after being enrolled in college classes that summer of 2023. I also applied to the CUNY internship program. I was fortunate to be offered a position at the NYCPS as an identity and access management analyst. During my time as an intern, I was also able to gain two industry certifications (CompTIA Security and ISC2 Certified in Cyber Security). This program has given me hope as a young adult African-American male living in the inner city of New York. I am very thankful for this opportunity. I am scheduled to graduate with an Associates Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in Computer Networking Technology at the end of the spring 2025 semester. I then plan to pursue my Bachelor of Technology degree at New York City College of Technology. The mentorship, hands-on technical experience, and soft skills were game-changers as I am now able to look forward to a promising career in information security. Personal and professional mentorship makes a lasting impact Everybody needs someone to believe in them. Through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we create a sense of belonging and inspire students from all backgroundsregardless of gender, race, or ethnicityto carve out fulfilling careers as cybersecurity professionals. We also act as mentors to our students, equipping them with skills and support as they navigate lifes challenges. Ultimately, our goal is for students to understand that they too have a right to grow and thrive: in the technology sector and beyond. Demond WatersCISO at NYC DOE, a graduate of this school system, and co-author of this blogrecently had a full circle moment when a young man stopped him at a conference and explained the reason he got into technology. The young man recalled seeing Demond come into his classroom, dressed like a student in sneakers and casual attire, to fix a computer. Without even knowing it, Demond inspired the young man to pursue a career in technology. We both know what its like to live and grow up in New York City. To be able to show our students that they can imagine a different future for themselves than what they might see day to daythats what motivates us to give back. Learn more about how NYC DOE deployed Zscaler zero trust at a massive scale, securing over one million students and staff members combined. Read the case study. PM Modi holds talks with French President Macron as India-France ties get stronger P rime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday exchanged views on key global and regional issues besides discussing ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries during their meeting on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia. "Had an excellent meeting with my friend President Emmanuel Macron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The PMO detailed that during their meeting, the two leaders reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the 'Horizon 2047' Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap. Discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. They agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on 'Make in India'. "The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership, including in the areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity, and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues," India's Ministry of External Affairs said after the meeting. They also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in the context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025. Exchanging views on key global and regional issues, they emphasised that a strong and trusted Strategic Partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights. PM Modi thanked President Macron for his warm wishes on assuming office for the third consecutive term and also extended his best wishes to him for the forthcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Calling him a "dear friend", Macron had congratulated PM Modi last week as the BJP-led NDA formed the government for the third consecutive time following the Lok Sabha elections. "India has concluded the world's largest elections! Congratulations Narendra Modi, my dear friend. Together, we will continue strengthening the strategic partnership that unites India and France," Macron posted on X. Over the past few years, the India-France partnership has expanded to several new areas under the leadership of both leaders, from the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets to developing helicopter engines together. Last year, Prime Minister Modi attended the annual Bastille Day Parade in Paris as a 'Guest of Honour' on the French President's invitation as both nations marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. France also conferred PM Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the country's highest award. The Indo-French ties received a major boost earlier this year as Macron was the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations during his two-day state visit in January. The French President also visited India during the G-20 Summit held in September last year. PM Modi holds talks with French President Macron as India-France ties get stronger Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Batting for peace through dialogue & diplomacy, PM Modi holds 'productive meeting' with Zelensky P rime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that he held a "very productive" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia as New Delhi continues to encourage a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the conflict. "Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi posted on X after meeting Zelensky. The External Affairs Ministry added that the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationships and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Zelensky's office said the leaders discussed the development of bilateral relations and the "possibility of sharing experience" in the use of new technologies in agriculture. "The President talked about the operation of the Black Sea transport corridor, which makes it possible to increase the export of sunflower oil to India and the circulation of other categories of goods. "The head of state informed about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit and thanked the Prime Minister of India for the expected presence of a high-level delegation at the event. The leaders discussed the items on the agenda of the Summit," Kyiv said in a statement. The President of Ukraine dialled PM Modi last week, congratulating him on his election victory and hoping that the Indian PM will not only visit Ukraine soon but also attend the Global Peace Summit being held in Switzerland, this weekend. "I spoke with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his election victory. I wished him a speedy formation of the government and continued productive work for the benefit of the Indian people," said Zelensky after the phone call. Earlier, in a social media post, Zelensky had congratulated PM Modi on the BJP-led NDA's win in the parliamentary elections and said that he was looking forward to seeing the country's participation in the peace summit. "Everyone in the world recognises the significance and weight of India's role in global affairs. It is critical that we all work together to ensure a just peace for all nations. In this regard, we also look forward to seeing India attend the Peace Summit," Zelensky posted on X. In his reply to Zelensky's message, PM Modi said that India will continue to support peace, security, and prosperity for everyone in the region. The MEA has confirmed that India will be participating in the Peace Summit. "India will be participating in the Peace Summit at an appropriate level. That consideration is currently going on in the system and as and when we have a decision on the representative from India who will be participating, we will be happy to share," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, India has maintained its consistent position that allows it to reach out to both sides to find a solution to the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. India has, at the same time, sent tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including essential medicines and medical equipment. Batting for peace through dialogue & diplomacy, PM Modi holds 'productive meeting' with Zelensky Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Committed to strengthening India-UK strategic partnership in third term, says PM Modi after meeting Sunak P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK during the third term of the NDA government as he held a bilateral meeting with British PM Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia. "It was a delight to meet PM Rishi Sunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The PMO said that both leaders also talked about enhancing industrial cooperation in the defence sector, boosting trade and commerce, and more. "The leaders discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties. "They also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries. Both leaders also discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest," the PMO said. Prime Minister Modi also extended his best wishes to the people of the UK as they prepare for general elections next month. In a statement, the UK PM's office said that Sunak congratulated Prime Minister Modi on securing a third term in the world's largest democratic election as both leaders discussed their mutual commitment to the security and prosperity of both countries and saluted the strength of the relationship. "The Prime Minister said he was pleased that India will send high level representatives to the Ukraine Peace Summit this weekend," said Sunak's office. The British premier had dialled PM Modi last week, congratulating him on his election victory and wishing him success for a third term. "The UK and India share the closest of friendships, and together that friendship will continue to thrive," Sunak posted on X after the phone call. During their conversation, the two leaders also reflected on the strength of the India-UK relationship and agreed that it will continue to grow in the future. Last month, Sunak had hailed India's rise as an 'economic superpower', asserting that new and fast-growing economic superpowers like India, Indonesia, and Nigeria are significantly reshaping the global economy. Committed to strengthening India-UK strategic partnership in third term, says PM Modi after meeting Sunak Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! India's rising economic clout makes it key constituent of G7 meet P rime Minister Narendra Modi is presently in Italy on his first foreign visit after being re-elected as the PM for the third time in a row to attend the 50th Summit of the G7 countries -- Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US. This is PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. Given the increasing economic clout of India, the country cannot be outside the major policy issues confronting the Western economies. How India compares with G7 nations in terms of GDP: According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, India ranks fourth in terms of GDP when compared to the Group of 7 nations. India has also emerged as the fastest-growing major economy in the world with a growth rate of over 7 per cent over the last three years amid the global slowdown. Below is the chart of GDP rankings of India along with the G7 countries (USD billion): 1. USA (28,783) 2. Germany (4,590) 3. Japan (4,112) 4. India (3,942) 5. UK (3,502) 6. France (3,132) 7. Italy (2,332) 8. Canada (2,242) PM Modi is participating in the G7 Outreach Summit in which the focus is on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, among others. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South," PM Modi said in a statement. The Prime Minister is also holding bilateral talks with major world leaders on the sidelines of the event with an aim to strengthen India's diplomatic ties. India's rising economic clout makes it key constituent of G7 meet Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! French President Macron lauds momentum in bilateral ties after meeting PM Modi , June 14 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the momentum in Indo-French cooperation in several fields following his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia on Friday. "At the G7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I discussed the main issues of the strategic partnership that unites India and France, in the fields of energy, defence, research, and culture, and I must say: what momentum!" Macron posted on X after the end of the Summit's Outreach Session. Earlier in the day, the two leaders reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the 'Horizon 2047' roadmap and the Indo-Pacific roadmap. "Had an excellent meeting with my friend President Emmanuel Macron. This was our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-France ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. The two leaders also agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with an increased focus on 'Make in India'. "In view of the G20 which will be held in Brazil in November 2024 and which will follow the G20 in Delhi, they also agreed to support the reform of international taxation aimed at building a more stable and fair framework for multinational companies. "Finally, the issues of global health and vaccine production were discussed, as France prepares to host the Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation on June 20 in Paris," said a statement issued by the Elysee Palace. French President Macron lauds momentum in bilateral ties after meeting PM Modi Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! It is our resolve to build developed India by 2047: PM Modi at G7 Summit P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it is our resolve to build a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, adding that India is among the first few nations to formulate a national strategy on artificial intelligence (AI). Addressing the G7 Outreach Session attended by top world leaders, PM Modi said that it was our commitment that no section of society should be left behind. He stressed that it is our resolve to build a developed India by 2047. "We are making every possible effort to fulfil our commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070," PM Modi told the gathering. Together, "we should make efforts to make the coming time a 'Green Era'," PM Modi stated. Drawing attention to challenges faced by countries of the Global South, he said that India considers it its responsibility to put the priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on the world stage. PM Modi held key bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Admiring his commitment to serve people, the Prime Minister extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit India at an early date. French President Macron hailed the momentum in Indo-French cooperation in several fields following his bilateral meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit. In his meeting with PM Sunak, PM Modi said it was a delight to meet him in Italy. "I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. It is our resolve to build developed India by 2047: PM Modi at G7 Summit Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! We're striving for human-centric AI development: PM Modi , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India is striving for a better future through human-centric artificial intelligence (AI) development. Addressing the world leaders at the G7 Outreach Session here, PM Modi said India is among the first few countries to formulate a national strategy for AI. Based on this strategy, the country launched the AI Mission this year. During the G20 Summit hosted in India last year, we emphasised the importance of international governance in the field of AI, said the Prime Minister. In the future too, we will continue to work together with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible, PM Modi added. French President Emmanuel Macron also hailed PM Modi's initiative on AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Last month, PM Modi said that India will see mega innovations in new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), thrust on local manufacturing and creating digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the world in near future. A robust framework on AI is ready to deal with its misuse and public consultations on the framework will begin soon. The government worked on a draft regulatory framework for AI amid concerns over a rise in deepfakes and user harm associated with the new technology. The aim is to harness AI for economic growth and address potential risks and harms by setting up the guardrails. We're striving for human-centric AI development: PM Modi Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center are one step closer to understanding how pediatric DIPG tumors work. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, is the most aggressive pediatric brain tumor and incredibly difficult to treat since surgery isn't feasible and recurrence is likely after radiation. These tumors are often defined by the H3K27M driver histone mutation. Rogel researchers, led by Daniel Wahl, M.D., Ph.D., wanted to understand how this mutation affects DIPG tumor metabolism and influences radiation resistance. "These questions pointed us straight to purine metabolism," said Wahl, associate professor of radiation oncology and neurosurgery. The findings were published in Cancer & Metabolism. Wahl's team has previously explored how purines are metabolized in adult glioblastoma, including a clinical trial to see how blocking purine metabolism improves treatment success. Here, the team tried a similar method of inhibiting purine synthesis. While it worked well in DIPG cells, it was less impressive in animal models. Wahl explains that, unlike many adult glioblastomas, DIPG tumors seem to rely on two different routes to make purines. He likens it to a road with two on-ramps. "In adult GBMs, one of these on-ramps seems to be blocked, almost like it's under construction. If you block the second on-ramp with a drug, it's a real problem for the tumor. But in these pediatric brain tumors, both on-ramps appear to be wide open. So a drug that just blocks one of them doesn't really slow down the DIPGs." Although there isn't a drug available to block this "second" on-ramp, Wahl was able, through genetic silencing, to stop purines from being made inside the cell. "When we did that, radiation worked great," Wahl said. A better understanding of how these tumors evade treatment means that we're better equipped to develop new strategies to beat them at their own game and improve the outlook for kids with this disease." Erik Peterson, lead author and cancer biology graduate student Next, the researchers want to build on these findings to better understand why pediatric DIPG tumors rely on a different route from adult tumors, and how they can develop therapies to block it. With this additional work, the research team is hopeful that they could make a dent in this disease for patients in the future. Opioids are a broad group of effective pain-relieving medicines that can become highly addictive in some individuals. According to government sources, nearly 40 million people are addicted to illicit drugs worldwide. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. To combat the opioid epidemic, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine will develop an AI model that will more accurately predict opioid addiction in high-risk patients. The project is funded through a three-year contract with Wellcome Leap as part of a $50 million groundbreaking initiative, called Untangling Addiction. The goal is to revolutionize how we understand opioid addiction and leverage innovative tools, such as artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, to intervene. UC San Diego School of Medicine was one of 14 locations worldwide to receive the funding. Controlled opioids in the health care setting are still an important part of adequate pain control and used for standard care. However, it is critical to know who is receiving these drugs and the risk it carries with some patients." Rodney Gabriel, MD, lead researcher for the project, chief of perioperative informatics in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and clinical director of anesthesiology at UC San Diego Health "The AI model will help to identify who is most at risk for an opioid addiction and implement useful resources to help manage their opioid regimen. This way, we can better manage pain in this patient population and also avoid the potentially dangerous downstream consequences of addiction." The model will use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), which can produce various types of content. It offers a more holistic approach, which can help with understanding and predicting multiple aspects of a patient's prior and future behaviors. "GenAI provides more sophisticated ways to predict multiple outcomes based on patterns discovered from large patient datasets," Gabriel said. "We want to better predict risk of addiction the moment a patient is given an opioid prescription to the moment they would start to become addicted." Researchers will develop electronic health record (EHR) foundation models in a secure platform, which will leverage large multi-institutional datasets to incorporate genomic, social determinants of health, clinical, procedural and demographic data to predict the development of opioid use disorder and related outcomes among any patient initially prescribed an opioid. "Anesthesiologists have access to a variety of secure data, which we review to safely get a patient through surgery. Dr. Gabriel's research focus is how AI-assisted knowledge of a patient's risks can optimize their overall care, and in this particular instance, decrease the chances of addiction," said Ruth Waterman, MD, chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and anesthesiologist at UC San Diego Health. "What will be gained from this project will be translatable to many other areas of a patient's health care journey, resulting in better outcomes and care." When the predictive tool is ready to be tested in clinical settings, Gabriel and his team will partner with the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Center for Health Innovation at UC San Diego Health (JCHI), which provides a unique environment for integrating AI approaches into clinical care. "JCHI will be an indispensable resource for computational, technical and collaborative needs," said Gabriel. "Our project aligns with the vision of JCHI, in which we leverage AI to make impactful and significant changes for the future of medicine." For Karandeep Singh, MD, who was named the inaugural chief health AI officer at UC San Diego Health, real-world evaluations of GenAI's potential are critical. "Generative AI has the potential to help us better understand people's risk, but this idea hasn't really been put to the test in most areas of medicine," said Singh. "This project will be key towards helping us understand the potential of generative AI in identifying opioid risk." The ultimate goal of the project is to develop a commercially available genomic and microbiome panel that clinicians can use to easily assess opioid addiction, as well as to develop automated approaches using AI to integrate into EHR systems. "This will allow us to make real-time predictions of risk throughout a patient's entirety of care and lead the way in the prevention of opioid addiction," said Gabriel. Locals in this city of 58,000 are used to having to wait at railroad crossings for one of the dozens of daily cargo trains to pass through. But a proposed merger between the two hospitals on either side of the city could exacerbate the problem in emergencies if the hospitals shut down some services, such as trauma care, at one site, which the proposal cites as a possibility. Tom High, fire chief of a nearby township, said some first responders would be forced to transport critical patients farther, risking longer delays, if they become what locals call "railroaded" by a passing train. That's just one of the fears in this community as Indiana officials review whether to allow Union Hospital, licensed as a 341-bed facility, to purchase the county's only other acute care hospital, the 278-bed Terre Haute Regional Hospital. The proposed deal also raises concerns about reduced tax revenue, worsening care, and higher prices. Within the next few months, the Indiana Department of Health must find "clear evidence" that the proposed merger would improve health outcomes, access, and the quality of care. Those benefits must "outweigh any potential disadvantages." As the nation's health care industry has become more concentrated amid a steady clip of mergers in recent decades, it's common for one large system to dominate a market. In this case, the deal would be Indiana's first merger under the COPA law, short for Certificate of Public Advantage, that the state enacted in 2021. Such laws allow deals that the Federal Trade Commission otherwise considers illegal because they reduce competition and often create monopolies. To mitigate the negative effects of a monopoly, the merged hospitals typically agree to conditions imposed by state regulators. Union Hospital leaders said it's time to move "beyond competition" for the sake of the region, which has struggled to keep jobs and raise life expectancy rates. Hospital spokesperson Neil Garrison said the merger would ultimately improve care, increase access, and cut costs. Leaders of Regional Hospital, which is owned by for-profit chain HCA Healthcare, did not respond to questions about the proposal. One unusual implication arises, though: If the merger is approved, the surrounding county would lose tax revenue from one of its larger businesses. Union Hospital, which as a nonprofit is exempt from paying taxes, would be acquiring tax-paying Terre Haute Regional, which paid roughly $508,000 in county taxes for 2023, said Vigo County Auditor Jim Bramble. That's the equivalent of the starting salaries of about nine sheriff's deputies, per the county's $83 million 2024 budget. Garrison said the hospital system is aware of the tax implications for the county and is "exploring opportunities" to address it. Meanwhile, Roland Kohr, formerly a pathologist at Regional and a county coroner, frets about erasing competition that forced the hospitals to add services or match the other. "The push to introduce new technologies, to recruit more physicians, that may not happen," he said. The FTC has urged states to avoid COPAs, pointing to research that found they "have resulted in significant price increases and contributed to declines in quality of care." The fallout of similar mergers has triggered federal sanctions in North Carolina and pushback from locals and legislators in Tennessee. "A merged hospital system that faces little remaining competition after the merger usually has little incentive to follow through with its promises because patients have no other choice," wrote Chris Garmon, a University of Missouri-Kansas City economist who has studied COPA mergers, in a warning to Indiana health officials about the proposed merger. Indiana already has among the highest hospital prices in the country, according to a study by the Rand Corp. research organization. The Indiana Legislature spent the past year trying to rein in prices. Gloria Sachdev, CEO of Indianapolis-based Employers' Forum of Indiana, which pushed for those pricing limits on behalf of frustrated business leaders, is worried a Union-Regional merger would undo those gains and raise prices further. Indiana's COPA restricts how much the hospital could increase charges, Garrison said. Elsewhere, the largest COPA-created hospital system in the country, Ballad Health, has reported that the time patients spend in its ERs in Virginia and Tennessee before being hospitalized has more than tripled, reaching nearly 11 hours, in the six years since that monopoly of 20 hospitals formed. Still, Tennessee has awarded Ballad top marks even when certain quality metrics, including its ER speed, fall below established benchmarks. Ballad Health spokesperson Molly Luton said the system's performance has improved since those statistics were gathered. Last fall, some Tennesseans unsuccessfully urged a county board to call on the state to better regulate the hospital system. This spring, state lawmakers refused to hear testimony from residents who drove five hours to Nashville to testify for a bill that sought to limit future COPA mergers in the state which ultimately didn't make it to a full vote. Problems have also occurred when a COPA and its oversight are removed, leaving the merged hospital system as an "unregulated monopoly." After North Carolina repealed its COPA in 2015, a subsidiary of HCA Healthcare bought Mission Health, a COPA-created monopoly in Asheville, for $1.5 billion in 2019. The monopoly in Asheville remained but none of the COPA's conditions applied to the new owner. Last year, government inspectors found "deficiencies" at Mission Health that contributed to four patient deaths and posed an "immediate jeopardy" to patients' health and safety, according to the 384-page federal inspection report. North Carolina Attorney General Joshua Stein sued HCA's subsidiary last year, alleging the ER was "significantly degraded," and that the company failed to maintain certain critical services, including oncology care, a violation of a purchase agreement Stein's office negotiated with it because the company acquired a nonprofit. HCA said it promptly addressed the issues and denied Stein's allegations in its legal response to the ongoing lawsuit, arguing it has expanded services since its purchase. HCA also argued that the agreement is silent about maintaining the quality of care. Back in Indiana, Union Hospital laid the groundwork for its merger more than three years ago when its leaders provided the language for COPA legislation to then-state Sen. Jon Ford, a Republican in Terre Haute, believing he would be "the best champion for this proposal," according to legislative testimony from Taylor Hollenbeck, an RJL Solutions consultant on the merger. Ford, listed on the legislature's site as the bill's co-author, did not respond to requests for comment. Union CEO Steve Holman testified in the bill's hearings that the county's public health rankings with an average life expectancy ranking 68th out of 92 counties in the state should be a "call to action" to do something "big and bold." Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun agrees the merger could help what he called the county's "abysmal" public health statistics. Last year, he was elected the city's youngest mayor at age 27 on a promise to "turn Terre Haute around." The region's workforce has steadily declined and local leaders have pinned their hopes on a new casino and a manufacturer of battery parts for electric vehicles to reverse this trend. Sakbun's father is an OB-GYN at Union, but the mayor said that doesn't color his opinion and that he supports the hospital merger despite the loss of the tax base. He believes it will help recruit medical and other professionals to an area that has struggled to attract top talent. "Do I believe that this is the one that bucks the research?" Sakbun said. "I truthfully do." KFF Health News correspondent Brett Kelman contributed to this article. insights from industry Jose Castro-Perez, Vice President, Product Management Chris Lock, Vice President Global Research & Development SCIEX In our latest interview, News Medical speaks with SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, about their exciting announcements at ASMS, the SCIEX 7500+ system, and how they utilize AI quantitation software to streamline solutions. In our latest interview, News Medical speaks with SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, about their exciting announcements at ASMS, the SCIEX 7500+ system, and how they utilize AI quantitation software to streamline solutions. SCIEX recently attended ASMS 2024. What were the highlights of the conference and what were you excited to announce whilst there? Chris Lock: You can feel an energy this year reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. Attendees sought connection and really wanted to understand how new innovations will help them be faster and produce better insights and also discuss with us how they expect their future needs to evolve. If you have been to ASMS, you know that nighttime hospitality suites are full of fun, engaging activities. SCIEX showcased our Quant Continuum seriesthree short films covering our launches played throughout the night and engaged the crowd through reactive wristbands. Jose Castro-Perez: We also had 3 exciting announcements this year at ASMS. You can read the announcements in full here: The launch of the SCIEX 7500+ system, the newest mass spectrometer in the SCIEX quantitative portfolio, building upon a legacy of reliable, sensitive quantitation. Press release - The SCIEX 7500+ system launches at ASMS 2024 The introduction of ZT Scan DIA, our next generation in data-independent acquisition (DIA), delivering the depth of coverage characteristic of DIA approaches but with the precision, sensitivity and selectivity of targeted quantitative workflows. Press release - SCIEX introduces new data independent acquisition, ZT Scan DIA, at ASMS 2024 A collaboration between SCIEX and Mass Analytica on artificial intelligence quantitation (AI quant) software to process data and produce insights in a matter of moments. Press release - SCIEX and Mass Analytica partner to present artificial intelligence quantitation (AI quant) software at ASMS 2024" The SCIEX 7500+ System. Image Credit: SCIEX SCIEX launched the SCIEX 7500+ system whilst at ASMS. Can you explain the key features of the new mass spectrometer system and how it builds upon previous models in the SCIEX quantitative portfolio? Chris Lock: Through customer collaborations, we know that they need results faster while also ensuring greater system resilience, even with the most challenging sample types like cannabis, cosmetics, food, or plasma. The SCIEX 7500+ system builds on the existing robustness and reliability of the SCIEX 7500 system and has improvements to increase uptime while maintaining sensitivity. Mass Guard technology is a new proprietary technology that includes the ability to actively filters out potentially contaminating ions. It reduces the risk and frequency of instrument contamination, helping to maintain the highest sensitivity for up to 2X as long compared to existing SCIEX technology, particularly when running complex matrices. DJet+ assembly is fully removable, allowing front-end serviceability so customers can maximize the uptime of their systems. At 800 MRM per second, the SCIEX 7500+ system is the fastest SCIEX Triple Quad to date. This increases the scope for large quantitation panels that need to incorporate new compounds of interest, improving the overall productivity of the lab. Supported by new functionality in SCIEX OS that allows users to track instrument performance and automate decision making, reducing the potential for failed batches and repeat measurements. Compatibility with dry roughing pumps can reduce electricity consumption by 24% relative to oil-sealed pumps." Extracts from SCIEX Press Releases at ASMS 2024 With the ability to process 800 MRM per second, the SCIEX 7500+ system is the fastest Triple Quad from SCIEX. How does this speed benefit large quantitation panels and lab productivity? Jose Castro-Perez: For sample sets that have a large number of analytes being analyzed, a single LC/MS-MS sample injection can be used instead of multiple sub-sequent injections. This will also address speed in method development for larger panels. SCIEX has also collaborated with Mass Analytica to present AI quantitation software. Can you tell us more about the software, its benefits, and how it can process data from the SCIEX 7500+ system? Jose Castro-Perez: As data is generated at record speeds, the connective tissue remains how this data will be processed for scientists to make real-time decisions. The AI quantitative software from this collaboration can produce insights quickly and boost productivity. Among its many features is an AI-powered MRM transition prediction model for triple quad systems such as the SCIEX 7500+ system. The predictor can be trained with user data to improve its accuracy. This feature saves time and resources by reducing the necessity for compound infusions and condition optimizations. Image Credit: NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com Where can readers find more information? About the Interviewees: Chris Lock, Vice President, Global R&D, SCIEX. As Vice President, Global R&D, Chris is responsible for software and hardware Research and Development for LCMS & CE at SCIEX. Since joining SCIEX over 20 years ago, Chris has held multiple technical and leadership roles with increasing responsibility. He has significant experience working with product and market management teams, and building strong cross-company relationships. Most recently, he held the role of Vice President, LCMS R&D. Prior to joining SCIEX, Chris worked as a Research Scientist at the Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council Canada in Halifax. Chris holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Translational Energy Spectrometry from the University of Wales, Swansea, UK. Jose Castro-Perez, Vice President, Product Management, SCIEX. As Vice President, Product Management, Jose is responsible for the overall ownership of the global SCIEX product portfolio for CE, LC/MS, software ecosystems and accessories including product line management, technology roadmap, new product development, and revenue/margin growth through value creation and commercial support. Jose has 25 years of experience as a customer in Pharma, CRO and the Biotech industry. In addition to this, he held several senior roles at Waters focusing on marketing and business development for all products and services offered. Jose joined SCIEX in 2019 as a Senior Director in Accurate Mass Product Management overseeing the entire portfolio of Accurate Mass products. During his tenure he was responsible for the Accurate Mass product line strategy and the execution of that strategy from ideation to end-of-life. In addition to this, he also held a leadership role in Market Development where he was responsible for developing the inbound and outbound marketing strategy for the entire SCIEX product portfolio. Jose holds a BSc in Chemistry from Kings College London, an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Surrey in the UK and a Ph.D. in Metabolomics from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Children are very stressed by anesthetics injected into the mouth before tooth extraction, in connection with orthodontic treatment. In a study from the University of Gothenburg, a technique was tested to monitor stress levels in 14-16-year-olds during dental treatment. The results of the pilot study are presented during the ongoing congress of the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD) in Gothenburg. The purpose of the study is well aligned with the focus of the gathered expertise in the field: treating children with sensitivity. The study was led by Larisa Krekmanova, a researcher in pediatric dentistry, pedodontics, at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a pedadontist within Region Vastra Gotaland's public dental service. "Child and adolescent patients aren't always able or confident enough to convey negative experiences during dental treatment. Parallel to this, we know that a significant number of them find dental exams and invasive treatment stressful, whether this is due to fear or pain," she notes. We want to uncover this silent stress, a type of stress that's difficult to detect and can remain hidden. This research aims is to increase practitioners' sensitivity and raise patient voices." Larisa Krekmanova, researcher in pediatric dentistry, pedodontics, at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Movements and sweating monitored The study included 34 patients, aged 14-16 years, who were to undergo either a regular dental exam (20 patients) or invasive treatment (14 patients) involving anesthetic injections and the extraction of healthy molars, often over several appointments, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. During treatment, the participants were fitted with a device on one of their hands to collect data on hand movements and hand sweating, measured via the electrical properties of the skin, known as electrodermal activity or galvanic skin response. The results show that the participants who underwent regular dental exams exhibited scattered stress spikes while those who underwent invasive treatment were significantly more stressed for longer periods, all following a clear pattern. Anesthetic injection most stressful Some stress was already recorded when the patient had the dentist's fingers in their mouth and was examined with a mirror. However, these stress levels skyrocketed when anesthesia was administered. To some extent when anesthetic gel was applied, but especially when local anesthetic was injected. This is when hand movements and sweating peaked. During the actual tooth extraction, the hand movements lessened somewhat while the heavy sweating continued. The technical devices used for this pilot study are from the world of sport. Responsible for the technical application in the study is Christian Jonasson, a researcher specialized in sensor systems at Research Institutes of Sweden, RISE. Another key member of the research group is Claudia Jaldin, a dentist at the public dental service clinic in Kvillebacken, Gothenburg, who carried out the treatment. "Children and adolescents are most afraid of invasive interventions, and we now have a picture of the stress caused by these various interventions. Moving forward, the ability to use the device in real time would help practitioners to monitor stress levels, and to perhaps pause for remedial measures before continuing treatment. Within dental care, when it comes to fear and pain, it's important to work preventively with children and adolescents," she says. A proposal to construct four new platforms at Pune station and allow five express trains to make stops at stations other than Pune has been sent by the Pune Railway Division to the Railway Board. These new platforms are going to be built on Pune railway land in the Maldhakka region, a Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) official from the Pune Division stated. The Pune Division has begun to expand the platforms and enable express train halts at four more stations in addition to Pune station to alleviate train delay and congestion at Pune station. If this plan is accepted, it will be incorporated into the remodelling project for the station. Pune Railway Station currently has six platforms, and there isnt room for more. The Pune Divisions DRM, Indu Rani Dubey, asserted that the Maldhakka section of the railway has an abundance of land. Once the proposal is approved, we will begin implementing the plan. It has been sent to headquarters and will then be forwarded to the Railway Board, Dubey said as quoted by The Indian Express. Furthermore, the Pune Railway Department intends to build pedestrian bridges to support this growth. Pune Divisions DRM, Dubey went on to say that while the concept differs from the Pune stations renovation design, if the plans are approved, it will be included in the plan. Till now, it is just a proposal, but there is ample land towards the Mumbai direction at the Railways Maldhakka premises. The proposal was passed after a plan was plotted and examined to determine its feasibility, she added. Meanwhile, the proposal also calls for allowing stoppages for five express trains which are Azad Hind, Jhelum, Sinhagad, Jammu Tawi, and Pragati Express at extra stations. According to the DRM, the plan was made in response to the stations daily traffic of approximately one lakh passengers. Trains headed towards Daund will halt at Hadapsar, while trains heading towards Mumbai will stop at Shivajinagar, Chinchwad, and Talegaon, as per reports. This effort seeks to alleviate the inconveniences experienced by commuters from both East Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. These express trains currently begin and end in Pune, leading passengers from the surrounding suburbs to congregate at the station. If authorised, the idea will aid in the resolution of traffic congestion and reduce commuter inconvenience. Petrol, Diesel Prices On June 14, 2024: OMCs have released the latest petrol and diesel prices for June 14. Fuel prices in the country depend on the prices of crude oil internationally. Fluctuations in crude oil prices lead to changes in fuel prices in India. 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 14, 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 14, the cost of diesel is priced at Rs 87.62 per litre. Delhi Petrol Price Today As of June 14, 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 14: Petrol-Diesel Rates in other cities (Petrol-Diesel Rates 14 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. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday, June 14, imposed a penalty of Rs 1.45 crore on Central Bank of India for non-compliance with certain RBI norms. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated June 11, 2024, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1,45,50,000 on Central Bank of India for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on Loans and Advances Statutory and Other Restrictions and Customer Protection Limiting Liability of Customers in Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions, the RBI said in a statement. The RBI conducted Central Bank of Indias Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2022) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a show-cause notice was issued to Central Bank of India, the RBI added. After considering the banks reply, the RBI found that the bank (i) sanctioned a working capital demand loan to a corporation against amounts receivable from Government by way of subsidies; and (ii) failed to credit (shadow reversal) the amount involved in a few instances of unauthorised electronic transaction to the customers account within 10 working days from the date of notification by the customer and resolve complaints and provide compensation to certain customers within 90 days from the date of receipt of such complaints. The action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transactions or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank, the RBI said. Separately, the RBI has also imposed a fine of Rs 96.4 lakh on Sonali Bank PLC. The penalty on Sonali Bank has been imposed for contravention of sub-section (1) of Section 15 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 [CIC (R) Act] and the directions issued by RBI under the provisions of the CIC (R) Act on Membership of Credit Information Companies (CICs), non-compliance with the Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016 and the directions issued by RBI on Time-bound implementation and strengthening of SWIFT related operational controls', the RBI said in a separate statement. Faizan Ahmed, a third-year mechanical engineering student at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, was murdered after signs of a gunshot wound and a stab wound on his neck were revealed in a second forensic examination. The semi-decomposed body of the 23-year-old student from Assam was discovered in a room at Lala Lajpat Rai Hostel on October 14, 2022. It was later confirmed that the room where the body was found did not belong to him. The latest findings reveal that Ahmeds neck bore evidence of both a gunshot wound on the upper left side and a stab wound on the right, as outlined in the second post-mortem report conducted by court-appointed forensic expert Dr. Gupta. The report highlighted critical discrepancies from the initial investigation conducted by the police and the first autopsy performed at Midnapore Medical College in October 2022. It further revealed that these injuries were neither documented nor filmed during the initial procedures. According to sources cited by The Indian Express, traces of human blood were found on Ahmeds nail cuttings, hair strands, spine, mandible, and back muscles. Initially, college authorities claimed it was a case of suicide, but Ahmeds family alleged he was murdered. They also accused IIT Kharagpur authorities of disregarding his complaints about severe ragging in the hostel. After Ahmeds father petitioned the Calcutta High Court for the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe his death, the court ordered the exhumation of his body and a second post-mortem examination in May 2023. The court decision came after several loopholes were pointed out in the first autopsy by a court-appointed expert. The high court deemed the second post-mortem vital and necessary for arriving at the truth when issuing the exhumation order. Ahmeds body was exhumed seven months after burial in a cemetery in Assams Dibrugarh city. His remains were dug up by the West Bengal police team with the familys consent following the Calcutta High Courts directive for a second post-mortem. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. Kapil Sharma recently jetted off to Canada with his wife, Ginni Chatrath, for a family vacation. Their children also accompanied them on this picturesque trip. The family seemed to have a wonderful time, with Kapil and Ginni enjoying some quality moments together. How do we know? Kapil Sharma recently shared a sneak peek of their family getaway. The comedian-actor posted a reel on his timeline featuring some of the most adorable pictures of himself with his wife and son, Trishaan. The clip includes some captivating clicks of Kapil posing against aesthetic backdrops along with a bunch of selfies featuring him and his wife. The cute frames showcasing the comedian as he indulges in some precious moments with his son are simply unmissable. Do not miss the frame wherein the couple enjoys an enchanting view together, with their backs facing the lens. In his caption, the Crew actor posted a handful of red heart emojis. Just a few days back, Kapil shared another video wherein he is seen tricking his wife. Showcasing his mischievous side, the actor shot a video while Ginni kept posing assuming that he was clicking pictures. The cute video displays the wife giving a stern look to the comedian. Kapil Sharma captioned the video, She thought I am clicking a picture (face with tears of joy emoji). Meanwhile, Kapil Sharma wrapped the first season of his show The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix. The wrap announcement left many wondering if the show was going off-air due to low TRP. However, it was clarified later that the wrap is temporary. In an exclusive conversation with News18 Showsha last month, Kiku Sharda confirmed that the team will be back with the second season of the comedy show after a short break. He shared, We have done 13 episodes and the second season will come out soon. We have just wrapped up the first season. It was always meant to be like this. We have already planned the next season and it will come out soon. There wont be a very huge gap. FYI, Kapil also made a small appearance in the film Crew, headlined by Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon. The film earned rave reviews from the audience and was a critical success as well. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir after a series of terrorist attacks in the valley within 90 hours. The Home Minister, who took charge of the office this week for the second term, took stock of follow-up action today after the PM asked for deployment of the full spectrum of countermeasures. Shah will also hold a meeting in North Block on June 16 to monitor and review the preparedness for the Amarnath Yatra. This comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting of security officials to monitor the security arrangements in the valley after a spade of terrorist attacks were reported in the region. The meeting was also attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The Prime Minister then spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the deployment of security forces and counter-terror operations, media reports suggested quoting sources. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed three terror-related incidents within three days raising concerns about the security situation in the valley. Two attacks were reported from the Doda district when militants fired from the Kota top area of Bhalesa around 7.40 p.m. on Wednesday, to which security forces retaliated. Earlier on June 11 evening, five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer were injured in a terrorist attack in Chattargalla Pass. In another incident late on June 11, a suspected Pakistani terrorist was killed by security forces in Kathua district. The overnight encounter ended after a second terrorist was also gunned down on June 12 but a CRPF jawan lost his life in the operation. Last week, terrorists also attacked a bus carrying pilgrims, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge in Reasi, killing nine and injuring 41. The Begumpul station on the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) will be the largest among all stations on the route and will offer both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro train services to passengers. Begumpul is a major business hub in the city and to cater to the higher number of passengers, the station will have the highest number four of entry and exit gates compared to other stations in Meerut facilitating easy access from all directions. Both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro train services will be available for passengers from this station, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) announced on Friday. The body said that a large number of people visit Begumpul daily to purchase essential belongings. Located in the heart of the market, this station will provide significant convenience to the passengers once train operations commence. Begumpul will be the only underground station in Meerut, which will have four entry-exit gates. The first entry-exit gate is designed for those coming from Abu Lane, while the second for passengers from Sotiganj side, the third towards National Inter College, and the fourth is being constructed towards the Meerut Cantt area, it said. These four gates will ensure that passengers can access the station from all sides easily. The station will also enable travel within Meerut city via the Metro and connect to Ghaziabad or Delhi through the Namo Bharat train. The Begumpul RRTS station is 246 meters in length, 24.5 meters in width and 22 meters in depth. The station comprises four levels ground, mezzanine, concourse and platform. The concourse level will feature passenger facilities, including AFC gates for entry after security checks. The platform level will be island-type, providing access to trains in both directions. A total of 20 escalators, 13 of which have already been installed, are planned for the station to facilitate movement across various levels of the stations. Further five lifts are under construction, with provisions of larger lifts to accommodate stretchers in case of medical emergency. The tunnel work and technical rooms at Begumpul station are nearly complete, with finishing touches like flooring and installation of air conditioning ducts in progress, the statement added. Two tracks are being laid at Begumpul station, designed to support both Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro trains, marking the first time in India that both services will operate on the same track. Apart from Begumpul, Meerut Central and Bhainsali are other underground stations in Meerut, though only the Meerut Metro will serve them. Namo Bharat and Meerut Metro services will be available at Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Begumpul and Modipuram stations. A total of 13 stations are being constructed along a 23 km section for the Meerut Metro, with three underground and the rest elevated. The Meerut Metro will operate on RRTS infrastructure, a first in the country, with the entire project expected to be completed by next year. Presently, a 34-km section between Sahibabad and Modi Nagar North of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor is operational. It is connecting Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Murad Nagar, Modi Nagar South and Modi Nagar North. The NCRTC is expecting to complete the entire stretch by June 2025 between Delhi and Meerut. A three-and-a-half-year-old speech-impaired child was killed by her mother, identified as Ramya (35), in Bengalurus Banashankari. As per the police, the woman strangled her daughter at their house with her dupatta. According to the police, Ramya, who had twins, was depressed about one of them being autistic, as she also had to quit her job and stay home to take care of the child. The investigation revealed that the mother committed the act due to concerns about the childs growth not being according to her age and being an autistic child. She was depressed about the child and thus it led her to take the step of killing the child, said the police. Ramya is the wife of Venkatesh, a software engineer working in Norway. The couple hailing from Tamil Nadu had been staying in Bengaluru for the past 10 years. Their other daughter had joined preschool. As per the preliminary investigation, Ramya strangled the child with her veil around 12.30 pm on Thursday and then called up her brother-in-law to inform him about the incident. She also rushed her daughter to a nearby hospital, but the child was declared brought dead by the doctors. Even as her brother-in-law was yet to arrive, Ramya went to the police station and surrendered. Later her brother-in-law filed a complaint with the police. Ramya has been arrested by the police while the postmortem report is awaited. In a shocking incident, a 28-year-old man was brutally murdered in the Balapur suburb of Hyderabad district on Thursday night. The shocking incident was caught on camera, where the victim, identified as Syed Sameer, was seen chased and attacked by a group of unknown persons. The incident reportedly took place in the Royal Colony located in Balapur, a video of which has gone viral on social media. Viral Video In the bird-eye video, attackers can be seen chasing Sameer, who was visibly bleeding from a stab wound on his torso. He was then pulled back by one of the attackers and collapsed on the ground. The clip shows that one of the accused caught hold of Sameer and started kicking and assaulting him as several people walked by without intervening. An FIR has been registered in the case, and investigations are underway. Meanwhile, Sameers body has reportedly been shifted to Osmania Mortuary for post-mortem examination. Police are scanning the CCTV camera footage from around the area to identify the killers. The exact motive behind the murder is unclear, as police are trying to ascertain whether the victim and the killers knew each other or it was a spontaneous argument that took an ugly turn. BJP Slams Revanth Reddy Govt Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala slammed the Congress government in the state for the doldrums of law and order situation in Telangana. Mohammad Sameer brutally hacked, stabbed & killed in Hyderabad in full public view by mafia. Law & order situation in Telangana is in doldrums since Congress has taken over. Imagine if Sameer would have been killed like this in BJP ruled state then many would have reached UN but in Telangana story doesnt catch anybodys eye because of secular blindness, Poonawala wrote on X along with the video of the incident. The Centres denial of permission to Kerala Health Minister Veena George to travel to Kuwait to coordinate relief efforts was criticised by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress-led opposition on Friday, while Governor Arif Mohammed Khan backed the decision. Khan said that when the bodies of the deceased were being brought on Friday, what would George have achieved by going there on Thursday? So, if you go yesterday and then come back again today, what will be the actual work which will be done there? Already the government of India ministers were in Kuwait and they were bringing the bodies today. So, a few hours are between yesterday and today. What will you achieve there even if you were able to reach there? These things should not be unnecessarily pursued, he said. Sharing a similar view, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum Suresh Gopi said there was no controversy in the matter. People who are at the helm of affairs when it comes to diplomatic transactions and connections are into it. Do not be worried. They are also capable. We have our own contingent working there to help the injured Indians. It is the duty of the government of India, Gopi said. On the other hand, Vijayan was of the view that it was a wrong stand on the part of the Centre. The minister had come here (Kochi), but could not travel due to a lack of political clearance. I am not raising it as a serious issue presently. It can be discussed later, he said. The opposition Congress too was of the same view as the CM. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan said it was unfortunate that the state health minister was not allowed to travel to Kuwait. A representative of the state government would have helped to better coordinate the relief efforts. The states representative would also have been able to help the Union government carry out the relief efforts. The Central government ought to have immediately given clearance to the state health minister. It was a wrong message from the Centres side, he said, criticising the union governments decision. George, on Thursday night, had said, What we just sought from the Central government was the permission to travel to Kuwait to stand with our people affected by the tragedy and coordinate activities there. That permission is denied. The state government had decided to send George to Kuwait to help with the relief efforts, including treatment for the injured and the repatriation of the deceased. George reportedly waited for hours at the airport, hoping for permission from the Ministry of External Affairs. Officials had said on Thursday that 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building on June 12 and 45 of them were Indians; the remaining were Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian and Nepali nationals. The building in southern Kuwaits Mangaf area housed around 195 migrant workers. A new CCTV footage has emerged in the Renukaswamy murder case, shedding light on the timeline of the killing of the 34-year-old pharmacy worker, in which popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his aides have been arrested. A new video from Hiriyur toll plaza in Chitradurga shows Renukaswamy getting off an autorickshaw and then getting into an Etios car belonging to an aide of the actor who was tasked to bring the victim to Bengaluru, where he was tortured to death. The new CCTV footage, accessed by CNN-News18, helps to establish the journey of Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru via Hiriyur toll, with the Etios car seen returning to Chitradurga afterward. The video footage could prove crucial for establishing the timeline of Renukaswamys murder. #Renukaswamy murder case: New CCTV footage from Hiriyur toll plaza shows Renuka Swamy being brought to Bengaluru. Kannada actors Darshan and Pavithra have been arrested in the case@reethu_journo with more details @toyasingh | #Darshan #Pavithra pic.twitter.com/pkNDtRQT47 News18 (@CNNnews18) June 14, 2024 Another Footage The victim, who was a fan of the actor, was allegedly tortured and killed for allegedly harassing Pavithra Gowda, a close friend of Darshan, online. Another video shows Renukaswamy in a pharmacy store where he use to work. Earlier, the police team probing the Renukaswamy murder case stumbled upon CCTV footage showing the suspected abduction of the victim by aides of Darshan in Chitradurga. The footage showed a man, believed to be Renukaswamy, chatting with someone inside the car and then getting into the vehicle. #BreakingNews | Karnataka murder case involving Actor Darshan:Fresh CCTV footage accessed!Last seen footage of Renukaswamy captured by CCTV at the Pharmacy store where he was working #WATCH! @Aksharadm6 shares details | Avantika Singh pic.twitter.com/dHcctcuNTx News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2024 The 47-year-old Kannada actor, his close friend Pavithra Gowda, and 13 of his associates have been arrested for the murder of Renukaswamy, whose body was found near a storm-water drain with multiple injury marks on June nine. Reports said Darshan, popularly known as Challenging Star, was furious with Renukaswamy after he sent obscene messages and images to the 33-year-old Gowda. Three days after a blaze erupted in a closed restaurant in Park Street area, another massive fire broke out in a shopping mall in the southern part of Kolkata on Friday, a fire department official said. No injuries were reported in the blaze that erupted on the third floor of the shopping mall in Kasba area even as 16 fire tenders took nearly two-and-a-half hours to bring it under control, he said. The cooling process is underway. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, although it could have originated from the air conditioning system. The forensic team will investigate the matter and find out the exact reason, the earlier official told PTI. DCP Jadavpur Division Bidisha Kalita Dasgupta told ANI: The fire has been brought under control The fire broke out around 12.15 pm at a bookstore on the third floor of the shopping mall and then spread to the food court area, the official said, adding that several glass panes of the mall had to be broken to let out the smoke that engulfed the premises. Some firefighters had to wear oxygen masks to enter the building, while hydraulic ladders were also pressed into service in the operation, the official said. The entire area was engulfed in smoke and traffic movement in front of the mall was regulated, a senior officer of Kolkata Traffic Police said. State Fire Minister Sujit Bose reached the spot and said an investigation will be conducted. #WATCH | West Bengal: Fire broke out at Acropolis Mall in Kolkata. Several fire tenders on the spot. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/P0l45HBQJr ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Nobody has been injured in the incident. Firefighters did an excellent job. We will send a notice to the authorities of the shopping mall, and in case any lapse is found on their part, necessary action will be taken, Bose said. Senior police officers were also present at the spot. Normal vehicular movement was later restored on Rajdanga Main Road in front of the shopping mall, a police officer said. On Tuesday morning, a fire broke out at a restaurant in Kolkatas Park Street area, triggering panic. No casualties were reported in the incident. At least nine fire tenders were deployed to douse the blaze. A disaster management team was also brought in. The restaurant was adjacent to a multi-storey building on Park Street. Inputs From Kamalika Sengupta, Agencies India will focus on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean at the outreach session of the G7 summit in Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Modi left for Italy in his first foreign trip after becoming prime minister for the third term. He will attend the outreach session on Friday and is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with a number of world leaders on the margins of the summit. There is a possibility of a meeting between Modi and US President Joe Biden. In a departure statement, Modi said issues crucial for the Global South will also be deliberated upon at the outreach session. The G7 summit, to be held in the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italys Apulia region from June 13 to 15, is expected to be dominated by the raging war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. At the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, I am travelling to Apulia region in Italy to participate in the G7 Outreach summit on June 14, Modi said. The prime minister said he was glad that his first visit in his third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, Modi said. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South, he said. Modi will have a bilateral meeting with Meloni. Prime Minister Melonis two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda, he said. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, he said. The prime minister is likely to hold a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the Summit, he said. The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Italy is holding the current presidency of the G7 (Group of Seven) and is hosting the summit in that capacity. PM @narendramodi embarks on a visit to Apulia, Italy to attend the 50th G7 Summit under Italys Presidency. This is PMs first overseas visit after being sworn-in for the third term, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X. An opportunity to engage with G7 partners and other invited countries & international organisations in multilateral and bilateral format, he said. A key focus of the Italian presidency has been to defend the rules-based international system. Russias war of aggression on Ukraine has undermined its principles and triggered growing instability, with multiple crises unfolding worldwide, according to Italy. The G7 will give equal importance to the conflict in the Middle East, with its consequences for the global agenda, it says. The bloc expanded into G8 between 1997 and 2013, with the inclusion of Russia. However, Russias participation was suspended in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea. In line with its tradition, representatives of a number of countries and international organisations are invited to the summit by the host nation that holds the chair. Besides India, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries in Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the summit. Though the European Union is not a member of the G7, it attends the annual summit. A top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander was among two terrorists killed by security forces during an encounter this week at a village near the International Border (IB) in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, sources said on Friday. According to sources, it is suspected that the Pakistan Armys hand was behind the two slain terrorists, who have been identified as Jaish commander Rihaan and his personal security officer (PSO). Jaish Commander was carrying an M4 rifle with night scope and frequency satellite communication device. He was using a MICRO satellite communication device procured for the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, they said. As many as four terror attacks have taken place in the Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir over this week, resulting in the deaths of 11 persons, including a CRPF jawan, and two terrorists. Jaish Hizbul Leadership Meet Sources further said that the top leadership of terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen met in Pakistans Rawalakot after the terror attack in Raesi on June 9. Jaish commander Rezak and Hizbul deputy commander Khalid met on June 10. A call to bleed India more like yesterday was made during speeches in Rawalakot, they said. Search Operation In J&K Still On Meanwhile, a search and cordon operation has been launched in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector in Rajouri district following suspicious movement of two persons. Security forces have been put on high alert following intelligence reports about possible attempts by terrorists to carry out an attack, especially in Poonch and Rajouri districts which has been seeing a spurt in terror activities over the past two years, officials said. The mortal remains of 31 Indians, including 23 Malayalees, who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy were received at the international airport here on Friday by Central and state ministers. An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians who died in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait two days ago, landed at the airport at around 10.30 am. Of the 45 mortal remains carried by the IAF C30J aircraft, 31 were received at the airport. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on board, who was instrumental in the swift repatriation of mortal remains, stated the Kuwaiti government has taken the fire incident seriously. They are making inquiries as to how it happened so that this kind of a tragic incident is never repeated. They have also assured us that all the paperwork, he said. After arriving at the CIAL earlier today, all customs, immigration, and airport health office procedures for the 45 bodies were completed. Thirty-one bodies from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka were offloaded here. After clearance, the remaining 14 bodies will be sent to Delhi in the same aircraft as a domestic flight. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Mortal remains of the victims of the fire incident in Kuwait, handed over to their families at Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/yxcRb9zNaj ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 I want to pay my heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in this accident. It is a very tragic incident and we are all very sad about it. The moment our Govt got to know that this incident had taken place, PM Modi immediately convened a meeting and instructed us to reach Kuwait immediately and take all possible steps so that the mortal remains could be brought back as soon as possible, MoS MEA told ANI. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, other top ministers, and opposition leaders paid tribute to the mortal remains of the deceased who hail from Kerala. It is a very unfortunate incident but the Central government and the MEA have taken up the issue very seriously and the procedures were carried out quickly in Kuwait and the bodies are coming today. All procedures were completed by yesterday evening itself. We will visit the houses of all deceased and offer our condolences to the families, Kerala BJP President K Surendran was quoted as saying by ANI. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh and other ministers pay homage to the mortal remains of the victims of the fire incident in Kuwait, at Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/LvcbBEmQm8 ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 In an earlier statement, the Indian Mission in Kuwait said, The deceased are from Kerala (23), Tamil Nadu (7), Andhra Pradesh (3), UP (3), Odisha (2), Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Haryana (1 each). The mortal remains would be handed over to concerned State Government representatives in Kochi and Delhi. Kuwaiti authorities on Thursday confirmed the identification of 45 Indian and three Filipino nationals among the deceased after the blaze claimed the lives of at least 49 migrant workers and left 50 others injured. Out of the 176 Indians in the housing facility, 33 are in various hospitals, 45 have succumbed to fatalities, and the rest are reportedly safe. Earlier, Kuwaiti authorities conducted DNA tests on the bodies as part of the identification process. Kuwaiti Fire Force said the deadly fire was caused by an electrical circuit. A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi.MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft pic.twitter.com/091hBNWzLL India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024 In a press statement, Kuwaiti authorities said the conclusion was arrived at after examination of the scene of the incident, Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, serving as the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Defence, said that authorities have identified 48 bodies, among which 45 are of Indians and three are of Filipino nationality, English language daily Arab Times reported. MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh, who was in Kuwait for a day on Thursday, separately met the Gulf nations foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Al-Sabah and Health Minister Ahmad Abdelwahab Ahmad Al-Awadi. The Indian embassy in Kuwait said Foreign Minister Al-Yahya assured of full support including for medical care, early repatriation of mortal remains and investigation into the incident. Press Release on the visit of Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh to Kuwait pic.twitter.com/X6YVMyzJUo India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024 FM Yahya conveyed his condolences on the tragic incident. He assured full support including for medical care, early repatriation of mortal remains and investigation of the incident, the mission said on X. MoS conveyed his appreciation for the cooperation being extended by all concerned authorities of Kuwait, it said. Singh also visited Mubarak Al Kabeer hospital and Jaber hospital where several injured Indians were admitted. In the meeting with Singh, the Kuwaiti health minister briefed him on steps taken to ensure speedy recovery of Indians under his personal supervision, according to the Indian embassy. In an unfortunate and tragic fire incident earlier today in a Labour housing facility in Mangaf area of Kuwait, around 40 Indians are understood to have died and over 50 injured, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement late on Wednesday night. (With agency inputs) Heavy rains lashed parts of Mumbai today (June 14) morning including the Eastern Expressway. As per media reports, the temperature in Mumbai today is 29.55 C. The days forecast predicts a minimum temperature of 26.99 C and a maximum temperature of 29.81 C. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued a warning and predicted thunderstorms with moderate to heavy showers in Mumbai throughout this week. The department 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. #WATCH | Maharashtra: Rain lashes parts of Mumbai; visuals from Eastern Expressway. pic.twitter.com/FWP3BmqS90 ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 According to a press release issued by RMC Mumbai on Thursday, Mumbaians can expect a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of light rain in the city and suburbs in the next 48 hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 34 deg. C. and 27 deg. C, respectively. Monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Sunday (June 9), two days ahead of the normal schedule, due to favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city got 50 millimetres of rain in a 24-hour period that ended on Monday morning, officials told PTI. 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 were also delayed as water accumulated on tracks at some locations, officials had told the agency. 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. In the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday, Thane city received 37.06 mm rainfall. As Northern India awaits rain amid continued heatwaves, monsoons have already made an appearance in some parts of India, such as Kerala, Gujarat and Maharashtra with heavy rains reported in Mumbai last week. While some states like Maharashtra and Kerala witnessed monsoons earlier than predicted, states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Delhi and Punjab are still awaiting respite. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heatwave conditions in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Jharkhand until June 16 while a heatwave warning has been issued for Delhi until June 18. Where is Monsoon Now In India? The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the monsoon could cover Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh and the north-west Bay of Bengal during the next three to four days. Monsoon watchers said the low-level warm winds from the northwest were dominating the weak monsoon pulse over the Bay of Bengal and prolonging the hot weather conditions in parts of central and northern India. According to the IMD forecast, monsoon rains across the country have been 4 per cent below normal so far this season. Northwest India, in particular, has experienced a significant rainfall deficit of 53 per cent. Meanwhile, Southern India experienced 60 per cent more rainfall than usual from June 1 to 12. Monsoon In Maharashtra: Heavy Rain Lashes Mumbai A sluggish southwest monsoon on Wednesday covered large parts of Maharashtra, awaiting a fresh pulse to march across central and northern India, which continued to reel under intense heat conditions. Monsoon arrived in Mumbai on Sunday, two days ahead of the normal schedule, due to favourable conditions along the Maharashtra coast, according to the IMD. 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. When Will Monsoon Arrive in Delhi, Other Parts Of Northern India? The IMD said on Wednesday that the monsoon was expected to arrive in Delhi and other parts of northern India by the end of the month, around June 27. Heatwave conditions were observed on Wednesday in most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand; in many parts of north Rajasthan; in some parts of Himachal Pradesh, south Bihar, north Odisha and in isolated pockets of Gangetic West Bengal. Monsoon Arrival In West Bengal, Jharkhand According to the latest weather forecast, widespread rain in five districts of North Bengal is predicted until June 18. The weather agency also said that Kolkata will receive rain on June 16, 17, and 18. Heatwave conditions and delayed monsoon have aggravated Jharkhands rainfall deficiency to 54 per cent and it may rise further as monsoon onset over the state is expected around June 19. Jharkhand has received a mere 20.2 mm rainfall from June 1 to June 13 against the normal rainfall of 43.4 mm, which is 54 per cent deficient. Monsoon Arrived in Gujarat Four Days Early This Year The southwest monsoon had an early onset in Gujarat on Tuesday with its northern limit passing through Navsari district in the southern part of the state, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said. The monsoon usually arrives in Gujarat by June 15, said Ramashray Yadav, a scientist at IMD Ahmedabad. The NIA on Friday arrested a man from Maharashtras Nashik who is suspected to be a key member of an international human trafficking syndicate that forces youngsters into illegal online activities, including credit card frauds and honey trapping. Sudarshan Darade is the sixth person to be arrested in the case, a statement issued by the probe agency said. Investigations have revealed that Darade was directly involved in the organised trafficking syndicate that lured and trafficked Indian youths to foreign countries on the false promise of providing them legal employment there, it said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the youths were being forced to work in fake call centers in Laos, including at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, and Cambodia, among other places, through elaborate syndicates, controlled and operated mainly by foreign nationals, the statement said. These syndicates were connected to operatives based in various parts of India as well as other countries like the UAE and Vietnam, besides Cambodia and Laos, it said. Trafficked youth were coerced into undertaking illegal activities online such as credit card fraud, investments in cryptocurrency using fake applications and honey trapping, according to the ongoing NIA probe. The NIA on Friday arrested one person following massive searches across Nashik in Maharashtra in connection with the human trafficking and cyber frauds case, it said. Five others were arrested on May 27 in the case following multi-state joint search operations by the NIA and police forces, the statement added. Todays searches led to the seizure of several incriminating materials, including documents, digital devices, details of bank accounts etc., which the NIA is examining to unravel the conspiracy behind the human trafficking and forced cyber fraud case, the probe agency said. The NIA had taken over the case from the Mumbai Police on May 13, after preliminary findings revealed a nationwide nexus between the traffickers and cyber fraudsters, operating on orders from international syndicates. All the accused arrested so far had been working in close collusion with traffickers operating from across the international border to illegally transport Indian youth from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to Laos SEZ, the NIA added. The recent arrest of six men linked to the Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT), an international Islamist outfit, in Chennai is a cause for concern for central agencies, according to top intelligence sources. The six arrested in May are Hameed Hussain, who holds a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and till 2021 had been teaching engineering in colleges, his father Ahmed Mansoor and brother Abdul Rehman, and three others Mohammed Maurice, Khader Nawaz Sherif and Ahmed Ali. They have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). ALSO READ | Hizb ut-Tahrir: Is New Terror Module Unearthed in Madhya Pradesh a PFI Clone? SIT Formed to Probe Case According to sources, they were involved in closed door meetings and were running Modern Essential Education Trust in Chennai to hold meetings and activities. This group is headed by a professor of Anna University. They were using social media platforms to promote videos and the idea of a Caliphate rule. One of the associates said on video that Muslims are the only ones who can live on earth and they are the best, sources said. We are in the process of checking if they have more associates in India. These groups want the Sharia law to be imposed and were opposing the Lok Sabha elections. Although small, the group wants to expand their network by propagating Khilafat, sources said. Agencies feel they have suddenly started this outfit in India, which is banned in the United Kingdom (UK) and Bangladesh, possibly to find new ground. They are also probing their source of funding and handlers and if they have any plans to carry out any terror activities. They are highly radicalised and are motivated by terror outfits, a source said. The six also published the HUT propaganda book and a copy was found with one of the arrested accused, Ahmed Masoor, sources said. This book also talks about the establishment of the Caliphate. This group was banned in the UK in January 2024. The publicity that they got with the ban probably made these six aware of this group and they, too, started to propagate Khilafat, said sources. The UK had compared the group to terror outfits Al Qaida and ISIS. While the HUT doesnt have many militants across the world, their members are highly radicalised, said sources. With PTI Inputs Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, met senior officials of the Bihar government this week to discuss continuing cooperation in areas like achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), boosting healthcare systems, and improving the lives of marginalised sections such as the transgender community. Under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) launched the National Portal for Transgender Persons in 2020. This portal facilitates the seamless issuance of Transgender (TG) Certificates and ID Cards and provides access to welfare measures under the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme. However, as of October 2023, the portal received only 19,000 applications out of a total transgender population of approximately 400,000, with about 15,000 TG Certificates and ID Cards issued. This reflects a low coverage rate of around 4% of the transgender community under the SMILE scheme, underscoring the need for systematic mobilisation efforts. To address this issue, the UNDP is collaborating with community-based organisations (CBOs) to plan and organise camps for community mobilisation and registration on the national portal. Over the past three months, the project has successfully mobilized 107 transgender individuals for registration on the portal. Therefore, UNDP and DOSTANASAFAR organised this engagement to facilitate more registrations of transgender communities on the portal. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Tschan also spoke extensively on the various focus areas of her visit. Edited excerpts: What are the primary objectives of your visit to Bihar, and how does it align with UNDPs broader mission in India? Our primary objective is to meet our partners to discuss how we continue to work together. UNDPs main objective is to support the government of India and the population of India to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are the development organisation of the United Nations. Now, particularly in Bihar, we work on health, and access to vaccination for the most vulnerable. I visited one hospital to see how the vaccination is administrated and stored in this hot climate. So, we are supporting the government of India in the cold chain administration of vaccines and also make sure that pregnant women and young children get vaccines, there is monitoring for their outreach. This is all done for the beneficiaries in a dignified way. This is one area. Another area of our work is for the populations livelihood. As we know, 75% of Bihars population is dependent on agriculture. So, we are helping through so-called cold storages. These are solar power cold storages to maintain agricultural production which helps to increase the revenues of farmers in Bihar. UNDP has been active in various initiatives in Bihar. Could you highlight some of the key projects currently being implemented here and their impact on the local community? One is vaccination. The impact is the quality of vaccination being administered to pregnant women and young children. There are 700 hospitals in Bihar where these vaccines are available. Another one I mentioned is the cold storage for the farmers. The impact is that it makes sure that their products are not perished in this hot climate, they can keep it for longer and they can sell the products at a higher price. Another important area of our collaboration is where we are present today and that is for our transgender community. We are in the Pride month and we are working with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The theme is Smile and we are helping the community in Bihar to mobilise all the transgender population registering on an online platform that helps them to get ID cards and which also helps them to have access to welfare schemes provided by the government. One of the focus areas of UNDP is to support marginalised communities. How is UNDP working to improve the lives of transgender individuals in Bihar? For the transgender, we work on different levels. From UNDPs perspective, we are working on the principles of leaving no one behind. Everybody should profit from the very fast development trajectory and everybody should live with dignity and a livelihood. For the transgender population.they also have special needs. There are excellent schemes available at the national level but what is important is that we need to raise the awareness of the transgender community. They should have access to identity cards and they should know about the benefits available to them at the national as well as state level. For their livelihood, skill development should be there to live a dignified life. Generally, we need to work for the wider community to raise awareness of the rights we all have independent of gender identity. So these are the things we do to overcome the discrimination that still exists for the transgender community all over the world. How is UNDP assisting Bihar in strengthening its healthcare infrastructure, particularly in reaching remote and underserved populations? This is the partnership we have with the Ministry of Health nationally and in the state of Bihar. Our support is UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO. These are the three agencies in India working together with the government. We are working on the digitisation of the cold storage of the vaccines. In remote areas, we make sure that these vaccines are available. We also make sure that these vaccines are maintained in cold storage at the right temperature. Its all digitalised and there is a system where Asha workers and nurses can follow up on this temperature and make sure that there is the safe storage of vaccines. This means that in all corners of Bihar, everybody can go and have access to these vaccines. On the other side, we are also focusing on pregnant women and young children. As you look ahead, what are some of the strategic priorities for UNDP in Bihar, and how do you plan to address the states unique development challenges? In the state of Bihar, UNDP has been supporting the multidimensional poverty analysis. It is very interesting to see that the state of Bihar has made the biggest efforts in lifting people out of multidimensional poverty. Its about 18 per cent over approximately five years, which is a huge achievement. We are working at the national level and the state level, on how we can further analyse which are interventions and support needed to reduce multidimensional poverty and to lift people out of poverty. We have been talking about health, and access to vaccines, another area is also the air pollution we are working on. We are in collaboration with the pollution control board in Bihar and we are looking for the main causes of air pollution and what are the solutions to address air pollution. We have an impact of air pollution on the health of the population. All these elements to reduce poverty and make progress in development, we need to look at different areas. In a tragic incident, three passengers were run over by another goods train coming from the other side near Kumandih Railway Station in Jharkhand. According to sources, the accident took place after the passengers of the Ranchi-Sasaram Intercity Express (Train number 18635) jumped onto the railway tracks after hearing that a fire had broken out in the train. Three persons died as they were run over by a passing goods train near Kumandih station in Latehar. Passengers were travelling by Sasaram Ranchi intercity express when a rumor of fire spread. After this, some passengers jumped off the train and were run over by the goods train coming on another track, the SP said. The incident occurred around 8 pm at the Kumandih railway station in Dhanbad Division, its Divisional Railway Manager informed news agency PTI. Some of the passengers were injured in the incident at Kumandih railway station in Dhanbad Division, the official added. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and an investigation is underway to determine the origin of the fire rumour and the sequence of events that led to the tragic accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the Outreach Session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean at the G7 Summit in Apulia, southern Italy, on Friday. During the session, Prime Minister Modi expressed his satisfaction at attending the summit following his re-election for a third term in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Spoke at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean. Highlighted a wide range of subjects, notably, the wide scale usage of technology for human progress. The rise of technology in various aspects of human life has also reaffirmed the importance of cyber pic.twitter.com/lafxE4aJos Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 In his address, he emphasised that technology must be underpinned by a human-centric approach to be successful. He shared Indias success in leveraging digital technology for public service delivery in this context. In India too, there was election time a few months backThe entire electoral process has been made fair and transparent by the ubiquitous use of technologyIt is my good fortune that the people of India have given me the opportunity to serve them for the third consecutive time. The blessings that the people of India have given in the form of this historic victory is the victory of democracy, PM Modi said. Discussing Indias AI Mission, based on the principle of AI for All, PM Modi stressed that this technology should aim to foster progress and well-being for everyone. He highlighted Indias efforts to promote international collaboration as a founding member of the Global Partnership for AI. The Prime Minister also detailed Indias energy transition pathway, noting that its approach is centered on availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability. He mentioned that India is working towards achieving the target of net-zero emissions by 2070. PM Modi further called for prioritising the concerns of the Global South, particularly Africa. He recalled that it was an honor for India that the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 during Indias presidency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in southern Italy on Friday to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit and hold productive discussions on a wide range of issues with world leaders, including a possible bilateral with US President Joe Biden. Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future, PM Modi wrote on social media platform X shortly after landing at Brindisi Airport in Italy. Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/muXi30p4Bj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2024 Several bilateral meetings In a video message from the airport, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Friday will be a packed day for the Prime Minister. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the Outreach session of the G7 Summit, he said. During his day-long visit, Modi will be participating in a summit session entitled Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis. The Pope is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi, who has a series of meetings scheduled with the world leaders on the sidelines of the summit being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia. PM @narendramodi arrives in Apulia, Italy for the G7 Summit.Heres is an overview of his day-long visit. pic.twitter.com/MLBVZP7K16 Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 13, 2024 Meloni will welcome Modi On Friday, the Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, will welcome Modi as the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy. In her opening address on Thursday at the meeting of the G7 leaders US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel she said southern Italy was chosen as the venue to send a strong message to the Global South. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is set to dominate the agenda as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for the discussions on Thursday. In his pre-visit media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had recalled Modis statement in September 2022 that todays era is not of war. We have always been at the forefront to offer assistance wherever we can to alleviate challenges faced by the Global South because of the conflict, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and also to the Global South affected by conflict, he said. Departure statement I look forward to meeting fellow world leaders and discussing a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better and improving lives of people, said Modi, in a departure statement on Thursday evening. He said he was glad that his first foreign visit in his third consecutive term as Prime Minister was to Italy for the G7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Melonis two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, his statement reads. During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South. I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the summit, he added. In a fresh development in the Pune Porsche accident case, sources have told News18 that the police are looking at monetary trail apart from the amount that was given as bribe to the hospital. Police sources have said that the amount could be much higher than Rs 3 lakh that was exchanged at hand. The police have gotten access to CCTV footages, which show hospital staff receiving bribe to swap the accused teens blood sample. A police probe had revealed that Dr Ajay Taware, accused of allegedly swapping the blood samples of the minor accused in the drunk driving case, had an extensive network of brokers across Maharashtras western region who brought to him cases which needed to be expedited in return for a bribe. The probe revealed that Dr Ajay Tawares brokers were found in five districts of Maharashtra. These brokers would bring cases to him from across the state. Police said that his handlers were primarily from western parts of the state. These brokers/handlers would reach out to Taware, securing cases for expedited treatment in exchange for a bribe, which he would then pocket. Dr Ajay Taware is currently in police custody for allegedly swapping the blood samples of the minor accused of crashing a Porsche into a motorbike in Punes Kalyani Nagar and killing two persons. He is accused of swapping them with the samples of another persons blood which had no traces of alcohol. State-run Sassoon hospitals chief medical officer Dr Shrihari Halnor and staff member Atul Ghatkamble have also been arrested for allegedly aiding Taware, the hospitals head of the hospitals forensic medicine department, in disposing of the samples. Two IT professionals were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding Porsche car allegedly driven by the 17-year-old boy in the early hours of May 19 in Kalyani Nagar area in Pune. The blood report is a key piece of evidence as police claim the teenager had visited two pubs prior to the incident. Meanwhile, the teenagers parents Vishal Agrawal and Shivani are also in police custody for alleged destruction of evidence. The police are probing whether the parents tampered with evidence by replacing the original blood sample with the mothers, potentially destroying the original sample. They told the court there is a strong possibility the parents of the juvenile destroyed the original blood samples. A wave of condolences and sorrow was witnessed on Friday from state and ministers over the tragic death of 45 Indian migrant workers in a housing fire in Kuwait. An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying the mortal remains of the Indians who died in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait, landed at the international airport in Kochi earlier today. The bodies of Indian migrant workers were received at the international airport in Kochi by Central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Of the 45 mortal remains, 31 were received at the airport in Kochi. Heres what the ministers said after the mortal remains of Indians returned home: Kerala Chief Minister Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, It is a never-ending loss for the families. The Government of Kuwait has taken effective and impeccable measures. It is expected that the follow-up will be flawless. When it came to know about the disaster, the Government of India also intervened in a proper manner in the case of those who died in the Kuwait disaster. It is hoped that the Kuwaiti government will take the lead in providing adequate compensation to the families, Vijayan said. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Union Minister Suresh Gopi and other leaders pay homage to the mortal remains of the victims of the fire incident in Kuwait, at Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/exa7JpAA9L ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh I want to pay my heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in this accident. It is a very tragic incident and we are all very sad about it. The moment our Govt got to know that this incident had taken place, PM Modi immediately convened a meeting and instructed us to reach Kuwait immediately and take all possible steps so that the mortal remains could be brought back as soon as possible. #WATCH | Ernakulam: MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh says I want to pay my heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in this accident. It is a very tragic incident and we are all very sad about it. The moment our Govt got to know that this incident had pic.twitter.com/KqgtixWYDn ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 We also visited 5 hospitals where there were around 32 to 35 patients of Indian origin who were being treated there. We spoke to them individually. We inquired about the health and all the hospitals and directors were there. I would also like to thank the hospital staff of each hospital for the exceptional care they are taking of those patients. Most of them are likely to be discharged in a couple of days. Union Minister Suresh Gopi The tragedy is so voluminous and impactful, that it is a thud on the pravaasi community, which helped the economic situation in Kerala The state and the country have very high regard for the pravaasi community and it is very painful. The individual loss is of every home which has been implicated by this tragedy India will play its role very well because we have initiated action as soon as the news was received, Gopi was quoted as saying by ANI. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Union Minister Suresh Gopi says, The tragedy is so voluminous and impactful, that it is a thud on the pravaasi community, which helped the economic situation in Kerala The state and the country have very high regard for the pravaasi community and it is https://t.co/TV1OMN3Hxy pic.twitter.com/VVpDjLDZwG ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 The GoI will take appropriate actions and decisions and make very appropriate deliverances A flock of Malayalis and Indians will get into the fray of the resurgence of some families We have our contingent working to look after people in all health conditions. They will be brought back to India and their rehabilitation will also be taken care of. Its no graciousness, it is the duty of the GoI and the state government also, he added. Kerala Health Minister It will not take much time for the public homage. Everything will be done in minimum time. We are only waiting for the official procedures to be done. Everybody is numbered, all the ambulances are numbered, and the addresses are given to the ambulances. Everything is done in coordination with the police Everything will be done in the interest of the families, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said. The embassy has not yet declared the number of injured persons who are being treated in the hospitals. According to unofficial information which we collected, 30 people from Kerala are undergoing treatment out of which 7 are in the ICU, she added. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Kerala Health Minister Veena George says, It will not take much time for the public homage. Everything will be done in minimum time. We are only waiting for the official procedures to be done Every body is numbered, all the ambulances are numbered, and pic.twitter.com/phpUJ41dbz ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Kuwaiti Embassy The Embassy of the State of Kuwait to the friendly Republic of India expresses its deepest condolences and solidarity with the government of the Republic of India and its people over the victims of the tragic fire that broke out in a residential building in Al-Mangaf area of Kuwait capital, claiming the lives of dozens of Indians and leaving others injured, said the Kuwaiti mission in India. The embassy also conveyed its sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, while praying God Almighty to bless the victims with His great mercy and forgiveness and give their families good patience and solace, it added. Earlier today, the IAF C30J aircraft carrying the bodies of the Indians reached the Kochi airport. Bodies of 23 Keralites, 7 Tamilians, and one person from Karnataka were offloaded there. Officials had said that 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building on June 12 and majority of them were Indians; the remaining were Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian and Nepali nationals. The building in southern Kuwaits Mangaf area housed around 195 migrant workers. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh head Mohan Bhagwat are likely to meet on Saturday for the first time since the Lok Sabha elections. The expected meeting in UPs Gorakhpur district would come on the heels of Bhagwat saying that a true sevak is not arrogant and serves the people by maintaining dignity, in his first remarks after the Lok Sabha election results on June 4 that sparked a buzz. The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the polls and a third straight term but with a reduced mandate. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of which the RSS is an ideological mentor, saw its Lok Sabha tally taper in Uttar Pradesh, managing only 33 seats, down from 62 in 2019. The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance won 43. Bhagwat reached Gorakhpur on Wednesday and is likely to stay here for five days. On Thursday, he attended a karyakarta (cadre) camp here and discussed the political situation, social issues, and the Sanghs expansion. Around 280 RSS volunteers from the Kashi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Awadh regions are participating in the camp at a school in the Chiutaha area. The UP chief minister is also likely to visit his home district Gorakhpur to review the development work being carried out there along with state government officials. Bhagwat on Monday addressed a gathering of RSS trainees in Nagpur, where he expressed concern over the Manipur situation, which he said must be considered with priority. The RSS chief said conflict in various places and society was not good. He stressed on unity among all communities in the country, which he said was very diverse though people understand it is one and not separate. While referring to the Lok Sabha election campaign, he said, A true sevak maintains dignity. He follows the decorum while working. He does not have the arrogance to say I did this work. Only that person can be called a true sevak. In a shocking incident, a six-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and murdered by a man in Telanganas Peddapalli district on Thursday night. According to police, the accused kidnapped the girl from a rice mill where she was asleep with her mother. He lifted the girl, took her to nearby bushes and sexually assaulted her. He later killed her. When the victims mother found her missing past midnight, she alerted other workers. They found the girl lying dead near the rice mill. The workers caught hold of the accused Balram, a truck driver from Uttar Pradesh, and handed him to police. The visuals of the accused carrying the girl in his arms were recorded on CCTV cameras. The incident, which occurred around 11 p.m., sent shock waves in Peddapalli. Police shifted the victims body to a government hospital for autopsy and took up investigation. The victims family and womens organisations have demanded justice. Fathers play a vital role in shaping our lives and offering unwavering support. Whether theyre cheering us on from the sidelines, offering sage advice or simply making us laugh with their corny jokes, dads hold a special place in our hearts. To honour these incredible men, Fathers Day is a special occasion observed globally on the third Sunday of June every year. This day, honour, acknowledge, and recognise fathers and father figures for their love, support, and sacrifices. This year, Fathers Day falls on June 16. ALSO READ: Fathers Day in India 2024: Date, History, Significance and How to Honour Dad! As Fathers Day approaches, its a perfect moment for employers and HR teams to shed a light on the dads and father figures in the workplace. By recognising their efforts, the day can boost team spirit and morale and create a meaningful and memorable celebration for all fathers contributing in their offices or workplaces. So, this Fathers Day, lets take a moment to celebrate the amazing dads, grandfathers, and father figures. Here are some creative ideas for celebrating the special day at your workplace. Fathers Day 2024: Tips to Celebrate Dad at the Office! The 2nd Additional Family Court has dismissed actor Duniya Vijays plea seeking divorce from his first wife Nagarathna on Thursday. In the year 2018, the actor made headlines after he filed a divorce petition. After six years, the court decided to dismiss the case. In 2018, Duniya Vijay approached the court seeking a divorce from his wife Nagarathna. However, Nagarathna insisted on wanting her husband back. According to reports, Duniya Vijay and Nagarathna had a mutual agreement earlier. In the year 2016, the popular actor got married to a former IT professional and model Keerthi Pattadi without obtaining a divorce. Now, as the divorce plea has been rejected by the Court the marriage seems to be in trouble. Raj Rajeshwari, the lawyer representing Duniya Vijay, said to News 18 Kannada, The court has dismissed the divorce petition. We will inform Vijay about the next procedures once we can contact him. He is presently busy shooting a film. We are yet to inform him about the recent development. Considering the future of the children, we will discuss this matter with him. The matter isnt over yet. We are considering to appeal in the higher court after discussion with Vijay. According to a report by Latestly, Vijay earlier told the court he is ready to take all the responsibilities of his children and provide alimony to his wife Nagarathna. She refused to agree to the condition. After all the procedures and submission of arguments, the court rejected the petition on June 13, Thursday. Vijay began his acting career with the film Ranga SSLC alongside Sudeep in the year 2004. Following that he was seen in various small roles in multiple movies. He gained massive fame following his role in the film Duniya alongside Rangayana Raghu and Rashmi in 2007. He has acted alongside many prominent actors like Rakhi Sawant, Pranitha Subhash, Suchendra Prasad and many more. Kartik Aaryans highly anticipated film Chandu Champion has finally hit the theatres today. The film narrates the extraordinary journey of a man who refused to give up. Kartik Aaryan will play Murlikant Petkar, Indias first Paralympic gold medalist in the film. The actor recently shared an inside video of the theatres were he received loud cheers from the viewers. He also hugged his director Kabir Khan. Sharing the video, he penned an emotional note that read, THIS CHAMPION IS NOW YOURS These claps These Standing Ovations are making me so emotional and proud of this entire journey This movie is more than just a story for me, its a journey that changed my perspective about life! Im so grateful to @kabirkhankk sir and #SajidNadiadwala sir for choosing me to be their champion, and its my greatest honor to have portrayed the role of a real-life hero Murlikant sir, Ill forever be indebted to you. Ye movie, har uss Chandu keliye jo Champion banna chahta hai, har uss Chandu keliye jo Champion ban sakta hai . Have a look at the video: Kartik went through rigorous training to look the part of a freestyle swimmer in the film, which involved reducing his weight from 90 kgs to 72 kgs and his body fat from 39% to 7%. In fact, Kartik recently took to social media to share a viral before-and-after transformation picture of himself that encompassed his journey from an insomniac to a fitness enthusiast. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Kartiks trainer said he started a program-based workout with Kartik in 2022 for Chandu Champion, and back then, the actor was as heavy as seen in the picture that has garnered a lot of scrutiny. Talking about how Kartiks physicality had shocked him, he says, In the beginning, I gave him some basic movements like squats, pull-ups and push-ups, and he couldnt do any of it! I knew that he had gained weight for Freddy but the fact that he couldnt pull off even these basic movements really shocked me. On the work front, Kartik Aaryan will be next seen in horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. In a big development in the Renuka Swamy murder case, Karnataka police has now recovered wooden clubs and iron rods with which Kanada actor Darshan and his aides allegedly assaulted Swamy. As reported by India Today, police sources have revealed that a series of evidences have been found which are now being further investigated. Reportedly, cops have also recovered a rope which was allegedly used to tie Renuka Swamy. Besides this, the car which was allegedly used to abduct Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru has also been seized. Another car which was allegedly used to transport Renukaswamys body has also been recovered. The news portal further claimed that Renuka Swamys clothes have been sent to the forensic team for further investigation. Meanwhile, cops are also investigating call records and WhatsApp chats of Darshan and his aides. CCTV footage of the place where Swamy was allegedly assaulted is also being examined. Interestingly, this comes a day after Karnataka police officials also claimed that Darshan and his aides beat Renuka Swamy with sticks and threw him against the wall which led to his death. It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched, sources said. Renuka Swamy was found dead at Sumanahalli Bridge in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024. He used to reportedly work at an Apollo Pharmacy branch in Chitradurga. Previously, police officials claimed that Renuka used to send vulgar messages to Kannada actress Pavithra Gowad, a friend of Darshan. Angry about this, Renuka Swamy was murdered and his dead body was allegedly thrown in a canal at Kamaksshipalya, Bengaluru in front of Darshan. Reportedly, eight of the accused have implicated Darshan, claiming his presence during Renuka Swamys assault. Darshan was arrested by the Bengaluru police from Mysuru on June 11 following which he was sent to 6-day police custody. His connection to the Renuka Swamy murder is being probed. 15 people have been arrested in the case so far including Darshan and his close actress-friend Pavithra. On Thursday afternoon, Darshans co-star Pradosh and close aide Nagaraj were also arrested. Police sources claim that Nagaraj was looking after all the dealings of Darshan. He was reportedly also looking after Darshans farmhouse in Mysuru and was on the run ever since police arrested the actor earlier this week. Meanwhile, details about Pradoshs connection to the murder case are not known as of now. Actor-turned-politician Divya Spandana aka Ramya has spoken out about fellow Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepas arrest in connection with a murder case of 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the Kurukshetra star. Darshan and his alleged partner Pavithra Gowda along with 12 other accused are in police custody for six days, till June 17, for the murder of Renukaswamy. They were arrested on June 11. In a long post on Instagram, Divya said that no one is above the law. She wrote, Theres a block option given on social media for a reason. If the trolling persists, you file a complaint. The trolls have trolled me incessantly using filthy language. Not just me, theyve trolled other actors too. They havent spared their wives and children either. What a sad society we live in. I have filed cases like any law abiding citizen should. Sometimes post a warning from the police to the trolls lve taken back the case too on compassionate grounds. She added, Ive also considered the fact that these people are young and have a future ahead and theyre ruining/ wasting their lives by trolling using anonymous handles. No one is above the law. No one should take law in to their hands. You dont go around beating up people and killing them. A simple complaint would suffice whether you believe justice will be served or not. In the same post, Divya also lauded the efforts of Karnatka police officers. A word of appreciation and respect for the police officers discharging their duties. Its a thankless job. And theyre doing their best. I truly hope they dont succumb to pressure from political parties and reinstate the faith of the people in law and justice, she wrote. She also added the hashtag #JusticeforRenukaswamy to her post. Recently, Vinish Darshan, 15-year-old son of actor Darshan, called out people for cursing at him and using offensive language against his father on social media. Thank you all for all the bad comments and offensive language towards my father and not considering that I am a 15-year-old with feelings, and even during this hard time when my mom and dad required support, cursing at me wont change that, he posted on Friday. Actor Fardeen Khan has defended his Heeramandi co-star Sharmin Segal against severe criticism of her performance. Fardeen has said that he has been through something similar in the past and its a very unfortunate thing to have happened to anyone. Sharmin plays the role of Alamzeb in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Netflix series, while Fardeen is seen as Nawab Wali Mohammed. I think its unfortunate the whole trolling aspect of it, Fardeen told Zoom/Times Now.com. Everyone has the right to like or not like someones performance, but this whole trolling aspect is something thats just simply wrong and not done. Defending Sharmin, the No Entry star said, I believe shes done a very, very decent job in Heeramandi. She had a very complex, challenging role and she was working with some mega actors out there. I think it was a great start for her career and acting in general. He continued, I have been a victim of trolling myself. Its unfortunate signs of the times. It is what it is. You have got to develop some thick skin and when its wrong, you need to speak up and call it out. It reveals more about the people trolling than the person being trolled. Earlier, Richa Chadha reacted strongly to incessant trolling of Sharmin Segal for her poor performance in the series. Sharmin has been receiving hate comments for holding the same expression throughout the show. Richa took to her Instagram story to issue a strongly-worded statement alongside a screenshot of a negative comment by a user who requested her to not return to the show as it was specially made for an emotionless hamming Nepo kid. For the past month, whenever I have been able to keep track and be vigilant enough, I have been deleting negative comments about a co-star that appear in my comments section, Richa wrote. Guys? Offer constructive criticism, but this much visceral hate? Its one thing to reject someones performance, theek hai! Mat karo pasand, aapka haq hai. Par aise chatkare le ke troll toh mat karo? Please? Out of context interview clips (That too from a legit roast, yall are using). Why? She continued, I know its tempting to jump on a trend, but to make another human being click bait? I think we can all do better than that, be better than that. Be kind. Please. It can affect someones mental health. A big election just happened, theres a heat wave on, theres so much going on in the world! Please move on? Aamir Khan celebrated his mother Zeenat Hussains 90th birthday. He organised a big bash and many celebrities attended it. Juhi Chawla, who is also very close to Aamir Khan and worked with him in many films, shared an inside photo in which she is seen posing with the actor. She also wished the family. Taking to her Instagram stories, Juhi shared the photo and wrote, So happy to meet all the family at Ammis special birthday! In the photo, Juhi is seen wearing white colour ethnic wear and Aamir Khan is also wearing an off white colour sherwani. Pinkvilla quoted a source saying, the near and dear ones of Zeenat Hussain attended the grand event. In fact, nearly 200 family members and friends were flown in from different cities for the event hosted on June 13th at Aamirs residence in Mumbai. Take a look here: Aamir shares a deeply warm bond with his mother Zeenat. The actor has often highlighted the integral role his mother plays in both his personal and professional life. He even takes suggestions on scripts and roles from his mother. In an earlier interview, the actor even shared his decision to take a break from his career to be with his ageing mother. Underscoring the respect for her mother, Aamir Khan added, When I am doing a film as an actor, I get so lost in that that nothing else happens in my life. I was supposed to do a film after Laal Singh Chaddha called Champions. Its a wonderful script, a beautiful story, and its a very heartwarming and lovely film. But I feel that I want to take a break, be with my family, with my mom, my kids. Work-wise, Aamir Khan is currently filming for a social dramedy titled Sitaare Zameen Par. He wrapped the Delhi schedule a few weeks back and headed to Vadodara for further shooting. Meanwhile, Sitaare Zameen Par is expected to focus on Down Syndrome. Besides the Mann actor, the film will feature Genelia Deshmukh as the female lead in the film. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has refused to ban actor Darshan, who is currently being probed in the Renuka Swamy murder case. On Thursday, the film body held a meeting and reiterated that it will wait for the police to conclude its investigations to take any action against Darshan. But we have decided to send a delegation to visit the family of the victim, Renukaswamy, said veteran producer N M Suresh, president of KFCC after the meeting. This was not the first time that KFCC held a meeting to decide on Darshan. Previously, the film body held another meeting and said that actors cannot be banned from the film industry like this because it would be illegal. Interestingly, this comes a day after Swamys parents were interacting with the media in Bengaluru when they demanded justice for their son and called for a ban on Darshan in the film industry. God should give Darshan enlightenment not to hurt anyone like my son in future. My sons wife is pregnant. I am retired and how is she supposed to lead her life? Swamys father, Shivanagouda said. Darshan is being probed for his alleged link to the Renuka Swamy murder case. The actor was arrested by the Bengaluru police from Mysuru on June 11 following which he was sent to 6-day police custody. Renuka Swamy was found dead at Sumanahalli Bridge in Bengaluru on June 8, 2024. He used to reportedly work at an Apollo Pharmacy branch in Chitradurga. Previously, police officials claimed that Renuka used to send vulgar messages to Kannada actress Pavithra Gowad, a friend of Darshan. Angry about this, Renuka Swamy was murdered and his dead body was allegedly thrown in a canal at Kamaksshipalya, Bengaluru in front of Darshan. Reportedly, eight of the accused have implicated Darshan, claiming his presence during Renuka Swamys assault. On Thursday, Karnataka police officials claimed that Darshan and his aides beat Renuka Swamy with sticks and threw him against the wall which led to his death. It was Pavithra who instigated Darshan to punish Renukaswamy. Accordingly, the plan was hatched, sources claimed. 15 people have been arrested in the case so far including Darshan and his close actress-friend Pavithra. On Thursday afternoon, Darshans co-star Pradosh and close aide Nagaraj were also arrested. Police sources claim that Nagaraj was looking after all the dealings of Darshan. He was reportedly also looking after Darshans farmhouse in Mysuru and was on the run ever since police arrested the actor earlier this week. Meanwhile, details about Pradoshs connection to the murder case are not known as of now. From Fugly to Satyaprem Ki Katha, Kiara Advani has come a long way in her career. She made everyone fall in love with her acting skills. Well, on June 13, she completed 10 years and the actress celebrated the special day with her fans and friends. Kiara took to her social handle and shared a series of photos. In the photos, Kiara can be seen cutting cake while posing with little snapshots featuring her films scenes. She also signed t-shirts for fans and also met them. , wrote the caption. As soon as she shared the photos, fans reacted. Many called her beauty. Many even said Love you. Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani) Earlier, she shared a video in which she was seen being emotional. Sharing the heartwarming reel, Kiara wrote, 13th June 2014. 10 years and it feels like it was just yesterday Im still that girl, deep down in my heart who gets excited to perform for her family.. only now my family is much bigger as each one of you is a part of it. Grateful for all the blessings, the prayers, the love, the dreams, the experiences, the memories, the smiles, the tears, the learnings, the journey, the movies, the characters I get to play ,my directors, producers, co-actors, mentors, teachers, critics , the audience, my family, my fans and to each one of you who has made this dream come true! Thank you for your continued support and love. Sidharth Malhotra took to his Instagram Stories and shared a post about 10 years of Kiara Advani in Bollywood. The actor heaped praise on his actress-wife as she completed a decade in the Indian film industry. The Yodha actor shared a post which featured a magazine cover of his wife posing with him. The cover caption read, The Bravehearts Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani all set to tell a heroic tale with Amazon Prime Videos Shershaah. Sidharth captioned his post as, Cheers to a decade of hard-work, love and passion! Keep shining! @kiaraaliaadvani! (smiling and heart emojis) #10YearsOfKiaraAdvani. She will next be seen in Shankars political action-thriller Game Changer alongside Ram Charan. She is also doing Don 3 with Ranveer Singh and War 2 with Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) continue to entertain audiences even after 29 years. Recently, Mandira Bedi, who was also seen in a pivotal role, has shared her fond memories of working on the film alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. She described it as an enjoyable chapter in her career. The actress also praised the Jawan actor and called him kind. Talking to Humans of Bombay, Mandira said, It was lovely shooting with Shah Rukh Khan, because he just made me feel so comfortable. He is such a natural, he is so kind. Even with my retakes with the song he was very accommodating and very nice. Kajol also, she didnt take to me the first few days, but eventually she did, and we all got along really well. It was just a really nice experience, all told, in my 22 days. I look back at it with a lot of gratitude, its definitely one for the books. Mandira Bedi further added, It was horrifying in the first four days, because the first four days was the song. I started with Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna and trust me, I am telling you I am not unconfident in front of the camera, but the only thing I still have nightmares about is choreographed numbers, choreography. Shah Rukh Khan and Mandira Bedi danced on the song Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is directed by Aditya Chopra. DDLJ also starred Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal, Satish Shah and Pooja Ruparel among many others. The film is a classic for many reasons. It gave us the hit Jodi of Raj and Simran or Shah Rukh-Kajol who are considered to be one of the most popular on-screen couples in Bollywood. However, SRK was unwilling to sign on for the movie at one point in time. He wasnt interested in performing songs in beautiful settings and then eloping with the girl, as was common in Bollywood. Reportedly, it took many meetings for then-debutante filmmaker Aditya Chopra to sign aboard Shah Rukh, and then history was made. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra have landed in fresh trouble. The couple has now been accused of cheating a trader in a gold scheme. As reported by NDTV, bullion trader Prithviraj Saremal Kothari has moved to the Mumbai Sessions Court demanding action against Shilpa and Raj. Reportedly, Kothari has alleged that Shilpa and Raj orchestrated a scheme under their company and asked traders to invest in it, promising lucrative returns on gold investments. The scheme was named Satyug Gold and allegedly assured investors of gold delivery at a fixed rate irrespective of market fluctuations. Kothari claimed that he invested in the scene but did not receive the promised gold upon reaching the maturity date on April 2, 2019. He further claimed that he invested over Rs 90 lakh in the scheme. Kothari also submitted a cover letter signed by Shilpa Shetty and an invoice issued by Satyug Gold Private Limited in court to support his allegations. The court has now ordered Mumbai police officials to investigate the case. This is not the first time that Shilpa and Raj have landed in legal trouble. In April this year, ED seized Raj Kundras properties worth Rs 97.79 crore. The attached properties include a residential flat in Mumbais Juhu, in the name of his wife Shilpa Shetty. Another property is a residential bungalow in Pune and Equity shares in the name of Raj Kundra, the ED said. The agency said in a statement that the Mumbai zonal office of ED provisionally attached immovable and movable properties of Kundra under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. It was alleged that Kundra along with others collected huge amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from the gullible public with the false promises of 10 per cent per month return in the form of bitcoins. Later, the couple issued a statement via their lawyer and argued that they were ready to cooperate with the concerned authorities. They hoped for fair investigation and stated that they had full faith in the Indian judiciary system. In 2021, Raj Kundra was also arrested in connection to the alleged creation and uploading of pornographic films on mobile applications. He was granted bail after almost two months. Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha is all set to get married to her longtime boyfriend Zaheer Iqbal after seven years of dating. The wedding will take place on June 23, followed by a reception party at Bastian in Mumbai. Sonakshis mama Pahlaj Nihalani, who is very close to the Sinha family and has been friends with Shatrughan Sinha since 1977, has opened up about the actress upcoming nuptials. Speaking to Times Now.com/Zoom, Nihalani extended his best wishes to Sonakshi and Zaheer and said that hed be attending the wedding. Im Sonakshis mama. All my blessings to her and Zaheer. They are finally getting married. I send them all my good wishes. When asked if he knew Sonakshi and Zaheer would get married, Nihalani said, Naturally, these days children take their own decisions; so parents should be happy. A couple has to live the married life and thats the main thing. They should love and be comfortable with each other. Another close family friend of the Sinhas, veteran actress Poonam Dhillon, said that Sonakshi sent a lovely wedding invite to her and she was looking forward to attending the Heeramandi stars special day later this month. I wish Sonakshi all the very best, Poonam told Instant Bollywood. Boht pyara invite bheja hai usne. I have known her since she was a little girl, uski poori journey dekhi hai toh bhagwaan kare boht khush rahe. She is a lovely, warm, very loving girl toh I wish her all the joy and happiness. (She has sent a very beautiful invite. I have known her since she was a child and I have seen her entire journey. So, I wish her all the happiness.) Hours after Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbals wedding invite got leaked online, Shatrughan Sinha opened up about his daughters wedding. The actor-politician clarified that he was neither confirming nor denying the news of her marriage. However, if and when it happens, he will be a happy father. He also said that regardless of who she chooses to marry, the family would be supportive of her decision. Veteran actress Poonam Dhillon has confirmed that Sonakshi Sinha is indeed tying the knot with her longtime boyfriend Zaheer Iqbal on June 23. Poonam said that Sonakshi has sent a lovely wedding invite to her and shed be attending the Heeramandi stars D-day later this month. I wish Sonakshi all the very best, Poonam told Instant Bollywood. Boht pyara invite bheja hai usne. I have known her since she was a little girl, uski poori journey dekhi hai toh bhagwaan kare boht khush rahe. She is a lovely, warm, very loving girl toh I wish her all the joy and happiness. (She has sent a very beautiful invite. I have known her since she was a child and I have seen her entire journey. So, I wish her all the happiness.) She even jokingly warned Zaheer, saying, please keep her happy Zaheer, yaad rakhna, boht pyaari bachi hai; boht precious hai hum sab ko. (Remember this: she is a very sweet girl. She is precious to all of us.) Hours after Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbals wedding invite got leaked online, Shatrughan Sinha opened up about his daughters wedding day. The actor-politician clarified that he was neither confirming nor denying the news of her marriage. However, if and when it happens, he will be a happy father. He also said that regardless of who she chooses to marry, the family would be supportive of her decision. I am neither confirming nor denying her wedding news. Time will tell. She will always have my blessings, Shatrughan told The Times of India. Sonakshi is the apple of my eye. She is my only daughter and very close to me. I am a proud father because, over the years, she has also grown as an actor. From Lootere to Dahaad to now Heeramandi, she has proved to be a fantastic actor, he added. If my daughter is getting married, I will give her my blessings and support her decision and choice. Sonakshi has the right to choose her companion, and I will be the happiest father on her wedding day. I will always wish her the best ek hi toh beti hai meri, Shatrughan said. Sushant Singh Rajputs close friend and actor Mahesh Shetty has penned a heartbreaking post on the late actors death anniversary. Sushant was found dead at his Bandra apartment in Mumbai on June 14 2020. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to investigate the death of Sushant, which has been ruled as a suicide. However, no closure report has been filed in the matter so far by the agency. In his post, Mahesh said that Sushants family and his fans deserve to know what happened with the late actor. He also added a hashtag justice for Sushant to his Instagram story. Mahesh wrote, How much longer I wonder? Another year passes by They said it gets easier and time heals it all but the questions keep pestering, making it even more difficult I keep waiting, keep my utmost faith alive in the law of the land but I deserve to know We deserve to know! #JusticeforSushant. Earlier this year, Sushants elder sister, Shweta Singh Kirti, had requested for Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention into the CBI probe. Shweta took to her Instagram handle and addressed PM Modi, I wanted to bring to your attention that this is the 45th month of Bhais passing away and we still dont know any updates on the investigation that is being conducted by the CBI. I would highly request your intervention into the matter because as a family and as a country, we are grappling with so many answered questions in this case. Your attention will really help us to get to know where the CBI has reached in its investigation. It will even help us to inculcate the faith within our judiciary system. It will really bring peace to a lot of howling hearts who have been looking for some kind of relief, answers, who wants to know the truth, what happened that day on 14th of June, she added. While the Mumbai police registered an Accidental Death Report and started a probe into the case of Sushants death, his father in July 2020 lodged a complaint with the Bihar police, alleging that the late actors then-girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her family members had abetted his suicide. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which has since then been carrying out a probe into the actors death. Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta Singh Kirti penned down a heartbreaking note on the late actors death anniversary. On Friday morning, Shweta took to her Instagram handle and dropped an unseen video of SSR in which he was seen spending time with his sisters. In the caption, she penned down an emotional note and asked for justice for her brother. Shweta pleaded authorities to probe what happened on June 14, 2020, and shared that she feels like giving up now. Bhai, it has been 4 years since you left us, and we still dont know what transpired on June 14, 2020. Your death remains a mystery. I feel helpless and have pleaded with the authorities countless times for the truth. Im losing my patience and feel like giving up. But today, for one last time, I want to ask everyone who can help with the case to put your hand on your heart and ask yourself: dont we deserve to know what happened to our brother Sushant? Why has it become a political agenda? Why cant it be as straightforward as stating what was found that day and what is believed to have happened? PLEASE, I am requesting and pleadinghelp us move forward as a family. Give us the closure we deserve, she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shweta Singh Kirti (@shwetasinghkirti) In another Instagram post, Shweta asked if SSR deserved this injustice and wrote, Someone who wore his heart on his sleevewas it a fault to be so pure and loving in this cruel world? Its been 4 years of injustice to Sushant. Does he deserve this? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shweta Singh Kirti (@shwetasinghkirti) Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai apartment on June 14, 2020. While some suspected to be a case of death by suicide, others had alleged foul play. His sister has been fighting for justice ever since. In April this year, Shweta also launched an online campaign to seek justice for her brothers death. She announced Nany 4 SSR Jan Andolan. As a part of this campaign, Shweta urged everyone to tie a red cloth on their wrist or forehead, post the video on social media and request agencies to give justice to the late actor. In March too, Shweta issued a video statement and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the CBI probe regarding her actor-brothers death. In her statement, Shweta shared that its been 45 months since her brother passed away but they still do not have any update from the investigating agency. She argued that Prime Minister Modis help will not only fasten the probe but will also provide relief to howling hearts. Namastey. I am Shweta Singh Kirti. I am Sushant Singh Rajputs sister. I am recording this message for our Prime Minister Modi ji. I wanted to bring to your attention that this is the 45th month of Bhais passing away and we still dont know any updates on the investigation that is being conducted by the CBI. I would highly request your intervention into the matter because as a family and as a country, we are grappling with so many answered questions in this case, she said. Narendra Modi took oath for a third consecutive term as the Prime Minister of India, along with 72 ministers, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9, 2024. With this feat, Narendra Modi became only the second prime minister in Indias history to serve three terms in a row, after Jawaharlal Nehru. Just before the oath was administered by the President of India, PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter), Honoured to serve Bharat. Despite having set a 400 paar goal, the BJP won 240 seats, 32 behind the majority mark. However, the NDA allies have enabled the BJP to set the government at the Centre. Noticeably, the BJP suffered a setback in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana despite being in power in these states. The scenario is, however, quite different in Assam. The BJP, under PM Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas leadership and his fierce campaigns, has not only maintained its performance in the region but has gained two additional seats in every Lok Sabha poll since 2014. This impressive scorecard is largely due to the charismatic leadership and voter capitalisation by the incumbent CM of Assam. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections were held in three phases in Assam on April 19, April 26, and May 7, for the constituencies of Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Diphu (ST), Darrang-Udalguri, Karimganj, Silchar (SC), Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, and Guwahati. In these elections, 81.56 per cent of the total 2.45 crore eligible electorate exercised their franchise. The NDA alliance in the state contested all 14 seats, with the BJP contesting 11 seats. The Congress, a member of the 16-party United Opposition Forum Assam (UOFA), contested 13 seats and left the Dibrugarh seat for the Assam Jatiya Parishad. Meanwhile, the AIUDF contested three seats and the AAP contested two. The incumbent BJP and its allies the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) forming the NDA poll partners in the state, improved their tally to 11 seats in Assam in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP leader and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal won the Dibrugarh seat with a margin of 2.79 lakh votes. The saffron party also won Guwahati, Kaziranga, Sonitpur, Darrang-Udalguri, and Karimganj seats, among others. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had bagged nine seats, the Congress won three, AIUDF won one, and an independent candidate won one. In the 2014 elections, the BJP had won seven seats, the Congress and AIUDF three seats each, while an independent candidate bagged one seat. The BJPs incremental victory is thus irrefutable. Despite the states 40 per cent minority population and the NDA with a Hindutva ideology at its core, it managed to increase its vote share to nearly 46 per cent, a significant jump from previous elections. The BJP lost only two of the eleven seats it contestedNagaon and Jorhatboth to the Congress. In Jorhat, BJP MP Tapan Gogoi was defeated by Gaurav Gogoi, son of Tarun Gogoi. Gaurav Gogoi shifted to the constituency after his previous Lok Sabha constituency, Koliabor, ceased to exist due to delimitation. The voter turnout in Assam this year reached an unprecedented high of 81.56 per cent. This figure surpassed the previous record, set in the state five years prior by the slimmest of margins, a mere 0.01 per cent. The BJPs share rose from 36.41 per cent in 2019 to 37.43 per cent in 2024. Meanwhile, the Congress, winning three constituencies, saw its vote share increase from 35.79 per cent to 37.48 per cent during the same period. While the overall vote share of the NDA experienced a marginal dip of 0.45 per cent, its constituent, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) witnessed a decline in vote share from 8.31 per cent in 2019 to 6.46 per cent in 2024. The United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL), another NDA ally in Assam, won its first Lok Sabha seat in Kokrajhar, securing a 2.43 per cent vote share. However, the AIUDF suffered a significant setback as its president, Badruddin Ajmal, lost from Dhubri by a considerable margin, with the partys vote share dropping to 3.13 per cent from 7.87 per cent. While other parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) received 0.85 per cent and 0.37 per cent vote shares respectively, the Left parties, CPI and CPI (M), secured a combined vote share of 0.58 per cent. Independent candidates accounted for 6.22 per cent of the vote share, while NOTA stood at 1.19 per cent. Dhubri emerged with the highest voter turnout, reaching an impressive 92.1 per cent during the third phase on May 7. The Lok Sabha constituency of Barpeta closely followed Dhubri with a turnout of 85.2 per cent, albeit lower than its 2019 performance. Interestingly, Congress leader Rakibul Hussain defeated AIUDF supremo Badruddin Ajmal by a record margin of 10,12,476 votes in Assams Dhubri Lok Sabha. With the Assembly elections only two years away, the BJP must reinforce a strong organisational presence in upper Assam, bolstered by a vigorous campaign, if the incumbent CMs claims of 100 Assembly seats are to be materialised. However, the incumbent Himanta Biswa Sarma dispensation has a great report card to flash in relation to creating opportunities for the state and putting it at the centre stage of development and inclusivity. Assam has excelled in the parameters of good governance, public service delivery, infrastructure and industrial growth. A robust economy with heightened CapEx investment leading to sprawling infrastructure development along with various social sector indices. Assams Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew at a CAGR of 13.90 per cent from 2016-17 to 2022-23. The projected GSDP for 2024-25 is Rs 6,43,089 crore, a 13 per cent increase over 2023-24. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, Assams unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent in 2021-22 (current weekly status), lower than the national rate of 6.6 per cent. CM Biswa Sarma stated in early 2024 that the states economy, which has registered a healthy 14.7 per cent growth for 2013-24, is projected to reach Rs 5.65 lakh crore. He also stated that the early estimates for the current year suggest a rise to Rs 6.38 lakh crore and has further claimed Assams economy to grow by Rs 10 lakh crore by 2026, which is quite realistic an estimate going by the present growth estimates and statistics. Regional disparity is becoming a thing of the past, with Assams record GDP growth poised to soon surpass Punjabs GDP of around Rs 6,98,000 crore, as Assams GDP is set to touch Rs 5,67,000 crore. However, the intensified campaign race by both the BJP and the Congress will be an unmistakable highlight of the 2026 Assembly elections, as witnessed in the prelude during the Lok Sabha elections campaigns by both parties. The electorate must conscientiously choose what is in the best interest of the state. The author is a senior faculty in the Department of History, ARSD College, University of Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. On her way to receiving the Padma Shri at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 22, 2023, Hirabai Ibrahim Lobi of the Siddi tribe stopped before a bowed Narendra Modi and said: My community lives in the jungles and no one asks about their living conditions. Such an honour was unthinkable for us. Lodis Siddi tribe lives mainly in and around Gujarats Junagadh and traces its roots to Africa. Article 342 of the Indian Constitution states that there are over 700 Scheduled Tribes (ST) in India. The 2011 Census counts around 104 million Adivasis, comprising 8.6 per cent of Indias population. Year after year, Padma awards under the Modi government have showcased Indias tribal power and vibrancy. This year, for instance, tribal environmentalist from Jharkhand Chami Murmu will receive the Padma Shri for planting over three million trees. So will Somanna, the 66-year-old tribal leader of the Jenu Kuruba community from Mysuru, on whose fight for land rights a movie has been made. But Padma awards are not the only thing that the Modi government, which Rahul Gandhi accused of shortchanging Indias tribes, has offered them. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently posted on X pointing out that excluding tribal-dominated Northeastern states, the Congress had appointed no tribal chief minister in the last 24-25 years. The BJP, in contrast, had given four tribal chief ministers including Sarbananda Sonowal in Assam, Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda in Jharkhand, Vishnu Deo Sai in Chhattisgarh, and most recently Mohan Charan Majhi in Odisha, he pointed out. The current President of India, Droupadi Murmu, was nominated by the BJP, while the party had supported PA Sangma who lost the 2012 presidential battle. The Congress had opposed both, Vaishnaw recalled. Something worth thinking aboutExcluding the Northeastern states, which are largely tribal-dominated, Congress has appointed NO TRIBAL CM in the 21st century. BJP has given 4 Shri Babulal Marandi, Shri Arjun Munda, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, and Shri Mohan Majhi. And even in Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 11, 2024 Last year, Home Minister Amit Shah had said the allocation for tribal welfare under PM Modi has gone up to Rs 89,000 crore from Rs 24,000 crore during the UPA government. According to government data, more than 200 NGOs working on tribal health, education and livelihood got over Rs 900 crore under nearly 250 welfare schemes in the last 10 years. More than 9,000 camps were organised in 120 tribal-dominated districts in the first 75 days of the launch of the PM-JANMAN Mission and over 13 lakh tribals enrolled under various schemes. While these are cold numbers, the fire of inspiration for tribal welfare comes from the BJPs ideological mentor, the RSS. The Hindutva movement has always maintained that tribals or Adivasis were part of the Sanatan Dharma fold. There are numerous mentions of tribal heroes and protagonists in the Ramayan and Mahabharat. From Nishadraj Guhan who arranged boats to ferry Shri Ram, Lakshman and Ma Sita to elderly ascetic Shabari, and from the great archer Ekalavya to Lord Hanuman as a tribal deity, the epics are full of mentions of the original inhabitants of Bharat. In 1592, government official Ramakant Keshav (Balasaheb) Deshpande started the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) backed by the RSS in Chhattisgarhs Jashpur with a new hostel and 13 tribal boys residing in it. It was to counter the lure of missionary schools which were known to convert tribal students. VKA now operates in more than 320 districts. It is a bulwark against conversion. It also revives indigenous customs, rituals, seeds, songs, medicine, and games. The RSS and the BJP have also been tirelessly mining tribal heroes and freedom fighters from Birsa Munda to Rani Gaidinliu, Tilka Majhi to Matmur Jamoh. Odisha CM Mohan Majhi and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai are the latest examples of that silent, gritty saffron outreach across several decades. Many swayamsevaks have been killed for just trying to connect with these communities. But they wont give up, till the sound from the conch shell becomes one with the distant, primal beat of the drums. Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to attend his fifth consecutive G7 Summit which incidentally is also his first trip abroad after becoming prime minister for the record third time. This year, the summit is being organised in Italy as the country is the president of the G7 grouping for the year 2024. G7 is a close club of seven countries which includes four from Europe (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom), besides Canada, Japan and the United States. It was formed in the 1970s and has since evolved into a premier forum to discuss world issues of major significance. Between 1997 and 2014, it had become G8 with participation from Russia, however, after the annexation of Crimea, it was removed from the grouping. Besides the seven developed countries which are also classified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as advanced economies, it also includes the European Union as a non-enumerated member with its high-ranking officials in attendance at the summit which is organised every year. Although Group of Seven or G7 was envisaged at a time when these respective countries also represented the largest and most powerful economies in the world, with an equally significant geopolitical heft, but today, this is far from true. G7 often comes under criticism for its inability to account for large economies such as China, which is a $17 trillion economy and India. India at $3.9 trillion today is bigger than at least four G7 economies, with the only exception being Germany, Japan and the US. It is for this reason that every year, G7 also organises an outreach session where some other important countries outside the grouping are also called to discuss agenda items of the session. This year, Italy has invited around 12 countries including Saudi Arabia which is all set to make its first-ever appearance at the forum. This years G7 is taking place at a time when the Western world is grappling with multiple challenges. The Ukraine-Russia War is now in its third year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in firm attendance for a second consecutive year as well. Meanwhile, the proxy war in the Middle East between Israel and Iran after the October 7 attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas is also raging. Interestingly, despite the geopolitical concerns sobering the mood in the Western world, almost all the leaders have domestic concerns as well at the back of their minds. US President Joe Biden is going to face a tough re-election bid in November. UKs Rishi Sunak and Frances Emmanuel Macron are highly unlikely to make it back to power. In the recently concluded European Union parliamentary elections, right-wing and far-right parties have gained a significant edge over the left and liberal parties, which again is a matter of concern. Frances leader Macron has even announced snap polls in the country after getting humbled by his opponent Marine Le Pen, who leads the right-wing, National Rally Party. Despite several issues perturbing the leaders of the Western world, the agenda for this years G7 remains highly packed with the Ukraine conflict finding an obvious place along with the Middle East where a session is dedicated to discussing Israels war on Gaza after the Hamas attacks. Key topics of discussion will also include migration and Indo-Pacific. US President Joe Biden is also expected to push for an inclusion of his concerns over Chinas industrial overcapacity in the final statement of the G7s 50th summit. Biden is coming to Italy after imposing fresh tariffs on China on emerging tech items such as EVs, semiconductors and batteries where even the European Union has also imposed duties on Chinese EVs. Also on the agenda is the so-called Mattei plan of the host country Italy. Giorgia Meloni, Italys Prime Minister, remains the only G7 leader who would have a cheerful mood at the summit, boosted by her partys performance in the EU polls. Meloni is going to unveil the Mattei plan to her G7 partners which proposes Italy as a major energy hub between Europe and African continent. The plan seeks to raise Italys development commitment to Africa which will help it tackle its migration problem emanating from that continent. Although India has been getting regular invites to G7 from 2019, this year, Italys invite assumes more significance. PM Meloni is trying to increase Italys imprint in Africa through the Mattei plan. It aligns nicely with the foreign policy focus of Italy over what it calls the region of enlarged Mediterranean. Just right across the Mediterranean Sea from Italy are the vast stretches of African lands. Now what can be a better country than India for Italy in the African outreach? Outside G7, India has proven its credentials as the quintessential leader from the South by getting the African Union to be a part of the G20 grouping, making it officially as G20+1. It is for this reason that even the outreach session on which India has been invited to speak has Africa, energy and the Mediterranean as key agenda items besides artificial intelligence. PM Modi is also going to attend a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Prime Minister Meloni to discuss future pathways of the India-Italy relationship. Among all the other meetings and discussions, the one which is being closely watched in India includes a possible meeting between Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. Indias relations with Canada have hit rock bottom due to the Trudeau governments appeasement politics of Khalistani terrorists. The cold vibe was unmissable when PM Modi responded to his congratulatory wishes last week after a gap of full four days. This G7 Summit will be the first time PM Modi will also meet his Western counterparts after a long election and purported attempts by foreign powers to influence Indian elections or criticise its democracy. India under Modis leadership has become an almost $4 trillion economy and a formidable voice on the global platform. A visit to the G7 Summit as a tall leader of the Global South is the best way for PM Modi to initiate his third innings in navigating international politics. The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Five years after he lost both the Assembly seats he contested, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has finally made it to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly as Deputy Chief Minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The actor-politician has not only scored his maiden electoral victory but his party has emerged as a formidable force by winning all the 21 Assembly seats and both Lok Sabha seats it contested. Throughout his political journey, Kalyans wife Anna Lezhneva has been his unwavering support system. She was seen performing aarti and applying tika on his forehead when he returned home after being unanimously elected as the Jan Sena Party floor leader in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. She also received a lot of love from social media recently for accepting the Indian culture and tradition when she was seen picking up her husbands slippers while he bent down to seek blessings from an elderly member of his family. Who is Anna Lezhneva? Born in 1980, Anna Lezhneva is a Russian model actress. She met Kalyan during the filming of Teen Maar in 2011, in which she played a side character. The couple dated for two years and tied the knot on September 30, 2013, making Anna Pawans third wife. They have a son and a daughter. After their marriage, Kalyan adopted Lezhnevas daughter from her previous marriage, Polena Anjana Pawanova, and raised her along with his three other children. In 2017, the couple welcomed their first child together, a baby boy whom they named Mark Shankar Pawanovich. As per a report by NDTV, Lezhneva is rumoured to own hotel chains in Singapore and have assets worth around Rs 1800 crore in both Russia and Singapore. Pawan Kalyans Personal Life Kalyan first married 19-year-old Nandini in 1997. That marriage lasted over a decade before the couple parted ways in 2008. He then married actress Renu Desai in 2009, and they had two children Akira Nandan and Aadhya with her before they divorced in 2012. Reports of Lezhneva and Kalyans separation also emerged after the model actress remained missing from important family gatherings such as Telugu star Varun Tejs engagement and Ram Charans daughters cradle ceremony. However, despite rumours of marital discord, Lezhneva was seen supporting Kalyan during the recent election victory. Kalyan stitched the NDA alliance of TDP, BJP and Janasena together, which emerged triumphant with a landslide victory, sweeping up 164 of 175 assembly seats in the state and 21 of 25 Lok Sabha seats. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Friday visited party leader Tamilisai Soundararajan in Chennai and said her political experience is providing impetus for the partys growth. After calling on Soundararajan at her residence, Annamalai, in a post on X, said he was extremely happy in visiting Akka Tamilisai, a senior leader who functioned efficiently as the partys Tamil Nadu unit chief. Asserting that the lotus will surely bloom in Tamil Nadu, Soundararajan worked hard for it, her political experience and suggestions continue to give inspiration for the development of the party, Annamalai added. In a post on X, Soundararajan said, She was happy to meet BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai. Annamalais visit comes days after a war of words between supporters of Soundararajan and the Saffron partys state unit chief in social media following BJPs electoral drubbing in Tamil Nadu. Also, senior leader and Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to her during the swearing-in ceremony of N Chandrababu Naidu as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister. A video clip of their conversation became a political talking point. Putting speculation to rest over the controversy surrounding a viral video of her interaction with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah, Soundararajan said, Yesterday as I met our Honorable Home Minister Sri @AmitShah ji in AP for the first time after the 2024 elections he called me to ask about post poll follow-up and the challenges faced. As I was elaborating, due to paucity of time with utmost concern, he advised me to carry out the political and constituency work intensively which was reassuring. This is to clarify all unwarranted speculations, she said. Soundararajan contested from the South Chennai Lok Sabha seat. She lost the election to DMKs Tamizhachi Thangapandian. Her alleged comments on criminal elements in the BJP and that the party would have won had there been an alliance with the AIADMK were among the triggering factors. Annamalais supporters opposed such remarks and hit out at her, using memes as well in social media, for jumping the gun. Annamalai himself had pointed to the possibility of a win for the opposition in Tamil Nadu (AIADMK, BJP) in a number of constituencies if the votes of Saffron party and that of the AIADMK were added up, which showed that the winner had scored less than the oppositions combined score. However, he did not appear to have favoured an alliance with the AIADMK. Subsequently, AIADMK leader SP Velumani too had spoken on the probability of victory in a number of seats had there been an alliance with the BJP. Later, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami had again ruled out the scope for an alliance with the national party. (With inputs from PTI) Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi on Friday said that both his party and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will back the BJPs candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post. As part of the JD(U) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP)s commitment to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Tyagi said, We will support the person nominated by the BJP for Speaker. #WATCH | Delhi: On the Lok Sabha speaker, JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi says, TDP and JDU are with the NDA. We will support the person nominated (for Speaker) by BJP pic.twitter.com/umttZvP1mQ ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Tyagi, who is also JDUs national spokesperson, stated that the Lok Sabha Speaker is usually elected from the ruling party due to its majority among alliance members. The Speaker is always of the ruling party because its number is also the highest (among alliance parties), he added. The Lok Sabha is set to elect its new Speaker on June 26. The 18th Lok Sabha will convene for the first time on June 24, with the session concluding on July 3. On Thursday, the Lok Sabha secretariat announced that motions for the Speakers election needs be submitted before 12 noon on Tuesday, June 25. According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, any member may submit a written notice to the secretary general supporting another member for the Speakers office by 12 noon on the day before the election date. In the present case, notices of motions for the election of the Speaker can be given before 12 noon on Tuesday, June 25, the bulletin clarified. (With inputs from agencies) Soon after a Bengaluru court issued an arrest warrant against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case registered against him, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of doing politics of vendetta. Addressing the media in Bengaluru, former BJP national General Secretary CT Ravi said the Siddaramaiah government is pursuing the case after four months in retaliation for dragging Rahul Gandhi to court in a defamation case. The case was registered against Yeddyurappa on March 14. The 81-year-old Yediyurappa has denied the charge and said he would fight the case legally. Is this not politics of hatred? CM Siddaramaiah claimed he wouldnt pursue the politics of hatred, but now he is doing just that. The people of the state will question this. The people are asking why the government was inactive for four months after the POCSO case was lodged against Yediyurappa. Home Minister G. Parameshwara had even stated that there was no substance in the case, Ravi said. The BJP leader also claimed that it is an open secret that since Rahul Gandhi was dragged to court in Bengaluru, the Congress wants the BJP to be dragged to court as well. We will honour the court order in Yediyurappas case. But this is a political conspiracy. The alleged incident took place on February 2, and the case was lodged in March. Yediyurappa had gone to the police station to record his statement. But the police told him that it was not necessary, and later recorded his statement at his residence, Ravi said. Commenting on the matter, N. Ravikumar, BJP MLC and the party chief whip in the Legislative Council, said that there is no substance or truth in the case. Home Minister Parameshwara had said that the complainant is mentally challenged and has lodged more than 60 cases against IAS/IPS officers, and politicians. The government itself had said that this case was not important. Despite Yediyurappa conveying to the police that he was ready to give a statement, the police asked him not to come to the police station and later collected his voice sample in April, he said, adding that the entire matter is a conspiracy hatched by the Congress in retaliation to Rahul Gandhi being dragged to court in a defamation case. The CM, Deputy CM, and Home Minister have acted on the advice of Congress Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and hatched this conspiracy, Ravikumar alleged. The Congress, which did not act in the last four months, has suddenly woken up. They have obtained a non-bailable arrest warrant and want to arrest Yediyurappa. This is highly condemnable, said BJP MLC Chalawadi Narayanaswamy. Congress Responds On BJPs allegation of revenge politics, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, Why did they include Rahul Gandhi? In what way is he connected? He was being summoned to the Bengaluru Court and came all the way respecting the court We do not want to do vendetta politics, we are very big-hearted. Case Against Yeddyurappa In a major development, a special court in Bengaluru on Thursday issued a non-bailable warrant against the BJP veteran in connection with a POCSO case against him relating to the alleged sexual harassment of a minor. Talking about the warrant, Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara said, They (police) will get him and collect all the information as per the law. Let them say whatever they want. The FSL report is yet to come. Since it is a high profile case it will come on police if something goes wrong. There is information that he is in Delhi. It seems he has said that he will come on July 17. Now since there is a warrant, it would be good if he comes soon. If not, police will have to go and get him. According to police, Yediyurappa has been booked under the POCSO Act and Section 354 A (Sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old girl who alleged that he molested her daughter during a meeting on February 2 this year, at his residence in Dollars Colony here. The victims brother had filed a petition in the court earlier this week alleging that though the case was registered on March 14, no progress has been made in the investigation. The petitioner prayed that Yediyurappa should be arrested and interrogated. After the Sadashivanagar police registered the case in March, the Karnataka Director General of Police Alok Mohan issued an order transferring it to the CID for further investigation. The 54-year-old woman, who had levelled the charge against Yediyurappa, died at a private hospital in the city last month, due to lung cancer. In April, the CID collected the voice sample of Yediyurappa after summoning him to the office. The government, meanwhile, has appointed Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Ashok H Nayak to represent the CID in the case. Yediyurappa has moved the court seeking quashing of the FIR. YouTuber Shikha Metray, also known as Kuwari Begum, has been taken into custody by Ghaziabad Police on charges of encouraging child sexual assault. Based on a complaint by activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, who brought attention to Metrays offensive content on X (formerly Twitter) and called for police action against the YouTuber, an FIR was filed on June 12. The FIR was filed in accordance with IPC section 293 and IT Act-67B, which forbid the selling of pornography to minors and the dissemination of obscene content. Metray, a resident of Ghaziabad, is accused of posting over 115 videos on her YouTube channel, which has attracted attention despite having just 2,050 subscribers. Bhardwaj specifically brought up a video on Metrays YouTube channel titled She will say no. Let her in her complaint, alleging that it implied males should disregard womens approval and promoted sexually aggressive conduct against women and children. Bhardwaj said that Metrays content misled young males. PAEDOPHILE ALERT @ghaziabadpolice @Uppolice This lady from ghaziabad is teaching young boys how to sexually abuse infants. She has deleted her profiles but I am sure you can still trace her. Please act before she actually harms a child. https://t.co/kUTpcbiNbu Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) June 11, 2024 Assistant Police Commissioner Ritesh Tripathi stated in a post on X that a case has been filed under appropriate sections based on a complaint that was received at the Kaushambi police station. They said that other judicial actions are pending and that the aforementioned woman has been placed under custody. Additional CP Dinesh P. Kumar stated, according to DNA, that two teams were formed to apprehend Metray. A laptop and a mobile phone were confiscated from her, and an investigation is ongoing, he added. Talks on taking down the offensive videos some of which have had close to 800 views are also in progress with Google. Metray, who graduated from Delhis National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), currently works for an apparel firm in the capital. According to reports, Metray turned her YouTube page private in response to the negative feedback, meaning that no one could access her content or learn more about the type of videos she was creating. Her Instagram and Facebook accounts are also inaccessible in addition to this. Nevertheless, it appears that X user conducted a background investigation on her before she turned her YouTube page private. I checked her entire channel its all about P*rn and sexual stuff but no gaming. When it is a gaming channel playing Valorant. How it is fine and a girl talks about all these stuffs but if a guy talks about all these he goes into in the jail. pic.twitter.com/IMno2F7aEj Gagan Chaudhary (@Gagan_772) June 10, 2024 She has been outed by @Gagan_772 as well. Some thumbnails of videos shared by her from his TL. She is an NIFT DELHI passout apparently. This is absolutely unbelievable!!! "She will say no. Let her" title of one of her videos She definitely seems to be a R@pist pic.twitter.com/9OjG0QtvRQ Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) June 11, 2024 Social media users are furious at the incident and have joined the demand calling for Metrays arrest. With the hashtag jail bhejo, some other YouTubers have even started a campaign calling on authorities to prosecute the accused as soon as possible. The police inquiry is underway. Donald Trump enjoyed an effusive welcome on his return to Washington on Thursday as he rallied support from Republican lawmakers and hailed the partys tremendous unity following his criminal conviction in New York. The former president, who is neck-and-neck with his successor Joe Biden in the race for the White House, was treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday from conservative members of the House of Representatives ahead of turning 78 on Friday. The meeting, followed by a separate afternoon get-together with the partys senate contingent, was Trumps first on Capitol Hill since leaving the White House, and it was his first Washington trip since he was convicted last month on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This was a great meeting. Theres tremendous unity in the Republican Party, he said after addressing Senate Republicans, adding that he was running to make America great again. Were a nation thats in decline Were a nation that is being laughed at all over the world, he added. We have a leader thats being laughed at all over the world, and were going to turn it around. Were going to turn it around fast. Trump was even more ebullient at the earlier House meeting, according to US media citing people in the room, as he called out the Republicans who had voted to impeach him after the 2021 assault on the Capitol and called the Justice Department dirty, no good bastards. The Republican, who was in Washington primarily for a meeting with business leaders, took credit for the Supreme Court ending federal protections for abortion access in 2022 and railed against Bidens foreign policy. Since his conviction, Republicans have circled the wagons around Trump who faces more than 50 further felony charges with numerous lawmakers denigrating a justice system they baselessly claim is biased against conservatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of being behind the two federal and two state criminal cases engulfing Trumps reelection bid. He raised $53 million in the first 24 hours after the verdict in that terrible, bogus trial in Manhattan. And I think that shows that people understand whats happening here, Johnson told reporters after the meeting. Several centrist senators said they would not show up on Thursday, although Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has not spoken to Trump since berating him from the Senate floor over the 2021 insurrection, vowed to attend. Trump was impeached for inciting the attack, when a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol seeking to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to Biden, who beat his predecessor by more than seven million votes. The Republican faces federal and state prosecutions over his alleged role in a criminal conspiracy to overturn his defeat, which culminated in the insurrection. In many ways, President Trump has become a symbol of that pushing back against corruption, the deep state, the weaponization of the judicial system, Johnson said. The speaker has been struggling however to deliver on Trumps demands for a robust defense from Congress, with a razor-thin majority in the House that leaves him unable to lose more than two representatives for any vote. Republicans have failed in efforts to impeach Biden, as a months-long, multi-million-dollar corruption investigation has turned up no evidence of wrongdoing by the president, and congressional efforts to rein in the criminal cases targeting Trump have been largely ineffective. The former president was also in Washington to pitch a second Trump White House to around 90 chief executives at a meeting of the lobbying group Business Roundtable. Donald Trump couldnt run a lemonade stand, let alone our country. He is a fraud, a crook, and a failed businessman and president who left America in economic ruin, a Biden campaign spokesman said. Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday shared insight into his exchanges with Donald Trump, revealing that the former US President is a fan of Cybertruck, a high-performance pickup truck made by one of the worlds biggest EV makers. I have had some conversations with him and he does call me out of the blue for no reason, Musk was quoted as saying by Bloomberg during the meeting at the companys Austin headquarters on Thursday. I dont know why, but he does. The presumptive Republican presidential nominees support for the Cybertruck contrasts with his stance on electric vehicles (EVs). Trump in the past has slammed President Joe Bidens policies aimed at boosting EV sales, claiming they would harm US auto workers. However, Trump has publicly praised both electric vehicles and Musk himself, declaring his fandom at a rally in Arizona. At the shareholder meeting, Musk characterised Trump as very nice during their conversations, where he advocated for the benefits of EVs and stressed Americas leadership in battery-powered cars. According to Musk, Trumps affinity for the Cybertruck may stem from the vehicles popularity among his friends. Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is considering tapping the US billionaire as a policy adviser if the Republican presidential candidate reclaims the White House in Novembers election. The two have discussed ways for Musk, who runs the social media platform X as well as SpaceX and Tesla, to have formal input and influence over economic and border security policies, according to the Journal. The report also said Musk informed Trump about his ongoing influence campaign aimed at convincing powerful US business leaders not to support Biden, who beat Trump in the 2020 election and is seeking a second term. In March, following a meeting with Trump in Florida, Musk said he would not donate money to Trump or Biden. Musk in recent years has more fully embraced the Republican Party. Musk has said, without evidence, that Biden is intentionally allowing migrants to cross the US-Mexico border. Amid the ongoing talks on the new Gaza ceasfire deal, a senior Hamas official has said No one has any idea how many hostages are left. This comment comes as the fate of the remaining 120 hostages is key in the efforts to put an end to Israels war against the Palestinian outfit. Israel launched the war after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which the Palestinian outfit stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people and abducted about 250. The war in Gaza has killed more than 37,100 people, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Negotiators from the US and Egypt have been trying for months to mediate a ceasefire and free the hostages, more than 100 of whom are believed to remain captive in Gaza. Complete withdrawal from Gaza In an interview with CNN, Hamas spokesperson and political bureau member Osama Hamdan admitted that the exact status of these hostages is uncertain. Osama said the Israeli plan that was first publicly announced by US President Joe Biden late last month, did not meet the groups demands for an end to the war. Hamdan, speaking from Beirut, Lebanon, said that Hamas needed a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians to determine their future by themselves, the reconstruction, the (lifting) of the siege and we are ready to talk about a fair deal about the prisoners exchange. Negotiations over the fresh Gaza ceasefire agreement have faced obstacles, with Hamas reportedly submitting back-to-back changes to the document, prompting frustration from the US. While some modifications were considered feasible, others exceeded previous positions, complicating the negotiation process. On Thursday, Biden said he doesnt expect to reach a cease-fire deal for Gaza in the near future, as both warring sides have not embraced an American-backed proposal with global support. He said international leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Italy had discussed the cease-fire, but when asked by reporters if a truce deal wound be reached soon, Biden replied simply, No, adding, I havent lost hope. A day earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that mediators would keep trying to close an elusive cease-fire deal after Hamas proposed numerous changes to a US-backed plan, some of which he said were workable and some not. Hamas has proposed numerous changes to the proposal that was on the table. Some of the changes are workable. Some are not, Blinken told reporters in Qatar. I believe that they (the differences) are bridgeable, but that doesnt mean they will be bridged because ultimately Hamas has to decide. (With agency inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived at the venue of the G7 Summit at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italys Apulia region, where he was greeted by his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an Outreach country and this is PM Modis first overseas visit since he took oath as Prime Minister for the third straight term. #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India participates as an Outreach nation in G7 Summit pic.twitter.com/Sqna3AEu9X ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. PM Modi on late Thursday night touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. He was received by Indias Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. Soon after landing in Italys Apulia, PM Modi said that he is looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. PM Modi Meets Ukraine President Zelenskyy Before arriving at the G7 venue, PM Modi on Friday held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky where the two leaders discussed the ongoing aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reiterated Indias approach towards the resolution to the tensions. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi wrote on X. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi Discusses Bilateral Ties With French Prez Macron, UK PM Rishi Sunak In his first visit to Italy after taking oath as the countrys Prime Minister for the third straight term, PM Modi first met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed ways to further bolster the bilateral ties between the two nations as well as held talks on various global issues. The Prime Minister also met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and discussed bilateral relations and issues of common interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met United States President Joe Biden and reiterated that both nations will continue to work together towards global issues. Calling his meeting with POTUS a pleasure, PM Modi shared pictures from his meeting with Biden where both leaders can be seen exchanging friendly greetings. Its always a pleasure to meet @POTUS @JoeBiden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good. pic.twitter.com/Xzyvp5cLCq Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 The Indian Prime Minister also met his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries over Khalistani militant Nijjars killing. Earlier, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky where the two leaders discussed the ongoing aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reiterated Indias approach towards the resolution to the tensions. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy, PM Modi wrote on X. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Day one of the Italy-hosted G7 summit was dominated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the leaders agreed on a US proposal to back a $ 50-billion loan to Kyiv utilising frozen Russian assets. India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Zelensky said that he discussed the Global Peace Summit and issues on its agenda with Prime Minister Modi and thanked him for sending a high-level delegation to the Summit. We discussed the development of bilateral relations and trade, in particular in the context of the Black Sea export corridor functioning. We explored the possibility of exchanging experiences in the use of new technologies in agriculture, he said. Modi Discusses Bilateral Ties With French Prez Macron PM Modi first met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed ways to further bolster the bilateral ties between the two nations as well as held talks on various global issues. Taking Strategic Partnerships to new levels! PM @narendramodi met President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. Had an excellent meeting with my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also pic.twitter.com/l52eHhJclL Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues, he further wrote. Modi Holds Talks With Rishi Sunak On Sidelines of G7 Summit The prime minister, who recently assumed office for the third term, also met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and discussed bilateral relations and issues of common interests. #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with UK PM Rishi Sunak in Apulia, on the sidelines of G7 Summit.The two leaders share a hug as they meet. pic.twitter.com/X5ZFi7379l ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 The two leaders shared a warm hug before the meeting. This is the first in-person meeting between Sunak and PM Modi since their encounter at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September. Sunak and Modi last met in person at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last September, when they had agreed to accelerate the FTA talks with the hope of signing off before Indias general election. PM Modi will later hold talks with several other leaders, including the Pope and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. The G-7 summit is being held at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italys Apulia region. India has been invited to the meet as an Outreach country and this is PM Modis first overseas visit since he took oath as Prime Minister for the third straight term. G7 Summit in Italy: Whats On The Agenda & Who All Are Invited The Group of Seven leading industrialised nations of the world discussed issues of migration followed by the Indo-Pacific and economic security on Friday, the second day of the three-day G7 Summit in the southern Italian region of Apulia. Besides the participants of the G7 hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel the Prime Minister will be joined by leaders of 10 other outreach nations invited to the summit. Dozens of hikers say they fell ill during trips to a popular Arizona tourist destination that features towering blue-green waterfalls deep in a gorge neighboring Grand Canyon National Park, the AP reports. Madelyn Melchiors, a 32-year-old veterinarian from Kingman, Arizona, said she was vomiting severely Monday evening and had a fever that endured for days after camping on the Havasupai reservation. She eventually hiked out to her car in a weakened state through stiflingly hot weather and was thankful a mule transported her pack several miles up a winding trail, she said. While camping, Melchiors said she drank from a spring that is tested and listed as potable, as well as other sources using a gravity-fed filter that screens out bacteria and protozoabut not viruses. The Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office says it tested the water last week from a local spring that visitors rely on for drinking and found it was safe for human consumption. FOX-10 TV in Phoenix first reported on the illnesses Wednesday, saying some groups opted to take a helicopter out of the canyon because they were too sick to hike out. As many as 300 people have posted on social media in recent days describing their travails with gastrointestinal problems. Coconino County health officials said Tuesday they received a report from a group of people who hiked to the waterfalls of "gastrointestinal illness" but didn't know how many people have been affected. A spokesperson said hikers should take extra precautions to prevent the spread of illness, including filtering water. "Watch for early symptoms of norovirus, such as stomach pain and nausea, before the trip. Norovirus spreads easily on camping trips, especially when clean water supplies can be limited and hand washing facilities may be non-existent. Isolate people who are sick from other campers," the county said. (More Grand Canyon stories.) Congratulations, you might soon be the part-owner of a facial-recognition company powered by artificial intelligence. Granted, the stake is miniscule, but still. The weirdness is the result of what Reuters describes as an "unusual" class-action settlement by the company Clearview AI. The lawsuit accuses Clearview of grabbing billions of photos of people off the internet without permission for its facial-recognition tool, explains the New York Times. Because it would go broke if it had to pay cash to so many people, the company instead has offered a collective 23% stake in the company to Americans who wound up in its database. Anyone in the US who has ever had a photo of themselves posted online is a potential beneficiary and could submit a claim if the deal goes through. A Louisiana woman was found dead in her home Thursday, and her two young daughters were abducted and found hours later in Mississippione dead and the other alive, police said. A Louisiana resident who had dated the woman was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, in connection with the deaths and abduction, investigators said. "He had the victim's car along with her alive-and-well 6-year-old child," said Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Office in Louisiana. The body of the other child, a 4-year-old, was found near the car in a wooded area in Jackson, Travis said. Louisiana State Police issued an Amber Alert for the children after their mother, Callie Brunett, was found dead in her home in Loranger, about 60 miles east of Baton Rouge, the AP reports. She had been reported missing after no one had spoken with her since Tuesday, Travis said. A cause of death was not immediately released. "Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. These are unspeakable crimes," Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a statement. "We ask everyone to keep Callie's family in your prayers." The sheriff's office identified the suspect as Daniel Callihan, 36. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said officers contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation's human trafficking division about the case. He said small animal cages were discovered at the wooded area where the children were found. "He tried to do away with the children by taking them into this wooded area," Wade said of the suspect, adding, "This was a horrible, horribly tragic situation that was committed by the actions of a coward." It's "very, very disturbing to me as a police chief, and as a father, to witness and see what I just saw," the chief said, per WLBT. (More Louisiana stories.) New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday that she is considering a ban on face masks in the New York City subway system due to concerns about people shielding their identities while committing antisemitic acts. Hochul, a Democrat, said the exact details of the policy are not clear but it would contain "common-sense exemptions" for health, cultural, or religious reasons, the AP reports. Many people concerned about COVID-19 and air pollution routinely wear masks on the subway. Hochul said she was in talks with lawmakers on potentially crafting a bill. At a news conference in Albany, the governor said she was moved to act after "a group donning masks took over a subway car, scaring riders and chanting things about Hitler and wiping out Jews" on Monday night. It was not clear exactly what incident she was referring to, but it could have been a conflation of different episodes related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations that day in Union Square Park. At Tesla's annual meeting in Austin on Thursday, the company confirmed that shareholders had approved both Elon Musk's massive pay package, along with a proposal to change the company's state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas. Tesla didn't disclose vote totals, Bloomberg reports, but Musk said Wednesday night that both measures were ahead by "wide margins." The all-stock compensation plan was worth around $56 billion at one point. After a fall in Tesla's stock price, the company put the value at $44.9 billion in an April filing, the AP reports. The vote doesn't automatically restore the pay package, but it will likely give Musk a boost in legal battles to come. The Wall Street Journal looks at the legal issues in Delaware, where a judge struck the pay package down in a shareholder lawsuit earlier this year. Tesla is expected to push to have the case dismissed, but shareholder Richard Tornetta will likely challenge the effort. Analysts expect Tornetta to argue that the shareholder vote isn't legally binding. Alex Jones has ceased fighting the liquidation of his assets to pay Sandy Hook families after he spread conspiracy theories about the 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that killed 26. Included in that liquidation is Jones' stake in his Infowars web program, but the families are now going after Jones' social media accounts, claiming they should be included in the liquidation as the conspiracy theorist could eventually use them to kick-start new businesses, reports the Hill . On Wednesday, the families put in a request with a Houston bankruptcy judge to yank Jones' @RealAlexJones X account, which has 2.3 million followers, and turn it over to a court-designated trustee, per Reuters. They noted that the account is "no different than a customer list of any other liquidating business," and that Jones has already been using his X account to funnel users to a health supplements website affiliated with his dentist father, Dr. David Jones. Jones had been kicked off of X, the former Twitter, almost five years ago, but he was allowed back on late last year after owner Elon Musk held a poll. On Friday, Jones' case is set to shift from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy to a more liquidation-friendly Chapter 7 case. The Houston judge is scheduled to hear the families' motion on the social media accounts at that time. Vickie Driver, Jones' lawyer, pushed back on Thursday, noting, "The Connecticut plaintiffs have never wanted money from Jones but to silence him," per Reuters. story continues below Jones is on the hook for $1.5 billion after a defamation settlement, for, among other things, claiming the 2012 massacre was faked. Jones says he only has about $12 million in assets. After years of fighting the families, Jones now seems to be conceding that he's lost that fight. "I think it's very accurate to say Infowars is a sinking ship," he said on his show Wednesday, per the AP. "But I'm going to stay with the ship until it fully sinks. ... At the last moment, I will then step onto the next ship." (More Alex Jones stories.) In a proposal slammed by Ukraine as "absurd," Vladimir Putin offered Friday to order an immediate ceasefire if Ukraine withdraws all of its troops from parts of the country claimed by Russia and abandon plans to join NATO. He said that if Ukraine and Western countries turn down his offer, it "is their business, their political and moral responsibility for continuing the bloodshed." A "very simple" plan. The Russian leader described his plan as "very simple," the New York Times reports. He called for Ukraine to pull its troops out of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow claims the regions are its territory but it does not fully control any of them. The capitals of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are still under Ukrainian control. Putin said the West would also have to lift all sanctions before he would "immediately issue an order to cease fire and start negotiations." At one point during the COVID pandemic, then-Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte was so exasperated about how few citizens were getting vaccinations that he made an unusual threat. "You choose, vaccine or I will have you jailed," he told the nation in a televised address in June 2021. What might explain why so many people were so wary in a nation hard hit by the virus? An investigation by Reuters points the finger at an unexpected factoran anti-vax campaign run by the US military. The story alleges that the campaign ran from spring 2020 through mid-2021, a span that encompasses both the Trump and Biden administrations. The purpose wasn't to cast doubt on vaccinesthat was just a potentially deadly side effectit was to damage China, according to the story. "We weren't looking at this from a public health perspective," a senior military officer involved in the program tells the outlet. "We were looking at how we could drag China through the mud." China's Sinovac vaccine was the first one available in the Philippines, and the campaign bombarded social media with posts, purportedly by Filipinos, warning that the shots were dangerous. At the time, the US and China were blaming each other as the source of the pandemic, and the campaign sought to reinforce the narrative that it originated in China. As part of that, it discouraged people from using a China-made vaccine. Reuters identified more than 300 US-run bogus accounts on what was then Twitter. A Pentagon spokeswoman said the US military "uses a variety of platforms, including social media, to counter those malign influence attacks aimed at the US, allies, and partners." She added that China used a "disinformation campaign to falsely blame the United States for the spread of COVID-19." Reuters notes that the Pentagon is expressly forbidden from deploying propaganda against Americans, and the investigation found no evidence it did so. But Esperanza Cabral, a former Filipino health secretary, voices a starker concern: "I'm sure that there are lots of people who died from COVID who did not need to die from COVID," she says. (Read the full investigation.) Opal Lee, the 97-year-old Texan known for her push to make Juneteenth a national holiday, was given the keys Friday to her new home, which was built on the same tree-lined corner lot in Fort Worth that her family was driven from by a racist mob when she was 12. "I'm so happy I don't know what to do," said Lee, sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of the home. The ceremony to welcome Lee into the newly completed home was held days before the nation celebrates Juneteenth, the holiday marking the end of slavery across the US that means so much to Lee, the AP reports. Several area groups came together to build and furnish the house, which was completed less than three months after the first wall was raised. Lee said she plans to hold an open house so she can meet her new neighbors. "Everybody will know that this is going to be a happy place," she said. This June 19 will be the 85th anniversary of the day a mob, angered that a Black family had moved in, began gathering outside the home her parents had just bought. As the crowd grew, her parents sent her and her siblings to a friend's house several blocks away and then eventually left themselves. Newspaper articles at the time said the mob that grew to about 500 people broke windows in the house and dragged furniture out into the street and smashed it. She has said that her family didn't return to the house and that her parents never talked about what happened that day. They just went to work in order to buy another home. Lee has said it wasn't something she dwelled on either, but in recent years she began thinking of trying to get the lot back. After learning that Trinity Habitat for Humanity had bought the land, Lee called its CEO and her longtime friend, Gage Yager. The lot was sold to her for $10. HistoryMaker Homes built the house at no cost to Lee while Texas Capital, a financial services company, provided funding for the furnishings. JCPenney donated appliances, dinnerware, and linens. The former teacher and a counselor in the school district has been tirelessly involved in her hometown of Fort Worth for decades, per the AP. story continues below During the ceremony Friday, Myra Savage, board president of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, told Lee, "Thank you for being a living example of what your home represents today, which is community, restoration, hope, and light." Lee has said she was so eager to move from the Fort Worth home she's lived in for over a half-century to the new house that she planned to just bring her toothbrush, which she had in hand on Friday. "I just so want this community and others to work together to make this the best city, best state, the best country in the whole wide world. And we can do it together," Lee said. (Lee was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom last month.) Pradeep Puravankara TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com The efforts of the Blood Donors Kerala Bahrain Chapter, which is actively involved in blood donation in Bahrain, are significant as the globe commemorates yet another blood donation day. The founder of Blood Donors Kerala, or BDK for short, is Mr. Vinod Bhaskaran, a regular bus conductor from Keralas Kottayam district. Inspired by social media and the constant need for blood in hospitals, he took the lead in 2014 to form this association with a group of like-minded people. In a relatively short period of time, BDK which is currently a registered charitable trust with branches throughout Kerala and the Middle East, including Bahrain became the blood donation method of choice for many individuals in Kerala. Since the Bahrain affiliation of BDK was established in December 2016, the association has been collaborating closely with many government facilities, including King Hamad University Hospital, Salmaniya Medical Hospital, and Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, to make sure that the need for blood is addressed within the stipulated time period. Assistance With the assistance of government medical facilities in Bahrain, BDK Bahrain chapter have been able to conduct more than 85 blood donation drive campaigns since their founding where more than 15,000 individuals have donated their blood. They also actively participate in a number of humanitarian and charitable initiatives, such as distributing food kits to the underprivileged on Fridays, offering financial assistance for any medical treatment, and offering flying tickets to people in need. A committee of selfless individuals led the day-to-day activities of this group. Those who want to be in touch with the association can call K.T. Salim at 33750999 or Roji John at 39125828. Ashen Tharaka TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com The Filipino community in Bahrain came together on 12th June to celebrate the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day at a grand event held at the InterContinental Hotel in Manama. The celebration drew the participation of diplomats and high-level dignitaries residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis, the Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the day and the upcoming events planned for the following week. Ambassador Louis also shed light on new initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Philippines and Bahrain. The event served as a platform for Filipinos in Bahrain to connect, celebrate their heritage, and commemorate the historic occasion of their nations independence. Zahra Ayaz TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrains Hajj Mission has announced the completion of preparations at the holy sites in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, in anticipation of the imminent start of Hajj rituals. According to Muhammad Taher Al-Qattan, the Deputy Head of the Hajj Mission, the mission has been working closely with its various committees to oversee the work of contractors responsible for setting up the sites designated for Bahraini pilgrims. This includes ensuring the necessary equipment and infrastructure are in place, as well as fulfilling all security and safety requirements to receive the pilgrims. The mission supervises the work of the companies contracted to prepare the sites designated for pilgrims of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Al-Mashaer with the necessary equipment, stated Al-Qattan. Security and safety The mission also follows up on the provision of all security and safety requirements in those sites and their readiness to receive pilgrims, before the mission committees distribute those sites and hand them over to the campaigns to enable them to serve pilgrims to the fullest. Abdullah Al-Bashbishi, a member of the Hajj Mission and the head of the engineering planning team, provided further details on the preparations. In Mina, 100 tents have been constructed across 15 different sites of varying sizes. In Arafat, 34 tents have been set up for pilgrims, along with 18 service tents. For Muzdalifah, the designated area for Bahraini pilgrims has been divided into 24 distinct regions to optimize utilization. Immediate support Additionally, the Hajj Missions headquarters and committee facilities have been completed, and a medical clinic has been equipped to provide immediate support to Bahraini pilgrims once the rituals commence. The construction of the missions headquarters and its committees has been completed, and the medical clinic has been equipped, which is expected to begin its work to serve the pilgrims in the Holy Sites immediately after the start of the rituals, to supervise and follow up on the affairs of the pilgrims of the Kingdom of Bahrain in all locations and during the performance of the Hajj ritual, explained Al-Bashbishi. The Hajj Missions thorough preparations underscore Bahrains commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj experience for its citizens, as the Kingdom continues to play a vital role in facilitating the sacred pilgrimage for Muslims worldwide. Battles rage in Rafah after US says Gaza truce still possible Battles rage in Rafah after US says Gaza truce still possible AFP | Gaza The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Israeli helicopters struck Gazas Rafah yesterday, residents said, with Hamas reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible. But the war raged on, and tensions soared on Israels northern border with more attacks by Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah forces targeting military positions. Israel, which has traded near-daily fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah since the start of the Gaza war, said it would respond with force. Israeli ground forces have been operating in Rafah since early May, despite widespread alarm over the fate of Palestinian civilians there, including in a ruling by the International Court of Justice later that month. Western areas of Rafah came under heavy fire yesterday from the air, sea, and land, residents said. There was very intense fire from warplanes, Apaches (helicopters), and quadcopters, in addition to Israeli artillery and military battleships, all of which were striking the area west of Rafah, one told AFP. Hamas said its fighters were battling Israeli troops on the streets in the city, near the besieged Gaza Strips border with Egypt. The Gaza war began after Hamass unprecedented 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. The gunmen also seized 251 hostages. Of these, 116 remain in Gaza although the army says 41 are dead. Israels retaliatory military offensive has left at least 37,232 people dead in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-ruled territorys health ministry. The latest toll includes at least 30 more deaths over the previous day, it said. Ceasefire push Efforts to reach a truce stalled when Israel began ground operations in Rafah, but US President Joe Biden in late May launched a new effort to secure a deal. On Monday the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution supporting the plan. Blinken, in Doha on Wednesday to promote Bidens ceasefire roadmap, said Washington would work with regional partners to close the deal. Hamas responded to mediators Qatar and Egypt late Tuesday. Blinken said some of its proposed amendments are workable and some are not. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the group sought a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, demands repeatedly rejected by Israel. The plan includes a six-week ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange and Gaza reconstruction. It would be the first truce since a week-long November pause in fighting saw hostages freed and Palestinians released from Israeli jails. TORONTO, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ - The Multicultural Christian Community is delighted to announce a vibrant celebration of faith, freedom, and the Christian heritage of Canada, scheduled to take place at Nathan Phillips Square on June 15th. This remarkable event will bring together individuals from various cultural backgrounds to honor and celebrate the rich Christian heritage that is integral to Canada's identity. Event Details: Multicultural Christian Community to Gather at Nathan Phillips Square to Celebrate Faith, Freedom, and Canada's Christian Heritage - Date: June 15th - Time: Noon - 10:00 PM - Location: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto - Address: 100 Queen Street West, M5H 2N2 Event Highlights: - Live Music and Performances: Experience uplifting music from multicultural choirs, bands, and solo artists, with performances by acclaimed artists and Juno nominees like Jennifer Lewin and Tuzee. Christian Rock artist Thurane is traveling from Arizona to participate in the festival. The festival will showcase the talents of 250 participants, ranging from teenagers to senior citizens, through dance and a wide array of music genres, including Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Rap, Christian Rock, Reggae, and various dance styles. The Choir from Carr Street Baptist Church, comprising Ukrainians and Russians, will also perform, exemplifying the unifying power of faith. "Only Jesus can bring enemies together," say the organizers. - Delectable Delights: Savor delicious foods from a variety of cultural traditions available throughout the square. - Family Activities: Enjoy fun and engaging activities for children and families, including face painting, games, and interactive displays. Prominent Attendees: Among the notable politicians attending will be: - The Honourable Pierre Poilievre Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada - The Honourable Ahmed Hussen Minister of International Development - The Honourable Michael Ford Minister of Citizenship & Multiculturalism This non-denominational event will welcome Catholics, Baptists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, and individuals from many other denominations, truly embodying the spirit of unity in diversity. Purpose and Significance: This gathering is a unique opportunity for Christians of all backgrounds to unite, celebrate their faith, and express gratitude for the freedom to worship and live in a country that values religious diversity and heritage. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the significant role that Christian faith and principles have played in shaping the Canadian society we cherish today. Statement from the Organizers: "We believe in the power of faith to bring communities together and to build a more inclusive and compassionate society," says Molly Banerjei, CEO of the Christian Music Festival. Invitation: We warmly invite everyone to join us for this special celebration and to experience the joy and unity that come from our shared faith and heritage. Join us at Nathan Phillips Square on June 15th for a day of celebration, reflection, and community spirit that you won't want to miss. SOURCE Christian Music Festival For More Information: Molly Banerjei, CEO, Christian Music Festival, Phone: 647-979-3220, Website: [www.ChristianMusicFestival.org](http://www.ChristianMusicFestival.org) With more than 200 performances at over 100 sites over three weeks, North To Shore is billed, understandably, as the festival only Jersey can handle. This massive undertaking by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in three cities Asbury Park, Atlantic City and Newark has big-time national acts, including Kevin Hart, Matchbox Twenty, Keyshia Cole, and the B-52s. But the strength of the festival is in the hundreds of other performances by artists from our own backyard. Mosaic is New Jersey Advance Medias new website, with a mission to celebrate the richness of the states diverse cultures. Our new site is showcasing all that North 2 Shore has to offer with wall-to-wall coverage. Weve written extensively about the flurry of musicians, dancers, comedians, and other festival artists, including stories about Clarence Clemons son, Jarod, and his planned tribute to his father on Fathers Day and how Gary Clark Jr., a Texas-bred star, brought his new brand of swagger to Asbury Park. And with so many acts to consider, each week well pick a few performances as Mosaics Pick of the Week. Typically, the events we pick are fun, educational and free. If youve missed some of coverage, you can still find it on Mosaic. But here are some of the highlights from our coverage: Mosaic can also be found on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. The Jersey City Council, which has taken jabs at the school board in the past over its spending, is now joining the board of education in demanding the state give the city the authority to force businesses to pay the payroll tax that was created as a lifeline for the school district. The 1% tax on businesses was implemented in 2018 to help the nearly 30,000-student school district facing massive cuts in state aid. Anticipated to generate as much as $86 million annually for the school district, the tax has come up short over the last few years a clear indication that some businesses are evading the tax. The city council Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution calling for Gov. Phil Murphy and legislators to give the school board and the council the authority to enforce the payroll tax. The resolution also requests that the state provide funding to allow the city to conduct an independent fiscal audit of businesses. Two New Jersey residents face multiple felony drug possession charges after troopers pulled over their SUV in upstate New York on Wednesday and found a stash of drugs, police said. Investigators found more than an ounce of cocaine as well as smaller quantities of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs in the SUV following the traffic stop at about 5:15 p.m. on Route 90 in Canaan, New York State Police said. There was also more than $10,000 in cash in the vehicle, officials said. The driver, a 37-year-old from Union Township, and the passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Morristown, were arrested. Troopers made the stop for vehicle and traffic violations, New York State Police said. The driver was sent to the Columbia County Jail while the passenger was released. Attorney information wasnt immediately available. Canaan is about 30 miles southeast of Albany. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A Toms River man was charged with aggravated assault after allegedly firing shots into a car and wounding a man, officials announced Thursday. Anthony Brown, 20, was charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses, authorities said. On Wednesday at around 11:30 p.m., Toms River Police were called to a home on Adams Avenue for a report of a gunshot victim, according to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Brown was accused of taking a gun from the home, and shooting twice at a car, striking a 24-year-old occupant in the leg. Brown fled the scene, but was later arrested at his home, officials said. The victim was taken to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was treated for his injuries and later released, according to authorities. Brown was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is awaiting a detention hearing, the prosecutors office said. Attorney information was not immediately available Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson. Democrats are reaching into their wallets to remind the people of Milwaukee what Donald Trump thinks of where they live when the cameras arent on him. The Democratic National Committee is set to launch a billboard campaign in 10 spots across the city echoing the comments Trump made behind closed doors with fellow Republicans on Thursday, saying, Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city. Axios reported five of the billboards will show an image of Trump and what he said and the other five will be an image of Punchbowl News Jake Shermans post to X of what people in the meeting told him the president said. Trumps campaign and Republicans he spoke to denied the former president made the remark, though in the immediate aftermath the people he spoke to offered different explanations. Some said they didnt hear him say anything of the sort, some said he was talking about election integrity and others said Trump was referring to crime in the city. Trump frequently denounces Democratic-led cities as unsafe even as violent crime decreased nationally in the most recent FBI statistics and repeats falsehoods about his loss in the 2020 election. Sherman reported Friday, One of the interesting elements of this episode is the people reaching out to me telling me Trump was right and this helps him! One of the interesting elements of this episode is the people reaching out to me telling me Trump was right and this helps him! https://t.co/UIa7lSMbWp Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) June 14, 2024 Milwaukee is hosting the Republican National Convention starting July 15 and is the largest Democratic stronghold in swing-state Wisconsin. Trump is scheduled to be in Racine, Wisconsin, for a campaign rally on Tuesday, just three weeks before heading to Milwaukee for the convention. Milwaukee was supposed to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but that was moved almost entirely online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. Strong thunderstorms are sweeping across eastern Pennsylvania and making their way into parts of New Jersey Friday afternoon, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings to be issued in several counties. Forecasters say storm cells triggered by a cold front are packing heavy downpours, pea-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph, which are strong enough to knock down trees and power lines. ALSO: Live N.J. power outage tracker: Thunderstorms cut power to thousands of homes At about 4:15 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Sussex and Warren counties in northern New Jersey, effective through 5 p.m. Friday. Another severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 4:40 p.m. for west-central sections of Hunterdon County and the southwestern region of Warren County, effective until 5:30 p.m. Additional warnings are possible during the next few hours, with more thunderstorm cells expected to develop as the cold front clashes with hot and humid air in the atmosphere, forecasters say. UPDATE: New thunderstorm warnings have been posted for Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties, effective until 6:15 p.m. in some areas and 6:45 p.m. in others. (see more details below) Forecasters say there's a slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe weather in northern and central New Jersey and a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of severe weather in most of southern New Jersey on Friday, June 14, 2024. More areas of the state are now in the yellow zone than they were earlier today.Storm Prediction Center Temperatures in some parts of the state including Cherry Hill in Camden County and Hillsborough in Somerset County soared to the upper 80s early Friday afternoon, and some spots climbed into the low 90s later in the afternoon, adding more fuel to the thunderstorms that form. The thunderstorms are expected to ease up Friday night, from west to east, followed by whats expected to be a dry and quiet weekend in New Jersey. Mostly sunny skies and low humidity levels are forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, when Fathers Day will be celebrated. Afternoon temperatures should rise into the low to mid-80s. After that, however, the first heat wave of the year is expected to hit New Jersey, with temperatures likely to climb into the low 90s Monday and Tuesday, then making a run for the mid-90s on Wednesday and Thursday. On top of the steamy temperatures next week, humidity levels will be creeping up, making it feel even hotter outside, forecasters said. Latest storm alerts in New Jersey Flash Flood Warning including Hamilton Square NJ, White Horse NJ and Yardville NJ until 10:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/TJYiCAlos8 NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Ocean City NJ, Villas NJ and Cape May Court House NJ until 7:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/hJSlcikFxK NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Toms River NJ, Lakewood NJ and Long Branch NJ until 7:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/3t4y5aQZ2x NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including New Brunswick NJ, Perth Amboy NJ and Sayreville NJ until 6:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/I0eMHbMVZj NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including New Brunswick NJ, Perth Amboy NJ and Sayreville NJ until 6:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/nmiAlPfnux NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Ramsey NJ, Oakland NJ and Ringwood NJ until 6:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/jQWtNoFAfQ NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Allentown PA, Bethlehem PA and Easton PA until 5:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/6CsfZ5llFt NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Hopatcong NJ, Lake Mohawk NJ and East Stroudsburg PA until 5:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/Z3CstU2IwA NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 14, 2024 Current weather radar Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality. KANSAS CITY, Mo. With closer Clay Holmes on the mound in the bottom of the ninth at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, the Yankees had a memorable comeback win turn into a walk-off loss thatll sting for a while. Holmes had Royals No. 9 hitter Kyle Isbel in an 0-2 count with two outs, one pitch away from finishing off a 3-2 win and a sweep in Kansas City. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Barnstaple manufacturer SEA is looking forward to a bright future after winning a major 135milion contract, with orders secure for the next five years and bringing extra jobs to the town. Earlier this year the defence and transport technology company won a Ministry of Defence contract to supply the innovative Ancilia system to protect Royal Navy ships from missiles. It is an exciting new chapter for SEA (Systems Engineering and Assessment), which now has 280m of combined orders on its books enough to provide work for five years and is also seeking to recruit 40 more staff for its Barnstaple site. Above: How the SEA Ancilia Trainable Decoy Launcher will look once installed on a ship. Credit: SEA The companys existing decoy launchers to thwart missiles by firing pyrotechnics or other measures are already in use on British ships and have recently seen action in the Red Sea, fending off missile attacks launched by Houthi rebels. The icing on the cake was winning the Business Action Awards International Trade & Exports Award recently for its success in exporting its defence capabilities to armed forces across the globe. The North Devon Gazette was invited to visit the SEA factory at Pottington to find out more about its work and what the Royal Navy contract will mean for the town. The company has been in Barnstaple, for more than 60 years and was formerly known as J & S Marine. It was acquired by Cohort plc in 2007. SEA is already a trusted supplier for torpedo launchers and countermeasures systems for the Royal Navy, as well as exporting around 30 per cent of its products to other nations around the world. The company also produces sensors for anti-submarine measures or environmental monitoring, such as its new KraitSense system and communications systems, as well as maintaining and refurbishing existing systems in use by the Royal Navy and further afield. Its new Ancilia system is the next generation in ship defence and has been developed in partnership with Sussex-based Chess Dynamics. The turret-shaped system can easily be mounted on ships and can move in all directions, compared with traditional launchers which are fixed and require the crew to move the vessel to defend against attacks. Above: Paul Parsons, international business development director, marketing manager Alice Moore and managing director Richard Flitton. Credit: SEA SEA managing director Richard Flitton said it had been a fantastic year, with SEAs state-of-the-art technology selected by armed forces across the globe. He said: From the launch of our innovative trainable decoy launcher, Ancilia, to the export of our Torpedo Launcher System across four continents, were proud to be representing North Devon on an international playing field demonstrating the expertise and innovation that takes place at our site in Barnstaple. The business as a whole has probably increased its number of staff by about a third and in Barnstaple specifically it has gone up by about 40 per cent to 240 staff. There are a lot more high-skilled jobs available ranging from shop floor to engineering. The size of the work we have on the books has gone up massively by a factor of six, from about 40m three or four years ago to about 280m today. SEA is currently seeking to recruit some 46 new staff across its sites in Bristol and Beckington in Somerset, with upwards of 40 of those linked to Barnstaple. Mr Flitton added: We are investing in training to try and grow North Devon skills in the local population, so as well as recruiting from outside we are trying to create new jobs and new careers in the local community. The companys emerging talent manager has overhauled its graduate and apprenticeship programme, which includes a partnership with Petroc plus Group Training and Development, offering graduates and apprentices experience and roles across the whole business. Find out more about the jobs available at https://careers.sea.co.uk/vacancies VALPARAISO Less than a week after helping to nab one Portage man trying to meet a child for sex, an online vigilante group led police Thursday to another man from the same city seeking the same type of illegal encounter, according to Valparaiso police. Lloyd Bowman, 27, is at least the eighth man arrested on these types of allegations resulting from the group's activities since September. A representative of NWI Predator Catchers reportedly contacted Valparaiso police around 8:40 a.m. Thursday saying a man would be arriving on an electric scooter to an apartment complex parking area in the 1400 block of LaPorte Avenue. Police said they located Bowman and was told by a group representative that Bowman had responded a day earlier on the MeetMe messaging app the group uses to locate people it believes could become child sex offenders. Bowman reportedly sent photos and then turned the conversation sexual even though he thought he was chatting with a 13-year-old girl, police said. Bowman wanted to meet Wednesday night at a Valparaiso playground to smoke marijuana with the girl and have sex, the group told police. Second person dies in wake of alleged OWI crash; charge enhanced, records show The accused said he pulled over, observed both the motorcycle driver and passenger lying on the shoulder of the roadway and then called his girlfriend, her mother and his mother before police arrived after being contacted by a witness, a court document says. Bowman then reached out Thursday morning and scheduled to meet the person he thought was 13, according to police. Bowman was taken into custody by police on charges of solicitation of a minor under the age of 14, and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, police said. Valparaiso police have said they understand the desire to protect children from predators, but the department warns that the increasing efforts by vigilante groups are putting those individuals and the general public at risk. The Minneapolis Institute of Art announced Thursday that it had decided not to move forward with a planned Kehinde Wiley exhibition, citing recent allegations of sexual misconduct against the artist, which he has denied. The exhibition, called An Archaeology of Silence, originated at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and has been traveling around the country. The Minneapolis museum put plans to stage the exhibition on hold after several men made accusations against Mr. Wiley, all of which he has denied. The first was in May, when an artist accused him of sexual assault in a post on Instagram. Mr. Wiley denied the allegations at the time, saying that these claims are not true and are an affront to all victims of sexual abuse. The Minneapolis Institute of Art said in an email that it was considering taking the Kehinde Wiley exhibition, but as a result of these unfortunate allegations we will not be proceeding with this presentation. Mark James, a genre-defying, Grammy Award-winning songwriter whose hits included Suspicious Minds, Hooked on a Feeling and Always on My Mind, died on Saturday at his home in Nashville. He was 83. His death was confirmed by his daughter Sammie Zambon. Among the many stars who lent their voices to Mr. Jamess catalog of songs over the years were Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson. His career of powerhouse hits began in 1968 when the country and pop hitmaker B.J. Thomas, a lifelong friend, recorded The Eyes of a New York Woman, which reached the Billboard Top 40. Mr. Thomas followed it with another song by Mr. James, Hooked on a Feeling, a celebration of newfound love that hit No. 5 that year. It did even better in 1974, when the Swedish rock band Blue Swedes version reached No. 1. Mr. James catapulted into a different stratosphere in 1969 when Elvis Presley cut Suspicious Minds, a song Mr. James himself had recorded and released as a single, to little notice, the previous year. Presleys version became one of his biggest hits, reaching No. 1 in 27 countries. It was his last No. 1 single. The girlfriend of a deputy inspector with the New York Police Department drunkenly rear-ended a cab while the pair drove in the officers police car near Penn Station, Manhattan prosecutors say. Then, according to an indictment, the couple fled, switched places so the inspector was behind the wheel, offered the cabdriver money and lied to a police captain who had been called to the scene. And the deputy inspector, prosecutors say, did it all on his way to work. The inspector, Paul Zangrilli, 44, was charged this week in Manhattan Criminal Court alongside the girlfriend, Nikole Rupple, 35, in a 12-count indictment that included charges of official misconduct, driving while intoxicated, falsifying business records and lying to a public authority. In addition to the charges stemming from the Aug. 16, 2022, accident, prosecutors said that once Inspector Zangrilli arrived for his night shift at the Fifth Precinct in Chinatown, he called the owner of the bar where he and Ms. Rupple had been drinking American Whiskey and asked him to delete surveillance video of their visit. The inspector is also charged with a felony count of tampering with evidence. The escapade was incredibly dangerous, Alvin L. Bragg, Manhattans district attorney, said in a statement Thursday. We will continue to hold public servants accountable when they violate the public trust. Cindy Sandjo, a 29-year-old content creator who works in I.T. and lives in Dallas, was initially interested in joining a running club because she was in search of other Black people she could connect with. She joined her first run at the end of May and immediately began posting videos about her newfound interest on social media. She was quickly informed by her followers that running clubs are the new dating apps. I joined for the running and also for the community, just to find people that have similar interests as me, she said. But I stayed because, yeah, its an opportunity for me to find a husband. A recent flurry of videos on TikTok and Instagram suggests that running clubs, in addition to being a great way to improve ones health and train with other like-minded individuals, are also the new way to date. Why chase potential lovers online when they may be waiting for you at the finish line? A facial recognition start-up, accused of invasion of privacy in a class-action lawsuit, has agreed to a settlement, with a twist: Rather than cash payments, it would give a 23 percent stake in the company to Americans whose faces are in its database. Clearview AI, which is based in New York, scraped billions of photos from the web and social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to build a facial recognition app used by thousands of police departments, the Department of Homeland Security and the F.B.I. After The New York Times revealed the companys existence in 2020, lawsuits were filed across the country. They were consolidated in federal court in Chicago as a class action. The litigation has proved costly for Clearview AI, which would most likely go bankrupt before the case made it to trial, according to court documents. The company and those who sued it were trapped together on a sinking ship, lawyers for the plaintiffs wrote in a court filing proposing the settlement. These realities led the sides to seek a creative solution by obtaining for the class a percentage of the value Clearview could achieve in the future, added the lawyers, from Loevy + Loevy in Chicago. Republican lawmakers questioned a senior Microsoft executive on Thursday about the companys presence in China, about a year after Chinese hackers used the tech giants systems to launch a devastating hack of federal government networks. Several members of the House Committee on Homeland Security asked Brad Smith, Microsofts president, in an hourslong hearing how a critical contractor for the U.S. government like Microsoft could maintain a commercial business in China, which Mr. Smith said accounted for about 1.4 or 1.5 percent of the companys sales. Is it really worth it? asked Representative Carlos Gimenez, a Republican from Florida. Mr. Smith argued that Microsofts business in China served American interests by protecting the trade secrets of Microsofts American customers operating there and learning from whats going on in the rest of the world. He added that Microsoft had denied Chinese government requests to turn over sensitive information. I will tell you that there are days when questions are put to Microsoft, and they come across my desk, and I say, No, he said. About a month after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen embryos were to be considered children under the law, Andrew T. Walker, an ethicist at a Southern Baptist seminary in Kentucky, called a friend with an idea: to spread Alabamas argument beyond Alabama. The Alabama ruling, which had threatened access to in vitro fertilization and other reproductive services in the state, caught many Americans, including conservatives, off guard. The idea that fertility treatments could be morally and legally questionable rattled many anti-abortion voters who had used such procedures to expand their families. And it further frayed the increasingly tense alliance between the anti-abortion movement and the Republican Party, which saw political peril in going after I.V.F. Four months later, Dr. Walker succeeded. On Wednesday, the Southern Baptist Convention, the countrys largest Protestant denomination, voted to condemn the use of reproductive technologies like I.V.F. that end in the destruction of frozen embryonic human beings. The resolution passed by what appeared to be the overwhelming majority of Baptists that gathered in Indianapolis for their annual meeting. The moment was especially striking given that after the Alabama ruling this year, Republican leaders quickly tried to signal to their base that they supported I.V.F., an extraordinarily popular procedure widely used by Christians and non-Christians alike. Justice Clarence Thomas never disclosed three trips aboard the private jet of the Texas billionaire Harlan Crow, according to documents obtained by the Senate Judiciary Committee released on Thursday. The documents, obtained by Democrats on the panel, list three visits that have not previously been reported: one to a city in Montana, near Glacier National Park, in 2017; another to his hometown, Savannah, Ga., in March 2019; and another to Northern California in 2021. The purpose of each trip was not immediately clear, nor was the reason for their omission on the justices disclosure forms. However, all of the flights involve short stays: two were round trips that did not include an overnight stay. The revelation underlined the extent to which Justice Thomas has relied on the generosity of his friends over the years and the consistency with which he declined to report those ties. Hezbollah replied on Thursday to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon with a second straight day of sharply ramped-up rocket and drone assaults on Israel, in an intensifying conflict that has raised fears of a full-fledged war. How many weapons Hezbollah launched on Thursday was unclear, but the groups Al-Manar broadcaster reported that at one point, more than 100 were fired in a simultaneous, coordinated attack aimed at several Israeli military installations. That included a number of drones aimed at Israels northern military headquarters, Hezbollah said. Israels military said in the afternoon that Hezbollah had sent more than 40 rockets across the border, but the barrage continued well into the evening. Hours later, the military had not updated that number, but a military spokesman called it the most serious attack since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October. He did not immediately elaborate. At least four people were injured in Thursdays assault, according to both Israels military and its emergency service, Magen David Adom. The military said in the afternoon that its air defenses had shot down many of the weapons fired up to that point, but some had penetrated. The attacks and counterattacks ignited wildfires on both sides of the border. On Thursday night, Lebanons state-run news agency reported that an Israeli strike destroyed a house, caused several casualties and started a fire in the town of Jannata, Lebanon, a few miles from the coastal city of Tyre. On Tuesday, an Israeli strike targeted and killed Taleb Abdullah, one of the senior commanders of Hezbollah, a powerful armed group and political faction backed by Iran. The group pledged to step up its attacks on Israel in retaliation. Hezbollah replied on Thursday to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon with what the Israeli military called Hezbollahs most serious rocket and drone assault in more than eight months of hostilities. It was the second straight day of ramped-up attacks in a conflict that has raised fears of a full-fledged war, even as Israel continued to press its military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It was not immediately clear how many weapons Hezbollah, a powerful militia and political faction backed by Iran, launched into Israel on Thursday. But the groups broadcaster, Al-Manar, reported that at one point, more than 100 were fired in a coordinated attack aimed at several Israeli military installations. The assault included a number of drones aimed at Israels northern military headquarters, Hezbollah said. Israels military said in the afternoon that Hezbollah had sent more than 40 rockets across the border, but the barrage continued well into the evening. Hours later, Israel had not updated that number, but a military spokesman called it Hezbollahs most serious attack since October. He did not immediately elaborate. At least four people were injured in the assault on Thursday, according to Israels military and its emergency service, Magen David Adom. The military said in the afternoon that its air defenses had shot down many of the weapons fired up to that point, but some had penetrated. The attacks ignited wildfires on both sides of the border, where more than 150,000 people have fled their homes because of the near-daily strikes by Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. The U.S. military launched airstrikes that destroyed three anti-ship cruise missile launchers in Houthi-controlled Yemen late on Thursday, as the armed rebel group stepped up its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the U.S. Central Command said. The latest strikes from U.S. forces came as the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group that controls much of Yemen, intensified their campaign in the Red Sea, firing missiles toward two ships on Thursday after crippling a vessel the previous day, maritime security monitors said. One merchant vessel was hit by projectiles about 98 nautical miles east of the Yemeni city of Aden and caught fire, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, a British agency, said in an online post. It did not name the ship. But the U.S. Central Command said two Houthi missiles had struck a Ukrainian-owned bulk carrier, the Verbana, in the Gulf of Aden, severely injuring a crew member, who was later evacuated to another ship. The Polish-operated vessel was en route to Italy carrying lumber and caught fire. The crew continues to fight the fire, the U.S. military said. The British maritime agency said it also received a report from an officer of a second ship, about 82 nautical miles northwest of the port of Hodeida, that there was an explosion near the vessel. There was no damage to the vessel, all crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call, the agency said. A Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said in a televised speech that in addition to the Verbana, they also struck two more vessels, which he identified as the Seaguardian and the Athina. His claim could not be independently verified. On Wednesday, a Greek merchant vessel, the Tutor, sent out a distress call after the Houthis said they targeted the ship using unmanned surface boats, a number of drones and ballistic missiles. The Central Command said the impact of the attack caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room. The fate of the ship remained unclear on Thursday. The continued malign and reckless behavior by the Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Central Command said. The threat posed by the Houthis in the Red Sea makes it harder to deliver critical assistance to the people of Yemen as well as to Gaza, it added. Nicole Yi Messier and Victoria Manganiello would like you to talk to their textile. Just pick up the phone and tell it a story. Nothing elaborate a simple story will do. The textile in question is a few feet away, 18 fabric panels suspended from the ceiling. While youre talking, ChatGPT will decode the emotions, which are then displayed as colors on fiber optics running through the fabric. The system is constantly evolving, but depending on the circumstances, red could mean joy, blue might mean frustration, purple could signal sadness. Ancient Futures, as its called, is one of 33 installations on view through June 20 at 161 Water Street, a Financial District office tower thats been recently reborn as a collaborative work space and culture hang. All were created by soon-to-graduate members of New Inc, a cultural incubator thats run by the New Museum and will move into the starkly angular addition designed by Rem Koolhaass firm, OMA, next year. Participants in the yearlong program pay as much as $150 per month to be part of an art/tech community New Inc is very big on community that includes mentors and alumni as well as staff and fellow participants. What they get in return has more to do with career guidance than with making art. Art is whats on view at Demo2024, New Incs latest annual showcase of its members work. This is where Messier and Manganiello, who work together in a studio called Craftwork in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, show what they can do with cloth and electronics materials that suggest physical and digital, fuzzy and hard-edge, past and future. Just down the corridor, Dan Gorelick has set up a listening station where you can hear live air traffic control chatter from Tokyo, New York, Mexico City or Zurich, Switzerland superimposed on algorithmically generated soundscapes dark and moody compositions punctuated by a highly technical patois. A pregnant fish lizard began its unlikely journey from southwest Germany to southwest London 180 million years ago. Soon, it will arrive in the English capital in fossil form to join other rare objects for sale at the Treasure House Fair at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which runs from June 27 to July 2. How it got there reveals the thorny evolution of the antiquities market and the art worlds current concerns over authenticity. Charges of looted ancient art and lawsuits over repatriations have roiled museums and collectors over the last decade, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. But Thomas Woodham-Smith, the co-founder of Treasure House with Harry Van der Hoorn, said the fair meticulously vets the dealers and their wares. From fossils to Etruscan wine cups, from diamonds to Lichtensteins to oil paintings of Queen Elizabeth II, such disparate items are checked by experts including the Art Loss Register to ensure they are not stolen, lost or looted. They carry the directors pledge: Responsibly sourced, responsibly provenanced, carefully cataloged, all legal, Woodham-Smith said in an interview in New York last month. The Supreme Court today struck down a ban on bump stocks, which enable semiautomatic rifles to fire rapidly like machine guns. The ban was enacted by the Trump administration after a deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. The decision, by a vote of 6 to 3, split along ideological lines. Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, found that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had exceeded its authority when it banned the sale and possession of the device. Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed a dissent along with two other judges, saying the decision puts machine guns back in civilian hands. President Biden urged Congress to act to ban the device. The man who challenged the bump stock ban, a gun shop owner in Texas, said that the ruling was a broader victory for gun rights and that it would make it easier to challenge future attempts by the A.T.F. to regulate firearms. G7 leaders agreed to give Ukraine a $50 billion loan At the G7 summit in Italy, the member countries agreed on a plan to give Ukraine a $50 billion loan to help it buy weapons and begin to rebuild damaged infrastructure. The new loan comes at a crucial moment in the war, when Russia has the momentum on the battlefield. The loan is expected to be repaid using interest earned on nearly $300 billion in frozen Russian assets, which are mostly in European banks. In our Opinion section, Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury secretary, explained how the loan will work. President Biden also signed a 10-year security pact with Ukraines government, to show a long-term U.S. commitment to the country. Its designed to be a bridge to Ukraines membership in NATO. Japan signed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine as well, which included a pledge of $4.5 billion. Separately, NATOs defense chiefs gathered yesterday in Brussels to pledge additional weapons to Kyiv. They also met to prepare long-term military commitments to be announced next month at a summit in Washington. One boost for Ukraine: an agreement that Hungary would not contribute to the military alliances war effort but also would not block it. Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Google, said in a New York courtroom on Friday that he never discussed a possible takeover of Ozy Media. Mr. Pichai is the highest-profile witness to testify so far in the trial of Carlos Watson, the founder of Ozy who is accused of misrepresenting his companys financial results, funding and audience data to investors and lenders from 2018 to 2021. The government alleged in court filings and at trial that Mr. Watson falsely claimed to a prospective investor that Ozy had received a $600 million takeover offer from Google. (While the indictment omitted the name of the company, witnesses and documents presented at trial made it clear that Mr. Watson had referred to the search giant.) Mr. Pichai said he interviewed Mr. Watson in February 2021 for a full-time role managing Googles relationships with news publishers. To accept the role, Mr. Watson would have had to step down from Ozy, which Google recognized could harm the digital media start-up, another Google executive testified on Thursday. As part of the hiring discussions, Google considered investing about $25 million in Ozy to help with the transition, Mr. Pichai testified when he briefly took the stand. When The Washington Posts staff gathered in the newsroom in early May to celebrate winning three Pulitzer Prizes, one person was conspicuously absent: Will Lewis, the companys publisher and chief executive. Thats because Mr. Lewis was in New York meeting with Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and owner of The Post, who was in the city to attend the Met Gala, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. The pair had been discussing a reorganization aimed at helping The Post turn around its business. That included creating a third newsroom inside The Post to focus on new editorial products, an idea blessed by Mr. Bezos, according to one of those people and another familiar with the talks. Mr. Lewiss decision this month to go ahead with that plan has shaken The Post. Sally Buzbee, the papers executive editor, abruptly resigned, upsetting many in the newsroom. Since then, revelations about Mr. Lewiss response to a years-old scandal have raised questions about his ethics before and after he joined The Post and even questions about whether he would survive in his job. Tesla shareholders decisively backed a proposal to affirm Elon Musks multibillion-dollar pay package, according to details of the vote released on Friday. The vote of confidence in Mr. Musk reduces the risk that he would leave Tesla, but may also validate behavior that some investors say has hurt the carmaker, analysts and investors said. Passage of the proposal was announced at Teslas annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, without the underlying total. In the end, about 72 percent of voting shares, excluding stock owned by Mr. Musk and his brother, Kimbal, backed the pay package. For months, many Tesla investors have worried about how engaged Elon Musk would be in running the electric car company after a judge in Delaware voided his pay package, originally approved in 2018. The first time Donald J. Trump ran for president, he slapped on a miners helmet and told coal workers they would be winning, winning, winning when he entered the White House. Now, as Mr. Trump campaigns for another chance at the presidency, he rarely mentions Americas coal miners and has stopped making grand promises about their future. The shift reflects political and economic realities, experts said. Top among them: Mr. Trump oversaw coals decline, not its salvation. Despite the fact that Mr. Trump gutted climate regulations and appointed a coal lobbyist to lead the countrys top environmental agency, 75 coal-fired power plants closed and the industry shed about 13,000 jobs during his presidency. Not a single coal miner went back to work or power plant saved, said Erin E. Bates, a spokeswoman for the United Mine Workers of America, the labor organization representing coal miners. When my Travel story about Saudi Arabia was published online last week, some readers bristled. Why, they wanted to know, had The New York Timess Travel team devoted so much time and effort to a country whose authoritarian government has committed grievous human rights abuses? Why did the kingdom deserve our attention? How much had the government paid us for our coverage? The last question is the easiest to answer: Accepting money (or any other benefit) in exchange for coverage is strictly prohibited by The Timess ethics guidelines. We simply dont do it. But in the context of Saudi Arabia, I can understand why readers wonder. While reporting the story, I learned about the incredible extent to which the Saudi government and its tourism officials have paid online influencers those on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to visit the country and share overly simplified accounts of carefully curated experiences. Such an arrangement creates incentives to focus on the positive aspects of the country and leave out anything that paints a more complicated picture. And so social media is awash with glossy, one-sided content from the kingdom which you might not realize, because the arrangements that produce it often arent disclosed. Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. Every month since Sudans catastrophic civil war erupted in April 2023, the news has gotten worse ever more people displaced, starved or killed. As the chief Africa correspondent for The New York Times, based in Kenya, I have covered the conflict closely. But reporting on it from inside the country seemed impossible. Visas to enter Sudan were hard to obtain. Few journalists have gained entry since the war began. But one day this spring, after a chance meeting with an old contact, I found a way in. In April, I flew into Port Sudan, the countrys de facto wartime capital, with the photographer Ivor Prickett and Jon, a Times safety adviser. At the airports immigration desk, I watched anxiously as our passports (coincidentally, all of them Irish) were passed between three officials. Aid workers had warned us that we could be refused entry, even with visas. Ka-chunk. The last official stamped our passports. We were in. The war between the national army and its paramilitary rival had ravaged Sudan, splintering Africas third-largest country by area into a volatile mosaic of shifting battle fronts. Still, its bureaucracy endured. We spent our first days in meetings, filling out forms and cajoling officials to issue us the letter the coveted permission we needed to report freely. Joys had always been an unusually sensitive nose, the inheritance, she believes, of her maternal line. Her grandmother was a hyperosmic, and she encouraged Joy, as a child, to make the most of her abilities, quizzing her on different varieties of rose, teaching her to distinguish the scent of the petals from the scent of the leaves from the scent of the pistils and stamens. Still, her grandmother did not think odor of any kind to be a polite topic of conversation, and however rich and enjoyable and dense with information the olfactory world might be, she urged her granddaughter to keep her experience of it to herself. Les only learned of Joys peculiar nose well after their relationship began, on a trip to the Scandinavian far north. Joy would not stop going on about the creamy odor of the tundra, or what she insisted was the aroma of the cold itself. Joy planned to go off to university in Paris or Rome. Faced with the prospect of tending to his mother alone, however, Les begged her to stay in Scotland. He trained as a doctor, she as a nurse; they married during his residency. He was soon the sort of capable young physician one might hope to meet, a practitioner of uncommon enthusiasm, and shortly after his 30th birthday, he was appointed consultant anesthesiologist at Macclesfield District General Hospital, outside Manchester, in England, the first in his graduating class to make consultant. On Wednesday morning, Anne Pasternak, the director of the Brooklyn Museum, awoke to find that the front of her co-op building had been defaced with red paint and accusations attacks inscribed on a large banner calling her a white supremacist Zionist. Trustees and the museums president also found their morning colored by similar angry disparagements in front of their own apartments. These apparently coordinated attacks came nearly two weeks after 34 people were arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in front of the museum. Protesters, who assaulted security staff and damaged artwork displayed in the plaza outside, were calling for Israeli divestment from a museum facing budget cuts and lumbering along with an endowment smaller than, say, Harvards by a factor of 407. Outraged over the latest bout of vandalism, Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, stood on the Senate floor on Wednesday, slamming the invasive attacks as dehumanizing, loaded with the threat of looming violence, vile, nasty, un-American. To those who were targeted it must have also seemed profoundly confusing. Seven months ago, the museum was criticized not for a sympathetic view toward Israel but instead for antisemitic leanings. The turmoil in which so many universities and cultural institutions were now engulfed was playing out at the museum as whiplash. At a fair held in conjunction with the opening of an exhibit called Copy Machine Manifestos: Artists Who Make Zines, printed materials had been sold bearing the controversial slogan River to the sea, Palestine will be free. The museum apologized, issuing a statement that said it was giving care to reviewing our policies while remaining committed to freedom of artistic expression and striving to create spaces for all to see themselves and others with dignity. Things were off that morning. Her mother always called out I love you, baby, before leaving for work; there was only silence. And she always left the bathroom light on; only darkness. Her childhood rituals disrupted, 12-year-old Brittany Robertson rose from her bed in the living room and opened the door to the only bedroom in their small Bronx apartment. It was the cold Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 2005. The cooked shrimp and macaroni and cheese for the feast her mother had planned for co-workers was in the kitchen. And in the bedroom, the would-be hostess, Erica Robertson, 29, was dead on the floor, a knife protruding from her chest, a single glove by her side. Nearly 20 years ago I wrote an About New York column about the murders of two young women. Both had moved to the city from Columbus, Ohio, and both had been stabbed to death in their apartments. One was Catherine Woods, an aspiring Broadway dancer who moonlighted at topless clubs and whose death on the Upper East Side generated headlines; she was white. The other was Ms. Robertson, a security guard at a shelter in East Harlem whose surname tended to be misspelled as Robinson in the scant news coverage; she was Black. With New York on the verge of becoming the first city in the nation to adopt congestion pricing, a sudden, familiar chill fell over the city last week, as another ambitious project was shelved. This time, it was Gov. Kathy Hochul who consigned a big initiative to the dustbin, where it will molder alongside other abandoned and delayed big-ticket projects like a subway to Staten Island, an AirTrain to La Guardia Airport, a new Port Authority Bus Terminal, a new Pennsylvania Station, a reconstructed Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and a cross-Hudson River rail tunnel canceled by Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey. In the adjoining garbage bin lie other big development projects like a football stadium on Manhattans West Side and smaller initiatives with potentially outsize impact, like all-door bus boarding. For a place where change is the rule and unbridled ambition the guiding light, New York can be a remarkably hard place to get things done. A man sought for questioning in an East Harlem shooting was killed early Thursday by police officers in New Jersey after he fired a gun at two of them, including a New York City police detective, officials said. The dead man, Karl Gregory, 46, was shot shortly after midnight Thursday after, officials said, New York City detectives tracked him to a hotel banquet hall in Woodbridge, N.J., a town about 36 miles south of Manhattan. Mr. Gregory was exiting an elevator and heading toward the hotels lobby when he encountered officers who had been interviewing a witness, according to the office of Matthew J. Platkin, New Jerseys attorney general, which is investigating the incident. Mr. Gregory, who had been holding several bags, reached into his backpack and exchanged gunfire with two Woodbridge officers and the New York detective, the attorney generals office said. The detective, identified by Mr. Platkins office as Matthew Mauro, 35, has been with the Police Department at least 15 years, and was shot in the foot, officials said. A man with a machete-style knife on Thursday afternoon forced a 13-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy into a wooded area of a Queens park where the girl was sexually assaulted, the police said. The schoolmates were walking inside Kissena Park, in Flushing, when a man approached them at around 3 p.m. and demanded that they follow him into the woods, said Joseph Kenny, the Police Departments chief of detectives, at a news conference on Friday. When the children balked, the man displayed the knife and told them to shut up, Chief Kenny said. In a secluded area of the nearly 240-acre park, the suspect tied the childrens wrists together using a shoelace before assaulting the girl, Chief Kenny said. The police described the suspect as a light-skinned man in his 20s with a heavy Spanish accent, braces and a tattoo of a red-eyed bull or another horned animal on the left side of his chest. He told the children to stay in place for 20 minutes, then stole their phones and ran, Chief Kenny said. [You can listen to this episode of The Ezra Klein Show on the NYT Audio App, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.] On Tuesday I got back from an eight-day trip to Israel and the West Bank. I happened to be there on the day that Benny Gantz resigned from the war cabinet and called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to schedule new elections, breaking the unity government that Israel had had since shortly after Oct. 7. In Israel now, the left is not viable. Nor is there a party or coalition of real size that I would even call center-left. There is a coalition that Netanyahu leads stretching from right to far right and a coalition that Gantz leads stretching from center to right. Pinning down the differences between Gantz and Netanyahu is a challenge. So one thing I did in Israel was deepen my reporting on Israels right. And there, Amit Segals name kept coming up. Many consider him the most influential political analyst on the right and deeply rooted in the right. He has a book coming out in English called The Story of Israeli Politics. After more than two years of death and destruction, neither side in the war in Ukraine appears close to victory: Russia will not achieve its imperial conquest of Ukraine, and Ukraine will most certainly not be able to regain control of all the territory occupied by Russia. Sooner or later, both sides will have to agree to a cease-fire and come up with a peace agreement. That is a welcome prospect. An accord will not only reduce the killing, suffering and enormous cost of the war but will also, in the long run, make Ukraine stronger and better able to defend itself and its democracy. Crucially, it will reduce the chance of a dangerous escalation. Many in the West argue that making concessions to Russia for a peace agreement would amount to appeasing an aggressor and only encourage further attacks. But it is not appeasement. Ending the war will allow Ukraine to rearm and integrate further into Europe and the West, actually increasing deterrence. Russia has already failed to achieve its initial war aims and will need to make significant concessions of its own as part of any agreement. The peace conference in Switzerland this weekend, convened by Ukraine to muster diplomatic support for its cause, can provide a much needed opportunity to examine whether an accord is reasonable and achievable. Russia has expressed willingness to negotiate, though it has not been invited to the conference because Ukraine suspects that Russia will just use the meeting for show. But the host, Switzerland, envisages that Russia will be at future conferences. INTERNATIONAL An article on Wednesday about a trial in Florida in which Chiquita Brands was found liable for deaths that occurred during the Colombian Civil War misstated the circumstances during which the anecdote of the killing of a girls mother and stepfather was provided. It was provided by a lawyer outside court and it involved a different case. It was not described in court nor was it part of the case in Florida. BUSINESS An article on Thursday about Sony Pictures acquiring the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema theater chain incorrectly described the purchase. It is a rare example of a Hollywood studio owning a theater chain, not the first in more than half a century. ARTS An article on Monday about what to watch on television this week described incorrectly the Discovery series Six Schizophrenic Brothers. Although the series explores the same subject as the 2020 nonfiction book Hidden Valley Road, by Robert Kolker, the series was not based on Mr. Kolkers book. OBITUARIES An obituary on Thursday about the political reporter Howard Fineman misstated the date of his birth in 1948. It was Nov. 17, not Nov. 19. On a dark night in February, two male lions stood in the shallows of the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Uganda, and looked across the water. Nearly a mile away was the shore on the other side. Hippos and 16-foot crocodiles inhabit the channel, which can be 20 feet deep in places. Barely 12 hours earlier, the two males had lost a battle for territory and were lucky to still be alive. Remaining on this side of the channel was dangerous, and they could probably hear the roars of female lions in the distance. As with many cat species, lions dont like to swim. And one of the lions, known as Jacob by researchers, has only three legs. He lost a limb in a poachers trap in 2020. But neither Jacob nor his brother, Tibu, were deterred. The two big cats set out for what the researchers call the longest-recorded swim ever taken by lions. The scientists describe their findings in a paper that has been accepted for publication in the journal Ecology and Evolution. Until recently, Geoff Rose, the proprietor of a cannabis business on Marthas Vineyard, believed he was in for a bleak summer. That was because his marijuana dispensary, Island Time, had run out of product and it seemed as if he would be unable to replace it during the busy tourist season on the 96-square-mile Massachusetts island that has long been a haven for vacationers. But on Thursday, state regulators issued an order that would allow cannabis products to be transported across the ocean to licensed businesses. Mr. Rose closed his shop temporarily, as it turns out on May 14. At the time, the display cases were empty. No gummies. No tinctures. No pre-rolls. The only item of interest to some of his customers was the chocolate. I was born into an angry world. My first lessons as a child involved understanding and avoiding the invisible triggers that permeated our home. My mother was often angry at my father. My brother, upset about our parents separation and by my presence, after hed been an only child for six years was often angry at me. And my father, a Vietnam veteran, would routinely lash out at any of us. His anger, arriving in screams and howls, operated on a hair trigger. It could be set off by my brothers unwillingness to drink milk at dinner or me not being ready to be picked up at my mothers apartment. Once, he even raged at my brothers and my amusement at the way he pronounced subwoofer. Driving, however, was his quickest and surest agitator. A driver might cut us off or forget to use the turn signal, and I would stare out the window, bracing for what would follow a torrent of rage, of words I was too young to know, strings of creative curses that could only have originated in the minds of men who have had their perceptions of the world fundamentally altered. I dont remember when I first heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, but growing up I never connected Vietnam with trauma. In my young mind, Vietnam was an exotic locale where my father had spent some time and learned a new language, where he first tasted pho and mi tom thit, his favorite egg noodle soup. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a formal apology on Friday for the churchs role in the mistreatment and trauma experienced by Native Americans in the United States, notably in church-operating boarding schools that sought to force the assimilation of Native children into American culture. Starting in the 19th century, hundreds of thousands of Native children were removed from their families and sent to the schools, where they often faced abuse, neglect and hard labor. Of the more than 500 Native boarding schools set up across the country, most with federal involvement or support, 87 were Catholic-run, according to a document from the research group Catholic Truth and Healing. The family systems of many Indigenous Peoples never fully recovered from these tragedies, which often led to broken homes harmed by addiction, domestic abuse, abandonment, and neglect, the bishops wrote in a 56-page document issued on Friday called a pastoral framework. The Church recognizes that it has played a part in traumas experienced by Native children. More broadly, the document says about the mistreatment of Native Americans, We apologize for the failure to nurture, strengthen, honor, recognize, and appreciate those entrusted to our pastoral care. Ben Ingebretson was a reliable Republican voter. A Christian minister who works for a faith-based nonprofit, Mr. Ingebretson said he shared Republicans small-government views and agreed with the partys calls for fiscal conservatism. But after Donald J. Trump became the face of the party, Mr. Ingebretson, who lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., drifted away from his political roots. In 2020, he voted for President Biden. And in February, he was among the 34 percent of voters in his county who cast ballots for Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, even though her presidential campaign seemed doomed before the Michigan election. With a Trump-Biden rematch locked in for November, Mr. Ingebretson, 66, expects to vote again for Mr. Biden, though he grades the incumbents job performance as just a C. He said he approved of Mr. Bidens vision for America as a beacon in the world, but not his student loan forgiveness and pandemic-era stimulus spending. Six years after a gunman killed 17 people at a Parkland, Fla., high school in one of the deadliest school shootings in American history, the site of the attack is being torn down. The demolition of the former freshman building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School began on Friday and was expected to take a few weeks to complete, Broward County school district officials said in a statement. Rather than using explosives, workers will tear down the three-story building piece by piece, officials said, starting with the roof and top floor. Relatives and friends of victims of the attack and members of the school staff observed the start of work from a viewing area set up for them near the building. Other onlookers and journalists watched from across the street. Two Alabama families at the center of the wrongful-death lawsuit that led to the temporary suspension of in vitro fertilization procedures in the state have asked a judge to overturn a new law that shields clinics and doctors from civil and criminal liability. Their challenge to the law raises the possibility that access to I.V.F. could once again be placed in jeopardy in Alabama. And it could further inflame tensions across the country over whether to enshrine protections for I.V.F., as influential Christian conservatives look to curb the use of the popular reproductive treatment. Alabama lawmakers quickly pushed through the shield law in early March after the State Supreme Court weighed in on the lawsuit and ruled that frozen embryos could legally be considered children. The families had filed the claim over the accidental destruction of their embryos at a Mobile clinic in 2020. Multiple clinics had shuttered to avoid the threat of legal challenges, adding to the emotional, financial and physical toll of infertility for Alabama families suddenly left in medical limbo. Donald hates his birthdays, Ivana Trump once said of her former husband. He seemed to hate this one, on Friday, especially. He looked genuinely upset earlier this week when his supporters sang an early Happy Birthday to him at a rally in Las Vegas. You know, he told them, theres a certain point at which you dont want to hear Happy Birthday. You just want to pretend the day doesnt exist. No doubt. Now 78, he is trying to convince the country to give him another four years in office, at the end of which he would be the oldest president in American history a mantle held by the current, 81-year-old occupant of the Oval Office. On the campaign trail, both men try to downplay their age while making the other appear as creaky and cranky as possible. The Trump team spent the week blasting out selectively edited videos of Mr. Biden toddling around Europe, looking like Corrado Soprano lost in Newark. We have a president who has no clue what the hell is going on, Mr. Trump said at a birthday celebration with supporters in Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday evening. Christopher A. Wray, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, paid a rare visit to sub-Saharan Africa this week to discuss counterterrorism strategies with regional partners at a time when both the Islamic State and Al Qaeda are gaining momentum on the continent. Mr. Wray, who met with officials in Kenya and Nigeria, repeated his warning that the United States and its allies worldwide are operating in a heightened threat environment that has been energized by the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The main reason for my visit to both countries was to raise awareness about threats on the continent that have serious implications for the U.S. homeland but that dont get the attention they deserve, Mr. Wray said in a telephone interview from Nigeria on Friday. For several years now, groups like ISIS, like Al Qaeda, have considered Africa very fertile ground. Indeed, U.S. intelligence officials estimate that Al Shabab in Somalia has roughly 7,000 to 12,000 members and annual income including from taxing or extorting civilians of about $120 million, making it the largest and wealthiest Qaeda affiliate in the world. The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a ban on bump stocks, which enable semiautomatic rifles to fire at speeds rivaling those of machine guns, erasing one of the governments rare firearm regulations to result from a mass shooting. The decision, by a vote of 6 to 3, split along ideological lines. Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, said that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had exceeded its power when it prohibited the device by issuing a rule that classified bump stocks as machine guns. We hold that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a machine gun because it cannot fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, Justice Thomas wrote. His opinion included several diagrams of the firing mechanism, and he described in technical detail the internal workings of a firearm to show how a bump stock works. The Trump administration enacted the ban after a gunman opened fire at a Las Vegas concert in 2017, one of the deadliest massacres in modern American history. Former President Donald Trumps chaotic and denial-filled response to the Covid-19 pandemic turned off independent voters and arguably cost him the 2020 presidential election. Four years later, a different aspect of his handling of the pandemic has emerged as a sensitive subject with another slice of the electorate: his own die-hard supporters. Over the past year, as I have listened to Trumps devotees sing his praises all over the country, I have noticed that theyve shown a rare willingness to criticize Trump over the speedy development of the Covid-19 vaccines, which he had celebrated as one of his administrations major successes. The vaccines, a scientific breakthrough, have been given to 270 million Americans and are estimated to have saved millions of lives. Im not real thrilled with the accelerated rollout of the vaccine, said Amaris Angell, the owner of a recently shuttered food truck business, who went to see Trump in Las Vegas on Sunday. He still seems to be proud of himself for that. The State Department on Friday designated the largest neo-Nazi group in Sweden and its leaders as terrorists, only the second time it has applied the label to a white supremacist group known for a long history of violence. The decision comes as the group, the Nordic Resistance Movement, foments violence online and forges connections with like-minded organizations and people in the United States, officials said. Those actions have incited concerns among federal law enforcement officials responsible for thwarting domestic terrorism. The groups members and leaders have carried out violent attacks against political opponents, protesters, journalists and other perceived adversaries, the State Department said in a statement. The Biden administration said the designations were part of a broader effort to crack down on white extremists. In June 2021, the administration unveiled its strategy for countering domestic terrorism, stating that addressing the threat demanded a multifaceted response across the federal government and beyond. A court in southern China on Friday found a prominent feminist journalist guilty of endangering national security and sentenced her to five years in prison, Beijings latest blow to civil society. A labor activist convicted of the same charge got a sentence of three years and six months. The activities that prompted the arrest and conviction of the two, Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing, involved organizing discussions, providing support to other activists and receiving overseas training. The subversion charges and the sentences, handed down by the Guangzhou Intermediate Peoples Court, were confirmed by Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The legal action against Ms. Huang and Mr. Wang, which experts said was harsh even by Chinas standards, signals the shrinking space for independent discussion of social issues. We are seeing an almost zero-tolerance approach to even the mildest forms of civil society activism in China, said Thomas Kellogg, the executive director of the Georgetown Center for Asian Law. This case is an example of that. Fear plagued Saleh Mohammed al-Hila, 37, on that Sunday. I was lying on the ground of the tent and told my son, May God save us from this night, he recalled. Hamas had launched rockets at central Israel hours earlier, setting off air-raid sirens in the Tel Aviv area for the first time in months. Israels military said the barrage had been fired from Rafah the city in southern Gaza where Israeli forces were advancing and Mr. al-Hila was sheltering with his family in a camp for displaced people. Israel was sure to retaliate, he thought. And it did Israels military fired back and said it had destroyed the launcher used in the rocket volley, which was not near the camp. But a few hours later, Israel struck again, dropping two 250-pound bombs on temporary structures in the camp. Lethal shrapnel hurtled in every direction, and soon a fire was raging. By morning, dozens of Palestinians had been killed, including four of Mr. al-Hilas relatives. The leaders of the G7 had plenty to discuss and disagree about at their annual meeting in Italy. Two major wars, in Gaza and Ukraine. One hefty loan for Ukraine. They navigated those. The one disagreement that did emerge was more unexpected: abortion rights. Officials familiar with the talks over the Group of 7s final communique essentially a statement of all the leaders agreed on say the wording on reproductive rights came down to a diplomatic tug of war, primarily between the United States and Italy, the host of the meeting. Several officials say the debate centered on a request by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy not to include the words abortion and reproductive rights in the statement. The Italian government has denied that it intended to backtrack on the commitment to protecting access to safe abortions. When told of Ms. Melonis position, American officials say, President Biden pushed back, wanting an explicit reference to reproductive rights and at least a reaffirmation of support for abortion rights from last years communique. Several other G7 members agreed with Mr. Biden, according to the American and European officials familiar with the discussion who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss delicate negotiations. The Group of 7 countries threw open the doors of their club on Friday to India, Brazil, Turkey and other non-Western countries, acknowledging a shifting global landscape as they tried to enlist these nations leaders in causes ranging from climate change to managing the economic competition with China. While diplomats from the Group of 7 hammered out a communique that pledged support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and greater ambition in curbing carbon emissions, the focus was on Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and other leaders from outside the G7, whose support is increasingly critical to achieving any of these goals. Among the thorny questions on the second day of the summit: migration, which has helped fuel a recent resurgence of populism and far-right parties in Europe and the United States. The leaders also discussed the war in Gaza and Chinas state subsidies of industries like electric vehicles, which has prompted the United States and the European Union to impose tariffs on Chinese exports. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, who is hosting the gathering, said the goal of her expanded guest list was to strengthen dialogue with the nations of the Global South. She insisted that the Group of 7 was not a fortress closed in itself but an offer of values that we open to the world. For almost two months, in the hell of the besieged French military base at Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam, Genevieve de Galard, a military nurse, tended to the wounded in a dark, filthy underground infirmary men with holes in their backs, abdomens shot out, shrapnel wounds everywhere. When the fight was over, on May 7, 1954, after more than 10,000 soldiers had been taken prisoner by the communist Viet Minh insurgents in one of the greatest military disasters in French history, Ms. de Galard continued to change the bandages of the wounded, refusing to leave their side. By then the legend of the Angel of Dien Bien Phu, as the American press later baptized her, had been born. Ms. de Galard died on May 30 in Paris at 99. Her death was confirmed by the French Defense Ministry. No other details were given. The battle of Dien Bien Phu ended nearly seven decades of French colonial rule, and for 70 years afterward, Ms. de Galard, a modest aristocrat, asserted, whenever asked and the questions became less and less frequent as France sought to put that inglorious episode behind it that she had simply done my duty. President Vladimir V. Putin said on Friday that Russia would be ready to order a cease-fire in Ukraine and enter negotiations with its government if Kyiv were to withdraw troops from the four regions that Moscow has claimed as its own and drop its aspirations to join NATO. Ukraines foreign ministry quickly denounced Mr. Putins statement, saying that his goal was to mislead the international community, undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just peace and split the unity of the world over the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter. Mr. Putins new announcement stipulates that Ukraine effectively surrender huge swaths of land it now controls to Moscow, including the capitals of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. It represents Mr. Putins most concrete set of territorial conditions to stop the war to date. Until now, Mr. Putin has said that any negotiations should take into account the realities of today, a stance that some analysts interpreted as offering a cease-fire at the current battle lines. The United States and the other large Group of 7 economies agreed on Thursday on a plan to give Ukraine a $50 billion loan to help it buy weapons and begin to rebuild damaged infrastructure. The move comes at a crucial moment in the war, when Russia has the momentum on the battlefield. The details are not fully worked out, but this is what we know. Where will the money come from? The upfront money for the loan will come from the United States, the European Union and other G7 countries, though the details on how much each entity contributes is being worked out. The idea is to use the nearly $300 billion in Russian assets in the West, frozen after Moscows invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, as the basis for the loan. The money will be repaid over time with the profits earned from those Russian assets, about two-thirds of which are in Europe. Sharing the stage with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine at a sprawling seaside resort in Italy, President Biden was looking forward to talking about a security pact he had just signed to provide continued support to Ukraine in its battle with Russia. Having skipped a dinner to attend the ceremonial signing of the pact and to answer reporters questions, he seemed flustered when, after a few questions about Ukraine, he was asked about a topic that has been less rewarding recently: the war in Gaza. I wish you guys would play by the rules a little bit, Mr. Biden snapped when asked for an update on the fate of a cease-fire deal in Gaza that he announced last month but has yet to be publicly accepted by Israel or Hamas. Mr. Biden reiterated the U.S. stance that the proposal had been endorsed by the Israeli government, the United Nations Security Council and the G7, and that the hold up was with Hamas. Im here to talk about a critical situation in Ukraine, Mr. Biden said. Youre asking me another subject. Ill be happy to answer it in detail later. How Tesla Shareholders Upheld Elon Musks Sky-High Pay Tesla shareholders on Thursday voted to reaffirm a roughly $48 billion compensation package for Elon Musk, which was originally approved in 2018 and was nullified by a judge early this year. How the vote on Elon Musks compensation broke down 72% 28% 72% 28% Source: Company disclosure Note: The compensation vote required a majority of votes cast to pass and excluded shares held by Elon Musk and his brother, Kimbal. By Lily Boyce The vote, which comes as executive pay continues to rise, amounted to a referendum on a corporate leader whose firebrand personality helped popularize electric vehicles and make Tesla the most valuable auto company. Mr. Musks pay package helped him become one of the richest people in the world. But recently, Tesla has begun to show signs of struggle: Sales and profit have declined, and the company has lost market share as other automakers produce more E.V.s. Teslas stock price is less than half of its peak in late 2021. Thursdays vote arose from a court case in Delaware, where the company is incorporated, that voided Mr. Musks pay package. The judge in that case ruled in January that Mr. Musk had largely dictated the terms of his pay to a board of directors stacked with allies, close friends and his brother, Kimbal Musk. Many investors contend that Mr. Musk has deserved every penny. The compensation package shareholders approved in 2018 consisted of stock options conditional on ambitious sales and stock price targets that the company easily surpassed. For Mr. Musk and Tesla, the reason to hold a vote was to show that if shareholders backed the pay package again, the Delaware court could be persuaded to reinstate it. In the end, Mr. Musk easily prevailed, with more than 70 percent of voting shares in favor of the package an almost identical proportion to the 2018 vote. Vanguard, whose 7 percent stake in Tesla makes it the companys second-largest shareholder after Mr. Musk, voted in favor of the pay award despite voting against it in 2018. Other large investors argued that Mr. Musks compensation was far too large, especially when the companys bottom line has suffered. Norges Bank, the worlds largest sovereign wealth fund, and Californias public employee retirement system, the largest U.S. pension fund, both opposed the package. Tesla, however, is a rare big public company whose shares are heavily owned by mom-and-pop investors, rather than big financial firms, high-net-worth individuals or company insiders. Small investors hold almost half of Teslas shares The 11 largest companies in the S&P 500, ordered by proportion of non-institutional and insider investors among shareholders Eli Lilly Meta Broadcom Alphabet JPMorgan Chase Amazon Microsoft Nvidia Berkshire Hathaway Apple Tesla 43% 0 25 50% Eli Lilly Meta Broadcom Alphabet JPMorgan Chase Amazon Microsoft Nvidia Berkshire Hathaway Apple Tesla 43% 0 25 50% Source: S&P Capital IQ Note: Composition data as of Tuesday, June 11. By Lily Boyce Some analysts suggested that given Mr. Musks fan base, such a large share of so-called retail investors could have helped his case for retaining his compensation package. The debate about Mr. Musks compensation raised questions about the limits of executive compensation and the accountability of Silicon Valley billionaires whose wealth gives them vast influence. In addition to running Tesla, Mr. Musk owns X, the social media company, and SpaceX, the rocket company whose Starlink internet satellites account for much of what orbits space. The automaker has been accused in recent years of fostering hazardous or discriminatory working conditions, and some investors suggested that Teslas board lacked serious oversight of the companys operations, including the mercurial Mr. Musk. Shareholders on Thursday also voted on whether Tesla should reincorporate in Texas, rather than remain in Delaware. That vote also passed. How shareholders voted on moving to Texas 63% 37% 63% 37% Source: Company disclosure Note: The reincorporation vote required a majority of votes from all shareholders to pass. By Lily Boyce More than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware, according to Bernstein, the research firm, in part because of the states well-established legal system for companies. Mr. Musk and Tesla argued that moving to Texas better aligned with its operations: Its largest factory is in Austin, which is where Thursdays meeting was held. Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen has been elected to the European Parliament. The Clara man won a seat in the Midlands North West constituency on the 20th count. There was jubilation in the Fianna Fail camp at the count centre in Castlebar when the younger brother of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen exceeded the quota with transfers from party running mate Senator Lisa Chambers. Barry Cowen is the first politician from Offaly to be elected to the Brussels and Strasbourg based European Union parliamentary assembly. He will sit as one of five MEPs (members of European Parliament) representing the Midlands North West constituency which comprises 15 counties. The addition of Offaly and Laois to the constituency when it was expanded from four seats to five was the decisive factor in Cowen opting to seek a seat. His election to Europe creates a vacancy in the Dail which must be filled by a by-election within six months. The Dail seat would also be filled earlier if as is being speculated, a general election is called in October or November. Barry Cowen began his political career on Offaly County Council and was elected to the Dail in 2011 when he won the seat vacated by his brother Brian's retirement. Their father Ber had been a Fianna Fail TD for Laois-Offaly until his sudden death in 1984. Speaking to reporters at the count Mr Cowen said: Im very humbled, proud delighted, obviously. Im thrilled to have set out to win a seat and delighted to have done so. He added: It now matters that we don the green jersey and ensure we live up to the expectations and commitments that have been given to the public. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin was in the count centre to see his candidate get elected. He defended the much criticised strategy of running three party candidates in the election: One can speculate on these issues. But when I look at the figures here, Im not sure thats the conclusion that one could come to and hindsight is a great virtue, but we will evaluate this like every other result. Independent Michael McNamara, Fianna Fails Cynthia Ni Mhurchu and Sinn Feins Kathleen Funchion have been elected as MEPs for the Ireland South constituency. They confirmed their places in the European Parliament after they were the only candidates left in the field following days of counting. The final count also caused independent Mick Wallace to become the fifth MEP to lose his seat in the nationwide elections. The redistributed votes of outgoing Green Party MEP Grace OSullivan, who also lost her seat, decided who was ultimately elected. The trio join Fine Gaels Sean Kelly, who was the first of Irelands 14 MEPs to be elected, and Fianna Fails Billy Kelleher, who reached the quota earlier on Thursday. Mr McNamara said he was tired and honoured after securing a place in the parliament. However, he said his first priority after a long campaign was to spend some time with his family. I have two very young children and I think running in an election, whether you win or you lose, involves a sacrifice and its easy for the vainglorious candidates but for their families it involves huge sacrifice, he said. Little children that sometimes dont have any idea about the sacrifices or why they are not seeing their parents and its almost impossible, it would have been impossible without my wife and her support, her family and my supporters who also didnt see their families thats true I think of candidates whether they win or lose. Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald were at the count centre to congratulation their respective winning candidates. Confirmation of Ms Ni Mhurchus win came the day before her birthday. Its magnificent, I am going to celebrate like theres no tomorrow, she said on Thursday night. The celebrations wont last a day, theyll last many, many days. Ms Funchion said she was delighted with the outcome. Its fantastic, Im delighted with the result, delighted for the party as well, its a great achievement for us here in Ireland South to have an MEP back in Ireland South, she said. I really want to take the opportunity to thank everyone that came out and voted for us. Corkman Mr Kelleher earlier celebrated with his staff at Nemo Rangers GAA Club count centre with his family, colleagues and Tanaiste Mr Martin. It is emotional to be adjudicated by your peers and to be found to be in good stead with them is a huge honour, he said, thanking his wife and children. Today really is a crowning achievement, to be vindicated for the last five years as their representative in Europe. Mr Martin said: Suffice to say that the Fianna Fail campaign was around the idea that we need to send serious, committed, pro-European Union candidates, be critical yes, but pro the union (to the European Parliament). Ms OSullivan, a former Greenpeace activist and Co Waterford surfer, was eliminated after Mr Kellehers surplus was distributed. She said she would not announce now whether she would run for the Dail, and instead would focus on closing her office in Cork city and organising letters of reference for her staff members. Speaking on Wednesday evening, Ms OSullivan admitted that her chances of being re-elected were slipping away. With a swansong message, she said it was not just the Green Partys responsibility to push climate change policies to the fore, but also that of their coalition parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. The former Greenpeace activist said she had not been as extraordinarily transfer friendly in this vote as she was in the 2019 European election, and said it feels that momentum has gone from the Green Party. Ms OSullivan said: People have other things on their minds, and that concerns me because as an ecological party and as an ecologist myself, climate change has not gone away by any doubt. She also said that her own stance on an EU exception given to Irish farmers allowing them to use organic nitrates had hurt her level of transfer-friendliness. Ms OSullivan added: Maybe in this case, with the rise of the independents, that also there was a bit of a backlash to some of the maybe inconvenient truths that I was putting out. The results mean that Ireland has elected 10 of its 14 MEPs after six days of counting. Irish voters headed to the polls last Friday to pick 949 local councillors, 14 members of the European Parliament and the countrys first directly elected mayor. Results emerging from the three elections have been seen as a political boon for coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, while the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein, has initiated a review after performing well below its own expectations. While the main coalition parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have consolidated their positions in the European Parliament and across local authorities, Sinn Fein has expressed disappointment for not making further gains. Though the party has increased its representation in Irish councils and in Europe, it had hoped to be further ahead. The Green Party has lost both its MEPs and a chunk of its councillors, in a sign of the Green ebb that had been feared. A former soldier accused of two murders on Bloody Sunday has appeared in court for the first time since he was charged, as his lawyers attempted to have the case thrown out. Ex-paratrooper Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney when members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of Derry in January 1972. He is also charged with five attempted murders. The veteran was present in Court 16 of Belfast Crown Court on Friday for a pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Fowler. He sat in the witness box, with a thick floor-to-ceiling blue curtain shielding him from the main body of the court to protect his anonymity. Soldier F attended Laganside Courts in Belfast (PA) Relatives of Bloody Sunday victims packed out the public gallery having travelled to the hearing from Derry. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also attended proceedings. The no bill proceedings saw the defence make an application for the case to be dismissed ahead of a trial. Representing Soldier F, Mark Mulholland KC argued that there was an insufficiency of evidence against his client. He went on to claim that contemporaneous statements from other soldiers involved in the events of Bloody Sunday, which the prosecution sought to rely on, were contradictory and flawed. Mr Mulholland told the judge that the case against the veteran was absent of a coherent evidential basis to ground any of the seven charges he was facing. Earlier, the judge heard an application for anonymity and screening provisions applied to Solider F to be extended. Justice Fowler had already granted an interim extension pending ventilation of fuller legal arguments on the issue. Ian Turkington KC, who is also part of the veterans defence team, told the court Soldier F would be seen as a prized target for dissident republicans and claimed there would be a real and immediate risk to his life if his identity was made public. The defence relied on expert reports compiled by former assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Alan McQuillan. Mr McQuillan, who gave evidence to the court via video-link, told the judge that the prosecution of Soldier F had assumed totemic status. He warned that the New IRA, which he said was based out of Derry, could seek to target him. The former senior officer said the risk would increase if the former soldier was ultimately acquitted at trial. There will always be a risk because, convicted or acquitted, there will always be those who would want vengeance, but if he was acquitted the impetus would be even greater, he said. The prosecution has adopted a neutral stance in relation to the application for continued anonymity and screening. NI Public Prosecution Service (PPS) barrister Louis Mably KC highlighted that the current police assessment of the risk to Soldier F was low. He also suggested that the court could consider other measures such as allowing Soldier F to be named during court proceedings, but prevent the media from reporting the name; or continue with anonymity of his name but make him appear in court without screening. The judge said he would keep the interim extension of anonymity and screening in place pending him ruling on the issue. A date for Soldier Fs trial is yet to be fixed. Bloody Sunday was one of the darkest days in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Thirteen people were killed on the day and another man shot by paratroopers died four months later. Many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday but his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. The PPS previously called a halt to the prosecution of Soldier F in 2021, citing concerns the case could collapse if it went to trial. The decision to halt proceedings was challenged by Mr McKinneys family and the Divisional Court of the High Court in Belfast subsequently overturned the PPSs move. After reviewing its position, the PPS decided to resume the prosecution. A teenager who was attending a Gaeltacht in Galway has tragically passed away after suffering a sudden "medical emergency". The girl was believed to be attending a popular Gaeltacht in the Connemara region when the medical emergency occurred on Thursday afternoon at approximately 4.30pm. The girl is said to have been from south county Dublin and suffered from health issues as well. The girl was reportedly out for a walk in the area when she suddenly collapsed. Gardai said in a statement that emergency services responded to a 'medical emergency', but the female teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was taken to University Hospital Galway. The Irish Times reported that the girl was attending Colaiste na nOilean, a college located in Tir an Fhia. Lettermore College authorities decided to end the course a day early and students attending the pre-Junior Cert course returned home on Friday. A statement issued by the college the the Irish Times on Friday said: We had a tragic incident in the college yesterday in which one of our students sadly passed away due to a medical condition. As you can imagine, the students and staff are in shock and we are providing counselling to all who need it. We have contacted the various agencies also to help and advise us in this difficult situation. We have made the decision, for the wellbeing of all students and staff, to end the course today Friday 14th. As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for all concerned and out of respect for the family, we cannot give you too much specific information at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very difficult time. The students, most of whom are first- and second-year secondary school students, were brought together in the main hall on Thursday evening where they were informed of the death before being broken into smaller groups. They were able to then call home to talk to their parents who had already been informed of what had happened. The decision was taken to end the course a day early and transport was arranged for students. A bus brought students to a collection point in Kinnegad on Friday evening where parents then collected them. GAMOMAT is named Company of the Year at the Women in Gaming Diversity Awards 2024 for its dedication to diversity and inclusion. GAMOMAT, a leading independent slot game software developer, has been named Company of the Year at the Women in Gaming Diversity Awards 2024. The award highlights the company's commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. GAMOMAT Wins Company of the Year at Women in Gaming Diversity Awards GAMOMAT, one of the premier independent slot game software developers, has been awarded the prestigious Company of the Year title at the 2024 Women in Gaming Diversity Awards. This accolade celebrates GAMOMAT's unwavering dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion GAMOMAT's recognition in this competitive category underscores its holistic and long-term commitment to equality, spanning gender, race, and sexual orientation. The judging panel praised GAMOMAT's significant strides in establishing an inclusive workplace that values and respects all its employees. Recognition and Achievements This achievement is particularly notable as GAMOMAT was shortlisted in two categories at the awards. Winning the Company of the Year award highlights their exceptional work promoting diversity and inclusion. This recognition follows individual accolades at previous Women in Gaming Diversity Awards, where Managing Director Dr. Alexandra Krone was honored as Leader of the Year (Supplier) last year, and Chief Design Officer Sabine Muller received the Industry Pride of the Year award in 2022. More Recommended GAMOMAT Casinos Our online casinos section is the perfect destination for those interested in exploring GAMOMAT online casinos. You'll discover a carefully selected list of casinos offering GAMOMAT games ranked by popularity. What's more, each of these casinos has been thoroughly approved and verified by the OCR team, ensuring a gaming experience that is both safe and enjoyable. Celebration at the Savoy Hotel The Women in Gaming Diversity Awards ceremony was held at the luxurious Savoy Hotel in London. The event celebrated individuals and organizations' outstanding efforts in enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion within the gaming industry. Leadership and Vision Dr. Alexandra Krone, Managing Director at GAMOMAT Development GmbH, expressed her pride and excitement about the award. "Diversity is a philosophy that GAMOMAT is deeply passionate about, so winning Company of the Year at the Women in Gaming Diversity Awards is a massive moment for the team. We work tirelessly to promote a workplace that celebrates equality across gender, race, and sexual orientation," she said. About GAMOMAT GAMOMAT, a German-based online game developer, focuses on delivering exceptional gaming experiences for slot enthusiasts. Transitioning from a successful land-based business, GAMOMAT now develops innovative iGaming products. The company's library includes over 150 online slots for real money and social casino verticals, enjoyed in more than 30 countries and 27 languages. GAMOMAT's passionate team of around 80 people is dedicated to creating standout gaming content. A Model for the Industry GAMOMAT's win at the Women in Gaming Diversity Awards sets a benchmark for the industry. It showcases how dedication to diversity and inclusion can lead to significant recognition and success. GAMOMAT's ongoing efforts to create an equitable workplace demonstrate the positive impact of embracing diversity in the gaming industry. Looking Forward As GAMOMAT continues to innovate and expand its offerings, its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment remains at the forefront. This award celebrates their current achievements and inspires future initiatives to promote equality across the industry. From the frontlines: Homeless person won over alcoholism, survived floods and defeated TB SHOBHA SHUKLA, BOBBY RAMAKANT - CNS Frontline healthcare workers are a critical bridge between most-at-risk people and health services (Image by CNS) Details DMCA After suffering debilitating TB symptoms for over a year, a homeless person got lifesaving help from a community health worker. Thanks to her, he was eventually diagnosed with TB of the lungs and put on treatment, quit alcohol, and survived one of the worst Delhi floods during his treatment, and got cured. A month before the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) opens in Munich, Germany, here is a real-life story from the frontline that makes a clarion call to #PutPeopleFirst. Surendra migrated to Delhi from Bihar state of India in search of livelihood. For some years he tried his hands as a cycle rickshaw puller, worked in a school, and eventually settled as a ragpicker. He now lives in a temporary dismal slum on the banks of river Yamuna in East Delhi with his partially paraplegic wife and earns whatever he can through ragpicking. Diagnostic delays in key and vulnerable populations "I was an alcoholic, and a bidi smoker (bidi is a leaf filled with tobacco). Continuous drinking took a toll on my health, which started deteriorating. I lost my appetite and became very weak, so much so that I could not lift even a glass of water. I lost weight and there was no strength left in my body. I would cough day and night and had fever. My whole body would ache, and it became difficult for me to walk even a few steps without support. I had become a bundle of bones. My neighbours said that I had TB and told me to go to Pushta (an elevated road near the river Yamuna) and get treated for TB. They even threatened to throw me out of the slum. But there was no one to support me get treated. My wife is physically incapacitated and is herself unable to walk properly. I had no strength left in me to go to a clinic on my own. I suffered like this helplessly for over one year," Surendra said to CNS (Citizen News Service) in early April 2024. The difference community health workers make Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Dear friends (read, disseminate, and act) It is hard to sleep these days especially in besieged bloodied Palestine...the scenes of horrors in the Gaza Strip (and increasingly spreading in the West Bank) are far too graphic, too disturbing. Friends of ours are mistreated in jails of colonizers, the few released look physically wasted (skeletons tramatized physicaly and psychologically). I cannot take their images out of my head (e.g. Basem Tamimi from Nebi Saleh). Others like Issa Amro are beaten by colonial thugs. We living under the boots of the Zionazi regime try to be active and productive as best as possible within our capacities and "wiggle room". The people of the Gaza strip are in dire non-survival mode: seeing their families wiped out, finding no medical care for injured or sick, starving and having no drinkable water, and knowing that hundreds of millions of people around the world are apathetic and that politicians are bought or blackmailed by the evil doers. Is 76 years of colonization and ethnic cleansing enough? Eight million Palestinian made refugees or displaced people. Is that enough? 160,000 Palestininas killed and over a million injured since 1948! Is that enough? What more can this colonization project lead to? Maybe an "Australian" or "American" outcome for us indigenous Palestinians? But if more people do not look away but stay human and act human...then maybe just maybe there is hope for what is left of humanity. PLEASE give of your time and energy and organize and resist. We must overcome ...someday. Israel guilty of 'extermination, torture, sexual violence' in Gaza: UN probe [...] comes just days after the UN secretary-general announced plans to include Israel in a blacklist of nations and extremist armed groups harming children in conflict zones. The carnage, genocide, and massacres continue. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese wrote on the UN Security Council Resolution: 'I welcome the #UNSC's ceasefire resolution of June 10. Pending a full assessment, here are some critical observations: 1. UNSC cannot infringe people's right to #selfdetermination. UNSC lacks authority to determine "who" will or should rule over Gaza or the rest of the oPt. Palestinians (everywhere, starting with the whole occupied Palestinian territory) will have to choose in free and democratic #elections, not piloted, controlled or vetoed by outsiders, all the more by those who have committed or supported crimes against them in 8 months of genocidal war. The fear of ideologically "extremist" parties cannot justify interfering with the free will of the people (in Palestine, Israel, Europe or elsewhere). 2. #eastJerusalem is part of the occupied Palestinian territory, with or without mention by the ceasefire resolution, and Israel must withdraw from there as well: #annexation remains unlawful. 3. Israel, NOT the international community, should pay for the #reconstruction of Gaza. There is something pedagogical in being held accountable for its own crimes, including #domicide #scholasticide and the destruction of the #health system. 4. Healing the wounds of this genocide should remain top priority for the body mandated to ensure peace & security for present and future generations. Now may the UNSC ensure compliance from all concerned parties.' #ceasefirenow The US is no longer complicit in genocide. The US is actually committing genocide! On June 8, an estimated 100,000 people formed a two-mile "people's red line" surrounding the White House in Washington, D.C. to protest the genocide in Gaza and the U.S. role in the mass murder of Palestinians. This Week in Palestine, themed "Humanitarian Aid to Gaza," is now accessible online at www.thisweekinpalestine.com Open Letter to Anthony Albanese: 'Why collusion with this grotesque Israeli government?' If I must die by Refaat Alareer If I must die, you must live to tell my story to sell my things to buy a piece of cloth and some strings, (make it white with a long tail) so that a child, somewhere in Gaza while looking heaven in the eye awaiting his dad who left in a blaze-- and bid no one farewell not even to his flesh not even to himself-- sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above and thinks for a moment an angel is there bringing back love If I must die let it bring hope let it be a tale. PLEASE Stay Human and keep Palestine alive Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute Everyone is aware that the internet can have its negative impact on cybersurfers. Just log in and you'll see a widespread distribution of fake news, cyber-bullying, on-line threats, cyber-theft, revenge and child porn. Its use can even lead to internet addiction. But the internet can also be a valuable tool for sharing information, researching issues, even locating long-lost friends and family members. As I recently found out, the net was used to return my father's olive-green foot locker - issued during World War II - to me. This foot locker was found on a street curb in Detroit, Michigan, ultimately to find its way back to this writer residing in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Seven hundred miles separate these two cities. And it's been over 80 years since my father packed his personal items, extra uniforms, and toiletries into it. Introductions At 11:30 p.m. on April 24, 2024, I received a Facebook chat message from a person I have never met. "Mr. Weiss, I found an old army trunk in Detroit with the name, Lt. Frank M. Weiss, stenciled on the front side of the olive green trunk," stated Michael, a Detroit resident, excitedly sharing a photo of the foot locker resting in the back of his pickup truck. Michael would later tell me that he was driving around his neighborhood "looking for scrap" that he would sell, and watched a person drag the old military footlocker to the curb. The former owner's name was "Lt. Frank M. Weiss", and it was prominently painted on its front. This caught Michael's attention. He later told me that he learned that this trunk had been stored in a garage in his neighborhood - for almost 60 years. This foot locker might be a great piece of de'cor for somebody's apartment, he remembers thinking before stopping to pick it up off the curb. It would be easy to sell, too, he thought. Michael went home and showed it to his girlfriend, Cetaura, suggesting that it might sell quickly at a local flea market to bring extra cash into their household. "It would be a great decorative piece for someone to buy," he said, thinking someone might turn it into a coffee table. "Out of curiosity my girlfriend searched the internet," Michael told me, "seeking more details about the life of Lt. Frank M. Weiss." Was he an American hero, they wondered? Cetaura quickly found an article that I had previously written about World War II vets dying ("In coming years, generations of older veterans will be leaving us"). The article was dedicated to Second Lt. Frank M. Weiss, my father. So, the net search gave Cetaura and Michael a lead. There might be a family connection between them they speculated, contacting me through Facebook to confirm. And amazingly, yes, there was. Confirming Proof of Ownership I told Michael that my parents lived in Detroit, Michigan, during World War II. They were married in that city in 1942. With my grandfather, Samuel Weller, being a prominent defense attorney, almost every Detroit judge attended their wedding. My father was drafted into the military service and would serve in military bases around the country (including the 1033rd Technical School Squadron, Kearus, Utah, the 357thTechnical School Squadron at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, 3705th AAF Base Unit, Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado, and the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command, Miami Beach, Florida). He entered the U.S. Army Air Force at the rank of private and left the military as a Second Lt. Michael said he would give me the footlocker and I paid to have it shipped to my residence in Rhode Island. While I waited for this footlocker to arrive, I was attempting to verify that it really had belonged to my father. Of course, I wanted to be 100 percent sure that it was his. The Detroit Public Library confirmed that after the war my parents moved from Detroit to Saginaw in 1946, and then relocated to Grand Rapids in the 1950s. They would ultimately move to Dallas, Texas, in 1951. But it seems that his military footlocker remained in Detroit, never reaching his new home in North Dallas. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator According to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr. Shia Sudani, Syria and Turkey are moving closer to a possible normalization of relations that were broken after the US-NATO attack on Syria for regime change which began in 2011. Before 2011, Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were close, and Erdogan famously addressed his counterpart in Damascus as 'brother'. The two countries shared a long and safe border with business and tourism benefits for both sides. After Erdogan supported the US side in the war on Syria, which utilized international terrorists passing through Turkey as a transit point on their way to fight in Syria, the relationship was broken. Syria successfully resisted the attack orchestrated by US President Barack Obama but has not recovered fully due to US sanctions imposed. Now, it appears Syria may be close to a restored relationship with its neighbor to the north, as both countries share the same interest in a secure border and the elimination of terrorist groups and paramilitary separatist groups. Journalist Steven Sahiounie interviewed Dr. Nidal Kabalan, journalist, political analyst, and former Syrian Ambassador to Turkey. #1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): Recently, the Iraqi Prime Minister said he hopes to announce a deal between Turkey and Syria to normalize their relationship. In your opinion, what is the groundwork necessary for this to materialize? Nidal Kabalan (NK): Syria's conditions for normalizing relations with Turkey, which have been relayed by President Assad to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr. Shia Sudani, are identical to what has been relayed to previous mediators, such as the Russians and the Iranians. Top of the list is a solid commitment by Turkey to withdraw its occupying forces from parts of Syria, a cessation of support by Turkey to various terrorist groups operating in Idlib and other parts of the country, Ankara's help in returning Idlib to the control of the Syria state, as well as control over the strategic M4 highway linking the coastal cities with Aleppo and other northern towns, Ankara's help in lifting illegal and unilateral sanctions which have crippled the Syria economy for over a decade now, reopening legal border crossing points between Syria and Turkey, especially Bab al-Hawa, these are the main conditions that Damascus has long put forward as the basis for normalizing relations with Turkey. #2. SS: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, commanded by Mohammed al-Julani, is occupying Idlib. In your view, how will this terrorist group be dealt with, and who will clear out Idlib? NK: As far as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other groups in other parts of the country, they will have to be dismantled by politics or force, as a precondition for stability and security in the country. Joint efforts by Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and probably Russia in fighting all terrorist groups that have wreaked havoc in Syria for almost 14 years are a necessity for stability and security in the country. #3. SS: The SDF, the Kurdish militia aligned with the US, had planned to hold elections on June 11, but have postponed them due to threats from Turkey. In your view, will the SDF repair its relationship with Damascus? NK: As far as the SDF is concerned, Syria and Turkey could cooperate in removing all armed aspects of the Kurdish militias that have been plundering the wealth of Syria, particularly gas and oil in the northern and northeastern parts of Syria with the help of the Americans, who have been exploiting Syrian gas and oil, and smuggling oil into Iraq, and from there into other parts of the region and the world. Any separatist entity that the Kurdish organizations, militias, and parties have been trying to form in the north of the country will have to be dismantled. One topic that has enjoyed a consensus between Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq is removing the possibility of any separatist Kurdish entity in this part of the region, so some solution through negotiations. #4. SS: North of Aleppo is under the occupation of Turkish forces aligned with terrorists. If Turkey restores their relationship with Syria, how will Turkey deal with those terrorists who have been trying to overthrow the Syrian government? NK: For the political aspect of the crisis that could be initiated, but any separatist Kurdish entity in this part of Syria, or the region, is a taboo and shall not be permitted by all parties concerned. Other parts of Syria occupied by Turkish forces, or pro-Ankara militias north of Aleppo will have to go through mediation politics or military force and full control of the Syrian state of those territories is a non-negotiable condition for any normalization of ties between Damascus and Ankara. Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist This interview is originally published at Stratgic culture foundation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018) "A Vote for 'ABBB' (Any Body but Biden) is a Vote for Trump and Republo-Fascism" (S. Jonas, March, 2024) (No illustration this week.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Introduction. Although no one in any position of authority in any government seems to want to talk about it openly, there is indeed an open question about Israeli Gaza-policy: "Why won't the current Israeli government, which has virtually destroyed the civilian infra-structure of Gaza and jammed most of its remaining population into ever-smaller spaces, now move to some of kind of cease-fire which, among other things, would achieve the release of the remaining hostages?" For me, the answer is a simple one: the real objective of Likud is the expulsion of the Palestinians from Gaza, and then the West Bank. Unless they are forced, and I mean really forced, by the U.S. government, into an abandonment of that policy, at least for now, there will be no "Gaza settlement." And so now on to that "revisit." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- A bit over a year ago I published a column entitled "The Current Israeli Constitutional Crisis: What it is Really About : Palestinian Expulsionism ." In light of the seemingly intractable problems in Gaza --- primarily for the Palestinian people living there, but in the longer run for Isael (as I discuss in this column), and HAMAS (in terms of its role, function, and future in terms of Gaza, the Palestinians, and its future international role[s]) --- I thought that I would revisit the topic that I thought then and still think now, what the Israeli Righties/Likud-coalition Gaza policy is all about: the overall goal of Expulsion of all Palestinians from within the present boundaries of the State of Israel (see the "Settlers'" actions being undertaken in the "West Bank"). (Of course there are Palestinians who are full Israeli citizens, who vote in Israeli elections, and who have a few seats in the Knesset. What the Israeli Right has in store for them, no one knows publicly yet.) And so, with minor here is a revisit to a slightly edited version of that column, of course written well before "October 7" and the subsequent Israeli Invasion/Destruction-of Gaza City. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What the Political Conflict in Israel over the Power of the Supreme Court Appears to be About; and What it is Really About It is well-known that currently (that is, as of 4/28/23) in Israel there is a major conflict underway over the power and role of the Supreme Court. Indeed, the nation is very closely divided on this issue. And as is also well-known, the current Right-wing government wants to severely curtail the Supreme Court's power. In a nation that has no Constitution* but merely a set of laws and traditions, some of which pre-date the founding of the Nation of Israel in 1948, the struggle is about whether there is to be maintained a separation of powers between the legislative/administrative branch of government --- and in nations with a parliamentary system (as does Israel) those two functions are merged --- and the judicial branch. (To my knowledge, among nations which have some form of democratic government, the separation of powers into the three branches found in the United States is unique, a function of its anti-Royalist 18th century separation of powers established in its Constitution.) On the surface (as least as it is perceived in the United States) the struggle has to do with the criminal charges that Netanyahu has faced for quite some time now, and the role of the Supreme Court in making the final decision on that matter. However, in my view (and surely in the view of other observers, although this issue does not receive very much attention, at least in this country [NOTE: and still does not]), THE issue --- presently spoken of in muted terms by all parties --- is rather the matter of the total expulsion of the Palestinian Arabs from what right-wing Israelis call "Greater Israel" and the Palestinians call the "Occupied (Palestinian) Territories." "Greater Israel"/"the Occupied Territories" is the land that lies between the undisputed Eastern boundary of the State of Israel proper that was established after the end of the Six Day War in 1967 and the Jordan River, which is the boundary between Israel (including the Occupied Territories) and the nation of Jordan. Of course, that land is also known as "The West Bank." This subject --- that is the creation of a "Greater Israel" from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea --- has been talked about in Israel since its founding, but most often in muted terms. Over time, the far-right political forces which would attempt to raise it, occasionally with violence, as with the assassination of Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin, were quickly, for the most part, shut down. However, now such voices, such as the current Minister of Defense, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the current Minister for National Security, are not only members of the Government, but obviously hold powerful positions in it. Yariv Levin, the architect of the judicial removal plan, is the Minister of Justice. To my knowledge, none of the three currently openly supports Palestinian Expulsion, but in the past each, along with members of their respective Parties certainly have expressed support for such positions, in one way or another. (Note that from when this column was originally written Smotrich, Ben-Gvir and their right-wing allies have obviously become much more open about what their ultimate objectives are.) In an example from the period of the Obama Presidency (and he was surely interested in achieving a long-term solution to "The Palestinian Question)," of the Israeli Right Wing's "West Bank" policy really was, even back then, the day before Prime Minister Netanyahu (yes, he has been in and out of that position for quite some time now) met with the President, the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and a prominent Likudnik (Likud being Netanyahu's political party), Danny Danon, said, in an Op-Ed published in The New York Times (May 19, 2011) that Israel should simply go ahead and annex the Occupied Territories. Yes, he really said that. I did not notice any reaction to that statement in this country, although it, and the lack of reaction to here, must have been taken notice of by Netanyahu and his government. But where and when, you might ask, does the policy of "Expulsionism" of the long-time residents of what became, after the end of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Mandate for Palestine, come from? That is: How Did We Get Here? In the Woody Allen movie Sleeper, when his character awakens from a (very) deep sleep (very) long after the end of a catastrophic world war which he obviously survived, he is asked about what started the war. He replies, "well, there was a man named Albert Shanker." (Only older readers, especially from the New York City area, will know who he was. But he was a bad guy, except among his most devoted followers.) For Israel and Expulsionism going back in history, there was a man named Ze'ev Jabotinsky. He was a right-wing Zionist who in the 1920s laid down the dictum that that long-range solution for what would eventually become the State of Israel was to establish an exclusively Jewish state within what has been held for millennia by certain Jews to be the boundaries of "The Land of Israel" "granted to the Jews" "by God." Questions of logic, history, and legality do not figure into this particular configuration for a modern State of Israel. For Jabotinsky the solution to the problem of the Arab peoples living in the Mandate there was a simple one: expulsion. In the 1930s, the social democrat David Ben Gurion, the future first Prime Minister of Israel, referred to Jabotinsky as the "Jewish Hitler." There is a direct line from Jabotinsky down to the present Israeli leadership. Netanyahu's father was a secretary to Jabotinsky. Ariel Sharon's parents were close associates of his, and the first right-wing Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem Begin (who led the pre-1948 Jewish anti-British terrorist organization Irgun) was strongly influenced by him. At the time of the UN-sponsored Partition of the Mandate into Jewish and Arab sectors in 1947, the one-third of the membership of the "Jewish Agency" --- the unofficial governing body for the immigrant Jews in the Mandate --- that represented the Jabotinskyites, voted against accepting it. As it happens, Jabotinsky's, position that "'The Land of Israel' is ours and no one else's regardless of who else happens to be living there perhaps for quite some time" is now firmly ensconced in the Israeli government through certain members of its top leadership. One must note that Netanyahu himself has never, to my knowledge, taken an open, definitive position on this question. Over the time that I have written on the policies of the right-wing Israeli governments towards the original inhabitants of the lands that currently constitute the State of Israel plus the "Occupied Territories," that is the Palestinians, I have been invariably driven to the same conclusion. That is, that since the time of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, and the subsequent slow, grinding death of the so-called "Oslo Peace Process," with the almost uninterrupted run of right-wing Israeli governments (under the general label of "Likud"), any settlement other than that resulting from the expulsion of all Arabs living in the so-called "Land of Israel," other than those who are citizens of the State of Israel (and maybe them too), is indeed not in the cards. This policy is of course not openly stated [that is, it was not being stated openly at the time this column was originally written] but every action, and inaction, taken by Likud-led governments in relation to the Palestinian people living within their orbit would seem to reinforce it. As it is said in the Wikipedia entry on the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin: "Rabin was disparaged personally by right-wing conservatives and Likud leaders who perceived the peace process as an attempt to forfeit the occupied territories and a capitulation to Israel's enemies. National religious conservatives and Likud party leaders believed that withdrawing from any 'Jewish' land was heresy." Which brings us to the original question: "What's it all about, Bibi?" Well, first of all, it's not primarily about Bibi. It is first and foremost about Expulsionism versus coming to some sort of lasting settlement with the Palestinians, both those living in the "Occupied Territories," in Gaza, and indeed in the State of Israel (in which under successive Likud government Israeli Arab citizens have been treated like second-class citizens in one way or another). For, if the current government were to adopt a series of laws that would inevitably lead to the expulsion of the Palestinians from the Occupied Territories (which more and more are of course being over-run by Israeli "settlements," protected by the government), the Supreme Court, as it is presently constituted, would, in theory at least, have the power to invalidate such laws. And that's what it's about, Bibi. That's what the massive demonstrations by Jewish Israelis --- on the surface about maintaining the present separation of powers, and exposing Netanyahu, finally, to criminal penalties for various financial/political crimes --- are really about: Expulsion. Again, perhaps even of Arab/Israeli citizens. (What the Expulsionists would do about the present world's largest concentration camp, otherwise known as the Gaza Strip, they have apparently not thought through. Using overwhelming military force, the West Bank Palestinians could conceivably be forced into Jordan [although what that country would do if such an attempt were made is anybody's guess]. But as for Gaza, Egypt has made is clear that any attempt to deport its inhabitants to their country would be met with counter-force.) [Do note the irony of this paragraph, written in the Spring of 2023.] And so, in summary, that's what the current major political battle in the State of Israel is primarily about. It ain't about Bibi (although he would certainly benefit personally if the Israeli Right can essentially castrate the Supreme Court). It's about Expulsion, just as dear old Ze'ev Jabotinsky wanted it to be. Indeed, the whole future and nature of the State of Israel rest on whether or not its Supreme Court remains as a politically independent institution. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- * While Israel has no Constitution, it does have a Declaration of Independence, dating from 1948. Here is what it has to say about Israeli citizenship: "The State of Israel will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations." Do you want a definition of the word "irony?" Well folks, in terms of the State of Israel under Likud, here it is. (Article changed on Jun 14, 2024 at 10:56 AM EDT) A docudrama, We Were the Lucky Ones, streaming on Hulu recently inspired me to consider this question: Were Americans in my generation the lucky ones, post WWII? In the story a real family scattered across Europe during the pogroms against Jews in the war. Miraculously they managed to survive and to reunite with their loved ones. Now I wonder if those of us who have lived in America since the 1940s may be the lucky ones. We have lived in a post-war period of democracy, freedom from fear, and peace for the most part, without the obscenity of war and dictatorship on our doorsteps. We have never had to experience the terror of autocratic regimes. Most of us can't even imagine what that is like. We have been able to trust our families, friends, and neighbors, and to receive uncensored information free of propaganda, to travel freely across state lines and to other countries without being impeded or interrogated. We have never had a government that destroyed the basis of our republic in the document called the Constitution. Most of us were able to live decent lives and to sleep soundly at night. Admittedly the "good old days" weren't all good. They were rife with racism, antisemitism, sexism, discrimination, and fear of the Other. We lived in a time when America flirted seriously with fascism, schools were segregated, domestic violence and sexual abuse were hidden. We lived to see the development of nuclear weapons and suffered the threat of the Bay of Pigs, when Russian threatened us with missiles from Cuba. There were race riots and a war we never should have been in, political assassinations of some of our beloved leaders, terrorist attacks and later an insurrection, and so much more that never should have happened in "the land of the free and the brave." But still we were mostly the lucky ones. We never headed to bomb shelters, most of us could feel safe in our homes, and we proceeded with our lives under the protection of the Constitution. It was safe to send our kids to school, to go to a cafe', a concert, a grocery store, and to worship in a variety of religious environments. We could choose our politicians in free and fair elections and vote them out of office when we needed to. When necessary, we protested what we believed was wrong in our local communities and nationally, peacefully and without fear of being silenced or arrested. We chose whether or when to start families, we read the books we wanted to. We trusted our friends and neighbors to look out for each other, and most of all we felt free. Those freedoms could now become fading memories. What looms large in November is a clarion call for civility, compassion, humanity, intelligent leadership, sound judgement, and continuing democracy. Our country cannot afford to lose its standing in a global world or risk the hideous thought of a nuclear war because we have felons and fascists in charge who admire the likes of Mr. Putin and other autocrats and dictators. Unless we act appropriately, the idea of American exceptionalism will be nothing more than a memory embedded in the jargon of despair. In the past, Americans have managed to come together in critical times in ways that revealed our character and upheld the principles of this country. We have demonstrated to the world our capacity for cohesion, compassion, sound judgement and right action. Now is the time to reclaim that spirit by making a commitment to disavow a dystopian future. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Summary: When students search for the best assignment help in Canada, they scroll through several websites. However, sometimes, it's difficult to know which assignment services are right. Here are ways to select the best one. When It Comes to opting for the best academic assignment support, there are several options. Students, either for studies or staying in Canada, have access to many websites that offer various educational requirements. Out of many A Marion County judge on Thursday reluctantly ordered a man accused of assaulting three elementary school staff members to be released from jail to community treatment, blaming a federal court order that limits treatment at the secure state psychiatric hospital. Circuit Judge Audrey J. Broyles issued the ruling from the bench as she faced a 5 p.m. deadline from the Oregon Supreme Court demanding she reverse a February decision that kept Charly Josh Velasquez-Sanchez in jail. Velasquez-Sanchez, 27, will go to a short-term residential treatment center, Broyles said, but added that it was not because I think its appropriate, not because I dont think hes a public safety risk. But because I have virtually no choice in this matter. The judge blasted what she called the arbitrary deadlines set by U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman in Portland that limits how much time the state hospital can spend providing treatment to restore the mental health of a defendant found unable to assist in their own defense. The case marks the latest in an ongoing standoff between the federal court and Marion County judges in the wake of Mosmans injunction in a case filed by Disability Rights Oregon. Disability Rights Oregon first sued the state more than 20 years ago, alleging that the state hospitals failure to admit aid-and-assist patients quickly was a violation of their rights to a speedy trial and due process. In 2002, U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner ruled that the hospital must admit those patients within seven days of a court finding that theyre unable to assist in their defense due to mental illness so they wouldnt languish in jail without treatment. In September 2022, Mosman set release deadlines for the state hospital, ordering it to discharge aid-and-assist patients with misdemeanor charges within 90 days, those facing felony charges within six months and those facing violent felony or person-centered felonies within a year. He later tweaked that order, including allowing a prosecutor to petition the court to keep someone charged with a violent felony longer at the state hospital if there are concerns about their imminent release. Velasquez-Sanchezs case doesnt qualify as a violent felony based on the fourth-degree assault charges he faces. He was indicted in June 2023 on three counts of fourth-degree assault, each a Class C felony because the offense occurred in front of children, and one count of second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. He is accused of walking onto the property of Salems Highland Elementary School on June 14, 2023, and attacking the school librarian who was supervising children on the playground when she told him he had to leave, according to court records. She said he punched her in the head multiple times before another staff member came to her aid. Velasquez-Sanchez then turned on that staff member, pushed her to the ground and kicked and punched her, according to prosecutors. He next squared off with a third staffer, ran away but was tackled and held until police arrived, according to court records. Velasquez-Sanchez told officers after his arrest that he had gone onto the school property because he saw a woman staring at him and mad dogging him, according to court records. He also said he wanted to get close to the children because they are the truth, the records say. At the time of his arrest, Velasquez-Sanchez was on pretrial release from a disorderly conduct charge in a June 2022 arrest, when he was accused of cussing and throwing an ax in River Road Park while pointing at various adults and children, according to Broyles. After the ax-throwing arrest, he was sent to the state hospital and found able to assist in his defense and returned to jail in November 2022. He eventually was released to his fathers house. On the day he went to the elementary school, Velasquez-Sanchez had an appointment to get medication, but instead of waiting for his father to return home from work to take him, he went out on his own, according to court records. In July 2023, following the incident at the school, he was sent to the state hospital after he was found unable to assist in his own defense and released back to jail in January after spending six months at the hospital, the maximum time under Mosmans order. In February, Broyles denied Velasquez-Sanchezs release from jail and instead ordered him be taken from jail one day a week to the Oregon State Hospital for treatment. She made the ruling despite the fact that the state hospital doesnt provide such temporary weekly outpatient service and despite an agreement by the defendants lawyer and deputy district attorney to support residential treatment. Lawyers from the state Department of Justice challenged Broyles decision and her attempt to hold state hospital officials in contempt for not following her order. State officials and state courts must comply with federal court orders designed to remedy federal constitutional violations, wrote attorney Denise G. Fjordbeck, for the Oregon Department of Justice. State courts lack authority to compel state officials to disobey such orders. Lawyers for Disability Rights Oregon also went back to Mosman, asking him to review the Marion County judges order to see if it complied with his injunction. Mosman ruled last year that it did not, citing the U.S. Constitutions Supremacy Clause that says the U.S. Constitution and federal law generally take precedence over state laws. Mosman criticized Marion County for coming up with implausible workarounds and threatening well-meaning, overworked public health workers with the draconian punishment of contempt. Early this week, the state Supreme Court commanded Broyles to dismiss her earlier denial of Velasquez-Sanchezs release to community treatment by the end of Thursday. Broyles did so, but not without first chiding Mosman for continuing to legislate from the bench. She continued to argue that Mosmans limits on state hospital stays violates state law that allows someone charged with a felony to be treated for up to three years to be restored to mental competency. Broyles also invited others to testify about the impact of Mosmans limits on state hospital stays for criminal defendants. Broyles brought a series of people to the stand to speak to the dispute. Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson called Velasquez-Sanchezs release the last worst option that we have. Andrew Stover, a forensic psychologist who evaluated Velasquez-Sanchez, said Velasquez-Sanchez suffers from schizophrenia, but its in a state of sustained, partial remission. That means Velasquez-Sanchez no longer suffers from delusions or makes bizarre outbursts but remains in a state of confusion and isnt able to track his legal options, Stover said. Velasquez-Sanchez still isnt fit to assist in his defense but could regain his mental health in two to six months with psychiatric services to adjust his medication if needed and teach him communication skills to help him rationally evaluate his case, Stover said. Alan Rainwater, a clinical supervisor for the county health department who oversees aid-and-assist patients, testified that the number of people placed on restoration treatment in the county has outpaced the treatment beds available. Defense lawyer Michelle Vlach-Ing called Velasquez-Sanchezs community placement the best alternative. Velasquez-Sanchez was ordered to be released from jail Thursday afternoon to short-term residential treatment and housing with GPS monitoring and an assigned probation officer, as well as a counselor to ensure he takes his medication. Hell also be placed on house arrest. He was ordered not to come in eyesight of any school or public park and have no contact with children or his alleged victims at the elementary school. So I think its very important that as best we can as a community, put him somewhere where he can get the appropriate medication, Vlach-Ing said in court. Attorney Erin Olson, representing the elementary school staffers in the case, said they supported Velasquez-Sanchezs release to community treatment. She also said shes optimistic that ongoing mediation in the federal case may result in further modifications to Mosmans state hospital stay limits for certain types of defendants. Broyles said she remained troubled that if Velasquez-Sanchez violates any conditions of his county placement, he would end up back in jail and couldnt be sent for psychiatric services at the state hospital unless he committed a new crime. I think the court is rather stuck, Rainwater agreed. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Oregon has snagged another honor for the quality of its food scene. Fresh off being named home to one of the 20 best food cities in the world, the state was ranked as one of the top 15 foodie-friendly states by BetCarolina.com. Like many of these internet rankings, the sponsor has little to do with the subject of the list. Oregon punches above its weight in the ranking, coming in at No. 4 just behind populous states like New York at No. 1, California (2) and Illinois (3). This shouldnt come as a surprise to Oregonians, who should be used to the parade of accolades Oregon has garnered over the past few decades. BetCarolina.com compiled the ranking based on the total number of best food cities, average cost of food at a restaurant in each state, number of James Beard 2024 nominations, and local farms/farmers markets per capita. 15 1 / 15 Gregory Gourdet's Haitian restaurant, Kann Portland has had a very good run at the James Beard awards in recent years. Portlands Gregory Gourdet won best chef in the Pacific Northwest at the 2024 awards, while famed Thai restaurant Langbaan was named most outstanding restaurant. Nearby Washington state made the list at No. 6. Julie Evensen covers trending topics and popular culture. She can be reached at jevensen@oregonian.com or @juliecevensen on Twitter and @julieevensen on Threads. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. EUGENE A heavy defensive weekend of official visits is on tap for Oregon, which is hosting 10 blue chip recruits this weekend, including four top 100 prospects. Five-star cornerbacks Dorian Brew and Naeem Offord, an Ohio State commit, top a group of seven defensive and three offensive prospects coming to Eugene, according to a source with knowledge of the matter. Tight end Linkon Cure, running back Jordon Davison, linebackers Noah Mikhail and Gavin Nix, defensive linemen Trajen Odom and Josiah Sharma, safety Omario Robinson and offensive lineman Douglas Utu are also spending the weekend at UO. Offord, the No. 6 overall prospect in this years recruiting class, has been committed to Ohio State since February. Hes visited Auburn and Alabama and has a visit scheduled to Ohio State next weekend. In late May, so close to high schools finish line that she could almost taste it, Amiya Roberts was seized by momentary terror. Dreaming ahead to college in the fall, the Reynolds High School senior logged into her Portland State University freshman profile and found notifications that she had been approved for a $5,500 loan and to pay $4,000 from earnings in a work-study position. The only problem? She didnt remember applying for either a loan or an on-campus job. Im in a crisis, Roberts panic-texted, so stressed that she gave little thought to punctuation or spelling. Please tell me what I just did!!???!!? AM I IN DEPT? At that moment, it felt to her like everything shed worked so hard to build back since a disastrous COVID-imploded freshman year, when she simply stopped showing up to her online classes, could slip away. Roberts is one of only about 800 or so Black students graduating from Oregon high schools this spring, the vast majority of them in the Portland metro area. Only a dozen years ago, the percentage of the states Black high school graduates enrolling directly in college or community college handily outpaced that of their white counterparts, a point of pride for a small community thats worked hard to build a network of organizations to support its young people. In 2012, 73% of Black graduates continued on to higher education, compared with a statewide average of 65%. But a lot changed in a decade. Among the high school class of 2021, the most recent for which data is available, just 54% of Black graduates went on to college within 16 months of graduating, representing a steeper 10-year plummet than for any other demographic group in Oregon except Pacific Islanders. The drop from that 2012 high was gradual as the 2010s progressed, then accelerated when the pandemic hit. Oregon has an established and growing network of programs to help Black teens find their way to higher education, including long-tenured programs like Self Enhancement Inc., sometimes short-handed SEI, which works with students from Jefferson, Grant, Parkrose, Reynolds and David Douglas high schools, and local chapters of national nonprofits including the Urban League and the UNCF. But theyre up against some powerful forces, including the ceaseless gentrification that has pushed Portlands small Black community farther and farther from the citys core, dispersing families primarily to East Portland and farther east in Multnomah County. Gun violence also takes a disproportionate toll on Black youth, particularly young Black men. Against that backdrop, Donnell Morgan, executive director of Elevate Oregon, a mentorship organization that works with students of color at Parkrose and David Douglas school districts from elementary school through 12th grade, said that he has heard over and over from students that like Roberts they are apprehensive about taking on the spiraling costs of college. Over the past 20 years, Oregon lawmakers have increasingly relied on tuition to cover the costs of operating public universities. Yearly tuition and fees average $13,440, the most expensive of 15 western states. Oregons community colleges cost an average of $6,464, second only to South Dakota. In 2023, the state expanded its signature tuition grant program, which now covers about 75% of the cost of tuition at two and four-year institutions statewide for the neediest students. Individual colleges have also launched initiatives to try to help: Portland States tuition-free degree program, for example, fully covers tuition and mandatory costs beyond federal Pell grants for 60% of in-state students. But such state and federal aid programs dont always take into account living costs and discretionary fees, which can quickly balloon into debt that takes years to repay, not to mention forgone wages when students opt for higher education instead of a full-time job, Morgan said.. Even students who do make it to college dont necessarily last long, Morgan said. Over my eight years here at Elevate Oregon, weve sent some kids off to college and then, shoot, three or four months later theyre back here in the community, he said. And its like, Hey, whats going on? And they say: Donnell, I just couldnt afford it. One of the states most established and successful mentorship programs for Black students, Self Enhancement tries mightily to anticipate those problems, issuing some scholarships that can offset costs like housing and books and assigning post-high school mentors to help troubleshoot for students whove gone on to college. SEI is also giving more attention to expanding apprenticeship programs for students who want to bypass or put off college, said Trent Aldridge, the nonprofits chief program officer. Life has options, Aldridge said. College is a pathway, but its not the right path for every student. If you leave $200,000 in debt, the math doesnt equal out for folks. You can make a great living and you wont go into debt doing it. The bottom line For Roberts and her classmate Kesha Williams a bubbly extrovert whose 10th grade feud over SnapChat with Roberts somehow morphed into a best friendship the question mark of how to pay for college has loomed over their entire senior year. The girls have similar stories: Like Roberts, Williams mostly gave up during the freshman year of online school: After winter break came, I just stopped going. And my GPA was like, a .8 or something. I had no motivation. Nobody was pushing me, she said. Once school buildings reopened, both girls rebuilt their academic footing via summer school, extra credit, tutoring and make-up classes. Williams stayed at Roberts home for occasional stretches while her own family coped with housing insecurity, spending stretches living in their car, in shelters and at motels. And they both linked up with SEI, which meant they had access to academic mentors, social get-togethers with other Black teens, a chance at a trip to tour historically Black colleges and universities junior year and a shot at the brass ring: the organizations scholarships. By senior year, theyd both come a long way. Roberts last-ever report card came back with straight As. And she grew so close to her SEI coordinator, Mahogany Bradford, that she felt no compunction about video chatting her late at night for emergency math tutoring. With her support, Roberts completed both her application to Portland State and her Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Word of her acceptance to Portland State came first, followed by several anxious months waiting on notification of her federal student aid. By mid-May, that too was in place. Roberts had secured $15,000 towards tuition and fees, the maximum award for students with the greatest need. Along with that award came the source of her momentary panic: By demonstrating a certain level of financial need and qualifying for a Pell grant, she was automatically pre-approved for the $5,500 federal loan with a favorable interest rate and the chance to apply for a job on campus neither of which she has to accept. Roberts was on her way, if a little daunted by all of the logistics. At a spring open house for admitted students at Portland State, she seemed overwhelmed by the tables of cheerful ambassadors wearing PSU swag and talking up their programs, promoting the plusses of studying abroad or championing independent study projects with professors. I just want to be a lawyer or a therapist, she said. Im really set. None of this stuff interests me. Shed expected a classic college vibe, more like the TV show Grown-ish. Instead, the campus seemed echoing and empty, which her student tour guide chalked up to few classes meeting on Friday mornings. Peeking into staged dorm rooms, Roberts said she could imagine herself living on campus, but room and board would cost thousands of dollars that she didnt have. Williams, meanwhile, was thriving socially, captaining the high schools step dance team, starring in the track and field and being voted prom queen. She considered going all the way to Arkansas to run track at a historically Black college, but eventually decided to stick closer to home. She thought about Clark College, across the Columbia River in Vancouver. But by late May, shed set her sights on Mount Hood Community College, just down the street from her high school, where she thought shed study art or architecture. After two years there, she figured she could transfer to one of the historically Black colleges shed seen on her SEI tour. But, like hundreds of thousands of students around the country, Williams ran into problems with her FAFSA form. An older sister is her legal guardian, and Williams needed her help to properly turn in the form before she could have certainty about her college plans. And pinning her down proved difficult. I would have gotten it done, if [the system] was not having trouble, but it was having trouble for weeks, Williams said. When I finally got to it, there was this segment that said We need information from your legal guardian, and I put it in and it wasnt working. And then, yeah we were supposed to do it. But time went by and I procrastinated. Scholarship Dreams Their paths had also diverged when it came to their SEI scholarship dreams. Both girls submitted essays, but only Roberts made the cut for the interview round, during which she haltingly told her lifes story. She wanted to be a lawyer, she told the SEI committee, because one of her mothers former boyfriends had abused her sister. When her sister finally found the courage to speak up, no one in the justice system took her seriously and their case went nowhere, Roberts said. She wanted to grow up to be the person who would listen to people like her family members and find a way to help them. All spring, she waited for the scholarship committees decision, which was delayed for weeks due to the federal governments disastrous rollout of its new financial aid system. Its myriad technological problems left colleges nationwide unable to tell students how much aid they could offer until months after the usual deadline. At last, on the first Saturday in June, Roberts mother told her they were going out to dinner with Bradford, her SEI coordinator, to celebrate the impending end of high school. An unsuspecting Roberts had just started to tuck into a Bloomin Onion and a shrimp cocktail appetizer at the dimly-lit Outback Steakhouse in Vancouver Mall when a phalanx of SEI employees swept past the restaurants hostess --scattering waiters and busboys -- to present her with balloons, flowers and a giant check with her name on it. Shed won a $5,000 per year scholarship. That was enough, when added to her federal and state aid, for tuition, fees and some breathing room. Yall, college is paid for, baby! Im lit! Lets celebrate, a giddy Roberts cried out, throwing her arms around everyone within reach. We about to be lawyers! One of the people she hugged was Williams, who was celebrating her friends dreams coming true while still not knowing what would become of her own. Just two days later, Williams still hadnt connected with the older sister whose information she needed to fill out the FAFSA. That meant shed missed a key deadline to apply for an Oregon Promise grant, which would have covered her tuition costs at community college. I have absolutely no clue, Williams said in June, post-deadline. Im going to go through my moms email to see if I can fill it out myself. Bradford was also keeping a careful eye on the teen. Though she missed the deadline for the Oregon Promise grant, she has until June 30 to submit her FAFSA form and get some financial aid, Bradford said. But she and Williams both acknowledged that starting community college in fall was becoming more complicated, though not completely beyond reach. Roberts said she would keep the faith for her friend. After all, theyd already come so far. Shoot, I thought I was going to be homeless on the streets, Roberts said. Thats one of my biggest fears. I was thinking that was going to be me if I didnt get my life together. I dont want to be depending on my mom all my life. If Im paying the rent at my moms house, I can pay the rent on my own house, someday. Now all she had left to do was graduate. Im excited and scared at the same time all those people looking at me, Roberts said. It really is an accomplishment. Julia Silverman covers education policy and schools for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Follow her on x.com at @jrlsilverman. The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, the rapid-fire gun accessories used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, in a ruling that threw firearms back into the nations political spotlight. The high courts conservative majority found that the Trump administration overstepped when it changed course from predecessors and banned bump stocks, which allow a rate of fire comparable to machine guns. The decision came after a gunman in Las Vegas attacked a country music festival with assault rifles equipped with the accessories. I am writing as a retired teacher born and raised in Oregon who moved back to the state she loved. Now I cant answer these questions. How can Oregon allow school funding to be difficult for all of our children, who are already behind? These students are paying the price for being in crowded classrooms, loss of special needs services, teacher layoffs and even possible school closures. And still Oregon gives a " kicker tax refund which benefits mostly the wealthy? Dawn Engel, Canby If you've read this far, you are as invested in this city and campus as we are. That's why we are asking you to invest in us. Since 1916, the Daily has served the Norman and OU communities with free independent journalism, with all decisions made locally with no administrative, governmental or corporate influence. We provide Norman with the city's largest reporting staff, drawn from one of the nation's top journalism colleges. Our coverage is routinely honored at state and national levels. And we're advised by a veteran professional staff with a mission to help us build on our legacy as a launching pad for media professionals. OU students pay about $14 in annual fees that help support the Daily. If you find value in our work and are not a student, please consider matching or exceeding that with a one-time or recurring donation. In an era when subscriptions to paywalled news organizations routinely exceed $100 annually, grassroots support from readers like you can collectively make a transformative difference in our organization. A North Dakota woman, Jessica Beske from Fargo, might receive up to 30 years in prison after Minnesota deputies detected a bong with water testing positive for methamphetamine in her car. North Dakota Woman Faces up to 30 Years in Prison According to the Minnesota Reformer, Beske was pulled over for speeding in Polk County, Minnesota, on May 8. Deputies supposedly smelled marijuana, indicating a search of her vehicle, which exposed three pieces of drug paraphernalia testing positive for meth. The authorities found a bong, a jar with a "crystal substance," and pipes among other items. Beske claimed in court documents that under Minnesota law, drug paraphernalia is legal. Despite this, she was arrested and charged with first-degree possession. Although drug paraphernalia was legalized last year, including items with drug residue, current law still categorizes bong water as a controlled substance. A first-degree possession sentence in Minnesota can lead to up to 30 years in prison, penalties up to $1 million, or both. Attempts to get comments from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the county attorney's office were not successful. In her court filings, Beske argued that the grabbed items were simply paraphernalia and petitioned for the return of her car and casino earnings, affirming they were not likely for forfeiture. Beske expressed her frustration to the Minnesota Reformer, stating that the charges defied common sense. She stated that this was contrary to common sense. This case emphasizes the lingering effect of harsher "war on drugs" laws. Read Also: Escalating Overdose Crisis Ignites Intense Debate on Harsh New Fentanyl Laws Minnesota Deputies Found Meth-Laced Bong Water in Jessica's Car They also reported finding various drug paraphernalia in the 43-year-old's vehicle. Court documents disclose Beske declared that police found three pieces of drug paraphernalia that tested positive for meth. In the documents, Beske also requested the return of her car and $1,400 in casino winnings, asserting they were "not subject to forfeiture." Despite recent decriminalization, an existing law in Minnesota still treats bong water as a controlled substance. This regulation originates from the 2009 State v. Peck case in the state supreme court, where bong water was categorized as a "drug mixture" contributing to drug weight calculations for penalties. First-degree possession convictions can result in up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both, according to the Reformer. The Polk County attorney's office, handling the case, did not immediately respond for comment. Beske said she was shocked to discover the potential for such a severe sentence when she saw her charge sheet. All she could envision were potential repercussions spanning 30 to 40 years. She described feeling speechless and breathless. She initially thought the potential penalty was a mistake, especially given the decriminalization of drug paraphernalia in Minnesota. After researching, she learned about the law regarding bong water and watched the legislative session where it was passed. "They didn't even discuss it at all. They just pushed it through. Nobody's even thinking about whose lives are affected by this," she said. Beske is now working with a lawyer to navigate the severe penalty and remains hopeful that the law might change. She also stated, "This is so wrong that I must hope for a change in law. "I don't want anybody else to have to go through this." The Virginia Department of Health is probing an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to Lake Anna State Park, a popular recreational point in central Virginia, after multitudinous reports of gastrointestinal ails over the Memorial Day weekend. E.Coli Outbreak in Virginia Health officers are examining water samples from Lake Anna after at least 20 people, generally children, reported E. coli infections. These cases arose between May 27 and June 4, aligning with the bustling Memorial Day weekend. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), at least nine individuals who swam in the lake have been hospitalized. Additionally, five verified cases include hemolytic uremic syndrome ( HUS), a serious complication affecting the kidneys, all in children. While, 10 further cases are under investigation. The Department of Environmental Quality tested the lake water on June 11, and results are still pending. Dr. Olugbenga O. Obasanjo, the Rappahannock Health District health director, expressed hope for the recovery of those rehabilitated, stating that they are hoping for the hospitalized children to make a full recovery and will be able to return home to their families soon. Sources of Infection and Safety Guidelines Lake Anna, created in the 1970s as a reservoir for a near nuclear power factory, features both a "cold" side and a "warm" side, the latter being heated by discharged cooling water from the factory. The health department indicated that exposures passed throughout the 13,000- acre Lake Anna, which is among Virginia's top recreational spots. Despite the E.coli outbreak, no swimming advisory has been issued to the public, but the health department advises caution and adherence to general swimming and boating safety guidelines. Don't drink untreated water. Shower or bathe after swimming to remove possible pollutants. Avoid swimming with open cuts or injuries. Stay away from storm drains while swimming. Refrain from swimming if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. Avoid water with a green film, which may indicate dangerous algal blooms. Don't swim for three days after heavy rain due to implicit impurity. Wash hands completely after restroom use and before eating Dispose of human waste properly when boating. Understanding the Dangers of E.Coli Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium generally set up in the terrain, food, and bowels of people and creatures. While numerous E. coli strains are inoffensive, some can cause severe illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), E. coli infections can be particularly severe in children. Symptoms include a high fever, severe stomach cramps, bloody or watery diarrhea, puking, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and sepsis. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) can result in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that may cause kidney failure, permanent health issues, or even death. Those at highest threat include children under five, grown-ups over 65, and individuals with weakened, vulnerable immune systems. Prompt medical attention is advised for anyone passing dragged diarrhea or vomiting, bloody coprolite or urine, a fever over 102F, or signs of dehumidification. HUS symptoms, which require urgent medical care, include reduced urination, pale cheeks and lower eyelids, unexplained bruising, blood in the urine, fatigue, huffiness, or dropped alertness. Treatment for E. coli infections generally involve increased fluid input, anti-diarrheal drugs, and antibiotics as directed by a healthcare provider. A woman from Louisiana was discovered deceased in her residence on Thursday, while her two young daughters were taken and subsequently found in Mississippi hours later. Louisiana Mom Found Dead as Children Were Abducted Dreadfully, one child was discovered dead near a car in a wooded area, while the other, aged 6, was discovered alive and well with a man who had formerly been in a relationship with the casualties. The man was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, and had the casualty's vehicle and the surviving child. Law enforcement officials, including Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, stated that the investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, who allegedly attempted to dispose of the children in the wooded area. Louisiana State Police released an Amber Alert for the children following the discovery of their mother, Callie Brunett, dead in her home in Loranger, situated east of Baton Rouge. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards characterized the circumstances as an unthinkable disaster, offering condolences to the families of the casualties. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation's human trafficking division was informed by Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade about the disturbing findings, including those found in small animal cages. "This was a deeply disturbing and cowardly act," Wade commented on the suspect's actions. One of Two Children Abducted Found Dead in Louisiana A 4-year-old Louisiana girl was discovered dead in Mississippi on Thursday, just hours after an Amber Alert was released for her and her 6-year-old sister, who were both abducted from their home following their mother's murder. Four-year-old Erin Brunett and her 6-year-old sister Jalie were taken around 8 a.m. Thursday from their home in Loranger, about 45 miles northeast of Baton Rouge, according to Tangipahoa Parish Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis. Read Also : Abducted New Mexico Infant Found: Suspect Arrested in Tragic Park Incident Erin's body was discovered 120 miles away in Jackson, Mississippi, along with her unharmed sister and their suspected abductor, Daniel Callahan. Callahan had been in an "on-and-off relationship" with the girls' deceased mother, 35-year-old Callie Brunett. Erin appears to have been killed when Callahan realized that police had tracked him down, according to Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade. He also mentioned that he attempted to dispose of the children after becoming aware and thankful that one child survived, and the grandparents are now heading to another town. It is unclear if Callahan has legal representation. Callahan was observed by undercover officers checking houses in Jackson. Though he attempted to flee, he was arrested. Callahan directed officers to a car where Jalie was found "alive and well." He then led them to a nearby wooded area where Erin's body was discovered. The Tangipahoa Parish Coroner is now determining how Callie Brunett died. Earlier, they received information about Callahan driving Callie Brunett's vehicle in Jackson. Authorities learned of the girls' abduction when their grandparents called the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, reporting they had been unable to contact Callie. Erin's and Jalie's father found Callie's body in her bedroom at 8 a.m. Thursday and called 911. The authorities searched the wooded area near the residence and found no evidence that the children were still present. Callie's car was missing when the girls' father arrived, and her family hadn't heard from her since Tuesday. The Tangipahoa Parish Coroner is determining Callie Brunett's cause of death. The Brunett family has been notified, and Jalie's grandparents are en route to Jackson to pick her up. "Jalie has endured something most of us hope to never experience," Chief Deputy Travis said. "She will have to live with this for the rest of her life," she said. It is horrific." An 8-year-old girl died after a medical emergency on a flight bound for Chicago Thursday morning. The flight was deflected to land in Peoria, Illinois, according to officials. 8-Year-Old Girl Dies Following a Medical Emergency During a Flight Emergency responders tried life-saving measures, but the child was declared lifeless after being taken to a nearby hospital, the Peoria County Coroner's Office reported in a declaration. Sydney Weston, an 8-year-old from Carl Junction, Missouri, was on vacation with her family when she "fell unwell and became restless" during the flight, as declared by his coroner's office. Flight crews rushed to help her when her family reported her condition, the coroner's office said. The statement made on the plane's emergency landing in Peoria indicated that "she had stopped breathing and had no pulse." Weston was pronounced dead at OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria at 8:05 a.m, as per the coroner's office. The declaration noted that the child's autopsy is set for Friday. In another circumstance, a 41-year-old American man passed away on a Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Fiji, to San Francisco due to a medical emergency. Efforts by the onboard medical team were not successful, and the flight made a safe landing in San Francisco. Fiji Airways conveyed condolences to the man's family and praised the crew and helping doctor for their quick response. Child Passed Away After Becoming Unconscious During Flight An 11-year-old boy died after losing consciousness on a flight departing from Istanbul bound for New York. The Turkish Airlines flight deflected to Budapest, Hungary, where despite efforts by medics, the child could not be restored, reported the MTI news agency. Officials at Budapest International Airport declared that flight TK003, which departed Turkey at 8:56 am local time en route to JFK airport, made the emergency landing shortly after the boy fell not conscious. The emergency landing happened around 10:30 am, with an ambulance standing by to transfer the boy and his family to a hospital. According to a spokesperson, the Airport Medical Service (AMS) at Ferenc Liszt International Airport responded to the aircraft and conducted efforts to revive the child. Despite their quick and professional intervention, the child could not be saved. The flight continued on its path to its intended destination. The identity of the child and the accurate cause of death remain undisclosed. Turkish Airlines provided a declaration, stating, "During our TK 3 Istanbul - New York flight on June 11, an 11-year-old passenger fell sick. Following a cabin declaration requesting medical assistance, our flight crew promptly diverted the Airbus A330 aircraft with tail code TC-JOA to Budapest" A doctor on board administered CPR, and the cockpit crew made an emergency landing at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport at 10:30 GMT+3. Emergency medical teams provided further treatment on board, but despite all efforts, the passenger could not be saved. "The family disembarked in Budapest, and the flight continued its journey to New York, landing with a delay of four-and-a-half hours at 13:41 GMT+3. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and loved ones during this challenging period," the declaration stated. And James Swans Unwarranted Conclusion from Luthers Sermon, That He Was Accusing Her of Sin Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 4,600+ articles, please follow this blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! Martin Luthers words will be in blue. *** Anti-Catholic Reformed Protestant James Swan wrote an article entitled, Luther: Mary Sinned (2-16-06). He drew from Martin Luthers second sermon on the First Sunday After Epiphany (1525), on Luke 2:41-52 (from Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, Volume 1, Michigan: Baker Books, 2000). What he cites from it, however, doesnt support his contention that Luther was claiming that Mary sinned: 32. . . . you can see here how they err and falter, not only in this that they seek Christ and know not where to find him until they accidentally come to the temple, but also that they could not understand these words with which he censured their ignorance and is compelled to say to them: Knew ye not, that I must be in the things of my Father? 39. To this we should reply as is taught in this Gospel: Be they called holy, learned, fathers, councils, or any other name, even though they were Mary, Joseph and all the saints it does not follow that they could not have erred and made mistakes. For here you learn that the mother of Christ though she possessed great intelligence and enlightenment, showed great ignorance in that she did not know where to find Christ, and in consequence was censured by him because she did not know what she should have known. 46. . . . And although she had been sanctified by the Holy Spirit; yet he permitted her at times to err, even in the important matters of faith. Why Swan concluded this is a deep, unfathomable mystery, since, first of all, mere ignorance in and of itself is not a sin (Acts 3:17; 17:30). Only obstinate or intransigent ignorance is (Eph 4:18). Luther in the above excerpts was discussing lack of knowledge, or ignorance. He stated in section 33: God led her in such a way that he concealed much from her and daily permitted many things to happen which she had not known beforehand. Secondly, in the same sermon, Luther stated not just once, but twice, that he was not accusing Mary of sin (my italics): 13. Yea, though it may not be a matter of open sin, the devil can make sin of that which is no sin, and so move and terrify the heart that it will plague itself with the thought: . . . 22. . . . So here, the mother of Christ was forced to contend, even till the third day, with a heavy heart, which accused her as if she had lost the Son of God, a sin the like of which no one else on earth had committed, and she had to fear only the Most High; and yet truly there was no such sin, nor wrath, nor disfavor. Luther in section 5 also stated that Mary was greatly blessed with all grace and was a beautiful temple of the holy God. And in section 33: he guided and sustained her by his grace, although he had endowed her with many far greater gifts than others. Swan wants to constantly lecture Catholics about context in Luthers writings (saying that we continually neglect it), yet he completely botches that aspect in his vapid analysis in this article? Its laughable. Luther does, however, accuse the Blessed Virgin Mary of an unseemly doubt and lack of faith, and I contend that this is absurd and completely unfounded, based on what we know from Luke 2. He projects onto her (and onto St. Paul elsewhere in his writings) the gargantuan and existential struggles with faith that he himself experienced, and this is completely unfounded and based on nothing but his own well-documented internal psychological turmoil and wrestling with recurring depression. Lets take a look at the biblical passage in play: Luke 2:42-50 (RSV) And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; [43] and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, [44] but supposing him to be in the company they went a days journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; [45] and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. [46] After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; [47] and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48] And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously. [49] And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house? [50] And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. I dont think this is much of a big deal at all. Mary and Joseph were simply perplexed. So they asked, why have you treated us so? They didnt understand. And Im sure they would have been the first to admit that they wouldnt always fully understand God the Son. They were simply worried about the whereabouts of their son. If parents didnt worry in some strong sense about their children, when there was sufficient cause, I submit that they would be negligent, irresponsible parents. The passage doesnt show Mary as a sinner, but rather, as a very human, normal, concerned parent, as all parents should be. We wouldnt expect anything less of the Immaculate Mother of God. Any parent and I think, anyone, period, to a lesser extent would immediately understand the emotional dynamics of the story, and Mary being sinless or Jesus being God doesnt make the reaction any different (just as Jesus felt agonized anxiety in Gethsemane). Mary was a human being with emotions, just like the rest of us, and she experienced the especially intense and excruciating feelings of a mother looking for her lost child. I think once one realizes this, her recorded reaction is seen to be extraordinarily mild. Sin isnt within a universes distance to it. This is ultra-normal parental emotions: as far from sin as the east is to the west. Thus, Luther wrote in ection 6: For let us think for a moment, how she must have felt and grieved. Every father and mother can easily understand the misery and sorrow caused by the unavoidable separation from a dear child, when they know only that the child is lost. And even if the separation should last only an hour, how great are not the sorrow and lamentation, and how many tears are not shed, without consolation, without strength to eat, drink, sleep or rest, and with such misery that they would prefer to die. How much greater the suffering, if this condition were to continue for a day and a night, or even longer, when each hour must seem like a hundred years! Nor does it necessarily follow at all that Jesus usual provocative and rhetorical (indeed, even socratic) questioning is implying sin on Marys part. He was simply challenging them to realize that He was anticipating His mission to come. Jesus was routinely misunderstood by almost everyone, including (quite often, before Pentecost) His own disciples (Mk 4:13; 6:52; 9:32; Lk 9:45; Jn 12:16). We should fully expect this, since He was the incarnate God, after all, Whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth (Is 55:9). Its foolish to rush in and assume its because they were rebuked for sin: whether Mary is involved or anyone else. Its mere rash speculation. This is an attempt to tear down the usual understanding of biblical passages by using a hyper-rationalistic, theologically liberal approach: truth be told. Its an attitude of relentless skepticism, which is counter to a robust Christian faith. These are the sorts of questions that skeptical, Spirit-deprived atheists cynically ask about biblical texts (I know: I have dealt with such questions at great length). But there is a further factor to consider, that classic Protestant commentaries (on Luke 2:44) have brought up: Ellicotts Commentary for English Readers: Supposing him to have been in the company.The company was probably a large one, consisting of those who had come up to keep the Passover from Nazareth and the neighbouring villages. It is not certain, but in the nature of things it is sufficiently probable, that the boys of such a company congregated together, and travelled apart from the others. Barnes Notes on the Bible: Windows Recall is probably the most exciting new feature that Microsoft presented at its event in May (alongside Copilot+ PCs). This new tool runs locally on your computer (provided it has an NPU and is therefore a Copilot Plus PC) and logs everything you do on your computer with regular snapshots so that you can search for and retrieve all the content youve interacted with. Microsoft describes the Recall function as follows: While you are using your PC, Recall takes snapshots of your screen. Snapshots are taken every five seconds while the content on the screen differs from the previous snapshot. Your snapshots are then saved locally and analyzed locally on your PC. Analyzing Recall allows you to search for content, including images and text, in natural language. This should enable you to find everything again. Recall should therefore become a kind of photographic memory for your PC and be able to remember everything you have done on it. Recall will also be available for German-speaking PCs at launch. Further reading: Microsoft is killing a huge AI feature in Copilot Pro You can start Recall either by pressing the Windows key + J or by clicking on the Recall icon on the taskbar. Windows Recall icon in the Windows taskbar . Windows Recall icon in the Windows taskbar . Microsoft Windows Recall icon in the Windows taskbar . Microsoft Microsoft However, Recall has been criticized from the onset due to potential data privacy issues. So, if you dont want to be monitored by Windows around the clock, you only have one option: switch off Recall. How to switch off Recall If you want to switch off Recall completely, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots in Windows and deactivate the Save snapshots option by moving the slider to the Off position. Alternative: Only allow recall to record certain activities If you want to leave the function switched on, take a moment to configure which apps and websites are allowed and which are blocked. Chrome and Firefox users should also switch on the automatic blocking of private browser windows (only Edges InPrivate windows are excluded by default). Microsoft has published detailed instructions on how you can customize Recall to your wishes. Switch off Recall for a short time You can also quickly switch off Recall for a short time period. To pause Recall, click on the Recall icon in the taskbar and then select Stop/pause until tomorrow option. Snapshots are paused until theyre automatically resumed at 12:00 noon. Modern gaming laptops are technological modern marvels. The amount of hardware packed into a small form factor can outpace even the best desktops of years past. With such stringent high-performance and tight tolerances, the right suite of software programs can have a surprising impact on your usability. While gaming laptops have specific software built-in from the manufacturer that you should be acquainted with, theres plenty left to explore. Well take you through some of the basics you should be aware of with modern gaming laptops. These programs not only will add to your experience, but many of them are also free. Performance monitors, CPU tweaks, and utility programs augment the already impressive capabilities of your machine. These can help you understand the performance under the hood, a critical tool for future upgrade decisions. Built-in software Our first stop is the built-in suite of software your gaming laptop comes with. These programs will often give you fine-tuning control of power profiles and fan speeds at a minimum. RGB controls and even CPU or GPU overclocking tweaks are often be included, too. With the advent of AI technologies coming in the next generation of laptops, many of these tasks will be improved with new software. Laptops tend to have a more closed-off ecosystem, compared to enthusiast grade-desktops. Manufacturer installed software will often be the primary way that you will interact with the core functions. On laptops such as the Alienware M16, youll have access to Alienware Command Center. Here youll find the basic performance overlays for monitoring your CPU and GPU. Furthermore, overclocking profiles are also available with a variety of presets. Youll often find the function row of your keyboard embedded with useful shortcuts that are connected to the included software. The Alienware M16 has a button to change performance profiles mapped to the F1 function key, for example. The ASUS ROG Strix 16 laptop has a similar function row with RGB and power adjustments. It also includes a top row that controls volume and fan profiles. You can open the Asus Armoury Crate software, too. On most gaming laptops, noise is often an issue with high-performance. To reach a comfortable noise level, you can choose power settings between balanced or varying performance modes. This in turn will allow you to keep fan speeds under control with thermals in check. AlienFX is the nomenclature for RGB controls and setting key binds. This suite also includes more niche features such as AlienVision to turn off monitor overlays and fine-tuning for gaming. Other brands such as Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte have similar software utilities that perform similar functions. Driver and BIOS updates are also found within these software suites, facilitating the process and reducing time browsing websites. Razer Synapse laptop software with CPU Overclocking. Some will allow for more fine-tuning such as Razers Synapse. You can make CPU specific-performance tweaks here, avoiding a trip to the BIOS. Utility programs There are a few essential programs that accentuate the built-in software experience for many gaming laptops. Nvidia app If your gaming laptop contains an Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU, youll find some very useful features. The new Nvidia App is in Beta and is an update to the GeForce Experience. It allows for quick Game Ready driver downloads for your GPU. You can also select Studio Ready drivers if youre using your laptop for productivity. The Nvidia app can also perform game optimizations, by adjusting best use settings for your hardware based on personalized data. The Nvidia Overlay allows you to monitor both GPU and CPU metrics, along with frame rates. As for Nvidia Shadow Play, this feature helps you capture game footage. In fact, it will record the last 30 seconds of gameplay. Screenshots are included in this feature as well. AMD Radeon GPU laptop owners, on the other hand, will find the AMD Adrenalin software, which has metrics and other fine-tuning capabilities. Intel driver update utility If your laptop has an Intel CPU, this utility can help you keep your drivers up to date directly from the manufacturer. While its often best practice to get drivers from the manufacture of your laptop, sometimes the pipeline for those updates can be slow. Alternatively, using the built-in driver updater in your laptop software can be sufficient. Steam, Epic Game Store, Xbox app Dont forget the essential game library programs that give you access to all the PC games your heart desires. Of special interest is Xbox PC Game Pass with the Xbox app. This gives you access to numerous great gamers for one monthly fee. The newly added titles can often be great as well, and a good way to experience many games without having to purchase individual titles. OBS Studio Recording your game play or streaming are common use cases for laptop owners, and OBS Studio is a great way to do it. Allowing various methods and codecs, its a flexible way to share your gaming experience. Microsoft Dont forget to occasionally check your Windows updates and your Microsoft Store update tab. This can often be how many programs are updated on laptops, including some built-in software by the manufacturer. There are other useful programs on here too such as Dolby Access for audio settings if your laptops software does not support such a feature. Theres also a Windows HDR Calibration utility for configuring your monitor if its HDR capable such as the Razer Blade 16 with its Mini-LED display. This can be a useful program to get the most out of your HDR capable display. Overclocking and monitoring programs Gaming laptops are not as open-ended for enthusiast tinkering as a PC desktop, but some units do allow for a reasonable degree of overclocking. The MSI Titan series of laptops are famous for pushing its CPU limits with a more unlocked BIOS, for example. These types of programs can certainly be for more advanced users. Novice users, however, should stick to the preset overclocking profiles in their laptop provided software for the safest use. Theres a further set of options in many BIOS setups for enthusiast laptops when it comes to CPU overclocking as well. Some laptops, such as the ASUS ROG Strix 16, received BIOS updates during their lifecycle, allowing more options such as CPU undervolting to be applied. Even if youre not overclocking, monitoring system performance during gaming can be fun and help you learn about the technology. Intels extreme tuning utility Intels XTU allows for fine-tuning of your CPUs various parameters. Youll need an unlocked Intel CPU such as the Core-i9 13900HX. This should be done by experienced users only, and only some laptops will be unlocked enough to allow any changes in Intel XTU. When done correctly, it can help unlock CPU power and help to reduce power draw to keep thermals in check. Gaming laptops depend on cooling. A monitoring program can help keep it under control. Hardware Monitor or HWinfo64 Gaming laptops can have temperamental thermals and thermal throttling. The best way to check it is with one of these programs that can monitor your system vitals. From making sure temperatures are within spec to monitoring how certain games use the CPU more for performance, these can often come in handy. It allows you to make the best use of your overclocking and testing suite of software, too. MSI Afterburner overlay in the top left. MSI Afterburner While support for this program has been in doubt lately, enthusiasts can still benefit from the overlay features and performance-in game monitoring. Most users should use built-in monitoring, which you can find on Nvidias software. Always make sure downloads are directly from MSI to avoid any potential fake versions. Cinebench R23 You should be acquainted with Cinebench R23 for checking CPU single-core and multi-core performance. It pairs well with many of the hardware monitoring programs mentioned here, to test your CPU limits. This program will allow you to compare scores with similar hardware configurations to ensure all is functioning correctly. It can also stress test your CPU and help with thermal analysis. Its a good way to measure any overclocking changes for performance and stability, too. When I tested an Alienware laptop with Cinebench R23, lower scores indicated a configuration issue with power limits in the BIOS. This helped me find the problem, fix it, and later re-check to see the expected higher score. If you want to verify that your gaming laptop is performing up to par, performance benchmarks are essential. Want to test if your laptop cooling pad is working optimally? Run Cinebench R23 and try different positions for your cooling pad to see what works best. CrystalDiskMark Gaming laptops can come with fast RAID 0 NVME configurations or single NVME ultra-fast drives. This utility can help you benchmark the speed of your drives and factor in a potential future upgrade if warrantied. Laptops typically have NVME drives that are upgradable, with multiple slots in higher-end laptops. Along with RAM, these are the only two user-friendly upgrades in most laptops. 3DMark This suite of benchmarks has an expansive set of tests that can stress, test, and compare scores for your CPU and GPU. Popular laptop benchmarks include 3DMark Time Spy and a DirectX12 test that runs the CPU and GPU. Time Spy Extreme brings it up a notch to 4K resolution. Testing Nvidias DLSS and AMD FSR are now available as well. Even ray tracing tests are available in this fully featured suite. PCMark10 To complement 3DMark, this suite will test the productivity aspects of your laptop and compare to industry standards. Performance and battery tests can help those who use these gaming laptops for work, such as digital content creators. It can also help in targeting where upgrades might prove beneficial, such as RAM or storage upgrades. Built-in game benchmarks Many titles have useful built-in game benchmarks that can help you see performance metrics and resource use. Youll find these benchmarks in games like F1 2023, Cyberpunk 2077, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hitman 3. Theyll show you how your laptop performs in a specific title and even guide you to add more upgrades such as RAM if you hit a bottleneck. Conclusion Gaming laptops can be just as powerful as enthusiast-grade gaming PCs. With the right set of programs, you can unlock even more tinkering and power benefits from most units. You can also streamline your experience with items such as the Nvidia App for downloading drivers and the various monitoring programs to insure you are working with a top-spec unit. Laptops pack powerful hardware in a small space, so keeping track of what your hardware is doing is essential to get the most potential and longevity out of your machine. Microsoft has decided to pull its controversial Recall feature from the initial wave of Copilot+ PCs and fully test it via the Windows Insider program before it lands on customer PCs. According to a June 13th update to a blog post Microsoft originally published on June 7th, Recall will now be released as a preview to the Insider program in the coming weeks. We are adjusting the release model for Recall to leverage the expertise of the Windows Insider community to ensure the experience meets our high standards for quality and security, the blog post, originally authored by Microsoft vice president of Windows and Devices Pavan Davuluri, now reads. Recall, launched in conjunction with the first wave of Copilot+ PCs, was the flagship feature of the Windows 11 update that accompanied the new devices. Using the NPUs found on the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors and subsequent chips from Intel and AMD, Recall was a search engine of sorts for your own PC. Recall was a great concept in theory, but stored required large chunks of storage. Opponents pounced on the fact that Recall was on by default, as it constantly took snapshots of your PCs desktop and then stored them in easily accessible locations on your PC. Microsoft then said it would turn Recall off by default, require Windows Hello to use Recall, and also use just-in-time-decryption to secure the stored data further. Microsoft used that opportunity to backtrack from Recall and the latest update moves it further back. Microsoft said that it still plans to make Recall (preview) available to all Copilot+ PCs coming soon. But, the company added, this decision is rooted in our commitment to providing a trusted, secure and robust experience for all customers and to seek additional feedback prior to making the feature available to all Copilot+ PC users. Unfortunately, Microsoft has probably only succeeded in making everyone unhappy: those who hoped to test and try out Copilot+ including those who preordered Copilot+ PCs wont be able to access it and those who still hate the concept are still fuming that Recall will eventually become another headache to manage. The Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Abdulai Abukari, has expressed worry about the rate of tramadol abuse among the youth and health workers in the region. According to him, statistics have shown that the prevalence of tramadol use among Ghanaian youth was between 24.9% and 77.6% (Danso & Anto, 2021) adding that recent studies in Northern Ghana revealed high usage of tramadol by men (90.7%) compared to females (9.3%) and among those in the informal sector jobs (Alhassan, 2022). These addictions not only harm the individuals involved but also have far-reaching consequences for their families and our society, he added. Dr. Abukari further stressed that stress mismanagement has emerged as a significant challenge, with adverse effects on the well-being of workers and community members. He noted that research indicates that one in four people will experience mental illness in their lifetime, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and effective mental health services. In the Northern Region, our dedicated mental health professionals have been working tirelessly to address these challenges. From reviewing routine OPD consultations and conducting home visits to providing outreach services and delivering mental health education in schools, their efforts have been commendable, he stated. Dr. Abukari further noted that over the past three years, there has been a concerning trend in cases of epilepsy, depression, psychoactive substance use, mental disorders due to alcohol use, and schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders. These statistics underscore the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to mental health care in our region, he added. He made this known during the Agenda for Inception Meeting for the GHS Director Generals Special Initiative for Mental Health supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), held in Tamale. The Northern Regional GHS Director said the initiative presents a unique opportunity for them to strengthen their mental health services, build capacity, and develop innovative solutions tailored to their local context. This inception meeting, we aim to increase awareness, provide orientation for key stakeholders, and develop a comprehensive work plan that will guide our efforts in the coming years. The Principal Nursing Officer (Mental Health), GHS, Emmanuel Fokuo, who read a speech on behalf of Dr. Amma Boadu, Deputy Director for Mental Health GHS, said statistics show that approximately 1 out of every 10 Ghanaian grapple with common mental health conditions, while 1% to 3% are living with severe mental illnesses and that only 5% of these individuals receive adequate treatment; a disparity exacerbated in regions with limited resources. The pervasive lack of awareness and understanding surrounding mental health perpetuates this treatment gap, affecting individuals across all demographics by the age of 75, 1 in 2 which translates to half of the population will have encountered some form of mental health challenge, he said. He urged the public to desist from stigmatizing and discriminating against persons with mental illness. Our profound concern are the misconceptions, stigma, and discrimination associated with mental illness, which unfortunately permeate our health systems. These barriers hinder individuals from seeking help and impede their path to recovery. It is imperative that we collectively prioritize mental health care, combat stigma, and ensure accessibility for all in need. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has assured Ghanaians that his outfit will clear the back lock of medical supplies donated to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in two weeks. The medical supplies was donated to the ministry by Global Fund, an international organization, who over the years have been supporting Ghana with essential medical supplies. This assurance is in sequel to plans by health-centric Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to stage a demonstration for the release of critical medicines for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV which are yet to be fully cleared at the port. Reports gathered disclose that the medical supplies have been locked up at the port since May 2023 for unpaid duties. The government has cited new exemption bill payment processes and additional charges as reasons for the holdup. Nonetheless, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has committed to meeting the two-week deadline for clearing the supplies. He said this when he interacted with the press in Accra on Thursday. He said, We are committed to getting the containers out and for me personally, irrespective of the bureaucracies involved with government and all that, I have given myself two weeks. In two weeks, I myself will not be encouraged if there are two more or one more containers left at the port." In fact, and this one you can take it from me. If by two weeks we still have containers at the port, you will not see me, I will be sitting rather at the port. I will sit at the port with them until everything comes out, he assured Ghanaians. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An entrepreneur and Chief Executive of Aduro Ye Herbal Center, producers of Obuasi Bitters and Obuasi Gringo bitters Dr. Collins Amo has donated the sum of GH200,000 towards the ' Heal KATH' project, an initiative of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The 'Heal KATH' project is aimed at raising an amount of $10 million to support the extensive renovation of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. It would be recalled that the Asantehene recently launched an appeal to encourage individuals and corporate organizations to help mobilize financial resources to undertake a comprehensive renovation of KATH to help improve and strengthen quality healthcare at the only referral hospital in the northern part of the country. According to Dr Collins Amo, as a thriving business operating in the Ashanti Region, they were motivated to heed to the appeals by the King of Ashanti. " We deemed the call by Otumfuo to support the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a laudable one and a worthy cause hence we decided to also donate and see a better KATH". He congratulated the Asantehene on his 25th Anniversary of his installation as the 16th occupant of theGolden Stool saying, he has led by example and his reign has positively affected many people in Ghana and abroad. Dr. Amoh also underscored the importance of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as a strategic referral hospital. He said it was important to improve the facilities of KATH to deliver the quality healthcare services that is expected of such a facility. The Chairman of the Heal Komfo Anokye (Teaching Hospital) project team, Sammy Adu Boakye who received the donation commended Dr. Collins Amo and his team from Aduro ye Herbal centre for the donation. He reiterated that the vision of the project as spearheaded by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was to bring infrastructure at KATH to international standard to enhance healthcare delivery at the facility, which served about 12 regions of the country. He called on other institutions and individuals to also come on board and contribute towards giving a facelift to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, the trial judge in the ongoing ambulance case, has today, Thursday, June 13, admitted an audio recording involving the Attorney-General and businessman Richard Jakpa as evidence. Justice Asare-Botwe stated that the reasons for admitting the recording during the mistrial application on June 6, 2024, still apply. She noted that in the interest of fairness, the pen drive containing the recording has been admitted, as it would have been if presented by the prosecution. The controversy began when lawyers representing Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson attempted to introduce the audio recording into evidence, prompting an objection from the Attorney General, who questioned the foundation and relevance of the recording. The audio recording, previously admitted and pivotal in the trial judge's mistrial decision, is now being tendered again by defense lawyers, who argue that it forms a crucial basis for the charges of causing financial loss to the state against the Attorney General. Lead counsel for Dr. Forson, Dr. Aziz Bamba, emphasized that the 16-minute recording pertains to the agreement between the Ghanaian government and a subsequent Letter of Credit. Dr. Bamba argued that the Attorney General's conduct in the recording amounts to oppression of the accused, undermining the integrity of the trial process. Dr Bamba contended that the audio recording is relevant as it suggests the case was not pursued in good faith, pointing to procedural irregularities in the Attorney General's handling of the matter. In response, the Attorney General argued against the recording's admission, asserting that its relevance was not sufficiently supported. The AG referenced the trial judge's previous dismissal of the mistrial application, which relied on the recording, as evidence of its limited relevance to the case. The AG further questioned whether the recording addresses the essential elements of the alleged financial loss to the state, arguing that it does not substantiate the charges against the accused. The prosecution echoed these sentiments, additionally accusing Richard Jakpa of violating the Attorney General's right to privacy by recording their conversation. However, in her ruling today, Justice Asare-Botwe disagreed with the Attorney General and admitted the recording into evidence. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Easton man will spend at least 81 years behind bars after he had 300 images of child pornography on his phone and uploaded four videos of child pornography. Zebbelin Standish on Thursday was sentenced before Northampton County Judge Paula A. Roscioli to 81 to 162 years, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office. Defense attorney Gail Marr of Bensalem said she plans to appeal what amounts to a life sentence for the 36-year-old from Flemington, Hunterdon County. Standish was found guilty in February of four counts of felony disseminating child pornography; 50 counts of felony possessing child pornography; and a single felony count of criminal use of a communication facility. The verdict followed Standishs four-day jury trial. The judge said she imposed the lengthy sentence so Standish could never victimize another child, authorities said. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said Standish re-victimized abused children by sharing their images with others online. This case is another example of how social media can be used by predators and bad actors to harm children, Henry said. Marr said Standish maintains his innocence. She argued during the trial that Standish didnt upload the videos. He also denied putting child pornography on his phone. She acknowledged the images were heartbreaking for all to see, but said she plans to appeal what she called an unfair sentence. This sentence is overly harsh for a young man of 36 and for this type of case as compared to others of a similar nature, Marr said. He would not be eligible for parole until he is 117 years old and at his age, I believe he should have an opportunity for rehabilitation and life outside the walls of prison. An Office of Attorney General Child Predator Section investigation resulted in Standishs 2022 arrest. Standish at the time of his arrest was living at an apartment in the 1400 block of Northampton Street in Easton. He uploaded four videos of child pornography on May 27, 2022, at that residence. Investigators tracked him down at his work in Hellertown in October 2022, took his phone and found 300 images and some videos of child pornography in December 2022, Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella has said. Laucella prosecuted the case. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A man assaulted three bartenders, leaving one of them with a broken jaw, inside the Downtown Lounge sports bar in Lebanon on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the owner said, according to news reports. (Photo courtesy of Scott Church)Courtesy of Scott Church By TERESA CRAWFORD and JOHN OCONNOR, The Associated Press WAUBEKA, Wis. (AP) Each June, the people of Waubeka venerate perhaps the nations most enduring symbol, celebrating Flag Day, a holiday that escapes the notice of many Americans. But this unincorporated Wisconsin town about 35 miles north of Milwaukee takes the day seriously. After all, it lays claim to being the birthplace of Flag Day, thanks to a tenacious teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. Here are some things to know about the obscure flag-waving holiday. What is Flag Day? Flag Day commemorates June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress determined the composition of the nations banner: Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. President Woodrow Wilson issued a 1916 proclamation of June 14 as Flag Day, and in 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed the formal observance into law. And it falls during Flag Week, after another congressional dictum in 1966. What about July 4? Yes, Independence Day makes prominent use of the flag. But the emblem is important enough to have its own day, according to David Janik, a Waubeka native and second-generation president of the National Flag Day Foundation. July 4th, were celebrating our independence, Janik said. But on Flag Day, were celebrating the birth of our flag, which is the symbol of our country, the symbol that is seen all around the world as the helper, the people who wont leave you out in the cold. Why Waubeka? On June 14, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, an 18-year-old Waubeka native teaching at Stony Hill School, put a flag in his inkwell and assigned his students an essay about what the flag means to them. Cigrand left the next year for dental school in Chicago, but he never gave up his advocacy for a national day dedicated to the flag. Cigrand realized his dream in 1916 when Wilson issued his proclamation. Although he died in 1932, Waubeka never forgot Cigrand, and in 1946, community leaders established the towns Flag Day celebration, which has run continuously since. Any other first Flag Days? Yes. The earliest mention of Flag Day involves a man named George Morris who organized such a commemoration on June 14, 1861, in Hartford, Connecticut, marked by a patriotic program and prayers for Union Army success in a young Civil War. But apparently, the festivities were never repeated. Pennsylvanians will challenge Cigrands coronation as Father of Flag Day. Pittsburgh native William T. Kerr began his advocacy in 1888 and a year later became national chairman of the American Flag Day Foundation, holding that position for a half-century. Kerr was among those standing beside Truman when he signed the Flag Day law. As for the expected friendly rivalry, Janik said his father, the late Jack Janik, took care of that. The elder Janik traveled to Washington and lobbied Congress, which in 2004 adopted a resolution naming Waubeka the birthplace of Flag Day. Harlow, a Jack Russell terrier, wears a national flag hat while watching a parade on June 9, 2024, in Waubeka, Wis. Old Glory is venerated annually in Waubeka, the small town that lays claim to the first Flag Day. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)AP What about the essays? In the spirit of Cigrand and his students of 139 years ago, the Waubeka Flag Day celebration includes an annual essay contest and draws entries from across the nation this year from New York to Nevada and Wisconsin to Texas. The Stars and Stripes represent a nation where immigrants like my grandparents are welcomed, where diversity is celebrated and where justice is present for all, wrote Neel Sood, a fourth-grader from Bridgewater, New Jersey. Adell, Wisconsin seventh-grader Ryan Spang wrote that the American flag represents unity. We are one nation, united by our similarities and differences. We support people in our communities in times of need and we cheer them on in times of achievement. Why isnt it a day off? Flag Day isnt like Thanksgiving, Memorial Day and a smattering of other federal holidays that generally mean Americans can spend the day off work. Instead, its officially recognized nationwide, and government services are still open and the mail still gets delivered. Only Pennsylvania marks it as a state holiday, allowing residents to stay home from work. But another backyard barbecue isnt required to feel the love in Waubeka. Our passion for the flag here is very deep, Janik said. The flag is the symbol of our country it symbolizes individualism, success, loss, daring, chivalry. People need a compass to guide them, and the flag is a great compass. By LINDSAY WHITEHURST, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, a gun accessory that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns and was used in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The high court found 6-3 the Trump administration did not follow federal law when it reversed course and banned bump stocks after a gunman in Las Vegas attacked a country music festival with assault rifles in 2017. He fired more than 1,000 rounds in the crowd in 11 minutes, leaving 60 people dead and hundreds more injured. A Texas gun shop owner challenged the ban, arguing the Justice Department wrongly classified the accessories as illegal machine guns. The Biden administration said that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the right choice for the accessories that can allow weapons to fire at a rate of hundreds of rounds a minute. It marked the latest gun case to come before high court, where a conservative supermajority handed down a landmark decision expanding gun rights in 2022 and is also weighing another gun case challenging a federal law intended to keep guns away from people under domestic violence restraining orders. The arguments in the bump stock case, though, were more about whether the ATF had overstepped its authority than the Second Amendment. Justices from the courts liberal wing suggested it was common sense that anything capable of unleashing a torrent of bullets was a machine gun under federal law. Conservative justices, though, raised questions about why Congress had not acted to ban bump stocks, as well as the effects of the ATF changing its mind a decade after declaring the accessories legal. People pray at a makeshift memorial for shooting victims, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in Las Vegas, on the anniversary of the mass shooting two years earlier. (AP Photo/John Locher, file)AP The high court took up the case after a split among lower courts over bump stocks, which were invented in the early 2000s. Under Republican President George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama, the ATF decided that bump stocks didnt transform semi-automatic weapons into machine guns. The agency reversed those decisions at Trumps urging after the shooting in Las Vegas and another mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school that left 17 dead. Bump stocks are accessories that replace a rifles stock, the part that rests against the shoulder. They harness the guns recoil energy so that the trigger bumps against the shooters stationary finger, allowing the gun to fire at a rate comparable to a traditional machine gun. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have their own bans on bump stocks. Pennsylvania does not. Police are looking for a group of teens in connection with an assault last week that injured a 22-year-old central Pa. man who was on a family trip to the Jersey Shore. According to a report from WPVI-TV, North Wildwood police on Friday released additional images of the suspects, who confronted the victim and kicked him in the head about 7:30 p.m. June 8 at 26th Avenue on a boardwalk. The new images show the suspects, along with a blue Dodge Ram they were seen operating. Police divulged few details about the assault, according to WPVI-TV. Kenneth Golembewski, of Lebanon, told the news station he hopped into the brawl when he saw one of the suspects coming for his adult son. He told WPVI-TV the assault occurred on the last night of their family trip to North Wildwood. The kid was all in his face and I just ran over there, and I pushed this kid out of the way, and the next thing you know Im being pushed and shoved around, Golembewski told WPVI-TV. Golembewski said his son and his sons girlfriend were at a nearby arcade when the group approached them and someone made a comment to the girlfriend. Golembewski said his son ended up on the ground and was kicked in the face. And he kicks Lucas dead in the face. Im like, Oh my God. So I went to try and chase this kid, and I thought, No let me stay here with Lucas, and these bystanders were chasing him, he said. His family told WPVI-TV he was taken to the hospital and suffered a concussion. Denise Donahue, who lives in Wildwood saw the attack and tried to chase down the suspects, the news station reported. Its a terrible shame that in this age that were in today that we cant enjoy what people have enjoyed for years at the Jersey shore, she said. Anyone with information may contact North Wildwood police at 609- 522-2411, or email detectives@nwpd.org. Bobby Whalen did not need long to put the words together to describe just what it means to him to be playing in the College World Series with the Virginia Cavaliers. Thats probably because the moment has been rolling around in his head for the better part of the past two decades. Editors note: This story was updated to clarify that the park commission has already approved paving bids sent to the board of commissioners. As he watched a trailer pick up and transport a historic white farmhouse across McCormick Road in December 2023, Eric Fairchild breathed a sigh of relief. A year earlier, the township was placing bids to demolish the house, built in 1855 and once owned by a Civil War soldier. Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | June 14, 2024 Feds have busted a group of 12 men accused of trafficking drugs and guns into parts of Philadelphia including Kensington. DA Larry Krasner has lifted a ban on a journalist he barred from press briefings last month. Over 9 percent of the states workforce doesnt have a high school diploma. Lastly, this new BJs is looking to sell booze. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertainisng to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA. Some things just look wrong. Watching the Dauphin County commissioners give $110,000 to the National Rifle Association and Jeff Haste looks icky in a couple of different ways. You all remember Jeff Haste; he served as a Republican commissioner from 2002 until 2021. In fact, he was chairman of the commissioners from 2004 until 2021. Im sure youve seen pictures of him, standing with his fellow commissioners George Hartwick and Mike Pries. Hartwick, a Democrat, has been a commissioner since 2003. Pries, a Republican has been on the board since 2010. Three amigos. Despite their different parties, they seemed to work well together. The Great American Outdoor Show held its opening reception and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Gregg Cook, NRA President Oliver North, and Commissioner Jeff Haste cut the ribbon. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Recently Hartwick and Pries, over the objections of the third commissioner, Justin Douglas, a Democrat and a newcomer to the board, agreed to hand over $50,000 to the NRA and $60,000 to Haste because are you ready for this he acts as liaison to the Great American Outdoor Show held annually at the Farm Show. And, if your stomach hasnt turned yet, this is the third year that two of the amigos have given those dollars over to the third one. Yup, $180,000 over three years for being a liaison. Like I said, icky. The Great American Outdoor Show is promoted as the worlds largest outdoor show and plops down at the Farm Show Building every February after theyve scraped the last of the Farm Show cow droppings off the floor. People with something to sell pay to exhibit to people who pay to get in after they have paid to park. Why, pray tell, with all that paying does this show need money from the county? And why do we need to pay a liaison? This smells worse than what the cows left behind. Douglas voted against giving money to the NRA. He said he had deep moral issues that prevented him from paying the pro-gun lobbying group. Hartwick and Pries said they have no problem handing over the money which comes from hotel tax because the big outdoor show generates tens of millions of dollars for hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the region. They claim they have to stroke the NRA because its considered taking its show to one of many other cities that would love to host all those gun lovers and outdoorsmen. That claim came as a surprise to both the NRA and the state Department of Agriculture, which owns the Farm Show Building, according to Pennlive reporter Juliette Rihl. In fact, the NRA has a contract with the Farm Show that extends through 2026. Diane McNaughten, a spokesperson for the county, noted that hotel tax incentives go to many other events. She mentioned PIAA wrestling held at the Giant Center in Hershey. Kids in wrestling tournaments seems a lot different to me than a lobbying organization which, according to OpenSecrets, a nonprofit that tracks campaign finances and political spending, donated $29 million to political campaigns in 2020. Dauphin County commissioners (from left) George Hartwick, Jeff Haste and Mike Pries approved a new voting system Monday, as required by the state. Dauphin County was the last to do so over numerous concerns. The Pennsylvania National Horse Show, which gets tourism bucks from the county, also seems like a different animal than an event that brought in Donald Trump in February so he could promise his base he will take Pennsylvania in the upcoming election. County officials claim the NRA sponsors the show using a totally different pot of money than it uses to lobby or to endorse a candidate for president. Now I may keep some of my money in my pocket and some in my wallet and even hide some under my mattress, but that doesnt make it any less mine. Like I said, it just seems icky. So next February when you go, if you go, remember to hold your nose. It may not be leftover cow droppings you smell. NANCY ESHELMAN: columnist1@verizon.net The Pennsylvania Game Commission has announced the expansion of several disease management areas due to new cases of chronic wasting disease found in deer across the state. The commission has announced the expansion of these Chronic Wasting Disease Management Areas (DMAs), in which it is illegal to remove or export any deer or elk high-risk parts (head, spinal column and spleen in particular), or deposit those parts away from the harvest location of the animal. It is also illegal to use or possess deer or elk urine-based attractants, to feed wild deer or elk, or to rehabilitate wild deer or elk in those areas. The expansions of DMAs is due to more cases of chronic wasting disease being discovered in road-killed deer, including among those animals found killed in Dauphin County, along U.S. Route 30 and along the west shore of the Susquehanna River. Disease Management Area 2, the largest of these areas, includes some or all of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Westmoreland, and York counties. Bordering Area 2 is Disease Management Area 8, which includes portions of Dauphin, Lebanon, Northumberland, and Schuylkill counties Disease Management Area 3, which includes portions of Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Indiana, and Jefferson counties, has also been expanded in this announcement. To see a map of the affected areas, visit this Pennsylvania Game Commission website. Only a month ago the state House narrowly defeated a bill that would have banned a gun accessory that can turn semi-automatic guns into fully automatic weapons. The measure lost 102-101. All Democrats supported the bill but every Republican member, along with Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria County voted against it. An argument made by Republican Leader Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County against the bill was that the so-called bump stocks were already illegal at the federal level. But on Friday, the Supreme Court invalidated that ban put in place during the Trump administration in response to the 2017 Las Vegas music festival shooting, where a lone gunman using a bump stock killed 60 people. Hundreds of others were injured in the chaos that followed. The high court ruled in favor of a Texas gun shop owner who argued the Justice Department was wrong in classifying the accessory as an illegal machine gun. The ruling, which now makes the sale of the devices legal in Pennsylvania, as well as at least 32 other states, drew an immediate five-word response from Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePa: The Supreme Court endangered Pennsylvanians lives. His organization is calling on the General Assembly to revisit the bump stock ban again since some legislators considered the state ban unnecessary in light of the federal prohibition. Those legislators, if their belief is they should not exist, they should come back and put up a vote again and this time, the Republicans should get together and say we dont think you should be able to make your gun into a machine gun... Garber said. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., reacted to the court decision in a social media post on X, saying, An astonishingly bad and extreme ruling. Banning bump stocks was such a no brainer that Trumps DOJ did it with no fanfare. Congress needs to fix this mess and keep communities safe. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, said in an X post: Im disappointed in this ruling that overturns a federal ban on bump stock modifications. The Shapiro-Davis Administration will continue to work to make our communities safer. Gun violence is a uniquely American problem, but its one we can and must do something about. Gun rights advocates in Pennsylvania, meanwhile, see the court decision as a win. Gun Owners of America hailed the decision in a post on X: HUGE WIN: This critical ruling protects your AR-15 from a tyrannical ATF ban. If bump stocks were machine guns then all semiautomatic firearms could also have been banned as illegal machine guns. But those advocates in Pennsylvania also dont anticipate the ruling putting the matter to rest. They expect to face another battle to fend off another bump stock ban bill. Im sure it will renew debate about whether we should ban them here in Pennsylvania, said Rep. Abby Major, R-Armstrong, chair of the House Second Amendment Caucus. However, considering the bill failed last time, I would expect some changes to the language before they try to ban them again. CeaseFirePa has its eyes on a proposed bill by Rep Barry Jozwiak, R-Berks County, as a possible vehicle to achieve a bump stock ban. Jozwiak proposes to make it illegal to possess and distribute Glock switches which can convert Glock handguns into machine guns. A modified handgun fitted with this device was used to kill a Houston, Texas police officer in 2021 and he said are being encountered by police at an increasing rate. We will be looking for the legislature to come back and find a way to ban bump stocks, Garber said, pointing out the justices didnt indicate they saw the ban as a violation of Second Amendment rights. Rather the majority opinion in the 6-3 decision said the ATF lacked the authority to issue a regulation banning bump stocks and that a federal ban can only happen through an act of Congress, not a regulation. Passing any gun laws, though, has proven to be a tall order in Pennsylvania and at the federal level. Herbert Ohlinger, chairman of Firearms Owners Against Crime, sees the court ruling having little impact. He said before the 2017 ban when bump stocks were the focus of attention, he went to a local gun shop to find out how many bump stocks it sold. The manager at the time said they sold one and we have two sitting up here on the shelf. It wasnt an item people were clamoring to buy, he said. I dont personally think this has much affect on anything aside from some philosophical value. Philosophically, its about the Second Amendment. Its a big victory. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy. The Jack family never returned home to Prince George after getting into a truck with an unknown male in the summer of 1989. Pictured are Ronald (Ronnie), Doreen, Russell, and Ryan. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Props, Family & Fortnite: For the Four Members of Team Lucky It's About Much More Than Poker Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Copy link With 14 bracelets and nearly $50 million in tournament earnings between the four of them, there's no denying that Shaun Deeb, Josh Arieh, Daniel Weinman and Matt Glantz are poker crushers. But with resumes that include a $1 million bounty pull, a body fat prop bet victory worth nearly the same amount and a win in the biggest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in history, it's clear the group of close friends also have luck on their sides. The four American poker players have branded themselves as "Team Lucky" a name that Deeb may have come up with, though they aren't certain as a way of consciously embracing and owning their good fortunes while fighting back against the jaded cynicism all to common in the poker world. But Team Lucky is about more than once-in-a-lifetime bounty binks and turned two-outers leading to $12 million scores. As PokerNews learned during brunch with its four members, is more about friendship, camaraderie, and shared values than a good run of cards. Team Lucky Origins Team Lucky, which we've created a special badge for in our live reporting chip counts, wasn't formed in a ring game or MTT, but in an online gaming lobby. Back in 2017, we all started playing Fortnite together," Arieh, a six-time bracelet winner and the 2021 WSOP Player of the Year, explained on the patio of Mon Ami Gabi outside Paris Las Vegas on May 28. "We all started playing Fortnite and then found out each other were playing. And then we started playing. And we would play every day. And then Covid hits, and now were playing every day. And the Fortnite group grows. And so our Fortnite chat turns into a chat of like 15-20 poker players. But we always wanted to play together, and we had the most fun because wed really just be really mean to each other. It was a lot of fun. We gambled big. We were all friends in poker," said Deeb, who is also a six-time bracelet winner and former WSOP POY. "I became super close with Dan, I was friends with Matt for a long time. Josh and me really didnt interact much, but I knew he was close friends with Dan. And then with Fortnite, we were talking to (each other) for eight hours a day and theyre hearing my wife and kids yell at me in the background. The four-piece got along so well that they "ended up creating our own second chat with just the four of us, and we would always play together," according to Arieh. Their group chat was initially named "Original Morning Crew," but they thought better than to associate themselves with the acronym "OMC," a shorthand for "Old Man Coffee" in poker lingo. "And then all of our success started coming together," Arieh remembered. "They would make fun of me, saying like youre so lucky, youre so lucky. Then Matt pulls the fuckin million-dollar bounty, and then Matts the lucky one. And then Dan wins the Main and hes the lucky one. And Shaun, we dont know where his luck is yet. I found a million dollars by losing a hundred pounds," Deeb replied on queue. "I dont think many people can say that. High-Stakes Fortnite Bets Matt Glantz wearing his Team Lucky hat. Before long, their interests in Fortnite and gambling collided. They started betting on duo battles, with Deeb and Weinman, who wore black and gold "Team Lucky" hats during lunch, having an edge over Glantz and Arieh. They were so much better," said Arieh. "And then Matt improved a lot to where he was almost as good as them. But I never improved. So just like poker!" quipped Deeb. They were so much better, in fact, that Deeb decided to offer his friends 7-1 odds that they wouldn't win a match. But Arieh and Glantz somehow pulled ahead in that match and secured a big payday. "I guarantee you, at that point, I was the leading money winner in Fortnite history," Arieh said. "It was before there were any tournaments or anything. I won more money than any living human at Fortnite. Like all good things, the Fortnite betting came to an end. "We did a lot of dumb side bets over the years, and now Matt has enforced a rule that you cant intra-team bet anymore," said Deeb. These two cant bet into each other, because that creates a lot of problems," Glantz said gesturing to Arieh and Deeb."We had a lot of bad feelings for a while. But its cleared up. Still, bets find ways of being made around Team Lucky. Arieh said he would take "unlimited action" this summer on bets between Glantz, the only member of Team Lucky who has yet to win a WSOP bracelet, and any bracelet winner. Well, unlimited up to what I can afford, said Arieh. Which is not that unlimited, said Deeb. Shaun Deeb, Daniel Weinman and Matt Glantz "We Bring Out the Best in Each Other" It isn't the prop betting, on Fortnite or anything else, that sustains Team Lucky, but rather a shared ethos and lifestyle between friends. Nobody in this group really does drugs, nobody drinks or goes to strip clubs," said Glantz. All of our goals are really similar," Arieh said. "We dont party, were family people ... It was great for me because I was going through a divorce, and instead of going to the strip clubs and going to the bars and getting drunk, Im hanging out with these guys every day. And its like, I couldnt think of three better role models and people that I want to be like. Arieh, who re-married earlier this year, added, Ive changed a lot for the better in the last five years. We bring out the best in each other," said Deeb. "We arent pool hall degens anymore sorry Josh. Team Lucky In addition to bringing out the best in each other, Team Lucky has also changed its members worldviews. Josh likes to brag that before I met him, I always got into arguments that there is no such thing as luck," said Deeb. "My kids are trained, if they say something about luck they say theres no such thing as luck, theres only variance. And now, watching Josh keep having the success he has and reading his hand history, there has to be luck. Its the only way he could be where he is. So now he knows that there really is luck," said Arieh. "So I changed Shaun from thinking theres no such thing to believing in luck now. Im very proud of that. Share this article Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner. Follow on In what turned out to be a quick final table at the World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, it was Nicholas Seward who came out on top in Event #31: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em. Not only did Seward capture his first WSOP gold bracelet, but he also pocketed a whopping $516,135. Seward overcame a field of 1,230 players to take home the lions share of the $3,284,100 prize pool as he defeated runner-up Konstantyn Holskyi. Seward is a Las Vegas local who typically plays tournaments year-round, ranging from $400 to $10,000 buy-ins. This is his second first-place finish with his first coming in 2022 in a $400 buy-in tournament. This score surpassed his best cash of $320,631 which came in June of 2023 as he finished fourth in a $3,500 buy-in tournament. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Nicholas Seward United States $516,135 2 Konstantyn Holskyi Ukraine $344,092 3 Akinobu Maeda Japan $238,886 4 David Coleman United States $168,448 5 Nikolaos Angelou Greece $120,672 6 Stephen Buell United States $87,846 Final Day Action Six players began the day and it didnt take long for the chips to start flying as Stephen Buell was eliminated the first hand of the day when his pocket fours could not crack the pocket jacks of the eventual champion Seward. Over the next few hours, the chips circulated around the table with several players doubling their stacks. Day 3 chip leader David Coleman, who started the day with nearly half of the chips in play, faced a series of setbacks. His ace-five was bested by Nikolaos Angelou's ace-king, leading to Angelou's double-up. Shortly thereafter, Coleman experienced another downswing when he doubled up Akinobu Maeda. However, Coleman regained the chip lead with six remaining, when he won the flip against Angelou to send him to the rail in fifth place. With four remaining, Seward was on the verge of elimination when he called off his last five big blinds with jack-ten and was able to hold against the nine-six of Maeda. It didnt take long for Seward to be at risk once again with the same hand as he doubled through Coleman to take the chip lead. David Coleman Seward ended up eliminating his good friend Coleman in fourth place when he jammed king-five on the button and got there against Colemans pocket sevens. It was bittersweet, Seward said as he talked about eliminating Coleman, He was the best player at the table. Its hard not to want him out. It gives me a better chance to win but he's a very close friend of mine and we've worked together a lot and I have endless respect for him. So, you know, bittersweet, it hurt and I feel bad about it but it's, you know, there's definitely a sweet part to it too. Nicholas Seward Coleman didnt take it personally as he was seen on the rail shortly after cheering for Seward to win the bracelet. Three-handed play concluded swiftly as Seward eliminated Maeda. All the chips went into the middle preflop, and Seward's ace-jack prevailed against Maeda's king-jack. Holskyi delivered an extraordinary performance at the final table. Despite being reduced to just one big blind with five players remaining, he continuously doubled his stack, ultimately emerging as the chip leader during heads-up play. However, Seward regained the lead from Holskyi by calling two streets with bottom pair in a limped pot. Seward held a slight chip lead when both players moved all their chips into the middle preflop. Although Holskyi was favored with king-ten against Seward's jack-ten, the board ran out a straight for Seward, securing his victory. Holskyi finished in second place, while Seward captured his first WSOP gold bracelet. Nicholas Seward I'm just so grateful for my friends, my family and just the experience. Seward concluded as he headed to celebrate with his friends. That wraps up the coverage for this event but keep it tuned into PokerNews for coverage from all of the events going on this summer. Today, the continuation of the 2024 World Series of Poker saw the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas play host to Event #36: $800 No-Limit Hold'em DeepStack 8-Handed. This two-day event drew in a massive 4,278 entrants, which generated a mammoth prize pool of $3,011,712. Tomorrow, the remaining 259 players will race towards the first-place prize of $342,551 and the coveted gold WSOP bracelet. Of the remaining field, Martin Zamani solidified himself as one of the largest stacks in the room, having bagged and tagged a considerable sum of 2,100,000 by the conclusion of Level 22. Zamani was the beneficiary of a huge pot on the last level of the day, as his full house had the flush of his opponent, Loubna Aggoun, drawing dead. Despite taking a hit, Aggoun still managed to bag a stack of 1,325,000 for the Day 2 restart Friday. Martin Zamani End of Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 Joseph Couden United States 3,280,000 109 2 Gj Hu United States 3,000,000 100 3 Martin Zamani United States 2,100,000 70 4 Fabian Rolli Switzerland 2,075,000 69 5 Christopher Taylor Canada 1,860,000 62 6 Joshua Frazer James Canada 1,805,000 60 7 Charles Revil France 1,800,000 60 8 Agharzi Babayev Azerbaijan 1,745,000 58 9 Turbo Nguyen United States 1,530,000 51 10 Brandon Sheils United Kingdom 1,530,000 51 Although Zamani will have some catching up to do as both Joseph Couden and Gj Hu eclipsed the three million chip mark, having amassed 3,280,000 and 3,000,000, respectively, by the end of play. Couden already has one bracelet among his career titles and will be looking to add another by the conclusion of play tomorrow. Bubble Action A total of 642 made the money, securing a minimum cash of $1,601. On Level 19, a chaotic hand-for-hand procedure saw a total of at least seven all-in-and-call situations. In a flurry of chips, both John Borzio and Hamid Izadi had the misfortune of sharing the bubble, departing to the rail from two different tables, splitting the 642nd place payout. Hamid Izadi Notable names to progress to Day 2 include bracelet winners Ryan Riess (280,000), Joe Cada (335,000) and Chris Brewer (1,505,000), as well as Jose Aguilera, who finished in tenth place in the WSOP Main Event last year. Those not so fortunate to proceed to Day 2 included Maria Konnikova, Koray Aldemir, Kristen Foxen, Greg Raymer and Phil Hellmuth. Day 2 will recommence tomorrow, June 14, at 11 a.m. local time. Proceedings will start on Level 23 with blinds at 15,000/30,000 with a 30,000 big blind ante, and the tournament will play down to a winner. Keep it locked in with PokerNews to make sure you dont miss a single moment of the action here at the 2024 World Series of Poker. Welcome back to PokerNews, the official media partner of the 2024 World Series of Poker and home of live updates from all bracelet events. Today, we have one of the series's priciest events kicking off. Event #39: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (8-Handed) is starting soon here at Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas. Shuffle up and deal for this three-day event is at 12 p.m. Vegas time. Starting stacks are 300,000 and players get up to one reentry until late registration ends after Level 10 (early on Day 2). Day 1 will last for eight blind levels of 60 minutes each. Players will get a 15-minute break every two levels, with no dinner break scheduled for Day 1. Day 2 will then see remaining players return at 12 p.m. on June 15. With such a prestigious event, the hope is that this year's edition can beat the field of 124 entries and a prize pool of $5,921,000 from last year. The winner of that event was the German poker pro Leon Sturm who beat Bill Klein heads up to claim his first bracelet and the $1,546,024 top prize. It does feel amazing," Sturm told PokerNews in a winner's interview. "The bracelet is something special; it means more than just a trophy, I guess. Before, I was thinking that trophies and bracelets dont mean much to me. But I think a bracelet is special, so thats pretty cool. The competition was really tough, so that makes it better. Year Entries Winner Country Payout 2023 124 Leon Sturm Germany $1,546,024 2022 101 Jake Schindler United States $1,032,068 2021 81 Michael Addamo Australia $1,132,968 2020 - Not Held - - 2019 110 Ben Heath United Kingdom $1,484,085 Want to see what else is new for 2024? Click here to find out more about the Bomb Pot, PLO Mystery Bounty and many more exciting events! Planning on playing this event? PokerNews activates MyStack for every WSOP event, regardless of that tournament's buy-in, allowing you to directly adjust your chip counts in our live reporting MyStack is a free poker tool that puts you in control of your chip counts on our live reporting pages. Once you have created a free PokerNews account, you can use MyStack to update your chip counts in real time; hopefully, your stack will continue increasing throughout the event! Become a Bigger Part of the Action With MyStack What Else is Happening at the WSOP? Phil Ivey The Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats have uncovered three new trips that Justice Clarence Thomas received from Harlan Crow that he never disclosed. The Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats posted on Twitter: BREAKING: Sen. Durbin, Senate Judiciary Committee investigation reveals three additional gifted private trips to Justice Clarence Thomas from Harlan Crow, which Thomas failed to disclose. Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) June 13, 2024 We just revealed new details and private trips gifted to Justice Thomas by Harlan Crow. Justice Thomas never disclosed these, raising further questions about the accuracy of his disclosures. pic.twitter.com/C0CRtIJ2HQ Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) June 13, 2024 Sen. Durban said in a statement, Lets be clear: Chief Justice Roberts has the authority to implement an enforceable code of conduct. Hes refused. Until he acts, I will keep pushing for legislation. The Senate Cant Do Much About Clarence Thomas The problem is that the Senate cant do anything without new legislation. Impeachment proceedings against Thomas would have to start in the House. There is a less than zero chance that House Republicans would ever investigate Clarence Thomas. The Republican House majority also will not pass any legislation that would lead to ethics reform or oversight of the Supreme Court. Democrats already have a bill that would impose a code of ethics and independent oversight on the Supreme Court, but the earliest that it will be able to become law is January 2025, and only if Democrats get control of the entire federal government. In the meantime, all Sen. Dubin can do is push for legislation and continue to investigate. But if Democrats take back the House and keep the Senate and House, Clarence Thomass days as a corrupt Supreme Court justice may be numbered. CEOs who were described as Trumpish came away from a meeting with the ex-president concerned that he was meandering and couldnt keep a straight thought. CNBC reported, I will say I was surprised. I spoke to a number of CEOs who, I would say, walked into the meeting being Trump supporter-ish, or thinking that they might be leaning that direction, who said that he was remarkably meandering, could not keep a straight thought, was all over the map, and that they, which may be not surprising, but was interesting to me because these were people who I think might have been actually predisposed to him and actually walked out of the room Less predisposed to, Im actually predisposed to thinking this is not necessarily, as one person said, this may not be any different or better than a Biden thought, if youre thinking that way. Video: Interesting from Andrew Sorkin CEOs who were "Trump supporter-ish" and met with Trump yesterday came away concerned, because he was "remarkably meandering" and "could not keep a straight thought." pic.twitter.com/bNdxZL262Y James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) June 14, 2024 The reporting is coming from not from MSNBC, but the much more conservative business network CNBC, and the people speaking about Trumps mental state were not Democrats or liberals, but CEOs. Chief Executive Officers should be right in the Republican wheelhouse. As a group they have been generally supporting Republican presidential candidates for decades, so for these people to come away from a meeting with Trump concerned about his cognitive abilities is a giant red flag. For nearly a decade, Donald Trump has refused to release his medical records . Voters dont know what sort of health problems the ex-president could be hiding. In contrast, President Biden has released decades of his medical records and his last full physical. Whatever Trump has been hiding, his condition has gotten to the point where it is manifesting itself in his speeches, appearances, and private events. There are real questions about Trumps cognitive fitness for the presidency, and voters deserve answers before they cast their ballots. A judge has ordered that Alex Joness assets be liquidated and sold to pay the $1.5 billion that he owes Sandy Hook families for defamation. The AP reported: A federal judge on Friday ordered the liquidation of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones personal assets and was still deciding on his companys separate bankruptcy case. Judge Christopher Lopez approved converting Jones proposed personal bankruptcy reorganization to a liquidation. He was still set to rule on whether Jones company, Austin, Texas-based Free Speech Systems, also should be liquidated. It wasnt immediately clear what will happen to Free Speech Systems, which is Infowars parent company. The judge could also rule that InfoWars must be liquidated and sold. Jones has been crying on the air over having to sell his assets, but the conspiracy theorist has tried every thing in his power to hide assets and avoid paying the families who children and loved ones were killed in one of the most horrific school shootings in US history. The Friday ruling was based on a personal bankruptcy claim that Jones first filed in 2022. The financial collapse for Jones has been years in coming, but what will truly end his empire of conspiracies and lies is if his business is liquidated and sold. Conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones tend to never go away. He will float around the edges in the dark conspiratorial corners of American media, but for the rest of his life, any assets that he acquires will go to pay the innocent people, and their deceased loved ones that he defamed. Local Junctions proprietors want everybody to feel welcome at their new establishment, whether they were born and raised in Aiken or have just moved here. Read moreLocal Junction a new place to 'hang out' and enjoy Aiken's vibe The Goose Creek Police Department was awarded the following 20242025 grants through the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, which the city of Goose Creek subsequently accepted. Read moreGCPD receives Highway Safety grants COLUMBIA Seven people have been arrested in a shooting that injured a teen and left dozens of shell casings outside a neighborhood pool. More arrests are expected, Sheriff Leon Lott said, including a 22-year-old who was on video pointing a rifle. Chaos broke out at the Villages at Lakeshore pool at around 8 p.m. May 28, Lott said. Sounds of automatic guns can be heard in surveillance footage. Investigators recovered at least 80 shell casings, he said. A 16-year-old was injured in the shooting. From those arrested, investigators seized seven guns. Several of the guns recovered have been linked to other crimes in Richland and Fairfield counties, the sheriff said. Those arrested range from 17 to 22 years old. They were each charged with aggravated breach of peace, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. One 17-year-old faces additional weapons charges after deputies recovered a stolen gun with a Glock switch, which accelerates rate of fire. The sheriff said one group at the pool had been involved in other shootings, including drive-by shootings, and described them as "out of control." One of the suspected shooters, Joshua House, was arrested following the other six people after he initially failed to turn himself in. House was seen in surveillance footage holding a rifle and wearing a pink shirt and black pants, according to Lott. The Richland County Sheriff's Department credited pressure from the community, media and law enforcement for pushing House to turn himself. Lott said the investigation is ongoing and that he anticipates more arrests. "This is a community problem and it's going to take the entire community getting involved to fix it," Lott said. "Parents, community groups and churches all working together with law enforcement." Deputies with the department's Community Action Team will work with the neighborhood on a security plan, which will likely include a neighborhood watch, Lott said. SPARTANBURG The clients had just driven nearly halfway across the country with a truck full of their possessions, and needed someplace to go. Hurricane or not, Marshall Jordan was determined to get their new house closed. Read moreNo power, no problem: How an Upstate agent closed 2 sales in the aftermath of Helene If you have a hummingbird feeder in your yard, youre probably enjoying watching the hummers sipping nectar to fuel up for their long migration south in the coming weeks. But did you know that nectar makes up only a small percentage of a hummingbirds diet? Up to 80% of it comes from insects Read moreCommentary: Protect insects, protect birds PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 18:43:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 490 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2024 /Ascendant Resources Inc. (TSX:ASND)(OTCQB:ASND) ("Ascendant" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting resultsof the Company's 2024 Annual General Shareholders' Meeting (the "Meeting") held on June 13, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario.A total of 51,497,589 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing 27.59% of the votes attached to all outstanding common shares of the Company. All matterspresented for shareholder approval at the Meeting were duly authorized and approved as follows:Number of Directors to be ElectedOn a vote by a show of hands, the resolution to set the number of directors to be elected at the meeting at six (6) was approved. The following favourable votes were cast by proxy:Total Votes% of Votes CastVotes in FavourVotes Against51,217,885279,70499.46%0.54%Total Votes Cast51,497,589100%Election of DirectorsThe shareholders elected each of the seven nominees listed in the Company's Management Proxy Circular. Details of the voting results are as follows:NameVotes in FavourVotes Withheld%Mark Brennan50,021,59499.07%471,4620.93%Robert Campbell50,366,18699.75%126,8700.25%Christopher Jones50,366,18699.75%126,8700.25%Kurt Menchen50,366,18699.75%126,8700.25%Rui Botica Santos50,366,18699.75%126,8710.25%Robert Sellars50,366,18699.75%126,8700.25%Appointment of AuditorsKPMG LLP was appointed auditor of the Corporation and the directors of the Corporation were authorized to fix the auditor's remuneration. Details of the voting results are as follows:Total Votes % of Votes Cast Votes in Favour51,278,483 99.57%Votes Withheld219,106 0.43%Total Votes Cast51,497,589 100%The Company also wishes to announce that Stephen Shefsky did not stand for re-election to the Board of Directors of Ascendant Resources. Mr. Shefsky was a co-founder of the Company as well as the Lead Director, serving on the Audit and Corporate Governance committees. Management and the Board wish to express their sincere gratitude to Mr. Shefsky for all his contributions to the Company and wish him the best in future endeavours.About Ascendant Resources Inc.Ascendant Resources is a Toronto-based mining company focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. The Lagoa Salgada project is a high-grade polymetallic project, demonstrating a typical mineralization endowment of zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver, and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 7,209-hectare property concession.Located just 80km from Lisbon and surrounded by exceptional infrastructure, Lagoa Salgada offers a low-cost entry to a significant exploration and development opportunity, already showing its mineable scale and cashflow generation potential.Ascendant currently holds an 80% interest in the Lagoa Salgada project through its position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda, ("Redcorp"). The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ASND". For more information on Ascendant, please visit our website at http://www.ascendantresources.com/ Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca For further information, contact:Mark BrennanExecutive Chairman Mike McAllisterVice President, Investor RelationsTel: +1-647-805-5662 mmcallister@ ascendantresources.com SOURCE: Ascendant Resources, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 14:30:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 436 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / ATFX has announced a significant enhancement to its global trading infrastructure with the integration of PriceOn from TraderTools. ATFX is set to revolutionize how the firm manages trading flows from current institutional and retail clients, ultimately improving pricing and execution experiences, alongside attracting new clients with data and risk metrics driven confident, unique pricing.Enhancing Client ExperiencePriceOn will empower ATFX to manage trading flows more effectively and efficiently, ensuring clients benefit from superior execution and competitive pricing. The advanced technology underpinning PriceOn, which leverages artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms, is designed to handle complex client flows seamlessly. This capability will enable institutional clients flows to match with a broad range of retail client flows, (and vice-versa) even those with challenging characteristics, without compromising execution performance.Advanced Technology and Client-Centric ApproachPriceOn's AI-based algorithms represent the cutting edge of trading technology, providing precise and strategic execution that maximizes profitability for clients. Unlike traditional models, this partnership focuses on delivering enhanced returns for ATFX's global clients.Building an Integrated Trading EcosystemBy integrating PriceOn, ATFX is bridging the gap between retail and institutional trading environments, fostering a cohesive ecosystem that supports diverse global trading needs. This strategic move aligns with ATFX's broader project of creating an integrated trading environment where different client types can interact seamlessly.Client-Centric VisionAs Chairman of ATFX, Joe Li expressed his excitement about the integration of PriceOn from TraderTools to enhance ATFX pricing. He stated, "This strategic partnership will revolutionize our pricing capabilities and provide our clients with more competitive and accurate pricing. We are committed to constantly adapting and improving our services to meet the ever-evolving needs of our clients." The integration of PriceOn into the ATFX platform is the latest milestone that underscores the company's dedication to innovation and excellence in trading solutions. Acquisition of regulatory licenses in South Africa and Australia, hiring of key senior industry executives and now the integration of PriceOn confirm ATFX's position as a vanguard of the industry.This strategic enhancement will not only improve pricing but also provide clients with a more efficient and profitable trading experience.About ATFXATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 23 locations and licenses from regulatory authorities, including the UK's FCA, Cypriot CySEC, UAE's SCA, Australian ASIC, and South African FSCA. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX provides exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.For further information on ATFX, please visit ATFX website https://www.atfx.com Contact DetailsATFX sales.uk@atfx.com Company Website https://www.atfx.com/ SOURCE: ATFX PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 02:02:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 586 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2024 / Bitox.co , a prominent player in the financial sector, has recently been recognized for achieving high levels of global user satisfaction. This recognition reflects the company's commitment to providing reliable and efficient financial services. Users worldwide have expressed their satisfaction with the company's consistent performance and customer-centric approach.The key to the company's success lies in its dedication to offering secure and accessible financial solutions. The company has established a robust platform that meets the needs of a diverse user base. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that individuals with varying levels of financial expertise can navigate it with ease.A recent Bitox.co.co review highlights the platform's strengths in providing reliable financial services. According to the review, the company stands out for its transparency and responsiveness to user needs. The review further notes that the company maintains high standards of security, which is crucial in today's digital age.In addition to its secure platform, Bitox has been praised for its customer support. Users have reported positive experiences with the company's support team, which is available to assist with any issues or questions. This level of support contributes significantly to the overall user satisfaction and trust in the company.Another Bitox.co review underscores the company's commitment to continuous improvement. The review points out that it regularly updates its platform to incorporate user feedback and adapt to the evolving financial landscape. This proactive approach ensures that the platform remains relevant and effective in meeting user financial needs.The platform has also been commended for its educational resources, which help users make informed financial decisions. These resources are designed to be easily understood, providing valuable information in a way that will be easy for users to understand. This emphasis on education educates users and enhances their experience with the platform.The company's efforts to maintain transparency and uphold high standards of service have not gone unnoticed. Users across the globe appreciate the reliability and consistency of Bitox.co's offerings. This widespread satisfaction is a testament to the company's dedication to its mission of providing top-notch financial services.In summary, Bitox's achievement of global user satisfaction is a result of its focus on security, user support, continuous improvement, and education. The positive feedback from users and the positive reviews reflect the company's success in creating a trustworthy and user-friendly financial platform. As it continues to evolve and adapt, it remains committed to meeting the needs of its users and maintaining its reputation in the financial industry.About Bitox.co Bitox.cois a recognized entity in the financial industry, known for its dedication to providing secure and efficient financial services. The company has built a reputation for reliability, ensuring that its platform is both accessible and user-friendly for individuals of all financial backgrounds. The commitment to security and transparency has earned the platform a strong standing among users globally, reflecting its ability to meet and exceed user expectations consistently.The company's platform stands out for its focus on user education and continuous improvement. Bitox offers a range of educational resources designed to help users make informed financial decisions. Regular updates to the platform ensure it remains relevant and effective in addressing the needs of a diverse user base. This proactive approach and dedication to user satisfaction underscore the platform's prominent position in the financial sector.Company Details:Company Name: BitoxEmail Address: media@ bitox.co Media Contact: Oliver JakeCompany Address: 113 Worship St London, England.Company Website: http://bitox.coSOURCE: PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 10:15:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 542 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HORSHAM, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Detego Global, a leading provider of award-winning Digital Forensics, Case Management and Endpoint Monitoring solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Connection, a Fortune 1000 Global Solutions Provider. This collaboration will enable Connection's diverse customer base to access Detego Global's game-changing digital forensics and incident response tools. It will empower businesses, enterprises and government organizations to fortify their cybersecurity strategies and enhance investigative capabilities.Connection calms the confusion of IT by delivering customers industry-leading technology solutions to enhance growth, elevate productivity and empower innovation. Dedicated specialists focused on exceptional service customize offerings tailored to the unique needs of customers.Detego Global's award-winning Unified Digital Forensics platform, trusted by elite military units, law enforcement teams, intelligence agencies, government organizations and global enterprises, is designed to fast-track investigations by delivering record-setting data acquisition speeds, advanced AI analytics, swift triage, intelligent workflow automation and court-ready reports. The platform enables the rapid extraction and analysis of critical data from thousands of devices, including computers, phones, smart devices, drones and loose media, and provides insights from over 2,000 apps. This end-to-end platform is renowned for delivering accurate results even when deployed in challenging conditions."We are thrilled to partner with Connection and make our cutting-edge digital forensics and incident response tools accessible to customers in the business, enterprise and government sectors," said C.J. Hamidi, Business Development Director for North America at Detego Global. "This partnership will empower organizations to leverage our technology to combat serious crimes, including terrorism, cyber-crimes, fraud and organized crime." As part of the partnership, Connection's customers will gain access to Detego Global's suite of tools that make up the Detego Unified Digital Forensics Platform. These includeBallistic Imager , the world's fastest forensic imaging tool;Field Triage , a portable tool perfect for the swift examination of data and pinpointing crime-linked devices;Media Acquisition , an intuitive tool for simultaneous acquisition and analysis of data from multiple devices;Detego MD , a solution for forensically securing and analyzing data from thousands of phone models, apps and smart devices;Fusion , a tool leveraging AI-powered link-building capabilities; andAnalyse AI+,a ground-breaking analytical platform that utilizes advanced AI analytics and automation for in-depth analysis, intelligence gathering and the creation of court-ready reports."We are excited to partner with Detego Global and bring the company's award-winning digital forensics and incident response tools to our customers," said Brian Hicks, Sr. Vice President of Product Management and Operations at Connection. "These solutions will help our customers fortify their cybersecurity strategies, enhance investigative capabilities and deliver justice faster by eliminating backlogs and data silos." For more information about Detego Global and its suite of digital forensics solutions, please visit www.detegoglobal.com . To learn more about Connection and its offerings, visit www.connection.com About Detego GlobalDetego Global is the company behind award-winning Digital Forensics, Case Management, and Endpoint Monitoring solutions trusted by military, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and enterprises worldwide. With a focus on rapidly acquiring, analyzing and acting on evidence and intelligence, Detego Global's solutions are the preferred choice for combating serious crimes and streamlining on-scene and lab-based investigations.Contact Information:Company: Detego GlobalContact Person: Buddhika Karunasekara (Director of Marketing)Phone Number: +44 (0) 7889 227 428Email: budd.karunasekara@detegoglobal.com SOURCE: Detego Global PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 04:45:02 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 428 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Kinder Ready is a leader in early childhood education in the Los Angeles area. The organization and its CEO, Elizabeth Fraley, have announced the launch of its latest course, Summer Learning InitiativeSANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2024 / In the latest progress,Kinder Ready's CEO, Elizabeth Fraley , launches the Summer Learning Initiative to enhance education skills. The organization's Summer Learning Initiative is aimed at supporting early learners in a variety of areas, including fine motor skills, literacy concepts, guided reading, writing skills, and math concepts. The initiative is led byElizabeth Fraley , a seasoned Early Childhood Expert and Businesswoman. She focuses on helping students maintain an effective learning cadence, keep confidence in their learning skills, and be themselves.The program will begin with an intake to determine the needs of the individual students to better serve them. Next, the program will assess the student's abilities to follow a course curriculum for the Summer Learning Initiative.By underscoring the students' direct needs,Elizabeth Fraleyand Kinder Ready will implement these strategies and learning methodologies to support them through the transition from summer vacation to back to school, creating a timeline to maximize their potential throughout the summer. Throughout the Summer Learning Initiative, students will receive ongoing communication with their families to make sure that all of their academic needs are being met.Moreover, the organization allows students to enroll in theSummer Learning Initiativeand will get customized plans to support summer planning and ensure success for the upcoming school year. Students will have access to live 1:1 courses and/or Online Learning support for distance learners vacationing afar.In addition to these methodologies,Kinder Ready and Elizabeth Fraleyaim to prepare early learners for the big leap into elementary school. By taking the innovative Summer Learning Initiative, every student will grow and learn at a different pace, while addressing a melange of basic skills like letter recognition, sight words, and reading comprehension over the summer.About Kinder Ready:Kinder Ready is a provider of early childhood education committed to nurturing young minds and empowering students to reach their full potential. With a focus on innovative teaching methodologies and personalized instruction,Kinder Readyoffers a transformative learning experience that prepares children for academic success and lifelong learning.Although the school year may be over, the educational journey never ends. Kinder Ready and Elementary Wise are here to help meet their summer learning needs.For further details, visit the following link:Media Details:Company Name:Kinder Ready Website: www.kinderready.com Contact Person: Elizabeth Fraley, M.Ed. Email: kinderreadyla@ gmail.com SOURCE: Kinder Ready PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 22:16:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 575 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FreeBalance's technology and expert advisory services are key to realizing the goal of improved fiscal planning and reporting within National and State GovernmentsOTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / FreeBalance, the leading provider of digital technology and advisory services for national governments, today announced that it has been selected to provide a new cloud-based financial management information system (FMIS) for the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. The new FMIS forms part of the World Bank's Strengthening Public Financial Management project.FreeBalance will provide its unified government technology platform and specialist government advisory and technical implementation services to the national government and the four state governments of the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap). Implementing the FreeBalance Accountability SuiteTM will help the country to improve the completeness, reliability and timeliness of fiscal reporting, ensure effective delivery of financial processes, and build citizen trust through enhanced transparency of financial information.Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, Rose Nakanaga, today said: "Developing a new FMIS is a key enabler of the Federated States of Micronesia's public financial management strategy. It is an inclusive tool that aligns with governmental strategic objectives and profoundly empowers our citizens, ensuring that every stakeholder has a clear window into the stewardship of our nation's resources, fostering trust and participation across all levels of society".This latest announcement follows the launch of a similar project for FreeBalance with the Government of Costa Rica in late 2023. Manuel Schiappa Pietra, President and CEO of FreeBalance said: "This important project enables the government to leverage digital technology to create a more transparent and accountable public financial management system in support of the citizens of Micronesia. We look forward to collaborating with the Government in the coming months to support the digital transformation of its fiscal processes and technology." The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia specifically sought a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) cloud-based solution to support redesigning its public financial management (PFM) system. The FreeBalance Accountability SuiteTM will provide the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia with new methods to manage:General Ledger and Chart of Accounts Budget preparation, compilation, adoption, and execution Accounts payable and accounts receivable Bank and treasury management Payroll and personnel management Fixed asset and inventory management Project, grant and fund management Standard and customized reporting Enhanced access for citizens to information on how public funds are used.A FreeBalance team of specialists will be located within the Federated States of Micronesia, supported by PFM experts in FreeBalance locations in the region and around the globe. This proven approach enables close collaboration with the government's project team while leveraging expertise from more than 25+ other FreeBalance implementations worldwide.-ENDS-For media enquiries, contact:Carolyn Bowick carolyn.bowick@freebalance.com +44 (0) 7752 017663United Kingdom Twitter: @FreeBalanceLinkedIn: FreeBalance www.freebalance.com About FreeBalanceFreeBalance partners with the world's most innovative governments to accelerate growth and sustainable development through digital transformation. By providing a centralized and integrated digital government technology platform, FreeBalance enables countries to manage and deliver government services more effectively to enhance citizen and business satisfaction.As a purpose-led company, FreeBalance has worked alongside the public sector for 40 years and in over 25 countries to develop and deliver the first global Government Resource Planning (GRP) platform, the FreeBalance Accountability Suite. The company is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and helping governments align digital transformation to national development priorities.For more information, visit www.freebalance.com SOURCE: FreeBalance PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 17:00:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 592 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Popular Australian influencer Tallulah (@ tallulah.roseb on TikTok) has ignited a conversation about love, trust, and the unique policy ofDarry Ring , a jewelry brand celebrated for its "ONE RING FOR THE ONE TRUE LOVE" philosophy.(TikTok/@ tallulah.roseb) In a recent video, Tallulah recounted her friend's shocking discovery that her boyfriend of two years had purchased aDarry Ring engagement ringfor another woman. This revelation, exposing the boyfriend's infidelity, highlighted Darry Ring's distinctive policy: Each customer can only purchase for one recipient, with ID required, symbolizing a couple's unwavering commitment."We believe true love is intangible, but the Darry Ring ID and the unique True Love Agreement will hold this promise of fidelity, commitment, and devotion securely in its lovers' hearts," says Amelia, the Head of Global Marketing at Darry Ring. This policy underscores the brand's commitment to fostering a world filled with love, trust, and commitment. The brand believes true love makes the world a better place for everyone.First-time buyers at Darry Ring must provide a photo ID, adhering to the brand's policy of allowing only one recipient per customer for DR jewelry purchases. This ID verification process, along with the True Love Verification system, which requires a photo ID and a selfie, sets Darry Ring apart from other engagement ring companies.After completing their purchase, customers and their significant others sign the True Love Agreement. This document, issued by Darry Ring, serves as a testament to their unwavering dedication and commitment to everlasting love. By signing the True Love Agreement and the ID Verification Ring, customers and their partners declare themselves lifelong soulmates, with both names forever unchanged. Tony Zhang, the Chairman of Darry Ring, reinforces the brand's philosophy with the words, "Serendipity has found your true love and lover. From now on, decide all your important life decisions for two." With a legacy spanning over 14 years and more than 600 stores worldwide, Darry Ring has earned a reputation as the quintessential representation of true love. The brand's recent entry into the U.S. offers American customers an unparalleled experience in celebrating and immortalizing their love.Collaborating with esteemed jewelry designers such as Claire Chine HARDION and Charline Ayme, Darry Ring has introduced signature series like "DR Heart," symbolizing the sole heart for love. TheDR Heart Ringis currently the most talked-about and popular diamond ring on social media. The brand prides itself on its exquisite craftsmanship, especially the exclusive Heart in Heart diamond cut technique. This technique showcases two perfectly proportioned hearts visible both on the outside and inside of the diamond." Furthermore, Darry Ring prioritizes customer privacy by utilizing a third-party system, IdAnalyser, which has an ISO 27001 certificate from a UK agency, to protect each customer's information, ensuring the highest standards of confidentiality and security.For more information about Darry Ring and its collections, visit https://us.darryring.com/ About Darry RingDarry Ring is a leading global jewelry brand dedicated to the ideals of love, trust, and commitment. With a unique policy of selling one engagement ring per customer for life, Darry Ring stands as a beacon of true love and lifetime devotion. By incorporating exquisite craftsmanship, innovative designs, and a deep respect for the sanctity of love, Darry Ring continues to inspire and support lovers around the world.ContactInstagram https://www.instagram.com/darryring_official/ Tittok https://www.tiktok.com/@darryring_official Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarryRingUSA Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarryRingOfficial/videos Email: pr@ darryring.com SOURCE: Darry Ring PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 18:16:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 336 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Sav-Rx has disclosed a data breach affecting the personal health information of more than 2,800,000 individuals. Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating this breach to determine whether affected consumers are entitled to compensation.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On October 8, 2023, Sav-Rx detected a disruption in its computer network. In response, the company immediately secured its systems and enlisted the help of third-party cybersecurity experts.WHAT INFORMATION WAS INVOLVED?The information that may have been accessed or acquired included name, date of birth, social security number, email address, address, phone number, eligibility data, and insurance identification number.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Compensation may be available for Sav-Rx account holders who received notice that their personal information had been breached. Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers break into networks to steal personal information, which can be sold on the dark web or used to commit identity theft, financial theft, or other frauds. The company may be liable for failing to secure your privacy.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Sav-Rx or A&A Services, you are affected. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us as www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT:Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 04:59:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 419 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJune 24, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between November 4, 2020 and November 2, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Lincoln National and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-lnc/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJune 24, 2024 .About the LawsuitLincoln National and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On November 2, 2022, post-market, the Company released its 3Q 2022 financial results, disclosing a net loss of $2.6 billion for the quarter, compared to a net income of $318 million for the third quarter of 2021 the previous year, due to "net unfavorable notable items of $2.0 billion, or $11.62 per share, related to the company's annual review of DAC and reserve assumptions," and that the Company "incurred a $634 million goodwill impairment to the life insurance business." On this news, the price of Lincoln's shares fell by $17.27, or 33.2%, to close at $34.83 per share on November 3, 2022, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Meade v. Lincoln National Corporation, et al., No. 24-cv-01704.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 19:00:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 466 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 OSP has received the prestigious Great Place to Work' certification by its global authority.IRVING, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / OSP, a leading innovator in the healthcare industry, is thrilled to announce its official certification as a 'Great Place to Work.' This prestigious recognition highlights OSP's unwavering commitment to promoting an exceptional workplace culture that empowers employees to thrive.OSP OSP, a leading innovator in the healthcare industry, is thrilled to announce its official certification as a 'Great Place to Work.The Great Place to Work certification is a highly respected designation that OSP has earned through a rigorous evaluation process. This process includes an employee survey that measures key aspects of company culture, such as credibility, respect, fairness, camaraderie, and pride. It's a testament to OSP's dedication to creating a positive and trusting work environment.Earning this certification signifies a significant accomplishment for OSP. "This is a proud moment for our entire company," says Riken Shah, the CEO of OSP. "It reflects the collective effort we've invested in building a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and mutual respect are core values. We're dedicated to fostering an environment where our employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential." OSP's achievement as a 'Great Place to Work' stems from its commitment to several key initiatives. The company's work environment prioritizes collaboration and open communication. This approach helps create a supportive atmosphere where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and working collectively towards achieving shared objectives. Comprehensive training programs and opportunities for career advancement further evidence the company's commitment to employee development.The company acknowledges the importance of a healthy work-life balance for its employees. The company's offerings, such as flexible work arrangements and competitive benefits packages, reflect this recognition. OSP's focus extends to employee well-being, creating a holistic approach to employee satisfaction. Furthermore, the company implements a program for recognizing and rewarding employee achievements, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation within the team.'Great Place to Work' is not just an award; it's a promise to OSP's employees. The company remains dedicated to maintaining and enhancing its positive workplace culture. "We are always striving to improve," says Riken, "and this certification motivates us to continue innovating and setting the bar even higher for employee satisfaction." Learn more about OSP's recognition as a Great Place to Work atAbout OSPOSP is a leading healthcare technology provider, offering customized solutions to US healthcare providers, payers, insurers, independent software vendors, and medical device companies. Our core services include healthcare consulting, enterprise application, healthcare solutions enhancement, and dedicated quality assurance.Learn more about us at https://www.osplabs.com Contact InformationMalcolm FernsCommunicationsmalcolmf@ osplabs.com +1 410 695 3687SOURCE: OSPView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 15:01:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 454 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The FM 1330 Approval for FireConnect Underscores Advanced Remote Monitoring Capabilities for Fire ProtectionINDIANAPOLIS, IN / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Peerless Pump Company, a leading provider of high-performance pumps and pumping systems, is proud to announce that its innovative FireConnect product has been approved by Factory Mutual (FM) in accordance with FM Standard 1330.Peerless Pump The FM approval is a significant milestone for the FireConnect product, highlighting its superior quality, reliability, and performance as a fire protection remote monitoring system. FM Standard 1330 sets rigorous requirements for fire pump remote monitoring, ensuring they meet the highest standards for safety, reliability and effectiveness."We are thrilled to receive FM approval for our FireConnect product," said Scott Patterson, Vice President Fire, at Peerless Pump Company. "This approval underscores Peerless Pump's commitment to delivering top-of-the-line fire protection solutions that our customers can trust to safeguard lives and property." FireConnect is designed to provide advanced fire protection capabilities with seamless integration into existing systems. Its cutting-edge technology ensures optimal performance and reliability using cloud-enabled hardware coupled to a robust mobile application interface. FireConnect is proactive and will alert users to condition changes, such as pump room issues or systems leaks. Live pump performance during an incident is powered by the Incident Command feature, allowing first responders a window into the system without having to enter the pump room.The approval by FM not only validates the quality and reliability of FireConnect but also enhances Peerless Pump Company's position in the market as a trusted provider of fire protection solutions. This achievement is a testament to the company's dedication to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.Travis Montembeault, FireConnect Director, commented on the importance of this certification. "Achieving FM Approval according to Standard 1330 not only validates the FireConnect value proposition but also paves the way for further advancements in our industry. We believe this recognition will drive the industry forward, encouraging the adoption of more innovative and effective fire protection solutions." For more information on Peerless FireConnect, visitwww.peerlesspump.com About Peerless Pump CompanyPeerless Pump is the leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical pumps with installations in Commercial Buildings, Municipal Facilities, Industrial Warehouses, and Manufacturing, including all aspects of the Power & Energy market. Peerless is an ISO 9001 facility providing high-quality products in various materials and configurations to meet the pumping needs of the 21st century.Founded in 1923, Peerless Pump has over 100 years of experience in the pumping industry. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, with facilities in Lubbock, Texas, Houston, Texas, and Fresno, California, Peerless is a leading pump manufacturer with sales and service locations around the globe.Contact InformationMorgan PruittSales Enablement Specialistmpruitt@ peerlesspump.com SOURCE: Peerless Pump CompanyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 14:01:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 423 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BASEL, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Scailyte, a biomarker discovery company leveraging single-cell omics and artificial intelligence, proudly announces the appointment of Virginia Savova, PhD as a strategic and scientific advisor.Scailyte announces Virginia Savova, PhD, as a Strategic and Scientific Advisor Dr. Savova brings strong expertise in computational biology, immunology, and cancer research, with a track record of high-profile publications. She has pioneered the development and application of single-cell technologies and the use of AI in single-cell data analysis at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Virginia shares Scailyte's conviction that deciphering disease biology happens on a cellular level and requires single-cell resolution. As Senior Director of the Single-cell Biology group at Sanofi, she pioneered single-cell technologies for systematic, data-driven target and biomarker discovery across multiple immune indications, supporting the long-term goals of various stages in drug development."Scailyte is an exciting new player in single-cell precision medicine and I am thrilled to support the team in their journey." -Virginia SavovaPeter Nestorov, Co-Founder and CEO of Scailyte comments: "Virginia combines a passion for innovation and cutting-edge technologies with a vision for biomarker-driven drug discovery. Her engagement will advance Scailyte to becoming a global biomarker discovery leader and accelerate the advancement of our mission to transform the way precision medicine is conducted." With Virginia's appointment, Scailyte has further strengthened its expertise with an experienced industry leader who will play an important role in shaping the company's future. The company remains committed to advancing the field of precision medicine with single-cell technologies, artificial intelligence, and multi-omics analysis.About ScailyteScailyte is an ETH Zurich spin-off with a best-in-class artificial intelligence platform for the discovery of complex disease patterns from single-cell data. Our solution provides unprecedented insight into the disease and patients' biology and enables the discovery of new clinically relevant biomarker signatures by uncovering human's hidden "single-cell" secrets.Scailyte's proprietary best-in-class data analysis platform ScaiVision associates multimodal single-cell datasets with clinical endpoints, such as disease diagnosis, progression, severity, treatment response, and toxicity to identify ultra-sensitive biomarker signatures and cell functionality states. The performance and clinically relevant applications of Scailyte's platform ScaiVision have been demonstrated in various clinical and pre-clinical projects in Oncology and Immunology with Biotech, Pharma and academic partners.For more information, visit www.scailyte.com and connect on social media @LinkedIn and @Twitter.ScailyteTM and ScaiVisionTM are registered trademarks proprietary to Scailyte AG.Contact InformationPeter NestorovFounder & CEOcontact@ scailyte.com SOURCE: ScailyteView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 15:01:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 564 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 $400,000 award will support characterization and efficacy testing of preclinical SR-03 cell line as a part of IND development. Seraxis is taking meetings at the American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting in Orlando, June 21-24.GERMANTOWN, MD / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Seraxis, Inc., a regenerative medicine company developing pancreatic islet replacement therapies to transform the lives of patients with Type 1 and insulin-requiring Type 2 diabetes, has been notified that the company is the awardee of a $400,000 Commercialization Program grant from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) that aims to foster Maryland research to enhance and propel stem cell treatments. Seraxis will use the MSCRF grant to accelerate the validation and manufacturing of Seraxis' genetically modified pancreatic cell line (SR-03) that is designed to be a universal allogenic transplant that will not require lifelong anti-rejection immune suppression.Pancreatic Islet Replacement Therapies "Over 1.4 million Americans are Type 1 Diabetes patients burdened with daily glucose surveillance and exogenous insulin delivery to avoid glucose excursions and long-term organ damage," said Dr. William Rust, Ph.D., CEO of Seraxis. "MSCRF's grant funding will be key to advancing Seraxis' goal of establishing an immune-compatible allogenic pancreatic islet transplant therapy as a functional cure for people with insulin-requiring diabetes. SR-03 program is informed by SR-02, an islet replacement therapy requiring immune suppression that will enter the clinic by late 2024 for people with hypoglycemic unawares T1D." More information on SR-03 and SR-02 is available to potential pharma collaborators during the ADA annual meeting in Orlando next week.About Seraxis Seraxis is bringing transformative cures to the millions of people worldwide struggling with the management and life-threatening complications of T1D and insulin-requiring T2D.Seraxis' lead program, SR-02, is a novel, off-the-shelf islet replacement therapy slated to enter clinical testing with immunosuppressive therapy in 2024 in patients with severe recurrent hypoglycemia. A follow-on diabetes program, SR-03, is a version of the Seraxis pancreatic clusters altered to be unrecognized by the immune system for use without chronic immune suppression by the broader population of T1D and insulin-requiring T2D.Seraxis' underlying proprietary technology enables the creation of a pipeline of novel stem cell-derived therapies originating from single donated organs. The company's diabetes programs are manufactured from a stem cell line derived from a single highly compatible human donor's pancreas. These stem cells preferentially re-differentiate into pure pancreatic clusters containing all the endocrine cells of the native pancreatic islet, and with safety, potency, and manufacturing advantages over embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.Seraxis is backed by Frazier Life Sciences, Polaris Partners, Eli Lilly, the T1D Fund and independent investors. Seraxis manufactures its best-in-class therapeutic pancreatic clusters using scalable, clinically compliant processes in its cGMP facility located in Maryland's I-270 Biotech Corridor. Visit www.seraxis.com About the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission is focused on identifying and fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine in Maryland. Our Accelerating Cures initiative comprises programs that help transition human stem cell-based technologies from the bench to the bedside as well as mechanisms to build and grow stem cell companies in Maryland. Visit us at www.mscrf.org to learn more about our funding opportunities.Seraxis contact: Ted Hibben, Chief Corporate Development Officer: thibben@ seraxis.com Contact Information Ted HibbenChief Corporate Development Officerthibben@ seraxis.com SOURCE: Seraxis, Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Office of International Cooperation and Organisational Affairs of the Libyan Ministry of Local Government on Thursday held a meeting with national and international partners to discuss the fourth pillar of the strategic priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which deals with climate change, the environment and water PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 21:18:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 428 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Stankevicius International is thrilled to announce its successful registration on Verra, positioning the company to broker carbon credits to international buyers. This milestone marks a significant step in Stankevicius International's commitment to promoting sustainable practices and combating climate change through innovative carbon trading solutions.In line with this initiative, Stankevicius International is currently integrating a carbon credit purchase system on the GO platform ( go.stankeviciusinternational.com ). Starting July 2024, international buyers will have the opportunity to purchase carbon credits directly via the Stankevicius International GO interactive trade platform, simplifying the process and making it more accessible for businesses and investors worldwide.Focus on Voluntary Carbon Credit ProjectsStankevicius International's primary focus is on brokering voluntary carbon credit projects sourced from Verra and the International Carbon Registry. These projects are crucial in supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development."We are excited to leverage our registration with Verra to bring high-quality carbon credit projects to the international market," said Paulius Stankevicius, CEO and Founder at Stankevicius International. "Our platform will provide a seamless experience for buyers and investors, enabling them to participate in meaningful projects that contribute to global sustainability goals." Diverse Portfolio of Global ProjectsStankevicius International has already curated a diverse portfolio of global carbon credit projects. These projects, which include reforestation, renewable energy, and community-based initiatives, will be available to global buyers and investors starting in July 2024. By offering a variety of projects, Stankevicius International aims to cater to different interests and impact areas, ensuring that every investment contributes to the broader goal of environmental stewardship.About Stankevicius InternationalStankevicius International is at the forefront of revolutionizing the physical commodity trading sector through digitalization. The company's GO platform offers an innovative and user-friendly environment for traders and investors, ensuring secure and efficient transactions backed by advanced technology and market expertise.Stankevicius Media Relations - Stankevicius Pacific LimitedEmail:business@ stankeviciusmgm.com Phone: +358409665893Notice to advertisers and agencies: Please do not contact for marketing services. We only welcome non paid editorial coverage.For more information, visit GO Platform: https://go.stankeviciusinternational.comand explore our upcoming carbon credit purchase system.This press release aims to inform the public and stakeholders about Stankevicius International's latest achievements and future plans in the carbon credit market. The company's efforts to facilitate the purchase of carbon credits through an interactive platform reflect its commitment to sustainability and global environmental goals.Media ContactOrganization: Stankevicius InternationalContact Person: Paulius StankeviciusWebsite: https://stankeviciusinternational.comEmail: business@ stankeviciusinternational.com Contact Number: +971585897796SOURCE: Stankevicius International PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 14:30:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 870 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 /Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company") (CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF) is pleased to announce that Veronique Laberge will stand for election to the Board of Directors at the Company's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 (the "Meeting"). The Company announced that Ms. Laberge replaced Rory Kutluoglu as a director of the Company on June 13, 2024.If elected, Ms. Laberge will also serve on the audit committee.The Company is relying on the discretionary authority granted to management in the Management Information Circular of the Company dated May 3, 2024 (the "Circular") to substitute Ms. Laberge as a director nominee in place of Mr. Kutluoglu.Management of the Company recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of Ms. Laberge as a director of the Company at the Meeting.To vote for the election of Ms. Laberge as a director of the Company at the Meeting, shareholders are directed to treat the election boxes for Mr. Kutluoglu on the form of proxy or voting instruction form, as applicable, as election boxes for Ms. Laberge. For greater certainty, all votes cast in support of or withheld from Mr. Kutluoglu shall be treated as votes cast in support of or withheld from Ms. Laberge.Registered shareholders who have already executed and submitted the form of proxy enclosed in the Circular who wish to change their vote may do so by:Completing a proxy form that is dated later than the proxy form being revoked and mailing, faxing, or emailing it to Odyssey Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent, so that it is received prior to 10:00 am, Pacific Standard Time, on Monday, June 17, 2024; Signing a written statement which indicates, clearly, that you want to revoke your proxy and delivering the signed written statement to the Company at 309 - 2912 West Broadway Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6K 0E9 prior to 5:00 pm, Pacific Standard Time, on Monday, June 17, 2024; or As otherwise permitted by applicable law.Registered shareholders that have voted online through vote.odysseytrust.com may also resubmit their votes by logging in using their control number and password on their proxy form.A non-registered shareholder (being a shareholder who holds their shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary) may revoke a voting instruction or proxy authorization form given to an intermediary at any time by written notice to the intermediary, except that an intermediary may not act on a revocation of a voting instruction or proxy authorization form that is not received by the intermediary in sufficient time prior to the Meeting. Non-registered shareholders who wish to revoke their voting instruction form or proxy authorization should carefully follow the instructions from their intermediaries and their service companies, including instructions regarding when and where the voting instruction form or proxy form is to be delivered.Shareholders who have already executed and submitted the form of proxy enclosed in the Circular and who DO NOT wish to change their vote need take NO FURTHER ACTION.The Circular has been mailed to shareholders and is available for viewing on SEDAR+. Except as described above, the Circular remains unchanged from the version that was mailed to the shareholders of the Company and previously filed on SEDAR+.Additional Biographical Information Concerning Ms. LabergeMs. Veronique Laberge is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holder of the title of auditor. With more than 18 years of experience in professional practice, she specialized in certification mandates, general accounting and has been working as a fractional CFO for multiple public and private companies since 2018.Ms. Laberge is an independent director under applicable securities laws.About Temas ResourcesTemas Resources Corp. is focused on the advanced La Blache and Lac Brule Iron-Titanium-Vanadium projects in Quebec. The critical metals the Company is exploring for are key to our national mineral independence. Additionally, the Company invests in and works to apply its green mineral recovery technologies across its mining portfolio to reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of metal extraction through advanced processing and patented leaching technologies.All public filings for the Company can be found on the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca . For more information about the Company, please visit www.temasresources.com For further information or investor relations inquiries:Tim FernbackPresident and CEOtfernback@ shaw.ca orKIN Communications Inc.Tel: 604-684-6730 tmas@ kincommunications.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the provisions of Canadian securities laws including statements about the Company's plans. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change, except as required by law.SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 21:55:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 363 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The new Paddington movie is an adventure through the Amazon rainforest and the mountains of Peru. PROMPERU, through Film In Peru, provided assistance for filming in the regions of Lima and Cusco.LIMA, PERU / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / After 6 years, Paddington is back, this time in Peru! The new installment of the world's most famous bear tells the story of his return to his homeland to visit his Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. Along with the Brown family, he embarks on an exciting adventure through the Amazon rainforest and the mountain peaks of Peru."Paddington in Peru'' is a Studio Canal (United Kingdom) production. Directed by Dougal Wilson and based on the English children's story "A Bear Called Paddington" by writer Michael Bond, the first two films were a major success, grossing nearly 500 million dollars.Director Dougal Wilson stated that in the first and second Paddington films, we learn about his origins and how he came to his home in London. However, there is still much to discover about what happened before these events. In this third film, Paddington and his friends return to Peru to find the missing pieces to complete his story.Starring acclaimed actors Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas, "Paddington in Peru" promises to be an unforgettable adventure for families. It will be released in UK cinemas on November 8 and in the US on January 17, 2025.Film In Peru, PROMPERU's strategy to promote the country as a filming location, provided assistance for filming in Lima and Cusco. This support involved coordinating with public and private entities to secure filming and drone usage permits. Additionally, guidance was provided in processing 26 visas for the film crew.In recent years, Film In Peru has supported international audiovisual productions such as Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Street Food Latin America, Down to earth with Zac Efron, La Reina del Sur, among others.You can watch the official trailer here:Contact Details:Jose Carlos Collazo jcollazos@ promperu.gob.pe Company Website:SOURCE: PROMPERU PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-14 18:35:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 529 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Top Five Conveyor Car Wash Company Expands Footprint in Idaho and WisconsinTHOMASTON, GA / ACCESSWIRE / June 14, 2024 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash companies, is pleased to announce the grand opening of two brand-new locations this week. The Pocatello, ID location is Tidal Wave's second wash in Idaho, and the Marshfield, WI wash is the third location in the state.To celebrate the Grand Openings, the new Marshfield and Pocatello locations are offering eight days of free car washes from June 14 - June 21. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners to experience Tidal Wave's premium wash option, Graph-X4, at no cost. Additionally, any new customer that joins a Clean Club unlimited wash membership plan during Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for only $9.97 - saving up to $40."We opened our first locations in Idaho and Wisconsin earlier this year," said Tidal Wave Auto Spa founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. "We're pleased to continue our growth in both states this week with the Grand Opening of our Pocatello and Marshfield washes. Both locations are designed to make car care easy, efficient and enjoyable and built with industry-leading wash technology for an exceptionally clean car. Our team is looking forward to sharing our wash experience with both communities during Grand Opening week and beyond." Pocatello, ID Location: 917 Yellowstone Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201Nearby: Burley, ID (Coming Soon)Marshfield, WI Location: 1510 N Central Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449Nearby: Weston, WI (Coming Soon)Tidal Wave Auto Spa is committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and attractive locations, and friendly customer service at every location. Stop by for a single wash or join Tidal Wave's Clean Club for the ultimate experience. Members can wash every day of the month for one convenient monthly payment and save time with exclusive club member wash lanes - plus, memberships can be used at any Tidal Wave location. For those needing to wash multiple cars, Tidal Wave offers discounted monthly family plans and fleet plans for businesses with five or more vehicles.For additional information, including upcoming locations, fundraising, fleet plans, and more, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ About Tidal Wave Auto SpaTidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of its 267 locations sprawling 27 states across the South, Midwest, and Northern United States. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America's Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities.Contact Information:Heather ColemanMarketing Managermedia@ tidalwaveautospa.com Andrea TraylorSenior Director of Digital Marketingandrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com 2058212220SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto SpaView the original press release on newswire.com The World Bank has approved a $2.25 billion loan for Nigeria to aid in stabilising its economy amid reforms and enhance support for the impoverished. Nigerias Finance Minister, Wale Edun, disclosed this on Thursday. Earlier in April, Mr Edun disclosed that the nation qualified to process and secure a $2.25 billion loan from the World Bank. The loan is expected to provide crucial support to Nigerias economic recovery efforts amidst ongoing challenges. According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, the approved operations include $1.5 billion for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation (RESET) Development Policy Financing Programme (DPF) and $750 million for the Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilisation Reforms (ARMOR) Programme-for-Results (PforR). This combined total of $2.25 billion will offer essential financial and technical support as the government continues to address economic distortions. The statement said the funds will assist Nigeria in its long-term goal of increasing non-oil revenues and securing oil revenues to ensure fiscal sustainability and the delivery of quality public services. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Edun welcomed the support of the World Bank and emphasised the necessity for the reforms. We have undertaken bold and necessary reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and put Nigeria on a path to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. These reforms will create quality jobs and economic opportunities for all Nigerians. We welcome the support of the RESET and ARMOR programmes as we further consolidate and implement our policy reforms, consistent with accelerating investment and using public resources more sustainably to achieve our development goals, he said. He stated that the RESET initiative is designed to enhance Nigerias economic policy framework, create fiscal space, and safeguard the poor and vulnerable. While the ARMOR PforR programme supports tax and excise reforms, improves tax revenue and customs administration, and protects oil revenues. Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank vice president for Western and Central Africa, commended Nigerias efforts in repositioning its economy. Nigerias comprehensive macro-fiscal reforms are placing the country on a new path that can stabilise the economy and lift people out of poverty, Mr Diagana said. It is essential to maintain the momentum of these reforms and continue to provide support to the poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Johnvents Industries Limited have announced a partnership worth $23.3million (about N35 billion) to expand the companys cocoa processing operations and increase its export capacity to global markets. The partnership is also aimed at strengthening Nigerias agricultural sector and supporting the livelihood of thousands of farmers across the country. Records at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security indicate that the country made N358 billion in cocoa export in 2023. The figure is the highest agricultural contributor to Nigerias gross domestic products for the period. Johnvents is involved in sourcing and supplying quality cocoa beans for export. The Group Managing Director, Johnvents Industries Limited, John Alamu, while addressing journalists in Akure, said the IFCs $23.3 million financing package includes local currency funding in Nigerian Naira, which will allow Johnvents to expand its cocoa processing plant in Ondo State. He said it would also double the companys production capacity to up to 120 metric tons of cocoa per day, helping to provide steady incomes for farmers in its supply chain. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Alamu said the financing package includes an $8.5 million loan from IFCs own account, a $6.3 million loan equivalent in Nigerian Naira with support from the local currency facility of the International Development Associations Private Sector Window, and a $8.5 million loan by the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP). He said the partnership with IFC will also provide advisory services to Johnvents to help the company increase womens participation in its workforce and across its value chain. IFC will also help strengthen the companys ongoing sustainability and traceability programme and advise Johnvents on enhancing efficient digitisation and sourcing of its current processing capacity of cocoa-based products, including butter, cake, and powder for chocolates, confectionaries, and health products. As part of efforts to support Johnvents sustainability efforts, IFCs financing package will enable the company to replace inefficient diesel generators and wood-based boilers with a new efficient power generation system that uses natural gas to produce electricity and thermal energy, resulting in fewer emissions, he said. Mr Alamu explained that the systems installation is designed to facilitate the future integration of renewable energy sources such as solar, contributing to and directly aligned with Nigerias decarbonisation strategy in agriculture value chains. He stressed that IFCs partnership with Johnvents marked another giant step in the companys commitment to transforming Nigerias cocoa sector and agriculture industry. This support will help strengthen our operations and energise our commitment to sustainability, traceability, and inclusive growth. By doubling our production capacity and increasing export potential, we aim to deliver more value to all stakeholders and significantly contribute to the nations economic diversification and development. We are immensely grateful for IFCs support, Mr Alamu said. The IFC Managing Director, Makhtar Diop, on his part, said agribusiness plays a critical role in fostering value addition and diversifying Nigerias economy. IFCs financing and advisory support for Johnvents will help strengthen the companys operations, develop Nigerias cocoa sector, and sustain and create thousands of jobs, he said. According to him, cocoa plays a crucial role in Nigerias agribusiness sector and the country is one of Africas largest producers and exporters. Mr Diop further noted that by supporting Johnvents, IFC is contributing to allowing the company to meet higher demand and access new markets, while boosting Nigerias competitiveness in the global cocoa market, and increasing the countrys export earnings. Johnvents has a target to achieve 100 percent traceable cocoa, with at least 90 percent certified, by 2027, and to improve traceability protocols for Nigerias cocoa produce for international markets. IFCs financing and advisory support to Johnvents is part of its strategy to promote diversified, inclusive growth and job creation in Nigeria, and is part of its broader work in Africa to support sustainable agricultural practices, increase local capacity, and develop regional value chains and markets, Mr Diop said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On 29 May, Nigeria marked the 25th anniversary of the Fourth Republic, its most extended era of democracy since attaining independence on 1 October 1960. Since marching back into their barracks in 1999, ending 29 years of military rule, the soldiers have faced their statutory responsibility of protecting the country against external aggression and assisting the police and other paramilitary agencies in combating internal security threats. However, Nigerian soldiers have failed in many instances to subordinate themselves to civil authority and respect the rights and freedom of citizens. Chapter four (Sections 33-46) of the Nigerian constitution is dedicated to the fundamental human rights of Nigerians. But in at least four instances between March and May this year, soldiers infringed those rights and hampered the operation of businesses. Avenging armed separatists crime on Aba residents On Thursday, 30 May, five soldiers were killed when armed separatists ambushed them at a checkpoint in Obikabia Junction in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State. The masked assailants were enforcing the illegal sit-at-home order of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) when they attacked the soldiers around 8 a.m. The day after, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, said it was imperative that the military retaliate the killing of the soldiers. The military will be fierce in its response, Mr Buba, a major general, said. We will bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat. Surprisingly, however, the retaliation targeted residents of Aba, especially those near the ambush scene. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Many residents, including a 15-year-old boy and his sister, were arrested, PREMIUM TIMES reported. According to Innocent Omale, the spokesperson of the 14 Brigade of the Nigeria Army in Ohafia, Abia State, those arrested were later released. The Abuja Banex Plaza incident On 18 May, 15 men were filmed when they assaulted two soldiers after a face-off at Banex Plaza in the Wuse 2 District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Shortly after, soldiers on a retaliation mission stormed the plaza and forced traders to close their businesses. The siege lasted over a week, with innocent traders kept away from their source of livelihood. In response to this unfortunate incident, a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act by temporarily shutting down activities in the plaza, Army spokesperson Onyenma Nwachukwu, a major general, later said. Although the military said it was to allow an investigation into the soldiers assault, observers said any closure of businesses in the plaza should have been decided by civil authorities such as the Abuja Municipal Area Council, where the plaza is located. A human rights lawyer, Mojirayo Ogunlana, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, condemned the assault on the soldiers but also criticised the military for its action. It is wrong morally, it is wrong legally, it is unlawful, it is unconstitutional and should not be allowed in a democratic setting, she said of the militarys action. The army reopened the plaza ten days after it was closed. However, some shops were sanctioned. An international non-governmental organisation, Global Rights, faulted the military for turning a thriving commercial hub into a scene of military intimidation. This action violates the rights of many law-abiding Nigerians who rely solely on earnings from their businesses to make ends meet, the organisations executive director, Abiodun Baiyewu, declared in a statement. She noted that Articles 6(1) and 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory, were violated. The Nigerian Army should, therefore, not be an obstacle to people enjoying this right, she stated. Vengeance in Okuama? In another heinous attack on 14 March, a mob killed some soldiers deployed by the Nigerian Army on a peace mission to Okuama, a riverine community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The military delegation was responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in the state. The Army initially said 16 soldiers were killed, but it later posted the names and photos of 17 soldiers, including the commander (a lieutenant colonel), two majors, one captain and 13 soldiers. In what looked like reprisal, the community was razed two days after the killings of the soldiers, per a report by Channels Television. The military claimed no one was killed during the reprisal. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major-general, said the community was already deserted when the troops arrived there. A month later, the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, promised to rebuild the community. Abduction of journalist in Lagos In blatant disregard for press freedom, some soldiers abducted the editor of an online publication, FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, from his Lagos residence on 15 March. After 13 days in a military detention facility, Mr Olatunji narrated how he was moved to the National Air Defense Corps (NADC) office at the Air Force Base, Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State. There, Mr Olatunji said he was blindfolded and flown to a detention facility in Abuja. The journalist was released after several groups intervened, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria. Implications for the countrys democracy Incidents like these have grievous implications for the countrys democracy. The militarys actions have not only caused harm to individuals and communities, but they can also undermine the government and its institutions. The use of excessive force on civilians is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, not democracies. The Nigerian government must ensure that the military is held accountable for its actions and that measures are taken to prevent such incidents from happening again. Data obtained from the Economic Intelligence Unit, a research and analysis branch of the Economist Group, revealed that Nigeria scored 4.23 and was ranked 104 globally in the Democracy Index for 2023, earning Africas largest democracy the title of a hybrid democracy. According to the data, the country ranked 19th in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Index, an annual ranking of democracies. The Index divides countries into four categories: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid democracies, and authoritarian regimes, based on five main areas: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation, and political culture. The measure ranks full democracies as 8.0 to 10.0, flawed democracies as 6.0 to 8.0, hybrid democracies as 4.0 to 6.0, and authoritarian governments as 0 to 4.0. Military finding it difficult to accept democratic reality A human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, said the Nigerian military officers are finding it very difficult to face democratic reality. Many of them still think we still run a military regime where the rule of law means nothing and where fundamental rights of citizens are encroached upon at the slightest provocation, he told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that it is illegal and unconstitutional for the military to attack citizens. Mr Ogun, who heads FOLEGAL, a law firm in Lagos, said the militarys anti-democratic conduct persists because President Bola Tinubu, who commands the armed forces, is complicit or complacent. A retired major of the Nigerian Army and military attorney, Mike Kebonkwu, also expressed his dissatisfaction over the recent incidents. I am worried about the recent approaches, but we have to understand the context, Mr Kebonkwu told PREMIUM TIMES. According to him, the military deserves maximum respect from the people it protects. We should respect our officers, he cautioned. But if they fall out of line, they must be punished. Mr Kebonkwu added, There is a civil-military desk that deals with such cases. It is, however, a different thing when soldiers are attacked on duty, he continued, adding the military must respond decisively but not in a manner that targets innocent civilians. The retired military attorney, who declined to comment on the alleged retaliation on the community because the matter was being handled in the court, condemned the killings of soldiers in Aba but equally criticised the militarys response that targeted residents of the commercial city. There should be a measured response, he reiterated, adding that those who killed the soldiers should be the target of the military. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In a world where geopolitical tensions often challenge the stability of regions, the African Lion military exercises have become a beacon of strategic defence cooperation and enhanced military readiness. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the 2024 edition of the African Lion was held from 29 April through 31 May in Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. More than 8,100 participants from more than 27 countries took part alongside contingents from NATO. The part of the programme situated in Ghana, which began on 13 May and continued through 26 May, underscored the exercises breadth and depth. This phase of the exercise featured comprehensive programming of training activities and courses, enhancing the capabilities of all participating forces. US Army Brigadier General John LeBlanc, deputy commanding general of US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), summarised the events impact, saying, There is no doubt that this crucible event both affirms the strategic importance of our security partnership and advances our mutual security cooperation objectives. In Ghana, among the many highlights was an information operations course held on 18 May in Tamale. During this course, members of the Ghana Armed Forces observed and took notes on the integration of US civil affairs and information operations, strengthening cooperation and communication with their American counterparts. US Army civil affairs soldiers from the 437th Civil Affairs Battalion conducted the course introduction, showcasing how these operations support mission success and civil-military relations. Three Ghanaian soldiers shared their experiences as attendees of African Lion 2024, offering their take on the exercises impact. Osei-Tutu, a lieutenant general, Daniel Adjetey, a major general, and Senyo Dzamefe, a major, spoke about the benefits of multinational training, highlighting the enhanced cooperation and skill development it fosters. Mr Dzamefe described the exercise as a real eye-opener, emphasising how it provided a new perspective on artillery operations and the integration of conventional and special forces. Their anecdotes underline the importance they place on such exercises in advancing military readiness and strengthening international partnerships. In Senegal, the exercises comprised the combined efforts of the Senegalese armed forces, the US, and the Dutch military. On 21 May in Dodji, participants engaged in a detailed staff exercise on the military decision-making process, a crucial planning methodology. Armed Forces of Senegal personnel reviewed map features, while Netherlands Army Major Sebastian Dinjens, executive officer of the 44th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, led instructions. These academic sessions included 16 programmes of instruction focusing on specialised staff training for combined joint task force operations, emphasising multinational interoperability to enhance partner nations capacity and capability. US Army Brig. Gen. LeBlanc reinforced the importance of these collaborative efforts, stating, Our focus remains on strengthening and enabling African land forces to advance our shared security objectives. As we embark on this MEDREX, let us remember that SETAF-AFs approach in Africa is partner-led and US-enabled. Through partnership, trust, and respect, we will continue to make meaningful strides towards a safer and more prosperous future for all. 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 MEDREX, or Medical Readiness Exercise, was another critical component of AL24. Planned and executed by SETAF-AF, MEDREX allows military health professionals from the US and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures, and techniques. This collaboration strengthens treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships and improved healthcare readiness. The significance of AL24 extends beyond mere military manoeuvres. It also strengthens civil-military relations, as local communities engaged with visiting forces, fostering mutual respect and understanding. This engagement is crucial for building lasting relationships and trust between military personnel and the civilians they aim to protect. As African Lion 2024 concluded at the end of May, it leaves a legacy of strengthened alliances and improved military capabilities. The exercise serves as a reminder that in an interconnected world, the path to security and stability lies in collaboration and mutual preparedness. As the echoes of AL24 resonate across the participating nations, the world watches, reassured that the bonds forged in the crucible of these exercises will stand the test of time. Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based correspondent and media commentator with expertise in US foreign policy and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration commemorates its first year in office, Women Radio 91.7 spotlights female-focused initiatives driven by state governors between 29 May 2023 and 29 May 2024. Elections and campaigns come with promises made to citizens, especially women who vote politicians into offices based on these assertions. In this report, Women Radio 91.7 tracked female-centric interventions of elected governors who have made efforts to bridge the economic gap of women at the state level. Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun care and empower Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has demonstrated a commitment to supporting women-owned businesses as part of his broader economic empowerment agenda. On 8 February, according to the state government, Mr Sanwo-Olu announced free ante-natal care in all government-owned health facilities to support expectant mothers and improve maternal health. The women also benefit from free delivery services accessing quality healthcare without financial barriers in government-owned hospitals. These initiatives have prioritised the well-being of women during pregnancy and childbirth thereby reducing maternal mortality. Eko Cares, an intervention announced by the state government, provides subsidised food markets and distribution of essential food items that address the immediate needs of women and their families to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal. Eko Cares is said to have given N50,000 in financial support to 15,000 women entrepreneurs to sustain and expand their businesses amidst economic challenges. In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanjis government announced that he supported over 30,000 widows and 2,000 orphans under the Widow and Orphans Hope Project, distributed empowerment materials and scholarships worth N100,000 each to 25 indigent students and empowered female students to overcome challenges related to hygiene and financial constraints. Mr Oyebanjis government through the Adire Hub Programme said it employs and trains women and youths; gives conditional monthly cash stipends for women and through the Renewed Hope Agenda programme inspired by Nigerias First Lady Remi Tinubu, supports women to start and sustain their small-scale businesses; as well as provides land, financial support and seedlings to women in Agriculture. Ogun State under Governor Dapo Abiodun has reported training programmes for women through skills development and financial literacy providing interest-free loans tailored for women to thrive in their businesses. Equipping Women of Abia, Ebonyi & Enugu. On 8 March 2024, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State said he approved and implemented the disbursement of N100,000 interest-free loans to 50 women entrepreneurs in each ward to strengthen their enterprises. According to official reports, 899 women have received N60,000 each in livelihood grants. This move aims to ensure that women play a significant role in decision-making processes, particularly in sectors like health, education, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. According to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, 2,451 women, including women with disabilities, have been trained in rice production, food processing and entrepreneurship. The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency noted that 4,000 pregnant women, 100 women, and children were enrolled in the Governments health insurance scheme for easy access to essential health services without financial burden. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Enugu State Government announced the flag off of the Enugu State Sustainable Economic Empowerment Programme (E-SEEP) in May 2024 by Governor Peter Mbah in which 70 per cent of women benefited from training in vocational skills, entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and digital marketing which will be followed by six months of post-training business mentoring. Obaseki and Otu on Edo and Cross River Women According to the Edo State Government, 200 women were empowered with Point of Sale (POS) machines and a total of N4 million in grants by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to cushion the effects of womens economic hardship. Through the Operation Feed the Hungry Initiative, N1 billion was earmarked for 60,000 residents including women through collaboration with religious organisations to provide food to vulnerable and poor citizens. The Cross River State Government noted that 20 women received five hundred thousand naira each to boost and enhance their agricultural food production enterprise through the Renewed Hope Initiative under the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu. Kwara women and Nigerias female-centric Governor In June 2023, Kwara State Ministry of Finance announced that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq increased the number of beneficiaries of the Nigeria-Covid 19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Labour Intensive Public Workfare project at the local government level from 1,025 to 5,348 beneficiaries. Mr AbdulRazaq also increased the monthly stipend of beneficiaries from N10,000 to N15,000 to cushion the effects of fuel subsidies for unemployed women. Over two million integrated insecticide-treated nets were distributed to women and children across the 16 local government areas of the state to protect them from malaria. For the first time in Kwara, five female lawmakers emerged in the state assembly under the AbdulRazaq administration. In July & September 2023, the governor nominated nine women and nine men for his cabinet, inaugurated members of the state executive council alongside five permanent secretaries and a member of the civil service commission with 50 per cent of each gender making the highest number of female commissioners in the country and confirming his commitment to gender equality. Mr AbdulRazaq as chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) urged the national assembly to revisit the proposed gender parity legislation for a more inclusive Nigeria. According to him, through a partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Kwara State Government embarked on a $57.3 million special agro-industrial project to promote agro-processing and sustainable farming and create jobs for women and youths. About 8,000 unemployed youth including women in 16 local government areas are under the states public workfare scheme with each beneficiary receiving financial support of N25,000. The direct impactful investments of Borno In June 2023, over 5,000 women were said to have benefited from training and funding to start and expand their businesses through the Borno Womens Economic Empowerment programme. On 8 March, Governor Babagana Zullum of Borno State announced the distribution of N150 million in cash and food items to 3,000 vulnerable women across 27 local government areas with each beneficiary receiving N50,000. This was in response to the petrol subsidy removal targeting vulnerable households. In April 2024, the Borno State government announced its collaboration with the World Bank-supported multi-sectoral crisis recovery project (MCRP) having trained 200 healthcare professionals on mental health and psychosocial support services to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide specialised care to women and children affected by Boko Haram insurgency. In October 2023, Mr Zullum announced the launch of the Girls Education Initiative to increase girls enrolment and retention in schools, providing scholarships and mentorship opportunities. In November 2023, the Borno State Government announced that over 3,000 women were trained and given seeds and tools to enhance their agricultural productivity through the Womens Agricultural Empowerment Program. The state government is noted to have established a disability support programme, providing assistive devices to over 1900 inclusive services for women with disabilities. According to the Borno government, palliatives were distributed to 300,000 internally displaced persons, mostly women. Women in leadership positions are said to have benefited from ongoing capacity-building and training to enhance their skills and representation in decision-making processes. Impactful projects in Jigawa and Katsina The Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency announced an investment of N50,000 each into women-led businesses. A total of 125 elderly women of the 250 elderly individuals benefited directly from N25 million through the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS). Under the Jigawa State Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (J-Cares) Programme, the government announced that N212 million was disbursed as grants to over 4,200 women and youth owners of small-scale businesses. A thousand Jigawa women entrepreneurs received a direct investment of N50,000 each from the Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency to drive sustainable development and promote economic empowerment as announced by the agency. In Katsina State under the leadership of Governor Dikko Radda, the Women, Youth and Children Improvement Support Initiative is said to have provided free treatment and drugs to over 7,000 sickle cell patients to improve their quality of life and reduce the economic burden on their families. About 600 women and youths received vocational training with start-up capital in sewing and grinding machines. Financial grants from N10,000 to N50,000 were given to women and orphans following training in entrepreneurial skills. An anti-gender-based violence centre was said to have been established to support women and children facing gender-related issues for protection and access to justice. Mr Radda is also said to have approved the release of a N200 million counterpart fund to address malnutrition among women and children in the state. Kano, Kaduna and Zamfara equip women About 1,028 Kano women across all 44 local government areas were said to have each received a grant of N20,000 to start small-scale businesses to foster female economic independence, enabling them to contribute to their families and communities. It was announced that more women, youths and persons living with disabilities received food, cash and skills empowerment, courtesy of Governor Abba Yusuf. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State unveiled five mobile clinics and commissioned a women and children shelter to provide medical services and shelter to citizens especially victims of Gender-Based Violence, according to Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe. About 5,000 women and girls were trained in data science, AI and entrepreneurial digital skills as announced by Google in partnership with the state government. Also, 450 women with disabilities received grants while 500 women farmers and petty traders received financial support. In Zamfara, Governor Dauda Lawal continued with the former state governors instituted policy of providing N20,000 monthly to women as part of efforts to ease economic hardship. Ray of hope for women in Benue About 3,000 Benue women have gained from financial interventions to reduce poverty, according to Governor Hyacinth Alias government. Making governors accountable for the next 365 days The interventions of some governors reveal a level of progress in womens economic empowerment between 29 May 2023 and 29 May 2024. However, there is a huge gap that still exists as there are no physical records of interventions by most governors to bridge the already existing huge economic gap and lift women out of poverty. Promises were made during election campaigns and we could not track any record of physical implementation as little or nothing was found within the observed time frame. We urge the governors of Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states to take a cue from states who have invested in women. Nigerian women are hopeful of increased female representation in governance, better economic advancement, improved health initiatives, reduced maternal mortality and neonatal mortality and cultural shift in practices to develop women. Achieving gender inclusion and womens empowerment is crucial for the development of Nigeria. While significant strides have been made, continued commitment and collaborative efforts are essential for a sustainable Nigeria. Women Radio 91.7 will continue to track, monitor, evaluate and hold the government accountable for promises made to women. We urge you as citizens to partner with us by reporting female-centric initiatives implemented in your state to news@wfm917.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some Nigerians have expressed satisfaction over the cost-effectiveness of Compress Natural Gas (CNG) as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) began sales in Lagos State on Thursday. Hello Lagos. Switch to Compress Natural Gas (CNG). Its affordable, safe and sustainable. Visit us at plot 22, Isolo Industrial Area, llasamaja to make the conversion today, NNPC said on its official X handle on Thursday. Last August, President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the initiative furthered the presidents commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs. This initiative, according to Mr Ngelale, is poised to revolutionise the transportation landscape in the country, targeting over 11,500 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)-dependent vehicles. While simultaneously bolstering in-country manufacturing, local assembly and expansive job creation in line with the presidential directive, the spokesperson noted at the time. Last month, the federal government inaugurated a 5.2 million standard cubic feet per day CNG plant in Lagos in an attempt to lessen the impact of the removal of petrol subsidies on Nigerians. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The CNG plant was built through a partnership between NNPC Gas Marketing Limited and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Axxela. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who commissioned the plant at the Isolo Industrial Area, Ilasamaja in Lagos, at the time said the event represents a significant milestone in the nations journey towards energy security, accessibility, and affordability for Nigerians and is in line with President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. As the nation continues to take giant strides in the adoption of CNG as a sustainable alternative to PMS and AGO, we are resolute to bring the benefits of CNG adoption closer to the Nigerian people, and projects like this are major milestones in achieving this objective. CNG, as we know, is cheaper, cleaner, more eco-friendly, and safer than traditional liquid fuels and will enhance the nations efforts to meet its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) obligations to the Paris climate change agreement, Mr Ekpo said at the time. Reaction Speaking in a short video clip posted on the NNPC official X handle on Thursday, Oluwatosin Ibiwoye, a car owner who patronised the CNG station in Lagos, noted that she now spends N4,100 on CNG from the N28,000 she used to spend on petrol. I dont have to queue for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). I dont bother my head with whether the PMS price has gone up or gone down or it is not available, it there, it here. Its been peace of mind. From my house Ejigbo to Aja, if there is no traffic I will use one bar, that one bar is about N900. What I used N28,000 PMS to cover, now, I used N4,100 to cover it, she said. A taxi driver, Olusola Onisesi, said CNG is more economical compared to diesel and petrol. I am from Ijebu Ode, I travelled home, I got CNG here, and travelled to Ijebu Ode to and fro I did not finish it. I also tried it again. I went to Abeokuta with it, to and fro and I did not finish it, he said. Testifying to the environmental benefits of CNG, a truck driver, Francis Okonya said CNG is much better because the price is very minimal compared to diesel and petrol. It does not affect anybody. I am talking about the smoke stuff coming out of diesel and petrol engines. This does not have a single smoke coming out from the engine. That is why it is better. It is encouraging for everybody to be using it, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print New York, United States (PANA) - The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Thursday that calls for the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF) in Sudan to halt their siege on El Fasher, capital of North Darfur state The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has invited the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who levelled sexual harassment allegations against the Permanent Secretary in the ministry for an interview. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayis allegations of sexual harassment against the permanent secretary, Ibrahim Lamuwa, have already triggered an investigation by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF). PREMIUM TIMES reported that the OHCSF issued a query to Mr Lamuwa after receiving Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayis petition. Mr Lamuwa has also responded to the query, denying the allegations. He said the complainant misconstrued the alleged instances of sexual harassment cited in her petition. PREMIUM TIMES saw late on Thursday a copy of the ICPCs invitation letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, asking him to release Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi, his aide, for an interview at 10 a.m. on Friday (today). The ministry received the ICPC letter titled Investigation Activities: Notice of Invitation on Thursday. A copy of the letter was seen by PREMIUM TIMES late Thursday. In view of the above and pursuant to sections 28 and 40 of the said Act, you are kindly requested to release and direct Mrs Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi of the Ministry to appear for an interview before the undersigned at the Commissions Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday, 14 June 2024 at 10:00 hours, read the invitation letter dated 11 June and signed by Acting Director of Operations, S. Yahaya. 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 not immediately clear whose petition led to the ICPC investigation or what exactly the agency is investigating. But this newspaper reported on Tuesday how the minister forwarded Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayis petition, which her team of lawyers authored on her behalf, to the OHCSF for action. The permanent secretary is the most senior civil servant in the ministry and is responsible for its day-to-day running. He reports to the minister, who is the overall head of the ministry and is responsible for policy implementation. Sexual harassment complaints Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who is serving as an aide to the minister, alleged in her petition that she faced persistent sexual harassment from Mr Lamuwa. She said it became so persistent and troubling to the point that she began to be apprehensive about getting raped. She alleged that Mr Lamuwas conduct created an unsafe work environment, especially as her roles required her to work closely with and report to him often. According to her, the top official made inappropriate remarks and advances to her on different occasions, causing her to be apprehensive and uncomfortable with carrying out her duties. She said one such incident occurred on 7 October 2023 when the permanent secretary allegedly inappropriately suggested to her to visit his hotel room at the end of President Bola Tinubus 4D policy review. She said this happened when this event, which held for days, was ongoing. She said the top official initially approached her to inquire why she did not sleep at the hotel and then informed her that he would want her to come to his room after the event. Permanent secretary denies allegations But PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Lamuwa has since submitted his response to the petition, which he denied. In the response sent to the office of the head of service, Mr Lamuwa addressed each alleged incident mentioned in the complainants petition. He said the complainant maliciously misconstrued the instances as sexual harassment. He also made a counter-accusation, alleging that Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayis malicious claims against him resulted from his constant rejection of her improper requests about the ministrys finances. According to him, a particular instance was when Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi, unfamiliar with civil service rules and processes, asked for access to policy files and even financial records of high-level ministry activities. By no means should the permanent secretary, as chief accounting officer of the ministry, provide such sensitive documents to an aide of the minister, worse via a WhatsApp chat. There are due processes in government, and they must be followed. We must emphasise that Mrs Fajemirokun-Ajayi is a political appointee, not a civil servant. Thus, finance and policy matters are out of her bounds in this instance, the letter read. He argued that the petition was only shared online to gather public attention and sympathy for her unsubstantiated claims. Sexual harassment as an abuse of office This case is not the first sexual harassment-related matter ICPC is taking up. The agency is currently prosecuting the suspended dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cyril Ndifon, at the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case of sexual harassment. Mr Ndifon, a professor of law, was suspended as dean of the faculty after some female students of the faculty held a protest rally, accusing him of sexual harassment. Mr Ndifon faces four counts, including sexual harassment, official corruption, and abuse of office. The alleged offences contravene sections 8, 18, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The ICPC has a unit dedicated to cases of sexual harassment. The agency, based on its enabling law, treats sexual harassment as an abuse of office. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government has appealed to the countrys medical practitioners to resist the temptation of rendering services in foreign lands and work with the current administration to improve the nations situation. Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a recent meeting with the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), made the appeal, assuring the doctors that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is committed to their welfare and has empathy for those who choose to stay amid the Japa syndrome. According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the NMA leadership, led by its President, Bala Audu, paid Mr Shettima a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday. Mr Shettima urged the Nigerian doctors not to despair and implored them to remain steadfast, commending them for the significant contributions and sacrifices they make towards repositioning the countrys healthcare delivery. Let us stay back and salvage this nation together. This is our country, the greatest black nation on earth, and a promising nation that we need to invest in, he was quoted to have said. The NMA is one of the most prestigious, preeminent associations in this country. We must commend you for the sacrifices you are making and for staying put in this nation. All hope is not lost because Nigerian doctors are making giant strides, recording milestones in the profession and, most importantly, making tremendous sacrifices to serve this nation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Shettima further asked the NMA to encourage young doctors to specialise in key disciplines of medical practice and also check the activities of quacks in the profession. NMAs comments In his comments, the NMA president said the executive committee members of the association were at the presidential villa to show solidarity for the Tinubu administration, particularly on account of its policies for the health sector. Mr Audu said: The NMA has come here today as a partner to your government and a patriotic group of Nigerians dedicated to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this government and to ensure that this government delivers quality healthcare to all Nigerians. NMA remains patriotic to this nation and will fully support the health policies of your government to drive improvement in quality healthcare delivery and universal access to services to all Nigerians. He noted that the executive committee will work closely with the government in delivering and implementing the policies in the healthcare sector. The NMA wants to assure and reassure you that it will play a key role in ensuring stability in the health sector and by extension, stability for this government to deliver on its promises to Nigerians as it has already started doing, he added. Mr Audu further noted that when fully implemented, the programmes and projects of the Tinubu health policies will increase the training spaces for specialists in the country, as well as the quality of the postgraduate medical training. We are sure that this government will address the infrastructural needs to be able to sustain the quality of this training as well as the remuneration that will improve the wellbeing of Nigerian doctors to remain and serve in this country, he said. Brain Drain Also, the Nigerian Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, recently lamented that the countrys health system remains weak partly because its trained health professionals migrated to developed countries that did not invest in their first professional education. Hundreds of Nigerian health workers migrate annually to more advanced countries, mainly because they seek better working conditions and better quality of life. Various statistics show that over 5,000 Nigerian medical doctors migrated to the UK between 2015 and 2022. According to the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), 233 Nigerian doctors moved to the UK in 2015; the number increased to 279 in 2016; in 2017 the figure was 475; in 2018, the figure rose to 852; in 2019 it increased to 1,347; in 2020, the figure was 833 and in 2021, it was put at 932. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The FCT Police Command has apprehended six men who allegedly sell registered SIM cards to kidnappers and other criminals in the territory. FCT Police Commissioner Benneth Igweh, who said this on Thursday while parading the suspects in Abuja, said they were arrested by a team of detectives from the State Intelligence Department (SID). He said Mohammed Baba, an assistant commissioner of police, led the team. He gave the names of the suspects as Suleiman Musa, John Njoku, Nasiru Suleiman, Nafiu Tijani, John Jock and Ndubuisi Okeh. Mr Igweh said about 1,100 cards, three registration machines and other equipment were recovered from them. He said the suspects sold each SIM card to the criminals for between N3,000 and N5,000 per card. The commissioner said the criminals operated with the identities of other people in order not to be easily tracked. 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 may interest you to know that four different numbers could be registered under a single NIN, hence these criminals employ street SIM card vendors to get the details of unsuspecting residents who buy SIM cards and register at the same time, Mr Igweh said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), a private tertiary institution in Kwara State, has received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC). The institution disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Vice-Chancellor, Francisca Oladipo, a professor. NUC is a regulatory agency in Nigeria responsible for overseeing the administration, quality, and accreditation of universities in the country. It ensures that academic programmes meet set standards and provides guidelines for the establishment of new universities. Accreditation of degree programmes by the NUC is a system of evaluating academic programmes in universities to ensure that they meet the required academic standards. Accreditation The university said NUC granted accreditation for all its 11 academic programmes following the October and November 2023 accreditation exercise. The 11 courses are; Accounting, Business Administration, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Mass communications, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Criminology and Security Studies and Economics. 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 said the accreditation process involved a comprehensive review of the universitys academic programmes, and institutional resources including physical facilities, faculty qualifications, student support services, and so on. According to the institution, NUC said, after a thorough evaluation, it concluded that TAU exceeded all criteria necessary for accreditation with the programmes scoring between 86.6 and 95.9 per cent. The pass for full accreditation, it said, is 70 per cent. Management reacts According to Mrs Oladipo, the achievement signifies TAUs unwavering commitment to academic excellence. This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty members, staff, and students, as well as the unwavering support of our Founder, Board of Trustees and Governing Council, said Mr Oladipo. It reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality education that prepares our graduates for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society. She noted that with the accreditation, the institution joins the ranks of universities recognised for their academic excellence and continuous improvement efforts. Similarly, the Founder and Chancellor of TAU, Johnson Adewumi, expressed his elation at the universitys achievement. This milestone reaffirms our mission to establish a world-class university that fosters academic excellence and innovation while nurturing the personal and professional growth of our students. He noted that the accreditation is valid for five years, and assured that the institution will remain committed to upholding and enhancing its academic standards through continuous improvement initiatives. This achievement positions TAU among Nigerias prestigious universities recognized for academic excellence and a dedication to continuous improvement. Students, both current and prospective, can be assured that the education they receive at TAU meets the most rigorous national standards, guaranteeing the credibility and value of their degrees, he said. Other institutions accredited The NUC also granted full accreditation status to some other institutions. The Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) Okitipupa, Ondo State received full accreditation status for 14 programmes. Some of these programmes are; Agriculture, Fisheries, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and Food Science Technology. The Lagos State University (LASU) also secured accreditation for 44 courses. According to the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the result showed that 43 of the 44 courses assessed secured full accreditation, and only Computer Science Education will be getting an interim accreditation. The result translates to about 99 per cent pass mark, which is another unprecedented record in the universitys recent history. It also marks another milestone in the achievements of six strategic goals of the current administration, the first of which is the accreditation of courses, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print NAHCON officials on Friday apprehended two Nigerians posing as pilgrims at the Muna camp in Saudi Arabia. The impostors, Abu Mahmud and Ismaila Yahaya, were caught mingling with genuine pilgrims who were resting after their journey from Mecca to Muna camps. The fake pilgrims were found wearing counterfeit Nusuk Identification cards and donning the traditional white attire worn by Hajj pilgrims in an attempt to blend in with the crowd. Their deception was uncovered, and they were taken into custody by the vigilant officials. Mr Mahmud who claimed to hail from Kano State was found also with an expired Saudi visa. He revealed that he had been residing in Saudi Arabia since 2022 when his visa expired. In a desperate bid for a better life, he allegedly paid the sum of N3 million to enter Saudi Arabia in search of greener pastures illegally. 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 I only want to perform Hajj. So I faked the Nusuk ID and sneaked into the camp when Nigerians arrived this afternoon. I am so sorry. Please allow me to go. I wont do the Hajj again. If you arrest me I will be in trouble and also my family. The impersonating pilgrims are currently being interrogated by NAHCON officials, who will subsequently hand them over to the Saudi authorities. The Saudi government has issued a stern warning that all pilgrims must possess a valid Nusuk card to participate in this years hajj. Those found without the mandatory Nusuk card will face severe consequences, including deportation to their country of origin, a jail sentence and a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals. Arafat Meanwhile, the hajj rituals have commenced, with pilgrims being transported from Mecca to Mina on Friday. The pilgrims will camp in Mina before proceeding to Arafat on Saturday, marking the beginning of the sacred journey. This significant event has drawn over 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world, with numbers expected to exceed 2 million, according to Saudi authorities. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates and their running mates for the 16 November Ondo State governorship election. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday. According to him, personal particulars of the candidates and their running mates have been published at INEC state and local government offices in Ondo State. Mr Olumekun said that in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two political parties, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of 10 June. He also disclosed that five parties; the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), replaced their running mates only. Overall, 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic). The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information, he said. Mr Olumekun said that with the conclusion of the nomination process, political parties were now permitted to start public campaigns from Wednesday (19 June) till the midnight of 14 November. As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the commissions guidelines governing such activity. For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022, Mr Olumekun said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate passed 25 out of the 447 bills introduced on its floor in the last one year. Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who disclosed in Abuja on Thursday, also said that the upper chamber adopted 115 resolutions. The 10th Senate was inaugurated on 13 June, 2023. Mr Bamidele said the 25 bills fully passed into law, comparatively, accounted for 5.24 per cent of the entire bills introduced within the timeframe. According to him, aside the 25 fully enacted pieces of legislation, no fewer than 275 bills (57.65 per cent) were read for the first time within the timeframe. About 135 (28.32 per cent) awaiting first reading; 45 (9.43 per cent) awaiting the second reading; 43 (9.02 per cent) currently at the committee stage and three bills (0.63 per cent) were refused on different grounds. He added that while only 13 (2.73 per cent) of the total bills originated from the executive arm, 464 (97.27 per cent) were private member bills. 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 Apart from the bills, the Senate arrived at 115 resolutions, which are far-reaching in consequence; profound in their significance to our economic development and strategic to the cohesion, growth and stability of our nation. Each of these resolutions arose from motions of national importance, which different distinguished senators sponsored after due diligence was conducted, he said. According to him, the Senate also received and treated petitions from members of the public on diverse matters of grave concern within the timeframe. In spite of time constraint, 50 of the public petitions were successfully and satisfactorily resolved. The Senate equally screened and confirmed 215 nominees for different political offices at the request of President Bola Tinubu and in accordance with Section 147 (2-6) of the 1999 Constitution and other Acts of the National Assembly. Among others, the confirmations include key appointments into the Federal Executive Council, Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the leadership of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force. Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, he said. He explained that the confirmations were key to national development and speeded up the process of forming or constituting the national government at a very critical time when the economy was struggling to stay afloat. National security under threat and internal cohesion was seriously gasping for fresh breath. Already, the first year has passed by and we have decisively addressed issues of strategic national interest with utmost priority, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged the federal government to sustainably increase climate finances to effectively mitigate the lingering impacts of Climate Change in the country. The governor, who was represented by the States Deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, made this remarks Thursday at the 10th Lagos International Climate Change Summit in Lagos. According to a statement issued by the states director of public affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the governor emphasised that financial institutions and international organisations must work collaboratively to bridge the climate financing gap. We are committed to fostering a supportive environment for climate finance and local adaptation initiatives, ensuring that all efforts are aligned with the insights and expertise shared, the governor was quoted as saying. He added that it is high time the government ensures that resources are directed towards projects that yield tangible benefits for communities and ecosystems. Climate finance According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. The Paris agreement, endorsed by 196 countries all over the world, calls for financial assistance from Parties (countries) with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The agreement also recognised that the contribution of countries to climate change and their capacity to prevent it and cope with its consequences vary enormously. Based on this, the UNFCCC said climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions. Similarly, the UN said climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate. Meanwhile, the President of the 28th Conference of Parties, Sultan Al Jaber last year in Dubai announced that his presidency is committed to unlocking climate finance for vulnerable nations. Mr Al Jaber described finance as the key success factor across the climate agenda and for too long, finance has not been available, accessible or affordable, hence his commitment. Let this be the year that climate finance meets the magnitude of the moment. Let this be the COP where we deliver on our promises from the $100 billion to the loss and damage, he urged. Inclusive climate action In his statement on Thursday as delivered, the Lagos State governor applauded the resolve of participants at the summit to work hand in hand with all stakeholders to transform the discussions into concrete actions that will benefit communities and the environment. He added that participants have also learnt that accelerating climate finance is not merely about mobilising funds but ensuring that these resources reach those who need them most. It is about creating financial instruments that are accessible, equitable, and effective, the governor said. Mr Sanwo-Olu emphasised that experts have highlighted innovative financing mechanisms, from green bonds to climate insurance, and the importance of leveraging both public and private sector investments. He stressed that the discussions have underscored the necessity of a systematic shift in how everyone perceives and deploy financial resources for climate action. According to the statement, the Lagos State government said it would continue to prioritise capacity building and knowledge sharing by empowering local communities with the skills, tools, and knowledge they need to develop and implement adaptation strategies. The governor said his administration is determined to continually strengthen policy frameworks and regulatory environments to support climate action, and remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusivity and equity. He said climate action must be inclusive, ensuring that the marginalised and vulnerable groups are not left behind. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The chairperson of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, has said doing things differently from what he met at NAHCON was the reason for the successes the commission is recording in the ongoing 2024 Hajj. In a Thursday briefing at the NAHCON office in Mecca, Mr Arabi said he has been doing things differently from his predecessor. We adopted some new strategies when we came on board. But along the way, we encountered some glitches and pitfalls, which are normal, but as we go on, we will take them as lessons and do them correctly, he said. On transporting Nigerian pilgrims back home after the hajj, Mr Arabi assured pilgrims would return home in good time. Nigerians should be rest assured that they will return home as quickly as possible. As their relatives are eagerly waiting to receive them, they will surely get to them in time, Insha Allah, he said. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has garnered widespread acclaim from Nigerians for its exceptional efficiency in completing the airlift of pilgrims a remarkable 72 hours ahead of the Saudi deadline during this years Hajj exercise. The commendations have solidified the commissions reputation for excellence in managing this years annual pilgrimage. 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 Approximately two million pilgrims worldwide are expected to participate in the hajj this year. As the exercise begins on Friday, devotees have already been transported to Muna, a crucial stopover en route to Arafat, one of its pivotal destinations. With preparations in full swing, the pilgrims will embark on their spiritual journey, replete with symbolic rites and rituals that underscore the values of faith, unity, and spiritual renewal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian army says its troops have killed two suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Abia State, Nigerias South-east. The army, in a statement posted on their Facebook page on Thursday, said the suspects were killed when the troops raided camps belonging to IPOB and ESN earlier the same day. The army said in a previous statement the same day that the troops, in conjunction with a Joint Task Force Tactical Patrol Squad, infiltrated and dismantled a suspected IPOB camp in the community, including training facilities in the camp. It said the operation was conducted in Ihechiowa, a community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of the state. In addition to the destruction of the training camp, the troops also targeted buildings used as hideouts for key ESN commanders, it said. The statement said the operation was in response to the alleged heightening terrorists activities of IPOB against residents of the community and government agencies in the state. How the suspected IPOB members were killed In the later statement, the army said the troops killed the two suspects following an intensified raid and destruction of IPOB camps in Umudi Forest and Umuaku Areas of Umunneochi, another council area in the state, on Thursday. 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 said the operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies but did not mention the agencies. The operations commenced with an offensive on the first terrorists camp, where troops encountered resistance and in the firefight, troops neutralised two terrorists, while others took to their heels, having been overwhelmed by superior firepower, it said. The statement said the troops subsequently destroyed a shrine seen in one of the camps. This operation marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to dismantle the operational capabilities of IPOB/ESN in the region. The security forces remain committed to restoring peace and order in Abia State and ensuring the safety of residents, the statement added. Several arms and ammunition were among the items recovered from the suspects, according to the army. IPOB, a group seeking to carve out a sovereign state of Biafra from the South-east and some parts of the South-south of Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in two regions. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. The Nigerian security agencies, mainly the military, have been raiding camps belonging to the group and other separatist groups, mainly in the South-east. Both personnel of the security agencies and members of the separatist groups have been killed during such deadly operations in the region. The operations appear to have increased in the region recently after five soldiers were killed by gunmen suspected to be IPOB members in Abia State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Human Rights Watch, June 11, 2024 By Heather Barr On June 18, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, will present to the UN Human Rights Council his latest report, which powerfully calls for the Taliban to be held accountable for their crimes against women and girls. The report, issued today, examines the Talibans institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and exclusion of women and girls. The situation in Afghanistan is the most serious womens rights crisis in world, and it is steadily worsening. The Taliban continue to issue abusive orders and have intensified enforcement of existing ones. In March, the Taliban issued an order that women be stoned to death for so-called moral crimes, such as sex outside of marriage and running away from their homes, often to escape domestic violence. Afghan women and girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade, from many forms of employment, and from free movement, protest, and public life. They often describe themselves as prisoners in their own homes. It is no surprise that rates of suicide are escalating. The special rapporteur pulls no punches. Bennett calls the Talibans system of discrimination a crime against humanity, saying it constituted in and of itself a widespread and systematic attack on the entire civilian population of Afghanistan. In line with the demands from Afghan womens rights activists, the special rapporteur calls for measures including: the recognition and codification of gender apartheid as a crime under international law; for states to bring a case in the International Court of Justice regarding Taliban violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; support to the International Criminal Court as it investigates Taliban crimes, including the crime of gender persecution; and for states to [a]void normalization or legitimization of the Taliban until and unless there are demonstrated, measurable and independently verified improvements, including human rights benchmarks, particularly for women and girls. Afghan women and girls feel forgotten by the world, and the special rapporteurs report leaves no doubt as to the seriousness of the Talibans crimes against them. It should be a priority for every government that professes to care about womens rights to hold the Taliban to account. The Federal High Court in Abuja has dropped the executive of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, from the alleged tax evasion charge preferred against the company by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The judge, Emeka Nwite, discharged and struck out Mr Gambaryans name from the four counts after FIRS counsel, Moses Ideho, filed fresh amended charges naming Binance as the sole defendant. However, Mr Gambaryan will continue facing the money laundering charges in a separate trial before the same judge. Mr Gambaryan was present at Fridays proceedings. He stepped into the dock when the case was called for a hearing. Company appoints new representative Then, Tonye Krukrubo, a SAN, who appeared for Binance (1st defendant), informed the court that the cryptocurrency firm had just appointed a representative in Nigeria. The new appointee, also in court, stood up and announced his name as Ayodele Omotilewa. Mr Ideho confirmed that his office received a notice of appointment of a representative by Binance. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said the notice was dated 13 June, appointing Ayodele Omotilewa as its agent in the country. The FIRS lawyer told the court that against the development, an amended four-count charge listing Binance Holdings Limited as the sole defendant was filed on 13 June. He, therefore, applied that Mr Omotilewa go to the dock to make a plea on behalf of the company. Argument over representative moving to dock But Mr Krukrubo disagreed with Mr Idehos application. The senior lawyer argued that the companys representative had yet to be served the newly amended charges. He said Mr Omotilewa was only appearing in court for the first time. He insisted that the prosecution had not served the amended charge on his client. He said he was only appointed for specific purposes: to receive processes, not to represent the company in the dock. He is one of us, a legal practitioner, he said. He said the proper thing for the prosecution to do was to address the court on the charge he intended to substitute. C.J. Caleb, who appeared for Mr Gambaryan (2nd defendant), aligned himself with Krukrubos submission. According to him, Nigerias criminal jurisprudence does not contemplate a corporate body or its representative being in the dock. To back his argument, Mr Caleb cited sections 478, 481, 482 and 483 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). So I align with my learner colleague that the representative is enough to be in court but does have to be in the dock, he said. However, Mr Ideho disagreed, citing Section 481 of ACJA to back his argument. If my lord is to look carefully at the provisions of this section and subsection, a representative cannot just sit in the gallery and watch proceedings like a spectator. He should be in the dock because this is a criminal charge, not a civil matter, he said. Reacting, Mr Krukrubo argued that there was nowhere in section 418 cited by Mr Ideho providing that a companys representative must be in the dock. Also speaking, Mr Caleb argued that section 418 of ACJA only talked about the power of a representative. Mr Nwite then directed Mr Ideho to move the latest application filed. Charges amendment Moving his fresh amended charge, Mr Caleb said, We would like to amend and substitute the charge with the earlier one of 17 May 2024, which was our last amended charge, my lord, he said. The defendants lawyers did not oppose the application. However, Mr Caleb applied that the court should strike out the two earlier charges that listed his client, Mr Gambaryan, as the 2nd defendant, dated 22 March and the amended charge dated 17 May. He said this was so because his clients name appeared in the two charges. The lawyer equally applied to the court to discharge Mr Gambaryan from the dock and the proceedings. He further applied that the earlier order directing that the service of the charge on Binance be done through Mr Gambaryan be vacated, having been in the court record that the company had appointed a representative. Mr Nwite, in a ruling, granted the prosecutions application for the substitution of the 13 June amended charges for the one dated 17 May. He also set aside the earlier order, directing Mr Gambaryan to be served on behalf of the company. On the controversy of whether the Binance representative should be in the dock, the judge ordered the parties to file written addresses on the dispute. Mr Nwite adjourned the matter until 12 July for the plea. Charges The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the latest amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, while the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the complainant, Binance Holdings Limited is the sole defendant. Count one alleged that while carrying out and offering services to subscribers on its platform known as Binance, the company failed to register with the FIRS to pay all relevant taxes administered by the service. The offence is punishable under section 8 of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act of 1993 (as Amended). (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has declared Monday and Tuesday, 17 and 18 June, public holidays to mark this years Eid-el-Kabir celebration. This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Aishetu Ndayako, on Friday in Abuja. She stated that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, congratulated all Muslim Ummah at home and in the Diaspora. He urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him). Mr Tunji-Ojo also urged them to use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the countrys stability. The minister assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians. While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy celebration, the minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Hanrrietta Okojie, an official of the Account and Finance Department of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), was arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over her alleged involvement in a N1.85 billion fraud. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Ms Okojie on four counts before the trial judge, Emeka Nwite. It came about a week after ICPC arraigned another agency official, Usman Kwakwa, on similar charges before the same judge. PREMIUM TIMES reported the extensive fraud allegedly perpetrated by some officials at the agency last year. ICPCs lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, informed the court at Fridays proceedings that the matter was scheduled for Ms Okojie to take her plea. The anti-corruption commissions lawyer applied for the June 6 bench warrant to be vacated against the defendant since she was in court on Friday. The judge, Mr Nwite, granted the request. Ms Okojie pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to her on Friday. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The prosecuting counsel, Mr Akponimisingha, applied for a trial date. But Ms Okojies lawyer, Ishiaku Garba, told the court that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution on 11 June. Mr Akponimisingha said though the defence served the application on his office on Tuesday, he only saw it on Thursday and would need time to respond. My lord, on June 12 was a public holiday, and I couldnt have come to the office, he said. He said he should be allowed to respond in the interest of fair hearing, The judge agreed that the prosecution should be given time to respond to the bail plea. Mr Nwite, who remanded Ms Okojie in Suleja Correctional Centre, adjourned the bail application hearing until 20 June 20 and fixed 10 July for trial. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on 6 June, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Okojie, Musa Karaye and Emmanuel Pada for failure to appear in court for their arraignment. The judge gave the order after Mr Akponimisingha moved an oral application. He then fixed Ms Okojies matter until today (Friday) for ICPC to produce her in court. The court also fixed Karayes and Pandas cases for 13 June (Thursday). The ICPC had filed separate cases of four charges each against the affected officials, including Usman Ahmed Kwakwa, over allegations of misappropriation of public funds meant to provide electricity to rural communities across the country. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/203/24, ICPC accused Ms Okojie in count one that sometime in March 2023 she, with intent to defraud the REA, received the sum of N342 million in different tranches through her Access Bank Account: 0009022275 under the false pretence of project supervision. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. NAN reports that the total amount allegedly received fraudulently by all the accused officials was about N1.85 billion. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abia House of Assembly has threatened to terminate its contract with Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Ltd for allegedly reneging on an agreement to produce vehicles for all the lawmakers. The Speaker of the House, Emmanuel Emeruwa, disclosed this on Thursday in Umuahia while speaking with reporters as part of activities to mark the first anniversary of the 8th Assembly, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Mr Emeruwa regretted that members were yet to have their vehicles one year after their inauguration. The speaker said the preference for Innoson vehicles was informed by the quest by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to promote local content. The lawmaker said that Innoson had received all the money required to produce vehicles for assembly members but revoked more than ten times to make them. So far, Innoson has not been able to produce or perform its side of the agreement. At this point, we are on the verge of terminating that contract and asking for our money back if they dont perform within the next 15 days. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This house is very serious about it, and they cannot continue pacifying us after one year, he said. Scorecard for one anniversary Inaugurated on 14 June 2023, the 24-member assembly would clock one year this Saturday. Giving a breakdown of the achievements in the last year, Mr Emeruwa said the 8th Assembly, within the one year in existence, had passed five out of 15 bills into law. The speaker said the House had also made 40 resolutions and had received 46 petitions and 55 motions. According to him, the Assembly has been very active. He expressed hope that by year, more would have been achieved. He added that the Assembly had been very peaceful and had a good relationship with the Executive arm of the government. Innoson speaks When contacted on Friday, the spokesperson for Innoson Motors, Cornel Osigwe, said contrary to the speakers claim, the company has not been paid for the contract. Mr Osigwe explained that when Governor Otti wanted to make payment for the vehicles, the company declined, preferring to receive the payment when the cars had been delivered. Delay to produce vehicles Mr Osigwe said the vehicles ordered by Governor Otti for the lawmakers were special vehicles that required the production of a new frame, which was not previously produced at the Innoson factory. The spokesperson said, given that Innoson Motors considered the contract important, the company produced a sample for approval by the governor. During this process, the governor suggested some remodifications, which we promptly implemented to meet his specified requirements. As of today, we would like to inform the public that we have completed all modifications and have addressed any initial defects, Mr Osigwe said in a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday. The new model vehicles are undergoing rigorous testing at our quality control section. We are pleased to announce that the vehicles will be ready by the end of this month, and the supply will be completed by the beginning of next month (July), he added. He expressed gratitude to the Abia State Government for their continued patronage and support, assuring that the company has taken significant measures to prevent future delays and uphold its commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday announced the deployment of 197 personnel for the peacekeeping mission in The Gambia. The Chief of Operations Nigerian Army, Boniface Sinjen, a major general, made the announcement in Jaji, Kaduna State, at the graduation of troops of Nigerian Company 9 Economic Community of West African States Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 197 troops began Pre-Deployment Training (MLAILPKC) on 4 May, at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji Kaduna State. According to him, the PDT is in line with the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, a lieutenant, and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in deploying quality peacekeepers in support of international peace and security. He said that the training had equipped them with the necessary tactical skills and knowledge required for peace support operations. It has prepared you for the protection of civilians and the accomplishment of assigned tasks under the ECOMIG mandate. You have learned the importance of teamwork, leadership and cultural sensitivity as well as other factors that would ensure your success in the mission area. 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 You have been trained in the latest techniques and procedures for maintaining peace and stability in a complex environment and instilled with the values of discipline, respect for human rights and compassion for the people you are going out there to protect. Your mission comes at a critical time, as The Gambia faces a period of uncertainty and instability, he said. According to him, the countrys political crisis has affected the lives of many innocent civilians and their presence will sustain the existing peace and stability in the region. Your role is crucial in maintaining peace, protecting lives and promoting sustainable development. Mr Sinjen charged the troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights. He advised them to adhere strictly to the ECOWAS mandate, which guides their mission and ensures that their actions align with the principles of peace, stability and human rights. Remember that your conduct will not only reflect on yourselves but also your country, the ECOWAS region and the international community. Additionally, your training has exposed you to the culture and religious diversity of The Gambia. You are, therefore, expected to approach all interactions with sensibility and respect. Be mindful of the local customs, traditions and socio-political dynamics of the mission area. You must remain vigilant in the face of potential security threats and avoid any actions that may be perceived as insensitive, he said. He said that as peacekeepers in a sovereign nation, they must adhere strictly to the UN principles and guidelines for peacekeeping operations. Respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of The Gambia and avoid any actions that may be perceived as interference in the countrys internal affairs. He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria had zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse in line with United Nations policies. Therefore any form of sexual exploitation and abuse will be met with severe consequences. As ambassadors of the armed Forces of Nigeria and our great nation, you must uphold the esteemed values and enviable image of this country, Mr Sinjen said. Earlier, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Ademola Adedoja, a major general, said the six weeks of training had been intense, comprehensive, and conducted in line with the Standard UN Core Pre-Deployment Training Modules. Mr Adedoja said the PDT was to equip the earmarked unit with the requisite skills and knowledge to function effectively and efficiently in their deployment to the Gambia. He said as part of their training, the troops were taken through crosscutting issues like Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, Conduct and Discipline as well as the Protection of Civilians amongst others. This graduation is a testament to the capacity and capability of the MLAILPKC as a United Nations accredited Centre to conduct quality training of prospective peacekeepers for deployment to multidimensional Peace Support Operations in fulfilment of her mandate. The Centre has within the last six weeks been able to train, retrain and refresh the troops on requisite knowledge and expertise to succeed in a Peace Support Operation environment. It is my fervent belief that these men are better informed and equipped to perform their roles in the Gambia, Mr Adedoja said. He said the graduation ceremony once more showed the commitment of Nigeria and the Nigerian Armed Forces to global peace and security. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Regional Director of the World Health Organisation, Matshidiso Moeti, has said blood donation in Africa remains low and has continued to fall short of the demand on the continent. African countries, she said, collect only 5.2 units of blood per 1,000 people, which is significantly low when compared to the 33 units of blood per 1,000 people collected in developed countries. Mrs Moeti said this in a statement issued on Friday to commemorate the 20th World Blood Donation Day (WBDD) in 2024 which is themed: 20 years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors! She maintained that the supply in Africa also falls below the 10 donations per 1,000 people recommended by WHO. Only 18 out of 47 countries had reached the regional target of at least 80 per cent of blood supply from Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors. Yet, the demand for blood remains constant, while the supply often falls short, she said. She noted that countries must address the persistent challenges in the availability of safe blood and blood products and through collective efforts must raise adequate, source sustainable funding, and continue to build systems and capacities to increase blood donation rate. She said countries also need to build systems that separate donated blood into its components and can be stored for long-term use. 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 Blood donation crucial Speaking further, Mrs Moeti described blood transfusion as a critical aspect of health care provision and the protection of human life. She said blood transfusions primarily benefit, among other groups, mothers during childbirth, under-nourished and malaria-affected children, victims of trauma and accidents, and patients suffering from sickle cell or any chronic diseases. She said: Each donation is a beacon of hope in someones life. There are numerous transformative stories of donation, each unique, yet all share a common thread of compassion and humanity. We appreciate the gesture and are immensely grateful to all the donors in our region and worldwide; we owe them a debt of gratitude. We join the international community to mark the selfless act of donating blood. World Blood Donor Day is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a celebration of altruism, empathy, and social responsibility. It is a day to acknowledge and honour blood donors whose acts help save the lives of others. She urged that the health of blood donors should also be prioritised and the quality of care needed must be accorded to them. According to her, this is critical in encouraging them and building the commitment and willingness to donate blood regularly. I urge our Member States to uphold the blood regulatory systems weve put in place and set up a special national time to inspire citizens to donate blood. I encourage donor organisations to support our capacity-building efforts for efficient National Blood Transfusion Services. I recommend that communities support those who donate blood to encourage others to donate. This has the potential to create an exponential increase in the availability of life-saving donor blood when and where it is needed most, she added. WHOs efforts Mrs Moeti also stated that over the years, the WHO has provided technical and financial support to its member states in their efforts to improve blood product availability, quality, and safety. She said the organisation has developed and implemented policies, guidelines and regulatory systems for blood donation, transfusion, blood components, and blood products. She said the organisation has built the capacity of national regulatory authorities and National Blood Transfusion Services to execute the effective regulatory oversight and coordination needed to ensure the implementation of quality standards. READ ALSO: WHO confirms first human death from bird flu H5N2 Strengthening collaboration with partners to promote WHO leadership in developing and implementing best practices in blood quality and safety in the region. She said the number of countries that have fully developed a national blood policy, increased from 37 in 2015 to 43 in 2022. Also, the percentage of countries participating in an external quality assessment scheme for transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) increased from 55.3 per cent to per cent. World Blood Donor Day World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is celebrated on 14 June each year and was first launched in 2004 by the WHO and three other major international organisations. The organisations are; The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations (IFBDO) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The global theme of World Blood Donor Day changes each year in recognition of the selfless individuals who donate their blood to people unknown to them. The theme for the year is: 20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors! Speaking about the event, Mrs Moeti said the 20th anniversary is fitting to reflect on the achievements recorded so far, address challenges, and envision a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible. She noted that the blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some former commissioners who served under former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, have dismissed a probe of their administration by the state House of Assembly as an hatchet job. The commissioners described the report of the probe as the outcome of a process motivated by malice and conducted with patent unfairness. They said the document is irredeemably riddled with falsehood, predetermined conclusions, and misrepresentation. The former officials spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Friday where they read a statement jointly signed by Jafaru Sani, former commissioner of Environment; Hafsat Baba, former commissioner of Human Services and Social Development; Umma Aboki, former commissioner of Planning and Budget Commission; and Bashir Saidu former commissioner of Finance; and former Chief of Staff. They affirmed the integrity of their administration which they said impacted with innovations that accelerated the modernisation of Kaduna State. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the state House of Assembly adopted the report of its ad-hoc committee that indicted Mr El-Rufai and requested his prosecution. The lawmakers accused the ex-governor of mismanaging about N423 billion from loans obtained for the state by his administration. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The report alleged that the loans were not used for their intended purposes, and in some cases, due process was not followed in securing the loans. Mr El-Rufai served as governor for two terms between 2015 and 2023. Below is the statement by the former commissioners This statement is issued as a preliminary response to the sensation-driven and fact-challenged claims made by the Kaduna State House of Assembly during its sitting on Wednesday, 5th June 2024 when it adopted a document titled Report of Ad-hoc Committee on Loans, Financial Transactions, Contractual Liabilities and Other Related Matters of the Government of Kaduna State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023. In spite of repeated requests and inquiries from us and various colleagues of ours, no certified true copy of this Report has been released to any persons who were mentioned in the report or who testified before the Ad-hoc Committee in response to its summons or who were indicted (some without ever being summoned or heard by the Ad Hoc Committee). In the light of non-release to us of the certified copy of the Report, this statement relies on the document referred to above that began circulating on social media shortly after the Kaduna State House of Assembly adopted the said document on Wednesday, 5th June 2024. We affirm the integrity of the Administration in which we served the people of Kaduna State between May 2015 and May 2023 under the leadership of Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. In eight years, this Administration in which we were greatly privileged to serve impacted Kaduna State with innovations that accelerated the modernisation of the State, prioritised human capital development, expanded its infrastructure, improved its business standing, promoted equality of opportunity. During Malam El-Rufais tenure, his Administration, in spite of our States public safety challenges, was undoubtedly established as one of the best in Nigeria. We dismiss this Report and the processes associated with it in their entirety. The Report is the outcome of a process motivated by malice and conducted with patent unfairness. It is irredeemably riddled with falsehood, predetermined conclusions, and misrepresentation. The Report is bereft of rigour and accuracy and fails to demonstrate any understanding of the various matters it purported to investigate. The authors of this Report and their sponsors seem to have calculated that rigour is not required in a document whose purpose is to splash mud and smear reputations. We shall exercise our right to defend our hard-earned reputations, but without prejudice to that day, we wish to rebut and refute the avalanche of dirty lies dressed up as a clean official report. 4The Ad-Hoc Committee concocted several claims, intended to grab headlines, which we challenge below: a. Contrary to the allegations, we affirm that there is no basis for the wild claims about money laundering. This baseless allegation is the peak of the defamatory agenda to which the Ad-hoc Committee and the Kaduna State House of Assembly willingly lent themselves as spineless accomplices. It is crafted to sound weighty, but it is just hot air pushed out to excite passions and stoke outrage. Not a shred of evidence was produced by anyone before the Committee to justify this malicious claim that was plucked out of the air. Not a kobo, speak less of N423bn, was ever siphoned out of Kaduna State Government coffers during our tenure. The Ad Hoc Committee indulged in voodoo accounting merely to concoct a scandal. We note that this same Kaduna State House of Assembly received and accepted the Audited Accounts of the State for each year from 2015 to 2022, but now wants the public to disregard the formal, legally and constitutionally recognised public accounts of the State in favour of its wishy-washy, malicious but incompetent and poorly calculated attempt at legislative character assassination. The government of Malam Nasir El-Rufai inherited external debts of USD234m in 2015. It followed due process in securing its loans and the testimony of Aminu Shagali, who was the Speaker between June 2015 and early 2020 confirms this! To enhance the delivery of its progressive governance agenda for Kaduna State, the El-Rufai Administration approached the World Bank for credit. The Board of the World Bank approved the credit in June 2017 as a Performance for Result (P4R) credit of USD350m. The conditions for the grant of this credit were entirely performance-driven. Kaduna State is so far the only subnational in Nigeria that has received this kind of credit. ii) Like other loans raised by the El-Rufai administration, the USD 350m World Bank Performance-for-Result (P4R) loan was properly utilised in furtherance of the development of Kaduna State. The documentation submitted in support of the loan application was subjected to the due scrutiny of the fiscal authorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the board of the World Bank. At the conclusion of the P4R programme which ran from 2017 to 2021, the World Bank rated its implementation as satisfactory. Among the most visible fruits of this loan are the massive infrastructure projects under the Urban Renewal Programme. The Report put the foreign loan exposure of the State at USD578.14m but went on to attribute foreign loans amounting to over USD2bn to the El-Rufai Administration. It cited an XDR (World Bank Special Drawing Rights) 494.6m loan for the Agro-Climatic Resilience Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme, of which only USD2m was disbursed before 29 May 2023, and all of which was left intact for the incoming government; thereby simultaneously demonstrating ignorance of the nature of Special Drawing Rights and grossly exaggerating amounts disbursed to the State. The report also listed the following loans totalling over USD600m that were secured, but with NOT A CENT DISBURSED June 2015 and early 2020 confirms this! To enhance the delivery of its progressive governance agenda for Kaduna State, the El-Rufai Administration approached the World Bank for credit. The Board of the World Bank approved the credit in June 2017 as a Performance for Result (P4R) credit of USD350m. The conditions for the grant of this credit were entirely performance-driven. Kaduna State is so far the only subnational in Nigeria that has received this kind of credit. Like other loans raised by the El-Rufai administration, the USD 350m World Bank Performance-for-Result (P4R) loan was properly utilised in furtherance of the development of Kaduna State. The documentation submitted in support of the loan application was subjected to the due scrutiny of the fiscal authorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the board of the World Bank. At the conclusion of the P4R programme which ran from 2017 to 2021, the World Bank rated its implementation as satisfactory. Among the most visible fruits of this loan are the massive infrastructure projects under the Urban Renewal Programme. iThe Report put the foreign loan exposure of the State at USD578.14m but went on to attribute foreign loans amounting to over USD2bn to the El-Rufai Administration. It cited an XDR (World Bank Special Drawing Rights) 494.6m loan for the Agro-Climatic Resilience Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme, of which only USD2m was disbursed before 29 May 2023, and all of which was left intact for the incoming government; thereby simultaneously demonstrating ignorance of the nature of Special Drawing Rights and grossly exaggerating amounts disbursed to the State. The report also listed the following loans totalling over USD600m that were secured, but with NOT A CENT DISBURSED to the State before the exit of the El-Rufai Administration in May 2023: USD280m for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) USD150m for the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) USD130.7m for the Bus Rapid Transport System USD62.8m for the Reaching out of School Children (ROOSC) Project USD20m for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Project (LPRES) It is not too late for the current administration in Kaduna State to contract out of these loans since it has such aversion to borrowing. Other States in Nigeria may then be able to benefit from the same. Projects Commissioned by the Present Administration We state categorically that practically every project initiated or commissioned by the current Administration in Kaduna State is based on programmes begun under the El-Rufai government, or whose funding was secured by that government. This includes the Forensic Lab and some projects funded by development loans, like the construction of six Science Secondary Schools (Islamic Development Bank), reconstruction and expansion of secondary schools under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment(AGILE)of the World Bank, revamping and equipping of 290 Primary Health Centres (World Bank P4R),or loans secured by the El-Rufai administration but disbursed to the State after its exit, like the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). How can the Kaduna State House of Assembly claim that the loans were not properly utilised when the projects for which they were obtained are the only things the current Administration has been able to show to the citizenry in the past year? Is it logical or credible to disclaim and ridicule loan-taking while basking in the projects paid for by these same loans? Due Process in the Award of Contracts Contract awards under the El-Rufai Administration followed due process in every case, in compliance with the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA) Law. In the first term, the State Government spent heavily on publishing tenders in national newspapers. Single sourcing is part of the contracting options provided for in Section 59 of the KADPPA Law, 2016, as follows: a.Two-stage tendering b.Limited source tendering, c. Single source contracting d.Repeat orders e, Shopping; and, f. Negotiated Procurements The Law also permits the award of multiple construction projects to a single company/contractor. The El-Rufai Administration adopted the framework contracting model as an effective way of accelerating delivery by proven contractors and for the provision of continuous services, which method was repeatedly vindicated by the rapid pace at which projects were executed and commissioned. 6.The Deloitte Audit In its quest for accountability and transparency, the El-Rufai Administration commissioned Deloitte to conduct a forensic audit of State Government accounts from 1999 to 2019, the end of its own first term that it had just completed at the time of commissioning Deloitte. The Deloitte forensic report was intended as an objective basis for internal corrective measures and to identify perpetrators within the government. The report of the Deloitte audits, as standard practise requires, was subject to substantiation and validation by a committee set up by Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai to produce a White Paper on its findings. The Ad-hoc Committee did not undertake an in-depth and logical review of the administrations financial records.Instead, it plagiarised the Deloitte audit without any even noting that its findings had not been validated. The initial Deloitte audit also did not cover 2020 to 2023, so the assignment was extended to cover the period. We left office without receiving the updated Report and responses to the queries raised during its validation. The Committees shameless use of unvalidated Deloitte findings that were clearly still a work-in-progress introduces bias and undermines the credibility of their Report. We note the Ad Hoc Committees Reports silence about certain individuals mentioned in the Deloitte report, particularly those in positions such as the Commissioner of Finance, Accountant General, and Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) for the period 2015 to 2019. Some of these officials are still serving the current State Government in other roles. While it included the tenure of the Commissioner of Finance between 2015 and 2019 among their recommendations for further investigation, there is no evidence that the Ad-hoc Committee extended any invitation to him. 7. Observed conflicts of interest While recruiting accomplices from the legislature, the authors of this plot failed to properly scrutinise willing candidates to avoid bias and conflicts of interest. They gleefully partook in investigating government agencies with which they are having or have had business dealings or tax-related issues. In certain cases, even after a potential conflict of interest had been pointed out, they did not bother to recuse themselves! We will be providing detailed information about the various conflicts of interest among the committee members but one of the most glaring is the fact that an active member of the Ad-hoc Committee, Barrister Mahmud Lawal Ismaila, is also a biological brother of Governor Uba Sani. We reiterated that this statement remains a first response to the obtuse report issued by the members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. At the appropriate time , every single allegation made in the report will be shown for what it truly is a planned, greasy, and poorly hatched and incompetently executed efforts to manage our individual records and reputations along with that of one of the most capable and dedicated public servants in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between Nigerias law enforcement agencies and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the fight against cybercrime, terrorism, and other related crimes. The FBI is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States of America, and its principal federal law enforcement agency. The President spoke during a meeting with FBI Director, Christopher Wray, at the State House in Abuja. Security chiefs who attended the meeting include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS), Yusuf Bichi; the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa; Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Emmanuel Undiandeye; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede; and the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Adamu Laka. President Tinubu described the presence of the FBI Director alongside his team in Nigeria as a recognition of the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against financial crimes and terrorism. It is an honour for me to receive Director Christopher Wray, the leader of an organisation that has demonstrated consistent procedural sophistication and a reputation for excellence over several years. Your visit conveys the importance of Nigeria and Nigerian partnership in the work of Americas law enforcement institutions and vice-versa. For us, it is a recognition of what stage we are at, who we are, and the level of interest both countries share in eliminating crimes locally and globally. We cannot achieve this important feat of eliminating crimes without collaboration. Incidentally, as the Chairman of ECOWAS, Nigeria is also collaborating with other West African countries to fight economic and other related crimes, the president said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later President Tinubu told the FBI Director that his administration has prioritised education as a tool against poverty, which is generally believed to be a driver of criminal activities. We are working hard to eliminate terrorism, cybercrimes, sextortion, and I am glad that we have a good number of agencies that are involved in reducing these crimes to the barest minimum, and they are also well represented at this meeting, the president said. Noting that no single country can combat financial crimes in isolation, President Tinubu called on the United States to support developing countries with the requisite technology and knowledge transfer required to combat complex international crimes. In his remarks, Mr Wray said he was in the country to enhance the outstanding partnership that exists between the government of Nigeria and the government of the United States. He lauded President Tinubu for supporting the growing partnerships between various agencies of government and the FBI in order to protect the citizens of both countries. We appreciate the presidents vision in countering terrorism in the region, which is a dangerous threat, not only to the countries in the region but also to the United States. We appreciate your vision in re-engineering the role of the Office of the NSA to effectively coordinate efforts on counter-terrorism, and this has already started to bear fruits in terms of the success you are recording against ISIS in West Africa and other terrorist groups. We appreciate your support and collaboration on cyber-enabled crimes and sextortion, which has unfortunately resulted in a few tragic deaths in the United States. I want to assure you of our support whether it is on counter-terrorism, cyber-enabled crimes, kidnapping, joint investigations, and intelligence sharing. Our relationship with Nigeria is a very important one, the FBI Director concluded. Ajuri Ngelale Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) June 14, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print the desired outcome is a change of gear in which the governing class wakes up to its sense of enlightened self-interest and takes the war against corruption seriously so that public resources could henceforth be used for the public good. This would create a new situation in which respect for democratic principles and practices return and confidence in the system grows. Fat chance! As we celebrate the great events that followed the annulled election of 12th June 1993, let us not forget that the event was a very long time ago. 31 years is ancient history for a majority of Nigerians, with a population whose median age is 17.2 years. For those of us of a certain age and a tradition of democratic struggles, it was Nigerias rite of passage to becoming a true and enduring democratic society, as President Tinubu declared in his address to Nigerians. Would young Nigerians accept the assertion that we now have a true and enduring democracy? The big issue is that the June 12 narrative is a story of great heroes and heroines, having key names that include the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola; his wife, Kudirat; General Shehu Musa YarAdua and Pa Alfred Rewane, who are often cited. But maybe the greatest heroes of June 12 were the millions of Nigerians who came out, contested military rule and literally chased them out of power, gaining a historic victory over military authoritarianism. The paradox is that the current generation of young Nigerians have difficulties seeing the evidence for defining such people as selfless heroes, who have contributed to consolidating democracy and providing public service. They have literally no experience of seeing selfless heroes that they can look up to. We ourselves can ask whether they were truly selfless heroes or just birds of circumstances, but that question is not for today. The lived reality of the current generation is that the only agency they have seen in centres of power are powered by greedy looters of the public treasury. Our praise singing about our democracy heroes may therefore bounce off the majority of young Nigerians. Regular readers of this column would be aware that I often say that since 2011, a positive narrative of Nigerias democracy has emerged. There has been a significant improvement in the integrity of our elections and the massive fraud that accompanied the 2003 and 2007 polls have not recurred. Democratic culture has been developing in a steady, even if uneven manner, and the citizens capacity for mandate protection, in particular, has grown considerably. I often tell this story to young Nigerians and they think I am delusional because they do not see what I see. Let us not forget that they did not see the 2003 and 2007 elections, so there should be no surprise when they assert categorically that 2023 was the worst election in Nigerias history. In other words, we are unable to write a consensual history of successive elections. The stories Nigerians are talking about today pertain to their lives reality, which is focused on deepening poverty, widening inequality, growing insecurity, massive unemployment, poor healthcare and education services. At the same time, we are also witnessing the coercion of the media and the shrinking of the civic space. In other words, Nigerians are not enjoying many of the dividends of democracy they rightfully expect. How can we, with a judiciary that has made it clear that its Jankara judgements are for sale to the highest bidder and these contradictory judgements are a constant affront on truth, character and justice. There is no surprise that our great positive story of June 12, the overthrow of military dictatorship, often bounces off the young generation. Is it not true that our generation had hoped that the June 12, 1993 elections was a turning point away from ethno-religious politics but that has not been the case. Has corruption not continued to grow massively? The stories Nigerians are talking about today pertain to their lives reality, which is focused on deepening poverty, widening inequality, growing insecurity, massive unemployment, poor healthcare and education services. At the same time, we are also witnessing the coercion of the media and the shrinking of the civic space. In other words, Nigerians are not enjoying many of the dividends of democracy they rightfully expect. I have repeatedly made the point that the main challenge to democratic development is the political party system, which has refused to accept the practice of internal party democracy and remains locked into a logic of serving the interests of godfathers and party barons, rather than party members and citizens. The result is that they have for the most part jettisoned the popularity principle that pushes parties to seek for the most popular candidates to enhance their chances of their victory at the polls. Their nonchalant attitude is based on the capacity to determine electoral outcomes through non-democratic means. Victory at the polls is often determined by money, thuggery and collusion of officials from the electoral management body and/or security agencies. In other words, it is grounded in a deep culture of electoral fraud, which makes nonsense of the vote. This culture has persisted, even when the integrity of the electoral process began to improve in 2011. The main change is that monies previously used to bribe officials, are now used to directly bribe the voters themselves. Let us at least engage in some reflection on what we think we are celebrating. Kleptocracy is making governance impossible, as monies meant for security, the provision of social services and the construction of infrastructure projects are stolen and governance is grinding to a halt. At the same time, current economic policies have created an unprecedented cost of living crisis, with the practice of agriculture becoming impossible due to rural insecurity. My view is that democracy is in its essence a good and resilient system because it is a normative system that people value for its positive content political and human rights, civil liberties, participation, equality, rule of law and so on. For this reason, there are always demands for democracy and when countries move away from it, struggles for its return emerge. This is the crux of the matter. What is Nigerias pathway to democratic reform? What is the outlook for democratic resilience in Nigeria over the next decade? Maybe it might not be as bright as it should be. A core challenge has arisen reckless and rising levels of corruption by the political class that is making governance impossible. Even the countrys main source of revenue, petroleum, is stolen and Nigeria is finding it difficult to generate sufficient revenue to carry out governmental tasks. It is getting worse. Increasingly, even the revenue that is available is being embezzled by reckless officeholders. Kleptocracy is making governance impossible, as monies meant for security, the provision of social services and the construction of infrastructure projects are stolen and governance is grinding to a halt. At the same time, current economic policies have created an unprecedented cost of living crisis, with the practice of agriculture becoming impossible due to rural insecurity. There is, therefore, a real risk of popular revolt and system collapse that could dismantle democracy and the political system. This is the outcome that all people of goodwill should play a role in avoiding. 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 To repeat the concluding point I made while addressing Presidents Tinubus first year of governance failure, the desired outcome is a change of gear in which the governing class wakes up to its sense of enlightened self-interest and takes the war against corruption seriously so that public resources could henceforth be used for the public good. This would create a new situation in which respect for democratic principles and practices return and confidence in the system grows. Fat chance! HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Bestower of Mercy All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the noblest of Prophets and Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions, and those who follow their guidance until the Day of Judgment. Respected brothers and sisters! Know that in the Islamic calendar, the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah (12th month in the calendar) is called the Day of Arafah. This day is the culminating event of the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Because the Day of Arafah, like other Islamic Days, is based on a lunar calendar, rather than the Gregorian solar calendar, and its date changes from year to year. The Day of Arafah falls on the second day of pilgrimage rituals, which will In Shaa Allah going to be on Saturday, June 15, 2024. At dawn on this day, over two million Muslim pilgrims will make their way from the town of Minah to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafah and the Plain of Arafah, which is located about 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) from Makkah, the final destination for the pilgrimage. Muslims believe that it was from this site that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life, which I read to you in the previous Khutbah. Dear brothers and sisters! Every Muslim is expected to make the pilgrimage to Makkah once during his or her lifetime; the pilgrimage itself is not considered complete unless the stop at Mount Arafah is also made. Thus, the visit to Mount Arafah is synonymous with the Hajj itself. Completion involves arriving at Mount Arafah before noon and spending the afternoon upon the mountain, remaining until sunset. However, individuals who are physically unable to complete this portion of the pilgrimage are allowed to observe it by fasting, which is not practiced by those making the physical visit to Arafah. During the afternoon, from about noon until sunset, Muslim pilgrims stand in earnest supplication and devotion, praying for peace and Allahs abundant forgiveness, and listening to Islamic scholars speak on issues of religious and moral importance. Tears are shed readily as those who gather make repentance and seek Allahs mercy, recite words of prayer and remembrance and gather together as equals before their Lord. The day closes upon the recitation of the evening prayer of Al-Maghrib. For many Muslims, the Day of Arafah proves to be the most memorable part of the Hajj pilgrimage, and one that stays with them forever. 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 For the Muslims around the world who are not participating in the pilgrimage often spend this day in fasting and devotion. Both government offices and private businesses in Islamic nations are generally closed on the Day of Arafah to allow employees to observe it due to its importance. The Day of Arafah is, therefore, one of the most important Days in the entire Islamic year. It is said to offer expiation for all sins of the prior year, as well as all sins for the upcoming year. Dear brothers and sisters! As mentioned earlier, the ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafah. It is the day when pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah to pray. On this day, Muslims all over the world who do not witness the annual Hajj should spend the day in fasting, in preparation for the three days festivity following Eid-ul-Adha (the celebration marking the end of the Hajj, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahims willingness of sacrifice). Abu Hafsah reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: Fasting on the day of Arafah absolves the sins for two years: the previous year and the coming year, and fasting on Ashurah, (the tenth day of Muharram) atones for the sins of previous years. [Reported by all except Bukhari and Tirmidhi] In another saying, the Prophets wife, Hafsah, said: There are four things which the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) never neglected: Observing fast on the day of Ashurah, Arafah, three days every month, and offering fajr Sunnah prayers early in the morning. [Muslim] These statements are proof that fasting on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day before Eid-ul-Adha was a lifelong practice of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as his wife reported. There are some reports that fasting is prohibited on the day of Arafah. However, it must be understood that this refers to a person performing the Hajj. If a person is on the Hajj, there is no fast for him or her on the day of Arafah. That is undoubtedly a blessing for him because of the hardships of the pilgrimage. In a saying reported by Ummul Fadl, may Allah be pleased with her, she said: The Companions doubted whether the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was fasting on Arafah or not. She decided to prove to them that he was not, so she said, I sent to him milk, which he drank while he was delivering the Khutbah (Sermon) on Arafah. [Bukhari] Prohibiting the pilgrims from fasting on these days is a great mercy for them, for fasting will exert undue hardship on the person performing the Hajj, while they are primarily concerned with their pilgrimage. Above all, the pilgrim would not be fasting anyway because he is travelling. Some Virtues of Fasting on Arafah Day 1. It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allahs Favour was completed. In Bukhari and Muslim it was reported from Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA) that a Jewish man said to him, O Amir Al-Muminin, there is an Ayah (Quranic verse) in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an Eid (festival). Umar said, Which Ayah (verse)? He said: This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [Al-Maidah, 5:3] Umar (RA) said: We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). It was when he was standing in Arafah on a Friday. 2. It is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: Yawm Arafah (the day of Arafah), Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice) and Ayyam al-Tashriq (the three days following Yawm al-Nahr) are Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking. [This was narrated by the authors of Al-Sunan] It was reported that Umar Ibn al-Khattab (RA) said: It i.e., the Ayah (verse) This day I have perfected was revealed on a Friday, the Day of Arafah, both of which praise be to Allah are Eids for us. 3. It is a day by which Allah swore an oath. Allah the Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty. Yawm Arafah is the witnessed day mentioned in the verse: By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of Arafah]. [Al-Buruj, 85:3] It was reported from Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of Arafah, and the witnessing day is Friday. [At-Tirmidhi classed as Sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani] It is the odd [i.e., odd-numbered, Witr] by which Allah swore in the verse: And by the even and the odd. [Al-Fajr, 89:3] Ibn Abbas said: The even is the Day of Al-Adha [i.e., 10th Dhul-Hijjah] and the odd is the Day of Arafah [i.e., 9th Dhul-Hijjah] This is also the view of Ikrimah and Al-Dahhak. 4. Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years. It was reported from Abu Qatadah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah. He said: It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year. [Muslim] This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of Arafah, because the Prophet (Peace be upon him) did not fast on this day in Arafah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of Arafah in Arafah (i.e the one making Hajj who is in Arafah). 5. It is the day on which Allah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam. It was reported that Ibn Abbas (RA) said: the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: Allah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Naman, i.e., Arafah. He brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: Am I not your Lord? They said, Yes, we testify, let you should say on the Day of Resurrection: Verily, we have been unaware of this. Or lest you should say: It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allah, and we were (merely their) descendants after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Batil (i.e., polytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allah)? [Al-Araf, 7:172-173]. [Ahmad, and classed as Sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani] Therefore there is no greater day than this and no greater covenant than this. 6. It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there. In Sahih Muslim it was narrated from Aisha (RA) that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, What do these people want? It was reported from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: Allah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of Isha on the Day of Arafah, about the people of Arafah. He says, Look at My servants who have come unkempt and dusty. [Ahmad, and classed as Sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani] The Ruling on Fasting on the Day of Arafah if it happens to fall on Saturday Narrated Abdullah Ibn Busr who said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: Do not fast on Saturday except that which is an obligation upon you. If anyone of you cannot find anything other than grape stalks or the bark of a tree, let him suck on it. [At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah] Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) said: This Hadith has been abrogated, the Hadith of Juwairiyyah abrograted it. Imam At-Tirmidhi said: This Hadith is Hasan. The meaning of forbiddance here applies to the man who singles out Saturday with fasting due to the fact that the Jews revere this day. Imam Abu Dawud also said: The majority of Scholars hold that it is not forbidden. The Hadith of Juwairiyyah: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to Juwairiyyah (one of his wives) who was fasting on a Friday: Did you fast yesterday? She said: No. He said: Are you going to fast tomorrow (i.e. Saturday)? She said: No. So he said: Then break your fast. [A Sahih Hadith, Abu Dawud; also Bukhari] thus proving the permissibility to fast on a Saturday so long as one fasts Friday with it. Al-Athram (student of Imam Ahmad) said: The proof utilised by Abu Abdillah [Ahmad bin Hanbal] in allowing fasting on a Saturday is that all of the Hadiths oppose the Hadith of Ibn Busr (i.e. the Hadith above) and from them is the Hadith of Umm Salamah (RA) when she was asked: On which days did the Prophet (Peace be upon him) predominantly fast? So she responded: Saturday and Sunday. [Ahmad] Umm Salamah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) used to fast more often on Saturdays and Sundays than on the other days. He would say, They are the Eids of the polytheists, and I love to act contrary to what they do. [An-Nasai and was rendered authentic by Ibn Khuzaimah, and the wording is his] Narrated by Abu Hurairah: I heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) saying, None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it. [Bukhari] This Hadith is a proof that Saturday can be fasted with the condition that Friday is fasted before it so the Hadith forbidding the Saturday fast is not absolute in forbiddance. Shaykh Ibn Uthaimin (rahimahullah) stated: It is known that fasting on a Saturday has different scenarios: 1. That which is obligatory like that of Ramadan, so he fasts or it is making up of an obligatory fast or an expiation, or in replacement for the one who did not sacrifice whilst at Hajj (At-Tamattu). So in this there is no harm, so long as he does not single it out with fasting believing it to be [more] virtuous. 2. That he fasts the day before it, Friday, then there is no harm in that. This is because the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to one of the Mothers of the Believers who fasted on a Friday: Did you fast yesterday? She said: No. He said: Are you going to fast tomorrow (i.e. Saturday)? She said: No. So he said: Then break your fast. [Bukhari] So his saying, Are you going to fast tomorrow? proves the permissibility of fasting Saturday along with Friday. 3. That the legislated fast happens to coincide with Saturday, such as the middle of month recommended fasts, or the day of Arafah, or the day of Ashurah, or the six days of Shawwal for the one who fasted Ramadan, or the nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, then there is no harm in fasting on Saturday because one is not fasting it because it is a Saturday, rather he fasts because it is legislated to fast on these occasions. 4. That fasting on a Saturday happens to coincide with ones habit such as the one who fasts one day and leaves off fasting the next day [and so on] so the day he is fasting happens to coincide with a Saturday in this case there is no harm. This is like the saying of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in forbidding fasting a day or two days just prior to Ramadan except for the one who is in the habit of fasting. [Bukhari] So here there is no forbiddance, so this case is similar. 5. That a person singles out Saturday alone for the optional fast, then this is forbidden, if it is assumed that the Hadith of forbiddance of fasting on a Saturday is authentic. [See Majmu Fatawa of Ibn Al-Uthaimin, Volume 20, page 57-58 slightly adapted to assist ease of understanding] Shaykh Ibn Uthaimin also stated: It is established from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) in speech and action that fasting on a Saturday is not forbidden. The Scholars differ with respect to the Hadith that forbids fasting on Saturday as to whether it is acted upon. From them are those who say that it is not to be acted upon at all, and there is no harm in fasting on a Saturday, whether it be on its own or not on its own because the Hadith is not authentic. And a regulation cannot be established from a Hadith which is not authentic. From them are those who have said the Hadith is Sahih or Hasan, and they said: The reconciliation between this Hadith [that forbids fasting on a Saturday] and the other Hadiths [that allow fasting on a Saturday], is that it is forbidden to single out Saturday on its own meaning that Saturday is singled out without Friday or Sunday. This was the position of Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah), wherein he said: If one fasts alongside Saturday another day, then there is no harm, such as fasting with it Friday or Sunday. We, likewise say: If Saturday coincides with a day upon which it is legislated to fast such as Arafah, or the 10th of Muharram (Ashurah), then it is not disliked (or forbidden) to fast it, because the dislike is when you fast it because it is a Saturday, i.e. that you have singled it out believing it is more special than other days. Indeed I have heard that when some of the people fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram (Ashurah) or the Day of Arafah and one of those days happens to be a Saturday, some of the brothers forbid them and command them to break the fast this is wrong and it is upon this brother to ask (the scholars) before issuing a verdict (Fatwa) without knowledge. [See also Majmu Fatawa of Ibn Al-Uthaimin, volume 20, page 37] Respected servants of Allah! Concerning cutting the nails and trimming the hair, all the Hadiths which have been mentioned about this issue are all authentic, however, there are varying opinions held by the great Imams/Mujtahids regarding the ruling established from these Hadiths. Some Imams like Imam Ahmad and Ishaq have stated that it is prohibited (Haram) for a person who intends to do the sacrifice (Layyah) to trim the hair or pare the nails etc. when the month of Dhul-Hijjah begins. Other Imams of Fiqh like Imam Shafii and his companions have stated that it is Makruh (highly disliked) to do such, but it is not prohibited (Haram). Imam Abu Hanifah, and Imam Malik in one opinion, state that it is not Makruh to trim the hair, nails etc. during this time for the person who intends to do sacrifice (Layyah). Their proof for saying that it is not prohibited (Haram) or Makruh (disliked) to do this, is the Hadith of Aisha (RA) in which she states: I used to twist/plait the necklace of the sacrificial animal of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). He would then tie the necklace (around the neck of the animal) and send it to be sacrificed, and nothing would be Haram upon him which Allah has made Halal, until he slaughtered his animal. [Bukhari and Muslim] Based on this Hadith, it is evident that it would not be prohibited (Haram) to pare the nails or trim the hair (for one who intends to do a Sacrifice). However, based on the Hadith narrated by Umm Salmah (RA), the majority of Scholars/Jurist experts (Fuqaha) have it to be Mustahab/Sunnah for one who intends to do a Sacrifice (Layyah) to refrain from trimming the hair, nails etc from the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah until he sacrifices his animal. For more explanations check the Sharh of Sahih Muslim by Imam An-Nawawi and Al-Fiqh Al-Islami Wa Adillatahu, Volume 4 Page 2,735. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761. This Friday sermon (Jumuah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 08 Dhul-Hijjah, 1445 AH (14 June, 2024). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy takes this slippery step, it needs to be aware of the Rules of Engagement and it should do it with a keen awareness of the implications, relevant legal and ethical frameworks that govern such ventures. As it is crucial in ensuring the success and the realisation of the intended benefits for Nigerias economy and its position on the international stage. The Signing of a Blank Cheque In the heart of San Francisco, a stones throw away from the bustling innovations of Silicon Valley, stands a property at 324 Jackson Street. It is a 4,000 square foot residential home located in the citys affluent Presidio Heights district. This building, now to be repurposed as the Nigerian Digital Technology Exchange Programme Hub, marks a significant step in Nigerias quest to carve out a space in the worlds most renowned tech hub. The Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its meeting of 13-14 May, based on its misaligned investment policies aimed at bolstering the nations economy, by attracting foreign direct investments (FDI), and enhancing the ease of doing business, recently approved, hopefully, a transformative project aimed at boosting the countrys digital technology capabilities to be warehoused in this building. This prime property, historically, served as a outpost for cultural diplomacy and the administrative functions of Nigerias consulate, and has been largely neglected since its closure in 1989. It is valued at approximately $7 million, we are told. There is therefore the need to get the San Francisco Assessor-Recorders Office to provide a professional assessment of its current state at the prevailing market conditions. The Consequences of Squatters and Rat Infestation Believing in good faith, then the governments decision to convert this valuable dormant asset into a tech hub is not a ruse for some clandestine activities but a strategic move to change its use, convert and utilise it to leverage the Bay Areas resources, to position Nigeria as a key player in the global tech landscape and spotlight Nigerian startups. Also, to serve as a redline, a warning and a deterrent, while repurposing the property, it is vital and essential to investigate any negligence, mismanagement and hold accountable those responsible for allowing the property to fall into disrepair from 1989 till date (35 years! Was there budgetary allocations and release on this property all these years? Those charged with responsibilities of auditing books of MDAs, investigating financial misappropriation and taking care of the nations assets, should be having a look here!) and appropriate actions be taken against those found culpable, in accordance with the law. This accountability will ensure that, going forward, public assets are managed effectively and this would set a precedent for future asset management. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Logic of Backends and Frontends What Nigerians know thus far: The Federal Government of Nigeria will retain ownership of the property, as represented by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The hub will be managed by a consortium of Nigerian digital technology companies, which will provide non-public funding for the operations of the Startup House. There is the involvement of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), which includes well known entities from the tech ecosystem and who make up about 10 per cent of the council representation. What Nigerians dont know thus far: Where is the linkage or synergy between the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the Nigerian Digital Technology Exchange Programme Hub (Nigerian Startup House)? Are criteria for sourcing the start-ups available? How can startups benefit from these initiatives? Is it possible for mature enterprises seeking to scale up also benefit? Will the Consolidate Revenue Fund (CRF) benefit from the endeavour yearly? Is the consortium funding the endeavour open to interested parties? What was the financial impact on Nigerias Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in terms of tax, accruals and fees generated from the $1.3 billion raised by Nigerian startups in 2023? The list is endless! It is crucial to ensure that the project adheres strictly to the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, as it is essential to avoid any ethical breaches and ensure that public officers do not exploit their positions for personal gain!.. Any deviation from these principles will undermine public trust and the projects credibility. Everything seems shrouded in mystery but the answers are crucial, as they will offer a lifeline to Nigeria, given the significant value of the property and the existence of potential conflicts of interest. It is crucial to ensure that the project adheres strictly to the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, as it is essential to avoid any ethical breaches and ensure that public officers do not exploit their positions for personal gain! Any deviation from these principles will undermine public trust and the projects credibility. The Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and Gateways As the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy takes this slippery step, it needs to be aware of the Rules of Engagement and it should do it with a keen awareness of the implications, relevant legal and ethical frameworks that govern such ventures. As it is crucial in ensuring the success and the realisation of the intended benefits for Nigerias economy and its position on the international stage. The likely rules to guide the various engagements are: A. The Nigeria Startup Act 2022: Though the impact of the Act is yet to be measured, as it is still in its infancy stage. Therefore, the likely hood of a head-to-head collision between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) will be a challenge. Startup labelling and transitioning from being labelled as a Startup. The Startup Support and Engagement Portal is fraught with issues! B. The Public Procurement Act 2007: It is advisable to undertake a visit into: Sections 24 to 49 Sections 50 to 59 Sections 62 to 63 Section 64, etc. C. International Conventions and Treaties Mere Tautology There are two structures interrelated somehow: One, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the PECC include formulating and implementing a consolidated emergency economic plan, addressing immediate economic challenges, and ensuring the streamlined execution of economic strategies. The council is mandated to submit a comprehensive plan of economic interventions for 2024, covering the next six months, for immediate implementation within two weeks of its inauguration. The influx of expected capital is a mouth-watering potential benefit that the hub can unlock for Nigeria and its citizens. And by serving as a platform for technology collaboration and planting Nigerias flag there, the hub, we fervently pray and hope, is set to enhance Nigerias presence in the global tech arena. Two, the key elements of Nigerias Trade and Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital (IEC) Strategic Blueprint Pillars are designed to accelerate the countrys economic diversification and enhance productivity through technological innovation. And it has five key pillars: Knowledge Policy Infrastructure Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital (IEC) Trade These are gobbledygook. We are in the tech-age with yahoo-yahoo boys and girls as old as below puberty in EFCC net, with some serving various terms in correctional institutes. What will happen to them there and when they come out or those still roaming the streets? The pillars lack synergy to form the foundation of Nigerias strategy to harness the transformative power of digital technology and innovation, in other to create a more inclusive and prosperous Leap of Faith into the Future. Millionaires Play Ground Establishing a foothold in the cradle of startup culture, the Silicon Valley in the citys Bay Area, a place where ideas are nurtured into innovations that revolutionise industries, requires tact and grit, as the path is fraught with challenges. To navigate the currents of the competitive waters of the Bay Area, the home base of over 200 of the largest companies in the world by revenue with a combined value of over $900 billion, and where every square foot is contested by the brightest and most innovative minds, is certainly exciting! The influx of expected capital is a mouth-watering potential benefit that the hub can unlock for Nigeria and its citizens. And by serving as a platform for technology collaboration and planting Nigerias flag there, the hub, we fervently pray and hope, is set to enhance Nigerias presence in the global tech arena. Adamu Rabiu writes from Kaduna Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Bluetti, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, has donated solar power kits and essential items to students of Moslem Primary School, Abigi, Ogun Waterside, and two neighboring schools through its Lighting an Africa Family (LAAF) project. The event, held at Moslem Primary School, was attended by community leaders, teachers, students, and parents. This initiative which aims to empower local community,benefitted 60 students, providing them with vital resources to enhance learning experience. Speaking during the event, Mrs Kehinde Yahya, Headteacher, Moslem Primary School, highlighted the impact: Light is a vital tool for learning and these kits will make a huge difference in the students daily lives; by encouraging them to study even at night. We are immensely grateful to Bluetti for this support. Mr Clint Liu, Sales Manager, Bluetti Nigeria, demonstrated the kits optimal use and emphasised Bluettis commitment: We are happy to support the students of Moslem Primary School because we believe in the power of education and sustainable energy. We hope that this donation will inspire the students to achieve their academic goals. Abigi community, located in a remote area of Ogun Waterside, faces challenges such as poor electricity supply, insufficient potable water, and bad road networks which hinder childrens learning process. Bluettis donation aligns with its mission to support educational development and environmental sustainability. By providing solar power kits, Bluetti enhances the learning environment and encourages renewable energy use. LAAF, Bluettis CSR project is dedicated to providing clean energy to millions of households across Africa. Donations have already been made in 10 countries, including Nigeria, Malawi, Chad, Kenya and Tanzania. Bluetti remains committed to this mission. Regions and institutions in need are encouraged to reach out via https://nga.bluettipower.com/ Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has commenced the payment of thirty thousand naira (N30,000) minimum wage to the states civil servants. Last month, the governor announced during a meeting with the leadership of the Zamfara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress that he would begin payment of minimum wage in June. In a statement issued on Friday in Gusau, the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that Zamfara civil servants started receiving their June salary on the 12th June ahead of the Eid-el- Adha celebration. He added that the state government had fulfilled its pledge to pay workers the minimum wage, which was reflected in the already paid June salary. The Zamfara state government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, has disbursed the June salary to support workers in preparing for the upcoming Eid celebration. This is in line with the fulfilment of the promise made by the governor last month to implement the 30 thousand naira minimum wage. Before now, civil servants in Zamfara received a minimum wage as low as seven thousand naira. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The government has been worker-friendly since its inception, ensuring the payment of three months withheld salaries, leave grants, owed gratuities, and timely payment of salaries. The government will continue to make further efforts to reform and rejuvenate the Zamfara civil service. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Kano has barred the Kano State Government, the police and other security agencies from arresting the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero. Delivering judgement on Friday, Simon Amobeda ordered the state government to pay N10 million in damages to Mr Ado-Bayero for violating his rights after deposing him and replacing him with Lamido Sanusi last month. However, the judge refrained from making any pronouncement on the tussle between Mr Ado-Bayero and Mr Sanusi over the emirship stool. Mr Ado-Bayero and Mr Sanusi had asserted claims to the position and acted as such from two different palaces. However, the suit, which the court decided on Friday, was solely about alleged violation of Mr Ado-Bayeros rights. Governor Yusuf deposed Mr Ado-Bayero last month after signing a law reversing the splitting of the Kano emirate into five splinters by the former administration in the state. Implementing the law last month, the governor reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano. Mr Sanusi was dethroned in March 2020 and replaced with Aminu Ado Bayero by the former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje administration. Mr Ado-Bayero, through his counsel M. L Yusufari, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), subsequently filed a suit dated 27 May, seeking the court to restrain the state government from arresting, intimidating or infringing on his rights. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The other respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General Kano, Nigeria Police, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano, State Security Service (NSCDC), Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce. Illegal order of arrest Mr Amobeda described, in his judgement, the order given by Governor Yusuf directing the police to arrest Mr Ado-Bayero without any lawful justification as threatening the applicants fundamental rights. The judge held that the governors order violated Mr Ado-Bayeros rights guaranteed under Section 35(1) of the Nigerian constitution. The act of the governor has forced the applicant into house arrest, preventing him from going freely about his lawful business, constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, he held. He restrained the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents by themselves, their agents, servants, privies, or any other person from arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating and harassing the applicant or further interfering with the applicants fundamental rights. The prayer for the cost of filing and prosecuting this suit is refused, the amount having not been specifically pleaded and strictly proved, Mr Amobeda said. Jurisdiction argument One of the applicants lawyers, Michael Jonathan, also a SAN, had argued that the court had jurisdiction to entertain and hear the case as it is a fundamental rights suit. Mr Jonathan urged the court to dismiss the respondents preliminary objection for being unmeritorious and constituting an abuse of court process. But the counsel for the Kano State Attorney-General, Mahmoud Abubakar-Magaji, a SAN, urged the court to dismiss and strike out the entire process, particularly the originating summons of the applicant motion on Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 and fundamental right. He argued that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case and urged the court to set aside the ex parte order it earlier granted restraining the respondents from arresting, intimidating or harassing the applicant. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State House of Assembly dissolved on 23 May all the four newly created emirate councils in the state. NAN reports that Governor Yusuf dethroned Mr Ado-Bayero and reappointed Mr Sanusi as the Emir of Kano on May 23. This came four years after former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned Mr Sanusi. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An Ado- Ekiti High Court on Thursday sentenced a pastor with Winners Chapel Church, Omuo- Ekiti, Enoch Gbinyiam, for raping a minor in his church. Mr Gbinyiam had a one-count charge levelled against him. The State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Julius Ajiba, told the court that the pastor raped the daughter of a member of the church during her visit to the vicarage. Mr Ajiba described the victim as a regular visitor to the mission house. According to him, the victim usually visited the vicarage to assist the pastors wife with house chores, teach and help his young children in their school assignments. It was during one of her visits to the mission house that the defendant sedated a bottle of fanta and offered her to drink. The minor took the fanta and slept off only to wake up and found out that she was bleeding profusely from her vagina. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said that the pastor was subsequently arrested and charged to Court. He said that the offence contravened Section 2 of the Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019. The DPP called four witnesses and tendered two exhibits to prove his case. The pastor, who spoke through his counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. He called one witness and tendered an evidence in defence of himself. But Justice O.I.O Ogunyemi ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Ogunyemi, therefore, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to life imprisonment in a Correctional Centre. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Concerned by the state of the economy, particularly the high cost of staple food during the festive Sallah period, Tokunbo Abiru, the senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has distributed food packs to 8,500 households in the district. The Eid-el-Kabir Food Pack distribution programme, which was held on Thursday, drew beneficiaries from the 16 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the district. A statement by the media aide to the senator, Enitan Olukotun, said thousands of excited constituents visited the venues of the food pack distribution in their respective communities to receive the packages. The statement quoted Mr Abiru to have expressed optimism that his food pack programme will further cushion the impact of the hardship on Lagos East residents amidst other interventions of the Federal Government in ensuring food security and commodity price stability and various interventions by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. In his Sallah goodwill message to constituents, Mr Abiru, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions and also the chairman, Southern Senators Forum, reiterated his commitment to the pursuit of laws, programmes and interventions that will improve their quality of life, and that of all Nigerians. He urged the people to exercise patience with the government of President Bola Tinubu, as the far-reaching policy decisions of his administration will soon start producing desired results. The food distribution gesture comes barely 90 days after Mr Abiru shared over 10,000 food packs to residents, particularly the vulnerable in the senatorial district, in commemoration of his 60th birthday. 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 READ ALSO: Lagos issues guidelines as Cholera kills five in two days It should be noted that this is not the first direct humanitarian assistance for the needy that Senator Abiru has done. It will be recalled that the Lagos East Senator disbursed more than N150 million in about 24 months to over 2,500 vulnerable people under his COVID-19 Financial Relief Scheme. Every month, beneficiaries received direct credit of N5,000 each for the period the programme lasted, the statement added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has admonished Nigerians to live by the tenets of democracy for the prosperity and progress of the nation. He made the call on Wednesday while speaking at an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Epetedo Self Declaration & 13th National Discourse organised by the Coalition for a Better Nigeria. The event, themed, Converting the Pain of June 12 Election Annulment to Gain of Present Administration, was held at MKO Abiola House, Ikeja. Mr Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by the deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that as a nation, Nigerians must cherish democracy and be democrats indeed. Democracy is not about force but conviction of ideas. So, it is not that my views must always win. It means we must debate it; we must talk about it and must come together to agree about it, he said. He enjoined citizens to be patriotic and protect the nations integrity in order not to destroy the legacy of our forefathers who paid the ultimate price in gaining democracy, particularly the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. Mr Sanwo-Olu stated that Nigerias democracy has gained its roots and given room for freedom of speech among other fundamental human rights, which has helped to create a conducive environment for economic growth, stability, and sustainable development. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Speaking on the implication of the 12 June Democracy Day event in Nigeria, the Lagos State governor said it has helped the citizenry to recognise that democracy should be cherished. He added that the actors that stopped the process were not proud enough today to explain what they did. In an earlier lecture, titled, Impact of June 12 on the Democratic and Economic Development of Nigeria, Debo Adeniran reiterated that the late Abiola was a pillar of strength and hope for Nigerians and Africans. Mr Adeniran described the late Abiola as a good man who served humanity, practised a welfarist agenda, and was an indiscriminate philanthropist globally. These were the values that made Nigerians give him their vote to become the president. They believed he would change the economic situation of the country, he said. In her address, the late Abiolas first daughter, Lola Abiola-Edewor, thanked the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising 12 June and making it the Democracy Day, and President Bola Tinubu for his constant support to the family. Mrs Abiola-Edewor urged Nigerians to be patient with the present administration as the president meant well for the citizens, as could be seen in his policies and his Renewed Hope mantra. I can assure us all that those promises will come to pass because Asiwaju is a grassroots man and cares for everyone, particularly the masses, she said. Protest Meanwhile, earlier in the day, protesters poured out in large numbers onto the streets of Ikeja, Lagos to lament the economic hardship being experienced. The protest was spearheaded by several groups, including the Coalition for Revolution, the Socialist Workers League, and the Education Rights Campaign. They sang and displayed placards and banners with such inscriptions as #Wearehungry, and #Tinubuletthepoorbreathe. One of the protesters, Ajibade Kokumo, lamenting the current situation in the country, said, We are suffering too much in this country. Since Tinubu assumed office, he has not done anything tangible. Instead of things to get better, things have been getting worse. READ ALSO: Commotion in Kano markets as traders protest planned demolition of shops Our politicians have refused to help us by reducing taxes and tariffs that have made things difficult for the average Nigerian. We implore the Nigerian government to solve the numerous challenges affecting this nation. Another protester simply identified as Bimpe, said, We are protesting to end hunger in this country. To even eat is a problem. How can we survive when the government is making life difficult for us with their stringent and harsh policies? Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Houston-based carrier takes off from Hobby with H-Town's only nonstop service to Connecticut Low, one-way fares start at $98 Avelo Airlines' Houston-based Support Center employs over 200 Crewmembers HOUSTON, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Avelo Airlines takes off today for the first time from Houston where the carrier was founded and operates its national Support Center. The airline's first Houston flight will inaugurate nonstop service between H-Town's most convenient airport William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Southern Connecticut's most convenient airport Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service from the city of Houston to the state of Connecticut. Avelo will operate this route twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, operating Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Low one-way fares start at $98*. Customers can make reservations at AveloAir.com. Avelo was founded in Houston in 2018 and made its public debut in April 2021 with its first flight from Los Angeles' Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to the Bay Area's Sonoma County Airport (STS). With that flight, Avelo became America's first new airline in nearly 15 years. Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, "Today marks a significant milestone as we inaugurate Avelo's first flight from our home city of Houston. This route will also connect our airline's national Support Center (headquarters) with the largest of our six bases. Avelo will be the only airline connecting Houston and Connecticut which will make getting to the gateway to New England and New York easier, faster and more affordable than ever. The flight will also make traveling to Houston a simpler and smoother experience for Connecticut visitors. And when you consider we'll be flying from Houston's most convenient airport Hobby it's easy to appreciate why we are so excited about Avelo's H-Town debut today." Director of Aviation for Houston Airports Jim Szczesniak said, "Houston Airports is proud to celebrate the launch of Avelo Airlines' new nonstop service from Hobby Airport to Connecticut. This exciting partnership offers our passengers even more convenient travel options between Houston and the Northeast. Avelo's commitment to affordability perfectly aligns with our mission of connecting people, businesses, and cultures to Houston. With this new route, Hobby Airport further strengthens its position as Skytrax's Best Regional Airport in North America." Avelo Customers traveling between HOU and HVN today will enjoy a gate-side celebration and fanfare, including commemorative boarding passes, local Houston bites, a musician and a water cannon salute upon the flight's arrival. Airline executives will join city and airport officials for the historic occasion. The route's inauguration underscores the strategic significance of both Houston and New Haven within Avelo Airlines' extensive network. Houston, renowned for its dynamic business landscape and vibrant cultural scene, serves as the location for the airline's Support Center (how the airline refers to its headquarters). Around 200 Crewmembers (how the airline refers to its employees) are based in Houston at Greenway Plaza. New Haven boasts the airline's largest operational base. Tweed-New Haven Airport The New Haven Way to New England and New York HVN is located on Connecticut's scenic coast and is a convenient gateway to all 15 towns that make up Greater New Haven. HVN's adjacency to multiple major highways and commuter railways makes visiting the New England and New York regions easier than ever. The airport is a refreshingly smooth and simple alternative hometown airport experience that will make visiting Southern Connecticut faster, easier and more relaxing than ever. Best known as the home of Yale University, New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and is part of the New York metropolitan area. The coastal city has experiencedand continues to enjoya renaissance. Within an easy stroll from the New Haven Green are more than 100 distinctive restaurants, offering something for every palate, and the city abounds with theaters, museums, and shopping destinations to satisfy all interests and tastes. Last year, New Haven joined iconic cities like Auckland, London and Istanbul to make the prestigious New York Times 2023 "52 Places to Go" list. Whether visiting family and friends or just looking for a vacation, there is a wealth of things to explore in The Cultural Capital of Connecticut. America's Most Convenient Airline Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 4.7 million Customers on over 37,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 53 destinations spanning 24 states and Puerto Rico. Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Every route has at least one small, easy to use airport. This makes every Avelo journey a smooth, easy, and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion, and long walks at larger airports. Avelo is distinguished by its industry-leading reliability. In May, the airline ranked #1 in on-time performance and delivered the lowest flight cancellation rate in the industry the second straight month Avelo led the industry in both metrics. Additionally, for the first five months of 2024, Avelo climbed to #1 in on-time performance and maintained the second-lowest flight cancellation rate among all U.S. carriers. These results are reported by Anuvu, a leading aviation data services company also utilized by The Wall Street Journal for the publication's annual airline ranking. Avelo Customers can always change or cancel their itineraries with no extra fees. Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 13 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost. Avelo offers advanced seat assignments for sale. One third of its seats are extra leg room seats, ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches, offering a more comfortable experience for Customers who value more space. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin. About Avelo Airlines Avelo Airlines' purpose is to Inspire Travel by saving people time and money. The Houston-based airline offers travelers time and money-saving convenience, everyday low fares, and a refreshingly smooth, caring, and reliable travel experience. Operating a fleet of 16 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 53 popular destinations across the United States, including its six bases at Los Angeles' Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region's Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and the Bay Area's Sonoma County Airport (STS). For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom. Media Contacts: Madison Jones Avelo Airlines [email protected] Augusto Bernal Houston Airport System [email protected] *Introductory one-way fares include government taxes and fees. Fares start at $98 for travel between HOU and HVN for travel completed between July 5, 2024, and August 2, 2024. Fares must be booked by June 21, 2024. Fares are available on a limited number of flights and seats. Additional fees for carry-on and checked bags, assigned seats and other optional services may apply. A $25 charge per seated traveler applies to all bookings or changes made through Avelo's Customer Support Center. For full terms and conditions, please see Avelo's Contract of Carriage. SOURCE Avelo Airlines SAN FRANCISCO, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Avive Solutions, Inc., a Brisbane, CA-based manufacturer of lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) has been recognized as a Top 3 winner of the 2024 Bay Area Best Places to Work, an awards program presented by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Select employers from the Bay Area were named winners of the awards at a celebratory event on June 13th, 2024 in San Francisco. These winning organizations were honored for having created exceptional workplaces with collaborative, supportive workplace cultures that their employees value highly. Award applicants were evaluated and ranked across 5 categories according to the number of Bay Area employees. The rankings find companies in the region whose employees rate them as the highest on such values as fun, collaborative culture, solid compensation, benefits offerings and other amenities, as well as management practices. The rankings were unveiled on June 14th, 2024 in the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. "We are honored and thrilled to be named to the 2024 list of Bay Area Best Places to Work," said Jess Koenig, Head of People at Avive. "With so many fantastic, established companies with amazing culture and perks located in the region to choose from, we are proud to know that our employees value our culture, lifesaving mission, and workplace environment so highly and are excited to come to work every day at Avive." Co-founder and CEO Sameer Jafri added, "I'm proud of our team's commitment to attracting and retaining exceptional talent that connects with our mission to save lives, contributes positively to our culture, and is driven to do what it takes to push our company forward to new heights. We're building something special here, and the tremendous emphasis we place on building a great culture has, and continues to pay off. It's humbling to be recognized with this award, and we are committed to Avive continuing to be one of the best places to work in the Bay Area for many years to come." About Avive Solutions, Inc. Avive Solutions is a new kind of AED company. We are revolutionizing Sudden Cardiac Arrest response with our innovative platform that brings together a 21st-century AED device and first-of-its-kind software solutions. With our award-winning product, the Avive Connect AED, we are the first new company to bring an AED to market in the U.S. in over 20 years. Focused on portability, accessibility, and connectivity, the Avive Connect AED is one of the most advanced products in the industry. Additionally, our software solutions not only make owning and managing AEDs simple, they also deliver a comprehensive cardiac arrest response solution to communities, with the goal of increasing bystander intervention, decreasing time-to-defibrillation, and getting valuable data to the people who need it, when they need it. Founded in 2017, we are on a mission to empower bystanders, first responders, and 911 telecommunicators to provide lifesaving care as quickly and easily as possible. Our versatile platform is designed to meet the needs of all types of industries schools, gyms, places of worship, any size business and even your home. Join us on our mission to save lives and learn more at avive.life . About 2024 Bay Area Best Places to Work Best Places to Work is an innovative publication and awards program produced by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. The rankings were determined by surveys that went directly to employees who answered a series of questions. The survey was administered online by the employers and through a service provided by Quantum Workplace, our research partner. The rankings are numeric based on Quantum's scoring process. By ranking companies and sharing best practices we facilitate idea sharing and help other companies learn from the best. Media Contact: Kyle Noble [email protected] (415) 287-6881 SOURCE Avive Solutions, Inc. SHANGHAI, June 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SOFAR, the global leading provider of all-scenario PV & ESS solutions, unveils the latest SOFAR Cloud system at SNEC, marking another significant step towards fulfilling the solar and energy storage digital ecosystem. This plant monitoring and O&M system is set to redefine energy management with four major advantages. Efficient O&M SOFAR booth The SOFAR Cloud offers a seamless one-stop management solution, featuring real-time updates of operational parameters, and a 10-year storage of historical data for fault analysis to ensure that no detail is overlooked. With automatic upgrading and batch task processing capabilities, the system streamlines operations, reduces costs, and provides real-time fault alerts with over 500 solutions for prompt resolutions. User-Friendly Interface Designed with user convenience in mind, the SOFAR Cloud supports mobile operations for monitoring millions of devices simultaneously, enabling remote control to minimize travel costs for maintenance. Its plug-and-play setup process, compatibility with multiple devices, and adaptive interaction make it easy for global users to deploy and manage their energy systems effortlessly. Innovative Architecture Built on a robust and safe architecture, the SOFAR Cloud ensures stability with independent services, fault isolation, and self-healing capabilities to address issues timely. Its SSL/TLS certificate encryption enhances security against hacker attack, while individual service testing, deployment and maintenance make quick issue identification and resolution possible. All-scenario Application The SOFAR Cloud is tailored for residential, C&I and utility applications. For home users, it offers an integrated management of solar and energy storage use to ensure a stable power supply. In commercial installations, it enables intelligent management for enhanced efficiency, reliability and profitability. For utility plants, it facilitates coordinated grid management for efficient power generation, safety, and user-friendly operation. "We're thrilled to introduce the SOFAR Cloud system, a game-changer in energy management solutions," said Frank Yu, Executive Vice President of SOFAR, "This system reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions for diverse needs. By integrating digital technology and renewable energy, we continue to lead the way in revolutionizing the industry and empowering global customers to make a positive impact on the environment. " About SOFAR SOFAR is a global leading provider of all-scenario solar and storage solutions with a comprehensive portfolio, including PV inverters, hybrid inverters, BESS, utility ESS, microinverter system and SOFAR Monitor smart energy management system for residential, C&I and utility applications. By 2021, SOFAR entered the TOP5 Global Hybrid Inverter Brands, establishing a global R&D network with three R&D centers and two manufacturing bases. In 2022, SOFAR annual production capacity reached 10GW for inverters and 1GWh for batteries. By 2022, SOFAR has shipped 18GW+ inverters to 100+ countries and regions worldwide. Learn more: https://www.sofarsolar.com/ SOURCE SOFAR VAN NUYS, Calif., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ChoiceCash, a leading title loan brand offering auto equity loans to subprime borrowers in more than 20 states, has released data on regional title loan demand, based on loans originated between January and May 2024. Based on credit extensions during the first 5 months of 2024, ChoiceCash is reporting the strongest demand from borrowers residing in the Southern United States, which accounted for approximately 62.5% of loans, followed by the Midwest region with 24.5%, and the West region at 12.5%. Within the Southern region, the South Atlantic Division was responsible for almost 60% of loans, with Miami, Virginia Beach and Charlotte composing the top 3 contributing cities. For the Midwest region, the majority of loan production was attributable to the East North Central Division with an 86.5% share of loans. Detroit, Cincinnati and Indianapolis made the top 3 list of cities for title loan production, contributing between 3.5% and 4.0% of loan volume in the division. About ChoiceCash: ChoiceCash is a vehicle-secured loan option for borrowers from all walks of life. Serving customers in more than 20 states, ChoiceCash has grown to be a premier funding option, with more than a million loan inquiries processed. The ChoiceCash loan is made by Capital Community Bank, a Utah Charted bank, located in Provo, Utah, Member FDIC. All loans will be serviced by LoanMart. Loan proceeds are intended primarily for personal, family and household purposes. All loan applications are subject to meeting Capital Community Bank's credit criteria, which include providing acceptable property as collateral. Customers need to demonstrate ability to repay the loan. Contact information: [email protected] SOURCE ChoiceCash Title Loans NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global commercial kitchen knives market size is estimated to grow by USD 148.7 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.11% during the forecast period. Continued increase in number of foodservice establishments is driving market growth, with a trend towards innovations in blade technology in commercial kitchen knives. However, increased availability of counterfeit commercial kitchen knives poses a challenge. Key market players include Cnife GmbH, Coltellerie Sanelli Srl, Dalstrong Inc., DEGLON SAS, Dexter Russell Inc., Friedr. Dick GmbH and Co. KG, IO Shen Knives UK Ltd., Johannes Giesser Messerfabrik GmbH, Kai Corp., Knife Depot Co., Kyocera Corp., MAC Knife Inc., Mercer Tool Corp., Messermeister Inc., MUNDIAL SA, Samuel Staniforth Ltd., The Scott Fetzer Co., TOJIRO Co. Ltd., Victorinox AG, Wilh. Werhahn KG, WUSTHOF, and Yoshida Metal Industry Co. Ltd.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global commercial kitchen knives 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 Type (Chefs knives, Utility knives, Bread knives, Meat knives, and Others), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), End-user (HoReCa, Slaughterhouse, and Others), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Region Covered APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled Cnife GmbH, Coltellerie Sanelli Srl, Dalstrong Inc., DEGLON SAS, Dexter Russell Inc., Friedr. Dick GmbH and Co. KG, IO Shen Knives UK Ltd., Johannes Giesser Messerfabrik GmbH, Kai Corp., Knife Depot Co., Kyocera Corp., MAC Knife Inc., Mercer Tool Corp., Messermeister Inc., MUNDIAL SA, Samuel Staniforth Ltd., The Scott Fetzer Co., TOJIRO Co. Ltd., Victorinox AG, Wilh. Werhahn KG, WUSTHOF, and Yoshida Metal Industry Co. Ltd. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Commercial kitchen knife manufacturers focus on improving blade technology to meet the needs of professional chefs and food service operators. Innovations include cryogenic treatment for enhanced hardness and durability, Granton edges for reduced friction, hollow ground blades for cleaner cuts, serrated edges for tackling tough foods, and non-stick coatings for easier cleaning and food release. These advancements underscore the industry's dedication to delivering top-performing commercial kitchen knives. The Commercial Kitchen Knives market is currently experiencing significant trends. Carbon steel knives are popular due to their strength and durability. Stainless steel knives are also in demand for their ease of maintenance and resistance to corrosion. The market sees a high demand for serrated knives, used for cutting through tough foods like bread and meats. Straight edge knives are preferred for precision cutting tasks. Coating types like ceramic and non-stick are gaining popularity for their non-reactive properties. The market also trends towards ergonomic designs for improved comfort and productivity. Additionally, there is a growing preference for multi-functional knives that cater to various kitchen tasks. Overall, the Commercial Kitchen Knives market is dynamic and evolving to meet the diverse needs of the culinary industry. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges The proliferation of counterfeit commercial kitchen knives adversely impacts the sales of authentic ones. These imitations, manufactured without adhering to quality measures, offer inferior performance and quality. Brands suffer from decreased customer trust and revenue loss due to the presence of these unauthorized products. Counterfeiters undercut legitimate businesses, capturing market shares through unfair competition. Moreover, these imitation knives may not meet the same safety and quality standards as genuine ones, posing potential risks in commercial kitchens. Consequently, the prevalence of counterfeit commercial kitchen knives hinders the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The Commercial Kitchen Knives market faces several challenges. Skilled labor is crucial for the production and distribution of these knives. However, finding and retaining skilled workers is a challenge due to the high demand and competition in the industry. Another challenge is the cost of raw materials, particularly steel, which can impact the price of the final product. Additionally, the need for regular maintenance and replacement of knives adds to the operational costs for commercial kitchens. Corrosion and resistance to heat are key considerations in the design and production of commercial kitchen knives. Parings, sharpening, and cleaning are also important factors that impact the performance and longevity of these knives. The market for commercial kitchen knives is competitive, with companies offering various features and price points to cater to different customer needs. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview Type 1.1 Chefs knives 1.2 Utility knives 1.3 Bread knives 1.4 Meat knives 1.5 Others Distribution Channel 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online End-user 3.1 HoReCa 3.2 Slaughterhouse 3.3 Others Geography 4.1 APAC 4.2 North America 4.3 Europe 4.4 Middle East and Africa and 4.5 South America 1.1 Chefs knives- Commercial kitchen knives are essential tools for food preparation in restaurants and catering businesses. These knives come in various types, including chef's knives, paring knives, and utility knives, each designed for specific tasks. The market for commercial kitchen knives is robust, with numerous manufacturers supplying high-quality products to meet the demands of the foodservice industry. Businesses prioritize durability, sharpness, and ease of maintenance when selecting commercial kitchen knives. The market is competitive, with companies continually innovating to offer superior products and pricing to gain a market edge. 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 Commercial Kitchen Knives Market encompasses a wide range of high-performance cutting tools, including Chef's knives, Cleavers, Paring knives, and Specialty knives with Serrated blades, such as Bread knives. These knives are essential in various food preparation settings, including cafeterias, street food vendors, schools, colleges, work spaces, residential kitchens, tourist activities, and commercial segments. Premium products, often made of Titanium, Steel, or Wood, are preferred for their superior Durability and Convenience. German Steel and blends like Elmax are popular choices for their Edge Retention and Performance. Cooking shows and Social media influence Consumer preferences, driving demand for innovative and ergonomic designs. Artisan Revere and other high-end brands cater to this growing market, offering a diverse range of options to meet the unique needs of professional chefs and home cooks alike. Market Research Overview The Commercial Kitchen Knives Market encompasses a wide range of cutting tools specifically designed for professional culinary applications. These knives are engineered to provide superior performance, durability, and ease of use. Materials such as stainless steel and ceramic are commonly used in their construction, offering benefits like corrosion resistance and sharpness retention. The market caters to various segments including chefs, restaurants, hotels, and institutions. Key features of commercial kitchen knives include their size, shape, and versatility, allowing them to handle a multitude of tasks from chopping and slicing to dicing and mincing. The market is driven by factors like increasing demand for high-quality food, growing number of restaurants and hotels, and advancements in knife technology. Additionally, trends like sustainability and ergonomic designs are influencing the market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Chefs Knives Utility Knives Bread Knives Meat Knives Others Distribution Channel Offline Online End-user HoReCa Slaughterhouse Others Geography APAC North America Europe Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio LOS ANGELES, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Commons Clinic proudly announces that four of its esteemed physicians have been named to Newsweek's prestigious list of 150 Best Spine Surgeons in America for 2024. This recognition underscores the clinic's commitment to providing top-tier spinal care and highlights the exceptional expertise of its medical team. Sanjay Khurana, M.D. - A board certified adult and pediatric spine care specialist. His area of expertise lies in spinal reconstruction, cervical spine surgery, minimally invasive microsurgery, adult and pediatric scoliosis, spine trauma and tumors, and the evaluation and treatment of patients with multiple failed and previous surgeries. Dr. Khurana completed his undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, doctorate of medicine and orthopaedic surgery residency at Stanford University, and specialty spine fellowship training at the prestigious University of Miami/Jackson Memorial/Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Hyun Bae, MD - A board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive microsurgery and treating cervical and lumbar spine disorders. Dr. Bae completed his undergraduate studies at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, doctorate of medicine from Yale University School of Medicine, surgical internship at North Shore University Hospital, orthopaedic surgery residency at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and spine fellowship at Case Western Hospital. Amandeep Bhalla, M.D. - A board-certified surgeon specializing in treating spinal and neck disorders, injuries, and diseases. He is committed to patient education, and prioritizes conservative treatment whenever possible. Dr. Bhalla completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, doctorate of medicine from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, orthopaedic surgery residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and spine fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women's Hospital. Leonel Hunt, MD - A board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon who focuses on the treatment of pediatric and adult scoliosis, complex spine disorders, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Hunt completed his undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, doctorate of medicine from University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine, general surgery internship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, orthopaedic surgery residency at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco, and spine fellowship at San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders. Commons Clinic, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is renowned for its innovative approach to spinal health. The clinic recently launched the Center for Spine Economics, Outcomes & Research, a pioneering initiative aimed at advancing spinal restoration care models. This center is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge research, economic analysis, and the development of cost-effective, evidence-based treatment protocols. "We are incredibly proud of Drs. Khurana, Bae, Hunt, and Bhalla for their well-deserved recognition," said Nick Aubin, CEO & Co-Founder of Commons Clinic. "Their dedication to excellence and innovation in spine surgery epitomizes the high standards we uphold at Commons Clinic. This accolade is a testament to their hard work and our commitment to delivering world-class care to our patients." Commons Clinic also recently announced the launch of The Surgeon's Record, a physician-focused publication to highlight innovation, excellence, and progress in value-based specialty care, with Ben Schwartz, MD. For more information about Commons Clinic and its services, please visit https://commonsclinic.com/ . SOURCE Commons Clinic Florida Youth Orchestra, South Florida PBS, Brazilian Voices, Brevo Theatre, Grace Arts Center, New City Players, GENVAS (Venetian Arts Society) and Funding Arts Broward Receive Art & Culture Grants from the Community Foundation FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Foundation of Broward has increased its support of the arts and culture scene in South Florida by awarding grants totaling $430,000 dollars to eight local arts organizations. The grants were approved at a recent meeting of the Community Foundation of Broward Board of Directors. The eight art and culture grant awardees are Florida Youth Orchestra, South Florida PBS, Brazilian Voices, Brevo Theatre, Grace Arts Center, New City Players, GENVAS (Venetian Arts Society) and Funding Arts Broward. "The arts have the power to unite our community. They inspire us, educate us, and challenge our perspectives," said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. "The character and fabric of our community are enriched and intertwined through our shared experiences with the arts." South Florida arts organizations receiving grants from the Community Foundation of Broward are: Florida Youth Orchestra "Music Education and Public Performances" The 2-year, $120,000 grant makes it possible for more than 300 students to participate in orchestral education during 35 weekly training sessions and five public performances annually. grant makes it possible for more than 300 students to participate in orchestral education during 35 weekly training sessions and five public performances annually. South Florida PBS "Film-maker: Flip The Script Season 2" The $100,000 , 2-year grant continues the success of the "Film-maker: Flip The Script" program by pairing five new aspiring student filmmakers from Broward high schools with established film artists to tell their stories. Residents are invited to view the completed films at Savor Cinema that is also simulcast virtually, followed by Q&A sessions and broadcast locally to PBS' South Florida audience. , 2-year grant continues the success of the "Film-maker: Flip The Script" program by pairing five new aspiring student filmmakers from Broward high schools with established film artists to tell their stories. Residents are invited to view the completed films at Savor Cinema that is also simulcast virtually, followed by Q&A sessions and broadcast locally to PBS' audience. Brazilian Voices "Expanding Wellness Through Music" The $45,000 grant provides for 70 live musical performances at assisted living and medical facilities where more than 7,000 patients, seniors and caregivers can enjoy and relax to the sound of bossa nova. Seniors and patients can participate using handheld shakers. grant provides for 70 live musical performances at assisted living and medical facilities where more than 7,000 patients, seniors and caregivers can enjoy and relax to the sound of bossa nova. Seniors and patients can participate using handheld shakers. Brevo Theatre "Young Gifted & Brave Theatre for Youth" The $15,000 grant supports a 7-week summer conservatory for 35 young people from diverse backgrounds who are interested in high-quality actor training and performance education. The summer camp is held at Broward College's Bailey Hall and culminates with a theatrical production. grant supports a 7-week summer conservatory for 35 young people from diverse backgrounds who are interested in high-quality actor training and performance education. The summer camp is held at College's and culminates with a theatrical production. Grace Arts Center "City of the Arts Part II" The $40,000 grant supports seven Native American, Creole and Gullah Geechee language film screenings with community conversations, dance performances and pop-up art exhibits. It also makes possible for community sail painting studios to produce two sails for the Street Art Regatta 2025 and to present Festival of Classics, a theatrical performance at Oceanside Park and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF). grant supports seven Native American, Creole and Gullah Geechee language film screenings with community conversations, dance performances and pop-up art exhibits. It also makes possible for community sail painting studios to produce two sails for the Street Art Regatta 2025 and to present Festival of Classics, a theatrical performance at Oceanside Park and the International Film Festival (FLIFF). New City Players "24-25 Productions" The $35,000 grant allows for the continuation of support for the marketing and production of three theatrical plays, A Streetcar Named Desire , Christmas Radio Play , and All My Sons . Each play will show 13-16 performances where up to 700 guests can participate in post-show talkbacks and free community events inspired by the productions. grant allows for the continuation of support for the marketing and production of three theatrical plays, , , and . Each play will show 13-16 performances where up to 700 guests can participate in post-show talkbacks and free community events inspired by the productions. GENVAS (Venetian Arts Society) "From South Florida with Love!" A $65,000 grant provides for GENVAS to host and film a series of 12 vocal and musical performances at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, Sunshine Cathedral , Stranahan House and other venues. The live shows for an audience of 1,500 people celebrate LGBTQ+ artists and promote inclusion and allyship. The 45-60 minute films are shared and promoted via HappeningOutTV, YouTube and other channels spreading the message of love. grant provides for GENVAS to host and film a series of 12 vocal and musical performances at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, , and other venues. The live shows for an audience of 1,500 people celebrate LGBTQ+ artists and promote inclusion and allyship. The 45-60 minute films are shared and promoted via HappeningOutTV, YouTube and other channels spreading the message of love. Funding Arts Broward "Arts Assessment Report" A $10,000 grant allows for the co-production of the Arts Assessment Report, a publication focused on interviews and researching a Broward's arts organization needs analysis. For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, please email Kirk Englehardt, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Community Foundation ([email protected]) or call 954-761-9503, ext. 103. About the Community Foundation of Broward: Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Broward partners with families, individuals and organizations to create personalized charitable funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 532 charitable funds represent more than $287 million in assets, distributing more than $190 million in grants over the past 40 years. The Community Foundation transforms our community through focused leadership that fosters collaboration, builds endowment, advances equity and connects people who care to causes that matter. The Foundation empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community and to BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org Media Contact: Kirk Englehardt Vice President of Marketing and Communications Community Foundation of Broward [email protected] (M) 786-562-4282 (O) 954-761-9503 x105 SOURCE Community Foundation of Broward USA News Group Commentary Issued on behalf of Yukon Metals Corp. VANCOUVER, BC, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With prices soaring for copper amid supply cuts and higher demand from energy transition and artificial intelligence (AI) projects, many industry experts are asking whether or not the red metal is entering a new supercycle of prolonged high demand and rising prices. According to analysts at Sprott, copper's new supercycle is already emerging, as protectionist moves by countries looking to secure vital materials are only stoking the flame. Long viewed as a barometer for economic activity, the market witnessed record highs in copper prices last month, signalling the urgency of developing new supplies. With experts stating the current copper supply forecast is insufficient for the global EV transition by 2035, the rise of AI infrastructure needs only serves to amplify the shortage. When opening a single copper mine can take 23 years, moves made by miners today are incredibly important, with recent developments coming from Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE-American: TGB) (TSX: TKO), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK-B), and Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE: ERO). According to analysts at Trafigura, AI development will increase copper demand by 1 million tons per annum by the end of 2030, with the demand-supply deficit set to increase to 4-5 million tons in that same time. With the supply crunch only set to get worse, a new entrant in the race has emerged with Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC), a newly branded miner that recently acquired an impressive premium-quality portfolio in the Yukon built upon over 30 years of prospecting by the Berdahl family, the same team that built up Snowline Gold which currently trades with a market cap of over US$655M. Wasting no time after the initial acquisition, Yukon Metals swiftly announced that it has already doubled its land holdings from an initial 18,000 hectares to 36,000 hectares. This expansion includes significant staking at the priority AZ property, areas surrounding the Talbot property, and new claims near the Alaska Highway, known as "Fairway." "During these past months, prior to Closing of the acquisition, the Company has been busy staking ground around two key properties, AZ and Talbot, as well as staking new claims at Fairway," said Rory Quinn, President and CEO of Yukon Metals. "AZ is a high-priority potential copper-gold porphyry asset, while Talbot hosts a substantial gold and silver anomaly. Both AZ and Fairway are within 20km of the Alaska Highway. I look forward to sharing ongoing details of what is going to be a busy exploration season." In the early 1990s, while working for Noranda, Ron Berdahl explored the AZ and Fairway claim area and found copper mineralization on the AZ property. In 1993, rock sample tests indicated an average of 10% copper, 126 grams per tonne of silver, and 7.08 grams per tonne of gold. A report mentioned in a previous YMC press release on June 3, 2024, suggested that these mineralized rocks likely originated from a local source on the property. Additionally, small gold mining operations were present in the 1930s on Sanpete, Pan, and Gold Creeks in this region. Ron Berdahl staked an additional 7,625 hectares on behalf of Yukon Metals to the north of the southern AZ claims, adding 372 new claims. This area includes significant mineral findings, such as gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. Despite encouraging initial sample results, there has been no further exploration or development in this area since 1989. "Completing the acquisition of these high-quality exploration assets in the Yukon marks an exciting beginning for Yukon Metals," said Rory Quinn, President and CEO of Yukon Metals. "We have tremendously exciting properties that we'll work to responsibly and systematically advance, from copper-gold and silver-lead-zinc, to precious metals focused assets. With a healthy treasury after raising in excess of C$15 million, a comprehensive exploration database and key permits already in place, we are ready to hit the ground running!" While finding new deposits is integral, other miners are looking for innovative ways to expand their copper assets that they already have. According to its new CEO Kathleen Quirk, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) believes it can unlock the equivalent of a large new copper mine, just by applying new processing technology at its existing assets. Freeport is targeting an annual production of up to 800 million pounds of copper, which is approximately 20% of its current total output. This increase will come from new technology that enables the company to extract metal it already owns but couldn't previously access. "I'm really focused on this issue, because when we look around, we know how hard it is to develop new supply," said Quirk when referring to the company's copper leaching program in an interview in New York. "You think about 800-million pounds of copper a year that's the size of a big mine. That's meaningful. Our team is working very aggressively to get that done." Freeport is already currently extracting an additional 200 million pounds of copper through the recovery process and aims to add another 200 million pounds over the next two years. Within the next three to five years, the company plans to develop the technology to extract 800 million pounds annually. As supply issues are arising around the world, it doesn't help that Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE-American: TGB) (TSX: TKO) recently had to suspend operations at its Gibraltar Mine, due to a strike by its unionized workforce. The timing of the stoppage was unfortunate for Taseko, which had only recently acquired the remaining 12.5% interest in the mine from Dowa Metals & Mining, and Furakawa at the end of March, making it the 100% owner. "We are happy to once again own 100% of the Gibraltar mine, our foundational asset, which will continue to generate strong returns for the Company for many years to come," said Stuart McDonald, President & CEO of Taseko at the time of the 100% equity stake achievement. "This acquisition provides 14% growth in our attributable copper production, and is immediately cashflow accretive as we advance construction at our Florence Copper Project." In the first three months of this year, Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) (TSX: TECK-B) saw its copper production rise by 74%, bolstered by the ramp up of the extension at its Quebrada Blanca (QB) mine in Chile. As QB's production continued its ramp up, Teck saw its copper production hit 99,000 tonnes in Q1 2024, with 43,300 tonnes coming from QB alone. Late last year, The Globe & Mail reported that Teck's divesting of its coal mines in British Columbia to Glencore would leave Canada's largest mining company with plenty of cash to potentially slowly triple its copper production. The expansion of QB has been seen as a success, with Teck receiving the Copper Mark award in recognition of environmentally and socially responsible production practices at both QB and its Carmen de Andacollo (CdA) operations. "Copper is an essential metal for the transition to a low-carbon economy and our new Quebrada Blanca operation, as well as our Carmen de Andacollo operation, are contributing to helping sustainably meet growing demand," said Jonathan Price, President and CEO of Teck. "Being awarded the Copper Mark demonstrates our operations' commitment to responsible copper production, both for our customers and for the environment and people where we operate." In Brazil, Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE: ERO) (TSX: ERO) recently received the last remaining permitting milestone for commercial operation on its Tucuma Project. With physical completion nearing 99%, commissioning well underway, and over 90% of the operational staff hired and trained, Ero still anticipates first concentrate early in the third quarter of 2024. The total direct capital cost estimate for the project's completion remains steady at around $310 million. "I am thrilled to announce that we have received our operational license from SEMAS - the last regulatory approval required for commercial operations to commence at Tucuma," said David Strang, CEO of Ero Copper. "The Company is rapidly approaching a major inflection point, which we believe will benefit all of our stakeholders for years to come." CONTACT: USA NEWS GROUP [email protected] (604) 265-2873 Amerigo Resources Ltd. (TSX: ARG) (OTCQX: ARREF) DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Yukon Metals Corp. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares Yukon Metals Corp., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Yukon Metals Corp. which were purchased as a part of a private placement. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Yukon Metals Corp. at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through further private placements and/or investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment. SOURCE USA News Group Info-Tech Research Group has published a new blueprint that breaks down how to improve an organization's contract lifecycle management (CLM) processes to efficiently and economically streamline operations. The firm's resource offers a roadmap for centralizing contract documents, establishing robust procedures, and selecting the right CLM tool. TORONTO, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As organizations grapple with the complexities of managing scattered contract documents and inefficient manual processes, they face significant compliance risks and missed opportunities. Advanced contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools can effectively mitigate these issues, but many organizations lack the maturity to fully leverage their benefits. Info-Tech Research Group's newly released blueprint, Design and Build an Effective Contract Lifecycle Management Process, provides a comprehensive roadmap for centralizing contract documents, establishing robust CLM procedures, and identifying essential tool requirements. This research empowers IT leaders and organizations to enhance operational efficiency, ensure regulatory adherence, and build a streamlined approach tailored to organizational goals and culture. Info-Tech Research Group's "Design and Build an Effective Contract Lifecycle Management Process" blueprint outlines three key factors that organizations should consider when building their CLM process. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group) "Vendors in the CLM space are constantly modifying their features and functionality, and the industry's players are rapidly changing due to vendors entering, merging, and leaving," says Phil Bode, principal advisory director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Artificial intelligence is the latest innovation being leveraged by CLM providers, making the systems more sophisticated and easier to use. However, even with artificial intelligence, these systems won't run entirely by themselves, yet, and CLM still requires human participation, especially for validation." Info-Tech's research shows that organizations are increasingly relying on vendors for non-core functions and services, underscoring the growing importance of effective contracting and CLM processes. However, the lack of maturity in many organizations prevents them from fully benefiting from advanced CLM processes and tools. When contracting CLM processes, these organizations can encounter various challenges, such as disparate systems, a lack of internal coordination, and inefficient processes. "For the CLM system to be effective, a lot of work must occur before implementation," explains Donna Glidden, principal advisory director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Additionally, it's crucial for IT leaders to recognize the limitations of these tools, as they can't single-handedly resolve all issues. Even the top CLM systems on the market won't completely fix process and non-compliance issues. Therefore, organizations should view CLMs as an assistant tool rather than a remedy for all problems." The firm emphasizes that CLM requires a flexible approach tailored to the organization's goals, culture, maturity level, scope, and other relevant factors. Organizations need a holistic framework to navigate the various stages of CLM, allowing them to progress at their own pace and according to their needs. Info-Tech's blueprint outlines three key factors that organizations should consider when building their CLM process: Location: Many organizations struggle with contract management due to the absence of a central location for contract storage. The initial step to enhance CLM is to establish a central location where all contract documents are stored and easily accessible. Many organizations struggle with contract management due to the absence of a central location for contract storage. The initial step to enhance CLM is to establish a central location where all contract documents are stored and easily accessible. Process: The CLM process is a crucial aspect of a holistic contract management approach. Organizations should document their current process, identify any gaps, and work toward improving deficient areas. This factor involves gathering requirements, performing gap analysis, and ensuring alignment with organizational needs before selecting a CLM tool. The CLM process is a crucial aspect of a holistic contract management approach. Organizations should document their current process, identify any gaps, and work toward improving deficient areas. This factor involves gathering requirements, performing gap analysis, and ensuring alignment with organizational needs before selecting a CLM tool. System: After establishing the process, it is essential to identify and select the most suitable CLM tool that meets the organization's specific requirements. Evaluate how well current processes can be automated and streamlined and choose a tool that centralizes agreements and enhances efficiency. Gather input from stakeholders, identify suitable vendors, and implement the chosen system with appropriate training. The blueprint addresses the technical aspects of implementing a CLM system and emphasizes the strategic importance of human oversight in contract management. By leveraging Info-Tech's framework, organizations can transform their CLM processes to be more efficient and compliant. This transformation leads to better risk management, streamlined operations, and stronger alignment with business goals. By adopting this approach, IT leaders will be able to navigate contract management with agility and precision. For exclusive and timely commentary from Phil Bode or Donna Glidden, experts in vendor management, and access to the complete Design and Build an Effective Contract Lifecycle Management Process blueprint, please contact [email protected]. Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group DEARBORN, Mich., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Task Force for Palestine calls upon all Muslims observing Eid Al Adha to join in the Unity Outdoor Eid Prayer for Gaza on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. The Unity prayer will be held at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (Dearborn Civic Center) at 15801 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI 48126. This year's Eid Al Adha holiday is marred by Israel's genocidal war against the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The Israeli war against innocent civilians, including the elderly, women, and children, continues despite all efforts by the international community, mediators, and UN resolutions. Israel continues to act with complete impunity and with no accountability. This Eid Al Ad'ha Unity prayer is another community stance of full solidarity with the Palestinians demanding a permanent ceasefire as a first step to a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict. The Michigan Task Force for Palestine calls upon the Biden Administration to use its immense leverage with Israel to compel the extreme right-wing Netanyahu government to accede to the world's demands for a permanent ceasefire and for peace and justice in Palestine. The Michigan Task Force for Palestine calls on all Muslims who can join the Unity prayer and urges all to bring their own prayer rug, Palestinian flags, and kufiyahs to show solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine. The Michigan Task Force for Palestine wishes all Muslims a safe and blessed Eid Al-Ad'ha. Media Contacts: Mr. Adam Abusalah 313.694.8750 Mr. Imad Hamad 313.790.8453 SOURCE The Michigan Task Force for Palestine LAKELAND, Fla., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Student Achievement Center will soon provide even greater support to Florida Polytechnic University students as they pursue the in-demand STEM degrees that help fuel Florida's high-tech economy. Florida Poly received $5.7 million in funding for the achievement center's preliminary design stage after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget on Wednesday, June 12. The new budget takes effect on July 1 with the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year. Florida Polytechnic University received $5.7 million in state funding to begin the design phase of its new Student Achievement Center. The funds were included in the $116 billion state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, June 12. (PRNewsfoto/Florida Polytechnic University) Funds are being provided through Florida's Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) program. "We're very excited about what the Student Achievement Center will mean for the future of our students and their success academically, personally, and professionally," said Dr. Randy K. Avent, Florida Poly's president. "We appreciate Gov. DeSantis' leadership and the Legislature's ongoing support of Florida Poly and our strong STEM mission." The Student Achievement Center will contribute greatly to the development of students' educational needs. The facility will focus on resources dedicated to student success, including accommodations for career and internship services. It will feature study spaces, an auditorium, collaborative multimedia spaces, and be home to faculty and staff fully dedicated to helping students successfully complete their degree and transition to the workforce. The building will offer students another comfortable place to be while on campus and is expected to help accommodate expected student body growth over the next several years. In addition to the funding for the Student Achievement Center, the 2024-25 budget also includes a $3 million increase to Florida Poly's operating budget. The increase will help support the expansion of the University's academic programs, student services, and both student and faculty bodies. SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (55) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Tom Clapham and Sarah Wike to lead Durham and Chapel Hill team CHAPEL HILL, N.C., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotcha Covered, a leader in custom window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada, has announced the opening of a new location in North Carolina. Gotcha Covered of Durham and Chapel Hill is owned and operated by Tom Clapham and Sarah Wike. With an emphasis on end-to-end consultations, the new center provides the best in soft and hard window treatments to homeowners in Durham and Chapel Hill by offering a variety of blinds, draperies, smart solutions and much more. Gotcha Covered of Durham and Chapel Hill is owned and operated by Sarah Wike and Tom Clapham. "Durham and Chapel Hill are areas that have seen consistent growth, which makes it a wonderful market for the window treatment solutions this new center will offer," said Paul Linenberg, president of Gotcha Covered. "Tom and Sarah both enjoy the collaboration that comes from working with customers, and I know they're going to be offering the best customer experience to area home and business owners." Clapham is an Appalachian State University graduate and served in the Army for eight years after graduation. He began a 20-year career in healthcare marketing while working at Duke University Health System. He moved to Dallas after completing a Master of Business Administration at Duke but returned to Chapel Hill in 2017. "Sarah and I often discussed launching our own business and, when the opportunity presented itself, we decided to take a leap into Gotcha Covered ownership," Clapham said. "We were impressed by the range and quality of the products as well as the caliber of the company leadership and collegiality of the other franchise owners we spoke to during our due diligence." Wike studied international relations at UNC-Chapel Hill before completing a Master of Arts at UNC-Greensboro in Hispanic literature, language and linguistics. She taught high school Spanish for 14 years before transitioning into independent school administration, completing a doctorate in educational technology along the way. "Gotcha Covered is a 'feel good' business," Wike said. "We absolutely love the opportunity to meet new people and, ultimately, help them transform their spaces. Whether clients' motivations are mostly rooted in privacy and security, light management, home automation, or aesthetics, we approach each project with their goals in mind and strive to deliver results that bring lasting satisfaction. Seeing our clients happy and getting referrals from them makes for a very rewarding occupation!" Adding 30 new franchise locations in 2023, Gotcha Covered currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The franchise has been operating under the Gotcha Covered name since 2009. To schedule an appointment with Gotcha Covered of Durham and Chapel Hill, visit https://www.gotchacovered.com/durham-chapel-hill/. About Gotcha Covered Gotcha Covered is a leader in custom soft and hard window treatment consultation in the U.S. and Canada. Flying under their Gotcha Covered flag since 2009, they offer custom window treatments including blinds, draperies, shutters and much more. They offer end-to-end consultation with the customer's specific needs and goals in mind. The company currently has over 170 total franchises across the U.S. and Canada. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE Gotcha Covered New Restaurant Lounge Opens Doors To Locals, Beachgoers & Nightlife Lovers As A Premier Community Hub PACIFIC BEACH, Calif., June 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hideaway Pacific Beach , a vibrant, new SoCal lifestyle-inspired restaurant and bar lounge, is pleased to announce its grand opening on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 4pm to 2am! Inspired by the laid-back surf and skate culture, vibrant music scene, and relaxed beach lifestyle that makes Pacific Beach one of Southern California's favorite destinations, this new hangout is designed to be a home away from home where every guest is treated like a local. Situated just steps from Crystal Pier and the sand of Pacific Beach at 4474 Mission Blvd, the new venue offers an inviting atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. Providing a unique alternative to traditional bars, Hideaway acts as an extension of home, with a relaxed ambiance and stylish retro decor offering a perfect space for every mood. Greg Newman, President and CEO of Hideaway, described the venue as a local hangout with the vibe of a house party, emphasizing its design to reflect the essence of Pacific Beach. "We're excited for our grand opening and to establish Hideaway as the prime beachside location for everything from intimate fireside chats to lively house-party feeling gatherings," Newman stated. Guests can choose from cozy indoor lounges, outdoor bars, and flame-lit patios across 5,500 square feet at Hideaway. The menu features shareable bar bites, wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and upscale dishes like Aguachile Halibut Sashimi and 12-Hour Braised Short Rib. Drink offerings include handcrafted cocktails, "Social Bowls," a selection of spirits, wine, and 30 local brews on tap at two full-service bars. "We were absolutely blown away by the turnout for our open interviewsnearly 1,000 people! The support and love from the local community is another testament to Hideaway being the local home away from home," said Greg. Local celebrities including Surfing Hall of Fame inductees will be in attendance to celebrate the grand opening, fueled by live DJs and fun giveaways. Follow us on Instagram through the opening where we will be giving away spots at our upcoming VIP Sneak Peek Parties and even some staycation prizes at Tower 23 Hotel. Tag us with your experiences! @hideawaypacificbeach . About Hideaway Media Contact: Vince DiNatale, [email protected] SOURCE Hideaway IONIQ 5 N awarded favorite performance vehicle Santa Fe awarded favorite family vehicle Consensus pick of around 100 automotive media FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai led with two favorite vehicle awards at the Midwest Automotive Media Associations' (MAMA) recent Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, WI. The award-winning, all-electric 2025 IONIQ 5 N was named Favorite Performance Vehicle, and the Hyundai Santa Fe was named Favorite Family Vehicle by MAMA's attending 100 media members. Each of the vehicles are now candidates for MAMA's Favorite Vehicle of the Year to be announced at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show. Around 80 new vehicles were evaluated at the Spring Rally by MAMA members. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is photographed in Irvine, CA., on Nov. 16, 2023. "As we continue to celebrate Hyundai EVs being the most awarded in the industry, we are humbled to also be recognized for our redesigned Santa Fe," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "Having the opportunity to showcase our newest vehicles at the recent MAMA Spring Rally provides Hyundai access to automotive press who represent hundreds of media outlets; we appreciate receiving two 'favorite vehicle' votes as a result." "Hyundai's eclectic mix of new vehicles continues to impress both consumers and our organization's nationwide membership of journalists, analysts, and media professionals," said Robert Duffer, president, MAMA. "Hyundai not only brought home one coveted 'MAMA's Favorites' award, but two, showing the brand's commitment to having a winner in every segment possible. While the redesigned Santa Fe is surely a showstopper of a family hauler, the IONIQ 5 N proved its truly a high-performance track car around the infamous Road America circuit." About the Midwest Automotive Media Association Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) comprises about 240 automotive journalists and industry professionals from approximately 25 states and the District of Columbia. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all over. The organization's purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, current issues and new products in the auto industry. 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 Founded by the Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) and supported by the Government of Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), INOVAIT is Canada's network focused on advancing image-guided therapy (IGT) through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and machine learning. IGT is the practice of using medical imaging to plan, perform, and evaluate medical interventions. The INOVAIT network supports Canadian innovators who are unleashing the power of AI through IGT's precision therapy and treatment to streamline healthcare and improve healthcare outcomes. "Canada has tremendous strength in the research and development of medical imaging and AI technologies. We need to capitalize on this opportunity and leverage both these strengths to advance technologies that can improve clinical outcomes and healthcare efficiencies," says Kullervo Hynynen, Co-Executive Director of INOVAIT and Vice-President of Research and Innovation at SRI. Through this iteration of the Focus Fund program, the seven selected high potential projects will integrate machine learning capabilities into IGT technologies. Selected Focus Fund projects were evaluated based on their potential impact to innovation, healthcare, and economic development. Focus Fund project members will invest an additional $21.3 million into these projects for a total influx of $32 million into the Canadian IGT sector. The Focus Fund contributions will help attract investments into these Canadian technology companies, create jobs for highly skilled professionals, and cement Canada's status as a global leader in IGT and AI innovation. "INOVAIT's Focus Fund represents the natural evolution for promising pilot fund projects in the area of image guided therapy and helps attract key investments for these innovative Canadian technology companies. We applaud all recipients for the successful demonstration of their projects' technical and clinical merits, creating highly skilled jobs and we look forward to seeing all progress made in advancing the field through artificial intelligence and machine learning integration," said the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Selected Focus Fund projects include: MIMOSA Diagnostics: MIMOSA's Focus Fund project will deploy a handheld multispectral imaging tool for nurses in long-term care homes to assess and treat residents at-risk of developing or have active pressure injuries (PI). With the support of their project partners, they will train advanced machine learning models to prognosticate tissue at risk of PI to identify patients and prioritize intervention. Profound Medical: Profound Medical's Focus Fund project will improve outcomes for men undergoing MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) by leveraging AI across the three stages of their prostate cancer journey. The INOVAIT 2024 Focus Fund announcement took place at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs attended and spoke at the event. "Today, I was pleased to meet leaders in health care and to learn about new projects that will benefit Canadians," said Pam Damoff. "By providing a platform to connect, educate and invest in the most promising ventures, INOVAIT is pushing boundaries and working to improve health outcomes." As of December 2023, INOVAIT has launched 75 IGT-AI projects, committed over $29 million to projects and continues to support its 97 project members across Canada in advancing IGT innovation, economic development, and job creation in Canada. For more information about INOVAIT, please visit www.inovait.ca. About INOVAIT Established in 2020, INOVAIT invests strategically in collaborative partnerships that build upon Canada's strength in digital innovation and health science research to create a critical mass of world-leading image-guided therapy (IGT) companies. Led by the Sunnybrook Research Institute and supported by the Government of Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund, the network brings together small, medium-sized, and large companies, research organizations, post-secondary institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Its objective is to build a truly integrated IGT ecosystem by fuelling continuous innovation that revolutionizes healthcare globally. About Sunnybrook Research Institute Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) is the research arm of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, an internationally recognized academic health sciences centre fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. With well-established programs in basic and applied sciences which span across three scientific platforms and ten clinical programs, SRI is developing innovations in care for the more than 1.3 million patient visits the hospital sees annually. Recognized as a Centre of Excellence in focused ultrasound, SRI has one of the most comprehensive and successful focused ultrasound research programs in the world, with technical, scientific, and clinical experts accelerating progress in the field. For more information, please contact: Clara MacKinnon-Cabral, [email protected], Communications Strategist, INOVAIT SOURCE INOVAIT 320 Tables 58 - Figures 294 Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=144298529 Scope of the Report Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2018-2029 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 20242029 Forecast units Value (USD Billion) Segments Covered Offering, Network Deployment, Application, End User, and Region Region covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. List of Companies in LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT The Bosch Group (Germany), Cisco (US), Orange SA (France), Comcast Corporation (US), Semtech (US), NEC Corporation(Japan), Tata Communications (India), AWS (US), Advantech (Taiwan), SK Telecom (South Korea), Murata (Japan), Kerlink (France), Actility (France), Digi International (US), MultiTech (US), Ezurio (US), Sensoterra (Netherlands), Nwave Technologies (US), RAKwireless (China), TheThings.io (Spain), Datacake (Germany), Milesight (China), LORIOT (Switzerland), Exosite (US), Orbiwise (Switzerland), Netmore Group (Sweden), and Radio Bridge Inc (US). The LoRaWAN ecosystem influences development of tools, software libraries, and cloud-based platforms that streamline the creation, deployment, and management of IoT solutions. Continuously evolving, this ecosystem boasts a burgeoning array of vendors providing LoRa-compliant devices, gateways, and network management solutions. This vibrant competition within the ecosystem propels innovation while driving down costs for end-users. Moreover, the development of interoperable solutions fosters seamless integration and deployment of LoRaWAN networks, simplifying the implementation process for businesses and organizations. As the ecosystem continues to expand and mature, it empowers developers, system integrators, and IoT enthusiasts to unleash their creativity, accelerate time-to-market, and unlock the full potential of LoRaWAN technology in diverse applications and industries. Request Sample Pages@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=144298529 Based on network deployment, the public network segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period. The robust security features integrated into public LoRaWAN networks play a significant role in driving the growth and adoption of LoRaWAN technology in the market. End-to-end encryption ensures that data transmitted between devices and gateways is protected from unauthorized access or interception, safeguarding sensitive information such as sensor readings, location data, and command messages. Message integrity checks verify the integrity of data packets, detecting any tampering or alteration during transmission and ensuring data authenticity and reliability. Additionally, mutual authentication mechanisms establish trust between devices and gateways, verifying the identity of both parties before allowing communication to occur. These security measures provide organizations and end-users with confidence in the integrity and confidentiality of their data, mitigating concerns related to data privacy, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory compliance. As a result, implementing robust security features in public LoRaWAN networks enhances trust and credibility in the technology, driving increased adoption and market growth as organizations seek reliable and secure connectivity solutions for their IoT deployments. By offering, the services segment is expected to hold a higher growth rate during the forecast period. IoT service providers are pivotal in driving adoption by developing vertical-specific solutions finely tuned to the distinct needs of industries like agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and smart cities. In agriculture, for instance, IoT services offer solutions for precision farming, crop monitoring, and livestock management, enabling farmers to optimize irrigation, monitor soil health, and enhance yields. Similarly, IoT services facilitate remote patient monitoring, asset tracking, and inventory management in healthcare, improving patient care, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards such as HIPAA. In logistics, IoT services provide real-time tracking of shipments, fleet management, and predictive maintenance, enhancing supply chain visibility, efficiency, and reliability. For smart cities, IoT services offer solutions for traffic management, waste management, energy optimization, and public safety, transforming urban infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for residents. By addressing industry-specific challenges, compliance requirements, and use cases, vertical-specific IoT solutions deliver tangible business value, driving adoption and fueling the growth of the IoT services market across diverse sectors. Inquire Before Buying@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=144298529 Asia Pacific is expected to hold a higher growth rate during the forecast period. In the Asia Pacific region, where agriculture serves as a cornerstone of many economies, adopting IoT technologies, particularly LoRa and LoRaWAN, is revolutionizing traditional farming practices. LoRaWAN's long-range connectivity and low-power consumption make it well-suited for deployment in rural agricultural settings, where access to reliable connectivity may be limited. Through LoRa-based IoT solutions, farmers can implement precision agriculture techniques to address pressing challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and unpredictable weather patterns. LoRa-enabled sensors facilitate real-time monitoring of soil moisture levels, temperature, and humidity, allowing farmers to optimize irrigation schedules and conserve water resources. Remote sensing technologies powered by LoRaWAN enable farmers to gather actionable insights on crop health, pest infestations, and nutrient deficiencies, facilitating timely interventions and improving overall crop management practices. Furthermore, LoRa-based crop analytics platforms provide farmers with data-driven decision support tools, helping them optimize planting strategies, improve yield forecasting, and mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity. By harnessing the power of LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT solutions, farmers in the Asia Pacific region can increase yields, conserve resources, and enhance resilience to environmental challenges, driving the adoption and growth of the LoRaWAN IoT market in the agricultural sector. Top Key Companies in LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market: The major vendors covered in the LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market are The Bosch Group (Germany), Cisco (US), Orange SA (France), Comcast Corporation (US), Semtech (US), NEC Corporation(Japan), Tata Communications (India), AWS (US), Advantech (Taiwan), SK Telecom (South Korea), Murata (Japan), Kerlink (France), Actility (France), Digi International (US), MultiTech (US), Ezurio (US), Sensoterra (Netherlands), Nwave Technologies (US), RAKwireless (China), TheThings.io (Spain), Datacake (Germany), Milesight (China), LORIOT (Switzerland), Exosite (US), Orbiwise (Switzerland), Netmore Group (Sweden), and Radio Bridge Inc (US). These players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships, agreements and collaborations, new product launches, enhancements, and acquisitions to expand their footprint in the LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Market. Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Perimeter Security Market- Global Forecast to 2029 Smart Cities Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Fleet Management Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Smart Water Management Market - Global Forecast to 2028 Rail Asset Management Market - Global Forecast to 2026 Get access to the latest updates on LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Companies and LoRa and LoRaWAN IoT Industry 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. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Candela Corporation announced today that it is partnering with Mariana Vergara, NP-C of Beauty Villa Vergara as a new Candela Aesthetic Center of Excellence. Mariana Vergara, NP-C joins this prestigious community of Candela clinics across the country designated as Aesthetic Centers of Excellence for their commitment to the practice and teaching of aesthetic medicine using Candela's energy-based treatment solutions. Beginning her career as a medical doctor and surgeon in Colombia, Mariana started her medical internship with the Latin American program at Jackson Memorial hospital from the University of Miami school of medicine and completed her time at Children hospital Boston and Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, laying the foundation for her illustrious career. Driven by a fervent passion for aesthetics, she pursued a second career in the United States. Undeterred by challenges, Mariana joined the Florida International University BSN/MSN program for foreign-educated physicians, earning both a bachelor's degree in the science of nursing and a master's degree in family nurse practitioner. Her insatiable thirst for knowledge led her to refine her skills alongside renowned plastic surgeons and dermatologists in Beverly Hills, California, where she mastered the latest minimally invasive procedures. With over eight years of experience in aesthetic medicine, Mariana opened Beauty Villa Vergara in 2020, an exclusive, luxury medical spa with all beauty services under one roof. Her clientele includes A-list celebrities and public figures, a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to excellence. Mariana's Beverly Hills based clinic has earned the prestigious recognition of Candela Aesthetic Center of Excellence by staying in the forefront of advanced aesthetic energy-based technologies. She is an early adopter of the Matrix System and has extensive experience with Vbeam, Nordlys, GentleMax Pro, Profound, and PicoWay, providing her patients with best-in-class treatments for skin rejuvenation, skin resurfacing, skin tightening, as well as hair and tattoo removal. "We are thrilled to partner with Mariana Vergara, in establishing an Aesthetic Center of Excellence dedicated to advancing education and treatment with energy-based devices," stated Mary Trout, Chief Commercial Officer, Candela Corporation. Mariana Vergara, Beauty Villa Vergara, Candela Center of Excellence is located at: 12685 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210 About Candela Corporation Media Contact: Doan Bui [email protected] SOURCE CANDELA MORGAN CITY, La. and COVINGTON, La., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MC Bancshares, Inc. ("MC Bancshares"), the holding company for M C Bank & Trust Company, a Louisiana-chartered bank headquartered in Morgan City, Louisiana, and Heritage NOLA Bancorp, Inc. (OTC Pink Marketplace: "HRGG"), the holding company of Heritage Bank of St. Tammany (collectively, "Heritage"), a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, announced today that they have mutually agreed to terminate their merger agreement, previously announced on July 6, 2023, under which MC Bancshares had agreed to acquire Heritage. The companies have entered into a Mutual Termination Agreement which was approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. The Mutual Termination Agreement provides, among other things, that each party will bear its own costs and expenses in connection with the terminated transaction, without penalties, and mutually releases the parties from any claims of liability to one another relating to the merger transaction. On March 13, 2024, Heritage announced that it had been informed by MC Bancshares that it had withdrawn its applications to acquire Heritage. "While it is unfortunate that we could not finalize this deal, M C Bank remains a very strong and well-capitalized community bank," said Chris LeBato, President and Chief Executive Officer of M C Bank. "We will continue to focus on our human-centric approach to banking and on strengthening the communities we serve, while staying ready for new partnership opportunities." David Crumhorn, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Heritage and HRGG indicated that, "after extensive review of the current uncertainties in the regulatory environment and merger approval process, the Board concluded that it was no longer in the stockholders' best interest to continue to pursue the proposed merger. Nevertheless, our organization remains strong and we continue to be laser focused on building value for our stockholders, customers and community. We are excited about the future of Heritage Bank of St. Tammany and Heritage NOLA Bancorp Inc." About MC Bancshares, Inc. MC Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for M C Bank & Trust Company, a Louisiana-chartered state bank. M C Bank first opened its doors in 1955 in Morgan City, Louisiana. On April 1, 1991, MC Bancshares was formed as a one-bank holding company with its solely owned subsidiary being Morgan City Bank & Trust Company. Simultaneous with the merger of the bank into the holding company, the Bank's name changed to M C Bank & Trust Company. The bank's headquarters are in Morgan City, and the bank has ten banking centers and offices in Louisiana: Amelia, Bayou Vista, Covington, Houma, Lafayette, Metairie, Morgan City, New Orleans, and Youngsville. M C Bank is a locally and privately owned institution focused on strengthening the communities in Louisiana. To learn more, visit www.mcbt.com. About Heritage NOLA Bancorp, Inc. Heritage NOLA Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Heritage Bank of St. Tammany, a federally chartered savings bank. The Bank, founded in 1924, is a community bank providing a variety of financial services to residents and businesses in and around St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. To learn more, visit www.heritagebank.org. Contacts: MC Bancshares, Inc. Christopher P. LeBato, President and Chief Executive Officer Megan Eustis, Director of Stakeholder Relations, M C Bank [email protected] Telephone: (985) 384-2100 Heritage NOLA Bancorp, Inc. David Crumhorn, President and CEO Telephone: (985) 892-4565 SOURCE Heritage NOLA Bancorp, Inc. NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global middleware as a service (MWAAS) market size is estimated to grow by USD 45.44 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.73% during the forecast period. Widespread adoption of cloud computing is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud services. However, data breaches and security vulnerabilities poses a challenge. Key market players include 0hands AG, 4Evertech, Accenture Plc, Amazon.com Inc., Axway Software SA, Boomi LP, BRYXX, Capgemini Service SAS, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Data Intensity, EIL Global, eProsima, International Business Machines Corp., Jitterbit Inc., KPIT Technologies Ltd., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Prime Care Technologies, Salesforce Inc., SEEBURGER AG, Setplex LLC, and IntegrateHQ Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) 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 (Large enterprises and Small and medium size enterprises), Deployment (Public cloud and Private cloud), 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 0hands AG, 4Evertech, Accenture Plc, Amazon.com Inc., Axway Software SA, Boomi LP, BRYXX, Capgemini Service SAS, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Data Intensity, EIL Global, eProsima, International Business Machines Corp., Jitterbit Inc., KPIT Technologies Ltd., Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Prime Care Technologies, Salesforce Inc., SEEBURGER AG, Setplex LLC, and IntegrateHQ Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) market has experienced substantial growth due to the rising adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud services. These architectures offer benefits such as flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency, making them popular choices for organizations. By utilizing multiple cloud providers, businesses can optimize their middleware infrastructure and address data sovereignty and compliance requirements. Hybrid and multi-cloud services also provide resiliency and disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring business continuity and minimizing downtime. Consequently, the trend towards adopting hybrid and multi-cloud services is driving growth in the MWAAS market. Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) is a trending business solution that enables organizations to outsource complex application tasks. Key components include integration, execution, and communication between software applications. MWAAS providers offer cloud-based services, such as data processing, security, and messaging. Companies benefit from reduced costs, increased efficiency, and improved functionality. Common MWAAS offerings include API management, data transformation, and workflow automation. Additionally, MWAAS can enhance application performance and scalability, making it an essential tool for modern businesses. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges The Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) market faces challenges from data breaches and security vulnerabilities. With businesses relying on cloud services and third-party providers, the risk of unauthorized access and data leakage has increased. This was evident in the Microsoft Azure DevOps server breach by LapsusUSD group, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and legal actions. MWAAS providers must implement strong security measures to protect sensitive information, as they handle vast amounts of data for multiple clients. These challenges may hinder the growth of the global MWAAS market. Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) is a growing market that offers businesses the ability to outsource complex application tasks. However, implementing MWAAS comes with challenges. One challenge is ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and technologies. Another challenge is managing security and privacy concerns. Additionally, selecting the right MWAAS provider and managing vendor relationships can be time-consuming and complex. Lastly, ensuring compatibility with various systems and technologies is essential. Overcoming these challenges requires careful planning, research, and collaboration between IT and business teams. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview End-user 1.1 Large enterprises 1.2 Small and medium size enterprises Deployment 2.1 Public cloud 2.2 Private cloud Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Large enterprises- Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) is a cloud-based solution that simplifies middleware deployment for large enterprises. These organizations, with their complex IT infrastructures and data-intensive operations, greatly benefit from MWAAS. Notable examples include IBM's Cloud Integration platform, Oracle's Middleware Cloud Service, Microsoft's Azure Integration Services, and Salesforce's MuleSoft. These platforms offer features like API management, application integration, and data management, enabling large enterprises to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and leverage data effectively. The large enterprises segment in the MWAAS market will continue to grow due to the need for scalable and comprehensive middleware solutions. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) is a significant component of digital transformation in heterogeneous IT environments. MWAAS enables seamless integration of various computer software and operating systems through a unified platform. It offers efficient communication and data exchange capabilities, essential for distributed applications and real-time data processing. MWAAS includes various types of middleware such as application server middleware, database middleware, message-oriented middleware, transaction-processing middleware, web middleware, communication middleware, platform middleware, and integration middleware. MWAAS supports industry 4.0 initiatives by providing automation, interconnectivity, and machine learning capabilities. Cloud computing services like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) are essential for deploying and managing MWAAS solutions. Key technologies like Cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things, and machine learning enhance the functionality and value of MWAAS. Market Research Overview Middleware as a Service (MWAAS) is a cloud-based solution that enables the seamless integration and management of applications and services. It facilitates the efficient exchange of data between different systems and applications, enhancing overall business agility and flexibility. MWAAS solutions provide essential functions such as security, data transformation, and orchestration, among others. They are particularly valuable in complex IT environments where multiple systems need to communicate effectively. The MWAAS market is growing rapidly due to the increasing adoption of cloud technologies and the need for streamlined application integration. It caters to various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing, among others. MWAAS solutions offer significant benefits, including improved operational efficiency, reduced development time, and enhanced security. They also enable organizations to leverage new technologies and business models, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital transformation initiatives. 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 Large Enterprises Small And Medium Size Enterprises Deployment Public Cloud Private Cloud 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 NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global military thermal weapon sights market size is estimated to grow by USD 352.9 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.67% during the forecast period. Introduction of high-definition thermal imaging systems is driving market growth, with a trend towards emergence of wireless thermal weapon sights. However, high cost associated with production of military thermal weapon sights poses a challenge. Key market players include American Technologies Network Corp., ASELSAN AS, BAE Systems Plc, BERETTA HOLDING SA, Elbit Systems Ltd., Excelitas Technologies Corp., General Starlight Co. Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo DRS, Materion Corp., Patria Group, Rheinmetall AG, Safran SA, Schmidt and Bender GmbH and Co. KG, SIG Sauer Inc., Teledyne Technologies Inc., Thales Group, THEON International, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Tonbo Imaging India Pvt. Ltd., and Trijicon Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Military Thermal Weapon Sights Market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report Military Thermal Weapon Sights Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.67% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 352.9 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.57 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 36% Key countries US, China, India, Russia, and France Key companies profiled American Technologies Network Corp., ASELSAN AS, BAE Systems Plc, BERETTA HOLDING SA, Elbit Systems Ltd., Excelitas Technologies Corp., General Starlight Co. Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo DRS, Materion Corp., Patria Group, Rheinmetall AG, Safran SA, Schmidt and Bender GmbH and Co. KG, SIG Sauer Inc., Teledyne Technologies Inc., Thales Group, THEON International, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Tonbo Imaging India Pvt. Ltd., and Trijicon Inc. Market Driver Military thermal weapon sights have gained significant traction in the defense and law enforcement sectors due to their advanced capabilities. Devices like the Pulsar Thermion XM50 and Teledyne Technologies Inc.'s Breach Thermal Monocular offer superior image quality and quick target acquisition in challenging conditions. Their wireless connectivity enables seamless integration with other systems, enhancing situational awareness and reducing risks. This technology's adoption is expected to expand the military thermal weapon sights market substantially during the forecast period. The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for advanced technology in military applications. Bordeaux, Montoring, and Combat Systems are key players in this industry, providing solutions such as infrasight, vision enhancement, and targeting systems. These systems offer benefits like improved situational awareness, increased accuracy, and enhanced security. The trend towards remote control and autonomous systems is also driving innovation in this market. Devices like Soliders, Geopolitics, and Effective Sensing are developing advanced thermal imaging technologies to meet the evolving needs of military forces. The market is expected to continue growing, driven by the need for superior military capabilities and the ongoing development of advanced thermal technology. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges Military thermal weapon sights are expensive due to advanced technology and specialized labor. Thermal sensors, made with complex technology, are costly and require skilled engineers. Advanced components, such as lenses and circuit boards, also add to the expense. Skilled labor is needed for assembly, and testing requires specialized equipment and personnel. Strict military quality control measures ensure each sight meets standards, but can increase production costs. These factors may limit market growth for military thermal weapon sights. The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market faces several challenges. Capabilities such as accuracy, detection range, and durability are essential for these systems. However, integrating them with other military technologies can be difficult. Budgets and maintenance costs are also significant challenges. The systems must be able to function in various weather conditions and terrains. Additionally, cybersecurity threats are a growing concern. The market requires advanced technology to counteract these challenges and provide effective thermal weapon sights for military applications. The need for miniaturization and longer battery life is also important for portable and handheld devices. The market for military thermal weapon sights is competitive, with several players offering similar products. Therefore, companies must differentiate themselves by providing superior technology and customer service. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview Type 1.1 Gun-based thermal weapon sights 1.2 Vehicle-mounted thermal weapon sights Application 2.1 Air 2.2 Maritime 2.3 Land Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America 1.1 Gun-based thermal weapon sights- The global military thermal weapon sights market is projected to expand due to the increasing demand for advanced targeting solutions in combat situations. Gun-based thermal weapon sights, such as the AN/PAS-13 and ATN Thor 4, offer enhanced capabilities with long detection ranges and compatibility with various weapons. Manufacturers like Leonardo DRS are innovating to provide lightweight, portable, and high-performance sights, like the INOD Block III, which can detect targets in all lighting conditions and poor weather. The market growth is driven by the need for superior accuracy and image clarity, enabling soldiers to effectively engage enemies from greater distances and complex environments. 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 Thermal Weapon Sights market encompasses advanced technologies that enhance combat effectiveness under various lighting and weather conditions. These sights utilize thermal imaging and infrared radiation to detect heat signatures, extending detection ranges and improving aiming accuracy for military forces. The integration of wireless connectivity and augmented reality further enhances situational awareness, enabling more efficient border seal operations. Thermal detectors, thermograms, and thermographic weapon sights are essential tools for armed services, including the army, navy, and air force. Ultraviolet sensors offer additional capabilities, expanding the scope of these systems. Compact thermographic cameras and aiming reticles ensure the versatility and adaptability of these solutions for small arms and heavier weapons. Geopolitical tensions continue to drive the demand for advanced thermal weapon sights, ensuring the readiness and preparedness of defense forces. Market Research Overview The Military Thermal Weapon Sights market encompasses advanced technologies and solutions designed for enhancing military capabilities in various operational environments. These systems utilize thermal imaging to provide real-time visual information, enabling effective target identification and engagement in low-light conditions or through smoke, fog, and other obscurants. The market comprises various types of thermal weapon sights, including handheld, weapon-mounted, and helmet-mounted systems. These solutions are integral to force protection, situational awareness, and mission success in modern military operations. Additionally, ongoing research and development efforts aim to improve thermal imaging technologies, such as uncooled microbolomers and long-wave infrared sensors, to provide more advanced and cost-effective solutions for military applications. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Gun-based Thermal Weapon Sights Vehicle-mounted Thermal Weapon Sights Application Air Maritime Land Geography North America APAC Europe Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Seeking Diverse Perspectives and Authentic Voices for Two New "Health UNMUTED" Audio Series NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Based Media, an integrated digital media and health content development company, invites speakers, supporters, and sponsors to participate in its two upcoming Health UNMUTED audio-first miniseries focused on type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These series amplify the voices of people living with diabetes, caregivers, and health experts. "Health UNMUTED" uses powerful storytelling to feature authentic voices, capture attention and promote deep understanding. Post this Mission Based Media invites speakers, supporters, and sponsors to participate in its two upcoming Health UNMUTED audio-first miniseries focused on type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These series amplify the voices of people living with diabetes, caregivers, and health experts. Each episode explains things in a way thats really easy to understand. We use storytelling techniques, and integrate music and sound effects. This approach captures their attention and promotes deeper understanding. Reflecting on his personal journey with diabetes that spurred the creation of Health UNMUTED, Dan Kendall, CEO of Mission Based Media, shared, "When one of my children was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I experienced firsthand the fear and confusion faced by many of us managing this condition." Dan realized he was not alone in seeking insights and knowledge about diabetes. "My daughter's care team is terrific, but outside of doctor visits, it's really helpful to hear directly from people who have lived with a condition. However, it can be hard to find authentic and diverse voices that can connect across multiple levels." This realization led to the development of Health UNMUTED, an audio-first library of health education content that features short, narrated episodes. Each episode interweaves the voices of health experts, caregivers, and people living with health conditions. Dan and his team have already developed several miniseries about Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other conditions, and they have identified over 60 health conditions they plan to produce. "Each episode explains things in a way that's really easy to understand. We don't simply rattle off a list of information or deliver bullet points. We use storytelling techniques, and integrate music and sound effects. We break the fourth wall to speak directly to the listener. This approach captures their attention and promotes deeper understanding." Mission Based Media is now in pre-production development of two new series about type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. "We are eager to produce these two new miniseries to assist others who are living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or caring for someone who is," Dan added. The company will actively engage with attendees and exhibitors at the American Diabetes Association's 84th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida, from June 21-24, 2024. Speakers interested in participating in Health UNMUTED , as well as potential supporters and sponsors, are encouraged to express interest here or request a meeting at the ADA's 84th Scientific Sessions by emailing [email protected]. About Mission Based Media Mission Based Media is an integrated digital media and health content development company specializing in podcasting services, including our platforms Health Podcast Network and Health UNMUTED. Our mission is to engage, educate and empower listeners with health information that is trustworthy, accurate, and objective. With insights from leading health experts and authentic stories from diverse patient and caregiver perspectives, we bring vital health conversations to life. For more information, visit missionbasedmedia.com. SOURCE Mission Based Media Dr. Shawn J. Green, MTEC President RET. CDR. Christopher Steele, Chief of Strategy and Business Development RET. COL. Stuart Tyner, Senior Advisor SUMMERVILLE, S.C., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is proud to announce that Dr. Shawn Green has taken over the reins of MTEC's Presidency from former President Bill Howell effective May 24. "I am excited to lead MTEC into its next phase of growth and innovation," said Dr. Green, "and am eager to work with the talented team Bill has created to continue driving advancements in medical technology to protect and heal the warfighter and beyond." With a doctorate in cellular biology and MBA from Georgetown University, Dr. Green brings extensive experience in biomedical research and created several successful life science companies in the areas of therapeutics, devices, and bioinformatics. He is a prolific researcher with over 100 patents and publications in esteemed journals such as Science and Nature Medicine. During his early career at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), his discoveries provided new insights in our understanding of innate immunity in infectious diseases. As MTEC President, Dr. Green will lead efforts to diversify funding sources and expand the commercialization and branding strategies for MTEC. Dr. Green is joined by RET. CDR. Christopher Steele, PhD who will serve as MTEC's new Chief of Strategy and Business Development. Dr. Steele has 34+ years of Army enlisted, and Navy commissioned service. His R&D experience includes tours at the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Office of Naval Research, US Army Medical Research and Development Command, and the Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Steele's program experience includes strategic planning and funding in behavioral health, musculoskeletal injuries, rehabilitative medicine, neurosensory systems, sleep, environmental physiology, combat casualty care and radiological health. In addition, RET. COL. Stuart Tyner will serve as a Senior Advisor to MTEC. Dr. Tyner spent 22 years in the Army, serving in leadership positions, including Director of the Defense Health Agency Infectious Diseases Portfolio and Director of the Military Infectious Diseases Research Program. He also served as Chief Science Officer at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research and the Chief of Staff at WRAIR. Dr. Tyner's program experience includes strategic planning and funding in infectious diseases, combat casualty care and regenerative medicine. In culmination of his service, Dr. Tyner was appointed as the lead policy advisor to the U.S. Army Surgeon General in microbiology and serves on the advisory board of The Geneva Foundation. Learn more about the MTEC team at https://mtec-sc.org/whoweare/ About MTEC: The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium is a 501(c)(3) biomedical technology consortium that is internationally dispersed, collaborating with multiple government agencies. The consortium focuses on the development of medical solutions that protect, treat, and optimize the health and performance of military personnel and civilians. Media Contact: Madison Bell, [email protected] SOURCE Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) WASHINGTON, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Media are invited in late July to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to see progress on the agency's SLS (Space Launch System) Moon rocket as preparations continue for the Artemis II test flight around the Moon. NASAs Pegasus barge delivers the SLS (Space Launch System) rockets core stage for the 2022 Artemis I mission to the turn basin at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in April 2021. Credits: NASA/Michael Downs Participants joining the multi-day events will see the arrival and unloading of the 212-foot-tall SLS core stage at the center's turn basin before it is transported to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. The stage will arrive on NASA's Pegasus barge from the agency's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where it was manufactured and assembled. Media also will see the twin pair of solid rocket boosters inside the Rotation, Processing, and Surge Facility at the spaceport, where NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Program is processing the motor segments in preparation for rocket assembly. NASA and industry subject matter experts will be available to answer questions. At launch, the SLS rocket's two solid rocket boosters and four RS-25 engines, located at the base of its core stage, will produce 8.8 million pounds of thrust to send the first crewed mission of the Artemis campaign around the Moon. Media interested in participating must apply for credentials at: https://media.ksc.nasa.gov To receive credentials, international media must apply by Friday, June 28, and U.S. citizens must apply by Thursday, July 5. Credentialed media will receive a confirmation email upon approval, along with additional information about the specific date for the activities when they are finalized. NASA's media accreditation policy is available online. For questions about accreditation, please email [email protected]. For other questions, please contact Kennedy's newsroom at: 321-867-2468. Para obtener informacion sobre cobertura en espanol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espanol, comuniquese con Antonia Jaramillo o Messod Bendayan a: [email protected] o [email protected]. The approximately 10-day Artemis II flight will test NASA's SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and ground systems for the first time with astronauts and will pave the way for lunar surface missions, including landing the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut on the Moon. Learn more about Artemis at: www.nasa.gov/artemis/ SOURCE NASA Support from longtime donors Joe and Linda Chlapaty key to hospital's "Empower the Possible" campaign COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationwide Children's Hospital announced today that longtime donors Joe and Linda Chlapaty have donated $25 million to support the recently launched Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research. The gift will fund innovative research, endowed faculty to recruit nationally renowned researchers, and construction for new facilities. The Chlapatys' commitment is part of the recently announced "Empower the Possible" campaign to raise $500 million to support the hospital's $3.3 billion strategic plan. From left: David Axelson, MD, chief of the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at Nationwide Childrens Hospital; Eric Youngstrom, PhD, director, Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research at Nationwide Childrens; longtime donors Joe and Linda Chlapaty; Dennis Durbin, MD, MSCE, president of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Childrens; Tim Robinson, CEO at Nationwide Childrens Hospital; and Steve Testa, president, Nationwide Childrens Foundation. Longtime donors Joe and Linda Chlapaty have donated $25 million to support the recently launched Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research at Nationwide Childrens Hospital. The gift will help fund innovative research, endowed faculty to recruit nationally renowned researchers, and construction for new facilities. The Chlapatys have cumulatively given more than $30 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital during the past four decades to support areas including this latest gift for behavioral health research, craniofacial and plastic surgery, child abuse prevention, suicide prevention, innovation in pediatric practice, and more. Joe Chlapaty joined the Nationwide Children's Hospital Board of Trustees in 2008 and has led the finance committee through periods of tremendous growth. Linda Chlapaty is on the board of the hospital's Center for Family and Safety Healing. "I am so grateful for Joe and Linda Chlapaty," said Tim Robinson, chief executive officer, Nationwide Children's Hospital. "They have been supporting our mission for four decades. Whatever we need, they are there. Their leadership, generosity, and advocacy have made such a difference not only to Nationwide Children's but to the entire community." In recognition of the Chlapatys' decades of support of Nationwide Children's, the hospital's fourth research building will now be known as the Joe and Linda Chlapaty Research Building at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The building, which opened in May 2023, is home to the Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine; the Center for Gene Therapy, where two of the first eight gene therapies approved by the FDA were developed; the Center for Regenerative Medicine, where a tissue engineered blood vessel that received FDA Breakthrough Status is being developed; and the Center for Childhood Cancer Research, whose faculty have received two Cancer Moonshot grants from the National Institutes of Health. The opening of this building brought the total square footage devoted to research at Nationwide Children's to more than 800,000 square feet. "Linda and I have tremendous confidence in Nationwide Children's Hospital," said Joe Chlapaty. "Addressing the crisis in children's mental health requires big thinking and a lot of hard work. We want to help Nationwide Children's with their ambitious efforts to ensure that all kids have an opportunity to grow up healthy and safe and achieve their best outcomes." Steve Testa, president of the Nationwide Children's Foundation, said that the Chlapatys' impact is immeasurable. "Obviously, Nationwide Children's is lucky to have Joe and Linda Chlapaty as such dedicated, determined supporters," Testa said. "This gift is truly transformational and will propel our mental health research capabilities to new levels, benefitting children in central Ohio and beyond for generations to come." About The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 list of "Best Children's Hospitals," Nationwide Children's Hospital is one of America's largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs are part of what allows Nationwide Children's to advance its unique model of care. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children's faculty train the next generation of pediatricians, scientists and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities in the U.S., supporting basic, clinical, translational, behavioral and population health research. The AWRI is comprised of multidisciplinary Centers of Emphasis paired with advanced infrastructure supporting capabilities such as technology commercialization for discoveries; gene- and cell-based therapies; and genome sequencing and analysis. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org/Research. CONTACT: Media Relations Nationwide Children's Hospital 614-355-0495 SOURCE Nationwide Childrens Hospital NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The optometry software market size in North America is estimated to grow by USD 576.62 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.67% during the forecast period. Increasing prevalence of ophthalmic diseases is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing ophthalmology market. However, rising medical data privacy concerns poses a challenge. Key market players include Barti, Compulink Healthcare Solutions, Doctorsoft Corp., EssilorLuxottica, EverCommerce Inc., Eye Care Leaders, First Insight Corp., Health Innovation Technologies Inc., iTRUST.IO LLC , LiquidEHR Inc., MacPractice, Nextech Systems LLC, Optical POS Software LLC, Optometric Services Inc., Solutionreach Inc., SOTH Inc., Vision Service Plan, Weave Communications Inc., WINK Technologies Inc., and WRS Health. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Optometry Software Market in North America 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 (Cloud-based and Web-based), End-user (Hospitals, Nursing homes, and Others), and Geography (North America) Region Covered North America Key companies profiled Barti, Compulink Healthcare Solutions, Doctorsoft Corp., EssilorLuxottica, EverCommerce Inc., Eye Care Leaders, First Insight Corp., Health Innovation Technologies Inc., iTRUST.IO LLC , LiquidEHR Inc., MacPractice, Nextech Systems LLC, Optical POS Software LLC, Optometric Services Inc., Solutionreach Inc., SOTH Inc., Vision Service Plan, Weave Communications Inc., WINK Technologies Inc., and WRS Health Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The optometry software market in North America is experiencing significant growth due to the expanding ophthalmology sector. Factors such as increasing eye diseases, R&D focus, rising medical costs, and healthcare spending are fueling market expansion. This growth will necessitate advanced software solutions for managing patient treatments, prescriptions, and operational needs, thereby boosting the optometry software market in North America. The optometry software market in North America is experiencing significant growth, with companies focusing on advanced technologies for patient management and vision care. Opththalmology and optometry practices are implementing cloud-based solutions for remote patient consultations and telemedicine services. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is increasing for diagnosis and treatment planning. Clinics are adopting electronic health records and practice management systems for streamlined operations. The market is also witnessing the integration of mobile applications and wearable devices for monitoring and tracking patient progress. Overall, the North American optometry software market is evolving to meet the demands of modern healthcare delivery. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges The optometry software market in North America faces challenges due to data privacy concerns surrounding advanced technologies used for medical document storage and analysis. With the implementation of privacy acts like HIPAA in the US, unauthorized disclosure of personal medical data remains a concern. Potential risks include improper data authentication, unsecured resources, and data breaches. faces challenges due to data privacy concerns surrounding advanced technologies used for medical document storage and analysis. With the implementation of privacy acts like HIPAA in the US, unauthorized disclosure of personal medical data remains a concern. Potential risks include improper data authentication, unsecured resources, and data breaches. These issues may hinder market growth during the forecast period. The optometry software market in North America faces several challenges. Telehealth and temedicine are gaining popularity, requiring software solutions that can effectively support remote consultations and patient data management. Refractive errors and prescriptions are key areas of focus, with the need for accurate and efficient systems to manage these aspects. faces several challenges. Telehealth and temedicine are gaining popularity, requiring software solutions that can effectively support remote consultations and patient data management. Refractive errors and prescriptions are key areas of focus, with the need for accurate and efficient systems to manage these aspects. Crystals and lenses are essential components in optometry, and the integration of these elements into software systems is crucial. The expansion of ambulatory care and the use of electronic health records also necessitate seamless software solutions. Optical shops and practices require specific functionalities, such as inventory management and prescription tracking. The challenge lies in creating comprehensive software that caters to all these requirements while ensuring user-friendliness and data security. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview Type 1.1 Cloud-based 1.2 Web-based End-user 2.1 Hospitals 2.2 Nursing homes 2.3 Others Geography 3.1 North America 1.1 Cloud-based- The optometry software market in North America is projected to expand at a significant rate due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based deployment models. Cloud-based solutions offer advantages such as quick deployment, flexibility, scalability, real-time data visibility, and customization capabilities. These benefits enable automation and integration with other eyecare software solutions, offering cost savings through flexible payment options. Small and medium-scale eyecare organizations particularly benefit from scalable networks and reduced costs. Innovations in data security are driving large-scale enterprise adoption. Cloud-based solutions provide optimal cost and efficiency through scalability and the ability to store infrequently used data on public cloud servers. 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 Optometry Software Market in North America is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing prevalence of chronic ophthalmological conditions such as Glaucoma, Dry eye, and Cataracts in the aging population. Electronic health records and cloud-based solutions are becoming increasingly popular in Optometry clinics, enabling remote patient monitoring and telehealth services. AI-based software is being integrated into these systems to improve diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors. Mobile applications are also being used to enhance patient engagement and data accessibility. Optometrists can now manage patient data and records more efficiently using EHR systems, whether they are inpatient or ambulatory. Cloud-based EMR systems from companies like Maxim Eyes, Revolution EHR, Doctor soft, and Liquid EHR are revolutionizing the way optometry practices operate. These systems facilitate seamless sharing of health records data between hospitals, clinics, and specialist centers. Market Research Overview The Optometry Software Market in North America is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of advanced technologies and the rising number of optometry clinics. These software solutions enable efficient management of patient records, scheduling appointments, billing, and insurance processing. The integration of telehealth services and remote patient monitoring is further driving market expansion. Additionally, the implementation of electronic health records (EHR) and Meaningful Use regulations is fueling the demand for specialized optometry software. The market is segmented based on application, end-user, and region. The application segment includes patient management, practice management, and telehealth. The end-user segment comprises hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and optometry clinics. The market is expected to continue its robust growth in the coming years. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Cloud-based Web-based End-user Hospitals Nursing Homes Others Geography North America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio The flag's design dates to June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress specified 13 horizontal stripes and 13 stars to honor the original Colonies. The 13 stripes have appeared on every version of the flag except from 1795 -1818, when there were 15 stripes for the 15 states in the Union. The Flag Act of 1818 standardized the number of stripes at 13 and stipulated that a star would be added for each new state. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day, which was officially designated by Congress in 1939. Since the first flag, there have been 27 versions as more states have entered the Union. The current flag was created when Hawaii was added as the 50th state in 1959, with the 50-star flag debuting on July 4, 1960. The current design is the longest used in the nation's history. The U.S. Flags stamps are Forever stamps and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1ounce price. They are available in booklets and panes of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with illustrations by Laura Stutzman. Postal Products Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 167 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com. National contact: Felicia M. Lott [email protected] usps.com/news SOURCE U.S. Postal Service NEW YORK, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global racing clutches market size is estimated to grow by USD 599.85 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of about 6.95% during the forecast period. Multiple suppliers developing performance/racing clutches as a product portfolio is driving market growth, with a trend towards friction-less engine coupling with drive system. However, unregulated automotive aftermarket poses a challenge. Key market players include Ace Manufacturing and Parts Co., Advanced Clutch Technology Inc., AIM Corp., AP Racing Ltd, Australian Clutch Services Pty. Ltd., Brembo Spa, Clutch Masters Industries Inc., Competition Clutch Inc., EXEDY Corp., Helix Autosport Ltd., Holley Inc., Klaus Reinicke GmbH, OS Giken USA, Quarter Master, Schaeffler AG, SPEC Clutch Inc, Tilton Engineering Inc., TTV Industrial Ltd., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and FCC Co. ltd. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Racing Clutches Market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies- View the snapshot of this report Racing Clutches Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.95% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 599.85 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.83 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key countries US, China, Germany, UK, and Italy Key companies profiled Ace Manufacturing and Parts Co., Advanced Clutch Technology Inc., AIM Corp., AP Racing Ltd, Australian Clutch Services Pty. Ltd., Brembo Spa, Clutch Masters Industries Inc., Competition Clutch Inc., EXEDY Corp., Helix Autosport Ltd., Holley Inc., Klaus Reinicke GmbH, OS Giken USA, Quarter Master, Schaeffler AG, SPEC Clutch Inc, Tilton Engineering Inc., TTV Industrial Ltd., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and FCC Co. ltd Market Driver The global racing clutches market is experiencing growth due to advancements in clutch technology. A new design eliminates the need for a clutch kit and friction plates, instead utilizing interlocking teeth for engine-transmission coupling. This innovation reduces weight, size, and energy losses, making it highly efficient and desirable for high-performance vehicles. Leading auto manufacturers in the US are developing this technology, set to revolutionize the industry and increase market size. The Racing Clutches Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of motorsports. Drive systems play a crucial role in racing vehicles, and clutches are a vital component. Membrane clutches, dual clutch systems, and carbon clutches are trending in this market. Operating principles vary, with some using friction discs and others utilizing pressure plates. Clutches must be precise and durable to handle the high torque and power output of racing engines. Carbon clutches offer lightweight and high-performance benefits, while membrane clutches provide smooth engagement. Quicker shifting and improved control are key factors driving demand for advanced clutches in the racing industry. Precise manufacturing and material science are essential to meet the stringent requirements of racing applications. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend. For more details- Download a Sample Report Market Challenges The aftermarket plays a significant role in enhancing technological performance in the automotive industry, particularly in the racing clutches market. However, this sector is plagued with counterfeit and underperforming products, often from China, which disrupt the market with low-cost offerings and technology degradation. The racing clutch, a vital transmission component, requires precise design angles, material grade, dimensions, and manufacturing processes to ensure high stiffness and endurance. The unregulated aftermarket poses a challenge due to the uncertainty of product sources and performance, potentially impacting the global racing clutches market during the forecast period. The Racing Clutches Market faces several challenges. One key challenge is the requirement for high performance and durability. Clutches must handle significant power and torque, while also providing smooth engagement and disengagement. Another challenge is the need for lightweight materials to reduce weight and improve acceleration. Additionally, cost is a significant factor, as high-performance clutches can be expensive. Regulations and safety standards also pose challenges, requiring clutches to meet strict performance and safety requirements. Finally, the market is highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers vying for market share. To stay competitive, companies must continually innovate and improve their products to meet the evolving needs of racers and performance enthusiasts. For more insights on driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview Type 1.1 Eco performance 1.2 High performance Application 2.1 OEMs 2.2 Aftermarkets Geography 3.1 Europe 3.2 North America 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Eco performance- The eco-performance segment in the global racing clutches market is witnessing growth due to the increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance clutches. Factors such as consumer and industry environmental consciousness, stringent emissions regulations, and a focus on fuel efficiency are driving this trend. Companies like Exedy and ACT are responding with eco-friendly clutch series, utilizing advanced materials for improved performance and reduced environmental impact. This alignment with sustainability initiatives appeals to socially responsible consumers and contributes to the market's growth during the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017-2021) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Racing Clutches Market encompasses various types of clutches designed for high-performance applications in motorsports and automotive technology. These clutches cater to Driving Members and Driven Members in dual-clutch systems, enabling superior performance under extreme conditions. Operating Members in racing transmissions and racing drivetrains benefit from advanced materials such as Carbon, Cerametallic, and Metallic for enhanced friction in both wet and dry environments. Aftermarket buyers seek specialized clutches for engine technology upgrades, while racing cars and motorsports require lightweight materials and energy-efficient clutch designs to optimize power transfer and improve overall vehicle performance. Electric powertrains also necessitate advanced clutch solutions for seamless power transmission. Market Research Overview The Racing Clutches Market encompasses the production, supply, and distribution of clutches specifically designed for high-performance racing applications. These clutches differ from standard automotive clutches due to their ability to handle the increased power and torque generated in racing conditions. Materials such as carbon, ceramic, and Kevlar are commonly used in racing clutches to ensure durability and resistance to extreme temperatures. The market for racing clutches is driven by the growing popularity of motorsports and the increasing demand for improved vehicle performance. Additionally, advancements in technology have led to the development of lighter and more efficient clutches, further fueling market growth. The market for racing clutches is global in nature, with various regions including Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific contributing significantly to its growth. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Eco Performance High Performance Application OEMs Aftermarkets Geography Europe North America 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 Rise Thinks Big and Goes Small, Acquires Table Talk MINNEAPOLIS, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading bakery manufacturer Rise Baking Company (Rise) announced today that it has acquired Worcester, MA-based Table Talk Pies, Inc. (Table Talk). Making freshly baked pies in Worcester, MA, since 1924, family-owned Table Talk is one of the country's leading full-line pie producers, specializing in 4-inch snack pies and 8-inch to 10-inch dessert pies. Table Talk President Isaac Long, expressed, "Rise's commitment to innovation and uncompromising quality aligns perfectly with Table Talk's values, making this a win-win opportunity that sets Table Talk up for success going forward. We're excited to bring our century of experience and expertise in the pie industry to the Rise platform, joining its trusted brands in delivering exceptional quality and continued growth. We remain committed to our customers, the partnerships we've built, and driving innovation in the category together." A portfolio company of the private equity firm Olympus Partners, Rise is a leading provider of premium cookies, icings, cakes, pies, muffins, brownies, dessert bars, artisan breads, and flatbreads in North America to retail bakeries, foodservice operators, and distributors. "We're excited to welcome Table Talk and its employees to the Rise team," said Brian Zellmer, CEO of the Minneapolis-based Rise Baking Company. "As our second pie acquisition, we're eager to grow our slice of the pie industry, unlocking new possibilities while preserving the valued heritage of the Table Talk brand." Already under the Rise umbrella are the trusted brands Brill, South Coast Baking, Best Maid Cookie Company, Henry & Henry, New French Bakery, Bakestone Brothers, and Karp's. With the Table Talk acquisition, the combined business will now have 20 Rise Baking Company manufacturing facilities across the US and Canada with an estimated 3,700 total employees. "We're thrilled to see Rise grow in the pie category, continuing to expand their offerings to better serve their customer base," said Mike Horgan, Partner at Olympus Partners. "The Rise team continues to demonstrate an exceptional ability to create and implement business strategies that grow their existing and newly acquired brands." The Olympus team includes Mike Horgan, Jim Conroy, Griffin Barstis, Sid Ahuja, and Marty Durkin. Olympus was represented during the acquisition by Matt Goulding and Cameron Leishman from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. About Rise Baking Company Rise Baking Company, based in Minneapolis, MN, is a North American bakery manufacturer that produces a broad portfolio of products for in-store bakeries and foodservice customers, including leading national grocery chains, convenience stores, QSRs, and mass merchandisers. Rise operates with an unparalleled customer-first culture, resulting in best-in-class product innovation, quality, and service. Rise Baking Company believes "our finest ingredient is our people." For more information, please visit risebakingcompany.com. About Olympus Partners Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for companies needing capital for expansion. Olympus manages in excess of $8.5 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Founded in 1988, Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services, and manufacturing. SOURCE Olympus Partners Company recognized as a top workplace in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times/Silicon Valley Business Journal and Fortune MENLO PARK, Calif., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) has been recognized as one of the 2024 Bay Area Best Places to Work by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. The company ranks No. 1 among companies with 500+ employees. Nominees were selected based on scores obtained from an independent survey of workers in the Bay Area. The featured companies are those whose employees rated them highest on key factors, such as compensation and benefits, collaborative culture, and management practices. "Everything we do at Robert Half is guided by our people-first philosophy," said Lynne Smith, senior vice president of global human resources at Robert Half. "This recognition which is a direct result of employee feedback reflects our commitment to fostering a culture where our people feel recognized and supported and can thrive personally and professionally." Robert Half was also recently named among the Fortune Best Workplaces in the Bay Area 2024 by Great Places to Work for the second consecutive year. The company's Employee Commitment Proposition defines how it supports its employees in four key areas: Career: At Robert Half, talent and expertise are highly valued. Employees have access to resources, training and development programs, and mentorship opportunities to succeed in their career journeys. At Robert Half, talent and expertise are highly valued. Employees have access to resources, training and development programs, and mentorship opportunities to succeed in their career journeys. Well-being: Robert Half's employee assistance program provides resources for mental health and well-being, and its Support for Families initiative offers resources for working parents. Other benefits include financial planning and education, child and elder care, and virtual wellness sessions. Robert Half's employee assistance program provides resources for mental health and well-being, and its Support for Families initiative offers resources for working parents. Other benefits include financial planning and education, child and elder care, and virtual wellness sessions. Connections: Employees participate in biannual surveys to provide feedback on challenges and areas of opportunity, resulting in new initiatives to improve the employee experience. One such improvement is the expansion of global programs where employees discuss shared experiences and develop their internal networks. Employees participate in biannual surveys to provide feedback on challenges and areas of opportunity, resulting in new initiatives to improve the employee experience. One such improvement is the expansion of global programs where employees discuss shared experiences and develop their internal networks. Impact: Robert Half remains committed to being a good corporate citizen and has recently enhanced community relations, matching gifts and employee recognition programs. About Robert Half Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune Most Admired Companies and 100 Best Companies to Work For, and a Forbes Best Employer for Diversity. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com. SOURCE Robert Half RVU120 as a single agent showed clinical benefit in heavily pretreated patients with AML and HR-MDS in the Phase 1 RIVER-51 study (CLI120-001). The strongest evidence of benefit was observed in patients with NPM1 and/or DNMT3A mutations and in patients with HR-MDS. A complete remission (CR) was achieved in a patient with NPM1 and DNMT3A mutations as well as 3 marrow CRs in patients with HR-MDS. Preclinical results strongly support RVU120 as a candidate for venetoclax relapsed/refractory and frontline AML therapy. New data in myelofibrosis models show that RVU120 acts synergistically with JAK inhibitors and BET inhibitor pelabresib. These data support new potential therapeutic options for patients with myelofibrosis. Based on compelling preclinical results, Ryvu plans to launch the clinical study POTAMI-61 (NCT06397313). A webinar covering the latest data in AML, MDS, and MF will be held on Friday, June 14 , at 9:30 (CET). Registration is available at: https://ryvu.clickmeeting.com/ryvu-eha-2024-results KRAKOW, Poland, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology, presents clinical and preclinical data from RVU120 at the 2024 European Hematology Association Congress (EHA), June 13-16, Madrid, Spain. "We are thrilled to share the advancements in RVU120 research and its clinical development, emphasizing its significant potential in addressing unmet needs in hematologic malignancies.", states Dr. Hendrik Nogai, Chief Medical Officer, Ryvu Therapeutics. "We are proud of the successful initiation of our Phase II studies. It is reassuring that the initial clinical safety data of RVU120 in combination with venetoclax, allow us to continue testing the compelling preclinical evidence of synergism in patients. Beyond AML and HR-MDS, we continue to work hard on new therapeutic strategies for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Over the upcoming months, we are expecting a ramp up of patient enrollment and data readouts, and we remain committed to developing innovative treatments that can provide improved outcomes for patients in need." underlines Dr. Hendrik Nogai, Chief Medical Officer, Ryvu Therapeutics. Poster highlights: Poster Title: RVU120, a first-in-class CDK8 inhibitor for the treatment of relapsed/refractory AML and high-risk MDS: preliminary results from two ongoing studies. Poster Number: P600 Session date and time: Friday, June 14 (9:00 CET on the online platform, 18:00 CET for the poster presentation) The poster includes data on 30 evaluable patients out of 38 total dosed patients in the Phase I trial (RIVER-51) and initial data from the Phase II trial (RIVER-52). RVU120 as single agent showed clinical benefit in heavily pretreated patients with AML and HR-MDS in the Phase I trial CLI120-001 (RIVER-51). The strongest evidence of benefit was observed in patients with NPM1 and/or DNMT3A mutations, and in patients with HR-MDS. At the poster presentation's cut-off date, the data from the Phase II RIVER-52 trial of RVU120 as a monotherapy for patients with relapsed/refractory AML and HR-MDS were not yet mature enough for efficacy assessment in the target population, but preliminary signs of clinical benefit have been observed in ongoing patients. The safety and tolerability of RVU120 at the RP2D of 250 mg administered every other day was confirmed in patients treated in both trials, with mild or moderate gastrointestinal events being the most frequently reported. Poster Title: Synergistic potential of RVU120, a first-in-class CDK8/CDK19 inhibitor, with venetoclax in AML: preclinical and initial clinical insights. Poster Number: P525 Session date and time: Friday, June 14 (9:00 CET on the online platform, 18:00 CET for the poster presentation) Ryvu presents a mechanism of synergy between RVU120 and venetoclax in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The combination of RVU120 and venetoclax leads to caspase-dependent degradation of MCL-1 protein and represses inflammatory and AML oncogenic pathways at the transcriptomic level in AML cells. RVU120, when combined with venetoclax, exerts cytotoxic and differentiating effects on leukemic stem cells (LSCs) from a hierarchical AML model, exceeding the efficacy of venetoclax alone. By countering therapeutic failure caused by persistent LSCs and MCL-1-mediated venetoclax resistance, this combination offers hope to patients with AML in both the refractory and the frontline setting. Initial data from the ongoing Phase II study RIVER-81 demonstrate the safety of RVU120 in combination with venetoclax at the initial dose level in patients with relapsed/refractory AML. Enrollment is currently ongoing in Cohort 2. Poster Title: CDK8/19 Inhibition: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Poster Number: P1018 Session date and time: Friday, June 14 (9:00 CET on the online platform, 18:00 CET for the poster presentation) In murine models of disease, RVU120 effectively attenuates myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) phenotypes (single-agent or combined with ruxolitinib (RUX)) partly through downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. RVU120 exhibits synergy with JAK inhibitors as a class and BET inhibitor pelabresib. These findings open new potential therapeutic options for MPN patients, including myelofibrosis. The combination of RVU120 and RUX acts synergistically by downregulating JAK/STAT signaling and inflammatory pathways at the transcriptomic level. Based on compelling preclinical results, Ryvu is launching the clinical study POTAMI-61 (NCT06397313), evaluating RVU120 as a single agent or in combination with ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis. Investor Event: Ryvu will host a webinar on Friday, June 14, at 9:30 CET, covering the latest data and potential of RVU120. To join the webcast, please register here: https://ryvu.clickmeeting.com/ryvu-eha-2024-results About Ryvu Therapeutics Ryvu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focused on novel small-molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology. Internally discovered pipeline candidates use diverse therapeutic mechanisms driven by emerging knowledge of cancer biology, including small molecules directed at kinase, synthetic lethality, and immuno-oncology targets. Ryvu's most advanced programs include RVU120, a selective CDK8/CDK19 kinase inhibitor with the potential to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors, currently in Phase II development (i) as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) as well as (ii) in combination with venetoclax for the treatment of patients with r/r AML. Another clinical program, SEL24 (MEN1703), is a dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor licensed to the Menarini Group. Ryvu Therapeutics has signed multiple partnering and licensing deals with global companies, including BioNTech and Exelixis. The Company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Krakow, Poland. Ryvu is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is a component of the mWIG40 index. For more information, please see www.ryvu.com. SOURCE Ryvu Therapeutics DUBAI, UAE, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- June 12-14, REX Zhang, Strategy Director at SMOORE and Assistant President at FEELM, attended the Global Vape Forum in Dubai, where he presented FEELM's solutions for achieving sustainable development in the industry. Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent global regulations, compliance, youth protection, and environmental protection have become the 3 major challenges hindering the sustainable development of the industry. Particularly with countries like the UK and France planning to introduce bans on disposable, the vape industry is at a new crossroads. According to REX Zhang, stricter global regulations are beneficial for the industry's development. However, while regulations make rules clearer, strict enforcement is crucial to genuinely block the circulation of "illegal" products. At the same time, focusing on youth protection and environmental protection, vape companies need to create more compliant and legal products through technological innovation and upgraded vaping experiences. Collaboration among brands, retailers, and regulators is essential to achieve sustainable development in the industry. Building compliance capability is a long-term project. As a publicly traded company, SMOORE consistently adheres to legal and regulatory standards and continually enhances its compliance capabilities through increased R&D investment, helping more clients succeed in global markets. In 2023 alone, SMOORE invested 1.48 billion in R&D, accounting for 13.3% of its annual revenue. Currently, SMOORE has helped numerous major clients' products obtain the FDA's PMTA approval, making it the manufacturer with the most PMTA approved vaping ENDS products during the Review Period. Additionally, adhering to the "customer first" business philosophy, SMOORE's flagship atomization technology brand, FEELM, has introduced a series of solutions tailored for different global markets. Rex Zhang believes that consumers in the global market are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the demand in different markets is more diverse. To respond to the urgent demand for environmentally friendly products in the European market, FEELM has launched the next generation vape pod solution, FEELM PRO, in the TPD market, which is environmentally friendly . This effectively addresses the current issue of disposable "use and discard" products. It is also simpler to assembly than similar products, it bursts power instant start and significantly enhances the flavor experience, offering a smooth and rich taste. Additionally, through technological innovation and the use of eco-friendly materials, FEELM has rapidly improved atomization efficiency and battery efficiency, significantly enhancing the vaping experience while greatly reducing the raw materials required for production. In NON-TPD markets, FEELM has also developed a series of new solutions, including the world's 1st 30,000 puffs disposable with four-sided surround screen and ultra-high solution Galaxy Display Quattro Mesh, the world's 1st 18,000 puffs multifunctional modular design Off Charge, and the world's 1st 20,000 puffs double burst power ceramic coil solution FEELM Turbo Duo. These solutions have made technological breakthroughs in areas such as the screen, playability, burst power and puffs, bringing a new vaping experience to consumers. Furthermore, to better achieve youth protection, FEELM has developed over 8 child lock solutions to meet the regulatory needs of different markets. "The continuous launch of new solutions is the result of our long-term investment in technological R&D," said REX Zhang. "This is just the beginning. We are confident in focusing on innovation in atomization technology and continually introducing sustainable and compliant vape solutions to meet consumers' ever-evolving demands for excellence and environmental sustainability." SOURCE FEELM DUBAI, UAE, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- June 12-14, REX Zhang, Strategy Director at SMOORE and Assistant President at FEELM, attended the Global Vape Forum in Dubai, where he presented FEELM's solutions for achieving sustainable development in the industry. Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent global regulations, compliance, youth protection, and environmental protection have become the 3 major challenges hindering the sustainable development of the industry. Particularly with countries like the UK and France planning to introduce bans on disposable, the vape industry is at a new crossroads. According to REX Zhang, stricter global regulations are beneficial for the industry's development. However, while regulations make rules clearer, strict enforcement is crucial to genuinely block the circulation of "illegal" products. At the same time, focusing on youth protection and environmental protection, vape companies need to create more compliant and legal products through technological innovation and upgraded vaping experiences. Collaboration among brands, retailers, and regulators is essential to achieve sustainable development in the industry. Building compliance capability is a long-term project. As a publicly traded company, SMOORE consistently adheres to legal and regulatory standards and continually enhances its compliance capabilities through increased R&D investment, helping more clients succeed in global markets. In 2023 alone, SMOORE invested 1.48 billion in R&D, accounting for 13.3% of its annual revenue. Currently, SMOORE has helped numerous major clients' products obtain the FDA's PMTA approval, making it the manufacturer with the most PMTA approved vaping ENDS products during the Review Period. Additionally, adhering to the "customer first" business philosophy, SMOORE's flagship atomization technology brand, FEELM, has introduced a series of solutions tailored for different global markets. Rex Zhang believes that consumers in the global market are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the demand in different markets is more diverse. To respond to the urgent demand for environmentally friendly products in the European market, FEELM has launched the next generation vape pod solution, FEELM PRO, in the TPD market, which is environmentally friendly . This effectively addresses the current issue of disposable "use and discard" products. It is also simpler to assembly than similar products, it bursts power instant start and significantly enhances the flavor experience, offering a smooth and rich taste. Additionally, through technological innovation and the use of eco-friendly materials, FEELM has rapidly improved atomization efficiency and battery efficiency, significantly enhancing the vaping experience while greatly reducing the raw materials required for production. In NON-TPD markets, FEELM has also developed a series of new solutions, including the world's 1st 30,000 puffs disposable with four-sided surround screen and ultra-high solution Galaxy Display Quattro Mesh, the world's 1st 18,000 puffs multifunctional modular design Off Charge, and the world's 1st 20,000 puffs double burst power ceramic coil solution FEELM Turbo Duo. These solutions have made technological breakthroughs in areas such as the screen, playability, burst power and puffs, bringing a new vaping experience to consumers. Furthermore, to better achieve youth protection, FEELM has developed over 8 child lock solutions to meet the regulatory needs of different markets. "The continuous launch of new solutions is the result of our long-term investment in technological R&D," said REX Zhang. "This is just the beginning. We are confident in focusing on innovation in atomization technology and continually introducing sustainable and compliant vape solutions to meet consumers' ever-evolving demands for excellence and environmental sustainability." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438755/image_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438756/image_1.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2330792/FEELM_Logo.jpg DSP-5336, an Investigational Menin and Mixed-lineage Leukemia Inhibitor, is Being Evaluated in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Leukemia MARLBOROUGH, Mass., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. (SMPA) today announced the oral presentation of data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 first-in-human study of DSP-5336 in patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2024 Hybrid Congress. DSP-5336 is an investigational small molecule inhibitor of the menin and mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) protein interaction, which plays key roles in biological pathways, including cell growth regulation, cell cycle control, genomic stability, bone development, and hematopoiesis.1,2,3 Building on preliminary data presented at the 2023 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, authors presented updated data from the open-label, ongoing dose escalation and optimization portion of the Phase 1/2 study. Patients received oral DSP-5336 in repeating 28-day cycles at doses ranging from 40 mg to 300 mg twice-daily. The oral presentation at EHA included the results of 57 patients. Responses were more consistently observed in patients who received 140 mg twice-daily or higher, particularly in the 21 patients with either Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation or KMT2A (MLL) rearrangement documented by local testing. Objective response was observed in both patient populations with 57% of patients (12/21), with complete remission or complete remission with partial hematologic recovery (CR/CRh) observed in 24% (5/21 patients). To date, DSP-5336 remains well-tolerated with no dose limiting toxicity (DLT) observed and no significant cardiac signal nor treatment-related discontinuations or deaths. No significant drug-drug interactions with azoles have been identified and repeat dosing results in minimal to no pharmacokinetic accumulation. Importantly, no differentiation syndrome (DS) prophylaxis was needed, and the three cases of DS reported (5%) were manageable and did not result in intensive care unit (ICU) stays or discontinuation of DSP-5336. "The response in patients previously untreated with menin inhibitors is encouraging, and competitive with greater than 50% objective response rate alongside a favorable safety profile in patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia," said Naval Daver, M.D., Director, Leukemia Research Alliance Program and Professor in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and lead author on the DSP-5336 poster at EHA. "Menin inhibitors have tremendous potential to improve the outcomes of certain types of acute leukemia, as they reverse the leukemogenic activity of MLL fusion and mutated NPM1 proteins. In addition to promising clinical activity the safety profile of DSP-5336 has been especially encouraging and may differentiate it from other menin inhibitors with no severe DS, DLTs nor treatment-related discontinuations." Leukemia is a type of cancer that forms in blood-forming tissue, characterized by the uncontrolled growth of blood cells, usually white blood cells, in the bone marrow. Acute leukemia, a form of leukemia, requires immediate treatment as blood cells multiply rapidly leading to a sudden onset of symptoms.4 Approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have NPM1 mutations7 and 5-10% of AML patients have KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements.5 "There remains a high unmet need in relapsed or refractory acute leukemia, as there are no approved targeted treatments for AML with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements or NPM1 mutations," said Jatin Shah, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Oncology at SMPA. "The biology of menin inhibition is clearly important and we are very early in the rapidly evolving field. We're excited by these early results and aim to provide a needed option that is both efficacious and well-tolerated. We look forward to continuing to progress the study of DSP-5336 in the hopes of improving outcomes in AML and advancing patient care." About DSP-5336 DSP-5336 is an investigational small molecule inhibitor of the menin and mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) protein interaction. Menin is a scaffold nuclear protein that plays various key roles in biological pathways, including cell growth regulation, cell cycle control, genomic stability, bone development, and hematopoiesis.1,2 In preclinical studies, DSP-5336 has shown selective growth inhibition in human acute leukemia cell lines with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements or NPM1 mutations.1,3 DSP-5336 reduced the expression of the leukemia-associated genes HOXA9 and MEIS1, and increased the expression of the differentiation gene CD11b in human acute leukemia cell lines with MLL rearrangements and NPM1 mutation.9,10 The safety and efficacy of DSP-5336 is currently being clinically evaluated in a Phase 1/2 dose escalation/dose expansion study in patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia ( NCT04988555 ). The FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for DSP-5336 for the indication of acute myeloid leukemia in June 2022. About Sumitomo Pharma Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with key operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), Canada (Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) and Europe (Sumitomo Pharma Switzerland GmbH) focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, psychiatry & neurology, and cell & gene therapies. With several marketed products in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage assets, and in-house advanced technology capabilities, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn . SUMITOMO PHARMA is a trademark of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., used under license. Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. 2024 Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. All rights reserved. For a copy of this release, visit Sumitomo Pharma America's website at www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com . References Cierpicki T, Grembecka J. Challenges and opportunities in targeting the menin-MLL Interaction. Future Med Chem. 2014; 6(4):447-462. doi:10.4155/fmc.13.214. Matkar S, Thiel A, Hua X. Menin: a scaffold protein that controls gene expression and cell signaling. Trends Biochem Sci. 2013; 38(8):394-402. doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2013.05.005. Kuhn MWM, Song E, Feng Z, et al. Targeting chromatin regulators inhibits leukemogenic gene expression in NPM1 mutant leukemia. Cancer Discov. 2016;6(10):1166-1181. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-16-0237. Chennamadhavuni A, Lyengar V, Mukkamalla SKR, et al. Leukemia. [Updated 2023 Jan 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560490/ . Borkin D, Klossowski S, Pollock J, et al. Complexity of Blocking Bivalent Protein-Protein Interactions: Development of a Highly Potent Inhibitor of the Menin-Mixed-Lineage Leukemia Interaction. J Med Chem. 2018;61(11):4832-4850. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00071. Issa GC, Aldoss I, DiPersio J, et al. The menin inhibitor revumenib in KMT2A-rearranged or NPM1-mutant leukaemia. Nature. 2023;615(7954):920-924. doi:10.1038/s41586-023-05812-3 Brandi ML, Agarwal SK, Perrier ND, Lines KE, Valk GD, Thakker RV. Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1: Latest Insights. Endocr Rev. 2021;42(2):133-170. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnaa031 Borlenghi E, Cattaneo C, Bertoli D, et al. Prognostic Relevance of NPM1 and FLT3 Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, Longterm Follow-Up-A Single Center Experience. Cancers ( Basel ). 2022;14(19):4716. Published 2022 Sep 28. doi:10.3390/cancers14194716 Eguchi K, Shimizu T, Kato D, et al. Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Orally Bioavailable Menin-MLL Interaction Inhibitor, DSP-5336, for the Treatment of Acute Leukemia Patients with MLL-Rearrangement or NPM1 Mutation. Blood 2021; 138 (Supplement 1): 3339. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2021-152050. Daver N, Zeidner JF, Yuda J, et al. Phase 1/2 First-in-Human Study of the Menin-MLL Inhibitor DSP-5336 in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Leukemia. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 2911. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2023-179252. SOURCE Sumitomo Pharma America CLEVELAND, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (PBA) has been honored with the Kidneys for Communities National Community Impact Award in recognition of its dedication and commitment to promoting living kidney donation and supporting the organization's members who are living with kidney disease. Kidneys for Communities, a national community-directed donation program, launched its Kidneys for First Responders program with the PBA in June 2023 after New York City police officer Melissa Quinones' successful living kidney transplant. Since then, Kidneys for Communities has worked with first responder organizations to help members and their families who are in need of a lifesaving kidney transplant. Kidneys for First Responders provides access to and facilitates living kidney donations by connecting people from around the country who want to help first responders with those who need lifesaving kidneys. The program is based on the Community-Directed Donation model that leverages individuals' affinity with membership-based communities. Ira Brody, Co-Founder of Kidneys for Communities, presented PBA President Patrick Hendry with the National Community Impact Award at the NYCPBA delegate meeting on June 14, 2024. The NYCPBA is the first organization to receive the award. "This award is a testament to the unwavering dedication that New York City police officers show every day, whether we're protecting our communities or stepping up to help each other," said Patrick Hendry, PBA president. "The success of Officer Quinones' transplant inspired our entire blue family, showing the profound impact we have when we come together. We are committed to continuing this program and serving our active and retired NYPD police officers, our fellow first responders and their families living with kidney disease." Killing more people than breast cancer or prostate cancer, kidney disease has in recent years been named by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a leading cause of death in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network reports that approximately 13 people die each day waiting for a kidney transplant. "The perseverance of the NYCPBA and the passion of the NYPD in rallying around officer Melissa Quinones were a catalyst for the Kidneys for First Responders program," said Atul Agnihotri, Kidneys for Communities chief executive officer and board president. "The PBA's commitment to the program has resulted in the support of many successful kidney transplants for first responders across the country." The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (PBA) is the largest municipal police union in the nation and represents nearly 50,000 active and retired New York City police officers. About Kidneys for Communities Kidneys for Communities is a nonprofit that partners with organizations to impact the lives of their members by offering resources about living kidney donations to members of their communities, increasing the chances of a donor directing a gift-of-life kidney to a fellow member in need of a kidney. Addressing the shortage of living kidney donors through proactive community outreach programs, Kidneys for Communities developed the first-ever national Community-Directed Donation program. The program unlocks connections created through membership-based communities, with the goal of increasing the number of living kidney donors in the U.S. through paired kidney exchange. The Kidneys for Communities leadership team includes innovative leaders, kidney donors, social workers and medical experts in the fields of nephrology and renal transplantation all of whom have seen this disease up close and are committed to making an impact. To find out more about how to help first responders who need a kidney transplant, visit kidneysforcommunities.org/first-responders/ SOURCE Kidneys for Communities Key News Highlights: The Safavi Impact Institute signs a cooperative agreement with Martin Polaschek , Austria's Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research and with Mr. William Harris , CEO of NASA's Space Center Houston , Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research and with Mr. , CEO of NASA's Space Center Houston The Safavi Impact Institute will be sponsoring the Moonshot programme in Austria The Moonshot programme will be delivered by Novi Education, Space Center Houston's globally aligned education provider VIENNA, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Safavi Impact Institute in Austria has signed a cooperation agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and representatives of the US space agency NASA's Space Center Houston to sponsor an education programme. As announced by Federal Minister Mr. Martin Polaschek, The Safavi Impact Institute will sponsor for the first time the Austria pilot programme of Space Center Houston's Moonshot education curriculum. Candidate schools will be selected through a competition that has already started. Students will have the exciting opportunity to take "NASA courses". Minister Martin Polaschek, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research and Mr. William Harris, CEO of NASA's Space Center Houston, Mr. Francesco Reza Safavi, co-founder of the philanthropic The Safavi Impact Institute and Novi Education co-founder Mr. Francesco De Ferrari, signed a cooperation agreement for the first time in the history of Austrian education policy. The Moonshot programme will be delivered by Novi Education Pte. Ltd., the globally aligned education provider of NASA's Space Center Houston. Mr. Harris stated "We are honored to be a partner of Austria, Novi Education and The Safavi Impact Institute". "The space race is on, and we would like to help students in Austria to have the opportunity to be a part of that" said Mr. Francesco Reza Safavi, co-founder of The Safavi Impact Institute. Mr. Safavi further added "We are honored for The Safavi Impact Institute to bring to Austria such a milestone project and to also sponsor the pilot programme." About The Safavi Philanthropic Initiative: Safavi Philanthropic Initiative's mission is to improve lives and engage future leaders to address society's challenges. The Initiative provides resources and financial support to organizations and individuals that help achieve this mission. The initiative does not accept any donations or charitable contributions. Contact: Ms. Mirin Goh [email protected] SOURCE SAFAVI IMPACT INSTITUTE DALLAS, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Yadot Group, a global advertising services group, announced today that it has agreed to acquisition terms with Outside People, an internationally recognized production company. Following the acquisition, Outside People will work synergistically with Yadot Studios, a majority-owned production company already under the group's umbrella. The symbiotic cross-over between Yadot Studios and Outside People provides a unique advantage in the agency and production marketplace, in-house speed and efficiency without forcing clients to work with just a couple directors but an entire roster of Hollywood-level talent. Kyle Borgman, Chairman and CEO of The Yadot Group, said "We are delighted to have finalized terms with Outside People. This deal represents another step forward in expanding our international presence and creative capabilities for our brands." Chad Ostrom, Founder and Executive Producer of Outside People, said "The ecosystem that The Yadot Group is creating is truly unique in the advertising space. Specifically, the ability to bridge creative and production for global and multi-national brands is more exciting than I can explain." Although this is deal one for The Yadot Group under Kyle's leadership, he seems to expect many more soon. "We're in the acquisitions business, plain and simple," Kyle explained, "Our aim is to build the largest, and more importantly, most effective advertising services group in the world and that will not happen organically. We're shopping in good and bad economies." Media Contact: Andrew Gregg [email protected] SOURCE The Yadot Group NEW YORK, June 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) resulting from allegations that Toyota may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25663 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. The Rosen Law Firm is investigating allegations that Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) misled investors regarding its business operations. On June 3, 2024, The New York Times published an article entitled "Toyota and Other Japanese Carmakers Say They Mishandled Safety Tests." This article stated, in pertinent part, that "Toyota [. . .] and other top Japanese automakers said on Monday that internal investigations found they had mishandled vehicle testing on dozens of models over the past decade." Further, "Toyota said it had failed to gather proper data when doing pedestrian and occupant safety tests for three models, including its popular Yaris Cross sport utility vehicle." On this news, Toyota's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") fell. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. FREEPORT, Ill., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tri Star Metals is pleased to announce the establishment of an exclusive North American distribution agreement with Aubert & Duval, a leading manufacturer of advanced material solutions for the defense industry. This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment for Tri Star as it diversifies its product offerings and expands its reach in the defense sector. The partnership will introduce a range of high-performance proprietary grades of steel, including the proprietary barrel grade ARMAD, as well as advanced engineered grades tailored for barrels and components critical to defense applications. Under this agreement, Tri Star aims to meet the evolving needs of the defense industry by delivering premium quality materials for high-performance solutions. The negotiation of this agreement was cultivated by Mike Walsh, founder and former president of Centric Alloys, who initiated discussions with Aubert & Duval two years ago. In February 2024, Tri Star acquired Centric Alloys to enhance its presence in defense markets. Mike Walsh subsequently joined Tri Star as Vice President of Defense. The successful execution of this agreement underscores the dedicated efforts of both organizations to strengthen their collaboration and enhance product offerings for the North American defense market. Quoting Jay Mandel, CEO & President at Tri Star Metals: "Our partnership with Aubert & Duval exemplifies our commitment to providing top-notch materials and solutions. These specialty alloys developed by A & D will enable us to expand upon our existing base of commodity stainless, nickel and aluminum products provided to defense markets. By incorporating Aubert & Duval's highly engineered steel products into our portfolio, we aim to elevate standards of quality and innovation for our customers." For more information on the exclusive distribution agreement and Tri Star's expanding product range, please contact ([email protected]) or visit www.tristarmetals.com. **About Tri Star Metals:** Tri Star is a domestic manufacturer and stockist of stainless steel, aluminum, and nickel alloy wire rod, bar, and finished wire. Tri Star operates a 350,000 square foot campus in Freeport, IL, and a 20,000 square foot West Coast stocking facility in Arizona. Since 2010, Tri Star has invested over $40 million dollars in capital, resulting in one of the most technologically advanced stainless steel and nickel redraw mills in the United States. Tri Star employs over 140 people in the U.S. and represents a true American success story. **About Aubert & Duval:** Aubert & Duval is one of the world's leading producers and processors of complex metallic materials (special steels, superalloys, titanium, aluminum), serving strategic industries such as aeronautics, space, defense, nuclear power, energy and medical. Aubert & Duval provides its customers with a comprehensive production chain ranging from materials design to forged blank parts, enabling them to secure their supply chain and meet their decarbonation challenges. Aubert & Duval is owned in equal parts by Airbus, Safran and the Tikehau Capital fund, one golden share being owned by the French State. www.aubertduval.com SOURCE Tri Star Metals LLC JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VyStar Foundation announced today that $201,551 will be distributed among 12 recipients in its third grant cycle focused on nonprofit organizations that support military and veterans service programs. Specific funding priority was given to programs that address health and basic needs, mental health services and workforce development. VyStar Foundation distributed $201,551 among 12 nonprofits in its third grant cycle focused on organizations that support military and veterans service programs. "We are proud to announce that VyStar Foundation selected 12 nonprofit organizations in our second military grant cycle," said VyStar Foundation President Patricia McElroy. "Providing much-needed support to these organizations is a privilege. The spirit of philanthropy is deeply embedded in our identity, and we remain committed to supporting our brave service members and acknowledging the sacrifices made by them and their families." The list of grantees and causes: American Red Cross (Northeast FL ) Funds will be used to expand the Armed Forces Family Emergency Communications & Resiliency Workshops program to recruit and train additional volunteers to keep service members and their families connected during emergencies and build resiliency in the military community. ) Funds will be used to expand the Armed Forces Family Emergency Communications & Resiliency Workshops program to recruit and train additional volunteers to keep service members and their families connected during emergencies and build resiliency in the military community. Clay County Rescue Mission (Northeast FL) - The purpose of this grant is to contribute to the end of homelessness through providing sustainable and short-term housing and support to military individuals and their families. The purpose of this grant is to contribute to the end of homelessness through providing sustainable and short-term housing and support to military individuals and their families. Golden Isles Veterans Village Inc. (Southeast GA) - Funds will be used to purchase clothing, hygiene items and kitchenware for units at the Savannah tiny home village serving homeless veterans, leading residents towards a path of self-sufficiency. The program will also include cooking classes for veterans who have been chronically homeless. - Funds will be used to purchase clothing, hygiene items and kitchenware for units at the Savannah tiny home village serving homeless veterans, leading residents towards a path of self-sufficiency. The program will also include cooking classes for veterans who have been chronically homeless. Hart Felt Ministries Inc. (Northeast FL) - Funds will help veterans 70 and older stay in their homes by providing housing and grocery assistance to alleviate hunger and help prevent eviction and possible homelessness as well as premature entry into an already-taxed long-term care system. - Funds will help veterans 70 and older stay in their homes by providing housing and grocery assistance to alleviate hunger and help prevent eviction and possible homelessness as well as premature entry into an already-taxed long-term care system. Heart of Florida United Way (South Central FL) - Funds will be used to enhance the current Mission United program by increasing marketing/promotion activities. - Funds will be used to enhance the current Mission United program by increasing marketing/promotion activities. Here Tomorrow Inc. (Northeast FL) - The grant will provide funding for Here Tomorrow's Military Peer Support program, which is a one-of-a-kind, mental health model that serves those who've served with no-cost, no-wait support. The grant will provide funding for Here Tomorrow's Military Peer Support program, which is a one-of-a-kind, mental health model that serves those who've served with no-cost, no-wait support. Hope4Veterans Inc. (Northeast FL) - The grant will be used to expand Hope4Veterans' P2P Therapeutic Art Program in Clay , Duval and St Johns counties. The program harnesses the healing power of creativity, offering an outlet for expression and recovery through art. The funds will also help provide childcare during the sessions. The grant will be used to expand Hope4Veterans' P2P Therapeutic Art Program in , and counties. The program harnesses the healing power of creativity, offering an outlet for expression and recovery through art. The funds will also help provide childcare during the sessions. Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans Inc. (South Central FL ) - The Operation Upward Momentum program assists veterans with hands-on service and mobile outreach for their basic living needs, while assisting them in job placement, community involvement and self-sufficiency in Alachua , Bradford , Citrus , Clay , Lake , Levy , Marion , Putnam and Sumter counties. ) - The Operation Upward Momentum program assists veterans with hands-on service and mobile outreach for their basic living needs, while assisting them in job placement, community involvement and self-sufficiency in , , , , , , , and counties. MOACC Good Deeds Foundation Inc. (South Central FL) - Funds will be used to provide monetary support to active-duty military veterans and their families in order to meet their basic needs in Brevard County as part of the MOAACC Good Deeds Fund. - Funds will be used to provide monetary support to active-duty military veterans and their families in order to meet their basic needs in as part of the MOAACC Good Deeds Fund. Navy League of the United States Mayport Council (Northeast FL) - The grant will provide resources through the 'Food is Essential! Ask any Sailor before Payday' program to supplement food insecurities for military members and their families at Naval Station (NS) Mayport during the periods prior to the bi-monthly pay periods when the military member's paycheck funds are low. - The grant will provide resources through the 'Food is Essential! Ask any Sailor before Payday' program to supplement food insecurities for military members and their families at Naval Station (NS) during the periods prior to the bi-monthly pay periods when the military member's paycheck funds are low. Operation Lifeline Inc. (Northeast FL) - The Heroes to Housing: Veteran Workforce Development program addresses workforce development and education, with a focused commitment to supporting transitioning military service members through comprehensive vocational training in the construction industry. - The Heroes to Housing: Veteran Workforce Development program addresses workforce development and education, with a focused commitment to supporting transitioning military service members through comprehensive vocational training in the construction industry. Thomas University ( Southwest Georgia ) - The grant will enhance Thomas University's Counseling Center capacity for veteran and student support and strengthen its ability to provide high quality care to veterans, military members, and their families, thereby improving their overall well-being and success within their academic experience. VyStar Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Georgia, North and Central Florida. In 2023, the Foundation had a total impact of nearly $1 million. Grants totaling $387,282 were given to 20 local organizations addressing the critical needs of youth, active military members, veterans, and their families in addition to a $570,000 building donation to Three Grains of Rice Missions. The non-profit provides resources for individuals and families struggling with food and housing instability along with local and international disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Grants through VyStar Foundation are available to 501(c)(3) organizations whose purpose and mission align with the Foundation's strategic giving pillars: Military: Ensuring active military members, veterans and their families receive the social services they need and the recognition they deserve Ensuring active military members, veterans and their families receive the social services they need and the recognition they deserve Youth: Empowering youth by providing equitable access to creative learning environments Empowering youth by providing equitable access to creative learning environments Community Building: Cultivating financially strong, culturally vibrant, and interconnected communities Click here for images of each check presentation and videos. VyStar Foundation will launch its next grant cycle this September giving funding priority to nonprofit organizations that support youth. The youth application process opens on September 9, 2024, and closes on October 13, 2024. To learn more about VyStar Foundation and upcoming grant information sessions, visit vystarfoundation.org. About VyStar Foundation As VyStar Credit Union's philanthropic arm, VyStar Foundation was established in 2021 to strengthen the credit union's ability to do good. Operating as a 501(c)(3) charity, the Foundation is dedicated to doing good and leading by example through collaborative partnerships that support youth, military members and veterans and overall community vitality in the areas served by VyStar Credit Union. For more information, visit vystarfoundation.org. SOURCE VyStar Credit Union WEIFANG, China, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the bustling production line, machines roar and operate at high speeds, rapidly completing the production and packaging of bags of alpha gypsum, which are then directly loaded into containers via conveyor belts. This batch of over 50 tons will be transported to Xiamen for premium home decoration production. At the gypsum powder production workshop of Shandong Jiedun Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shandong Yingxuan Industrial Co., Ltd., the Rainbow Communist Party Member Service Team from the State Grid Changle Electric Power Supply Company, Shandong is on-site providing a "one-on-one" butler-style service for the company's electrical equipment. "The raw material for producing alpha and beta gypsum is the solid wastecitric acid crude gypsumproduced during the citric acid production process. We have independently developed a crystallization production process, which is a pioneering technology in the industry," said Li Jinsheng, Vice General Manager of Shandong Yingxuan Industrial Co., Ltd. "Reliable electricity is an essential support for our production. The 'electricity butler' provides comprehensive services for project implementation and innovative research and development." Similarly, the production workshop of Shandong Haoshun Machinery Co., Ltd. is also bustling. This national-level specialized and innovative "little giant" enterprise is working with great innovation and diligence. The production line is running at full capacity, with workers busily performing spot welding, assembly, packaging, and other procedures. In just the first quarter, the company received a large number of vehicle parts orders from China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, achieving an output value of approximately 45 million yuan. "Here is your company's detailed electricity efficiency report for May from the 'Green State Grid' APP. Let me analyze the recent electricity usage for you" The "2+1" flexible team from the State Grid Changle Electric Power Supply Company,Shandong visited the enterprise to conduct an energy efficiency diagnostic service. They guided customers to choose the optimal energy usage plan through the efficiency calculation report. The funds saved on energy use were invested in research and innovation, significantly enhancing the company's industrial strength. "Currently, we have obtained three authorized invention patents and 39 utility model patents. We have received provincial-level 'Gazelle Enterprise', Shandong famous brand enterprise, Weifang 'Invisible Champion' enterprise, high-tech enterprise, and other honors," said Qian Mingxing, Deputy General Manager of Haoshun Machinery. Throughout Changle, many enterprises like Jiedun Environmental and Haoshun Machinery are advancing towards "new" and "green" development. The State Grid Changle Electric Power Supply Company, Shandong actively conducts "visit+" services. By using the "Precision Scanning" customer profiling application system and on-site visits, they accurately understand customer electricity needs, proactively help enterprises formulate reasonable energy usage strategies, and improve production efficiency. Additionally, they utilize multiple online and offline channels and platforms to provide customer electricity services, refining management measures from equipment maintenance to power supply security. With differentiated and meticulous "exquisite services," they optimize the electrical business environment, expanding development space and fostering innovative breakthroughs for enterprises. SOURCE State Grid Changle Electric Power Supply Company Shandong AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jeep brand is celebrating the launch of its first global all-electric vehicle arriving in the U.S., the all-new, all-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition, by wrapping an image of the vehicle on the company's North America headquarters in Michigan. A building wrap of the all-new, all-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition, measuring over 15,000 square feet and 10 floors, appears on the tower at Stellantis North America headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Drivers along Interstate 75 in Auburn Hills and Stellantis employees heading into the building won't be able to miss the all-new, all-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S, which now graces the tower of the campus. The wrap, measuring over 15,293 square feet, covers 10 floors of the tower's west side. An estimated 140,000 motorists pass the tower each day. The recently revealed Jeep Wagoneer S is scheduled to arrive first in the U.S. and Canada this fall, and later be available in markets around the world. Consumers can now visit Jeep.com to place a reservation for a Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition for only $100 and fully refundable and be the first to get behind the wheel of this new vehicle. The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition is offered exclusively as a BEV with a range of more than 300 miles on a single charge, delivering 600 horsepower, lightning-quick 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds and 617 lb.-ft of instant torque. Jeep Brand Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand that delivers legendary off-road capability, interior refinement, high-tech features and versatility to people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4x4 lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand's off-road capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe into the new 4x4. All Jeep brand vehicles in North America will offer an electrified variant by 2025. Follow Jeep and company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Jeep brand: www.jeep.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis Envision Consulting Celebrates Placing Exceptional Leader LOS ANGELES, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA-GLA) proudly announces the appointment of Lisa Hirsch Marin, LCSW, MSOD as its new Chief Program Officer (CPO). As a recognized expert in the fields of behavioral health, violence against women and children, culturally supportive trauma-informed services, housing, and organizational development, Marin will help the YWCA-GLA continue its mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Lisa Hirsch Marin, Chief Program Officer "We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to our team," said Lori Carmona, CEO of YWCA-GLA. "Her extensive experience, successful track record, and alignment with YWCA's values make her the ideal candidate to lead our programs." As Chief Program Officer, Marin will bring her remarkable ability to lead compassionate and mission-driven programs, expand funding streams, advocate for legislative change on behalf of women and children, and align change efforts with organizational goals. Her aptitude for building effective partnerships, coupled with her strategic planning skills and outcome driven data analysis positions her as a transformative leader poised to drive impactful change within YWCA-GLA and the communities served. "I am excited about bringing my passion and experience to serve an organization with a rich and transformative history," said Marin. "The YWCA of Greater Los Angeles has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting learning, wellness, safety and equity for women, children, and families. I am honored to join a great team, an amazing CEO and a strong Board of Directors, as we implement the next chapter to remove barriers for marginalized populations, challenge the systems that have created generational cycles of poverty, and ensure a brighter future for all those served." Lisa's appointment follows an extensive recruitment process, during which her dedication to social advocacy, analytical rigor, and collaborative spirit distinguished her as the standout candidate among hundreds of applicants. Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, Envision's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated throughout its practices, which include a structured hiring process and anti-biased decision making. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color for the third year in a row. SOURCE Envision Consulting If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Bari : , June 14 (IANS/DPA) The Presidents of the US and Ukraine have signed an agreement laying out Washington's long-term security relationship with Kiev on the sidelines of the G7 in southern Italy on Thursday. US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the bilateral deal that comes after 15 countries concluded similar long-term security agreements with Kiev including Britain, France and Germany. Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday that the agreement would not include the obligation for Washington to deploy US troops to Ukraine, nor would it contain commitments to supply specific weapons systems. The agreement broadly regulates cooperation between the two countries at all possible levels, including with regard to military equipment, training and manoeuvres. At the same time, Ukraine is called upon to implement various reforms in the areas of justice, law enforcement and fighting corruption, but also in military capabilities and structures to achieve NATO standards in the future. As expected, the agreement does not contain any commitments to deploy American armed forces for the defence of Ukraine. Biden has always categorically ruled this out - despite recent appeals from French President Emmanuel Macron to send military trainers there. Washington says the aim is rather to enable Ukraine to continue to defend itself. The agreement also makes no promises to supply specific weapons systems. The US government interpreted the agreement with Kiev as a message to Moscow, notably that it is committed to continued and longer-term support for Ukraine. --IANS/DPA int/sha Los Angeles, June 14 : California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) has announced that all classes and operations on the university's main campus will be held remotely until further notice after a night of demonstrations over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. "Please do not come to main campus," the Los Angeles school noted on Thursday in a protest action alert on its website. A group of pro-Palestinian protesters took over the university's student services building, which includes the office of the university's president, on Wednesday afternoon. Some school administrators were reportedly trapped inside the building after the university urged employees to shelter in place, Xinhua news agency reported. Social media posts showed protesters fortifying their barricades outside the building at night as they waited for President of Cal State LA Berenecea Johnson Eanes to negotiate with them. By Thursday morning, the group had dispersed from the building, but they left behind significant damage outside and inside the building, reported local KABC television station, adding that pro-Palestinian graffiti covered many windows on the ground floor, and video from inside showed shattered windows, more graffiti and debris scattered throughout. The protest came two days after 25 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Monday by police at the University of California, Los Angeles. Students set up a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at Cal State LA on May 1, calling for the university and its partners to divest from doing business with Israel. With 23 campuses enrolling almost 458,000 students and 53,000 faculty and staff, California State University is the largest public university system in the United States. It is one of three public higher education systems in California, which also includes the University of California and the California Community Colleges, according to the university's website. Washington, June 14 : A civilian mariner on board a trade ship in the Gulf of Aden has been severely injured as the vessel was hit in an attack carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has said in a statement. The worker has been transferred to a nearby vessel for medical attention, CENTCOM wrote on X on Thursday. The nationality of the man was initially unclear. "This continued reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," CENTCOM wrote. Fire broke out on the trade ship described as "a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier", after it was attacked by two cruise missiles, according to the US command. Crew were still fighting the flames, it said. According to CENTCOM, the M/V Verbena had been en route from Malaysia to Italy "carrying wood construction material." Since the start of the Gaza war in October, Houthi militants have repeatedly fired on merchant ships in the Red Sea and the adjoining Gulf of Aden, a critical shipping route that connects to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. 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. --IANS/DPA int/sha A juvenile white shark swims off the shore of Las Olas Beach in Aptos in September 2022. Huge numbers of juvenile great whites are in the area this year. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The young great white sharks that increasingly like to spend time in a protected Monterey Bay cove are showing up in higher numbers than usual this year. But officials have seen no signs of trouble. Scientists have reported seeing up to twice the usual number of juvenile white sharks in Soquel Cove just south of Santa Cruz, an area that locals started calling Shark Park after the fish began migrating there over the past decade. California State Park officials recently put up signs at beaches along the cove that alert the public to their presence, but they say the young sharks are not interacting dangerously with humans. Whats different is the large number and theyre packed in, said Sal Jorgensen, an assistant professor of marine science at Cal State Monterey Bay, who does drone surveys of juvenile white sharks in Soquel Cove. The number of sharks he usually sees in surveys is in the 20s, while in recent weeks it has reached the 30s and 40s and may be the highest he has ever seen. During one helicopter ride last week, Jorgensen counted more than 60 sharks in a larger area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theyre almost fin to fin in some places, he said. The shark surge was first reported by SFGATE. While adult white sharks spend much of their time farther offshore, the younger ones seen in Shark Park, which are mostly 3 or 4 years old and 7 feet long, hug the coast for its warmer water because they lack bulk to retain heat. Juveniles used to stay between San Diego and Santa Barbara in summer and fall until a marine heat wave that started in 2014 drew young ones to Monterey Bay, where they discovered the particularly warm waters of Soquel Cove. It provides that little refuge for them, which they really like, and it sounds like theres a lot of food right now, said Chris Lowe, a professor and head of the shark lab at Cal State Long Beach. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are currently fewer young sharks in Southern California than usual, said Lowe. Juveniles prefer water in the 62 to 68 degree range, and ocean temperatures have been cooler in the south lately. Meanwhile, the water in Soquel Cove has consistently been in the mid 60s and hit 68 degrees in recent weeks, Jorgensen said. When we see a lot up here were seeing fewer there. Its this same little group of juveniles moving around, Jorgensen said. Jorgensen said Soquel Coves balmier temperatures are caused by whats called an upwelling shadow. Upwelling, a phenomenon that is most pronounced on the California Coast in spring and summer, happens when northwest winds draw cold water from the oceans depths. But when the current of cold water moves past Santa Cruz, it forms an eddy in Soquel Cove. Water mills around and has time to warm up in the sunlight, Jorgensen said. The sharks seem to really key in to that slightly warmer water. There have not been any incidents like the kind that can occur with adult white sharks, said Gabe McKenna, public safety superintendent at the Santa Cruz District Public Safety Office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bari : , June 14 (IANS/DPA) On the sidelines of the G7 summit, US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine hope that it will soon be able to strengthen its own air defence with additional Patriot systems from abroad. Biden said at a press conference late Thursday in Fasano in Italy that five countries had made commitments for Patriot batteries and other air defence systems. The US had also informed countries to which it had promised such systems that they would still have to wait. "Everything we have is going to Ukraine until its needs are met," the US President asserted. The US would then honour the commitments it had made to other countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the partners knew Ukraine needed at least seven such systems. He said the possibility of getting five of them had been discussed and "the partners were working on it". The Patriot air defence missile system is one of the most modern in the world. It can be used to combat enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. --IANS/DPA int/sha New Delhi, June 14 : A special Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians, who died in a devastating fire on June 12, took off from Kuwait early Friday morning and will first land in Kerala's Kochi and then leave for Delhi. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, who had rushed to Kuwait, is also returning in the same aircraft. "A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft," said the Indian embassy in Kuwait. Ambulances have been kept on standby at the Cochin airport where the plane will land. A massive fire erupted in a six-storey building in Kuwait's Mangaf city on Wednesday, killing at least 49 people. The embassy said that 176 Indian workers were in the housing facility, 45 of them died and 33 were hospitalised. The victims include 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three each from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana. Lucknow, June 14 : The much-awaited Gorakhpur Link Expressway will become fully operational from June end, said officials here. According to the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority release, 97 per cent of the construction work was completed by June 10. Once operational, the expressway will provide a swift and seamless traffic corridor linking the Gorakhpur region to Lucknow, Agra, and Delhi via the Purvanchal Expressway. The Gorakhpur Link Expressway, a key project of the Yogi government, will stretch from Gorakhpur bypass NH-27 near Jaitpur village to Salarpur in Azamgarh district, connecting to the Purvanchal Expressway. With a total length of 91.352 km and a cost of Rs 5,876 crore (including acquisition expenses), this expressway will directly benefit districts like Gorakhpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar and Azamgarh. It will reduce travel time between Purvanchal and Lucknow to just 3.5 hours, significantly improving connectivity for travellers from Delhi to Agra. It promises enhanced connectivity, ensures quicker travel and a more efficient transportation experience. Moreover, it aims to foster closer community ties within the region. Of the planned 341 structures along the expressway, 337 have already been constructed, with rapid progress ongoing for the remaining. The construction of this expressway is expected to catalyse comprehensive development in the Gorakhpur region. Moreover, by regulating traffic flow, the expressway will substantially save fuel consumption, time and environmental pollution. The expressway is poised to boost social and economic growth across its span, benefiting sectors such as agriculture, commerce, tourism, and industry. As an industrial corridor, it will link the region's manufacturing facilities, development hubs, and agricultural zones to the national capital. Brindisi/New Delhi, June 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in southern Italy's Apulia region to attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit's Outreach Session on Friday. During the day-long visit, he will also hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders. "Landed in Italy to take part in the G7 Summit. Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future," Prime Minister Modi posted on X. Prime Minister Modi has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a video message from the airport. The MEA spokesperson said the agenda of the visit includes participation in the outreach session and, on the sidelines, several bilateral meetings with world leaders are also lined up. Sources said that the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before leaving for the outreach session - which majorly focuses on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Later, he is expected to hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. While there is a chance of them meeting informally during the official photo-op, there is no scheduled bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday told reporters en route to Brindisi that US President Joe Biden and PM Modi will have an "opportunity to encounter one another" during the G7 session. "President Biden actually spoke with Prime Minister Modi over the phone while we were in Paris to congratulate him on the election outcome and on being named Prime Minister for a third term," said Sullivan. "He expects to see Prime Minister Modi here. It's up to the Indians to formally confirm his attendance, but we expect that the two of them will have the opportunity to encounter one another. What the nature of that encounter will be is still fluid because so much of the schedule is fluid," the US NSA added. This is Prime Minister Modi's first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term, and his fifth consecutive participation in the Summit. It will be for the 11th time that India will be taking part in the G7 Summit. Lucknow, June 14 : Three robbers, arrested by the Lucknow police were found to be stealing for a 'cause'. The three robbers, all in their early twenties, were arrested on Thursday. They have confessed that they stole because they were funding 'bhandaras' (community feasts) that are held on Tuesdays in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. They said that they had been advised by a priest to hold 'bhandaras' since this would wash away their sins. The main accused, Umesh Sahu, owns a small hardware shop while Rohit Kumar and Sumit Maurya assist him in the shop. According to police records, the gang had targeted two women on June 7, and decamped with their belongings. "Based on the CCTV camera footage, we traced the bikers and arrested them," said ADCP, South Zone, Shashank Singh. Police sources added that the bike used in the robbery has been seized, and efforts are ongoing to uncover other criminal acts committed by the gang. According to police, the gang began to target people when they wanted to go on a pilgrimage but didn't have enough resources. "They wanted to go on a pilgrimage but lacked the funds. To fulfil that desire, they committed robberies. Later, to atone for their crimes, they organised charity bhandaras," said the police. Brussels, June 14 : NATO defence ministers will meet in Brussels on Friday for their second consecutive day of talks on formalising the alliance's support for Ukraine. NATO countries have been coordinating support to Ukraine through an informal, US-led group called the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. But now NATO countries are discussing ways to shift that responsibility to the formal structures of NATO. On Friday, ministers are expected to give the nod to a plan for a mission called NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) - which was already approved at a lower level on Thursday, alliance sources told dpa. NSATU would see NATO officially coordinate military aid to Ukraine for the first time. In addition, "we will address how to further strengthen our deterrence on defence," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Thursday. "Ministers will discuss a new defence industrial pledge to scale up military production and solidify long-term cooperation with our industry." The meeting on Friday is the last meeting of NATO ministers before a leaders' summit due to be held in Washington in July. There, Stoltenberg wants NATO countries to agree on a plan to maintain long-term their current level of support to Ukraine, which he puts at $43 billion per year. The burden would be divided up according to NATO countries' GDP, with the US contributing 50 per cent, Stoltenberg said on Thursday. The current agreement on NSATU does not include any specific financial commitments but establishes that joint aid will at least be coordinated by NATO proper. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Ramallah, June 14 : Three Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli raid in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian official said. The Israeli side informed the Palestinian liaison (security coordination office) that the three young men were killed on Thursday inside a besieged house, Kamal Abu al-Rub, the Governor of Jenin, told Xinhua news agency. The Israeli army besieged the house for several hours and exchanged gunfire with the three men, whose identities were not officially disclosed. Video clips published by activists showed an Israeli bulldozer retrieving the body of one of the slain men from the house and throwing it to the ground, reports Xinhua news agency. Local sources said the three men were leaders of the Islamic Jihad movement's Jenin Battalion and residents of the Jenin camp, who had been pursued by Israeli forces for months. The sources added that Israeli forces stormed, searched, and combed the house, not allowing medical teams to approach until completing a 14-hour military operation in the city and the camp. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that Israeli forces attacked its crews when they attempted to transport an injured person to the hospital from a neighbourhood. Israeli soldiers also fired shots at ambulance crews and journalists and prevented them from entering the camp, according to medical sources. Electricity was completely cut off in the camp and some surrounding neighbourhoods due to the destruction of power lines by the Israeli raid, according to the Northern Electricity Company in the city. The city's governor said the Israeli army also destroyed water and sewage networks in the camp after bulldozing its neighbourhoods, adding the army had declared the camp a military zone and prohibited entry and exit. Also on Thursday, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed in a statement that for the second time in a week, the Israel Defense Forces, the Shin Bet security agency, and Border Guard forces carried out a campaign to "thwart terrorist activities" in Jenin. Adraee said Israeli forces arrested a number of suspects and clashed with gunmen there, adding the engineering forces bulldozed roads in the area under which the "saboteurs" had planted explosive devices to target Israeli forces. The forces also surrounded a building, where they exchanged fire with two "wanted persons" and eliminated them, the statement noted. More than 500 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. Kochi, June 14 : A special Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians, who died in a devastating fire in Kuwait on June 12, landed here on Friday and will later fly to Delhi. Kochi, June 14 (IANS) A special Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians, who died in a devastating fire in Kuwait on June 12, landed here on Friday and will later fly to Delhi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and several state cabinet ministers were present at the airport. State Minister of Law P. Rajeeve said since the maximum number of deceased was from Kerala, the flight landed here first and then it will leave for Delhi, with the remaining bodies. The victims include 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three each from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana. The mortal remains of the victims from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will be sent to their respective destinations. The state government arranged for an inspection of the bodies that were received and an ambulance was also allotted to carry each of the bodies to their respective homes. At the airport, the mortal remains were placed for a while for people to pay their last respects after which the bodies were handed over to the relatives of the deceased. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, who had rushed to Kuwait was on the flight. A massive fire erupted in a six-storey building in Kuwaitas Mangaf city on Wednesday, killing at least 49 people. The embassy said that 176 Indian workers were in the housing facility, 45 of them died and 33 were hospitalised. Mumbai, June 14 : On the fourth death anniversary of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, his elder sister Shweta Singh Kirti remembered her "bhai" and expressed her feelings of helplessness, pleading with the authorities for the truth. In a heartfelt post, Shweta said that for the one last time, she wants everyone to help, so that the family gets the closure they deserve. Sushant was found dead at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai, on June 14, 2020, reportedly having committed suicide. Remembering her younger brother, Shweta took to Instagram and shared a throwback video of Sushant having fun with his four sisters. In the caption, Shweta wrote: "Bhai, it has been 4 years since you left us, and we still don't know what transpired on June 14, 2020. Your death remains a mystery. I feel helpless and have pleaded with the authorities countless times for the truth." "I'm losing my patience and feel like giving up. But today, for one last time, I want to ask everyone who can help with the case to put your hand on your heart and ask yourself: don't we deserve to know what happened to our brother Sushant? Why has it become a political agenda? Why can't it be as straightforward as stating what was found that day and what is believed to have happened?" asked Shweta in her note. She further requested: " PLEASE, I am requesting and pleadinghelp us move forward as a family. Give us the closure we deserve. #sushantsinghrajput #justiceforsushantsinghrajput #4yearsofinjusticetosushant." In another post, Shweta shared glimpses of Sushant's philanthropic work, captioning it: "Someone who wore his heart on his sleeve -- was it a fault to be so pure and loving in this cruel world? It's been 4 years of injustice to Sushant. Does he deserve this?" Sushant is known for his work in movies like 'Kai Po Che', 'PK', 'MS Dhoni: The Untold Story', and 'Kedarnath'. The movie 'Dil Bechara' was his posthumous release. Mumbai, June 14 : Leading global brokerage firms have gone bullish on the Adani Group's Ambuja Cements after it announced to acquire Hyderabad-based Penna Cement for Rs 10,442 crore. Mumbai, June 14 (IANS) Leading global brokerage firms have gone bullish on the Adani Groupas Ambuja Cements after it announced to acquire Hyderabad-based Penna Cement for Rs 10,442 crore. Jefferies has a 'buy' rating on the Ambuja Cements shares, giving it a target price of Rs 735 per share. The stock of Ambuja Cements went up more than 2 per cent at Rs 679 in the morning trade on Friday. According to Jefferies, the landmark acquisition of Penna Cement would boost the positioning of the Adani Groupas cement and building material major as a pan-India leader. Morgan Stanley said the acquisition would support volume growth for Ambuja Cements over the medium term. Macquarie expects that with the acquisition, the capacity share of Ambuja Cements in South India is likely to improve to 10-11 per cent from the current 4-5 per cent. According to Macquarie analysts, a key factor to see is whether this acquisition will help Ambuja Cements reach its capacity target of 140 million tonnes by FY28. Global brokerage Nuvama also retained a 'buy' rating on the companyas stock with a target price of Rs 767 on FY26E EV/EBITDA of 18 times. The acquisition, to be funded by internal accruals, will improve Adani Cementas market share pan-India by 2 per cent and by 8 per cent in south India. PCIL has 14 MTPA cement capacity, of which 10 MTPA is operational, and the remaining is under construction at Krishnapatnam (2 MTPA) and Jodhpur (2 MTPA) and will be completed within 6 to 12 months. Ambuja Cements reported profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 4,738 crore for FY24 -- up by a record-setting 119 per cent (year-on-year) -- and operating EBITDA at Rs 6,400 crore, up by 73 per cent. a"IANS na/kvd Paige Kaneb, an attorney with the Northern California Innocence Project, became embroiled in scandal after a murderer with whom she exchanged intimate messages later blackmailed her. The murderers testimony helped free one of Kanebs clients who was incarcerated. Kate Munsch/Special to the Chronicle A Bay Area attorney who works to free innocent people from prison is facing an extraordinary predicament after exchanging intimate texts and videos with a convicted murderer who then tried to blackmail her. I recorded every phone call, kept every text. And copies of every video. You can try to clean it up. But youll never practice law again. Your career is done, Marritte Funches, who is incarcerated in Sterling, Colo., wrote to Paige Kaneb, legal director of the Northern California Innocence Project, in an email. Funches demanded 2 million dollars. After taxes. In a trust that belongs to me. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If Kaneb didnt comply, he said he would release the texts and videos to a news outlet the San Francisco Standard. Additionally, Funches threatened to recant critical testimony in one of Kanebs biggest cases, according to Stuart Hanlon, a spokesperson who reviewed messages and audio recordings that Funches sent to Kaneb, and made some of them available to the Chronicle. Kaneb declined to be interviewed, but allowed Hanlon, an attorney and a volunteer for the Northern California Innocence Project, to speak on her behalf. When Kaneb refused to pay Funches, he sent their communications to the Standard, which published them, setting in motion a tense drama that embroiled a high-profile nonprofit and one of its key leaders. Officials at Santa Clara University, where the Northern California Innocence Project is based, have opened an investigation into Kanebs conduct. They maintain that her exchanges with Funches have no bearing on the exoneration of her client, Maurice Caldwell, who benefited from statements made by Funches clearing him of the crime. As with any unit of the university, when we receive any allegations of inappropriate conduct by an employee, we refer the matter to the university for investigation, Todd Fries, executive director of the Northern California Innocence Project, said in a statement. It all stems from an early major success of Kanebs career. Shortly after joining the organization in 2007, Kaneb got assigned to represent Caldwell, who was then serving a 27-year-to-life sentence for a fatal shooting in 1990. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At that time, Caldwell was locked in Folsom State Prison, convicted of killing Judy Acosta over a drug deal gone bad in San Franciscos Alemany public housing project. He had spent nearly two decades behind bars, persistently denying involvement in the slaying while exhausting his legal appeals. But Kaneb helped uncover new evidence, according to a 2012 Northern California Innocence Project news release touting the case, including a statement from another man that he was the real killer. That man was Funches. He is serving a life sentence in Colorado on a separate murder charge, and did not immediately respond to inquiries from the Chronicle. Years before Funches met Kaneb, he had already said twice, in a 2006 letter and a 2008 sworn declaration, that Caldwell was not involved in the shooting. He later reiterated those statements in a 2011 letter to the Chronicle. Those confessions were not the main factor in Caldwells exoneration, however. A judge ordered Caldwell a new trial in 2010, ruling his defense counsel had been ineffective. The San Francisco district attorney subsequently dismissed the case. Caldwell sued the city in 2012 for fabrication of evidence, among other claims, settling for $8 million in 2021. Nonetheless, Funches appeared to treat his confession as leverage in his correspondences with Kaneb. He characterized their relationship to the Standard as an off-and-on courtship, which Hanlon said she disputes. Hanlon said Funches wrote his first seductive email to Kaneb shortly after they met in 2010, then sent another message two months later after she didnt respond. Kaneb only began reciprocating Funches advances in 2023, Hanlon said, long after Caldwell was freed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She had visited Funches in prison three times, twice accompanied by another attorney, and once by an investigator, Hanlon said. Their interactions became a focus for the San Francisco city attorney during Caldwells civil case. During a 2016 deposition, a deputy city attorney questioned Kaneb extensively about her relationship with Funches. She acknowledged meeting him four times, said shed sent him information on attorneys who litigate civil rights claims, and that in one instance, she delivered a check from Funches to his daughter. And during the course of your correspondence with Mr. Funches, at some point is it fair to say that the letters that he started to send you became more graphic and sexually explicit? Deputy City Attorney Diana Rosenstein asked Kaneb, referring to comments Funches made about smelling her hair. While Kaneb said in the disposition that she could not recall specific comments referenced by Rosenstein, she noted that Funches had expressed a physical attraction toward her, and that it made her uncomfortable. Then in March of last year, Funches sent Kaneb a friendly email, initiating a correspondence that led to phone calls and became flirtatious in late August, according to Hanlon. You make my heart jump, Kaneb said in one text thread reviewed by the Chronicle. You give me butterflies. And somehow you always have. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I still remember in that first visit you were looking at Linda the whole time, she continued, referring to Northern California Innocence Project attorney Linda Starr, and I took my hair out I wanted you to look at me Ive never admitted that before. I sware (sic). I only saw you, Funches replied. I remember when she left for a few minutes. It was like my chest would explode. And we began talking By November, Hanlon said, Kaneb had begun distancing herself as Funches started pressing her for money. In February, she broke off the relationship entirely. Then the threats began. Besides requesting money, Funches pushed Kaneb to build a legal team to get me out of prison. At the same time, he attempted to extort money from Caldwell and Caldwells civil attorney, Terry Gross, an email obtained by the Chronicle shows. Funches threatened to disavow his testimony that Caldwell had not been present during the Acosta shooting, Gross said. This can be settled amicably, Funches wrote, pledging to sign a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for payment. We only have a few days to settle this. Ive already contacted an investigative reporter who wants very badly to do this story These are not threats. Its just a matter of fact what Im going to do if were unable to settle. Half mil from you, half mil from Maurice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When the San Francisco Standard reporter reached out to Gross for the story about Funches and Kanebs relationship, the attorney warned the reporter against becoming a part of Funches extortion scheme. The Standard did not mention extortion in the story published about Funches and Kanebs relationship. Jeff Bercovici, managing editor of the Standard, said the paper stood by its reporting. The new allegations in the Standard story that Funches solicited and accepted favors from Kaneb, and was romantically involved with her while she worked to free Caldwell prompted concern for the San Francisco city attorney, whose office oversaw the settlement. New Delhi, June 14 : A Delhi court on Friday adjourned, to June 19, the hearing of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's regular bail plea in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court had recently dismissed his interim bail plea, seeking seven days bail on medical grounds. On Friday, CM Kejriwalas counsel moved an application asking jail authorities to allow his wife Sunita Kejriwal to join Kejriwal's medical checkup through video conferencing. Another relief he has sought is that when the board sits, they would also like to give their input. Now, the court has sought a response from the Tihar Jail Superintendent on the aforementioned application. It will be heard on Saturday. Meanwhile, his regular bail plea has been posted for June 19, when his judicial custody is also ending. Earlier, while dismissing his interim bail, the court had indicated that directions had been issued for specific diagnostic tests for CM Kejriwal, who appeared via video conference from Tihar Jail. Judge Baweja had remanded CM Kejriwal to judicial custody till June 19. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had last time argued that the bail plea was not maintainable as they criticised CM Kejriwal's conduct, citing "misuse" of interim bail for campaigning. CM Kejriwal's defence, led by senior advocate N. Hariharan, had claimed that the interim bail plea was necessitated due to his aggravated diabetes and other health issues. The ED had contended that CM Kejriwal's medical tests could be conducted in jail as it accused him of trying to evade surrender. CM Kejriwal surrendered before the Tihar Jail authorities on June 2 after his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in view of the general elections ended on June 1. Seoul, June 14 : North Korea on Friday strongly condemned the Ukraine peace summit to be hosted by Switzerland later this week, describing it as a "conspiracy gathering under the pretext of peace" to exclude Russia, according to the North's state media. The Summit on Peace in Ukraine is scheduled to run for two days starting Saturday, bringing together officials from nearly 90 countries and organisations to discuss a path toward ending the war that began nearly 28 months ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. Moscow will not be participating, reports Yonhap news agency. "The idea of discussing the Ukraine issue without including Russia, a key party in the conflict, is absurd," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. The statement came amid increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, highlighted by the impending visit to North Korea by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US, South Korea and other countries have accused North Korea of supplying artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia in exchange for advanced military technology and economic aid. Both North Korea and Russia have repeatedly denied the allegations. North Korea slammed the US and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing them of using the summit to instigate war and confrontation. "It is only natural that the international community condemns this conspiratorial meeting, which is held under the guise of peace but aims to promote conflict and war," the KCNA added. In response, Seoul's unification ministry questioned whether North Korea is qualified to criticise the international community's efforts to resolve the Ukraine issue. "We must question whether North Korea, which has blatantly supported Russia's illegal invasion and disrupted international norms through illicit arms deals, has the right to disparage the efforts of Ukraine and the international community to uphold justice," said Kim In-ae, the deputy spokesperson for the ministry, during a press briefing. A South Korean presidential official indicated that Putin is expected to visit North Korea "in a few days." Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that Putin might travel to North Korea "as early as next week" as part of a tour that includes a stop in Vietnam. Moscow, however, declined to comment on the exact date of the visit. Seoul's unification ministry reiterated its call for Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to act responsibly. "Exchanges and cooperation between Russia and North Korea should comply with relevant Security Council resolutions and be pursued in a manner that contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Kim said. New Delhi, June 14 : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a plea filed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) seeking the transfer of a petition pending before the Delhi Court pertaining to an alleged NEET (UG) paper leak to the apex court. Agreeing to examine NTA's transfer plea, a vacation bench of the apex court presided over by Justice Vikram Nath sought the response of the candidate who had instituted a writ petition before the Delhi HC alleging a paper leak and posted it for hearing on July 8. The Bench, also comprising Justice Sandeep Mehta, allowed the withdrawal of other transfer petitions filed by NTA seeking transfer of writ petitions pending before various high courts pertaining to the award of compensatory marks in view of its earlier order passed on Thursday. "The counsel of petitioner (NTA) states that the petitions pending before the High Court relate to the award of compensatory marks and in such event be permitted to withdraw the (transfer) petitions and place before the High Court the order passed yesterday i.e. on 13th June," noted the apex court. In an order passed on June 13, the Supreme Court decided to close the issue relating to the grant of grace marks in the NEET (UG) exam after NTA submitted the scorecards of 1,563 candidates, who were awarded compensatory marks on account of the loss of time, had been withdrawn and cancelled. These candidates were given an option to appear in a re-test to be held on June 23 or may appear in counselling on the basis of actual marks obtained in the exam without normalisation. Before the Delhi High Court, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta on Wednesday submitted that NTA would file a transfer plea before the Supreme Court to consolidate all related petitions for a unified hearing. Kolkata, June 14 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials have confiscated some property forms of land plots or residential houses indirectly or jointly held by former West Bengal education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee, who is currently in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore cash-for-school job case. Sources said that the confiscated properties were scattered on the southern outskirts of Greater Kolkata, Bolpur-Santiniketan in Birbhum district and Bishnupur in South 24 Parganas district. The value of the confiscated property, added sources, is worth a few crores of rupees and the investigative officials have tracked the money trail linking the ill-gotten proceeds of the school job case with the funds utilised for the purchase of these properties. Sources further said that this is not the first time that the investigating officials have confiscated property in the school job case. The materials seized by the central agency officials since the beginning of the investigation include land property, cash, jewellery and precious metals. These include the ill-gotten proceeds in various stages of school recruitment irregularities like primary, secondary and high secondary teachers in addition to non-teaching staff in Group C and Group D categories. This week Calcutta High Courtas Justice Amrita Sinha expressed anger over the lackadaisical approach of a section of the ED officials in carrying out the probe process. She also asked the central agency counsels to ask their officers to be more careful in the process of investigation since this is a court-monitored probe. Justice Sinha also expressed anguish over not much progress in the investigation in the matter which is in relation to the voice-sampling test of one of the prime accused in the case Sujay Krishna Bhadra. New Delhi, June 14 : Conor McGregor's comeback fight at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler on June 29 has been cancelled after the Irishman withdrawn from a bout due to injury. The welterweight matchup, scheduled for Las Vegas, was a major draw selling out in under 10 minutes. This setback comes after McGregor's long layoff following a leg break suffered during his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier. UFC president Dana White confirmed the cancellation and announced changes to the fight card. The original co-main event, featuring American Jamahal Hill and New Zealand's Carlos Ulberg, was also scrapped due to Hill's knee injury. Anthony Smith will be replacing Hill in the bout. "Conor Mcgregor is out of UFC 303 vs Michael Chandler with an injury," confirmed White through a video posted on X. It is the first time the former two-weight world champion has been forced to pull out of a UFC fight due to injury. However, fight week in Las Vegas, traditionally the UFC's biggest event, will still see high-profile action. The new main event features a light-heavyweight title clash between Brazilian champion Alex Pereira and Czech challenger Jiri Prochazka. Additionally, American Brian Ortega and Brazilian Diego Lopes will battle it out in the new co-main event. Moscow, June 14 : Russia has expressed deep disappointment and concern over Argentina's recent actions related to military assistance to Ukraine, Russian media cited Dmitry Feoktistov, the Russian ambassador to Argentina, as saying on Friday. Feoktistov specifically criticised the participation of Argentine Defence Minister Luis Petri in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels, known as the "Ramstein format," reports Xinhua news agency. "As for the participation of Argentine Defence Minister Luis Petri in the Brussels meeting within the framework of the Ramstein coalition, there are no official comments from the Argentine side yet. The very fact of rapprochement between Buenos Aires and the military sponsors of Ukraine causes us deep disappointment," Feoktistov told reporters. Feoktistov noted that Argentina's involvement appears to be part of its increased cooperation with NATO. "Back in April, Argentina requested the status of a global partner of the alliance. Frankly, we do not understand how granting this status would enhance Argentina's security," he added. Russia has also cautioned Argentina that any potential transfer of military equipment to Ukraine would be seen as an unfriendly act. This follows reports from the Argentine news portal Infobae, indicating that Argentina is discussing the transfer of five Super Etendard attack aircraft to Ukraine through negotiations reportedly conducted by Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino with her French counterpart. "Media reports about the possible transfer of Argentine tanks through Germany, similar to the aircraft deal with France, are also concerning. We have communicated clearly and firmly to Argentina that such actions will be viewed as unfriendly towards Russia," Feoktistov asserted. The ambassador expressed hope that Argentina would refrain from interfering in the Ukraine crisis and maintain its traditional restraint. "This will help preserve the friendly nature of Russian-Argentine relations, which have historically been immune to political trends," he said. Previous reports suggested that Argentina might have considered transferring medium TAM tanks, originally designed for Argentina by Germany, to Ukraine. It has also been reported that Argentine President Javier Milei will attend a peace conference on Ukraine in the company of Defence Minister Luis Petri. New Delhi, June 14 : The chipmaking equipment industry is looking to establish operations in India, as the country emerges as a promising alternative to China amid tensions between Beijing and the West. The international chip industry group SEMI is set to host its Semicon exhibition in India for the first time in September. This exhibition has previously been held in the US, Japan, Europe, Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Southeast Asia, reports Nikkei Asia. Several Japanese companies, including Tokyo Electron, Disco, Canon, Tokyo Seimitsu and Daifuku are scheduled to attend. Tokyo Electron will showcase equipment for wafer deposition, coating and other front-end steps in the chipmaking process. Additionally, US-based companies such as Applied Materials, Lam Research and KLA will also have large booths at the exhibition. In recent years, due to tensions with the US, there has been a shift in international supply chains away from China. Apple is relocating the production of iPhones and other products from China to India. In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The chip fabrication facility at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat is being set up by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) with a total investment of more than Rs 91,000 crore. The Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Morigaon, Assam is being set up by TEPL for Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP), with a total investment of about Rs 27,000 crore. In April, Union Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that India has commissioned four semiconductor manufacturing units and in the next five years, the country will become one of the biggest semiconductor hubs in the world. As per Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Technology Market Research, India's semiconductor-related market will reach $64 billion in 2026, nearly triple the size in 2019. Mumbai, June 14 : Actress Drashti Dhami, who is known for 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa', 'Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil', and 'Duranga', is expecting her first baby with her husband, Neeraj Khemka. Mumbai, June 14 (IANS) Actress Drashti Dhami, who is known for aJhalak Dikhhla Jaaa, aPardes Mein Hai Mera Dila, and aDurangaa, is expecting her first baby with her husband, Neeraj Khemka. On Friday, the actress took to her Instagram and shared a cute video announcing the baby's arrival in October. In the clip, the couple is seen holding their drinks while displaying a poster that reads, "Could be Pink, Could be Blue. All we know is that we are due! October 2024." Drashti and Neeraj's family members also appear in the video, celebrating the big news. The actress captioned the post: aIn a galaxy not so far away, a tiny rebel is joining our crazy tribe Please send love, blessings, cash and french fries our way #BabyKOnBoard We canat wait for October 2024." Drashti and Neeraj tied the knot on February 21, 2015. The actress was recently seen in the second season of her successful streaming show aDurangaa, which is inspired by the Korean show aFlower of Evila. Kolkata, June 14 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Friday, directed the police to preserve the documents related to the case of the assault of a restaurant owner by actor-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress celebrity MLA, Soham Chakraborty. Directing that the investigation in the case be carried out by the detective department of the Bidhannagar City Police, the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha also directed the police to ensure the full safety and security of the said restaurant owner, Anisul Alam. Justice Sinha gave this order in the wake of the petition by Alam accusing the celebrity legislator of threatening him since the event of assault that took place on the night of June 7. She also ordered that the investigation be carried out by an Assistant Commissioner of Police rank official. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 4. On Thursday, Chakraborty received an anticipatory bail from a district court at Barasat in North 24 Paragans district. Chakraborty was caught on camera thrashing Alam inside his restaurant premises on the night of June 7. Later, the actor-turned-politician claimed that he hit Alam for making abusive remarks against Trinamool General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee. However, Alam denied the allegation and accused Chakraborty of dragging the name of Abhishek Banerjee to hide his guilt. According to Alam, the row was triggered after he asked the driver and bodyguards of Chakraborty to remove the actoras car that was parked wrongly in the parking lot. Mumbai, June 14 : The Indian stock market has seen a significant rally in recent months and is now attracting global funds which are going to accelerate in the near future, according to top analysts. The Indian stock market performance has been very impressive for the last one year. National Stock Exchange (NSE) benchmark Nifty surged nearly 6 per cent in the last month, 11.84 per cent in the last six months, 7.65 per cent since the beginning of this year, and nearly 25 per cent in the last one year. According to Jonathan Garner, Morgan Stanley's Chief Equity Strategist for Asia and Emerging Markets, during the peak of the China markets, the global fund held nearly two to three Chinese e-commerce internet stocks. "Now they hold two or three mega-cap Indian companies in their portfolio," he was quoted as saying in media reports. He further said that the shift has already begun and things are only accelerating from here. Right now, India is the second-largest emerging market after China. Global investors now prioritise liquidity and can't afford to ignore the Indian stock market, which is booming with retail investments, according to Garner. On a positive rating action, Fitch's Asia Sovereign Ratings Director Jeremy Zook was quoted as saying in media reports that India's fiscal consolidation strategy beyond 2025-26 to lower the Debt to GDP ratio will play a major role for any kind of a positive ratings action. The government is targeting a 4.5 per cent fiscal target of GDP by FY26 and 5.1 per cent for the current financial year. David DePape, who attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer in 2022, is on trial in San Francisco for false imprisonment, residential burglary and threatening a family member of a public official. He was previously convicted in federal court. Michael Short, MBI/Associated Press 2013 Jurors are expected to hear closing arguments early next week in the state case against David DePape, the man who attacked House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul Pelosi, in the head with a hammer in 2022. Defense attorneys for DePape rested their case Friday morning, noting that they would not bring any witnesses including DePape before the jury. The decision came one week after San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman dismissed counts of attempted murder, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon in the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco public defenders had argued that Californias double jeopardy law protected DePape from being tried more than once for the same criminal offense. DePape was recently convicted in federal court of assaulting a federal officials family member and attempting to kidnap a federal official. He took the stand in his federal trial. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison with credit for time served. In his state trial, DePape still faces counts of false imprisonment, residential burglary, threatening a family member of a public official, attempting to sway a witness and aggravated kidnapping, charges that were not part of the federal trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bengaluru, June 14 : An FIR was lodged against the son of Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna in connection with a complaint lodged by a couple here alleging blackmail and life threats. The FIR filed against Arun Somanna was registered as per the direction of the 37th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) in Bengaluru. The FIR also names two other persons: Jeevan Kumar, a resident of Dasarahalli, and Pramod Rao, a resident of Hebbal in Bengaluru. The Sanjaynagar police have filed the FIR under IPC Sections 506, 34, 504, 387, 420, 477A, 323, 327, and 354 D. The petition was filed by Trupthi, a resident of Sanjaynagar in Bengaluru. She has alleged that the accused committed fraud in an event management company and issued life threats to her and her husband, Madhwaraj. The FIR states that Trupthi and Madhwaraj ran an event management company for 23 years. Arun Somanna was introduced to Madhwaraj in 2013 at a government function. The company also organised the birthday party of Arun Somannaas daughter in 2017. Later, Arun and Madhwaraj started a company together under a partnership deed. When the business incurred a loss, Arun allegedly did not inform Madhwaraj, who was then forced to resign from the partnership. New partners were included, and she and her family were threatened, according to the complainant. The petitioner claimed that her family was hounded by rowdies, and her husband was locked up in a dark room and tortured. More details are awaited. Beirut, June 14 : At least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded in an Israeli airstrike overnight that hit a house in southern Lebanon, security sources and state media reported on Friday. Lebanon's National News Agency said a house was targeted in Janata. According to Lebanese security sources, the civilian who died was a woman. They added that among the wounded were children. Israel said it was investigating the report. The Israeli strike came after Hezbollah claimed dozens of rocket launches and drone attacks on Israeli army posts in northern Israel. Hezbollah said the assaults were in retaliation for Tuesday's killing of one of its commanders in southern Lebanon. The escalation on the Lebanese-Israel border has raised fears of an all-out war by Israel on Lebanon to halt Hezbollah attacks. Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia have been fighting each other since the beginning of the war in Gaza, with the daily barrages becoming increasingly fierce. On both sides of the border, the attacks often lead to fires, which spread quickly in the hot, dry weather. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Kolkata, June 14 : A major fire broke out at the Acropolis Mall located in the Kasba locality in south Kolkata on Friday. Although no casualty has been reported so far, a few persons reportedly fell sick because of the thick smoke that engulfed the popular shopping mall. Teams from the state fire department and disaster management authorities successfully evacuated the visitors and the employees from the different outlets housed in the shopping mall. Currently, 15 fire tenders are at the spot trying to extinguish the fire. "The fire created panic among the people in the mall. There could have been a stampede but fortunately, that was averted," said a fire official. Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose, who rushed to the spot, said, "Right now our priority is to bring the fire under control. Once that is done, a detailed investigation will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Action will be taken if any negligence in following the fire safety norms is found." Fire officials suspect that the blaze occurred in the food court located on the fourth floor of the mall. The electricity connection to the mall was immediately snapped, as the firemen broke many glass panels to quickly exhaust the smoke. Mumbai, June 14 : The elder sister of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput -- Shweta Singh Kirti, performed a havan on Friday in Bandra, Mumbai, to mark the fourth anniversary of her brother's death. The visuals from the ceremony show a banner that reads, "Remembering Sushant Singh Rajput 1986-Forever Justice for SSR." Shweta is seen wearing a white suit and performing the havan. The video also shows close ones of the family sitting for the pooja. Earlier in the day, Shweta had pleaded with the authorities for the closure of Sushant's reportedly suicide case. On June 14, 2020, Sushant was found dead at his residence in Bandra. Taking to Instagram, Shweta shared a throwback video of Sushant having fun with his four sisters. Along with the video, she penned a heartfelt note: "Bhai, it has been 4 years since you left us, and we still don't know what transpired on June 14, 2020. Your death remains a mystery. I feel helpless and have pleaded with the authorities countless times for the truth." The note further read: "I'm losing my patience and feel like giving up. But today, for one last time, I want to ask everyone who can help with the case to put your hand on your heart and ask yourself: don't we deserve to know what happened to our brother Sushant? Why has it become a political agenda? Why can't it be as straightforward as stating what was found that day and what is believed to have happened?" She ended the post, requesting, "PLEASE, I am requesting and pleading-help us move forward as a family. Give us the closure we deserve. #sushantsinghrajput #justiceforsushantsinghrajput #4yearsofinjusticetosushant." Sushant's former residence in the Mont Blanc Apartments in Bandra is now owned by 'The Kerala Story' actress Adah Sharma. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged views on key global and regional issues besides discussing ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries during their meeting on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia on Friday. "The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership, including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity, and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues," the Indian Ministry of External said Affairs after the meeting. Calling him a "dear friend", Macron had congratulated PM Modi last week as the BJP-led NDA formed the government for the third consecutive time following the Lok Sabha elections. "India has concluded the world's largest elections! Congratulations Narendra Modi, my dear friend. Together, we will continue strengthening the strategic partnership that unites India and France," Macron posted on X. Over the past few years, the India-France partnership has expanded to several new areas under the leadership of both leaders, from the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets to developing helicopter engines together. Last year, Prime Minister Modi attended the annual Bastille Day Parade in Paris as a 'Guest of Honour' on the French President's invitation as both nations marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. France also conferred PM Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the country's highest award. The Indo-French ties received a major boost earlier this year as Macron was the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations during his two-day state visit in January. The French President also visited India during the G-20 Summit held in September last year. Fuzhou, June 14 : A total of 27,000 residents have been evacuated from China's Fujian province, which has been recording heavy rain for the past few days, according to local authorities. During this period, more than 3,133 hectares of crops were damaged in Fujian, reports Xinhua news agency, citing the provincial flood control authorities. From 8 a.m. on June 9 to 6 a.m. on June 14, 386 townships in 55 county-level areas across Fujian recorded accumulative precipitation of more than 100 mm. The highest precipitation was reported in Huangkeng Township of Nanping City, topping 581.8 mm, local meteorological authorities said. After heavy downpours hit the province, local emergency repair staff, equipped with power-generating vehicles and electric power generators, have helped affected households in Nanping restore power supply. India among most important nations in the world: Ex-Italian Sherpa for G8 & G20. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, June 14 : India is prominent and among the most important countries in the world, as well as a huge democracy, said former Italian Sherpa for G8 and G20 and Ambassador Giampiero Massolo, who is attending the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Italy. He also added that everybody counts on India as a stabilising factor as it has a key position in the global south. Massolo further mentioned that India is pledging towards a multipolar world due to its vital position in the global south. "You don't want to substitute other orders, India-centric orders, to other orders in the international community. You want countries to cooperate together and we think that this is the right approach and we highly value what you are doing on the international stage," he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in southern Italy's Apulia region to attend the G7 Summit's Outreach Session on Friday. During the day-long visit, he will also hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said the agenda of the visit includes participation in the outreach session and, on the sidelines, several bilateral meetings with world leaders are also lined up. Moscow, June 14 : Ukraine carried out a major attack consisting of more than 80 drones on Russian border regions in the early hours of Friday, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported. It said that 70 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted over the Rostov region alone. The Belgorod, Volgograd, Voronezh and Kursk regions, as well as the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed in violation of international law in 2014, were also affected. The information could not be independently verified. The governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, reported power outages in several villages. According to initial findings, there were no deaths or injuries. In the Voronezh region, falling debris caused minor damage to an oil depot, authorities said. However, no people were injured there either. Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February 2022 and has been waging a large-scale war of aggression against the neighbouring country ever since. Ukraine has been defending itself with Western support. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Seerat Kapoor looks at cinema with different perspective as she learns about directing. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, June 14 : The 'Rabb Se Hai Dua' fame actress Seerat Kapoor is learning new skills on the sets of the show by developing a keen interest in the art of direction, sharing that it helps her improve her acting skills. Speaking about the same, Seerat, who plays Mannat on the show, said: "As an actor, I have always been intrigued by what really goes on behind the camera lens. On the sets of 'Rabb Se Hai Dua', I got that opportunity. Looking at the monitor is fascinating because it gives a different perspective of things and characters. Learning the skills of a director also helps me improve my acting skills." She sits behind the monitor, and talks about angles and lighting with her director and DoP team. "More than anything, it makes me more appreciative of the sheer effort that the direction teams put in to get every single scene right. This experience has not only broadened my understanding of filmmaking but also deepened my respect for the entire crew, inspiring me to continue exploring different facets of the industry," she added. Beyond direction, Seerat even assists the hair and makeup artists whenever she gets time. The show features Dheeraj Dhoopar as Subhaan and Yesha Rughani as Ibaadat. 'Rabb Se Hai Dua' airs on Zee TV. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK during the third term of the NDA government as he held a bilateral meeting with British PM Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia. "It was a delight to meet PM Rishi Sunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The PMO said that both leaders also talked about enhancing industrial cooperation in the defence sector, boosting trade and commerce, and more. Sunak had dialled PM Modi last week, congratulating him on his election victory and wishing him success for a third term. "The UK and India share the closest of friendships, and together that friendship will continue to thrive," Sunak posted on X after the phone call. During their conversation, the two leaders also reflected on the strength of the India-UK relationship and agreed that it will continue to grow in the future. Last month, Sunak had hailed India's rise as an 'economic superpower', asserting that new and fast-growing economic superpowers like India, Indonesia, and Nigeria are significantly reshaping the global economy. Artwork for the More, More, Oar A Tribute to Skip Spence concert at the Chapel in San Francisco. Birdman Records/The Chapel An all-star tribute concert this weekend will honor one of the most obscure but seminal figures in the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene. The Chapel in San Francisco will host a tribute to Skip Spence on Saturday, June 15. Directed by Ethan Miller of Howlin Rain and produced by Folk Yeah and David Katznelson of Birdman Records, the event will feature performances by local musicians such as Meg Baird and Charlie Saufley of Heron Oblivion, Bill Orcutt, Kelley Stoltz, Paula Frazer of Tanration, Brogan Bentley, Cyril Jordan of Flamin' Groovies and more. They will perform music from Spences 1969 folk-psychedelic solo album Oar alongside his other works, with a house band featuring Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth, Steve Turner of Mudhoney, Kash Killion of Sun Ra Arkestra, Andy Cabic of Vetiver and Jerry Miller of Moby Grape. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spence, an original member of the Bay Area rock groups Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape, died in 1999 at 52, after struggling with schizophrenia and alcoholism. Born Alexander Lee Skip Spence in Ontario, Canada, he auditioned as a guitarist for Quicksilver Messenger Service in 1965. Instead, he was invited by local musician Marty Balin to play drums for Jefferson Airplane, despite never having played the instrument. Spence quickly learned and played on the bands 1966 debut album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off. After being fired from Jefferson Airplane for an unannounced trip to Mexico, Spence co-founded Moby Grape, briefly celebrated as America's most promising rock band. Known for its elaborate harmonies and intricate musicianship, Moby Grape influenced acts like Buffalo Springfield and the Doobie Brothers. Its peak was the 1967 self-titled debut album, lauded by Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke as a perfect debut album. However, the band fell apart in 1968 when Spence, experiencing early signs of mental illness, attacked fellow musicians with an ax during a psychotic episode, leading to multiple psychiatric ward admissions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Oar features songs written during Spences stay at Bellevue Hospital, documenting his descent into madness. Though initially considered demos, producer David Rubinson submitted them for release to Columbia. The album sold poorly but later became a cult classic, with multiple reissues. In 1999, Birdman Records released More Oar: A Tribute to the Skip Spence Album, featuring covers by artists like Robert Plant and Tom Waits, with a hidden track Spence recorded for The X-Files television show. Skip represented the soul of one of the greatest counter-cultural movements, centered in San Francisco, Katznelson said. Connecting his influence to a new generation of San Francisco artists is beautiful and necessary. Skip Spence, an original member of the Bay Area rock groups Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape, died April 16, 1999. AP Despite his struggles, Spence a conservatee of Santa Clara County at the time of his death occasionally performed with Moby Grape members in his final years. Proceeds from Saturdays tribute concert will support MusiCares, aiding musicians in need. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jiribam : , June 14 (IANS) In fresh violence in Manipur's trouble-torn Jiribam district, several houses in Borobekra subdivision were set afire by unknown persons early on Friday, police said. According to the police, a low-grade explosion was also reported from the area. "Two makeshift houses in that area were razed by miscreants. Some abandoned makeshift houses and standalone homes were also burned down around 2.30 a.m. on Friday. The incident happened in the Bhutangkhal locality, the remotest part of the Borobekra subdivision," Superintendent of Police, Jiribam, Maharbam P.S., told IANS. Nearly 1,000 people belonging to the Meitei community in villages like Lamtaikhunou, Madhupur, Loukoipung, etc. under the Borobekra subdivision have taken refuge in seven shelter camps in Jiribam town after the district witnessed violence since June 6 in the wake of the killing of 59-year-old farmer, Soibam Saratkumar Singh. On the other hand, around 600 Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribal residents of Jiribam, which abuts Assam, have crossed the inter-state border and have taken shelter in the Cachar district of the neighbouring state. Security has been bolstered in Jiribam with six companies of the CRPF, ten companies of the Assam Rifles, and the state Police and Village Defence Forces (VDF) deployed to maintain law and order in the area. The district administration has imposed Section 144 in the entire district. Although several shops and business establishments were kept open on Friday in Jiribam town, few people came out of their residences as tension prevailed in the locality. Srinagar, June 14 : Hundreds of devotees from different parts of the country converged at Mata Kheer Bhawani temple shrine on Friday to celebrate the annual 'Mela' of the Hindu deity. Srinagar, June 14 (IANS) Hundreds of devotees from different parts of the country converged at Mata Kheer Bhawani temple shrine on Friday to celebrate the annual aMelaa of the Hindu deity. The worship of Mata Kheer Bhawani is universal among Kashmiri Pandits. The Kheer Bhawani temple shrine, dedicated to Maharagyna Bhagwati, was constructed over a spring which is believed to be sacred. The temple is associated with Goddess Ragyna Devi who is also worshipped as Raginya or Kheer Bhawani, an incarnation of goddess Durga. Kheer Bhawani temple is also believed to be an icon of the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood of Kashmir. Local Muslims living around the temple complex serve milk in earthen pots to the Kashmiri Pandit devotees upon their arrival in Tullamulla town. Since their migration from Kashmir in the 1990s, Kashmiri Pandits come from all over the country to pray and worship at this temple shrine. Around 50,000 devotees marked their attendance on Friday at the temple shrine. This is the largest number of devotees here since the beginning of violence in Kashmir in the 1990s. Devotees were conveyed here by special escorted conveys from Jammu. Arrangements for their lodging have been made by the government at the temple shrine complex as well as in the neighbouring Central University of Kashmir campus ground. The administration had also made special arrangements for sanitation, safe drinking water, healthcare and security for the devotees. Some of the local Pandits who did not migrate out of the Valley, came to Tullamulla by their own modes of conveyance. The over 24 km-long road from Srinagar city to the temple shrine was dotted with security personnel to ensure safe movement of the devotees. The colour of the sacred spring over which the deityas idol is kept bears special significance for the devotees. During peace times, the colour of the spring water is either white or pink, and in bad times, the colour turns black or muddy. This year, the colour of the spring water is pink. Devotees believe that this foretells peace and prosperity ahead for the country. J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha paid obeisance at the temple shrine on Friday, while former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah visited the temple earlier in the day. The Lt Governor laid the foundation stone of Rupees four crore Yatri Niwas to be built inside the temple shrine complex. Vienna, June 14 : Following last week's resolution against Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tehran is now pressing ahead with the threatened expansion of its uranium facilities, the UN nuclear watchdog said. Iran has put additional high-performance centrifuges for the enrichment of uranium into operation, the Vienna-based agency told its member states in a confidential report. The report was later obtained by several media and drew a stiff US public response on Thursday. Iranian authorities also announced the installation of many more powerful centrifuges to bolster production, the IAEA said. According to the report, around 350 of the new machines were already installed in an underground facility in Fordow, 32 kilometres northeast of the Iranian city of Qom. Another 350 units are in the works, the agency said. On June 5, the IAEA passed a resolution calling for Tehran to cooperate with its inspectors after years of stalling in order to clarify unanswered questions about suspected secret nuclear activities in the past. Germany, France and Britain have indirectly threatened to call in the UN Security Council if Iran failed to provide answers. In turn, Iran's government threatened to meet the resolution with a "proportionate, effective and immediate response." The US State Department reacted sharply to the latest Iranian measures described by the IAEA. At a press briefing in Washington on Thursday, department spokesman Matthew Miller stressed that the Iranian actions outlined in the IAEA report "only further undermine Iran's claims that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful." Were Iran to implement the steps it has announced, "we will respond accordingly," Miller added. Officially, Iran does not enrich uranium for use in nuclear weapons. However, it produces near weapons-grade material with a purity far exceeding the requirements for nuclear fuel or scientific purposes. In 2015, Iran agreed to heavily restrict its nuclear programme in return for a pledge by Western countries to lift sanctions. However, then US President Donald Trump cancelled the pact after taking office the following year, prompting Iran to restart its uranium facilities. --IANS/DPA sd/svn Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that he held a "very productive" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia as New Delhi continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. "Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi posted on X after meeting Zelensky. The External Affairs Ministry added that the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationships and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine had dialled PM Modi last week, congratulating him on his election victory and hoping that the Indian PM will not only visit Ukraine soon but also attend the Global Peace Summit being held in Switzerland, this weekend. "I spoke with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his election victory. I wished him a speedy formation of the government and continued productive work for the benefit of the Indian people," said Zelensky after the phone call. Earlier, in a social media post, Zelensky had congratulated PM Modi on the BJP-led NDA's win in the parliamentary elections and said that he was looking forward to seeing the country's participation in the peace summit. "Everyone in the world recognises the significance and weight of India's role in global affairs. It is critical that we all work together to ensure a just peace for all nations. In this regard, we also look forward to seeing India attend the Peace Summit," Zelensky posted on X. In his reply to Zelensky's message, PM Modi stated that India will continue to support peace, security and prosperity for everyone in the region. The MEA has confirmed that India will be participating in the Peace Summit. "India will be participating in the Peace Summit at an appropriate level. That consideration is currently going on in the system and as and when we have a decision on the representative from India who will be participating, we will be happy to share," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, India has maintained its consistent position that allows it to reach out to both sides to find a solution to the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. India has, at the same time, sent tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including essential medicines and medical equipment. Moscow, June 14 : Days ahead of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that his country was ready for talks with Ukraine, provided it completely withdraws its troops from the Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. "As soon as Kiev declares that it is ready for such a decision and begins a real withdrawal of troops... and also officially announces that it has abandoned plans to join NATO, our side will immediately... receive an order to cease fire and begin negotiations," he said in an address to top Foreign Ministry officials, RT reported. The Russian President warned that the West and Ukraine if they again reject Moscowas new peace overture, they "will be politically and morally responsible for further bloodshed" as "obviously, the realities on the ground, on the frontline, will continue to change not in favour of the Kiev regime, and the conditions for starting negotiations will be different". Russia is not seeking a temporary ceasefire, but rather a lasting peace based on the position that Ukraine must proclaim neutral status, not seek to acquire nuclear weapons, and be demilitarised and denazified as was pre-agreed upon in 2022, he said. The Ukrainian regime must also guarantee the rights and freedoms of the countryas Russian-speaking population, President Putin stressed. All these agreements should be fundamentally recognised at the international level, followed by the removal of Western sanctions against Russia, he said. The Russian President termed the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit scheduled for June 15 and 16 "nothing more than a trick, seeking to give the current government in Kiev some legitimacy", given Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyas presidential term expired last month after he cancelled this yearas presidential election. He disclosed that early in the Ukraine conflict, Moscow was, in principle, ready to let Kiev retain sovereignty over Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Regions, now made parts of Russia, on condition that it guaranteed the security of a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula. "Later, however, the residents of those two regions expressed the desire to join Russia, which was realised at referendums in the fall of 2022," he added. He contended that the Ukraine war was not a conflict between the two culturally close nations, but rather the result of "aggressive" and "reckless" Western policies that started long before February 2022. President Putin termed all the West's statements about "decolonising" Russia were nothing but bids "to partition it along ethnic lines, after conducting six waves of NATO expansion closer to its borders". He termed the Western decision to freeze Russian assets "theft" and vowed that it would not go unpunished. He further claimed that the move to transfer Russian money to Ukraine would shatter the global financial system and only tarnish the Westas image among international investors. Debunking Western claims that Russia could attack NATO countries as "utter nonsense", and geared at those seeking to instigate an arms race, he said that the main threat to Europe comes not from Russia, but rather from its "critical, ever-increasing and almost total dependence on the US" in military, political, technological, and ideological areas. He said that his country and NATO have no choice other than to co-exist and work together as they are located on the same continent, and this reality will continue despite the current degradation of ties. It is time to start a serious debate on collective security in Europe and Asia, and the reduction of the military presence in both regions, President Putin urged. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was also present on the occasion. Lucknow, June 14 : In a significant stride towards enhancing Uttar Pradesh's educational landscape, the Yogi Adityanath government has intensified efforts to modernise the state's educational infrastructure with advanced technology. As part of this initiative, a major technological upgrade has been initiated at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, where live attendance of the students will be taken through their facial biometrics. Additionally, plans include implementing LIVE CCTV coverage to ensure complete transparency during semester examinations. This initiative stems from the chief ministeras vision, with detailed planning carried out by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University and execution entrusted to Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO). Companies already empanelled with UPDESCO will be allowed to become service and software development providers. These providers will be tasked with installing CCTV systems, setting up a CCTV monitoring command centre, and compiling biometrics of students and staff to create a master database. They must complete these tasks and make the database accessible through software within 60 days of work allotment. The chief minister has consistently prioritized enhancing education quality by adopting modern technology. Efforts are underway across various levels to ensure smooth and transparent examination processes statewide. The ongoing technological advancements at the University reflect these priorities. By compiling biometric data of students and staff into a centralised database accessible via software, the university aims to monitor attendance rigorously. This database will also include essential details like Aadhar card numbers, facial, iris, and hand impressions, enabling immediate identification of individuals in emergencies. The university's master database will prove crucial in many ways. Besides, the university classes will also be monitored LIVE through CCTV. To complete this process, a special CCTV command centre will also be established. The system under construction will be updated according to the university's needs, and the university staff will also be made proficient in its operation, monitoring, and supervision. To finalise these tasks, the service and software development provider will receive the source code and user manual for the application currently in development. Bengaluru, June 14 : The Karnataka Police on Friday made two more arrests in connection with the murder of a man in which popular Kannada actor Darshan and his co-star and partner Pavithra Gowda are the prime accused, taking the total number of arrests made in the case so far to 16 with another accused still at large. Earlier this week, Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 11 others were arrested on charges of murdering 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga. The probe revealed that Renukaswamy was a big fan of Darshan and had sent derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media. The victim was allegedly kidnapped, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed, and brutally tortured to death. The sixth accused, Jagadish aka Jagga, and the seventh accused, Anu aka Anukumar, were arrested on Friday from Chitradurga by a team led by DSP Dinakar and a special team from the Kamakshipalya police station investigating the case. The accused, who were reportedly involved in kidnapping Renukaswamy from Chitradurga, are being brought to Bengaluru for interrogation. The eighth accused, Ravi aka Ravishankar, who drove the Toyota Etios in which Renukaswamy was brought to Bengaluru from Chitradurga, surrendered before the police on Thursday night. Police sources said the third accused, Pavan aka Puttaswamy, spoke to Renukaswamy over the phone, while the fourth accused, Raghavendra, asked him to come to a spot on the outskirts of Chitradurga city. Raghavendra, the head of a Darshan fan club in Chitradurga, who had been tracking Renukaswamy for the past week, forcefully put him into the Toyota Etios car, police sources said. The accused reportedly told the victim that Darshan knew about the derogatory messages he had sent to Pavithra, adding that he would be allowed to click a photo with the popular actor if he tendered an apology. However, after dumping him in a shed in Bengaluru, the accused persons brutally tortured him. They even fed him non-vegetarian biryani although Renukaswamy was a vegetarian. They also taunted Renukaswamy that 'D Boss' (Darshan) was going to come and thrash him, so he better be prepared and eat non-veg food given his frail physique, police sources said. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday exchanged views on key global and regional issues besides discussing ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries during their meeting on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia. "Had an excellent meeting with my friend President Emmanuel Macron. This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The PMO detailed that during their meeting, the two leaders reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the 'Horizon 2047' Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap. Discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. They agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on 'Make in India'. "The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership, including in the areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity, and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues," India's Ministry of External Affairs said after the meeting. They also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in the context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025. Exchanging views on key global and regional issues, they emphasised that a strong and trusted Strategic Partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights. PM Modi thanked President Macron for his warm wishes on assuming office for the third consecutive term and also extended his best wishes to him for the forthcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Calling him a "dear friend", Macron had congratulated PM Modi last week as the BJP-led NDA formed the government for the third consecutive time following the Lok Sabha elections. "India has concluded the world's largest elections! Congratulations Narendra Modi, my dear friend. Together, we will continue strengthening the strategic partnership that unites India and France," Macron posted on X. Over the past few years, the India-France partnership has expanded to several new areas under the leadership of both leaders, from the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets to developing helicopter engines together. Last year, Prime Minister Modi attended the annual Bastille Day Parade in Paris as a 'Guest of Honour' on the French President's invitation as both nations marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. France also conferred PM Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the country's highest award. The Indo-French ties received a major boost earlier this year as Macron was the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations during his two-day state visit in January. The French President also visited India during the G-20 Summit held in September last year. Seoul, June 14 : North Korea on Friday expressed strong discontent regarding the UN Security Council's (UNSC) meeting on Pyongyang's human rights situation held earlier this week. At the UNSC session on Wednesday, diplomats, experts and activists emphasised the need for continued attention to the plight of North Koreans and discussed the broader security implications, reports Yonhap news agency. The meeting was presided over by South Korea's Ambassador to the UN, Hwang Joon-kook, who is serving as this month's rotating UNSC president. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim Sun-kyung, vice minister of the International Organization Department at North Korea's foreign ministry, condemned the UN meeting, asserting that the United States and South Korea should first address their own human rights violations. "If the UN Security Council is to address human rights issues, it should first consider the severe human rights abuses in the US and South Korea, which are riddled with various social evils," the statement said. Referring to the meeting as a "serious political provocation," Kim, the North Korean official, urged the US and other nations to refrain from interfering in North Korea's domestic affairs. He also criticised Seoul's role as the UNSC president for this month, calling it a "disgrace" to the UN. Wednesday's meeting was the first UNSC discussion on North Korean human rights since August when the UNSC resumed related talks after a six-year hiatus. During this period, Seoul, Washington and other members highlighted that Pyongyang has been diverting its scarce resources toward weapons of mass destruction programs amid a repressive political environment that suppresses public dissent. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK during the third term of the NDA government as he held a bilateral meeting with British PM Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia. "It was a delight to meet PM Rishi Sunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The PMO said that both leaders also talked about enhancing industrial cooperation in the defence sector, boosting trade and commerce, and more. "The leaders discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties. "They also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries. Both leaders also discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest," the PMO said. Prime Minister Modi also extended his best wishes to the people of the UK as they prepare for general elections next month. In a statement, the UK PM's office said that Sunak congratulated Prime Minister Modi on securing a third term in the world's largest democratic election as both leaders discussed their mutual commitment to the security and prosperity of both countries and saluted the strength of the relationship. "The Prime Minister said he was pleased that India will send high level representatives to the Ukraine Peace Summit this weekend," said Sunak's office. The British premier had dialled PM Modi last week, congratulating him on his election victory and wishing him success for a third term. "The UK and India share the closest of friendships, and together that friendship will continue to thrive," Sunak posted on X after the phone call. During their conversation, the two leaders also reflected on the strength of the India-UK relationship and agreed that it will continue to grow in the future. Last month, Sunak had hailed India's rise as an 'economic superpower', asserting that new and fast-growing economic superpowers like India, Indonesia, and Nigeria are significantly reshaping the global economy. The former owner of the now-shuttered Kome Sushi in Daly City was sentenced for misusing COVID-19 assistance funding obtained for his San Jose restaurant. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle 2018 A Bay Area restaurateur will serve two and a half years in prison after admitting he misused COVID-19 relief funds intended for restaurants. The Northern California U.S. Attorneys Office announced on Thursday that David Tai Leung, a co-owner of Tomi Sushi and Seafood Buffet in San Jose, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud related to loans he received illegally from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The government assistance programs provided economic aid to businesses to help them survive the economic downturn during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Leung was indicted in September, 2022 on fraud charges for his use of RFF assistance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his February plea agreement, Leung admitted he submitted an application in May 2021 for $5 million in RFF funds certifying the money would be used for authorized business expenses such as payroll, rent or mortgage payments, utilities and maintenance expenses. He did this knowing he would use the money for other purposes, he said. Of the total $5.6 million he admits to obtaining, he said he misused $3,359,701.28. Leung was ordered to pay the amount back in restitution, which he agreed to. The Small Business Administration, which administers the RFF, granted Leungs application and funded Leungs forgivable loan in June 2021. In his plea agreement, Leung admitted he made payments to a Lexus dealership and spent money at a Northern California casino with the funds. He also transferred $3.5 million into a personal investment account through which he purchased securities and paid refinancing fees for the mortgage of his residence in Sacramento, violating the programs requirements. This is not the first time Leung has been in legal trouble. In April 2021, California Attorney General Rob Bontas office charged Leung and two associates with theft of more than $893,000 in employee wages, and with evading employment taxes as well as sales taxes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nashik : , June 14 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the 6th accused in an international cyber fraud and human trafficking case from Maharashtra's Nashik, an official said on Friday. Sudarshan Darade's arrest comes barely three weeks after the NIA nabbed five others on May 27 after carrying out swoops in multiple states. The accused are said to be allegedly involved in the huge racket of sending people to various foreign countries like Laosas Golden Triangle SEZ, on false lures of legal and lucrative jobs there, but forcing them to work in fake call centres indulging in illegal activities instead. The accused operated through elaborate crime syndicates controlled and operated by foreigners, linked with operatives in India, the UAE as well as contiguous South Asian countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, etc. In the Nashik action, the NIA has seized several incriminating materials, documents, digital devices, bank account details, etc., which are being scrutinised to unravel the entire conspiracy behind the human trafficking and cyber-fraud cases, said the official. The case was first detected by the Mumbai Police but as its national and international ramifications emerged, the NIA took it over on May 13 after the preliminary probe indicated a nationwide nexus between the human traffickers and cyber fraudsters who were acting at the behest of the international syndicates. The NIA investigations reveal that all 6 arrested accused were working in close collusion with the traffickers operating across the international borders to illegally ferry Indian youth youngsters on promises of jobs in those countries. However, after reaching there, they were trapped into working in shady online activities like credit card fraud, investments in cryptocurrencies using fake apps, honey-trapping victims, etc. Further investigations are on. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that he held a "very productive" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia as New Delhi continues to encourage a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the conflict. "Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi posted on X after meeting Zelensky. The External Affairs Ministry added that the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationships and exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Zelensky's office said the leaders discussed the development of bilateral relations and the "possibility of sharing experience" in the use of new technologies in agriculture. "The President talked about the operation of the Black Sea transport corridor, which makes it possible to increase the export of sunflower oil to India and the circulation of other categories of goods. "The head of state informed about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit and thanked the Prime Minister of India for the expected presence of a high-level delegation at the event. The leaders discussed the items on the agenda of the Summit," Kyiv said in a statement. The President of Ukraine dialled PM Modi last week, congratulating him on his election victory and hoping that the Indian PM will not only visit Ukraine soon but also attend the Global Peace Summit being held in Switzerland, this weekend. "I spoke with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his election victory. I wished him a speedy formation of the government and continued productive work for the benefit of the Indian people," said Zelensky after the phone call. Earlier, in a social media post, Zelensky had congratulated PM Modi on the BJP-led NDA's win in the parliamentary elections and said that he was looking forward to seeing the country's participation in the peace summit. "Everyone in the world recognises the significance and weight of India's role in global affairs. It is critical that we all work together to ensure a just peace for all nations. In this regard, we also look forward to seeing India attend the Peace Summit," Zelensky posted on X. In his reply to Zelensky's message, PM Modi said that India will continue to support peace, security, and prosperity for everyone in the region. The MEA has confirmed that India will be participating in the Peace Summit. "India will be participating in the Peace Summit at an appropriate level. That consideration is currently going on in the system and as and when we have a decision on the representative from India who will be participating, we will be happy to share," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, India has maintained its consistent position that allows it to reach out to both sides to find a solution to the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. India has, at the same time, sent tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including essential medicines and medical equipment. New Delhi, June 14 : Thalassemia Patient Advocacy Group (TPAG) on Friday congratulated J.P. Nadda for his appointment as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare and urged him to bring 'thalassemia' into the national spotlight. "We are confident that, under your astute leadership, the health and well-being of our nation will continue to improve and flourish," said Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, Member Secretary of TPAG. Thalassemia is a significant health concern in India, affecting a considerable number of individuals and families. As an inherited blood disorder, thalassemia requires continuous medical attention and a comprehensive healthcare strategy to manage and mitigate its impact. As per TPAG, many thalassemia patients still face challenges due to a lack of awareness, timely diagnosis, and adequate treatment facilities, despite advancements in medical science and initiatives being undertaken to manage it. Increased awareness and focused initiatives can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by this disorder, it mentioned. TPAG also urged the minister to consider several actions such as access to safe blood, job guarantee under the RPWD Act 2016, parity with the sickle cell anaemia prevention programme, and indigenous gene therapy for a complete cure. New Delhi, June 14 : Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Friday said the Adani Group is looking forward to forge a long-term partnership with Tanzania -- one of Africa's most promising and strategically important nations -- across industries including ports, renewable energy, and airports. Gautam Adani met Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, saying it was fascinating to hear from her about the future of Africa. "It was an honour to meet the charismatic President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency @SuluhuSamia," the Adani Group Chairman posted on X. "Fascinating to hear her deep insights about the future of Africa and discuss the possibilities for forging a long-term partnership with one of Africa's most promising and strategically important nations," he added. Gautam Adani further said they are excited about the Adani Group leveraging its expertise across various infrastructure sectors, "including ports, renewable energy, airports, transmission, distribution and rail to help build world-class infrastructure in Tanzania". Last month, Adani International Ports Holdings signed a 30-year concession pact with the Tanzania Ports Authority to operate and manage Container Terminal 2 (CT2) at the Dar es Salaam Port in the eastern African country. Adani International Ports Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ). Karan Adani, Managing Director, APSEZ, had said that the move is in line with APSEZ's ambition of becoming one of the largest port operators globally by 2030. Dar es Salaam Port is a gateway port with a well-connected network of roadways and railways. Chandigarh, June 14 : Ludhiana MP and Congress' Punjab unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday submitted his resignation as legislator from Gidderbaha to the Assembly Speaker here. Fellow Congress legislator Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who represents Dera Baba Nanak, also resigned after being elected as the MP from Gurdaspur. State Cabinet minister and AAP leader Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer will also resign as he was elected as the MP from Sangrur, the bastion of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. His win has resulted in the Barnala constituency becoming vacant. Likewise, AAP candidate Raj Kumar Chabbewal's win in the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency has led to the Chabbewal (reserved) seat falling vacant with his resignation. He had represented the Chabbewal Assembly segment as a Congress legislator before joining AAP ahead of the parliamentary elections. Addressing the media, Warring said: "It has been an honour to serve the people of Gidderbaha for the past 12 and a half years. I hope I have justified their trust and worked diligently for the people." "The support and trust from the people of Gidderbaha has given me the strength to rise against all adversities and fight for the interests of Punjab and its people. This very strength helped me overcome challenges in Ludhiana and emerge victorious. I will now continue to champion Punjabas rights in Parliament and ensure our voice is heard." Regarding the upcoming by-elections in Gidderbaha, Warring said: "I have a deep connection with Gidderbaha. I have achieved much in the last few years, and Gidderbaha has played a significant role in that. The candidate for the upcoming by-elections will be chosen after deliberation by the partyas senior leadership, with the best interests of the party and the constituency in mind." In the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress won seven of 13 seats in Punjab. Jammu, June 14 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday cautioned people against believing false rumours on social media asking people to desist night outings in Jammu. In a statement, police said fake information is being circulated by some social media handles regarding avoiding night outings in Jammu. "Police have taken strong note of such rumours and told people that this information is absolutely baseless and not to take such rumours or fake information seriously. Police and security forces have maintained proper area domination and surveillance," the police statement said. "J&K Police is fully aware and competent to handle any challenge and people need not fear anything as we are committed to the safety and security of all citizens," the statement said, adding that legal action will be taken against those spreading rumours, intended to create unnecessary panic among the general masses. Bengaluru, June 14 : Popular Telugu actress Hema, who was jailed in the rave party case, was released from the Central Prison here on Friday. Though Hema was granted conditional bail on June 12, police sources said that her release was delayed as conditions were not fulfilled. Hema was arrested on June 3 in connection with the recent rave party on the outskirts of Bengaluru, which was busted by the police, which also seized drugs and narcotic substances from the farmhouse. Hema, in a video message after the raid, stated that she was not present at the rave party and that she was relaxing at a farm in Hyderabad. However, police maintained that she was indeed present at the farmhouse. The actress had created a scene while being taken away after a medical test, lashing out at the media and accusing them of reporting false news. "All your news is wrong. I have been brought here just now. They have collected samples of my hair, nails, urine, and blood. It is not known whether the report will be positive or negative. Whatever is being shown against me is wrong. This is the work you do," she said in her outburst. Police had issued notices to persons who tested positive for drug consumption at the rave party, titled 'Sunset to Sunrise Victory', on May 20. Around 100 people, including techies, Telugu actors, and others, were present at the party, and MDMA, cocaine, ganja, charas, and other narcotic substances were allegedly used at the party. Of the 98 blood samples collected from people at the party after police busted it, the presence of drugs was confirmed in 86. Police sources said more than 50 men and close to 30 women had tested positive for drug consumption. The police were also investigating the possibility of a sex racket operating alongside the supply of drugs. Five people were arrested in the case before it was transferred from the Electronics City police station to the CCB's Anti-Narcotics Wing. Additionally, three police personnel have been suspended for negligence in duty in connection with the case. --IANS mka/vd Bari : , June 14 (IANS/DPA) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as host of the G7 summit, has prevented the group of industrialised democracies from reaffirming a clear commitment to the right to abortion in their final declaration, DPA has learned from diplomatic sources. The declaration, traditionally issued on the summit's last day, will only say that women have the right to "adequate, affordable and quality health services," including when it comes to sexual and reproductive care. At the G7 summit in Japan last year, the leaders took an explicit position on the topic. The text said women must have "access to safe and legal abortion and post-abortion care". The difference of opinion over the language surrounding abortion broke out into the open on Thursday evening, with French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his disappointment over this year's likely outcome. Macron noted that in France, a woman's right to abortion and the freedom to control her reproductive autonomy is a constitutionally protected right. Meloni, who heads a coalition of centrist and far-right parties, then accused Macron of using the G7 forum to campaign in France's upcoming snap election. She said this year's text would be different simply to avoid unnecessary repetition from the final G7 communique in Japan. After Macron's resounding defeat to the far-right in the European Parliament elections, he dissolved the National Assembly, France's lower house of the Parliament, on Sunday. French citizens will be voting in Parliamentary elections in just a few weeks. Among the G7 nations, the US has seen a major rollback in reproductive rights since a 2022 ruling by the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade case that had codified the right to abortion. --IANS/DPA int/as/pgh Thiruvananthapuram, June 14 : The JD-S' Kerala unit, which is an ally of the ruling Left but has been served an ultimatum by the CPI-M to decide their future course as their national party is in the NDA, will meet on Tuesday to decide the issue. Even though this issue has been going on since the run-up to the Lol Sabha polls, things took a fresh turn when senior JD-S leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was sworn in as a Union Minister. Another Left ally - the RJD's state unit slammed the dual "citizenship" of the state JD-S, which has two legislators - Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and former State Minister Mathew T. Thomas. While its parent party in Karnataka saw former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim form a new faction after his ouster by party chief and former Prime Minister H.D. Deva Gowda over the alliance with the BJP, and former Kerala legislator C.K. Nanu and his faction joining it, Krishnankutty and Thomas are playing their cards cautiously as any wrong move could invite disqualification. They are said to have spoken to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav who is understood to have given the nod for them to join his party. Tuesdayas meeting would indicate what the JD-S in the state would do. The Supreme Court has struck down a President Trump-era ban on bump stocks, a gun accessory that allows semiautomatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. Steve Helber/Associated Press Despite Fridays Supreme Court ruling overturning federal regulations barring bump stocks, the attachments that convert semiautomatic rifles into rapid-fire weapons, bump stocks remain prohibited by laws in about one-third of U.S. states, including California. Californias law, like most of those in 16 other states and the District of Columbia, was passed in response to the October 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, where a gunman fired 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes at a crowd attending a music festival, killing 60 people and wounding about 500. He then took his own life. California had actually sought to ban the devices since 1990, when it prohibited multiburst trigger activators. But after questions were raised about the scope of that ban, lawmakers approved an explicit ban on bump stocks, Senate Bill 1346 by state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, and it was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The state laws were not affected by Fridays ruling, in which a 6-3 majority led by Justice Clarence Thomas said bump stocks, which repeatedly bump a guns trigger against the shooters finger, do not convert the rifles into machine guns, which are banned by federal law. Dissenters led by Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the devices enable repeat firing with a single contact with the trigger, similar to machine guns. The ruling overturned a nationwide ban on bump stocks ordered by President Donald Trumps administration after the Las Vegas shootings and continued by President Joe Bidens administration. The ruling came a day after a federal judge in Texas blocked another federal rule that required owners of pistol braces, which allow holders of short-barreled guns to carry them on their shoulders, to register the weapons as rifles. U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor said the Biden administration had failed to justify changing a decade-old federal policy classifying the weapons as pistols. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Fridays Supreme Court decision shows the need for a federal law extending the ban on machine guns to apply to bump stocks. A federal ban would presumably make it more difficult for owners of the devices in states such as Arizona and Oregon, where they are legal, to bring them into California. Bump stocks make semiautomatic weapons as dangerous as the fully automatic weapons that cause mass casualties, put our communities in danger and have lethal consequences, Bonta said in a statement. Federal laws that apply on a nationwide basis serve as an important complement to state firearms laws that protect our residents and communities from gun violence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The U.S. Supreme Court released a 6-3 decision striking down a federal ban on bump stocks instituted by former President Donald Trump after the 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. Anna Moneymaker/TNS There was a similar recommendation from an unlikely source, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. He endorsed Thomas decision that the national ban on bump stocks was not authorized by current federal law, but said in a separate opinion that there is a simple remedy. Congress can amend the law. That was an indication that bump stock laws do not violate the Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms, said David Pucino, legal director of the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a gun-control group based in San Francisco. But firearms advocates contend a ban on bump stocks would be unconstitutional, and promised to continue their challenges to the state laws and any future federal restrictions. The president cannot change the law to fit his policy preferences and the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) cannot be turned into his personal gestapo, Brandon Combs, president of the Firearms Policy Coalition, said in a statement praising Fridays ruling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Apulia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, June 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presently in Italy on his first foreign visit after being re-elected as the PM for the third time in a row to attend the 50th Summit of the G7 countries -- Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US. This is PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. Given the increasing economic clout of India, the country cannot be outside the major policy issues confronting the Western economies. How India compares with G7 nations in terms of GDP: According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, India ranks fourth in terms of GDP when compared to the Group of 7 nations. India has also emerged as the fastest-growing major economy in the world with a growth rate of over 7 per cent over the last three years amid the global slowdown. Below is the chart of GDP rankings of India along with the G7 countries (USD billion): 1. USA (28,783) 2. Germany (4,590) 3. Japan (4,112) 4. India (3,942) 5. UK (3,502) 6. France (3,132) 7. Italy (2,332) 8. Canada (2,242) PM Modi is participating in the G7 Outreach Summit in which the focus is on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, among others. aIt will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indiaas Presidency and the G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South," PM Modi said in a statement. The Prime Minister is also holding bilateral talks with major world leaders on the sidelines of the event with an aim to strengthen India's diplomatic ties. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the momentum in Indo-French cooperation in several fields following his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Italy's Apulia on Friday. "At the G7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I discussed the main issues of the strategic partnership that unites India and France, in the fields of energy, defence, research, and culture, and I must say: what momentum!" Macron posted on X after the end of the Summit's Outreach Session. Earlier in the day, the two leaders reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the 'Horizon 2047' roadmap and the Indo-Pacific roadmap. "Had an excellent meeting with my friend President Emmanuel Macron. This was our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-France ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. The discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. The two leaders also agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with an increased focus on 'Make in India'. "In view of the G20 which will be held in Brazil in November 2024 and which will follow the G20 in Delhi, they also agreed to support the reform of international taxation aimed at building a more stable and fair framework for multinational companies. "Finally, the issues of global health and vaccine production were discussed, as France prepares to host the Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation on June 20 in Paris," said a statement issued by the Elysee Palace. Kabul, June 14 : Afghan authorities plan to build a new dam in its national capital of Kabul, the media reported. The economic commission has discussed the construction of a new dam in Sarobi district of Kabul, according to the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs, reported Xinhua News Agency. "This project will be built in two phases, with a production capacity of 111 megawatts in the first phase," Matiullah Abid, spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy and Water, was quoted as saying. Afghanistan has been facing a power shortage. The country needs 850 megawatts of electricity per year, with 620 megawatts imported from neighboring countries including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and 230 megawatts supplied by domestic sources, according to Afghanistan's power company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Admiring his commitment to serve people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit India at an early date. "Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India," the Prime Minister posted on X after meeting the Pope at the G7 Summit's Outreach Session in Borgo Egnazia. As he entered the meeting venue and met the world leaders, the Pope was greeted with a hug from PM Modi. In October 2021, the Pope received PM Modi during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, which was also the first meeting between an Indian Prime Minister and the Pope in more than two decades. In June 2000, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had last visited the Vatican and met the then Pope, John Paul II. India and The Holy See have friendly relations dating back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948. India is also home to the second-largest Catholic population in Asia. Bari : , June 14 (IANS/DPA) Pope Francis has called on the Group of Seven (G7) leaders to adopt a cautious approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and ban the use of lethal autonomous weapons at the G7 Summit in Italy on Friday. Speaking at the Summit, the Pope highlighted both the exciting possibilities and the potential dangers of AI. "It is up to everyone to make good use of it. But the onus is on politics to create the conditions for such good use to be possible and fruitful," the Pope said. The Pope also described AI as an "extremely powerful tool" whose advantages and disadvantages depended on how it was used. "The use of our tools, however, is not always directed solely to the good," said the Pope. "When our ancestors sharpened flint stones to make knives, they used them both to cut hides for clothing and to kill each other." He also emphasised the complexity of AI, noting that it could enable machines to make autonomous decisions. However, he stressed that the ultimate decision-making must remain with humans. "We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peopleas ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives," he warned. "Human dignity itself depends on it," the Pope added, urging politicians to ban the use of lethal autonomous weapons. "No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being." Pope Francis is the first Pontiff to take part in a G7 Summit in its close to 50-year history. The seven advanced industrialised democracies include Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States. A series of bilateral meetings are also on the programme for Pope Francis at the conference venue, a luxury resort on the Adriatic coast in southern Italy's Apulia region. --IANS/DPA int/as/arm New Delhi, June 14 : June 15th marks the fourth anniversary of a significant event wherein India and China experienced military casualties along the contentious 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), the first such incident since the 1962 India-China war. Preceding the incident, tensions had been escalating for several weeks in the high-altitude, frigid Galwan valley in the Ladakh region. China's actions included the installation of tents and observation posts at patrolling point PP14, an area traditionally patrolled by the Indian Army. With both sides deploying increasing numbers of troops, the border confrontations took an unprecedented turn when the Chinese attacked Indian soldiers using what the Ministry of Defence described in 2021 as 'unorthodox weapons,' including rocks and rods studded with nails or bound in barbed wire. In response, Indian soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat, utilising sticks and clubs, adhering to the de facto border code of not using firearms. Nonetheless, this deadly clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and the capture of 10 more by the Chinese, who were subsequently released following diplomatic and military negotiations. Despite widespread reports of Chinese casualties and Beijing's eventual acknowledgment, the initial disclosure did not include specific numbers. It was not until February of the following year that the Chinese military news outlet, PLA Daily, admitted to the deaths of four Chinese soldiers. Among them was one individual who purportedly drowned while crossing the Galwan River. Even after significant efforts by the Chinese government to conceal the number of soldiers killed in its aggressive maneuvers, the disclosure emerged only after prolonged endeavors. This was evidenced by reports indicating that the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs pressured the families of soldiers who died at Galwan to forego traditional burial rites and in-person funeral ceremonies. Instead, they were urged to opt for cremation, ostensibly to obscure the precise death toll, citing Covid-19 concerns. Moreover, the following month saw the arrest of Chinese blogger and former journalist Qiu Ziming, who had raised doubts about the officially reported casualty figures and implied that the actual number might be higher on Weibo. His arrest marked the inaugural case under a newly enforced law, effective March 1, which penalised actions deemed to "infringe on the reputation and honor of revolutionary heroes," carrying a potential sentence of up to three years. However, in February 2022, The Klaxon, an Australian newspaper, released the results of a year-long investigation conducted by a team of social media researchers. Their findings exposed that the Chinese government had significantly underestimated the number of casualties at Galwan. According to the investigation, up to 38 Chinese soldiers had perished while crossing the turbulent, sub-zero river in the darkness of the night. The Chinese government's attempts to distort the true extent of the fatal consequences resulting from its geopolitical and military actions have occurred previously. Renowned for its lack of transparency, the authoritarian regime in China has a history of concealing crucial information. In the case of the 1962 India-China war, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) took more than three decades to disclose its casualty figures, providing a notably distorted number in 1994. The PLA reported 722 soldiers killed and 1,697 wounded. Former Army Chief General VK Singh referenced this delay while accusing China of concealing its casualties during the Galwan clash. This pattern extends to the Chinese invasion of Vietnam in 1979, which was prompted, in part, by Vietnam's incursion into Cambodia the previous year. Although the main armed conflict lasted only a month, hostilities continued into the 1980s. Remarkably, the Chinese Foreign Ministry website omits any mention of this war, instead vaguely stating that relations between the two countries deteriorated during the 1980s and 90s without specifying the reasons. Vietnam claims that 42,000 Chinese soldiers died in the conflict, while some foreign scholars estimate the Chinese casualty figures at 25,000 dead and 37,000 injured. Similarly, the Chinese involvement in the Korean War aligns with this pattern of obfuscation. It is important to emphasise that the Chinese regime's structure entails that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) does not act autonomously but rather requires political authorisation from higher authorities. This observation is supported by numerous instances. For instance, in July 2016, Chinese UN peacekeepers stationed in South Sudan purportedly deserted their positions during clashes between factions loyal to the President and rebel forces. This abandonment resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians and instances of sexual abuse. Coming back to Galwan, the Chinese aggression on the night of June 15 was a plainly premeditated attack, as opposed to a flare-up in the heat of the moment. This is evinced by the high level of preparedness that the Chinese side displayed. For weeks before the incident, they had been ramping up infrastructure around the area, leading to objections by the Indian side, eventually ensuing in a consensus agreed on June 6. However, they violated it by continuing their activities, provoking an Indian delegation led by Colonel Santosh Babu of the 16 Bihar Regiment to demand that they retreat. This is when they launched their attack, equipped with spiked clubs and other such weapons, shielded with protective gear anticipating retaliation, while a number of Chinese soldiers positioned themselves at a higher ground to strike their Indian counterparts on a relatively lower ground with stones. Subsequent to this incident, eighteen rounds of Corps Commanders' meetings were convened, leading to a partial withdrawal of forces and the establishment of military buffer zones. In February 2021, both parties announced their intent for coordinated disengagement and de-escalation. However, despite these endeavors, China persists in its refusal to withdraw from the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas, previously within the patrolling domain of the Indian Army, aiming to normalise this as a new status quo. While the gravity of the Galwan incident may render it conspicuous, an examination of Chinese activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) reveals it to be consistent with Chinese government policy. This event was not the inaugural instance of Chinese incitement of unprovoked escalations aimed at altering the de facto status quo at the border, nor was it the concluding one. As recently as December 2022, hundreds of soldiers from both sides clashed along the LAC and sustained injuries when Chinese forces crossed the border in the Tawang sector with the intention of unilaterally changing the status quo. Since Independence, the Indian government has consistently pursued efforts to foster harmony with China. This commitment is epitomised by landmark agreements such as the Rajiv Gandhi-Deng Xiaoping modus vivendi, the peace and tranquility accords of 1993, confidence-building measures of 1996, and the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question in 2005. Following the assumption of office by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, there were 18 meetings between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with five of these comprising visits to China, marking the highest number by an Indian Prime Minister to date. Despite India's diplomatic overtures, Chinese aggression and assertiveness along the border have persisted, as evidenced by military and infrastructure advancements at strategic locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Notably, in 2021, the Chinese legislature passed a land borders law mandating coordination between defence and socio-economic development along the border, whose implementation is often observable through satellite imagery along the LAC. Within this framework, China's utilisation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor can be interpreted as a blatant manifestation of its strategic objectives. Regrettably, the toll of the Chinese regime's persistent revisionist action along the border is endured by soldiers from both nations. One possible explanation for this could be India's recent adoption of a more assertive foreign policy stance, exemplified by its multi-alignment strategy, Neighborhood First policy, proactive maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean, and strengthening ties with the United States. These initiatives may have been perceived by China as concerted efforts to contain its rising aspirations. Consequently, the border activities could be viewed as part of China's strategy to counteract the perceived threat from India. Regardless of the underlying motivations, it is imperative for both Asian powers to explore avenues for collective growth and cooperation, particularly along the border, to alleviate the burden placed on Chinese and Indian soldiers in what seems to be a zero-sum game. Undavalli: Telugu Desam Party Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu celebrates the Assembly elections win and their party's lead in the Lok Sabha elections with family members at his residence. Image Source: IANS News Amaravati, June 14 : Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday thanked Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for allocating the Human Resource Development (HRD), Information Technology (IT), Electronics and Communication besides the Real Time Governance (RTG) portfolios to him. Lokesh, who is the son of Chandrababu Naidu, stated that the Chief Minister has provided him with a very good opportunity to function with utmost responsibility. He said that as the Minister for Panchayat Raj in the earlier TDP government, he was provided the opportunity to totally transform the profiles of the rural areas and as the Minister for IT and Electronics too, he could invite several companies to the state to set up their units here, thus providing employment to the youth. "With the lessons that I have learnt from my experience as the minister in the earlier government, I am confident of functioning more responsibly and efficiently," Lokesh said in a statement. Recalling the promise that he made to the people during his Yuva Galam padayatra that he would bring radical reforms in the education system from KG to PG, he said that as the product of Stanford University, he feels that it is his bounden responsibility to strengthen the education system in the rural areas. Lokesh also promised to provide employment to the youth on a large scale by inviting IT and electronics companies to set up their units in the state. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday allocated portfolios to all 24 ministers who were sworn in along with him on June 12. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ministry has 20 ministers from his Telugu Desam Party (TDP), three from the Jana Sena Party, and one from the BJP. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, the Archbishop of Delhi, and General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), on Friday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with Pope Francis at the G7 Summit's Outreach Session in Borgo Egnazia, Italy. Admiring his commitment to serve people, Prime Minister Modi also extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit India at an early date. "Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India," the Prime Minister posted on X after meeting the Pope. "The meeting of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with His Holiness Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 meeting of world leaders is a very good gesture symbolising the clear intent of our Prime Minister to be a world leader ensuring justice, peace and freedom in every part of the world, and especially to uphold the Constitution of India in letter and spirit to build a strong and vibrant India," Archbishop Couto said on Friday evening. Meanwhile, as the Pope entered the meeting venue and met the world leaders, he was greeted with a hug from PM Modi. In October 2021, the Pope received PM Modi during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, which was also the first meeting between an Indian Prime Minister and the Pope in more than two decades. In June 2000, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had last visited the Vatican and met the then Pope, John Paul II. India and The Holy See have friendly relations dating back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948. India is also home to the second-largest Catholic population in Asia. Dharamsala, June 14 : A man was arrested on Friday for allegedly raping a Polish woman in Himachal Pradesh's McLeodganj, near here, police said. The victim filed a complaint with the police a day earlier, alleging that she was raped. Kangra's Assistant Superintendent of Police Hitesh Lakhanpal told the media the accused had been arrested after a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against him. The medical test of the victim has confirmed rape, he said. The police recorded her statement before the judicial magistrate. The victim, who had registered for a meditation course, was staying in McLeodganj for the past three weeks. She came in touch with the accused, who offered her rented accommodation. Apulia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit. Image Source: IANS News Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it is our resolve to build a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, adding that India is among the first few nations to formulate a national strategy on artificial intelligence (AI). Addressing the G7 Outreach Session attended by top world leaders, PM Modi said that it was our commitment that no section of society should be left behind. He stressed that it is our resolve to build a developed India by 2047. "We are making every possible effort to fulfil our commitment to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070," PM Modi told the gathering. Together, "we should make efforts to make the coming time a 'Green Era'," PM Modi stated. Drawing attention to challenges faced by countries of the Global South, he said that India considers it its responsibility to put the priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on the world stage. PM Modi held key bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Admiring his commitment to serve people, the Prime Minister extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit India at an early date. French President Macron hailed the momentum in Indo-French cooperation in several fields following his bilateral meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit. In his meeting with PM Sunak, PM Modi said it was a delight to meet him in Italy. "I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting. A Whole Foods has been expected to open in City Center, but there are new questions about the stores future in San Francisco. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle More than six years after Whole Foods Market announced plans to open a store in San Franciscos City Center shopping mall, the supermarket chain finally won a key approval from the city to launch. That was in February. Months later, no permits have been filed to start construction inside its roughly 50,000-square-foot space at 2675 Geary Blvd. which has sat vacant since Best Buy departed in 2017 and there are questions about whether Whole Foods intends to move forward with the location it has spent years working to open. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Multiple people familiar with Whole Foods real estate strategy told the Chronicle the project is no longer active. Its City Center space, in the Anza Vista neighborhood, is reportedly available for leasing. Whole Foods did not respond to multiple inquiries from the Chronicle regarding the status of the location and its timeline for opening, though a company representative did confirm that a 20-year-lease the grocer signed with the malls landlord in 2019 has not been terminated. We will let you know if we have updates to share, said the representative, who did not respond to a request to clarify whether Whole Foods intends to exit its lease, is working to sublease its space to another retail tenant or has simply delayed the project. Acadia Realty Trust, which owns the City Center mall and is Whole Foods landlord, did not respond to the Chronicles requests for comment. During an earnings call with investors in August, Acadia President and CEO Kenneth Bernstein said he expected the grocery stores opening at City Center in 2025. City Center is still waiting for a Whole Foods to open in the shopping center. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Earlier this year, Whole Foods announced it is pivoting away from large-format retail stores in dense urban areas, and that its expansion efforts will focus on quick shop stores ranging between 7,000 and 14,000 square feet which are about a quarter to half the footprint of an average 40,000 square foot Whole Foods Market store. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The companys first quick shop stores are expected to open in New York this year. Following the New York City launch, Whole Foods Market plans to bring the format to other cities across the country, Whole Foods said in a press release in March. Whole Foods City Center store would also face direct competition from Trader Joes, which operates across the street from the mall, and Target, another City Center tenant. Another stalled project in the area is the shuttered Lucky Penny diner, which was approved to become 100 units of housing in 2018, after four years of work, but has been stalled due to rising construction costs. The potentially canceled Whole Foods store at City Center represents the second location in San Francisco that Whole Foods appears to have pivoted on in the span of about a year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In April 2023, the company announced the closure of a 65,000-square-foot store it operated in the citys Civic Center neighborhood, citing public safety concerns. The closure came just a year after it opened at the Trinity SF apartment building at Market and Eighth streets, and was, at the time, described as temporary. Whole Foods closure at 1185 Market St. in San Francisco was supposed to be temporary. But the retailer has yet to reopen the location. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle That location has yet to reopen, and a portion of the space has since been listed as available for subleasing. Real estate market participants familiar with the listing say Whole Foods continues to pay rent on the space. Whole Foods did not respond to questions about its plans for the Civic Center location, and whether it intends to revive it. When the grocer signed its lease with Acadia for the City Center store a year before the pandemic hit, the expectation was that the store would open the following year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But its path to activating the space has been filled with roadblocks, even before its lease was signed. Target, City Centers largest tenant, initially pushed back against Whole Foods plans for its store in the mall, fearing competition from the Amazon-owned company. Reuters reported in 2017 that big box rivals like Target often have clauses in their lease agreements allowing them to restrict Amazons operations of nearby Whole Foods stores. The Target dispute appeared settled when Acadia signed Whole Foods as a tenant in early 2019. Whole Foods quickly scored approval for its project in 2020 from San Franciscos Planning Commission, which agreed to grant the grocer a common-sense exemption from an otherwise required, lengthy environmental review process. But Whole Foods plan hit a snag when United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, which represents retail grocery workers, and other labor union members pushed back, requesting among other things that a project labor agreement be negotiated, and appealed the commissions approval over concerns about how increased traffic in the area would affect air quality. The appeal was upheld in 2020 by the citys Board of Supervisors, which effectively reversed the exemption and directed the planning department to analyze the projects potential impacts on air quality. In February, the Planning Commission reviewed and adopted the findings of that environmental study, which determined that the project would not have a significant impact on the environment, and ultimately authorized Whole Foods to open what would have been its ninth location in the city. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Whole Foods approved plans for the space, about half of it would be dedicated to sales and the other half would serve as seating and checkout areas and back-of-house uses such as offices, restrooms, freezers, kitchens and storage areas for online orders. Mayor London Breeds office, which has focused on making it easier for businesses to operate in San Francisco in the wake of the pandemic, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. This news is a gut punch for blue collar workers and the local contractors who drive our construction economy, said Rudy Gonzalez, secretary-treasurer of the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, adding that hes worried about seeing the business scale back. Now is the time to bet on San Francisco. Whole Foods parent company Amazon has faced pushback in San Francisco for another project that it has been working on in recent years. The e-commerce giant in 2020 bought a roughly 6-acre site in San Franciscos Showplace Square neighborhood for roughly $200 million, and in early 2021 filed plans to build a large, last-mile Amazon distribution center there. The project was placed on hold after the Board of Supervisors voted to approve interim zoning controls in March 2022 in response to concerns about the projects impacts on the surrounding community and opposition from labor unions. The controls, introduced by District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton who previously called on Amazon to negotiate a community benefits package in order for the project to advance require a conditional-use authorization for new parcel service uses proposed in the city, like Amazons distribution center, through the end of September, adding an additional layer of review to such projects. Kolkata, June 14 : The CPI-M-led Left Front in West Bengal on Friday announced the names of candidates for three of the four Assembly constituencies that will be going for bypolls on July 10. The three Assembly constituencies are Bagda in North 24 Parganas district, Ranaghat-Dakshin in Nadia district, and Maniktala in Kolkata. However, Left Front insiders said that a decision has been made to leave the Raiganj Assembly constituency in North Dinajpur district for the Congress, as part of the continuing seat-sharing agreement between the two parties forged for the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Of the three assembly constituencies for which the Left Front have announced candidates, the CPI-M will be contesting from Ranaghat-Dakshin and Maniktala, while the All India Forward Bloc will contest from Bagda. The CPI-M candidates from Ranaghat-Dakshin and Maniktala are Orinda Biswas and Rajib Majumdar, respectively, while the Forward Bloc candidate from Bagda is Gouraditya Biswas. The ruling Trinamool Congress announced the names of the candidates for all four constituencies earlier in the day. The BJP is yet to name candidates for the bypolls. Apulia : , June 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India is striving for a better future through human-centric artificial intelligence (AI) development. Addressing the world leaders at the G7 Outreach Session here, PM Modi said India is among the first few countries to formulate a national strategy for AI. Based on this strategy, the country launched the AI Mission this year. "During the G20 Summit hosted in India last year, we emphasised the importance of international governance in the field of AI," said the Prime Minister. "In the future too, we will continue to work together with all countries to make AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible and responsible," PM Modi added. French President Emmanuel Macron also hailed PM Modi's initiative on AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Last month, PM Modi said that India will see mega innovations in new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), thrust on local manufacturing and creating digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the world in near future. A robust framework on AI is ready to deal with its misuse and public consultations on the framework will begin soon. The government worked on a draft regulatory framework for AI amid concerns over a rise in deepfakes and user harm associated with the new technology. The aim is to harness AI for economic growth and address potential risks and harms by setting up the guardrails. Islamabad, June 14 : The Public Action Committee (PAC), the organisation that forced the Pakistan government and the legislative government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) -- also known as 'Pakistan-occupied Kashmir' (PoK) -- to its knees, forcing it to act on its demands of reduced electricity rates, subsidised prices of flour bags and reduction on privileges to government officials, has again taken to the streets, initiating another massive long march against the government's failure to meet its promised commitments and arrests of Kashmiris. On the call of the PAC, numerous protesters started their anti-government rally from the Poonch area, marching towards Kotli. The march kept growing bigger and bigger as it passed through different areas, with many people joining the rally, and chanting anti-government and pro-freedom slogans. "The government made an agreement with us the last time we protested. They committed to a reduction to electricity units. But all of that was false and a fraud as all Kashmiris have received their bills this month with the same high unit rates in their electricity bills," said one of the protesters from Palandri. "Then they raided and arrested our leaders and supporters. They have taken into custody at least 200 of our people. We will not tolerate this aggression. The people of Kashmir have spoken and will not let this government and its forces pressure us anymore," he added. Among the many people arrested include influential nationalist voices like Amaan Kashmiri, known for his outspoken nationalist voice demanding independence of Kashmir from both India and Pakistan. Amaan was also taken into custody and a case was registered against him along with hundreds of others from different parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "They have arrested our people because they raised their voice against the government's fraud and false agreement. We will not leave the roads and will take this massive long march towards the capital Muzaffarabad until all the arrested people are released and our demands are met by the government," said one of the protesters. The AJK government, on the other hand, is nowhere to be seen. Many say that locals have subjected government officials to attacks and assaults in the recent past, in which they have been questioned for enjoying privileges amid the sufferings of the people. The matter is also being kept in hiding by the Pakistani media and efforts are being made to block and stop the fast-swelling long march in Kotli through negotiations. But as far as the protesters and the PAC are concerned, there would be no compromise on any of the demands set forth, which includes release of all arrested locals immediately, reversal of electricity bills and provision of new bills under the agreed per unit price and action against government officials and bureaucrats, who locals say are enjoying high privileges at the cost of the people's money. The situation remains "ultra tense" throughout PoK and is expected to gain momentum if protesters announce movement of the long march towards Muzaffarabad. Kolkata, June 14 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday evening issued a statement demanding the immediate replacement of Kolkata Police personnel posted on duty at the Raj Bhavan here. The Governor issued the statement in the wake of allegations that the city police personnel posted at the Raj Bhavan were not allowing the victims of post-poll violence in the state to meet him and update him about their grievances. Earlier on Thursday, when the leader of opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, tried to enter the Raj Bhavan along with some of the victims of post-poll violence, they were denied entry by the police posted there citing Section 144 that has been imposed around the Raj Bhavan. In his statement, the Governor also claimed that he will not meet the state minister in-charge of the police department unless the victims of post-poll violence are allowed to meet him. Incidentally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the Home portfolio, is in charge of the state police department. Bose also claimed that he has urged the state administration to take all necessary steps to ensure that the post-poll violence is brought under control in the state. Kolkata, June 14 : The West Bengal Police's CID on Friday arrested two persons, including a Central government official, in connection with a West Bengal Public Service Commission recruitment examination paper leak. The official was identified as Shankar Biswas, a senior auditor in the office of the Principal Accountant General at the Central Government Office (CGO) complex at Salt Lake. Biswas was arrested on Friday morning and during interrogation, named his partner in crime Papai Das, who was arrested later in the day. The CID was investigating the matter for some time now following a complaint received at Survey Park Police station in southern Kolkata on the leak of an examination paper for the recruitment of food sub-inspectors with the state Food & Supplies Department. CID sources said that they suspect that the two arrested were part of a major racket, and their questioning is on to get information about their other associates. Hyderabad, June 14 : A man was beaten to death by a group over a land dispute in Telangana's Narayanpet district on Friday, police said. The ghastly incident occurred in Chinnaporla village of Utkoor mandal. Guvvali Sanju, 28, was attacked by a group of villagers with sticks. They continued thrashing him after he collapsed on the ground. He was later shifted to a hospital in Mahabubnagar, where he succumbed while undergoing treatment. The visuals of the assailants thrashing Sanju were extensively shared on different social media platforms. When the police shifted the victimas body for autopsy, his family members and relatives staged a protest. They alleged that police failed to respond when they dialled 100. Taking serious note of the complaint, Inspector General of Police (Multi zone-II) G. Sudheer Babu suspended Bijja Srinivasulu, Sub-Inspector, Utkoor Police Station for neglecting duties. It has come to the notice of the IGP that Bijja Srinivasulu, a responsible Station House Officer, exhibited gross negligence and misconduct by failing to provide an appropriate and immediate response to a complaint at Utkoor Police Station, according to a police statement. "Disciplinary proceedings against Bijja Srinivasulu are now contemplated. After careful consideration of the available material and the circumstances of the case, it has been determined that it is necessary in the public interest to place Bijja Srinivasulu under suspension," it said. Meanwhile, police arrested four accused in the case. Further investigations were on. --IANS ms/vd Amaravati, June 14 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced Rs 5 lakh compensation each for the families of three workers from the state who were killed in the June 12 fire accident in Kuwait. The compensation will be paid to the families under the Chief Ministeras Relief Fund (CMRF). Ministers from the districts concerned will distribute the relief amount cheques to the families. Molleti Satyanarayana, and Meesala Eeswarudu, both from East Godavari district and Thamada Lokanadham from Srikakulam district were among the 45 Indians killed in the fire in a seven-storey building in Mangaf, Ahmadi Governorate, while 33 others were injured. The Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS), as the nodal agency for NRIs and migrant matters, is coordinating with the Joint Secretary, Gulf Division, Ministry of External Affairs and AP Bhawan, and extending support to the family members of the deceased in the repatriation of mortal remains the deceased. The mortal remains will be flown to Visakhapatnam on Saturday for onward transportation to Srikakulam and East Godavari districts. According to an official statement, the Department of Protocol will ensure the smooth transition of mortal remains at the Hyderabad airport for onward transportation to Visakhapatnam. The district administration of Visakhapatnam will receive the mortal remains at the Visakhapatnam airport and district officials of East Godavari and Srikakulam will be present at the airport to ensure smooth onward transportation of mortal remains to respective districts. Will keep working together to further global good, says PM Modi after meeting US President Biden. Image Source: IANS News Apulia : , June 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, after the conclusion of the G7 Summit's Outreach Session in Italy's Borgo Egnazia on Friday. "It's always a pleasure to meet POTUS Joe Biden. India and the USA will keep working together to further global good," the PM posted on X along with pictures of his meeting with the US President. The visit to Italy is Prime Minister Modi's first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term and also his fifth consecutive participation in the summit. While there was no formal bilateral meeting scheduled between the two leaders, the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan had told reporters en route to Brindisi that Biden and PM Modi will have an "opportunity to encounter one another" during the G7 session as the schedule remains "fluid". After speaking at the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean, PM Modi also interacted with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jordan's King Abdullah and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. PM Modi also met his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the event. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held back-to-back bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Guwahati, June 15 : The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Friday arrested a Manipuri youth and recovered flight batteries suspected to be used in drones, cash, and other items, officials said. The police said the STF personnel acting on a tip-off intercepted a vehicle at the Sonapur toll gate in Guwahati and apprehended Khaigoulen Kipgen (27), a resident of Gamngai village in Manipuras Kangpokpi district, who was traveling with two minors. Ten TB30 intelligent flight batteries suspected to be used in drones, cash amounting to Rs 3.40 lakh, and a mobile handset were recovered from the vehicle. aThe confiscation of these items, particularly the drone batteries, underscores the clandestine efforts by certain banned organisations in Manipur to procure drones for illegal activities," an official statement said. The police suspect that Kipgen might be associated with some Manipur-based banned militant organisation. San Francisco Mayor London Breeds proposed budget, which must address presumed funding shortfalls, has met resistance. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle San Francisco leaders are criticizing Mayor London Breeds $15.9 billion budget proposal, arguing the mayors planned cuts to rental assistance, education programs and a community ambassadors initiative, among other proposals, would harm vulnerable communities. Supervisors aired their concerns at two hearings at the Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriations Committee this week, but did not point to specific budget cuts that should be reversed or where to find the money if some proposed service cuts are reversed. The committee is reviewing Breeds proposal and will make changes to it before the full board approves it and Breed signs it by Aug. 1. Breed is trying to close a nearly $790 million shortfall projected over the next two fiscal years through a mix of funding cuts and redirecting revenue in creative ways. In this budget, we made the tough decisions to close our deficit and those are never easy, but we also made the right decision to prioritize critical city services our residents expect and deserve, Breed said when she presented her budget proposal in late May. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breed who is facing four formidable challengers in Novembers election tried to close the gap while continuing to invest in improving the citys struggling downtown, curbing the drug crisis and addressing public safety and homelessness. The budget also must deal with increased costs after the city agreed to raises for city workers to avert strikes. While Breed plans to increase budgets for some departments, others will see a decrease during the first fiscal year. Her budget prioritizes increasing staffing for nurses, police officers, sheriffs deputies and emergency dispatchers, and doubles down on initiatives that could spur economic growth. San Francisco has about 35,500 employees. During the first Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting Wednesday, Supervisor Connie Chan cautioned that the mayors budget continued to rely too heavily on one-time solutions to close our budget gaps given the citys lackluster revenue projections amid a slow economic recovery. Chans comments echoed those made by the Controllers Office in its June 10 letter about Breeds budget proposal. The letter said the plan makes minimal progress toward closing the projected structural budget gaps because it relies too much on nearly $1 billion of one-time solutions over two years. The controller added that tax revenue projections assume a continuing, but slow, economic recovery and that while these assumptions track to our economic and financial projections, they are subject to significant uncertainty. Its letter also pointed out risks that specific state funding and expected federal reimbursements might not come through. Chan, who is budget chair, also said Breeds proposal fails to meet the needs of our residents. We will be spending more, yet getting less. Chan said shes alarmed that the mayor is proposing drastic cuts to programs that take care of our children, feed our seniors and keep our communities working. She said her goal is to move forward a budget that works for all San Franciscans, that does not leave behind our working families, though she didnt explain which programs should be restored and how to find funding to save them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One proposed cut that upset several supervisors was a plan to eliminate all the funding for the Community Ambassadors Program by 2026. The CAP, which employs 34 ambassadors, is the only ambassador program staffed by city employees. Breeds plan would mostly maintain funding for about a dozen contracts with nonprofits to deploy community ambassadors. Supervisor Dean Preston said at Wednesdays hearing that he is angry about the cuts to the CAP. Everything I know is that we first and foremost try to protect city programs, and if for some reason we cant do it or theres a better way, we contract that out, he said. He added that it makes no sense to try to close a budget gap by eliminating a fantastic city program. At the same hearing, Supervisor Myrna Melgar criticized the cuts proposed for the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development. She questioned why MOHCD is gutting its new homeowner programs and why it wasnt pumping more money into buying sites for affordable housing and rehabbing affordable homes. She said she would also like the department to spend money to kick-start more affordable projects. MOHCD said its hoping that a $10 billion to $20 billion regional housing bond measure that might be on Novembers ballots would pump nearly $2 billion for housing into San Franciscos coffers to spend on building, acquiring and subsidizing new housing. But Melgar said MOHCD should rethink its strategies and focus on investing in new properties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad PM Modi holds bilateral talks with PMs of Italy, Japan on sidelines of G7 Summit. Image Source: IANS News Apulia : , June 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Italy and Japan after the conclusion of the G7 Summit's Outreach Session in Italy's Borgo Egnazia on Friday. PM Modi began the day holding back-to-back bilaterals with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He then attended the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean which was followed by interactions with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, before the official photo-op. Imparting further momentum to the India-Italy partnership, PM Modi congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the success of the G7 Summit. "The leaders held discussions on expanding India-Italy Strategic Partnership in various spheres, including defence, cyber security, trade and investment, manufacturing, space, telecom, AI, digital, critical minerals, clean energy, and mobility, among others," the Ministry of External Affairs said after the bilateral between PM Modi and Meloni. After holding talks with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, PM Modi said: "It was a delight to meet PM Kishida on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. Strong ties between India and Japan are important for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. "Our nations look forward to working together in defence, technology, semiconductors, clean energy and digital technology. We also wish to advance ties in infrastructure and cultural linkages." The visit to Italy was Prime Minister Modi's first overseas trip after assuming office for the third consecutive term, and also his fifth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit. Before leaving for Italy, PM Modi had warmly recalled his visit to the country for the G20 Summit in 2021. "Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth to our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidating the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolstering cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," the Prime Minister had said in his departure statement. After the conclusion of the G7 Summit's Outreach Session, PM Modi met with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden. "It's always a pleasure to meet POTUS Joe Biden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good," the PM posted on X along with pictures of his meeting with the US President. He also interacted with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jordan King Abdullah, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the event. Gangtok, June 15 : The Sikkim government has sought the Indian Air Force's (IAF) assistance to airlift at least 1,400 tourists stranded in the northern part of the state due to road blockage and damages in some bridges caused by landslides triggered by heavy rains, officials said on Friday. Large swathes of the Mangan district, which encompasses all of north Sikkim, are cut off from the rest of the country, while power supply and mobile connectivity have also been affected in the region. A senior district official said, "There has been damage to the main road that links Yumthang and Lachung with Mangan town which is the district headquarters." "In addition, a bridge on Teesta River that was constructed following the devastating floods last year has been washed away, making the work for restoring road connectivity all the more difficult", he added. According to officials, at least 1,400 tourists from various parts of the country have been stranded in Lachung, Yumthang, and other places around Mangan district. The state government has requested the IAF to deploy choppers to evacuate the stranded tourists. Earlier on Friday, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chaired a high-level meeting to to take stock of the situation. Jaipur, June 15 : An 11-year-old boy has been killed in a freak accident after he fell from a vehicle installed with a DJ sound system after it met with an accident. The boy got crushed under the weight of the heavy speakers that came off due to the impact of the crash. The incident happened in Rajasthan's Kota district on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Nitin. According to sources, the vehicle crashed on to a house and heavy speakers installed on the vehicle fell on Nitin's head, leaving him dead on the spot. The driver fled the spot following the accident. The police handed over Nitin's body to his family after the post-mortem. A case of murder has been registered against the DJ system owner, Golu. Jaipur, June 15 : The Rajasthan Police on Friday resorted to lathicharge to disperse the NSUI activists, who while protesting against the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam, tried to enter inside the Collectorate in Kota. Earlier, around 300 NSUI activists gathered outside the Circuit House in Kota and from there, they took out a foot march to the Collectorate. Police had put up barricades outside the Collectorate and stopped the protesting NSUI activists from moving forward. Some workers reportedly climbed on the barricades, demanding to go inside. Meanwhile, there was also a scuffle between the police and the protestors after which, the police resorted to lathicharge and drove them away. Rajasthan NSUI President Vinod Jakhar said that the dreams of lakhs of children to become doctors are being shattered. "The false arguments of the government will not work. The NEET paper was leaked. It should be cancelled and a re-examination should be conducted. District chief of the Congress' student wing, Vishal Mewada said that the students had come to protest peacefully. Our demand was to meet the collector and submit a memorandum. The police stopped us from going inside. When some activists tried, police resorted to lathicharge, he said. In Ajmer, ABVP activists demanded the cancellation of the NEET UG exam and a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Students led by the ABVP took out a rally and reached the Collectorate demanding the cancellation of the pre-medical entrance test and a CBI investigation. Student leader Asuram Dukia said, "The paper came into the market half an hour before the exam. The whole group was caught in Bihar, which bought papers for Rs 60 crore. Even after this, the result has been released without considering the paper as leaked, playing with the future of 24 lakh children." The ABVP handed over a memorandum to the District Collector, demanding re-examination and a CBI investigation. Gaza, June 15 : Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced on Friday that two Israeli hostages were killed in an Israeli bombing in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip. Al-Qassam Brigades said the two hostages were killed in an airstrike "a few days ago", Xinhua news agency reported, citing a video released on Telegram. There has been no immediate response from the Israeli army regarding these developments. On June 8, Al-Qassam Brigades said the Israeli army killed several hostages during its operation to release four hostages in the central Gaza Strip. As of Friday, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict has risen to 37,266, with 85,102 others wounded, Hamas-run health authorities said in a press statement. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Friday that it continued its operations across the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops are continuing intelligence-based, targeted operations in Rafah, having eliminated a number of "terrorists" and located large quantities of weapons and underground tunnel shafts over the past day, the statement said, adding that military operations are also underway in the central Gaza Strip. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. Bhopal, June 15 : Months after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) restrained the authorities from operating cruise or any other motor boats in Bhopal's Upper Lake, the local civic body has brought an alternative and introduced the 'shikara' boat rides for tourists. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation on Friday introduced a shikara boat as a pilot project in a city lake. Located on the side of Shyamla Hills, the lake popularly known as the 'Bada Talab' is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh's capital city. Shikara rowing boats are mostly seen in the Dal Lake and are one of the major tourist attractions in Srinagar. As shikara boats are primarily operated in still or standing water bodies while the 'Bada Talab' have currents, just a single boat has been introduced on a pilot basis to see whether it succeeds or not. "If the pilot project gets successful, we will design more (shikara) boats to provide an alternative to cruise for the people," Bhopal Mayor, Malti Rai told IANS. Earlier, the state's Tourist Department operated a mini cruise fitted with a music system and a cafeteria in the Upper Lake. However, the NGT in September last year had put a ban on it citing violation of various environmental laws. By Julie Kelly, RealClearInvestigations June 13, 2024 Top officials at the Department of Justice are downplaying recently disclosed documents showing FBI agents were authorized to use deadly force during their 2022 raid of Donald Trumps Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. Responding to Trumps claim that Joe Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out & put my family in danger, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the bureau was following standard operating procedure as it executed a search warrant on Aug. 8, 2022, regarding classified material that the former president was holding at Mar-a-Lago. While noting that Trump was not present during the raid, Attorney General Merrick Garland dismissed Trumps claim as false and dangerous. Garland said the same language was used in a later search warrant seeking classified documents President Biden was storing in various locations. But critics argue that there was nothing ordinary about the Mar-a-Lago raid, in which more than 30 FBI agents descended on Trumps Palm Beach estate, potentially creating a dangerous situation with the armed Secret Service agents on site. The FBI, DOJ, and management of the Secret Service effed this up royally, former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino said of the Mar-a-Lago raid. There was zero reason to create an unnecessary, even one in a thousand chance, of a blue-on-blue situation with firearms, former Secret Service agent and political commentator Dan Bongino said on his podcast . The FBI, DOJ, and management of the Secret Service effed this up royally. Even as the DOJ presents its actions as business as usual, the newly released documents and other public records suggest the departments actions entered uncharted territory. While the department claims that all citizens must be treated equally, critics note that no former president was ever the subject of an FBI search warrant before Trump. A recently discovered Department of Defense memo suggests that the federal government may well have had copies of the documents in Trumps possession, also raising questions about the need for the raid. The content of those documents has not been disclosed but, critics ask, if Trump was not retaining copies of information that threatened national security, what was the need for an armed raid? Many on the right see the Mar-a-Lago raid as part of a broader effort by the Department of Justice to intimidate its political enemies. They say it is part of a larger pattern that includes the armed morning raid on the home of Trump associate Roger Stone in 2019, the arrest of anti-abortion activist Mark Houck by dozens of armed agents in 2022 a year after he was accused of pushing someone outside a Philadelphia clinic, and the DOJs aggressive efforts to find and charge to date more than 1,400 people connected to the Jan. 6 protest at the Capitol. The recent court disclosures also underscore the very different treatments the department has accorded to Trump and the Biden family. Trump, who has asserted that his presidential authority empowered him to retain and declassify documents, got a surprise nine-hour raid a few months before announcing his plans to run for reelection. President Biden, who never had the authority to declassify or take home classified records as a senator or vice president, received the courtesy of at least two consensual FBI searches, presumably unarmed. IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler, who has worked on tax cases involving Bidens son Hunter, has testified that Hunter Bidens lawyers were tipped off that investigators had probable cause to search his Northern Virginia storage unit. Trumps attorneys are now asking Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over Special Counsel Jack Smiths espionage and obstruction case against Trump in Florida, to prohibit Smith from using any of the materials seized during the Mar-a-Lago raid at trial. The FBI sought the warrant as part of its attempt to recover classified records, including national defense materials, which Trump supposedly took with him at the end of his presidency. A page from a Trump defense motion filing, highlighting the FBI's authorization of the use of "deadly force" in carrying out its search. The FBIs application for the warrant contained false information, the attorneys argue, and the raid violated even the very broad terms of the warrant. To make their case to the judge, Trumps team on May 21 filed a copy of the FBIs plan to execute the warrant, which disclosed details about how agents were instructed to conduct the raid. The operations order, known as an FD-888, indicated the almost undercover nature of the raid. Agents were advised to wear unmarked polo or collared shirts and keep their badges, credentials, and equipment concealed. Agents were also told to be equipped with Standard Issue Weapons, Ammo, [and] Handcuffs. One team was told to bring medium and large sized bolt cutters. A lock-picking team would be on site to open the doors of guest rooms if Mar-a-Lago staff did not cooperate. (It is unclear why an investigator would have probable cause to believe Trump stored secrets in the guest rooms of the resort area of the estate.) Another section of the order addressed a possible response if the Secret Service attempted to impede the search or if Trump showed up that day. (Trump, at the time, was residing at his Bedminster, New Jersey, home for the summer.) Should FPOTUS [Former President of the United States] arrive at MAL [Mar-a-Lago], FBI [agents] will be prepared to engage with FPOTUS and USSS [U.S. Secret Service] Security Team, the order read. In a partially redacted portion of the plan, agents were advised to engage with an unidentified Secret Service contact should USSS provide resistance or interfere with FBI timeline or accesses. Dan Bongino faulted the Secret Service for permitting armed police into Mar-a-Lago. What the hell was the Secret Service management thinking, letting the FBI in there with guns? It was a protected facility. The inclusion of the use of deadly force policy in the raid plan prompted widespread outrage among Republicans, including the former president. The House Judiciary Committee has since sent a letter to Garland asking for more records related to the search including communications between the FBI and Secret Service in advance of the raid. The FBI followed standard protocol in this search," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. Others insisted the deadly force language was nothing to be alarmed about. After this reporter disclosed that language on May 21, FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a statement late on May 21 to that effect: The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter. Others argue, however, that in the case of an unprecedented raid against a former president and leading contender for the Republican nomination for president at the time, Wray should have considered additional steps and a departure from the norm. This type of event has never happened to a full time Protectee of the USSS, Charles Butt, an 18-year special agent of the Secret Service now retired, told RealClearInvestigations by email last month. All of this never should have happened in a reasonable environment. In a separate statement, Garland claimed the lethal force language was also used in the search of Joe Bidens residence in 2022, which resulted in the discovery of several classified files, according to Special Counsel Robert Hurs final report. But while Trump faces 40 federal criminal charges and the possibility of years in prison for any conviction, Hur, after finding Biden had willfully retained and shared classified material stretching back to the 1970s, concluded Biden should not be charged as a jury would sympathize with an elderly man with a poor memory. Hurs report makes no mention of an FBI document related to the consensual searches of Bidens home. Efforts to reach Hur for confirmation were unsuccessful. After Garland characterized Trumps comments about the use of lethal force as extremely dangerous, Smith filed a May 24 motion asking Cannon to impose a partial gag order on Trump that essentially would prohibit him from continuing to publicly criticize the FBI in the classified documents case. Special Counsel Jack Smith sought a partial gag order on Trump, claiming he created "a grossly misleading impression" of FBI conduct. Smith said his request is necessary because of several intentionally false and inflammatory statements recently made by Trump that distort the circumstances under which the Federal Bureau of Investigations planned and executed the search warrant at Mar-a-Lago. Smith complained that Trumps comments about the raid create a grossly misleading impression about the intentions and conduct of federal law enforcement. Both sides are set to clash over the gag order and the legality of the raid during a hearing in Cannons courtroom later this month. Contrary to claims the raid followed standard protocols, additional court documents, media reports, and congressional testimony demonstrate the unusual nature of the process. Prosecutors and investigators disagreed on how to pursue the investigation from the start. According to a 2023 report in the Washington Post, Jay Bratt, who initially led the early stages of the investigation, wanted to obtain a search warrant in early May 2022 just three months after National Archives officials informed the DOJ they had found papers with classified markings contained in 15 boxes Trumps team turned over the archives in January 2022. (Bratt is now one of Smiths lead prosecutors in the matter.) FBI agents working out of the Washington field office not the proper jurisdiction of southern Florida where the alleged crimes occurred pushed back on Bratts quick trigger. The agents viewed a Mar-a-Lago search in May as premature and combative, especially given that it involved raiding the home of a former president, the Post disclosed. Bratt settled for a subpoena for more documents. Along with three FBI agents, Bratt personally visited Mar-a-Lago on June 3, 2022, to collect 37 records responsive to the subpoena. Far from attempting to obstruct the investigation, Trump delayed his planned trip to Bedminster to greet the DOJ team. Whatever you need, just let us know, he told them. At one point, according to a court document, Trump overruled his own attorney and allowed Bratt to view the area where dozens of boxes of presidential and personal materials were stored. Despite Team Trumps cooperation with the DOJ, Bratt spent the next few months pushing for a search warrant for Mar-a-Lago, but key FBI officials continued to resist. The main resistance came from Steven DAntuono, head of the Washington FBI field office at the time. DAntuono repeatedly locked horns with Bratt and George Toscas, deputy assistant attorney general for the National Security Division, whose fingerprints also are on the FISAgate scandal to spy on Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Toscas, in what appears to be a deviation from normal protocol, sent DAntuono an email on Aug. 2, 2022 instructing him to move forward with getting a judge to approve the warrant. DAntuono told the House Judiciary Committee in a 2023 interview that he put his foot down and continued to argue that the search should be consensual. I kind of got, not upset, but its like, youre talking about my agents? Like theyre my agents, not yours, DAntuono testified he told Toscas. Theyre mine. I just we have a different plan for this, my agents. So dont tell me what my agents I didnt say this, but in the back of my mind, I was like, dont tell me what my agents want to do because my agents tell me [something] completely different. Florida Judge Bruce Reinhart signed the warrant for the FBI search via WhatsApp encrypted chat. But DAntuono was overruled by Paul Abbate, deputy director of the FBI. And on Aug. 5, 2022, Florida Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart signed the warrant via WhatsApp encrypted chat. Despite being thwarted by his higher-ups at the FBI, DAntuono said he wanted to notify Trumps attorney at the time, Evan Corcoran, before the FBI team arrived at Mar-a-Lago; Bratt refused the request even though DAntuono said, We usually go to the attorneys first prior to executing any search. The FBIs initial plan also indicated that Trumps attorney would be notified on Aug. 8 and request collaboration and assistance. But that did not happen. According to the FD-888, 30 agents out of the Washington and Miami FBI field offices arrived at Mar-a-Lago on Aug. 8 at 8:59 a.m. An unidentified individual attempted to contact Corcoran about 15 minutes later, but he was not reached until around 9:40 a.m. as agents were preparing to conduct the search. It is unclear when Corcoran arrived. In another oddity, the FBI disclosed that a prosecutor for the U.S. attorneys office in southern Florida was present during the search; prosecutors generally do not participate in raids, as they instead handle charging decisions after evidence is collected as a result of a search. Further, the prosecutor would lose immunity if the search was declared unlawful. That appears to be a possibility. The warrant allowed agents to search Trumps office as well as all storage rooms, and all other rooms or areas within the premises used or available to be used by FPOTUS and his staff and in which boxes or documents could be stored. Trump's lawyers argue that FBI agents exceeded the scope of the warrant by searching the private rooms of Melania and Barron Trump. But Trumps lawyers argue that FBI agents exceeded the scope of the warrant by searching the private suite of former first lady Melania Trump and the couples son, Barron, who was 16 at the time. An FBI photo log demonstrates agents entered and took photographs of items inside both bedrooms. There was no factual basis for the agents to rummage through rooms not specified in the warrant and, not surprisingly, they seized nothing from these other rooms, Trumps attorneys wrote. Some records related to the search remain under seal, including grand jury testimony of a Secret Service agent. Judge Cannon previously indicated she would allow for the unsealing of grand jury materials if necessary, so more revelations as to how the raid was planned and conducted could be forthcoming. Documents filed on June 11 add more context to the execution of the raid. It appears the Secret Service point of contact was only informed of the warrant roughly two hours before agents arrived at Mar-a-Lago. Contrary to what the DOJ attempts to portray as a cooperative effort between the two law enforcement agencies, FBI agents used a bolt cutter to open the lock of the storage area where boxes were housed rather than wait for a key. Agents mishandled files from the start; Smith recently admitted the sequence of evidence inside the boxes is not in the original order and that some alleged classified records do not match the cover sheet used as a placeholder to indicate where the classified record was found. Which leads to this question: Was the unprecedented and potentially dangerous raid of the former presidents home only the beginning of what now appears to be a botched case? The redeveloped Building 12 at Pier 70 marks the start of a plan to revive San Franciscos central waterfront. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Tim Bacon, Brookfield Properties vice president of development, said Building 12s new tenants add layers of innovators to a growing creative community. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Standard Deviant Brewing in Building 12 at Pier 70 expects to be open by fall, or at the latest February. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Alternative motorcycle dealer Scuderia is one of the new tenants at the redeveloped Building 12 at Pier 70 in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The redevelopment of Building 12 at Pier 70 is designed to connect the Dogpatch neighborhood to its waterfront. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle A soaring, redeveloped historic warehouse that could be to San Franciscos central waterfront what the Ferry Building is to the Embarcadero is ready for its long-awaited close-up. The streets and sidewalks that surround Pier 70s cathedral-size Building 12 have been completed. Both 20th and 22nd streets have been extended two blocks to the east. Two new streets, Louisiana and Maryland streets, feature herringbone pavers, meters, bike racks, ginkgo trees and native plants. Already, meter attendants are prowling the new territory. S.F. Bay Area property map: Heres who owns every building in the region Advertisement Article continues below this ad And this month the first public-facing business will open, allowing neighbors from Dogpatch and across the city to wander through the emerging Makers Hall, the centerpiece of a 28-acre mixed-use project that hopes eventually to bring thousands of new residents and workers to a patch of the central waterfront just south of Mission Bay. Bay Padel, the racquet sport enterprise that runs a busy facility on Treasure Island, will open with two padel courts, a pickleball court, and yoga and exercise rooms. Co-founder Lucas Tepman said the lineup of businesses committed to the properties flowers, food, beer, ceramics, art, industrial design makes it a premium location. Bay Padel will have pickleball and padel courts in Building 12 at Pier 70 in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle It has the ceiling heights and the view. Its young and up and coming in the part of the city we like, he said. On Friday, developer Brookfield Properties was set to announce three new leases, the 14,000-square-foot Bay Padel deal as well as agreements with pottery maker Sven Ceramics and the venture capital firm Monograph Capital, the first office tenant to ink a deal in the building. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sites newest tenants add layers of innovators to a growing creative community, said Tim Bacon, Brookfield Properties vice president of development. Our vision to extend the ingenuity that defines the Dogpatch neighborhood to Pier 70 is coming to life. In the months before the pandemic, Pier 70 was poised to be among the fastest developing of any of San Franciscos megaprojects, an extension of the Dogpatch that would connect that neighborhood to its waterfront for the first time. Eventually, the project is slated to have up to 2,000 housing units, 1.75 million square feet of office space, and 250,000 square feet dedicated to arts and retail. Pier 70s Building 12, originally constructed in 1941 by the Navy, will soon be open to the public. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle It has not been all smooth sailing for Brookfield. Back in 2019, the developer announced plans to start construction on four buildings: a 275,000-square-foot office building, a 280-unit residential complex, and a 120-unit apartment building to be constructed within the shell of Building 2, a four-story concrete structure. The developer hoped to have all four completed by the end of 2021. Google was in talks to take all of the office space. An earlier phase of the Pier 70 redevelopment, six historic buildings, had been fully leased with a roster of tenants that included the employee benefits company Gusto, as well as RH, formerly called Restoration Hardware, and Otto, the now-defunct Uber-owned self-driving truck company. Then came the pandemic. Talks with Google fizzled out. The housing was put on hold amid rising construction costs and falling rents. High interest rates and the national news medias focus on San Franciscos struggles with crime and homelessness made the city a tough sell in the capital markets. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But while the pandemic put the brakes on ground-up development, Brookfield has been quietly forging ahead on both the infrastructure the new streets and utilities as well as converting Building 12 into a creative hub that could attract other businesses once a recovery kicks into gear. Constructed by the Navy in 1941 as part of the World War II shipbuilding effort, Building 12 is meant to both convey the neighborhoods historic role as an industrial powerhouse and to create a place for the current and future generations of San Francisco manufacturers. The building was lifted 10 feet in the air as part of the sites comprehensive sea level rise protection plan, and its lofty ceilings and irregular roofline speak to its erstwhile use as a center of fabrication of steel plates for ships hulls. Since 2023, Brookfield has signed leases with 12 artists, makers, food purveyors and nonprofits. Already on-site are design studio Prowl Studio, custom sneaker designer Studio Duskus, paper artist Zai Divecha, and metalsmith and maker Emi Grannis. Opening in July will be Scuderia, a 30-year legacy San Francisco business and alternative motorcycle dealer. Tiffany Ngo prepares floral arrangements at Marbled Mint at Pier 70s Building 12 in San Francisco. The historic Dogpatch building will soon be open to the public and house a variety of businesses. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Then, opening at different times this fall and winter are local brewer Standard Deviant, baker Breadbelly, florist Marbled Mint, and arts and education nonprofit the Plenary Co. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While much of the building has yet to be leased there is 70,000 square feet of vacant space on the third floor tenants said Thursday they are already benefiting from the cross section of creative companies that are moving in. Lauryn Menard, co-founder of the industrial design firm Prowl, said she was the first tenant to sign a lease and move into the building last October. She said the early tenants all companies owned by women refer to themselves as the first five. Prowl had been based in West Berkeley and had all but given up on finding a new headquarters when it toured Building 12. Building 12 at Pier 70 in San Francisco will hold a variety of retail businesses and office space. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle When we stepped foot in the space and were like, Are you kidding me? Of course we have to move into this building, Menard said. It was inevitable. She added: We have the best neighbors. People bring each other lunch. Its an awesome community. We are trying to get more of our creative friends in this building, pulling them in little by little. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, Standard Deviant, which currently brews and serves its beer in the Mission, is waiting for tenant improvement approvals from the Port of San Francisco. Depending on permitting and construction schedules, the brewery expects to be open by fall, or at the latest February for SF Beer Week, according to Standard Deviant co-owner Paul Duatschek. Paul Duatschek of Standard Deviant Brewing speaks about the future of the brewery in Building 12 at Pier 70 in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle He said the brewery was attracted to the building because it was extremely clear that (Brookfield) wanted San Francisco manufacturing to be back active in this area. It was refreshing to have somebody who put manufacturing first. Thats where their brain was, he said. The rents werent out of control. Everything was geared towards having makers come into the space. We are proud of the city, and we are proud of our contribution to it. We want making things to stay viable in an expensive city. It is still unclear when the first housing or office buildings will break ground, but Bacon said he is hopeful that the opening of Building 12 will enable potential investors and tenants to get a tactile feel for what the community will eventually become. Building 12 at Pier 70 is the first phase of a redevelopment plan for the parcel that is planned to include housing. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle We knew we were getting out ahead of it with Building 12, but this helps create interest and momentum and introduces people to this new part of Dogpatch in a really wonderful way, he said. We are big believers that when you are creating places, if you can do it authentically, like this, it will drive additional development and opportunities for growth. Last week, U.S. Senator J.D. Vance took to X to warn that when Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to strike targets in Russia, he believes, the risk of nuclear war is (now) higher now than at any point in my lifetime. Biden is sleepwalking into World War 3. Hes not wrong. Washington is on a course that is increasing the risk of war with Russia, whether by means of mistake, miscalculation, or misinterpretation. Accepting risk is sometimes warranted. In this situation, however, the U.S. is carelessly flirting with the risk of nuclear war, and there is zero potential benefit for our legitimate interests. Even before the Russia-Ukraine War started, there were many analysts worried about the potential of Americas support for Ukraine getting the U.S. drawn into a direct conflict with Russia. There were many categories of support even some supporters of Kyiv worried might prove to be red lines for Moscow and result in an expansion of the war. Late in 2021, NATO directly providing any weapons were suspected of crossing Putins red lines. Later there were concerns over American 155mm howitzers, then MiG-29 jets from allied countries, modern tanks, armored personnel carriers, Patriot air defense systems, precision guided missiles, NATO training and intelligence support, and lately long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets. All of those things were either provided or are about to be employed, and yet none of them caused Russia to escalate the war beyond the borders of Ukraine. To Ukraines backers, the lesson was clear: because Russia had never attacked the West over the crossing of all the previous red lines, they never would. But that is a bad assessment and fails to even consider the rationale upon which Putin likely based his decision to show self-restraint in each of those previous cases or to consider the circumstances upon which Putin may strike at the West in the future. From early 2023, the Russians stabilized the front and began producing significant defensive fortifications throughout the parts of the Donbass they occupied. They eventually built a world-class series of defensive lines that Ukraine proved wholly incapable of breaching in their summer 2023 offensive. From late 2023 to the present, Russia has been on a steady move to the west, taking more and more territory. Their military industrial capacity is reportedly firing on all cylinders, and they are recruiting more than enough men to build an army in Ukraine now more than double the original invasion force, numbering close to 500,000 troops. So long as those conditions continue, it is in Russias interest to endure the Western weapons and ammunition and avoid unnecessarily escalation that could bring the Western alliance into direct conflict with Russian forces. But early in the war, a different set of conditions existed for Russia, and we now know that the risk of nuclear escalation was dangerously high. CNN national security correspondent Jim Sciutto published earlier this year an investigation that revealed American officials feared Russia was on the cusp of ordering a tactical nuclear strike in Ukraine in the late summer 2022. At the time Russia had suffered its worst battlefield defeats of the war, losing Kherson City and being driven out of a huge swath of territory near Kharkiv. Sciutto reports that American officials were alarmed that Putin feared losing the war and might order a tactical nuclear strike to forestall defeat. So long as Russia is winning and its territory isnt threatened, that will likely remain a dormant threat. Now, however, Biden and other Western leaders seem intent on destabilizing the situation by authorizing the use of western arms on Russian territory. Putin has recently signaled his alarm at NATO willingness to use its assets to directly attack targets in Russia, and a willingness to use nuclear weapons. In a visit to Tashkent, Putin said that NATO choosing to allow its weapons to be used on Russian territory is an escalation that can lead to serious consequences. If these serious consequences occur in Europe, how will the United States behave, bearing in mind our parity in the field of strategic weapons? Hard to say. Do they want global conflict? And that is a valid question, regardless of the source. American vital national interests require preventing the war from spilling beyond Ukraines borders, ensuring security and stability in Europe, and in avoiding any unnecessary conflicts for our Armed Forces. None of those objectives are advanced by targeting Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weapons. Retired Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis is a Senior Fellow & Military Expert at Defense Priorities, with four combat deployments, and host of Daniel Davis Deep Dive show on YouTube. Kaitlyn Bristowe / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/14/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Kaitlyn Bristowe has reacted to her ex-fiance Jason Tartick and TikTok star Kat Stickler going Instagram official with their new relationship.Jason and Kat just went Instagram official with their romance on Wednesday, June 12, and Kaitlyn has been dropping tidbits on social media about how she's feeling.Kaitlyn took to Instagram Stories on Thursday, June 13 to send fans the message that she's feeling "strong."The former The Bachelorette Season 11 star posted a video of herself cuddled in bed with her two dogs, Pinot and Ramen."Good morning. We're going to have a really great day today. We are all very loved, and we're a little family. We are going to just go hour by hour today and be present and in the moment," Kaitlyn said."We are not going to think too much ahead or get in our heads. We are just going to take the day as it is and appreciate what's in front of us because we are lucky, we are healthy, we are loved, and we are strong!"Kaitlyn noted at the end of the clip that she and her dogs perform that ritual "every morning."Kaitlyn subsequently uploaded a selfie at the gym, writing, "She strong."Kaitlyn first commented on the big news via a Facebook group designed to support her "Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe " podcast, according to Us Weekly.One Facebook user wrote, "We need to let go of the narrative that KB is hurt/saddened by Jason's relationship. She has very clearly moved on. And truthfully, based on some of her cryptic comments, there's no love lost on her part."Kaitlyn replied, "It's more of some held on anger and resentment that I'm working through!!! Not hurt."Kaitlyn thanked fans who had written kind words about her, saying they "meant a lot" to her, but she also slammed trolls who had suggested Jason's new romance probably wouldn't upset her since she appears to be dating alum Zac Clark "Y'all are making some wild assumptions in here," Kaitlyn wrote in the thread.Rumors of Jason and Kat's relationship first sparked in March when the pair had been spotted out to dinner in Chicago, IL, following the taping of a "Trading Secrets" podcast episode, which has since been released.Jason acknowledged the online "chit-chat" he was hearing about his love life during a March interview with People.At the time, Jason said his new book, Talk Money To Me, was his main "focus," largely in part due to his highly publicized and scrutinized August 2023 breakup with Kaitlyn, who had co-hosted two seasons of alongside Tayshia Adams "I think due to such a public breakup, even when I think about the idea of talking openly about my dating life, I get like, 'Oh, That scares me,'" Jason admitted."The whole idea of dating is relatively new to me, [because] really, there's been some gaps of course, 100%. But from 2017, when I started talking to The Bachelor franchise, and in between there, there was a few months, and now I've been single for about 9 months... And it's all still pretty new to me."But Jason gushed of Kat at the time, "Kat is an amazing person. She's lovely and a great mother, and she's a hilarious content creator. I only have incredible things to say about her."14 alum and Kat made multiple public appearances together in April and May before confirming their relationship via Instagram on June 12.And that's because Jason explained on the "Scrubbing In With Becca Tilley & Tanya Rad" podcast that he wanted to keep things "a little bit more private" this time around."[My split from Kaitlyn] was so public, and there's a lot that comes with that -- good and bad," Jason told Becca Tilley "And so, the whole dating aspect, which I'm relatively new to, I'm like, 'You know what? For right now, today, I'm gonna kind of keep things private,'" he said, "until things become [more serious]. But right now, I'm keeping things a little private. But more to come."Jason seemed to be over Kaitlyn and healed from their breakup in February. At the time, he told his fans via Instagram Stories that he was thriving and feeling "truly euphoric." Jason shared, "I can say with certainty, I have never felt better. I have put so much effort, time and work into understanding myself at the deepest levels and further understanding others.""The liberation of knowing yourself to the core," he continued, "and then being able to see others for who they really are and why is truly euphoric."14 alum went on to share his "biggest takeaway" from his heartbreak."First, keep pointing the thumb at yourself and do everything in your power to hold yourself accountable," Jason wrote."Know exactly who you are and why. We all have experienced traumas from our first memories that impact who we are today. Lean in!" he concluded.Jason, a Buffalo native who had competed for Becca Kufrin 's heart on 's fourteenth season in 2018, asked Kaitlyn out on their first date in January 2019, and their romance moved quickly.Jason moved from his place in Washington to live with Kaitlyn in Nashville, TN, in June 2019. The couple then adopted their two dogs together and got engaged in May 2021 Jason ultimately moved himself out of Kaitlyn's Nashville home into his new place after their breakup last summer. (Kaitlyn also subsequently moved into a new house for a fresh start after her back-to-back broken engagements to 11 winner Shawn Booth and then Jason).For Kaitlyn's part, rumors she's romantically involved with Zac, who had been engaged to Season 16 star, Tayshia, began swirling in January.Kaitlyn and Zac rang in 2024 together at a party in Kaitlyn's new Nashville home, and they were recently spotted attending a wedding together.Kaitlyn has faced backlash about her apparent new romance with Zac -- including speculation she had cheated on Jason while they were still together and also broken "girl code" with Tayshia -- but the former Dancing with the Stars champion claimed on social media earlier this year that she was never unfaithful to Jason."Some of you [are] treating me like I murdered someone," Kaitlyn wrote in a series of posts via Instagram Stories."You would think by now I'd be used to the hate. I'm not. Your words hurt. Your shaming hurts. Part of me feels a little sad and honestly embarrassed for you guys because this shouldn't be how you spend Day 1 of a new year."The Bachelor alum also noted, "But you don't even know the truth, and your HATE should actually come with consequences. I truly worry about some of your mental health. It's not OK. It's. Not."Kaitlyn doubled down on her cheating denial in February, insisting she never emotionally cheated on Jason either.Kaitlyn also appeared to address her relationship with Zac by writing, "I wish I could just share my truth and tell you my side. It's hard to bite my dang tongue sometimes... But you just go on and continue to have your own little made up story in your head and believe what you want to believe. Social media la la land. Good lawwwddd."Jason publicly commented on Kaitlyn and Zac's relationship in early January by calling the second day of the month "the first official day of 2024" after photos had surfaced of Kaitlyn's New Year's Eve bash.Kaitlyn admitted on her "Off the Vine" podcast she was "disappointed" in her ex-fiance for allegedly playing the victim."I don't want to dismiss that he's hurting," Kaitlyn shared. "The word disappointment keeps coming up. I feel so disappointed that someone could use a false narrative, like, a false narrative accusation to garner sympathy for themselves."For Zac's part, he got engaged to Tayshia on 's sixteenth season finale in 2020.But about one year after their engagement aired on ABC, Zac and Tayshia announced their breakup in November 2021.Tayshia is currently dating former Summer House star Luke Gulbranson.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group The Eagles are heading to the Las Vegas Sphere. ADVERTISEMENT The rock band announced an eight-show residency at the Sphere on Thursday. The Eagles will perform dates in September and October. The residency offers fans "the ultimate connection to the band's legendary catalog in an immersive experience that only Sphere can provide," according to the Sphere website. The Eagles -- Live in Concert at Sphere dates are as follows: Sept. 20, 21, 27, 28 Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19 Tickets go on sale June 21 at 1 p.m. EDT, with pre-sales to begin June 18 at 1 p.m. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! The Sphere is a sphere-shaped venue featuring next-generation technologies, including an LED display that wraps up, over, and around the audience and an advanced concert-grade audio system. The venue opened in September 2023. Rock band Phish performed a series of shows at the Sphere in April, while Dead & Company will conclude a residency at the venue June 22. The Eagles released their self-titled debut album in 1972. The band today consists of Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Deacon Frey and Vince Gill; founding member Randy Meisner died in July 2023. The Bigger Bog' Its been some years since Slovakian Grand Power debuted their first pistol-caliber carbine in America, the Stribog SP9A1. It was a simple blowback 9mm and considered a good value, but not a great feat of engineering. Grand Power upped their game considerably with the 2020 release of delayed-blowback SP9A3. More than a good value, the SP9A3 is worthy of your nightstand. When we heard rumor of a new series of larger-caliber Stribogs, our shoulders were relieved to learn they would follow the form of the A3. The first new offering, the SP10A3 you see here, is chambered in 10mm. From the outside it looks like a standard Stribog: 8-inch barrel, non-reciprocating charging handle, and ambidextrous controls. And, in fact, even in 10mm the SP10A3 uses a standard Stribog receiver but 2 inches longer. It has some new features that will be seen across the entire line moving forward, along with more than a few quirks some of these are due to the larger caliber, but most of them are thanks to the U.S. government. What you see here on these pages is a preproduction model but representative of whats going to be on the shelf by the time you read this piece. 10MM Originally conceived by Jeff Cooper and actually used by the FBI, 10mm is a cartridge that has cyclically fallen in and out of favor. Now often thought of as a bear country cartridge, the reality is that it largely serves as a meme round; the number of people who say theyd buy a 10mm greatly outnumber those who actually buy a 10mm. Still, its quite a powerful load, is relatively available, and excels in a subgun role. When we asked the commercial sales manager of Global Ordnance, Sam Beatty, why they went with 10mm first he told us, because its 1 millimeter better than a 9mm. Lets give it a look. BRACES We cant talk about the government without a quick word about pistol braces. First, they were allowed, then banned, then allowed again, then banned, then determined to be stocks put on unregistered SBRs, and then, at least at the time of this writing, kind of allowed again? Regardless of how all of this legal court business shakes out, currently the U.S. distributor for Grand Power, Global Ordnance, isnt bundling this or any other so-called large format pistol with a brace. Theyre still available for purchase separately, and if their use ever makes it out of the beige brown of bureaucracy, will once again be sold in that configuration. Two different SP10A3s were used in this article, one registered SBR and the other a pistol model. The pistol has a Picatinny endcap at the rear of the receiver instead of a sliding brace or folding stock. 922R COMPLIANCE If youre into collecting foreign rifles, youve likely come across 922R before. It refers to Title 18, Part I, Chapter 44, Section 922 of U.S. Code. Its about the maximum number of foreign parts allowed on foreign manufactured non-sporting rifles. Theres a lot to this, but what it amounts to is that if a rifle is going to have features like standard capacity detachable magazines and threaded barrels, some foreign parts will have to be replaced with domestic ones. While this 8-inch barreled SP10A3 is technically classified as a pistol and imported like one, this isnt the only 10mm model thats going to be available. In addition to pistols, there will be a 16-inch carbine version and two different SBRs: a PDW model with a sliding stock and an enhanced model with a folding stock. As those have to be 922R compliant, Grand Power and Global Ordnance decided to do all the work on their end so consumers dont have to worry about it at all. TRIGGER The largest change made due to 922R was incorporating an AR-15 trigger. While the legacy Stribog trigger is clearly inspired by the AR-15 (and we can think of no better choice for a rifle), there are some clear differences, especially noticeable in the hammer. The legacy fire control group is shorter and slimmer. The AR-15 has a lot of tight tolerances and specifications but one of the areas with more wiggle room is the height of the hammer itself. A hammer that would otherwise function just fine in an AR-15 might prevent the closing of Bog receivers. The engineers at Grand Power moved enough around inside that GI-spec triggers work, even nice ones from LaRue and ALG, but they cant guarantee that captive units will. However, that isnt the case around the board. Because this is a preproduction unit there may be some differences, but a Timney wouldnt be a bad idea to try if you happen to already have one to test first . The ambi safety selector is still Stribog, though we were hoping for a short-throw unit. Any aftermarket Stribog selector will fit into these new lowers despite the change in the fire control unit. MAGAZINE While the internet-audience-at-large seemingly always cry for Glock magazines, outside of 9mm that prospect starts making less sense. There are a number of aftermarket companies manufacturing magazines for the Glock 17 and 19 but the same isnt true for 10mm. That said, there are other 10mm guns that accept them, like the better-millimeter model of the KRISS Vector. Another route is to base it off of HK UMP magazines like the LWRCi SMG. From both an engineering and aesthetic standpoint, this is a good idea, as theyre more reliable with higher rates of fire. The 20-round SP10A3 magazines load like a UMP magazine, first pushing each round down and then tucking back, but arent an exact replica of the 10mm UMP design. The feed angle had to be modified to accommodate the AR-15 trigger group; you can click UMP mags in, but they arent going to run. Bummer. The SP10A3 has two different magazine ambidextrous releases, and they work equally well. There are push buttons on either side that are easy to hit with your trigger finger, and a lever release on the back to hit with your thumb while swapping. Usually, people will find a hard preference right away and here that thumb lever really excels during swaps. SIGHTS The legacy Stribogs incorporated flip-up sights but here you have something different: a tiny slot-type rear sight halfway up the receiver paired with a simple post up front. No, you arent likely to use them anytime soon. No, we didnt bother testing them, either. The only reason these dinky things are included is for importation purposes; if a gun doesnt have integral, machined sights its harder to bring in. ROLLER-DELAYED ACTION Because what Grand Power calls Roller-Delayed is different than HK, it deserves further explanation. There may be something a bit lost in translation here, but the Stribog does have a roller, and it causes a delay in bolt movement. Heres our understanding of the mechanism (see diagram on right): Theres the forward weight, roller, and carrier. The roller sits between the forward weight and the carrier and rides in a track in the front of the receiver. Theres some linear play between the forward weight and carrier, which is where we get the delay. (1) The recoil spring keeps the carrier forward and the roller in a low position, uncoupled from the forward weight. (2) As the explosion of the cartridge pushes the carrier to the rear, the roller is lifted along the track. (3) It then catches the stem of the forward weight at the top and brings it along for the ride as the spent casing is extracted. (4) The forward weight also adds an extra reciprocal delay at the rear of the cycle, providing an extra split second for proper feeding. Its when cracking open the 10mm and checking out the system that the significant changes between the 9mm and 10mm A3 models are obvious. The 10mm model has a much larger bolt, but importantly the forward weight is significantly larger despite only being a millimeter larger, the 10mm has a lot more ass behind it. The buffer on the 10mm model is twice as thick and, on our prepro at least, is a translucent green instead of black. OUTFITTING Any gun that might see some real work needs sights, a light, and a sling. It was here we learned that the QD socket on our model wasnt quite cut properly and not all swivels plugged in. While some fit, we instead opted to attach a Magpul RSA on the Picatinny rear to clip on a single-point Tac Shield Shock Sling. Bungee single-point slings arent ideal in most situations, but when it comes to something like a stockless subgun they can work well. You can use it to press out for stability with the SAS stockless MP5k technique. For a light, a SureFire X300U-A mounted in a rhino configuration is ambidextrous and helps keep everything small. The M140A Micro Scout Light Pro would be another good option here. The optic is the new and extremely durable Promethean LP-1 from Lead & Steel. Not just a mainland China rebranding company, L&S optics are machined and assembled in the United States, and they have real engineers on staff instead of merely marketing personnel. Its not 100-percent made in the USA, but its more USA than most. The viewable window on the LP-1 is larger than an inch on each side, making it excellent for unconventional positions and imperfect cheek weld the latter being far more important when you dont have a stock to put your cheek on. The reticle pattern of a 65MOA circle with a 2MOA center dot looks just like an EOTech, except that you can switch between the circle-dot, circle, and dot separately. The Promethean LP-1 has what L&S calls AuraWake, which differs from other forms of shake awake in that the 2MOA dot is always on, and an internal accelerometer simply turns the power-hungry 65MOA circle on and off. With a single CR123A cell with just the center dot, L&S says the Promethean LP-1 runtime maxes out at 150,000 hours more than a decade (and closer to two). Of course, theres gotta be a silencer. There arent terribly too many dedicated 10mm cans, but thankfully a good .45 ACP unit works just fine. At CANCON, we sent a bevy through the .46-caliber Dead Air Primal, and here we kept the Dead Air theme with a Ghost 45 in short configuration. Note that youll either need to purchase or fabricate a fixed barrel conversion with the Ghost 45, lest the silencer reciprocate and risk a baffle strike. ON THE RANGE & LOOSE ROUNDS The ammunition for testing was mostly S&B 180-grain FMJ with a smattering of 180-grain JHP from PPU thrown into the mix. As has been increasingly common with new guns, there were no stoppages or malfunctions of any kind, both suppressed and unsuppressed. Simple blowback operation in 10mm is fairly burdensome. It makes for a gun that you like to show your friends but that you dont like to shoot, especially if running suppressed. Just as with the 9mm A3 model, the delayed blowback on the 10mm makes a drastic difference. You can tell the recoil is heavier than the 9mm but just that little delay really evens the whole thing out. The SBR version cleanly takes the win versus the pistol model no surprise there. The extra point of contact greatly aids in felt recoil and control. What the pistol version lacks in usability is somewhat made up for by the ease of crossing state lines without asking for permission, but we wholeheartedly recommend to SBR it (or brace it, if the legality actually sticks this time). The smidgin of extra handguard required for the 10mm was most appreciated in pistol form, especially as it cant legally have a vertical grip. If this was like the A1 model with straight-blowback operation and a reciprocating charging handle, it would be far more difficult to handle. The magazines currently being limited to 20 rounds is mildly annoying, and we hope to see higher capacities in the future. This is a gun that wouldnt exist, at least not in this configuration, if it werent for the mundane meddling importation restrictions. And yet for all the trouble it caused the engineers at Grand Power, were never going to say no to AR-15 triggers. All newly produced Stribogs will share these features moving forward. A Southwest Airlines plane prepares to land at Midway International Airport in Chicago in February 2023. A Southwest flight to Oakland experience a midair Dutch roll at 32,000 feet last month. Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press 2023 A Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Oakland experienced a Dutch roll at 32,000 feet midflight last month, causing the aircraft to be taken out of service. The crew of Southwest Flight 746, operated with a Boeing 737-8 MAX, regained control and safely landed at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport about an hour after the incident, according to a Federal Aviation Administration report. The aircraft, which sustained structural damage, carried 175 passengers and six crew members. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Dutch roll, a rare phenomenon where an aircraft rocks side-to-side and sways left-to-right simultaneously, was due to a damaged power control unit that impaired the aircrafts directional stability, according to the Aviation Herald. The plane, delivered to the airline in December 2022, remained grounded in Oakland until June 6 before being transferred to a Boeing facility in Everett, Wash., for repairs, flight records show. The Red & Black is a nonprofit, independent news organization that serves the Athens and University of Georgia communities as well as trains college students for careers in the news business. Support Our Newsroom The Punch.ev achieved the highest score point ever recorded by any vehicle to date, scoring 31.46 out of 32 for adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 for child occupant protection. IMAGE: Tata Motors Managing Director Shailesh Chandra launches the new Nexon EV at JW Marriott Aerocity in New Delhi. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo India's leading electric four-wheeler manufacturer, Tata Motors, has achieved a 5-star rating for its Punch.ev and Nexon.ev battery electric vehicles in the Bharat NCAP crash test results. The home-grown EV manufacturer has become the first company to receive certification under the Indian New Car Assessment Program, commonly referred to as BNCAP. This programme conducts crash tests and assesses safety features and technologies, providing a simple star rating to indicate relative safety performance. 'We welcome stricter government safety standards and are proud to be the first manufacturer to lead the BNCAP protocol with superlative results. We are delighted to produce India's safest vehicle -- an EV -- in the Punch.ev, while the Nexon.ev continues its legacy of safety with its 5-star rating,' said Shailesh Chandra, managing director, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. IMAGE: Tata Punch.ev. Photograph: Kind courtesy Tatamotors Tata Harrier and Safari sport utility vehicles also became the first cars in India to receive a 5-star safety rating from BNCAP in December last year. The Punch.ev achieved the highest score point ever recorded by any vehicle to date, scoring 31.46 out of 32 for adult occupant protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 for child occupant protection (COP), the company reported. The Nexon.ev also scored impressively, with 29.86 out of 32 for AOP and 44.95 out of 49 for COP. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari wrote in a post on X, 'Congratulations to @tataev @TataMotors for achieving a 5-star BNCAP rating for the Punch.ev and Nexon.ev, thus becoming the first ever 5-star-rated EVs in the Indian automotive market.' Gadkari emphasised that as EVs shape the future of mobility in India, a strong BNCAP rating serves as an invaluable tool for consumers in choosing safer vehicles, highlighting the high level of safety provided to vehicle occupants. IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. A crash test dummy is seen in the driver's seat of a car, after its offset collision test. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters The test The ministry of road transport and highways has introduced an indigenous star-rating system for crash-testing cars. Under this system, vehicles will receive between one and five stars, indicating their safety in a collision. Known as BNCAP, this voluntary rating system was implemented on October 1, 2023. Under BNCAP, cars nominated voluntarily by automobile manufacturers will undergo crash tests based on protocols outlined in the soon-to-be-published Automotive Industry Standard 197. The programme applies to passenger vehicles with up to eight seats (including the driver's seat) and a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kilograms. Only the base model of each variant will be tested. Cars receive ratings between one and five stars after evaluation on three parameters: AOP, COP, and safety assist technologies present in the vehicle. The first two parameters are determined through three distinct tests, including a frontal offset test where a vehicle drives at 64 kilometres per hour (kph) with a 40 per cent overlap into a deformable barrier simulating a head-on collision, and other tests like the side impact test at 50 kph and the pole side impact test, where a car crashes sideways into a rigid pole at 29 kph. The testing protocols adopted by BNCAP are modelled after Global NCAP, a project of the UK-based NGO Towards Zero Foundation. During its launch last August, Gadkari emphasised that BNCAP will play a critical role in making India's automotive industry self-reliant and in positioning India as the world's leading automobile hub. Despite government investments in infrastructure, road accidents in India continue to rise alarmingly. In 2022 alone, there were over 460,000 mishaps resulting in the loss of 168,491 lives -- an all-time high, according to the ministry of road transport and highways' annual report on road accidents released on Tuesday. States and Union Territories reported 461,312 incidents in 2022, causing injuries to 443,366 people. This marked an 11.9 per cent increase in accidents, 9.4 per cent in fatalities, and 15.3 per cent in injuries compared to 2021. With inputs from Deepak Patel Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com 'Amit Shah had promised Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel that even if there were only one third of MLAs with them, they would be given the party symbol.' 'He promised them that the Election Commission would not take a decision against them and that they would get the party name and symbol.' IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit A Shah being received by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and state Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar on his arrival in Mumbai, March 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo For Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, the 2024 election was one of the toughest battles the NCP fought since it was founded in 1999. His nephew Ajit Pawar deserted him, and he lost many of his MLAs, MPs, leaders and the party symbol itself. But the verdict of people of Maharashtra was that they were with him, by giving the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) 8 Lok Sabha seats while the Ajit Pawar NCP faction won only one seat. "After the results, Ajit Pawar's company is completely shattered. The MLAs have started coming back to us in small groups. They are sending feelers to Sharad Pawar apologising for what they did," P C Chacko, the new working president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier in the first of a two-part interview. What do you feel after the NCP went through one of the most turbulent periods since it was formed? I will have to touch upon two things: Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra politics, and Sharad Pawar and national politics. Pawar had the biggest shock of his political life when his own people betrayed him. By his own people, I mean his relatives and the people who were nurtured by him. Just for the sake of power, those people shifted to the BJP. On several occasions, I was instrumental in blocking it from happening. Every time I hear such news, I used to rush to Mumbai. I used to plead with Pawar that his individuality and personality was more important, and he should not take any decision in haste. We spoke in May 2023 when Ajit Pawar and some other MLAs wanted to support the BJP and Pawar resigned. He agreed to continue as the party president after you spoke to him... Yes. Then, Ajit Pawar and company felt that I spoiled their plan as both Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel planned to take Sharad Pawar also to the other side. After their plan failed, they were waiting for another opportunity. They also knew that if I was in the picture, their plan will not work. All of a sudden, 10 MLAs shifted side after talking to Amit Shah, and Ajit Pawar took over as the deputy CM. Praful (Patel) was the leader of the gang of 10. The 10 became 15 and then 20, and almost the entire party save 11 crossed over to that side. Pawar told me then that when somebody offered them something, there was a strong temptation to accept the offer. He said, let all of them go. I was with Pawar all the time. Was he upset? Yes, he was very upset, but he didn't show his feelings. Supriya (Sule, Sharad Pawar's only child) told me then that it would be a tough time for all of us. She said Ajit Pawar going away was a problem for her too. Ajit Pawar was in charge of the entire Baramati, and he was doing all the development work even though Baramati was the creation of Sharad Pawar. IMAGE: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP-SCP Chief Sharad Pawar with Supriya Sule at an election rally in Pune. Photograph: ANI Photo Was it a big blow for Sharad Pawar when the Ajit Pawar faction was declared as the real NCP when the party was founded by him? That came from the Election Commission. Amit Shah had promised Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel that even if there were only one third of MLAs with them, they would be given the party symbol. He promised them that the Election Commission would not take a decision against them and that they would get the party name and symbol. I was with him one day when Sharad Pawar himself met the Election Commission. In spite of all our arguments, they gave the entire party to the Ajit Pawar faction. In February 2024, the Election Commission ruled that Ajit Pawar's faction was the real NCP. Was it not shocking that the Election Commission behaved in such a manner in a democracy? It is shocking in a democracy. I do not want to mince words; this Election Commission was completely partial. The decision they took was not fair. Normally when a party splits, both the parties would be asked to take a new symbol. That's the common practice. There was no reason to give the party symbol to them. Abhishek Singhvi told the Election Commission that the man standing before them was the founder of the NCP, and that he was elected at the Talkatora stadium by more than a thousand people. 'How can a handful of people on the other side say that they are the real NCP?', he asked the EC. But the Election Commission took a decision in a partial manner. You have been in politics for more than five decades. Have you seen Election Commissions acting like this before? Never. Even during Indira Gandhi's time, the Election Commission was impartial. During T N Seshan's time, everybody was afraid of the Election Commission. They exercised their power fearlessly on both the ruling party and the opposition. But these people were not even responding to many of the queries raised by the Opposition. Anyway, Pawar did not have the symbol or the name with him to fight the election. We had to fight the election on a new symbol. IMAGE: NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule being fed sweets during the celebration after her victory from Baramati in the Lok Sabha elections, June 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Baramati was the most watched contest... Yes, Supriya was fighting against Ajit Pawar's wife there. But Supriya was confident that we would win as she was doing a lot of good work there. Finally, people spoke. Not just Supriya won in Baramati, we got 8 seats in Parliament. Last time we had only 4! After the results, Ajit Pawar's company is completely shattered. The MLAs have started coming back to us in small groups. They are sending feelers to Sharad Pawar apologising for what they did. Though the Ajit Pawar faction was declared as the real NCP, the results said a different story... Exactly. The formal decision says Ajit Pawar is the NCP, but above the Election Commission, above the Supreme Court, the people of Maharashtra decided that Sharad Pawar is the real NCP. That's why he got 8 seats and the other faction got only 1. Now, we are picking up. Part II of the Interview: 'Nitish Could Come Back To INDIA' Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Friday sought to quell the suggestions of its rift with the Bharatiya Janata Party and that Mohan Bhagwat's recent critical references related to the Lok Sabha polls were aimed at the ruling party, insisting that such claims are just speculation meant to create confusion. IMAGE: RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat addresses the Valedictory Ceremony of Karyakarta Vikas Varg-2, at the National Level Cadre Training Camp in Nagpur on June 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo RSS sources also noted that their organisation's three-day annual coordination meeting with its affiliates, including the BJP, is scheduled to be held in Palakkad district of Kerala starting from August 31. Senior BJP leaders, including its president, are expected to attend the meeting, the first such exercise after the recent polls. "There is no rift between the RSS and the BJP," the sources said, amid the assertion by a section of people, including the opposition leaders, that Bhagwat's remarks, including "true sevak is never arrogant", were a message to the BJP leadership following its below-par performance in the polls. "There was not much difference in his (Bhagwat) speech from what he had given after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Any address is bound to make a reference to an event as important as national elections. "But it was misinterpreted and taken out of context to create confusion. His 'arrogance' remark was never directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any BJP leader," the sources said. In his speech, Bhagwat had on Monday expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year, criticised the common discourse during the polls and called for moving on instead of unnecessary talks on what and how of the elections after they were over and results were out. The opposition leaders had seized on his remarks to take a swipe at the BJP and Modi. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had said, "If not the 'one-third' Prime Minister's conscience or the repeated demands of the people of Manipur, perhaps Mr. Bhagwat can prevail upon the former RSS office-bearer to go to Manipur." Such claims by the opposition leaders are nothing but politics meant to spread confusion, the RSS sources said. They also dissociated the Hindutva organisation, considered the ideological mentor of the BJP, from its national executive member Indresh Kumar's swipe at the BJP over its poll performance, saying, "Lord Ram stopped those who had become arrogant at 241." "The party which did the bhakti (of lord Ram) but became arrogant was stopped at 241 but it was made the biggest party," he had said at an event in Jaipur on Thursday, adding, 'and those who had no faith in Ram, they together were stopped at 234', apparently referring to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). As a row erupted over his remarks, Kumar on Friday said the country is happy with the BJP's poll performance and Modi becoming prime minister for the third consecutive term. "At this moment, the latest news is that those who were against Lord Ram are out of power and those who were devotees of Lord Ram are in power," he told PTI. Under PM Modi's leadership, the country will progress, he asserted. Asked about the debate revolving around Bhagwat's speech, Kumar said, "It will be better if you ask authorised functionaries of Sangh about it." Asked about Kumar's Thursday remarks, an RSS functionary on Friday said it was his personal opinion and it does not reflect the organisation's view. The sources also rejected the view that the RSS was not involved in the polling process in support of the BJP this time in the same manner as it has been earlier. "The RSS does not campaign but creates awareness among people and it did its work during the elections. All over the country, we held lakhs of meetings. In Delhi alone, we held over one lakh small group meetings," an official source in the RSS said. Asked about the likely appointment of a new BJP president to replace J P Nadda, who has been inducted as a cabinet minister in the Union government, the RSS sources said their organisation has always been a part of consulting process for such a key decision. "It will be no different this time," a source said, noting that the BJP has a history of leaders with RSS background taking over as its president. Asked about Nadda's reported remarks which suggested that the BJP does not need the RSS in the same way it did earlier as its own organisation has become strong, he said the RSS volunteers discussed it and moved on with their work. The death toll of the blast at an explosives factory near Nagpur city rose to seven on Friday evening with another worker succumbing during treatment even as the owner and manager of the factory got bail soon after arrest. IMAGE: An explosion occurred at Chamundi Explosive Pvt Ltd in Dhamna village, near Nagpur on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo Five women and a man died in the blast at Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd on Thursday afternoon. Another male worker died at a hospital in Nagpur on Friday, a doctor said. Police on Friday morning arrested Jay Shivshankar Khemka (49), director of the factory, and manager Sagar Deshmukh. They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Hingna, who granted them cash bail of Rs 50,000 each. The factory is located in Dhamna village under Hingna police station limits, around 25 km from Nagpur city. Dansa Mahraskolhe (22), who had suffered 90 per cent burn injuries and was battling for life, died on Friday evening, said Dr Pinak Dande of Dande Hospital in Nagpur. The blast occurred around 1 pm on Thursday. A total of nine injured persons were admitted to two private hospitals in Nagpur. Most of the victims were working in the factory's packaging unit when the explosion took place, according to police. A case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 304 (a) (causing death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by doing any rash or negligent act) was registered against the director and the manager of the factory on Thursday night, police said. Subsequently, director Khemka, a resident of Ram Nagar in Nagpur, and manager Deshmukh were arrested. Meanwhile, Union minister and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari visited the blast site along with officials. "The factory management has promised to provide Rs 25 lakh to the families of each deceased, while the state government will give Rs 10 lakh," Gadkari told reporters. Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, also visited the site. He said guidelines prescribed for such factories should be strictly implemented, and demanded Rs 35 lakh compensation and Rs 20,000 monthly pension for the families of the deceased. The mortal remains of factory workers Pranjali Kisna Modere (22), Prachi Srikant Phalke (19), Vaishali Ananda Kshirsagar (20), Monali Shankar Alone (25), Pannalal Bandewar (60) and Sheetal Ashish Chatap (30) were handed over to their kin during the day. While Modere, Phalke, Kshirsagar, Alone and Chatap were cremated in Dhamna, the last rites of Bandewar were held in Satnavri village, officials said. Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has accorded sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and a former professor in Kashmir under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event in New Delhi in 2010, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday. IMAGE: Author Arundhati Roy. Photograph: ANI Photo The first information report (FIR) against Roy and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain was registered following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate, New Delhi, they added. There was no immediate reaction from Roy and Hussain. The FIR in the matter was registered on a complaint made by Sushil Pandit, a social activist from Kashmir, on October 28, 2010. "Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case," a Raj Niwas official said on Friday. Last October, the LG had granted sanction to prosecute them under section 196 of CrPC for commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief). Roy and Hussain had allegedly made provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner of 'Azadi - The Only Way' on October 21, 2010 at LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, in New Delhi. "The issues discussed and spoken about at the conference propagated the separation of Kashmir from India," said the official. Those who delivered speeches at the conference included Syed Ali Shah Geelani, S A R Geelani (anchor of the Conference and prime accused in the Parliament attack case), Arundhati Roy, Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain and Varavara Rao. The complainant filed a complaint under Section 156(3) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, New Delhi, who disposed the complaint on November 27, 2010 with the directions to register an FIR. Accordingly, an FIR was registered and investigation was carried out, they said. An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying the mortal remains of the Indians who died in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait two days ago, landed at the international airport here on Friday. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI on X The IAF C30J aircraft is carrying the bodies of the Indians and of them 31 were received at the airport in Kochi. The 31 bodies include 23 Keralites, 7 Tamilians and one person from Karnataka, officials said. Officials had said that 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building on June 12 and majority of them were Indians; the remaining were Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian and Nepali nationals. The building in southern Kuwait's Mangaf area housed around 195 migrant workers. Kerala on Friday said a tearful goodbye to most of the 23 victims from the state who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy -- one of the biggest incidents to ever affect the state's expatriate community known for their dedication and hard work. IMAGE: A family member of a victim who lost his life in the Kuwait fire incident breaks down near his mortal remains, at the Cochin International Airport, in Ernakulam on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo The residences of the victims witnessed heart-wrenching moments as their kin, friends and neighbours found it difficult to be consoled when the bodies arrived from Kochi in specially arranged ambulances piloted by police vehicles across the state. Most of the victims' bodies were buried or cremated according to their religious customs by the evening. A few families have chosen to keep the bodies of their loved ones for burial or cremation later, as they are awaiting the arrival of close relatives from abroad. Earlier, the bodies of the 45 Indians, including 31 from three South Indian states -- Kerala (23), Tamil Nadu (7), and Karnataka (1) -- were brought here on a special flight. Later, they were transported to their respective homes. Indian Air Force (IAF) flight IAF C-130J in which the bodies were brought to Kochi later flew to New Delhi with the mortal remains of 14 victims. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had accompanied the bodies from Kuwait. In Kochi, it took an hour for the caskets to be brought out due to the necessary security clearances, including customs and immigration processes. The bodies of victims from the South Indian states were received at the international airport in Kochi, where solemn tributes were paid by central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Grieving families had gathered from early morning, patiently waiting for the arrival of their loved ones. As airport staff began bringing out the caskets at 11.30 am, the atmosphere turned sombre, with stifled sobs giving way to loud cries of grief as the names of the victims were revealed. Besides the chief minister, Union Ministers of State Kirti Vardhan Singh and Suresh Gopi, state ministers and other dignitaries were present to pay their respects. Their presence offered a small solace to the grieving families during this time of immense sorrow. Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Gingee K S Masthan was also present as the bodies of the seven persons belonging to Tamil Nadu were brought to Kochi. Kerala police gave a guard of honour to the deceased. After the official ceremonies, the family members received the bodies. The father of Cibin Abraham from Mallappally wrapped his arms around the casket and cried while other family members tried to console him. Cibin's in-laws also came to receive the body. The impact of the tragedy was doubled for a family from Chengannur, as two of its members lost their lives in the tragic fire accident. Mathew Thomas (53) from Chengannur and his nephew Shibu Varghese (30) from Payippadu were among those who lost their lives in the incident. "Shibu, who leaves behind a wife and toddler, worked as an accountant at NBTC company, while Mathew worked in another department within the same company," a relative, who came to receive the bodies, told PTI. The relative said that the bodies would be shifted to Pushpagiri Medical College in Thiruvalla, and that the funerals will be held later. Many family members said they are yet to learn the full details of how the accident happened and the nature of the injuries that caused the death of their loved ones. After the ceremony, the bodies were shifted to the designated ambulances, and a pilot vehicle of the Kerala police accompanied them until they reached their respective hometowns. The Kerala police also accompanied the seven ambulances from Tamil Nadu till they crossed the state's border. The body of the person from Karnataka will be airlifted to Hyderabad on the 9.50 pm flight, according to officials from Karnataka. "The deceased person is from Kalburgi (in Karnataka), which is near Hyderabad (in Telangana). From there, we have arranged an ambulance," the official said. The ambulances slowly started departing around 12.30 pm, bearing the weight of sorrow. Vijayan, speaking to reporters at the airport, said that 'pravasis' (expatriates) are the lifeline of Kerala and the deaths of so many Indian expatriates in the fire has been a 'huge disaster for the country' as well as the expatriate community. "It is an unending loss for the families of the deceased. The Kuwaiti government has taken strong and effective action following the incident and the Indian government intervened in a good way. "Measures need to be taken to prevent a recurrence of such an incident and it is hoped that the Kuwaiti government will take the requisite action for the same," the CM said. Officials had said that 49 people were killed in the fire in the Al-Mangaf building on June 12 and the majority of them were Indians. The remaining were Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian and Nepali nationals. The building in southern Kuwait's Mangaf area housed around 195 migrant workers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through 'dialogue and diplomacy'. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Italy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Photograph: Courtesy @PMOIndia on X The upcoming Swiss peace conference for Ukraine also figured in the Modi-Zelenskyy talks held on the margins of the G7 summit in Italy's Apulia and the Ukrainian president thanked the prime minister for sending a high-level delegation to the conclave over the weekend in Switzerland. During the meeting, Modi told Zelenskyy that India believes in a 'human-centric' approach to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine. In a post on 'X', the Ukrainian president said he and Modi talked about the Peace Summit and issues on its agenda and that he thanked the Indian prime minister for sending a high-level delegation to it. Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs will lead the Indian delegation at the Peace Summit, officials said. Modi described the meeting with the Ukrainian president as 'very productive' and said India is eager to 'further cement' bilateral relations with Ukraine. 'Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine,' Modi said on 'X'. 'Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy,' he said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi and Zelenskyy exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland. 'The prime minister conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, and reiterated that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution,' it said. It said Modi thanked President Zelenskyy for his warm wishes on his assuming office for the third term. 'We discussed the development of bilateral relations and trade, in particular in the context of the Black Sea export corridor functioning,' Zelenskyy said ion 'X'. 'We explored the possibility of exchanging experience in the use of new technologies in agriculture,' he said. 'We also talked about the Global Peace Summit and issues on its agenda. I thank Prime Minister Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the Summit,' the Ukrainian president said. Switzerland is hosting several global leaders on June 15 and 16 in an attempt to chart a roadmap for brining peace to Ukraine. The Indian delegation at the summit is expected to be headed by a senior diplomat. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal the two leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. 'Furthering India-Ukraine partnership! PM @narendramodi met President @ZelenskyyUa of Ukraine on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy,' he said on 'X'. 'The leaders reviewed bilateral relationship and exchanged views on situation in Ukraine. PM conveyed that India continues to encourage peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy,' he said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra were part of Modi's delegation at the talks. It is learnt that Zelenskyy briefed Modi on various aspects of the conflict. The Ukrainian readout said the two leaders discussed the development of bilateral relations and the possibility of exchanging experience in the use of new technologies in agriculture. 'The president spoke about the functioning of the Black Sea transport corridor, which makes it possible to increase exports of sunflower oil to India and turnover of other categories of goods,' it said. It said Zelenskyy 'informed Modi on the preparations to the Global Peace Summit and thanked the prime minister of India for the expected presence of the high-level delegation at the event. The leaders discussed the agenda of the Summit'. Modi had met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the previous G7 summit in Hiroshima in May last year as well. India has been maintaining that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The meeting between Modi and Zelenskyy came ahead of the Swiss Peace Summit. India on Wednesday said it will participate in the upcoming peace summit on the Ukraine conflict at an 'appropriate level'. Switzerland has invited Prime Minister Modi to attend it. Greg Porter is a senior newsroom meteorologist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Porter comes to Chronicle after seven years working as a meteorologist for the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post. Porter has also worked as a meteorological technical subject matter expert in for both government and commercial organizations around the world. Porter received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Atmospheric Science from UMass Lowell and the University of Maryland. A native of Boston, Porter has also spent time living in Washington, D.C. and Edinburgh, Scotland. Outside of work, Porter loves to spend time with his wife and very energetic 2 year old son. He also enjoys spending as much time outside as possible and he fancies himself a very average golfer. The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday designated Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan as deputy chief minister. IMAGE: Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan greets Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Photograph: ANI Photo The actor-turned-politician has been allotted Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Environment, Forests, and Science and Technology portfolios. Rural Water Supply department would also be handled by Kalyan. 'Congratulations to Pawan Kalyan on becoming the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. I congratulate all my colleagues in the cabinet on being assigned their portfolios,' said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in a post on X. Noting that the new ministers have taken a solemn oath to serve the people of Andhra Pradesh and usher in an era of people's governance, Naidu exuded confidence that all the ministers will strive to deliver and meet people's expectations. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh was given Human Resources Development, Information Technology and Communication portfolios. During the erstwhile Telugu Desam Party government between 2014 and 2019, Lokesh had worked as the IT Minister. Along with Naidu, as many as 24 ministers were sworn in on Wednesday. Anitha Vangalapudi was given Home Affairs and Disaster Management portfolios while K Atchannaidu, Andhra Pradesh TDP president, has been allotted Agriculture, Co-operation, Marketing, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development & Fisheries departments. P Narayana was allotted one of the key departments- Municipal Administration - which would be responsible for the development of the Amaravati capital region. K Ravinda was named Minister for Mines & Geology and Excise. Janasena leader N Manohar has been entrusted with the Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs portfolios. BJP's Satya Kumar Yadav has been Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Medical Education. Nasyam Mohammed Farook is Minister for Law & Justice and Minority Welfare while P Keshav is Finance, Planning and Commercial Taxes & Legislative Minister. A Satya Prasad was given the portfolios of Revenue and Registration & Stamps. K Parthasarathy would be the Minister for Housing and Information & Public Relations. D Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy has been allocated Social Welfare, Disabled and Senior Citizen Welfare and Sachivalayam & Village Volunteer Minister. Gottipati Ravi Kumar is the Energy Minister. Janasena's K Durgesh will be Tourism and Culture & Cinematography Minister. G Sandhya Rani has been entrusted with Women & Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare portfolios while BC Janardhan Reddy will be Minister in charge of Roads & Buildings and Infrastructure & Investments. T G Bharat is the Industries & Commerce and Food Processing Minister. S Savitha has been named Minister for BC Welfare, Economically Weaker Sections Welfare and Handlooms & Textiles while V Subash has been allocated the Labour, Factories, Boilers & Insurance Medical Services portfolios. K Srinivas is the Minister for MSMEs, Society for the Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) and NRI Empowerment & Relations and M Ramprasad Reddy will handle the Transport and Youth & Sports portfolios. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will hold the portfolios of General Administration Department (GAD), Public Enterprises and all other portfolios not allocated to any minister. "My best wishes to you (ministers) all as you embark on this journey of service and devotion," Naidu added. Along with Naidu, the Cabinet is 25-member strong and includes those from the Janasena and the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is an amalgamation of 17 freshers and eight experienced ministers. Eight ministers come from BC communities, one Muslim, two SCs and an ST, among others. Besides Naidu, 20 ministers belong to TDP, three are from Janasena and one from BJP. The age bracket of the new ministers ranged between 41 and 74. The air hung heavy with grief as an Indian Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 14 of the 45 Indians who died in a devastating fire at a building in Kuwait landed at Delhi's Palam technical area from Kerala's Kochi on Friday evening. IMAGE: Mortal remains of Indian victims who lost their lives in the Kuwait fire incident arrive at Palam airbase, in New Delhi on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo A C-130J aircraft carrying the 45 bodies landed at the Kochi international airport around 10.30 am. Thirty-one bodies were received at the airport by Central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The remaining 14 bodies were sent to Delhi in the same aircraft as a domestic flight from Kochi, airport authorities in Kerala said. After the plane arrived at the Palam technical area in the national capital, newly elected MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat stood on the tarmac with folded hands as the caskets were lowered from the aircraft. The special IAF aircraft had taken off for Kochi from Kuwait on Friday morning. At least 49 foreign workers were killed and 50 others injured in the fire on Wednesday at the seven-storey building in Kuwait's Mangaf. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who accompanied the mortal remains on the IAF flight from Kuwait to Kochi, further travelled to Delhi and was present on the tarmac when the caskets were lowered. The bodies were then taken to ambulances stationed nearby to ferry them for their onward journeys. At the Cochin airport, Singh told PTI that Indian Embassy staffers in Kuwait are "constantly monitoring" the condition of all injured people at hospitals. "We went there yesterday, visited every single (injured) person in the five hospitals and inquired about their health," he said, adding that most of them will be discharged in 2-3 days. "The hospital authorities are taking exceptionally good care of them," the Minister of State for External Affairs said. He added the Kuwaiti government has "gone out of the way to expedite this process", otherwise this could have taken many more days. From Kerala to Bihar, a pall of gloom has descended at the native places of the victims with grief-stricken families mourning the loss of loved ones in the fire incident. Most deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents in the building were sleeping when the fire broke out early Wednesday in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governorate. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians. A sombre ambience prevailed at the Palam technical area when the IAF aircraft carrying the 14 bodies landed in New Delhi. Chandolia, the northwest Delhi MP, later posted some photographs on X. "After reaching there, I handed over the bodies of the deceased to their families and paid tributes. During this process, I experienced a heart-wrenching pain. May god give peace to all the departed souls and give strength to their families to bear this grief... Om Shanti," he wrote on the social media platform. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Bari during which they discussed defence and security cooperation and hoped for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration. IMAGES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Outreach Summit, in Apulia on Friday. All photographs: ANI Photo Modi arrived in Italy early Friday at the invitation of Prime Minister Meloni to participate in the G7 Outreach summit. This is his first foreign trip after becoming prime minister for the third term earlier this month. 'The two sides discussed bilateral defence and security cooperation and hoped for further enhancing the defence industrial collaboration,' said a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. The two leaders welcomed the forthcoming visit of the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and training ship ITS Vespucci to India later this year. Modi thanked the Italian Government for recognising the Indian Army's contribution in Italian Campaign during WW-II and informed that India will be upgrading the Yashwant Ghadge Memorial at Montone in Italy. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the regular higher political dialogue and reviewed progress of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. While expressing happiness at growing trade and economic collaboration, they called for expanding commercial ties in clean energy, manufacturing, Space, S&T, telecom, AI and critical minerals to build resilient supply chains. In this context, they welcomed the recent signing of a MoU on Industrial Property Rights which provides a framework for cooperation on patents, designs and trademarks, the statement said. 'Both leaders look forward to joint activities to be implemented under Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative framework to fulfill their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also discussed important regional and global issues and agreed to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor,' it said. Taking note of the coordination under the 'Global Biofuels Alliance', the two leaders welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Energy Transition which will boost bilateral cooperation in clean and green energy. They expressed happiness at the new Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025-27 to promote joint research and development in Science & Technology. The two countries enjoy strong people-to-people connect propelled by longstanding Indological studies tradition in Italy, which will be further strengthened with the establishment of the first ICCR chair on India studies at University of Milan. The two leaders called for an early implementation of the Migration and Mobility Agreement, which would facilitate mobility of professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workers, students, and researchers. Meloni congratulated Modi for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister. Modi thanked her for the invitation to participate in G7 Outreach Summit and conveyed his appreciation for the successful conclusion of the Summit. The G7 comprises the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan. Italy is holding the current presidency of the G7 (Group of Seven) and is hosting the summit in that capacity. Besides India, Italy has invited leaders from 11 developing countries in Africa, South America and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the summit. Two more persons were arrested on Friday in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, in which Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa is an accused along with his friend Pavithra Gowda, police sources said. IMAGE: A Karnataka Police vehicle arrives at the incident site, where the mortal remains of 33-year-old Renuka Swamy was recovered, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo Jagadish and Anukumar were taken into custody from the district headquarters town of Chitradurga by a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dinakar. They are reportedly involved in kidnapping Renukaswamy from Chitradurga, the sources said. Darshan, popularly known as 'Challenging Star', and 12 of his close associates were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of the 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor. Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, allegedly commented on the social media account of Gowda, a small-time actress, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife. He also allegedly used 'indecent language' and posted offensive messages, according to police sources. Police on Thursday arrested three people, including a close aide of Darshan, in connection with the case. They had also recovered CCTV footage purportedly showing the suspected abduction of the victim in a car. According to sources, one of the accused, Raghavendra, who is part of Darshan's fan club in Chitradurga, had brought Renukaswamy to a shed in R R Nagar here, on the pretext that Darshan wanted to meet him. It was in this shed that he was allegedly tortured and killed. The body was found near a storm-water drain next to an apartment in Sumanahalli on June 9. The investigation team is believed to have gathered enough evidence including CCTV footage, which could establish that Darshan was present during the alleged assault on Renukaswamy, leading to his death, sources said, adding that the victim had suffered multiple injuries on his body. A police officer involved in the probe said the case is not like any other and is demanding in terms of efforts, forethought and volume. He said: "We are doing multi-tasking in terms of collection of information and evidence." Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara denied reports that 'royal treatment' was being given to Darshan at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where he is currently held along with his arrested associates. He said Darshan is being given similar treatment as given to any other accused, adding that neither 'Biryani' was served nor special facilities were being provided to him. "It is not possible for police to give Biryani and royal treatment to the accused. It is not done and it should not be done," Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru that no one approached him to influence the investigation in favour of Darshan. "We will abide by the law," he said. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar rubbished reports that the government is under pressure from 'influential people' to 'favour' Darshan. "There is no pressure from anyone.....neither our Home Minister or anyone else is involved in it, we are not recommending anything, we don't know anything," Shivakumar said in response to a question that some influential people are exerting pressure on the government in the Darshan case. His statement comes in the wake of some reports about a state minister's alleged efforts to 'shield' Darshan. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader C P Yogeshwar claimed that Shivakumar and his brother and former MP D K Suresh had planned to field Darshan as Congress candidate in the upcoming Channapatna Assembly bypoll. Channapatna bypoll is necessitated as the segment fell vacant following the election of its representative -- Janata Dal-Secular leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy -- to Lok Sabha. The election schedule for this seat is yet to be announced by the Election Commission. A protest was held in the district headquarters town of Kalaburagi by the Jangam Samaj demanding harshest punishment for Darshan and his accomplices. A massive protest march was held from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle in Kalaburagi to the District Deputy Commissioner's Office and the protesters burnt the portrait of Darshan near the DC office condemning the killing of Renukaswamy. Similar protests were reported from several parts of the state. Tensions are rising within the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra amid internal conflicts and open threats over unresolved issues like cabinet expansion and Rajya Sabha nominations. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a rally in Pune. Photograph: @mieknathshinde/X Discord within the Nationalist Congress Party has surfaced with reports of discontent over the nomination of Sunetra Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's wife, for a vacant Rajya Sabha seat. The move has sparked dissent within the NCP, notably expressed by veteran leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who had aspirations for the Rajya Sabha seat. Bhujbal, a prominent OBC leader, hinted at feelings of being sidelined in the party's decision-making process, raising questions about the fairness of ticket allocations for both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections. "There could be reasons (for not giving him tickets). Sometimes, it's destiny or some sort of compulsion," he said and refused to answer whether dynasty politics played a role. Asked if injustice was meted out to him over Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha tickets, an apparently sulking Bhujbal said the question should be asked to 'them'. "It is my desire (to become an MP). That is why I was ready to contest from Nashik Lok Sabha seat. As I had been told that my ticket was finalised in Delhi, I had started working, but when the decision (to announce the name) dragged on for a month, I stopped as there was enough humiliation," Bhujbal said. The Nashik ticket was eventually bagged by the Shiv Sena's Hemant Godse who lost to Rajabhau Waje of the rival Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray in the polls. Ajit Pawar on Friday sought to downplay the apparent resentment in his party, stating that the decision to field his wife for Rajya Sabha bypoll was taken by the NCP's apex body, and denied reports that Bhujbal was upset. Asked about media reports that Bhujbal, a cabinet minister, was sulking after Sunetra Pawar's nomination, the NCP president maintained that his party colleague himself told him that he was not upset. Some people, including those from the opposition, and 'our close friends' are planting such reports but there was no truth to them, Ajit Pawar said. Key NCP leaders, including Praful Patel and Bhujbal, were present when his wife submitted nomination papers, Ajit pointed out. Amidst these internal frictions, Sunetra Pawar has filed nomination papers as the NCP candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypoll, following her recent defeat in the Lok Sabha elections from Baramati. The by-election for one Rajya Sabha seat in Maharashtra is scheduled for June 25, as NCP leader Praful Patel resigned after being re-elected to the Upper House in February. Sunetra Pawar, however, is set to be elected unopposed as she is the sole candidate in the fray. In a separate development, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat issued a stern warning regarding delayed cabinet expansion in Maharashtra, stating that there would be dire consequences if the issue was further prolonged. The state government, led by Sena chief Eknath Shinde, has faced criticism for its sluggish approach to cabinet expansions, with only two expansions taking place since assuming office in June 2022. Shirsat, a potential candidate for a cabinet position, called for clarity from the chief minister and deputy chief minister on the impending cabinet reshuffle, stressing the urgency of making a decisive announcement to avoid escalating tensions within the coalition. "Everyone wants to become a minister, but no one says it. You cannot keep it stretching for long. Time has come to make a concrete decision. If the cabinet expansion is further delayed, the consequences will be bad," Shirsat said. As uncertainties and discontent simmer within the alliance government, the political landscape in Maharashtra remains fraught with challenges and internal power struggles. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has now been vocal about the urgent need to address the onion crisis, emphasising the importance of setting a support price for onions to safeguard the interests of farmers and consumers alike. In Pune, his wife Sunetra Pawar said she would welcome the opportunity if she was offered a Minister of State post at the Centre. "Of course, if given a chance, I will surely seize the opportunity," she said to a reporter's question. In a significant development amid a raging row over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET-UG), the Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) on a plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of question paper leak and other irregularities in the exam. IMAGE: Students stage a protest against the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination results in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo A vacation bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which was hearing a batch of pleas including a PIL filed by Hiten Singh Kashyap, also sought responses from the CBI and the Bihar government within two weeks. It said the pleas will be taken up with other pending ones on July 8, when the top court will start functioning after the summer vacation. During brief hearing, the bench got irked when a lawyer referred to the students committing suicides at Kota, a hub of coaching centres, in Rajasthan as an argument to buttress his case for a CBI probe. "Don't make unnecessary emotional arguments here," Justice Nath said. Responding to the submission for ordering a CBI probe, the bench said the reply of the NTA was necessary before an order could be passed. "It is the future of 24 lakh students," the lawyer said. "We understand. We are conscious of all that," the bench said. The Centre and the NTA had on Thursday told the Supreme Court they had cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who took the examination for admission to MBBS and other such courses. They will have the option to either take a re-test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to them for the loss of time, the Centre had said. The examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates took it. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4, apparently because the evaluation of the answer sheets got completed earlier. There have been allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar and other irregularities in the prestigious exam. The allegations have led to protests in several cities and filing of cases in seven high courts as also the Supreme Court. Scores of students protested in Delhi on June 10 seeking a probe into alleged irregularities. As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTA's history, with six from a centre in Haryana's Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to 67 students sharing the top rank. The NEET-UG examination is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. BRATTLEBORO If you're coming by the Royal Diner on a Friday evening for ice cream or a smash burger and fries, you might find yourself walki You are the owner of this article. U.S. Senator Peter Welch, D-Vt., makes multiple stops during a visit to Windham County on Friday, June 14, 2024. Senator Welch did a tour at M by Ian Bremmer Last Sunday, Israeli war cabinet member and ex-Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced he was stepping down from Israels emergency government, returning to the role he played before Hamas launched its brutal attack on Oct. 7: chief political rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz was joined by war cabinet observer Gadi Eisenkot. Their resignations followed Netanyahus failure to outline a strategy to end the war in Gaza and think through the territorys post-war governance after Gantz had given him an ultimatum and three weeks to comply. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz attends a news conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 28, 2023. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP) Moderates generally aligned with the Biden administration but by no means doves (both are retired generals who served as IDF chief of staff), Gantz and Eisenkot had pushed for a deal that allowed for the return of the 120 Israeli hostages that remain in Gaza (about a third of whom are presumed dead) as well as a day after plan to replace Hamas as the enclaves governing authority. Frustrated by the prime ministers refusal to work toward these goals, they quit. So what happens next? Gantzs departure wont topple Bibi. Polling shows that most Israelis want early elections and that Gantz and his centrist National Unity party would handily defeat Netanyahu and his Likud party if they were held today. However, on its own, Gantzs exit from the wartime government isnt enough to bring about that outcome. Based on the results of the last election in November 2022, Netanyahus original hard-right coalition still commands a narrow, 64-seat majority (out of 120 seats) in the Knesset. While he may be disliked by most of the Israeli public, so long as he retains a majority in parliament, Bibi wont be forced to face the music until elections are due in October 2026. To trigger an early ballot and have a shot at ousting Netanyahu before then, Gantz and other leading opposition figures (including Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman, and Gideon Saar) would need to put up a united front and convince at least five Knesset members to defect from the ruling coalition and join them in a vote to dissolve the parliament. Gantzs move could inspire some of Likuds more centrist lawmakers to rebel, bring intra-coalition tensions to the fore, and increase public pressure to call for new elections, making this scenario possible. But I wouldnt bet on it. Israels extremists will be empowered. With the moderates gone and the unity government formed in the aftermath of Oct. 7 effectively over, Netanyahu is now entirely dependent on his ultranationalist, religious, and far-right coalition partners for his continued political survival. That means their influence on the war effort which Gantz and Eisenkot had joined the war cabinet to moderate in the first place is about to grow considerably. Led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, these radical factions are opposed to cutting any deals with Hamas, believing that only total defeat by military means will do no matter the humanitarian toll and even if it means sacrificing the remaining hostages. They reject the prospect of Palestinian self-governance of Gaza after the war, instead advocating Israeli resettlement and reoccupation of the Strip something the majority of Israelis, including most of Netanyahus own Likud party, oppose. And they demand that Israel open a dangerous second front in Lebanon against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia thats been raining down missiles on northern Israel and caused the ongoing displacement of some 60,000 Israelis from their homes. In practice, the hard-liners newfound clout has two immediate consequences, both of which go against everything Gantz worked hard to achieve. First, it renders the cease-fire and hostage-for-prisoners exchange deal presented by US President Joe Biden and approved by the UN Security Council less likely to come together, even though most Israelis support it and Netanyahu initially backed it. Not that Hamas has agreed to it it hasnt, despite reports to the contrary, and it may never. More on that below. But even if it did, Netanyahu is now less likely to accept it than he was a week ago because his far-right partners have vowed to bring down his government if he signs off on any truce that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza (or, more generally, that Hamas is prepared to accept). The war will accordingly go on, deepening Israels international isolation, widening Netanyahus rift with the Biden administration, and galvanizing the anti-government protests that have only been growing in recent weeks. Second, it increases the risk of a full-fledged war against Hezbollah in Lebanon that could inflict serious damage, draw in other pro-Iranian forces, and even force Tehran to intervene directly to defend the crown jewel of its proxy network. The risk-averse Netanyahu knows how dangerous such an escalatory spiral would be, as does the IDF top brass. The problem is that with Gantz and Eisenkot gone, so is his ability to use them as a foil against Ben-Gvir and Smotrichs demands to escalate the campaign on the northern border in response to Hezbollahs provocations. From now on, he will own any decision to not escalate, whether thats in Lebanon, Gaza, or Iran an unenviable predicament for Netanyahu to be in. Add to that the fact that prolonging the war would likely extend his hold on power and stave off his well-deserved public reckoning, and you start to understand why he might be willing to take such a risk. Sinwar the kingslayer? Perhaps the one person who could single-handedly bring down Netanyahu is Yahya Sinwar, Hamass military chief in Gaza, who has the final say on any agreements that bind the militant group. If Sinwar were to unequivocally and unconditionally accept a future cease-fire and hostage release deal, Bibi would be faced with a difficult choice: Either accept it to save the remaining Israeli captives but risk government collapse, or reject it to keep his far-right partners from bolting but face massive public protests over having abandoned the hostages and risk intra-coalition defections, a vote of no confidence, and an even more tarnished legacy than he already has. Fortunately for Netanyahu (and unfortunately for Israelis and Palestinians), its hard to imagine that Sinwar will agree to any deal that releases all the hostages and gives away his leverage at a time when he believes Israel is on the back foot and Hamas is winning the information war. The way he sees it from the safety of Gazas underground tunnels, the longer the war goes on and the more civilians die, the more Israels position will worsen and Hamass will improve innocent Palestinians (let alone Israelis) be damned. Just like he intended all along. So long as thats the case, an agreement will remain far off, and Netanyahus best hope for political survival will lie with Israels worst enemy. Ian Bremmer is President and Founder of GZERO Media. He hosts the weekly digital and broadcast show, GZERO World, where he explains the key global stories of the moment, sits down for an in-depth conversation with the newsmakers and thought leaders shaping our world, and takes your questions. A claim emerged in media posts that the mayor of the South Korean city of Daegu had asked China for giant pandas as a gift. But the claim is false. The mayor only requested that the pandas be leased. In 1982, China announced that it would no longer gift pandas to other countries due to the rare animals shrinking natural habitat and would only lease them. The claim was shared on pro-Beijing media outlet Guancha on June 3, 2024. On May 31, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming visited Daegu to meet with Mayor Hong Jun-pyo. Yonhap news agency reported that Hong expressed his hope that China would present a pair of giant pandas to the Daegu Great Park, which will be completed in 2027, the report reads in part. The claim was published by other media outlets, including Hong Kongs Sing Tao Daily and Russias Sputnik News. Pro-Beijing media outlets reported that Daegus mayor requested a pair of giant pandas from China. (Screenshots/Guancha, Sputnik and Sing Tao Daily) The news quickly became the hottest topic on Chinas Weibo social media platform. Netizens criticized South Korea's requests as shameless and begging. News of the request soon sparked interest and critiques by Chinese netizens on Weibo. (Screenshot/Weibo) But the claim is false. Source of the claim Guancha cited a report published by South Koreas Yonhap News Agency. Keyword searches found that Yonhap did publish a story on May 31, containing the phrase gift giant pandas in its headline. However, as of June 3, Yonhap had updated the report and changed the phrase to asked China to lease giant pandas. The wording of Yonhaps original report claiming that the mayor of Daegu had asked China to gift a pair of giant pandas (left) was later amended to the more accurate lease (right). (Screenshot/Yonhap News Agency) A Daegu city official told AFCL that they had only asked China to lease a pair of pandas, adding that the term gifting was a mistake by Yonhap, which had since been corrected. In 1982, China announced that due to the rapid loss of suitable habitat for giant pandas, it would stop gifting pandas to other countries and would only lease them. Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Shen Ke and Taejun Kang. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environmentL. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Senate President revealed that he had a meeting with the spy agencys director on June 2. Veteran Cambodian leader Hun Sen has disclosed that he recently had a meeting with William Burns, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), who was in Cambodia on an unannounced visit. The former prime minister who is now Senate president posted on Facebook dozens of pictures of himself and Burns, apparently taken before and during their meeting on June 2 at his home in Takhmao town, near the capital Phnom Penh. Hun Manith Hun Sens fourth son and head of the Cambodian military intelligence department was seen attending the meeting, together with anti-corruption chief Om Yentieng and Dy Vichea, Hun Sens son-in-law and deputy national police chief. In an earlier Facebook post, Hun Sen said that he had informed Burns that Cambodia wont take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland this weekend, not because of pressure from China but because the conference could not be successful without Russias participation. Hun Sen has condemned Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While not giving further details about the meeting, Hun Sen said that the main area of cooperation between Cambodia and the CIA was counter terrorism and not against any country. Cambodia has intelligence cooperation with other countries, he added, as this was a normal course of a sovereign state. Hun Sen said in his Facebook post that he has had a working relationship with the CIA management since 1997 and met in person with some of the agencys heads, including James Clapper and David Petraeus. David Hutt, a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, said he suspected the latest meeting was about Chinese-run online scam operations in Southeast Asia that the U.S. now sees as a major security threat. A recent study by the Congress-founded U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) said that Cambodia, together with Myanmar and Laos, form the epicenter of the regional scamming industry that target millions of victims around the world with illegal and unregulated online gambling and sophisticated scamming operations. As of the end of 2023, the annual value of funds stolen worldwide by these syndicates could be as high as US$64 billion, USIP said, noting that in 2023 alone, U.S. citizens lost US$3.5 billion to online scams run from Southeast Asia. The United States is also concerned about Chinas access to Cambodias Ream naval base. A U.S. think tank, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), said in April that Cambodia appeared to have given the Chinese navy extended and exclusive access to the base. Two Chinese warships have been docked at a newly built pier at Ream since early December and recently took part in an annual bilateral military exercise. Two Chinese warships, circled, are seen at Cambodia's Ream naval base on April 18, 2024. (Planet Labs) In an interview with RFA Khmer service, AMTIs Director Greg Poling said that the real value of the naval base for the Chinese military could be in spying, intelligence collection, and satellite tracking. Cambodia has repeatedly denied that China has been allowed to establish a permanent base at Ream as that would be against Cambodias constitution. The publication of the photographs of the meeting, observers say, could be aimed at demonstrating balance in Cambodias foreign relations in the face of accusations by critics that Cambodia has become too dependent upon China. Edited by Taejun Kang. South Korean media reported that Japanese and North Korean representatives met in secret in Mongolia last month. The Japanese government declined to comment on a South Korean media report that officials from Japan and North Korea had a secret meeting in Mongolia last month, saying it was aware of the report but would refrain from commenting due to the nature of the matter. We have been responding to North Korea through various channels, but I will refrain from answering due to the nature of the issue, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a briefing on Thursday. As Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said repeatedly, there is no change in the idea that we will proceed with high-level consultations at the prime ministerial level to realize a summit to resolve various issues between Japan and North Korea, he added. South Koreas JoongAng Ilbo daily reported on Wednesday that a North Korean delegation, including three officials from the Reconnaissance General Bureau and personnel responsible for earning foreign exchange, met a group of Japanese politicians in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in the middle of last month, citing multiple intelligence sources. Among the main obstacles to a normalization of relations between isolated North Korea and Japan is the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea over the decades to help North Korea train its spies. Japans Kyodo News reported that Kishida was considering traveling to Mongolia in August with the abduction issue in mind and asking Mongolia for cooperation in advancing consultations with North Korea. Hayashi also declined to comment on the Kyodo report, saying: Nothing has been decided. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, said in March that Pyongyang had received a summit proposal from Japan. Her comments came a month after she said her country was open to enhancing ties with Tokyo. However, Kim Yo Jong added that improving relations between the two countries would depend on whether Japan could make practical political decisions. If Japan continues to interfere in the exercise of our sovereign rights, as it is doing now, and continues to focus on the abduction issue, which it has no ability to resolve or even understand, the prime ministers initiatives will inevitably be viewed as little more than popularity stunts, she said. Unacceptable Japan says it has confirmed the abductions of 17 of its citizens by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s for language education for North Korean spies, and 12 are still in the North. North Korea has said that of the 12, eight had died, and four never entered North Korea, insisting that there is no issue to be resolved. In February, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said assertions that the abduction issue had been resolved were completely unacceptable. Japan has not changed its policy of comprehensively resolving issues such as abduction and nuclear and missile programs on the basis of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, he said. The declaration was signed in 2002 after former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang. It contained four sections: promoting talks on normalization of diplomatic relations, compensation based on reflection on past history, preventing the recurrence of regrettable issues, such as abductions, and establishing cooperation to resolve nuclear and missile issues. Edited by RFA Staff. Experts say North Korea will seek weapons technology from Russia during a visit which could happen next week. Satellite imagery from June 6, 11 and 13, 2024 of Kim Il Sung Square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang appears to show that preparations for a ceremony to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin are underway. Satellite imagery of Kim Il Sung Square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang appears to show that preparations for a ceremony to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin are underway, a U.S. satellite expert told Radio Free Asia. Putin is widely believed to be planning his first visit to Pyongyang since 2000, possibly as soon as next week. The trip has raised concerns that Moscow will provide advanced weapons technology to Pyongyang in violation of United Nations sanctions. The images released by private satellite company Planet Labs showed a main stage and several temporary structures, possibly for orchestral performances, built in the square, which serves as the site for important parades and events. Other materials that looked like part of preparations for the welcome event were scattered around the main podium and the plaza. The two areas on either side of the square are staging pens that are holding flags and banners, as well as other decorative and construction materials, Jacob Bogle, a U.S.-based satellite imagery expert, told RFA Korean. The walled-off object in the square is likely for an orchestra tent, as has been seen in previous parades in recent years. Bogle identified other structures, including a reviewing stand that he said could be where Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might sit together and dine or watch a military parade. Putin hasnt visited North Korea since 2000, so holding a kind of state welcoming parade in the center of Pyongyang would be appropriate and would further signify just how important Kim's relationship with Putin has become, he said. South Korea has estimated that North Korea has sent as many as 3 million artillery shells to Russia to use in its Ukraine war. Kyiv has also alleged that North Korea has sent missiles to Russia and these have been used against Ukraine, which Pyongyang and Moscow deny. The transfer of North Korean arms to Russia has been condemned by the U.S. and almost 40 other countries. On June 12, NK News, a Seoul-based media outlet which specializes in North Korea, confirmed reports that planes on the runway at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport were moved to another location, which could be a sign that the airport is preparing for Putins arrival. Putins visit is only a few days away, the South Korean Presidents Office on June 12th told reporters in Kazakhstan, where the Souths President Yoon Suk Yeol was on an official visit. The South Korean government emphasized on Thursday that cooperation between North Korea and Russia must not violate UN agreements aimed at curbing North Koreas nuclear weapons program, as well as sanctions aimed at limiting the flow of cash and prohibited technology to Pyongyang. Our governments position is that exchanges and cooperation between Russia and North Korea must be conducted in a way that complies with relevant Security Council resolutions and contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Lim Soo-suk, a spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry said. Communication related to Korean Peninsula issues is maintained between South Korea and Russia, he said, adding that the specific contents of the discussions could not be revealed. Weapons tech, please Former U.S. officials and North Korea experts say that the biggest issue of concern is whether Putin will agree to provide advanced nuclear and missile technology to North Korea. We know so little about what Kim has asked for from President Putin and what President Putin has offered Kim in exchange for the millions of rounds of artillery and the short range ballistic missiles that he is using against Ukraine, Dennis Wilder, the former White House National Security Council's director for China, told RFA Korean. Kim is likely to request additional military support and advanced technology crucial for the development of North Korea's strategic systems from Putin, Robert Rapson, the former senior official at the U.S. Embassy Seoul, told RFA. Gary Samore, the former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction predicted that North Korea is likely to request military support from Russia, including advanced air defense systems, aircraft, missiles, satellite technology, and submarine technology. The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia has the right to develop closer ties with North Korea and that deepening ties should not be a cause for concern for anyone. It is our neighbor, it is a friendly country with which we are developing bilateral relations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. We will continue to do so in an upward direction. Peskov declined to comment on President Putin's visit schedule and intentions. The Chinese government also expressed its support for the development of North Korea-Russia relations, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian saying Thursday that China Welcomes the fact that Russia is strengthening and developing traditional friendly relations with relevant countries. Translated by Claire S. Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong. Rebel forces have been battling the junta in a western township capital since early June. Five ethnic armed groups have joined forces to fight the junta for a township in Myanmars west, a group member told Radio Free Asia on Friday. Chin Defense Forces, an umbrella term for several allied groups opposing the junta and active in seven of Chin states nine townships, captured an administration office and a police station in Matupi township on Tuesday. Matupi-based junta Infantry Battalion 304 is using heavy weapons and its air force counterparts, said a member of the Chin Defense Forces. Now, the [townships] administration office and police station were captured by our forces, but we are monitoring the situation for more airstrikes, he said, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. Were continuing to attack the juntas infantry battalion. Following clashes over Matupi town in early June, the junta sent reinforcements and tightened the perimeter around the buildings, he added. Chin Defense Forces Brigade 1 is composed of three allied groups, including Zolands Peoples Defence Force, Mindat Chin Defense Force and Chin National Defense Force. Other rebel armies, including the Rakhine-based Arakan Army and Magway-based Yaw Army, have also teamed to drive the junta out of Matupi, he said. He did not disclose the number of casualties for the junta or Chin Defense Forces. More than 8,000 people live in Matupi town, but nearly all have fled into nearby villages and Indias Mizoram, which neighbors Chin state, since 2023 when conflict began escalating between ethnic insurgent groups and the junta, residents said. RFA phoned Chin states junta spokesperson Aung Cho for more information on the Chin Defense Forces capture, but calls went unanswered. Joint Chin forces have captured small towns across Chin state, including Thantlang townships Hnaring village, Hakha townships Surkhur village, Falam townships Webula and Rihkhawdar villages, Mindat townships Mkwiimnu village and Kanpetlet townships Kyin Dway village. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Taejun Kang. The delegation hopes to visit schools, prisons and places of worship but access could be limited. Members of the Tibetan community in Belgium hold a demonstration to mark the celebration of the 57th Tibetan Uprising Day in front of the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 10, 2016. European Union officials are scheduled to make a rare visit starting this weekend to the Tibet Autonomous Region during their annual human rights talks with China, an EU spokesperson told Radio Free Asia. Although it isnt clear how much access the officials will ultimately be granted, the spokesperson, Peter Stano, told RFA that the EU has put forth concrete proposals for the places the delegation would like to see, including boarding schools, prisons and places of worship. We have requested a meaningful, non-touristic visit that will allow us to measure our long-standing human rights concerns against the reality in Tibet on the ground, Stano said. A small group of EU officials led by Paola Pampaloni, the EUs deputy managing director of Asia and Pacific Department, will make the visit to Tibet during the annual EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in Chongqing, China, that is scheduled to start on June 16. A man shaves the hair of a woman as dozens of activists from Tibet, Mongolia and China, demonstrate in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, March 31, 2014, during a visit by the President of China to the European Institutions. (Thierry Charlier/AFP) The Tibet visit was agreed in principle during a previous round of EU-China talks, the EU spokesperson told RFA. The details of the visit are being organized by Chinese authorities and remain unclear. Its very rare that an official visit such as this one is taking place, Vincent Metten, EU policy director for the International Campaign for Tibet, told RFA from Brussels. The last highest EU official visit to Tibet was more than 10 years ago when then-EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis took a trip there in September 2013. RELATED STORIES Returning Tibetans see a changing homeland UN human rights chief issues damning report on Chinese abuses in Xinjiang EU Parliament calls on China to abolish Tibetan boarding schools Access to Tibet remains difficult, if not impossible, for diplomats, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations, journalists and even tourists. A U.S. State Department report on access to Tibetan areas said Chinese security forces have used conspicuous surveillance to intimidate, monitor, harass and restrict the movements of U.S. diplomats, officials and tourists traveling to Tibetan areas. Tenzin Lekshay, a spokesman for the Central Tibetan Administration the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, India said it would be crucial for EU officials to have the ability to travel freely inside Tibet for the trip to yield meaningful results. It would be difficult to understand the realities of human rights conditions inside Tibet if their movement is restricted by the Chinese, Lekshay said. Talk is cheap News of the pending trip to Tibet comes after five human rights groups criticized the EUs continued participation in the broader human rights dialogue with China, noting little has changed in 38 previous rounds of talks. In a June 12 statement, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Front Line Defenders, International Service for Human Rights and the World Uyghur Congress said that the talks allow European officials to raise key issues with their Chinese counterparts. Head of the European Union's Delegation to the Human Rights Dialogue Paola Pampaloni briefs journalists at the EU Delegation compound in Beijing, China, Monday, July 9, 2018. (Ng Han Guan/AP) But the lack of measurable benchmarks or defined objectives make the discussions a largely pointless exercise, the letter states. While the EU raises concerns during these dialogues, it knows that the Chinese government will not acknowledge abuses, will not undertake any effort to secure accountability, and will not be persuaded to undertake any policy or legislative action to comply with Chinas international human rights obligations, the groups said. Sophie Richardson, a visiting scholar at Stanford Universitys Center on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law, said in an interview with RFA Uyghur that these types of talks can do more harm than good in that they tend to relieve the pressure on more senior political leaders to press the case for change with their Chinese counterparts. Beijings goal in these dialogues is to keep human rights out of all other conversations, said Richardson, who previously was China director for Human Rights Watch. This diplomatic tool not only stopped being useful about a decade ago, but actually started to be problematic because it prevents you from doing things that I think would be more effective, like pursuing investigations of the Chinese government officials who are complicit in crimes against humanity, she said. European Commissioner Janez Lenarcic attends a joint news conference at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, April 15, 2024. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters) She added that the Tibetan trips value wont be known until a clearer understanding of the restrictions the delegation will operate in is known. The EU has been critical of Chinese policies in Tibet and in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, where more than 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic Turkic Muslims have been detained in a crackdown that began in 2017. Tibetan boarding schools In December, Janez Lenarcic, EU crisis management commissioner, gave a speech criticizing Chinas restrictive policies in Tibet and in Chinese provinces where many Tibetans live. She noted political repression and widespread reports of Tibetan students being pressured to attend boarding schools with Mandarin-heavy curriculums, which critics say threatens Tibetan cultural and religious traditions. Chinese officials say that boarding schools are the best way to educate a population of students scattered in remote areas over a vast geographical region. The students arent forced to attend the schools, according to official statements. Dozens of activists from Tibet, Mongolia and China hold placards reading "Mr Xi Jinping start dialogue, leave Tibet" as they demonstrate in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on March 31, 2014, during a visit by the President of China to the European Institutions. (Thierry Charlier/AFP) But exiled Tibetans say Chinese authorities coerce attendance by promising to withhold governmental benefits or future educational opportunities. Previous international delegations that have visited areas where many of the abuse claims emanate have been limited. A 2022 United Nations report based on a trip to Xinjiang alleged serious human rights abuses had been perpetrated against ethnic Uyghurs and others there in the name of combating terrorism and extremism. China said the report was based on disinformation and lies fabricated by anti-China forces. Tenzin Dawa, director of the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala, India, said the visiting EU officials should try to find information on Tibetan political prisoners Go Sherab Gyatso and Lodoe Gyatso. Go Sherab Gyatso is a writer and educator known for his loyalty to the exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Lodoe Gyatso was rearrested and sentenced to 18 years for protesting against repression in Tibet shortly after he had been released from a 20-year sentence. Additional reporting by Tenzin Dhonyoe, Dickey Kundol and Dechen Wangmo. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi, and edited by Jim Snyder and Malcolm Foster. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, an influential Jewish social activist, educator and author of books on Jewish ethics, has spoken out on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border and Afghan refugees. Now the rabbi has taken up the cause of the cultural genocide of the nearly 12 million predominantly Muslim Uyghurs in Chinas far-western Xinjiang region, whose religion, language and customs are being wiped out by Beijing. Yanklowitz, 42, has written recent opinion pieces in religious journals about the mass detention of an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs in re-education camps where some faced torture, sexual assaults and forced female sterilization. He says the measure is the largest mass-internment of an ethnic-religious minority since the Holocaust. Yanklowitz says he was inspired in part by the late Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who fought against hate, persecution and injustice. RFA Uyghur reporter Kurban Niyaz asked Yanklowitz about his call for action. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. RFA: Why are you focusing on the Uyghur issue now, and why is it important? Shmuly Yanklowitz: First, I am inspired by my faith, my religion that says we cannot stand by when people innocent people are being oppressed. Second, I am inspired by the Holocaust memory and understanding with people in my family just how traumatic and how painful this reality is. Third, as a student of Professor Elie Wiesel, I feel much moved by his commitment to use his global influence to never be silent. Last, this is the most important issue right now, because the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] is growing in its power and influence. This is the worst genocide which somehow has the least awareness of it. So, I feel compelled to raise that awareness at a crucial time like this. There are people who have nowhere to go. They are not safe in their native country, and they are fleeing, and theyre not safe to where theyre fleeing also. These are some of the most vulnerable people on the planet people who are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border [and] people who are fleeing war or genocide. Thats where I see my biggest moral priority to get people showers and clothes and food and travel when possible, [no matter] whether the person is Muslim or Christian or atheist. I want to be there to support them. I dont always know someones background because of the language barrier. Whoever is there, we support. RFA: Why did the historical notion of never again fail when it comes to the genocide of Uyghurs in Xinjiang? Yanklowitz: Great question. I think that we see so much apathy on this Uyghur genocide issue where people are either ignorant about it, theyve never even heard of Uyghur people, or theyve heard about it but dont really care. Or theyre afraid of China, or they are too connected to all the things they buy, which we know are linked to forced labor, and for so many reasons. It seems were not getting movement and traction on this issue. And yet, people say never again. The other part is that people are used to talking about genocide where they see mass killings. And here, of course, not only can people not see it because of the crackdown and [lack of] transparency, but also because its not mass killings. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz shakes hands with US President Joe Biden in an undated photo. (RFA screenshot of Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz's website) Its a different type of genocide which attempts to wipe out the Uyghur culture and people, but in a very different form from [that of] the Holocaust. So, people are not understanding how serious this is, and people feel powerless to address something like this. But we must say never again. We must never stop saying never again and build a movement where we can really stop this. RFA: Several international companies assisted the Nazis in their persecution of the Jewish people, and a similar trend has appeared nowadays, for example, with companies who sell products made with Uyghur forced labor. Is this a sign of history repeating itself? Yanklowitz: There are real similarities and real differences. The similarities are that, there is just total cruelty, total dehumanization, total lack of moral responsibility, and an attempt to gain power. The Nazis wanted to take over the world. The CCP wants to be the global leader. And yet, the differences are also so real in todays realities and with all the new technology and the tools and the transnational repression. So, I do think that history does repeat itself, where we say we're never going to allow these things again, and then we see it once again. We have power. And in America, theres American government power. Theres American corporate power. And we can do something about this. If theres a desire, we can wake up the world. RFA: Whats your message for Uyghurs who have ended up in Chinese concentration camps and prisons? Yanklowitz: My first message is that you are not alone. We see you, and we hear your cries. My second message is that we will prevail. We don't know how long it will take, but we will prevail in bringing them their dignity and freedom. My third message is that we are ready to receive you. Whenever you get free, its not just about being free from there. Its about not losing the Uyghur culture in the diaspora, and that we want to support that Uyghurs in the diaspora because theres also assimilation of children of Uyghur families. It can be hard to maintain the culture without infrastructure and support. So, we want to help offer tools because the Jewish people lived in the diaspora for 2,000 years and survived. And we want to share wisdom together around how once the Uyghurs are free from that region, or hopefully, they will have total autonomy there, but if they have to leave to get freedom, then we want to share with someone how to survive culturally. RFA: How can Uyghurs in the diaspora preserve their identity, language and culture? Yanklowitz: One of the areas weve been talking about, one of the secrets in American Jewish life right now, is summer camp. The kids go to camp, and they live in their culture. We think that some kind of program, like for Uyghurs in the diaspora to be a part of a camp, like a Jewish camp where they have their own Uyghur groups, that they can support their culture and the Uyghur children can celebrate Uyghur culture, learn the music and the language and the songs and the dance and the food, and that they can be proud. That its not just to be sad about the current crisis, but also to be proud of the culture. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. June 13, 2024: Israel has ordered another 25 F-35 fighters, which will give Israel three F-35I squadrons. Israel makes some modifications on its F-35s so they can handle Israeli weapons and special equipment. These F-35s are called the F-35I. So far only 39 have been delivered, with the first two arriving late 2016. After some modifications the Israeli F-35s were declared operational in 2017. The F-35 is a 31-ton single engine, single-seat aircraft that entered service in different versions between 2015 and 2019. The aircraft has stealth characteristics and is equipped with all the most modern aircraft electronics, sensors and capabilities. F-35 has a max range of 2,800 kilometers for repositioning missions to a different country. Combat range for ground attack missions is 1,200 kilometers while carrying eight tons of missiles and bombs. Combat range for combat with other aircraft is 1,400 kilometers. The F-35 can carry 2,600 kg of weapons internally and 6,800 kg externally. Max speed is Mach 1.6 and max altitude is 15,000 meters. The F-35B version is STOVAL (short takeoff and landing) and carries a third less fuel because of the STOVAL modifications. There is an F-35C aircraft carrier version that is like the F-35A but equipped with a tail hook and more rugged landing gear. The F-35C wings have larger control surfaces, and the outer portions of the wing can be folded so the aircraft takes up less space on the hanger deck. The F-35 is equipped to handle all current weapons used by F-16s. F-35 pilots benefit from several features that make their job easier. The cockpit where the pilot sits features a bubble canopy providing excellent views of what is outside the aircraft. Cockpit controls have been reduced and made easier to see and use. This is done by using a 50 by 20 cm touch display that shows flight instruments, stores management, CNI information, and integrated caution and warnings. Pilots can customize the arrangement of the information. Below the main display is a smaller stand-by display. Pilots also have a helmet-mounted visor, a display that enables the pilot to look at an enemy aircraft and fire a missile at it. This point and shoot capability is an enormous advantage in air-to-air combat. The F-35 electronics also provide a better view of ground targets and the ability to quickly select the most suitable ground attack weapon carried and use it. The cockpit has a speech-recognition system but does not have a heads-up display. Instead, flight and combat information is displayed on the visor of the pilot's helmet using a helmet-mounted display system. The one-piece tinted canopy is hinged at the front and has an internal frame for structural strength. The Martin-Baker ejection seat is launched by a twin-catapult system housed on side rails. There is a right-hand side stick and throttle hands-on throttle-and-stick system. For life support, an OBOGS, or onboard oxygen-generation system is fitted and powered by the Integrated Power Package, with an auxiliary oxygen bottle and backup oxygen system for emergencies. The radars and electronic countermeasures provide the pilot with an integrated view of the surrounding air space. This degree of situational awareness gives the pilot an enormous advantage in combat because the F-35 pilot can see, either with his eyes or via his sensors, more about what is in the area and in much greater detail than any enemy pilot. About a thousand F-35s have been built so far and eventually, by 2044, at least 2,456 will be built. Production numbers will increase as more export customers order aircraft. So far F-35s have been exported to Britain, Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, and the Netherlands. Israel was the first export customer to receive F-35s because it was the only export customer that was regularly involved in combat, including air-strikes. Israel was also the only export customer allowed to modify and upgrade their F-35s. For this reason, the Israeli aircraft is known as the F-35I. The United States initially opposed Israeli requests to carry out modifications and upgrades, but the Israelis had a record of doing this with F-16s and F-15s obtained from the United States, so F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin agreed to cooperate by making some modifications to the F-35Is before Israel received them. These included changes in command, control, and communications systems, including computers, and the thorough integration of intelligence collection, electronic warfare, and weapons systems. Israel agreed to not change anything inside the aircraft but was free to add capabilities on top of the existing infrastructure. Israel Aerospace Industries, for example, was already working on such systems for the F-35I. The F-35I was designed to allow software updates to electronic warfare and weapons systems. F-35I power and cooling systems were modified to allow incorporation of Israeli developed weapons. Israel has developed its own air-to-air missiles and GPS guided bombs. Since 2021 there have been a lot more joint exercises involving Israeli and foreign F-35s. Details of these exercises have not been publicized but it apparently involves testing current and new F-35 capabilities and sharing that knowledge with other F-35 users. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, a lot of European nations sought to obtain F-35s while canceling plans to buy older models of American and European combat aircraft. F-35s are meant to eventually replace all F-16, F-15, and F-18 aircraft. Ukraines ability to defeat the larger Russian air force, using Ukraines own Russian-designed aircraft, made it clear that the Ukrainian tactics carried out with F-35s would provide an enormous edge over air forces equipped with older aircraft. Even China has not yet produced a stealth aircraft as capable as the F-35, and now NATO nations with F-35s realize they have a substantial edge and have shared that knowledge with other NATO countries. Israel demonstrated what the F-35 was capable of in 2019 when Israel had only 14 F-35I fighters and some had been operational for over a year. These F-35Is flew training missions near the Syrian border and then operational missions over Lebanon and Syria. This came after years of overcoming opposition from the United States to allowing Israel to modify the F-35A to use Israeli electronic warfare equipment and software, and also to handle Israeli-made missiles and smart bombs as well as a smart helmet, which was something Israel pioneered. This led to the Israeli aircraft being designated the F-35I, which have been in the air since 2018, often armed and within range of hostile radars and anti-aircraft missiles as well as the latest Russian electronic warfare equipment. Israeli engineers also confirmed fears that the F-35 is eminently hackable. Other foreign users who have received their first F-35s agree that the heart of the F-35's superior capabilities are its software and digital communications with other aircraft and troops on the ground. Users are pointing out all manner of potential network vulnerabilities, and all are actively seeking which of these vulnerabilities are actual and fixable rather than potential and unlikely. F-35 software was designed over a decade ago when much less was known about how combat aircraft software could be hacked and already some basic changes in F-35 software architecture are underway to deal with that. This brings up another major problem. The F-35 software is more complex and omnipresent throughout the aircraft than in any previous warplane. Its a major effort to carry out and test any changes. Some major upgrades are needed in how F-35 software changes are made and how quickly. In wartime this would be essential, as otherwise vulnerable aircraft would be grounded when needed most. Foreign users have also provided useful advice on penetration or red team testing and this has become another major effort that was not anticipated. The U.S. and other foreign users of the F-35 noted Israels F-35I experience, and the Israelis have increasingly been sharing it with allies. Israel got priority on deliveries because they are literally a combat zone. Initial reactions of Israeli F-35I pilots and air force commanders were positive. What the Israeli pilots and all others who have flown the F-35 agree on is that its software and degree of automation is spectacular, easy to use and very effective. The F-35 has a large number of sensors, as in receivers for electronic signals, as well as six cameras and a very capable radar. The fusion of all that data and presentation to the pilot based on the current situation is impressive and makes the F-35 much easier to fly than any other fighter, despite all the additional capabilities it has. Israel has become something of an unofficial member of NATO and is sharing a lot of its F-35I knowledge with NATO nations. Israel not only has to deal with Russian aircraft and electronic systems in Syria, but an even more dangerous threat from Iran. Israel has established diplomatic and defense relationships with Arab countries who are also threatened by Iran. That made it possible for Israel to establish diplomatic relations with some Arab Gulf States and that led to Americans' willingness to sell F-35s to the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue Pakistan and Iran are continuing to deport thousands of Afghan refugees and migrants each week, despite warnings from rights groups and aid organizations. The Taliban government said over 400,000 Afghans have been expelled from the two neighboring countries since the start of the year. Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, a Taliban official, said around 75 percent of the returnees were expelled from Pakistan. Over 1 million Afghans have been deported from Pakistan and Iran during the past year. Why It's Important: Rights groups and aid organizations have warned that the mass deportation drives will worsen the already devastating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the worlds largest. The Taliban government, which remains unrecognized and sanctioned by the international community, appears unable to absorb the returning refugees or address the humanitarian needs of Afghans. Aid agencies operating in Afghanistan have called for more international funding to address the needs of the returnees, who lack shelter, warm clothes, and food. Many of the returnees are homeless. "There is no work and food is expensive," Kamran, an Afghan who was recently deported from Pakistan, told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi. He said he is living in a tent because he cannot afford to rent a house. "After returning from Iran, I have been living in Kabul for about two to three months, said Fazaluddin, an Afghan who was recently expelled from Iran. Life is very difficult here. There were many problems in Iran, but at least I could get a bite to eat." What's Next: Pakistan and Iran, both of which are not signatories to UN conventions on refugees, appear likely to continue their deportation drives. In March, Pakistan announced efforts to expand and expedite its plans to deport Afghans from April 15. Iran, meanwhile, has repeatedly vowed to expel all undocumented Afghans from the country. What To Keep An Eye On Child labor is rising under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, where a humanitarian and economic crisis as well as the Taliban restrictions on female employment have led to more children working. Around 19 percent of children in Afghanistan are working, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on June 12. Among them is 11-year-old Ahmad, whose mother lost her job as a state employee after the Taliban takeover. "Im the only breadwinner after my father died," Ahmad, who works for up to eight hours each day after attending school, told Radio Azadi. "If parents have jobs, they will never push their children into child labor," said Najibullah Zadran Babrakzai, an Afghan child rights activist. Why It's Important: The Talibans severe restrictions on women, as well as mass unemployment and rising poverty, have forced children as well as the elderly to work to feed their families. The need to work is likely to deprive thousands of Afghan children from education as many families try to stave off starvation. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org Until next time, Abubakar Siddique If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. PRAGUE -- Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said the first shipments procured under a Czech initiative to increase supplies of badly needed ammunition in Ukraine are now arriving and will continue to flow. "This year we will be able to procure and continuously deliver quite a lot of ammunition -- Czech-supplied through different channels -- more than a million of shells to Ukraine so far," Lipavsky said on June 13 in an interview with RFE/RL. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. The Czech Republic has been working for months on a plan to procure artillery shells from countries outside the European Union and provide them to Ukraine, whose troops in recent months have suffered from a debilitating shortage. Under the initiative, Czech government officials and private companies have worked to source ammunition rounds from around the world. The leaders of five European NATO states said in a joint statement on May 28 that 15 EU and NATO states have pledged around 1.6 billion euros ($1.7 billion) to fund the project. Lipavsky said the total number of countries that have pledged to participate in the initiative is 20, including five countries that have already sent money only to finance purchases. The total number grew to 21 on June 14, Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said, when Luxembourg joined the inititative with a pledge to make financial contributions. She did not say how much Luxembourg would contribute. "We are now able to make deals and to bring ammunition from different countries and then send it to Ukraine so it canrightfully defend itself from Russian aggression," Lipavsky said in the interview. He declined to provide specifics, saying its up to the individual countries to announce that deals have been fulfilled. He said deals are currently being completed in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, and Canada -- the five countries that have agreed to finance the purchases. Asked about financial issues in some countries, Lipavsky said he hopes to move from pledges and sympathies to getting deals signed and financed. We know that the Ukraine needs a lot of large-caliber ammunition, and there's...a big opportunity, he said. So we hope that we will be [striking] more of the deals. The top Czech diplomat also spoke about the peace summit on Ukraine taking place this weekend in Switzerland, saying it is part of the bigger task of securing Ukraine and Europe as a whole. We have to strive for peace, he said. Czech President Petr Pavel will be joined at the summit by the head of the Czech National Nuclear Safety Authority "because nuclear and radiation safety is one of our priority [topics]," he said. Lipavsky acknowledged that some countries have said there can be no progress without Russia's participation, but he noted that the peace summit wouldn't be necessary if there had been no Russian aggression in the first place. At this point, he said he sees no will to stop the horrendous attacks on Ukraine, which are continuing daily and nightly. Every war ends with negotiations and with diplomacy. That's what we know for sure, he said. If Russia is ready to acknowledge that the aggression won't be successful, then probably they will be ready to come to the negotiation table. It also must change from seeking the total destruction of Ukrainian statehood and the removal of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and acknowledge that Ukraine is a sovereign state with international recognized borders, he added. The foreign minister also said that the European Union must show Russia that its efforts to increase hybrid threats -- those involving both cyberspace and disinformation campaigns -- wont be tolerated. He said foreign ministers from eight EU countries have sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell asking him to curb Russian diplomats' movements in the Schengen Area over their concern that the free movement of the diplomats facilitates "malign activities." The measure is needed because the movement of Russian diplomats and their family members lays the groundwork for threats in cyberspace and other "sabotages and subterfuges," he told RFE/RL. "These hybrid threats were increasing, and the European Union needs to show Russia that this wont be tolerated, he said. Armenian protesters led by a prominent archbishop again gathered in Yerevan on June 13, a day after police clashed with demonstrators and used stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Scores of injuries were reported, and one journalist told RFE/RL he had been brutally beaten by police. 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. The Czech Republic's top diplomat is calling on the European Union to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats and their families within the bloc. In an interview with RFE/RL in Prague, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said he had raised the matter in a letter drafted with several other EU foreign ministers to the EU's security chief Josep Borrell. He said the matter had gained new urgency following a spate of sabotage incidents in EU states, which he blamed on Russia. A court in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, has acquitted 27 activists who were facing 20 years in prison for protesting a border deal with Uzbekistan. The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence against the defendants, who were arrested in 2022 and charged with organizing mass unrest and plotting to seize power. Several rights groups have demanded their release and called the case "a shocking miscarriage of justice." Leaving the courthouse on June 14, activists welcomed the decision and thanked the press for focusing attention on the case. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered an immediate cease-fire with Ukraine, setting out conditions that Kyiv has already rejected just a day before a peace summit in Switzerland from which he was excluded. During a speech at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow on June 14, Putin laid out the terms of his proposal: the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from its territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, which Russia has claimed, and an end to Kyiv's NATO aspirations. We will do it [end Russia's offensive] immediately, Putin said. The terms Putin laid out, which have been mooted by Russian officials several times in the past, were once again rejected by Ukraine, while NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg slammed the conditions as a path to "more aggression, more occupation." "There is no novelty in this, no real peace proposal, and no desire to end the war," Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in a post on X. "But there is a desire not to pay for this war and to continue it in new formats. It's all a complete sham. Therefore -- once again -- get rid of illusions and stop taking seriously the 'proposals of Russia' that are offensive to common sense." Putin presented his conditions ahead of a June 15-16 Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, to which he was not invited. Leaders and representatives of more than 70 countries are scheduled to meet in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock to chart a way forward to end the war in Ukraine. Ukraine hopes to win broad international backing for its vision of the terms needed to end the war with Russia. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. A draft of a communique for the peace summit seen by RFE/RL says future peace negotiations should involve "representatives of all parties" in the conflict. The United States will be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris and national-security adviser Jake Sullivan, while French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also attend the summit. Russia has dismissed the significance of the summit, saying it makes no sense to hold discussions on ending the hostilities without Moscow. "This is not a proposal made in good faith," Stoltenberg said of Putin's offer following a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels on June 14. "This is a proposal that actually means that Russia should achieve their war aims by expecting that Ukrainians should give up significantly more land than Russia has been able to occupy so far." Putin also restated a demand for Ukraine's demilitarization and said an end to international sanctions must be included in a peace deal. He also repeated his call for Ukraine's "denazification," a nod to his often voiced but baseless slur against Kyiv's leadership. Russia has blamed Ukraine's preliminary steps to joining NATO as one of the main reasons it launched what it calls a "special military operation" against Ukraine in February 2022. NATO leaders will hold a summit in Washington next month, though Kyiv is not expected to receive a full invitation to join the alliance. The alliance stated in the final declaration of last year's summit in Vilnius that "Ukraines future is in NATO," though U.S. President Joe Biden has Ukraine will not join NATO while it is at war. June 13, 2024: The war in Ukraine has revealed many long forgotten aspects of World War II, especially the fatalistic attitudes of Russian infantry. They face death without much emotion, accepting it as a natural part of their lives. Those who do not accept this fate will often commit suicide. In contrast, Ukrainian troops, nearly all of them born after Ukraine left the Soviet Union in 1991, have abandoned these Russian traditions. So have a growing number of Russians and the only way to avoid military service is to leave the country. This is what over a million each Russian and Ukrainian military age males have done since Ukraine was invaded in early 2022. There are enough old school Russian soldiers to make large scale infantry attacks possible. Ukrainian soldiers are perplexed as Russian forces keep attacking strong Ukrainian defenses despite heavy losses. The Ukrainians watch as subsequent attacks involve Russians climbing over the dead bodies of Russians killed in earlier attacks. The Ukrainians consider this suicidal; the Russians consider it their traditional tactics that resulted in victory the last major war, which was World War II. Since World War II Russia has depended on conscription to keep the army up to strength, Even during peacetime life was dangerous for conscripts over a thousand dead each year from suicide. What this comes down to is life is considerably shorter for Russian men in peacetime and that gets worse in wartime. Currently the average lifespan of Russian males is 64, compared to 73 in the United States and a year or two longer in Western European countries. Heavy wartime losses are a Russian tradition. During World War II, Russia lost 27 million people. Over half the deaths were military, at least six million were civilians murdered or deliberately starved to death by the Germans, and the rest were civilians caught in the middle of the fighting. So many men were lost that for decades after the war Westerners visiting Russia noted that women were doing a lot of the jobs performed by men in the west. Russia had fewer working age men after the war than western nations. So many women could not find husbands that government officials encouraged these women to get pregnant any way they could, including sexual relationships with married men. Russia needed to replace the heavy wartime losses, but never managed to do so before, or after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. In Ukraine the heavy use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or drones has terrified soldiers on both sides. Russians are getting the worst of it because the Ukrainians are building and using a lot more and better drones. Ukraine developed USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) that damaged or destroyed nearly half the Russian Black Sea Fleet and drove the surviving warships to distant ports where the Russians could no longer threaten Ukrainian maritime traffic that exported Ukrainian foodstuffs and imported commercial and military goods. On land the Ukrainian use of drones was so intense that droves carrying video cameras often spotted Russian soldiers committing suicide rather than waiting Ukrainian drones to find and kill them. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground sometimes had opportunities to take cellphone photos of Russian soldiers committing suicide or finding bodies of Russian troops who had obviously killed themselves. Ukrainian drones are an obvious cause of Russian suicides but the war in general has seen a substantial number of Russian soldiers choosing suicide over continued combat with the Ukrainians. At a recent conference in Berlin, more than 3,000 people from politics, business, and other spheres gathered to discuss reconstruction in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hoped to secure billions in pledges toward rebuilding the country during -- and especially after -- the war with Russia. In February, a study commissioned by Kyiv and the World Bank, among others, found that postwar reconstruction in Ukraine would cost almost $500 billion. Most symbolic of the devastation wrought upon eastern Ukraine by the Russian invasion launched in February 2022 is probably the Azov Sea port of Mariupol. The industrial city, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000, suffered widespread destruction after months of fighting when Russian forces encircled it in the spring of 2022. Ukrainian officials from the city say reconstructing it will take 20 years and cost billions of dollars. Deputy Mayor Serhiy Orlov told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that city officials have a plan for postwar reconstruction divided into several stages, the first of which "covers 154 projects with a total cost of about 800 million euros. According to our calculation, there will be about 250,000 people in Mariupol within a year after the liberation, and this is a plan of how to revive housing, social, household infrastructure, transport, and private business." A later stage involves urban planning, Orlov says, but doing so without being in the city is difficult. "Taking into account the fact that half of Mariupol doesn't exist -- and will no longer exist as it did before -- it's necessary to have a new spatial vision of the city," he says. "It's hard to do it fully without being there, but we can create an architectural vision." Given the fact that Ukrainian forces have been unable to reclaim much territory since successful counteroffensives in the east and south in the fall of 2022, liberating Mariupol seems to be a distant prospect for now. But Orlov says the duration of the Russian occupation does not affect the vision of reconstruction. He points to the Azovstal steelworks, where the last troops held out against the Russian siege. The Azovstal plant "is 11 square kilometers, 1,100 hectares. It is now in ruins. The occupiers are not doing anything and will not do anything. From the point of view of practical projects, if we wanted to build a certain social facility, and the occupiers have already built a private one there, this affects the specific project, but not the vision of the city's development. It does not affect the transformation and this new urban vision," Orlov explains. Orlov says city officials are looking for inspiration to other cities that transitioned from economies based largely on heavy industry to more diversified and innovative industries. He points to the cities of Germany's Ruhr Valley, Eastern European cities such as the Czech Republic's Ostrava and Kosice, and especially the U.S. city of Pittsburgh. What The Russians Built Immediately after the capture of the city in May 2022, the Russian authorities announced plans to rebuild the city, primarily housing. Large numbers of migrant workers were brought in to man the construction sites. According to Orlov, the Russians built 50 high-rise apartment buildings in Mariupol -- just 5 percent of what had been destroyed. "When we talk about destruction, we know for sure that half of the city does not exist. Let's imagine: In Mariupol before the war there were 2,200 high-rise buildings; 55 percent of residents lived in the high-rise sector," Orlov says. "Fifty percent of them no longer exist, i.e. 1,100 buildings. Seven hundred buildings were demolished even with their foundations -- they were not just destroyed, but completely dismantled, because the occupiers are hiding these war crimes." A 17-year-old orphan recently returned to Ukraine after spending 13 months in Russia, where she was taken against her will by Russian forces that occupied the orphanage she was living in. The story of Lydia Vlasenko has a happy ending, but thousands more Ukrainian orphans remain in Russian captivity. The issue will be a key item on the agenda at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland on June 15-16. I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk. Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead. Washington and the West took a series of steps to shore up Ukraines defenses and weaken Russia's war effort. Meanwhile, a confident-sounding Putin spoke about peace talks -- but signaled a strong appetite for more war. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. Listen Carefully Russian President Vladimir Putin frequently says one thing first and then something else, sometimes the exact opposite, in the next breath. So, if you pay too much attention to part of a sentence, a statement, or a combative rant against the West, you risk taking away the wrong takeaway. This manner of speaking works both ways. Sometimes, Putin will hide a climbdown or concession in a thicket of pugnacious rhetoric. Other times, conciliatory words will be followed by language that is not so conciliatory at all. The latter is certainly the case in some of Putins statements about the prospects for talks to halt or end the war he is waging against Ukraine, including remarks he made last week at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum once a showcase of Putins Russia for a global audience but now a sign of its isolation from and confrontation with the West. Lofted a question about peace negotiations by the moderator, the loyal and hawkish analyst and commentator Sergei Karaganov, Putin started by denigrating Ukraine and the West with what he said was a quote from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin to the effect that one cant choose ones conversation partners. He went on to repeat a theme hes turned to several times lately, citing several articles of the Ukrainian Constitution in an effort to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and then suggested there were others in Ukraine with whom Russia could negotiate. We are ready for these negotiations, Putin said and proceeded to make amply clear that he is not ready, unless the talks are held on Russias terms and take a number of Russian demands, as well as Russias baseless claim that a large swath of eastern and southern Ukraine is now part of Russia, as a starting point. At a minimum, Putin said, any negotiations should take as their foundation agreements that Moscow claims were reached in Istanbul shortly after he launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 'Achieving War Aims Through Diplomacy' According to Daniel Szeligowski, senior research fellow on Ukraine at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, the reference to Istanbul meant Putin was saying he would negotiate provided we accept his demands from March-April 2022, which entail far-reaching disarmament of Ukraine, curtailment of its sovereignty, and acceptance of Russian influence on the internal politics of Ukraine. In other words, Putin says he is ready to get back to the discussion about Ukraine's surrender, as if it was still March-April 2022, when Ukraine had not finished repelling the Russian assault on Kyiv and had not yet regained substantial amounts of territory in the east and south in successful counteroffensives later the same year. Foreign policy analyst Vladimir Frolov suggested that if a deal on those terms were reached, Russia would be achieving war aims through diplomacy and that for Ukraine, it would mean demilitarization, loss of territory, and a change of government. In addition to his reference to Istanbul, Putin said that any talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine must proceed from the realities of today. At the very least, this means that Russia would seek to retain almost all of the territory in Ukraine that it now occupies, which is roughly one-fifth of the country: all of Crimea and parts of four mainland regions that it claims, formally but without grounds, as its own. But on June 14, Putin set out conditions more plainly than he has in the past, saying Russia would start peace talks only if Ukraine starts withdrawing troops from the four mainland regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson -- and renounces its ambition of joining NATO. These demands are unacceptable to Kyiv, which says Russia must withdraw its forces from Ukraine. However clear his statements and signals are to some listeners, Putin may have been hoping that many would focus only on the simplest of his remarks: We are ready for these negotiations. He keeps presenting himself as the party supposedly willing to end the war, while blaming Ukraine for prolonging it, Szeligowski wrote. Putin has cast it that way many times, both in the full-scale war and in the eight-year war in Ukraines Donbas the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that preceded the 2022 invasion. This time, his efforts appear aimed in part at undermining the peace summit that is taking place this weekend in Switzerland a bid by Kyiv to rally support from around the globe. Russia is not invited and has said it wouldnt attend if it were. 'Despicable And Appalling' The meeting on Lake Lucerne may not bring peace in Ukraine much closer, but it is likely to focus attention on issues such as the threat Russia poses to Ukrainian nuclear power plants and the fate of Ukrainians taken to Russia and held there, including children the source of an International Criminal Court warrant for Putins arrest on war crimes charges. After the Financial Times reported that it had identified four Ukrainian children taken to Russia who were subsequently listed as up for adoption, U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan, who is to attend the conference along with Vice President Kamala Harris, called the development despicable and appalling. The meeting in Switzerland comes at what could be a crucial juncture in the war. In St. Petersburg, Putin came across as confident: A major Ukrainian counteroffensive last year fizzled out far short of its goals, and Russian forces have advanced this year, taking advantage of the fact that a $61 billion U.S. package of primarily military aid was stalled in Congress for six months. But that money mostly for weapons was approved in April. Meanwhile, Russias advances in the Donbas have been slow and costly, and Moscows forces have made little progress in the northern part of the Kharkiv region after an initial push across the border last month. Earlier this month, the United States gave Kyiv the green light to strike targets inside Russia that are involved in attacks on the city and region of Kharkiv with U.S.-supplied weapons, a substantial policy shift that is limited in scope but could open the door for further changes to the restrictions on Ukraines use of American arms. Ahead of the summit in Switzerland, the United States dramatically broadened sanctions against Russia, as Reuters put it, with repercussions for companies and banks aiding Moscows military production and for trading in dollars and euros in Russia. Ahead of the summit in Switzerland, Zelenskiy and U.S. President Joe Biden signed a 10-year security pact on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy on June 13, and U.S. officials said the G7 nations have agreed to use interest on frozen Russian assets to back a $50 billion loan for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russias relentless attacks on Ukraine continued, taking a dreadful human toll, as they have for nearly 28 months since the full-scale invasion. One June 12, a Russian ballistic missile attack killed nine people in the city of Kryviy Rih, five of them children, Ukrainian authorities said. That's it from me this week. If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts). Yours, Steve Gutterman P.S.: Consider forwarding this newsletter to colleagues who might find this of interest. Send feedback and tips to newsletters@rferl.org. June 14, 2024: The U.S. Marine Corps used their new ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle) in an overseas training operation in the Philippines. This involved a live fire exercise in Oyster Bay using the marine ACV vehicles. The ACV automatic 40mm grenade launchers fired training rounds that contained yellow chalk. These rounds are often used to mark a target for other weapons. The current version of the ACV has a V shaped hull instead of the original flat bottom. The V shaped hull, plus high ground clearance, provides more protection for personnel on board when the vehicle encounters a roadside bomb, landmine, or any other nearby explosions, like artillery shells landing. So far, the marines have received 184 ACVs. Each of these armored 8x8 wheel amphibious vehicles weigh 35 tons with a 3.3 ton payload. There is a crew of three and room for 13 passengers plus over a ton of cargo. Road speed is 105 kilometers an hour and 12 kilometers in the water for a distance of up to 21 kilometers. In late 2020 the U.S. Marine Corps was able to begin receiving production versions of its new ACV 1.1 because the vehicle was declared to have achieved IOC (Initial Operational Capability). This ends more than two decades of effort and over three billion dollars spent to come up with a suitable replacement for the AAV7 amphibious armored vehicle. The AAV7 entered service in 1972 with an initial order for 942 and that was completed by 1974. Eventually over 3,000 were built with most being exported to eleven countries. When the search for a AAV7 replacement began in the late 1990s, the U.S. Marine Corps had over 1,100 in service and many of these had already been refurbished and upgraded in the 1980s and would need further refurbishment to keep them in service when the marines failed to develop a suitable replacement. In 2011 the $3 billion EFV (Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle) project was declared a failure. Proposals for a new AAV7 were requested and by 2015 there were five proposals for the new ACV. The marines spent $240 million so the two finalists could each build sixteen of their vehicles for competitive testing that began in 2016. Selection of the winning design, by European defense firm BAE, was made in 2018. BAE offered a variant of an existing vehicle; the SuperAV 6x6 already used by the Brazilian Army as the VBTP-MR Guarani. This was important because the marines, and their budget, could not afford another vehicle design that looked good on paper but impossible to make work in reality. The ACV version is an 8x8 vehicle weighing 31.5 tons and carrying 13 marines plus 3 crew. Among the modifications required were amphibious capability, the use of lighter modular composite armor including ceramics, and design features that make ACV equal, if not better at resisting mine and IED explosions than MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles using steel armor. ACV has an improved V shaped hull design with additional blast protection features for the floors as well as blast resistant seats attached to the troop compartments ceiling instead of the bottom of the vehicles hull. All these features had already been found, by trial and error in Iraq and Afghanistan, to greatly reduce casualties for vehicles attacked by landmines or roadside bombs. Such features had been successfully added to existing armored vehicles like the Stryker and this reassured the marines. The initial production contract was for 30 ACV 1.1 vehicles that were delivered by late 2019 for testing and an effort to achieve IOC and allow full production of the remaining 184 vehicles. Each ACV 1.1 costs about $5.9 million. Prolonged use of ACV 1.1 is expected to produce a number of proposals for modifications and upgrades that will result in ACV 1.2. When that happens all ACVs will be upgraded to the 1.2 standard to produce a more reliable and capable ACV. How far these upgrades go depends on how much the marines can afford to spend on the project. Some of the items on the 1.2 to-do list have priority because they have to do with survivability and reliability. For example, the ACV is cramped inside, more so than the AAV7 and it takes longer for passengers to get out in an emergency. This is crucial if the ACV sinks while swimming ashore or finds itself still aboard an amphibious ship and ready for deployment when the amphibious ship itself takes a hit and starts to sink. Thats an extreme situation but individual vehicles sinking does happen during peacetime training. Another urgent fix is the reliability of some of the electronic devices on the vehicle. Many of these are being fixed or replaced even as production is underway and then existing ACVs are upgraded. Eventually the marines want over 500 ACVs to replace over a thousand AAV7s. As good as the ACV sounds, this was not how it was supposed to be. Before 2014 marine doctrine mandated an improved amphibious vehicle to replace the AAV7s. In 2014 the marines revised their view of the future. Gone were the prospects of large amphibious operations, requiring hundreds or thousands of landing craft, that occurred frequently during World War II. The last operation of this type occurred in 1950, at Inchon, Korea. In 2014 the marines decided that the future was more likely to include the need to conduct raids, from ships up to 200 kilometers offshore. No amphibious armored vehicles could handle that, so landing tactics have to be changed. This resulted in major revisions to the specs for the new marine ACV amphibious armored vehicle. The 2015 reality turned out to be different, and better. Given the prototypes offered and growing budget reductions it looked like the ACV 1.1 finalist would have the capability of moving from 20 kilometers offshore under its own power. To accomplish this the marines had to accept a vehicle that carried fewer marines and was somewhat less capable in the water. The AAV7 has 30 percent reserve buoyancy enabling it to cross 36 kilometers of water in sea state 5 at speeds of up to 12 kilometers an hour. The ACV 1.1 has 21 percent reserve buoyancy enabling it to cross 36 kilometers of water in sea state 3 at speeds of up to 11 kilometers an hour. On the plus side the ACV has wheels, not a track laying system, and can do 105 kilometers an hour on roads versus 72 for the AAV7. In addition, wheeled armored vehicles require far less maintenance that tracked ones (which need their tracks replaced far more frequently than wheels wear out.) Meanwhile the marines refurbished the existing 1970s era AAV7 amphibious armored vehicles to prolong service life until ACV can replace them. In addition to better protection, the elderly AAV7s will be refurbished so they can remain in use until the mid-2020s. At that point there should be enough ACVs to replace them. The marines never expected the AAV7s to last this long but several attempts to develop a replacement came up short and that meant it was essential to extend the life of their thousand AAV7 amphibious armored vehicles. Many of these had entered service in the 1970s and 80s and were falling apart. Moreover, some two thirds of the AAV7s saw service in Iraq, where they got as much use in two months as they normally did in two years of peacetime operations. In 2018 400 AAV7s began a refurbishment program that took several years. The refurbished AAV7s could be used into the 2030s, or whenever the ACV are available in large enough numbers to replace them. With the recent ACV IOC and full production of ACV 1.1 it looks like the AAV7s will be needed until about 2025. Thats over fifty years for an amphibious vehicle that did a lot more than it was expected to. The 29-ton AAV7s have crews of four (driver, commander, gunner and rear crewman) and carry 25 combat-ready marines as passengers. The vehicle is armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7mm machine-gun. When new their top land speed was 72 kilometers an hour on roads, 32 off road and 13 in water. Back in 2011 the marines gave up on high-speed (sea skimming) amphibious assault vehicles and turned to a new ACV design to replace the AAV7s. DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) was called in to help design the new vehicle. This may sound either very innovative or very desperate, and in reality, it was both. The marines had spent three billion dollars in an unsuccessful attempt to design and develop the EFV, a high-speed amphibious vehicle, and its failure made it clear that some original thinking was required. In the end the ACV was the EFV without most of the expensive stuff that didn't work. In effect, the ACV was a 21st century version of the AAV7, optimized to pass all its development tests and go into service as quickly as possible. DARPA quickly did its job but the resulting ACV was still more expensive ($12 million) than the shrinking marine budget could handle. The ACV design was tweaked until an affordable price was achieved. In retrospect, the marines could have just built the EFV without the high-speed capability but that was eventually considered technically and politically impractical. The problem remains that the technology simply does not yet exist yet to make the high-speed capability workable. The budget situation was grim, leaving the usually unstoppable Marine Corps running into an immovable object and improvising as best they could. For example, the marines asked the navy to develop a high-speed amphibious craft (or connector) to get ACVs to shore quickly but the navy budget is also shrinking and proved unable to handle the cost of developing and building the connector. Some marine analysts point out that the need for moving amphibious vehicles 200 kilometers from ship to shore is probably unrealistic for any likely future marine operations. For that sort of thing the marines have nearly 300 tilt-wing V-22 aircraft. These entered service in 2007 and proved very useful for getting marines somewhere faster than any other option. Kuwait Building Fire Mortal Remains of 42 Indian Workers Reach India The mortal remains of Indians killed in the 2024 Mangaf fire were flown to Kerala on a special Indian Air Force plane. Kuwait Building Fire: A tragic fire broke out on Wednesday at 4:30 am in Al-Mangaf building, a seven-storey residence for workers, in Al-Ahmadi governate, Southern Kuwait, claiming lives of 49 workers, including 42 Indians. Most of the workers died from smoke inhalation while sleeping. Approximately 49 people including 42 Indians were killed by the fire. It was being said that 24 people of those who died in the accident were form Kerala. Local authorities have taken the building's owner into custody to investigate potential negligence linked to the 2024 Mangaf fire. Advertisement The mortal remains of Indians killed in the 2024 Mangaf fire were flown to Kerala on a special Indian Air Force plane on Friday. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed the development on X. Minister had been onboard the aircraft. The special plane landed in Kochi in the state. Heavy security was there at Cochin Airport where the plane was landed. Teams of police and ambulances were dispatched to Cochin International Airport, where the aircrafts were landed. The Kuwait Fire Force announced that the fatal fire was attributed to an electrical short circuit. According to their statement, this determination followed an onsite investigation of the location and the building where the fire originated. Kuwaiti authorities also performed DNA tests on the deceased from the tragic fire incident in Mangaf, southern Kuwait. June 13, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of the main local and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 13.06.2024, 20:24 DAY The Ministry of National Defence on Thursday staged a series of military and religious ceremonies dedicated to the Heroes Day at army bases and military installations across Romania. The name of the heroes who fell in various battles and missions were symbolically mentioned, while funeral bell tolling was heard in churches all over the country. We are expressing our gratitude for the heroes who survived the horrors of World War Two, for those who opposed the communist dictatorship and fought for liberty during the anti-communist revolution of December 1989, contributing decisively in the process of ousting the totalitarian regime in Romania, the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said in a message. He has also voiced appreciation for those who are presently involved with the countrys defence systems. As a token of gratitude for the countrys fallen heroes in WWI, the Romanian authorities ruled in 1920 that the Heroes Day is a national holiday celebrated on the Ascension of Jesus Christ, a tradition which was resumed after 1990. The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ is the moment of his bodily ascension into heaven forty days after the resurrection. LOAN G7 Leaders, who convened in Italy, reached a political agreement on Thursday to use frozen Russian assets in an attempt to help provide Ukraine with a 50 billion dollars loan over the next year in its ongoing war with Russia, a US presidency official has been quoted by AFP as saying. Profits from the 300 billion dollars in frozen Russian assets largely held in countries like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA will be used to back the loan. Most of the money would be in the form of a loan mostly guaranteed by the US, the same official added. The western states would rather seize the frozen Russian assets and use them in the reconstruction of Ukraine and for the purchase of weapons but such a measure, which was also asked by Kyiv, is, at least for the time being, difficult, as there are numerous obstacles, of legal, geopolitical and financial nature such as the risk of throwing the international financial markets into turmoil and weakening the Western currencies. Also on Thursday Brussels saw the meeting of the US-led Contact Group for Ukraine where Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Ukrainian troops are holding strong on the frontline while the allies are continuing their efforts to provide weapons, mainly air defence systems, such as the Patriot interceptors. He also said the Ukrainian forces are fending off Russias new offensive in the Kharkiv region. BILLS The Romanian Government on Thursday endorsed an emergency decree on creating a special environment budget designed to fund projects aimed at developing integrated waste management infrastructure. The beneficiaries of the aforementioned projects are inter-community development agencies at the level of counties or other structures. The move is aimed at backing the implementation of the projects promoted by the local authorities by providing investment funding aimed at completing the systems of integrated waste management. Also on Thursday, the government endorsed a series of new regulations on the prevention of cyber-attacks against medical units and the creation of a unique registry that should comprise all medical units. (bill) June 13, 2024 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 13.06.2024, 13:55 ELECTIONS The process of centralizing votes and validating Sundays European Parliament and local ballots is expected to end today, the Permanent Election Authority says. After counting votes from over 97% of polling stations, PSD and PNL have jointly won over 70% of mayor seats. PSD ranks first in terms of the number of county councils won, followed by PNL, AUR and UDMR. The PSD-PNL alliance has also won the largest number of MEP seats having grabbed 48.57% of the vote, followed by AUR, the United Right Alliance and the SOS Romania party. The Central Election Bureau has dismissed a few hundred requests calling for a recount or the invalidation of the round of elections. The acting USR mayors of Bucharest Districts 1 and 2 have invoked election fraud and other irregularities, which their opponents from PNL and PSD respectively, whove won the election to the formers detriment, have denied. CELEBRATIONS Romanias Defense Ministry is today marking the National Day of Romanian Heroes by hosting military and religious ceremonies in garrisons across the country, hero monuments and cemeteries. The ceremonies commemorated the heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty fighting in wars, missions or theatres of operation. Bells were rung today at noon in churches across the country. We express our gratitude to the heroes who survived the horrors of World War II, those who opposed communist dictatorship and fought for freedom in the 1989 anti-communist revolution, playing a key role in toppling the totalitarian regime in Romania, president Klaus Iohannis said in a message. The head of state also expressed recognition for everyone who is today part of Romanias defense system. Paying homage to the heroes of the Great War, Romanian authorities declared the National Day of Romanian Heroes on the feast day of the Ascension of Christ in 1920. After 1990, this interwar tradition was resumed. Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians are today celebrating the Ascension of Christ, marking the ascension of Jesus to Heaven from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem 40 days following his Resurrection. DEFENSE The EU Defense Ministers summit kicks off today in Brussels, the last such meeting ahead of the NATO summit in Washington. NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said the meeting will address allied measures and initiatives designed to support Ukraine, as well as Russias sabotage and disinformation activities in EU states. NATO wants to agree on the final details of the multiannual assistance plan for Ukraine, as well as on a second plan meant to boost the predictability and sustainability of arms industries in the long term. EU Defense Ministers will also hold talks as part of the Nuclear Planning Group. Russia has a dangerous rhetoric in this regard, has transferred nuclear capabilities from Belarus and has undertaken a number of exercises, Secretary Stoltenberg said. Regarding Russas hybrid actions, Jens Stoltenberg said we are witnessing an increasing number of coordinated actions. Some attacks were prevented by Member States by exchanging information, while arrests have been made in countries such as England, Germany, Poland or the Baltic States. GOVERNMENT The Romanian Government is today expected to pass an emergency decree on creating a special environment budget designed to fund projects aimed at developing integrated waste management infrastructure. The government will also vote the administrative accord between the relevant Romanian and US authorities, signed in March 2023 in Bucharest, designed to implement the Social Security Agreement between Romania and the USA. Todays agenda also includes a vote on Romanias voluntary payment to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for 2024 and negotiations concerning a loan agreement on development policies for fiscal management and green economic growth between Romania and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. G7 G7 leaders are today convening in Italy to discuss ways of increasing economic pressure on Russia in response to its aggression in Ukraine. US president Joe Biden is expected to sign a new security agreement with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to support Kyiv in the long term, the BBC reports. On Wednesday, the USA extended existing economic sanctions in order to further hamper Russias war effort. A new plan is in the making, meant to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, although some EU states have expressed concern regarding the possible risks entailed by this plan. (VP) June 14, 2024: The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and continued fighting there made NATO countries aware of their lack of readiness for a war with Russia. This became an issue when Russian leader Vladimir Putin revealed that Ukraine was only the first of many neighboring countries Russia wanted to invade and absorb in order to rebuild the Russian empire. When the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, 14 new countries were created, or restored as many of the new countries put it. Putin openly describes the destruction of the Soviet Union as a major error that must be rectified. The former members of the Soviet Union disagree and dont want to rejoin any empire. NATO is another matter. It was founded in 1949 as a voluntary association of nations resisting Russian attempts to rebuild their empire. Russia has always considered NATO a hostile force because it was an obstacle to Russia expanding into countries which had never been part of its empire. Russia considered this a hostile act and has always considered NATO an anti-Russian organization. Russia points to Ukrainian plans to join NATO as a reason for the Russian invasion. NATO is now 75 years old and for Russia thats 75 years of frustration and disappointment. Russia wants NATO gone but none of its neighbors, with the possible exception of China, agree that the destruction of NATO is a high priority. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Finland and Sweden joined NATO to help defend themselves from Russian aggression. Bosnia, Georgia, and Ukraine want to join NATO and Russia opposes that because Russia considers these three countries as traditional subordinate partners with Russia. Bosnia, Georgia, and Ukraine want nothing to do with Russia and see the war in Ukraine as an example of Russian hostility to NATO and neighbors that do not want to become part of a Russian empire. NATO membership is voluntary while belonging to the Russian empire is not. To further enrage Russia, NATO countries that border Russia are holding military exercises with other NATO members on or near the Russian border. Russia considers this a hostile act while the NATO members involved consider it a success because Russia did make ominous threats to prevent the NATO exercise. Russian threats had one interesting impact. Not all NATO members agree that Ukraine should eventually be allowed to join NATO. The more recent, post-Soviet Union, members are backing Ukraine in its bid for membership. The older Cold War era members consider not angering Russia as more important than allowing nations that Russia is threatening, or invading, to join NATO. After all, NATO is a mutual defense organization against Russian aggression. The invasions of Ukraine are the first and third times Russia has actually attacked a neighbor (Georgia was the second) and Ukrainian plans to join NATO were a major reason for the invasion. Ukrainian neighbors like NATO members Poland and the Baltic States insist that the war in Ukraine is what NATO is all about. While NATO nations have supplied Ukraine with over $100 billion in economic and military aid, NATO has not yet sent troops. That is about to change as some NATO members have agreed to send their military personnel to Ukraine to help train Ukrainians to use the weapons NATO is providing and improve the capabilities of Ukrainian troops. Russia fears this will escalate and eventually involve thousands of troops from NATO member nations fighting alongside the Ukrainians. Russia ignores the fact that this would not be happening if Russia had not invaded Ukraine. Many Russians now see the invasion as a major error that has and is costing Russia more than they expected or can afford. Russia sees the growing willingness of NATO members to send their own troops to Ukraine as more NATO aggression. Russia threatened NATO members with nuclear retaliation, but NATO members France, Britain and the United States all have nuclear weapons that can be used against Russia by using nuclear weapons. This standoff nullifies the Russian nuclear threat and Russia has not got the military or economic resources to handle a war with NATO. Russia has no allies, with the possible exception of China. The Chinese consider themselves trading partners with Russia, not military allies. Russian threats against NATO have forced NATO to become more united and ready for war. This was something that largely disappeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. That led many nations to believe Russia was no longer a threat and that NATO members could reduce their military spending and demobilize many of their troops. The Russian invasion of Ukraine changed all that and now Russia has more heavily armed NATO forces to deal with and many of them are deliberately operating on their border defenses against Russia. New Warnings on the Climate Situation In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs. We are the meteorite New Warnings on the Climate Situation Corina Cristea, 14.06.2024, 13:27 Humans, guilty for climate warming, represent the same danger for our planet as the meteorite that exterminated the dinosaurs. The assessment was made by the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, in a speech delivered in New York on the occasion of World Environment Day. In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs. We are the meteorite. We are not only in danger, we are the danger itself, Guterres insisted, criticizing in particular the fossil fuel sector (coal, oil, gas), the godfathers of climatic chaos. Reiterating his call for taxing the sectors profits to fund the fight against climate warming, he even advanced the idea of banning advertising for fossil fuel companies. It is a critical moment for the climate, Antonio Guterres emphasized, urging humanity to head for the exit ramp of the highway that leads to hell, in the context in which the signatory countries of the Paris Agreement must set their targets by the beginning of 2025 new objectives regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We are playing Russian roulette with the planet. And we need an exit ramp off this highway to climate hell. And the truth is we have control of the wheel. 1.5 degree limit is still just about possible. We are in a moment of truth, the battle for a living planet will be won or lost this decade, according to Guterres, who called on world leaders to take immediate action, including huge cuts in global warming pollution and an immediate end to any new coal projects. He also urged rich countries to commit to ditching coal by 2030, cut oil and gas by 60 percent by 2035, and increase the flow of finance to the poorest and most climate-vulnerable nations. He added: We cannot accept a future where the rich are protected in air-conditioned bubbles while the rest of humanity is buffeted by lethal weather in unlivable territories,. His views are backed up by statistical data more than 60,000 people died from heat last year in Europe, and researchers warn that, if no action is taken, the number of deaths could reach 100,000 by 2040. In an interview for Euronews, Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus the EUs climate monitoring service also warned of the extreme situation: Heat related mortality in Europe has gone up by 30% over the last 20 years, and this is related to the rise in temperatures, it is related to the heat waves. We should expect the temperatures to be going up, we should expect the temperatures in the next five years to be higher than in the last five years, and this will continue. According to Copernicus announcement in June, accelerated global warming has set a record 12 consecutive months of record monthly average temperatures worldwide. The year-long heatwave is shocking but not surprising given human-caused climate change, said Carlo Buontempo, who warned that worse was yet to come, unless fossil fuel pollution is reduced. The Copernicus data showed that every month since July 2023 has been at least 1.5 degrees warmer than pre-industrial temperatures, when humans began burning large amounts of fossil fuels. Considered the main cause of climate change, carbon dioxide emissions from burning these fuels hit a record high last year, despite global agreements to limit their release and a rapid expansion of renewable energy. The planet is warming, and the heat is leading to more precipitation and the melting of sea ice, which produces extreme weather conditions, which can cause problems in agriculture, mass migration, and harmful consequences for health, experts in the field explain, drawing attention that the latest climate data shows the world is far from its goal of limiting warming to 1.5C the key target of the 2015 global Paris Agreement. The Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate, and temperatures have reached extraordinary values, warn scientists, who have carried out a new study of heat waves recorded in 2023, and say that extreme weather phenomena will become more frequent, and entire species of animals and plants are in great danger. Lethal heat waves, floods, hurricanes and other extreme conditions have already worsened with climate change, but although exceeding the average by 1.5 degrees every month for about a year indicates a worrying trend, experts say it will take several years of high temperatures for the world to officially surpass this benchmark. Furthermore, there is still the possibility of stopping these temperature increases The climate threshold of 1.5C is not like a light switch that turns on all kinds of climate calamities. But for every little bit of additional warming, the risk of negative impacts gets worse. This is according to the website of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. June 14, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 14.06.2024, 19:48 PATRIOT. As of Friday, the Romanian Air Force has two operational Patriot anti-missile systems, after the first one entered the combat service in 2022. The Ministry of National Defense reported that two other systems are in various stages of operationalization. Romania bought seven high-range Patriot PAC-3 surface-to-air anti-missile systems, the most modern models also in service with the United States Army, for which it paid 4 billion dollars. Four of the seven systems are already in the country. The Ministry of Defense has recently announced that the first Turkish-made Bayraktar drone system has been added to the equipment of the Romanian Land Forces. Romanian pilots will be able to start performing training flights at the beginning of next month at the latest. DEFENSE. The Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tilvar, participated, on Thursday in Brussels in a new meeting of the Contact Group for Ukraine in the field of defense, held on the sidelines of the NATO defense ministers meeting. The talks focused on coordinating the efforts of the member states and identifying solutions to current needs, taking into account developments on the ground. Romanias contribution and the sustained effort within the Capacity Coalitions were highlighted. Minister Tilvar had a bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, on which occasion he reaffirmed Romanias commitment to further support Ukraine. He presented the developments related to Romanias effort to host and operationalize the F-16 pilot training center in Fetesti (south-east), intended for both Romanian and Ukrainian pilots. At the same time, the Romanian official said that Bucharest will continue to contribute to the training of the Ukrainian military in various formats. Minister Umerov thanked the Government of Romania for the multidimensional support that Ukraine has received since the first days of the Russian aggression. G7. The agreement reached on Thursday, at the G7 summit, regarding the use of Russian assets to help Kyiv, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin that we are not backing down, US President Joe Biden said, France Presse reports. The leaders of the G7 states, gathered in Italy, reached a political agreement on the use of the amounts resulted from the frozen Russian assets as guarantees for unlocking a 50-billion dollar loan destined for Ukraine. UNEMPLOYMENT. The unemployment rate in Romania fell to 5.3% in the first quarter of the year, the National Institute of Statistics reports. In the mentioned period, the employment rate of the working-age population was 64.2%, increasing by 1.2 percentage points compared to the last quarter of last year. The degree of employment was higher for men and for people from the urban environment. The youth employment rate was only 19.9%. Economic analyst Aurelian Dochia has stated that the current context is favorable to the labor force and will keep unemployment at relatively low rates. SALARY. The average net salary in Romania was 5,217 lei (1,048 euros) in April, up by 32 lei (6.4 euros) compared to March, informs the Institute of Statistics in Bucharest. The highest values of the average net salary were recorded in information technology service activities, including computer service activities 11,971 lei (2,405 euros), and the lowest in the manufacture of clothing 2,787 lei (almost 560 euro). Compared to April of the previous year, the average net salary increased by 14%, states the NIS. TIFF. Until June 24th, the city of Cluj Napoca is hosting the 23rd Transylvania International Film Festival. An important guest at TIFF is director Daniele Luchetti. He will meet with moviegoers, on Saturday, at the screening of the film Confidenza, and will receive the special award for his contribution to world cinema. The jury of the festival includes big names in the field, such as the actress Sibel Kekilli, famous for her role in the series Game of Thrones or the director Konstantinos Kontovrakis, multiple laureate at Cannes. Until June 24, hundreds of screenings, concerts, exhibitions, discussions and special events are scheduled, where more than a thousand guests, actors, directors, producers and other industry professionals are expected. According to estimates, more than a hundred thousand spectators are expected at this years edition. (MI) The United States and Ukraine have signed a 10-year Bilateral Security Agreement to strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian forces in the ongoing war, and deterrence capabilities for the long term. The deal that U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky signed on the margins of the G7 Summit in Italy commits to strengthening security and economic cooperation, furthering Ukraine's institutional capacity building and reform progress, seeking accountability for Russia's actions, and establishing the conditions for a just and lasting peace. The United States intends to provide assistance, advice, and training to build Ukraine's defense and security capabilities, advance the reforms necessary to light Ukraine's path toward EU accession and NATO membership, and bolster Ukraine's defense industrial base through co-production and joint ventures with U.S. industry. Biden made it clear that The United States is going to help Ukraine not by sending American troops to fight for that country, "but by providing weapons and ammunition; expanding intelligence-sharing; continuing to train brave Ukrainian troops at bases in Europe and the United States; enhancing interoperability between our militaries in line with NATO standards; investing in Ukraine's defense industrial base so in time they can supply their own weapons and munitions; and working with Ukraine's partners to build a future force that is strong, sustainable, and resilient." Biden said the deal aims at supporting Ukraine's economic recovery as well as its energy recovery after Russia repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy grid with massive attacks. The agreement reportedly has provisions to supply Patriot systems and fighter squadrons, including F-16s, to Ukraine. Addressing a joint news conference with Biden in Puglia, southern Italy, Ukrainian President Zelensky said, "Today is a truly historic day. And we have signed the strongest agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. since our independence". With this, the United States joins 15 partner countries that have already concluded bilateral agreements and arrangements with Ukraine under the Joint Declaration framework. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington is working with all 32 Joint Declaration signatories to establish a broad, mutually reinforcing, and powerful network of nations to safeguard Ukraine's future. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a legal challenge to restrict access to the pill mifepristone, widely used for termination of early pregnancies. For more than two decades, millions of Americans have relied upon the Food and Drug Administration's expert judgment that mifepristone is a safe and effective abortion pill. It is estimated that more than half of those who choose to terminate their pregnancies rely on mifepristone to do so. The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a group of anti-abortion doctors and activists, argued that approval of mifepristone by the FDA should be withdrawn. In a unanimous decision, the court said the plaintiffs did not have a legal right to sue. As a result, mifepristone remains available for women across the country on the terms approved by FDA. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department will continue to work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedoms under federal law. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News China's bank lending increased less than expected in May as credit demand remained weak amid property market crisis, official data revealed on Friday. New yuan loans increased to CNY 950 billion in May from CNY 730 billion in April. This was well below the expected level of CNY 2.25 trillion. During January to May, yuan-denominated loans rose by CNY 11.14 trillion, the People's Bank of China said. At the end of May, the M2, a broad measure of money supply posted an annual growth of 7.0 percent. At the same time, the narrow measure M1 dropped 4.2 percent. Economists at Capital Economics said government bond issuance should continue to be strong in the near-term. Although the PBoC is unlikely to cut policy rates next week, the bank will probably keep monetary conditions loose. Taken together, economists said these factors should drive a moderate pick-up in credit growth in the near term. "But unless the property sector turns around, the pick-up won't last for more than a few months," they said. Early signs are that the property rescue package is not having much impact, they observed. Don't get caught off guard. Track key Economic Events with RTTNews Economic Trading Calendar. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News When launched, it will rival the sub 4m SUVs like Nexon, Brezza, Venue, Sonet, XUV3XO, Fronx, Taisor and its Renault counterpart, Kiger Tata Punch EV and Nexon EV scored a stellar full fat 5 stars in Bharat NCAP tests just yesterday. The videos of these crash tests showed the process in detail. However, one of these videos from Bharat NCAP also teased Nissan Magnite facelift ahead of launch. Lets take a look at what we have here. Nissan Magnite Facelift What is it doing at Bharat NCAP testing site? There have been multiple instances of Nissan Magnite test mule sightings in India. In all these instances, Nissan Magnite facelift was camouflaged to conceal design changes. However, in the recent Bharat NCAP videos, a Nissan Magnite facelift engineering sample can be seen in the background. Even though there was a cover on this vehicle, we can see a part of its face as this cover was partially undone. Thus revealing a part of Magnites fascia that is not camouflaged. When compared to current Magnite, design differences are quite subtle. This means Nissan India is not fiddling too much with the winning formula that they have at their hands. Changes visible in these images include a unique front bumper that has been redesigned to bring it in line with current buyer trends. We can see a bull bar like effect in the front bumper which is highlighted in silver. This particular vehicle seems to be a mid-spec variant that has arrived at Bharat NCAP testing facility for a crash test. Headlights and DRLs appear to be identical to current model. So, only plastic bits seem to have been redesigned. Fog lamps location could be changed too, or fog lights might be completely omitted as well. Like a lot of OEMs are doing recently. Alloy wheels are new and we can expect new colours. Same 4 Stars continue with the facelift? Global NCAP has awarded an impressive 4 Stars to Magnite and its Renault counterpart, Kiger. This is one of the strongest flex points for both vehicles. A similar result is expected with upcoming Bharat NCAP tests too. Where features are concerned, Nissan Magnite is decently kitted out for the price. Features like auto headlights, auto wipers, probably a sunroof, 6 airbags and other attributes could prove beneficial. Top-spec variants of current Magnite boast auto climate control, up to 9-inch infotainment screen, 7-inch TFT instrument screen, cruise control, wireless connectivity, wireless charger, front and rear armrest, bi-Xenon projector headlights, LED fog lights, LED turn indicators, passive entry, push-button start and more. The same 1.0L 3-cylinder engine will continue in either non-turbo and turbocharged guises. Up to 100 bhp and 152 Nm, mated to either a 5-speed MT or CVT are expected from this update. Launch is likely around festive season and crash test results might go live around the same time. Instead of rapidly expanding its EV portfolio, Yamaha is focused on developing a good and solid electric scooter for India While Yamaha is yet to launch an electric two-wheeler in India, the company said it is working on something truly unique. Eishin Chihana, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, talked about various possibilities for the Indian market. Focus is also on positioning India as a major manufacturing hub to support Yamahas global business. One or two electric models by 2030 Yamaha is not so keen to join the electric two-wheeler race. However, Yamaha teams in Japan and India are working to develop a unique offering for the Indian market. Yamahas first electric two-wheeler for India will have the brands primary USPs such as style, performance and speed. To fulfil its EV goals, Yamaha recently invested in an EV startup named River. The startup develops and sells electric scooters. With Yamahas investment, the startup has launched a new entity, River Mobility, in Bengaluru. It will play a key role in Yamahas electric journey in India. Chihana said that River has shown excellence in engineering. It will help in creating something really good for the Indian market. Yamaha fans prefer petrol Another reason why Yamaha is not in a rush to join the EV race is the fact that the majority of its customers prefer petrol motorcycles. Yamaha bikes are primarily targeted at Gen Z that belongs in the 18-25 age group. Chihana said that youngsters are driven by emotion. This aspect will have to be considered for Yamahas upcoming electric scooter. Going forward, Yamaha will continue to focus on its ICE portfolio. As per the companys estimates, ICE two-wheeler sales will be around 70-80% of the overall two-wheeler sales by 2030. Yamahas primary customer base will be looking to upgrade to higher capacity ICE motorcycles that can handle long-distance journeys. In comparison, use of electric scooters will be primarily limited to short urban commutes. Increasing production volumes in India Yamaha is looking to develop India as a major manufacturing hub. In addition to increasing exports from India, Yamaha has plans to position India as the second pillar (after Indonesia) in the companys global business. As of 2023, Yamaha India is number fourth in terms of profitability. Yamahas primary contributors are the US, Europe and Indonesia. By the end of this decade, Yamaha India ranking is expected to rise in terms of sales volumes and profitability. As part of its upcoming three-year midterm plan (2025-27), Yamaha will step up focus on the electric segment. Also, a larger role will be defined for countries like India. As per the current plan, Yamaha has been focusing on increasing sales of premium bikes to the burgeoning middle class in countries like India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Expansion of the Blue Square retail outlets in India is another priority. Relaunching RX100 a big challenge While RX100 has a significant fan following, it will be tough to bring it back in its original 2-stroke, 100cc format. In todays age of 4-stroke motorcycles, the engine capacity will have to be at least 200cc to match the performance and acceleration of the original RX100. Achieving RX100s unique exhaust note is another challenge. Chihana said that he is constantly looking for solutions and is keen to revive the iconic RX100. Source Colored dyes were a significant commodity in the Mediterranean region during the Late Bronze Age. The small island of Aegina is located in the center of the Saronic Gulf, between Attica, the Peloponnese, and the central Aegean Sea. The island has played a significant role in the cultural history of the Aegean for thousands of years. From Neolithic until Byzantine times (approximately 6th millennium BCE to 10th century CE), the main settlement at Aegina was situated on a small, well-protected promontory on the north-western coast, called Cape Kolonna. In the 2nd millennium BCE, this densely built and strongly fortified settlement experienced a period of economic prosperity and cultural heyday. Representative buildings, exceptional finds and rich graves indicate a complex economically stable social system integrated into an interregional trade network and the emerging cultures of the Middle and Late Bronze Age Aegean. In a new paper in the journal PLoS ONE, Dr. Lydia Berger from the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and her colleagues describe the site of a purple dye workshop from the 16th century BCE located at Aegina Kolonna. The presence of the workshop is inferred from three main lines of evidence: purple pigment preserved on ceramic fragments, which are likely remnants of dye containers; dyeing tools, including grinding stones and a waste pit; and crushed shells of marine snails whose bodies are harvested for these pigments. Analysis of the shells and the chemical composition of the pigments indicate that the workshop predominantly used a species of Mediterranean snail called the banded dye-murex (Hexaplex trunculus). The excavations at the site also uncovered many burnt bones from young mammals, mainly piglets and lambs. The archaeologists hypothesize that these could be the remains of animals ritually sacrificed as spiritual offerings to protect the site of production, a practice known from other cultural sites, although the exact connection between these bones and the dye production is not yet fully clear. This site provides valuable insights into the tools and processes of Mycenaean purple dye production. Further research might reveal more information about the scale of dye production at Aegina Kolonna, the details of the on-site procedures, and the use of this dye in regional trade. For the first time, the discovery of remarkable quantities of well-preserved pigment, together with a large number of crushed mollusk shells and a few functional facilities, allow a detailed insight into the production of purple-dye on the Greek island of Aegina around 3,600 years ago, the researchers said. _____ L. Berger et al. 2024. More than just a color: Archaeological, analytical, and procedural aspects of Late Bronze Age purple-dye production at Cape Kolonna, Aegina. PLoS ONE 19 (6): e0304340; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304340 LUDZIDZINi - His Majesty King Mswati III wants the Kingdom of Eswatini to take a leaf from South Korea on how to develop a strategic oil reserve and use it to bolster the economy. The King said this when addressing the media at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, shortly after his arrival from a two-week trip in South Korea and the Republic of Singapore, where he strengthened the countrys bilateral relations with the two countries. During the official trip, the King was accompanied by Inkhosikati LaNgangaza. He said about 40 years ago, South Korea was like the Kingdom of Eswatini and other African countries and was referred to as a developing country. However, he said even though South Korea does not have minerals, it had achieved the status of being a First World country and is ranked with some of the worlds largest economies. However, the King said in terms of planning, the Kingdom of Eswatini was not too different, as he learnt that the Asian State started its development programme by establishing a strategic oil reserve, which it developed into an oil refinery, which processed crude oil and produced various petroleum products. He said this attracted a lot of investments and the country ended up developing in various sectors, including Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). There are lessons to be learnt from South Korea, as we are also preparing to establish a strategic oil reserve (at Phuzumoya) and the plan is to later develop it into an oil refinery plant, the King said. Achieve He said this was because they had seen where South Korea, which was a developing country about 40 years ago, started and worked hard to achieve its current status one of the largest world economies. On another note, the King said they were pleased as African leaders that the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, his government and the nation, want to extend exchange programmes with African countries, including Eswatini. As such, he said Eswatini was among the African countries that stood to benefit from about E430 billion pledged by South Korea, to assist investment initiatives in Africa. He said the Korean Government would make available about E180 billion (US$10 billion) in development assistance to spur African cooperation initiatives by 2030 and has also committed about E250 billion (US$14 billion) to support Korean businesses to enhance trade and investment on the African continent, over the next six years. The King said in Africa, they have the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which they developed with the aim of developing the continent economically and otherwise. Again, he said South Korea also hosted a business forum, which was attended by business leaders from various sectors of the economy in South Korea and Africa, and they shared ideas. He said there was a lot the country could benefit from the South Korean businesses, because their turnover was impressive. He said with their (South Korean businesses) expertise, there would be no need for the country to invent new wheels, but have to utilise the knowledge gained from their Korean counterparts. Populous Furthermore, the King said he had a chance to tour industries in Busan Metropolitan City, which is South Koreas second most populous city, after Seoul. He also said they saw world-class heavy plant machinery, which worked with speed as they toured HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. He said the industries played a major role in the development of the country as it engaged in trade with the rest of the world. The good thing is that they want to extend their trade to Arica, the King said. On the same note, the King said he also visited the Republic of Singapore, a country which also does not have minerals and has minimal land. He said to get land to develop, it had to push the sea inwards and that cost it fortunes. Again, he said the country could learn a lot from Singapore. The King said Singapore was where it was in terms of development, because the people met and exchanged ideas, which is what the country needed. He said Singapore was advanced in terms of ICT, such that there were many things that they did using technology. Therefore, he said there was a lot that the country could learn from them as it also wanted to extend its trade to Africa. MANZINI - The International Labour Conference has made six recommendations to Eswatini, which include an independent investigation into the murder of Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko. The recommendations were made by the International Labour Conference (ILC), which was hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland after the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini was examined by the committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) on alleged gross violation of Convention 87. This convention is mainly about freedom of association and protection of the right to organise. The conference started on June 3, 2024, and the recommendations were made yesterday, following the appearance of Eswatini before the CAS on Monday afternoon. When making the recommendations, the CAS said it took note of the oral and written information that was provided by government and the discussion that followed. It said it noted with deep concern the deteriorating state of public order and its negative impact on trade union rights in the country, as well as a culture of impunity for the perpetrators of crimes against trade unionists. Taking into account the discussion, the committee urged government to take effective, urgent and time-bound measures refrain from violent treatment, intimidation or harassment, including judicial harassment, of leaders and members of trade unions in the education sector conducting lawful trade union activities, including the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President, Mbongwa Dlamini, and Secretary General Lot Vilakati. Charges Again, the CAS recommended that government should release, quash convictions and drop all charges brought against individuals for having exercised lawful trade union activities and ensure the safe return home of all trade unionists living in exile, including the General Secretary of the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), Sticks Nkambule. It is worth noting that according to the International Transport Federation (ITF) submissions to the CAS, on January 11, 2023, the police declared Nkambule a wanted person in a supposedly politically motivated and spurious contempt of court charge. Since then, Nkambule has been in exile. This, according to SWATCAWU, was for demanding the improvement of working conditions and the release of jailed political leaders. A few weeks later, on December 28, 2022, the ITF said the SWATCAWU general secretary allegedly survived an assassination attempt, which they believed to have been carried out by State agents. Again, it said a day after that, a team of heavily armed State security personnel led a militia-style raid at his (Nkambules) home and village. However, it said fortunately, Nkambule was able to evade arrest and was declared a wanted person. Government of Eswatini should conduct, without delay, independent investigation into alleged instances of intimidation, harassment or violence, including the murder of Maseko (Human Rights Lawyer) and the persecution of the SNAT president, with a view to determining culpability and punishing the perpetrators and instigators of these crimes. It (government) should conduct, without delay independent investigation into violence and interference by the police in lawful, peaceful and legitimate trade union activities and hold accountable those responsible, reads part of the recommendations.Maseko was assassinated on January 21, 2023, in front of his family - wife Tenele and two children. The incident happened at his home at KaLuhleko, Bhunya in the Manzini Region. Investigating However, government insisted that the police were investigating the matter and recently, it told the CAS that the net was closing in on the killers of Maseko. Once more, the CAS called upon the Government of Eswatini to ensure that employers and workers organisations were given the autonomy and independence they needed to fulfil their mandate and represent their members. Furthermore, one of the recommendations says government should repeal any administrative orders or legislative provisions that have the effect of prohibiting or restricting the right to freedom of assembly of trade unions and ensure in practice that trade unions fully enjoy the right to hold public meetings as enshrined in the convention. In response to this, government told the ILC that an ILO technical mission, which was held in February 2024, was able to interview officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development as well as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from the countrys local governments. It said gatherings continued to be convened in the country by interested organisations, including trade unions in terms of the Public Order Act of 2017, without any impediment whatsoever. Moreover, government was asked to address the findings of the Investigation Committee (which investigated alleged police brutality on protesting workers) and the national voluntary conciliation and implement the planned sensitisation campaign on the Codes of Practice, in full consultation with the social partners and with the technical assistance of the ILO. Thereafter, it said government would be expected to submit a detailed report on the measures taken and progress achieved with regard to the above recommendations, including all outstanding information requested by the Committee of Experts by September 1, 2024. NKWALINI Social Welfare workers and police officers rescued five children from their mother after repeated reports that she had abandoned them to go and enjoy alcohol in a local tavern. The 27-year-old woman was eventually arrested and slapped with charges related to abandoning the children, who are aged between two and nine. Information gathered was that *Lolo was reported by her neighbours, who allegedly spotted her at a local watering hole on numerous occasions, while her children were left unattended in her rented flat in one of the townships, around Mbabane. It was said that two of the minors are sickly and suffer from malnourishment and marasmus. In an interview yesterday, Lolos neighbours confirmed having reported her to the police, after she repeatedly abandoned her children in her rented flat. One of Lolos neighbours, who has been staying for almost a year in his rented flat, said he had observed that the children were always left on their own, despite that they were young. One day I sent one of her children to the shop to buy bread and eggs, so that I could prepare food for them and when *Lolo came back, she verbally attacked me and told me to leave her children alone, said the neighbour. Tavern Another community member, who operates a local tavern, explained that Lolo would at times talk about the challenges she was facing, including her hardship with the children. I once advised her to seek help from the Social Welfare Department or the police, the neighbour said. He also stated that Lolo was in a relationship with a certain man, who resided in the area, and at times she would spend some days at his flat. When this publication visited Lolos alleged boyfriend, who was said to be visually impaired, he was not there. However, clothes were found near the doorstep, in a washing basket and a black refuse bag, which the neighbour said belonged to Lolo. In an interview prior to her arrest, Lolo said she tried to take care of her children by cooking for them during the day, so that when evening fell, she could go to enjoy alcohol. She said: The children are stressing me so much. I go to drink alcohol believing that when I return home, I will sleep peacefully. She mentioned that she collected and sold used cans for a living. However, what worried her was that the money she earned was not enough to cater for her needs. Arrested Asked about the father of the children, she said four of them had one father, who was arrested sometime ago. She also said the father of the last-born stayed around Matsapha. My in-laws, from the four children, said that they have nothing to support me with, and that I should work out a solution on my own to maintain the children, she said. The Deputy Prime Ministers Office Communications Officer, Zanele Dlamini, said: We have taken all the children and placed them in a safe home. She further urged mothers who had problems with fathers who did not pay their childrens maintenance to approach the Social Welfare offices to be assisted. We do not want cases whereby the parents will end up killing the children and then commit suicide. She added that when people suspect and observe child abuse, they should report it to the Social Welfare offices. They can also call their toll-free line at 116. Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the arrest of the 27-year-old woman. She said, however, investigations were still ongoing. Not her real name to hide the identity of the minors. MBABANE - Funduzi Forensic Services (FDZ) says people who benefitted millions of Emalangeni to cripple the health sector are still free, yet the company is being attacked for its report. FDZ Director Zakhele Dlamini said his company was under attack for merely doing its job. Funduzi Forensic Services (Pty) Ltd is a forensic company that was awarded a tender to investigate the root cause of the health crisis exacerbated by drugs and medicine theft in Eswatini. However, the company compiled a report which has not been implemented, since it was tabled in Parliament this year. In an interview yesterday, Dlamini said behind the attack were certain people who wanted to make sure that the forensic report did not see the light of day. Intelligence He said so serious was the attack that through their intelligence, they gathered that a team from Eswatini had been sent to investigate the authenticity of the report with the African Certified Fraud Examiners. He revealed that they learnt that the aim of the investigation was to ascertain if the report could be used as evidence against implicated individuals in a court of law. This is a big fight against Funduzi Forensic Services (Pty) Ltd, and there are people behind it. They want to make sure that the report does not see the light of day, he said. Dlamini said the company did due diligence and worked without fear or favour when conducting investigations into the supply of drugs. He wondered why the company was subjected to scrutiny, after having done what it was entrusted to do by the nation. Dlamini mentioned that the company handed over the forensic report to government on November 11, 2023. He said it was surprising that there was no action taken by the Ministry of Health, since the report, which pointed to the possible root cause of the health crisis in the country, was tabled. One wonders why people rush to investigate and fabricate stories against the company, particularly at a time when action needs to be taken to implement the report. In a country with a political will, any person implicated in the report would have been suspended from work, pending investigations. No one would have been at work while they were implicated in the report, he said. He said His Majesty King Mswati IIIs Nkwe approach was used on investigations aimed at frustrating the forensic report, instead of acting on the report. Dlamini said people seemed to have forgotten about the obtaining health crisis emanating from drugs and medicine shortage in the country. This, he said, was because certain individuals had decided to shift the focus from the findings of the company to make sure that the report died a natural death. He said what was shocking was that a task team was put in place to work on the health crisis. He said Funduzi Forensic Services was not the first company to investigate the real cause of drugs and medicine shortage in the country. Our report is almost similar to other reports which were aimed at establishing the root cause of the drugs and medicine shortage in the country. Then, why is Funduzi Forensic Services investigated on its spending, after doing its job. Where on earth have you seen a company investigated for its spending, after being awarded a tender? Surely, it has never happened, he said. He maintained that the company was awarded E2.8 million for the tender. He said it was never E2 million or E3 million as stated in other forums. He said the fabrications were a clear indication that there was a big fight against the company. Kuyabonakala kutsi kuyaliwa lapha, futsi kuliwa ngemandla lamakhulu. Kutsi ngubani, wentani kulowenteni, asati, he added in vernacular, which can be loosely translated to mean: It is clear that there is a big fight here and there is more pressure. Then, the question is, who is fighting who, for what? Nobody knows. Dlamini stated that the forensic report was costly to the company, so much that it had to pay E800 000 on legal fees. The company, was also accused of having paid a certain amount to a Standard Bank employee. To this, Dlamini said even though he did not want to discuss a matter that was still pending in court, it would be folly for a company dealing with fraud to deposit any amount to a bank. Dlamini broke his silence after the Anti-Corruption Commission launched investigations on beneficiaries of a sum of about E3 million, that was received from an account held by Funduzi Forensic Services (Pty) Ltd. Developments in the matter have seen a Standard Bank employee approaching the Industrial Court, seeking to stop his disciplinary hearing, after he was charged with alleged bribery and corruption by the financial institution. Investigators It was reported that the bank charged Delisa Malinga after he allegedly admitted to the banks investigators that he was one of the beneficiaries of funds from Funduzis bank account. According to Malinga, part of the events that led to him being charged was a letter from the ACC. He alleged that the letter sought certain information about him and transactions in his UNAYO account. Judge Manene Thwala has since reserved his judgment in the matter. In conclusion, Dlamini said they banked their hope on God, ancestors and their intelligence. When sought for comment, Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula said he trusted that all relevant stakeholders or structures would do what is needed to make sure that all those who contributed to the drugs shortage answer for their sins. He said he did not hear Dlamini on national radio. 11 Oct 2024 | 3:55 PM Dhaka, Oct 11 (UNI) Bangladesh on Friday lodged a strong protest with Myanmar regarding the killing of its fishermen by the Myanmarese Navy.The protest was expressed in a letter sent from the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Myanmar Embassy on Friday, media reports said.On October 9, Bangladeshi fisherman Usman (60) was killed by Myanmar Navy firing. His home is Konapara of Shahpari Island in Teknaf Upazila of Cox's Bazar, Prothom Alo reported.According to an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly protested to the Myanmar government regarding the killing of the Bangladeshi fisherman.Dhaka called on the Myanmar government to take immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such unjustified acts, the official statement said.UNI XC SSP. CPPGroup , a provider of real-time, digitally delivered assistance products, announced the disposal of its legacy operations in Italy on Friday. The AIM-traded firm said the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, CPP Italia, to IGS EMEA for 0.5m, marked a significant step in its strategic shift. It said the disposal aligned with its revised strategy, announced in October 2022, to withdraw from legacy operations and transform into a digitally-focussed parametric business led by Blink Parametric, with support from CPP India and CPP Turkey. CPP Italy, considered non-core to the new strategy, contributed EBITDA of 0.2m to the group's overall EBITDA of 4.8m for the 2023 financial year, and recorded a profit before tax of 0.1m. As of 31 December, CPP Italy had net assets of 0.1m, making the financial impact of the disposal immaterial to the group. The board said the sale was the final step in CPPGroup's withdrawal from legacy operations, following the closure of operations in Spain and Portugal, the sale of businesses in Italy and Mexico, and the active run-off of its UK operations. The disposal of CPP Italy is consistent with our stated strategy and is another positive step as we simplify the group and transform to a digitally led parametric business, said group chief executive officer Simon Pyper. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Germany is lobbying the European Union to soften or even scrap a proposed tariff hike on Chinese-made electric vehicles, it was reported on Friday. According to Bloomberg, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter, government officials in Berlin are understood to be optimistic that the EU will find a solution through direct talks with Beijing. The European Commission announced earlier this week it would provisionally apply duties of between 17% and 38% on imported Chinese EVs from next month. The charges will be applied on top of an existing 10% import duty, meaning some manufacturers could face charges as high as nearly 50%. The decision, which follows a months-long investigation, is intended to boost industry and protect domestic manufacturers from cheap competition. However, some are concerned that the move could spark a trade war. Germany is home to BMW, Mercedes-Benz Group and Volkswagen, and China is a major market. In the first quarter, China accounted for nearly 32% of sales at BMW and around 30% at Volkswagen and BMW. Germanys economy minister, Robert Habeck, has already called for negotiations with Beijing, noting on Wednesday that there was "now an opportunity to try and hopefully success in stopping" a possible trade war. He is due to travel to China next week. In a press conference on Thursday, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters: "We urge the EU to listen carefully to the objective and rational voices from all walks of life, immediately correct its wrong practices, stop politicising economic and trade issues and properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation." The duties are due to come into effect from 4 July. European equities staged a slight rally at the open on Friday after a sell-off in the previous session. although French stocks were weaker again, fuelled by worries over the countrys upcoming snap election. The Stoxx 600 index was up 0.17% to 516.92 after the pan-regional benchmark plunged 2% on Thursday, marking its biggest fall in almost a year. Frances CAC 40 was down 0.39% at 7,677 and has fallen 3.7% this week after French President Emmanuel Macron shocked markets with his decision to call a snap poll in response to gains made by the far-right in European Parliament elections. Macrons surprise decision is likely to result in a hung parliament, which would translate into policy paralysis. The possibility of the far right obtaining an absolute majority of seats and gaining control of domestic policy cannot be fully discounted either, said Oxford Economics. Either way, France's challenges were recently highlighted by a rating downgrade from S&P, with France's poor fiscal metrics likely to remain in focus next week as the European Commission is expected to kick-start the process to place France under the Excessive Deficit Procedure. The political gridlock further reduces the chances of France undergoing fiscal consolidation. In corporate news, British supermarket chain Tesco was up slightly after it held profit guidance for the year after reporting a 4.6% rise in underlying UK sales for the first quarter. Shares in UK fintech Wise fell again after the money-transfer company on Thursday forecast lower income growth this year. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Ferrovial - Heathrows largest shareholder - said on Friday that it has agreed to sell a 37.6% stake in the London airport to the Saudi Public Investment Fund and French private equity firm Ardian for just under 3.3bn. The Spanish construction firm said PIF and Ardian had made a revised offer of 3.26bn. Ardian and PIF will hold stakes of around 22.6% and 15.0% each, respectively, through separate vehicles. Ferrovial said it will remain a shareholder, with a 5.25% interest in the airport. Annabel Monaghan (credit: Jo Bryan Photography) Annabel Monaghan is the author of the novels Nora Goes Off Script and Same Time Next Summer. Her third novel for adults, Summer Romance (Putnam, $19 paperback; reviewed in this issue), follows a single mother who finds herself caught up in a fling as she's struggling to balance parenthood, her impending divorce, and grieving her mother's death. Tell us about the inspiration behind Summer Romance. This book began in a messier way than most of my books. I knew I wanted to have a professional organizer whose life was a mess. And I wanted her to have an affair with her divorce attorney. But that didn't really work for the story, so he morphed into this "alternative" skateboarding guy. By the third page, I realized that she was also grieving her mother's death. It turned into a book about grief and quick romances, and the ways we present ourselves to the world. We tend to think of summer flings as the province of the young. But Ali and Ethan are grown adults with careers, mortgages, and (in Ali's case) children. What makes a summer romance appealing to them? I've been thinking about the nature of summer romance since I was a young person having a summer romance. There's this appeal to diving into a relationship without having to think about practical things. (Does this guy have health insurance? Does he file his tax returns on time?) You open yourself up to somebody without any strings or worries. As the summer goes, it gets more intense, and then there's the goodbye. It's a perfect relationship with so little expectation, and there's no big breakup, no tears at the end. I wanted to run Ali through that process as an adult, and see how you can suspend disbelief in the way things are going to end, and just enjoy it for a while. But, of course, you can't ultimately do that--because eventually there are real feelings. I also wanted Ali to have some joy. She's stuck, and feeling low. I've been there: stuck, thinking, I don't know what to do now. Joy can get you unstuck--laughter can get you unstuck. The fun of a new experience can be enough to get the energy flowing, and move things around. Ethan definitely brings Ali joy, but it's more than that. What does his presence do for her? First of all: romance is never going to rescue you, ever. But another person can turn a mirror on you, so you see yourself in a different way and decide to make changes. I think that's what happens in all my books. I hate a book where the guy calls and everything is fine, and all your problems are solved. But I do think somebody seeing you for who you are--nurturing you and bringing you joy--can change your perspective. You can think, I feel good, and I want more of this. Ali can organize anyone else's life, but even opening her own mail proves much more difficult. Why is that? I think this is really common. When my friends call me with a problem, I give them the best advice. It's so much easier to give someone else advice about their situation or their relationship, because you're not sitting in all those feelings. You're so connected to your own stuff--the stuff in your house, your emotional stuff--that sometimes you can't see your way out of it. I tried to move Ali through that process--getting rid of stuff, like her mother's soup tureen, that holds these expectations of the person she did not become. Ali holds frequent one-sided conversations with her mother, Nancy, who died two years ago. Tell us about that. My mom passed away when I was 39. We were very close: I spoke to her on the phone every single day. I ran everything by her. When she passed away, I was so sad. Then, about five years later, without her standing next to me, I started thinking about things differently. I started re-processing our relationship differently, from a distance. Sometimes your parents have expectations of you. For example: my children are adults, and I have an expectation of how they should be spending their time that has nothing to do with how they're spending their time. I think we do this with our parents, our children, even our friends: we expect them to act a certain way. And there's the act of letting go of people you love, learning to say, Live your life exactly how you want to live it, and I'll love you anyway--rather than saying, Please redo everything to fulfill my dreams for you. As she grieves her mother's death, Ali also realizes she wants to be a different mother than the mother she had. At one point, Ali comforts her daughter Greer after a seventh-grade crisis, but chooses not to agree with her that it's the end of the world. This is a shift from how Ali's own mother parented her. Nancy just wanted to protect Ali from the pain. The truth is that as we move through this life, we're going to have lots of pain--disappointments and heartbreak and all that. If we always try to protect each other from the pain, we create a whole generation of people who are terrified of anything ever going wrong. What we need to do is sit with someone in their pain and acknowledge that it is hard, and that you will get to the other side, and you'll be all right. This book wrestles with learning to let go: of our own expectations, of people we love, of other things. Can you talk about that? So I just got my first dog five years ago. I didn't have a dog before that because I think it's crazy! You buy the dog, you fall in love with the dog, and you know the dog is going to die. The first week we had the dog, that's all I could think about. But what I learned is: if something's not going to last forever, the joy is still worth it. You might have a dog; you might befriend an elderly person, the way Ali befriends her neighbor Phyllis, and the joy is worth it. I think I've learned that over the last few years, and I definitely re-learned that while writing this book. For years, Nancy and Ali would perform a wishing ritual at the beginning of summer. What would you wish for in your own "champagne summer" ritual? I have a lot of transitions coming up this summer. I'm moving out of my house; my son's going to college; I'm launching this book. So my wish for this summer is not to race through it. I want moments of pause and stillness. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body representing India's forging sector, has appointed Mr. Ashwani Jotshi as its new Secretary General. Mr. Jotshi brings with him over three decades of extensive experience from his tenure at the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), where he held various leadership roles and spearheaded transformative initiatives. Mr. Vikas Bajaj, Managing Director and CEO of Bajaj Motors and President of AIFI, expressed his delight at Mr. Jotshi's appointment, highlighting his leadership and vision. "We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Ashwani Jotshi as the Secretary General of AIFI. His profound industry knowledge and strategic acumen will be instrumental as we navigate the dynamic landscape of the forging industry. We eagerly anticipate his contributions to further fortify our sector", Mr. Bajaj remarked. In response to his new role, Mr. Jotshi outlined his vision for AIFI, emphasizing the pivotal role of the forging industry across diverse sectors such as Automotive, Off-Highway, Defense, and Aerospace. He underscored the industry's global recognition for technical expertise while acknowledging the challenges it faces, including skills shortages, escalating energy and raw material costs, and competition from low-cost imports. Mr. Jotshi expressed his commitment to collaborating with the AIFI team to address these challenges effectively and enhance the industry's global competitiveness. During his tenure at ACMA, Mr. Jotshi earned accolades for his leadership in driving several key initiatives. He facilitated OEM customer engagements, organized tech shows, and fostered B2B interactions and exhibitions. His proactive engagement with state governments on industry issues and advocacy for regulatory clarity, including GST compliance, underscored his proactive approach. Mr. Jotshi's efforts also extended to enhancing regional presence and expanding ACMA's footprint across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, establishing new offices to support industry growth. Mr. Jotshi's international assignments further bolstered his industry connections and insights, contributing to ACMA's global engagement strategy. His initiatives included launching forums for HR, CFOs, and digital innovation, aimed at fostering industry dialogue and professional development. business leaders and digital innovators, alongside comprehensive industry surveys to gather insights and drive sectoral development. In his new capacity at AIFI, Mr. Jotshi outlined immediate priorities to strengthen the association's impact. These include expanding membership to encompass a broader spectrum of stakeholders, enhancing educational and knowledge-sharing initiatives, and forging strategic partnerships. He plans to introduce forums for youngand digital innovators, alongside comprehensive industry surveys to gather insights and drive sectoral development. Mr. Jotshi's appointment marks a strategic move for AIFI, signaling its commitment to advancing the interests of the forging industry amid evolving market dynamics. His leadership is expected to steer AIFI towards sustainable growth, leveraging industry strengths and addressing pertinent challenges effectively. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and advocacy, Mr. Jotshi's tenure is poised to elevate AIFI's position as a proactive advocate for the Indian forging industry, fostering competitiveness and sustainable development in alignment with national and global economic imperatives. Stocks to Watch on Friday, June 14, 2024: Despite negative cues from global markets, the GIFT Nifty is showing early gains today. As of 7:40 AM, the index stands at 23,421 points, marking a rise of 22 points. Across Asia, major indices are predominantly lower, with the ASX 20 leading the decline by 0.3 percent, followed by the Hang Seng (down 0.14 percent) and the Shanghai Composite (down 0.1 percent). Ambuja Cements: The Adani Group-owned company announced on June 13th that it will acquire 100 percent stake in Penna Cement Industries Ltd (PCIL) for an enterprise value of Rs 10,422 crore. The acquisition, expected to be completed within 3-4 months, is part of Adani's goal to achieve a capacity of 140 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2028. The acquisition will be funded through internal accruals and will help Ambuja expand its market presence in South India. Vodafone Idea: On June 13, Vodafone Idea announced that its board has approved the issuance of approximately 166 crore shares at Rs 14.80 per share to raise funds up to Rs 2,458 crore on a preferential basis. These shares will be allotted to Nokia Solutions and Networks India Private Limited and Ericsson India Private Limited. Following this issuance, Nokia and Ericsson will hold 1.5 percent and 0.9 percent of the shareholding in Vodafone Idea, respectively. Havells: The company plans to expand air conditioning manufacturing capacities at Ghiloth and Sricity locations to 1.5 million units per year each, with an investment of Rs 50-60 crore, funded through internal accruals. Sterlite Technologies: The company is facing a $2,748,225 damages claim from the Data Management Center due to delays and unfulfilled obligations related to a turnkey solution agreement. Suven Pharmaceuticals: The company announced on Thursday that it will acquire a 67.5 percent stake in Hyderabad-based Sapala Organics for Rs 229.5 crore. The company has entered into a definitive agreement for the investment. Tata Consumer Products: TCPL plans to double its capital expenditure (capex) this fiscal year. A significant portion of the investment will be used to set up a new plant in Vietnam. The company's capex for the last fiscal year was around Rs 308 crore, but it is expected to more than double to approximately Rs 785 crore this fiscal year. The company is making a significant investment of about Rs 400 crore in a new plant in Vietnam. LIC: The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is looking to acquire one of India's five private standalone health insurance companies. LIC has assets worth over Rs 51 trillion and holds a market share of over 61.5 percent in life insurance. The company is interested in obtaining a composite license that would allow it to sell both life and non-life policies. Wipro: The IT firm is teaming up with Hewlett Packard Enterprise to introduce a GenAI solution at Wipro Cloud Studios Kodathi office, aiming to improve operational efficiency and customer experience globally. Suzlon Energy: The company has engaged Khaitan & Co., a prominent Indian law firm, to assess its corporate governance practices after independent director Marc Desaedeeler resigned due to corporate governance issues. Zee Media: The company's board has approved the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary to introduce digital and alternative media properties in the infotainment sector. RITES: The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for collaboration on metro railway system projects, including rolling stock, depot management, station management, and maintenance of railway infrastructure. NALCO: The company has signed a lease agreement with the Odisha government for bauxite mining in Pottangi. The annual production capacity is 3.5 million tonnes with estimated reserves of 111 million tonnes. Dr. Reddys Laboratories: Life Insurance Corporation of India has increased its stake in Dr. Reddys Laboratories from 4.95 percent to 5.01 percent. L&T Finance: Morgan Stanley Asia picked up a major chunk of L&T Finance shares, which were offloaded by Bain Capitals affiliates and BNP Paribas Financial Markets. The three entities together offloaded 8.82 crore shares, or 3.5 percent of equity, on Thursday through multiple block deals. Brigade Enterprises: The company anticipates that the average price of its residential launches for FY25 will be Rs 10,000 per square foot. The company has unveiled its premium-luxury mixed-use project, Brigade Icon, on Chennai's iconic Mount Road. The 38-storey structure is expected to be one of the tallest buildings in Chennai once completed. Dixon Technologies India: The company has lined up Rs 1,500-1,800 crore investment over the next three years to expand production capacity and component manufacturing. The company will generate the funds from internal accruals based on cash flow. Cupid: The company has received its first order from Cipla Health to produce a variety of male condoms under the Cipla brand. Puravankara: The board of the Bengaluru-based real estate firm on June 13 approved raising funds up to Rs 1,000 crore through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP). Senco Gold: On June 13, Hong Kong-based SAIF Partners sold a 5.8 percent stake in jewelry retailer Senco Gold for Rs 432.72 crore in an open market transaction. NALCO: The company has signed a mining lease agreement with the Odisha Government for bauxite mining. The mines have an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes. SpiceJet: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has served The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has served SpiceJet with a notice regarding an insolvency petition filed by Engine Lease Finance BV, an aircraft engine lessor of the financially troubled airline. The NCLT bench, comprised of a single member, has instructed SpiceJet to submit a response to the petition from Engine Lease Finance (ELF) and has scheduled the hearing for August 2, 2024. PTC India: The board of PTC India has approved the appointment of Manoj Kumar Jhawar, the current whole-time director, as the chairman and managing director of the company. This appointment is effective until a regular CMD is appointed. Rajib Kumar Mishra has ceased to be the CMD after the market regulator, Sebi, barred him from holding any post on the board or management of any listed company for a period of six months. This action was taken due to alleged corporate misgovernance in its subsidiary, PTC India Financial Services (PFS). Zaggle Prepaid Ocean: The company has partnered with Skydo Technologies to enable cross-border payments for Zaggle corporate customers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for the publics help identifying a man sought for questioning in connection with a horrific hit-and-run crash in Meiers Corners that left a motorcyclist critically injured. The crash occurred on Tuesday, June 4, at about 9 p.m. in the vicinity of Victory Boulevard and Kell Avenue, according to a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. A 28-year-old man was driving a motorcycle westbound on Victory Boulevard behind a dark-colored, 2010 Toyota Sequoia, police said. The unidentified driver of the Toyota allegedly made a sharp left turn onto Kell Avenue without signaling, causing a collision and the victim to be ejected from his motorcycle, the police statement alleges. The operator then ran over the victim and fled the location in the Sequoia, traveling southbound on Kell Avenue, the NYPD statement continued. EMS transported the 28-year-old biker in critical condition to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, police said. The NYPD released an image of the man sought for questioning in connection with the crash. He is described as having a light complexion. A spokesman for the NYPD was unable to provide further information about how the photo was obtained, however the background of the image appears to be the crash location. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Catholic school students across Staten Island said goodbye to their classrooms and hello to their summer vacations on Friday, June 14. It was a bittersweet day for students, as many reflected fondly upon their school year while jumping for joy at the start of their long-awaited summer break. At the early dismissals of Our Lady Star of the Sea (OLSS) in Huguenot and Sacred Heart in West Brighten, students greeted their loved ones with glee and said farewells to their peers and teachers. Christina Barbieri, who recently finished the third grade at OLSS, is happy to be home with her family for the summer. However, she mentioned that she is a bit sad that school is ending. Im gonna miss all my friends, Christina said. Another student entering the fourth grade at OLSS, Isabella Smith, said she cant wait for her summer because she and her family are going to Aruba. - Dawn Barbieri, Christina Barbieri, Michelle Smith and Isabella Smith on the last day of school at Our Lady Star of the Sea on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Sonya Gugliara) Sonya GugliaraSonya Gugliara Priscilla Gbolue and Iris Luton just completed pre-K at Sacred Heart and are off to kindergarten in the fall. Until then, the girls are looking forward to going to a state park over the summer. Fellow Sacred Heart pre-K graduates and twin sisters Quinn and Casey OLeary are looking forward to a trip to Breezy Point. Elena Estevez, who is going into the fourth grade, also has some exciting travel plans. This summer, she is going to visit the Dominican Republic. OLSS eighth graders werent the only ones saying their final goodbyes to the school. Jeannine Roland, who has been OLSSs principal for nine years, is retiring this year, making this summertime dismissal her very last. The kids are great, the families are great, Roland continued, I hope they have a safe and healthy summer and come back rejuvenated to hit the ground running in September. Juliette Cermeli, a soon-to-be OLSS eighth grader, expressed her feelings about it being the last day of the school year. Big hugs for Roger McDore from mom, Joyetta. Roger is going into 7th grade. Students are let out on their last day of school at Sacred Heart School. June 14, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance It feels great! Juliette said. Im going on a few vacations and Im gonna be hanging out with my friends. When asked if she was going to miss school at all, Juliettes response was straight to the point: I dont think so, summers are so much better. For parents like Jennifer Mercado, whose daughter just finished the fourth grade at OLSS, this day was quite emotional. Because of COVID, they missed half of kindergarten and first grade, Mercado said. This is a special group, they all went through COVID together during the foundation years [of their education]. It was just a very, very nice comeback. The first day of Catholic elementary school for the 2024-2025 school year is Sept. 2, 2024. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The corner of Clove Road and Targee Street has been renamed Edward James Soupy Campbell Way, honoring a brave Staten Island military veteran and firefighter who died in the line of duty, and who made a historic contribution to the city Fire Department through the invention of the Campbell strap--now known as the utility strap--in the 1950s. We try to co-name streets for our neighborhood heroes; people who do extraordinary things that are recognized in our community and to show that their legacy lives on, said Councilmember David Carr (R-Mid Island) who conducted the street renaming ceremony, which was attended by more than 50 community members late last month. The corner of Targee Street and Clove Road was renamed Edward James "Soupy" Campbell Way in honor of a Staten Island firefighter who made a historic contribution to the FDNY.Faith Archibald/For the Staten Island Advance Campbell was only in his 30s when he died. He created the utility strap, which is still utilized today to help carry and secure tools as well as equipment in firefighting or emergency services. After just six years as a firefighter, Campbell died in 1959 when a Port Richmond building collapsed on him during a five-alarm fire, leaving behind three sons: James, Terry and his youngest, Robert, who was only 9 years old at the time of his fathers death. The corner of Targee Street and Clove Road was renamed Edward James "Soupy" Campbell Way in honor of a Staten Island firefighter who made a historic contribution to the FDNY.Faith Archibald/For the Staten Island Advance Following Campbells death, his wife, Catherine Campbell, who later died around 50 years old, continued raising their children on her own and worked as a matron in a firehouse to make ends meet. Later on we come to realize these two gave up a lot. The husband gave up his life and the wife gave up her lifestyle to raise three boys on her own and work as a matron to keep them housed and fed. So, thats why we felt after all these years, he needed to be recognized, said Robert Campbells wife, Francine. The corner of Targee Street and Clove Road was renamed Edward James "Soupy" Campbell Way in honor of a Staten Island firefighter who made a historic contribution to the FDNY.Faith Archibald/For the Staten Island Advance I think this is an amazing thing to do for someone who lost their life, especially a firefighter who put their life in harms way every day. This happened many years ago and to bring this back 65 years later is [amazing], said George Lotito, Campbells great-grandson. I think this is a great honor. I am touched and very happy they do this, said Lori Lotito, Campbells granddaughter. Whether it is my relative or not, I just feel like when I drive by a street and see somebodys name, I just think it is wonderful that we can have their memory while theyre not here... The corner of Targee Street and Clove Road was renamed Edward James "Soupy" Campbell Way in honor of a Staten Island firefighter who made a historic contribution to the FDNY.Faith Archibald/For the Staten Island Advance REMEMBERING EDWARD JAMES SOUPY CAMPBELL In Staten Island Advance reporting from the time of Campbells death, he was hailed as a hero. An obituary reported that he was pinned down when the ceiling collapsed in the National Shoe Store... As a rookie firefighter, Campbell was credited with heroism in November 1953. He carried two small children from a cottage...after a 50-gallon oil drum went afire. In July 1956, while off duty he suffered burns when he dashed into a blazing bungalow in Midland Beach when told a woman was trapped inside. During World War II he served in the Army, according to the report. HONORING STATEN ISLANDS BEST Campbell Way is one of 19 Staten Island intersections being co-named in 2024 to honor Staten Island people and entities. All must be approved by both the local community and in a City Council vote. Among the others honored are Mimi Cusick, a staple of the boroughs Democratic party for over five decades; Alfonso Compitiello, founder of the Alfonsos Pastry Shoppe; Giovanni da Verrazzano, Italian explorer and namesake of the boroughs iconic bridge to Brooklyn; and former NYPD detectives Scott G. Lovendahl and Christopher E. Cranston, who are among the thousands of first responders whove succumb to 9/11-related illnesses. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than 100 bicycles were donated, repaired, and distributed to Staten Islanders on Thursday as part of the Department of Transportations (DOT) second annual Donate-a-Bike event. From the main entrance of the Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, the DOT and NYPD, alongside the Staten Island FerryHawks, Council of Jewish Organizations, Bike New York, Staten Island University Hospital, and Project Hospitality/El Centro Del Inmigrante, handed out locally donated and bicycles in both children and adult sizes. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. On Tuesday, June 11, the Marine Corps League in Sunnyside was filled with laughter, patriotism, grateful volunteers and smiling veterans. Staten Island Giving Circle (SIGC) partnered with Rolling Thunders Staten Island chapter to allow deserving veterans to socialize and enjoy a good meal. It was something Ill never forget, Marine Corps League volunteer Carmela Montella said. It was an unbelievable day to sit with some of the veterans and have them tell their stories. There were about 100 guests at the luncheon, 75 of which were veterans and the rest volunteers. During the events opening, songs including the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America were sung by Patty Beniquez. Patty Beniquez singing patriotic songs on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Staten Island Giving Circle and Rolling Thunder co-hosted a veterans luncheon at the Staten Island Marine Corps League in Sunnyside. (Courtesy of Staten Island Giving Circle)Staten Island Giving Circle So much kindness and love and just support was there, it was amazing, SIGCs community liaison Kathy Barzal said. There were tears with some of our veterans, its emotional for them. The community came together to help make this event possible. For example, the food was donated by Lifestyles for the Disabled Cafe. Several other local businesses contributed as well. During the ceremony, SIGC and Rolling Thunder honored three individuals who have devoted their lives to giving back to the nations protectors. Bob and Linda Ollis were recognized for the work they have done in honor of their son Michael, who was killed in action in Afghanistan while protecting another soldier in 2013. Their efforts include the Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation and the release of a book outlining the heros life. Bob and Linda Ollis on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at the Staten Island Marine Corps in Sunnyside. Staten Island Giving Circle and Rolling Thunder co-hosted a veterans luncheon where the pair were honored for their efforts for veterans. (Courtesy of Staten Island Giving Circle)Staten Island Giving Circle Alex Marrocco, the father of Brendan Marrocco, a soldier who lost all four limbs while fighting in Iraq, was also honored at the event. SIGC founder Evelyn Kormanik explained that this luncheon is a part of the organizations On the Move Military Food Pantry (OTMMFP) initiative. If you know of a veteran who is homebound or in distress or disabled and not able to tend to him or herself completely, we would like them to sign up with us and we would take care of them, Kormanik continued, Were giving personalized service. Were not just giving a generic bag of food. Once a month for the past 4 months, SIGC has been packaging food and essentials for veterans and their spouses. Since the pantry doesnt have a permanent location, the organization has picked different pickup points for the goods to be given out. Additionally, SIGC will deliver food and necessities to veterans who have no way of getting to these pickup locations. Carmela Montella holding a tray of desserts for veterans at a luncheon at the Staten Island Marine Corps League in Sunnyside on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. The event was hosted by Staten Island Giving Circle and Rolling Thunder. (Courtesy of Staten Island Giving Circle)Staten Island Giving Circle All veterans are welcome to use this pantry, especially those who are the most vulnerable. SIGCs community liaison Kathy Barzal elaborated on the significance of the OTMMFP, stating that it offers easily accessible resources to veterans without any red tape or tedious processes. Were not setting any boundaries or saying you make this much? Go back to the red tape, Barzal continued, We dont care. The only criteria is that you need to be a veteran or a veterans spouse. Right now, about 40 veterans utilize SIGCs services. The organization is looking to reach more veterans in need and broaden their scope of impact. SICG recognizes that another commonly unmet need of veterans is being able to socialize with other veterans. The organizations goal is to ensure that no one feels alone. Some are lonely, some are not getting out or cant get out, Steven Shapiro, a SIGC volunteer and a member of Rolling Thunder, said. That was the main idea of this event, to get them out to socialize with other veterans. It was evident at the luncheon that strong connections were made among the veterans. On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, Staten Island Giving Circle and Rolling Thunder co-hosted a veterans luncheon at the Staten Island Marine Corps League in Sunnyside. (Courtesy of Staten Island Giving Circle)Staten Island Giving Circle When [the veterans] met, they all gel together. Even the guys that didnt know each other before, Frank Montella, a Marine Corps League volunteer and veteran, said. Thrilled by the success of OTMMFP and their other initiatives such as Value a Veteran, which is a veterans program led by Shapiro at SIGC, the organization hopes to host more events for veterans, find a permanent home for their food pantry and continue to offer support and appreciation for veterans. These veterans are very proud. So, they dont just walk up to you and say I need help, Kormanik said. Somebody really has to know where they are and who they are, and tell us and then we approach them. For more information on OTMMFP or to sign up a veteran for SIGCs services, email sigivingcircle@aol.com or visit their website. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Poor air quality is an issue during the Friday morning rush hour as natures steam bath of hot-and-humid weather continues on Staten Island and throughout New York City. A thunderstorm could bring hail, wild winds and downpours during the eventing rush hour, according to AccuWeather.com. Temperatures in the 70s during the morning commute likely will peak at 89 degrees in the early afternoon, according to AccuWeather.com. Rain could begin around 6 p.m. on our borough and dampen plans for dining outdoors on Friday night. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued an air quality alert for 12 hours starting at 11 a.m. for Staten Island and the rest of the city. When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects, the DEC said. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician. New York residents may called the DEC toll-free hotline at 800-535-1345 for more information. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers in parts of the state to prepare for severe weather Friday and for several days of extreme heat and high humidity next week. Beginning Friday morning, a cold front is expected to produce thunderstorms, some with heavy downpours and potentially damaging wind gusts, for parts of the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, and Mid-Hudson Valley. Impacts from storms could include flash flooding, dangerous travel conditions, and power outages. Thunderstorms and damaging winds are also possible for New York City. Hochul also urged New Yorkers to prepare for several days of extreme heat starting Monday and continuing through the week. Heat and humidity are forecast to increase across the state starting Monday and with temperatures feeling as if theyre exceeding 100 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, the governor warned. New Yorkers should take every precaution they can over this next week to stay cool and stay safe as the combination of severe storms, heat, and humidity will pose a significant health risk for vulnerable New Yorkers, Hochul said in a statement. My administration will be closely monitoring the weather impacts and we encourage New Yorkers to watch the weather forecast closely, stay hydrated, and have a plan if you need to cool off during this time, she added. Hochul directed state agencies to be prepared to respond to requests for assistance during the potentially extreme weather conditions, and for all New Yorkers to monitor local weather forecasts. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert, a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer. For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website. To gain a foothold in solar, Aramco has taken a 30 per cent stake in Sudair, which cost $US920 million ($1.39 billion), the first step in a planned 40-gigawatt solar portfolio more than Britains average power demand intended to meet the bulk of the governments ambitions for renewable energy. The company plans to set up a large business of storing greenhouse gases underground. It is also funding efforts to make so-called e-fuels for automobiles from carbon dioxide and hydrogen notably at a refinery in Bilbao, Spain, owned by Repsol, the Spanish energy company. An oil facility in Khurais, Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is doubling down on cuts to production. Credit: Bloomberg Aramcos computer scientists are also training artificial intelligence models, using nearly 90 years of oil field data, to increase the efficiency of drilling and extraction, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Environmental stewardship has always been part of our modus operandi, said Ashraf Al Ghazzawi, Aramcos executive vice president for strategy and corporate development. Still, pressure to accelerate the energy transition may grow in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa, a region that has young, environmentally aware populations and that could be especially vulnerable to climate change. Countries from the MENA region, including Saudi Arabia, will face the impacts of climate change and extreme temperatures, water scarcity, said Shady Khalil, lead campaigner for Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, an environmental group. Loading Although it insists that petroleum has a long future, Saudi Aramco, the worlds largest oil company, seems to also be trying to signal that it is not locked in a pollution-belching past but is more like a Silicon Valley company focused on innovation. Recently, the company invited a group of journalists to a presentation during which young Saudis described green practices such as using drones rather than lumbering fleets of trucks when prospecting for oil or restoring mangrove swamps along tropical coastlines to soak up carbon dioxide. In the past two years, Saudi Arabia has instructed Aramco to sharply pare back oil production to 9 million barrels a day, in line with agreements in the group known as OPEC+. In January, Aramco announced that the Saudi government had told it to halt an effort to boost the amount of oil it could produce. In Aramcos view, these decisions are not harbingers of declining fossil fuel consumption. Executives insist that the company will continue to invest in oil and, at the same time, sharply increase output of natural gas. Weve always felt there has to be a parallel and concurrent investment in new and conventional sources of energy. Aramcos Ashraf Al Ghazzawi These fuels will continue to play a very important role up till 2050 and beyond, Al Ghazzawi said, arguing that both renewables and oil and gas would be needed to meet growing demand. Weve always felt there has to be a parallel and concurrent investment in new and conventional sources of energy, he said. The executives said Aramco was well positioned for the coming decades. The combination of some of the worlds largest fields and careful stewardship, they said, means it can produce oil at very low cost $US3.19 a barrel on average. The company is also betting that it can make its oil more attractive by chipping away at the emissions caused by producing it an attribute that is not rewarded by markets now but could eventually command a premium. I think ultimately the market will value low-carbon products and the pricing will become even more profitable, said Ahmed Al-Khowaiter, Aramcos executive vice president for technology and innovation. It is easy to see why Aramco and the Saudi government would be wary of damaging a business that dates to 1938. Aramco continues to be one of the worlds most profitable companies: For the first quarter of this year, it earned $US27.3 billion and said it would pay out $US31.1 billion in dividends, mostly to its main owner, the Saudi government. Loading It follows, though, that if Aramco cuts back its investment in oil, it will be able to pay even higher dividends to the government that could be used in a wide range of efforts to diversify the economy. Aramco says it will be putting around 10 per cent of its investments into lower-carbon initiatives, but these moves have not shown up much in the financial results. I just dont think it moves the needle, said Neil Beveridge, an analyst at the research firm Bernstein. Oil production really accounts for the vast bulk of earnings. Some of Aramcos initiatives are likely to take years to bear fruit, but conditions already look ripe for solar energy. Saudi Arabia has blazing sun and vast stretches of land that can be populated with solar panels. Add in a close relationship with China, which is supplying much of the renewable equipment including the panels at Sudair, and they are building at a very low price, said Nishant Kumar, a renewable and power analyst at Rystad Energy, a research firm. Sudair, for instance, will sell its power at about 1.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, a near record low at the time it was agreed. Loading They know very well that the economy can only be efficient if they can continue to take advantage of that ever-reducing solar energy cost, said Paddy Padmanathan, a former CEO of Acwa Power who is now a renewable entrepreneur. The kingdom is betting that abundant, low-cost electric power could attract energy-intensive industries such as steel. Acwa is helping to build what is likely to be the worlds largest plant for making green hydrogen, with an eye to exporting to Europe and other places with higher costs. 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 Thirty years after breaking through with his debut feature Once Were Warriors, Lee Tamahori has made The Convert, a film that completes a trilogy he always intended to make without knowing exactly what it would be about. Warriors catapulted him into Hollywood, a step that, then aged in his mid-40s, he was more than ready to take. But it also derailed the road map he had laid out for himself. I was very aware I hadnt finished what I planned to do, which was make at least three films probably only three in New Zealand, and they would all sort of relate to each other, he says. I didnt know what they would be, but I knew that a triptych or a trio of films seemed to me quite fulfilling. Once Were Warriors catapulted Tamahori to the attention of Hollywood. As it happens, he has effectively made a trilogy in reverse, with three films about the state of Maori culture at different points in New Zealands history since European settlement. The then-contemporary Once Were Warriors was, he says, a portrait of a lost culture that was not fit for purpose in the 20th century, which depicted the Maori as a people who had moved from the land to the city and were now finding themselves out of work and marginalised, their lives riven by alcoholism, drug abuse, crime and domestic violence. Made in 2016, Mahana (aka The Patriarch) was a gentler tale about a Maori man played by Warriors lead Temuera Morrison trying to integrate himself into mainstream 1950s society. It is very much based on my fathers life, says Tamahori. My father was educated by the Anglicans in the 1940s and as a young man moved to the city in the first of the urban drift of Maori to make a life for themselves in the new industrialised New Zealand. Advertisement Now comes The Convert, a historical epic set in the 1830s, at a time when Europeans were a tiny minority in the new British colony, living in barely tenable settlements in far-flung locations. They were vastly outnumbered by the Maori, whose appetite for trade and warfare presented both opportunities and dangers for the white settlers. The story focuses on two warring tribes in the North Island, their relationships with the fledgling British settlements, and a soldier-turned-preacher called Thomas Munro (Guy Pearce) who finds himself in the very exposed middle ground between them. Though its a work of fiction, everything that happens in the movie has a place in historical fact, says Tamahori. The main Maori characters are based on real characters, Munro is based on a collection of Church Missionary Society characters of the day, some of whom were former military guys, and some were running guns. Theres quite a complex history. Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne as Rangimai in Lee Tamahoris movie The Convert. Credit: Kismet But while its based on facts, its not tied to them. And thats both a matter of choice and an inevitability, he says. It was a strangely lawless period of some 15 to 20 years, there are no photographs, just etchings, and written journals by these Church Missionary Society characters, and the oral histories of Maori. So it did give us a little flexibility to play fast and loose with history because people could not say one way or another this happened or that happened. Advertisement Its all based on realities, he adds. But I didnt want to deal with real characters because once you do that youre caught up with the historical accuracy of what happened. Theres no question, though, that the intent was to capture something accurate to the period, and the broad sweep of its history. I bent over backwards for authenticity in the look of it, he says. The locations and the art department were ruthlessly accurate, in pretty much everything we do. Maori were just as venal and disruptive as Europeans. Its a magnificent culture, but its fraught with problems, like all cultures are. Lee Tamahori On-screen, that translates to clusters of flimsy timber houses perched on the dunes of the beach at Epworth, the English settlement, looking for all the world as if they might be swept away at the first king tide; carved entrances to the pa (Maori villages) that house the warring tribes; the greenstone weapons capable of dealing death with a slit of the throat or a club to the back of the head; and elaborate facial tattoos (some rendered in make-up, others in thin strips of moulded silicon). The Patriarch, the middle film in Tamahoris accidental trilogy, was inspired by his own fathers story. Its pretty clear that almost every cent of a budget the director estimates at somewhere between $NZ15-$20 million ($13.9-$18.5 million) has been put on the screen. With a Maori father and Pakeha (or white) mother, Tamahori is perhaps better positioned than most to tell tales about the interface between these cultures. But growing up, he says, he had almost no relationship to his fathers heritage. Advertisement There was no positivity to speaking the language or embracing the culture, he says. He would still do that, but we were brought up and schooled in European methodology. Im very grateful for that, but as a teenager and in my 20s, I started to yearn for an understanding of the other side of my culture. And once I started making films it became even more pressing and urgent. I straddled both worlds equally well, and I have an understanding and deep affection for both of them. As an in-betweener, Tamahori is able to see the good and bad of both Pakeha and Maori culture, both of which are on display in The Convert. What I wanted to get across was that Maori were just as venal and disruptive and conniving as Europeans, he says. Its a magnificent culture, but its fraught with problems, like all cultures are. I didnt want to paint the culture as the noble savage or the downtrodden people. Lee Tamahori on the set of The Convert with leading man Guy Pearce. Credit: Kismet Its a very bellicose culture. There was intertribal warfare on a massive scale and once muskets were introduced into the equation, it became genocidal. And its argued by some, with some conviction really, that it was Christianity that saved Maori from self-destruction. So theyre very much like the rest of mankind there was internecine warfare and the enslaving of defeated peoples, and yet there was also a beauty to it, a diplomacy to it, much like medieval Europe, where kings and queens married in order to keep the peace. At 74, Tamahori is permanently back in New Zealand, and that initial plan to make only three films in and about his homeland is gone. He has plans for a film about the Land Wars, the period from 1845-1860 that follows the events of The Convert; he also has a six-part TV series in mind based on historical events of the 1980s, in which a bunch of Rastafarians became caught up in a heady mix of Maori nationalism and anarchy and embarked upon a series of arson attacks. Advertisement Its easy to dismiss them, says theologian and sociologist Tracy McEwan, who has researched the religious conservatism of young Catholics, but its a very powerful movement. Its a valid and meaningful source of religious identity. Despite religious life being in decline, especially for women, new orders are still cropping up around the world. Most of them have an element of traditionalism, such as habits. Sisters from the relatively new order Missionaries of Gods Love, at St Josephs Catholic Church, Warrnambool. Credit: Nicole Cleary The wimpled Sisters of Mary Morning Star, founded in 2014, have opened a convent in Brisbane. A cloistered, silent Carmelite order has opened a convent on the NSW-Victorian border, and a young woman from Sydneys Maroubra has just made her final vow. Another young Australian, former ABC cadet journalist Nancy Webb (now Rose Patrick), has also joined the Sisters of Life (her brother has been ordained in Toowoomba). The Canberra-based Missionaries of Gods Love Sisters, founded in 1987 but not yet recognised by Rome (theyre a few sisters short), wear brown skirts, take a vow of radical poverty (they live entirely on donations), and are attracting at least one recruit a year. Its the most challenging thing Ive ever done in my life, but also the most rewarding, says Wollongong postulant Rachel Walsh, 23. Isobel Stewart, 30, a former teacher from Warrnambool said she doesnt mind depending on donations. Its like everything else faded away, she said. My parents very much instilled the truth that these things [such as possessions and money] provide limited enjoyment and limited comfort. Its not long lasting. Isobel Stewart, from Warrnambool, has taken a vow of radical poverty. Credit: Nicole Cleary Father Sam French a 31-year-old known as the TikTok priest is open about embracing traditional attire, and discusses it with his 63,900 followers. He wears a long, black cassock, which most Australians would identify with Eastern Orthodox clergy. Were living in an increasingly post-Christian world in some sense, he says. [Wearing the cassock] is a particular way of bearing witness to ones own faith. There may have been a time when the thought was that to wear clerical outfit in public was an undue exercise of power. That doesnt really work in the world today. French has drawn on old traditions in his new line of priestly merchandise, which features a hoodie ($80) depicting a priest prepared for an exorcism with the slogan Catholic priests, the original ghostbusters, and a go to confession mug and bucket hat. Its not just new clergy embracing old-fashioned practices. Young Catholics are flocking to parishes such as the Maternal Heart of Mary in Sydneys inner west for sung masses in Latin, using the pre-Vatican II liturgy. Women and little girls cover their head in lace veils. At communion, the priest places the eucharist not in the hands, a post-Vatican II practice, but on the tongue, which adherents believe is an expression of humility, and ensures they dont lose even a crumb of what has been transformed into the body of Christ. Young Catholics are proselytising on social media, posting pictures of ornate churches, ornate rosaries, and summer catholic girl outfits on platforms such as Instagram, under hashtags such as #tradcatholic and #catholiccore. One in five people identify themselves as Catholic; it remains Australias most dominant religion. Like others, its declining. In the five years to 2021, national average mass attendance fell by a third to just over 400,000. The fall was most dramatic among women, who used to be the most active churchgoers but now only barely outnumber men. A #CatholicCore post. A 2022 global survey, co-authored by McEwan, identified a divide among Australian Catholic women. Younger ones were more conservative than their elders and their overseas counterparts, and were more invested in traditional beliefs and practices. While older women were more hungry for reforms such as introducing female priests or allowing divorcees to get married, younger devotees had little interest in relaxing rules on sex, contraception and the priesthood. McEwan had already begun tracking this increasing devoutness. In an earlier study, she looked at religious practices in the decade to 2015, and found a doubling of the young women saying the rosary regularly. They were the only cohort to say God had become more important in their life, and to grow in their belief that bread and wine truly became Christs body and blood. Young people told this masthead the old practices give them a sense of the grandeur and beauty of their religion. As Sam Frenchs brother John, whose Catholic TikTok account has 113,000 followers, puts it, so much of the traditional garments, art and culture is so beautiful, he says. The experience of beauty draws us into the author of that beauty itself. The papacy of Pope Francis has been opposed by many Catholic conservatives. Credit: AP But this conservative push is causing tensions within the church, as conservatives, who grew in dominance during the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict, lock horns with progressives, and particularly the Jesuit Pope, Francis. The Latin mass has become emblematic of this power struggle, particularly in America, where so-called radtrads (radical traditionalists) argue the watering down of traditional practices are causing the slow decline of the church. Conservative Benedict gave priests more freedom to celebrate mass in its 1962 form, before the Vatican II ruled it could be performed in the local language rather than Latin to make it more accessible to churchgoers. But Francis has intervened against its spread three times. Critics say hes discriminating against traditionalists. The issue has not boiled over in Australia, but its simmering. When Pope Francis intervened in 2021, the priest at St Michaels, Belfield, where a brawl erupted between trans activists and members of the conservative religious group Christian Lives Matter early last year, said the move had caused him shock, hurt and bewilderment. This papal document has left so many people who love the traditional Latin mass feeling ostracised, hurt, pushed to the fringes and feeling almost punished for their rightful love for this ancient liturgy, Father Andrew Benton said in a social media post. The Society of St Pius Xs Australia and New Zealand chapter also regards the old mass as truly Catholic, centred on God, and fruitful (full of saints and martyrs), and the new one as half-Protestant, centred on man, and barren. This publication was refused permission to allow a photographer into the Maternal Heart of Mary, run by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. The priest told parishioners from the pulpit not to talk to secular media, for fear the churchs practices may be misunderstood. Some argue the conservative push is a challenge to the modernising practices of Vatican II. They say it risks a schism in the Catholic Church between the traditionalists and progressives, and is undermining the infallibility of the Pope. If you wanted to have rock pop Christian music, Hillsong does it 100 times better. Father Sam French, also known as the TikTok priest But Sam French says there need not be a conflict between traditional practices and the post-Vatican II church. There was no mandate that habits and cassocks should not be worn. The decision was left to individual orders, and there were no rulings against mantillas, or Gregorian chants, or kneeling to receive the eucharist on the tongue. Its not a rejection of Vatican II but more a rejection of the affectations of 70s culture in general, he says. I think thats what a lot of young people in the church are rejecting today. Loading For French, who is the vocations director for the Broken Bay diocese, its about embracing unique, recognisable elements of Catholicism in a world in which faith is not popular. People dont want to have one foot in and one foot out, they want to embrace faith wholeheartedly and go all in. Sydney University has ordered the sprawling pro-Palestinian encampment to pack up and leave campus almost eight weeks after it sprung up on the quadrangle lawns. Vice chancellor Mark Scott wrote to organisers on Friday instructing them to vacate the site, which has been occupied by dozens of tents since April 23. Scott told the organisers the camp needed to be cleared so the lawns could be remediated in time for the start of semester twos Welcome Fest. It came after university management put up signs on Friday morning saying unattended items would be confiscated and security removed broken items and packed-down tents. In mid-2020, as pandemic lockdowns began to bite the construction sector, subcontractor Jeremy Clarke had finished a big project on the states South Coast and was on the hunt for more work. His desire to win new contracts preferably on government projects coincided with an infrastructure boom at the City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council, a corruption inquiry has heard. General Works and Construction director and shareholder Jeremy Clarke. Credit: ICAC Clarke, an engineer and owner of General Works and Construction, told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption he had spoken to his former colleague, Pietro Cossu, who was contracted as the councils construction team leader, about picking up some jobs around that time. Pietro said, Our budget is ramping up. Weve got shitloads of work. We dont have enough contractors to do the work. Are you available? And are your guys available? The June 15 Edition Surveys suggest young people worldwide are becoming disengaged from politics. This is bad news for not just democracy, but for the calibre of our future leaders. Part of the reason apart from rising social apathy is that a politicians life isnt easy: the gruelling hours, the pressure to be constantly on top of policy, the loss of privacy, the verbal combat on the floors of parliament. Only a rare few are cut out for the job, and its clear from Jane Cadzows cover story today, that Max Chandler-Mather is one of them. People in Canberra tend to dismiss Chandler-Mather as an overgrown student politician, too idealistic for his own good, Cadzow says of the 32-year-old Greens MP for Griffith, but I found his earnestness and optimism refreshing. Deputy editor, Greg Callaghan The powerful education union has ordered teachers to disobey the Victorian governments mandate that public schools introduce structured phonics as part of an explicit teaching approach, setting up a new political flashpoint in the long-running reading wars. The Australian Education Unions primary and secondary councils united on Friday in a fiery statement that criticised the governments decision to roll out a systematic synthetic phonics approach for all prep to grade 2 students. Education Minister Ben Carroll announcing the policy change at The Age Schools Summit on Thursday. Credit: Joe Armao The policy change which demands all Victorian government schools teach the same type of reading lessons in effect removes principals ability to choose what teaching approach to take. The joint union statement accused Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll of showing a lack of respect for the profession and noted with alarm his apparent lack of understanding of the current curriculum. Angry farmers have told a parliamentary inquiry the banning of live sheep exports will kill some small towns. Federal agriculture committee MPs travelled to the Muresk Institute near Northam about 90 minutes east of Perth on Friday to hear from farmers, shearers, transporters and others who oppose the governments plan to ban such exports by 2028. Outside the hearing, utes lined up for kilometres as hundreds of those affected attended. Farmers line the roadsides for kilometres outside the hearing location. Credit: WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam During an at-times heated debate they repeatedly asked for the ban to be reversed, saying it would kill regional towns. People will leave, schools will close, police stations will disappear. This is devastating to regional south-west Western Australia, WA Farmers John Hassell told the inquiry. They said confidence had been zapped from the industry. Questions from committee chair Meryl Swanson about how farming organisations were helping members to transition out of live exports were met with anger. They are not dumb country hicks that live in a vacuum, WA Farmers Steve McGuire fired back. They tell us what to do, we dont tell them. What the federal government is asking us to do is put all our eggs in the abattoir basket, the sheep producer said. Darren Spencer from the WA Shearing Industry Association described the $107 million transition package as insulting. Ben Sutherland from the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA said his association had received numerous calls from distressed members. The ban would still allow live sheep to be exported by air and live cattle by sea. The inquiry has heard mortality rates on live sheep export ships had dropped significantly since 2017, when more than 2000 sheep died from heat stress while on a ship from Australia to the Middle East. Exporters told the inquiry sheep voyage mortality rates were 80 per cent lower than a decade ago. AAP Federal authorities have approved 51 renewable energy projects since the last election to add to the electricity grid and prepare for the closure of coal-fired power stations amid a growing political row about the need for new capacity to avoid future shortages. The new projects are expected to add 8.4 gigawatts of clean energy to the grid, almost three times the capacity of the countrys biggest coal-fired power stations, and will be accompanied by storage to deal with intermittent supply from wind and solar farms. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer, Alex Ellinghausen But Labor is confronting rising concern from renewable companies about obstacles to their investments despite the urgent need for additional supply even after state decisions to extend the lives of the Eraring coal-fired power station in NSW and the Loy Yang A power station in Victoria. The new figures heighten the dispute over energy policy after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton revealed this week he would not set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and would instead propose building nuclear power stations to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. As St. Maarten grapples with an ongoing power crisis, the call for robust solutions has never been more urgent. Recent discussions by our Prime Minister about reaching out to the World Bank and the Dutch government for financial assistance underscore the critical need for substantial investment in our energy infrastructure. This juncture presents a golden opportunity to pivot towards sustainable energy solutions, rather than pouring funds into antiquated, polluting technologies that the world is steadily moving away from. In the short term, we must unfortunately rely on the same outdated, fossil fuel-dependent technology to meet our immediate energy demands. However, it is clear that this is only a stopgap measure. The current crisis highlights the urgency and necessity of transitioning towards green energy for the long-term benefit of St. Maarten. Investing in sustainable energy now is not just a forward-thinking approachit is in fact a necessity. As the global community accelerates its shift away from fossil fuels, St. Maarten must align itself with this trajectory to ensure long-term energy security and economic stability. The reluctance to consider green energy investments as a viable option is both surprising and short-sighted. Numerous small island states similar to ours have successfully transitioned to renewable energy sources, with some achieving more than 50% of their power from green energy. There are also a wealth of financial mechanisms available to support our transition to a sustainable energy future, we just need to have the expertise and vision in order to navigate this path. Green and blue bonds, the Green Climate Fund, and major lenders with corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies favoring green energy investments are all potential sources of funding. The European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and various other international financial institutions and Multi-Lateral Development Banks are keen to support green energy projects, recognizing the dual benefits of environmental sustainability and economic resilience. Moreover, innovative debt repayment options such as debt-for-nature swaps, biodiversity offsetting mechanisms, and blue and green bonds present viable pathways to manage our financial obligations while investing in our future. These mechanisms not only provide the necessary capital but also ensure that our environmental and economic goals are aligned. Barbados especially is a shining example in the region on how these financial mechanisms are operationalized on a small island developing state, or large ocean state as I like to call it. At this critical juncture in our National Development it is critical that the government of St. Maarten explores these possibilities and commits to creating the enabling environment and policy frameworks needed to make green energy a reality. This includes streamlined regulations, incentives for renewable energy investments, and robust support for research and development in sustainable technologies. The time for action is now. We cannot afford to delay or divert resources into solutions that are becoming obsolete and environmentally damaging. Instead, we must harness this moment to steer St. Maarten towards a sustainable energy future, ensuring a resilient and prosperous island for generations to come. The call to transition to green energy is not merely a lofty ideal; it is a practical and urgent necessity. Let us all join handsgovernment, private sector, and citizensto embrace this challenge and turn it into an opportunity. St. Maarten has the potential to be a leader in sustainable energy development among small island states. Now is the time to make it happen. Tadzio Bervoets Caribbean Conservation Professional Belair, Sint Maarten +1 721 5864588 PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes has voiced significant concerns over the recent directives issued by Minister of Education Lyndon Lewis regarding St. Maarten's school bus operators. In a letter dated June 12, 2024, Minister Lewis mandated that school bus operators sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) by June 28, 2024. The letter, inviting school bus operators to a meeting on June 15, 2024, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Government Administration Buildings Meeting Rooms 1 and 2, sets out three critical topics for discussion: the service level agreement, the implementation of a fleet management system, and addressing inappropriate behaviour by school bus drivers. However, the blanket allegation of inappropriate behavior has irked seasoned School Bus Operators, who say the Minister should address his concern directly to whichever individual is accused and not make it appear as if this is the general practice of School Bus Operators. Minister Lewis's insistence on moving forward with the SLA by June 28 and the threat of a public bid have also drawn sharp criticism from the school bus operators and MP Lacroes. MP Lacroes advises Minister Lewis to tread carefully, urging him to pay special attention to the procedures used in the past when handling the SLA for school bus drivers. According to Lacroes, the previous process was flawed and not properly followed, leading to significant challenges that still need to be addressed. Lacroes emphasized giving sufficient time for dialogue with the school bus operators rather than rushing the process. He insists Minister Lewis should not be too quick to sign off on the SLA, as it contains issues requiring careful consideration and resolution. "These men and women have dedicated their lives to ensuring our children get to school safely daily," said Lacroes. "To threaten their livelihood without proper dialogue is disrespectful and unjust." MP Lacroes highlighted that the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (TEATT) oversees bus inspections and has received numerous complaints about payment irregularities and the constant threat of public bids from disgruntled School Bus Operators. "School bus operators have faced withheld payments for work completed on specific routes, and the looming threat of a public bid only adds to their distress," Lacroes added. MP Lacroes urged Minister Lewis to engage in meaningful discussions with the school bus operators and to develop a workable agreement that addresses their grievances. He pointed to past efforts by TEATT to ensure safety and accountability through proposed camera installations on school buses, a measure intended to protect children and operators. "Instead of making unfounded allegations, we should focus on solutions that ensure the safety and well-being of our children while respecting the service and dedication of our school bus operators," Lacroes stated. "This includes listening to their grievances and working collaboratively to improve the system." In his heartfelt plea, MP Lacroes called Minister Lewis to reconsider his approach and ensure that the process respects the long-standing dedication of the school bus operators. "We must not forget the decades of dedicated service these operators have provided. They deserve our respect and fair treatment, not threats and unwarranted accusations," Lacroes concluded. As the meeting date approaches, all eyes will be on the outcome and whether Minister Lewis will heed the call for a more thoughtful and respectful approach towards St. Maarten's school bus operators. Amazon pledges $230 mn to boost generative AI startups San Francisco, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2024 Cloud computing giant Amazon Web Services on Thursday announced a $230 million commitment aimed at accelerating the development of generative artificial intelligence applications by startups worldwide. The initiative will provide early stage companies with AWS cloud computing credits, mentorship, and education to further their utilization of AI and machine learning technologies, the company said. Amazon's gesture comes as big tech companies are under increased scrutiny from antitrust regulators over whether they are stifling competition in the emerging AI market. Participating startups will have access to AWS computing, storage, database, and custom AI chip offerings through the provided credits. The training of generative AI models behind apps such as ChatGPT requires an immense amount computing power that quickly depletes the cash reserves of startups. Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission opened an inquiry into how major tech firms were investing in AI startups, requesting further information from the companies, including AWS. The EU and Britain's competition watchdogs are also examining tie-ups between artificial intelligence firms and their US big tech partners. DR Congo weighs legal move against Apple in mining dispute Kinshasa, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2024 The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is studying legal action against Apple in France and the United States, after accusing the US tech giant of using "illegally exploited" minerals, its lawyers said Thursday. In April, the DRC's Paris-based lawyers said Apple had purchased key minerals smuggled from the DRC into neighbouring Rwanda, where they were laundered and "integrated into the global supply chain". On Thursday, lawyer William Bourdon said that after receiving a formal notice, Apple had given only a "terse" response that could be considered "a form of contempt, cynicism and arrogance". The government's lawyers were meeting in Kinshasa to discuss strategic options for the case, and held talks with President Felix Tshisekedi. "The legal options are on the table" for both France and the United States, Bourdon said, adding that other challenges could be lodged in countries "on all the continents". The DRC is rich in tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold -- known as 3T or 3TG -- that are used in producing smartphones and other electronic devices. The country's mineral-rich Great Lakes region has been wracked by violence since regional wars in the 1990s. Tensions resurged in late 2021 when rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) began recapturing swathes of territory. The DRC, the United Nations and Western countries accuse Rwanda of supporting rebel groups including M23 in a bid to control the region's vast mineral resources, an allegation Kigali denies. Apple said in April: "Based on our due diligence efforts... we found no reasonable basis for concluding that any of the smelters or refiners of 3TG determined to be in our supply chain as of December 31, 2023, directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or an adjoining country". mbb/js/rlp France makes 700-mn-euro offer for Atos security units Paris, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Debt-laden tech group Atos said Friday the French state has made a 700-million-euro bid for its most sensitive businesses, including cybersecurity and the supercomputers used for the country's nuclear deterrent. The offer, equivalent to $750 million, comes after Paris said it would not allow the French company's strategic activities from being taken over by foreign actors. Atos said in a statement that its board and management "will discuss this proposal with the French State, noting that no assurances can be made that the parties will successfully negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement". The French state is seeking to acquire the group's activities in advanced computing, mission-critical systems and cybersecurity. It also comes three days after Atos chose a financial rescue offer from its main shareholder, French-owned IT consultancy Onepoint, over a bid from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Atos, which holds contracts with the French army and is the IT partner for the Paris Olympics, is sagging under almost five billion euros of debt. pr/may/lth/ach Meta pauses AI plans in Europe after privacy complaints Vienna, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Meta has paused plans to use personal data to train its artificial intelligence technology in Europe, Ireland's regulator said Friday, after the social media giant was hit with privacy complaints. Last week, a Vienna-based privacy campaign group filed complaints in 11 European countries against Meta, saying the global tech giant's planned privacy policy change would allow "unlawful" use of personal data to train an "undefined" type of current and future AI technology. The complaints brought by the European Center for Digital Rights -- also known as Noyb ("None of Your Business") -- followed a recent announcement by Meta in which it informed its European users of a change in its privacy policy from June 26. The group said it found out that Meta planned to use all public and non-public user data that it has collected since 2007 for the AI technology. Through the complaints, the group asked data protection authorities in the 11 European countries to stop Meta's new privacy policy before it enters into force in late June and fully investigate it. In a statement on Friday, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) said it "welcomes the decision by Meta to pause its plans to train its large language model using public content shared by adults on Facebook and Instagram across the EU/EEA". "This decision followed intensive engagement between the DPC and Meta," the DPC said, adding that it would continue to engage with Meta on this issue together with its fellow EU data protection authorities. "We welcome this development, but will monitor this closely. So far there is no official change of the Meta privacy policy, which would make this commitment legally binding," Noyb founder Max Schrems said in a statement. "The cases we filed are ongoing and will need a determination," he added. Noyb has launched several legal cases against technology giants, often prompting action from regulatory authorities. The group began working in 2018 with the advent of the EU's landmark General Data Protection Regulation. bur-kym/imm Iran expands nuclear capacities further: IAEA Vienna, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2024 Iran is further expanding its nuclear capacities, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday, one week after the agency's board of governors passed a resolution criticising Tehran's lack of cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. The IAEA informed its members that Tehran told the agency it was installing more cascades at the enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow, according to a statement sent to AFP. A cascade is a series of centrifuges, machines used in the process of enriching uranium. A diplomatic source deemed this development as "moderate". The motion brought by Britain, France and Germany -- but opposed by China and Russia -- at the IAEA's 35-nation board last week was the first of its kind since November 2022. The resolution -- which Tehran slammed as "hasty and unwise" -- came amid an impasse over Iran's escalating nuclear activities and as Western powers fear Tehran may be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Iran denies. Although symbolic in nature at this stage, the censure motion aims to raise diplomatic pressure on Iran, with the option to potentially refer the issue to the UN Security Council. In the past, similar resolutions have prompted Tehran to retaliate by removing surveillance cameras and other equipment from its nuclear facilities and ratcheting up its uranium enrichment activities. "The report issued today by the IAEA makes clear that Iran aims to continue expanding its nuclear programme in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. "Iran must cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fully implement its legally binding safeguards obligations." According to the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to the high level of 60 percent -- just short of weapons-grade -- while it keeps accumulating large uranium stockpiles. The IAEA has said that Tehran has significantly ramped up its nuclear programme and now has enough material to build several atomic bombs. The Islamic republic has gradually broken away from its commitments under the nuclear deal it struck with world powers in 2015. The landmark deal provided Iran with relief from Western sanctions in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme, but it fell apart after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States under then-president Donald Trump in 2018. Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed. German arms maker to hire workers from ailing auto firm Frankfurt, Germany, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, whose business has boomed amid the Ukraine war, is set to hire workers from Continental as the auto supplier cuts thousands of jobs, the companies said on Friday. The defence group has seen demand soar as countries rush to re-arm following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is setting up new factories and said in March it was targeting a record 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) in sales this year. In contrast Continental, which makes tyres and supplies car components, is in the process of cutting over 7,000 jobs worldwide as it faces intense competition and the tricky switch to electric vehicles. The companies said they had inked an agreement "to partly cover Rheinmetall's fast-growing personnel requirements in the coming years with Continental employees affected by the transformation" in the auto sector. As a first step, up to 100 employees from Continental's Gifhorn plant in northern Germany, which is set to close in 2027, will get jobs with Rheinmetall at a nearby site, they said. Events will be organised at other sites in Germany at which staff can find out about career opportunities at Rheinmetall. Rheinmetall is the third company that Continental has signed up to its initiative to help staff find new jobs. "The profound changes in all industries can only be tackled together," said Continental human resources boss Ariane Reinhart. Peter Sebastian Krause, who oversees human resources at Rheinmetall, said Continental was an "excellent match" for the defence group. Soaring demand -- Rheinmetall is expecting sales growth of up to 40 percent in the current financial year -- means the company needs to hire staff quickly, at a time Germany is suffering from shortages of skilled labour. In a country still haunted by post-War War II guilt, Germany's weapons manufacturers were for years not the most celebrated firms. Europe's top economy preferred to highlight its well-known carmakers or industrial giants. That has started changing since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, as demand for military equipment boosts the arms industry's fortunes. sr/gil RHEINMETALL US, NATO slam Putin's Ukraine peace demands Brussels, Belgium, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 The United States and NATO on Friday rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands that Ukraine should withdraw from territory claimed by Moscow to end the Kremlin's invasion. "Putin has occupied, illegally occupied, sovereign Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about peace," Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said at the end of a NATO meeting in Brussels. "He could end this today, if he chose to do that, and we call upon him to do that, and to leave Ukrainian sovereign territory." Putin said Friday that Moscow would only halt its offensive on Ukraine if Kyiv effectively surrenders by pulling its troops out of the east and south and dropping its bid for NATO membership. Ukraine immediately rejected Putin's hardline "conditions" to halt the full-scale military offensive that he launched in February 2022, with Kyiv trying to corral international support at a major peace summit in Switzerland this weekend. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also slammed the conditions set out by Putin for initiating Ukraine peace talks. "This is not a proposal made in good faith," Stoltenberg told reporters. "This is a proposal that actually means that Russia should achieve their war aims, by expecting that Ukrainians should give up significantly more land than Russia has been able to occupy so far," he said. "This is a proposal of more aggression, more occupation and, and it demonstrates, in a way, that Russia's aim is to control Ukraine." US Supreme Court strikes down ban on gun 'bump stocks' Washington, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 The US Supreme Court ruled on Friday that a ban introduced by ex-president Donald Trump's administration on "bump stocks" -- which allow semi-automatic rifles to fire like a machine gun -- is unconstitutional. The case stems from the worst mass shooting in US history, in October 2017, when a man fired on a crowd attending an outdoor music concert in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and wounding around 500. Most of his 22 guns were equipped with bump stocks, allowing them to fire as many as nine bullets a second. The court voted along ideological lines, 6-3 in favor of the conservative justices, that the Trump administration did not follow the law after the shooting in extending a ban on machine guns to include bump stocks. "This case asks whether a bump stock -- an accessory for a semiautomatic rifle that allows the shooter to rapidly reengage the trigger (and therefore achieve a high rate of fire) -- converts the rifle into a 'machinegun,'" said Justice Clarence Thomas, writing the opinion for the majority. "We hold that it does not." The government first took action on bump stocks in February 2018, following another mass shooting at a Florida high school which left 17 people dead, when the Justice Department under Trump moved to declare the detachable devices illegal. In December of that year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revised its regulations on bump stocks, declaring that they fall under an existing 1934 law passed by Congress banning machine guns. Lawyers for Michael Cargill, a gun seller from Texas, challenged the move claiming the ATF had overstepped its bounds in classifying bump stocks with machine guns. US ramps up Sudan aid, warning of historic famine Washington, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 The United States on Friday announced $315 million in emergency aid for hungry Sudanese and pressed the warring sides for humanitarian access, warning that a famine of historic proportions could be unfolding. The assistance will include food and drinking water as well as malnutrition emergency screening and treatment for children. It comes as estimates say that five million people inside Sudan suffer extreme hunger, with food lacking also in neighboring countries where two million Sudanese have fled. "We need the world to wake up to the catastrophe happening before our very eyes," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters. "We've seen mortality projections estimating that in excess of 2.5 million people -- about 15 percent of the population -- in Darfur and Kordofan, the hardest-hit regions, could die by the end of September," she said. "This is the largest humanitarian crisis on the face of the planet, and yet somehow it threatens to get worse as the rainy season approaches." A UN humanitarian appeal for Sudan has received only 16 percent of its target, with much global attention focused instead on Gaza, where aid workers have also warned of famine risks. Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said Sudan could be in worse shape than Somalia in 2011 when some 250,000 people died after three consecutive seasons without enough rain in a country grappling with near anarchy. "The most worrying scenario would be that Sudan would become the deadliest famine since Ethiopia in the early 1980s," when as many as 1.2 million people died, she said. Sudan descended into war in April 2023 when the generals in charge of the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces took up arms to seize control, rejecting a plan to integrate. With the two sides battling for power across the country, Power said that deliveries of aid across the rival sides' lines of control was "virtually non-existent." Power strongly criticized both sides. The Rapid Support Forces, she said, have been "systematically looting humanitarian warehouses, stealing food and livestock, destroying grain storage facilities and wells in the most vulnerable Sudanese communities." The army, in turn "completely contradicts its commitments and its responsibility" to the Sudanese people by blocking aid from crossing the border with Chad into Darfur, she said. "The really clear message here is that it is obstruction, not insufficient stocks of food, that is the driving force behind the historic and deadly levels of starvation in Sudan," she said. "That has to change immediately." Putin says almost 700,000 Russian troops fighting in Ukraine Moscow, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Russian President Vladimir Putin said on television Friday that almost 700,000 Russians are fighting in Ukraine. "In the zone of our special military operation there are almost 700,000," Putin said during a televised meeting with decorated participants from the offensive. In December at his end-of-year press conference, Putin gave the figure of 617,000 taking part in combat operations. He said that of those, 244,000 had been mobilised. The latest figure on troop numbers comes after Russia in May launched a major ground assault in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region. Moscow rarely talks about the losses it has sustained through the conflict, which it still calls a "special military operation". It last gave an official figure in September 2022, when it said 5,937 soldiers had been killed in combat. But several independent analyses and assessments by Western intelligence services put Russian deaths well into the tens of thousands. Russia has a manpower advantage over Ukraine on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged issues with staffing and "morale" within Ukraine's often outgunned and outnumbered ranks. Kyiv has lowered the age at which men can be drafted and tightened punishments for those who avoid the call-up. "We need to staff the reserves... A large number of (brigades) are empty," Zelensky told AFP in May. Zelensky said in February that around 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the first two years of the conflict. Israeli officials reject defence chief 'attacks' on France Jerusalem, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Senior Israeli officials said Friday that comments by the defence minister, who rejected a French initiative to contain tensions on the Lebanese border over "hostile policies against Israel", do not reflect the government's position. French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday at the G7 summit in Italy that France, the United States and Israel would form a group to de-escalate soaring cross-border violence between Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israeli forces. But Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on social media platform X that "Israel will not be a party to the trilateral framework proposed by France", which last month had barred Israeli defence firms from a trade show. "As we fight a just war, defending our people, France has adopted hostile policies against Israel," Gallant said, accusing Paris of ignoring attacks on Israelis by Palestinian militant group Hamas. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials in the foreign ministry distanced themselves from Gallant's remarks. Asked by AFP whether the comments reflected the government's position, a spokesperson for the prime minister's office said Gallant was speaking as defence minister. The foreign ministry officials described the remarks as "attacks on France". "Beyond the existing disagreements between Israel and France, the statements against France are incorrect and inappropriate," the officials said. "France actively participated in the defence of Israel's skies and citizens and took part in the operation to thwart the Iranian missile attack" in April, they added. The officials also praised France's "clear line of condemnation and sanctions against Hamas" since the onset of the Gaza war, as well as combatting of the "scourge of anti-Semitism". Macron's offer, which he said a similar one was being made to Lebanon, aims to curb near-daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, which have escalated in recent weeks. The clashes began shortly after the Palestinian group's October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. French authorities in May banned Israeli defence firms from exhibiting at a trade show taking place later this month near Paris, amid global outrage over Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern 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 37,266 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry. mj-skl/abo/ysm/ami 'Constant blood': Ukraine's frontline medics battle exhaustion Ukraine, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 When Vitaliy signed up to join the Ukrainian army as a surgeon, he made a promise not to burn himself out, fearing he could be needed for a lengthy and bloody war. More than two years after Russia invaded and with the fighting showing no sign of subsiding, that promise is being put to the test. Vitaliy serves at a medical post in the Pokrovsk area of the Donetsk region, where Kyiv says the most intense Russian attacks across the entire front line are taking place. His job is to stabilise wounded soldiers so they stay alive long enough to make it to a proper hospital. The flow of the wounded is never-ending and the medics -- like Kyiv's outgunned troops -- never get a break. "Not a day goes by where they (the Russians) do not press and advance ... the enemy is attacking and advancing, pressing constantly," said Vitaliy. "The guys are also sleep deprived, tired, exhausted," he added. A call came in over the radio that a wounded soldier was on the way. Vitaly quickly put on his blue surgical gown and headlamp. Within 15 minutes the soldier, moaning from pain, arrived in an armoured vehicle and was carried into the facility on a stretcher. His vehicle had been hit in a drone attack. "They are in such bad shape and miserable when they get here that it breaks my heart," Vitaliy said after treating the soldier. "You feel sorry for them." - 'Powder keg' - One of the soldiers hit in the drone attack died. The man Vitaliy treated survived, but nothing could be done to save his hand, which was nearly completely torn off. The medical post is far from a safe haven, though. Stabilisation points are frequent targets for Russian strikes. "It's like you are sitting on a powder keg," Vitaliy said. "You are... waiting for something to hit you, because it is not far from the front line." Vitaliy sighed as he recalled the danger. All he wanted to do, he added, was "hold my daughter in my arms". Some frontline medics said their mental health had deteriorated so much that they would struggle to go back to a normal life. Asked how he coped, Andriy, a member of the evacuation team who had just brought in another wounded soldier, said: "I take anti-depressants." He already suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he said. The "constant blood and constant death" has changed him, the 46-year-old said, explaining that he struggled to fit into civilian life. "I can't even fall asleep when it's quiet anymore." Despite the toll, Andriy remains committed to the work. The best part? Seeing "the eyes of the wounded as we take them out and bring them in alive. "Without good medicine there will be very big losses," he said. But he knew the price he was paying was enormous. "We will not leave this war, either dead or alive." mv-led-sba-oc/jc/jj Part one took its time setting up the scenarios and generally felt overstuffed, but that meant that part two started like a barreling train and didn't let up until the very end. Part two also captures everything that made that first season of Bridgerton so successfulthe beautiful costumes, string versions of popular music as needle drops, attractive people in impossibly romantic situations, and the occasional treatise on the importance of female friendships. If part one had a theme of pursuing and defining kindness, then part two is all about truth. Starting where part one left off, Colin and Penelope have discovered that they are both ready to move out of the friend zone, and their easygoing chemistry makes this development feel natural. Colin is protective of Penelope and finally sees how shes been treated all her lifeinvisible and dismissed. He shines when defending Penelope to her mother. Forget the winking and hand kissing from part one; Colin ready to throw down to protect Penelope is swoonworthy. Hes all in. Snarky, romantic Colin is the best Colin. Tick Tock- BRIDGERTON, Pictured: Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Victor Alli as John Stirling, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury, Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton. Liam Daniel/Netflix 2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved As a nod to the books, Colin and Penelopes first time together starts with him extolling her attributes while they look in the mirror. The scene is Bridgerton-level explicit but romantic. Penelope wonders if shes a mess, and Colin replies, You are my mess. Speaking of things getting a little messy, we get our first throuple! Benedict was never going to follow the prescribed path for him, but finally finding happiness with Tillie and Paul added a new dimension to his development. I hope Benedicts realization plays into his love story, which is hinted at by mentioning his mothers upcoming masquerade ball. Fans of Julia Quinns series know this scenario from Benedicts story in An Offer from a Gentleman. Francescas love story also gets a wonderful change from the books. Her courtship and marriage to John Stirling is different from her siblings because she craves a slower, quieter courtship versus the thunderbolt, loss of words version that her mother reveres. We see Francesca bewildered when meeting John Stirlings cousin, Michaela. This trip to Scotland should be really interesting. Eloise, our pragmatic guide through this world, finally reconciles with Penelope and, like Colin, can see that part of her anger toward Penelope involves being jealous of Penelopes determination to create something thats her own. Eloise is no longer content to wield witty remarks and talk about making the world better; she needs to leave her bubble and decides to accompany Francesca to Scotland. Lady Danbury is the MVP of this season. Whether shes nudging Violet to accept Francescas pick for husband, eventually reconciling with her brother Marcus, or trying to pull Queen Charlotte away from her Lady Whisteldown obsession skillfully, she is expertly moving through the ton. Lady Danbury and Violet have a lovely exchange during which they both acknowledge Lady Danburys relationship with Violets father. Its less sordid than it sounds. Through Lady Danburys reconciliation with Marcus, she shares that her anger with him stems from thinking he thwarted her attempt to escape before her wedding. Its hard not to see the parallels between her and Cressidas predicament. Oh, Cressida. What are we going to do with you and your enormous sleeves? Really, theres one scene where the sleeves resemble a dilophosaurus. We go back and forth between hate and pity for her. On the one hand, she plays the mean girl role with perfection, but every time we see her parents, it's clear they molded her into this role. Cressidas father is cruel (nice touch adding a brief scene with Aunt Joanna to show cruelty runs in the family) and her mother is weak and misguided. Not wanting to be married off to an older man (not a little bit older, like ancient old) who states that hes interested in having four or five kids. Cressidas desperation to escape her fate drives her plan to claim to be Lady Whistledown and use the $5,000 bounty and get far away from the ton. Unfortunately, Queen Charlotte smartly demands proof from Cressida by writing a new issue of Lady Whistledown. The common consensus from everyone is that Cressida is not clever or observant enough to be Lady Whistledown. Romancing Mister. Bridgerton- BRIDGERTON, Pictured: Jessica Madsen as Cressida Cowper. Liam Daniel/Netflix 2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved As an aside, if we didnt get the Queen Charlotte spin-off, she might have been entirely insufferable this season. Instead, we see that shes bored and more than a little lonely. Part two of this season of Bridgerton is highly bingeable and finally balances the enormous cast. Penelopes family gets a redemption arc, although Prudence and Phillipa's knowledge of anatomy continues to be lacking. Even Anthony and Kate get more substantial storytime, with Kate doling out marital advice to Colin, and Anthony telling Kate that they should travel to her town in India to have their first child. Which Bridgerton sibling will find love in season four and will that season be shot before Gregory and Hyacinth are completely grown? Is Cressida gone for good? Meredith Howell Meredith lives in Chicago where she and her husband made sure their two boys were fluent in all things pop culture. She loves talking about all things GG- Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, and Golden Girls and indulges in a yearly viewing of Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth version is the only one recognized). Was splittingseason three into two parts a good idea? Viewers had four weeks to float theories, pick apart characters, and grow impatient with anticipation. The gamble worked, and absence definitely made the heart grow fonder. And his children, all of us have just more or less taken a leaf out of his book to always try to give as much as we possibly can, where we can, however we can. * FIRST NAME * LAST NAME * EMAIL Your email address * PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show * YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 * Required fields I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice CREATE ACCOUNT I'LL TRY LATER Already have an account? SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. According to the charge, Phillips is accused of engaging in conduct, namely applying for employment at the Border Force, security clearance, offering logistical support, setting up a mobile phone so that it was available to be used by a foreign intelligence service, acquiring and disclosing personal contact details of an MP, intending that conduct to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities. He said: They may have had permission to enter the building, as they appear to be students, but they did not have permission to enter the building in order to encamp on part of it, nor have they ever had permission to remain there. Despite the dire figures, not enough is being done to combat the problem, and the government has not yet cared enough about it, the audience heard. Anne Longfield, former childrens commissioner, said: Often government decides things are too difficult and puts them in a box and then ignores them or does stuff round the edges. And I think this is something which people in government are scared of and feel squeamish about it doesnt have that champion who leads it. Yet parties with little realistic chance of victory on July 4 can afford to be bold. This is an election defined by traditional battlelines between Labour and the Conservatives. The embattled Prime Minister, who was taking a break from the campaign trail to meet world leaders in Italy, predicted a Tory comeback as he stressed we are only halfway through this election and that he is still fighting very hard for every vote. Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday that the elections for the office of president of the country will be held in September, as decided by the coalition. "It is obvious that the elections for the office of president are in September, as we have decided. We laid down a very clear condition, we did not announce the merger of elections until we had the full election calendar. (...) The election calendar is announced before the merger," premier Ciolacu said after the Social Democratic Party (PSD) National Political Council meeting. He added that regardless of whether there will be a single candidate of the PSD and the National Liberal Party (PNL) in the presidential elections or whether the PSD will go alone to these elections, the Social Democrats will have a candidate for the office of president of Romania. Marcel Ciolacu said that in early July, the PSD will hold a congress to decide the presidential candidate The Oradea County Council (CJ) carried out the final reception of the construction works of the Cargo Terminal at Oradea Airport, a private investment of CTP Romania worth over 33 million euros. According to the CJ press release, CTPark Oradea Cargo Terminal is the first industrial park in Romania with a cargo terminal directly connected to the runway. Spread over 14.5 hectares of land, the park comprises 3 halls with storage, logistics and production spaces, in a total area of 6.5 hectares. The investment objective also includes the taxiway and aircraft parking apron. The project is the result of a public-private partnership, with Bihor County Council providing the land following a concession tender and CTP Romania making the entire investment. Oradea Airport has purchased equipment for cargo security screening worth 2.5 million euros. The financing was secured with European funds, through the Large Infrastructure Operational Programme 2014-2020. The next step is to obtain accreditation from the relevant institutions and to operate the cargo terminal. "According to the business plan, the airport aims to start cargo operations no later than next year and in 5 years to stabilise the activity, at the level of cargo terminals in other airports in the vicinity. By the end of July at the latest, the necessary accreditations will be obtained from the relevant institutions, border police, SRI [Romanian Intelligence Service], etc. From August, the cargo terminal will be fully operational. Together with the other road-rail terminals, the air terminal completes the necessary infrastructure for Oradea and Bihor County to develop in the coming years as a major logistics hub," said Bihor CJ president Ilie Bolojan. CTP is the largest owner, developer and manager of logistics and industrial real estate in continental Europe, based on gross leasable area, owning 12 million sqm of space in ten countries as of 31 March 2024. President Klaus Iohannis promulgated on Friday the Law amending Article 17 of the Government's Emergency Ordinance on access to one's own file and the declassification of Securitate. According to the changes, the Board of the National Council for the Study of Securitate Archives is composed of 13 members. Among them, 11 are appointed at the proposal of the parliamentary groups, according to the political configuration of the two legislative Chambers, including one representative of the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities in the Chamber of Deputies. They are joined by a representative member of civil society, proposed by the Romanian president, based on consultation with non-governmental organizations, and a representative member of civil society, proposed by the prime minister, based on consultation with non-governmental organizations. Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday, after the meeting of the National Political Council of the PSD in Sambata de Sus, that the party will hold a congress in early July to nominate the candidate for the presidency of Romania and that Mircea Geoana's candidacy had not been discussed within the party so far. "At the beginning of July, the Social Democratic Party will have a congress to nominate the presidential candidate. There are always several options. The important thing is that my colleagues and I make the best decision (...). The Mircea Geoana option has not been discussed within the party so far. And I personally have not had a discussion for several years with Mr. Mircea Geoana for such an eventuality," Marcel Ciolacu told a press conference. The PSD leader pointed out that in politics one must take into account the realities, the wishes of the electorate and that, if one looks at the profile of those who have won the elections at the moment, one does not see "the profile of the past." He said that an analysis had been made within the party and that if the result were not taken into account, it would happen as in the previous presidential elections. The National Political Council of the PSD took place on Friday in the "Sambata Academy" hall of the Brancoveanu Monastery in Sambata de Sus, to analyse the results of the local and European Parliament elections. AGERPRES National leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday, at the end of a convention of the PSD National Political Council at Sambata de Sus, Brasov County, that an analysis of the results of the June 9 local elections shows that his party won, getting over 50% of the county seats, big cities and county councils. "Today, together with my colleagues in the National Political Council, I analysed, as was normal, the local elections as well as the European election. I also put forth a schedule of political events (...) from a governmental point of view, and, together with my colleagues, a schedule of PSD political events. I would like to congratulate all my colleagues on their victories so far in the local elections. The Social Democratic Party won the elections, no matter how we look at it," Ciolacu told a news conference. The PSD leader said that this score is one that obliges, given that victories in politics are the most difficult to manage The National Political Council of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) met on Friday in the at Sambata de Sus, Brasov County, to assess the results of the June 9 local and European elections. Authorities at the Nadlac II and Bors II Border Crossing Points denied entry to Romania for three trucks loaded with more than 58 tons of waste from Italy and Poland, after determining that the drivers didn't have the required documents. The border police and representatives of the Bihor and Arad County Commissariats of the National Environmental Guard and the Bihor and Arad Consumer Protection Representatives found that the drivers didn't have the complete required import documentation for the 58.3 tons of waste consisting of textiles, second-hand furniture, aluminum scrap and mattresses, the Arad Border Police reported on Friday. The Romanian authorities ordered the waste shipments to be returned to the foreign sender companies. In the introduction to his book 'Kaizen in Public Administration. A Necessary Reform in Romania' launched the other day at the local Gaudeamus Radio Romania Book Fair, Buzau city mayor Constantin Toma points out that "due to the poorly performing and immensely costly Romanian public system, as well as due to the excessive centralization of decisions in Bucharest, our country's progress is stalled." The book written by Constantin Toma under the guidance of managing director of Kaizen Institute Romania Julien Bratu deals with the implementation of the Japanese Kaizen management system in the local public administration. "This book 'Kaizen in Public Administration. A Necessary Reform in Romania' covers the last seven years in the history of Buzau. Without implementing this modern management at the Buzau City Hall we wouldn't have achieved the special results we had. When I took over as a mayor in 2016, I asked for a financial report from the Economy Department - it was a disaster. After a year or so of applying managerial but rather dictatorial methods - I use this word with good reason - because we had to get things going, the idea occurred to me to implement this management system in public administration. I wasn't aware of the Kaizen method having been applied anywhere else. I contacted Mr. Julien Bratu, the managing director of Kaizen Institute Romania, in hopes he could give us some ideas," Constantin Toma declared on the occasion of the launch. After the phased implementation of Kaizen measures in the city hall's activity, the results, according to the author, materialized in larger amounts collected to the local budget and a higher efficiency of the administrative act, which translated in a massive slash of the response time to the official requests of citizens and companies, while the number of employees was cut by 30%; the mayoralty's own incomes increased by over 20 million euros, and the amount of European funding for public investments increased from 0 euros in 2016 to 422 million euros in September 2023. If youre thinking of not voting in the November presidential election, let me give you one important reason why you should vote the Lets say youre a progressive who wants Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and reparations for Black people. Trump opposes all these things, but Biden is too much of an incrementalist for you. So you decide not to vote. Whats the worst that could happen, right? Well, if Trump is elected, he could appoint up to three new right-wing Supreme Court justices and hundreds of lower court federal judges. Why is that important? Because federal judges have lifetime tenure. Many join the bench when theyre in their 40s or 50s and stay in position for decades until they die or retire. That means that when the next president comes along in 2028, it will be virtually impossible to implement a progressive agenda. Any policies you support will be struck down by Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justices and federal judges for the next two to three decades. Were seeing it already. In just four years in office, Trump appointed one-third of the U.S. Supreme Court and 242 federal judges. Thats why so many of Joe Bidens policies have been struck down. RELATED: Why I Want Cardi B to Vote Trying to go to college? The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last year that colleges and universities can no longer use race in admissions to create a more diverse student body. All six justices who killed affirmative action were appointed by Republican presidents. The three Democratic-appointed justices dissented. Struggling to pay your student loans? The Supreme Court killed student loan debt relief that would have helped 40 million Americans. Once again, all six justices were Republican appointees. Need to have an abortion? The Supreme Court ruled two years ago that women no longer have reproductive rights to control their own bodies. All six justices who overturned Roe v. Wade were Republican appointees. Did you fall behind on your rent during the pandemic? The Supreme Court ended the nationwide eviction moratorium that protected millions of American renters from being kicked out of their apartments. Once again, a 6-3 Republican decision. Want to vote for a Black member of Congress? The Supreme Court ruled that Republicans can use a racially gerrymandered voting map that disenfranchised Black voters in South Carolina. But all six Republican-appointed justices allowed the map. St. Louis native Keith Boykin is a New York Timesbestselling author, TV and film producer and former CNN political commentator. Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman 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 In a move that would have strengthened his political position, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page repeatedly offered a full-time job to state Rep. Gretchen Bangert, a Florissant Democrat, and encouraged her to consider abandoning her run for the County Council. Bangert who told the Post-Dispatch she had three conversations with Page in recent months, including one she recorded declined Pages offer. She remains a candidate in the 2nd District Democratic primary. Gretchen Bangert and Sam Page conversation Your browser does not support the audio element. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for politics, and it sounded like he was going to use government money to buy me off, Bangert said in an interview. Im not doing this to find a job. I want St. Louis County to prosper, Bangert added. Had Bangert accepted Pages offer, Nicole Greer, a former Creve Coeur council member, would have become the clear favorite to win the Aug. 6 Democratic primary, and also the likely winner of the Nov. 5 general election. Both Bangert and Greer filed their candidacies on Feb. 27. A third candidate, Lequeshiah Young of Maryland Heights, filed for the race in late March. While Page, a Democrat, has not endorsed a candidate in the 2nd District, Greers campaign has ties to the county executives political camp. That could ensure Page an ally in the 2nd District, which has been represented since 2019 by the departing Kelli Dunaway, a staunch Page supporter. Page has sparred with the council for nearly four years, ever since Rochelle Walton Grays reelection loss in 2020 left him with only three allies on the seven-member council. On Thursday, Page spokesperson Doug Moore said the county executive spoke with both Bangert and Greer to try to work it out, and avoid a contested primary. Moore said Page did not ask anyone to drop out of the race. He told both Nicole and Gretchen that if they were unsuccessful, there were job opportunities in the county, and they should consider applying. But no one has a job offer, Moore said. First meeting with Page Bangert has been elected to four two-year terms in the Missouri House. She is barred from seeking reelection to the House by the states term limits law. She said the first offer she received from Page came in November, when she met with him at his office in Clayton. Bangert said she asked for the meeting, partly as a courtesy call but also to see if he would back her council campaign. At that time, filings for the 2nd District seat were not yet open, but it was clear in political circles that Dunaway was not seeking reelection and that Bangert and Greer were interested in running. At the November meeting, Bangert said Page told her he would not support her bid for the council seat but that she would make a good addition to his administration. He mentioned a job with the auditors office, said Bangert, who worked as an auditor for the county before joining the state Legislature. Moore said Page only mentioned specific jobs to Bangert, such as in the auditors office, because Bangert previously had worked in that capacity before joining the state Legislature. Bangert said she declined a county job and told Page she was going to run for the council seat. The two met again in December at Pages office, at Pages request. Bangert said he again mentioned the possibility of her taking a job with the county. This time, he mentioned the auditors office and also the recorder of deeds office, she said. Again, Bangert said she declined the offer and repeated her desire to serve on the County Council. After about five months of silence, Bangert said she thought the matter was a done deal and that both she and Greer would vie for the council seat. So when Page reached out to her in May, she said, I was surprised. But those (previous) meetings made me feel uneasy, so I decided to record the discussion. Lots of opportunities The recorded conversation took place May 11 and lasted about 15 minutes. During the call, Page framed his efforts as a form of party unity eliminating the need for Bangert and Greer to oppose each other in the Democratic primary. I know you can spend all your time out campaigning, but you know, you may not have to, Page says in the conversation. Page goes on to say that he wants to see if we can make this a little less complicated, which means less opportunity for conflict. He continues, What Id like to do is to see if theres a way that you and Nicole could have one more conversation before the deadline to drop off the ballot passes and see if a primary could still be avoided if thats possible. The deadline for withdrawing from the race without having to go to court was May 28. Page also says in the conversation that theres lots of opportunities in county government for talented folks. Later, he tells Bangert, You could do a lot for us in a position of responsibility in county government. Bangert at one point replies, I feel that I would probably be the most effective in the role as a County Council person ... I think that I would be able to be most effective in the role of being on the County Council. Page responds by saying, Youre qualified, and youve got a good style that would work well, and I think you do a good job. You know, its just I think Nicole could do a good job, too. What I like to do, I like to find people who could do the job well, and then I would like to avoid escalation of conflict, Page adds. He also says that if Bangert truly is not interested, I can go talk to Nicole again, and Ill do that. She said shes open to listening. Greer did not return requests for comment. Although Page appears in the conversation to have no problem with Greer dropping out of the race, Page has ties to Greers campaign. Pages two most consistent allies on the council, Dunaway and Lisa Clancy, a Maplewood Democrat who represents the 5th District, have endorsed Greer. Also, Angela Bingaman, a prominent Democratic fundraiser who works with Pages campaign, is doing work for Greer, whose daughter, Sydni Jackson, was Dunaways campaign treasurer. A key race The 2nd District race is especially crucial to Pages position in relation to the County Council. In his five years as county executive, Page has had the consistent support of Dunaway and Clancy, both Democrats. But the councils other two Democrats Shalonda Webb, 4th District, and Rita Heard Days, 1st District oppose Page with regularity and have endorsed Bangert in the upcoming race. That leaves Page with a Republican as his third ally on the council Ernie Trakas, 6th District, who usually votes for Pages proposals. But Trakas reelection is not a given, as he has picked up an opponent in the GOP primary: George Michael Mike Archer. Archers challenge is supported by several prominent Republicans, including former councilman and police chief Tim Fitch, who has donated to Archers campaign. Three reliable votes on the council Dunaway, Clancy and Trakas does not give Page a majority, but it does make him veto-proof. It takes five council members votes to overturn any legislation Page might reject. To be reasonably guaranteed of regaining majority control of the council, Page likely would need Greer to win in the 2nd District and Webb to lose her rematch against Gray. Dunaways 2nd District seat represents northwest St. Louis County, including all or part of Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, St. Ann, Overland, Florissant, Olivette, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield. Bangerts current House district also includes Hazelwood and Bridgeton. She is currently serving as secretary to the House Democratic Caucus. She also is a past president of the bipartisan Women Legislators of Missouri and currently is the regional director of Women in Government. In her eight years in Jefferson City, as a member of the minority party, Bangert has proposed legislation involving vehicle safety, as well as several measures that would have toughened state firearms laws. In 2023, she proposed legislation that would have made it a criminal offense to improperly transport or store a firearm in a motor vehicle. And she introduced a bill that would have made it illegal to use a cellphone while driving, unless by a hands-free option. She also has gone to bat for animal protectors, by introducing a bill that would have provided immunity from civil liability for people who help animals trapped in motor vehicles. Greer, a councilwoman in Creve Coeur from 2020 until April, is a data analyst for AT&T. She also serves as vice president of candidate recruitment for the St. Louis chapter of the National Womens Political Caucus. ST. LOUIS On two consecutive weekdays last year, a state investigator tracked former Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner to a medical clinic for underserved St. Louisans. It was April. Gardners office was severely understaffed. Prosecutors sometimes didnt show up for trials. Two judges were threatening to hold Gardner in contempt. Elected officials were calling for her removal. But on those days, Gardner who later admitted she was taking nursing classes went to the nonprofit Family Care Health Centers on Manchester Avenue. She was there for at least three hours on the first day, according to a memo from an investigator assigned by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. And she returned the next day, at about the same time, though she left after sitting in her car for about 25 minutes. Months earlier, Bailey had filed suit against Gardner, accusing her of neglecting ongoing cases, failing to keep victims informed and amassing a backlog of thousands of new charges submitted by police. Those actions, the suit claimed, made her a usurper who must be removed from office. Late Wednesday, Baileys office released thousands of pages of documents gathered as part of that suit: city budgets, case files, charging information, at least one deposition, and videos and transcripts of Gardners public comments. Among the records are also a series of photos and a memo that shed light on Baileys efforts to track Gardners work on her nursing degree. Gardners office confirmed last year that Gardner was working on her degree at the time but said any suggestion that she is not fully committed to her duties as Circuit Attorney is blatantly false. The issues in our criminal justice system often relate to our broken health care system, spokesperson Allison Hawk said then. Neither Gardner nor Bailey responded to requests for comment Thursday. Gardner took office in 2017 on a progressive platform pledging to reform the justice system and build public trust in prosecutions. But within months of taking office she came under scrutiny for mass staff departures a trend that would continue even when she was elected to a second term in 2020. By early 2023 the circuit attorneys office had roughly half the number of prosecutors as when she started. Cases were often delayed, and when judges wouldnt grant continuances, they were dismissed and refiled to restart the clock. State lawmakers revived an effort that would have stripped Gardner of most of her power. Then, in February 2023, a car speeding through downtown streets crashed, slammed into another car and pinned a teen, who was visiting St. Louis for a volleyball tournament, between two cars, severing both of her legs. The cars driver, Daniel Riley, had been free on bond after court delays despite the fact that he had violated the conditions of his release multiple times. Gardners office was widely blamed for not revoking his bond. Calls for her resignation mounted. Gardner doubled down, calling them political attacks. But the pressure continued. In late April, two city judges filed to hold her in contempt after prosecutors failed to appear at two trials in consecutive weeks. In one of those cases, Judge Michael Noble called a hearing for the afternoon of April 27. Gardner sent two deputies. There, Noble called her office a rudderless ship of chaos and said she had a complete indifference and a conscious disregard for the judicial process. Now Baileys records show Gardner spent the morning at the nonprofit medical clinic. Attorney general investigator Robert Jauer had driven to the Family Care Health Centers in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, where, at 9:55 a.m., he spotted Gardners city-owned SUV parked outside. Authorities suspected even then that Gardner was spending time on her coursework during the work week. A few hours later, just before 12:45 p.m., Jauer watched Gardner leave the health center, and followed her back to her offices in the downtown courthouse. The next day, Jauer did the same. But this time, Gardner didnt get out of the car and left the medical clinic without going inside, Jauer wrote in his memo. The vehicle was later observed parked in front of the Carnahan Courthouse where it remained, Jauer wrote. The memo doesnt say what Gardner was doing there on either day. But Baileys office subpoenaed St. Louis University for records tracking Gardners student schedule and clinical work; none were included in the files obtained by the Post-Dispatch this week. SLU has not responded to repeated requests for Gardners enrollment status. Gardner abruptly stepped down as circuit attorney in May last year. Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, appointed Gabe Gore, a longtime attorney at multiple prominent St. Louis firms, as her replacement. Bailey then dismissed his suit against Gardner. In the months since, Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has continued a review of Gardners office finances. After months of searching, this week his office finally met with Gardner in St. Louis, said auditor spokesman Trevor Fox. Fox said Thursday he could not say what was discussed. But he said Fitzpatrick has subpoenaed St. Louis University, too, for Gardners dates of attendance, academic programs, transcripts, and class and clinical schedules. It was this subpoena, Fox wrote in a text message, that resulted in her current attorney reaching out to us, which ultimately led to her scheduling a time to meet with our auditors. COLUMBIA, Mo. With trucks and cars speeding by in the background, Missouri officials Thursday ceremoniously broke ground on the long-awaited widening of Interstate 70 across the states mid-section. The $2.8 billion project to add an additional lane in each direction will ease travel and serve as a legacy achievement for Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who made spending on roads and bridges a top priority in his six years in office. Infrastructure is not a Democrat or Republican issue whatsoever. Its just about making the state better for people, Parson told a crowd gathered in a hotel parking lot next to the busy I-70 interchange with U.S. Route 63, a few miles from the University of Missouri campus. I-70 has been talked about for decades. Decades, the governor said. I couldnt be more proud to be the governor at such a great time. The groundbreaking comes nearly one year after Parson signed legislation dedicating state funds to pay for the widening between Wentzville in the east and Blue Springs in the west. The transcontinental roadway was designed and built between 1956 and 1965. The Missouri Department of Transportation says its oldest sections are 60 years old and its youngest sections are 51 years old. A push to widen the east-west artery has been gaining steam for years as heavy truck and car traffic have frustrated motorists and affected the transport of goods. All told, an estimated 12.5 million vehicles ply the road each year, including heavy truck traffic carrying freight to 48 other states. The first segment on tap is between Kingdom City and Columbia beginning after July 4. It was chosen because the Missouri Department of Transportation had already planned to spend $123 million on improvements to interchanges at U.S. Route 54 and 63. Eric Kopinski, who is overseeing the massive project for MoDOT, said the $405 million price tag for the 20-mile stretch between the two mid-Missouri communities is the third largest project in state history. Its going to make it a better driving experience, Kopinski said, adding that the work will boost the economy through 300 construction jobs. Crews will be working overnight shifts for safety purposes and to bring the project in on schedule. Officials say two lanes will be open in each direction during peak travel times. Please have some patience with us, said Bob Leingang, a project supervisor for Millstone Weber, which won the contract through a bidding process. The second phase, which wont get underway until next year, will focus on work between Wentzville and Warrenton. Motorists in the St. Louis region are already seeing the effects of the project. Lanes closures went into effect this week for crews to locate underground utilities in St. Charles and Warren counties. Crews will close the left lane on westbound I-70 between Wentzville Parkway and the Warren County line on Friday and Monday night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. More closures are planned for later in June. Dustin Boatwright, chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, called the I-70 project a generational investment. While we celebrate today, we are actively working on the next bid package, and we look forward (to) completion of the entire I-70 corridor by late 2030, Boatwright said. JEFFERSON CITY One of Missouris most prolific Republican campaign donors put another $1 million into a campaign account benefiting Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe Thursday. The American Dream political action committee received two checks totaling $1 million from retired St. Louis financier Rex Sinquefield, putting Kehoes war chest over $7.4 million. That comes after Sinquefield last year wrote checks for Kehoe, who is vying for the GOP nomination on Aug. 6 against Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Sen. Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring. In addition, a PAC supporting Attorney General Andrew Bailey reported a $250,000 check Wednesday from Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield. Bailey faces attorney Will Scharf, who has recently gained media attention for representing former President Donald Trump, in the Aug. 6 GOP primary. In the governors race, Kehoe has far outpaced his rivals in the fundraising department as he hopes to overcome Ashcrofts high name recognition stemming from his fathers role as a U.S. senator and the U.S. attorney general. Ashcroft has reported having $2.5 million spread across two campaign accounts while Eigel reported in April that he has $1.7 million. Eigel has largely relied on small donations from across the country as part of a fundraising plan targeting supporters of former President Donald Trump. Formal complaints alleging fundraising irregularities have been filed against both Eigel and Ashcroft. Kehoe, a former car dealer and member of the Missouri Senate, has amassed money and backing from a number of high-profile lobby groups, including police, fire and agriculture organizations as he tries to replace the term-limited Gov. Mike Parson. While contributions to individual candidates are capped at $2,825, donors may give unlimited amounts to PACs allied with candidates. On the Democratic side, meantime, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield was endorsed Thursday by Planned Parenthood. The abortion and womens health care provider for the St. Louis region said Quade has been a pro-choice champion during her tenure in the House and could help lead a ticket pushing for Missouri voters to restore access to abortion through a ballot question in November. Im proud to be the pro-choice candidate in this race and as governor, Ill continue to stand up and fight for Missourians reproductive freedom and their access to abortion care, Quade said in a statement. Also running in the Democratic Party primary for governor is businessman Mike Hamra of Springfield. Partisan trolling, inflammatory rhetoric and outright slander against private citizens is part and parcel of a Missouri legislators job. That, in a nutshell, is the legal case that state Attorney General Andrew Bailey is making at the taxpayers expense in defense of three reactionary right-wing state senators being sued for defamation for falsely targeting a Kansas man as a mass shooter and illegal immigrant. In a new filing this week, the plaintiff in the case challenges the senators assertion that their slander was committed in the course of legitimate legislative activity and is therefore immune from litigation. The federal court in Kansas should summarily reject that bizarre and corrosive argument. As we have reported before, Bailey is blatantly abusing his office for political ends (as usual) by representing the three fellow right-wing Republicans in his official capacity as Missouris lawyer. Even Republican Gov. Mike Parson has decried that decision as inappropriate. Even more inappropriate is the defense theory offered by Baileys team: that the three senators slander was committed in keeping with their legitimate legislative duties. Then again, given the way Bailey has carried out his own official duties since Parson appointed him attorney general last year, there is a certain consistency to that twisted logic. The case stems from the Feb. 14 mass shooting that left one dead and many wounded during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory celebration. In the aftermath, police briefly detained Denton Loudermill, who was in attendance. Someone snapped a picture of Loudermill handcuffed and it showed up on social media with the allegation that he was the shooter and was an illegal immigrant. Loudermill was neither. But as a Black man who could be mistaken for Hispanic, he apparently looked the part enough for the three Missouri senators to decide he would make a useful tool to stoke the right-wing obsession with undocumented immigration. In since-deleted posts, state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer reposted and added to the slanderous initial post, using it to jab at the Biden administrations border policies but with no apparent attempt to confirm the validity of the original claim. In fact, some of the language in posts acknowledged the senators didnt know if the allegations against Loudermill were actually true. Yet they pushed the buttons and sent out images of this innocent man. Loudermill was subsequently subjected to death threats because of the false allegations that the senators helped spread. They nonetheless have publicly declined to apologize. Theres nothing that I even see even worth that, Brattin told reporters. If anyone deserves to be on the business end of a defamation suit, its these three. Their positions as public servants should create an expectation of more responsibility than your average toxic troll on X.com. Luckily for them, Bailey is the very epitome of bad-faith abuse of political power. Appointed as attorney general by Parson last year to fill a vacancy, Bailey has since engaged in a mind-boggling series of blatantly inappropriate official stunts in an effort to prove to the right-wing base that he deserves election this year to a full term. Our ongoing Bailey Tally outlines it all in depressing detail. Immigration, of course, is a catnip issue to that base, given its built-in appeal to xenophobia and racism. Thus Baileys argument for using state resources to defend the senators: In defense filings, his office claims their potentially deadly spreading of slander on social media, directed at the President of the United States, was a statement on border security at the southern border an issue of clear national and political importance. An anti-Biden bumper sticker, in other words, brought to you by Missouris taxpayers. Even Parson, Baileys political mentor and no liberal slouch himself, has expressed shock that Bailey would abuse his office this way. We are not going to target innocent people in this state, Parson told reporters last month. Parson later directed his administration to ensure that no state money would be used to pay any legal judgments resulting from a case of state senators falsely attacking a private citizen on social media. Its possible that Bailey, by providing this legal defense, has undermined Parsons position, should his office end up trying to argue in court that the taxpayers arent responsible for any eventual defamation judgment. Bailey has, after all, officially made defense of this slander into the taxpayers mission. They shouldnt forget it at the polling places this year. Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart leaves the courthouse following his arraignment on Jan. 18, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) AUSTIN, Texas A sexual encounter during an alcohol-fueled night between an Air Force general and a subordinate officer on a business trip has led to a court-martial for assault set to begin Tuesday at Joint Base San Antonio. Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart is charged with two counts of sexual assault for the encounter with a woman under his command during a trip to Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma in April 2023. Stewarts attorneys have argued in court hearings that the encounter, which followed a night drinking alcohol with two other military personnel in Stewarts hotel room, was consensual. Prosecutors contend the woman did not consent and could not have done so because Stewart was her boss and outranked her. The two-star general is charged with one count for having penetrative sex with the woman and another for performing oral sex on her, according to his charge sheet. Col. Naomi Dennis, a prosecutor in the case, said during a March hearing that the two had a beck-and-call nature to their relationship that made the line between professional and personal difficult to discern. Shes recounting the sexual assault to law enforcement agents I dont know how to tell this man no, Dennis said. Dennis also recounted during the court hearing that Stewarts subordinate officer said she tried to give the general everything he needed. Their phone messages included her sending him a photo of where his car is parked and running errands on his behalf. Keith Scherer, who was Stewarts attorney at the March hearing, argued it was guilt and shame that led to the charge rather than nonconsensual sex. He said after the two had sex, the two stayed in bed together and she expressed concern about what she would tell her husband. Stewart is also accused of dereliction of duty for flying a training aircraft at Altus during that same visit within 12 hours of drinking alcoholic beverages, conduct unbecoming an officer and adultery, according to his charge sheet. At the time of the charges, Stewart commanded the 19th Air Force, the unit responsible for pilot training within Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base. Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of the training command, fired Stewart in May 2023 and decided last year to move forward with the court-martial despite a report from a hearing in October recommending against it. Given that an experienced judge found no probable cause for the sexual assault charges at the Article 32 preliminary hearing, I am deeply troubled by Lt. Gen. Robinsons decision to refer these charges to a court-martial, said Sherilyn Bunn, Stewarts attorney now. Bunn, a former Army attorney, is the third lawyer to lead Stewarts defense team. Jury selection was to begin Monday, according to Air Education and Training Command officials, but will now start Tuesday. The selection process will seek eight generals to serve on the jury, known in the military as a panel. All must be of equal or higher rank to Stewart, said Rachel VanLandingham, a former Air Force attorney. That is out of a recognition, a fear, that with a higher-ranking accused, the jury would be intimidated by the rank, she said. It can be deviated from if there arent enough individuals of equal to higher rank. The Air Force has 289 general officers, according to the service. Of those, 58 have a higher rank than Stewart. Another 78 are also two-star generals. The Air Education and Training Command did not provide the number of officers who have been brought to San Antonio as potential jurors. During selection, the court will determine whether any have a potential for bias, such as a close relationship with the accused or the victim. Once the trial begins, only six of the eight jurors need to agree to convict Stewart. [The military] is the last remaining criminal jurisdiction in the United States to allow for a non-unanimous verdict in a criminal case, VanLandingham said. Two years ago, the Air Force convicted Maj. Gen. William Cooley on a charge of abusive sexual contact, but the trial was by a judge alone and did not require a panel of jurors. Cooley was the first Air Force general to face court-martial. He was sentenced to a reprimand and forfeiture of about $55,000 for forcibly kissing a civilian woman at a 2018 barbecue. Commissary baggers could soon run into issues accessing Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan The commissary on this installation south of Hiroshima may lose its baggers in the next few months due to a revamp of the bases access policy. All seven baggers are local residents, according to a bagger at the commissary on June 6 who declined to identify herself out of fear of retaliation. None fall under the status of forces agreement, or SOFA, between the United States and Japan. Commissary baggers are permitted base access in accordance with applicable regulations and granted permission by the store director to enter the commissary for the purpose of bagging groceries, base spokesman 1st Lt. Aaron Ellis said by email June 5. All personnel who access the installation must follow the base access order. The decision to reevaluate the baggers status was made after reviewing Defense Commissary Agency policy and the air stations base access policy, he said. The baggers were afforded a three-month extension for base access that will expire at the end of August, but its unknown if that will be extended again, Ellis said. No decision has been made at this point regarding any future base access requests, he said. Each new request or renewal request will be evaluated to determine whether there is a legitimate requirement and if the visitor is eligible for base access in accordance with the base access order. Whenever commissary patron Deya Clavijo has a large shopping cart full of groceries, she will definitely use the baggers. It shouldnt happen, the Navy spouse told Stars and Stripes at the commissary Friday. If theyre going to change things, there are other things they can change here that is not the baggers. There are no plans to discontinue baggers at the Iwakuni commissary, Defense Commissary Agency spokesman Keith Desbois told Stars and Stripes by email May 24. Baggers are self-employed persons who have obtained permission from the installation commander to enter the installation for the sole purpose of soliciting commissary customers to bag and carry out their groceries in return for the expectation of a tip, he wrote. Desbois said new requirements implemented by the base are causing confusion on this subject. Baggers do not work for the commissary, he said. The installation manages the bagger program. DeCA has a Memorandum of Understanding with each installation or base for the program. Desbois did not respond when asked in a follow-up email whether the commissary will find others to take their place. In the mid-1950s, baggers started working for tips in the commissaries, Desbois said. Before that, counters clerks placed customer purchases in bags, sacks or boxes as a courtesy. An underwater drone is prepared on a Dutch navy ship during mine countermeasure training at the Baltic Operations exercise in June 2024, which is taking place in the Baltic Sea. The U.S. Navy in Europe is working with allies on setting common operations standards for drones and emerging technology. (Jan Eenling/Dutch navy) NAPLES, Italy U.S. Navy officials met with allies and partners in Portugal this week to discuss common standards for drones and emerging technology, as the service learns from trends in warfare playing out in Ukraine and other global hot spots. The talks at the Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Center in Troia included devising guidelines for industry contractors and creating the standardization needed so NATO forces can work together effectively. The Navy wouldnt offer specifics, but the conversation was productive and it was exciting to have this kind of dialogue with allies and partners, sharing ideas and knowledge in such an evolving battlespace, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement Thursday. The center, affiliated with a NATO project aimed at spurring technological advancement, is recognized for its expertise in drones and new technologies. The discussions come as the Navy in Europe and Africa endeavors to rapidly add drones and other systems to the surface, underwater, air, land, information and space domains. In November, the service established Task Force 66 at its base in Naples. The task force was integrated into the fleet last month. The 40-member military and civilian team works alongside government, industry and academic experts to develop and field capabilities throughout Europe and Africa, said Rear Adm. Michael Mattis, director of strategic effects for NAVEUR-AF and commander of the task force. Its really driven by the evolving threat environment and the need for the Navy to evolve, said Mattis, who likened the task force to the Air Forces 603rd Air Operations Center in Ramstein, Germany, and the Armys 2nd Multi-domain Task Force in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. The use of drones in the Russia-Ukraine war, their proliferation in the Red Sea and concerns about how the fleet would fare against the technology in a South China Sea conflict have spurred the Navy to step up its efforts. For example, an MQ-4C Triton drone detachment recently was deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily. The service also is experimenting with drones in Africa, and unmanned undersea vehicles are being used to counter mines during the multinational BALTOPS exercise in the Baltic Sea. The nations which adapt quickly to new technology and integrate these capabilities will have the advantage, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti told Stars and Stripes during a visit to Naval Support Activity Bahrain on June 4. European allies such as the U.K., France and Latvia also are driving drone experimentation and innovation, said Sebastian Bruns, a German maritime security expert and senior researcher for the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University. Those efforts are rooted in concern that Russias industrial base likely will outmatch that of the West for the foreseeable future when it comes to churning out ships, submarines and other conventional vessels, Bruns said. That means the U.S. and its NATO allies and partners must become more savvy, nimble and focused on developing new technologies and using them in unconventional ways, he said. NATO realizes that it has to outsmart and outthink and out-innovate the Russians, Bruns said. What we see now is the need, the desire really, to connect these dots and tie these efforts together into a cooperative and really coordinated endeavor. Among CTF-66s objectives is adopting the mentality of a startup business, Mattis said. Thats a very different and challenging way of doing business compared to how the Navy does business in the standard way, Mattis said. Were going to try to fail fast and learn from that failure early on. Recently, team members coordinated with the manufacturer of a surface drone being tested in Africa to quickly identify a problem with how data was being collected. That response is an example of how the task force will offer feedback to industry to spur quick, cost-effective solutions, he said. The lessons the task force learns may apply well beyond Europe and Africa, as the team coordinates with other fleets and the Navys Disruptive Capabilities Office. Were trying to create an ecosystem across the Navy to really solve these problems in a really integrated manner where we cross-collaborate and learn from each other, Mattis said. Naval Hospital Okinawa recently became the first overseas Navy facility where patients can pick up prescription refills 24/7 from a newly installed locker service. (U.S. Navy) Naval Hospital Okinawa recently became the first overseas Navy facility where patients can pick up prescription refills 24/7 from a newly installed locker service. The automated unit, called a ScriptCenter, went into service on May 30 and consists of 160 lockers in the pharmacys lobby. The ability to pick up medications at any time has helped improve patients wait times, according to Lt. Michael Ahner, of the hospitals outpatient division office. Anytime youre the first facility to do something and it goes off really well and according to plan and well executed, it sets a blueprint for other sites that would like to do it, he told Stars and Stripes on a Teams call Wednesday. Im very proud that my team did it. Naval Hospital Okinawa has 37 pharmacy workers who each fill about 60 prescription refills a day, depending how busy the emergency room gets, Ahner said. And that doesnt include the six branch clinics that fall under the facility. Taking those people out of the waiting queue just helps get other people who are here for antibiotics or cough and cold medicines in and out quicker, he said. The lockers are available for prescription refills only. To order a refill, patients call in to the pharmacys automatic refill line or go online through the Military Health System Genesis Patient Portal. Next, they select ScriptCenter at Naval Hospital as their pickup location and collect their refills after 2 p.m. the next business day. The system holds prescriptions securely until patients use their official ID cards to pick them up. Im super excited about them because it offers more access for the outpatient side, Lt. Julia Pate, the inpatient division pharmacy officer at Naval Hospital Okinawa, said during a Teams call Wednesday. Usually our patients are limited to pharmacy hours retrieve their refills, but now they have access to them 24/7. The lockers cannot refrigerate medications, so the pharmacy has created 24/7 pickup at the hospitals inpatient window for those types of drugs, Pate said. The Defense Health Agency funded Okinawas ScriptCenter installation for approximately $250,000, which includes the hardware, software license and maintenance, Ahner said. The first ScriptCenter opened in June 2009 at Los Angeles Air Force Base, according to a press release at the time from the Space and Missile Systems Center. DHA had deployed 80 units to 69 stateside military hospitals and clinics by the end of 2021, according to the agencys website. Some sites have adapted the lockers to also hold new prescriptions. At Naval Hospital Okinawa, the ScriptCenter is limited to refills. I think its important for people understand that this is for your refills on your medications and not for your new prescriptions, but I do hope that down the line we will grow so that we have some capacity to be able to put new prescriptions in there as well, Pate said. Sculptures made of white travertine line the walkway leading to the Bahrain National Museum in Manama. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) The Bahrain National Museum in Manama can be easy to miss when driving down the highway. The exit creeps to the right suddenly, so be wary of the sign. But the museum, marked by stone sculptures of white travertine placed like chess pieces that lead to the entrance, was well worth the trouble of tracking it down. It offers a captivating journey through time and a multifaceted showcase of the countrys story. Stone sculptures and a waterfront location give the Bahrain National Museum visual appeal from outside. Inside the museum is a collection of about 6,000 items. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) Conceived and designed by Krohn and Hartvig Rasmussen, the sculpture courtyard features more than 20 art pieces that can be admired before entering the Bahrain National Museum. One sculpture appears to cradle a pearl within an abstract shell, a subtle nod to Bahrains historical pearling economy. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) The white sculpture courtyard is a stunning prelude to the Bahrain National Museum, blending modern creativity with Bahrain's rich cultural heritage. The sculptures range from abstract forms to figurative representations. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) One of the museums most compelling features is its collection that spans over 6,000 years of the history of what is today Bahrain. The exhibits trace the island nations evolution from ancient civilization to its modern, thriving economic hub. The Dilmun civilization, which flourished around 3,000 B.C., is a focal point of the museums collection. Known as a center of trade and prosperity, Dilmun is often referenced in ancient Sumerian texts as a land of paradise. Visitors can explore a section at the Bahrain National Museum showcasing scenes from early Bahraini civilization and traditional outfits. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) An exhibit at the Bahrain National Museum in Manama shows scenes of a traditional Bahraini lifestyle. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) The museum brings this era to life with artifacts such as pottery, seals and tools, providing a tangible connection to the distant past. The re-created burial grounds were a highlight for me, offering a glimpse into the funerary practices of the Dilmun people. Visitors can explore a section showcasing scenes from early Bahraini civilization during its pre-industrial past. Although some mannequins show signs of wear, the costumes and set designs offer an insightful glimpse into life during simpler times. The museum houses six permanent exhibitions, a library and an art gallery, which showcases rotating artists. All upcoming events and artists are on the museum website. Built in 1988, the Bahrain National Museum occupies a prime location along the waterfront in the capital, Manama. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) The Bahrain National Museum features an impressive collection that spans over 6,000 years of the history of what is today Bahrain. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) Three of the exhibitions are dedicated to archaeology and the ancient civilization of the Dilmun, while another two depict various cultural scenes and crafts, and the sixth features documents and manuscripts. I enjoyed walking through the Dilmun burial grounds because it felt as though I was in the desert with the excavators, stumbling across the skeletal remains of a civilization that had been hidden for centuries. I looked down at the skeleton of a 45-year old male that lived around 2000-1900 B.C., imagined the life he had and how carefully his community buried him, ritually laying him on his right side. The Bahrain National Museum offers a glimpse into the burial practices of the Dilmun civilization, which flourished in about 3,000 B.C. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) No one spoke as they walked through this exhibition. There was an air of somberness, but also humility and an appreciation for life. The experience was beyond anything I imagined having while visiting a museum. On a much lighter note: the cafe is a must. I enjoyed a rose lemonade made from scratch, the perfect refreshment for a hot summer day in Bahrain. The Bahrain National Museum is in a beautiful location along the Manama waterfront because it sits adjacent to the Bahrain National Theater, also an architectural treasure. It offers ample parking, so there is one fewer thing to stress about. The Dilmun civilization, which flourished around 3,000 B.C., is a focal point of the Bahrain National Museum's collection. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes) Stepping into the museum was a welcome break from the sweltering summer heat, but it was also an opportunity to quietly venture through a maze of interesting artifacts. There isnt much guidance as to where you should start, other than a large mural of Bahrain that spreads across the entire floor of the museum. Not having maps at every corner eliminated the pressure to fit every exhibition into one visit. It isnt the Smithsonian, but its impressive nonetheless, and left me with a deeper appreciation for Bahrain and the path it has taken. Bahrain National Museum Address: Shaikh Hamad Causeway, Manama, Bahrain Hours: 9 a.m-8 p.m. daily; closed Tuesdays Cost: Tickets are 1.1 BD (about $3) Information: Online: tinyurl.com/4ptbt6f5 A sign warns people not to drink water water from Chunnagaa, a spring about a quarter-mile from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa Okinawa prefecture is still seeking the origin of forever chemicals after high PFAS levels were detected in groundwater around a Marine base on Okinawa, according to a recent government report. The prefectures Environmental Protection Division discovered PFAS above Japans provisional safe drinking water standard in 19 of 37 sites it sampled around Marine Corps Air Station Futenma between August and January, according to an annual report released by the division in April. Japans provisional standard is 0.05 micrograms per liter. Depending on the amount, the contaminants might affect the waters for decades, a division spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. It is important to determine the origin to take countermeasures and be able to use the site smoothly after its returned. The Japanese and U.S. governments are building a new airfield farther north on Okinawa to eventually replace MCAS Futenma. A synthetic chemical, PFAS, and its components, PFOS and PFOA, are found in firefighting foam, also known as aqueous film forming foam, once commonly used on some U.S. military bases. The Defense Department has removed the foam from all its Navy and Marine Corps bases in Japan and from all Army bases and Misawa Air Base on Honshu, the largest of the countrys four main islands, U.S. Forces Japan said in June 2023. The system that employed firefighting foam at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo is no longer in use, base commander Col. Andrew Roddan said in June 2023. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dubbed PFAS and its components as forever chemicals because they persist a long time in the environment. They pose a potential danger to the bodys immune system and may be linked to kidney and testicular cancer, low birth weight in newborns and lower anti-body response to vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Okinawa, an observation well in an undisclosed location downstream of MCAS Futenma registered 4.5 micrograms per liter of a combined PFOS and PFOA mixture 90 times the provisional safety standard, according to the divisions report. High levels were also found downstream of the base. Aranakigaa, a spring about a quarter-mile from MCAS Futenmas southwestern fence line, registered 1.1 micrograms per liter, 22 times the provisional standard, the report said. Chunnagaa, another spring about a quarter-mile from the northwestern fence line, registered 0.99 micrograms per liter, almost 20 times the provisional standard, according to the report. The contamination levels around MCAS Futenma are still at a high level, the report states. The prefecture assumes that the toxins are being retained for a long period at the vadose zone, the area from the surface to the groundwater table, and infiltrate the groundwater following interaction with rainwater. Marine Corps Installations Pacific referred queries about the toxins to U.S. Forces Japan, which did not immediately respond to emails Thursday. MCAS Futenma was the scene of a 38,000-gallon firefighting foam spill into a nearby stream and neighborhood in April 2020. Determining the exact origin of the contaminants is difficult and more data must be gathered, according to the divisions report. We still think that the contamination comes from the base, since the level is higher downstream, the environment division spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. We asked to the U.S. Marines to allow us to conduct sampling during the Japanese fiscal year 2023, but we havent received any response at the moment, the spokesman said. We want to use this data as a reasoning to make it happen. Vietnam's President To Lam addresses the National Assembly on May 22, 2024, after being sworn into office. (Dang Anh, AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Vietnams new President To Lam is looking to gradually expand security and defense ties with the U.S., he said during a Thursday meeting with U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper in Hanoi. Vietnam and the U.S. should step up cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, preventing terrorism and transnational crimes, Lam said, according to a statement on Vietnams government website. Vietnam last week demanded that a Chinese naval survey ship, the Hai Yang 26, stop illegal activities in Vietnams waters, according to a statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, citing spokesperson Pham Thu Hang during a June 6 briefing. The president proposed the two nations further increase bilateral ties in areas such as trade and investment, according to the statement. Lam also sought continued U.S. assistance to help Vietnam deal with climate change and the consequences of the war between the two countries. 2024 Bloomberg LP Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC A U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft taxies behind an Osprey carrying members of the White House press corps at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., April 24, 2021. Japans defense chief says Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys are being safely operated in the country. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Friday that he has no plans to request a flight suspension despite restrictions in the U.S. (Patrick Semansky/AP ) TOKYO Japans defense chief said Friday that Japanese and American V-22 Ospreys are being safely operated in his country, and that he has no plans to request a flight suspension despite restrictions in the U.S. where ongoing safety and performance assessments will continue until next year. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said that Japanese and U.S. military officials have closely communicated over technical issues involving the safety of Ospreys following a fatal November crash off Japans southern coast. Japanese and U.S. Ospreys have been operated safely and I believe there is no safety issue involved, Kihara said. We have no intention to seek a suspension of the operation. Aircraft that had completed necessary maintenance, in addition to further training of pilots, have returned to flight service, and they are operated with upgraded safety checks, maintenance, flight plans, emergency measures and other steps, he said. Kihara was responding to a question about a remark by Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, head of U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, that hundreds of U.S. military Ospreys wont be permitted to fly their full range of missions until at least 2025 while the Pentagon addresses safety concerns in the fleet. The November crash killed eight U.S. servicemembers, causing the fleet to be grounded for about four months. The Ospreys in March returned to flight but not to full missions such as carrier operations. Twenty-nine Ospreys deployed to U.S. military bases in Japan under the bilateral security alliance, as well as 14 others operated by Japans Ground Self Defense Force, which had been also grounded, resumed flights in mid-March. Asked about restrictions to Ospreys operated in Japan, Kihara said that he couldnt comment if or what restrictions are attached, citing national security reasons. He said he wasnt informed of the content of Chebis remarks to U.S. Congress in advance, and that officials are asking Washington to explain details. The Osprey, in use since 2007, can fly like an airplane and land like a helicopter. Critics say its innovative design has systematic flaws that are behind the unexpected failures. Among the reasons for the extension of restricted flight is that the military is still working to fix a clutch failure that was identified as one of the primary factors in a fatal crash in California in 2022. Over the lifespan of the Osprey program, Chebi said a total of 64 service members have been killed in air and ground crashes, with 93 others injured. Tara Copp contributed to this report from Washington. Jory Aguian, the son of a shipbuilder and captain of the Paty, watches as a Chinese coast guard ship maneuvers near his boat. (Martin San Diego for The Washington Post) EN ROUTE TO SCARBOROUGH SHOAL As several wooden fishing boats embarked from the Philippines one recent morning, more than 40 Chinese navy, coast guard and other vessels steamed toward them from the opposite direction, staging one of the biggest demonstrations of force in the contested South China Sea in over a decade. The fishing boats were less than halfway to their destination a ring of reefs and rocks known as Scarborough Shoal when a Chinese coast guard ship appeared on the horizon. Those aboard the fishing boats, including Washington Post journalists, watched as the Chinese ship cut across the reflection of the setting sun. A second Chinese vessel arrived. Then a third. Before nightfall, the Philippine convoy was encircled. The Philippines has been waging its most vigorous campaign yet to push back against Chinas growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. After Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president two years ago, he launched a campaign backed by the United States and other allies to resist Chinas efforts at projecting military and political dominance over this strategic waterway, which is also claimed in part by six other governments. But over the past year, the Philippine effort has also demonstrated the limits of its power. In China, the Philippines faces one of the worlds largest maritime forces, which has routinely rammed, swarmed and pounded Philippine vessels with water cannons. Manilas drive to establish a new status quo in the South China Sea has been largely dismissed by Beijing, which has doubled down on its claims over the waterway, said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Philippines claims dozens of disputed islands and maritime features such as reefs that fall within what it calls the West Philippine Sea, recently building military facilities on the contested Pag-Asa Island and deploying warships to another atoll called Sabina Shoal. Speaking at an international security conference in Singapore late last month, Marcos warned, The lines we draw on our waters are derived not from imagination but from international law. I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not yield. Nowhere in the South China Sea is the Philippine campaign - and its limits - clearer than at Scarborough Shoal, which Chinese warships seized in 2012. Scarborough sits 140 miles off the coast of the Philippines, well within what the country deems its 200-mile exclusive economic zone. But China says it has indisputable sovereignty over the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Dao. For a decade, Chinese ships have blocked Philippine fishermen from accessing its inner lagoon and chased away vessels that have drifted too close. Now, the Philippines is again pressing its claim to Scarborough. The Philippines is working with allies to ramp up surveillance of maritime activity, say Philippine navy officials. The Philippine coast guard and bureau of fisheries last year began regular patrols to the shoal. And last month, Philippine fishermen and activists undertook a privately organized mission to distribute supplies to other fishermen operating near Scarborough and, in doing so, assert the right of Philippine civilians to sail through these waters. But hours before the flotilla departed May 15, aerial surveillance imagery and ship-tracking data showed scores of Chinese vessels cruising toward the shoal. Not since 2012 had there been such a show of force, said Ray Powell, an analyst at Stanford Universitys Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. A few dozen Philippine fishermen dropped out from the voyage days before departure because of concerns their small boats would be wrecked by Chinese water cannons. But the bulk of the convoy decided to press on. At a news conference after the Philippine flotilla had set sail, a spokesman for Chinas Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, said Beijing planned to defend its rights. Relevant responsibilities and consequences, he warned, shall be borne solely by the Philippines. A turning point Scarborough had long been one of the most prized fishing grounds in the South China Sea, drawing boats from the Philippines, China, Vietnam and elsewhere. Older fishermen recall a sparkling blue lagoon with schools of fleshy mackerel tuna and coral reefs that hid a buffet of rockfish, needlefish and clams. Over much of the past century, the Philippines laid claim to the shoal, occasionally expelling boats from other countries. The shoal served as a precious harbor for Philippine boats trying to make it home through storms and typhoons. Its proximity to Luzon, where the Philippine capital, Manila, is located, also made control over the shoal a matter of national security. So it came not just as a shock but an embarrassment to the Philippines, say current and former officials, when, following a lengthy confrontation in 2012, the Chinese effectively took it for themselves. Trouble erupted when Philippine officials said one of their warships had caught Chinese fishermen at the shoal poaching rare animals and corals. After the Philippine navy intervened to stop the fishermen, China responded by dispatching two law enforcement vessels. The Philippines eventually withdrew its ships. But the Chinese remained. It was a turning point in the South China Sea, said Renard Sexton, a political scientist at Emory University who studies conflict in Asia. Scarborough became a symbol of what could be gained and lost in an era of rising Chinese power. For Beijing, on the cusp of a massive military buildup at sea, it was a statement to the world that China would not back down. After that, China stationed at least one coast guard ship at the mouth of the shoal at all times. Chinese maritime militia - government-funded ships used to establish Chinas presence in disputed waters - shadowed Philippine fishing boats near the shoal and sometimes confiscated their catches. Revenue for fishermen who used to rely on Scarborough diminished so much that some quit fishing entirely, say union leaders. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, an international tribunal, ruled that China had no legal claim to the shoal and could not block Philippine boats from fishing there. But China dismissed the ruling. That same year, Rodrigo Duterte was elected president of the Philippines, pursuing warmer ties with China and muting claims in the South China Sea. Already underfunded, the Philippine navy and coast guard languished under Duterte, said Jose Antonio Custodio, a Philippine military historian. Chinas grip over Scarborough had tightened sharply, say Philippine and Western security analysts, when in 2022, the Philippines elected Marcos as president. At his first nationwide address, he made clear that the Philippines would not abandon even one square inch of territory. A fraught debate Captain Jory Aguian, 38, coasted his boat, named the Paty, to a stop. It floated adrift, 90 miles from port, 50 miles shy of Scarborough. Chinese coast guard ships had shadowed the flotilla of four Philippine boats overnight, along with a single Philippine coast guard vessel. The largest of the fishing boats was a mere 70 feet long, barely a fifth the length of the Chinese coast guard boats. Now, on board the Paty and the other fishing boats, a debate was unfolding over the radio about whether to proceed. Inside his cabin, Aguian tapped the steering wheel anxiously. He wanted to sail on. Aguian had never seen Scarborough. His father, a shipbuilder from the town of Subic, had told him how beautiful the shoal was. But by the time Aguian became a captain, most fishermen with midsize boats like his generally regarded it as a waste of fuel - and a hazard - to fish there, he said. But fishermen whose boats were too small to sail far into the Pacific still consider Scarborough to be the richest fishing grounds within reach and, for nationalist reasons as well, have been reluctant to give it up. So when Aguian heard this expedition was being planned, he volunteered his boat and half his crew. He wanted to fight for the shoal. Among the 21 people on his boat, feelings were mixed. Most of the crew, composed of fishermen in their 40s and 50s fed up with the Chinese, wanted to sail on. But a medic on board was hesitant. So was a college student who belonged to the activist group Atin Ito, which had organized the voyage. Honestly, said Matthew Silverio, 21, Im terrified. The Paty was the smallest of the four boats in the flotilla, a traditional Philippine outrigger only 40 feet long held together by wood, bamboo poles, rope and zip ties. If the Chinese deployed water cannons, the roof of the boats cabin would fly off, leaving the engine exposed, said crew members. For those on board, thered be nowhere to hide. And there was another consideration that only a handful on the flotilla knew about. A fifth fishing boat had earlier sailed ahead of the main flotilla and been confronted by a Chinese warship. As the boat tried to circumvent the navy vessel, a Philippine fisherman working at Scarborough Shoal sent back an urgent message, recounted Mark Figueras, an activist on board: Do not proceed! Do not proceed! Chinese ships had sailed upon the shoal in force and were chasing away every last Philippine boat, Figueras said. Even if the flotilla made it to the shoal, thered be no one left there to receive supplies. Slightly before 9 a.m., the radio in Aguians cabin crackled with a final verdict. The captain started up the engine. The boats were turning around. Success or failure The morning after returning to shore, organizers of the voyage celebrated it as a success. The Philippines had sent a convoy of wooden fishing boats into the West Philippine Sea, and China had responded with warships, said Rafaela David, a co-convener of the Atin Ito coalition. It seems China is afraid, said David. Not everyone saw it that way. Figueras sighed and shook his head as he talked about the disappointment of altering course just 20 miles away from Scarborough. Many of the fishermen aboard the four boats, including Aguian and most of his crew, said that if it had been up to them, the flotilla would have pressed on. The Philippines has no teeth, said Raul Bogs Patijdas, 58, a technician on Aguians boat. We should have gone straight to the shoal because it is ours, said Jose Takoyan, 44, another crew member. Instead, he said, the Chinese escorted the Philippine boats out of their own waters. I dont know how China got so powerful but I know they prepared for war, he said. Thats what we didnt do. We didnt prepare for war. A week after the sail, ship tracking data showed at least eight Chinese vessels, including two coast guard ships, surrounding Scarborough. The Paty and the other boats were headed back out to sea to fish. But at least for now, Aguian said, none were going to Scarborough. Regine Cabato in Zambales, Philippines, contributed to this report. Russias President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2024. (Maxim Shemetov/REUTERS) MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Moscow, demands Kyiv swiftly rejected as tantamount to surrender. On the eve of a conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out maximalist conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine, apparently reflecting Moscows growing confidence that its forces have the upper hand in the war. He restated his demand for Ukraines demilitarisation, unchanged from the day he sent in his troops on Feb. 24, 2022, and said an end to Western sanctions must also be part of a peace deal. He also repeated his call for Ukraines denazification, based on what Kyiv calls an unfounded slur against its leadership. Ukraine said the conditions were absurd. He is offering for Ukraine to admit defeat. He is offering for Ukraine to legally give up its territories to Russia. He is offering for Ukraine to sign away its geopolitical sovereignty, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Italys SkyTG24 news channel: These are ultimatum messages that are no different from messages from the past. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels: He (Putin) is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about peace. The timing of Putins speech was clearly intended to preempt the Swiss summit, billed as a peace conference despite Russias exclusion, where Zelenskiy seeks a show of international support for Kyivs terms to end the war. The conditions are very simple, Putin said, listing them as the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia claimed the four regions, which its forces control only partially, as part of its own territory in 2022, an act rejected by most countries at the United Nations as illegal. Moscow also seized and annexed Ukraines Crimea peninsula in 2014. As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations, Putin said. I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations. Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in the third year of the war. Ukraine says peace can only be based on the full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity. The weekend summit in Switzerland, which will be attended by representatives of more than 90 nations and organisations, is expected to shy away from territorial issues and focus instead on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine. The Kremlin has said the gathering will prove futile without Russia being represented. EXISTENTIAL QUESTION Putins conditions appeared to reflect his growing confidence in Moscows ability to impose its own terms as its forces have gradually advanced in recent months. Putin said the future existence of Ukraine depended on it withdrawing its forces, on it adopting a neutral status, and on beginning talks with Russia, and said Kyivs military situation would worsen if it rejected the offer. Today we are making another concrete, real peace proposal. If in Kyiv and in the Western capitals they refuse it as before, then, in the end, it is their business, their political and moral responsibility for the continuation of bloodshed, Putin said. Ukraine and its Western allies describe the conflict as an imperial-style war of territorial conquest. Ukraine says any demand for its demilitarisation or future neutrality would expose it to further Russian attacks. Putin was speaking in the same week that the United States hit Russia with more sanctions, announced a 10-year security pact with Ukraine - seen as a potential precursor to eventual NATO membership - and reached a deal with its Group of Seven allies to use interest on Russian assets frozen in the West to back a $50 billion loan to Kyiv. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the message to Putin was that the West would stay the course: You cannot wait us out. You cannot divide us, said Biden. Additional reporting by Max Hunder in Kyiv; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Osborn, Peter Graff and Angus MacSwan U.S. Capitol building as seen March 21, 2024. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON The Republican-led House on Friday narrowly passed a defense policy bill that tacked on conservative culture war provisions to a bipartisan effort to improve quality of life for service members. The vote fell largely along party lines, 217-199, and followed days of heated debate over the $895 billion Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act, an annual must-pass bill that this year named the well-being of troops as a top focus. The House Armed Services Committee had sent the legislation to the full House with nearly unanimous bipartisan approval but backing for the bill from Democrats fell away as Republicans added amendments targeting abortion access for troops and other controversial social policies. The Senate Armed Services Committee was also set to release its draft of the defense authorization bill on Friday. A final version is negotiated by both chambers of Congress and typically passed before the end of the year. In the House version of the legislation, Republicans successfully voted to block the Defense Department from reimbursing travel costs for service members and dependents who need to cross state lines to obtain an abortion or other reproductive health care a red line for many Democrats. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, introduced the amendment and argued the Pentagon policy violated laws that prevent taxpayer dollars from being used for abortions. The Justice Department has upheld the legality of the policy. Under stretched [Defense Department] resources already, to underwrite abortions through funding for flights and hotels is simply pandering to the abortion lobby and does nothing to increase our national security, Van Duyne said. Another amendment prevents the militarys health care program known as Tricare from covering gender-transition surgeries and hormone therapies for transgender troops. Republicans also voted to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion offices in the military and institute a permanent hiring freeze for DEI jobs. The adoption of poison pill amendments attacking reproductive health care, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color undermines the purpose of the defense bill by demeaning service members and degrading our national security, top Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee said in a statement. The scene on the House floor was a repeat of last year, when Republicans loaded up the bill with right-wing riders that killed bipartisan support for the NDAA for the first time in decades, said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa. All were ultimately removed from the final version of the bill. Republicans also pushed through amendments banning mask mandates on military installations, defunding the U.S. humanitarian aid pier off the coast of Gaza and blocking President Joe Bidens executive orders to combat climate change. Other amendments pitched by Republicans fell flat. An attempt to block funding for NATO activities until each member nation reaches the alliances target spending benchmark was soundly defeated. Lawmakers also shot down a proposal to restore a Confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Members of both parties easily found common ground on a slew of quality-of-life provisions that underpin the defense authorization bill. The legislation calls for a 4.5% pay raise for service members as well as an additional 15% pay bump for junior enlisted troops ranked E-4 and below. The nearly 20% pay raise for the militarys youngest service members does not have the support of the White House or the Senate, which is proposing a 5.5% pay increase instead. The bill also contains provisions for improving housing and food allowances, health care, military spouse support and child care. All are key issues that affect satisfaction with life in the military and impact military recruiting, lawmakers said. The legislation reduces wait times for health care by waiving referral requirements for specialists and provides new authorities to expand the number of Defense Department doctors and nurses. It makes it easier for military spouses to transfer professional licenses between states and gives the Pentagon the authority to hire and retain spouses quickly during changes in duty stations. The bill also authorizes $206 million to build new child care centers and exceeds the White Houses request for construction by $766 million to improve aging barracks and build new ones. We are making these historic improvements in the quality of life for our service members because now, more than ever, we need to recruit and retain the best and the brightest, said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. shkolnikova.svetlana@stripes.com Twitter: @svetashko Wheelchair basketball athletes are seen in Ramstein, Germany, on July 23, 2019. (Apolonia Gaspar/Army) WASHINGTON Paralyzed veterans seeking disability exams increasingly face long delays to see doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs and a network of community providers ill-equipped to support their complex health needs, according to House lawmakers. Veterans should not face barriers getting exams. The VA must ensure veterans have access to safe and accessible exam facilities, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said Thursday during a hearing. The hearing focused on problems paralyzed veterans have accessing care at VA clinics and from private doctors that includes annual medical exams to support disability benefits. Carl Blake, chief executive officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America, told lawmakers that the VA network of care for paralyzed veterans is at a breaking point. The advocacy group estimates there are staff shortages at one-third of the VA clinics specializing in spinal cord injuries and disorders, he said. There is a severe lack of resources for this system of care, Blake said. The system is shrinking but the population needing the care is not. The VA estimates there are about 42,000 veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. About 11% are veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Erica Scavella, the VA assistant undersecretary for health clinical services, said the VA is prioritizing hiring more medical staff to care and treat paralyzed veterans at the VAs 25 specialty clinics that focus exclusively on spinal cord injuries and disorders. There are 66,000 job vacancies nationwide at VA health care facilities, including for thousands of doctors and registered nurses. The American Board of Physician Specialties has cited the physician shortage at VA hospitals and clinics as impacting quality of care. The VAs 2025 budget request is for a workforce of 450,000 at all VA facilities, down by 10,000 from 2024. VA officials have said the reductions largely will come from administrative staff and not from front-line workers. When veterans cannot get timely medical appointments at the VA clinics or hospitals, they are referred to vendors, which are private doctors in the community. But many of those clinics cannot accommodate paralyzed veterans, according to testimony from the VA Office of Inspector General. An IG audit in May found more than 100 private vendors under contract with the Veterans Benefits Administration had deficiencies in areas of patient safety, cleanliness and accessibility that included fitting wheelchairs into exam rooms, said Steve Bracci, director of the compensation programs division for the inspector general. These deficiencies created needless burdens for veterans with mobility issues and those with spinal cord injuries and disorders, he said. Veterans rely on these private facilities for exams to document their disabilities when they apply for benefits and medical services. Veterans receive referrals to the private clinics when care is not readily available at a nearby VA clinic or hospital. The VA obligated $10 billion for exam contracts from 2017 to 2023, according to the IG audit, which found contract vendors had completed more than eight million exams. The vendors are responsible for scheduling, conducting and documenting exams at non-VA facilities, the audit said. Bracci cited the VAs Medical Disability Examination Office for lack of oversight of private vendors under contract with the Veterans Benefits Administration. He said the office does not routinely conduct site visits based on complaints from veterans. The Medical Disability Examination Office oversees medical disability exams for determining benefits for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. The IG audit found the Medical Disability Program Office overlooked problems at private health facilities. The deficiencies largely went undetected, Bracci said. He also said vendors self-certify for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law that requires facilities must have the physical space and equipment to accommodate and care for people with disabilities. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said the VA has a history of providing comprehensive care for paralyzed veterans. He said veterans disproportionately suffer from a higher rate of catastrophic injuries that cause paralysis than the rest of the U.S. population. The VA is uniquely positioned as the best provider for this standard of care. But it is necessary to make the continual investments in infrastructure and workforce to provide that lifetime of care, he said. Takano said Congress needs to provide the funds necessary for hiring health care workers, upgrading equipment and modernizing VA hospitals and clinics. The VA expects to spend $383 billion in 2025 to deliver medical care to all veterans, down from an estimated $392 billion in 2024. Blake echoed Takanos comments at Thursdays hearing. He said the 25 VA clinics that specialize in treating spinal cord injuries and disorders bring a level of medical care and an awareness of the needs of paralyzed veterans that is difficult to find elsewhere. Its important that we understand that the VA has a vital role here, he said. The system makes care possible for paralyzed veterans. We are pleading with you to put more emphasis behind it. Neither accused was present for the brief hearing and they remain in custody having previously been refused the bail Two Dublin brothers accused of possessing weapons and discharging firearms offences will face trial before the Special Criminal Court. Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22) are charged with several offences relating to the seizure of an AR-15 rifle and machine-pistol two years ago. A court previously heard that the guns were recovered as part of garda operations into feuding gangs in the city. Both men, who have addresses in Finglas, remain in custody in separate prisons having been refused bail when they were initially charged on the district court earlier this year. They are due to bring new applications for bail later this month before the Special Criminal Court. Today, State solicitor Ciara Vibien said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that both men be tried before the non-jury court. This is certified under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 in circumstances where the ordinary courts are deemed "inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice". Neither accused was present for the brief hearing and they remain in custody having previously been refused the bail. The court heard that Mr Ward is currently in Portlaoise Prison while Mr O'Driscoll is in Wheatfield jail. Defence barristers for both accused informed the court that they plan to bring bail applications and that garda objections were expected. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the matter until a later date and made orders for both defendants to be produced in court on that day. Glen Ward is charged with possessing an AR-15 rifle and also recklessly discharging a firearm. The offences are alleged to have occurred at a house on Ratoath Road in Finglas on or about January 1, 2022. His brother is charged with possessing the AR-15 rifle as well as a MAC Ingram machine-pistol and ammunition at Ratoath Drive on February 10, 2022. He is further charged of recklessly discharging a firearm at another address in Ratoath Drive on January 1, 2022. At a previous bail hearing gardai said that the weapons were seized during a large operation targeting feuding gangs in the Finglas area. The court heard it would be alleged that both accused were seen on camera footage firing an AR-15 rifle. Gardai gave evidence that on June 20, 2022, it is alleged the two brothers were travelling in a taxi at Tolka Road when the taxi was fired at. They fled and a phone alleged to be Eric ODriscolls was left in it. In videos downloaded from the phone, gardai easily identified both accused, discharging a firearm and a garda identified the location as the second Ratoath Drive address. Nathan McCabe (25) had a cocaine addiction at the time, but he had since sought treatment and counselling for it A hospital porter found with 1,500 worth of cocaine was holding it for other individuals, a court heard. Nathan McCabe (25) had a cocaine addiction at the time, but he had since sought treatment and counselling for it. Judge David McHugh ordered McCabe to complete the restorative justice programme, and adjourned sentencing, saying he would leave him without a conviction if he successfully completed the programme. McCabe admitted possession of cocaine and having the drug for sale or supply. Garda Jennifer Desmond told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai obtained a warrant and searched a house at Neilstown Avenue in Clondalkin on May 3, 2022. Cocaine with a street value of 1,500 was found as well as a weighing scales and bagging. The court heard McCabe had no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said McCabe had a cocaine addiction at the time. He was holding the drug for other individuals, and not selling it. Mr Kenny said the defendant had since attended drug treatment and counselling. He had been working as a hospital porter, but his job was on hold, pending the outcome of this case. Mr Kenny asked the judge to be lenient, saying McCabe had addressed his drug issues head-on. The man was arrested this morning Gardai have arrested a man in his 20s in connection to the Dublin riots last November. Gardai in Store Street arrested the man on Friday morning, June 14, in connection with ongoing investigations into the serious public disorder events of November 23, 2023, in Dublin city centre. The operation brings the number of arrests in this ongoing investigation to 40. The detained individual is currently being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to anyone with information about the events on that day, or anyone involved in organising or participating in these events, to contact the Garda investigation team at Store Street Garda Station at 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station, a spokesperson said. What have been described as some of the most serious and "largest scenes of public disorder that has ever occurred in the history of the State", unfolded shortly after an earlier incident when three children were injured in a knife attack at Parnell Square. The woman awoke in the middle of the night to find someone in bed with her, pressing his body against her and rubbing her thighs A young man who climbed into his 79-year-old landlady's bed and sexually assaulted her in the middle of the night has been given a suspended sentence. The 24-year-old man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of sexually assaulting the woman in her Dublin home in the early hours of March 17, 2023. The court heard the man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of the victim, had been out socialising on the night in question and had drunk alcohol for the first time. He has no previous convictions. Detective Garda Eamon Moylan told Rebecca Smith BL, prosecuting, that the man had recently arrived in the country and found lodgings with the woman, who had two other female lodgers living with her. On the night in question, the woman awoke in the middle of the night to find someone in bed with her, pressing his body against her and rubbing her thighs. She turned on the light, discovered it was the young man and shouted at him to get out. The woman immediately alerted the other lodgers to the man's behaviour and rang her daughter and gardai. The man was arrested and spent six weeks in custody before being granted High Court bail. The court heard that shortly before entering his landlady's room, the man had gone into the bedroom of one of the other lodgers and was trying to talk to her, using Google translate on his phone. He made a reference to sex and this woman told him to get out. Nicola Cox BL, defending, said the man had little to no English and had only been living in the country three weeks at the time of the offence. She said he had not drunk alcohol before and was intoxicated on the night in question after drinking six pints of beer while out with friends. She said his parents were of limited means but had paid for their son to come to Ireland to study English. He is being supported by members of his community and a number of testimonials were handed in on his behalf. Ms Cox said the man was extremely remorseful for his actions on the night. He made a very grave mistake by taking alcohol and committing this offence, she said. The court heard the man had 1,000 to give to the woman as a token of his remorse. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read out. The court heard the woman was deeply affected by the incident and no longer has any lodgers. Passing down sentence today, Judge Jonathan Dunphy said the offence was a breach of trust between a lodger and his landlady. He noted the man got into her bed in the middle of the night and was rubbing his body against her in a sexual manner. In mitigation, the judge noted the man had co-operated with gardai, pleaded guilty, had expressed remorse and has not come to the attention of gardai since. He said the risk of re-offending was low. The judge handed down an 18-month sentence, which he suspended on a number of conditions. Chinese premier visits New Zealand to expand trade, cooperation Xinhua) 08:15, June 14, 2024 Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro in Wellington, New Zealand, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) During talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Li noted that over the past 10 years, despite changes in the international landscape, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation, and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation. WELLINGTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The north lawn of the governor-general's residence reverberated with the rhythmic chanting and powerful stamping of the Maori haka on Thursday. Dressed in traditional attire, Maori dancers displayed prowess and strength, their synchronized movements and facial gestures creating a vibrant spectacle to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is on an official visit to New Zealand, the first leg of his three-nation tour from June 13 to 20. At the residence, Li met with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro, emphasizing shared development concepts, cultural values, and international perspectives pivotal to bilateral relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to New Zealand and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. Nurtured by pioneers like Rewi Alley, a dedicated New Zealander who spent six decades living and working in China until his passing in Beijing in 1987, the relationship has steadily strengthened over the past decade despite challenges in the international political landscape. During talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Li noted that over the past 10 years, despite changes in the international landscape, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation, and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation. New Zealand's positive stance is evident in being among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China and the first developed nation to sign and implement a bilateral free trade agreement with China. It also took the lead among Western developed countries in recognizing China's full market economy status. "It's a reflection of the New Zealand culture, as well as its political position of being strongly independent without having to follow necessarily the strong influence from other countries. To recognize China in these 'first ways' is a showing of strength and independent thinking," said John Cochrane, chairman of the New Zealand China Trade Association. Building on the spirit of "striving to be the first," China has solidified its position as New Zealand's largest trading partner and key export destination. Notably, New Zealand has long maintained a surplus in goods and services with China, encountering only three quarterly deficits in the five years ending June 2023. To sustain this positive momentum, Li urged both countries to ensure stable expectations and a conducive business environment. He also expressed China's openness to increased investment from New Zealand. During discussions with Luxon, agreements were made to initiate negotiations on service trade negative list. Meanwhile, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are integral to enhancing mutual understanding and fostering friendships between countries. During the talks, Li reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening these connections with New Zealand and said China will include New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries and expressed hope for it to facilitate easier travel for Chinese citizens visiting the country. Furthermore, China and New Zealand are staunch supporters of multilateralism, free trade, and an open global economy. Building on this shared commitment, Li called on the two nations to enhance communication and coordination in multilateral fields and to encourage all parties to jointly address challenges and opportunities, foster win-win cooperation. "New Zealand must be an international trading nation. The more that there are open borders, and the more that there are exchanges of goods and services and technologies that can be openly traded, the better off we will all be. Open border benefits in both directions," said Cochrane. After the meeting, Li and Luxon witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on service trade, business environment, export of agricultural and food products to China, science and technology, patent examination, and migratory bird protection, among others. Besides New Zealand, Li will also pay official visits to Australia and Malaysia. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Sean Dunne told the woman that he was going to rape her and kill him, indicating her husband. The attack on the tourists took place in a lift in the Ashling Hotel on Park Gate Street A man who carried out an unprovoked attack on two American tourists in their 60s in the elevator of a Dublin hotel will be sentenced later this year. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Sean Dunne (26), currently of Cloverhill Prison, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm against a man and woman on April 7, 2023, at the Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin. Dunne has ten previous convictions, which include convictions for threatening and abusive behaviour, breach of a barring order, and criminal damage. Garda Stephen Lawlor told Michael Horrigan BL, prosecuting, that he was on mobile patrol on the night in question. He received a call about an alleged assault just after 9pm. When he arrived at the hotel, he saw one man, who was later identified as Dunne, being restrained on the corridor floor. He also noted blood on the carpet. The court heard that Dunne was arrested and cautioned at the scene and placed into a garda van. Gardai spoke with both injured parties, an American couple aged in their 60s. They said they had returned to the hotel after eating dinner locally. They went to the hotel bar and ordered a drink before getting into the elevator. Dunne also entered the elevator. Gda Lawlor said Dunne told the woman that he was going to rape her and kill him, indicating her husband. He then struck the woman in the mouth and began to attack her husband. The woman pressed the panic button. When the door of the elevator opened, the woman screamed for help, and two others came to their assistance. The court heard that Dunne was still attacking the man, and there was blood everywhere. As Dunne was being subdued by onlookers, he continued to say that he was going to kill the man. The man fell to his knees and was shaking. The couple received treatment at the scene from the emergency services but did not require hospital treatment. The woman told gardai that this was an unprovoked attack. The court heard that this was the couples last night in Ireland, and they returned to the United States the following day. Images of the injuries sustained by both injured parties were handed into the court. Dunne was interviewed but denied that he assaulted either of the injured parties. He has been in custody since April 2023. Dunne took a trial date but pleaded in advance of his trial. Gda Lawlor agreed with defending counsel that this was a frenzied attack and that Dunne had not known the couple. The garda agreed with counsel that Dunne exhibited signs of someone going through a psychotic break and that he suffers from schizophrenia, which was diagnosed in 2020. The court heard that Dunne had been homeless and turned to addictive substances. Since he went into custody, he has been doing very well, and his mental health has improved significantly. Dunne is currently on medication. He is off all addictive substances and is tested regularly in prison. Ms Justice Sarah Berkeley ordered the probation services to carry out a report and adjourned this matter for finalisation until October 2024. Dublin District Court heard that the defendant, who is in his 20s, made a lengthy reply to the charge. A man has denied raping a female in Dublin and told gardai he should sue witnesses who made accusations against him. Dublin District Court heard that the defendant, who is in his 20s, made a lengthy reply to the charge. "I didn't do any of this to anyone; I just tried to help them and look at what happened. I unfortunately found myself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, in a house where alcohol is abused. "I don't understand why they want to harm me by alleging this. In their own statements, they said that I gave them alcohol; they decided to drink, to listen to music and have fun, and they are accusing me of things that I have not done. I should be suing them for this". He appeared at Dublin District Court after gardai charged him with the alleged offence, which allegedly happened on a date earlier this year. Judge Shalom Binchy ordered him to obey conditions: no contact with witnesses and signing three days a week at a garda station. She also told him he must surrender his national ID card and not apply for replacement travel documents. He has the legal right to anonymity. Defence solicitor Morgan Redmond said his client understood the bail terms. The man, accompanied to court by his partner, listened to the proceedings with the aid of an interpreter and was ordered to appear again in September for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Legal aid was granted to the accused, who works full-time, earns about 400 a week, and pays rent. When the Garda Armed Support Unit did gain entry, they found Joseph Colhoun comatose in the house in Co Donegal. A man who sparked a major security alert after causing 18,500 of damage to a house during a booze and drugs bender was found 'comatose' when the Garda Armed Support Unit stormed the property. Joseph Colhoun, 41, pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court in Co Donegal to a number of charges relating to a series of incidents on November 27, 2022. Colhoun, who is originally from Lifford, admitted wrecking the property at Killyclug in Letterkenny before reacting violently and attacking both Gardai and medical staff. Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle gave details of the incident which took place at the rented property of Colhoun's then girlfriend Nicole McEntaggart. Gardai had responded to reports of a breach of a protection order but could not get into the property. Upon looking through the windows, officers discovered a large amount of damage had been caused to the house. As well as damaging the living room, carpets, bathroom, toilet, kitchen table and chair, bedrooms, bannisters, sanitary ware and wardrobes, there was extensive flooding and damage to wiring to a total value of 18,500. When the Garda Armed Support Unit did gain entry, they found Colhoun comatose in the house at An Clarach, Killyclug in Letterkenny. He was initially taken to Letterkenny Garda Station but then taken to Letterkenny University Hospital but became aggressive. While in the ambulance at the hospital he attempted to kick a Garda and while in the hospital he spat at nursing staff and then headbutted another Garda. Colhoun, who has 83 previous convictions for a range of incidents including hijacking a vehicle, numerous assaults, public order, obstruction, breaching barring orders, illegal fisheries charges and having offensive weapons, pleaded guilty to a range of charges. He is charged with assault causing harm to Nicole McEntaggart at An Clarach, Killyclug, Letterkenny on November 27, 2022. He is also charged with the coercive control of the same woman on an unknown date between January 1 and November 22, 2022 at the same address. He is further charged with assault causing harm to Ms McEntaggart on June 27, 2022 and also on November 27, 2022. At Letterkenny University Hospital on November 27, 2022, he was charged with assaulting Stephen McCabe under the Non Fatal Against the Persons Act. He is also charged with the obstruction of Garda David Lee at Letterkenny University Hospital on November 27, 2022. At the same location and same date he pleaded guilty to assaulting causing harm to Garda David Lee. Colhoun is also charged with the obstruction of Garda Shane Wall at Letterkenny University Hospital while he is charged with assaulting nurse Veronica Dunleavy at Letterkenny University Hospital, both on November 27, 2022. Another charge of breaching a barring order - which was imposed on November 16, 2022 - at An Clarach, Killyclug, Letterkenny on November 27, 2022, was also included. Although Ms McEntaggart did not wish to give a victim impact statement, an earlier statement she gave to Gardai detailed how they had met on Facebook in January 2022. Despite the relationship starting well, Colhoun turned to drink and drugs and that he would hit her but that she was afraid to leave him in case he killed her. She said he constantly wanted to know where she was and that he would degrade her calling her fat and a whore and also called her a 'teletubby' as she was trying to lose weight at the time. Barrister for Colhoun, Ms Kelda Doherty said her client was in a highly intoxicated state when armed Gardai arrived at the house and was actually comatose when they entered the house. Garda Sergeant Doyle said he had known Colhoun for ten years, having been stationed at Lifford Garda Station. He said that when sober, Colhoun was compliant and easy to deal with but that when he has drink and drugs on him that he was a "tinderbox." When Ms Doherty asked Sergeant Doyle if he agreed there was a great deal of tragedy in her client's life, he replied "That's to put it lightly, yes." The court was told that as well as the death of his mother, his brother had died in tragic circumstances and that his father had also taken his own life. However, since going into custody in November, 2022, Colhoun had made real strides to overcome his addictions with a large number of counselling sessions as well as undertaking courses in first aid, restorative justice, overdose prevention and victim awareness. Ms Doherty also noted that her client had entered a guilty plea very early on. She also referred to a probation report on Colhoun which did acknowledge his remorse and does suggest he was in a very poor frame of mind and that it was reduced down to substance abuse at the time. Judge John Aylmer acknowledged the probation report which he described as "lengthy' and which required time to read. He said he wanted to reserve his position on the matter and adjourned the case for sentencing by videolink until next Wednesday. He said If this had not happened to me I would be a father now. A 78-year-old former scout master who was convicted earlier this year of indecently assaulting five young boys when they were members of his scout troop in Cork more than three decades ago has been jailed for four years. Noel Sheehan of Chimneyfields, Glenville, Co Cork went on trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year. The former hospital porter had pleaded not guilty to seventeen charges against him. The jury returned guilty verdicts on 16 of the 17 counts. There were five complainants in the case. Senior Counsel, Ray Boland, representing Mr Sheehan was asked by Judge Boyle on Thursday if his client had accepted the verdict of the injury. Mr Boland said that his client didnt accept the verdict. I am not in a position to express any remorse on his part. Mr Boland described the offences as being serious but appealed for leniency in the case. These are serious offences affecting young persons and a serious breach of trust but are at the lower end of the scale. Prosecution barrister Katherine McGillycuddy BL opened the case at a sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year. She told the jury that Sheehan was a scout master with a troop of scouts in Cork city in the late 1980s. He used to take members away on camping weekends. Ms McGillycuddy said they would hear evidence from five complainants that Mr Sheehan touched and fondled their private parts both inside and outside their clothing during those weekends away. Mr Sheehan was charged with six counts of indecent assault against two of the complainants, three counts of indecent assault in relation to another complainant, and one count of assault against each of the other two complainants. The offences occurred between 1987 and 1990 when the complainants were aged between 10 to 13 years. The offences took place at a scout hall at Old Schoolhouse, Chimneyfields, Glenville, Mount Melleray, Co Waterford and one at Drishane Castle in Millstreet, Co Cork. One of the complainants said in evidence that he had gone with the troop to the Scout Hall in Glenville. He said the boys used to sleep on the floor in their sleeping bags upstairs in the hall. Sheehan, the only adult present, slept downstairs. He told the court that one night he had heard Sheehan discharge a shotgun in a field. Later that evening Sheehan told him to come downstairs as the other boys were asleep. Sheehan claimed that the boy had been messing with some of the other boys. He stated that when he went downstairs Sheehan groped his private parts. He put his hand on my penis; he had his eyes closed and he was snow white in the face and sweating on his forehead. He told me he was just playing a game... I went back upstairs but I couldnt sleep, I stayed awake I was a young fellow, but I was fairly angry. Sheehan warned the youth that he would kill him if he informed anyone about what had occurrred. The complainant, who is now in his forties, said that he was very afraid because he was aware that the scout leader had a gun. He said Sheehan told him he would kill him if ever told anyone about the sexual assault, and later told him following another sexual assault in Mount Melleray that he would shoot him. He said he was terrified because he knew Sheehan had a gun. Yesterday at the sentencing hearing at Cork Circuit Court the victims told Judge Helen Boyle of how the abuse had impacted on them. One said that he decided not to have children because he was afraid they would be abused. He said If this had not happened to me I would be a father now. Another man said that he turned to alcohol and drugs in a bid to cope with what had had happened to him as a youngster. He now suffers from liver disease. Other complainants spoke of dropping out of school following the abuse. The court also heard that Mr Sheehan was living in the scout centre when the offences took place as he was a caretaker. Judge Boyle paid tribute to the victims for their bravery. These were all young boys between 10 and 12 years of age . You were their leader and all these took place at scouting events, which should be fun and adventure but they were preyed upon by you. The only person to blame for these offences is you. These have had a significant effect on the victims. It is clear the assaults impacted on every area of their lives. It is striking that three of the five had issues with substance abuse while they were trying to deal with these issues which were not their fault. She was not allowing any mitigation because of the not guilty plea and the lack of remorse. She sentenced Sheehan to four and a half years in prison and suspended the last six months. In April, Brady (33) pleaded guilty to recording and sharing the videoed statement of Ronan Flynn A violent Dublin criminal has been found guilty of conspiring with garda killer Aaron Brady to interfere with a crucial witness in his capital murder trial. It was the prosecution's case that Dean Byrne acted as Brady's agent when contacting family members of the witness in an effort to persuade him not to give evidence. Byrne (30), from Cabra Park in Dublin, has over 120 previous convictions and is serving a lengthy sentence for his role in a horrific aggravated burglary during which a seven-man gang terrorised an innocent couple and their young children. He was accused of taking part in the witness interference conspiracy in 2020 while Brady was on trial for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The Crossmaglen man was subsequently convicted after a jury found that he was the masked gunman who shot the detective dead during an armed raid at Lordship credit union in Dundalk on January 25, 2013. In April, Brady (33) pleaded guilty to recording and sharing the videoed statement of Ronan Flynn. Aaron Brady The footage was recorded from Brady's jail cell while he was on trial and later circulated online branding the witness a "rat" and a "tout". He was also charged with conspiring with Byrne to persuade key witness Daniel Cahill from giving evidence, and this charge will be taken into consideration at his sentencing hearing. Byrne denied the allegation against him and went on trial, with the three judges giving their judgement today. They ruled that both men had embarked on a course of conduct which had a tendency to, and was intended to, pervert the course of public justice. Evidence was given of how Byrne had sent statements made by Daniel Cahill to the witness's family in an effort to "put social pressure on him" not to testify. In one message to another man, Byrne described the witness as a "fucking rat c***" and a "dirt bird filthbag rat bastard". The person who had received these messages also offered to "do damage" to Mr Cahill. Mr Justice Paul Burns, presiding, said the non-jury court was satisfied that both defendants entered into a conspiracy to persuade Mr Cahill not to give evidence while the defendants were housed in Mountjoy Prison. This, the court found, was designed to obstruct, interfere with, defeat or change the course of public justice. At the time Brady was being held on remand during his capital murder trial, while Dean Byrne was serving an 18-year sentence for aggravated burglary. Byrne was one of seven violent and armed men who broke into a Tipperary family's home in October 2013, during which the father was badly beaten and told his children would be killed. Both men were present in court today and remanded in custody after the verdict was given, with both sentencing hearings set to take place on July 15. There are more than 50 participants on both sides of the Clondalkin area feud, which has recently spilled out into nearby Ballyfermot. Children as young as 15 are active participants in a west Dublin feud that is threatening to spiral out of control. The situation is so drastic that gardai in Lucan district lack enough officers to take up offered overtime. Armed checkpoints have been set up to try to stop what many sources say is an inevitable murder. There are more than 50 participants on both sides of the Clondalkin area feud, which has recently spilled out into nearby Ballyfermot. The violence has been ongoing for almost a year, but multiple sources said they cannot pinpoint the origin of the feud. In the latest incident, a 17-year-old boy was attacked by men armed with machetes. The boy suffered severe injuries to his leg. Images of the attack have been shared on social media. This teenager is one of many sucked into this situation; some by choice, others because they have a debt. Lots are younger than him, a source said. Associates of the teen, who are closely linked to convicted gangster John Gilligan (72), are suspected of being involved in a campaign against their rivals. While now based in Spain, Gilligan is not suspected of any involvement in this feud. Some of his younger associates have been both victims and participants of the violence. John Gilligan If this continues there will be murders, maybe multiple murders, but fair play to the chief [Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty] in his strategy so far, a source said. Garda management have a plan and it is working so far in terms of loss of life, but you can expect significant arrests in the near future. What has been established for sure is that youngsters aged 15 or younger have been paid figures of less than 500 to smash up cars and houses and commit arson. It is very serious. The feud has spread from the estates of Shancastle, Greenfort and Buirg An Ri areas of Dublin to nearby Ballyfermot where detectives there are now investigating two arson attacks including one in which a womans car was severely damaged. It is not suspected she had any involvement in the gangland warfare. Another innocent women, aged 45, had a lucky escape when her home was badly damaged in a petrol bomb attack last month. This incident was not initially believed to be linked to the feud, but it can be now revealed that the target was a criminal aged in his 20s who is known to the innocent woman. All the specialist units are involved in this and there will be arrests very soon On the same night a man who is completely opposed to the Gilligan faction is suspected of firebombing a property connected to Gilligans associate. Thanks to the proactive senior garda management and the plan there has been no murders yet, but it is a miracle in its own way, a source said. All the specialist units are involved in this and there will be arrests very soon. There are older people directing these juveniles. A source added: Certain criminal families have aligned themselves with each other, which makes the situation even more dangerous. Another key participant in the feud is subject to special security arrangements and had to be moved from one Dublin prison to another because of the threat against him. Since being jailed, a property linked to him has been severely damaged in a fire suspected of being started by his gangland rivals. This criminal, who has more than 70 previous convictions, is serving a significant jail sentence for kidnapping and torturing a man on behalf of The Family drugs trafficking gang. "On arrival firefighters found an industrial unit well alight with smoke drifting across the locality Seven Dublin Fire Brigade units were required to extinguish an industrial estate blaze last night in the city. Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the site shortly after midnight on Ballymount Road lower. "Overnight seven units were called to a fire off the Ballymount Road. An industrial unit was well alight and a turntable ladder was used as a water tower above the fire. Thanks to @DubCityCouncil @IrishWater @esbnetworks for the help at scene, the fire brigade posted. Fire in Dublin on Thursday night It took up to four hours for DFB to extinguish the blaze, with operations not ending until 4.20am. A Dublin Fire Brigade press release stated: "The Eastern Regional Control Centre located in Tara Street fire station received a 999 call reporting a fire off the Ballymount Road Lower at 00.13 hrs. Exterior shot "Four fire engines from Dolphins Barn and Tallaght fire stations responded to the incident and they were joined by three specialist appliances including a turntable ladder. "On arrival firefighters found an industrial unit well alight with smoke drifting across the locality. Water being used "We received great assistance from Uisce Eireann, ESB Networks, Dublin City Council, Gas Networks Ireland and Gardai and firefighting operations ceased at 04.20 hrs. "There were no injuries reported." The UDA dress this up as an anti-Muslim thing but its all about money; whatever the reason the people behind this business are not playing ball, said our source. South Belfast UDA was behind a paint bomb attack on an Asian business on Sandy Row. The criminal gang dressed up the attack as an anti-immigration act but the Sunday World can reveal that the fledgling business was facing protection payments of 250 a month. The attackers threw paint over the shutters of the business in the lower part of Sandy Row, dressing it up as an attack on Muslim businesses. Sandy Row hosts a number of Islamic businesses including a halal butchers and an Asian supermarket, all within a stones throw of the Rangers Supporters Club and the infamous Royal Bar which is festooned with Israel flags. The vacant building across the street from the Asian business was daubed with anti-immigration slogans. Loyalist sources have told the Sunday World the UDA is bringing in more than 5,000 a month in protection payments on Sandy Row alone. Well-placed sources have told us that the Asian restaurant owners were confronted by men claiming to be from the UDA and demanding security money. Work is ongoing at the site so it is not generating any income. Last week pink paint was thrown over the premises shutters and, according to locals, work has stopped at the site. Two skips sit outside, piled high with the rubble dragged out of the premises. There is now a question mark over the future of the business, which would have provided employment for the economically deprived area. The would-be restaurant is surrounded by empty units. The UDA dress this up as an anti-Muslim thing but its all about money; whatever the reason the people behind this business are not playing ball, said our source. They [UDA] dont care about religion, its all about money, pure and simple, the age-old practice of protection rackets is alive and well. Last year a businessman whose new Belfast grocery store was subjected to four racially-motivated attacks in two weeks has said he would move his business. Ahmad Alkhamran came to Northern Ireland from Syria seven years ago, fleeing the war, and worked to earn enough money to open his own store. But his shop on Belfasts Donegall Road was set on fire in an arson attack. Residents living in flats above the business had to be led to safety. Police said the attack was the fourth incident at the same premises within the space of two weeks and they were treating them all as racially-motivated hate crimes. Speaking to BBC News NI, Mr Alkhamran said he could not understand why his shop had been targeted. Its disappointing but we will keep going and hope to open the business somewhere else, but not here, he said. I believe love will win, not racists. He explained that he worked as a taxi driver after he arrived in Northern Ireland and had been saving his wages to start his own grocery business. I have worked for four months, the shop was to open next week. I have saved for seven years in just a few minutes it was all gone. The Sunday World understands attacks on immigrant-owned business are motivated by protection money rather than anti-asylum views. Mr Alkhamran said his new store was badly damaged by the fire and much of his stock was ruined. Everything is damaged, he added. In one attack, shutters at the premises were spray-painted with graffiti. The message read: Local houses an [sic] shops only. Mr Alkhamran said he had been made to feel welcome by most people he met in Northern Ireland, and said he believed it was only a small minority who opposed his new venture. She said she hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer as she continues treatment for cancer for a few more months Kate Middleton said she continues to receive treatment for cancer after her health announcement in March but said: Im not out of the woods yet. In a statement the Princess of Wales said she is making good progress and has good days and bad days, adding: I am not out of the woods yet. She said she hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer as she continues treatment for cancer for a few more months. Kate appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she made the shock health announcement, but she said in a statement on Friday that she will attend Britains King Charles Birthday Parade on Saturday and hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer. She was initially admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16 and at the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous, but cancer was found after a successful operation. The princess wrote a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for The Colonels Review in London last Saturday. The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly in May, saying shes doing well when asked by a hospital administrator. William spent a number of weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays before returning to public work in mid-April. Charles was admitted to hospital just days after Kate, also for a procedure deemed unrelated to cancer. In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, which is not prostate cancer, that was discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate. In wishing the monarch a full recovery, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said thankfully the cancer had been caught early. Charles initially postponed public-facing duties but resumed at the end of April, speaking of his shock at being diagnosed with cancer as he met patients on a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London. His appearance at a D-Day event in Portsmouth last week was his first public speech and most high-profile appearance since his cancer diagnosis. The Queen provided an update on her husbands health at the Queens Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey last Saturday, telling author Lee Child the King is doing fine but wont slow down and wont do what hes told. Sarah, Duchess of York announced a medical procedure at the beginning of 2024, when she revealed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. It was her second cancer diagnosis within a year, having been diagnosed with breast cancer the summer before, which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and subsequent reconstructive surgery. She had discovered an early form of breast cancer during a routine mammogram screening. Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but Im in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support, Sarah said on Instagram. Princess Beatrice shared an update on her mothers health on This Morning in May when she said the duchess was all clear and doing really well. In late February, tragedy befell Prince Michael of Kents family when Thomas Kingston, the husband of Prince Michaels daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor, died from a catastrophic head injury with a gun found close to his body. For many years, it was the estrangement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that dominated discourse around the royal family after the pair stepped down as working royals in 2020. Having relocated to Montecito, California, Harry has returned to the UK infrequently but did so after the Kings cancer diagnosis. Though the duke only conducted a whirlwind 45-minute meeting with his father, Harry suggested that the Kings cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with the family. Asked by a US breakfast show if the diagnosis could have a reunifying effect, the duke replied: Yeah, I am sure. In May, a spokesperson for Harry said he hopes to see his father soon after the Kings full programme meant a reunion was not possible during the dukes UK trip to celebrate his Invictus Games. Easy money on the Spaniards to win the Euros on my birthday! A nice mil for the Mac! CONOR McGregor has placed a huge bet of over 80,000 on Spain to win the European football championships. The MMA star hopes though to get a massive one million euro plus payout if the Spanish win the Euros. And hes hedging his bets hell be quids in as he celebrates his 36th birthday tomorrow. The Notorious, who today confirmed he has pulled out of his scheduled UFC fight later this month in Las Vegas against Michael Chandler due to injury, placed his huge bet with online firm Duelbits. Hit exact stake is 83,500 at 11/1. And hes obviously calculated his bet to give him a one million plus payout if he comes up trumps, as the amount of money hed win if Spain triumphs in Euro 24 is 1,002,000. Vamos Spain!, boasted McGregor in a social media posting. Easy money on the Spaniards to win the Euros on my birthday! A nice mil for the Mac!. Whether its due to McGregors huge bet or not, but Spains odds have shorted today to an average of 9/1 to win the competition. Spain have won the tournament three times, in 2012, 2008 and 1964. Spains opening game is against Croatia tomorrow, while they also have Italy and Albania in their group. England are favourites with the bookies at 4/1 to win their first Euros, with France next at 17/4 and hosts Germany third at 11/2. Holders Italy, who beat England on penalties at the last tournaments final in Wembley, are 18/1. Euro 24 kicks off tonight in Munich, when Germany play Scotland, who are 225/1 to win the competition. Ireland last competed in the European finals in 2016 in France, and were also at the finals in Poland in 2012. Our only other appearance was as debutantes at the 1988 finals in Germany, when we famously beat England 1-0 in the opening game in Stuttgart. The Republic of Ireland are set to co-host the 2028 finals alongside England, Scotland and Wales. Its looking increasingly unlikely Northern Ireland will now be included, as GAA bosses confirm the planned redevelopment of Casement Park will not match UEFA requirements. Motorists are advised to plan ahead for seven nights of southbound lane closures on the State Highway 29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. From Sunday, June 16, to Thursday, June 20, the southbound lane (from Tauranga to Tauriko) on the toll road will be closed to all traffic overnight for road rebuilding between the toll gantry and the SH29/29A/36 roundabout from 8.30pm to 5am. Motorists should expect uneven surfaces with a temporary speed limit of 30km/h in place during the day, says an NZTA spokesperson. "The work is to undertake road rebuilding between the toll gantry and the SH29/29A/36 roundabout. While this work is taking place there will be a detour via SH2 and Moffat Road/Cambridge Road (see detour map attached). "This detour will add about 10 minutes to your journey. "This work is one of the last major pieces of rebuilding work for the Bay of Plentys 2023/24 maintenance season. The new maintenance season starts in October. "NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks people for their patience while this important maintenance work is carried out." A map showing where the closures will be. Supplied by NZTA. Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with: Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) Building confidence and resilience can be difficult for young boys who grow up without their fathers. Big Buddy Mentoring Trust alleviates that by finding willing volunteers who are local good guys from the community to support boys aged between seven and fourteen. A Big Buddy acts as a role model, offering the boys the opportunity to have one-on-one time with a trusted male adult they can admire and trust. A Big Buddy relationship doesnt just provide a man to do blokey things with, it offers friendship, support and a good male role model to look up to. Since 1997, over 1,200 Little Buddies have been matched with local good guys around the North Island. This has only been achievable due to the local volunteers who have provided regular contact and shown genuine interest in the life of their Little Buddy. Showing the Little Buddy that this person is here for them and someone they can rely on as they grow up. Tauranga/Hamilton Big Buddy Mentoring Manager Brad Fleming explains that there are currently 20 active Big Buddy matches in the Tauranga area. Tauranga/Hamilton Mentoring Manager Brad Fleming. Photo supplied. By being paired with a Big Buddy, the boys get to see what a good man looks and acts like, they grow in confidence and understand how to form healthy relationships with other males says Brad, Without this they may establish relationships that prove harmful to themselves, their families and their communities. Taurangas mentors who take on the role of Big Buddies come from all walks of life. Some have older kids of their own who have left home, others have young kids, and some have never had children. But each Big Buddy provides a space for a young boy to grow and thrive. They also learn new things alongside their Little Buddy, have adventures and develop new purpose and direction for their own lives. The success of Big Buddy in Tauranga and Western Bay is down to the people. Big Buddy is a product of the good people who live here and are willing to help. The organisation relies on good men stepping up to help boys in need, and Brad Fleming shares that our community is very fortunate to have the amazing volunteers that we do. When paired with a Big Buddy, local boys change for the better, becoming more confident and outgoing thanks to the guidance of their mentor. Big Buddy Mentoring Trust recently received $15,000 towards the Tauranga Big Buddy programme from local funder TECT. This funding goes towards the screening and matching of volunteers as this is a stringent and thorough process that Big Buddy prides itself on to help form those lifelong relationships between their mentors and boys. TECT Trustee Peter Blackwell says TECT supports the work of Big Buddy Mentoring Trust and the recent funding will assist them in gaining the best local volunteers possible. By being able to do a thorough screening process of local men, it ensures that the boys who lack a good male role model will be paired with the best person for them, says Peter, They will be offered friendship, support and a good person to look up to. This results in better social connection, inclusion and belonging for the next generation of men in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty. Big Buddy Shane and Little Buddy Isaac. Photo supplied. As a small community organisation, Big Buddy Mentoring Trust relies on the support of the good guys in its local community who are willing to lend a hand. Local men interested in becoming Big Buddy mentors only need to commit to an hour a week for a minimum of 12 months to support their Little Buddy. Although 12 months this is the minimum time period to provide support, most Big Buddy mentors stay in their Little Buddies life for much longer. Big Buddy operates in the Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington regions and plans to expand. For more information on Big Buddy Mentoring Trust and how to become a Big Buddy, head to www.bigbuddy.org.nz A Matariki sculpture trail in the city an Aotearoa exhibition first using augmented reality technology to breathe life into digital artworks by renowned Kiwi artists is now open to the public at two sites until June 30. Presented by Te Tauranga Toi, the matARiki Sculpture Trail which launched on Monday at both The Strand Reserve in Tauranga and at Te Papa o nga Manu Porotakataka at Mount Maunganui offers a unique and interactive experience for families and art enthusiasts alike, says exhibition creator and curator Kereama Taepa. There are seven artists work in the sculpture trail, which are Jared Wikeepa, Chris Bailey, Reweti Arapere, Rangituhia Hollis, River Jayden, Julie Paama-Pengelly and myself, says Kereama following Mondays launch. This first-of-its-kind exhibition event for Aotearoa provides an opportunity for our digital artists to showcase their mahi in a way that is more in tune with their medium as it uses digital technology to present their digital artwork. Waiti and Waita Overseas there are a multitude of opportunities like this for digital artists, however, here in Aotearoa they are non-existentso its really about opening up that space and creating that opportunity and creating that exposure for our digital artists that are actually quite accomplished in this space, says Kereama. With the theme of Matariki specifically focusing on the twin stars Waiti (freshwater) and Waita (saltwater) the trail invites visitors to embark on a journey through augmented reality sculptures. Scan codes Trail-goers simply scan QR codes with a smart device and watch as digital artworks come to life before their eyes. Kereama hopes people will interact with the sculptures, learn about their meaning and the stories behind them, and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of contemporary Maori art. The matARiki Sculpture Trail is a collaborative effort supported by Te Tauranga Toi, Toi Hourua, Tauranga City Councils Creative Communities Scheme and Te Tuhi Mareikura Trust a local arts organisation dedicated to nurturing artistic talent in Tauranga Moana. What the public will discover on the matARiki Sculpture Trail. Photo: Naera Ohia Photography. Kereama encourages people not to miss this groundbreaking opportunity to experience Matariki in a whole new way. Join the matARiki Sculpture Trail and discover the magic of augmented-reality art. The free matARiki Sculpture Trail is at Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka, Mount Maunganui, and The Strand Reserve, Tauranga CBD, until June 30. Or follow the trail on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/matarikisculpturetrail The production line and distribution of several cans of Coca-Cola, Canadian Club and Codys has come under the spotlight in a methamphetamine trial. The court earlier heard that police discovered a terraced clandestine lab in the lower Kaimai Ranges in 2019. It was covered in camouflage netting and dug into the side of steep bush. Inside they found a six-burner barbecue, gas elements, a hose siphoning water from an underground natural spring - and a metal cylinder so large it had to be removed by helicopter. The items were all alleged to be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Police also found some drinking cans - Coca-Cola, Canadian Club, and Codys - in the lab. A man and woman are now on trial in the Tauranga District Court where they were jointly facing charges related to the manufacture of methamphetamine. However, today the Crown dropped the charges relating to the womans involvement in methamphetamine manufacture. She still faces a charge of possession of cannabis for sale but is no longer alleged to have had knowledge of or involvement in the methamphetamine lab. The Crown called Detective Simon Wallace who analysed the cans and how they compared to ones found in a rubbish pit, rubbish bins and in a fridge on the defendants property, which borders the bush where the clan lab was found. The discovery of the cans in Kmart bags at the suspected clan lab led Detective Simon to investigate the numbers stamped on the bottom of the cans. In consultation with the producers of the relevant cans, Simon told the court he was able to figure out where and when - the exact time and date - the cans had come off the production line and been boxed up to be put on pallets for distribution. The detective concluded more than a dozen cans found up and around the defendants dwelling had the same or nearly the same production information and time stamp as a handful retrieved from the clan lab. Crown prosecutor Ben Smith took the detective through the 16-digit code on the base of various cans seized from the suspected clan lab, with their corresponding exhibit numbers, and talked about the similarities in the numbers to other cans found around the dwelling. Police analysed codes on the bottom of Canadian Club cans found in a clan lab, including this one, in their case against a couple charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Photo: NZME. Defence lawyer David Niven questioned the usefulness of this analysis in his cross-examination of the detective. You were trying to draw links between [the defendant] and the lab, through the distribution of drink cans? David asked. Essentially, yes, Simon replied. David criticised Simons exclusion of cans without matching numbers - Simon had photographed them but had not noted down any specific numbers. What youre not doing is trying to understand the distribution of cans across the whole site, youve excluded cans because you say theyre not relevant because the numbers dont match up, David put to the detective. David suggested this created a bias, and didnt create an opportunity for a whole pattern to help understand what connection someone might have had with the clan lab and the property. Thats one way of looking at it, Simon says. David was particularly interested in the presence of a foreign Coca-Cola can found in the clan lab - of a different volume and with a k in the spelling of klassic, which wasnt analysed. David also questioned what conclusions could be drawn given evidence about the large quantity of cans that could potentially have the same, or very similar, time and date stamps. David put to Simon there was no evidence one way or the other to know how many cans with identical or near identical numbers could end up in the stores in the same area - in neighbouring supermarkets, dairies, or bottle stores - nor how long these cans might stay in stock. Your analysis needs to be treated with caution, David says. No, I dont accept this, Simon replied. The defence case, which has just begun, is that someone else accessed the property and was operating the methamphetamine lab without the defendants knowledge. The defence spoke to the brother of the defendant, who gave evidence of the male defendants consistent, and legitimate, work history in the primary industries. The trial continues. -Bay of Plenty Times Customs and the Royal New Zealand Navy recently seized a 7kg shipment of cocaine attached with a magnet to the side of a ships hull. The joint operation in April combined Customs maritime as well as Royal New Zealand Navy dive and explosives experts, after Customs received information that a commercial vessel heading to New Zealand had a box attached at the stern, which was not part of the ships structure. As the vessel approached New Zealand, Customs maintained regular contact with the ships captain and agents, working together to monitor the attachment and report suspicious activity. Customs, the Navy and the shipping line agreed on a plan to intercept the vessel approximately 50 nautical miles off New Zealands coast using Customs patrol vessel Hawk V. The ship was escorted to a safe location just outside Auckland where Customs coordinated with Navy ordnance experts and divers, who used an uncrewed surface vessel and an aerial drone to monitor and inspect the box. The box was removed and transferred to a safe location on shore where the teams were able to open it. The box was found to contain an electromagnet, which held it to the ship, and the box was packed with 7kg of cocaine, worth up to NZ$3.15 million in New Zealand. Customs Maritime manager Robert Smith says this method of attaching drugs to the hull of a ship is just one of the techniques that Customs and its partners continually look out for. The joint operation used a range of technology, including remote controlled equipment, to gather information about the attached box to ensure the safe removal and examination, which led to the cocaine seizure. Customs works closely with our Navy partners and this operation was a great example of maximising each other's capabilities and tools to reach a positive outcome. Our industry partners also play a big role in helping to keep our borders secure. We were helped by the shipping industry right at the start. Organised crime groups are always trying to move drugs into and through New Zealand, including by this type of method. This operation shows the value of our strong international networks with other agencies as well as global shipping lines to prevent transnational organised crime exploiting not only our population but also our supply chains. The Royal New Zealand Navys Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Garin Golding, says the operation demonstrates an exciting new step in leveraging the advantages of uncrewed systems technology. Our control room in Devonport provided a live-tracked, common operating picture to gather intelligence utilising a combination of uncrewed platforms and our professional personnel. It meant the operation was able to be coordinated remotely and achieved the best possible outcome. This an excellent example of Customs, Police and the Navy work seamlessly together to combat narcotics smuggling, Commodore Golding says. If you know or suspect someone may be involved in smuggling activity, call Customs 24-hour confidential hotline on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768), or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Jennie Rhodes Almunecar Friday, 14 June 2024, 12:15 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads A fairly nondescript monument with a plaque is the only reminder in Almunecar of the visits made there by British author Laurie Lee, two of which are documented in his books As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning and A Rose For Winter. The monument is somewhat hidden on Paseo del Altillo, near to the site of the hotel where he worked as a handyman and musician during his first stay from 1935 to 1936. Zoom The plaque that marked the centenary of Lees birth in 2014. SUR The plaque marks the centenary of the author's birth on 26 June 2014 and recalls his time "before the Civil War" when he lived "in a small fishing village" which in his second book he refers to as El Castillo. Interestingly however, in the first book he refers to the place by its real name. The author had already spent several months in Andalucia before reaching Almunecar and in As I Walked Out... he recounts his travels through Cadiz, Seville and Malaga before deciding to "hole up" in Almunecar for the winter of 1935 to 1936. In Malaga the violin he'd travelled with from his home in Slad, Gloucestershire, "suddenly broke in my hands" due to, he believed, "overexposure to the sun". As luck would have it though, he was given another by a German whose "girlfriend had run off with a Swede" and had no use for it. In Almunecar, Lee witnessed the mounting tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War and was evacuated by a British Navy destroyer that had been sent to pick up any Brits along the coast. "I knew I would have to go," Lee writes in his memoir. He returned with his wife Kati in the early 1950s, retracing his steps in a three-month trip through Andalucia, spending time in Almunecar, which is the inspiration for his third autobiographical work set in Spain (the second being A Moment of War, in which he returns to fight with the International Brigade, but doesn't come to Andalucia). In the book he describes feeling "restless and haunted" upon his arrival in the town, finding it "a little more ignoble, more ground to dust" and hearing of the fate of the many friends he'd made before the war. Regina Sotorrio Malaga Friday, 14 June 2024, 13:04 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Pedro Hoz does not look like a painter going to work at his studio. He wears a white striped shirt, blue trousers and his hair is perfectly styled. He assures us (and his team confirms this) that it is not just for the camera. That's just how he is. "I like to paint with flow," he says, smiling for the camera. At the end of the day, he probably looks very different: scruffy, with the odd oil paint stain on one of those shirts he buys from a neighbourhood second-hand shop. But to Pedro Hoz, elegance is an intrinsic value, and he certainly has style. And his career so far has been anything but conventional. Not only did he begin to paint at the age of 18 (he is now 23), but he was also studying business, not fine art, at the time. He has, moreover, only worked with oils for the past year and a half, but has come a long way with them. His artwork has already been in Seoul, Miami, Mexico, Madrid and his hometown of Alhaurin de la Torre. Into his work he pours his subconscious: a very personal imaginary of strange bodies that intertwine or float in impossible universes. He is a surrealist in anyone's eyes, but he clarifies: "Surrealism for me is a movement that occurred during an era and cannot be replicated." He prefers to say that his painting is an "escape from reason". "In this rational world we live in, it's one of the few things I do where I try not to question anything - just feel and see where it takes me," he explains. He has transformed a flat on Calle Heroe de Sostoa into a studio and meeting point for artists For the moment, it seems to take him quite far away. At the end of May he unveiled his first museum exhibition, Undivining Divinity, at the Centro de Arte Tomas y Valiente in Fuenlabrada, which features 16 paintings and three large-format sculptures. Each painting is accompanied by small 3D figures by designer Jon Benet. Hoz will then take part in collective exhibitions at Tang Contemporary Art in Hong Kong and at an art fair in Saudi Arabia. In addition, he is already working on the four-metre-long sculpture that he will take from Malaga to the Havana Biennial in Cuba in November. In January 2025, he will make his debut with a solo exhibition at Villazan Gallery in New York, where he is a featured artist. "During the last year of my degree I was already living off painting," he says, sitting in his studio on Calle Heroe de Sostoa in Malaga city. Although this space belongs to his grandfather, he and other artists occupy it while he finds a new tenant. But how did all of this happen? Pedro Hoz reflects and searches for an explanation, but he too has been caught off guard by this evolution. Korea was his turning point. Hoz participated in a programme for business students at the University of Malaga, where they travelled to Korea to carry out a project. With Covid still in the air, Pedro had to spend two weeks quarantining in a room in Seoul, during which he did one painting after the other, finishing fifteen in total. With them, he visited different galleries in the city, until one of them, Kara's Gallery, purchased all of his work. "That made me believe in it," he says. And from there, he did not stop. "Everything I earn goes into this: to create more works, to execute sculptures, to have a team." Right now there are three of them: Hoz, Benet as 3D designer and Pol Arregi as studio manager. The team currently work in the studio on Calle Heroe de Sostoa, which at times resembles the Marx Brothers' cabin, with artists and associates coming in and out. Ten commandments Over one of the studio shelves presides the document, "Ten commandments for my grandson," signed by Hoz's grandfather Juan Antonio Dominguez, a lawyer and painting enthusiast with whom he has a very special relationship; he is his pillar and keeps him grounded. "Be hardworking and consistent, put interest and enthusiasm into everything you do," reads the sixth commandment, "Be generous," says the tenth. And Pedro Hoz complies. "I fill my life with this; I don't mind being here all day painting," says the young man, who for some months now has been sharing the workshop with another artist from Malaga, Zoilo Blanca. With two canvases side by side, it is clear how radically different their styles are. "But we feed off each other," Zoilo says. "He's the only person I let have an opinion on my paintings," reveals Pedro Hoz. "And his painting has influenced me," adds Zoilo, who is currently exhibiting his own work at the Ignacio del Rio studio in Soho, Malaga. Theirs is one of the many synergies born of this place, where artist Ernesto Artillo, also from Malaga, was recently preparing his art intervention that would feature at Museo Carmen Thyssen. This studio has become a meeting point for restless young people to create, but also to train. The room at the back holds an unexpected surprise: a huge open space from whose ceiling hangs several punching bags. "I train every day; it keeps me sane and healthy," he says. Cristina Vallejo Malaga Friday, 14 June 2024, 11:35 | Updated 12:28h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads There is a story that links three very different worlds: American expats in Malaga who are campaigning for Joe Biden to win the presidential election in November; Amaya Isert, a former chef who sailed the seas on luxury cruises; and the donkeys of Mijas. This last group is the most important, as the donkey is the emblem of the Democratic Party, and therefore of Joe Biden. To clarify the link between this animal and its political association, Carey Ramos, chair of the Malaga precinct of Democrats Abroad, explains that in the 19th century, the US had a Democratic president called Andrew Jackson, who was "very unpleasant and had many enemies". His opposition called him a 'jackass', the word for a male donkey, and an offensive remark. The Democrats then reappropriated the word: "it went from an insult to a sign of identity," says Ramos, and they now proudly display the animal among their symbols. Opening a donkey sanctuary Amaya Isert was a chef on luxury cruise ships for two years. Originally from the neighbourhood of Sacromonte in Granada, she is very familiar with donkeys, which were so common in her hometown. She ended up working at the Fuente de Piedra based donkey sanctuary, originally a British charity. Later, she managed to scrape together her savings and established her own donkey sanctuary in Mijas. It was hard at the beginning, because the opening was hit by the pandemic, but in August 2020, Donkey Dreamland was launched. The work of this farm mainly involves assisting the recovery of donkeys (which can live up to 40 years), especially those that have been abandoned or suffered mistreatment at the hands of their owners, and from there, looking for an adoptive home for them. In the meantime, the public can go and ride them in the Mijas countryside. The shelter currently cares for ten donkeys, though 48 have benefitted from their facilities in the last four years. Zoom The symbol of the US Democratic Party. So, how did Democrats Abroad land in Donkey Dreamland? "Our mission is to register Americans living in Malaga to vote in November. In fact, we are preparing so that when American students arrive in September for various educational programmes they can register to vote," Ramos explains. "But we also want to get more involved in the Malaga community... And we are also looking to support non-profit organisations. That is how we came across Donkey Dreamland. When we suggested it, everyone at our monthly meeting backed the idea," she adds. Raising funds In fact, their financial contributions support the most costly part of the recovery process: the administration and the animals' health costs, as they often require surgery. Isert says that food, which costs 60 euros per animal every month, is not so expensive, although they pay 100 euros a week for water. In their first encounter with donkeys, these dozen or so US Democrats discovered that their mascot does its fame justice: "Donkeys are stubborn; know what they want; they are not stupid at all, nor slow; they have a lot of energy," says Ramos. Democrats Abroad liked the shelter so much that they are planning to come back in September and want to continue supporting the animal rights organisation. But they are not diverted from the focus of their main mission: mobilising American voters. Ramos says that they are a little nervous, as the polls are favouring their Republican opponent. But they say that they will do everything in their power to prevent Trump's victory. Inland towns plan protest against wind farm projects in north of Malaga province After several previous demonstrations, they will gather again in the Torcal car park on Sunday, 16 June, at 10am to continue showing their rejection of the three wind farm projects proposed in the area Artist's impression of what the landscape would look like with new wind turbines. Alba Tenza Malaga Friday, 14 June 2024, 11:34 | Updated 11:48h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Residents of Villanueva de la Concepcion, Casabermeja, Almogia and Antequera will be staging a new protest this Sunday against the wind farm projects in the area. After several previous demonstrations, they will gather again in the Torcal car park on Sunday, 16 June, at 10am to continue showing their rejection of the three wind farm projects proposed in the area. The first is Cordel Wind, which proposes the installation of seven 170-metre-high wind turbines with a capacity of 43.4 megawatts in the areas of Papaseca, Cortijo Grande, Casablanca, Cadenas and Vegas, as well as an electrical substation. Protest group The second plan, Fuenteungrillo Wind, would include seven wind turbines in Antequera and Casabermeja, while the Cebadera Wind project would be developed in the municipality of Antequera with five wind turbines of 31 megawatts between the sites of La Alcubilla Lentisca and Molinillo. In view of this situation, the local residents have joined together in a platform called 'Plataforma Eolicas junto a El Torcal No' (No to wind farms next to El Torcal) in a bid to prevent the construction of these three wind farms on the south side of El Torcal included in the project that energy company IGNIS presented to the Junta de Andalucia. Zoom Map showing the three wind farm projects proposed in the Antequera region. SUR "The project includes a 35-kilometre stretch with high voltage pylons and, in principle, 19 wind turbines some 200 metres high distributed between Casabermeja and Hoya de Antequera, to which should be added the weather stations, storage areas, as well as lanes that fracture and render useless the Campo de Camara, a place of cultivation since Roman times, and other structures that would irremediably change the way of life of the residents," said the platform days before the rally. Two of the projects have been put on public display, generating great discontent among the owners of the plots of land affected by the project - more than 1,000, according to the platform's estimates. The local councils of the affected towns have filed objections to the three projects. SUR Malaga Friday, 14 June 2024, 14:11 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Throughout this weekend, the irruption of air masses from the Atlantic will leave cooler temperatures than usual for the time of year throughout the western half of the Spanish mainland, while warm temperatures are expected on the Mediterranean coast, including Malaga and the Costa del Sol. This situation will be accentuated during the beginning of next week as an Atlantic trough of great amplitude will approach from the west dragging a mass of colder air at all levels of the atmosphere that will begin to affect the western end of the Spanish mainland from Monday. It will also reach the Mediterranean slope from Wednesday, according to Meteored (tiempo.com), although the province of Malaga and the Costa del Sol will be spared for the time being. This trough will also be responsible for a new episode of thunderstorms that could be significant, especially in the interior of the eastern half of the country. In addition to the drop in temperatures, which will be more striking in the western half of the country, the storms could hit between Monday and Thursday. The first scenario that could occur is that the trough grows rapidly over the Spanish mainland, leaving significant storms in the east and northeast of the country until Wednesday. The second scenario is that this trough forms a deep 'Dana' (weather deppresion in the higher levels of the atmosphere) which would leave very intense thunderstorms in inland and northern areas of the peninsula until Thursday. From Thursday onwards, the trough will tend to withdraw, facilitating the formation of a small anticyclonic ridge that will favour a rise in temperatures. It is not yet possible to know the magnitude or duration of this period of slightly higher temperatures and we will have to wait a few more days to confirm whether it will be interrupted by another trough or, on the contrary, the first persistent ridge of the summer will settle in and with it bring the first lasting warm spell of the summer. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Update: Overnight police canceled the missing person alert at 12:19 a.m. Elizabeth A. Rybak, 70, was found and returned home, Baldwinsville police said. Baldwinsville, N.Y. Police in Baldwinsville are searching for a woman last seen Thursday night in the village. Elizabeth A. Rybak, 70, was seen around 5:30 p.m. on Canton Street driving a 2002 silver Buick LeSabre with New York license plate CLJ-5333, according to a missing persons alert. Rybak has dementia and may need medical attention, the alert said. Shes 5-feet-10-inches tall, weighs 180 pounds, has gray hair and hazel eyes. Baldwinsville police can be reached at 315-635-5351. Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com. Central Square, NY - For the first time ever, the Central Square School District plans to cancel afternoon classes one day next week due to the expected extreme heat. The four elementary schools and middle school in the district will dismiss after morning classes on Tuesday, when temperatures are predicted to reach in the mid to upper 90s, district officials announced. By Larry Rulison | Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS) Albany, N.Y. Members of the states stretch limousine safety task force say they are hoping the Assembly and Gov. Kathy Hochul will get behind a last-ditch effort to extend the task forces operations through 2025. We have unfinished business, said Ronald Barton, a retired state Department of Transportation commercial vehicle inspector who was a member of the 13-person task force. The task force, made up mostly of current and former state transportation officials, last met in the fall of 2022 after completing a 154-page report on their findings and recommendations on new limo safety regulations for the state Legislature to consider. The task force was created in the wake of the 2018 limo crash in Schoharie that killed 20 people and remains the worst transportation disaster in the U.S. in more than a decade. The task force included representation from not only state government and law enforcement but also the limo industry. Family members from the Schoharie crash and the 2015 limo crash in Cutchogue, Long Island Kevin Cushing of Saratoga Springs and Nancy DiMonte of Long Island were also appointed as well as Barton, who has been an outspoken critic of the DOT since the crash. Although Hochul pushed through a package of new limo safety regulations as part of this years budget process, she has not supported bills introduced in the Senate to extend the task forces operations through 2025, allowing the committee to discuss a state Inspector General report that was critical of the way the DOT and the Department of Motor Vehicles handled the limo company in the months leading up to the Schoharie crash. The IG report had similar findings to the final report on the crash by the National Transportation Safety Board, which also faulted the New York DOT and DMV, saying the two agencies didnt do enough to get the 2001 stretch Ford Excursion involved in the crash off the roads after it failed multiple safety inspections. DiMonte, whose daughter was severely injured in the 2015 limo crash in which four of her daughters friends died, says she would like the task force to be extended so she can talk about whats being done with drivers who are impaired by marijuana. Under state law, stretch limo drivers must get alcohol and drug testing, but DiMonte is worried that there are no reliable standards for measuring marijuana levels in drivers post-crash like there is for alcohol. Her daughters limo was hit by a driver who had been drinking, although prosecutors couldnt prove he was legally drunk. DiMonte is worried that a similar limo crash could happen involving marijuana, particularly now that its use is legalized in New York. This is no joke, DiMonte told the Times Union. It has to stop. However, it appears a herculean task to get the task force extended. Even though the Senate recently passed a new version, the Assembly has not acted on it. Assemblyman William Magnarelli, who chairs the Assemblys transportation committee, has said he wont entertain the bill if Hochul doesnt support it. A Hochul spokesperson would only refer to the limo safety laws that the governor signed into law as part of the budget and would not address the task force extension bill. ___ (c) 2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Wendy Liberatore | Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS) MILTON, N.Y. When those who are prejudiced against a Pride symbol go low, supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community go high or in this case, technically higher. Thats been the strategy of the Saratoga Pride group, which has installed a temporary taller flagpole to protect their rainbow pennant, which they said has been torn down. The group, which is displaying the flag on private property on Rowland Street, said on two occasions the flagpole was bent, the flag ripped and left on the ground. So now Saratoga Pride has ordered three taller poles two 20-foot poles and one 25-foot pole to replace the temporary one there now, in hopes that no one will disturb the three flags that are planned: an American flag, a peace flag and a Pride flag. But Cindy Swadba of Saratoga Pride remains concerned. I get angry, Swadba said. We all have someone in our lives that is from the LBGTQIA+ community. They are people we know and love. It makes me angry and resolved to continue to put the flag up. She also said the disturbed flags are especially distressing considering the towns recent history with Pride flags. In 2020, then Supervisor Benny Zlotnick raised the rainbow flag on Veterans Memorial Park. Three were stolen before a fourth flag was raised. In order to protect it, the town put a surveillance camera on the banner. Zlotnick also called the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office, asking it to investigate the plundered flag. Shirleyan Ebert, who owns the property where the flag is now up again, said she filed a report with the sheriff. She was told that its near impossible to determine who vandalized the poles and flags without surveillance cameras capturing the act. She said she offered her property to raise the flag because the towns current supervisor, Scott Ostrander, wont allow it to fly on town property. This ticked me off, she said. Ebert and Swadba pointed out that mayors of Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs hung Pride flags outside of Village Hall and City Hall, respectively. Ostrander was not immediately available to comment about his decisions concerning the Pride flag. But in 2022, he told CBS6 that the decision to not raise a Pride flag was meant to look out for all residents not just a few of our residents. Pride flag swiping seems to be on the rise. NBC News reported last week that in the first weeks of June, which is designated as Pride month, 14 banners were slashed in Poulsbo, Wash. Another 200 flags were stolen from the town center in Carlisle, Mass. Its not just the Pride flag, however. The Times Union reported on June 5 that two separate flag incidents took place in Delmar. The first incident involved a Trump campaign flag being raised onto a flagpole that was flying the American flag and a POW flag at the post office the morning of the towns Memorial Day parade. The federal Hatch Act requires that no partisan political activity be done on federal property. About a week later, a resident reported to police that someone allegedly went onto his property where he has an American flag flying on a pole, turned the flag upside down and rehoisted it. While there are prohibitions on where flags displaying political speech can be raised, the American Civil Liberties Union has written a letter arguing that municipalities cant outright ban the rainbow flag because such policies are viewpoint discrimination and violate the First Amendment. When the government is speaking for itself, the government may decide which views it wishes to express and the First Amendment does not demand airtime for all views, the letter reads. Meanwhile, Ebert said there was a bright spot in the flag issue she is facing. After the flag was taken down and the pole destroyed for a second time, her nephew Michael Ebert found a note tucked into the twisted metal. Dont let their hate get to you, the note, decorated with hearts, read. You are showing every person who is LGBTQIA+ that we are seen. You got this!!! It was very touching and very encouraging and very kind, Ebert said. I was going to frame it and keep it in my place. Then, I decided it needs to be shared. She gave the note to Saratoga Pride. A GoFundMe page, set up by friend and supporter Cathy Hoff, has raised about $700 to purchase more flags, and the taller flagpoles. My goal is to let the people of Milton know what is happening, Swadba said. We have a lot of allies. We are hoping that people will respect the flag. ___ (c) 2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. FASANO, Italy (AP) President Joe Biden said Thursday that he will not use his presidential powers to lessen the eventual sentence that his son Hunter will receive for his federal felony conviction on gun crimes. Biden, following the conclusion of a news conference held at the Group of Seven summit of the worlds wealthiest democracies, responded he would not when asked whether he plans to commute the sentence for his son. Hunter Bidens sentencing date has not been set, and the three counts carry up to 25 years in prison, though thats unlikely as a first-time offender. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A crushing heat wave is likely next week for Upstate New York, the National Weather Service says. Upstate could swelter for several days with highs around 100 for most of the region and even higher heat index values, the weather service said. This would be a high impact and crushing heat wave for the region. Health impacts could be extreme according to a new heat risk index developed by the weather service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Extreme is the most serious of four levels in the index. This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration, said the index. READ MORE: Syracuse city schools plan to dismiss majority of students early next week From Monday through Friday, temperatures are expected to climb well into the 90s. Daily records could be broken: The predicted high for Syracuse on Wednesday is 96 degrees, which would break the record for June 19 by a degree. That record was set in 1995. Three consecutive days next week -- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday -- are expected to be 94 degrees or hotter in Syracuse. Thats never happened this early in June, according to weather service records. Wednesday is Juneteenth, a federal holiday, so many government buildings will be closed. Next weeks temperatures could be more than 20 degrees hotter than normal for late June. The heat builds in the week of the summer solstice, when the sun is at its most intense, and kicks off what meteorologists say could be one of the hottest summers on record. Accuweather, a private forecasting company, projects that temperatures in Central New York will be 3 to 4 degrees above normal. The hottest summer in record in Syracuse, 2005 was 4.4 degrees above normal. The heat risk index is based not just on the high temperature, but how unusual the heat is for this time of year, how long the heat will last, how hot the nights are, and if those temperatures post an elevated risk of health impacts. Health officials are particularly concerned about nighttime temperatures staying high. Next week, overnight lows will be in the 70s, compared to a normal of 59. High nighttime temperatures are dangerous because if somebodys body temperature is elevated, it doesnt come down as much or as quickly, said Nicholas Rajkovich, an architecture professor at University of Buffalo who researches the effect of climate change on buildings and people, told syracuse.com/The Post-Standard in 2021. Summer nights are getting hotter overall. Syracuses nighttime lows are about a degree warmer than they were a decade ago. Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a severe weather warning for possible thunderstorms today and the heat wave next week. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Fulbright Irish Awardees Forge Links in the USA The Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin are pleased to announce 21 Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2024-2025. Recipients were presented with Awards at a ceremony in Iveagh House last night. Jane Kavanagh, Teagasc pictured with Fulbright-Teagasc Awardee John O'Grady The Fulbright bilateral exchange programme has facilitated academic and cultural exchanges and strengthened Ireland-U.S. relations since 1957. The programme has a reputation for selecting exceptional candidates from across Ireland to study and work in disciplines ranging from health, science, technology and business to culture, the arts and the Irish language. Academics, professionals, students and scholars will research, study, teach and collaborate with experts at leading U.S. institutions. Their innovative research will have lasting impacts for society. From August 2024 to August 2025, Fulbright Irish Scholars, Students and Professionals will attend diverse institutions ranging from the University of Puerto Rico, New York University and the University of Maine to the University of Colorado Denver, The New School and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Awardees will research an exciting range of fields including urban studies, literature, information science, public health, fine arts, political science, engineering, physics, pharmacology, journalism, and genetics. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) will teach the Irish language at such universities as Davidson-Davie Community College, Catholic University of America, the University of Montana, and the University of Notre Dame to name a few. Irish awardees will serve as cultural ambassadors in the U.S. and share their knowledge, ideas and experience when they return home. Inspired by the mission and ethos of the Fulbright Commission, they will strengthen connections between the U.S. and Ireland and contribute to creating a global culture of understanding that is vital in todays ever more polarised world. The Fulbright Irish Awards will open on 29th August, 2024. Interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and at the Department of Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., said The Fulbright Programme plays a crucial role in sustaining the close relationship that the United States and Ireland enjoy. As Fulbright Awardees across all disciplines embark on academic and cultural exchanges across the U.S., they serve as ambassadors for Ireland, forging academic links through innovative research, building global understanding, and representing the best of the island of Ireland. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants teach the Irish language, embody Irish culture and share their learnings upon return. The Department of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Foreign Affairs proudly support this programme. I extend my sincere congratulations to the 2024-2025 Fulbright Irish Awardees. U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Mike Clausen, said Fulbright is the largest and most prestigious international educational and cultural exchange program in the world. It plays an essential role in strengthening ties between the United States and Ireland and fostering mutual understanding. Through educational and cultural exchanges, Fulbright awardees work together toward common goals and finding solutions to global issues, ensuring that the spirit of transatlantic friendship continues to thrive. I warmly wish this years awardees every success. Chair of the Fulbright Commission Ireland Board, Professor Paul Donnelly, said As Chair of the Fulbright Ireland Board, I am delighted to congratulate the recipients of the 2024-2025 Fulbright Irish Awards. In a year that saw the Commission award Fulbright Public Service Awards to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Dr. Anthony Fauci, so too do Fulbright awardees represent the core Fulbright values of meticulous, innovative and high-quality research and teaching in service to the public good. As they begin their cultural and educational exchanges in the U.S., awardees join a distinguished global network of Fulbright alumni, experts, peers and colleagues who have achieved success and accolades in all disciplines. I wish the new awardees an enjoyable and fruitful experience in the United States. Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland, Dr Dara FitzGerald, said Each year, I take pride in the outstanding, passionate recipients of the Fulbright Irish Awards, and Im filled with renewed hope and optimism for their service to Ireland. This year is no different. Fulbrighters create an impact not only through innovative research, teaching, or study, but through immersing themselves in the culture of a country and sharing their knowledge and ideas when they return home. I am certain that the empathy, understanding and passion of the Irish awardees will contribute to a global culture of understanding in todays increasingly polarised world. Comhghairdeas to our new awardees! The Commission is deeply grateful for the 67 years of support from our partners, stakeholders and sponsors, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. I wish to thank our Irish award sponsors: Health Research Board; Environmental Protection Agency; Geological Survey Ireland; National University of Ireland; Teagasc; the Creative Ireland Programme; notable U.S. Institutions such as the Exploratorium, the Smithsonian, the Harry Ransom Center and Boston College, Florida Polytechnic University, the University of Southern California, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School; and Irish institutions such as University College Cork, Technological University of the Shannon, Technological University of Dublin, AMBER Research, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Maynooth University, University of Limerick, Science Foundation Ireland, Atlantic Technological University, Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, and the Hugh Lane Gallery. I would also like to acknowledge our growing relationship with the Technological Universities in Ireland. About John O'Grady John O'Grady holds a B.Agr.Sc in Animal Science from University College Dublin (UCD) and an M.Sc in Genomic Medicine from Trinity College Dublin. Currently, John is in the 3rd year of his PhD in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology at UCD. His work forms part of the SFI-CRT in Genomics Data Science PhD programme and focuses on integrative and comparative genomics of tuberculosis disease in humans and livestock. This project involves leveraging high-resolution genomic (DNA) and transcriptomic (RNA) data to understand the host response to mycobacterial infections that cause tuberculosis in humans and cattle. As a Fulbright-Teagasc Awardee at the Department of Biomedical Informatics in the University of Colorado Denver, John will leverage machine learning approaches and high-resolution bovine transcriptomics data to identify diagnostic biomarkers indicative of bovine tuberculosis disease under the guidance of Prof. Casey Greene who has extensive experience in the characterisation of transcriptional biomarkers for cancer. GForceEnjoyer BHPian Join Date: May 2022 Location: TS 07 <-> HR 10 Posts: 484 Thanked: 3,367 Times View My Garage Re: Are highways in India improving or deteriorating? Just two days prior to writing this, we traveled on the new elevated section of NH-44 over Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh and the the abrupt switches from concrete to asphalt, expansion joints that were more like mountains and tons of massive rumble strips that unsettled the car on each curve, almost causing us to lose grip the first time, made for a very unpleasant and fatiguing drive. (The tolls on the whole trip from Hyderabad to Jabalpur were 1800+ rupees for approximately 780 kilometres, 2.3 rupees per kilometre!) This was Madhya Pradesh; Maharashtra is worse! Random diversions and absolutely ludicrous toll rates for atrocious road quality. I've travelled across the entire state, east to west and north to south, and can confidently say that Maharashtra might have the worst roads of any Indian state. The Hyderabad-Pune stretch was decent overall in 2021 with surfaces being of acceptable quality apart from the many diversions. The same route in 2024 is now full of terrible patchwork and tyre grooves so deep that you genuinely think you'll scrape your underbody somewhere. Meanwhile the fancy new Samruddhi Mahamarg has a surface that can't support its own posted speed limit of 120 km/h, while Hyderabad's outer ring road inaugurated over a decade ago can handle that with ease! With Telangana, the quality of asphalt and its surfacing remains top-notch, but over the past few years, such massive rumble strips have been installed in such massive quantities that you really have to slow down to a crawl over them, defeating the entire point of a highway. Curves which were not dangerous have now been made so because of them, and those that already were have been made even worse! Not to mention brief epidemics of random barricades placed anywhere where one can settle into a relaxing cruise at highway speeds. The surface quality of some highways in Andhra Pradesh has also been deteriorating, with lots of undulations making it difficult to achieve and sustain highway speeds. These are my observations from the states whose roads I travel on enough to form an informed opinion about. The overall condition of highways definitely seems to be in decline, while tolls are being raised astronomically. As someone who travels a ton on highways, I think Indian highways (and expressways) are deteriorating on the whole. In most cases, this is due to awful surface quality, especially expansion joints. Roads made with loud, rough asphalt, or louder, rougher concrete, both of poor quality are becoming way too common.Just two days prior to writing this, we traveled on the new elevated section of NH-44 over Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh and the the abrupt switches from concrete to asphalt, expansion joints that were more like mountains and tons of massive rumble strips that unsettled the car on each curve, almost causing us to lose grip the first time, made for a very unpleasant and fatiguing drive. (The tolls on the whole trip from Hyderabad to Jabalpur were 1800+ rupees for approximately 780 kilometres, 2.3 rupees per kilometre!)This was Madhya Pradesh; Maharashtra is worse! Random diversions and absolutely ludicrous toll rates for atrocious road quality. I've travelled across the entire state, east to west and north to south, and can confidently say that Maharashtra might have the worst roads of any Indian state. The Hyderabad-Pune stretch was decent overall in 2021 with surfaces being of acceptable quality apart from the many diversions. The same route in 2024 is now full of terrible patchwork and tyre grooves so deep that you genuinely think you'll scrape your underbody somewhere. Meanwhile the fancy new Samruddhi Mahamarg has a surface that can't support its own posted speed limit of 120 km/h, while Hyderabad's outer ring road inaugurated over a decade ago can handle that with ease!With Telangana, the quality of asphalt and its surfacing remains top-notch, but over the past few years, such massive rumble strips have been installed in such massive quantities that you really have to slow down to a crawl over them, defeating the entire point of a highway. Curves which were not dangerous have now been made so because of them, and those that already were have been made even worse! Not to mention brief epidemics of random barricades placed anywhere where one can settle into a relaxing cruise at highway speeds.The surface quality of some highways in Andhra Pradesh has also been deteriorating, with lots of undulations making it difficult to achievesustain highway speeds.These are my observations from the states whose roads I travel on enough to form an informed opinion about. The overall condition of highways definitely seems to be in decline, while tolls are being raised astronomically. Last edited by GForceEnjoyer : 13th June 2024 at 14:17 . What just happened? The FTC is going after Big Tech, and it doesn't just want the henchmen; it wants the "mob bosses." Those are the words of agency Chair Lina Khan, who wants to target those in the industry who are causing the most harm, rather than increasing the number of cases. Khan made the mafia analogy while speaking at TechCrunch's Strictly VC event in Washington, D.C., earlier this week. "One thing that's been important for me is to make sure that we're actually looking at where we see the biggest harm." "Where do we see players that are systematically driving these illegal behaviors? Being able to go after the 'mob boss' is going to be more effective than going after the henchman at the bottom," the FTC Chair added. Khan's comments come at a time when the FTC is going after tech giants like never before. It was reported by the Wall Street Journal last week that the commission is investigating Microsoft's deal with AI startup Inflection. Microsoft hired Inflection's CEO and co-founder Mustafa Suleyman in March to become CEO and EVP of Microsoft AI. The Windows maker agreed to pay Inflection $650 million to license its AI software. The FTC is looking into whether the Redmond firm structured the Inflection partnership to avoid a government antitrust review of the transaction. The FTC has also taken an interest in the AI market. It recently struck a deal with the Department of Justice to investigate Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia. Team Green, which has gained a $3 trillion valuation thanks to its advanced AI hardware sales, is being scrutinized to discover if it broke antitrust laws. OpenAI and its biggest investor, Microsoft, are also under the FTC spotlight. Other tech giants have been the target of FTC investigations over the years, including Meta, Google, and Apple. Its antitrust investigation into Amazon started in 2019. The suit's main allegation is that Amazon abuses its dominance in the market to reward merchants who use its logistics (warehousing, shipping) and advertising services, punish those who don't, and block lower prices on competing websites. Khan said if it is successful in the cases it brings against Big Tech, it can have a beneficial impact on the marketplace. It can also act as a deterrent for other companies as they might reconsider taking part in any potentially law-breaking deals over fears of an FTC probe. "Five or six or seven years ago, when you were thinking about a potential deal, antitrust risk, or even the antitrust analysis, was nowhere near the top of the conversation," Khan said. "And now, it is up front and center. And so, for an enforcer, if you're having companies think about that legal issue on the front end, that's a really good thing, because we're not having to spend as many public resources taking on deals." Khan said there are up to 3,000 merger filings reported in the US annually, but just 2% of them get a second look from the government. She added that it's safe to assume 98% of these deals go through, and that even for startups looking for an acquisition, it would be better to have six or seven or eight potential suitors rather than one or two as it would promote competition and ensure they get a better valuation. Forward-looking: Despite some setbacks and general uncertainty about the future, the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) is slowly growing its presence in the open-source market. Now, there's a new RISC-V laptop based on Ubuntu, one of the most used Linux operating systems. Hong Kong manufacturer DeepComputing introduced a laptop built around the RISC-V ISA. The DC-Roma RISC-V Laptop II expands the hardware capabilities offered by the previous generation and is touted as the world's first RISC-V laptop capable of running the Ubuntu Linux operating system. The DC-Roma RISC-V Laptop II system uses the K1 SoC developed by Chinese company SpacemiT, while the previous "Roma" model used a JH7110 SoC created by StarFive. The K1 architecture includes eight 64-bit RISC-V CPU cores running at up to 2 GHz, good enough to deliver "enhanced performance" and energy efficiency. The new RISC-V laptop specs include up to 16 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, a 1 TB SSD, a 1080p display, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. Total battery life is estimated to be 8 hours, and its 8-pin interface for add-in cards is designed to provide developers with an easier way to compile and test their code. The Roma will ship with Ubuntu desktop 23.10 pre-installed, which DeepComputing claims offers a more stable and efficient working environment in one of the most well-known user interfaces in the Linux world. The laptop's chassis is a "full-metal" design that should increase heat dissipation and robustness against external (mechanical) stress. Preorders open for the DC-Roma "2.0" in three days. However, DeepComputing has not provided pricing specifics. Ubuntu and the Hong Kong manufacturer boast about the new laptop's features and "powerful AI capabilities." DeepComputing claims the K1 is the first SoC in the world to support RISC-V high-performance computing RVA 22 Profile RVV 1.0 with a 256-bit width. Canonical said RISC-V is becoming a competitive ISA in "multiple markets." Porting Ubuntu to RISC-V would make it the reference platform for early adopters and developers. Despite winning approval from some high-profile chipmakers, RISC-V still has much to prove against competing ISA technologies such as Arm or x86. The DC-Roma RISC-V Laptop II could be an intriguing (hopefully inexpensive) introduction to open-source ISA for Linux-based developers. What just happened? DeepCool, the Chinese company behind some very popular air and liquid cooling devices, PC cases, and power supplies, may have to stop all its US operations, including after-sales support. The firm has been sanctioned by the State Department for allegedly selling $1 million worth of products to two Russian companies. The State Department writes that it is sanctioning 300 individuals and entities to degrade Russia's capability to pursue its war of aggression against Ukraine. Sixteen of these are Chinese firms that are said to have supplied export-controlled items to Russia. One of the names on the list is Beijing DeepCool Industries. The company is accused of supplying Russia with over $1 million worth of goods on the Common High Priority List (CHPL). Two of the companies DeepCool sold goods to are known to support Russia's war efforts in Ukraine: Aktsionernoe Obshchestvo Taskom, which is involved in freight transportation; and OOO Novyi, a PC manufacturer. Both Russian companies were sanctioned by the US Treasury Department last September. Exactly what DeepCool sold to the companies is unclear. The 50 items on the CHPL pose a heightened risk of being diverted illegally to Russia because of their importance to the country's war efforts, according to the BIS. They include the likes of electronic integrated circuits, capacitors, and printed circuits. The sanctions mean that DeepCool's US subsidiary will no longer be able to continue in the United States. Sales of its products will be halted in the country as US residents are prohibited from conducting any business with the company. Placement on the sanction list also means that DeepCool may no longer be able to provide after-sales support to customers in the US. That could be especially problematic when it comes to warranty claims and service agreements. DeepCool's products are still available on Amazon, Newegg, and Micro Center, which is a bit strange as buying one of them would technically be breaking the law. The products could disappear soon, though, and the prospect of no after-sales service or warranties will likely put buyers off. Facepalm: Wells Fargo is one of the world's most significant financial institutions, part of the "Big Four" banks in the US alongside JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup. Based in San Francisco, the company has garnered attention in recent years due to illegal financial practices. However, its employees appear to be held to much higher standards than (former) management figures. Last month, more than a dozen Wells Fargo employees were fired for allegedly falsifying their work. According to a Bloomberg report based on a filing to the US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra), these individuals were part of the company's wealth and investment management unit. They were terminated following an internal review that identified "simulation of keyboard activity" to create the appearance of active work. Finra's disclosure lacks details about the specific circumstances under which these employees were simulating their work. However, Bloomberg noted that the finance industry was among the first and most stringent sectors in pushing for a return to office work after the pandemic. Remote work allowed employees to reassess their career and lifestyle choices from a different perspective, but it also led to the rise in popularity of tools like "mouse movers" or "mouse jigglers," which simulate activity while employees engage in other tasks. The term "simulation of keyboard activity," as reported by Bloomberg, could encompass such tools or other software-based solutions designed to mimic typing. In 2022, Wells Fargo implemented a new "hybrid flexible model" requiring most employees to be in the office at least three days per week. Managers are expected to be present four days a week, while branch workers and other staff members are required to be onsite five days a week. According to a Wells Fargo spokesperson quoted by Bloomberg, the bank's employees are expected to adhere to the "highest standards" and avoid any unethical behavior. This is the same company that faced accusations of opening over 2 million fake accounts without customers' consent or knowledge to meet aggressive sales targets set by management. Since 2016, Wells Fargo has paid billions to settle civil and criminal charges brought by affected customers. The former manager responsible for the bank's retail operations was sentenced to three years of probation. Additionally, Wells Fargo's former CEO has been permanently banned from the banking industry. The ability of employees to effectively complete their tasks without being physically present at their desks has become a contentious issue, especially after much of the world spent significant time at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Banks, however, must maintain strict control over corporate devices to ensure compliance with regulations, making it easier to identify fraudulent activities or inadequate performance. WTF?! The endlessly beleaguered facial recognition company Clearview AI is making news again. However, it's not over the startup's image scraping practices, which are questionable at best. This time, the company is attempting to keep itself out of bankruptcy by offering millions of plaintiffs in a privacy class action a stake in the company worth about 30 cents per claimant after lawyer fees. Clearview AI wants to settle a class action lawsuit accusing it of violating privacy laws. The case is notable because it's not a cash payout. Instead, Clearview agreed to put up a 23-percent equity stake in the company to compensate any US citizens who have pictures in its 40-billion-image database. The New York Times obtained court documents indicating the stake could be worth around $50 million. So, why not just pay in cash? The company, whose backers include billionaire Peter Thiel, said the equity stake settlement was the only way to keep Clearview out of bankruptcy. In other words, it doesn't have $50 million in liquid assets. This revelation is unsurprising since it has been fighting lawsuits for the last four years. Entrepreneur, computer engineer, and CEO Hoan Tan-That quietly co-founded Clearview AI in 2017. For three years, it operated under the public's radar. Then, in 2020, The New York Times ran an expose outing the startup's sketchy data-gathering practices. The facial recognition startup is notorious for scaping facial images from social media platforms without permission. It also exposed its partnerships with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, noting that Clearview sold law enforcement warrantless access to its extensive database of faces and facial recognition software. Tan-That defended his company's actions, claiming that the First Amendment protects its data harvesting practices. The irony of using the First Amendment to violate the Fourth was not lost on the public. The startup was bombarded with cease-and-desist orders from most of social media. It also faced numerous lawsuits in the US and abroad claiming it violated privacy laws. Many of these complaints are still pending. So, even if a judge agrees to this settlement proposal, which is not guaranteed, Clearview's legal concerns are far from over. As for the substance of the settlement, $50 million equity in the company might seem like a lot on its surface, but by the time the lawyers take their 30-40 percent, plaintiffs will have little more than $30 million to divide among themselves. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that equates to around 30 cents per plaintiff, considering a conservative estimate of 100 million Americans in the database. Evan Greer, director of the privacy advocacy group Fight for the Future, criticized the settlement, saying, "If mass surveillance is harmful, the remedy should be stopping them from doing that, not paying pennies to the people who are harmed." With the smartwatch industry congested with various releases, Samsung must show that it can compete even with an entry-level timepiece. Samsung has added the latest smartwatch to its current lineup of affordable wearables: the Galaxy Watch FE, which is priced at $199. This new model offers a budget-friendly entry into Samsung's wearable tech, combining affordability with impressive features. Samsung Galaxy Watch FE Leaks Were Right Last week, an Amazon leak revealed some information about the Galaxy Watch FE's price and release date. This information accurately depicts the budget-friendly smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch FE retains the signature aesthetic of the Galaxy Watch series, featuring a sleek 40mm design. The watch is available in three timeless colors-black, pink gold, and silver-and appeals to various style preferences. Samsung has also introduced innovative interchangeable bands with striking blue and orange stitching, allowing users to personalize their look. The new watch faces add another layer of customization, enabling users to match their watches effortlessly to their mood or outfit. The one-click band-swapping system simplifies changing bands, making it convenient for users to adapt their style on the go. When Durability Meets Affordability Despite its lower price, the Galaxy Watch FE doesn't compromise on durability, according to Phone Arena. It features a Sapphire Crystal glass face, which offers exceptional resistance to scratches and everyday wear. This robust construction ensures the watch can withstand an active lifestyle, providing long-lasting reliability. Comprehensive Health and Fitness Tracking At the core of the Galaxy Watch FE is Samsung's advanced BioActive Sensor, which drives a suite of health and fitness features. The watch includes sleep tracking, heart health monitoring, and exercise tracking, delivering personalized insights and guidance to help users optimize their well-being. Runners will find the advanced running analysis particularly beneficial, as it provides detailed performance insights and tips for injury prevention. This feature makes the Galaxy Watch FE an excellent companion for casual joggers and serious athletes. Seamless Integration with the Galaxy Ecosystem The Galaxy Watch FE enhances the user experience by integrating smoothly with the broader Galaxy ecosystem. Users can easily locate their phones, control their Samsung smartphone cameras remotely, and make contactless payments using Samsung Wallet. This seamless connectivity ensures that the watch tracks fitness and enhances everyday convenience. When is Galaxy Watch FE Coming? The Galaxy Watch FE is set to launch in the U.S. on June 24. Initially, it will be available in a Bluetooth-only version, with an LTE model expected to follow later in the year. The watch can be purchased from Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, and major carriers and retailers, making it accessible to a wide audience. Samsung's Galaxy Watch FE combines affordability with a rich feature set, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and stylish smartwatch. Its durable design, comprehensive health tracking, and seamless integration with the Galaxy ecosystem position it as a strong contender in the wearable tech market. Now that the Galaxy Watch FE leak was right, we're waiting to confirm if the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra is also coming. Previously, it was rumored to have a circle and square fusion design in one frame, something we haven't yet witnessed in other models. There have been massive efforts to keep AI in the elections of different governments worldwide, but in the upcoming UK elections, 'AI Steve' is looking to take its place in the Parliament. The new artificial intelligence system consists of an AI-generated avatar that captures Steve Endacott's likeness, with its chatbot capabilities made by Neural Voice. That being said, AI Steve will not be running its operations solo, as its maker, Endacott, would still fulfill his part in the human side of things while utilizing the AI's capabilities. 'AI Steve' is Running for Parliament in the UK A new artificial intelligence entity is now running for office in the United Kingdom; he is known as AI Steve and is looking to take his place as a Member of the Parliament (MP) in the future. AI Steve is specifically running for Sussex's Brighton and Hove, taking Brighton's pavilion seat under the Smarter UK independent party, and is now listed on the ballots. The AI chatbot will be at the forefront of speaking with voters in Brighton and Hove and will consider what they want or are looking for in future policies an MP would push forth. However, AI Steve will not represent the physical side of things exactly, as one of his makers, Steve Endacott, will bring these to the Parliament should he and his AI get elected. Steve Endacott and Neural Voice's AI Steve On the website, voters may speak with AI Steve and discuss policies and governance with him, and this is its specific purpose from Endacott, made in partnership with Neural Voice. AI Steve refers to itself in the third person and can answer questions. Endacott believes that this could help improve democracy and hear different points of view. Artificial Intelligence on Elections There have been massive efforts to hold elections worldwide. This year, several nations are looking to hold the process of determining their next leader, and the US is searching for its next president. However, the massive presence of generative artificial intelligence has proven to disrupt its sanctity and processes, especially with how easy it is to create fake news and deepfakes that threaten it. However, the threats to elections are not only from one's country, which is looking to sow chaos amidst the public and the government; there are also other sinister forces in play. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) previously warned about foreign adversaries, including China, Iran, Russia, and others, who are now utilizing generative AI to launch disinformation campaigns in the country. Private and public companies have also taken a step towards preventing their AI technologies from being misused by bad actors for the upcoming elections including Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Meta, and more. That being said, Endacott believes that AI will do wonders for this election and be part of the UK Parliament in the future, with AI Steve now stepping up for the job at hand. The return of Binance is here, and CEO Richard Teng envisions massive growth for the platform and the cryptocurrency industry, calling 2024 a "landmark" for the market. Massive events are at play in today's crypto industry , including the much-awaited regulatory clarity from various agencies that closely monitor the digital assets community and the growing adoption of cryptocurrency. Additionally, the massive launch of Bitcoin's exchange-traded funds (ETFs), alongside the upcoming one for Ethereumwould also play a role in crypto's adoption. Binance CEO Richard Teng Sees 2024 as a 'Landmark' According to Bloomberg, Binance CEO Richard Teng is seeing massive hope in today's cryptocurrency market, calling 2024 a 'landmark' amidst the industry's rebound after several years of its decline since 2022. This new growth reflects the bear market happening now, with Binance holding about $114.6 billion in assets according to DefiLlama. The stellar growth in the crypto markets now only suggests that it will continue to improve in the coming years, but it is still important to note that the industry is still considered volatile. Moreover, Binance's partnership with the recently bankrupted FlowBank SA is also under close monitoring after Switzerland opened proceedings against the crypto exchange. Binance's Growth Since Its SEC Fiasco Binance's appointed monitors, Sullivan & Cromwell and Forensic Risk Alliance, have already begun working in the company as part of its settlement deal with the US government. This month alone, Binance reached a milestone of 200 million registered users on the platform, and its monthly active users also saw a 12.5 percent increase in the last four months, from February to May. Binance's Issues in 2023 Less than a year ago, in 2023, Binance saw a massive crackdown from the United States government which focused on a hunt amidst the cryptocurrency companies operating in the country. This focused on regulatory and compliance issues by crypto exchanges and platforms in its many operations in the country, following the landmark case against FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried. This led to a significant change in the company, as it faced lawsuits regarding unregistered licenses and securities in the country. Its former CEO and founder, Changpeng Zhao , was charged with federal money laundering. This led to Binance agreeing to a settlement and being set to pay $4.3 billion to the DOJ, while Zhao stepped down from his position and pled guilty to his crimes. After Zhao's departure, Teng replaced him as the company's top executive, and they moved forward after the entire ordeal with the US DOJ, SEC, and the government. Now, Binance is seeing massive growth in its user base and monthly active users, with monitors now in place for its business. It is benefitting from crypto's ramping growth in today's market. The New York City Department of Education is reportedly seeking to create and train students to become future cybersecurity professionals through various programs related to the field. Spearheaded by the department's Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT), the division has reportedly partnered with technology vendors and government agencies in three programs: the CUNY Fellows, Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship (CRMYA), and P-TECH Schools, or New York City's Grades 9-14 Early College and Career Schools. In the eleventh grade, students can apply for a three-year internship program called the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship (CRMYA). The DOE cybersecurity team hosted eight students in its inaugural cohort, five of whom were assigned to the CISO team and three to the CTO team. During this period, they focus on cybersecurity projects like data validation, incident response, network protection, and endpoint protection. Interns cultivate connections with technology providers such as Zscaler and finish a curriculum leading to a minimum of three technical certifications in areas of their interests. Students who complete the program are supported in finding employment or enrolling in postsecondary education. College students in their first and second years who have successfully completed their curriculum are the target audience for CUNY Fellows. Once they pass a background check and interview, they work with our staff for up to 34 hours a week on various assignments with deadlines and are given the chance to give input on how they think they are progressing. NYC DOE's Alternative Learning Experiences The Career and Technical Education (CTE) team and the CUNY Early College Initiative support P-TECH schools, a component of the NYC DOE. The six-year high school program is intended for students who, sometimes due to financial constraints, lack a clear path to further education. As soon as students are accepted, CUNY and the NYC DOE collaborate to provide free tuition for a two-year Associate degree. All participants have been successful in attending college thus far. Additionally, the schools serving grades 9 through 14 collaborate with business partners to help students explore career options and develop their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) industry skills. Cybersecurity on Other Universities NYC's DOE initiatives come as multiple universities continue to create cyber-centered degrees due to the advent of artificial intelligence. The University of South Florida recently announced plans to open a new college centered on AI. The college would provide new undergraduate and graduate courses, certifications, and other academic opportunities focused on AI, cybersecurity, and computing. The initiative appears to be an effort to position Florida and the Tampa Bay region as national leaders in AI, suggesting that it will address the persistent scarcity of AI experts. The university is expected to be the first in Florida and among the first in the nation. The college plans to offer undergraduate and graduate programs that complement USF's strategic plan and the state's Programs of Strategic Emphasis, equipping students for highly sought-after employment. In addition, the institution seeks to establish business relationships, support ethical considerations and trust amid society's continuing digital change, and support academic research that results in scientific breakthroughs or technology advancements. The university plans to form the new college by bringing together faculty members with specific knowledge who are now dispersed across other schools. The university released a news release stating that over 40% of organizations suffering a cybersecurity skills gap indicate that they cannot locate enough qualified individuals. Meanwhile, the requirement for AI capabilities in the workforce has surged fivefold in the United States. Using its advanced capabilities to scrutinize a group of young stars, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered a jaw-dropping revelation about a long-studied star known as WL 20. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Finds a 'Twin' Secret in a Long-Studied Star Astronomers have monitored the region for decades with at least five telescopes. However, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's unprecedented resolution and specialized instruments finally discerned WL 20S as a twin star system formed between two and four million years ago. The breakthrough, showcased at this week's 244th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, was achieved through Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). MIRI not only identified the twin stars but also detected identical jets of gas emanating from their northern and southern poles. Astronomer Mary Barsony, who led the research, expressed astonishment at the findings, emphasizing that without MIRI, they would have remained unaware of the stars' dual nature or the existence of these jets. The discovery has provided a fresh perspective similar to having a new observational tool at their disposal. Barsony said it was like having "brand new eyes." Additional insights emerged from observations conducted by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), a radio antenna group in Chile. According to NASA, ALMA discovered circumstellar disks of dust and gas surrounding both stars, suggesting potential planetary formation given the stars' age. These combined findings indicate that the twin stars are nearing the conclusion of their early developmental phase, presenting a unique opportunity for scientists to study the transition from stellar youth to maturity. According to Mike Ressler, MIRI's project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a co-author of the study, the synergy between Webb and ALMA has been pivotal. The joint observations have not only identified the twin stars but also provided critical data about their current evolutionary stage. NASA noted that WL 20 is situated within the expansive Rho Ophiuchi star-forming region of the Milky Way, approximately 400 light-years away from Earth. This region is known for its dense clouds of gas and dust that obscure visible light. Webb's capability to identify infrared wavelengths, particularly those longer than visible light, enabled it to penetrate these obscuring layers and study WL 20 in unprecedented detail. Read Also : NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Finds Abundance of Carbon Molecules Around Young Star Unique Ability of MIRI While ALMA also contributes by detecting submillimeter wavelengths emitted by the circumstellar disks, NASA said that MIRI's unique ability to observe the mid-infrared wavelengths revealed the two jets of gas, which are crucial for understanding the star formation processes in this region. The scientists further noted that without MIRI's mid-infrared observations of the jets, ALMA's observations might have been misinterpreted as a single disk with a gap rather than as two distinct stars in a critical phase of their evolution. "It's amazing that this region still has so much to teach us about the life cycle of stars," Ressler said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to see what else Webb will reveal." Uber's advertising division has entered into an exclusive partnership with T-Mobile Advertising Solutions and its rideshare media network, Octopus Interactive. This collaboration will expand Uber's JourneyTV to over 50,000 vehicles across the United States this year, offering advertisers a new platform to engage with Uber riders. Uber Enters Into an Exclusive Partnership with T-Mobile T-Mobile screens will show Uber's JourneyTV rider experience during trips, offering a live trip map with estimated arrival times, personalized restaurant recommendations at the destination, travel ideas, local activities, and targeted advertisements informed by Uber's data insights. This new in-car experience promises to benefit both advertisers and passengers. Ads shown on Uber's video screens have a 98% completion rate, and research by MAGNA and Uber reveals that 74% of passengers are interested in offers displayed during the trip, with around 70% viewing the ads as an enhancement to their ride. Advertisers can now utilize Uber's extensive data and T-Mobile's widespread rideshare network to create customized campaigns. According to Uber, these campaigns can reach a broad audience of engaged consumers, providing a distinctive and pertinent advertising experience. JP Colaco, Senior Vice President and Chief T-Ads Officer at T-Mobile Advertising Solutions, emphasized their commitment to fostering meaningful connections between advertisers and consumers. By expanding their Digital Out of Home solutions, they aim to help brands reach their audiences with timely and relevant messages. This partnership with Uber and JourneyTV, using T-Mobile's rideshare video screens, ultimately aims to deliver a unique experience for riders and advertisers. "We continue to expand our Digital Out of Home solutions, helping brands have unmatched tools to connect with their audiences at the right time with the right messages," Colaco said in a press statement. "This drives their businesses forward and enhances customer experiences, including Uber rides. We're thrilled that Uber and JourneyTV are leveraging a significant portion of our rideshare video screens to deliver a unique experience for both riders and advertisers," he added. Read Also : Uber Rolls Out Enhanced Safety Preferences for Users, Offering Customizable Features for Secure Rides Minnesota's Recent Agreement With Uber In related news, a new agreement between Minnesota, Uber, and Lyft will lead to higher driver pay, signaling a significant change in the state's regulatory approach. Following this agreement, Uber and Lyft drivers in Minnesota will see increased earnings. This change stemmed from new legislation that offers drivers protections and limits on state regulations. These rates are based on a state-commissioned study that recommends compensation between $0.89 and $1.207 per mile and $0.487 per minute. This newly enacted law concludes a lengthy dispute between Uber, Lyft, and Minnesota, which included threats from the companies to withdraw from the state. However, this legislation is unlikely to resolve the ongoing discussions about setting wages for gig economy workers. Read more about this development here. Indonesia is now cracking down against illegal online gambling, a rampant issue in the Southeast Asian country. The government has shut down over 2 million websites offering such services, revealing the vast scope and deadly consequences of this underground industry, estimated to be worth nearly $20 billion. Indonesian Government Cracks Down on Online Gambling Reuters reports that the move was announced by Indonesia's Communications Minister, Budi Arie Setiadi, who emphasized the severe impact of online gambling on society. "Online gambling is so concerning, it's sucking the people's blood dry," Setiadi stated. He highlighted that the activity undermines family finances and predominantly affects women, describing the situation as "just the tip of the iceberg." President Joko Widodo echoed these concerns, urging Indonesians to refrain from all forms of gambling and suggesting alternative uses for their money. Widodo also recently announced the establishment of a multi-agency task force, in collaboration with Interpol, to address the issue of online gambling. Read Also : Cartoon Gambling Ads Target Children, Warns Charity How Online Gambling Impacted Indonesians Online gambling, although illegal in Indonesia, has seen over 3 million participants last year. This alarming number has prompted economists to warn about the long-term productivity losses and poverty traps associated with the practice. The social consequences of gambling addiction are severe. There have been several high-profile incidents linked to online gambling debts. For instance, a policewoman in East Java's Mojokerto regency burned her husband alive after he spent their bonus salary on gambling. Another case involved a military officer committing suicide due to mounting gambling-related debts. Such incidents have drawn significant media and government attention. Indonesia's Strong Anti-Online Gambling Measures In response to the crisis, Indonesia has implemented stringent penalties for those involved in gambling. South China Morning Post reports that participants and organizers face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 25 million rupiah (US$1,500), while distributors of online gambling software can receive up to 6 years imprisonment and a 1 billion rupiah fine. The government has also blocked over 1.9 million pieces of online content promoting gambling and frozen 5,000 bank accounts and e-wallets suspected of being used for gambling activities. Despite these efforts, the authorities face significant challenges due to the cross-border nature of online gambling. Many of the servers for these websites are based in Cambodia, and thousands of Indonesians are reportedly working there to operate them. The Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre estimated that online gamblers spent approximately 327 trillion rupiah (US$20 billion) in 2023, a figure that has tripled since 2022. This vast sum of money often leaves the country, going to other nations like Myanmar and Cambodia. Moreover, online gambling has been one of the top five reasons for divorce in Indonesia since 2020. The directorate general of religious justice at Indonesia's Supreme Court reported that gambling accounted for 0.26% of the 408,000 divorces last year. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Google has released the latest version of Pixel VPN, which is now available for Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, and Fold devices. This update does not necessitate the installation of Android 14 QPR3, making it accessible to more users. Transition from Google One VPN The impending shutdown of Google One VPN will mean that a new VPN will be welcomed in Google Play. The primary highlight of this update, according to 9to5Google, is the transition from the subscription-based VPN by Google One to a standalone Pixel VPN service for the Pixel 7 series. With Google One discontinuing its VPN service on June 20, Pixel 7 owners will now have VPN access as part of their device purchase. Enhanced Integration and Notification System This new version, which first appeared with the Pixel 8 series in October, offers better integration and a more streamlined notification system. Users will notice the absence of the persistent "1" notification, replaced by a simple key icon in the status bar, indicating an active VPN connection. App Renaming and Icon Update The update also includes a rebranding of the service from "VPN by Google One" to "VPN by Google." Along with the name change, a new blue shield icon featuring a "G" at the center has been introduced. This icon will be visible in the Settings menu under Network & Internet, then VPN, and in the Recents multitasking view. Version Details and Installation Version 1.0.635841321 is being rolled out as a Play Store update for the Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and 8a. Users on Android 14 QPR2 who have not yet received the QPR3/June Feature Drop can still install the update directly from the Google Play Store. Initial testing has confirmed that the VPN functions seamlessly with this update. Availability Across Regions Currently, the Pixel VPN is available in numerous countries, including Austria, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Denmark, South Korea, Finland, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Iceland, Taiwan, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States. With this update, Google continues to enhance the VPN experience for Pixel users, ensuring secure and private internet access across various regions without the need for the latest Android update. Since Google One VPN is bidding goodbye anytime soon, Android Police listed four alternatives that you can use before it disappears out of the blue. Elsewhere, the Yahoo News app was relaunched with a new AI-powered feed, according to Tech Times. Artifact made it possible for AI to integrate with the revamped feed. With Artifact's AI, rewriting articles with misleading headlines is now possible. Still, the type of news will depend on the user's interest and what he/she usually browses. Germany might be trying to prevent the European Union (EU) from imposing increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) set to take effect on July 4. At a minimum, it aims to soften the impact of these tariffssomething that the US is oppositely doing now through quadruple tariffs. EU Tariffs on Chinese EVs The EU recently announced potential tariffs of up to 38.1% on Chinese EV manufacturers following an investigation into claims that Chinese companies received significant government subsidies. These subsidies allegedly allowed manufacturers like BYD, Geely, and SAIC Motor to sell their vehicles at lower prices in the EU market. China's Potential Retaliatory Tariffs In response, China hinted at imposing tariffs on EU-made vehicles with large engines, a move that could severely impact European automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that these tariffs could have far-reaching consequences for job creation in Germany. Scholz stated that "isolation and illegal customs barriers" contribute to the rising prices of goods, thus making everyone poorer. As per Automotive News Europe, an anonymous spokesperson said that Germany remains optimistic that the EU can have a direct talk with China to resolve the problem. Because of this, the government should soften the tariffs, but everyone should compromise. Impact on German Automakers According to Electrek, German car manufacturers, including BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, have production facilities in China, benefiting from local subsidies, cheaper land, and relaxed regulations. Retaliatory tariffs could jeopardize these benefits, and a trade war could negatively affect their sales in the Chinese market, where they currently achieve a substantial portion of their revenue. Importance of Chinese EVs for Europe's Net Zero Goals European consumers increasingly prefer Chinese EVs due to their affordability and incentives like free charging and dash cameras. With rising living costs, European EVs have become less accessible, making Chinese EVs crucial for Europe to meet its net-zero targets. The Electric Car Scheme CEO Thom Groot noted that they cannot hit their EV targets without the help they receive from Chinese manufacturers. How Analysts View EV Tariffs Jochen Stanzl, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets, criticized the EU tariffs, suggesting they might harm European automakers more than protect them. "At up to 38%, these tariffs are much lower than the 100% imposed by the US government. They are not high enough to shield Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes from low-cost competition from the Far East," Stanzl said. Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell, argued that the EU should focus on boosting EV demand rather than engaging in a trade war. He pointed out that consumers are wary of the cost of EVs, their range capabilities, charging infrastructure, and battery disposal issues. Mould suggested that addressing these concerns could be more effective in promoting EV adoption than making affordable EVs more expensive through tariffs. Counterfeit titanium allegedly entered the supply chain via falsified documents. The accusations are thrown at Airbus and Boeing, the leading commercial aircraft manufacturers. This revelation, brought to light by a supplier, has prompted a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. Supplier Raises Alarm on Fake Titanium Documents Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier based in Wichita, Kansas, alerted authorities to the issue, revealing that both Boeing and Airbus might have utilized titanium verified by possibly counterfeit paperwork. Spirit AeroSystems acted promptly to remove the suspect titanium from their supply chain. In a statement, the company emphasized its swift response that the case is about the titanium that entered the supply system via knockoff documents. Related Article : Boeing Replaces Firefighters After Negotiations Fail With Union Extensive Testing Ensures Airworthiness To ensure continued airworthiness, Spirit AeroSystems conducted over 1,000 tests to confirm the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the affected material, per NBC News. The company reassured stakeholders that the integrity of its supply chain remains intact. Industry-Wide Impact of Recent Issue The titanium issue affects several shipments received by a limited set of suppliers. "This industry-wide issue affects some shipments of titanium received by a limited set of suppliers, and tests performed to date have indicated that the correct titanium alloy was used," Boeing stated. Boeing is actively removing any affected parts from airplanes prior to delivery and has issued a bulletin to suppliers, emphasizing vigilance against falsified records. On the other hand, Airbus, which controls about 60% of the commercial airline market compared to Boeing's 40%, is also under scrutiny. The revelation adds to a series of challenges Boeing faces, including ongoing federal investigations related to safety issues. Boeing's Recent Troubles The titanium controversy is just one of many hurdles for Boeing this year. The FAA is also investigating a recent "Dutch roll" incident involving a Boeing 737 Max jet flying from Phoenix to Oakland. Additionally, Boeing faced scrutiny when a door panel blew off a 737 Max-9 mid-flight in January. The FAA is further examining whether Boeing completed required inspections on its 787 Dreamliner jets. Ensuring Safety and Compliance Both Boeing and Airbus are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. Boeing's analysis indicates that the in-service fleet can continue to fly safely, despite the titanium issue. By removing affected parts and conducting thorough testing, the manufacturers aim to ensure that their aircraft meet all safety regulations. The FAA's investigation into the potential use of titanium with falsified documents by Boeing and Airbus underscores the critical importance of supply chain integrity and regulatory compliance in the aviation industry. As the probe continues, both manufacturers are taking steps to address the issue and maintain the safety and reliability of their aircraft. The aviation industry will closely monitor the outcomes of this investigation to ensure that such issues are effectively resolved. In other news, Boeing Starliner saw success in its recent ISS flight. However, it encountered leaks and other complications. In a groundbreaking development literally mixing food and technology, scientists are merging robotics with food to create fully edible robots. This innovative research effort, led by RoboFood researchers, has the potential to transform healthcare, environmental management, and culinary experiences. The project, which includes experts from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Wageningen University in the Netherlands, the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), seeks to address the challenges of integrating robotics with organic, biodegradable materials. Why Scientists Are Developing Edible Robots Edible robots are systems designed to sense their environment, process information, and perform actions, all while being safe to eat. This concept challenges the traditional notion of robots being inorganic, bulky, and non-disposable. Instead, edible robots are made from materials that are organic, soft, and biodegradable. This innovative approach could significantly reduce electronic waste and offer new applications in various fields. The team has discovered that materials such as gelatin can replace rubber, rice cookies can mimic foam, and chocolate film can protect robots in humid environments. Additionally, a mixture of starch and tannin can serve as a commercial glue substitute. In 2017, EPFL scientists successfully created an edible gripper made of gelatin, capable of handling an apple and being consumed afterward. More recently, researchers developed a conductive ink containing activated carbon and Haribo gummy bears, which can be sprayed on food to monitor its growth. In October 2022, ACS Sensors experts introduced an edible sensor designed to detect food contamination and refreezing, using food-grade materials like beeswax, salt, and red cabbage. Another significant breakthrough came in 2023 when IIT researchers developed the first rechargeable edible battery using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and quercetin (found in almonds and capers) as the battery poles. This battery, wrapped in nori algae and packaged with beeswax, can safely operate at 0.65 volts and power a light-emitting diode for about 10 minutes. Edible Robots Is the Future Edible robots hold immense potential across various sectors. These robots could revolutionize precise drug delivery by ensuring that medicine is delivered directly to the required part of the body. Additionally, they could remain inside the body to monitor health, providing detailed information to doctors. In emergencies, edible robots could autonomously deliver necessary nutrients. In agriculture, they could reduce waste by optimizing the use of resources like water and fertilizers. The integration of technology and food could also lead to new culinary experiences, offering unique textures, flavors, and nutritional benefits. Despite these promising advancements, several challenges remain. Ensuring that all materials used in edible robots are safe for consumption and work well together is a primary concern. Additionally, these edible components must perform their functions as effectively as their non-edible counterparts. Cost and scalability also pose significant hurdles to the widespread adoption of edible robots. Stay posted here at Tech Times. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation into alleged Russian cyberattacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, examining them as possible war crimes (via Reuters). The ICC's probe, confirmed by sources to Reuters, is the first instance of international prosecutors investigating cyberattacks in the context of war crimes. The focus is on attacks that disrupted essential services, including power and water supplies, emergency response connections, and mobile data services used for air raid warnings. Such disruptions pose significant risks to civilian lives and safety. The investigation is not limited to the recent conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It may also examine cyberattacks dating back to 2015, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Russia Under Investigation for Potential War Crimes from Hacking Ukrainian Infrastructure Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure pose a grave threat to civilians, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) actively investigating several major incidents targeting energy systems. One group under scrutiny, "Sandworm," is allegedly tied to Russian military intelligence and has been implicated in numerous high-profile cyberattacks. Reuters tells us that researchers from the Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley School of Law have compiled evidence on Sandworm's activities, submitting information to the ICC on five cyberattacks that could potentially constitute war crimes. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, the ICC has issued four arrest warrants against senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children. While neither Russia nor Ukraine are ICC members, Ukraine has granted the court jurisdiction over crimes committed within its borders. However, the legal framework surrounding cyberattacks as war crimes is still developing. The Geneva Conventions forbid attacks on civilian objects, but there is no universally recognized definition of a cyber war crime. The Tallinn Manual, a non-binding guide on applying international law to cyber warfare, provides some guidance, but interpretations vary. Michael Schmitt, a professor at the University of Reading who leads the Tallinn Manual process, emphasized the significance of this investigation, stating, "One must always consider the foreseeable consequences of their operations. In this case, it was a foreseeable consequence that placed human beings at risk." Read Also : Ukraine Deploys AI Spokesperson to Provide Official Statements on State Affairs A Closer Look at Russian Cyberattacks on Ukraine Cybersecurity experts and government agencies have consistently linked the Russian state-sponsored hacking group, Sandworm, to numerous attacks on critical infrastructure across the globe. One of the earliest high-profile attacks attributed to Sandworm occurred in 2015 when the group targeted and disrupted the power grid in western Ukraine. Another major outage caused by a Sandworm breach was reported in 2022. In December 2023, Sandworm launched another devastating attack, this time targeting Kyivstar, Ukraine's largest mobile network operator. This attack disrupted mobile and internet services for approximately 24 million people. Sandworm's reach extended beyond Ukraine, with reports linking the group to attacks on critical infrastructure in the United States, France, and Poland in April 2024. Stay posted here at Tech Times. State of 'catastrophe' as downpours hit Chile Santiago, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2024 Heavy rains battered south and central Chile on Thursday, killing one person and causing damage to hundreds of homes as authorities declared a state of catastrophe in five regions of the South American country. A person died in the southern city of Linares when a street lamp post fell after hours-long downpours and strong winds, the Senapred disaster response service said. Chile's weather service issued the highest level of alarm, covering some 14 million of the 20 million people living in six of the country's 16 regions, but this was later lifted as authorities said 80 percent of the storm had passed, and was headed for neighboring Argentina. Prior to the arrival of the flood waters, Chile's central region had battled severe drought for 15 years. "We need boats to get people out," a resident in one of the affected towns, Curanilahue, told national television. Curanilahue, some 600 kilometers (372 miles) south of the capital Santiago, has been hard hit as the Curanilahue and Las Ranas rivers overflowed after the area received 350 millimeters (13.7 inches) of rain in just hours -- more than in 2023 as a whole. Some 2,000 houses in the area were damaged. President Gabriel Boric, in a message from Sweden where he was on an official visit, warned that the rains "will continue very strongly," as he announced the first death. Interior Minister Carolina Toha, before boarding a plane to visit the affected areas, said a state of "catastrophe" had been declared in five regions to expedite the deployment of resources. Senapred said the downpours have affected some 3,300 people, down from an initial estimate of 4,300. In the capital Santiago, which also saw heavy rains, schools were closed for the day and authorities urged people to limit their movements. In the city of Vina del Mar, experts worked to save a 12-storey apartment building at risk of collapse after the rains caused a massive sinkhole underneath it. The weather service said a cold front over the country was accompanied by something called an "atmospheric river" -- a strip of air carrying huge amounts of moisture. North Macedonia's beekeepers face climate change challenge Tetovo, Republic of North Macedonia, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Every day, Magda Miloseska dons a white, protective suit and enters the domain of the honeybees in the backyard of her small weekend house in North Macedonia. She has been producing honey in this picturesque corner of the country for more than 20 years. But climate change and disease have made what used to be a simple pleasure much harder work, she says. Stence is a hillside village in the west of the country, surrounded by mountains and at a level of 650 metres (2,130 feet). Temperatures in June already exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), three-degrees higher than usual, according to the state meteorological office. "In the past, beekeeping was much easier," said 63-year-old Miloseska. "Beekeeping was a treat. "Now, we simply have to fight both the climate conditions and the diseases that have entered the beekeeping." Just a hobby for some, but a source of income for others, beekeeping has surged in recent years in all regions of the country. There were 6,900 beekeepers with 306,000 beehives registered across the country in 2023, according to the Food and Veterinary Agency. But according to a European Commission study issued in July 2023, 10 percent of bees and butterflies are threatened with extinction in Europe -- largely due to human activities. - Honey production down - Miloseska may not have the data at her fingertips, but her everyday experience has made it clear to her something is wrong. "Older beekeepers say that in the past they could get 30-50 kilograms (44-66 pounds) of honey from one beehive," she said. "In this period, with these climate conditions, that is substantially decreased." Today, in ideal conditions, the most you could hope for would be around 30 kilograms over one season, she added -- with average production between 10 and 20 kilos. That relative scarcity has pushed prices up from to between 15 and 20 euros ($16-22) compared to 10 euros just two or three years ago. Vladimir Petroski, who for the past 13 years has spent his free time caring for 120 beehives, has noted the same problem. Whereas in the past they could expect 30-40 kilograms, he said, these days they had to be satisfied with 15 kilos per season. And he agreed that climate change had fuelled the rise of the parasites and viruses that threaten wild and honey bees. "Beekeepers need to educate themselves and adapt according to the conditions and the micro-climate where they work." - Educate and adapt - In fact, the beekeepers are already trying to find solutions themselves. Their hive mind is made up of the regional beekeepers' associations, which promote good practice and organise honey festivals. They agree the main challenges are the warm winters, swift changes of the temperature in spring -- and the long, dry periods that come with summer now stretching into September and October. Environmental groups have called for government ministries and agencies to coordinate to tackle the problems that climate change pose for bees. So far however, they say their warnings have gone largely unheeded. The agriculture ministry is just as concerned about intensive agriculture, pesticides, loss of diversity and pollution. While acknowledging the threat climate change poses, it has simply recommended closer monitoring of the bees' behaviour. More data is certainly needed, says Frosina Pandurska Dramikjanin of the Macedonian Ecological Society, part of a project trying to understand the effect of climate change on bees. But it also needs to be share between the relevant state institutions, she argued. Without that, she told AFP, "it is harder to issue measures and recommendations". A recent report from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) underlined the stakes, highlighting the key role bees play in food production and biodiversity. Out of the 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of all food consumed worldwide, 71 are pollinated by bees, it reported. Ivory Coast floods kill five Abidjan, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Flooding and landslips have killed five people in Abidjan, Ivory Coast's biggest city, after heavy downpours, the fire service said on Friday. Roads were cut off as the rains fell on Thursday afternoon in most areas of the city with a population of six million. "The toll this morning... is five dead and 17" injured and in hospital, the service said in a statement. About a quarter of the precipitation expected over the May-June-July rainy season -- or 214 millimetres (8.4 inches) -- fell in 24 hours, the national meteorological service, Sodexam, said. The floods were receding with light rain forecast for Friday. Last year, at least 30 people died in flooding and other incidents linked to heavy rains in the West African nation. Kenya's Ruto seeks G7 support in global finance reform Bari, Italy, June 14 (AFP) Jun 14, 2024 Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday urged the G7 summit to back a revamp of the global lending system to unlock increased support for debt-burdened developing countries. African countries, facing mounting debt costs and a dearth of funds, have been demanding more equitable distribution of resources to better tackle poverty, cope with climate calamities and other challenges. "Far too many countries are forced to choose between repaying creditors and investing in their economy and people," Ruto told the G7 summit talks in Puglia, southern Italy. The leaders of the G7 wealthy nations gathered this week against the backdrop of global and political turmoil, with Africa, climate change and development kicking off the event. Ruto said the G7 should "advocate strongly" for a rethink of the global financial system to give the so-called Global South "access to concessional, longterm and agile finance, and a greater voice and role in decision making." The Kenyan leader urged that the vulnerability of countries should be taken into account in distributing financing. "We find ourselves in the grip of relentless global challenges of unprecedented magnitude," he said. The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events are occurring with increased frequency and intensity. The region, only slowly emerging from a devastating drought that left millions hungry, alongside Southern Africa experienced deadly heavy rainfall and floods between March and May linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon. "Only effective collective action by the international community can offer a reasonable chance of managing and overcoming these challenges," Ruto said. He also called on the G7 to "embrace" African calls for reforms at the UN Security Council where the continent is pushing for a permanent seat. Developing nations have long complained about not having a say on the council, where the five permanent members wield veto power, and argue the imbalance risks making the body obsolete. But so far, repeated calls for reform have come to nothing, and experts doubt that the permanent five will give up their powers. "No global institution can claim to champion humanity's universal values in 2024 while perpetuating the systematic marginalisation of 1.4 billion people from Africa's 54 nations," Ruto said. The UK, China, France, Russia and the United States are permanent members of the council, and sit with 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN general assembly for two-year terms. Taking out second place this week is NeuRizer, which enjoyed a price hike of more than 142 per cent from a previous close of 0.7c to touch 1.7c today. Now, the silver medallist this week is a bit of a doozy and, to be honest, we were a bit unsure about whether to include it in this weeks list. The companys share increase appears to be on the back of well not a lot, really. NeuRizer says it aims to be Australias leading manufacturer of urea fertiliser with its namesake project in South Australia where it intends to initially produce 1 million tonnes per annum of product before increasing to 2 million tonnes. But in terms of news flow, there didnt appear to be anything of major significance to warrant the companys significant price hike. There have been the usual suspects including trading halts, ceasing to be a substantial holder notices and applications for quotations of securities. There was even the appointment of a new director late last month following a resignation from the board. However, NeuRizer turned over some big volumes during the week with more than 100 million shares changing hands in the past five days. It would appear to suggest that while there may not be anything official from the company, something could well be in the works. This could be anything and we dont like to speculate here at Bulls N Bears so perhaps this is truly going to be a case of the classic watch this space. Taking out third place in this weeks Bulls N Bears runners list is Reach Resources, which enjoyed a 100 per cent share price hike from a previous close of 1.2c to touch 2.4c. The leap came off the back of the companys successful search for the source of high-grade niobium sample results at its Wabli Creek project in Western Australias Gascoyne region. Rock chip samples taken directly from bedrock at Reach Resources Wabli Creek project. The company had previously highlighted historically-reported alluvial samples at the operation, with a peak grade of 32 per cent niobium oxide and 2.57 per cent total rare earth oxides (TREO). A recent geophysical data review also identified an oval-shaped magnetic intrusive that is believed be the source of niobium, yttrium and rare earths mineralisation at the site. Follow-up samples have now confirmed the granitic pegmatite target as a primary source of mineralisation, with one in-situ assay delivering 17.65 per cent niobium oxide, 0.15 per cent yttrium oxide, 10.81 per cent tantalum oxide, 31.39 per cent titanium oxide and 0.37 per cent TREO. A second sample chipped straight off the bedrock also returned impressive results at 13.22 per cent niobium oxide, 0.13 per cent yttrium oxide, 6.27 per cent tantalum oxide, 18.97 titanium oxide and 1.13 per cent TREO. A total of 27 niobium, yttrium and rare earths targets have now been identified at Wabli Creek and they will be the major focus for ongoing exploration. To date, none of the targets have been drill-tested. A major niobium drill hit was considered to be the catalyst for the remarkable success of WA1 Resources when it made a series of discoveries at its West Arunta project. While Bulls N Bears is not suggesting Reach is going to immediately follow in WA1s footsteps, it could be well worth keeping an eye on the companys progress as it starts to finalise drill targets and mobilise the rig at Wabli Creek. Just missing out on a podium finish this week is Pearl Gull Iron, which enjoyed a stock increase of more than 54 per cent to touch 3.4c from a previous close of 2.2c. The share price jump coincides with the companys plans to acquire Huemel Holdings, which in turn has signed a deal to earn-in to Chilean company NeoRe SpA the holder of the La Marigen project in an area considered highly-prospective for ionic-adsorption clay-hosted rare earths. So, essentially, Pearl Gull is looking to farm-in to a rare earths project in Chile. La Marigen covers five tenements or tenement application areas covering about 22,800 hectares considered to be underexplored along the coast of Chile. Once the acquisition of Huemel is complete, Pearl Gull is planning to kick off an exploration program at the site in a bid to define a series of drill targets. TSX-listed Aclara recently announced a 27.5 million-tonne measured and indicated resource at 2292 parts per million TREO to the south of La Marigen, in addition to commissioning a pilot plant to produce heavy rare earth concentrates from clays in the region. So, Pearl Gull could be on to something here. Well finish off this week with a late, breaking footnote Resouro Strategic Metals may be a rare earths hopeful worth watching after its debut on the ASX today. The companys shares jumped from its listing price of 50c to an intraday trading high of 69c this morning a leap of 38 per cent. Resouro, which is starting its ASX journey by issuing $8 million worth of CHESS depository interests on the Australian market, is getting set to spin the drill bit at its 90 per cent-owned Tiros rare earths and titanium project in the busy Brazilian State of Minais Gerais, where others such as Meteoric Resources, Equinox Resources and Perpetual Resources are plying a similar trade. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Whitebark says it will target the early production of green hydrogen at its tenements in Queensland using geothermal energy and is aiming to be the first enterprise in Australia to commission a commercial geothermal project. The companys initial focus is its 100 per cent-owned geothermal and hydrogen holdings registered as EPG2049 in Queenslands Cooper Basin. It is an area that, according to Geoscience Australia, has high renewable hydrogen potential. EPG2049 consists of 1250 sub-blocks in south-west Queensland about 360km from the town of Longreach and covers an area of 3875 sq km. Management says its geophysical studies within the holdings indicate elevated geothermal gradients that are validated by operating oil and gas assets in the area. Whitebark Energy chairman Mark Lindh said: The Wizard Lake transaction is consistent with our refreshed Renewable Energy strategy and will allow a focus towards Whitebarks geothermal and green hydrogen developments. The reallocation of capital and effort towards domestic renewable energy development will be crucial in capitalising on the forecasted demand and position the company for its stated goal of becoming the first commercial geothermal producer in Australia. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) simply describes geothermal energy as heat from the Earth that is renewable and which can be harnessed for a variety of uses including electricity generation. Geothermal systems extract the Earths heat in the form of steam or water, with the temperatures achieved determining the best possible use of the energy. Whitebark believes the temperatures support the production of electricity at shallow depths, reducing the development risks involved with extracting the resource. Plans are in place to kick off comprehensive geological surveys and exploration activities to verify the geothermal potential of EPG2049. Utilising the wealth of geothermal energy sources and existing oil and gas wells that are at the end of their commercial life, the company suggests that inland Australia presents a unique opportunity to establish a Hydrogen Highway fuelled by hydrogen manufactured from geothermal power. Just last month, Whitebark secured an additional Cooper Basin permit application for geothermal exploration that adds a further 1776sq km and 573 sub-blocks, taking its total Queensland portfolio to about 6240sq km. Management says the existing well data supports high levels of geothermal activity and the potential to produce long-term dispatchable renewable energy. Australias Great Artesian Basin was a site of modest geothermal plants that operated during the 1980s and 1990s, which suggests feasibility for generating electricity from sedimentary heat for the potential manufacture of green hydrogen. In addition to incoming funding from its capital raise, the company has also kicked off official talks with Federal Government sources to leverage funding support from the plethora of initiatives revealed in the recent Budget. It includes about $11.2 billion towards renewable hydrogen asset and technology development and a hydrogen production tax incentive totalling $6.7 billion based on $2 per kilogram of renewable hydrogen produced. A further $1.7 billion has been allocated for the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund that will support early-stage development in several priority sectors, including the renewable hydrogen industry, while $1.5 billion has been allocated for ARENA core investments in renewable energy and related technologies. The Australian Government also recently announced the establishment of the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart initiative to underwrite the biggest-ever green hydrogen projects to be built in the nation. The funding will provide revenue support for investment in renewable hydrogen production through competitive production contracts and will also cover the commercial gap between the cost of hydrogen production from renewables and its current market price. ARENA has been allocated $4.2 million this year to support the development and operation of the program in consultation with the Department of Climate Change Energy Environment and Water (DCCEEW). According to modelling by DCCEEW, Australias hydrogen industry could generate $50 billion in additional gross domestic product and create more than 13,000 regional jobs and a further 13,000 jobs for the construction of new renewable energy infrastructure by 2050. The 2024 National Hydrogen Strategy has also allocated $17.1 million in four years to deliver infrastructure planning that includes the potential Hydrogen Highway. While Whitebarks shift from traditional oil and gas into geothermal energy and green hydrogen production may seem like a leap of faith, it already holds several important assets in an area known to be highly-prospective for the gas. If it can secure the additional support of the Federal Government through its long list of technology incentives, the company may well be at the forefront of a bullish new industry that could benefit Australia into the future. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Advertisement FoodRestaurant news The fakes are getting better: Restaurants hit with counterfeit money crime With their credit cards maxed out, more diners are using cash, but alarmingly some of it is high-quality fake in another blow to the struggling hospitality industry. Dani Valent June 14, 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 Melbourne hospitality businesses are already doing it tough, with diners spending less and costs soaring. Now restaurateurs also have to worry about counterfeit currency. Twice in the past month, Omar El Deek from South Yarras Cosi has discovered that customers paid for their meals with fake $50 and $100 notes. Its never happened before. Both times, my wife counted the money in the office the next morning, and it was clearly fake. You can tell when you look at it properly. The touch is different, the plastic window on the $50 note doesnt have the coat of arms. A counterfeit $100 note presented to TWS Gai Wong chicken restaurant. Luis Ascui El Deek thinks customers at his Italian restaurant were unaware they were carrying counterfeits. I dont believe they were trying to scam us, he says. The notes were in circulation. After the second occasion, he bought a detector machine for $300 and is now running every note through it. We take the money off the table, run it through the machine and if it bounces back, we will let the customer know, he says. With the cost-of-living crisis, criminality goes up, we need to be aware of everything in this world and take defensive techniques. El Deek is resigned to adding counterfeit sleuth to his list of capabilities. You need to be an expert in everything now, he says. Not just food, wine, you need to be the accounting manager, marketing manager, everything. Its only the brave who survive in restaurants these days. Advertisement Philip Leong, from TWS Gai Wong chicken restaurant, holds a counterfeit $100 note at his restaurant in North Melbourne. Luis Ascui Cosi is not the only restaurant to find fake money in their till. TWS Gai Wong in North Melbourne had a customer pay for a $3 soft drink with a fake $100 note. They came in during a very busy time, says owner Philip Leong, whose restaurant serves Malaysian chicken rice. They looked at the menu, then came to the counter and said, Ill just grab a drink and paid with the hundred bucks. It was a quick manoeuvre, and they were very chatty with my staff who, without thinking, gave the change. As Leong counted the takings at the end of the night, he suspected something wasnt right. The texture felt a bit off, he says. There you go: we are $97 down. To me, that is quite a lot of money because my food is only $17. Its like a family and a half who havent paid. With business already down by about 20 per cent, its a big hit. In St Kilda, Nikki Laski at 90-year-old Monarch Cake Shop has seen it all. I have a collection of counterfeits, she says. Whats changed is that the fakes are getting better. Some of them look like something a child made at home off the printer but the ones Ive taken over the counter recently are better quality and harder to spot, she says. There are ways, though. I turn from the customer and walk towards the till and hold the note in my hand and do a little rip in the paper, she says. If it rips, its a fake. Nikki Laski owner of Monarch Cakes says counterfeit money is getting better. Simon Schluter Advertisement Unlike Omar El Deek, she believes anyone passing over fake currency is well aware of it. Someone comes in with a $50 note and buys something small for $2 or $3. Instantly, shes on alert and does the tear test. If it rips, I say to them, Oh my god, someone has given you a fake. I never accuse them, and they take it back. Laski is seeing more customers paying with cash in the past few months. People are over-extended, they cant put it all on the credit card any more, she says. They are drawing on their cash reserves, coming in with boxes from the roof, under the bed. Her staff are all trained to spot fakes. Things are tough enough these days, she says. When youre stretched as we are, getting a fake note is like taking $50 and throwing it into the rubbish bin. Its money that you dont want to lose. The Reserve Bank of Australia publishes counterfeiting statistics every six months. The number of fake notes detected has sat between 2855 and 3831 each quarter since March 2022. The quality varies greatly, with some fakes created as hell money. These are offerings to ancestors, designed to be burnt in some Chinese cultures, and have none of the security features of real currency. Other banknotes are made to be spent, which is a crime with a maximum penalty of 14 years jail. I handed my notes into the police, and they said theyre the best ones theyve ever seen, said El Deek. They are clearly in circulation. What to do if you suspect money is fake Handle as little as possible and store safely in an envelope. Note details on how it came into your possession. Report it to police (keeping counterfeit currency is an offence). Advertisement How to tell if money is fake Refer to the Reserve Bank of Australias Counterfeit Detection Guide, which outlines security features for each currency denomination and series. Australian notes are printed on polymer, which returns to shape after being scrunched and cannot be easily torn. Newer notes include clear windows, raised print and shadow images and parts of the banknote fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Owners of Soul Dining, Illa Kim and Daero Lee, take us around sprawling new KMALL09 and share their go-to Korean pantry ingredients and top cooking tips. 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. Share The new KMALL09 at Lidcombe Shopping Centre became the largest Asian supermarket in Sydney when it opened last month. Within minutes of wandering its aisles with restaurateur Illa Kim and head chef Daero Lee from contemporary Korean standout Soul Dining, Ive managed to fill an entire basket with produce, condiments and (most importantly) snacks. Im familiar with some of them. Theres kimchi (fermented cabbage), gochujang (chilli paste) and tteokbokki (rice cakes), which are gradually entering the greater Australian lexicon with the rising influence of Korean culture and cuisine. But others, like perilla leaves, Yondu (vegetable umami) sauce and maesil cheong (plum syrup), are new additions to my pantry and Im going to need them. The new KMALL09 in Lidcombe is the citys largest Korean supermarket. James Brickwood Korean cuisine developed its unique flavour over many thousands of years, influenced by the nations strong seasonal changes, the customs of its ancient court, Japanese colonisation, American influence, and financial hardship during the Korean War. It is characterised by deep umami flavours, lots of fermentation, rice and spice and often requires a few specialised ingredients to get it right at home. With the help of Kim and Lee, here are some Korean cooking essentials and some fun additions to keep an eye out for next time youre in a Korean supermarket. Yondu comes in several varieties with different flavour profiles. Start with the original, with the green lid. James Brickwood Advertisement Yondu If theres one thing you should buy on this list, its Yondu ($8.10). A relative newcomer to the essential Korean pantry, Lee says its the secret ingredient professional Korean chefs are using to make their savoury dishes really sing, and you can use it on practically anything. It has a lot of flavour in it, its like a natural version of MSG, Lee says. You can add it to anything to give it an extra boost of umami. Its a vegetable-based umami seasoning sauce made from triple-fermented soy beans and concentrated vegetable broth, and tastes like a soy sauce mixed with (a gentler version of) Vegeta Gourmet stock powder. One or two teaspoons are recommended for most dishes, from soups and stews to pastas and grilled vegetables (whether theyre Korean or not). You can add it during any part of the cooking process. Soul Dining restaurateur Illa Kim likes eating perilla leaves after theyve been fried in tempura batter. James Brickwood Kkaennip (perilla leaves) As someone who cooks Korean dishes semi-regularly at home, I am genuinely embarrassed to admit Id never heard of perilla leaves. Theyre a key ingredient in Korean cuisine served steamed, fried and pickled; used whole in wraps and barbecue; and shredded to add extra flavour to soups, stir-fries and salads. Advertisement We always pick up perilla leaves: theyre a staple, says Lee. Think of it like Korean parsley, we use it the same way to garnish dishes. Perilla leaves are bright emerald, a little bit fuzzy, and about the size of my hand. They look a little like Japanese shiso leaves, but taste entirely different. Kim describes them as having a unique flavour, somewhere between mint (they are part of the mint family) and coriander, without any of the soapiness. Theyre sold fresh in packages of about 15 leaves ($4.10), which Lee says will last up to two weeks in the vegetable crisper. Youll only need four or five leaves for most recipes. Kim says she likes eating them as a snack, whole and deep-fried in tempura batter. And if thats too much work, you can buy pre-made tempura perilla leaves in the frozen food section. Soul Dining chef Daero Lee explains the difference between kimchi varieties. James Brickwood Kimchi Lets start with the basics. When you see kimchi on a menu or in a supermarket, its most likely referring to baechu-kimchi: the popular red-hued, cabbage kind, which tastes salty, sour and a little spicy. Its made from wombok (Chinese cabbage) soaked in a salty brine, then seasoned and fermented for a few days with gochugaru (chilli powder), garlic, ginger and spring onions (but youll often see carrots, sugar, fish sauce and salted seafood like anchovies or shrimp added to the mix). Advertisement While kimchi has been around for thousands of years, Lee says the red variety was only introduced after Portuguese traders brought chilli peppers to Korea in the 1600s. So, if youd like to try traditional kimchi, go for baek-kimchi (white kimchi). Kimchi: Everything you need to know Recipe collection 20 ways with kimchi Kim explains there is young and old kimchi, and the one you buy is a matter of preference: do you prefer crispy and fresh, or deep and flavoursome? She prefers fresh kimchi from Hannong Foods ($6.60), made in Sydney using local ingredients. Kimchi is a versatile ingredient, eaten on its own as banchan (a side dish) or added to an endless number of soup, stews, rice and noodle dishes (as well as my favourite, kimchi pancakes). We do everything with it, Lee says. I like it in a stew, with a big chunk of braised pork belly. Korean butchers will be able to assist with your barbecue plans. James Brickwood Advertisement K-BBQ If you have a portable gas stove at home, you can put together an easy dinner party, Korean barbecue-style. Put the stove in the middle of a table, surrounded by bowls of thinly sliced meat, vegetables, sauces (pre-made is fine to avoid buying dozens of ingredients, Kim says) and sides, and your guests can do the cooking themselves. Youll need to buy Korean barbecue meat, available pre-sliced from an Asian butcher or in the frozen food section of the supermarket. Kim says theyd usually pick up at least four varieties, to be consumed in the following order: unseasoned beef, seasoned (marinated) beef, unseasoned pork and seasoned (marinated) pork. The right order is to go from less flavour, to more flavour, then less fat, to more fat, she says. Daero Lee says Sempio Jin soy sauce (top left, with the red label) is the go-to choice. James Brickwood Soy sauce Ah, the most important thing, Lee says as he approaches the aisle of soy sauce bottles. Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Lawyer Mark Madafferi looks like a man under pressure as he walks into the North Melbourne office of his law firm, Christopher William Legal, which has served some of Australias most infamous criminals and underworld associates. The lean 67-year-old is under investigation by the corporate watchdog into how nearly $75 million was allegedly moved from the bank account of ASX-listed voice recording technology company Dubber to the trust account of his law firm. Dubbers clients include some of the biggest telcos in the country. At last years Australian Grand Prix, it showed off F1 star Oscar Piastri as a brand ambassador. But the companys recently sacked CEO Steve McGovern a typical sneaker-wearing tech bro in his late 50s with a disarming Manchester brogue is also under investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Dubber suspended its chief executive Steve McGovern, while ASIC succeeded in obtaining travel restraint orders. Credit: Tash Sorensen The regulator and the company allege that vast sums of Dubbers cash raised from shareholders around Australia was used between 2018 and 2024 to provide short-term loans to Madafferis often colourful clients. Nearly $27 million of the Dubber cash placed into the trust account remains outstanding, the company alleges. Shareholders including billionaire Alex Waislitz and the companys board, led by Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson thought the money was in a bank term deposit until the issue was discovered during a regular half-year audit. Advertisement The allegations have again shone a light on the use of the shadowy lending vehicles operating in suburban law firms that promise privacy and higher returns to investors. Details of Madafferis lending business are of keen interest to ASIC investigators and forensic accountants hired by Dubber, who say they have already identified at least one alleged transfer to an underworld figure, according to a source familiar with the investigation but not authorised to speak as it remains ongoing. While McGoverns sacking was widely covered in the financial press, little has been written about his background, including his long relationship with Madafferi. An investigation by this masthead can reveal that Madafferi has provided legal services to some of Melbournes most well-known gangland identities, including convicted killers and drug dealers, according to documents, Gobbo royal commission informant reports and property titles. Madafferi has also had a long association with Dubber, helping to arrange loans for the business and as a foundation investor in its 2015 float. This masthead is not suggesting the ASIC and Dubber investigation indicates any wrongdoing by Madafferi or McGovern, just that the inquiry is occurring. It is also not clear what representations McGovern made to Madafferi. Ultimately, ASICs investigation could lead to no formal allegations being made against either man. Both have been assisting the inquiries. Dubber has also claimed it understands the Victorian Legal Services Board is also investigating the matter. Advertisement Through his lawyer, Madafferi declined to comment for this article. McGovern did not respond to inquiries. The client list Before it was known as Christopher William Legal, Madafferis North Melbourne office was home to a law firm with a deep and quiet reputation Chiodo Madafferi. Chiodo Madafferi was set up in 1989 and brought together top criminal lawyer Cosimo Chiodo and Madafferi, who specialised in civil legal matters such as property disputes, family law, business restructuring and conveyancing. Chiodo, who died in 2017, regularly instructed Nicola Gobbo, then one of the states finest and now one of its most controversial barristers. Chiodo represented a host of gangland identities and associates, including drug dealers Fadi Sarkis and Pasquale Barbaro. Another client was Renate Mokbel, the sister of drug baron Tony Mokbel who absconded to Greece in 2006. Madafferis client list was as noteworthy as his partners. Over a 44-year career, it has included convicted murderer Eris Censori, who recently became the uncle-by-marriage of rap superstar Kanye West. Censori is on parole after his death sentence for a gangland killing in the early 1980s was commuted to life in jail and he was released in 1994. Advertisement Censori was Madafferis client for over 14 years, until 2013, on a range of business dealings, including advising on a large volume of loan transactions, providing conveyancing services and handling Censoris separation from his domestic partner. Eris Censori in 1991, before he became a client of Mark Madafferi. Another client of Madafferi was Michael Barbaro. The Melbourne-based 64-year-old was sentenced to eight years jail in 2023 for heading a major methamphetamine syndicate. Madafferi also provided legal services to gangland figure Arthur Vouthas the right-hand man of convicted drug dealer Rocco Arico in a debt dispute. Other Madafferi clients include Mick Gatto and confidant and banned gambler John Khoury, who Madafferi assisted in conveyancing matters and setting up a $1.5 million bridging loan to a Melbourne property developer. Madafferi also provided legal services to Gatto associate and one-time Purana taskforce target and accused Mokbel money launderer Tom Karas. Karas has never been formally charged with any offence and has long denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Charles Pellegrino, a Melbourne businessman with an interest in share trading and an acquaintance of Khoury and colourful ASX investor Leo the Gun Khouri, is another Madafferi business associate. Madafferi has also represented less well-known clients from all walks of life, including divorcees, small business owners and businesspeople including McGovern. He even represented a private lender in the High Court of Australia against allegations of unconscionable conduct. While Madafferis client lost the case, it was a feather in the cap of the suburban solicitor. In around 2010, Madafferi added a new line of work to his already impressive line of legal services: helping new businesses get funding. One of the start-ups Madafferi assisted was Dubber. Dubbers 2013 annual accounts filed with ASIC show it had a $94,000 loan 70 per cent of its borrowings listed as from Chiodo Madafferi Pasqual. Madafferi was also an investor in the business via an entity called Medulla, which counted Dubbers founders as co-investors. Advertisement A Melbourne woman who allegedly ran an elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam offering designer fashion for sale and defrauding buyers out of thousands of dollars has been refused bail. Alana Petridis was arrested at her home in Donvale in Melbournes eastern suburbs on Wednesday over several alleged sophisticated social media scams that police say drew in at least 23 victims nationwide. The Melbourne woman is accused of creating several fake Facebook profiles and posting photos on social media of clothing from renowned Australian fashion labels including Witchery. Credit: Jessica Hromas On Thursday, Ringwood Magistrates Court heard Petridis, 37, was facing 25 counts of obtaining property by deception, though police were gathering more accounts from other alleged interstate scam victims. The court heard Petridis had a total of more than 250 criminal charges before the courts, including breaching her bail conditions, a history of repeat offending, and driving under the influence of drugs. Xavier Prime is adamant he cares about the life of every chicken and rooster on his south-west Victorian farm, even though they are destined for human consumption. As a child, Prime raised chickens on his parents farm and then started his own pasture-raised free-range egg and chicken meat business seven years ago. Farmer Xavier Prime with his flock and two-year-old son Max. Credit: Joe Armao Prime keeps his chickens in mobile sheds and has about 200 per hectare, even though the free-range standard is 10,000 or fewer per hectare. He has come to know the quirkiness and personality in his animals behaviour. Our philosophy is to give them a meaningful and purposeful life, he said. Ive got a chicken who leaves an egg every day in the tractor seat. NACC keeps us in dark Why did NACC not make the public aware of our right to complain about their decision to not investigate public officials involved in the robo-debt scandal? Without social media, we would have remained in the dark. Sarah Russell, Mt Martha Dutton is right International bodies like the UN attribute climate change to carbon emission arising from fossil fuel usage. The response was to set emission reduction targets, ban fossil fuel usage and opt for solar, wind and battery technology. This approach has been adopted uncritically by Labor governments both state and federal without any consideration, whether this scenario was applicable to Australia given that historic patterns of fire and flood are caused by temperature variations in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The consequence of the adoption of renewable technology as the basis of our energy system has been higher power prices, doubts over energy security and the degradation of our beautiful landscape and oceans at astronomical cost. Peter Dutton is therefore right to challenge Labors orthodoxy. In particular, the opposition to nuclear power needs serious analysis. This form of energy is a proven technology, is 24/ 7 reliable, emission-free and doesnt degrade the environment the way solar, wind and batteries do. Cost comparisons can never be made until there is full and comprehensive disclosure of the cost of renewables, details which the government is loath to provide. Labors response appears to whip a scare campaign rather than argue on the basis of facts or costs. Such an approach will reinforce doubts over current emission and energy policy. Martin Newington, Aspendale Coal for cold nights On the coldest day/night in five years (13/6) thus far, its comforting to rely on coal and gas to heat my house, even for the 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening that we can only afford, thanks to Albanese and Bowen. Imagine if we had to rely on wind and solar which only produces a fraction of whats required. Anyone worried about that? Corrine Whyte, Melbourne Duttons missing logic I struggle to understand the logic of Peter Duttons latest foray into energy policy, in particular his claim that cost of living pressures are somehow attributed to Australias planned transition to renewable energy. This is demonstrably false. The major factors driving high-power prices are the high cost of running and maintaining ageing and unreliable coal-fired power stations, along with high international prices for gas. Furthermore, almost all of our current coal-fired power stations are due to close within the next 10 years, removing around 50 per cent of our current energy generation. Given that we would not see even one nuclear power plant built before 2040, what is Peter Duttons plan for replacing this capacity in the meantime? Simon Bennett, Hawthorn East Electricity in limbo Peter Dutton, has admitted that nuclear energy is very slow, and cannot feasibly be deployed in Australia before the 2040s. Under his leadership, the opposition has displayed deepening antipathy towards deployment of feasible renewable energy, bar Snowy 2.0, which is proving to be a difficult expensive laggard, even though solar, wind, and strategic storage is critical for progress on all three essential energy policy goals affordability, security and climate mitigation. We have been here before. The federal Coalition seems remarkably unconcerned about the prospect of an electricity system and market hanging in limbo for the next critical decades to benefit only a few select powerful vested interests. That exposes the rest of us to pain and chaos without incentive or other levers for timely replacement of coal-fired power generators that will age and fail or close well before 2040. Jim Allen, Panorama, SA When Victoria passed voluntary assisted dying laws in 2017, it was the first state in Australia to allow the sick and dying to leave this world at a time of their own choosing. The laws debated in Parliament over 100 hours faced fierce opposition from religious and conservative groups. The final legislation possibly the most contentious ever passed in Victoria included 68 safeguards to ensure anyone accessing the laws was doing so voluntarily. Five years after the laws took effect in July 2019, however, all other states and the ACT have since introduced their own versions. And Victoria, once viewed as a trailblazer on the important issue of dying with dignity, has now fallen behind other jurisdictions with such laws, with those advocating for the legislation to be updated arguing some of the measures designed as safeguards are unnecessary barriers. This week, Cherryl Barassi told The Age about her declining health. Simply put, she has had enough. Damage to the nerves of her neck, arms and hands as a result of a whiplash injury cause Barassi great suffering, but she does not qualify for help under Victorias voluntary assisted dying laws. Victorias safe injecting room is operating with a budget deficit as documents show the new operators plan to cut testing for HIV, a nurse educator and even haircuts for clients. About 130 staff at the North Richmond facility are working in a state of uncertainty with their employment contracts set to end on June 28, as the centre operates with a $1.5 million budget deficit. A user of the safe injecting room makes a coffee at the facility. Credit: Penny Stephens They are concerned about the potential impact of the cuts on the safe injecting rooms safety, operational capacity and ongoing viability. The safe injecting room was made permanent last year and is Victorias only facility after the state government abandoned its plans to open a second CBD location earlier this year. The facility is credited with saving an estimated 63 lives and safely managing more than 6300 overdoses over a five-year trial period, but its location next to a primary school has been a sore point for some residents and the state opposition. The Greens have accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of cowardice over Labors approach to religious discrimination reforms after a gay teacher was fired from a Sydney private school while the government waits on the Coalition to change the law. The minor partys LGBTQ spokesperson, Stephen Bates, said Labor could pass laws to protect people from discrimination by working with the Greens and crossbenchers but had been refusing to show them its proposed legislation. Charlotte (not her real name) was sacked as a primary school teacher after her same-sex relationship was discovered. Credit: Nick Moir The Greens have been telling Labor repeatedly for months: lets work together and pass the Australian Law Reform Commissions recommendations. The only thing stopping Labor protecting LGBTIQA+ workers in their workplace is their own cowardice. Im sick of it, he said. You should not be fired for being LGBTIQA+. Its as simple as that. Labor needs to keep their promise to protect LGBTIQA+ people in school. People like [the teacher] Charlotte* are losing their jobs and their livelihoods because of Labors inaction. The House of Representatives will return to 150 seats at the coming election, with some observers saying the draft borders suggest Labor could claim 77, the Coalition would have 58 and the crossbench would have 15 before voters cast their ballots. Election analyst Ben Raue said the overall impact narrowed the margin for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to hold on to power. For Labor to lose their majority, they need to lose two seats on a uniform swing of 0.4 per cent, down from 0.9 per cent on the old boundaries, he said at his site, The Tally Room. Leading figures in the two major parties warned against some of the calculations, however, because of the challenge in estimating the precise impact on electoral margins from the movement of a suburb from one electorate to another. Fletchers margin in Bradfield would shrink from 4.2 per cent to about 2.5 per cent, according to calculations by Raue and another election analyst, William Bowe of the Poll Bludger site. The NSW changes extend far beyond the suburbs of Sydney because of the need to ensure each electorate has the same number of voters within a range of about 125,000 to 134,000. When Tink was asked on Friday afternoon if she would run for Bradfield, she said: At the moment, the focus for me here is on the community of North Sydney. Member for North Sydney Kylea Tink speaks to the media on Friday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer When Steggall was asked if she would run for Warringah again, she told Sky News: As it currently looks, I would say yes, but theres a lot to be considered about the changes. The draft changes aim to expand Warringah westward from its current border of Spofforth Street in Mosman so that it would take in Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Cammeray, Crows Nest, Kirribilli, Waverton, Wollstonecraft and the North Sydney business and residential district. The other teal electorate on the north side of the harbour, Mackellar on the northern beaches, held by Sophie Scamps, would expand southwards into territory currently in Warringah, such as Killarney Heights and North Curl Curl. The former Liberal seat of Bennelong, now held by Jerome Laxale for Labor, will be expanded to include Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, Woolwich, Greenwich, Longueville and parts of Chatswood that are west of the Pacific Highway and south of Fullers Road. Raue calculated that this made Bennelong a Liberal seat, with a margin of 0.1 per cent, and Labor campaigners said the seat would be much tougher for them to hold, but Liberals said the seat was too close to call. One senior Liberal said the redistribution meant the party went backward in eight out of nine seats across the state but at least kept the seat of Hughes, in southern Sydney, which Labor had nominated for abolition. Labor insiders said Bennelong, Parramatta and Greenway would be harder to retain. The changes to Sydney seats represent the third phase, after Victoria and Western Australia, of an electoral commission process designed to make sure states have the right number of seats to reflect their population growth. Overall across the three states, Labor may gain the new Western Australian seat of Bullwinkel and is more competitive in the Melbourne seat of Menzies. Under the plan, the Sydney seat of Bradfield would expand south of its current border, along Victoria Avenue in Chatswood, to Willoughby, Northbridge, Naremburn, Artarmon, Castlecrag, Middle Cove and parts of St Leonards. In eastern Sydney, the former blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Wentworth, now held by independent Allegra Spender, expands to areas outside the wealthiest parts of the city, such as Woolloomooloo on one side and the districts around Randwick on the other. On the northern edge of Sydney, the seat of Berowra would expand slightly to take in all of North Epping and Epping, previously in Bennelong. The border of Berowra would also shift eastward from the Pacific Highway to take in all of Hornsby, Waitara and Asquith. The seat is regarded as very safe Liberal territory and is held by Julian Leeser. One of the key seats for the election, the marginal electorate of Parramatta, would expand slightly to take in areas previously in surrounding electorates. Held by Labor MP Andrew Charlton, the seat would add Girraween to the west and Ermington to the east. It would also gain the constituents who live between Epping and Carlingford, west of Midson Road. Regional areas in NSW with the highest levels of wellbeing not only offer a slower pace of life but greater affordability too. The median house prices in four of the top five regional areas are much less than the current Sydney median house price of $1.63 million. Blowhole Point at Kiama one of the regional council areas that scored the best for well-being. The Wingecarribee Shire, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Snowy Monaro Regional, Kiama and Newcastle local government areas had the highest well-being scores in regional NSW in the 2023 Cities and Regions Wellbeing Index by SGS Economics and Planning. Each region in the report was tracked based on seven categories: economy; income and wealth; employment, knowledge and skills; housing; health; equality, community and work-life balance; and environment. The restaurant Michael Demagistris made waves on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2013, and hes making waves again as the executive chef of Tarra Queenscliff, a restaurant situated in the dramatic new ferry terminal. If youve already been touring the Bellarine with an Esky, youll recognise Ket Bakers breads and Lard Ass butter from Ocean Grove on the menu. The charcuterie plate, all cured inhouse, is a thing of beauty, as is the smoked salmon tartlet served on a bed of seashells, while the baked scallops arrive garnished with pearls of tangy finger lime. Accessorise with a glass of local hero Oakdene Vineyards sparkling brut, and watch incoming ferries from Sorrento for an afternoon well spent. See tarra.com.au FarmDog all in the family. The drink For an instant throwback to Asian travels, take a sip of FarmDog Brewings hand-bottled pandan. Like most Bellarine cellar doors, FarmDog keeps it in the family, as distiller Maddy McGlashan of McGlashan Estate joins her vigneron father, Russell, in the estate in Wallington to create a range of infused gins including a Christmassy pumpkin-pie gin. The property includes four eco villas overlooking the vineyards, which produce its cool-climate chardonnays, pinot noirs and sparkling whites. See farmdogbrewing.com.au The bar Tram at Terindah Estate, Parked beside the cellar door of Terindah Estate, a W-class tram is resplendent in its signature green and gold livery. Tram 911 was retired from life in Melbourne, and in 2020 was snapped up by Terindahs late owner, Peter Slattery, to be restored by Bendigo Tramways. The tram, named Peters Odyssey, is now a bar open on weekends from 12 to 5pm serving lobster rolls and local mussels, cheese platters and charcuterie with the estates wines and views of Corio Bay and the rocky ridges of the You Yangs (walk-ins only). See terindahestate.com The wildlife experience Swimming with dolphins. Port Phillip is home to three types of dolphins, including the critically endangered Burranan. Officially, there are just three pods in Victoria, who are happy to play when theyre not hunting, say Sea All Dolphin Swims crew. In that case, the bays resident seals are always ready to step in. An all-boy gang of Australian fur seals, some weighing up to 350 kilograms, have made their home on Chinamans Hat, a shipping channel marker nicknamed the Taj Mahal for seals. Without any ladies present to fuel aggression among the group, they happily roll and flip around with wetsuit-clad swimmers. See dolphinswims.com.au The lake Bird haven: Lake Connewarre. Credit: Justin McManus There are 10,000 ducks, pelicans and swans on Lake Connewarre, and, at the other end of the scale, possible sightings of the near-extinct orange-bellied parrot. Paddler and environmentalist Jay Martin takes kayaking tours out on the lake, including night tours, with special sessions on the solstices and even a fancy-dress Halloween paddle. See outsideadventures.com.au The Esky filler More bison amble by and within an hour we spot a bear a solitary black bear 50 metres off the road. Its the first of 15 black and grizzly bears we see over several days. Around another bend, theres a trio of female elk. Its a four-legged bonanza even though weve just skirted the northern road, yet to venture deeper into the park. Curiouser and curiouser American martens. Credit: iStock As its Friday and we have no desire to spend the weekend jostling for parking spots, we head out via Roosevelt Arch, which marks the north entrance, and voila were back in Montana. Any traveller wanting a taste of Yellowstone and a guaranteed wildlife encounter can drive from Silver Gate to the Arch any time, as its one of the few roads open year-round. My driver and long-time friend lives in Montana, so we plan to trip around her state and head back mid-week. Before visiting Yellowstone, the only knowledge I had was gleaned from watching Yogi Bear. Instantly Im impressed with how humans and wildlife co-exist and how the thermal sites are so easy to visit, thanks to hundreds of kilometres of roads, excellent boardwalks and superb visitor centres. It wasnt always so. Although opened in 1872 as Americas and the worlds first national park, following President Ulysses Grants signing of the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act that declared it public land, little protection was actually offered. Hunters and souvenir collectors plundered wildlife and took away chunks of calcified terraces and geysers, while shrewd entrepreneurs charged visitors for tents and bathing in the springs. Help was enlisted from the army, which set up Fort Yellowstone in 1886 and administered it until the National Park Service was established in 1918. Based at Mammoth Springs, the forts 36 remaining buildings comprise the parks administrative headquarters and museum, and its lawns are home to a herd of wild elk. Close to the action Yellowstone National Park Old Faithful Inn. A few days later were back and spend the night in West Yellowstone, a classic tourist town in Montana that grew up a kilometre from the parks west entrance, the busiest of the five gates. It makes sense to get up early to beat the crowds (they say there is a 1.5-hour queue to get in during the summer), so we book a 6am pick-up with tour operator Yellowstone Safari Company. Our guide, Nate, reassures us that despite the lashing rain, wildlife are most active in the morning and not the least worried about the weather. Hes hoping well see grey wolf (theres a 50-50 chance) and bear and knows well see bison. Today there are about 6000 bison in the park, remarkable considering there were just a few hundred in the US in the late 1880s, including those on private ranches; millions of the animals, which ironically are the nations emblem, were hunted to near extinction. They are the most dangerous of the parks animals and prolific signs warn visitors to keep a 23-metre distance, despite the lure of the selfie. Grand Prismatic Spring is a highlight. Credit: Adobe Stock We travel along the Gibbon River, then swing left onto the Grand Loop, the main 230-kilometre thoroughfare, resembling a misshapen figure-eight, which travels to the parks major sites. Theres a north and south loop, intersecting at Canyon Village, roughly in the centre. We pull up at Roaring Mountain, a mini-hill pumping out steam from a dozen fumaroles and then pass by Obsidian Cliff. Composed of igneous rock formed by rapidly cooling lava, this landform produced flint as sharp as surgical scalpels used by Native Americans for tool-making some 10,000 years ago. We stop at Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the parks highlights where a series of boardwalks wind past travertine terraces with names like Cleopatra and Minerva, formed when hot springs rise through calcium carbonate and deposit calcite. Not long afterwards, we spot a cinnamon bear, a subspecies of black bear, and two cubs gambolling in the long spring grasses; next we spy roan pronghorn sheep and sandhill cranes and their young, but no wolf. Its a shame, but theres a wolf sanctuary in West Yellowstone, which we later visit. Overall, we clock up 11 bears for the day, photographed from the recommended distance of at least 91 metres. For two nights we stay at Canyon Village, the largest of the six accommodation centres in the park and an excellent base to explore the south loop, which has the lions share of big-ticket attractions. Next day I stand on the north rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which I didnt even know existed; this gorge 32 kilometres long, 305 metres deep and 1200 metres at its widest point, was created by a volcanic eruption 630,000 years ago. Dozens of hiking trails wind around it, and lookouts provide panoramic views. We opt for the short but seriously steep route down to Red Rock Point for a close-up view of the Lower Falls (the higher of two falls at 93 metres), which plunge into the Yellowstone River. Later we take the Brink of the Upper Falls walk to stand a metre above the edge of this thunderous cascade. Dont adjust your screen the rainbow delights of Grand Prismatice Spring up close. Credit: iStock From the canyon, we drive to Mud Volcano, another geothermal pocket with a wealth of sights, like Dragons Mouth Spring, where waves of hot water ebb and flow through a cavern producing a roaring sound. The path is flanked by Cooking Hillside where the trees have indeed been cooked by steam. Early explorers called this the most repulsive and terrifying sight. Again, my hearts in my mouth, not because I fear falling in or because I hate the smell, but because we see that bison are on the move. They are milling in the car park and some venture onto the boardwalk and rangers are issuing instructions to keep clear. We skedaddle and head to the Grand Prismatic Spring, in the Midway Geyser Basin, a park favourite and my pick of the sights as well. It takes its name from the brilliant colours at its perimeter pink, orange, brown and green formed by thermophiles or heat-loving microorganisms, and the iridescent blue waters at its centre. With a 113-metre diameter, it is the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Dominicas Boiling Lake. With 13,000 geothermal features, Yellowstone is a massive hotspot. But no visit is complete without taking a seat, a safe 100 metres away, from the most famous geyser and Yogi Bears favourite, Old Faithful. As predicted, 90 minutes after the previous eruption, it blows, sending a plume of boiling water 40 metres into the air, as its steam drifts across the landscape in the late afternoon breeze. We gasp, applaud, then head into Old Faithful Lodge for a farewell drink. THE DETAILS FLY Bozeman International Airport, Montana, is 144 kilometres from the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Delta and United Airlines have services from Australia, with several connections. See delta.com/; united.com Sydney hotel Pier One has welcomed back its Glass Room pop-up in time for winter, this time with glass-walled enclosures on not one but two of its luxury suite balconies. The five-star stay will also be hosting private ceramics classes in the pop-up suites as part of a one-off collaboration with Sydney-based clay artist Guy Vadas of Pottery Boy. Pottery studio with a view Guy Vadas hosts private ceramics workshops at Pier Ones Glass Room suites. Available through to September 29, 2024, each west-facing Glass Room is designed to take advantage of the propertys knockout harbourside location. The launch of the suites coincides with the citys annual light spectacle, Vivid Sydney, which runs through to June 15 and, perhaps fittingly given the feast of pyrotechnics, projections and visual artistry swirling about, will showcase the creative touches of Vadas throughout. Lake Lucerne, Switzerland: Ukraine has rejected a deal from Russian President Vladimir Putin for an immediate ceasefire and talks to end the war in exchange for Kyiv withdrawing troops from the four regions that Moscow has claimed as its own. Putins conditions, made on the eve of a major peace summit in the Swiss Alps, also hinge on Ukraine dropping any aspirations to join NATO and include areas Russia has never occupied during its two-year invasion or from which it subsequently withdrew. He also wants Western sanctions, imposed in 2022 in response to his full-scale invasion, lifted. President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting the training of Ukrainian soldiers at a military training ground in Mecklenburg, Germany. Credit: Getty Images World leaders but not from Moscow will converge on Lake Lucerne this weekend to try to map out the first steps toward peace in Ukraine. The summit, which will be attended by representatives of more than 100 nations and organisations, is expected to shy away from territorial issues and focus instead on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine. The Kremlin has said the gathering will prove futile without Russia being represented. But now the worry is that the guest list is not long or high-level enough. In the past few days before the conference, Swiss diplomats had been hoping to get the highest-ranking figures worldwide to come. About 90 countries have agreed to attend out of 160 invited. Europes most influential leaders will front up, while the United States will be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris. It has been a tug-of-war with Russia, which was not invited to participate and has done its utmost to ensure other nations dont. The Kremlin regards it as a success every time someone turns an invitation down. Volodymyr Zelensky is seen visiting the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system at a military training ground in Mecklenburg, Germany. Credit: Getty Images China, which has become more closely aligned with Russia since the war started, has also said it wont take part, given Moscows absence. Zelensky, in turn, has accused China of working with Russia to dissuade countries from attending. Moscow has exerted a lot of energy on this, and the Swiss organisers have seen it as a sign that the stakes are high with the conference. Zelensky told the French parliament last week that he hoped the summit would hasten a fair end to the conflict. Loading The inaugural peace summit could become a format that would bring closer a just end to this war, Zelensky said. I am grateful for all you are already doing, and it is a lot. But for a fair peace, more must be done. He dismissed the notion there could be peace in Ukraine based on the current front lines, with Russia deep inside Ukrainian territory. Can this war end on the lines that exist now? No. Because there are no lines for evil: not 80 years ago, not now. And if someone tries to draw temporary lines, it will only give a pause before a new war. Hence, there are unlikely to be any formal resolutions on thornier issues such as reparations, war tribunals or the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. The expected communique will cover only three of the formulas most uncontroversial points: food security, nuclear security, and the return of prisoners and children. Ukrainian national guard servicemen of the Khartia brigade take cover after firing towards Russian positions. Credit: AP While Western diplomats have been steadfast in their support for Ukraine, privately, they acknowledge that the longer the conflict lasts, the more precarious the situation becomes. Yet, Russias gains on the battlefield are only part of those concerns. What they equally fear is any escalation in a global campaign aimed at damaging Zelenskys credibility. When Zelensky visited Congress in December, there were outlandish claims driven by far-right social media accounts of his plans to live the high life after the war. Lauren Witzke, a far-right activist and 2020 Republican Senate nominee for Delaware, recirculated a claim that Zelensky had bought a $US20 million mansion in Vero Beach, Miami, as she called for the US to CUT OFF UKRAINE from funding. A fact check showed that Zelensky does not appear in any public records of property owners in that county, but the post, which included photos of a property, racked up millions of views and was recirculated by other conservative accounts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska. Credit: AP Zelenskys wife, Olena Zelenska, has also been the subject of the rumour mill. In December 2022, she was falsely accused of using a diplomatic trip to France to go on a $US40,000 shopping spree in Paris. In October 2023, a claim went viral that she had spent $US1.1 million at the Cartier store in New York while on diplomatic business. The claims play into deeper Republican criticisms of corruption and the waste of US aid in many other countries around the world. Western diplomats have reportedly told Zelensky he must do everything in his power to stay above the corruption claims that long hung over Ukrainian politics. At home, trust among Ukrainians in Zelensky has been slowly decreasing since May 2022. When he came to power in 2019 after a landslide election victory with 73 per cent of the vote, 80 per cent of Ukrainians trusted him. That number dropped to 37 per cent by February 2022. Loading The level of trust rose again when Russias full-scale invasion started, skyrocketing to 90 per cent. Now, according to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published on June 7, about 59 per cent of the respondents trust Zelensky, in contrast to 36 per cent who did not. Unsuccessful personnel policies, as well as unsuccessful steps in fighting corruption or opposing Russian aggression, were among the top reasons for the criticism of Zelensky. Zelensky retains legitimacy in the eyes of Ukrainian society, and most Ukrainians continue to trust him. Nearly 7080 per cent of the respondents are against holding elections now, another attack line that Russian-led social media channels have prosecuted against him. But Zelenskys political opponents are starting to turn the screws. In the past week, he faced claims from senior government, military, law enforcement and diplomatic sources at his growing dependence on Andriy Yermak, his chief of staff, who has been accused of amassing personal power and usurping democratic processes. In recent days, he was also rocked by the resignation of a top official, Mustafa Nayyem, who was overseeing wartime reconstruction and defence fortifications. Nayyem claimed his agency was being systematically undermined by the government. But Anton Hrushetskyi, the head of Kyivs International Institute of Sociology, says the priority of the people is to win the war and then have an election. Therefore, they dont question the legitimacy of Zelensky, he says. We see these narratives from Russia and how it tries to impose on Western minds the thought that Ukraine is not a democracy. After the peace summit, Western diplomats hope they can rope in the Saudis, the Turks or even the Vatican as potential mediators between Kyiv and the Kremlin. All have been invited to this weeks G7 summit. Together, the world can definitely restore justice and a just peace, Zelensky said after announcing the pact with Biden. We are doing everything for this. The report examines both Hamas actions when it invaded southern Israel on October 7 and Israels military response in Gaza, and provides legal analysis that could be used in future criminal proceedings. Hamas killed 1200 people in Israel and took more than 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israels military retaliation has caused the deaths of more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas run Health Ministry, displaced most of the population of 2.3 million, caused widespread hunger, and devastated housing and infrastructure. A man walking his dog views photos of people who were killed during Hamas attack on the Nova festival at the site. Credit: Getty The UN commission was denied access to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank and said Israel did not respond to six requests for information. It based its conclusions on remote interviews with survivors and witnesses, satellite imagery, forensic medical records, and open-source data. Buried in the detail are several examples when Israeli civilians may have been intentionally targeted by their own armed forces on the day thousands of armed Hamas terrorists violently attacked the Nova music festival and kibbutz settlements near the Gaza border. The investigations conclusions on this question, much of which are derived from local media, refer to a video statement by an IDF tank crew which confirms that at least one individual tank team knowingly applied the Hannibal Directive that day. Loading It adds: In a statement given to an Israeli news channel, a tank driver and commander stated that they targeted two Toyota vehicles with militants and Israelis. This occurred at point 179, close to Kibbutz Nir Oz. The commander, who believed his troops could be on the vehicles, was quoted as saying: I prefer stopping the abduction so they wont be taken, although he adds that, to his knowledge, he did not kill any soldiers. Much of the information at the centre of the Hannibal Directive accusation stems from the death of Efrat Katz, 68, some 150 metres from the Gaza border, and another 13 Israelis who were likely killed either by tank shelling or caught in the crossfire after being trapped by terrorists in the house of Pessi Cohen in Kibbutz Beeri. In their account of the Beeri incident, investigators say that about 40 terrorists brought 15 civilians, including twins Liel and Yannai Hetzroni, aged 12, into the house of Pessi Cohen, leading to a stand-off with the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit and the IDF. At 3pm, Hasan Hamduna, the terrorists leader, called the Yamam through one of the female hostages, threatening to execute all the abductees unless they were given safe passage to Gaza. At 4pm, the first large IDF contingency, led by Brigadier General Barak Hiram, arrived at the site. According to the testimony of a surviving hostage, the Yamam commandos opened fire on the terrorists while seven hostages were in the yard, trapped between them, the report says. Hamduna surrendered at 4.30pm, approaching the Israelis while using the female hostage as a human shield. He was detained and the hostage told the IDF about the 14 hostages and 40 militants still inside the house. Hamduna agreed to use a loudspeaker to tell the terrorists to surrender but an exchange of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades continued, killing two hostages in the yard. A column of Israeli military vehicles leave the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as seen from southern Israel. Credit: AP Negotiations are over At about 5.30pm, the barricaded terrorists fired an RPG at the IDF troops and, according to the survivors testimony, at around 7pm, General Hiram allegedly gave an order to fire tank shells at the house. A separate account in the New York Times in December recounted an argument between the general and a SWAT commander who thought more kidnappers might surrender. The negotiations are over, General Hiram reportedly said after the terrorists launched an RPG. Break in, even at the cost of civilian casualties. The Times and the UN report said that a tank fired two light shells at the house. After the tank finished shooting, the survivor reported hearing Israeli security forces saying: there is an injured hostage, and retrieved another woman from the house, the UN investigators wrote. The second survivor who survived the shelling told media sources that her husband had died as a result of the shelling, while she was injured by the shrapnel. The 13 others were killed, although some died in crossfire in the yard. The report refers to another media investigation that refuted some details by saying two warning shells were fired earlier in the day, followed by a decision by the IDF led by Yamam for a strike on the roof of the house that would aim to end the situation. In the case of Efrat Katz, the investigators said they had verified information indicating that at least one resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz was killed as a result of Israeli helicopter fire as she was being abducted into Gaza in a tractor cart. According to her daughters testimony to the media, an exchange of fire erupted between the terrorists and the IDF, who were trying to stop them, and Katz was killed. Military investigation Another freed hostage from the same kibbutz witnessed the incident and said she heard the sounds of a helicopter in the air and of shooting. She realised that she had been hit by the gunfire and that Efrat had been hit too. She confirmed that Efrat died on the spot as a result of the helicopter fire. The Telegraph contacted the IDF for comment. In January, the families of the victims demanded a military investigation of the soldiers actions in Kibbutz Beeri that day, due to the suspicion that some civilians were killed by the army, including tank fire. The families wrote in an open letter that they were demanding the IDF carry out an in-depth and transparent investigation of the decisions and the actions that led to this tragic outcome. An IDF general staff team began a probe into the incident and General Hiram in February, said local media reports. Loading The IDF is conducting its own probe into both its failures in the run-up to the October 7 attacks and the battles over the next three days when it fought to restore control over the communities and army bases that had been invaded by Hamas, the Times of Israel reported. HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 13, 2024 -- NASA in the Park is coming back to Big Spring Park East in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT. The event is free and open to the public. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, its partners, and collaborators will fill the park with space exhibits, music, food vendors, and hands-on activities for all ages. Marshall is teaming up with Downtown Huntsville Inc. for this unique celebration of space and the Rocket City. "NASA in the Park gives us the opportunity to bring our work outside the gates of Redstone Arsenal and thank the community for their continuing support," Marshall Director Joseph Pelfrey said. "It's the first time we've held the event since 2018, and we look forward to sharing this experience with everyone." Pelfrey will kick the event off with local leaders on the main stage. NASA speakers will spotlight topics ranging from space habitats to solar sails, and local rock band Five by Five will perform throughout the day. "NASA Marshall is leading the way in this new era of space exploration, for the benefit of all humankind," Pelfrey said. "We are proud members of the Rocket City community, which has helped us push the boundaries of science, technology, and engineering for nearly 65 years." To learn more about Marshall, visit: www.nasa.gov/marshall SOURCE NASA API: NHTSAs Final CAFE Standards Once Again Restrict Consumers Freedom to Choose SEE ALSO: Only American Motorists Should Determine Their Power Choice, Not Transient Bureaucrats Or Foreign Governments WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 The American Petroleum Institute (API) today released the following statement from Vice President of Downstream Policy Will Hupman on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) final Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year 2027-2032 passenger cars and light-duty trucks: We are deeply concerned by NHTSAs final rule released today. Once again, the Biden administration has acted to restrict Americans freedom to decide what vehicle fits their needs and budget. Combined with EPAs recently finalized tailpipe emissions standards, these rules amount to a de facto ban by the administration on the sale of new cars and trucks using liquid fuels, which can and should be a part of the solution as we look to reduce carbon emissions. We urge Congress to step in to preserve Americans access to affordable, reliable, and efficient transportation. API supports technology-neutral policies at the federal level that drive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in the transportation sector, taking a holistic all-of-the-above approach to fuels, vehicles, and infrastructure systems. Unfortunately, the final NHTSA CAFE Rule misses the mark. API represents all segments of Americas natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nations energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 14, 2024 -- Many travelers assume travel insurance is meant to cover every aspect of their trip. While it can cover many travel mishaps, all policies have common exclusions that could affect traveler's coverage. Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth , breaks down 3 of the most common policy exclusions and how they apply to travelers. Pregnancy Most travel insurance policies specifically list pregnancy as an exclusion within the cancellation and medical benefits. This means that travel complications related to a normal pregnancy, such as morning sickness, are not covered. What can be covered: Pregnant travelers can still be covered by all of their policy's benefits for a sickness or injury unrelated to their pregnancy. Intoxication While some travelers like to enjoy alcoholic beverages during their vacations, most don't understand that ordering that next drink could nullify their travel insurance coverage. In the event of a claim for an illness or injury, your provider will need medical documentation. If it shows you were under the influence, your claim will likely be denied. What can be covered: Some policies may cover medical treatment if you accidentally ingest a poisonous substance or a controlled drug, or if you experience sickness or injury resulting from medication prescribed by a physician. Mental, Nervous or Psychological Disorders Since Trip Cancellation policies cover you if you need to cancel your trip for medical reasons, many travelers assume this coverage automatically includes any health issues. Unfortunately, mental, nervous, and psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, neurosis, or phobias, are commonly excluded from travel insurance coverage. What can be covered: Some policies offer Trip Cancellation coverage in the event of hospitalization due to a mental or nervous condition if the hospitalization prevents the traveler from leaving on their trip. What Travel Insurance Does Cover Travel insurance typically provides a wide range of coverage for the most common travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations, travel delays, natural disasters, medical emergencies, medical evacuations, terrorism, and lost luggage, among others. For more details on when coverage becomes available, Squaremouth provides an in-depth look at what travel insurance covers . Available Topic Expert: Jenna Hummer is available for comment and interview. [email protected] About Squaremouth: Squaremouth.com has insured over 3 million travelers. Using Squaremouth's intuitive quoting and comparison engine, award-winning support team, and veried customer reviews, travelers can save time and money to nd the best travel insurance policy for their trip. SOURCE Squaremouth AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 14, 2024 -- The Jeep brand is celebrating the launch of its first global all-electric vehicle arriving in the U.S., the all-new, all-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition, by wrapping an image of the vehicle on the company's North America headquarters in Michigan. Drivers along Interstate 75 in Auburn Hills and Stellantis employees heading into the building won't be able to miss the all-new, all-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S, which now graces the tower of the campus. The wrap, measuring over 15,293 square feet, covers 10 floors of the tower's west side. An estimated 140,000 motorists pass the tower each day. The recently revealed Jeep Wagoneer S is scheduled to arrive first in the U.S. and Canada this fall, and later be available in markets around the world. Consumers can now visit Jeep.com to place a reservation for a Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition for only $100 and fully refundable and be the first to get behind the wheel of this new vehicle. The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition is offered exclusively as a BEV with a range of more than 300 miles on a single charge, delivering 600 horsepower, lightning-quick 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds and 617 lb.-ft of instant torque. Jeep Brand Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand that delivers legendary off-road capability, interior refinement, high-tech features and versatility to people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4x4 lineup, is filled with benefits and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand's off-road capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe into the new 4x4. All Jeep brand vehicles in North America will offer an electrified variant by 2025. Since the 19th century, British monarchs have celebrated their birthday on the second Saturday of June, regardless of their actual birth date. This year, despite his health issues, King Charles III is set to attend. However, there remains uncertainty about Kate, who is also battling cancer, and whether she will join the Windsor clan on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The Trooping the Colour Tradition Each year, Trooping the Colour offers the British public a chance to show their affection for their sovereign and the royal family. Typically, the Windsors turn out in force for this event. However, in 2024, health challenges have disrupted the usual arrangements. King Charles III, instead of riding a horse, will watch the parade on Saturday, June 15, from a carriage alongside Camilla. His daughter-in-law Kate, undergoing preventive chemotherapy, has not yet confirmed her participation. Kates Regrets and Her Commitment to Duty Already, Kate has expressed her regrets to the Irish Guards, for whom she serves as colonel, for missing the traditional rehearsal on June 8 at Horse Guards Parade. In a letter to Major General Sir Christopher J. Ghika, she wrote, Being your colonel remains a great honor, and I am deeply sorry not to be present this year. She concluded with, Please convey my apologies to the entire regiment; I hope to represent you again very soon. Best wishes for success to all members of the regiment. In her absence, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, former commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, conducted the inspection during the Colonels Review on Kates behalf. There is, however, a possibility that Kate might make a brief appearance on June 15, depending on her fatigue levels. Rumors and Hopeful Speculations According to a rumor confirmed by the Daily Mirror, Kate might make a brief appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony if she feels well enough. In March, Kate, 42, revealed she was diagnosed with cancer following abdominal surgery. Since then, she has stepped back from public duties to focus on her recovery at Adelaide Cottage, the family residence near Windsor. Kensington Palace has stated that she will wait for her doctors clearance before resuming her activities and will only make occasional appearances at royal events in the meantime. A Glimmer of Hope Recently, a close friend shared with The Sun that Kate had turned a corner in her health journey. Meanwhile, Prince William, speaking to a veteran at the D-Day commemorations last week, assured, She is starting to feel better. She would have loved to be here. We can only hope that her wish to rejoin public life comes true soon. Will we see Kate at Trooping the Colour this year? The nation watches and hopes for a glimpse of the beloved Duchess, ready to cheer her on in her courageous battle. 45 Indians victims of Kuwait building fire DUBAI/KUWAIT CITY, KUWAITI authorities have identified the bodies of 45 Indians and three Filipino nationals killed in the tragic fire incident in a building housing foreign workers in the Gulf Kingdom, a top official said on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who reached Kuwait to oversee assistance to Indians injured in the fire and to ensure early repatriation of mortal remains of those killed, met Kuwaits Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya who assured full support and vowed to promptly investigate the tragedy. At least 49 foreign workers were killed and 50 others injured in the fire on Wednesday at the seven-storey building where 196 migrant workers were staying in the southern city of Mangaf. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, serving as the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Defence, said that authorities have identified 48 bodies, among which 45 are of Indians and three are of Filipino nationality, English language daily Arab Times reported. The efforts are still underway to determine the identity of one remaining body, said the first Deputy Prime Minister. Kuwaiti authorities are conducting DNA tests on the bodies of those killed in the devastating fire incident in southern Kuwaits Mangaf area and an Indian Air Force aircraft is on standby to bring back the mortal remains of Indians killed in the incident, officials said in New Delhi on Thursday. Singh also met some of the Indians injured in the massive fire and assured them all support from the Indian Government. On the directions of PM @narendramodi ji, MoS @KVSinghMPGonda arrived in Kuwait and immediately rushed to Jaber Hospital to ascertain well-being of injured Indians in the fire incident yesterday. He met the 6 injured admitted at the hospital. All of them are safe, the Indian mission posted on X. He visited Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital in Kuwait where 7 injured Indians have been admitted. MoS ascertained their well-being & assured them of all support from GoI. He also appreciated hospital authorities, doctors and nurses for taking good care of the Indians, the mission said. 6 including 5 young women Killed in factory blast Special Correspondent SIX workers, including five young women, were killed and six others were injured, three of them seriously, when a blast occurred at the plant of Chamundi Explosives Pvt Ltd at village Dhamna (Turagondi) in Hingna area on Amravati Road, Thursday afternoon. The deceased have been identified as Pranjali Kisan Modre (22), Prachi Shrikant Falke (20), Vaishali Anandrao Kshirsagar (20), all residents of Dhamna, Monali Shankarrao Aloney (27), a resident of Neri, Sheetal Ashish Chatap (3) and Pannalal Bandewar (50), both residents of Satnawri. Injured Shraddha Vanraj Patil (22), Pramod Chaware (25) Dansa Maraskolhe (26) and three others were rushed to Mayo Hospital. One of the victims was taken to Dande Hospital, Ravi Nagar. Around 12.25 pm, the villagers were jolted by a deafening blast audible for several kilometres in the area. The impact of the blast was so intense that the roof of the factory was in tatters and tremors were felt by villagers. Locals, who rushed to the factory in the aftermath of the explosion, were shocked to find the charred bodies of the workers. Soon after receiving information about the tragedy, staff from Hingna and Wadi Police Stations arrived at the spot. A team of firefighters along with fire engines also arrived. Cops sent the bodies to Mayo Hospital for autopsy. The injured were also rushed to Mayo Hospital and Dande Hospital in Ravi Nagar. The death toll is likely to increase. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal, Joint Commissioner of Police Aswati Dorje, Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) Shivajirao Rathod, Deputy Commissioner Police (Zone-I) Anurag Jain visited the spot to supervise the probe. Initial investigation revealed that the explosion occurred when the workers were packing the explosives. What triggered the blast could not be ascertained till the filing of this report. The company which started its business in May 1987 is engaged in manufacture of explosives, ammunition and fireworks. Headed by managing director Shivshankar Khemka, the company allegedly had taken no safety measures for the workers. Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was among the first to reach the spot and take stock of the situation. Deshmukh, who is the NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader said that the owner and the manager of the factory escaped from the spot. There was no ambulance inside the unit. The people had to approach other authorities to get the ambulance and take the injured to the hospital, he added. Speaking to mediapersons, Commissioner of Police Dr Singal said that firecrackers stocked in the unit were completely gutted in the blaze and the subsequent explosion left six persons dead. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the fire broke out probably from the microchord of the fire crackers, he added. The top cop said, an in-depth probe was on to ascertain the exact cause behind the incident and check whether all protocols like storage of explosives in a licensed magazine, trained personnel present during access of the storage magazine, were followed or not. Appropriate action would be initiated only after the investigation was over, he added. A team of experts from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is likely to visit the spot for inspection. All 4 gates of Puri Jagannath temple reopened for devotees BHUBANESWAR, ALL FOUR gates of Jagannath temple in Puri were reopened for devotees on Thursday morning in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his Council of Ministers. The three gates of the 12th century shrine, which were closed since COVID-19 pandemic, were reopened after the Mangal Alati ritual of Lord Jagannath. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in Odisha on Thursday fulfilled one of its poll promises by throwing open all four entrance gates of Puris Jagannath Temple for devotees. The Chief Minister, his two deputies, ministers, several BJP MPs and party leaders visited the temple and offered prayers before Lord Jagannath. They also conducted a parikrama around the temple complex. After the oath-taking ceremony, the BJP Government had on Wednesday evening taken its first decision to reopen all four gates of the temple. Today, the gates were reopened at 6.30 am after the Mangal Alati ritual, Majhi said. The Government will closely monitor the situation and take necessary steps, if required, to streamline the flow of devotees to the shrine, the Chief Minister said. He said the Odisha Government has also decided to set up a Rs 500 crore corpus fund for better management of the temple. Fact-finding team visits site Staff Reporter RAIPUR, A seven-member fact finding team for the damage of Jaitkhambh, led by its Convener Dr Shiv Kumar Dahariya, visited the incident spot at Mahkoni village in Balodabazar district on Thursday. The fact-finding team has been constituted by Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC). Former Minister Dr Shiv Kumar Dahariya, Bilaigarh MLA Kavita Pranlahre, Pamgarh MLA Sheshram Harbansh, Bindranawagarh MLA Janak Ram Dhruv, former MLA Padma Manhar, Congress leader Shailesh Nitin Trivedi and Balodabazar District President Hitendra Thakur visited the spot. The members interacted with the local people. The team will submit its report to the CPCC. It may be mentioned that government offices were vandalized and vehicles were set on fire during the protest in Balodabazar town on Monday. CONGRESS DELEGATION TO VISIT BALODABAZAR INCIDENT SPOT TODAY: A delegation of Chhattisgarh Congress will visit the incident spot in Balodabazar on Friday. It may be mentioned that the protest had vandalized the government offices in Balodabazar town on Monday. Senior Congress leaders, Congress MLAs and office-bearers of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee will leave for Balodabazar at 11 am from the state Congress party headquarters Rajiv Bhawan on Friday. The Congress delegation will visit the incident spot. Gadkari arrives in city to rousing welcome Staff Reporter People of Nagpur are my family, and their love is what I earned throughout my life. Any leader who gets peoples love should take it as an honour. With the energy of this love I shall work with more enthusiasm and try to fulfill peoples dreams, expressed Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari was speaking to mediapersons at Nagpurs Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport on Thursday evening. He arrived after taking oath as Union Minister. He will be handling the same portfolio of Road Transport which he got in 2014. Gadkari registered third victory in a row from Nagpur Lok Sabha. God save our noble lakes! By Naman Atolia There is a popular saying in the city which says, Taalon me taal Bhopal ka taal baki sab talaiya hai (If there exists a lake anywhere in true sense, it is in Bhopal). Though there is a common consensus among the citizens of the city on this saying but what will happen if there will be no lakes to boast of about the water bodies of the city. The lakes of the city are suffering and the number is surprising in its way as the situation is almost same at every water body of the city. Looking at the pity conditions of water bodies, it seems that the attack on the bodies is multi dimensional where the domains of these dimensions include filth, eutrophication and what not. Aggravating these grave issues is the red tapism and the negligence of the concerned authorities. Notably, the Government has introduced the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) 2.0 which aims to revive the water bodies of the state and country and to make proper arrangements for the sewage disposal in the city. We have made proper strategy for the sewage disposal in the lakes under AMRUT 2.0 mission and will be ruled out soon. Additional Commissioner of Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), Nidhi Singh told The Hitavada which was also reiterated by Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan who too, stressed on the rejuvenation mission for the redressal of the issue. When The Hitavada confronted the commissioner over the mission and asked that the scheme has not been ruled out till now and in the dearth of any proper sewage management and the onset of monsoon, the objective of the scheme will be failed. he accepted the point and said, Yes there is a long way to go over the issue but things will be done through a proper process and no one cant do anything over the matter. Significantly, the process of implementation includes tender filing and finalisation which itself is a lengthy process and it is feared that as the fresh drizzles of the monsoon will pour over the contaminated water of the lakes, the efforts made till now will become null and void. The prestigious Bhoj Wetlands which hold the distinction of being a Ramsar site is no exception over the issue. In the second day of the ongoing Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav along with some members of state council of ministers and office bearers of the corporation, had extended his hand for cleaning the parts of Lower lake but no difference can be observed at the place. The lake still resembles itself as an aquatic garbage heap with narrow currents of sewage water flowing into the river. The river water has become green which is a result of eutrophication and other environmental phenomenon. World lake database by International Lake Environment Committee has also made similar observations over the lake but it seems that the blind eye of the authorities will only open on an aquatic apocalypse of the bodies. Even the majestic Upper Lake or Bhojtal along with the Lower Lake which is home and provides support to 700 species of flora and 150 species of fauna seems like extinct from certain stretches. At Bhadbada, though the district administration made haste over the demolishing the houses of the illegal residents of the area on the grounds of environmental concerns but has somewhat forget to actually take care of the environment. The lake is stinking and the filth and waste can be witnessed from a naked eye at the spot. Staff Reporter To enhance intra-state air connectivity, first ever intra-state air service connecting eight major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav inaugurated the STate Governmens ambitious PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva on Thursday. The first flight of the air service started from Bhopal. The air taxi landed at Dumna Airport in Jabalpur at around 10.15 am and was welcomed with a water cannon salute. After a brief halt, the flight departed from Jabalpur to Rewa. Later, air taxi proceeded from Rewa to Singrauli. This is the first opportunity when Jabalpur is benefiting from air connectivity to Rewa and Singrauli. It was a historic day for the people of Mahakoshal and Vindhya region as on the day, air connectivity between Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa and Singrauli has been provided by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav by flagging off first flight from Bhopal airport. He also handed out boarding passes to the passengers boarding this flight. Prior to the programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated the ticket booking counter. With the service, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Rewa, Khajuraho and Singrauli have been connected to each other. Two aircrafts will operate in these cities. There will be a 50 per cent discount for initial 30 days. On reaching Dumna Airport on Thursday, a grand welcome was given to the air taxi. For the first time, the flight arrived in Jabalpur with six passengers, including pilot and co-pilot, was greeted with a water cannon salute. After a brief stop in Jabalpur, the flight departed for Rewa, which was flagged off by State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh in presence of a number of public representatives and senior administrative and police officials. The flight departed for Rewa with four passengers from Jabalpur. Under the service, flights will operate from Rewa to Indore, Jabalpur and Bhopal on Mondays and Thursdays. From Gwalior, flights will operate on Tuesdays for Indore and Bhopal and on Saturdays for Ujjain. From Ujjain, flights will operate on Tuesdays for Indore, Bhopal and Gwalior, on Wednesdays for Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur and on Sundays for Indore and Bhopal. From Khajuraho, flights will operate only on Fridays for Bhopal and Jabalpur. The air service will connect 8 major cities of the State. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will start air service from Gwalior on June 15 and then from Ujjain on June 16. Interested people can obtain offers, schedules and fare-related information on www.flyola.in. Jeweller lootedof valuablesworth Rs 40 lakh The Hitavada State Bureau Raipur/Kondagaon, Some unidentified masked robbers looted jewellery worth around Rs 40 lakh from a jeweler attending weekly market in Bayanar at Kondagoan. The incident occurred while the victim jeweler was keeping the box containing gold and silver ornaments in his car. It was reported that the robbers were keeping an eye on the jeweler and on getting appropriate opportunity they committed the loot and fled on their motorcycle. Notably, merely 24 hours ago, a paddy broker in Kharora at Raipur was similarly robbed of Rs 27 lakh by two bike borne men. Reliable sources informed that the victim jeweler Rakesh Jain is a resident of Kondagaon. On Tuesday, Rakesh had gone to Bayanar to sell jewelry in the weekly market organized there. The robbers were reportedly keeping an eye on him and as the victim kept the box containing jewelry in his car before leaving in the evening, three bike-borne youths came there and fled after taking away the box. The victim jeweler then rushed to the police station and lodged a complaint in this regard. Bayanar Police Station In-charge Roshan Kaushik said that they have taken cognizance of the matter. The jeweler has told about being robbed of his jewelry box. The cost of the robbed ornaments will be ascertained only after investigations, said the In-charge while adding that the accused will be arrested soon. Martyr Kabir Das Uike laid to rest with State honours Our Correspondent CHHINDWARA, CRPF Jawan Kabir Das Uike, martyred in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, was cremated with State honours. CRPF jawans saluted him and gave a guard of honour. After this, martyr Kabir was buried in the field behind his house according to the tribal tradition. A memorial will be built here. Earlier, the mortal remains were first brought to Nagpur by air on Thursday morning. From here it was taken to his native village Pulpuldoh (Marjatpur) by road. People climbed on the roofs of houses to see his last journey and paid tributes. CRPF IG Sukhbir Singh Sodhi and DIG, Neetu Singh were also present at the time of the funeral. Chhindwara Collector Sheelendra Singh and SP Manish Khatri were also present. There was a terrorist attack in Saida Sukhal village in Hiranagar of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir at 8 pm on Tuesday night. CRPF constable Kabir Das was injured by a bullet. He breathed his last during treatment on Wednesday morning. CRPF jawans gave guard of honour to martyr Kabir Das. The tricolour with which Kabirs body was brought was presented to his family members. Everyone got emotional after seeing this scene. Martyr Kabirs father-in-law Mohan Lal Parte is in the Special Armed Forces. He was posted on duty in Jabalpur, when he got the news of his son-in-laws martyrdom. Mohan Lal said, whenever I spoke to Kabir, he used to say yes papa and laugh. Kabirs wife Mamta is the only daughter of Mohan Lal. When the body of martyred soldier Kabir Uike, a resident of Pulpuldoh village of the district, reached his village, the entire village gathered to pay tributes and stand with the family. On the way, a large number of people paid tribute by showering flowers. As a representative of the State Government, PHE Minister Sampatiya Uike and MP,Vivek Bunty Sahu reached the house of martyr Kabir and paid tribute. Former MLA of Chaurai, Pandit Ramesh Dubey also paid tributes. Nagpurians lost Rs 732.88 crore in 52 months ineconomic offences By Kartik Lokhande The number of economic offences are increasing in the city since 2020. And, Nagpurians have lost a whopping Rs 732.88 crore in economic offences in slightly over four years. The statistics provided by City Police in response to an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act by a city-based activist, makes this shocking revelation. Going by the statistical data, around 44-45 cases of economic offences are registered in the city per month. It means, more than one case per day! As far as the amount involved in these cases is concerned, Nagpurians are losing over Rs 14.09 crore per month, on an average. It translates to over Rs 46 lakh per day! In the past few years, with the advancement of technology, economic offences are on the rise in Nagpur city and nearby areas. Economic offences comprise various matters including criminal breach of trust, forgery, cheating, fraud, counterfeiting etc. As per the data provided by City Police to city-based RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar, there has been steady rise in the number of economic offences since 2020. While the number of economic offences cases was 457 in 2020, it rose to 660 in 2023. In the first four months of the current year, 233 such cases have been registered. These many cases involved a whopping Rs 732,88,64,958/-. Though the duration since January 2020 to April 2024 (which Kolarkar sought information for), saw Nagpurians losing this huge amount, the highest amount involved was Rs 287.80 crore in 2023. Of total 2,338 cases registered since January 2020 to April 2024, the amount involved in 157 cases was more than Rs 50 lakh! Though more than 450 cases were registered every year since 2020, the number of convictions has been very dismal. In 2020, total 457 cases were registered but only one conviction was reported. Similarly, in 2021, only six convictions were reported though the number of cases registered rose to 488. Total 500 cases were registered in 2022, and only three convictions were reported the same year. In 2023, total 660 cases were registered. But, only five convictions were reported. The number of convictions reflected the convictions in old cases (registered earlier). As against total 15 convictions during the period for which Kolarkar sought information from City Police, there were 250 acquittals. The number of acquittals is over 16 times the number of convictions, when it comes to economic offences! The highest number of acquittals was 68, reported in 2022. It was followed by 65 acquittals in 2023, which was also the year when the highest number of cases and amount involved were reported. It is not that the cops were not able to detect the economic offences cases. As against total 2,338 cases registered, 1,521 were cracked. The detection was slightly over 65% as compared to cases registered. Naidu 4.0 will be about performance: Andhra Pradesh CM TIRUPATI, ANDHRA Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here on Thursday that people had seen his three versions in the past, and will see his 4.0 avatar which will be about performance. Naidu took oath as the CM for the fourth time at Kesarapalle on Wednesday. You have seen 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, now you have come to 4.0 and you will see. Thats why I am appealing to all of you, including officials, employees and political activists, we have suffered losses (past five years) and we have to recover. Let us all work together and go ahead, Naidu told reporters. Announcing that the peoples Government has started, he said in the past five years the State had regressed and added that he would work to see the State regain its glory. However, he predicted that by 2047, India will be in first or second position in the world and wished to see Telugu people on top. My vision for 2047...Telugu people should be number one in the world. Poverty removal should be done as soon as possible. Zero-poverty State. Andhra Pradesh has to be the number one State. Telangana should also do good. I will be an elder to the Telugu community, not for 50 per cent or 30 per cent of them, he said. Following his visit to the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirumala along with his family, the CM said cleansing of the system will start from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). TTD is the official custodian of the Lord Venkateswara temple. According to Naidu, Lord Venkateswara is their family deity and he always prays to Lord Venkateswara for a moment before undertaking any work. After I wake up, I pray briefly to Venkateswara Swamy for the prosperity of the State. Nowadays, I make a simple prayer for India to be numero uno in the world. Also among Indians, Telugu people should be on top, he said. Though it is important to create wealth, Naidu said it should also go to the poor, without being concentrated only in a few hands and there should be a poverty-less society. Further, he said the Government will initiate a plan to build Sri Venkateswara Swamy temples across the world. Naidu also said a Chief Minister doesnt belong to any single person but to all the five crore people in Andhra Pradesh. Earlier in the morning, he offered prayers at the Sri Venkateswara temple at nearby Tirumala, accompanied by family members. Naidus son and cabinet member Nara Lokesh also accompanied him. He was accorded a traditional welcome by the authorities and priests and offered theertham (sacred water) and prasadam. Following the visit, the CM is scheduled to return to Amaravati to assume office at the secretariat at 4:41 pm. Later, he will clear several files such as the mega DSC (teacher recruitment), revocation of the Land Titling Act and increase of welfare pensions to Rs 4,000 per month. He is also expected to clear files on reviving Anna Canteens and skills census. PM: Deploy full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities NEW DELHI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday directed the officials to deploy a full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities after chairing a review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, in the wake of multiple terror attacks in the last four days. The topmost security officials including National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval attended the security review meeting and gave the Prime Minister a full overview of the security-related situation in the Union Territory. Prime Minister was apprised of the counter-terror measures undertaken by the security forces. He was also briefed about the Armys strategies and operations for neutralising the terrorists. PM Modi directed the officials to deploy and utilise the full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities. Besides the review meeting, PM Modi also spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the deployment of security forces and how the forces were executing counter-terror operations. Prime Minister also spoke to Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha and took stock of the ground situation. MASSIVE SEARCH OPERATIONS CONTINUE IN J&K: Massive search operations continued on Thursday in forest belts of different districts of Jammu and Kashmir to track down and neutralise terrorists involved in recent attacks in the Union Territory, officials said. Police joined the paramilitary forces in searches in the Narwal bypass area on the outskirts of Jammu after a woman reported suspicious movement of two persons, they said. Terrorists struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts over the past four days, killing nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan and leaving seven security personnel and several others injured. Two suspected Pakistani terrorists were also killed in an encounter with security forces in Kathua and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from them. The officials said Army, police and paramilitary forces resumed search operations in the morning in Kota top in Gandoh, Chattagalla and adjoining areas in Doda district where seven security personnel, including two policemen, were injured in separate gunfights with terrorists on Tuesday and Wednesday. Police arrest 83 persons; rebuilding of composite building in full pace Staff Reporter RAIPUR, After removing the Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) following the violence in Baloda bazar, the Government has started taking strict action against the rioters. Those who caused the disturbance and set fire to the Collector and SP offices are being systematically apprehended. The police are continuously using video footage and rigorously interrogating detained individuals to identify and apprehend others involved in the arson and vandalism. According to police information, 83 people have been sent to jail so far, and others in custody are being questioned. Their identification was based on video footage. After interrogation and investigation, 200 people have been detained, and around 500 more are being sought. Home Minister Vijay Sharma stated that the violence was orchestrated. A beautiful building was set on fire, but what was achieved by this? He mentioned that the rioters would be made to compensate for the damage. According to reports, revenue records were not burned, but police records were destroyed along with police setup records. The history of criminals has been turned to ashes, including a 12-year-old daily log. A Congress investigation team will visit Balodabazar for further inquiry on Friday. According to Baloda bazar police, most of the SP office was engulfed in flames during the arson incident. The record room suffered the most damage, with 90% of the logs from seven police stations and four outposts burned. All criminal records stored at the SP office were reduced to ashes. According to Balodabazar police, documents in the Reader Room, DSB, DRB branch, Steno Room, and OM branch of the SP office were burned. Additionally, computers in the Steno and Reader Room were also destroyed. Police stated that many documents were also damaged by water used to extinguish the fire. The police are sorting through the soaked documents to retain those that are still intact. The hard disks of the burned computers are also being examined. It is noteworthy that copies of FIRs or other records prepared at police stations are sent to the SP and IG offices. Efforts are underway to recover the burned and damaged documents from the respective police stations and contact the IG office. A forensic expert team from Raipur reached Balodabazar on Tuesday to investigate the arson incident. The team was trying to determine what kind of inflammable substances, along with petrol, were used by the rioters to set fire to the Collectorate and SP buildings. They are also investigating the cause of the fire spread. Newly appointed Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal visited the Collectorate office to boost the morale of the employees. He met with Public Works Department workers on-site and took security-related information from the Home Guard stationed in the guard room. During the conversation, he immediately called the Additional Collector to increase the number of guards. Vijay Agrawal inspected various sections around the complex and checked on the police personnel on duty. He instructed that no unknown person should be allowed entry at night without an ID card. It is noteworthy that after the vandalism and arson by antisocial elements on June 10, the renovation of the Collectorate building is underway. Officers, employees, and workers are deployed 24 hours. The interior renovation of various branches of the SP office and the excise department, which suffered the most damage, is progressing rapidly. Along with listing documents, efforts are being made to quickly restore office functions. The interior decoration of the SP chamber in the SP office is complete. To expedite the exterior renovation of the building, senior officials from the Public Works Department and other related departments are personally overseeing the work. Efforts are being made to complete the renovation of the Collectorate building as quickly as possible using sufficient human resources and necessary machinery. Almost all offices operating in the joint district office building have resumed normal operations, and daily office work is running smoothly. SP Vijay Agrawal inspected the SP office to assess the damage caused by the incident. He stated that he has joined as the office following state government orders. After taking charge, he discussed the entire incident with his colleagues to gather complete information. Sunetra Pawar elected to RS unopposed MUMBAI, NCP chief Ajit Pawars wife Sunetra Pawar, who was defeated by Sharad Pawars daughter Supriya Sule from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, has been elected to the Rajya Sabha unopposed. Thursday was the last day for filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha bypoll slated for June 25. As Sunetra Pawar was the sole candidate who filed the nomination, she was elected to the Upper House unopposed. The Election Commission will issue a formal notification in this regard on June 18, the last date for withdrawing nomination. With her election, Baramati will now have three MPs -- Sunetra Pawar and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar in the Rajya Sabha, and Supriya Sule in the Lok Sabha. The by-election was necessitated after NCP MP Praful Patel resigned from the Upper House. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) did not nominate its nominee due to the paucity of numbers. Strongly defending the partys move to nominate her, Sunetra Pawar said, The decision was unanimous for which I thank NCP President Ajit Pawar, and party leaders and officer-bearers. Asked if the NCP is now restricted only to Ajit Pawars family, Sunetra Pawar said, The decision on my candidature was taken by all the senior leaders of the party. Senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal and other party leaders were present when I filed my nomination. So I can clearly say that there is no resentment in the party. There was a demand from the people for my candidature. Many activists and office-bearers also raised the demand. But I requested our party workers not to insist on my candidature. But they wanted me as the candidate, so the party took this decision. When asked if her son Parth Pawar was also interested in a Rajya Sabha seat, Sunetra Pawar said, It was Parth who insisted that I should be the partys official nominee for the Rajya Sabha. Terror Attacks In J&K By General M K das WE MUST fight terrorism as if theres no peace and work to achieve peace as if theres no terror. There has been a series of terror attacks in the Jammu region since June 9, 2024 onwards. Coinciding with the swearing in of Modi 3.0 Government, with heads of States from the immediate neighbourhood around, the attacks are aimed at gaining moral ascendency over the public in general and the security forces in particular. While the post-mortem of how such events happened would continue, the aim of this piece is to suggest how to tackle the situation on ground. Jammu and Kashmir has two administrative divisions: Kashmir Division in the north and Jammu Division in the South. Jammu Division comprises of the districts of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Ramban, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar. Except in the south, most of the terrain is hilly or mountainous. There is considerable number of wooded areas and dense forests with thick vegetation. Separated from the PoK with the LoC, infiltration by small group of terrorists is feasible. In short, the Jammu Division, popularly called Jammu Region lends itself to terrorism throughout the year. It may be noted that a large number of splinter terror groups have also mushroomed across the LoC. Fight against terrorism has to remain dynamic and nimble. First and foremost is to revive and reinvent human intelligence about them. Over a period of time, Intelligence sources become stale, are employed by multiple security agencies and at times also act as double agents. The terrorists are not using mobiles, satellite phones, Internet etc. and therefore technical intelligence about them has virtually dried up. It is critical to recruit new sources right from the border villages to towns and cities. A lot of money is required to be pumped in to establish a foolproof intelligence grid afresh. Next immediate step is to develop coordination and synergy amongst the security and intelligence agencies. There is lot of one-upmanship amongst the agencies to take the credit and at many times intelligence is not shared truthfully. This malaise in the fight against terror must cease forthwith. If necessary, then some heads should roll if the response doesnt become fully cooperative. With multi-tiered anti-terrorism grid, complete synergy is essential to neutralise the terrorists. Then the security agencies have to identify and locate the ecosystem that supports and nourishes the network of terrorism. Over a period of time, the inimical forces employ a network of individuals who act as sympathisers and overground workers. These could be a rustic villager to a white-collar professional. Pakistan has invested in students, teachers, doctors, engineers and Government employees to provide logistics and act as their eyes & ears to spread the tentacle of terrorism. Recently, Governor of J&K terminated the services of four State Government employees on charges of indulging in anti-national activities. It is also important for the security forces to get rid of something called Fortress Mentality. When a large number of security forces, be it Army units, Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF, BSF and Police establish anti- terrorism grid, they perforce are camped in posts or picquets. Over a period of time, these posts get fortified with sentry posts, bunkers, barbed wire, watch towers etc. and considerable manpower gets consumed in the perimeter security. The troops get into the false comfort zone and tend to ignore the basic drill of area domination. The anti-terrorism operations require serious foot soldiering through physical presence in the entire area of operations. It has been found that such fortress mentality gets ingrained during relative phases of peace or no untoward activity. The forces have to remember that anti-terrorism operations are not classical tit for tat actions. For example, if a group of militants are successful in causing a terror attack, say against a bus carrying pilgrims, then all agencies should not get into a wild goose chase of the suspected terrorists. While the suspected terrorists have to be neutralised, it can not be at the cost of diluting the anti-terrorism grid. Additional troops or reserves may have to be utilised but invariably they take much more time to get acclimatised to the new conditions. The terrorists operate in small groups of 3-5 at a time and one of their aims is to confuse the security forces by attacking multiple targets one after another. The security agencies have well prepared contingency plans and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be followed in such adverse situations. Terrorists have also exploited technology to their advantage. A huge quantity of arms & ammunition has been dropped through drones, both in Punjab and in the Jammu region. Some of it has been intercepted but we have inputs of China assisting Pakistan in conducting drone sorties. We have made some headway in our anti- drone operations but much more needs to be done. Along with strong action against the local supporters, every effort should be made to reduce the fighting capability of a terrorist and box them in a particular area for quick neutralisation. The recent attacks are also disturbing because the local public has been found wanting in the fight against terrorism. The centre of gravity in such operations is common people which the terrorists want to target. Without public awareness and continuous sensitisation, the terrorists always sneak in. Right from the villages, all citizens should have the ability to sense any unusual activity and suspicious movement. A lot of security concerns are addressed through village defence groups. Essentially, a security consciousness amongst the citizens prevents a terrorist strike. Local press, electronic and social media also play a crucial role. The terrorists have become smart and they do not pose their bravado on the social media. During my military career, I found the local journalists highly informed about the terror situation. Some of them became my sources later. A general sense can easily be made through them. Another important link is the ex-servicemen living in the region. They also provide valuable information. With impending Amarnath Yatra and the Assembly elections, the terrorists and their backers would like to ignite the Jammu region to further tie down Indian security forces and intelligence agencies. A comprehensive and coordinated fight against terror would thwart the evil designs of the sponsors of terrorism. (Lt General MK Das, PVSM, SM**, VSM (Retd)) The cockroach theory BY SONALI TUMBDE IN A famous restaurant which was crowded with food lovers, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear which is quite natural all the womenfolk would agree. With a panic-stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky. The lady somehow managed to push the cockroach away but it landed on another lady in the group. She too started yelling on the top of her voice. It was total chaos in that otherwise cosy and comfortable room of the restaurant. People who were near to the ladys table had got disturbed due to this drama and others who were a little away were passively witnessing whatever was going on there. A dutiful waiter could not resist himself to rush forward for rescue and in the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm and observed the behaviour of the cockroach on his shirt. When he became confident enough of his ability to get control over the creature, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant. The ladies took a sigh of relief and everything came back to normal within no time. Sundar Pichai, senior Vice President of Google Chrome Apps was sipping his coffee in the same room and watching the whole incident like many other customers who were present in that room. While the rest of the customers took it to be a usual episode with not so rare occurrence, Sundar Pichai kept pondering over the incident and his out of the box interpretations led to the birth of COCKROACH THEORY. He questioned to himself, Was cockroach the only one to be held responsible for the histrionic behaviour and panic which occurred in this hotel room? If yes, then why and how did the waiter manage to remain undisturbed? What made the waiter handle the situation with so much ease while the other two ladies shrieked and lost their calmness seeing the creepy crawlie? He further thought about more such incidences in day to day life when we as human beings loose our calm and concluded that it is not the problem but our reaction to the problem which creates disorder in our lives. Indeed! It is so true. Be it the taunts from a mother-in-law to her not so liked daughter-in-law. In reality, it is not these taunts or hurdles or shoutings which spoil our peace but our own inability to handle the disturbances caused by them. I wish we all apply the cockroach theory to understand our own life in a better way. Villagers, forest team rescue tiger cub stuck in swamp in Chitrakoot Our Correspondent Chitrakoot, Villagers and forest team rescued a tiger cub after it was stuck in swamp of Chithara dam in Majhgavaon range, Chitrakoot area. Then the forest employees took help of the villagers to take out the cub from swamp. After being rescued, the cub could roaring but was unable to walk. After the rescue operation, the cub was brought to the Rest House of Forest Department at Majhgavaon. Then, Dr Rajesh Tomar from Mukundpur Zoo and team of Veterinary doctors started treatment of the cub. Even after 24 hours, the cub is in semi-conscious state. Dr Rajesh Tomar said that after treatment the cub is not showing good recovery hence samples have been sent to Jabalpur. After reports are received it will be clear as to what happened with the cub. As condition of the cub is not good hence it cannot be taken to any other place. If the cub has infection it can spread to other animals hence it cannot be taken to Mukundpur Zoo also. Phone consultation of senior doctors is being taken for treatment of the cub. All possible steps are being taken in treatment of the cub so that it responds to the treatment. DFO Vipin Patel, DDFO Abhishek Tiwari are closely monitoring the cub. "Speculation": RSS sources on talk of 'rift' with BJP after chief's remarks | New Delhi, Jun 14: The RSS on Friday sought to quell the suggestions of its rift with the BJP and that Mohan Bhagwat's recent critical references related to the Lok Sabha polls were aimed at the ruling party, insisting that such claims are just speculation meant to create confusion. RSS sources also noted that their organisation's three-day annual coordination meeting with its affiliates, including the BJP, is scheduled to be held in Palakkad district of Kerala starting August 31. Senior BJP leaders, including its president, are expected to attend the meeting, the first such exercise after the recent polls. "There is no rift between the RSS and the BJP," the RSS sources said, amid the assertion by a section of people, including the opposition leaders, that Mr Bhagwat's remarks, including that "a true sevak is never arrogant", were a message to the BJP leadership following its below-par performance in the polls. "There was not much difference in his (Mr Bhagwat's) speech from what he had given after the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Any address is bound to make a reference to an event as important as national elections. "But it was misinterpreted and taken out of context to create confusion. His 'arrogance' remark was never directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any BJP leader," the sources said. In his speech, Mr Bhagwat had on Monday expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year, criticised the common discourse during the polls and called for moving on instead of unnecessary discussion on the what and how of the elections after they were over and the results were out. The opposition leaders had seized on his remarks to take a swipe at the BJP and PM Modi. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had said, "If not the 'one-third' Prime Minister's conscience or the repeated demands of the people of Manipur, perhaps Mr. Bhagwat can prevail upon the former RSS office-bearer to go to Manipur." Such claims by the opposition leaders are nothing but politics meant to spread confusion, the RSS sources said. They also dissociated the Hindutva organisation, considered the ideological mentor of the BJP, from its national executive member Indresh Kumar's swipe at the party over its poll performance, saying "Lord Ram stopped those who had become arrogant at 241". PTI Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has directed H K Dwivedi, former chief secretary and now an advisor to her to initiate an inquiry to probe alleged distribution of government lands in the Rajarhat-New Town area, under HIDCO (Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation) during the regime of Debashis Sen as chairman of the corporation. Miss Banerjees directive to conduct the inquiry involving Mr Sen, a former bureaucrat who was once reportedly a favoured officer to her, has raised eyebrows among senior IAS officers in the state. While holding an administrative review meeting with chief secretary B P Gopalika, secretaries of different departments, from home, finance, health etc, IPS officers, including director general of police (DGP) and districts magistrates at the state secretariat Nabanna on Tuesday she raised the issue of government lands in Rajarhat-New Town areas. Advertisement Miss Banerjee directed Mr Dwivedi, who has been rehabilitated also as vice-chairman of the HIDCO after his retirement, to probe how many agencies have been given lands in the Rajarhat-New Town areas when Mr Sen was the CMD of HIDCO. The chief minister has asked Mr Dwivedi to make on-the-spot visits to Rajarhat-New Town areas to inspect the condition of government lands given to private entrepreneurs instead of sitting at the CMO at Nabanna, sources in the state secretariat said. She also asked Mr Dwivedi to look into the status of lands leased out to private companies and whether all legal processes were followed when the lands were handed over to them. Recently, serious allegations of nepotism were brought against Mr Sen, who reportedly, violating rules and regulations of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) had approved his relative to use a big plot of government land in the NKDA area for Durga Puja celebration. Besides the alleged irregularities in connection with leasing out of government lands to private companies, there are other allegations like handing over most of the government housing projects in the New Town area to private developers during his long stint as a HIDCO chairman. Sources in the HIDCO also alleged that no fresh engineers and officers in senior posts were recruited during his tenure. Several retired engineers and officers of HIDCO were rehabilitated every year on contractual basis in the organization when he was the chairman. Some senior bureaucrats said Mr Sen was given extension as HIDCO chairman for about four times after his retirement as he was very close to the chief minister. Mr Sen was not available for comment. He did not respond to WhatsApp messages sent to him by this correspondent and did not take calls made to him. With the protest surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) growing louder, eminent city doctor Kunal Sarkar demanded an audit of the results declared this year. The NEET results were declared on 4 June and as many as 67 students obtained full marks, 720, which is said to be unprecedented in the history of the National Testing Agency. With six aspirants from the same centre figuring in the list, it raised suspicions about irregularities. Scores of students have been protesting in various parts of the country since then seeking a probe into alleged irregularities. Dr Sarkar was speaking during a press conference highlighting the plight of the NEET aspirants. He demanded that a thorough audit of the entire current year result process be conducted to find out the alleged anomalies in the system. According to Dr Sarkar, this could be one of the ways to help in solving the problem of about 23 lakh aspirants, who are staring at their uncertain future. To solve the problems, we need to know them first. To know the issues, a thorough investigation or audit needs to be done, in a time-bound manner while keeping the counselling and admission process on hold, claimed Dr Sarkar. According to the noted cardiothoracic surgeon, relevant steps need to be taken to solve the problem based on the findings. Advertisement Reiterating the time consuming process involved in the legal path, Mr Sarkar also demanded that the help be provided to the aspirants in West Bengal by the state government to follow the legal path. Echoing the concerns of Dr Sarkar, doctor Arkadeep Biswas demanded fair investigation into the matter so that only eligible and deserving candidates achieve success in the medical field. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Thursday, told officials to work towards achieving the target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis in villages ahead of the three-year deadline as part of a stepped-up action plan. The Minister directed senior officials to take strong steps to strengthen womens Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas. Chouhan, who is also the Agriculture Minister, said that he will soon hold a meeting with Rural Development Ministers of states to give impetus to the Lakhpati Didi initiative and discuss with Chief Ministers to sort out issues, if any. Advertisement Chouhan appreciated the efforts under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and called upon the need for strengthening branding and marketing efforts for sale of products made by womens SHGs. Chouhan observed that these women once considered un-bankable were the lakhpatis of tomorrow and SHGs were well poised to solve the decadal problem of rural credit a true example of women-led development. The Minister was informed that during FY 2023-24, banks disbursed credit worth Rs 2,06,636 crore to over 56 lakh women SHG. This represented a five-fold increase in the number of SHGs annually credit linked and a nearly ten-fold jump in annual credit disbursement during the past 10 years. Reviewing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the Minister observed that the scheme has been instrumental in changing the face of rural India and needs to be carried forward to facilitate the attainment of Viksit Bharat. He directed that efforts should be oriented towards facilitating connectivity of 100 per cent rural habitations with all-weather roads. He appreciated the new measures taken for quality assurance of rural roads and desired that these be enhanced at all levels. Chouhan also called for more coordination with the states for improving rural road maintenance in their entire design life. He directed that further measures be taken to strengthen the involvement of public representatives in the programme. Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan, Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh and other senior officials were also present during the meeting. The Central governments Department of Food and Public Distribution is keeping a close watch on the price of wheat and has sufficient stocks of the cereal which can be released to cool down the market in case the price starts moving up, according to a statement issued on Thursday. Besides, the government is ready with an action plan to ensure that there is no hoarding by unscrupulous elements to drive up prices. During the ongoing rabi marketing season this year, production of 112 million tonnes of wheat. Food Corporation of India (FCI) has procured approximately 266 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat till June 11 during the current marketing season. Advertisement After meeting the requirement for the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other welfare schemes, which is approximately 184 lakh metric tonnes, sufficient stock of wheat will be available to undertake market interventions, as and when required, the Food Department said. Buffer stocking norms vary for each quarter of the year. As of January 1, 2024, the wheat stock was 163.53 LMT against the prescribed buffer norm of 138 LMT. The wheat stock has at no point in time dipped below the quarterly buffer stock norms. In addition, at present, there is no proposal to alter the duty structure on imports of wheat, the statement added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed strong displeasure over instances of negligence in revenue-related matters, prompting him to order immediate action against the negligent officers. He also instructed that a detailed report be submitted to his office within two weeks regarding the issue. Recently, the CM held a high-level meeting with officers from various departments to conduct a thorough review. During the meeting, he directed the officers to accelerate progress on various schemes and instructed them to compile a list of individuals who have shown negligence in their duties, officials said here on Friday. Advertisement Following CM Yogis instructions, the revenue officials have come into action. Revenue Board Chairman Rajneesh Dubey recently reviewed revenue-related matters and issued show-cause notices to revenue officers, ADMs, SDMs, Naib Tehsildars, and Tehsildar-level officers for negligence. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra also held a meeting in connection with revenue matters. During the meeting, he reprimanded negligent officials across various districts of the state regarding revenue cases and instructed them to improve their work. Additionally, he will soon submit a report on districts showing irregularities in revenue matters to the Chief Ministers Office, following which strict action may be taken against these officials. During a meeting of the Revenue Department chaired by Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, it was revealed that several districts have fallen behind in the settlement of revenue-related cases. In response, he reprimanded officials and instructed them to bring improvements. At the same time, work is going on at a very slow pace in Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Barabanki, Jaunpur, and Ghazipur in preparing Gharauni under the Swamitva Yojana. The Chief Secretary directed to expedite this work. Apart from this, Mahoba, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Baghpat have lagged in the settlement of revenue disputes. More than eight thousand cases are pending here. In the meeting, the Chief secretary found that the real-time land records (Khatauni) performance in Kanpur Nagar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Chitrakoot, and Balrampur was inadequate. Similarly, there was a significant shortfall in the percentage of Khatauni revision and share determination in Varanasi, Sonbhadra, Ballia, Mainpuri, and Gorakhpur, with only about 50 per cent of the share determination work completed in these districts. *Performance inadequate for Lucknow and Prayagraj in measurement (Section 24)* It was revealed in the meeting that Lucknow, Prayagraj, Amroha, Fatehpur, and Saharanpur are not doing well in Section-24 (measurement) under revenue dispute. Along with this, there has already been improvement in Kushinagar, Sonbhadra, Rae Bareli, Ballia, and Amethi in Section-34 (transfer), but the percentage of settlement is less than 95 per cent. Similarly, there are 34 pending cases under Section 80 (conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land) in Ayodhya, 21 in Pratapgarh, 12 in Gorakhpur, 10 in Kanpur Nagar, and 7 in Barabanki. All these cases are between one to three years old. The Chief Secretary is expected to soon submit the full report to the Chief Ministers Office regarding this matter. Following this, CM Yogi may take strict action against negligent officers. The Uttar Pradesh governments efforts to revive endangered rivers for environmental conservation is showing promising results, especially with the Chhoti Gandak River. Simultaneously, under the directives of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Irrigation Department has reduced the slope of the Gurra River, ensuring a continuous flow of water into the Rapti River in summer. Notably, this strategic move has brought significant benefits to about 60,000 residents and local wildlife across 33 villages including 27 in Gorakhpur and 6 in Deoria. Advertisement CM Yogis government is taking multiple steps to revive the nearly extinct rivers in the state. In this series of efforts, actions have been intensified to rejuvenate the Hindon River in Ghaziabad, the Ramganga River in Moradabad, and the Assi River in Varanasi. Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh said here on Friday that in line with the Chief Ministers intentions, the Irrigation Department has made efforts to revive the Chhoti Gandak River. As part of this, the work to restore the rivers section has begun. During the process of bringing the river back to its original form, the groundwater level started to rise in the river, and the initiative taken by the Irrigation Department has proven to be effective and successful, he said. He informed that the Chhoti Gandak is a meandering groundwater-based river originating from Prasauni in Nawalparasi district, Nepal, and entering India at Lakshmipur Khurd Gram Sabha (Maharajganj, UP). This river flows approximately 250 km through Maharajganj, Kushinagar, and Deoria districts of Uttar Pradesh before merging with the Ghaghara river near Gothani in the Siwan district of Bihar. After Chhoti Gandak entered India, its existence had almost ended in the initial 10 km length, leading to the river section becoming silted and narrowed, affecting agricultural activities. The work to revive this river has been swiftly undertaken. Along with reviving the Chhoti Gandak River, it has also helped to increase the groundwater. In addition, commendable work has been done to safeguard a population of 35,000 across 26 villages, including 20 in Gorakhpur and 6 in Deoria, by mitigating flood damage caused by the Gurra River. It should be noted that the Gurra River originates in Gorakhpur district and flows into the Rapti River from Gram-Rudain Majhgawa, Bansgaon tehsil, and Gram Semrauna, Chauri Chaura tehsil. Due to the slope of the Gurra River from the origin being higher than the slope of the Rapti River, there was a possibility of heavy destruction from the Gurra River during flood and uneven distribution of water in the summer season. Conversely, the drying up of the Rapti River in the summer caused adverse effects on livelihoods, agriculture, and the availability of drinking water for both human and animal populations. Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina of Archies fame have stirred high anticipation with their upcoming release, Jigra, slated initially for September 27. However, to avoid a clash with Jr NTRs Devara, the release has been rescheduled to October 11. The decision to postpone Jigra was promptly announced following the alteration in the release date of Jr NTRs Devara Part 1. Originally set for September 27, Devara now avoids a theatrical face-off with Bhatts Jigra. Both Bhatt and Raina took to Instagram to reveal the new release date, with producer Karan Johar also sharing the news enthusiastically. Bhatt captioned her post with, 11.10.2024 | JIGRA | See you at the movies, while Johar expressed, Courage comes to play when one of your own is at risk. Starring Alia Bhatt & Vedang Raina #Jigra arrives in cinemas on 11th October, 2024. Advertisement Rainas announcement sparked excitement among fans, especially as rumored girlfriend Khushi Kapoor showed her support with a spirited WOOOOOOOO in the comment section. Both Kapoor and Raina had debuted in Zoya Akhtars Archies, later featuring together in an ad for a dating website, much to the delight of their fans. Jigra was initially unveiled in September the previous year, with the announcement video hinting at a tale of sisterly devotion and protection. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Bhatt reflected on her journey from acting in a Dharma production to producing a film with them, expressing eagerness to share more about the project as it progresses. On the professional front, Bhatts last appearance was in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani alongside Ranveer Singh. She is set to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Love and War, with Jigra marking her return to Hindi action after her role in the Hollywood action flick, Heart of Stone, alongside Gal Gadot. Meanwhile, Raina, after his debut in Archies, gears up for his second project with Jigra. Amir Khans son, Junaid Khan, was all set to make his debut with Maharaj, slated to release on June 14 on Netflix. However, the film has hit a boulder with a stay order announced by the Gujarat High Court on June 13. According to a LiveLaw report, the Gujarat High Courts decision was in response to a petition filed on behalf of devotees of Lord Krishna and followers of the Pushtimarg sect. The plea contended that the film could potentially cause public unrest and provoke violence against their communities and the Hindu religion. A single-judge bench comprising Justice Sangeeta Vishen passed the order against the film and issued notices to the Centre, Netflix, and Yash Raj Films. The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing on June 18. Netflix and YRF havent officially commented on the controversy surrounding Maharaj. Instead, they issued a joint press note to news outlets, saying, We kindly request you to HOLD on publishing your reviews for the film Maharaj online, in print, or on any social media platforms, given the ongoing proceedings Thank you for your support and patience. Sincerely, Team Netflix and YRF. The poster of the film features Jaideep Alhawat with a tilak on his forehead and a tuft. His character is pitted against a sharp-looking man sporting a mustache, played by Junaid in Maharaj. The controversy finds roots in the films central plot, the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862. Advertisement In a press release issued by Netflix last month, the streaming giant revealed that Maharaj follows the life of Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer, who was a pioneering advocate for womens rights and social reform. It all came to a head in the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, which was ignited by allegations of misconduct by a prominent figure, the case garnered widespread attention and scrutiny, setting the stage for what many consider to be one of the most significant legal battles of all time. The petitioners pointed out that the British-era court, which had decided the libel case, castigates the Hindu religion and makes seriously blasphemous comments against Lord Krishna as well as the devotional songs and hymns. Further, they claimed that the makers of the film planned to release the film secretly without any trailer or promotional events to avoid access to the storyline. The film soon came to the attention of social media users, and now the hashtag #boycottNetflix is trending on platforms like X. A section of users is also calling for a ban on the films release. Meanwhile, The Supreme Court has issued a stay order on the June 14 release of Annu Kapoors movie Hamare Baarah after scrutinizing allegations that the film is derogatory to the Islamic faith and married Muslim women. Previously, Nayantharas Annapoorani also attracted controversy for hurting religious sentiments when it became available on Netflix after its theatrical run; the film was subsequently taken down from the streaming platform. The film Hamare Barah has been embroiled in lawsuits and controversies for some time now. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court halted the release of the contentious film, directing the High Court to expedite their decision on a plea alleging that the film was derogatory to the Islamic faith and to married Muslim women. The Supreme Court made its decision in response to a plea challenging the Bombay High Courts ruling to suspend the films release. Despite arguments that the filmmakers had removed contentious dialogues from the trailer as per the High Courts directive, the SC bench, consisting of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, dismissed the claim. According to PTI, the bench remarked, We have seen the movie trailer this morning, and all the offensive dialogues persist in the trailer. The filmmakers lawyers argued that the postponement of the films release would result in significant financial losses. However, the Supreme Court maintained its position, stating, If the teaser is so offensive, then what about the whole movie Prima facie it seems you have failed since you yourself deleted the scenes from the teaser. The bench announced that the screening of Hamare Barah would remain suspended until the High Court reaches a decision on the plea, urging the Bombay High Court to expedite its ruling. Advertisement Before the case reached the Supreme Court, a plea had been filed in the High Court alleging that the films themes and content were objectionable. Initially, the High Court had halted the films release in response to the petition, which claimed that it portrayed Islamic faith and married Muslim women in a derogatory manner. Filed by Azhar Basha Tamboli, the petition argued that the film violated the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and could infringe upon constitutional articles 19(2) and 25. It was argued that the film misinterpreted Aayat 223, a verse in the Quran. However, just one day after the stay order, the High Court lifted the injunction on the films release, provided that the makers removed two controversial dialogues from the trailer. Additionally, the High Court ordered the formation of a review committee with at least one Muslim member to assess the film and submit a report. Despite the committees request for more time to deliver their report, the High Court objected to the extension. These recent developments regarding the films release follow the Karnataka governments decision to ban it due to concerns about potential communal tensions. Since the release of the films trailer, it has sparked numerous debates regarding the misinterpretation of religious verses and themes. Amid the raging row over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday asserted that the Centre is committed to protecting the interests of NEET examinees and assured that no students career would be in jeopardy. He said the counselling process of NEET would be underway soon. The Union education ministers remarks came in the wake of students demanding an investigation into the ongoing NEET examination row. Advertisement In a post on X, Pradhan said, Central govt. is committed to protecting the interests of NEET examinees. I want to assure the students that all their concerns will be addressed with fairness and equity. No student will be at a disadvantage and no childs career will be at jeopardy. Facts related to NEET examination are in cognisance of Honble Supreme Court. Central govt. will take all necessary actions for the well-being of students as per the directions of the Honble Supreme Court. Counselling process of NEET will be underway soon and it is of utmost importance to move ahead in this direction without any confusion, he assured. Pradhan met a few students who appeared for the NEET exam along with their parents at their request to meet him. The minister addressed their concerns and assured them that no injustice would be done to them. The Union education minister said, Students who wanted to meet us today, I called them, their parents also came, I met them. I heard their side and I made them feel better. The government is committed, and all students should have this assurance that a transparent process will be followed. He said 24 lakh students were the applicants, and 23 lakh 30 thousand students have taken the exam, this is natural, whatever doubts come to their minds, some issues came to mind that some irregularities in the centre were noticed, due to lack of time for grace marks, some objections were raised in the formula used for giving grace marks, that was also rectified. The Supreme Court permitted them to take the exam again yesterday, they have been informed. Those who want to take the exam can take the exam there as well, Pradhan said. Meanwhile, the apex court issued a notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and Centre on a batch of petitions raising concerns about paper leaks and seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged instances of paper leaks in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 exam on May 5 this year. Amid the NEET-UG paper leak and results controversy row, members of the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) held a protest in front of Bikash Bhavan in Kolkata, West Bengal on Thursday. They were spotted raising slogans while holding banners against paper leaks. Several protestors were later detained by the Kolkata Police. Meanwhile, several students were spotted protesting against the same cause at Jantar Mantar in the capital city of Delhi. Ahead of Prihe Minister Narendra Modis visit to Varanasi on June 18, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reviewed the preparations for PM Modis upcoming visit to the city. Firstly, CM Yogi inspected the Prime Ministers program venue in Mehndiganj, providing necessary instructions to the officials. Subsequently, he held a meeting with officials at the Circuit House to evaluate the ongoing development projects in Varanasi and its neighbouring districts. He further instructed the officials to complete all the development projects in a timely and quality manner. The CMs helicopter landed at the proposed venue for PM Modis public meeting in Mehndiganj, Sevapuri. He reviewed key points related to the PMs security, parking at the venue, public movement, and the routes for leaders. During this time, Divisional Commissioner Kaushalraj Sharma showed the route map of the venue to the Chief Minister and provided detailed information on each point. Advertisement Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal briefed him on the security perimeter, internal security, and external security. Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department to inspect and repair all roads related to movement. Additionally, the Chief Minister inspected the helipad at the public meeting venue and instructed the officers to ensure proper barricading arrangements. He also directed the DFO to assign personnel to keep the designated area completely free of animals. It is noteworthy that PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Varanasi on June 18 for the first time after becoming the Prime Minister for the third time. He will address a public meeting and a Kisan Sammelan in Mehndiganj. In addition, PM Modi will visit Kashi Vishwanath temple and participate in the Ganga Aarti. In light of this, the BJP and officials are engrossed in preparations. In this sequence, CM Yogi himself has arrived in Varanasi to review the preparations. During this, BJP District President Hansraj Vishwakarma, District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya and former MLA Surendra Narayan Singh Audhe were present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India continues to encourage a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, assuring him that New Delhi will do everything within its means to support an end to the war. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through dialogue and diplomacy, Mr Modi wrote on X soon after the meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. The Indian PM welcomed the Ukrainian leader with a warm hug and is believed to have inquired about the situation in the war-torn country. He also thanked President Zelenskyy for his warm wishes on his assuming office for the third term. Advertisement Both leaders had a productive meeting in which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations. They also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming Summit on Peace being hosted by Switzerland, the Ministry of External Affairs said. India has already decided to attend the summit to be held in the city of Lucerne in Switzerland on 15-16 June though the level of its representation is yet to be announced. President Zelenskyy is keen on Indias participation in the Peace Summit, given the role New Delhi can play in bringing the ongoing conflict to an end. An Indian Airforce aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians, who died in a building fire in Kuwaits Mangaf, landed in Kochi airport at 10.25 am on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who coordinated with the Kuwait authorities regarding repatriation, was onboard the aircraft. The mortal remains of 31 people 23 from Kerala, 7 from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka were handed over to the authorities in Kochi. After clearance, the remaining 14 bodies will be sent to Delhi in the same aircraft. Advertisement Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, ministers, Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Opposition leader VD Satheesan received the mortal remains of 31 victims from Kerala at the airport. Public paid homage to the deceased at the airport. Ambulances took the bodies of the victims from Kerala and Tamil Nadu to their respective homes after a guard of honour.The body of the Karnataka native will be airlifted, authorities said. At least 50 workers, including 45 Indians, were killed and 49 others injured in a building fire in Kuwaits Mangaf on Wednesday. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO ) is in the process of revamping its application software with the UAN based single accounting system for each member and automation of process flow with minimum human intervention for faster settlement of claims. This was disclosed in a meeting held by the Ministry of Labour & Employment on reforms in the EPFO. The meeting was chaired by Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment. The new software is being developed with the consultation of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC, according to a ministry statement . Advertisement Dawra commended the recent steps of EPFO to automate the claim settlement and reduce the rejections of claims. For speedy disposal of claims, auto settlement of advances upto 1 lakh for illness, education, marriage and housing has been implemented by EPFO. About 25 lakh advance claims have been settled on auto mode. More than 50 per cent of the illness claims settled till now have been settled on auto mode, the ministry said in a statement. This has increased claims settlement speed and a large number of them are now being settled within 3 days, it added. The cheque book/passbook of bank account upload for the KYC Aadhaar linked accounts of members have been dispensed with, thus eliminating the scrutiny requirement in almost 13 lakh claims in the last one month, Sumita Dawra said. The EPFO has also reduced and rationalised the remarks for easy comprehension of the members for return of incomplete cases and rejection of ineligible cases. The number of auto transfers generated has also increased threefold with the numbers increasing to 6 lakh in May 2024 from 2 lakh in April 2024. Dawra advised EPFO to continue the proactive steps for systemic reforms. The review meeting highlighted the need for the expansion of social security and new initiatives for ease of living and ease of business. The operational reforms in Litigation Management and Audit were also discussed during the meeting. Dawra urged the officials to work in close coordination for an effective social security system. The meeting was attended by Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) Neelam Shami Rao and other senior officers of the Ministry and EPFO. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati may hold a meeting with the party leaders here on June 23 next to review her partys debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. According to sources in the party, all party officials would be invited to attend the meeting. Akash Anand, who was removed from the post of national coordinator of the party, is also expected to attend the meeting. On June 5, the day after the results came out the BSP chief took a detailed report on the reasons for the electoral setback from the partys National General Secretary Satish Chandra Mishra and discussed it with the coordinators of the areas where the performance was worse than before. Advertisement Instructions have already been given for action against party officials responsible for the defeat. However, the party chief is going to hold a meeting with the officials from the state and the country. The party sources said at the meeting, Mayawati is expected to tell the officials about the strategy to revive the BSP in the prevalent situation. She may also ask for changes in the scope of work of officials and assign new responsibilities to them. The sources say the BSP chief may hand over the responsibility of the post of National Coordinator to her nephew Akash Anand again in view of Chandrashekhar Azad of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), who was elected MP from Nagina, making forays into the partys support base. Efforts are also being made to scrap the FIR lodged against Akash for the controversial speech he gave in Sitapur during the elections. It may be noted here that after the FIR was filed, Mayawati not only banned his election rallies but also removed him from the post of national coordinator, calling him immature. Not only this, she had withdrawn her decision to make Akash her political successor. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against actor Kamal Khan alias KRK for his comment on BSP chief Mayawati in Deoband , Saharapur on Wednesday last. Majid Ali, a resident of Phulas Akbarpur village of Deoband, who contested the Lok Sabha elections on BSP ticket from the Saharanpur district, is the younger brother of actor Kamal Khan (KRK). He faced a crushing defeat in the elections. On June 5, a day after the election results, KRK was accused of making objectionable remarks against the BSP supremo. Consequently, the party showed the door to Majid Ali. Former Deoband assembly constituency president of the BSP Sushil Kumar filed a complaint against actor KRK with the Deoband Police. He also gave a written complaint to SSP Saharanpur in this matter that the sentiments of the Bahujan community have been hurt by the comments made by KRK on the Internet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, on Friday, agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation between their two countries with increased focus on Make in India. The two leaders held a bilateral meeting this afternoon on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. The PM thanked President Macron for his warm wishes on assuming office for the third consecutive term. The two leaders reviewed India-France bilateral relations, focusing on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap. Discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Advertisement They also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in the context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025. The two leaders also exchanged views on key global and regional issues. They emphasised that a strong and trusted Strategic Partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights. The PM extended his best wishes to President Macron for the forthcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday said that it was unfortunate that the Central government did not permit her to travel to Kuwait to coordinate in assistance for the people from the State affected in the tragic fire mishap in the Gulf country. It is very unfortunate that we did not get the consent (to travel to Kuwait). More than half of the people who died were from Kerala. The majority of the people who are under treatment are also from Kerala.. George told reporters at the Cochin International Airport here today. The Kerala State government had convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Thursday and announced that George along with State Mission Director (NHM) Jeevan Babu would urgently travel to Kuwait to coordinate efforts related to the treatment of those from the State who sustained injuries as well as oversee the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased. A massive fire erupted in a six-storied building in Mangaf city in Kuwait on Wednesday, killing at least 48 people. Out of the 176 Indian workers in the housing facility, 45 died and 33 are hospitalized, the Indian embassy said. The victims include 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana. Advertisement The Embassy did not give us the exact data on the number of seriously injured people. The data that we have collected from there is that a total of 7 people have been admitted to the hospital and 4 of them are from Kerala, but this is not officially declared. The purpose of my visit (to Kuwait) was that I wanted to be with the injured and bring their needs to the attention of the Central Government, George said today. A special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims that took off from Kuwait is expected to land here on Friday morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deepest condolences and assured all possible assistance to those impacted by the tragedy. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh who reached Kuwati on Thursday visited hospitals where the injured were admitted and interacted with Indian nationals undergoing treatment following the tragic fire incident in Mangaf. Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi on Friday promised to build a house for Kuwait fire tragedy victim Benoy Thomas, a native of Chavakkad in Thrissur. The Union Minister has conveyed this to the family members of Benoy who arrived at Kochi airport to receive the mortal remains of Benoy. His family informed that Benoy had gone to Kuwait to fulfil his dream of constructing a moderate house for the family. Advertisement Benoy Thomas went to Kuwait on June 5. On June 6, Benoy resumed work as a packing employee at HyperMart. The family members of Benoy were drawn to silence when his friend Ben dialled home to confirm his death on Wednesday. Benoy leaves behind his mother Annamma Thomas, wife Jinita, children Adi and Ian. It is worth mentioning that Suresh Gopi has been hailed for his humanitarian activities. From providing shelter to the homeless to sponsoring complete education of the underprivileged, the list of his humanitarian works is too big. Union Minister Suresh Gopi has cancelled all his programmes, which were to be organised by the BJP in various constituencies in Kerala on Friday, as the state is mourning the death of 24 Keralites in Kuwaits building fire. Suresh Gopi reached the Kochi international airport and received the mortal remains of the Keralites brought to the airport in an IAF aircraft along with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ministers and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan. Speaking to media persons in Kochi, Suresh Gopi said: I have cancelled all reception programmes on Friday. I will visit the houses of the deceased, as much as possible. Advertisement He said the Kuwait government would find out the reasons for the fire. We cant say anything without getting any confirmation from the Kuwait authorities, the Union Minister said. Amid criticism against the Central government for denying clearance to state Health Minister Veena Georges visit to Kuwait to coordinate efforts, former Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muralidharan said: There is no established system of sending state ministers to a foreign country to coordinate relief measures related to a tragedy. The state unit of the BJP also came out in support of the Central governments decision .BJP state president K Surendran said that sending a state minister to Kuwait was not necessary, as all procedures related to the repatriation of the bodies were completed by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday itself. Then, why should the Central government unnecessarily send a state minister to coordinate the procedure, Surendran asked. Meanwhile, Union Minister Suresh Gopi has appealed to the media to avoid creating a controversy over the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who left for Italy on Thursday evening to attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit being held in Apulia, has a series of bilateral meetings lined up with several world leaders on the sidelines of the event. PM Modi will attend the G7 Summits Outreach Session on Friday at the invitation of Italys Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. Sources revealed that the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings on Friday, including with French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before leaving for Borgo Egnazia for the G7 meeting. Advertisement Following the Outreach session which majorly focuses on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean PM Modi is expected to hold bilaterals with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italys Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida. While there is a chance of them meeting informally during the official photo-op, there is no scheduled bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters en route Brindisi that US President Joe Biden and PM Modi will have an opportunity to encounter one another during the G7 session. President Biden actually spoke with Prime Minister Modi over phone while we were in Paris to congratulate him on the election outcome and on being named Prime Minister for a third term, said Sullivan. He expects to see Prime Minister Modi here. Its up to the Indians to formally confirm his attendance, but we expect that the two of them will have the opportunity to encounter one another. What the nature of that encounter will be is still fluid because so much of the schedule is fluid, the US NSA added. This will be Prime Minister Modis first overseas visit after assuming office for the third consecutive term, and his fifth consecutive participation in the Summit. I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Melonis two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions, the Prime Minister said in his departure statement. It will be for the 11th time that India will be taking part in the G7 Summit. During the discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean. It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under Indias Presidency and the forthcoming G7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South, said PM Modi. Appa, Dad, Baba, Papa. Countless names exist in every language for this irreplaceable role. This year, Fathers Day falls on June 16. From making Fathers Day cards to taking him out for a lavish meal, this holiday is celebrated in many different ways. While the majority of the world celebrates Fathers Day on the day set by the United States, other countries have their unique dates and traditions. Regardless, all countries recognise the role of a father and its importance. History Fathers Day is a day to honour not just biological fathers but anyone seen as a paternal figure. This holiday roots its history in West Virginia, in 1908, where a church held the first event to celebrate and honour fathers. This event was held as a Sunday sermon in memory of 362 men who had died in an explosion at the Fairmont Coal Company. Though it was not meant to be an annual event, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane in Washington wanted to honour fathers with a special day annually. She proposed her idea to the YMCA and the Spokane Ministerial Association and they agreed to set the third Sunday in June as Fathers Day. Thus, the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19th, 1910. In 1966, under President Lyndon Johnson, an executive order was signed declaring Fathers Day to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In 1972, under President Richard Nixon, Congress passed an act making Father's Day an official national holiday. How the day is celebrated While most countries follow Fathers Day according to the date set in the United States, many other countries have Fathers Day on dates that have cultural significance to fathers. In Germany, Fathers Day is known as Vatertag and it is celebrated on Ascension Day, 39 days after Easter. A paternal element was incorporated into the celebration of the Ascension in the 18th century. Vatertag is celebrated by gathering in fields, parks or forests. Men decorate hand carts that carry various forms of alcohol including beer, mead and ale. Father's Day in Italy is observed on 19th March. This day was chosen as it falls on the same day as Saint Joseph's Day, the patron saint for fathers. Different parts of Italy celebrate this day in very unique ways. In Tuscany fathers are given handmade belts and wallets. In Sardina, a special bread made with semolina flour and saffron is gifted. A tradition followed all over Italy is to make Zeppole di San Giuseppe, a sweet pastry topped with custard and cherries. In Brazil, Fathers Day falls on the same day as St Joachims Day who is also a patron saint for fathers. This falls on the second Sunday of August. This day is set aside as a day to grow the dad belly as huge barbecues are held with chicken, pork, beef etc. Families gather to feast on this special day and children dedicate poems and gifts to their fathers. Be it with beer, belts or barbecues, this year show your appreciation for your father by celebrating this special day with him. Take inspiration from other cultures to make this Fathers Day unique and possibly spark new traditions. H. Jackson Brown Jr once said, "Life doesn't come with an instruction book; that's why we have fathers." The role of a father is commendable and fathers everywhere should be recognised for their efforts. Get him the Rolex he had his eye on next year, this Sunday spend the day with him and let him know what he means to you. Happy Fathers Day! Make your Father's Day card special with these quotes: "When my father didn't have my hand, he had my back." Linda Poindexter "Great fathers don't find fault. Great fathers find solutions." Reed Markham There is no teacher equal to mother and there's nothing more contagious than the dignity of a father. Amit Ray, World Peace: The Voice of a Mountain Bird Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance. Ruth E. Renkel "[My father] always provided me a safe place to land and a hard place from which to launch." Chelsea Clinton "Any fool can have a child. That doesnt make you a father. Its the courage to raise a child that makes you a father." - Barack Obama "Some people don't believe in heroes, but they haven't met my dad." - Unknown Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, on Friday, refuted reports that "royal treatment" was given to popular Kannada Darshan Thoogudeepa at the police station where the actor and his associates have been held after their arrest in connection with a murder. The minister said Darshan is being offered the same treatment that any other accused would get and added that the actor is neither served biryani nor given special facilities. "I will instruct the police to take necessary measures in the interest of the public, but we should also let them investigate freely. It is not possible for police to give biryani and royal treatment to the accused. It is not done and it should not be done." ALSO READ: Darshan is 'soft-spoken gentleman' who respects women: Actor Sanjjanaa Galrani defends Kannada star The minister was responding to a question on reports of police causing inconvenience to the public near Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, where Darshan is held, by restricting movement of people nearby by blocking roads, and not allowing even school vans and ambulances to pass by. "On hearing such (complaints) from you (media), I inquired. They (police) said, no such facilities are being given and it will not be done. How other accused are treated, he (Darshan) is also treated in the same way. There is no mercy....They (police) should be given free hand. I have also inquired with the (Bengaluru Police) Commissioner," news agency PTI quoted the minister as saying. No pressure on government, says D.K. Shivakumar Echoing similar sentiments, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar denied reports that said the government is under pressure from "influential people" to favour Darshan. "There is no pressure from anyone.....neither our home minister or anyone else is involved (interfering) in it (investigation), we are not recommending anything, we don't know anything," Shivakumar said. Regarding allegations that "royal treatment" was being given to Darshan at the police station where he is held and pandals were erected there to maintain "secrecy", Shivakumar said, "I inquired with the police. There are 13 accused there (at the police station), as you (media) stand with your cameras there from morning till evening, they (police) need an opportunity to work freely, so they have put (erected a pandal) there." READ MORE: Murder case involving Darshan and Pavithra Gowda: Fresh details emerge; K'taka minister calls it 'heinous crime' Darshan and his aides were arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. The deceased had posted derogatory social media remarks against actor Pavithra Gowda, a friend of Darshan. Driver who took the victim to Bengaluru surrenders Even as the investigation into the murder continues, a person, who allegedly took Renukaswamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru surrendered before the police. The driver, identified as Ravi, surrendered at the deputy superintendent of police's office in Chitradurga on Thursday. Aged 40, a woman Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader has won the distinction of being the youngest minister in the new Andhra Pradesh cabinet. She is Anitha Vangalapudi, younger to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh by a year, and the representative of the Payakaraopet constituency in the Assembly. Vangalapudi Anitha, who was handed the Home Affairs and Disaster Management portfolios on Friday, is a member of the TDP politburo. Born in 1984 in Lingarajupalem village of erstwhile Visakhapatnam district, Anitha became a school teacher like her father after formal education. After completing a M.SC through correspondence she received her M.Ed. from Ambedkar Open University, The New Indian Express said in a report. Vangalapudi Anitha taught children for over 11 years, before resigning at the age of 34 to join politics, reports said. It was her good oratory skills that helped to garner Chandrababu Naidu's attention, they added. ALSO READ | Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's Cabinet: 10 things to know In 2021, Anitha became a member of the TDP politburo after being elected the president of the Andhra Pradesh Telugu Mahila -- the women's wing of the TDP. By then, Anitha had tasted both victory and defeat in Parliamentary politics. After winning from Payakaraopet in 2014 against turncoat Chengala Venkata Rao by a margin of 2,828 votes, Naidu asked her to fend off the Jagan wave in Kovvur seat. She was humbled by YSRCP's T Vanita by a margin of 25,248 votes. When the BJP-Jana Sena-BJP tie-up decided to join forces in Andhra Pradesh ahead of the 2024 elections, Vangalapudi Anitha was once again pitted from Payakaraopet. She thumped by polling 1,20,042 votes against nearest rival Jogulu Kambala's tally of 76,315 -- winning by 43,727. Interestingly, Anitha is reportedly the only minister in the TDP cabinet from the 15 Assembly segments in the combined Visakhapatnam district. Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday granted sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for allegedly making provocative speeches at an event in 2010. The FIR was registered against the Booker Prize-winning author and former Central University of Kashmir professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain following the orders of the Court of Metropolitan Magistrate in Delhi. The FIR was registered on the complaint made by a social activist Sushil Pandit in October 2010. "Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of Arundhati Roy and former Professor of International Law in Central University of Kashmir, Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain, under section 45 (1) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case," a Raj Niwas official was quoted by PTI. Roy and Hussian were accused of making provocative speeches at a conference organised under the banner 'Azadi-The Only Way' in Delhi. Along with Roy, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, SAR Geelani, and Varavara Rao were among those who spoke at the event. The complainant filed a complaint under Section 156(3) of CrPC before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, New Delhi, which disposed of the complaint on November 27, 2010, with the directions to register an FIR. Accordingly, an FIR was registered and an investigation was carried out. Last October, the LG granted sanction to prosecute them under section 196 of CrPC for commission of offences punishable under different sections of the Indian Penal Code: 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief). Amid all the hustle and bustle surrounding TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu's swearing-in ceremony in Andhra on Wednesday, a moment captured the public's eye. It was Union Minister Amit Shah having an animated conversation with Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan. Tamilisai was greeting Shah on stage when he called her back to speak to her, wagging his finger. Rumours soon began to do rounds that Shah was chiding Soundarajan publicly for criticising BJP leader Annamalai. BJP Tamil Nadu Social Media Cell Vice President Karthik Gopinath commented on X, "That looks like a strong admonishment from Amit Shah ji to Tamilisai akka. But what could be the reason for this public warning? Unwarranted public comments?" Gopinath's remarks come as Tamilisai criticised BJP Tamil Nadu chief Annamalai for the BJP's poor performance in Tamil Nadu during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Tamilisai's suggestion that a BJP-AIADMK alliance could have yielded better results and criticism of "individuals with criminal histories being appointed to key positions" had sparked reports of internal feud within the party fold. DMK too added fuel to the fire after its spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai criticised the public nature of the exchange, stating, "What kind of politics is this? Is it polite to publicly reprimand a prominent female politician from Tamil Nadu? Amit Shah should know that everyone will see this. A very wrong example!" Though she returned to Chennai on Wednesday, Tamilisai had declined to comment, when she was asked by reporters on the claims of discord within the party vis-a-vis her interaction with Shah. However, she finally cleared the air on Thursday evening, stating that Shah was asking her to "carry out political and constituency work intensively". In a post on 'X' on Thursday evening, Soundararajan, the former Governor of Telangana, said she met Shah for the first time following the declaration of Lok Sabha poll results and the duo was talking about "post-poll follow-up". "Yesterday as I met our Honorable Home Minister Sri @AmitShah ji in AP for the first time after the 2024 Elections he called me to ask about post poll followup and the challenges faced. As I was elaborating, due to paucity of time with utmost concern, he advised me to carry out the political and constituency work intensively which was reassuring. This is to clarify all unwarranted speculations," she said. Soundararajan contested from the South Chennai Lok Sabha seat. She lost the election to DMK's Tamizhachi Thangapandian. The IAF military transport aircraft carrying the mortal remains of the 45 Indians who died in the Kuwait building fire will land in Kochi on Friday morning. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh is onboard the flight. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait took to X to announce the details. "A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi," the Indian embassy wrote on X. "MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft," it added. The aircraft is then expected to reach Delhi as some of the Indians killed are from north Indian states, they said. #WATCH | Kerala: Police force and ambulances deployed at the Cochin International Airport where the special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait will reach shortly pic.twitter.com/dApGrI4Aa6 ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Ernakulam Range DIG Putta Vimaladitya told ANI that all arrangements have been made for receiving the bodies. "We have coordinated with the family members of the victims. Once the bodies are received, they will be properly escorted to their respective places. Besides the 23 bodies belonging to Kerala, seven will go to Tamil Nadu and one to Karnataka. A dedicated vehicle will be provided for each, the DIG told ANI. Twenty-three of the 45 Indians who died in the inferno were residents of Kerala. Of the remaining, 7 were from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Andhra Pradesh, 1 each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, and West Bengal. The minister, who left for Kuwait on Thursday morning, visited Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital and the Jaber Hospital where several injured Indians have been admitted. He also intervened to ensure a speedy identification process, including DNA tests on the bodies. Singh also met the Gulf nation's foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Al-Sabah and Health Minister Ahmad Abdelwahab Ahmad Al-Awadi. In the meeting with Singh, the Kuwaiti Health Minister briefed him on steps taken to ensure the speedy recovery of Indians under his "personal supervision", according to the Indian embassy. The country's foreign minister also assured full support, including medical care for the injured, early repatriation of mortal remains and investigation into the incident. The mortal remains of 31 of 45 Indians who got killed in the tragic fire in Kuwait were handed over to their families at Cochin International Airport on Friday. The Kerala government paid floral tributes to the deceased at the airport premises. #WATCH | Ernakulam, Kerala: Mortal remains of the victims of the fire incident in Kuwait, being loaded into dedicated ambulances to be taken to their native places from the Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/QGCAfIPvjl ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 The Indian Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians reached Cochin International Airport around10.25am. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh, was also onboard. On arrival, the bodies of 31 persons from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were deplaned. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state cabinet, Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and Kirti Vardhan Singh, and leaders of various political parties arrived at the airport and paid floral tributes to the mortal remains. The State police gave a guard of honour at the airport. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh and other ministers pay homage to the mortal remains of the victims of the fire incident in Kuwait, at Cochin International Airport. pic.twitter.com/LvcbBEmQm8 ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Addressing presspersons earlier, Vijayan said the remains of 31 Indians have reached Kochi, of which 23 are Keralaites, seven from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka. The chief minister condemned the Centre for not giving political clearance for Health Minister Veena Georges travel to Kuwait on Thursday. Reaching Kochi, Union Minister Singh told ANI, "31 victims are from Kerala and surrounding southern states. Their mortal remains are being offloaded here. The remaining will be offloaded in Delhi and then from there, they will be transferred to their respective homes." Singh said the Centre acted swiftly once they came to know about the incident. The union minister said he visited 32-35 patients of Indian origin, undergoing treatment at five hospitals in Kuwait and enquired about their well-being. "Most of them are likely to be discharged in a couple of days," he said. Singh added the Kuwait administration has taken the incident very seriously. "The Kuwaiti government has taken this incident very seriously. They are inquiring how it happened so that this kind of tragic incident is never repeated. They have also assured us that all the paperwork regarding the insurance that is to be paid to the families and the compensation will be done as immediately as possible. His Highness has also, from his part, provided compensation to the families of the victims who have perished in this tragic incident," ANI reported quoting the minister. Tamil Nadu Minister Gingee K.S. Masthan also reached the airport to pay tributes and received the mortal remains of persons from Tamil Nadu. Twenty-three of the 45 Indians who died in the inferno were residents of Kerala. Of the remaining, seven were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, and West Bengal. According to Health Minister Veena George, ambulances have been arranged for the transportation of the mortal remains to their respective districts. The majority of the deceased from Kerala were from Pathanamthitta district, officials said. The aircraft will now fly to Delhi as some of the Indians killed are from north Indian states, officials said. A controversy has erupted over the Centre denying political clearance for Kerala Health Minister Veena George to visit Kuwait, where a fire incident claimed the lives of over 23 Keralites. While Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh left for Kuwait on Thursday morning, the day after the fire tore through a labour camp building in Kuwait killing 49 Indians, Kerala too had planned to send George to the Gulf nation. She had even arrived at Nedumbassery Airport on Thursday afternoon to fly to Kuwait but dropped her plans at the last minute after the Union government denied political clearance for her trip. The decision has sparked a row with George commenting that the Centres decision "was a wrong approach." Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan too hit out at the Centre. "It was unfortunate that Veena George was not permitted to travel to Kuwait. We intended to coordinate the efforts and make sure the people of Kerala admitted to the hospitals there were getting treatment. But the Union Government made her wait due to technical reasons," he told ANI on Friday morning. Ernakulam: Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan says "It was an unfortunate incident that Kerala Health Minister Veena George was not permitted to travel to Kuwait. Our intention was to coordinate the efforts and make sure the people of Kerala admitted to the hospitals there are pic.twitter.com/fmseLVojHK ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 The opposition Congress too criticised the state government for not taking timely measures. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asked, "What is the use in sending the minister so late? What is the use of reaching the tragedy site now? This government takes even disasters lightly. We saw delays in bringing back expatriates during Covid and the opposition our expatriates raised when the Chief Minister blamed them for spreading the coronavirus during his evening press conference." Congress leader V D Satheesh termed the Centre's move as unfortunate. "The government should have given political clearance within an hour. It was unfortunate that Veena George couldn't go to Kuwait, and the move was a wrong decision on the part of the Centre. We have a lot of limitations to get things done sitting in India. Veena George's presence in Kuwait as a representative of Kerala could have benefitted the victims's families and the injured," he added. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has changed the timing of the inauguration ceremony of the Lok Kerala Sabha, in view of the arrival of the IAF plane carrying the mortal remains of those killed in the Kuwait fire incident. This event, hosted by the state government, aims to bring the Malayali diaspora living around the globe under one platform. The inauguration was originally scheduled to happen at the Kerala Assembly complex at 9:30 am today, but it has been postponed to 3:00 PM. The timing was changed because ministers and officials were in Kochi to receive the mortal remains of the Kuwait victims. However, the decision to go ahead with the meeting has irked the opposition Congress, with Ramesh Chennitahal saying the move showed "significant neglect ". "This is an occasion where the issues of expatriates should be discussed. However, even after such a major tragedy, the government should have rescheduled the event. Their failure to do so is pure neglect towards the deceased and their families," Chennithala remarked. On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy's Apulia region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This is PM Modis first foreign trip after assuming office for the third time this month. Modi held bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy amid the raging Russia-Ukraine war. India has always maintained a stand that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Reportedly, Zelenskyy had briefed Modi on various aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Had a very productive meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India is eager to further cement bilateral relations with Ukraine. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, reiterated that India believes in a human-centric approach and believes that the way to peace is through pic.twitter.com/XOKA0AHYGs Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 Earlier, Modi had met Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May last year as well. During his meeting with Sunak, PM Modi reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA government. "The two leaders took stock of bilateral relations in areas of defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people to people connect. They discussed implementation of Roadmap 2030 and progress made in ongoing FTA negotiations," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. Also, PM Modi discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership including defence, nuclear, and space with Macron. Both leaders exchanged views on key global and regional issues. "Taking Strategic Partnership to new levels! PM @narendramodi met President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the sidelines of the 50th G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy," said Jaiswal. Advancing India-France partnership! PM @narendramodi and French President @EmmanuelMacron held a bilateral meeting in Italy on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. They discussed a wide range of issues, like increasing partnership in key areas like defence, AI, critical tech and pic.twitter.com/w09PgGyFmi PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 14, 2024 "The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership including in areas of defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, critical technologies, connectivity and culture. They also exchanged views on key global and regional issues," he wrote. The summit is being held at Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy. Modi is attending the 50th G7 summit at the invitation of Italian President Georgia Meloni. He will be addressing an Outreach session on Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa and the Mediterranean alongside leaders of other invited countries and Pope Francis. On the final day of the G7 summit, the members vowed to tackle the "unfair" business practices by China that are undermining their workers and industries. The G7 also warned of action against Chinese financial institutions that helped Russia obtain weaponry for its war against Ukraine. The G7 leaders also discussed the issues of migration, seeking ways to combat trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrations begin. The draft statement stressed the G7 was not trying to harm China or thwart its economic development but would "continue to take actions to protect our businesses from unfair practices, to level the playing field and remedy ongoing harm." On the first day of the G7 summit, nations agreed on a deal to provide $50 billion of loans for Ukraine backed by interests from frozen Russian assets. The United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Britain - and the European Union (EU) are expected to contribute to the loan, with cash to reach Kyiv by the end of the year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Apulia, southern Italy, on Friday morning to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit. The Prime Minister's first visit in his third stint will see him hold bilateral talks with world leaders on multiple issues. India's Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao received the Prime Minister as he touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia. "The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a video message from the airport. "Tomorrow (Friday) is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with world leaders lined up. He will also be addressing the Outreach session of the G7 Summit," he said. Atterrato in Italia per partecipare al Vertice G7. Impaziente di avviare interazioni produttive con i leader del mondo. Insieme, desideriamo affrontare le questioni globali e incoraggiare la cooperazione internazionale per un futuro migliore. pic.twitter.com/rUP9Nw63YY Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2024 AI session with Pope Modi will attend a summit session 'Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean' to be hosted by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, and will be attended by Pope Francis. The pope will be joined by nine other heads of state, besides Modi. "It is a historic day. We will welcome the Holy Father. It is the first time for a pontiff at a G7. I am proud it will happen under the Italian presidency," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told reporters on Thursday. The PM will also meet Pope Francis at the summit and the duo are expected to hold bilateral talks. Modi also has a series of meetings scheduled with the world leaders on the sidelines of the summit being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia. Takeaways from G7 Summit The first day of the Summit saw the G7 nations agree on a deal to provide $50 billion of loans for Ukraine backed by interest from frozen Russian assets. The United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Britain - and the European Union (EU) are expected to contribute to the loan, with cash to reach Kyiv by the end of the year. While it was Russia on the first day of the Summit, the second day will likely focus on China. According to Reuters, leaders are expected to voice concern about China's excess industrial capacity and its support for Russia. This comes as the US imposes fresh sanctions on China-based firms supplying semiconductors to Russia, which President Joe Biden claimed was "not just supplying weapons to Russia but the ability to produce those weapons and the technology available to do it." The leaders will also discuss immigration. Many leaders will leave Italy late on Friday, including Biden, and Meloni said they had already agreed on the summit's conclusions, to be approved at the end of the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni at the G7 Outreach summit in Italy on Friday. Both leaders greeted each other with a folded hand gesture or namaste. The summit is being held at the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Italy's Apulia region. Earlier in his departure statement, Modi said he was "glad" that his first foreign visit in his third term as Prime Minister was to Italy for the G7 Summit. #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India participates as an 'Outreach nation' in G7 Summit pic.twitter.com/Sqna3AEu9X ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 "I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth into our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidating the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," his statement said. Meloni, in her opening address at the G7 summit, said that southern Italy was chosen as the venue signalling a strong message to the Global South. "It is no coincidence that we are hosting the summit in Apulia. We did this because Apulia is a region of southern Italy and the message we want to launch is that the G7, under the Italian presidency, wishes to strengthen its dialogue with the nations of the Global South," she said. On the sidelines of the summit, Modi met and held bilateral talks with world leaders including Frances Emmanuel Macron, UKs Rishi Sunak and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Also Read | G7 summit in Italy: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Zelenskyy, Macron and Sunak PM Modi also embraced Pope Francis at the summit. Earlier Modi had met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican in October 2021. Then both leaders talked about the COVID-19 pandemic and its spread across the world affecting millions. Modi had also briefed about the vaccination efforts taken by the nation to prevent the spread as well. Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/BeIPkdRpUD Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 This time, Modi invited Pope Francis to India. PM Modi's G7 Outreach session At the G7 Outreach session, PM Modi called for ending the monopoly in technology. He also added that the countries of the Global South are bearing the brunt of global uncertainties and tensions. "India has considered it its responsibility to put priorities and concerns of countries of the Global South on the world stage," he said. "In these efforts, we have given high priority to Africa. We are proud that the G-20, under the chairmanship of India, made the African Union a permanent member," he added. Modi assured that India will continue to contribute to the economic and social development, stability and security of all the countries of Africa. PM Modi also stressed that India has always stressed the importance of international governance in the field of AI. "We must make technology creative, not destructive. Only then will we be able to lay the foundation of an inclusive society. India is striving for a better future through this human-centric approach," he said. Modi said India is among the first few countries to formulate a national strategy on artificial intelligence. "Based on this strategy, we have launched the AI Mission this year. Its basic mantra is 'AI for All'. As a founding member and lead chair of the global partnership for AI, we are promoting cooperation among all countries," he said. Pope Francis at G7 summit Pope Francis on Friday became the first pontiff to address the G7 summit, warning the world leaders that humans must not lose control of AI. The pope said AI represented an "epochal transformation" for mankind. He also emphasised the necessity of closely monitoring the continually advancing technology to protect human life and dignity. "No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being...We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away people's ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines" the Pope was quoted by Reuters. The Pope was greeted by several world leaders including Argentine President Javier Milei, Jordan's King Abdullah, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the US President Joe Biden. During his speech, he said, "It is up to everyone to make good use of (AI) but the onus is on politics to create the conditions for such good use to be possible and fruitful." Pope also highlighted AI's potential to take on labour-intensive tasks and the threat to scientific research. "It does not develop new analyses or concepts but repeats those that it finds," he said. Keys points in the G7 draft statement 1. According to a draft statement, the G7 leaders are committed to upgrading national climate plans 2. G7 leaders to agree to contribute to a 75% cut in global methane emissions from fossil fuels by 2030 3. G7 leaders say public investments in gas can be an appropriate temporary response during the phase-out from dependency on Russian energy 4. G7 leaders also agree to speed up action this decade to transition away from fossil fuels 5. G7 leaders to agree to phase out CO2-emitting coal power generation in first half of 2030s 6. G7 to agree to be leading contributors to new UN global climate finance goal 7. G7 vows action against unfair China business practices 8. G7 leaders urge external actors to refrain from fuelling the conflict in Sudan 9. Transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would represent a substantive material escalation and direct threat to European security The G7 comprises countries: the US, UK, France, Germany, Canada and Japan. India has been invited as an Outreach country to the summit. (With agenices inputs) Before flying to attend the G7 summit in Italy, Pope Francis hosted a different crowd on Friday marking the importance of humour. Over 100 comedians from around 15 nations, including US celebrities, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock and Conan O'Brien were welcomed by the Pope. While pointing out the real-world issues, Pope stressed that they (comedians) had the power to spread smiles. "Amid so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles," the Pope told the comedians. "You unite people because laughter is contagious," he added. "When you manage to bring intelligent smiles to the lips of even a single spectator, you also make God smile," said the Pope while delivering a speech at the cultural event hosted by the Vatican. The pontiff also stressed that the Divine Wisdom practised the art of laughter for the benefit of none other than God himself, with God delighting in the works he made. Pope Francis also said it was OK to laugh at God in the same way we play and joke with the people we love. Francis greeted all the comedians individually, sharing laughs and jokes with some of them. Speaking after the speech, comedian Whoopi Goldberg said it was great, it was very fast and loving and made me happy. O'Brien (chuckling) noted that the pope spoke in Italian, so I'm not quite sure what was said. To be in that room and to be with all my fellow comedians, some of whom I've been good friends with for many years, in that environment, was quite strange," the TV host added. "All of us were thinking, how did this happen? Why are we here, and when are they going to throw us out?, he said. Colbert admitted his Italian is really bad, I would like to speak it better. But he managed to remind the pope that he had done the audiobook for his memoir. (With PTI inputs) NEW DELHI, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, proudly celebrates the honor of being named one of the top 10 finalists for the World's Best School Prizes, in the category Environmental Action 2024, by T4 Education, in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation, one of the world's most prestigious education prizes. Dr. A.F. Pinto, Chairman, and Dr. Grace Pinto, Managing Director, Ryan Group of Schools, envisioned maintaining a clean and sustainable environment for generations to come, a vision the Ryan Group is tirelessly working towards every day. Driven by a mission to cultivate eco-conscious citizens, Ryan International School integrates comprehensive environmental education across all grades. The school's pioneering projects, such as hydroponics units, biogas plants, and the DABAT project, significantly enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability. A standout achievement was the school's project 'Mitigating the Effects of Water Scarcity', which was placed among the top five at the Climate Change Challenge held at COP 28, in Dubai, competing against 43 countries. The five students from Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, who are the winners, are now eligible to attend a fully sponsored, two-week summer school in August 2024, at SAID Business School, University of Oxford. This project showcased the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of Ryan International's environmental initiatives. In addition to these accomplishments, Ryan International School has received recognition from the Ministry of Environment, for planting over 5,000 saplings in Delhi as part of its 'Each One Plant One' campaign. Mr. Ryan Pinto, CEO of Ryan Group of Schools, said: "We thank our Lord Jesus for this great honour; this recognizes our commitment to environmental stewardship. It acknowledges the significant strides we've made in safeguarding our planet's future. I hope educators everywhere will be inspired by the example set by our outstanding school. I congratulate our scholars and teachers for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Beyond academic excellence, the Ryan Group instills in students a sense of social responsibility, empowering them to make a positive difference in society. At Ryan Group of Schools, we are preparing tomorrow's leaders, today". Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World's Best School Prizes, said, "Unless we solve the urgent challenges global education faces from learning gaps exacerbated by COVID to chronic underfunding and the growing teacher well-being, recruitment and retention crisis we will have failed the next generation. Trailblazing Indian schools like Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, have cultivated a strong culture and aren't afraid to innovate, showing the difference that can be made to so many lives. Schools everywhere can now learn from their solutions, and it's time governments do so as well." For information about the Ryan Group of Schools, visit https://www.ryangroup.org/ Next steps : Ryan International School, Vasant Kunj, has also been nominated for the World's Best School Community Choice Award, and here we need your vote to win. Head to the link https://vote.worldsbestschool.org/public-vote-2024/entry/1320, and follow the steps below to vote for Ryan International School Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Steps to Vote: Step 1: Click on https://vote.worldsbestschool.org/public-vote-2024/entry/1320 Step 2: Click on Vote Now, fill in the form and click on Vote Step 3: Go onto the Email ID and click on Confirm Vote Step 4: Once redirected, click on Confirm Now Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2438712/RyanGroupAward.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1687598/4448573/RyanGroupLogo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 14: Akkala Sudhakar, esteemed member of the Central Film Censor Board along with Mr. Raghunath Verabelli, BJP Mancherial District President, and Mr. Vijjith, BJP Medchal District Secretary has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar on their recent appointments as Union Ministers. Kishan Reddy has been elected and sworn in as the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, while Bandi Sanjay Kumar has been appointed as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs. Sudhakar expressed immense joy and pride in seeing leaders from Telangana rise to prominent positions in the Union Cabinet. "It is a matter of great joy to witness our leaders from Telangana being elected as Union Ministers. This achievement not only brings pride to our state but also promises substantial contributions to the nation's development," he remarked. In his congratulatory message, Akkala Sudhakar emphasized the significance of their roles in the central government and highlighted his belief in their capacity to drive positive change. "I am confident that Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar will excel in their new roles. Their commitment to public service and their vision for India's growth will undoubtedly help in advancing our nation in various fields." Akkala Sudhakar also expressed his desire to actively participate in the development of the country and provide more services to the people. He stated, "I am committed to contributing to the development of our country and ensuring that we provide the best services to our citizens. It is our collective responsibility to address the problems faced by our people in a timely and effective manner." Reflecting on the future, Sudhakar articulated his aspiration for India to lead globally across all sectors. "In the days to come, India should be put at the forefront in all fields. Our focus should be on innovation, growth, and solving the problems of our people efficiently." Akkala Sudhakar's congratulatory notes resonate with a deep sense of duty and optimism for India's future under the leadership of dedicated ministers like Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar. He believes that their leadership will pave the way for a prosperous and progressive India. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Bhopal, Jun 14 (PTI) Premium incense stick major Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH) has forayed into the home and hygiene market with the launch of a range of products under the Orva brand. "Our new product lineup caters to the increasing demand for eco-friendly and vegan options in the home and hygiene segments with the biggest range of affordable luxury fragrance offerings, Madhya Pradesh-based MDPH director Ankit Agrawal told PTI on Friday. The company with its flagship brand, Zed Black, consistently ranked among the top 3 incense stick manufacturers in the country. "Focusing on eco-friendly and vegan offerings, Orva caters to the growing demand for sustainable and cruelty-free options with its diverse range of vegan products, including essential oils, reed diffusers, handwash, air fresheners, and more in the current fiscal," he said. In addition to the launch of Orva, Zed Black has set ambitious growth targets for FY25. The company aims to surpass Rs 725 crore in revenue, driven by strong performances across all divisions with a particular focus on the home & hygiene segment. Zed Black has reported a growth rate of 13 per cent in FY23 and 14.2 per cent in FY24, underlining its steady and organic expansion, he said. The premium brand has a presence in over 7,50,000 retail counters across the country and exports to more than 40 countries, with plans to expand to 100 countries, Anshul Agrawal, director at MDPH, said. New Delhi, Jun 14 (PTI) Bihar Tourism Minister Nitish Mishra on Friday invited the business community to invest in the sector in the state and promised support of the local government. Addressing an investment meet and a Bihar Tourism Roadshow here, Mishra said Bihar is not only rich in heritage but is also developing rapidly. "Come and invest in Bihar without hesitation; the government will support you at every step. We are organising investment sessions along with roadshows across the country, with the next event scheduled in Kolkata next month. "Famous groups like Taj, Hyatt, and Sarovar have already invested here. Join us, and you will receive direct subsidies and numerous other benefits. Being from Mithila, I assure you of Mithila's warm hospitality," he said. Tourism Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh, while addressing the event, shared insights about the plans, programmes, and policies implemented by the Bihar Tourism Department with businesspersons, travel agents, tour operators, and hoteliers based in Delhi. He said substantial work is being done in terms of infrastructure across all tourism circuits in the state, coupled with policy-level enhancements, including subsidies and various facilities in the tourism sector. "The positive outcomes are evident, and we are working to improve them further," he said. Tourism Secretary Shri Abhay Kumar Singh, while addressing the event, shared insights about the plans, programs, and policies implemented by the Bihar Tourism Department with businesspersons, travel agents, tour operators, and hoteliers based in Delhi. He highlighted that substantial work is being done in terms of infrastructure across all tourism circuits in Bihar, coupled with policy-level enhancements, including subsidies and various facilities in the tourism sector. "The positive outcomes are evident, and we are working to improve them further," he said. Resident Commissioner Kundan Kumar said new industrial policy of the Bihar government has created numerous opportunities for investors. This has significantly boosted industrial investment. "Over Rs 50,000 crore worth of MoUs were signed at Bihar Business Connect 2023, leading to increased investments in both general industrial activities and the tourism sector, thereby improving the overall landscape," he said. Mumbai, Jun 14 (PTI) It was an immediate yes for Sanya Malhotra when she was approached to play the lead role in "Mrs" as the actor says she was keen to do a film that highlights how women are relegated to managing the household and the kitchen after marriage. The upcoming film is the Hindi-language adaptation of filmmaker Jeo Baby's 2021 critically-acclaimed Malayalam film "The Great Indian Kitchen", about an aspiring dancer who is married off in a patriarchal family where she is reduced to doing household chores but ultimately resists her oppression. "It's sadly a universal thing that a lot of women go through. Being a homemaker is an under-appreciated job. A lot of people don't think that it's a job in itself. So, its definitely a universal issue that a lot of women go through hence, it makes the journey of this character and the film so relatable," Malhotra told PTI in an interview. Director Arati Kadav of Cargo fame has helmed Mrs, billed as a captivating account of a woman's strength and resilience. When she heard the script of the Hindi adaptation, Malhotra said she fell in love with the character of Richa. "It was an immediate yes. I read the script and I fell in love with the character. I wanted to be part of this film, and also tell a woman's story. I know so many women around me whove gone through something similar like this. I feel empathetic towards that. I also feel a sense of responsibility as an actor that these stories need to be told," she added. Malhotra said a friend of hers went through a similar ordeal and she shared her story with the actor. A friend of mine had gone through something very similar to the character and she graciously shared her therapy notes, she's out of that marriage now. For the film, we interviewed a lot of women; read horrific and heartbreaking poems that women have written about being trapped in their house and chores, and how insignificant that makes them feel, she said. What was challenging for Malhotra was striking a balance between the fiction and the reality. "I had to swim into what she is going through, Id to imagine being in her shoes and start living her life... But I also need to have that boundary that these are not my emotions; these are not the experiences that Im experiencing. At the same time, I thought I can be there for them, and be a part of something bigger and help other people know about these issues through my work, said the actor, known for films like Dangal, Pagglait, Kathal, and Jawan. Malhotra recently won the Best Actress award at the New York Indian Film Festival 2024 for her performances in "Mrs". The actor is happy to have garnered appreciation for her performance and the movie at international film festivals like the New York Indian Film Festival and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. We knew it was going to be a special film while we were shooting it. The kind of response we are getting from all these film festivals, and people outside of India, and Indians who have seen it... It gives me a sense of confidence that the film is good and will do well whenever it releases in India." The praise has also made Malhotra feel good about herself as a performer. "I usually don't like my work that easily... I'm very critical of my work but this time, my team was quite shocked when I told them, I'm quite proud of myself, I think it's a good one," she said. Presented by Jio Studios in association with Baweja Studios, Mrs also stars Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh in key roles. It is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pammi Baweja, and Harman Baweja. Washington, Jun 14 (AP) The US Supreme Court has struck down a ban on bump stocks, the gun accessory used in the deadliest shooting in modern American history a Las Vegas massacre that killed 60 people and injured hundreds more. The court's conservative majority said Friday that then-President Donald Trump's administration overstepped its authority with the 2019 ban on the firearm attachment, which allows semiautomatic weapons to fire like machine guns. Here's what to know about the case: What are bump stocks? Bump stocks are accessories that replace a rifle's stock, the part that gets pressed against the shooter's shoulder. When a person fires a semiautomatic weapon fitted with a bump stock, it uses the gun's recoil energy to rapidly and repeatedly bump the trigger against the shooter's finger. That allows the weapon to fire dozens of bullets in a matter of seconds. Bump stocks were invented in the early 2000s after the expiration of a 1994 ban targeting assault weapons. The federal government approved the sale of bump stocks in 2010 after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concluded that guns equipped with the devices should not be considered illegal machine guns under federal law. According to court documents, more than 520,000 bump stocks were in circulation by the time the government reversed course and imposed a ban that took effect in 2019. Why were bump stocks banned? More than 22,000 people were attending a country music festival in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017, when a man opened fire on the crowd from the window of his high-rise hotel room. He fired more than 1,000 rounds in the crowd in 11 minutes, leaving 60 people dead and injuring hundreds more. Authorities found an arsenal of 23 assault-style rifles in the shooter's hotel room, including 14 weapons fitted with bump stocks. In the aftermath of the shooting, the ATF reconsidered whether bump stocks could be sold and owned legally. With support from Trump, a Republican, the agency in 2018 ordered a ban on the devices, arguing they turned rifles into illegal machine guns. Bump stock owners were given until March 2019 to surrender or destroy them. What did the justices say? The 6-3 majority opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas said the ATF did not have the authority to issue the regulation banning bump stocks. The justices said a bump stock is not an illegal machine gun because it doesn't make the weapon fire more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger. Justice Samuel Alito, who joined the majority, wrote in a separate opinion that the Las Vegas shooting strengthened the case for changing the law to outlaw bump stocks like machine guns. But that has to happen through action by Congress, not through regulation, he wrote. The court's three liberal justices opposed the ruling. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent that there's no common sense difference between a machine gun and a semiautomatic firearm with a bump stock. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. Do any states have their own bans? At least 15 states and the District of Columbia have their own bans on bump stocks, though some could be affected by the high court's ruling. Most state laws, however, remain in place because the decision covered the ATF rule, not the constitutionality of state-level bans, according David Pucino, legal director of the gun control think tank Giffords. Who challenged the ban? A group called the New Civil Liberties Alliance sued to challenge the bump stock ban on behalf of Michael Cargill, a Texas gun shop owner. Cargill bought two bump stocks in 2018 and then surrendered them once the federal ban took effect, according to court documents. The case didn't directly address the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. Instead, Cargill's attorneys argued that the ATF overstepped its authority by banning bump stocks. Mark Chenoweth, president of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, said his group wouldn't have sued if Congress had banned them by law. How did the case end up before the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court took up the case after lower federal courts delivered conflicting rulings on whether the ATF could ban bump stocks. The ban survived challenges before the Cincinnati-based 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals, the Denver-based 10th Circuit, and the federal circuit court in Washington. But the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals based in New Orleans struck down the bump stock ban when it ruled in the Texas case last year. The court's majority in the 13-3 decision found that a plain reading of the statutory language" showed that weapons fitted with bump stocks could not be regulated as machine guns. (AP) PY PY Moscow, Jun 14 (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin promised on Friday to immediately order a cease-fire in Ukraine and start negotiations if Kyiv began withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounced plans to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected what he called an ultimatum by Putin to surrender more territory. Putin's remarks came as Switzerland prepared to host scores of world leaders -- but not from Moscow -- this weekend to try to map out first steps toward peace in Ukraine. They also coincided with a meeting of leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations in Italy and after the US and Ukraine this week signed a 10-year security agreement that Russian officials, including Putin, denounced as null and void. Putin blasted the Switzerland conference as just another ploy to divert everyone's attention, reverse the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis (and) set the discussion on the wrong track. His demands came in a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry and was aimed at what he called a final resolution of the conflict rather than freezing it, and stressed the Kremlin is ready to start negotiations without delay. Broader demands for peace that Putin listed included Ukraine's recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, keeping the country's non-nuclear status, restricting its military force and protecting the interests of the Russian-speaking population. All of these should be part of fundamental international agreements, and all Western sanctions against Russia should be lifted, Putin said. We're urging to turn this tragic page of history and to begin restoring, step-by-step, the unity between Russia and Ukraine and in Europe in general, he said. Putin's remarks, made to a group of somber Foreign Ministry officials and some senior lawmakers, represented a rare occasion in which he clearly laid out his conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, but it didn't include any new demands. The Kremlin has said before that Kyiv should recognise its territorial gains and drop its bid to join NATO. Zelenskyy, in Italy for the G7 meeting, said Putin's proposal was not new and was in the form of an ultimatum, comparing it to actions by Adolf Hitler in seizing territory that led to World War II. What Putin demands is to give them a part of our territories, those occupied and not occupied, talking about several regions of our country, he said. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called Putin's plan manipulative, absurd and designed to mislead the international community, undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just peace, and split the unity of the world majority around the goals and principles of the UN Charter. Besides seeking to join NATO, Ukraine wants Russian forces out of its territory, including the Crimean Peninsula that was illegally annexed in 2014; the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity; and that Russia be held accountable for war crimes and for Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv. Russia launched its a full-scale invasion in February 2022. After Ukrainian forces thwarted a Russian drive to the capital, much of the fighting has focused in the south and east, where Moscow illegally annexed four regions, although it doesn't fully control any of them. Zelenskyy adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on social media there was nothing new from Putin and that the Russian leader voiced only the standard aggressor's set,' which has been heard many times already. There is no novelty in this, no real peace proposals and no desire to end the war. But there is a desire not to pay for this war and to continue it in new formats. It's all a complete sham, Podolyak wrote on X. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said at NATO headquarters in Brussels that Putin has illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about a peace. Austin added that Putin started this war with no provocation. He could end it today if he chose to do that. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg added that this is not a peace proposal. This is a proposal of more aggression, more occupation, and it demonstrates in a way that that Russia's aim is to control Ukraine. Putin insisted that Kyiv should withdraw from all four annexed regions entirely and essentially cede them to Moscow within their administrative borders. In Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, Russia still doesn't control the region's administrative capital with a pre-war population of about 700,000; in the neighbouring Kherson region, Moscow withdrew from its biggest city and capital of the same name in November 2022. Putin said if Kyiv and Western capitals reject his offer, it is their business, their political and moral responsibility for continuing the bloodshed. The Kremlin has repeatedly aired its readiness for peace talks with Kyiv and blamed the West for undermining its efforts to end the conflict. Putin went further Friday and claimed his troops never intended to storm Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, even though they approached the city. In essence, it was nothing other than an operation to force the Ukrainian regime to peace. The troops were there to push the Ukrainian side to negotiate, to try and find an acceptable solution, he said. Moscow withdrew from Kyiv in March 2022 and described it a goodwill gesture as peace talks between the two began, but the pullback took place amid fierce Ukrainian resistance that significantly slowed down Russia's battlefield advances. Putin also claimed that in that same month, he told a foreign official he wasn't ruling out withdrawing forces from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and ceding occupied parts of them back to Ukraine, as long as Kyiv allowed Russia to have a strong land connection to Crimea. He said the official planned on bringing that proposal to Kyiv which Moscow welcomed, as it generally welcomed attempts to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict. But the Kremlin then annexed both regions, along with the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, citing the results of sham referendums it staged there. Putin mentioned those and said, The matter is closed forever and is no longer up for discussion. In Friday's fighting, Russian defences shot down 87 Ukrainian drones, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said, most of them launched against the Rostov region, home to Russia's southern military command, but no deaths or damage were reported in one of the biggest Ukrainian drone barrages of the war. In Russia's Belgorod region on the border, part of a residential building collapsed in the town of Shebekino after Ukrainian shelling, Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Three people were injured, he said. Ukraine's military has been on the back foot in recent months, with its troops outnumbered by the Kremlin's forces and running short of ammunition and weaponry due to delays in promised Western military aid. Russia has battered Ukraine with drones, especially its power grid. It fired 14 missiles and 17 Shahed drones overnight, Ukraine's air force said. Air defence systems downed all the drones as well as seven missiles, it said. The attacks injured six people in the Donetsk region, where residential buildings were hit, officials said. A Russian drone struck a bus near the village of Esman in the northern Sumy region, injuring three women. Authorities say 20 passengers were in the bus at the time. Also on Friday, Russia returned to Ukraine the bodies of 254 of its soldiers, Kyiv said. Once identified, the bodies will be returned to relatives, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. (AP) PY PY Geneva, Jun 14 (AP) Switzerland will host scores of world leaders this weekend to try to map out first steps toward peace in Ukraine even though Russia, which launched the ongoing war, won't take part. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government didn't want Russia involved, and the Swiss aware of Moscow's reservations about the talks didn't invite Russia. The Swiss insist Russia must be involved at some point, and hope it will join the process one day. Ukrainians, too, are considering that possibility. The conference, underpinned by elements of a 10-point peace formula presented by Zelenskyy in late 2022, is unlikely to produce major results and is seen as a largely symbolic effort on the part of Kyiv to rally the international community and project strength against its better armed and numbered adversary. But the question looming over the summit will be how the two countries can move back from the brink and eventually silence the guns in a war that has cost hundreds of billions of dollars and caused hundreds and thousands of deaths and injuries, without Moscow attending. The conflict has also led to international sanctions against nuclear-armed Russia and has raised tensions between NATO and Moscow. The summit comes as Russian forces have been making modest territorial gains in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, extending the grip they already hold on about a quarter of the country. Here's a look at what to expect from the weekend gathering at the Burgenstock Resort on a cliff overlooking Lake Lucerne. Among the stakes will be simple optics: How many countries the Swiss and Ukrainians can draw in. The bigger the turnout, the bigger the international push and pressure for peace will be, the thinking goes. Swiss officials sent out some 160 invitations, and say about 90 delegations, including a handful of international organisations like the United Nations, will attend. Roughly half will be from Europe. Zelenskyy led a diplomatic push in Asia and beyond to rally participation. Several dozen attendees will be heads of state or government, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. United States Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Zelenskyy on Saturday on the sidelines of the summit, according to a senior Biden administration official. Harris, who is making a quick trip to Lucerne to take part in the opening day, is also expected to deliver an address before the gathering. The official, who briefed a small group of reporters on the vice president's plans on the condition of anonymity, said Harris intended to focus her engagements on defending and strengthening the international rules-based order. US President Joe Biden, who was wrapping up a visit to Italy on Friday for a Group of Seven summit, opted to dispatch Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The president, meanwhile, was headed to Los Angeles for a glitzy campaign fundraiser with actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts, as well as former President Barack Obama. Biden and Zelenskyy signed a 10-year security agreement Thursday at the G7 summit. Russia's key ally China will not attend. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said it believes any such international peace conference should involve both Russia and Ukraine, although Beijing supports efforts to bring the conflict to an end and is monitoring the developments in Switzerland. The final list of attendees isn't expected until late Friday, and question marks remain about how key developing countries like India, Brazil and Turkey might take part, if at all. But so far, under half of the 193 United Nations member countries are planning to attend, testifying to a wait-and-see attitude in many world capitals. Russia does not have a lot of allies in this particular situation," said Keith Krause, a professor of international security studies at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. It has a number of states that are susceptible to being pressured, and a few that actually wish to stand aside, from what they see as a northern, US-Russia, NATO-Russia confrontation. "They essentially don't have what they would consider a dog in the fight, he added. Naysayers have harrumphed that the peace summit will be short on substantial achievements toward peace without Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin's government doesn't believe Switzerland, which has lined up behind European Union sanctions on Moscow over the war, is neutral. Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's UN ambassador, said peace talks without Russia's participation are a road to nowhere. In practice, the main goal is to present an ultimatum to the Russian Federation in the form of the so-called peace plan'" from Zelenskyy, the ambassador was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti. Participants are expected to unite around an outcome document or a joint plan, and Ukraine will have a lot of input into what it says. But ironing out language that delegations can agree upon is still a work in progress, and could explain why some countries aren't yet saying whether they will attend. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, said Ukrainian officials wanted countries that respect Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity to be invited. He said the basis of the talks should be a 10-point peace formula that Zelenskyy has presented, and he held out the possibility that Russia could be invited to a second such summit. Speaking to reporters late Tuesday, Yermak said Ukraine and the other participants would be preparing a joint plan to unite around, "and we're looking for the possibility in the second summit to invite representative of Russia, and together present this joint plan. Asked what would be the measure of a successful summit in Burgenstock, he replied: We think it's already a success because it's a big number of countries (attending)." Ukraine's peace plan launched by Zelenskyy outlines 10 proposals that encapsulates the president's step-by-step vision to end the war against Russia's invasion, now in its third year. The plan includes ambitious calls, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territory, the cessation of hostilities and restoring Ukraine's state borders with Russia, including Crimea. That is an unlikely outcome at this stage in this war, as Ukraine is unable to negotiate from a position of strength. Moscow's army has the upper hand in firepower and number of troops, while Kyiv's momentum has been stalled by delays in Western military supplies. That is likely why the most contentious elements of the plan are not being discussed. Only three themes will be on the table at the summit: nuclear safety, including at the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant; humanitarian aid; and food security, not just in Ukraine but globally notably the spillover effects of the war on Ukrainian agricultural production and exports. Western officials in Kyiv said these themes cut across international interests and are easy for Kyiv to rally the international community around. But they do not encompass the tougher issues that can only be resolved with Moscow as a negotiating partner. Russia's hesitancy about the conference stems in part from its unwillingness to show any sign of acceptance of the Ukrainian peace formula, which it rejects, or any red lines set by Kyiv. Putin has espoused a deal to be premised on a draft peace agreement negotiated in the early days of the war that included provisions for Ukraine's neutral status and put limits on its armed forces while delaying talks on the status of Russian-occupied areas. Krause, of the Graduate Institute, said Ukraine needs to emerge from the conference with momentum a reaffirmation of commitment from its top allies and partners around its bottom lines on issues like territorial integrity and future relationships, even if membership may be far off, in NATO or the European Union one day. He said Ukraine will want to see a reaffirmation that it's up to Kyiv to lay out the terms on which the war will end. I don't think anybody is particularly deluded that this is going to give birth to a new peace plan, or even to some kind of agreement that stops the hostilities on the battlefield," Krause said. "But as past wars have shown, including as far back as World War II, discussions about the contours of the peace begin long before the fighting stops on the battlefield. (AP) RUP RUP RUP Bari, Jun 14 (AP) Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address the Group of Seven nations on Friday, raising the promise and perils of artificial intelligence to the leaders of the world's leading industrialised nations. Francis addressed the G7 and other invited countries at their annual summit in southern Italy. When he arrived, the room, which had been boisterous with delegations, went quiet as he greeted each of the G7 members and the expanded guest list. Francis intended to use the occasion to join the chorus of countries and global bodies pushing for stronger guardrails on AI following the boom in generative artificial intelligence kickstarted by OpenAI's ChatGPT. (AP) GSP Palghar, Jun 14 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said the Army, Navy and Coast Guard have joined the efforts to rescue the excavator operator who remains trapped with the equipment after a cave-in at a water project in Palghar 17 days ago. An excavator operator was trapped after the soil and wall structure collapsed during work on a tunnel shaft at the Surya water supply project site in Sasun Navghar village, some 50 km from Mumbai, on the night of May 29. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other rescue teams have been working at the site, but neither the man nor the machine has been spotted The chief minister, accompanied by MMRDA Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee and Palghar Collector Govind Bodke, visited the site on Friday and reviewed the rescue efforts. Talking to reporters, Shinde said, "Excavator operator Rakesh Yadav was involved in an accident while working on the Surya pipeline project. Despite extensive rescue operations involving local teams and NDRF, he remains trapped. The Indian Army, Navy, and Coast Guard now have joined the search. We are committed to his rescue." The chief minister announced compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Yadav's family in the event of his death and assured a job to a member. He further said that considering the complexity of the situation, professors from the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) will oversee the rescue. The experts will also conduct a thorough inquiry to ascertain the cause of the incident and prevent future occurrences, Shinde said. Mumbai, Jun 14 (PTI) A special court here on Friday remanded in NIA custody till June 19 a Nashik-based man who was held by the central agency for allegedly being a key member of an international human trafficking syndicate that forces youngsters into illegal online activities, including credit card frauds and honey trapping. Following his arrest earlier in the day, Sudarshan Darade was produced before special NIA judge AK Lahoti, with the central agency seeking remand of 15 days. Appearing for the NIA, special public prosecutor Sandeep Sadavarte told court Darade was a "key middleman" who was coordinating between the owners of a Chinese company based in Laos in south east Asia and the recruiting agents. Darade, who worked in Dubai drawing a handsome salary, was actively involved in this recruitment scam and had played a pivotal role in transporting youths from India to Laos via Thailand, the agency said. Darade is the sixth person to be arrested in the case in less than three weeks. NIA had on May 27 arrested five other accused after multi-state searches in joint operations with the respective state police forces. In a statement issued earlier in the day, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the youths were being forced to work in fake call centres in Laos, including at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, and Cambodia, among other places, through elaborate syndicates controlled and operated mainly by foreign nationals. These syndicates were connected to operatives based in various parts of India as well as other countries like the UAE and Vietnam, besides Cambodia and Laos, it said. Trafficked youth were coerced into undertaking illegal activities online such as credit card fraud, investments in cryptocurrency using fake applications and honey trapping, as per the NIA probe. However, addressing the court in-person, Darade denied the allegations against him and said he was just following the instructions of his boss. Darade's lawyer Devendra Awhad argued that his client was a professional working with a forex trader in Dubai for several years now. The lawyer submitted that the owner of the firm where Darade was working is a Chinese national and has connection with the owner the company that allegedly recruited youths. He was just asked to help in logistic and administrative support, Awhad told court and claimed his client was being made a scapegoat. After hearing both sides, the court remanded Darade in NIA custody till June 19. Mumbai, Jun 14 (PTI) Two women died after the wall of a three storey house collapsed in Antop Hill in Mumbai on Friday, a civic official said. The incident took place in Punjab Galli at 9:25 pm and a search operation at the site was underway, he said. "A wall portion of the second and third floor of the ground plus upper three floor hutment partially collapsed. Some of it is hanging precariously. Two women, identified as Shobadevi Mourya (45) and Zakirunissa Shaikh (50), were rushed to Sion Hospital where doctors declared them dead on arrival," the official said. Kolkata, Jun 14 (PTI) A massive fire broke out on the third floor of a shopping mall in the southern part of Kolkata on Friday, prompting authorities to evacuate the building, an official said. Ten fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze which broke out at the mall in Kasba area around 12.15 pm, he added. "As of now, there is no report of any injury. Firefighting operations are underway. Some firefighters have entered the building wearing oxygen masks," the official told PTI. The entire area was engulfed in smoke and traffic movement in front of the mall has been regulated, a senior officer of Kolkata Traffic Police said. Lucknow, Jun 14 (PTI) SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday appealed to party workers and leaders to prepare for the state polls and said the public has ended the politics of hatred with the victory of SP's Awadhesh Prasad from Faizabad Lok Sabha seat. The Faizabad parliamentary constituency falls under the Ayodhya district and Prasad defeated BJP's Lallu Singh by a margin of about 55,000 votes in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Uttar Pradesh (UP) will go to polls in 2027. According to a statement issued by the Samajwadi Party (SP), Yadav said, "The 2024 Lok Sabha elections have worked to change the politics of India. With the victory of Awadhesh Prasad, MP from Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency of Ayodhya district, the public has put an end to the politics of hatred." The SP supremo was addressing a large number of party workers, leaders, MLAs and newly elected Lok Sabha members at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Auditorium in the party's state headquarters here. Singh had won the Lok Sabha polls from Faizabad for two consecutive times since 2014. He was prevented by Prasad from scoring a hat-trick. His defeat also became a topic of discussion because on January 22, the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla took place in the grand Ayodhya temple under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yadav said, "We have got a historic victory. But this victory has increased our responsibility even more. We have to start preparing for the 2027 assembly elections from now itself.'' In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the SP won the highest number of 37 seats out of 80 in UP, giving a record performance since its inception. The SP's ally Congress also won six seats, while the BJP won 33, its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won two and Apna Dal (S) won one seat. The Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) also won one seat. The SP chief said, "The historic victory of the Samajwadi Party in this Lok Sabha election has increased the strength of Samajwadi Party and leaders and workers have been infused with new energy." "To achieve the goal of victory in the upcoming assembly elections, while we all have to keep our language right, we also have to learn to respect everyone," he said. He asked the party leaders and workers to stay connected with the public and added that the blessings of the public are with them. "No one can stand in front of the public. The public has broken the arrogance of the BJP in the elections. The BJP leaders cannot sleep now," he said. Lucknow, Jun 14 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked officials to immediately remove encroachments on the banks of rivers and ponds. He issued the instructions at a meeting on Thursday. "There are encroachments on the banks of Ramganga river in Moradabad. A similar situation can be seen in Kashi, Saharanpur and other districts," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a post on X quoting Adityanath. "At present, efforts are being made for the revival of the Kukrail river in Lucknow. Illegal settlements have been removed and (their residents have been) rehabilitated elsewhere. Similarly, work should be done in other districts as per local requirements," he said. The chief minister asked the officials to ensure there are no settlements in the river basin. "Old ponds, ponds and other water bodies should be preserved. If there are any encroachments, they should be removed immediately," he said. A drive to demolish illegal constructions in Akbarnagar I and II along the Kukrail river in Lucknow started on Monday. The drive was launched following a court order for the demolition of 1,068 illegal residential and 101 commercial constructions in Akbarnagar I and II. Chandigarh, Jun 14 (PTI) Haryana Police Friday arrested two people in connection with the alleged assault on a Sikh man in Kaithal who had claimed that he was thrashed and called a "Khalistani" by the assailants. After the incident on Monday evening, Kaithal police formed a five-member Special Investigation Team to probe the incident. Those arrested have been identified as Ishu, a resident of Singwal village in Jind and Sunil, a resident of Shergarh village, Superintendent of Police, Kaithal, Upasana told reporters in Kaithal. Both the accused are aged around 30 and were apprehended from Pega village of Jind district, she said. During preliminary interrogation of the accused, it has come to the fore that Ishu, who is in the finance business, faces two cases under the Arms Act, she said, adding Sunil is a taxi driver. The arrests were made based on various inputs collected by the SIT, she added. Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the duo. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the incident and called for immediate action against the culprits. According to the police complaint, the victim was waiting at a railway-level crossing in Kaithal when the incident took place on Monday evening. As the gates opened and traffic started moving, the man had an argument with two motorcycle-borne youths. The matter escalated and a fight broke out between them. "They abused me and called me a Khalistani. One person got down from the motorcycle and hit me with bricks," the victim, who was hospitalised, had told reporters on Tuesday. Chennai, Jun 14 (PTI) A sessions court on Monday extended till June 19 the remand of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14, 2023 in a money laundering case. Principal Sessions Judge (PSJ) S Alli, before whom Balaji was produced by the prosecution through video-conferencing from the Central Puzhal Prison here, extended his judicial custody till June 19. The judge said she would pass orders on June 19 on a petition filed by Balaji seeking to discharge him from the case. Meanwhile, the judge dismissed three other petitions filed by Balaji. In one petition, he sought to defer the proceedings in the case till City Union Bank produces the original counter foils/challans used for making deposits in his account and in the account of his wife. In another petition, he sought a direction to City Union Bank, Karur to furnish the list of bank employees, more specifically the clerk, cashier and manager employed at City Union Bank, Karur for the period 2012 to 2022. This plea came as the ED had heavily relied on the counter foil challans issued by the bank, referred to as "Relied Upon Documents Nos 16 and 17", which has been allegedly utilised for depositing the cash by the Petitioner and his wife. In yet another petition, he sought a direction to the City Union Bank, Karur to furnish the copy of the PAN cards of the Depositors in RUD Nos 16 & 17 ie the counter foil challans for the period from the year 2016 to 2022. Balaji was arrested on June 14 by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam when he was the transport minister during the previous AIADMK regime. Soon after his arrest, he underwent a bypass surgery at a private hospital. Later, the ED took him into custody for interrogation, following which he was remanded in judicial custody. His remand has been periodically extended by the court. Meanwhile, the ED had on August 12 filed a charge sheet, running to 3,000 pages against Balaji. The Madras High Court had on October 19 dismissed the bail petition filed by Balaji. His earlier bail applications were dismissed twice by the PSJ. His third bail application was also dismissed by the PSJ on January 12. His second bail application was dismissed by the high court on February 28. His earlier petition to defer the trial was dismissed by the PSJ on February 15. Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 14 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that all necessary precautions should be taken to ensure that something like the Kuwait fire tragedy does not recur, and expressed hope that the Gulf nation will take action against those responsible for the incident. Vijayan, speaking during the fourth edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha held here, said that the Kuwaiti government acted in an appropriate manner in the wake of the tragic incident. He hoped that there would be effective intervention on their part to find out why it happened. If the incident was due to the failure to adhere to precautionary norms, then we hope that the Kuwaiti government will take action against those responsible, the CM said. "The initial steps taken by them (Kuwaiti government) indicates that they will follow up on this matter seriously," he said. The three-day long Loka Kerala Sabha, initially scheduled to begin on June 13, was cut short to two days following the Kuwait fire tragedy. The event, which saw the participation of representatives from 103 countries, was inaugurated only on Friday afternoon as the chief minister and other ministers had gone to Kochi in the morning to receive the mortal remains of 31 Indians, including 23 Keralites, who died in the incident on June 12. Referring to the events at the airport in the morning, Vijayan said, "What we saw today while paying tributes to the deceased still troubles our minds. It was the cry of a father who lost his son... There were many other such stories." The Marxist veteran said that whatever compensation is given to the bereaved families, it would never be able to replace the loss of a loved one. Nevertheless, sufficient financial assistance has to be given to them, he said. "We have to ensure that. We hope the Kuwaiti government will take steps for that. The Indian government should get in touch with them to expedite the same. "Along with that, any organisation that is obligated to provide compensation to the victims' families should be made to pay it. The Kuwaiti government should ensure that and, for that, there should be timely interventions from the Government of India," Vijayan said. He also raised the issue of the denial of political clearance to state Health Minister Veena George to travel to Kuwait for helping with the coordination of relief efforts, saying that in such situations both the Centre and the state government should work together with the same mindset. "Not doing so in such situations is inappropriate," he added. A 20-year-old Westchester County man, Zuhdi Ahmed, was arrested on Thursday for his alleged involvement in a hate crime against a Jewish Columbia University student, Jonathan Lederer, during a campus protest in April. According to authorities, Ahmed was part of a group that confronted Lederer, 22, on April 20, ripping away his Israeli flag and throwing a rock at his face. The incident occurred at Amsterdam Avenue and West 116th Street, and Ahmed allegedly screamed at Lederer and flipped him the bird before a third person set the flag on fire. Lederer, who was wearing a yarmulke, suffered minor injuries but refused medical attention. He wrote about the incident in an article for The Free Press, describing how he and his friends were singing songs calling for peace before the violence erupted. Ahmed, a student at Hunter College, was charged with multiple counts, including assault and menacing as hate crimes, aggravated harassment, criminal possession of a weapon, and harassment. He was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday and is due back in court on August 6. One of the other accused attackers, James Carlson, 41, was arrested in May and charged with criminal mischief, arson, and criminal possession of stolen property. A third suspect remains at large. The incident occurred during massive campus protests against Israels war in Gaza, and Lederer described how he and his friends were confronted by masked keffiyeh-wearers who tried to intimidate them. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Supreme Court unanimously upheld access to a drug used in the majority of U.S. abortions on Thursday, though abortion opponents say the ruling wont be the last word in the fight over mifepristone. The narrow decision came two years after the high court overturned the nationwide right to abortion. Rather than fully dive into the issue, the high court found that anti-abortion doctors lacked the legal right to sue. That could leave an opening for anti-abortion states or other opponents to keep up the fight. Some takeaways from the decision: What does this say about the Supreme Court and abortion? Not necessarily very much. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was part of the court majority two years ago to overturn Roe, employed a minimalist approach in the opinion that seemed designed to sidestep disagreements and arrive at a unanimous outcome. The court found that the abortion opponents couldnt sue because they werent actually injured by the medication, in part because federal laws protect doctors from performing abortions if they object. The court did not address whether the FDA ultimately adhered to the law when it made changes to relax access to mifepristone, including allowing telehealth prescribing and mail delivery to patients. It said opponents could go elsewhere with their arguments, like to the president or the FDA. Not a word was written about the Comstock Act, a 19th-century law that some abortion opponents think can be used to prevent mifepristone from being sent in the mail and was mentioned by two conservative justices during oral arguments. The courts ability to reach a unanimous decision was also surely made easier by the aggressive lower-court rulings that embraced much of the abortion opponents lawsuits and strayed from how courts typically decide whether someone can sue. This term, the Supreme Court is weighing several appeals of novel rulings by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Kavanaugh delivered a rebuke in the form of a brief but pointed civics lesson, saying a federal court is not a legislative assembly, a town square, or a faculty lounge. What happens next? The legal fight over mifepristone doesnt seem to be over. Erin Hawley, the lead attorney for the abortion opponents, said she expects states who previously joined the lawsuit to continue the case. They could argue that while doctors may not have legal standing to challenge the drug, states do. The attorney general in one of those states, Kris Kobach of Kansas, sounded a similar note, saying it is essential the case continues. One potential problem for the states is that the justices refused to let them intervene in the Supreme Court case. Abortion rights advocates have also said they expect the push to restrict mifepristone to continue. What does this mean politically? Thursdays ruling sidesteps immediate seismic political effects, but the issue will still be center stage this election year. Democrats said the Supreme Court made the right call on abortion medication, but warned that the ruling wouldnt end GOP threats to abortion rights. Vice President Kamala Harris said former President Donald Trumps allies would still try to halt access to medication abortion and enact further restrictions, including a nationwide ban. Patient Kaniya Harris, 21, said she was deeply relieved the medication allowed her to self-manage her abortion in Bethesda, Maryland, during her junior year in college in March 2023. She later demonstrated in front of the court to support access to the drug. We still have a ways to go, she said. Were still pushing for abortion access . But at least this is a step in the right direction. Currently, only about half of states allow full access to the drug under the FDAs framework, though statistics show people in restricted states have continued to receive the drug by mail. Most Republican officials and candidates werent as vocal. Trump, the presumed Republican nominee, has previously said hed announce a position on medication abortion but hasnt done so. He said in April that abortion should be left up to states, though this week he also urged an anti-abortion Christian group to stand up for innocent life. Abortion will also be directly on the ballot in at least four states where voters are being asked to approve constitutional amendments that would assure abortion access. Similar measures could be before voters in several other states, too. Is the Supreme Court done with abortion? No. Its not even the last abortion case this term. The Supreme Court is also expected to hand down a decision in the next few weeks on whether federal law protects emergency abortions in states with strict bans. The Biden administration argues that abortion care must be allowed in cases where a womans health is at serious risk. It sued the state of Idaho, which maintains that its exception for life-saving care is enough. Kavanaugh mentioned the high courts other abortion case in Thursdays ruling, as he pointed out that the Justice Department has acknowledged that doctors who are opposed to abortion dont have to take part under federal conscience laws. The reference doesnt hint at how the court might rule in the case, said Sara Rosenbaum, a health policy professor at George Washington University. The fact that the court didnt release a decision in that case along with the mifepristone case could signal that the emergency abortion ruling is going to be a much more difficult decision. (AP) A growing migrant crisis has transformed Bostons Logan International Airport into an impromptu shelter, with over 100 migrants sleeping on the floors due to a lack of space and resources at nearby facilities. Despite efforts to address the issue, the number of migrants seeking refuge at the airport has surged in recent weeks, with many facing harsh conditions. According to police, the migrants are using the airport as a temporary shelter, with some arriving at all hours and staying for extended periods. A MassPort representative acknowledged the situation, citing a shortage of staff and resources at surrounding facilities, which has led to migrants being bussed to state welcome centers during the day and returned to the airport at night. The migrants are enduring poor conditions, sleeping on hard and cold floors, facing constant light and noise from airport announcements, and waiting on a list for shelter space to become available. The situation has become increasingly dire since state shelters reached maximum capacity in November, with many forced to wait for a spot to open up. While Massachusetts does not have sanctuary state laws, local cities like Boston have implemented some form of sanctuary policies. Governor Maura Healey has attempted to address the issue by converting a former prison into a shelter for homeless families, including migrants. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A U.S. Navy submarine has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean. U.S. Southern Command said the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, pulled into the waters near the U.S. base in Cuba on Thursday, just a day after a Russian frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean. The stop is part of a routine port visit as the submarine travels through Southern Commands region, it said in a social media post. Other U.S. ships also have been tracking and monitoring the Russian drills, which Pentagon officials say do not represent a threat to the United States. This is not a surprise. Weve seen them do these type of port calls before, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Wednesday when asked about the Russian drills. We of course take it seriously, but these exercises dont pose a threat to the United States. The exercises, however, come less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to protect Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. Russian President Vladimir Putin then suggested his military could respond with asymmetrical steps elsewhere in the world. Singh said it wouldnt be a surprise to see more Russian activity around the United States in such global exercises. The drills are in international waters, and U.S. officials expect the Russian ships to remain in the region through the summer and possibly also stop in Venezuela. Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean. Russian ships have occasionally docked in Havana since 2008, when a group of Russian vessels entered Cuban waters in what state media described as the first such visit in almost two decades. In 2015, a reconnaissance and communications ship arrived unannounced in Havana a day before the start of discussions between U.S. and Cuban officials on the reopening of diplomatic relations. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for Five Towns Jewish Home Published in honor of the Bat Mitzvah Celebration of Raizy Klein Mazal Tov! The Bat Mitzvah celebration has had an interesting history. Some communities celebrate the Bas Mitzvah quietly and in the home. In other communities, the standards are that they be celebrated in halls and must be catered affairs. Regardless of how they are celebrated, it would be worthwhile to get a background on what the Bas Mitzvah is all about. Earlier Adulthood The Gemorah (Niddah 45b) tells us that a girl becomes an adult at the age of twelve. According to the Ibn Ezra (Vayikrah 20:19), this tradition was handed down to us by Moshe from Har Sinai as were all the figures, numbers, weights and amounts (See Sukkah 5b). A girl enters into adulthood a full year before a boy enters into adulthood in a bar mitzvah celebration . The reason for this is explained by the Talmud (Niddah 45b): It is because Hashem placed more wisdom and understanding into women than into men. This is derived from the pasuk (Bereishis 2:22), Vayiven Hashem Elokim et hatzelah And Hashem built the rib The word Vayiven has a double meaning it means both built and understanding. Origins of Bat Mitzvah Celebration Some mistakenly say that the Bat Mitzvah celebration was invented by the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, Mordecai Kaplan in 1922. This is not correct. A celebration for a Bas Mitzvah is mentioned in the Ben Ish Chai by Rabbi Yoseph Chaim (1883-1909) where he writes that the Bas Mitzvah should be a day of celebration. The Bas Mitzvah girl should wear a new outfit and recite a Shehecheyanu to celebrate her entrance into the Ol Mitzvos- the responsibility (and privilege) of observing Mitzvos. So Kaplan actually took it from the Bat Mitzvah celebration of the Italian Jewish communities of Milan and Torrino. There, the girls would stand before the Aron Kodesh and recite special prayers that ended with a shehecheyanu blessing. The Rav of these communities then spoke and gave them a Bracha. A Seudah followed in the home of the girl. Seudas Bat Mitzvah There are many opinions about whether a Seudas Bat Mitzvah is considered a Seudas Mitzvah. Rabbi Yitzchok Nissim cites Rav Mussafya (1606-1675) that a Bat Mitzvah is indeed considered a Seudas Mitzvah. This question was posed to Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal (Igros Moshe OC I #104) a number of times. In a letter to Rabbi Boruch Poupko dated the 11th of Shvat 5716 (January 25, 1956), Rav Moshe states that it is not considered a Seudas Mitzvah whatsoever and if he had the capacity he would abolish the custom for Bas Mitzvos and Bar Mitzvos as they does not increase anyones commitment to Torah and often lead to Chilul Shabbos. This, of course, was in the 1950s. In a letter written to Rabbi Meir Kahane hyd when he was the Rabbi of a Howard Beach congregation, Rav Moshe Feinstein writes (Igros Moshe OC IV #36) that a Bas Mitzvah celebration should not be held in a synagogue even if the synagogue was built with a condition, and even if it was held in the evening. He did write, however, that the Rabbi should only take a stand against it if it would not lead to any embarrassment of the parents and if taking the stand would not cause machlokes argument. In this second responsum, Rav Feinstein did suggest an alternative that a Kiddush be sponsored instead. This, in fact, would be no different than sponsoring a Kiddush for any Simcha. In order to avoid conflict, Rav Moshe zatza; suggested that it is preferable to ensure that words of Torah be recited at the meal. The meal should not be held in a synagogue if possible. However, using a room adjacent to the sanctuary would be permitted. On the other hand, Rabbi Yaakov Yechiel Weinberg has written (Sridei Aish Vol. III #93) that in our times, it is very appropriate to strengthen the religious faith of our daughters through the Bas Mitzvah ceremony. The Blessing of Boruch ShePatrani The blessing of Boruch ShePatrani is not recited for a Bas Mitzvah.. There are four reasons for this: 1] Since a daughter remains in her fathers home until marriage the obligations involved in raising a child continue further on until the point of marriage (see Kaf HaChaim 225:15). 2] Rav Yoseph Teumim in his Pri Magadim suggests an opinion that since the daughters obligation in Torah knowledge is action-based and not knowledge based, a father is exempt from teaching her and therefore does not recite the blessing (PMG Aishel Avrohom 225:5). He writes that even according to the opinion that the father is obligated in teaching her, the lesser amount of Mitzvos that she is obligated to perform does not necessitate his recitation of the blessing. 3] Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal explains in a letter to Rabbi Zalman Uri of California dated the 9th of Iyar 5719 (IM OC Vol. II #97) that the blessing is not recited because it is not readily identifiable that a change took place. In regard to boys, the change is readily identifiable by virtue of them being included in Minyanim. 4] There is a view found in the Levush that the actual intent of the Patrani meOnsho shel zeh is the opposite understanding of the one that we have. In other words, Blessed be Hashem, who has exempted me from having my punishment meted out upon my children. Girls, however, would never have been included in it in the first place, since they would be affecting a third party their future husbands. It would be wrong to affect a third party and therefore Hashem would not exact punishment on them. This then would remove the need to recite the Boruch ShePatrani. As a parenthetic note, this position can only exist during a time of idna derischa where Hashem is in a period of Divine Anger against His people. Otherwise, this type of punishment would never be. (See Sukkas Dovid by Rabbi Dovid Kviat ztl on Sefer Dvarim, Hester Panim.) After the Bat Mitzvah Although one is exempt from doing Teshuvah upon aveiros (transgressions) that one did as a child, the Ramah (343:1) writes that one should accept upon oneself something as Teshuva and atonement for these aveiros. The pasuk in Mishlei (19:2), Even without knowledge it is not good applies to this case. The main idea of a Bas Mitzvah and to celebrate it is that it is a period where another member of Klal Yisroel is brought into the responsibility of Mitzvos and can develop that special Dveikus and relationship with the Creator of the world. Mazel Tov Raizy!!! The author can be reached at [email protected] Disturbing details about the abuse of the three male hostages who were rescued last Shabbos were revealed in a report by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday and in interviews that the parents of Andrey Kozlov held with many media outlets. The three men, Andrey Kozlov, 28, Almog Meir Jan, 21, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were held together in a dark room for six months and spoke only with each other and the terrorists. They slept on thin mattresses on the floor. Andrey told his parents that for the first two months, their hands and feet were bound. Their hands were bound behind their back for the first few weeks, and afterward, their hands were bound in front of them. At times, to punish them, the terrorists would pile up blankets on top of them at the hottest part of the day and leave them like that for hours. Another punishment they received was being locked in the bathroom. At other times, they were forced to relieve themselves in a bucket and werent provided toilet paper. They also endured severe psychological abuse, with the terrorists repeatedly threatening to kill them and constantly telling them that no one wanted them and that Israel isnt fighting for them. They told Andrey that his mother was on vacation in Greece and doesnt care about him, and told Shlomi Ziv that his wife is dating someone else and his children werent doing anything to get him released. They even told them that the IDF wants to kill them in order to bring the war to an end. When the IDF soldiers came to rescue them, Andrey thought they were coming to murder them, not rescue them. He was also shocked when Prime Minister Netanyahu came to visit him in the hospital, not understanding why he would want to acknowledge him. Andreys father said that when he first came back, Andrey said that there were things he endured that hell never reveal. Dr. Itai Pessach, who treated the hostages at Sheba, told CNN on Monday that the hostages suffered a harsh, harsh experience and they were beaten and and abused almost daily. Every hour, both physical, mental, and other types, and that is something that is beyond comprehension, Pessach said. Weve heard stories that are beyond anything you can imagine. He said that they also suffered from severe malnutrition. Although they did not appear emaciated, Pessach said that they had no protein, so their muscles are extremely wasted, there is damage to some other systems because of that. A nutritionist from Sheba said that the hostages are suffering from severe malnutrition and ate only a tenth of the calories they needed and no protein at all. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a rare and significant meeting, Israels top general, Gen. Herzi Halevi, met with his counterparts from several Arab militaries in Bahrain earlier this week to discuss regional security cooperation. The low-profile meeting, facilitated by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), aimed to promote military dialogue and cooperation between Israel and Arab countries despite the latters public criticism and condemnation of Israeli military operations in Gaza. Senior generals from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt attended the meeting alongside U.S. Gen. Michel Erik Kurilla and Gen. Halevi. The meeting signals a continued commitment to regional security cooperation, building on recent successes in air and missile defense. The meetings significance lies in the participation of senior military officials from countries that have historically had tense relations with Israel. The U.S. views the defeat of Irans missile and drone attack on Israel on April 13 as a major achievement, made possible through regional cooperation and intelligence sharing. Jordan and Saudi Arabia played an active role in intercepting missiles and drones that passed through their airspace, highlighting the effectiveness of regional security cooperation. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the meeting, and CENTCOM has yet to respond to questions. However, the meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional security ties, even in the face of political sensitivities and public criticism. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, claims that no one knows how many of the 116 remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza are still alive. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Hamdan denied having any information about the hostages status, saying, No one has any idea about this. Hamas has refused to provide a list of living hostages and has only sporadically released signs of life for some captives, mainly for propaganda purposes. Hamdan also rejected that the four hostages rescued by Israeli forces last weekend had been abused during their captivity. When pressed about the testimony of a doctor who treated the rescued Israelis and reported that they were beaten almost every day and suffered from malnutrition, Hamdan blamed Israel for any mental health issues the hostages may have. The status of the remaining hostages is a critical issue in negotiations for a potential deal between Israel and Hamas. Israeli negotiators have demanded that living hostages be released before dead bodies, while Hamas negotiators have sought deals that would allow them to release an indeterminate number of bodies in place of living captives. Hamdan called the proposed deal to release Israeli hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners a positive step, but refused to endorse it. He insisted that Israel must accept a complete withdrawal from Gaza and allow Palestinians to determine their future. Hamdan also denied a report that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has insisted that civilian bloodshed in Gaza is a necessary sacrifice that will lead to the liberation of Palestine. He called the report fake messages intended to incite opposition to Sinwar. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) At last, the political silence has been broken. Labours manifesto promises that the proposed 3.6billion takeover of the Royal Mail by Czech Sphinx Daniel Kretinsky and lesser-known business associates will be properly scrutinised. Someone has been listening to Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communications Workers Union (CWU), in an interview and as a guest City columnist on these pages. Unlike the flaccid board of the Royal Mail, which surrendered at the first smell of cordite, the union recognised that it would be a huge mistake for a utility, part of the national furniture since the 16th century, to fall under overseas ownership. Successive chief executives have blamed the unions for obstruction on modernisation and for weakening the company. In representing its members, the CWU has not been easy to deal with. The board, headed by BA exile Keith Williams, should never have thrown up its hands in horror and accepted assurances from its biggest shareholder Kretinsky. Review: Labour's manifesto promises that the proposed 3.2bn takeover of the Royal Mail by 'Czech Sphinx' Daniel Kretinsky and lesser-known associates will be properly scrutinised Its job was to defend a malfunctioning but great British institution, and prevent it falling under the spell of debt-fuelled overseas owners with controversial connections. The water industry shows that such mixed marriages, whatever the pledges made about investment, end up in the sewage. At the heart of the Royal Mail is the universal service obligation. Amid falling volumes of snail mail, down from 20bn to 7bn letters a year, a new model was needed. Ofcom and the companys German chief executive Martin Seidenberg have come up with ways to future-proof the service. Instead, the board is selling from under their feet. Labour is now offering to come up with a new business and governance model which gives workers and customers a greater say. Preferably, this will be done in the context of a public listed company rather than through some half-baked public ownership proposal. The possibility of Government intervention ought to stop the takeover timetable in its tracks. Kretinsky should refocus his attentions on the Euro 2024 footie. Slim chance BT was the growth company which outlived ownership by the General Post Office. But, like its step-sibling at the Royal Mail, it is under siege from overseas investors. Latest to join an already lumpy share register is Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, who heads a 40billion Latin American telecoms colossus. He joins telecoms titans Patrick Drahi, with a 24.5 per cent stake and a debt problem, and Deutsche Telecom, with 12.5 per cent. It is carrying a 3.5billion paper loss. The arrival of Slim has blindsided BT. Chairman Adam Crozier should be reaching out to understand his intentions. Slim presumably knows that seeking full control would be opposed. Telecoms networks are part of the nations security. BT has been a serial underperformer. There are two poison pills: a stubborn pension fund deficit and an obligation for an expensive fibre-to-door broadband network. Under the newish leadership of Allison Kirkby, group finances are healthier. The shares have climbed 25 per cent since Kirkby took the helm, wielding the axe by getting rid of troublesome global services and easing back on capital expenditure. Nevertheless, the shares are way below pre-pandemic levels and Slim recognises an upside. Labours intervention at the Royal Mail deal suggests a tilt at BT, from any or all of the protagonists, will get short shrift. Ukraine gambit After months of wrangling, G7 advanced countries in Puglia, Italy, have come up with a way of funnelling cash to Ukraine. They have agreed to leverage the accumulating interest on some 235billion of frozen assets to fill a 40billion funding gap. Undecided is which banks will cough up the loans and whether or not they will attract some kind of sovereign guarantee. The fear has been that confiscating Russian assets could cast a pall over China, Japan and others holding Western currencies in their reserves. BT shares raced to their highest level of the year after Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim snapped up a 3 per cent stake. The British telecoms giant rose 4.3 per cent, or 5.6p, to 135p giving it a value of 13.4billion as it took gains since Allison Kirkby became chief executive in February to 20 per cent. The rally came after Slim at one point the worlds richest man snapped up a 3.2 per cent holding through his family business Inbursa. The Mail understands BT only found out about the investment when it was disclosed to the authorities. Slim is the latest high-profile investor on the share register alongside billionaire telecoms tycoon Patrick Drahi and German group Deutsche Telekom. Stake: BT shares rose 4.3%, or 5.6p, to 135p giving it a value of 13.4bn after Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim (pictured) snapped up a 3% stake The backing from one of the worlds richest men may be seen as a vote of confidence in BT under Kirkby. But Slims motive remains unclear, and, according to sources, he has yet to make contact with BT, a spokesman for the Mexican stating only that it is a financial investment like many the group makes. So who is Slim, and why is he eyeing up the company? The businessman, 84, made his fortune through telecoms giant America Movil, which dominates the Latin American market with 384m customers. His parents are Lebanese but moved to Mexico as children. His father Julien Slim Haddad opened a dry-goods store in Mexico City before snapping up property on the cheap. HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account This financial savvy was passed on to his children and by the age of 12 Slim had shares in the Bank of Mexico and was keen to be an entrepreneur. Starting as a stockbroker, Slim bought major stakes in Mexican construction, consumer goods, mining and property firms. At one point he held a 17 per cent stake in The New York Times newspaer. But his real money spinner was America Movil, which was formed in 2000 and saw Slim become the worlds richest man in 2010. His empire suffered following Donald Trumps US presidential election win in 2016 as global markets tumbled and Mexicos peso fell to a record low. He fell down the wealth rankings and today he is the 17th richest person in the world, with a 72billion fortune. However, those close to Slim say that despite his mega wealth, he remains relatively frugal. He has reportedly lived in the same six-bedroom house for 40 years and has kept business in the family by carving up his empire between his three sons and three daughters. His push for BT will raise eyebrows about whether British telecoms are becoming a foreign affair. United Arab Emirates-based group E& recently bought a 14 per cent stake in Vodafone, while Xavier Niel, the French billionaire founder of Iliad, owns a 2.5 per cent of it. At BT, Switzerland-based Drahi is the biggest shareholder with a 24.5 per cent stake while Deutsche Telekom has a 12 per cent holding. Slims 3.2 per cent slice is valued at 430million. stake while Deutsche Telekom has a 12 per cent holding. Slims 3.2 per cent slice is valued at 430million. On the rise: BT rose 4.3%, or 5.6p, to 135p giving it a value of 13.4bn as it took gains since Allison Kirkby (pictured) took over as chief exec in February to 20% Enders Analysis telecoms expert Karen Egan said Slim could shift power away from Drahi, whose stake has fuelled speculation that he may wish to launch a takeover bid. It will further dilute any prospect Drahi had of having influence at BT, she said. Kester Mann, analyst at CCS Insight, said Slim may have eyes on a bigger stake himself and could even buy out Drahi. Slims move on BT could form a beachhead, having recently reduced his interest in Dutch operator KPN, he said. Should that be the case, he may find a willing seller in Patrick Drahi. BTs share price is still down more than 70 per cent since the peak in 2015 and Slims investment comes at a crucial time. Some analysts believe that the move is a vote of confidence in Kirkby. Last month she outlined her blueprint, which included another 3billion of cost-cutting, sending shares up more than 17 per cent in a day. As such, the latest rise on the back of Slims investment will no doubt be welcomed by Kirkby and her lieutenants. However, the board, which is led by chairman Adam Crozier, will want to know precisely what Slim is planning. Sophie Lund-Yates, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: It potentially opens the door to some interesting developments down the line. Elon Musk declared victory last night ahead of a vote by Tesla shareholders on his record 44billion pay package. Just hours before the electric car makers annual meeting, the billionaire said investors were set to approve the highest-ever pay deal in US corporate history. Both Tesla shareholder resolutions are currently passing by wide margins, Musk wrote in a post on X. Thanks for your support! Tensions have mounted since a Delaware court voided his compensation package in January, finding it had been inappropriately set by the board. Musk, one of the worlds richest men, has been rallying support after a flurry of shareholders suggested they would revolt. Record pay: Tesla boss Elon Musk (pictured) said investors were set to approve his 44bn package Influential proxy advisers, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, opposed the deal and Teslas eighth-largest shareholder, Norways sovereign wealth fund, came out against the package. The deal, set six years ago, was tied to performance targets, such as the share price and profits, and meant Musk was entitled to 44billion.Musk, worth an estimated 154billion, does not receive a salary at Tesla. In January, a US judge struck down the package but directors insisted the pay was aimed at keeping Musk incentivised as he juggles owning several other companies including X, and satellite firm Space X, amid fears he may walk away from Tesla. Dan Ives, tech analyst at Wedbush Securities, said a vote in the tycoons favour would show that Tesla is Musk and Musk is Tesla. He added: In a nutshell, if this proposal went south a lot of bad things and scenarios could have happened, including Musk beginning a path to not being chief executive officer. 'Instead its roses and rainbows in Austin although demand challenges remain and this is pivotal period for Tesla and Musk to navigate this turbulent period. Last nights pay deal vote was not legally binding. That means that Musk could face legal challenges, including the prospect of the Delaware courts still not recognising the vote and still voiding the deal. A vote by shareholders wouldnt cause an automatic reversal of [the courts] decision. We are in uncharted waters here, said Samantha Crispin, attorney at law firm Baker Botts. Tesla shares climbed 3.7 per cent last night. Labour has vowed to robustly scrutinise the Royal Mail takeover and give workers a stronger voice in a pre-election pledge that throws the deal into doubt. In its manifesto, Sir Keir Starmers party promised to look into the proposed 3.6billion sale of the 508-year-old postal service to a billionaire known as the Czech Sphinx. Crucially, Labour said it would explore giving workers more of a say in how Royal Mail is run. The pledge appeared to cede ground to unions demanding that posties gain part-ownership through a collective employee trust. Analysts said it could come too close to nationalisation for buyer Daniel Kretinsky and put him off. Shares in parent company International Distribution Services dipped almost 2pc following the publication of Labours election manifesto yesterday. Scrutiny: Billionaire investor Daniel Kretinsky (pictured), who is known as the Czech Sphinx, agreed a 3.6bn deal to but the Royal Mail The price recovered to around 0.7 per cent, or 2.4p, down at 329.6p, which is well below the 370p offer price tabled by Kretinsky and accepted by the IDS board. The gap suggests many do not expect the deal to go through. It is the markets way of saying it thinks there is even less of a chance that the takeover will complete, said Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell. Labours intention to let workers and customers have a stronger voice would give them nearly the same rights as a shareholder. He added: Kretinsky might think that is a step too close to nationalisation. Kretinsky no doubt wants to take Royal Mail out of the public spotlight so that it can be fixed without investors demanding constant updates. But Labour drawing up a list of demands because Royal Mail is a vital part of UK infrastructure could effectively keep that spotlight shining bright. Kretinsky has promised to keep the Royal Mail name and brand and retain its UK headquarters and tax residency to keep it tied to Britain. But the Communication Workers Union, which represents around 110,000 workers, wants posties to have a stake. Under a collective employee trust, workers would have a say in how the business is run and a share in its profits. It would also reduce the risk of industrial action. Writing in the Mail this week, CWU leader Dave Ward called for a new ownership and governance model for Royal Mail. Our plan will build back trust from the public and businesses and win over tens of thousands of workers who have been demoralised by the leadership by giving them a major stake in their businesses, he said. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch was due to hold talks with Kretinsky this week. She previously sought commitments from the current management that Royal Mails universal service obligation would be protected. The takeover could also be derailed under the National Security and Investment Act, but so far both Labour and the Tories have stopped short of threatening to block the deal. Kretinsky has hinted that he would back managements plans to reform the postal service, which include cutting second class post to three days a week. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has defended its decision to allow Shein to join amid concerns over treatment of workers. Scrutiny of the Chinese fast fashion giant is growing ahead of a potential 50billion float. Shein has been criticised for using suppliers who exploit lowp-aid workers to sell its clothes cheaply. It has been trying to woo the British business community and says it has improved its supply chain. Concerns: Shein has been criticised for using suppliers who exploit low-paid garment workers in China This year it became a member of the BRC, which represents around 200 firms including M&S and Burberry. BRC chief Helen Dickinson said all new members must be willing to engage in key issues such as employment practices and environmental concerns before being approved. The conversation with Shein joining is the same as it is with any member joining, she said. And she said it was not the BRCs job to defend Shein or act as regulator, the policeman, the due diligence decider. We dont defend any of our members, we defend our industry, said Dickinson. It is not our job to be responsible for individual actions of any member. Rivals are unhappy that Shein can dodge hefty custom taxes as it ships directly from China. The fashion brand has said it is investing millions of pounds in improving standards across its supply chains Irish holidaymakers have been advised to stay calm as the chances of an Aer Lingus pilots strike increased on Thursday after pay talks ended without a resolution. No further discussions are currently scheduled with talks ending between the pilots union IALPA and Aer Lingus management on Thursday night. It raises the prospect of strike action in the coming weeks that would impact tens of thousands of Aer Lingus passengers, including holidaymakers. It is understood there remains a significant gulf between the two sides in terms of their demands. Aer Lingus has asked the Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA) to give it at least 15 days notice of any action so to minimise disruption to passengers. Aer Lingus met with Ialpa again today for direct discussions with a view to reaching agreement on pilot pay, said a spokesperson for Aer Lingus yesterday evening. No meaningful progress was made, with Ialpa continuing to demand an unsustainable level of increase in pilot pay (up to 23.8pc) that was not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility. Travel journalist Eoghan Corry said there are around 40,000 Aer Lingus passengers daily in Ireland through July and August. "My instinct is there will not be a strike but I think we are going to have a lot of scare and sabre rattling and we will probably go right to the wire before they reach an agreement on this," he told Virgin News. Irish Travel Agents Association president Angela Walsh said: "The ITAA is urging Aer Lingus and unions to reach a resolution and avoid any disruptive strike action. "Any pilot strike over the summer months will cause serious impact for both holidaymakers and corporate travellers, as we are in the busiest travel period of the year, with knock on effects on accommodation reservations and connecting travel. "While we are always happy to minimise all disruption for our customers, we urge the airline and greater travel industry to put the consumer first in an effort to avoid such disruption to travel plans," Ms Walsh said. Clare Dunne, CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) urged people to "stay calm". Two men have been arrested after gardai seized 472,000 worth of various controlled drugs and 29,000 in cash during multiple search operations in Co Wicklow over the last two days. The 501,000 worth of contraband was seized in searches on Thursday evening and Friday morning near the popular seaside towns of Bray and Greystones. At approximately 8.30pm on Thursday evening, Gardai from the Bray District Detective and Drugs Unit conducted a stop and search of a vehicle on the N11 in Kilmacanogue. During the course of the search, Gardai seized approximately 8,000 of suspected cocaine and 4,000 of suspected heroin, as well as 1,000 in cash. One man, aged in his late 30s was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Wicklow. During follow-up searches, two premises were searched under warrant in Delgany and Greystones. Quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis with an approximate value of 460,000, along with various drug paraphernalia and 28,000 in cash, was seized. During the course of the follow-up searches, a man (aged in his late 40s) was arrested and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at a Garda station in Wicklow. All drugs which were seized by the gardai will now be analysed by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). Gardai said in a statement that investigations are ongoing. Forgive us for noticing that Super Bowl champs don't seem too jazzed about options coming up for a party place in the middle of some field far away from population centers . . . Don't get it twisted . . . We think the deal coming forth will be newsworthy. But in the meantime, here's the Super Bowl boss playing it cool. Check-it: Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said it's too early in the process to discuss specifics on what the team moving to Kansas could look like, but doubled down on the idea that the team is open to all options. "As I said about a month ago, we're in the period right now where we're willing to talk to anybody," he said. "We're just looking for opportunities, and obviously there's a lot going on on the Kansas side and they have a vote coming up next week. So, it's probably a little premature to talk about that option specifically, but we're open to options anywhere in the metropolitan area." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Chiefs leaders appreciate efforts from Kansas lawmakers to attract team, leave Missouri open as option Efforts from Kansas lawmakers to lure the Kansas City Chiefs across the state line haven't gone unnoticed and are even appreciate by top brass for the team. Chiefs leadership looks ahead to Kansas STAR Bonds work Clark Hunt was asked about the special session where lawmakers are expected to try to sweeten the STAR Bonds package to attract the team. Sorry . . . They don't really. But their answers are telling . . . Not because they're awkward but because they seem to know we live in the world where gay people exist but seem to specifically focus on certain aspects of the moment. It's actually kind of a nuanced look . . . Or more than we would expect . . . Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri had no plans of his own to celebrate Pride, he said, but he was familiar with festivities in St. Louis. I think down on Cherokee Street they got something going on, he said. In 2023, Missouri Attorney General Andew Bailey promulgated an emergency resolution limiting gender-affirming care in the state. The resolution was eventually blocked in court. As Missouris attorney general in 2019, Schmitt argued that the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not include protections for transgender people. Josh Hawley, Missouris senior senator, introduced a bill that would allow parents to sue clinics that provide trans health care, which he said would be his priority next year if Republicans control all branches of government. Im not a big Pride Month supporter or fan, said Hawley. I just think this idea that were supposed toespecially with the trans pieceI mean, now were being told that men can get pregnant. Our kids are being told in schools, often behind their parents backs, that if theyre a boy, they should be a girl. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . For close readers we gather these news items regarding police action, pending court cases and continued community outreach amid a Summer crime spike. Check TKC news gathering . . . Violent trend on Prospect Ave. continues with Wednesday night homicide A shooting on Prospect Ave. Wednesday is bringing more attention to a concerning trend of violence on the street. Judge to decide if minor accused of killing 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman will be tried as adult A judge will decide in October if a minor accused of shooting and killing 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman will stand trial as an adult. Woman accused of child abuse posts bond day after judge denies motion to reduce it A Raytown woman accused of abusing two teens posted bond Thursday, a day after she and a man were denied a bond reduction by a judge in Jackson County Court. KC man pleads guilty after ATF vehicle struck during attempted search A Kansas City man has pleaded guilty to charges connected to an incident in which he rammed into an ATF agent's vehicle during an attempted search. Jury trial set for second brother accused of roll in NKC High School shooting A jury trial has now been set for both brothers accused of taking part in a shooting outside North Kansas City High School which injured two individuals. Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers files new motion claiming AG's petition for ouster is retaliation Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers filed a new motion claiming the Missouri Attorney General's petition to remove Childers from office is retaliation. University Health asks for public's help to identify man who showed up injured at emergency room University Health is asking for the public's help to identify a man who was taken to the hospital's emergency room. Missouri offers a drug treatment tool to help protect kids. Why is it rarely used in Kansas City? Missouri child advocates and legislators are alarmed over the sporadic use of a program to steer parents to drug rehabilitation and keep their children out of foster care. It's especially underutilized in Kansas City and St. Louis. Woman fighting for change after daughter killed in 2021 Kansas City shooting An Independence woman is now the guardian of her grandson after her daughter was killed - but that was just the start of her troubles. Family of McKinley Johnson, man killed in triple shooting, speaks out about violence in KCMO Early Monday morning, a triple shooting occurred near Truman Road and Grand Boulevard in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Missouri made special accommodations before executing David Hosier A week before condemned inmate David Hosier was put to death by lethal injection, the Missouri Department of Corrections agreed to make several accommodations at his execution, including providing a local anesthetic and sedative, to satisfy his legal team and avoid lawsuits that could tie up the process, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. KC community comes together to celebrate abuse victim's 18th birthday A Kansas City community came together for a one-of-a-kind birthday for a young man recovering from torture so bad, doctors were not sure if he would live. Developing . . . Insiders share a not-so-fun fact regarding a major real estate move currently hyped by the top dog at city hall. COUNCIL DOESN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE ALLEGEDLY UPCOMING COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA PUBLIC/PRIVATE PURCHASE!!! We'll share in the inside word in a sec but here's a summary of the sitch: The mayor said the deal should be done and finalized by the end of June. I think the groups are ready to sign on the dotted line, said Mayor Quinton Lucas. Context on that quote . . . The deal was supposed to be completed by 2023 but we don't blame buyer with that kind of cash for taking their time. Here's more . . . Mayor Lucas says the negotiations with HP Village Partners are all but complete. However, the city and the group still need to figure out how they are going to get this done. Part of that conversation will be a public/private partnership, Lucas said. What type of work and support do they want from us on the city-side? Be it KCPD, response, public works, infrastructure improvement, even some work that helps us attract and drive business growth. Those are the things we are talking about, say negotiating now, but I think well get it all figured out. The top concern we heard from plaza businesses is crime. They say new measures have helped, but more still needs to be done. And so, here's insider perspective regarding the potential sale: "The Mayor is going to need council support on this and so far he has been very secretive. That's not a great message to send when he's obviously going to need help. Moreover, when we're talking public/private partnership . . . Voters should be entitled to see how much they're going to have to pay for accommodations to a corporations and what checks & balances are being upheld so that we aren't solely boosting private profits with public money." Again . . . So far Mayor Q doesn't have any specifics beyond a very hopeful message of impending purchase that quickly followed the equally surprising shutdown of a "mid" taco chain. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Business owners, mayor excited about potential new owner of Plaza By the end of the month, the Plaza could have a new owner. KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas excited for 'impending sale' of Country Club Plaza Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said Wednesday "he's excited about the impending sale of the Country Club Plaza." Kansas City mayor says impending sale of Country Club Plaza ready to happen Business owners are excited about the impending sale of the Country Club Plaza. The Kansas City mayor said the sale is ready to happen. 'Ready to sign on the dotted line': The Plaza is one step closer to getting new owners The mayor said the deal should be done and finalized by the end of June. Developing . . . Delta Air Lines is introducing a new seating class called Delta Premium Select on its flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles. Starting this September, passengers can look forward to a more luxurious and comfortable flight experience. The first flight offering this new class will take off on Sep. 10. Delta Air Lines Elevates Domestic Flights Delta Premium Select isn't just about extra legroom. It features an improved dining experience with meals inspired by local flavors, and additional high-quality amenities designed to make the journey more enjoyable. Whether you're flying for business or pleasure, this new class ensures that you'll travel in greater comfort. Moreover, according to Travel Pulse, Delta Air Lines will offer free Wi-Fi on all flights between New York-JFK and Los Angeles by the end of September. This service, provided by T-Mobile, means passengers can stay connected with family, friends, or work throughout their flight without interruption. This upgrade is part of Delta's ongoing efforts to enhance the travel experience on one of its most important domestic routes. Since its debut in 2017, Delta Premium Select has become popular on the airline's international flights across the Pacific and Atlantic, and on select routes to Latin America. The recent updates to this service include better dining and amenities, more personalized service, and the option to choose your meal before you fly. Delta Air Lines is committed to providing its passengers with a premium experience. With the introduction of Delta Premium Select on domestic flights, traveling between New York and Los Angeles will now be as rewarding as it is comfortable. If you're planning a trip between these two major cities, Delta's new class offers an ideal way to enhance your travel experience. About Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines isn't just about flying. With over 75,000 dedicated employees, they are committed to making the world a smaller, friendlier place. Every year, nearly 200 million travelers choose Delta to reach 275 destinations across 50 countries. With around 4,000 flights taking off daily, they're a key link in global connectivity. Beyond transportation, Delta Air Lines strives to make a positive impact both in the sky and on the ground. As stated on its website, they are actively reducing their carbon footprint, striving for sustainability in all areas of operation. Their efforts are about being a good corporate citizen and fostering a more understanding and connected world. Delta's dedication extends into creating an equitable workplace. They champion diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are valued and respected. This commitment is also reflected in the communities they serve, where they actively participate and contribute to local well-being. By connecting people and places, Delta Air Lines believes in the power of travel to bring about appreciation and change, making a better world for everyone. The U.S. Department of Transportation fined Emirates $1.8 million for flying over areas that are off-limits. The airline violated rules by flying over Iraq from December 2021 to August 2022. These flights were between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. In 2020, Emirates was fined $400,000 for similar actions and had agreed not to repeat this. Emirates Fined for Ignoring Flight Rules Emirates, based in the UAE, was involved in a code-sharing agreement with JetBlue Airways. The arrangement allowed JetBlue to sell seats on Emirates' flights as though they were its own. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has safety rules that include not flying over Iraq below 32,000 feet. The FAA found that Emirates' flights went lower than this altitude. ABC News reported that Emirates explained that their flights were meant to stay above 32,000 feet. They only flew lower when air traffic controllers directed them to. Despite this explanation, the fine was imposed because they didn't follow FAA's guidelines. Out of the total fine, $300,000 can be forgiven if Emirates follows U.S. restrictions for the next year without issues. The partnership between JetBlue and Emirates ended in October 2022. After this, Emirates began a similar code-sharing deal with United Airlines. The new partnership started just a few months before the fines were announced. This penalty serves as a reminder to international airlines that they must adhere to U.S. flight regulations, especially when they are under a code-sharing agreement with U.S. carriers. Such agreements allow foreign airlines to operate as though they were American, but they must follow strict airspace rules. Related Article: Emirates Leads with New Turbulence Detection Tech Emirates Urges Boeing for Strong Leadership Emirates President Tim Clark called for strong leadership at Boeing to guide the aerospace giant through its current challenges. Speaking at an airline summit, Clark emphasized the need for a leader who focuses on doing the right thing to rebuild confidence in Boeing. He predicted that turning around the company could take up to five years. Boeing is on the hunt for a new CEO following the announcement that Dave Calhoun will retire by the end of the year. According to Reuters, the decision comes after a series of setbacks, including safety issues and production problems. One recent incident involved a malfunction on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet. Clark, a critical voice during Boeing's recent troubles, mentioned that he had never met Calhoun. Clark noted that Calhoun took over as CEO in January 2020 after two deadly 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed nearly 350 people. He expressed a desire for the next CEO to have extensive knowledge in aerospace engineering and business management. In related news, Boeing named Stephanie Pope as its group-wide chief operating officer last December, a move seen as preparing her for future leadership. Meanwhile, Emirates, a significant buyer of long-haul jets, is undergoing the largest cabin refurbishment of its existing planes while waiting for its first Boeing 777X, expected to be delivered in 2025. The province of Bohol, particularly Panglao Island, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines in the last couple of years. While travelers mainly head to Bohol for its beaches, tarsiers, and the famed Chocolate Hills, it is also home to caves that are worthy of being explored. One such cave is known as Hinagdanan Cave. Translated in English, "hinagdanan" means "laddered," and this gives you an idea of what to expect when you visit this cave. Here's what you have to know about this limestone-filled cave. Panglao Island's Hinagdanan Cave Believe it or not, the Hinagdanan Cave was found by accident. According to Bohol's tourism website, the cave was discovered by a farmer who was busy clearing his land. The farmer found two holes on the grouond and built a ladder so he could see what's below. The tourism website adds that the cave, due to its relatively hidden nature, once served as a hideout for locals who want to escape the Japanese during World War II. However, the locals were still discovered by the Japanese. Related Article : Here's What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Philippines What to Expect When You Visit Today, the cave can be entered and explored by guests one at a time due to its narrow entrance. This makes entering Hinagdanan Cave rather challenging, especially since the walkway can be slippery and slimy at times. However, the challenging entrance leads to several stalactite and stalagmite formations that have amazed countless travelers. The cave is naturally lit due to the holes in its ceilings, making it easier to admire these formations. There is likewise a fresh water lagoon found inside the cave. Visitors are allowed to swim in the lagoon and are highly encouraged to do so safely. Getting to Hinagdanan Cave is rather convenient as many tour operators offer it as part of their packages. Do take note, however, that there is a fee that needs to be paid in order to access the cave. After the game, Windies captain Hayley Matthews was pleased with the way her team dismantled If NATO member states decide to allocate 0.25% of their combined GDP to Ukraine, it will far exceed the support figures proposed by Secretary General Stoltenberg and help Ukraine effectively fight against invading Russian forces. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said this before the second day of a meeting of NATO defense ministers, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "It is important that we continue to support Ukraine. We said this many months ago that we should invest at least 0.25% of the entire combined GDP for Ukraine. This means that 99.75% will remain in the countries. But this 0.25% will allow Ukraine to continue fighting with Russia. The proposal that came from Stoltenberg [about EUR 100 billion for Ukraine] is less than this 0.25%. If we want Ukraine to win this war, we need to invest more in its defense and also send a signal that they will become NATO members. Because this is a part of deterrence measures," Pevkur said. He noted that to overcome existing security gaps, Estonia and other Baltic countries had proposed developing new capabilities, including the "Allied Capability Delivery Commitment" (ACDC) initiative. "We hope that this initiative will be reflected in the final documents of the Washington Summit. It is clear why we do this. Russia will not change. The Russian threat is growing. Russia currently invests about 9% of GDP in its own defense. If we compare this with our figure of 2% in NATO and 3.5% in the Baltic States and in Poland, we still need to invest more. These are the main topics we intend to discuss today in order to achieve success in Washington," Pevkur said. Photo: novinky.cz The Black Sea Security Forum is being held in Odesa on June 14-16 to discuss the security situation in the Black Sea region, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. Among the key speakers of the event are former French President Francois Hollande, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations (2017-2019) Kurt Volker, British army officer, Colonel Richard Justin Kemp, and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink. Together with representatives of the city and regional authorities, the distinguished guests gathered to discuss security issues in the Odesa region and the Black Sea, including food, environmental, energy and logistics security. The main mission of the forum is to create an annual international platform for solving security problems in the Black Sea, the arena of the fiercest geopolitical confrontation. Read also: Brink arrives in Odesa On Monday, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) became the epicenter of heated protests and confrontations, culminating in the arrest of two dozen demonstrators. These protests, organized by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter, were part of a larger movement advocating for Palestinian rights and drawing attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The events of the day not only highlighted the volatile nature of campus activism but also raised serious questions about the response of law enforcement and the university's handling of such incidents. Protest and Arrests at UCLA On Monday, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) witnessed significant unrest as two dozen protesters were arrested and subsequently banned from the campus for two weeks. This event was part of a larger wave of demonstrations highlighting the ongoing conflict in Gaza and advocating for Palestinian rights. The protesters, organized by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at UCLA, roamed the campus, reciting the names of those who had died in Gaza and dyed the waters of the campus's Shapiro Fountain red as a symbolic gesture. According to the Los Angeles Times, the demonstrators also established several Palestine Solidarity Encampments, continuously relocating to evade police dispersal orders. The university claimed the protesters caused damage to the campus, including tampering with fire safety and electrical equipment. The confrontation between the protesters and campus security culminated in the arrest of the demonstrators, during which six officers were reportedly injured, with one officer suffering a head injury caused by a thrown object. READ MORE : State Audit Finds University Of California System Lacks Oversight And Transparency With Online Program Managers Allegations of Police Misconduct The SJP chapter at UCLA has accused the police of using excessive force during the arrests. In a statement on social media, the group claimed that multiple students were injured due to the use of rubber bullets and tear gas by the police. These allegations have intensified the scrutiny surrounding the university's handling of pro-Palestinian protests and the broader discourse on campus safety and freedom of expression. The use of rubber bullets and tear gas, if confirmed, raises significant concerns about the proportionality of the police response to peaceful protests. The injuries sustained by both protesters and officers highlight the volatile nature of these confrontations and underscore the need for a measured approach in maintaining order while respecting the rights of demonstrators. The SJP's allegations are likely to fuel further debates about police conduct and the appropriate methods for managing campus protests. Context and Broader Implications This recent protest is not an isolated incident but part of a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at UCLA. Previous events have also been marked by violence and arrests. Notably, a prior encampment by pro-Palestinian activists was attacked by counter-protesters who launched fireworks into the area, leading to over 200 arrests and the subsequent closure of the encampment. These repeated clashes have placed the university in a difficult position, balancing the need to maintain campus safety with the rights of students to protest. The university's response to these events has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Congress, which has scrutinized UCLA's handling of the protests. The repeated violent confrontations and the university's actions to manage them have sparked a broader debate about the rights of students to express their political views and the responsibilities of institutions to ensure a safe environment. The situation at UCLA reflects a microcosm of the larger tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on academic institutions. Universities across the United States have seen similar protests, often leading to heated debates about free speech, academic freedom, and the role of higher education institutions in political discourse. The increasing polarization and intensity of these protests pose significant challenges for university administrations in navigating the complex landscape of political activism and campus safety. The arrest of two dozen protesters at UCLA on Monday is the latest episode in a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have sparked significant controversy and debate. The allegations of police misconduct and the injuries sustained by both protesters and officers underscore the challenges in managing such protests. As universities continue to be arenas for political activism, the balance between ensuring safety and upholding the rights to free expression remains a delicate and contentious issue. The events at UCLA serve as a stark reminder of the broader societal conflicts that permeate academic institutions and the ongoing need for thoughtful and measured approaches to campus protests. The abrupt resignation of Pardis Mahdavi, president of the University of La Verne, has sparked conversations about the institution's future and the broader implications of leadership turnover. Serving only ten months before stepping down due to "personal reasons," Mahdavi's departure has left a void in the university's administration. The circumstances surrounding her exit, juxtaposed with the stable tenure of her predecessor, Devorah Lieberman, who served for 12 years, have raised significant concerns among faculty and students. A Brief Tenure Amidst High Hopes Mahdavi's presidency at La Verne began with high expectations. Her predecessor, Lieberman, had established a solid foundation over her lengthy term, and Mahdavi was seen as a dynamic leader poised to usher in new changes. However, her short stint was marked by perceived limitations on her authority. Lieberman's continued presence at the university on a one-year advisory contract led some faculty members to believe that Mahdavi was not given the autonomy necessary to implement her vision fully. Faculty Senate President Paul Alvarez voiced this sentiment, expressing disappointment that an opportunity for substantial change had slipped away. This notion of restricted agency highlights a significant challenge in leadership transitions, especially in academic institutions where former leaders often remain influential. The delicate balance between providing support to new leaders and allowing them enough freedom to innovate is crucial. The perceived interference or overshadowing by previous administrations can undermine the confidence and effectiveness of new leadership, as appears to have been the case with Mahdavi. READ MORE : Monica Smith Resigns Amid Controversy Over DEI Funding Enrollment Challenges and Strategic Directions Compounding the leadership concerns, La Verne has been grappling with declining enrollment numbers. The university enrolled 5,662 students in fall 2022, a stark contrast to the 8,000-plus students it boasted for much of the 2010s. This decline mirrors a broader trend affecting many higher education institutions, driven by changing demographics, economic pressures, and evolving student preferences. Mahdavi's brief tenure did not afford her the time to address these deep-rooted challenges adequately. However, her departure raises questions about the strategic direction La Verne will take to combat these enrollment issues. Mark Hicks, a Board of Trustees member now serving as acting president, has emphasized continuity, pledging to support the initiatives Mahdavi began. Nevertheless, the university's ability to stabilize and reverse its enrollment decline will likely depend on the next interim president's vision and the eventual appointment of a long-term leader. Addressing enrollment challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including revisiting recruitment strategies, enhancing student support services, and possibly expanding program offerings to align with current market demands. As the university navigates this transitional period, these strategic decisions will be critical in ensuring its future viability. Administrative Stability and Future Prospects The University of La Verne's recent history of administrative turnover has not gone unnoticed. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the university's accreditor, highlighted concerns about leadership stability in a report last year. This spotlight on administrative consistency underscores the importance of having a steady leadership team to navigate the complexities of higher education management. With Mark Hicks stepping in as acting president, the immediate task at hand is to provide stability and reassure the university community. His commitment to continuing the collaborative efforts initiated by Mahdavi is a positive signal, but long-term stability will hinge on the selection of a suitable interim president and, ultimately, a permanent leader who can inspire confidence and drive the university forward. Finding new leadership poses both difficulties and chances for advancement. It is an opportunity to find a leader who can build on the strengths of past administrations while introducing innovative strategies to address current issues. However, the process must be conducted with transparency and inclusivity to ensure that the selected leader has the full support of the university community. The University of La Verne is at a critical juncture. The resignation of Pardis Mahdavi after less than a year in office, combined with declining enrollment and administrative turnover, poses significant challenges. However, with careful and strategic leadership selection, the university can navigate this transitional period and emerge stronger. The commitment to maintaining momentum and addressing core issues will be essential in securing La Verne's future as a vibrant academic institution. UNODC in Kazakhstan: Webinars Promote Effective Media Communication of Prison Administrations during COVID-19 Places of deprivation of liberty constitute high-risk environments for the spread of COVID-19. Prison administrations around the world have been taking measures to ensure the health and well-being of prisoners, prison personnel and visitors and prevent an outbreak of the virus in their penitentiary systems. Kazakhstans Prison Service is no exception with restrictions on prison visits and other measures introduced following the detection of the first COVID-19 cases in the country in March. To ensure tailored awareness-raising for prisoners and transparent communication channels towards the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently partnered with the Prison Committee of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Kazakhstan to organize a three-week online training (webinar). Held on 13-29 May 2020, the webinars gathered 29 prison officers - media focal points from prison departments of all 17 regions of Kazakhstan to enhance their communication skills and promote openness and transparency in the work of the prison system. Professional trainers with extensive experience in the sphere of media and public relations conducted nine online sessions of the webinar on "Effective communications: the basics of work with the media". The webinar covered issues of crisis communications, development of high-quality information materials for the media and the role of social media. The webinar also focused on the Nelson Mandela Rules (United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners) and their importance as a reference while preparing press releases, writing stories and sharing news with the media correctly. "We have to understand the importance of working with the media, given its role as a channel for communications between the prison system and the general public," said Saule Mektepbayeva, Project Coordinator at the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT), a partner of the initiative. "In addition to traditional media, we have to explore opportunities to cover prison issues more actively in social media", Ms. Mektepbayeva added. Webinar participants stressed the usefulness of the training for their work with the public and the media. "The online training has given me and my colleagues at regional prison departments a solid grounding in communications work and media relations. This will help us to carry out our duties and improve prison management in Kazakhstan", noted Akerke Zhaubasarova, the press secretary of the Prison Committee of Kazakhstan. "I gained new knowledge and useful skills to apply in my daily routine. There is much room for improvement, and now we know how to do it," said Roman Telenkov, a press officer at the Mangistau regional prison department. The webinar was organized within the framework of the joint global UN (UNODC-UNCCT-UNCTED) initiative Supporting the Management of Violent Extremist Prisoners and the Prevention of Radicalization to Violence in Prisons co-funded by EU, the Government of the Netherlands and UNOCT. (@ChaudhryMAli88) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) The district administration imposed Section 144 against using electronic cigarettes, vape and nicotine punches, said a press note issued here on Friday. The pouches of E-Cigarettes, Vapes and Nicotine spread respiratory diseases. Selling e-cigarettes, vapes and nicotine pouches near hospitals and educational institutions will be completely banned, an official of the district administration told. He told the sale of these items to youths under the age of 21 will also be prohibited and the advertisement of placards in public places and on vehicles will also be banned. Legal action will be taken against violators, the official added. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Commissioner Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mehsud has directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the all four districts of the division for establishing a special control room and evolving a protective plan to prevent igniting of wars due to scorching heat in the forests. He issued these directives while presiding over a meeting regarding overcoming of forests fire incidents in the division here on Friday. Besides, the Deputy Commissioners of all five districts of the division, District Police Officers (DPOs) District Forests Officer (DFOs), Rescue 1122, Civil Defence also other authorities also attended the meeting. The Divisional Commissioner also directed the Deputy Commissioners for prohibiting tobacco smoking, camping fire, fireworks, aerial firing and throwing garbage in forests under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedural Code (CrPC) in their respective districts. The Deputy Commissioners were directed to nominate one Assistant Commissioner (AC) in each district as focal person (Incident Commander) to Forest Department, carrying public awareness campaign and initiation of stern action against the violators. For the prevention of the incidents of camp-fire, the Divisional Commissioner has also directed for the activation of the employees of Revenue Department. Addressing the participants of the meeting, the Commissioner directed the utilization of all available resources to prevent the fire incidents and further strengthening of mutual coordination. He also directed for the formation of a whatsapp group of the concerned officers in this regard and provision of fire-extinguishing machinery to Rescue 1122 and imparting the training of fire-extinguishing to the people living near forests. He also directed to create awareness amongst the people through religious clerics, school teachers and social media. Iranian Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam on Friday visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-Bo IT) and held an interactive session with the government officials and business associations PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Iranian Ambassador Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam on Friday visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa board of Investment and Trade (KP-Bo IT) and held an interactive session with the government officials and business associations. Representatives from TDAP, KPEZDMC, SIDB, Industries Department and business associations of different sectors including SCCI, APCEA, Honey Association, Furniture Association, Gems and Jewelry Association, APMIA, Livestock Associations and Tourism Company attended the session. During the interactive session, discussion among the Board officials and Iranian ambassador was held on potential business opportunities and to explore rich culture and historic aspects that bind the two nations together. Director Business Facilitation, Iqbal Sarwar gave a detailed presentation about vision, mission and role of KP-Bo IT. Board member Shahid Shinwari invited Iranian diplomat and business community of Iran to participate in KP-BOITs International Investment and Trade Expo to be held in September in Islamabad. During the meeting, the Iranian ambassador was engaged in a constructive dialogue session with key stakeholders from various business associations and government officials. The ways to foster stronger economic ties and enhance bilateral relations and trade, explore investment opportunities and increase border trade between Iran and KP were also discussed. The interactive session provided a platform for meaningful exchange of ideas, insights, issues and challenges in trade, banking channels, potential collaboration aimed at promoting economic growth and prosperity in the region. The representative of both countries expressed mutual interest in further strengthening partnerships and exploring new avenues of cooperation. On this occasion, KP-Bo IT CEO Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah shed light on Pakistan's historic, culture and trade relationship with Iran. He stated that issues in terms of trade that were faced by both sides, which might be shared with the KP government to initiate needed actions at national and regional level. He expressed gratitude to the Iranian Ambassador and his team for their visit and valuable discussion. He said that the business dialogue would not only strengthen business ties but also foster a deeper understanding of culture and historic connections that existed between Iran and Pakistan. He added that KP-Bo IT looked forward to continue partnership with Islamic Republic of Iran to drive economic development and create new opportunities for businesses in the region. At the end, KP-Bo IT officials extended sincere condolences and prayers for the departed souls of Iranian President, Foreign Minister and other team members who embraced martyrdom during the helicopter crash last month. Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on the direction of the Director General (DG) RDA, Kinza Murtaza, here on Friday observed anti-dengue day to raise awareness against disease RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on the direction of the Director General (DG) RDA, Kinza Murtaza, here on Friday observed anti-dengue day to raise awareness against disease. The roofs of RDA and WASA buildings were cleaned and sprayed with the help of the Health Department. The DG RDA had directed the Authority staff members to ensure cleanliness of the office and their homes. The DG also directed MD WASA to conduct special checking of the tube wells and if there was any water leakage, it should be repaired on an emergency basis to prevent dengue larvae breeding. The DG urged the citizens to adopt all possible precautionary measures against dengue. She said awareness played a key role in the fight against dengue because prevention was far better than cure. She stressed the need for collective as well as individual efforts along with collaboration of all the stakeholders for the awareness, implementation and control of any epidemic. The DG also highlighted ways to control various developmental stages of dengue from its eggs to larva and full grown mosquitoes. Kinza Murtaza advised the citizens to remove stagnant water so that dengue larvae could be prevented. On severe violations, strict action in accordance with the law was being taken against the violators and FIRs were also being lodged, she added. She informed that the authority would continue its efforts against dengue. The RDA spokesman informed that RDA was making efforts to raise awareness against dengue. He informed that RDA also organized a seminar and walk on dengue control and prevention. Chief Engineer Muhammad Anwar Baran, Director Admin and Finance Asif Mehmood Janjua, Director Architecture Shujha Ali, Director Land Malik Ghazanfar Ali Awan, Director Engineering Muhammad Kamran, Deputy Director Finance Muhammad Junaid Taj Bhatti, Deputy Director Admin Iftikhar Ali, Deputy Director IT Dawood Khalid, Deputy Director PR, Hafiz Muhammad Irfan, other RDA officers and staff members attended the seminar and walk. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Friday he supported "dialogue, not confrontation" during a visit to New Zealand where he stirred up hope of new trade avenues Auckland, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Friday he supported "dialogue, not confrontation" during a visit to New Zealand where he stirred up hope of new trade avenues. Li is on a six-day tour of New Zealand and Australia, the highest-ranking official to visit either nation since his predecessor in 2017. China accounts for 30 percent of New Zealand's export earnings, according to World Bank data, but there are fears this could evaporate if the world's second-largest economy continues to slow. The Chinese premier praised "historic" developments in relations between the two countries over the past decade during a speech before a gala dinner in Auckland hosted by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. "We both emphasised that countries should live in harmony, engage in dialogue, not confrontation, and have cooperation, not conflict," Li said. Luxon, who has raised sensitive issues such as foreign interference and recent escalations in the South China Sea with Li, said the pair had reached a better understanding of their "respective priorities". New Zealand, long seen as one of China's closest partners in the region, has become increasingly bold in its criticism of Beijing's expanding influence in the South Pacific. Business remains a priority, however. Li met some of New Zealand's biggest exporters and most influential companies during the visit, which wraps up Saturday when he flies to the South Australian capital Adelaide. Mark Piper, chief executive of a top New Zealand government science institute, met the Chinese premier during a tour of an Auckland research facility earlier in the day. "He was talking about more research collaborations and more people exchanges, which is what we're really interested in," Piper told AFP. "He was really big on collaboration, the value that New Zealand can bring to China and that China can bring to New Zealand." New Zealand was one of the first developed nations to sign a comprehensive free trade deal with Beijing. Chinese consumers have a voracious appetite for New Zealand's premium meat, dairy and wine. Li touted opportunities for trade, tourism and investment when he started his tour in New Zealand's capital Wellington on Thursday. But he warned that emerging differences between the two nations "should not become a chasm that blocks exchanges and cooperation between us". sft/djw/pbt Vienna, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Iran is further expanding its nuclear capacities, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday, one week after the agency's board of governors passed a resolution criticising Tehran's lack of cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. The IAEA informed its members that Tehran told the agency it was installing more cascades at the enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow, according to a statement sent to AFP. A cascade is a series of centrifuges or machines used in the process of enriching uranium. A diplomatic source deemed this development as "moderate". The motion brought by Britain, France, and Germany -- but opposed by China and Russia -- at the IAEA's 35-nation board last week was the first of its kind since November 2022. The resolution -- which Tehran slammed as "hasty and unwise" -- came amid an impasse over Iran's escalating nuclear activities and as Western powers fear Tehran may be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Iran denies. Although symbolic at this stage, the censure motion aims to raise diplomatic pressure on Iran, with the option to potentially refer the issue to the UN Security Council. In the past, similar resolutions have prompted Tehran to retaliate by removing surveillance cameras and other equipment from its nuclear facilities and ratcheting up its uranium enrichment activities. "The report issued today by the IAEA makes clear that Iran aims to continue expanding its nuclear programme in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. "Iran must cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fully implement its legally binding safeguards obligations." According to the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to the high level of 60 percent -- just short of weapons-grade -- while it keeps accumulating large uranium stockpiles. The IAEA has said that Tehran has significantly ramped up its nuclear programme and now has enough material to build several atomic bombs. Israeli forces struck Gaza and battled Hamas fighters on Friday as truce efforts failed to make progress and tensions surged on Israel's northern border with Lebanon Gaza Strip, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Israeli forces struck Gaza and battled Hamas fighters on Friday as truce efforts failed to make progress and tensions surged on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. Witnesses reported strikes on the southern city of Rafah and central areas of the Gaza Strip. At Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah, men gathered over the body of an 11-year-old boy who died during a bombardment of nearby Bureij refugee camp. In a black singlet, the child lay on a floor smeared with fresh blood, a white bandage covering the top half of his face, AFP images showed. The Israeli military said troops continued operations in central Gaza, where warplanes struck a militant cell in the Zeitun area. After projectiles were fired from northern Gaza into southern Israel on Thursday night, artillery and aircraft hit the launch sites, the army said. Witnesses in Rafah, on Gaza's southern border with Egypt, reported helicopter fire on the city's west and centre, while Hamas's armed wing said its militants fired mortar rounds at Israeli troops near the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood. - Border escalation - Fears of a broader middle East conflict have surged again, with Lebanon-based Hezbollah fighters launching waves of rockets, missiles and drones against Israeli military targets. Hezbollah said intense strikes since Wednesday were retaliation for Israel's killing of one of its commanders. Sirens sounded in northern Israel, where police said munitions had hit in the Kiryat Shmona area, with no reports of casualties. The military said "approximately 35 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon". "A number" of them were intercepted while some caused fires. Israeli forces responded with shelling, the military said, also announcing air strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure across the border. Lebanon's state-run National news Agency reported that Israeli "warplanes launched a raid targeting a house" in the southern town of Jannata. Two women were killed, village official Hassan Shur said, the latest deaths in near-daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli military since the start of the Gaza war. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that his country and the United States would work separately with Israeli and Lebanese authorities to ease tensions. During a Middle East trip this week to push a Gaza ceasefire plan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "the best way" to help resolve the Hezbollah-Israel violence was "a resolution of the conflict in Gaza and getting a ceasefire". - Truce 'hang-up' - At a summit of G7 leaders in Italy, US President Joe Biden called Hamas "the biggest hang-up so far" to reaching a deal on a Gaza truce and hostage release. The Palestinian group has insisted on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, demands Israel has repeatedly rejected. Blinken has said Israel backs the latest plan, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose far-right coalition partners are strongly opposed, has not publicly endorsed it. Biden's roadmap for the first truce since a week-long pause and hostage-prisoner release in November includes a six-week ceasefire, hostage releases and Gaza's reconstruction. On Monday, the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution supporting the plan. The World Health Organization said more than 8,000 children aged under five in Gaza had been treated for acute malnutrition. AFP images from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital showed the grieving family of a 10-year-old boy who died suffering from malnutrition. His limbs appeared thin and his ribcage was clearly visible. - US sanctions - The United States imposed sanctions Friday on an Israeli group whose activists have blocked Gaza-bound aid convoys. "Individuals from Tzav 9 have repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blockading roads, sometimes violently," the US State Department said. "They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road." The draft of a G7 end-of-summit statement, seen by AFP, said its leaders urge the "rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need" in Gaza, particularly women and children. The draft said the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, must be allowed to work unhindered in Gaza. Israel had accused 12 of the agency's 13,000 Gaza staff of involvement in the October 7 attack, prompting a number of donor governments to temporarily suspend their contributions. The draft also called for aid flow through "all relevant land crossing points" including the Rafah border, which has been shut since Israeli forces launched a ground operation in the city in early May. As Muslims worldwide prepare to mark Eid al-Adha starting Sunday, Gazans lamented soaring prices and shortages of essential goods -- including sacrificial animals for the festival -- leaving little to celebrate in the besieged territory. "There is no Eid spirit," Mohammed Shabat, who like most of Gaza's population has been displaced by the war, said outside his tent in Deir al-Balah. Escalating Israeli attacks and the resulting fighting in the south and centre of Gaza makes it near-impossible for humanitarians to deliver desperately needed food aid, the deputy chief of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Carl Skau, said Friday at the end of a two-day mission to the enclave UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Escalating Israeli attacks and the resulting fighting in the south and centre of Gaza makes it near-impossible for humanitarians to deliver desperately needed food aid, the deputy chief of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Carl Skau, said Friday at the end of a two-day mission to the enclave. Driving through Gaza City to Jabalia, the destruction is unbelievable. In the North of Gaza, I didnt see one single building intact and there was constant shelling with drones buzzing overhead, Skau, WFP's Deputy Executive Director, said. The people here are traumatized and exhausted. One woman who had lost her husband told me this war has been going on for 250 days - but to her it felt like 250 years. "With lawlessness born out of desperation inside Gaza now hampering deliveries from the Kerem Shalom crossing, and active conflict spreading in the southern and middle areas, WFP staff are finding it close to impossible to deliver sufficient aid to meet the growing needs. It is getting harder to do our job, Skau said. Staff spend five to eight hours waiting at checkpoints every day. Missiles hit our premises, despite being deconflicted. The breakdown of law and order means we also face looting and violence amid a large security vacuum. WFP fears southern Gaza could soon see the same catastrophic levels of hunger recorded previously in the north. Skau warned that the situation there was quickly deteriorating. A million people have been pushed out of Rafah and are trapped in a highly congested area along the beach in the burning summer heat. We drove through rivers of sewage, he said. WFP reported that there has been improvement in assistance in northern Gaza, where partners have been delivering supplies through West Erez crossing. The UN agency warned, however, that this assistance must be sustained and scaled-up. Access to clean water, healthcare, fuel for bakeries and medical supplies are also essential. Skau stressed that more than anything people want this war to end, and so do we. He said WFP would now look at how to support the functioning of markets and also get cash to people so that they can begin to restore their lives. Emergency assistance is still critical, but we also need to start instilling some hope by supporting bakeries and markets - and go beyond meeting food needs for survival to support water sanitation and basic health care needs, he added. Only this way can we help restore a more dignified form of assistance that goes beyond meeting basic food needs. On my previous visit in November, the people I met were angry. Now they are exhausted and just wanted this war to end. Skau was in the region for three days in total. He also visited the West Bank and Jerusalem, in addition to Gaza, meeting with staff, partners and Palestinians. In May, WFP assisted over a million people across the West Bank and Gaza, though rations were reduced due to access constraints and dwindling food stocks. The UN agency said it continued to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and safe and sustained access to deliver life-saving aid. (@FahadShabbir) WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, has called for greater American investment in Pakistan and more trade between the two countries in an effort to further strengthen their relations. Speaking at the World Affairs Council in Philadelphia, he urged US businesses to increase their investment portfolios, especially in tech-startups, renewable energy, agriculture and extractive industries. Pakistan is a big market for American manufacturers," the ambassador told a gathering of scholars, policy-makers, legislators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals. "If you manufacture state-of-the-art products, you have 240 million consumers in Pakistan, he said. In his remarks, Ambassador Masood Khan dealt with Pak-US relations, war on terror, re-calibration of their bilateral ties in the post-withdrawal period, Pakistan-India relations and the issues of regional stability. In this regard, he focused on the existing investment and trade opportunities between the two countries that provided new sinews to the relationship. Tracing the roots of Pak-US relations, especially the US support during the initial days of Pakistan and the robust partnership of the two countries both in times of war and peace, the Ambassador presented a holistic view of the ties spanning over seven decades, saying the two countries are now investing in people-centric diplomacy. "We have a big human capital and it is growing. Pakistan is digitally connected with the rest of the world and it is tech savvy, with hundreds of institutions which are investing in future technologies, he said. On counter-terrorism cooperation, Masood Khan said, "We collaborated and together we broke the back of terrorist organizations. Al-Qaeda is not where it was in 2001-02. There is awareness all around the world about the asymmetric threat of terrorism to international civilization and how to tackle it, he said. In late 2021 and early 2022, he said, the leadership of Pakistan and the United States reset their relationship, deciding that while we will continue our cooperation in countering terrorism, promoting regional stability, maintaining a dialogue, we would like to secure the region from any nuclear instability and so on. At the same time, he said they began working to strengthen their economic partnership. And we have been succeeding in the areas of trade and investment, renewable energy, green technologies, combating climate change, health care, education and others." When I came here in 2022, the number of Pakistani students in American universities was 7,000. Now it is more than 10,000, he said. In this regard, he also referred to the renewal of the agreement between the two countries for cooperation in science and technology. About Pakistans relations with China, the Ambassador reiterated that its relations with China were not at the expense of its ties with the United States. Referring to the historic role played by Pakistan in bringing China and US closer to each other in the early 70s, he said that Pakistan was willing to play the role of an economic bridge between the two countries. On Pak-India relations, the Ambassador said that there hasnt been any structured dialogue between the two countries since 2014. Underscoring the need for a result-oriented structured dialogue, Masood Khan said that we should create the required atmosphere for talking to each other. Pointing out the strategic imbalance in South Asia and US tilt towards India, Masood Khan urged US government to follow a balanced approach. The US' heavy tilt towards India is accentuating strategic imbalance which is fraught with serious risks, he said. The Ambassador also emphasized the need for full restoration of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and assistance to fight the continued threats from terrorists. On the middle East situation, the Ambassador urged the United States to demonstrate its leadership and assert itself. The Ambassador invited the participants to visit Pakistan and experience for themselves the beauty of the country and its traditional hospitality. Pakistan has 7500 glaciers which are second in number only to the polar region, he said. The Ambassador thanked Lauren Swartz, President & CEO World Affairs Council, Philadelphia, for hosting him. APP/ift The Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday hosted a grand reception to celebrate Pakistan's National Day and Youm-e-Takbir THE HAGUE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) The Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday hosted a grand reception to celebrate Pakistan's National Day and Youm-e-Takbir. The event was attended by senior Dutch officials, diplomats from other countries, international organization representatives, members of the Pakistani community, Dutch and Pakistani business leaders, intellectuals, and journalists, said a press released issued by the embassy. Wouter Jurgens, Director of the Asia and Oceania Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the special guest of the event. Renowned photographer and visual storyteller, Jimmy Nelson, also graced the occasion with his presence. In his address, Ambassador Suljuk Mustansar Tarar paid tribute to the founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the heroes of the Pakistan Movement. He highlighted the successful cooperation between Pakistan and the Netherlands in various fields, including politics, trade, investment, agriculture, water management, climate change, technology, education, culture, and sports. He also acknowledged the significant role of the Pakistani community in promoting friendly relations between the two countries. Director Wouter Jurgens emphasized the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and the Netherlands, saying that their relations were built on friendship and mutual understanding. Jimmy Nelson presented a special presentation showcasing the vibrant culture of Pakistan and shared his experiences from his recent visit to the country. Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Moscow would only cease fire and begin peace talks if Ukraine gave up four of its regions and abandoned its NATO membership bid. The Russian leader was outlining his "conditions" to halt the full-scale military offensive that he launched in February 2022, speaking on the eve of a major peace summit in Switzerland, orchestrated by Ukraine and its allies. "Ukrainian troops must be completely withdrawn from the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions," Putin said in a televised address to Russian diplomats in Moscow. Russia claimed to have annexed the four regions in 2022, despite not having full control over any of them. "As soon as Kyiv says it is ready to do this and begins really withdrawing troops and officially renounces plans to join NATO, we will immediately -- literally that very minute -- cease fire and begin talks," Putin said. The Russian leader said he did not "rule out maintaining Ukrainian sovereignty" over the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions "on the condition that Russia has a strong land link with Crimea". (@FahadShabbir) Plumes of smoke were still billowing Friday over a south Lebanon village after a deadly Israeli strike as shopkeepers swept shattered glass and vowed to stay put despite soaring cross-border violence Jannata, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Plumes of smoke were still billowing Friday over a south Lebanon village after a deadly Israeli strike as shopkeepers swept shattered glass and vowed to stay put despite soaring cross-border violence. Jannata had been largely spared more than eight months of clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as war rages in Gaza, but the Lebanese village was shaken by an overnight strike that officials say killed two civilians. "We were sitting on the balcony at night, and we felt a rocket fly over our heads. Then the world started to shake," resident Khadija Husseini told AFP. On Friday morning, she found that her clothing store had been damaged in the strike which targeted a building about 200 metres (650 feet) away. "There was shattered glass everywhere" from the shop window, she said. Lebanon's official National news Agency said a building was hit in Jannata, 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Israeli border. The village's deputy mayor, Hassan Shur, told AFP that two civilians, both women, were killed in a nearby building. They were the latest fatalities in months of near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, since the Palestinian group's October 7 attack that triggered the Gaza war. Rescuers said at least nine people were wounded in the strike on Jannata, including an infant and two children. An AFP photographer said a three-storey building had been completely destroyed. Residents said the targeted building was uninhabited, but housed a wood warehouse that had caught fire, with plumes of smoke still emanating from the wreckage on Friday. ISTANBUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2024) Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Friday is taking part in the second and final day of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, according to the ministry. "The NATO Defense Ministers Meeting continues in Brussels. National Defense Minister Yasar Guler is participating in the second day's session," said the ministry on X. Guler "had a conversation with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin" and some other "defense ministers from allied countries before the second session," it added. The Turkish minister also "met with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias at NATO Headquarters," as well as with Luxembourg Defense Minister Yuriko Backes, according to the ministry. No further details of the discussions were provided. UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jun, 2024) Forced displacement surged to historic new levels across the globe last year and this, according to the 2024 flagship Global Trends Report from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The rise in overall forced displacement to 120 million by May 2024 was the 12th consecutive annual increase and reflects both new and mutating conflicts and a failure to resolve long-standing crises. The figure would make the global displaced population equivalent to the 12th largest country in the world, around the size of Japans. Meanwhile, Afghan refugees represent the largest refugee population around the world-- 2.6 million registered with 2.2 million registered Pakistan and Iran alone. Another 3.22 million people were internally displaced by the end of 2023, having fled their homes in search of refuge within Afghanistan. A key factor driving the displaced peoples' figures higher has been the devastating conflict in Sudan: at the end of 2023, 10.8 million Sudanese remained uprooted. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar, millions were internally displaced last year by vicious fighting. UNRWA estimates that by the end of last year, up to 1.7 million people (75 per cent of the population) had been displaced in the Gaza Strip by the catastrophic violence, most of whom were Palestine refugees. Syria remains the worlds largest displacement crisis, with 13.8 million forcibly displaced in and outside the country. Behind these stark and rising numbers lie countless human tragedies. That suffering must galvanize the international community to act urgently to tackle the root causes of forced displacement, said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. It is high time for warring parties to respect the basic laws of war and international law. The fact is that without better cooperation and concerted efforts to address conflict, human rights violations and the climate crisis, displacement figures will keep rising, bringing fresh misery and costly humanitarian responses. The largest increase in displacement figures came from people fleeing conflict who remain in their own country, rising to 68.3 million people according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre up almost 50 per cent over five years. The number of refugees, and others in need of international protection, climbed to 43.4 million when including those under UNHCR and UNRWAs mandates. The vast majority of refugees are hosted in countries neighbouring their own, with 75 per cent residing in low- and middle-income countries that together produce less than 20 per cent of the worlds income. The report showed that worldwide, more than 5 million internally displaced people and 1 million refugees returned home in 2023. These figures show some progress towards longer-term solutions. Positively, resettlement arrivals increased to almost 160,000 in 2023. Refugees and the communities hosting them need solidarity and a helping hand. They can and do contribute to societies when they are included, Grandi added. Equally, last year millions of people returned home, representing an important glimmer of hope. Solutions are out there weve seen countries like Kenya lead the way in refugee inclusion but it takes real commitment. The report also offered new analysis on the climate crisis and how it increasingly and disproportionately affects forcibly displaced people. Given the immense challenges facing 120 million forcibly displaced people outlined in the Global Trends report, UNHCR remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering new approaches and solutions to help people forced to flee their homes, wherever they are. The Taliban must provide Ryan Corbett, an American held in Afghanistan for nearly two years, with immediate medical care to prevent irreparable harm to his health or even his death, a United Nations expert said on Thursday. "The Taliban must provide Ryan Corbett with medical treatment in a civilian hospital without delay," said Alice Jill Edwards, the U.N. special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Corbett, an aid worker, has been held without charge in conditions "utterly inadequate and substantially below international standards," she said. "This is having a significant impact on his physical and mental health, which is declining rapidly," Edwards added. She said she had raised the issue directly with the Taliban. "Without adequate medical care, he is at risk of irreparable harm or even death," she said. The United States is in contact with Edwards' office and welcomes efforts to call for more humane conditions for Corbett and others held by the Taliban, a spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations in New York said. "We consider Ryan's detention to be wrongful and we will continue to work securing his immediate release," the spokesperson said. Corbett and his family moved to Afghanistan in 2010. He worked with nongovernmental organizations and then started his own Bloom Afghanistan to bolster the country's private sector through consulting, microfinance and project evaluation. He left with his family following the Taliban takeover in 2021 but continued working with his organization, returning in January 2022 to renew his business visa. Despite having a valid visa, he was arrested by the Taliban in August 2022 after he returned to pay and train his staff, his lawyers said. A German and two Afghans with whom Corbett was arrested have since been released. The U.N. expert said Corbett has developed several medical problems, including ringing in his ears, and severe weight loss. He has also repeatedly expressed intentions of suicide and self-harm. The United States has had no diplomatic presence in Kabul since it fell to the Taliban in August 2021 as U.S. troops pulled out after 20 years of war. US President Joe Biden and leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies are meeting in Italy, underscoring support for Ukraines fight against Russias invasion and the need for a cease-fire in Gaza. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara is traveling with the president and brings this report from Borgo Egnazia, the G7 summit venue. More than six years after 17 students and staff died in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the three-story building where the massacre took place is coming down, starting Friday. The demolition will take several weeks. Officials plan its completion before the school's 3,300 students return to the campus in August. Heavy rain and flooding forced officials to postpone demolition by one day. "The mechanical demolition involves dismantling the structure by pieces (not an implosion), beginning with the top floor. In preparation, crews cleaned and cleared the building, adhering to state and the Environmental Protection Agency's landfill disposal regulations, and electronics were removed for proper handling. Additionally, survivors of the tragedy, families of victims, as well as teachers and staff had any items they desired returned to them," Broward County's school district posted on its website. The building had stood as evidence while two trials took place: the 2022 penalty trial of the shooter and the 2023 trial of an on-campus deputy accused of child abuse for failing to confront the shooter. Members of the victims' families were invited to view the demolition, though they disagree on whether the building should be removed. "I want the building gone," Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, was killed there, told The Associated Press. Prior to the demolition, some of the victims' parents led public officials on tours of the building, including Vice President Kamala Harris, members of Congress, police officers and about 500 other invitees. The tours highlighted how stronger safety measures such as bullet-resistant glass and interior-locking doors could have saved lives. Max Schachter, who lost his 14-year-old son, Alex, in the shooting, told The Associated Press that each tour was "excruciatingly painful," but that it was important to preserve the building to show how improved safety could save lives. This is not the first time a building was removed after a mass school shooting. Columbine High School's library was demolished after the 1999 shooting. Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut was torn down and replaced after the 2012 shooting. And in Uvalde, Texas, officials plan to demolish Robb Elementary, where a shooter killed 19 children and two teachers in 2022. Broward's school board has yet to decide what to use the space for. Teachers have proposed a practice field for the band and Junior ROTC, as several of the students killed were involved in those activities. During the shooter's 2022 penalty trial, jurors viewed the building and were warned it would be difficult to witness. At least one juror left the building crying. A court in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday sentenced Chinese independent journalist Huang Xueqin and labor rights activist Wang Jianbing to five years and three years and six months in jail respectively for "inciting subversion of state power." Huang said she would appeal the sentence in court, according to information shared by Free Huang Xueqin & Wang Jianbing, an online support group for the two. Chinese authorities have strictly controlled information on this case so the media and human rights organization rely on information shared by supporters to report on the verdict. Authorities, before the trial, set up metal barriers and deployed a huge police presence around the court to keep journalists and the public from entering the court, the group said. According to details of the verdict shared by the online support group, Huang will be in jail until September 18, 2026, while Wang will finish his sentence on March 18, 2025. Authorities confiscated several computers, mobile phones, and hard drives that belong to Huang and Wang. Some analysts say Fridays verdict shows the Chinese governments attempt to outlaw social activism by applying criminal charges with heavier penalties to activities that do not directly challenge government authority. "This case shows that Beijing now considers training in nonviolent protest as an act of subversion of state power, which is incredibly worrying," Sarah Brooks, Amnesty Internationals China director, told VOA by phone. While China used to impose criminal charges with long sentences on human rights lawyers before 2020, Brooks said Beijing is now targeting lower-profile activists with similar charges. "Authorities used to target activists like Huang and Wang with charges like picking quarrels and provoking trouble, [which carries a shorter prison sentence,] but now their activism could be viewed as national security crimes," she said. In response to human rights groups criticism, the Chinese Embassy in the Washington said China is a country of rule of law and the right to a fair trial is "well maintained" in the country. "Any attempt to smear China and interfere with Chinas internal affairs in the name of human rights will not succeed," embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told VOA in a written response. Fridays verdict comes nearly 1,000 days after Huang and Wang were imprisoned on the charges of inciting subversion of state power. It also follows repeated expressions of concern about Huang and Wangs health condition by some of their friends. "Wang has a long history of depression while Huang suffered from weight loss, persistent back pain, and her menstruation had stopped," said a friend who requested anonymity due to fears of facing government retaliation. Since authorities have prevented their lawyers from sharing information about the case with the public, the anonymous friend told VOA there has been very little update about Huang and Wangs health conditions in jail. In addition to shrouding the trial in secrecy, the friend, who is familiar with the case, said Guangzhou authorities tried to "justify" the charges they imposed on Huang and Wang by questioning 70 people connected to them. "During the first six months following their arrests, the police tried to fabricate evidence that could justify the charges they used against Huang and Wang by interrogating 70 people related to them," one activist with knowledge of the case, who requested anonymity due to fear of retribution, told VOA by phone. According to a copy of the official indictment shared by Huang and Wangs supporters on X, formerly known as Twitter, Guangzhou authorities accused the two of publishing "seditious content" aimed at inciting subversion of state power on foreign social media platforms. They also claimed that Huang and Wang participated in and organized a series of "online courses" as well as private gatherings to "increase participants dissatisfaction" toward the Chinese government. Huang and Wangs friend said Wang was hoping to reestablish social networks for activists focusing on different issues because the Chinese government intensified crackdowns on different sectors of Chinas civil society since 2015, forcing many activists to become isolated. "Wangs efforts increased the Chinese governments concern that these social networks could create challenges to political stability in China," the friend told VOA, adding that Wang and Huangs involvement in the labor rights movement and #MeToo movement made them the targets of Beijings crackdown. At the height of Chinas #MeToo movement in 2018, Huang set up a social media platform for victims to report sexual harassment cases. She also released surveys concluding that sexual harassment was a serious problem at universities and workplaces. In October 2019, she was arrested and detained for several months after joining the protest in Hong Kong and shared her observations in an online article. For his part, Wang has been advocating for the rights of workers and those with disabilities since 2014. Some analysts say details of the case reflect the Chinese governments efforts to crack down on private gatherings held by dissidents in recent years. Apart from Huang and Wang, Chinese human rights lawyers Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong were arrested and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for organizing a private gathering for dissidents in the coastal city of Xiamen in December 2019. The Chinese government is trying to decimate any kind of civil society activities, including private gatherings at dissidents homes," Yaqiu Wang, research director for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan at Freedom House, told VOA by phone. In addition to collecting evidence to justify the charges against Huang and Wang, Brooks said the Chinese authorities are also trying to have a chilling effect on other activists by summoning them for questioning. "The government is warning these activists that they should be careful about who they decide to be friends with," she said, adding that the message will cause human rights activism to "break down." Huang and Wangs friend said Chinese authorities intimidation campaign against other activists has deterred them from continuing their activism. "The whole civil society has become less organized and more vulnerable," he told VOA. Despite the Chinese governments attempt to deter activism in civil society, Brooks said some activists are still trying to continue work in sectors such as womens rights and human trafficking. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will touch down in Australia Saturday, becoming the most senior Chinese visitor in over seven years. His arrival symbolizes the greatly improved relationship between Beijing and Canberra, following a turbulent patch that saw China impose tough trade restrictions on Australia. Li will land in the South Australian city of Adelaide, before heading to Canberra for a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He will wrap up his trip with a visit to Perth. While trade ties will dominate much of the agenda, Australian analysts say they see the visit of China's second most powerful official as a crucial step on the return to more normal relations. "This visit signals that the bilateral relationship has reached a new settling point, after many, many years of a huge amount of sound and fury and drama and tension," Benjamin Herscovitch, a research fellow at the Australian National University, told VOA. "We're now reaching this new settling point of a rough, uneasy normalization of the relationship between Australia and China," Herscovitch said. The roots of the breakdown of relations between Canberra and Beijing can be traced to 2018, when Australia became the first country to ban Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from its 5G network. Two years later, Albanese's predecessor, Scott Morrison, angered China when he led calls for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19. As the relationship soured, China slapped a host of tariffs and restrictions on a variety of Australian goods and commodities including barley, wine and coal. The sanctions are estimated to have cost the Australian economy over $13 billion. "China's strategy did not just impose trade restrictions in the form of various different measures that were economically coercive, but also denied Canberra diplomatic access to Beijing," Herscovitch said. "This was essentially part of a punishment campaign for Australia," he added. Beijing was further irked by Australia's enhanced military ties with Western countries, including a new AUKUS security alliance which was announced with the United States and the United Kingdom in 2021. The partnership will allow Australia to acquire nuclear submarine capability, specifically to counter growing concerns over China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. These tensions led to an almost total breakdown in diplomatic relations between Australia and China. The formation of a new Australian government in 2022 provided an opportunity for a fresh start, with Albanese keen to resume dialogue with Australia's biggest trading partner. His meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Bali later that year, opened the door to the resumption of high-level talks, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visiting Beijing just a month after that summit. Further progress was made when Albanese traveled to China last November, paving the way for the resumption of annual leaders' meetings. "It's a significant sign that the Australian government has reached its goal of 'stabilising' relations," Melissa Conley Tyler, an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne's Asia Institute, said. "During this visit, messaging will be around Australia as a country that is 'friendly' to China - which makes a difference to officials, importers and parents choosing where their children will study," Tyler told VOA. Li's visit will take in three Australian states, providing plentiful opportunities for handshakes and photo opportunities, although analysts are less certain of more substantial results aside from diplomatic goodwill. "It is unlikely the visit will yield any major announcements both sides have been careful to stress throughout these types of exchanges that dialogue is in itself the focus and the achievement," Elena Collinson, head of analysis for the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said. One area that could see a breakthrough is the removal of Chinese trade restrictions on Australian lobster. As relations improved under the Albanese administration, Beijing rolled back almost all of the trade barriers that had been erected against Australia, but a ban on live lobster imports remains. It is widely expected that this ban will be reversed, although the timing of any such announcement will be closely watched. "China will want to say that there has been a scientific, technical resolution of the issue, and therefore they can remove the trade restrictions," Herscovitch said. "But they wouldn't want it too closely associated with the premier's visit, even though everyone understands that it was a politically motivated trade restriction and so the removal of it is also politically motivated," Herscovitch added. Beijing's so-called 'panda diplomacy' will be on full display during the trip, with Li set to visit Adelaide Zoo to view Wang Wang and Fu Ni, two pandas that were loaned to Australia in 2009. The arrangement is set to expire at the end of this year, but it is hoped that Li could announce an extension of their stay in the southern hemisphere. The premier's trip to the mining hub of Western Australia will also boost hopes of further enhanced trade ties, with Li set to attend a roundtable event organized by the Business Council of Australia. Beijing still relies heavily on Australia for critical commodities including iron ore. While this visit should further stabilize a recovering diplomatic relationship, the Chinese premier has work to do to gain the support of the Australian public. Recent polling, partly conducted by the Australia-China Relations Institute, found a high level of anxiety over China's future ambitions. "Nearly three-quarters of Australians see China as a security threat, while half see military conflict with China within the next three years as a serious possibility," Collinson said. "While support for the economic dimension of the relationship remains, even this is starting to waver," Collinson added. A New York court has denied the U.S. government the right to sell a superyacht that it alleges belongs to sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleyman Kerimov. The ruling means that U.S. taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for roughly $740,000 a month for the 106-meter Amadea's upkeep and insurance. The luxury vessel, with an estimated value of $230 million, is at the center of a legal battle over the enforcement of U.S. sanctions against Russia. American prosecutors allege that Kerimov and his proxies routed dollar transactions through U.S. financial institutions to maintain the yacht, which would constitute a sanctions violation. In May 2022, the island nation of Fiji confiscated the Amadea and later transferred it to the United States. The U.S. government would like to sell the yacht and transfer the proceeds to Ukraine. But that procedure, known as civil forfeiture, grew more complicated when another Russian billionaire, Eduard Khudainatov, who is not under U.S. sanctions, claimed the Amadea actually belongs to him. In court filings, the Justice Department has termed Khudainatov a "straw owner" for Kerimov. Khudainatov denies that. The legal battle over Amadea could take a while. Until it concludes, the U.S. government is paying roughly $600,000 for the yacht's upkeep and $140,000 for its insurance each month. In a bid to decrease those expenses, the U.S. government requested permission to sell the vessel and convert its value into cash. That practice is relatively common in civil forfeiture cases when an asset is rapidly depreciating in value or its upkeep is excessively costly. But on Tuesday, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York ruled that the cost of maintaining Amadea was not "excessive." To assess "whether the maintenance costs of the Amadea are excessive, the court must not look solely at the total dollar amount of the maintenance costs, but must principally consider whether those amounts are more than what is usual as compared to the maintenance costs for other similar yachts," the judge wrote in the ruling. The U.S. government could not prove the expenses met that standard, the court ruled. The Justice Department has the right to appeal the decision. Two days after the ruling, lawyers representing Khudainatov and the company that directly owns the Amadea filed a memorandum opposing the U.S. government's efforts to strike Khudainatov from the case. Prosecutors allege that Khudainatov is not the yacht's actual owner, meaning he lacks standing to contest its forfeiture. But the memorandum, which includes declarations from yacht employees and contractors, argues that Khudainatov is the true owner and, thus, the Amadea is not subject to forfeiture at all. The U.S. government's attempts to strike Khudainatov from the case are "nothing more than a desperate attempt to steal the Amadea by default," Adam Ford and Renee Jarusinsky, counsel for Khudainatov and the ownership company, said in a statement. "Mr. Khudainatov is, and always has been, the rightful owner of the Amadea," they continued. "We are confident that the truth will prevail and the boat will be returned. Until then, this costly burden that the government has placed on the American people will continue to grow heavier." The Justice Department declined to comment. Leaders at the G7 summit in Italy will meet with Pope Francis for a discussion about AI and will also look at economic competition from China, as well as Beijing's tacit support for Moscows war on Ukraine. Also, at the G7 President Biden and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine sign a security agreement that it designed to last no matter who the next president of the U.S. is. The IAEA has a warning about Irans uranium enrichment. Plus, Russia and North Korea. The G7 leaders ended their summit with their starkest warning yet to China, declaring that Beijing's support of Moscow's military industrial base is "enabling Russia to maintain its illegal war in Ukraine." Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies said they are "committed to raising the costs of Russia's war," threatening more sanctions against actors who aid Moscow to circumvent them. The warning is part of the communique, or joint statement, released by leaders as they wrapped up their second summit day in Apulia, Italy. It contained the toughest language yet toward Beijing, reflecting frustration on the part of U.S. President Joe Biden on China's role in propping up the Russian war machine in Ukraine. Beijing is supplying the technology to produce weapons for Russia, Biden said Thursday evening during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "So, it is, in fact, helping Russia," he said. G7 leaders highlighted security threats they say China poses to the global economy including its overcapacity in electric vehicles and its trade and investment practices in developing nations. The European Union on Wednesday announced higher tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicle imports amid investigations into whether Chinese automakers are dumping government-subsidized, less expensive EVs onto European markets. Beijing said it "will take all measures necessary" to defend its interests but stopped short of retaliation against the EU. Earlier this year the United States quadrupled tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100% and imposed steep increases on certain Chinese steel and aluminum products, solar cells and semiconductors. "As time goes on, it's more clear that [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping]'s ambition is to restore China's dominance, at least in the Indo Pacific, possibly beyond. And that effort is mostly taking place through an effort to establish economic and technological primacy," a senior Biden administration official told reporters traveling with the president on Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic matters. Beijing's support for Russia could "pose a long-term threat to Europe's security," the official warned. Earlier this week, the U.S. announced secondary sanctions targeting those helping Moscow, including China-based companies that sell semiconductors to Russia and smaller Chinese banks with ties to Russian financial institutions that are already sanctioned. Beijing denounced the sanctions, accusing Washington of using the war "as an opportunity" to suppress other countries. "All of it reveals the U.S.'s calculations, hypocrisy and what a bully it is," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday. Global infrastructure investments The G7 reaffirmed commitment to reform multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, but fell short of agreeing on a debt relief and restructuring package for low- and middle-income countries. The group has long sought to counter Beijing's offering of infrastructure loans to developing nations through its massive Belt and Road Initiative, estimated to total trillions of dollars and which some in the West characterize as "debt-trap diplomacy." In response, they are aiming to stimulate $600 billion in private infrastructure funding by 2027 through their own program, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, or PGI. G7 countries have developed their own initiatives to support PGI, such as summit host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Mattei Plan to bolster investments in Africa. The U.S. has narrowed its earlier plans and is now focused on developing infrastructure corridors with key partners EU and Japan, including the Lobito Corridor, which connects the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Angola, and the Luzon Corridor in the Philippines. It's not a "scaling down on ambitions," another senior administration official told VOA Thursday during a briefing for reporters. "What the president wants to do is to say, let's focus on a smaller subset of countries, but go deeper." The official acknowledged China is ahead in its global development game. "We're famous for coming in, we say a lot of nice things, we have a lot of expectations, and then we walk away. The other people come in, don't say very much, but leave a check behind," the official said. "The time has come to change that." Pope highlights artificial intelligence G7 leaders pledged to promote "safe, secure, and trustworthy AI" and "AI governance that fosters inclusion" while mitigating risks to human rights and governance fragmentation. The group had an interesting ally in Pope Francis, who delivered remarks on AI ethics in a special session with leaders. Last year the Catholic leader fell victim to AI-generated memes showing him wearing an expensive designer jacket, riding a motorcycle, flying a fighter jet, DJ-ing in a night club, and in other incongruous settings. Meloni is seeking to bolster Francis' initiative, the Rome Call for AI Ethics. It urges governments, institutions and businesses to ensure "digital innovation and technological progress serve human genius and creativity and not their gradual replacement." Much work needs to be done as regulatory landscapes across G7 members vary, Raluca Csernatoni, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Europe, told VOA. "These inconsistencies and the lack of a unifying/harmonizing logic will be difficult to navigate politically, for G7 members to achieve interoperability; internationally, for the principles to extend beyond their current scope and be adopted globally; and economically, for global business across these key markets," he said in an email. The pope could refocus attention on AI ethics, including the protection of vulnerable people and mitigating global digital divides, Csernatoni said, albeit with "a Catholic underpinning." Abortion controversy The Catholic underpinning of the summit is creating division elsewhere, with Italy insisting on removal of a reference to "safe and legal abortion" from the final communique. At the G7 summit last year in Hiroshima, Japan, the communique called for "access to safe and legal abortion and post-abortion care." The removal of the phrase was a win for Meloni but protested by other leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. Biden himself is a devout Catholic but has been a proponent of women's reproductive rights, including abortion. The senior administration official downplayed the disagreement. "The language related to abortion says we reiterated our commitments from the Hiroshima communique," the official told VOA. "Some of the words may not be identical, but the commitments are the same." Migration and Gaza Leaders committed to addressing the root cause of migration, border management and countering the smuggling of migrants. Far-right leader Meloni campaigned on anti-migrant rhetoric but has made investments in Africa to tackle migration to Europe, a key theme of her G7 presidency. The leaders also reaffirmed support for the latest Gaza cease-fire proposal. Biden said Thursday that he was not confident a pause in fighting would soon be achieved and that Hamas was responsible for the delay. "I've laid out an approach that has been endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, by the G7, by the Israelis, and the biggest hang-up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on, even though they have submitted something similar," he said. Biden returns to the U.S. after wrapping up G7 sessions and bilateral meetings with Meloni and the pope. He will attend campaign events in Los Angeles over the weekend. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia and political movement, continue to ratchet up amid the ongoing war in Gaza. On June 12, an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah command and control center in southern Lebanon killed a senior Hezbollah field commander and three other Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah responded by launching its largest barrage of missiles at Israel since entering the war initiated by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023. Pro-Hamas, anti-Israel forces have sought to disrupt maritime shipping in the region and target Israeli ports. On June 10, Israels defense forces reportedly intercepted missiles fired from Lebanon targeting Haifa, a principal port city in Israels north, and another port city, Acre. Israeli media posted videos of successful air defense interceptions in the region. Yet on X, blue-checked users sympathetic to Hezbollah falsely claimed that the Lebanese militant group had successfully attacked the Port of Haifa. Iran Spectator, an anonymous user with 38,000 followers, posts about Iranian news and politics. On June 10, the account posted an image of a ship with black smoke rising above it. Iran Spectator commented on the image: Hezbollah has just hit Israeli city Haifa with Missiles For the first time ever, Hezbollah has unleashed chaos by striking Haifa's port the beating heart of Israel's economy. Israel is starting to fall That is false. A fire did occur on a ship docked at the Port of Haifa on June 10, but there is no evidence the ship came under attack from Hezbollah. The vessel pictured in the social media posts is the Turkish-owned cargo ship Yaf Horizon. The ship had sailed from Novorossiysk, Russia, in the Black Sea, and stopped at the Port of Haifa. Maritime news websites reported that a fire started in the ships engine room but was contained, and officials say there is no evidence the vessel was hit by a drone or gunfire. The reports said the ship has a history of inspection violations, including issues with engine room cleanliness, fire damper operations and nonworking fire alarms. Iran Spectators false post had received more than 350,000 views and some 10,000 reactions at the time of this writing. Other blue-checked X users, many of whom identify themselves as news accounts, reposted images and videos of the same smoking ship and likewise claimed that Hezbollah had successfully struck the Port of Haifa. This is not the first time members or supporters of the Axis of Resistance, an informal Iranian-led coalition that includes Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi militants in Yemen and other armed Shiite groups throughout the Middle East and North Africa, claimed successful attacks on the port. On June 6, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Houthi militants in Yemen claimed to have jointly carried out accurate drone strikes against ships at the Port of Haifa. Israels military called those claims untrue. The Houthis have managed to halt port operations at Eilat, a southern Israel town on the Red Sea. Israel has thusly rerouted the shipping of goods to its Mediterranean ports, further underscoring the threats a broader conflict with Hezbollah poses to Israel. Various analysts have identified X as a primary source of mis- and disinformation about the conflict. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk is calling on warring parties in northern Ethiopia to lay down their arms, warning that human rights violations and abuses amid hostilities continue to endanger reconciliation efforts. I urge the parties to the conflict to halt ongoing hostilities and to resolve differences through peaceful means, Turk said in a statement issued Friday to coincide with the release of a U.N. report updating the human rights situation across Ethiopia between January 2023 and January 2024. It is essential that the authorities take all feasible steps to protect civilians, prevent further violations, and ensure there are full investigations to bring those responsible to justice, he said. The report finds the human rights situation in the northern Tigray region has improved significantly following a November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, while violent conflict has led to a serious deterioration of human rights in the regions of Amhara and Oromia. The situation in Amhara and Oromia regions remains worrying, with ongoing fighting between government forces against Amhara militia and Fano and the Oromia Liberation Army respectively, Liz Throssell, U.N. human rights spokesperson, told journalists in Geneva. The report cites a litany of human rights violations and abuses committed by government security forces and armed groups, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, followed by killings of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, and attacks on civilian property. It also says at least 1,351 civilians were killed in Ethiopia last year in attacks reportedly carried out by government forces, Eritrean troops, anti-government militias, and some unknown actors. The report documents 594 incidents of human rights violations and abuses affecting 8,253 victims, a 56 percent increase compared with 2022. It adds that, State actors were reportedly responsible for some 70 percent of the violations, while non-state actors accounted for some 22 percent. Declining violations in Tigray In Ethiopias most-northern region, Tigray, the report describes a general decrease in human rights violations and abuses. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, recorded 44 civilian deaths in 2023 compared to 303 in 2022 in the context of the Tigray conflict. This, the report says, shows a positive trend, despite the concerns of the presence of the EDF [Ethiopian Defense Forces] and alleged violations attributed to them. Throssell, however, noted that it is absolutely clear that [Tigray] still remains volatile. There are still conflicts taking place in Tigray. So, we are not saying that things are perfect there. Far from it. But the update is trying to take an overall picture, a nuanced picture of what is happening there, and there is concern, she said. Obviously humanitarian concerns continue in Tigray and other parts of Ethiopia. The report criticizes Ethiopias August 2023 state of emergency declaration for the neighboring region of Amhara, which has resulted in actions by security forces in violation of Ethiopias international human rights obligations. It also decries the continued presence of the Eritrean Defense Forces in parts of Tigray and the continued violations committed by those forces, which represent a serious impediment to the peace process. Turk welcomed the June 3rd expiration of the state of emergency, which authorities had extended repeatedly. I urge the authorities to release immediately those detained under the former state of emergency. Those who have not been charged should also be released immediately, he said. I also call on the authorities to lift the restrictions on movements and resume regular law enforcement operations to protect people. Transitional justice policy Ethiopias Federal Council of Ministers, the countrys executive branch, which also includes the president and Council of State, approved its transitional justice policy in April and launched its implementation on May 9. The update acknowledges the Ethiopian governments efforts to promote transitional justice and prevent violence against women and children, as well as its openness to engage in dialogue to resolve the fighting in the Amhara region. However, authors of the OHCHR report say that the human rights violations and abuses documented during the reporting period undermine the efforts by the government of Ethiopia to foster peace and accountability. They point out that quick and effective political and accountability steps are needed to halt the violations and abuses which are further endangering reconciliation and peace in the country. They urge the government to make a sustained commitment to develop the transitional justice policy and national dialogue in an atmosphere that allows people to freely participate. The Ethiopian government, which has received the report, has yet to respond. An Israeli court has confirmed and extended for 35 days the government's shutdown of Qatar-based television news channel Al Jazeera, the justice ministry said Friday. Al Jazeera, which broadcasts in Arabic and English, went off the air in Israel under an initial 45-day order early last month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has had a long-running feud with Al Jazeera that has worsened since the Gaza war began in October. "The Tel Aviv district court confirmed the communications minister's instructions to stop Al Jazeera channel broadcasts, close its bureaus in Israel, block access to its websites and seize the equipment," the justice ministry said. The order, issued Thursday after a prosecutor's request for its confirmation and extension, was for an additional 35 days, the ministry said on its website. The shutdown does not affect broadcasts from the Israeli-occupied West Bank or the Gaza Strip, from which Al Jazeera still covers Israel's war with Hamas Palestinian militants. Parliament passed a security law in April enabling it to ban foreign media broadcasts in Israel that undermine security. The government on May 5 approved a decision to ban Al Jazeera from broadcasting in Israel and to close its offices for 45 days. But on June 9 the supreme court, responding to petition from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, referred the case to the Tel Aviv district court. The government then asked that court to confirm the ban for 45 days. The judge authorized a 35-day ban, citing legal flaws. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi reacted in a statement, calling Al Jazeera "a mouthpiece for terrorism in the service of Hamas." "For absurd legal reasons, we are forced (to request) its closure in Israel every 45 days. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to cleanse the region of terrorism and incitement" to violence, he added. In January, Israel said an Al Jazeera staff journalist and a freelancer killed in an air strike in Gaza were "terror operatives." The following month, another journalist with the channel who was wounded in a separate strike was accused of being a "deputy company commander" with Hamas. Al Jazeera denied the allegations. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) had called for a reversal of the ban. The United Nations, United States and Germany also opposed it. Israel is ranked 101 out of 180 in the RSF 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The Tel Aviv court said freedom of expression "is particularly important in times of war. However, when there is a significant infringement upon the security of the state, priority is given to the latter consideration." Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin says his committee has uncovered at least three additional trips given to Justice Clarence Thomas by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow as part of the panel's ethics investigation into the Supreme Court. Durbin, a Democrat, said Thursday the committee obtained information from Crow that Thomas took three trips, and at least six flights, on Crow's private jet in 2017, 2019 and 2021. The panel also found evidence of private jet travel during trips to Indonesia and California that Thomas recently disclosed in an amendment to a 2019 financial disclosure report. The Democratic-led Judiciary panel launched the investigation last year after several reports that Thomas had for years received undisclosed expensive gifts, including international travel, from Crow. The committee has since pushed the Supreme Court to adopt a stronger ethics code as trips by Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito came to light, along with six-figure book deals received by other justices. The new information "makes it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment," Durbin said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from the court on the Senate report. In the past, Thomas has maintained that he is not required to disclose the many trips he and his wife took that were paid for by the Texas megadonor because Crow and his wife are "among our dearest friends." Thomas said in an April 2023 statement that he was advised by colleagues on the nation's highest court and others in the federal judiciary that "this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable." Thomas, 75, and his wife, Virginia, have traveled on Crow's yacht and private jet in Indonesia as well as stayed at his private resort in New York's Adirondack Mountains, ProPublica reported last year. ProPublica wrote that it could have cost more than $500,000 had Thomas chartered a plane and yacht himself. Last week, Thomas said in his annual financial disclosure that Crow paid for a hotel room in Bali, Indonesia, for a single night in 2019, and food and lodging at a private club in Sonoma County, California, the same year. But he did not report the plane flights or the stay on Crow's yacht. In a statement released minutes after the Judiciary panel released its report, Crow's office said he reached an agreement with the committee to provide information responsive to its requests going back seven years, "despite his serious and continued concerns about the legality and necessity of the inquiry." The panel voted in November to authorize a subpoena for Crow as part of the probe, despite protests from all committee Republicans. Crow, a longtime GOP donor based in Dallas, has maintained that he has never spoken with his friend about matters pending before the court. The Judiciary panel said it will release a full report later this year. But among the details Durbin released Thursday were a 2017 trip Thomas took on Crow's jet from St. Louis to Montana, along with a return flight from Montana to Dallas; round trip private jet travel in 2019 from Washington to Savannah, Georgia, and a round-trip flight on a private jet from Washington to San Jose, California, in 2021. The committee said it also has evidence of private jet travel for the 2019 trip to Indonesia, along with documentation of the eight-day yacht excursion. The justices adopted an ethics code in November, though Democrats say it is not strong enough because it lacks enforcement. The code treats travel, food and lodging as expenses rather than gifts, for which monetary values must be reported. Justices aren't required to attach a value to expenses. Starting last year, the justices also must report private plane travel that is given to them. Thomas has declined to report trips he took before those rules went into effect. In sweltering temperatures, Muslim pilgrims in the Saudi city of Mecca converged on a vast desert tent camp Friday, officially starting the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Earlier, they circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world have amassed in and around Mecca for the Hajj, and the number was growing as more pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia join. Authorities expected the number to exceed 2 million this year. This year's Hajj comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians in Gaza were not able to travel to Mecca this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May, when Israel expanded its ground offensive to the coastal strip's southern city of Rafah, on the border with Egypt. "We pray for the Muslims, for our country and people, for all the Muslim world, especially for the Palestinian people," Mohammed Rafeeq, an Indian pilgrim, said as he headed to the tent camp in Mina. Saudi authorities have apparently been concerned about potential protests or chants against the war during the Hajj pilgrimage. They said they won't tolerate politicizing the pilgrimage. "The kingdom resolutely confirms that it will not allow any attempt to turn the sacred sites [in Mecca] into an arena for mob chanting," Colonel Talal Al-Shalhoub, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said in a news conference Friday. "The security and safety of the guests of Rahman is a red line." Officials said 4,200 pilgrims from the occupied West Bank went to the Hajj. Saudi authorities said 1,000 more from the families of Palestinians killed or wounded in Gaza also arrived at the invitation of Saudi King Salman. The invitees were outside Gaza mostly in Egypt before the closure of the Rafah border crossing. This year's Hajj also saw Syrian pilgrims traveling to Mecca on direct flights from Damascus for the first time in more than a decade. The change is part of an ongoing thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and conflict-stricken Syria. Syrians in rebel-held areas used to cross the border into neighboring Turkey to travel from there to the Hajj. "This is the natural thing: Pilgrims go to Hajj directly from their home countries," said Abdel-Aziz al-Ashqar, a Syrian coordinator of the group of pilgrims who left Damascus. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. It is a moving spiritual experience for pilgrims who believe it absolves sins and brings them closer to God. The rituals during the Hajj largely commemorate the Quran's accounts of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail and Ismail's mother Hajar or Abraham and Ismael as they are named in the Bible. Male pilgrims wear an ihram, two unstitched sheets of white cloth that resemble a shroud, while women dress in conservative, loose-fitting clothing with headscarves and forgo makeup and perfume. The pilgrims have been circling around the cube-shaped Kaaba in the seven-minaret Grand Mosque since arriving in Mecca over recent days. Saudi authorities have adopted security restrictions in and around Mecca, with checkpoints on roads leading to the city to prevent those who don't have Hajj permits from reaching the holy sites. More than 256,000 visitors were not allowed to reach the holy sites because they lacked Hajj permits, Colonel Talal Al-Shalhoub, an Interior Ministry spokesperson, said at a news conference Friday. On Friday, the pilgrims made their way to Mina to officially start the Hajj. They will then move for a daylong vigil Saturday on Mount Arafat, a desert hill where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his final speech. Healthy pilgrims make the trip on foot; others use a bus or train. After Saturday's worship in Arafat, pilgrims travel a few kilometers to a site known as Muzdalifa to collect pebbles to use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil back in Mina. Pilgrims then return to Mina for three days, coinciding with the festive Eid al-Adha holiday, when financially able Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor. Afterward, they return to Mecca for a final circumambulation. Most of the Hajj rituals are held outdoors with little if any shade. When it falls in the summer, temperatures can soar to over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). The Health Ministry has cautioned that temperatures at the holy sites could reach 48 Celsius (118 Fahrenheit). Many pilgrims carried umbrellas, and in Mina, charities handed out cold water. Cooling stations sprayed pilgrims with water. When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited eastern Russia in September, a big part of his mission seemed clear: look at as many Russian weapons as possible. During his highly publicized multi-day visit, Kim climbed to the cockpit of one of Russias most advanced fighter jets, examined nuclear-capable strategic bombers, and toured a warship in Russias Pacific Fleet. Russian President Vladimir Putin also gave Kim a personal tour of the Vostochny Cosmodrome, the country's most modern space rocket launch site, where he acknowledged that Russia would help North Korea build satellites. Though the interactions underscored growing defense ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, no formal agreements were announced during the meetings, surprising some observers. But when Putin soon visits North Korea for the first time in 24 years, there may be more than just handshakes, according to some analysts, who say the two sides have likely been working to cement burgeoning military cooperation. I would expect some sort of formal outcome from the visit, rather than an exchange of pleasantries, said Alexey Muraviev, who focuses on national security and strategic studies at Australias Curtin University. Russian authorities have confirmed Putins planned visit but have not provided any dates. On Wednesday, South Korean authorities said the visit would likely occur in the next few days. On Friday, senior U.S. and South Korean diplomats held an emergency phone call about Putins impending visit. According to Seoul, both sides warned that Putin's trip should not result in any violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which ban a wide range of economic and military interaction with Pyongyang. Ups and downs Russia has for decades been one of North Korea's most important economic and military supporters, along with China. But ties have sometimes been rocky. As recently as 2017, Russia a permanent, veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council supported international sanctions in response to Pyongyangs nuclear weapons advancements. Since then, Putin and Kim have found reasons to work together, as each wages their own campaign against Western influence. After walking away from talks with the United States in 2019, Kim has dramatically expanded his nuclear arsenal, which he says is aimed at deterring the United States and its regional allies. Putin, meanwhile, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and has since fought Western-backed forces there. Shortly after Russias invasion, Kim became one of only a handful of world leaders to express explicit support for Putins war. Independent observers have found North Korean weapons, including missiles, on the Ukrainian battlefield, confirming U.S. government assertions that North Korea is providing Russia with munitions. The development is consistent with Russias increasing boldness about conducting activities that may explicitly violate U.N. sanctions, which Moscow says it now opposes. Putins visit Putin may still proceed cautiously in Pyongyang. He is not likely to fully or explicitly abandon U.N. sanctions, since Moscow has an interest in portraying itself as a responsible stakeholder that respects international law, according to Muraviev. Muraviev said Russia may raise its middle finger to the West, however, by continuing to gradually degrade U.N. sanctions against North Korea. Russia is now under even more sanctions than North Korea, so if Russia violates the international sanctions regime, what can Russia suffer from more than whats already been coming its way as a result of its aggressive actions in Ukraine? he asked. Putin could also use his North Korea trip to underscore further support for North Koreas satellite program. Since Kims visit to Russia, North Korea has conducted two satellite launches. Though its most recent launch failed, defense analysts said North Koreas use of a new type of carrier rocket suggested Russian assistance. Though U.N. sanctions remain a significant restraint on Russia-North Korea cooperation, both sides may find economic ways to cooperate, such as sending North Korean laborers to Russia, said Artyom Lukin, a professor at Russias Far Eastern Federal University. Russia has never said that its going to stop observing UNSC sanctions on North Korea. But you know, there are ways to manage some things like this just look at China, Lukin told VOA. I think Russia might follow the same pattern in some ways. Lukin refused to speculate about how exactly Russia may support North Koreas weapons programs, but he acknowledged that Russia seems to be the only major power which can provide some stuff which can make North Korea feel safe. Lukin said it is impossible to know whether expanded Russia-North Korea cooperation will outlast the Ukraine war, but he hinted that longer-term interests were at play. I think its fair to call the relationship between Russia and [North Korea] a de facto alignment, Lukin said. We dont know yet whether this alignment will transition to a real alliance or not, but I wouldn't rule it out. A recent report on the state of child labor in Turkey said at least 695 child workers died in the country in the past 11 years. The report was published Tuesday by Health and Safety Labor Watch (ISIG), a civil society group in Turkey. The group compiled its dataset through open-source information and the families of the children who died while working. According to ISIG, at least 24 child workers died in the first five months of 2024. VOA sent a request for a comment to Turkeys Ministry of Labor and Social Security, but it has not received a response yet. As of 2023, there were more than 22 million children in Turkey, which has a population of over 86 million, according to the state-run Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). Education in Turkey is compulsory until the end of the 12th grade and public education is free of charge. However, the high school completion rate was 80.3 percent in 2023, a relative increase compared with 2022's figure of 65.1 percent. Vocational training Some experts think the state-run Vocational Education Centers (MESEM) are behind the increasing completion number, which they do not view as improving the education rate. "Turkey has given up fighting against child labor for a long time. There are many practices that legitimize child labor, and MESEM comes first among these practices," Ezgi Koman, a child development expert at Turkey's nongovernmental FISA Child Rights Center, told VOA. Turkey's Ministry of National Education (MEB) introduced MESEMs to the education system in 2016. The apprenticeship program enables students to learn the skills of an entry-level job and choose to be professionalized in one of at least 193 sectors provided by MESEM's curriculum. MEB's website says the program's goal is "to meet our country's need for people with occupation." The students enrolled in MESEMs go to school once a week for theoretical training and work at a job assigned by the MESEM for four days. The program takes four years to finish and counts as the student's last four years of compulsory education. MESEM's enrollment requirements include completing the eighth grade, being over 14 years of age, signing a contract with a workplace related to the profession the child wants to pursue, and being in good health. The students must be insured for job-related accidents and injuries. They are paid at least 30 percent of the minimum wage in the first three years and at least 50 percent of the minimum wage in the fourth year. The minimum wage in Turkey in 2024 is around US$520 a month. "Our research shows that children who want to receive vocational training do not enroll in MESEM. Children who are already working are enrolled there. So, now, through MESEM, some of the children working unregistered are being registered in the labor force. MESEM is presenting them as receiving education," Koman said. "However, there is no education. There are children left at the mercy of the bosses and labor exploitation," she added. VOA Turkish requested a comment from Turkeys Ministry of National Education, which oversees MESEM, but has not received a response. Yusuf Tekin, Turkeys minister of national education, responded to a parliamentary inquiry about the injuries and deaths of students enrolled in MESEMs in March 2024. In the inquiry, Turan Taskin Ozer, an Istanbul deputy of Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), asked about the number of injuries and deaths that occurred in MESEM programs since 2016. The sectors of workplaces where accidents and deaths occur are predominantly construction, metal, woodworking, engine and machinery, Tekin responded in a written statement. A total of 336 students, 316 males and 20 females, had an accident, Tekin added without disclosing the number of deaths. The ISIG report shows that in the 2023-24 academic year, at least seven children died while working in jobs that were part of their MESEM training. Refugee children The ISIG report also indicates that since 2013, at least 80 migrant children have died while working - 71 from Syria, six from Afghanistan and one each from Iraq, Iran, and Turkmenistan. According to the U.N. refugee agencys annual Global Trends report, released in June, Turkey hosts 3.3 million refugee populations, including 3.2 million Syrians. Refugee children in Turkey have the right to education. Still, some experts point out that refugee children face peer bullying and xenophobia at school, which leads them to end their education and start work informally. Turkey-based humanitarian organization Support to Life focuses on child workers in seasonal agricultural jobs, including migrant children. "The living conditions of Turkish, Kurdish or migrant seasonal agricultural workers are far from humane living standards," Leyla Ozer, Support to Life's project manager, told VOA. "Access to clean drinking water, electricity and toilets is limited. Families mostly live in tent areas they set up themselves. Conditions on agricultural fields are extremely challenging for children. Pesticides are a big threat, and labor is also added to this. Preventing child labor is vitally urgent," Ozer added. When Brittany Hailer reported that 21 inmates had died in three years at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her sources included the jails employees. But those anonymous sources risked their jobs talking to Hailer because of an Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections policy that prevented employees from speaking to the press. It did make the reporting very hard, said Hailer. And I had to protect them because they could lose their job if I identified them in any way. To protect the employees and her ability to report about jail conditions, Hailer filed a federal lawsuit in August 2023. At the time, she was director of the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. She recently joined The Marshall Project, a nonprofit that reports on the U.S. criminal justice system. Hailer sued the county over its 10-page policy that prevented employees from making statements on specific jail policies, facility operations or how events are handled without approval from the warden or a designee. That policy, said Hailer, interfered with her work exposing the jails environment to the public, including poor conditions, insufficient medical care and COVID-19 precautions, and the 23 and 1 policy of locking inmates in their cells for 23 hours a day. I think what was super encouraging about the Allegheny County Jail is those folks were united, Hailer told VOA. The people working in the jail and the people living in the jail were on the same page. They both wanted conditions to improve. In April, a settlement was reached, allowing jail employees to give reporters information of public concern and acknowledging reporters rights to receive it. I think it is amazing, said Charles Timbers, a nurse practitioner who worked at the jail for three years. Maybe through her efforts, things will change, said Timbers, who was a source for the reporter. But it is going to take a while for the employees to feel comfortable about coming forward, because for so long, they were stifled. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, or RCFP, and the Yale Law School Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic, which helped Hailer in the case, call the settlement unprecedented. Paula Knudsen Burke, the RCFP attorney who represented Hailer, says the settlement underscores the First Amendment right for employees of all government agencies and institutions to speak freely. This is a special case not only for Brittany, but also for the employees of the Allegheny County Jail, Burke said. Because up to the point that the settlement was finalized, employees were scared. And we had evidence that employees had been disciplined and fired for speaking to the press. As part of the settlement, the jail agreed to revise four policies on ethics, access to the news media, use of social media and incident reporting procedures. Hailers case is not isolated. Several government agencies have similar policies, says Caroline Hendrie, executive director of the Society of Professional Journalists, or SPJ. SPJ started Gagged America, a website that details policies across government where employee speech is heavily restricted. So far it has found 25 policies, 12 of which ban employees from speaking with the press. The agencies it features include the Department of Education, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as state, local and Indigenous governments. This is an under-recognized problem that is actually widespread, Hendrie told VOA. It really tramples workers rights and press freedom. We need to start pushing for access to people, not just documents. If we dont have access to the knowledgeable people, who understand the context for the data and for the documents, we are not necessarily getting the full story, Hendrie added. Allegheny County declined VOAs interview requests. But in an email, the countys solicitor stated, The Countys information is that no Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections staff were ever disciplined for their speech under the old policies, which would include discharge. Brian Englert, an Allegheny County Jail employee and president of one of its workers unions, disputes that claim. Englert told VOA that he and other jail employees were disciplined by the county for violating the gag policy. He added in a text that he was suspended for three days and that another employee was fired for using social media. Hailers lawsuit also argues that action was taken against several employees. Hailer says that in addition to securing the rights of journalists and government workers, the lawsuit will ensure the public knows what can happen in a U.S. jail. It was me knocking down different doors just to shed light, Hailer told VOA. A tropical disturbance that brought a rare flash flood emergency to much of southern Florida delayed flights at two of the state's largest airports and left vehicles waterlogged and stalled in some of the region's lowest-lying streets. "Looked like the beginning of a zombie movie," said Ted Rico, a tow truck driver who spent much of Wednesday night and Thursday morning helping to clear the streets of stalled vehicles. "There's cars littered everywhere, on top of sidewalks, in the median, in the middle of the street, no lights on. Just craziness, you know. Abandoned cars everywhere." Rico, of One Master Trucking Corp., was born and raised in Miami and said he was ready for the emergency. "You know when it's coming," he said. "Every year it's just getting worse, and for some reason people just keep going through the puddles." Travelers across the area were trying to adjust their plans on Thursday morning. More than 50 centimeters of rain had fallen in some areas of South Florida since Tuesday, with more predicted over the next few days. Ticket and security lines snaked around a domestic concourse at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport just before noon Thursday. The travel boards showed about half of that terminal's flights had been canceled or postponed. Bill Carlisle, a Navy petty officer first class, had spent his morning trying to catch a flight back to Norfolk, Virginia. He had arrived at Miami International Airport about 6:30 a.m., but 90 minutes later he was still in line and realized he couldn't get his bags checked and through security in time to catch his flight. "It was a zoo," said Carlisle, a public affairs specialist. He was speaking for himself, not the Navy. "Nothing against the [airport] employees there is only so much they can do." He used his phone to book an afternoon flight out of Fort Lauderdale. He took a shuttle the 32 kilometers north, only to find that the flight had been canceled. He was then heading back to Miami for a 9 p.m. flight, hoping it wouldn't get canceled by the heavy rains expected later in the day. He was resigned, not angry. "Just a long day sitting in airports," Carlisle said. "This is kind of par for the course for government travel." Wednesday's downpours and subsequent flooding blocked roads, floated vehicles and even delayed the Florida Panthers on their way to Stanley Cup games in Canada against the Edmonton Oilers. The disorganized storm system was pushing across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico at roughly the same time as the early June start of hurricane season, which this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory amid concerns that climate change is increasing storm intensity. The disturbance has not reached cyclone status and was given only a slight chance to form into a tropical system once it moves into the Atlantic Ocean after crossing Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center. In Hallandale Beach, Alex Demchemko was walking his Russian spaniel Lex along the still-flooded sidewalks near the Airbnb where he's lived since arriving from Russia last month to seek asylum in the U.S. "We didn't come out from our apartment, but we had to walk with our dog," Demchemko said. "A lot of flashes, raining, a lot of floating cars and a lot of left cars without drivers, and there was a lot of water on the streets. It was kind of catastrophic." On Thursday morning, Daniela Urrieche, 26, was bailing water out of her SUV, which got stuck on a flooded street as she drove home from work on Wednesday afternoon. "In the nine years that I've lived here, this has been the worst," she said. "Even in a hurricane, streets were not as bad as it was in the past 24 hours." The flooding wasn't limited to the streets. Charlea Johnson spent Wednesday night at her Hallendale Beach home barreling water into the sink and toilet. "The water just started flooding in the back and flooding in the front," Johnson said. By Wednesday evening, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and mayors in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Miami-Dade County each declared a state of emergency. It's already been a wet and blustery week in Florida. In Miami, about 15 centimeters of rain fell Tuesday and 17 centimeters fell in Miami Beach, according to the National Weather Service. Hollywood got about 12 centimeters. More rain was forecast for the rest of the week, with some areas getting another 15 centimeters of rain. The western side of the state, much of which has been in a prolonged drought, also got some major rainfall. Nearly 16.5 centimeters of rain fell Tuesday at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, the weather service said, and flash flood warnings were in effect in those areas as well. Forecasts predict an unusually busy hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates there is an 85% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above average, predicting between 17 and 25 named storms in the coming months, including up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. An average season has 14 named storms. Sudan's army said on Friday it had killed Ali Yagoub Gibril, a senior commander for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces who was under U.S. sanctions, during a battle in the besieged north Darfur city of al-Fashir. There was no immediate comment from the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF. Gibril was a leading commander for the RSF in al-Fashir, the last major city in the Darfur region of Sudan that the paramilitary force does not control. The army said in a statement Yacoub was killed as an RSF attack was thwarted early Friday by its troops and allied "joint forces" fighting alongside it a reference to non-Arab former rebel groups from Darfur that are aligned with the army. The RSF has been besieging al-Fashir, a city of 1.8 million people, for weeks, and top United Nations officials have warned that the worsening conflict there could trigger widespread intercommunal violence. The U.N. Security Council called Thursday for a halt to the siege. War between the army and the RSF erupted over conditions for a transition to democracy in mid-April last year in the capital Khartoum, soon spreading to other parts of the country. The conflict has led to the world's largest displacement crisis, renewed ethnic violence in Darfur blamed on the RSF and its allies, and a sharp increase in extreme hunger. The Swiss-hosted Ukraine Peace Summit will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Burgenstock Resort on Lake Lucerne with about 90 countries participating. The Swiss government says the summit aims to "inspire a future peace process" that could eventually involve Russia and build a "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine rooted in international law. It's been nearly 28 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, causing heavy casualties on both sides in a war that has displaced millions of Ukrainians. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the summit to gather international support for his peace plan. The 10 points in Zelenskyy's "peace formula" include the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, including Crimea and Russian-occupied areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia has not been invited to the summit. The Swiss government says there was no invitation because Russia had no intention of attending. Moscow called a peace summit without its participation "futile." But Russia is not the only major player skipping the talks. Who is attending? Who is absent? China will also be absent from the summit. Chinas Foreign Ministry said at the end of May that Beijing is hardly able to take part in the meeting because a peace summit without Russia would not meet China's expectations. Beijing said the peace conference "should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and fair discussion of all peace plans." China issued its Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis" in February 2023, touting it as a peace plan. But the 12 principles in the plan were just repeats of Beijings long-held positions that critics say are more favorable to Russia. The United States and Ukraine have urged China to participate many times before. Zelenskyy, at the Shangri-La Security Dialogue in Singapore earlier this month, accused China of pressuring other countries to boycott the peace summit, which Beijing denied. Kyiv has invited about 160 countries and organizations to attend the summit. The Swiss government said on Monday that about 90 countries almost half of them from Europe have confirmed their participation, and that most of the participants are heads of state or government. Ukraine's biggest ally, the United States, will send Vice President Kamala Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. President Joe Biden will reportedly miss the summit due to a campaign fundraiser. Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin would give Biden's absence a "standing ovation." The White House told the media that the United States is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. In a June speech commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landing, Biden promised we will not walk away from Ukraine, connecting Europes World War II fight against Nazi invaders to Ukraines fight against Russian ones. Also confirmed are leaders of the European Union, the European Commission, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Poland, Moldova, Ireland, Iceland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Croatia, Luxembourg, Cape Verde and Chile. In addition to its Western allies, Kyiv has focused on inviting nations from the Global South a term used to describe less-developed countries and has made efforts to win their support for the summit. Compared with Western countries, most Global South countries are neutral or somewhat pro-Russian on the war. Winning the support of these countries is key for Ukraine to pressure Russia in future talks. "The more such countries we have on our side ... the more Russia will have to deal with this," Zelenskyy said last month in an interview with AFP. Turkey confirmed on Wednesday that it would send its foreign minister to the peace summit. India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday it would send officials of "appropriate level" to the summit, while confirming that it would not be newly reelected Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have all confirmed their attendance, but with deputy ministerial-level officials instead of top leaders. Invited countries that have not yet confirmed include Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Pakistan. Although Pakistan and Ukraine have strong defense cooperation, Russia is also an important oil supplier to the country. What will be discussed? The Swiss government says the main task of the peace summit is to drive the future peace process, including: Beginning a dialogue on how to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine under international law and the U.N. Charter. Promoting consensus on a possible "peace framework." Determining a roadmap on how to involve both Russia and Ukraine in the process. Ukraine has said the summit will focus on three issues that could win the support of various countries and produce action plans: Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, allowing Ukraine to export grains and protect global food security. Agreement on a call to stop the bombing of nuclear energy infrastructure. Release of all prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia. The International Criminal Court in March 2023 issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the abductions, which Russia has denied. Mark Cancian, senior adviser for the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he expects many attendees to remain neutral on the war. "Zelenskyy will want to turn the conference into an anti-Russian coalition, he told VOA. However, some of the attendees may want to explore end states that are short of what Ukraine wants for example, some sort of in-place cease-fire. Cancian said the peace summits final communique will be important because it will indicate whether Zelenskyy has sustained international support or whether international desires for peace are overwhelming Ukraine's desire for victory." Zelenskyys three issues for the summit are part of a 10-point peace plan announced in 2022 that includes the "nonnegotiable" point of restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity. The territories include not only eastern and southern Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia since 2022 but also Crimea, which Russia has occupied since 2014. Russia has rebuffed Ukraine's peace proposals, saying it will not give up a single inch of Ukrainian territory it seized, which amounts to about a fifth of Ukraine's total area. Many analysts believe that Ukraines bargaining power in future negotiations with Russia depends mainly on its momentum in the war. The Ukrainian army is currently facing pressure on the battlefield, compared to last summer's offensive, with a shortage of ammunition and manpower and difficulty recruiting soldiers. Shelby Magid, deputy director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, said in an article, "There will ultimately be a time for diplomacy, but Ukraine needs to make significant progress militarily for the time to be right." But many Ukrainians and their overseas supporters warn that a deal that allows Russia to gobble up large swathes of Ukrainian territory by force would weaken the West and embolden Moscow to take similar actions in the future. VOAs Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. The U.N. says an estimated 60 million people in southern Africa are food insecure due to the El Nino-induced drought -- and the problem is not only in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, countries that have made international appeals for help. In a statement, the U.N.s Food and Agriculture Organization said Angola, eSwatini, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania are also being affected by the drought hitting southern Africa. Plaxedes Madzikatire, who lives about 100 kilometers south of Harare, is one of the millions struggling to cope with the drought. She is getting $65 a month from the World Food Program (WFP) which she is using to take care of her four children after her crops dried up and died. She said from the money, $25 is used to pay for food and $20 for school fees. She uses the remaining $20 to finance and upgrade her business of selling hoes and axes she makes from scrap metal. Shes hoping the WFP can extend its assistance by a few more months. WFP winds up assistance in Madzikatires area next month, but the organization hopes to restart soon -- and in the whole of Zimbabwe -- as the effects of the El Nino drought intensify. In a recent interview via Skype from Zambias capital Lusaka, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, who was visiting the region to assess the impact of drought, described it as a disaster. "These people have lost everything," she said. "They have no income. They have no way of surviving without assistance for the whole year because their next growing season will not be harvested until next May. These people depend on the stores they get from their crops, they didnt get any this time." McCain said the recurrence of droughts due to climate change calls for greater investment into weather forecasts so people can be prepared for what is coming. And thats not all, she said. Drought-resistant crops and good water-management practices can help, too. "We should treat and manage this drought crisis, the same way we would an emergency crisis in a war zone, lets say," she said. "This is very serious and can devastate a country. So, its important that we can better use the tools we have and offer new science and technology to help farmers to be able to grow." Last month, at a virtual summit of SADC heads of state and government on the El Nino-induced humanitarian crisis, regional leaders appealed for $5.5 billion. The FAO says as El Nino's grip loosens, La Nina looms and the region should brace for new challenges, as that weather phenomenon usually leads to heavy rainfall and flooding, leading to crop damage and displacement of people. U.N. leaders, ambassadors and agencies are demanding the release of at least 13 U.N. personnel and other aid workers who were detained more than a week ago by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Late on June 6, reports from groups in Yemen said armed Houthi security and intelligence officers carried out simultaneous raids in Sanaa, Hodeida, Saada and Amran. The raids targeted Yemeni employees working for the United Nations and other international aid organizations. On Monday, the head of the Houthi rebel intelligence agency, Major General Abdulhakim al-Khayewani, said the group had arrested members of what he called an American-Israeli spy network, which he said had been carrying out espionage in Yemen for decades and was directly linked to the CIA. He said the spies worked under the cover of U.N. organizations and were using humanitarian work to conceal their their espionage and subversive activities." At a briefing Friday, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, through spokeswoman Liz Throssell, became the latest U.N. official to demand the release of the U.N. workers, which include six from his agency. In his statement, Turk said that since their detention more than a week ago, the workers have not had contact with their families, nor has the U.N. been able to access them or to receive individual confirmation of their detention. Turks statement followed one issued Friday by Britains U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward, delivered of behalf of 39 U.N. member states and European Union delegation, condemning the detentions and demanding the release of the aid workers. The leaders of the U.N. agencies and nongovernmental agencies whose workers were detained issued a similar statement Friday, calling the detentions unprecedented not only in Yemen but globally. They said the arrests directly impede our ability to reach the most vulnerable people in Yemen, including the 18.2 million people who need humanitarian aid and protection. The detained workers include Yemen employees of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the U.N. Development Program, the World Food Program, and the office of the secretary-generals special envoy to Yemen. Workers also were detained from the aid groups Save the Children, the Yemeni civil society organization Relief and Development Response, Oxfam, CARE America, and a Yemeni governmental institution, the Social Fund for Development. At a U.N. briefing Thursday, a U.N. spokesman was asked if there had been any progress in negotiations with the Houthis regarding the aid workers. We are in touch with the de facto authorities, and we are working to secure their release from detention. I dont have any progress to report on that, he said. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. More than half of Gaza's agricultural land, crucial for feeding the war-ravaged territory's hungry population, has been degraded by conflict, satellite images analyzed by the United Nations show. The data reveals a rise in the destruction of orchards, field crops and vegetables in the Palestinian enclave, where hunger is widespread after eight months of Israeli bombardment. The World Health Organisation warned on Wednesday that many people in Gaza were facing "catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions." Using satellite imagery taken between May 2017 and 2024, United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that 57% of Gaza's permanent crop fields and arable lands essential for food security had shown a significant decline in density and health. "In May 2024, crop health and density across the Gaza Strip showed a marked decline compared to the average of the previous seven seasons," UNOSAT said on Thursday. "This deterioration is attributed to conflict-related activities, including razing, heavy vehicle movement, bombing, and shelling." The decline, UNOSAT said, marked a 30% increase in damaged agricultural land since it published its last analysis in April. Israel's ground and air campaign was triggered when Hamas stormed southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The offensive has killed more than 37,000 people in Gaza, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave, and has caused mass destruction and cut off routes for aid. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday there were more than 8,000 children younger than 5 in Gaza who had been treated for acute malnutrition. As well as damage to crop fields and orchards, greenhouses across the Gaza Strip had also sustained significant damage, UNOSAT said. The Gaza Strip has an estimated 151 square kilometers of agricultural land, which makes up about 41% of the coastal enclave's territory, according to data from UNOSAT. U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on Thursday aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense against Russian invaders and getting Ukraine closer to NATO membership. Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies agreed an outline of a deal on Thursday to provide $50 billion in loans for Ukraine using interest from Russian sovereign assets frozen after Moscow launched its invasion of its neighbor in 2022. We talk to Sergey Sanovich - a Hoover Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. And Chinese scientists at a giant panda sanctuary in Yaan say efforts to introduce the captive-bred bears back into the wild are paying off and that the wild giant panda population is growing. The United States announced Friday more than $315 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Sudan, where 14 months of war between rival generals has left nearly 25 million people in need of aid. This is the single largest humanitarian crisis on the planet, USAID administrator Samantha Power told reporters on a conference call announcing the funding. The United Nations warns that 5 million Sudanese are on the brink of famine. Power expressed concern that the situation could be as bad as or worse than the 2011 drought-induced famine in Somalia that killed around 250,000 people, half of them children. The most worrying scenario would be that Sudan would become the deadliest famine since Ethiopia in the early 1980s, she added. Around 1 million Ethiopians perished over a two-year period in that historic famine. Millions more were displaced, and hundreds of thousands left Ethiopia. Power said the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which are fighting each other, are actively blocking aid deliveries. It is obstruction, not insufficient stocks of food, that is the driving force behind the historic and deadly level of starvation in Sudan, Power said. That has to change immediately. Of the 25 million Sudanese in need of humanitarian aid and protection, the United Nations says 18 million are facing acute hunger, and that number will likely grow with the onset of the lean season this month. The U.N. has been asking for months for both cross-border access from Chad and access across conflict front lines. It has also urged authorities to remove administrative barriers, including delays in travel authorizations for aid convoys. Access impediments have made it almost impossible to move humanitarian supplies to parts of Darfur and Khartoum. The situation in North Darfurs capital city, El Fasher, is especially dire. The RSF has surrounded the city, burning and looting communities in its vicinity. They have advanced on the city, where an SAF infantry division is outnumbered and surrounded. On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution demanding the RSF halt its siege and de-escalate the fight for El Fasher where more than 800,000 civilians are sheltering and allow aid in. The World Food Program said Friday that a convoy carrying aid for about 160,000 people crossed into Darfur this week from Chad. It is only the third convoy to enter Sudan via the Tine border crossing from Chad in the past two months. The aid it is carrying is headed for people in Central, East and West Darfur. Battle for El Fasher Power said Washington is concerned about what will happen to the civilians in El Fasher, especially ethnically non-Arab communities, if the city falls to the RSF. Clearly the RSF is on the march, she said. And where the RSF has gone in the Darfur area historically, and this conflict, mass atrocities have followed. Arab Janjaweed fighters who carried out the genocide against African Zaghawa, Masalit, Fur and other non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur in the early 2000s, make up elements of today's RSF. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters on the call that there is no military solution to this conflict, and she criticized countries that are supporting the rival generals with arms and ammunition. We have been very, very clear with those actors, that they should cease their support for this war, she said. It is only exacerbating and prolonging the conflict, and it is making the situation more dire for the people of Sudan. She said the U.S. has spoken with the United Arab Emirates, which was implicated for sending military support to the RSF in a U.N. expert report earlier this year. The UAE denies it, saying it sends only humanitarian aid. We have engaged with the UAE; we have engaged with others, Thomas-Greenfield said. We know that the Russians and the Iranians are also providing support for the SAF. Both sides are getting this outside support, and we are pressuring all sides to discontinue. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also expressed his concern about the fighting in El Fasher and across Sudan, saying a cease-fire is urgently needed to alleviate civilian suffering. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against restricting access to the abortion pill mifepristone on Thursday, turning back a challenge from anti-abortion advocates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the pill in 2000, and it's currently used in more than 60% of U.S. abortions. In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the court said anti-abortion doctors and activists who brought the case did not have legal standing to sue because they did not show they were harmed by the FDA's actions. Kavanaugh said although they don't use the drug, anti-abortion groups and doctors want the FDA to make it harder for women to receive it. "Under Article III of the Constitution, a plaintiff's desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue," he wrote. The case is another in the ongoing battle over abortion in the United States. In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion across the nation. Fight over mifepristone The FDA said that mifepristone has been used for decades and has proven to be "extremely safe." The plaintiffs, who were led by the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, argued that the FDA stopped ensuring the medications were safe when it eased restrictions on access to mifepristone. They also accused the FDA of violating a federal law that regulates the actions of government agencies. The plaintiffs sued in Texas in 2022. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk supported their argument. After the government appealed, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in New Orleans, Louisiana, ruled against the FDA's decision to widen access to the pill in 2016 and 2021. That decision was paused as it was being reviewed by the Supreme Court. The plaintiffs previously targeted FDA actions in 2016 and 2021. Those actions were to allow medication abortions at up to 10 weeks and for mail delivery of the drug without seeing a doctor first. About 600 U.S. military personnel remain in Niger, as American troops continue to withdraw from the country before a mid-September deadline, according to a senior U.S. defense official. "We are on track to be done before the 15th of September," the senior U.S. defense official told reporters Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security issues. However, the official cautioned that the rainy season could potentially slow withdrawal efforts. Last month, U.S. and Nigerien leaders agreed to a phased withdrawal of American forces from Niger after being in the country for more than a decade. At that time, there were about 900 U.S. military personnel in Niger, including active duty, civilians and contractors, according to two U.S. officials, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity ahead of the withdrawal agreement. The withdrawal agreement between the U.S. and Niger confirmed protections and immunities for U.S. personnel and approved diplomatic clearances for withdrawal flights "to ensure smooth entries and exits." American forces were deployed in Niger to help local militaries combat Islamist terrorists in the Sahel. The United States has used two military bases in the country Air Base 101 in Niamey and Air Base 201 in Agadez to monitor various terror groups. Most U.S. forces in Niger are currently based in the latter, which cost the U.S. $110 million to build, and began drone operations in 2019. Niger's natural resources have increased its importance to global powers, and its location had provided the U.S. with the ability to conduct counterterror operations throughout much of West Africa. Countries in the region, including Niger, Mali, Nigeria and Burkina Faso, have seen an expansive rise in extremist movements. According to the Global Terrorism Index, an annual report covering terrorist incidents worldwide, more than half of the deaths caused by terrorism last year were in the Sahel. Niger's neighbor, Burkina Faso, suffered the most, with 1,907 fatalities from terrorism in 2023. Unless the U.S. can find another base to use in West Africa, counterterror drones will likely have to spend most of their fuel supply flying thousands of kilometers from U.S. bases in Italy or Djibouti, severely limiting their time over the targets and their ability to gather intelligence. "That's a significant policy matter that the U.S. is grappling with right now," the senior U.S. defense official told reporters Friday. Coup forced withdrawal Tensions between the U.S. and Niger began in 2023 when Niger's military junta removed the democratically elected president from power. After months of delay, the Biden administration formally declared in October 2023 that the military takeover in Niger was a coup, a determination that prevented Niger from receiving a significant amount of U.S. military and foreign assistance. In March, after tense meetings between U.S. representatives and Niger's governing military council, the junta called the U.S. military presence illegal and announced it was ending an agreement that allowed American forces to be based in the country. During that meeting, the U.S. and Niger fundamentally disagreed about Niger's desire to supply Iran with uranium and work more closely with Russian military forces. Russia's efforts to subvert the coming presidential elections in Moldova go beyond sowing disinformation, according to U.S. officials, who charge that the Kremlin is actively supporting political candidates and political parties willing to espouse pro-Russia policies. The warning, from a senior State Department official, comes a day after the U.S., Canada and Britain issued a statement publicly accusing Moscow of "currently supporting candidates for Moldova's presidency." But in a virtual briefing with reporters on Friday, U.S. Special Envoy Jamie Rubin said Moscow's designs on Moldova go even deeper. "To be as frank as I can, we're talking about funding parties, we're talking about funding outside groups," Rubin said, in response to a question from VOA. "They have devoted, we believe, a particularly egregious, pernicious plan to act against Moldova." Rubin, who also serves as coordinator of the State Department's Global Engagement Center, is not the first to accuse Moscow of cultivating ties with political parties outside of Russia to push a Russian agenda. As far back as 2018, Estonian intelligence officials warned of Russian efforts across Europe to cultivate ties with fringe political parties, providing advice, funding or outside business opportunities to help raise their fortunes. In some cases, Russian-backed politicians rose from obscurity to prominence, winning seats in their country's parliaments. "They have made some bad investments, but they have also made some very good investments," the then-chief of Estonia's foreign intelligence service said of Russia's efforts at the time. VOA requested comment from the Russia Embassy in Washington about the U.S. allegations Moscow is meddling in the Moldovan election, set for October. Russian officials have yet to respond. But Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean this week said he was grateful to the U.S., Canada and Britain for speaking out. "Grateful for the strong support of the US, the UK & Canada as we defend Moldova's democracy," Recean said Thursday in a post on the X social media platform. "Kremlin's attempts to undermine our sovereignty & incite unrest will not succeed," he said in the post. "Our institutions stand strong, ensuring peace, security & the right of our people to choose their future." Other officials also have complained about Russia influence operations aimed at destabilizing Moldovan society. "They [the Russians] make this hybrid war more intense, with more disinformation, with more cyberattacks," Moldovan Internal Affairs Minister Adrian Efros told VOA last year. "They try to make the tension between different regions of Moldova, to make this tension internally." Thursday's statement from the U.S., Canada and Britain accused Russia of carrying out a yearslong plot in Moldova to influence the outcome of the October election in favor of pro-Russian candidates, "using disinformation and propaganda online, on the air, and on the streets to further their objectives." On Friday, the Global Engagement Center's Rubin cautioned that the latest intelligence points to Russia going even further if pro-Russian candidates fail to win at the ballot box. "We're talking about rent-a-crowds," he said. "We're talking about individuals who will be gathered by the Russians in the hopes of a mass protest that will be generated by Russia." "We believe they're applying a matter of high priority to interfere in the Moldovan election and, if necessary, to try to overthrow a democratically elected government," Rubin warned. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this report. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the international Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland this weekend, where she will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and address world leaders. She will underscore that the outcome of the war with Russia affects the entire world, a U.S. official said, and push for a maximum number of countries to back the notion that Moscow's invasion of Ukraine is a violation of the U.N. Charter's founding principles and that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Harris, who will spend less than 24 hours at the gathering in Lucerne, Switzerland, will be standing in for President Joe Biden at the event. The president will be just ending his participation at the G7 summit in Italy and returning to the United States to attend a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in Los Angeles. Harris will meet with Zelenskyy and will address the summit's plenary session. Biden met Zelenskyy at the G7 summit, where they signed a U.S.-Ukraine bilateral security agreement, and in France for events surrounding the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Harris was to depart for Switzerland on Friday night, arrive Saturday midday and spend several hours at the event before flying back to Washington. Then, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will represent the United States at the summit on Sunday and help establish working groups on returning Ukrainian children from Russia and energy security. Russia was not invited to the event and has dismissed it as futile. China, a key Russian ally, says it will not attend the conference because it does not meet Beijing's requirements, including the participation of Russia. The senior U.S. official said Russia's absence would not affect the summit but expressed regret at Beijing's decision. Ninety-two countries and eight organizations plan to attend. The United States has contributed billions of dollars in weaponry to help Ukraine fight the war begun by Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the latest massive package of aid from Washington was delayed for months by disagreements in Congress. The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on September 30. The "on-ramp" period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score. "The end of the on-ramp period means the beginning of the potentially harsh consequences for student loan borrowers who are not able to make payments," said Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director at the Student Borrower Protection Center. Around 43 million Americans have student loan debt, amounting to $1.5 trillion. Around eight million of those borrowers had enrolled in the SAVE plan, the newest income-driven repayment plan that extended the eligibility for borrowers to have affordable monthly student loan payments. However, this plan is currently on hold due to legal challenges. With the on-ramp period and a separate program known as Fresh Start ending and the SAVE plan on hold, student loan borrowers who are struggling to afford their monthly payments have fewer options, added Yu. Student loan borrowers who haven't been able to afford their monthly payments must consider their options to avoid going into default. If you have student loans, here's what you need to know. What was the on-ramp period? The Education Department implemented this grace period to ease the borrower's transition to make payments after a three-year payment pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this year-long period, borrowers were encouraged to keep making payments since interest continued to accumulate. "Normally, loans will default if you fall about nine months behind on making payments, but during this on-ramp period, missed payments would not move people towards defaulting and then being subject to forced collections. However, if you missed payments, you still be falling behind ultimately on repaying your loans," said Abby Shaforth, director of National Consumer Law Center's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project. Since this grace period has ended, student loan borrowers who don't make payments will go delinquent or, if their loans are not paid for nine months, go into default. Borrowers who cannot afford to make payments can apply for deferment or forbearance, which pause payments, though interest continues to accrue. What happens if I don't make my payments? Borrowers who can't or don't pay risk delinquency and eventually default. That can badly hurt your credit rating and make you ineligible for additional aid and government benefits. If a borrower missed one month's payment, they will start receiving email notifications, said Shaforth. Once the loan hasn't been paid for three months, loan servicers notify to the credit reporting agencies that the loan is delinquent, affecting your credit history. Once the borrower hasn't paid the loan for nine months, the loan goes into default. If you're struggling to pay, advisers first encourage you to check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan, which determines your payments by looking at your expenses. You can see whether you qualify by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. If you've worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives student debt after 10 years. What happens when a loan goes into default? When you fall behind on a loan by 270 days roughly nine months the loan appears on your credit report as being in default. Once a loan is in default, it goes into collections. This means the government can garnish wages (without a court order) to go towards paying back the loan, intercept tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks and other benefit payments. What if I can't pay? If your budget doesn't allow you to resume payments, it's important to know how to navigate the possibility of default and delinquency on a student loan. Both can hurt your credit rating, which would make you ineligible for additional aid. If you're in a short-term financial bind, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance allowing you to temporarily suspend payment. To determine whether deferment or forbearance are good options for you, you can contact your loan servicer. One thing to note: interest still accrues during deferment or forbearance. Both can also impact potential loan forgiveness options. Depending on the conditions of your deferment or forbearance, it may make sense to continue paying the interest during the payment suspension. What is an income-driven repayment plan? The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of several plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans. Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income. If a borrower's earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased. What is the latest with the SAVE program? In August, the Supreme Court kept on hold the SAVE plan, the income-driven repayment plan that would have lowered payments for millions of borrowers, while lawsuits make their way through lower courts. Eight million borrowers who had already enrolled in the SAVE plan don't have to pay their monthly student loan bills until the court case is resolved. Debt that already had been forgiven under the plan was unaffected. The next court hearing about this case will be held on October 15. What happened with the Fresh Start program? The Fresh Start program, which gave benefits to borrowers who were delinquent prior to the pandemic payment pause, also closed on September 30. During this limited program, student loan borrowers who were in default prior to the pandemic were given the opportunity to remove their loans from default, allowing them to enroll in income-driven payment plans, or apply for deferment, among other benefits. Moscow is confident that the Straussians will attempt the next round against Russia in Serbia, not Transnistria (as originally planned by the Rand Corporation [1]). It would be about provoking World War III by replaying the incident of Temes Kubin which followed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo by a month. The false news of a Serbian attack on Austro-Hungarian troops caused Emperor Franz Joseph I to lose his temper. He declared war without having verified the Serbian responsibility for the death of his nephew and heir. Similarly, an incident for which the Serbs are held responsible could prompt the European Union to support a war against Serbia after a war against Ukraine. There have been numerous clashes between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina over the Serb Republic of Bosnia in 2023. A "color revolution" attempt was organized in Serbia in January 2024 (cf.0039). The UN Security Council (cf. 1172), contradicting Russia, has not observed any aggravation of the current conflict between the Serb Republic of Bosnia and the other components of Bosnia and Herzegovina which are negotiating their accession to the European Union (cf. 0686 and 0832). Finally, on 23 May 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, presented by Germany and Rwanda, establishing an "International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Genocide Committed in Srebrenica in 1995" (cf. 1377). According to Russia, this is not intended to honor the victims, but to endorse the version according to which it is attributable to the Serbs. President of the Serb Republic of Bosnia Milorad Dodik was invited to the Kremlin on 6 June by Russian President Vladimir Putin [2]. The latter assured him that Moscow would continue to support his country in accordance with the Dayton agreements. Back in the Balkans, President Milorad Dodik took part in the first meeting of the Pan-Serb Assembly on 8 June with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, under the slogan "One people, one gathering". This assembly adopted a Declaration on the Protection of the National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People [3]. In an interview with the Tass agency [4] the same day, President Milorad Dodik reiterated his desire to put an end to the Dayton Accords, while on the contrary, President Vladimir Putin based his action on these same agreements. At the Dayton Conference (1995), the Bosnian delegation led by President Alija Izetbegovic (a former supporter of the Third Reich) included the American Richard Perle (a Straussian who later played a central role in the Western war against Iraq and the Israeli war against Lebanon). The West officially considers that pan-Serbian ideology was the root cause of the Yugoslav wars; which the Serbs deny. It was to lend credence to this interpretation that Germanys Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping circulated the famous "Horseshoe" plan aimed at expelling non-Serbs from Kosovo. It justified the Kosovo war, but turned out to be a forgery, fabricated by NATOs secret services. New York Magazine writer David Blum looks back on the cover story that enraged a generation of Hollywood stars. Photo: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Most people credit me with the birth of the Brat Pack. Thats flattering, but not really true. What happened was, I destroyed the Brat Pack. The Brat Pack was left for dead on the night I named them in 1985. I didnt set out that evening with premeditated murder in mind, just excitement over the possibility of a cover story. I was 29 years old and restless for success in my new job at New York Magazine when young actors Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, and Rob Lowe agreed to join me for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, presumably so confident in their capacity to charm that they neglected to notice my murder weapon: a notebook and pen. While the St. Elmos Fire stars amused themselves for hours by repeatedly toasting na zdorovye! with vodka shots, shamelessly flirting with an endless parade of eager women, and boldly cutting lines at nearby after-hours nightclubs, I quietly scribbled what I saw. It didnt take long to land on a line that would perfectly capture the narrative Id stumbled on a story vastly more interesting than the one Id set out to write. Here was Hollywoods Brat Pack. Id originally pitched my editors on a story about Estevez, a lead in the new teen movie The Breakfast Club and a budding movie director at the time, and I went to Los Angeles with that angle in mind. But after a Monday night out, and several days trailing Estevez around Los Angeles, I had a notebook bulging with examples of bratty behavior: Estevez worming his way into an empty movie theater for free, trash-talking actors like Andrew McCarthy, asking me to follow him in his car and then gunning his engine to 90 miles an hour through the hills of Malibu. It wasnt the profile Id intended to write, but I felt certain the young 1980s stars Id grouped together in Estevezs crew would easily survive a headline. If anything, a good lawyer would get my sentence reduced to involuntary manslaughter. Nearly four decades later, actor, writer and director Andrew McCarthy has released a Hulu documentary all about the agony inflicted on this era of Hollywood up-and-comers by my two words. Naturally, its called Brats. In truth, I still dont understand why some Brat Packers feel so victimized. My headline paid homage to a beloved Hollywood institution known as the Rat Pack a phrase invented by Lauren Bacall to describe several drunk actors, including Frank Sinatra, David Niven, and her husband, Humphrey Bogart. I applied the term to several actors I hadnt even met or interviewed; I was aware, for example, that the notion of a pack first formed on the set of Taps in early 1981, involving that hunks-in-uniform movies three leading men: Sean Penn, Tim Hutton, and Tom Cruise. For Hutton, the added pressure of already winning an Academy Award at the age of 19 (as the troubled kid in Ordinary People) made it an especially stressful shoot, and mandated regular goof-off sessions. This much had already been documented in The Angry-Young-Manhood of Timothy Hutton, a cover story published in May of 1984 in Moviegoer magazine, in which veteran Hollywood journalist Gregg Kilday writes: Hutton spends much of his free time with other actors and actresses his own age. His friends include Tom Cruise [and] Sean Penn . the group, says Hutton, offers its members an escape from the constant pressure of their burgeoning careers; by mutual agreement, they avoid talking about their work. It seemed to me fair game to include Cruise, Penn, and Hutton in my story, along with actors Matt Dillon and Nicolas Cage. Looking back now, I realize I must have deemed the Brat Pack an all-male club but history has correctly reconfigured the group to include Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, and Molly Ringwald. And some actors have simply decided they were in the Brat Pack, even though they never appeared in my story, hung out at the Hard Rock, behaved brattily or even lived in Los Angeles. In truth, the Brat Pack has racked up a remarkable record of durability in an industry that now casts actors aside on a daily basis. I figured my cover story with Hollywoods Brat Pack splashed above a publicity still from St. Elmos Fire that fortuitously caught Estevez, Nelson, and Lowe in a bar, grinning and hoisting brewskis would likely annoy these young stars for a few days, and perhaps cause some brief agita among Hollywood publicists who tend to want to control the stories that come out about their clients. Nothing prepared me for the firestorm of attention that resulted. It managed a mention in nearly every St. Elmos Fire-related story that year; I saw the phrase inserted in dozens of headlines, profiles and reviews. Johnny Carson name-checked the Brat Pack in his monologue. But I didnt hear from anyone directly and still assumed that whatever problems I might have created would blow over. I learned much later that the Brat Packs agents and publicists had immediately ordered their clients to avoid one another at all costs no more Hard Rock burgers, no more na zdorovye! and especially no more ensemble movies. After a couple of weeks of silence, an exhausted, defeated Emilio finally called me at home. I heard his voice in my answering machine, and quickly picked up, naively hoping he was calling to forgive me. It didnt go quite that way. What the hell were you thinking? Emilio asked, plaintively. I dont know, I replied, honestly enough. After a long beat of silence, I added, Im really sorry. I wasnt, though. And even after he hung up, I felt certain hed realize that the phrase would be forgotten. He would have his still-ascending career, and I would have mine. But as all too often happens, the actors public responses to my story only served to add fuel to the fire. Lowe and Nelson lashed out at me repeatedly in interviews, David Blum burned a lot of bridges, Lowe seethed to the Chicago Sun-Times. He burned people early in their careers. He took on the wrong people, though. Hes not Hunter Thompson or Tom Wolfe; hes David Blum living in a cheap flat. (I did indeed rent a two-bedroom Upper West Side apartment near an express stop for only $1,500.) Penn piled on. All it is, is a condescending load of shit written by some person with a big vibrator up his ass, the Fast Times at Ridgemont High star said dismissively in an American Film interview. Sometimes writers, like actors, like anybody, do their work to impress three or four of their cool friends in Soho. (For the record, I only had two cool friends in Soho, and they werent the least bit impressed.) Despite this tongue-lashing, I still maintain my story didnt change anyones career trajectory. Sure, in the ensuing decades some members of the Brat Pack would subsequently fail to reach the starry heights theyd dreamed of when they first got famous. Was that my fault? It certainly seemed so to less successful members, who have watched the phrase live on for almost 40 years. In 2017, Judd Nelson told Bret Easton Ellis on his podcast that I should have punched him out when it happened. Ahead of the premiere of Brats at the Tribeca Film Festival last week, where I appeared on a post-screening panel with McCarthy, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy and Jon Cryer, a friend texted me wise words: The distance from Judd Nelson to John Wilkes Booth may not be that far. But the fact that a Brat Pack documentary even exists in 2024 let alone deserves a Times Square billboard, a glittering red-carpet premiere and an after-party demonstrates the lasting and emotionally resonant hold this group of actors had on the culture, then and now. McCarthys cleverly edited film, even while purporting to portray the Brat Pack as put-upon by the phrase, manages to smooth over the fact that no real animus exists anymore between the Brat Pack actors and me. At the end of our interview, McCarthy and I even hugged it out, sitcom style. At the Brats premiere, Demi Moore introduced herself to me, and clasped my hands in hers as though greeting an old friend. In truth, the Brat Pack has been ingrained as a happy memory for a generation of moviegoers who came of age in the 1980s, learning life lessons from the likes of directors John Hughes, Francis Ford Coppola, Cameron Crowe, Paul Brickman, Joel Schumacher and Amy Heckerling. Theyre avatars of a once-vibrant celebrity culture that minted movie stars to last a lifetime, not a year or two. The epic, enduring star power of Brat Packers like Cruise, Lowe, and Penn with Robert Downey Jr. and Matthew Broderick right there with them have kept the Brat Pack brand alive and well. Theyve racked up a remarkable record of durability in an industry that now casts actors aside on a daily basis. It struck me as an odd omission that the Brat Packs current careers and successes dont even earn a mention in McCarthys Brats. Maybe all their success contradicts McCarthys thesis that the Brat Pack moniker mortally wounded everyone in its path. Youre called a brat! McCarthy whines to Demi Moore, who correctly pushes back by asking, Why did we take it as something bad? Photo: Roadside Attraction/Everett Collection By most accounts, Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII, was a well-educated and independent-minded woman who published books of translation and occasionally ran afoul of the kings more distrustful toadies. She probably wasnt quite the girlboss feminist Alicia Vikander plays in Karim Ainouzs Firebrand, secretly in alliance with heretics and revolutionaries and frantically conspiring behind the monarchs back, but no matter movies need not be strictly factual, and in a world where Six exists, so can Firebrand. If only the film were a little more convincing. Based on Elizabeth Fremantles 2013 novel Queens Gambit, Firebrand introduces Katherine during her period as regent, controlling the throne while Henry (Jude Law) is off fighting the French. Shes making military and financial decisions while also going off to watch the fiery preaching of her old dear friend Anne Askew (a memorably screamy Erin Doherty), who rails against the divine power of monarchs and loudly calls for a peoples revolution. The fear and sadness that falls across Katherines face when she hears the king is returning from his military campaign indicates that her marriage to Henry wasnt one based around love or loyalty. As Henry, Law is a galactic and mercurial presence alternately preening and embittered and needy and contemptuous but always very loudly so. Still, we can feel the charisma. Hes a monster, but we understand how this man held the throne for nearly four decades. The size of his personality is matched by the width of his torso; Ainouz keeps his camera close to the characters so that Henry always takes up an enormous amount of space, both physically and emotionally. Even his infected, pus-filled leg seems like an extension of the spiritual rot that seems to spread wherever he goes. The Brazilian Ainouz is best known for earthy, heated melodramas like The Invisible Life of Euridice Gusmao (2019) and Madame Sata (2002). This is his first English-language film, but he hasnt tempered his style too much: The depravity and frenzy of the court clearly appeals to a director whos always been fascinated by the animal urges of humans. He gets our baseness he loves our baseness and on one level, that serves him well with this tale of incessant royal intrigue. And yet, it might not quite have been the right approach for a movie like this, which plunges us headlong into this busy, hectic world but doesnt quite give us much context or reason to care about any of it. We struggle to keep up for much of Firebrand, a film that rewrites history but doesnt bother to stop and explain what its actually saying. And while the script and the story spend a lot of time with Katherine, the movie doesnt let Katherine herself breathe. Vikander keeps busy, in a constant state of agitation, but its mostly a one-note performance of a one-note character, lacking much imagination or vitality. Theres a lot jam-packed into this movie, but its in such a rush to get through it all and to not bore us that it well, it bores us. Were lost, and were clearly not supposed to be. Characters and subplots flit by, conspiracies are breathlessly mentioned, and the whole thing winds up with a very silly nod to the future reign of Queen Elizabeth I (Henrys daughter, much fussed over by Katherine Parr). The silliness isnt even the problem. If anything, the whole movie probably should have been sillier, a fact that Law, with his broad, energetic performance, seems to get. At one point, about half an hour in, when Henry took to his harpsichord and tore into a raucous rendition of Pastime With Good Company (an actual song, and a very popular one, composed by the real Henry VIII), I briefly entertained the notion that the movie might turn out to be a musical. Alas, no such luck. And if Firebrand doesnt know what kind of movie it wants to be, what hope could there be for the rest of us? Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done? Fiona Ferguson A man who sexually assaulted and raped his housemate in a terrifying ordeal that unfolded over a number of days has been jailed for seven years. The woman, who had recently arrived in Ireland, spoke no English and knew no one else in the country, remained in her room for two days after the initial sexual assault until she was then raped. The Central Criminal Court heard that she ran from the apartment afterwards and sought help from a passerby, typing I was raped into Google Translate on her phone. The 65-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the womans identity, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of the woman on October 19th, 2022, and raping her on October 21st, 2022. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence on Friday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said this had been a very frightening ordeal for the woman which extended over several days. He said the initial assault had clearly terrified her and rendered her effectively a prisoner in her own room, until the awful experience two days later when she was raped. He noted the events still deeply affect her physically and mentally, impacting on her sense of security and her attitude to life. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years and six months on the rape count. Mr Justice McDermott noted that the accused had been a hardworking man since he came to Ireland in 2020 and had not come to any Garda attention. He noted that he also had language difficulties, was isolated from his family in custody, and would serve the sentence in Ireland as a foreign national. He also noted the mans guilty plea and age in mitigation. He said he was also taking into account that there had been a severe breach of trust, as the man knew the woman had language difficulties and no family in the country. Mr Justice McDermott imposed concurrent sentences totalling seven years, which he backdated to October 2022, when the man went into custody. He also ordered three years of post-release supervision. Detective Garda Aisling McDermott of the Divisional Protective Service Unit at Kevin Street, Dublin, told Elis Brennan SC, prosecuting, that the injured party arrived in Ireland about two weeks before the events. She moved into a small apartment, where the accused was the other tenant. The court heard the accused helped her to get a job and gave her a loan. On October 19th, 2022, the then 25-year-old woman was in the kitchen when the then 63-year-old accused started to touch her, saying please, please, pushed her against a wall and pulled down her trousers. He wanted her to touch him and put her hand on his penis. The young woman said this disgusted her, so she went to her room, where she remained for two days, afraid to come out. Two days later, he knocked on her door and tried to enter, so she left the room and went to the kitchen. He sat on a chair there touching and rubbing her. He grabbed her when she tried to walk away and pushed her into his bedroom, forcing her face down on the bed. She fought him and screamed as he tried to remove her clothing before he raped her. She managed to push him off and run back to her room. He attempted to follow her but went back to his own room. She took the opportunity to run from the flat and sought help from a girl outside, using Google translate to type I was raped. Gardai were alerted and came to the scene. Gardai spoke to the accused man, and he accepted he had sex but said it was consensual. He said she started crying, and he stopped but later said he did not put his penis into her vagina or ejaculate. Victim impact statement During an examination at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, swabs were taken from the injured partys vagina, and semen was found with the DNA matching the accused man. In her victim impact statement, the woman told the court that she was physically unwell for three months after the assault. She said she was left homeless and out on the street". She said she had come to Ireland with lots of dreams, but they all fell apart. She said it was a very hard blow to be raped in an unknown country, where she was alone and did not speak the language. She said her life and attitudes have been changed, and she has been deeply affected. Gerardine Small SC, defending, said her client wishes to apologise for his outrageous behaviour. She asked the court to take into account his guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and strong work history. She said he had indicated remorse and submitted that time in custody would be more difficult for him as an isolated foreign national. He has been using his time in custody productively. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. The midpoint of whats been dubbed the year of democracy feels like an apposite moment to pause and take stock. What trends are emerging amid the tumble of overseas elections? How might they influence politics in Australia, as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton delineate the battlespace for the next federal election? The most obvious storyline to emerge is also the most ominous: the rise of far and hard-right parties, and the populist appeal of anti-immigration and anti-green policies. At last weekends European elections, EU politics took a rightward turn. Illustration: John Shakespeare. Credit: In France, Marine Le Pens National Rally won double the vote of Emmanuel Macrons centrist Renaissance Party. In Germany, the ultra-nationalist Alternative for Germany party (AfD) received a larger share of the vote than Chancellor Olaf Scholzs centre-left Social Democrats despite being hit by the withdrawal of its lead candidates who had stated that members of Hitlers SS were not all criminals. Far-right parties, in the EUs two most important bellwether democracies, are on the march. So spooked was Macron that he called snap parliamentary elections in the belated hope of heading off Le Pen at the pass. In the UK election, the mighty Conservative Party, one of the worlds most well-oiled election-winning machines, looks like being decimated. Even before Rishi Sunaks catastrophic decision to leave the beaches of Normandy ahead of a D-Day commemoration involving other international leaders, the Tories faced a shellacking. At the 2019 election, the party won 365 seats. Now it might struggle to retain 100. A near-extinction event is predicted, its worst election result in 100 years. It comes with some amusement to my Indonesian colleague, Amilia Rosa, when Karabi confesses to having had a hand in an infamous 2015 event she covered with journalist Jewel Topsfield. The smuggling mission was carrying 65 asylum seekers to New Zealand when it was intercepted by Australian officials. The story became remarkable, however, when Jewel and Amilia revealed that Australia had paid the smugglers wads of cash to turn the boat around, leading to calls for a royal commission. It was a big and difficult scoop. Karabi chuckles at Amilias reaction small world and all that. The men gathered at the house deny any involvement in two successful boat runs of illegal immigrants to Australia this year, but they know who we need to speak to. There are two [groups of] people who know how to actually get to Australia and back undetected, says Kasim. If its not us, it has to be the other guys. The other guys, according to these guys, are from a dot in the southern South-East Sulawesi islands, so small not even Amilia has heard of it. In the car back to our hotel in Baa we make the call to bin our other plans and try for Maginti Island instead. The next few days are a blur of flights, airport waiting lounges and hot and sweaty ferries that inch us variously through Kupang, Denpasar, Makassar, Kendari and, eventually, to Muna Island. Getting to Maginti requires paying the brother of the head of a village to fire up a small fishing boat and rustle up a crew. Loading Waiting for us (locals have been making phone calls) is the hospitable but evasive Ali Imran one of two chiefs on the island along with dozens of curious locals. Selfies ensue. I am the first Westerner to visit Maginti for years, possibly decades, Imran explains. In his living room, he says the market for fresh fish collapsed during the pandemic and fish stocks are on the decline from unsustainable practices. He bats away the Rote islanders allegations of people smuggling. While his fishermen have no choice but to go to the Australian coast for a pay day, they dont take immigrants at least, not any more.g As for having exclusive knowledge about how to reach Australia for its valuable sea cucumbers, also called trepang, he says this is rubbish too. Once we had a successful journey, everyone started imitating, he says of the trepang runs. It has now spread to all the regencies around us. If theres ever people smuggling activities to Australia, they keep saying, Its the Maginti people. But I am very certain there is no one from Maginti Island who actually smuggled people this year. Gratified by the islanders warmth but dejected at the apparent dead-end, we head back to Muna Island, where a surprise arrives at our hotel in the form of three Indonesian officials. Since meeting us the previous day, they have decided they dont like the look of my (valid) journalist visa. They eventually leave (thankfully without me). The details of what happens next must be omitted to protect certain identities, but unknown to us or these officials at the time is that their bizarre interrogation has set in motion a series of happenings that leads to Bombana regency next door to Maginti Island and to people smuggler, Ali Sarwano. Sarwano (not his real name) was among the trio who successfully evaded Australias Border Force in February to drop 39 South Asian asylum seekers near the WA bush community of Beagle Bay. Imran was mistaken. Sarwanos two colleagues were, in fact, from Maginti, just like the Rote islanders suspected. Australian authorities tend to brand all people smugglers as evil, lumping the desperate, small fish with the profit-making whales. The 30-something Sarwano (he does not know his exact age) accepted the job for only $3000 to pay off debts at the local shop. He regrets his choice, not least because of the wrath of his wife and mum. He does not strike me as bad. Just a desperate young man. Trepang men Kasim (left) and Renaldy on a boat used to reach the Australian mainland. Credit: Amilia Rosa You can read more about him here and here, and watch our joint investigation with 60 Minutes here. On Rote Island, Karabi had told us the futility of trying to make a living from fishing close to home was driving men to the illicit trades of trepang, shark fin, fish and people. He has two requests. One is compensation for the 2009 Montara oil spill off the coast of Western Australia that he says irreparably ruined fish stocks. Loading The other is for our government to allow boats fitted with engines inside the MOU box, a large patch of Australian waters agreed between the two countries via a memorandum of understanding where cross-border fishermen can operate legally. With the aid of power, they could avoid deadly reefs. By limiting the engines, they are killing us. Literally killing us, he says. One of the group at Karabis house, Kasim, told us he would add people to his Australian trepang runs for the right money. We are trying to tell our story, he says. We need the governments in Australia and Indonesia to know the problems and the truth. I spoke to lawyer Greg Phelps about the Rote islanders plight. He represented local seaweed farmers in a successful class action against the oil company, and is a wealth of on-the-ground knowledge. Phelps says he would have loved to have run a case for the fishermen whom he believes were even more affected than the seaweed farmers but the team had the best chance of success running a narrow case. Beyond the issue of environmental damage, he is also troubled by the Australian policy of burning illegal boats. Youve got all these out-of-work fishermen because theyve lost their boats, and out of work because of Montara, he says. It put all these experienced skippers sitting out there under a f---ing palm tree in the village rather than being out there in their own boat. Its the perfect environment for the real smugglers to come along and prey on them. Of course, it is complex. To truly stop the boats, however, perhaps the Australian government must consider complementing its ocean deterrence approach with strategies that offer a future and hope to Indonesias fishermen. In a landmark advancement for regional trade, the East African Community (EAC) has launched a state-of-the-art Electronic Tariff (E-Tariff) Software at the 42nd Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (SCTIFI) on 31 May 2024 in Arusha, Tanzania. Developed under the EACs direction and supported by the European funded EU-WCO Harmonized System (HS) Program for Africa, this innovative platform is set to transform the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of tariff information among EAC Partner States. Sensitization and training sessions have commenced in Rwanda, with full implementation expected in the first and second quarters of 2024/2025. The E-Tariff Software is engineered to enhance stakeholder engagement and streamline tariff processes, offering a suite of benefits including improved stakeholder participation, comprehensive duty remission and stays of application, preferential tariff management, visual and interactive tools, seamless HS migration, and robust data and statistical analysis capabilities. Ms. Annete Semuwemba, Deputy Secretary-General of Customs, Trade, and Monetary Affairs at the EAC, underscored the timely introduction of the tool at the launch event. She highlighted its potential to expedite clearance times, ensure consistent application of the EAC Common External Tariff (CET) across Partner States, and foster transparency and accountability in trade processes, thereby bolstering revenue collection and promoting regional integration. Hon. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, Tanzanias Minister of Finance and Planning, lauded the tool, expressing confidence that it would significantly enhance trade efficiency and facilitation through digital transformation. Mr. Cedric Merel, Head of Cooperation at the EU delegation to Tanzania and EAC, noted the strengthened cooperation between the EU, EAC, and WCO, emphasizing the initiative as part of broader collaborative efforts. He reiterated the EUs commitment to fostering regional integration and trade efficiency in East Africa, highlighting the critical support and funding provided for development. By improving access to transparent tariff information, this collaboration markedly contributes to the economic growth and development of the EAC region. The launch event attracted several ministers, permanent and principal secretaries, and senior officials from the Partner States attending the 42nd SCTIFI. Mr. Badr Mouhcine, Program Head of the EU WCO HS & Rules of Origin Program for Africa, and Ms. Louise Wiggett, CEO of Global Trade Solution, were also in attendance. The introduction of the E-Tariff Software represents a pivotal moment for the EAC, significantly enhancing the regions ability to manage and disseminate tariff-related information. This development heralds a substantial improvement in trade efficiency and economic integration within the East African region. The Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Programme (Scholarship Programme) The WCO established the Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Programme (Scholarship Programme) in 2000, funded by Japan Customs, aimed at improving the human resources of WCO Member Customs administrations. Public Finance The Programme provides Customs officials from developing countries with an opportunity to pursue Masters level studies and training in Customs related fields in the Public Finance programme at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. The Public Finance programme comprises two segments: an academic segment and a practical segment. The academic segment provides rigorous, economics-oriented training aimed at developing a broad understanding of the theoretical, empirical and institutional aspects of Customs policy implementation and administration. The practical segment is taught in co-operation with the Japan Customs, including the Japan Customs Training Institute. Please see the GRIPS web-site for the detailed information of the Public Finance programme (http://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/finance/). 221 Customs officials from 57 Members in all the WCO regions have been awarded the scholarship and taken part in this Masters degree programme by 2021/2022. Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) The Programme provides Customs officials from developing countries with an opportunity to pursue Masters level studies and training in Customs related fields in Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) at the Aoyama Gakuin Univerity (AGU) in Tokyo, Japan. The Master degree programme comprises two segments: an academic segment and a practical segment. The academic segment starts with focused teaching of foundational skills in strategic management and IPR. It then moves to a range of applied topics which help students understand how to design, implement, and evaluate public policies, in particular customs policy, in accordance with development strategies for organizations. The practical segment is taught in co-operation with the Japan Customs, including the Japan Customs Training Institute. Please see the AGUs web-site for the detailed information of the Strategic Management and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) programme (http://www.aoyamasmiprp.jp). 114 Customs officials from 50 Members in all the WCO regions have been awarded the scholarship and taken part in this Masters degree programme by 2022/2023. New measures have been announced that will help householders availing of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Scheme to also access grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to improve the energy performance of their homes. SEAI grants of up to 37,550 will be available to ensure that the rebuilt or renovated homes are well-insulated and heated with a heat pump. The new, bespoke arrangements will apply exclusively to defective concrete block-affected homeowners and will address barriers to accessing the grants, ensuring that the schemes operate in a streamlined way. Homeowners will also be able to opt for several SEAI schemes. The SEAI has already contacted approximately 200 affected homeowners who previously expressed an interest in the grants and will be implementing the new approach from next month. The announcement, made by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, was welcomed by Fianna Fail Minister of State Dara Calleary, who has been pushing for the inclusion of homeowners impacted by pyrite and Mica. I have been working very hard on this and Im delighted we have got it over the line, said Deputy Calleary, adding that clarity is being sought on several issues but it is a positive development. For a lot of homeowners, this was a major problem. It never made sense that they couldnt quality for SEAI given the amount of houses that are affected by defective concrete blocks in Mayo," said the Ballina-based TD. Minister Ryan said the move will aid homeowners in the region and he hopes every impacted household will avail of the grants. We have listened to homeowners in the region and heard the particular challenges they faced in accessing the SEAI grants. The Government wants to ensure that every household has the opportunity to take advantage of the green transition and benefit from homes that are warmer, healthier and more comfortable with lower energy bills and emissions, stated Minister Ryan. There's a storm brewing over the European continent, a great swell of silent majorities yearning to be heard. Across Europe's plains and valleys, an undercurrent of discontent rumbles, growing inexorably into a riptide that threatens to sweep away the cosy Davos consensus of our modern princes. From Paris to Dublin, a new breed of politicians is rising, giving voice to the voiceless legions who have languished in the peripheries as our self-appointed betters dictated their grand visions from on high. They channel the grievances of the disenchanted, the displaced, the damned souls of a European dream sold for a paradigm of bureaucratic diktats and mass migration. You can smell the fear among the mandarins of Brussels, branding these new forces as knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers, spitting invective at the barbarian hordes gathering at the gates. How dare the great unwashed demand a say in the onward march of open borders and regulation? 'Beware the radical right,' shriek the enlightened ones, blissfully blind to the irony of their own extremism. Pause momentarily, and one hears authentic human cries amid the caricatured slogans. The angst of working men and women who have watched their communities hollowed out by the centrifugal forces of globalisation. The anger of those whose cherished liberal values have been corrupted and contorted into strange new dogmas, forcing compliance over free expression. These are not fringe concerns but the entirely reasonable anxieties of decent people chewed up and spat out by the machinations of rapacious capitalism and social engineering gone awry. So, let us not be too hasty to condemn the Marions and Melonis as crypto-fascists. For all their fiery rhetoric, their fundamental demand is simply this: that the people might be heard, that those crafting the social contract should emerge blinking from the bunkers of bureaucracy to behold the lives of those they profess to represent. How curious this premise, the bedrock of any functional democracy, should scandalise our modern philosophers. These are meant to be the arch-rationalists, steered by pure logic and empiricism, devoid of cultural nostalgia. Yet when the raw data conflicts with their theoretical models, they merely double down and brand the numbers invalid. In banishing the authentic voices of dissent to the outermost peripheries, we debase the democratic enterprise we pretend to uphold. Illustration: Conor McGuire Take the issue of immigration, that idee fixe of the populist rebel. Is it really so extreme to suggest some semblance of control over the tide of human movement across borders? To accept people pragmatically, with an eye to social cohesion and sustainable levels of public service? The European Union's own forecasters predict a doubling of immigration over the coming decades, with all the monumental challenges that entails. Yet those who urge prudence are swiftly excommunicated, cast into the outer darkness as irredeemable hatemongers. Ireland has not remained immune to these forces despite its geographical isolation. Here, too, one discerns a groundswell of discontent, amplified by the inescapable evidence of haphazard planning and heedless social flux. Aspiring politicos give full-throated voice to these concerns, prompted by pollsters who confirm their cause has traction. Observing how the Irish establishment reacts to this new reality will be instructive. Our Mandarin caste tends to mimic the postures of the continental Europeans, so one imagines the familiar pyrotechnics of demonisation and attacks of faux outrage. We shall hear that age-old mantra that Ireland has a fluid ethnic nationalist tradition, that its people are irredeemably civic and multicultural. With glib sophistry, our rulers will again reason themselves into ignoring legitimate grievances. And yet, for all their lip service, our princes have hardly covered themselves in glory on integration and immigration thus far. The housing and public services crises occasioned by decades of haphazard policies speaks to a fundamental laissez-faire mindset, one rooted more in political indifference than any lofty ideals. The same lack of foresight now threatens to propel Irish dissenters into the arms of more extremist movements that purport to offer answers. Before we sleepwalk into a deepening culture war, it would be wise for all sides to dismantle their respective caricatures of one another. Those railing against globalisation should consider what the alternatives to transnational cooperation might entail in a hyper-connected world. Our incumbents, meanwhile, must indeed accept that their policies and prescriptions have landed us in a morass of dysfunction and inequality. For too long, the so-called liberal centrists have enjoyed a monopoly on defining the bounds of legitimate discourse. Any who depart from their agreed script are swiftly cast out into the darkness of a demonised right, their concerns ridiculed as the ravings of bigots and backwoods bruisers. It is a posture riddled with intellectual dishonesty and ultimately corrosive of the democratic compact. In branding any dissent as beyond the pale, our modern philosophers fail to uphold the core liberal values they profess to cherish. They become the very authoritarians they claim to reject, brooking no debate and denigrating all who deviate from their ordained dogma. True liberalism demands the constant re-examination of orthodoxies and a willingness to evolve through the assimilation of new evidence and perspectives. Our political discourse has grown dangerously out of kilter from this cherished ideal. Rather than a forum for the robust exchange of ideas, we find ourselves in a sterile impasse of duelling absolutisms - one side brandishing the cross of diversity, the other waving tattered banners of ethnic identity. Each camp screams itself hoarse, ever more detached from the quotidian realities experienced by ordinary people trying to muddle through. Is it possible to find some golden mean, some still point between polarised fanaticisms? To acknowledge the scale of the challenges mass migration presents while reaffirming humanist opposition to prejudice? To critique the failures of multiculturalism without lapsing into nativism? To demand evolution in social norms and integration efforts without trampling individual liberties? These are not irreconcilable positions for a mature, reasoning society. But they demand a blessed combination of attributes we have grown unaccustomed to - nuance, empathy, intellectual honesty and a stubborn commitment to democratic discourse - a counterweight to the baying echo chambers and identity factions convulsing the body politic. However distasteful the rhetoric, the populist rebels give voice to a legitimate societal schism, one that grows more grave with each election cycle. To condemn them as merely deplorable, to lecture and shame them into obedience, is only to deepen the divide. The growing numbers now estranged from our institutions and values are not a mirage that shall dissipate through sheer force of political sanctimony. I sincerely hope the dialogue begins anew with a recognition that beyond our demarked bubbles, swathes of people feel left behind by the headlong transformations recasting our societies. To ignore their concerns, to diminish their existence as little more than the griping of ingrates is to court a dissolution that will render tomorrow's political pieties as obsolete as yesterday's racial mythologies. The storm winds are rising and won't be turned back by scolding and scorn. Our political classes should heed the rage as a cry for existential recognition, a righteous rejection of creeds that have failed to protect our ancestral traditions and liberties. In banishing the authentic voices of dissent to the outermost peripheries, we debase the democratic enterprise we pretend to uphold. We can only hope that good faith reigns on all sides. That effort alone can salve the sores and heal the rifts between the disenfranchised citizens and their appointed shepherds. If we profess to cherish pluralism, then we must welcome all to the table and meet them on the level ground of reason. To deny them is to deny the very foundations of our liberal democracy. The swell of the local and European elections is just past. It would be wise to prepare the dykes and dams of reason lest we drown in the coming seismic upheaval of a fraught General Election. Nationally, the government won the elections. But in Mayo and indeed in rural Ireland generally, they didnt just win: they walked it, notwithstanding how well independents did. After years when the government parties were on the back foot and when Sinn Fein were riding high in the polls, what sense can be made of it all? The first thing to say is that elections are decided by those who show up. The people who vote make the decisions. What seemed to have happened in these elections is that the homeowners of Mayo and elsewhere came out to vote. And most of them voted for the government. Despite a torrent of negativity in our public debate, in Ireland in 2024, if you own your house, have a decent job, and have private health insurance, you are happy enough. Those comfortable people voted in their interests. And to add to that, the reality is that the government has most especially since Covid pumped the bumper receipts from Corporation Tax into all areas of society and the economy. What are the big political lessons from the weekend? 101 years on, the Civil War is finally over. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are two sides of the same political coin. That observation isnt new. Left wingers have been arguing this for decades. What is new is that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael no longer argue that it isnt so. The next general election is about whether you want to re-elect the government or not. In that, Alan Dillon and Dara Calleary are essentially running mates. The transfer rate between the two parties and their candidates will therefore continue to increase. Looking more at urban Ireland, the formal division between the three centre-left parties is similarly outdated. The Greens, the Social Democrats and Labour can aim for about 15% of the vote. They are essentially the same political entity. They just wear a different coloured coat when they go out to meet the public. The voters are not blaming the Greens for being in government. If you listen carefully to Labour and Social Democratic politicians in the Dail, it is clear they dont blame them either. If these parties want to claim there is a left alternative to Sinn Fein, they can do it as a serious bloc or as three small and separate parties. Thats a big choice and question for them. Independents are big winners from these results. With such a big vote for them and five Dail seats now in Mayo, surely at least one of the big independent vote getters will be tempted? Who is best placed? Patsy OBrien, Michael Kilcoyne, Mark Duffy, Chris Maxwell? And more broadly, what does a vote for independents mean? It would indeed be a widely based political party that would be able to accommodate all four of those vote getters. How do we explain the Sinn Fein result? It cannot be done by looking at these elections alone. Before the general election of 2020, their vote increased massively and quickly. This time, their vote was falling in the run into the election for sure, but no one predicted how far it would fall, and so suddenly. What the opinion polls in the run up seemed to capture was the decline but not the floor. What explains these surges and retreats? They feel almost tidal, but tides at least can be predicted. There is no doubt that the party lost a great deal of support in its core areas on the issue of immigration. But it must be more than that. Is this rapid increase and decrease a sign of a general volatility in how people decide how to vote in these times? There will be much discussion on that in the days ahead. One explanation suggested so far is not entirely convincing. Some say that there wasnt enough hard work on the ground, and that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael incumbents in local elections have advantages and track records and so on. That is overdone, I think. There have been lots of hard-working TDs, councillors and MEPs of all parties who have been swept from their position by the tide of events. In the last general election, a Sinn Fein candidate was elected even though they went on holidays, and one can be sure that some defeated opponents in that election were hard workers on the ground. There has also been a lot of harsh commentary about how this was the second time Sinn Fein got their candidate strategy wrong. But, with the level of volatility their vote has experienced, it is hard to be too critical. How do you plan with that level of change? If you were running a business, imagine trying to buy stock where your demand can double or halve in the space of a few weeks. This is not as easy as some might think. It is possible that if turnout in a general election goes up, their vote may well increase again. But it seems very difficult to see a circumstance in which they might run a second candidate in Mayo for the general election. The leaders of the three government parties have done well and Simon Harris and Fine Gael will be especially pleased. The government has got to be careful though. They would misunderstand this result if they think it means they are loved. The turnout will be higher in a general election, and that might bring out more of the less comfortable and younger people. Immigration as an issue damaged Sinn Fein in this election: it can do the same to the government parties. Given that, what do they do now? Will these results mean we will have an earlier election? Many in the government parties will argue that we should. Does this result suggest they should go for a really generous budget, or does it provide evidence that people want stability and are less interested in extravagant promises? That will be a big political debate within government in the lead up to the budget itself. It would also be very wrong for the government to conclude that they can be elected by people who are satisfied in their housing situation they must govern for everyone, and the housing situation is terrible, whether or not those affected by it vote in numbers. The results also throw up a conundrum for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Do they campaign to return the government, with the Greens? Independents have been elected all over the country, many on an explicitly anti-Green agenda. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will want those votes back, but to get them, they might need to fight with their coalition partners. You might think that doesnt matter, but Green issues dont just affect a tiny wealthy minority in south Dublin. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael rely on voters in many places who think it is bad that the water is often undrinkable and unsafe to swim in because of, among other things, the over-spreading of slurry. We saw a glimpse of that when Barry Andrews broke ranks with his fellow Fianna Fail MEP candidates on the question of the derogation on the Nitrates Directive. That will produce further tensions within Fianna Fail and Fine Gael as their parties try and woo those rural independent voters, while not losing environmentally conscious ones. But the big political lesson from this election is clear. The government can win the next general election. But that isnt to say they will. Weather Alert Bulletin: ...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 9 AM EDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 degrees will result in frost formation. * WHERE...A portion of central Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From 2 AM to 9 AM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants and vegetation from the cold. Potted plants should be brought inside. The frost will occur mainly in valley locations. && Info: Type: Frost Advisory start_time_local: 2024-10-11T02:00:00-04:00 end_time_local: 2024-10-11T09:00:00-04:00 county_name: state: PA headline: Frost Advisory from FRI 2:00 AM EDT until FRI 9:00 AM EDT county_fips: category: Met url: urgency: Expected severity: Minor certainty: Likely geographicname: Schuylkill County state_name: Pennsylvania Exhibits of Li brocade are pictured in the cultural center of Wuzhishan City, south China's Hainan Province, May 23, 2024. [Xinhua] HAIKOU, June 13 (Xinhua) Sitting on the floor, Liu Xianglan holds the traditional hand-loom in position. With the aid of long sticks, she begins weaving, passing colorful threads back and forth to create the delicate patterns of the Li brocade. The Li brocade is a traditional textile of the Li ethnic group in the southern island province of Hainan. Dubbed the "living fossil" of the textile industry, it boasts a history of more than 3,000 years. The entire process of the Li brocade tradition includes spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidery, and was included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009. Liu, 55, still remembers the first time her mom taught her how to weave, more than four decades ago. "I was fascinated by the bright colors and vivid patterns of the brocade my mom produced, and hoped that someday I could weave those beautiful textiles myself," recalled the woman from the city of Wuzhishan, Hainan. She started learning the craft at the age of 13. While pursuing her dream, Liu found that the number of people with this skill was falling, and only the elderly people were adept at the craft. "We shouldn't let this traditional skill get lost," she said. Liu Xianglan demonstrates Li brocade weaving techniques in Maona Village, Wuzhishan City, south China's Hainan Province, May 22, 2024. [Xinhua] In 2013, she established a center in her village dedicated to the study and practice of Li brocade weaving, with local women encouraged to join the effort of preserving this intangible cultural heritage. The following year, she started her own company selling Li brocade products, including clothes, tapestries and bed runners, among other items. "Many of our staff used to be farmers toiling in the fields," Liu said. "Now they have inherited these traditional skills, while boosting their incomes and living standards." The company currently has 63 workers, 28 of whom were from impoverished families but have now shaken off poverty. In her spare time, Liu also teaches at some vocational and primary schools. "If the children can learn about the traditional culture at an early age, it will help with continuing the inheritance of Li brocade skills," she said. While Liu is endeavoring to preserve the tradition, 31-year-old Chen Mengli is aiming to revitalize Li brocade through innovation. Growing up in Wuzhishan, the woman from the Li ethnic minority studied textiles technology and trade at university, before returning to her hometown to start a studio in 2014. The studio was named Bulibushe, which literally means "the house of Li brocade" but sounds like "never leave or forsake" in Mandarin. To appeal to the younger generation, she integrated Li brocade elements into fashion designs, while keeping the prices more affordable. For instance, she has designed bags and scarves that have proved popular with young people. On Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, one video featuring a fashion show of Li brocade-themed dresses has attracted numerous likes. Her studio has launched more than 100 types of creative cultural products, such as umbrellas and accessories. "The combination of Li brocade elements and current fashion trends not only retains the precious cultural heritage of our ethnic group, but also enhances the vitality of the art." Chen Mengli (L) exchanges Li brocade techniques with Liu Xianglan in Wuzhishan City, south China's Hainan Province, in 2021. [Xinhua] According to Liu Liting, head of Wuzhishan's cultural center, there are a total of 64 city-level inheritors of Li brocade weaving. To promote the traditional technique, the city has supported training in various forms. In recent years, Hainan has invested heavily in opening training institutes to teach the techniques of Li brocade to local people. Since 2012, Li brocade has been introduced as a course in primary and secondary schools in the province. Local authorities have also formulated a raft of measures to strengthen the systematic protection and innovative development of Li brocade, striving to help the traditional skills survive over time. Besides, Li brocade has appeared in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference for many years in a row and has been presented as a national gift to guests at home and abroad. "We have collaborated with an Italian institute, and the foreign teachers from there gave us lessons on the latest fashion ideas and trends," she said, adding that without innovation to keep the Li brocade in step with current fashion trends, it would be difficult for the traditional art to thrive. Wuzhishan has sent a total of 78 people in six batches to countries including Italy, Singapore and Japan for Li brocade art demonstrations. Liu Xianglan was one of them, and looking back, she is still excited by the experience. "Cultural exchanges like this have inspired me a lot," she said. "My life was changed due to Li brocade," added the woman. "I will try my best to promote the skills, so as to ensure more people understand the Li culture and take the cultural heritage further." (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Baby boomers are doing the heavy lifting: Bidens campaign seeks to build on older voters support Susan Guess, left, poses with her daughter Morgan and the new "Be Kind" license plate. The two co-founded the Guess Anti-Bullying Foundation, and are painting two more murals at Four Rivers Behavioral Health on Fifth Street in Paducah. Pictured is a Southwest Airlines check-in area at the Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California, in 2023. Peace in Palestine march taking place in Wrexham this weekend This article is old - Published: Friday, Jun 14th, 2024 North Wales will host a third march for peace in Palestine in Wrexham this Saturday (15 June). The previous two marches in Caernarfon and Rhyl saw hundreds march and rally for peace in Palestine and a stop to the genocide occurring in Gaza. The march, which starts at Queen Square in Wrexham city centre at 11am, will be chaired by CND Cymru chair Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and feature speakers including recent visitors to the West Bank. A spokesperson for Wrexham4Palestine, which has organised the march on behalf of other North Wales activist groups, said: More than 37,000 Palestinians have been massacred in Gaza, the majority women and children with tens of thousands more mutilated and injured by Israeli military might. The entire Gaza strip an area of land smaller than Wrexham county borough but housing 2.2 million people displaced decades ago from their homes elsewhere in Palestine has been destroyed: its hospitals, schools, universities, the entire infrastructure and peoples homes have all been flattened in a determined attempt to eradicate that community from the face of the earth. Were calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed, for the UK government to stop selling arms to Israel and for a just and lasting peace in Palestine. We want to see the safe return of those held hostage both by Hamas and the Israeli State. Were delighted to welcome speakers with direct experience of the situation in Palestine, including one who was present in the West Bank when this latest phase in the conflict erupted. We welcome everyone who wants peace and justice in the Middle East to join our march every night we witness the pain and suffering of innocents, including so many children, on our TV screens. We must not look away, we must continue to demand that the killing stops and that our government is not complicit in this genocide. Thats why its important that we stand with Palestine. History will judge those who allowed this genocide to continue over the past eight months we will continue to march and protest for peace. The march will begin at Queens Square at 11am on Saturday 15 June. Pedal Power Parade celebrates creativity and sustainability This article is old - Published: Friday, Jun 14th, 2024 A vibrant trail celebrating local creativity and ingenuity is on display at a local country park. To mark Bike Week, which ends on June 16, the spectacular Pedal Power Parade has returned to Alyn Waters thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Local community groups, charities, schools, and businesses have come together to transform ordinary bicycles into extraordinary works of art. This years parade aims to foster community spirit, promote well-being, and advocate for environmental sustainability and sustainable transport. The bikes have formed a vibrant trail of creatively decorated bikes displayed throughout the Pedal Power one mile cycle loop. Hanna Clarke, Project Lead for Pedal Power said: The support from local community groups and businesses has been fantastic. We have lots of amazingly decorated bikes on display. A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part. Jane Edwards, Community Support Hub Officer for AVOW at the Gwersyllt Community Hub, said: This is Gwersyllt Community Hubs second year of being involved in the Pedal Power Parade. Adults and children have enjoyed adding photos, crochet squares, flowers, names and more to the bike, showing great community spirit. The Hub is looking forward to getting out and about in the fresh air and visiting Alyn Waters to see all the Pedal Power bikes on display. Diolch! Michelle Ward from Porvair Sciences Limited on the Wrexham Ind Estate said: Being part of this years Pedal Power Parade has been great. Decorating the bike with waste material really makes you think about waste differently and has engaged everyone involved. Senedd narrowly rejects calls to place all new power lines underground This article is old - Published: Friday, Jun 14th, 2024 The Senedd narrowly rejected calls for all new power lines to be placed underground. Adam Price led a debate on a Plaid Cymru motion to make it mandatory for all new electricity distribution lines to be underground rather than overhead pylons. He explained that current Welsh Government policy says new power lines should be laid underground but it includes a caveat on cost grounds. Mr Price warned the policy is not working as intended, saying: As long as the caveat exists, developers will always exploit it and build pylons as their preferred option. He said this has been a catalyst for a rash of proposals for long-range pylon lines traversing large swathes of our country, including in his Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency. Mass pylonisation Mr Price urged the Welsh Government to mandate underground power lines, following the example of other European countries. He said Denmark has reaped the benefits of a more rapid path to decarbonisation, with public opposition to renewables much more muted as a result of undergrounding. The former Plaid Cymru leader said underground cables do not spoil the landscape, are cheaper to maintain and more reliable, with reduced outages improving grid resilience. He added that they are less susceptible to storms and high winds a phenomenon that will become more important in future as climate change-induced extreme weather increases. Mr Price welcomed a review but said: If we want to prevent the kind of mass pylonisation that much of our country is currently facing, then we cant afford to wait for the outcome. Circumvention Mark Isherwood, for the Conservatives, told the chamber his party would support the motion, agreeing that the wording in Planning Policy Wales needs to be toughened up. The North Wales MS said Welsh ministers need to be stronger in following guidance rather than allowing arguments of cost to justify circumvention of planning policies. He stressed that the health impact of undergrounding near homes must be considered. Russell George, the Tory MS for Montgomeryshire, raised concerns about overproliferation of windfarms and power lines thundering through the hills of Mid Wales. Sian Gwenllian, the Plaid Cymru MS for Arfon, warned the caveat allows costs to take precedence over environmental, social and aesthetic factors. She said: By removing the cost-based caveat, we can prioritise the long-term benefits of underground power lines, we can protect our landscapes, and, vitally, we can gain the public support needed to achieve our climate goals. Problematic Julie James, who is responsible for planning, said the Welsh Government and opposition are not miles apart but she took issue with the problematic wording of the motion. The local government secretary said: The only real difference in this motion today is that we differ on whether its appropriate to mandate all cables to be underground where possible. Ms James told the chamber the words where possible are important because it is physically possible to do it in places where I think wed all agree we dont want. The former lawyer acknowledged that the Welsh Government needs to tighten up what we mean by unaffordable in a very big way. Ms James said Jeremy Miles, who is responsible for energy, has set up an independent advisory group and Planning Policy Wales will be updated to reflect its review. Altar of profit Cefin Campbell, who represents Mid and West Wales, warned Wales beautiful landscape is being sacrificed on the altar of profit. We must underground these cables, he said. In doing so, we as a Senedd will be taking a strong stance to protect the natural beauty and the ecology of our unique landscapes. He told the meeting on June 12 that the extra upfront cost of undergrounding cables is a small price to pay for preservation of the landscape. With the vote tied 25-25, David Rees the Senedds deputy speaker or Dirprwy Lywydd broke the deadlock by using his casting vote against the motion. Under the Senedds rules, the chair was required to vote to maintain the status quo. Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and Jane Dodds, the Lib Dems leader in Wales, backed the motion, while Labour backbenchers and ministers voted against. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter The disconnect between the warnings made by veterinary researchers and infectious disease specialists and the patchwork of toothless policies being offered against the threat posed by the evolving H5N1 bird flu virus to conciliate the public is widening at an alarming pace. Dr. Rick Bright, a virologist and former head of the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, speaking with Fortune magazine, reminded readers that the virus is going to adapt. Weve watched it adapt over the years among bird species, and we know it is what influenza viruses do. Providing a backdrop to his comment, in the current bird flu panzootic period (2020-2024), 26 countries have reported information of infections among more than 48 animal species, including humans. Since the H5 strain was first identified, more than a half-billion farmed birds have been slaughtered. Wild bird deaths are estimated in the millions. Experts have warned that not only is it expanding its geographic range, but its adaption to immunologically naive populations will have tremendous impact on biodiversity, including the potential for the emergence of a pandemic in human populations. Since 2003, close to 900 people have tested positive for H5N1 virus, with slightly more than half dying (a lethality rate just above 50 percent). Since 2020, the number of cases has been considerably lower at 28, with eight fatalities (just under 30 percent lethality). While the current clade is seemingly less virulent, even this fatality rate, should H5N1 become a true respiratory pathogen in humans, would make the ongoing COVID pandemic pale in comparison. Many of these cases were among people with direct contact with birds and poultry. But the recent emergence of the disease in dairy cows and the transmission of the virus from these animals to humans raises the threat of the virus developing the necessary mutations to make direct human-to-human transmission possible. This is particularly concerning since the intimate connection between farm workers and animals in the agriculture industry makes such a scenario plausible. This type of zoonotic transfer was shown by the emergence of the COVID pandemic at the Huanan wet market in Wuhan, China in December 2019, a byproduct of the extensive wildlife trade there. According to the US Department of Agriculture, in the nearly three months since health officials and veterinarians began to hear about an unknown illness that was sickening cattle in the Texas panhandle, 94 herds have been infected across 12 states. These include Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico, Ohio, North Carolina, South Dakota, Colorado and, last week, Minnesota, Wyoming and Iowa. Number of dairy cow herds infected with H5N1 bird flu by week. [Photo: Data from USDA/WSWS] Added to these ongoing concerns, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported on May 28 that an outbreak of the bird flu was confirmed at a commercial egg-layer farm in Sioux County, located in the northwestern corner of the state. State officials told the media that some 4.2 million birds were slated for culling to contain the spread of infections. Last week, news of dozens of dairy cows across five states dying with the bird flu or having to be slaughtered due to persistent illness has fueled growing alarm. Just recently, the public was told that these cows were expected to make a complete recovery and that the animals only suffered a mild course of illness. Given the bird flus propensity to adapt and adapt quickly, it remains to be ascertained if the bird flu virus in the cows that have had a more severe course of illness has undergone any mutations that make it more virulent. However, scientists and influenza virologists have decried the continued refusal of the USDA to share data in a way that these developments can be studied in real time. It appears the agency is only providing a smattering of sequences and most of these from animals first infected in March and early April. Specifically, Bright explained, They [USDA] have not shared a sequence that they collected from any infected animal in the last eight weeks. Additionally, the fact that only three farm workers have tested positive for H5N1 since the outbreak, and only one with respiratory symptoms, gives little reassurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, as of last week, only 45 people had actually received an influenza test. How many cases are being missed? There are many anecdotal reports of flu-like symptoms among animal handlers. But no serological testing is being done to understand the true extent of the bird flus spread. Without such measures, efforts to contain the virus and eliminate it from dairy herds and other animals stand no chance. More recently, reports of deaths among cats who drank unpasteurized milk or cases of bird flu in house mice in New Mexico near infected dairy cows only suggest other potential vectors for the crossover of the virus into human populations. The autopsy of the cats demonstrated high concentrations of virus in the brains and lungs of the felines. Also, the CDC reported on a ferret study last week in which the animal was infected with the virus from the Texas farm worker. Although the CDC gade assurances that the virus only spreads through direct contact (and not respiratory) between the animals, it was 100 percent lethal among all the animals in the experiment. Cumulative number of confirmed human cases and deaths related to H5N1 infections. [Photo: World Health Organization] Michael Osterholm, epidemiologist and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, told Fortune,Its interesting that weve seen a lot of multi-organ involvement, brain involvement, major organ involvement that has been really remarkable, causing the death of many different animal species And we dont understand that yet. Whats were seeing right now in dairy cattle is just another situation where the potential for that virus to change is, I think, surely increased. Meanwhile, beyond recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment and voluntary monitoring, little else if anything is being done to protect agricultural workers. Given the complete evisceration of public health measures that has taken place during COVID, the dangers of a new pandemic are growing. The emergence of right-wing populist anti-public-health campaigns and the abandonment of elementary healthcare principles are a consequence of financial pressures that place profits always ahead of well-being and safety both for people and the products bought and sold. An important opinion piece in Scientific American by Kay Russo, Michelle Kromm and Carol Cardona, veterinarians and influenza experts, identifies the source of the inertia. They wrote, At this point, the dairy industry must put aside cultural and operational differences and start the kind of broad-scale influenza testing and reporting that occurs in the poultry and swine industries. By taking these proactive measures, dairy operators can reduce the risk and impact of H5N1 on their herds and prevent the development of human-adapted strains of bird flu. We cannot afford to be complacent in the face of this threat, especially after the lessons learned from the COVID pandemic. No one wants to go back to that. The authors underscore the dangers of the business profit mentality that focuses on productivity and output volume while reducing to the bare minimum the necessary safety expenditures and practices. But they also cite the failures of state and federal agencies who continue to respond without any real show of urgency because they need to quell consumer concerns and to manage the industrys desire to continue with business as usual. The half-hearted makeshift measures taken are leading to policies that did not consider the long-term economic, animal welfare and health and food security effects of a potential epidemic, not to mention pandemic. The commentary concludes with lessons from the experience of the last four years. The three experts state, The bigger picture of this issue related to human health has been repeatedly brushed aside in the past few months. This is a genuine One Health initiative, an opportunity for both animal and human health advocates to work together for the betterment of all species. Set politics aside. Focus on a sustainable, science-driven solution. Act now before it is too late. Support continues to pour in for the family of Matthew McCoy, a machine operator, who was killed by falling sheet metal while working at DPR Manufacturing in Warren, Michigan last Friday afternoon, June 7. McCoy, who lived in the Detroit suburb of Warren, was just 24 years old at the time of his death. The Warren Fire Department responded to the emergency and assessed that McCoy was in cardiac arrest and had suffered other life-threatening crush injuries. Paramedics performed life support procedures and transported him to Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital for medical treatment, where he later died. According to an initial report released by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), McCoy was moving sheet metal with the use of a cart. While moving the sheet metal, the cart caught an uneven edge of a walking-working surface and tipped over onto him. DPR Manufacturing & Services Inc., according to their website, is a family owned & operated custom fabrication organization providing products in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. It has been in operation over 100 years. MIOSHA said it had no record of any safety inspection being conducted at DPR Manufacturing. Mike Krafcik, a MIOSHA Communications Specialist, said in a statement that MIOSHA could not provide information on an open investigation but noted that our records indicate there was no prior inspection history with this employer. According to press reports, DPR Manufacturing President Westleigh Deguvera had not responded to requests for comment. McCoys is the 13th workplace death in Michigan in 2024, as reported by MIOSHA. More than 5,000 die annually in workplace accidents in the US. The death of Matthew McCoy follows the recent death of another young worker, Daulton Simmers, a 28-year-old worker and father, who died from thermal burns when molten metal fell on him on June 6 at Caterpillars foundry in Mapleton, Illinois. McCoy was described as an extremely generous person by his older sister, Jami Reiterman. If people needed money, he was always helping them out. He was just the greatest person in the world, really, Reiterman said in an interview with Fox 2 News. Reiterman went on to say that McCoy loved video games and drawing. He was always drawing pictures. He still drew. He would come home from work and just draw for hours and just watch TV. Reiterman noted that McCoy would produce a lot of paintings of the parts at the facility he worked at and that he loved his job. She told the WSWS, Hed help around the house or if you needed money or anything he was always the first to step up and not just me, for everybody. He was the only person whod walk in the door after work and say, hey dude, how was your day? Even if he had a bad one, he just wanted to hear about mine. She said the company had reached out to herself as well as her other brother, who previously worked at DPR, but she was waiting on the OSHA investigation before speaking further on the circumstances of the death. Companies are supposed to maintain safe work surfaces. In Michigan the maximum penalty for a serious safety violation is only $7,000. Tara Bachynski, Jami Reitermans best friend, created a GoFundMe to assist with burial services for Matthew. As of this writing the family had received well over 100 individual donations and was close to its $10,000 goal. Serious injury accidents involving forklifts and other vehicles used for moving stock are very frequent. Forklifts are often unstable due to heavy loads and prone to tipping over since the wheels are in the back. Visibility is often obstructed due to loads being carried in front. Training involves classroom training and practical training as well as testing. Permits are supposed to be renewed every three years. OSHA reports that forklift accidents result in 75-95 deaths every year and 8,000-9,000 injuries. The injuries tend to be more serious and require greater recovery time. OSHA estimates there are just under 100,000 forklift accidents a year. Rollover accidents involving forklift-type vehicles account for 24 percent of all forklift accidents and 42 percent of all recorded injuries. Industry guidelines call for proper and recurring training of operators and vehicle inspections and regular maintenance. In October 2022, a 25-year-old female employee died at Metalsa, a Tier 1 automotive supplier in nearby Sterling Heights, Michigan after the motorized truck she was driving flipped over and crushed her. In response to reports of the death of McCoy, one autoworker posted on Facebook, We are just a number in the factory world. All they care about is those parts and in my case, trucks/suvs. Another worker wrote, the new employees are not even usually properly trained on any equipment and are accidents waiting to happen. Not saying that this is the case with this young man but speaking of my personal experience in my revolving door shop. Emily, a young mom, wrote that her husband had worked in manufacturing. State agency tells them what date theyre coming; they go in only to say nothing found on their reports. Duh cuz you gave them time to fix and hide the problems. This is the type of thing these workers deal with daily and in the majority of these places it seems. Plus, the turnover ratetheyll hire new people and not pay raise the older employees ... so those ones move on and its just constantly new hires mainly running everything. Wed like to hear from you. Fill out the form at the end of this report to share your experience about any workplace or safety issues at your facility. All comments will be published anonymously. New York Representative and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted two high-level Zionist lobbyists on her congressional X account to slander opposition to the state of Israel and the US-backed genocide it is currently carrying out as antisemitic. US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat-New York) speaking at a news conference Tuesday, December 7, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File] This cynical lie has been repeated ad nauseam by capitalist politicians and their stenographers in the bourgeois press in a crude attempt to undermine and discredit the mass global opposition to Israels war of extermination. Lies, mass arrests, expulsions and firings have not deterred workers and students internationally from continuing to protest and organize against the political, economic and military forces responsible for the slaughter. Since the start of the year, Ocasio-Cortez has mixed infrequent criticism of Israels genocide with robust praise and support for Democratic President Joe Biden. Mondays 36-minute event featured Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Stacy Burdett, a longtime high-level executive at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Notably, the event was held less than 48 hours after over 270 Palestinians were massacred by the Israel Defense Forces with US-supplied weaponry at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza. Neither Ocasio-Cortez nor her guests discussed the latest war crime, the mass killing of Palestinian women and children by the IDF, the ongoing famine or the mass arrests of students and faculty, many of them Jewish, for demonstrating against the genocide on their campuses. Instead, virtually the entire discussion was focused on the alleged rise of antisemitism, by which they meant opposition to Zionism, within progressive spaces, namely on college campuses. Ocasio-Cortez began the event with a blatant lie and introduced her guests as the foremost experts of fighting antisemitism in America. Ocasio-Cortezs guest are experts in promoting Zionism and the Israeli state. Amy Spitalnick is the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), a lobbying group established in the United States in 1944. In a narrative and timeline posted on their website, the group boasts that JCPA has been a leader in support for Israel. JCPA successfully advocated for the first US arms sales to Israel. ... In times of war and discord, JCPA has advocated for Israels right to defend itself and educate the public about the region. Ocasio-Cortezs second expert on fighting antisemitism, Stacy Burdett, worked at the ADL for 24 years. Burdett has testified before Congress multiple times and was the ADLs Washington director. She also led the ADLs Government and National Affairs Office, which represented the ADLs agenda to the US and other governments. The Anti-Defamation League is perhaps the foremost Zionist private intelligence organization in the United States. The agency works closely with both capitalist parties, the police, and the intelligence agencies to track and report hate crimes and hate groups, which it broadly defines as actions, people and entities opposed to Israel. In introducing her guests, Ocasio-Cortez failed to note that both the JCPA and the ADL support the Countering Antisemitism Act (HR. 7921/S. 4091). The bill was introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Kathy Manning (Democrat-North Carolina) but has also been sponsored in the Senate by Jacky Rosen (Democrat-Nevada) and James Lankford (Republican-Oklahoma). The bipartisan legislation would create a new antisemitism national coordinator who would report to the president. The coordinator would be charged with implementing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) definition of antisemitism across all US federal agencies. The IHRAs definition falsely claims that drawing comparisons between the Zionist occupation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the Nazi treatment of Jewish people during the Holocaust is antisemitic, as is calling for the end of the apartheid state of Israel and its replacement by a democratic state. The new federal antisemitism coordinator would also report to the president and select congressional committees their alleged analysis of antisemitism online and at schools, in the US and internationally. The bill would require the new coordinator to report to the president on efforts to counter domestic antisemitism across the relevant agencies, which include, but are not limited to, the Department of State; the Department of Homeland Security; the Department of Justice; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Department of Education; the National Counterterrorism Center; the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Defense; the Department of the Treasury; the Department of Labor; and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Ocasio-Cortez never deigned to raise with her guests their organizations support for this anti-democratic legislation, which will be used to target anti-war, anti-genocide and pro-Palestinian groups and people. This further exposes her and the DSA as enemies of the working class and democratic rights. Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly raised the idea of bad faith actors using the charge of antisemitism to target opponents of Israeli policy, but she has refused to name any of these actors. This was not a mistake but a whitewash. Not only have both of her guests advanced lies to justify Israeli war crimes and repression against anti-genocide protesters, but Biden, whom Ocasio-Cortez fervently supports, and virtually the entire political and media establishment have done the same. After a warm introduction from Ocasio-Cortez, Spitalnick began her contribution with pro forma denunciations of Trump and the Republicans Partys promotion of actual antisemitism and the Great Replacement Theory, before turning to the left. Spitalnick said, What is harder for us, as progressives, to recognize or understand is when antisemitism shows up and is normalized in our own spaces. And I want to be frank here, there is very real antisemitism that is in fact showing up in progressive spaces and its deeply painful and hurtful to Jews. Ocasio-Cortez never disagreed with her guests that antisemitism was showing up in progressive spaces or that opposing Israel and the political ideology that supports it is antisemitic. Instead, she nodded along as Spitalnick said, Eliminationist rhetoric, including calling for the end of Israel as a Jewish state, was antisemitic. Spitalnick added that calls to ban or boycott Zionists, or to use Zionist as a pejorative, were also antisemitic. At the conclusion of the discussion, Ocasio-Cortez responded to the promotion by her guests of the rationalizations and justifications of the Israeli state with the declaration: You state this all so beautifully. The entire sordid episode exposes the DSA and Ocasio-Cortez as appendages of the Democratic Party and the left face of the genocide in Gaza. As they joined in the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals (ICFI) global picketing of Ukrainian embassies demanding the liberation of Bogdan Syrotiuk, members of the Parti de legalite socialiste (PES) interviewed workers and youth in Paris. They called to free Bogdan Syrotiuk, a socialist fighting to unify Russian and Ukrainian workers against the war but who has been jailed on fraudulent charges of being a Russian agent and is now threatened with life in prison. Nadia and Fatima called for the liberation of Syrotiuk, supporting his call to unify Russian and Ukrainian workers against the war. Nadia said, He should not be in prison in any way. He has the right to speak out, he has freedom of expression, as we do also. He has said nothing bad, why has he been taken away and locked up this way? Nadia and Fatima They rejected the political lie that opposition to the war in Ukraine is supposedly the same as support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fatima explained: Were against the war, too. My father fought in the war, he served in the armed forces for 17 years including during the war against the Germans [World War II] and then the Algerian war. He had three ribs taken out of him by the German air force. Asked about the sympathies of leaders of the Ukrainian regime for Ukrainian Nazi-collaborationists like Stepan Bandera, Fatima said: We are not satisfied with this. People are dying, youth are dying, it is horrible. There is a truly infernal danger. Nadia connected the struggle to free Syrotiuk to the struggle against war with Russia: We do not want this war, and we cannot allow people [like Syrotiuk] to be condemned this way. He has done nothing wrong. We should be looking at the good he has been doing, not passing judgment on his political activity without any solid basis. Fatima added, We want everyone to live together, as brothers and sisters, to live in honesty with each other. Why make children to then send them to be killed? Its sick. We worked to raise children, and as soon as they have grown up just a little bit, they are sent off to be massacred. Why should they die? What good does it do? It is unfair, its horrible, and if we do not stop it, afterwards everyone will disappear. PES members also spoke to Zach, a high school student, who called to free Bogdan Syrotiuk: He must be freed. He is someone who is for peace and for building the unity of the workers. This is something that is very important for fighting the regime of Putin. Zach compared Syrotiuk to Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish officer who was falsely convicted of treason by an antisemitic cabal in the army. Asked what he thought of the argument that opposing the US-NATO war with Russia in Ukraine is the same as support for Putin, he said: That is a lie, as far as I am concerned, like the Dreyfus Affair. No one should be imprisoned on the basis of lies and unverified allegations. PES members also interviewed Clemence, a reader of the WSWS. She said, We must demand the release of Bogdan Syrotiuk! His arrest by the Ukrainian authorities is an attack on freedom of expression, like that of Julian Assange. It is part of a campaign of repression against not only left-wing but also anti-war and anti-capitalist views of all kinds that is becoming increasingly widespread across Europe and the world. Clemence refuted the political lie that NATOs war against Russia is a war for democracy: Ukraine is not a democracy! Elections have been suspended, and the country is under martial law. Parties claiming to be left-wing have been banned by government order, on the pretext that they are pro-Russian. On the other hand, parties like Svoboda, which directly descend from the [Ukrainian] collaboration with the Nazi occupying forces, have almost total freedom. She added, For their part, the capitalist great powers in Europe and the United States are promoting the far right to maintain their economic and geopolitical interests by criminalizing the left and openly supporting and arming the genocide in Gaza. On the ICFIs call to build an international movement in the working class to free Bogdan Syrotiuk and stop the war, Clemence said she supports demonstrating for Bogdan Syrotiuk and all those oppressed by authoritarian regimes. Lets create an anti-war movement in the working class, the only class with the power to stop the production and transport of military material for the belligerent governments and to bring down the capitalist regimes of Putin and Zelensky and their allies. According to organizers, some 200 people gathered outside San Franciscos Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) on June 6 to protest the genocide being carried out by the Israeli government and military in Gaza. The protest was organized by California Jewish Artists for Palestine (CJAFP), along with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). The group of 10 self-described anti-Zionist artistsMicah Bazant, Jules Cowan, Rebekah Erev, Rebecca Maria Goldschmidt, Steph Kudisch, Kate Laster, Ava Sayaka Rosen, Sophia Sobko, Arielle Tonkin and Irina Zadovinitially submitted works, with pro-Palestinian messages, to the proposed California Jewish Open exhibition at the CJM. Protest at the CJM June 6 (Nick DeRenzi - jvpbayarea and jewishvoicefor peace on Instagram) The museum framed the exhibition, set to run until October 20, as an opportunity for Jewish-identifying artists in California to submit artworks in response to a central question: How are artists looking to the many aspects of Jewish culture, identity, and community to foster, reimagine, hold, or discover connection? The resulting exhibition, asserted the CJM, would bring together the work of forty-seven artists reflecting on their connection to Judaism, the world, and their own history. Five of the 10 anti-Zionist artists works were accepted, but the museum refused to respond to the artists demands, including transparency around funding and a commitment to BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions], which led to the withdrawal from the show. A museum spokesperson acknowledged to the media that the Israeli consulate had provided funding in the past for exhibitions and talks. On Instagram, protest organizers explained that the artists and their supporters gathered at the museum in downtown San Francisco to demand the CJM call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and support the Palestinian Campaign for Cultural Boycott of Israel. The theme of the exhibition is Connectionbut how can we connect to our Jewish values and our humanity without doing everything we can to stop a genocide? Exhibiting artist Vanessa Thill told Hyperallergic that at first, she had felt encouraged by curator Heidi Rabins assurances that pro-Palestine views would be accepted. But as the opening neared, Thill felt less and less supported in her anti-Zionist views. There was little dialogue among artists even after she reached out to the group to discuss Israels ongoing attacks on Gazaand that dialogue didnt seem to be encouraged. As part of the protest June 6, reported Hyperallergic, Thill stood next to her sculpture Cleave-To (His Cheeks Were Beds of Spices) (2023), consisting of two large crescent shapes cast in various spices, graphite, and fake blood, and read the traditional Kaddish prayer followed by the names of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. She then read the names of Israeli hostages who were recently confirmed dead. And in a final act violating her museums artist contract, Thill broke off a piece of her sculpture and held the fragment to the crowd. Contemporary Jewish Museum [Photo by Allan Ferguson / CC BY 2.0] The CJAFP insisted in a statement that as anti-zionist Jewish artists with long-term commitments to both Palestinian Liberation and Jewish community, we call on the Contemporary Jewish Museum and ALL Arts & Cultural institutions to end complicity with Israeli war crimes and racist, white supremacist zionist political ideology NOW! The artists have pointed to one of the museums funders, the Helen Diller Family Foundation, which has been criticized in the past for its grants to Canary Mission, a group accused of doxxing anti-Zionist students, and to the American Freedom Defense Initiative, which was labeled an anti-Muslim extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2022. (Hyperallergic) In an interview with KQED, artist Sophia Sobko argued it would be hypocritical for the CJM to feature art criticizing Israels bombardment of Gaza while receiving funding that directly facilitates the material oppression that were trying to raise awareness to stop. She added, I wish for some ethical clarity and backbone and courage. In its May 10 statement, members of the CJAFP expressed their refusal to participate in Art World business as usual as the genocide of Palestinians continues. As Israel continues assaults on Rafah, the group went on, millions of Palestinians, mostly children, are forced to evacuate with no safe destination. Now, more than ever, is the time to declare with unambiguous and unequivocal clarity that Palestinians have the right to live in freedom, and that US-funded genocide is abhorrent and needs to end immediately. The CJAFP continued: Many of us have been indoctrinated into zionism and have been unlearning it for many years. Our Jewish tradition teaches us that we are made in the divine image with the unique capacity to create. As artists, we choose to CREATE, not destroy! The artists added: Palestinians are being murdered as we are asked to endlessly discuss definitions of terms like anti-zionist to be used in exhibition wall texts. There is no time to waste over semantic arguments like whether or not we can say that israel does not have a right to exist or whether or not to ban From the River to the Sea. Rather than fall for these strategic distractions, we are focusing on ending this genocide and fighting for Palestinian liberation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan traveled to Russia to attend the BRICS meeting in Nizhny Novgorod and then met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday. The visit comes amid a major escalation of the US-NATO war against Russia over Ukraine. Russia can and must suffer strategic defeat in Ukraine, was the declaration made at the end of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Sofia late May. This was followed by a green light for Ukraine to strike Russian territory with weapons supplied by the NATO powers, while various NATO leaders have publicly raised sending troops to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin receives Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Kremlin Palace, , June 11, 2024 [Photo: Turkish Foreign Ministry, @TC_Disisleri on X/Twitter] Commenting on these developments after NATOs informal foreign ministers meeting in Prague, Fidan said, As Turkiye, we support continued assistance to Ukraine, we support Ukraine possessing sufficient deterrence. He continued by stressing the need to back Ukraines territorial integrity and liberation. Fidan reiterated Ankaras full support for Ukraine but expressed concern about the possible consequences of escalation. He said it is another thing for NATO to take sides in this war. This leads to a greater crisis of regional proliferation. Under conditions of the US-NATO military escalation against Russia, the bankruptcy of Ankaras maneuvering policy between these two nuclear powers becomes increasingly clear. Last week, while receiving the heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin hinted that his friendly relations with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might not continue. He said: The government in Turkiye has focused on obtaining loans, making investments, and receiving grants from Western financial institutions. This is probably not a bad thing. But if it is related to the restriction of trade and economic relations with Russia, then the Turkish economy will lose more than it gains. Putin sent a remarkable warning message to his friend Erdogan through journalists, stating: While Turkiye cooperates with Ukraine in some areas, Ukraine tries to hit the pipelines carrying gas to Turkiye Two drones were jammed by Russian electronic warfare systems and fell near the gas pumping station on the Black Sea coast. Please inform our friend President Erdogan about the facts regarding this matter. There are also continuous attacks with unmanned sea vehicles on ships protecting the energy infrastructure under the Black Sea. Ankara did not give any details on the Putin-Fidan meeting. Putin said he welcomed Turkeys interest in BRICS and would support Turkeys desire to become a member of it, adding: We note with gratitude the spirit of our Turkish friends to contribute to the resolution of crisis situations, including the crisis around Ukraine, In a statement, Fidan declared, We are determined to continue all possible mediation efforts on Ukraine. Regarding Syria, we are doing our best to continue the stability policy that you, as two leaders [Putin and Erdogan], have put forward. There are concerns in Ankara that an escalation of the war against Russia would damage the interests of the Turkish ruling class. Turkey has not joined the US and European Union (EU) sanctions against Moscow and has maintained trade with Russia since the start of the war. Since February 2022, Ankara closed the straits from the Aegean to the Black Sea to both NATO and Russian warships under the Montreux Convention, and has called for a negotiated settlement. As part of this policy, Erdogan has brokered deals between Ukraine and Russia, such as grain and prisoner exchanges. However, the Turkish capitalist political establishment has openly demonstrated its loyalty to imperialism by supporting Finland and Swedens NATO membership against Russia. Erdogan, who presides over a NATO member state in a strategic military alliance with US imperialism, has repeatedly emphasized that his government stands by Ukraine, while arming Kiev with Bayraktar drones against Russia. Turkey is close to a number of flashpoints such as the Black Sea, the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Balkans. A direct NATO war with Russia would bring into question the use of the straits, the Black Sea and NATO bases in Turkey in the conflict. At the same time, Israels genocide in Gaza threatens to expand to target Turkeys neighbor Iran. Since early May, Erdogan has had two friendly meetings with Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the Republican Peoples Party, which is considered much more openly in favor of a pro-NATO policy. These normalization or detente talks are a product of the ruling classs need for its two main parties to unite on a pro-NATO foreign policy and waging class war against the working class at home. The ongoing cost of living crisis and the decline in real wages are fueling discontent among workers, while state repression against elected Kurdish politicians is provoking social anger. The Erdogan government also faces incessant protests for its complicity in Israels genocide in Gaza. To cover up his governments complicit role, he makes almost daily hypocritical statements condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yet Turkey continues to act as a transit country for the transport of Azerbaijani oil to Israel, and US and NATO bases in the country continue to aid Israel in its genocidal war and provocations against Iran. Prior to his visit to Russia, Fidan held official talks in China on June 3-5, where he announced Turkeys willingness to join BRICS. Turkey has sought to further develop economic and political ties with China and was the first country to sign an intergovernmental cooperation agreement under the Belt and Road Initiative. However, Ankaras maneuvering policy is also undermined in the Asia-Pacific as the US-led imperialist powers have escalated their war preparations and economic war against China. Speaking at a press conference with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Fidan reiterated his governments support for the One China policy. He said, Turkey fully supports Chinas territorial integrity and political sovereignty. We fully support China against the armed terrorist groups. We would like to express here that we disagree with international attempts to stir up trouble in China and stop its economic development. Despite these supportive messages, the passage of a Turkish military ship through the Taiwan Strait during Fidans visit to China sparked anger in China. According to news reports, the Chinese navy followed the ship during its passage. Turkish authorities have not commented on the purpose of the Turkish military ships presence. The Taiwan Strait is often the scene of US military provocations against China. In late May, the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its associated battlegroup were conducting routine operations in the vicinity of Taiwan in the Philippine Sea [T]he US Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy conducted joint operations in the South China Sea, as the WSWS reported. That same week, China organized military exercises in the strait shortly after the inauguration of Taiwans pro-independence president, Lai Ching-te. While Fidan criticized the US-led economic war against China, a few days later Turkey followed the US lead and announced an additional 40 percent tariff on cars imported from China. This raised the tariff from 10 percent to 50 percent. The Biden administration quadrupled the tariff rate on electric vehicles imported from China to 100 percent last month. Recently, the European Commission also decided to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on electric vehicles imported from China. Demand freedom for Bogdan! Fill out the petition at the bottom of this statement. On Thursday, June 13, the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) held internationally coordinated pickets of Ukrainian embassies and consulates in a number of major cities to protest the arbitrary arrest and detention of Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk, a leader of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), a Trotskyist organization in the former Soviet Union. The pickets were held sequentially in Istanbul, Paris, London, Berlin, Washington D.C., Toronto, Canberra and Sydney, with the final two taking place on the morning of June 14 local time in Australia. At each picket, a leading representative of the ICFI read the Open Letter from the World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board calling for the immediate release of Bogdan, and delivered or attempted to deliver the letter to the embassy. ICFI members and supporters hold pickets to free imprisoned Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk at Ukrainian embassies in (clockwise from top left) Berlin, London, Washington D.C. and Istanbul on June 13, 2024. The letter, a video of which has now been viewed over 10,000 times on Twitter/X, summarizes the persecution of Bogdan and calls for his freedom. On April 25, 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) arrested Bogdan on trumped-up charges of treason, distorting his principled opposition to both the Ukrainian and Russian governments as being pro-Russian. The Ukrainian government also leveled the same charge against the World Socialist Web Site, which is now banned across Ukraine. The letter notes: The state police of Ukraine know very well that they cannot substantiate their charge of treason against this young and courageous socialist. They must, therefore, resort to the sort of lies used by the Stalinist regime of the Soviet Union in the era of the Terror and Moscow Trials, when it denounced its Trotskyist opponents as agents of Nazi Germany. Notwithstanding the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of capitalism in Ukraine, the methods and spirit of the Stalinist police agencies live on. ... Bogdan Syrotiuk is a victim of your governments lawlessness. His arrest on April 25 occurred amidst numerous reports in the international media of rising opposition to the war among Ukrainian workers and youth. It is obvious that the frame-up of Syrotiuk on treason charges is aimed at intimidating opponents of the war, which your government is waging in the interests of Ukraines capitalist elite and its imperialist allies. The response of the Ukrainian government to the ICFIs pickets and efforts to deliver the letter were politically revealing. The day began with the first picket in Istanbul, where a consulate worker accepted the letter from Ulas Atesci, a leading member of the Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu (Socialist Equality Group). Atesci explained that the letter must be delivered to Nedilskyi Roman, the Consul General in Istanbul, and the worker agreed to do so. It is clear that the receipt of this letter and its review by Ukrainian officials triggered an immediate and significant response. By the time the next pickets took place in Paris, London, Berlin, and Washington D.C., instructions had evidently been sent by the Zelensky regime to embassy officials to refuse acceptance of the letter and drop all formalities. A similar scene unfolded at each of the embassies in the four capitals of the worlds leading imperialist powers, where officials violated standard practices, refusing to accept the letter or send anyone to speak with the ICFI representatives. In Paris, an embassy official came out and spoke to a policeman on guard outside, who informed Alex Lantier, national secretary of the Parti de legalite socialiste (PES), that the embassy would not receive the letter. In London, Socialist Equality Party (UK) National Secretary Chris Marsden was greeted with silence. In a video recording of the picket, shadows are seen in the window next to the embassys front door, but no one exits the building. In Berlin, no one answered the door after Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) National Secretary Christoph Vandreier rang the bell. Before dropping the letter through a mailbox by the embassy entrance, Vandreier commented: It is obviously the case that the members of the embassy, who can be seen from here outside, are hiding in their embassy. They are not even willing to receive this letter, which we have just read out, because they know that the charges against Bogdan Syrotiuk and his arrest and detention have no factual basis and because they know that the movement for his release is growing every day. In Washington D.C., the center of world imperialism, an embassy official cracked the door open briefly and immediately slammed it shut after seeing Socialist Equality Party (US) vice presidential candidate Jerry White. Shortly thereafter, Secret Service agents arrived and informed White that embassy personnel called to inform them that they would not take the letter, which must instead be mailed to the embassy. In a video statement made after this exchange, White said: This is just an indication of the absolute cowardice of the Ukrainian regime. Its incapable of answering the charges that this is a crude frame-up against a courageous socialist, whose only crime is fighting to unite the Ukrainian and Russian workers together against this horrific war. They have no answer to the exposure of their lies that Bogdan and the World Socialist Web Site are agents of Putin because of our long, proud history of opposing Stalinism and the oligarchical regime in Russia. After White read the letter, Mack Trucks autoworker Will Lehman, a leader of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), issued a video statement calling on the international working class to come to the defense of Bogdan. Lehman also exposed the role of the union bureaucracies, which have fully supported the war in Ukraine, stating: Here in the US, the Biden administration and the corrupt United Auto Workers bureaucracy talk about turning the auto plants into an arsenal of democracy. Bogdans arrest proves that Ukraine is no democracy. There are no elections, there are no opposition political parties, and if you speak up on behalf of workers and oppose the war like Bogdan did, you get thrown in jail. If Biden and UAW President Shawn Fain were telling the truth, theyd say they want to turn the American auto plants into an arsenal for dictatorship. This pattern of embassies deliberately ignoring the ICFI representatives was only broken in Canberra, a remote, backwater embassy in Australias sparsely populated capital. Either because the embassy officials had not been informed, or they had realized that their tactic had backfired as social media posts of the ICFI pickets circulated widely online, the letter was accepted. At a small Ukrainian consulate in Toronto, ICFI representatives were also able to deliver the letter, likely for the same reasons. The refusal of the Ukrainian embassies in the US, UK, Germany and France to receive the letter or even interact with ICFI representatives was clearly a conscious decision made by the Ukrainian government. The decision of the Ukrainian officials to hide in their embassies, as Vandreier stated, confirms the central allegations of the letter itself, that the arrest of Bogdan is a political frame-up aimed at intimidating all opposition to the war in Ukraine. The officials refused to accept the letter because they know it is an unanswerable indictment of their criminal regime. Furthermore, the conduct of the Ukrainian officials is a damning exposure of the anti-democratic and fascistic character of the Zelensky regime, which has imposed martial law, suspended elections and arrested thousands of opponents of the war. Such a government does not tolerate public protests, which would be met with brutal suppression were they to take place in Ukraine. The response makes clear the determination of the Ukrainian government and its imperialist backers to maintain the frame-up of Bogdan, into which they have now invested a great deal politically. The international pickets took place on the same day as the G7 summit opened in Italy, hosted by Giorgia Meloni, the fascist political heiress of Benito Mussolini. At the summit, US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new 10-year security agreement, while the G7 powers agreed to provide Ukraine with another $50 billion in funding. In recent weeks, the US and other NATO powers have given Ukraine permission to fire NATO-produced weapons into Russia, while multiple NATO leaders have openly discussed sending thousands of NATO troops directly into Ukraine. The imperialist powers are relentlessly escalating the war with Russia, heightening to unprecedented levels the danger of a nuclear conflagration. In this context, the fight to free Bogdan Syrotiuk acquires enormous political significance. It is the spearhead of a developing international socialist, anti-war movement. Thursdays pickets must be seen as an important step forward in the building of an international working class campaign demanding Bogdans freedom and an end to imperialist war. With or without the acknowledgement of the Ukrainian government, this campaign will continue. The pickets exemplified the necessity for an international campaign to stop imperialist war and all attacks on democratic rights. The fight to free Bogdan, as with the fight against war, genocide, dictatorship, climate change and pandemics, can only be waged on an international level. The World Socialist Web Site and the ICFI appeal to all of our readers and supporters to become involved in this campaign to free Bogdan Syrotiuk, stop the war in Ukraine, end the genocide in Gaza, and deepen the fight for world socialist revolution. Sign the petition to demand Bogdans freedom and join the campaign to secure his release today! A health workers recent comments to the World Socialist Web Site point to a broader crisis in mental health, where available services are stretched thin and access is subject to socio-economic and geographic inequality. An ambulance in Sydney in 2020 [Photo by Helitak430 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 The Sydney ambulance worker said the number of mental health cases they were seeing was exploding. At any one time there will be several active jobs categorised as mental health cases. They would generally be acute jobs, needing a time-sensitive response with people in real distress. Ive seen it steadily increase over 20 years. There arent long-term solutions for people, they are sent back out to live in their home or into whatever challenging situation they are in. There is community care, but I get the distinct impression that they are overwhelmed. We get a sense of, we know this person, we are familiar with them as someone we see frequently. The mental health system is under-resourced and reactive. There are local initiatives, but they seem to be overstretched. People end up sitting in emergency departments (ED) for hours and hours and hours on end until they get frustrated and leave. There just doesnt seem to be any good system that is able to take people in and give them meaningful care and let them leave with a good plan. They get in, wait for ages, are very quickly seen and sent out again or they leave in frustration. Emergency departments in public hospitals have become the entry point for mental health care, placing an ever-increasing strain on their wait times. Many people are forced to attend EDs where no payment is required rather than a doctor. Since the EDs are so stretched, only the most acutely psychotic or suicidal cases will get a bed. The rest will be discharged back home or to the street to a roundabout of further illness. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, collected between 2020 and 2022, show that nearly 40 percent of young people aged 16 to 24a total of more than one millionhad experienced a mental health disorder in the preceding 12 months, up from 26 percent in 2007. The report also revealed that 42 percent of the 19.8 million people aged 1685 had experienced a mental disorder some time in their life. Anxiety disorders, such as post traumatic stress disorder, were the most commonly reported mental health condition. But many of these people are finding it increasingly difficult to get the support and treatment that they need. According to the Australian Psychologists Society, one in three psychologists are unable to take new clients and 65 percent reported worsening wait times, now averaging 55 days. Support services are typically only available nine to five, Monday to Friday. Throughout the country, the inequitable rationing of access to mental health services has become entrenched. A 2023 report by the NSW branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), Mental health on the brink, is replete with examples of the operation of a two-tier system. One community mental health worker working in a regional setting said: Its virtually impossible for low-income patients to access private psychs. Community mental health are under resourced and cannot cope with the amount of people in need, leaving them to fend for themselves as far as obtaining adequate clinical mental health care. They end up falling through the cracks. A city psychiatrist spoke of the significant divide between public and private psychiatric services. Most people need what private services offer (subacute services, treatment for high prevalence conditions, preventative treatment), as they cant access this within the public sector. However, most struggle to access private services due to cost or scarcity. A number of clinicians denounced the limitation of government-subsidised counselling to ten sessions. One city doctor said: Mental health problems are mostly chronic and cyclical, and 10 sessions of partly funded psychological sessions per calendar year is inadequate for good health outcomes. A regional psychologist added: Complex mental health clients are often in need of comprehensive assessment and appropriate medication support for acute symptoms. There is significant inequity for clients in this area. Similarly, clients who cannot afford to pay the gap fee (or ongoing full fee after 10 sessions) for a psychologist are often left without any treatment options for complex mental health issues. Temporarily doubled to 20 in the early stages of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the allotment of subsidised counselling sessions was slashed back to 10 in the Albanese federal Labor governments 2023 budget. Health Minister Mark Butler claimed this was because tens of thousands of Australians have missed out on spots due to the increased demand. In other words, Butler was saying that the health system is so broken that it cant provide 20 sessions per person, and the only answer is to slash the allotment. One consequence of the growing crisis is that health professionals are being driven into the ground as they battle to provide public mental health care on a shoestring budget. In a February 2024 paper by RANZCP, Burnout and Moral Injury: Australian psychiatry at its limits, 73.88 per cent of psychiatrists surveyed said they had experienced symptoms of burnout in the past three years. The dire situation in mental health care, which parallels the broader breakdown of the public health system, is the product of decades of funding cuts and privatisation, in a bipartisan, union-enforced assault on social services. Labor governments, in office federally and throughout the mainland, are now deepening these attacks as part of their pro-business, pro-war austerity program. Labors 202425 federal budget includes no measures to build the mental health workforce and address the chronic shortage of clinicians. Overall, it contains just $361 million in new mental health funding over four years, a drop in the ocean compared with what is needed. Even the pro-business Productivity Commission has called for a far greater injection of funds into mental health care, estimating that an additional $2.4 billion each year is needed. The Productivity Commission did not raise this out of any concern for people struggling with mental health issues, but because it believes mental illness is costing the Australian economy $18 billion a year in lost productivity. Cuts to spending on mental health, and public health more broadly, are a symptom of a capitalist system that is incapable of satisfying the needs of the population. The crying need for services in this area indicates the necessity for a fight on a socialist program to end this bankrupt system. University of Sydney sociology professor Sujatha Fernandes has been placed under investigation by management on accusations of breaching the universitys policy by calling into question media reports about alleged Hamas atrocities last October 7. Sujatha Fernandes [Photo: sujathafernandes.com] The investigation was instigated following demands by Zionist groups, notably the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). The ECAJ claims to be the peak representative body of Australian Jews, and receives substantial government funding on that basis, even as it functions as a mouthpiece of the genocidal Israeli state. This is another witch-hunt that threatens free speech and other basic democratic rights, including academic freedom. It follows the recent full Federal Court decision to uphold the universitys 2019 sacking of academic Tim Anderson, primarily for comparing Israel with the Nazi regime and criticising US war propaganda. In fact, a university spokesperson has said the case against Fernandes is based on the same rule cited by the judges to justify Andersons removal. That is a clause in the union-management enterprise agreement at the university which restricts academic freedom to conduct displaying the highest ethical, professional, and legal standards. According to the Australian, a Murdoch media flagship, Fernandes gave a lecture to first-year students in April in which she pointed out that western media has suppressed coverage of the atrocities, peddling fake news (promoted hoaxes that Hamas beheaded babies and carried out mass rape, in order to shore up support for Israel), and distorting events. Commenting on a misleading media report, Fernandes said: The witnesses, they supposedly had said that it never happened to them. The sources were retracted, all kinds of things to prove that this story it was not a real story, that a lot of what was in this article, was not true. And yet they havent retracted the article. The lecture reportedly took Israel as a case study on power in which Fernandes said Israel had engaged in ethnic cleansing, collective punishment and forced starvation. She is reported as stating: Western governments have largely supported the Israeli governmentsending arms to Israel, cutting funds to Palestinian aid organisations, and repressing dissent at home. All of this is true. None of these facts can be denied. The Biden administration and other imperialist governments, including the Australian Labor government, have backed Israel and armed it with all the weapons it has used to kill more 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while denouncing and shutting down anti-genocide protests. The same goes for the Hamas atrocities claims. The Australian quoted heavily from ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin, who repeated the unsubstantiated allegations that Hamas used rape and sexual torture on a mass scale. He accused Fernandes of irrationalism and inability to form evidence-based conclusions, making her unfit to teach anyone. Last December, the World Socialist Web Site exposed the allegations of mass rape on October 7, noting the lack of actual evidence of the veracity of the charges. It explained that all the supposed evidence came from the Israeli government and its military: none had any independent confirmation, and there was no testimony from either victims or eyewitnesses. That month too, the New York Times published a report establishing conclusively that Israel was fully informed, in detail, of plans by Hamas to attack its border that were executed on October 7. These revelations made clear that Israeli officials, knowing full well where and how Hamas would strike, made a deliberate decision to stand down in order to facilitate the attack. In March, Al Jazeera published an in-depth investigation into the mass rape allegations, concluding that while isolated rapes may have taken place, there was insufficient evidence to support allegations that rape had been widespread and systematic. The Australian article quoted one student who reportedly attended Fernandess lecture, who claimed that tolerance for anti-Semitic ideology is institutional at the university and there was a rising trend of anti-Semitism at the university. This echoes the slanders being uttered by the Labor government and all the others that are backing and arming the Israeli war on Gaza, that anyone who opposes the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime is antisemitic. Far from being antisemitic, the global protests are anti-genocide and anti-Zionist, with many Jewish workers and young people taking part. Honi Soit, the student newspaper at the University of Sydney, reported that when asked about the investigation into Fernandes, a university spokesman said: Academic staff giving lectures must exercise their intellectual freedom according to the highest ethical, professional, and legal standards. He added that when breaches against University policy have occurred, the management had acted and taken disciplinary action. In the Anderson case, after five years of contorted litigation, the full Federal Court overturned a previous ruling in his favour by placing the onus on him to prove that he acted to the highest ethical, professional, and legal standards. Andersons sacking came after similar complaints of antisemitism in response to a lecture he presented on the language used by the media to distort and misrepresent the actions of Israel and the US. The investigation of Fernandes is part of a systematic campaign of intimidation by pro-Zionist forces. Anti-genocide voices in academia, the media, the arts have been targeted, including by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in sacking journalist Antoinette Lattouf in December. Health workers too have come under fire, including doctors threatened with deregistration. The Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee has organised a campaign in their defence, winning strong support from health workers. Mass protests defending the Palestinians have been vilified and defamed, or else blacked-out and ignored. These attacks are solely based on the fact that workers have dared to denounce Israels genocidal attacks on the people of Gaza. University of Sydney National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) branch president Nick Riemer told Honi Soit: NTEU members will not tolerate intimidation or censorship of Palestine solidarity, whether for students or staff. Zionists clearly think that the universitys internal processes are there to be weaponised for their own political purposes. Management must show that this is not the case. Andersons case demonstrates, however, that far from management standing up to the Zionists, the University of Sydney has been at the forefront of efforts to intimidate or dismiss academics who call into question Israeli, US and Australian policies. And that the NTEU failed to organise the necessary campaign to defend Anderson, despite strong opposition from academics to his victimisation. Another academic now being targeted by the Australian is Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, from Sydneys Macquarie University. Abdel-Fattah is the holder of a prestigious Future Fellowship funded by the Australian Research Council. Abdel-Fattah is also being investigated for breaches of the universitys code of conduct after pressure was applied to Macquarie. Abdel-Fattah posted on X/Twitter last month: On Zionist attempts to pressure the government to revoke my Future Fellowship and for Macquarie University to dismiss me. This is not just about me. Zionists are not just about trying to remove me from academia and destroy my academic career. The funding I received was not just for me. As a Future Fellow I am engaged in my own research as well as leadership and mentoring. Because the NTEU at Macquarie University had not made a statement on Abdel Fattah, the WSWS contacted branch president Nicholas Harrigan for a comment. He said: The NTEU is deeply concerned about the Vice Chancellors public statements that put a huge number of conditions on academic freedom. The number of conditions provide many opportunities to discipline staff who engage in legitimate but heated public commentaries. All university staff and students must come to the defence of Fernandes and Abdel-Fattah. This means speaking out and preparing industrial and political action against the suppression of free speech. Experience has shown that such a struggle will not come from the NTEU. Neither the NTEU nor any other trade union has called a single strike to block supplies to Israel or prevent the Labor government from continuing to support the Netanyahu regimes genocide in Gaza. Diddys son Justin Combs was sued over missed car payments, but sources say the situation was caused by the bill being sent to the wrong address, In Touch has exclusively learned. According to court documents obtained by In Touch, a company called Porsche Leasing LTD sued Justin Dior Combs and his JDC Holdings Group. The suit said Justin, 30, entered into a lease for a new 2022 Bentley Bentayga V8 in January 2022. Per the deal, Diddys son agreed to make 42 payments in the amount of $3,365.23. The company said Justin defaulted on the deal when he failed to make the payment due on December 20, 2023. Porsche Leasing said the agreement had a provision that stated if Justin defaulted on the payments then the entire amount of the lease would be owed immediately. Diddys Son Justin Combs Accused of Missing Payments on 2022 Bentley, Dragged to Court Therefore, there is now due, owing and unpaid from the Defendant the approximate sum of $172,601.43, plus additional charges pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Interest accrues from December 20, 2023, at the legal rate of 10% per annum, until paid in full," the lawsuit said. The company said it had performed all obligations on their part to be performed under the terms of the Agreement. Further, Porsche Leasing said it had the right to immediately take possession of the car from Justin. The suit demanded the court order Justin to turn over the car and $172k in damages plus interest. Sources tell In Touch the car payments weren't made because the bill was sent to an old address. An insider said Justin did not receive the bill and immediately took action to pay the bill once he learned of the lawsuit. A source tells us the lawsuit should be dismissed by next week. Justin's attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, tells us, "Due to an address change, Justin did not receive his bill which resulted in unintentionally missed payments. We are in touch with the creditor and the matter is being settled. The outstanding balance will be paid and the lawsuit will be dropped." Diddys oldest son faced legal issues prior to the lawsuit. In June 2023, Justin was arrested for DUI in Beverly Hills. A couple of months later, Justin plead no contest to one count. He avoided jail time but was ordered to complete an alcohol education program and pay fines. Following the arrest, Diddys ex Misa Hylton spoke out against Diddy on social media. She said, Im not protecting no one anyone. Just my son. Im not with none of that reality TV s--t. Diddys Son Justin Combs Accused of Missing Payments on 2022 Bentley, Dragged to Court When is enough ENOUGH? she asked. How can you go from one of the greatest to ever do it to making all your money off alcohol and suing the damn alcohol company, she said in reference to the mogul. She said sell something healthy that builds people up. Im sick of it! Diddy, 54, is facing his own legal issues at the moment. His troubles started after his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura sued him for alleged sexual assault. Diddy disputed the claims. The case was quickly settled. However, in the following weeks, several additional accusers sued Diddy over alleged assaults. The entertainer denied all allegations of wrongdoing. On top of that, the feds launched an investigation into the mogul. His lawyer slammed the feds raid as a a gross overuse of military-level force. The attorney said, "there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities." He added, "Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way. This unprecedented ambush paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name. Jurassic World 4's First Story Details Have Come Out, And I'm Particularly Intrigued By Two Details Looking ahead to the lineup of upcoming 2025 movies , there are some titles that are high up on my list, even at this early stage. Director Gareth Edwards secretive Jurassic World follow-up is absolutely one such project, and I dont think that distinction is going to go away any time soon. In fact, that opinion has only gotten stronger with the first vague story details for this Jurassic Universe entry being released; which has me intrigued by two particular details being offered. Laura Dern, Bob Peck, and Jeff Goldblum with concerned looks in Jurassic Park. Jurassic World 4 Has A Familiar, Yet Vague Plot In Play Variety has announced some exciting details about this new adventure inspired by the late Michael Crichtons 1990 novel, and part of that business has to do with shooting locations. But included among those hot details is this logline for what some are calling Jurassic World 4: a completely fresh take launching a new Jurassic era, following three adults and three teens getting stuck on the Island. Right off the bat, Im going to assume that Jurassic World 4 cast members Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Rupert Friend are going to be the three adults trapped on the island. And while this story is pretty familiar in the world of Jurassic Park, my first point of interest is what exactly the Island means. On one hand, rumors of a Jurassic midquel set before Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdoms volcanic destruction of Isla Nublar would be a valid guess. The Island seems to be an oblique reference to the setting of many of the Jurassic films, but at the same time, why wouldnt they come flat out and admit thats the location? Perhaps were going to either return to Isla Sorna, the Site B lab space shown in The Lost World: Jurassic Park; or maybe were going to see one of the three other islands only used in the Jurassic World: Evolution games? In any case, thats where the other key piece of information comes into play, as we also have filming locations for this new Jurassic era. DeWanda Wise raises her taser while standing in the underground market in Jurassic World Dominion. The Jurassic Franchise Is Returning To Malta In the filming locations specified for Jurassic World 4, we now know that production is about to start on location in Thailand, with studio space in Malta and the U.K. being on deck as well. So why is Malta such a big deal? Well, besides being a location that director Ridley Scott loves to frequent with his productions, its also one of the countries where 2022s Jurassic World Dominion was filmed. That in particular has me wondering if this new chapter will be moving further into the future of the Jurassic saga. With Owen and Claires adventure into the dino trading underground in that city making for some excitement, we could be heading back to that black market locale. Not to mention, theres always a chance that DeWanda Wises Kayla might pop up in a pinch. She has experience with getting people to secluded dinosaur-filled locales, so itd be a shame not to use her talents. Shes certainly up for the opportunity, even if Wises recent Jurassic World remarks have the Imaginary actor thinking she wont be returning to the series. Its still super early for Jurassic World 4, or whatever this film will be titled, to be spilling the story beans just yet, but with the breadcrumbs already present, Im ready to dive further into what the Jurassic universe has to offer next. In the meantime, if youre looking for a new adventure in the Jurassic World saga, a Netflix subscription will get you access to the latest series, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory. Kate Middleton revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in March. She made her first public appearance in nearly six months in June. And on Monday, she announced that she had finished chemotherapy. Kate Middleton said she's finished with her chemotherapy treatments. On March 22, the Princess of Wales revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for an unspecified type of cancer after months of speculation. Kensington Palace previously announced that Kate had a "planned abdominal surgery" in January, saying she likely wouldn't return to public duty until after Easter. As time passed, her absence led conspiracy theories about the princess to run rampant online, some of which were bolstered after Kensington Palace released an edited photo of Kate and her children on March 10. But Kate spoke directly to the public about her health to announce her illness, revealing her diagnosis and reiterating a request for privacy in a video shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales' social-media accounts. And after making her first official public appearance of the year in June, Kate posted another video on Monday to share she had completed her chemotherapy treatments. Here's everything we know. Kate Middleton made a public appearance on Christmas Day 2023. The royal family on Christmas Day 2023. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images Kate joined the royal family for their annual walk from Sandringham in Norfolk, England, to attend a church service on Christmas Day. The Princess of Wales walked with her children and husband to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in one of her signature coatdresses, much like she did in years past. On January 17, Kensington Palace announced Kate was in the hospital for "a planned abdominal surgery." Kensington Palace said in its statement that Kate would remain in the hospital, The London Clinic, for up to two weeks following the procedure. "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery," the statement read. "The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter." Kensington Palace provided no additional information about what procedure Kate underwent, though the palace told the Associated Press the princess didn't have cancer. The statement also said Kate hoped "her personal medical information remains private" to help provide her children with "normality." "Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share," the statement went on to say. Prince William was photographed visiting Kate at the hospital the following day. Kensington Palace said on January 29 that Kate had returned to Windsor Castle. Kate Middleton in November. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images "The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery," the statement shared on Instagram said. "She is making good progress." William and Kate went on to thank the staff at The London Clinic in the statement, as well as those who sent them well wishes. The same day, Buckingham Palace announced King Charles was returning home after having a procedure for a benign prostate enlargement. Buckingham Palace announced on February 5 that King Charles had cancer. King Charles III during the state tour of France in September 2023. Samir Hussein - Handout/Getty Images Buckingham Palace said in a statement that "a separate issue of concern was noted" during the king's prostate procedure, and additional testing disclosed he had cancer. The palace didn't disclose what form of cancer he was diagnosed with, though they said it wasn't prostate cancer. The statement also said that the king "commenced a schedule of regular treatments" and that although he would still be working from home, he would "postpone public-facing duties" per medical advice. The palace didn't specify how long the king would forgo public-facing work at the time. "His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer," the statement also said. Prince William returned to public duty on February 7. Prince William in March 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images William paused his royal engagements amid Kate's surgery and recovery, returning to work on February 7 for an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. The same day, he attended a gala raising money for the London Air Ambulance, and he thanked the public for their messages of support for Kate, Town & Country reported. "I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days," he said, adding that "it means a great deal to us all." He has attended a handful of public events since. The public was predicted to look to William in Charles and Kate's absences, as he represents the monarchy's future as heir to the throne. "It's an opportunity for him to communicate on behalf of the royal family," Eric Schiffer, the chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, said. In addition, the public generally responds more favorably to younger royals. Without Kate, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, William's youth could be a boon for the monarchy, as Kristen Meizner, a royal watcher, told BI. "They are most focused on the royals when they are of courtship age, getting married, having babies, that kind of thing," she said. "They're not necessarily considered as dazzling or as exciting to the public when they're 60 or 70 or whatnot." Kate was reported on February 9 to have traveled to Norfolk to continue her recovery. Kate Middleton in 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images On February 9, the Daily Mail reported that Kate had joined her family at their home in Sandringham, Anmer Hall, for her children's half-term holiday. The outlet also reported that her recovery was going well at the time. Kate wasn't photographed during her trip from Windsor to Sandringham. King Charles was photographed a few times throughout February, while Kate remained unseen. King Charles and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace on February 21. ONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Although he wasn't taking on public-facing duties, King Charles was still photographed a few times following his cancer diagnosis and the beginning of his treatment. On February 11, he and Queen Camilla were spotted going to church in Sandringham, and he was photographed meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on February 21 at Buckingham Palace. On the other hand, Kate remained absent, as Kensington Palace released no photos or videos of her. William released a rare solo statement on February 20. A statement from The Prince of Wales pic.twitter.com/LV2jMx75DC The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 20, 2024 Typically, William and Kate have released statements as a pair since they got married. But on February 20, Kensington Palace released a statement on only William's behalf regarding the conflict in Gaza, in which he said he remained "deeply concerned about the human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October." "I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible," the statement said. "There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza." William also said he continued "to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found, and I refuse to give up on that." In addition to speaking for only William, the statement had a "W" seal at the top rather than the crown featured on messages from the Prince and Princess of Wales as a unit. William missed a service of thanksgiving on February 27 because of an unnamed personal matter. Prince William didn't attend his godfather's service of thanksgiving. Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty Images On February 27, members of the royal family attended a service of thanksgiving for King Constantine of Greece, King Charles' second cousin and close companion. He was one of William's godfathers. William was set to attend the event alongside Queen Camilla and other family members but missed the service because of a personal matter, Kensington Palace told Business Insider. A palace representative also told BI that Kate was doing well, but they didn't elaborate on what caused William to miss the event. Following his absence, chatter about Kate's prolonged absence from the public eye erupted on social media, with users speculating about why she hadn't been seen in months. The princess was trending on X, and thousands posted about her on TikTok. "Kate Middleton" was also sixth on Google's list of trending search terms on February 27, highlighting how high public interest got in her absence. Kensington Palace reiterated that Kate was "doing well" as William returned to public duty on February 29. Prince William speaking to a Holocaust survivor, Renee Salt, at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue on Thursday. Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images On February 29, Prince William resumed public duty, visiting the Western Marble Arch Synagogue to learn about the Holocaust Educational Trust, as Kensington Palace shared on Instagram. He sat down with a Holocaust survivor, Renee Salt. Rebecca English, a royal editor for the Daily Mail, reported on X that during the conversation, he spoke on behalf of himself and Kate. "Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise in antisemitism," English quoted the prince as saying to Salt. "That's why I'm here today to reassure you all that people do care and people do listen, and we can't let that go." Kensington Palace also reiterated that Kate was "doing well" in a statement sent to BI on February 29. "We gave guidance two days ago that The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well," the statement said. "As we have been clear since our initial statement in January, we shall not be providing a running commentary or providing daily updates." Kate was spotted for the first time in 2024 on March 4. Kate Middleton in September 2023. Chris Jackson/Getty Images On March 4, a sunglasses-clad Princess of Wales was seen riding in a car with her mother, Carole Middleton, in photos obtained by Backgrid and shared by TMZ. According to TMZ, the pair were driving near Windsor Castle when they were photographed, and no other royals or security appeared to accompany them on the drive. The sighting came as Queen Camilla announced she was taking a break from filling in for her husband at royal engagements until March 11. After initially indicating she would attend, the British army removed references to Kate from online tickets for a June event shared on March 5. Kate Middleton during the Trooping the Colour parade in 2023. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images On March 5, outlets like BBC News reported that Kate's name was included on tickets released online to The Colonel's Review, an event the British army hosts amid Trooping the Colour, on June 8. Kate was named the Colonel of The Irish Guards in December 2022, and the Colonel typically participates in the Review. Many took her inclusion on the tickets as a sign she was on track to return to work in the summer. But then, the army quickly removed all references to Kate after the tickets were released because Kensington Palace had not confirmed she would attend. A source close to the situation told Business Insider's Mikhaila Friel the army didn't get approval from Kensington Palace to include references to the princess in the tickets, leading to the confusion. The palace didn't respond to a request for comment from BI on the matter. Kensington Palace released a photo of Kate with her children for Mother's Day but the photo was immediately met with suspicion. March 10 was Mother's Day in the UK, and to commemorate the occasion, Kensington Palace released the first official portrait of Kate since Christmas. In the photo, Kate sits in a chair surrounded by her children, who are all giggling. According to the caption they shared on social media alongside the image, William took the picture of his family in 2024, and the photo appeared to come directly from Kate, as she signed the caption, "C," which stands for Catherine. "Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months," she wrote. "Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day." But shortly after it was released, people began to speculate the photo had been edited. Photo editor Patrick Witty told BI's Shubhangi Goel it was "astonishing" the palace released the photo at all because of issues in the image, pointing to areas where the picture is blurred and things that seemed to be added to the shot during the editing process, like a zipper on Kate's jacket. Later that day, multiple photo agencies removed the picture from their platforms. Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2023. Chris Jackson/Getty Images On March 10, Reuters, the Associated Press, and the French organization Agence France-Presse sent kill notices for the picture, which means it is no longer available for distribution through their platforms. Reuters said it removed the picture after a "post-publication review," while the AP said explicitly in its kill notice that it wouldn't distribute the photo because "it appears the source has manipulated the image. No replacement photo will be sent." Kensington Palace has been accused of editing photos of the royals before, as was the case with the Waleses' 2023 Christmas card, but the photo released on March 10 was the first to be killed by photo agencies. The palace did not respond to a request for comment on the editing controversy. Kate personally apologized for "any confusion" the picture caused on March 11. Kate Middleton in September 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images On March 11, Kate addressed the controversy surrounding the photo in a statement released on social media, seeming to take responsibility for the manipulated image. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she wrote on X. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C." Notably, Kate signed the statement alone. Kensington Palace typically speaks on behalf of the couple as a unit, and the royals said in their initial post that William took the shot. The statement didn't appear to convince royal watchers online. Kate was trending on X, and the edited image had been viewed over 72 million times on the platform. William and Kate were photographed together on March 11 before he attended a Commonwealth Day service. Prince William attends a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March 2024. Henry Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images A few hours after the princess posted on X, the Daily Mail released a photo of William and what appeared to be Kate in a car together leaving Windsor Castle. In the shot, Kate is looking out of the window, so only her profile is visible. According to the outlet, Kate was going to "a private appointment," and William was en route to a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. William was photographed alongside Queen Camilla at the Commonwealth Day service after the photo of him and Kate was published. Multiple tabloids released a video of what appeared to be Kate and William shopping in Windsor on March 18. On March 17, The Sun reported that William and Kate were spotted shopping at a "farm shop" near Adelaide Cottage, their home on the grounds of Windsor Castle. But The Sun's coverage didn't include any images of the prince and princess. Then, on March 18, TMZ and The Sun released a video of what appeared to be William and Kate walking through the market, holding shopping bags. The video was grainy, and Kensington Palace did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider on the matter. On March 22, Kate announced she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in a video, speaking directly to the public. Kate Middleton was receiving treatment for cancer. BBC Studios On March 22, Kensington Palace uploaded a video of Kate speaking directly to a camera on its social media. In the video, Kate said that her abdominal surgery in January was successful, but "tests after the operation found cancer had been present." Her medical team recommended she "undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy" after reviewing the tests, as Kate said in the video. She began treatment in late February, according to a press release shared with BI. The princess said that the diagnosis was a "shock" and that she and William "have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," adding that determining how to share the news with their children was difficult. "As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body, and spirits," Kate said. In the press release shared with BI, Kensington Palace said it would not be revealing what kind of cancer Kate had, nor what stage her cancer was. The release also said Kate would return to work "when she is cleared to do so by her medical team." In the video, Kate reiterated Kensington Palace's previous requests for privacy. "We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment," she said. The Prince and Princess of Wales marked their anniversary with a private photo of their wedding on April 28. To celebrate their 13th anniversary, Kate and William shared a never-before-seen photo from their wedding on Instagram. The caption on the post was simple, reading, "13 years ago today!" William said Kate was "doing well" during a royal engagement on May 10. Prince William speaks to two people in Sicily, Italy, in May 2024. WPA Pool/Getty Images Kensington Palace had not released any official updates, but on May 10, William said Kate was "doing well" when asked about her health in a video recorded by Sky News. Kate apologized for missing a rehearsal for Trooping the Colour on June 8. Catherine, Princess of Wales travels down the mall in a horse-drawn carriage during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images Kate became Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022, inheriting the title from Prince William. As the Colonel, she's meant to oversee the Colonel's Review, a rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, the king's official birthday celebration. However, Kate was unable to attend this year. The Irish Guards shared a letter from Kate on X, in which she apologized for missing the rehearsal. "Being your Colonel remains a great honour, and I am very sorry that I am unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review," she wrote. "Please pass my whole apologies to the Regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon." On June 14, Kate announced she would attend Trooping the Colour, her first royal event of 2024. I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. I am making good progress, but as anyone going pic.twitter.com/J1jTlgwRU8 The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2024 On June 14, Kate announced in a post on Kensington Palace's official social-media accounts that she would attend Trooping the Colour. The event, which took place on June 15, marked Kate's first official appearance of the year and her first since publicly sharing her cancer diagnosis. In the post, accompanied by a photograph of Kate taken at her home in Windsor, the princess wrote that she was making "good progress" with her chemotherapy treatment, adding that there were "good days and bad days." "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well," she wrote. Kate added that her treatment was ongoing but that she was starting to do "a little work from home" and hoped to be able to join other "public engagements over the summer." "I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty," she added. "Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal." "I'm looking forward to attending The King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family," she wrote, adding that she is grateful for the public's "continued understanding" and support. It was announced that King Charles would also attend his official birthday celebration, though he would ride in a carriage instead of on horseback. Kate stuck close to her family throughout Trooping the Colour. Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte attend Trooping the Colour 2024. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images During the parade, Kate rode in a carriage with George, Charlotte, and Louis, smiling and waving to the crowd. She later watched the RAF flyover from Buckingham Palace's balcony alongside William, her children, and other senior members of the royal family, including King Charles. William and Kate shared photos from Trooping the Colour on their official social-media accounts. "A memorable day at The King's Birthday Parade," the caption of their post read. "From the Irish Guards Trooping their colour to seeing so many faces on the Mall, thank you for making it a day to remember." Kate made her first solo appearance after her diagnosis at Wimbledon on July 17. Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton at the men's singles finals at Wimbledon 2024. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images About a month after Trooping the Colour, Kate took another step toward returning to her royal work by attending the Wimbledon Championships men's singles final. Kate brought her daughter Charlotte, and the pair were photographed watching the match together. She also presented the winner, Carlos Alcaraz, with his trophy. She said it was "great to be back at Wimbledon" in an Instagram post about the event. The Princess of Wales announced on Monday that she had completed chemotherapy. Kate took to Instagram again on Monday to announce she was finished with chemotherapy in a video filmed by Will Warr. The video showed clips of the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children and Kate's parents. "As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment," Kate said in a voiceover that played in the video. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown." The Princess of Wales also shared a bit about her experience with cancer in her statement. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you," she said. "With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything." "This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved," she added. Although the princess said she is "looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can," she made clear that her health is still her priority. "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus," she said. "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes." Read the original article on Business Insider Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Tommi Lee was arrested early Monday morning for battery after allegedly attacking a man outside a club. It happened outside Club LIV, People Magazine reports. Lee, whose real name is Atasha Jefferson, allegedly approached a man whom she says she has never met and attempted to hand him something. But once he denied the offer, Jefferson allegedly became aggressive, poked him in the face, cursed at him, and threatened to have him killed, People said. According to WPLG-TV, after the confrontation, the man grabbed Jeffersons arms and held them behind her back until police got there. During their investigation, police said they viewed surveillance footage that showed the incident, which corroborated the victims account of what happened, WPLG reported. RELATED NEWS: She was arrested on a battery charge and taken to jail. This is not the first time that Jefferson has had a run-in with the law. In 2018, Jefferson was arrested in Cobb County, twice in less than 48 hours. She was initially arrested at her childs middle school after she was accused of shoving their head into a locker there. She was charged with felony aggravated assault, simple battery, first-degree child cruelty and disruption of public schools. Less than 48 hours later, she was arrested again for aggravated stalking and obstruction of an officer. She was accused of hiding in her attic when police arrived at her Smyrna home to arrest her. IN OTHER NEWS: Over twenty years ago, Holly Valance was starring on an Australian soap opera and topping charts with bubbly pop singles. Now, shes a top moneymaker for Donald Trump abroad. Valance, 41, just hosted a fundraiser for Trumps 2024 presidential campaign in London, with some tickets costing up to $100,000. Nigel Farage a long-time Trump ally and the leading conservative force behind Brexit was in attendance, alongside the former presidents oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. Only US citizens and permanent residents were able to make donations because of US election law that bans foreign contributions to campaigns. I would say that everyone starts as a lefty and then wakes up at some point after you start either making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, and then realize what crap ideas they all are, and then you go to the right, Valance told British outlet GB News earlier this month. Valances views include denying climate change the air is better than when I was growing up, she said and expressing disdain for woke-ism, the BBC reports. From left to right, Nick Candy, Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and Holly Valance pose for a photo at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate. Valance, a former pop star, just hosted a massive fundraiser for Trump in London. (Twitter) The pop star has also called climate activist Greta Thunberg a demonic little gremlin. Her husband, Nick Candy, is also a major conservative supporter, making large donations to the Tory Party, according to the BBC. The couple have been public supporters of both Trump and Farage since 2022. Valance has also claimed credit for encouraging Farage to run for office again as leader of the Reform UK Party. I have been whispering in his ear for a long time, she said, per GB News. Greg Swenson, a spokesperson for Republicans Overseas UK, a campaign group for Trumps party, told The Guardian the former presidents recent felony convictions have energized British supporters. Weve already noticed that people who were writing checks for $100 are now writing for $1,000, he said. The question is what it means for the independents and those who are undecided. Before her political days, Valance was a well-known TV and musical performer. Holly Valance, pictured, is a former pop star and actress. (John Sciulli/Getty Images for Gday USA Gala) At sixteen, she was cast on the Australian soap opera Neighbours, which she appeared in until 2022. She released her first pop single, Kiss Kiss in 2002. Her second single, Down Boy, topped charts in both the UK and Australia. She released several high-selling albums until 2004 when she stepped away from music. That year, she broke into US television with roles on CSI: Miami and Entourage. Since 2013, she has largely taken a hiatus from acting and music. F/V Northwestern deckhand Nick Mavar Jr., seen on the left in this photo released in 2007, has died at 59, according to police. Nick Mavar Jr., a deckhand for the F/V Northwestern who was featured on the series "Deadliest Catch" over the course of 15 years, has died. He was 59 years old. Mavar died Thursday in Naknek, Alaska, following a medical emergency, Bristol Bay Borough Police Chief Jeff Elbie told USA TODAY Friday. The longtime fisherman, whose legal name was Nickola Mavar Jr., was pronounced dead after he was transported to a medical facility, according to Elbie. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for the F/V Northwestern and Discovery for comment. TMZ was first to report the news. In a statement to USA TODAY on Friday, F/V Northwestern Captain Sig Hansen shared, "I have known Nick Mavar for my entire fishing career, he has worked on our family boat for 25 plus years. He was more than a crew member, he was a very good friend and a right hand man." He continued, "The passing of Nick Mavar spread through the fishing community like wild fire. This is no surprise because of how well known and respected he was by the fishing fleet." Mavar appeared on 16 seasons of "Deadliest Catch," which started airing on Discovery Channel in 2005. Fifteen years after making his debut in Season 2, Mavar's final appearance on the Emmy-nominated show was in Season 17, which aired in 2021. "Deadliest Catch," now in its 20th season, follows crab fisherman off the coast of Alaska as they continuously defy death during expeditions in the Bering Sea. In December 2022, Mavar sued his employer F/V Northwestern, LLC, alleging he was "seriously and permanently injured" when he suffered a ruptured appendix while on board the ship "following a time period of repeated reports of pain and discomfort." Mavar claimed his employer was negligent in failing to obtain timely medical care that would have prevented the rupture. A "cancerous tumor" was later found to be growing inside his appendix, he claimed. A trial date is scheduled for April 2025, according to King County Superior Court records. Several months after Mavar's filing, the F/V Northwestern sued "Deadliest Catch's" production company for failing to provide appropriate medical care while requiring the vessel's adherence to COVID-19 protocols. The production company, in a June 2023 filing, asked the court to dismiss the case and denied "any and all liability, and denies that it acted negligently or contributed to any injury Mavar may have suffered that is or becomes the subject of this action." The case is ongoing, though the judge ruled to suspend proceedings pending the resolution Mavar's case in Washington. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nick Mavar dead: 'Deadliest Catch' longtime deckhand dies at 59 The buzz around Prince Harry looking for a UK home continues to heat up, and there might be a good explanation as to why. It may seem simple to say that its the Duke of Sussexs way of trying to end the royal family feud, but a former palace staffer thinks there is a better reason why he and Meghan Markle are taking steps toward their old lives. No one is expecting them to pack up and move away from California, but they may be trying to execute their original half-in, half-out strategy that they pitched to Queen Elizabeth II before their exit. If Harry does buy a place in the UK, he and Meghan will live here for part of the year and part of the year in the States, that was the original idea, former royal butler Grant Harrold told the New York Post. I would assume that this would mean Meghan would also be coming to the UK and youd see them spending so many months of the year here. More from SheKnows ABUJA, NIGERIA MAY 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet with the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May 10, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. While its easy to understand that Meghan probably wouldnt want to be in the UK permanently, it would be a solid European base for them as they expand the Invictus Games and root their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, in his home country. I can believe that Harry would like to be back here, he loves the UK. He had an amazing upbringing here, he loved living here and I remember that Harrold added. Their recent visit to Nigeria was not a royal tour, obviously, but it leaned into the work they do best philanthropy mixed with their natural charisma. When they left their senior royal roles in 2020, Buckingham Palace issued a statement about their differences with the Sussexes vision. Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service, the statement read. While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family. Yet, Harry and Meghan made sure they had the last word after the disappointing outcome, sharing in their own statement, We can all live a life of service. Service is universal. Thats exactly why they seem to be plotting the next stage of their career, and a home base in the U.K. makes sense from their very global perspective. Before you go, click here to see more of Meghan Markle & Prince Harrys milestones since leaving the royal family. Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 'There is a drive within you to stay alive. My attitude is now do or die, get on with it,' says Sandy Robertson - Christopher Pledger For Sandy Robertson, June 15 1972, began as a calm day afloat on a small patch of the mighty Pacific Ocean, 200 miles west of the Galapagos. The then 12-year-old was at the helm of the Lucette, an ageing, 43ft wooden schooner, with his older brother Douglas by his side. Together with the rest of their family, the boys were sailing around the world, and the going on this particular morning was good. The conditions were fine and the Lucette was sailing really well, says Sandy, now 64. Everyones spirits were high and we were looking forward to the journey ahead. Left to right: Douglas, Neil, Anne, Dougal, Lyn, Sandy aboard the Lucette Sandys twin brother Neil, parents Dougal and Lyn, and Robin Williams, a 22-year-old Welsh statistician who had joined the family on their adventure across the worlds largest body of water, were below deck at the time as the Lucette made headway for the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. But the tranquillity wasnt to last. Without warning, there was an almighty crash, sending the mug of coffee Sandy was holding flying through the air. While he managed to remain upright, with one hand still on the wheel, Douglas was knocked off his feet. I thought, Oh my God, I have hit something and Dad is going to kill me, says Sandy. In fact, something had hit them, three times in quick succession. I turned around in the cockpit and saw a pod of killer whales in the ocean, says Sandy. I looked into the engine compartment where my father was and I could see water. The Lucette had been attacked by orcas. There was one hole in the aft cabin and one in the head where the toilet was. Within seconds, it became horrifyingly clear that the boat was sinking. The 38 days which followed marked a struggle for survival one that still resonates more than half a century on, for its demonstration of the indomitability of the human spirit. Dougal and Lyn invested their life savings in the Lucette, a 50-year-old, 19-ton schooner The voyage of a lifetime It was four years earlier, while following Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in the 1968 round-the-world yacht race from their home in Staffordshire that Sandy and his family were first inspired to embark on an escapade of their own. Dougal, a no-nonsense farmer who had served in the Merchant Navy, and midwife Lyn had married almost two decades before, in 1951. Four children followed. Dougal and his daughter Anne, who fell in love with a man in the Bahamas But life was difficult, and by the time they watched Sir Robin complete the first single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, they had grown tired of eking a living out of their dairy farm at Meerbrook, near the market town of Leek. Within two years, they had sold-up and invested their life savings in the Lucette, a 50-year-old, 19-ton schooner. On January 27 1971, their sailing dream finally came to fruition when they set off from Falmouth harbour on the journey of a lifetime. Daughter Anne, then 18, Douglas, then 17, and twins Sandy and Neil, then 11, all had zero sailing experience. We had spent six months living on the boat in Falmouth, getting everything ready, and not once did Dad take us out round the bay for a gentle sail, says Sandy. The family did prepare, however, by having their appendixes removed to avoid any bouts of appendicitis during their trip. From Falmouth to the Galapagos The first leg a journey of more than 820 nautical miles to Lisbon was blighted by gale-force winds, and Lyn, Anne and the twins were crippled by seasickness. But by the time the family had reached the Portuguese coast, after 11 days of sailing, they had discovered their sea legs, each familiarising themselves with the workings of the boat. Over the course of the next six months, they travelled coast to coast, journeying from Lisbon to Las Palmas, on Gran Canaria, followed by the Caribbean. It was there, in the Bahamas, that Anne met a man and fell in love. After travelling with the group for a while, he and Anne eventually abandoned the trip, returning to Nassau. The rest of the family went on. In July 1971, the Robertsons arrived in Miami, where in a stroke of luck that would later prove decisive, they met a fellow sailing family who kindly gave them their life raft. Dougal also bought a 10ft fibreglass dinghy, which they named Ednamair after Lyns sisters, Edna and Mary from a local school. Following a brief visit back to the Bahamas, the group eventually departed Miami in January, 1972, headed for Panama via Jamaica, among other stops along the way. After arriving in Colon in late March, Dougal set about turning the Ednamair into a sailing dinghy. It was also where the family met Robin, the Welsh statistician, who was a sailing novice. Robin was backpacking around the world and was particularly keen to get to New Zealand. After learning of the Robertsons plan, he asked if he could tag along in return for giving the twins a few maths lessons along the way. Dougal and Lyn quickly took him up on the offer. From left to right: Neil, Sandy, Lyn, Dougal, Sir Alec Rose (standing), Robin Williams and Douglas They set off in mid-May and by June 1 1972, the family and their plus one had reached the Galapagos Islands, where they immersed themselves in the local flora and fauna which had so fascinated Charles Darwin during his own visit to the remote volcanic archipelago 137 years earlier. The visit would prove to be their last moments on land for nearly six weeks. Whales! Whales! The boat was in perfect working order as they set off from the Galapagos on June 13 1972, Sandy says. But within two days disaster struck when a trio of orcas delivered a series of blows to the Lucette. In what would prove to be a fortunate twist of fate, the attack came just moments after Dougal had abandoned an unsuccessful fishing attempt. A stickler for keeping a tight ship, their father was always telling the boys to make sure they stowed the fishing line away. But on this occasion, they hadnt, leaving it lying out onboard instead. It was 9.55am and I had just been given a cup of coffee. Then suddenly there was an almighty crash and the cup of coffee was airborne, says Sandy. Douglas was screaming, Whales! Whales! Water began flooding into the Lucette, forcing Dougal to try to plug one of several holes created by the orcas with a pillow. But realising he was fighting a losing battle, he gave the command to abandon ship and freed the inflatable life raft and the Ednamair, which were tied together. Within little more than a minute, the family and Robin had gathered all they could in their arms and leapt into the ocean. Mum gave me a bag of red onions. I stepped off the boat and rolled onto my back clutching them, says Sandy. Panicked, the group scrambled their way to the life raft one by one. All of them were barefoot, and dressed in shorts and T-shirts. As they regrouped, they picked through the supplies they had managed to scoop up before abandoning the Lucette among them Lyns sewing kit, the bag of onions, 10 oranges, six lemons and the fishing line. The 8ft by 6ft life raft was equipped with a survival pack including flares and a knife, as well as rations amounting to a days worth of food and water for 10 people. I saw the top of the Lucettes mast disappearing under the water, says Sandy. Neil then started crying and Mum was comforting him. He said: Im not crying because were in a life raft, Im crying because we have lost the Lucette. Heading for the doldrums Before the family began their fight for survival, they bickered. There was no help on the horizon, they had no map, no compass and nobody was aware of their situation. Blame was being levelled. Mum told Dad he had put us at risk. Douglas told them both to shut up, and said that we had to get on with what we needed to do day to day, says Sandy. Sparked into action, Dougal vowed to his family that he would make sure they made it back to land alive. He hatched a plan to sail north, towards an area known by sailors as the doldrums a belt around the Earth near the equator, where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet and rainstorms are almost constant. Dad knew that going north we would hit the doldrums. That was our point of call for collecting water to drink, says Sandy. But the journey would take more than two weeks, meaning survival in the meantime depended on capturing the little rainwater they could using a catchment panel on the raft and apportioning it accordingly. Dougal rationed it stringently allowing for one sip each per hour. At their lowest point, the group of six were surviving on only a mouthful each a day. Food supplies soon dwindled. After about six days, a precious stash of glucose sweets and high-protein biscuits was almost all gone. We learnt to eat them in a million different ways. I would eat them all at once and then spend the next three hours bringing them back up into my mouth and eating them again until there was nothing left, says Sandy. A week after being forced to abandon the Lucette, the group saw their first glimpse of hope it proved to be fleeting. A cargo ship passed us, about a mile or so away. Dad sent flares up, but it just sailed by, says Sandy. We were covered in thick black excrement Later the same day, the group managed to successfully catch their first turtle using the rafts rescue line. An aborted attempt just days earlier had seen a turtle nearly rip the life raft to shreds with its claws before the group tossed it back into the ocean. Almost every part of the animal was devoured. Dad pumped the blood into a jar. He drank the first mouthful and then passed it round. If you were last to drink, the serum had separated and you had to put your finger in and whisk it around before you drank it, says Sandy. We would also roll the eyeballs around our mouths for ages until the membrane dissolved and they popped. They tasted salty. The group also made their way through every last morsel of the oranges and the onions salvaged from the Lucette. We ate every last bit the skin, the lot. Nothing was wasted. If I eat an orange or a red onion now, I go straight back to the life raft, says Sandy. Lyn did her best to comfort the others, using bits of sail to craft makeshift bedding and rubbing turtle oil into their skin to help keep them warm at night, when the days gave way to plummeting temperatures. Despite her best efforts, conditions were becoming increasingly wretched. There was a constant pool of saltwater mixed with human excrement and turtle offal in the bottom of the raft which left them all with boils. One particularly grim incident involved her using the liquid to administer enemas aimed at rehydrating the group. Robin refused, but Dougal, the twins and Douglas recognised that it was for their own good. We had a rubber tube from the raft ladder and Dad sharpened the end of it. Mum used turtle oil as lubricant. Gravity meant you were filled up with the dirty water, says Sandy. Bear Grylls swears by it, but what he doesnt tell you is that what goes in has to come out. The following day we were covered in thick black excrement. Even by our new standards, it was disgusting. I spy and a lack of sleep On the 15th day of their ordeal, the group finally reached the doldrums. But there was little respite to be found, and within 48 hours, life aboard the raft had taken another downward turn. The seams started to wear and water started coming in, says Sandy. You were sitting there with it up to your chest. You would fall asleep and your head would hit the water and wake you up. Equally worrying was what was going on outside the raft. The minnows the group had been catching were attracting bigger fish and with them sharks, which began circling the vessel, occasionally nudging it too. It was at this point that the group made the decision to jump ship to the bailed out Ednamair. Once aboard they adapted their survival tactics, using the dinghys mast to hang up the fish they caught, allowing them to dry in the sun and therefore last longer. A photograph taken after the rescue to show how the Robertson family and Robin fitted on the Ednamair One of the nicest things we ate on board was some flying fish we found inside a dorados stomach. It tasted marinated and all the scales had come off, says Sandy. Also the best-tasting meat was the stuff that was green and slimy, essentially rotting it was soft and tasted beautiful. Despite routine catches, the group was losing weight fast. They talked about food for hours on end, taking it in turns to reveal what their first meal would be if they made it to land. Mine was steak, egg and chips and a can of Coke. We also invented a cafe called Dougals and we would take it in turns to invent a menu, says Sandy. The six leant on such games in an effort to keep morale from hitting rock bottom I spy among them. We werent allowed to do anything outside the dinghy as it was invariably only something beginning with S. Sea, sky, sun says Sandy. Day 20 of being stranded, July 4, saw them celebrate Lyns birthday with a feast of turtle meat and dried dorado. But while spirits were generally high, logistics proved a continual challenge. Fitting six people in a 10ft boat meant that they were literally sitting on top of one another, and it was impossible to jump into the water when nature called. The freeboard was four inches above the level of the sea, so we couldnt get out to go to the loo because we would have sunk the dinghy, says Sandy. So we had to go where we were and it just covered everybody. To make matters worse, there wasnt much sleep. We took it in turns to sit on the centre thwart because it was so cold at night and this meant you avoided the water in the bottom of the boat, says Sandy, who contracted pneumonia while at sea. The prospect of death was discussed. Lyn said that if Sandy died, she would get in the water with his body and die with him. Boils and ulcers ravaged all of their bodies. If you touched them they were so painful and the salt made it worse, says Sandy. He held onto the flare until the tips of his fingers were burnt Day 28 brought with it enormous swells 20ft waves that crashed down around the boat, requiring it to be constantly bailed out. Sodden, the family pressed on, heading north-west, and within two days had edged back into the northern hemisphere confirmed by Douglass reading of the night sky. Calmer waters awaited them there, at least for a few days, but the threats were unrelenting. One morning I was flicking the water with my finger to make ripples, says Sandy. Just at that moment, a white-tipped shark fin came out. It must have been following us for days and eating all the turtle shells and remains that we had been throwing into the water. It was bigger than the boat. If it had hit us, the boat would have capsized. Nearly six weeks after the orcas wrecked the Lucette, salvation finally came early on the evening of July 23 1972 day 38, when the group spotted a boat while playing a game of I spy. Dad said, Theres a ship over there! Pass me the flares! says Sandy. He set off the first one and waited. The second one was a dud. Then he stood on the centre thwart and set fire to the sail with the final flare. He held onto the flare until the tips of his fingers were burnt. The boat, a Japanese fishing vessel called the Toka Maru II, was on its way to the Panama Canal. Its watchman fortuitously saw the red arc of the distress flare lit by Dougal. They came alongside but they couldnt speak English, says Sandy. With the Ednamair surrounded by sharks, the rescuers hurriedly dropped a rope ladder into the water, allowing Sandy and his twin brother to escape the dinghy first. The others followed. I climbed up the ladder and saw Neil lying on the floor and I wondered what was wrong with him, says Sandy. Then as I tried to stand up I collapsed too. Our ankles were so weak we couldnt stand. The Robertson family, just moments after being discovered by the Japanese crew on board Toka Maru II Once they were all off the Ednamair, Dougal pleaded with the Japanese crew to bring the dinghy on board. Kindly, they agreed it now sits in the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall. Ednamair is exhibited in the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall After feeding them a meal of bread and butter accompanied by black coffee, their saviours were quick to usher the group into the showers. We had basically just stepped off a floating abattoir, says Sandy. We were covered in boils, sores and excrement. The skin was peeling off our fingers. We had no idea we smelt. Next, the family and Robin were given some sushi and noodles. I remember still regurgitating my food. Dad asked me what I was doing. He hadnt realised I had been doing it before, says Sandy. Borrowing money for a boat back home The Ednamair was bobbing around some 300 miles west of Costa Rica when the group was rescued. They had travelled more than 750 miles by raft and dinghy in total. The Toka Maru ferried them to Panama City, where the worlds press were waiting as the group stepped foot on land again four days later on July 27 1972. Robin and the family were immediately checked over by medics. By now, Sandy was coughing up white phlegm and had to be treated with antibiotics as he battled a confirmed lung infection. All of the group had also lost a considerable amount of weight, haemorrhaging up to 13kg (28lb 10oz) each while at sea. After almost a month spent recuperating in Panama, it was eventually time to travel back to Britain onboard the MV Port Auckland. We had to borrow money from the government to get a boat home to Liverpool, says Sandy. Anne awaited them there, though readjusting to normal life wasnt easy and often Sandy wished he was back atop the deep waters of the Pacific, a world away from the rediscovered boredom of maths classes and regimented tea times. My first day back at school I wanted to be back on the raft. It was terrible, he says. In the middle of the Pacific there was nothing to complain about. Looking back now, Sandy believes his fathers determination to save his family would have seen them survive the ordeal even if they hadnt been rescued. But he admits the family struggled upon their return, shuffling between staying with cousins to living in a hotel, a caravan and then rented accommodation. Sadly, Lyn and Dougals marriage didnt last. Dad ended up moving to Greece to write his book, Survive the Savage Sea, and we would visit in the school holidays. He then moved to France, says Sandy. Lyn eventually returned to Dougals side when he became terminally ill later in life. She nursed him right up until his death in 1991, and seven years later, was buried alongside him. Sandy went on to become a mechanical engineer. He carried on sailing and even brought his own four children up on a 100ft trawler moored in Shoreham, West Sussex. He and his wife Deborah, 61, now have nine grandchildren. The brothers remain close and still keep in touch with Robin, who lives in Bristol. Sandy recently flew out to Japan to meet the captain of the vessel that rescued them all. I also met some of the crew. It was emotional and very rewarding, he says. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sandy says his experiences more than half a century ago have come to define his life ever since, informing his sense of resilience and self-sufficiency. Everybody has an inner warrior, he says. Man is a hunter. There is a drive within you to stay alive. My attitude is now do or die, get on with it. Besides, he says, no matter how difficult life on land occasionally gets: Worse things happen at sea. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Derismond Germinal, 30 years old, who arrived in Boston last December gets a graduation certificate and a medallion from NECAT the New England Culinary Arts Training program. Hes a good cook too, said Chef Michelene Desormeau, an instructor at the school. Germoinal is thrilled. He told us through a translator, The fact Im graduating today and I faced a lot of difficulty to get here, he said. Derismond is one of 17 migrants. All of them arrived in December of 2023 and graduated Thursday night. This pilot program is aimed at helping the large number of Haitian migrants and it is taught by a Haitian immigrant, Chef Michelene Desormeau. She is now the owner of a successful catering business called Breez that is based in Boston. She also attended NECAT and thats how she got her start in the culinary world. Those people came from Haiti and arrived here with almost nothing, she said. Desormeau knows firsthand the struggles and the dreams these immigrants have. She says now those dreams can come true. Now having an education where they can go and work somewhere else and make their own money and take care of their family, thats really great, said Desormeau. Each of these graduates sincerely thankful, some emotional. Many made harrowing trips to get to the U.S. Germinal traveled through ten countries with his wife and two year old daughter. They arrived in Boston sleeping at Logan Airport for eight nights and then were placed in a shelter in Cambridge where they still live. He works two jobs in addition to going to school and he says this opportunity is the American dream come true for his family. So today is a joy for me I feel happy because I am graduating in the culinary art industry, said Germinal. He hopes now to find a place to rent for his family and to eventually become a manager in a restaurant. The State Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development attended the graduation saying so far through programs like this 1,100 migrants have found jobs in Massachusetts. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW So youve caught the bourbon itch, and youre eager to travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Cool but so have hundreds of thousands of other people, too. The Kentucky Distillers Association reported 2.55 million visits to Kentuckys distilleries in 2023, and visitors came from 48 states, 20 countries, and six continents. Kentucky bourbons popularity has boomed over the past decade, and craft distilling and the tourism industry has blossomed alongside it. The demand means walk-in tours and tastings arent always available and reservations for lodging, experiences, and dining are often encouraged. If you plan to travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, come prepared. Ahead of the summer travel season, The Courier Journal reached out to tourism officials in Louisville, Bardstown and Frankfort to distill down just how far in advance you should hammer down your plans. Ready to hit the trail? Here's what to know about planning a Kentucky bourbon adventure. Is there a time of year when Kentucky Bourbon Trail is less busy? The barrels of bourbon will age two years inside a small rickhouse at Limestone Branch Distillery. The end of winter, generally, tends to be the least busy time to visit Kentucky, but in recent years, many distilleries have seen an uptick around the winter holiday season and even in January, February and early March. When should you book a tour at a Kentucky bourbon distillery? Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky Tourism officials recommend booking tours at least a month in advance, but this largely depends on the distillery you want to go to. Distilleries individually release calendars for booking dates, some distilleries, like the ever-popular Buffalo Trace Distillery (which is not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail), opens bookings two months in advance and offer a waitlist. Other distilleries have calendars that extend out three months or more in advance. Officials suggest researching the distilleries you know you want to visit first, figuring out when those calendars will be released, and booking those must-see experiences as soon as possible. Set calendar reminders in your phone, so that you can circle back when the time comes. When should I book a hotel or Airbnb for a trip along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? Stitzel-Weller Distillery entrance in Louisville. If you're planning a trip for a weekend in April, early May, September, or October book ahead as much as possible. In most cases, you can find accommodations in Frankfort with about two weeks' advanced notice. Bardstown officials recommended booking at least 1-2 months in advance. For major events, such as Bardstown's Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September, some people secure rooms a full year ahead of time. When should I make a reservation at a Kentucky bourbon distillery restaurant? The Kitchen Table at the Jim Beam Distillery offers several signature cocktails, from the Chaiball that mixes Jim Beam with chai and carbonated water to the Crop Circle, with Old Crow, a poblano pepper, charred corn, lime and chipotle oil. In general, officials recommend booking a dining reservation at least two weeks ahead of time. Distillery restaurants, typically, operate fewer hours than traditional restaurants, so their reservations will be scarcer. If youve already secured a bourbon experience at a distillery, try to book a reservation that coincides with it. When should I book a tour company to help me travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? A distillation column at Rabbit Hole distillery. Sept. 22, 2018 Again, officials recommend locking this down as soon as possible. Many tour companies open up their calendars for booking as much as a year in advance. How many Kentucky bourbon distilleries can you visit in a single day? The expanded gift shop at Louisville bourbon distiller Angel's Envy. The distiller is expanding to meet the demand fo its products and interest in touring its facility. June 8, 2022 Tours typically range from 30 to 90 minutes. As you're planning your calendar, make sure youre watching how closely you stack them and what your travel time between distilleries may be. Many distilleries have cocktail bars and gift shops, so even if you have some lag time in between, you will almost certainly have somewhere interesting to linger. The closer the distilleries are to each other, the more you can visit in a day. Louisville, for example, has several distilleries within walking distance of each other, and in Lexington, you can hit three distilleries back-to-back at the Distillery District. Travelers will need a car or tour bus to get around distilleries in Bardstown or Frankfort. A leisurely traveler can hit about three in a single day, whereas a more thorough planner might go to five. What are the hidden gems along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. Smaller craft distilleries tend to be easier to book a tour with than internationally known brands. Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour may have more availability than the traditional Kentucky Bourbon Trail. For example, Whiskey Thief Distilling Company in Frankfort still offers walk-in tours, but they recommend you call ahead. Many newer or smaller distilleries are not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail such as J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort as well as Louisville's Buzzards Roost and NuLu Whiskey Company. Bardstown Bourbon Company and Castle & Key also operate tasting rooms in downtown Louisville. Features columnist Maggie Menderski writes about what makes Louisville, Southern Indiana and Kentucky unique, wonderful, and occasionally, a little weird. If you've got something in your family, your town or even your closet that fits that description she wants to hear from you. Sometimes she writes about bourbon, too. Say hello at mmenderski@courier-journal.com. Follow along on Instagram @MaggieMenderski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Tips and advice for booking Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery tours Scenes from the 2022 West Akron Parade and the 24th Annual Akron Juneteenth Festival at Stoner/Hawkins Park in Akron. The city of Akron canceled this weekend's Juneteenth celebration plans due to safety concerns raised by City Council members. Mayor Shammas Malik announced the cancellation of the Juneteenth celebrations, as well as all events on public property, during a Friday evening press conference. Malik said a Wednesday, June 19, Juneteenth event will be held at the John S. Knight Center. He encouraged all organizers to reroute their celebrations there and offered the space to their vendors. What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth, officially celebrated June 19, remembers the day when the last enslaved person in the United States became free in 1865. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 1, 1863, which abolished slavery in Confederate states, but it was not until about 2 years later that Union troops had stopped the last remaining slavery acts in the country when they arrived in Texas. Also known as African American Emancipation Day, it became a federal holiday in 2021. Downtown Akron event Juneteenth is an important part of American and Akron history, and the events the city plans every year work to reflect that. "Each year, we've had the honor of working with several members of the African American community in Akron to plan the downtown Juneteenth celebrations," said Dominic Caruso, communications director for Downtown Akron Partnership, the group that organized the event lineup. "Through their efforts, advice and engagement, DAP has been able to plan the celebration in a way that responds to what the community wants and thinks is important about Juneteenth." The first event honoring Juneteenth in the city began 26 years ago. Downtown Akron Partnership has organized Juneteenth celebrations for four years now, and Caruso said the downtown events attract at least hundreds of people. It was not immediately clear whether events planned Monday or later will be permitted to go forward as planned. Events planned for Monday and later include: Monday, June 17: 6-7 p.m. at Odom Boulevard Branch Library, 600 Vernon Odom Blvd.: The Juneteenth - Celebrating the History and Importance workshop will discuss the holiday's impact and significance. Tuesday, June 18: 3-7 p.m. at Maple Valley Library, 1187 Copley Road: Let's Celebrate Juneteenth, presented by the New Generation Drill Team and Flag Unit, will feature vendors, door prizes and the video, "What's the meaning of Juneteenth?" Wednesday, June 19: 1-7 p.m. at Akron Urban League, 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.: The Akron Urban League's Juneteenth Celebration will highlight ST1XX, an Akron-based musician. 4-7 p.m. at John Brown House, 550 Copley Road: The Honoring Our Past. Celebrating the Present. Renewing Our Faith in the Future event will feature activities at the Akron Zoo and John Brown House, along with a bus tour of Akron historical sites. Tour tickets cost $20 each. June 21: 6-8 p.m. at The Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.: Juneteenth Adult Mix & Mingle will allow adult residents to become more familiar with the city's Black-owned businesses while building connections. Tickets are free but required. June 22: 3 -8:30 p.m. at Cascade Plaza, located on Main Street between Huntington Tower and PNC Tower: The Juneteenth Celebration Saturday Family Celebration will offer food, games and vendor options for community members of all ages. The New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform at 8:30 p.m. in the Lock 3 Backyard. Reporter Bryce Buyakie contributed to this report. Reporter Isabella Schreck can be contacted at ischreck@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron 2024 Juneteenth schedule: Weekend events canceled People often ask me if this generation of young people, whose childhoods have been shaped by early exposure to social media and whose social development was truncated by COVID-19, are going to be all right in the long run. I guess the people asking think that because I am a high school teacher, I know something about this. I am no social scientist, but I do worry about this generation for those and other reasons including that they are coming of age at a time of rising authoritarianism, rampant hatred and ignorance, and a warming planet but I try to stay hopeful. For me and a lot of other educators, this time of year provides a source of hope. I suppose one could see it otherwise. At almost every graduation are the ghosts of kids who dropped out or met a tragic end. Among the graduates are those sometimes many whose immediate prospects are particularly uncertain. Optimism like idealism is, for most educators, a survival tool, and so what we see in the rows of caps and gowns are kids who are undaunted and unstoppable. This year, I actually am feeling an extra charge of optimism seeing two students graduate one from our high school and another from college despite being born with autism. I watched my brother and my parents struggle For me, this is personal. I watched my big brother struggle in a world that had little room for someone with autism. I saw my parents try desperately, almost entirely on their own, without support, to help Andy experience joy and meaning and success of some kind. I saw their hearts break as they watched his life slowly shrink away in isolation. Even after Congress made inclusiveness access the law of the land (first through the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations, and then through the U.S. code requiring the least restrictive environment in special education), we could only marginally improve my brothers circumstances before he died. My mother never gave up on my brother. Because of her, I never give up on my students. To be clear, my brother had other cognitive challenges beyond his autism, but I cannot help imagining how much better his life would have been if he had been born 20 or 30 or 40 years later. I try not to dwell on the what-ifs. It's made easier by having had the privilege of knowing and teaching Zimako Ezechukwu, who graduated high school this month with honors, and Aderix Campos, who earned a political science degree from California State University, Long Beach less than three years after graduating from our high school. Aderix Campos graduates in May 2024 with a political science degree from California State University, Long Beach just three years after graduating from Middle College High School in Los Angeles. I am more than impressed by the accomplishments of these two young men, including the A that Aderix earned in my AP Literature class and the A that Zimako earned from me in creative writing and film. Both are well-read, well-informed, articulate, imaginative and creative. What moves me equally is the effortless inclusiveness I have seen from their peers. Zimako and Aderix had both been afflicted earlier in their lives with isolation and bullying, but I am proud to say not in high school. Our students, despite all their own challenges growing up in the inner city, many with immigrant parents hated by nearly half the country, never had to be told to be kind or patient or friendly toward Aderix or Zimako. It seemed to come naturally to them, so that Aderix, despite spending his senior year in COVID-19 distance learning, graduated high school as part of a friend group and was liked and respected by pretty much everyone else. This year, Zimako was voted life of the party and best smile for the yearbook and then elected prom king. Prom king Zimako Ezechukwu would soon graduate from Middle College High School in Los Angeles in June 2024. Why I am so passionately defending this generation It wasnt that long ago things were different at our school. Kids who stuck out in any way faced ridicule and even peril. Teachers worked hard to protect kids on the spectrum, while LGBTQ+ students nervously concealed themselves and were sometimes outed by their peers and even by some teachers who thought their religious beliefs entitled them to harass kids in that way. Such insensitivity and bigotry is no longer tolerated by our school or school district. In fact, I dont know of any teachers now who'd want to do anything but support kids for who they are. The fear of a Black mother: My son has autism. Schools misunderstand him. I fear police will, too. I do not believe it is the adults alone who have inspired this radical change among students, and this is one reason I am so passionately a defender of this generation. I hear all the slights about kids today being overly sensitive, entitled and lazy. No more than any other generation, I say, and Ive been teaching kids for more than 30 years. I have tried to appreciate the kids I have the privilege of teaching and see the good in them no matter what, and I have never been prouder of a cohort of kids than the ones I see now. You can legislate access and inclusion, but not acceptance and not friendship. You can set behavioral expectations for young people and enforce them, but you cant make them feel it in their hearts. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. This is why I am so hopeful about this generation of young people. Hopeful and even confident. Not only that they will be all right in the long run as all right as any generation has ever been but that they also will find ways to reverse the catastrophes with which our generations have burdened them. It is also why I am saddened and disgusted by politicians and media machines that contort inclusion into culture war fabrications to exploit at the expense of kids and families at the margins, though I am optimistic that the young people Im now teaching will reject the bigotry and ignorance weve allowed, for too long, to fester. Perhaps Aderix with his political science degree will one day be part of a legislature that really does work for all its constituents and puts compassion over culture wars. Larry Strauss, a teacher at Middle College High School in Los Angeles, celebrates in June 2024 with graduating student Zimako Ezechukwu and his sister, Cheta Ezechukwu, who graduated from there the year prior. Perhaps Zimako will inspire compassion and decency through his art and, as a software engineer, help move technology away from the cravenness of bottom-line Big Tech toward a more humane realization of its awesome potential. I hope I get to see, in my lifetime, their contributions and those of their peers. Larry Strauss, a high school English teacher in South Los Angeles since 1992, is the author of more than a dozen books, including Students First and Other Lies: Straight Talk From a Veteran Teacher and his new novel, "Light Man." You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: My autistic students' graduation reminds me of how far we've come Is that bullet-proof glass? New event venue in Johnson County holds clues to its roots A new Johnson County event space is embracing its time as a Bank of America branch. The Mint, located at 12345 W. 95th St. in Lenexa, housed the bank for about 25 years. So far, its hosted business meetings, but owner Steve Beaumont has more elaborate events in mind, too. Instead of completely starting fresh, Beaumont decided to stick with the bank theme in several of the buildings features, most notably in the bar. He calls that area The Vault, as its literally the old vault from the bank. You hear all this waxing nostalgia of the history of it being a bank, Beamont said. I wanted to embrace that history (of) this building and this corner. Visitors will find safes, safe deposit boxes and a few sheets of bulletproof glass from the old teller windows used as decoration in various places. Although it has several meeting rooms, much of the venues new construction is specific to weddings. The former six-lane drive-thru now has walls, transforming it into a space where you can host a ceremony, then have a dance floor slightly separated from the dining area. Overhead, throughout the space, circular light fixtures are meant to symbolize wedding rings. The man cave area for the groomsmen at The Mint features Western-themed decor with a bar and poker table. Members of the wedding party can prepare in spaces with multiple vanity mirrors. One room has a walk-in shower and areas for the bridal party to take photos. We definitely prioritized space in here, said Shelby Beaumont, marketing director. The area for groomsmen has what Steve Beaumont calls a man cave, which offers a bar, poker table and an outdoor smoking spot. He called a room with a ping-pong table, dartboard and multi-game arcade terminal a place for the groomsmen for the three hours the ladies are doing their hair and doing their makeup. The groomsmen are always looking for things to do. During the event, this can double as a place to entertain children, he said. Beaumont is also excited about a secret door that from the outside actually looks like a window. The bride and groom can sneak in that secret door and all of the sudden be standing in the middle (of the room), and people will be wondering where they came from. Kind of a Vegas, David Copperfield kind of entry, he said. Beaumont has some experience in this arena with his other venue, Avent Orangery in Kansas City, Kansas. I saw a real opportunity in the Johnson County market to do something that would compete with all the event spaces that are downtown and in the Crossroads, because so much of Johnson County goes and holds their corporate event, their fundraiser, their wedding and reception downtown in Kansas City, Missouri, Beaumont said. Hes enthusiastic about many features in the venue, including a water vapor fireplace that simulates the appearance of flames without any actual fire. Also on the list of features is a projected TV wall boasting a 32-foot screen. Because of the angle used for projection, an individual, like a presenter, can stand quite close to the screen, without blocking the images. The total capacity for events at The Mint is 360 people. Beaumont said he already has holiday parties and weddings booked for this year. He estimated that weddings will be about 60% of the business, with the other 40% encompassing business meetings, fundraisers and other types of events. A Saturday night wedding runs about $10,000 for a 12-hour rental. After dedicating years to researching Black womens health, Dr. Leeja Carter has developed a device to assist them. As a professor and a scholar, Carter had a desire to do more work within the community beyond the standard work on publications and presentations. Even in her academic role at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, she said she felt like a spectator to the issues that were important to her. That all changed in 2020. My research and work were really social determinants of physical activity and its impact on Black womens health, Carter told AFROTECH. And being in academia for 15 years as a Black woman researching Black womens health, while I definitely had spaces of comfort, care, and support, I would say there were greater experiences where I still definitely felt like an outsider and felt that it was still an uphill battle to gain support to do the work that was so close to my heart. She added, When youre in an academic space, what is currency is publications and presentations, and how many students want to take your classes to hear about the research. What is not currency is you being out there doing change-making in the community. And even though I had a great division chair who was actually on my board for my nonprofit, and he was so supportive of my work, the people above him would be like, Doctor Carter, shes publishing and all of that, but she spent a lot of her time out in the community, and we want her more in the classroom. And so theres a lot of dissonance as an academician. Coalition For Food And Health Equity Carter would officially pivot career paths in 2020, leaving academic life in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter recognized an increase in the number of people who were without food and jumpstarted the Coalition for Food and Health Equity (CFHE), which began as a grassroots activity. Its early days included aiding a local cafe in New Jersey that had fallen into debt and was on the brink of closing by creating a hunger task force and raising money through GoFundMe. We started the GoFundMe. We raised $30,000, and because some of my students were social workers, we created a whole back-end enrollment system and way to actually intake what people needed to eat, Carter explained. So, if somebody called in and said like, Hey, Im pre-diabetic, we got to keep your sugar low. Its a whole system that we still use today. So that way, we would give it to the restaurant, and they would medically tailor those foods that we then had. Volunteer delivery people, myself included, would take it directly to peoples steps So we started doing that, and it caught fire. From there, Carter received a call from the countys director of health and human services to assist seniors, and she received $600,000 in funding to create the Hudson County Hunger Project. Through that work, she recognized how dire the need was to mobilize healthy food options, particularly within food deserts. They were asking for food and needing to enroll in our program because there werent healthy food options close to them close meaning within a half-a-mile distance, she said. Also, many of the people that we delivered to were folks that were formerly incarcerated. They might be in hotels. They might not have a stove or a storage for produce. So, they really needed a pre-made food option that was healthy, or they were recently discharged from a hospital. Our program became lifesaving for these people. The Hudson County Hunger Project concluded in December 2020. However, it now exists within Carters nonprofit which formed in 2021 and rebranded as CFHEs The Hunger Project. It works with individuals across the state. The Coalition for Food and Health Equity also houses the Eating Better Together program, dedicated to oral health, food security, and nutritional equity. Another key initiative is its rapid-response program, which has helped more than 2,000 individuals who are in an immediate hunger crisis. This program makes it possible for a meal to be dispatched within 60 minutes through food partners, such as Pita Square. Ujamaa Cafe The Coalitions scope also includes leveraging technology through its smart refrigerator program Ujamaa Cafe, which provides healthy food items for free with the help of local food entrepreneurs and wholesalers. The Ujamaa Cafe is already being placed in schools and hospitals. That program is my baby. Its very close to my heart because it does a few things, Carter said. One is we place the refrigerators in food apartheid and food desert communities where theres less than half-a-mile access to fresh and healthy food options. The second thing is that we partner with local food entrepreneurs and wholesalers to be the ones that are providing the food. And thats important because currently the food system is dominated by a certain set of people who provide food into the charitable food market. She continued, What were trying to do is say that, to really help address hunger and food security, we have to allow more people into this system. People like our local entrepreneurs, our local wholesalers, our local growers, they can all be part of the solution to help people eat well and to be less food insecure. With the Ujamaa Cafe, Carter aims to expose individuals to various nutritional options. The fridge offers a pool of 41 products, approved by an internal team, that include hibiscus teas; a variety of parfaits (banana, strawberry, mixed berry); health-conscious burritos (shrimp, carne asada, walnut chorizo, vegan); egg sandwiches; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; overnight oats with vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free options; Arabic salad; hummus with pita chips; and vegan cookies. My older sister said to me, You just want people to be able to eat how you eat. And to me, thats equity, Carter expressed. There is nothing in the fridge I would not eat. Everything in the fridge is delicious. Its a balanced, health-conscious fridge. Theres nothing in the fridge that is super right-leaning healthy or super left-leaning It also begins to prime people in that way to what health might look like. So its a lot of different entry points to healthy food, access to economics, and how technology can just be so helpful in all of this. The fridges technology also helps track user transactions and trends and captures data for restocking and reducing waste and spoilage. Currently, seven fridges have been placed in areas across New Jersey, and one at the Philadelphia, PA-based Abramson Cancer Center. Locations include the Hudson Pride Center, North Jersey Community Research Initiative, and the Saint Lukes Food & Clothing Center. Participating schools with fridges include Marion P. Thomas Charter Schools and the Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology. Carter has even added an educational element to the Ujamaa Cafe at the schools, launching the Sankofa Youth Incubator Program. It provides young food entrepreneurs with education, intelligence support, mentorship, and front-end product placement, according to information provided to AFROTECH. For the kids that are interested, if they have a food product that they want to take from ideation, just a dream, basically, to actually bring it to market, they can enroll in our nine-month curriculum, which will literally take it from just an idea to an actual fully developed product that we are going to help them sell in a store, but also become part of our Ujamaa Cafe entrepreneur network and include them in our fridges so that way we can continue to expand the food system for us in our ecosystem, Carter said. The Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology also plans to launch a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program. Students will have a chance to learn about the back-end predictive forecasting and modeling that is used to restock the smart refrigerator. The reason why were doing that is part of sustainability for us is bringing the next generation of food scientists and food security activists into the fold. So, we got high school students. Lets bring them into the fold and teach them this next generation of work, Carter said. 'Excited': Owners, staff of new Crumbl in Alexandria ready to share their cookies Jeff Vaccaro is ready to greet every customer who walks through the doors of the newly opened Crumbl in Alexandria, the newest location for the cookie franchise. The grand opening for the store at 2303 S. MacArthur Drive is Friday. Vaccaro, one of the co-owners of the store, and employees offered a sneak peek Wednesday. He said the community reaction has been great and that people would stop by to check out the store as they were under construction. Jeff Vaccaro, co-owner of the new Alexandria Crumbl store, talks with people who stopped by for a sneak peek of the South MacArthur Drive location on Wednesday. The store will have its grand opening Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight. "We're excited to have them excited about it," he said. "It's been cool to see them kinda popping their heads in, checking in on us." Vaccaro said "a bunch of people" said they knew of the franchise because they tried the cookies at locations in Lafayette and Shreveport. "It's been exciting for us to get to talk to those people, get to know those people," he said. "I'll be at the front door for a month, meeting everybody that comes through so I'm excited for that, too." Etsy inspiration: Louisiana woman turns hobby of crocheting macrame cord baskets turns into business 'This is perfect': Palmettos Shave Ice wants to foster a sense of community with sweet treats, conversation The Alexandria store is the first in the chain to sport a new pink logo, Vaccaro said, who also owns the two Lafayette stores with his partner, Casey Field. The two met while students at Louisiana State University and decided to buy into the Crumbl franchise after trying the cookies in 2021, according to a news release. Vaccaro said people can use food delivery services, like Door Dash, to order. Crumbl also has its own app, which he called "the best way to order." The store employs 53 people, he said. There are 50 bakers and three assistant managers. People can place orders through the app to be ready for them to pick up when they arrive. And, starting Monday for 30 days, customers who use the promo code LAALXNDRA can get one free chocolate-chip cookie. The cookies offered for visitors on Wednesday were mini versions of what's usually available. The menu on Wednesday offered six different offerings Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunk, Toffee Cake, Blueberry Pancake, Ultimate Peanut Butter, Mint Cookies & Cream and Kitchen Sink. Crumbl also offers catering. For the first week, the store will need a 36-hour notice for catering orders. But, after that, the notice time will be 18 hours, Vaccaro said. The store's hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The store is closed on Sundays. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Late night craving? New Crumbl store open until midnight this weekend Fall River students' artwork on display in Juneteenth exhibit at Government Center FALL RIVER Bristol Black Collective has announced the installation of special Juneteenth art exhibition, featuring works by students from Matthew J. Kuss Middle School. The exhibit is available for public viewing in the atrium at Government Center, now through July 1. It showcases the Kuss students' creative works, inspired by Juneteenth and celebrating themes of freedom, hope, equality, and culture. The art was originally showcased during the Fall River Juneteenth Celebration at Kennedy Park on June 8. It was fostered by discussions Kuss students held this spring about Independence Day, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the national recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Bristol Black Collective has announced the installation of special Juneteenth art exhibition, featuring works by students from Matthew J. Kuss Middle School. Students created a variety of artworks guided by visual arts teacher Sondra Arnold, drawing inspiration from the Freedom Flag by Marcus Garvey, the Juneteenth Flag by Ben Haith, and the symbolic colors of red, black, green, and gold. The exhibition features drawings and posters, pinwheels, mini sculptures, and mosaic collages. Mosaic collages were inspired by African American artist and art educator Alma Thomas. These art projects also reflect the diverse backgrounds of the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students, including Ecuador, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cape Verde, Haiti, the Azores, and Portugal. "Each piece offers a unique perspective on the students heritage and their interpretation of Juneteenths significance," a press release from Bristol Black Collective about the exhibit said. The public is welcome to come see the artwork on display. "It is a celebration of our communitys youth, their creativity, and their engagement with important historical and cultural themes," the press release said. This exhibition was made possible through the support of the Bristol Black Collective and the Southeastern Juneteenth Coalition. Bristol Black Collective also extended special thanks to Sondra Arnold "for her dedication to guiding these young artists," and to the students of Matthew J. Kuss Middle School, "for their inspiring contributions." For more information about the exhibit, contact info@bristolblackcollective.org. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Kuss Middle School students' artwork featured in Juneteenth exhibit Sienna Brewer of Dallas, Texas, runs over the bridge at the McPolin Farm in Park City on Thursday, June 13, 2024. In 1922 the McPolins erected the barn of recycled timber salvaged from an old tailings mill. The "White Barn" is approximately 100 by 35 feet. The American flag is usually put on display from Memorial Day to Sept. 12. The flag has been displayed on the east side of the barn since 2001. After 9/11 the Park City Municipal parks department hung the flag to honor first responders and those who died in the attacks. The land around the barn has been permanently protected as open space by the citizens of Park City. Today is Flag Day across the nation. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Waubeka, Wisconsin, a small community located on the Milwaukee River, claims to be the birthplace of Flag Day, a fact often overlooked by many Americans. Flag Day itself tends to get overlooked by many, as well, but today is a perfect time to get a refresher on the holiday and the American flag. What is Flag Day? Each June, residents of Waubeka gather to celebrate the most enduring symbol and arguably the most unnoticed holiday centered around the American flag, Flag Day. What about July 4? It seems every store and doorstep makes prominent use of the flag for Independence Day. According to Dave Janik, a Waubeka native and second-generation president of the National Flag Day Foundation, the token of what Old Glory represents is important enough to have its own day, per PBS News. On June 14, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a Waubeka school teacher, placed a small 38-star flag in his inkwell. Cigrand assigned his students to write an essay about what the flag means to them. This started the idea for an annual flag day to be celebrated across the country. Decades later, President Woodrow Wilson issued a 1916 proclamation declaring June 14 as Flag Day. Thirty-three years later, President Harry S. Truman signed the formal observance of celebration into law, per PBS News. Now, 139 years later, Cigrand and his students essays live on. In honor of the then 19-year-old teacher, Waubeka celebrates flag day with an annual essay contest that collects entries from across the nation. Our passion for the flag here is very deep, Janik said. The flag is the symbol of our country it symbolizes individualism, success, loss, daring, chivalry. People need a compass to guide them, and the flag is a great compass, per PBS News. The history of the Stars and Stripes The iconic symbol of Stars and Stripes began with the American Revolution. In 1775 colonists werent fighting under a single flag, as most platoons involved in the war against Great Britain fought under their own flags. In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress met with a goal to unify the colonist troops essentially leading to the first creation of the American flag. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress during a break from writing the Articles of Confederation, the group determined the arrangement of the nations allegiance: Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. Facts about Old Glory Betsy Ross is popularly believed to have made the first American flag, according the History website, but there is actually no historical evidence showcasing she attributed to Old Glorys construction. Later it was validated that Francis Hopkinson, a delegate who signed the Declaration of Independence, designed the American flag. In the 1950s Alaska would soon be accepted into the nation, pushing American flag designers to start reworking and attempting to add a 49th star to the existing 48. Simultaneously, a 17-year-old Ohio high school student named Bob Heft took over his mothers sewing machine, dismantled the familys flag and crafted a proportional 50-star pattern. He handed his finished school project to his history teacher, explaining his surety that Hawaii would achieve statehood status soon. He received a B-, which was promptly changed to an A after Heft sent his flag to congressman Walter Moller, who presented the design when both States officially joined the Union. Have you ever wondered how to fold an American flag? Here is a guide: First, enlist a partner and stand facing each other, each holding both corners of one of the rectangles shorter sides. Working together, lift the half of the flag that usually hangs on the bottom over the half that contains the blue field of stars. Next, fold the flag lengthwise a second time so that the stars are visible on the outside. Make a triangular fold at the striped end, bringing one corner up to meet the top edge. Continue to fold the flag in this manner until only a triangle of star-studded blue can be seen, according to the History website. Seven locations in southern Eddy County are serving free meals for children 18 years of age and under as part of New Mexicos Summer Food Service Program. The program is administered by the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). Over 600 locations statewide will provide free meals through August on a first-come-first-served basis, read a press release from the state agency. Cottonwood Elementary School in Carlsbad and Loving High School are serving breakfast from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Breakfast will be served until July 11, according to ECEDs Summer Food Program website. More: 10 Eddy County free summer meal sites All children aged 1 through 18 are eligible to participate. Anyone over 18 who has a mental or physical disability (as determined by a State or local educational agency) and participates during the school year in a public or private nonprofit school program (established for the mentally or physically disabled) is also eligible to receive free meals through the Summer Food Program, cited the ECED release. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ocotillo Elementary School, Hillcrest Preschool Park, Alta Vista Middle School, Cottonwood Elementary School, Desert Willow Elementary School and Lake Carlsbad Beach House. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, lunch is served at Loving High School. Desert Willow Elementary School in Carlsbad is serving lunches this summer for children. More on Summer Food Program Service Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is administered by ECECD. It is aligned with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams broader commitment to combat child hunger and support healthy development for children and youth, read the ECECD release. The free Summer Food Service Program fills a critical nutrition gap for many children during summer months when school cafeterias are closed, said ECECD Spokesperson Julia Sclafani in the release. More: Schlotzsky's is coming to Artesia. Here's how to get your sandwich fix. Last year Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Healthy Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act, which established universal free school lunches for all New Mexico school children. After signing the bill in 2023, the governor said New Mexico led the nation by providing free healthy school meals and making sure the meals are nutritious foods, according to a press release from her office. For more information call 800-328-2665 or log on to summerfoodnm.org. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Free meals served for kids this summer in Carlsbad and Loving Frontier Airlines is giving away free flights. Here's how to get one The only thing better than planning to fly away for a summer vacation is not having to pay for the flight. With that in mind, budget flyer-friendly Frontier Airlines says it has you covered by giving away an annual free flight pass to a winning family, and will also dole out additional free flights to other entrants in the giveaway. Here's how you can enter the giveaway to score free flights from Frontier Airlines. Frontier Airlines giving away flights through its 'Family Summer Getaway' campaign Flyers can enter Frontier Airlines' "Family Summer Getaway" sweepstakes online, and winners will have dozens of destinations to choose from. "The 'Family Summer Getaway' giveaway will grant one lucky family free flights for an entire year, with 100 additional families each receiving four roundtrip flights to enjoy an epic summer getaway," read a portion of the Frontier Airlines' campaign. "Winning families in the Philadelphia area will enjoy 42 nonstop destinations to choose from, including locations across the continental U.S., the Caribbean and Mexico." A Frontier Airlines plane sits at the gate at Denver International Airport in Denver, on July 30, 2023. Frontier Airlines is giving away free flights this summer through its "Family Summer Getaway" campaign. The giveaway runs through Tuesday, July 2, and winners will be notified via email on Friday, July 12. Frontier launches new summer routes: Frontier Airlines offers new routes out of Philadelphia International, $59 flights What else should I know about Frontier Airlines' free flight giveaway? Even if you win, there are a blackout days to consider before planning your trip. Skip PHL, and try these airports: Survey says Philadelphia International is the worst. Try these smaller airports instead "Fares are valid for nonstop travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Thursday, October 31, and Monday, August 19 through Thursday, October 31," read a portion of the giveaways fine print. "The following blackout dates apply: Wednesday, July 3; Tuesday, September 3; and Friday, October 11 through Monday, October 14." Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Here's how you can win a free flight on Frontier Airlines this summer A gym in South Korea has courted controversy for putting up a sign banning misbehaving aunties, sparking a debate about whether the word discriminates against older women in the country. According to a post on a discussion platform for verified employees called Blind, a gym in Incheon city, 27km from the capital Seoul, hung a sign that read Off limits to ahjummas and declared that only cultivated and elegant women were allowed in. The word ahjumma is commonly used to refer to older women, typically those over 30, the way maam is. In recent times, however, the word has come to describe rude and entitled behaviour, similar to the name Karen. The gym owner defended the sign claiming the facility had suffered damage because of obnoxious behaviour by older women. They would spend an hour or two in the changing room to do their laundry, steal items including towels, soaps, or hair dryers, The Korea Herald quoted him as saying without naming him. They would sit in a row and comment and judge other peoples bodies, the owner claimed. They left hot water running for an hour or two, which doubled the water bill, and made sexually harassing comments to young female members, telling them they would bear babies well. He also claimed that several younger women quit the gym because such unsolicited comments made them uncomfortable. The gym owner claimed young women quit because of unsolicited comments from older women (Getty) Along with the sign, the gym posted a list of attributes that differentiate ahjumma from women. An ahjumma is a woman who: Likes free things regardless of age. Gets sworn at everywhere but does not know the reason why. Sits in a seat reserved for pregnant women on public transport. Goes to a cafe with two people and orders just one cup of coffee and asks for a cup to share. Secretly throws food waste into a public bathroom or other toilets. Is frugal with their own money but not with that of others. Has poor memory and judgement and says the same things over and over again. The Incheon gym is not the first Korean business that has faced criticism for banning older people or children. Article 11 of Koreas constitution states that there shall be no discrimination in political, economic, social or cultural life on account of sex, religion or social status and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea used this clause in 2017 to determine that no kids zones constituted an act of discrimination. The commission, however, doesnt have the legal authority to enforce its recommendations, so businesses continue to limit who is allowed entry under the principle of freedom of contract or the principle of private autonomy. Its not that I tried to make a hate comment against older women or women in general, the gym owner told the news agency Yonhap. I think people who are enraged by the notice are in fact the ones with the problem. Critics have pointed out that singling out women for impolite behaviour is sexist, considering men are just as likely to behave in a similar boorish manner. How did the term bad customer become the same as ahjumma? If you have worked in the service industry, youd know that its not just older women who fall into those categories, LOL. Our country is really done for, one comment on the post read. Scott Davidson of Iowa City displays a sack of trash he picked up on a "light day" recently on his regular five-mile Scott Boulevard walk. He's been faithfully patrolling for five years, removing tons of litter from this Iowa City roadway If there were a Hall of Fame for litterbug battlers, wed have to nominate Scott Davidson as a candidate. Since moving to Iowa City from the Chicago area in 2020, hes been walking a five-mile route along Scott Boulevard, usually seven days a week, rain or shine, snow or sleet, year-round and picking up every piece of litter he can spot. That usually means a sack full every day, probably 1,000 pounds a year or more. This retired computer systems manager said this area of town impressed him and his wife Shauna as a good place to live, partly because of the picturesque pathways along Scott Boulevard. I started out just walking like everybody else, Davidson told me, and then one day I met a lady picking up bottles and cans in one bag and trash in another. I thought, why cant I do this? Soon he was carrying his own bag on the two-hour walk every day, filling it with up to a dozen disposable masks a day during the pandemic, plus beer cans, pop cans and bottles, candy wrappers, and other miscellaneous litter. If he encounters banana peels, apples or other food items, he tosses them into the timbers to compost naturally. Fast food trash is the worst, he said. Food wrappers, French fry cartons, plastic cups and sometimes entire paper sacks full of it. He admits it can get frustrating when fresh litter appears day after day. More: Hakes: Driving across U.S. in a 1924 Model T? Two local men are on 100th anniversary team Davidson has come across more unique items over the years discarded cell phones, ear buds, and even a one-hundred-dollar bill. What is gratifying, he says, is that strangers and regular walkers stop him along the sidewalk to say thanks and offer encouragement. Hes somewhat embarrassed to report that several have even presented him with gift cards to coffee shops or restaurants or other perks to show their appreciation. One business owner encouraged him to use his dumpster for the daily litter he collects. Thats nice, but I really dont want people to do that, he told me. People often tell me thanks for picking up trash when they see me on the path, and thats enough. I enjoy doing this its kind of my hobby. He says he needs the exercise and is happy listening to Sirius XM Classic Vinyl Rock in his earbuds as he walks. More: Nearly 1,000 UI Health Care volunteers help keep things running smoothly in Johnson County Scott Boulevard is one of Iowa City's picturesque avenues, and Scott Davidson wants to keep it that way. In this recent photo, he snagged a banana peel as a bus passed by. Battling the elements Citizens report seeing Davidson picking up trash in winter on some pretty questionable weather days, but he says if it gets below ten degrees with wind, he might skip his daily walk. He had to quit for a month once because of a broken kneecap, but friends stepped up and took a few shifts to keep his route looking good. He said he often encountered an Oaknoll resident out walking his dog. He is glad to note that the man was apparently inspired and is now picking up litter as well. Davidson grew up on a hog and cattle farm near Mechanicsville, so is no stranger to cleaning things up. He and Shauna were married in Iowa City four decades ago and are happy to have returned to the community. Is he the King of Scott Boulevard Litter Control? He shrugs modestly, but answers with a big grin: You might have to say that. Bottom line? Its good for the community and people appreciate it, Davidson said. Then he paused and swept an arm toward the manicured grass and tree-lined street and added: It just makes this look better. A simple thing, worth a lot. More: The Kalona Sales Barn experience: Farmers, pie, cows, goats and gravy See littering happening? Heres how to report it The statewide non-profit Keep Iowa Beautiful has what is called a No Litter Hotline. Persons who witness littering can call 1-888-NOLITTR (1-888-665-4887) to make a report. Details to include would be a license plate number, time and location and description of both the litter and vehicle color, make and model. Reported offenders will receive a warning letter from the Iowa State Patrol. The letter draws attention to their offense and sends the message that people are watching. The letter is designed to bring awareness to help the offender consider their actions and reduce future offenses, according to the leadership of Keep Iowa Beautiful. Find more information on this program and statewide beautification at https://keepiowabeautiful.org. Richard Hakes is a freelance columnist for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: An Iowa City volunteer keeps five-miles of road free of trash The Memorial Day fireworks on Hampton Beach were canceled due to the piping plovers nesting on the beach. While this disrupts the flow of holiday fun, I thought it would be good for us to know why they are here and what is so important about a piping plover. The University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web states that piping plovers are an indicator species that allow scientists to determine the health of the beach ecosystem. In addition, they help keep the insect population down as they feed on insects and small crustaceans. The Memorial Day fireworks on Hampton Beach were canceled due to the piping plovers nesting on the beach. Piping plovers are a species of small shore birds able to camouflage themselves in the sand. They weigh 1.5 to 2.25 ounces with a height of just up to 7 inches. They are easy to miss until they begin moving, and they may pretend to be injured to draw you away from their nest. Plovers have distinctive orange legs and beak, and the adults have a dark black collar, while the rest of their body is a speckled sandy brown. They are darker brownish on their back with a white belly. (Immature plovers do not have the black collar.) Their coloration enables them to flatten themselves in a hole in the sand and disappear from view, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These little shorebirds stay further away from the water's edge than most other shorebirds and will be spotted there only when feeding. They do a lot less running than other birds and will keep one foot in front of them, wiggling it in the sand as the waves pass by, probably to bring food to the surface. They are foraging for small marine invertebrates like worms, clams and small crustaceans. A piping plover shows off its wings at Hampton Beach State Park on June 19, 2023. These birds have discovered Hampton Beach, I guess since COVID-19, when there were fewer humans to contend with. They have made themselves at home during the summer months. But like many humans, they fly south for the winter and can be found from North Carolina and points south, with over one-third of them migrating to the Bahamas! These little birds are listed as federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Act, thus the cancellation of fireworks on Memorial Day. Plovers are federally protected. The conservation of these birds throughout the United States includes roping off nesting areas and limiting recreational use of areas where they breed. Their nesting and breeding behavior is often disrupted by curious dogs, children and even adults, who just get too close. They are so good at camouflage that the nests are often stepped on by unsuspecting beachgoers. The earlier these birds nest, the more likely they have viable offspring. And hopefully, for the visitors to Hampton, the earlier they will begin their migration south! Rare lady crab spotted at Hampton Beach: Why is this vicious crab in the Gulf of Maine? This spring, the New Hampshire State Parks has roped off several large areas of Hampton Beach State Park for the piping plovers. The males arrive first at the breeding grounds and stake out their territory. They chase each other around in a ritualistic dance until the territories are set. Then, they dig several depressions all over their territory for future possible nesting areas. These nests are well above the highest tide line in loose sand without much vegetation (in other words, exactly where humans like to spread out their beach towels and sunbathe!). Coddock? Sea sleuths work to uncover mystery of new cod-haddock-like fish Once the females arrive, they go through another mating dance and choose mates. The process of picking a nest can take up to 10 days. It only takes less than a day to build the nest, which is nothing more than one of the indentations that the male dug with his feet. They line it with bits of small rocks and pieces of shells. The females lay three or four eggs, cream-colored with brown flecks that blend in with the sand. Both parents sit on and incubate the eggs, which hatch in about 27 days. Piping plovers can be spotted at Hampton Beach and the Hampton Beach State Park on Monday, June 13, 2022. Usually, they only have one brood per season in June unless their nest is destroyed, in which case they may nest again and again. So, it would behoove us to let them nest in June and not disturb them so that the chicks will hatch and grow out and leave us to our beach for the rest of the summer! Those little chicks hatch out and can walk in a few hours. They hunker down in the sand when threatened while their parents squawk wildly and act as if they have a broken wing, drawing the threat away from the chicks. The chicks fledge (fly) at about four to five weeks. I guess the moral of this story is that these little birds are protected federally, and if we can allow them to nest peacefully at the beginning of June, we can hopefully enjoy our beach for the rest of the summer! Ellen Goethel is a marine biologist and the owner of Explore the Ocean World at 367 Ocean Blvd. at Hampton Beach. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Beach piping plovers: Endangered species trump fireworks "Any parent who has had a child go through surgery has questions and finds it stressful, says Dr. Sam Daniel, surgeon-in-chief at Montreal Children's Hospital. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. We spoke to an expert about the risks of having tonsils an adenoids removed. (Image via Getty Images) Earlier this month, McMaster Childrens Hospital in Hamilton, Ont. announced it paused scheduled tonsil and adenoid surgical procedures for patients under the age of 18 following the deaths of two patients. According to a June 4 press release, the decision was made out of abundance of caution after two paediatric patients died following discharge from tonsil and/or adenoid surgery. One child reportedly died the day after their surgery, while the second died nine days after their initial surgery. Hamilton Health Sciences stated there was no apparent connection between these two cases, and no further details, including the cause of death for each child, were given. We are also undertaking a comprehensive review by external subject matter experts of our pediatric program for tonsil and adenoid surfers, the statement read. Only emergency pediatric tonsil and adenoid surgeries will proceed. Dr. Devin Peterson, pediatric chief of surgery at McMaster Childrens Hospital called the deaths tragic in a video statement shared to Hamilton Health Sciences website. "We are deeply saddened by their deaths and offer our sincere condolences to their families," said Peterson, who added that deaths following tonsil and adenoid surgeries very rare. McMaster Childrens Hospital is a leading pediatric centre and we take this responsibility very seriously, he said. Another child spent 18 days in ICU after tonsillectomy Following the announcement of an external review, a mother whose daughter experienced bleeding following her tonsillectomy at McMaster Children's Hospital is also speaking out. A Dundas, Ont. mother says her daughter was vomiting blood after having her tonsils removed. (Image via Getty Images) Sarah List said her 8-year-old daughter Rosie almost died after experiencing complications from her tonsillectomy in May. "Most tonsillectomies don't have complications, and to find out two kids died," the Dundas, Ont. mother told CTV News. "It's just so shocking." Rosie was allegedly discharged a few hours after having her tonsils removed at McMaster Childrens Hospital on May 15. The next morning, List says her daughter began vomiting blood. "Its terrifying, List said. "It was unbelievable to see this massive amount of blood." Rosie then allegedly returned to the hospital where she was hospitalized for almost three weeks. List says her daughter received three more surgeries and spent four nights in the paediatric intensive care unit. No one could tell us what was wrong, List said. I was told several times by one of the ENT (ear, nose and throat) residents that this couldn't be from the surgery, that he thought it was unrelated. An 8-year-old girl spent 18 days in hospital following a tonsillectomy at McMaster Children's Hospital. (Image via Getty Images) List said her daughters health deteriorated and she developed an infection in her bloodstream. In total, Rosie spent 18 days in hospital before she was discharged. Although she is on the mend, List wants her daughters case to be part of the hospitals external review. Although it's unclear whether the hospital will share the results of their investigation with the public, the news from McMaster Children's Hospital may have some parents wondering if the common surgery is safe. Yahoo Canada spoke to a pediatric surgeon to understand the risks and potential complications of tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies. What are the risks of tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies? Dr. Sam Daniel, surgeon-in-chief at the Montreal Childrens Hospital, said the news from Hamilton has undoubtedly caused many parents to panic. "Its very stressful to have your child wait for surgery, and then do see whats going on [in Hamilton] clearly brings a lot of questions from parents," he told Yahoo Canada. Although tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies are extremely common procedures, they are still considered "major surgery" by the The Canadian Society of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery. Daniel said that complications from tonsillectomies are "extremely rare" with deaths occurring in 1 in every 20,000 procedures. An American retrospective cohort study published in 2022 noted an overall rate of post-operative death is 7 out of 100,000 procedures based on data from five U.S states. Expert says complications from tonsillectomies are "very rare." (Image via Getty Images) Its important for parents to have an open conversation with their surgeon and make sure theyre comfortable with the decision for surgery," Daniel said. Daniel called tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies "very painful procedures" and said some children may have existing health issues, including cardiac conditions or bleeding disorders, that can make surgery "risky." Because the surgery requires the child to be put under general anesthesia, physicians assess risks before every procedure. If a child does have pre-existing health conditions, medical teams can strategize to minimize risks and in some cases may require a longer hospital stay or increased observation post-op. "For most children, it's very safe," Daniel said. What are some of the potential complications from tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies? Daniel said bleeding can occur within the first 24 hours after surgery (known as primary bleeding) or can occur seven to 14 days later (secondary bleeding). The vessels in the tonsil bed can reopen and bleed or the area can be scratched when eating certain food, like toast. In a vast majority of cases, the bleeding is obvious. Some children may have active bleeds that present as spitting or vomiting blood. Any bleeding is obviously very stressful to the family, he said. Our advice is to come back to the hospital immediately to be checked. In some cases [the bleeding] stops by itselfin some cases, if the bleeding doesnt stop, we control it in the emergency room or in rare cases we have to go into the operating room again to control the bleeding. What are the risks of tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies? We asked an expert. (Image via Getty Images) Infection can occur following tonsillectomies or adenoidectomies. Fever, redness or red streaks, increased swelling, skin that's warm to the touch or the appearance of pus are all signs of infection and require immediate medical attention. Do tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies require hospitalization? In some cases, patients who have their tonsils or adenoids removed are observed in-hospital for several hours following their procedure and then discharged the same day. Daniel said that at the hospital where he works, if a child has severe medical conditions or sleep apnea, they are kept in hospital overnight or for a few days before being sent home. All patients under 3 years of age are hospitalized for observation before being released. Daniel says that Montreal Children's Hospital is "very conservative" when it comes to removing tonsils or adenoids. Guidelines have been put in place that require children to meet a certain criteria or have a certain number of infections per year before they are a candidate for surgery. Parents should speak to their healthcare providers about whether or not surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids would be beneficial to their child's health. Some children are discharged the same day after having their tonsils or adenoids removed. (Image via Getty Images) How do you know if your child needs their tonsils or adenoids removed? According to The Canadian Society of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, a person (adult or child) is a good candidate to have their tonsils removed if they experience six episodes of tonsillitis (tonsil infection) per year. Additionally, the organization notes that frequent infections that cause a person to miss 20 days of work or school per year or experiences frequent peritonsillar abscesses (infection near the tonsils) are also signifiers that a tonsillectomy may be required. Aside from infection, airway blockage is a key indicator that a child may be a candidate for surgery. According to Daniel, some children have a blockage thats severe enough to distrupt sleep and may impact behaviour or impact bed wetting. Some children may have restricted airway due to enlarged tonsils that makes it difficult to eat. In more severe cases, you have sleep apnea, where the oxygen drops down at night and it can be dangerous," he explains. "It can be life-threatening in severe cases there can be long-term impact on the heart and breathing." Safe procedures for 'a vast majority of children' Daniel said that the two deaths in Ontario are "tragic for the families." The pain that theyre going through is unspeakable," he continued. While the public awaits the findings from the external review of McMaster Children's Hospital's pediatric program for tonsil and adenoid surgeries, parents across the country with children awaiting surgeries may continue to worry but Daniel said that it's a "safe operation" for the "vast majority of children." "This news can be very unsettling. Any parent who has had a child go through surgery has questions and finds it stressful, he said. At the end of the day its about weighing the risks and benefits and not to be shy about having conversations with the treating team....At the end of the day, for a vast majority of children, it's a safe operation that improves their quality of life and addresses health risks that need to be addressed." Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Kiln, a Nordic-inspired floating sauna, is coming to the Discovery World dock this fall A unique cold-weather wellness attraction is coming to Milwaukee's lakefront this fall. Kiln, Wisconsin's first commercial floating sauna, plans to launch in November at the Discovery World dock in Lake Michigan at 500 N. Harbor Drive. For $85 per person, visitors can experience a 90-minute sauna and natural cold-plunge cycle on the boat. The 35-foot-long, 12-foot-wide boat will also feature a locker room and a seating area with a propane firepit. The floating sauna will be anchored to the dock by steel cables and can accommodate up to 10 people. Milwaukee's Board of Harbor Commissioners approved plans for the boat and its one-year lease with Discovery World at Thursday's Commission meeting. A rendering of Kiln, a floating sauna boat coming to Milwaukee's Discovery World pier in November 2024. Kiln floating sauna was inspired by saunas in Norway After nearly a decade in broadcast journalism, Kiln founder Zoe Lake said she fell in love with Norway's popular floating saunas on a trip there to visit family in January. "I was just really struck by how fun and relaxing and social the experience was," she said. "I visited a few of these, one in Oslo with family and then a couple on my own. By my third visit, I was like, 'I'm going to do this.' I told people in the sauna, 'You can look out for one of these in the Milwaukee-Chicago area next year. I'm going to open one.'" A rendering of Kiln, a floating sauna boat coming to Milwaukee's Discovery World pier in November 2024. Lake said she partnered with Discovery World early on in the process. She also teamed up with Viking Floating Saunas in Owen, Wis., to build the boat. The boat will feature two ladders for cold plungers, and the company plans to run deicers in the plunge area to prevent the water from freezing over. A sauna guide will always be present to assist participants through the hot-cold cycle. Lake plans to operate Kiln at Discovery World from November through April. She will then take the boat to Bailey's Harbor in Door County for the summer months. Floating saunas are just beginning to pick up steam in the United States. There are currently two in Minnesota and one in Seattle. "I think what's special about a floating sauna is the peace and relaxation that comes from being on the water, looking at the water and enjoying that aspect of being in nature," Lake said. Kiln founder Zoe Lake is bringing a floating sauna to Milwaukee's Discovery World pier in November 2024. How do I try out Kiln floating sauna? Kiln will be available for bookings on its website later this year. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A floating sauna is coming to Milwaukee's Discovery World in November Lake Erie is the greatest lake, according to USA Today voters. See how it ranked Pennsylvania can't claim much of Lake Erie, with less than 100 miles of its nearly 900 miles of shoreline, but residents of the Keystone State can still be proud that their Great Lake made several USA TODAY 10Best lists. Those in Erie County, which includes all of the lake's shoreline in Pennsylvania, already know Erie is a great lake, whether they enjoy its sunsets, beaches or bluffs, swimming or boating, fishing or diving or even surfing. How did Lake Erie do Lake Erie appeared on three USAT 10Best Readers' Choice Awards lists released June 12. It was chosen as the Best Lake. The sun sets on Lake Erie as a beach concert winds down at Presque Isle State Park in Erie County. The sunsets, beaches and boating are three things that make Lake Erie popular in Pennsylvania. Geneva Lake in Wisconsin was second on that list, followed by Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Tahoe. Lake Erie also came in first for Best Lake for Water Sports. It beat out contenders including Lake Murray in South Carolina, Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Lake Michigan and Lake Martin in Alabama. Going fishing in Lake Erie?: New fish cleaning station open at Lampe Marina in east Erie Lake Erie was third on the Best Lake for Swimming List. It followed Lake Jocassee in South Carolina and Geneva Lake. How were winners chosen USA TODAY 10Best invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across a wide range of categories. 10Best editors then vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented to the voting public for a period. Conditions can be good for surfing on Lake Erie as Dan McDavitt found off Beach 1 at Presque Isle State Park in December 2017. The awards announced Wednesday also included Best River for Tubing, Best River for Fly Fishing and Best Fishing Lodge. More about Lake Erie Of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is the smallest in volume, according to the Great Lakes Commission. Lake Erie measure 241 miles across and 57 miles from north to south. However, the distance across the lake between Canada and Pennsylvania is only about 25 miles in some spots. Numerous swimmers have crossed that over the years, typically starting at Long Point, Ontario, and ending at Freeport Beach in North East Township, a distance of 24.3 miles. Crossing the lake: Distance across Lake Erie remains the same, but open-water swimming attempts may be harder Lake Erie has 871 miles of shoreline that includes Ohio, New York and Michigan as well as Pennsylvania. The average depth of the lake is only about 62 feet, with a 210-foot maximum. It therefore warms rapidly in the spring and summer, and frequently freezes over in winter, according to the Great Lakes Commission. Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lake Erie tops two USA Today Best Lake lists, ranked third on another DOVER Growing up in Akron, the Rev. Rodney Sutton learned to cook from an early age, picking up recipes from his grandmother, Marcella Rush. He mastered the staples of Southern/African American cooking, including barbecue ribs, collard greens and buttermilk cornbread. The Rev. Rodney Sutton learned to cook from his grandmother, Marcella Rush of Akron. He has mastered the staple of Southern/African American cooking, will give a cooking demonstration Wednesday, at a Juneteenth event at the Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market. On Wednesday, he will be sharing his cooking skills at a presentation at the Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market in Dover as part of a program to coincide with the observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth, or June 19, celebrates the ending of slavery in America. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Major Gen. Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and took control of the state, declaring that all slaves were free. Juneteenth is considered to be the longest-running African American holiday in the United States. More on cooking: Want to learn to cook Vietnamese recipes? Trang Moreland's new cookbook can help Sampling some Southern cooking Rodney Sutton checks on a batch of freshly cooked collard greens at his home in Dennison. Sutton allowed T-R staff members to sample his cooking during a recent visit to his home in Dennison. He cooks his collard greens with smoked turkey necks. "My grandmother, when she used to cook them, used either fatback or something like that," he said. "Now, a lot of people don't eat pork, so usually when I make it, I make it with the turkey necks. It's leaner, and more people like turkey as opposed to the pork, anyway." On his back porch, he cooked chicken legs and boneless pork on the grill. He placed the meat on the side of the grill. "Most people cook their meat on top of the coals. I usually do what is smoke and heat, no fire on the meat at all. I find that it gives it a better flavor," he said. Sutton uses his own sauce for the meat. "Folks always ask me, what's in the sauce? My answer is usually a little bit of this and a little bit of that, because it's a secret recipe," he said. When he makes his sauce, he slow cooks it, and he does add some vinegar to it. "It has to have some tang to it, definitely has to have some tang," he said. Picking the perfect watermelon Rodney Sutton talks about some traditional African American cooking techniques and inspirations. Watermelon is also an important part of a Juneteenth celebration. Sutton offered some tips on selecting the perfect watermelon. "One thing I learned early about watermelons is you can really tell whether or not it's sweet before you cut them," he said. "The thing I was taught as a kid is that you take that watermelon, and you hold it up to your ear and you tap on it. If you have a hollow sound, you know it's going to be nice and juicy and it's going to be sweet. If it's not hollow, you can put it back. The other test is your ends. You press on them. You don't want it to be too soft, but you want a little bit of movement in there. That's another way of telling whether or not you've got a good watermelon." Sutton explained how he learned to cook. Collard greens is one of the dishes to be featured in Rodney Sutton's cooking demonstration at a Juneteenth event at the Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market in Dover. Other dishes include barbecue ribs, fried chicken and fried green tomatoes. "When I was 3, I kind of got kicked out of preschool for starting a food fight," he said. "My grandmother said, since you can't go to school, you'll learn at home. At age 3 she would take me and sit me on a stool in the middle of the kitchen, and I got to watch her cook. Sometimes I would get to stir or pour stuff in. I did that until I was ready to start kindergarten. So, by the time I started kindergarten, I could probably cook 10 or 15 dishes on my own." From 2010 to 2013, he operated his own business in Uhrichsville, Sutton's Taste of Heaven, a family-style restaurant that featured Southern cooking. He still does some cooking, catering birthday parties, anniversaries and church events. Juneteenth program The farmers market event, held at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover, begins at 3:30 p.m. with a presentation at the Clover Cafe by Bill Walker on the history of Juneteenth and its significance as a federal holiday. This program will also feature a period of conversation and dialogue with those in attendance. Sutton's cooking demonstration will follow at 5. Featured food will be barbecue ribs, fried chicken, collard greens with smoked turkey, fried green tomatoes and watermelon. The event is sponsored by the Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market and the Dover Public Library. Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com. This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Learn how to prepare Southern-style dishes at Juneteenth event Looking for a deal? Try the Barberton Citywide Garage Sale this weekend Gerald Swain looks for bargains on 6th Street NW during a citywide garage sale on Thursday in Barberton. Every year about this time, Barberton becomes a bargain-hunter's delight. That's when the Barberton Citywide Garage Sale takes place, when homeowners become entrepreneurs without the paperwork or fee requirements of a permit. The sale has become a tradition in the city, originating from neighborhood sales and growing into an all-over-Barberton event about 13 years ago. Thornwood Drive resident Angela Nonno reboots a DJ Hero2 system after showing it to a customer at her garage sale on Thursday in Barberton. Not everyone participates, of course, but it's easy to find balloons marking streets where sales are taking place, or absent a balloon, the traditional yard sign with arrow pointing in the right direction. This year, the sales started Thursday and run through Sunday. All the way from Colombia Over the years, the citywide sale has grown in popularity, drawing bargain hunters from surrounding communities. On Thursday, in fact, Jan Davis and Diane Kozak had customers from Colombia. The shoppers were on a church group visit to the U.S. and stopped by for a look. "I gave them stuff and they bought some stuff," Davis said. Rachel Henderson searches for a bargain at a garage sale across from Lake Anna on Thursday in Barberton. Davis said traffic was steady at her 6th Street Northwest home near Lake Anna. She said she's had garage sales before, but this one was off to a strong start. "I've never made the kind of money I made today $105 and it's early," she said. Her neighbor, Diane Kozak, wasn't having the same luck, but she was enjoying the start of the citywide event. "The best part is the people," she said. 'I had somebody waiting here at 7:30' Across town on Meadowood Drive in the Austin Estates neighborhood, Maryann Struckel was seeing good traffic, too. "It's been really busy," she said. "This is the first year I've ever done a Thursday and ... there's lots of sales." Maryann Struckel ties a balloon to her Meadowood Drive mailbox during a citywide garage sale on Thursday in Barberton. She said she likes to offer a lot of items, tries to organize them well and keep them clean and "well-priced." "I had somebody waiting here at 7:30 a.m.," she said. Around the corner on Thornwood Drive, Angela Nonno said she's planning to run her sale through Saturday. The neighborhood, she said, had another sale in May. "(We) try to find another home for things we don't need anymore," she said. 'I'm buying all their stuff' At 150 5th St. NE near Summa Barberton Hospital, Nancy Laria was overseeing a multi-family sale. "This is a big one," she said. "We've been busy all day. They started coming about 8 (a.m.)" Laria's friend Paulette Criss of Cuyahoga Falls, said she took a break from helping out to make some purchases. "I'm buying all their stuff," she said. The fun of garage sales On 16th Street Northwest near Tuscarawas Avenue, Beverly Vidergar was selling a family heirloom among the other items. The oak children's bench was handmade by her uncle, who cut down the tree it was made from. Nearby, a Kenmore Sewing Serger was for sale. Vidergar said traffic was slow Thursday, but didn't seem upset. "We're sitting here playing cards and we're having fun," she said. Bill Skinner scored a stereo with Boze speakers while shopping at a garage sale on Meadowood Drive on Thursday in Barberton. Bill Skinner started deal-hunting early and was still going at it in the afternoon. He hit the Castle, Thornwood and Meadowood sales and was starting to load up his truck. "I'm searching for a good deal," he said. "Everybody does." Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Barberton's annual garage sale event features lots of sales, deals Students pick up cereal for breakfast before school at Bethune Academy in Milwaukee. With summer beginning, Milwaukee Public Schools and some suburban Milwaukee area school districts are providing summer meal programs for families in need. Some programs provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Others provide just one or two of those meals. Most districts use the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, which is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The program reimburses school districts and other organizations that operate meal sites in low-income areas. Here's where programs are being held this summer, based on districts' responses to the Journal Sentinel's requests for information. Brown Deer School District The district is participating in the Summer Food Service Program and is providing breakfast and lunch to children 18 years old and younger. Dates are June 17-18, 20-21, 24-28; and July 8-12 and 15-19. No meals will be offered June 19 due to Juneteenth and during the week of July 4. Meals can be picked up at either Brown Deer Elementary School's cafeteria or Brown Deer Middle/High School's South Commons. At Brown Deer Elementary, breakfast will be served from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and lunch will be served from 12 to 12:30 p.m. At Brown Deer Middle/High School, breakfast will be served from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Germantown School District The district is providing breakfast to children ages 2 to 18 in the Germantown community at Kennedy Middle School. The program runs June 17-July 19 from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, but not the week of July 1. Meals must be eaten at Kennedy Middle School and cannot be taken home, according to Germantown Superintendent Chris Reuter. Greenfield School District The district is hosting its community free hot lunch program through the Summer Food Service Program for all children 18 years old and younger at Maple Grove Elementary School from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays June 17 through Aug. 1. No meal service will be provided on Fridays, nor will meals be provided on July 4 or 5. Questions can be referred to Greenfield Food Service at (414) 281-3357. Kettle Moraine School District The district is not hosting summer meals, but families can use the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program, an income-based program that helps families buy food during the summer by providing them with $120 in benefits for each qualifying child. Those benefits can be used anywhere that FoodShare benefits are accepted, such as "most grocery stores, many convenience stores and some farmer's markets," according to the district's website. Families living in the district whose children already receive free or reduced price meals do not need to do anything to get access to the program. Families wanting access can apply for free and reduced price meals and will receive access if approved before Aug. 29. The district recommends visiting access.wi.gov to learn more about the application process. Participants can also apply directly for the Summer EBT program by visiting summerebt.wi.gov. Milwaukee Public Schools The district has numerous sites for summer meals for children 18 and under, regardless of what school they attend, at sites that provide Milwaukee Recreation Summer programming. Meals must be eaten at the program's location and are not intended for carryout, the district's website said. To find a meal site near you, visit mpsmke.com/summermeals. The Hunger Task Force also has information about meal sites around Milwaukee County at www.hungertaskforce.org/what-we-do/summer-meals. South Milwaukee School District South Milwaukee High School is hosting meal service through the Summer Food Service Program for children and teens June 18 through July 25, from 12 to 12:45 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. No sign up or application is needed, and children from neighboring communities are also welcome. Info on food items will be available at sdsm.nutrislice.com or by calling South Milwaukee School Nutrition at 414-766-5135. Waukesha School District The district has six sites providing free breakfast and lunch to all children 18 years old and younger, Monday through Friday from June 17 through July 12 during summer school. Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school programs to have meals. No meals will be served July 4 and 5. The four elementary school sites are Banting, Bethesda, Hadfield and STEM Elementary Schools, which serve breakfast from 7:30 to 8:05 a.m. and lunch from 12 to 12:30 p.m. The middle school site is Horning Middle School, which serves breakfast from 7 to 7:35 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Waukesha North High School is the high school site, which serves breakfast from 7:30 to 8:05 a.m. and lunch from 12 to 12:30 p.m. West Allis-West Milwaukee School District The district is offering its meals through the Summer Food Service Program, which offers families lunch and dinner at Liberty Heights Park, West Milwaukee Park and LaFollette Park from June 10 to August 16, Monday through Friday. Lunch is served from 12 to 12:45 p.m. and dinner is served from 4 to 5 p.m. There are no requirements to participate. Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here are the Milwaukee area schools hosting summer meal programs Can You Name The 'Drink Of The Summer' From Years Past? Much of the cultural discourse around this time of year revolves around the song of the summer, as music lovers debate which new ditty will follow in the footsteps of hits like Despacito, Butter and In My Feelings. (For the record, my vote is Sabrina Carpenters Espresso.) But the warm weather also ushers in another important superlative in the food and beverage world: drink of the summer. It seems every year theres a particularly delicious cocktail that the masses crave as they enjoy the season of outdoor bars, backyard barbecues and fabulous vacations. To inspire your seasonal sipping, were looking back at some of the cocktails that have been dubbed drink of the summer in recent years (and a couple of current contenders). Cheers! Batanga (2024) Illustration: HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images This zingy cola-based cocktail is vying for the title of 2024s drink of the summer. The batanga is a refreshing drink made with fresh lime juice, tequila blanco and cola, served in a highball glass with a salted rim (and occasionally a pinch of salt directly in the cocktail). The simple yet perfectly balanced libation is often compared to a Cuba libre with tequila instead of rum, or a paloma with cola instead of grapefruit. Although the ratios can vary, many bartenders stir half an ounce of lime juice and 2 ounces of tequila blanco in a tall glass filled with ice before filling the rest with cola. As the story goes, the iconic bar owner Don Javier Delgado Corona invented the batanga in the 1960s in the town of Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. Thats why aficionados recommend using Mexican Coke and tequila blanco from the distillery El Tequileno to make a truly authentic version. Crucially, Don Javier also stirred his signature cocktail with the same bar knife he used to cut the limes, infusing extra flavor. People like stories they like history, they like heritage, and this drink has a lot of history and heritage, Steffin Oghene, the vice president of international sales at El Tequileno, told HuffPost. And its a favorite amongst locals, so people want to be involved in that experience. Porn Star Martini (2024) Costi Moculescu/Getty Images Another cocktail that people have heralded as the defining drink of summer 2024 is the porn star martini. Despite its name, the beverage is not a true martini at all, but rather a very sweet concoction served in a chilled martini glass. The ingredients are: Two ounces of vanilla vodka, half an ounce of passion fruit liqueur, half an ounce of fresh lime juice, half an ounce of vanilla syrup and an ounce of passion fruit puree. The drink is traditionally accompanied by a decadent shot of chilled prosecco or champagne. Invented by London bartender Douglas Ankrah in 2002, the porn star martini has experienced waves of popularity across Europe, but recent years have elevated the cocktail to new heights of notoriety. Perhaps the raunchy, conversation-starting name as something to do with it. Now its definitely catching on here in the U.S. just like how the espresso martini made its comeback, said Adam Delaney, a cocktail and bar consultant and beverage director at John Sparr Tavern in Glendale, California. The Hugo (2023) Dulin via Getty Images Also known as a Hugo spritz, the Hugo was the prevailing choice for summer 2023s signature cocktail. Exact ratios vary, but this refreshing beverage is often made with four ounces of prosecco, half an ounce of elderflower liqueur (usually St-Germain), two ounces of soda water and fresh mint, and is served over ice. Some also garnish with lime and/or add a dash of gin. While it is technically an aperitif, and intended to be sipped on before a meal, it is easily enjoyed at any time, especially dining al fresco in warmer months, cocktail expert Rysse Goldfarb told HuffPost last summer. A lighter answer to the bitter Aperol spritz, the Hugo was reportedly invented around 2005 at a bar near the Austrian-Italian border. The cocktail quickly spread throughout Europe, and finally made a splash in the U.S., amid the rise of low-ABV drinks and renewed zest for international travel after the pandemic. Dirty Shirley (2022) The Rooftop at The Wayfarer Summer 2022 was a big time for the Dirty Shirley a grownup take on the Shirley Temple. Named for the non-alcoholic drink (named for the iconic child star), this cocktail offers a way to get tipsy while getting in touch with your inner child. Although there are many variations, the basic gist is you take the traditional Shirley Temple (8 ounces of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, plus 1 ounce of grenadine and a maraschino cherry, over ice) and add a shot or so of vodka. Its a big seller with the 25-to-35 age demographic, I think because its nostalgic, fun and just flat-out tastes really good, mixologist Lauren Pellecchia told HuffPost in 2022. Its not a serious drink, and after the last few very serious years we all deserve some lightheartedness. A Dirty Shirley is something that anyone can make at home and confidently order out at the bar which is not always the case for other drinks that have been popular over the past few years. The sweet but refreshing drink is a crowd pleaser, but if you arent a fan of vodka cocktails, you can opt for a version with dark rum and call it a Shirley Temple Black (a nod to the child stars married name). Espresso Martini (2021) Juan Moyano via Getty Images Following the exhaustion and burnout of life amid the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps it is unsurprising that many people were craving the jolt of an espresso martini in 2021. That summer, the New York Times declared, The espresso martini is everywhere (again). Like the porn star martini, this cocktail was reportedly invented by a London bartender but more than a decade earlier in the late 80s. Espresso martinis were all the rage throughout the 90s before the hype died down, as people seemed to become fatigued with sweet libations in V-shaped stemware. The 2020s revival was strong, however. Some point to the influence of reality shows like Below Deck, which frequently featured cast members drinking espresso martinis. Whatever the reason for the trend, theres no denying were all the more caffeinated for it. To make an espresso martini, pour 2 ounces of vodka, half an ounce of coffee liqueur, 1 ounce of espresso and half an ounce simple syrup into an ice-filled shaker and give it a good shake before straining it into a chilled cocktail glass. Dont forget to add a few coffee beans as a garnish. Aperol Spritz (2020) Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Photography via Getty Images The Aperol Spritz has long been a signature summer drink in many parts of the world, but the simple ingredient list and lack of skill needed to make the classic aperitivo gave it a particular prominence in 2020, when most people were mixing up their own cocktails at home. My go-to classic recipe for an Aperol Spritz is two half moon oranges, 2 ounces Aperol, 1 ounce soda water, 3 ounces prosecco, crushed ice and a fresh orange peel, said Christina Demas, the beverage director of Maple & Ash + etta in Scottsdale, Arizona. Experts recommend choosing an extra dry or dry prosecco but not a full-on brut. Make sure to add the prosecco after the soda water and Aperol. Hard Seltzer (2019) Cindy Ord via Getty Images Its the summer of hard seltzer! declared countlesspublicationsin2019. Indeed, it was hard to go anywhere without spotting one of the many canned offerings from White Claw and Truly. In fact, Nielsen reported that the alcohol sales for hard seltzers at bars and restaurants grew by 73% between the spring and fall of 2019, and White Claw sales were were up about 250% that year compared to 2018. The trend has carried on into subsequent years as big brands like Budweiser and Corona capitalized on the low-ABV craze. Not everyone craves an ice cold beer on a summer day, but that doesnt mean they have to forego the joy of cracking open a can of something boozy to quench their thirst. Black cherry, passionfruit, lime, peach, raspberry whatever your flavor preference, theres a spiked seltzer for you. Frose (2016) Image Professionals GmbH via Getty Images As with the Aperol Spritz, rose has long been a summertime sipping staple. But a frozen take on this pink-hued wine came into fashion in the 2010s. It was summer 2016 when the Washington Post declared: Frose is taking over D.C. Frose is typically made with rose wine, strawberries, vodka and lemon juice or sugar blended with ice into a frozen slushie treat. Think sophisticated Slurpees for adults. Just be sure to sip carefully to avoid the dreaded brain freeze! Related... There are 18,000 dairy farms in Wisconsin. In National Dairy Month, you can visit a few of them and enjoy a Wisconsin pastime: a dairy breakfast. The dairy breakfasts are meant to educate individuals on the production of dairy and honor the legacies of farmers through family-friendly activities like tours and petting zoos. Farmers have been doing the breakfasts for more than 50 years. You'd typically try foods like pancakes, yogurt, and cheesy eggs that Wisconsin farmers would serve too. Here's where you can go to eat breakfast on a farm for National Dairy Month: Attendees wait in a dairy breakfast line on a Wisconsin farm. Farms in southeastern Wisconsin will be serving breakfasts. Kenosha County's first dairy breakfast will be from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Crain Grain Farms, 3930 288th Ave. Tickets are $10 per person, but children six and under get in free. Schaal Dairy Farm in Racine County has 400 cows and invites you to breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22 at 1800 Mc Lee Rd. in Burlington, Wisconsin. Tickets are $10, but children five and under are free. Have breakfast on a farm in west central Wisconsin A boy petting a cow at a dairy breakfast that celebrates National Dairy Month. Eau Claire County's big breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the Bischoff Farm, 5935 Deerfield Rd. Adult tickets are $10, children five to 11 are $5 and four and under get in free. The La Crosse Lions wants you to know more about the dairy industry. A dairy breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the La Crosse Interstate Fairgrounds, N4985 County Road M in West Salem, Wisconsin. Tickets are $8 for ages 13 and up; $4 for ages six through 12; and free for children five and under. The 2024 Buffalo County Dairy Breakfast is from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 at Mar-Bec Dairy LLC, W962 County Road NN. During the breakfast you will get to learn about conservation and sustainable farming practices. This is a free event. Come savor the dairy at Wisconsin's east central farms. A farm in Sheboygan County hosted a breakfast and activities for National Dairy Month. Kewaunee County breakfast will begin with a Catholic Church service at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast being hosted by Heim's Hillcrest Dairy LLC from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 16 at E3731 Rockledge Rd. Tickets are $5 for ages four through 12, $10 for ages 13 and up and free for those under age three. Fond du Lac County will have a country-style breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 23 at Abel Dairy Farms, W4050 County Road UU. Tickets are $10 for children 13 and up, $8 for ages six through 12 and free for those under five. Click here for more details about the breakfasts being hosted across the state. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where to find dairy breakfasts in Wisconsin to celebrate Dairy Month Here are North Jersey's best hikes for families, for great views or for a challenge Looking to get outside? There is no better way to experience New Jersey than going on a beautiful hike through the varied terrain the state has to offer. Whether you want to take the whole family, discover rewarding, unbeaten scenic views, or get you adrenaline pumping with a challenging hike, we have you covered! We've got waterfalls, forested peaks, breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, sections of the famed Appalachian Trail and everything from flat boardwalks to rough rock scrambles. We picked the best family-friendly, scenic, and challenging hikes from six different North Jersey counties to guide you to your next hike. Trail information is provided by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, NJHiking.com, and AllTrails. More: It's time to head outside, New Jersey! These are the most visited state parks More: Sure, NJ is densely populated. But surprise! it also has 11 state forests to explore Story continues below photo gallery Family-Friendly Hikes G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve Hike, Franklin Lakes G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve Hike This spot gives hikers panoramic views of High Mountain. The 75-acre lake was once Haledon Reservoir, which provided water for North Haledon, Prospect Park, and Haledon. The hike is two miles and takes one hour to complete. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/franklin-lakes-nature-preserve#dialog-hike-description Hugh Force Canal Park, Wharton Hugh Force Canal Park The Morris Canal once connected the Hudson and Delaware Rivers, and now makes up a section of this hike. The canal was opened in 1831 and included 23 locks and inclined planes for boats to ascend from sea level to Lake Hopatcong, which sits 914 feet above sea level, and then back down to the Delaware River. The hike is two miles and takes one hour. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/hugh-force-canal-park#dialog-hike-description Hobble Falls and Hemlock Falls via Lenape Trail, South Orange Hemlock Falls in South Mountain Reservation One of the most popular sights in South Mountain Reservation, Hemlock Falls gives hikers a beautiful sight that is not challenging to get to. The hike is only 0.7 miles and takes just 30 minutes to complete. Hike guide: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-jersey/hobble-falls-and-hemlock-falls-via-lenape-trail Flat Rock Brook Nature Center Loop Hike #1, Englewood Flat Rock Brook Nature Center Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is 150 acres and includes Allison Woods Park. Hikers loop around the Nature Center and walk alongside a stream during the hike. The hike is two miles and takes one hour. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/flat-rock-brook-nature-center Pochuck Boardwalk, Vernon Pochuck Boardwalk This hike takes you through a scenic marshy area on a boardwalk before crossing over the Pochuck Suspension Bridge. The level wooden boardwalks make it easy for hikers to complete. The trail is two miles. Hike guide: https://www.njhiking.com/pochuck-boardwalk-appalachian-trail/ Dunnfield Creek/A.T Short Loop, Columbia Dunnfield Creek Dunnfield Creek provides native brook trout a home as a designated Wild Trout Stream. The trail takes hikers through a mature hemlock and mixed hardwood ravine. The hike is four miles and takes two and a half hours to complete. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/worthington-state-forest#dialog-hike-description Best View Hikes Carris Hill Loop from Otter Hole, Bloomingdale Carris Hill Loop, Bloomingdale Hikers pass by two waterfalls and climb Carris Hill, which offers panoramic views over the Wanaque Reservoir. The hike is five miles and takes three and a half hours. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/carris-hill-loop-otter-hole#dialog-hike-description Hawk Watch at Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Rockaway Township Hawk Watch at Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Rockaway Township Hikers reach a scenic view of the Manhattan skyline and circle the reservation on unpaved roads and footpaths. Hikers experience a panoramic view of the Rockaway Valley and pass by a beaver pond. The hike is two miles and takes two hours. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/hawk-watch-wildcat-ridge-wildlife-management-area#dialog-hike-description Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange Sunrise over Manhattan skyline from Eagle Rock Reservation The 408-acre Eagle Rock Reservations design was contributed to by the Olmsted brothers, who also designed Central Park. Hikers circle the reservation through unpaved roads and footpaths before reaching a scenic view of the Manhattan skyline. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/eagle-rock-reservation Shore Trail/Long Path Loop via Carpenters Trail, Fort Lee A view of the George Washington Bridge from the Shore Trail Long Path Loop in Fort Lee. Hikers experience panoramic views as the trail descends to the Hudson River and up into the Palisades Cliffs. The skyscrapers of lower Manhattan and the George Washington Bridge are also visible from the trail. The hike is three miles and takes two hours. Hike guide: https://nynjtc.com/hike/shore-trail-cliff-top-new-jersey-palisades#dialog-hike-description A.T/Iris Trail Loop in High Point State Park, Wantage The A.T/Iris Trail Loop in High Point State Park, Wantage. Multiple viewpoints take a hiker's breath away on this trail, including the shore of Lake Rutherford. The rugged Appalachian Trail meets the Iris Trail, which is a gentle woods road. The hike is seven miles and takes four hours. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/lake-rutherford-loop-via-appalachian-trail-iris-trail#dialog-hike-description Rattlesnake Swamp Trail/Appalachian Trail Loop, Hardwick Township Rattlesnake Swamp Trail/Appalachian Trail Loop Hikers walk through a swamp, and experience a ridgetop walk and a dense forest. Beautiful views are available along the Appalachian Trail and from a fire tower on the trail . The hike is five miles and takes three hours. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/rattlesnake-swamp-trailappalachian-trail-loop-millbrook-road#dialog-hike-description Challenging Trails Stonetown Circular, Ringwood Stonetown Circular Trail Hikers climb and descend five mountains and experience views of the Wanaque and Monksville Reservoirs. Challenges include rock hops over streams, and hikers must go up and down continuously. The hike is 10.6 miles. Hike guide: https://www.njhiking.com/stonetown-circular/ Splitrock Reservoir Loop, Boonton Splitrock Reservoir Loop Hikers loop around Splitrock Reservoir, and from Indian Cliffs get views of the reservoir and Misty Pond. The trail is very rocky and has many elevation changes. The hike is 11.1 miles. Hike guide: https://www.njhiking.com/nj-challenging-hikes-splitrock-reservoir-loop/ South Mountain Reservation Loop, West Orange South Mountain Reservation Loop Covering 2,110 acres, South Mountain Reservation features a segment of the 36-mile Lenape Trail. The most challenging hike is a 9.5 mile loop, which combines a 6.5 mile loop in the southern part of the reservation and a three mile loop around the northern part. Hike guide: https://www.njhiking.com/south-mountain-reservation-hemlock-falls/ The Giant Stairs, Alpine A view of the Hudson River on the Giant Stairs, at the first talus slope near the northern end of the Stairs. This trail challenges hikers to scramble over a long section of large boulders that fell from the Palisades, but offers rewarding views of the Hudson River. Over a mile of the trail requires hikers to scramble over the boulders, the largest rock scramble in New Jersey. The hike is 4.3 miles. Hike guide: https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/giant-stairslong-path-loop-state-line-lookout Blue Mountain Loop, Sandyston Blue Mountain Loop This loop takes hikers through an elegant forest and Big Flat Brook. A dirt/root surface with soggy areas and steep climbs to viewpoints makes it a challenge. The hike is 17 miles and takes six and a half hours to complete. Hike guide: https://www.njhiking.com/stokes-blue-mountain-loop-upper/ Mt. Tammany and Sunfish Pond, Columbia The Delaware River from Mt. Tammany Hikers ascend the 1,526-foot summit of Mt. Tammany, the southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountains, and are awarded with beautiful views of the Delaware Water Gap. Then, the Kittatinny ridge takes you to Sunfish Pond, revealing another fabulous sight. Challenges are rock-hop stream crossings and the distance, which is 10.8 miles. Hike guide: https://www.njhiking.com/nj-challenging-hikes-mt-tammany-sunfish-pond/ This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best North Jersey hikes, from family-friendly to challenging It's not double vision. Ridgewood's Class of 2024 really has 15 sets of twins RIDGEWOOD If you're seeing double at the Ridgewood High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, don't worry, it's not your vision. There really are 15 sets of twins in the Class of 2024. However, since the district has a long-standing tradition of lining up its graduates for the procession by height and sex rather than alphabetically, it may obscure the fact that this year's 419 members include eight sets of boy/girl twins, five sets of girl twins, and two sets of boy twins. At a gathering during their final days as students, the pairs gave quick and precise answers to the pros and cons of being twins. Ridgewood, NJ -- June 12, 2024 -- On the steps outside Ridgewood High School are thirteen of the fifteen sets of twins that will be graduating from Ridgewood this year. First off, the twins said they were all well-behaved and innocent of any switcheroo deceptions during their school careers. No changing places to test the eagle eyes of their teachers at least not in high school. Elsa and Anais Friedrich said they gave it a try in the seventh grade during gym class one time. It didn't go well. "We got detention," Elsa said. The pair mended their ways and have each won a rowing scholarship in college. The most challenging part about being a twin, most of them said, is the assumption that they are exactly alike. "We are different," said Owen Scott, who is a twin of brother Finley. "People treat us like we're the same person." Jake Bandel argued it's "less of an issue" for him and his sister Alexandra, where the differences are more apparent. Looking the same does not necessarily mean similar interests, said Henry Rivera, who is headed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, while his twin sister Charlotte will pursue a bachelor's degree in fine arts. Ella Sands said the most difficult part of being a twin was the "paperwork" she and her sister Charlotte had to fill out. "The College Boards would not accept the fact that there were two people with the same last name at the same address," Ella said. "They kept telling us we made a mistake." While Henry Summerville insisted he and sister Anneli do "nothing together," Kimberly Cassidy said the best part of being a twin is having a "built-in best friend" in brother Christopher. Renee Peters said it doesn't hurt to have sister Juliet around to "help with questions about schoolwork" in the classes they shared, but that did not necessarily translate into equal grades. More: Ridgewood sports fields on hold after contaminants found in soil at historic site So, what's another fun thing about being a twin? "Snitching," said Anais, with an eyebrow bounce and a sideways glance at sister Elsa. The 15 sets of twins: Anthony and Maria Alters Cameron and Morgan Anderson Alexandra and Jake Bandel Hope and Kelie Brussel Christopher and Kimberly Cassidy Anais and Elsa Friedrich Jacqueline and Jason Groehnert Hamin and Damin Kang Ryan and Zachary Kranz Juliet and Renee Peters Charlotte and Henry Rivera Charlotte and Ella Sands Finley and Owen Scott Mark and Heidi Shiroshita Anneli and Henry Summerville HIGHLANDS TWINS This Bergen County high school has an astounding 11 sets of twins graduating this year This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgewood High School Class of 2024 really has 15 sets of twins ODESSA At Ladybug Farm Sanctuary, every goat has a story. Able was born with his hind legs twisted backward. The owner of the 3-acre Odessa sanctuary found the goat, now a year old, being sold on Craigslist for $50. She purchased him and fundraised for corrective surgery and a wheelchair. Xyla, which means wood dweller, once lived in a Westchase forest. She smiles, sometimes on command. Bolt earned his name by taking off down Plant Citys Highway 92 when the trapper came. As for the sanctuarys newest resident, Billy G, hes a bit of a mystery. Living wild in Temple Terrace, he seems to have as many lives as a cat: local lore is that he escaped a religious ritual and regularly avoided becoming an alligators meal but more on that soon. The sanctuary at 12536 Tyler Run Ave. has other animals that make up its population of more than 75, if you count the ducks and chickens. Over the years, about 80 goats have been adopted out to farms. Were a farm animal sanctuary for abandoned, abused, injured, neglected and special-needs farm animals, said founder and president Kris Hedstrom. She has been rescuing animals for more than a decade and made her efforts official three years ago by establishing a nonprofit. She wants to help the animals no one else wants. Take Red, the 32-year-old horse. Hes exceptionally old, Hedstrom said. He came from another rescue where the husband died and wife had dementia. Stanley, a miniature donkey, was rescued from a Pennsylvania slaughterhouse. Georgie the sheep is blind. He just kind of hangs out here, Hedstrom said. But goats are the focus of her sanctuary, which has three employees, 40 regular volunteers and around $10,000 a month of overhead when medical bills are included. People just let their goats go, especially bucks, which are not worth a lot to breeders, Hedstrom said. Or someone buys one for a pet, realizes caring for the animal is a lot of work and money, and then abandons them in a neighborhood. That might have been the case for Billy G, the brown and white-striped goat who appeared in Temple Terrace around eight months ago and lived in and around Takomah Trail Park. But Annette Renny, who lives nearby, has another theory. Theres people in that area who practice Santeria, she said. I think he escaped. Santeria, Spanish for worship of saints, is a blend of the African religion of Yoruba and the Roman Catholic faith. Animal sacrifice intended to help cure a loved ones illness is among the religions practices a legal one, since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1996 that animal sacrifice for religious purposes is protected from prosecution. Residents tracked Billy G who Hedstrom thinks is about 18 months old on the Temple Terrace Bulletin Board on Facebook. He became a celebrity, Renny said. People considered him a mascot. The Temple Terrace mascot wants to wish yall a good morning!! Brandy Ann Christian posted on April 3, along with a photograph of him walking across a sidewalk. But some worried about his health. If he stepped on a nail or something, he could die of tetanus, Hedstrom said. Billy Gs hooves were also overgrown, which can cause pain and injury. Plus goats are herd animals. They need other goats around. Renny was concerned that Billy G would be hit by a car or eaten by an alligator that lived in his favorite drinking pond. She was fed up with neighborhood kids throwing trash at him. So a group of us decided we would come up with a plan to save him, Renny said. Ladybug Farm Sanctuary agreed to take him in. Animal rescuers Heath Bodden and Ronda Lang took on the task of trapping the goat. They spotted Billy G near 50th Street on June 3 and pulled their car alongside him. They then dropped grapes. As he ate, Lang placed a lasso around his neck and exited the car. Because goats only have bottom teeth, the rescuers were not worried about being bitten. But goats are surprisingly strong and Billy G was no exception. He reared up, pulled Lang to the ground and dragged her into a nearby ditch. Bodden raced over and helped hold down the goat. Once in their car, Billy G smiled for a photograph. Billy G is living in the sanctuarys quarantine barn and yard until hes medically cleared. In a week or so, he should be able to join the herd of 22 that includes Elvis the three-legged goat and Daisy Mae, another goat in need of a wheelchair due to nerve damage from being bitten in the back by a donkey at her last home. Her left leg came back, but her right leg, were still working on, Hedstrom said. Shes our little princess. The laser therapy that Daisy Mae needs is expensive, Hedstrom added, and shes on her seventh wheelchair in three years, all of which is funded through donations. As for Billy Gs former Temple Terrace neighbors, the sanctuary let them know that he is OK. We are so grateful to everyone that has kept an eye on Billy G these last few months! they wrote on the Facebook page. And we are so honored to have him here!!! If you want to help To learn how to volunteer or donate to Ladybug Farm Sanctuary, visit ladybugfarmsanctuary.com. 'It was probably one of the toughest years.' Recent high school grad reflects on pandemic. High school didnt come without challenges for recent Matanzas High School graduate Finn Graifer. The Class of 2024 started its four-year journey during the 2020-21 school year, which was still riddled with pandemic irregularities. Matanzas was operating with an integrated classroom system at the time, Graifer said, where some students would show up to school masked and in-person while others would attend classes through Zoom. It was a very strange time, especially in high school (and) your first year, he said. It was just a lot of dominoes that were just falling in a really bad spot. Finn Graifer, Matanzas High School Class of 2024. Even though Graifer attended school in person his freshman year, he still felt isolated. And homelife struggles occurring simultaneously only amplified those feelings. I was just really, just kind of disconnected from everybody and anything. Every day kind of felt the same for me, very monotonous, he said. But that year was very important to me because that's kind of when I was at my lowest point, so that I have a base of reference to see where I'm at now compared to then. It was probably one of the toughest years of my life. Part way through Graifers sophomore year of high school, he joined the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). It changed my life, really, he said. Finn Graifer, Matanzas High School Class of 2024. JROTC gave Graifer purpose, pride and a sense of belonging, he said. And it provided him with a big family atmosphere at a time when he was really struggling. That was probably what kind of kept me going. We all were always together. Anything we do after school, like, our drill team or our color guard so you kind of build that clique with one another, he said. I feel like that family aspect kind of saved me at a time where I was really struggling because you still had that, that sense of community, which, I needed that at that time in my life, so I felt like the community aspect of ROTC is something that saved me. Graifer also said that his JROTC instructor, Troy Caraballo, served as a noteworthy role model who exemplified a down-to-earth and humble persona. He did like 20-something years in the military, and (now) hes trying to help the young leaders of America and lead them and motivate them to be the best versions of themselves. Finn Graifer, Matanzas High School Class of 2024. Next year, Graifer will be back down the totem pole as a freshman in college. He will attend Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, on a U.S. Army scholarship. I feel like Im prepared, as prepared as I can be, but theres still things I dont know, and Im only 18, so I haven't experienced anything yet, he said. Its only the start of my life, so I feel like I just have the right mindset now because I did screw up I did but the redemption part is what made me who I am. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Matanzas High graduate shares story of resiliency, 'redemption' AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Relic Coffee Company has been in Augusta just under a year but in that short time theyve already received a lot of attention from the community. For this episode of Your Hometown Road Trip the team stopped in and spoke with General Manager Nikole Gonzalez about what their journey has been like so far. Talk to me about what happens here. Relic is all about the bread and the coffee, we have really fresh bread and our coffees all from Ecuador, from different parts of the country, roasted locally in Athens, Georgia. The bread is made here daily. What in your opinion makes your bread and coffee so special? A few things, but Ill say love is what really goes in to it. Mama Relic is the head baker and she our mom for myself and for everybody. So theres a little extra love that goes in to there. How long have you been here? Weve been here a little over 9 months, we opened back in August of 2023. When people come here for the first time, what do you want them to walk away with? When people come in here we want you to feel our care from the team and we want that to be the same quality as the coffee and the bread that we offer. So the qualities there when it comes to the food and the service, every single time. The Relic team was kind enough to let us try some of their featured items. They hope the rest of the are come out to try as well. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Britney Mikell still remembers her first beer: a Stella Artois. Later, as her tastes developed, she would spend hours studying at breweries around the Twin Cities while enrolled as a pharmacy student. When the pandemic hit, she took up home brewing to fill all the free time. Eventually, so captivated by the culture and community around beer, she left the pharmaceutical business behind to become a brewer. That's when Mikell saw an opportunity. "I woke up at one point after maybe 10 or 15 batches," Mikell said. "I was like wait, what are the black-owned breweries in the Twin Cities? What are the women-owned breweries in the Twin Cities?" She knew of at least one brewery owned by women, St. Paul's Urban Growler, as well as Black-owned MetroNOME Brewery in the same city, and Montgomery Brewing in Montgomery, Minnesota. But none were owned by a Black woman. Mikell, 33, has plans to open Bubble Line Brewing Company in St. Paul next year. It will be Minnesota's first Black-woman owned brewery, located in St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood, a historic hub of Black residential and business activity. "Being in these brews and being in these spaces there's rarely anyone that looks like me, both in the people who patronize the brewery and also the people who work there," Mikell said. "Part of this brewery is diversifying the face of craft beer." Starting with her lengthy study sessions while in pharmacy school, Mikell said she saw how breweries could become "third spaces" places where people can hang outside their home or work, and where all types could feel comfortable: fellow students, people holding business meetings, and of course people there to relax with friends or family. Of course, it helps if the beer is good. That's where Mikell's pandemic hobby comes in. Brewing became a way to flex both creative and scientific muscles, she said, as she explored flavor combinations and processes. Mikell found that creating different recipes brought her joy. Plus, the beers turned out quite well, she said. The pull toward beer was finally strong enough that Mikell left pharmacy behind for a job as an assistant brewer at La Dona Cerveceria in Minneapolis. She enrolled in a Community Entrepreneurship Program at the University of St. Thomas, where she was paired with student consultants who helped her build and develop a strategy around crowdfunding to open the brewery. Recent St. Thomas graduate Laila Franklin was one of two students paired with Mikell to work with her on the crowdfunding campaign. "I was really grateful that I got assigned Brittany, because she's just an amazing human," Franklin said. "Being a woman of color myself, I just found her to be very inspiring with her words and all the things she's trying to do for the Rondo community." Franklin, 22, was able to sample some of the beer. She said future patrons have a lot to look forward to. While Minneapolis may have its fair share of breweries, the Rondo and Midway areas of St. Paul are a bit of a brewery desert, Mikell said. She's excited about the work-life harmony she hopes to achieve by getting out of bed and going to work in her neighborhood which she wants for her coworkers as well. One of her first successful home brews, a Honeycrisp apple blonde ale that is a nod to the apple created at the University of Minnesota and her love of the apple flavors, will be a part of of the taproom's menu. "We'll have beer, we'll also have craft lemonade. We'll have a bit of something for everyone," Mikell said. Mikell hopes Bubble Line can be space for all to having fun and building community, whether they love a good pilsner or have never heard of one, whether they are celebrating a big win or simply studying for an exam like she used to. Row of yellow indoor storage units (Credit: Aga Adameck | Unsplash) The storage unit industry doesn't have the most sterling reputation. Between robberies, stingy insurance coverage, and being fodder for reality TV auction show drama, it's difficult (and unwise) to trust any old storage company. As you might expect, Reddit is full of nightmare tales from unsuspecting storage unit renters. Many "Redditors," the denizens who make up Reddit communities, learned the brutal way just how little protection the giant metal doors on their storage units actually offer. Others saw how quickly storage unit companies are happy to charge extra and even auction off their belongings if they're late on rent. Luckily for us, they shared their storage unit horror stories from Reddit, providing valuable lessons and a healthy dose of cringe alongside the frights. Related reading from Yahoo Local: Haunting moving horror stories from Reddit Act quickly if you can no longer afford your storage unit When Reddit user u/mathworkout first started renting their storage unit, they had the money to afford it. Life eventually took a turn, and they ended up in the hospital with no job and no money to pay the unit rent. A struggle to pay late fees and get their stuff back followed. I struggled and paid full rent for the month of March but they added extra fees [of] $100. I even paid part of [these] fees but asked if I could remove my stuff so that another month bill does not add to this fee since I definitely would not be able to pay that. What I suggested was to have installment on the remainder of the fees $70 and retrieve my belongings and they said no. Following the storage company's denial, u/mathworkout attempted to contact someone at the company to escalate the matter. Next, 10 emails reportedly went unanswered. Later in the thread, u/mathworkout says they were able to reach someone at the corporate office but were told they had to pay all fees or their belongings would be sold the following month. At this point, u/mathworkout says the fees were more than the monthly unit rental price. Thanks to the advice of another Reddit user, though, u/mathworkout was able to get a somewhat happy ending out of this horror story. This Redditor suggested going to the auction for the unit and trying to win the bid. The helpful Redditor said they had been able to buy storage units at auctions for as little as $5, so u/mathworkout could potentially get their stuff back for cheap. That's exactly what u/mathworkout did, and they won the auction. They never shared how much they paid for the winning bid but eventually got their belongings back. What you can learn from u/mathworkout's experience: Don't hesitate to get your items out of storage if your life circumstances change and you can't afford the rent. Late fees can quickly pile up, with your belongings then hitting the auction block. If you get your stuff out as soon as possible, you could save yourself a lot of heartache. Don't let clerical errors sink an insurance claim It's a good idea to protect your storage unit with insurance, but watch out for shoddy clerical mistakes. When thieves broke into u/National-Grade3998's storage unit, it led to a related frustrating experience. The Redditor did everything right when they signed the lease for their unit, even opting to pay for $2,000 in property coverage. After the unit was broken into they attempted to file a claim with the storage unit company and were told the coverage did not apply. When u/National-Grade3998 provided documentation showing they selected $2,000 in property protection on their lease, the company said they were never charged for the coverage so they weren't protected. I called the storage unit and after some time got escalated to a regional manager who essentially argued the same thing: it looked like I had signed the agreement but they had never charged me for the coverage so I was not covered... In my mind what is written on the signed lease is what really matters. Whatever screw up or "whoopsie", or glitch they had on their end internally as a company is on them. The Redditor posted their story on r/AskALawyer to determine if they had a case in small claims court or should pursue arbitration but nothing came of it. Another Redditor who identified themselves as a self-storage owner said that u/National-Grade3988 was unlikely to see any action from the insurance company. While they might be able to argue negligence, they noted that storage insurance usually only kicks in "when a policy is paid." Ouch. What you can learn from u/National-Grade3988's experience: Always check invoices and make sure you pay for the services and coverage you want. It can be easy to throw services on auto-pay and forget about them, but that attitude stings if you miss something. A reputable business may be willing to own up to the mistake, but you can't rely on good morals from every company. Checking on your stuff regularly You wouldn't let your stuff sit in a storage unit for years without checking up on it, right? Well, sometimes life gets in the way. When Reddit user u/ProfessionalTossAway had to move away from Charleston, S.C., for five years they eventually returned to a disaster. After those five years away without checking the storage unit they received a call from the facility manager, who asked for access to his unit so he could replace the ceiling material. Even though they were moving back soon, the job sounded urgent, so the Redditor permitted the manager to cut the lock and do what needed to be done. After moving back, u/ProfessionalTossAway visited the unit and found everything covered in cockroach debris and rat feces. They explained: The entire facility (at least the portion my unit is located in) is bad now. If you've ever seen anything that suffered from a roach infestation, you can recognize it right away in the future. Like with laptops and electronics, they have a gross dirty film over them and just don't look right, and if you open them up you see the proof. My storage unit gave me those vibes right away when I opened it. Upon further inspection I found roach eggsacks attached to things like rubbermaid storage container lids out in the open, so I know it's going to be really bad in the nooks and crannies of my belongings. And there's rat feces everywhere, along with insulation and ceiling material. u/ProfessionalTossAway looked around the rest of the facility and saw it was in a similar state of disrepair. Pieces of cockroach bodies and rat feces were reportedly all over the floors, along with mildew on the building's air ducts. In the end, u/ProfessionalTossAway said they planned to return to the unit with a respirator to see what could be salvaged. What you can learn from u/ProfessionalTossAway's experience: Never leave your belongings to sit idly in a storage unit without checking on them. Reputable facilities protect units against rodents and bugs, but you could still return to find your stuff stolen or damaged from a water leak if you're not regularly checking in. If you move away, move your storage unit belongings to a facility near your new home if possible. Consider whether you need additional storage unit insurance Even if you pay for extra insurance through your storage facility, you may want to get another policy for specialty items or equipment in your unit. That's the advice Reddit user u/Lotsathangs received after describing his harrowing experience with a pipe blowout. As an audio engineer, u/Lotsathangs had a lot of professional equipment stored away when they moved to a smaller place. After finding a new commercial space to set it all up in, the Redditor went back to their storage unit to find it covered in an inch of water. Around $15,000 of amplifiers, speakers, guitars, and other equipment were reportedly ruined, and water dripped from the sagging ceiling. Infuriatingly, u/Lotsathangs' stuff had been moved onto pallets, even though they had it placed it all on the floor. Someone noticed the leak, entered the unit, and lifted the equipment a few inches off the floor instead of removing it and alerting u/Lotsathangs to the problem. The Redditor continues: I went into the office, furious (I kept it together though and remained professional!) and spoke to the manager. He said they had some pipes burst, but that the stuff should be fine because he had "his guys" move it onto pallets. I told him everything was ruined. He said I was stuck out of luck. I told him I specifically chose his facility despite their above average monthly rate (true) because they presented themselves as being highly secure, climate controlled, and safe. I produced the rental agreement and pointed out that the company claimed to reimburse any renters for loss/damage the company was determined to be at fault for. He pointed out that one of the exceptions was damage that took place "due to an act of God" (yes, it said this in the rental agreement) such as a flood, tornado, power outage, etc. After some more arguing I told him I would get my attorney involved, and he essentially dared me to, then laughed in my face. Most of the replies to u/Lotsathangs' thread suggested a pipe bursting isn't an "act of god" and they should contact their lawyer, but one reply offered different advice: next time, get a separate insurance policy. If you rely on the stuff you're storing to earn money, you should properly insure it via another policy. The added peace of mind will be well worth the policy's price if tens of thousands of dollars are at stake. What you can learn from u/Lotsathangs' experience: You don't have to be a professional to get additional insurance on your stuff. Storage unit insurance policies can be a pain, so check to see if your renters' or homeowners' insurance covers damaged goods in storage. For professional equipment, invest in an additional policy that covers items for your specific industry. More moving articles from Yahoo Local We took the first bus tour of KCKs Taco Trail. Check out the sights, smells & tastes Inside Look is a Star series that takes our readers behind the scenes of some of the most well-known and not-so-well-known places and events in Kansas City. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at InsideLook@kcstar.com. Over the past four years, more than 26,000 people have visited one of Kansas City, Kansas 60 taquerias on the citys Taco Trail. The pass was started by Visit Kansas City Kansas in 2020 as a way to showcase some of the citys culture and its finest shops as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented people from visiting like they normally would. More than 100 people have finished the trail so far, said Alan Carr, executive director of the tourism agency. Robert Galicia, KCK native and owner of Red Machine Party Bus, often visits the taquerias himself. His bus service takes big groups to Royals and Chiefs games, and he thought it would be a great idea to bus loads of people who otherwise may not have found the restaurants to different shops in the area. So he reached out to Visit KCK, and after a quick conversation, the Taco Trail Bus Tour was born. Mark Coronado, one of the Red Machine Party Bus business partners, chats with Taco Trail Tour riders Wednesday on board the Red Machine Party Bus. These are people that maybe have never been to the Kansas side and dont know what Central, Strawberry Hill, Armourdale, Argentine and different communities offer, Galicia said. To get people to the Kansas side to see what they have to offer I think is a win-win for everybody. The first tour happened Wednesday, taking 40 people to five different taquerias whose best taco is filled with carnitas, a popular type of seasoned pork meat. At each stop, guests receive one taco, with the option to buy more. It quickly sold out, and Galicia said organizers responded by adding more dates for carnitas tours. Thinking about joining in? The Star takes you inside the inaugural ride so you can decide if its worth trying. Taking the taco tour On Wednesday, cars lined up near the pickup spot in downtown KCK as Galicia and his driver Mark Coronado waited for everyone to show up. When it was time to go, adults of all ages and backgrounds filed onto two party buses, one in black and one in red with Chiefs designs. The Star hopped on the bus led by Coronado, who had a big smile on his face as he greeted everyone who took a seat. Modern Latin music from Bad Bunny, J. Balvin and Peso Pluma played through the speakers as everyone chatted and waited with excitement. The first stop was just 42 seconds away from the pickup location: Tarahumaras, 503 N. 6th St. From left, Donna Myers, Linda Medoff and Richard Milford exit the Red Machine Party Bus at Tarahumaras Mexican Food, the first stop on the inaugural KCK Taco Trail Tour. Perla Garcia, the owner of Tarahumaras Mexican Food, laughs as she chats with KCK Taco Trail Tour visitors Wednesday at the restaurants second location in Kansas City, Kansas. Visitors were warned ahead of time that the taquerias are small and might not be able to seat everyone, which proved to be the case at Tarahumaras (they also have a bigger location at 3212 Merriam Lane). But when it comes to taquerias, do size and looks matter? The inside of Tarahumaras doesnt have much, just a few decorations and a television, but youre not here to watch TV. Youre here to eat tacos. Since both buses started here, some people ate standing up or went back to the bus to eat since there werent enough chairs. The taco, topped with onion, cilantro and your choice of sweet, tangy or spicy salsa, was delicious. A few patrons said it would be hard to top. Tarahumaras carnitas taco includes pork, onion, cilantro, salsa and a lime wedge. You have enough time to enjoy the taco and talk with the people around you, but the buses are on a time crunch and move quickly from destination to destination. Both Coronado and Galicia said they fell behind schedule by a few minutes, which is something they want to improve for next time. Before arriving to the next stop, California Taco Shop, 1286 Kansas Ave., a guest heckled Coronado, saying it took more than five minutes to get here after the driver promised itd be a short ride. (He wasnt counting on hitting every red light.) California Taco Shop was the second stop on the inaugural KCK Taco Trail Tour. Linda Medoff laughs as she and her husband Richard Milford enjoy tacos with friends Donna and Richard Myers at California Taco Shop on Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas. The taco shop is even smaller than Tarahumaras and had just enough seats for 20, but it also delivers a good taco. There is a self-serve station next to the counter, where guests can pick and choose what type of salsa and toppings they want. One patron made the mistake of topping her taco with the hot salsa. Her lips were still burning as the bus arrived to the next stop: Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio, 830 Kansas Ave. San Antonio is a combination taqueria and market, stocked with produce and Mexican goods. They make their own tortillas, too, which you can buy fresh. Steve Fry wipes sweat from his brow after enjoying the spiciest salsa on his taco at Carniceria y Tortilleria San Antonio on Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas. It was packed before the bus arrived, as shoppers waited for their meats to go and looked around for dried chile peppers and sweet treats. The local market atmosphere made this location a favorite among people on the tour. At this point in the tour, the biggest complaint on the bus was the lack of margaritas. Kansas alcohol laws prevent people from carrying alcohol out of restaurants. Its a party bus, so you would think (we would get margaritas), right? Marcie Young said. She and everyone else were able to get their margaritas at the last stop, making it worth the wait. Conversations on the bus ride about margaritas and study abroad trips to Taiwan came to a screeching halt as we were almost t-boned by a firetruck on the way to the next stop, Tacos El Tio, 78 N. 10th St. The only person who heard the siren blaring was the partially deaf passenger, since everybody was having too much fun talking to each other. Coronado jokingly said the scare was planned for the trip. KCK Taco Trail Tour riders board the Red Machine Party Bus after visiting Tacos El Tio on Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas. A for excitement, yelled one guest. The excitement carried over into Tacos El Tio, where guests were greeted by corrido, a traditional Mexican style of music, playing over the speakers. Not much time was spent here, as the buses had to get everyone to the final stop to meet a special guest. The fifth and final destination on the tour was El Torrito Grill, 1304 Central Ave., where there was enough space for everyone to sit on the patio, order margaritas and hang out with Taco Man, Visit KCKs taco mascot. The mascot waved at everyone and stood ominously at the end of the patio as the guests ate their last taco, then talked about and voted for their favorite location. The KCK Taco Trail mascot greets guests on the patio of El Torrito Grill on Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas. El Torrito Grill was the last stop on the KCK Taco Trail Tour Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas. El Torrito Grills carnitas taco includes pork, onion, cilantro, lime on the side and a selection of salsas. The results werent shared at the end of the day, but a lot of people said Tarahumaras was their favorite. Over time, all the flavors start to blend together, but when the taco is just as good as the last place, you cant be upset. Many people, like Marcie and Mike Young, said theyre looking forward to the next tour. Others said they cant wait to tell their friends and family about the tour. As for next time, Galicia said hell try to make sure every stop has margaritas available. This embedded content is not available in your region. Whats next for the Taco Trail Tour Bus? If you missed this one, you will have another chance to take the tour. Theres one each month through October, hauling visitors from one taco shop to the next. The following themes include: Galicia said theyre looking to add more dates because of how popular the first tour was and the amount of tickets theyve sold for the next tours. Tickets are now $28 and can be booked through Eventbrite. Each stop also counts toward the Taco Trail Pass, which people can sign up for online and track how many restaurants they have visited. Participants have until April 15, 2025, to complete the trail to win prizes. Town of Brookfield resident celebrates 107th birthday with live music and fire truck ride What's it like to turn 107 years old? "It feels like 106," Sarah Levin will tell you, with a laugh. The resident of Brookdale Brookfield senior living community celebrated her 107th birthday Wednesday afternoon with live music, cookies from Racine's O & H Danish bakery and a spin in the passenger seat of a Town of Brookfield fire truck. Sarah Levin, a resident of Brookdale Brookfield senior living community in the Town of Brookfield, celebrated her 107th birthday June 12. "That was a great ride," she told a Journal Sentinel reporter afterwards, noting that this year's birthday fire engine ride was longer than the one she took last year. The afternoon of activities was one of many celebrations Levin's children, grandchildren and extended family had planned for their centenarian. Levin credits her good health to having her supportive family around her. "She's our matriarch," said Alexandra Scott, one of Levin's two granddaughters. "She's our family's beating heart." Sarah Levin, a resident of Brookdale Brookfield senior living community, celebrated her 107th birthday June 12. Music, games and time with family are the passions of Sarah Levin's life Levin was born in Chicago and raised in Waukegan, Illinois. She moved to Racine in 1939 when she married her husband Meyer. Levin said she's been in Wisconsin ever since, except when she moved back to Waukegan while her husband was in World War II. Sarah Levin (left) and her husband Meyer got married in 1939. Levin, a town of Brookfield resident, turned 107 on June 12, 2024. Music is the passion of Levin's life. She started to learn piano at a young age, taking lessons from a teacher who taught one of her friends. "My folks couldn't afford it, so he gave me lessons at no charge," she said. Levin paid that forward, becoming a piano teacher herself. "She must have taught hundreds of kids to play the piano," said Max Gordon, a family friend. She taught her son Joel, who went on to become a violinist. Sarah Levin plays piano alongside her son Joel Levin. Sarah Levin, a longtime Racine resident now living in the town of Brookfield, turned 107 June 12, 2024. Levin is a teacher by nature, her family members said. She's taught family and friends how to play Mahjong and dominoes, including her granddaughter Lisa Essi. "She's just this little powerhouse," Essi said of Levin. "She is more than just a grandmother to both of us," referring to Scott, her sister. The sisters grew up riding bikes to their grandparents house in Racine, said Scott. She now lives in Washington, D.C. and chats on the phone with her grandma every Sunday. Levin's memory is sharp sometimes she remembers the finite details of the past better than the younger generations in her family, Scott joked. Judy McGauran, Levin's daughter, spends every day with her mom. Their errands often end with getting Culver's, Oscar's custard or Marty's Pizza before heading back to Brookdale. "She deserves all the love and attention," McGauran said. "It brings me happiness to make her happy." Sarah Levin, a longtime Racine resident now living in the town of Brookfield, celebrated her 107th birthday with family June 12, 2024. Sarah Levin wants you to know she's 'just an ordinary person' Levin lived on her own in Racine until she decided to get a hip replacement at the age of 100. She has been a Brookdale resident for seven years and uses a walker. "She's a sweetheart," said Carol Potter, 85, a Brookdale resident who attends the same workout class with Levin. "She does all the exercises," Potter added. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Levin would walk the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair annually with her daughter and granddaughters. "People get together for Christmas... not us. We go to the Wisconsin State Fair," McGauran said. Sarah Levin (bottom right), her daughter Judy McGauran (bottom left), and granddaughters Lisa Essi (top left) and Alexandra Scott (top right) at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2016. Levin, a town of Brookfield resident, turned 107 on June 12, 2024. This year, Levin hopes to return to Lake Geneva and celebrate her family members' birthdays, too. "I'm just an ordinary person," Levin said. Bridget Fogarty covers Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove. Contact her at bfogarty@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'She's a sweetheart': Brookfield woman celebrates 107th birthday Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park raised $4,000 during Gator week for the Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund. Gator Week, during which tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, and locals celebrated Floridas iconic reptile, the American alligator, took place from May 27 through June 1. Gator Week featured a variety of educational and entertaining activities, live alligator demonstrations, interactive shows and airboat rides through the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. To encourage donors, Wild Florida offered guests free entry to the Gator Park to those who donated to the Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund. Read: Parkland school building demolition begins 6 years after mass shooting The donations contribute to the Wild Florida Cares Scholarship Fund, which supports Osceola County high school seniors. Were overwhelmed by the support and success of this years Gator Week, said PJ Brown, Director of Sales at Wild Florida. Our team appreciates the chance to invest in our future generation through our Wild Florida Cares Scholarship and help assist high school seniors achieve their educational goals. Read: Dreamworks Land, other attractions open at Universal Orlando Resort Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. [Source] At the House of the Dragon premiere in Paris last week, Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, confirmed to Variety that Jon M. Chus 2018 rom-com hit Crazy Rich Asians is being developed into a series. Bloys did not provide specific details about the project. In addition to a Max series, Crazy Rich Asians is also being developed as a stage musical, with Chu set to make his Broadway directorial debut with the production. Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch. One in four Iowa students was chronically absent from school during the 2021-22 school year, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Officials hope a tiered approach to the problem will encourage schoolwide attendance and remove any barriers to attendance. They also hope additional investments in Iowa schools will counter the growing trend. Executive Director of Student Services at Dubuque Community School District Shirley Horstman said her district uses a three-tiered approach to improve attendance schoolwide. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The first tier is aimed at all students and encourages schools to lay out a clear school schedule, recognize good attendance and establish the benefits of attendance. The second tier is for students absent for 5% to 10% of the school year. Schools will reach out to the parents of those students and look for ways to remove any obstacles to regular class attendance. If its a transportation issue, the school may help the parents set up a local carpool, teach students how to use city buses or recommend having an older sibling walk them to school, according to Horstman. The third tier is for chronically absent students who miss more than 10% of school days. For those students, schools will set up a more formal conversation with parents and create an attendance agreement outlining joint efforts to improve attendance. Missing that much school puts students at an educational disadvantage, said Anne Fischer, executive director of Common Good Iowa, which helped with the report. Once you get behind, its hard to get caught up, she said. Fischer said chronic absenteeism rates have grown across the nation since the pandemic. Iowas rate of chronic absenteeism of 26% is better than the national average of 30%, but both rates are still higher than the pre-pandemic national average of 16%. Fourth-grade students who never missed a day of school scored proficient or above proficient in reading 40% of the time compared to 14% for students who missed ten or more days, according to the report. Its not just grades that are impacted by constant absences, Fischer said. A 2012 John Hopkins University study tracking Rhode Island students for seven years found that chronically absent students were more than twice as likely to get suspended or repeat a grade. The increasing absenteeism rates negatively affect those who regularly attend class as well. Students in high-absence classrooms are more likely to have lower test scores, according to the report. Horstman said when teachers have multiple chronically absent students, they are forced to repeat old material, create make-up assignments and spend more time trying to catch students up. With more funding, Horstman said districts like hers could do at-home visits to discover any barriers to attendance and remind students of the importance of attendance. If we could do home visits to [chronically absent] students at the beginning of the year and welcome them and let them know we want them here, thats something that I think could really move the needle, Horstman said. And thats a funding issue and its also a staffing issue. Hedy Chang, executive director of Attendance Works, said addressing chronic absenteeism means addressing the causes behind it. When kids are not in school its usually a sign that somethings going on that we need to address. We need to not blame kids and families, but we need to understand why and then when we understand why, we can come up with solutions, Chang said. Students who experience instabilities at home such as divorce, domestic violence or substance abuse are more likely to be chronically absent, according to the report. Students facing such issues are also more likely to repeat a grade and be indifferent to succeeding academically. Chang praised the Iowa Department of Education for making school-absence data available for all Iowa school districts as it allows them to keep better track of student attendance numbers across the state. The state agency also provides grants to schools to help them address chronic absenteeism, according to Heather Doe, spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Education. Fischer said greater investments in Iowa schools are needed to counteract the growing tide of chronic absenteeism. At a time when costs have been rising faster and when students needs have been rising faster, were not prioritizing our schools in ways that we used to and so maybe its not surprising that were starting to see a little sign of erosion, Fischer said. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter. 1 arrested, 2 at large after burning American, Israeli flags outside Israeli consulate in New York One person has been arrested and two others are being sought for burning American and Israeli flags outside the Israeli consulate in New York City, authorities said. Jahki Lodgson-McCray, 20, was charged with reckless endangerment, menacing, disorderly conduct and failure to use a sidewalk, authorities said. MORE: Gaza war protests denounced by NYC leaders as 'antisemitic' after subway car threat chant, vandalism On Wednesday, three people used an accelerant to burn flags in an active bike lane outside the Consulate General of Israel in midtown Manhattan, according to the NYPD. "The flames of the flags presented a danger to bikers having to swerve out of the bike lane onto ongoing traffic and also presented a danger to civilians on the sidewalk," police said. PHOTO: Three people used an accelerant to burn flags in an active bike lane outside the Consulate General of Israel in midtown Manhattan, June 12, 2024. (Consulate General of Israel in New York) The New York Police Department's Hate Crime Task Force is looking for the two outstanding suspects. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry called them "cowards" on social media. "The NYPD will identify and apprehend all of them for their failed efforts to sow fear and discord in the place where mutual respect is the essence of who we are," Daughtry wrote. PHOTO: One person has been arrested and two others are being sought for burning American flags outside the Israeli consulate in New York City, authorities said. (NYPD) The flag burning comes on the heels of vandalism incidents in New York City this week, including at the homes of the Jewish director of the Brooklyn Museum and several of the museum's board members, officials said. And on Monday, a masked man led a call-and-response chant by protesters on a crowded Manhattan subway car. The chant asked Zionists to identify themselves. MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: State Department 'disappointed' by Hamas' 'continued haggling and delay' "Repeat after me: Raise your hands if you're a Zionist," the leader, wearing sunglasses and a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of pro-Palestinian resistance, is heard repeatedly saying in the video, adding, "This is your chance to get out!" "Ok, no Zionists, we're good," the leader is then heard saying. The NYPD is working to identify the masked leader. 1 arrested, 2 at large after burning American, Israeli flags outside Israeli consulate in New York originally appeared on abcnews.go.com JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) A search for two Louisiana girls, who were allegedly abducted after their mother was killed, has ended tragically in Mississippi. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said the suspect at the center of an Amber Alert, Daniel Callihan, was captured in Jackson after a chase. According to Wade, 4-year-old Erin Brunett was found dead in a wooded area. Her sister, 6-year-old Jalie Brunett, was found alive, and was taken to a Jackson hospital for treatment. Wade said he didnt believe Callihan is the girls father, but didnt elaborate further. The police chief said there was evidence that could be associated with human trafficking at the location where Callihan was found, including small animal cages. Wade said Jackson police have contacted human trafficking investigators to assess the scene. Authorities said the Amber Alert was issued Thursday for the two girls, who were abducted after their mother was killed in Loranger, Louisiana. Authorities in Mississippi have captured a man at the center of an Amber Alert out of Louisiana. (WJTV) Authorities in Mississippi have captured a man at the center of an Amber Alert out of Louisiana. (WJTV) 6-year-old Jalie and 4-year-old Erin Brunett (Courtesy: Louisiana State Police) Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said 35-year-old Callie Brunett was found dead by her father on the floor of her bedroom inside her locked mobile home. She had been reported missing by her parents 24 hours earlier. They had last spoken to her 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 Queen City News. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A 34-year-old man being pursued by Yosemite National Park Police has died after a crash that also involved four people from two different countries, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers say on Wednesday at around 12:15 p.m. they received a call from Yosemite National Park Police about a man they were pursuing driving a Toyota Yaris. Yosemite National Park Police requested CHP respond to assist with the pursuit. Person rescued in Yosemite after fall in Mist Trail CHP units from Oakhurst in Madera County responded to the area as Yosemite National Park Police terminated their pursuit. CHP units say the Toyota Yaris passed their location and they did not pursue the vehicle. The Toyota Yaris was driving southbound on Highway 41 at a high rate of speed when it reached the area of River Falls Road. Also driving southbound in the same area was a 55-year-old from Mexico driving a Hyundai and approaching the area on northbound Highway 41 was a 62-year-old man from Canada driving a Chevrolet. Officers say the Toyota Yaris front end crashed into the Hyundais right rear side. This impact caused the Toyota Yaris to crash into the dirt embankment, overturn, and then slide into the northbound lane of Highway 41. The Toyota Yaris continued to travel out of control and the roof collided with the front of the Chevrolet. According to the CHP, the driver of the Toyota was not properly restrained and died at the scene. CHP says alcohol and or drugs are thought to be a factor in this crash. The three people from Canada in the Chevrolet were taken to the hospital; the person in the Hyundai from Mexico was uninjured. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. The name of the driver in the Toyota Yaris has not been officially released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. 11 mistakes that can ruin your hot dogs, according to chefs and grilling pros 11 mistakes that can ruin your hot dogs, according to chefs and grilling pros Business Insider spoke with chefs and grilling experts about common hot-dog mistakes people make. Avoid boiling hot dogs, and make sure not to grill them over direct heat. Don't split or poke the hot dogs before grilling them, and make an effort to prep the buns. Whenever possible, spend a little extra on all-beef hot dogs. It's sometimes worth it to splurge a little on name-brand hot dogs. Evannovostro/Shutterstock Grillers on a budget might be tempted to add bargain-priced hot dogs to their cart, but a truly sublime hot dog starts with quality meat. Tim Hollingsworth, the chef and owner of Otium in downtown Los Angeles, told Business Insider that you'll end up with a tastier dog if you skip the cheaper brands. He recommended keeping an eye out for natural, all-beef hot dogs, which usually aren't that much more expensive and are available in just about every supermarket. Avoid boiling your hot dogs. You can poach them lightly, but boiling hot dogs isn't usually necessary. Tech Insider Though they may look pink, most hot dogs are actually already cooked and technically ready to eat right out of the package. This means that boiling them for ages before throwing them on the grill is probably unnecessary, and it can suck the flavor right out of your dogs. But you may want to make sure your chilled hot dogs are heated through before tossing them on the grill. To accomplish this, chef and cooking-school instructor Candace Conley told BI that lightly poaching your dogs for a minute or two in a covered saucepan of hot water that's been taken off the heat will allow them to come to a more ideal grilling temperature without compromising on flavor. Dont cook your hot dogs over direct heat. Pick the perfect spot on the grill that's away from the flames. Shutterstock Since hot dogs are small portions of meat, they can easily burn when cooked on an open flame. "To avoid burning or overcooking your dogs on the grill which can cause the casing to burst cook them over indirect heat on the grill grate and move them around frequently so every side gets touched by the heat source," Claudia Sidoti, principal chef and head of recipe development at HelloFresh, told BI. Plopping your hot dogs right over the flames can also lead to their casings charring and burning before the inside even has a chance to warm up. Avoid poking or splitting your dogs. Splitting hot dogs releases all the tasty juices and can dry them out. Shutterstock You may be tempted to poke your hot dogs with a knife or fork while they're grilling to test for "doneness," but you should try to break the habit. "Since hot dogs are usually precooked, there is no need to split them open or pierce them during the cooking process. By poking and prodding your dogs, you release the delicious juices that make them juicy," Sidoti said. Instead, gently turn your hot dogs using tongs to ensure their casings stay intact and full of flavor. It's smart to adjust your grilling temperature to the fat content of the hot dogs. Adapt your cooking process to your hot dogs. Michael Nagle/GettyImages Compare a few packages of hot dogs, and you'll probably notice that different styles and brands contain different amounts of fat. Adapting your cooking process to this variation is a crucial part of serving up delicious hot dogs. "Consider the fat content in the hot dogs to determine what heat you should be grilling at. Higher-fat dogs should be cooked at a medium heat whereas leaner dogs should be grilling on a medium-low setting," said Julie Busha, grilling expert and creator of Slawsa hot-dog condiment. Make sure the grill is hot enough before adding your hot dogs to it. Give the grill time to heat up. Shutterstock A grill that is too hot can burn your hot dogs or split their casings, but a grill that's too cool can also cause hot-dog havoc. "If your grill is too cold, your hot dog will get dried out or tough," Hollingsworth said. "Be sure to preheat your grill for a few minutes. I usually aim for a grill temp of 425 degrees with a cook time of about 10 minutes." Dont forget to prep the buns. There is nothing like a toasty hot-dog bun. Shutterstock Perfectly prepared meat is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the hot-dog experience, but the bun is also an important factor. No one likes cold buns. "A hot dog bun should be gently toasted, which can be achieved by throwing the buns on the grill for about one minute per side," Sidoti told BI. For added flavor, brush the inside of the toasted bun with a little butter or oil. Consider "bathing" your hot dogs before grilling. It will give them a great flavor. Shutterstock Boiling hot dogs for a long time before grilling is a bad move, but "bathing" them in flavorful liquid might actually make your hot dogs tastier. "Keep an aluminum pan filled with a mixture of hot beer, onions, and seasonings on indirect heat and place your hot dogs in before grilling," Busha told BI. "This not only warms the hot dogs but also helps firm up that natural casing without breaking it." Right before serving, simply pluck the hot dogs from their bath and give them a perfect char on the grill. Adding sugar-based sauces while the hot dogs are on the grill can take them up a notch. You can add condiments right on the grill for added flavor. Claudia Totir/Getty Images Hot dogs can be great out of the package, but there are a bunch of easy ways to add extra flavor to take your grilling to the next level. "Once your hot dogs have cooked for a few minutes, brush on some barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, or, if you're feeling creative, any sauce with a sugar base," said Hollingsworth. "The sauce will caramelize as it finishes cooking." If you want a better flavor, avoid skinless hot dogs. The skin is what gives hot dogs a punchy bite. Shutterstock You know that satisfying snap you get when biting into a perfectly cooked hot dog? That's from the meat's casing. Busha told BI that opting for a skinless hot dog not only sacrifices that snap but can also cause the hot dog to lose moisture more easily on the grill. Texture is an important factor in the hot-dog experience, so choose dogs with natural casings for the best results. Dont stick to just one type of condiment. Try some new flavor combinations on your next hot dog. Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images Only using one condiment can make even the tastiest hot dogs seem boring. Though mustard or ketchup work just fine, don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors and combinations for a more gourmet experience. Sidoti told BI that for an ideal flavor balance, you should opt for an acidic topping, which complements the smokiness and high fat content of the hot dog. For example, you can try creating Caribbean jerk-inspired hot dogs with grilled pineapple, cilantro, lime zest, a splash of rum, and a dusting of jerk seasoning spices. This story was originally published in June 2019 and most recently updated on June 14, 2024. Read More: Read the original article on Business Insider 14-year-old Ohio girl believed abducted found hundreds of miles away; Suspect in custody The man accused of kidnapping a 14-year-old girl just south of Dayton has been arrested. Brandon Prichard, 38, was arrested in North Carolina on Friday, the Warren County Sheriffs Office confirmed. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 14-year-old Ohio girl believed to have been abducted is found safe, sheriffs office reports An investigation showed that Prichard was communicating with a Deerfield Twp. 14-year-old girl named Haley through social media. On Thursday, deputies said the teen had been reportedly abducted near Kings Automall in Warren County. She was later found safe in North Carolina, our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati reported. Prichard has been charged in North Carolina with kidnapping, carrying a concealed gun, and human trafficking of a child victim. The Warren County Sheriffs Office has filed an interference with custody charge against him as well. >> Man accused of deadly machete attack at Dayton park found guilty Prichard is currently being held at the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina. The Warren County Sheriffs Office would like to thank the family, media, and all law enforcement partners for their assistance with the investigation. We are actively working on reuniting Haley with her family, the sheriffs office said. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) June 15, 2009, started out just like any other day as a woman got up early in the morning to drop her son off at daycare. However, when she returned to her Murfreesboro apartment, she came across a grisly scene. Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Cedrick Herbert, was in the bedroom face down with a hoodie tied loosely around his legs. According to Murfreesboro Police, Herbert had been shot several times with an automatic pistol. Time can be on your side: Murfreesboro detectives revisit 14-year-old cold case Investigators said someone had forced their way into the apartment at 603 East Northfield Boulevard and murdered Herbert within the brief time that his girlfriend was gone. While police have some persons of interest, no one has ever been arrested in the case. Herberts murder remains one of several cold cases detectives are still working to solve, including that of his 24-year-old cousin, Nathan Morgan, who was killed just about a year later. Nathan Morgan (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) Nathan Morgans homicide, along with Cedrick Herberts homicide weve got a lot of good, solid persons of interest in those cases. These are the kind of cases that can be solved if people would just cooperate, said Lt. James Abbott. Sadly, that lack of cooperation is part of the problem. Both cases have routinely been reviewed, with investigators traveling to multiple Tennessee Department of Corrections facilities just a few years ago to re-interview people they believe may have some information on Herberts death. Eventually someones going to talk: Murfreesboro detective narrows in on 2010 Nathan Morgan cold case Abbott, who oversees the Murfreesboro Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit, said police were hoping those people would be more cooperative as many had recently gotten in trouble with the law and had their parole or probation violated. In these types of cases, you hope people have maybe aged out of that criminal activity or decide to do the right thing, or in some cases, [are] still in the criminal game, but they may seek out assistance for their charges with cooperation in a homicide, he said. Cedrick Herbert (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) However, many still refused to talk with detectives. While police do not think the cousins murders are directly linked, Abbott said they do suspect both were motivated by retaliation. Investigators believe Morgan was at the wrong place at the wrong time when gunfire erupted on Eagle Street on May 22, 2010. According to Abbott, the gunfire was likely intended for a group of people Morgan was talking with. UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the states cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries Despite the lack of cooperation, authorities still believe someone could have information that could help crack these cases. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Murfreesboro Police Criminal Investigations Division at 615-893-2717 or email crimetips@murfreesborotn.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) It has been 18 years since the killing of a 31-year-old man in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, and San Diego police investigators are still working to solve the case. On the evening of Dec. 23, 2005, authorities found a man who had been shot in front of a home in the 5000 block of Manomet Street, San Diego County Crime Stoppers along with the San Diego Police Department said in a news release Thursday. The victim, identified as Thomas Johnson, died from his injuries. Two children fall out of building window Authorities determined Johnson had left his home at around 10:30 p.m. and returned there ten minutes later. A witness told law enforcement they heard several gunshots after a loud commotion near the front of the home. Anyone with information on the identity and or location of the suspect(s) linked to the killing of Johnson is asked to call the SDPDs Homicide Cold Case Unit at 619-531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. (KRON) Two more juveniles have been arrested in connection to an investigation into a man who was found dead of a gunshot wound in a parked car in Sunnyvale back in April. Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers responded to the initial incident shortly after midnight on April 30. Arriving on the scene in the 100 block of S. Bernardo Avenue, officers found a man inside his vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Arrests made after 20 alleged jewelry store robbers armed with hammers flee officers Sunnyvale DPS officers arrested a juvenile male in connection to the incident the next day, on May 1. This week, Sunnyvale DPS announced that two more juveniles had been arrested. On Tuesday, a juvenile male was arrested by DPS detectives and SWAT team members. He was arrested without incident and is currently at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall. On Thursday, a third juvenile male was arrested by DPS detectives. He was arrested at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall, where he was already in custody for an unrelated offense, police said. The incident remains under investigation, law enforcement officials said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Authorities have charged two North Carolina women with accessory after the fact to murder in connection with a deadly shooting at an Horry County nightclub in April. Shania Denise Fuller, 21, of McLeansville, North Carolina, and Eva Darline Pricher, 40, of Hoffman, North Carolina, were arrested this week and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. Fuller remains in jail following her arrest on Thursday, according to online jail records. Pricher, who was arrested on Tuesday, posted a $40,000 bond and was released on Thursday. Jadis Nelson, 22, of Rockingham, North Carolina, died at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center after the April 7 shooting in the parking lot at the 3001 Nightclub on Lake Arrowhead Road. A second person was hurt in the incident, which happened at about 1:50 a.m. According to arrest warrants, Fuller was driving a white Hyundai when an unnamed suspect got out of the vehicle and shot Nelson and another man. The suspect then got back into the vehicle, which fled the scene. Shania Fuller did not offer aid to the victim, left the area with the suspect and did not report the incident to law enforcement, the warrant said. Pricher was also present and also shot at the victims, the warrant said. Before doing so, a witness told police they overhead her say If anyone got a problem with [redacted], he can get handled. She also fled the area without reporting the incident to law enforcement, the warrant said. After the shooting, the clubs owner, Roger Davisson, promised to review security procedures and change business hours. If we could have stopped it before it happened we would have done so. It was between two people that were dead set on killing each other, Davisson posted on the companys Facebook after the incident. They were shooting at each other and not the club. I am very thankful no innocent customers were injured in the altercation. * * * Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read 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. Athens Clarke-County police are investigating after two people were shot Friday at an apartment complex. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The shooting happened at Bethel Homes. The two victims were both taken to the hospital. Their conditions and identities have not been released. TRENDING STORIES: Its unclear if police have identified the gunman or what led up to the shooting. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Albuquerque Fire Rescue has 20 new firefighters ready to respond to emergencies after taking their oath of service. City leaders joined AFR Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo in welcoming the new cadets. Officials: Aircraft down near Double Eagle Airport Chief Jaramillo spoke Thursday afternoon after the graduation ceremony, Im immensely proud of each and every one of you. You have earned your place in our ranks through hard work and perserverance and an unyielding spirit. As you step out of the academy and into the firehouse, know you carry with you our hopes, our trust, and our deepest respect. Congratulations, and welcome to our fire family. Albuquerque Fire Rescues academy is a 19-week course. Orientation for the next cadet class is scheduled to begin next week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 2020s fake elector schemes will be harder to try in 2024 but not impossible Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald in August, 2020. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Policy, politics and progressive commentary Electors will gather across the United States in December 2024, just weeks after the election, and formally cast votes for president and vice president. They will send their votes to Congress, which will count them and determine who received the most votes. Typically, the casting of electoral votes is little more than a ceremonial process. But the last time this process happened in 2020 it was anything but typical. In seven states, in addition to the official electors, others calling themselves electors met and purported to cast votes for Republican Donald Trump on Dec. 14. They did this even though Democrat Joe Biden had carried their states in the November election. They sent their votes to Congress just like the official electors. When the electoral votes were counted on Jan. 6, 2021, some in Congress argued these purported alternative electoral votes meant the outcome of the election was still in doubt. Many of those purported electors now face criminal prosecution. Some may be convicted. And the odds of purported electors trying again in 2024 are less likely but still possible. Contingent or just fake? These other electors labeled themselves contingent electors, arguing they could be the true electors if lawsuits Trumps campaign filed to dispute the results ultimately went Trumps way. Some of these other electors drew an analogy to Hawaiis disputed presidential election in 1960. While Republicans carried Hawaii, a recount was underway when the electors met, and both Republican and Democratic electors sent their votes to Congress. The recount ultimately went Democrats way, and Congress counted the votes cast by Democrats. In 2020, Republican electors in two states, New Mexico and Pennsylvania, sent certificates that expressly included contingency language. The certificates said their votes would be cast only in the event a legal proceeding declared those electors the true electors. This language appears to have saved them from prosecution. Opponents and detractors have labeled them fake electors, because they lacked any state authority to act while presenting themselves as something genuine. These opponents note that Hawaiis 1960 election had a real recount underway, and there was no serious litigation in any state in 2020 when the electors met. Almost all cases had been dismissed by Dec. 14, and a few pending appeals had no realistic chance of success. The sole purpose of these electors actions, opponents argue, was to sow distrust and confusion. No authority Regardless of the adjective, these would-be electors had no authority. In Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada, most of those electors face criminal prosecution on charges such as forgery and fraud. The charges could result in sentences as high as 20 years imprisonment. One major challenge in these prosecutions will be showing that the electors had the requisite intent to commit a crime. On the one hand, it was quite obvious they were not the lawful electors at the time they purported to cast their votes, and they completed paperwork purporting to exercise lawful authority. On the other hand, if they can argue they were relying on the advice of Trumps attorneys or other campaign officials, they might be able to show they lacked the intent to commit a crime. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, for instance, claimed that these electors were brainwashed. But each trial will have its own set of arguments and defenses, and it remains unclear what a jury might find in each case. Removing ambiguities Could there be a repeat of 2020 in 2024? The odds are lower but not impossible. To start, Congress enacted the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022. The new law now requires each state to certify its election results six days before the electors meet. That means there cannot be pending litigation to sow confusion on the day the electors meet. It creates finality before the electors gather. The new law also removes from the old law an ambiguous provision that allowed a states legislature to appoint electors after Election Day if the state failed to make a choice on Election Day. Some Trump supporters cited this provision to say that the legislature could name the Republican electors as the true winners sometime after Election Day. But the provision was misunderstood failed to make a choice did not mean that the legislature simply disagreed with the choice made by voters on Election Day. That provision has been removed, eliminating one more potential ambiguity in 2024. The new law also changes the way Congress counts electoral votes. To start, it makes clear that the president of the Senate typically, the vice president has no unilateral authority to make any decisions when Congress counts votes. Additionally, the law makes it harder for members of Congress to object to counting votes. In previous years, one senator and one representative could object, which would force Congress to debate for up to two hours. It happened once in 2005 and twice in 2021. Instead, the new law raises the threshold for objections to require support from 20% of the members in each chamber. That makes objections much less likely. Additionally, the new law expressly instructs Congress that final certification from the states shall be treated as conclusive. Of course, electors could still try to stir up public discord in a state if their preferred candidate loses the election. Members of Congress can still try to object. No law can completely stop the risk of subversion after an election. These modest changes in law, however, will help reduce the likelihood that the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election looks like what happened after the election in 2020. The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The post 2020s fake elector schemes will be harder to try in 2024 but not impossible appeared first on Nevada Current. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Three people accused of forging thousands of voter signatures and effectively sinking multiple gubernatorial campaigns in 2022 will head to trial. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office announced Thursday that Shawn Wilmoth, Jamie Wilmoth-Goodin and Willie Reed have each been bound over for trial in the 37th District Court. All three face at least 25 criminal charges, including eight counts of election law forgery a 5-year felony. Shawn Wilmoth and Reed have also been charged with stealing from Ryan Kelleys campaign, and Wilmoth faces tax-related charges in a separate case. Six gubernatorial candidates Kelley, Perry Johnson, James Craig, Donna Brandenburg, Michael Brown and Michael Markey and three judicial candidates Tricia Dare, John Cahalan and John Michael Malone directly or indirectly used businesses owned by Wilmoth and Reed to help gather signatures to qualify for the August 2022 ballot. Benson on elections: Transparency is our friend The AGs Office says the three defendants were paid more than $700,000 for their work and knowingly delivered tens of thousands of forged signatures to eight of the campaigns. The fraudulent signatures caused seven candidates to come up short of the requirements to meet the ballot. Another candidate withdrew before submitting signatures for review. The companies allegedly failed to even submit signatures to Kelleys campaign. Michigans elections bureau flagged the signatures in May 2022, finding evidence of round-tabling where circulators took turns signing a line on each sheet in an effort to vary handwriting and make signatures appear authentic. Craig, one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination to challenge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, submitted more than 21,000 signatures well above the 15,000 required to qualify. More than half of Craigs submitted signatures turned out to be fake. SOS launches states first I Voted sticker contest The signatures furnished by these defendants were clear forgeries and fabrications, and the harm the victim campaigns suffered is substantial and without remedy, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. This alleged criminal enterprise brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and those responsible face very serious charges. The Michigan Democratic Party and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee allege a similar scheme has been used in this years Senate race. Last month, the Associated Press reported that the groups have filed a request for the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to investigate the signatures submitted by three Republican candidates former Congressmen Mike Rogers and Justin Amash and businessman Sandy Pensler. A Republican group has also issued a challenge to some of the signatures filed by Democratic candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin. Her campaign called the challenge unserious, saying she still has enough valid signatures even without the ones being questioned. For now, all four candidates are set to be included on the August primary ballot. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WKRG) Multiple arrests have been made in connection to the shooting death of Southern Mississippi cornerback Marcus MJ Daniels Jr., according to the Hattiesburg Police Department. The HPD shared on Facebook that they have arrested and charged three individuals with capital murder. This comes after Daniels was found shot to death in his car Tuesday night. Among those arrested was 18-year-old Orlando May of Hattiesburg. News 5 cannot name the other two individuals, identified as a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, due to their minor status. Orlando May (Hattiesburg Police) The post said that May was charged with one count of capital murder, one count of attempted armed carjacking, one count of felony eluding, and two counts of grand larceny auto. Both the unnamed 17-year-old and the unnamed 16-year-old were charged as an adult with one count of capital murder and one count of attempted armed carjacking, according to the post. Hattiesburg police say this is an ongoing investigation, although arrests have been made. Anyone with additional information on this case can contact Hattiesburg Police Detectives at 601-545-4971 or Crime Stoppers at 601-582-STOP. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.p3tips.com. News 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. 3 new car washes have recently opened in Louisville. Here's where to find them. There are at least 110 places around Louisville where you can get your car wash, according to a count compiled by The Courier Journal. Louisville loves its car washes. There are at least 110 places around Louisville where you can get your car washed, according to a count conducted by The Courier Journal in 2023. And more are on the way. Whistle Express, which currently has one Louisville location and three southern Indiana locations, is opening its fifth area location on Friday, June 14. The business will offer free Kona Ice slushies at the new location, 6208 New Cut Road, from 12-3 p.m. Additionally, Whistle Express will donate $1 from each car that gets a wash this upcoming weekend to Norton Children's Hospital, up to $1,000 according to a press release. Looking to clean up your car before your next road trip? Here are three carwashes that recently opened in Louisville. 13310 Shelbyville Road, Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., mikescarwash.com Mike's Car Wash Mike's Car Wash has seven locations in the Louisville area, and this location opened in December of 2023. Mike's Car Wash offers five different wash packages tailored to changing weather conditions, according to its website. Prices range from $11 to $29. It also features self-serve wash bays if you wish to wash your car and self-serve vacuums. 4124 Shelbyville Road, Hours: daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. A new Speedwash Car Wash is opening in St. Matthews. SpeedWash Car Wash has five locations in Louisville and opened its newest store, a St. Matthews location at 4124 Shelbyville Road, on May 28. SpeedWash offers car wash services, memberships, and car detailing, along with free self-serve vacuuming. Outside-only washes start at $9. 6208 New Cut Road, Hours: daily, 8 a.m to 8 p.m., whistleexpresscarwash.com With more than 100 locations in nine states throughout the Midwest and Southeast, Whistle Express is opening its fifth area location, and second in Louisville, on Friday. With more than 100 locations in nine states throughout the Midwest and Southeast, Whistle Express is opening its fifth area location, and second in Louisville, on Friday. Theres just something about driving around in a clean car that makes everyone feel on top of the world, Garrison Miller, regional director at Whistle Express, said in the news release. We believe everyone deserves those small wins, and our team is ready to deliver that feeling of victory to Fairdale drivers. For a limited time, a month-long membership can be purchased for $1 at the new store opening. Reach business intern Bailey Reed at breed1@gannett.com. More: Want to do some shopping? Here are the 4 newest stores at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Whistle Express, SpeedWash Car Wash, Mikes Carwash in Louisville PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A two-year mail theft investigation has led to a third arrest by Salem police Thursday morning, authorities announced. Salem Police SWAT team, with help from Keizer police, arrested Jasson Lewis Ray after serving a search warrant on his house in the 300 block of Kestrel Street N. When searching the home, officers seized various items, including a short-barreled shotgun, a handgun, a rifle, ammunition, suspected fentanyl, a stolen motorcycle and forged documents. Salem police arrested Jasson Lewis Ray on charges stemming from a mail theft operation, after allegedly finding various items including firearms and suspected fentanyl in his home on Jun. 13, 2024. (Courtesy: Salem Police Dept.) All of this comes after the March 25 arrest of Ross Benjamin Sierzega, who authorities say a search warrant of his apartment resulted in the discovery of around 30 pounds of mail, two lock cores from mailboxes, several counterfeit mailbox keys and the tools to make counterfeit keys. There were also checks, bank cards and documents not in his name, according to police, who added investigators also found a short-barreled shotgun and homemade body armor. 3 people seriously injured after van crashed through Longview apartment Authorities said Sierzega faces up to 10 years in prison for just the manufacture of a counterfeit mail key. He is also facing charges including a felon in possession of a gun, identity theft, forgery and more. Then after a 7-hour standoff with police on April 15, police arrested Brett Todd Regimbal for his alleged involvement in the mail theft, as well as outstanding warrants stemming from domestic violence charges. Ray, who also had several outstanding warrants stemming from other criminal cases, was taken to the Marion County Jail on charges of felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of a stolen vehicle and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Authorities say this is still an active investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. CHICAGO Police are investigating a quadruple shooting in Chicagos West Pullman neighborhood. The shooting occurred around 6:35 p.m. in the area of 119th and Michigan. Chicago police said three women, ages 22, 23 and 29, were shot and transported in good condition. A man was critically wounded after being shot in the buttocks and thigh. The group was on the sidewalk when an unknown vehicle approached and a gunman fired shots at them. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines No one is in custody. Anyone with more information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. 4-year-old found crying outside locked room where mom is found dead, Washington cops say A 4-year-old boy was found crying outside a locked room where his mother was found dead in Washington, police said. Police responded to an apartment at 9:30 p.m. June 11 in the 500 block of Eastmont Avenue for a welfare check, the East Wenatchee Police Department said in a news release. The apartment was locked, but police said they could see a small child crying in the home alone. They were able to get into the home and help the boy, police said. But they couldnt find an adult. A bedroom door was locked, so they tried to call out to the person inside, but no one answered, police said. They forced their way into the room and found the boys 28-year-old mom dead inside, police said. She had marks on her body, indicating force was the likely cause of death, police said. An autopsy is scheduled for June 15. Her death was deemed suspicious, and a person of interest has been identified. Police did not release the womans identity, and the investigation is ongoing. East Wenatchee is in central Washington, about a 150-mile drive east from Seattle. Toddler found dead at Walmart was killed, cops say. Man arrested over 1,500 miles away 22-year-old dad shoots 3-year-old son, kills 19-year-old girlfriend, Michigan cops say 18-year-old calls 911 from bedroom, then mom strangles her to death, Florida cops say MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man and a woman are seriously injured after a shooting near the airport area Thursday night. According to Memphis Police, around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to an aggravated assault call at 1780 Nonconnah Boulevard. Road rage blamed for I-240 shooting that hurt 4 kids, dad The victim stated that she was at a gas station on Millbranch with her boyfriend when a black Infiniti pulled up beside her 2018 Porsche Macan and started firing multiple shots into her vehicle. She managed to drive off and went to a Marriott Courtyard for help. MPD says her vehicle was struck 41 times. The victim was shot in the hand and back. Her boyfriend suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his back and lower back leg, according to reports. Woman shot after mom hands son gun in fight, police say Both victims were then taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. This is still an ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. On Thursday, the Department of Justice released its findings from a nearly three-year investigation into the Phoenix Police Department, which has one of the highest rates of fatal shootings per year for big city police departments. The Justice Department found that Phoenix police routinely committed "very significant and severe violations of federal law and the Constitution," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said during a June 13 news conference. The investigation began in 2021 and included data and information from 2016 through 2024. "Ultimately, our findings reveal evidence showing longstanding dysfunction at the Phoenix Police Department," Clarke said. "The problems at their core reflect the lack of effective supervision, training and accountability." It attributed those patterns to several causes. It found that the Phoenix Police Department minimized complaints and didn't investigate them thoroughly, failed to adequately discipline officers who engaged in misconduct, did not adequately supervise officers and had poor policies and deficient training, all of which contributed to the systemic violations of federal law, said Jorge Castillo, a trial attorney in the Justice Department who was involved in the investigation, during a virtual meeting Thursday night. When the department did open a misconduct investigation, he said, it was "often deficient" and showed bias "in favor of the officers." The Justice Department found that Phoenix police routinely violated homeless individuals' constitutional rights, discriminately enforced laws based on race and used excessive force, including unconstitutional deadly force. What to know: Unexpected findings in Justice Department report about Phoenix police Police Department turns 'blind eye' to discriminatory policing practices The Phoenix Police Department "turned a blind eye" to data that showed significant racial disparities in its policing practices and ignored "unmistakable warnings," the Justice Department found. While it's common for police departments in major cities to use enforcement data to evaluate whether officers "treat people differently due, in part, to race or national origin," the Phoenix Police Department doesn't do so, the Justice Department's probe found. Clarke said that the Police Department "claims it was unaware of these significant racial disparities." But, she said, "long-standing and frequently voiced concerns about discriminatory policing, as well as overt displays of bias within the police force, should have spurred the department to analyze its own data." What the report says: DOJ finds Phoenix police discriminate against people of color Meanwhile, the Justice Department found significant racial disparities in the way Phoenix police enforced alcohol use offenses, low-level drug offenses, traffic laws and quality-of-life laws like loitering and trespassing. The Justice Department, the report said, "ruled out causes other than discrimination" and has "reasonable cause to believe" the Police Department engaged in racial discrimination that violated two federal laws: the Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Safe Streets Act. Racial disparities in enforcement found by the Justice Department include, among others: Native American people were 44 times more likely than white people to be cited or arrested for possessing or consuming alcohol. Black and Native American people were around 5 times more likely, and Hispanic people 2 times more likely, than white people to be cited or arrested for walking in the street when there was a sidewalk. When stopping drivers for speeding, Phoenix police officers were over 60% more likely to release white drivers in 30 minutes or less, compared with "the lengthy detentions that they subjected Black drivers to for the same offenses." This embedded content is not available in your region. Phoenix police quick to use force and use force when it's not needed Phoenix police displayed a pattern of reckless tactics that led to unreasonable force, often within a few minutes or seconds of an encounter, according to the Justice Department. This included the use of unconstitutional deadly force. A review of police shootings and uses of less-lethal force, such as Tasers, found officers fired weapons on people who presented no immediate threat and continued using force even after people were incapacitated. Sometimes, officers used force without first trying to speak to a person, according to the report. Phoenix police also unreasonably delayed giving aid to people they had shot. Unlawful incidents outlined by the Justice Department include the following, among others: A suicidal man pulled a knife from his pocket and told officers he wanted to die. Moments later, they shot him three times. Officers requested backup with less-lethal projectiles after a man threw rocks at their passing vehicle. They returned to the scene before backup arrived and shot the man, killing him, when he continued to throw rocks. Within 40 seconds of arriving at an apartment complex and hearing a woman scream, officers dragged her out of the building and slammed her face into the sidewalk, splitting her chin. A woman called 911 because her son had stopped taking his medication and slapped her on the arm. A responding sergeant sprayed him with pepper spray, Tased him, Tased him again on the ground and arrested him. Officers use less-lethal projectiles to surprise or confuse people and then offer little time for them to follow commands. This behavior is entrenched in training that encourages unlawful use of force, according to the report. Officers violate First Amendment rights in daily encounters A review of protests between 2017 and 2022 found that Phoenix police repeatedly cracked down on peaceful demonstrations protected under the First Amendment. Officers failed to warn protestors before using less-lethal weapons and made little attempt to distinguish crowd members committing unlawful acts from those peacefully protesting. But violations didnt end there: The report concluded Phoenix police unlawfully arrested or used force against people they perceived to have disrespected them during everyday encounters. Often, within seconds, officers react with force to verbal slights, the report reads. What the DOJ said: Civil rights violations against Phoenix protesters Citizens have a right to verbally criticize law enforcement as long as they dont interfere with an officers duties, according to the report. The Justice Department found officers threatened or arrested bystanders who challenged the lawfulness of their actions or even appeared to annoy the officers. In one incident, a woman repeatedly asked officers why they were being so rough with a man whom they suspected of drug use. They pulled him by his hair from a bench and kneeled on his neck. One officer told the woman to leave, issuing an ultimatum: I could trespass you from the bus stop if youd like, and then you cant use public transport. According to the Justice Department report, officers' written accounts show they did not consider "insults and verbal challenges" to be protected speech. Officers admitted in incident reports that insults spurred them to act against people, even arresting them as a result of an obscene gesture. Even though opposing the police is a constitutionally protected viewpoint, officers label people, houses, apartment complexes, and even neighborhoods as anti-PD, as if this opinion presents an inherent threat, the report reads. 'Historic finding': Phoenix's policing of homelessness unconstitutional Phoenix police routinely violated the constitutional rights of people experiencing homelessness by unlawfully arresting them and seizing and destroying their belongings, the Justice Department found. It was the first time the department has found "violations of the civil and constitutional rights" of people experiencing homelessness during an investigation like this, Clarke said, calling it a "historic finding." People experiencing homelessness made up 37% of the Police Department's misdemeanor arrests and citations between January 2016 and March 2022 while making up less than 1% of the city's residents. Phoenix police regularly detained unhoused individuals for sleeping in public which is not illegal in Phoenix if a person has no means to access shelter and for other actions that are not crimes, like "sitting or lying down on public property" or "'trespassing' on private property when they are on a public sidewalk." Starting before dawn, Phoenix police routinely woke up individuals sleeping on public property, ran their names for warrants, detained them to ask questions and told them to move. Often, unhoused individuals were stopped for investigative purposes when Phoenix police did not have reasonable suspicion of a crime violating the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Justice Department found. Those stops were initiated based on "indications" that the individuals were homeless, the department found. Phoenix police also violated the Constitution by destroying homeless individuals' property "without adequate notice or process." This routinely occurred until 2022 during clean-ups at "The Zone," a homeless encampment that was dismantled in 2023. Across the city, Phoenix police "continue to destroy property during clean-ups," the Justice Department found. Though the city and the Police Department updated their policies in 2022 and 2023 to "require more process before throwing away a person's belongings," those new policies didn't achieve constitutional requirements, the Justice Department found. Dozens of individuals told the department that they've lost property like clothing, tents, medication, identification and family photographs. Police discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities In its report, the Justice Department commended some relatively new programs from Phoenix and its Police Department to improve responses to behavioral health calls for service, including civilian teams that can respond to calls and a partnership with a nonprofit that operates a local crisis line. Still, the department identified violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, finding that the city and Police Department discriminated against people with behavioral health disabilities when providing emergency response services. The Police Department's 911 call center routinely "fails to identify when callers need help with behavioral health issues" and as a result, sends regular patrol officers rather than transferring the caller to clinical specialists or sending a specially trained team, the Justice Department found. An estimated 10% of Phoenix's dispatch calls for service each month relate to behavioral health, Clarke said. "Even though resources are available for an alternative response, Phoenix directs only a small fraction of those calls to them, even when there is no violence, no weapon, no immediate threat, and no need for a police officer to immediately respond," Clarke said. Phoenix police "seldom make reasonable modifications to their approach" when appropriate, the report said. Clarke said 911 call takers often "fail to pass on critical information that could help officers respond appropriately." "We saw officers, including those with specialized training, quickly escalate encounters by using force, making arrests even when the police were on scene specifically to transport the person to behavioral health treatment," she said. In one instance, a mother called about her 15-year-old daughter who was upset and would not get into the mother's car. The mother "told call-takers that her daughter had 'behavioral issues,'" but the call-taker "immediately routed the call to patrol officers," who "had the girl on the ground in handcuffs in less than three minutes" and ultimately arrested her for "aggravated assault on an officer and criminal damage and booked her into the juvenile correction center." According to the Justice Department, officers should, when possible, call for assistance from behavioral health responders and wait for them to arrive. What did the Justice Department recommend? Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke During Thursday's press conference, Clarke said Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department took preliminary steps toward reform during the Justice Department's investigation. These included revising the department's use-of-force policy, introducing new training on de-escalation, investing in additional shelters and resources for Phoenix residents experiencing homelessness and adding policies and training to help 911 call-takers appropriately respond to calls for emergency assistance involving people with behavioral health disabilities. But those reforms were not enough to "address the full scope" of the Justice Department's findings, Clarke said. Many of the reforms "have not yet been implemented," and others "exist on paper, but not in practice." The Justice Department had 36 recommendations for the city and the Phoenix Police Department. They included improving use-of-force training; developing force policies appropriate for vulnerable populations; improving policies and reviewing procedures regarding the seizure and destruction of property and the stops, detentions and arrests of people experiencing homelessness; analyzing data about racial disparities in enforcement; reducing unjustified disparities; improving policies and training related to protests; ensuring the 911 call center is dispatching appropriate responders for behavioral health calls and improving misconduct investigations, among many more. What happens next? Clarke said consent decrees, which are court-ordered settlement agreements overseen by a federal judge and an independent monitor to ensure police departments meet specific reform goals, have historically "proven to be the kind of reform measures needed to ensure lasting and meaningful reform." But Phoenix leaders have consistently opposed the prospect of a consent decree, and on Thursday after the release of the Justice Department report, two council members, Jim Waring and Ann O'Brien, doubled down on their opposition to such federal oversight. Advocates for the police derided the report itself. The president of the Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2, Lou Manganiello, called it "full of half-truths, unsubstantiated accusations, and haphazard, illogical conclusions." Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement that she did not want to comment on the report until after she had "carefully and thoroughly" reviewed it. If the Justice Department and city leaders cannot reach a mutual resolution, the parties will almost certainly end up in court. The outcome could lead to a judicial order imposing federal oversight on the Phoenix Police Department for years to come, a similar result to the acceptance of a consent decree. The Phoenix City Council will meet in a private session on June 25 "to receive legal advice, better understand the report, and discuss next steps," Gallego said on Thursday. Reach the reporters at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com and nicholas.sullivan@gannett.com. Reporters Taylor Seely, Miguel Torres and Catherine Reagor contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DOJ probe into Phoenix police: 5 key takeaways revealed by report Former President Donald Trump turns 78 today a milestone that also begs the question of whether the US should impose age limits for politicians. It also comes as President Joe Biden, at 81, is seeking to dispel concerns about his state of mind and fitness amid a pattern of public gaffes. Heres what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. 1. Severe weather Heavy rainfall thats caused unrelenting flooding in South Florida will continue for a fourth consecutive day before a reprieve is in sight for millions in the state. Since heavy rains started swamping the region Tuesday, the flooding has become waist-deep in some places. Hazardous conditions on streets and roadways have stranded drivers and made roads impassable and theyve forced some schools in hard-hit counties to shutter and hundreds of flights to be canceled or delayed. Flood watches remain in effect for over 7 million people across South Florida, including in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. On the other hand, high temperatures will expand across parts of the Plains to the East Coast. Today will be the hottest day of the year so far in Washington, DC, reaching the mid-90s, or about 10 degrees higher than normal. 2. Ukraine President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a historic security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy on Thursday. Were going to stand by Ukraine, Biden said, vowing lasting support for the countrys defense now and in the future. The 10-year deal lays out a path for the US long-term security relationship with Kyiv but it could also be undone by future US administrations, sources say. Zelensky called it a truly historic day after signing the agreement and said it would benefit all countries because Russia is a real global threat. He also expressed confidence that the pact will serve as a bridge to Kyivs efforts to join NATO. 3. Abortion The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected a lawsuit challenging the FDAs approach to regulating the abortion pill mifepristone, allowing the drug to stay on the market. The ruling is a significant setback for the anti-abortion movement in what was the first major Supreme Court case on reproductive rights since the courts conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The challenge to the drug had been vehemently opposed by the pharmaceutical industry, which warned that a ruling that second-guessed the regulations for mifepristone could open the door to legal challenges targeting all sorts of medications. 4. Hamas hostages The fate of the 120 remaining hostages in Gaza is crucial to any deal to end the months-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. But a senior Hamas official has told CNN that no one has an idea how many of them are alive, and that any deal to release them must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Benny Gantz, who quit Israels war cabinet last week, said that Israel knows how many hostages in Gaza are still alive, adding that the public will receive details on some of the hostages in due time. Meanwhile, negotiations over the US-backed proposal to free the hostages and end the fighting have intensified in recent days but appeared to grind to a halt on Wednesday after Hamas presented its response to the document. 5. Apple Apple is now the most valuable US public company after its announcements on generative AI features for iPhones sent its stock climbing. The companys market cap closed at roughly $3.29 trillion on Thursday, just above Microsofts $3.28 trillion. The iPhone makers bounceback comes about a week after AI chipmaker Nvidia surpassed it to become the second-largest public company. Nvidia now ranks third, behind Microsoft. Still, it will take some time until Apple sees substantial sales growth, analysts say, as users are now waiting longer to upgrade their devices and an uncertain economic environment weighs on consumers, particularly in China. BREAKFAST BROWSE Part 2 of Bridgerton Season 3 will turn up the heat The tea is piping hot, dear readers. New episodes of Bridgerton have debuted on Netflix. Painting found at a bus stop could sell for $32 million A twice-stolen painting by Italian Renaissance master Titian, once found at a bus stop in London, could fetch $32 million at auction. Waymo recalls hundreds of its driverless cars Sometimes you must go backward to go forward Waymo issued a recall to improve its driverless vehicles following multiple crashes and traffic violations. Taylor Swifts fans danced so hard it registered as seismic activity Earthquake readings were detected four miles from the stars Edinburgh concert. Seismologists said it was triggered by enthusiastic Swifties! Tyson CFO and chicken family scion John Tyson arrested for DWI Not-so-hot news: Tyson Foods suspended its 34-year-old CFO after he was arrested Thursday on charges of DWI and careless driving. QUIZ TIME K-pop star Jin was greeted by fanfare this week after he finished his mandatory army service in South Korea. Which boy band is he a member of? A. BTS B. EXO C. GOT7 D. NCT Take me to the quiz! Last week, 64% of readers who took the quiz got eight or more questions right. How will you fare? TODAYS NUMBER 61% Thats how many Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court, a recent Marquette Law School poll shows. The publics view of the high court has generally worsened in recent years following a series of highly charged rulings and controversies over ethics and transparency among the justices. TODAYS QUOTE You have the power to spread peace and smiles. Pope Francis, speaking at the Vatican today as he gathered more than 100 comedians from 15 countries to celebrate the power of humor and its ability to create connections among people. The leader of the Catholic Church invited some of the worlds most popular comedians to the meeting, including Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert and Conan OBrien. TODAYS WEATHER Check your local forecast here>>> AND FINALLY How AI is helping create movies Going beyond chatbots and text-to-image models, AI systems have now evolved to create art and entertainment. Watch this video to see how it works. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the Spotlight is a Fresno Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email tips@fresnobee.com. An employee is suing Valley Childrens Healthcare for wage theft, accusing the Madera County nonprofit of intentionally paying nurses less than the minimum wage for their mandatory on-call shifts. Bonnie Ferreria, who the complaint says is a four-year employee of Valley Childrens, filed a lawsuit in Madera County last week on behalf of herself and all other possibly-affected employees who have worked for the nonprofit since June 2020. At a time when too many pay lip service to our nurses, this lawsuit is about delivering basic rights for the most important people in our Valley: Those who take care of sick children and help lift up Valley families in the midst of a medical crisis, Ferrerias attorney, Brian Whelan, said in a statement sent to The Fresno Bee. La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California. In an email statement sent to The Bee on Thursday, Valley Childrens denied all the allegations in the lawsuit and said it will defend itself against the claims in the litigation. To date, there has been no judicial finding of merit to any of the claims nor on the appropriateness of class action treatment, the hospital said. Because the litigation is ongoing, the hospital cannot comment further at this time. Valley Childrens has been under fire since March, when it was revealed that its top-paid executives received multi-million-dollar compensation packages in recent years. Nonprofit federal tax filings show CEO Todd Suntrapak received a total annual compensation of more than $5 million in 2021 and 2022, plus a $5 million forgivable loan in 2022 to purchase a home. That year, only two other CEOs of the nations largest childrens hospitals with more beds than Valley Childrens received more annual compensation. The CEOs compensation is decided by the Valley Childrens Healthcare Board of Trustees. News reports in March showed that the board directed an external consultant to offer a compensation structure that put Suntrapak in the top 10% of earners in the industry. The hospital later said that Suntrapaks 2022 compensation figure was the result of a one-time accounting adjustment that gave him two bonuses in one year. According to Ferrerias complaint, Valley Childrens policy is to pay its non-exempt employees, including its nurses, less than the minimum wage for their mandatory on-call shifts. Non-exempt employees are those who are entitled to at least the minimum wage and also entitled to overtime compensation. The on-call shifts paid between $6.00 dollars an hour to $8.00 dollars an hour when the employee was on-call but not called back to be physically at work in the hospital, the complaint states. The complaint also alleges Valley Childrens failed to pay employees when their compensation was due, failed to accurately calculate and provide overtime pay, and failed to provide workers with accurate wage statements, among other accusations. The lawsuit says Valley Childrens does this intentionally, knowingly, and systematically. Ferreria is the only plaintiff named in the lawsuit. Valley Childrens CEO Todd Suntrapak owns a $6.5 million home just minutes from the beach in the Monterey County city of Carmel-By-The-Sea. In recent months, Suntrapak and Michael Hanson, chairman of Valley Childrens board, have repeatedly declined interviews with The Bee, through hospital spokesperson Zara Arboleda, about executive compensation at the hospital. The CEO spoke out publicly for the first time since criticism of his pay began in an interview with ABC30 that aired Tuesday. Nursing wages, in particular, are very fluid, Suntrapak told ABC30. We recently made an adjustment to our nursing salaries that puts our nursing salaries on par with anybody else in the area. The CEO also said during the interview that he has heard more people say they continue to trust Valley Childrens than say the opposite. The nonprofit recently announced that it received a $15 million gift from an anonymous donor to fund cancer treatment a gesture one Valley Childrens doctor said shows continued trust in the hospital. News of Suntrapaks compensation brought scrutiny from Fresno City Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefeld, who both called for a state investigation in March into the hospitals financial structure. In an email to The Bee on Thursday, Bredefeld reiterated his criticism of Valley Childrens executive pay and perks, calling the CEO compensation package not justifiable. The hospital also has $1.3 billion in cash (and cash equivalents) yet they dont pay their nurses fair wages and children who needed certain cancer or live-saving kidney treatments had to go to Stanford to get the care they needed until a donor recently gave the hospital a $15 million dollar donation, Bredefeld wrote. Not one child should ever have to wait for any treatment or be denied treatment when they have that much money at their disposal. In light of the allegations in the nurse wages lawsuit, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said this week that his office will be investigating the matter. The City Attorneys Office has jurisdiction over any hospital offices and facilities located in the City of Fresno, Janz said in a statement. No further comment will be provided as our investigation is ongoing. If it is later determined after our investigation we dont have jurisdiction, we can still forward the case to the state labor commissioner for prosecution. Valley Childrens runs clinics and other facilities throughout the Central Valley, several of them in Fresno. During a news conference Wednesday, March 20, Fresno City Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld, left, and Miguel Arias call on California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate Valley Childrens Hospital. Cheating in fishing tournaments has made headlines in the last few years, and it might be worth the risk to some participants when thousands of dollars in cash prizes and a new bass boat are awarded to the winners. But cheating in a local hog hunting contest to take home a few hundred bucks, belt buckles, and bragging rights? According to allegations from Louisiana game wardens, thats what they think happened earlier this year. On Wednesday officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced they had arrested six subjects for allegedly committing fraud in two separate hog hunting contests that took place in Caldwell and Bienville Parishes. They say the Louisiana men caught hogs in Texas, drove the live hogs across state lines, and then entered them into the two contests, which they won. Both contests have rules stipulating that the hogs must be caught during specific timeframes and within the state of Louisiana. The Piney Woods Pimps, which took place in the Swamp Time Hog Hunt, included four of the men who were arrested for hunting contest fraud. Photo via Facebook During the investigation, the press release reads, agents obtained evidence that revealed the six subjects catching hogs in Texas to be used for the Dingler Wild Hog Roundup in Bienville Parish on Feb. 9-10 and the Swamp Time Hog Hunt in Caldwell Parish from March 14-16. The six subjects named in the press release are: Trace Davis, 30, of Longville; Hunter Webb, 27, of Pitkin; Colby Bushnell, 26, of Dry Creek; Davy Hampton, 35, of Pitkin, Nathan Granger, 34, of Vinton; and Don Pollard Jr., 40, of Pitkin. All six men were charged with hunting contest fraud and criminal conspiracy. In addition, all the suspects except Granger were charged with violating interstate commerce. Davis was also charged with obstruction of justice and Webb was also cited for hunting with a suspended license. Read Next: Louisiana Man Arrested After Stuffing 2.5 Pounds of Lead Weights into Bass at Fishing Tourney Officials say Granger turned himself into the Bienville Parish Jail on June 4. They say the other five men turned themselves into the Bienville and Caldwell Parish Jails on June 7. Davis tells Outdoor Life in a Facebook message that he did not cheat. Both he and Bushnell say to reach out to their attorneys for comment. Davis attorney, Cameron Murray, was unable to provide comment by the time of publication. Officials at LDWF did not immediately respond to a request for comment, so its unclear what sparked their investigation, or what evidence they have showing that the six men committed fraud. Randy Dingler, who organized the Dingler Wild Hog Roundup, and Dalton Moses, who organized the Swamp Time Hog Hunt, have both confirmed with Outdoor Life that the men named in the LDWF news release were on teams that took first place in the two contests. You always have somebody wanting to cheat, says Dingler, whos been hosting the event for 10 years. But luckily, we got Wildlife and Fisheries, and they stepped in and did what they did. I never would have known. Both contests have similar rules. They involve four- or five-man teams with one or two helpers (four-man teams with only one helper in the Swamp Time Hog Hunt). The teams are each given a randomly assigned number by the organizer just before the hunt starts, and they have a limited amount of time to catch the five biggest hogs they can find. Traps and fences are not allowed, and all wild hogs must be caught with dogs. Each contestant must have a permit for transporting hogs, as the live pigs are transported in a trailer to the contest site, where theyre weighed in by the organizer. Read Next: The Real Problem with the Infamous Walleye Tournament Cheating Scandal The two contests also require contestants to take a picture with each of the hogs they catch and send that picture to the organizer. The picture must include the teams number, which helps confirm that the team caught the hog after they were assigned their number. Its not immediately clear how the suspects may have falsified or avoided this requirement. Moses says that he was instructed by LDWF not to share any details about how the cheating may have occurred since the agencys investigation is ongoing. This winning team had the biggest boar, if Im not mistaken, Dingler says. And they also got first place. They had the heaviest weight of five hogs. The first-place team in the Dingler Wild Hog Roundup won custom belt buckles. The same team also won the heaviest boar side-pot worth $180 dollars (or $36 a person), along with additional custom belt buckles and 20 sacks of feed that were donated by one of the contest sponsors. The Swamp Time Hog Hunt had bigger payouts. Moses says the first-place team in that event was the Piney Woods Pimps, which included Davis, Webb, Hampton, and Pollard Jr. They had the heaviest five-hog stringer and took home a cash prize of $1,558. Moses says the Piney Woods Pimps also won the side-pots for biggest boar, which paid $1,100, and biggest sow, which paid $800. This means that each of the four contestants took home approximately $814.50, along with trophies and bragging rights. The first-place trophies that were awarded during the Swamp Time Hog Hunt. Photo via Facebook On March 16, the final day of the Swamp Time Hog Hunt, Davis made a post on Facebook thanking Moses for organizing the contest. Everyone that hunted did a fine job Davis wrote. With a little luck and Gods Grace, we managed to get in the money out of 14 teams on this one. Moses emphasizes that the men are innocent until proven guilty, but he says the allegations that have surfaced are unfortunate. And if theyre proven to be true, theyll cast a pall over a community event that was meant to be a family gathering and a celebration of hunting traditions. Yesterday, Moses commented on a Facebook post and said hes already heard from one of the subjects, who offered to return his winnings. He said he hasnt heard anything from the others yet. We dont do polygraphs and all that stuff, but its probably something were going to do in the future, he tells Outdoor Life. In the past, weve made this work with an honor system, but I guess they proved you cant do that anymore. View comments Three seats on the Pinellas County School Board are up for grabs in August, and theres a slate of challengers who have aligned themselves in a bid to flip the board to a conservative majority. In District 1, an at-large seat chosen by all county voters, incumbent Laura Hine will face Danielle Marolf, the owner of private Christian school Wellmont Academy. Hine, seeking a second term, starts her campaign with more than $100,000 in her account and the backing of leaders including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, along with the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. She has been targeted by Gov. Ron DeSantis for replacement. Marolfs campaign war chest is is less than one-tenth the size of Hines. She counts among her supporters some of the countys most conservative Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and state Rep. Berny Jacques, as well as groups such as Moms for Liberty and Florida Faith Foundations. In District 4, which includes Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor and the northern portion of Clearwater, incumbent Eileen Long faces Palm Harbor University High counselor Erika Picard. The race has similar dynamics to District 1. Long, a retired teacher, also has been targeted by DeSantis, and has received backing from the teachers union. Picard has outraised Long by an almost 3-to-1 margin, and she has received endorsements from a host of conservative Republican officials and groups. In District 5, which includes most of Clearwater and Largo, three candidates are seeking to replace veteran board member Carol Cook, who is retiring after 24 years. The hopefuls are Katie Blaxberg, a former legislative aide to Chris Latvala; retired Tarpon Springs Middle School teacher Brad DeCorte; and community activist Stacy Geier. Blaxberg and Geier have raised almost the same amount of money in contributions, with Geiers support coming heavily from Moms for Liberty and Republicans like Jacques, and Blaxberg getting backing from more moderate backers such as state Sen. Ed Hooper and Palm Harbor fire commissioner Casey Cane, the husband of board member Lisa Cane. DeCorte, who lost a bid for the board in 2022, has received the backing of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. If no District 5 candidate receives at least half the vote in August, the race will proceed to a runoff in November. 7 cities that pay people to move there, including one that offers up to $10,000 in cash to new residents Some US cities offer cash incentives to attract new residents, who are often remote workers. These programs aim to increase the population and boost the local economy. These places, mostly in the Midwest and the South, can also offer movers a lower cost of living. Many Americans are leaving larger cities and states, especially on the coasts, for smaller spots across the US. California lost almost 350,000 people between 2021 and 2022, and some New Yorkers are being priced out. Meanwhile, a handful of cities and towns around the country want people to move there so much so that they're doling out cold, hard cash to some newcomers. Ryann Cooke took Tulsa, Oklahoma, up on its $10,000 offer to movers. Cooke, who is in her late 20s and works in social media, moved from Washington, DC, to Tulsa in June 2022. She told Business Insider the money is nice, but Oklahoma is also cheaper overall. "I have a great apartment and I've never been able to afford living on my own before, but the cost of living is so much lower in Tulsa than in DC," Cooke said. Tulsa's relocation-incentive initiative, called Tulsa Remote, is perhaps the best-known program of its kind. The programs, most popular in places in the Midwest and South, have similar goals: attract residents to boost their populations and inject their economies with talent and spending. Read on to learn more about seven towns and cities that pay people cash to move there, presented in alphabetical order. Did you get paid to move? Did we miss a program? Reach out to jpandy@businessinsider.com. Columbus, Georgia Columbus, Georgia SeanPavonePhoto Columbus, a city of just over 200,000 people on the border between Georgia and Alabama, pays some remote workers $5,000 to move there. To run the program, the city's chamber of commerce partners with Make My Move, a recruiting platform that helps communities promote themselves. The $5,000 is earmarked for remote workers who move to Columbus from at least 75 miles outside city limits. Candidates must be employed full-time remotely, make at least $75,000 a year, and make Muscogee County where Columbus is located their primary residence. Once those requirements are fulfilled, new residents will receive $5,000 toward relocation costs, six months of membership to a coworking space, and an annual "community connection outing," like ziplining or rafting, among other perks. Applicants are selected by a committee of local residents. That bundle of goods must've been enough to get people excited as applications are closed for 2024 but will reopen in January 2025, according to the program's website. Lincoln County, Kansas Lincoln County, Kansas. Bob Weston/Getty Images Lincoln County, Kansas a rural area home to less than 3,000 people about 130 miles north of Wichita is offering new residents $4,500 cash. It's throwing in a $500 credit toward high-speed internet, a gym membership, and a monthly basket of farm-fresh eggs to sweeten the deal. Participants must be remote workers making at least $50,000 annually who agree to live in Lincoln County for at least a year. They can also qualify for other perks, like a free plot of land to build a home and an additional $5,000 cash if their spouse or partner is hired for a job in the county. Local leaders hope to grow Lincoln County's population and economy. Make My Move and Innovation Center, a Kansas-based economic assistance organization, administer the incentive program, which a Make My Move press release said has already been so successful that 23 other counties are interested in participating. "The money is just the hook," Kelly Gourley, executive director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation, said in a statement. "It won't make someone like where they live; it's what comes after that makes someone feel good about the move." Mississippi County, Arkansas A street in Blytheville, Arkansas. Larry Braun Photography/Getty Images A two-and-a-half hour drive from Little Rock, Mississippi County is offering new and existing residents up to $50,000 toward building or renovating their dream home. Participants must be employees of participating companies which include US Steel, Big River Steel, and more and agree to live in Mississippi County for at least four years. Since the program launched in fall 2022, the Arkansas county an area near the Tennessee border that's home to cities including Blytheville and Osceola has gained 80 new buyers, many of whom are first-generation homeowners. Called Work Here, Live Here, the initiative is a collaboration between local industries, community groups, and financial institutions like Farmers Bank and Trust. "Once we start having a population increase and there's no reason we shouldn't with all the jobs we have created then the quality of life will follow," Randy Scott, president of Farmers Bank and Trust, told Business Insider. "You'll get the restaurants, you'll get the retail shops, you'll get the amenities." Newton, Iowa Newton, Iowa. Eddie Brady/Getty Images Newton, Iowa, a city of just under 16,000 people about 30 minutes outside Des Moines, has a program that gives people $10,000 if they buy a home. You can't buy just any home, though it must be worth at least $240,000. Movers won't receive the funds until a certificate of occupancy is issued by building inspectors from the City of Newton. After that, the funds can be used for anything, and people don't have to live in the house for a set amount of time. "There are no 'term of residency' requirements; i.e., while you must take title to the home, you are not required to remain in the home for any specified length of time," Craig Armstrong, a development specialist for the city, told BI in an email. Recipients also receive a "Get to Know Newton" welcome package, which includes gifts from local businesses and organizations and is valued at $2,500, according to the city's economic development arm. The Shoals, Alabama Florence, Alabama. marekuliasz/Getty Images A group of municipalities in northern Alabama is seeking remote workers to move there. The Shoals area is near Alabama's border with Tennessee and Mississippi. Its four cities Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia are all under three-hour drives from big cities including Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham. The program, called Remote Shoals, will give remote workers $10,000 to move to the area. The first $2,500 is meant to help with moving costs. Another $2,500 is doled out after six months, and the last $5,000 is given after a full year. Eligible applicants must be over 18 and able to move to the region within six months. They must also be employed outside the area and have a minimum annual income of $52,000. Applications will reopen in September 2024. Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma. Getty Images The Tulsa Remote program has already seen plenty of success since its launch in 2018. The program gives eligible movers $10,000 that can be used toward purchasing or renting a home in Tulsa and $500 toward travel reimbursement. On top of that cash, it also will give potential movers a $150 Airbnb credit to familiarize themselves with the city before moving. As of 2022, Tulsa Remote had moved more than 1,400 people to Oklahoma. Some participants chose Oklahoma over Texas or Georgia. To qualify for the program, applicants must be over 18, live outside Oklahoma, have a consistent stream of income, be able to work remotely, and promise to commit to moving to and living in Tulsa for at least one year. West Virginia Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, Ryan Smith/Ascend WV West Virginia's Ascend WV program launched in April 2021. As of June 2024, the program said it has lured 295 residents to the state called "ascenders" plus 272 of their family members. The program initially launched in Morgantown a college town home to West Virginia University and has since expanded to five total communities in West Virginia: New River Gorge, Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, and Greater Elkins. Participants receive $10,000 paid in monthly installments throughout the first year of moving, and the final $2,000 after the second year of living in West Virginia. The package comes with other incentives like free access to coworking space, two years of free outdoor gear rental, and a year of free outdoor recreation which is valued at over $2,500, according to Ascend WV. Potential residents must be 18 years or older, able to verify their remote employment, and willing to move to West Virginia for two years to be eligible. Read the original article on Business Insider 71-year-old Tampa woman shoots roommate, says he didnt clean up after himself: police TAMPA, Fla. (FLA) A dispute over cleaning led to a deadly shooting at a Tampa home, according to police. The Tampa Police Department said at about 9:28 a.m., officers responded to a home on East 26th Avenue where they found a man who was shot in the upper body multiple times. Pastor sentenced to 35 years for stealing churches The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he died of his injuries. Police said the suspect, 71-year-old Patricia Whitehead, was the victims roommate and was mad at him for not cleaning up after himself. According to investigators, Whitehead heard the victim slam the door while he left the home, took a gun from her bedroom, and followed him outside, shooting him several times. A woman at the home says he was her husband and she had warned others about Whitehead before. Somebody told me, he told the landlord and people in the house, if he dies, she killed him. Shes the one [who] did it, the woman said. She says her husband did not deserve to die this way. Hes a loving, hes kind, hes gentle. He dont hurt no one. He worked, hes got four kids, she said. Whitehead was charged with first-degree murder. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. JOPLIN, Mo. (KSNF) A flight from Joplin, Missouri, to Chicago was diverted early Thursday for a mid-flight medical emergency involving a child. The 8-year-old was rushed to the hospital but did not survive, authorities said. United Airlines 5121 took off at 6 a.m. June 13 from the Joplin Regional Airport. About 45 minutes after departing from Joplin, flight data shows the CRJ-200 aircraft en route to Chicago OHare, began an early descent from 31,000 feet, south of Peoria, Illinois. Alamo Drafthouse acquired by Sony. Changes coming? According to the Peoria County Sheriffs Office, the plane was diverted due to a medical emergency on board, and landed at Peoria International Airport about an hour after takeoff. When the plane landed, emergency crews including EMS, Air National Guard Fire and Peoria County Sheriffs Office Deputies took a girl, age 8, off the plane and immediately began life-saving measures. The child was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. Flight data shows the aircraft continued on to Chicago OHare from Peoria International just before 1 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 Queen City News. An 8-year-old girl died after suffering a medical emergency aboard a flight to Chicago Thursday morning, which was rerouted to land in Peoria, Illinois, officials said. The child was transferred to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, despite emergency personnel performing life-saving measures, Peoria County Coroner's Office said in a statement. MORE: Father, 2 siblings set to graduate from college killed after small plane crashes in Tennessee The coroner's office said the child, who they identified as 8-year-old Sydney Weston from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her family on vacation when she "suddenly became ill and then unresponsive in flight." PHOTO: An ambulance responds to an emergency call in an undated stock photo. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images) "Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid," the coroner's office said. When the plane made an emergency landing in Peoria, "she was not breathing and had no pulse," according to the statement. MORE: 1 dead, 6 critically injured amid 'severe' turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight, carrier says Weston was pronounced dead at 8:05 a.m. at OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, the coroner's office said. The child's autopsy is scheduled for Friday, according to the statement. 8-year-old girl dies after medical emergency aboard flight to Chicago: Coroner originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, sat down on the front porch of her new home on East Annie Street on Friday with a toothbrush in her left hand and a smile on her face. In March, a wall raising ceremony was held for the home in the Historic Southside neighborhood, the same location where a white mob ransacked her familys home and burned their belongings. She joked a few months ago that the only thing she would bring from her hold home to her new home was her toothbrush. Lee, 97, says her journey of hardships could have turned her mean and bitter, as she has seen happen to others. Instead, she said, she stayed close to her faith and learned that things happen for a reason. To see the construction of her new home is a dream come true, she says. I want people to know what having a home means to a family, Lee told the Star-Telegram. The togetherness, the camaraderie, and the community. So Im happy to be here. The home was funded by Texas Capital Bank, Trinity Habitat for Humanity and HistoryMaker Homes. Texas Capital Bank provided funding for furnishings, and HistoryMaker Homes built the home at no cost to Lee. Lee was able to help personalize her home, which is about 1,700 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. One of the rooms was converted to a library, with bookshelves throughout. Lee is an avid reader. Nelson Mitchell, CEO of HistoryMaker Homes, says the best days for people in his company are when they hand the keys to customers and tell them to make a house into a home. Every home built for families is important, but building one for Lee was a privilege, he said. Media gather at the new house for Opal Lee on Friday. When we had the opportunity to build Dr. Opal Lees house, one of our nations most important civil rights leaders, thats a pretty special job to be presented with, Mitchell said. And so we jumped at the chance to be involved with a woman that has been an example of bravery and courage and what she represents and what shes fought for her entire life. In 1939, when Lee was 12, her family moved into what was then a white neighborhood. Four days later on Juneteenth hundreds of rioters showed up. Police came but did not control the mob. My dad came from work and he had a gun, Lee told the Star-Telegram in 2022. Police told him, If you bust a cap, we will let this mob have you. Our parents sent us to friends several blocks away, and they left on the cusp of darkness. Those people went ahead and pulled our furniture and burned it. They did despicable things. Her parents never discussed it afterward, and Lee spent the rest of her life trying to forget the painful memory. Gail Ryan, left, shares a laugh with her longtime friend Opal Lee on the porch of Lees new home. Lee worked for years for national recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Lincoln had signed more than two years earlier. Juneteenth had long been commemorated in Texas becoming a state holiday in 1980. In Fort Worth, more than 30,000 people celebrated Juneteenth in 1975 in Sycamore Park. The Historic Southside neighborhood is also the future home of a National Juneteenth Museum. Lee had hoped she would one day own the land where her childhood home once stood. In 2020, when she was a board member of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, she inquired about purchasing the lot from the organization. Gage Yager, chief executive of Trinity Habitat for Humanity, sold it to Lee for $10. Gage Yager, the CEO of Trinity Habitat For Humanity, embraces Opal Lee during a celebration to commemorate Lees new house at Historic Southside in Fort Worth on Friday. Yager announced at Fridays celebration the formation of Opal Lee Legacy Homes, an idea that was formed around last October during the groundbreaking ceremony. It will call on individuals, businesses, churches, and foundations to raise money to help Trinity Habitat for Humanity build 100 homes in recognition of Lee. It will also include using 10 percent of the money raised to sponsor the National Juneteenth Museum. Yager says Lee has worked tirelessly to seek justice for the homeless and downtrodden. He and Trinity Habitat for Humanity created the initiative to continue her legacy, so everyone could channel their inner Opal Lee. What I want to have is to have all these homes built when Opal is not with us anymore, Yager said. I want to have all these homes built when Im not with us anymore. Thats her legacy: Dont give up, seek justice, help those in need, and love your neighbor. 9-foot crocodile treks more than 100 miles from St. Lucie to Brevard County FWC logo A 9.5-foot-long crocodile trekked more than 100 miles to return to its original home in Brevard County less than a year after being relocated to St. Lucie County, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The agency responded June 3 to a sighting of the crocodile in Brevard County. The crocodile was moved Oct. 13, 2023, to Avalon State Park in Fort Pierce, which is far enough from its original location "without too greatly increasing the crocodiles risk of mortality if it were to return," Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Jonathan Veach said. "The decision to relocate the crocodile to a suitable habitat in an area less densely populated by people was not made lightly, but it was made in the best interest of the crocodile and its long-term success," Veach told TCPalm in an email. Crocodiles have been known to travel long distances back to their capture site, according to the FWC. Moving the crocodile only results in a temporary solution, the agency said. Are crocodiles native to Florida? An American crocodile, named Irwin by photographer Rebecca Fatzinger, has taken up temporary residence at an undisclosed location in Martin County. American crocodiles can be found in South Florida and the Keys. American crocodiles live in brackish or saltwater areas, and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps The species was federally listed as an endangered species in 1975. Over time, the American crocodile populations have rebounded from a few hundred to as many as 2,000, according to the FWC. The American crocodile Florida population is now classified as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. What should you do if you see a crocodile? The FWC recommends the following if you encounter a crocodile: Keep a safe distance if you see a crocodile Only swim in designated swimming areas during daylight hours since crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn Keep pets on a leash and away from the water Pet owners who live on the water where American crocodiles may occur should consider erecting fencing on their property that effectively places a barrier between their pets and crocodiles Never feed crocodiles it is illegal and dangerous. When fed, they can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food Dispose of fish scraps in designated waste containers since discarding scraps in the water may attract them. Also, avoid feeding other aquatic animals such as ducks, as it could attract crocodiles If you're worried about a crocodile, call FWC at 866-392-4286. The staff will offer educational information about safely living with crocodiles and, if warranted, a site visit may be done to evaluate the location and behavior and determine a course of action. Gianna Montesano is TCPalms trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @gonthescene. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: A crocodile traveled over 100 miles back home eight months after being removed 92 countries to be present at Peace Summit in Switzerland, almost 60 at highest level Switzerland, which is hosting the Global Peace Summit on 15-16 June, has unveiled the final list of attendees, with more than half represented at the highest levels of the government. Source: European Pravda Details: The Swiss Federal Council has announced a list of 92 countries that will participate in the Global Peace Summit. Fifty-seven of these are represented at the highest levels, as presidents or prime ministers. Another 29 countries will be represented at the ministerial level, primarily by foreign ministers. Six countries will send ambassadors: Indonesia, Israel, the UAE, South Africa, the Philippines, and Brazil. Furthermore, Brazil and the Holy See shall be observers, not participants. As expected, there will be no Chinese representatives. Switzerland will have representation from the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the Organisation of American States, and all important EU institutions, such as the European Council, European Commission, and European Parliament. The United Nations and the Ecumenical Patriarchate have observer status. Background: Earlier it was reported that Switzerland changed the troublesome provisions of the final document of the Peace Summit, which could have had undesirable consequences for Ukraine. Several states that had planned to attend the Peace Summit in Switzerland decided not to go there after the draft decision was changed in favour of Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine Peace Summit turns hard on Russia. How leaders amended the final decision under criticism Support UP or become our patron! 98-year-old Lidiia received new documents. Photo: State Migration Service of Ukraine In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 98-year-old Lidiia, who fled an occupied village in Donetsk Oblast in April, has been issued a new passport. The Russians destroyed her old papers. Source: Ukraines State Migration Service Quote: "So, on June 11, the Pershotravenskyi department of the State Migration Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast issued a passport of a citizen of Ukraine to 98-year-old Lidiia Stepanivna, who risked her life to reach the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from occupied Ocheretyne on foot through the combat zone," the government agency stated. From now on, the old woman lives in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in her new home. Photo: State Migration Service of Ukraine Previously, the story of the old woman captivated the entire country. The 98-year-old woman walked for 10 kilometres without food or drink, separated from her relatives, to flee the occupied part of Ocheretyne and into Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian troops finally found her and took her to the White Angels rescue team. The Russians destroyed the house that the woman had built herself. She claims her village has experienced more destruction during the war with Russia than during World War II. Monobank, along with partners, has purchased a new home for the elderly woman. She currently lives in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Abducted Girl, 4, Found Dead in Woods Alongside Injured Sister, 6, After Man Is Arrested Over Death of their Mom Police said Daniel Callihan was arrested for allegedly committing brutal and heinous acts of violence in the murders of a mother and her daughter A man has been arrested after police allege he murdered a 35-year-old mother and her 4-year-old daughter. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana shared on social media that officers arrested Daniel Callihan, 36, on Thursday, June 15, for allegedly committing brutal and heinous acts of violence in the murders of Callie Brunett, 35, and her daughter, Erin, 4. "Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. These are unspeakable crimes," Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a statement. "We ask everyone to keep Callie's family in your prayers." Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said in a press conference that an amber alert had been issued on June 13 for two young children. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office Chief Jimmy Travis said, per CNN, that the alert was issued after Brunett was found dead in her Loranger home and her two children missing. Wade said Jackson police officers, along with U.S. Marshals, eventually located Callihan in Jackson, Mississippi located two hours from Tangipahoa in a wooded area behind a house, and after a short pursuit took him into custody. Wade noted that Jackson police officers searched the area where he was found and they located a deceased child in the woods identified as 4-year-old Erin. He described the scene of the crime as a very traumatic and very tragic one. ... You dont want to see that. As a father, to see this baby on the ground that has lost her life," Wade said at the press conference, per local Fox affiliate WVUE-TV. This is an innocent 4-year-old child thats no longer with us because of the actions of a coward. Wade shared that officers were still trying to determine the 4-year-olds manner of death. As for the other child a 6-year-old girl he said that she was also located and taken to the hospital to receive treatment for injuries. He also noted that there had been signs of some human trafficking done in the wooded location where the girls were found, per CNN. Were going to work this crime scene with a scalpel. Its going to take a long time to process it, Wade shared, per the outlet. Travis said that investigators believe Callihan and Brunett had dated off and on." Prior to his arrest, Callihan was wanted for questioning "for a domestic violence incident, which occurred at the time of the abduction and resulted in a homicide, according to CNN. 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. Police said they did not yet have a motive for the alleged abduction and killings. Travis noted, per the outlet, that their next step is to interview Callihan and the 6-year-old child that was found alive. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office and Jackson Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. The Jackson Police Department also asked during the news conference that anyone with information related to the case come forward and contact their department at (601) 960-1234. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A Louisiana man arrested in the killing of a woman and her young daughter is believed to have had an accomplice, the Jackson Police Department said Friday. The suspect, 36-year-old Daniel Callihan, was arrested Thursday after a 35-year-old mother was found dead and her two abducted daughters were later discovered in Mississippi one dead and the other alive in what investigators say may be a human trafficking case. Callihan is accused of committing brutal and heinous acts of violence, including the killings of Callie Brunett and her 4-year-old daughter, said the sheriffs office in Tangipahoa Parish, just north of New Orleans. As Callihan was being escorted by officers from the Jackson Police Department headquarters Friday, a reporter asked him why he allegedly killed the little girl. I have no reason for what I did, Callihan told reporters. He added that hes been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Callihans alleged accomplice, Victoria Cox, 32, was arrested on Friday at a motel in south Jackson, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said. Callihan said Friday that he has yet to talk to a lawyer. The Rankin County District Attorneys Office told CNN they were unaware if Callihan had retained an attorney. Cox is being questioned and police said they are trying to determine her exact role in the incident. Based on information that I got yesterday and early this morning, she is an acquaintance and possibly girlfriend of Mr. Callihan, Wade said. Jackson investigators said the wooded neighborhood where the girls were found showed signs the location could have been used for human trafficking, including small animal cages. Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. These are unspeakable crimes, parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a social media post. We ask everyone to keep Callies family in your prayers. Earlier Thursday, an Amber Alert was issued for Brunetts abducted daughters, ages 4 and 6, after the mother was found dead in her home, according to Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office Chief Jimmy Travis. After hours of searching, law enforcement in Jackson, Mississippi about a 2-hour drive from Tangipahoa tracked down the suspect and found a tragic scene, Wade said. After a short pursuit, Callihan was arrested in a wooded area near a house and the 4-year-olds body was found unburied in the woods behind the home, according to Wade. The other sister was found injured and was taken to a hospital. Its very, very disturbing to me as a police chief and as a father to witness and see what I just saw, Wade said of the scene. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, Wade said Friday. Due to signs of some human trafficking done at the location, Jackson authorities have reached out to human trafficking divisions with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Hinds County, Wade said. Were going to work this crime scene with a scalpel, he said. Its going to take a long time to process it. Many questions still remain, Wade said, including why Callihan allegedly took the children to Jackson and why the child was killed. Though Callihan had yet to be interviewed Thursday evening, investigators believe the suspect lives in Louisiana and had dated Brunett off and on, Travis said. When the Amber Alert was issued Thursday, it said a man, later identified as Callihan, was wanted for questioning for a domestic violence incident, which occurred at the time of the abduction and resulted in a homicide. Investigators top priority will be to interview Callihan and care for the surviving 6-year-old victim, Travis said. Shes been through something that most of us, hopefully, never ever get to experience. And she is going to have to spend the rest of her life living with this, the chief said. Police said Cox was compliant during her arrest and will be held accountable for her actions in the horrific event. She could be possibly facing capital murder charges along with him or accessory before or after the fact, Wade said. We have to bring justice for the loss of this child. CNN has reached out to the Jackson Police Department and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office for more information. A GoFundMe was created in loving support of the Brunett family in a time of unimaginable suffering to raise money for funeral costs for Brunett and her 4-year-old daughter, and to help support the family and surviving child navigate the tragedy. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The utterance came during the closing seconds of a cable news interview, with a nudge from a partisan anchor. The hundreds of convicts serving time for criminal activity in the riot of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 should absolutely be released from their jail terms, Congressman Andy Barr said, agreeing with the assertion of Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo. Bartiromo, a fervent Donald Trump ally who regularly amplifies false claims about the 2020 presidential election being stolen, told the Kentucky shed like to see some movement with these people getting out of jail. Its just wrong that all these people have been locked up, Bartiromo said incredulously. Now with all of this new information, this is just wrong. Absolutely Maria, Barr replied without elaborating. A spokesman for Barrs office did not respond to an inquiry Thursday seeking clarity on his remark. The Biden Administration's weak foreign policy agenda continues to hurt our allies and embolden our adversaries. Watch my full interview with @MariaBartiromo pic.twitter.com/zsHe6JXLv3 Rep. Andy Barr (@RepAndyBarr) June 12, 2024 The predicate for Bartiromos revisiting Jan. 6, 2021, was the revelation of new video by a House GOP committee of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the back of a vehicle expressing frustration about the lack of National Guard troops at the U.S. Capitol that day. They clearly didnt know, Pelosi said. And I take responsibility for not having them just prepare for more. Those on the right have deemed the video explosive, attempting to pin Pelosi with the blame for the unprecedented breach on the capitol building. Barr said it underscored how intelligence officials informed Pelosi that additional security services would be necessary beyond Capitol police. They knew that there was going to be trouble and they did nothing, Barr alleged, painting the Democratic Party-led investigation of Jan. 6 a total fraud. Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics Newsletter A must-read newsletter for political junkies across the Bluegrass State with reporting and analysis from the Lexington Herald-Leader. Never miss a story! Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics newsletter to connect with our reporting team and get behind-the-scenes insights, plus previews of the biggest stories. A U.S. Senate report noted that that law enforcement officials downplayed or ignored a massive amount of intelligence information forecasting the possibility of violence or an attack on the day marked to certify the 2020 election results. In his memoir, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah wrote that he had texted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell citing a Pentagon official warning him of very disturbing social media traffic regarding the planned protests on Jan. 6. There are calls to burn down your home, Mitch; to smuggle guns into DC and to storm the Capitol, Romney wrote the Senate GOP leader. I hope that sufficient security plans are in place. McConnell never responded to Romneys pleading. Deeming it a tragic day, Barr went as far to assert to Bartiromo the attack could have been prevented if Pelosi had called up the National Guard. Yet unmentioned during the Barr-Bartiromo interview is the Jan. 6 rally headlined by Trump and his prodding of attendees to march to the U.S. Capitol and fight like hell and show strength. Trump now says one of his first acts in office if hes re-elected would be to free the Jan. 6 hostages being wrongly imprisoned. According to the Justice Department, more than 450 Americans have been sentenced to periods of incarceration for criminal activity on Jan. 6. About two-dozen Kentuckians have been arrested in relation to the attack on the Capitol, including several Lexington residents. A vast majority of Americans 78% disapprove of the actions of those who forced their way into the U.S. Capitol, according to a January CBS News poll. More than 7 in 10 Americans including a majority of Republicans said the penalties for Jan. 6 have been fair or not harsh enough, according to a Washington Post survey earlier this year. Forty-two percent of Republicans assessed the penalties as too harsh. In January of this year, the governing body of the Republican Party of Kentucky passed a resolution claiming many people charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol have been wrongfully held. The resolution was identical to one filed by State Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, in the Kentucky Senate a day earlier. Tichenors resolution did not advance. Niki Jones Athens-Clarke County Deputy Manager Niki Jones has been appointed acting county manager as the search for a replacement for departing County Manager Blaine Williams is gearing up. Williams, who had served in the position for eight years, announced his resignation at the June 6 meeting of the Athens-Clarke County Commission. He will remain in the post until July 12, with Jones taking the position of acting manager on the following day. Williams will remain available to consult with the county government through Aug. 30, according to the terms of his resignation agreement. Jones was named acting manager with a unanimous vote of the Athens-Clarke County Commission during part of a special called meeting on Friday morning. His appointment as acting manager came on the third anniversary of his hiring as assistant county manager. With his tenure as an Athens-Clarke County assistant manager and deputy manager, Jones has compiled more than 20 years of experience in local government, most of it in various positions in North Carolina. More: Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams to resign next month Prior to coming to Athens-Clarke County, Jones was the planning director in Wendell, N.C. He also served as assistant director of housing and neighborhoods in Raleigh, and held several positions with the city of Greenville, N.C., including city planner, economic development project manager, and housing administrator. Under the terms of the commissions unanimous Friday vote, Jones will remain as acting manager until the time that had been remaining in Williams contract expires, or until a new county manager is appointed by the commission, whichever comes first. Williams was working under a two-year contract signed in 2023 at the time of his resignation. Williams resignation came at a time when staffing in the managers office is down, and the countys budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 additionally calls for the hiring of another assistant manager. Some commissioners were concerned Friday about the workload in the managers office and asked for guidance regarding their interaction with the office as Jones steps into the acting managers role. Blaine Williams Mayor Kelly Girtz suggested that he and the commissioners should be very focused in our work together. Jones acknowledged the need for commissioners to continue their work, particularly in constituent services, but he did ask for some consideration from commissioners in the coming days. We do ask, give us some grace, Jones said. Jones holds a masters degree in public administration from East Carolina University, where he also earned a bachelors degree in urban and regional planning. He also is a graduate of the Public Executive Leadership Academy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and holds certification as a planner from the American Planning Associations American Institute of Certified Planners. As far as finding a permanent replacement for Williams, Mayor Kelly Girtz told commissioners Friday that sometime late this month or in early July, he will present them with a timetable for filling the position. A nationwide search will be a part of that process, with the mayor and commission eventually appointing their preferred candidate as the county manager. Williams offered little comment on the reasons for his resignation at the June 6 commission meeting. He did, however, say his decision was driven by a sincere desire to explore new opportunities for personal and professional growth, and to be with my family. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Niki Jones to serve as acting manager for Athens-Clarke County Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) dropped a brutal reminder for Republicans about Donald Trump on Thursday as he quoted the Manhattan jurys verdict in the former presidents hush money trial last month. Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, Schiff said at a House Judiciary Committee hearing. This was what the jury pronounced unanimously on every count. Republicans on the committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), announced the hearing to examine what they referred to as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs political prosecution of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. The former president and his Republican allies have pushed a political persecution claim in the wake of the conviction. Hes also made claims that try to link President Joe Biden and the Justice Department to the case despite Braggs office being responsible for prosecuting state crimes in Manhattan. Schiffs remarks were made roughly two weeks after Trump was found guilty on all 34 criminal charges of falsifying business records to cover up a payment just before the 2016 presidential election to silence allegations of a 2006 sexual encounter with adult film star Stormy Daniels while he was married. My Republican colleagues dont really contest Donald Trumps guilt. This is the fascinating thing. Their argument is essentially he should have never been prosecuted. Or they falsely claim it was a political prosecution. Or they falsely claim it should have been a misdemeanor, not a felony, Schiff said. But they dont contest, not really, that Donald Trump was making hush money payments to a porn star to hide their affair from voters. The California Democrat said that Republicans are saying theyre more than comfortable nominating and electing a president who made hush money payments to a porn star. The party, formerly of the moral majority, is now, I suppose, trying to fashion some kind of immoral majority to reinstate Donald Trump as president, Schiff said. Schiff: I want to begin by quoting the jury in the Manhattan trial: Guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty guilty pic.twitter.com/FzqinWmWSq Acyn (@Acyn) June 13, 2024 CORRECTION: Schiffs political affiliation was incorrect in a prior version of this story. Related... Prescriptions for oxycodone and other opioids fueled an epidemic nationwide. (John Moore/Getty Images) Oregon state officials will spend slightly more than $13 million on community centers and housing for rural Oregonians recovering from drug addiction. The Opioid Settlement, Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board awarded $13.08 million for projects, primarily in rural counties that see many drug overdoses yet offer limited access to recovery services including programs, treatment and housing. The Oregon Health Authority announced the projects this week. The money will go to projects in Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Klamath and Wasco counties. The figure is a sliver of the nearly $600 million Oregon will receive during the next 18 years as part of a settlement in a national lawsuit states filed against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies. For years, the opioid crisis left people across the country addicted to painkillers. In its aftermath, years of litigation left states, including Oregon, with hundreds of millions to put into recovery. The money comes as fentanyl, also an opioid, has made its way to city streets in Oregon. The Settlement Board is excited to support recovery services across the state, board co-chair Annaliese Dolph said in a statement. This investment prioritizes high-need communities lacking access to supports for people in recovery, another step toward an adequate continuum of care in Oregon. Under the plan, the states Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission is to work with recipients and provide a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the board by Sept. 1. The settlement board signs off on that before any money goes out. The biggest portion, $5 million, will go toward recovery community centers in Josephine and Klamath counties. Recovery centers offer a place for people to drop in and get information about available services and programs. The centers also can offer a space for training and support groups. Officials also allocated $2.39 million for the planned Painted Horse Recovery Center in Douglas County. The new recovery center in Roseburg will offer outreach services, connect Native American clients to cultural activities and help people access medication, housing and health care. The money will fund three years of operations, including staff, administrative costs and equipment, the proposal document says. In Curry County, $2.36 million will go to the Bay Area First Step Recovery Center. The money will allow the Coos County-based nonprofit to expand its footprint to Curry County and open a center that people can access to gain support and information about programs. The nonprofit offers treatment, housing and peer support staff services. Peer support workers have experiences of their own, such as overcoming a drug addiction, that they use to help their clients. In Wasco County, $2 million will go to the Gorge Recovery Center, which plans to open a drop-in center to serve people in the Columbia River Gorge. Another $1.3 million will go toward needs in existing programs. About $830,000 will help recovery community centers expand culturally specific and youth services in existing recovery centers. Examples of services include translation and interpretation services, outreach to marginalized communities and hiring bilingual staff. Separately, $500,000 will go toward personnel costs for Oxford House, which runs recovery houses that help people as they transition to full independence while recovering from addiction. Oxford House, a national organization, runs more than 200 recovery houses throughout Oregon. The post Addiction recovery programs will get $13 million in opioid settlement funds appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (George Frey/Getty Images) After the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a ban on bump stocks, a local gun safety group reiterated that Maine should ban such devices at the state level an effort that was blocked by Gov. Janet Mills after passing the Legislature last session. The high court overturned a rule enacted under the Trump administration that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which are generally prohibited under federal law. The regulation was put in place after a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas in which a gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500. Fridays 6-3 decision broke along the courts established ideological lines, with conservative justices voting to overturn the regulation. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. In Maine, bump stocks were also a major point of debate this year. Following the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston, lawmakers passed several gun safety reform measures, including a bill that sought to ban conversion devices like bump stocks. However, Mills, a Democrat, vetoed the bump stock measure in April, arguing that the bill could unintentionally ban weapons that responsible gun owners use for hunting or target shooting. And while Mills agreed that semi-automatic firearms converted into the functional equivalent of a machine gun should be restricted, she said certain language in the bill could have unintended consequences. Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, which supported the state-level bump stock ban, expressed disappointment after the Supreme Courts ruling on Friday. Palmer said the courts decision means its even more important that Maine lawmakers take action to ban bump stocks because de facto machine guns have no place in our communities. We were glad that a bump stock ban passed both chambers of the Maine Legislature this past session, and we hope to work with our allies in the Legislature to craft a new bump stock ban that will again pass both houses with the hopes of gaining the governors approval next year, she said. Mills office did not respond to a request for comment. Call for federal legislation At the federal level, the Supreme Courts decision was met with criticism from President Joe Biden. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said. Schumer also said Democrats in the Senate are ready to pass legislation to ban bump stocks but we will need votes from Senate Republicans. In response to a question about a potential bill banning bump stocks, a spokesperson for Sen. Angus King pointed to legislation the Maine independent introduced in November after the Lewiston mass shooting that would, among other provisions, prohibit conversion devices such as bump stocks. Maines other senator, Republican Susan Collins, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about her position on legislation banning bump stocks. However, both Collins and King are cosponsors of another bill to prohibit the sale of bump stocks. In his majority opinion, Thomas wrote that, nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot, he said. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, penned the dissent. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machine gun, I respectfully dissent. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Advocates reiterate call for Maine to pass bump stock ban after Supreme Court ruling appeared first on Maine Morning Star. Packages of Mifepristone tablets are displayed at a family planning clinic in Rockville on April 13, 2023. The drug is part of a two-drug regimen to induce an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy in combination with Misoprostol. Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. Reproductive rights advocates were cautiously celebrating Thursdays Supreme Court ruling that preserves access to the abortion drug, mifepristone, but said they fear it is only a reprieve until more challenges arise. Sharon Blugis, executive director of the abortion-rights advocacy group Reproductive Justice Maryland, said that she was shocked to see the unanimous decision from the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, especially after the court reversed federal abortion protections under Roe v. Wade in 2022. I was doubtful Thats how jaded Ive become Blugis said. Im shocked that it came back unanimous and in our favor. But she and other abortion advocates in Maryland expect Thursdays ruling is just a chance to catch a breath before other legal challenges arise to threaten access to mifepristone or other abortion services. Its not over its just a reprieve. We cannot let up for a second, Blugis said. They struck this down because they didnt have standing, so theyll just wait until they have a case where they think somebody has some kind of case I anticipate we will see this again. Maryland Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization, did not immediately respond to a request Thursday for comment on the opinion. Mifepristone is a Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmaceutical thats part of a two-drug regimen used for both medication abortions and miscarriage care. A 2022 study published by the Guttmacher Institute reported that medication abortions accounted for 54% of all abortions in the United States. A group of physicians and anti-abortion organizations sued to overturn wanted the Supreme Court to overturn changes the FDA began making in 2016 that made it easier for the drug to be prescribed and taken. A federal district court in Texas agreed and that ruling was partially upheld by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But a unanimous Supreme Court rejected the case Thursday, ruling that the plaintiffs did not have standing to sue because the could not show that they had suffered, or were likely to suffer, injury as a result of the FDAs regulations. Plaintiffs are pro-life, oppose elective abortion, and have sincere legal, moral, ideological, and policy objections to mifepristone being prescribed and used by others, Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the court, using italics for emphasis. Because plaintiffs do not prescribe or use mifepristone, plaintiffs are unregulated parties who seek to challenge FDAs regulation of others. Plaintiffs advance several complicated causation theories to connect FDAs actions to the plaintiffs alleged injuries in fact. None of these theories suffices to establish standing, Kavanaugh wrote. The ruling means that mifepristone will remain available to those seeking an medical abortion in Maryland for now, although it may still be a challenge in states with harsher abortion restrictions. But this is likely not the last case that will try to restrict access to mifepristone, said Robyn S. Elliott, lobbyist with Public Policy Partners. It appears as though we just got a reprieve from the potential impact for access in Maryland and other states. It doesnt mean its over, Elliott said. We will have to read that opinion in great detail to understand where the next case will likely come from, because we will be seeing future litigation, she said. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) several other pro-abortion attorneys general submitted a friend of the court brief in February defending mifepristones safety. Brown agreed Thursday that there will probably be more legal battles on access reproductive care and abortion. While this battle is won, we know that there are challenges looming that could threaten the reproductive freedoms we cherish here in Maryland, Brown said in a written statement Thursday. Blugis said that there are efforts to further restrict abortion access through other avenues outside of the Supreme Court system, such as in state legislatures and through acts of Congress. Reproductive Justice Maryland will be urging Marylanders to vote in the upcoming general election to further their efforts of protecting abortion access in the state. This one court case does not really reverse any of that. Everything is still at stake, Blugis said. This is a nice little reprieve, but thats about all it is. Rulings effect in Marylands Senate race The issue of abortion has caused another wrinkle in the competitive race for Marylands available U.S. Senate seat, as former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan attempts to convince the states voters that he will protect Roe-era abortion protections if he is elected to congress. According to his campaign team, Hogan is pleased to by the Supreme Courts decision to throw out the mifepristone case. Governor Hogan is glad to see the Supreme Court uphold a womans right to make our own health care decisions just like he did as Governor for eight years, Hogan campaign spokeswoman Blake Kernen said in an email Thursday. Last month, Hogan bucked the national Republican playbook by saying that he supports access to abortion up to 26 weeks, despite his previous declarations that he is personally pro-life. But Maryland Democrats have called Hogans record on abortion into question. Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, his Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race, in May urged voters not to trust his promise. on abortion. As govenor in 2022, Hogan vetoed a measure that would have expand abortion access in the state. When the legislature overrode his veto, Hogan withheld state funding that would have been used to train nonphysicians to perform abortions, funding that Gov. Wes Moore (D) released on his first day in office in 2023. Alsobrooks was quick to announce her support for the Supreme Court decision Thursday morning. It was correct that the Supreme Court made the decision to keep this single right intact womens access to this particular reproductive medication, Alsobrooks said in a statement Thursday morning. But I, like so many women across this country, shouldnt have to wait with baited breath to see if Justices will allow us to make our own health care decisions. The post Advocates welcome Supreme Court ruling on abortion pill, but fear its only a reprieve appeared first on Maryland Matters. Currently, Russia is using a tactic of combined air strikes with regrouping and changing the directions of missile and drone movements. Source: Illia Yevlash, spokesman for the Air Force of Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "First of all, this is a tactic of combined strikes, using unmanned aerial vehicles from different directions in combination with various types of missiles. They can modify different elements, for instance, the warhead: increasing or decreasing its size depending on the assigned task. Additionally, as we saw last night, for example, three groups of Shahed drones merged into two, then ceased to exist. This means regrouping and changing the direction of movement. For example, cruise missiles today reached western Ukraine, [heading] to Kolomyia, then turned around and flew back towards Starokostiantyniv. So, such manoeuvres with changes in altitude occur from time to time. Each attack is unique in its own way." Details: The officer added that during the second large-scale air raid around 06:00, the Russians launched a Kh-47 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile from Tambov Oblast. "That target was quite fast and moved very quickly. It entered from northern Ukraine and also headed towards Khmelnytskyi, where it did not reach its target," said Yevlash. Background: Russia launched a combined air strike on Ukraine on the night of 13-14 June, using 31 aerial targets, including 14 missiles and 17 kamikaze drones. Ukraine's air defence systems have successfully destroyed 7 Russian missiles and 17 drones. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian air defense shot down all of the 17 Shahed-type attack drones and seven of the 14 missiles launched by Russia overnight on June 14, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said. Russia reportedly launched the drones from Yeysk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and occupied Crimea, while the 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95 bomber planes over Russia's Saratov Oblast. Moscow's troops also launched three Iskander-M ballistic missiles from occupied Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar Krai as well as one Kinzhal Kh-47M2 air-launched ballistic missile from Tambov region. Read also: Russian attacks pushing Ukraines energy system toward worst-case scenario, largest private energy company says Ukraine intercepted drones and cruise missiles over Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Kirovohrad oblasts, Oleshchuk said. The full consequences of the strikes are being determined. In recent months, Russia has intensified its attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a renewed assault against the country's energy grid. As a result of the attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine began implementing rolling shutdowns on May 15, but they have dramatically increased in recent days. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Air Quality Alert issued for NYC area: What you should know Air Quality Alert issued for NYC area: What you should know NEW YORK (PIX11) An Air Quality Alert was issued for the New York City area for Friday. The alert affects all five boroughs, as well as Long Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland counties, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. New York City forecast and PIX11s Weather Center An advisory is issued when the Air Quality Index is expected to surpass 100. Fridays index level sits right at that threshold. Air quality could be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, seniors, and people with respiratory problems like asthma are urged to limit their time outdoors. NYCs Air Quality Alert: A year after the wildfire haze The Air Quality Alert is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The New York City Emergency Management Department previously warned that very dry areas in Canada could lead to wildfires this summer, which could cause an unhealthy haze along the East Coast. In response, New York City has updated its Air Quality Alert guidelines. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man accused of murder in Alabama has been captured in Memphis months after he allegedly fled an Alabama courtroom. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 32-year-old native Memphian Travis Lee was taken into custody at a motel in southeast Memphis Wednesday. Lee is accused of fatally shooting Torrandine Harris on October 26, 2020, in Bessemer, Alabama. The U.S. Marshals Service says Lee was scheduled to appear in court on March 11, 2024, but fled the courtroom when he learned that his bond had been revoked. Bond set at $1M for suspects accused in I-240 shooting Law enforcement issued warrants for escape in the first degree and failure to appear for murder. The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force took the lead on the case on March 18. The U.S. Marshals Service says the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force learned that Lee had fled to Memphis and contacted the Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force for help. The Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriffs Office helped take Lee into custody without incident, the U.S. Marshals Service says. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) In May, the Alaska Legislature narrowly rejected a conservative talk radio hosts appointment to a highly paid position regulating the states commercial fisheries. Now, after the failure of that pick, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has chosen a new appointee with a similar though not identical background for the six-figure job at the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, or CFEC. In an unannounced decision, Dunleavy selected Rick Green last month, according to a letter to Green that the governors office released Wednesday as part of a response to a Northern Journal public records request. Greens first day on the job is July 1, according to the commissions chair, Glenn Haight; Green will serve at least through the Alaska Legislatures next round of confirmation votes in the spring of 2025. On the airwaves for more than 15 years, Green was known as Rick Rydell during a colorful career as a talk host. His on-air character was that of an unabashed redneck, according to one of the books he wrote. One of those books also chronicled how, with two other hunting enthusiasts, Rydell once attempted to shoot, legally, 30 bears in a single long weekend. But since 2018, Green has ditched his talk show persona and worked as a low-profile special assistant to Alaskas fish and game commissioner, Doug Vincent-Lang. That government service may make his chances of confirmation greater than those of Dunleavys previous appointee, Mike Porcaro. Porcaro had no experience as a commercial fisherman and was still working as a conservative advertising consultant and talk radio host when the governor appointed him last year. Green has some experience in the Department of Fish and Game, which will give him more standing with the Legislature, said Dillingham independent Rep. Bryce Edgmon, who represents Alaskas salmon-rich Bristol Bay region and voted against Porcaros confirmation. Its an important appointment, and I hope it works out this time. The fishery commission, with some 20 employees, does largely low-key bureaucratic work including issuing annual commercial fishing permits, granting and denying permit transfers in the event of illnesses and deaths, and publishing fisheries reports and statistics. But it has drawn attention from policymakers in recent years for what critics say is a small workload and yearly commissioner salaries that can exceed $135,000. A spokesman for Dunleavy, Grant Robinson, described Green as a good fit for the job, saying he gained considerable understanding of fisheries in his work at the fish and game department. Hes been an avid outdoorsman for the past 40 years, served three years on the Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and has a background as a project manager for environmental and engineering firms, Robinson said. Ricks professional background and experience in public engagement make him a valuable asset to the CFEC. We are confident that his contributions will benefit the commission and the sustainable management of Alaskas fisheries. Robinson declined to specify Greens exact compensation, referring to salary guidelines that are tied to the number of years an employee has previously worked in state government jobs. Haight, the commissions chair, said that Green would be in the same range as Porcaro, who was paid at a $136,000-a-year salary rate before lawmakers rejected his appointment. In an email, Green said his work for the state, combined with his personal fishing experience and the time he spent on the Anchorage advisory committee, make the CFEC job a natural extension. Im grateful to the governor for the faith he placed in me, Green said in his email, sent from an account that identified him as Rick Rydell. The commission, he added, works with the commercial fishing industry to optimize the development of our natural resources and annually contribute billions of dollars to the economy of Alaska. I already have a great relationship with Commissioner Glenn Haight, he added. And Im eager to meet, and work with, the rest of the staff on this important mission. Nathaniel Herz welcomes tips at natherz@gmail.com or (907) 793-0312. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Herz. Subscribe at this link. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Alex Jones is called up to testify at the Sweatt Travis County Courthouse on Aug. 2, 2022. Jones was found to have defamed the parents of a slain Sandy Hook Elementary student for calling the school shooting a hoax. Alex Jones will no longer own Infowars, the conspiracy theory show that made him famous, after a Houston judge on Friday ordered Jones to liquidate his personal assets to begin to pay $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting victims over false claims he made about the tragedy. The judge had not decided by 3 p.m. Friday whether to grant the families' motion to also liquidate Free Speech Systems, the show's parent company. The decision is a forward step in a yearslong battle the families have faced to recover damages. Jones helped build a reputation on claims that the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., was "staged" and that grieving parents were paid actors. Juries in Austin and Waterbury, Conn., in 2022 found Jones responsible for intentional infliction of emotional harm against the families. In two separate trials, families testified that they endured years of near-constant torment from Jones' followers, including harassment and death and rape threats. Jones has since acknowledged the shooting occurred. Jones has until now avoided paying even a dollar of the owed damages and escaped accountability, the families have argued by keeping his personal estate and his company in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows a debtor to reorganize a company rather than immediately sell its assets. Last week, Jones finally agreed to the families request that he convert his personal bankruptcy case to a Chapter 7 liquidation. Judge Christopher Lopez of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of Texas approved the conversion. In a news conference before Friday's hearing, Jones baselessly claimed that the FBI and CIA "created" the cases and "organized the plaintiffs" against him. Infowars ran live broadcasts throughout the day, with one post on X, formerly Twitter, noting that Tucker Carlson, an American far-right political commentator, and Russell Brand, an English comedian and actor, would join him for what "could be the LAST broadcast of Infowars!" Jones is estimated to be worth about $9 million, according to the most recent legal filings, a valuation that includes his $2 million home, which Texas law protects him from having to sell. The move will force the Austin-based multimillionaire to auction off his personal belongings to pay his debt, and he must part with his ownership of Free Speech Systems. Jones has already sold his Kingsbury ranch, about 60 miles south of Austin, for $2.8 million and has put his gun collection up for auction as part of the personal bankruptcy proceedings, which began in 2022, according to legal filings. However, lawyers for the Sandy Hook families expressed concern Friday that Jones would not disclose all his assets to a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee. Attorney Katherine Porter noted that an early investigation uncovered Jones had transferred several valuable property items to family members with "the clear intent to hinder, delay and deprive creditors." Jones made "a flurry of transactions in advance of the petition and after judgments had been entered against the debtor to his family, close family," she said. "Several million dollars in value was diverted in this way. So this is a very serious point of concern for the committee" of families. Lopez noted in Friday's hearing that he would strictly enforce asset disclosure rules. "I'm going to follow the rules, follow the process, that way everybody's entitled to due process and everybody's rights are preserved the Texas families, the Connecticut families, Mr. Jones, Free Speech Systems," Lopez said. In September, The Associated Press reported that Jones was continuing to spend lavishly blowing through $93,000 in June 2023 while airing complaints about his financial issues. While bankruptcy often allows a debtor to wipe out debts or legal judgments, Jones will continue to owe the families even after his current assets are gone. Lopez, the Houston judge, ruled in October that Jones would still be responsible for $1.1 billion in damages after bankruptcy because of the "willful or malicious injury" he was found to have inflicted. Jones is appealing that ruling. The outcome of a lawsuit accusing Jones of hiding millions of dollars in assets from the families is still pending in a Travis County state District Court. That case was filed in 2022. Sandy Hook families tormented On Dec. 14, 2012, just hours after a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Jones told his show's listeners and watchers that the massacre was "staged" by opponents of Second Amendment rights. Over the following years the conspiracy theorist's show grew in popularity while he claimed grieving parents were paid "crisis actors" and that the shooting never happened. In two separate 2022 trials, victims' family members testified that they endured years of near-constant torment from Jones' followers. One parent testified that conspiracy theorists urinated on his 7-year-old son's grave and threatened to dig up the coffin. Another said she was threatened with rape; others received so many death threats they were forced to leave their homes and go into hiding. Jones eventually acknowledged the shooting occurred, but he also maintained throughout the defamation proceedings that he was being unfairly targeted. Jones is continuing to spin that narrative on his social media accounts and show, claiming the families' requests that he shut down his show and X account are part of a conspiracy against him. More: Timeline: Legal fallout from Alex Jones' false claims that Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax Court to decide fate of Infowars, Jones' social media accounts Alex Jones, second from right, arrives for court in Austin in 2022. The court on Friday also heard testimony and reviewed evidence on the families' motion to force liquidation of Free Speech Systems, converting it from a Chapter 11 to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In the hearing, the company's court-appointed chief restructuring officer, Patrick Magill, testified that the company has around $6 million in cash on hand and $1.2 million in inventory. He said he did not believe the company would successfully reorganize and that he recommended liquidation. Court testimony also centered around the question of how Jones would pay off his debts if Infowars continued without him or was shut down. Magill acknowledged that Jones would almost certainly be able to pay more to Sandy Hook families by continuing to propagate misinformation. The families have also asked the judge to remove Jones access to his social media accounts, arguing that he has used his posts to drive down the value of Infowars and redirect earnings to his father, potentially out of reach of those whom he owes. The conspiracy theorist decried those requests as an effort from the "deep state" to "cut his vocal cords" in a video Thursday that, like many of his posts, linked to his fathers medicinal supplement website. "This is a dark day. This is an information coup over America," Jones said in a video posted to X. "The deep state is in full panic mode that they can shut me down. They can take my private communication and social media away, and they believe they can silence any of you." Jones said Thursday that regardless of the ruling, he will not be silenced. Carlson also appeared on Infowars on Thursday to support him. "Other talk shows are going to have me on, but this shows how naked and crazy and insane these anti-Americans are," Jones said. The American-Statesman did not immediately hear back for comment Friday from lawyers for Jones, Free Speech Systems and the Sandy Hook families. This is a developing story; check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas judge orders Alex Jones to liquidate assets, sell off Infowars I already see the growing fear in the Latino community. This NC bill will make it worse. | Opinion In May, I joined five born-and-raised North Carolinians at the General Assembly to speak against House Bill 10, a bill causing fear in our Latino community. We were nervous, but we encouraged each other with the unspoken words, Por nuestra gente for our people. Fear is nothing new to us. As first-generation students, children of immigrants, and members of mixed-status families, we have seen our parents live in the shadows and inherited their fear of drawing attention. Weve also inherited their resilience, which drives us to stand against a bill threatening to tear families apart and sow even more distrust between our community and law enforcement. Andressia Ramirez The main goal of HB 10 is to force every sheriff in North Carolina to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests to detain and transfer any person charged with a criminal offense and detained in a facility operated by the sheriff, regardless of the reason for the persons arrest. This action, while voluntary per federal law, would become mandatory under the bill. In every legislative session since 2019, legislators have introduced bill proposals like HB 10. Each time, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed them, citing concerns about public safety, community trust, and the overreach of federal immigration enforcement into local law enforcement duties. While at the General Assembly, I heard legislators arguments in favor of HB 10. They believe it would enhance community safety and protect people from violent criminals. Those we spoke to told us that immigrants would have nothing to fear and that there was no discrimination against the Latino community. Unfortunately, weve already seen the harm caused by a similar initiative, the 287(g) program, which has operated in 15 N.C. counties since 2006 and gives local law enforcement officers the power to enforce federal immigration law. In 2018, police arrested Gustavo Carnevalini in Charlotte for riding the light rail without a ticket. After two years of legal battles, ICE deported Gustavo to a country he barely knew. At the time of his arrest, he was 18 and had been living in the U.S. since he was 2 years old. A 2022 ACLU report found that racial profiling has been endemic to the 287(g) program for years and that Sheriffs deputies look for any excuse to detain somebody they suspect of having a questionable immigration status for the purposes of funneling them into deportation. The ACLU also found that at least 59% of participating sheriffs have records of anti-immigrant, xenophobic rhetoric, contributing to a continued climate of fear for immigrants and their families. As a leader in my community, I encounter this climate of fear daily. Ive helped community members call police because of language barriers and because they dont trust law enforcement due to their immigration status. As a litigation paralegal and community educator with the NC Justice Center, I help migrants whose rights are violated on our farms and in workplaces across the state. This includes handling human trafficking cases, and with each client the first thing I must do is reassure them that filing a complaint or aiding in an investigation will not lead to deportation. I see firsthand how HB 10 will not only create more fear but hinder our states ability to combat crimes like labor violations and sex trafficking. NC Stop Human Trafficking founder Pam Strickland says traffickers use the legal system to intimidate survivors. She says if law enforcement is required to contact ICE instead of making judgment calls based on individual situations, including the possibility that the person they are dealing with is actually a human trafficking victim, this will decrease even further the possibility of victims coming to law enforcement for help. House Bill 10 does not protect our community, but fosters fear and division. If it passes, it sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to even more discrimination by police against all communities of color. We must not let scoring cheap political points silence our cries for justice. Lets stop HB 10. Andressia Ramirez is an Immigrant and Refugee Rights Paralegal at NC Justice Center. Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey listens during the Alabama State Board of Education's regular meeting on February 9, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama State Department of Education released school level reading scores Thursday amid an ongoing discussion on whether the numbers count as grade level numbers. The school level data shows a range of scores for schools from 100% for Percentage for On or Above Grade Level to 45.54% for third graders. For second grade, at the school level, it ranges from 100% to 40%. In May, the Department said that 9% could be held back across the state. The scores this year will decide whether some students advance from third grade. Students who dont meet the threshold score could be retained for a year, but there are exemptions and summer reading camps that could allow students to continue to the next grade level. The Alabama State Department of Education has communicated that a student meeting the cut score is a student on grade level. But a story from Al.com Tuesday alleges that the cut score means a student has sufficiency but is not on grade level. Sufficiency is lower than grade level. The state adopted a new reading test and a new cut score to go with it last year. The new test has a lower cut score than the previous version. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said at the Alabama State Board of Education work session Thursday that he had two groups of statisticians meeting separately, as well as a group of elementary teachers, to come to that number. The cut score is at two SEMs (standard error of measurement), which, according to Mackey, means they are 95% sure that a student would need to be retained. He said that a higher score, at one SEM, would mean they are 32% unsure. Mackey showed a slide with cut scores of 473 (no adjustment), 454 (-1 SEM) and 435 (-2 SEM). He said that most states dont talk about three scores. But they dont talk about it in their public meetings, he said. They just show one number. Maybe thats our fault for trying to be too open. But, you know, it is what it is. With a score of 473, 67.9% of third graders in 2023 and 77.2% of third graders are above the needed score. With the current 435, 82.6% of third graders in 2023 and 91.0% of third graders in 2024 are above the needed score. A message was left with a spokesperson for the Department, as well as Mackey, on exactly how they defined sufficient vs. grade level. Board member Stephanie Bell, District 03, partly through the meeting, read aloud a social media post from Al.com reporter Trish Crain, who was in attendance and wrote the original story, about the grade level vs. sufficiency question, which as written says: Its worth noting that Dr. Mackeys slide still stated that 91% of students are reading on grade level which isnt what the 91% figure represents. It represents sufficiency, which is a lower bar than on grade level which is a lower bar than proficiency. #ALBOE Well, it is different from proficiency, Mackey said. Mackey explained proficiency, which is used by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, as equivalent to A or B students. Mackey said that grade level is, under the definition of the Literacy Act, below the cut score. If theyre not below grade level, what are they? he said. Theyre either on or above grade level. He said that he doesnt think its a good term but its in the Literacy Act, and he says their technical folks use sufficiency. Theyre not a great reader, but are they sufficient, that with supports, they can move to the next grade? he said. The 2019 Alabama Literacy Act, which is the source of the retention provision, includes language for both sufficient reading skills and grade level. Over text Thursday, sponsor Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, wrote that sufficient is below grade level to her. The goal is Grade Level and Proficient, she wrote. The cut level is sufficient and will hopefully increase each year as students move forward. Collins wrote that she wants to follow the Literacy Taskforce and Grade Level Reading Committee recommendations, but wants a letter explaining the differences to parents. Asked if she would want to amend the law to make such a letter mandatory, Collins wrote that she believes that its the Boards responsibility to continue to improve student success. I appreciate their efforts so far to accomplish this, she wrote. After the work session adjourned, Bell told reporters that she thought such a letter wouldnt be a bad idea but they need to make sure parents understand it. But if youre going to get parents to take their children to a summer school program or any other program they need to fully understand why, she said. The post ALSDE releases school level reading data appeared first on Alabama Reflector. CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)An Altavista man was arrested after investigators with the Altavista Police Department and Campbell County Sheriffs Office served a search warrant on Thursday, June 13. According to the police department, the two law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation into illegal activity allegedly taking place in the Town of Altavista and issued a search warrant for a residence on the 900 block of 13th Street. During the search, officers allegedly found multiple pounds of suspected marijuana, U.S. currency, multiple firearms, assorted items used in the distribution of marijuana, and a vehicle. (courtesy, Altavista Police Department) Two arrested on drug charges after vehicle pursuit in Roanoke Police arrested 40-year-old Eric Douglas Bray as a result of the investigation and search warrant. He was charged with: Possession with the Intent to Sell more than one ounce but less than 5 lbs. of Marijuana in violation of SC 18.2-248.1 Code of Virginia Possession of a Firearm while in Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Distribute more than one pound of Marijuana in violation of SC 18.2-308.4 Code of Virginia Bray is currently being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Rustburg without bond. This is an ongoing investigation. WFXR News will update this story as further information is released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Video depicts Navy SEALs anniversary (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Emilia Hilliard) NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) William Harvey Goines, Americas first Black Navy SEAL, died at the age of 87 on Monday, June 10. His service will be held in Norfolk later this month. Goines, who was born in Ohio in 1936, was a part of the establishment of the original Navy SEALs in 1962 and retired as Master Chief Petty Officer from the SEALs in 1987. According to a post from NBC BLK, Over the course of his 32-year career, Goines jumped out of moving planes on stealth missions, swam for miles unaided and survived the trenches of Vietnam after exposure to Agent Orange, earning the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon and the Presidential Unit Citation. After his career with the Navy, Goines dedicated his time traveling around the country in the hopes of recruiting young men and women of color to the Navy SEALs. He also served as the chief of police for a school system while living in Virginia for 14 years. Americas first black Navy SEAL is on mission to diversify unit In September of 2023, Goines was awarded the Lone Sailor Award, which is given to Sea Service veterans who excelled in their careers both during and after service. A release from the United States Navy Memorial states that Goines enlisted in the Navy in 1955 and was fluent in English, French and Spanish. Despite initially struggling to learn Vietnamese, he was able to teach Spanish to Vietnamese interpreters. A service for Goines will be held on Friday, June 21 at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk starting at 11 a.m. For more information on the service, visit Graves Funeral Homes website here. WAVYs Regina Mobley will have more information on Goines life and legacy this evening on WAVY. 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. An American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped to a first-class seat over unruly behavior is being sued by the FAA for $82,000 An American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped to a first-class seat over unruly behavior is being sued by the FAA for $82,000 The FAA is suing an American Airlines passenger for $81,950 after a 2021 flight incident. The passenger, Heather Wells, hit a flight attendant and tried to open the cabin door, the suit says. Unruly passenger incidents surged in 2021, and figures still remain well above pre-pandemic levels. A woman who was duct-taped to her seat on an American Airlines flight is facing a lawsuit from the Federal Aviation Administration. In a complaint filed earlier this month, the FAA asked the court to enforce payment of $81,950 in civil penalties as a result of the July 2021 incident. The suit said Heather Wells was flying first class from Dallas/Fort Worth to Charlotte, North Carolina. "After ordering a Jack Daniels (neat) during the beverage service, Defendant became increasingly agitated and 'wanted out' of the plane," it added. The suit then claimed that she moved toward the back of the plane, kneeled in the aisle, and crawled around before telling a flight attendant she would "hurt him" if he didn't get out of her way. Wells then reached the front of the plane where she tried to open the cabin door in midair, the suit said. It added that she hit a flight attendant in the head as they tried to restrain her. The suit said two flight attendants and a passenger used flex cuffs and duct tape to restrain Wells. But as she kept spitting and attempting to bite or headbutt people, they also duct taped her mouth, it added. The FAA is asking for financial penalties consisting of up to $45,000 for aggressive behaviors toward the flight attendants, $27,950 for attempting to open the cabin door in-flight, and $9,000 for interfering with a crew member's duties. Notably, 2021 was by far the worst year for unruly passenger incidents, with almost 6,000 cases per FAA data. Such incidents rose nearly five-fold immediately after the pandemic. While the figures have since decreased, they remain roughly double pre-pandemic levels, prompting the government to remind fliers about potential fines. Read the original article on Business Insider Americans used to unite over tragic events and now are divided by them Tragedy seldom unifies Americans today. Every year, horrific crises induce tremendous suffering. Most are privately tragic, affecting only those directly harmed and their immediate relations. A small number, though, become politically notorious and, therefore, publicly tragic. Natural disasters, school shootings, terrorist attacks and economic crises can become public tragedies. Sexual assaults primarily of women by abusive executives and other men in positions of power recently emerged as a public tragedy, as has police brutality against African Americans, which has sown political unrest across the United States. Even the COVID-19 pandemic, a seemingly natural disaster, quickly transitioned into a public tragedy as deaths mounted and a pervasive sense of mismanagement, distrust and blame galvanized the public on the political left and right. Events like these represent a change in how tragic circumstances are cast and how they are responded to in the United States and beyond. Public tragedies are heartrending events that gain widespread public attention. They involve stylized public expressions of shock, outrage, social blame, claims of victimization, protest and memorialization. My book, After Tragedy Strikes, explores the recent proliferation of public tragedies as a distinctive kind of political crisis that has produced far-reaching positive and negative effects on social and political relations in the 21st century. As a sociologist who studies risk, politics and social movements, I didnt set out to evaluate the authenticity of claims made in public tragedies. Rather, through comparison, my goal was to understand better why some of these events exert tremendous influence, while other, objectively similar, traumas do not. Public tragedies have contributed to the increasing political polarization and the sectarian tone of political rhetoric today. One question I sought to answer in my book is why? In America: Remember, a 2021 art installation of more than 660,000 flags on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., commemorating Americans who died due to COVID-19. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Old way: God, fate, bad luck The short answer is that the publics understanding of tragic events has changed. Well into the 20th century, tragedies were mostly explained differently than now. Explanations often referenced forces such as God, fate, bad luck, blameless accidents or, in line with the U.S. liberal political tradition, individual responsibility. Even when suffering was extreme and known to have been caused or worsened by the actions or omissions of other persons, explanations of what caused it typically took these forms. Take Pennsylvanias Johnstown Flood of 1889, in which more than 2,200 people and much of the city were swept away by a deluge after a dam failed. The wealthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club had built the dam to create a private lake. Despite the failure due to poor construction and maintenance, neither the club nor its wealthy members would be held responsible. In the most prominent legal case brought against the club, the final verdict attributed the tragic deaths and destruction to an act of God. Today, this explanation would be indefensible. New way: government, industry, culture After a tragedy, accounts now focus on assigning blame. I found that they also typically center on social blame, in which societal institutions such as the government, industry, civil society and even American culture are held responsible. Social blame attributes harm to social forces, not individuals or God. And because some group or aspect of society is blamed, public tragedies involve political conflict. Another reason public tragedies have become so politically consequential lies in a change in the contemporary American mindset. Polls show that many Americans are experiencing fear and a deep sense of vulnerability to circumstances that feel beyond their control. This mindset inspires sympathy for victims of tragic circumstance, especially when the harms they suffer are portrayed by political elites, the media and social activists as reflecting political failure and an unfair society. Political interests on both the left and right now routinely use claims of victimization to gain support and advantage. George Floyds murder: A public tragedy Take the story of George Floyd, killed in 2020 by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Floyds murder provoked nationwide outrage as video footage of it circulated first on social media and then through sustained news media coverage. The news and social media story of Floyds death emphasized his innocence: As a Black man, he had suffered an unjustified death at the hands of the police. This representation was unusual at the time. Standard coverage of such killings often focused on resistance to arrest, prior indiscretions or the victims criminal record, which implies individual responsibility. Stories regarding Floyds death did not emphasize these elements. Nor did the stories suggest Floyds death was a necessary part of police fighting crime another common feature of news accounts. Nor did stories emphasize that Chauvin was a rogue cop, which would have suggested his killing of Floyd was his responsibility alone. Rather, the initial stories connected Floyds killing to police violence across the country, suggesting it was a common police behavior. Thus, Floyds murder was quickly blamed on policing, gaining enormous public sympathy and notoriety and, with this, political significance. It became a public tragedy, highlighting a set of societal conditions surrounding Floyds death in a way that few police killings of Black men had achieved. The Johnstown Flood disaster in Pennsylvania on May 31, 1889, killed over 2,200 people after the South Fork Dam failed, causing 20 million tons of water to destroy the town. Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images Good people brought low In the past, Americans might have attributed Floyds killing to fate, bad luck, accident or his individual responsibility, which might have weakened public outrage. Yet explanations of this kind are not as believable as they once were. Instead, the heartrending stories characteristic of public tragedies follow a routine storyline I call the trauma script. It is a stylized rendering that taps into American fears and vulnerabilities and prompts emotional response and moral panic. The script centers on innocent victims harmed by unforeseeable, uncontrollable and unwarranted circumstances blamed on the actions or omissions of society. In this telling, public tragedies convey a moral struggle in which good people are brought low by a bad society. This tragic struggle is not internal and personal but external and socially focused. Its a scenario in which bad things happen to good people who have no choice. The public perception of trauma and loss and its underlying causes has, therefore, changed over time. In an earlier era, Americans often justified hardship because it reflected the sacrifice necessary to get ahead. Now, a shift in sentiment reflects a change in view. Americans now focus on unjustified hardship caused by society. This reflects a cultural shift from a progress-centered worldview toward a risk-focused one. Victimhood as a political identity As Americans have become more aware of risks, they increasingly view them as reflecting political choices. Whether the issue is climate change, energy sources, guns, sexual harassment, discrimination, policing, abortion or even free speech, these are now understood as involving decisions regarding risks that will benefit some and victimize others. Politically, these have become zero-sum disputes, leading to political polarization among Americans and social distrust of American institutions. Recent Pew surveys show that two-thirds of Americans believe other Americans have little or no confidence in the government or other citizens. Gallup, too, has shown that American confidence in the government and other major societal institutions has fallen to historic lows. Growing American distrust of their fellow citizens and perception of an unfair government have also intensified political competition. Americans increasingly blame their political rivals for their hardships and show compassion only toward those who share their beliefs. This shift has also cultivated sympathy for claims of societal victimization and elevated victimhood as a political identity. These conditions are the context within which public tragedies, as polarizing not unifying political events, have proliferated. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Thomas D. Beamish, University of California, Davis. Read more: Thomas D. Beamish 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. Ammunition provided under the Czech-led initiative is now arriving in Ukraine and will continue to flow, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told RFE/RL on June 13. The idea for the initiative was launched in February, as Ukrainian forces faced a critical ammunition shortage. Czech President Petr Pavel said that Prague had identified 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells outside Europe that could be bought and sent to Ukraine after the necessary funds were allocated to the initiative. Several countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Poland, France, Denmark, and Slovenia, joined the initiative, which may deliver as many as 1.5 million rounds to Kyiv. Slovak activists also collected over 4 million euros ($4.3 million) for the initiative after the Slovak government refused to participate. "This year we will be able to procure and continuously deliver quite a lot of ammunition - Czech supplied through different channels - more than a million shells to Ukraine so far," Lipavsky told RFE/RL. "We are now able to make deals and to bring ammunition from different countries and then send it to Ukraine," allowing the country to "defend itself from Russian aggression," Lipavsky added. The arrival of the ammunition matches earlier estimates that the first batches could be sent to Ukraine as early as June. Read also: Russias move on Kharkiv has bogged down. But was it a failure? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ancestry Is Using AI To Help Users Discover The Names And Lives Of Their Ancestors Who Were Formerly Enslaved Ancestry.com has been helping families trace their roots for nearly three decades. Now, the genealogy company is using technology to further assist Black Americans in discovering their ancestry. On June 11, 2024, Ancestry announced the publication of a free collection of 38,000 newspaper articles related to more than 183,000 enslaved people in the U.S. from 1788 to 1867, according to a press release. Ancestrys mission in launching the new newspaper article collection is to help descendants expand their family history research and discover connections. Greater access to these records on Ancestry will enhance understanding of how chattel slavery and the forced movement of enslaved people became normalized in the United States, said Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, assistant professor of Africana studies at Morehouse College, per the press release. This collection is invaluable for providing descendants of enslaved individuals with insights into their ancestral histories and their forebears acts of resistance and resilience, despite the Emancipation Proclamation being largely ignored by enslavers, newspaper publishers, and lawmakers. Axios reports that Ancestry is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help users search newspaper records for the names of those in their families who were formerly enslaved. By piecing together individual stories, researchers can construct a more detailed picture of the lived experiences of Black Americans, enriching our collective understanding of history, Sims-Alvarado said, per the press release. Ancestrys newspaper collection can help families overcome the challenge of researching their family history amid the lack of documentation about those who were enslaved, according to Nicka Sewell-Smith, a senior story producer and genealogist at Ancestry. Exploring the articles in the context of their original publication can help us understand more about how slavery shaped everyday life in the United States and can help descendants of previously enslaved people unearth key discoveries about their family history, Sewell-Smith said in the release. Axios notes that the online newspaper collection database includes individual names, ages, physical descriptions, and locations. In addition, there are sensitive materials related to the buying and selling of enslaved people and ads seeking the return of those who escaped. Within the 38,000 newspaper articles, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana are among the states that have the largest collections of records, per Axios. Originally stolen sometime in the early 20th century, a portal to the underworld depicting the Olmec jaguar god Tepeyollotlicuhti returned to its Mexican home in May of 2023. Because the looters broke the object into smaller pieces, Mexican authorities with the governments National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have spent a year restoring the statue to its former glory. The return of the statue was the result of a decades-long effort among archeologists and officials working in stolen antiquities. Sometime in the early 20th century (officials arent sure exactly when), looters made off with a 2,700-year-old treasure of the Mexican-based Olmecsone of North Americas first major civilizations. The artifact was a six-foot-by-five-foot Olmec Cave Mask, also known as a Portal al Inframundo (passage to the underworld), depicting the Olmec jaguar god Tepeyollotlicuhti with its flaring eyes and gaping mouth. Originally located in Chalcatzingo in the Mexican state of Morelosan area famous for its Olmec artwork and iconographythe looted statue went on a decades-long journey, winding in and out of different museums and private collections in the United States. Eventually, this ancient hell gate wound up in Denver in 2023 and, finally, authorities from the Antiquities Trafficking Unit based in New York City secured the masterpiece. Within a couple months, the long-missing statue made a return trip to Mexico. This incredible, ancient piece is a rare window into the past of Olmec society, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a press statement at the time. Like many other looted antiquities, the Olmec Cave Mask was broken into several different pieces to make the smuggling process simpler. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), a group within Mexicos Ministry of Culture (which has been leading the restoration), says the statue was actually broken into 25 pieces. As a result, experts have been working on the piece in situ to provide greater stability and coherent visual reading, according to a recent press release . Some elements that make it up are original, but others, such as a metal structure based on bolts, cement reinforcements and replacements of missing parts and shapes, were added to give it stability again, even though the techniques and materials were not the most appropriate, INAHs Castro Barrera said in a statement translated into English. Some of those structural elements will likely remain in place going forward. Amazingly, this cultural wonder wouldve likely never returned to its native soil without the tireless effort of archaeologist David Grove, who was the first to link the Olmec artifact to the one missing from Chalcatzingo. INAHs Mario Cordova Tello eventually proved that the artifact was indeed stolen, and even pinpointed its location in Colorado, in the hands of a private collector in 2008. Tragically, Grovewho was so instrumental in the objects repatriationdied the day before the statue arrived in Mexico. Unfortunately, the Tepeyollotlicuhti portal is only one example of the many priceless antiquities that have been looted from native lands and now illegally resideboth knowingly and unknowinglyin collections and museums around the world. But as pressure rises for museums to return these prized treasures, maybe theyll also get a long-awaited trip back home one day. You Might Also Like Andrew Roy is vice president and London bureau chief for CBS News and oversees all editorial coverage, newsgathering and correspondents out of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Canada and Asia. He is based out of the CBS News London bureau. A global newsroom leader with more than three decades in international journalism, Roy joined CBS News from the BBC after spending 34 years as a producer and news executive. Most recently, Roy was head of foreign news for BBC TV, radio and digital, where he led international news coverage for one of the largest news organizations in the world. As head of the foreign news division, Roy oversaw several hundred staff in bureaus around the world. Prior to that role, he served as the head of BBC World News Channel where he oversaw the news channel's editorial programming and operations. Roy also has oversight of the CBS News and BBC editorial partnership that he helped form prior to joining the network in 2022. Throughout his career, Roy has covered a wide range of global news events, from the elections of popes and presidents, multiple military conflicts including the wars in Bosnia, Somalia, and Iraq and natural disasters such as the Indonesian tsunami, among others. Since joining CBS News, Roy has overseen the network's coverage in Israel and Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks, Ukraine as Russia's war continues, as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III in the U.K. During his tenure with the BBC, Roy additionally served as Europe bureau chief (2001-2005) in Brussels, North America bureau chief (1994-2001) in Washington, D.C., and senior newsgathering producer in London (1987-1994). Roy began his career in 1984 as a radio reporter for Radio NZ News in New Zealand. Roy earned a Master of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He lives in the U.K. Supreme Court invalidates ban on bump stocks put in place after Las Vegas mass shooting Breaking down the Supreme Court's mifepristone abortion pill ruling Dr. Anthony Fauci on turning down millions in private sector A Bellingham child was injured in an alleged hate crime as a group of students returned from a field trip Wednesday afternoon in downtown Bellingham, police and school officials said. The Whatcom Middle School sixth-grader, whose name was not released, was punched in the face by an assailant who apparently targeted the boy because of his race. School officials and police did not provide information about the boys injuries or whether he required medical attention. A probable cause statement filed Thursday in Whatcom County Superior Court said the boy, 11, suffered a chipped tooth in the attack. Paul Jonathan Bittner, 42, was being held Thursday in the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and malicious harassment, which is a hate crime. Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, third from left, chats with others after a court hearing Thursday where $500,000 bail was set for Paul Bittner, who is facing charges related to an alleged racially motivated attack on an 11-year-old boy. Prosecutors asked for $1 million bail in the case. Superior Court Commissioner Pro Tem Daniel McGreevy set bail at $500,000 at Bittners first appearance Thursday afternoon. Nearly 30 people packed a small room in the basement of the County Courthouse, where bail hearings generally are held with only one or two people in attendance. Family members of the victim were joined by members of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission and key members of Bellinghams small Black community, including Jason McGill of Northwest Youth Services, Teejay Morris, founder of Bellingham Unity Committee, and former Bellingham Councilmember Kristina Michele Martens. Also attending were Mayor Kim Lund, Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig, Councilman Jace Cotton and several Bellingham Schools officials, including Janis Velasquez Farmer, who is the districts director of equity, diversity and inclusion. Lund and Mertzig discussed the incident in a video posted to the citys social media and Lund denounced the attack in an interview with The Bellingham Herald at her office. Yesterday was the first meeting of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission and when some members of our community are questioning whether this work still needs to be done, events like this underscore just how important this work is, Lund said. Whatcom Middle School Principal Mischelle Darragh told school parents, students and staff about the incident in an email Wednesday. We are angry and shocked by what happened today. These events are extremely upsetting for everyone at our school and beyond. We are wrapping around our students and doing all we can to support them, Darragh said in the email, which a school district official shared with The Herald. Bellingham Police spokeswoman Megan Peters told The Herald that the attack happened as the students were walking past the police station at 505 Grand Ave. The attack was captured on video camera at the police station, according to the probable cause statement. This embedded content is not available in your region. School staff witnessed the assault, intervened, and summoned law enforcement by both calling (911) and coming to the front door of (the police station). Staff also secured the child and rushed him away from the assailant, Peters told The Herald in an email. Darragh praised everyone who stepped in to protect the boy, who is Black. I want to call out the swift and thoughtful response of our teachers and students, who were able to quickly care for the student who was attacked and ensure the safety of the rest of our students, Darragh said. We will have additional counseling support available to all students as long as its needed. Today, sixth graders will be concluding the day with a classroom circle where students can share their feelings and concerns, she said. Whatcom Middle parent Kena Greer Brashear told The Herald that cards of support for the victim could be dropped off at the schools main office. Court documents said that the students were walking north on Grand Avenue near the police station when Bittner approached from the street and slipped into step with the group. Bittner pushed a student and then said, Are you gonna talk to a white man like that? Peters told The Herald. Then Bittner punched the boy in the face. Police arrested Bittner a few blocks away, according to court documents. After he was handcuffed, Bittner was placed in a patrol car, where he made additional racial slurs, according to Peters and court documents. Anjem Choudary saw being number one radicaliser as badge of honour, court hears Anjem Choudary has pleaded not guilty to membership of Al-Muhajiroun at his trial - Dominic Lipinski/PA Anjem Choudary considered being viewed as Britains number one radicaliser as a badge of honour, a court has heard. Choudary, the Islamist preacher, is alleged to have taken a caretaker role in directing Al-Muhajiroun (ALM), a banned terrorist organisation, his trial at Woolwich Crown Court was told on Friday. The 57-year-old, of Ilford, east London, is also accused of being a member of the proscribed organisation for many years and encouraging support for it through online meetings. The prosecution alleges that Choudary directed that terrorist organisation for a significant period of time from 2014 onwards and also encouraged support for that organisation by addressing online meetings of the Islamic Thinkers Society (ITS). Prosecutors allege the New York-based ITS and ALM were one and the same. On Friday, the court heard that during one of his lectures Choudary appeared to think that the authorities were worried about him. Choudary told the class: When I went to prison here in this country in 2016 they opened up a separation centre for me and my dear brothers because they had become so worried about our Dawah (spreading the word of Islam). We never carried swords, we never carried guns or knives. They said to me, they said you are the number one radicaliser in Britain they said, glory to Allah. You know they expected me to be unhappy with that; Im like that is a badge of honour for me. Tom Little KC, prosecutor, said: He thought that being regarded as a number one radicaliser as a badge of honour what does that tell you about his mindset? Also on trial is Khaled Hussein, 29, from Canada, who prosecutors say was a follower and dedicated supporter of Choudary. He has pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM, while Choudary denies directing a terrorist organisation, being a member of a proscribed organisation and addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation. Secret recordings Secret recordings also captured conversations involving Choudary speaking to his wife and also with Omar Bakri Mohammed, the spiritual leader of ALM. Omar Bakri Mohammed, who founded ALM, was in prison in Lebanon between 2014 and March 2023, and Choudary stepped in and filled the void, Mr Little previously said. Jurors have been told Choudary was convicted of supporting Isis in 2016. He was released from jail on Oct 19 2018 and was on licence until July 18 2021. Mr Little said the conviction made Choudary more cautious about who he spoke to, but that his desire to further ALMs aims caused him to let down his guard. ITS was infiltrated by undercover law enforcement officers in the US, who were present at online lectures and classes given by Choudary. On Friday Mr Little said Choudary was clearly cognisant of the risks he took when discussing more radical and extreme topics, including cautioning his listeners on occasions that he was not seeking to encourage them in a particular direction. The prosecution believe he had become more cautious after having been prosecuted for such matters before but Choudary felt he was among friends, associates and those he could trust. Mr Little added that leopards dont change their spots and Anjem Choudary has not changed his mindset. In an online session in June 2022, Choudary sought to teach a strict interpretation of the Islamic faith, it was alleged. He spoke of how to terrorise the enemy and conjured the image of preparing a scud missile, the court heard. Extreme interpretation of Islamic faith The prosecution claim that Choudary knew he was involving himself in guiding a group with a more extreme interpretation of the Islamic faith as he said to listeners that maybe they might be monitored by the police, arrested, banned, sent to prison or even killed for the sake of the religion and the Dawah but that goes with the territory, my dear brothers, we know that. In a discussion in June 2022 Choudary spoke about the Terrorism Act and was also effectively promoting Dawah but in a way that seeks to avoid immediate attention, said Mr Little. He added that Choudary obviously cannot overtly say that ITS is ALM publicly, and they need to be cautious otherwise the police will intervene. In July 2022 Choudary sent a group message to the ITS saying that the link for a series of talks he planned to give was intended only for you and brothers that you trust, leaving Mr Little to tell the jury what had he got to hide if this was no more than just legitimate religious education?. In October 2022 Choudary sent a message to the ITS in which the father of a man who was killed by the Americans in a drone strike said I remember how our spirits as a family was raised right after my sons martyrdom. Mr Little told the jury: The evidence reveals that Anjem Choudary maintained an interest in, and a desire to promote, extremist views after his release from custody. This material also underlines Anjem Choudarys continued affiliation with ALM and Omar Bakri Mohammed, and demonstrates the role he played whilst Omar Bakri Mohammed was imprisoned that caretaker role. The case continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former employees have filed another class-action lawsuit alleging tip-and-wage theft against some of Lexingtons most-prominent restaurants. The latest allegation is against Bluegrass Hospitality Group, on behalf of former workers at Malones, Harrys, and Drakes in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina. Bluegrass Hospitality Group (BHG) owns prominent Lexington restaurants including Malones, Malones Prime Events & Receptions, Harrys, Aqua Sushi, Drakes and OBC Kitchen. The suit was filed in May in the Eastern District of Kentucky federal court. In the latest lawsuit, three plaintiffs were former workers at Malones locations in Hamburg and Palomar centers. Another worked at the Drakes location in Owensboro. The lawsuit claims the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and Kentucky Wages and Hours Act by not providing servers and bartenders with the legally required notice regarding the use of a tip credit toward their wages. The complaint explains the restaurants owned by BHG compensated its employees below the federal minimum wage while requiring them to perform non-tipped duties for more than 20% of their work week. Some of these duties include sweeping, mopping, rolling silverware and other side work where employees are not being tipped. Federal law prohibits employers from taking a tip credit when an employee performs tip-supporting work and non-tip generating duties for more than 20% of their work week. Malones and Drakes restaurants, 3347 Tates Creek Road in Lexington. The dining room at Malones Lansdowne restaurant location in Lexington, Ky. on June 4, 2023. 25 years ago, a restaurant review almost shut down what is now a Lexington landmark According to the suit, bartenders and servers are required to work for nearly an hour to set up and close the restaurants, clean and prepare tables and organize their sections. The employees were also required to contribute their tips to other workers, involuntarily, the lawsuit claims. This class action lawsuit is the newest to be filed against the BHG, after another former Drakes employee out of Tennessee filed a separate, federal suit in April. A spokesman for BHG could not be immediately reach for comment. Lawsuit is latest against Lexington restaurants David Garrison, the attorney for the former employees, has had experience and success for these cases in Kentucky federal court. Garrison was the lead attorney for a previous lawsuit against Tonys Steak and Seafood.As a result, Tonys Steak and Seafood restaurant agreed to pay $1.5 million as part of a settlement involving employees in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio locations. The employees alleged the restaurant violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by forcing them and other tipped employees to participate in a tip pool that gave portions of tips to salaried members of management, according to federal court documents and settlement information. Three class-action lawsuits were filed against Tonys in the three states, which were later consolidated into a single federal lawsuit. John Hartley, a former bartender at Tonys, was the original person to file suit against Tonys. The Tonys settlement resolved claims for 79 servers in Kentucky, 42 servers in Ohio and 52 servers in Indiana, according to Garrison, lead attorney in the two cases. In total, the award for plaintiffs in Kentucky was $546,237 more than Indiana and Ohios settlement amounts combined. The average recovery for a class member who participates in the server settlement is $5,250. The largest settlement recovery is more than $35,000, according to court documents. Following the settlement of the Tonys lawsuit, a lawsuit was announced against Jeff Rubys in February for alleged wage and tip theft. The lawsuit said the defendants took a portion of the tips earned by servers and bartenders and shared the money with back-of-house employees who did not earn the tips and who did not interact with customers. Lexington restaurant inspections: Insects in onions, food kept after discard date Kentuckys second Buc-ees is about to open. What it will (and wont) have. Another South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting an officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riots, when thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to try to prevent Joe Biden from becoming president. Christopher George Rockey, 54, of Cross, in Berkeley County, admitted his guilt Wednesday in court in Washington before U.S. Judge Rudolph Contreras. In his guilty plea, Rockey admitted assaulting and interfering with a Metropolitan police officer within the Capitol while the officer was trying to keep order. In return for his guilty plea, seven other criminal counts against Rockey will be dropped, according to court records. The maximum penalty for interfering with a police officer in this case is eight years in prison and a fine of $250,000, according to court records. Although Rockey will almost certainly get some prison time, defendants usually get far less than the maximum. Currently, Rockey is estimated to get from 24 to 30 months in prison, according to court records. Sentencing is set for Nov. 12 in Washington before Judge Contreras. Rockey is represented by Brady Vannoy, a Moncks Corner attorney, who was not immeidately available for comment. Rockey is one of 27 South Carolinians arrested so far in the Jan. 6 riots. Like many in the riot, he had attended then-President Trumps Stop the Steal rally and proceeded to the Capitol with a mob of thousands who broke through police barricades and entered the Capitol, which was closed to the public that day, according to court records. Evidence in his case shows him grabbing a police shield from an officer and hitting him in the face with it, according to court records. Rockey is the 20th person from South Carolina to plead guilty to charges in the Capitol breach. Another man was found guilty after a jury trial. Evidence against all South Carolina defendants who have pleaded guilty is overwhelming. It includes data from their cellphones, geolocation trackers, surveillance camera images and police body cam videos and their own selfies and other incriminating postings on social media, as well as statements they told friends and relatives, according to court records. On Jan. 6, 2001, tens of thousands of people arrived in Washington to protest the presidential election and to listen to speeches making false claims by Trump and others that the Nov. 3 election was rigged in favor of Democrats. Those claims had been thrown out of some 60 courts, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. Trumps own attorney general, William Barr, publicly stated that the FBI had investigated claims of election fraud and found nothing that would have changed the elections outcome. After Trumps speech, several thousand protesters made their way to the Capitol building, breached the defenses and entered the building. At the time, the House and Senate were conducting a ceremonial but necessary certification of the Electoral College votes from each state. Members of Congress fled and did not return for six hours, until the building was secured. Since the Jan. 6, 2001, Capitol breach, more than 1,457 defendants have been charged in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Approximately 517 have been charged with assaulting or resisting officers. Approximately 835 individuals have pleaded guilty to a variety of federal charges, many of whom faced or will face incarceration at sentencing. It is the largest investigation in Department of Justice history and is still continuing. Donald Trump shouted foul-mouthed abuse at Anthony Fauci, then lurched into telling him he loved himand claimed he would win the 2020 election in a fucking landslide, the top medical adviser reveals in his new memoir. In the eagerly awaited book, Fauci describes conversations with Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic in which the then-president would announce that he loved me and then scream at me on the phone. Lets just say, I found this to be out of the ordinary, Fauci writes, of conversations peppered with f-bombs, including the claim Fauci had cost the U.S. economy one trillion fucking dollars. The book, On Call: A Doctors Journey in Public Service, will be published in the U.S. next weekas Trump and President Joe Bidens rematch gathers pace. The Daily Beast obtained a copy. On the page, Fauci describes interactions with Trump as the administration wrestled with the presidents opposition to public health measures including masking; Trumps desire to reopen the country; his indulgence of advisers with dubious qualifications pushing untested treatments; his bizarre suggestion that bleach might kill the virus; and, ultimately, his own hospitalization with COVID. Fauci, the veteran director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), became the face of the pandemic and tried to navigate between Trumps erratic statements and his own medical expertise. He then became Bidens chief medical adviser and retired in 2022. In March last year, the New York Post reported that Fauci sold his memoir for just under $5 million. Crown Publishing, a Penguin Random House imprint, said that figure was inaccurate. In 2020, within weeks of the first COVID cases, Fauci became a Republican punching bag. Enemies saw him as an avatar of the medical establishment when he relentlessly urged COVID precautions, starting with social distancing, moving to lockdowns, then masking and vaccines. He told Congress this month that he, his wife, and his adult daughter were the subjects of death threats. During the pandemic he received a full-scale security detail. Anti-Fauci demonstrators protest in New York City in June 2021. Jeenah Moon/Getty In his book, Fauci reports his last conversation with Trump, in which Trump said he would win re-election by a fucking landslide against Biden, whom he deemed fucking stupid. Now 83, Fauci writes of a life that took him from an apartment above his fathers pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York, to the White House and the world stage. As NIAID director, he worked for every president from Ronald Reagan to Biden. Fauci was on the front line of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, worked against Ebola, and ultimately became the chief scientific face of the U.S. attempt to combat COVID, which has now killed nearly 1.2 million Americans. Such work meant dealing with a chaotic administration and a volatile president who stoked virulent right-wing anger over public health measures including masking, social distancing, and ultimately vaccine mandates. With Trump running for the White House again, Faucis descriptions of their interactionsand his work with a Biden administration he says was a parallel universe in terms of focus on defeating COVIDwill be eagerly read on both sides of the aisle. Describing the frightening early days of the pandemic, as large swathes of U.S. society were shut down and economic and physical damage mounted, Fauci writes of his first experience [of] the brunt of the presidents rage. On the evening of June 3 [2020], my cell phone rang, Fauci writes, and the callerthe presidentstarted screaming at me. Trump was angered by Fauci telling a journalist that immunity to coronaviruses was usually six months to a year, meaning that when a COVID-19 vaccine was found, booster shots would likely be needed. Fauci points out that this was common practice for viruses including the flu but also that his remark was wrongly reported on Twitter and in some media outlets as the Covid vaccine protecting people only for a very short time. Trump did not like what he heard. It was quite a phone call, Fauci writes. The president was irate, saying that I could not keep doing this to him. He said he loved me, but the country was in trouble, and I was making it worse. He added that the stock market went up only six hundred points in response to the positive phase 1 vaccine news and it should have gone up a thousand points and so I cost the country one trillion fucking dollars. I have a pretty thick skin, Fauci writes, but getting yelled at by the president of the United States, no matter how much he tells you that he loves you, is not fun. Fauci may risk angering Trump again not just by detailing the conversation but by saying Trump told him, via an intermediary, he was sorry. Trump is notoriously apology averse. Fauci says he was mystified but resolved not to let [the call] throw me off my game. Trump, however, seemed to feel competitive with Fauci, in terms of public profile and acceptance. Eventually, Fauci describes what turned out to be my last conversation with President Trump. At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, Fauci writes, he was at home when Trump called from Air Force One. Tony, Trump said, I really like you, and you know that, but what the fuck are you doing? You really need to be positive. You constantly drop bombs on me. Two days before Election Day, Trump was upset about Fauci telling The Washington Post that the U.S. was still in for a whole lot of hurt. The COVID case count was 9 million, with 230,000 dead. Everybody wants me to fire you, Trump said. But I am not going to fire you, you have too illustrious a career, but you have to be positive. The country cannot stay locked down. You have to give them hope I like you, but so many peoplenot only in the White House, but throughout the countryhate you because of what you are doing. In his book, Fauci describes threats including the day he opened an envelope and was covered in white powder, leading to a terrifying wait before the all clear. Trump was fixated on winning a second term. On Nov. 1, he continued: I am going to win this election by a fucking landslide. Just wait and see. I always did things my way. And I always win, no matter what all these other fucking people think. And that fucker Biden. He is so fucking stupid. I am going to kick his fucking ass in this election. Trump eventually ended the 15-minute rant by saying, Okay, Tony, I will see you in a couple of days. Take care. Love me, love me not, Fauci writes, dryly. Anthony Fauci listens with Dr. Deborah Birx as Donald Trump speaks during a briefing, in March 2020. The Washington Post/Getty Three days later, Trump lost the election to Bidenbut did not concede. Despite still being in office he did not speak to Fauci again. Describing meetings with Biden, the president-elect, Fauci writes of a no-nonsense person guided by integrity and empathy who clearly was in charge and would eventually return the White House to its pre-Trump normal, despite deepening political schisms in the U.S. at large. On Dec. 22, 2020, as Biden prepared to become president, Fauci went on TVto receive the first COVID vaccine. An alcohol swab, a little pinch as the needle went in, a Band-Aid and it was done, he writes. It was two days before my eightieth birthday, and the knowledge millions of Americans would soon be vaccinated as I just had been was the best gift I could possibly imagine. 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. Incendiary MAGA Republican Anthony Sabatini withdrew from the GOP primary for Congress against incumbent Dan Webster on Thursday evening, less than an hour after former President Trump endorsed Webster instead of him. Sabatini, a former state lawmaker and the Lake County GOP chair, has been a staunch Trump supporter. He has been attacking Webster for months as a RINO Republican in name only and describing him as senile. But Trump, who met Thursday with GOP Congress members, later endorsed a slew of incumbents, including both Webster and U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Tampa. Lee was the lone Congress member from Florida to back Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump in the presidential primaries. Congressman Daniel Webster is doing a terrific job representing Floridas 11th Congressional District, Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social at 6:16 p.m. Thursday. Daniel Webster has my Complete and Total EndorsementHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! At 7:03 p.m., Sabatini posted to X that he was dropping out. Today, Donald Trump endorsed the incumbent in my race, Sabatini wrote. I dont always agree with Donald Trumps endorsements, but I understand the political reality of what they are. Sabatini instead filed Friday to run for a seat on the Lake County Commission in District 1. [Congressional] District 11 will have to wait for another day, he wrote. Sabatini had become notorious for his controversial and often insulting social media posts, and had been warned by Republican leadership in Tallahassee to tone it down before he even attended his first legislative session in 2019. In just the last few months, he blamed the crash of a ship into a bridge in Baltimore on DEI, or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; called for a full-scale moratorium on all immigration; called for the Florida Civil Rights Act to stop anti-white discrimination; and defended those charged with defacing LGBTQ Pride flags painted on city streets, calling one a political prisoner. As Lake GOP chair, he pushed through a platform emulating the Texas Republican platform that, among other things, called for an abortion ban from conception, ending gay marriage and rights, and eliminating nearly all gun laws. Sabatini repeatedly stressed his strong loyalty for Trump, occasionally posting simply MAGA on social media sites. Following Trumps convictions in New York last month, he posted a photo of himself with Trump captioned, AMERICA STANDS WITH DONALD J TRUMP!!!! Webster, seeking his eighth term in Congress, was redistricted into a seat in 2021 that included the Trump bastion The Villages, the sprawling senior community. He defeated far-right extremist Laura Loomer in the 2022 GOP primary there by just 7 points, and a Sabatini win this year seemed like a distinct possibility. Webster, like most incumbent Republicans, had become a strong supporter of Trump himself. He visited Trumps trial in New York City last month and called it a farce. I am humbled and honored to receive President Trumps complete and total endorsement in my race for Congress, Webster said in a statement. I look forward to putting an end to this Biden manufactured crisis with President Trump back in the White House and Republicans in control of the House and Senate in January. Our childrens and grandchildrens futures are on the line. _____ Mifepristone, FDA-approved for pregnancy termination up to 10 weeks gestation, is used in about 63% of U.S. abortions. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts unanimous ruling Thursday to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, and is the most common method of abortion in the U.S. Anti-abortion groups, in conjunction with conservative religious law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, sought to revert the FDA guidelines to 2016, when the prescribed gestational time frame was three weeks shorter and there were more requirements around who could prescribe it and where and when provider visits had to take place. The case made its way to the nations highest court after outspoken anti-abortion U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas ruled that mifepristones approval should be revoked, followed by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that agreed in part, saying the restrictions should revert to pre-2016 rules. In a unanimous decision rejecting the anti-abortion groups challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations regulation of the drug, justices agreed that the case lacked standing, saying there was no clear injury to the plaintiffs to warrant reinstating the restrictions. The plaintiffs do not prescribe or use mifepristone. And FDA is not requiring them to do or refrain from doing anything. Rather, the plaintiffs want FDA to make mifepristone more difficult for other doctors to prescribe and for pregnant women to obtain, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion. Under Article III of the Constitution, a plaintiffs desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue. Wendy Heipt, attorney for advocacy organization Legal Voice, said the fact that the unanimous ruling is focused on standing is helpful, because thats an area of law that has been in question in many reproductive rights-related cases since the Dobbs decision in 2022. Im not relaxing; its not over. But the fact that this one rogue judge in Texas opened the courthouse doors to people who had no right to be there was a real challenge to the way our judicial system works, so I am reassured that there are still rules, Heipt told States Newsroom. Many reproductive rights and medical organizations issued statements following the ruling, including the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research organization that has closely tracked abortion pill use in the two years since the Dobbs decision. We are relieved by this outcome, but we are not celebrating, said Destiny Lopez, acting co-CEO of the Institute, in a statement. From the start, this case was rooted in bad faith and lacking any basis in facts or science. This case never should have reached our nations top court in the first place and the Supreme Court made the only reasonable decision by leaving access to medication abortion using mifepristone unchanged. Nikki Madsen, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, said she wasnt surprised by the ruling, but noted it only preserves the status quo. Its just not enough, Madsen told States Newsroom. We know that the anti-abortion extremists are relentless, and their goal is to truly chip away at any abortion access. So todays decision just preserves access, but its really not enough for the people across the country who are truly navigating a human rights crisis right now. Three intervenor states expected to continue fight at district court level Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative law firm that argued the case, is the same organization that argued in favor of the Dobbs decision that returned abortion regulation to the states. In a statement, ADF attorney Erin Hawley said the ruling was disappointing, but that they will continue to advocate for womens health. The FDA recklessly leaves women and girls to take these high-risk drugs all alone in their homes or dorm rooms, without requiring the ongoing, in-person care of a doctor, Hawley said, adding that ADF is grateful to attorneys general in Idaho, Kansas and Missouri who successfully intervened in the case at the district court level with Kacsmaryks approval, because they intend to keep litigating the case there. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote, Todays ruling only applies to standing; the court did not reach the merits. My case is still alive at the district court. We are moving forward undeterred with our litigation to protect both women and their unborn children. Baileys spokesperson did not give any further details about what that case would look like, and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors office did not respond to a request for comment. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion organization, those attorneys general will move forward with the case based on harms suffered by women in their states. Abortion opponents target abortion drugs from multiple angles Anti-abortion opponents have been fighting against the expansion of access to medication abortion since the FDA first approved the regimen in 2000, and they say they are not deterred by Thursdays ruling. The Justices simply discussed the issue of legal standing and did not reach the merits of the case, Carolyn McDonnell, litigation counsel at national anti-abortion policy shop Americans United for Life, told States Newsroom in a statement. Its still an open question whether the FDA unlawfully deregulated mifepristone. Longtime anti-abortion activist Rev. Pat Mahoney, chief strategy officer for the Stanton Public Policy Center, said the Supreme Courts decision in this case was instructive, if not what abortion opponents wanted. Theres, I think, a misconception that a loss is a loss, and that isnt always the case, Mahoney told States Newsroom. Sometimes a loss helps define the parameters for bringing the next case and next case, and believe me, there are going to be next cases on medical and chemical abortions. So now we know this isnt a route to go. Mahoney said that like past legal defeats for the anti-abortion movement, this ruling offers at least a partial road map, such as the one abortion opponents followed after the Supreme Court ruled in 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey that abortion until fetal viability was a federal right but that states could pass regulations that didnt create an undue burden for people seeking abortions. That ruling led to hundreds of restrictions and regulations around the country that kept nudging the viability and undue burden lines limiting abortion access even before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Mahoney said his organization and others are pursuing various legislative proposals, such as regulating the disposal of embryonic and fetal remains following a medication abortion, which most people have at home or in private settings. Americans United for Life said in a statement following the ruling that it will continue to offer legal prescriptions for the strengthening of protections for unborn children from abortion pills through action on the federal and state levels in both executive and legislative branches of government, including through executive enforcement of the Comstock Act and RICO Act. Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, resurrecting the long-dormant Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and equipment (something legal scholars and historians say is an inaccurate interpretation of the law and how it was applied) has been the long-term focus of East Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson and his partner Texas attorney Jonathan Mitchell. They have been pushing various legal and legislative strategies to prevent people from obtaining abortions in states where its still legal. They have helped pass dozens of local ordinances in Texas and other states with restrictions that challenge current federal law, such as banning interstate travel to obtain an abortion. In New Mexico, where abortion is legal and largely unrestricted, a challenge to two local ordinances based on the Comstock Act await a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court did not address the Comstock Act in its opinion, but Kascmaryk cited the old law in his initial ruling last year. Major conservative groups are pushing former President Donald Trump, if reelected this fall, to enforce the Comstock Act along with other federal abortion regulations. Trump has stayed silent about what he will do. In the meantime, anti-abortion groups have not stopped pursuing other cases. I can confirm that there are several attorneys in the pro-life movement that are planning on bringing a number of different lawsuits relating to abortion-inducing drugs and the harm that they cause to mothers and their unborn children, Dickson told States Newsroom. Mahoney also said groups like his are working with attorneys on a potential class-action lawsuit against abortion-pill manufacturers. He said they are actively gathering testimony and information from women who have been hurt through medical chemical abortions. Were working on it, said Mahoney, adding, It took us 50 years to overturn Roe. The post Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Courts mifepristone ruling wont deter them appeared first on West Virginia Watch. Mifepristone, FDA-approved for pregnancy termination up to 10 weeks gestation, is used in about 63% of U.S. abortions. (Getty Images) In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts unanimous ruling Thursday to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, rejecting a challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations regulation of the drug, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, and is the most common method of abortion in the U.S. Anti-abortion groups, in conjunction with conservative religious law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, sought to revert the FDA guidelines to 2016, when the prescribed gestational time frame was three weeks shorter and there were more requirements around who could prescribe it and where and when provider visits had to take place. The case made its way to the nations highest court after outspoken anti-abortion U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas ruled that mifepristones approval should be revoked, followed by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that agreed in part, saying the restrictions should revert to pre-2016 rules. In a unanimous decision, justices agreed that the case lacked standing, saying there was no clear injury to the plaintiffs to warrant reinstating the restrictions. The plaintiffs do not prescribe or use mifepristone. And FDA is not requiring them to do or refrain from doing anything. Rather, the plaintiffs want FDA to make mifepristone more difficult for other doctors to prescribe and for pregnant women to obtain, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion. Under Article III of the Constitution, a plaintiffs desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue. Wendy Heipt, attorney for advocacy organization Legal Voice, said the fact that the unanimous ruling is focused on standing is helpful, because thats an area of law that has been in question in many reproductive rights-related cases since the Dobbs decision in 2022. Im not relaxing; its not over. But the fact that this one rogue judge in Texas opened the courthouse doors to people who had no right to be there was a real challenge to the way our judicial system works, so I am reassured that there are still rules, Heipt told States Newsroom. Many reproductive rights and medical organizations issued statements following the ruling, including the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research organization that has closely tracked abortion pill use in the two years since the Dobbs decision. We are relieved by this outcome, but we are not celebrating, said Destiny Lopez, acting co-CEO of the Institute, in a statement. From the start, this case was rooted in bad faith and lacking any basis in facts or science. This case never should have reached our nations top court in the first place and the Supreme Court made the only reasonable decision by leaving access to medication abortion using mifepristone unchanged. Nikki Madsen, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, said she wasnt surprised by the ruling, but noted it only preserves the status quo. Its just not enough, Madsen told States Newsroom. We know that the anti-abortion extremists are relentless, and their goal is to truly chip away at any abortion access. So todays decision just preserves access, but its really not enough for the people across the country who are truly navigating a human rights crisis right now. Military veteran Carrie Frail, who lives in north St. Louis County, used mifepristone to end a pregnancy about 15 years ago. Access to abortion medication ultimately saved her life, said Frail, now 43. At the time, Frail had two children from a previous marriage, when she started dating a man who she said became verbally and physically abusive. When she told him she was pregnant with his child, Frail said the man threatened to punch her stomach until she miscarried, adding that hed threatened violence against her on several occasions. Had she decided to have a child with him, Frail worries he ultimately would have killed her. None of us can know what any one person is going to go through, what they can experience, she said. And how an abortion may save their life in whatever capacity that looks like. Frail, who served for five years as a Korean linguist and intelligence analyst in the Air Force, said shes angry that her daughter, who is also in the Air Force and stationed in Missouri, doesnt have the same rights Frail did at her age. I cant help but worry for women who may not have that option in the future, she said. Three intervenor states expected to continue fight at district court level Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative law firm that argued the case, is the same organization that argued in favor of the Dobbs decision that returned abortion regulation to the states. In a statement, ADF attorney Erin Hawley said the ruling was disappointing, but that they will continue to advocate for womens health. The FDA recklessly leaves women and girls to take these high-risk drugs all alone in their homes or dorm rooms, without requiring the ongoing, in-person care of a doctor, Hawley said, adding that ADF is grateful to attorneys general in Idaho, Kansas and Missouri who successfully intervened in the case at the district court level with Kacsmaryks approval, because they intend to keep litigating the case there. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote, Todays ruling only applies to standing; the court did not reach the merits. My case is still alive at the district court. We are moving forward undeterred with our litigation to protect both women and their unborn children. Baileys spokesperson did not give any further details about what that case would look like, and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors office did not respond to a request for comment. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion organization, those attorneys general will move forward with the case based on harms suffered by women in their states. Abortion opponents target abortion drugs from multiple angles Anti-abortion opponents have been fighting against the expansion of access to medication abortion since the FDA first approved the regimen in 2000, and they say they are not deterred by Thursdays ruling. The Justices simply discussed the issue of legal standing and did not reach the merits of the case, Carolyn McDonnell, litigation counsel at national anti-abortion policy shop Americans United for Life, told States Newsroom in a statement. Its still an open question whether the FDA unlawfully deregulated mifepristone. Longtime anti-abortion activist Rev. Pat Mahoney, chief strategy officer for the Stanton Public Policy Center, said the Supreme Courts decision in this case was instructive, if not what abortion opponents wanted. Theres, I think, a misconception that a loss is a loss, and that isnt always the case, Mahoney told States Newsroom. Sometimes a loss helps define the parameters for bringing the next case and next case, and believe me, there are going to be next cases on medical and chemical abortions. So now we know this isnt a route to go. Mahoney said that like past legal defeats for the anti-abortion movement, this ruling offers at least a partial road map, such as the one abortion opponents followed after the Supreme Court ruled in 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey that abortion until fetal viability was a federal right but that states could pass regulations that didnt create an undue burden for people seeking abortions. That ruling led to hundreds of restrictions and regulations around the country that kept nudging the viability and undue burden lines limiting abortion access even before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Mahoney said his organization and others are pursuing various legislative proposals, such as regulating the disposal of embryonic and fetal remains following a medication abortion, which most people have at home or in private settings. Americans United for Life said in a statement followin the ruling that it will continue to offer legal prescriptions for the strengthening of protections for unborn children from abortion pills through action on the federal and state levels in both executive and legislative branches of government, including through executive enforcement of the Comstock Act and RICO Act. Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, resurrecting the long-dormant Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and equipment (something legal scholars and historians say is an inaccurate interpretation of the law and how it was applied) has been the long-term focus of East Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson and his partner Texas attorney Jonathan Mitchell. They have been pushing various legal and legislative strategies to prevent people from obtaining abortions in states where its still legal. They have helped pass dozens of local ordinances in Texas and other states with restrictions that challenge current federal law, such as banning interstate travel to obtain an abortion. In New Mexico, where abortion is legal and largely unrestricted, a challenge to two local ordinances based on the Comstock Act await a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court did not address the Comstock Act in its opinion, but Kascmaryk cited the old law in his initial ruling last year. Major conservative groups are pushing former President Donald Trump, if reelected this fall, to enforce the Comstock Act along with other federal abortion regulations. Trump has stayed silent about what he will do. In the meantime, anti-abortion groups have not stopped pursuing other cases. I can confirm that there are several attorneys in the pro-life movement that are planning on bringing a number of different lawsuits relating to abortion-inducing drugs and the harm that they cause to mothers and their unborn children, Dickson told States Newsroom. Mahoney also said groups like his are working with attorneys on a potential class-action lawsuit against abortion-pill manufacturers. He said they are actively gathering testimony and information from women who have been hurt through medical chemical abortions. Were working on it, said Mahoney, adding, It took us 50 years to overturn Roe. Anna Spoerre of The Independent staff contributed to this report. The post Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Courts mifepristone ruling wont deter them appeared first on Missouri Independent. Mifepristone, FDA-approved for pregnancy termination up to 10 weeks gestation, is used in about 63% of U.S. abortions. Photo by Chris Coduto | Getty Images In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts unanimous ruling Thursday to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, and is the most common method of abortion in the U.S. Anti-abortion groups, in conjunction with conservative religious law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, sought to revert the FDA guidelines to 2016, when the prescribed gestational time frame was three weeks shorter and there were more requirements around who could prescribe it and where and when provider visits had to take place. The case made its way to the nations highest court after outspoken anti-abortion U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas ruled that mifepristones approval should be revoked, followed by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that agreed in part, saying the restrictions should revert to pre-2016 rules. In a unanimous decision rejecting the anti-abortion groups challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations regulation of the drug, justices agreed that the case lacked standing, saying there was no clear injury to the plaintiffs to warrant reinstating the restrictions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The plaintiffs do not prescribe or use mifepristone. And FDA is not requiring them to do or refrain from doing anything. Rather, the plaintiffs want FDA to make mifepristone more difficult for other doctors to prescribe and for pregnant women to obtain, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion. Under Article III of the Constitution, a plaintiffs desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue. Wendy Heipt, attorney for advocacy organization Legal Voice, said the fact that the unanimous ruling is focused on standing is helpful, because thats an area of law that has been in question in many reproductive rights-related cases since the Dobbs decision in 2022. Im not relaxing; its not over. But the fact that this one rogue judge in Texas opened the courthouse doors to people who had no right to be there was a real challenge to the way our judicial system works, so I am reassured that there are still rules, Heipt told States Newsroom. Many reproductive rights and medical organizations issued statements following the ruling, including the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research organization that has closely tracked abortion pill use in the two years since the Dobbs decision. We are relieved by this outcome, but we are not celebrating, said Destiny Lopez, acting co-CEO of the Institute, in a statement. From the start, this case was rooted in bad faith and lacking any basis in facts or science. This case never should have reached our nations top court in the first place and the Supreme Court made the only reasonable decision by leaving access to medication abortion using mifepristone unchanged. Nikki Madsen, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, said she wasnt surprised by the ruling, but noted it only preserves the status quo. Its just not enough, Madsen told States Newsroom. We know that the anti-abortion extremists are relentless, and their goal is to truly chip away at any abortion access. So todays decision just preserves access, but its really not enough for the people across the country who are truly navigating a human rights crisis right now. Three intervenor states expected to continue fight at district court level Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative law firm that argued the case, is the same organization that argued in favor of the Dobbs decision that returned abortion regulation to the states. In a statement, ADF attorney Erin Hawley said the ruling was disappointing, but that they will continue to advocate for womens health. The FDA recklessly leaves women and girls to take these high-risk drugs all alone in their homes or dorm rooms, without requiring the ongoing, in-person care of a doctor, Hawley said, adding that ADF is grateful to attorneys general in Idaho, Kansas and Missouri who successfully intervened in the case at the district court level with Kacsmaryks approval, because they intend to keep litigating the case there. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote, Todays ruling only applies to standing; the court did not reach the merits. My case is still alive at the district court. We are moving forward undeterred with our litigation to protect both women and their unborn children. Baileys spokesperson did not give any further details about what that case would look like, and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors office did not respond to a request for comment. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion organization, those attorneys general will move forward with the case based on harms suffered by women in their states. Abortion opponents target abortion drugs from multiple angles Anti-abortion opponents have been fighting against the expansion of access to medication abortion since the FDA first approved the regimen in 2000, and they say they are not deterred by Thursdays ruling. The Justices simply discussed the issue of legal standing and did not reach the merits of the case, Carolyn McDonnell, litigation counsel at national anti-abortion policy shop Americans United for Life, told States Newsroom in a statement. Its still an open question whether the FDA unlawfully deregulated mifepristone. Longtime anti-abortion activist Rev. Pat Mahoney, chief strategy officer for the Stanton Public Policy Center, said the Supreme Courts decision in this case was instructive, if not what abortion opponents wanted. Theres, I think, a misconception that a loss is a loss, and that isnt always the case, Mahoney told States Newsroom. Sometimes a loss helps define the parameters for bringing the next case and next case, and believe me, there are going to be next cases on medical and chemical abortions. So now we know this isnt a route to go. Mahoney said that like past legal defeats for the anti-abortion movement, this ruling offers at least a partial road map, such as the one abortion opponents followed after the Supreme Court ruled in 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey that abortion until fetal viability was a federal right but that states could pass regulations that didnt create an undue burden for people seeking abortions. That ruling led to hundreds of restrictions and regulations around the country that kept nudging the viability and undue burden lines limiting abortion access even before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Mahoney said his organization and others are pursuing various legislative proposals, such as regulating the disposal of embryonic and fetal remains following a medication abortion, which most people have at home or in private settings. Americans United for Life said in a statement following the ruling that it will continue to offer legal prescriptions for the strengthening of protections for unborn children from abortion pills through action on the federal and state levels in both executive and legislative branches of government, including through executive enforcement of the Comstock Act and RICO Act. Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, resurrecting the long-dormant Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and equipment (something legal scholars and historians say is an inaccurate interpretation of the law and how it was applied) has been the long-term focus of East Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson and his partner Texas attorney Jonathan Mitchell. They have been pushing various legal and legislative strategies to prevent people from obtaining abortions in states where its still legal. They have helped pass dozens of local ordinances in Texas and other states with restrictions that challenge current federal law, such as banning interstate travel to obtain an abortion. In New Mexico, where abortion is legal and largely unrestricted, a challenge to two local ordinances based on the Comstock Act await a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court did not address the Comstock Act in its opinion, but Kascmaryk cited the old law in his initial ruling last year. Major conservative groups are pushing former President Donald Trump, if reelected this fall, to enforce the Comstock Act along with other federal abortion regulations. Trump has stayed silent about what he will do. In the meantime, anti-abortion groups have not stopped pursuing other cases. I can confirm that there are several attorneys in the pro-life movement that are planning on bringing a number of different lawsuits relating to abortion-inducing drugs and the harm that they cause to mothers and their unborn children, Dickson told States Newsroom. Mahoney also said groups like his are working with attorneys on a potential class-action lawsuit against abortion-pill manufacturers. He said they are actively gathering testimony and information from women who have been hurt through medical chemical abortions. Were working on it, said Mahoney, adding, It took us 50 years to overturn Roe. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Packages of Mifepristone tablets. (Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts unanimous ruling Thursday to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester, and is the most common method of abortion in the U.S. Anti-abortion groups, in conjunction with conservative religious law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, sought to revert the FDA guidelines to 2016, when the prescribed gestational time frame was three weeks shorter and there were more requirements around who could prescribe it and where and when provider visits had to take place. The case made its way to the nations highest court after outspoken anti-abortion U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas ruled that mifepristones approval should be revoked, followed by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that agreed in part, saying the restrictions should revert to pre-2016 rules. In a unanimous decision rejecting the anti-abortion groups challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations regulation of the drug, justices agreed that the case lacked standing, saying there was no clear injury to the plaintiffs to warrant reinstating the restrictions. The plaintiffs do not prescribe or use mifepristone. And FDA is not requiring them to do or refrain from doing anything. Rather, the plaintiffs want FDA to make mifepristone more difficult for other doctors to prescribe and for pregnant women to obtain, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion. Under Article III of the Constitution, a plaintiffs desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue. Wendy Heipt, attorney for advocacy organization Legal Voice, said the fact that the unanimous ruling is focused on standing is helpful, because thats an area of law that has been in question in many reproductive rights-related cases since the Dobbs decision in 2022. Im not relaxing; its not over. But the fact that this one rogue judge in Texas opened the courthouse doors to people who had no right to be there was a real challenge to the way our judicial system works, so I am reassured that there are still rules, Heipt told States Newsroom. Many reproductive rights and medical organizations issued statements following the ruling, including the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research organization that has closely tracked abortion pill use in the two years since the Dobbs decision. We are relieved by this outcome, but we are not celebrating, said Destiny Lopez, acting co-CEO of the Institute, in a statement. From the start, this case was rooted in bad faith and lacking any basis in facts or science. This case never should have reached our nations top court in the first place and the Supreme Court made the only reasonable decision by leaving access to medication abortion using mifepristone unchanged. Nikki Madsen, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, said she wasnt surprised by the ruling, but noted it only preserves the status quo. Its just not enough, Madsen told States Newsroom. We know that the anti-abortion extremists are relentless, and their goal is to truly chip away at any abortion access. So todays decision just preserves access, but its really not enough for the people across the country who are truly navigating a human rights crisis right now. Three intervenor states expected to continue fight at district court level Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative law firm that argued the case, is the same organization that argued in favor of the Dobbs decision that returned abortion regulation to the states. In a statement, ADF attorney Erin Hawley said the ruling was disappointing, but that they will continue to advocate for womens health. The FDA recklessly leaves women and girls to take these high-risk drugs all alone in their homes or dorm rooms, without requiring the ongoing, in-person care of a doctor, Hawley said, adding that ADF is grateful to attorneys general in Idaho, Kansas and Missouri who successfully intervened in the case at the district court level with Kacsmaryks approval, because they intend to keep litigating the case there. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote, Todays ruling only applies to standing; the court did not reach the merits. My case is still alive at the district court. We are moving forward undeterred with our litigation to protect both women and their unborn children. Baileys spokesperson did not give any further details about what that case would look like, and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors office did not respond to a request for comment. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion organization, those attorneys general will move forward with the case based on harms suffered by women in their states. Abortion opponents target abortion drugs from multiple angles Anti-abortion opponents have been fighting against the expansion of access to medication abortion since the FDA first approved the regimen in 2000, and they say they are not deterred by Thursdays ruling. The Justices simply discussed the issue of legal standing and did not reach the merits of the case, Carolyn McDonnell, litigation counsel at national anti-abortion policy shop Americans United for Life, told States Newsroom in a statement. Its still an open question whether the FDA unlawfully deregulated mifepristone. Longtime anti-abortion activist Rev. Pat Mahoney, chief strategy officer for the Stanton Public Policy Center, said the Supreme Courts decision in this case was instructive, if not what abortion opponents wanted. Theres, I think, a misconception that a loss is a loss, and that isnt always the case, Mahoney told States Newsroom. Sometimes a loss helps define the parameters for bringing the next case and next case, and believe me, there are going to be next cases on medical and chemical abortions. So now we know this isnt a route to go. Mahoney said that like past legal defeats for the anti-abortion movement, this ruling offers at least a partial road map, such as the one abortion opponents followed after the Supreme Court ruled in 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey that abortion until fetal viability was a federal right but that states could pass regulations that didnt create an undue burden for people seeking abortions. That ruling led to hundreds of restrictions and regulations around the country that kept nudging the viability and undue burden lines limiting abortion access even before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Mahoney said his organization and others are pursuing various legislative proposals, such as regulating the disposal of embryonic and fetal remains following a medication abortion, which most people have at home or in private settings. Americans United for Life said in a statement following the ruling that it will continue to offer legal prescriptions for the strengthening of protections for unborn children from abortion pills through action on the federal and state levels in both executive and legislative branches of government, including through executive enforcement of the Comstock Act and RICO Act. Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, resurrecting the long-dormant Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and equipment (something legal scholars and historians say is an inaccurate interpretation of the law and how it was applied) has been the long-term focus of East Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson and his partner Texas attorney Jonathan Mitchell. They have been pushing various legal and legislative strategies to prevent people from obtaining abortions in states where its still legal. They have helped pass dozens of local ordinances in Texas and other states with restrictions that challenge current federal law, such as banning interstate travel to obtain an abortion. In New Mexico, where abortion is legal and largely unrestricted, a challenge to two local ordinances based on the Comstock Act await a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court did not address the Comstock Act in its opinion, but Kascmaryk cited the old law in his initial ruling last year. Major conservative groups are pushing former President Donald Trump, if reelected this fall, to enforce the Comstock Act along with other federal abortion regulations. Trump has stayed silent about what he will do. In the meantime, anti-abortion groups have not stopped pursuing other cases. I can confirm that there are several attorneys in the pro-life movement that are planning on bringing a number of different lawsuits relating to abortion-inducing drugs and the harm that they cause to mothers and their unborn children, Dickson told States Newsroom. Mahoney also said groups like his are working with attorneys on a potential class-action lawsuit against abortion-pill manufacturers. He said they are actively gathering testimony and information from women who have been hurt through medical chemical abortions. Were working on it, said Mahoney, adding, It took us 50 years to overturn Roe. The post Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Courts mifepristone ruling wont deter them appeared first on Washington State Standard. Mifepristone, FDA-approved drug for pregnancy termination up to 10 weeks gestation, is used in about 63% of U.S. abortions. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images) In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Courts unanimous ruling Thursday to maintain current access to the abortion medication mifepristone, abortion-rights advocates and opponents vowed to continue their respective battles over the drug. Mifepristone is one of two drugs used to treat miscarriages and terminate a pregnancy during the first trimester and is the most common method of abortion in the United States Anti-abortion groups, in conjunction with conservative religious law firm Alliance Defending Freedom, sought to revert the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines to 2016, when the prescribed gestational time frame was three weeks shorter and there were more requirements around who could prescribe it and where and when provider visits had to take place. The case made its way to the nations highest court after outspoken anti-abortion U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas ruled that mifepristones approval should be revoked, followed by a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion that agreed in part, saying the restrictions should revert to pre-2016 rules. In a unanimous decision rejecting the anti-abortion groups challenge to the FDAs regulation of the drug, justices agreed that the case lacked standing, saying there was no clear injury to the plaintiffs to warrant reinstating the restrictions. The plaintiffs do not prescribe or use mifepristone. And FDA is not requiring them to do or refrain from doing anything. Rather, the plaintiffs want FDA to make mifepristone more difficult for other doctors to prescribe and for pregnant women to obtain, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion. Under Article III of the Constitution, a plaintiffs desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue. Wendy Heipt, attorney for advocacy organization Legal Voice, said the fact that the unanimous ruling is focused on standing is helpful, because thats an area of law that has been in question in many reproductive rights-related cases since the Dobbs decision in 2022. Im not relaxing; its not over. But the fact that this one rogue judge in Texas opened the courthouse doors to people who had no right to be there was a real challenge to the way our judicial system works, so I am reassured that there are still rules, Heipt told States Newsroom. Many reproductive rights and medical organizations issued statements following the ruling, including the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research organization that has closely tracked abortion pill use in the two years since the Dobbs decision. We are relieved by this outcome, but we are not celebrating, said Destiny Lopez, acting co-CEO of the institute, in a statement. From the start, this case was rooted in bad faith and lacking any basis in facts or science. This case never should have reached our nations top court in the first place and the Supreme Court made the only reasonable decision by leaving access to medication abortion using mifepristone unchanged. Nikki Madsen, co-executive director of the Abortion Care Network, said she wasnt surprised by the ruling, but noted it only preserves the status quo. Its just not enough, Madsen told States Newsroom. We know that the anti-abortion extremists are relentless, and their goal is to truly chip away at any abortion access. So todays decision just preserves access, but its really not enough for the people across the country who are truly navigating a human rights crisis right now. Three states expected to continue fight Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative law firm that argued the case, is the same organization that argued in favor of the Dobbs decision that returned abortion regulation to the states. In a statement, ADF attorney Erin Hawley said the ruling was disappointing but that the firm will continue to advocate for womens health. The FDA recklessly leaves women and girls to take these high-risk drugs all alone in their homes or dorm rooms, without requiring the ongoing, in-person care of a doctor, Hawley said, adding that ADF is grateful to attorneys general in Idaho, Kansas and Missouri who successfully intervened in the case at the district court level with Kacsmaryks approval, because they intend to keep litigating the case there. In a statement posted on X on Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wrote, Todays ruling only applies to standing; the court did not reach the merits. My case is still alive at the district court. We are moving forward undeterred with our litigation to protect both women and their unborn children. Baileys spokesperson did not give any further details about what that case would look like, and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labradors office did not respond to a request for comment. According to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a national anti-abortion organization, those attorneys general will move forward with the case based on harms suffered by women in their states. Multiple angles Anti-abortion opponents have been fighting against the expansion of access to medication abortion since the FDA first approved the regimen in 2000, and they say they are not deterred by Thursdays ruling. The Justices simply discussed the issue of legal standing and did not reach the merits of the case, Carolyn McDonnell, litigation counsel at national anti-abortion policy shop Americans United for Life, told States Newsroom in a statement. Its still an open question whether the FDA unlawfully deregulated mifepristone. Longtime anti-abortion activist Rev. Pat Mahoney, chief strategy officer for the Stanton Public Policy Center, said the Supreme Courts decision in this case was instructive, if not what abortion opponents wanted. Theres, I think, a misconception that a loss is a loss, and that isnt always the case, Mahoney told States Newsroom. Sometimes a loss helps define the parameters for bringing the next case and next case, and believe me, there are going to be next cases on medical and chemical abortions. So now we know this isnt a route to go. Mahoney said that like past legal defeats for the anti-abortion movement, this ruling offers at least a partial road map, such as the one abortion opponents followed after the Supreme Court ruled in 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey that abortion until fetal viability was a federal right but that states could pass regulations that didnt create an undue burden for people seeking abortions. That ruling led to hundreds of restrictions and regulations around the country that kept nudging the viability and undue burden lines limiting abortion access even before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Mahoney said his organization and others are pursuing various legislative proposals, such as regulating the disposal of embryonic and fetal remains following a medication abortion, which most people have at home or in private settings. Americans United for Life said in a statement following the ruling that it will continue to offer legal prescriptions for the strengthening of protections for unborn children from abortion pills through action on the federal and state levels in both executive and legislative branches of government, including through executive enforcement of the Comstock Act and RICO Act. Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned, resurrecting the long-dormant Comstock Act to ban the mailing of abortion drugs and equipment (something legal scholars and historians say is an inaccurate interpretation of the law and how it was applied) has been the long-term focus of East Texas pastor Mark Lee Dickson and his partner Texas attorney Jonathan Mitchell. They have been pushing various legal and legislative strategies to prevent people from obtaining abortions in states where its still legal. They have helped pass dozens of local ordinances in Texas and other states with restrictions that challenge current federal law, such as banning interstate travel to obtain an abortion. In New Mexico, where abortion is legal and largely unrestricted, a challenge to two local ordinances based on the Comstock Act await a ruling from the New Mexico Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court did not address the Comstock Act in its opinion, but Kascmaryk cited the old law in his initial ruling last year. Major conservative groups are pushing former President Donald Trump, if reelected this fall, to enforce the Comstock Act along with other federal abortion regulations. Trump has stayed silent about what he will do. In the meantime, anti-abortion groups have not stopped pursuing other cases. I can confirm that there are several attorneys in the pro-life movement that are planning on bringing a number of different lawsuits relating to abortion-inducing drugs and the harm that they cause to mothers and their unborn children, Dickson told States Newsroom. Mahoney also said groups like his are working with attorneys on a potential class-action lawsuit against abortion-pill manufacturers. He said they are actively gathering testimony and information from women who have been hurt through medical chemical abortions. Were working on it, said Mahoney, adding, It took us 50 years to overturn Roe. The post Anti-abortion groups say Supreme Courts mifepristone ruling wont deter them appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. WASHINGTON (AP) A southwest Georgia Republican who served a brief federal prison sentence for his actions inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is among those running on Tuesday for a chance to serve in Congress when the state holds primary runoff elections in a handful of U.S. House and state legislative races. The contests will determine who will challenge two U.S. House members from opposite ends of Georgias political spectrum: 16-term Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop and two-term Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Republican race in Bishops 2nd Congressional District is the latest example of someone convicted of a crime on Jan. 6 seeking to return to the Capitol as a member of Congress. Bishops Republican general election opponent will be either Chuck Hand, a construction superintendent who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of illegally demonstrating inside the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, or Wayne Johnson, a former U.S. Department of Education official in the Trump administration. Johnson placed first in the May 21 Republican primary with about 45% of the vote, short of the majority vote needed to avoid Tuesdays runoff. Hand received 32% of the vote. The third-place candidate, Michael Nixon, received about 19% of the vote and held a press conference in late May endorsing Johnson, while offering a blistering rebuke against Hand. In response, Hand walked off the stage in the middle of a televised June 9 debate with Johnson, whom he accused of orchestrating the attacks by Nixon. The 2nd District is among the states Democratic enclaves. Voters there supported Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden in the last two presidential elections with about 54% and 55% of the vote, respectively. Sanford won his 2022 reelection bid with 55% of the vote. In the 3rd Congressional District, former state Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan and former White House political director Brian Jack are running to replace retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson. Jack has the endorsement of his former boss Donald Trump and was the top vote-getter in the May 21 primary with about 47% of the vote. Dugan received about 25% of the vote, with the remaining vote split among three candidates. The winner will face Democrat Maura Keller, an Army veteran. Ferguson won the seat in 2022 with about 69% of the vote. The Democrats vying to challenge Greene in the 14th Congressional District are Clarence Blalock, a former City of Smyrna employee and 2021 Atlanta City Council candidate, and Shawn Harris, a retired Army brigadier general and rancher. Blalock edged Harris in the primary by just 128 votes out of more than 18,000 cast. Greene won reelection in 2022 with about 66% of the vote. Also facing runoffs are candidates in four state Senate and four state House districts. The only incumbent on Tuesdays ballot is Republican state Rep. Steven Sainz in House District 180. Sainz received 49.7% of the primary vote, falling just short of avoiding a runoff. His opponent is Glenn Cook, a Navy veteran and airline pilot. All 56 state Senate and 180 state House seats are up for election in November. Republicans have comfortable majorities in both chambers. Runoff elections in Georgia used to be held nine weeks after the primary, but a sweeping election law enacted in 2021 shortened the period to four weeks. Heres a look at what to expect on Tuesday: PRIMARY RUNOFF DAY Georgias state primary runoff elections will be held Tuesday. Polls close at 7 p.m. ET. WHATS ON THE BALLOT The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in 11 runoffs: three contested primaries for U.S. House and four each for state Senate and state House. WHO GETS TO VOTE Registered voters may participate in their districts partisan runoff election if: They voted in the same partys primary on May 21, they voted only in the nonpartisan primary, or they did not vote in the primary. In other words, Republican primary voters cant vote in a Democratic runoff or vice versa. DECISION NOTES Runoffs tend to be lower-turnout events than the initial elections that prompted them. This could slow the race-calling process for a competitive contest, especially in smaller state legislative districts. In these cases, determining the outcome could rest on a small handful of ballots that have yet to be tabulated. Turnout in primaries and runoffs for the party out of power in safe Democratic or Republican districts also tends to be low, which could mean determining the winners in the 2nd and 14th Congressional District primaries could also come down to relatively few votes. In the 3rd Congressional District Republican runoff, Jack came close to winning the nomination outright in the May 21 primary, and his endorsement from Trump should be an asset in winning over some district residents who voted for neither him nor Dugan. Trump won this area with 66% of the vote in 2016 and 64% in 2020. In the May 21 primary, Jack carried 14 of the districts 15 counties, including nine with outright vote majorities. To win the runoff, Dugan would need to far outperform the 52% he received in his home county of Carroll to offset Jacks advantage elsewhere in the district. The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. There is no automatic recount provision in Georgia, but a losing candidate may request a recount if the margin is less than or equal to 0.5% of the total vote. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. WHAT DO TURNOUT AND ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE? As of June 7, there were just more than 8 million registered voters in Georgia. Voters in Georgia do not register by party. About 1.3 million voters participated in the May 21 primary, or about 16% of all registered voters. About 44% of ballots were cast before primary day. As of Thursday, a total of 3,012 pre-Election Day ballots had been cast in the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary, 8,375 in the 3rd Congressional District Republican primary and 2,213 in the 14th Congressional District Democratic primary. A combined total of 4,658 pre-Election Day ballots had been cast in the three Democratic state Senate runoffs and 331 in the Republican state Senate runoff in District 7. In the state House runoffs, 553 pre-Election Day ballots had been cast in the two Democratic runoffs, most of them in House District 145, and 1,779 in the two Republican runoffs, mostly in House District 180. HOW LONG DOES VOTE-COUNTING USUALLY TAKE? In the May 21 primary, the AP first reported results at 7:02 p.m. ET, or two minutes after polls closed. The election night tabulation ended at 3:13 a.m. ET with about 99% of total votes counted. ARE WE THERE YET? As of Tuesday, there will be 140 days until the November general election. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024. A child rappels over a stretch of the Essequibo River, using the rope of a ship docked in Parika, Guyana, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) June 7-13, 2024 Within Bolivia, the worlds third-biggest producer of the coca leaf, and of cocaine, the ancient leaf has inspired spiritual rituals among Indigenous communities for generations and more recently, among the well-heeled with a deluge of coca-related products. Amid Mexicos heat wave and drought, suffering birds are getting air-conditioning and monkeys with heatstroke are being rescued by non-governmental groups. Argentine senators voted 37 to 36 to give their overall approval to an overhaul bill after hours of heated debate while protesters urging lawmakers to reject President Javier Mileis austerity plan clashed with police outside Congress. A fleet of Russian warships made up of a frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug, crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean. The flagship frigate, adorned with the Russian and Cuban flags, was greeted by a 21-cannon salute. This gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from Latin America and the Caribbean. The selection was curated by AP photo editor Anita Baca, based in Mexico City. ___ Follow AP visual journalism: AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews X: http://twitter.com/AP_Images 151 words APD: Old Bank of the West building broken into ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Police Department said someone broke into the old Bank of the West building on Central and San Mateo and threw trash out the windows. A project manager told KRQE News 13 that he was outside Thursday afternoon when someone inside started throwing items, possibly from the 14th floor. City of Albuquerque offering $23M for developers to build affordable housing Police responded with a heavy presence and a KRQE News 13 crew spotted officers with rifles pointed toward the building. This is the second time in recent days vandals have broken into the tower. On Sunday, someone started a fire and tossed items out of windows causing tens of thousands of dollars in 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. A panel of three federal appeals court judges appeared divided at a hearing Friday on the constitutionality of a Florida law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would limit what state university professors say to students in the classroom. Floridas Stop Woke law threatens college professors at public universities with consequences that include the loss of tenure for offering personal viewpoints or certain teachings on race and gender in class. Professors and students sued to stop the law, leading Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to grant a preliminary injunction months after the law took effect in 2022. Lawyers for the Florida Board of Education appealed Walkers decision. During Fridays hearing before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Miami, Board of Education lawyer Charles Cooper argued that unlike private colleges, public school professors should follow guidelines for classroom discussions that match the viewpoint of the states government. That principle would even apply if the state passed a law policing if a professor can speak negatively about the governors office. In the classroom, the professors speech is the governments speech, Cooper said. And the government can restrict professors on a content-wide basis and they can restrict them from offering viewpoints. Fridays appellate panel was seated by Judges Britt C. Grant, Barbara Lagoa and Charles R. Wilson. Grant and Lagoa both appointees of former President Donald Trump at times agreed with Cooper that previous court decisions upholding restrictions on speech in classrooms in different cases were rightly decided, potentially providing a path for the Stop Woke law, which has yet to be enforced because of the federal injunction. Wilson an appointee of President Bill Clinton seemed to agree with a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Greg H. Greubel, who said college students should be allowed to engage in debate about the topics they are learning in class. So these are adults and not children, right? Wilson asked Greubel, who affirmed in response. Fridays hearing is a pivotal test for one of DeSantis banner policies, the so-called Stop Woke law that the state has been unable to enforce for more than two years since it was originally blocked by Walker at the federal court in Tallahassee. Walker was appointed by President Barack Obama. A lawsuit brought by eight college professors, two students, and a student organization in 2022 challenged the law restricting how certain lessons surrounding race can be taught in higher education, arguing it amounted to unconstitutional censorship. The DeSantis administration, however, maintains that the state, as an employer over faculty, holds the power to decide what should and should not be taught in college classrooms. Floridas Republican-led Legislature passed the law, FL HB7 (22R), or the Individual Freedom Act, in 2022 to expand anti-discrimination laws to prohibit schools and companies from leveling guilt or blame to students and employees based on race or sex. Inspired by DeSantis, it takes aim at lessons over issues like white privilege by creating new protections for students and workers, including that a person should not be instructed to feel guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress due to their race, color, sex or national origin. This law has been fought on several fronts by different organizations, including the college free speech group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, American Civil Liberties Union, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, all of which are representing the group challenging how it applies to state colleges and universities. In suing Florida, they argue that the policies limit professors from engaging in classroom instruction and dialogue about important issues related to race and gender in violation of free speech rights. Walker in November 2022 ruled against the DeSantis administration, slamming the anti-woke law as positively dystopian for declaring the state has unfettered authority to muzzle its professors in the name of freedom. His injunction over the law was quickly appealed, and the case has been awaiting a hearing since. The last major development came in March 2023 when the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the states request to put Walkers ruling on hold as the case plays out. Attorneys for the DeSantis administration assert that Walkers First Amendment analysis is fatally flawed at multiple levels. The constitutional question in this case thus boils down to this: who decides what is, and is not, to be taught in Floridas college classrooms individual professors or their employer, the State, in prescribing by law the content requirements and standards that govern public universities in setting their course curricula? attorneys for the state wrote back in 2022. Florida is legally blocked from enforcing another key portion of the high-profile law restricting what DeSantis called woke workplace trainings about race after a federal appeals court ruled earlier this year that the policy exceeds the bounds of the First Amendment. Teresa Ankenman didnt find any cash for herself when she checked the states process to locate unclaimed funds, but she did find some money for her brother. >> RELATED COVERAGE: Parts of area are in Top 10 across Ohio for unclaimed funds I think we actually got some back 10 years ago, whatever, she told News Center 7s Malik Patterson on Thursday night. Im surprised my brothers got like, two or three on here, she said, alluding to the states online list. Ankenman also found some unclaimed funds for her father, who is deceased. Its more complicated claiming missing money for a deceased relative, she said. You have to prove youre the heir. You have to prove youre the only heir or you have to get all the heirs to sign. So that can be a little more difficult. Parts of the Miami Valley rank among the Top 10 counties in the state in unclaimed funds. According to the Ohio Department of Commerces Division of Unclaimed Funds, there is $4 billion in such funds across the state. According to the state, there is approximately $131.4 million in unclaimed funds in Montgomery County, and nearly $90 million total in such funds across Clark, Greene, Miami and Logan. >> RELATED COVERAGE: There are billions in unclaimed dollars in Ohio; how to get whats yours The process to check for unclaimed funds is not difficult. The more people learned how, the more excited they became. Yeah, definitely, if theres money that were missing, I would like to, to claim that, said Hannah Ching, who checked and found there are unclaimed funds with her name on them. That does surprise me, Ching said. I didnt even have any cluse I was owed money at all. I didnt know that. How to secure unclaimed funds in three easy steps: Search for Monday at unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov. Gather the required support documents. Send the information to the (department of commerces) Division (of unclaimed funds) online or by mail. People hold up pictures of victims at a commemoration ceremony 23 years after the terrorist attack on the Jewish community AMIA in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. Three decades after hundreds of people were killed and injured in the bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, an international court on Friday condemned the Argentinian state for its actions before and after the attack. Fernando Gens/dpa Three decades after hundreds of people were killed and injured in the bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, an international court on Friday condemned the Argentinian state for its actions before and after the attack. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the authorities had neither taken measures to prevent the incident nor initiated a full investigation to find and try the perpetrators. The court based in San Jose, Costa Rica, ordered Argentina to finally bring the guilty parties to justice. The court proceedings dragged on for 25 years before the ruling. Two years ago, the Argentinian government had already admitted its responsibility for the failures. On July 18, 1994, a total of 85 people died as a result of the blast at the Amia community centre in the Argentinian capital. A further 300 were injured. The Shiite militia Hezbollah carried out the attack on the orders of the Iranian government, an Argentinian court recently established. During the tenure of former President Cristina Kirchner from 2007-2015, the Argentinian government agreed with Tehran to place the investigation in the hands of an international truth commission. The special prosecutor for the probe into the assassination, Alberto Nisman, was found shot dead in his flat in 2015 after he charged Kirchner with obstruction of justice and a cover-up. BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei met the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday on the sidelines of the G7 summit, the most important international forum he has attended since taking office in December. Milei met with IMF head Kristalina Georgieva at the summit in Italy a day after the fund approved the eighth review of Argentina's $44 billion extended fund facility agreement, clearing the way for the country to draw $800 million to help drive its economic recovery. "We remain committed to continue to support (the Milei) administration's efforts to durably restore stability and create a more prosperous, stable, and market-oriented economy," Georgieva wrote in a post on X. Milei, a pro-market economist and former TV pundit, is battling to turn around a major economic crisis which he inherited when he took office in December. He also briefly met U.S. President Joe Biden for the first time since taking office and embraced his fellow countryman Pope Francis, with whom he has previously clashed. Milei was also scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is hosting the summit, as well as World Bank President Ajay Banga. Although not scheduled on his official agenda, Milei could possibly meet with Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, an important trading partner whom the Argentine head of state has repeatedly criticized. (Reporting by Lucila Sigal; Additional reporting by Kylie Madry; Writing by Stephanie Hamel, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Sam Holmes) A Flagstaff towing company owner spotted a cat on top of an SUV roof headed straight for the highway. Fortunately, the feline jumped off the vehicles roof before it was on the busy road. The kitty has been rescued and is in the care of High Country Humane. The rescuer is more than happy to adopt the cat if no one comes to claim him. Cat lounging on SUV roof saved before vehicle reaches highway in Flagstaff On June 10, David Giuseppone noticed a cat on the roof of a running SUV. The vehicle was headed straight for Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Fortunately, the kitty knew better and jumped off before the SUV sped up. Once the vehicle was on the highway, it would have been much trickier to rescue the cat. The feline, named Liam, has been determined to be about eight years old. The towing company owner first heard the cats meowing before he spotted him on top of the SUVs roof. At first, Giuseppone assumed it must be a neighborhood kitty, but when he realized Liams predicament, he started chasing after the vehicle in an effort to stop it. Luckily, the cat was able to jump off the SUV roof safely. However, he was scared when he landed on the street. Giuseppone was able to corner and rescue him successfully, taking him to the High Country Humane to help locate his family. He told Fox 10 that the cat was probably lounging on the vehicles roof when it started speeding away. Liam is a non-reactive feline, so his not being too bothered with the SUV starting wouldnt be a surprise. Fortunately, Liam was microchipped, but the information wasnt updated, so it couldnt help his rescuers return him to his family. The towing company owner is trying to find Liams pet parents. However, if no one comes to collect him, he will happily provide the cat a loving forever home. The post Arizona Cat on SUV Roof Rescued Before Reaching Highway appeared first on CatTime. Armed Forces of Ukraine show 8 Russian tanks and 8 infantry fighting vehicles being destroyed on Pokrovsk front video Soldiers of the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush have destroyed another armoured assault group of the Russian forces on the Pokrovsk front. Source: 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush on Facebook Quote: "As a result of the coordinated actions of the soldiers of the 68th Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush, including scouts, artillerymen, anti-tank group, pilots of attack drones and sappers, eight Russian tanks and eight more infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed." Support UP or become our patron! The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office has identified a man fatally shot by Minneapolis police Wednesday as Michael Warren Ristow, a 39-year-old from Bloomington. The Minneapolis officers responded to a report of an armed man threatening a person with his gun in south Minneapolis' Longfellow Neighborhood Wednesday night, according to preliminary information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the state agency investigating the fatal encounter. When the officers found Ristow, he ran away as they tried to place him under arrest. Ristow came up to a fence line and "turned toward the officers with a gun in his hand," according to the BCA. "All three officers fired, striking Ristow." The medical examiner's report, released Friday afternoon, shows Ristow was pronounced dead just before 10 p.m. at HCMC due to "multiple gunshot wounds" sustained at the 3000 block of Hiawatha Avenue. The BCA identified the three officers who shot Ristow as Enoch Langford, Abdirizaq Mumin and Chaz Wilson. All three were placed on leave pending the investigation, per standard protocol when police kill a person in the line of duty. The BCA says the officers were wearing body cameras, and the footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation. BCA investigators found cartridge casings and two handguns that were later determined to be stolen, according to agency spokeswoman Bonney Bowman. In a news conference after the fatal encounter, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said Ristow's gun appeared to be jammed, but he did not know whether it had been fired. "I have no reason to think that this is anything other than a justifiable and lawful use of force by police officers," the chief said at the news conference. Ristow does not appear to have a serious criminal record in Minnesota. This is the second fatal shooting by police in Minneapolis in the past two weeks. On May 30, Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed, 35, ambushed and killed police officer Jamal Mitchell and was subsequently killed during a confrontation on S. Blaisdell Avenue. -Star Tribune staff writers Paul Walsh and Louis Krauss contributed to this report. Today marks the 249th birthday of the U.S. Army, the first military branch established by a nation already at war. Across the force cake-cuttings, birthday balls and various celebrations marking the occasion have already begun. Our motto is this well defend. Those words make clear what we owe the American people we will continue to keep that commitment as our Army has done for the past 249 years, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in a birthday video message. The senior enlisted soldier shared his remarks in the same video. Since 1775 U.S. Army soldiers have answered the call to service standing alongside one another to support and defend our Constitution, country and the American people, said Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer. This well defend. Historians mark the start of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775, when British troops and Massachusetts militiamen traded musket fire at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The battle drew in fellow colonial soldiers from New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. As a series of other skirmishes and battles erupted, the Continental Congress met on June 14, 1775, and established the Army. Resolved, that six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia [and] as soon as completed, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army, reads the resolution. The delegates also wrote an oath of enlistment for soldiers volunteering for the new Army. I have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said. Army. The following day Congress appointed George Washington to command all the continental forces. Those six companies of expert riflemen swelled to more than 8.2 million soldiers in its ranks at the end of World War II. Over the past two and a half centuries the Army has transformed from the musket and horse to space-based technology and hypersonic weapons. It even birthed another military branch when the Army Air Corps was disbanded to form the U.S. Air Force in 1947. Happy birthday to the U.S. Army, and those soldiers, past and present, who have answered the call. LAWRENCE (KSNT) Police in Lawrence arrested a suspect following the shooting death of a local teen earlier this week. The Lawrence Police Department posted to social media on June 14 that it arrested an 18-year-old man in connection to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Isaiah Neal. Police received a tip that led to the 18-year-olds arrest on a charge of second-degree murder. The man surrendered to police in Miami County without incident. Police in Lawrence were called around 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 13 to the 2400 block of Alabama Street on gunshot reports. Officers arriving at the scene found a teen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and began life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. Lawrence police began searching the scene as witnesses and family members gathered in the aftermath of the shooting. The 17-year-old shooting victim was taken to a local hospital where he was declared dead. The victim was later identified as Neal. Topeka man sentenced for Christmas Day crash that left friend dead If you have any information to share with law enforcement, call 785-832-7509 or contact Lawrence-Douglas County Crime Stoppers to submit anonymous tips. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ASHEVILLE - The McDowell County Sheriff's Office has closed its investigation into the death of DeAndre Desmond Clark, a former Asheville YMCA youth mentor found dead April 22 in Old Fort. Clark, 22, of Asheville, was found dead April 22 with a gunshot wound to the head behind an abandoned business on Batcave Road in Old Fort, according to previous Citizen Times reporting. Clark had been reported missing to the Asheville Police Department on April 19 by his mother. His coworkers say he was at work that day. After investigating his death alongside the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, the sheriff's office ruled Clark died by suicide, according to a June 13 release. "The physical evidence found at the scene, along with video footage and other information, are all consistent with the death of Clark being a self-inflicted gunshot wound," the release said. DeAndre "Desmond" Clark with his 3-year-old daughter, Shisui Clark. He was always "being silly and loving on his baby girl," aunt LaShonda Clark said. A new string of charges including concealing and failing to report a death were levied against Scotty Styles, who has been in jail since April 24. The day before his arrest, Black Mountain police officers spotted Styles driving Clarks car and charged him with breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny, the Citizen Times previously reported. The McDowell County Sheriffs Office continued investigating, and after discovering further evidence in the case, Capt. Shanon Smith charged Styles May 31 with felony concealment/failure to report a death, felony larceny of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and three counts of financial card theft, according to a June 10 social media post. More: Asheville man found dead in Old Fort remembered as 'joyful' YMCA youth mentor; death cert Styles allegedly broke into a 2013 Dodge Journey owned by Clark and took his wallet, keys, credit and debit cards, according to his arrest warrant. Styles also did carry away a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun, property of Desmond Clark, the warrant said. He did conceal the death of a person, failed to notify law enforcement authority of the death of Desmond Clark, his arrest warrant also said. "The charges against Scotty Styles were the result of him discovering the body and stealing various items, including Clarks wallet, handgun, credit cards and vehicle," the release from the sheriff's office said. "MCSO detectives are actively investigating the larceny that occurred afterward." Styles was issued a $20,500 secured bond, the post said. Hes been in jail since his arrest on April 24, according to the McDowell County Detention Facility. More: Missing Asheville man, 22, found dead behind abandoned business in Old Fort, sheriff says Clark was the YMCAs program coordinator at West Buncombe Elementary School, the Citizen Times previously reported. Before that, Clark worked as a youth mentor, teaching local children how to solve their problems and control their emotions, according to Amy Deter, YMCA Executive Director of Youth Services and one of Clarks supervisors. Dez had a natural way of being fun and joyful, Deter said, referring to Clark by one of his many nicknames. He didnt really have to do anything. Hed just give the kids a funny look and theyd giggle and fall over themselves. A father of a 3-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son, Clark was born and raised in Asheville, attending Asheville Middle School and graduating from Asheville High School, his aunt LaShonda Clark said. Hes going to be loved and missed by everyone, she said. Suicide prevention and violence helplines People can call 211 to help find health and human services resources and can call 988 to reach the suicide prevention hotline. To make an adult or child protective services report any time, day or night in Buncombe County, call 828-250-5800 for adult abuse and 828-250-5900 for child abuse. Vaya Health, at vayahealth.com, also provides help finding a health care provider and offers a 24/7 Access to Care Line at 800-849-6127. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (English), 888-628-9454 (Spanish) National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522 National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453 or text 1-800-422-4453 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: Sheriff's Office charged man with concealing death in Old Fort LANSING, Mich. (AP) An attorney charged in connection with an effort to illegally access and tamper with voting machines in Michigan after the 2020 election said Thursday that hes running for the states high court. Republican Matthew DePerno, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, made the announcement on the social platform X. Former state rep. and AG candidate charged with felonies involving voting machines After watching the abuse of our legal system both here in Michigan, as well as across the country, it is clear that the Michigan Supreme Court needs members that are committed to following the constitution and rule of law, DePerno wrote. Activist judges, prosecutors, and attorney generals are using their power to prosecute their political enemies, he continued. This has to stop. And that is why I am running for Supreme Court. DePerno, who lost in a 2022 bid for Michigan attorney general, was arraigned last summer on undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy charges. Daire Rendon, a former Republican state representative, was charged with conspiracy to commit undue possession of a voting machine and false pretenses. Five vote tabulators were illegally taken from three Michigan counties and brought to a hotel room, according to documents released in 2022 by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office. Investigators found that the tabulators were broken into and tests were performed on the equipment. DePerno was named as a prime instigator in the case. A state judge has ruled that it is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, to take a machine without a court order or permission directly from the secretary of states office. DePernos case has not gone to trial and he has denied wrongdoing. Because Nessel ran against DePerno in 2022, her office cited a conflict of interest, requested and was granted a special prosecutor in the case. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said Thursday in a statement about DePerno that his disdain for democracy and reproductive freedom make him a direct threat to our legal system. Matt DePerno is unfit to serve on the highest court in the state, Barnes said. The stakes have never been higher for these supreme court races if Trumps MAGA loyalists are elected, they will do everything in their power to drag our state backward. DePerno is running for a partial-term seat currently held by a Democratic-backed judge. He will compete against Alexandria Taylor and Patrick OGrady for the Republican Partys nomination at the August convention. Michigans Democratic Party executive committee has endorsed Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and attorney and law professor Kimberly Ann Thomas for the state supreme court. Michigan is just one of at least three states where prosecutors say people breached election systems while embracing and spreading Trumps lie that the 2020 election was stolen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) A Michigan man who allegedly engaged in fraudulent activity in Opelika was arrested in Auburn for identity theft over the weekend, police say. On June 9, officers arrested Raeshawn David Twymon, 27, from Sterling Heights, Michigan, for felony identity theft. Auburn Police Department initially received an alert from Opelika Police about a suspect attempting to conduct a fraudulent transaction in Opelika. Based on a suspect and vehicle description provided by Opelika Police, Auburn Police officers were able to locate the suspected vehicle. After initiating a traffic stop at the intersection of East University Drive and East Glenn Avenue, Twymon was identified as the sole occupant of the vehicle and confirmed to be the suspect regarding the fraudulent activity. During an investigation, Auburn Police said officers also found evidence correlated with identity theft. Officers arrested Twymon and took him to the Lee County Jail where he is held on a $5,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) A man accused of using fake money to make purchases by multiple local businesses is behind bars at the Lee County Jail. According to the police department, on June 7, Auburn Police with help from the Orlando Police Department arrested 29-year-old Najee Anthony Sanders from Bronx, New York, on multiple warrants charging him with two counts of first-degree possession of a forged instrument and fourth-degree theft of property. Sanders arrest came after APD received a report from two businesses on South College Street. Staff with the businesses told police that a suspect used counterfeit money to conduct transactions on March 17. Sanders was eventually developed as a suspect by the Auburn Police Department and after an additional investigation officers obtained arrest warrants for Sanders. Orlando Police found Sanders on April 25. Auburn Police says Sanders was extradited to the Lee County Jail where he is held on a $11,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man who was shot to death by Vancouver police this past weekend after allegedly pointing a gun at officers with a German shepherd in tow was identified as 43-year-old Vadim V. Sashchenko. According to the Clark County Medical Examiners Office, Sashchenko was killed on June 8 after dying from multiple gunshot wounds of the torso when he was shot on a public sidewalk in Vancouver. Mayor Wheeler announces plans to control all Portland bureaus ahead of city government change On June 8, the Vancouver Police Department said in a release that the man was shot that afternoon near West 4th Street and Columbia. The incident began around 1:45 p.m. when police were alerted to a man with a gun and an aggressive German shepherd who had gotten loose and bit at least one person. Just before 3 p.m. police spotted the man and dog and saw the dog try to bite a passerby. After that, police said the man then pointed a gun at one of the officers, who shot and killed the man. Per standard protocol, two Vancouver police officers were placed on paid administrative leave. Officers also wore body cameras at the time, which will be reviewed and released later on, authorities said. Portland Methodist churches celebrate removal of anti LGBTQ+ language Officers eventually took control of the dog, as well, and he was given to the non-profit I Pawd It Forward and eventually the Humane Society. KOIN 6 News also spoke with several witnesses who saw the incident or its immediate aftermath unfold. Multiple witnesses said the incident drew a large police presence at the 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 KOIN.com. Clouds and trees are reflected on the water surface, Monday, June 24, 2019, at Lake Macbride State Park, Iowa. Editor's Note: This story was originally published June 14. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday, June 18 that Cesar Garcia-Pelico of Cedar Rapids was the person who passed. A man was found dead in Lake MacBride Thursday afternoon. Police responded to a report that a male had jumped into Lake MacBride near the spillway and did not emerge from the water shortly after 3 p.m., the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said in a release. After searching the water for more than an hour, authorities recovered the body of 34-year-old Cesar Garcia-Pelico of Cedar Rapids. The sheriff's office did not immediately disclose the man's identity in its June 13 release as officers notified the victim's family. More: Regents OK University of Iowas $74M maternity unit expansion to address infant deliveries Spillway is near Coralville Dam The spillway is a few steps west of the Coralville Dam and on the southwest side of the reservoir. Swimming is permitted a bit further from the dam and spillway. "Low-head" dams can pose significant threats to nearby swimmers, though the Coralville dam is not a low-head. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources refers to areas just above and below dams as part of the "drowning machine," where what looks like calm or safe water can quickly suck swimmers into the current and underwater. The Johnson County Metro Dive Team, the Solon and North Liberty Fire Departments, the Iowa DNR, and the Johnson County Medical Examiner were among the responders on the scene Thursday. Additional details were not immediately available regarding the nature of the incident. The sheriff's office said the case remains under investigation. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Authorities identify man pulled from Lake MacBride on June 13 NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) All autopsies have been paused at the Orleans Parish Coroners Office due to a broken air conditioner. Orleans Parish Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna says hes frustrated by the broken air conditioner, and hes asking the city to permanently fix the problem. He said temperatures need to be between 58 and 62 degrees to resume examinations, and the air conditioner has been broken for days. $3M expansion coming to marine engineering office in Jefferson Parish They bought in some temporary units the day before yesterday. They didnt work, they didnt do the job. Everything is delayed until our pathologists can work in safe condition, and that is not happening. Right now, we are a few days behind. We were not able to work for the last couple of days, but we tried, and we have to stop. Once the temperature gets up below 65 in there, they cannot work, said McKenna. WGNO reached out to the city for a response. A spokesperson said, We are also in consultation with the original mechanical engineers to determine both an expedient remedy and a longer-term solution. We understand that this is above the comfortable working threshold for an autopsy room and will continue to address the issue. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Avelo Airlines launches new route from St. Louis to New Haven Avelo Airlines launches new route from St. Louis to New Haven ST. LOUIS Passengers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport now have a new route to the northeast. Today, the inaugural Avelo Airlines flight departed for New Haven, Connecticut. St. Louis leaders were present to witness Avelo Airlines first flight from Lambert Airport to New Haven. Mayor Tishaura Jones described the flight as a step forward in enhancing the airports offerings. In the near future, travelers from New Haven and beyond will find it easier to navigate the airport, reach their gates on time, and enjoy the excellent restaurants and businesses on site while waiting to depart, Mayor Jones said. What to know & where to watch Sundays UFL Championship in St. Louis This flight marks the beginning of Avelo Airlines service with two weekly flights connecting St. Louis directly to New Haven, located just a two-hour drive from New York City. Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge highlighted New Havens attractions that may surprise St. Louis residents. During the fall, when everyone wants to see the colors, New Hampshire and Connecticut, and the entire East Coast market come alive, she noted. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News One standout aspect for travelers is the round-trip price to New Haven and back, with Avelo Airlines tickets priced at $175 at their highest. Passengers have expressed satisfaction with the airlines service. Were used to needing two days to travel between Killingworth, Connecticut, and Missouri. This is fantastic. Two and a half hours? Perfect, said Robin Wilber, a Connecticut native. I love it. Its basic, but clean, with great staff. The attendants are wonderful, and the flights are always punctual. I really enjoy flying with this airline, added Mark Francis, another Connecticut native visiting St. Louis. The non-stop flights are currently scheduled for Thursdays and Sundays. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democratic strategist David Axelrod said Charlamagne tha God has a point after the radio host criticized Democrats and their messaging strategies. Axelrod joined CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper Thursday, where he argued Democrats may need to be more authentic with their voter base. Tapper played a clip of Charlamagne on The Daily Show in which he said Democrats need a messaging makeover and could learn from Republicans on how to talk like real people. Democrats have a problem. Its not their policies. Its not their fundraising, Charlamagne said, later adding that the problem is how they talk because nobody wants to hear the normal politician voice anymore. Charlamagne said former President Trumps message is terrible, but at least its clear: Build a wall; lock her up; I hate sharks. Axelrod agreed with his argument. I think he has a point, Axelrod said. Well, first of all, authenticity is the coin of the realm in presidential politics. He said that one of the reasons why he believes Trump has gotten as far with voters as he has is because he speaks his mind. Nobody ever says gee, I wish Donald Trump would speak his mind, Axelrod said. If you look at history, the more authentic candidate tends to win, he said. Joe Biden has his own authenticity but sometimes he speaks in the language of Washington. Axelrod said that President Biden, who is from Scranton, Pa., has that Scranton chip on his shoulder, but argued that after 36 years in the Senate, Biden may lose voters by talking politics. Tapper said he has noticed Biden often quips with journalists and Axelrod agreed, but said that effort is misplaced and instead should be directed toward constituents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A student walks on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City in April. Utah has enacted a new law that prohibits schools from using diversity, equity and inclusion statements, bars state institutions from relying on specific individual characteristics in employment and education decisions, and eliminates central offices dedicated to DEI. Erika Bolstad/Stateline SALT LAKE CITY Shortly after taking office in 2023, Republican state Rep. Katy Hall heard from constituents complaining about how their adult children were required to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements while applying for medical and dental schools and other graduate programs in Utah. It doesnt seem right, Hall said. It doesnt seem like it belongs in an application. It took two legislative sessions, but Hall successfully sponsored a new law that not only prohibits the use of such DEI statements but also bars state institutions from relying on specific individual characteristics in employment and education decisions. Additionally, it eliminates central offices dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. In Utah and beyond, lawmakers are enjoying growing success in their pushback against DEI programs at public universities, many of which have hired administrators and established departments dedicated to creating more diverse faculties and student bodies. Some schools requirement that job and student applicants explain in writing how theyd bring DEI initiatives to their work or schooling has aroused especially strong opposition. Some states have dismantled DEI departments and programs, as well as ended race- and gender-based programs and scholarships. Many in Utah describe their approach as more measured than that of other states. The law, which goes into effect July 1, includes a carve-out that allows DEI to be discussed in classroom instruction as well as in research and for accreditation purposes. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who signed Halls legislation into law in January, said it offers a balanced solution even as it prohibits the type of training sessions he required of his staff when he first took office in 2021. The intent of the legislation, Hall said, is to shift higher education away from a focus on identity. This is what we felt was a more nuanced way to say: We want diversity, we want equality of opportunity, we want inclusion, but we want diversity of opinion and a diversity of thought and diversity of religion and diversity of everything. Not just external, personal identity characteristics, Hall said. We used to be able to have discussions about politics without it coming to a judgment of someones moral character, she added. My hope is that there will be a little more political neutrality where you can have discussions and feel safe to have those discussions without it being so divisive. An anti-bias sign on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City in April. Erika Bolstad/Stateline But the bill passed along party lines, pointed out state Rep. Angela Romero, a Democrat who serves as the House minority leader in Utah. She described whats happening in her state as part of a broader culture war aimed at painting higher education as elite and out of touch. This is a national agenda, Romero said in an interview. Its a machine and its been going for a while and its picking up momentum. Utahs rollback is among dozens of simultaneous efforts to scale back DEI programs to varying degrees in state capitals and on higher education oversight boards in other Republican-led states. In at least 22 states, the legislature has enacted legislation, or public universities have set policies prohibiting or modifying DEI measures at state university systems, according to a running tally in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Among the earliest passed was 2023 legislation in North Dakota that prohibits asking students and prospective university employees about their commitment to DEI. Florida followed last year with a law that does away with diversity statements and DEI offices. Alabama in 2024 enacted a law restricting public employees from being forced to agree with so-called divisive concepts, including the idea that by virtue of an individuals race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. In South Dakota, the Board of Regents recently enacted a policy that bars employees at its six public universities from putting their preferred gender pronouns or tribal affiliations in email signatures, according to Inside Higher Ed. Most recently, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees voted last month to shift $2.3 million of DEI spending toward public safety and policing on campus. Then, the entire UNC System Board of Governors voted to abolish DEI policies in place since 2019 at all 17 of its campuses. A chilling effect Many of the efforts to roll back DEI initiatives in states have the same roots as a campaign against critical race theory spearheaded by Seattle documentary filmmaker Christopher Rufo, who in 2020 elevated a once-obscure theory about the pervasiveness of racism in American law and institutions to a household term. Often, efforts to undo DEI initiatives argue that students especially white students are harmed by learning about the history of racism in the United States because it may leave them feeling guilty or ashamed of their identity. Multiple states, including North Dakota, have adopted near-identical language in anti-DEI legislation that bans instruction that might prompt a person to feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of the individuals race or sex. In April, polling by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist found that 77% of Republicans say they believe that discrimination against white people is as problematic as discrimination against Black Americans. Anti-DEI laws have had a chilling effect on higher education wherever theyve been enacted, said Irene Mulvey, the president of the American Association of University Professors, a nonprofit membership association of faculty and other academic professionals. The laws are deliberately vague so that professors have to be constantly thinking, If I say this, will I be breaking the law? Will I lose my job or be arrested by the government if I say this in my classroom? Mulvey said. I mean, thats where we are in America in 2024. These are the worries faculty have in an authoritarian society, and they have no place in a democracy. At the University of Texas, anti-DEI legislation led the system to eliminate 300 positions recently and to cut diversity training programs at multiple campuses. What were seeing now is nobodys helped when these offices are closed or programs are shut down, no ones better off. Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors The situation is similar in Florida, said Paul Ortiz, a professor of history and a union leader at the University of Florida. Hes leaving the school after 15 years for a position at Cornell University in New York. The fallout from the states DEI policies wasnt the only reason hes leaving he got a great job offer but it contributed to his decision, Ortiz said. To pretend that its not having an effect on the cultural and intellectual life of the state is the worst thing of all, Ortiz said. Im hoping the pendulum is going to swing back. Students are the real losers, Mulvey said. At the University of Oklahoma, for example, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitts executive order ending DEI programs in state offices and agencies effectively shuttered the National Education for Womens Leadership program. The program encourages undergraduate women to engage in politics and public policy. Since its founding in 2002, more than 650 students have attended. Stitt told the Oklahoma Voice that his executive order was about race, not the womens leadership program, and called the backlash against his policy political criticism. What were seeing now is nobodys helped when these offices are closed or programs are shut down, no ones better off, Mulvey said. Were having watered-down discussions and anodyne classes because faculty without tenure are afraid of losing their job if they say the wrong thing or if someone takes it out of context or tapes them and puts it online. DEI statements DEI statements in university hiring have been one of the easiest targets nationwide, in part because theres less support for them even among more progressive educators who support wider DEI initiatives. Editorial boards and columnists at outlets as varied as The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Post have railed against diversity statements, saying they too often result in self-censorship and ideological policing on college campuses. Many elite universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, have reconsidered DEI statements as a requirement of employment applications. At best, critics argue, theyre boilerplate that echoes what employers want to hear, rendering them useless. At their worst, they serve as ideological litmus tests. We can build an inclusive environment in many ways, but compelled statements impinge on freedom of expression, and they dont work, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said in a statement to WBUR in May, confirming the universitys new approach. But DEI statements have their defenders. Suzanne Penuel, an associate professor who teaches first-year literature and writing at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, said she witnessed how high-quality DEI statements set job candidates apart when she served on the hiring committee for a position teaching American history. Nearly all academic applicants have polished curriculum vitae, impeccable recommendations and pitch-perfect cover letters, she wrote in an op-ed in The State. Their DEI statements gave them personality, Penuel said in an interview. It was easier to tell which applicants would take a student-centered approach to their work; one applicant wrote that the textbooks used in the schools history courses ought to be free, an interpretation that the hiring committee viewed as an inclusive approach to education. She worries that the assault on already slim DEI initiatives in South Carolina is a continuation of a trend that began with a 2021 legislative requirement that all college students be taught certain aspects of American history, and a proposed state-level ban on some books in elementary schools. I hope I never see the day when there is this prescribed list of texts from a narrow list of publishers, and only some topics can be discussed, Penuel said. In Utah, where Democrats hold just 14 of the 75 seats in the state House of Representatives, Romero fought unsuccessfully to keep the anti-DEI legislation from passing. Her reasons for opposing the legislation were partly personal. As a first-generation college student at the University of Utah, she took advantage of what was then called the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs, an academic advising center that could now be considered a DEI initiative. It was a safe place in a state where the dominant religion and culture often excludes people of color, Romero said. Because of her association with the center, Romero landed an internship at the state legislature in 1994, leading to a career working in municipal government in Salt Lake City. And now, she serves as president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. Because of that, Im here now, Romero said on the House floor when the bill was up for debate. What it did is it addressed the disparities. Theres unintentional consequences when we just try to sweep things and say were all the same, because were not. Theres still a lot of things that have to change in this country for us all to be on a level playing field. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A student walks on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City in April. Utah has enacted a new law that prohibits schools from using diversity, equity and inclusion statements, bars state institutions from relying on specific individual characteristics in employment and education decisions, and eliminates central offices dedicated to DEI. Erika Bolstad/Statelin SALT LAKE CITY Shortly after taking office in 2023, Republican state Rep. Katy Hall heard from constituents complaining about how their adult children were required to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements while applying for medical and dental schools and other graduate programs in Utah. It doesnt seem right, Hall said. It doesnt seem like it belongs in an application. It took two legislative sessions, but Hall successfully sponsored a new law that not only prohibits the use of such DEI statements but also bars state institutions from relying on specific individual characteristics in employment and education decisions. Additionally, it eliminates central offices dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. In Utah and beyond, lawmakers are enjoying growing success in their pushback against DEI programs at public universities, many of which have hired administrators and established departments dedicated to creating more diverse faculties and student bodies. Some schools requirement that job and student applicants explain in writing how theyd bring DEI initiatives to their work or schooling have aroused especially strong opposition. Some states have dismantled DEI departments and programs, as well as ended race- and gender-based programs and scholarships. Many in Utah describe their approach as more measured than that of other states. The law, which goes into effect July 1, includes a carve-out that allows DEI to be discussed in classroom instruction as well as in research and for accreditation purposes. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who signed Halls legislation into law in January, said it offers a balanced solution even as it prohibits the type of training sessions he required of his staff when he first took office in 2021. The intent of the legislation, Hall said, is to shift higher education away from a focus on identity. This is what we felt was a more nuanced way to say: We want diversity, we want equality of opportunity, we want inclusion, but we want diversity of opinion and a diversity of thought and diversity of religion and diversity of everything. Not just external, personal identity characteristics, Hall said. We used to be able to have discussions about politics without it coming to a judgment of someones moral character, she added. My hope is that there will be a little more political neutrality where you can have discussions and feel safe to have those discussions without it being so divisive. But the bill passed along party lines, pointed out state Rep. Angela Romero, a Democrat who serves as the House minority leader in Utah. She described whats happening in her state as part of a broader culture war aimed at painting higher education as elite and out of touch. This is a national agenda, Romero said in an interview. Its a machine and its been going for a while and its picking up momentum. Utahs rollback is among dozens of simultaneous efforts to scale back DEI programs to varying degrees in state capitals and on higher education oversight boards in other Republican-led states. In at least 22 states, the legislature has enacted legislation, or public universities have set policies prohibiting or modifying DEI measures at state university systems, according to a running tally in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Among the earliest passed was 2023 legislation in North Dakota that prohibits asking students and prospective university employees about their commitment to DEI. Florida followed last year with a law that does away with diversity statements and DEI offices. Alabama in 2024 enacted a law restricting public employees from being forced to agree with so-called divisive concepts, including the idea that by virtue of an individuals race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. In South Dakota, the Board of Regents recently enacted a policy that bars employees at its six public universities from putting their preferred gender pronouns or tribal affiliations in email signatures, according to Inside Higher Ed. Most recently, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees voted last month to shift $2.3 million of DEI spending toward public safety and policing on campus. Then, the entire UNC System Board of Governors voted to abolish DEI policies in place since 2019 at all 17 of its campuses. A chilling effect Many of the efforts to roll back DEI initiatives in states have the same roots as a campaign against critical race theory spearheaded by Seattle documentary filmmaker Christopher Rufo, who in 2020 elevated a once-obscure theory about the pervasiveness of racism in American law and institutions to a household term. Often, efforts to undo DEI initiatives argue that students especially white students are harmed by learning about the history of racism in the United States because it may leave them feeling guilty or ashamed of their identity. Multiple states, including North Dakota, have adopted near-identical language in anti-DEI legislation that bans instruction that might prompt a person to feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of the individuals race or sex. In April, polling by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist found that 77% of Republicans say they believe that discrimination against white people is as problematic as discrimination against Black Americans. Anti-DEI laws have had a chilling effect on higher education wherever theyve been enacted, said Irene Mulvey, the president of the American Association of University Professors, a nonprofit membership association of faculty and other academic professionals. The laws are deliberately vague so that professors have to be constantly thinking, If I say this, will I be breaking the law? Will I lose my job or be arrested by the government if I say this in my classroom? Mulvey said. I mean, thats where we are in America in 2024. These are the worries faculty have in an authoritarian society, and they have no place in a democracy. At the University of Texas, anti-DEI legislation led the system to eliminate 300 positions recently and to cut diversity training programs at multiple campuses. What were seeing now is nobodys helped when these offices are closed or programs are shut down, no ones better off. Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors The situation is similar in Florida, said Paul Ortiz, a professor of history and a union leader at the University of Florida. Hes leaving the school after 15 years for a position at Cornell University in New York. The fallout from the states DEI policies wasnt the only reason hes leaving he got a great job offer but it contributed to his decision, Ortiz said. To pretend that its not having an effect on the cultural and intellectual life of the state is the worst thing of all, Ortiz said. Im hoping the pendulum is going to swing back. Students are the real losers, Mulvey said. At the University of Oklahoma, for example, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitts executive order ending DEI programs in state offices and agencies effectively shuttered the National Education for Womens Leadership program. The program encourages undergraduate women to engage in politics and public policy. Since its founding in 2002, more than 650 students have attended. Stitt told the Oklahoma Voice that his executive order was about race, not the womens leadership program, and called the backlash against his policy political criticism. What were seeing now is nobodys helped when these offices are closed or programs are shut down, no ones better off, Mulvey said. Were having watered-down discussions and anodyne classes because faculty without tenure are afraid of losing their job if they say the wrong thing or if someone takes it out of context or tapes them and puts it online. DEI statements DEI statements in university hiring have been one of the easiest targets nationwide, in part because theres less support for them even among more progressive educators who support wider DEI initiatives. Editorial boards and columnists at outlets as varied as The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Post have railed against diversity statements, saying they too often result in self-censorship and ideological policing on college campuses. Many elite universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, have reconsidered DEI statements as a requirement of employment applications. At best, critics argue, theyre boilerplate that echoes what employers want to hear, rendering them useless. At their worst, they serve as ideological litmus tests. We can build an inclusive environment in many ways, but compelled statements impinge on freedom of expression, and they dont work, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said in a statement to WBUR in May, confirming the universitys new approach. But DEI statements have their defenders. Suzanne Penuel, an associate professor who teaches first-year literature and writing at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, said she witnessed how high-quality DEI statements set job candidates apart when she served on the hiring committee for a position teaching American history. Nearly all academic applicants have polished curriculum vitae, impeccable recommendations and pitch-perfect cover letters, she wrote in an op-ed in The State. Their DEI statements gave them personality, Penuel said in an interview. It was easier to tell which applicants would take a student-centered approach to their work; one applicant wrote that the textbooks used in the schools history courses ought to be free, an interpretation that the hiring committee viewed as an inclusive approach to education. She worries that the assault on already slim DEI initiatives in South Carolina is a continuation of a trend that began with a 2021 legislative requirement that all college students be taught certain aspects of American history, and a proposed state-level ban on some books in elementary schools. I hope I never see the day when there is this prescribed list of texts from a narrow list of publishers, and only some topics can be discussed, Penuel said. In Utah, where Democrats hold just 14 of the 75 seats in the state House of Representatives, Romero fought unsuccessfully to keep the anti-DEI legislation from passing. Her reasons for opposing the legislation were partly personal. As a first-generation college student at the University of Utah, she took advantage of what was then called the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs, an academic advising center that could now be considered a DEI initiative. It was a safe place in a state where the dominant religion and culture often excludes people of color, Romero said. Because of her association with the center, Romero landed an internship at the state legislature in 1994, leading to a career working in municipal government in Salt Lake City. And now, she serves as president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. Because of that, Im here now, Romero said on the House floor when the bill was up for debate. What it did is it addressed the disparities. Theres unintentional consequences when we just try to sweep things and say were all the same, because were not. Theres still a lot of things that have to change in this country for us all to be on a level playing field. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. The post Backlash against DEI spreads to more states appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. A student walks on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City in April. Utah has enacted a new law that prohibits schools from using diversity, equity and inclusion statements, bars state institutions from relying on specific individual characteristics in employment and education decisions, and eliminates central offices dedicated to DEI. Erika Bolstad/Stateline SALT LAKE CITY Shortly after taking office in 2023, Republican state Rep. Katy Hall heard from constituents complaining about how their adult children were required to write diversity, equity and inclusion statements while applying for medical and dental schools and other graduate programs in Utah. It doesnt seem right, Hall said. It doesnt seem like it belongs in an application. It took two legislative sessions, but Hall successfully sponsored a new law that not only prohibits the use of such DEI statements but also bars state institutions from relying on specific individual characteristics in employment and education decisions. Additionally, it eliminates central offices dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. In Utah and beyond, lawmakers are enjoying growing success in their pushback against DEI programs at public universities, many of which have hired administrators and established departments dedicated to creating more diverse faculties and student bodies. Some schools requirement that job and student applicants explain in writing how theyd bring DEI initiatives to their work or schooling has aroused especially strong opposition. Some states have dismantled DEI departments and programs, as well as ended race- and gender-based programs and scholarships. Many in Utah describe their approach as more measured than that of other states. The law, which goes into effect July 1, includes a carve-out that allows DEI to be discussed in classroom instruction as well as in research and for accreditation purposes. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who signed Halls legislation into law in January, said it offers a balanced solution even as it prohibits the type of training sessions he required of his staff when he first took office in 2021. The intent of the legislation, Hall said, is to shift higher education away from a focus on identity. This is what we felt was a more nuanced way to say: We want diversity, we want equality of opportunity, we want inclusion, but we want diversity of opinion and a diversity of thought and diversity of religion and diversity of everything. Not just external, personal identity characteristics, Hall said. We used to be able to have discussions about politics without it coming to a judgment of someones moral character, she added. My hope is that there will be a little more political neutrality where you can have discussions and feel safe to have those discussions without it being so divisive. But the bill passed along party lines, pointed out state Rep. Angela Romero, a Democrat who serves as the House minority leader in Utah. She described whats happening in her state as part of a broader culture war aimed at painting higher education as elite and out of touch. This is a national agenda, Romero said in an interview. Its a machine and its been going for a while and its picking up momentum. Utahs rollback is among dozens of simultaneous efforts to scale back DEI programs to varying degrees in state capitals and on higher education oversight boards in other Republican-led states. In at least 22 states, the legislature has enacted legislation, or public universities have set policies prohibiting or modifying DEI measures at state university systems, according to a running tally in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Among the earliest passed was 2023 legislation in North Dakota that prohibits asking students and prospective university employees about their commitment to DEI. Florida followed last year with a law that does away with diversity statements and DEI offices. Alabama in 2024 enacted a law restricting public employees from being forced to agree with so-called divisive concepts, including the idea that by virtue of an individuals race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. In South Dakota, the Board of Regents recently enacted a policy that bars employees at its six public universities from putting their preferred gender pronouns or tribal affiliations in email signatures, according to Inside Higher Ed. Most recently, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees voted last month to shift $2.3 million of DEI spending toward public safety and policing on campus. Then, the entire UNC System Board of Governors voted to abolish DEI policies in place since 2019 at all 17 of its campuses. A chilling effect Many of the efforts to roll back DEI initiatives in states have the same roots as a campaign against critical race theory spearheaded by Seattle documentary filmmaker Christopher Rufo, who in 2020 elevated a once-obscure theory about the pervasiveness of racism in American law and institutions to a household term. Often, efforts to undo DEI initiatives argue that students especially white students are harmed by learning about the history of racism in the United States because it may leave them feeling guilty or ashamed of their identity. Multiple states, including North Dakota, have adopted near-identical language in anti-DEI legislation that bans instruction that might prompt a person to feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of the individuals race or sex. In April, polling by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist found that 77% of Republicans say they believe that discrimination against white people is as problematic as discrimination against Black Americans. Anti-DEI laws have had a chilling effect on higher education wherever theyve been enacted, said Irene Mulvey, the president of the American Association of University Professors, a nonprofit membership association of faculty and other academic professionals. The laws are deliberately vague so that professors have to be constantly thinking, If I say this, will I be breaking the law? Will I lose my job or be arrested by the government if I say this in my classroom? Mulvey said. I mean, thats where we are in America in 2024. These are the worries faculty have in an authoritarian society, and they have no place in a democracy. At the University of Texas, anti-DEI legislation led the system to eliminate 300 positions recently and to cut diversity training programs at multiple campuses. The situation is similar in Florida, said Paul Ortiz, a professor of history and a union leader at the University of Florida. Hes leaving the school after 15 years for a position at Cornell University in New York. The fallout from the states DEI policies wasnt the only reason hes leaving he got a great job offer but it contributed to his decision, Ortiz said. To pretend that its not having an effect on the cultural and intellectual life of the state is the worst thing of all, Ortiz said. Im hoping the pendulum is going to swing back. Students are the real losers, Mulvey said. At the University of Oklahoma, for example, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitts executive order ending DEI programs in state offices and agencies effectively shuttered the National Education for Womens Leadership program. The program encourages undergraduate women to engage in politics and public policy. Since its founding in 2002, more than 650 students have attended. Stitt told the Oklahoma Voice that his executive order was about race, not the womens leadership program, and called the backlash against his policy political criticism. What were seeing now is nobodys helped when these offices are closed or programs are shut down, no ones better off, Mulvey said. Were having watered-down discussions and anodyne classes because faculty without tenure are afraid of losing their job if they say the wrong thing or if someone takes it out of context or tapes them and puts it online. DEI statements DEI statements in university hiring have been one of the easiest targets nationwide, in part because theres less support for them even among more progressive educators who support wider DEI initiatives. Editorial boards and columnists at outlets as varied as The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Post have railed against diversity statements, saying they too often result in self-censorship and ideological policing on college campuses. Many elite universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, have reconsidered DEI statements as a requirement of employment applications. At best, critics argue, theyre boilerplate that echoes what employers want to hear, rendering them useless. At their worst, they serve as ideological litmus tests. We can build an inclusive environment in many ways, but compelled statements impinge on freedom of expression, and they dont work, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said in a statement to WBUR in May, confirming the universitys new approach. But DEI statements have their defenders. Suzanne Penuel, an associate professor who teaches first-year literature and writing at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, said she witnessed how high-quality DEI statements set job candidates apart when she served on the hiring committee for a position teaching American history. Nearly all academic applicants have polished curriculum vitae, impeccable recommendations and pitch-perfect cover letters, she wrote in an op-ed in The State. Their DEI statements gave them personality, Penuel said in an interview. It was easier to tell which applicants would take a student-centered approach to their work; one applicant wrote that the textbooks used in the schools history courses ought to be free, an interpretation that the hiring committee viewed as an inclusive approach to education. She worries that the assault on already slim DEI initiatives in South Carolina is a continuation of a trend that began with a 2021 legislative requirement that all college students be taught certain aspects of American history, and a proposed state-level ban on some books in elementary schools. I hope I never see the day when there is this prescribed list of texts from a narrow list of publishers, and only some topics can be discussed, Penuel said. In Utah, where Democrats hold just 14 of the 75 seats in the state House of Representatives, Romero fought unsuccessfully to keep the anti-DEI legislation from passing. Her reasons for opposing the legislation were partly personal. As a first-generation college student at the University of Utah, she took advantage of what was then called the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs, an academic advising center that could now be considered a DEI initiative. It was a safe place in a state where the dominant religion and culture often excludes people of color, Romero said. Because of her association with the center, Romero landed an internship at the state legislature in 1994, leading to a career working in municipal government in Salt Lake City. And now, she serves as president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. Because of that, Im here now, Romero said on the House floor when the bill was up for debate. What it did is it addressed the disparities. Theres unintentional consequences when we just try to sweep things and say were all the same, because were not. Theres still a lot of things that have to change in this country for us all to be on a level playing field. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Backlash against DEI spreads to more states appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. An Arizona firearms dealer who planned to incite a race war ahead of the 2024 election was indicted on charges of firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime and possession of an unregistered firearm on Tuesday after being stopped from carrying out a mass shooting at Bad Bunnys Atlanta concert last month. Mark Adams Prieto was exposed by an undercover agent he sold weapons to between January and May of this year, the Arizona District Attorneys office said in a press release Tuesday. Law enforcement stopped Prieto on May 14 while he was driving east through Arizona toward New Mexico. He was in possession of seven firearms and was taken into federal custody. Law enforcement then executed a search warrant at his home in Prescott, the release said. Authorities found more weapons during the search. Prieto allegedly intended to carry out the mass shooting at a Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta. The artist played the State Farm Arena May 14 and 15. The investigation into the 58-year-old reportedly began in October after an anonymous source told FBI Phoenix that Prieto had stated he hoped to start a race war. The source, who had engaged in several conversations with Prieto over the last three years, added that Prieto planned to target Black, Jewish, and Muslim Americans. The source said, Prieto believes that martial law will be implemented shortly after the 2024 election and that a mass shooting should occur prior, NBC News reported. The reason I say Atlanta. Why, why is Georgia such a fked up state now? Prieto asked the source and undercover agent at a Jan. 21 gun show. When I was a kid, that was one of the most conservative states in the country. Why is it not now? Because as the crime got worse in L.A., St. Louis, and all these other cities, all the [N-words] moved out of those [places] and moved to Atlanta. Thats why it isnt so great anymore. And theyve been there for a couple, several years. The outlet also reported that Prieto regularly sold weapons from his personal collection in cash-only deals or trades to avoid the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If convicted of his charges, Prieto will face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, for each charge. The post Bad Bunny Atlanta Concert Targeted by Mass Shooter Aiming to Start a Race War Ahead of Election appeared first on TheWrap. The post Bad Bunny Concert Was Targeted by Mass Shooter Planning to Incite Race War, Indictment Alleges appeared first on Consequence. A Bad Bunny concert in Atlanta was targeted by an Arizona man who planned a mass shooting to incite a race war before the 2024 US presidential election, a federal indictment has alleged. Mark Adams Prieto was indicted on charges of firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm by a federal grand jury on Tuesday following a months-long investigation. According to the arrest affidavit (via NBC News), the FBI began investigating Prieto in October after being flagged by a source whom he attempted to recruit into his plot advocating for a mass shooting of African Americans and other minorities. Prieto believes that martial law will be implemented shortly after the 2024 election and that a mass shooting should occur prior, the source told FBI agents, adding that he was ready to kill a bunch of people. During the investigation, Prieto allegedly attempted to enlist an undercover FBI agent to assist him with a mass shooting at a rap concert in Atlanta because there would be a higher concentration of African Americans in attendance. Prieto allegedly went as far as discussing with the source and undercover agent what types of weapons he planned to use and suggesting they stash weapons for the attack in advance of the concert. During a series of meetings between January and May of this year, Prieto mentioned a pair of concerts at Atlantas State Farm Arena on May 14th and May 15th as potential targets. Though authorities didnt specify which concert, the two dates line up with shows that Bad Bunny was scheduled to perform at the arena. Prieto even sold two AR-style rifles to the undercover agent for use during the attack. Prieto was arrested on May 14th while in possession of seven firearms. He admitted to discussing his plot with the source and undercover agent, as well as selling a firearm for use in the attack. Each conviction of firearms trafficking and transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for possession of an unregistered firearm has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Bad Bunny Concert Was Targeted by Mass Shooter Planning to Incite Race War, Indictment Alleges Eddie Fu Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. (L-R)Radoslaw Sikorski, Foreign Minister of Poland, Margus Tsahkna, Foreign Minister of Estonia, Elina Valtonen, Foreign Minister of Finland and Annalena Baerbock German Foreign Minister, stand together for the family photo at the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Kay Nietfeld/dpa The democratic countries bordering the Baltic Sea on Friday called for concerted measures to thwart controversial Russian oil exports on barely seaworthy ships. At the end of a two-day meeting in Porvoo near the Finnish capital Helsinki, the foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) voiced deep concern over "increased hybrid operations by Russia, including sabotage and acts of violence, carried out in the Baltic Sea Region." These operations include "disinformation campaigns, malicious cyber activities, electronic interference, and activities aiming at degrading the critical infrastructure," the group said in a declaration. In view of these and other threats posed by Russia since it invaded Ukraine in 2022, it was vital to strengthen resilience and crisis response capabilities, the ministers said. Reiterating their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, they called for more decisive action against the Russian so-called shadow fleet, including the tightening of sanctions. Western countries accuse Russia of using often dangerously dilapidated ships to circumvent EU sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion. In this way, Russia can evade a Western price cap for its oil exports to third countries by using ships that are not owned by Western shipping companies or insured by Western insurers. However, this poses a major threat to the oceans and the Baltic Sea in particular, which is susceptible to oil pollution, the council noted. The shadow fleet also undermines international rules on maritime safety as well as the liability and compensation system, the CBSS said. In addition, transporting Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions contributed to the ability of Russia to wage its war against Ukraine. Founded in 1992, the CBSS comprises the eight countries bordering the Baltic Sea - Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden - as well as Iceland, Norway and the EU. As a result of the war in Ukraine, Russian membership was suspended in March 2022 and Russia withdrew from the CBSS in May 2022. Annalena Baerbock (R), German Foreign Minister, and Elina Valtonen, Foreign Minister of Finland, meet for bilateral talks on the margins of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Annalena Baerbock (R), German Foreign Minister, and Elina Valtonen, Foreign Minister of Finland, meet for bilateral talks on the margins of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Kay Nietfeld/dpa PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The discovery of an 18-year-old with a gunshot wound in Washington County led to the arrest of a Beaverton man late Wednesday night, according to officials. Deputies responded to an assault with a weapon call near 15000 SW Farmington Road, where the teen was found inside a car with a gunshot wound and taken to a local hospital with a tourniquet on his arm. Authorities said the other occupants in the car ran away before officers arrived. The victims current status remains unclear. Mayor Wheeler announces plans to control all Portland bureaus ahead of city government change While searching the area, investigators said they found a rifle discarded in bushes nearby, which led to an arrest Thursday afternoon. Mario Galindo, 20, faces charges of third-degree assault and recklessly endangering another person. 3 people seriously injured after van crashed through Longview apartment Investigators determined that while negligent, the shooting was unintentional, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office. 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. Beef plant workers in Fresno to lose jobs after Hanford company takes over factory Central Valley Meat Companys takeover of the Cargill beef processing plant in Fresno last month is causing the company to shed 178 jobs. The workers getting laid off are from Cargills plant on South Fig Avenue that employs about 880 people and will remain open. Brian Coelho, chief executive officer of Central Valley Meat, said previously that he was committed to retaining as many employees as possible. The deal to buy the Cargill plant puts Coelho in a better position to provide more products and better serve his customers. Coelho did not disclose the value of the purchase. The Central Valley Meat Holding Company employs more than 2,000 people at four different companies: Central Valley Meat, Harris Ranch Beef, Harris Ranch Feeding and CLW Foods. The laid-off workers last day is Aug. 4, according to the states Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act website. Cargill officials said it will retain ownership of a second plant on the same southwest Fresno property that manufactures ground beef and hamburger patties. Cargill Meat Solutions, a global company operating in 70 countries, employs more than 1,600 workers in California in factories producing protein, salt, animal nutrition and food ingredients. Belarus has been supplying modern weapons to Armenia's adversary Azerbaijan, although Minsk and Yerevan are allies and are members of the CSTO security alliance under the auspices of Russia. Source: Politico, with reference to documents showing the supply of weapons; European Pravda Details: The documents shed new light on Armenia's announcement this week that it would withdraw from the CSTO military alliance. The package of more than a dozen letters, diplomatic notes, invoices and export passports shows that Belarus actively assisted the Azerbaijani armed forces between 2018 and 2022 when Azerbaijans tensions with Armenia reached a peak. The services offered to Baku included modernising old artillery equipment and providing new military equipment for electronic warfare and unmanned systems. The documents include letters from the Belarusian state arms export agency to its own military-industrial firms regarding orders for Azerbaijan for state-of-the-art artillery targeting equipment, as well as correspondence between the two states on the purchase of Groza-S mobile anti-drone systems for the Azerbaijani armed forces. One of the diplomatic notes seen by Politico states that Belarusian companies play a significant role "in the restoration of de-occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as the export of Belarusian goods and services" to the country. In September 2022, Azerbaijani troops started an invasion of Armenia, occupying key strategic heights. Armenia then turned to the CSTO for support, but later accused the bloc of not fulfilling its obligations after it offered only to send a delegation to establish the facts. Although Alexander Lukashenko is, on paper, an ally of Armenia, he has previously referred to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as "our man" and said that it would be "wrong" for the CSTO to oppose him. Aliyev, for his part, said in 2022 that "we have more friends in the CSTO than Armenia does." Experts noted that Belarus, one of Moscow's closest allies, would hardly act without the Kremlin's discreet support. Background: On 12 June, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that his country would withdraw from the CSTO, claiming that its members "do not fulfil their treaty obligations, but plan a war against us and Azerbaijan." On 13 June, Pashinyan said that neither he nor any other Armenian official would ever visit Belarus as long as Lukashenko is the country's leader. On 13 June, Belarus summoned the Armenian ambassador for a meeting at the Foreign Ministry after Pashinyan made his accusations public the day before. The ambassador was later recalled to Yerevan, and the Belarusian ambassador returned to Minsk. Support UP or become our patron! A Belarusian Su-25 Frogfoot attack jet has appeared with what Russian authorities say are "training nuclear munitions" loaded under its wings. The appearance of the aircraft coincides with the latest phase of an ongoing joint Russian-Belarusian tactical nuclear weapons exercise . What the jet is actually carrying is unknown, but this is the latest piece of nuclear signaling from Russia that is clearly directed toward the West, as NATO allies continue to back Ukraine, much to Moscows chagrin. The Russian Ministry of Defense published a video earlier today showing a pair of Belarusian Su-25s in a hangar, guarded by armed soldiers. A pilot is seen being strapped into the nearest jet which, as well as a pair of external fuel tanks, is equipped with two underwing stores wrapped in protective coverings to conceal them. The location is not revealed, but its likely to be Lida Air Base, home of Belarus' Frogfoot fleet. The approximate location of Lida Air Base in Belarus. Google Earth A satellite view of Lida Air Base in 2022. Google Earth The exact nature of the stores seen loaded on the Su-25, which are deliberately covered, is not clear, as we will come back to later. However, based on the nature of the current Russian-Belarusian maneuvers, previously announced plans for Belarusian combat aircraft to be modified to carry nuclear weapons, and the fact that the video includes an interview with Russian Lt. Gen. Igor Kolesnikov, the statement being made is very clear. Lt. Gen. Kolesnikov is head of the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, also commonly referred to by its Russian acronym 12th GUMO . The unit deals with the safekeeping, technical maintenance, transportation, delivery, issuance, disposal, etc. of Russian nuclear weapons, both tactical and strategic. Since the two stores seen under the wing of the Su-25 in the new video have been concealed, its impossible to tell exactly what they are, although a statement from Kolesnikov says that they are intended to represent tactical nuclear weapons. Lt. Gen. Kolesnikov says: In the course of carrying out the tasks, mobile formations of the 12th Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense ensured the delivery of training nuclear munitions to the field storage points of the missile brigades positioning area and the operational airfield of the attack aviation. Together with their Belarusian colleagues, the preparation and delivery of missiles in special equipment and the suspension of aerial weapons under carrier aircraft were carried out. One possibility is that the training nuclear munitions could be examples of the IAB-500 , a practice bomb that is designed to simulate employing a nuclear weapon, including producing a characteristic mushroom-like cloud. It also has similar external characteristics to real nuclear gravity bombs in Russian service. A Russian Su-30SM carrying an IAB-500 practice bomb that simulates a nuclear detonation. via X Very little is known about actual Russian air-launched tactical nuclear bombs, but these designs date back from the Cold War and include the RN-40 and RN-41, which were developed for carriage by Soviet-era jets including the MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27. Soviet Su-25s are understood to have had a nuclear capability, too, although its unclear if the aircraft was ever put on alert for this role. It is worth noting that Belarusian state media has also released imagery of the country's Su-25s taking part in the Russian-led tactical nuclear drills with their underwing stores blurred out. In at least one instance, the blurring looks to have been applied in error to the aircraft's drop tanks rather than the bombs next to them, which look to be standard high explosive or cluster munition types. This can only raise questions about the "training nuclear munitions" seen under wraps in the new footage from the Russian Ministry of Defense. What is known is that Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus and a close ally of Russia , announced in August 2022 that some of his countrys combat aircraft had been modified to carry nuclear weapons. Initial reports suggested that the long-withdrawn Belarusian Su-24 Fencer strike aircraft had been modified, although it later became clear that it was the Su-25 that was involved. This is somewhat surprising, given that Belarus also operates much more capable Su-30SM Flanker multirole fighters, which could also receive a nuclear capability if required. As TWZ pointed out at the time , with a speed of only 590 mph when carrying a modest weapons load, and a range of only around 320 miles on internal fuel, at low altitude, the Frogfoot is far from suitable for nuclear strike especially against NATO opposition. Ahead of Lukashenkos announcement, the Belarusian government had published a quote from Russian President Vladimir Putin pointing to the option to modify at least some Belarusian Su-25s, although in this case the nuclear mission wasnt explicitly specified. A Belarusian Air Force Su-25. Dmitriy Pichugin/Wikimedia Commons The Belarusian Armed Forces are armed with a fairly large number of Su-25 aircraft, Putin reportedly said during talks in St. Petersburg. They could be retrofitted; however, this modernization should be carried out at Russian aircraft factories (we will agree on how to do that) and start training the flight personnel accordingly. As well as the modified Su-25s, in June 2022, Putin also announced the transfer of nuclear-capable Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile systems onto Belarusian territory in the next few months. Putin and Lukashenko have since said that Russia has deployed unspecified tactical nuclear weapons in Belarusian territory. It is now clear that Russian and Belarusian forces are at least practicing some aspects of the nuclear mission using Belarusian Su-25s. What is less obvious is the degree of training that Belarusian personnel have received in the use of nuclear weapons, with it being a skill that requires considerable time and effort to perfect. The command and control structure in place around whatever Russian nuclear weapons are in Belarus is also unclear. They are likely held under Russian control and would be released to Belarusian forces only if required. This would be similar to the way that U.S. B61 nuclear bombs stored at bases in Europe can be made available to certain NATO members under the alliance's nuclear sharing arrangements . A secure Weapons Storage and Security System vault seen in the raised position holding a U.S. B61 nuclear bomb (or more likely an inert 'shape' thereof) at an unknown base in Europe. Public Domain/WikiCommons Regardless, hosting of nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil means that they could be brought into action much more quickly and with less warning, but even if they have to first be transported from Russia, the training of Belarusian personnel to use them is significant. Above all, it raises the possibility of Belarus fighting alongside Russia in a potential future nuclear conflict waged against NATO. The Belarusian decision to join the Russian tactical nuclear warfighting enterprise has been accompanied by some robust rhetoric from Lukashenko. Its not a good idea to escalate things with Belarus because that would be an escalation with the Union State [Russia and Belarus] which has nuclear weapons, Lukashenko said back in August 2022. If they start to create problems the response will be immediate. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (left) waves as he arrives to inspect the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad-2017 at a training ground near the town of Borisov on September 20, 2017. SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images Meanwhile, nuclear developments in Belarus have helped encourage officials in neighboring Poland to consider entering the NATO nuclear-sharing program. With all this in mind, its important to remember suggestions that emerged earlier this year, that the baseline threshold for Russias employment of tactical nuclear weapons may be significantly lower than previously thought. According to a widely discussed report that appeared in February, such a response might be triggered, for example, by the Russian Navy losing a fifth of its ballistic missile submarines or even three cruisers. TWZ previously interviewed multiple experts about the prospects of the conflict in Ukraine, specifically, going nuclear for a feature you can find here . Regardless of what the Su-25 is carrying or isn't carrying in this case, with the war in Ukraine and Moscows tensions with the West driving closer ties between Russia and Belarus, it seems that a nuclear capability if not nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory will now be a more permanent feature of Europes fast-changing security environment. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Following the death of a Polish soldier stabbed at the Polish-Belarusian, Warsaw reintroduces its buffer zone and demands that Belarus extradite the suspected attacker. Belarus joins in the second stage of Russian nuclear drills, simulating the combat use of tactical nuclear warheads, with the aim of undermining Western support for Ukraine. Poland establishes a special commission to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence over the past 20 years and examine national security threats amid rising tensions. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us U.S. Congress updates Belarus Democracy Act, backing democratic opposition and condemning dictator Alexander Lukashenko's human rights violations and support for Russia's war. A Belarusian court adds two extra years to a railroad saboteur's lengthy sentence for targeting Russian military supply trains in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Poland demands Belarus extradite migrant responsible for killing Polish border guard The Polish Foreign Ministry summoned the charge d'affaires of Belarus in Warsaw Aliaksei Pankratenka on June 6, demanding that Minsk extradite a migrant suspected of stabbing a Polish soldier, the ministry's press office reported. The ministry also demanded that the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko halt its "provocations at the border." Twenty-one-year-old Mateusz Sitek, a soldier from the first Warsaw Armored Brigade, was stabbed with a makeshift spear at the Polish-Belarusian border in late May. He died of his injuries at the Military Medical Institute on June 6. Polish media reported that investigators obtained video footage of the incident confirming that the attacker was an illegal migrant. The Belarusian Border Committee pledged to cooperate with Polish investigators provided they receive "substantial background data and the necessary information about the incident." Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz claimed that Minsk would consider the Polish request but presented a condition: "Belarus is ready to restore cooperation in the law enforcement sphere, but this is a two-way street," Glaz said. "Therefore, it is possible to restore such interaction only in full." The majority of Belarusian citizens fleeing political persecution at home have moved to Poland, and the Belarusian diaspora there has quadrupled in size. The diaspora includes some prominent 2020 protest leaders and journalists. On June 10, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk summoned the National Security Council (NSC) to meet in Bialystok, 54 kilometers from the Belarusian border, to discuss the safety of Polish border guards amidst the intensifying border crisis. At a press conference after the meeting, Tusk claimed that over the past six months, Polish border guards had fired more than 1,000 warning shots across the Polish-Belarusian border 770 of them being fired in May alone. The Operations Center of the Polish Ministry of Defense previously said that, as of May 28, prior to the deadly attack on Sitek, 40 soldiers had been injured in direct clashes with migrants. Poland on June 13 was to build a 200-meter-deep buffer zone on a 44-kilometer stretch of its border with Belarus, and a 2-kilometer-deep zone along another 16 kilometer stretch. The country previously set up buffer zones near the border at the height of the migration crisis in 2021. Poland's relations with Russian ally Belarus have deteriorated in 2020. Warsaw has also long accused Belarus of deliberately pushing migrants across the border into Poland in order to pressure the EU over sanctions a charge Belarus has denied. Poland's border guards report that there are around 400 illegal border crossing attempts daily, with the total number of attempts soaring to 17,000 since the beginning of 2024. The majority of migrants have Russian visas, according to Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, which he said proves the involvement of the special services of Belarus and Russia. Read also: In rare comments, NATO chief discusses ongoing adaptation of alliances nuclear arsenal Belarus and Russia launch second stage of tactical nuclear drills The Russian Defense Ministry on June 11 announced the launching of the second stage of military drills simulating the launch of tactical nuclear weapons. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said his country would also take part. According to a statement from the Russian ministry, the joint exercises by Russian and Belarusian units are designed to practice the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. The announcement did not specify the location of the exercise or the types of weapons involved. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on May 6 that it would carry out drills with tactical nuclear weapons in response to purported and unspecified "provocative statements" from the West. The move has been seen as an attempt by the Kremlin to discourage the West from supporting Ukraine. The Russian nuclear weapons allegedly located in Belarus cannot be used without Moscow's authorization. During Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Belarus on May 23-24, he reportedly discussed Belarus' involvement in the second stage of the nuclear drills with Lukashenko. Speaking to journalists after the Russian Defense Ministry's June 11 announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that "maintaining combat readiness" is important to Russia in light of "decisions and actions of European capitals and, above all, Washington, that are hostile to Russia." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko hold a meeting at the Independence Palace in Minsk on May 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulin / POOL / AFP) Meanwhile Khrenin, the Belarusian defense minister, claimed that Belarus is not aiming to "create tension" in matters of regional security. He said Belarus was proactively preparing to respond "to any threats posed both to our country and the Union State," referring to the loose political union between Russia and Belarus. migration crisis and the practice of inhuman treatment of refugees. Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize, and Russia continues to wage its all-out war without resorting to its nuclear arsenal. Poland to investigate Russian, Belarusian influence A special government commission set up to investigate Russian and Belarusian influence in Poland has started its work, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference on June 5. The commission, led by the head of the Military Counterintelligence Service, General Jarosaw Strozyk, included 11 academics in the fields of social and political science and communication, along with former members of the military and diplomatic corps. They were appointed at the suggestion of relevant ministers. The commission, described as a nonpartisan body of experts seeking to protect national security, has been given two months to evaluate events between 2004 and 2024 and produce a report on their impact on Poland's current and future security. The report will be given to the prosecutor's office. Polish officials maintain that Poland is facing intensified hybrid attacks from Russia and Belarus, including rising pressure from the migration crisis at the Belarus-Poland border, alleged acts of sabotage within the country, and cyberattacks. The Polish authorities announced on June 3 that they had arrested 18 Polish, Belarusian, and Ukrainian citizens over the past six months on suspicion of pursuing hostile activities or sabotage in collaboration with Russia or Belarus. Tusk ordered the establishment of a parliamentary investigatory commission on May 10. The Polish parliament, the Sejm, was supposed to have formed the commission on May 21. But after Speaker Szymon Holownia said he doubted such a body was needed, Tusk announced he would set up his own government commission. Read also: Russian arrested in Denmark for helping foreign secret service, DR reports US Congress proposes updates to Belarus Democracy Act, increasing sanctions The U.S. Congress on June 8 published a bill to reauthorize and modify the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, reaffirming U.S. support for the people of Belarus and laying the groundwork for increased sanctions against the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. The bill, titled "The Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2024," is sponsored by representatives Bill Keating (D-MA), Tom Kean (R-NJ), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Joe Wilson (R-SC). It notes the participation of the Lukashenko regime in Russia's war against Ukraine and the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children, as well as its provocations using migrants on the Belarusian borders with EU countries. The bill provides for sanctioning not just senior regime officials, but those directly engaged in aiding Russia's war efforts and abducting Ukrainian children. It also notes widespread human rights violations by the Lukashenko regime since the 2020 presidential elections, prompting the largest protest rallies in Belarus' history. The bill condemns the Lukashenko regime and proposes that exiled opposition structures the Coordination Council, a proto-parliamentary body, and opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's United Transitional Cabinet be recognized as "legitimate institutions for dialogue on the peaceful transfer of power, and to support them in this process." Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the bill as a sign of sustained support for Belarusians' democratic aspirations. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up "Heartfelt thanks to the people of the United States for standing with Belarusians in our quest for freedom," she said, commenting on the bill. First adopted in 2004, the Belarus Democracy Act received three prior updates in 2006, 2011, and 2020 to reflect the changing circumstances and maintain U.S. support for democracy in Belarus. The bill will be voted on by the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, and is expected to be signed into law by the end of 2024. Tsikhanouskaya will make an official visit to Washington DC ahead of the bill's passage through Congress. Convicted Belarusian railroad saboteur has two more years added to his 23-year term A Belarusian court has handed down another two-year sentence to convicted railroad saboteur Dzianis Dzikun, increasing his total prison term to 25 years, the Belarusian human rights group Viasna reported on June 11. The 31-year-old Dzikun belonged to the "railroad saboteurs" a grassroots group of Belarusians that carried out sabotage attacks on the Belarusian railroad, disrupting the transit of Russian military supplies and personnel toward Ukraine at the start of Russia's full-scale war. According to the prosecution, Dzikun, Aleh Malchanau, and Dzmitry Ravich set fire to a relay signaling and alarm system on a segment of the railroad connecting Belarus to Ukraine on Feb. 28, 2022 the fourth day of Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine. The three men were convicted of high treason, terrorism, and extremism, and sentenced between 21 and 23 years in prison. In detention, Dzikun has been repeatedly placed in solitary confinement, and later charged with malicious disobedience. The political prisoner has appealed against his latest two-year sentence. According to the testimonies of former political prisoners, having an unbuttoned prison uniform, refusing to greet guards, or non-compliance with humiliating orders of guards can constitute "disobedience," punishable first by solitary confinement or other forms of pressure, further resulting in new criminal charges. At least 11 political prisoners have received additional terms while in custody since 2020. Supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia is an offense in Lukashenko's Belarus. While the Belarusian regime has abstained from committing troops to the battlefield, it has made its territory and infrastructure available for Russia to wage its war on Ukraine. The Lukashenko regime has also fully aligned its propaganda machine and official position to back Russia's war on Ukraine. By February 2024, thirteen Belarusians had been convicted of sabotage of the railway in Belarus, receiving a cumulative 199.5 years of imprisonment. According to a report by Viasna Human Rights Group, at least 37 individuals received criminal charges for sharing information about the Russian military in Belarus; 15 were captured for planning to join the ranks of the Ukrainian army, and 14 were charged for donating to Belarusian volunteers. Read also: Russia may store 100 nuclear warheads in Kaliningrad Oblast, Polish FM claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Big Idea: An Art World Divided Before October 7, the contemporary-art world tended to be seen as a reliably liberal bloc, with shared values around issues of social justice including race, gender, and reproductive rights. But Hamass attack on Israel that day and Israels subsequent invasion of Gaza have divided artists, gallerists, curators, and other art professionals in an unprecedented manner. Across the art world, people traded accusations of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and censorship. Pro-Palestinian protests erupted at numerous institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Talks were disrupted; artists pulled works from shows. In one case, a group of Jewish anti-Zionist artists withdrew their pieces from San Franciscos Contemporary Jewish Museum, in part to protest funding from the Israeli government and pro-Zionist foundations. Another museum in that city, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, closed for several weeks after nine of the 30 artists in its triennial spray-painted pro-Palestinian messages onto their own works and demanded that any supporters of Zionism be removed from the board. The interim CEO, who is Jewish, resigned, citing fears for her safety. Private institutions have also become targets. New Yorks Neue Galerie, founded by Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, was splashed with red paint, as was Pace Gallery, which was tagged with slogans such as Free Gaza. Its opening reception for an exhibition by Israeli artist Michal Rovner was disrupted by protesters. A group of small galleries on the Lower East Side were plastered with posters printed with slogans such as Stop selling to Zionists. On the flip side, museums have canceled or delayed exhibitions by artists who have been critical of Israel. Indiana Universitys Eskenazi Museum of Art called off the respected Palestinian American abstract painter Samia Halabys retrospective at nearly the last minute after she labeled Israels bombings genocide. The prominent philosopher and gender theorist Judith Butler withdrew from a lecture series at the Centre Pompidou after detractors accused her of anti-Semitism for describing the October 7 attacks as an act of armed resistance rather than as terrorism. The turmoil has reached far beyond the U.S. Germany has been convulsed with uncharacteristic criticism of its longtime support of Israel, and Ruth Patir, the artist representing Israel at the Venice Biennale, has refused to open her countrys pavilion until there is an agreement for both a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages. The discord is loud and pronounced, the pain searing. The question left for those from every corner to resolve: How will the art world heal itself? Better Health Foundation gives out $1.4M in new grants Better Health Foundation gives out $1.4M in new grants The Better Health Foundation announced today that it has awarded innovation grants of nearly $1.4 million to area nonprofit organizations. This is the second round of grants made during the private foundations first full year of operations. To date, the Better Health Foundation has awarded $2,023,859 to improve community health throughout the bi-state region, according to a Friday release. The Innovation grant proposals reflect creativity and collaboration in our nonprofit community, said Dr. William Langley, president of the Better Health Foundation Board of Directors. The award recipients were challenged to innovate in response to our regions most serious health challenges by forging new partnerships, expanding access to programs and services, and offering a pathway to better health for new populations. The Innovation grants range from $150,000 to $200,000 for programs and services aligned with the foundations current funding priorities: mental and behavioral health, maternal and child health, and risk reduction of obesity and diabetes. Grants were awarded to the following organizations: $200,000 to Community Health Care, Inc. to ensure equal access to care and reduce mental and behavioral health risk factors for mothers in the Quad Cities. The program aims to integrate health care services for perinatal patients and establish a referral system between local health systems and other organizations who work with at-risk and recently divorced women. $200,000 to Family Resources to create a shared human services campus in the Iowa Quad Cities to house program and administrative services for like-minded agencies committed to providing safe, affordable, trauma-informed, client-centered care in a supportive environment. The envisioned space will offer clients the convenience of accessing multiple services under one roof, alleviating barriers such as transportation and time constraints. $200,000 to the Genesis Foundation to extend the reach of the Genesis FoodPlex to food insecure pregnant women with gestational diabetes or those with pre-existing diabetes who become pregnant, and their families. Expectant mothers enrolled in the program will have access to nutrient rich, culturally sensitive foods to support their pregnancy and for a defined period after giving birth. Participants will also receive help accessing local, state and federal assistance programs to promote long-term maternal and infant health development. $192,000 to Heart of Hope Ministries to reduce, and eventually eliminate, food insecurity and nutrition-related diseases in an under resourced and underserved neighborhood in Rock Island, IL. The Heart of Hope FoodPlex will augment the organizations current services and will address both hunger and health. $150,017 to Project Renewal to create a health and wellness program for youth and adults by engaging them in hands-on healthy lifestyle choices, education, actions and plans. The program will support parents busy schedules and give them convenient opportunities to learn and provide nutritious meals for their family that work within their budget. Space and training will be provided for physical fitness activities. $197,862 to Vera French Foundation to transform the care and treatment of individuals with both mental illness and substance use disorder in a Whole Person Co-Occurring Disorder program. The program will improve access to services by combining mental health and substance use disorder treatment in a single program and will focus on all aspects of a persons life such as lifestyle, employment, nutrition, housing, and relationships. $200,000 to YWCA Clinton to pilot the Strong Brains, Whole Child, Whole Family program to provide Clinton-area 3-year-olds access to preschool, early childhood education, and holistic, wrap-around trauma-informed childcare. The program will address health disparities, poverty and trauma in young childhood. Additionally, childcare staff and caregivers will receive training on Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), trauma-informed care, and building resiliency. Better Health Foundation accepts requests from qualified 501(c)3 organizations in Cedar, Clinton, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott counties in Iowa, and Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside counties in Illinois. The next round of Better Health Foundation grants for Capacity Building and Service Support will open this summer. Award criteria and instructions on how to apply for a grant can be found HERE. To receive more information about applying for a grant, contact Elaine Schilling, eschilling@thebetterhealthfoundation.org, or call the Better Health Foundation at 563-383-6065. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Biden administration tries to address generations of USDA racism against Black farmers and others (USDA photo by R. Anson Eaglin) Iowa Writers 'Collaborative. Linking Iowa readers and writers. I was at a meeting early last week organized by a private company for farmers to learn how to receive tax credits and other funding from the Biden administrations climate-smart programs that encourage more environmentally friendly farming practices. Being a news guy, I asked someone from the company how many people were at the conference. We just figured it out, he replied with a grin, Three hundred twenty-nine people are here. I walked back to the main conference room and sat with a white friend, whose husband is Black. Three hundred twenty-nine people are here and theres not one Black person in the room, I said. I noticed, she replied. I attended the Iowa History Conference last Thursday. It was wonderful. I learned so much. Ricki King, a panelist in the Writing and Preserving Iowas Agricultural History discussion mentioned last Decembers first-ever Iowa Farmers of Color Conference, and all panelists joined her in relating the importance of sharing Black farmer stories as part of telling our story Iowas story. With these two conferences converging last week, I wondered about the societal processes at work that kept Black farmers out of the room at the farming conference. I purposefully am not naming that conference or its organizer because I dont want anyone to conclude without evidence that racism played a role in the absence of Black farmers. The conference was organized in part because the organizer offered unique services that farmers in the room could purchase in order to obtain a maximum return from the government for embracing climate-smart agriculture. I suspect the only color the organizer saw when he looked into his audience was green. With respect to the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference, from the ISU Extension website: At the first Iowa Farmers of Color Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 16, 2023, 114 people gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges facing farmers of color. The keynote speaker was Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, Senior Advisor for Racial Equity at USDA. Dr. Goldmon graduated with a Ph.D. in Agronomy at Iowa State University (ISU) in 1991. In 2020, he received the ISU George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Goldmon encouraged farmers in the audience to reach out to USDA offices, such as the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide assistance with loans and cost-share programs, including those for implementation of conservation practices and organic transition. A complete guide to USDA services for historically underserved farmers can be found here: https://www.farmers.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/farmersgov-historically-underserved-factsheet-07-20-2022.pdf Dont bother clicking the link. Its dead. Heres what you will find. The link is dead because Republicans killed the programs. Historical injustice and racism at the hands of the USDA denied Black farmers and other groups access to resources that white male farmers took for granted, and the Biden administration made a historic effort to begin to make amends for the generational economic damage the USDA caused, and Republicans were having none of it. How extensive was the racism? In 2021, the Environmental Working Group published Timeline: Black Farmers and the USDA, 1920 to the present. It is exquisitely detailed, including links to all reports and actions. Get ready for a bumpy and uncomfortable ride its a long list. Generational racism at the hands of the USDA has generated mistrust of the agency among Black and other farmers (this PBS News Hour documentary illustrates the effects that continue to this day). But Republicans resist any action to support Black farmers that might in some small way begin to address the historical damage. The link to those programs is dead because Republicans demolished those programs as part of their assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that have also impacted other federal small business programs, and our public schools and universities to the point of banning books and seeking to erase minority populations from history. The Washington Post reported on June 10 that Republicans are blocking these and many similar programs across several agencies in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning affirmative action in college admissions. The Posts reporting focuses on the recent decision by a Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas to bring to the end a program focused on disaster relief for minority farmers. The judge sided with a group of plaintiffs who allege that the program illegally discriminates against white male farmers, the Post reported. According to the Post, the attorney for the white plaintiffs dared to declare: Americas farmers have been mistreated by this Administration for years now with one discriminatory scheme after another, said Braden Boucek, vice president of litigation at the Southeastern Legal Foundation, which is representing the plaintiffs. This ruling is a win for equality across the country, and we are proud to stand beside these farmers in holding the government accountable. The judge in the case was Matthew Kacsmaryk, best known for blocking the Food and Drug Administrations approval of the abortion medication mifepristone. (The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously reversed that ruling Friday.) One of the plaintiffs in the case sued in part because, according to the Post, after he and his wife applied for disaster relief, his wife received $71,900 under the program, while he received a 10th of the amount: $7,272. Poor baby. The Post quoted Virginia farmer John Boyd Jr., who said its hard for Black-owned farms to compete when farm subsidies overwhelmingly go to White farmers. He said setting aside resources to help Black farmers is necessary to correct the disparity. No matter how good a farmer I am, I cant compete with those resources, Boyd said, according to the Post. The Black farmer is facing extinction and weve got to put laws in place to protect them like you would any other endangered species, so we can pass on generational wealth to the next generation of Black farmers. Why are so many Republicans fighting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs when they make so much sense? Because for them it is all about power and control. They want the landscape to stay the same as it is now, where they are in power. They arent interested in the different ideas that will certainly come from Black and other minorities in any situation where those ideas are elevated. They want their narrative to remain the only one. And with respect to Black and other underserved farmers who were historically discriminated against, the incentives the Biden administration was offering had NO IMPACT on the amount of support white male farmers would get. Its not pie. If a Black farmer gets a slice of pie it doesnt mean a white farmer doesnt get one. It just makes the pie bigger for all. I dont know why there were no Black farmers at the ag conference. Perhaps they werent invited. Perhaps justified skepticism of USDA programs kept them away. I dont know the financial situations of any of the white farmers in the room at the ag conference. I do suspect, however, that most if not all of them were born into generational wealth that wouldnt have been built without USDA assistance Black farmers were denied. The organizer of the conference certainly did. Hes a seventh-generation white Iowa farmer. Timeline: Black Farmers and the USDA, 1920 to the present 1920 USDA records 925,708 Black farm operators 14% of all U.S. farmers. 1933 New Deal legislation to address low crop prices by reducing acres of farmland displaces many Black farmers. 1964 Share of Black farm operators falls to 5.8%. 1965 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights finds USDA discriminated against Black farmers when providing loans and conservation payments. 1968 Commission on Civil Rights finds Black farmers continue to face discrimination when seeking farm loans and assistance. 1970 Commission on Civil Rights finds Discrimination persists in the operation of some Agricultural programs, noting that there are also no civil rights staff in the [USDA] field offices. 1981 USDA report notes that Black and minority farmers are disproportionately represented in poverty groups and that these types of farms have less access to needed credit. 1982 Share of Black farm operators falls to 2%; Commission on Civil Rights documents discrimination that led to the decline of Black farmers. 1983 Reagan administration dismantles USDA Office of Civil Rights. 1990 House Committee on Government Operations report finds rampant discrimination in USDA loan programs. 1993 Report by Westover Consultants finds USDA not held accountable for civil rights violations. 1994 U.S. Assistant Attorney General Walter Dellinger files a memo detailing USDAs authority to award monetary relief to Black farmers. 1995 U.S. General Accounting Office report finds USDA fails to address racial discrimination; General Accounting Office report finds widespread underrepresentation of minority farmers on county USDA committees. 1996 Consultant D.J. Miller report finds Black farmers do not get fair share of subsidies, disaster payments or loans; National Black Farmers Association holds demonstration outside the White House. 1997 Share of Black farm operators falls to 0.9%; USDAs Inspector General documents a climate of disorder among civil rights staff; GAO report on Farm Service Agency cites lack of diversity; Congressional Black Caucus holds first-ever forum on discrimination against Black farmers; Black farmers file historic discrimination complaint against USDA; USDA publishes Civil Rights Action Team Report detailing a long history of racial bias and discrimination by the agency. 1998 USDA report cites the role of the agencys discrimination in the decline of Black farmers. 1999 John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association, brings his mule, Struggle, to Washington, D.C., to protest USDA treatment of Black farmers; Settlement in Pigford v. USDA reached to pay Black farmers $1.03 billion. More than 22,000 Black farmers seek claims, but only 15,645 receive modest payments. More than 61,000 Black farmers file late claims, but only 2,585 are accepted. 2000 Senate Agriculture Committee holds hearing on discrimination against Black farmers. 2001 Commission on Civil Rights finds Black farmers wait four times longer than white farmers for farm loans; More than 14,000 USDA discrimination complaints are filed between 2001 and 2008, but USDA finds only one has merit. 2002 Black farmers rally outside USDA; Share of Black farm operators rises to 1.3 %; Black farmers receive $21.2 million in farm subsidies; white farmers receive $8.9 billion. 2004 EWG and National Black Farmers Association issue report on USDA obstruction of Black farmer settlement. 2007 Share of Black farm operators remains at 1.3%; Black farmers receive $38 million in farm subsidies; white farmers receive $10.6 billion; EWG and National Black Farmers Association issue report on subsidy gap between Black and white farmers. 2008 GAO report details failure to address civil rights claims properly at USDAs Office of Civil Rights; House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform holds hearing on discrimination by USDA; Congress allows Black farmers originally denied payments from Pigford settlement to reopen their claims. 2009 USDA reopens discrimination cases and finds 3,800 of 14,000 have merit but that the statute of limitations has expired. Only 760 cases are addressed. 2010 Boyd drives a tractor around Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers to call for funding for USDA discrimination cases; South Carolina court rules against USDA in favor of Black farmers who faced discrimination; USDA Office of Civil Rights seeks extension of statutes of limitation for discrimination complaints but fails to persuade Congress; Congress secures another $1.25 billion in payments for Black farmers previously denied payments. 2011 The Pigford cases monitor report highlights USDAs failure to provide debt relief for Black farmers. 2012 USDA reports that the share of Black farm operators rose to 1.7%; Black farmers receive $64 million in farm subsidies; white farmers receive $8.1 billion. 2014 USDA reports 9% increase in the number of Black farm operators. 2016 Share of USDA lending to Black farmers falls to 0.8%, and the USDA distorted data to discriminate. 2017 Black farmers receive $59.4 million in farm subsidies; white farmers receive $9.7 billion. 2019 Legal experts find USDA has overstated the number of Black farmers and distorted data; GAO report details challenges faced by Black and minority farmers when seeking agricultural loans; During presidential campaign, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., releases detailed plan to address past and ongoing discrimination faced by Black farmers; Black farmers and advocates send recommendations to Sen. Warren. 2020 Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduce Justice for Black Farmers Act. 2021 Sen. Raphael Warnock introduces bill to provide debt relief to Black and minority farmers; GAO finds Black and minority farmers have less access to credit than white farmers. Source: Environmental Working Group Robert Leonards column appeared originally at Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture. It is republished here through the Iowa Writers Collaborative. Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and its member writers to support their work. The post Biden administration tries to address generations of USDA racism against Black farmers and others appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. The Biden campaign is taking over the homepage of a local newspaper in Milwaukee on Friday, seizing on comments from former President Trump a day earlier in which he criticized the city. The Biden campaign will have a homepage takeover ad of The Shepherd Express an alt weekly and the Journal Sentinel, highlighting Trump calling Milwaukee a horrible city during a meeting on Capitol Hill with Republicans. The ad was shared first with The Hill. The ad is a split-screen image, one highlighting Trumps horrible city critique and the other boasting that President Biden passed legislation to invest in Milwaukee. Trump officials have insisted the former presidents remark was specifically referring to crime. In addition to the ad, the Biden campaign created merchandise around the Trump comment, including T-shirts and Wisconsin-shaped stickers that read, (Not) a horrible city, and T-shirts and can koozies that play off I heart Milwaukee and feature a mug of beer in place of a heart. Donald Trump has proven he doesnt give a damn about the city of Milwaukee, hardworking Wisconsinites, or anyone besides himself and his billionaire donors his tax cuts for the super wealthy as president shipped good-paying Wisconsin jobs overseas, Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement to The Hill. If Donald thinks Milwaukee is so horrible, he should stay home and spare Milwaukee voters more of his failed leadership, divisive rhetoric, and harmful plans to give away their jobs. On Thursday, Trump visited Washington, D.C., where he met with House Republicans and GOP senators and attended a Business Roundtable discussion with CEOs. While Trump discussed a range of topics during those meetings, the comment that gained the most traction was his criticism of Milwaukee. Punchbowl News reported Trump referred to Milwaukee, which will host the Republican National Convention next month and the most populous city in the key battleground of Wisconsin, as a horrible city. The Biden campaign and Democratic National Committee immediately seized on the remark, highlighting it to Wisconsin voters and criticizing Trump for denigrating a city that will host him and thousands of other Republican officials in the coming weeks. Trump and his allies sought to tamp down outrage over the comment, insisting he was talking about crime in particular. Total bulls. He never said it like how its been falsely characterized as. He was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are, Steven Chueng, a senior Trump campaign official, posted on the social platform X. Trump, in an interview with Fox News later Thursday, said he was talking about crime and told the outlet, I love Milwaukee. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) said he did not take issue with Trumps comments. He made it clear we had to do better in Milwaukee, as we have to do in many of the big cities in the northern United States, Grothman, who represents parts of Milwaukee County, said on NewsNation. But having been born in Milwaukee, raised right north of Milwaukee, there was nothing I found offensive. Wisconsin is poised to play a major role in Novembers election between Trump and Biden. Trump narrowly won the state in 2016, then lost it to Biden in 2020 by roughly 20,000 votes. A Decision Desk HQ/The Hill average of polls shows Biden leading in Wisconsin by 1 percentage point. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden is supportive of the wording in the Group of Seven (G7) communique about reproductive rights, according to officials, despite controversy over whether world leaders would include abortion in their statement at this years summit in Italy. He stands fully behind the language that that made its way into the final communique. He felt strongly about the language that that made it through, a senior administration official told reporters. Earlier on Friday, Reuters obtained a draft of the statement, which said leaders upheld commitments to universal access to adequate, affordable, and quality health services for women, without mentioning reproductive health rights. That reportedly led to a spat between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, over whether to include reproductive rights in the agreement to be signed by the seven countries in the group. Meloni is one of the only far-right conservative leaders in the group of countries who reportedly called for such languages removal. Instead of the draft language, leaders agreed to use holdover language from the summits agreement in 2023 that included an explicit reference to abortion, though they did not end up using the word abortion in the text now awaiting signature. The communique to be agreed to this year reads: We reiterate our commitments in the Hiroshima Leaders Communique to universal access to adequate, affordable, and quality health services for women, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. The senior administration official pointed to that passage as the language related to abortion. He added that some of the words might not be identical but the commitments are the same and thats very much the intent of what was put in the communique, referring to the agreement that followed the 2023 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, that the holdover language was drawn from. The 2023 communique included the importance of access to safe and legal abortion and post-abortion care, according to Reuters. The G7 leaders also met with Pope Francis on Thursday ahead of releasing the communique. The Catholic Church is staunchly against abortion, and Biden, as the second Catholic president in U.S. history, has been faced with balancing his faith with his support for abortion access, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Biden has expressed discomfort with the word abortion. The Pope and Biden met one-on-one on Thursday. Conservative U.S. Catholic bishops, early in Bidens administration, led calls for the church to not offer him communion over his support for access. When Biden and the Pope met in October 2021, the president said he was told he should keep receiving communion. Biden sat down with Meloni on Friday and didnt respond to shouted questions from reporters over whether he could accept a G7 communique without the mention of abortion. A senior administration official, on reports of a fight over whether abortion will be mentioned in final communique and Melonis push to keep it out, responded, I can tell you that the G7 communique is going to be agreed by consensus by all G7 countries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden met privately with Pope Francis on Friday on the sidelines of the G7 summit in southern Italy, in a personally meaningful sit-down for the president who has spoken frequently about the significance of his Catholic faith. A senior administration official said Friday that the two men were likely to discuss the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and climate change. The pope, who is making history this week by becoming the first pontiff to attend a G7 gathering, also sat down with the group of world leaders to discuss, among other things, finding an ethical framework to underpin the development and use of AI, CNN previously reported. Deepfake images of the pope wearing a white puffer jacket went viral last year. The president is a lifelong practicing Catholic who met with the pope in 2021 in a visit to Italy. After that audience with the pope, Biden told reporters he discussed a lot of personal things with the pontiff and that the meeting was wonderful. The 2021 meeting with the pope came amid an effort by some Catholic bishops to deny Biden communion over his stance on abortion. In 2019, Biden was denied communion at a South Carolina church because of his support for abortion rights. But during that meeting, the pope assured Biden that he was a good Catholic and should continue receiving communion rites, Biden later told other leaders. We just talked about the fact he was happy I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving communion, Biden said as he was greeting then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in Rome. At one point during that meeting, Biden presented the pope with a memento that carried deep personal significance: a coin that bore the insignia of the 261st Signal Brigade, the Delaware National Guard unit in which his late son Beau served as a captain. I know my son would want me to give it to you, Biden said. Per CNNs count, Friday will mark the fifth time Biden has met with this pope. The pope also visited the United States in the months following the presidents son Beaus death in 2015 and held a private meeting with Biden and his extended family in Pennsylvania. The pope, who is 87 years old and has experienced poor health in recent months, also met separately with a number of other leaders in southern Italy, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Biden on Friday condemned a recent spate of antisemitic acts in New York, including vandalism and a demonstration outside an exhibit honoring the victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The horrific acts of Antisemitism this week including a demonstration celebrating the 10/7 attack, vandalism targeting Jewish homes, attacks on Jewish faculty at college campuses, and harassment of subway riders are abhorrent, Biden posted on the social platform X. Antisemitism doesnt just threaten Jewish Americans. It threatens all Americans, and our fundamental democratic values. Instances of antisemitism have risen sharply following the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel, but there were a handful of high profile incidents in recent days in the New York City area. Authorities investigated reports of vandalism at the homes of the Brooklyn Museums director, who is Jewish, and some board members after images of the graffiti were posted on social media. The New York Police Department also said this week it was working to identify the individual behind a call-and-response chant on a subway car asking Zionists to identify themselves. The White House earlier this week condemned a protest outside the Nova exhibit in New York, which honors the victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The protests took place Monday night; a large crowd gathered outside the exhibit, where they lit flares and chanted long live the intifada, CBS reported. The Anti-Defamation League, a leading anti-hate organization, found antisemitic incidents in the U.S. rose 360 percent in the three months after the Oct. 7 attacks that left more than 1,100 Israelis dead and set off a wider conflict that has left tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza dead. The White House has condemned antisemitism repeatedly since the Oct. 7 attacks, with Biden pushing back on college campus protests and warning Americans against forgetting about the events that took place in Israel. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The News The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, defended the credibility of United Nations casualty figures in Gaza amid a rolling dispute over the international bodys efforts to track deaths and provide aid in the conflict. I think the UN as a system, as an organization, makes every attempt to be reliable. They make every attempt to be credible, to be fair, to get out information that will help people who they have been charged to help on the ground, she said in an interview released Friday on Semafors Mixed Signals podcast. So I do think the UN gets a bad rap. The fact that over 200 [United Nations staff] have been killed in the line of duty, they deserve our support, they deserve our credit, and they deserve our appreciation, she said. And they have been caught up in a political narrative that does not give them the full recognition that they deserve. Thomas-Greenfield spoke in the context of an interview about the medias role in conflicts, and her view that the global media has badly neglected the toll of the civil war in Sudan. Theres a war raging now in which there are predictions and reports. That genocide is happening. And yet this does not get the front page attention of the international press, she said. Im not saying Gaza is not important. It is. Very important. The fact [is] that we hardly see what is happening in Sudan with a death toll that is five times what is happening in Gaza. Know More The United Nations came under intense criticism from supporters of Israel last month after shifting the way it counted deaths and revising downward the share of the more than 35,000 killed in Gaza that it could identify as women and children. The shift led supporters of Israel to accuse the body of relying on unconfirmed figures from a Hamas-controlled ministry, while a UN spokesman said the revision was aimed merely at greater precision, and did not reflect a shift in estimates of the conflicts toll. An Israeli government report this year claiming staff at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, known as UNRWA, were linked to Hamas also prompted the United States to stop funding the organization. A review by a former French government official found that the Israelis did not have evidence of significant numbers of members of terrorist organizations at the agency. Our aid is already flowing into Gaza. Its not flowing directly through UNRWA anymore, Thomas-Greenfield said. Notable Listen to Mixed Signals from Semafor Media for Thomas-Greenfields full comments. President Joe Biden Thursday vowed not to commute any sentence his son Hunter may get after his conviction on federal gun charges. No, Biden said in response to shouted questions from reporters about commuting Hunter Bidens sentence at the end of a press conference with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Group of Seven nations summit in Italy. Biden also repeated his insistence that he wouldnt pardon his son in his first televised remarks about the case since a Delaware jury convicted him for falsely saying he wasnt addicted to illegal drugs when he bought a handgun in 2018. Im extremely proud of my son Hunter. He has overcome an addiction I said I would abide by the jury decision, Biden said. I will do that. I will not pardon him. Commuting Hunter Bidens sentence would prevent him from serving time in prison or other legal consequences. A pardon would expunge the felony conviction completely. Biden had said before the jury reached its verdict that he would not pardon Hunter. But he had not previously discussed commuting the sentence and aides had refused to rule it out. Hunter Biden, 54, was found guilty Tuesday of falsely filling out a federal form denying he was addicted or using illegal drugs when he purchased a firearm as well as lying to a gun dealer and knowingly possessing the revolver in violation of restrictions against people addicted to drugs owning firearms. He could potentially face 25 years in prison and experts say he could realistically face a few months behind bars when he faces sentencing expected sometime in the fall. The presidential sons defense team plans to appeal the conviction on several procedural grounds. They also claim the law violates the Second Amendment guaranteeing the right to bear arms. A recent federal appeals court decision cast legal doubt on a similar law barring those accused of domestic violence from buying guns. Hunter Biden also faces a forthcoming trial on federal tax charges in California. He seemed poised to skate on both alleged crimes last year when prosecutors and Hunter Bidens defense lawyers reached a plea agreement. But that deal collapsed under scrutiny from by the same federal judge who later presided over the gun trial. The cases federal prosecutor was held over from the Trump administration and granted additional powers to free his hand to act as he saw fit. _____ Biloxi man tried to blame child, 8, for sex crimes at plea hearing. The judge intervened A Biloxi man tried to blame the then 7-year-old girl for the sex crimes he committed against her during his plea hearing Friday before he finally fessed up to his crimes. Judge Lisa Dodson told Jordan Earl Holmes he needed to decide whether he wanted to spend his time trying to blame a little girl who was 8 years old by the time the sexual assault ended and not admit his wrongdoing. The judge warned she would not accept his guilty plea unless he confessed to what he had done. At first, Holmes erroneously tried to suggest that the girl pushed him to do what he did to her, which included various sexual assaults and molestation beginning in August 2020 until November 2021. Holmes eventually confessed to what he had done to the little girl. Attorney Angela Broun represented Holmes and explained to the judge that he sometimes had difficulty explaining what he meant. He pleaded guilty to one count of touching a child for lustful purposes or molestation and one count of sexual battery for sexually penetrating the child on various occasions. Jordin Earl Holmes is escorted out of a Harrison County Circuit Court courtroom after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl. He initially tried to blame the child for the crimes. Prior to imposing the sentence, the judge said, Mr. Holmes, these are very serious cases. They are cases that none of us like for a number of reasons, one of which is that the child was the victim here. The childs innocence is stolen, she said. The child trusted you. You breached that trust. Chances are she will never fully trust a man again in her lifetime. The judge decided to follow a recommendation of prosecutors for his sentencing and ordered him to serve a 16-year day-for-day sentence for the sex crimes, fining him $2,000 and ordering him to serve five years under post-release supervision. The judge also ordered him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life once hes released from prison. Holmes was set to go to trial Monday in Harrison County Circuit Court in Biloxi but decided to enter guilty pleas at the last minute in a plea agreement with prosecutors. According to Harrison County Assistant District Attorney Mara Joffe, who prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Meaghan Smith, Holmes was 32 at the time he molested and sexually assaulted the child. The crimes against the child didnt end until after the girl was 8 years old. Holmes committed the crimes at an apartment complex where he lived with the childs mother. In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecutors dismissed three other sex crime charges against Holmes. Before handing down the sentence, Holmes turned to the childs mother to say he was sorry for what hed done despite trying to place blame on her child for what had happened. Biloxi police investigated the case. Shortly after the girl reported the allegations against Holmes, he went to a wooded area and slit his throat with a box cutter. In court Friday, he said his suicide attempt was the result of a compilation of a lot of things. The ethanol industry has carefully crafted a "green" image, but the reality is more complicated (Photo by Matthew Howieson/Getty Images) A report out this week finds that biofuel refineries, which are overwhelmingly concentrated in the Midwests corn-producing states, emit significant amounts of compounds that foul the air and threaten public health. The study was produced by the Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. It finds that the total quantity of air pollutants released by the nations biofuel refineries adds up to 12.9 million pounds annually, close to the 14.5 million pounds emitted by traditional oil refineries. The data in the report comes from emissions inventories maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency. One of the emitted pollutants is formaldehyde, a toxic compound used, among other things, to prevent corpses from decaying. Its also a widely recognized carcinogen, especially when emitted in gaseous form. The nations biofuel plants reported more than 235,000 pounds of formaldehyde emissions in 2022, more than three times the amount released by petroleum refineries. Despite its green image, the biofuels industry releases a surprising amount of hazardous air pollution that puts local communities at risk and this problem is exacerbated by EPAs lax regulation, said Courtney Bernhardt, director of research for the Environmental Integrity Project. There are at least 226 biofuel plants in the country, according to the report, including 21 in Minnesota, mostly in the southwest quadrant of the state. In 2022 those plants emitted roughly 715,000 pounds of hazardous pollutants, with the majority coming from the Minnesota Soybean Processors biodiesel facility in Brewster. Minnesotas ethanol refineries also produced the equivalent of 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and nearly 3 million tons of other regulated air pollutants including lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Biofuel factories release surprisingly large amounts of hazardous air pollution, often into rural Midwestern communities that suffer from unhealthy air quality despite having no significant pollution sources around them, other than the smokestacks of ethanol refineries, the report concludes. Those emissions undercut the industrys carefully-crafted image as a green alternative to traditional, petroleum-based fuels. Scientists are increasingly concluding that crop-based ethanol may actually be worse for the climate than regular gasoline once a full accounting of emissions associated with its production is made. Roughly 5% of the total surface area of Minnesota more than the land taken up by every town, city and road is used to grow corn for ethanol production. The report faults the EPA for subjecting ethanol plants to less stringent emission standards than regular oil refineries. The authors also call on policymakers to eliminate the mandates and subsidies for ethanol production that prop up the industry. Biofuels are growing at a rapid rate in part because of government funding and regulatory mandates for blending ethanol into gasoline, the authors write. But the environmental benefits of these government supports are questionable at best. The post Biofuel plants a significant source of air pollution in Midwest, study finds appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. An ethanol plant near Aberdeen. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) A report out this week finds that biofuel refineries, which are overwhelmingly concentrated in the Midwests corn-producing states, emit significant amounts of compounds that foul the air and threaten public health. The study was produced by the Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. It finds that the total quantity of air pollutants released by the nations biofuel refineries adds up to 12.9 million pounds annually, close to the 14.5 million pounds emitted by traditional oil refineries. The data in the report comes from emissions inventories maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency. One of the emitted pollutants is formaldehyde, a toxic compound used, among other things, to prevent corpses from decaying. Its also a widely recognized carcinogen, especially when emitted in gaseous form. The nations biofuel plants reported more than 235,000 pounds of formaldehyde emissions in 2022, more than three times the amount released by petroleum refineries. Despite its green image, the biofuels industry releases a surprising amount of hazardous air pollution that puts local communities at risk and this problem is exacerbated by EPAs lax regulation, said Courtney Bernhardt, director of research for the Environmental Integrity Project. There are at least 226 biofuel plants in the country, according to the report, including 21 in Minnesota, mostly in the southwest quadrant of the state. Environmental Integrity Project map of Biofuel refineries in the Upper Midwest In 2022 those plants emitted roughly 715,000 pounds of hazardous pollutants, with the majority coming from the Minnesota Soybean Processors biodiesel facility in Brewster. Minnesotas ethanol refineries also produced the equivalent of 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and nearly 3 million tons of other regulated air pollutants including lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Biofuel factories release surprisingly large amounts of hazardous air pollution, often into rural Midwestern communities that suffer from unhealthy air quality despite having no significant pollution sources around them, other than the smokestacks of ethanol refineries, the report concludes. Those emissions undercut the industrys carefully-crafted image as a green alternative to traditional, petroleum-based fuels. Scientists are increasingly concluding that crop-based ethanol may actually be worse for the climate than regular gasoline once a full accounting of emissions associated with its production is made. Roughly 5% of the total surface area of Minnesota more than the land taken up by every town, city and road is used to grow corn for ethanol production. The report faults the EPA for subjecting ethanol plants to less stringent emission standards than regular oil refineries. The authors also call on policymakers to eliminate the mandates and subsidies for ethanol production that prop up the industry. Biofuels are growing at a rapid rate in part because of government funding and regulatory mandates for blending ethanol into gasoline, the authors write. But the environmental benefits of these government supports are questionable at best. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Biofuel plants a significant source of air pollution in Midwest, study finds appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. The ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza. (Photo courtesy of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory) Avian flu was recently detected in cattle of two dairy herds in northwest Iowa, the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported Friday, which increases the total number of affected herds to five. The latest highly pathogenic avian influenza infections in cattle were discovered in a 3,000-cow herd in Plymouth County and a herd of 1,000 in Sioux, said Don McDowell, a spokesperson for the department. The infections cause a significant drop in milk production, but cows typically recover within two weeks. The virus can be more devastating for poultry operations because it is very transmissible and lethal, and entire flocks are destroyed to prevent its spread. That includes the 4.2 million chickens of an infected flock in Sioux County last month. Federal agriculture officials have stressed the need to increase cleaning procedures and limit visitors to dairy farms and poultry operations. In a Thursday report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said most of the spread of the virus from Texas where it was first identified in March to other states was due to the transportation of infected cows. There is evidence that the first infections in Texas happened as early as December. When the virus arrived in other states, it likely spread to more herds via people and equipment. The USDA noted that some infected herds in Michigan had not received any new cows within a month of their infections. The USDA said it has likely been transmitted by veterinarians, workers who operate at multiple farms and workers who live with people who work at other farms. The department has not found evidence that wild birds are the sources of infection in states beyond Texas. The other detections in Iowa dairy cattle were at two other herds in Sioux County and one in OBrien County. McDowell said an investigation into the initial source of the infections is ongoing. The post Bird flu found in two more Iowa dairy herds appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. HELENA, Mont. (AP) The reported birth of a rare white buffalo in Yellowstone National Park fulfills a Lakota prophecy that portends better times, according to members of the American Indian tribe who cautioned that its also a signal that more must be done to protect the earth and its animals. Rarely-seen rattlesnake found in Ohio The birth of this calf is both a blessing and warning. We must do more, said Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and the Nakota Oyate in South Dakota, and the 19th keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman Pipe and Bundle. The birth of the sacred calf comes as after a severe winter in 2023 drove thousands of Yellowstone buffalo, also known as bison, to lower elevations. More than 1,500 were killed, sent to slaughter or transferred to tribes seeking to reclaim stewardship over an animal their ancestors lived alongside for millennia. Erin Braaten of Kalispell took several photos of the calf shortly after it was born on June 4 in the Lamar Valley in the northeastern corner of the park. Her family was visiting the park when she spotted something really white among a herd of bison across the Lamar River. Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival increases security Traffic ended up stopping while bison crossed the road, so Braaten stuck her camera out the window to take a closer look with her telephoto lens. I look and its this white bison calf. And I was just totally, totally floored, she said. A rare white buffalo calf, reportedly born in Yellowstone National Parks Lamar Valley, is shown on June 4, 2024, in Wyo. The birth fulfills a Lakota prophecy that portends better times, according to members of the American Indian tribe who cautioned that its also a warning more must be done to protect the earth and its animals. (Erin Braaten/Dancing Aspens Photography via AP) A rare white buffalo calf, reportedly born in Yellowstone National Parks Lamar Valley, is shown on June 4, 2024, in Wyo. The birth fulfills a Lakota prophecy that portends better times, according to members of the American Indian tribe who cautioned that its also a warning more must be done to protect the earth and its animals. (Erin Braaten/Dancing Aspens Photography via AP) After the bison cleared the roadway, the Braatens turned their vehicle around and found a spot to park. They watched the calf and its mother for 30 to 45 minutes. And then she kind of led it through the willows there, Braaten said. Although Braaten came back each of the next two days, she didnt see the white calf again. For the Lakota, the birth of a white buffalo calf with a black nose, eyes and hooves is akin to the second coming of Jesus Christ, Looking Horse said. Have flying, hand-sized Joro spiders reached Ohio yet? Lakota legend says about 2,000 years ago when nothing was good, food was running out and bison were disappearing White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared, presented a bowl pipe and a bundle to a tribal member, taught them how to pray and said that the pipe could be used to bring buffalo to the area for food. As she left, she turned into a white buffalo calf. And some day when the times are hard again, Looking Horse said in relating the legend, I shall return and stand upon the earth as a white buffalo calf, black nose, black eyes, black hooves. A similar white buffalo calf was born in Wisconsin in 1994 and was named Miracle, he said. Troy Heinert, the executive director of the South Dakota-based InterTribal Buffalo Council, said the calf in Braatens photos looks like a true white buffalo because it has a black nose, black hooves and dark eyes. From the pictures Ive seen, that calf seems to have those traits, said Heinert, who is Lakota. An albino buffalo would have pink eyes. A naming ceremony has been held for the Yellowstone calf, Looking Horse said, though he declined to reveal the name. A ceremony celebrating the calfs birth is set for June 26 at the Buffalo Field Campaign headquarters in West Yellowstone. Other tribes also revere white buffalo. Many tribes have their own story of why the white buffalo is so important, Heinert said. All stories go back to them being very sacred. Heinert and several members of the Buffalo Field Campaign say theyve never heard of a white buffalo being born in Yellowstone, which has wild herds. Park officials had not seen the buffalo yet and could not confirm its birth in the park, and they have no record of a white buffalo being born in the park previously. Jim Matheson, executive director of the National Bison Association, could not quantify how rare the calf is. To my knowledge, no ones ever tracked the occurrence of white buffalo being born throughout history. So Im not sure how we can make a determination how often it occurs. Besides herds of the animals on public lands or overseen by conservation groups, about 80 tribes across the U.S. have more than 20,000 bison, a figure thats been growing in recent years. In Yellowstone and the surrounding area, the killing or removal of large numbers of bison happens almost every winter, under an agreement between federal and Montana agencies that has limited the size of the parks herds to about 5,000 animals. Yellowstone officials last week proposed a slightly larger population of up to 6,000 bison, with a final decision expected next month. But ranchers in Montana have long opposed increasing the Yellowstone herds or transferring the animals to tribes. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has said he would not support any management plan with a population target greater than 3,000 Yellowstone bison. Heinert sees the calfs birth as a reminder that we need to live in a good way and treat others with respect. I hope that calf is safe and gonna live its best life in Yellowstone National Park, exactly where it was designed to be, Heinert said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Children pose for a photo in 2020 in front of a mural marking Black Wall Street, also called the Greenwood District in Tulsa. In the wake of the state Supreme Court dismissing a lawsuit in which survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre sought reparations, some in the Black community said the courts decision was expected but they remained disappointed. Its not surprising, but it is very disappointing, Tracie Chandler, a Tulsa community activist, said. I love my country. I love Tulsa. I wanted Tulsa to rise to its highest potential and it has not done that. The race massacre is considered one of the worst incidents of domestic terrorism in American history. Between May 31, 1921, and June 1, 1921, mobs of angry white men stormed the well-established and prosperous Black community of Greenwood, also known as Black Wall Street, in Tulsa. More than 1,000 homes were burned and businesses left in ruins as 35 city blocks were destroyed, and, though just 39 deaths were listed in official records, estimates now put the number at closer to 300. Because the massacre was originally deemed a riot, the Oklahoma Supreme Court immunized insurance companies from liability in 1926, meaning none of the Black home or business owners could make claims for property loss. Survivors Viola Fletcher, Lessie Benningfield Randle and Hughes Van Ellis initially filed a lawsuit for reparations in 2020 against the City of Tulsa, Tulsa Regional Chamber, the Tulsa County Commissioners, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado and the Oklahoma Military Department. Van Ellis, the youngest of three, died last year at the age of 102. The lawsuit claimed the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre represented an "ongoing public nuisance," and that "in 2016, the Defendants began enriching themselves by promoting the site of the Massacre as a tourist attraction." Last year in Tulsa County District Court, Judge Caroline Wall dismissed the lawsuit. The survivors appealed to the states high court. The state Supreme Court affirmed Walls decision. The court found the survivors public nuisance claim did not fall within the scope of Oklahomas public nuisance statute. The court also held that the survivors claim of unjust enrichment was not sufficiently supported. Absent an allegation claiming that Defendants are falsely or fraudulently promising donors that Plaintiffs will share in or benefit from the proceeds of their fundraising efforts, Defendants' conduct itself is not legally unconscionable, the court wrote. Chandler said Tulsa is benefiting from the massacre through tourism while the survivors and descendants lost untold wealth. These survivors have received nothing outside of an apology, Chandler said. These people lost everything. That was generational wealth lost and the city is getting enriched by it because of the people that are coming here because of the 100th anniversary, because of the museum and because of more people knowing what happened. Tulsa is getting more funds. What about the survivors? In a widely disseminated statement, the city of Tulsa said: The City of Tulsa respects the courts decision and affirms the significance of the work the City continues to do in the North Tulsa and Greenwood communities. Through economic development and policy projects, the 1921 Graves Investigation, and a renewed community vision for the Kirkpatrick Heights & Greenwood Master Plan, the City remains committed to working with residents and providing resources to support the North Tulsa and Greenwood communities. The survivors legal team said in a statement they would petition the Oklahoma Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. In 103 years since the Massacre, no court has held a trial addressing the Massacre and no individual or entity has been held accountable for it, they said. As justice is delayed once again in the Oklahoma court system, we call upon the United States Department of Justice to open an investigation into the Massacre under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007. In a statement, state Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, echoed the disappointment. Viola Fletcher, Lessie Evelyn Benningfield Randle, and the family of the departed Hughes Van Ellis will never be able to receive their due justice in the state of Oklahoma," Lowe said. Quraysh Ali Lansana, an author, historian and visiting associate professor at the University of Tulsa, said the city of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma were complicit in the massacre. Many Black Oklahomans have lost their trust and their faith in law enforcement and the judicial system, and in city and state government in regards to the issue of being Black in Oklahoma, Lansana said. Lansana said the courts decision is a telling reminder of the state of racial justice when it comes to Black folks. It is really disheartening, he said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Black community: Not surprised but disappointed in court ruling on Tulsa reparations What Black history is taught in SC? Education department says its enough, others disagree Many local Black leaders are troubled by the decision to discontinue advanced placement African American Studies in South Carolina public schools. The state Department of Education maintains that Black history is already being sufficiently taught in the states schools. The advanced placement class, which gave students the ability to earn college credit while still in high school, is a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to examining the African American experience from the African diaspora to the Civil Rights Movement. In a June 4 memo, the state department of education abruptly announced that after two years of the pilot program, South Carolina schools would not be able to offer African American Studies as an advance placement course, though it can be taught as an honors elective if schools so choose. The state education department maintains its unwavering commitment to teaching the factual historical experience of African Americans to our students, C. Matthew Ferguson, deputy state superintendent, wrote in the memo. We will continue to proactively seek ways to highlight the innumerable contributions black South Carolinians have made to our state, our nation, and the world. But some feel that taking away AP African American Studies while still offering AP European History sends a clear message. It allows a separate and unequal doctrine, that establishes the course as unworthy of being AP, Jennifer Bartell Boykin, a teacher at Spring Valley High School and and Columbias poet laureate, said on Tuesday. Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, called it whitewashing history. Some have used this decision to promote a false narrative that South Carolina is avoiding the teaching of African American history thereby denying historical fact and dishonoring African Americans and their rich contributions to our state, the state education department said in another memo. This is simply not so. The state first implemented expectations to teach students Black history by the 1989-90 academic year as part of regular history and social studies courses, and it was the job of the state Board of Education to find and develop materials for such instruction. Current social studies college and career ready standards were last approved in 2019, and outline the topics history, economics, geography and government that South Carolina students should learn. Students first start to learn United States and South Carolina history in elementary school and should continue through high school. In fourth and fifth grade, students are supposed to have lessons spanning from colonization through the Civil War and the Reconstruction era through the 1920s, including the effects of triangular trade on enslaved Africans and its role in the British colonies, the expansion and abolition of slavery in the 19th century, the development of Black codes and Jim Crow laws. In sixth and seventh grades, students are supposed to explore world history and geography, including African societies. In eighth grade, there is a focus on South Carolina, including the states history with slavery, the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. High school United States history classes have a wide scope, but do include Black contributions to the World Wars and the Civil Rights Movement. But the states social studies standards are due for a routine review, the education department has said. And since the most recent update, a wave of efforts to limit what is taught in the states public schools have permeated the General Assembly. A state budget proviso, which was first enacted several years ago and set for the upcoming budget, dictates that state funds cannot be used to teach certain concepts about the race and sex of an individual. H. 3728, the South Carolina Transparency and Integrity in Education Act, that would prohibit certain topics namely those related to critical race theory from being taught in public schools, is in conference committee. The bill, called the Transparency and Integrity in Education Act, would prohibit public schools from suggesting that by virtue of a students race or sex, that student bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, sex, ethnicity, religion, color or national origin. It would also allow a review of a schools curriculum and instructional materials by parents and the public. It has yet to be seen how these laws might impact on current public school curriculum. But the state education department said it working to ensure course offerings are aligned with updated standards and state law one of the reasons it cited as stopping AP African American Studies and the significant controversy surrounding the course. The execution of banana plantation worker David by right-wing Colombian paramilitary members in 1997 was as swift as it was brutal. Minutes after his bus was stopped at a checkpoint in the coastal region of Uraba, he was dragged off, beaten to death in front of his fellow passengers, and dumped on the side of the road where his killers covered his corpse with a banana plant. Cows would later feed on his body, according to court documents. The brutality did not end there. His daughter and sister-in-law disappeared weeks later, never to be found again. Death threats were made to another member of the family. What was left of the family soon left Uraba for good. He was just one of thousands of people targeted by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC, an infamous right-wing terrorist group that, at the height of Colombias civil conflict around the turn of the century, was able to mobilize tens of thousands of fighters. More than a quarter century later, a landmark civil case in a US federal court this week found banana company Chiquita Brands International liable for financing the paramilitary group, and ordered Chiquita to pay $38.3 million in compensation to Davids family and those of seven other victims whose real identities were concealed in court documents. The details of those deaths, which took place between 1997 and 2004, and accounts of the impact they had on the families, were read to jurors before they deliberated whether Chiquita one of the worlds largest banana producers had acted as a reasonable businessperson by paying the AUC what the company characterized as extortion payments. The families argued that payments from Chiquita to the AUC had helped to prop up the paramilitary groups violence in Colombia and that the company should therefore be held liable for the groups murders. The verdict has been celebrated as a legal breakthrough. According to the lawyers who won the case in Florida, it marks the first time an American jury has held a major US corporation accountable for complicity in serious human rights abuses in another country. I feel great joy, we waited for so long and suddenly, we won. I had almost lost hope, but God helped us, one of the plaintiffs told CNN after the ruling. The mother of four daughters recalled telling the court how her partner was killed by AUC paramilitaries on November 14, 2003, to pressure the family to sell a banana plantation at below market rate. I dont want the money myself, Ill be gone soon but at least, for the girls: may they get some justice now! she said of the compensation. A bellwether case? The verdict follows a nearly two-decade judicial fight by the families, who sued Chiquita International after a separate court case in 2007. In that case, the company admitted paying $1.7 million in protection money to the AUC at that time considered a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department and agreed to pay the US government a $25 million fine. However, its unlikely to be the last of the matter, and not only because Chiquita has already said it will appeal the verdict. Marco Simons, general counsel for Earth Rights International, a human rights NGO that provided legal assistance to the victims, described his legal strategy as a bellwether process, with his team selecting the nine strongest cases they had from over 4,500 complaints. He now hopes many more cases will follow. In this file photo from May 2000, members of United Self-Defense Forces (AUC) brandish their weapons during a training session in a rural area of Puerto Asis, Putumayo province southern of Colombia. - Reuters/File Its been an honor to represent these victims for the past 17 years. Its not over yet, but this is a significant step forward, and we hope that this will pave the way for compensation for all the victims, Simons told a press conference in Washington on Tuesday. Because of Chiquitas appeal, Simons says it is unlikely any of the victims will receive compensation soon, however, he says the case has sent a strong message to corporations about the need to respect human rights. Ultimately, this money is not going to replace whats been lost. Were still talking about horrific abuses that these families have suffered, but the money is important because, unfortunately, the language that corporations understand best is money. Sometimes it takes a significant monetary penalty to change corporate behavior, Simons said. Tragic for so many Chiquita has maintained in its defense both throughout the latest case and in previous litigation that it was itself a victim, as it had been forced to pay the AUC protection money. While that argument was not enough to convince the jury that it had acted as a reasonable businessperson would have acted under the circumstances, the company told CNN following the latest verdict that it remained confident that our legal position will ultimately prevail. The situation in Colombia was tragic for so many, including those directly affected by the violence there, and our thoughts remain with them and their families. However, that does not change our belief that there is no legal basis for these claims, the statement read. In its 2007 case against the US Justice Department, the company admitted making more than 100 payments to the AUC totaling over $1.7 million. Chiquita recorded the AUC payments as security services, though the company never received any actual services from these payments, according to a US Justice Department press release from the time. Eric Holder, who represented Chiquita in the 2007 trial before serving as US Attorney General under President Barack Obama, told the court then that: The company had to pay a variety of terrorist groups for over 15 years because those were the groups that controlled the areas in which the company operated. Not the Colombian government. However, in that trial, the company ended up admitting in a plea deal that it had willingly continued to pay the AUC even after the group was declared a terrorist organization by the US government in 2001, and even after a senior director lodged an objection to Chiquitas board reiterating his strong opinion to sell our operations in Colombia, due to the protection money issue. Federal attorneys found that Chiquita made $49.4 million in profit from their Colombian operations between 1997 and 2004. A time of real terror The AUC was founded in 1997, during one of the most tragic phases of the Colombian civil conflict, which saw the government wrestle for control against left-wing guerrilla forces, right-wing paramilitaries, and criminal organizations. Around that time, left-wing guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) were moving against the state and terrorizing the civilian population. Chiquita said in the 2007 case that it had paid ransoms to the FARC and ELN before it turned to the AUC in 1997. An aerial view of banana plantations in Apartado, Antioquia department, Colombia, on June 11, 2024. - Danilo Gomez/AFP/Getty Images Faced with the possibility of an armed communist revolution in the country, Colombian landowners and right-wing sympathizers created groups of vigilantes to respond to the guerrillas blow for blow. The AUC were once such a group and spent the years before their final demobilization in 2006 terrorizing the population of northern Colombia to stem the rebellion. At its zenith, the AUC could mobilize tens of thousands of fighters, and was heavily financed by drug trafficking: following demobilization, more than a dozen AUC leaders were extradited on drug charges to the US. I remember that period, it was real terror, one of the plaintiffs awarded compensation on Monday told CNN. My husband was killed, but my daughter was also raped, you had victims all across town. In other testimony heard by the jurors in the most recent court case, a minor girl was forced to watch from a taxi as her mother and stepfather were executed on the side of the street, before being given the equivalent of less than a dollar to return home and survive as an orphan. Colombia today Colombia today is a vastly different country to the one in which the AUC was born. A few years after the demobilization of the AUC, a peace deal in 2016 also brought to an end the 52-year conflict between the government and the FARC, though some dissidents continue to fight. Both right wing paramilitaries and left-wing guerrillas have since been included in transitional justice processes aimed at bringing closure to some of the darkest pages of the conflict. Yet the fear in Uraba remains. Some of the AUCs former members remain at large and have joined a new organized criminal group, the Gulf Clan, that challenges government control in northwestern Colombia. Rights groups say powerful corporate interests continue to collude with local politicians and criminal groups to repress activism, particularly in defense of the environment, which can be a dangerous business in South America. Even so, for at least some of the many victims of the AUC, this weeks court verdict is a reason for optimism. One of the plaintiffs who spoke with CNN asked to share her message as an act of defiance. My daughter, my son, theyre all Mom dont pick up the phone, mom dont talk. But hey, fear can only last until someone decides to speak, she said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Boeing and Airbus emphasized that there are no safety concerns after revealing Friday that some titanium parts used in their aircraft had falsified documentation, triggering a federal investigation. Boeing did not say which models of aircraft or how many were affected by the titanium parts, but the company emphasized that it does not believe the discovery impacts safety. Our analysis shows the in-service fleet can continue to fly safely, Boeing said. Airbus said the parts wound up on its A220 model, a relatively small airliner that is used on shorter routes, but that the model is still airworthy. Numerous tests have been performed on parts coming from the same source of supply, said Airbus, which has its main offices and assembly plant in France. They show that the A220s airworthiness remains intact. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will launch an investigation into how parts without proper documentation were installed on aircraft. Boeing said it will remove the parts from planes that have yet to be delivered to customer airlines. The FAA is investigating the scope and impact of the issue, The Associated Press reported. The agency said Boeing reported the issue with an unnamed distributor who may have falsified or provided incorrect records. Spirit AeroSystems, Boeings main manufacturing subsidiary, said titanium parts came with counterfeit paperwork. This is about titanium that has entered the supply system via documents that have been counterfeited, Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino told the AP. When this was identified, all suspect parts were quarantined and removed from Spirit production. Buccino said more than 1,000 tests have been conducted on the material to ensure continued airworthiness. The investigation, first reported by The New York Times, was sparked when a parts supplier found corrosive damage on titanium parts. Titanium alloy parts are extremely common in aerospace manufacturing, selected for the metals strength and heat resistance. It also comes as Boeing and Spirit are already under intense scrutiny for the manufacturing process of the 737 Max series aircraft. A previous FAA investigation after a door blew out of a flight in January found severe lapses in the companys safety protocols in manufacturing. There are issues around the safety culture in Boeing. Their priorities have been focused on production and not on safety and quality, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker said in March. And so, what we are really focused on now is shifting that focus from production to safety and quality. The FAA said its six-week audit of Boeing found multiple instances when the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. 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. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is now scheduled to undock from the International Space Station and return to Earth on June 22 with its inaugural astronaut crew, NASA said on Friday, giving more time to finalize planning for the complicated process. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were launched aboard Starliner June 5 and arrived at the ISS the next day, following a 24-hour flight in which the spacecraft encountered four helium leaks and five failures of its 28 maneuvering thrusters. "The extra time allows the team to finalize departure planning and operations while the spacecraft remains cleared for crew emergency return scenarios within the flight rules," NASA and Boeing said in a statement. They are targeting a departure no earlier than June 22, leaving open an opportunity for further extensions of time at the ISS. Starliner, while designed for future six-month missions, can stay docked to the ISS for a maximum of 45 days during its current mission. The return to Earth is expected to last about six hours and target a location in the desert of Utah, New Mexico or other backup locations, depending on local weather conditions. Starliner's first flight with astronauts is a crucial last test in a much-delayed and over-budget program before NASA can certify the spacecraft for routine astronaut missions and add a second U.S. crew vehicle to its fleet, alongside SpaceX's Crew Dragon. The spacecraft during its time docked to the ISS has encountered more problems. A fifth leak of helium - used to pressurize Starliner's propulsion system thrusters - popped up, and separately an oxidizer valve has been stuck, NASA has said. Those in-flight problems follow years of other challenges Boeing has faced with Starliner, including a 2019 uncrewed test failure where dozens of software glitches, design problems and management issues nixed its ability to dock to the ISS. A 2022 repeat uncrewed test succeeded to dock. If all goes as planned with Starliner's return of two astronauts back to Earth, Boeing still faces other challenges before making the spacecraft operational and bringing it to market for other non-NASA customers. (Reporting by Chris Sanders, Joey Roulette and Doina Chiacu; editing by Rami Ayyub, Chizu Nomiyama and Timothy Heritage) The inspection and mine clearance of Ukrainian agricultural land by bomb disposal teams has accelerated this year compared to 2023. Source: Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Economy Details: The minister reported that units of governmental and non-governmental mine clearance operators surveyed almost 31,000 hectares of agricultural land in May. Since the beginning of the year, bomb disposal teams have surveyed over 146,000 hectares of agricultural land and restored more than 137,800 hectares to economic use. "An excellent example of well-established processes is demonstrated by the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, which has formed an effective coordination of all operators working in the oblast. This allowed them to bring back into operation land twice the area of the city [of Kherson] itself in May," Bezkaravainyi said, reporting on the results for May. In May, 29,800 hectares of agricultural land, including 26,900 in Kherson Oblast, were returned to farmers. Background: The countries attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference have increased their commitments to support humanitarian mine clearance in Ukraine by over US$35 million. As part of the certification process, Ukrainian company A3tech tested the DOK-ING MV-10 heavy mine-action vehicle, assembled and partially localised in Ukraine, at a training ground. Support UP or become our patron! $20K bounty offered for info in murder of a mother, daughter on Florida Turnpike: BSO The murders of Beatrice Saintvil and her 4-year-old daughter Janell still remain unsolved Thursday night, nearly a week after their deaths in Broward County. Authorities hope an increased $20,000 reward for key information will help them crack the case. On Thursday, the Broward Sheriffs Office announced that anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest of those responsible for Saintvils and Janells murders will receive $20,000. Crime Stoppers is funding half of the bounty, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is covering the rest. Broward Sheriffs Office Homicide Unit detectives continue to seek the publics help to identify the subject(s) responsible for the fatal shooting of Beatrice Saintvil and her daughter, Janelle Souffrant.... BSO said in a statement. Shortly after 11:50 p.m., on June 7, Florida Highway Patrol troopers were called to reports of a shooting on the Florida Turnpike just south of Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. They found Sanitvil, 27, and her daughter suffering from gunshot wounds inside the car, the sheriffs office said. Her daughter was pronounced dead at the scene San. Meanwhile, Saniitvil was taken to a hospital, where she later died. No details about the reason behind the shooting or the suspect have been released. Saintvils sister, Kyanna Librun, told NBC 6, We want to know who did it. We want to see their face and ask them why. Why? A 4-year old baby girl and 27-year-old mother who never had a problem with anyone, why? We want to know, why? Broward deputies said they are using every investigative method available to find the person responsible. Anyone with information about the identity or location of the suspect or suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 954-943-8477. Tips can be given anonymously. Miami Herald reporter Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) says he isnt bothered by former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons decision to endorse his Democratic primary challenger, Westchester County Executive George Latimer. I definitely wouldnt call it a major endorsement, with all due respect, Bowman told CNN host Laura Coates in a Thursday night interview. Bowman went on to list some notable endorsements he has received from colleagues in both chambers. I mean, we are endorsed by sitting U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-Mass.], sitting U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders [I-Vt.] and the Minority Leader of the Democratic Party, [Rep.] Hakeem Jeffries [D-N.Y.], he added. Bowman and Latimers tense Democratic primary battle has divided Democratic lawmakers and aligned groups, particularly with regards to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has left thousands dead in Gaza. Latimer has repeatedly voiced support for Israel, and Bowman was among a group of progressive legislators who supported a permanent cease-fire resolution soon after Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israeli citizens. Its unfortunate that my opponent and unfortunately, Secretary Clinton, seem to both be out of touch with this district, Bowman said later in the interview. Early voting in New York starts Saturday for the June 25 primary election. Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016 against former President Trump, announced her support for Latimer earlier this week, joining former New York Gov. David Paterson (D), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.). With Trump on the ballot, we need strong, principled Democrats in Congress more than ever, Clinton wrote Wednesday on social platform X. Other prominent progressive lawmakers have rallied around Bowman, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). He also has the backing of Planned Parenthoods political arm, the Sunrise Movement and Justice Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders are scheduled to appear with Bowman at a campaign event in the Bronx on June 22. I love our endorsements, and theyre gonna help us win this race, Bowman said in the CNN interview. An Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill poll released Tuesday showed Latimer leading Bowman 48 percent to 31 percent, with 21 percent of respondents undecided. Voters surveyed were split between age groups with more voters under the age of 40 backing Bowman, and more voters over the age of 40 backing Latimer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BPD seek help locating runaway teen who was last seen near Panama Ln and Akers Rd BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Police are in need of the communitys help locating a missing teen who was last seen Thursday evening. Bakersfield police said Bradley Allen Still, 15, was last seen in the 3900 block of Crosswind Way at around 7 p.m. near the intersection of Panama Lane and Akers Road, the department said through a news release. Police search for missing, at-risk man in east Bakersfield Bradley Allen Still Still is considered at-risk due to being a first time runaway. Still is described as being 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 128 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black sweater, black pants, black shoes and a black and gray backpack, BPD said. Anyone with information on Bradleys location is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. The alleged owner of an illicit massage parlor in Manatee County is the latest in a string of human trafficking arrests in the area. Investigators say Lina Payne, 52, ran a human trafficking and prostitution ring out of her business Latin Relaxation on Cortez Road in Bradenton, in addition to other illegal massage parlors in Sarasota and Hillsborough County. Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office arrested Payne on June 3 and charged her with human trafficking, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, racketeering and money laundering, according to the sheriffs office website. Investigators said Payne would recruit women from South America and loan them money to come work in the United States as a massage therapist at one of her spas, when in reality it was a prostitution ring where they would be forced to repay their debt. Paynes business and her associates had been the subject of an extensive multi-agency human trafficking investigation involving the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, according to court documents. The investigation looked at several properties detectives said were owned by Payne, including Latin Relaxation in Bradenton, Jackpot Massage in Sarasota, and Bare All Body Waxing and Expose Barbershop in Tampa. Bradenton massage parlor owner arrested Paynes attorney did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Heralds request for comment. Latin Relaxation has operated under various adult entertainment names with different owners at least as far back as 2001, detectives say. In February 2021, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office Special Investigations Division received a Crime Stoppers tip that included a possible human trafficking and prostitution ring at the Cortez massage parlor, according to an affidavit. Detectives say they identified Payne as the owner and investigations revealed evidence of illicit activity at the 1,024-square-foot business. The owner of Bradenton massage parlor Latin Relaxation, 52-year-old Lina Payne, was arrested on June 3 after being the subject of a multi-agency human trafficking investigation, according to deputies. When an undercover detective first arrived, they said a woman responding to an ad posted by Latin Relaxation also arrived asking about the different prices for services offered. The ad listed services for men only as body relaxation, body scrub, body pampering and full grooming for a total price of $220, according to an affidavit. Cortez Road business sold sex work, sheriff says When detectives with the sheriffs office entered Latin Relaxation with a search warrant in September 2023, they said there were no massage tables at the business which purportedly operates as a spa, aroma therapy and massage parlor. Instead, detectives said they found rooms filled with beds and neon lighting, towel warmers, lotions and multiple condom packages. In one of the rooms, detectives say they found a used condom inside a trash can. Several envelopes containing cash to pay employees were also found inside a cardboard box, according to an affidavit. The envelopes, investigators say, were wrapped in the middle of folded paper that appeared to be sign-in logs with the date, the customers name, the attendant, the form of payment and the total paid. All payments were made in cash and Latin Spas massage therapists were paid $80 per service, detectives said. The sign-in logs showed the business operating during early morning hours between midnight and 5 a.m., investigators say. Between the envelopes and loose cash at the business, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office seized $8,212 from the business that day. None of the employees the detective talked to that day had a massage therapist license, the sheriffs office said. Further investigation showed Lina Payne appearing in ads on websites that help users find escorts, strip clubs and sex shops, according to an affidavit. Detectives also said they saw reviews on sex-oriented websites from customers saying they had paid for sex work from Latin Relaxation. Detectives also spoke to a patron after setting up surveillance in the business parking lot who said he received illicit services after paying $220, according to arrest records. Others charged in human trafficking investigation Paynes arrest is one of several arrests in connection to an investigation into the illegal business, deputies say. Sebastian Jurado, 27, Santiago Moreno, 53, and Lina Paynes 29-year-old son Andres Payne were also recently arrested and accused of participating in her criminal participating in her enterprise, according to court records. As of Thursday evening, Jurado and Lina Payne remain in jail, while Santiago Moreno and Andres Payne were released after posting bond, according to court records. In May, detectives with the Manatee County Sheriffs Office also arrested 56-year-old Karen McGlynn, who they say managed some of Lina Paynes locations, such as Latin Relaxation, 1417 Cortez Road, and Jackpot Spa, 7446 N. Tamiami Trail. Data from cell phones revealed several conversations between McGlynn and Lina Payne about ads posted on adult websites known for solicitation of sexual activity, according to arrest records. Another conversation saw McGlynn send Lina Payne photographs of four different women who she said were interested in working for her, according to arrest records. Court records show a motion was filed on June 3 to hand McGlynns case over to statewide prosecutors. McGlynn was released from jail on June 6, according to the sheriffs office website. Deputies crack down on human trafficking reports Latin Relaxation was previously the subject of a human trafficking sting in October when an employee at the massage parlor was charged with deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution. Operation Refuge, a multi-faceted human trafficking operation resulted in 17 arrests as part of a crackdown on local massage parlors, alleged sex workers and several men who the sheriffs office said sought out sex with minors. Investigators also said they received a call for help from a worker from inside the Bradenton massage parlor in July. The woman, who was Spanish-speaking and identified herself as Karen, said that she was working at the business against her will to pay someone back and also provided the names of Lina Paynes two other Tampa businesses. But when deputies arrived, Karen was gone and could not be found, according to court documents. Surveillance footage acquired by the sheriffs office from surrounding businesses captured a woman leaving the massage parlor after the 911 call was made but before deputies arrived, investigators say. When questioned by law enforcement, an employee told detectives that she didnt know anyone by the name of Karen and said she had been asleep when she was woken by an unknown woman who told her she would be leaving to run errands and to lock the door behind her, according to court documents. Detectives said the employee told them the woman did not appear to be under any type of duress. When deputies spoke with Lina Payne after she arrived, she denied allegations that anyone was working there against their will and also denied breaking any laws, according to an affidavit. Law enforcement officials have received several tips about Latin Relaxation over the years, according to court documents. Much of the alleged illicit activity at the four locations happened under the premise of a massage at a parlor or a shave at a barbershop, according to detectives. One of the services offered on Latin Relaxations website is a $220 face shave involving two employees. Investigators say Lina Payne, who is facing racketeering charges among several others, made several hundred thousand dollars off illicit activity. According to public records, she appeared in court for a hearing on Monday. The owner of Bradenton massage parlor Latin Relaxation, 52-year-old Lina Payne, was arrested on June 3 after being the subject of a multi-agency human trafficking investigation, according to deputies. In May of last year, a pediatric nurse who worked at Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital began communicating online with a covert FBI employee posing as a foster mother about having sex with her purported underage daughter. That initial online conversation on the social media platform Whisper escalated into a series of chats between Rami Rotlewicz and a trio of undercover FBI employees two posing as foster mothers and a third as a foster child. Those internet chats led to a law enforcement raid at his home in Plantation last month and his arrest Tuesday on a criminal complaint charging him with receiving and possessing hundreds of child-porn images on his cell phone as well as attempting to entice a minor girl to have sex with him. Rotlewicz, 34, who has been fired from his job at Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital in Hollywood, is being held at a federal lock-up in the Broward Sheriffs Office jail while he faces a pre-trial detention hearing Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale federal court. His arraignment, based on a pending grand jury indictment, is scheduled for June 26. His arrest on child-porn charges is among hundreds that the FBI has made in South Florida while cracking down on the spread of child-porn crimes on the Internet. We have no forensics and no discovery. What we have is a two-dimensional, albeit incendiary, complaint which offers the governments version, Rotlewiczs defense attorney, Jude Faccidomo, said Friday. In this country you are innocent unless proven guilty. We dont just take the governments word for it. According to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint, this is how the South Florida bureaus sting operation evolved over the past year. Rotlewicz began chatting through written messages with the first FBI undercover employee on May 5, 2023, when the nurse asked in response to an advertisement on the Whisper platform: What is your role in the family? The undercover employee, pretending to be in New York, answered foster mom with an 11-year-old daughter, looking to add a dad type. Rotlewicz gave his age, saying hed love to chat. Then he added, I would love to be a daddy figure in her life. Nearly two weeks later, they agreed to switch their chat from Whisper to another platform, Telegram. Rotlewicz provided his Telegram user name @tumtumice and his display name Ram Rod. He also sent a photo of himself and indicated his first name was Rami and that he was a nurse. During their chat on May 16, 2023, Rotlewicz told the purported foster mother that he was interested in talking to her foster daughter. A couple of days later, the mother added the daughter, who went by the name K, to the Telegram chat group with Ram Rod. On May 20, Rotlewicz had his first chat with the mother and daughter. Im 33 and still wear Disney, Rotlewicz wrote the girl, ending the message with a smile emoji. He also sent her a photo of himself while driving his car. Her response: aw thats cool!! Thank you sweetie, he wrote. Good morning how did you sleep? Good! Slept lots. lol she responded. You had my mind wandering all over about you looking all cute in princess panties, little soffe shorts ... and a baggy shirt relaxing next to me, Rotlewicz wrote the girl. Her response: aww sounds nice! Could watch movies n stuff. Cuddle up close and watch beauty and the beast, Rotlewicz wrote. The following day, the foster mother chatted with Rotlewicz about traveling with the daughter to Fort Lauderdale so he could have sex with her. They discussed flights from New York to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. At one point during the chat on May 21, 2023, Rotlewicz wrote: K is prepubescent but also Im snipped so if you allowed full penetration there is not fear of pregnancy. The following day, Rotlewicz chatted only with the daughter and talked about kissing her. Maybe when you kiss me Ill turn into a beautiful prince, he wrote K. On May 24, 2023, Rotlewicz contacted Ks mother and sent her a picture of himself lying on a bed in boxer shots with his penis exposed, asking if he could send the photo to her daughter. That June, however, he stopped communicating with the foster mother and daughter. In April of this year, Rotlewicz reached out to the foster mother again on Telegram, but he didnt use the profile name Ram Rod. His new user name was Nite Nurse. Rotlewicz sent additional photos of himself that showed his face. The foster mother said she knew of another foster mom with a slightly older daughter in the Miami area whom he might want to contact. According to the FBI affidavit, a Telegram group chat was created on April 20 for Rotlewicz, the first foster mother and the second foster mom, who was actually an FBI undercover employee pretending to have a 12-year-old foster daughter. The second mother wrote that she and her daughter lived in the Miami area. Rotlewicz expressed an interest in meeting the mother initially, before making contact with the daughter. In another chat a few days later, he expressed his desire to have sex with her daughter. I would love to teach her from passionate kissing to loving cuddles to pleasuring. I have some experience with that, Rotlewicz wrote to the second mother on April 23. But [I] also know it does take moms help too at times. The mother responded: I understand as long as u will guide me? According to the FBI affidavit, Rotlewicz and the foster mother agreed to meet on May 2 but the day before, he told her that he could not make their meeting and rescheduled it for the following week. Instead of setting up that meeting, FBI agents arranged for the Broward Sheriffs Office and Plantation Police Department to obtain a state warrant to carry out a search of Rotlewiczs home in Plantation. They seized multiple electronic devices, including an Apple iPhone 12, which led to the discovery of 219 images and 85 videos of suspected child pornography on the mobile device, according to the FBI affidavit. Many of the images and videos of child pornography depicted pre-pubescent males and females engaging in sexual activity [with adults] or posing in a lewd and lascivious manner, the affidavit stated. Rotlewicz was present during the search, waived his Miranda rights and told investigators in a recording statement that he had been communicating with the two foster mothers and foster child on social media platforms. Rotlewicz described to law enforcement how he had a vivid imagination and advised that the communications with all three [FBI undercover employees] were fantasy, according to the affidavit and complaint filed by federal prosecutor Brianna Coakley. This week, federal agents and local police arrested Rotlewicz near his home. When conservative activists set aflame boxes of Bud Light and urged a boycott in response to an endorsement from a trans influencer last spring, they sent sales of the beer plummeting in a rare success in the long history of consumer movements. Even more improbably, the backlash continues to hammer Bud Light and strain independent local wholesalers more than a year later, according to third-party sales data shared with ABC News as well as interviews with six Anheuser-Busch wholesalers. Most of the wholesalers, small- and medium-sized businesses that draw a significant portion of their revenue from Bud Light, said they remain weakened by the decline in sales and uncertain about when, if ever, the brand will fully recover. The owner of an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in the Northeast, whose child is trans, told ABC News they have taken a 30% pay cut to make up for the losses and are considering retirement. MORE: Colorado GOP rebuked by Republicans, Democrats after calling for burning Pride flags It was really hurtful personally, the owner said. Im trying to understand what my kid is going through and then this happens. Its still very upsetting, the owner added, noting the companys Bud Light sales declined by 50% in the immediate aftermath of the boycott. Its very difficult to come in every day and look at those sales numbers, knowing I have a responsibility for everyone here. Another executive at a wholesaler in the Mid-Atlantic said they have spent sleepless nights devising ways to shed costs without laying off employees; and a top official at a distributor in the Southeast said they expect sales of Bud Light will remain down for at least two more years. Still, the wholesalers added, harassment of employees and drinkers has faded, indicating the boycott fervor has died down and the brand reputation of Bud Light has begun to mend. Many of the wholesalers said sales had improved lately and Bud Light remains their top-selling beer. The wholesalers requested anonymity because they didn't want to be publicly identified speaking about the financial consequences of the boycott. In all, roughly 500 independent distributors sell Anheuser-Busch products nationwide. In response to ABC News' request for comment, a spokesperson at Anheuser-Busch touted the success of Bud Light and the company's relationship with wholesalers. Bud Light continues to be the number one selling beer brand in the country because for decades it has been synonymous with programs and activations that consumers love, including partnerships with the NFL, NHL, UFC, and College Football," the spokesperson said. "As we have for nearly a century, we continue to work side-by-side with our 350+ wholesaler partners to drive growth for our collective business and provide best-in-class service to our consumers and retailers across the country," the spokesperson added. Sales of Bud Light declined by roughly 25% over the weeks following a product endorsement from Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer, which sparked backlash among many conservatives last April, according to data from Bump Williams Consulting and Nielsen NIQ obtained by ABC News. In a video posted on Instagram, Mulvaney held a specially designed can of Bud Light featuring an illustration of her. The can, Mulvaney said, included a message congratulating her on "365 days of womanhood." Until April of this year, sales of the beer stayed stuck at the same level while the boycott persisted, Dave Williams, the president of Bump Williams Consulting, told ABC News. Sales cratered and sat there. They didnt get any worse but they sure as heck didnt get any better, Williams said. I dont think there are a lot of examples where the king of the castle, someone in such prominence, took such a public and drastic hit in beer. In recent months, sales have shown signs of improvement but remain well below pre-boycott levels, Williams added, noting that some customers appear to have returned to the brand as the social stigma has waned while others remain steadfast in their opposition. The goal is to retain the consumers they have and hopefully try to win some back. PHOTO: The Bud Light logo is seen on a truck semitrailer, Oct. 21, 2022, in Maryland. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) An executive at a wholesaler in the Southeast said Bud Light sales plummeted by at least 20% in the aftermath of the boycott and remained at that level for the rest of 2023. The blow to the balance sheet hurt company morale and raised questions about the firms future, the executive said. Weve got employees who expected a career helping to build this brand and this business, the executive added. To have that undone was a bit of a shock, to say the least. In recent months, hostility toward the brand has faded, sales have stabilized and morale has improved, the executive added, acknowledging that sales still stand well below pre-boycott levels. Once a consumer drops off a product -- where there is a readily available and similarly priced substitute -- a habit has formed and its difficult to shake that habit, the executive said. We have to give them a reason to come back. Williams said Bud Light has returned to its spot as the top-selling U.S. beer by volume, even if revenue has lagged. Meanwhile, other Anheuser-Busch beer brands are performing better than they did before the boycott. Some wholesalers expressed optimism about Bud Light's outlook and praised Anheuser-Busch for providing financial support in response to the sales slump. They also downplayed the boycott's impact, attributing much of the sales decline to a wider shift away from beer to other alcoholic drinks. The beer industry -- no matter what product youre selling -- is down in sales, Tom Davis, director of operations at Maryland-based Katcef Brothers, Inc., an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, told ABC News. That has a bigger impact on beer sales than anything. An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson shared a statement from a wholesaler with ABC News. "Anheuser-Busch recognizes the vital role their wholesaler partners play in the business, and last year they stepped in to provide critical resources to ensure we were positioned to continue serving our consumers and communities across the country," Sarah Matesich Schwab, President of Ohio-based Matesich Distributing, said in the statement. "Theres lots of positive momentum in the system, and we are focused on strengthening our partnership so that we can continue to grow and succeed together," Matesich Schwab added. MORE: Target will only sell Pride Month collection in some stores after backlash in 2023 The enduring impact of the Bud Light boycott defies a decadeslong history of largely ineffective consumer boycotts, Maurice Schweitzer, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business who studies consumer movements, told ABC News. The continued struggle of Bud Light owes to the easy availability of similar products as well as the highly polarized political environment nationwide, Schweitzer said. Given the history of boycotts and its history of ineffectiveness, it is really surprising that this one has had the staying power that it has, Schweitzer told ABC News. In this moment, were so politicized, Schweitzer added. The weather is political, the employment rate is political and now beer is political. Bud Light boycott still hammers local distributors 1 year later: 'Very upsetting' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Buffalo Diocese makes recommendations for closures, mergers in Southtowns, Southern Tier BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The Buffalo Diocese has announced their recommendations for southern Erie County and the eastern part of the Southern Tier at a meeting at St. John Paul II in Lake View on Thursday night. The Southern Tier recommendations were initially made at a meeting in Olean on June 3. The recommendations come after the dioceses decision to rightsize and reshape their parishes due to financial troubles from payouts to settle child sexual abuse cases, declining Mass attendance, and a priest shortage. At least 13 parishes in the Southtowns have been affected, along with several in the eastern part of the Southern Tier. The list of affected parishes is now at over 60 as of Thursday night. Parishes affected on Thursday night can be seen below. Southern Erie County Family No. 7 St. John XXIII (West Seneca): merge with Queen of Heaven (West Seneca) and close. St. John Vianney (Orchard Park): merge with Queen of Heaven and close. School will remain open. Family No. 8 St. Josaphat (Cheektowaga): merge with Queen of Martyrs (Cheektowaga) and close. Resurrection (Cheektowaga): merge with Our Lady Help of Christians (Cheektowaga) and close. Family No. 9 Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Depew): merge with St. Mary of the Assumption (Lancaster) and close. St. Martha (Depew): merge with St. Philip the Apostle (Cheekowaga) and close. School to remain open. Family No. 26 Queen of Angels (Lackawanna): merge with Our Lady of Victory (Lackawanna) and close. Our Mother of Good Counsel (Blasdell): merge with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Orchard Park) and close. St. Anthony (Lackawanna): merge with Our Lady of Victory and close. Our Lady of Bistrica (Lackawanna): merge with Our Lady of Sacred Heart and close. Family No. 28 St. Bernadette (Orchard Park): merge with SS. Peter and Paul (Hamburg) and close. Family No. 29 St. Anthony (Farnham): merge with Most Precious Blood (Angola) and close. St. Mary of the Lake (Hamburg): merge with St. Francis of Assisi (Athol Springs) and close. Southern Tier Family No. 1 SS. Brendan and Jude: merge with Immaculate Conception (Wellsville), Almond site to close, Alfred site to remain open. Blessed Sacrament (Andover): merge with Immaculate Conception and close. St. Mary (Bolivar): merge with Immaculate Conception and close. Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph (Wellsville): merge with Immaculate Conception, will remain as secondary worship site. St. Mary (Canaseraga): merge with Immaculate Conception, will remain as secondary worship site. Family No. 24 St. John (Olean): merge with St. Mary of the Angels (Olean). School to remain open. Family No. 33 St. Jude (Sardinia): merge with St. Aloysius (Springville) and close. St. Mary (Arcade): East Arcade worship site to close. St. John the Baptist (West Valley): merge with St. Aloysius and close. Buffalo Diocese recommends more closures for Genesee Wyoming Vicariate The diocese said that the actual number of parishes merged will not be determined until their leadership has an opportunity to review the proposed recommendations. Parishes have until July 15 to make a counter proposal. The full list of mergers and closures is set to be finalized by Sept. 1, with changes beginning in October. To view News 4s full coverage of the Buffalo Diocese restructuring, click here. To see a full list of affected facilities across Western New York, click here. Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. More than a century after the Siloam School opened for Black students living in the Mallard Creek community, its beginning anew teaching history. A group of citizens sought to save the one-room schoolhouse, and with the help of the Charlotte Museum of History, raised enough money by November 2022 to restore it. With renovations finished, the museum is holding a grand reopening on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. Entry will be free, and the reopening will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a chance to tour the school. The school can be found on the museums campus, at 3500 Shamrock Drive. Attendees will be able to see the schools new windows, doors, fresh paint, among other renovations. The museum will also provide tours. With the museums effort to help the restoration, the project exceeded its fundraising goal, raising $1.2 million. The communitys commitment spurred larger organizations to contribute major dollars to get the project over the finish line, Terri White, the Charlotte Museum of History Director, said. She also said the schools restoration signifies a new direction and broader view of Charlottes history for the museum. History and restoration process Siloam School in Charlotte was moved from its Mallard Creek area in northeast Charlotte to Charlotte Museum of Historys property on Shamrock Drive. The Siloam School was among thousands of structures designed by Rosenwald-era school plans, which created state-of-the-art schools for Black students in the Jim Crow era. However, the school was not built under the Rosenwald fund, which built schools and colleges for Black students in the South before desegregation Local craftsmen and tradesmen built Siloam School, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building functioned as a schoolhouse until the 1940s, when it was bought by a family who used the structure first as a home, and later an auto garage. Over time, the building became endangered due to disrepair. There were boarded-up windows, rusted containers and cobwebs covering the corners of floors and ceilings. By the 1980s, the structure was no longer used by the family, and the property was purchased by a developer in the early 2000s. In 2016, the Save the Siloam School project took off. The museum, along with community members, created a plan to relocate the school from the Mallard Creek area. Crews moved the building in 2023 to the museums campus in east Charlotte to restore it as a community resource and education center. White said the buildings origin story speaks to the spirit of the Charlotte community today. You have a community of people that are like, Oh, you mean our ancestors worked hard to get this done? And they did it all on their own despite all odds? Well, (yes) were gonna save it despite all the odds, she said. People from all kinds of professions and walks of life contributed to the restoration. They included historians, of course, but there also were glassblowers, painters and carpenters involved. Siloam School and the Museums future Crews remove the roof from the historic Siloam School ahead of its transport to the Charlotte Museum of History where it was restored. For decades, the Charlotte Museum of History has featured exhibits about colonial Charlotte and Revolutionary statesman Hezekiah Alexander, White said. The Siloam Schools renovation is part of the institutions transformation to a modern history museum which focuses on interpreting local stories. Former Charlotte Observer columnist and editor Fannie Flono served as the projects chair. She said the project held community engagement sessions early on to learn what the community wanted. Many Charlotte residents, including Flono, have relatives who attended Rosenwald schools in the South. And so thats of interest to people, about how those Rosenwald schools were set up and the specific design on them. Flono said. Those buildings were set up so well, and a lot of them still exist. A lot of them have obviously been torn down. Whats next for Siloam School? Terri said the museum is working to specialize Siloam School field trips to facilitate conversations about how Charlottes local history has changed over time. The museum is also finalizing a Siloam educator institute, which will provide training and tool kits for educators. We know that the themes of segregation and racism and Jim Crow are difficult for some people to talk about, she said. So were hoping that through artifacts, the school itself, oral history, tangible, factual things, that we can help teachers better prepare on how theyre going to have those conversations with their students either in the classroom or before they come on campus. For the community to address inequities, its important to understand their origin, Flono said. Flono said shes happy that the project is nearly complete. Every day the Siloam School sat on Mallard Creek Church Road, she thought it could be torn down or vandalized. Anything could have happened to that building while I was out there, Flono said. And so to know that five years later, it is actually saved and restored and available for people to get a grasp on the history behind it is just a remarkable thing. Bunker Hill Parade 2024: Road closures, events, everything you need to know The Bunker Hill Parade will take place this weekend on Sunday, June 16th. The parade commemorates the battle of Bunker Hill, the armed services, and the essence of American heritage while celebrating the historic neighborhood of Charlestown. The parade will kick off at 12:30 at Vine Street then head to Bunker Hill Street turn onto Main Street to Monument Avenue then onto Monument Square to Winthrop Street to Common Street, ending at the Charlestown Training Field. The Battle of Bunker Hill Road Race will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be run over many of the streets that are part of the parade route. Here are a few things you need to know: Getting to the Parade: People coming into Charlestown to attend are encouraged not to drive their personal vehicles. People are encouraged to use Bluebikes and the MBTA. Walking is also a great way to move around Boston. Marchers can park their personal vehicles in the Schraffts City Center Parking Lot (529 Main Street, Charlestown) and then shuttle to line up on Vine Street at 11:30 a.m. Street Closures: Vine Street, Both sides, from Chelsea Street to Bunker Hill Street Bunker Hill Street, Both sides, from Vine Street to Main Street Main Street, Both sides, from Bunker Hill Street to Monument Avenue Monument Avenue, Both sides from Main Street to Warren Street Monument Square, See Below Winthrop Street, Both sides, from 49-50 Monument Square to Common Street Common Street, Northeast side from Winthrop Street to Park Street Adams Street, Southside from Winthrop Street to Common Bunker Hill Street, Both sides, from Tufts Street to Lowney Way Chelsea Street, Both sides, from Fifth Street (Gate #4) to Medford Street Corey Street, Both sides, from Moulton Street to Samuel Morse Way Decatur Street, Both sides, from Vine Street to Samuel Morse Way Hunter Street, Both sides, from Bunker Hill Street to Vine Street Moulton Street, Both sides, from Bunker Hill Street to Moulton Way Tufts Street, Both sides, from Vine Street to OReilly Way For more information about The Bunker Hill Day parade and its history, visit the link here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The California Coastal Commission Thursday said a soon-to-be-published report alleging it has worsened the affordable housing crisis has profoundly dishonest and offensive claims. Circulate San Diego, a Southern California think thank, asserts in a study to be published Friday that the commission has worsened the affordable housing crisis, and has made the coast the least accessible part of California. The findings were published in Thursdays Bee, and later in the day, the commission fired back. This disgraceful excuse for a report intentionally distorts and misrepresents actions taken by the Coastal Commission, said Coastal Commission Chair Caryl Hart in a statement to The Bee. It even goes so far as to say the commission is manipulating the law to promote racial segregation in the Coastal Zone, which is profoundly dishonest and offensive. The report, which The Bee has reviewed, cited research showing that the Coastal Zone is twice as white as the rest of California. The report is clearly a developer-backed hit piece masquerading as an academic endeavor, said Hart. Circulate San Diego was created in 2014. Its executive director is Democrat Colin Parent, a City Councilman from La Mesa who is currently running for a seat in the California Assembly. The industries behind this effort are the same ones that opposed the passage of the Coastal Act in 1976 and continue to fight common-sense environmental protections today, Hart said. In response to the the reports claims about the commission exacerbating the affordable housing crisis, Hart said that the state Legislature has historically catered to Realtors and developers, and that the commission has long warned against doing so. Despite warnings that the Coastal Zone would turn into an enclave for the wealthy, the California Legislature, at the behest of Realtors and developers, removed the Coastal Commissions ability to require affordable housing in 1981, Hart said. There was one item the two organizations agreed on: where the California Legislature needs to intervene. The Legislature should take a skeptical view to any demands by the Coastal Commission for more authority over housing of any kind, the report reads. Hart had her own recommendations for the Legislature. The Legislature needs to amend the Coastal Act to again enable the commission to protect, encourage and, where feasible, provide affordable housing in the Coastal Zone, she said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is doubling the National Guard presence on Californias border with Mexico to combat the flow of fentanyl into the state, and he criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for blocking legislation that would have provided more resources. The Republican Party has been consistently standing in the way of providing the resources to support the men and women working hard not only here at the border, Newsom said in a video post on the social platform X. Its time for them to stop playing politics. Its time for the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, to stop playing politics and do the right thing. In February, Democrats and Republicans negotiated a $20 billion bill to improve border security that would have provided $6.8 billion to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, $7.6 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and $4 billion to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. However, House Republicans almost immediately signaled they would oppose that compromise bill, even before it was officially unveiled, arguing it did not go far enough in securing the border. Former President Trumps opposition helped ensure the compromise was dead on arrival. Newsroom has increased the number of California National Guard (CalGuard) service members from 155 to nearly 400 as part of the Counterdrug Task Force operations to counter the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. CalGuard supported the seizure of 5.8 million pills containing fentanyl in 2023. The operations CalGuard supported resulted in the record seizure of 62,224 pounds of fentanyl in 2023, which was a 1,066 percent increase from 2021, according to the governors office. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl contribute to nearly 70 percent of the more than 100,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. each year. The personnel increase is funded by a $30 million investment plan to expand CalGuards work and federal appropriations. While Newsom said the increase will help fight the opioid crisis, frequent Newsom critic Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said the push is too little too late. I almost feel like Im on an episode of Punkd, is he sending them there to help facilitate them access into the country? Its almost a joke, Bianco told Palm Springs-based KESQ-TV. This has been going on for years. Weve been begging for help for years, Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Theres only about 18 months worth of license plate numbers left in California under the decades-old numbering scheme, prompting the Department of Motor Vehicles to hit the gas on its transition plan for a new format. The alphanumeric sequence that has been used on the states license plates for nearly 45 years is finally approaching its end, and the new sequence the agency decided on will simply turn the existing scheme backward. In December, the agency decided the new sequence for license plates would be Numeral Numeral Numeral Alpha Alpha Alpha Numeral, such as 000AAA0, DMV officials told The Sacramento Bee this week. The current sequence, which was implemented in 1980, is the opposite: Numeral Alpha Alpha Alpha Numeral Numeral Numeral. The series began with 1AAA000, followed by 1AAA001 and so on. The license plates with this particular sequence are only issued to passenger vehicles commercial vehicles, motorcycles, permanent trailers and other specialty vehicles have different alphanumeric sequences on their plates, according to the DMVs website. The state is currently in the 9EWZ000-9EWZ999 series, and the final plate in the current sequence 9ZZZ999 is expected to be issued in late 2025, DMV officials said. This is two years earlier than previous reports stated as recently as December, the sequence was reported to be ending in 2027. According to a DMV spokesperson, the department analyzed its license plate issuance and determined the states rate of issuing new numbers was increasing more rapidly than originally anticipated. Data from the California New Car Dealers Association shows the rate of new vehicle registrations in the state is speeding up after a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trade group says sales figures in the state are approaching pre-2020 numbers. 2023 was a strong year for new vehicle registrations in the state, posting an 11.9% increase over 2022. This years figures are projected to continue climbing but at a slower rate, just 2.8% more sales than last year. Still, the dealers association expects the number of this years new vehicle registrations to exceed 1.8 million for the first time since 2019, according to a news release from April. A California teen drowned after jumping off a boat. Heres what you should know about boat safety Boaters are pictured at Deer Creek Island Resort near Heber City on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Alejandro Araujo, 16, drowned in a California Lake on Sunday. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News A 16-year-old boy drowned over the weekend in Shaver Lake, California, after jumping off a pontoon boat, according to USA Today. Once his body was found, officials confirmed that he wore a life vest when he jumped from the boat, but said that it hadnt been clipped properly, per The Fresno Bee. He had placed the vest around his neck but never clipped the belt around his waist, according to the sheriffs office. The vest came off and he disappeared under the water. The recent tragedy is one of countless accidents that will occur on or near boats this summer. But there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of something going wrong. Here are what experts in Fresno County had to say about boat safety after last weekends disaster. How to boat safely The Fresno County Sheriffs Office released a video on Facebook after the drowning, in which Deputy Erica Covarrubias provided some water safety tips: Be sure to use a life vest that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. When wearing it, ensure that it fits and is clipped on properly. Parents, watch over your kids constantly. Remember that when its hot outside, you will get tired faster than usual. This makes it even more important to stay safe in the water or on a boat. Unless you are an experienced swimmer, dont get in the water. Alcohol also makes swimmers more tired than usual. Do not swim while intoxicated. Respect the water. Temperatures may be cold and there could be debris under the surface. Be mindful of strong currents. Because of the mud at the bottom of the lake, it can be easy for swimmers to get stuck. Use your feet to gauge the depth of the water. Stimulants including Adderall were prescribed to patients who didn't need them and billed to insurance companies, the U.S. Justice Department alleges. (Bloomberg via Getty Images) As many as 50,000 U.S. patients' access to treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder could be disrupted after two executives at Done, a California-based telehealth company, were indicted Thursday on healthcare fraud charges, federal officials said. The Justice Department alleges that Chief Executive Ruthia He and company clinical President David Brody schemed to provide easy access to Adderall and other stimulants to patients who didn't need them then billed insurance companies for the medication. Done Global wrote in a statement to The Times on Tuesday that the company "strongly disagrees with the criminal charges filed last week." CEO He and Brody are facing charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice, court records show. The charges mark the first time the Justice Department has prosecuted a digital health company in connection with distributing controlled substances through telemedicine. Read more: Two Pasadena doctors accused of overprescribing narcotics to patients, face Medical Board sanctions Done, based in San Francisco, operated on a subscription model in which individuals paid a monthly fee in exchange for online diagnosis of ADHD, as well as subsequent treatment and medication refills. "Since our founding, Done Global has worked to make mental health care accessible for tens of thousands of Americans trapped in a spiraling national crisis," the company said in a statement. "Done Global will continue to operate and do everything in our power to ensure that tens of thousands of Americans that rely on us do not lose access to their mental health care. At the same time, we will continue to support our clinicians as they exercise independent clinical judgment, practice evidence-based medicine, and provide best-in-class health care." Prosecutors allege that He and Brody arranged for the prescription of more than 40 million pills, including Adderall, and generated more than $100 million in revenue since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The charges coincide with an ongoing shortage of several stimulant medications commonly prescribed to treat ADHD, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A disruption "involving this large telehealth company could impact as many as 30,000 to 50,000 patients ages 18 years and older across all 50 U.S. states," the agency said. "Instead of properly addressing medical needs, the defendants allegedly made millions of dollars by pushing addictive medications," said Anne Milgram, administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "Any diversion of Adderall and other prescription stimulant pills to persons who have no medical need only exacerbates this shortage and hurts any American with a legitimate medical need for these drugs." Read more: 7 key questions about worsening drug shortages, answered During the pandemic, the federal government expanded telemedicine rules to allow practitioners to prescribe controlled substances to patients virtually. Proponents say the flexibility allowed patients to continue receiving medical care at a time when meeting in-person risked exposure to COVID-19. However, it also prompted concerns that web-based platforms made it too easy to get potentially addictive medications. In some instances, prosecutors allege, medical providers paid by Done based their diagnoses and prescriptions on a short video or phone conversation and using "limited patient intake documents." Other times, they prescribed without a video or phone call with the patient, according to the indictment. Prosecutors also allege the company instituted an "auto-refill" policy that discouraged providers from following up with patients. They paid medical professionals solely based on the number of patients they wrote prescriptions for each month and refused to compensate them for follow-ups or other medical services provided after an initial consultation, the indictment said. The company also allegedly collected insurance information from individuals and submitted it to pharmacies filling the prescriptions, causing the pharmacies to submit "fraudulent claims" to the insurance companies. Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurers ultimately paid out roughly $14 million, prosecutors wrote in the indictment. Read more: Rehab operator paid kickbacks to 'body brokers' in exchange for patients, prosecutors say Officials allege Done was aware that some patients had overdosed and died on medication prescribed through its service. Done members described the company as a "straight-up pill mill" and a "drug-pushing scam to sell ADHD drugs and make a lot" of money, according to the indictment. In May 2022, after mental health startup Cerebral received a grand jury subpoena indicating that it was being investigated, He and Brody allegedly became concerned they could be targeted in a similar probe. Prosecutors said they destroyed and concealed records and documents that could have been used by federal law enforcement investigators and began using encrypted messaging platforms instead of company email. Brody and He have been taken into custody and are expected to appear in court Thursday, records show. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison. The CDC has advised patients who use telehealth services and are running low on their current prescriptions to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Californians less likely to vote cite a common reason: They don't like the presidential candidates Among California voters who say they're less likely to vote in November, 40% said their reasons included not liking the presidential candidates. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians say they're likely to vote in the November election, but among those who aren't sure, there's a common reason: They don't like the presidential candidates. That finding comes from a poll released Friday by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, which asked 5,095 registered voters across California to reflect on their likelihood of voting in the Nov. 5 general election, which will feature a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. The poll, conducted for the nonprofit Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, found that about 78% of California's registered voters say they're highly likely to vote. The poll also found that the intent to vote varies widely by age, race and political affiliation as do the reasons why people say they aren't likely to cast a ballot. Californians who see themselves as highly likely to vote said participating in the presidential election is the leading reason. But among those who say they're less likely to vote, 40% cited not liking the candidates for president as a reason. That rose to 55% among voters who have voted regularly in the past but aren't sure whether they'll vote this year. Trump, a Republican, is now running as the first former president convicted of crimes after a jury last month found him guilty of falsifying records in a scheme to conceal payments to a porn actor who alleged they'd had an affair. Biden, a Democrat, is facing criticism from some in his own party over his support for Israel in its war against Hamas, as well as his moves to restrict asylum at the Mexico border. And both are facing questions about their age: Trump is 78 and Biden is 81. "The presidential election seems to be cutting both ways," said Mark DiCamillo, the director of the Berkeley IGS poll. "It's a motivating factor for those who are already on board and likely to vote, but it seems to be inhibiting others." Democrats and liberals were more likely than Republicans and conservatives to say that their dislike of the presidential candidates is one reason they may not vote, the poll found. More than 1 in 3 voters in the state said they weren't likely to vote because "special interests and big money are controlling things," and almost 3 in 10 voters said they weren't well informed about the issues and the candidates. "It's clear that when it comes to our politics, belief is low and cynicism is high," Jonathan Mehta Stein, the executive director of California Common Cause, said in a statement. California's ballot on Nov. 5 will be a lengthy one, including the presidential election, a growing list of statewide ballot initiatives and several competitive legislative races that could determine which party controls Congress. Some races in purple areas are expected to be won on razor-thin margins. Overall, the poll found that the groups that appear to be most inclined to vote are over the age of 65, white voters, Republicans, homeowners and those with post-graduate degrees. The groups in which the fewest people said they were likely to vote include voters who are young, Black or Asian American, have no post-high school education, or are naturalized citizens. "It's pretty much what we've seen in past elections that older voters, white voters, the better educated voters are the most likely to turn out," DiCamillo said. The likelihood of voter participation varied widely by race, the poll found. Among white respondents, 90% said they were highly likely to vote. The share was 66% among Black voters, 70% among Latino voters and 62% among Asian American voters. Read more: Path to 218 runs through California: State races pivotal in fight to control the House The foundation provided special funding to focus on Asian Americans, California's fastest-growing demographic group, DiCamillo said. The poll used voter-roll information to find voters who requested voting materials in Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, then asked the poll questions in those languages. (The poll always asks questions in both English and Spanish.) The results give "a better read of those voting constituencies than we've ever had in the past," DiCamillo said, and suggest that there are wide disparities in voting propensity among Asian Americans. Nearly 2 in 3 Vietnamese Americans described themselves as highly likely to vote. That rate rose to 71% among other Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, including Filipino and Japanese Americans. By comparison, slightly less than half of Korean Americans and 54% of Chinese Americans said they were likely to vote. The poll also asked California's registered voters what could make them more engaged in the general election. White and Asian American voters were most likely to say that their chances of voting would rise if they felt that "ballot measures or candidates would advance my interests." Latinos were most likely to say that their chances of voting would increase if "election results were more trustworthy." And Black voters most frequently said that they would be more likely to vote if they "had access to an unbiased and trusted source of news about the election." Read more: News Analysis: Why Biden's order on the 'out of control' border may not fix Democrats' political problem Christian Arana, a vice president of the Latino Community Foundation, said in a statement that investment in voter education is crucial to ensure that voters "understand the significance of their vote and the influence they hold." Voters under the age of 30 were four times more likely than voters over 65 to say that "getting more information about how and when to vote" could improve their chances of participation. They were also far more likely to say that their voting behavior could change if voting were more convenient, or if they had assistance from "a person or group that I trust to help me better understand the issues and the candidates." DiCamillo cautioned that 78% of respondents rating themselves as highly likely to vote does not mean a prediction of 78% turnout. Most voters have good intentions about voting, he said, "but they probably overestimate it." During the 2020 presidential election, more than 80% of registered voters cast ballots in California, the highest percentage since 1976. The poll was conducted May 29 to June 4 in five languages. The margin of error for the overall sample of registered voters was estimated to be plus or minus 2 percentage points, and could be higher for subgroups. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (Bloomberg) -- The leader of Canadas third-largest national party said some of the countrys lawmakers were traitors who should be banned from Parliament and face prosecution after he read a classified report on foreign interference in the democracy. Most Read from Bloomberg What theyre doing is unethical, it is in some cases against the law, and they are indeed traitors to the country, said Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party. Singh spoke on Thursday after reading an unredacted version of a report on foreign interference from Canadas National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. He declined to share the names of lawmakers allegedly accused in the report of working for foreign states, saying that doing so could jeopardize national security efforts. A redacted version of the document was published on June 3 and said that China and India are the biggest perpetrators of foreign meddling. NSICOP is a senior, cross-party group of lawmakers with top secret security clearances. The NDP supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government in a Parliamentary confidence deal, but Singh accused the countrys leader of being soft on foreign interference. Foreign Interference Its clear that he accepted a certain level of knowledge of foreign interference and didnt do anything, Singh said at a press conference on Thursday, adding that the prime minister delayed swift action and doing so sends a message that some level of interference is acceptable. A spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said in an emailed statement that foreign interference shouldnt be a partisan issue. Our government has been clear any attempt to interfere in Canadas democracy is completely unacceptable, LeBlancs office said. Over the last number of years, we have taken action to detect, disrupt and counter those attempts, including by establishing the public inquiry. Canada is holding a public inquiry into foreign interference that last month concluded in an interim report that there were attempts from foreign actors, particularly China, to sway its elections in 2019 and 2021. The report said those efforts didnt affect the outcome of the elections. Trudeau ordered the hearings after media reports cited classified intelligence memos that Chinese meddling may have helped certain Liberal Party candidates get elected. In his remarks about Trudeau, Singh referred to an alleged incident described in the report: In 2019, Liberal officials were notified by Canadas spy agency CSIS about allegations of possible Chinese efforts to influence a nomination contest for a Liberal seat. After receiving caveatted information, and being advised by his campaign director not to remove the candidate, Han Dong, Trudeau didnt intervene. Dong, who was eventually elected, has rejected the accusations. He later resigned from the Liberal Party. Conservative Party Singh added that the document indicated that he, personally, was also a target of overseas efforts. Singh also accused Trudeaus main rival, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, of willful ignorance and dodging scrutiny on the subject, citing the reports description that Conservative Party leadership races were also targeted for alleged interference. Poilievre has opted not to accept confidentiality requirements to read the report, for fear they could hamstring his role in government scrutiny. Instead he has called for the names of witting accomplices in interference to be made public. A Conservative Party representative said via email that if Singh really has concerns that the prime minister has failed to take national security seriously and has failed to protect our democracy against foreign interference, then he should stop blindly supporting the Liberal government and let them face Canadians in an election. Vastly Relieved Other politicians have drawn different conclusions from the full report. On Tuesday, Green Party leader Elizabeth May said there is no list of MPs who have shown disloyalty to Canada, adding I am vastly relieved. However, she did say that a parliamentarian, who no longer sits in the House of Commons and isnt named in the report, shared confidential information with a foreign intelligence officer, and that that person should be investigated and prosecuted. Singhs NDP supports Trudeaus Liberals, Canadas biggest party, in votes, allowing them to form a government. Asked why he continues to do so given his concerns, Singh said hes going to use his role in Parliament to demand answers, instead of pulling out of the pact and triggering a general election. The suggestion that an election is a solution to election interference is, I think, a fallacy, he said. --With assistance from Laura Dhillon Kane, Thomas Seal and Bill Faries. (Updates with governments comment in seventh paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Canada's Defense Minister Bill Blair, center, speaks with Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, left, and Finland's Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in NATO defense ministers format at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, June 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) BRUSSELS (AP) Canada looks on track to meet NATOs military spending guideline by the end of the decade, Defense Minister Bill Blair said Friday, notably by boosting investment in the Arctic near its shared border with Russia as the region warms quickly because of climate change. After Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014, NATO allies agreed to halt budget cuts and move toward spending 2% of their gross domestic product on defense within a decade. Canada was barely spending 1% at the time. Last year, as it became clear that Russias war with Ukraine would grind on, they decided that 2% should be a spending minimum. According to NATO figures, Canada was estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on its military budget in 2023. Our country finds itself at a pivotal moment. Our sovereignty and our security are no longer guaranteed by our geographic location," Blair said. Canada is surrounded by three oceans with NATO's biggest ally, the U.S., as its neighbor. "But the new threat environment, the greater accessibility of our Arctic, the new technologies and the actions of our adversaries have taught us that we need to be ready, he told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. Blair said that he expects Canada's defense spending to climb to at least 1.75% of GDP by 2029, but that other investment, notably replacing the country's aging submarine fleet or purchasing integrated air defense and missile systems, would probably push the figure past the 2% mark. I believe it brings us inevitably to over 2% of defense spending. But Ive got some work to do in order to be able to articulate that both to my own country and to our allies, he said. Canada already plans to buy surveillance aircraft, helicopters and restock its ammunition supplies. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that he expects around two thirds of the alliances 32 member countries to spend 2% of GDP on their defense budgets this year, up from just three countries a decade ago. Canton roadwork: See which streets, bridges will be under construction in 2024 Canton is replacing the Ninth Street SW bridge with a new steel beam structure as part of its road and bridge improvemet projects. The $2.5 million bridge project is expected to be completed in August. CANTON More orange construction barrels are coming to Canton. The Canton City Engineering Department plans to spend nearly $14 million on road paving and street and bridge construction projects this year, its highest allocation since at least 2008, city records show. Nearly $6 million will be spent to pave roughly 30 miles of the citys 440 miles of road as part of the citys annual paving list that will touch 141 different roads. Another 13 miles of road will be paved as part of larger road construction projects. City Traffic Engineer Nick Loukas said the department needs to pave 29 miles of road each year to maintain an average 15-year paving cycle. But the city fell far behind due to a lack of money before city voters passed the Issue 13 income tax increase in 2018. Over the last two years, we finally got to where we actually feel good about where we are headed, Loukas said. This years paving list includes more than 70 alleys, which generally are considered roads under 16 feet wide with few, if any, homes fronting them. Made with Flourish Mayor William V. Sherer II has pledged to pave every alley in the city within four years as part of his neighborhood transformation initiative, titled Connecting Canton Together, that was unveiled in May. It's been decades since alleys were paved City Service Director John Highman said it likely has been decades since the alleys were last paved. The philosophy has been that fewer people drive on them, so you do them last, Highman said. But when you got behind as those who came before us did, at some point, you cant let them deteriorate anymore and you have to have a philosophy change. Much of this years alley work is concentrated east of Cleveland Avenue and north of 12th Street. City leaders have identified the area, which includes the Vassar Park neighborhood, as one of its two priority focus areas for the neighborhood improvement initiative. The initiatives other priority area is in southeast Canton where the 11th Street SE realignment and roundabout and the Allen Avenue SE sanitary sewer project are underway. Beyond the paving and its major construction project, the engineering department also is laying the groundwork for future projects such as conducting traffic safety studies at 13th Street and Interstate 77 and at the intersections of U.S. Route 62, Harmont Avenue NE and Lesh Avenue NE. The department also is starting the design process for future improvements along Cleveland Avenue NW between 12th and 30th streets, at Fulton Drive and 25th Street NW, and along 30th Street NE. Some of the departments non-road-related projects slated for this year include the expansion of the citys impound lot and overseeing the construction of multiple buildings such as an auction building at 2436 30th St. NE, a building for the sanitation department on Regent Avenue NW and a building that will house the engineering departments traffic, signal, sign and paint operations. A list of all the engineering departments major projects can be found at cantonohio.gov. This embedded content is not available in your region. Cantons 20 major road and bridge projects The list below of the major road and bridge projects in Canton affecting residents and motorists includes only Canton City Engineering Department projects and does not include all the projects undertaken by the city water or sewer departments, the paving or road repair done by the city street department or the gas line installation projects planned by Dominion Gas. It also does not include the Ohio Department of Transportations project to repave Market Avenue N (state Route 43) from 30th Street to 55th Street. That work is expected to start in July and be completed in October. Here are the Canton Engineering Departments 20 major projects for 2024: Canton is replacing the Ninth Street SW bridge with a new steel beam structure as part of its road and bridge improvemet projects. The $2.5 million bridge project is expected to be completed in August. 1. 11th Street SE realignment and roundabout Project: Straightening 11th Street SE between Market Avenue S and Cherry Avenue SE, adding a roundabout at the Market and 11th Street SE intersection, improving the intersection at 11th Street and Cherry with a new traffic signal and upgrading the storm sewer, sanitary sewer and waterlines. Decorative roadway lighting, trees, brick accents and a bicycle lane also will be added. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed in May 2025 Estimated cost: $14.2 million Traffic impact: Posted detour is Navarre Road SW, from Cleveland Avenue SW to Cherry Avenue SE, and Market Avenue S, from Meek Place SW to Buckeye Place SW 2. Allen Avenue SE sanitary sewer Project: Relocate and replace the sanitary sewer lines along Allen Avenue SE, from the bridge north of 17th Street SE to 11th Street SE and along 14th Street SE from Allen Avenue to Cherry Avenue, as well as various side streets and alleys. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed later this month Estimated cost: $5 million Traffic impact: Closed to through traffic 3. Fourth Street SE sanitary sewer Project: Relocate and replace the sanitary sewer along Fourth Street SE from the railroad tracks east of Madison Avenue SE to Warner Road SE; along Main Court SE from Third Street SE to Fourth Street SE; and from Third Street SE from Main Court SE to Warner Road SE. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed in August Estimated cost: $4.5 million Traffic impact: Closed to through traffic 4. 15th Street SW Bridge Replacement Project: Replace the existing bridge structure with a new steel beam structure over the west branch of the Nimishillen Creek, between Henry Avenue and McKinley Avenue SW. Expected start: July Expected end: December Estimated cost: $2.7 million Traffic impact: Detours will be posted Canton is replacing the Ninth Street SW bridge with a new steel beam structure as part of its road and bridge improvemet projects. The $2.5 million bridge project is expected to be completed in August. 5. Ninth Street SW bridge replacement Project: Replace the existing bridge structure with a new steel beam structure over the west branch of Nimishillen Creek, between Camden and Schroyer avenues SW. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed in August Estimated cost: $2.5 million Traffic impact: Detours posted 6. Eastside sanitary sewer interceptor rehabilitation Project: Install a cured-in-place liner in the off-road sanitary sewer located east and west of Fresh Mark on Harmont Avenue NE. Estimated construction schedule: July-December Estimated cost: $2 million Traffic impact: None 7. 31st Street NE waterline and storm sewer Project: Construct new waterline and storm sewers along 31st Street NE from Harmont Avenue NE to Coventry Avenue NE and along Coventry Ave NE from 31st Street NE to 30th Street NE. The roadway also will be reconstructed and curbs will be installed. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed later this month Estimated cost: $1.4 million Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 8. Monument Road NW sanitary sewer replacement Project: Replace the sanitary sewer line on Monument Road NW from 18th Street to 23rd Street NW. Estimated construction schedule: July to December Estimated cost/funding sources: $1.3 million Traffic impact: Will be closed to through traffic 9. 18th Street SW storm sewer rehabilitation Project: To stabilize failing sections of the existing pipe, a cured-in-place liner will be inserted into 1,500 feet of existing 48-inch diameter corrugated metal storm sewer under 18th Street SW, from Nimishillen Creek to near the Stark-Wayne Schradar playground on Stark Avenue SW. Estimated construction schedule: July Estimated cost: $1.2 million Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 10. 15th Street SE and Allen Avenue SE railroad crossing reconfiguration Project: Realign the intersection and railroad crossing at the intersection of 15th Street and Allen Avenue SE. Estimated construction schedule: Summer Estimated cost: $1 million Traffic impact: Detours to be posted 11. Schroyer Avenue SW sanitary sewer rehabilitation Project: To stabilize failing sections of the existing pipe, a cured-in-place pipe liner will be inserted into roughly 3,200 feet of the existing 18-inch diameter sanitary sewer along Schroyer Ave SW, between Tuscarawas Street W and the south side of Ninth Street SW. Estimated construction schedule: July to December Estimated cost: $900,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 12. 10th Street NW sidewalk replacement Project: Replace the sidewalks and curbs as needed along 10th Street NW from Fulton Road to Cleveland Avenue NW. Estimated construction schedule: Summer to fall Estimated cost: $900,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 13. Harmont Avenue and Columbus Road NE repaving Project: A joint project with the Stark County Engineers Office that will pave Harmont Avenue NE from U.S. Route 62 to Columbus Road and Columbus Road from Route 62 to the eastern city limits. Estimated construction schedule: June to September Estimated cost: $700,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 14. Cleveland Avenue SW reconstruction Project: Replace the existing concrete pavement along Cleveland Avenue SW from the Interstate 77 ramp to the bridge over Interstate 77. Estimated construction schedule: Summer to fall Estimated cost: $650,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 15. Viola Parkway NW sanitary sewer realignment Project: Relocate and replace the sanitary sewer line along Viola Parkway NW between 13th Street NW and Valentine Circle E and along Valentine Circle E. Estimated construction schedule: June to September Estimated cost: $600,000 Traffic impact: Road closures expected 16. Wayne Avenue NE sanitary sewer relocation Project: The second phase of the project that includes relocating the sanitary sewer along Wayne Avenue NE, which is west of Fresh Mark. Estimated construction schedule: July to December Estimated cost: $500,000 Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained 17. Clarendon Avenue SW pedestrian bridge demolition Project: Removal of a pedestrian bridge along Clarendon Avenue SW that crosses Navarre Road SW and the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. Estimated construction schedule: Summer Expected cost: $400,000 Traffic impact: Detours will be posted 18. Shanabruck Avenue NW storm sewer installation Project: Install new storm sewers to improve drainage and pave Shanabruck Avenue NW from 37th Street to 41st Street NW. Estimated construction schedule: June to July Estimated cost: $140,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 19. Westview Avenue NW storm sewer installation Project: Install a new storm sewer to improve drainage and pave Westview Avenue NW from 37th Street to 39th Street NW; and 38th Street NW from Norman Avenue NW to Westview Avenue NW. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed later this month Estimated cost: $140,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained 20. Woodland Avenue NW storm sewer installation Project: Install new storm sewers to improve drainage and pave the street on Woodland Avenue NW from 30th Street NW to 32nd Street NW. Estimated construction schedule: Underway, to be completed later this month Estimated cost: $73,000 Traffic impact: Traffic to be maintained Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com. Canton City road paving projects 2024 Road to be paved From To 3rd Street NE Riverside Drive NE Belden Avenue NE 3rd Street NW Wertz Avenue NW Alley east of Smith Avenue 3rd Street SE Belden Avenue SE Dead end 4th Street SE Hartford Avenue SE Henrietta Avenue SE 6th Street NE The O'Jays Parkway NE Riverside Drive NE 7th Street NE Walnut Avenue NE Cherry Avenue NE 8th Street SE Belden Avenue SE Lucinda Avenue SE 10th Street SW Wertz Avenue SW Camden Avenue SW 12th Street NW Roslyn Avenue NW Clarendon Avenue NW 13th Street NW Cleveland Avenue NW Woodland Avenue NW 14th Street NW Cleveland Avenue NW Woodland Avenue NW 15th Street NE Mahoning Road NE Grace Avenue NE 17th Street NW Minerva Court NW Vassar Avenue NW 20th Street NE Maple Avenue NE Railroad tracks east of Maple Avenue 20th Street SW Wertz Avenue SW Bedford Avenue SW 21st Street SW Quimby Avenue SW Harrison Avenue SW 22nd Street NE St. Elmo Avenue NE Railroad tracks east of Maple Avenue 22nd Street NW Roberts Avenue NW Cleveland Avenue NW 24th Street NW Geltz Court NW Dead end east of Woodland Avenue 24th Street NW Dead end west of Frazer Avenue Frazer Avenue NW 24th Street SE Dead end west of Allen Avenue Allen Avenue SE 25th Street NE St. Elmo Avenue NE Maple Avenue NE 25th Street SW Dead end Cleveland Avenue SW 26th Street SW Dead end Cleveland Avenue SW 27th Street NE St. Elmo Avenue NE Maple Avenue NE 28th Street NW Harrison Avenue NW Leemont Avenue NW 30th Street NE Roosevelt Avenue NE Sahara Avenue NE 33rd Street NW Logan Avenue NW Market Avenue N 34th Street NW Logan Avenue NW Market Avenue N 35th Street NW Logan Avenue NW Market Avenue N 48th Street NE Marbury Avenue NE Laverton Avenue NE 49th Street NE Marbury Avenue NE Laverton Avenue NE 50th Street NW Cleveland Avenue NW Dead end east of Carlton Drive Allen Avenue SE Allenford Drive SE 17th Street SE Alta Place NW Cleveland Avenue NW Yale Avenue NW Alton Place NE Mahoning Road NE Grace Avenue NE Arthur Court NW Homes Place NW 19th Street NW Auburn Place NW Woodland Avenue NW Yale Avenue NW Ballard Place SW Union Avenue SW Marion Avenue SW Banner Court NW Diana Place NW Case Place NW Banner Court NW 17th Street NW Alta Place NW Barton Place NE Gibbs Avenue NE Rowland Avenue NE Belden Avenue SE 8th Street SE 4th Street SE Bieyl Court SW 11th Street SW Grigsby Place SW Blair Place SW Concord Avenue SW Dartmouth Avenue SW Blossom Court Harvey Place SE 3rd Street NE Blossom Court SE 8th Street SE 4th Street SE Booth Court SW 10th Street SW Grigsby Place SW Case Place NW Arthur Court NW Yale Avenue NW Crestmont Avenue Harvey Place SE 3rd Street NE Crystal Place NE Mahoning Road NE Dead end east of Royal Avenue Demario Court NW Hursh Place NW 4th Street NW Desert Inn Court NW Dead end 12th Street NW Diana Place NW Perkins Avenue NW Fulton Road NW Diana Place NW Cleveland Avenue NW Carmen Court NW Donald Place SW Dead end Cleveland Avenue SW Dorcie Court SW 10th Street SW Grigsby Place SW Dover Avenue NE 19th Street NE Dead end north of 22nd Street Eberman Place SE Allen Avenue SE Dead end Eversole Avenue SW Mill Road SW Millview Place SW Geltz Court NW 21st Street NW 25th Street NW Gobel Avenue SE 8th Street SE 4th Street SE Grace Avenue NE Winfield Way NE Mahoning Road NE Gresser Court SW 11th Street SW Grigsby Place SW Grigsby Place SW Maryland Avenue SW Harrison Avenue SW H. Carson Court NW 14th Street NW 15th Street NW Harvard Avenue NW 30th Street NW East Harvard Boulevard NW Harvey Place SE Belden Avenue SE Girard Avenue SE Hauer Court NW 19th Street NW 21st Street NW Havana Place NE Gibbs Avenue NE Rowland Avenue NE Henrietta Avenue NE 4th Street SE Tuscarawas Street E Hiner Place NE Rex Avenue NE Cherry Avenue NE Holland Court SW 21st Street NW Dead end north of 17th Street Homes Place NW Woodland Avenue NW Frazer Avenue NW Howington Circle SE Cul-de-sac Warner Avenue SE Humphrey Court NW Dead end 18th Street NW Hursh Place NW West of Clarendon Avenue NW Demario Court NW Ingram Avenue SW Blair Place SW Grigsby Place SW Iris Court NW 21st Street NW 25th Street NW Ivydale Avenue SW 19th Street SW 17th Street SW Jay Place SE Allen Avenue SE Dead end Ken Place NW Cleveland Avenue NW Dead end east of Van Court Kensington Court NW Tuscarawas Street W Hursh Place NW Kirk Court NW 18th Street NW 21st Street NW Kolp Place NW Cleveland Avenue NW Dead end east of Van Court Laverton Avenue NE 48th Street NE 49th Street NE Leavell Court SE 14th Street SE 13th Street SE Leemont Avenue NW 28th Street NW 29th Street NW Lint Court SE 8th Street SE Wallace Avenue SE Logan Avenue NW 30th Street NW 36th Street NW Louisiana Avenue NW 13th Street NW 15th Street NW Marbury Avenue NE 48th Street NE 49th Street NE Mason Place NW Woodland Avenue NW Yale Avenue NW Mentzer Place NE Walnut Avenue NE Cherry Avenue NE Millview Place SW Eversole Avenue SW Cleveland Avenue SW Minerva Court NW Dead end south of Richard Place Mason Place NW Minerva Court NW 16th Street SW 19th Street NW Mosley Court SW 11th Street SW Grigsby Place SW Numan Place NE Rex Avenue NE Cherry Avenue NE Ord Place NW Harrison Avenue NW Leemont Avenue NW Park Avenue SW 10th Street SW 2nd Street SW Parwich Circle NE 48th Street NE Cul-de-sac Piedmont Avenue 4th Street SE 2nd Street NE Pop Place NW Wertz Avenue NW Broad Avenue NW Prospect Avenue SW 10th Street SW 6th Street SW Quimby Avenue SW 21st Street SW Dead end north of 17th Street Ramos Court SE 8th Street SE 4th Street SE Raymont Court SW 11th Street SW Grigsby Place SW Rex Avenue NE 2nd Street NE 9th Street NE Rex Avenue SE 14th Street SE Merriman Place SE Ridge Road NW 12th Street NW Cottage Place NW Rose Court NW Diana Place NW 15th Street NW Royal Avenue NE 13th Street NE Mahoning Road NE Ruth Place NW Cleveland Avenue NW Frazer Avenue NW Sal Court SE 4th Street SE Tuscarawas Street E Seich Court SW 16th Street SW 15th Street SW Seneca Place NE Walnut Avenue NE Cherry Avenue NE Silent Court NW 19th Street NW 21st Street NW Sites Place NE Rex Avenue NE Cherry Avenue NE Snyder Avenue NE 20th Street NE 23rd Street NE Spangler Street NE Maple Avenue NE Harrisburg Road NE St. Clair Court NE Tuscarawas Street E 2nd Street NE Stadium Park Drive NW McKinley Monument Drive NW Fulton Road NW Sunshine Court NW Dead end south of 8th Street 12th Street NW Superior Avenue NE 13th Street NE Mahoning Road NE Thoma Place NE Mahoning Road NE Grace Avenue NE Union Avenue SW Park Drive SW Ballard Place SW Unnamed alley between Girard and Gobel avenues SE 8th Street SE 4th Street SE Unnamed alley north of 22nd Street NW Cleveland Avenue NW View Court NW Unnamed alley North of 22nd Street NW Dead end west of Woodland Avenue Dead end east of Woodland Avenue Utah Court NW 21st Street NW 22nd Street NW Van Court NW Kolp Place NW 39th Street NW Van Place NW 37th Street NW Ken Place NW Van Place SW Wertz Avenue SW Dartmouth Avenue SW Van Place SW Arlington Avenue SW Harrison Avenue SW Varn Place NW Wertz Avenue NW Sunshine Court NW Velvet Place NW Geltz Court NW Woodland Avenue NW Vermont Place NE Dead end east of Rowland Avenue St. Elmo Avenue NE View Court NW 22nd Street NW 25th Street NW Warrick Place NE St. Elmo Avenue NE Maple Avenue NE Washington Boulevard NW Tuscarawas Street E 7th Street NW Waynesburg Road SE 4th Street SE Dead end south of Tyler Avenue Wertz Avenue SW 21st Street SW 16th Street SW Westview Avenue NW 37th Street NW 39th Street NW Wilben Place NW Cleveland Avenue NW Arthur Court NW Woodland Avenue NW 30th Street NW 32nd Street NW Wuske Place SE Allen Avenue SE Dead end east of Allen Avenue This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton City road paving, bridge and street construction projects Floridas 2024 ballot for state House and Senate includes former congressman Alan Grayson aiming for Tallahassee, a bitter state Senate primary dividing the prominent Bracy family, and Democratic opponents for every GOP incumbent in Central Florida. Once Fridays deadline passed for candidates to qualify for this years election, it was a quick victory for former state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, who was automatically elected to the state Senate in Orange County after drawing no competitors. Across Florida, Democrats are trying to claw back enough seats to end the GOPs legislative supermajority, the outcome of a red wave in 2022 propelled by Gov. Ron DeSantis 19-point landslide reelection. This year, Democrats have candidates running in every legislative district for the first time in 30 years. They need to pick up five seats in the House and two seats in the Senate to deprive the GOP of its 2/3 margins, which limit the Democrats ability to debate and pass bills. The party is coming off of a special election win by Democrat Tom Keen in January in which non-partisan voters swung blue by a nearly 7-3 margin. Democratic turnout just fell through the floor in 2022, said Aubrey Jewett, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida. This time around, theyre expecting a lot better Democratic turnout, and perhaps they could win some of those back. But, he cautioned, the Florida GOPs statewide registration advantage over Democrats of nearly 1 million and growing could make the difference in swing seats. Democratic hopes and dreams may be dashed yet, Jewett said. A lively race Republicans had no candidate to file against Smith, who will succeed outgoing state Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando. We know that voters are frustrated with the direction our state has been heading, and theyve had enough, Smith said. Smith, who will be the second LGBTQ member of the state Senate, said the community has been relentlessly attacked and demonized by the majority party in this legislature in the past few years. But the tide is turning in Florida. Florida Democrats think abortion issue could turn the tide in November Like Stewart, Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, is also term-limited after eight years. The race to succeed him could be one of the most watched in Florida with a current state lawmaker, a fiery former congressman and Torres wife all facing off. State Rep. Kristen Arrington, D-Kissimmee, represents much of the area in the state House, while Carmen Torres, a community activist, is making her first run for office to succeed her husband. Earlier this week, Grayson, the controversial and fiery liberal stalwart, joined the fray by switching from a longshot bid for the U.S. Senate to his first bid for a state legislative office. Grayson, who served two stints in Congress, also ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2016, his old House seat in 2018, and in another district in 2022. He certainly will make the race lively and give Democratic voters an interesting choice, especially if he runs as he has in the past, which is to be very over the top, very vocal, and very progressive, Jewett said. The victor will face the GOP primary winner between Osceola School Board member Jon Arguello and businessman Jose Martinez. Heated Senate race In the other state Senate race in the Orlando area, state Sen. Geraldine Thompson is running against former state Sen. Randolph Bracy, seeking a return to Tallahassee after a failed congressional bid in 2022. On Friday, Bracys sister, state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, D-Ocoee, dropped a bombshell by endorsing Thompson over her brother. In a letter, she and five other Orange Democrats endorsed Thompson in a unified show of support. Thompson has been an invaluable mentor to me as a freshman legislator, Bracy Davis wrote. I look forward to continuing our important work together. Bracy, reached Friday, said via email his sister endorsed Thompson out of personal disdain for me despite supporting her first campaign in 2022. I love my sister, but as God began to elevate and bless my life, the more envious and jealous she has become. Bracy claims Sen. Thompson illegally lives outside her district The Democratic primary between Thompson and Bracy will open to all voters, as there is no Republican or independent challenger. House races Two Democratic primaries in the state House will also open to all voters. State Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando, faces a challenge from Janet Buford-Johnson, who filed a complaint based on reporting from Fresh Take Florida and the Orlando Sentinel alleging he doesnt live in his district. Ethics complaint alleges Orlando-area Rep. Antone doesnt live in his district State Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando, has a primary rematch with former state Rep. Daisy Morales, whom she defeated by about 8 points in 2022. Florida Democrats had been struggling to recruit candidates to take on Republican incumbents in the Orlando area earlier this year, but ultimately found challengers to four GOP freshmen. Theyre very much swing seats, said Matt Isbell, a Democratic elections analyst. With the presidential cycle being what it is, it will generate higher turnout and you might end up having a couple seats, even ones that dont have as much money or resources pumped into it, flipping Democratic. Kelley Diona Miller, a Seminole NAACP committee member, will face state Rep. Rachel Plakon, R-Longwood, while Marsha Summersill, a childrens advocate, will challenge state Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka. Nate Douglas, a policy researcher, will face state Rep. Susan Plasencia, R-Orlando. Plasencia won in 2022 by less than 4 points over Carlos Smith. Whats happened with Rep. Carolina Amesty since August Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Windermere, will face Leonard Spencer, a former Disney executive. In addition, state Rep. David Smith, R-Longwood, will have a rematch with his 2022 Democratic opponent Sarah Henry, who lost to Smith by less than 5 points. August primaries will set the general election matchups in two potentially close races. A GOP primary will determine who faces Keen, who won by 2.6 points in January, and a Democratic primary winner will face state Rep. Paula Stark, R-St. Cloud, who won by 1.8 points in 2022. Catherine, Princess of Wales, says she has been "blown away" by the messages of support and encouragement she has received since announcing her diagnosis. (David Cliff / Associated Press) Catherine, Princess of Wales, has issued the first substantial update about her health since revealing in March that she has an undisclosed form of cancer, as well as announcing a partial return to royal duties amid her treatment. The British princess said Friday in a statement that she has been blown away by the messages of support and encouragement she has received since announcing her diagnosis and while undergoing preventive chemotherapy. Read more: Don't blame the public for failing Kate Middleton. Blame the palace Catherine, 42, said shes making good progress in her treatment but asserted that it is ongoing for a few more months and that she is not out of the woods yet. Neither the palace nor the princess has said what stage of cancer she was diagnosed with, only that it was discovered after she had major abdominal surgery in January and that she was being treated with preventive chemotherapy, a secondary treatment that in the U.S. is known as adjuvant chemotherapy. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well, Catherine said in the personal message, released Friday by Kensington Palace. The princess also appeared in a new image credited to photographer Matt Porteous that accompanied her update. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home, she said. The former Kate Middleton, an upper-middle-class commoner who married into the British royal family in 2011 , also said Friday that she is looking forward to attending the 76th birthday festivities for her father-in-law, King Charles III, over the weekend. On Saturday, she will travel by horse-drawn carriage from Buckingham Palace to watch the Trooping the Color, an annual military parade in June that marks the monarchs birthday (his actual birthday is in November), with her husband, Prince William, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The family will watch the parade from the Major Generals Office with the rest of the family and is expected to make a joint appearance from a Buckingham Palace balcony during the event. Charles is said to be delighted that the princess plans to attend the parade, which he will oversee while also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Read more: Opinion: The Princess of Wales' public honesty is appreciated but it wasn't necessary Last week, the princess said she regretted having to sit out the ceremony, which involves British troops appearing in front of the king in full dress uniform with their flag, or color, to be saluted by the monarch and his officers. The princess is the colonel of the Irish Guards, but given the unpredictability surrounding her condition, Lt. Gen. James Bucknall will be present for the fanfare to take a salute from the troops on her behalf. Catherine had previously written to wish the guards good luck ahead of the Colonels Review last weekend. Read more: Prince William says that Kate Middleton is getting better amid cancer treatment Additionally, the princess said she plans to take part in a few public engagements over the summer, after largely retreating from the public eye this year because of her health. Catherine was last seen at an official public engagement in December, when the royal family gathered for Christmas. While her message Friday was a major development during a tumultuous year for the royal family, Kensington Palace asserted that Catherines appearances on Saturday and over the summer do not mean she will return to a full schedule of public engagements, which she will start only when she feels able to and with the guidance of her medical team. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. People taking medications for ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, may face disruptions in accessing treatment after the arrests of two executives of a telehealth company that distributed such drugs to adults across the United States. On Thursday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an official health advisory warning about a potential disrupted access to care among individuals taking prescription stimulant medications and possible increased risks for injury and overdose. Around the same time, the US Department of Justice announced a federal health-care fraud indictment against two executives from the digital health company Done Global, whose website describes it as making high quality psychiatric chronic care management more accessible and affordable for patients. The indictments effect on patients is unknown at the time, according to the CDCs advisory. Patients who rely on prescription stimulant medications to treat their ADHD and have been using this or other similar subscription-based telehealth platforms could experience a disruption to their treatment and disrupted access to care, the advisory said. A disruption involving this large telehealth company could impact as many as 30,000 to 50,000 patients ages 18 years and older across all 50 U.S. states. Ruthia He, the founder and CEO of Done Global Inc., was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday and accused of participating in a scheme to distribute Adderall over the internet, conspire to commit health-care fraud and obstruct justice, according to the Justice Departments announcement. The companys clinical president, David Brody, also was arrested in San Rafael, California. The Justice Department claims that He and Brody generated more than $100 million in revenue by arranging for the prescriptions of more than 40 million pills, targeting drug seekers and instructing prescribers to prescribe stimulants to patients even if they didnt qualify. As alleged, these defendants exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to develop and carry out a $100 million scheme to defraud taxpayers and provide easy access to Adderall and other stimulants for no legitimate medical purpose, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a news release. Those seeking to profit from addiction by illegally distributing controlled substances over the internet should know that they cannot hide their crimes and that the Justice Department will hold them accountable. Naomi Chung, Brodys attorney, said he had pleaded not guilty to all counts. Dr. Brody worked to promote access to medical treatment for those with ADHD in the face of both widespread stigma and the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic. Efforts to reach He or the company were not successful, and CNN has not been able to determine whether He has retained a lawyer because the case docket remains under seal. The arrests mark the Justice Departments first criminal drug distribution prosecutions related to prescribing via telemedicine through a digital health company, the agency said. If convicted, He and Brody will face a maximum penalty of two decades in prison. Last year, a CDC study found that prescriptions for stimulants often used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder surged during the pandemic, especially among adults. Between 2016 and 2020, the share of the population that had filled a prescription for a stimulant drug held relatively steady. But there was a large increase in 2021, with prescription fills jumping more than 10% across most age groups. The new CDC advisory noted that there is an ongoing prescription drug shortage in the United States involving several stimulant medications commonly prescribed to treat ADHD, a brain disorder that can make it difficult to concentrate or control impulsive behavior. Its estimated that ADHD affects about 4% of adults and about 10% of children in the US. About one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the diagnosis into adulthood. Patients whose care or access to prescription stimulant medications is disrupted, and who seek medication outside of the regulated healthcare system, might significantly increase their risk of overdose due to the prevalence of counterfeit pills in the illegal drug market that could contain unexpected substances, including fentanyl, according to the CDC advisory. Given the national drug overdose crisis and threats associated with the illegal drug market, individuals struggling to access prescription stimulant medications are urged to avoid using medication obtained from anyone other than a licensed clinician and licensed pharmacy, the advisory said. Health officials and healthcare providers may need to assist affected patients seeking treatment for ADHD and should communicate overdose risks associated with the current illegal drug market as well as provide overdose prevention education and mental health support. The CDC advisory also warned that without treatment, ADHD is associated with social and emotional impairment and a higher risk of drug or alcohol use disorder, unintentional injuries such as motor vehicle crashes, and suicide. As more health care needs are met through telemedicine, we will not tolerate fraud schemes that seek to recklessly exploit digital technologies, Christi Grimm, inspector general of the US Department of Health and Human Services, said in the Justice Departments announcement. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the enrollees of federal health care programs by ensuring that requirements for the appropriate, legal prescribing of stimulants and other drugs are always met, and those who choose to violate them are held accountable. CNNs Nadia Kounang contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. Roads End isnt just an alluring metaphor on the Fresno County map. It is an actual place nestled inside a glacier-carved canyon akin to Yosemite Valley except with a fraction of the crowds and closer than it sounds. To reach Roads End, drive Highway 180 east from Fresno through the foothills and ascend to Kings Canyon National Park. Visit the giant sequoias if you wish, but our journey continues toward Cedar Grove over 30 zigzagging miles that reopened Monday after sustaining significant storm damage during the winter of 2022-23. Roads End is the highways terminus, naturally, 5 miles beyond Cedar Grove. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this was the approximate site of an inn and livery stable on the edge of civilization that catered to fishermen, hunters and wanderers, including famed naturalist John Muir. Who spoke highly of Violet Kanawyers blackberry pie. Today, such creature comforts are located at Cedar Grove. While Roads End mainly serves as a trailhead for day hikers and backpackers bound for Kings Canyons rugged, remote interior. (The most sought-after wilderness permit, by far, is for the 41-mile Rae Lakes Loop). Opinion A short path from the main parking lot leads to Muir Rock, an apartment-sized boulder overlooking a quiet stretch of the Kings River where the conservationist and author held lectures. Standing in the shadow of Grant Sentinel, a granite pillar rising 3,500 feet overhead, Muir shared his love of nature while expounding his then-controversial theories that Yosemite and Kings Canyon (which he called a fitting rival to Yosemite) were carved by glaciers. The emerald pool below Muir Rock is a popular swimming hole the leap down is about 12 feet starting in mid-summer when river flows taper. Andrew Guldin of Wichita Falls, Texas relaxes on the edge of Muir Rock on the south fork of the Kings River in Kings Canyon National Parks Cedar Grove on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. In geologic terms, Kings Canyon and Yosemite Valley are classified as U-shaped canyons notable for their flat, wide bottoms and near vertical granite walls. But in practicality, the similarities pretty much end there. Unlike Yosemite Valley, Kings Canyon doesnt boast 1,000-foot waterfalls. (There are some pretty ones, no doubt, but nothing on that scale.) It also lacks throngs of tourists. Yosemites annual visitation (3.9 million in 2023) is six times what Kings Canyon sees (643,000), and most of those folks dont venture past Grant Grove. A car veers around Highway 180 that follows the south fork of the Kings River a short distance from Kings Canyon National Parks Cedar Grove on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Highway washout repaired En route to Cedar Grove and Roads End, Highway 180 traverses a more typical V-shaped canyon carved solely by rivers the Kings River Canyon. (A slight distinction from Kings Canyon but an important one.) That stretch of roadway, technically within the Sequoia National Forest, sustained 16 washouts and multiple slides from severe storms the previous winter. The largest slide, east of Boyden Cavern, required the reinstallation of a 72-inch diameter drainage pipe reinforced with another 6 feet of concrete at the inlet and complete hillside regrading. A car drives along Highway 180 near the south fork of the Kings River just west of Boyden Caverns in the Sequoia National Forest where the hillside had been shored up following damage from the 2023 winter on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Repairs took Granite Construction about nine months and 20,100 man hours to complete, Caltrans spokesman Alex Aguilera said. While total costs were $11.5 million, restored access to the heart of Kings Canyon is priceless. After being closed throughout 2023, the Cedar Grove visitor center and pack station are back open, as is the permit station at Roads End. The Cedar Grove market opens Saturday with the lodge, grill and showers scheduled to follow June 21, according to a park service press release. The Sentinel Campground is expected to open by July 1. The parking situation is nothing like Yosemite. Even so, both Roads End parking lots typically fill by late morning on summer weekends. The drive from Fresno is roughly 2 hours not including all the places youll want to get out of the car and gawk. The middle and south forks of the Kings River meet in Kings Canyon as seen from the Junction View overlook in the Sequoia National Forest on Highway 180 between the Kings Canyon National Park sections on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Vacationers relax while taking in the views of the south fork of the Kings River at Muir Rock in Kings Canyon National Parks Cedar Grove on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. This embedded content is not available in your region. It may have been her pacific demeanor, ability to respond to more than a bakers dozen commands or the way she perked up when she heard treat. No matter the reason, 2 1/2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever mix Missie brought smiles Friday to a place where they can be scarce the Centre County Courthouse. Its the hope of Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna that the newest member of his office can bring a few more or at least a sense of comfort to those who come to talk about experiences that are rarely positive. Anybody who has a four-legged canine friend knows the unconditional love and support that they give you, Cantorna said. What we really dont understand is how difficult and how hard it is to come to court and testify and tell stories about things of your life, terrible things that have occurred to you in an environment that really isnt welcoming. Its not designed to provide that comfort and support, but Missie has been trained for two years to do exactly that. Missie was sworn in Friday by Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine, but has worked in the countys court system for the past two weeks. She spent plenty of time resting Friday at the feet of her handler or the media members there to capture her public debut, occasionally walking up to the handful of cameras in the courtroom. Missie, the newest member of the Centre County District Attorneys Office, is ready to offer comfort to victims. With the help of some kibble, she responded to more than a dozen commands from her handler with the conviction you may expect after more than two years of training. Rarely did the order have to be repeated. Whether its because of her calming presence or her cuteness and her sweet personality, Missie is really a welcome addition, handler and Centre County early outreach victim advocate Liz Rosenberg said. And at the end of the day, its my hope that she can serve as a reminder to us all about how to treat others with patience, with kindness. Missie is one of about a dozen courthouse service dogs in Pennsylvania. She is the second to work in Centre County, following in the pawprints of her trailblazing predecessor. Princess, a Labrador retriever who worked at the courthouse for more than seven years until her death in 2017, was believed to be the first courthouse service dog on the East Coast. Her handler, Centre County victim advocate Faith Summers, said Princess was her greatest accomplishment in a career that has spanned about two decades. Im very proud of all the work that was put in the program and how she shined the entire time she was here. Everyone loved her. She actually had defense attorneys getting down on their knees in skirts and suits to pet her and to love her, the soon-to-be retired Summers said. It just meant the world to me to know that I could work on getting another dog for the office. The Centre County District Attorneys Office introduces its newest staff member, Missie, a courthouse dog on Friday, June 14, 2024. Missies work will likely extend beyond the courthouse. She is expected to help children being interviewed at the Childrens Advocacy Center of Centre County, a place where children can go to talk to a trained forensic interviewer about allegations of abuse or crimes. Executive Director Kim Saltsman said she is so excited and grateful for Missies service. I believe having Missie will have a huge positive impact on the children and familys experiences throughout the investigation and the court process, improving their overall well-being and journey to healing by providing that extra comfort and companionship to them, Saltsman said. ... Were just so excited and we want everybody to know that if theyre ready to talk about something that has happened to them, we are all here and now we have Missie to make that (an) even better process. Missie, the newest member of the Centre County District Attorneys Office, relaxes in the courtroom at the Centre County Courthouse on Friday, June 14, 2024. Missie lives in Ferguson Township with Rosenberg, her family and their border collie. After receiving instruction from a volunteer, she was then trained through Benner state prisons dog training program. Its really important that people know that shes here and victims and survivors know that shes here, and that there is this whole host of support ready to listen and hear and support through what we know is a challenging process, Cantorna said. But were here to help you with it. Missie, the newest member of the Centre County District Attorneys Office, shows off some of her skills in the courtroom at the Centre County Courthouse on Friday, June 14, 2024. The 2 1/12 year old yellow Labrador retriever mix will help bring comfort to victims. Centre County has a rich history of seeking help from service dogs Mount Nittany Health launched in October a new pet therapy program, one that sees six dogs work one-hour shifts at the hospital. The Centre County Library & Historical Museum has hosted for years its Tail Waggin Tutors program. During the school year, struggling or reluctant readers can sign up for a 10-minute reading session with a dog by their side. Several school districts in Centre County have also brought in service or comfort dogs. Charges filed against delegate by his son are dismissed The Cecil County Circuit Court building in Elkton. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Assault charges filed against a Cecil County delegate by his adult son have been dismissed. Del. Kevin B. Hornberger faced a second-degree assault charge filed in April by his adult son, Adam Hornberger. The charges were filed through a Cecil County District Court commissioner and later appealed to the Circuit Court of Cecil County. The delegate, in a statement Friday, said the matter has been fully and finally resolved and as Ive stated since its inception, I did nothing wrong. Hornberger described the incident as an unfortunate turn of events, adding that his son received some misguided counsel on how to try and resolve it. Del. Kevin Hornberger (R-Cecil). Photo by Danielle E. Gaines. Adam Hornberger is the son of the Republican delegate and his ex-wife, Cecil County Executive Danielle Hornberger (R). The charge stemmed from an alleged altercation at the home of the delegates parents on April 16. The son also lives at that home in North East. On the day in question, the delegate said he went to his parents home to help with household chores in and around the garage area. In a statement in April, the delegate said he struck up a discussion with his son about taking proactive steps to better his life. He said in his April statement that his son became agitated and later physically violent. The delegate called the police, and the son allegedly left the home. The son later went to a district court commissioner in Elkton and filed misdemeanor assault charges. He also sought a protective order, which was denied. In a handwritten application for charges to a Cecil County District Court commissioner, Adam Hornberger said his father put his hand on me and shoved me to the ground resulting in a cut to my palm and a bruise/scrape on my wrist. I have pictures of the injury. The application provides few details of what led up to the incident. The Cecil County Sheriffs Office confirmed they were called to the home for the altercation and later served a summons on the delegate for the misdemeanor assault charge. The delegate, in his statement Friday, said he hopes to put the matter behind him. We can all work together now to heal and resolve our differences, the delegate wrote in the statement. I love my son very much. We all hope that this unfortunate chapter is behind us and our familys privacy will be respected. The post Charges filed against delegate by his son are dismissed appeared first on Maryland Matters. CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) The livestream that shows full meetings of the Chemung County Legislature is still down, 6 months after technical difficulties knocked it offline. 18 News also learned only a handful of people have been watching each livestream. Generally, we dont see more than 4 or 5 live viewers, said Chemung County IT Director Aaron Dowd. You can see the live viewing versus the views after the fact. Do we have an estimate on the views after the fact? asked reporter Nick Dubina. Its generally in the 10 to 20 range, Dowd replied. We dont generally see large numbers on the live streams. We do see a little bit more of an uptick in the committee meetings. But I think what you also see out of that is a lot of County Departments, like me, often tune in to a livestream after the fact just to confirm that things went smoothly. If there were agenda items on the meeting, we can just confirm that they went through. According to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are an estimated 81,325 people living in Chemung County. That means only 0.03% are tuning into the County Legislature livestreams. The County started livestreaming public meetings four years ago during COVID. After the pandemic, Dowd says County Executive Chris Moss issued an order to keep the livestreams going. Call for investigation into failures of Chemung County 911 radio system Dowd says the camera in the Countys main legislative chamber stopped working after a meeting on December 4th. A camera in a smaller room used for Committee meetings still works. Last week, legislators asked whats taking so long to fix the camera. Its not like it broke down last week. This has been months, said County Legislator Michael Smith, who represents the Town of Southport. 6 months, added County Legislator Rodney Strange, who represents Ashland, Elmira, Southport and the Village of Wellsburg. Dowd told us the issues started after the County replaced a very antiquated sound system in the main legislative chamber. That system operates the microphones used by legislators, and feeds sound to the livestream. There just happened to be a mishap where some equipment wasnt turned on for the meeting, so January ended up not running, Dowd said. It was discovered shortly thereafter there was an issue with the encoder which is the appliance that supplies the video stream to the internet. Dowd says the County has been troubleshooting the issue with the company that makes the encoder. How Chemung County is distributing $2 million to boost tourism Granicus rebuilt the encoder on two separate occasions, which unfortunately did not correct the issue. But we have placed a new purchase order to replace that piece of equipment., Dowd said. Were hoping for a pretty quick delivery, then we can get that implemented. The hope would be for the July full meeting, but depending on delivery of the equipment, that may be bumped to August meeting, but were definitely looking to have back in place and prepared no later than the August meeting. Legislators say only a handful of people show up regularly to public meetings in person. Legislators do see large turnouts from time to time depending on the issue. Mark Margeson, the Chair of the County Legislature, spoke about the livestream issues in January on our Sunday Morning show Talk of the Tiers. Some of the challenges are, depending on the software system used, weve had problems with streaming. Weve had meetings where the volume comes out, but the picture doesnt come out. Im not a techie guy, but our IT people try to make sure everything works, but there are some things out of their hand that they cant deal with. So, youre dealing with these software systems at seven oclock on a Monday night. Are you going to get ahold of a software company because the pictures dont work? Margeson added. That has been the problem, but were trying like heck. The IT people are working, trying to do a good job to get everything straightened out. But again, you do have problems. Theres a lot of people that dont like the streaming, theres people that do like the streaming. The streaming is an excuse not to come to a meeting personally. My feeling is, if you really want to make a statement and you have something to talk about, come to the meeting personally, because that has more impact, you can get up and you can speak, Margeson said. If you would like to attend a meeting in person and speak up on any issues, the full legislature meets on the second Monday of each month at the Hazlett building on Lake Street. To view the Chemung County livestream and video archive, click here. You can view the full interview with Chemung County IT Director Aaron Dowd below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid in Palestine The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, located in South Dakota, passed a resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Palestine. The Tribe announced on Wednesday that tribal council of the Tribe voted to pass the resolution on June 4, 2024. Key Points of the Resolution: Call for Ceasefire : The Tribe demands that the United States of America enforce an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Palestine. Humanitarian Aid : The Tribe demands immediate food and medical aid for the Palestinian people suffering due to prolonged retaliation for so-called terroristic acts. [Acts that from our perspective can only be labeled a prolonged and valiant resistance to colonial land theft]. Support for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement : In solidarity with anti-apartheid activists worldwide, the Tribe supports the BDS movement. Right of Return : The Tribe calls on the United Nations and the United States to guarantee the right of return to all Palestinian people since the first Nakba in 1948. Condemnation of War Tactics : The resolution condemns the use of hospitals, schools, and refugee camps as military targets, emphasizing that all war should be a last resort. Solidarity with Global Movements: The Tribe recalls with gratitude and love the support from Palestinian organizations and individuals during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and reiterates its commitment to solidarity and justice. Protest is a guaranteed right and should be protected rather than met with violent police action. This resolution brought by grassroots tribal citizens and adopted by the Tribal Council. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net State Sen. Denny Hoskins speaks to reporters at a press conference on Feb. 1, 2024 at the Missouri State Capitol Building in Jefferson City. Hoskins, along with Senators Rick Brattin (second from left) and Nick Schroer (third from left) are being sued for defamation. The Kansas man suing three Missouri lawmakers for defamation is challenging their assertions that their statements accusing him of being involved in the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration were made in the course of official business. In filings Monday in the federal lawsuits Denton Loudermill is pursuing against the three state senators, his attorneys demand a chance to test those assertions. Loudermills attorneys Arthur Benson, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders and Katrina Robertson filed three almost identical responses Monday to the motions for dismissal by state Sens. Nick Schroer, Rick Brattin and Denny Hoskins. The three senators are being represented by Attorney General Andrew Bailey and their filings have claimed legislative immunity for their social media posts and that the Kansas federal court where the case was filed has no jurisdiction over them. Defendants assertion of immunity depends on a facts not conceded by plaintiff: whether or not Defendant was engaged in legitimate legislative activity, Loudermills attorneys wrote in a response to Schroers motion to dismiss the case. And that factual contention involves issues of whether or not defendant was formulating, making, determining, creating or opposing legislative policy. The filings demand a chance to conduct an investigation of the immunity claim if the case cannot move forward without a determination. Denton Loudermill of Olathe, Kansas, who was falsely named by conservatives on social media as a shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs victory celebration. No hearings have been scheduled in the case. Loudermill was detained briefly by law enforcement after gunfire erupted near Union Station in Kansas City as the Super Bowl celebration was ending. The violence, tied to a dispute among the partiers, led to the death of Lisa Lopez-Galvan and left 22 others injured. Three men, none of whom is an immigrant, face state murder charges for their role in the shootings and three others face federal firearms charges for selling guns involved in the shootings. Loudermill, who was born in Kansas, was detained briefly because he was too slow to leave the area of the shooting, he told The Independent in an interview earlier this year. He was photographed with his hands behind his back, sitting on a curb. An account on X, formally known as Twitter, with the name Deep Truth Intel used the photo and labeled Loudermill an illegal immigrant under arrest as the shooter. It then showed up in posts from the Missouri Freedom Caucus, the group of six Republican state senators who battled with the Senates GOP leadership. The post was deleted and replaced with one that affirmatively stated he had nothing to do with the shootings. Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer, as well as U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, also spread the incorrect information on social media, including the Deep Truth Intel post or a similar post with Loudermills photo. Burchett is also being sued by Loudermill and is challenging the jurisdiction in the federal court in Kansas. Burchett is not claiming any form of official immunity for his post. In the filings written by assistant attorney general Jeremiah Morgan, Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer have sought to tie their statements to their official duties. Brattins first post linking Loudermill to the shooting, since deleted, demanded #POTUS CLOSE THE BORDER and incorporated the deleted Deep Truth Intel post. That is a policy statement by an elected official, Morgan wrote about Brattins post. Defendants statement, directed at the President of the United States, was a statement on border security at the southern borderan issue of clear national and political importance, he wrote. Hoskins version on X shared a screenshot of the Deep Truth Intel post and blamed President Joe Biden and political leaders of Kansas City for making the shooting possible. Fact President Bidens open border policies & cities who promote themselves as Sanctuary Cities like #Kansas City invite illegal violent immigrants into the U.S., Hoskins posted. That post has been deleted, but in a Feb. 14 post without a photo, Hoskins wrote that information Ive seen states at least one of the alleged shooters is an illegal immigrant and all 3 arrested are repeat violent offenders. Hoskins hedged it with IF THIS IS ACCURATE and repetition of conservative rhetoric to stop immigration and restrain cities that help immigrants, blaming crime on catch and release policies of liberal cities. Morgans defense of that statement is almost identical to the one raised for Brattins post. Defendants statement, directed at the President of the United States, was a statement on policies related to border security and the rights of citizens protected under the Second Amendmentissues of clear national and political importance and salience, the filing states. Schroer was the least certain post about the immigration and arrest status of Loudermill among the three now being sued. Schroers post included a link to one from Burchett stating, over Loudermills photo, that One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien. Can we get any confirmation or denial of this from local officials or law enforcement? Schroer wrote on X. Ive been sent videos or stills showing at least 6 different people arrested from yesterday but officially told only 3 still in custody. The people deserve answers. That post, Morgan wrote on Schroers behalf, is a call for transparency. A statement calling for greater government transparency in the investigations surrounding a tragic event is exactly the kind of policy formulati[on] that legislative immunity exists to protect, Morgan wrote. The assertions of official business mask the nature of the posts, Loudermills attorneys wrote. Labeling plaintiff as an illegal immigrant and a shooter was highly offensive to plaintiff and caused him injuries, they wrote. All four Republicans being sued by Loudermill have asserted that they did not direct their posts to a Kansas audience and that they have no personal connections to Kansas that gives the federal court there jurisdiction. Loudermills attorneys responded that large numbers of people in Kansas saw the post and that Loudermill sustained the injury to his reputation in the state where he lives. The entry of Baileys office to defend the lawmakers has drawn a sharp rebuke from some quarters. On May 16, the day before this years legislative session ended, Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lees Summit Republican and a bitter foe of the Freedom Caucus members, tried to amend the daily journal to read that it is the opinion of the Missouri Senate that the office of the attorney general should not expend any money from the state legal expense fund to defend Hoskins, Schroer and Brattin. And Gov. Mike Parson issued an order last month that no payments related to the lawsuits should be certified from the state Legal Expense Fund without my approval or a court order. Missourians, Parson wrote, should not be held liable for legal expenses on judgments due to state senators falsely attacking a private citizen on social media. This story was first published at missouriindependent.com. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Chiefs fan challenges Missouri senators' immunity claims in lawsuit (PUEBLO, Colo.) The Pueblo County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) announced the 3-year-old boy involved in the abuse case on Saturday, June 8 died on Thursday, June 13 due to injuries sustained. The child had been in critical condition since he was taken to the hospital and later flown to a Colorado Springs hospital on the evening of June 8. PSCO deputies responded to a Pueblo West home on the report of an unresponsive child who suffered life-threatening injuries. A second child in the home, a 14-year-old boy, also showed signs of abuse and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He has been placed in the Department of Human Services. I am deeply saddened and quite frankly, angry with the horrific details of this tragic situation, said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero. This is one of the worst abuse cases I have seen in my 24 years in law enforcement. No child should have to be subjected to this kind of torture and abuse. PCSO: Child abuse arrest; 3-yr-old in critical condition The childrens mother, Samantha Kimberly, and her friend Brittany Farmer have been arrested and charged in connection to the case. Both are facing felony child abuse and child abuse. Kimberly and Farmer are both being held at Pueblo County Jail, Kimberly is being held on a $50,000 bond while Farmer remains on a $500,000 bond. PCSO makes second arrest in child abuse case, victim remains in critical condition Both women are facing additional charges as the child succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is still ongoing, anyone with information about this case is asked to call (719) 583-6250. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. China #MeToo journalist sentenced to five years in prison, supporters say A leading #MeToo journalist in China has been sentenced to five years in prison on subversion charges, according to supporters, as the ruling Communist Party ramps up its effort to dismantle what remains of the countrys civil society. Huang Xueqin, an independent journalist, was found guilty by the Guangzhou Intermediate Peoples Court Friday for inciting subversion of state power, supporters said. Labor activist Wang Jianbin, another defendant in the case, was sentenced to three and a half years, according to supporters, who shared a copy of the verdict on X. Huang told the court she would appeal, the supporters said, though it was not immediately clear if Wang would also appeal. Huang, 36, and Wang, 40, have already spent nearly three years behind bars within Chinas opaque judicial system. They were detained by authorities in the southern city of Guangzhou in September 2021 and stood trial behind closed doors in September last year. Huang, who worked as an investigative reporter for liberal-leaning media outlets in Guangzhou before becoming an independent journalist, had been an instrumental figure in sparking Chinas #MeToo movement. In 2018, she helped bring about the countrys first #MeToo case, using her influential social media presence to amplify the voice of a graduate student who accused her PhD supervisor of unwanted sexual advances. She also spoke up about her own experiences of sexual harassment as a young intern at a national news agency, where she claimed she was groped and kissed by a senior male reporter and mentor. To show the prevalence of the issue, she surveyed 416 female journalists in 2018 and found 84% of them had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. There are so few people prosecuted because there are only so few victims who report, she told CNN in a 2018 interview. To most victims, its shame. Huang and Wang were detained the day before Huang was scheduled to fly to the United Kingdom to start her masters degree on gender violence and conflict at the University of Sussex. In a statement on Friday, Amnesty International noted the pairs conviction came a day before the 1,000th day of their first arrest. These convictions will prolong their deeply unjust detention and have a further chilling effect on human rights and social advocacy in a country where activists face increasing state crackdowns, the rights group said. These malicious and totally groundless convictions show just how terrified the Chinese government is of the emerging wave of activists who dare to speak out to protect the rights of others. Chinese courts are tightly controlled by the ruling Communist Party and have a conviction rate above 99.9%. Isolated atoms Authorities have offered no details about Huang and Wangs charges, but supporters believe their arrest could be related to weekly friends gatherings held at Wangs apartment. In the months following their detention, more than 70 friends and supporters of Huang and Wang were summoned by the police for questioning, according to supporters. Some were forced to sign fabricated testimonies against the pair, claiming they had organized political gatherings to criticize the government, their supporters claimed. Huangs close friend said participants of the gatherings were a loose group of friends who cared about public affairs from feminism, LGBTQ and labor rights to environmental protection. In addition to sharing their experiences and views, they also played board games and sometimes went hiking together. A close friend of Huang previously told CNN the journalist had suffered significant weight loss in detention and stopped menstruating for months. She was undernourished and persistent back pain, said the friend, who requested anonymity fearing retribution by authorities. Its a community where everyone supports each other. But its been disbanded ever since the detention. I have no sense of belonging anymore, the friend told CNN last year ahead of the closed-door trial. The crackdown by authorities turned us into isolated atoms it is difficult for everyone to band together again. The entire community is suppressed and silenced. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -There is a growing demand in China for high-quality dairy, beef and lamb products from New Zealand, Premier Li Qiang said on Friday, the second day of his trip to the Pacific island nation. Li's trip to the region, which also includes a four-day stopover in Australia starting on Saturday, is aimed at strengthening trade and diplomatic ties with the two Pacific nations. China is the biggest trading partner of both nations. Li visited the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research in Auckland on Friday, a government agency tasked with promoting the farming, food and beverage industries, before meetings and a dinner with business people, academics and diplomats. Li said more bilateral business opportunities would emerge in the areas of energy, information technology, biomedicine and other emerging industries, Chinese state media reported. He reiterated that China would work with New Zealand to upgrade their comprehensive strategic partnership, and stressed the need for increased cooperation in services trade and cross-border e-commerce. His comments came as Chinese firms formally applied for an anti-dumping probe into pork imports from the European Union, escalating tensions after the bloc imposed anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles.Global food companies from dairy producers to pork exporters are on high alert for potential retaliatory tariffs from China. New Zealand and China on Thursday signed bilateral agreements on trade and climate during Li's trip, the highest level Chinese visit to New Zealand in seven years. BOOMING TRADE Li has promised that Beijing will further expand market access, create a market-oriented and internationalised business environment, and he encouraged entrepreneurs to seize opportunities, Chinese state media said. Beijing sees itself as a key part of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's plan to double exports over the next 10 years. China is already New Zealand's largest trading partner with bilateral trade totalling nearly NZ$38 billion ($23.27 billion). New Zealand remains keen to further boost trade ties with China but has also toughened its stance over the last year, accusing Beijing of hacking its parliament and noting what it characterises as a growing Chinese threat to Pacific security. After his meeting with Li on Thursday Luxon said that as well as discussing trade, he had also raised concerns about issues such as Chinese interference. Li's meeting with New Zealand opposition leader Chris Hipkins was cancelled on Friday, due to Hipkins facing travel issues. ($1 = 1.6329 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Michael Perry and Gareth Jones) Chinese MeToo activist arrested before flight to study in UK jailed for five years Sophia Huang Xueqin is said to have been badly treated during her detention A Chinese journalist who launched her countrys MeToo movement and was arrested the day before she was due to fly to Britain to study has been jailed for five years. Sophia Huang Xueqin was sentenced by a court in Guangzhou on Friday. According to documents obtained by a group of activists campaigning for her release, she was found guilty of inciting subversion of state power. Ms Huang and another activist, Wang Jianbing, were arrested in September 2021, on the eve of her flight to Britain to begin a masters degree at Sussex University on a Chevening scholarship, which is funded by the UK government. The journalist kicked off the MeToo movement in China by publicising the case of a graduate student who made allegations of sexual harassment against her PhD supervisor at one of Chinas most prestigious universities. As other women came forward to tell similar stories of inappropriate male behaviour, the movement was quickly snuffed out by Beijings censors, who saw it as a threat to the ruling Chinese Communist Partys grip on social and political order. Following a closed-doors trial on Friday, the court imposed the maximum jail sentence on Ms Huang, along with a fine equivalent to almost 11,000. Mr Wang, a labour activist who was also prominent in the MeToo movement, was sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment. Serving the public interest As the Guangzhou Peoples Intermediate Court gave its verdict on Friday, a heavy security presence formed around the building, with police questioning bystanders. Human rights groups denounced the verdict as an injustice. Huang Xueqin was only serving the public interest by shedding light on social issues and should never have been detained, not to mention tortured or sentenced to such a heavy prison term, Reporters Without Borders said in a statement. The group urged the international community to put pressure on the Chinese government to release her and another 118 journalists being detained in China. Sarah Brooks, the China director of Amnesty International, said: These malicious and totally groundless convictions show just how terrified the Chinese government is of the emerging wave of activists who dare to speak out to protect the rights of others. Chinese foreign spokesperson Lin Jian said that China was a country based on the rule of law and anyone who broke the law would be punished. China firmly opposes any country or organisation challenging Chinas judicial sovereignty, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Insights from The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Foreign Policy, and Bloomberg The News A $1.3 billion Chinese-constructed port in Peru is being watched closely by Washington as it monitors Beijings growing influence in South America. The Chancay port, scheduled for launch later this year, will open a direct route between Peru and Shanghai and receive some of the worlds largest ships. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Megaport challenges US dominance in Latin America Source: The Wall Street Journal The deepwater port will give Beijing unparalleled access to South Americas rich resources raising concerns in Washington that it could lose its influence in the region, The Wall Street Journal reported. Beijing is so invested in the port that Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to attend its inauguration. That has rattled analysts who have closely watched Chinas growing sway in the Global South: It really platforms China in a major new way in South America as the gateway to global markets. It is not just a commercial issue at that point, it is a strategic issue, Eric Farnsworth, a former high-ranking State Department diplomat, told the Journal. Port control spat raises questions about Beijings involvement Sources: Reuters, Foreign Policy The agreement signed between Chinas COSCO Shipping Ports and the Peruvian government has given the firm total control over its operations, due to an administrative error in the paperwork included by negotiators. COSCO threatened last month to pull out of the deal if it doesnt retain full control over the port, Foreign Policy noted. The issue raises the question of how many other governments have enthusiastically negotiated agreements with Chinese infrastructure investors without understanding all the fine print, FP columnist Elisabeth Braw wrote. Second port could work as counterweight Source: Bloomberg Concerns over the port have prompted Peru to try to woo back the US. Lima is pitching a second port to US investors in hopes of offering Washington a counterbalance to Beijing in the country, Bloomberg reported this week. The Peruvian ambassador to the US told the outlet that one hundred percent of Limas electricity is owned by China, many of the copper mining projects are owned by China, adding, the United States has noticed this. But its not enough to notice it, action is needed. A recent trend on TikTok has convinced users to film Chipotle workers as they made their burritos, bowls, and tacos to seemingly capture them in the act of skimping on portions. It turns out that doing so might actually get you an even smaller serving. After popular TikTokers like Keith Lee and Jack Goldburg made videos highlighting the seemingly shrinking portions at the fast food chain, the restaurant shut down claims that workers were instructed to give customers small portions. Now, many workers are letting their thoughts be known about the aggressive social media trend. Atulya Dora-Laskey, an employee at a Chipotle in Lansing, Michigan, told The Guardian that "its immediately anxiety-inducing for my co-workers and me" when customers start filming them while they make their food. "[It's] very stressful and dehumanizing." If you think getting your Chipotle worker on candid camera will get you more meat or rice, you're sorely mistaken. Because the video acts as evidence of their work, employees are more inclined to stick to the prescribed Chipotle portion sizeswhich disappoint many visitorsrather than heap on some extra food. "We actually go lighter on portions, because we dont want to be on the record violating Chipotles proportion policy," Dora-Laskey explained. If workers go over the allowed portion sizes, they might face disciplinary action. "You could get in trouble with your boss for giving a customer too much food," she said. Related: Chipotle Unveils New Robot, Unlikely to Squash Portion Size Critics Other Chipotle employees on Reddit added to the chorus of pleas to stop recording them at work. "Please stop shoving phones in our face," a purported current employee wrote. "Chipotle gets so much free publicity off of this and it makes us employees who are there to make a livable wage to feed our families seem like literal zoo animals behind glass that make bowls until our backs and wrists are gone." "Theyre honestly turning it around on all the employees, making us feel bad," one commenter said. "We get b----ed at by corporate if we give out too much," another person stated plainly. Chipotle's CEO Brian Niccol doesn't condone the filming trend, recently telling Fortune that customers can get extra portions by giving the employee making their food a "look." Simply put, whipping out your camera won't get you more guac. A representative for the company told The New York Times "Filming does not result in larger portion sizes." Next time you're in the Chipotle line, consider a smile and some friendly conversation. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The Chrysler Museum of Art will restore a famous piece from its collection, impressionistic oil painting Dancer with Bouquets by Edgar Degas. Were really excited because weve gotten a grant from Bank of America to research and conserve one of the real treasures of our collection, said Mark Lewis, conservator at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Dancer with Bouquets (1890-1895) depicts a prima ballerina taking a bow at the end of a performance. Its a painting the artist did late in his life, and it has only had three known owners, according to the museum. The painting was a gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., to the museum in memory of his mother, Della Viola Forker Chrysler. Its a painting that any museum in the world would love to have, said Lewis. The conservation work will be a step to preserve the art, and show the piece as Degas may have intended. Its one of the guiding principles of conservation that we are trying to understand as best we can through research, Lewis said. What did the artist intend? How did they want this to be shown? How did they want it to look? The work is made possible through grant funding by Bank of Americas Art Conservation Project. The grant will allow the museum to conduct research to understand the work in order to restore this prominent and historically significant artwork. It is one of only 24 works selected internationally. Were competing against the Louvre, and the National Gallery of London and the Prado and museums in China and Japan, said Lewis. So, were really pleased and excited. The conservation team plans to collaborate with other museums, art historians and curators. One way the work may change is with the frame. Right now, it is displayed in an ornate frame. We do know from his sketch books that Degas designed frames, very simple wooden frames for his own works and thats how we wanted them to be presented, said Lewis. Lewis said how an artwork is framed really changes the way its perceived. A more intricate piece of the conservation work is the technical examination, where they could use tools such as microscopes, infrared imaging, pigment analysis and X-rays. The Chrysler Museum of Art will partner with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The museum in Richmond has a number of analytical tools to assist in the research, including an X-ray machine to help the conservators understand Degas work. The X-rays, just like an X-ray of a broken bone shows you where that is, X-rays of artwork can reveal what lies beneath the surface of things, said Lewis. Then, chemical testing will happen at a later phase. It will examine the way the painting interacts with certain solvents. Its a thorough process with cotton swabs, moving inch-by-inch over the surface as they monitor the work under microscopes. Everything we do is very slow, very careful, very methodical, Lewis said. The conservation process is only in its beginning phase. In July, the piece will be displayed in the Oval Gallery next to an early piece by Degas from The Frick Collection in New York City. Visitors will be able to compare and contrast an early work of the artist to the later ballerina painting. Lewis said it will be an opportunity to understand the range of what an artist can do, and how their work can change overtime. Its a really big project and if we didnt have the support, we probably wouldnt be able to undertake it, said Lewis. I mean, its such an important treasure that we need to understand and do this kind of research if were going to really make sure we give it the best possible treatment. And, understand it in a way that we never have before. In a press release, Erik H. Neil, Macon and Joan Brock Director of the Chrysler Museum of Art shared a statement. The Chrysler Museum is honored to be selected for the prestigious Art Conservation Project provided by Bank of America, said Neil. This preservation and restoration initiative funded by the bank is a catalyst for a focus exhibition this summer at the Museum featuring the artwork. The grant is invaluable to the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads community, and art enthusiasts around the world. The grant and conservation work is a reminder of the world-class works available to see at the museum. This is world-class material that we, every week, get requests from museums around the world, the major museums, said Lewis. The best collections in the world, they want what we have. To do exhibitions they borrow works from our collection. Visit chrysler.org to find out more information about the painting, works on view and programming at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Pope Francis blesses a pregnant woman at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. | Alessandra Tarantino Last year, Pope Francis said that Catholic priests risk losing the attention of parishioners if their homilies, or sermons, last more than 10 minutes during Mass. Longer reflections in general, are a disaster, he said, speaking to liturgical directors in January 2023. Now, hes encouraging priests to talk even less. Speaking Wednesday in St. Peters Square at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that priests should keep their messages to eight minutes because after that time attention is lost and people fall asleep, and they are right, the Guardian reported. The pope added, Priests sometimes talk a lot and you dont understand what they are talking about. Thats hardly the most controversial thing that Francis has said during his papacy or, for that matter, this week. And its a message hes been trying to get across for more than a decade. Courtney Mares, writing for EWTN Vatican, noted that the pope doesnt always follow his own advice. At a Mass on Holy Thursday, he spoke for 20 minutes, Mares wrote. There is some precedence for eight-minute sermons. Billy Grahams first sermon is said to have lasted eight minutes, although the evangelist would go on to speak much longer than that at his weeks-long crusades. And per EWTN Vatican, The popes words echo the recommendations made by Archbishop Nikola Eterovic in his 2010 book on the 2008 Synod on the Word of God, which advised prelates to keep their homilies to eight minutes or shorter and to avoid improvisations from the pulpit. The pontiffs advice is also in line with the shrinking American attention span, which is causing leaders in other professions to also issue advisories on how long things should go on. Per CBS News, The Associated Press has advised writers to keep most articles under 500 words, and the average shot in a movie is now under 5 seconds. Gloria Mark, who researches attention spans, told CBS News said that in 2003, people tended to look at a screen for 2 1/2 minutes before theyd look at something else, but thats shrunk to 47 seconds in recent years. With this trend, its hard to imagine people sitting and listening to sermons and speeches for hours as they did in colonial days. Still, there is evidence that people will stick with something for much longer if its interesting enough. Former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson recently noted, for example, that long-form podcasts are thriving in the age of TikTok, and he was initially shocked by that. The idea that people would sit and listen to something for hours was the opposite of what was happening in my world. Who would listen to that? Carlson told podcaster Shawn Ryan. Of all the trends in the past 30 years, that is the last one I would have predicted, and the most hopeful. That said, not everyone is listening to a three-hour podcast all in one sitting. One of the most memorable sermons in history, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, preached by Jonathan Edwards in 1741, was reportedly cut short because there was so much wailing and weeping in the congregation. But the length and tenor of sermons is much different today. In 2019, Pew Research Center analyzed the transcribed text of nearly 50,000 sermons shared online by 6,431 churches. The median length was 37 minutes, but there were notable differences between denominations. Historically Black Protestant churches had the longest sermons: a median of 54 minutes. Evangelical Protestant churches clocked in at 39 minutes and mainline Protestant churches at 25 minutes. Catholic homilies were the shortest a median of 14 minutes which would not make Pope Francis happy. AUSTIN (KXAN) Nonprofit groups that work to end and prevent homelessness are asking the City of Austin to reinvest in some homelessness prevention measures like rental and utilities help as the homeless strategy office balances its budget. The City of Austin will be forced to make tough cuts as federal pandemic funding dries up, KXAN has previously reported. As a result, some groups have asked the city focus its limited resources on permanent supportive housing, other groups are asking for more interventions before someone ends up homeless. Best Single Source Plus (BSS+), a group of a dozen nonprofits that work to streamline homelessness services, asked city council members this month to consider the latter. End of ARPA funding could have trickle-down effect on Austins homelessness response The group said when the City of Austin got flooded with federal pandemic funding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars the city was forced to shuffle some of their money away from preventative services. We had some dollars through regular city funds pre-COVID to keep them in their housing, and with the ARPA dollars we did not have the ability we were only able to help people who were already literally homeless, said Jo Kathryn Quinn, president and CEO of Caritas. Caritas of Austin is the lead agency in BSS+ because of its work housing people who are, or may become, homeless. That group also includes Family Eldercare, Lifeworks and Sunrise Community Church. People line up outside Caritas of Austin to get a meal (KXAN photo/Grace Reader) In a public health committee meeting last week, BSS+ members reminded some city council members about that reduction in funding. Their hope is that prevention services BSS+ used to provide might once again be funded by the city. The City of Austin is currently working with the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) to build a new data tool that will guide budget conversations moving forward. Austin budgeted more than $40M in ARPA funding for rapid rehousing, that money is going away According to Gary Pollack, the manager of the policy and planning unit in the City of Austins Homeless Strategy Office, the tool will allow the city to better predict what will happen to the homelessness response system as funding is plugged into certain services. My hope is that this summer, well have a tool that we can start to work with as a community to start to plan for whats next, Pollack said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A U.S. Department of Justice report found the Phoenix Police Department was responsible for a litany of civil rights violations such as retaliating against people engaged in political speech, using unjustified punitive measures against peaceful protesters, and pursuing felony charges without evidence that people committed even minor crimes. The 126-page report include scathing findings of officers using crowd-control measures like tear gas, pepper spray balls and less-than-lethal projectiles on protesters with little care in differentiating between peaceful protesters and those committing crimes. The department lacked a formal review process on how and when such measures should be used, the report said. Investigators found police often arrested protesters with little to no evidence and implemented widespread arrests to dissuade people from exercising their First Amendment rights in the future. Training sessions on handling large protests often showed bias against people critical of police or the government, with at least one trainer suggesting protesters who care about the First Amendment are those who cooperate with police. Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, speaks during a news conference on June 13, 2024, in reaction to the investigation against the Phoenix Police Department by the Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division on Thursday cited the many problems investigators found, which included officers targeting and retaliating against people critical of the department. "For example, following a protest at which officers unloaded canisters of tear gas on peaceful protesters, police department officers circulated a challenge coin a memento normally used to commemorate moments of valor and pride during service. This challenge coin instead depicted a protester whom an officer shot in the groin with a 40-millimeter impact round. When police officers abuse their power to silence people asserting their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly, it erodes the community's trust in law enforcement." Heres what the DOJ found and what it says Phoenix must do to reform itself. What the report found In its report, the DOJ found that the Phoenix Police Department repeatedly violated the civil rights of protesters between 2017 and 2022, targeting people with anti-police messages and using unjustified force on or arresting people who talk back to officers or attempt to record them. The report also stated Phoenix police submitted serious charges far more serious than what any evidence supported against protesters, such as charging them with rioting and gang-related charges. Findings include: Phoenix police failed to warn protesters during the summer 2020 protests, firing stunbags and pepper spray balls without much care about distinguishing peaceful protesters from those committing crimes. The DOJ interviewed one protester who said he was driving home when an officer fired at his car, shattering his window. He described the shooting as "out of nowhere." Another instance from 2020 involved a small group of people trying to leave a protest and asked a sergeant with a group of officers blocking a street where they should go. The sergeant responded "find another way" and, after the protesters asked where, fired a "bore thunder" muzzle bang without answering their question. The DOJ said police often arrested protesters to deter peaceful protesters and that Phoenix police's policy for handling civil unrest demands officers "incarcerate as many individuals as possible," once a commander gives the order. The report cited a May 2020 incident in which more than 120 people were arrested on felony rioting charges using a verbatim probable cause statement, and prosecutors abandoned more than 100 of the cases after finding a lack of evidence to support even minor charges. It also highlighted the October 2020 incident where police arrested 17 people and submitted gang-related charges and erroneously alleged they belonged to a criminal street gang called "ACAB" by wearing black clothing and chanting an anti-police sentiment. The report stated that the Maricopa County Attorney's Office involvement in the constitutional violations was "beyond the scope of our review," but noted that the Arizona bar later ruled that the prosecutor responsible for the charges was suspended from practicing law for two years. It stated that emails showed the idea for charging protesters with gang-related charges originated from Phoenix police's anti-terrorism task force. The DOJ acknowledged that protests such as ones with anti-police messages can be challenging for departments but noted that such messages are still protected under the First Amendment and that protection does not end if some participants become disruptive. "Police departments must ensure, even in the face of provocation, that their response is proportionate and protects the rights of peaceful protestors," the report stated. The report added that Phoenix lacked a process for protesters to obtain a permit for people wishing to demonstrate on city streets, thereby making it a risk for anyone who does so anyway. "(Phoenix polices) lack of standards and 'completely uncontrolled discretion' violated the First Amendment because the risk of random, arbitrary arrest is enough to dissuade reasonable people from engaging in protected political speech." The report criticized the department's training and handling of protests, describing crowd-control training that "emphasized inflammatory video footage and offered no meaningful guidance to officers." It noted an instructor at one point referred to First Amendment rights as "very touchy" while defining civil disturbances as "actively or passively oppos[ing] the police or government. Another class had an instructor show news footage of a man being shot in the groin with a projectile set to Whitney Houstons rendition of I Will Always Love You." "The clip was timed to emphasize the moment of the groin shot with the loud drum hit just before the songs chorus," the report stated. The DOJ cited instances where a trainer said "anarchists" are people who incite riots during protests and can be identified as the people who don't flee after a sound cannon is fired and suggested protesters who care about the First Amendment are those who talk and cooperate with police. "Such statements have no basis in fact; they instead appear to reflect a deep-rooted bias against individuals critical of PhxPD or the government," the report states. The report said Phoenix police didn't address reporting requirements when officers used less-lethal projectiles and extensively used crowd-control weapons without any evidence of a formal process for when and how they're used. How people reacted to the report The city released a statement shortly after the Justice Department's news conference concluded Thursday morning, stating leaders were eager to read the report and the findings within while maintaining that it has since instituted various reforms making it a different department than the one the DOJ investigated. The city added that officials would need time to review the 126-page report and assess the costs and consequences of the proposed reforms before entering into a long-term relationship with the DOJ. It also shared a letter it sent to the DOJ in response to the report, saying it looked forward to discussing potential options and would reach out in several weeks after it had thoroughly reviewed the report. Benjamin Taylor is a Phoenix-based civil rights and criminal defense attorney. He previously worked as a prosecutor and public defender. Benjamin Taylor, an attorney who has represented numerous people arrested by Phoenix police some of whom later sued the department and city said the DOJ's findings matched what people witnessed on national TV. "You have a First Amendment right to protest and freedom of speech," Taylor said. "And these protesters were not doing anything wrong just walking down the street peacefully and (Phoenix police) abused their power, abused the badge and arrested them." Taylor said he's been disappointed by many city leaders' reaction to the DOJ investigation. "It's disheartening that the city of Phoenix seems to be pushing back against reform and change when they already know, based on the history, that there's multiple violations," Taylor said. Taylor emphasized that city officials should instead be receptive to the findings or people will continue to distrust Phoenix police. Poder in Action, a grassroots organization that has been a longtime critic of the Phoenix Police Department, released a statement saying it wasn't surprised by the DOJ's findings. "We are disgusted, furious, and heartbroken at the findings, but we are not surprised," the organization said in a statement shared on social media. "Community members have paid for the failure of current and past Phoenix city leadership to hold this department accountable with their lives. The report validates what community members have been saying for decades racism, violence, and corruption runs rampant within this department. "This report makes it exceedingly clear that community members who are Black, Indigenous, Latine, unsheltered, or having a mental health crisis are at alarming risk of discrimination, harm, and death at the hands of the Phoenix Police Department." Phoenix Law Enforcement Association officials expressed frustration with the findings of the federal investigation and warned against the city entering into a consent decree with the Department of Justice. Leaders of the labor union, which represents officers and detectives within the citys Police Department, called the DOJs investigation a farce. PLEA President Darrell Kriplean said the citys police force has a long history of self-assessment and self-correction and asserted a consent decree would only enrich federal monitors, increase crime and decimate officer morale. In the end, our taxpayers are fleeced and our community will be less safe, he said. Kriplean said he would support a technical assistance letter, calling it a collaborative solution. There are crucial differences between that option and a consent decree, although both can last for years and lead to significant expenses as reforms are implemented. A consent decree is ordered by a court, so if a law enforcement agency doesnt meet the courts standards, it can be held in contempt and subject to hefty fines. A technical assistance letter would allow the DOJ to make observations about what its investigation revealed and recommend how issues should be reformed but leave ultimate control in the a city's hands. Lou Manganiello, president of Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2, also lambasted the DOJ's report, describing it as being "full of half-truths, unsubstantiated accusations, and haphazard, illogical conclusions." "Despite this investigation taking years and costing millions of dollars, the PPD and the City of Phoenix have cooperated to a greater extent than any City subject to such a federal witch hunt," Manganiello said in a written statement. "It comes as no surprise that the DOJs preordained conclusion looks exactly like the paper-thin 'investigations' we have seen in more than 20 cities across the U.S. over the past 16 years." What happens next? The DOJ report concluded with several pages of proposed reforms on how the Phoenix Police Department could improve public safety while rebuilding trust with the community. Such measures included revising its policies on how the department responds to civil disturbances and disorderly conduct; emphasizing First Amendment freedoms; limiting the use of less-lethal weapons; and providing "after-action" reports on force, officer wellness and effectiveness. It also recommended the department ensure use-of-force reviews and review accusations of misconduct. The report also recommended assessing if an officer violated a person's First Amendment rights and creating mechanisms for city prosecutors to identify the actions of Phoenix officers who may have violated those rights. The report also called for the city to change its permitting process to allow protesters to hold spontaneous demonstrations without breaking laws, such as prohibiting obstruction of a thoroughfare. Previous external investigation into MCAO described as breakdown in communication While Clarke stated that "MCAO's degree of involvement in the constitutional violations we have identified is beyond the scope of our review," the agency has been investigated for its role in charging protesters as gang members. Roland Steinle, a former Maricopa County Superior Court judge, led an investigation upon then-Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel's request and authored a 75-page report that described a breakdown in communication between the case's lead prosecutor, April Sponsel, and MCAO leadership. "Regrettably, if the attorneys had followed the procedures set down, ask for an incident review prior to convening the grand jury and there had been no miscommunications within the chain of command, and most importantly, had the deputy county attorney done the same type of investigation Ken Vick began doing in March of 2021, the outcome would have been dramatically different," Steinle wrote. In his report, he described instances where some of Sponsel's superiors failed to fully grasp the case's status and the direction in which it was going, with those on MCAO's executive team being either partially or fully out of the loop as the case progressed. Adel herself admitted the agency had erred in charging the protesters as gang members and later disbanded the First Responder Bureau, which had handled alleged crimes committed against police officers and firefighters. "In these cases, we made mistakes," Adel wrote at the time. "As an agency charged with doing justice, we must be willing to admit this. And, moreover, we must be willing to correct them. Much of our work in this office is holding people accountable for their actions when they do not meet societys expectations. We must be willing to hold ourselves accountable as well." State Republicans introduced bills harshening consequences in disorderly assemblies During the 2021 legislative session, Arizona Republicans introduced several criminal justice bills, some of which sought more severe consequences for people committing certain crimes during a disorderly assembly. Then-Rep. Bret Roberts, R-Maricopa, introduced a bill in February 2021 that would have made misdemeanors into felonies for activity such as pointing a laser pointer at a police officer, criminal damage between $250-$1,000 and public nuisance. I support the First Amendment, you know, free speech, Roberts told The Arizona Republic at the time. But theres a portion of that that says peaceably assemble. And when you cross that line of where youre failing to peaceably assemble, then thats where I have a problem with it. The bill passed the House on a party-line vote of 31-27 but failed to receive a vote on the Senate floor. Reach public safety and breaking news reporter Perry Vandell at perry.vandell@gannett.com or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @PerryVandell. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Violations against protesters: What the DOJ report says It turns out Clarence Thomas has failed to disclose even more free trips from conservative billionaire Harlan Crow, a Senate Judiciary Committee investigation uncovered. At least three times, Crow provided trips on his private jet to the Supreme Court justice to destinations including a March 2019 trip to Thomass Georgia hometown, a May 2017 trip to Montana near Glacier National Park with a return flight to Dallas two days later, and a June 2021 roundtrip flight between San Jose, California, and Washington, D.C. The revelations were provided to the committee from Crows lawyer. The purpose of the trips was not mentioned in the report, and Thomas has not reported them in his financial disclosures, even though some legal experts say it violates the law. It may be the first of more revelations to come, according to Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, who said that a full investigative report from Democrats on the committee would be released later in the summer. As a result of our investigation and subpoena authorization, we are providing the American public greater clarity on the extent of ethical lapses by Supreme Court justices, Durbin said in a statement. The revelations make it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, he added. Last year, a ProPublica investigation found that Thomas received free luxury vacations from Crow nearly every year, which the Supreme Court justice failed to report until just last week. The publication also reported that Crow funded the renovation of the home where Thomass mother lives, as well as the private school tuition of Mark Martin, the grandson of Thomass sister Emma Mae Martin. Thomas and his wife, Ginni Thomas, were Martins legal guardians from age 6 to 19 but have since cut ties with Martin, whom Thomas once said he was raising as a son, Martin revealed in a recent interview. Clarence Thomas took three more undeclared trips on his billionaire buddys jet Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas did not disclose three flights gifted by a GOP megadonor, the Senate Judiciary Committee revealed (Getty Images) Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas did not disclose three more private jet trips gifted to him by Republican megadonor and billionaire Harlan Crow, the Senate Judiciary Committee revealed on Thursday. According to a document obtained by the committee, Justice Thomas failed to disclose a gifted flight to Kalispell, Montana, in 2017, another to Savannah, Georgia, in 2019 and one to Santa Jose, California, in 2021. It is unclear what the purposes of the trips were. Supreme Court justices are encouraged, per the code of ethics, to report any free transportation, lodging, meals and other gifts on their annual financial disclosure forms. However, the code is nonbinding, having no enforceable mechanism in place. The revelation arrives amid a turbulent year for the court, in which the justices are being scrutinized for failing to disclose ties to wealthy and powerful individuals. Justice Thomas, particularly, has been singled out for his reliance on wealthy friends to take luxurious vacations. We just revealed new details and private trips gifted to Justice Thomas by Harlan Crow. Justice Thomas never disclosed these, raising further questions about the accuracy of his disclosures. pic.twitter.com/C0CRtIJ2HQ Senate Judiciary Committee (@JudiciaryDems) June 13, 2024 Senate Democrats have pushed for legislation that would force justices to be more transparent about their personal and financial ties through a binding code of conduct that would allow for investigations into potential violations and require justices to explain why they must recuse themselves from any cases. It would also require disclosures when a justice has a connection to a political party or amicus. Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that Chief Justice Roberts has the authority to implement an enforceable code of conduct but refused. Until he acts, I will keep pushing for legislation, Durbin wrote in a statement. Justice Thomas previously responded to criticism by claiming gifts and travel did not need to be reported because it was personal hospitality from close personal friends. He did not immediately comment on the Senate Judiciary Committees findings. All three trips, reported by the committee, were extremely brief sometimes lasting no more than a day. In May 2017, Justice Thomas took a flight to Kalispell, Montana, a small town less than 20 miles from Glacier National Park, for just two days. The other trip to Savannah, Georgia, his hometown, in March 2019 was a brief day trip. Similarly, the June 2021 flight to San Jose, California, a town in Northern California, was only for a single day. Republican Congressman Clay Higgins has landed a key committee assignment for Louisiana as the newest member of House Armed Services with the House set to pass its version of the 2025 defense spending bill Friday. The Lafayette congressman is Louisiana's only member of House Armed Services. Republican Shreveport Congressman Mike Johnson had to give up his seat on the committee when he was elected in 2023 as the first speaker from Louisiana. Higgins will continue to serve on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee, where he raised his profile as chairman of the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement as a fierce critic of President Biden's border policies. Louisiana's extensive military operations are not only critical to the national defense but to the state's economy. The Armed Services Committee, which annually produces the National Defense Authorization Act, is an important panel for Louisiana," Higgins said in a statement to USA Today Network. "I will use my position to bolster the critical needs of our military bases, personnel and defense contractors. "This includes major bases like Barksdale (Air Force Base in Bossier), Fort Johnson (in central Louisiana) and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans as well as Louisiana National Guard and Reserve installations. Our state is also home to a strong defense industrial base, which includes shipbuilders, cyber innovators, systems manufacturers and engineers. My office will continue to work closely with these stakeholders to supply the Pentagon with the necessary equipment to secure our nation and defend freedom across the world. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., speaks during a press conference on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with members of the House Freedom Caucus on July 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. Military spending accounts for $9.64 billion of economic activity across Louisiana, according to a study released in 2021. The study was commissioned by Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Military Advisory Council. State law mandates an in-depth assessment of the militarys impact in Louisiana every four years. It shows the military accounts for 77,000 jobs one of every 26 jobs in Louisiana and makes up 2.4% of the state's gross domestic product, as well as contributing $349.7 million in local and state taxes. As an Army veteran, Rep. Higgins brings valuable experience and insight to our committee," Republican Chairman Mike Rogers of Alabama said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Rep. Higgins to support our nations heroes and strengthen our defense. More: Louisiana's Clay Higgins' national profile rises as MAGA favorite, impeachment prosecutor Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Congressman Clay Higgins lands key committee assignment for Louisiana At the end of May, Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell shared the story of a Cobb County class with special needs that graduated from high school, but didnt get to participate in the ceremony. She spoke to Ashlynn Rose Rich, an athlete and honor student at Sprayberry High School, who told Channel 2 Action News that she and her classmates had to sit in a hallway during graduation. Rich was allowed to cross the stage when her name was called, but was escorted back to the hallway after, according to her mother Linda Ramirez. On Thursday, Cobb County School District officials apologized to students and said theyd work to ensure it never happened again at a school board meeting. Her whole class was in the hallway. There were no special ed kids in with or mixed in with the typical peers, Ramirez said in May. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] During Thursdays Cobb Board of Education meeting, supporters of Rich and her classmates said the discrimination at Sprayberry were the districts standards. The fact is, what happened at Sprayberry and the unprofessional actions that followed, are the Cobb standard, Michael Garza, a supporter of Rich, said. It stems from a leadership team that is focused on things other than ensuring all of our students receive the education they deserve. Thats not just my opinion. The Board Chair was recently asked his top focus. His answer was remaining in power. The Post 7 member was asked his top two priorities, his answers was porn and property values. And the superintendent is busy banning books that celebrate the rich diversity of our students. Garza said what happened to Rich and her peers was unacceptable. Rich spoke after Garza, who told the school board members how the incident at graduation had felt for her and her fellow students. I was very excited to graduate with my friends, but instead I was left in a hallway until it was my turn on stage. I felt mistreated and discriminated against because I was not allowed to sit with my classmates. Many of my friends are regular students and it made me sad that I couldnt sit with them and experience graduation together, Rich said. She said the special moment of graduation couldnt be shared with her friends, unlike what other students were able to experience and asked the board to ensure that type of separation would not happen again for any students, so that everyone can be included. TRENDING STORIES: Superintendent Chris Ragsdale spoke later in the meeting, offering his apologies to the impacted students and families and promising the district would do better going forward when it comes to graduations and accommodations. Citizens and parents should be able to take for granted that all Cobb students at any school that have completed the requirements for graduation will have the same opportunity to celebrate with them, and their family will have the opportunity to celebrate with them, Ragsdale said. Recognizing 12 years worth of learning and achievement on a graduation stage is one of the most celebrated American traditions. A recognition not only for a students school, school district and teachers, but their family. He addressed the graduation issues surrounding the ceremony and how Rich and her classmates were impacted, saying that after learning of the event, the district opened an investigation. Ragsdale said the investigation was operating as a personnel issue, saying that after speaking with staff and parents, the district had reviewed graduation policies. He said the district has processes in place that are meant to ensure equal graduation participation for all Cobb students, regardless of circumstances, but said that this did not occur for the Sprayberry students. Without getting into personnel details, it is being handled as as personnel and professional matter, that is as much as can be said about it publicly at this time, Ragsdale said. He also told members of the board and those gathered at the meeting that the district intended to ensure students with exceptionalities would still be able to be accommodated for graduation regardless of their differences, saying normally there is supposed to be a consultation process with families for students who may have sensitivities that could be a factor in graduation celebrations. While I cannot say more about the experience of the Rich family at the Sprayberry ceremony, I can say this. First, on behalf of the district, I apologize to Ashlynn and her family. It does not matter how well-intentioned it appears a decision was made, it should have been a parental decision, Ragsdale said. What happened should not have happened. While I cannot go back in time, I will give you this. I have now directed the consultation process regarding how we will proceed for students with exceptionalities to become more formalized. He said the needs or preferences of graduates and families would be put in writing before the ceremony, and that no employee would be making decisions without parental input for students at graduation. Ragsdale promised graduations would be the celebrations they should be and thanked Rich for speaking up. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) Violence was brewing in a Washington Heights coffee shop Tuesday morning. Surveillance video showed the chaotic scene when a man ran into Milo Coffee in Washington Heights after being stabbed; workers and the manager of the coffee shop sprung into action to help the 39-year-old man. More Local News Juan Reyes, the manager, picked up a chair to defend the man and got the attackers out of the shop. Another employee jumped over the counter to help as well. Reyes is being called a hero for helping the man. Police said the man being attacked ran into the store on 181 Street from across the bridge in the Bronx. Reyes, who only speaks Spanish, said he grabbed what he could to help and would do it again if he had to. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries, according to officials. Police said the group got away. 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). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. College to Hold Moment of Silence for Texas Man Fatally Electrocuted by Jacuzzi: 'He Was Passionate' Jorge Guillen, 43, died and his wife was severely injured in the freak accident, which occurred while they were vacationing in Puerto Penasco, Sonora GoFundMe Jorge Guillen An El Paso, Texas school is honoring Jorge Guillen at its graduation ceremony, three days after the man died in an accident while on vacation in Mexico. Western Technical College will hold a moment of silence on Friday, June 14 for Guillen, 43, who was electrocuted in a jacuzzi along with his wife, while they were vacationing in Puerto Penasco, Sonora. Those who knew George knew that he was enthusiastic, Western Tech president Maxine Valencia told CBS affiliate KDBC-TV. He was passionate. He loved HVAC. He was a real big family man. Definitely a very respectable professional young man. The college will also set aside time for Guillens loved ones to share memories about the man, who would have graduated from the institution on Friday, per the news station. Related: Texas Man Dead, Woman in Critical Condition After Being Electrocuted in Jacuzzi at Mexico Resort Guillens wife, Lizette Zambrano, 35, was also injured in the accident. She was taken to an Arizona hospital in critical condition, the El Paso Times reported. The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, June 11, at a complex of private condominiums, per a translated statement shared on Facebook by the General Prosecutor's Office of Justice of the State of Sonora. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The statement added at the time that the husband and wife suffered injuries due to a "possible electric discharge." An investigation is underway, and authorities will now look to "determine the origin of the electric failure," per the statement. A GoFundMe, created on behalf of the couple's family, has raised over $44,000 as of Friday. Related: 8-Year-Old Girl Died Suddenly After Becoming Ill and Unresponsive on Flight to Chicago Jorge had a heart of gold and was always there for family and friends, campaign organizers Amber Romero and Sylvia Annette Sundermann wrote. They added, referring to the couples relationship: The love they shared was one for ages. We are asking for your help to bring him home & help with medical expenses for her. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Colleges and universities may be turning the corner after a post-pandemic enrollment slump. However, Black student enrollment continues to slip. Okemos High School graduate, Zachary Barker, is one of thousands of students nationwide with a plan to head to campus in the fall. New graduates line up before the start of a community college commencement in East Rutherford, N.J., May 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) It felt amazing, said Barker, remembering the feeling of looking ahead to graduation. I was so happy to just move on to bigger and better things. Its just uplifting, he said. The incoming Michigan State University freshman plans to study business and acting. He was also one of several students awarded scholarships during a Juneteenth celebration in Lansing. Barker credits his parents for keeping him engaged in school. His story comes at a time when university enrollment is continuing to decline for black classmates nationally, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. In Michigan, some colleges and universities are seeing the national trend reflected in their classrooms. Black student enrollment at Eastern Michigan University fell from 2,202 in 2021 to 1,948 last fall. At Central Michigan University, black and other students of color enrollment went from 3,299 to 2,681 in the same time period. CMU-Official-Fall-Enrollment-2014-2023Download The only school that replied to 6 News inquiry that showed growth in black student enrollment was the University of Michigan. Enrollment expanded from 2,144 in 2021 to 2,377 last year. The decreasing numbers are a concern for Lansing attorney and social justice activist, Teresa Bingman. She is also an associate director with the University-Community Empowerment Center at Western Michigan University. Bingman says the pandemic may have created a connection issue between students of color and higher education. She says theres also an issue in university recruitment not directly connecting with black students. Universities have to be very deliberate about the outreach and the inclusion and the developing the environment where students of color will feel comfortable on the campus, said Bingman. She says improving the college gap needs a multi-layered approach which includes parents getting involved with their childrens education goals. She remembers having college talks with her family when she was in elementary school. Not everyone has to attend, not everyone wants to attend because there are other opportunities. But I do truly believe higher education does open doors that not having it would not open, says Bingman. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Colombia aims for peace deal with Segunda Marquetalia within two years Armando Novoa, chief negotiator of the Colombian government in the peace talks with the dissident faction of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Segunda Marquetalia, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bogota Armando Novoa, chief negotiator of the Colombian government in the peace talks with the dissident faction of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Segunda Marquetalia, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bogota By Luis Jaime Acosta BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia hopes to sign and begin to implement a peace deal with the Segunda Marquetalia armed group before current President Gustavo Petro leaves office in just over two years, the head of the government's negotiating team said on Friday. Segunda Marquetalia is a dissident faction of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels whose leaders initially agreed to a 2016 peace deal, but returned to arms citing unfulfilled promises three years later. Peace talks between the group, which has 1,751 members, and the government are set to begin in Caracas, Venezuela on June 24. Petro is trying to end six decades of armed conflict that has killed at least 450,000 people. The government wants "a serious, consistent, negotiation, without shocks, which in the shortest time possible achieves definitive results for the country," head negotiator Armando Novoa told Reuters. "If possible, we want a signed accord with Segunda Marquetalia before the current government ends ... before two years are out," he said. "We are moderately optimistic." The talks will not include a ceasefire, Novoa said, unlike negotiations with other armed groups, because Segunda Marquetalia promised upon its founding not to attack the armed forces or kidnap civilians. "We aren't talking about a bilateral ceasefire, but about de-escalation measures," he said. Future negotiation cycles could take place in other locations, including Colombia, he added. The peace process with Segunda Marquetalia faces legal hurdles because its leaders first backed and then abandoned the FARC deal, potentially making them eligible only to surrender. But Novoa said he was sure a solution that respects the law is possible. Some experts have floated amnesties for rebel leaders, but Novoa said that would have to be examined and hinges on positive results at the negotiations. The government is holding separate talks with National Liberation Army rebels and the Estado Mayor Central armed group, a former FARC faction that never signed the 2016 deal. Armed groups fight security forces and each other for control of territory and lucrative illegal industries such as drug trafficking and illicit gold mining. (Reporting by Luis Jaime AcostaWriting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Rod Nickel) Just a few days after an Ohio mother admitted to killing their 3-year-old child, a mother in Colorado was sentenced for the same thing. On Wednesday, Alexus Nelson, 28, was sentenced to 84 years in prison for the 2023 murder of her 5-year-old daughter, Maha Li Hobbs. She pleaded guilty to the charges of second-degree murder (48 years), tampering with a deceased body (24 years), and attempting to influence a public servant (12 years), per the press release from the Colorado Judicial Branch. All sentences will be served consecutively. But how did we get here? In May 2023, Nelsons mother called the Aurora Police Department (APD) for a welfare check after allegedly not seeing her granddaughter, Maha Li, in nearly three weeks. When local authorities called Nelson, she told them that she had given up her child for adoption. But when officers called the adoption agency that Nelson provided, they had no record of her doing such a thing. As a result, the APD obtained a search warrant the next day for Nelsons apartment, where they found the burnt human remains of Maha Li in a utility closet and her bone fragments in the fireplace. Thats right, Nelson burned her 5-year-old daughter to death. More from 18th Judicial District - Colorado Judicial Branch: There are many resources and legal ways for parents to surrender their children in the event they are unable to care for them, Senior Deputy DA Kathleen Tierney said. Its both heartbreaking and appalling that a mother would kill her own child and then make up a bogus adoption story so family would believe the child is alive and well. Due to her plea deal, Nelsons trial dates have been vacated and her attorneys will not be allowed to appeal the ruling in the future, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner takes questions from reporters after a press conference in Harrisburg on Friday, 10/21/22. (Capital-Star photo by Marley Parish) Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner takes questions from reporters after a press conference in Harrisburg on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022 (Capital-Star photo). Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Friday lost his court challenge to a state law that limits his jurisdiction over crimes committed on public transit in the city. A divided Commonwealth Court panel ruled Friday that Act 40 does not clearly, palpably, and plainly violate the Pennsylvania Constitution, which was the argument Krasner made in the challenge he filed in January. Act 40, passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro in December, requires the Pennsylvania attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor with jurisdiction over crimes committed within the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Krasner argued that the state constitution does not allow appointment of a special prosecutor to usurp the DAs authority, and noted that a provision that prohibits defendants charged by the special prosecutor from challenging the special prosecutors authority violates the U.S. Constitutions due process clause. Thus, the law would give anyone charged by the special prosecutor grounds to challenge their convictions. Judge Anne Covey, writing for the majority, said Krasners assertion that the law would likely lead to the dismissal of charges or convictions was entirely speculative. Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon focused on the word within in a separate opinion in which she concurred with the majority but disagreed with its blanket rejection of Krasners constitutional challenges.. SEPTA is an agency. It is an entity. It is not a specific place or a tangible thing. The meaning of within in relation to SEPTA conveys no concrete impression to the ordinary person; it is simply incomprehensible, Cannon wrote. She added that deprivation of a criminal defendants ability to challenge the jurisdiction of the Special Prosecutor violates due process. An angry Krasner pushed back against the notion that the law is meant to help improve public safety in Philadelphia during a press conference on Friday. If they cared about public safety here, then they would be letting us do some things to deal with gun regulation. If they cared about public safety here, they would fund our public schools. If they cared about public safety here, we wouldnt have to beg them to fund SEPTA properly, Krasner said. Philadelphia, Krasner added, is doing a remarkably good job at improving public safety, and this office is part of that. This has been about politics. It has been about a politics of fear. It has been about a racist politics, and that is whats really going on. On Friday afternoon, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the appointment of Michael Untermeyer to serve in the role of special prosecutor. We worked diligently to follow the mandates of Act 40 to fill the position, first by posting the opportunity, then interviewing applicants to ascertain if they fit the specific criteria established by the law, Henry said. We selected a candidate who expressed a commitment to public safety while possessing the qualifications required by Act 40. More Republicans than Democrats backed Act 40s passage, however it still passed on a bipartisan basis. Krasner accused those supporting it of not wanting minority voters to have their voices heard through the electoral process. He easily won reelection in 2021. Make no mistake, the Republican legislature does not want one Democratic, Black, brown or poor vote from Philadelphia counted, Krasner said. That is what is actually at stake. That is what is actually going on here. He added that the people who passed this law in general are authoritarians who are very much in favor of the disenfranchisement of Black and brown and poor people in Philadelphia. he added. Krasner and Shapiro have been at odds over the law since it passed. During an interview with NBC10 in February, Shapiro said he believes the appointment of a special prosecutor would have a positive benefit on safety on SEPTA and disagreed with the notion that it was taking power away from Krasners office. Im the former Attorney General of Pennsylvania. We have concurrent jurisdiction from DAs in a whole range of cases, thats nothing new, Shapiro said. Having that concurrent jurisdiction, bringing more law enforcement resources into the City of Philadelphia is a good thing. Krasner said that there is nothing wrong with the use of a special prosecutor in the appropriate circumstances, but he does not believe that this is one of those cases. This is a statement from the legislature that Philadelphians dont know what theyre doing, that theyre not allowed to make decisions, that they dont have the wisdom, Krasner said. GOP lawmakers have been attempting to remove Krasner from office over his progressive criminal justice policies that include selective prosecution for offenses such as shoplifting, prostitution and marijuana possession. With todays Commonwealth Court ruling upholding Act 40, seven months after becoming law this collaborative effort will finally begin to make a difference with a special prosecutor to oversee crimes occurring on SEPTA within the City of Philadelphia, state Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) said in a statement Friday. I appreciate Attorney General Michelle Henrys ongoing work to keep Pennsylvanians safe and look forward to swift appointment of the SEPTA Special Prosecutor. The state House, then controlled by Republicans, voted 107-86 to impeach Krasner in the waning days of the 2021-22 legislative session. But the session ended and the Democrats took control of the House in 2023, and an impeachment trial was never held. The state Supreme Court heard arguments in November 2023, over whether articles of impeachment die at the end of a legislative session as unpassed legislation does, or if the impeachment proceedings could continue. Act 40 in the attorney general race The issue of Act 40 has emerged as a topic of discussion in the race for Pennsylvania attorney general. Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, said during a candidate forum in April that he was not happy with how Act 40 happened, but added that hes also been clear, public safety on SEPTA is critical. Ill work with the district attorney and the resources that law gives to make sure that people are better protected on SEPTA, DePasquale said during the April forum. I think theres a way to use those resources and partner with a district attorney to make sure people are better protected on SEPTA. DePasquale said in an emailed statement to the Capital-Star on Friday that people should feel secure on public transportation and I look forward to working with law enforcement and District Attorneys in Southeastern Pennsylvania to prosecute crimes committed and make SEPTA as safe an experience for visitors and commuters as possible. York County District Attorney Dave Sunday, the Republican Party nominee for attorney general, has endorsed Act 40. When Im elected attorney general, I will do everything I can to quickly put someone into that position as a special prosecutor, Sunday said during a debate in March. Sunday added that he believes there are challenges with the law, given that it only lasts three years and that theres a sunset on it, plus identifying someone willing to do the job based on the criteria. But all that being said, anything that we can do to make Philadelphians safer is something that I will absolutely do on day one, Sunday said in March. Sunday did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the Commonwealth Court decision Friday. Untermeyer has 15 years of experience as a prosecutor and served as a special counsel to the Office of Inspector General, deputy and senior deputy attorney general, and as an assistant district attorney, according to the release from Henrys office. He most recently worked as an attorney in private practice. Untermeyer has sought elected office in Philadelphia, once running in the same open race as Krasner. In 2023, Untermeyer narrowly lost to incumbent Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal in the Democratic Party primary. In 2017, Untermeyer was one of the seven Democrats vying for the open race for Philadelphia District Attorney, which Krasner ultimately won. The Philadelphia District Attorneys office said in a statement Friday that it plans to appeal the decision. The post Commonwealth Court upholds law giving special prosecutor jurisdiction over crimes on SEPTA appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. GLADE SPRING, Va. (WJHL) Catalyst Energy Partners held an open house for its Wolf Hills Solar project on Thursday at Patrick Henry High School. The Wolf Hills Solar project is a 250-megawatt design Catalyst says will produce enough clean energy to power 40,000 homes. The corporation wants solar panels on 1,500 acres of land in Abingdon. The solar panels are estimated to have a 35-year lifespan and a $23 million revenue increase for Washington County. News Channel 11 spoke with Steve Malnight, president of Catalyst Energy Partners, who said that the corporation has been exploring the area for years in search of a project like Wolf Hills Solar. This project that were looking to do really will bring new solar energy to this community, which gives economic benefits to the community in the form of higher property taxes, said Malnight. But it also brings a lot of economic and environmental stability to this county because it will bring energy right here that can be used in this county. So, were excited to bring this here and talk to folks about the benefits that this will offer to Washington County. Appalachian Fair announces entertainment lineup In May, local residents voiced their concerns about the project and how it would negatively affect the outdoor recreational economy, workforce opportunities, agricultural land and more. Malnight said the corporation is taking these concerns into consideration. Weve been in all of our conversations, weve heard from people who are supportive of the project and those who have concerns, said Malnight. And were excited to hear about both and talk to the community members. I think many times people are afraid or concerned about the view sheds and what theyll be seeing or what the impact would be on their homes and in their neighborhoods. We understand that our project said design assumes to be leaving vegetation and trees in place to help shield. Well be installing more view buffers to help make sure that the project is a beautiful part of this community, which is already such a beautiful community. Sara Hurley, a resident of Washington County, attended the open house to voice concerns about real estate. My primary concern, which is really the economic impact on a region through home values and especially knowing that most people hold their wealth in their private home and then how that will affect even if its very marginal, but its compounded, said Hurley. Hurley believes the corporation does not have accurate information. The board of supervisors will decide on June 24 whether to approve the project. If approved, the pair hopes to begin construction in 2025. Those looking for more information about the Wolf Hills solar project can find it here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Some commuters want businesses to pay additional taxes to NJ Transit Some commuters want businesses to pay additional taxes to NJ Transit NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) Some New Jersey Transit riders hope the states richest corporations pay their fair share to fund the agency. On Thursday, advocates pushed for the proposed Corporate Transit Fee, requiring companies making at least $10 million in annual profit to pay a 2.5% fee to NJ Transit. Gov. Phil Murphy proposed the fee in his budget address earlier this year. This comes weeks before NJT riders are about to start paying more after the agency approved a 15 % fare hike in April. More New Jersey News Without the corporate transit fee, its likely were going to see more service cuts and more fare hikes, said Alex Ambrose of NJ Policy Perspective. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla joined them outside of Newark Penn Station in support. We have the highest percentage of residents who rely upon mass transit in New Jersey, the City of Hoboken, said Bhalla, so this is a critical issue for the residents of Hoboken. Meanwhile, State legislators and business leaders who oppose the idea say the fee would further damage New Jerseys business reputation, saying New Jersey is already expensive enough to do business in. More Local News We should find ways to move money, if we need to, to New Jersey Transit from within the existing revenue stream, said Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-NJ). Taxes have been raised for the last six years over and over again. This will be passed on to everybody in New Jersey as the cost to corporations goes up, said Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan OScanlon (R-NJ). New Jersey Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Bracken has called it a nightmare scenario. This is impacting 600 of our largest employers who generate a tremendous amount of income for our economy and who are some of our biggest corporate philanthropists, said Bracken, and youre really poking them in the eye with this. The State budget is due before July 1. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. failed to get enough signatures to run as an Independent for president in North Carolina he mulled over whether to run as a Libertarian. But instead, he formed We the People. After turning in the number of signatures to potentially be recognized as an official party in the state, the Democratic PAC Clear Choice Action claims the petition should be rejected by the N.C. State Board of Elections. Pro-RFK Jr. group reports single donor represented almost half the funds it raised In a formal complaint obtained by CBS 17, attorneys allege RFK Jr. created a sham political party while wrongfully telling voters they were directly putting Kennedy on the ballot. The 72-page filing includes statements from people who say they were indeed misled when they signed the petition. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visits the First Baptist Church Food Pantry on February 17, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images) In part, the formal complaint says: The Petition is an unlawful effort by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to evade the requirements for an unaffiliated candidacy by creating a sham political party while wrongly telling voters that they are placing Mr. Kennedy directly on the ballot. If Mr. Kennedy wanted to run as an unaffiliated candidate, he needed to file a different petition, earlier. And by telling voters that signing the petition would place Mr. Kennedy on the ballotwhen in reality it would create a new political party that should hold a nominating conventionWe The People violated the statutory requirement to inform signers of the general purpose and intent of the new party. Mr. Kennedys gambit makes a mockery of North Carolinas petitioning requirements, misleads voters, and violates North Carolina law. JFKs grandson calls RFK Jr.s White House bid an embarrassment, endorses Biden NC State political scientist Steven Greene said, Its not a political party, its not a political party. Its Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Greene also said many third-party attempts in this political era are about one person. The reality is that, I dont know if I want to say a vanity campaign, but theyre an individualized, personalized campaign. And this is entirely about Robert F Kennedy Junior, not any nominal party that may be backing him, Greene said. The complaint also claims the wrong address was used on the petition for Kennedys state chairperson, breaking state law and invalidating enough signatures to keep Kennedy off the ballot. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks to supporters during a campaign stop, Monday, May 13, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) In the next few weeks, the state elections board must make a decision about whether to recognize We The People as a party. Professor Greene said the ballot question probably isnt Kennedys only concern. Its essential that he gets on enough ballots in order for him to be able to participate in the debates and I think thats going to be a real make or break issue with just how how much impact his campaign may have that he is able to be on the debate stage or not, he said. It may also be about running out the clock for those who want to keep RFK Jr. off the ballot. Whether right, wrong, illegitimate thats politics and law, right? And and part of it is when you can use the legal system to your political benefit, said Green. CBS 17 asked the Kennedy campaign for a comment. A representative for Team Kennedy said they were working on a press release. CBS 17 has received no response in its request for comment from the law firm representing Clear Choice Action. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Friday! Wed like to take this opportunityif he doesnt nix this when he edits this newsletter at 5 a.m. this morningto wish Declan a very happy birthday! Were not sure what it portends for his upcoming year that the cake we got for him at a Dispatch summer cook-out on Thursday night ended up mostly on Jonahs shoe after someonewho shall remain namelessdropped it: Photo via Jonah Goldberg. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Breaking Down the Bird Flu Cows graze in a field at a dairy farm in Petaluma, California, on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) What do sea lions in South America and dairy cows in Texas have in common? Potentially a lotwere not zoologists. But lately? Bird flu. The ongoing outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus that has been around for decades recently made the jump to dairy cows. The surprising development has sparked not only the standardif low-grade, at this pointconcerns about an epidemic or pandemic of avian flu in humans but also worries about the integrity of dairy, beef, and poultry products in the United States. Still, the disease itself currently seems to represent a very low risk to humans. Avian influenza is a type of flu that circulates primarily inyou guessed itbirds. Migratory flocks carry the illness around the world and sicken other animals, particularly scavengers, that come into contact with infected feces or with dead birds. Bird flu often crops up on poultry farms, and this particular strain has affected almost 100 million birds in more than 1,000 flocks in 48 states since an outbreak of H5N1 was declared in February 2022. (It was this ongoing outbreak that temporarily sent the price of eggs to the moon in late 2022.) The sheer amount of disease in birds has been particularly high in recent months, leading to more sickened and dead fowland more opportunities for the virus to spread not only to more birds, but more species. That includes mammals like sea lions in South Americaat least 24,000 of which died last year from the disease this fall and winterand, indeed, cows. H5N1 made the leap from migratory birds and chickens to cows earlier this year, and has since spread to more than 90 herds in roughly a dozen U.S. states. The illness first showed up in cattle on Texas ranches and dairy farms in early February, but it took weeks to diagnose because bird flu is not in the standard kit of diseases that farmers, ranchers, and vets typically see in cows. Plus, the flu was making the herds illmostly affecting cows milk productionbut not killing them, as it does birds. Still, Reuters reported that a handful of cows in South Dakota, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, and Colorado have died or were killed by farmers when they didnt recover. Recent data from the Department of Agriculture suggests that there are multiple ways the virus could be spreading from farm to farm. The leading culprits seem to be equipment shared between facilities, as well as people who work at more than one farm and carry the virus with them on clothes or shoes. The physical movement of cows from one farm to another is also a likely vector. The H5N1 virus isnt particularly newits been circulating for almost three decades after it was first discovered in China around 1996and it can infect humans. Between 2003 and 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded nearly 900 reported cases of the disease in humans across 19 countries, of which roughly half were fatal. But we shouldnt necessarily read too much into that fatality rate since we dont know the true denominatorthe number of people who were actually infected. Plenty of people may never have been tested or had symptoms so minor they didnt register. Is the mortality rate really 52 percent? No, its not, Isaac Bogoch, a tropical disease doctor and researcher at the University of Toronto, told TMD. Were only selecting for the sickest of the sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has so far confirmed only three cases in people in the U.S., two of whom are in Michigan, where testing has been the most robust of all the states with outbreaks. All three are dairy farmers who contracted the virus from interactions with infected dairy cows. Two patients presented with conjunctivitispink eye, likely from contact with contaminated milkwhile another had the more classic symptoms of a respiratory illness, and all three seem to have recovered. But three human infections could be an undercount. That number is very likely to be much higher than three, Bogoch said. Think about the number of infected herds that we know of. Think about the number of infected herds that we dont know of in multiple states. Think about the number of people who have close contact with dairy cows on a day-to-day basis, and theres only three reported human cases? Give me a break. The CDC currently advises doctors to administer the standard seasonal flu test to people concerned they may be infected with the H5N1. But that test cant confirm if a person has bird flu specifically, so the CDC urges doctors to send results to a state public health laboratory if someone has been in contact with poultry or cows. The most recent data available, from earlier this month, says only 45 people have been tested as part of this targeted, situation-specific testing. Testing both cows and people in contact with them is voluntaryand the incentives are weak for both dairy farmers and staff to do so. Cows are expensive to raise, and infections in cows seem to be fairly mild, generally. Unlike in poultry, where the H5N1 virus can kill an entire flockincentivizing farmers to isolate and cullthere is not the same incentive at the level of the farm, or frankly, at the level of the state, to push forward an aggressive surveillance strategy, Krishna Udayakumar, director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center, told TMD. Theyre trying to balance economic and health implications jointly. Likewise, many of the farm workers in close contact with poultry or cattle may lack insurance, paid sick leave, or be working illegally, disincentivizing getting tested using the standard influenza test. Even if there are more human bird flu patients in the U.S. than the three people currently identified, the CDC still assesses that the disease to people is of low riskand that there doesnt seem to be human-to-human transmission of the virus, unlike the common seasonal flu, or COVID-19, that can run through schools, offices, and families like wildfire when someone sneezes or coughs. But that doesnt mean there will never be human-to-human transmission. As we learned all too well in recent years, the more a virus spreads, the more it mutatesand those mutations could change the way it behaves, potentially increasing the likelihood that the virus gets better at human-to-human transmission. Every day that were starting to see more infections, more herds of cattle, more states are more opportunities for this virus to continue to mutate, Udayakumar said. So the challenge continues to be if we dont have extensive surveillance data, we may not catch signals of changes in the virus and exposure by either other animals or humans early enough that we can move aggressively in that response. If youre not going to get it from another person, and you dont spend any time around cows, there could be other vectors of the virusthough the data is still unclear. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a letter to health officials across the country last week warning of the potential for infection through raw, or unpasteurized milk. Pasteurized milk has been heated to kill bacteriathe gallon you find on most grocery store shelves. But raw milk, straight from the cow, has been having something of a moment with lefty hipster foodies and, even more recently, people on the anti-establishment right. But drinking raw milk could pose a health risk. Evidence demonstrates that cattle infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus shed the virus in their milk, the FDA letter reads. Because raw milk has the potential to contain viable (live) HPAI H5N1 virus, it represents a potential route of consumer exposure to the virus. But, the FDA pointed out, its not a sure thing: Based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time if the HPAI H5N1 virus can be transmitted to humans through consumption of raw milk and products made from raw milk from infected cows. An epidemiological study in March suggested that several domestic cats that died on a dairy farm could have been infected with H5N1 after drinking unpasteurized cows milk. Beef on grocery store shelves doesnt seem, at this point, to be a vector for the illness. Theres good news about a vaccine, should we ever need it: The U.S. has a stockpile of two flu vaccines that seem likely to be effective against H5N1 and could be given to prevent an initial wave of infections as production of new vaccines ramped up in the still unlikely event of an epidemic or pandemic outbreak. We shouldnt be in a panic in any of this, Udayakumar told TMD. I think the risk, of coursewhich is a low-probability riskis that we end up having to deal with another pandemic and one that could be significant in its impact to human health. And were not close to that. Worth Your Time Writing for America Magazine, Emma Camp argued that more people should attend churcheven if they dont believe in God. At a time when Americansespecially young Americansare more atomized than ever, having not just individual friends but a real community is increasingly difficult, Camp wrote. Becoming part of a religious institution also allows members to get outside of their own age-segregated bubbles. After Mass, I can count on talking to elderly parishioners and hearing the babbles of babies and toddlerssomething that would be unlikely to happen at a bar or concert. A religious community forces you to become the kind of person who shows up. Your life gains a new rhythm, with new obligations. Despite my regular church attendance for almost two years now, I still havent developed a rock-solid faith. Ive jokedand said as much on Twitterthat I only believe in God about 30 percent of the time on a good day. My ambivalence does set me apart from most of my friends from church, a group that includes a few seminarians. But it doesnt keep me from coming back. U.S. policy in Africa is a confusing mess, Michael Shurkina former member of the National Security Councilwrote for his substack, Pax Americana. U.S. policy consistently has been torn between two competing imperatives, he explained. One is finding ways to promote values and democracy and, ideally, step away from backing or just appearing to back autocratic and usually kleptocratic governments. The other is the pursuit of realist or using realist means to achieve national security priorities such as counterterrorism or Great Power Competition. The two imperatives are not necessarily in contradiction, but they often are, and the result of an inability to decide between prioritizing the one over the other leads to incoherence, inconsistency, and, as we have seen, failure. This is not an argument for one imperative over the other, but rather an argument in favor of deciding between the two, or, in lieu of that, thinking realistically about how to strike a middle path that somehow satisfies both while being cognizant of the dilemma. That would be difficult, but Id like to think not impossible. Presented Without Comment Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Donald Trump Calls Milwaukee A Horrible City Weeks Before RNC Comes To Town Also Presented Without Comment Newsweek: Video Shows Israel Using Trebuchet to Fire Flaming Projectile at Hezbollah Also Also Presented Without Comment New York Magazine: RFK Campaign Spells United States Wrong on Ballot Petition In the Zeitgeist This week, the Wall Street Journal profiled the action star of the summer, who is debuting in her first leading film role next month: 94-year-old June Squibb. The actress commands the screen in Thelma, a movie about a grandmother scammed out of $10,000 who takes matters into her own hands to get it back. The movie draws motivation from a Mission: Impossible movie, taking cues from Tom Cruise as she sets out to reclaim her 10 grand. You go, June. Toeing the Company Line In the newsletters: Mike and Sarah explained what Hunter Bidens conviction means for the elder Bidens re-election and Will looked into the economic repercussionsand possibilitiesof artificial intelligence. On the podcasts: Sarah is joined by Steve and Jonah on The Dispatch Podcast roundtable to discuss the Hunter Biden conviction, Republican confusion over IVF, and how much Bidens age matters. On the site: Kevin tries to extend some grace to Hunter Biden: A better sort of man would pray for Hunter Biden because there was some fine thing in him that moved him to do it. Ill say a prayer for him because I am supposed to. Let Us Know There have long been stories about new viral strains that never end up amounting to much. Do you read these stories any differently now after our experience of the last fewwell, you know? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. House and Senate lawmakers on Friday offered a preview of this summers fight over defense policy changes for next year, with overall military spending and troop pay raises hanging in the balance. Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee unveiled their draft of the massive defense authorization bill Friday morning, just as House lawmakers narrowly adopted their version of the measure, mostly along party lines in a 217-199 vote. After the full Senate amends its committees draft over the next few weeks, the two chambers will begin negotiations over a compromise bill to send to the presidents desk later this year. The legislation, which has passed Congress annually for more than 60 years, includes a host of pay authorizations, program changes and policy updates that impact almost every corner of the Defense Department. As such, the bill is closely watched by Pentagon planners and military advocates all year long, and it commands significant attention from lawmakers both on and off the military oversight committees. Heres a look at the major differences in the House and Senate bills, and the debates ahead. Total defense spending While the authorization bill doesnt provide direct funding for military operations (the annual appropriations bill does that), the overall spending levels prescribed in the measure typically set the tone for debate over how much money the Defense Department will get next year. In the House, that total is about $884 billion, in line with a debt ceiling agreement between the White House and Congress last summer to cap spending increases for fiscal 2025 at 1%. The Senate authorization bill comes in at $923 billion, a 5% boost in overall defense spending, including $12.5 billion in emergency funding for military disaster recovery construction in Guam following Typhoon Mawar last year. U.S. Air Force personnel search the grass for debris from Typhoon Mawar at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam on Oct. 25, 2023. The base sustained severe damage. (Senior Airman Kaitlyn Preston/U.S. Air Force) The roughly $25 billion extra in non-Guam funding provided in the Senate bill would allow the Defense Department to pursue several additional shipbuilding, procurement and military construction priorities. If you look at this bill overall, you would definitely see that the pivot to the Indo-Pacific is also a pivot to sea power, and more and more focus is going to be on the sea power investments, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who chairs the committees sea power panel, told reporters after the markup. For instance, the extra spending in the bill partially helps fund a second Virginia-class attack submarine against the Navys wishes; the service requested a single attack submarine for FY25 due to production delays in the industrial base. The Senate bill authorizes $1.1 billion in partial funding for the second submarine, slightly more than the House version. The Senate bill also allows for an extra $4 billion in munitions procurement across the services, including to expand capacity for production lines for items like the Precision Strike Missile as well as the Standard Missile-2 and -6 weapons. Another $3.1 billion would go toward military construction projects for the unfunded priorities lists submitted by various services and combatant commands. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the committee, successfully offered the amendment to increase defense spending beyond the FY25 debt ceiling caps, arguing that the U.S. needs to spend more on the military to compete with China and Russia. However, the increase was less than the extra $55 billion he initially sought for FY25. The committees chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., voted against his panels authorization plan because of the high spending total. But a majority of Republicans and Democrats on the committee backed the increase in a 22-3 vote. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., also voted against it. Negotiating a final defense spending total will likely involve input from the White House and chamber fights over nondefense program funding, potentially complicating and lengthening the compromise process. Junior enlisted pay raises House lawmakers made quality of life for younger service members a major focus of their authorization bill, highlighted by a 15% average pay raise for troops E-4 and below. Supporters say the move will raise basic pay for all troops above $30,000, an adjustment meant to ensure military families arent facing financial strain while serving. But the White House has strongly opposed the targeted pay boost, which could cost about $3 billion next year and more than $24 billion over the next five years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Administration officials back a 4.5% pay raise across the board for all troops (both the House and Senate also support that) but advised waiting on extra money for enlisted troops until next year, after a Pentagon study on military compensation is complete. Family members of the crew on the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan see off the vessel on May 16, 2024, in Japan. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP) Despite including more overall defense funding in their bill, Senate lawmakers only offered an extra 1% boost for troops E-3 and below on top of the across-the-board pay raise. That would give most junior enlisted troops a few hundred dollars extra next year, as opposed to the several thousand dollars in salary increases in the House plan. However, Senate officials also added an extra $1 billion to potentially boost junior enlisted pay even further. The committee still needs to work out the details of those pay table changes. Sorting out which plan survives congressional negotiations could have a major impact on young military families finances. And thats not the only pocketbook issue to be discussed by negotiators. House lawmakers also backed increases to service members housing stipends that were omitted by Senate bill authors. And the House draft includes an expansion of the military Basic Needs Allowance, money designed to provide additional support to families struggling to cover food and household costs. Social issues Most of the social issues expected to cause controversy in bill negotiations this summer come from the House draft of the authorization bill. In floor work this week, Republican lawmakers added riders ending the Pentagons abortion access policy for troops stationed in states where the procedure is outlawed. They also included provisions to freeze hiring for diversity jobs in the military, limit care for transgender troops, and bar discussion of radical gender ideology or critical race theory in training sessions. Those moves drew the ire of Democratic lawmakers in the House, many of whom backed the bill when it came out of committee but opposed it because of what they called tangential social issue fights. Republicans did not need Democratic support to advance the bill out of the House, but will need to reach a compromise on those issues in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Similar provisions included in last years House drafts were ultimately stripped out by negotiators. The Senate draft again includes a push to require women to register for the Selective Service System, currently only mandated for men aged 18 through 25. House members have opposed that idea in recent years. The sudden appearance of write-in candidates in at least two key Brevard County races this week raises questions about election manipulation and the ethics of a legal loophole that critics say allows such candidates to effectively disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of local nonparty voters. FLORIDA TODAY has uncovered connections between those write-in candidates and their opponents: District 1 County Commissioner Rita Pritchett and write-in candidate Daniel Edwin Lopez in the race for Brevard tax collector; and District 3 County Commissioner John Tobia and write-in candidate Sandra Cottrell in the supervisor of elections race. Pritchett and Tobia did not respond to requests for comment; Cottrell declined to talk to a reporter who came to her home Wednesday. Lopez, who did speak to FLORIDA TODAY, denied any political collusion with Pritchett in the race. The findings add to concerns that some Brevard candidates or their operatives may once again be recruiting so-called "ghost" candidates those with no intention of running a real campaign or even serving in the position for which they announce, often running for the sole purpose of closing primary elections or siphoning votes from a competitor. In the former case, phony write-in opposition bids are solicited by candidates or those working on their behalf to close primaries, allowing them to maximize campaign resources by shrinking the pool of eligible voters while not compromising their partisan appeal. It's an obscure political maneuver that takes advantage of the laws governing Florida's complex primary voting system. Under that system, all eligible voters can participate in partisan primary elections, regardless of party affiliation, as long as all declared candidates are from the same party and there are no write-in candidates in the race. That was set to be the case with the August primaries for county tax collector and supervisor of elections, which had only Republicans declared for the ballot, until this week. Write-in candidates emerged in each of those races, closing the primaries to only GOP voters and shutting out over 200,000 unaffiliated, Democratic and third-party Brevard voters. The move means most voters will see only one name for each race on the November ballot virtually guaranteeing the countywide offices will be decided by only a slim minority of residents. Political experts and government watchdogs say its a loophole that has been exploited by both Republicans and Democrats to manipulate elections since it was created in 2000, after an administrative clarification from the Florida Division of Elections to a 1998 state constitutional amendment that was originally meant to ensure fairness in elections. It's been condemned for having what critics have said is the exact opposite effect, especially when it involves ghost candidates. A 2022 report from the nonpartisan watchdog group Integrity Florida detailed a series of criminal election fraud cases involving ghost candidate schemes across the state since 2020. District 1 County Commissioner Rita Pritchett (left) and District 3 Commissioner John Tobia have connections to write-in candidates in their own races, raising questions of election fairness. Most of those cases involved allegations of illegal campaign funding or financial reporting violations; FLORIDA TODAY has seen no evidence of that here, and the tactic is broadly legal. Still, Integrity Florida research director Ben Wilcox wrote in the report, such schemes amount to "a political dirty trick that at the very least would be considered a cynical take on democracy." "To my mind, there's a real concern that voters are being essentially disenfranchised, and they're not able to have a voice in who their eventual representative is," Wilcox told FLORIDA TODAY. Sheriff candidate Brian Potters, who previously declared as a Republican candidate back in October, also filed as a write-in candidate this week, ensuring the contest would go to the November election. He explained the decision as a way to save money on the qualifying fee while also changing tack, he said, to try and make the race less political. Serious candidates? Whether Lopez in the tax collector race and Cottrell in the supervisor of elections race are actually ghost candidates or will run legitimate campaigns remains to be seen, but there are signs they may not be serious about winning. Lopez, a 27-year-old Cocoa resident with no political experience, is taking on longtime incumbent Lisa Cullen, who has held the post since 2009, and Pritchett, a former Titusville city councilmember and two-term county commissioner. Cullen has so far raised about $52,000 in the race, while Pritchett has raised about $36,000, according to campaign finance reports. Despite stiff competition, Lopez said he had no plans to fundraise and said his campaign strategy involved "some petitioning." "Over the years as a young man living here in Brevard County, I've seen different strategies for being able to get my name out there," he said, without elaborating. A former U.S. Marine, Lopez told FLORIDA TODAY he had an interest in running for office since he was a child. Reporters found no evidence that Lopez has ever been politically active or even voted in an election; prior to Monday, he did not appear to have ever been registered to vote. "I've selflessly laid my life on the line for the past eight years being in the military. I'm not going to sit here and say I wasn't always afforded the opportunity to vote, but we don't want to open that can of worms, do we?" he said. Asked why he decided to pick tax collector, an important but low-profile and highly technical office, for his first run at politics, Lopez cited his Christian faith. "Matthew was a tax collector, one of Jesus's beloved disciples," he said. Lopez denies being asked to run Lopez is connected to Pritchett through their mutual association with New Life Space Coast Church in Titusville, where Pritchett has long served as an administrator and radio host and Lopez works as a youth minister, according to his LinkedIn page. He downplayed their association Tuesday and denied being asked to run by Pritchett or anyone in her orbit. "My association is honestly with New Life Space Coast," he said. "Being that I've been a member of this church for 27 years, I felt it in my heart that when Jesus told me that we need more Christ ... in our offices, I felt a need to want to be a part of my community that much more, so they can get a direct representation of what it means to try and emulate Christ." "This was purely an influence in thought from the man up above," he said. Pritchett did not respond to messages seeking comment for this story. But Cullen was stark in her assessment of Lopez's presence in the race: "It was to close the election. Let's call it what it is," she said. "I've lived in Brevard for 40 years. I've been involved in politics for almost all of those 40 years. I've seen what goes on," Cullen said. "No write-in candidate gets into an election this way hoping to win, at least to my thinking." The development doesn't change her campaign strategy, Cullen said. "I'm going to continue to run a strong campaign, and hope the voters will continue to support an experienced candidate," she said. Cottrell standoffish with reporter In the supervisor of elections race, FLORIDA TODAY found virtually no significant background on Cottrell. The 70-year-old Melbourne resident had no apparent social media presence; as of Thursday, neither Cottrell nor Lopez had campaign websites. When a FLORIDA TODAY reporter who knocked on her door Wednesday identified himself, Cottrell immediately became standoffish. "You have no right to come to my home. I'm calling the police," she said, before closing the door. Subsequent phone calls to a number for Cottrell on file with the supervisor of elections office either went straight to voicemail or were not returned. Ducking the media is one sign that a candidate may not be serious about running for office, according to Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida. "The main signs would be that they actually run an active campaign, that they have a website at a minimum. That they might show up at candidate forums. Maybe they show up to interview with the editorial board of the local paper to try to get an endorsement," Jewett said. "Maybe they've opened a campaign account. Those are the things that to me would be signs that someone is serious about running as opposed to just getting in the race to close a primary." Bobanic: Cottrell accompanied to office by former Tobia aide Current supervisor of elections and incumbent Republican candidate Tim Bobanic said he believed Tobia was behind Cottrell's entrance in the race, after he said Cottrell was accompanied to the supervisor's office to qualify Tuesday by Ritch Workman, a former state house representative and Tobia's former director of community affairs. "One of my staff members recognized the man who brought her in and was helping her as Ritch Workman," Bobanic told FLORIDA TODAY. Workman was connected to a ghost candidate who appeared in Tobia's 2020 primary race against Republican challenger Kathy Meehan for County Commission District 3. Austin Mark O'Brien, Workman's stepson, closed the primary as a write-in candidate days before Democrat Sanjay Patel also entered the race. Tobia went on to win the primary with 63.35% of the vote. O'Brien ultimately recorded no campaign contributions or expenditures. Tobia, Workman and O'Brien all denied he had been recruited to swing the race. Tobia and Workman did not respond to requests for comment for this story. "As the supervisor of elections, I represent all of Brevard's 425,946 voters," Bobanic said Wednesday. "About 55% of those voters were just disenfranchised by my opponent's decision to field a last minute write-in candidate to close the primary, and exclude all registered Democrats, minor party and no-party affiliation voters." Brevard has a history of ghost candidates There have been other examples of ghost candidates emerging to close races in Brevard elections. Write-in candidate Thomas Unger briefly was poised to close the 2020 Republican primary between State Rep. Randy Fine and challenger Marcie Adkins in the race for House District 53 before Democrat Phil Moore finalized his own bid for the seat. Like O'Brien, Unger faced skepticism about his run. He recorded no campaign finance activity and, at only 18 years old, was too young to even meet the age threshold for the Florida House. As of last month, Unger listed himself on LinkedIn as a campaign manager for Friends of Randy Fine, Fine's political action committee. The notion that some Brevard politicians might engage in such nakedly political ploys is far from outlandish. Former County Commissioner Curt Smith admitted that he was trying to help then-candidate Rob Feltner by finding a write-in candidate to close the District 4 County Commission race in 2022, after FLORIDA TODAY reviewed leaked text messages showing the efforts. Feltner, who Smith had endorsed for the seat, was the only name to appear on the November ballot (and subsequently won) after ghost candidate Joseph Michael Aiello appeared in the closing days of the qualifying period. Aiello told FLORIDA TODAY he had no plans to campaign in the race and had entered for the sole purpose of closing the primary. "As a member of the Republican Party, I feel that only Republicans should vote for Republican candidates, especially when only Republican candidates are running," he told FLORIDA TODAY in a written statement at the time. Defensible political strategy? Jewett, the political science professor, said that was valid argument for many on both sides of the aisle. Ultimately, where you fall on the ethics of ghost candidates (he preferred the term "spoiler" candidate, he said) may come down to where you stand on the debate of open vs. closed primaries, Jewett said. "The major parties typically don't want an open primary. They only want their party's registered voters to make decisions about candidates," he said. "From their point of view, if you're going to select a candidate to represent your party, typically you would want it to be people that think like you. ... You don't want the supporters of the other major party mucking around in your primary." However, he noted, the way the law has been exploited leads to serious questions about representation, especially given declining turnouts in primary elections across the state. And there is a big difference between honest write-in bids and gaming the system for political gain, said Wilcox of Integrity Florida. "It defeats the whole purpose of the (original 1998) constitutional amendment that required open primaries," Wilcox said. "Members of the opposing party, and independent voters or no-party affiliated voters end up having no say in their representative in that district." "Independent voters are really the ones being disenfranchised here," he said. "And independent voters are probably the fastest growing sector of the electorate." Non-party affiliated voters accounted Thursday for about 44% of the over 234,000 Brevard voters locked out of the tax collector and elections supervisor races. Eric Rogers is a watchdog reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717 or esrogers@floridatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard write-in bids raise 'ghost' candidate, election manipulation concerns Joseph Merla, at right, seen with his mother in Keyport in 2001. KEYPORT - In the June 4 primary election, the situation for Keyports borough council seemed straightforward: Two Republicans and two Democrats ran unopposed for their parties' nominations on Novembers general election ballot, when two open seats are at stake. All four candidates won handily, with only a few write-in votes being cast for others. However, it might not be that simple. One of the Republican candidates, Joseph Merla, was convicted in federal court in 2007 for his role in "Operation Bid Rig." As previously reported by the Asbury Park Press: Merla pleaded guilty to laundering $65,000 during the FBI's Operation Bid Rig investigation into dishonest government figures around Monmouth County. He served three months in federal prison. Merla is the younger brother of former Keyport Mayor John Merla, who was sentenced in October 2007 to 22 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to taking a $2,500 bribe. 'We're not getting answers': Four Keyport businesses forced out after wall collapse A few days before the current primary, borough attorney Vicky Flynn said a Keyport resident lodged an objection to Merlas candidacy, claiming he is ineligible to hold municipal elected office based on that conviction. Although the objection was made after the allotted time frame for ballot objections had passed, Flynn told the Asbury Park Press June 4, were looking into it due to the seriousness of the objection raised. She added, As soon as we have something on that analysis, well get back to you. As of June 13, that analysis is ongoing. I have requested an update from the attorney who is reviewing all necessary records and documentation in order to make an accurate legal determination, Keyport borough clerk Michele Clark said Thursday in an email. I have also asked for a timeframe for this determination to be made. Our priority remains transparency and diligence in this process and we will keep you informed of any significant updates or developments. Keyport news: Father of two, whose business revived old skateboards, dies in motorcycle crash According to Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon, any decision on who is eligible to appear on a municipal ballot is made by that municipalitys clerk, because laws that govern who is eligible for local offices vary from town to town. For municipal elections, it is the municipal clerk who is in charge of this process, Hanlon explained. The municipal clerk is the filing authority according to New Jersey law. Merla, who is chairman of Keyports planning board he was appointed to the board by Mayor Rose Araneo could not be reached for comment through the planning board secretary. It is important to me to uphold the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, and I take any concerns regarding candidate eligibility seriously, Clark said in an email. The concerns raised regarding the candidates eligibility are being thoroughly investigated and will be addressed according to the applicable laws and regulations. Transparency and adherence to legal standards are paramount to maintaining the publics trust in our electoral system. Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shores interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Convicted felon running for Keyport Borough Council A 14-time convicted murderer that is on death row at San Quentin State Prison has been charged with murder in connection with the 1998 strangling death of a 22-year-old woman in Utah. Chester Turner, who killed and raped women across Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s, was traced back to the Utah killing by DNA testing, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office. Three children flagged down a police officer after finding a womans body with a scarf around her neck behind a business in the area of 165 East and 900 South in Salt Lake City on Sept. 24, 1998. An autopsy revealed that she died by strangulation. Prosecutors also say she was sexually assaulted during the attack. She was later identified as Itisha Camp. Prosecutors say DNA samples on Camps scarf matched that of Turner. Turner was on parole in 1998 from auto theft and drug sale convictions and was in Utah at the time of Camps death. Now, hes officially been connected to the slaying of the 22-year-old in the form of a murder charge. It must have been profoundly difficult for Ms. Camps family and loved ones over the last 25 years, not knowing if the suspect in her murder was still out in the public. We hope the filing of this charge brings some relief to Ms. Camps loved ones and our entire community, knowing that the defendant is already behind bars, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. We appreciate the dedicated work of Salt Lake City Police detectives who pursued this cold case until the necessary investigative work had been done that could lead to this charge being filed. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If found guilty, it would become Turners 15th murder conviction. All of his 14 convictions have come from slayings in Los Angeles County. Turner was convicted on 10 murder charges in 2010 and four more in 2014. Most of his victims have been sex workers, including Camp, according to prosecutors. One of his victims was six months pregnant. No court dates have been set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Conway man sentenced to 10 years in prison for 2021 sexual assault, solicitors office says CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) A Conway man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday for a sexual assault that occurred in 2021, the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office said. Alfonzo Patrick Jones, 43, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct before the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Bentley Price, according to Assistant Solicitor George Henry Martin, III, who prosecuted the case. Price sentenced Jones to 10 years in prison, which is the maximum penalty. Price also issued Jones a permanent restraining order prohibiting him from any contact with the victim, the solicitors office said. Upon his release, Jones will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. On December 26, 2021, Jones sexually assaulted the victim in Conway. The victim told a family member about the assault and notified law enforcement. Jones was later arrested by Horry County police, the solicitors office said. Assistant Solicitor George Henry Martin, III, who prosecuted the case for the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office expressed gratitude for the diligent work and thorough investigation that was done in this case. We appreciate the Horry County Police Department and its respective officers for bringing this defendant to justice, Martin 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. Are you part of the achievement society? Coined by Korean German philosopher Byung-Chul Han in his book The Burnout Society, which explores contemporary capitalist culture, being part of an achievement society manifests itself as an internal pressure to achieve, do more and be more by working more. The work hard, play hard mindset has been a part of the American psyche for eons. From anecdotal evidence of chasing the American Dream to the very real fact that paid time off is not legislated for and is at the complete discretion of your employer, U.S. workers spend more time at work than their European counterparts. A 2023 report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that 13.3 percent of Americans work in excess of 48 hours per week, compared to 7.9 percent of Europeans. 3 jobs hiring across the U.S. However, the report also highlights that the Covid-19-induced lockdowns and the resultant shift to remote work as standard helped to bolster work-life balance as we moved away from long working hours, not to mention grueling commutes. All work and no play? But where do we stand now, four years on from this seismic shift? From compulsory RTO (return to office) mandates to mass layoffs, and fears of economic recession (notably the tech sector has witnessed 525,000 layoffs since the beginning of 2022), the pendulum of power seems to be swinging back in favor of the employer. Workers are once again putting in longer hours to keep apace. At one extreme you have the so-called 996 culture, where workers are expected to work 9am to 9pm, six days a week. Derived from Chinese tech culture, CEOs including Jack Ma, the founder of e-commerce site Alibaba (BABA) and Tesla founder Elon Musk have endorsed long working days, with the latter infamously declaring on X that nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week. For Musk, the magic number to change the world is 80 hours per week as, pain level increases exponentially above 80, but what are the physical and mental implications of working to this extreme? 3 great openings actively hiring According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Musks 80-hour theory could be fatallong working hours led to 745 000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29 percent increase since 2000. Of these deaths, 72 percent were male, and most deaths were recorded among people aged 60 to 79 who had worked 55 hours or more per week between the ages of 45 and 74 years. The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way many people work, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, of the findings. Teleworking has become the norm in many industries, often blurring the boundaries between home and work. In addition, many businesses have been forced to scale back or shut down operations to save money, and people who are still on the payroll end up working longer hours. No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers and workers need to work together to agree on limits to protect the health of workers. Working 55 hours or more per week is a serious health hazard, added Dr Maria Neira, director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, at the World Health Organization. Its time that we all, governments, employers, and employees wake up to the fact that long working hours can lead to premature death. Looking to the future While Gen Zs adoption of quiet quitting and lazy girl jobsAKA doing their job within working hours but never working overtime or at the weekendsmay have initially been dismissed by older generations (particularly Millennials who enshrined the concept of a side hustle in modern workplace lexicon), it looks like theyre on to something. Because beyond the worrying health implications, an additional study has found that working excessively long hours (over 50 hours per week) is bad for productivityand the bottom line. Looking for a career that facilitates better work-life balance? Visit The Hill Job Board today Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This November has all the ingredients to be a better-than-usual election cycle for third-party candidates in Minnesota. President Joe Biden's poll numbers are sagging as he struggles to hold together the coalition that elected him four years ago. Former President Donald Trump is rallying the conservative base but his felony convictions are turning off some independents. Many voters are unexcited about the prospect of voting for either candidate. Plus, Minnesota has been here before. "I did vote for Jesse Ventura ... it wasn't that big of a leap for me," said Mark Frascone, a 65-year-old Eagan resident and longtime Democrat who is supporting independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this fall. "Right now there's a big legal slugfest between the two major parties with the indictments and trials. I don't know that people are going to want to keep voting for that." Third-party candidates have the potential to draw voters away from both presumptive major party nominees, but the campaign of Kennedy and others have gotten the most pushback from Democrats, who fear they'll siphon votes from Biden in critical battleground states. Kennedy's campaign says it has met requirements to appear on Minnesota's ballot this fall, although the Secretary of State's office is still reviewing signatures. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and progressive activist Cornel West are working to collect the 2,000 signatures required to run in the state. History of seeking out alternatives Minnesota has a long history of flirting with candidates outside the two major parties. It's one of only two states in the country that have backed a third-party candidate for president, senator and governor since 1900, and it's done that 11 times, far more than other state, said Eric Ostermeier, a research fellow at the University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs who dug into third-party data. Until its merger with Democrats, the state's populist Farmer-Labor Party was one of the most successful third-party movements in American history. Minnesota voters sent Ventura, the former pro-wrestler and Reform Party candidate, to the governor's office and gave independent candidate Ross Perot nearly 24% of the vote in the 1992 presidential race. The share of voters supporting third-party candidates in presidential races had steadily declined in Minnesota since then, but the number climbed back up in 2016 in the race between Trump and Hillary Clinton. More than 8% of Minnesota voters cast their ballots for third-party candidates instead, and Clinton narrowly defeated Trump, by 1.5 percentage points. That year conservative-aligned third-party candidates such as Libertarian Gary Johnson drew enough support to make the case that they could have cost Minnesota for Trump, said Ostermeier. Biden won the state by more than 7 percentage points four years later roughly 2% of voters supported third-party candidates but he faces re-election this fall with less support than he had in 2020. "People have shown they're willing to vote outside of the two-party choice, and you have two very unpopular candidates," said political scientist and emeritus Carleton College professor Steven Schier. "Mix well and you've got a lot of uncertainty here with the real possibility that some of these other candidates ... could siphon off enough votes to make it a perilous contest for Biden." The latest Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll found Biden with a narrow 45%-41% lead over Trump ahead of their anticipated general election rematch, a much tighter contest than he faced in Minnesota in 2020. Seven percent of respondents said they were undecided and 6% supported Kennedy's campaign. Support in polls for third-party candidates tends to decline as Election Day gets closer, Ostermeier noted, and not everyone looking for an alternative to Biden and Trump sees a viable candidate in the current set of options. "I wish there were an acceptable independent candidate," said Kenneth Hess, 76, who lives in Paynesville and is a self-described independent voter. "I'm hoping and praying a candidate will surface who we respect, who has good morals and who thinks of the country before their political ambitions." Hess could see himself backing someone like Democratic West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin or former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney. Without a clear alternative, he's considering sitting out the election. "It's the first time I've ever thought about not voting at all," Hess said. "I hate to be unpatriotic but they both turn me off." 'Don't take anything for granted' Democrats have had a more than five-decade winning streak in presidential contests in Minnesota, but the party is grappling with its own internal battle over the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza. Nearly 19% of voters in the Democratic presidential primary cast their ballots for "uncommitted," but Schier said disaffected Democrats might skip voting altogether rather than seek out a third-party candidate. "Whether it's the presidential side or the Senate side, the reality is we don't take anything for granted at the DFL and we are preparing for any potential filing and any potential candidate we have to face," said DFL Party Chair Ken Martin. Nick Shillingford, a 40-year-old nurse from Minneapolis, is volunteering to gather signatures before the Aug. 20 deadline to get progressive academic Cornel West on the ballot this fall. He said younger voters have been especially receptive to having alternative options, many over issues like the environment and Gaza. "Young people, especially those who are voting for the first time, they want something they can get excited about, and that's definitely not Biden or Trump," Shillingford said. Kennedy, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, is a longtime Democrat who switched to be an independent candidate in the 2024 race. He spent his early career as an environmental advocate and lawyer. That's what appeals to Frascone, a former state pollution control staffer who sees Kennedy's work against corporations and the federal government as making him the true outsider candidate. "Trump wants to come in and drain the swamp," he said. "Kennedy actually knows where it is." Kennedy's support for abortion restrictions at a certain point in pregnancy and against vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic has also attracted some conservative voters. GOP Party Chair David Hann said third-party candidates appeal to a small number of people who might not have voted at all if they didn't find an alternative. In the case of Kennedy, he said "most of his supporters are pulling from Biden." "When you do have a close election and you have some percentage that's more than a fraction, it could be enough to change the outcome." Star Tribune newsroom developer Tom Nehil contributed to this story. Could a tropical depression form soon in the Gulf of Mexico? What the forecast says A disturbance forming in the Gulf of Mexico has a medium chance of turning into a tropical depression next week, forecasters say. The National Hurricane Center expects the disturbance, described as a broad area of low pressure, will form over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico late this weekend or early next week. And environmental conditions could be good enough for the system to gradually develop into a tropical depression sometime next week as it moves slowly west or west-northwest, forecasters say. The system has a 50% chance of formation through the next seven days, according to the hurricane centers Friday morning forecast. As for the disturbance that doused South Florida with heavy rain this week, the system has left the state and is in the Atlantic ocean, just off the U.S. southeastern coast. While the disturbance on Friday is a little better organized, forecasters expect it will merge with a front over the western Atlantic this weekend. The center is giving it a low 20% chance of formation through the next seven days. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across portions of the Florida peninsula through Saturday, the hurricane center said. The first storm name on the list for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is Alberto. The Mishawaka Public House cafe in the Ironworks Plaza is now open to the public. MISHAWAKA Changes are expected in the city's plan to set up a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) after a somewhat contentious informational meeting Wednesday night on the proposed ordinance. The city made its case to Common Council members, asking the governing body to take advantage of a new state law that would allow people the opportunity to carry open drinks during select hours and days in an area in Ironworks Plaza. They would need to carry special cups and stay in a defined space. Despite more than two hours of dialogue, the lines of questioning from council members indicated that they appeared reluctant to allow the proposed ordinance to pass as presented last month without making changes. Also under consideration: City officials explore the possibility of a restricted DORA for downtown South Bend Council President Gregg Hixenbaugh said Thursday night the DORA ordinance would not be on the Common Council's Monday night meeting agenda. He said he expected a further discussion on possible amendments to the ordinance that could push the public hearing on the matter to the second council meeting in July. The council will meet at 6 p.m. July 15 in the council chambers at City Hall, 100 Lincoln Way W. Last year, the Indiana General Assembly set up the DORA process. Many communities have set up DORAs to stimulate economic development and bring people to the area as a way to enhance visitors' experiences. Background: City seeks new downtown outdoor drinking area with smaller footprint and fewer hours Mishawaka's proposal has been under consideration since August 2023, and it's already undergone one revision to limit its scope, when it was reintroduced in May. Restaurant owners said Wednesday they have patrons on Sundays who are prevented from taking a drink purchased from their establishment and walking over to the Farmers Market on Ironworks Drive because of the current state liquor laws. Others attending events such as the weekday concert series have to separate from families if they want to take part in buying alcoholic beverages in Ironworks Plaza. This provided map shows the revised area the city of Mishawaka is seeking for a new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) for the Ironworks Plaza and Beutter Park areas. A proposed ordinance is being introduced to the Common Council for consideration. City speakers said the new designation will clear up some of the liquor licensing quirks in state laws that have hamstrung the city in its ability to have more regular hours for its Ball Band Biergarten. For example, Ken Prince, director of planning and community development, said the Biergarten has limited hours because it cannot have an adequate license because it has no inside space. It is an outdoor venue. Prince said the city of Mishawaka has been working for the past 25 years to enhance the city to make it a destination where people can enjoy it and businesses can thrive in it. He said the DORA is a step in enhancing the city's efforts. "This is really not as much about alcohol as it is about creating a destination, or continuing the destination in downtown Mishawaka," Prince said. "Alcohol currently is permitted in the downtown, it's permitted in the DORA area, and the only thing we're talking about addressing here is that the Indiana Legislature has given us a tool to deal with all of Indiana's antiquated system on alcohol." Speakers talked of situations currently where a person is prevented from leaving the premises of a restaurant or the city's Biergarten with a drink while their family is in another part of the park. A DORA would allow the person to be in the designated area with a special cup. Matt Lentsch, director of development and governmental affairs, said the drink prices will not be cheap. "The price point for folks going down to Ironworks or the Biergarten is about $8 or so a beer and about $13-$15 a cocktail, and that's not going to change with the implementation of DORA," Lentsch said. Shown July 2, 2020, the Ball Band Biergarten is at Beutter Riverfront Park in Mishawaka. The space is part of City of Mishawakas Parks and Recreation department. Some questions involved allowing Sunday hours for people to have the chance to purchase "to go" cups with drinks from three vendors who are interested in the program: Sun King Brewery, Mishawaka Public House and Social Cantina. Council member Dale "Woody" Emmons expressed reservations over having the DORA hours on Sundays. "Basically, parks are supposed to be family-oriented," Emmons said. "We're enhancing the facilities, restaurants that sell more beer and margaritas or whatever. And we're getting away from a family-oriented park, especially on Sunday." Other concerns came from business and restaurant owners outside the proposed DORA roughly Ironworks Drive and Beutter Park who asked why the city was not including them in the program. Both Council Member Lacy Hahn and LaRae Perrin, an owner of Craft One Half restaurant on North Main Street, questioned whether the older downtown Mishawaka areas could be in a DORA. Lentsch said Mishawaka would qualify to have up to seven DORAs in the city limits. He said the city had proposed the original area because it wanted the city to study and assess its success before trying to expand the outdoor refreshment area concept. Sun King Brewery is one of the vendors that wishes to be a part of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) program the city is contemplating at Ironworks Plaza in Mishawaka. "We were hoping to walk before we run, taking a conservative approach," Lentsch said in response. To review, the current DORA ordinance calls for a trial period from July 1 to Oct. 31. The ordinance would be evaluated after that time period to see whether the designation would continue through the winter hours or be suspended until the spring of 2025. The current hours in the ordinance would allow the DORA to operate from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. There would be a "last call" provision in effect where licensed vendors would have to stop serving drinks for the DORA 30 minutes before its end. The DORA also would not be in effect on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Riverwalk area and the street area along West Front Street by The Mill complex were removed from the DORA for safety reasons. The reductions would eliminate concerns from apartment dwellers over people walking along the street and by the river. Lentsch said during and after Wednesday's meeting that the city would review the comments from the meeting and likely offer revisions and amendments to the DORA ordinance. Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Council seeking changes in plan for outdoor refreshment area downtown EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County Public Works is hosting a free community clean-up event this weekend. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon (or until capacity) on Saturday, June 15. The drop-off location is the El Rocio Yard, 15311 El Rocio. These cleanup events allow El Paso County residents to dispose of unwanted items, while making a difference in their community, according to a news release. Passenger tires, bulk trash, and electronic waste will be accepted as follows: Tires o Each resident may bring up to five tires. There will be a maximum collection of 1,500 tires for the event. o Accepted tires must measure 17 inches or smaller. o Tires from retailers, semi-trucks, equipment trucks, or those with rims will not be accepted. Bulk Trash and Electronic Waste o Residents may bring one pick-up truck load of bulk trash, including furniture, chairs, carpet, etc. o Accepted electronics include computers, tablets, scanners, video games, cameras, radios, cellphones, VCRs, and DVD players. o CRT monitors and televisions will not be accepted. Some items may not be accepted, so residents are encouraged to sort their bulk waste prior to arrival. Questions, information: (915) 273-3330. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Monday, May 6, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for a special session of the state Legislature on Wednesday the Juneteenth holiday to discuss potential amendments to different controversial bills passed last general session. That includes actions under the Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act, a bill that gave the state an avenue to not comply with directives from the federal government. The session will also consider legislation that extended the life of a coal plant, a heavily contested policy by the facilitys owners. Since the adjournment of the 2024 General Session of the Sixty-fifth Legislature of the State of Utah, certain matters have arisen which require immediate legislative attention, the proclamation reads. The session is scheduled at 4 p.m. Cox had announced in his monthly news conference broadcast by PBS he was working with leaders at the Legislature to invoke a special session to make minor amendments to SB161, titled Energy Security Amendments, which would prevent plans to close two coal-fueled generators at the Intermountain Power Plant, located near Delta. The amendments would include changes related to the Project Entity Oversight Committee, according to the proclamation. The governor had signed the bill amid warnings of federal conflict and pleas from the Intermountain Power Agency, which owns the plant, to veto the bill. Cox noted he would sign the bill, acknowledging the Legislature needed to tweak it. The special session will also tackle actions under SB57, titled Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act, with respect to the United States Department of Educations new Title IX regulations slated to take effect on Aug. 1, 2024. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs receiving federal financial assistance. The rule has been challenged by different states as it offers protections to LGBTQ+ students by prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Lawmakers are also scheduled to consider adjustments to statutory repeal dates and actions to counter federal overreach on public lands in the State of Utah: reallocating existing appropriations, making statutory amendments, and facilitating public outreach efforts. During the special session, legislators will also consider amendments to laws related to the participation of exchange students in online education programs, a concern noted in a Juab School District legislative audit released in May. The Legislature will also consent to appointments made by the governor and consider changes to SB221, School District Amendments, a bill that changed certain requirements to create school districts. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Cox calls special legislative session to discuss amendments to controversial bills appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. TechCrunch Arne Schepker, the CEO of the popular Berlin-based language learning platform Babbel, is stepping down, and the company's co-founder and former CEO Markus Witte is stepping back in to lead the company "into a new phase while searching for Arnes successor with patience," the company said. Witte will not claim the CEO role for the time being, but instead will be executive chairman and managing director. After almost exactly five years as the sole CEO and a few months prior as co-CEO together with Witte, who had held the position in the preceding years Schepker decided not to renew his contract, he told me. LANSING A criminal case against two men behind robocalls intended to deter Black voters in the 2020 election continues to bounce around the courts and on Thursday was sent back to the Michigan Court of Appeals for the second time. A criminal case against two men behind robocalls intended to deter Black voters in the 2020 election continues to bounce around the courts and on Thursday was sent back to the Michigan Court of Appeals for the second time. Attorney General Dana Nessel in October 2020 charged Jacob A. Wohl and John M. "Jack" Burkman with multiple felonies. They are accused of orchestrating robocalls that targeted Detroit and other majority Black areas with warnings that voting by mail would result in the voter's information being added to a database used to track down warrants and collect debts and possibly to locate people for mandatory vaccinations. Wohl, of California, and Burkman, of Virginia, were charged in 36th District Court in Detroit with bribing or intimidating voters, conspiracy to bribe or intimidate voters, and using a computer to commit a crime. Judge Kenneth King bound the pair over for trial in Wayne County Circuit Court, but the defendants moved to quash his actions. Lawyers for the two men rely on a variety of legal arguments, including that the charges violate their constitutional rights to free speech. Some of the legal questions center on whether the robocalls constituted a "menace" or some "other corrupt means or device," under Michigan law. The defendants lost in the circuit court and the Michigan Court of Appeals declined to hear the case. Wohl and Burkman then appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, which sent the case to the Court of Appeals. The appeals court ruled that the charges could stand. Wohl and Burkman then again appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court. In a 5-2 decision Thursday, the justices sent the case back to the Court of Appeals again. The court, in a majority opinion by Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, didn't necessarily disagree with the outcome but disagreed with how the Court of Appeals reached its decision. The majority of justices felt the law, as written, could violate free speech rights and asked the Court of Appeals to reconsider the defendants' arguments under a narrower interpretation related only to intentionally false speech related to voting requirements, made in an attempt to deter or otherwise influence someone's vote. Justices Brian Zahra, and David Viviano, dissenting, would have quashed the charges. Wohl and Burkman pleaded guilty in 2022 to felony charges in Ohio and also face significant fines from the Federal Communications Commission. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Supreme Court kicks 2020 robocall case back D.A. Fani Willis Vows To Press On With Trump Indictment Despite Idiots Trying To Mock Her Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis shot back at critics and said she was so tired of idiots trying to humiliate her for prosecuting former President Donald Trump in a state case alleging election interference in 2020. I live the experience of a Black woman who is attacked and oversexualized, Willis told a church congregation in Marietta, Georgia, on Thursday. See, Im so tired of hearing these idiots call my name as fanny in a way to attempt to humiliate me because, like silly schoolboys, the name reminds them of a womans rear, of her behind. The district attorneys investigation led to an indictment last year of Trump and 18 co-defendants in a sweeping racketeering case accusing the group of conspired to change the 2020 presidential vote count in the state. Trump and his allies, especially co-defendant Rudy Giuliani, have continued to attack Willis while maintaining their innocence. At times, they have called her derogatory names. Giuliani called her a ho during a right-wing event last week, and both he and Trump have pronounced Willis name as Fanny during events. Her name is pronounced FAH-nee. Fani the ho, Giuliani said at a Christian nationalist conference in Michigan. I could drop the ho part if shed just quit and go away. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks Thursday at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia, telling the congregation that she is tired of the "schoolboy" antics of her critics. John Bazemore/Associated Press Fanny, like your ass, Trump remarked during a rally in Ohio earlier this year. Willis has been outspoken about her frustrations as she seeks to prosecute Trump and his co-defendants. The case was jeopardized earlier this year after one of the defendants attorneys accused her of an improper relationship with Nathan Wade, a lawyer she hired to lead the prosecutorial team. Those lawyers said the romance warranted Willis disqualification, but a judge ruled she could continue in her role as long as Wade stepped aside. He did so in March, saying he was proud of his work but would leave in the interest of democracy and to see the case move forward. The Georgia Court of Appeals, however, agreed to reconsider that decision and stayed the prosecution against Trump and several other defendants while it hears oral arguments. The hearing is set for Oct. 4, which all but guarantees the case will not be tried before the Nov. 5 election. On Thursday, Willis told the congregation to not concern itself with insults directed at her as she vowed to hold all accountable if they break the law, with no exceptions. I promise you, I dont concern myself with them. I am too busy working 15-hour days trying to use every talent God gave me to fulfill my God-given purpose. Related... An 18-year-old suspect in the recent killing of a Fort Worth man has no history of mental illness or racist ideology, according to his father. Decan Medeiros of Kettle Falls, Washington, was booked on a murder charge on Thursday, two days after the death of Lee Douglas at John Peter Smith Hospital. Douglas, a 36-year-old father of five, was shot while walking to his car in what Fort Worth police called a random attack by a stranger outside of his place of work in the early morning hours of May 30. Medeiros has been in custody since he was arrested on May 31 on four counts of aggravated assault in connection to the shooting. Medeiros father, Ricky Medeiros, said he is completely perplexed by his sons situation. I think its weird as hell, to be honest, he told the Star-Telegram on Friday. The kid is gonna randomly get off a [expletive] plane, find a gun and then go execute somebody? His son had no history of mental health issues, Ricky Medeiros said, but he did have a counselor for a while to discuss issues related to his mother, who left the family when he was younger. Decan Medeiros got a little more distant after the COVID-19 pandemic, his father said, but hes not a freaking killer like that. Hes not going to go [expletive] shoot somebody. He described his son as like a hippie, adding that he dont like to even eat meat, because he doesnt like to hurt things. Fort Worth police have said that they are not investigating the shooting as a hate crime, but the family of Douglas, who was Black, has said they think that race could have been a factor. We definitely want to get down to the bottom of it, Douglas sister Aushalay Meadows told the Star-Telegram in an interview Thursday. I wanna know what the motive is. Like I just dont understand how you just walk up to somebody and shoot them. Douglas, who worked as an electrician at Refresco Beverages at 15200 Trinity Blvd., was shot first in the back then again in the face after he fell to the ground, according to his family and the Tarrant County medical examiner. Decan Medeiros is currently in custody at the Lon Evans Corrections Center, part of the Tarrant County jail system, with bond set at $615,000. Ricky Medeiros visited him in jail on June 7, but said that his son was so high that he was unable to have a meaningful conversation with him. He couldnt even put a freaking sentence together, he said. His eyes were so dilated. When Ricky Medeiros asked his sons attorney, Brad Shaw, where his son could have gotten the gun after getting off a flight at DFW Airport, Shaw told him, Oh, this is Texas, he said. So what does Texas just have [expletive] guns laying in the street everywhere over there, or what? Ricky Medeiros said. Shaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A complaint filed by Tarrant County prosecutors on the assault charges lists three additional victims in the case. The other victims were threatened by Decan Medeiros but not injured, prosecutors allege in the complaint. Ricky Medeiros works as a journeyman lineman and usually travels across the country in the summer to support his family. Decan Medeiros had joined him working on power lines in Tennessee, instead of finishing high school back home, but regretted the decision after going out to meet his father. He was flying back to Washington to finish his classes and graduate on May 30 and had stopped for a layover at DFW Airport hours before Douglas was shot, according to his family. Decan Medeiros did not know anyone in North Texas, his father said. That was his connecting flight, he said. We know nobody in Texas. The four Miami-Dade police officers indicted after a shootout that killed a UPS truck driver who had been carjacked and a bystander stuck in traffic were all members of elite specialized units. Sources identified the officers as Leslie Lee, Jose Mateo, Rodolfo Mirabal and Richard Santiesteban. It remains unclear what charges prosecutors presented to the grand jury during the confidential indictment proceeding. Attorneys representing the men havent responded to the Miami Heralds inquiries as of Thursday evening. READ MORE: Miami-Dade officers indicted in shootout that killed UPS driver, bystander in Broward The raging gun battle, involving more than a dozen police officers from at least three agencies and captured live by television news choppers, occurred on Dec. 5, 2019, at a packed intersection at Miramar Parkway and Flamingo Road. Earlier that day, two men had pulled off a jewelry heist in Coral Gables and hijacked a UPS truck. That sequence of events ignited a high-speed interstate chase and ended in the gunfight that killed two innocent men as well as robbery suspects Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill. Frank Ordonez, a UPS driver and 27-year-old father of two, and Rick Cutshaw, a 70-year-old local union worker, were fatally struck by the hail of bullets. Rick Cutshaw, 70, was killed in the shootout between cops and robbery suspects in Miramar traffic. He was a union representative from Pembroke Pines. Steadman Stahl, the head of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, questioned how investigators were able to pick the four officers out from many others who allegedly fired their weapons that day. He also questioned the decision-making inside the Broward State Attorneys Office, which is prosecuting the officers. The robbers were active shooters at the jewelry store. Theyre active shooters as they go down the highway shooting at cars and police officers. Theyre active shooters at the intersection. At no point do they stop, Stahl said. It certainly wasnt the intention of the officers [to harm any innocent people]. But thats what were trained to do go after active shooters. What do you do as a police officer now in Broward? 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 court process, however, will shed light on what occurred that day. Who are the indicted officers? The four officers, according to sources, are expected to turn themselves in to authorities next week. Personnel records indicate that only two of them Mateo and Mirabal remain on the force. At the time of the shootout, Mateo and Mirabal were part of the Priority Response Team, which was created to respond to emergency situations across the county after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. A vehicle that appears to be part of the crime scene where a UPS delivery truck, carjacked after a robbery in Coral Gables, was the center of a shootout amid traffic at Flamingo Road and Miramar Parkway, Dec. 5, 2019. Lee, who sources say worked on the SWAT-like Special Response Team, retired at the end of 2021, according to records. Santiesteban, the fourth officer, was fired in June prior to the indictment. He was a member of the Robbery Intervention Detail Unit, which focuses on undercover work to capture people suspected of crimes. Details are murky pertaining to why Santiesteban, 33, was fired, though Miami-Dade civil court records show that his ex-wife accused him of domestic violence. In a petition filed in 2020, Santiestebans ex alleged that he used his role as a police officer to harass her and that he threatened to harm her with his gun. The temporary injunction, sought by the officers ex-wife, was dismissed in 2022. Many questions, few answers Every day, Ordonezs family has relived the trauma of losing him, stepfather Joe Merino told the Miami Herald. His sister, now 20, is still grappling with his death. His daughters, who were 4 and 5 at the time of the shootout, are just starting to understand what happened to their father. Every year, theres another reminder of the polices negligence, he said. Frank Ordonez, driver of the UPS truck that was hijacked, was killed in the chase and shootout that followed. Despite the indictment, Merino and Lucy Apolinario, Ordonezs mother, remain skeptical. They said they see the light at the end of the tunnel, though justice is still out of reach. READ MORE: After 3 years, families still dont know who killed loved ones during UPS hijack shootout Frustrated by the lack of answers, the family in 2020 filed a wrongful death lawsuit against six law enforcement agencies. 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. For Merino, all the family has been seeking is to see someone held accountable for Ordonezs death. Thats what weve been asking for four-and-a-half years, Merino said. Only justice. Televised havoc during rush hour The events leading up to the shooting began to unfold when Alexander and Hill, dressed as couriers, walked into Regents Jewelers at 386 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. They both had high-powered weapons and fired them almost immediately, injuring an employee. Coral Gables police officers guard a crime scene perimeter on an alleyway south of Coral Way after a robbery at Regent Jewelers at 386 Miracle Mile on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. After a brief gunfight, the men jumped into a truck with tens of thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry. They ditched the vehicle at Southwest Eighth Street and carjacked Ordonez, who was making a routine delivery in his UPS truck. Moments later, police began to pursue the truck, following it along Interstate 75. Sources told the Herald that Miami-Dade police officers attempted to pass the UPS truck to cut if off while on the highway but backed off when the robbery suspects shot at them. Officers then returned fire. In this Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, photo authorities investigate the scene of a shooting in Miramar, Fla. The FBI says several people, including a UPS driver, were killed after robbers stole the drivers truck and led police on a chase that ended in gunfire at a busy South Florida intersection during rush hour. When the truck got stuck at the Miramar intersection, the chaos broadcast on live television mirrored a scene out of the wild west. Officers shot toward the UPS truck, ducking down for safety behind rush-hour commuters vehicles. When the gunfire ceased, Hill and Alexander, who exchanged more than 200 rounds with officers, were dead. Ordonez and Cutshaw had been shot to death, too. Authorities have not said who fired the fatal bullets. Large tree limbs fell Thursday night against the home of Hallsville resident Kay Dollinger leading to a broken bathroom window. While northern Boone County experienced high winds from a super cell storm, a tornado did not develop. When a supercell thunderstorm rolled through northern Boone County, it seems it had its eye set on Hallsville. Hallsville, Centralia and Sturgeon all were under a tornado warning around 9:15 p.m. Thursday. The storm had high damaging winds, but the rotation in the storm never developed into a tornado, said National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Mainhart. "Across Hallsville we heard reports of trees down, but we did not see evidence for a tornado," she said. "Supercells rotate, so that was what we were looking at and we were assessing the storm as it was moving through. We had enough confidence that a tornado could be produced from this storm to issue that warning, but no tornado was produced." The weather service Thursday night issued its first severe thunderstorm warning for the line of storms across northern Boone County at about 8:58 p.m., said Mainhart said. Roughly 20 minutes later, that first tornado warning was issued. "That storm tracked through Hallsville and continued southeastward out of Boone County and into Callaway County, where it moved just west and southwest of Kingdom City and moved into Fulton," she said. When the Tribune visited all three communities early Friday morning, it appeared Hallsville bore the brunt, with many downed tree limbs throughout streets, including along one where Elizabeth Lackey and Kay Dollinger live. Ameren Missouri bucket trucks get ready to depart from a Hallsville street Friday morning where high winds Thursday night felled many large tree limbs. Lackey said she never heard the warning sirens but did receive an alert on her phone prompting her to go to her home's basement. Boone County's Office of Emergency Management addressed reports about the lack of sirens in Hallsville and Centralia Friday morning. "A programming issue prevented certain sirens in Northern Boone County from being activated. This issue has been corrected. Boone County Government is also updating internal processes to build redundancies into the system to ensure that the outdoor warning siren system works as intended," OEM said in a news release. The office also encouraged Boone County residents to sign up and create a profile with Smart911, opting in to receive Boone County weather alerts. It advised residents to also purchase "a NOAA weather radio, and stay weather aware by obtaining the most current forecast from their local weather station." Lackey reported power flickered in her house five or six times before going out completely at 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Power was restored to her home about 1 a.m. Friday. "We kind of had an impromptu block party around 10 p.m. to make sure people were safe," Lackey said, adding a tree limb that fell across her driveway nearly hit her car. One tree directly next door to her house "is half the size it used to be," she said, adding that a neighbor was facing house damage from the fallen limbs. At its peak, nearly 2,500 hundred customers were without power Thursday night, said a Boone County Electric Cooperative representative. As of 10 a.m. Friday there still were about 1,200 customers without power. During the course of the Tribune's visit to the three communities where tornado warnings were issued, a snapped utility pole was observed along the side of the road on Missouri Highway 22 between Centralia and Sturgeon. Hallsville residents like Kay Dollinger on Friday were dealing with the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm Thursday night that brought with it high winds, bringing down many tree limbs throughout the community. As cleanup began in Hallsville, Dollinger, who lives across from Lackey, was dealing with more than just downed tree limbs in her backyard. One fell and broke a window in her bathroom. "I would watch weather reports and really would not be scared of tornadoes, but when I heard the window break I thought, 'OK, I'm scared now,'" she said. While tree limbs did fall against her house and onto her roof, another damaged her wooden backyard fence. A whole section of her fence also was laid flat on its side, but not by a tree limb, just because of soft ground from the rain and the wind. Dollinger's daughter and son-in-law and their children, who live about 3 miles away, dropped by Friday morning to see the damage before they had to leave for work. Dollinger's son-in-law had plans to drop back by after work to start cutting up what fell with a chainsaw, she said. The Casey's gas station in Hallsville was busy Friday morning, with many people likely filling up gas canisters either for generators or chainsaws, Lackey said. 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: Hallsville residents deal with damage after severe thunderstorm Two men were found dead Tuesday morning inside a South Side home after a family member went to check on them. Darrell Walker, 45, and Reginald Purnell, 48, were found shot around 10 a.m. Tuesday. Both died at the scene. Including the men's deaths, The Dispatch has tracked 14 homicides in June and 51 for 2024, down from 78 in Columbus at the same time last year. Below is a preliminary list of June homicides. Anyone with information about a death on this list can contact the Columbus Division of Police's Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or leave information anonymously through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477. June 25: Darrell Walker, 45, and second male found dead in South Side home Columbus police found 45-year-old Darrell Walker and 48-year-old Reginald Purnell fatally shot around 10 a.m. on June 25 inside a home on the 1200 block of Seymour Avenue. Officers got a call from a family member who had gone to the South Side home to check on the occupants. Both men died at the scene. Police have not identified any suspects or motive in the shootings. June 22: Kiara Nelson, 18, died after attempting to stop a fight Mika Cannon, 22, has been charged with murder after fatally shooting Kiara Nelson, 18, on June 22 when Nelson attempted to intervene in a domestic argument between Cannon and Nelson's sister. According to court records, Cannon, Nelson and her sister had been at an apartment at the Karric Place of Dublin on Columbus' Northwest Side. An ongoing argument turned physical and Nelson attempted to intervene on her sister's behalf. Later the same day, the argument rekindled, court records say, and when Nelson attempted to intervene a second time, Cannon shot her. June 16: Brooke Devinney, 19, was pregnant when she died in a domestic violence killing Devon Blair, 23, was arrested for outstanding domestic violence warrants June 16 hours after police say he was seen fleeing from the scene where Brooke Devinney, 19, was found unresponsive. Blair was later charged with murder in Devinney's death. Police were dispatched to the 4600 block of Parwick Drive at about 7:45 a.m. in response to a domestic violence report submitted to 911 by text message, and Devinney was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 8:45 a.m. Devinney was 14 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, police said. She was in a relationship with Blair, and police suspect domestic violence as a motive for her killing. June 14: 2 dead in shooting outside Avalon nightclub Columbus police said four people were shot, two fatally, after an incident that happened at 1:45 a.m. Friday outside the Avalon Dance Club at 205 N. 5th St. One victim, 27-year-old Desmond Taylor, died at the scene. A second victim, 36-year-old Ceilin Ricard Peaks Smith, died at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center a short time later. The other two people who were wounded are expected to survive their injuries. June 14: 1 dead in Columbus gas station shooting One person was found shot early Friday morning at a gas station on Columbus' Southeast Side. Columbus police responded to a shooting report at a gas station at the intersection of Noe-Bixby and Refugee roads at about 2:15 a.m. Madison Township firefighters medics transported 25-year-old Jahaan Harris to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:31 a.m., police said. Homicide detectives said in a release that the shooting is believed to have occurred a short distance away on the 2700 block of Brandy Drive in the Amberly Square Apartments off Refugee Road. Related coverage: More than one-fourth of 2024 homicides in Columbus have taken place at apartment complexes Police have not identified any suspects or motive in the shooting. Earlier June homicides in Columbus An investigator walks past a Dodge Challenger that eyewitnesses said was involved in a shooting on Buffalo Court. June 11: James Dominick Macarrios O'Neal, 24, was shot and killed on the Southeast Side Columbus police received a shooting report at 1:20 p.m. on the 5600 block of Chatterton Road in the Walnut Heights neighborhood on June 11. Medics and officers arrived to find James Dominick Macarrios O'Neal, 24, suffering from a gunshot wound, police said. O'Neal was pronounced dead on the scene just before 1:30 p.m. Police said was seen talking to people in a dark colored vehicle that was stopped on Chatterton Road. Someone in the car pulled a gun out and shot O'Neal several times, and the vehicle fled west on Chatterton Road, police said. June 4: Caleb McKenzie, 21, was found with a gunshot wound after a vehicle collision Columbus police responded at 10:39 p.m. to a collision in the 700 block of Sullivant Avenue on June 4. Caleb McKenzie, 21, a driver of one of the vehicles, was found injured and unresponsive and was transported to a local hospital. Doctors there discovered he was suffering from a gunshot wound, and he was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. McKenzie's death is being investigated as a homicide. Police arrested a 16-year-old suspect, who is not yet charged as an adult, on June 18 in connection with McKenzie's death. June 3: Lonnie Johnston, 29, and Jakwaun Kimbro, 18, were shot and killed at a vigil Lonnie Johnston, 29, and Jakwaun Kimbro, 18, died in a shooting that happened shortly before 10 p.m. June 3 at Krumm Park, located in the 800 block of Alton Avenue, according to a police report. Medics pronounced both men dead at 10:07 p.m. The two men were among the 50 people at the park during a vigil held in memory of Da'Mya Cummerlander. A Columbus police sergeant told news outlets shortly after the shooting that investigators are not sure if the two men who died were attending the vigil or happened to be at the park when the shooting took place. Detectives believe multiple shooters may be involved. Witnesses who called 911 after the shooting said someone pulled up in a vehicle and fired numerous rounds. Tyrez Turner, 18, of Whitehall, and LaDavia Fortner, 31, of Mansfield, are charged in the shooting. June 3: Raquawn Ogelsby, 23, died after police say he and his brother sought a fight Columbus police received a call around 1:30 p.m. June 3 about a shooting on the 500 block of Buffalo Court on the city's South Side. When officers arrived, they found Ogelsby and another man who had both suffered gunshots. Ogelsby died at the scene, but the other man survived. Jachin Perry, 26, and Michael Twitty, 18, were both charged with murder for Ogelsby's death. According to court records, Ogelsby and the other man shot at Buffalo Court identified as his brother went to an apartment there to confront Perry, who struck his girlfriend earlier that day. They asked Perry to come outside and fight, and Perry fired a gun before he and Twitty fled, according to court records. Police said they saw Perry and Twitty fleeing the scene when they arrived and apprehended the two. June 2: Da'Mya Cummerlander, 18, died after a shooting at a party Da'Mya Cummerlander, 18, was found suffering from a gunshot wound when Columbus police responded to a shooting at 12:35 a.m. June 2 on the 2600 block of Woodsedge Road off Westerville Road. She was pronounced dead by medics on the scene at 12:44 a.m. Kenneth Hairston, 20, was charged with involuntary manslaughter for her death on June 5. He was also charged with having a weapon under disability, meaning he had a prior felony conviction and was not permitted to have a gun. Hairston told police a gun he was holding fired when a person he was trying to hand it back to swatted it away, and the bullet struck Cummerlander by mistake. Hairston told police he, Cummerlander and four other people were hanging out in a house playing with firearms, and that everyone except him was smoking weed and drinking. June 1: Ein M. Johnson, 39, died in a shooting that injured three others Police received a report of a shooting at 11:05 p.m. June 1 and arrived at the 500 block of North Ohio Avenue to discover two males and a female suffering from gunshot wounds. Medics took all three shooting victims to undisclosed area hospitals. Ein M. Johnson, 39, was pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m. A fourth injured person transported herself to a hospital. Police have not publicly identified a suspect in the shooting or disclosed what may have led up to the killing. Columbus homicide map This embedded content is not available in your region. The Dispatch tracks data from Columbus police regarding where homicides have taken place and about the victims, regularly updated by Dispatch reporters and available for search. bagallion@dispatch.com Editor's Note: Due to incorrect information provided by Columbus police, an earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled one of the last names of Ceilin Peaks Smith. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus killings in June 2024: Men found dead Tuesday raise count to 14 CONIFER, Colo. (KDVR) Investigators into the deadly U.S. 285 crash that led to a truckers arrest learned the semi had not been inspected in years, and the driver accused of operating without a commercial drivers license had been convicted of traffic crimes. Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, 47, was arrested Tuesday night on counts of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, reckless driving and driving a commercial vehicle without a commercial drivers license. Why did stormwater rush into this suburban Denver home? Colorado State Patrol has said Cruz-Mendoza side-swiped five vehicles he was trying to pass on the highway near Conifer, killing one person and seriously hurting another in the crash that resulted. The semi jack-knifed across the highway, also spilling its load of pipe and angle iron. A driver hit by the 18-wheeler said it was traveling about 60 to 80 miles per hour. Another witness told FOX31 he could feel a gust of wind as the truck blew by. We could hear his engine just roaring as he tried to slow down and the people were getting out of his way, Matt Olson said. SkyFOX was over U.S. 285, which was closed in both directions after a Tuesday afternoon rush hour crash that killed at least one involving a rolled semi. What can be done about untrained truckers? Trucking industry experts tell the Problem Solvers the crash reveals a serious issue with consistent commercial drivers license certification across state and national borders. Commercial trucking industry expert Jason Emery, CEO of Excel Driver Services, told FOX31 that enforcing certification is crucial to keeping roads safer. Basic training only covers basic training to CDL standards, which we do, Emery said. The carrier themselves is responsible for the training and knowledge associated with the specific types of loads they operate. An arrest affidavit shows Cruz-Mendoza allegedly told troopers his brakes went out, but investigators measuring skids on the pavement determined the trucks brakes were working, although well below the minimum requirements. Investigators report the truck had not been inspected since 2020. Colorado State Patrol also learned that Cruz-Mendoza was convicted of speeding and operating without lawfully required equipment in 2022. Cruz-Mendoza is being held on a $50,000 cash bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 18. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Colorado Department of Transportation told FOX31 that a study targeted the 53-mile corridor of U.S. 285 between Foxton Road and Fairplay for safety improvements because of speeding and drunk drivers. FOX31 is waiting for information from Colorado State Patrol about the number of crashes along U.S. 285 but learned earlier this year that more than 30 semitrucks use runaway ramps each year along Interstate 70 between Vail and the Eisenhower Tunnel. The Motor Carriers Association, State Patrol and CDOT launched the Mountain Rules Truck Safety Campaign to to provide more training for drivers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has charged a California death row convict responsible for 14 Los Angeles County murders with the 1998 killing of Itisha Camp. Chester Dewayne Turner, 58, faces one count of first-degree felony aggravated murder, according to Gills office. Turner, a former pizza deliveryman, is already on death row in San Quentin Prison for 14 murders and rapes committed between 1987 and 1998. He was convicted of 10 killings in 2007 and another four in 2014. Family of 6-year-old Utah girl paralyzed by stray bullet struggles to find new normal According to a press release from Gills office today, June 14, the body of Camp was found on Sept. 24, 1998, by three juveniles behind a business on 900 South in Salt Lake City. There was a scarf around Ms. Camps neck when she was discovered stated a press release by Gills office. The medical examiner determined that Ms. Camp was killed due to strangulation. Court documents state Camps body was found partially undressed at the bottom of a cement stairwell. It is believed Camp, who was using drugs at the time, may have been supporting herself as a sex worker. DNA evidence found on Camps body and on the scarf has since been linked to Turner. Detectives learned that Turner was on parole in California for auto theft during the time Camp was killed, and it is believed Turner had fled to Utah during that period. It must have been profoundly difficult for Ms. Camps family and loved ones over the last 25 years, not knowing if the suspect in her murder was still out in the public, Gill said. We hope the filing of this charge brings some relief to Ms. Camps loved ones and our entire community, knowing that the defendant is already behind bars. We appreciate the dedicated work of Salt Lake City Police detectives who pursued this cold case until the necessary investigative work had been done that could lead to this charge being filed. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Defendant in 2022 Bellingham homicide changes plea to guilty. Here are the plea-deal details A Bellingham man has pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a woman two years ago in a stairwell at the 22 North complex in downtown Bellingham. Shilo Aron Englert, 35, pleaded guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court to one count of second-degree manslaughter in a roughly 15-minute hearing Wednesday, June 12. On Feb. 8, 2022, Englert fatally shot 31-year-old Kasaundra Kassy May Booker, whose family called her their social butterfly. More than a dozen family members and friends packed a crowded courtroom Wednesday for the plea hearing. Family in attendance included Bookers parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and more. Her mother, Vickie Turner, brought Bookers ashes in a small black box that she carried with her alongside a photograph of Booker. Multiple family members cried quietly throughout the hearing. Bookers body was found in a first-floor stairwell at 22 North, a 40-unit apartment complex on North State Street for young adults experiencing homelessness. It is operated by the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services. A bullet of unknown caliber was found at the scene with Bookers body, but no handgun was located, according to court records. Booker grew up in Skagit County in the Concrete/Rockport area. Shes the youngest of four children, which includes two stepsiblings, her family said in an interview with The Bellingham Herald. The siblings are all four years apart. She was always so happy making people laugh, Rachel Henry, Bookers stepsister, said. Growing up in the woods and playing in the creek, which her siblings jokingly called the swamp, is one of Henrys favorite memories. Just being sisters. Fighting, that was fun too sometimes, you know, Henry said. It was, her brother, Randy Booker, said. He also recalled his sisters helpful nature. One time, she gave him her car and some money because she wanted to make sure he and his children were cared for, Turner, Bookers mother, said. Her family called her a great aunt. Kasaundra Kassy May Booker is shown in this photo. Booker was fatally shot on Feb. 8, 2022, by Shilo Aron Englert, of Bellingham, Wash. Englert pleaded guilty June 12, 2024, in Whatcom County Superior Court to one count of second-degree manslaughter for Bookers death. Englert was originally charged Feb. 11, 2022 with second-degree murder. He was arrested nine days later, on Feb. 20, by the Bellingham Police Departments SWAT team in the 1400 block of Moore Street after police received a credible tip about where Englert was hiding, The Herald previously reported. Englert has been incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail since his Feb. 20, 2022 arrest for Bookers killing. His bail had been set at $1 million in that case, court records show. Englerts murder charge was reduced as part of an agreed plea deal between the prosecution and defense that resolves not only Englerts homicide case, but the four additional felony cases he had pending in Superior Court. All the cases stem from a roughly 10-month crime spree in which Englert was accused of stealing multiple vehicles and shooting two people, one fatally. Englert also entered guilty pleas Wednesday in three of the four cases. The fourth case where Englert is accused of shooting and injuring a man in the Birchwood neighborhood after the man confronted Englert about stealing items from his apartment patio was dismissed. Whatcom County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erik Sigmar said the victim in that case has died of a fentanyl overdose. Englert initially pleaded not guilty in all four cases. Englerts additional guilty pleas include: One count of possession of a stolen vehicle for a January 2022 case. His obstructing and hit and run (property damage) charges were dropped as part of the plea deal. One count of possession of a stolen vehicle for an April 2022 case. He pleaded guilty as charged in this case. One count of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver for an August 2023 case. His failure to obey law enforcement charge was dropped as part of the plea deal. Englert was a convicted felon at the time of the crimes and was prohibited from possessing firearms, court records show. Englerts sentencing hearing has been set for July 1. As part of the agreed plea deal, the prosecuting and defense attorneys are expected to recommend a prison sentence of 89 months or seven years and five months. That recommendation is the high end of the standard sentencing range for Englerts manslaughter charge, court documents show. The attorneys recommendation will also include 1.5 years of probation and a chemical dependency evaluation and treatment. Englert will get credit for the time he has served in custody while awaiting a resolution in his cases. He has been incarcerated since his Feb. 20, 2022 arrest for Bookers killing, which means he will get credit for roughly 2.5 years. He will also become eligible for good time, meaning he could be released from prison earlier than expected, depending on his behavior while incarcerated in prison, according to court records and officials. Whatcom County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erik Sigmar (right) and senior conflict defense attorney Ryan Swinburnson (left) look on as Shilo Aron Englert, of Bellingham, pleads guilty to second-degree manslaughter for the Feb. 8, 2022 shooting death of Kasaundra Kassy May Booker in a packed courtroom in Whatcom County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Unhappy resolution Bookers family said theyre not happy with the resolution, and they feel Bookers life is worth more than what the attorneys are recommending. Her stepfather, Chris Turner, who calls himself her papa, said the fact that Wednesdays hearing was held and the case against Englert was moving forward was the only good thing about the situation. Henry, Bookers stepsister, said that the family has waited for more than two years to see a resolution in the case. Hes done his time if the plea goes through. And what do I feel about that? Thats absolutely a full on travesty of justice, Vickie Turner, Bookers mother, said. Im not asking for his life. Im not asking for retribution. But (the time) is not enough. These are my imaginary grandbabies, Vickie Turner said through tears outside the courtroom, motioning to an empty space beside her. Never going to happen. Bookers father, Chris Turner, said he hopes the judge sentences Englert to the maximum time allowed. He said he was glad the plea and sentencing hearings had been split between two dates. He said had the sentencing hearing gone as planned on Wednesday, it would have felt as if the judge wasnt looking at the full picture. They were acting almost like she didnt have any family, so it didnt matter. And here we are. Weve been pushing this all the time; we want more out of this, Chris Turner, who drove more than nine hours from Montana for the hearing Wednesday, said. Shes not here, but were here. Randy Booker, her brother, said he doesnt want the same thing to happen to another persons family. Henry, her stepsister, noted that Englert was ineligible to possess firearms when he killed Booker. The prosecutor is expected to ask the judge at Englerts sentencing to require him to register as a felony firearm offender. Englerts defense attorney is expected to argue against the registration requirement. Bookers mother, Vickie Turner, said she has cried almost every day since her daughters death nearly 2.5 years ago. A dog is a dog. A boy is a boy. And murder is murder. You can put another name on it, but it doesnt change what it is, Vickie Turner said, while holding Chris Turners hand. I want justice. We all just want justice. Im not asking for life, Im asking for justice. Kasaundra Kassy May Booker is shown in this photo. Booker was fatally shot on Feb. 8, 2022, by Shilo Aron Englert, of Bellingham, Wash. Englert pleaded guilty June 12, 2024, in Whatcom County Superior Court to one count of second-degree manslaughter for Bookers death. Details at sentencing Sigmar, the prosecuting attorney, confirmed that the sentencing portion of the hearing was pushed out several weeks in order to allow time for the judge to read through and consider the numerous victim impact statements submitted to the court. When asked by The Herald how the attorneys reached the plea agreement that they did, and what he had to say in response to Bookers family disapproving of the recommended sentence, Sigmar said a lot of the details needed to be withheld at this time due to Englerts pending sentencing hearing, but are expected to be shared at that hearing. He noted the rules attorneys are required to follow regarding making pre-trial statements, and said he did not want to influence the court or public prior to sentencing. Sigmar said Englert was charged in five felony cases. With the exception of the case that was dismissed due to the victim dying of a fentanyl overdose, and the reduction of the murder charge, Englert has pleaded almost guilty as charged in his four remaining felony cases, he said. He has thus far accepted responsibility for the lions share of the felony charges he was facing, Sigmar said. Sigmar said he plans to explain at Englerts sentencing hearing how and why the attorneys felt a reduction in the murder charge was warranted. The plea bargaining process is not for the faint of heart, and its something we take very seriously and try to do the best we can to achieve the best results for victims and for the community, Sigmar said in an interview with The Herald. We make decisions to mitigate the risk of trial and acquittal at trial. Thats why we plea bargain. At Englerts sentencing, Ill further explain how we arrived at the plea deal and why we endorse it and why were asking the court to follow it. Englerts defense attorney, Ryan Swinburnson, who was appointed by the court at public expense, also said it was not appropriate prior to sentencing to discuss what went into the plea bargaining process and how the attorneys reached their joint recommendation. Swinburnson, Whatcom Countys senior conflict attorney, declined to comment at this time when asked what he had to say in response to Bookers family believing the recommended sentence was not justice. He also referred to the court rules attorneys are bound by while a case is pending. Its important to focus on the upcoming sentencing. Ill have a lot to say then, Swinburnson said in an interview with The Herald. I really think most of my comments at sentencing will be regarding how we arrived at the joint sentencing recommendation. I think its important to reserve that for that hearing. Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in November 2022, listens to arguments during a hearing in October 2023. The man awaiting trial on charges of killing four University of Idaho students secured access for investigators working on his behalf to sealed DNA records central to how police first landed on him as the suspect. At the request of attorneys for defendant Bryan Kohberger, the judge overseeing the widely watched capital murder case expanded review privileges to the protected information as he continues to mount his legal defense. The courts ruling came after a closed-door hearing on the issue held last month. State prosecutors initially fought release of documents to the defense concerning the use of investigative genetic genealogy, or IGG, which they eventually lost in court. The advanced policing technique involves submitting DNA found at a crime scene to public genealogy websites to build a family tree and narrow the list of possible suspects in violent crimes. Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County ruled last year that the defense had met the low threshold needed to show that at least some of the IGG records are material to the preparation of their clients case. But the Latah County Prosecutors Office, which is leading the prosecution of Kohberger, did not appear to formally object to allowing defense investigators to inspect the DNA records. Over the defenses insistence, Judge did grant the prosecutions request that the hearing be closed to the public. Kohberger, 29, is accused in the stabbing deaths of the four U of I students at an off-campus Moscow rental home in mid-November 2022. The victims were seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20. Kohberger, a Washington State University graduate student in nearby Pullman, Washington, at the time of the quadruple homicide, was arrested in eastern Pennsylvania about seven weeks later in late December 2022. He was back home on the East Coast visiting his family during winter break from school, and brought back west to answer to the charges. Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted at an eventual trial, which still does not have a scheduled date. Unsealing of IGG records left unaddressed Kohbergers attorneys also asked that most of the IGG records, which state prosecutors had to acquire from the FBI after its investigators assisted in the high-profile homicide case, be unsealed and made public. They agreed that the identities of relatives to Kohberger included in the family tree process should remain withheld from the public. Judge did not address the defenses request to unseal additional IGG records in his ruling that expanded Kohbergers public defense teams access to the documents. In a separate hearing open to the public last month, the two sides in the case argued over the release of other evidence that the defense has requested through the legal process known as discovery. It was revealed at that hearing that a federal grand jury was used to issue dozens of subpoenas for information in the case against Kohberger. The parents of victim Kaylee Goncalves have consistently vented frustrations about the length of time the case has taken more than 17 months and counting since Kohbergers arrest to bring to trial. A twice-delayed hearing is scheduled for Aug. 29 to hear arguments over whether to move the expected trial elsewhere in Idaho from where the county crime took place. The court needs to take control of the case and the attorneys involved, the Goncalves family said in a statement obtained by the Idaho Statesman after the two hearings last month. As long as the court continues to entertain anything and everything at every hearing, the delay will never end. The victims families want justice, but, just as importantly, we want the case to move forward. Another pretrial hearing in the case to set additional dates and deadlines is newly scheduled for June 27. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act on Friday, excluding any continuation or expansion of a program to offer compensation for people exposed to radiation by the federal government. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) The $883.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) heads to the U.S. Senate without expanding a program to compensate people for radiation exposure by the federal government. The package for fiscal year 2025 narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives along mostly partisan lines at 217-199 after introductions of right-wing amendments barring spending on issues range from abortion to combating climate change. The package includes increases in pay for members of the military and higher food and housing stipends. The bill includes provisions that ban the Pentagon from paying for or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services. It further bars the Tricare health care program from gender-affirming surgery for transgender troops and freezes any hires for diversity, inclusion and equity positions. Much of the amendments were adopted in the 2023 defense package passed in the House along party lines, but were ultimately cut from the final version. An effort to expand Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act was attached to last years defense package, but was stripped during conference on the bill. The unique fund offered lump-sum payments to certain civilians living downwind of test sites, uranium miners before 1971 and federal workers on atomic test sites who experience certain cancers and diseases linked to radiation. The program, nicknamed RECA, expired last week. Legislation to broaden the benefits to Americans across the Western U.S. and Guam has sat before the House for months after passing the Senate 69-30 vote in March. On Wednesday, Republican House leadership blocked bipartisan efforts from Congress members to expand RECA, with a committee vote killing an amendment to the defense package. The amendment was introduced by the Republican Representative of Guam, James Moylan, and Rep. Anne Wagner (R-Missouri). Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, who sits on the House Rules Committee, moved to approve the amendment, which failed in a 4-9 vote. Committee members expressed skepticism about the $50 billion cost to expand the program, echoing previous objections from Republican House leadership. In remarks on the floor after the rules committee vote, Leger Fernandez said Congress is failing to act, while downwinders and uranium miners deal with the fallout of cancer, diseases and early death. Blocking a vote on our bipartisan RECA amendment is walking away from the opportunity to do right by these communities, whom we have hurt, she said. This is the latest in a string of disappointments for advocates, including people bombed more than 78 years ago in the areas surrounding the Trinity Test Site, who have never been compensated by the federal government. The NDAA still requires passage through the Senate, and reconciliation between the two versions before becoming law. All three New Mexico representatives voted against the bill. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) told reporters in a press conference after Fridays vote, that she and others in the New Mexico delegation will push for expansion. We are regrouping, we are identifying other opportunities, and of course pushing for it to be attached to the NDAA in the Senate or through conference, she said. She pushed back on arguments that expanding RECA, which has paid out $2.5 billion since 1990, is too expensive. How is it that we can spend trillions of dollars every year, on all of these programs defense and nondefense, and health care but we cant take care of the very people that have been impacted by our federal governments weapons program, Stansbury said. The Senate could take the bill up as soon as the next few weeks, or it could stretch into the coming months. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan said in a recent interview that he would work to expand RECA. The defense package is one of the options, said Adan Serna, a spokesperson Lujan said Friday. Senator Lujan continues to push for the House to hold a vote on the Senate-passed bill to save and strengthen the RECA program, Serna wrote in an emailed statement. If the House fails to act, he will consider all possible options to extend and expand RECA, including the NDAA. The post Defense package heads to Senate sans RECA appeared first on Source New Mexico. The attacks follow a spate of unprovoked attacks by elk elsewhere in the state. | Credit: Getty Colorado officials have reportedly issued warnings to the public after two moose attacks occurred in the same Colorado town in two days. According to reporting by the Loveland-Reporter Herald, at around 8:30 p.m. on June 3 a runner was attacked by a cow moose on Forest Trail in Winter Park. The incident resulted in serious injuries to the person's upper body, including their head and chest, sending them to the hospital for treatment. The day prior, another Winter Park resident who goes by the handle @bigwallbd on Instagram shared that he and his dogs had been repeatedly stomped and kicked by a cow moose after they spooked her on their evening walk. "Angry momma chased us down the street and in between some homes where she proceeded to kick and stomp all three of us," he writes, sharing that the moose was about 30 or 40 yards away when they startled her. His dogs were clipped together on the same leash and couldnt escape so he says he repeatedly rammed his shoulder into the moose to try to get her to release them. "Honestly one of the most terrifying events Ive had in decades." In that instance, the dogs required treatment from a vet but he does not report seeking medical attention. Cow moose standing by bush on sunny day We've recently reported on an unprecedented spate of elk attacks in Estes Park, just outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Though neither elk nor moose are naturally aggressive creatures, they can become defensive in the spring when their calves are newborn. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging the public to be aware of their surroundings, give elk and moose a wide berth through the early summer and keep dogs on leash at all times. "Cow elk and cow moose have heightened protective instincts while their newborns are unable to move on their own. Always leave young wildlife alone. While a calf may be unattended, the cow is most likely nearby gathering food," warns the department. Read our article on what to do if you see a moose, and remember that if you're actively trying to view wildlife, you should always do so from a safe distance, using binoculars. MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) Fani Willis called out her critics in a defiant speech Thursday at a Black church outside Atlanta, not naming names but appearing to refer to Donald Trump and others who have attacked the Georgia prosecutor's investigation of the former president's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney, obtained an indictment last year against Trump and 18 of his allies. She has faced months of criticism over her handling of the case with some of the attacks playing on racist or sexist tropes as well as for hiring a special prosecutor, now off the case, with whom she had a romantic relationship. Speaking to a gathering of Black church clergy and congregants, Willis said friends often express concern for her. I live the experience of a Black woman who is attacked and oversexualized, she said. See, Im so tired of hearing these idiots call my name as fanny in a way to attempt to humiliate me because, like silly school boys, the name reminds them of a womans rear, of her behind. Trump has used that pronunciation to mock Willis whose first name is pronounced FAH'-nee notably during a rally in Ohio in March when he said fanny, like your ass," when talking about her name. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Willis said her father, a strong, educated, conscious Black man, gave her the name Fani Taifa, which she said means prosperous people in Swahili. Willis' outspokenness in response to critics is not new. But her out-of-court statements have been seized on by defense attorneys for Trump and drawn admonishment from the judge in the case, which is mostly on hold as a Georgia appeals court reviews whether she should be allowed to stay on it. At the annual planning meeting of the Georgia AME church, Willis told the crowd gathered in the sanctuary of a church in suburban Marietta that friends often express concern about the attacks on her but that she shakes off the ugliness. What I'm here to tell you is to not concern yourself with insults of me. I promise you, I don't concern myself with them, she told the supportive audience, drawing shouted affirmations throughout her 25-minute remarks. I am too busy working 15-hour days trying to use every talent God gave me to fulfill my God-given purpose. Willis also said that she works hard to hold all all, there are no exceptions who dare to come into our community and break the law accountable. That mirrors her standard response when she's asked about prosecuting a former president that no one is above the law. The August indictment accuses Trump and the others of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally try to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, which Trump narrowly lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors, but Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Republican lawmakers in Atlanta and Washington have targeted her since the indictment, opening investigations into her office. She has had a particularly barbed exchange with U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who has questioned her motivations and demanded that she produce records. She appeared to take another swipe at Jordan Thursday, saying, We have politicians that spend no time doing their elected purpose. In fact, we got a clown in Washington D.C. who's been elected for the purpose to make his community safer and pass laws. But he's been sitting there for 17 years and passed zero laws. Jordan entered Congress in 2007, 17 years ago. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Defense attorneys for Trump and others have pointed to a speech Willis gave at a historic Black church in Atlanta in January, saying she inappropriately inserted race and God into the case, potentially prejudicing potential jurors against their clients. Those arguments have come in an ongoing effort to get Willis and her office removed from the election interference prosecution or to have the case dismissed entirely. The Willis removal effort began with the revelation that she had had a romantic relationship with attorney Nathan Wade, whom she had hired as a special prosecutor for the case. Defense attorneys argued that Willis improperly profited from the case when Wade used his earnings to take her on vacation, resulting in a conflict of interest. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in March ruled that there was not a conflict that should force Willis off the case, but he said there was an appearance of impropriety. He allowed Willis to remain on the case as long as Wade did not, and the special prosecutor resigned hours later. The Georgia Court of Appeals last month agreed to take up the case and lawyers for Trump earlier this week asked the court to hear oral arguments. Willis' team on Wednesday filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, arguing there is insufficient evidence to support reversing the lower courts order. The case against Trump and the other eight defendants involved in the appeal has been halted by the appeals court while it reviews the lower court ruling. That means the case against Trump, one of four criminal cases against the former president, almost definitely will not proceed to trial before the November general election, when Trump is expected to be the Republican nominee for president. An investigation into an inappropriate off-duty relationship between Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama and the wife of a Fresno police officer was kept under wraps for nearly four months as city officials sought to secure statements from witnesses involved, sources inside Fresno City Hall have acknowledged to The Fresno Bee. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and City Manager Georgeanne White announced on June 6 that Balderrama has been under an administrative investigation since February, when the chief informed them that he might become the target of accusations of an inappropriate relationship. The statement issued by Dyer and White added that Balderrama would remain on duty while the investigation seeks to determine if the chief violated any Fresno Police Department policies. That changed Wednesday, following revelations that the investigation focused on allegations that Balderrama a 47-year-old married father of three was involved in a two-year affair with the wife of an officer under his command. White, citing the intensity of scrutiny on the chief, announced in a memo to the police department staff that Balderrama was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Deputy Chief Mindy Casto has been put in operational charge of the police department in Balderramas absence. Amid the controversy, one City Council member this week urged that Balderrama be entitled to the same degree of due process that is provided to other police employees who confront allegations of misconduct. Councilmember Miguel Arias also cautioned against the specter of potential discrimination because of the chiefs Mexican-American ancestry. Dyer and White initially revealed the investigation last week in the wake of a growing number of media inquiries about the rumored affair. The early stages of the investigation were slowed because of delays in collecting statements from some of the involved parties, sources said. It is not clear when the investigation, led by City Attorney Andrew Janz, may be concluded. Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama speaks to the media in a Bee file photo from March 2022. Prospects for Fresno police chiefs future? Unlike the police officers and command team under his supervision, Balderrama is not covered by a union collective-bargaining agreement or contract. He is an at-will employee who can be fired, with or without cause, by the city manager. A day before the city publicly acknowledged the investigation, Balderrama who became Fresnos police chief in January 2021 following a 22-year career with the Oklahoma City Police Department spoke at a City Council budget hearing about the challenges of the job and acknowledged his at-will status. Serving as chief has been a struggle at times. Ive had a few nights where Im like, What the heck did I get myself into? Balderrama said at the conclusion of his budget presentation on June 5. But I can tell you its very rewarding to see the success of this police department. And I cant forget our mayor as well. He told me a while back, I cant give you a contract, but I give you my word that as long as Im mayor, youre my guy. Balderramas at-will employment agreement calls for a severance payout equal to six months of his base pay of more than $240,000 per year, plus six months of continued health and welfare benefits, in the event (the city manager) terminates employees employment with the city. But the severance provision does not apply if Balderrama is fired because of serious misconduct or malfeasance, which the (city) manager determines is related to the effective performance of employees official duties. The executive board of the Fresno Police Officers Association, the union representing the departments rank-and-file officers, said in an email to its members last week that Balderramas conduct should not be dismissed as a non-violation of policy. This is an incredible offense to every sworn member of the agency, who is held to account for policy violations surrounding discretion and conduct unbecoming every day, both on and off duty, the email said. FPOA President Brandon Wiemiller wrote in the email that members up and down the ranks said they feel betrayed and trust has been lost. Fresno Police Department Policy 341 is just one component of the departments 734-page policy manual that details a range of performance standards and provisions for how officers are to conduct themselves with integrity and not reflect poorly on the department. It also sets forth the kinds of behavior that could result in discipline. Members of this department are entrusted by the public to perform their duties with the highest degree of integrity, FPD Policy 341 on performance standards reads in part. We are held to this high standard both in our professional and personal lives. This trust empowers us to complete our mission. When this trust is eroded, we are no longer effective as police officers, Policy 341.2.2 continues. Members shall demonstrate the highest degree of integrity at all times and avoid any act which bespeaks a lack of integrity or the mere appearance of a lack of integrity. One part of the policy forbids engaging in on-duty sexual relations including, but not limited to sexual intercourse, excessive displays of public affection or other sexual contact a clause which does not appear to apply to the alleged off-duty relationship. Another clause prohibits on-duty or off-duty conduct which any member knows or reasonably should know is unbecoming a member of the department or which is contrary to good order, efficiency, or morale, or which tends to reflect unfavorably upon the department or its members. Earlier this week, Balderrama offered his apologies to his department in a memo. I humbly come to you and ask for your forgiveness as your leader, who clearly has flaws and imperfections, Balderrama wrote in the memo he sent late Monday afternoon. I realize many of you may be upset and disappointed. I understand those feelings and I dont fault you for it. Uneven enforcement of discipline? The unions position sparked a reaction Thursday from City Councilmember Miguel Arias, who cautioned against calls for immediate disciplinary action prior to the completion of the investigation. Arias said that in many instances of alleged misconduct by officers, FPOA has demanded that we follow the Police Bill of Rights, give officers due process and provide them second and third changes, even when the allegations are sustained. In most of these instances, officers and employees have learned from their mistakes and finished their careers here effectively serving the public, he said. Arias added to his knowledge, no police officer or employee has ever faced disciplinary action or termination for engaging in private extramarital affairs. Yet now we hear from the police union demanding action against the chief now, irrespective of due process, Arias added during his remarks at Thursdays City Council meeting. The union has blocked any disciplinary action against officers for what happens on their own time, including marital conflicts. In other words, FPOA doesnt want city (human resources) officials in officers homes, much less in their bedrooms. When Balderramas hiring was announced in December 2020, he became the citys first Latino police chief. In his remarks, Arias also cast the controversy in the context of potential racial discrimination. Fresno, Arias said, has a well-documented track record of not taking personnel actions against white executive leaders that engage in extramarital affairs with city employees under their command. Arias did not specify to which executives he was referring. If white executive officials and high ranking employees can engage in extramarital affairs with city employees, he added, why is it a violation when an executive of color makes the same mistake with non-employees? Heres how the Delta Breeze brings relief to Northern California, according to a meteorologist (FOX40.COM) As people endured warm weather in the Sacramento area, a cool breeze glides in pushing winds that typically give the public slight relief from the heat. The breeze that people bask in is known to many as the Delta Breeze, which is a cool, enhanced sea breeze coming from the Bay Area, according to National Weather Service Sacramento. If the Delta Breeze is strong enough, it can bring cooling through the Sacramento and Stockton metro area, and sometimes even farther into the Valley, a meteorologist with the NWS told FOX40.com in an email. Why is extreme heat more dangerous in California than people may think? Northern California residents can expect the Delta Breeze to develop in the late afternoon and evening hours and can be felt in the Sacramento and Stockton metro areas if the marine layer is sufficiently deep, the NWS said. Officials said the breeze seldom reaches areas such as north of Marysville. The breeze attempts to advance to those areas but is usually mixed out by the hot and dry valley air. Where does the Delta Breeze come from? The Delta Breeze originates from the Bay Area, funneling through the Carquinez Strait and into the Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys, the NWS said. What creates the breeze is from temperature differences between hot Valley air and cool, marine air. Strong high pressure sitting over the area can suppress the Delta Breeze, the NWS said. However, in the right pattern hot air in the Valley can actually enhance the Breeze. The different heat-related advisories from the National Weather Service How does the Delta Breeze impact temperatures? The Delta Breeze can result in a decrease in temperature starting in the late afternoon in areas west of Interstate 5. As the evening hours come, the breeze advances into the Sacramento metro area. It can also have larger effects on the next days maximum temperatures, the NWS said. The 24 maximum temperature cooling can be 10-15 degrees, sometimes even more. As the breeze makes its way, it can bring winds in different directions in the Sacramento Valley. The breeze can cause southwest and southeast winds in the southern portion of Sacramento Valley and northwest winds in northern San Joaquin Valley. In areas near the California Delta, which is formed at the western edge of the Central Valley by the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, winds can have gusts of over 40 miles per hour and can persist throughout the night and into the next 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 FOX40. Gov. Laura Kelly said she would sign into law a new tax reform package negotiated with House and Senate Republican leadership. The deal will be presented Tuesday to legislators during a special session of the Legislature. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and top House and Senate Republicans in the Legislature said Thursday negotiations produced a compromise tax reform bill that would be considered by lawmakers during the upcoming special session. Senate President Ty Masterson of Andover and House Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita predicted the deal would be approved during the special session opening Tuesday, and Kelly said she would sign the agreement if a majority in the Legislature voted for it. The deal would collapse the states personal income tax structure to a two-rate system, rather than adopt the single-rate idea floated by Masterson and Hawkins. Kelly had recommended the state retain a three-rate structure that currently ranges from 3.1% to 5.7%. Statements by participants in closed-door negotiations indicated the overall reduction in state taxation contained in the deal was less than GOP lawmakers had sought. Kelly vetoed three broad tax bills during the regular 2024 session, and none of those vetoes were overridden by the Legislature. The governor had suggested lawmakers develop a plan that offered about $400 million annually in tax cuts. Legislative leadership and I have come to a consensus on a tax relief package that will be presented to the House and Senate during the upcoming special session, Kelly said. This agreement allows significant, long overdue tax relief to Kansans while preserving our ability to invest in the states future. The governor said the proposed package met the affordability criteria I proposed, but confirmed a transition to the two-tier model would limit opportunities to enact property tax reductions. While the deal may bring closure to the two-year effort to pass comprehensive tax reform in Kansas, the special session of the Legislature is expected to include debate about economic incentives to convince the Kansas City Chiefs or the Kansas City Royals to relocate to Kansas at new stadiums. The state would allow issuance of STAR bonds, which would be backed by local sales tax revenue and possibly state gambling and lottery revenues. Hawkins and Masterson said in a joint statement the tax agreement was almost identical in structure to a bill passed at the end of the regular session and vetoed by Kelly. It simplifies the tax code into two brackets, lowers rates, includes substantial exemptions to help lower-income Kansans, reduces statewide property taxes and repeals the state tax on Social Security, they said. It contains minor adjustments to ensure the bill is quickly signed into law. Neither the GOP statement nor the one from Kelly said whether the deal included a July 1 termination of the states 2% sales tax on groceries, which under current law would be eliminated Jan. 1. Previously, Masterson indicated the deal wouldnt accellerate elimination of the food sales tax. In May, Kelly vetoed the last of three extensive property, sales and income tax bills sent to her desk in 2024. That bill was adopted with bipartisan votes of 25-9 in the Senate and 108-11 in the House. The bill, and the new compromise, would end the states income tax on Social Security benefits for a savings to Kansans of $120 million to $152 million annually. Detail of the statewide property tax changes werent released, but the last vetoed bill would have elevated to $100,000 the exemption from property taxes tied to the statewide school finance levy. That would be a big hike from the current $42,000 exemption. In addition, that vetoed bill would have reduced the 20-mill state property tax for K-12 public schools. Finally, that vetoed bill would have raised the standard deduction and personal exemption on state income taxes and reduced the states top income tax rate from 5.7% to 5.57%. The states second income tax rate would be set at 5.2% rather than 5.25%. The statements didnt reveal what the rates would change to if the new proposal became law. Compromise is ugly sometimes, said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa. While this proposal is not what we fully wanted, in the spirit of compromise it moves us forward. Senate Democrats will continue to fight for more property tax relief and child care relief, things we know our constituents truly want and need. Sen. Tom Holland, a Baldwin City Democrat, offered a plan Wednesday that focused on lowering residential, commercial and agriculture property taxes by about $190 million annually. His proposal included the Social Security exemption, but also a child and dependant care tax credit matching the federal credit and elimination of the state sales tax on groceries on Oct. 1. Hawkins and Masterson blamed the governor for using her veto pen in a manner that limited the ability of lawmakers this year to adopt income and property tax relief. They said a big chunk of the states cash surplus, estimated at $2.5 billion in the general treasury and $1.7 billion in a rainy day fund, should be returned to taxpayers. On Tuesday, they said, we will act swiftly to pass this compromise and look forward to resuming our efforts to pass additional tax relief when we return in January. The post Democratic governor, top Republican lawmakers reach deal to slash state taxes in Kansas appeared first on Kansas Reflector. US Democrats have seized on Donald Trumps dismissal of Milwaukee as a horrible city by trumpeting the unflattering description on advertising hoardings a month before the city in the swing state of Wisconsin hosts the Republican national convention, where the former president is set to be the partys presidential nominee this November. Trump reportedly made the comment in a meeting with congressional Republicans in Washington on Thursday, his first return to Capitol Hill since extremist supporters broke into Congress on 6 January 2021, to try to stop Joe Bidens victory over him. Republican party figures found themselves scrambling to contain the fallout from a political own goal over a city purposely chosen to host the convention on 15-18 July, because Wisconsin is expected to be key to the outcome of the 2024 election. Trump and Biden are running neck and neck in the state, according to numerous polls. The remark calling Milwaukee horrible, initially reported on X (formerly Twitter) by Jake Sherman, a reporter for the political website Punchbowl, drew immediate condemnation from Democrats. Republicans recognising the extent of the possible damage initially denied the comment had been made, before trying to soften the blow by putting it in various contexts. In a graphic sign of the high stakes, the Democratic election machine swiftly commissioned several billboards to be erected in Milwaukee, the local newspaper the Journal Sentinel reported. One featured a picture of Trump next to an image of the X post that broke the story. TRUMP TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS: Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city, it read. The other had the incriminating quote next to a picture of the former president against a red background. Ten billboards are planned to be placed throughout the city in the run-up to the convention to maximise the words effect. Shermans post, which had generated nearly 5m views by Thursday evening, sparked a political firestorm and was immediately jumped on by Milwaukees mayor, Cavalier Johnson. If Donald Trump wants to talk about things that he thinks are horrible, all of us lived through his presidency. So, right back at you, buddy, Johnson said, as reported by NBC. He added: It is kind of strange that he would insult the largest city in Wisconsin because hes running for president he absolutely wants to win Wisconsin, win the election. So, to insult the state thats hosting your convention, I think, is kind of bizarre actually. Its kind of unhinged. Addy Toevs, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said Trump had made his contempt for Wisconsinites and their home clear. He added: The dislike is mutual in 2020, Wisconsin handed Trump a one-way ticket back to exile in Mar-a-Lago and sent President Biden to the Oval Office. In November, theyll do it again. Republicans and Democrats alike have targeted Wisconsin as a must-win state in Novembers poll. Biden won it by a margin of about 21,000 votes in the 2020 election, although Trump challenged some vote tallies in his drive to prove that the election had been stolen. Trump scored a narrow win in the state in the 2016 election, a result that played a crucial role in his victory over Hillary Clinton. Milwaukee is on the western shore of Lake Michigan, north of Chicago and east of the state capital of Madison, and is a minority white, largely industrial city that votes Democratic, with a long history of racial segregation laws against Black residents. African Americans make up almost 39% of the population, with about 20% Hispanic or Latino. In a tacit admission of the potential self-harm inflicted, Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, described the reporting of the comment as total bullshit. He never said it like how its been falsely characterized as, Cheung posted on X, insisting that Trump had been referring to crime and election issues. Joanna Walters contributed reporting Demolition Begins on Parkland School Building Where Mass Shooting that Killed 17 Took Place Officials tore down the school in Parkland, Fla., where 14 students and three teachers were killed on Feb. 14, 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas school being torn down Six years ago, the 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., was the scene of carnage, broken dreams and despair when a gunman opened fire in 2018, killing 17 people. On Friday, demolition finally began on the building, which drew onlookers, including some family members of some of the victims who died when Nikolaz Cruz, 25, opened fire in one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history. They watched as an excavator tore through the three-story building, the Associated Press reports. Victims families were invited to watch the demolition and were even given the opportunity to chip off a piece of the building themselves, the AP reports. Shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, USA - 14 Feb 2018 Id like to see it gone, Dylan Persuad, who lost seven friends and his teacher, Scott Beigel, in the shooting, said, the Associated Press reports. It puts a period on the end of the story. They should put a nice memorial there for the 17. Broward County Public Schools said in a statement that it plans to finish the project in the next few weeks before students return to school in August. Related: Jury Rejects Death Penalty for Parkland School Shooter, Who Gets Sentenced to Life Without Parole The building stood empty because it was considered evidence during the penalty phase of Cruzs trial, the AP reports. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole, avoiding the death penalty. 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. In its statement, Broward County Public Schools said it began the demolition immediately following the conclusion of the school year. Broward County Public Schools reached this decision in consultation with health and safety experts, and out of concern for the well-being of students and staff on campus, the release says. Mark Wilson/Getty Florida Town Of Parkland In Mourning, After Shooting At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Kills 17 Members of the community and parents who lost loved ones that day are glad the building is being torn down. Related: Jury Rejects Death Penalty for Parkland School Shooter, Who Gets Sentenced to Life Without Parole Its important for that building to be taken down, so not only can I start to heal but also the community at large, Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa, 14, died in the shooting, told The New York Times. That building is a reminder of the horrific tragedy where 17 people were murdered in school. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A symbol of failure: Demolition of Parkland high school massacre site begins as families of the victims look on For six years, a building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman killed 17 people, was a nightmare frozen in time. But now, the 1200 building, which contained the bloody and heartbreaking remnants of the massacre, is being demolished. The demolition of the building began Friday morning, with an excavator tearing into the top floor of the three-story building under a clear sky. Family members of the victims watched from nearby tents on school property. Some cried. It is expected to take several weeks to complete, according to the Broward County Public Schools district. It will be dismantled in pieces, starting from the top. This building has been a symbol a symbol of failure. I know many in the community are happy to see it go, said Tony Montalto, who lost his 14-year-old daughter, Gina. His son is concerned people will forget once the building is gone. His wife had grown attached to it from the many times they took lawmakers through its corridors. As for me, Im concerned because we havent seen a solid plan yet for whats going to replace this building. We need something thats going to reflect the ones who were taken from us, the people they were before the tragedy. The district said in May the demolition would take place in summer 2024 following the end of the school year, which was Monday. The demolition was initially set to begin Thursday, but was delayed due to days of torrential flooding rain in South Florida. In a statement, the district said Friday it is continuing to work with the families and school staff to determine future use of the site. The shooting ripped apart 17 families, including 14 students and three faculty members, on Valentines Day in 2018. Seventeen others were wounded; their journey through grief and trauma continues to this day. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This is one more step in our healing process, Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, was killed at the school, told CNN Friday. And its important that six years later, that this building comes down and my family, you know, were grieving the death of our daughter, Alyssa. Were healing but were also trying to make change. Alhadeff founded the nonprofit Make Our Schools Safe, which promotes school safety. Alyssas Law, which requires that public elementary and secondary school buildings be equipped with silent panic alarms to notify law enforcement, is on the books in six states. We know that time equals life, said Alhadeff, noting that legislators who toured the building seeing the blood on the ground, the glass on the floor, the horror were moved to action. Joanne Wallace, right, former special education teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, hugs an onlooker during the demolition. - Wilfredo Lee/AP Alhadeff, who chairs the Broward County School Board, said she hoped the grounds would be turned into a usable space she called MSD Legacy Field that can serve as a teachable area where we can remember and keep the legacy alive. The day before Alyssa was murdered, she played in her last soccer game and she was fierce, her mother recalled Friday. She was captain of her soccer team, wore number eight, and we just miss and love Alyssa so much, and we will continue to keep your memory alive through Make Our Schools Safe. There is no closure Before the demolition got underway, a rainbow soared over the area where families of the victims later gathered. Among those assembled were Debbi Hixon and her son Corey, whose father, Chris, 49, the school athletic director and wrestling coach, was killed that day. Alhadeff was there with her family, along with Montalto. And Max Schachter, whose 14-year-old son, Alex, was murdered in English class. Once the demolition started, Schachter did not stop watching. When I brought people through that building, it changed their lives, Schachter said. And everybody that came out of that building was focused to make sure that this never happens again. Even after its torn down, Schachter said, the 1200 building will always be there. I will always remember the horrific images that I saw walking through that building, knowing the pain that Alex was going through when he was being shot and murdered. There is no closure for me. Its a progress through this journey that I am on. His only regret, Schachter said, is that more people will not be able to bear witness to the horror. Its difficult to understand the magnitude of the failures unless youre walking through that building, he said. In Florida, weve passed seven school safety bills since Parkland. We take it very, very seriously. You have to prioritize safety before education because you cant teach dead children. Im looking at this building today and it reminds me of all the failures that happened that day. It rained earlier but, by the time the excavator went to work, the sky was a clear blue. Some family members greeted each other with hugs. Others stood in small groups and talked. The school building was preserved pending the trials of both the shooter and Parkland school resource officer Scot Peterson, who stayed outside during the massacre. A jury acquitted Peterson on all counts, absolving him of wrongdoing in the rare trial of a law enforcement officer. On the day of the massacre, the then 19-year-old gunman grabbed his AR-15-style rifle and magazines and rode in an Uber to his former high school. There, he took out his rifle and loaded it then wandered through the halls of the school. He fired indiscriminately at various students and staff in hallways and classrooms. He eventually left the school and was taken into custody several miles away. Students initially returned to the campus two weeks after the shooting. But building 1200, where most of the victims were killed, was closed off behind emergency tape with its windows covered. A new building later replaced the temporary classrooms students had been using in the wake of the slaughter. Survivors and family members of those killed in the shooting were given at their request private, individual tours in 2023 inside the 1200 building and described a tragic and grotesque scene, with blood stains in the areas where the victims had been killed, bullet holes puncturing the classrooms, and Valentines Day candy still on students desks. Other school shooting sites destroyed Many schools where mass shootings occur choose to demolish the sites of the massacres to ease the extraordinary trauma experienced by survivors, victims families and the rest of the community. Four years after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that killed 26, a newly rebuilt school opened to students including fourth-graders who were kindergarteners during the bloodbath. Columbine High School also demolished its school library, where most of the carnage ensued during the 1999 shooting that killed 13, and replaced it with a newly built school library named the Hope Library. In Uvalde, Texas, where students at Robb Elementary School were marred by the slaughter of 19 children and two teachers in 2022, city officials have said they also plan to destroy the building. In many cases, these schools are closed or entirely renovated in an attempt to decrease the traumatic reminders that they have become for community members, according to the Center for Violence Prevention at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. CNNs Holly Yan contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated who absolved Scot Peterson of wrongdoing. A jury acquitted him on all counts. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, reprimanded 192 of his Republican colleagues who voted in favor of restoring a Confederate statue, depicting a Black mammy, in Arlington National Cemetary calling the decision shameful. What is this rationale? Jeffries said in a news conference on Friday. In a time where America is facing a dangerous world with challenges all across the globe, to decide you want to restore a confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetary. On Thursday evening, the group of House Republicans, led by Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde, voted to restore the Reconciliation Monument as part of an amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. But the measure ultimately failed with a 192-230 vote. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, speaks at his weekly news conference, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 14, 2024 (AP) The statue, which was taken down in December, was commemorative of the Confederacy and features a Black mammy holding the child of a white officer. Black mammies were stereotypical portrayals of enslaved women in the American South who were depicted as happy and loyal to white families. What exactly is the confederate tradition that extreme MAGA republicans, in 2024, are upholding and you want to use the National Defense Authorization Act to turn back the clock on progress that has been made, Jeffries said on Friday. He added, Is it slavery, rape, kidnap, Jim Crow, lynching, racial oppression or all of the above? Jeffries specially called out his Republican colleagues from New York Anthony DEsposito, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams for voting in favor of the amendment. In the United States of America, its shameful, Jeffries said. The Confederate statue in Arlington was one of many around the country that were re-evaluated after a national push to remove or rename monuments that commemorate the Confederacy. The National Museum of African American History & Culture says that the presence of Confederate statues highlights the honor and virtue of the Confederacy and frames the Souths struggle as one against a federal government infringing on its rights while ignoring the key role that the issue of slavery played. Whats lost in this story is what the south was also fighting for: the protection of a true, white America, the museum says. Workers dismantle the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery December 20, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia (AFP via Getty Images) In response to Jeffries, Clyde released a statement saying it pains him to see the fabric of our nation unraveling and the history of our country crumbling by the day. Many founding principles and symbols that make the United States the greatest country in the world have been demonized to sow discord for nefarious political gain, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constituion. Clyde called the removal of the Reconciliation Monument a powerful example of this deliberate division. Republicans are pushing an amendment to the NDAA, supposedly a national security bill, to put a Confederate monument back in Arlington National Cemetery after it was removed. Congress has better things to do with our time and your money than honoring treason in defense of slavery pic.twitter.com/jrjVYB3cdT Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) June 13, 2024 Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Don Beyer, of Virginia, denounced his Republican colleagues attempt to hold onto a humilating portrayal of enslaved people. Today is not the 1920s, its not the 1950s, so its so disheartening to see a lost cause amendment come before the House in the year 2024, Beyer said. He added, An enslaved woman is depicted as a mammy. She is holding the infant child of a white officer, and an enslaved man is following his owner to war. It is very difficult to see how the humiliating portrayal of a slave woman and a slave man represents reconciliation. Denmark is first NATO country to invest in Ukrainian arms production Denmark has become the first NATO country to invest in arms production in Ukraine. Source: Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov following a meeting with his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen and Dutch counterpart Kajsa Ollongren as part of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group Details: The meeting with Troels Lund Poulsen resulted in the signing of a memorandum on the purchase of weapons and equipment from Ukrainian manufacturers. "This is a confirmation that the Ukrainian defence industry is ready to cooperate at the international level and can meet the highest standards," Rustem Umierov said. "The importance of this document lies in the fact that the parties have agreed on the procedure under which the financing will be carried out. Therefore, this process will be faster in the future. Moreover, this mechanism can also be implemented as part of similar agreements with our other partners," said Serhii Boiev, Ukraine's Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries. At the same time, a letter of intent has been signed with Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren, which launches cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands to support the Ukrainian defence industrial base. Read more: Canada's Roshel company to produce armoured vehicles in Ukraine Support UP or become our patron! The Danish Food and Drug Administration noted that children, frail adults and the elderly are at risk, with possible symptoms including high blood pressure, vomiting, burning and discomfort. That is why we are now demanding shops remove the products from their shelves, the agency said. It seems that the Danish food authorities have initiated the recall due to concerns that the excessive spiciness could cause problems, not because of any quality issues with the product. We plan to closely examine the Danish regulations and respond to the recall accordingly, a Samyang Foods official told The Korea Times. South Korean ramen export revenue hit the $100 million mark for the first time in April, with Samyang Foods accounting for the majority. 'Its beach sand is finer than Boracay' Tolentino calls for more flights to boost Tawi-Tawi tourism Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino sees great potential for tourism in Tawi-Tawi, and has pledged to support the efforts of its local government to encourage tourists to come over and see what the island-province has to offer. "We need to improve and increase the number of flights to Tawi-Tawi because many people are curious, and would like to visit your province," Tolentino told Governor Yshmael Sali on the senator's morning radio program, 'Usapang Tol.' Alongside this, the senator called on the public to consider Tawi-Tawi as their next vacation destination, as he praised its beautiful white sand beaches that he described are comparable to Boracay Island. "The tourism there is wonderful. Tawi-Tawi is incredibly beautiful. When you see the beaches there, the sand is even finer than in Boracay. I see a great potential there," added the senator, who has extensive experience in developing local tourism as a former mayor of Tagaytay City. ("Napakaganda ng tourism dyan. Napakaganda ng Tawi Tawi kapag nakita mo yung mga beaches dyan, yung buhangin dyan mas pino pa sa Boracay ang tingin ko, kaya ang laki ng potential dyan.") During the interview, Governor Sali highlighted his province's rich cultural heritage, bountiful sea resources, and scenic spots. He said that each of Tawi-Tawi's eleven municipalities offers a distinct experience for visitors. Known as the 'Seaweeds Capital of the Philippines,' Tawi-Tawi is also home to the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque located in Brgy. Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi -the oldest mosque in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Sali assured the public that Tawi-Tawi is a safe and peaceful destination, as he noted the recent 50% increase in the number of tourists coming to the province. Tolentino is scheduled to visit Tawi-Tawi and will also spend a week in Zamboanga City to grace the opening of the Mindanao qualifying leg of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Games from June 23-29. (NewsNation) Denmark is warning its citizens to throw away packages of instant ramen noodles from South Korean company Samyang for levels of spice it deems dangerous. The Denmark Veterinary and Food Administration posted a recall for the brands Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken and Hot Chicken Stew due to high levels of capsaicin, a chili pepper extract. The capsaicin level in a single packet of the noodles was so high that there is a risk of acute poisoning, the Danish agency said in a translated statement. News of the recall inspired some social media users to describe their own experiences eating the blazing hot ramen, while others did some light teasing of the Danish authorities. I had a friend from Denmark who thought tasteless breaded shrimp with a little bit of ground pepper on it was too spicy, one person wrote. Not surprised they think this ramen is poison. Instant soups used in online challenges recalled It also urged parents to keep children from eating the noodles due to a higher chance of complications. If children ate any of the products and feel ill, parents are asked to call the Poison Control Hotline. The DVFA said symptoms of this poisoning include nausea, vomiting and severe high blood pressure, which could potentially be life-threatening. Raw milk restrictions easing across nation amid bird flu fears If you have the products, you should discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased, the statement said. Samyangs products have gained a worldwide boost thanks to TikTok trends and challenges, something Denmark officials mentioned in their warning: Children and young people eat the very strong chili noodles under, for example, the hashtag #spicynoodlechallenge. The noodle maker said in a statement to the BBC: We understand that the Danish food authority recalled the products, not because of a problem in their quality but because they were too spicy. The products are being exported globally. But this is the first time they have been recalled for the above reason. Samyang foods, established in 1961, claims to have been the first company to make instant noodles in Korea, according to its 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 Queen City News. Ukraine and Denmark have signed a memorandum on the procurement of armament and equipment from Ukrainian manufacturers by Denmark. Source: press service of Ukraines Defence Ministry, as reported by European Pravda Details: On 13 June within the framework of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein Group), Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov held a meeting with his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen. As a result, the memorandum on armament and equipment procurement from Ukrainian manufacturers was signed with the participation of Umierov and Serhii Boiev, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine. "This is a big step since Denmark has become the first foreign NATO country to invest its funds into armament production in the territory of Ukraine. This is confirmation that the Ukrainian defence industry is ready for cooperation at the international level and is capable of corresponding to the highest standards," Umierov noted. "This document is important because both sides have reached an agreement regarding the financing procedure. So further on, this process will be carried out faster. Moreover, this mechanism can also be implemented within similar agreements with our other partners. We are grateful to the Danish government for its consistent support and constructive dialogue, which shows real results," Boiev said. Back in April, it was reported that Denmark had allocated DKK 200 million (US$28.5 million) for procurement from Ukrainian armament and military equipment manufacturers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In May, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, reported that currently two Western countries, Denmark and Canada, have agreed to fund the production of weapons by the Ukrainian defence industry. Support UP or become our patron! BOSTON The state Department of Environmental Protection has fined an Ohio-based bakeware equipment manufacturer for environmental violations at its Worcester facility on 110 Goddard Memorial Drive. Russell T. Bundy Associates Inc., doing business as Pan Glo New England, was fined $11,607 for violating air pollution, hazardous waste and toxic use reduction regulations. Pan Glo is an industrial provider of equipment design, manufacturing, coating and refurbishment services. Following an odor complaint, the DEP conducted an inspection of Pan Glos Worcester facility and the surrounding neighborhood in March 2023. The inspection revealed multiple violations by the company, including causing caustic odors to emanate off-site, failing to manage air emissions and pollution control devices, violating several hazardous waste rules and protocols, and failing to submit required toxic use reduction documentation, according to the DEP. When manufacturing operations have the potential to cause odors from the materials and solvents they produce, they must take all necessary steps to ensure these odors do not create a nuisance or worse in their surrounding community, said Mary Jude Pigsley, director of the agency's central regional office in Worcester. We appreciate that Pan Glo has taken responsibility, paid their fine and committed to complying with the states air pollution and hazardous waste requirements. In addition to the fine, the DEP and Pan Glo entered into a settlement agreement requiring submission of a report on actions taken to operate the plant without generating off-site odors and conducting a number of actions to return to compliance, including following specific protocols to perform emissions testing and opacity observations. On May 21, 2012, Pan Glo New England was a spot of a sulfuric acid spill. A material, which was 50% sulfuric acid, spilled in the trailer of a truck while a driver was unloading a 250-gallon container. Some of the highly corrosive acid spilled on the ground. The driver of the truck and another employee were taken to the hospital for evaluations after inhaling fumes. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: DEP fines Ohio company for environmental violations in Worcester Gov. Ron DeSantis is blaming what he called the Biden administrations posture of weakness for a fleet of Russian warships sailing less than 30 miles off South Floridas coast earlier this week. In response, the U.S. Navy deployed warships and aircraft to track the Russian naval flotilla. But DeSantis at a Hollywood press conference on Friday said President Joe Biden isnt doing enough to deter bad actors like Russia. Were failing as a country with the deterrent capability, and I think it starts at the top with the president of the United States, DeSantis said. I think that history has shown that these bad actors, they respond to strength and theyre deterred by strength. They are not going to be deterred by weakness. They are not going to be deterred by confusion. DeSantis added: Theyre not going to be deterred by a president wandering around aimlessly at the G7. The reference is to the leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations meeting in Italy this week. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at press conference at the Hollywood Fire Rescue Station 5, on Friday June 14, 2024. U.S. officials told McClatchy and the Herald/Times last week that Russia would be deploying several naval vessels and aircraft for military exercises in the Western Hemisphere, including port calls in Cuba and possibly Venezuela. The Russian fleet including a frigate, two smaller ships and a nuclear submarine passed within 30 nautical miles off Key Largo on Tuesday on its approach to Havana, remaining in international waters but coming unusually close to U.S. shores, one U.S. official said. The U.S. Navy deployed three powerful destroyers, a Coast Guard cutter and a maritime reconnaissance plane to track the Russian movements after learning that a nuclear submarine would be included in Moscows exercises the first submarine deployment of its kind in the region since the end of the Cold War. Officials told McClatchy that they never lost track of the submarine on its voyage to Cuba before it surfaced in the waters of Havanas port. The Russian fleet is expected to continue exercises in the Caribbean before possibly making a port of call in Venezuela. U.S. warships would follow the Russian vessels on their way, an official said. Moscow has conducted military exercises in the Western Hemisphere during the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations. But five years have passed since Russia last conducted air and sea exercises in the region, and past exercises have not included a nuclear submarine. The Russian submarine, called the Kazan, is not carrying nuclear weapons, according to U.S. intelligence officials. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday quietly signed a controversial condominium bill into law that unit owners are already threatening to sue over if lawmakers dont fix certain provisions next legislative session. The 154-page bill, HB 1021, is largely about creating more accountability for condominium homeowner associations and managers. But tacked on late in the process this year were other provisions from a different bill that gave developers more control over common areas in mixed-use buildings where, for instance, residential units share the premises with a hotel. The bill will become law on July 1. Mixed-used condominium buildings are becoming increasingly popular as retirees look to settle down in buildings run like resorts by prominent hotel brands, like The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour and the Carillon on Miami Beach. Combining these commercial and residential developments has created unusual legal disputes over who controls what on the property. Attorneys on behalf of developers argue that it is essential in mixed-use buildings for the developer and hotel owners to control common spaces like the lobby, the pool, the restaurants and the elevators because they need to make sure those areas are up to their standards. Stevan Pardo, an attorney who represents condominium unit owners in high-profile cases like the Miami Beach Carillon dispute where for years residents and the owner of the hotel and spa have battled in court over who owns common areas disagrees that developers would keep better care of the property than the condo association, saying the associations more personally invested in the property but they often delegate the management of it to licensed professional organizations. Imagine youre living in a condominium building and all you own is the air rights of your unit. You dont own your front door. You have no rights to have ownership or control or maintenance of your lobbies, your elevators, your hallways, none of that. Thats all controlled by a developer, and they could control it forever, Pardo said. It doesnt make any sense. Pardo also said he believes the bill could apply much more broadly to even purely residential buildings, giving developers control of everything except for the condo units themselves. But Mark Grant, a real estate attorney and consultant for Hotel Carillon in the Miami Beach dispute whose idea it was to make the specific changes that were eventually added to HB 1021, wrote to the Herald/Times in an email that Pardo was mistaken in his reading of the bill. The bottom line as to why Mr. Pardos statement is not correct is that there is absolutely no reason why a developer would want to retain title to and control what is customarily common elements in a residential condominium, Grant said. In a residential condominium the developer wants to sell all the units and after 90% of the units are sold, the developer wants nothing more to do with the common elements, he added. There is no profit incentive to keep control of them operating the common elements is just a burden. Grant said that mixed-used condo buildings under the new law must have a disclosure summary that summarizes the structure and informs buyers that the association will not control the building. Buyers are free to buy or not buy a unit in this type of product. As for [Pardos] statement that the association is better able to take care of the structure, I give the Surfside tragedy as an example of why that is not accurate, Grant said. After the Champlain Towers collapsed in Surfside in 2021, lawmakers concluded that part of the blame was on the condominium association, which had deferred structural repairs on the building. In 2022, they updated the law to require structural integrity reserve studies that would detail how much money associations needed to set aside for those repairs. The issue of who controls common spaces the condo units owners and their associations or the developer has been at the center of several South Florida lawsuits, with courts recently deciding in favor of the unit owners. The late added provisions in HB 1021 would change that dynamic, threatening to upend lawsuits still making their way through courts because it applies retroactively. After the Herald/Times last story ran on these disputed provisions in HB 1021, one condo association president with a stake in the matter tried to reach out to the bill sponsor, Rep. Vicki Lopez, a Miami Republican. Richard Ortoli is president of the condominium association that is suing Epic Hotel, which controls the high-end Epic Residences in Downtown Miami, over alleged overcharges for shared facilities. Ortoli told the Herald/Times that the unit owners were footing too much of the bill to renovate shared spaces in that building like the hotel lobby, and not getting any of the profit. This arbitrary allocation of expenses, even if it is provided for in the condominium documents, is incredibly abusive, Ortoli said. Ortoli was unsuccessful in reaching Lopez but did meet remotely with her staff on May 22 to go over his concerns. It didnt appear to go well, per a follow-up email Ortoli wrote to her staff two days later on which he copied the Herald/Times. We have not had any meaningful explanation from Rep. Lopez as to why she defends these provisions and she will inevitably become embroiled in a controversy that will do nothing to enhance her reputation as a defender of the rights of the condominium unit owners in Miami and elsewhere in Florida, Ortoli wrote to Lopez legislative aide, Alessandro Marchesani. Lopez could not be reached for comment. Her aide, Marchesani, said in an email that she was currently flying to Israel and will be back at the beginning of July to speak on HB 1021. On June 11, Ortoli emailed the Herald/Times an update. We are hopeful that the more egregious provisions of HB 1021 will be addressed by amendments, Ortoli wrote. If the law is not amended, suing will definitely be an option. Desert Sands Unified School District to form new citizens' bond oversight committee for existing and new bonds It's been about three months since 57.8% of local voters living within the boundaries of Desert Sands Unified School District approved Measure A, a $675 million bond for classroom repairs and modernization. What's next? Next up: Desert Sands school board vote on Tuesday At the upcoming school board meeting on Tuesday, June 18, the school board will approve a resolution that officially confirms into the record that Measure A received at least 55% of the votes that were needed during the presidential primary election in March. The district will then have 60 days to form a citizens' oversight committee and appoint its members. This committee will independently review and report on school bond expenditures to ensure funds are used effectively and responsibly for school renovation and construction. However, as an existing citizens' bond oversight committee was established for its prior bond measures including Measure KK, the bond measure approved in 2014 the board plans to dissolve the current committee and create a new one to oversee the issuance of bonds under Measure A as well as the remaining bonds under Measure KK. Measure KK is going to exist until every last dollar has been spent, Jordan Aquino, assistant superintendent of business services, said at the May 16 study session. Once that happens, well be looking at the Measure A funds. More: California election results: Measure A in DSUSD has 57% approval in unofficial returns More: Measure A: Desert Sands Unified to ask voters to pass $675 million bond measure in March The difference between Measure K and Measure KK In 2001, Measure K, a $450 million general obligation bond, was approved by more than 80% of voters. The renovation of Indio High School was the last project funded with the Measure K funds. In 2014, voters approved Measure KK, a $225 million general obligation bond. The funds for Measure KK were divided into three series: $75 million from 2015 to 2018; $100 million from 2019 to 2022; and $50 million from 2022 to present. The final phase focused on modernizing John Adams Elementary, James Carter Elementary and Harry S. Truman Elementary schools. As DSUSD closed Adams Elementary in 2016, the site has since been repurposed into an early childhood learning center. As such, the district has allocated $18 million from Measure KK initially $7 million to modernize the Adams Early Childhood Learning Center and to better serve preschool-aged children. The remaining $50 million from Measure KK, a $225 million general obligation bond voters passed in 2014, was distributed among three significant modernization projects at John Adams Elementary, James Carter Elementary, and Harry S. Truman Elementary schools. "We're the only district in the valley that has that regionalized preschool program," Laura Fisher, assistant superintendent of student support services, said in May. "That was a wonderful time when (Gary Rutherford, former DSUSD superintendent) was here to put the preschools together. Most of the time, they're spread out." What are the specific facility changes Measure KK will fund? As Adams was formerly an elementary school, Fisher explained that the sizes of the facilities varied. "Preschools, as we know, are smaller and need preschool-sized bathrooms," she said. In addition to the bathrooms and changing areas, other facility needs include: Handicap-accessible playgrounds and inclusive play areas; A controlled single point of entry to enhance safety and security; Specialized classrooms designed to be sensory-friendly and adaptive for various learning needs. "It really is a great opportunity to enhance the only early childhood learning center that is in the valley, as far as the school district, for our students," Fisher said. Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com. . This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: DSUSD to form new citizens' bond oversight committee Reality Check is a Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com. After learning information from The Sacramento Bee, a Sacramento city councilwoman is calling for an investigation into whether the city violated state law when it shut out the public from a portion of its most recent meeting. Ahead of Tuesdays 3 p.m. closed session meeting, the city in its agenda notified the public it would be discussing a performance evaluation for City Manager Howard Chan one of the few reasons the states Brown Act allows elected leaders to talk behind closed doors. That exemption allows councils to discuss disciplinary pay decreases for city employees, but not raises, said David Loy, a First Amendment Coalition attorney specializing in the Brown Act, the state law that requires governmental bodies to inform the public on the agenda items that will be discussed at meetings. Government bodies shall not include discussion or action on proposed compensation except for a reduction of compensation that results from the imposition of discipline, the act states. When a reporter shared this restriction with Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, she said she wanted to call for an investigation. Im very disturbed to hear that the salary negotiations are not allowed to be conducted in closed session under the Brown Act, Valenzuela said. I will be asking the city attorney for an investigation into whether a violation occurred on Tuesday. The private discussion was slated to start at 3 p.m. and went on for over two hours. Meanwhile, members of the public were filling the council chambers to share their viewpoints on the $1.6 billion city budget the council would approve later that night. By the time the council entered the packed chambers to start the meeting, the council meeting was 34 minutes behind schedule. The council on May 28 also held a closed session to discuss Chans performance. Chan did not respond to a message seeking comment. I do not have information about what is discussed at closed session other than what is published on the agenda, city spokesman Tim Swanson said. The agendas for the two meetings that contained the apparent Brown Act violations, on Tuesday and May 28, were not on the city webpage that contained archived agendas on Wednesday. When The Bee emailed City Clerk Mindy Cuppy to ask why, she added them to the website. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Cuppy wrote in an email Thursday. The issue has been resolved and the meetings are showing on the meeting archives. Chan highest paid city manager Chans compensation has come under public scrutiny in recent years. In June the state controller data showed Chan earned more than any other city manager in California in 2022 $547,905 in total wages. Thats more than the city manager of San Jose, the biggest city in California that, like Sacramento, has a system of government where the council and the manager wield executive power, and is also more than Gov. Gavin Newsom. Just about six months later, in a late-night meeting without proper public notice, the council voted to give him another raise to bring his $400,000 base salary to $420,000, including 240 hours of leave time that could be cashed out at his discretion. Valenzuela, along with Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Mai Vang, abstained. In early January, after The Bee reported the raise had violated the Brown Act, the council effectively rescinded it, pulling it for consideration at a future meeting, which has not yet happened. It also changed the rules to prohibit Chan from placing a raise for himself on future agendas. In the last two weeks, the item to discuss Chans performance has shown up on two closed session meeting agendas, indicating he may still be trying for a raise. But discussions about whether to raise an employees salary have to be done in the open, Loy said. Nothing is more fundamental than overseeing how public money is being spent, Loy said. This needs to be debated in public so the public can hear the reasons on why this person is being paid the amount he is, and the public can then comment on it. The Brown Act prohibits pre-cooking things in closed session that you then approve in the open. Its no different than asking, what do you think about this ordinance? You gonna vote yes? Thats why we have a Brown Act. The city is also misusing another exemption of the Brown Act to close the public out of discussions, Loy said. Last summer, leading up to the now-rescinded December raise, council met in closed session four times under an exemption to for a matter pertaining to negotiations with unrepresented employees: the City Manager. That exemption should only be used for city unions, not individual city employees, Loy said. The city used the same negotiations exemption in 2024 and 2023 for the city auditor, city clerk, city attorney and director of the Office of Public Safety Accountability. The next council meeting will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Chans contract expires Dec. 31. He became city manager in 2017. Reproductive rights including access to contraception have emerged as a flashpoint in the 2024 presidential race. In May, former President Donald Trump said he was looking at restrictions on contraception, but quickly walked back his comments and said he would never support such a policy. On June 5, Democrats forced a vote in the U.S. Senate on the Right to Contraception Act, which would codify a right to birth control. That vote failed, even with two Republicans joining Democrats in support. Democrats pursued the bill after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In that ruling, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas indicated he favored the court revisiting Griswold v. Connecticut, the decision establishing the right to birth control. So, like abortion, contraception access is emerging as a state-level issue. That point was made by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to state Legislatures. In 2024 alone, GOP-controlled legislatures across the country have targeted birth control, a June 5, 2024, news release read. In Wisconsin, Republicans refused to schedule a vote on a bill that would have codified a right to birth control. That claim caught PolitiFact Wisconsins attention, especially as Democrats push to regain a majority under Wisconsins new legislative maps and could highlight access to contraception during their campaigns. Lets take a look at where Wisconsins right-to-contraception bill ended up this year, and whether Republicans in the state are targeting birth control. Bill never received hearings in committees, Republicans rejected floor vote attempt In response to a PolitiFact Wisconsin inquiry, DLCCs press secretary Sam Paisley pointed to Senate Republicans control of the Legislature and their votes against bringing the bill to the floor. Democrats pushed to withdraw it from committee in order to get a floor vote as soon as possible, as opposed to waiting for the lengthy process through committee, Paisley said. Lets explain that process a little bit further. That bill was introduced last July. It would have (established) that a person has a statutory right to obtain contraceptives and that health care providers have a right to provide it and share information about it. In short, it would have outlined the right to contraception in Wisconsins state law, in case the U.S. Supreme Court precedent establishing that federal right was overturned. That bill was assigned to committees in the Assembly and Senate, but the Republican chairs of both committees never held a public hearing for it. Thats typical for most bills introduced by Democrats. In February, Senate Democrats made a last-ditch attempt to take the bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for a vote. Their motion failed, with all Republicans rejecting the effort to vote on the bill. So, the second half of DLCCs statement is correct. Republicans never held votes either on the floor or in committees much less public hearings for the bill. Republicans introduced bill allowing pharmacists to prescribe some forms of birth control But lets go back to the first part of the statement: that GOP-controlled Legislatures like Wisconsins have targeted birth control. Wisconsin is listed as an example by DLCC. Unlike Oklahoma, another example mentioned by DLCC, Republicans in Wisconsin didnt introduce any bills last session that would have added new restrictions on contraception. In fact, a Republican-authored bill supported by many Republicans and Democrats would have made accessing some forms of birth control more convenient. The bill would have allowed pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills and patches, rather than only physicians or advanced practice nurses. It passed the Assembly, but not the Senate. Some Republicans voted against that bill in the Assembly, but all Democrats voted for it. Many medical groups registered in favor of it. So while Republicans did not advance a bill that would have codified a right to contraception, many of them did support a bill that would have actually expanded the ways people can get a birth control prescription. Half true Our ruling The DLCC claimed Republican legislatures have targeted birth control and in Wisconsin refused to schedule a vote on a bill that would have codified a right to birth control. The group is right about Republicans not holding a vote on a particular Democratic bill. But the claim falls short about the GOP specifically targeting birth control. Indeed, Republicans also introduced a bill supported by Democrats and medical groups that would have expanded how people can get a birth control prescription. Because the second part of their claim is correct, but the first part is off the mark, we rate their claim Half True. Sources USATODAY, What is the 'Right to Contraception Act'? A look at how the bill failed and what was in it, June 5, 2024. Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, BREAKING: U.S. Senate Fails to Protect Birth Control, Reaffirming Power of the States to Shape Access to Contraception, June 5, 2024. Email exchange, Sam Paisley, press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, June 11, 2024. Wisconsin State Legislature, 2023 Senate Vote 265, Motion to Withdraw from Committee. Wisconsin State Legislature, Senate Bill 365. Wisconsin State Legislature, Results 1 to 5 for 'contraception' filtered by 2023 Biennium and Session History and Proposal. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, A bipartisan bill would allow Wisconsin pharmacists to prescribe some forms of birth control, June 7, 2023. Wisconsin State Legislature, 2023 Assembly Vote 54, June 21, 2023. Wisconsin Ethics Commission, Assembly Bill 176. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Did Wisconsin Republicans 'target' birth control last session? (Photo illustration by Jim Cooke / Photos via Getty Images) Aging yuppies in neon beachwear stand before a green wall with the catchphrase, "You have changed ... so has cannabis." The social media post is part of "Real CA Cannabis," a $5-million taxpayer-funded campaign to promote California cannabis as safe, tested and "regulated by the state to protect consumers." In reality, that safety is far from certain. An investigation by The Times, in conjunction with cannabis industry newsletter WeedWeek, found alarming levels of pesticides in cannabis products available on dispensary shelves across the state, including some of the most popular brands of vapes and pre-rolled weed. Twenty-five of 42 legal cannabis products that The Times and WeedWeek purchased from retail stores and had tested at private labs showed concentrations of pesticides either above levels the state allows or at levels that exceed federal standards for tobacco. The contaminants include chemicals tied to cancer, liver failure, thyroid disease and genetic and neurologic harm to users and unborn children. Most of the pesticides found were in low concentrations that risk long-term harm by repeated use, though the extent of the health threat may not be known for years. Vapes tested from five well-known brands had pesticide loads that exceeded federal Environmental Protection Agency risk thresholds for harm from a single exposure, The Times and WeedWeek found. Users might experience irritation to the lungs, eyes and throat as well as rash, headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Some individual products contained as many as two dozen pesticides. The findings dovetail with scores of complaints that two private cannabis testing labs have filed over the last eight months, reporting pesticides in products certified by other labs as safe. The results, the labs said, suggest some level of contamination in more than 250,000 vapes and pre-rolled joints on store shelves, about the number sold legally in California in a two-day period. There are strong profit incentives driving contamination. Expanding legal markets encourage intensive growing practices to increase yield, inviting the use of pesticides to protect those high-value crops from insect infestations common in greenhouse environments. At the same time, the soaring popularity of vapes has created heavy demand for bulk oils, which are made from lower-quality cannabis, often grown illegally. Reviews of confidential lab reports, public records and interviews show California regulators have largely failed to address evidence of widespread contamination in the states weed crop. The state's requirements for weed testing also have not been updated to include dangerous chemicals currently used in cultivation, including illegal, smuggled pesticides so toxic that law enforcement officers who encounter them are advised to don respirators and take blood poisoning tests. The health stakes from contaminated weed are high. An estimated 5 million Californians consume cannabis products in any given month, according to the most recent federal health surveys. The presence of pesticides is particularly fraught for those who turn to weed for relief from medical conditions conditions that put them at increased risk of harm. Long-term public health concerns are exacerbated by the growing use of vapes, which contain the greatest contamination levels and are marketed to young adults who are more apt to consider vaping a healthful alternative to tobacco or alcohol. California Department of Cannabis Control officials declined to make anyone available for an interview. The agency also would not release either external or internal discussions of pesticide contamination, and refused to release information on its ability to test cannabis products, saying such knowledge would encourage bad actors. It would not furnish the results of pesticide tests it had received from other state agencies and would not provide the safety certificates for cannabis products on the market. It also declined to say what action it has taken on at least 85 contamination complaints it has received since last fall from private labs, or disclose what tainted products it pulled from sale. "When we receive complaints, we swiftly assess them, conduct appropriate investigations, and take appropriate action, the agency's press office said by email. The agency is now scrambling to initiate California's first market tests for pesticides, sending a recent email warning license holders of coming "product embargos, voluntary and mandatory recalls, and disciplinary actions." The private labs raising alarms for many months questioned why authorities did not act sooner. California cannabis regulators initially responded to those complaints with a single product recall, and in orders that remain confidential, required three other products be removed from store shelves. Frustrated that more was not done, Josh Swider, the chief executive of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs and author of most of the complaints, in December sent his summary of contaminated products directly to Gov. Gavin Newsom and cannabis regulators in an email. Those failing products alone represented 150,000 packages of flower, vapes or pre-rolls for sale to unsuspecting consumers, he wrote. The governments responsibility does not end after writing regulation. After Swider sent his letter, an additional product was recalled for pesticide contamination. The remaining tainted batches were left to sell out. Meanwhile, licensing files show the states seed-to-sale inventory system contains faulty data, including missing crops, misidentified products and safety tests that dont match the goods sold. Testing is done by state-approved independent labs, but no state-run lab is accredited to test for pesticides. There is no routine testing for the chemicals in products on store shelves, putting California out of sync with best practices adopted by the Cannabis Regulators Assn. Those gaps leave policing of the industry largely in the hands of labs financially beholden to the companies whose products they test. Legislation to require independent fraud and accuracy checks has remained stalled in Sacramento for two years amid backroom negotiations between industry players and regulators. "California is dropping the ball on enforcement where public health is concerned," said cannabis researcher Cindy Orser, a former director of a private California cannabis testing lab. Testing for harmful chemicals California requires cannabis products to be tested for 66 pesticides. That list, unchanged since 2018, has not kept pace with current cultivation practices. Tests conducted for The Times and WeedWeek identified seven off-list pesticides in legal products on store shelves. One brand of vape contained fenvalerate, a fungicide proven to lower sperm counts and prohibited in the United States since 2008. Sixteen products contained pymetrozine, an insecticide known to cause liver cancer and to mimic human hormones, part of a chemical class known as endocrine disruptors, which over time cause reproductive disorders. Pymetrozine is approved for only limited use by the federal EPA, and is banned in the U.K., Canada and Norway. A pink acai vape from Stiiizy, the states top-selling cannabis brand, carried more than 60 times the maximum amount of pymetrozine allowed by federal regulators in cigarettes. But because California does not require testing for pymetrozine, the company that makes Stiiizy products said it is not in violation of state regulation. "We adhere to all standards and limits set by the State of California, which has some of the strictest testing requirements and pesticide limits in the country," Stiiizy President Tak Sato said in an email. Vapes by West Coast Cure, Flavorade, Phat Panda, Phire and Dime were among those found with pesticides, including chemicals not monitored by regulators. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) The Times and WeedWeek testing also found another off-list chemical, propargite, a carcinogenic insecticide that UCLA researchers have linked to brain-cell death and increased incidence of Parkinson's disease in Central Valley residents. It showed up in some vapes at nearly three times what is permitted in cigarettes. Slipping into the legal supply The state's unlicensed cannabis operations remain a primary source of concern. Deadly carbofuran and methamidophos, banned insecticides usually smuggled from Mexico, continue to appear across California, state Department of Fish and Wildlife, regional water board and county investigative records showed. On a Trinity County farm in 2023, an environmental health report shows officers found a 3-pound tin of Fumitoxin, a poison that emits phosgene gas, along with evidence workers there were suffering severe diarrhea from exposure. The chemicals occasionally turn up in the legal market. One, methamidophos, was detected in January in dried cannabis at a Van Nuys manufacturer, along with evidence the company was shipping the product across the country. Its license was revoked. Interviews, confidential lab reports and public agency records now also show a surge in pesticides smuggled from China that contain chemicals not permitted in the United States, nor screened for in legal weed. These unmonitored chemicals are so toxic California advised cannabis enforcement agents to wear hazmat suits and respirators during field inspections, and to undergo annual blood poisoning tests. "Repeated inhalation of pesticide residues through regular smoking or vaping is quite concerning as this is a relatively direct route of exposure into the bloodstream," said Kimberly Paul, an epidemiologist and assistant professor in neurology at UCLA who was lead researcher on the Central Valley study. "Low-level pesticide residues are something to be concerned about." National health surveys by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show those between ages 18 and 25 make up the largest part of the market: More than 40% of young adults used cannabis within the last year. Separate studies by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research show 1 out of 3 high school seniors last year used cannabis, two-thirds of them by vaping. Despite state laws against marketing to children, many brands reflect this youth appeal, from weed bags modeled after McDonald's Happy Meals to vape flavorings that mimic bubblegum. The risk for medical users Pesticides, which are designed to kill living organisms, have their place in agriculture. Regulation is focused on limiting contact exposure to agriculture workers and residues lingering on fruits and vegetables at the market. Tolerances take into account the body's ability to filter toxins through the liver. Smoking and vaping, however, deliver chemicals directly to the lungs, into the blood and to the brain. The only other consumer product intended for smoking in this country is tobacco. Rather than demand pesticide inhalation studies for tobacco, the EPA decades ago decided smoking itself is so carcinogenic as to eclipse other health threats. The agency thus set a universal cap for tobacco contaminants at 0.01 part per million before requiring determination of health impacts, a standard California used to set limits for many chemicals in cannabis. Read more: Contaminated weed in you Arizona State University toxicologist Max Leung, who was part of the state team that in 2017 advised California cannabis regulators on pesticide risks, said the pesticide threats are greater for medical marijuana users with epilepsy, Parkinsons and other neurological disorders. But Leung said the lack of federal recognition of cannabis' widespread use, whether state-sanctioned or not, has left consumers vulnerable. There is a lack of data on health impacts experienced by cannabis users, though some states do solicit health complaints from the public, and in a few cases, those have led to product recalls for pesticides. California does not collect such information. Rather than uniform national health standards, Leung and his team found a patchwork of disparate state regulations, different pesticides capped at different levels or not capped at all. "You've got all of this contamination, but what do they do? Leung said. There's just no research." After passage of Proposition 64 created a legal recreational market in California, toxicologists with the Department of Pesticide Regulation proposed to ban from inhaled weed products 42 chemicals the agency said are harmful to people, the environment or water, according to a copy of the March 2017 proposal. The limits were rejected amid industry concerns about testing costs and lab capacity. Six months later, the pesticide agency returned with more relaxed rules. It cut the zero-tolerance list by half, to 21 chemicals, and set limits for 45 other pesticides on a par with tobacco standards. Manufacturers of products that failed screening can attempt to lower the pesticide levels such as by dilution or incorporate the weed into edibles, where higher levels are tolerated. If they fail again, according to state regulation, the batches must be destroyed. Pesticide agency records, including interagency memos and emails, show that since 2018, despite repeated requests, cannabis regulators have not updated the list of chemicals that weed is tested for even after pesticide regulators made a direct appeal to the governor's cannabis advisor, Nicole Elliott. In January, the Department of Cannabis Control, which Elliot now heads, said it was working to update those regulations, but as of June no changes had been proposed. State toxicologists have also been stymied from taking a more active role in protecting the public from cannabis pesticides. Californias Department of Pesticide Regulation conducts some of the nations most sophisticated evaluation of pesticide exposure to the public. It even has an employee whose job title is cannabis and hemp program manager. But when it comes to cannabis, a spokesperson for the pesticide agency said, responsibility for protecting consumers rests solely with the Department of Cannabis Control. The pesticide regulators did try, early on, to draft their own public health advisories for cannabis, but those were never issued. The agency released copies of six under a public records request, and would not say how many more existed. One of those advisories was for piperonyl butoxide contamination in cannabis. It was among the chemicals The Times and WeedWeek found in testing. Acute toxicity symptoms may include tearing, drooling, runny nose, congestion, and difficulty breathing, the unreleased advisory read. It added that laboratory animals exposed to the pesticide had more miscarriages and produced offspring with fingers and toes that were sometimes fused. In 2019, toxicologists in the Department of Pesticide Regulation tried but did not succeed in launching a program to monitor chemicals being used in the illicit market. Internal memos from 2021 show that those same toxicologists were barred from seeing data collected from product safety tests, making it impossible for them to monitor what was circulating in the legal market. The highest pesticide concentrations were found in Backpack Boyz vapes. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) There is no easy way in California to trace contamination. The state does not investigate the sources of pesticides in cannabis goods, but instead relies on a system of paper trails seed-to-sale inventories and lab testing certificates to protect the public. Tests for The Times and WeedWeek showed repeated contamination in small batches of vapes stamped with the unique tracking number of a Van Nuys manufacturer, David Shin. Among them were Backpack Boyz carts with as many as two dozen pesticides, half of those above state safety limits and including chlorfenapyr, prohibited at any amount, at 2,000 times above the minimum detection level. The bulk oil for these vapes originated from cannabis grown on a single Central Valley farm. Shin said he bought the oil through a broker and did no independent testing of his own. He flavored and packaged the vapes and a state-certified lab declared the products pesticide-free. They were then distributed by a wholesaler to Backpack Boyz dispensaries across the state. Alerted to the pesticides found by The Times and WeedWeek, Shin said he could not unravel the source of contamination. A manager for the wholesaler said the company was launching its own investigation. The owners of Backpack Boyz LLC, which holds no cannabis license, did not respond for comment. Andy Garcia, a sales rep for Backpack Boyz, talks to a possible client at the Hall of Flowers trade show in Ventura County. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The problem with cannabis trim The THC oil that fills vape pens is extracted from biomass, plant material made up of lower potency leaves and stalks left after harvest, moldy flower and even high-quality buds that sit too long. Harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures in the extraction process can destroy a few pesticides, but most pesticides become more concentrated. That makes vapes more likely than select flowers to exceed safe limits. The rise of intense cultivation practices densely planted greenhouses and industrial warehouses with "sea of green" crops supported by netting invites infestations of whiteflies, spider mites and mold. Clean cannabis can be commercially grown, but it requires time and care, said Sam Feliciano, a former pest control manager for a high-end Los Angeles brand, Maven Industries. It is cheaper and faster to douse high-value crops with chemicals, which is what Feliciano and other workers allege in a civil lawsuit that they were ordered to do at Maven. Read more: When good weed goes bad "I didn't want to upset them and tell them, 'No, it's not OK to do that stuff,'" Feliciano said. "They simply would've just got rid of me." Feliciano alleged in the civil suit that he suffered bouts of nausea, disorientation and confusion brought on by cannabis pesticide treatments. He told The Times that because of the impact to his health, he decided to quit. The workers in November were ordered to have their complaints heard by a private arbitrator. By email, Maven Industries Chief Executive David Bosworth declined to comment on the lawsuit but asserted the company's products "are certified as safe and are, in fact, safe for consumer use." Legalization has also brought large-scale cultivation out of the mountains and into agricultural areas, including Central Valley farmlands, where airborne pesticides drift from almond groves and grape vineyards. At the same time, the explosion in vape sales has created heavy demand for distillate. California vape sales tripled from 2020 to 2023 to become a $1.4-billion market, and now only slightly trail those of packaged flower. To feed this demand, bulk oil manufacturers seek out lower-quality weed, much of it contaminated, to buy at discounted rates. To meet state screening limits, the extracted oils, or distillates, are blended to dilute pesticides. One manufacturer who solicits farmers for "dirty" weed defended the practice, saying he provided struggling growers an income source while keeping otherwise unusable cannabis out of the landfill. The amber-colored bulk oil moves on an opaque market, traded by brokers who operate without license or regulation. It is bought by manufacturers who sometimes will use oil from the same batches to fill thousands of vape cartridges for competing brands. This cheap commodity oil now dominates the market, selling for a fraction of the cost to produce a clean product. The cannabis industry's reliance on low-quality weed enrages old-style farmers such as Mary Gaterud, who nurtures her sun-grown plants on a Humboldt County farmstead that has been her principal means of support for decades. She is offended by the pleas she regularly receives from those seeking old, moldy or even dirty trim, as a San Luis Obispo distributor put it in a text to her in February. A Humboldt buyer, with Turn That Trash into Cash in the subject line, asked for trim with all levels of pesticides and heavy metals. "The people who are doing it right get crushed," she said. "The bad actors are encouraged and rewarded. And the consumers are poisoned while being told they are safe. The Weed Whistleblowers In February 2022 a group of California cannabis testing labs, upset about what they believed was widespread fraud in weed potency claims, decided to force regulators into action. They formed a blind round robin, each lab testing retail flower samples without knowing whose work they were checking. In the course of testing for potency, one batch of flower was found to contain three times the allowed level of pyrethrins. Cannabis regulators were alerted but issued no recall. In fact, it wasn't until the end of 2023, six years after recreational sales became legal, that California sought to remove a product for pesticide contamination, according to the agency's published recalls. When cannabis was first legalized, labs rushed to be licensed to capitalize on the expanding market. But labs with stringent testing methods and expensive equipment complained to the state of losing customers to operators that promised high potency results or had track records for approving most products. Determined to spur regulators into action, Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs co-founder Josh Swider launched his own product testing campaign. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) "There's no checks and balances ... to make sure no one's doing something wrong when they're not being watched," said Swider, of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs. "That's all we've ever asked for. "I don't want to be the judge, jury and executioner. I just wanna let everyone be treated fairly." Swider embarked on doing what regulators were not testing weed specifically for pesticides. He ultimately sent cannabis regulators 77 complaints about pesticide contamination he found in tests conducted from last October to May. The complaints included Zoap flower sold by Grizzly Peak Farms and Cru Mai Tai vape carts, both with chlorfenapyr, prohibited at any detectable level; Fog City Farms Shark Bites with too much piperonyl butoxide and spiromesifen; West Coast Cure Biscotti vapes with myclobutanil, and Jack Herer-flavored ones with chlorfenapyr, paclobutrazol, bifenazate and trifloxystrobin. Backpack Boyz vapes contained chlorfenapyr, bifenazate, bifenthrin, etoxazole, malathion, myclobutanil, piperonyl butoxide, pyrethrins and spiromesifen. Most of the manufactures told reporters they were unaware of contamination because their product had been certified as safe by private labs. It took 41 days from receiving Swider's complaint for regulators to announce California's first-ever pesticide recall of a cannabis product, the Zoap flower sold by Grizzly Peak Farms. The lab that had cleared the product for market, ProForma Labs, also lost its license. But regulators took no action against those who grew the weed, a cultivation arm of the Kolas brand. Tests for The Times and WeedWeek showed Zoap sold under a Kolas label also contained chlorfenapyr. Kevin McCarty, an owner of Sacramento-based Kings Holdings, which grew the Zoap strain, said no zero-tolerance pesticides were used in its cultivation and the cannabis had been certified by state-licensed labs. The Department of Cannabis Control "has not initiated any additional recalls involving us, and we have no additional comment," McCarty wrote by email. The Department of Cannabis Control's second pesticide recall came in January, eight weeks after Swider's tipoff. The affected Fog City pre-rolls were nearly sold out by the time the public was alerted in January. Four flavors of Phat Panda vapes also were voluntarily removed from sale, for what regulators told consumers was a labeling mistake despite outside tests that showed dangerous levels of malathion. California has issued no pesticide warnings since. Swider's tests found that 19 varieties of vapes by California's fourth-largest brand, West Coast Cure, carried a large assortment of illegal pesticide loads. After learning of those results, operators of a San Francisco-based lab, Anresco, undertook their own tests and also notified California regulators of pesticides in eight West Coast Cure products. Sarah Otis, Anresco's director of quality assurance, said regulators asked for reams of supporting data, then refused to say whether they would act on the information. "Now that we know there's contaminated product on the market, like what, what do we do with that?" she said. Some batches of West Coast Cure vape pens exceeded safety limits for multiple pesticides. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Anresco also agreed to test products for The Times and WeedWeek, as did a Santa Cruz-based cannabis testing company, SC Labs. Reporters bought products from dispensaries across the state, choosing some that were the subject of complaints and others at random. The results confirmed Swider's findings and identified additional contaminated products. Some goods violated state limits for a single chemical. Others, such as vapes by West Coast Cure and Backpack Boyz, contained dozens of undisclosed pesticides. Read more: How we tested for pesticides Manufacturers universally defended their products and cast doubt on the lab testing industry. Read more: Manufacturers Respond We've invested millions of dollars to build our business in compliance with California's laws and regulations. We firmly advocate for the stringent testing mandated by the state to guarantee the safety and excellence of our products, said Logan Wasserman, the CEO of West Coast Cure's parent company, Shield Management Group. He contended that responsibility for ensuring product safety was on the labs that declared his vapes pesticide-free. The Department of Cannabis Control issued no public recalls of West Coast Cure products, but did conduct a surprise inspection at its Long Beach facility. In early May, the agency levied a $3.2-million fine against Wasserman's company, saying it failed to guard against product tampering, including storing goods in the parking lot in shipping containers that had no security cameras. It was also cited for failing to provide legally required video proving the selection of product samples for lab testing was not rigged. Wasserman did not respond to questions about the citations. Directors of labs that had certified products cited as contaminated in Swider's crusade accused him of seeking a competitive edge, even spiking pesticides into clean samples. They accused clients of having clean material tested and sending contaminated goods to market. None made these statements on the record. They cited fear of lost business, litigation and personal harm. They also said pesticide testing is inexact, and easily manipulated. "You could give it to 10 different labs and get 10 different results," said Paul Hamrah, owner of Verity Analytics, the San Diego lab that approved vapes by West Coast Cure, Phat Panda and Maven that subsequently showed pesticides. Hamrah asserted that those testing products for The Times and WeedWeek tampered with the results as part of "an elaborate smear campaign." The labs denied the allegation. State inspectors visited Hamrah's lab in January, "trying to shut us down because of cases made against us by Infinite," Hamrah said. In late April the state suspended Verity Analytics' license, saying the lab "has engaged in activity that poses harm to public health, safety or welfare." The suspension reviewed by The Times and WeedWeek said Verity inflated potency of four cannabis products, failed to show accreditation, could not provide the chemical standards it used to check calibration and told regulators it had "unacceptable" accuracy ratings for testing pesticides, molds and solvents. Inspectors also said Verity labeled a pesticide as "non detect" when equipment showed contamination, without offering "any scientific criteria." Hamrah said what inspectors took to be a pesticide hit was instead "instrument noise." "I am determined to prove my lab is a victim of a grand and elaborate frame job by several labs because they couldnt compete with us," he said. "We were expanding and they got scared." Meanwhile, Swider became a target. He said he lost clients as word of his activism spread. Then while traveling in March, Swider received a cellphone call from a blocked number. "I'm going to come and get you and your ... whole family," the caller said. "You're gonna pay for this." "It makes me want him to get out" of the cannabis industry, said his wife, Kaylena Swider. "He's like, 'What would I do?'" In late May, Swider filed one more round of complaints with the Department of Cannabis Control, alerting the agency to excessive pesticides in 16 products, some of them subject of prior complaints but still for sale. Days later, he received an email from the agency. It was sending inspectors to audit his lab. Cannabis regulators Californias Business and Professions Code 26011.5 is explicit about the mission of the state cannabis regulatory agency: The protection of the public shall be the highest priority. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount. In industry presentations, Elliot, the Department of Cannabis Control director, often identifies the challenges facing California cannabis as economic. Chief among her concerns, she told the National Cannabis Industry Assn. in February, is the large swath of California that prohibits dispensaries. These "cannabis deserts," as Elliott calls them, are the greatest constraint to scalability, or expansion, of California's legal market. To drive business to licensed dispensaries, Elliott's agency conceived the Real CA Cannabis campaign. "We know we have a good amount of consumption from the illegal market. We know there's an opportunity through education to shift some behavior to the legal market," Elliott told the trade group. The social media campaign, launched in February, included ads targeted at seniors, among others, because polling showed they were most swayed by safety messages. The catchphrases promoting legal weed include "the good stuff" and "quality you can trust." The belief that any cannabis product carrying a certificate of analysis, or COA, is safe is foundational for dispensary owners. "We will not accept it [for sale] if it doesn't have a COA," said Dave Sisson, a board member of Foothills Health and Wellness, a legacy dispensary that over two decades has earned the trust of medical providers who send cancer patients to the store in Shingle Springs, east of Sacramento. To learn some of these certified products carry pesticides, Sisson said, "is absolutely terrible." "These are medically compromised people. They have to be very, very careful of what they put into their body." "As a retailer, I'm sitting in this really strange position where everything comes to me 'safe and tested,'" said the owner of a multicounty dispensary chain, speaking anonymously because of concern of being tied to bad publicity for the struggling legal industry. "But it's so crazy that we're operating in a system where" many are "gaming it." Elliott declined to be interviewed on the extent of the pesticide threat. Her agency selectively responded to requests for public records, and refused to release records regarding policies on pesticide contamination. It contended that it conducts random testing of products for sale to consumers. Behind the scenes, internal records showed, the cannabis agency as early as late February sent buyers into the field to obtain products on Swider's lists. They remained stockpiled for months while the department worked to get its Richmond lab able only to test potency and check for mold accredited to run pesticide screens. As of early June, accreditation records showed the lab was still not ready, and most of the products flagged for contamination had sold out. On Monday, a spokesperson said the regulatory agency would be able to begin tests on consumer products collected from store shelves by the following week. Other agencies in the Newsom administration also refused to release cannabis-related records. The Department of Fish and Wildlife provided partial summaries but no records of pesticides encountered by its agents on raids. The Department of Toxic Substances Control said its reports on pesticides encountered on cannabis sites were confidential. The Department of Pesticide Regulation over eight months released only partial records that hinted at the extensive work its staff had undertaken to address pesticide-tainted weed. Department of Cannabis Control employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity, complained of a lack of willingness within the agency to take a hard line on pesticide contamination. One said she was schooled on the importance of not disrupting the market. In January, as The Times and WeedWeek began asking questions regarding its handling of licensed cannabis products, the agency launched a series of product recalls not for pesticides, but for mold and misleading potency claims. The department also asked the Legislature for an $8.2-million budget increase, seeking to hire more enforcement lawyers and laboratory staff to develop testing protocols. Within 48 hours of being provided the findings of this story for response, the deputy director of lab services left. No public reason for the departure was given. A day later, speaking to the National Cannabis Industry Assn., Elliott emphasized her concern for public health. "My road map isn't about preserving what is. It's about creating what is best for consumers, for the general public," she said. "That's sort of my North Star." Alex Halperin is editor of the industry newsletter WeedWeek. Times staff writer Adam Elmahrek contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Wisconsin woman who moved out of the state after her husbands death in 2020 pleaded not guilty Monday to a homicide charge after evidence, including DNA from a McDonalds cup, allegedly linked her to his fatal shooting. A crime lab report linked DNA found on a straw in a fast-food cup near the body of Jose Santiago to his wife, Cassandra Hult, according to court documents, which also said fingerprints on the cup appeared to be hers. Hult also allegedly made statements to a roommate in Arizona and a new boyfriend in Las Vegas that helped lead to her arrest four years later. Hult is in a Milwaukee jail as she faces a charge of first-degree reckless homicide with a modifier for use of a dangerous weapon in the death of Santiago, who was found on the night of March 23, 2020, with a single gunshot wound to his head, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Police went to St. Adalbert Cemetery that night after a jogger noticed that Santiagos black Lincoln LS had been parked there for two days, according to a criminal complaint obtained by HuffPost. The jogger told officers she had gone up to the vehicle and discovered that an unresponsive man was inside. Jose Santiago is identified in a photo posted on Facebook. Facebook When detectives arrived, they found Santiago in the drivers seat and a spent shell casing in the rear of the vehicle, with a bullet hole that went through the drivers head rest, according to the complaint. Two McDonalds cups containing orange juice were also found in the sedan. A McDonalds receipt near the body showed a purchase made the day before, according to the complaint. Detective Jake Puschnig of the Milwaukee Police Department testified in court on Monday that forensic testing on the McDonalds cups indicated fingerprints and DNA were linked to Hult and her husband, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Detectives interviewed Hult the day after they found Santiagos body, according to the complaint. Hult allegedly told officers that she and Santiago had been married for about a year and half but were on and off recently. Hult allegedly told detectives that shed gotten into an argument with Santiago in the car after she found messages between him and another woman, according to the complaint. The detectives reported that she told them the argument ended when Santiago became violent with her and pushed her out the car. Hult said she was then driven to her grandmothers house by a friend, according to the complaint, and denied going to McDonalds with Santiago that day. However, Hults cellphone data indicted she was near St. Adalbert Cemetery and the McDonalds on the day police believe Santiago was killed, the complaint said. Police said Hult, in later interviews, gave inconsistent accounts of where she was and what she was doing, according to the complaint. Hult eventually left the state for Buckeye, Arizona, where she moved in with a woman and her daughter for a brief period, the complaint says. In September 2021, Arizona police interviewed the woman Hult had lived with, according to the complaint. The woman reportedly told officers that she kicked Hult out after living with her for about a month. The Arizona woman reportedly told police that she and Hult continued to argue over FaceTime and that Hult threatened to kill her during a call, according to the complaint. She reportedly told police that Hult confessed she had killed her husband in Milwaukee. Hult then met a man in Las Vegas in January 2022, and they became romantically involved and settled down in Sacramento, California, according to the complaint. Detectives reported that they interviewed Hults new romantic partner in May 2022 and that the man claimed she had confessed multiple times to killing Santiago, according to the complaint. The man reportedly told detectives that Hult provided details about the killing. Hult, who was arrested in May, is set to return for a court conference on July 10. The Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office, which appears to be providing her defense, did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for a comment. Related... The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is launching 10 billboards in the Milwaukee area spotlighting former President Trumps alleged remarks calling Milwaukee a horrible city, according to the DNC. The Trump campaign quickly clarified the former presidents comment, saying Trump does not think Milwaukee itself is horrible, but that the crime in the city is. Still, Democratic political operatives have seized on the criticism of the city the largest in the pivotal swing state of Wisconsin and the site of the Republican National Convention this summer. The billboards include Trumps face alongside bold capital letters that says, Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city, attributing the quote to Donald J. Trump. Directly underneath, the billboard includes a screenshot of the original tweet from a Punchbowl News reporter, which reads, TRUMP TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS: before including the same quotation. The billboard highlights is a horrible city in both iterations of the quotation. DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said in a statement that Trump has made his contempt for Wisconsinites and their home clear. Just yesterday, he called Milwaukee which will host the RNC in July a horrible city. The dislike is mutual in 2020, Wisconsin handed Trump a one way ticket back to exile in Mar-a-Lago and sent President Biden to the Oval Office. In November, theyll do it again, Toevs said. Trump hates Milwaukee because Milwaukeeans know exactly who he is a sore loser who theyre going to make a two-time loser this November, Toevs added. Dylan Johnson, a Trump campaign spokesperson, previously told The Hill that the situation was a desperate attempt to get likes on social media and noted no reporters were in the room where the former president met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill and allegedly took aim at the city. Its a total lie, Johnson said in a statement that included links to GOP members who defended Trump. President Trump was explicitly referring to the problems in Milwaukee, specifically violent crime and voter fraud. A Wisconsin Republican leapt to Trumps defense as well. He said nothing that I consider to be a criticism of Milwaukee, other than that weve got to get more of them to be voting Republican in the future, Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), who represents a district near Milwaukee, told NewsNations The Hill. Trump returned to Capitol Hill on Thursday for the first time since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. He met with House Republicans in the morning, before joining Senate Republicans for lunch. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dog Taken in Car Theft Found 'Unscathed' and Reunites with Owner: 'Feels Like a Miracle' (Exclusive) "I think all of us were sobbing," Pooja Chinnakotla tells PEOPLE of the moment her family reunited with their beloved pet Pooja Chinnakotla Precious the dog A Pekingese dog named Precious had a happy reunion with her owners after being taken with her family's stolen car. Pooja Chinnakotla tells PEOPLE she was out to dinner in Chicago on Monday, June 10, with her parents, who were visiting from San Francisco. Chinnakotla's parents had arrived the previous Thursday with Precious, whom the family had gotten more than a decade ago while living in India. "I'm very attached to her, and now that I live in Chicago and they're coming to visit, they said, 'Hey, why not? We'll bring her,'" she recalls. Chinnakotla adds that Precious has become "super anxious" as she ages, so her parents take her "everywhere." Precious was in the couple's Lexus, which was in air-conditioned Dog Mode with the windows cracked open, while the family ate at a Lincoln Park restaurant. When they returned to where they'd parked the car in front of the restaurant, the vehicle with Precious inside was gone. Pooja Chinnakotla Precious the dog Related: Man Discovers He's in the Wrong Car When He Finds Stranger's Dog in the Back Seat: Watch At first, the family thought the car might have been towed, but when the towing companies they called confirmed the Lexus wasn't in their impound lots or inventory lists, the group called the police. When the manager at the restaurant next door saw the family "freaking out," he went over to ask what was wrong and offered to check his business' CCTV camera, which revealed footage of someone getting in the car and driving off. "At this point, everything just seemed way scarier," Chinnakotla says of learning the car was stolen rather than towed. "It was, 'Oh my God, did they leave her? Did they take her? What happened?'" Chinnakotla's boyfriend, who was visiting family in Wisconsin, put out an APB for the missing canine, while she and her parents searched for Precious until 3 a.m. Pooja Chinnakotla Precious the dog's lost pet flyer The following day, someone who had seen the APB happened to be in a Facebook group called Lincoln Park Moms. Another member of that group, a woman named Ana Lee, had posted that she had found Precious. The mutual connection sent screenshots of Lee's post to Chinnakotla's boyfriend, and after making contact on Facebook, the family had Precious back by 9 a.m. "I think there was a lot of luck, and it honestly feels like a miracle because Precious was unscathed, not a mark on her," Chinnakotla says. "And we got her back within almost less than 12 hours." Related: Puppy Rescued by Denver Fire Department After Falling Through Vent on 3rd Floor of Home She advises anyone in a similar situation to "lean on community." "Don't be afraid to post and put flyers everywhere and ask around," she says. "We didn't even hesitate to ask anybody for help. We reached out to everybody we knew. Even if we hadn't talked to them in a few years, we had to send it out to everybody because that was our only chance." 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. Chinnakotla describes her reaction to seeing Precious again as "tears." "I think all of us were sobbing," she says. "Honestly, we didn't think we'd find her. So when we did see her and she was completely okay, it was just so relieving and it was an amazing feeling." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2 said they could not be more disappointed in what it called the Justice Department's so-called 'pattern and practice investigation' into the Phoenix Police Department. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI June 13 (UPI) -- After a nearly three-year investigation, a highly critical Justice Department report says the Phoenix Police Department violated a number of citizens' constitutional rights in "a pattern or practice" of using deadly or unlawful force. The DOJ's report into the Phoenix PD points to specific complaints: use of force including deadly, potential retaliatory activity for the exercise of First Amendment rights; discriminatory policing; improper responses to people with disabilities, including mental and behavioral health disabilities; and claims that the PPD improperly disposed of the personal property of homeless individuals. The report showed likely violations of First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments rights that protect free speech, prohibit unreasonable searches and seizures, and guarantee equal protection under the constitution, according to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's civil rights division. "We are taking all allegations seriously and are planning to review this lengthy report with an open mind," Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton told city employees. Through December last year during the investigation, the city gave more than 179,000 separate documents totaling over one million pages, approximately 20 terabytes of data from multiple PPD databases and systems, more than 22,000 body-worn camera videos relating to uses of force and about 200 recordings of 911 calls. Phoenix PD officers have been required since 2019 to self-document any instance in which they point a gun at a person. A 2017 probe investigated officers' use of force against a crowd of demonstrators protesting in the streets after a Donald Trump campaign rally. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI Clarke called the findings "unlawful" and "historic." She said the report issued Thursday conveys "a lack of respect for the humanity" of the homeless. And that Phoenix PD's "problems at their core reflect a lack of effective supervision, training and accountability." "Self-reflection is an important step in continuous improvement," Barton said. "And our Police Department has demonstrated a commitment to reform by making improvements to policy, discipline, internal investigations and training." A female Phoenix Police Officer takes video in 2010 of people protesting the implementation of Arizona"s immigration law, SB 1070, along Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, AZ. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI The Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2 said they "could not be more disappointed" in the Justice Department and what it called "its so-called 'pattern and practice investigation' into the Phoenix Police Department." "Our investigation revealed systemic problems within Phoenix Police Department that deprive people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law," the report concluded, adding how it found "pervasive failings in Phoenix Police Department's policies, training, supervision, and accountability systems that have disguised and perpetuated these violations for years." But the FOP says the DOJ's investigative summary "is full of half-truths, unsubstantiated accusations, and haphazard, illogical conclusions," Lou Manganiello, the Phoenix FOP president, said. Phoenix PD officers have been required since 2019 to self-document any instance in which they point a gun at a person. A 2017 probe investigated officers' use of force against a crowd of demonstrators protesting in the streets after a Donald Trump campaign rally. There were 369 reported kidnappings and 337 Phoenix home invasions in 2008, which earned Arizona's state capital the notorious title as the "kidnap-for-ransom capital" of the United States. In a letter dated Thursday to DOJ, City Attorney Julie Kriegh claimed that the city of Phoenix and "Phoenix Police Department of today are materially different than the Department that you investigated." A 2003 review of shooting reports in the United States' 10 largest cities between 1996 and 2000 found that Phoenix police killed an average of 3.33 suspects per 1,000 officers, making the Phoenix department more than twice as likely to kill their alleged attackers than other big-city departments. But analysts pointed out Phoenix's mitigating factors: a growing population, proximity to the southern border and even Arizona's liberal gun laws as reasons for escalating violence over the last 20 years. "Our policy and training is, you fire to stop the threat," then-Phoenix Police Chief Harold Hurtt said in 2003. "We want to see not only what these individual incidents are that the Department of Justice refers to," Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan said Thursday. "But we also want to see whether it included policy change or whether it possibly included discipline, or other changes within the department as far as practices go." A protester asks Phoenix police officers why the protest was unlawful on June 23, 2020. (Photo by Chloe Jones/ AZ Mirror) In a scathing report released following a three-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice accused the Phoenix Police Department of violating the civil and constitutional rights of the people it polices, and of using excessive and illegal force. The 126-page report, released Thursday, analyzed police data from 2016 to 2022, with additional data from 2024. In the report, the DOJ alleged that the department violated the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, according to Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. The police department claims it was unaware of these significant racial disparities, Clarke said during a news conference on Thursday. But longstanding and frequently voiced community concerns about discriminatory policing, as well as overt displays of bias within the police force, should have spurred the department to analyze its own data. The department faces a laundry list of allegations, including a pattern of discrimination against Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people, and the targeting of protesters. The report makes five allegations against the department: Pattern of racial discrimination Investigators found that Black drivers in Phoenix are 144% more likely than white drivers to be arrested or cited for low-level traffic violations and Hispanic drivers are 40% more likely to be arrested or cited. Investigators found that officers use tactics that place themselves at risk and increase the risk of deadly encounters, such as directly stepping into harms way rather than seeking cover or stepping in front of a moving car and firing their gun at it. Treatment of unhoused Phoenicians The investigation, according to Clarke, also marks the first time in history that a police department has been found in violation of the civil and constitutional rights of homeless people. Phoenix PD has faced significant scrutiny for its treatment of homeless people, frequently throwing away the belongings of people living in encampments during cleanups. The report found that between 2016 and 2022, 37% of all people arrested by Phoenix PD were experiencing homelessness. Response to protests Phoenix PD routinely used indiscriminate force against protestors, falsified allegations to arrest protest leaders, retaliated against people critical of the police, and prevented people from lawfully recording police conduct, according to the report. Investigators found that the department has no policy for responding to lawful demonstrations, and that its existing policy conflates civil unrest and spontaneous demonstrations. According to the report, that policy includes directives to incarcerate as many people as possible, and arrest as many of the crowds leaders as possible. Until the Department of Justice investigation was opened, the report found, Phoenix PD did not have a policy for when officers could use less-lethal force such as pepper balls on protesters. In 2020, after officers used tear gas, projectiles and chemical sprays on protestors, there was no review of the policy. One officer, who was an instructor in pepper ball usage, used more than 1,000 pepper balls on a single night in 2020. He retained his position and coordinated a crowd control course in 2021. Response to people experiencing behavioral health crises The report found that Phoenix PD violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against people experiencing behavioral health crises, including the actions of 911 dispatchers and first responders. Investigators found that the Phoenix PD call center repeatedly failed to identify callers with behavioral health issues, sending patrol officers even when there were options to send a specially trained clinician or team. In one interaction described in the report, an officer knelt for several minutes on the neck of a suicidal man who had stabbed himself with a nail file, with three other officers helping to hold the man face-down on the pavement. Phoenix PD banned the use of carotid restraints neck restraints designed to decrease blood flow and cause a person to lose consciousness in 2020 after George Floyd was murdered by a Minnesota police officer who knelt on his neck. After that, officers were trained on the use of different restraints. If you are a big fan of the carotid and really miss the use of the carotid, well give you some ideas for what you can use that are still within our policy, one training video said. The path forward Investigators recommended several dozen changes at the Phoenix PD, including a major overhaul of use-of-force policies and training, tightening accountability measures, and significant changes to department policies for responding to protests and interactions with homeless people. Investigators say that the department should find a way to provide more notice before removing the possessions of homeless people, and that there must be changes to what counts as reasonable suspicion for stopping or detaining them. Additionally, investigators recommended that the department find ways to decrease racial disparities, such as analyzing more data and increasing the documentation for every police encounter. Police unions slam report In a press conference on Thursday, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, a union that represents over 2,000 local police officers, and the Arizona Law Enforcement Association slammed the report. We are frustrated and appalled by the Department of Justices decision to release the findings report to the public and the media before allowing the decision makers and the department to review, said PLEA president Darrell Kriplean. This tactic is nothing more than an irresponsible and unprofessional smear campaign. Kriplean said that the union objects to a consent decree, which would hold the department under intense scrutiny by the Department of Justice. The Maricopa County Sheriffs Office has been under a consent decree since 2015 for its unconstitutional treatment of Latinos. The announcement made today by the U.S. Department of Justice to seek federal oversight of the Phoenix Police Department is a shameful and unfounded decision by the federal government, said Maricopa County District 2 Supervisor Thomas Galvin in a statement released late Thursday. I stand with the Phoenix Police Department and hope a resolution can be reached that will keep Washington D.C. out of Phoenix. Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego said in a brief statement that the Phoenix City Council will review the report during a special meeting on June 25. Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and X. The post DOJ report: Phoenix police engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination appeared first on Source New Mexico. A protester asks Phoenix police officers why a protest was unlawful on June 23, 2020. Photo by Chloe Jones | Arizona Mirror In a scathing report released following a three-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice accused the Phoenix Police Department of violating the civil and constitutional rights of the people it polices, and of using excessive and illegal force. The 126-page report, released Thursday, analyzed police data from 2016 to 2022, with additional data from 2024. In the report, the DOJ alleged that the department violated the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments, according to Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The police department claims it was unaware of these significant racial disparities, Clarke said during a news conference on Thursday. But longstanding and frequently voiced community concerns about discriminatory policing, as well as overt displays of bias within the police force, should have spurred the department to analyze its own data. The department faces a laundry list of allegations, including a pattern of discrimination against Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people, and the targeting of protesters. The report makes five allegations against the department: Pattern of racial discrimination Investigators found that Black drivers in Phoenix are 144% more likely than white drivers to be arrested or cited for low-level traffic violations and Hispanic drivers are 40% more likely to be arrested or cited. Investigators found that officers use tactics that place themselves at risk and increase the risk of deadly encounters, such as directly stepping into harms way rather than seeking cover or stepping in front of a moving car and firing their gun at it. Treatment of unhoused Phoenicians The investigation, according to Clarke, also marks the first time in history that a police department has been found in violation of the civil and constitutional rights of homeless people. Phoenix PD has faced significant scrutiny for its treatment of homeless people, frequently throwing away the belongings of people living in encampments during cleanups. The report found that between 2016 and 2022, 37% of all people arrested by Phoenix PD were experiencing homelessness. Response to protests Phoenix PD routinely used indiscriminate force against protestors, falsified allegations to arrest protest leaders, retaliated against people critical of the police, and prevented people from lawfully recording police conduct, according to the report. Investigators found that the department has no policy for responding to lawful demonstrations, and that its existing policy conflates civil unrest and spontaneous demonstrations. According to the report, that policy includes directives to incarcerate as many people as possible, and arrest as many of the crowds leaders as possible. Until the Department of Justice investigation was opened, the report found, Phoenix PD did not have a policy for when officers could use less-lethal force such as pepper balls on protesters. In 2020, after officers used tear gas, projectiles and chemical sprays on protestors, there was no review of the policy. One officer, who was an instructor in pepper ball usage, used more than 1,000 pepper balls on a single night in 2020. He retained his position and coordinated a crowd control course in 2021. Response to people experiencing behavioral health crises The report found that Phoenix PD violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against people experiencing behavioral health crises, including the actions of 911 dispatchers and first responders. Investigators found that the Phoenix PD call center repeatedly failed to identify callers with behavioral health issues, sending patrol officers even when there were options to send a specially trained clinician or team. In one interaction described in the report, an officer knelt for several minutes on the neck of a suicidal man who had stabbed himself with a nail file, with three other officers helping to hold the man face-down on the pavement. Phoenix PD banned the use of carotid restraints neck restraints designed to decrease blood flow and cause a person to lose consciousness in 2020 after George Floyd was murdered by a Minnesota police officer who knelt on his neck. After that, officers were trained on the use of different restraints. If you are a big fan of the carotid and really miss the use of the carotid, well give you some ideas for what you can use that are still within our policy, one training video said. The path forward Investigators recommended several dozen changes at the Phoenix PD, including a major overhaul of use-of-force policies and training, tightening accountability measures, and significant changes to department policies for responding to protests and interactions with homeless people. Investigators say that the department should find a way to provide more notice before removing the possessions of homeless people, and that there must be changes to what counts as reasonable suspicion for stopping or detaining them. Additionally, investigators recommended that the department find ways to decrease racial disparities, such as analyzing more data and increasing the documentation for every police encounter. Police unions slam report In a press conference on Thursday, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, a union that represents over 2,000 local police officers, and the Arizona Law Enforcement Association slammed the report. We are frustrated and appalled by the Department of Justices decision to release the findings report to the public and the media before allowing the decision makers and the department to review, said PLEA president Darrell Kriplean. This tactic is nothing more than an irresponsible and unprofessional smear campaign. Kriplean said that the union objects to a consent decree, which would hold the department under intense scrutiny by the Department of Justice. The Maricopa County Sheriffs Office has been under a consent decree since 2015 for its unconstitutional treatment of Latinos. The announcement made today by the U.S. Department of Justice to seek federal oversight of the Phoenix Police Department is a shameful and unfounded decision by the federal government, said Maricopa County District 2 Supervisor Thomas Galvin in a statement released late Thursday. I stand with the Phoenix Police Department and hope a resolution can be reached that will keep Washington D.C. out of Phoenix. Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego said in a brief statement that the Phoenix City Council will review the report during a special meeting on June 25. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST (Bloomberg) -- The US Justice Department wont prosecute Attorney General Merrick Garland over a referral by House Republicans to hold him in contempt of Congress. Most Read from Bloomberg House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio recordings of President Joe Bidens interview with a special counsel over his handling of classified documents. The department has determined that the responses by Attorney General Garland to the subpoenas issued by the committees did not constitute a crime, and accordingly the department will not bring the congressional contempt citation before a grand jury or take any other action to prosecute the Attorney General, the department said in a letter Friday to House Speaker Mike Johnson. Earlier: Attorney General Garland Held in Contempt of Congress by GOP Johnson, in a statement released by his office on Friday evening, sharply disagreed with the assertions in the letter from the Department of Justice and said hed go to court to enforce congressional subpoena. Biden has asserted executive privilege over the audio, while the department has provided lawmakers with other materials related to the investigation, including transcripts of the presidents interview. --With assistance from Billy House. (Updates with Johnsons response, in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. House Speaker Mike Johnson wants a federal court to enforce a subpoena against Attorney General Merrick Garland after the Department of Justice announced it would not pursue a criminal case him. The House disagrees with the assertions in the letter from the Department of Justice, and as Speaker, I will be certifying the contempt reports to the US Attorney for the District of Columbia. We will also move to enforce the subpoena of Attorney General Garland in federal court, Speaker Johnson wrote on X on Friday. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 216 to 207 to hold Garland in contempt for defying a subpoena for audio tapes from an interview with President Joe Biden, with only one Republican joining Democratic members in opposition, marking the House GOPs latest move in a flailing investigation into the president and his administration. Garlands responses to subpoenas issued by GOP-controlled committees which called on the attorney general to release audio recordings from Bidens interview with special counsel Robert Hur did not constitute a crime, the Justice Department wrote on Friday. House Republicans already have transcripts of the interview, which is also publicly available. In his letter to Speaker Johnson on Friday, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte stated the president had asserted executive privilege over the tapes, and that the decision was in line with how the Justice Department handled contempt resolutions against Garlands predecessors. Attorney General Merrick Garland. DOJ officials say they will not pursue a criminal case against him (AP) Consistent with this longstanding position and uniform practice, the Department has determined that the responses by Attorney General Garland to the subpoenas issued by the Committees did not constitute a crime, and accordingly the Department will not bring the congressional contempt citation before a grand jury or take any other action to prosecute the Attorney General further, Uriarte wrote. In his social media post on Friday, Speaker Johnson argued the DOJs response was a sign of a two-tiered system of justice. It is sadly predictable that the Biden Administrations Justice Department will not prosecute Garland for defying congressional subpoenas even though the department aggressively prosecuted Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro for the same thing, he wrote. The circumstances of those cases are quite different from the current dispute with the attorney general. In January, Navarro, the former Trump administration trade advisor, was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas issued by the January 6 investigation in Congress. Investigators were seeking more information about his involvement in efforts to challenge the 2020 election, including a call with Trump about a plan to persuade state officials to push back against the official election certification. Navarro argued he was directed by Trump to claim executive privilege, but a judge found he hadnt done enough to prove this assertion. In 2022, Bannon, a former Trump advisor, was found in contempt of Congress, after he refused to sit for a deposition and provide documents to the committee regarding his involvement in the Trump campaigns 2020 pushback efforts. He argued he was protected by executive privilege, and wanted a Trump lawyer with him before testifying. Courts have rejected these arguments, finding that Bannon was a private citizen, after being fired from the Trump administration in 2017, by the time of his conduct at issue. In a statement earlier this week, Garland said it was deeply disappointing the House turned a serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon. The vote disregards the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Departments need to protect its investigations and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the Committees, he added. According to a memo from the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, because the committees have the transcripts of the special counsels interviews, the needs the committees have articulated for the recordings are plainly insufficient to overcome a privilege claim grounded in these important separation of powers concerns. The audio recording will not reveal any information relevant to the committees stated needs that is not available in the transcripts, the memo reads. The departments decision effectively closes that case over a contempt charge by the House (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Republicans voted overwhelmingly late last year to launch an impeachment inquiry against the president, largely, at Donald Trumps request. Theyre all part of a cult and they just try to please the leader of the cult Donald Trump, according to Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee. McGovern also noted that House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan did not comply with a congressional subpoena related to a select committees investigation into January 6 and the attack on the Capitol. House Oversight Committee chair James Comer denied that the vote against Garland had anything to do with Trumps visit to the Capitol this week. The Democrats continue to prove theyre not serious about oversight or accountability, he told The Independent. Additional reporting by Eric Garica FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Torrential storms, even catastrophic deluges like the one that hit this week, may be nothing new for South Florida. But climate change has made their impact worse. Sea level rise has brought the water table closer to the surface, leaving less room for the ground to absorb rainwater. It rendered less effective the culverts that drain water from eastern neighborhoods into the ocean. It has threatened the operations of the broad canals that rely on gravity to drain water from western communities to the ocean. Despite grandiose labels such as 100-year storm, these deluges are likely to become more frequent, scientists say, for the simple reason that warmer temperatures cause more water to evaporate and form storm clouds. We have low-lying areas with inadequate drainage, designed well before todays conditions, with higher groundwater tables and with higher rainfall intensity, said Jennifer Jurado, chief resilience officer for Broward County. And theyre taking a long time to drain. The South Florida water table has risen by about a foot in the last century, driven by rising sea level, she said. With less storage space available, the rainwater went wherever it could, which this week meant streets, parking lots and a lot of other places where it was not welcome, including lawns and even houses. For miserable weeks like this one, with day after day of torrential rain, the ground ends up saturated, as useless for absorbing water as the surface of a parking lot. Now theres no storage in the system, theres nothing left, Jurado said. We just used it up with this event. And so youll see flooding occur much more quickly when the system is already supersaturated. Michael Sukop, professor in the Department of Earth and Environment of Florida International University, said the South Florida water table has risen at about the same rates as sea level. The water table varies in its depth, he said, lying closer to the surface near the ocean in cities such as Hallandale Beach and Fort Lauderdale, and deeper underground in inland cities such as Pembroke Pines. Over the past two days, he said, as South Florida residents have complained about their drains backing up, he suspects the underlying cause is a saturated water table. The water table under this type of rainfall event comes to the surface in certain areas, he said. And at that point, many of our drains just cannot be expected to work anymore. If the water table comes to the surface, it just cannot accept anything else. And I believe thats whats happening in a lot of these areas. People worry about impermeable surfaces, he said. But the truth is when the water table comes to the surface, the entire surface becomes impermeable and no more can get in. In addition to all these issues of infrastructure and sea level rise, were just seeing more rain than in the past. Annual rainfall has increased by about a fifth of an inch a year for the past century, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. NASA, which uses satellites to study global rain and snowfall, says rising temperatures will generally cause increased precipitation, although dry areas could see less and wet areas are likely to see more. Wesley Brooks, a scientist who serves as chief resilience officer for Gov. Ron DeSantis, on Thursday dismissed any link of climate change to increased current rainfall. In a tweet, he wrote: To all the self-appointed Jr. Climatologists out there, the @IPCC_CH AR6 (a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) assessed that there is low confidence in the emergence of a climate change signal in heavy rainfall & pluvial flooding. The panels most recent report, posted online, lists among the prime hazards of climate change, More intense and frequent extreme rainfall and associated flooding in many regions including coastal and other low-lying cities (medium to high confidence). Brooks pointed to charts on the report that said that while climate change was expected to increase rainfall in the future, scientists dont expect to be able to see strong enough evidence to prove the connection until the next century. The South Florida Water Management District, the regions major flood-control agency, is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to assess and revamp a water-control system designed more than 70 years ago, the district said in a written statement. A key point of vulnerability for Broward and Miami-Dade counties is the system of large canals that drain western communities. Relying on gravity to carry water to the ocean, they cant function as designed when tides and sea-level rise raise the ocean to the point that water cant flow east into the ocean. The study assesses which infrastructure is at the highest risk of impact from a changing climate and addresses flood vulnerabilities, by enhancing the capacity of the most vulnerable coastal water control structures and adjacent primary canals, said a statement from the district, which is run by a board appointed by the governor. Anticipating worse rainfall in the future, Broward County has begun toughening standards for infrastructure such as roads and parking lots, said Jurado, the Broward resilience officer. New standards will anticipate 20% more rainfall in the worst events, with these risks built into the design standards, she said. Unfortunately, the groundwater table will continue to rise, she said. And we will continue to see rainfall intensification like we are seeing now. ------- Donald Trumps Case Against State of Georgia To Be Spotlighted In BBC Feature Doc The BBC and Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story producer 72 Films are teaming on a feature-length documentary about the state of Georgias fight to put Donald Trump behind bars. Unveiled at Sheffield DocFest, The State of Georgia v. Donald J. Trump has gained access to inner workings around the criminal trial and will explore key evidence. Using a small observational team, the film will follow members of the prosecution and defence as they build their case and witness first-hand how day-to-day trial preparation is now a world of body doubles and safe houses. More from Deadline Georgia is a hugely important swing state in the upcoming presidential run-off and the battleground was the venue for Trumps alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The doc comes just a few weeks after Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes following a case in New York. 72 Films has made a string of docs for the BBC including 2020s The Trump Show, along with programs on Rupert Murdoch and Elon Musk. State of Georgia will be directed by BAFTA-winning and BBC New Documentary Director Initiative alumnus Marian Mohamed (Defending Digga D). EPs are Nick Holt and David Glover. The show was on a BBC Sheffield DocFest slate unveiled today that features programs on the tragic disappearance and death of Nicola Bulley from Stephen: The Murder that Changed a Nation producer Rogan, and a series on Helmand from Passion Pictures and Kailash Films. Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, said: These new commissions demonstrate our commitment to bringing audiences the best of British storytelling and backing British talent. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Donald Trump Set to Attend MAGA Celebration for His 78th Birthday: 'He Says He Is Forever Young' (Exclusive) Trump is expected to speak to MAGA loyalists at a Florida convention center on Friday, June 14, for an event that is part birthday celebration, part campaigning, sources tell PEOPLE ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Donald Trump at a Las Vegas rally on June 9, 2024 Donald Trump is set to spend the evening of his 78th birthday on Friday, June 14, getting showered with praise from his most loyal fans a far cry from his 77th birthday, which was overshadowed by a historic arraignment on federal charges the day prior. Donald doesnt like to make a big deal about his birthday because he says he is forever young and feels great, a political source tells PEOPLE. This year he is heavily campaigning for president so things are a bit more pronounced. Sources say that he will celebrate among members of the "Club 47 USA" fan club at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, a short ride over the bridge from his Mar-a-Lago home. The party is not free even for MAGA insiders. Tickets for the event sold from $25 to $60. Related: Donald Trump Says Die-Hard MAGA Fan Would Prioritize Suicide over Biden During Las Vegas Rally Mark Peterson / POOL / AFP/ Getty Donald Trump leaves the Manhattan criminal courthouse where he was convicted of 34 felony counts on May 30, 2024 Club 47 USA, named because they want to make Trump the 47th U.S. president, will convene at 3 p.m. Trump is advertised to speak to the fervent political group around 7 p.m. Trump dearly loves being around those who applaud and admire him, and when he can speak to them from a platform, the source says. He intends to make a campaign speech during the event. 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. A social source, who is not in Florida this month, tells PEOPLE that if Trump has to celebrate his birthday, a public ordeal is as good as it gets. He normally does a family thing for his birthday in a low-key manner, but this year is different, the social source tells PEOPLE. "It's good for his campaign to do this as well as raise money, which is bloodsport with him. Related: Milwaukee Mayor Responds After Donald Trump Reportedly Calls City Horrible: Right Back at You, Buddy It is unknown whether Melania and Barron Trump will attend, but Trumps oldest son, Don Jr., lives 20 minutes away, in Jupiter, Fla., and his daughter Ivanka is based in Miami Beach, less than two hours south by car. Trump was also presented with a birthday cake in Washington, D.C., on Thursday during his Capitol Hill meeting with GOP leaders. It was his first visit to Capitol Hill since his supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and the doting politicians reportedly sang him Happy Birthday. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. In the thick of the pandemic, the Trump-era U.S. military launched what Reuters describes as a clandestine operation to spread anti-vaccine sentiments, particularly in the Philippines, as part of an apparent effort to harm Chinese interests, an initiative that ended only after President Joe Biden took office. The secret campaign, which had not been previously reported, aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and life-saving aid supplied by China, according to Reuters. By March 2021, Beijing had provided millions of doses of its own COVID-19 vaccine to nearly 70 countries, part of what came to be seen as a sort of vaccine diplomacy, Forbes reported, competing with inoculations produced in the U.S. and elsewhere. As part of its campaign to sow doubt about public health measures, the Trump-era Pentagon created phony internet accounts wherein Defense Department staff impersonated Filipinos and created social media posts that questioned the utility of face masks, test kits and vaccines. The campaign also specifically singled out Chinas Sinovac vaccine, Reuters reported. The Reuters investigation identified 300 accounts on X, formerly Witter, that matched descriptions obtained from former U.S. military officials familiar with the operation. Almost all the accounts were created in the summer of 2020 and promoted the hashtag "#Chinaangvirus," which translates to "China is the virus." The accounts were removed by X after the Elon Musk-owned platform determined that the posts were a product of a coordinated campaign, Reuters reported. The misinformation effort started in the spring of 2020 under President Donald Trump and was terminated after social media executives tipped off the Biden administration. The Trump administration had refused to work with Biden's team during the 2020-21 transition period, denying the next president and his staff access to Defense Department offices and classified briefings. The campaign went on to expand across Central Asia and the Middle East, where propaganda was tailored to turn Muslims against Chinas vaccines by insinuating that the vaccines sometimes contain pork gelatin, which would be forbidden under Islamic law. Public health experts contacted by Reuters were aghast. I dont think its defensible, said Daniel Lucey, an infectious disease specialist at Dartmouths Geisel School of Medicine. Im extremely dismayed, disappointed and disillusioned to hear that the U.S. government would do that." A Pentagon spokeswoman responded to Reuters by saying that the U.S. military uses a variety of platforms including social media, to counter those malign influence attacks aimed at the U.S., allies and partners. The spokesperson then pointed the finger at China, saying that it too launched a "disinformation campaign" to "falsely blame the United States for the spread of COVID-19. The Pentagon's campaign had been flagged as inauthentic by researchers with Stanford's Internet Observatory, which shut down this week in the wake of Republican criticism that its efforts to combat disinformation on social media amounted to "surveillance" and "censorship," The Verge reported. A Worth Avenue cigar shop will be able to continue selling liquor, wine and beer after a neighboring business that last month raised concerns about ongoing issues with smoke and odor now says those issues have been resolved. A representative for The RealReal told the Palm Beach Town Council at its June 12 Development Review Committee meeting that since May, Churchill Cigar Co. has kept its door closed effectively keeping its smoke to itself. "We've seen vast improvement," said Ashley Wendell, the store's real estate director. The RealReal's attorneys had sent a letter to Palm Beach officials May 1 ahead of the May 15 Development Review Committee meeting, where the council was set for a one-year review of the declaration-of-use agreement that allowed Churchill Cigar Co. at 329 Worth Ave. to sell beer, wine and liquor. Churchill Cigar Co. opened in December on Worth Avenue. The business received approval from the Town Council to add beer, wine and liquor service. That declaration-of-use agreement stipulated that the cigar store must keep its door closed unless being used for access, records show. In their letter, The RealReal's attorneys said the store, which is down a short corridor from Churchill Cigar Co., was "materially and adversely impacted by the operation of the Cigar Bar," which kept its door open nearly all day, allowing smoke from its patrons to seep through a back door and into consignment items The RealReal had in stock. Wendell also told the council last month that the smoke was affecting The RealReal's employees, who experienced headaches and called out of work more frequently. The council directed Churchill Cigar Co. to keep its door closed and return June 12 with The RealReal to provide an update. The RealReal's employees since May have kept a daily log and checked three times a day to see that the door to Churchill Cigar Co. is closed, and it has been each time, Wendell said. "This does seem to alleviate our issue," she said. Matthew Raptis, owner of the 800-square-foot Churchill Cigar Co., pledged that the door will continue to be closed consistently. "You have my word," he said. Raptis lives in Palm Beach with his wife Adrienne. In 2021, they paid $4.5 million for five commercial condominiums in Via Roma off Worth Avenue, which is where they own and operate Churchill Cigar Co., Via Roma Cafe and Raptis Rare Books. Raptis noted that he has millions of dollars' worth of rare books next door to the cigar shop, and that the bookstore does not smell like smoke. Councilman Ted Cooney said that since the May meeting, he spoke with a cigar smoker who told him the door to Churchill Cigar is always open. "I know you've changed that in the last month," he told Raptis. "This was their experience." Cooney added that he's glad "everybody's gotten on the same page." Council President Bobbie Lindsay said she talked to another retailer in the area who shared concerns about the smell of smoke. "I'm sure she's seen an improvement, if there's an improvement with The RealReal," Lindsay said. Raptis assured the council that whenever the store is open, its commercial-grade smoke-eaters are running. "It's a passion," he said of his cigar shop. "I was just told by one of our people in town that it's one of the beautiful places in town." Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Churchill Cigar in Palm Beach resolves smoke issue with The RealReal GENEVA COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) A man accused of nearly stabbing someone to death while on a fake date in rural Geneva County has been ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars. On Wednesday, June 12, Robert Lane Hall pled guilty to one count of attempted murder in the kidnapping and stabbing of Matthew Angelino. After pleading guilty, Judge William Filmore sentenced Hall to life in the Alabama Department of Corrections. He must also pay a fine of $1,000 to the courts. Hall was arrested and charged alongside alleged co-conspirator Shalyn Diaz in January 2024. According to the Geneva County Sheriffs Office, Diaz lured Angelino onto a fake date in January and rode together on rural Geneva County roads with Hall hiding in the trunk of Diazs car. Investigator Cory Dean says after pulling over, Diaz convinced Angelino to wear handcuffs and a blindfold while Hall exited the trunk, snuck into the backseat, and began choking Angelino with a cord and stabbing him with a knife. Diaz opened the door, and Hall drug Angelino out of the car by the cord around his neck and stabbed him several times on the side of the road before driving away, leaving him to die, Investigator Dean told WDHN. Angelino was stabbed a total of 19 times. Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms said he believes Halls hefty sentence was due to his lengthy criminal history across at least two counties. Court records show Hall has ongoing cases of breaking and entering a vehicle and obstructing government operations. As of Friday morning, Diazs case has been set for trial at the end of June. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. She Was Supposed To Be At Pulse Nightclub And Club Q. Now She's Fighting To Keep LGBTQ+ People Safe. Illustration: HuffPost; Photo: Getty Tiara Latrice Kelley remembers the shock and confusion that rang through her body when she received a text from her friend the night of June 12, 2016. Did you make it to Pulse? If so, get out and run. Wednesday marked the eighth anniversary of a gunman opening fire and killing 49 people at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The massacre is the biggest act of gun violence against the LGBTQ+ community and the second deadliest shooting in the nations history. Kelley, a drag artist and Black trans woman who had performed at and frequented Pulse for years, had planned to go to the nightclub that evening but ended up falling asleep early. She woke up to a barrage of sirens and dozens of frantic text messages. She and her friends walked a few blocks to the nightclub, where she saw people being carried out on stretchers with bullet holes in their limbs. I was in shock. This was the first time that our community as a whole, in a big way, had been under attack, Kelley told HuffPost. A few years later, in 2022, Kelley needed a change of pace and moved from Orlando to Colorado with her husband. She soon found herself producing shows at Club Q, a gay bar in Colorado Springs. Tiara Latrice Kelley and nine other drag artists who have had firsthand experience with anti-LGBTQ violence and harassment launched an advocacy group called Qommittee. Photo courtesy of Tiara Latrice Kelley On Nov. 19 that year, Kelley was set to attend a show at the club but stayed home because she was feeling ill after a dialysis treatment. A little after midnight, her colleagues called her about an active shooter at the bar. I was having a flashback to June 12. It was just so surreal, Kelley said. What are the chances of this happening again? And what are the chances that I barely missed it? Five people were killed and at least 22 were injured in the Club Q shooting. This spring, Kelley and nine other drag artists who have had firsthand experience with anti-LGBTQ violence and harassment launched an advocacy group called Qommittee, which aims to fight back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and violence, as well as provide legal support and resources to artists who are targeted. Weve always had to fight tooth and nail for our place in this world, Qommittees website reads. We bust our assess to make a living as independent entrepreneurs, dealing with shady venues, building our own audiences, creating stunning looks, and putting on unforgettable shows. But now, were also battling a tidal wave of hate-doxxing, harassment, death threats, armed protests, bombings, and even shootings. Among Qommittees members are Sairen Strange, who had an event canceled due to armed protesters in Tennessee, the first state to ban drag shows in public spaces; Hysteria Brooks, who was a performer at Club Q; and Empress Dupree, who planned to perform at an Ohio venue that was later firebombed. Sairen Strange, a Qommittee member, had an event canceled due to armed protesters in Tennessee where drag shows are now banned in public spaces. Photo courtesy of Sairen Strange My hope is that we can band together and create an atmosphere that makes our community, particularly the drag community, and trans people who do drag, feel safer in spaces where they are performing or even just walking down the street, Kelley said. Over the last three years, there has been a rise in hate crimes, violence, harassment and threats to the LGBTQ+ community amid the surge of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation. There were at least 145 incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault directed at LGBTQ+ people and events during Pride month in 2023, according to a report from the LGBTQ+ media advocacy group, GLAAD. The group also notes that drag events and performers experienced 138 acts of hateful incidents between 2022 and 2023. Already this June, there have been numerous threats to the LGBTQ+ community, including a call to burn all Pride flags from the Colorado Republican Party, and four bomb threats targeting drag events at libraries and restaurants in Alaska, Texas, New York and Massachusetts. Such threats have had a devastating impact on the mental health of LGBTQ+ people. Eighty-seven percent of young LGBTQ+ people reported that they worry a mass shooting could happen in their local community, according to new data released by the Trevor Project. LGBTQ+ youth also reported higher rates of suicidal ideation in the last year, the data shows. In May, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Department of Homeland Security issued a public service announcement to raise awareness about the risk that foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may pose to Pride-related events. The State Department issued a similar warning about the possibility of terrorism taking place at Pride events abroad. But Qommittee members say the federal governments failure to acknowledge the threat of domestic groups, like far-right agitators, toward the LGBTQ+ community is dangerous. Another Qommittee member, Empress Dupree, planned to perform at an Ohio venue that was later firebombed. Photo courtesy of Empress Dupree The organization kicked off its national effort with a petition urging the federal government to do more to protect LGBTQ+ spaces, and particularly the drag community, from violence. [The notices] single out only foreign terrorist organizations, and it explicitly omits any threats that come from within the United States, Scott Simpson, a community organizer with Qommittee, told HuffPost. They make no mention of the kind of anti-LGBTQ+ hate that is so evident and happening across the country, and that is alarming to us. Theres a huge trust deficit between our community and law enforcement, and for good reason, Simpson added, referring to the history of police targeting LGBTQ+ people and criminalizing their behavior. It is so vital that if they are really intending to live up to their mission of protecting us all, that they state that commitment clearly and act on it. The FBI closely monitors potential threats to public safety. As we continue to communicate and share information with our partners, this public service announcement is being released by the FBI and DHS to the American public to help protect our communities, the FBI wrote in a statement to HuffPost. A DHS spokesperson said the agency urges the public to stay vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activity to their local law enforcement. Hysteria Brooks, also a Qommittee member, survived the shooting at Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs and helped triage victims in the parking lot the night of the attack. Photo courtesy of Hysteria Brooks For now, Kelley and her community are figuring out how to celebrate Pride while prioritizing safety. After the Colorado Republican Party sent out an email to its supporters describing LGBTQ+ people as godless groomers last week, Kelley said Pride organizers in her state started to receive threats. Sadly I do believe rhetoric like that is going to lead to more violence, she said. Its going to lead to more people taking what theyre saying seriously. After narrowly missing two major anti-LGBTQ shootings and being the target of online attacks, Kelley has found herself second-guessing whether to hang a Pride flag outside her home. I was super excited about putting up Pride flags in my yard and letting people know that were proud of our community. But to be honest with you, I took pause this year in doing so. Am I putting a target on my back by doing that? she wondered. Kelley ultimately decided that censoring herself would be letting them win. That is not something Im willing to do, she said. So my Pride flags are up, and it is what it is. Related... (FOX40.COM) The California Highway Patrol said it recently arrested a driver after they were found locked inside a vehicle that was submerged in a waterway in San Joaquin County. CHP said two of its officers were called to the White Slough, about 11 miles northwest of Stockton, after multiple people reported seeing a vehicle travel across all lanes of traffic and off the road. When officers arrived at the scene, CHP said they initially did not find a vehicle; however, they began to hear someone inside the vehicle pounding on the window in an attempt to get out. Family confirms body found near San Joaquin River to be missing boater One of the CHP officers jumped into the water and used a police baton to break the passenger window and allow the driver to exit the vehicle. The Stockton Fire Department arrived at the scene shortly after and used their crane and rescue basket to get the driver and CHP officer out of the White Slough, CHP said. The driver was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, the agency added. Stockton CHP would like to remind you to never drink and drive and always designate a sober driver. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WISE COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) The accused driver in a Wise County pursuit Wednesday has been charged after a passenger in another vehicle was killed in the crash that followed. Wise Co. pursuit ends in head-on crash leaving 1 dead A joint press release from the Wise County Sheriffs Office and City of Norton Commonwealths Attorney Brett Hall identified the driver as Dimitri Jontae Green of Charlotte, North Carolina. The pursuit occurred on US 23 Wednesday after multiple departments were alerted to a high-speed chase that began in Eastern Kentucky. The three people in the fleeing vehicle, a silver Audi, had reportedly fled the scene of a theft in Kentucky. Kentucky authorities terminated their pursuit at the Virginia state line, where local authorities took it up. The press release states Green crossed the median in Pound during the pursuit, driving south in the northbound lanes. Green narrowly missed dozens of vehicles driving at dangerous speeds at times of well over 100 mph, the release states. Deputies of the Wise County Sheriffs Office put themselves in harms way to attempt to end the pursuit, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in their attempts. The pursuit ended after Greens vehicle collided with another one head-on in the northbound lane of US 23. The crash occurred inside the town limits of Wise. A passenger in the vehicle that Green allegedly collided with was killed. Green has been charged with felony homicide in the passengers death. Additionally, Kentucky agencies have confirmed charges are pending against Green and the passengers in the Audi for their reported crimes there. The Wise County Sheriffs Office also charged Green with felony eluding. As of Friday, the investigation remains ongoing, and the Commonwealths Attorneys Office stated that the medical status of others injured in the crash has not been released. A full list of pending charges is expected to be released 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A Sacramento County man filed a lawsuit last month against the Elk Grove Police Department after an alleged incident in which he says he was repeatedly punched in the face by an officer during a traffic stop that led to an arrest last year. James Barber is suing the Police Department for a violation of California civil rights laws, unlawful detention, arrest without probable cause, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and failure to properly screen, hire, train, supervise and discipline, the complaint said. The lawsuit seeking a jury trial was filed May 22. According to a civil complaint filed in Sacramento Superior Court, the incident occurred July 2023, in an unincorporated area of the county, when the Sacramento motorist was pulled over for failure to attach a license plate. According to the lawsuit, Barber had just left a McDonalds drive-thru at 8220 Calvine Road, near Power Inn Road and Geneva Point Drive, when he was pulled over by Elk Grove police officers Cody Nguyen and Bryan Gates around 7:30 p.m. Barber was allegedly never asked for his license or registration and when he asked why he was being pulled over, Nguyen told him it was because he did not have a front license plate, the lawsuit said. Barber, according to the complaint, explained to Nguyen that the vehicle a 2004 white Chevrolet Tahoe was recently purchased and provided a receipt. According to a report provided by the Elk Grove Police Department, Barber first acknowledged to Nguyen that his license was suspended and he did not have car insurance. The lawsuit said Nguyen re-approached Barbers vehicle and asked him to step out the vehicle, to which Barber asked if he was being detained. According to the lawsuit, Nguyen did not initially provide a response. Barber asked a second time if he was being detained, the court document said, and this time Nguyen confirmed that Barber was being detained for driving with a suspended license. The police report said officers asked Barber to exit the SUV because it would be towed for the driving infraction. Barber questioned if the officer had the right to do so, the lawsuit said. Nguyen, according to the lawsuit, confirmed that they had the authority to continue. The police report said Barber refused to leave the vehicle. According to the lawsuit, Barber feared for his safety so he started to record the encounter when Nguyen opened the car door and unbuckled his seat belt. The police report said that Barber was escorted out of the vehicle and onto the ground where he continued to physically resist officers attempts to detain him. The complaint alleges that Barber was physically removed from the vehicle by Nguyen with the assistance of a second officer, Gates. The lawsuit said they forced Barber to the ground where Gates then repeatedly punched Barber in the face before he was detained for an unreasonable amount of time. The lawsuit said that Nguyen did nothing to interfere with Gates alleged physical attack on Barber. Backup officers later arrived on the scene, according to court documents. The Elk Grove Police Department report, provided to The Sacramento Bee in response to a California Public Records Act request, said Barber was eventually detained, taken into custody and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail without further incident. According to the lawsuit, the city denied Barbers allegations in February. Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Jason Jimenez in an email to The Bee said the department is unable to comment due to pending litigation. We remain committed to transparency and will share further information as soon as we are able, Jimenez said. Attorney Steven Baric, who is representing Barber, said his client feels what was done to him was unjust and demands justice. I think that its gonna be interesting to see how the discovery plays out as it relates to the cameras both in the car and on the body cams, Baric said. How my client describes it, it was unnecessary conduct. They pulled him over for a suspended license and then they beat him up. Thats not police work, thats beyond the scope. So I think though its going to be really crucial to see what those tapes (show). In an emailed response to a Public Records Act request, the Police Department declined to share body camera video from the incident, citing a section of California law stating that the incident doesnt qualify as a critical incident resulting in death or great bodily injury and is therefore exempt from the records request. The drivers complaint alleged officers violated his constitutional rights with excessive, repeated force causing bodily harm and that his detention and arrest was unreasonable and not justified. In seeking a jury trial, the lawsuit said Barber hopes for compensatory damages, attorney fees, expenses and cost of suit and other relief. Barber also wants the Police Department to set necessary and proper policies and procedures for unlawful arrests and incarceration without probable cause and he wants a sufficient amount of damages to the officers as an example and deter repeated offenses, the complaint said. A drone attack in the city of Morozovsk in Russia's Rostov Oblast caused a fire and disruptions to the local power supply, Russian officials and news outlets reported early on June 14. Russian air defense units faced a "mass attack" of drones in the region's Morozovsk district, Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev reported. The attack left some parts of the area without power. Russia downed 87 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed. According to the ministry, Russian air defense shot down 70 drones over Rostov Oblast, six over Voronezh Oblast, six over Kursk Oblast, two over Belgorod Oblast, two over Volgograd Oblast, and one over occupied Crimea. "Several settlements have fallen into the blackout zone," Golubev said. A fire also broke out in the city, the Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported. Local residents reported hearing explosions. Rostov Oblast borders Ukraine to the southeast. Reports of drone attacks against the region's oil infrastructure have increased in spring 2024. The region's Morozovsk district is also home to a Russian military airbase. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry and military hardware. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine signs bilateral security agreements with US, Japan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An Oceanside, California, woman has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for selling fentanyl to a Camp Pendleton Marine who died from an overdose the same day. A federal judge sentenced Jesse Jakob Sanders to 6.5 years and five years supervised release on Tuesday following her guilty plea to selling the illegal drug to the Marine on Jan. 2, 2022. Fentanyl is so powerful, so toxic, so addictive, that it can snare even the toughest among us, said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. Todays outcome cannot bring back this Marine, but it reflects the consequence for peddlers dealing this poison: prison. The Marine, who was not named in court documents, communicated with Sanders over Facebook Messenger on Jan. 1, 2022, asking if Sanders had H or fent, abbreviations for heroin or fentanyl, a powerful prescription opioid that has been cited as a central driver in a spike in overdose deaths in recent years. California man pleads guilty in Marine's fentanyl-laced pill overdose death The illicit distribution and use of fentanyl in the United States poses a critical threat to our local communities, our nations service members, and ultimately our national security, said Special Agent in Charge Todd Battaglia of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Marine West Field Office. The Marine, identified only as ZSM in court documents, offered to pay for $150 worth of the drug. The two arranged to meet at an Extended Stay Hotel in Carlsbad, California, about five miles from the Camp Pendleton main gate the following day. The pair made the transaction, according to Sanders guilty plea. At 3 p.m. that same day military police and emergency medical personnel responded to a call from the Marines wife found him unresponsive in his parked vehicle onboard the base. A medical doctor pronounced ZSM dead at 3:18 p.m. Jan. 2, 2022. An autopsy revealed fentanyl toxicity as the cause of death. A search of ZSMs vehicle found 1.106 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl. Sanders had a history of narcotics-related criminality resulting from her substance abuse and drug addiction, according to the release. At the time she sold fentanyl powder to the ZSM, she was on summary probation from a San Diego Superior Court conviction and still has an additional pending felony case for robbery. In September 2022 a federal jury convicted Nameer Mohammad Atta, of San Diego, of distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl that led to the May 21, 2020, overdose death of an active duty Camp Pendleton, California, lance corporal identified as CMR in court documents. Atta has since filed motions for a new trial and has not yet been sentenced, according to court records. In September 2020 five defendants, including two Camp Pendleton, California, Marines, were indicted on charges of running a drug trafficking ring that distributed narcotics, including fentanyl-laced oxycodone pills that caused the death of Lance Cpl. Lozrenzo Mascarenas, 20, on May 23, 2020. Former Lance Cpl. Anthony Ruben Whisenant was charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of fentanyl. Whisenant pleaded not guilty to all counts following his 2020 indictment. He was scheduled for trial on Aug. 7, but has a hearing to review his bond status on July 3. Former Lance Cpl. Ryan Douglas White was charged with being an accessory after the fact for attempting to hinder law enforcements investigation of his co-defendants. His trial is scheduled for Aug. 20. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) State police announced DUI checkpoints will be placed across various roadways in Pennsylvania. According to Pennsylvania State Police, sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols aim to deter drinking and driving. Police say they are operating with a zero-tolerance enforcement policy. Police say checkpoints and roving patrols will be placed on roadways from June 14 through June 19 experiencing high rates of DUI-related traffic violations and DUI-related crashes. The counties participating in the DUI checkpoints are as follows: Susquehanna County Bittersweet $1M PA Lottery win after womans husband dies two weeks later PSP did not give details on the areas where the patrols will be conducted. State police encourage those who are out during the weekend and choose to consume alcohol to not drive a car. Officials warn drivers Pennsylvanias DUI laws issue a legal limit of .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). DUI offenses can range from a $300 fine with six months of probation, all the way up to fines of $5,000 with prison sentences of up to 5 years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Every two years like clockwork since 1992, South Carolinians have sent Democrat Jim Clyburn to Congress. His worst showing came two years ago when he got a massive 62% of the vote against Republican Duke Buckner. The lone Democrat in a deeply red states congressional delegation, Clyburn didnt even see a primary challenge this year. Standing in the way of a 17th term is a familiar foe, Buckner, who easily won Tuesdays GOP primary and says he has a path to victory in the Nov. 5 election even if most others dont see it, even if The State Editorial Board gives him no chance against Clyburn. Wednesday seemed like a good time to check in with Clyburn and Buckner about their rematch. Clyburns campaign took my call but didnt respond to a question about Buckners confidence by my deadline the next day. Buckner was all too happy to revisit why our editorial board endorsed him in the GOP primary while giving him no chance against Clyburn in the general election. This is also a good time for us to reiterate that we will make new endorsements in the fall and for us to show how much we analyze all these races and listen to feedback from readers and the subjects of our writing. Buckner was up early on Saturday, May 25, when I emailed all the congressional candidates The State Editorial Boards endorsements in the primary. By 9 a.m., he had replied with a lengthy email telling me there actually was a chance hed beat Clyburn. A few days later, the two of us were having a long phone conversation about his prospects. Would you and your editorial staff at the paper consider changing your conclusion regarding my chances of winning? he politely asked. I listened, then I politely told him no, and explained why. By the end of our talk, I had offered to buy him a beer if he won. But I told him what I thought: He just cant unseat Clyburn given Clyburns achievements, connections, fundraising and overall support in a voting district drawn to his advantage. Wednesday I called Buckner to discuss all this again, envisioning Jim Carrey saying, So youre telling me theres a chance? He brought up another movie: Rocky II. Heres how Buckner sees his path to victory this year, and why I dont. Buckner says everyone is concerned about the economy, and younger voters may not be as connected to Clyburn as their elders are. He mentions polling that could help him, showing that President Joe Bidens net approval rating among Black voters plummeted last year and that younger Black voters are more Republican than older Black voters. He notes that Sen. Mia McLeod, the first Black woman to run for governor in South Carolina, left the states Democratic party in 2023, upset with it. And he argues money isnt everything because Jaime Harrison raised more than Lindsey Graham but lost the 2020 U.S. Senate race in South Carolina. (Harrison did raise $130 million, but Graham raised $108 million as Buckner saw firsthand, losing to Graham in that years GOP primary while raising just $26,000.) In 2022, Buckner got 38% of the vote while amassing a fraction of Clyburns fundraising. Buckner spent $187,000; Clyburn, $3.2 million. Buckner says this is a good omen for his new campaign. But its not. Money gets a message out. And Clyburn has a lot more of it. So far this election cycle, hes raised $1.4 million to Buckners $92,000. Edge: Clyburn. Buckner, who like Clyburn is a Black South Carolina native, says African Americans are turning away from the Democratic party and Biden, whom Clyburn famously helped elect. But the Black community, like any community, is not monolithic. People will pick between Biden and former President Donald Trump on Nov. 5, but a Pew Research Center poll in April actually found that Black voters are more confident in Biden than Trump when it comes to having the qualities needed to serve another term and Pew also shared that 4 in 5 Black voters have allied with Democrats for 30 years. Edge: Clyburn. Buckner also says two of three third-party candidates on the November ballot the United Citizens Partys Gregg Marcel Dixon and the Alliance Partys Joseph Oddo may take votes from Clyburn but only one Libertarian Michael Simpson might take votes away from Buckner. OK, but Dixon ran against Clyburn in 2022 and finished in third place, with less than 5% of the vote. And Oddo did even worse in the 2022 general election against U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, managing a paltry 1% of the vote. Buckners math is fuzzy. Edge: Clyburn. Lastly, Buckner says he won 5 of 14 counties in 2022 Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper and that Dorchester County has experienced huge growth since then so he expects his numbers to be even higher in that county. Left unsaid was the fact that the rest of the district includes Democratic strongholds in Charleston and Richland counties, where more than half the voters reside. Edge: Clyburn. Buckner is smart and savvy. Hes a lawyer who has been a teacher, a journalist and a Walterboro City Council member. I look forward to hearing more from him and from Clyburn, a legend of South Carolina politics even if his campaign staff didnt respond for this column. And I will buy Buckner that beer if Im wrong. But, as is too often the case with South Carolinas gerrymandered voting districts, low-turnout primary elections, and the advantage of incumbency, this race is over before it really starts. Speaking freely at a glitzy Supreme Court Historical Society event earlier this month, Justice Samuel Alito pointed out that there are fundamental things that really cant be compromised in society, and speculated that one side or the other is going to win. The comments were recorded by a documentarian who had attended the events and surreptitiously recorded the justices as they increasingly find themselves under the microscope for tossing precedent overboard and embarking on ideologically rigid right-wing path. At the same event, Chief Justice John Roberts showed how justices are supposed to approach these questions, telling the documentarian that the court should not be a moral compass for the country, nor trying to put us on the path towards being a Christian nation. Alito is right about one thing one side or the other indeed will win. He may think of this as a battle between the political right and left, with the latter characterized as an out-of-control force wrecking the country. But thats not really whats happening here; its a contest between a conception of the court and the broader government as a tool to protect rights and small-l liberal commitments, or one to impose a reactionary agenda against all that. We cannot have a society that simultaneously respects values like self-determination, protection of civil rights and access to health care and abortion, while being run by minority factions hell-bent on imposing their personal religious values on everyone. The vision of strict and strictly enforced social and economic hierarchy based on some imagined bygone conservative principles is fundamentally incompatible with the principles that this country holds as its high ideals. The trouble is Alito, who holds an office that is meant to safeguard the latter, is fighting on the opposite side. Yet its considered impolite to point this out, despite the fact that the justice has been all but explicit about it, with his public rhetoric and with Jan. 6 and Christian nationalist flags (dubiously blamed entirely on his wife). Now here he is, being even clearer in agreeing that the country must return to some sort of godliness. This is just one instance that happened to be recorded, but theres no doubt Alito and his fellow ultra-conservative justices are toeing this line elsewhere, like the privately-funded retreats put on by right-wing legal groups and the trips organized by Clarence Thomas benefactor Harlan Crow. Theyre generally fine being so open about it because experience has shown they will face little accountability or consequences. That should change. The Constitution created the three branches of government as co-equal, keeping one another in check. It did not put the Supreme Court above everything else, untouchable by either electoral will or scrutiny from other branches. The Congress should force the justices to clarify some of their conflicts of interest and outside entanglements, under oath. No more polite invitations for justices to decline, no more justices reluctantly making disclosures only after reporters and oversight groups dig up million-dollar gifts theyve received. Use the levers of government to rein the justices in, while we still have a liberal democracy to defend. ___ EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso County Coliseum is safe from being torn down, according to a press release sent by the office of El Paso County Commissioner David C. Stout. The Coliseum has been removed from the General Services Administrations (GSA) final options for modernization of the Bride of the Americas (BOTA) port of entry, according to the press release. As we previously reported, proposed plans by GSA to expand BOTA would require them to build where the El Paso County Coliseum and El Paso County Events Center (ice rink) are currently located. Community advocates call for the relocation of commercial traffic at BOTA This is great news for this historic, publicly owned County asset, said Commissioner David Stout. Its one of the outcomes Ive joined with community members to achieve. In fact, plans to renovate the Coliseum, which were originally on the list for the Countys upcoming bond proposal, were removed because of uncertainty around whether the GSA would take the property. I pushed to have the Coliseum added back to that list, and with this news, it seems we have a much clearer path to complete these renovations if voters so choose. With respect to the BOTA modernization, I thank the GSA for listening to my office and the community and for making this decision. Now, the next critical step is to protect community health and quality of life by redirecting commercial traffic to other ports of entry. A public meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26 at Hilos de Plata Senior Center, 4451 Delta Dr. The GSA will present three alternatives for the modernization of the BOTA port of entry: No action Viable Action Alternative 1A- multi-level modernization (high/Low booths) primarily within existing port boundaries with minor land acquisition immediately adjacent to the port and additional land acquisition to the east (13 acres). No El Paso County land to be acquired. Viable Action Alternative 4- multi-level modernization within the existing port boundaries with minor land acquisition immediately adjacent to the port and elimination of commercial cargo operations. No El Paso County or TxDOT DPS land to be acquired. Make no mistake this is great news, but we still have difficult work ahead to convince GSA to choose Alternative 4, Commissioner Stout said. That would be a huge step toward revitalizing a part of the community that for too long has been a sacrifice zone for heavy industry, highways, and other significant pollution sources. Pollution includes tiny particles, called PM 10, solvents such as benzene, and ozone, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states can harm our health, especially on hot sunny days when ozone can reach unhealthy levels. Even relatively low levels of ozone can cause health effects,' read the press release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. EL RENO, Okla. (KFOR) The El Reno Police Department is asking for the publics help identifying two men suspected of stealing a tandem axle trailer. According to El Reno PD, the two men were in a grey Dodge pickup truck when they allegedly stole the trailer on Wednesday, June 5. Alleged theft suspects. Alleged theft suspects. LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma City Police looking to identify alleged burglars Anyone with information is asked to contact the El Reno Police Department at 405-262-2121 and reference case number 2024-0925. Your help is greatly appreciated. said El Reno PD. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 sharp-eyed citizens quick thinking saved an elderly North Texas woman from losing thousands of dollars in a Bitcoin scam, according to police. Officers in White Settlement received a call from a concerned bystander who saw the woman depositing large amounts of money into a Bitcoin ATM at a convenience store in the 2000 block of South Cherry Lane. Overhearing the woman on her phone, the caller suspected she was being scammed. When officers arrived and found the woman, she told them she thought she was in trouble with Chase Bank and was merely following their instructions. The investigation revealed that the scammer had arranged a ride-share service to transport the woman from her home to a local Chase Bank branch, where she withdrew $40,000, and then to the convenience store with a Bitcoin ATM, White Settlement police said in a news release. Unfortunately, she had already deposited $23,900 into the machine. The police department is currently working with the Bitcoin law enforcement liaison and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office to recover her money. Dash-camera video, body-worn camera footage, and audio from the 911 call caught the entire situation. The scammer made threats to the woman, saying she would be arrested if she did not withdraw $40,000, police said. A common method of committing this kind of fraud involves spoofing the caller ID of an organization to show a name like Chase Bank. Sgt. James Stewart, the responding officer, expressed his frustration with the scammer but was relieved to see the victim safe. All I could do is visualize my mom in this case, Sgt. Stewart said in the news release. I wish we could find this guy and place him behind bars for a very long time because he is probably doing this to other people. In a heartwarming moment, the victim hugged both officers, expressing her relief and gratitude for their intervention. The citizen who intervened will be recognized at an upcoming City Council meeting. 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) 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. The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle. Elmira's Madison Ave. Bridge to be renamed for civil rights icons. How they made an impact One of the bridges that connects Elmira's north and southsides will be officially renamed in honor of two local civil rights icons. Following unanimous approval from the Elmira City Council in February, the Madison Avenue Bridge over the Chemung River will be named for A'Don Allen and Bessie Berry during a dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. June 19, coinciding with the Juneteenth federal holiday. The idea to rename the bridge came from former Elmira Mayor and local historian Jim Hare, who said it will be a fitting tribute to two influential pioneers. "ADon Allen and Bessie Berry were truly bridge builders and trailblazers in our community," Hare said. "Their leadership and service deserves to be lifted up and remembered." Allen, who died in 1994, became the first African-American to serve on the Chemung County Board Supervisors when he was elected in 1969 to represent the Fourth Ward on Elmiras Eastside. A'don Allen He was elected to the Elmira City Council from the Second District in 1977, becoming the first African-American to serve on that body. He was reelected nine times and was named deputy mayor in 1988. Allen, whose family moved from South Carolina to Elmira in 1924, when he was 8, was also heavily involved in numerous community activities, including Monumental Baptist Church, NAACP and the Masons. Berry, who died in 2008, also scored a couple of firsts, becoming the first Black member of the Elmira City School District Board of Education in 1966. She served two five-year terms and led the fight to establish Jan. 15 as a local holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Bessie Berry Berry also became Chemung Countys first African-American social worker in 1967 and the Elmira Correctional Facility's first Black corrections counselor in 1981. Berry was an active member of the Frederick Douglas Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and also worked with the church youth as a counselor and advocate. She was also president of the local NAACP chapter in the 1980s. "As they worked with others to better the lives of their fellow citizens, each gave a voice to issues of importance within the local African-American community," Hare said of Allen and Berry. The Elmira City Council unanimously approved a proposal to rename the Madison Avenue Bridge in memory of local Black community leaders A'Don Allen and Bessie Berry. Retired Star-Gazette reporter Jeff Aaron, who said he was profoundly influenced by both Allen and Berry as a youth, has been among those leading the charge for the bridge renaming. "There will be a plaque. JHDesign did it for us," said Aaron, who added the dedication ceremony will take place at the south end of the bridge. "The program will include Bessie's son Ted Berry, and remarks by A'Don Allen II," he said. "A'Don Allen III will also attend to give remarks." Local heroes Elmira native named a national 'Jazz Hero'. How Lois Masteller became a jazz promoter. Aaron is also grateful for support from the city, and said Mayor Dan Mandell was instrumental in moving the bridge renaming proposal along. Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira bridge to be renamed for local Black civil rights pioneers Clawback After firing a number of X-formerly-Twitter staff in Australia, the platform's new owner Elon Musk is threatening to take them to court, demanding to claw back payments after claiming the company had accidentally overpaid them. The flailing social media service fired much of its remaining staff stationed in Australia back in January 2023. But thanks to an alleged currency "conversion error," the social media company is now asking the fired employees to repay up to $46,500 in US dollars in some cases, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. In other words, X is kicking its former staff while they're down a gross example of an employer blaming laid off workers for its own careless accounting mistake. AUD Lang Syne According to the report, at least six former X employees received letters in the mail, alleging that they had "received a significant overpayment in error in January 2023." "We would be grateful if you could arrange the repayment to us [using the account details below] at your earliest convenience," the letter reads. The payment was made to the former staff in the form of Twitter shares, which were valued at the price when Musk bought the company in 2022. The number of shares varies, depending on how long each employee worked for the company. Per the Herald, overpayments range anywhere between $1,000 and $46,500 US. The company also threatened the former staff members with legal action if the money wasn't repaid. Atwitter According to the Herald, none of the former employees yet have complied with the unusual request. The social media platform has also been hit by a class-action suit in California, filed by former employees who claim they were never paid severance. The latest accounting error shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the sheer chaos the company has been in over the last two years. Following his disastrous acquisition of Twitter, Musk has slammed the company with several rounds of mass layoffs. The mercurial CEO's abhorrent behavior has since scared away many advertisers, and the platform has quickly descended into a cesspool of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and extreme right-wing pundits. It's still unclear whether X has any recourse in asking for its money back. Employment law specialist Hayden Stephens told the Herald that the former employees should ask the company for supporting evidence before handing over any money. Under Australian labor law, Stephens explained that "there is usually an obligation to repay that money" in the case of a genuine mistake. More on Twitter: Threads Now Has More Daily Users Than X French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to call snap parliamentary elections, in which the far-right National Rally party is predicted to win, could backfire. Illustration: Chris McGonigal/HuffPost; Photos: Getty Images French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called snap parliamentary elections following a disappointing result for his centrist pro-E.U. alliance in the European elections. Many were surprised by the announcement, given that the elections were called three years early and immediately ahead of France hosting the Olympics in Paris later this summer. Macron, who takes pride in his image as a disruptor, reportedly did not even give Prime Minister Gabriel Attal advance notice of his plan. The upcoming race is scheduled to take place incredibly fast. The first round of voting is set for June 30, followed by a second round on July 7. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right party National Rally, has managed to largely normalize the groups image and expand its base as French voters appear disenfranchised with Macron, who, as of May 31, had an approval rating of just 34%, according to Politico Europe. To be French, at heart, is about choosing to write history, not being driven by it, Macron said Sunday. However, he has no allies left willing to work with him to avoid a potential National Rally win and prevent the appointment of a far-right prime minister in the country for the first time since the end of World War II. Macron has said he has no plans to step down irrespective of the result, but concern remains about what sharing power with an extreme right-wing prime minister would mean for France. Some even warn that this vote could spell Macrons Brexit moment. It could absolutely result in a major crisis for Frances institutions, its role in Europe, said Mujtaba Rahman, the managing director of Eurasia Groups analysis and advisory work on Europe. This makes Macrons gambit all the more risky given the backdrop of the November U.S. presidential election, in which former President Donald Trump is a major candidate. Frances Brexit Moment Le Pen welcomed Macrons announcement, previewing what a parliament led by her party would prioritize. Were ready to turn the country around, ready to defend the interests of the French, ready to put an end to mass immigration, ready to make the purchasing power of the French a priority, she said. A good result for the party would also embolden Le Pen ahead of a likely 2027 presidential bid. (Macron wont be able to run due to term limits.) If she were to win the presidency in 2027 with her current policies, it really would be alarming: she is pro-Russia, against heavily arming Ukraine, and deeply skeptical of the EU even if she no longer says that she wants France to leave it, the Economist writes. Macron seemed to benefit from Britains vote to leave the European Union, followed by Trumps 2016 win. French voters in 2017 appeared spooked to insert even more uncertainty into the world by putting a far-right leader in power. But many fear Macrons decision to send the French to the polls now could become Frances Brexit moment. In 2016, then-U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron announced a referendum on the countrys E.U. membership, which he was confident he would win, to stare down the Brexiteers in the party. The result in favor of Brexit still haunts the country, as many Britons now admit they regret their vote. Unlike Cameron, Macron is not naive; he understands exactly what he has done, Emile Chabal, professor of contemporary history at the University of Edinburgh, writes in Foreign Policy. He may, in time, be vindicated. But if he fails, he alone will bear the responsibility for tearing France apart, Chabal added. The Normalization Of The Far-Right Theres reason to suggest Le Pen could be much better positioned to run a successful presidential campaign in three years, even as Macron claims he does not intend to hand the keys of power to the extreme right in 2027. Tara Varma, a visiting fellow in the Center of the United States and Europe at Brookings, told HuffPost that many voters are no longer ashamed to proclaim their support for Le Pen, indicating that this taboo has been broken. The National Rally, which has tried to sanitize its image and appear less extremist, has managed to significantly expand its vote base over the past few years. While the party has come first in the last three European elections, its the first time theyve come this far ahead, getting more than double the vote share Macrons party secured. The vote for the National Rally is not just a protest vote anymore, Varma told HuffPost. Le Pen has also sought to inject new blood into the party. The European election campaign was led by her protege, 28-year-old Jordan Bardella, who could become the countrys next prime minister in the event of a National Rally win. (Current polls predict the National Rally will come first in legislative elections with a vote share of about 30% but wont secure an absolute majority in parliament.) Sebastien Maillard, a special advisor to the Jacques Delors Institute, said the National Rally has also tried to polish its image, deploying a so-called tie strategy, having its candidates dress the part and appear polite and soft-spoken to disguise their far-right ideas. In another effort to become more mainstream, Le Pen has abandoned calls to exit the Eurozone and the European Union even though she continues to spew anti-E.U. propaganda. Besides, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, which prompted the ongoing Gaza war, Le Pen was quick to express support for Israel, seizing the opportunity to diffuse concerns about the partys anti-semitic past. (In 2015, Le Pen expelled her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, from the party he founded, which was then called National Front after he repeated his position that the Holocaust was a detail of history.) Macron Left With No Allies Despite criticizing both the extreme left and the extreme right during a press conference Wednesday, Macron ultimately urged those who oppose the prospect of a far-right government to band together. I hope that when the time comes, men and women of goodwill who will have been able to say no to the extremes will come together will put themselves in a position to build a shared, sincere project that is useful to the country, he said. But no one seems to share a desire to team up with Macron. Frances four left-wing parties on Thursday announced the creation of an electoral alliance dubbed the Popular Front, pledging to govern jointly if they win the election, a move that the French president reportedly wasnt expecting when he called the election. Meanwhile, the mainstream right is in turmoil. Eric Ciotti, the president of Frances conservatives, which got just over 7% of the vote in the European elections, expressed his intention to form an alliance with the National Rally, effectively cutting the so-called cordon sanitaire that has up to now kept the conservatives distanced from the far-right. The partys leaders voted to expel him as he pledged to take the fight to the courts. These developments mean Macron, who has for years claimed he built a strong center against the National Rally, has no allies to turn to in this crucial moment, further complicating his partys path in the upcoming race. A Fundamentally Different Bet Maillard told HuffPost Macron pressed the political nuclear button in announcing the early vote, which could have far-reaching consequences, noting, however, that it would have been perhaps equally dangerous to do nothing in the face of a resounding defeat. By the next presidential election of 2027, he would have seen his political capital devaluated more and more, Maillard explained. He added that Macron also wanted to get ahead of the National Assembly, potentially voting down his budget in the fall and bringing down his government. Varma said, ultimately, the shock decision is consistent with Macrons instinct for upending French politics. Macron has disrupted Frances political scene since he first came into power by winning the 2017 presidential election and also securing an absolute majority for his party in parliament that same year in a surprising result. Varma added that while Macron has succeeded in some gambles hes taken during his time in office, things are not looking up for him this time. In this case, hes betting with the future of the French people, which is, I think, a fundamentally different bet, Varma told HuffPost. In calling the far-rights bluff by triggering legislative elections, Macron is betting that if, as polls predict, the National Rally comes first and he is forced to nominate a far-right prime minister, that would expose them for what they are and make the outcome of a 2027 Le Pen presidency less likely. But his gambit could backfire. Theres a chance that they may figure out a formula that enables them to govern and they further normalize and legitimize themselves and build and expand their voter base, in which case, Le Pen could do very well in 2027, Rahman told HuffPost. The timing of a potential rightward turn for France comes at a pivotal moment for Europe. What were going to see is a weakened Macron, which I dont think is going to help either France or Europe, to be honest, Varma said. How A National Rally Win Would Affect The U.S. U.S. President Joe Bidens team anxiously watched the 2022 French presidential election, fearing that a Le Pen victory could destabilize Europe and disrupt the united front he built to support Ukraine against Russia. Theres a domino effect in the rest of Europe if France falls to the far-right, Varma explains. The White House is expected to watch the results of this parliamentary vote equally closely and evaluate what they mean for Europe and the U.S. as they prepare to take on Trump in November, the presumptive Republican nominee who has promised to take extreme measures, including cutting funding for allies abroad. Biden could also draw lessons from how the French people respond to Macrons message urging the public to stand for democracy, which mirrors the case he has made to Americans against supporting Trump. While Macron would still remain in charge of foreign policy as president, a National Rally prime minister could appoint a foreign minister with a pro-Kremlin agenda. We could really see Frances foreign policy going a fundamentally different direction, of course, much less support for multilateralism, much less support for international organizations, a true willingness to undermine the E.U. from the inside, Varma told HuffPost. And I think all of this, of course, wouldnt be in the U.S. interest. Related... Engineer in Metro-North crash that killed 6: 'I have to relive this every day of my life' Former Metro-North engineer Steven Smalls told jurors Thursday he remains haunted by the 2015 crash in Valhalla that killed six when his Harlem Line train slammed into an SUV stuck on the tracks at a grade crossing. I have to relive this every day of my life, Smalls said under questioning by an attorney representing five passengers who died in the Feb. 3, 2015, accident, the deadliest in Metro-Norths history. State Supreme Court Judge Paul I. Marx told jurors to disregard the comment since the response went beyond the scope of attorney Ben Rubinowitzs questioning. But the comment punctuated a sometimes testy exchange between the two during the first day of testimony in the civil litigation over the crash of Harlem Line Train 659. The families of the five passengers, together with the husband of Ellen Brody, the Edgemont mother of three killed when the 5:44 p.m. train from Grand Central Terminal slammed into her Mercedes SUV, sued Metro-North, citing the commuter rails negligence. Steven Smalls was the engineer during the deadly Metro-North crash of Feb. 3, 2015 in Valhalla. Metro-Norths attorneys say responsibility for the crash lies with Brody, who had time to move her car off the tracks while Smalls frantically blasted the trains horn as it approached the Commerce Street crossing. The trial in state Supreme Court in White Plains is expected to last six weeks. Did Smalls change his testimony? The passengers killed in the 6:30 p.m. crash were Robert Dirks, 36, of Chappaqua; Walter Liedtke, 69, and Eric Vandercar, 53, both of Bedford Hills; Aditya Tomar, 41, of Danbury, Connecticut; and Joseph Nadol, 42, of Ossining. They were riding in the train's first car the quiet car when it was pierced by the Harlem Lines third rail. Attorneys representing their families are arguing that the third rail was defective and should not have come unhinged during the crash. Rail: On 4th anniversary of Valhalla Metro-North crash, third rail is focus of litigation Smalls, an Air Force veteran, was wearing a dark suit and tie as he took the stand Thursday afternoon. Formerly of Orange County, he now lives in South Carolina. He began working as a Metro-North electrician in 2010 before training to become an engineer under the guidance of a road foreman. Hed been an engineer for nine months when the crash occurred and had completed more than 100 practice runs on the Harlem Line alone. He answered Rubinowitzs questions in a steady voice, refusing to concede the lawyers suggestion that his testimony Thursday was markedly different from what he told state and federal safety investigators days after the accident. In a Feb. 5, 2015, interview, Smalls told investigators he learned from fellow engineers and rescue personnel at the crash site that normally thats a trouble crossing with cars being stuck on at a point in time. But, pressed by Rubinowitz Thursday, Smalls insisted he did not learn the Commerce Street crossing was troubling until after the accident. At one point, Rubinowitz asked: What happened to make your memory get better? I was battling with a concussion and PTSD at the time, Smalls said, a reference to post-traumatic stress disorder. Smalls told jurors he repeatedly sounded the trains horn when he saw a black, shiny reflection on the tracks ahead. When I saw the reflection, I didnt know what it was, Small testified. The train was going 59 mph as it approached Commerce Street. Should have hit the brakes, attorney says Rubinowitz wondered why Smalls blasted the Horn instead of slowing down or hitting the brakes. Smalls said he was trying to determine what was actually on the tracks and feared that if he engaged the emergency brake passengers aboard the train would be injured. Speed: Final seconds of deadly Metro-North Valhalla crash raise questions about engineer's actions They can get thrown around and they can get hurt, he testified. Smalls engaged the trains breaks three seconds before the crash, according to federal investigators. In 2015, he told investigators he watched as Brody moved the SUV forward and then stopped. Smalls reached settlement with Metro-North Smalls sued Metro-North in 2015 and reached a $1 million settlement with the commuter rail in 2019. Attorneys for the families have cast the payout as an attempt to silence Smalls ahead of the trial, a claim his lawyers have rejected. Engineer: Metro-North paid $1M to engineer in Valhalla crash that killed 6 in 2015. Families ask why Smalls attorney Steven Kantor has called the settlement a means to an end to some of the extensive amount of pain and suffering they (Smalls and his wife) had to endure as a result of this incident. The railroad has declined to comment on the specific allegations but said Smalls acted heroically during the crash, coming to the aid of passengers scrambling to get off the Harlem Line train. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Metro-North engineer tells jury he 'relives' Valhalla crash every day The Port of Tacoma is responsible for abiding by stormwater pollution-prevention measures across its entire enterprise, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit has ruled. A lawsuit brought against the Port of Tacoma and two of its tenants by environmental nonprofit Puget Soundkeeper Alliance argued the they violated the Clean Water Act in various respects by not having proper safeguards in place to prevent stormwater pollution. Puget Soundkeeper Alliance initiated the lawsuit against prior port tenant APM Terminals in 2016 and added the port to its legal action in 2017 when APM Terminals vacated its site and canceled its permit, according to a news release. The nonprofit argued the port, as landlord, has control over its tenants and is liable for pollution violations during and after APM Terminals tenancy. It added SSA Terminals to the case when the company took over the facility, the press release said. A majority opinion released Monday found in favor of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, reversing a previous Washington State Pollution Hearings Board decision that said Washington State Department of Ecologys editions of the 2010 and 2015 Industrial Stormwater General Permits didnt apply to the entire Port of Tacoma terminal. The opinion was written by Judge Eric Miller. Because the Terminal was a facility conducting industrial activities, the permits, and the obligations under them, applied to the entire facility, including the Wharf, Millers opinion said. The Port therefore needed to implement appropriate stormwater controls across the footprint of the Terminal while the 2010 and 2015 ISGPs were in effect. The port argued the ISGPs do not extend coverage to the wharf, and, if they do, that cannot be enforced in a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act. We reject both arguments, Miller wrote in the opinion. The port petitioned for review in the Washington Supreme Court, and the petition remains pending, the opinion said. In a written statement to The News Tribune on Wednesday, the port said it was committed to operating in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner and that environmental leadership is an important part of our mission. While we are still evaluating the Ninth Circuits decision, it is important to note that the terminal areas at issue in this decision have been and continue to be managed in compliance with Ecologys Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit. That permit is stringent, protective of the marine environment and meets all state and federal requirements including those under the Clean Water Act, port communication manager Graham Johnson said. We remain concerned that unnecessary and unfunded additional requirements will greatly impact and potentially decimate our budgets for other environmental programs that have scientifically based and unquestionable environmental benefits and will discourage trade through Washington. General manager of Tacoma SSA Terminal operations Wes Anderson said he was unable to comment on the topic Wednesday. Messages left by The News Tribune at corporate SSA Marine were not answered Wednesday and Thursday. APM Terminals spokesperson Kevin Doell told The News Tribune the case against APM Terminals had been dismissed and the organization had no comment. The News Tribune was not able to immediately verify the dismissal Thursday. Stronger environmental safeguards Sean Dixon, the executive director of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, said the ruling should put to rest the question of whether stormwater permits apply to a narrow portion of a facility or the facility as a whole. The West Sitcum Terminal is a 137-acre marine-cargo terminal on Commencement Bay operated by the Port of Tacoma and SSA Terminals, LLC. On 12.6 acres of the terminal, commonly referred to as the Wharf, five large cranes load and unload container ships. During rainfall, stormwater runs into Puget Sound, carrying with it metals and other pollutants, the court opinion said. Dixon said Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, which celebrates its 40th birthday this year, partners with people who have eyes on the waterways in town. Over the last 20 or so years, weve brought over 200 environmental enforcement actions, he said. Some of those are from when were out on the water ourselves, or on a partners patrol vessel, or whether were out kayaking when some of our our members keeping an eye out for pollution, or even looking at submitted information sent into the state about the discharges going on at sites where levels exceed what what theyre allowed to exceed. The nonprofit also receives calls to its pollution hot-line number, 1.800.42.PUGET. What the Clean Water Act actually requires is that every five years when permits are reissued, they need to get better, because the Clean Water Act is aiming at a day when we dont have violations of pollution, we dont have exceedances of too much copper or too much zinc, he said. We hope that this makes us stop looking backwards or questioning things that weve already folded into our management of stormwater, and now start looking at the new and emerging things that we need to wrap our arms around in the future, like 6PPD-quinone. Vehicle tires contain 6PPD, a chemical that prevents tires from breaking down. When 6PPD reacts with ozone in the air, it forms 6PPD-quinone, an eco-toxic chemical that has been linked to salmon death as a result of particles washing off roads and into streams and other water bodies, according to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency. Mondays hugely important final decision applies to all of Washington state, Dixon said. The case that we brought against these permittees is open-ended at the moment, but it will follow the rulings that were just made by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, he said. An excavator, mulch and a pile of pallets caught fire Thursday morning at a pallet company at 243 N. 88th Street in Cahokia Heights, according to Assistant Chief Sharon Davis of the Camp Jackson Fire Department. The fire was reported at 11:20 a.m., Davis said. The first crew on scene said they had heavy fire on the excavator, and the mulch pile was starting to smoke, she said. Firefighters decided immediately that they needed more manpower and water to fight the fire in the extreme heat. Firefighters from Signal Hill, OFallon, Villa Hills, Millstadt and Prairie Dupont, plus Medstar Ambulance joined Camp Jackson in fighting the fire. In total, Davis said 22 firefighters were on scene. No injuries were reported. Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 3:00 p.m. One of the belts on the excavator caught on fire, Davis said. The fire spread to the mulch pile and then on to the large pile of pallets. We are thankful for the mutual aid we received. We could not have done it without all of their help. The News The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia violated customers private data when it published hundreds of names and photographs of customers in bid to recover lost funds from an ATM network glitch incident. International digital rights group Access Now and Ethiopias Centre for Advancement of Rights and Democracy both slammed the banks name-and-shame strategy to recoup $14 million lost during a system glitch that allowed customers to withdraw unauthorized funds back in March. Following the sharp criticism earlier this week, the bank on Friday took down the names of customers from its various platforms saying it had recovered just over 99% of the illegally withdrawn money. In a statement the bank said all names and photograph had been removed from its social media accounts since the majority of the people whose names and images were placed there have paid for the money that was taken inappropriately. The bank released easily identifiable details of the customers allegedly involved after a deadline lapse during which the bank asked for the voluntary return of the money. Nearly 15,000 accounts were implicated in the transactions, including a few of the banks employees. Know More A personal data protection law was approved by Ethiopias parliament in the weeks following the incident, and contains, clear provisions on the legal basis for the processing of personal data which the CBE has failed to comply with, said a statement from the organization. According to the new law, the bank can be challenged on the grounds of unlawful transfer to a third party, which in this case is the public, said Befeqadu Hailu, executive director at the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy. Posting these sensitive data of its customers also assumes their guilt, he said. Even when the police catch you red-handed in a crime, they have to take you to court, they dont have the mandate to declare you guilty. This is not the first time a state-owned entity has undermined privacy in Ethiopia. The statement also mentions Ethiopias state-owned telecom operator, Ethio-Telecom, in previous acts of data privacy breaches: granting security authorities unlawful access to peoples information. Commercial bank CEO Abie Sano, in an interview given to state media, explained that it had asked for the money back repeatedly and was pushed into this step to publicize customers data. On the evening of 14 June, the permanent representatives of the European Union member states accepted the main talking points of the negotiating framework for Ukraine and Moldova's accession. Source: Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: The EU ambassadors' decision means that an intergovernmental conference will be held on 25 June, as planned, to officially begin negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU. The intergovernmental conference had long been expected to take place around the end of June, as the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council expires this month. But Hungary blocked the decision at the level of permanent representatives. Had it not changed this position, the beginning of negotiations could have been delayed until the second half of 2024, when Hungary will hold the presidency of the EU Council. On 7 June, the European Commission confirmed that it has given a positive verbal assessment concerning the process of European integration reforms by Ukraine and Moldova, published in the November enlargement report. Support UP or become our patron! EU ambassadors agreed on the framework for the EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova, allowing talks to start on June 25, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU announced on June 14. EU and Ukrainian officials are reportedly pushing for the talks to start by June 25 before Hungary takes the presidency of the Council of the EU in July. "Ambassadors agreed in principle on the negotiating frameworks for the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova," the Belgian presidency said on X. "The Belgian presidency will call the first intergovernmental conferences on June 25." The European Commission announced on June 7 that it supported the start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. For talks to begin, the EU needs to unanimously agree that Ukraine has undertaken measures to improve issues like corruption and the protection of minority languages. Hungary is expected to raise objections, mainly regarding minority rights. Budapest has repeatedly claimed that the Hungarian ethnic minority concentrated in southwestern Ukraine is discriminated against due to Kyiv's language laws. Ukraine denies the allegations and updated its national minorities law at the end of 2023 in line with the EU's recommendations. Ukraine received EU membership candidate status in June 2022. In November 2023, the European Commission recommended launching accession talks with Kyiv. The European Council then agreed in December to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Read also: Opinion: Europe faces 3 choices in combating the far-right surge Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EU to hand over third group of mine detection dogs to Ukraine The European Commission will hand over to Kyiv a third group of 12 mine detection dogs to help clear mines on the territory of Ukraine. Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing the European Commission Delegation to Poland; European Pravda Details: The ceremony of handing over the dogs to the Ukrainian side will take place on 14 June in Nowy Sacz in Poland's south. This will be the third and largest group of dogs trained within the initiative by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs and the EU's External Action Service. The dogs were trained in Belgium, Poland, Italy, Malta, Luxembourg, and Finland. In Poland, the dogs underwent a 14-day adaptation course at the Carpathian Border Guard Detachment, during which Ukrainian dog trainers had the opportunity to get to know their new wards. The ceremony will include a presentation of the dogs' explosive detection capabilities and a symbolic handover to their new Ukrainian guardians. In general, the European Commission will hand over 50 specially trained mine detection dogs to Ukraine. The project's estimated budget, which will last until 2025, is 3 million. Background: The first group of nine mine detection dogs was already handed over to Ukraine in March last year, and the second group, which consisted of nine dogs, was handed over last November. Support UP or become our patron! Evacuated Ukrainian war refugees arrive at the airport. EU justice and home affairs ministers are to examine plans to extend emergency rules to shelter people who fled the war in Ukraine until at least March 2026, in two days of meetings in Luxembourg starting on 13 June. Bernd Thissen/dpa War refugees from Ukraine will be able to remain in the European Union until at least March 2026, as per emergency rules extended by EU justice and home affairs ministers on Thursday. Ukrainians who fled to the European Union after the full-scale invasion of their country by Russia in 2022 were granted immediate protection after EU member states set up a temporary regime designed for cases of mass influxes of people. The proposal is designed to avoid the lengthy national asylum-seeking procedures required to process large numbers of displaced people. Extensions of the temporary rules are possible for up to one year. In addition, people under temporary protection are entitled to social benefits, housing, access to education and work permits, among other things. The existing regime was set to end in March 2025. The European Commission proposed to extend the emergency rules on Tuesday, arguing that "safe and durable conditions for the return of people to Ukraine are not currently in place" due to continued Russian attacks on both civil and critical infrastructure. The commission reported almost 4.2 million Ukrainians are currently residing in the EU under these rules, with Germany hosting the most people at 1.2 million. However, in relation to the population, the number of Ukrainian refugees is significantly higher in countries such as the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Poland. EU justice and home affairs ministers, who are in Luxembourg for a two-day meeting, were also set to examine a strategy from the commission to roll out controversial new migration and asylum rules in the EU. The commission's strategy is to help the bloc's countries implement the legal system by mid-2026. A major part of the commission's plan is a large IT system called Eurodac, in which the data of people seeking asylum is to be stored and processed to better monitor applicants between EU countries. Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, speaks in the plenary session of the Bundestag on the subject of the deployment of the German Armed Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Sabina Crisan/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for the rapid adoption of the European Union's proposed new sanctions package against Russia, even as Berlin is being accused of holding up its passage. "For the German government it is absolutely clear that we as the European Union must continue to maintain the pressure of sanctions against Russia," she said at a meeting of Baltic state foreign ministers in Finland on Friday. She said the German Foreign Office was working "flat out" to try get a consensus on the next round of sanctions. For the first time, the EU plans to impose strict sanctions against Russia's multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. Baerbock said the package should also focus on the role played by countries such as Belarus in helping Russia evade sanctions. But diplomats in Brussels said this week that it was German concerns and requests for changes that were delaying agreement on the sanctions. Berlin is calling for a planned rule for subsidiaries to be held liable in the event of violations to be limited to certain goods or cancelled altogether, amid apparent fears that German companies could be held responsible for sanctions violations. Ex-NATO commander calls for further lifting restrictions on Ukrainian strikes against Russia Ukraine should be allowed to use Western weapons to strike as deep inside Russia as it is necessary, including targeting power plants, Wesley Clark, NATO's former supreme commander in Europe, said on June 14. Speaking online during the Black Sea Security Forum in comments reported by Ukrinform, Clark said it was crucial Ukraine was allowed to do what was needed to force Putin to abandon the continuation of aggression. In May the U.S. allowed Ukraine to use HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, GMLRS rockets, and artillery against Russian territory near Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. However, Washington still prohibits Ukraine from using ATACMS and other long-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes deeper inside Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 2 said the U.S. should also lift the ban on long-range strikes in order to protect lives, arguing that airfields deep inside Russia are used to launch strikes on Ukraine. Speaking a few days later, U.S. President Joe Biden told ABC News that Washington was not authorizing Kyiv to carry out long-range strikes with U.S.-supplied weapons on locations far from the border with Ukraine, such as Moscow. Read also: Ukraines 68th Jaeger Brigade says it destroyed entire Russian tank company Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Washington imposed sanctions on an Israeli group on Friday for attacking humanitarian aid convoys bound for starving civilians in Gaza, U.S. officials told Reuters, in the latest move targeting actors Washington believes threaten the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The sanctions target Tsav 9, a group with ties to Israeli army reservists and Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, over activities including blocking, harassing and damaging aid shipments. Palestinians have been desperately in need of aid as Israel continues its eight-month invasion and bombardment, which has killed at least 37,000 people, according to the territory's health ministry. Israel has also faced accusations of blocking aid, which it denies doing. Right-wing elements in Israel's government, with links to the settler movement, have opposed U.S. President Joe Biden's effort to forge a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war that began with Hamas' attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. The financial sanctions will be imposed under an executive order on West Bank violence Biden signed in February, which was previously used to impose financial restrictions on Jewish settlers involved in attacks on Palestinians as well as a Palestinian militant group. Tsav 9 was listed as sanctioned on the website of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Friday. Reuters was first to report the sanctions. "We're using the authority to sanction an ever-broadening selection of actors, targeting individuals and entities that threaten the peace, security and stability of the West Bank regardless of religion, ethnicity or location," Aaron Forsberg, director of the State Department's office of sanctions policy and implementation, told Reuters. On May 13, members of Tsav 9 looted and then set fire to two aid trucks near the West Bank city of Hebron. Tsav 9 - Hebrew for Order 9, a reference to call-up orders for Israeli military reservists - said after the May 13 incident it acted to stop supplies from reaching Hamas and accused the Israeli government of giving "gifts" to the Islamist group. "For months, individuals from Tzav 9 have repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blocking roads, sometimes violently, along their route from Jordan to Gaza, including transiting the West Bank," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement seen by Reuters. "They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road." The move freezes any assets the group holds under U.S. jurisdiction and bars Americans from dealing with it. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a U.S.-based human rights group, this week called for U.S. sanctions on Tsav 9 and said the group raises funds from Israeli companies and Israeli and U.S. non-profit organizations. DAWN said in a statement that such vigilante groups have enjoyed impunity from Israeli authorities. Palestinians and human rights groups have long accused the Israeli military and police of deliberately failing to intervene when settlers attack Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel arrested four of those involved in the May 13 attack, including a minor, according to lawyers. "We'll continue to use all tools at our disposal to promote accountability for those who attempt to undertake or perpetrate such heinous acts," Forsberg said. "We have raised this at all levels of the government of Israel and we expect that Israeli authorities will do the same." (Reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Josie Kao) Exclusive: Why the women who were shut out of Harvey Weinsteins overturned conviction continue their fight By the time Tarale Wulff had testified against Harvey Weinstein in his 2020 trial, she had already sacrificed years of her life. Its kind of surreal when you look back that a phone call can change your life, Wulff told CNN, reflecting on the day she was called by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office to share her story. After reading articles that led to Weinsteins downfall, Wulff recognized similar patterns between what had happened to her and other accusers. I wanted to step forward, she said. I wanted to help them. What she didnt realize is that her life would completely transform, losing all of her anonymity and becoming one of the faces of the landmark #MeToo trial that would come to impact how society views power dynamics in the workplace. Before Wulff put her most personal story on the worlds stage, testifying that Weinstein sexually assaulted her in 2005, she had barely told anyone about her allegations not even her own father, who learned the details by reading his daughters testimony in the media. God, its horrible. It really is, Wulff recalled. My dad and I are close. I couldnt share that with him. The only people you can really talk to are your lawyers, she continued. For three years leading up to the trial, to me testifying, I was meeting with them regularly. Wulff added, I just wanted to be normal, but there was nothing normal about it. By the end of the trial, it was all worth it, she said. Weinsteins 2020 trial resulted in a rape conviction and the Hollywood producer was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Wulff felt overwhelmed and hadnt yet processed her trauma, but knew she had contributed to justice being served. Fast-forward four years: This April, Weinsteins conviction was overturned. In a 4-3 decision by the New York Court of Appeals, the overturned conviction was not based on whether Weinstin is guilty or not guilty, but on legal technicalities largely the fact that the judge allowed what are known as Molineux witnesses, like Wulff, who testified about prior bad acts, but were not directly tied to charges Weinstein was facing. Wulff was one of three Molineux witnesses in the 2020 trial none of whom would be allowed to testify in Weinsteins re-trial, which Manhattan prosecutors have said they intend to move forward with as soon as this fall. In their successful appeal, Weinsteins defense argued that the jury heard stories from other women that painted him as a bad guy, but were not relevant to their deliberations. It was his character that was on trial. It wasnt the evidence that was on trial, Weinsteins attorney, Arthur Aidala, said at the appeal hearing. Like Wulff, Dawn Dunning another Molineux witness from the 2020 trial was stunned by the courts reversal. Lauren Young, Jessica Mann and Dawn Dunning walk out of a New York courthouse in 2020, after Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison. The women were among those who testified against Weinstein at his trial. - Roy Rochlin/Getty Images I want to move on with my life This has been such a long ordeal for me, Dunning told CNN. I would love to have that closure. Dunnings testimony during the trial had striking similarities to Wulffs. Both women told the jury they were aspiring actresses working as waitresses in New York when they met Weinstein, who offered to help them with their careers before assaulting them. The prosecutions purpose in introducing them as Molineux witnesses was to establish an alleged pattern of behavior. Weinstein, who has been publicly accused by over 100 women, has denied all sexual misconduct allegations against him. In 16 states in the US including California where Weinstein is currently appealing his 2022 Los Angeles conviction for sex crimes prior bad acts testimony, like Dunning and Wulffs, is admissible in court. In New York, where Weinsteins conviction was overturned, it it is not. Evidence introduced under the Molineux rule must exceed a high bar for inclusion, one not met in Weinsteins case, according to the New York Court of Appeals. Now, both Dunning and Wulff are advocating for new legislation that would allow prior bad acts testimony into sex crimes cases. Harvey Weinstein at a hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 29. - Steven Hirsch/Getty Images Last week, a bill proposed by members of the New York State Assembly that would have amended the states criminal procedure law failed to pass the State Assembly, after having successfully passed the Senate. The bill is expected to be reintroduced at the legislatures next session, but for now, it is dead another setback for women like Dunning and Wulff. Its going to take time for the legal system to catch up to this bigger cultural change and movement that weve had as a society, Dunning said. Unfortunately, the legal system is slow. Dunning added that she feels let down by this latest legal setback and is concerned that the bill not passing could prevent other women from coming forward. She hopes that the justice system continues to progress so that sex crimes will become easier to report and to prosecute. The thought that he would be free again is terrifying, she said of Weinstein, acknowledging his ongoing appeal on his California conviction. I just think hell stop at nothing to get back at us. He will never stop abusing women. If he gets out, I know everyone thinks hes so old and frail and sick, but hes never going to stop. He never will stop. The prospect of Weinstein walking free one day also weighs heavily on Wulff, calling the overturned conviction a wake-up call. As long as we keep talking and we dont go back into the shadows and we dont let setbacks set us back, we will keep that light bright on it, Wulff said. If you have a sister, a daughter, a mother, were trying to protect them. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) KTSM spoke with people who have specialized in safety and jacuzzi installments about the tragic incident involving an El Paso couple in a jacuzzi at a resort in Puerto Penasco. Jorge Guillen, 43, and his wife, Lizzette Zambrano, 35, were in a jacuzzi just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, at Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Penasco. El Paso man electrocuted in jacuzzi at Puerto Penasco resort Guillen died after he was electrocuted and Zambrano suffered life-threatening injuries from a possible failure in the wiring. Mario Solano, a safety consultant and safety engineer with Triple S Safety Services, said this could have been prevented, and he explained what is usually at the root of an incident like this. If they got shocked or electrocuted inside the jacuzzi, there was nothing to prevent the electricity from being cut off, which normally indicates it did not have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), and if it did, it could have been faulty, Solano said. Solano explained that a GFCI is a failsafe protecting people and their hot tub that will kill the power to the tub if anything goes wrong and also allows a person to flip a switch shutting off the power to the unit as well. He also said that in the US, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires hot tubs to have a 240-volt GFCI to protect people from shock and electrocution. Solano pointed out that according to the National Fire Protection Associations website, Mexico and other countries in Central and South America, rely in some form on the NEC. The owner of a pool installation company in El Paso, explained what has to be done in order to ensure customers are safe when providing services like theirs. Making sure that your team knows how to ground properly, that the equipment be installed correctly, that you run power to it correctly with a breaker and you have to have certain preventative measures so that if theres electrical outbursts and shorts, to cut them off. There are things that absorb the energy, so that it doesnt make it to the person. You have to take step one, two, three, four and do it correctly, said the owner of Pools El Paso, Abel Rodriguez. The General Prosecutors Office for the State of Sonora is currently investigating the incident. Family friends have created a GoFundMe for the couple. To access that, click here: Support for Jorge and Lizzettes family in crisis. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Experts raise concerns after finding evidence of meth-addicted fish: 'Active pharmaceutical ingredients are found in waterways all around the globe' A study showed pharmaceuticals are polluting the environment and causing concerning changes in wildlife populations worldwide. What's happening? "Drug exposure is causing significant, unexpected changes to some animals' behaviour and anatomy," the Guardian reported. Cocaine, anti-anxiety medications, and antipsychotics, among others, have entered ecosystems. The paper was published in Nature Sustainability. Other studies have documented contraceptive-induced sex organ changes in fish that caused population collapses, male starlings engaging in aggressive behavior and singing less to attract antidepressant-dosed female starlings, and trout that preferred methamphetamine-laced water to clean water during a withdrawal period. "Active pharmaceutical ingredients are found in waterways all around the globe, including in organisms that we might eat," Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences assistant professor and study co-author Michael Bertram told the Guardian. The problem is getting worse and demands a green solution to API pollution, the outlet reported. Why is pharmaceutical pollution important? Even caffeine and anti-inflammatory drugs can have outsize effects on wildlife because they are designed to be effective in humans at low doses. Pharmaceutical pollution is combining with overconsumption, habitat destruction, and climate change to harm biodiversity around the world, according to the Guardian. "There are a few pathways for these chemicals to enter the environment," Bertram said. "If there is inadequate treatment of pharmaceuticals that are being released during drug production, that's one way. Another is during use. When a human takes a pill, not all of that drug is broken down inside our bodies and so through our excrement, the effluent is released directly into the environment." Humans and animals are already threatened by the production of carbon dioxide and other planet-warming gases that are driving increasing temperatures and more frequent and severe extreme weather events. Supervolcanoes have caused past extinction events, but we are producing CO2 200 times faster than those eruptions. Not only can humans ingest these drugs by eating contaminated food, but we can also suffer from decreasing biodiversity. Declines in bee populations, for example, threaten food supplies. What's being done about pharmaceutical pollution? Medical professionals could be taught about the environmental impacts of drugs, as the Guardian detailed, and lead safe handling and disposal practices. Pharmaceuticals could also be designed to break down after being used. And wastewater treatment operations could be changed to prevent drugs from polluting the environment. Most importantly, drug designers and manufacturers will have to invest time and money to engineer products that are safe throughout their life cycles. "Greener drugs lessen the potential for pollution throughout the entire cycle, reducing the need for other downstream mitigation measures," the study authors wrote. "As such, pharmaceuticals as well as their additives, adjuvants and excipients should be designed not only to be efficacious and safe, but also to be quickly and fully mineralized to carbon dioxide and water after excretion (for example, by environmental biodegradation). This approach, known as 'benign by design', is a key aspect of green pharmacy and has been successfully conducted with persistent APIs such as fluoroquinolone antibiotics." Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Too-cozy relationships, a bloated 44-member board and a lack of basic financial controls paint a picture of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy as a nonprofit with its guard down, experts say, potentially allowing some of the worst alleged graft in recent Detroit history. Former Conservancy Chief Financial Officer William Smiths shocking indictment this month on wire and bank fraud charges has raised questions about how the alleged theft of $40 million could have gone undetected for nearly 12 years at a well-financed nonprofit governed by some of the regions top business, philanthropic and civic leaders. Ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith walks out of Theodore Levin United States Courthouse in Detroit after appearing in court on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Among the institutional failings and missed red flags experts in the sector highlighted for the Free Press: Smith had sole access to a Conservancy checking account, which allowed him to allegedly alter bank statements to keep his underlings in the dark about the nonprofits increasingly precarious finances, federal prosecutors say. The board contracted with the same independent auditor for more than a decade, when industry standards recommend hiring a new firm every three to five years. A nonprofit investment firm, governed by the same board chair tasked with holding the Conservancy CFO accountable, greenlit a loan for Smiths personal business venture near the RiverWalk, public records show, in what experts said represented a potential conflict for Smith and a missed opportunity for Conservancy leaders to look more closely at his personal business dealings. What it feels like to me is the good old boys, said Donna Givens Davidson, a longtime nonprofit executive who runs the East Side Community Network in Detroit. The good old boys network didnt police itself and someone took money. (The Conservancy) didnt do enough to scrutinize (Smith) and allowed him to cross too many lines he shouldnt have been allowed to cross and these are lines most nonprofit leaders wouldnt be allowed to cross. Even at Givens' much smaller nonprofit, she said there are four sets of eyes on every (financial) transaction. The Conservancy did not respond to specific questions, but last Friday issued a statement saying it was reviewing its protocols after the Free Press reported additional missed warning signs. Board chair Matt Cullen has recruited outside board members and business leaders to analyze the organizations accounting/finance, governance, and operations systems and make recommendations about how to improve them, the statement said. Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Chairman Matt Cullen, center, and Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Chief Financial Officer William Smith, right, break ground at the former Uniroyal site for new Detroit Riverfront construction on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. He has asked them not only to define the future state of the Conservancy but also to produce a best-in-class model to potentially help other nonprofits throughout Michigan. Planned changes include recurring background checks for executives, a source familiar with the situation said. The source requested anonymity because of the criminal investigation. Nonprofit accountability can be a 'fundamental problem' The nonprofit developing 5 miles of the frontage along the Detroit River had $169 million in assets in 2022 and receives significant public money. Direct government grants to the organization totaled at least $15 million over the past decade, according to a Free Press review of tax filing records, and the city of Detroit provides $3 million per year for operational costs, though the total public contribution to the Conservancys initiatives is likely far higher. Nonprofits and philanthropies play an outsized role in providing public services in tax-poor Detroit. The city famously exited bankruptcy more than a decade ago after 12 foundations committed $366 million to help preserve city pensions while preventing the sale of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection in what is known as the Grand Bargain. Reliance on nonprofits to handle public business can present a fundamental problem for accountability, said Nicolas Duquette, a University of Southern California professor who researches policies affecting charitable giving. Unlike in government, there are no elected or appointed officials who can be voted out or pushed out by the public if malfeasance or mismanagement comes to light, and public information rules to promote transparency dont apply. Unlike in business, where there's an expected return on investment, theres no similar financial incentive to root out fraud in nonprofits, Duquette said. With a nonprofit, the board responsible for its governance and operations reappoints itself and chooses its own members in perpetuity, and so oversight from beyond that board has to come from some other mechanism than an owner or an election, said Duquette. An aerial of the Riverwalk and downtown Detroit as seen from Robert C. Valade Park on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. State attorneys general have the power to sue and investigate bad actors in the sector, and the Internal Revenue Service can audit organizations and pull their tax benefit, but both are resource-strapped and rarely do, experts said. In extreme cases of negligence, Duquette said, board members could be held personally liable to compensate the organization, though they cautioned that larger organizations would likely have insurance protection. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels Office said it has no current or past investigations into the Conservancy and had not received complaints about it. Asked whether it plans to open an investigation on its own, spokesman Danny Wimmer said the office had not reviewed the matter to assess the necessity of a parallel investigation or prosecution of potential state law violations or whether such an undertaking would substantiate a viable expense of department resources given the ongoing federal case. The IRSs criminal division said it could not confirm or deny whether it is conducting its own investigation, but typically gets involved only in cases of alleged tax evasion. A spokesman for the civil side of the agency declined comment, citing privacy rules. Bloated board, questions about controls Federal prosecutors allege Smith had sole access to one of the nonprofits online bank accounts, and presented its accountant with falsified paper-only bank statements four times per year in person in a Honey Baked Ham parking lot 40 miles from the city. He also took out a $5 million line of credit in 2023 with paperwork that was allegedly forged to hide the Conservancys cash flow problems, the feds say. Between 2012 and this year, he is accused of stealing $24.4 million via wire transfers to one of his companies and nearly $15 million in credit card payments for he and his family members, purchasing airline tickets, hotels, limousines, household goods, lawn care, clothing, and jewelry," according to a criminal complaint. Federal agents raided ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith's home in Northville on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. To limit corruption, nonprofits typically require more than one person to sign checks and approve expenses, experts said. Two sources familiar with the situation at the Conservancy said such rules were in place for transactions over $500, but may have been flouted. Federal law does not mandate nonprofit management structures, operational policies or administrative practices, but an organization with this amount of money should have been following the best practices, obviously, said Joan Harrington, assistant director of social sector ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Another problem experts flagged: a too-large governing board Duquette called just ridiculous, that ran the risk of members being unclear on duties or assuming someone else would handle them. You had too many people who were not upholding their responsibility in this situation, Alexandra Graddy-Reed, another University of Southern California public policy professor focused on nonprofits, said when briefed by the Free Press on details. And then the board ... clearly didnt look too deeply at any of the documentation so it seems to me that the board was not doing their job. Harrington noted, however, that it may have been hard for board members to take action, because if they have bad information that isnt recognizable as bad information what can they do? Board members don't receive a salary. Smith's total compensation was $242,000 in 2022, according to IRS records. Dignitaries, along with several Detroit Riverfront Conservancy board members, participate in a ceremonial ground breaking of the Southwest Greenway on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The Conservancy did also appear to have some controls in place to avoid fraud, at least on paper. Its federal tax filing (form 990) shows separate board committees to review audits and finances and a conflict of interest policy. However, experts said there can be a disconnect between intention and execution. You can have every policy written down in your governing documents, but if no one is enforcing them and theres no monitoring then theres no accountability, said Graddy-Reed. The Free Press reported last week there were warnings about Smith as early as 2021, in court records detailing soured restaurant deals, an indicted business partner and losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars from Smiths personal business dealings. Board members facilitate loans Before Smith was accused of embezzling $40 million from the nonprofit where he was CFO, he approached a firm run by the very people tasked with holding him accountable with a personal business pitch. In 2023, Smith wanted $3 million to open a cigar bar called Discretion just steps from the Conservancys RiverWalk. He sought a loan from Invest Detroit, a nonprofit whose board, like the Conservancys, is led by businessman Matt Cullen, and whose CEO is also a Conservancy board member. Smiths Biltmore Development Group won the property and approval to develop from the Economic Development Corporation of Detroit a public body governed by mayoral appointees after offering $500,000 for it in a bidding process in 2019. City council where Riverfront Conservancy board member Mary Sheffield serves as president unanimously approved a $12 million tax incentive for the project in September 2022. Invest Detroit, whose CEO is also Riverfront Conservancy board member Dave Blaszkiewicz, approved $3 million in loans for Biltmore in April 2023, property records show. It's not clear from records how much of that Smith's company ultimately received. The move positioned Smith to financially benefit from the work of his nonprofit, in what Harrington, the Santa Clara professor, said represents a potential conflict of interest. She added Smith's business pitch should have triggered a closer examination of Smith's personal businesses dealings by the Conservancy board. Its not clear whether disclosures were made because Invest Detroits activities arent public, and nonprofits arent subject to open records laws. Sheffield did not immediately respond to a request for comment and an Invest Detroit spokesman declined comment on behalf of the firm and Blaszkiewicz. A Conservancy spokesman did not answer questions regarding Cullen's role. Brian Mittendorf, who teaches nonprofit accounting at the Ohio State University, said whether the Conservancy should have flagged the deal as problematic would depend on its conflict of interest policy and whether it had teeth. However, he said, because nonprofits depend on trust to achieve their missions, actual conflicts and appearances of conflicts are both important to avoid. For Givens Davidson, the business deal reflects too close of a relationship between the organization's governing board and staff. You have to look at the governance of the organization as well as the paid leadership and ask yourself is there enough of a separation between the board chair and the staff members so that the board and staff dont have conflicts of interest, she said. I think there should be that separation and I dont think it was there and its kind of shocking to me, she said. In a December 2021 Facebook post, then-Riverfront Conservancy Executive Director Mark Wallace posted a photo of himself and Smith smiling in front of a Christmas tree with Cullen and four board members, describing them as an amazing dream team of community leaders he considered friends. Wallace resigned May 31. He did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Outside auditors stayed too long Experts told the Free Press the Conservancy also overused an outside auditing firm that may have lacked needed objectivity. Records obtained by the Free Press show George Johnson and Co. has reviewed the Conservancys finances as far back as 2012 against industry best practices. Auditing firms should be switched every three to five years, Harrington said. Without fresh eyes, she said audits almost become a rubber stamp. You come back year after year, you meet with the same people, everything looks the same as it did last year, people might become friendly with each other, Harrington said. The American Institute of CPAs code of professional conduct and potential conflicts warns of a familiarity threat that can arise when a long-standing or close relationship renders an auditor too sympathetic to a clients interest. George Johnson & Co. CEO Anthony McCree defended his work for the Conservancy. "I am somewhat limited in what I can say at this time because of the ongoing investigation," he said in an email. "However, George Johnson & Company has complied with all applicable auditing and accounting standards, including maintaining its objectivity and independence. ... It is not unusual for companies to have the same accounting firm performing audits for many years, if not decades." The auditor should have identified any financial irregularities, including whether statements were falsified, said Harrington. They should have at some point had some concerns about the money-in, money-out problem and dug deeper, whether its with a call to the bank or a deeper look at the CFO or even saying something to the board chair or audit committee, she said. Mittendorf, the Ohio State professor, called blanket trust a broader problem across the nonprofit sector. In charities we have this overarching phenomenon of they attract people who are really focused on doing good and it creates an environment where theres lots of trust and not enough healthy skepticism can breed problems, he said. Free Press staff writer Gina Kaufman contributed to this report. Contact Violet Ikonomova: vikonomova@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Riverfront Conservancy's alleged $40M fraud could go undetected By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit Pyongyang for meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as soon as next week, South Korean officials say. Here's how North Korea-Russia relations began, and how the two countries' ties have warmed in recent years. WHAT IS THE HISTORY BEHIND THEIR TIES? As Russia's isolation from the West over its war in Ukraine has grown, analysts say it has seen increasing value in North Korea. For North Korea's part, relations with Russia haven't always been as warm as they were during at the height of the Soviet Union, but now the country is reaping clear benefits from Moscow's need for friends. Communist North Korea was formed in the early days of the Cold War with the backing of the Soviet Union. North Korea later battled the South and its U.S. and United Nations allies to a stalemate in the 1950-1953 Korean War with extensive aid from China and the Soviet Union. North Korea was heavily reliant on Soviet aid for decades, and the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s contributed to a famine in the North. Pyongyang's leaders have often tried to use Beijing and Moscow to balance each other. Kim, who came to power in 2011, initially had a relatively cool relationship with Russia and China, which both joined the United States in imposing strict sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear tests. Russia has since joined China in opposing new sanctions on North Korea, blocking a U.S.-led push and publicly splitting the U.N. Security Council on the issue for the first time since it started punishing Pyongyang in 2006. In March, Russia blocked the annual renewal of a panel of experts monitoring enforcement of longstanding U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. HOW ARE RUSSIA AND NORTH KOREA INTERACTING? After his country's most recent nuclear test in 2017, Kim took steps to repair ties and he met Putin in 2019 for the first time in the Russian city of Vladivostok. In September last year, Putin welcomed Kim to the Vostochny space launch facility in Russia's far east and promised to help North Korea build satellites, among other vows of cooperation and support. Underlining the deepening ties, then Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang in July 2023 and toured a weapons exhibit that included the North's banned ballistic missiles. He later stood beside Kim and saluted those missiles as they rolled by during a military parade. Since Kim and Putin met last year there has been a steady stream of delegations between the two countries on everything from forestry and agriculture to zoos and culture. HOW HAS THE UKRAINE WAR AFFECTED THE RELATIONSHIP? North Korea has reciprocated with public support for Moscow after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It was one of the only countries to recognise the independence of Russian-claimed Ukrainian regions, and it expressed support for Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine. The U.S. and others have accused North Korea of transferring weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine. The debris from a missile that landed in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Jan. 2 was from a North Korean Hwasong-11 series ballistic missile launched from Russian territory, U.N. sanctions monitors told a Security Council committee in a report seen by Reuters. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations, but vowed last year to deepen military relations. Shoigu told Russian media last year that Moscow was discussing holding joint military exercises with North Korea. "Why not, these are our neighbours. There's an old Russian saying: you don't choose your neighbours and it's better to live with your neighbours in peace and harmony," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC TIES? In 2022 Russia and North Korea restarted train travel for the first time since railway journeys were cut during the COVID pandemic. The train carried an unusually opulent cargo: 30 thoroughbred horses. Shortly after that, Russia resumed oil exports to North Korea, U.N. data shows, the first such shipments reported since 2020. The vast majority of North Korea's trade goes through China, but Russia is a potentially important partner as well, particularly for oil, experts said. Moscow has denied breaking U.N. sanctions on oil exports to Pyongyang, but Russian tankers have been accused of helping evade caps on exporting oil to North Korea. Russian officials have openly discussed "working on political arrangements" to employ 20,000 to 50,000 North Korean labourers, despite U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban such arrangements. Russian officials and leaders in occupied regions of Ukraine have also discussed the possibility of having North Korean workers help rebuild war-torn areas. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Frances Kerry and Gerry Doyle) Firefighters continue to work at the scene after an explosion in an underground car park and a subsequent fire in a high-rise building at Markthof Nussbaumen, in Nussbaumen, Switzerland,late Thursday, June 13, 2024, Two people have been found dead after explosions in an underground parking garage at an apartment building in northern Switzerland and at least 11 others sustained minor injuries, authorities said Friday. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP) BERLIN (AP) Two people have been found dead after explosions in an underground parking garage at an apartment building in northern Switzerland and 11 others sustained minor injuries, authorities said Friday. Swiss media reported that the explosions created a large cloud of smoke that was visible from afar and the explosions were heard from well outside the town. Police said that the fire at one point spread to several floors of the building. Several buildings were evacuated. The explosions rocked the Nussbaumen neighborhood of the small town of Obersiggenthal, northwest of Zurich, at about 7 p.m. Thursday. Police in Aargau canton (state) said they appeared to have been caused by an accident, but didn't give more details. SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Democrats are dusting off the same playbook that scored the party mid-term wins across the country by seizing on abortion rights, and California's most high-profile political figures are leading the campaign both at home and in a half-dozen other states. California's Gov. Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, along with Vice President and former California Sen. Kamala Harris, are doubling down on abortion rights, even as California remains one of the most pro-choice states in the country. It reflects a nationwide approach by the party to capitalize on what they say is an inevitable future of draconian reproductive rights rollbacks should Republicans return to the White House. It's a fear that delivered Democrats crucial wins in 2022, and they're betting it remains a powerful force for voter turnout even in deep-blue California where abortion is not on the ballot. As the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade approaches, mobilization around abortion and reproductive rights has become an integral plank so enmeshed in the Democratic platform that California's two most powerful state leaders are betting it will be a bulwark against a second Trump term, and the key to flipping several GOP-held California districts. California elections: Five U.S. House races to watch ahead of November vote "I believe that if Trump were to win, he will support and advance a nationwide abortion ban. And that will impact California more than anyone else because we are the most populous state," Kounalakis said. "Everywhere I go people are asking me, what can we do? What can we do?" While Newsom and Kounalakis brandish themselves as champions of abortion rights and continue to build the sanctuary state credo in California, their efforts are also raising their respective profiles: Kounalakis is running to take over the governor's mansion in 2027, while Newsom is laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential bid. Kounalakis unveiled a new super PAC, Californians for Choice, in late-May, while Newsom continues to run ads criticizing Republican abortion restrictions in GOP strongholds like Texas and Tennessee. That same week the governor signed a law created in direct response to neighboring Arizona's now overturned "1864" total abortion ban, making it easier for Arizona health providers to provide abortions for their patients in California. All the while Harris continues her abortion rights campaign marathon, delivering speeches, touring reproductive health clinics and lambasting Republican policies across the country. In a video statement released Wednesday, Newsom criticized Senate Republicans after voting to block the Right to Contraception Act, which would have established federal protections for Americans' right to access to birth control. All of California's 11 sitting Republican representatives voted against the bill when it was in the House, including those running for reelection in swing districts that went for Biden in 2020. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, attend a black-tie dinner for US governors and their spouses following the National Governors Association meetings in the White House on Feb. 24, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) Public opinion on abortion in California Overall, an estimated 69% of Californians believe abortion should be legal, according to a joint 2023 opinion survey conducted in part by Stanford University. Roughly the same percentage of Californians would either make it easier for residents to obtain an abortion (29%) or leave current law permitting abortion for any reason through 24 weeks as is (32%). As is the case in much of the country, those identifying as Republican lean toward making it harder to access abortion or toward creating more limitations, whereas Democrats lean toward the opposite. About 54% of California Democrats believe abortion should always be legal with no restrictions. Among Republicans, 47% believe abortion should either always be illegal or should be legal only in special circumstances, such as when the mother's life is at risk. Though Californians' opinions on abortion rights make any bans or limitations extremely unlikely, Newsom and his administration have been aggressive in further protecting access for Californians in the wake of the fall of Roe v. Wade. In November 2022, Californians overwhelmingly approved Proposition 1, which explicitly adds abortion and contraception rights to the state constitution. And in 2022 and 2023, the state enacted a bevy of interstate shield laws to protect patients, providers and others from out-of-state legal actions to penalize those seeking, providing or helping others access abortion. "California is a leader, and not just among states in the country in pursuing proactive legislation, but in protecting reproductive freedom," said Caroline Robertson of one of the nation's largest abortion rights advocacy groups, Reproductive Freedom for All. "They've been doing that for years. But since Roe, they have really led the charge." The legislation is in response to a rapidly changing landscape of reproductive and abortion care access across the country since 2022. In the first 100 days post-Roe, 66 clinics shuttered in 15 states, according to recent research from the Guttmacher Institute, with no abortion-providing facilities operating in the 14 states enforcing total abortion bans. The proportion of individuals traveling to other states to obtain abortion care has doubled in recent years, with nearly one in five crossing state lines to receive care in the first half of 2023. Experts and advocates expect these trends to continue. Hundreds of pro-choice demonstrators gathered at Freedom Plaza for the Annual Women's March, marching to the White House to mark the anniversary of the 1973 passage of Roe v. Wade on January 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Abortion rights a key election issue During the 2022 midterms, abortion was top of mind for voters. Roe was overturned less than six months prior to the elections, and in California, voters overwhelmingly voted to enshrine the right to reproductive care in the state Constitution. This time around Democrats are hoping it again will mobilize voters, including independents and otherwise unenthusiastic Democrats. More: Abortion laws are on the books but still on voters' minds in these states Kounalakis' PAC joins a handful of others spending big in the state. Planned Parenthood of California's independent funding arm launched a multimillion-dollar campaign in May, and Newsom's Campaign for Democracy PAC has already spent over $3 million this election cycle. The Democratic House Majority PAC announced a $100 million campaign fund May 29 focused on abortion rights, targeting Republicans in several swing districts. They are all zeroing in on the same handful of hyper-competitive California districts held by GOP representatives in the Central Valley and Southern California. The targets: Reps. David Valadao, R-Hanford, and John Duarte, R-Modesto, in the Central Valley; Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita; and Ken Calvert, representing Riverside County from Corona to Palm Desert. California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about abortion rights during a news conference Friday, June 24, 2022, in Sacramento. "The districts we're targeting are ones that we know are going to be close," Kounalakis said. "That's why it's get-out-the-vote effort, because we will win if pro-choice voters know that choice is on the ballot." Kounalakis' PAC is recruiting a statewide volunteer force to make calls and knock on doors in these key districts. Like Newsom, the campaign is not stopping at the Golden State's borders, hoping to extend the volunteer force engaged in voter turnout efforts into neighboring Nevada and Arizona. Democrats bank on abortion rights in swing districts Despite California's Democratic super-majority and reputation as a pro-choice haven, pockets of voters in purple and agricultural areas could present challenges to the party's strategy. In cities as diverse as liberal West Hollywood and conservative Visalia and Fontana, opposition to proposed clinics providing abortion care have stalled construction, entangled in local pushback. In one such case, Planned Parenthood is suing the city of Fontana in San Bernardino County, claiming local government enacted a construction moratorium to block the clinic from moving forward. More: What is the 'Right to Contraception Act'? A look at how the bill failed and what was in it But more pressing for November are the swing districts where Democratic leaders in and outside the state are banking millions in their abortion-rights strategy. In several of these districts, namely Kings, Kern and Tulare counties, residents voted against the 2022 proposition to enshrine abortion rights in the California Constitution. Though the measure did not pass in these districts by narrow margins, it serves as a warning sign for Democrats confident abortion rights will secure victory over Republicans' laser-like focus on immigration and the economy. GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, whose 27th Congressional District is one of the most fought-over this election cycle, insists Democrats' messaging won't play well, echoing some other conservative lawmakers who allege Democrats' fear of a national abortion ban is fear-mongering. Ive been very clear that I have no intentions of supporting a national ban," Garcia said in a May 31 interview with PunchBowl News. "So its a phantom ghost that theyre trying to create to compel people to go vote. Yet for Democrats across the state, from party leaders to candidates, campaigning on abortion rights is seen as a battle-tested approach critical to securing a second Biden term and ousting conservative lawmakers from Congress. "That's why it's a get-out-the-vote effort," Kounalakis said. "Because we will win if pro-choice voters know that choices on the ballot." Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for USA TODAY. Reach her at kapalmer@gannett.com and follow her on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California Democrats bet big on abortion in 2024 election Eyes on Ukraine, demand for tanks is bubbling up in Eastern Europe WARSAW, Poland Drawing lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine, several Eastern European allies are aiming to buy new tanks after years of neglect in this capability area. German, South Korean and American producers are intensively competing for orders from the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, among others, amid a spike in demand for tracked platforms across the region. Slovakia recently unveiled plans to buy new tanks, and local observers say the country wants to acquire up to 104 such vehicles. The potential purchase could radically increase the capacities of its land forces, which currently relies on about 30 outdated Soviet-designed T-72M1 tanks as well as second-hand, Germany-donated Leopard 2A4 tanks. Germany gave 15 Leopard tanks to Slovakia following the transfer of its 30 BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The Slovak Defence Ministry plans to acquire tanks a main battle tank, a spokesperson for the ministry told Defense News, noting that an internal analysis of the market and possible methods of the acquisition is underway. The spokesperson said the ministry does not currently have any offers, as it has not yet announced any selection process or public tender for the acquisition of tanks. The latest announcement comes as one of Slovakias neighbors, the Czech Republic, is advancing negotiations with Germany to carry out a joint acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks. In December 2023, Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova declared the government is seeking a more affordable price tag and quicker delivery time from KNDS, the Franco-German producer. On June 12, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced his government approved a plan to order up to 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks for the countrys armed forces. The Army of the Czech Republic could have a heavy brigade armed with more than 120 Leopard 2A4 and 2A8 tanks after 2030. The government has approved the intention of the Ministry of Defence to implement the purchase of 61 Leopard 2A8 tanks with an option for a further 16 tanks, the prime ministers office said in a statement. In addition, the Army already has 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks, the same amount will be received as a donation from Germany in the near future, and the Czech Republic intends to buy a further 15 under favorable conditions, the office noted. For Slovakia, joining the planned German-Czech purchase of Leopard 2A8s could provide potential benefits compared with an individual acquisition of tracked platforms. Local media reported that Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak has already discussed involving his countrys defense industry in manufacturing these tanks. Meanwhile, Romania is gearing to acquire the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams for its Land Forces after the U.S. State Department approved a potential foreign military sale of 54 such tanks, made by the American firm General Dynamics Land Systems, along with related combat recovery vehicles, assault breacher vehicles and other gear. The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the planned procurement is worth about $2.53 billion. However, Romania-based observers expect its final value will be significantly lower. In April 2022, Poland signed a deal worth about $4.75 billion to also buy the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams with related equipment. It plans to acquire a total of 250 of these tanks. In addition to the Abrams, Romania is also considering the purchase of South Korean-made K2 Black Panthers manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. Poland has also purchased this tank type. South Korean K2 tanks fire live rounds during a February 11, 2015, drill in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) Alexandru Georgescu, a Bucharest-based security and defense analyst, told Defense News it is likely Romania will decide to acquire South Korean tanks following recent trials of the vehicle. Romania has had a tendency that is often criticized to also spread its orders around instead of concentrating them for logistical purposes. Ultimately, it depends on the results of the requirements formulation of the Armed Forces and how the various actors meet them. We had recent exhibition trials in the Smardan firing range near the city of Galati, Georgescu said. The K2 Black Panther MBT [main battle tank] was tested on May 17. The tendency of Romania to follow in Polands footsteps as a form of coordination for improved synergies in logistics also speaks in favor of the K2, the analyst added. Poland has recently demonstrated a strong preference for American and South Korean tanks, leading Warsaw to purchase used M1A1 and new M1A2 Abrams as well as K2 Black Panthers. However, the swearing in of a new centrist government in December could pave the way for more European tank projects. In May 2024, OBRUM, a subsidiary of the Polish government-run defense giant PGZ, announced its readiness to join a European Defence Fund-backed program aimed at developing a new main battle tank for Europe. Defense News has reached out with requests for comment regarding Eastern Europe expansion plans to General Dynamics Land Systems, the maker of the M1A2 Abrams, KNDS, which manufactures the Leopard 2A8, and Hyundai Rotem, the producer of the K2 Black Panther. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max fell into a Dutch roll during a flight last month, The Associated Press reported Thursday. A Dutch roll is a dangerous oscillating motion consisting of a tail slide and roll motion at the same time. It can be difficult to control and recover from, though the pilots of the Southwest flight were able to without injuries reported. The May 25 flight from Phoenix to Oakland, Calif., landed without incident. The FAA theorized the roll could have been caused by a damaged backup power unit. According to a preliminary report by the FAA, an inspection after the plane landed showed damage to a unit that provides backup power to the rudder. The FAA said other airlines have not reported similar issues. The investigation comes as Boeings 737 Max aircraft has come under close scrutiny this year after a door blew out of an Alaska Airlines flight in January. An investigation found lax safety checks and manufacturing errors in Boeings build process, and the company has since faced pressure from regulators and Congress to address the issues. There are issues around the safety culture in Boeing. Their priorities have been focused on production and not on safety and quality, FAA Administrator Michael Whittaker said in March. And so, what we are really focused on now is shifting that focus from production to safety and quality. The FAA earlier in March said its six-week audit of Boeing found multiple instances when the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A 30-year-old man was found guilty Wednesday of killing two Florida women who were brutally strangled hours apart in 2019. Wade Wilson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of grand theft, one count of petit theft and one count of burglary of a dwelling following the deaths of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, on Oct. 7, 2019. Moms boyfriend drove around with Madeline Sotos body for hours: court documents Melton was found dead in her Cape Coral home. Ruiz, a mother of two, was found dead in an empty lot the same day. Both had been strangled, police said. Wilson was booked into jail in October 2019 and was indicted that November. Wilson, who was allowed to wear makeup in court to cover the swastika tattoo on his face, refused to testify during the trial, which began two weeks ago. This case was about killing for the sake of the killing, Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner told the court during closing arguments, NBC affiliate WBBH reported. Strangulation is the epitome of life slipping through someones hands. He had driven over [Ruiz] repeatedly and tried to make her look like spaghetti, Gardiner said. Both of them died on Oct. 7 of 2019. Both of them had been strangled and both of them were forever silenced. The last person they encountered was Mr. Wade Wilson. Kristine Melton (left) and Diane Ruiz (right) Prosecutors said Wilson would have also killed his ex-girlfriend if given the chance, but there were too many people around. He instead beat her until blood splattered all over her face, they said, according to WBBH. Wilsons defense attorney Lee Hollander did not deny the 30-year-old was guilty of the murders, but argued that they were not premeditated and that Wilson had been under the influence of drugs. We are not claiming that he didnt do it, Hollander said. I suspect the drugs. He asked the jury to consider convicting Wilson of second-degree murder so that the death penalty would be off the table. Im not arguing insanity, Im arguing the state is claiming premeditation, Im arguing hes whacked out of his mind for any of this, Hollander said. Amber Alert issued for 2 missing girls after mother found dead Prosecutor Sara Miller said Wilson bragged about the killings to law enforcement three days after the murders. Miller said his biggest concern was getting a burger and fries while Ruiz lay in a field and bugs ate her face, which made her unrecognizable. Miller said lesser crimes shouldnt be considered because the state has proved premeditation. Defendant is guilty as charged, we ask you convict him of all crimes the state alleged, she said. A Cape Coral jury deliberated for over two hours before reaching their verdict, and Wilson was found guilty on all counts. Jurors will now make a recommendation on whether or not Wilson will face the death penalty or life in prison without parole. The sentencing phase is set to begin on June 20. In the state of Florida, only eight out of 12 jurors are needed to recommend the death penalty for the judge to impose a death sentence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Matthew DePerno, a Republican lawyer who was charged last August with violating Michigan election law, announced Thursday he will be seeking the Michigan Republican Party's nomination for one of the state's Supreme Court seats up for grabs this fall. DePerno, who rose to prominence after promoting baseless theories about the legitimacy of the 2020 election in Michigan, announced his run on social media Thursday. Matt DePerno, Republican candidate for Michigan Attorney General speaks outside before a Save America rally at the Michigan Stars Sports Center in Washington Township on April 2, 2022. "After watching the abuse of our legal system both here in Michigan, as well as across the country, it is clear that the Michigan Supreme Court needs members that are committed to following the constitution and rule of law," he posted on X, formerly called Twitter. "Activist judges, prosecutors, and attorney generals are using their power to prosecute their political enemies. This has to stop. And that is why I am running for Supreme Court." DePerno faces multiple felonies related to an alleged conspiracy to breach voting machines orchestrated by allies of former President Donald Trump who fought the results of the 2020 election. Through his attorney, DePerno has denied any wrongdoing. He previously ran for Attorney General in Michigan in 2022, and ran for chair of the Michigan Republican Party in 2023. Both races were unsuccessful. There will be two Michigan Supreme Court seats on the ballot this fall. Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, who was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the court in 2022, must run for re-election to finish the full term. Bolden replaced former Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, who retired two years into an eight-year term. Bolden's seat is up for a four-year term. Justice David Viviano announced in March he would not seek re-election. The election for Viviano's former seat will be for a full eight-year term. While Michigan Supreme Court justices are technically elected through nonpartisan contests, to get on the ballot a candidate must be nominated by a state political party at its convention. According to a list of preliminary candidates seeking nomination at the MIGOP's August convention, DePerno is seeking nomination for the four-year term, along with Detroit attorney Alexandria Taylor and Branch County Circuit Judge Patrick O'Grady. State Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Hillsdale, and Court of Appeals Judge Mark Boonstra are seeking nomination for the eight-year term. In April, the Michigan Democratic Party endorsed Bolden for re-election to her term as well as Kimberly Thomas for the full term, according to the party's website. Thomas is a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, and the director and co-founder of the university's Juvenile Justice Clinic. Their nominations, however, cannot become official until the party's state convention in August. Currently, the Michigan Supreme Court has a 4-3 split among justices nominated by Democrats and Republicans. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Supreme Court: Who's running for a seat in 2024 election UAW Vice President Rich Boyer pushed back against President Shawn Fains decision to strip him of his oversight of the unions Stellantis Department and had urged Fain to reconsider after Fain laid out his concerns about Boyer's leadership. The back and forth came in two letters obtained by the Free Press, one from Boyer to Fain dated June 7 and the explanation from Fain for his decision dated May 29. The letters highlight divisions that have emerged in the highest ranks of the union in the months since members ratified contracts with the automaker, as well as Ford Motor Co. and General Motors. It also focuses on disagreements between the two men over the handling of the negotiations with Stellantis, which owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands, and the way the union has sought to enforce contract provisions since then. UAW Vice President Rich Boyer lashed out at President Shawn Fain in a letter after Fain stripped him of his oversight of the union's Stellantis Department. Fain had criticized Boyer's leadership in his own letter. Fain, who took over the Stellantis duties from Boyer, wrote that his action against Boyer was a result of "deep concern over your dereliction of duty as vice president and director of the Stellantis Department." He accused Boyer of not holding Stellantis accountable to its commitments. 'Blatant lie, insult and personal attack' But Boyer said Fain wasn't acknowledging the level of Fains own involvement in the bargaining process: This action against me implies that you and your staff had no visibility or involvement in our discussions during the 2023 negotiations with Stellantis; this is not only false but an outright blatant lie, insult and personal attack on my credibility as the vice president of the Stellantis Department." Fain had written that during bargaining, the president's office team would make "tremendous gains only for you and your team to later agree to watered-down language in private or even allow the company to backtrack on what they actually agreed." Boyer responded that your accusation against me for failing to enforce the collective bargaining agreement and accusing me of agreeing to watered-down language is shameful on your part. Those who know me know I would never try to weaken or harm my membership." In addition, the two men tussled over the handling of an agreement involving a joint venture battery plant planned for Kokomo, Indiana, as well as a product commitment for Belvidere, Illinois, where Stellantis had idled its assembly plant, a major issue during bargaining, and had agreed to build a midsize truck. The abuse of temporary or supplemental workers was also raised, with Fain noting that significant gains were won for those workers in bargaining. He accused Boyer of failing to support them during the process and in doing so "you turned a major victory into a perceived loss among the membership." UAW president Shawn Fain sits at his office desk for a portrait at the UAW Solidarity House in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Boyer defended his actions, noting that I have not failed to fight for supplemental workers. Boyer said he inherited a history of the company abusing supplemental workers. The company told us during bargaining that they were not going to convert all 5,500 SEs, and we ensured that we communicated to you that they would only convert 3,200 after ratification. Furthermore, we informed you that the company only wanted to retain 500 SEs or less on role, Boyer wrote. Fain took the action against Boyer in May, the second shake-up in recent months involving a member of the International Executive Board. In February, Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock was reassigned after she was accused of misconduct related to not approving certain expenditures. Mock has denied wrongdoing and defended her actions as protecting union member dues. The independent UAW monitor wrote in his latest status report, released Monday, that he is investigating each situation. Fain, Boyer and Mock all ran on the same slate in the union's first direct election of top leaders following the corruption scandal that also led to the appointment of the monitor. In a statement from Fain provided to the Free Press after the monitors report was released, he said that taking our union in a new direction means sometimes you have to rock the boat, and that upsets some people who want to keep the status quo, but our membership expects better and deserves better than the old business as usual. We encourage the monitor to investigate whatever claims are brought to their office, because we know what theyll find: a UAW leadership committed to serving the membership, and running a democratic union. The union has declined comment on the letters. Dispute over a meeting in Puerto Rico One specific issue of contention was the location of the 2024 UAW National Stellantis Council meeting, which, according to a union flyer, was scheduled for March 17-22, at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fain said that Boyer decided, despite his repeated objections, to hold the council in Puerto Rico "where we have many members but none that work for Stellantis." He said the decision has "continued to haunt us in our new organizing drives, where anti-union employers have repeatedly thrown it in our face just as I predicted they would." Boyer stated that convening the council in Puerto Rico "is not a legitimate reason for my removal. One of the council's objectives was to provide backing to UAW members encountering impediments to bargaining rights in Puerto Rico. My presence was motivated by the desire to express solidarity with my peers, and the assembly proved to be highly productive." Boyer noted that the expenses associated with the council were "marginally lower" than prior assemblies. 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: UAW's Fain, Boyer disagree over decision to strip Stellantis duties Fake Anne Frank quote in Bergen yearbook was not malicious, superintendent says OAKLAND A student's overlooked "inappropriate comment" in this year's Indian Hills yearbook "was not malicious," the district stated on Friday. Acting Superintendent Melissa Quackenbush stated Friday that the district "conducted a thorough investigation" of the statement found under a senior's formal photo: "'They found me' Anne Frank." It is not a quote from the Jewish 16-year-old's iconic diary about her two years in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The entries end before the family is "found" and sent to concentration camps. Its meaning is unclear. "Our review has determined that no harm or offense was intended by the student," Quackenbush said. "While the quote was not reflective of our district's values, it is evident that the student's action was not malicious." Indian Hills High School Quackenbush acknowledged "the sensitivity of the current climate and the concerns of our community" again apologized for "any concern this may have caused." "As a precautionary measure, we are enhancing our review processes to prevent incidents in the future," Quackenbush said. "We are committed to establishing more rigorous procedures for student publications moving forward." Quackenbush stated Thursday that officials from the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey had been contacted to consult with the school district on further action and direction. Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey is dismayed with the insensitive and inappropriate posting in the Indian Hills yearbook," said Alana Burman, director of Jewish Community Relations for the Federation. "However, we are pleased with the immediate response of the school administration and look forward to our continued collaboration on education and awareness with regards to antisemitism and hate bias in general. We also hope this unfortunate incident will result in better processes in the future. NorthJersey.com has opted not to use the student's name or the yearbook photo in question. The family could not be immediately reached for explanation or comment. Undistributed copies of the yearbook have been confiscated, and a reprint without the comment will be available this summer, Quackenbush said. Requests for a new book should be emailed to IHMainOffice@rih.org by June 21. The Ramapo Indian Hills School district serves students in Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Indian Hills yearbook quote not intended as malicious: official MyPillow founder Mike Lindell addresses Donald Trump supporters during a May 1 campaign rally in Waukesha, Wis. Lindell is among several groups and people whove faced legal consequences for spreading election fraud falsehoods. A 2022 movie and book called "2,000 Mules" outlined what it maintained was credible evidence of a widespread effort by people "mules" illegally depositing ballots into ballot drop boxes to sway the 2020 election. The film made a splash in conservative circles, where clips of the movies creator, Dinesh DSouza, populated social media. Journalists from outlets including PolitiFact roundly debunked its claims. On May 31, with months until the next presidential election, Salem Media Group Inc., the company that produced the book and film, issued an apology specifically for falsely representing Georgia voter Mark Andrews as having engaged in illegal voting. "It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews," Salems statement said, before announcing that the company had removed the film from its platforms and would no longer distribute the book or the movie. The about-face didnt come from nowhere. Andrews had sued Salem over the movie, arguing hed been falsely accused of election crimes and the accusations led to threats against Andrews and his family. Salem settled the lawsuit for a "significant" undisclosed amount. Salems settlement and apology made it one of a growing list of groups and people whove faced legal consequences, often from defamation lawsuits, for spreading election fraud falsehoods. "Defamation law has been one of the rare successful tools in combating rampant, democracy-harming lies," said RonNell Andersen Jones, a University of Utah law professor and First Amendment scholar. "Courts declaring that these were lies and ordering those who told the lies to pay substantial damages is a win in our ongoing battle for shared objective truth in a democracy." Here are eight other examples of the fallout from spreading 2020 presidential election misinformation. 1. Gateway Pundit, a conservative news website, declared bankruptcy amid defamation lawsuits The Gateway Pundits parent company, TGP Communications, filed for bankruptcy in April, citing what it called "lawfare attacks," seemingly a reference to the lawsuits. PolitiFact and other news organizations have rebutted election falsehoods the Gateway Pundit promoted. The website is facing at least two defamation lawsuits one brought by Georgia election workers and another by Eric Coomer, a former executive at Dominion Voting Systems, an election equipment company. Both lawsuits argue that The Gateway Pundit published false stories accusing the plaintiffs of election crimes. In a statement posted online, Gateway Pundit founder Jim Hoft denied fault. When contacted by PolitiFact, Hoft said his organization is "very proud" of its record; he also criticized PolitiFact and its coverage. 2. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell ordered to pay $5 million In 2021, Lindell launched a "Prove Mike Wrong" challenge, offering $5 million to anyone who could disprove that data he provided showed Chinese interference in the 2020 presidential election. Software developer Robert Zeidman took the challenge and found the data didnt prove election interference. An arbitration panel ruled in April 2021 that Lindell owed Zeidman $5 million plus interest. A federal judge affirmed that decision Feb. 21. Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, an election software company, both of which were the target of false election fraud claims, are also suing Lindell. 3. Fox News settled Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, arguing the network defamed Dominion by broadcasting multiple false claims that its voting technology had rigged the 2020 presidential election. A settlement in April 2023 came hours before the trials opening arguments were to begin. In a statement, Fox acknowledged "the courts rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false." A few months later, the state of Oregon and New York Citys pension funds sued Fox Corp. for failing to uphold its duty to shareholders by persistently broadcasting 2020 presidential election falsehoods that opened the network to defamation lawsuits. That lawsuit is ongoing, as is another defamation lawsuit brought by Smartmatic. 4. One America News Network settled lawsuits related to election falsehoods OANN, a conservative cable channel that pushed 2020 election conspiracy theories, has settled at least two defamation lawsuits since that years presidential election. On April 24, OANN reached a confidential settlement agreement with Smartmatic. In April 2022, OANN also settled a defamation lawsuit brought by Fulton County, Georgia, election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss. In their lawsuit, Freeman and Moss said the network falsely claimed they committed fraud to alter the election's outcome. As a result of the settlement, on May 9, 2022, OANN ran a brief segment correcting the record about Freeman and Moss. In the segment, a narrator said that Georgia officials determined there was "no widespread voter fraud by election workers who counted ballots at the State Farm Arena in November 2020." The segments narrator said Freeman and Moss "did not engage in ballot fraud or criminal misconduct while working at State Farm Arena on election night," and that the workers lawsuit had been "resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties" with an unspecified settlement agreement. Chip Babcock, OANNs legal counsel, told PolitiFact the network had published "newsworthy allegations" made by people like Giuliani and Trump "on a matter of public concern" even if some of the more "incendiary allegations" of election fraud proved to be inaccurate. Dominion Voting Systems filed a lawsuit against OANN that continues. 5. Rudy Giuliani ordered to pay $146 million over defamatory election claims On Dec. 20, 2023, a federal judge ordered Giuliani, formerly a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, to immediately pay $146 million to Freeman and Moss for his defamatory claims that the pair had committed election fraud to benefit President Joe Biden. (The jurys initial $148 million verdict was lowered.) A day later, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy, declaring his primary form of debt was multiple lawsuits, including the one brought by Freeman and Moss. As their first lawsuit against Giuliani reached resolution, Freeman and Moss sued Giuliani again Dec. 18, 2023, arguing that he continued to make false statements about them. In May, Giuliani agreed to permanently stop claiming that Freeman and Moss "engaged in wrongdoing" during the 2020 election. 6. James OKeefe and Project Veritas settled an election falsehoods lawsuit Robert Weisenbach, a Pennsylvania postal service worker filed a lawsuit against conservative activist James OKeefe and Project Veritas, the organization he once led. Weisenbach said Project Veritas spread false claims that he had illegally backdated ballots. In February, the lawsuit was "settled to the satisfaction of the parties," according to Weisenbachs lawyer. In a Feb. 5 X post, OKeefe said, "I am aware of no evidence or other allegation that election fraud occurred in the Erie Post Office during the 2020 Presidential Election." Project Veritas shared a similar statement. OKeefe was removed as Project Veritas chairman Feb. 19, 2023. 7. Sidney Powell faced Michigan fines, sanctions for spreading election lies Courts ordered Sidney Powell, who was an attorney for Trump, and other lawyers who filed a conspiracy theory-filled lawsuit that sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, to pay more than $130,000 in legal fees incurred by those who had to defend against the suit. A federal judge in Michigan imposed sanctions on Powell and the other lawyers in August 2021. In October 2023, Powell pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors related to a high-profile election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia. Powell agreed to serve six years of probation, pay a $6,000 fine, pay $2,700 to the Georgia secretary of states office and to testify truthfully at co-defendants trials. Powell also faces lawsuits from Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems. 8. Newsmax settles defamation lawsuit with former Dominion Voting Systems executive Coomer, the former Dominion Voting Systems executive, sued conservative media outlet Newsmax for amplifying false claims about Coomer manipulating votes in Bidens favor. On April 30, 2021, Newsmax and Coomer reached a confidential settlement agreement. Newsmax apologized to Coomer on its website and in a broadcast. "Newsmax has found no evidence that Dr. Coomer interfered with Dominion voting machines or voting software in any way, nor that Dr. Coomer ever claimed to have done so," the statement said. "We would like to apologize for any harm that our reporting of the allegations against Dr. Coomer may have caused." Lawsuits that Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic filed against Newsmax continue. Litigating election fraud falsehoods has limits Although some election-related defamation lawsuits have yielded payouts and public apologies, experts said the U.S. legal system is not well positioned to fight misinformation. Defamation law focuses on false statements about people or companies that "damage reputation," said A.J. Bauer, a University of Alabama journalism and creative media professor. Thats a narrow category and there are "few legal mechanisms to combat falsehoods beyond the individual scale," he said. Already, Bauer said he has seen a shift in election misinformation: "By keeping election denial vague and nebulous they avoid legal punishment while perpetuating distrust in democratic systems. This isnt going away any time soon." PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Eight groups that have faced consequences for election falsehoods FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The family of a man who was shot and killed by Fairfax County police during a mental health crisis has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. 26-year-old Aaron Lynch was killed in July 2022 after police responded to multiple calls describing Lynch experiencing a crisis. The suit, filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court on Wednesday and first reported by the Washington Post, details the incident and casts blame on both the officers for negligence and recklessness in their response and Chief Kevin Davis for inadequate training. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man identified after fatal McLean officer-involved shooting Just before 7 p.m., on July 7, 2022, Lynchs family friend called 911 because Lynch was experiencing a mental health crisis. The caller reiterated that Lynch did not have a violent past nor were their weapons in the familys McLean home. Three officers and a mental health clinician arrived at the home after the call was made, but after they were unable to find Lynch, they left. At 8:30 p.m., Lynchs twin sister arrived from New York. Her boyfriend called 911, similarly describing Lynchs mental health crisis, describing how he was throwing and breaking objects inside the home. The three officers who responded, all of whom were listed as defendants in the suit, arrived minutes later and went inside the home. Police reform group in Fairfax County recommends changes to mental health, use of force policies What happened next was captured on police body-worn camera and shared with the public about a month after the shooting. Lynch, holding a decorative mask in one hand and a wine bottle in the other, was in the home. He threw the mask toward officers who were standing just inside the front door. Two officers deployed their tasers as Lynch ran, with the bottle still in hand, toward the officers and the door. As he was running, Lynch dropped the bottle, but was shot four times. As he got to the front door, one of the officers tackled him. Then, during what Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney, Steve Descano, called a struggle, Lynch was fatally shot. Descano declined to charge any of the three officers. In his report on the shooting, Decsano wrote that it was not unreasonable for the officers to believe Lynch still had the bottle, which he was swinging, in his hand due to how dark the home was at the time. Because of that, he wrote the officer who fired the fifth and final shot reasonably believed Mr. Lynch intended to either kill him or the other officers on scene, or cause him or the other officers, serious bodily injury. Man found shot outside Alexandria hospital believed to be involved in DC shooting The wrongful death suit states Lynch did not pose a threat to the officers due to his nonviolent history and weighed all of 145 pounds. Officer George had no reasonable ground to believe he or anyone else was in immediate danger of death or serious injury from Aaron, the lawsuit read. Lynch-vs.-FCPDDownload It also alleges the officers entered the home before coming up with a plan to manage his mental health crisis and did not take reasonable steps to de-escalate the situation. The Fairfax County Police Department did not respond to DC News Nows request for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Family says Scientology officials prevented woman from seeking mental health treatment before she took her life Family says Scientology officials prevented woman from seeking mental health treatment before she took her life The Church of Scientology prevented a woman from seeking mental health treatment before she took her own life, a lawsuit states. The woman, Whitney Mills, 40, was a high-level Scientologist who worked as a real estate agent before her 2022 death, her mother Leila Mills said in the lawsuit. Mills had been battling with her mental health, and twice had to be hospitalized. Before her death, Mills experienced insomnia, anxiety, and an increased heart rate, according to the lawsuit. The suit alleges church officials failed to prevent her death while she was under their supervision. A spokesperson for the Church of Scientology told the Tampa Bay Times that while Mills death was an unfortunate tragedy, the church never assumed her care. Church policy is crystal clear: if a Scientologist is in need of medical care, he or she must see a medical doctor, the spokesperson told the paper. Any and all decisions regarding medical treatment are solely the decision of the individual. The Church does not provide medical advice. The Independent has reached out to the Church of Scientology for comment. Whitney Mills, a member of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida, died by suicide in 2022. Now her family is suing the church in a wrongful death lawsuit, claiming the church prevented her from seeking mental health treatment (Leila Mills) The lawsuit, filed by Leila Mills on May 11 in Floridas Pinellas County Circuit Court, claims that in February 2022, members of Scientology's staffing organization, Sea Org, were assigned to live with Mills at her apartment in downtown Clearwater, Florida, and to give her 24-hour monitoring. The lawsuit includes emails between Mills and Sea Org staff in which she discusses her symptoms, which included anxiety and extreme pressure in her head. She also said she felt her condition was worsening. Its causing me to feel like Im dying and causing me psychosis, anxiety, panicking. Im getting intrusive bad thoughts, an email, sent by Mills on March 12, 2022, said. A Scientologist doctor, David Minkoff, had been tasked with treating Mills, and he allegedly misdiagnosed her with suffering from Lyme Disease and cancer, and ignored "her very real psychosis and mental health crisis," according to the lawsuit. Instead of recommending mental health treatments, Minkoff allegedly prescribed her a $20,000 anti-parasitic, according to the lawsuit. Mills reportedly begged the doctor for "anything else" to treat her, but the doctor allegedly responded with "quackery," according to the lawsuit. The Independent has reached out to Minkoff for comment. Minkoff was not named in the lawsuit, but a Miami-based law firm representing Mills estate put him on notice, which is required by law before a medical malpractice suit is filed against a doctor. She texted one of her Sea Org caretakers on May 1, 2022, that she literally cant take another day of this horrific movie Im living. The Church of Scientologys Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Florida (Google Maps) The lawsuit seeks to establish that Mills was suicidal based on a request she made to receive a Scientology rite that prepared the bodys spirit thetan, in Scientological terms for its exit from the body. On April 20, 2022, Mills reportedly asked a caretaker to oversee an auditing session to help her drop the body and noted she had learned about the practice from another caretaker. The suit claims that after making that request in April 2022, Mills caretakers either intentionally or negligently left her alone for several hours on May 12, 2022. Mills died by suicide that day. The spokesperson for the Church of Scientology told the Tampa Bay Times that there is no rite in Scientology to prepare a body for death, but a former Sea Org member who administered auditing sessions told the paper that not only did the rite exist, but that it was created by founder L. Ronb Hubbard himself. If she was asking for it, she clearly wanted to die, the former Scientologist, Bruce Hines, told the paper. The lawsuit by Leila Mills claims it was a church aversion to modern mental health treatments that prevented "here from obtaining the exact treatment [Mills] needed." Minkoff had a duty of care to refer Mills to a mental health professional, even if his religious beliefs forbade it, the lawsuit says. The family claims because the Church of Scientology assumed the responsibility to care for Mills, it bears the responsibility for her death. The lawsuit names six Scientology corporate entities as defendants on three counts of negligence, including wrongful death. The filing does not specify how much money the family seeks. Fulton County (Ga.) District Attorney Fani Willis called out her critics Thursday, saying she has been victim to continuous attacks amid her prosecution of former President Trump for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. I live the experience of a Black woman who is attacked and oversexualized, she said in a speech at a church in Atlanta. See, Im so tired of hearing these idiots call my name as Fanny in a way to attempt to humiliate me because, like silly school boys, the name reminds them of a womans rear, of her behind. Among those who have made such a taunt is Trump himself, who once labeled the prosecutor Fanny, like your a, when talking about her at an Ohio rally in March. The case against Trump has been derailed by an investigation into whether Willis should be removed from it due to her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor. The prosecutor agreed to step down from the case, though the attempt to get Willis disqualified has continued to a Georgia appeals court. Willis told the church Thursday that those close to her have shown concern for her in the face of the attacks, but that she isnt fazed. What Im here to tell you is to not concern yourself with insults of me. I promise you, I dont concern myself with them, she said. I am too busy working 15-hour days trying to use every talent God gave me to fulfill my God-given purpose. The prosecutor also appeared to go after House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who has demanded records from Willis for months while accusing her of misconduct. We have politicians that spend no time doing their elected purpose, Willis said. In fact, we got a clown in Washington, D.C., whos been elected for the purpose to make his community safer and pass laws. But hes been sitting there for 17 years and passed zero laws. The questions over Williss relationship and attempts to remove her from the prosecution have completely stalled the cases progress, meaning it is unlikely to go to trial before the November election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A man with far-Right sympathies is suspected of seriously wounding a 12-year-old child in a stabbing attack at a shopping centre in Finland, police said on Friday. The suspect also targeted a second child in the attack, which took place late on Thursday in the northern Finnish city of Oulu, and will face preliminary charges of two attempted murders, the National Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The criminal investigation is still at an early stage and the police do not know the exact motive for the act. They know, however, that the suspect has a background in extreme right activities, the NBI said. Public broadcaster Yle showed images of what it said was a pool of blood on the floor of the shopping centre. Petteri Orpo, Finlands prime minister, condemned the attack, saying: Far-right violence is a genuine threat in Finland. There is no room for extremism of any kind in this country. The 12-year-old child was in a stable condition after being seriously wounded in the attack, police said. The suspect, born in 1990, was believed to have stabbed the child several times from behind before being stopped by a security guard, the NBI said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An inmate reads the bedtime story "Thank You, God, for Everything" at the Manning Reentry/Work Release Center on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Huddled over a table in a quiet room, a father reads a bedtime story to his child about using his talents to change the world. The child wont hear the story right away. The man is an inmate with the South Carolina Department of Corrections at Manning Reentry/Work Release Center in Columbia. Ahead of Fathers Day, he and two other incarcerated fathers recorded their voices Friday reading books, which the prisons agency will then send to their children, so they can hear their fathers reading to them every night. Since the program, known as Riley Readers, started in 2016, more than 550 incarcerated fathers and mothers have recorded themselves reading to their children. The books can seem almost magical to children like their parent is truly reading beside them as the recording aligns with each page. As the child flips a page, the parents voice reads that page. The parent can also add personal additions, such as describing the illustrations on that page. Its a great blessing, said Billy, the Manning inmate. (The SC Daily Gazette agreed to follow Corrections policy and not release identifying details about the inmate.) An inmate signs a recordable book to send to his son on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) Billy spends most of his free time reading books, and he wants to encourage that same love of stories in his 7-year-old son, Forrest. Thats why he volunteered for the program, available to parents in the states prisons without any disciplinary actions in the past six months. A recent $25,000 grant from the state Department of Social Services expands the program, allowing the department to buy more books instead of relying on donations. That way, parents with multiple children will be able to record a book for each child, instead of choosing just one for all of their children to share. And incarcerated grandparents will be allowed to record books for their grandchildren, said department spokeswoman Chrysti Shain. Inmates can talk to their children over the phone or see them during visitation hours, but providing books allows them to connect to their child every day, said Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling. Its a daily reminder, saying I love you,' Stirling said. Of the five available books, Billy chose to read You Can Change the World, because that seemed like a good message to pass along to his child, he said. Ill not only be able to share something with my son but hopefully start him on a lifetime of reading, Billy said. When he gets out of prison, he said, hes looking forward to doing all the typical dad stuff with his son: Camping, fishing and getting to know one another after years apart. Inmates had five books to choose from to record bedtime stories for their children Friday, June 14, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) In the meantime, he saw a book as a way to share a moment with him, Billy said. That connection is essential to creating foundations for a relationship when the parent gets out of prison and sees his children consistently, said Karriem Edwards, president of the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a nonprofit dedicated to helping fathers connect with their families. While relationships with both parents are important, studies have indicated that children who are close with their fathers are more likely to go to college or get a stable job out of high school and are less likely to spend time in jail, according to nonprofit The Fatherhood Project. This is really going to make a positive impact on these childrens lives, Edwards said. Davis Wash was 19 when her father went to prison, so she was old enough to understand what was happening. Still, not being allowed to see her dad outside a prison visitation room was difficult, especially for her teenage brothers, the now-23-year-old said. At the same time, she realized she and her brothers were lucky: Some children waiting alongside her family never met their fathers before they were behind bars. Now Wash works for Proverbs229, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that helps reunite children with their incarcerated parents. She said its important for children to have some sort of token from their parent, such as a book with their voice in it. Not having your father and mother at home every night, you cant sleep the same, Wash said. The post For Fathers Day, SC inmates record bedtime stories for their children appeared first on SC Daily Gazette. Fauci recounts expletive-laden lecture he got from Trump when stock market didnt increase enough on vaccine news Anthony Fauci (left) and Donald Trump (right) speak. Fauci writes in a new book that Trump went on an expletive-filled rant directed at him during the pandemic (AFP) President Donald Trump unleashed an expletive-filled rant about the stock market not increasing enough when the first Covid-19 vaccine trials were successful, Dr Anthony Fauci has recounted. Fauci, one of the nations top infectious disease experts who helped lead the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic until through 2022, is publishing On Call: A Doctors Journey in Public Service next week. His chapter on working with Trump during the pandemic is aptly titled, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, according to The New York Times review of the book. Fauci wrote the former president directed expletive-filled rants towards him when the stock market didnt well enough to the Covid-19 vaccine: The president was irate, saying that I could not keep doing this to him. He said he loved me, but the country was in trouble, and I was making it worse, he continued. He added that the stock market went up only 600 points in response to the positive Phase 1 vaccine news, and it should have gone up 1,000 points, and so I cost the country one trillion dollars. Fauci noted Trump added an expletive to his rant. Anthony Fauci (left) and Donald Trump (right) speak. Fauci writes in a new book that Trump went on an expletive-filled rant directed at him during the pandemic (AFP) I have a pretty thick skin but getting yelled at by the president of the United States, no matter how much he tells you that he loves you, is not fun, Fauci wrote, per the Times. The physician also criticized Mike Pences support of Trump during the pandemic, according to the Times. Vice presidents are almost always publicly loyal to the president, Fauci wrote. That is part of the job. But in my opinion, Vice President Pence sometimes overdid it. During task force meetings, he often said some version of, There are a lot of smart people around here, but we all know that the smartest person is upstairs. Fauci notes other odd details about the former president, the Times reports, including that Trump once said he had never received a flu shot. When I asked [Trump] why, he answered, Well, Ive never gotten the flu. Why did I need a flu shot? I did not respond, Fauci wrote. Recently, Fauci was in the national spotlight again as he testified before a Republican-led Congressional committee about the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the public portion of the hearing, right-wing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene inexplicably accused the top infectious disease expert of practicing evil science, calling for Faucis license to be revoked. Fayette School Board must decide whether students can use medical marijuana at school Under a new Kentucky law, Fayette Countys school board and all others in the state must create a policy to either permit or prohibit the use of medical marijuana, or medicinal cannabis, by students on school property. In January 2023, an executive order signed by Gov. Andy Beshear began allowing qualifying Kentuckians with chronic conditions to use medical marijuana. By 2025, Kentuckys new medical marijuana law will take effect, granting legal access to noncombustible cannabis products without traveling across state lines. Recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Kentucky. Kentucky School Boards Association Director of Policy Katrina Kinman notified Fayette School Board members at their June 10 planning meeting that they must create a policy by Dec. 1. Fayette School Board members said at the Monday meeting they are going to wait for possible changes in federal drug laws this year and to have more discussion. In Louisville, Jefferson County Public Schools this week drafted a policy to allow students who have a prescription from a medical professional to take medical marijuana at school. That school board will vote on it later this month, district spokesman Mark Hebert confirmed. Board members must either prohibit the use or permit it for a student who qualifies for medicinal marijuana and has parental permission, Kinman said. If the board permits it, they have to require that it be administered by a school nurse, or under the supervision of school staff or a parent or guardian. The medical marijuana must be given to students out of view of other students. Debbie Boian, the district official who oversees Fayette County school nurses, told School Board members that school nurses have some apprehensions about giving medical marijuana to students. Staff members can refuse to administer it to students under the new state law. School Board member Jason Moore, who is also a DEA agent, said there could soon be changes to federal law regarding medical marijuana but for now its still against federal law to hand out. Moore said he would hate to put school employees in a trick bag by violating federal law if they helped administer medical marijuana to a student. Whatever the School Board decides, the policy will be effective January 2025. Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins recommended that district officials have more conversations with the community, with school nurses and a county Health Department commissioner before considering a policy. District Chief Legal Officer Shelley Chatfield suggested that Fayette officials wait and see what happens with the federal law. There are a lot of unknowns, Fayette School Board Chairman Tyler Murphy said. He suggested that Fayette School District staff do more homework on this. The Food and Drug Administration "inadvertently archived" a whistleblower's complaint regarding conditions at an Abbott Nutrition plant that produced powdered baby formula recalled in 2022 due to bacteria that killed two infants, an audit shows. An early 2021 email raised red flags about the plant in Sturgis, Michigan, that became the focal point of a nationwide shortage of infant formula when it was temporarily shuttered the following year. An FDA employee "inadvertently archived" the email, which resurfaced when a reporter requested it in June 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said Thursday in a report. "More could have been done leading up to the Abbott powdered infant formula recall," noted the auditor. It took 102 days for the FDA to inspect the plant after getting a separate whistleblower complaint in October 2021. During those months, the FDA received two complaints, one of an illness and the second a death, of infants who consumed formula from the facility. Yet samples tested negative for Cronobacter sakazakii, the bacteria in question. Several infants were hospitalized and two died of a rare bacterial infection after drinking the powdered formula made at Abbott's Sturgis factory, the nation's largest. The FDA closed the plant for several months beginning in February 2022, and well-known formulas including Alimentum, EleCare and Similac were recalled. FDA inspectors eventually found violations at the factory including bacterial contamination, a leaky roof and lax safety practices, but the agency never found a direct connection between the infections and the formula. The FDA concurred with the report's findings, but noted it was making progress to address the issues behind delays in processing complaints and testing factory samples. Dr. Steven Abrams, a pediatrics professor at the University of Texas at Austin, agreed with the report's recommendations, including that Congress should empower the FDA to require manufacturers to report any test showing infant formula contamination, even if the product doesn't leave the factory. "Like anything else, there were mistakes made. But the government is working very hard, including the FDA. It's fixing the gaps that existed," Abrams told the Associated Press. "People have to be comfortable with the safety of powdered infant formula." Separately, recalls of infant formula from varied sources have continued. In January, 675,030 cans of Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition's infant formula sold in the U.S. were recalled after health authorities confirmed cronobacter was found in cans imported into Israel from the U.S. More recently, a Texas firm earlier this month expanded its recall of Crecelac, a powdered goat milk infant formula, after finding a sample contaminated with cronobacter. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Climate change putting Hudson Bay polar bears at risk, study finds Young family finds happiness on remote island off Maine Deadly rip currents, and other top headlines By Karen Roman Wall Street Journal reporter Alexander Gladstone must face a defamation lawsuit for his July 2022 article and tweet regarding Texas business Beneficient and its founder and CEO Brad Heppner, according to a recent ruling by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In the suit, Beneficient and Mr. Heppner claim the July 2022 WSJ article read as a whole was defamation by gist, referring to a narrative that harms a third partys reputation. It also claims two specific statements in the article were per se defamation. The plaintiffs argue that Mr. Gladstones work deliberately defamed them and damaged their reputations and economic livelihoods. Beneficient, which helps investors monetize illiquid assets such as private equity, has been the subject of multiple articles written by Mr. Gladstone. The articles allegedly paint a picture of Mr. Heppner as a leader who exploited investors which, according to the lawsuit, includes falsehoods published with actual malice. The suit also alleges that the tweet accompanying the article was defamation in its essence. The tweet read: Beneficient CEO Brad Heppner used money from retail investors to help fund his lavish lifestyle. Those investors, many of them elderly and retired, are now facing up to $1.3 billion in losses. Gladstone moved to dismiss the case and the Court rejected that attempt, saying The Court denies the motionPlaintiffs have alleged a defamatory gist that is reasonably capable of arising from the text of the article and tweet. [T]he article repeatedly juxtaposes facts and uses provocative language in ways to convey the defamatory gist identified by Plaintiffs, the ruling states. That is sufficient evidence that Gladstone intended to convey the defamatory gist. The court also said Mr. Heppner had established a sufficient argument that Mr. Gladstone acted with wrongful intention. Plaintiffs have adequately alleged actual malice by stating, among other things, that they repeatedly notified Gladstone of specific factual errors in the article and that Gladstone nevertheless rejected or ignored their corrections to serve his preconceived agenda. The accusation that Plaintiffs engineered a sham transaction to fund a lavish lifestyle at the expense of elderly and retired investors is plainly defamatory, the ruling said. The court also said that WSJ can be regarded as a source of facts and is therefore not necessarily protected by laws concerning opinions or points of view. Gladstone, moreover, has not shown that the publications are statutorily privileged as accurate reports of official proceedings or of third-party allegations, the ruling states. Nor are the publications protected opinion, but rather are statements capable of objective proof as true or false. The court also emphasized that Mr. Heppner and Beneficient attempted to share substantial evidence with Mr. Gladstone. The article and tweet are not an accurate reporting of the hundreds [sic] pages Gladstone submitted, the ruling states. A spokesman for Mr. Heppner declined to comment while WSJ parent News Corp. didnt respond to requests for comment from CorpGov. Contact: CorpGov.com Editor@CorpGov.com The post Federal Judge Rebukes WSJs Gladstones Attempt to Throw Out Defamation Suit appeared first on CorpGov. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Law enforcement has increased its presence in San Franciscos drug-plagued Tenderloin neighborhood in recent weeks, the United States District Attorneys Office said. The additional activity is part of the All Hands on Deck initiative to curb drug dealing in the area. More officers will primarily be present at night. All Hands on Deck was introduced by the DOJ in November 2023. It brought federal, state and local authorities to the Tenderloin to address the problem. Arrests made after 20 alleged jewelry store robbers armed with hammers flee officers Since November, we have announced numerous lengthy sentences handed down to drug dealers, extraditions of alleged drug dealers from Honduras, the prosecution of persons operating money services operations who had turned a blind eye to drug trafficking and money laundering transactions on their networks, and the federalizing and fast tracking of certain cases traditionally handled by local governments, said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. Since ramping up operations several weeks ago, more than 11 pounds of fentanyl, more than five pounds of methamphetamine and more than $20,000 in cash has been seized, the DOJ said. Federal agents are now being deployed to hold drug dealers accountable regardless of the time of day. Our presence makes it clear there is no time to be safe from law enforcement in our neighborhoods, said DEA Special Agent Brian Clark. The DOJ said that the U.S. Attorneys Office has charged more than 90 people with drug distribution crimes in the Tenderloin since the initiative began in November. More than 70 of those suspects have been convicted. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. (Bloomberg) -- NATO defense ministers gave political backing to establishing a multinational battle group in Finland, which is responsible for guarding the military alliances longest border with Russia. Most Read from Bloomberg Finland is on track to become the ninth country to host a forward land forces contingent after ministers supported the move in Brussels on Friday. The decision includes setting up a command unit for land forces, according to a statement by the Finnish government. NATOs multi corps land component command and the presence of land troops in Finland scaled to fit the security situation create a very strong deterrence and defense in Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea and the whole of NATO, Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said. Ministers also supported shifting Finland and Sweden under the Joint Force Command Norfolk. Finland, which has been under the Dutch-based Brunssum command, has sought its affiliation to Norfolk, Virginia, to reinforce defense relationships with the US. Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April 2023, increasing the alliances border with Russia by more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles). It has one of the strongest armies in Europe, having never dismantled defenses unlike most of its European peers. Sweden entered the alliance in March. NATOs other eight multinational battle groups are in Eastern European countries. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Firefighters responded to a fire overnight at an east Las Vegas valley elementary school. The fire was reported just before midnight Thursday at Laura Dearing Elementary School on Ferndale Street near S. Lamb Boulevard and E. Vegas Valley Drive. Clark County Fire crews and Clark County School District police responded to the blaze. According to CCFD assistant fire chief Danny Horvat, the fire was in a part of the school undergoing demolition with very few combustibles and no utilities connected which helped keep the fire from spreading. No one was found inside the building where the fire happened. Clark County fire crews and CCSD police respond to a fire at Laura Dearing Elementary School on June 14, 2024. (Credit: CCFD)) Clark County fire crews and CCSD police respond to a fire at Laura Dearing Elementary School on June 14, 2024. (KLAS) Clark County fire crews and CCSD police respond to a fire at Laura Dearing Elementary School on June 14, 2024. (KLAS) Clark County fire crews and CCSD police respond to a fire at Laura Dearing Elementary School on June 14, 2024. (KLAS) Clark County fire crews and CCSD police respond to a fire at Laura Dearing Elementary School on June 14, 2024. (KLAS) It appeared there was damage to the roof, doors, and windows of a classroom building on the west side of the campus. Damage is estimated at $25,000. The cause of the fire is 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 KLAS. Fire at Kyiv Oblast industrial facility being put out for third day in row photo Ukrainian firefighters dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack on an industrial facility in Kyiv Oblast. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service Firefighters have been extinguishing a fire at an industrial facility in Kyiv Oblast for three days in a row. The fire was caused by a Russian attack on the morning of 12 June. Source: Viktoriia Ruban, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Emergency Service in Kyiv Oblast, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote from Ruban: "The aftermath [of the Russian attack] is still being dealt with as of the morning of 14 June. The fire has been contained, it is not spreading. Firefighters are working to cool it down." Ukrainian firefighters dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack on the industrial facility in Kyiv Oblast. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service Details: According to Ruban, 76 appliances and 232 firefighters are currently involved on the scene. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service Updated: The State Emergency Service reported at 12:33 that as of 11:00 on 14 June, firefighting at an industrial facility in Kyiv Oblast is ongoing. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service "A total of 221 firefighters, 76 units of equipment and 5 fire trains are working at the scene," the service said. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service Background: On the night of 11-12 June, Russia launched a combined attack on Ukraine. A fire broke out at an industrial facility in Kyiv Oblast due to the falling wreckage of destroyed aerial targets. Support UP or become our patron! Firefighters rescued two people and a dog from a burning home in Overland Park early Friday, a fire department spokesman said. The two people were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries from smoke inhalation, said Jason Rhodes, media manager with the Overland Park Fire Department. The dog was not injured. Firefighters from both Overland Park and Lenexa fire departments responded to the blaze shortly after 5 a.m. at a home near West 95th Street and Knox Drive, Rhodes said. The first crews to arrive reported smoke coming from the two-story house. One of the victims was attempting to escape, and firefighters helped the person outside. The person told firefighters another person was still in the house, Rhodes said. Firefighters searched the house and found the person along with a dog, and helped both out to safety. Firefighters attacked the fire in a bedroom on the second floor. Fire crews brought the blaze under control in 20 minutes. They managed to limit fire damage to the room where it started and an adjoining hallway. Rhodes said that the entire upstairs area sustained moderate smoke damage. The home had working smoke alarms. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Over the past two years, a legal battle has played out at the American Dream mall in the Meadowlands over whether a duo of workers were fired for organizing a labor union. The National Labor Relations Board eventually intervened on behalf of the two workers Jose Teran and Luis Valera, who were employed by HSA Cleaning and tried to get a court order for them to be reinstated at their jobs. Ultimately, Teran and Valera got their jobs back this spring with backpay. Story continues below photo gallery But should a similar legal case play out now, workers might not have such luck, labor experts are warning. Thats because of a U.S Supreme Court decision handed down Thursday siding with Starbucks over allegations that the global coffee chain fired seven workers for organizing a labor union. What the high court said Typically, the National Labor Relations Board has relied on court orders when it thinks a company is trying to illegally squelch union organizing campaigns. After Starbucks fired seven workers at a Tennessee coffee shop a group who became known in union lore as the Memphis 7 the union complained to the NLRB. Starbucks said the workers were fired for violating company rules, such as when they invited a news crew into a closed coffee shop without authorization. Ana Maria Hill, the NJ Janitorial Director for the Local 32BJ union, speaks during a rally at American Dream Mall on Saturday August 12, 2023. Workers for HSA Cleaning Inc., a contractor responsible for cleaning American Dream Mall, and SEIU Local 32BJ hold a rally to strike. But the NLRB considered it likely Starbucks acted improperly and asked a court to order the workers be rehired while the board undertook a lengthy review to reach a final decision. A district judge ordered Starbucks to rehire the workers while the review was under way. The global coffee giant took the case to the Supreme Court, arguing the judge should have used a tougher litmus test for the ruling. The factors considered were whether there was reasonable cause to believe that Starbucks had committed unfair labor practices and whether the temporary relief was just and proper," terms included in the National Labor Relations Act. Other courts, however, evaluate requests using the traditional four-factor tests for injunctions not related to labor law. The Justice Department argued that Congress set a limited role for courts because lawmakers didnt want wide-ranging district court involvement in labor disputes. The Supreme Court said Thursday that "absent a clear command from Congress," the four-factor test must be used and the district court must revisit its decision about the Memphis 7. What it means for New Jersey workers For future injunctions, itll make it more difficult to obtain one as we did in this process, said Kevin Brown, New Jersey director for 32BJ Service Employees International Union, the labor union representing the American Dream cleaners. For future injunctions, itll make it more difficult to obtain one as we did in this process, said Kevin Brown, New Jersey director for 32BJ Service Employees International Union, the labor union representing the American Dream cleaners. Brown said that after the April order, both workers were rehired with back pay. The NLRB argued that the termination of both workers could have a chilling effect on the union organization bid by the American Dream cleaners. But a similar scenario where the workers are fired and then given back their jobs after demonstrating that their termination was likely related to union activities would be less likely to play out in the future, Brown said. In the past, you could fight that issue, and if you were in fact fired for union activity, you could be reinstated and possibly collect damages. But this sets that aside, said Harvey Whille, president of the Local 1262 chapter of the grocery store union United Food and Commercial Workers. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit which includes New Jersey historically sided with the NLRB and labor unions thanks to a more lenient "two-factor" test on whether there was reasonable cause to determine that an employer engaged in unfair labor practices, said James Cooney, a labor and employment law professor at Rutgers University. That can no longer be the case, and it could mean that with yesterday's ruling, the federal court in New Jersey may be less likely to rule in favor of the NLRB and labor unions. "It could make it harder for the board to intervene," Cooney said. "If a union was trying to organize somewhere and somebody was fired by the employer, the board might want to go into court to stop that and this might make it more challenging for the board." 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: Supreme Court ruling makes it harder to protect NJ workers New Fisher House at Arkansas VA hospital to offer comfort for families of patients LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Construction started Friday for a new facility looking to bring comfort to families trying to support patients at the Little Rock VA Hospital. The Fisher House will support the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and will offer space for up to 16 veteran and military families to stay free of charge while patients are receiving care. Arkansas organization aims to help veterans struggling with PTSD with service dogs This new facility will be the 101st Fisher House built and the first in Arkansas. It joins a network of other facilities across the United States and Europe that give up to 1,400 families a place to stay on any given night. For the 500,000 families who have passed through the doors of Fisher Houses nationwide, the organizations motto A Familys Love is Good Medicine says it all, Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, VHA Assistant Under Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said. Todays groundbreaking for the 101st Fisher House continues the outstanding legacy of support envisioned by Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher for our Nations Veterans and their families. Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System gets a four-star rating for quality The bedroom suites in the new Fisher House will be equipped with a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom, and there will be common areas like living, dining & family rooms, a kitchen, a laundry room and a patio. For so many Veterans, accessing the world-class healthcare offered by the VA comes down to one thing: having their families by their side, Fisher House Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher said. Soon, they can rest assured their families will be taken care of in a world-class home away from home. The new Little Rock Fisher House is expected to offer more than 5,800 nights of lodging every year, saving families potentially $1.1 million Arkansas veteran, 98, shares story of service in three wars Officials with the Fisher House Foundation said construction of the new house is expected to be complete by next May. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Fire in the Hole In a terrifying video, a Boeing 777 jet appeared to catch fire during takeoff in yet another freaky safety incident involving the aerospace giant. As Fox Business reports, the Paris-bound jet had 389 passengers and 13 crew members on board when its engines started coughing flames, forcing to make an emergency landing back at Toronto's Pearson Airport shortly thereafter. "Holy crap, it's got an engine fire!" exclaims the unnamed bystander who shot the video, which has since gone viral on X-formerly-Twitter. "Holy shit!" https://twitter.com/aviationbrk/status/1799001238547341453 But apparently, that impression wasn't exactly right. In a statement circulated by the Toronto Star, Air Canada said that the engine itself had not caught on fire, but that the blaze had occurred due to an issue with the plane's compressor stall. It does not appear that anyone was hurt during the incident. "Video posted to the internet of the incident shows the engine at the point of compressor stall, which can happen with a turbine engine when [its] aerodynamics are affected," the statement reads. "This can be caused by various factors, but the result is the flow of air through the engine is disrupted causing fuel to ignite further down the engine, which is why flames are visible in the video. It is not the engine itself on fire." Bad News Air All the same, folks on social media expressed perturbation over the video. "Heart in mouth moment," one X user wrote. "Wouldn't blame the passengers for not wanting to fly after that plane returned safely..." "Another fkn Boeing," remarked a second user. "How many has that been this year?! Insanity." Indeed, this couldn't have happened at a worse time for Boeing, which has been under intense scrutiny since a door plug blew off one of its jets mid-flight in January. Along with these sorts of occurrences gaining more and more attention in the media, the company has also been under fire from whistleblowers who allege corner-cutting at its factories two of whom have died under unusual circumstances since March. While there's certainly been something of a confirmation bias effect with the publication of Boeing safety and mechanical failures lately, many of them, including this one, drive home just how fraught plane travel can be. More on Boeing: Boeing Starliner Stuck on Space Station as More Leaks Discovered Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill intended to give more rights to condo owners, in the latest attempt to reform laws governing Floridas often troubled community associations. The new law, dubbed Condo 3.0, imposes education requirements on board members, requires more condo communities to set up web pages for members, makes it harder for boards to stifle dissent, and gives the state more power to investigate abuses. Florida condo owners have been frequently frustrated in attempts to get the state to investigate complaints of corruption, unfair governance and other abuses because the law previously prevented the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation from looking into their complaints. This is a game-changer, said Rep. Vicki Lopez, a Miami Republican who sponsored the bill, HB 1021. They will really be able to help everybody, whether theyre property managers, condo owners or condo board members, theyll be able to offer the assistance thats so needed, because so often people made complaints and got back a responses that said not within our jurisdiction, and now theyll have plenty of jurisdiction and plenty of money. Condo Wars: Boards can use defamation laws to stifle dissent | Investigation Here are highlights of the new law: New board members must undergo four hours of education on how to run a condo association, a measure that would make them less vulnerable to manipulation by outside vendors, attorneys or their own residents. Condos with 25 units or more must set up web pages that include documents such as bylaws, budgets and lists of contracts with vendors. The requirement previously applied only to condos with at least 150 units. The law requires boards to meet four times a year, up from the current two. Boards are barred from retaliating against dissenters through the filing of defamation lawsuits. The use of defamation suits to silence dissent was highlighted in a South Florida Sun Sentinel series last year on condo and HOA abuses. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will get more authority to investigate wrongdoing by condo boards and will receive funding to hire additional staff. About half of Floridians live under the authority of community associations, as owners or tenants in condo buildings and in neighborhoods governed by homeowners associations. Condo Wars: State regulators a dead end for desperate condo owners The legislation, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jennifer Bradley, one of a series of reforms attempted in the past few years, comes at a difficult time for Floridas community associations. Insurance costs are soaring, leading to crushing increases in monthly fees on homeowners. High-rise condos are absorbing the costs of higher maintenance requirements imposed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers condo building in Surfside. There have been a series of highly publicized cases of abuses by boards, including the arrests of board members of the Hammocks community in Miami-Dade County for what prosecutors say was a vast embezzlement scheme. Eric Glazer, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer who specializes in condo and HOA law, said the education requirement for board members was a long-sought reform that only came through because of the condo tower collapse in Surfside. Ive been fighting for years for mandatory education for directors, he said. Unfortunately it took the death of 98 people to require it. I think its going to save lives. He said condo owners will get more protection against wrongdoing by board members and managers in the new law, through increased penalties for violations, as well as increased oversight by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Now they have jurisdiction for almost everything, so people will at least have someone they can complain to and DBPR cant say they dont have jurisdiction, he said. People dont like to hear it, but the truth is there are bad managers, the truth is there are bad members of the board, the truth is there are bad lawyers. The legislation follows another law recently signed by the governor aimed at preventing abuses by homeowners associations, which differ from condo associations in that they govern communities of single-family homes. That bill, HB 1203, bars HOAs from imposing excessive fines, which can lead to late fees, liens, litigations and ultimately the loss of a home. That law bans fines for leaving trash cans out too long or leaving holiday decoration up past the associations time limit, among many other restrictions on the right of associations to impose fines on residents. Will Florida be 'cooler' than parts of US next week? A heat wave is predicted to affect millions of people across the United States next week, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. In Florida, temperatures are expected to be above average starting June 19 along the West Coast and Panhandle, with chances for above-normal temperatures a little lower from the interior to the East Coast. What's the best temperature to set your air conditioner thermostat? Don't expect that to last. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is predicting all of Florida will likely see above-average temperatures June 21-27. Changes are even higher for above-normal temperatures as we head into July, from June 22 through July 5, especially for the southern two-thirds of the state's peninsula. With some rainfall continuing Friday and into the weekend, the Sunshine State is struggling to live up to its name after record rainfall over the past several days. Some areas saw almost 2 feet of rain. Heat wave forecast to hit parts of US Six-10 day temperature outlook across the U.S. in June 2024. Forecasters warn a dangerous and potentially record-breaking heat wave will spread across much of the central and eastern U.S. next week, including areas from the Mississippi Valley to southern New England. Some cities from Texas to New England could see temperatures close to 100 degrees, according to AccuWeather. High temperatures of at least 90 are expected to stick around for most of all of the week in some areas. "For many, this will be the first heat wave of the year," AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. Excessive heat is most likely in the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, the Climate Prediction Center said. "Highs in the low- to mid-90s are forecast, possibly reaching daily record highs in many locations," the Center said. In Washington, D.C., next week, "heat indices should easily reach and exceed the century mark most afternoons," the Weather Service said. What about Florida? What's the weather forecast? Eight-14 day temperature outlook across the U.S. in June 2024. AccuWeather is predicting the following temperatures next week, from Father's Day June 16, through the summer solstice June 20 and into next weekend June 23. Panhandle/Tallahassee: Expect a high of 98 on Father's Day in Tallahassee, with temperatures remaining in the mid to upper 90s most of the week before dipping into the lower 90s starting on the summer solstice June 20. Farther west, temperatures will hover around 90 for most of the week, except for a possible dip into the mid 80s Monday, June 17. North Florida: Temperatures in the upper 80s, peaking at 90 on June 23. Central Florida: Highs will peak at 90 degrees June 19-20, with temperatures in the upper 80s the rest of the week. South Florida: Expect temperatures in the mid to upper 80s throughout the week. Southwest Florida: Temperatures are expected to hover around 90, with a few exceptions a few degrees above and below that, most notably a high around 93 on Monday, June 17, and a low of 86 on Saturday, June 22. Long-range forecast for Florida Temperature outlook across the U.S. into July 2024. The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting the following for Florida: June 23-26: Sunny and hot. June 27-30: Scattered thunderstorms with warm temperatures. July 1-12: Thunderstorms, isolated across South Florida. Hot temperatures. July 19-21 : Sunny and warm. July 22-31: Scattered thunderstorms; Hot in North Florida, warm in South Florida. Heat index could make temperatures feel even hotter, up to 15 degrees Heat index calculator The heat index measures how how it really feels outside, according to the National Weather Service. The heat index is calculated based on two factors: Air temperature Relative humidity Heat index values were devised for shady, light wind conditions. Exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. What is an unsafe heat index? What number is dangerous? In general, dangerous conditions would occur as soon as the heat index hits 105 degrees. Conditions are considered extremely dangerous if the heat index is 126 degrees or higher. Interactive map: See the heat risk for your area today Again, remember the heat index is calculated if you are in the shade. So if the heat index is 105-110 for your area and you'll be in the sun, the heat index could actually be 120 to 125 degrees. What types of heat warnings does NWS issue? The National Weather Service issues four types of heat-related advisories: Excessive heat warning: An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. What you should do : If you don't take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die. Excessive heat watch : Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain. Heat advisory: A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. What you should do: Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don't take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die. Excessive heat outlooks: The outlooks are issued when the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next three to seven days. An outlook provides information to those who need considerable time to prepare for the event. What does a Florida excessive heat warning, heat advisory mean? In Florida, the criteria is a little higher than the heat index numbers listed above for an excessive heat warning or health advisory to be issued by the National Weather Service. Excessive heat warning: Except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would issue an excessive heat warning if the heat index is expected to reach 113 degrees or higher. The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for a warning for its population, which was set at 110 degrees. Heat advisory: Except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would issue a health advisory if the heat index is expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees. The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for an advisory for its population, which was set at 105 degrees. Symptoms of heat illnesses: What's the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke? Heat exhaustion vs heat stroke. Here are the differences and what you should do. When your body can't cool itself, your body temperature rises. If it goes too high, it can be life-threatening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and what you should do. Heat cramps Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke. Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating. First aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water. Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour. Heat exhaustion Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting, First aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour. Heat stroke Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness. First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do not give fluids. Contributors: Eduardo Cuevas, Doyle Rice, USA Today This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida weather forecast as US heat wave drives up heat index An attorney representing education officials appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday told a federal appeals court that Florida lawmakers, if they so choose, can prohibit professors from criticizing the governor in the classroom. In the classroom, the professors speech is the governments speech, and the government can restrict professors on a content-wide basis and restrict them from offering viewpoints that are contrary, said Charles Cooper of the Cooper & Kirk law firm, responding to a judge posing that scenario. The remarks came during oral arguments before a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over a key provision of DeSantis' much-touted "Stop WOKE Act," which limits discussion of race, gender and other topics in state university classrooms. That provision was blocked by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of Tallahassee, who called it "positively dystopian." The circuit court last year denied the state's request to undo the block before it reached a final decision on the case. Friday's argument, held in Miami, focused on the line between academic freedom and the state government's ability to control institutions it funds and oversees. "Let's say that conspiracy theories were taking hold, and there were a group of professors who were teaching that the moon landing never happened or that 9/11 was an inside job," said Judge Britt Grant, appointed by former President Donald Trump. "Is there nothing, in your view, that the Florida Legislature could do about that?" "That would be within the province of the university, first and foremost," responded attorney Leah Watson of the American Civil Liberties Union, representing Florida professors challenging the law. She's part of a legal team with the ACLU of Florida, NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Ballard Spahr law firm. 'You can't censor your way to freedom' Attorney Greg Greubel of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), in response to the same question, said, "You can't censor your way to freedom, and there are a lot of classes in public universities that teach conspiracy theories so that students can understand the theories behind them and argue against them." The debated law, which was signed by DeSantis, says it's discrimination to "subject any student or employee to training or instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates or compels" them to believe a list of eight things, including that they should bear personal responsibility for historic wrongs or feel guilt because of their race, color, sex or national origin. Grant pushed back on Gruebel's point by saying that such instruction on conspiracy theories was different than endorsing those theories, but he counted that the passive way the statute was written makes its applicability broader than that. Greg Harold Greubel, attorney, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression "It's important to note that this is not a case about what universities can do; this is a case about what the state cannot do," said Gruebel, who represents a University of South Florida professor and a First Amendment student group at the university, at another point in the hearing. "And the state cannot pick winners and losers in the marketplace of ideas. The college classroom is a marketplace of ideas." Following up on the state's attorney's argument that what professors say is controllable government speech, Grant asked if that would mean red states and blue states would start seeing "entirely different sets of facts." "I suspect that happens quite distinctly now in many respects," Cooper said. "But that's the genius of federalism ... These are state institutions, and the states themselves get to make decisions about the content of the courses taught in their schools, and that includes viewpoints. 'Government speech' doctrine keeps coming up This is not the first legal fight over government speech Florida has seen this year. The state has also argued in federal court that book removal decisions in schools, regardless of reason, are protected government speech. Judges have not yet weighed in on that. And this is not the only provision of the "Stop WOKE Act" that's been challenged. Attorney General Ashley Moody talks with representatives and senators during the opening day of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Several months ago, the 11th Circuit upheld the block of a different key provision of the law that restricted businesses' diversity practices and trainings. But that hasn't stopped the state from still targeting such practices. For example, Attorney General Ashley Moody announced last month that her office had filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations over Starbucks' diversity, equity and inclusion practices. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida professors speech in classrooms can be controlled, lawyer says Three Florida parents are fighting back against Florida law H.B. 1069, suing Floridas Board of Education, because they allege it violates their rights by not having a process to object to the removal of certain banned books from school classrooms, while protecting parents who request the banning of these books. While Florida law H.B. 1069also known as the Dont-Say-Gay lawfocuses on restricting what teachers can and cannot say or teach about gender, sex, and sexual orientation in the classroom, it also pertains to books that focus on these topics, including topics such as critical race theory, race, racism, and characters of color. The bill allows parentsnamely conservative parents and people associated with Moms for Libertyto demand these books be taken off the shelves and banned from schools. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the plaintiffs state their First Amendment Rights are being violated by not having a formal process in place to overturn a decision when their school board removes these books, per TIME. The lawsuit says, The statute only provides a mechanism for a parent to object to the affirmative use of material; it does not provide a mechanism for a parent to object to the lack of use or discontinued use of material, according to TIME. One plaintiff, Stephana Ferrell, a parent of two kids in Orange County Public Schools, told TIME, Neither one of my children had classroom libraries because of the fear of being found out of compliance for a book on the shelf. According to TIME, books that have been banned include Slaughterhouse-Five, A Stolen Life, and Freedom Writers Diary, to name a few. In an interview with TIME, Ferrell said, Im a very concerned parent. Over the last few years, with the different legislation that has passed, Ive seen not only my children but my friends and communities impacted by the rise in censorship. Per the Associated Press, a PEN America report said Florida is responsible for 3,135 of the 4,349 school book bans in the United States as of April 2024. That is 72% of the books that have been pulled from schools around the nation, per the outlet. Ive seen far too many books be labeled as completely unlawful, Ferrell continued. I know people are hesitant to use the word ban, but once youre talking about labeling a book as unlawful, theres no wayno matter how much a student wants to read it, no matter how much a parent supports itthat a district can bring that book back into the community, in our schools. That long term impact on my childrens education and access to what should be protected speech has been a growing concern of mine, she said. One of the books that was being removed from a Florida classroom was Shut Up! By Marilyn Reynolds, which covers the sexual assault of a minor and written from the perspective of an older brother, who is distraught for not catching warning signs. This topic, according to Ferrell, could save lives, and the banning of this book was the catalyst for the lawsuit. The overall reason for my concern was not specifically about the book, but just the process itself. I want a process that allows thoughtful discussion, Ferrell said. We have that in our policy in Orange County it didnt happen. And if I think if it had happened, the book would have been retained because the initial objection was its use in curriculum, and not actually questioning whether or not it should be in the library. While that book might not be appropriate for every childand I do believe that parents have to set restrictions on their own kidsthat could be a very valuable book and tool that could help save lives, Ferrell said. How banning books can deeply impact childrens learning According to experts in education, book bans limit childrens exposure to different ideas, viewpoints, and information. This can hinder their ability to think critically, form their own opinions, and gain a well-rounded understanding of the world. Books often introduce children to complex themes, challenging concepts, and new vocabulary. Removing these resources can impede their intellectual growth and limit their exposure to diverse literary works. Books have the power to ignite curiosity, stimulate creativity, and encourage children to explore different perspectives. Banning books can suppress these crucial elements of child development. Many book bans target works that represent marginalized communities, diverse cultures, or controversial topics. This can reinforce a narrow worldview and prevent children from seeing themselves and their experiences reflected in literature. Book bans can create a climate of fear and self-censorship among educators, who may avoid discussing certain topics or introducing challenging materials to avoid controversy. An American Library Association (ALA) survey found that 70% of parents oppose banning books in public libraries, with most parents having a high level of confidence in librarians to make decisions about age-appropriate book selections. First Focus On Children, a bipartisan advocacy organization working to make children the priority in federal policy and budget decisions, reports that nonetheless, there has been an uptick in restrictions on books in school libraries, with the ALA noting more than 1,200 requests to restrict book access in 2022. This is the highest number of requests ever analyzed by the ALA. A small number of parents have propagated the book bans. A Washington Post analysis found that the majority of 1,000+ book bans were reported by just eleven people. Amid all of these policies and school board decisions, it seems children and their needs have been utterly lost in the conversation surrounding their own education while also deepening the divides in the United States. Public education is not only the great equalizer, but it helps unite us from state to state, community to community, across the country, Ferrell told TIME. If we have certain states teaching certain things, and certain viewpoints, and others teaching something totally different, it will further divide us as a country. Days after being pummeled with eight inches of rainfall in only just hours the kind of extreme downpour that supposedly occurs once every 500 years South Florida continues to be deluged with historic storms and flooding. The region of the state remains under a flood advisory on Friday after a series of storms dumped between eight and 20 inches of rain over large sections of Florida over the previous three days. Meteorologists expect another two to four inches of rain by Friday night, and some areas may get as much as 10 inches. This extreme wet weather has left hundreds of people stranded in their homes, closed dozens of highways and delayed flights at the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports. This storm system even yielded a tornado that tore through the community of Hobe Sound, north of Palm Beach, on Wednesday, uprooting or destroying at least 20 landmark ficus trees. The tornado damage looked like the beginning of a zombie movie, according to Ted Rico, a tow truck driver who helped clear the streets of stalled vehicles. Rico told the Associated Press, Theres cars littered everywhere, on top of sidewalks, in the median, in the middle of the street, no lights on. Just craziness, you know. Abandoned cars everywhere. According to researchers, climate change both intensifies extreme weather events like tropical storms and floods and makes them more frequent. The primary cause, in the words of University of Pennsylvania climatologist Michael E. Mann, is "business-as-usual fossil fuel burning." If that continues, Mann has said, "We could be looking at six feet of sea level rise by the end of the century, the displacement of nearly a billion people," with the possibility that this could happen "on an accelerated timeframe." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican often described as a climate skeptic, has worked to scrub references to the problem from official state documents in his state. Activists like Stevie O'Hanlon, communications director for the Sunrise Movement, argue that kind of denialism will ultimately backfire on the politicians who support it. "We want to send a message to politicians like [Texas Gov.] Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis, who are banning water breaks and the mere mention of climate change," said O'Hanlon. "If you continue to care more about pleasing your oil and gas donors than the lives of people in your state, you are going to be out of a job." A Publix Super Market pharmacy manager. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Quality Journalism for Critical Times Florida is joining the growing list of states that allow pharmacists to order and dispense HIV infection-prevention drugs, but it will still take months until any pharmacists are certified to provide that service. Greater access to emergency HIV postexposure prophylaxis drugs, commonly known as PEP, could curb infections in the state, which has the third-highest rate of diagnosis in the country, according to recently published data from the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention. Lawmakers unanimously passed HB 159, set to go into effect on July 1, and the Florida Board of Pharmacy has started the process of writing implementing regulations. So far, the board has created drafts of the paperwork needed to certify pharmacists and approve the courses pharmacists would have to take to safely dispense PEP. Not as many people coming into the LGBT+ Center Orlando for HIV testing know about PEP as are aware of PrEP, a medicine that helps prevent infection in people at risk of contracting HIV, such as those whose partners have HIV, said Kenya Harris, the centers chief health equity officer, in a phone interview with the Phoenix. Still, Harris said, the law could produce significant benefits, especially for those who might be exposed to HIV on, say, a Friday and cant see a physician over the weekend. So many pharmacies are open late night. There are 24-hour pharmacies, she said. So, the more pharmacists that are able to prescribe PEP, the more individuals are able to access it, and then the less individuals that may end up becoming HIV positive. Similar to emergency contraception, people must take PEP within a 72-hour window. The CDC recommends PEP for people who might have been exposed to HIV if their condom broke during sex, shared needles to inject drugs, or were sexually assaulted. Once prescribed, a person has to take PEP for 28 days. In 2022, more than 200 Floridians took PEP, according to a Florida Department of Health report. Florida is following 10 states that since 2018 have explicitly allowed pharmacists to prescribe HIV infection-prevention drugs, according to the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. During meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, board of pharmacy members voted to require the courses to train pharmacists to be at least two hours long. How many pharmacists can get certified to prescribe PEP depends on the number of courses the board approves. Anyone could be affected Although the Center Orlando and other LGBTQ+ groups in the state offer HIV testing, advocates emphasized that everyone needs to know how to access these medicines because HIV can affect anyone. Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic started in the 1980s, misinformation that the disease only affected gay men led to stigma and discrimination, according to the World Health Organization. HIV and AIDS have been foundational issues for the LGBTQ community, but we also recognize that HIV is by no means limited to our community, said Jon Harris Maurer, public policy director for Equality Florida, in a phone interview with the Phoenix. In fact, some of the communities at need for education on HIV prevention are beyond the LGBTQ communities. This legislation is incredibly important because it will provide access to a critically important medication for reducing HIV transmissions in the state and ultimately ending the HIV epidemic in Florida. Men and women in Florida have contracted HIV through heterosexual sex at a higher rate than other ways, according to FDH data. The post Florida starts to set rules allowing pharmacists to prescribe emergency HIV prevention drugs appeared first on Florida Phoenix. File cabinets. (Getty) One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealths leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made, too many Virginia leaders in practice take the opposite stance, acting as if records are by default private and the public must prove they should be handled otherwise. In this feature, we aim to highlight the frequency with which officials around Virginia are resisting public access to records on issues large and small and note instances when the release of information under FOIA gave the public insight into how government bodies are operating. Chesterfield police case hinges on meaning of undercover The Chesterfield County Police Departments undercover operations are so extensive the agency needs to be able to hide the identities of virtually all of its rank-and-file officers, a police major testified in a FOIA case Thursday morning. Transparency activist Alice Minium is suing Chesterfield officials after they redacted the names of 521 police officers at or below the rank of lieutenant using FOIA exemptions meant to maintain the secrecy of undercover policing. The county has justified that exemption by arguing virtually all of its officers could be asked to do undercover work, even if that only means using an unmarked vehicle or wearing plainclothes. Miniums attorney, Andrew Bodoh, said the county is improperly expanding a small transparency exemption to claim the power to shield the identity of every police officer regardless of their actual job duties. As she testified in Chesterfield Circuit Court, police Major Andrea Riesmeyer explained that she once did undercover work by posing as a prostitute. Having her name, face and affiliation with the police department published in Miniums website, OpenOversightVA, makes it nearly impossible to do that sort of work in the future, Riesmeyer said. And the same concern applies to every officer, she said, who at any point might need to conceal their true identity in order to fight crime. That hinders our ability to do what we need to keep our community safe, Riesmeyer said. On cross-examination, Bodoh got Riesmeyer to acknowledge that releasing the police roster with the names listed wouldnt actually reveal who is working undercover at any given point. We believe that they are withholding the names of people who are not undercover officers, Bodoh said, adding that the convenience of maximizing anonymity for police officers shouldnt outweigh provisions in FOIA indicating the names and salaries of public employees should almost always be considered public information. Chesterfield officials said their definition of undercover can extend to officers performing regular patrol or surveillance duties in an unmarked vehicle or in plainclothes. Bodoh argued there are distinct categories of undercover work and insisted the term undercover should be limited to situations where officers are playing a role or assuming a fake identity. It should not, he said, be construed to mean any situation in which a clearly identifiable police officer wearing a name tag or badge wants to keep a low profile or avoid making their presence obvious. Because undercover isnt defined in state FOIA law, both sides in the case said Thursday that the General Assembly may eventually have to write a clearer definition into the law. Judge Jayne Pemberton asked the two parties to file additional legal briefs on the matter and said she expects to issue a ruling after that occurs. The Mercurys efforts to track FOIA and other transparency cases in Virginia are indebted to the work of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, a nonprofit alliance dedicated to expanding access to government records, meetings and other state and local proceedings. Newport News official cautioned colleague about triggering FOIA Officials in Newport News have declined to release over 100 pages of documents related to a seemingly botched response to a shooting victim who died from his injuries. Records obtained by The Daily Press indicate officials were taking pains to keep key documents confidential. Text messages the paper received indicate city officials have an internal investigative report that they didnt want to go public. When Mayor Philip Jones asked City Manager Alan Archer for a copy of the report last November, the paper reported, Archer offered instructions on how he could get the document without making it disclosable under FOIA. It would not be advisable for me to send such a document to you by email, Archer wrote. The document would not be exempt from a FIOA (sic) request unless the City Attorneys Office sent it you under client attorney privilege. FOIA shakes loose names of Loudoun school safety panelists When Loudoun County Public Schools formed a Blue Ribbon Panel on School Safety last year, officials initially refused to identify who was on it. In April, according to the Loudoun Times-Mirror, a schools spokesman said he would not reveal the names due to security reasons. The mysterious panel recommended putting police officers or security guards in all county elementary schools, a policy suggestion that stoked debate and pushback from critics who argue a law enforcement presence is unnecessary and potentially detrimental to students. After the Loudoun Times-Mirror filed a FOIA request, officials released the names of the panelists, showing the group to be a not-particularly-surprising mix of education, law enforcement, emergency management and mental health professionals. Have you experienced local or state officials denying or delaying your FOIA request? Tell us about it: info@virginiamercury.com The post FOIA Friday: Court debate on police rosters, Newport News shields shooting report appeared first on Virginia Mercury. China urges U.S. to immediately stop illegal unilateral sanctions, play constructive role in Ukraine crisis Xinhua) 08:24, June 14, 2024 BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be used as a tool to smear and contain China, and China urges the United States to immediately stop slapping illegal unilateral sanctions and play a constructive role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict and restoring peace, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a media query concerning a new U.S. anti-Russia sanctions package that includes more than 300 companies, banks and dozens of individuals from Russia and other countries, including China. Lin said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia is inherently logical and highly resilient, and is in the interests of both countries. "China firmly opposes all unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be interfered with or disrupted, still less be used as a tool to smear and contain China," Lin said. On the Ukraine crisis, it is quite clear to the international community who is calling for dialogue and striving for peace, and who is fueling the fight and inciting confrontation, Lin said. The United States on the one hand continues to pour weapons and munition into Ukraine, yet on the other shifts the blame of undermining peace and protracting the crisis to other countries, Lin said, adding that it even sees the crisis as an opportunity to slap sanctions and suppress others. "All of it reveals Washington's calculations, hypocrisy and what a bully it is," he added. The U.S. unilateral sanctions have created victims all over the world, severely undermined other countries' sovereignty and security, caused humanitarian tragedies and disrupted industrial and supply chains, Lin said. He said since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the United States has even doubled down on sanctions. Wielding the big stick of sanctions does not solve problems, Lin said, adding it will only be a major source of risks for the world. "China did not create and is not a party to the Ukraine crisis, and we will not accept smears, pressuring or blame-shifting," Lin added. He said China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) As agreed between China and the EU and at the invitation of Vice Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang will hold the fifth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue at EU Headquarters in Brussels and visit Luxembourg from June 17 to 21. Hubei Media Group: Yesterday, Premier Li Qiang started his official visit to New Zealand. Could you share with us more details? Lin Jian: At the invitation of Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, Premier Li Qiang started his official visit to New Zealand from June 13. During the visit, Premier Li Qiang met with Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, attended the welcoming ceremony held by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and had talks with the latter. Premier Li Qiang said that his current visit to New Zealand coincides with the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinpings visit to New Zealand and of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides. China and New Zealand have similar visions for development, cultures, values and propositions in international affairs. The development of China and New Zealand means opportunities, not challenges to each other. The two sides should stay partners committed to mutual respect and mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual learning, and solidarity and coordination. China is ready to work with New Zealand to carry forward the traditional friendship and the spirit of striving to be the first, jointly promote development, and further upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership to deliver more benefits to the two peoples. Li Qiang pointed out that China is ready to work with New Zealand to continue to scale up trade, tap into the potential of cooperation in such fields as digital economy, green economy, new energy vehicles and creative industry, and jointly promote regional economic cooperation. The two sides should work to remove the disturbance of non-economic factors to bilateral trade and economic relations, and provide stable expectations and a sound business environment for the operation and development of companies. China welcomes more New Zealand businesses to invest and do business in China. China is ready to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with New Zealand, include New Zealand into Chinas unilateral visa-free policy, and hopes that New Zealand will provide more convenience for Chinese citizens to visit New Zealand. Both China and New Zealand are firm in supporting multilateralism, and both support free trade and building an open world economy. The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral settings, and encourage all parties to pull in the same direction toward win-win cooperation. The two prime ministers agreed that China-New Zealand relations have made satisfactory progress. The two sides will continue to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and promote sustained, sound and stable development of bilateral relations. The two sides also agreed to launch negotiations on the negative list of trade in services. After the talks, the two prime ministers jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such fields as service trade, business environment, export of agricultural and food products to China, science and technology, patent examination and migratory birds protection, and jointly met the press. The two sides also issued a joint statement on the outcomes of the meeting. Xinhua News Agency: To follow up on your announcement about Vice Premier Ding Xuexiangs visit to Europe, could you share with us the program and Chinas expectation of the visit? Lin Jian: China and Europe are the worlds two major forces, major markets, and major civilizations. China-EU relations have an impact on global peace, stability, development and prosperity. China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and regards Europe as an important priority for Chinas major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and also an important partner for achieving Chinese modernization. China and the EU share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation in green development, and have maintained good dialogue and cooperation in this regard. Since the establishment of the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in 2020, the two sides have successfully held four rounds of dialogue, which has played a positive role in jointly addressing global challenges in environment and climate governance, strengthening communication and coordination on bilateral and multilateral policies, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. During the upcoming trip, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Executive Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic will co-chair the fifth high-level dialogue. China stands ready to work with the EU to act on the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two sides, and through this dialogue, broaden the areas of cooperation, explore new collaboration models and upgrade the level of cooperation. We hope to deepen and solidify our green partnership with the EU and make green the most distinctive color of China-EU cooperation. In Luxembourg, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang will meet with Luxembourgs leaders and attend the Second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road Forum for International Cooperation. Luxembourg is a founding member of the EU and Chinas friendly cooperation partner in Europe. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties over fifty years ago, the two countries have respected each other, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly promoted development. In recent years, China and Luxembourg have achieved new progress in cooperation of areas such as finance and air freight. Since the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road started operation, it has flown large amounts of goods between China and Europe, brought tangible benefits to the people of China, Luxembourg and the rest of Europe, and helped keep global industrial and supply chains stable. China looks to work with Luxembourg through this visit to step up dialogue and communication, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and further advance our bilateral relations. Reuters: It is learned that although China is not attending this weekends Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, it has been lobbying several countries to join its six-point consensus with Brazil on a political settlement of the Ukraine war. One source said that China, in conversations with developing countries, said the Swiss peace summit was unconstructive and would prolong the Ukraine conflict. We do not know the exact developing countries. What is Chinas comment? Lin Jian: China welcomes and supports all efforts for peace. Our position on the Summit on Peace in Ukraine to be held in Switzerland is fair and just and weve been open and clear about our position. China has maintained close communication with Switzerland, Ukraine and other parties on issues related to the summit and encouraged equal participation and fair discussion of all plans at the summit. The six common understandings by China and Brazil have received positive response from over 100 countries. They reflect the universal expectation of the world and represent the broadest common ground of countries in the world on this issue. We welcome more countries to support and endorse the six common understandings. Beijing Daily: The Hong Kong SAR government on June 12 exercised the powers conferred by the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to specify six individuals who have absconded, namely Law Kwun-chung, Mung Siu-tat, Lau Cho-dik, Cheng Man-kit, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da, and describe the measures to be applied against such absconders by notices published in the Government Gazette. The US, the UK, Canada, Australia and the EU claimed that the SAR governments action erodes rights and freedoms and expressed concerns over the extraterritorial application of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. What is Chinas comment? Lin Jian: We strongly deplore and firmly oppose relevant parties blatant smear of the national security law and ordinance and interference in Hong Kongs rule of law. Let me reiterate that Law Kwun-chung and the other absconders have long engaged in anti-China activities and sought to destabilize Hong Kong. What they did gravely undermines national security and Hong Kongs fundamental interests and has a serious impact on One Country, Two Systems which is a bottom line that must not be crossed. The Hong Kong police took measures in accordance with the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which is the right and necessary thing to do in order to uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong and national security. This is fully justified, legitimate and lawful. The Law on Safeguarding National Security and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance target the very few criminals who severely endanger national security. They protect the rights and freedoms that all Hong Kong residents enjoy in accordance with the law. The extraterritorial application of the Law on Safeguarding National Security is in strict compliance with international law and the common practices of countries and regions across the world. It is beyond reproach. Let me stress that Hong Kong affairs are purely Chinas internal affairs and brook no interference by external forces. We urge relevant parties to earnestly respect Chinas sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, stop emboldening the anti-China individuals seeking to destabilize Hong Kong, and stop harboring criminals. Reuters: Israels public broadcaster reports that Hamas has demanded that China, Russia and Turkiye serve as guarantors for any agreement it reaches with Israel among alternations to a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal. Israeli media says the US and Israel have both rejected this demand, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called some of Hamass demands unworkable. Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi previously has said that China would continue to play a constructive role in handling global hotspot issues. So what is Chinas position on the idea it could work with other countries to guarantee a ceasefire? And is Beijing mediating with other powers to see this happen? Lin Jian: Since the ongoing fighting began in Gaza, China has been working closely with all parties, including the Arab and Islamic states, to jointly promote ceasefire, call for the protection of civilians and do everything we can to ease the humanitarian disaster. I would like to stress that the current situation in the Gaza Strip is unsustainable and the most urgent priority is to fully and effectively implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, ensure access to humanitarian assistance and realize the early release of all those held captive. China will continue to work with all parties to make unremitting efforts to end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, ease the grave humanitarian situation and deliver the two-State solution. Bloomberg: Earlier today, the Ministry of Commerce criticized Turkiye for implementing 40 percent tariff on Chinese car imports. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have anything further to add to the Ministry of Commerces statement on this? And there is a follow-up. Its not just Turkiye and the EU that are implementing tariffs on Chinese cars. And there are a number of countries that have already announced tariffs on Chinese steel exports as well, including Brazil, Chile and Mexico and Colombia. Is China concerned that more countries around the world are putting tariffs on Chinese exports? And do you have a response? Lin Jian: For your specific question about tariffs between China and Turkiye, Chinas Ministry of Commerce has made clear our position. Recent years have seen rapid growth of trade and economic cooperation between China and Turkiye. Deepening practical cooperation in various fields between the two countries has boosted Turkiyes economic and social development and brought tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries. Turkiyes decision to increase tariffs is not consistent with WTO rules or the momentum of steady growth of bilateral ties. You mentioned Chinas economic and trade relations with several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Colombia. Let me reiterate that China and Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Colombia, enjoy a sound momentum of growth in bilateral relations, and our trade and economic cooperation is fruitful. Steady and sound economic and trade ties serve the fundamental interests and meet the common aspirations of China and the above-mentioned countries. As For more details about the tariffs between China and the Latin American countries you mentioned, Id refer you to competent authorities. Reuters: China and South Korea are expected to hold two plus two talks of their senior foreign and defense officials early next week. Are you able to confirm the date or what will be on the agenda? Lin Jian: China and the ROK agreed on holding the first 2+2 vice-ministerial level diplomatic and security dialogue in due course and are in communication on working out the specifics. I have nothing further to offer at the moment. Bloomberg: German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck is meant to come to China next week for a visit from, I think, Wednesday or Thursday. Do you have anything that you can tell us about what China might speak to him about when he is here? Lin Jian: Id refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Former DA teacher Jeffrey Clayton sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual misconduct with student A former Duval County Public Schools teacher who pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with a student was sentenced Friday to a total of 10 years in prison by Judge Tatiana Salvador. Jeffrey Clayton was arrested in March of last year. He was the chair of the vocal department at Douglas Anderson for almost 23 years. Clayton pleaded guilty to 4 charges stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct with students. On the first two counts, Clayton was sentenced to 10 years for each count, which will run concurrently. On the second two counts, Salvador sentenced Clayton to five years on each count, which will run concurrently. The State Attorneys Office said since the sentences are running concurrently, Clayton is sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison. According to police, a parent dropped a student off at the school for 1-on-1 singing lessons with Clayton to prepare for an upcoming performance. An arrest warrant says the teacher talked about his romantic and intoxicating feelings for the student. He also rubbed the students thighs and leaned in to kiss her multiple times. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The victim told a friend, which eventually led to an investigation. Since his arrest, 3 other DA teachers have been removed from the classroom because of their behavior. Read: Victim interview details former Douglas Anderson teachers alleged inappropriate touching Claytons arrest and the ongoing allegations of sexual conduct at the school led to Principal Tina Wilson eventually stepping down and was the main driving force behind the school boards decision to oust former superintendent Dr. Diana Greene. Salvador said that Clayton would also serve three years of probation after his prison after his prison sentence is complete. Read: Duval School Board approves Diana Greenes separation agreement from district with 4-3 vote [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) A former Franklin priest who was removed from ministry back in January and then indicted on multiple charges in February has been indicted on additional counts of sexual battery, according to officials. The Catholic Diocese of Nashville said Rev. Juan Carlos Garcia was an associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, but he was removed from his position and from active ministry while the Franklin Police Department investigated a teens report of improper touching involving the priest. JANUARY 2024: Possible second victim of alleged sexual abuse by Franklin priest, Diocese of Nashville says On Feb. 9, the diocese announced Garcia had been indicted by the Williamson County Grand Jury on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and two counts of sexual battery. Nearly four months later, on June 5, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment, charging the former priest now referred to by police as Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza with two additional counts of sexual battery. Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza (Source: Franklin Police Department) As of Friday, June 14, the 31-year-old is reportedly being held in the Williamson County Jail on a $2 million bond. Anyone with additional information regarding the former priest is urged to contact Detective Andrea Clark with the Franklin Police Department at 615-476-2809 or andrea.clark@franklintn.gov. FEBRUARY 2024: Former Franklin priest indicted on sexual abuse of child charges, Diocese of Nashville says According to officials, the case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney Generals Office for the 21st Judicial District. For additional information about victim resources, follow this link. Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Nashville has yet to address the additional charges from the latest indictment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A former correctional officer with the Wilson County Sheriffs Office has been charged with four counts of sexual contact with an inmate and one count of official misconduct, according to the department. Melissa Dionne, 42, was charged via a sealed grand jury indictment. The charges came after evidence substantiated allegations made during an internal investigation, according to a news release by the department. Wilson County Sheriff's Office squad car. Dionne was booked Friday morning into the Wilson County Jail on $7,500 bail, according to jail records. Dionne was released later that day. A defense attorney was not immediately known. The officer resigned from the department on May 17, at the beginning of the internal investigation, Wilson County Sheriffs Office Capt. Scott Moore said. Dionne was hired in December 2023. Our deputies are trained from day one to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism. Any violation of the public's trust will be met with heavy consequences and will not be tolerated, Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said in the news release. Dionne's court date was scheduled for Aug. 2, according to Moore. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former Tennessee jailer accused of having sex with inmate, misconduct Former Salisbury City Councilman Gary Allan Comegys died Tuesday at 69 years old while at Coastal Hospice at the Lake. According to his obituary at Dignity Memorial, the son of Susie Sue Skinner Comegys of Salisbury and the late Guy Rector Comegys was born in Dover, Del. He became well known throughout Salisbury and Wicomico County for public service as an elected official. Life of service to Wicomico as council member, longtime firefighter Then-city councilman Gary Comegys asks questions to developers of the old Salisbury Mall property as councilwoman Lynn Cathcart listens in December 2003. The development never came about. He was a past member of the Salisbury City Council for eight years where he served as vice president; was a past member of the Wicomico County Humane Society for five years, where he served as president; and was a past member of the board of directors and past president for the Maryland Municipal League. Comegys retired as an area construction engineer in 2009 after 36 years with the Maryland State Highway Administration. He was also a lifetime member of the Salisbury Fire Department, Station 16; and was a volunteer firefighter for 21 years and achieved the rank of 1st Assistant Chief of the department at Station 2. Challenges of modern policing: Law enforcement leaders discuss policing challenges, from social media to juvenile crime Gary was a graduate of Queen Annes High School, attended Wor-Wic Community College and Salisbury University. His hobbies included surf fishing and camping on the beach. In addition to his mother, he is also survived by his wife of 32 years, Debbie A. Comegys; a son, Travis Comegys of Ocean Pines; a brother, B. Keith Comegys; sister-in-law, Lynn Donoway; brother-in-law, Woody Cooper (Sue); two nephews, George Comegys (Ashley) and Matthew Comegys (Lodena), and a grand nephew, William Comegys, all of Hagerstown; a niece, Cari Pina; two grandnephews, Luis and Noah; and great-grandnephew, Luis; all of Ruskin, Fla; special friends, Don and Lynn Cathcart, TJ and Lana Maloney, and Jenny and Eddie Hastings; numerous cousins and many friends. Celebrate Juneteenth around Shore: Celebrate freedom at 2024 Juneteenth celebrations in Salisbury and across Lower Shore Firefighters Funeral Service set for Monday in Salisbury A Firefighters Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 17, at 12:30 p.m. at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main Street in Salisbury, with a visitation from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury. Officiating will be Rev. Joel Beiler and Chaplain Cooper. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Former Salisbury City Council member, firefighter Gary Comegys dies Former SNP equalities officer who wanted to beat up terfs convicted of sexual assault A former SNP equalities officer who told how he wanted to beat the f*** out of gender critical feminists has been convicted of sexually assaulting six young adults. Cameron Downing, who was an official in the SNPs London branch, preyed on multiple victims and threatened to make rape allegations against one man if he refused sexual contact with him, the High Court in Edinburgh heard. The 24-year-old, who identifies as non-binary, has been pictured at an SNP conference with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and took part in a Pride March alongside Karen Adam, the SNP MSP and convenor of Holyroods equalities committee. His conduct online has been criticised by JK Rowling, after he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he wanted to beat the f*** out of some terfs and transphobes. He also tweeted I f****** hate terfs and transphobes with such a passion. Police Scotland launched a probe into Downing and discovered that he had preyed on victims across Scotland in a course of conduct that began when he was only 16. They found that he repeatedly blackmailed one of the men he assaulted, telling him hed make an allegation to the police about how he had been raped by the man. A female victim, now 24, told how he had made abusive comments to her at a New Year Party in 2018 about her weight, which caused her to get drunk and become sick. She said Downing then took her upstairs, persuaded her to get undressed so she could shower, then woke up with bruises she believed he had caused. Battling mental health problems He had denied wrongdoing, saying in evidence that he had been battling complex mental health problems. However, on Friday afternoon, after two days of deliberations, jurors found Downing, of Willowbrae, Edinburgh, guilty on charges of sexual and physical assault. Judge Alison Stirling remanded Downing in custody, rejecting his lawyers application for bail. She told him: Your status has changed. I will adjourn sentence to obtain a criminal justice social work report and you will be remanded in custody. Downing is a former drama student who has acted in Edinburgh Fringe productions. He also worked as an NHS contact tracer during the pandemic. In response to his tweets about terfs, Harry Potter author Rowling tweeted in October 2022: Nicola Sturgeons Scotland: A place where an equalities officer feels free to declare in public how much he wants to beat up non-compliant women. Terf is an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, a slur for women such as Rowling who do not believe that men who claim to identify as women are literally female, and want to protect single-sex spaces. Victim felt trapped and terrified A victim told the jury how Downing had left him feeling trapped and terrified after he made the threat of a false rape allegation. The man, now 22, said how Downing had threatened to also tell his friends, family and employer that he was a rapist. The jury was also shown messages that Downing sent to the victim. One read: I dont care if youre not ready make yourself ready. Another message showed how Downing wanted his victim to continue having sex with him. It read: You should want that with all of your f****** being because the alternative is losing me from your life and most likely facing a court case for RAPING me. Speaking about the abuse she suffered, a female witness said: He would touch me inappropriately, like groping. It was mostly my breasts that he would touch, maybe some groping elsewhere. A lot of it I have filtered out. Following conviction, Downing was placed in handcuffs and taken to the cells of the High Court. He turned to family members who sat in the courts public benches and said: I love you. Downing will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on July 16. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Hanford site Department of Energy manager who led much of the transition from weapons plutonium production to environmental cleanup has died. John D. Wagoner died June 6 in Knoxville, Tenn., at the age of 83. He was named the interim Hanford manager, responsible not only for oversight of Hanford cleanup but also the Department of Energys Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, in 1990 about a year after the signing of the Tri-Party Agreement marked the start of Hanford environmental cleanup. Wagoner was named the Hanford manager in 1991, after 17 months as interim manager, and retired in early 1999. This has been the toughest, most rewarding challenge of my career, he said when his retirement was announced. Im proud of the work weve done ... and the new programs weve launched to attack the problems efficiently and effectively. The now 560-square-mile Hanford nuclear reservation adjacent to Richland in Eastern Washington was used to produce nearly two-thirds of the plutonium production for the nations nuclear weapons program from World War II through the Cold War, leaving radioactive and hazardous waste and extensive contamination. Ive been impressed by Johns mastery of the issues, and his professionalism in what I consider to be one of the most important and difficult jobs in the DOE complex, said former U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson in late 1998. Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber praised Wagoner at his retirement for inviting and encouraging those most at risk from Hanford to have a direct say in decisions and activities at the site as Wagoner led the difficult transition from production to cleanup. John Wagoner, Department of Energys Hanford manager, announce his upcoming retirement at a press conference in December 1998. He died June 6, 2024. At the first meeting of the Hanford Advisory Board in 1994 he pledged that the board would be independent of DOE and that DOE cannot and will not control this board, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. The early years of Hanford cleanup were marked by frustration, false starts, a lack of enthusiasm over the cleanup mission, and environmental laws which required extensive study and planning before cleanup could occur, said the Oregon Department of Energy in its 10 Year Report on Hanford. But after a slow start cleanup is well underway and there are many successes, it said in 1999 not long after Wagoner left Hanford. Wagoner said when he announced his retirement from DOE at Hanford that his tenures biggest accomplishments included getting programs under way to deal with millions of gallons of radioactive waste in underground tanks and getting environmental restoration of the site started. In 2020, after several false starts, a contract was awarded that started construction of the Hanford vitrification plant to treat much of the sites 56 million gallons of tank waste. During Wagoners tenure, the last of 33 liquid waste discharges into the ground had all been stopped, treated or re-routed from hazard waste disposal sites and PUREX, N Reactor and B Plant were deactivated. He also cited improvements in relations with the public, including creation of the Hanford Advisory Board with membership representing a broad range of backgrounds, concerns and ideas. I think theyve done a lot of good. Weve changed plans to reflect the input they have had, he said. Wagoner is survived by his wife Marilyn Wagoner, sons James and Jeremy Wagoner and daughter Julie Wagoner. A funeral mass was held June 10 and a graveside service is planned Monday. (This story was originally published by The Daytona Beach News-Journal) A WEC and UFC veteran from Edgewater, Fla., was arrested Thursday morning, accused of battering and raping his pregnant girlfriend, according to police. The 36-year-old victim went to Halifax Health Medical Center for a rape exam, an allegation that is under investigation, police said. Edgewater police officers arrested Richard Cleat Crunkilton Jr., 44, at 2:24 a.m. Thursday at his Magnolia Street home and charged him with aggravated battery on a pregnant person, court records show. Crunkilton was released Thursday evening from the Volusia County Branch Jail where he was being held on $5,000 bail. Youre not moving out Edgewater police said Crunkiltons girlfriend, who is three months pregnant, called them Thursday and said Crunkilton battered her as she was packing to leave him. The woman and Crunkilton had been living together for six months, police said. Crunkilton came to the home and grabbed the womans shoulders from behind and pulled her backward out of the bathroom and pushed her into a bed, an arrest report showed. Youre not moving out. Youre not packing your stuff. Youre not going anywhere, Crunkilton told the woman, according to police. Officers observed a bruise on the womans left arm and back, the report stated. The woman also reported that Crunkilton had sex with her against her will, the arrest report noted. Who is Richard Cleat Crunkilton? According to online reports, Crunkilton began his professional MMA career in 1999, fighting out of New Smyrna Beach. He signed on with World Extreme Cagefighting in 2002 and quickly signed with the UFC in 2003. He faced Hermes Franca at UFC 42 in Miami where he lost by unanimous decision. The organization released him before he could fight again and he returned to World Extreme Cagefighting. He had a total of 23 fights of which he won 19 eight by knockout, seven by submission and four by decision. He fought in the lightweight division. Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie A former employee of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was found guilty of collaborating with occupying Russian forces at the facility and sentenced to 10 years in prison, the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor's Office reported on June 13. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest nuclear power station in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. A pre-trial investigation of the employee was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) Zaporizhzhia Oblast office, according to prosecutors. In court, the man was found guilty of collaborating with Russian authorities while holding a senior position at the occupied plant. The man agreed to be appointed the first deputy general director of the ZNPP under Russian occupation, prosecutors said. In his capacity as a senior he official, he assisted the occupying regime in illegally classifying the ZNPP as a subject of the Russian Federation and in issuing new licenses for the use of the plant's nuclear energy in Russia's power system. Read also: 54 delegations IAEA conference call to punish Russia for jeopardizing global nuclear security The man also helped organize meetings among ZNPP personnel wherein he persuaded colleagues to support Russia's operations at the plant, according to the prosecutor's office. The ex-employee received a 10-year prison sentence along with the confiscation of property. As part of his sentence, he lost the right to hold positions of authority in state or local governments or in state-owned enterprises for 12 years. President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2023 imposed sanctions against 200 individuals, including Yurii Chernichuk, a former deputy chief engineer at the ZNPP. Chernichuk was sanctioned for his collaboration with the Russian occupation. Russia's occupation of the ZNPP has led to heightened nuclear safety risks. Monitoring teams from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been based at the facility on rotation since September 2022, but Russian authorities still deny IAEA inspectors full access to the plant. Read also: Russian attacks pushing Ukraines energy system toward worst-case scenario, largest private energy company says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Four fans taken to hospitals from Royals game suffering from heat Four fans taken to hospitals from Royals game suffering from heat KANSAS CITY, Mo. Four fans attending Thursdays Kansas City Royals game had to be taken to local hospitals after being overcome by heat, proving the hot humid conditions that prompted a heat advisory are definitely nothing to mess around with. The Royals had a 1:10 p.m. start at Kauffman Stadium versus the New York Yankees. Fans tried to endure the sweltering heat with umbrellas, cooling towels and fans. View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4 I tried but then this one went out on me, lucky right right here kept me going, But by the time of about the seventh inning stretch some fans decided it was time to go. Its pretty brutal man, its not comfortable, Frank Wells said. The heat got us eventually but all in all it was a real good game, Jake Pina said. The Royals won 4-3 with a walk-off double. The heat was also a challenge for concert-goers at Hot Country Nights, though some tried to keep a positive attitude. KCK earnings tax idea thrown around in wake of Chiefs, Royals discussion Heat doesnt hurt us, thats why we insulate ourselves we can drop some pounds, Doug Key said. Extreme heat and extreme cold we actually thrive. Hydration will happen then we are going to dehydrate to the best of our ability over the next couple 3 hours, Jerry Dixon joked in response. While Power and Light still sold alcohol, they also offered bottled water and added water stations. Honestly just water anything with ice in it will help. Its hot, its really hot tonight, Stella Squires said. See the latest forecast, maps and radar for Kansas City The City of Kansas City offers some tips on beating heat. They say take frequent breaks, rest in the shade or cooler environment, and drink plenty of water. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- A coalition of Frances left-wing parties presented a manifesto to pick apart most of President Emmanuel Macrons seven years of economic reforms and set the country on a collision course with the European Union over fiscal policy. Most Read from Bloomberg The group which unveiled its program days after Macron called a snap legislative election wants to reverse the governments pension reform, reinstate the right to retire at 60, raise the minimum wage, and impose an extra tax on the profits of certain industrial firms, their leaders told reporters Friday. We will finance all of this very ambitious project by taking from the pockets of those who have the means to give, Socialist Party head Olivier Faure said. The new alliance as well as attempts on the right to form a coalition signals a potential disaster for Macrons party. Because France has a two-round electoral system with a bar to move onto the second vote, many of Macrons centrist Renaissance candidates may not even make it to the final election day. The political uncertainty and increasing likelihood the next government will push through costly measures for public finances has spooked investors. On Friday, French bonds underperformed their safer German peers for a fifth day, widening the 10-year spread by a record to 79 basis points, the most since 2017. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned earlier in the day that victory for the left-wing alliance in the snap vote would lead to economic collapse and the countrys exit from the EU as he put fears over the economy at the center of the campaign. Their program is complete madness, Le Maire said on Franceinfo radio. It will guarantee downgrade, mass unemployment and an exit from the European Union. The CAC 40 Index is down nearly 6% on the week, heading for its biggest weekly drop since March 2022 and surrendering what was left of its year-to-date gains. The slump put France at risk of losing its crown as the largest equity market in Europe. Officials in the new leftist bloc dismissed Le Maires claims regarding their economic program. They say Macrons tax cuts for wealthy individuals and on capital have left a gaping hole in the public finances. In our project we will have a revised budget very quickly to put in place our measures, said Yannick Jadot, a senator in the green party. Weve not run all the models on public finances, but that the president and government give us lessons on fiscal measures is a joke. Polls show the bloc of parties spanning former President Francois Hollandes Socialists to the Communists and far-left France Unbowed is on track to form the second-largest group behind Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally. If the coalition were to win the election, Macron would be expected to nominate a prime minister from the group. Asked whether far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon, of France Unbowed, would be put forward, the partys national coordinator, Manuel Bompard, said no decision had been taken. Weve agreed that if we manage to take power and win the election, its the parliamentary group with the biggest number of lawmakers thatll make a proposition, he told reporters. Jean-Luc Melenchon is perfectly capable of being prime minister, hes expressed this. Jean-Luc Melenchon is perfectly capable of being a candidate in the legislative election, its his decision to be or not. The manifesto papers over significant gaps between alliance members on many policies. But the compromises theyve reached would still mean a radical shift in economic policy in France, and a weakened commitment to fiscal discipline that would undermine relations with the European Commission, the EUs executive arm. The left-wing alliance said it will refuse the EUs fiscal pact governing debt and deficits and propose a European climate and social emergency deal. It also said it would freeze prices of essentials such as food, energy and fuel by decree. Speaking on the sidelines of the conference to launch the groups program, Faure said the government under the leftist banner would quickly head to Brussels to demand changes to fiscal rules. The EU, which is worried about whats happening today, will negotiate with us so we can advance together, he said. Le Maire has joined Macron in warning of the consequences of far-right or far-left parties coming to power. But those alarms may fall flat this time around, given the precipitous drop in support for the presidents party and after some of the more extreme groups have moderated their platforms. Macron dissolved the National Assembly on Sunday and announced a two-round legislative ballot on June 30 and July 7. This came after his political group was trounced by the National Rally in European Parliament elections. Unions have called for protests across the country on Saturday, with CGT head Sophie Binet warning earlier on Friday against France falling into fascism. --With assistance from James Hirai. (Updates with senator comment in 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. So long, Chief. Its a shame things worked out like they have. Paco Balderrama once told me, six months into his tenure, that he could envision himself serving as Fresnos police chief for a decade. Ten years, Balderrama said in July 2021, responding to a direct question. Honestly, I can see myself and my family being here for 10 years. Two weeks ago, Balderrama wouldve been a good bet to reach that milestone. Provided a larger city didnt poach him before then. Opinion Now? It has become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to see how Balderrama survives this scandal of his own making. Married with three children, Balderrama was placed on paid leave Wednesday by City Manager Georgeanne White pending the outcome of an investigation into an inappropriate relationship that, sources told The Bee, involved the wife of a Fresno police officer and lasted approximately two years. If Balderrama was having an extramarital affair with someone who has no connection to the Fresno Police Department, this wouldve been a non-story. No ones business except those directly involved. Except it wasnt. By allegedly carrying on with the spouse of one of his officers, Balderrama showed a troubling lack of judgment while undermining his own leadership. How are the rank-and-file cops under Balderramas command supposed to trust their chief after what he supposedly did? Little wonder many members of the Fresno Police Officers Association feel betrayed, according to an email by the unions executive board. Id feel betrayed too if my boss was having an affair with my partner or the partner of one of my co-workers. Thats a line of decorum that cannot be crossed. This is an incredible offense to every sworn member of the agency, who is held to account for policy violations surrounding discretion and conduct unbecoming every day, both on and off duty, the unions email read. Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama speaks to the media in a Bee file photo from March 2022. Even so, city leaders tried to keep a lid on things. The four-month-old internal investigation into Balderramas conduct was kept under wraps until last week, when Mayor Jerry Dyer and his communications staff got bombarded with media inquiries. This week, bit by bit, day by day, more details started coming to light. By Wednesday, enough of them surfaced that Dyer and White had no choice but to place Balderrama on leave and transfer operational control of the police department to Deputy Chief Mindy Casto. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Balderramas return to active duty in Fresno feels like a long shot. In fact, it wouldnt surprise me if a separation agreement (with the requisite nondisclosure clauses) is already being drafted. If this were up to Dyer alone, I suspect Balderrama would probably weather this storm with the four silver stars on his dress blues intact. In my experience, people who have been granted forgiveness for past personal transgressions, as Dyer has, are often the most willing to forgive the transgressions of others. Plus, and this cannot be stressed enough: Balderrama has been an effective police chief. But now that everyone in Fresno knows (or at least believes) he had an affair with an officers wife, any attempt at damage control is futile. Chief appears in denial During an impromptu press scrum outside the city council chambers before being placed on leave, Balderrama seemed unable or unwilling to accept that reality. While speaking with reporters, Balderrama vowed to remain on duty and planned on continuing to lead this police department to even greater heights. He also said his family is not doing well and asked the media not to ask any salacious questions. Salacious questions? Balderrama seems to be in denial that he brought this upon himself. There would be no need for such questions if he had not allegedly engage in salacious behavior and make scandalous news that gives Fresno a seedy image. The media didnt create this mess, Chief. You did. Own it. Balderrama went on to say that if he were an insurance salesman or ran a different city department, media interest would be scant. Would this make news? No, it wouldnt, he said. Except Balderrama doesnt sell insurance. Nor does he direct the Department of Public Utilities. Hes the chief of police, the public face of the police department with 900 sworn officers in Californias fifth-largest city and is held to a higher standard of behavior. His character and personal conduct must be above reproach. While speaking to reporters, Balderrama said he had received hundreds and hundreds of messages from community members and fellow officers asking him not to step down. He displayed a set of rosary beads and quoted scripture on his social media account. Im going to get through this, and my familys going to get through this because God is great and Im a professional and Im going to keep on working at it, Balderrama said. That could very well end up being Balderramas final statement as Fresno police chief. Ten years? Balderrama will be fortunate to keep his job a few more months. Funding approved by the West Virginia Water Development Authority for five water and sewer projects in the Mountain State CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) An announcement was made by Governor Justice that funding was approved for five Economic Enhancement Grant Fund projects by the West Virginia Water Development Authority. Since the program was started in April 2022, 174 Economic Enhancement Grant Fund (EEFG) projects were awarded by the West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA), totaling more than $427 million with a total project cost of $1,895,017,779. The projects reached across the state, and affected more than 607,000 people in the Mountain State. WV IJDC announces $40 million for sewer and water projects across the state Water and sewer projects that the WDA approved include: Fayette County: New Haven Public Service District An additional $577,166 WDA EEGF grant was awarded to the New Haven Public Service District, with a total project cost of $10,379,000, to extend water service to Cane Branch, Ramsey, Hawver Road, South Miller Ridge, Arrowwood Road, Dotson Ridge, Lower Dotson Ridge, and Whispering Pines. Greenbrier County: Town of Alderson The Town of Alderson received a $800,000 WDA EEGF grant, bringing the total project cost to $10,054,000, for a water treatment plant replacement. Kanawha County: Town of East Bank An additional $1,000,000 WDA EEGF grant, with a total project cost of $13,500,000, was awarded to the Town of East Bank for water system replacement and upgrades. Tucker County: Town of Davis The Town of Davis received a $2,692,000 WDA EEGF grant, totaling $12,500,000 for the project, for sewer collection system improvements. Gilmer County: Town of Sand Fork A $450,000 WDA EEGF grant was awarded to the Town of Sand Fork for sanitary sewer collection and treatment system improvements, with a total project cost of $2,500,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Pope Francis stands between Heads of state of the G7 countries and heads of government of the guest countries at the family photo after the meeting of the G7 and outreach guests at the G7 summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa The leaders of the world's seven leading industrialized democracies called on Israel to respect human rights in the war on Gaza and to refrain from a major offensive in Rafah in the final declaration after the Group of Seven summit in southern Italy. They condemned the October 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas in the strongest terms, alongside the group's strategy of using civilians as shields. They also warned the Israeli leadership, after criticism worldwide of the high number of civilian casualties and catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli military operation there, particularly concerning Rafah, intensely overcrowded by those fleeing fighting elsewhere in the densely-packed strip. Israel must respect international law and human rights in its military action against Hamas, the declaration says. "We are deeply concerned by the consequences on the civilian population of the ongoing ground operations in Rafah, and the possibility of a full-scale military offensive." This would have further dire consequences for the civilian population, it says. "We call on the government of Israel to refrain from such an offensive," the G7 group said, after Washington in particular put pressure on Israel to refrain from a large-scale invasion of Rafah. The final declaration also called on all parties involved to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid, a plea directed in particular at the Israeli leadership, which has refused to open border crossings to the Gaza Strip for aid deliveries in recent months. The G7 declaration also criticises Israel's settler policy in Palestinian territories. Earlier, the G7 committed to the three-phase plan presented by US President Joe Biden last month, providing for a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks as the first step of three. Pope Francis stands between Heads of state of the G7 countries and heads of government of the guest countries at the family photo after the meeting of the G7 and outreach guests at the G7 summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa G7 calls on Israel to respect human rights in Gaza, refrain in Rafah Pope Francis stands between Heads of state of the G7 countries and heads of government of the guest countries at the family photo after the meeting of the G7 and outreach guests at the G7 summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa The leaders of the world's seven leading industrialized democracies called on Israel to respect human rights in the war on Gaza and to refrain from a major offensive in Rafah in their final declaration on Friday, amid concerns about the civilian population. They condemned the October 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas in the strongest terms, alongside the group's strategy of using civilians as shields. They also warned the Israeli leadership, after criticism worldwide of the high number of civilian casualties and catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the Israeli military operation there, particularly concerning Rafah, which is intensely overcrowded by those fleeing fighting elsewhere in the densely-packed coastal strip. Israel must respect international law and human rights in its military action against Hamas, the declaration says. "We are deeply concerned by the consequences on the civilian population of the ongoing ground operations in Rafah, and the possibility of a full-scale military offensive." This would have further dire consequences for the civilian population, it says. The war in Gaza was unleashed by the unprecedented attack by Palestinian Islamist Hamas on Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking another 250 as hostages. Around 120 are still in the hands of Hamas, but it is feared that many are already dead. Israel responded to the attack with a massive military offensive on Gaza, in which at least 37,232 people have been killed and many more thousands injured, according to the health authorities, controlled by Hamas. Around 85% of the population in Gaza, 1.9 million people, has been forcibly displaced in the wake of the Israeli attacks, according to UN figures. Israel deems Rafah, in southern Gaza, the last stronghold of Hamas but fears are growing that an expansion of the Israeli offensive in Rafah, crowded by refugees fleeing the fighting, could lead to mass casualties. "We call on the government of Israel to refrain from such an offensive," the G7 group said, after Washington in particular put pressure on Israel to refrain from a large-scale invasion of Rafah. The final declaration also called on all parties involved to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid, a plea directed in particular at the Israeli leadership, which has refused to open border crossings to the Gaza Strip for aid deliveries in recent months. The G7 declaration also criticises Israel's settler policy in Palestinian territories. The G7 had also committed to the three-phase plan presented by US President Joe Biden last month, providing for a full ceasefire lasting six weeks, during which a group of hostages will be released in return for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The second phase foresees a permanent end to hostilities and the release of the remaining hostages. The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is to begin under the third phase. The G7 echoed comments made earlier by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who called on Israel to better protect the civilian population in Gaza. "The number of casualties has been far too high," said Austin on Friday on the fringes of a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. "I have engaged my counterpart on a number of occasions and and encourage them to be more precise, and also make sure that we're protecting the civilians in the battlespace," Austin said. Israel must do everything possible to minimize the number of civilian casualties in the combat zone, he said. Achieving military objectives and protecting the civilian population in a combat zone are not mutually exclusive, said Austin, of Israel's goals in Gaza. Austin emphasized that Hamas mingles with the civilian population and uses them as human shields, describing these as "despicable tactics." However, the US official said, protecting the civilian population is a "strategic imperative." The US is Israel's closest ally but has become increasingly critical of the Israeli government's policies. Washington also imposed sanctions on the radical Israeli group Tzav 9 for targeting aid supplies sent to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. "For months, individuals from Tzav 9 have repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blockading roads, sometimes violently, along their route from Jordan to Gaza, including in the West Bank," the State Department said in a statement. "They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road." Department spokesman Matthew Miller cited an incident on May 13, when Tzav 9 members looted and set fire to two trucks near Hebron in the West Bank carrying life-saving aid to Gaza. The provision of humanitarian aid is crucial to reduce the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip, Miller stressed. "The Government of Israel has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian convoys transiting Israel and the West Bank enroute to Gaza," he said. "We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance." Pope Francis stands between Heads of state of the G7 countries and heads of government of the guest countries at the family photo after the meeting of the G7 and outreach guests at the G7 summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa G7 leaders condemn China for aiding Russia in its war on Ukraine 'If you prop up Russia's war economy, you will pay a price,' said Rishi Sunak in Italy - Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters The leaders of the G7 have condemned China for supplying Russia with components for its fight against Ukraine, the groups strongest rebuke yet of Beijing since the conflict began. Britain, the US and other Western countries released a joint statement on Friday pledging to take tougher action against China if it continued to supply Russia with materials used in weapons manufacturing. American intelligence agencies believe that while China is not selling weapons to Russia, it has traded components that have been used to build them. The G7 took its harshest line on China since the beginning of the conflict, expressing deep concern about the defence ties between Moscow and Beijing. We call on China to press Russia to stop its military aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine, the leaders said. Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, said: The UK and others have already sanctioned Chinese entities for facilitating Russias defence industry. The G7 has now agreed with that principle. So the message is clear: if you prop up Russias war economy, prolonging this illegal war, you will pay a price. Action by the G7 follows months of criticism of China by the United States, which claims that Chinese companies are directly supporting the war and helping Russia to avoid sanctions on weapons. China 'does not supply weapons, but the ability to produce those weapons', said Joe Biden in Italy - Alex Brandon/AP Joe Biden, the US president, said on Thursday that China does not supply weapons, but the ability to produce those weapons and the technology available to do it. White House officials believe that in the last quarter of 2023, more than 70 per cent of Russias machine-tools imports were provided by China. The imports are likely to have been used to produce ballistic missiles. Declassified intelligence shows that China also supplied 90 per cent of Russias microelectronics, which are used in the production of missiles, tanks and aircraft. The US is understood to have mounted a major diplomatic push for the G7 to become more hawkish on China, in line with American policy. Beijing has denied directly supplying weapons to Russia and says it prudently handles the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations. China has also refused to attend a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland starting on Saturday, arguing that Russia should be allowed to attend. The G7 statement came as Vladimir Putin set out conditions for peace talks with Ukraine, including the removal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Putin said his next offer of a peace deal would be less attractive if Ukraine refuses his first offer. However, such a withdrawal would mean Ukraine had conceded much of its eastern territory to Russia before peace talks even began. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has repeatedly said he will not concede any territory to end the war. This weeks G7 summit in Puglia, Italy, saw leaders set out plans for a $50 billion (40 billion) war loan to Ukraine secured against the profits from Russian assets frozen in Europe. Both the UK and US made separate bilateral commitments to Ukraines security. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After a week marred by his party's rout in European elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz drew a literal chorus of much-needed support from G7 leaders at their summit in southern Italy on Friday. Before the working session on migration, US President Joe Biden led the leaders of the world's advanced industrialized democracies in a rendition of Happy Birthday as Scholz turned 66, according to the German delegation. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also present at the impromptu digression from business in the coastal city of Bari. At midnight Thursday, Scholz, who is accompanied in Italy by his wife Britta Ernst, had already marked his birthday with his team and a cake. The week did not start well for the chancellor after the June 9 European Parliamentary elections netted his Social Democratic Party (SPD) only 13.9% of the vote, marking the party's worst result in over a century. Together with its two coalition partners, the SPD secured less than a third of the vote in a humiliation that raises questions about the future of Scholz's government. After the G7 conference, the chancellor was due to travel on to Switzerland on Saturday for the Ukraine peace summit. Scholz will then return to Berlin where he faces more wrangling and infighting over the 2025 federal budget. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (L) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz upon arrival at the Borgo Egnazia resort for the G7 Summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa The Group of Seven (G7) countries said they would continue to take measures against entities in China and other countries that financially support the Russian military machine in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Source: G7 declaration, as reported by European Pravda Details: The leaders of the G7 states highlighted that this primarily concerns financial organisations and other businesses in China that help Russia acquire equipment for its defence industry. In this regard, the G7 emphasised that entities particularly financial institutions that aid the Russian Federation in obtaining goods or equipment for its defence industry, are supporting actions that undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. "Accordingly, we will impose restrictive measures consistent with our legal systems to prevent abuse and restrict access to our financial systems for targeted individuals and entities in third countries, including Chinese entities, that engage in this activity", states the declaration. The G7 countries also promised to take "robust actions" against entities that assist the Russian Federation in evading their sanctions, including imposing "severe" fines on anyone who does not immediately cease providing material support for Russian aggression, as well as strengthening domestic use and intensifying interaction with business. "We call on financial institutions to refrain from supporting and profiting from Russias war machine. We will take further steps to deter and disrupt this behaviour," the G7 emphasised. At the same time, the G7 agreed to improve the efficiency of the oil price limitation strategy by boosting compliance and assuring its implementation, while striving to maintain market stability. "We will take steps, including sanctions and innovative enforcement activities leveraging respective geographies, to combat Russias use of deceptive alternative shipping practices to circumvent our sanctions by way of its shadow fleet", affirms the declaration. Furthermore, the G7 has pledged to impose additional sanctions on those who assist in the transportation of Russian oil, as well as networks established by the Russian Federation to profit from price violations or oil sales through alternative service providers. The G7 has promised to limit Russia's future energy income, stifling the development of new energy projects and disrupting access to the commodities and services that these projects require. "We will continue our efforts to reduce Russias revenues from metals", added the leaders. Earlier, the US Treasury Department had reportedly uncovered more than a dozen schemes to circumvent sanctions against Russia's defence industrial base and placed restrictions on more than 90 foreign individuals and entities, mostly from China and Turkiye. As previously stated, the US Treasury announced the expansion of the secondary sanctions system against Russia. It was also revealed that the United States will impose additional sanctions to limit the supply of semiconductor chips and other items to the Russian Federation, targeting organisations and networks in China and other countries. As reported by Reuters, US officials expect the G7 to issue a new and strongly-worded warning to small Chinese banks this week to avoid assisting Russia in evading western sanctions. Support UP or become our patron! G7 ramp up Ukraine support in show that Putin 'cannot wait us out' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky waves after delivering a speech at the German Parliament (Bundestag). Zelensky is in Berlin for the International Ukraine Reconstruction conference in Berlin. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa G7 leaders on Thursday agreed to lend Ukraine $50 billion generated from frozen Russian state assets on the first day of a summit that also saw the US sign a 10-year security deal with Kiev to ensure the country can continue to defend itself against Russia. US President Joe Biden hailed the steps taken at the summit as a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot wait us out." "You cannot divide us and we will be with Ukraine until they prevail in this war," Biden said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday evening. His remarks came after he and Zelensky signed a long-term agreement laying out Washington's security relationship with Kiev on the sidelines of the G7 in southern Italy on Thursday. Fifteen other countries have already concluded similar long-term security agreements with Kiev including Britain, France and Germany. The US agreement broadly regulates cooperation between the two countries at all possible levels, including with regard to military equipment, training and manoeuvres. At the same time, Ukraine is called upon to implement various reforms in the areas of justice, law enforcement and fighting corruption, but also in military capabilities and structures to achieve NATO standards in the future. US pact doesn't include deployments, specific weapons As expected, the agreement does not contain any commitments to deploy US armed forces for the defence of Ukraine. Biden has always categorically ruled this out - despite recent appeals from French President Emmanuel Macron to send military trainers there. Washington says the aim is rather to enable Ukraine to continue to defend itself. The agreement also makes no promises to supply specific weapons systems. Biden did, however, raise Ukraine's hopes that it might soon receive additional Patriot air defence systems from Western allies, saying five countries had made commitments for Patriot batteries and other air defence systems. Washington has already provided Kiev with one of the advanced air defence systems, and could reportedly pledge a second one in the coming days, though the government has not officially confirmed this. Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February 2022 and has been waging a large-scale war of aggression against the neighbouring country ever since. The US is Kiev's most important ally in the defence campaign. Both sides had been negotiating the bilateral security agreement for some time. G7 pledge $50bn loan from frozen Russian assets Earlier, the summit in southern Italy began with an agreement to lend Ukraine $50 billion using interest generated from frozen Russian state assets, in a major show of support for Kiev. The Group of Seven leaders - which includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States - said an agreement had been reached on the large loan package. Kiev is set to use the money to strengthen its defence, pay for the reconstruction of infrastructure and fund the state budget. Planning for the structure of the loan package has been under way for some time. The US had originally campaigned in favour of collecting not only the interest income, but also the frozen assets themselves and using them to provide financial support to Kiev. The US government says around $280 billion of Russian central bank money has been immobilized in Western countries due to sanctions imposed since Russia began its full-scale attack on Ukraine more than two years ago. The bulk of the Russian money is within the European Union. The Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear - by far the largest holder in the EU of frozen Russian central bank assets - recently said that it had collected around 4.4 billion ($4.7 billion) in interest in 2023. But some European countries had major reservations about using both the principle and the interest, resulting in the compromise in which the interest is used as collateral to pay off the loan. US steps in in case politics changes the loan picture One thorny issue is who would bear the credit risks if the EU sanctions on the assets could not be extended, for instance due to the veto of a member state. That would mean that the interest could no longer be used to pay off the loan. On Thursday the US declared its willingness to bear the main burden of the multibillion-dollar loan, a high-ranking US government representative said on the sidelines of the summit. The US is willing to provide up to $50 billion, or the total amount of the loan to Kiev, the US official said, though he emphasized: "We will not be the only lenders," adding others would also participate. Moscow angry at loan for Ukraine Russia criticized the loan to Ukraine. "Using the funds effectively stolen from Russia for the warlike adventures of the Kiev regime is criminal and cynical and represents a further blow to international law," said Russian Foreign Office spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a press briefing. She threatened that the Russian reaction would be "painful" for Brussels. At the summit in Italy, the G7 leaders have cautioned Russia of the dangers of using weapons of mass destruction, specifically nuclear weapons. Source: G7 communique, as reported by European Pravda Details: The summit participants expressed deep concern about "Russias irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and actions, as well as its reported increasing use of chemical agents against Ukrainian forces." Quote: "We reiterate that any use of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences," the communique said. The Group of Seven leaders are particularly concerned about China's "opaque and accelerating expansion of its nuclear arsenal," as well as North Korea and Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The text also confirms G7 support for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which Russia left last year. "We call on Russia to continue to adhere to the moratorium on nuclear tests and renew the CTBT ratification. We also call on the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) not to conduct any further nuclear tests, and to sign and ratify the CTBT," the leaders emphasise. In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West that Russia is technically prepared for a nuclear war and that should the US send troops to Ukraine, it would be regarded as a considerable escalation of the war. At the same time, he hopes that nuclear war does not break out. Support UP or become our patron! A situation where Russia would use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine would be "inadmissible," the Group of Seven (G7) warned in a joint statement on June 14 as the two-day G7 summit in Italy drew to a close. The G7, comprised of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S., as well as the EU, issued the statement amid "Russias irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric." 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. 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. The G7 noted Russia's "posture of strategic intimidation, including its announced deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus." Minsk announced on June 10 that Belarus will participate in the second stage of Russian drills simulating the launch of tactical nuclear weapons. The G7 also highlighted China and other third countries "that materially support Russia's war machine," and said it would continue to sanction entities based in these countries "that facilitate Russia's acquisition of items for its defense industrial base." "We call on China to cease the transfer of dual-use materials, including weapons components and equipment, that are inputs for Russias defense sector," the G7 said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently named China as the "primary contributor" to Russia's military-industrial complex While the G7 seeks "constructive and stable relations with China," the group also expressed "deep concern" over Beijing's support to Moscow, and called "on China to press Russia to stop its military aggression." The G7 urged "all countries to observe the Olympic Truce individually and collectively," referring to the Ancient Greek tradition that allowed the safe passage of athletes to and from the Olympics. Read also: Belarus Weekly: Warsaw establishes commission to investigate Russian, Belarusian influence Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Deputies in Cleveland County were able to arrest a kidnapping suspect from Gastonia thanks to a tip from authorities in Ohio. The Cleveland County Sheriffs Office said on Friday that Brandon Kyle Prichard was taken into custody late Thursday night for kidnapping, human trafficking, and weapon violations. Prichard is accused of abducting a 14-year-old girl from Deerfield Township, which is near Cincinnati, Ohio, according to our sister station at WHIO. Authorities in Ohio said that Prichard was communicating with the teen through social media before taking her from Warren County. The sheriffs office says Prichard lives in Gastonia, but its not clear if the victim was taken to his home there. ALSO READ: Group accused of kidnapping woman and her son out of jealousy, sheriff says The CCSO said the sheriffs office in Warren County gave deputies a tip that Prichard was going north on Interstate 85 into Cleveland County. Deputies were able to stop Prichards car and he was taken into custody. The sheriffs office says the victim was found safe. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Warren County Sheriffs Office are leading the case, according to the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office. This is a developing story, check back for updates. (WATCH: Suspect arrested, charged with murder, kidnapping in Newton womans death) Genevieve de Galard, nurse who was the only French woman at the siege of Dien Bien Phu obituary Genevieve de Galard arrives at Luang Prabang on May 24 1954 having been released from captivity by the Viet Minh after the fall of Dien Bien Phu - SFI/AFP via Getty Images Genevieve de Galard, who has died aged 99, was a French air force nurse known as the Angel of Dien Bien Phu. Trapped under heavy bombardment in a valley in northern Vietnam from March 28 1954 until the French garrisons surrender on May 7, she was the only French woman at their disastrous showdown with Ho Chi Minhs communist troops which brought an end to Frances empire in Indochina. Descended from the Merovingian Dukes of Gascony, and fortified by her staunch Catholic faith, Genevieve de Galard felt called to serve, as her ancestors had served in the Crusades. She saw the war in Indochina as a crusade against communism, as opposed to a dirty war, at root about France clinging on to its empire, which was the interpretation of Left-wing French intellectuals. Aged 28, she already had a tour of Indochina and another of Algeria under her belt when she landed in Dien Bien Phu for the first time in January 12 1954. The valley, 11 miles long and five miles wide, carpeted with rice fields and hemmed in by high jungle, was being fortified by the French. All but inaccessible by road, it relied on its airstrip for supplies and to evacuate the wounded to Hanoi, 180 miles away. Genevieve de Galard writing a telegram to her mother after her liberation - SFI/AFP via Getty Images Each day, she and other flight nurses stationed in Hanoi would fly in to fetch the wounded from Dien Bien Phu, as well as from Laos and the Tonkinese delta. In the air, the IV drips would play up with each change of atmospheric pressure. Unknown to the French, the Chinese were pouring money into the Viet Minh, led by General Giap, who had encircled the French positions at Dien Bien Phu with concealed artillery. Genevieve de Galard was on a mission in the south of Vietnam on March 13 1954 when she heard that a vast attack had been launched on Dien Bien Phu. By March 19, there were 400 men to evacuate, and she participated in a daring nocturnal mission to land silently, in a Dakota with its engines cut, on the damaged airstrip. She was back on March 26, but the ambulances could not get to the plane before it had to take off again to escape the intense shelling. On March 28, she landed again, on what would turn out to be the last medical plane, which the Viet Minh destroyed. After that, she was trapped in Dien Bien Phu. Airlifts became impossible and each soldiers family was sent a cryptic telegram: Impossible to write. All is going well. On March 30, a new bombardment began, far greater than before. I felt as if it was the end of the world, she recalled. She was nursing in the central medical bunker, hot, humid and rancid, which she likened to an underground bowel. Muddy droplets of water fell from the canvas ceiling on to the operating table. The victorious Viet Minh after the fall of Dien Bien Phu - Pictures from History In addition to her diligence, her mere presence as the only woman at Dien Bien Phu rendered this hell a little less inhuman, she noticed. Every time you walk into my room my morale goes up 100 per cent, one paraplegic soldier told her. You were, for many of us, a small piece of our native land, another soldier wrote later. An American news agency offered wild sums for her exclusive memoirs. Life continued under bombardment. At Easter, Mass was celebrated on the operating table. A triple amputee asked to take her dancing after the war. Another soldier made her a wire-and-paper flower. Although French planes could not land, they could still drop medical supplies from a height, and fresh vegetables, which Genevieve de Galard had made into soup for the wounded. On May 6, a new kind of artillery started up. Someone told her: That is Stalin playing the organ. The next night, she followed the final collapse on the radio, ending with: The Viets are 30 feet away. Give our love to our families. It is over for us. The Parisian's headline on May 8 1954: 'Dien Bien Phu has fallen' - Pictures from History As a prisoner of the Viet Minh for 17 days, she continued to nurse but for days had no electricity, bandages, antibiotics or even urinals. The only time she was afraid, she said, was when she was pressed to write Ho Chi Minh a birthday message in return for the release of hundreds of her patients. She felt it her duty to try everything possible, but her message, heavily edited, was published by the communists and criticised in the West. Against her will, having delayed her liberation by days to remain with her patients, she was returned to the French on May 24, suffering from beriberi, an anthrax infection and a swollen arm. In her borrowed paratroopers overalls she made the cover of Paris Match, and she was hounded by paparazzi, but she found her glorification intolerable, knowing that many of her patients left behind in Dien Bien Phu had been forced on death marches. She dedicated 12 hours a day to answering letters from families of prisoners still in Indochina. During the siege, she had been appointed to the Legion dhonneur and awarded the Croix de Guerre for her courage and sleepless hard work. Her citation called her the pure incarnation of the heroic virtues of the French nurse. 'The Angel of Dien Bien Phu' arriving in Hanoi after her evacuation to Luang Prabang - Service Presse Information/AFP The younger of two sisters, Genevieve de Galard was born in Paris on April 13 1925, and educated by Ursuline nuns. Her father died when she was nine. During the German occupation they lived austerely in unheated rooms in Toulouse. In 1952 she joined the flight nurses, as they were known, so that she could make frequent trips back to Paris, where her widowed mother was losing her sight. After Dien Bien Phu, she was invited by an Act of Congress on an official visit to the United States, and was received in a ticker-tape parade through a crowd of 250,000 New Yorkers. President Eisenhower gave her the Medal of Freedom and called her Woman of the Year. Her ticker-tape parade through New York in July 1954 - Keystone-France She rejoined the ranks of the flight nurses, and later worked in the rehabilitation centre of Les Invalides in Paris. Her wartime experiences left her with a visceral anti-totalitarian passion, and when France took a Leftward turn in the 1980s, she entered local politics as an independent, working to integrate disabled children into schools. In 1956 she married Jean de Heaulme, a distant cousin who had served as a commando in the hills outside Dien Bien Phu, and they had two sons and a daughter. Genevieve de Galard, born April 13 1925, died May 30 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. GEORGETOWN, Ill. (WCIA) Georgetown firefighters battled a small fire near a local bar on Thursday evening. Danvilles Friendly Town reopens to teach safety lessons to kids It happened just before 6 p.m. at an old storefront immediately next door to Josephines. Officials with the Georgetown Fire Department said it was a minor fire, largely contained to a window frame. They were able to control the fire with the help of firefighters from several fire departments around the area, including Westville. Officials said no one was hurt in the incident. The cause behind 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 WCIA.com. GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) A Georgetown man pleaded guilty this week after he was charged with shooting and killing his wife in December 2022, Georgetown District Attorney Shawn Dick said in a news release Thursday. He will serve a sentence of life in prison. The shooting happened on Dec. 27, 2022. This was less than two weeks after Lindsey Whitman, 31, filed for divorce from Ricardo Quinones, 39, the release said. Whitman was living with a family member at a home in Georgetown, and Quinones lived somewhere else. Georgetown suspect accused of fatally shooting estranged wife arrested Quinones snuck into the home during the early morning hours that day, and he was wearing a black ski mask and had a firearm, according to the DAs office. Quinones then took Whitman hostage, handcuffed and then threatened her with a knife and gun, the release said. Ricardo Quinones, 39 | Courtesy Georgetown District Attorney Shawn Dick The family member called 911, and officers with the Georgetown Police Department arrived on the scene. The family member escaped through a bedroom window, the release said. Then, officers went into the home after they heard gunshots to find Whitman dead in a bedroom. She was handcuffed and was shot twice in the head through a pillow that was placed over her face, according to the DAs office. Quinones fled the scene and was later found in Columbus, Texas several hours later, the release said. This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact domestic violence can have on families. Our deepest condolences go out to Ms. Whitmans loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable loss, Dick said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A Georgia high school band director has been arrested for inappropriately touching a former student who viewed him as a father figure. Joseph Martin, 40, was the band director at Westside High School, where he had been employed since 2016, according to Bibb County school district officials. According to the incident report obtained by Channel 2 Action News, a former Westside student reported that Martin had touched him in private areas several times, most recently in November 2023. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The victim described Martin as his band teacher, mentor and one of the only father figures he had in his life. He said hed been invited to and stayed the night at Martins home several times. He told investigators he was scared of what Martin would do if he said no or if he reported it. An incident last month, in which he and Martin were playing truth or dare, led to him telling his mom what had been happening. He says that Martin told him to remove his clothes and sit down on the couch, which he did hesitantly. When he told Martin he wanted to put his clothes back on, he was told to wait just a few more minutes. After the teenager told his mom what happened, she called Martin to confront him. She told investigators he admitted to the incident and became apologetic. TRENDING STORIES: When investigators went to Martins home and asked about the allegations he said, I do not wish to say, and requested an attorney. He has since been arrested and charged with sexual battery. Bibb County School District officials said they were made aware of the allegations against Martin on June 1 and he was placed on administrative leave. His last date of employment with the school district was June 11. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Georgia voters in eight legislative districts head to the polls to choose their state lawmakers Several winners of the June 18 Georgia Legislative primary runoffs will spend the early months of 2025 working long hours inside the state Capitols Gold Dome. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Eight legislative seats will be on the ballot Tuesday to determine the incoming lawmakers for hundreds of thousands of Georgians. Tuesdays runoffs feature at least two intraparty fights from both sides of the aisle, including a race for a metro Atlanta Senate seat that has opened up for the first time in two decades and a coastal matchup where a GOP House incumbent is fighting to keep his seat. This round of voting is for the contests where no candidate clinched 50% of the vote in last months election, with some candidates barely falling short of that threshold. Down on Georgias coast, St. Marys Republican Rep. Steven Sainz is fighting to hang on to his seat after narrowly avoiding an outright win. First elected in 2019, Sainz chairs a House committee that handles proposals to form study committees and create state symbols, like this years bill that would have made cornbread Georgias official state bread. Sainz scored 3,075 votes out of 6,188, leaving him just 39 votes shy of having the summer off from campaigning. But instead of enjoying the districts beachfront scenery, hes knocking on constituent doors in a runoff against fellow Republican Glenn Cook, elected supervisor of Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation. The race has inspired strong feelings and personal attacks on the internet. Cook earned 1,673 votes, about 27%, and third-place finisher David Rainer took the remaining 23%. Rainer has given his endorsement to Cook. House District 180 is located on Georgias coast. Pictured here is Cumberland Island in Camden County. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder Cook, an attorney who lives in Jekyll Island and who is also a retired Navy and commercial pilot, said he and his wife Wendy have knocked on 6,000 doors in the district and arent slowing down until after Tuesdays election. I dont have the kind of money my opponent does, so Im relying on the old-fashioned grassroots to get out there and meet people and hear their concerns and sit in their living rooms with them and just get to know people, and so thats what weve been doing. According to state campaign filings, Sainz had raised more than $268,000 as of last months election. In the same time frame, Cook had raised more than $45,000 and spent more than $20,000. The southeast Georgia district includes all of Sainzs native Camden County and part of Glynn County to the north. Cook said the race will come down to local issues, and he said a lot of Sainzs constituents feel they arent being represented. They want somebody to stand up in Atlanta and be their voice. Theres mental health issues down here, health issues, education, school systems. The north end of Camden County has almost been neglected by Sainz. The people just feel like theyre almost second thought to what goes on in Kingsland. Kingsland and St. Marys seem to get most of the funding and the resources to come out of Atlanta. My big issue would be to spread that out equitably across the entire district, make sure everybody is represented. Georgia political consultant Brian Robinson, who is running Sainzs communications, said Sainz is hitting up neighborhoods up and down the district to tout his conservative voting record and staunch support for former President Donald Trump. This election is between somebody whos a strong Trump supporter and versus someone whos not, someone whos born and raised, his community, his entire life, and an Atlanta lawyer who retired there, Robinson said. Theres somebody whos got a record of conservative accomplishments and somebody who doesnt, so theres a clear choice for voters to make here. Cook said voters will reject that kind of talk as election season bluster. What I think theyre interested in right now is just the bombardment of mailers, Sainz calling me an outsider, calling me anti-Trump, calling me a guy that doesnt control the southern border of the United States, he said. People are really getting tired of that. I mean, I hear that going door to door. But Sainz isnt taking any chances, Robinson said. He will have knocked on many more doors than there will be people who turn out to vote, he said. So hes really blanketed the district strongly. And its really hard in the summertime with vacations and people on the go, to get them to turn out for a runoff, so that personal connection is very important. Runoff elections almost always see lower turnout, and with low margins, upsets are a distinct possibility. Thats what Cook is hoping for. Im hoping that I win this thing, he said with a laugh. I mean, itll be an upset, Steven would be very upset about it, but I feel pretty confident right now. Im not feeling lost, and no matter what happens, Ill still have made a statement, and Ive accomplished something. A testy fight over partisan affiliation in metro Atlanta In the Democratic primary race to represent state Senate District 34, which spans Clayton and Fayette counties, former state Rep. Valencia Stovall said she is having to defend herself against attacks within her own party as she faces retired U.S. Army Major Kenya Wicks. While Wicks is seeking her first term in public office, she previously worked as chief of staff for retiring Sen. Valencia Seay, who has endorsed Wicks to replace her after serving two decades in the Senate. Stovall, who came close to avoiding a runoff, said she has had to contend with an unusual circumstance where Democratic Party organizations are endorsing her opponent in a primary runoff election. The winner will face Republican Andrew Honeycutt, a university administrator from Fayette County, in November. Democrats have criticized Stovall for supporting GOP proposals when she was a House representative, including votes for a school voucher bill and Republican Gov. Brian Kemps plan to partially expand Medicaid. Democrats have long advocated for full Medicaid expansion and have criticized Kemps plan, which has so far enrolled only a few thousand people. Mount Zion High School serves as a voting precinct in Clayton County. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder The Georgia Senate Majority Defense Fund, Inc, political action committee chaired by retiring Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler has distributed campaign mailers labeling Stovall as a Republican candidate running in the Democratic primary. On May 31, the leader of the Fayette County Democratic Committee informed its members via email that the party had endorsed Wicks as an emergency measure to protect the party from GOP infiltration. Stovall has questioned the justification given by the Fayettee Democratic committee chairman for endorsing her opponent, who has served as vice-chair of the board. Stovall also said she has doubts about the accuracy of several of the endorsements listed on the Senate Majority Defense campaign postcards. Stovall gave up her state House seat to run for the U.S. Senate in 2020 as an independent candidate in the special election won by now-Sen. Raphael Warnock. Stovall said she is running as a Democrat because she identifies as a Democrat, and she argues her voting record backs that up while also showing that she is independent-minded. This type of unprecedented endorsement is for someone who only garnered 15% of the votes in a seven-person race and I had 46.45%, Stovall said. When you look at my voter record and my platform on my site, its nowhere near a Republican platform. My voting record aligns with the Democratic Party at least 88% of the time. Allow us (politicians) to think independently and choose whats best for our constituents, Stovall also said. Wicks said she wasnt involved in sending mailers and texts about Stovall. The only thing that I can say about that is maybe some folks dont want her under the Gold Dome. Maybe they want the constituents to do further research, Wicks said. Im 100% Democrat and have always been and nobody in the party has questioned my affiliation. My integrity is not in question, my honesty is not in question. I dont and I have not said anything negative about my opponent because I was raised by my grandmother who always taught me to treat people the way I want to be treated, Wicks said. In her first term as a senator, Wicks vowed to support full Medicaid expansion, public schools funding, economic development, reproductive rights, and veterans issues. During her tenure as a legislator, Stovall helped secure a $45 million capital infusion grant for Clayton County and advocated for other bills aimed at protecting special needs students and updating the states education funding formula. I dont know why there is so much effort placed in this race to discredit me. I have a proven track record of service to my community, Stovall said. Other contests on the ballot Several other races will also be decided in the Georgia House and Senate on Tuesday, with the winners of these matchups going into the Nov. 5 general election as the heavy favorites. Sen. Shelly Echols is the only Senate Republican incumbent not running again, but Democratic senators are losing three long-serving lawmakers to retirement. Butler, a Stone Mountain Democrat, is stepping down after 26 years in the Legislature. DeKalb County attorney Randal Mangham and Gwinnett County registered nurse Iris Knight-Hamilton are set for a rematch Tuesday in the Democratic primary for Butlers district. The winner will face Republican Mary Williams Benefield. State Rep. Pedro Pete Marin, a Duluth Democrat who is the longest serving Latino lawmaker in Georgia, is one of this years high-profile departures from the Legislature. He is retiring after two decades in office. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder In a Democratic runoff to replace outgoing Sen. Horacena Tate, nonprofit executive RaShaun Kemp is facing real estate broker Ralph Long III to see who emerges victorious in the suburban Atlanta district. A newly drawn majority Black district covering Monroe and Macon-Bibb counties will be up for grabs as educators Juawn Jackson and Tangie Herring compete in the Democratic runoff for House District 14. The winner will face Republican Noah Redding Harbuck. A new member of the House will replace Evans Republican Rep. Jodi Lott, who announced last year that she would not seek reelection. The final two candidates in the Republican primary are Rob Clifton, a commercial general contractor, and Paul Abbott, a retired educator. There will be a Democratic runoff election in Gwinnett County Tuesday as Arlene Beckles faces Sonia Lopez to replace retiring Duluth Democratic Rep. Pedro Marin. No Republican candidates qualified for the primary. Another Gwinnett showdown Tuesday will determine which Republican, J. Gregory Howard or Fred Clayton, challenges Democratic Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes in the general election. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Robert Habeck, German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, attends the debate on the establishment of a committee of inquiry into the nuclear phase-out in the plenary session of the German Bundestag. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck is on Wednesday due to start a five-day working trip to South Korea and China, where he is to hold talks on trade, climate protection and energy policy, his office said on Friday. Habeck is to make his first visit to China, where the consultations are expected to be intense, after the European Commission recently threatened to impose punitive tariffs against Chinese-built electric cars due to unfair subsidies. China's close relations with Russia and its threatening stance towards Taiwan are also likely to be on his agenda. "China is once again a very important sales and procurement market for German companies," said a spokesperson for the Economy Ministry. Last year, the mutual trade volume totalled 254 billion ($271 billion), amounting to around 8% of Germany's total trade in goods. The figure for South Korea is only 34 billion, although the country is reportedly Germany's second most important export market in Asia, with goods exports worth around 20 billion. In both countries, Habeck plans to meet politicians and business representatives as well as members of German and European companies. He will be accompanied by business representatives and members of Parliament. Germany has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine that includes three HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 10 Leopard main battle tanks, the country's defense ministry announced on June 14. The package also includes two IRIS-T air defense systems, 21,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, and two Beaver bridge-laying vehicles. Berlin announced last month that it planned to up its military aid to Ukraine by another 3.8 billion euros ($4.13 billion) in 2024, Reuters reported on May 21, citing an undisclosed source. The news agency confirmed an earlier article by the tabloid Bild, which also said that the sum of over 7 billion euros, previously approved by Germany's parliament for this year, has been almost entirely allocated to various projects. As only around 300 million euros (roughly $325 million) were left for additional weapons or ammunition purchases, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had requested the additional funds with the backing of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Bild reported. Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S., although German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is still reluctant to supply some key capabilities, namely Taurus long-range missiles. Read also: Ukraines 68th Jaeger Brigade says it destroyed entire Russian tank company Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Germany once again hampers development of new sanctions package against Russia German opposition prevented European Union members from agreeing on another package of sanctions against Russia, including its liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, on 14 June. Source: Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Liberty journalist, on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: At an ambassadors meeting on Friday, Germany expressed concern about increasing measures requiring EU companies to verify that their customers do not trade sanctioned goods with Russia. In particular, Berlin believes that extending the rules to non-dual-use products such as chemicals and metalworking equipment will harm German small businesses. According to Politico, Germany and France have jointly opposed the prohibition on exporting luxury cars to Belarus, which has served as a "transit point" for Russian oligarchs to buy them despite the sanctions. According to one EU diplomat, the European Commission trying to persuade Germany to withdraw its veto. The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council attempted to obtain an agreement on a sanctions package for the G7 summit in Italy, but failed. The European Commission sent EU countries a draft proposal for the fourteenth package of sanctions against Russia. The proposal includes restrictions on several LNG projects and a ban on the trans-shipment of Russian LNG at European ports. Support UP or become our patron! NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team investigated what could stand in the way of justice for Julian Wood, the child murdered at a local grocery store. Records show the suspect has a history of mental illness, so we wondered how that could affect what happens to Bionca Ellis in court. We looked at what this means for her murder charges and, possibly, even the death penalty. This week, we watched Ellis smile and make faces in Cuyahoga County Court as she began facing a list of charges. That was just the latest action putting a spotlight on her mental health. Cleveland mayor taken to hospital after crash Then, consider the crime. North Olmsted police say Ellis attacked a boy and his mom outside the Giant Eagle, killing three-year-old Julian. Meanwhile, we found a common thread in multiple police reports involving Ellis long before this. Time and again, Ellis told police she wanted to go to jail. A report shows Ellis told Cleveland police she wanted to kill someone, and shed kill if officers didnt take her to jail. Police in California charged Ellis with battery for assaulting staff at a hospital, and a report shows she wanted to stay in jail a minimum of two weeks. Police in Florida arrested Ellis for trespassing as she said she would like to go to jail. All of that happened before a judge in Rocky River Municipal Court released Ellis from jail on a probation violation even though a magistrate had called for a mental health evaluation. So, we turned to Michael Benza, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University. The criminal justice system focuses on three issues when it comes to mental health, he said. The first is, is the defendant competent to stand trial? The second issue is whether a not guilty by reason of insanity defense might be mounted in this case. We found this also could affect punishment. Cuyahoga County prosecutors have said they still could decide to seek the death penalty. VIDEO: 2 Chippewa Lake teens killed in rollover crash But, Benza pointed out that in Ohio, certain mental health conditions prevent someone from getting a death sentence. Then, that defendant cannot be executed. Then, the only possible sentence is life without parole, he said. The mother of Ellis told us her daughter has struggled with mental health issues for a long time. Now, the courts could struggle dealing with that. In fact, weve learned Ellis now sits in the Cuyahoga County Jail in isolation in the medical unit. The law professor told us, when people charged with crimes try to use a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity, that works less then 1% of the time. This case has just started moving through county court. Nothing has been filed yet regarding mental health. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Glen Gilzean, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee as Orange County supervisor of elections, is not running to retain the post. I will leave that next chapter to the next supervisor, Gilzean said in a social media post on Friday, as he vowed to run a smooth presidential election for Orange voters. Gilzean, a Republican, landed the job in March when DeSantis appointed him to fill the vacancy created upon longtime Democratic elections chief Bill Cowles retirement with about a year remaining in his term. Gilzean will remain in office until the new supervisor takes over in January. Gilzean likely would have had a tough path to victory running as a Republican in one of Floridas most Democratic counties. A longtime DeSantis loyalist, he had also courted controversy as the leader of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District appointed to oversee Disney World during the firms tiff with the governor. When DeSantis shifted Gilzean away from that $400,000 post, the district gave Gilzean a hefty consulting contract for guidance he offered while also serving as elections chief, the Orlando Sentinel revealed last week. Friday marked the qualifying deadline for local candidates for a variety of important offices, including county commissioner, sheriff and school board. Gilzeans decision which he refused to announce at a candidates forum he attended on Wednesday was one of the most anticipated. A crowded field of Democrats qualified Friday to run for the elections post. The candidates are Orange County School Board member Karen Castor Dentel; attorney Dan Helm; former Orange County Democratic chair Wes Hodge; and real estate broker Sunshine Linda-Marie Grund. Nonprofit director Cynthia Harris qualified to run as a no-party-affiliation candidate. Several Orange County incumbents drew no challengers and will gain another term, including Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell; Comptroller Phil Diamond; and Sheriff John Mina. All are Democrats. Incumbent School Board members Melissa Mitchell Byrd and Vicki-Elaine Felder also won reelection without a challenger. The county commission races, in contrast, will be hotly competitive. For County Commission District 1, Commissioner Nicole Wilson will face off against first-time candidate Austin Arthur for the west Orange seat. Also qualifying as a write-in candidate was Stephen Davis, a former Orange County Fire Rescue battalion chief terminated in 2021 for refusing to reprimand employees who did not comply with Mayor Jerry Demings COVID-19 vaccination mandate. In District 3, Commissioner Mayra Uribe will square off against former commissioner Linda Stewart and information technology professional Gus Martinez. Four candidates qualified to succeed term-limited Emily Bonilla as the next District 5 commissioner former state Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil; lawyer Joel Montilla; professor Kelly Semrad; and former Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary. Candidates are also vying for open seats on the Orange County School Board. For the District 4 seat, Anne Douglas, an Orange County Public Schools teacher, Jake Petroski, a former teacher, and Kyle Goudy, a manager at NBCUniversal GolfNow, will compete for the seat being vacated by Pam Gould. In District 6, Jeni Grieger, a former teacher, and Stephanie Vanos, an education advocate, are vying to replace Castor Dentel, who is running for elections chief. Other incumbents drew opponents Friday, but they will have a solid head start in fundraising and name recognition. Tax Collector Scott Randolph, who has served a decade in that post after six years in the Legislature, has a six-figure campaign fund while opponent David Nelson Freeman and write-in candidate Dennis Spencer Levy are relatively unknown. Property Appraiser Amy Mercado, a Democrat, won a hotly contested race four years ago to become the first woman elected to the county post. She will be opposed by real estate attorney Kevin Pribell, also a Democrat. Alissa Gary of the Orlando Sentinel staff contributed to this story. Giuliani accused of spending money meant for bankruptcy case on his girlfriend and her daughter Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy creditors accused the former New York City mayor of paying his girlfriend and her daughter rather than those who are owed money. Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December after a defamation case left him owing nearly $148m to two Georgia election workers. Lawyers for the Committee of Unsecured Creditors - basically those Giuliani owes money - are pleading with the court to appoint a trustee a move that the former mayor objects to. The disgraced ex-mayors court filings indicate that he is using his income to pay the salaries of his reported girlfriend and her daughter, referring to Maria Ryan, who co-hosted the newly canceled WABC radio show with Giuliani, and her daughter Vanessa Fenderson, the lawyers wrote. The filing noted Fenderson is a defendant in two criminal cases pending in Wake County, North Carolina. Public records show she faces drug-related charges. Regarding both women, the lawyers argued Giuliani has not provided information on their employment or related salary. Giuliani is using his income, an estate asset, is being used to fund their salaries, as employees... instead of distributions to creditors, the creditors lawyers wrote in the scathing filing. His estate should benefit from the work he actually does, not his girlfriend, his girlfriends daughter or any other third party, they added. Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy creditors accused the former New York City mayor of paying his girlfriend and her daughter rather than those who are owed money (Getty Images) The lawyers - who represent one of the two election workers Shaye Moss, Giulianis sexual assault accuser Noelle Dunphy and Dominion Voting Systems - urged the court to appoint a trustee due to Giulianis dishonesty, incompetence, gross mismanagement of his affairs and breach of fiduciary duty. This request is not meant to punish but to protect the creditors and the estate from the Debtor and the Debtor from himself, the lawyers added. Michael Ragusa, described by court records as Giulianis physical security person, told the New York Post on Friday that Maria Ryan and the former mayor were not dating. Dr Maria Ryan is Mayor Giulianis business partner and nothing more, Ragusa said. Any reports of her being his girlfriend are false rumors made up by the mayors enemies to damage his reputation and anyone associated with him. Court filings identify Ryan as the president of Giuliani Communications, the producer of Common Sense who oversees the advertisers and runs the podcast operation, and as having also worked for Giuliani Partners. Documentation from January showed that Giuliani paid parts of Ryans credit card bills. In April, the creditors subpoenaed her. Ragusa also told the outlet Fenderson has worked as a part-time secretary for the ex-mayor for more than five years. The Independent has contacted Ryan, a lawyer listed for Fenderson, and a spokesperson for Giuliani. The bankruptcy case is just one of the many legal battles that the former Trump attorney is involved with. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an Arizona 2020 election interference case. He has also pleaded not guilty to similar charges in the state of Georgia. Earlier today, he faced a minor legal victory: Hunter Biden is reportedly dropping his lawsuit against the former mayor over alleged violations of computer fraud and data access over Bidens infamous laptop. It should have been a matchup for the ages. In the red corner, a disgraced former elected official who is currently facing criminal charges and a $148 million ruling against him in a defamation case. In the blue corner, the son of a sitting American president whos just made history by being found guilty for lying about his illegal drug use when buying a gun. But the head-to-head battle of two of the most ignominious figures in American political life is no longer happening. Hunter Biden has agreed to drop his lawsuit accusing Rudy Giuliani of breaching his privacy, according to a court filing Thursday, giving both men the presumably blessed relief of one less looming legal fight to worry about. Secret Service to Hunter Biden: Wed Have Your Back in Jail The apparent climbdown is something of a surprise given the seriousness of what Biden accused the former New York City mayor and his former lawyer Robert Costello of when he filed the lawsuit in September. The complaint alleged they and other defendants were among those who have been primarily responsible for what has been described as the total annihilation of [Bidens] digital privacy over data they allegedly took from Bidens infamous laptop. Attorneys for all three parties signed the agreement filed Thursday calling the whole thing off. U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke will need to review the filing before its finalized, according to NBC News, which also quoted from a source shedding light on the reasons behind the move. As Giuliani is in bankruptcy and agreed to have the case waiting for when he is done, it made no sense to continue it in a non-bankruptcy court until that happens, they reportedly said. Giuliani is nevertheless taking a rare victory lap over the lawsuit being dropped. His attorney, Joe Sibley, called the dismissalalong with Bidens conviction based on evidence from the laptopa vindication for Giuliani and Costello in a statement to the New York Post. Giulianis other legal woes, however, remain legion. Hes facing charges in the Arizona election interference case in which he and other are accused of conspiring to overturn the result of the 2020 election in the state for Donald Trump. (Giuliani was served notice of his indictment as he left his 80th birthday party last month, but his spirits didnt seem to be dampened, judging from the grin he flashed in his mugshot released this week.) Hes also been indicted in another election interference case in Georgiathe state whose election workers successfully sued him for defamation, resulting in Giuliani being ordered to pay $148 million in damages. Giuliani filed for bankruptcy protection following the devastating ruling. But it doesnt end there. Giuliani is also believed to be co-conspirator 1 in the DOJs case against Trump over his allegedly unlawful efforts to cling to power after losing the 2020 election. On top of that, hes also been sued for alleged sexual abuse, more defamation related to alleged election lies, and even Costello himself brought a case against Giuliani claiming he failed to pay more than $1 million in legal fees. Biden, meanwhile, is facing a legal nightmare of his own. He dropped his lawsuit against Giuliani just two days after being convicted on three felony charges and is now awaiting sentencing as his father fights to secure a second term in the White House. The presidents son also set to face another trial over tax charges in September just weeks before the election. So even though hes canceled his face-off with Giuliani, one things certain: There are no real winners here. 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. Global study finds concerning levels of 'forever chemicals' in water samples taken far away from original source of contamination: 'Sets off alarm bells' A new global study found harmful levels of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in water far from known contamination sites. What's happening? As detailed by The New York Times, the study examined over 45,000 water samples. It revealed that about 31% of groundwater samples and about 16% of surface water samples contained high levels of forever chemicals despite not being near any known source of PFAS contamination. This "sets off alarm bells," said Denis O'Carroll, one of the study's authors, per The Times. "Not just for PFAS, but also for all the other chemicals that we put out into the environment. We don't necessarily know their long-term impacts to us or the ecosystem." The researchers drew sample data from almost 300 previous studies and cautioned that the findings did not represent a true global distribution of the world's waterways, yet still gave "reason to believe that there's some level of PFAS contamination nearly everywhere on the planet," as The Times summarized. The samples with the highest levels of contamination were those taken near airports and military bases, which typically use foam containing PFAS during firefighting practice, creating an issue for local residents. Why is this research concerning? Forever chemicals are basically everywhere, and they're called "forever" chemicals because it takes hundreds or possibly thousands of years for them to break down. We've found forever chemicals in food packaging, certain clothing, and now our drinking water. High PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health issues such as higher cholesterol, liver and immune system damage, hypertension, and certain cancers. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cited that exposure to PFAS can be linked to decreased fertility in women and developmental delays in children. What is being done about forever chemicals in water? The Times reported that the EPA is proposing strict new drinking water limits for six types of PFAS, with a final ruling expected soon. This could make the U.S. one of the strictest countries regarding PFAS in water. Science will be our ally in the fight to clean up our drinking water. Scientists recently discovered adding hydrogen to ultraviolet light significantly improves its effectiveness against breaking down PFAS. Changing the way you use plastic, or even eliminating it, is a great step you can take right now that will reduce your exposure and benefit your health. Even cooking more often at home has been shown to help reduce PFA exposure, especially if you can avoid using nonstick cookware. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. MARQUETTE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) After a bald eagle was hit and injured on an interstate in Marquette County, passersby and deputies quickly helped to remove it from the road and care for her. Marquette County Sheriffs Office A Facebook post from the Marquette County Sheriffs Office states that the female bald eagles wing was damaged after she was hit by a vehicle sometime last week. Deputies noted that Good Samaritans helped move the eagle out of the interstate and were able to wrap her in a towel while checking for injuries. Neenah PD honors retired K9 Cam after distinguished career in law enforcement The bald eagle was then turned over to a Game Warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to help find a rehabilitation center for her recovery. Every day is very different in this line of work and we never know what to expect! read the Marquette County Sheriffs Offices Facebook post. 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. A Republican-led effort to restore a confederate statue featuring a Black Mammy in Arlington National Cemetery was narrowly defeated late Thursday afternoon. The restoration of the Reconciliation Memorial was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) but failed to pass in a 192-230 vote. Two dozen Republicans voted against restoring the monument. No Democrats voted in favor of the restoration. The statue, first unveiled in 1914, features a woman with a crown of olive leaves standing on a pedestal. The woman holds a laurel wreath, a plow stock and a pruning hook. At her feet, a Biblical inscription reads, They have beat their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning hooks. The statue, allegedly designed to represent the American South, includes a Black Mammy holding what is thought to be the child of a white officer, as well as an enslaved man following his owner to war. Black Mammies were depictions of Black women seemingly happy with their enslavement. The caricature portrayed an obese, coarse, maternal figure, the Jim Crow Museum explains. She had great love for her white family, but often treated her own family with disdain. Although she had children, sometimes many, she was completely desexualized. She belonged to the white family, though it was rarely stated. The Arlington National Cemetery described the Reconciliation Monument as a nostalgic, mythologized vision of the Confederacy, including highly sanitized depictions of slavery. In December 2023, the statue was removed at the recommendation of an independent commission. Ahead of the statues removal, more than 40 House Republicans sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, arguing the commission overstepped its authority. Clyde led the charge at the time. The members letter argued that the monument does not honor nor commemorate the Confederacy; the memorial commemorates reconciliation and national unity. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Friday blasted House Republicans for the most recent restoration effort, calling out fellow New York Reps. Anthony DEsposito, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams who all voted to pass the bill. All three Republicans are facing an uphill battle in their reelection campaigns. The outcome of their elections could determine which party controls the House of Representatives. What tradition are extreme MAGA Republicans including Rep. DEsposito, Rep. Molinaro and Rep. Williams upholding? What confederate tradition are you upholding? Is it slavery? Rape? Kidnap? Jim Crow? Lynching? Racial oppression? Or all of the above? Jeffries said during a press briefing Friday morning in the Capitol. What exactly is the Confederate tradition that extreme MAGA Republicans, in 2024, are upholding, he added. And you want to use the National Defense Authorization Act to turn back the clock on progress that has been made in the United States of America? Its shameful. Michael Lillis contributed to this article Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GOP Lawmaker Grilled On Why Abortion Was 'Best Choice' For His Girlfriend, But Not Others A Colorado Republican had a hard time explaining why he said he respected his girlfriends right to abortion but voted against abortion rights as a state representative. Richard Holtorf, who is running against U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert to represent Colorados 4th District in Congress, was asked about the seeming hypocrisy during a Wednesday broadcast on Denver station KUSA, and he didnt really have a good answer. Earlier this year, Holtorf revealed that he once provided financial support to a girlfriend amid her own abortion so she could live her best life, despite also sponsoring a failed 2020 measure that would have banned the procedure in the state after 22 weeks. I respected her rights and actually gave her money to help her through her important, critical time, Holtorf said in January. During the KUSA interview, reporter Kyle Clark pointed out the apparent inconsistency. If abortion was the best choice for your girlfriend, why try to deny that choice to other women? Clark blunty asked. Holtorf tried to wiggle out of a straight answer, saying hes a pro-life Catholic who believes that everyone should choose life. But he eventually said that, yes, his girlfriend had made the choice to get an abortion. Did she have that right? Yes. Was it my choice, Kyle? No, Holtorf said. Why do you seek to deny the choice that you said was best for your girlfriends life? Clark began to ask. Let me finish explaining, Holtorf interrupted, but Clark pressed him, asking, Why do you seek to deny it to other women? Holtorf said that as a pro-life person, he thinks you should try to choose life every time. But there are exceptions. And there are times when you need abortion. Abortion is a medical procedure. Is one of the exceptions when Richard Holtorfs the father? Clark asked. Its not about me. Dont personalize it and make it about me, Holtorf responded. When Clark reminded Holtorf that hed discussed his girlfriends abortion on the floor of the Colorado House, the politician claimed that wasnt an important detail. That doesnt matter, Holtorf said. Thats a story. Thats not that important. Whats more important is the policy. You can see the exchange below. NEW: CO-4 GOP candidate Richard Holtorf has voted against abortion rights in the state legislature but said he respected his girlfriend's right to have an abortion "so she could live her best life." I asked him about that disconnect. #copoliticspic.twitter.com/WBB5YBmAcJ Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) June 13, 2024 Related... KANSAS CITY, Kan. Just days before a special session in Kansas, GOP leadership says it has a tax cut agreement with Democrat Governor Laura Kelly and it could pave the way on the other big issue, luring the Chiefs or Royals over the state line. Gov. Kellys Office released the following statement Thursday night: Legislative leadership and I have come to a consensus on a tax relief package that will be presented to the House and Senate during the upcoming special session. This agreement allows significant, long overdue tax relief to Kansans while preserving our ability to invest in the states future. This agreement is not without its flaws. The movement from a three-tiered to a two-tiered income tax structure limits the amount of property tax relief that can be provided to Kansans. However, it does meet the affordability criteria I proposed. Thus, should the Legislature pass this negotiated agreement, I intend to sign it. Wyandotte County mayor responds to Chiefs, Royals talks of moving to Kansas The bi-partisan plan would simplify the income tax code into two brackets. It includes a lot of exemptions. It also reduces state property taxes and repeals the social security tax. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android It is similar to other bills Kelly vetoed but Kansas Republican leadership say there are minor adjustments to ensure the governor signs the law quickly. The special session begins on June 18. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. Will We Never Learn? Donald Trumps return to the scene of the Jan. 6 attack that he instigated was a watershed moment in the whitewashing of his failed auto-coup. Republicans in Congress, many of whom three years ago were running for their lives from the mob Trump unleashed, applauded and celebrated his return in ways that highlighted the partys cultish, authoritarian turn. It marked a papering over of all the internal divisions and past animosities (which tend to arise when a president of your own party sends over to the Capitol a mob that is intent on hanging his own vice president) in order to rally together to win in November. All of that is highly newsworthy, of historic significance even. But the coverage oh, the coverage. The AP(!) tweeted this campaign-press-release-quality assessment of the day: Donald Trump made a triumphant return to Capitol Hill on Thursday, his first with lawmakers since the Jan.6, 2021 attacks, embraced by energized House and Senate Republicans who find themselves reinvigorated by his bid to retake the White House. pic.twitter.com/UqSA7hnz1J The Associated Press (@AP) June 13, 2024 One Hill reporter couldnt take it anymore: The number of times I've been in scrums today with reporters asking Republicans to recount whether Trump did anything "funny" or "did he tell any jokes" during his meetings with lawmakers. I'm transcribing audio and I've lost count. Emma Dumain (@Emma_Dumain) June 13, 2024 Trump Sent Reporters On Multiple Goose Chases Here were are in 2024, and reporters are falling for the same Trump distractions. Behind closed door, Trump went on a racist rant against Milwaukee, which reporters spent the rest of the day trying to chase down, with lame denials, half-denials, and dodges by various attendees. Trump randomly floated the idea of replacing income taxes with tariffs, which sent reporters scurrying off in another direction. Its not that you cant cover these things, or shouldnt cover these things, but how you do it and the self-awareness you bring to it matter a lot. How Cultish Was It? It was so bad that its hard to capture. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) gushed like a schoolgirl that Trump was nice to her. Republicans gathered around Trump for photos like the old Soviet Politburo (see the lead photo above). Aaron Rupar mashed it all together: here's a supercut of Republicans kissing Trump's ass after meeting with him today. big Dear Leader energy. pic.twitter.com/UjZbeGdCp5 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 14, 2024 Mitch McConnell, Too Forced to pick between power and principle, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stayed true to form. After the Trump meeting, McConnell touted his handshake with Trump and the multiple standing ovations. I cant think of anything to tell you out of it that was negative, he told reporters. Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) was having none of it: Mitch McConnell knows Trump provoked the violent attack on our Capitol and then watched television happily as his mob brutally beat police officers and hunted the Vice President. He knows Trump refused for hours to tell his mob to leave and even then with police officers pic.twitter.com/iOiT3E7rbs Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) June 13, 2024 Truth! This is your main takeaway from yesterday: >> @julieroginsky: "Ultimately, what Donald Trump is trying to accomplish here is to say 'no big deal.' January 6 was not a big deal" pic.twitter.com/XhMAsn2WBN Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 14, 2024 Leaving On A Jet Plane Senate Democrats subpoena of billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow turned up three more previously unreported trips that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas took on Crows private jet in 2017, 2019, and 2021. Senate Republicans Kill Bill To Protect IVF Senate Republicans scrambled all week to try to get out from under the gun on IVF, with many of them protesting that they were all for IVF while blocking a Democratic bill that would have protected access to it nationwide. I know these messaging bills from Democrats can seem like weak tea, but I cant emphasize enough how effective Republicans are at hoodwinking reporters into buying the latest canard theyre selling, which makes these messaging bills important in providing public clarity. But it requires a press willing to do its job and provide clarity, too. And thats where things often fall apart. Republicans want to have it both ways pro-life! pro-Dobbs! pro-women! pro-fetal-personhood! pro-IVF! But those are inconsistent positions, and its up to reporters to sniff that out. It shouldnt be hard! Heres a totally misleading headline from the NYT about the parallel effort by the Southern Baptist Convention to end IVF: How Baptists and the G.O.P. Took Different Paths on I.V.F. The article buys hook and line and sinker the effort by some Republican elected officials to mollify voters that theyre not opposed to IVF on the same day that Senate Republicans blocked a bill to protect IVF access. The crux of the NYT piece on the SBC vote to oppose IVF: The moment was especially striking given that after the Alabama ruling this year, Republican leaders quickly tried to signal to their base that they supported I.V.F., an extraordinarily popular procedure widely used by Christians and non-Christians alike. Yes, the Alabama Supreme Court decision on IVF sent some Republicans scrambling. But fetal personhood has been pushed by Republican legislators across the country for more than a decade. It already is law in some states, and the Alabama decision reinvigorated effort by abortion foes to go after IVF (as well as contraception, as we know). Republicans are experiencing significant internal strains as the post-Dobbs world imposes real political costs on their long-held anti-abortion views, but it lets them off the hook entirely and takes the pressure off if dancing around the issue is equated with having come to IVFs defense. TPMs Emine Yucel was on the Hill this week and witnessed first-hand GOP senators trying to pretend that IVF wasnt under threat anywhere and that this was all Democratic fear-mongering. She debunks the notion that IVF isnt under threat from Republicans across the country. Even if that were true, the logic is still rather strained: I support IVF but Im going to block a bill to protect it because all this Democratic fear-mongering needs to come to an end! What? SCOTUS Lets Abortion Pill Access Continue The Supreme Court unanimously declined to give abortion foes unprecedented new access to the federal courts and shot down their bid to block access to the abortion pill mifepristone, as TPMs Kate Riga reports. The court found the anti-abortion plaintiffs lacked standing; finding otherwise would have dramatically rewritten the courts jurisprudence on standing. The mifepristone case is one of those that came up through the right-wing-friendly docket of the sole federal judge in Amarillo, Texas: Matthew Kacsmaryk. Another Right-Wing Judge Doing The Anti-Trans Thing Another go-to judge for right wing legal advocates has temporarily blocked the Biden administrations new Title IX rules prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Terry Doughty, the chief judge of the Western District of Louisiana, ruled that Title IX was written and intended to protect biological women from discrimination. It is clear in the text of Title IX itself, and in the decades-long impact of Title IX, that its enactment was created to apply to two sexes. There is nothing in the text or history of Title IX indicating that the law was meant to apply to anyone other than biological men and/or women, Doughty wrote in blocking the rule meant to protect transgender students. While Conservatives Bemoan Liberal Indoctrination Louisiana has become the sixth red state to allow controversial videos from PragerU into public schools. Hmmm TPMs Josh Kovensky: Men-Only, Christian-Only Secret Society Gets More Secret Important A Texas man has been arrested after threatening to kill a FBI agent working on the Hunter Biden case. To be clear, the threat came this week after Hunter Biden was convicted because the man didnt think the FBI was doing enough to take down Hunter Biden. The threats are chilling. Among them: Did you really think you were going to disenfranchise 75 million Americans and not die? Lol. An Interesting Glimpse Into The House GOP House GOPers who are less-than-crazy are increasingly frustrated that Speaker Mike Johnson is rewarding the the crazies with plum assignments, like elevating Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), under investigation for his role in the 2020 election subversion effort, to the intel committee. Yikes Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is such a bad driver that it has sparked an informal practice recently instituted in the office that aides should not be in the car when Fetterman is driving, according to one person familiar with the practice, the WaPo reports. Insurrectionists Recognize Insurrectionists 192 Republicans just voted to restore a Confederate monument to Arlington National Cemetery, which features a Black 'Mammy' holding a white soldier's baby, and a slave following his master into battle. The effort from Rep. Andrew Clyde R-GA lost 230-192. pic.twitter.com/MwWNOP6WIG Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 13, 2024 Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! Gov. Hochul, Mayor Adams consider cracking down on masks on NYC subways NEW YORK Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering at least a partial ban on masks on New York City subways, and appears to have the support of Mayor Eric Adams. At a Thursday news conference in Albany, the governor said she and Adams had discussed what a proactive mask crackdown might look like after images and videos of unrecognizable anti-Israel protesters on a subway car raised worries that some facial coverings may serve a different purpose than they did at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Theres also concern about common criminals concealing their identities. We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior, Hochul said Thursday. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes. On WABC radio, Mayor Adams said he supports Hochuls call for rethinking masks in public spaces and returning the city to its pre-COVID norms. I think now is the time to go back to the way it was, Adams said. He specifically mentioned cowards at protests who wear masks to do something disgraceful. An anti-loitering law banning masks in public spaces was put on the books in 1845, according to Gothamist. Compromises to that legislation were enacted more than a century later to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020. The city moved to make masks optional in September 2022. Hochul doesnt seem intent on banning masks altogether, noting facial wear for religious purposes, holiday celebrations and health reasons might merit exemptions. The CDC also warns that COVID-19 hasnt gone away. I assure everyone, we understand how complex this issue is, Hochul said. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper took out his veto stamp to oppose a bill that would require more teenagers facing criminal charges to be tried initially as adults. House Bill 834 requires 16- and 17-year-olds who commit certain felonies to be tried first as adults in the states superior courts. Currently, these teenagers are tried in the states juvenile court after a petition is filed. They are transferred over to the states superior courts after probable cause is found or they are indicted. The bill includes a mechanism for these cases to be transferred back to juvenile court, The News & Observer previously reported. In his statement Friday evening, the Democratic governor wrote that most violent crimes, even when committed by teenagers, should be handled in adult court. However, there are cases where sentences would be more effective and appropriate to the severity of the crime for teenagers if they were handled in juvenile court, making communities safer. This bill makes this important option highly unlikely and begins to erode our bipartisan Raise the Age law we agreed to four years ago. While a number of Senators worked to make this legislation better than the original bill, I remain concerned that this new law would keep some children from getting treatment they need while making communities less safe. Instead, the legislature should invest significantly more in our juvenile justice system to ensure resources are available to help prevent crimes and appropriately deal with children who break the law, he wrote. Coopers veto is unlikely to hold. The General Assembly has a Republican supermajority, allowing it to override Coopers stamp if three-fifths of the members of both legislative chambers vote together. In the House, all GOP lawmakers voted in support of the latest version of the bill except for Rep. John Faircloth of Guilford County. All but seven Democrats opposed the bill. Among those who voted in the Senate, all Republicans and all but four Democrats backed the bill. Those opposing it were Democratic Sens. Mary Wills Bode, Lisa Grafstein, Natalie Murdock and Gladys Robinson. Raise the Age and juvenile court Raise the Age was passed into law in 2017 and implemented in 2019. It pulled 16- and 17-year-olds accused of misdemeanors and low-level felonies in North Carolina from the adult system into the juvenile justice system. During debates in committees and on the House floor before the vote, multiple Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns with the bill rolling back these juvenile protections. Those in favor have said the bill is a procedural change allowing the juvenile justice system to function more smoothly. A main proponent of the bill, Robeson County Republican Sen. Danny Britt, said in mid-May during a Senate floor vote that the bill is trying to deal with these violent A-E felonies, trying to deal with these individuals that are mostly prosecuted in superior court but through a lengthy transfer process, a very convoluted transfer process. What were not doing is rolling back Raise the Age. With Raise the Age, we had the goal of rehabilitating many of the youth who had committed crimes, said Rep. Amos Quick, a Greensboro Democrat, during a House debate. I dont think anyone in here is in favor of crime. I certainly am not in favor of crime, but I am in favor of juveniles. Juveniles who commit offenses need rehabilitation, not to have the book thrown at them, he said. This legislation is the wrong move to make, he said. The ACLU of North Carolina sent a letter to Cooper urging him to veto the bill. Prosecuting children as adults causes significant harm to young people and does nothing to address the underlying causes of youth crime, says the letter. The juvenile justice system requires far more accountability, counseling, education, and family involvement than the adult system and it works better, it says. Recidivism is significantly higher when children go through the adult system rather than receive the services and punishment from the juvenile system. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) On Thursday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin ceremonially signed 10 new bills aimed at improving mental health services in Virginia. I signed the 10 bills already. I want you to know that joined another 21 bills during this session. 31 bills to carry on the important activation of a three- year transformation project, Youngkin said. Its a part of his Right help, right now initiative, a three-year plan to ensure that people who need help, receive that help as soon as possible. Crisis receiving centers being built all over the Commonwealth, Youngkin said. Psychiatric hospitals being built across the Commonwealth. Its mobile crisis capabilities, so that, in fact, we can go to where Virginians are and keep them out of hospitals. The initiative would also expand the mental health workforce and create alternative transportation options to relieve the pressure on police. Youngkin told 10 On Your Side there are already changes happening across the Commonwealth. Our goal was to have 70 mobile crisis units up and running across the Commonwealth, Youngkin said. Well, guess what were well over 100 today and still building. Our goal was to begin the process of having crisis receiving centers on the drawing board. Well now theyre being built all over the place. Brandon Rodgers, associate executive director with Western Tidewater Community Services Board, said one of the most important bills signed provides automated medication dispensing machines. Thats going to ensure that when an individual comes in, if one of our nurse practitioners that sees them decides that medication is one of the best treatment methods, they can actually have that medication dispensed right out of a bulk dispensing machine and be able to take that medication right on site and begin treating them right then, Rodgers said. Another bill signed established Irvos Law. Its in remembrance of 28 year-old, Irvo Otieno. In March 2023, Otieno was pinned down by Henrico County sheriffs deputies and Central State Hospital workers while in custody and being admitted to the psychiatric hospital in Dinwiddie County. His death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation by the state medical examiners office. Murder charges against 3 in Irvo Otieno death case downgraded I believe if I was not impeded and completely denied from seeing my son, he would never have been taken from the hospital from care that he desperately needed. Taken to jail, assaulted and subjected to police brutality, said Caroline Ouko, his mother. She explained what Irvos Law will do. It will give you access to be with your loved ones in a mental crisis as they navigate treatment for support and supportive decision making, Ouko said. CEO of United Community Solutions, Kimberly Jackson, offered her take on Right help, right now for patients and their families. Its important for us to make sure that we provide the right level of care, Jackson said. We respond to crises and were providing same day access. So yeah, just to put it into perspective, being here seals the deal. According to KFF, 32% of Virginians have symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder. The national average is 32.3% Youngkin also announced his administration will work on a new taskforce to study social media and its impact on young people. If you know someone who is in a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 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. Twelve Ukrainian children have been successfully returned from Russian-occupied areas of Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on June 14. Over 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and fewer than 400 of them have been brought back home, according to the Children of War database. The twelve returned on June 14 are aged from two to 17, Prokudin said. "The 'Save Ukraine' charitable organization worked to save the children," he wrote in a post on Telegram. "It is thanks to their hard work that the children and their parents are on free land and safe." He added that since the start of 2024, 120 children from the Kherson Oblast have been returned to the territory controlled by Ukraine. Read also: Ukraines 68th Jaeger Brigade says it destroyed entire Russian tank company Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. "I had to survive to hug my son again": Azov Brigade sergeant comes back home after 2 years in Russian captivity Nataliia has survived 27 months of separation from her son. Photo: Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War During the 52nd prisoner-of-war (POW) swap, Ukraine liberated Nataliia Manuilova, a servicewoman belonging to the Azov Special Operations Detachment who had spent over two years in Russian captivity. The story of defender Nataliia, who survived separation from her son, a mock trial and witnessed Ukrainian soldiers being tortured, was shared by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (CHTPOW). Nataliia joined Ukraine's Armed Forces back in 2017 when she signed a contract to serve as a cook. Later, she was promoted to head the canteen. Following the onset of the full-scale invasion, she continued to provide meals to Ukrainian defenders at the Azovstal steelworks despite constant Russian bombardment. "Even after the part of the steelworks housing the field kitchen was destroyed, the unit's cooks continued to prepare meals on small stoves," the headquarters said. After being evacuated from the steelworks in late May 2022, Nataliia immediately rushed to see her son, who was in the Russian-occupied territory. Along the way, she passed through Russian checkpoints and bombardments. The boy developed a complicated pneumonia, which she tried to treat without medication while hiding from the Russians. "Russian soldiers broke into our house one morning. They put a bag over my head, twisted my arms and took me to the Donetsk pre-trial detention centre. I was worried about my child again, uncertain about his fate," Nataliia shares her memories. Nataliia was held in various places of detention in Russian captivity, in one of which she was involved in a mock trial broadcast by Russian propaganda media. The CHTPOW noted that the Russians even kept Nataliia in a cage. Additionally, Manuilova witnessed firsthand the suffering of Ukrainian POWs subjected to torture. It was only in late May that she was brought back to the territory of Ukraine, where she was finally able to hug her son again after 27 months of captivity. "All this time, he was filming his achievements and interesting events on his phone to show his mother after she came back so that he could make up for the lost years," the headquarters added. Background: Earlier, we shared the story of Vitalii, a border guard with the Ukrainian Sea Guard, who resumed his service after 20 months of Russian captivity. He explained his decision by saying that his "struggle will continue until the victory". Support UP or become our patron! Hamas admits it doesnt know how many hostages are still alive Hamas official Osama Hamdan said he had no idea how many Israeli hostages were still alive - MOHAMED AZAKIR/REUTERS A senior Hamas official has admitted the terrorist group has no idea how many of Israels remaining 120 hostages in Gaza are alive or dead. Osama Hamdan, a Hamas spokesman and political bureau member, told CNN that no one has an idea how many of the hostages are still alive, and said that any deal to release them must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. The limited release of Israeli hostages is a crucial part of a three-part ceasefire plan that international brokers including the United States, Qatar and Egypt are trying to help negotiate between Hamas and Israel. The fate of the hostages who were seized by terrorists and taken to Gaza on Oct 7 has become one of the most pressing and emotive domestic political issues for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, who is facing mounting calls from the public to do more. A total of 251 were kidnapped, and 105 were released during a week-long truce in November. Seven have been rescued from captivity by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), including four last weekend. Among them was Noa Argamani, 26, who was seen in a viral video on Oct 7 pleading for her life while being snatched on a motorbike from the Nova music festival. Hostages rescued On Thursday, the commando who led the team who rescued her said her first words were: Is my mother alive? Ms Argamani was reunited with her mother, who has terminal brain cancer, later that day. Another hostage who was freed revealed he was held with Guy Gilboa-Dalal also captured at the Nova festival a few months ago, providing the first sign of life for his family. While the rescue lifted Israels morale, it also increased public demands for a quick recovery of the hostages, amid further revelations of their physical and mental abuse in captivity. Following the raid, the IDF said a negotiated deal would be the best way to release the bulk of the remaining hostages. However, the current truce deal has stalled over unworkable amendments made by Hamas earlier this week. In his CNN interview in Beirut, Hamdan said the proposal on the table did not meet the groups demands for an end to the war. He said Hamas needed a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians determine their future by themselves, the reconstruction, the [lifting] of the siege and we are ready to talk about a fair deal about the prisoners exchange. Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Italy on Thursday, Joe Biden, the US president, said he did not believe a deal was imminent but added: I havent lost hope. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Hamas official says no one has any idea how many Israeli hostages are still alive The fate of the 120 remaining hostages in Gaza is crucial to any deal to end the protracted and bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. But a senior Hamas official has told CNN that no one has an idea how many of them are alive, and that any deal to release them must include guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. In an interview with CNN, Hamas spokesperson and political bureau member Osama Hamdan offered an insight into the militant groups position on the stalled ceasefire talks, a view on whether Hamas regrets its decision to attack Israel given the mounting Palestinian death toll, and a commentary on the leak earlier this week of messages from its chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, the man believed to be the ultimate decision-maker on any peace deal. The US believes that Hamas holds the key to the talks. The haggling has to stop, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC on Thursday, urging Sinwar to end the war. Hes relatively safe underground; the people that he purports to represent, theyre suffering every day. Speaking to CNN in the Lebanese capital Beirut, Hamdan said the latest proposal on the table an Israeli plan that was first publicly announced by US President Joe Biden late last month did not meet the groups demands for an end to the war. Hamdan, who has been part of the Hamas negotiations team on the ground, told CNN that the group needed a clear position from Israel to accept the ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians to determine their future by themselves, the reconstruction, the (lifting) of the siege and we are ready to talk about a fair deal about the prisoners exchange. Negotiations over the US-backed proposal have intensified in recent days but appeared to grind to a halt on Wednesday after Hamas presented its response to the document, 12 days after first receiving it. Blinken expressed frustration over what he said was Hamass decision to submit numerous changes, describing some of them as going beyond positions (Hamas) had previously taken. Some of the changes are workable. Some are not, Blinken said at a news conference in Doha on Wednesday. The US-backed ceasefire plan that was approved by the United Nations Security Council on Monday lays out a phased approach. In the first phase, there would be a six-week ceasefire in which some hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the Israeli military would pull out of populated areas in Gaza. The second phase a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would only be implemented after further negotiations between the two sides. But Hamdan told CNN the duration of the ceasefire was a key issue for Hamas, which is concerned that Israel has no intention of following through with the second phase of the deal. The end of hostilities must be permanent, he said, and Israel must withdraw from Gaza completely. People walk among debris, aftermath of Israeli strikes at the area, where Israeli hostages were rescued on Saturday, in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, on Sunday, June 9. - Abed Khaled/Reuters The Israelis want the ceasefire only for six weeks and then they want to go back to the fight, which I think the Americans, till now, they did not convince the Israelis to accept (a permanent ceasefire), he said, adding that he believes the US needs to convince Israel to accept a permanent ceasefire as part of the deal. Israel has not yet publicly committed to the deal, even though the White House has repeatedly stressed that it was an Israeli plan that the government had accepted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been under pressure to announce his support for the current plan, has repeatedly said that the war will not end until Israel eliminates Hamas. Blinken told NBC that Netanyahu reconfirmed to him that Israel supported this proposal and was ready to say yes when he saw him couple of days ago, and placed the blame for stalled negotiations squarely on Hamas. Hamas has to demonstrate that it too wants this to end. If it does, we can bring it to an end. If it doesnt, then it means that it wants the war to continue, Blinken said. Question of responsibility Speaking to CNN inside a modest office decorated with a large map of Gaza and panoramic photo of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Hamdan repeatedly deflected any questions about Hamas role in the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. He called the October 7 terror attacks, which sparked the current war in Gaza, a reaction against the occupation. The October 7 attack was the deadliest assault in Israels history. Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and also took some 250 people hostage into Gaza. Israel was quick to retaliate, immediately declaring war on Hamas and launching an intense campaign of bombardment followed by a ground invasion several weeks later. That operation has had a devastating impact on the Palestinians of Gaza. More than 37,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the strip. Some 90% of people living in the territory are estimated to have been displaced by the fighting. While the Gazan authorities do not distinguish between casualties among civilians and Hamas fighters, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has previously admitted the majority of those killed in the operation were civilians. Asked repeatedly by CNN whether Hamas regretted its decision to attack Israel, Hamdan responded by blaming the situation on Israel and saying the attack was a reaction against the occupation. The one who is in charge or responsible for that is (the Israeli) occupation. If you resist the occupation, (they) will kill you, if you did not resist the occupation, (they) also will kill you and deport you out of your country. So what we are supposed to do, just to wait?, he said. Hamdan also dismissed as fake reports that Sinwar suggested the deaths of thousands of Palestinians were necessary sacrifices. Sinwar has not been seen in public since the October 7 attacks. He is believed to be hiding in Gaza, somewhere inside the tunnel network that runs underneath the strip. He has been designated as a terrorist by the US, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries. Hamas' Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar attends a meeting with members of Palestinian groups in Gaza City on April 13, 2022. - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians in Gaza as human shields and earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal published what it said were leaked messages from Sinwar to other Hamas leaders in which he allegedly expressed an uncompromising determination to continue fighting, regardless of the human cost. Hamdan told CNN the messages were fake. It was fake messages done by someone who is not Palestinian and (it) was sent (to the) Wall Street Journal as part of the pressure against Hamas and provoking the people against the leader, he said without providing evidence. No one can accept the killing of the Palestinians, of his own people. Destroying Hamas? When Israel launched its war on Hamas, Netanyahu said the objectives were to destroy Hamas and bring back hostages held in Gaza. But more than eight months on, the goal of eliminating the group completely appears unachievable. While the IDF has killed some Hamas commanders, the top leadership in Gaza, including Sinwar, continues to evade them. And despite the damage caused to its infrastructure, Hamas also continues to fire rockets towards Israel, albeit much more sporadically than at the outset of the conflict. American intelligence officials believe that Sinwar likely believes Hamas can survive Israels attempt to destroy it. At the same time, Netanyahu is under increasing pressure to reach a deal that would secure the return of the remaining hostages still in Gaza. Israel believes that more than 70 hostages of the more than 100 who are still held in Gaza to be alive. Speaking to CNN, Hamdan said he didnt know how many were still alive. I dont have any idea about that. No one has an idea about this, he said, alleging without providing any evidence that the Israeli operation to free four of the hostages on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three others, including an American citizen. There are fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known. In April, Hamas told international mediators that it was not able to fulfill Israels demand to free 40 of the remaining hostages in the first phase of a deal, including all the women as well as sick and elderly men, because it did not hold 40 living hostages who match those criteria for release. Opposition leader Benny Gantz, who quit the Israeli war cabinet last weekend, was asked by an Israeli TV channel on Thursday whether Israel knew how many hostages are alive. He responded by saying: We know (a) very close number, he responded. Asked about the testimony of a doctor who treated the released hostages and said they suffered mental and physical abuse and were beaten every hour, Hamdan again blamed Israel for their suffering. I believe if they have mental problem, this is because of what Israel have done in Gaza. Because (no one can) handle what Israel is doing, bombing each day, killing civilians, killing women and children they saw that (with) their own eyes, he said, adding that comparing images of the hostages taken before and after the eight-months long captivity shows they were better than before a claim that is demonstrably false. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com New Hampshire man traveled to Vermont with intent to have sex with minor, U.S. Attorney says A New Hampshire man is facing a federal child exploitation charge after prosecutors say he drove to Vermont to have sex with a minor. Brandon Couture, 38, of Groveton, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Jane Young said in a statement on Friday. He was due to appear in federal court in Concord later Friday. According to the charging documents, Couture traveled from New Hampshire to Vermont where he picked up the minor female survivor and drove her back to New Hampshire with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with her. The charging statute provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life in prison. In addition, the charging statute provides for a minimum of five years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, with assistance from the Northumberland Police Department and the Essex County, Vermont Sheriffs Department. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW New Hampshire lawmakers are set to make it harder for eligible voters in the state to register to vote, now requiring proof of citizenship documents either passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers to register. Republicans in the states legislature passed a bill through both chambers to axe the states previous citizenship scheme, which permitted an affidavit in cases when citizen voters couldnt obtain documents. In many other states, a Social Security number or affidavit is commonly used in place of document requirements. Republican sponsors of the bill echo former President Donald Trump and other conspiracy theorists baseless claims that undocumented or noncitizen voting was widespread in the 2016 and 2020 elections. This widely debunked misinformation has propelled numerous states to tighten their voter laws, most directly impacting eligible voters from already disenfranchised backgrounds. New Hampshire, which already limits voters to exclusively in-person registration, would become one of the most restrictive states in the U.S., the only one to require physical citizenship documentation to register voters. Per local paper Seacoast Online, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican, has not publicly stated a position on the bill, which heads to his desk. Sununu recently made news for flipping his stance on Trump, announcing his support for Trumps 2024 campaign after supporting Nikki Haley and blasting Trumps argument that he is immune to criminal prosecution. The bill will disenfranchise citizen voters, the Nashua, New Hampshire City Clerk Dan Healey told Bolts Magazine. Were very concerned with denying eligible voters the right to vote on election day because theres really no cure in place for them to then be able to vote, he said. As far as I can see, its unnecessary . . . theyre trying to cure something thats really not a problem. There are several reasons that voters may not have immediate access to proof of citizenship documents, with a recent study from the Brennan Center for Justice finding that around 9% of Americans, and 11% of people of color, dont have these documents readily available. Nearly 4 million Americans say their proof of citizenship documents are lost or destroyed. Among other groups who struggle to provide such documents are out-of-state students, recent arrivals and elderly Americans. What happened to Abilene ex-teacher going on trial for a child pornography charge? U.S. Magistrate Judge John R. Parker ruled Thursday in Abilene's federal court that Mark Penfield Eichorn would be subject to detention in a federal facility prior to his trial in connection with a charge of production of child pornography. Eichorn stands accused of one count of production of child pornography. According to allegations in the federal indictment filed June 5, Eichorn enticed and coerced two juveniles under 18 to produce child pornography. The United States Federal Courthouse in downtown Abilene. The charges stem from an incident on Oct. 22, 2023, in which Eichorn allegedly paid and directed two boys, 12 and 13, to produce a sexually explicit video, according to court proceedings. If convicted, Eichorn faces 15-30 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, along with possible restitution to victims or the community. He also faces a possibility of supervised release of five years to life. One of his defense attorneys, Christopher Solis, entered Eichorn's plea of not guilty Thursday in federal court. Eichorn was then taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service Thursday at the close of his detention hearing. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court beyond a reasonable doubt. 'A right to know' The lengthy set of hearings on Thursday took over four hours to complete. Federal prosecutor Whitney Ohlhausen represented the interests of the United States versus Eichorn. Before the detention hearing could begin, however, Solis filed a motion to seal the courtroom. "I suspect you want to have the hearing in a closed set?" Parker asked Solis, who then began to explain his position. Solis noted that he was afraid an open courtroom could "influence the public consciousness before he even goes to trial." Parker, however, was having none of it. "Why should I sanitize what the public knows?" the judge said. Parker went on to say that he was aware that it could be uncomfortable or embarrassing. "That's not a reason to close the courtroom," he said. Ohlhausen expanded on the point. "Potential victims have a right to be present," she said. "The public has a right to know what's going on in their community." 'Just those two?' Federal homeland security investigator Michael Baker took the stand Thursday to detail the charge and the interview that Eichorn had with the Abilene Police Department. Baker testified that Eichorn confessed to the charge in the interview and admitted to having two boys in Georgia make a sexually explicit video after he paid them $200 dollars via an online payment app. Eichorn went so far as to admit that he knew they were minors, Baker testified. Baker also testified that in 2019, there was an incident with Abilene Christian University police in which Eichorn admitted to them that he was "sexually attracted to children." In the interview with APD, Eichorn also admitted to inappropriately touching a child at St. John's Episcopal School in Abilene while he was employed as a preschool teacher there, Baker testified. While there had apparently not been an outcry of abuse at the school, Ohlhausen pointed out that some of the victims in the allegations "were as young as 4 years old when interviewed." Baker then stressed the importance of one of Eichorn's responses to APD detectives. The detectives asked him about the two juvenile boys in Georgia, Baker testified, and Eichorn responded with, "Just those two?" Ohlhausen noted there is another victim Eichorn spoke about who has yet to be found. 'Has been diagnosed' When it was defense attorney Russel Lorfing's turn to present his case to the court, he called an expert witness, Dr. Scott Nelson, who had apparently treated Eichorn as his psychologist for over three years. Nelson testified that Eichorn "has been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum." Nelson testified that he was "worried about his physical and emotional safety" if Eichorn were to be incarcerated. When Ohlhausen asked Nelson about Eichorn's sexual desire for children, however, Nelson said "that has never come up" in his treatment of Eichorn. Parker's commanding presence in the courtroom was felt when he brought up serious questions for Nelson and pointed out his lack of knowledge about the charges or accusations of child pornography. In an exchange that lasted several minutes, the judge scolded Nelson for his unawareness. "You formed your opinions without knowing what he is accused of doing?" Parker asked Nelson. 'This was deliberate' When it was federal prosecutor Ohlhausen's turn for closing arguments, she told the judge that Eichorn allegedly was "coercing other children across state lines to produce child pornography." "This was deliberate," she said. "No conditions of release could guarantee the safety of children across the United States." Ohlhausen added, "The weight of the evidence against him is insurmountable," and "this definitely is a hands-on predator." Defense attorney Lorfing then noted that while Eichorn should be held accountable, he has no criminal history other than a dismissed parking ticket. Lorfing said that the defense was "open to anything" but prison. They would accept GPS monitoring, house arrest or an in-treatment facility instead of detention. The judge, however, had strong words. Parker said Eichorn "appears to be high functioning" and educated, given his master's degree. Parker noted he did not find Nelson credible as a witness. "The facts of this case are very disturbing," the judge said. Parker ruled that Eichorn would be incarcerated until the trial begins. A woman in the audience said, "Yes, thank you, Jesus," as a U.S. marshal placed Eichorn in handcuffs. More on his court appearance Former Abilene teacher in federal court Thursday for child pornography charge Eichorn's arrest Abilene man charged with child pornography, police looking for tips This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Judge rules in case of Abilene ex-teacher accused of child pornography Just like that, another something that made Vero Beach special was written off by its City Council. It took only 30 minutes, with only one objection, from the grandson of the citys first mayor, for the council to watch a staff presentation and vote 4-0 not to replace the cement boardwalk at Humiston Park. Instead, to save about $800,000, the city would demolish what's left of the boardwalk, undermined during Hurricane Nicole in 2022, and build a sidewalk on the west side of the dune. Bottom line more important than tradition Scary trend: Condo creep continues near water in Vero Beach She coined it "Something-special city": May Alma Lee Loy's spirit guide Indian River County's future generations Why'd we move here? What do we want from downtown Vero Beach? A place lots more people want to move to, visit? Just like that, nearly a century of Humiston boardwalk history was gone. At 11 a.m. in a fairly empty council chambers, it was easy to forget the untold thousands of residents and tourists who used the boardwalk daily for decades. In this half hour on a Tuesday morning in 2024, the citys bottom line was more important. While acknowledging finances were a challenge, former Mayor Tony Young, at the meeting to discuss another issue, lobbied for the boardwalk. I grew up on the beach, underneath the boardwalk, by the boardwalk, said Young, a retired Army colonel currently working to build a permanent review stand and World War II tribute at the citys Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary. (The boardwalk is) part of the fabric of Vero Beach, said Young, who co-chaired the citys centennial celebration in 2019.. It is a part of who we are. Vero Beach boardwalk dates to Waldo Sexton The Press Journal published this picture of the boardwalk at The Municipal Beach Park, now Humiston Park in Vero Beach, on Friday, March 3, 1939. A subsequent cement boardwalk was undermined by Hurricane Nicole in 2022, and Vero Beach City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday June 11, 2024, to install a sidewalk instead of rebuilding a boardwalk. The first mention I found of the boardwalk in Press Journal archives was in 1937. It quoted Waldo Sexton, who built The Driftwood nearby, as saying he wanted to build a pier and boardwalk from whats now Beachland Boulevard to Ocean Front Park presumably Humiston, just south of The Driftwood. On March 3, 1939, under the headline, Scenes at The Municipal Beach Park, was an image of a wide wooden boardwalk, with benches and a large pavilion. The Junior Chamber of Commerce had built dressing rooms to complement showers at the park. Over the decades, numerous advertisements targeting tourists touted the park and its boardwalk. Charles Gollnick, the citys head lifeguard, made special note of it in a Press Journal column Aug. 9, 1956. We have one of the very few boardwalks in Florida, 522 feet long, with plenty of width for promenading, and wide benches, Gollnick wrote. Not only that, notice the next time youre on it, how high it is so that people can readily see what their youngsters are doing in the water. Benches: from meeting places to gossip centers By 1960, there were plans to extend the boardwalk. A Press Journal article said umbrellas and the breeze made it comfortable for "visitors and homefolk alike" to use the boardwalk's "long and substantial green benches as meeting places, resting places and gossip centers." I took my grandparents to the boardwalk. I walked it on my beach route, usually seeing it crowded. The reality is, as Young noted, a sidewalk won't have the same view or ambience, no matter how nice the city tries to make it. He recommended the middle ground a wooden-style boardwalk for about $1.5 million (compared to about $2 million for a cement one). Lack of FEMA funding poses challenge After seeing this image and others, Vero Beach City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday June 11, 2024, to replace the cement boardwalk at Humiston Park with a sidewalk, citing lower costs. The first boardwalk, a wooden one, was built in the 1930s at Humiston Park. But council members Vice Mayor Linda Moore was not present balked. It turns out the Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse the city less than $300,000 for the boardwalk. Installed in 1973, its design life had expired, FEMA told the city. The city has many other projects to fund, City Manager Monte Falls said, noting staff recommended the sidewalk at $709,000. Council members suggested the vast majority of park and boardwalk users are tourists and non-city residents, yet only the 17,000 residents in the largely built-out city are responsible for the park and others. In the past, leaders in the county, which has grown to about 175,000 people, have refused to contribute. In 2022, after the city tried to get a $450,000 county Tourist Development Council grant for a two-story lifeguard tower at Humiston, the County Commission ratified a years-old policy prohibiting municipalities from even applying for the grants. Defeatist attitudes can't cut it Humiston Beach is seen on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Vero Beach. Vero Beach City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday, to not replace the cement boardwalk at Humiston Park which was damaged during Hurricane Nicole in 2022. Instead, to save about $800,000, the city would demolish whats left of the boardwalk and build a sidewalk on the west side of the dune. Two years later, the city has a $1 million-plus problem, one that, since at least the 1930s, when it was made of wood, has lured tourists to the beach: the Humiston boardwalk. Now that it's 2024, the county, to sustain a goose laying golden tourism eggs, should help. And, instead of having a defeatist attitude, the council should meet with the county publicly to request help with the boardwalk and replacing sand on the beach in front of city property. If the county doesnt want to play ball, would you blame the city if it started charging non-city residents to enter its parks and use its boat ramps? The private sector businesses and individuals also should rally for the cause as it did in 2015, when GoPlayVero raised money for playground equipment at the park. Young raised $650,000 for the World War II tribute. And, nothing against the tribute it will be an important part of our community but I'd guess the boardwalk might get as many visitors in a month or two as the tribute might get in a year. In Sebastian, leaders are seeking $1 million in state grants to rehabilitate a building the city owns on the Indian River Lagoon and renovate Riverview Park. The city has committed more than $1 million to match those grants. Will Humiston boardwalk removal start slippery slope? Humiston Beach is seen on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Vero Beach. Vero Beach City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday, to not replace the cement boardwalk at Humiston Park which was damaged during Hurricane Nicole in 2022. Instead, to save about $800,000, the city would demolish whats left of the boardwalk and build a sidewalk on the west side of the dune. Why hasn't Vero Beach done the same thing in an effort to save its legacy boardwalk? Or are city leaders resigned to retreating from the Atlantic Ocean? Will future leaders cite the retreat as a precedent the next time the Conn/Jaycee Park boardwalk washes away? Us old-timers have seen some of our favorite maritime establishments from the ice cream shop near Conn Beach to Jack Bakers Lobster Shanty torn down for private residences or clubs. At least those were privately owned. But closing a public boardwalk that dates to the 1930s? Ironically, Councilman Taylor Dingle earlier Tuesday talked about the importance of city identity and history. He suggested the city have a flag like the one he saw in a 1956 downtown parade picture. The flag had a flower and the words, The Hibiscus City, Vero Beach, Fla. LAURENCE REISMAN Dingle brought his wife to the podium, and the two displayed a replica of the flag, one theyd made. While I initially thought his presentation would be a waste the city has many more pressing issues Dingle proved me wrong. The timing was perfect. Indeed, the history and character of our community are irreplaceable. Theyre worth investing in. This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223, Facebook.com/larryreisman or Twitter @LaurenceReisman. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Farewell to Vero Beach boardwalk after almost 90 years of service? Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to host a White House event focused in part on the Israel-Hamas war on Monday as part of an effort to highlight conflict-related sexual violence and amid fraught negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement. Harris has forcefully spoken about the situation unfolding in Gaza notably, in remarks in Selma, Alabama, this year and acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in the region. But Mondays event also comes as the administration has publicly placed enormous pressure on Hamas to accept a hostage and ceasefire proposal and heightened its rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war. Planning for the event had been underway for months, according to a source familiar. Harris will deliver remarks at the White House on conflict-related sexual violence, followed by a panel discussion of survivors and experts from around the world, and a partial screening of documentary film, Screams Before Silence, on Hamas sexual violence on October 7, according to a White House official. Sheryl Sandberg, who led the film, will deliver remarks before the screening. The Vice President spent her career as a prosecutor working to protect women and girls from violence, and as Vice President, she has continued this leadership globally. The Vice President has worked to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence and a focus on the status of women and girls remains at the forefront of our national security policymaking, a White House official said, citing multiple measures the administration has taken to tackle gender-based violence. Earlier this year, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel published a report that found Israeli civilians suffered brutal sexual assaults that were carried out systematically and deliberately during Hamas October 7 attacks. The report, which includes testimonies from eyewitnesses, first responders, forensic experts and news articles, says Hamas militants who entered Israel used extreme acts of sexual violence against their victims and, in most cases, killed them after or even during the rape. According to evidence collected by the ARCCI an umbrella organization for nine regional Rape Crisis Centers men, women, and children were all victims of gruesome sexual abuse on October 7. The report outlines witness testimony of the brutality of the sexual crimes, including that of gang rape at the Nova music festival, in the desert of southern Israel. Two former hostages who were released in late November described witnessing and hearing about other hostages being assaulted while in captivity, according to their testimony, which the report emphasizes is likely continuing to happen to the hostages that remain in Gaza. A United Nations report also found clear and convincing information that hostages in Gaza were sexually abused and there are reasonable grounds to believe the sexual violence is ongoing. This event gives voice to a truth we must all hold: sexual violence is never ok and we must stand together as a global community to support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable, said Sandberg, founder of Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation. On Thursday, President Joe Biden said hes not confident a ceasefire deal will be reached in Gaza soon. No, Biden said when asked if he was confident in a deal, which he said he discussed with world leaders at the G7 summit in Italy. Still, he added: I havent lost hope. The US-backed Israeli proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal appeared to be in limbo Thursday, with neither side yet publicly committing to the plan. Biden on Thursday called on the Hamas terror group to step up. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Reps. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield (speaking), and Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, introducing legislation. (Photo by Nick Evans for Ohio Capital Journal.) This week state lawmakers introduced a measure setting the guidelines for a hypothetical future constitutional convention. The obscure process laid out in Article V of the U.S. Constitution has been embraced in recent years by activists to impose congressional term limits, balanced budget requirements or place new limits on money in politics. But there are precious few details in the Constitution about how it would operate. Among the guardrails lawmakers proposed, delegates could face recall for speaking publicly about internal business. If they took up proposals deemed out of bounds, they could face a felony. Additionally, federal officeholders or appointees and statewide officeholders would be barred from serving as delegates. State representatives or senators, however, would still be eligible. Although the bill directs lawmakers to select an odd number of delegates, theres no mention of minority party representation. The convention route is attractive to supporters because organizers can largely sidestep Congress, stacking up resolutions in state legislatures until they reach the required 2/3 threshold of 34 states. From there, convention backers are already a long way toward the 3/4 threshold (38 states) necessary to ratify an amendment. The problem, government watchdogs argue, is that once you call a convention, all bets are off. While the U.S. Constitution lays out the benchmarks for ratification, its unclear on the rules for the convention itself. Some argue the convention could have a limited call laid out in the states resolutions. Its not clear, however, what would come of a so-called runaway convention that takes on matters outside that scope. In committee Wednesday, Ohios House Government Oversight Chairman Rep. Bob Peterson, R-Selina, said the very first constitutional convention might fit that definition. Thank God and thank goodness, he added, because they did great work. Catherine Turcer from Common Cause Ohio acknowledged theres something really inspiring about picking up the pen the founders put down. Its also, you know, terrifying, she said, when you think about it as an opportunity to open up absolutely every single issue. Were in such a contentious, just an incredibly contentious time for this kind of robust discussion, she added. Article V efforts State Reps. Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, and Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, have sponsored House Joint Resolution 3, which calls for a convention of the states. Their resolution, which has already had several hearings, includes explicit provisions aiming to limit the scope of delegates work. Delegates are restricted to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and Members of Congress, according to the resolution. The measure also carries language specifying Ohios call can only be combined with others drafted toward the substantially same purpose, and to rescind the application after the fact if the eventual convention considers changes to the Bill of Rights. Its not a carbon copy of the model resolution provided by Convention of States Action, but it would fit under the heading of substantially same. The organization has the backing of effectively every leading light in the conservative movement, and it has successfully lobbied for convention resolutions in 19 states. Its not the only effort to organize an Article V convention, however. The group Wolf-PAC, founded by Cenk Uygur, is promoting campaign finance reform in the wake of Citizens United. Wolf-PAC has passed resolutions in four states. Although both groups insist its possible to limit the scope of a convention, its also uncharted territory. Wolf-PAC points to peer-reviewed studies and opinions from U.S. Justice Department officials. But because it has never been done before, theres no judicial precedent. The convention could make its own rules and set its own agendas, Turcer explained. And it is true that, whether its the state legislature or Congress, they might try to limit the convention. But theres no way to assure that the members of the convention would actually obey those rules. Its its own entity, she added. Convention of States notes that the biggest safeguard is the ratification process itself. Whatever the convention comes up with still needs the backing of 38 states, whether within its original scope or outside of it. That means if only 13 states vote no, the answer is no. It doesnt get much safer than that! the Convention of States website insists. Still, theres no denying some measure of uncertainty. No matter how narrowly convention backers draft their resolutions, even they acknowledge they have no say in the text of the eventual amendment. A Congressional Research Service study from 2016 noted calling a convention to vote on a specifically worded amendment is one way Congress could argue states applications were defective and invalid. Because the Constitution gives Congress or a convention the right to propose amendments, calling a convention simply for an up or down vote misconstrues its function. Its role is to deliberate and propose, not to approve or disapprove. Limiting efforts On Wednesday, McClain and Willis introduced their bill establishing the process for selecting delegates and policing their behavior as part of the convention. We want to be clear on the process both before and during a convention, McClain said, to make sure that the runaway (convention) does not happen, the delegates do not disobey their oath and their responsibility to this great state. The sponsors envision an Advisory Committee, responsible for keeping tabs on the delegation and recalling members who violate rules. It would be made up of three members of the General Assembly. The House Speaker and Senate president would get one designee each and the third would be a joint selection approved by a majority in each chamber. Among the violations that could get a delegate recalled: expressing disagreement publicly once the delegation has taken a formal position, or speaking with the media at all if they arent the member designated handle communications. I believe the whole intent there is to have one voice for Ohio, Willis explained. And that that group of delegates are charged with producing that one message because there is only going to be one vote. State Rep. Richard Brown, D-Canal Winchester, criticized the bill for not requiring representation from both political parties in the convention delegation or the advisory committee. Because like it or not, he said, we do have to parties in this state. McClain insisted, I dont see this as a partisan issue, frankly. He argued with the supermajorities required for passage, to get anything through a convention of these United States it cannot fall on party line. Speaking after the hearing, McClain framed the legislation as a work in progress. He chalked up the decision to cut out statewide and federal officials, but not general assembly members, to delegates not being considered a statewide position. But he acknowledged, Ive have had some conversations with members about looking at that provision, if we should exclude state lawmakers as well. So, I dont know what the conversations will come (to), but this is the starting point for the for the bill. He also referenced hearing feedback on the minimum number of years required as a U.S. citizen and a resident of Ohio as well as how to handle dual citizens. Ultimately its about getting the right people there that are going to truly represent the voice of what Ohio wants, he said. Bigger penalties While the bill threatens recall for delegates who speak out of turn, it proposes far harsher penalties for those who act outside the joint resolutions scope. Any member who votes for or promotes a convention voting process other than one vote per state, votes for an amendment altering the Bill of Rights, the Civil War Amendments or several others, votes for an amendment beyond the joint resolutions call, would be guilty of a third-degree felony. Accepting gifts from anyone other than a family member worth more than $200 combined gets the same treatment. I get where you all were going in the sense of trying to make sure that things were protected in all of that, Rep. Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus, said. But do you think that the penalty might be a little too high? F3 is real high, she added. Its very high. I think that the stakes are high, McClain responded. We want to say that the oath that you swear to do your duty means something, and that if you deviate from that its gonna be significant. Turcer is left shaking her head. To her, the bills heavy-handed punitive measures only underscore the risk of pursuing a convention. Its as if the sponsor buys the premise that you could have a runaway convention and wants to come up with rules to rein it in, she said, without thinking really big picture that, you know, Ohio is not the center of the universe. Its not an island, were one state, and the convention sets its own rules. So, theres a clear understanding that there need to be rules, she added, without understanding that you dont get to choose. If past is prologue Ironically, in making the case for delegates restricting their focus to a limited call, McClain brought up Ohios recent special session. The governor called lawmakers back to the statehouse for the express purpose of ensuring Joe Biden got on the ballot and prohibiting campaign spending by foreign nationals, and they did. I see that much akin to what the convention is called for, McClain said, and the conversations that would happen at a convention with members to say that this this topic was not for what we were called, we cannot go down that path without experiencing issues both legally and otherwise. The problem is, at least in the eyes of two long-serving Republican House lawmakers, the Ohio Senate did exceed the governors narrow mandate. Rather than starting from scratch, the Senate tacked the governors demands onto an unrelated bill changing how statewide issues are numbered. In a joint statement, Reps. Scott Oelslager, R-North Canton, and Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, called that unprecedented because it includes provisions that are extraneous to the Governors call for a special session. The way the Senate is conducting business is constitutionally and procedurally questionable, they continued, and it presents undue litigation risk that can be wholly avoided by reaching agreement between the chambers on a correctly numbered bill. In the end, the Senate abandoned its approach and accepted the legislation that passed in the House. But the episode highlights lawmakers tendency to take on outside issues at least as much as it demonstrates their ability to rein in those impulses. In the committee hearing, Chairman Peterson reminded McClain and Willis of these differences of opinion and asked if their bill adequately addressed the issue. I would say that this is at least a step forward, Willis argued. If it is the ultimate solution, I dont think we know. Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Harsh penalties and gag orders: Lawmakers discuss plans for long-shot constitutional convention appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits chairman Harvey Chaplin changed the way America drinks. Chaplin, who died at his Miami home on June 9 at age 95, grew the company into the nations largest distributor of alcohol. There is nobody who was a more iconic figure in the wine and spirits industry, said Mike Bittel, former co-owner of Sunset Corners, the West Miami-Dade wine and spirits store that had been in his family for 70 years through last month. He was a true visionary whom, more than anyone else, is responsible for defining and creating the modern paradigm of what it means to be a beverage wholesaler and importer not just in creating business, but also in giving both back to the community. READ MORE: Whats next for a 70-year-old Miami landmark? A new leader has plans for Sunset Corners Philanthropy As a philanthropist, with an estimated self-worth of $1.2 billion, according to Forbes, Chaplin donated millions to Miami-area schools of higher education, including Florida International University, and hospitals including Jackson and Mount Sinai. Mr. Chaplins interaction with future hospitality leaders over the years and visits by him and his son to the school and their advice and knowledge passed on to our students has been priceless, said FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Dean Michael Cheng in a tribute published by FIU News on Thursday. Southern Glazers contributed $150 million to Floridas Step Up For Students Scholarship Program in 2017 and 2018 to give underprivileged children access to schools in the programs network, including some private religious schools in Florida, the Miami Herald reported. In 2019, Southern Glazers sponsored the University of Miami Business Schools Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series for the 2019-2020 school year. Chaplins son Wayne Chaplin, the companys chief executive, graduated from UMs law and business schools and is a member of the board of trustees. From high school to career The senior Chaplin started his business career in spirits with a part-time job in the mailroom at Schenley Industries in an office inside New Yorks Empire State Building in 1946, the year he graduated from Boys High School in Brooklyn. Schenley was a leading distilled spirits marketer and the American importer of Dewars White Label Scotch. Chaplin worked his way up to run wholesale operations. FIU named its Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism after this generous, quick-learner in 2012, but Chaplin skipped college on his path to leading Southern Glazers. In 2008, Chaplin received an honorary doctorate from FIU. We could not be more grateful to Mr. Chaplin and the Chaplin family for their dedication to and support of our students, alumni, and educational efforts, FIU President Kenneth A. Jessell said in the FIU News report. Southern Glazers was formed in 2016 by merging Miamis Southern Wine & Spirits, which Chaplin co-founded in 1968, and Dallas Glazers Distributing, which had formed in 1909. Got some Grey Goose vodka, Jim Beam bourbon and Yellow Tail wine in your bar? These are among the popular alcoholic beverages the family-owned company distributes nationwide. Southern Glazers success In this file photo from April 2009, the Simcha Chapter of Hadassah held its Fifth Annual Fashion Show at the Miami Shores Golf and Country Club. Simchas honoree of the evening was Susan Gottlieb, then-mayor of Aventura, who received the Woman of Achievement award. Recipient of the Hadassah Benefactor Award was Harvey Chaplin, chairman and CEO of Southern Wine & Spirits. Daughter Terry Jove and wife Roberta Chaplin joined Chaplin in accepting his award. L-R: Jove; Harvey Chaplin, Gottlieb, and Roberta Chaplin. Southern Glazers, which distributes more than 7,000 brands of alcohol, wine, beer and other beverages nationwide, ranked as the 10th largest privately held company in the U.S., with about $26 billion in revenue from 45 markets in the States and Canada, and 24,000 employees, according to a 2023 report in Forbes titled Americas Largest Private Companies. Lakeland-based grocery chain Publix was third on that list with $54 billion and the only other Florida company aside from Southern Glazers to rank among the Top 10. It is with great sadness that I announced the passing of my beloved father, Harvey Chaplin, our companys founder and chairman, and one of the icons of our industry, his son Wayne said in a statement provided by Southern Glazers. His influence as a leader, a philanthropist, a loving family man, and patriarch of our family has left an indelible mark on all who have known and worked with him. He was a larger-than-life figure and will be greatly missed by my family, and our entire Southern Glazers team, his son said. Chaplin was born Feb. 9, 1929, in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. After guiding Schenley, he founded Southern Wine & Spirits in South Florida with Jay Weiss and Howard Preuss. Chaplin served in numerous senior executive roles from 1969 to 1993. He became chairman and CEO in 1994 and led the company through the merging of Southern Wine and Glazers Distributing. Southern Glazers position as the nations top distributor led to recent investigations by the Federal Trade Commission, and is reportedly preparing to file a lawsuit against Southern Glazers over how it prices and sells wine and liquor around the country, Politico reported. The FTC could invoke the rarely used Robinson-Patman Act of 1936, a Depression-era law that prohibits suppliers from providing deeper discounts to large big box chains than to smaller independent stores, according to CNN. Chaplins company was huge well before its merger with Glazer. In 2002, market leader Southern Wine nearly doubled the competition, said the alcohol industrys trade publication Impact, the Miami Herald reported at the time. That year alone, Southern Wine bought a controlling stake in the largest distributor in Illinois: Romano Bros., which had nearly $500 million in sales. That was the fourth Illinois distributor it purchased stakes in in 2002. As early as 1969, Southern Wine acquired California-based Landfield Co. In 2004, Chaplin set his sights on his home state when Southern Wine bought Premier Wine & Spirits of New York as well as its distribution unit Letchworth Wine & Spirits. It has been a long-term corporate goal, as well as a personal desire of mine, to have Southern Wine & Spirits compete in New York, Chaplin told the Miami Herald in 2004. Legacy of the Chaplin name In this file photo from June 25, 2003, Harvey Chaplin, chairman and CEO of Southern Wine & Spirits, was honored by Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach as the temples Humanitarian of the Year. Chaplin breaks bread in a blessing ceremony with, from left, Rabbi Robert Davis, Rabbi Gary Glickstein and Cantor Steven Haas. Working for Harvey Chaplin and the Chaplin family for the past 25 years has been the greatest privilege of my career, said Lee Brian Schrager, chief communications officer for Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits. Schrager is known internationally for his role in founding the South Beach Food & Wine Festival in Miami Beach in 2002, which has been a major contributor and platform for FIUs hospitality program and its students. Harvey was first and foremost a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Our industry has lost a true icon and pioneer. Miami has lost one of our greatest benefactors, a real life gentle giant, Schrager said in an email to the Herald. For his charitable contributions, South Florida institutions carry Chaplins name. In addition to FIUs hospitality and tourism school, among the beneficiaries of Chaplins gifts and his family foundation: Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, which named its Comprehensive Stroke Center the Harvey R. Chaplin Family Stroke and Chest Pain Center; The Holtz Childrens Hospital; and Jackson Memorial Foundation, which dedicated and named the Chaplin Family Pediatric Emergency Room after his donation to renovate all facets of the emergency room. Chaplins support also led to the Harvey R. Chaplin Central Building at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach. All of us at Mount Sinai extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Chaplins family and friends. He leaves a legacy of helping others through his kindness and generosity and will always have a special place in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, Mount Sinai Medical Center said in an obituary notice in the Herald. In a statement, Bennett Glazer, executive vice chairman of Southern Glazers, added: Harvey and I shared a mutual dedication to family, commitment to our communities, and investing in people as the foundation of business success. I am proud to have had him as a colleague and a friend, and join our entire Southern Glazers team in mourning his loss. On behalf of the entire leadership team, I extend our sympathies to his family, who meant the world to him. Survivors Chaplins survivors include his wife, Roberta; his children Paul, Wayne and Terry; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His first wife Arlene died in 2000. Services were held. Memorial contributions may be made in Harvey Chaplins name to the Harvey R. Chaplin Family Stroke and Chest Pain Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center, or to the Harvey R. Chaplin Central Building at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach; or to the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. ABEL Y FANA HOLTZ, ROBERTA Y HARVEY CHAPLIN, PRESIDENTES DE GOLDEN ANGELS GALA He helped found the SOBE festival and FIU wine program. Miamis wine guru has died We havent had the answers we need yet | TBI unsure if Summer Wells was abducted or not HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) Saturday, June 15 will mark three years since Summer Wells disappeared from her home in the Beech Creek community in Hawkins County. An AMBER Alert remains active for Summer, who was five years old at the time of her disappearance. Immediately following the issuance of her AMBER Alert, hundreds of personnel from dozens of agencies combed through Hawkins County searching for Summer. 3 years since disappearance | Parents of Summer Wells feel targeted by authorities Despite repeated searches using K-9s, drones, and all manner of efforts, Summer has not been found three years later. Law enforcement last updated the public in June 2023, when the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) released an age-progressed photo of Summer Wells. On Friday, Josh Melton, the TBIs Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigation Division, spoke to the case in a video posted to social media. Melton said that as of Friday, the TBI has still not determined if Summer was abducted, and the agency does not have the facts they need to know for certain what happened to her. We dont have the evidence in this case to know for sure whether or not Summer was abducted or whether or not she walked away from her home and became lost, Melton said. Its really important to us to not focus all of our efforts on just one of those two. Melton said while many people have speculated on what happened to Summer, the TBI cannot speculate and must use facts. The difficult part of speculation is that if we as investigators speculate and focus our efforts in one direction, were making a huge mistake, he said. Neighbors in Beech Creek still ponder Summer Wells disappearance The TBI has utilized ground search efforts, interviews, and technology in their investigation, Melton said. The video posted by the TBI includes photos of the search through Hawkins County and aerial images of the Wells home. We continue to focus on ground search efforts. We continue to focus on interviews of those who may have information about vehicles that have traveled to the area or technology that could have been used to make us an investigative lead, he said. Weve continued to have tips and leads that have come in that agents have been able to follow up on continuously. And the agents have worked tirelessly when tips and leads werent coming in to try to find ways to investigate when typically people would lay down their effort. According to Melton, some of the TBIs top agents are assigned to Summers case, and the bureau has brought in multiple experts to assist in the investigation. We have thrown everything that we know to throw at this case, and we havent had the answers that we need yet, he said. We know well get them, but we dont have them today. Melton said the case is far from cold. A cold case is typically framed up as a case where there are no tips or leads that are coming in and there are no investigative efforts that are happening because there is no there is no place to travel with the investigation, said Melton. Complete Coverage of the Search for Summer Wells Children are the TBIs top priority, Melton said Friday. He began the video by stating that when he looks at photos of Summer, he thinks of his own daughter. It is a monstrous task, but its one thats not overwhelmed us, he said. We have been strategic in the way that we have handled this investigation. The TBI stated its investigators have worked 6,500 tips and leads and interviewed anyone with potential information, some of whom were interviewed multiple times. Our commitment to the public is that were not gonna allow this case to sit on a shelf, Melton said. We are committed to bringing Summer home and were gonna keep working on this case until she is home. The TBI isnt the only agency working the case. The investigation is in collaboration with the FBI and the Hawkins County Sheriffs Office. Hawkins Co. Sheriff, Ronnie Lawson, didnt return News Channel 11s calls, text message, or email requests for an interview. The Wells family also has their own private investigators. Summers case is our #1 priority, said Chris and Trudy Colbough. We continue to work on Summers case daily but at this time, we have nothing further to add. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hernando pool company faces criminal investigation TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) West Hernando Pools and Spas, a subject of an ongoing Better Call Behnken investigation, now faces an active criminal investigation, according to the Hernando Sheriffs Office. A spokesman for the sheriffs office said he cannot comment on ongoing investigations so he did not elaborate. Customers of West Hernando Pools and Spas have been complaining to Better Call Behnken for months. Early this year, Hernando building officials suspended the permitting privileges of the pool company and its owner, Frank Bierwiler. At the time, Bierwiler had 118 unfinished pools. He recently testified he has that number down to 77. Bierwilers attorney, Darryl Johnson, declined to comment on the criminal investigation. Special Master Kenneth Warnstadt ruled all seven projects with dangerous holes must be finished before Bierwiler can pull additional permits. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nearly one year after Eric Greenway was fired from Beaufort County, the string of resignations and assorted departures from the county continues to grow. The countys Capital Improvements Projects Director is the latest. In a peculiar case of history repeating itself, this is the second time he has resigned during a tumultuous period of county government. Eric Larson had a complicated tenure in Beaufort County. Larson was the countys environmental engineering and land management director in 2019 when he resigned, suing the county and then administrator Ashley Jacobs. One of the claims Larson made was that he was being discriminated against for being an older white male. Jacobs was later ousted as county administrator and suit was eventually settled, which would normally end someones relationship with their former employer. But nearly a year after the $40,000 settlement, Larson found himself working for Beaufort County again. This time in a $123,595-a-year position created by and reporting to then County Administrator Eric Greenway. In April of 2023, Greenway told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette that he considered Larson a friend. So much so that Greenway, who became administrator after Jacobs, had to excuse himself from settling the lawsuit, leaving it to his Deputy Administrator, Whitney Richland. Yet, Greenway was on the hiring panel for Larsons return in September of 2022. Now, for the second time, Larson is leaving his position in the county. This time hes resigned in the wake of an ethics complaint filed with the South Carolina Ethics Commission. His last day with the county was June 3rd, county spokesperson Hannah Nichols confirmed. Nichols would not comment on why Larson resigned. The complaint alleges that Larson had a subordinate perform measurements and draw plans for a sunroom addition to his home while on the clock, according to the individual who filed it. Then the plans were allegedly submitted to the county for construction. There are now nine ethics complaints filed against Beaufort County employees or former employees. Included with the complaint against Larson are: Three against the former parks and recreation director Shannon Loper Two against former administrator Eric Greenway One against the former deputy administrator Whitney Richland One against the special assistant to the county administrator Hank Amundson One against the assistant county administrator for infrastructure, Jared Fralix The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette have submitted a SC Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to the alleged work on Larsons home. The post-Greenway era Larson is the latest in a string of high profile position that were vacated following the aftermath of Eric Greenways exit from Beaufort County. A series of other questionable actions came to light in the wake of the Greenway firing including a mysterious purchase of nearly $36,000 worth of weighted blankets, reportedly from a company owned by then Deputy Administrator Whitney Richlands husband. It was later discovered that the county was in possession of the blankets, which were all still boxed and on the floor in a county warehouse. Officials had previously denied that the county ever took possession of the order. Richland resigned on an unknown date following the press coverage of the blankets. Unrelated to the blankets, county leaders eventually learned that $800,000 in playground equipment had been purchased and installed in Port Royal before getting the required council approval. The council retroactively approved the playground despite the substantial expense with a vote of 8-2. Loper was fired from the county but eventually hired on an interim basis by the Town of Rincon, GA. Most recently, Richlands interim replacement, Denise Christmas, resigned leaving the county council with sharp advice on how to put Beaufort County back on the right track. High school teacher tries to pay premium for sex acts with California teen, feds say A 58-year-old former high school teacher is facing prison time after pleading guilty to looking for sex acts with a 16-year-old in California, federal officials said. In 2023, Sean Stevenson, a high school science teacher with University City High School in San Diego at the time, believed he was meeting with a 16-year-old to engage in sex acts, according to a June 13 news release by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. Stevenson was looking for commercial sex with a woman who identified herself as Kash, prosecutors said. Stevenson offered Kash a premium to bring him a girl under the age of 18, officials said. Over text message, Stevenson told Kash, the younger the better, officials said. When Kash suggested an 18-year-old, Stevenson replied, not young enough, officials said. Kash was later arrested as part of the sex trafficking investigation, and an undercover agent continued the conversations, prosecutors said. Thats when the agent, posing as Kash, offered a 16-year-old cousin for commercial sex, officials said. As the communication continued, Stevenson stated he was interested in her and negotiated a $140 fee to meet up, officials said. Stevenson arrived at the location to meet the 16-year-old and was arrested in October with the $140 in his car, prosecutors said. Stevenson pleaded guilty June 13 to seeking commercial sex with a teenage girl while he was a teacher. McClatchy News reached out to University High School for a statement on June 14 and was awaiting a response. Mr. Stevenson was a trusted member of the community who preyed upon our most vulnerable youth, Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations San Diego, said in the release. HSI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to rescue victims and aggressively investigate allegations of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. We encourage anyone who has information related to human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children to report it to law enforcement immediately. McClatchy News reached out to Stevensons lawyer on June 14 and was awaiting a response. Stevenson is facing life in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence, officials said. He is set to reappear in court in September for his sentencing, according to the release. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. To report potential trafficking situations, you can contact the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or chat with the online hotline. Convicted sex offender tries to meet up with 13-year-old he met on Reddit, feds say Man sexually assaults woman in parking lot, tries to kidnap her daughter, CA cops say Man performed lewd acts on kids during nap time, then threatened them, CA cops say WYNNE, Ark. Sunday marks a rebirth for First Baptist Church in Wynne, Arkansas. The African-American house of worship, more than 130 years old, was destroyed March 31, 2023 when a tornado devastated Wynne. But a larger sanctuary and new fellowship hall will help the church grow its ministry in the community. Four killed, dozens injured by tornado in Wynne, AR Church member Jerlene Duncan cant forget how the church looked in 2023 after it was leveled by an EF-3 tornado. (See before and after photos below) It was devastating when I first saw it, she said. But It was a blessing they were able to rebuild the whole church. Because it was to me unrepairable. At that time it was impossible to distinguish the house of worship from the rubble of other homes and businesses. Pastory Lesley Wilkerson said he was amazed in 2023, because a place you had just been there the previous Sunday having worship and then all of the sudden, in that quick time frame, the entire church and fellowship hall all was destroyed. Wilkerson says there was no hesitation by church leaders and the congregation to vote for building a new sanctuary and fellowship hall, built directly across the street from where First Baptist had been located when it was destroyed. We have much more room to handle the demand and the need of the community, so were looking forward to filling the square footage with new people, new souls devoted to the things of God, Wilkerson said. There is a great need, he says, in the neighborhood surrounding First Baptist. The church sits very near to where a mass shooting at a block party in April left one man dead and nearly a dozen injured. Some of the members of our church, they were affected by the shooting with family members that were victims of it, Wilkerson said. The pastor says he plans on having what he calls a soft opening Sunday, a way to check the AC and the sound system to make sure everything is working ok. He is certain the Holy Spirit will be in the house. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) Leadership West Virginia (LWV) Class of 2024 will be engaging in a Tourism Session from June 19, 2024 to June 21, 2024 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville FEMA helps residents recover from severe weather The session will focus on community service and local heritage. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, which is the Juneteenth holiday, the LWV Class will be joined by the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy South cadets for volunteer work at the historic Pierce Cemetery. It will be a cleanup that symbolizes the preservation of the citys heritage and to restore respect to a site that was made during segregation. The cleanup will start at 2:00 P.M. with more than 80 volunteers participating. Participants will meet at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Fayetteville. Pierce Cemetery is a big part of Fayettevilles history. Some graves are maintained by families While others are not and need to be cleaned up and restored. LWV and the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy Souths mission is to honor those laid to rest in the cemetery. Town of Fayetteville Mayor Sharon Cruikshank encourages volunteers to join in the community cleanup. The state of neglect at Pierce Cemetery was astonishing. Overlooking such a hallowed site was inconceivable to both myself and the council. Despite not owning the land, we are committed to highlighting its importance, ensuring that these townsfolk are not forgotten in our citys narrative. Our goal is to restore this cemetery to a dignified place of rest, Cruikshank expressed. Work gloves and tools such as weed eaters, chainsaws, and/or clippers are recommended to bring to the cleanup. This initiative represents a collective endeavor to care for a piece of our shared history in the region and we are excited to be a part of it, said Pam Farris, Executive Director of LWV. Sponsorship for this second LWV session includes SLS Land & Energy and community partners, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the New River Gorge CVB. WVSOM contributes a toolkit to NIH program for community-engaged research If you want to volunteer, contact the Mayors office at (304) 574-0101 or visit fayettevillewv.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Historic step and clear signal to Putin Scholz on US$50 billion agreement for Ukraine German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is convinced that the G7 plans to provide Ukraine with approximately US$50 billion in financial support, using frozen Russian assets, have been a clear signal to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Source: European Pravda with reference to Reuters Quote: "This is a very clear commitment that should embolden the Ukrainians to do what they need to to defend their independence and sovereignty. And it is also a clear signal to the Russian President, that he cant just sit this out and hope that fiscal problems in a country that backs Ukraine will one day let him win this war." Details: Scholz said Putin was mistaken in thinking that international support for Ukraine would diminish over time. "This is a very historic step we're taking today," he emphasised. Background: The G7 plan for Ukraine, announced on Thursday, 13 June, by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is based on providing Kyiv with a long-term loan using the proceeds from about US$300 billion of confiscated Russian assets. Earlier, the Elysee Palace reported that the leaders of the G7 member states reached an agreement. Support UP or become our patron! A judge ruled that celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson's famous "method" is "uncopyrightable." In 2022, Anderson sued her ex-employee, Megan Roup, accusing her of copying the workout method Anderson says she invented. Anderson's lawyer told BI that the fitness guru "seeks to vindicate her rights against" Roup. In a blow to celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, a federal judge ruled this week that the fitness pioneer's famous exercise "method" is "uncopyrightable." US District Judge Philip Gutierrez issued the ruling Wednesday in the federal lawsuit Anderson brought against one of her former trainers, the Sculpt Society founder, Megan Roup. In July 2022, Anderson sued Roup in the Central District of California, accusing her of copyright infringement, breach of contract, and other claims. The high-profile fitness guru said in the lawsuit that Roup copied her signature workout, the "Tracy Anderson Method" or "TA Method" a dance-based workout routine. "The Court finds that Anderson's routines are clearly an unprotectable process, system, and/or methodology," Gutierrez wrote in his recent ruling. "Courts have found that 'exercises, while undoubtedly the product of much time and effort, are, at bottom, simply a process for achieving increased consciousness. Such processes, even if original, cannot be protected by copyright,'" the order read. The order added, "And because the TA Method is uncopyrightable, the Court need not reach the issues of whether the TA Method could be considered choreography and if TAMB [Tracy Anderson Mind and Body] actually owns the copyrights." Anderson's lawyer Gina Durham told Business Insider Friday that her client is looking forward to the trial, which will proceed on a breach of contract claim. "Tracy Anderson initiated this lawsuit against Megan Roup and The Sculpt Society to protect her art form that she built from the ground up through decades of research, development, testing, and investment," Durham said. "Ms. Anderson seeks to vindicate her rights against Roup and The Sculpt Society, who have improperly capitalized on, and benefitted from, Ms. Anderson's decades of hard work," she added. Durham said that Gutierrez's ruling "did not fully analyze specific choreographic works that Ms. Anderson has registered with the Copyright Office" and that they will "continue to pursue protection of those works and unauthorized uses under the law." Nathaniel Bach, a lawyer for Roup, celebrated the judge's ruling in a statement to BI. "We are pleased with the Court's ruling unequivocally rejecting Tracy Anderson's copyright claim, finding that the TA Method is not copyrightable, full stop," Bach said. "This is not only a win for Megan, who built The Sculpt Society from the ground up attracting a broad and welcoming community devoted to the joy of physical movement but a ruling benefitting the entire fitness industry, making clear that no one owns physical exercise or dance cardio," said Bach. "We look forward to prevailing on what little remains of the case at trial." Tracy Anderson says a former trainer has capitalized on her method. Samuel Eric Anderson Roup founded a workout app called the Sculpt Society in 2017 shortly after leaving Anderson's namesake fitness company, where she worked for more than five years. Anderson's lawsuit against Roup says that while Roup was a trainer at Tracy Anderson, she had "access to all material necessary to replicate the TA Method and related business, and she wasted no time in doing so." In the lawsuit, Anderson accuses Roup of copying "choreography movements, sequences, and routines," "organizational structure and format," and "aesthetic elements" from 19 of Anderson's fitness DVDs. These DVDs, released between 2008 and 2014, include "The Method for Beginners" and "Unleash Your Inner Pop Star." Roup has denied the allegations and has tried to get the lawsuit dismissed. The case is slated to proceed to trial later this year on the remaining claim. Anderson, who has trained celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, and Victoria Beckham, has long been fearful that her trainers would leave and steal her clients and her method. In 2023, two of Anderson's ex-trainers, who now run their own fitness companies, told BI that they received warning letters from Anderson's attorneys accusing them of stealing Anderson's movements and violating a non-compete agreement. Two other former employees said a member of Anderson's management team asked them to monitor ex-trainers' social-media accounts for any signs they might be stealing Anderson's movements. Another former trainer said that while she was still working at Tracy Anderson, she was reprimanded by management for merely liking former instructors' Instagram posts. Read the original article on Business Insider Home and Away spoilers follow for Australian pace episodes, which some UK viewers may prefer to avoid. Home and Away's Mali Hudson accuses his brother Iluka of bringing danger to his door in upcoming episodes. Mali can't help fearing the worst after discovering that his troublesome sibling has arrived in Summer Bay with a suspicious bag of money. Earlier this month, episodes on air in Australia saw Dion Williams take on the role of Iluka Mali's older brother. Iluka initially claimed that he'd merely come to town for a catch-up with Mali, but he later admitted that he was lying low after upsetting some dodgy associates back home. Channel 5 Related: Home and Away newcomer Bronte to be caught out in Irene story Despite the rocky start, Iluka got along well with Mali's girlfriend Rose Delaney and he also developed a romantic spark with Kirby Aramoana. Thursday's triple bill of episodes in Australia (June 13) saw things go wrong again, as Mali accused Iluka of stealing after Justin Morgan's car briefly went missing. Iluka was hurt over the allegation and Mali realised he'd got it wrong when Justin found out that his wife Leah had taken the car out without telling him. Keen to prevent any further misunderstandings, Iluka let his pride get the better of him as he presented Mali with a bag containing $8,000. He was keen to prove that he had no need to commit petty crimes in the Bay. Channel 5 Related: Home and Away to air mystery illness storyline Although Iluka hoped this would get Mali off his back, the opposite turns out to be true next week. A panicked Mali worries about the source of the cash and also wonders how wise it was to move Iluka into his home if he's involved in serious crime. Next week, Mali tells his brother: "You have rocked up to my house with a bag of stolen money, putting me and my housemates in danger. How stupid could you get?" He later warns him: "If you keep going the way you're going, you're going to destroy your life completely." Will Iluka listen to Mali? And is Mali right to worry that this could endanger him, Mackenzie, Tane and Levi? Home and Away fans in the UK will see these scenes on Channel 5 in July. Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5, with repeat screenings at 6pm on 5STAR and first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK. In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7Plus. Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage You Might Also Like Horizon IT scandal campaigner Alan Bates has been made a knight, accepting the honour after Paula Vennells, the disgraced former Post Office chief executive, was forced to hand back her own. Sir Alan accepted the award for services to justice in the Kings Birthday Honours List, six months after declining the offer of an OBE. He told The Telegraph that he was accepting an honour the second time around in a show of support for other sub-postmasters wrongly accused of theft in the largest miscarriage of justice in British legal history. Sir Alan said he had declined the offer of an OBE at the end of last year because at the time Ms Vennells still had possession of her CBE. Ms Vennells bowed to public pressure and returned her CBE in February in the wake of the outcry prompted by the broadcast of the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Sir Alan, who rose to prominence in the wake of the series, said it would have been an insult to reject the knighthood. The award, he said, would add another string to my bow in the continuing fight to secure compensation. Sir Alan learnt of the offer of his knighthood from an email received while he was watching Ms Vennells giving evidence at the public inquiry into the scandal last month. Reflecting on the day he was told of the award, Sir Alan, 69, said: In some ways it felt like it was just another thing that had happened on that day but I did feel honoured by it. I had to weigh it up because I had refused the OBE previously partly because it felt that it wasnt right to accept it while Paula Vennells still had a CBE at the time. Ms Vennells has apologised for her role in the scandal and broke down in tears on several occasions when giving evidence. Sir Alan said: The time I was asked about the OBE, it felt wrong certainly with Paula Vennells having the CBE for her services, so-called, to Post Office and I felt it would have been quite offensive to many of the group [of wrongly accused subpostmasters] if Id accepted it. Sir Alan, who lives in Llandudno, in north Wales, added: I always said that I wouldnt accept anything until all of this was over but then I decided to speak to a confidante about it all, someone who could offer an unbiased but knowledgeable perspective. He said the friend emphasised how Sir Alan had done a lot of the heavy lifting and gathered a lot of support for other sub-postmasters. He said he had received hundreds of emails and letters of support and that a lot of people do seem to think that I should receive some sort of recognition for the work that Ive done for them or on their behalf. As founder of the the Justice For Subpostmasters Alliance (JFSA), he led 554 others to a landmark victory in the High Court in 2019 in which subpostmasters accepted 57.75 million in damages from the Post Office. Claimants were left with little money after legal fees were paid. The fallout from the scandal has forced the Government into passing a law quashing hundreds of convictions of subpostmasters and offering improved compensation. The Post Office, which is publicly owned, hounded subpostmasters who were wrongly accused of theft and fraud for errors thrown up by the faulty Horizon IT system, developed by the software giant Fujitsu. Four subpostmasters committed suicide as a consequence while 230 were wrongly sent to prison. Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells in tears at the Horizon IT inquiry - REUTERS Sir Alan said: Obviously its my honour, but I do feel that I am accepting it on behalf of the group and for the hell they have been through it is a recognition of how serious all of this has been. He added: It could be seen as insulting to those people if I had turned it down. Sir Alan emphasised that many victims were still waiting for financial redress from the Government years after they were impacted by the scandal. He said: Hopefully this will be another string to my bow in fighting for payouts for others its not just me, so many others are waiting. Sir Alan described his years campaigning for justice and redress as an uphill struggle, adding: We were up against a big corporation which had endless or bottomless pockets and they just kept on with deny, deny, deny and we had no access to anything. The ITV drama had allowed victims to show their face in the community more, he said, giving them vindication after years spent protesting their innocence had been ignored. Despite ongoing negotiations over compensation and redress, Sir Alan said a big party was being planned for next year for victims of the scandal. He said: Thoughts are already in mind for that and I think everyones up for it all the original group, well have one big do. Then perhaps we can move on and put it all behind us but well only be able to do that if everyones clear from it. Thats my big priority. Sir Alan said he had no preference when it came to which royal conducted the ceremony. It still hasnt really hit home yet, he said, I welcome the opportunity to discuss what has gone on with whoever ends up presenting the award. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Do horse rides along this Florida causeway pollute the bay? A DNA test has answers Leaders of environment watch group Suncoast Waterkeeper say they have new DNA evidence linking popular horseback rides in Floridas Palma Sola Bay to water pollution. The group points the finger at horse manure, which it says is contaminating the water with potentially harmful bacteria that make it unfit for swimming. The waste can also add nutrients to the water that can help fuel harmful algal blooms. Concerns have also been raised about the horses trampling seagrass. The fact that were allowing these horses to just defecate in the water is mind-boggling, Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Abbey Tyrna said. Whats definitely known is that some level of our high enterococci bacteria is coming from the horses. But the operator of one of the areas largest horse riding operations, C Ponies Horseback Rides, pushes back on claims that the horses are damaging the Bradenton bay. Owner Carmen Hanson says that ride operators keep the beach clean and remove most of the waste from the water. Hanson claims that horse manure poses a low risk to human health and says the focus on horses is a distraction from major sources of pollution to the bay, like municipal wastewater spills and stormwater runoff. Based on the DNA results, Suncoast Waterkeeper is making a renewed call for Bradenton officials to regulate companies that offer the rides and stop the release of horse waste into the habitat. Bradenton officials say they want more information before taking any action. DNA test studies horse manure A rider enjoys a group horseback ride along the shoreline at Palma Sola Bay with C Ponies Beach Horses. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, which advises Bradentons city council on water quality issues, says a study could help determine whether horses are causing a significant enough impact on the bay to merit regulation. Were not pro- or anti-horse, SBEP Executive Director David Tomasko said. If the horses are contributing a fairly substantial percentage of the bacteria, then maybe doing something about the horses is going to make a big difference. But if its only... .05%, you could get rid of the horses and really not change anything. For over a decade, Bradentons city leaders have debated whether they should ban horse rides along Palma Sola Causeway due to water quality concerns. But previous discussions faltered after leaders disagreed about what action they should take or decided more information was needed. Questions have also lingered about whether the city has the authority to regulate activity on Palma Sola Causeway, which is maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation. Horse rides have controversial history A rider enjoys a group horseback ride along the shoreline at Palma Sola Bay with C Ponies Beach Horses. Last year, Bradenton City Council consulted Sarasota Bay Estuary Program as leaders again considered whether they should pass a ban. At the time, Tomasko told the council that more research was needed to determine how much horses contribute to pollution in the bay. He also noted that while horses may have a localized impact, the bay was in good condition overall. The issue was once again dropped. The Florida Department of Health regularly tests the water on the south side of Palma Sola Causeway for enterococci bacteria and issues no-swim advisories when the bacteria levels are too high. The most recent advisory came Friday and was lifted Thursday morning. The bacteria is a potential indicator of fecal matter, and it can make people sick when ingested. The health department does not indicate the source of the bacteria in its reports. Its unknown whether horses, which swim on the north side of the causeway, are a factor. Other sources of enterococci bacteria include human waste and plant matter. To fill in the information gap, Suncoast Waterkeeper performs weekly enterococci testing on the north side of the causeway, where their reports often show elevated levels of bacteria. Waterkeepers push for horse ride regulation Suncoast Waterkeeper leaders say there is enough evidence of horses contaminating the water for officials to start regulating the industry now. Theres enough evidence to warn people about the risk, and theres enough evidence to create and operate a permitting program to make sure that there are best management practices in place, Tyrna said. The north side of Palma Sola Causeway is among 11 sites the group tests weekly for enterococci bacteria. After samples in April showed high levels of the bacteria, the group sent water and sediment samples from the area for DNA testing by LuminUltra. Both the water and sediment samples had detectable levels of horse DNA but no human DNA. This suggests that the high levels of enterococci we observed on April 8 came from horses, a recent newsletter from Suncoast Waterkeeper said. Tyrna suggested that the horse rides could continue with new limits in place to protect water quality, such as limiting how deep horses are allowed to go and how many are allowed in the water at once. There should be signage to alert people who recreate on that side of the bay to the risk due to the horse operations, Tyrna said. Swimming around horse poop is dangerous. Tyrna also noted that horses are just one source of bacteria in the bay, and she suspects that horses contribute more to the issue during the dry season. She said that Suncoast Waterkeeper will continue to collect water quality data going into the rainy season for a more complete picture. Theres horse DNA, theres human DNA and theres plant material. Wed like to know how much of each is contributing, Tyrna said. Tyrna also commended the horse ride operators who are trying to take good care of the bay and said that some she spoke to are open to being permitted. Theyre trying to be really good stewards of the bay, which is great, Tyrna said. Horse ride owner opposes regulation Riders enjoy a group horseback ride along the shoreline at Palma Sola Bay with C Ponies Beach Horses for an hour. We thought after last year that this was finally settled, said Carmen Hanson, owner of C Ponies Horseback Rides. But theres a handful of people that keep pushing and pushing. Hanson called the concerns about horses smoke and mirrors that distract from other sources of pollution to the bay. Lets focus here on horses and then we dont have to focus on any of the bigger issues, Hanson said. Hanson pointed to reports by horse advocates that claim horse manure is non-toxic and rarely transmits disease. Scientific literature reviewed by the Bradenton Herald supported the claim that transmission of disease by horses is rare but also noted that horse manure can contain a number of pathogens that can make people sick. Bradenton officials seek more information Horse droppings are scooped up by a worker with a net and a basket while riders participate in a group ride at Palma Sola Bay. We have tried to follow reliable science on what the condition of Palma Sola Bay is, especially the north side that seems to be of larger concern, City Administrator Rob Perry told the Bradenton Herald. Perry said the council relies on the latest water quality findings from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program to guide its decisions. SBEP is scheduled to present to the city council again in July. The last report we got is that its been better than its been in a long time and moving in a steady positive direction, Perry said. Were going to wait to see what the latest is, and well listen carefully and assess. Meanwhile, Perry said the citys jurisdiction over the causeway remains murky. Weve done some legal research into that and its a novel situation because you have multiple state and local entities with jurisdiction out there. Were still looking at what options may be, Perry said. The city administrator said hes been impressed by the horse ride operators efforts to keep the water clean. The folks that operate the horse rides have come in and pled their case, and they seem to be pretty good stewards of the coastline, Perry said. Estuary program says more study needed Now that they have a (DNA) hit for horses, it shifts into a different mode of research, said Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko. Alright, so what percentage of bacteria are due to horses? Tomasko said a study on the extent of the horses impact could provide city leaders with better information to decide whether regulation is needed. The horses do damage to the bay, Tomasko said. There is scarring in the seagrass meadows. But so does every boat. So does everyone who brings a jet ski. So do people who leave trash on the beach. So its a matter of, is their proportionate impact so great that we should get rid of them? Tomasko said the estuary program has set money aside in its budget to help Bradenton with such a study, which he previously estimated at a cost of less than $10,000. In the meantime, Tomasko said one precaution he would like to see is warning signs at the beach. Until this works out, it might make sense to put up signs that mark the beach as not appropriate for swimming, Tomasko said. Air conditioning may be folks best friend for the next several days in Kansas City as it will be hot and sweaty as summertime heat has arrived a few days early. Above-normal temperatures are expected this weekend and into early next week. Typically, Kansas City sees temperatures in the mid-80s this time of year. But the National Weather Service said temperatures will be in the 90s for the next several days, with heat index values near 100 degrees. With temperatures reaching 92 degrees on Thursday at Kansas City International Airport, the metro saw its first 90-degree day of the year, the weather service said on X, formerly known as Twitter, along with the hashtag #SummerIsHere. That was 17 days later than the average first 90-degree day, typically on March 27. It was the 31st latest first 90-degree day in Kansas Citys history. While Kansas City hasnt seen the extremes, it has been warmer than usual this year. The average temperature so far this year has been 50.3 degrees, the 11th warmest on record. The warmest was in 2012, when the average temperature through June 13 was 53.7 degrees, according to climate data. Quiet day ahead After overnight storms have gradually cleared the area, a quiet day is expected in the metro with clearing skies and highs around 90 degrees, the weather service said in its forecast discussion. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across central Kansas. Some storms could be strong but are expected to weaken as they push east into the Kansas City forecast area. Any storms that do move in overnight will exit by Saturday morning, the weather service said. Kansas City has a slight chance for rain less than 20%. The daytime should stay mostly dry, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the low 90s. Heat index values will be highest in areas south of Kansas City, where they may exceed 100 degrees. Another chance for rain Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to return Saturday evening and into Sunday morning, but widespread rainfall is not a concern, the weather service said. Kansas Citys chance for rain is 10%. Severe weather is not expected with any of the storms. The weather service said temperatures will climb into the 90s again on Sunday, with heat index values near 100 degrees across the area. Scorching temps continue Heat continues to be a concern heading into the work week with Monday potentially being the hottest day, the weather service said in its forecast discussion. Highs are currently expected to be in the mid and even upper 90s. However, the dew points will remain in the 60s, keeping heat index values soaring. Still, heat index values are expected to be above 100 degrees. In the summertime, when dew points are below 55 degrees, it feels dry and comfortable, according to the weather service. When they are between 55 and 65, it starts to feel sticky with muggy evenings. When dew points rise above 65, theres a lot of moisture in the area and the heat becomes oppressive. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s on Tuesday. In addition to these high daytime temperatures, overnight lows are only expected to fall into the mid- to upper 70s through this time period bringing little relief overnight (especially for the KC Metro), the weather service said. A change in weather is expected for the Juneteenth holiday on Wednesday. Slightly cooler temperatures arrive for the mid-week along with additional rain chances, but this will be short-lived with temperatures quickly returning to the mid-90s to finish out the week, the weather service said. The first day of summer is Thursday. (KLFY) Hot temperatures for both today and tomorrow with high-pressure building overhead. Highs today will reach the mid-90s under mostly sunny skies. The good news is humidity values will remain in the 30-35% range through peak heating of the day, which will keep heat index values from getting too high. The hot weather continues through tomorrow afternoon with highs once again in the 95-97 degree range. Deep tropical moisture arrives by Sunday and continues to stream northwestward across the area through much of next week. This deep moisture, along with upper-level energy overhead, will lead to consecutive days of high (60-80%) rain coverage on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Heavy rainfall could be possible, especially on Monday, when models latch on to a strong upper-level disturbance overhead. Global models show the possibility of 2-5 inches of rainfall for the Sunday through Thursday period. Some flash flooding could be possible as these tropical rains could dump over two inches of rainfall per hour in isolated spots. TROPICS The disturbance, which brought heavy rainfall to Florida, is now pulling away from Florida and moving into the southwestern Atlantic. It remains poorly organized and the NHC is giving it a low chance of development through the next five days. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Weather Forecast Global models are still latching onto a monsoonal low pressure, which will move into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by Monday. Due to its broad nature, it would take a few days to tighten up and consolidate its low pressure. Both the GFS and European model, however, have this occurring once it nears the Mexican coastline by Wednesday/Thursday. A weak tropical storm would be possible at the most and it would pose no threat to Louisiana. LONGER RANGE Some models hint at the possibility of more low pressure developing in about a week across the southwestern Caribbean. This low develops into a new storm, moving into the Gulf in the 8-10 day timeframe. This is long-range, however, and well have to see if models continue to show this through the next few days. 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. Need a hotel for Cal Poly graduation? There are rooms but it could run you up to $3,000 Its that time of year again, San Luis Obispo. As Cal Poly seniors prepare to don their caps and gowns for graduation this weekend, a flood of parents, families, friends and well wishers are expected to flood into the area, filling streets and businesses downtown as they celebrate their students. This year, Cal Poly expects a total of 50,000 guests will attend its six graduation ceremonies, university spokesman Matt Lazier told The Tribune. But where do all those people stay? For the out-of-towners, it means booking rooms at hotels throughout San Luis Obispo County, where prices can skyrocket during the high-demand graduation weekend. Though many have been sold out for months, several hotels did still have rooms available for the weekend but theyll cost you a pretty penny. Throughout San Luis Obispo, posted prices throughout the weekend ranged from about $272 for Saturday night at Motel 6 on Calle Joaquin to just under $3,000 for a three-night stay at Hotel SLO (the downtown hotel requires bookings to be at least three nights during graduation weekend). With fees and taxes, that translates to more than $1,100 per night to stay at the luxury downtown hotel. According to Hotel SLOs director of sales and marketing Lydia Bates, the property has been sold out for this weekend since roughly six weeks after it opened up the dates for reservations in June 2023, though there have been some cancellations, leading to a trio of rooms available for Thursday through Saturday nights. Monterey Street has a large concentration of hotels near Cal Poly, as seen on June 11, 2024. Here the Mission Inn, San Luis Creek Lodge and the San Luis Obispo Inn are all side by side. Meanwhile, closer to Cal Poly, San Luis Creek Lodge employee Logan Peck said the Monterey Street hotel was essentially sold out through Sunday and it was already getting reservation inquiries about next years graduation weekend. He estimated that of the hotels 25 rooms, about 20 were occupied by people in town for graduation. I think grad weekend is a big driver for us, Peck said. According to its website, San Luis Creek Lodge did have one room still available for Friday night for $521. With taxes, the double queen room would come out to $610 for the one night. It did not have any availability for Saturday night. Comparatively, the Michelin Key-ranked hotel did have several rooms open next Friday, ranging in price from $404 pre-tax for a deluxe king room to $476 pre-tax for a premium double queen room with a fireplace. The Apple Farm Inn nearby was also sold out for Saturday, an employee confirmed to The Tribune on Thursday, though it did have a couple rooms available for Friday. According to its website, prices for those rooms range from a pre-tax members rate of $367 for a king specialty room to $499 before taxes and fees for the Mill House Room with a king bed. With taxes and fees applied, those rooms range from about $446 to $595 per night. The Wayfarer SLO in foreground and others in background. In San Luis Obispo, Monterey Street has a large concentration of hotels near Cal Poly, as seen on June 11, 2024. At The Wayfarer SLO, general manager Golda Mae Escalante said the hotel was seeing a slight year-over-year decline in occupancy rates, though she expected the rooms to sell out by the end of the weekend. According to the hotels website, four rooms were available Friday and Saturday nights, with prices ranging from a Hilton Honors Club rate of $545 for a room with a queen bed to a standard $781 for a suite with a king bed. With taxes and fees added, that would cost between $618 and $898 per night. Although weve seen a modest downturn along with other area hotels, the recent surge in short-term and same-day bookings is very promising, Escalante said. We are confident that we will be fully booked from Friday through Sunday. Visitors hoping to catch a break by looking for lodging outside of San Luis Obispo wont find much comfort. A scan of hotels from Pismo Beach to Paso Robles also showed high prices across a range of hotel levels. Want to get under $200? Youll have to head to Santa Maria. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) mistakenly voted no on an amendment offered by Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) but has filed a note to the congressional record saying he intended to vote yes, according to a spokesperson. House Republicans added a host of culture war amendments to the annual defense bill on Thursday, complicating the traditionally bipartisan measures path to final passage later this year. Among the additions to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) approved on Thursday was a measure to block a Biden administration policy to reimburse service members for the travel costs when obtaining an abortion. The amendment, led by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), is a top priority for conservatives and passed 214-207. Reps. John Duarte (R-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) were the lone GOP no votes, while Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was the only Democrat to support the amendment. The House also approved amendments to ban the Pentagon from providing gender-affirming care to transgender people, and to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and positions. Those measures are all but sure to sink Democratic support for the bill when it comes to the House floor on Friday even though it passed by a near-unanimous vote out of committee a dynamic that will force GOP leaders to rely on their slim majority to get the legislation over the finish line. Amendments like this cheapen the National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) said during debate of the Van Duyne abortion services reimbursement amendment. Once again, this majority has chosen not to treat matters of national security with the seriousness with which they deserve to be treated, and they are choosing to use that National Defense Authorization Act to shove their extremist culture war agenda down the throats of the American people. Van Duyne, though, said that her amendment is about going back to longtime policy with the same principles as the Hyde amendment, a repeatedly approved policy rider that prohibits federal funds from being spent on abortion. I would ask my kind colleagues to tell me, please, how supporting and paying out of [Department of Defense] funds for a woman to travel across the country to get an abortion has anything to do with protecting our national security, Van Duyne said. House Republicans can only afford to lose two of their own on any party-line measures if all lawmakers are present, leaving leaders with little room for error when the NDAA hits the floor for a final vote. Even if the Houses NDAA clears the chamber on Friday, it is not expected to move in the Democratic-controlled Senate where there is no appetite for the culture war amendments added Thursday setting the stage for a House vs. Senate showdown. The Senate Armed Services Committee is still working on its version of the NDAA, and text is not expected to be released until July, a spokesperson for the panel told The Hill on Thursday. One of the amendments added to the NDAA on Thursday seeks to remove the position of chief diversity officer at the Pentagon and prevent any similar job from being established. The chamber approved the measure, introduced by Rep. Brian Higgins (R-N.Y.), in a 214-210 vote. Fitzpatrick and Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Thomas Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio) joined all Democrats in voting no. Another amendment, led by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), called for eliminating any offices of diversity, equity and inclusion within the armed forces and Pentagon, and removing officials who work in those offices. The measure cleared the chamber 211-208 after lawmakers had to revote on the amendment. The first vote on the Norman amendment ended in a 212-212 tie, which in the House is a loss. The clerks office, however, determined that the votes of delegates were decisive in the final vote, prompting the chamber to hold a second vote on the measure, which passed. Fitzpatrick, Chavez-DeRemer, Turner and Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) sided with all Democrats in opposing the measure. Republicans also targeted transgender medical care through amendments. One measure led by Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) called for prohibiting TRICARE the health care program for active duty service members from covering gender transition surgeries and gender hormone treatments for individuals who identify as transgender. The amendment cleared the chamber in a 213-206 vote. One Democrat, Cuellar, voted yes. One Republican, Rep. Tony Gonzales (Texas), mistakenly voted no, but has filed a note to the congressional record saying he intended to vote yes, according to a spokesperson. The NDAAs path thus far is mirroring the process last year, when House Republicans approved their version of the legislation that included a number of culture war amendments, only to have them be stripped out in the compromise measure crafted by top lawmakers in both chambers. The final product passed the House in a bipartisan 310-118 vote. A few controversial amendments, however, did squeak through, including measures to restrict critical race theory at military academies and ban unauthorized flags on military bases, having the effect of prohibiting the flying of LGBTQ flags. Some culture war amendments were also added to this years House NDAA ahead of Thursday evenings votes. On Wednesday, lawmakers voted in favor of an amendment sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) that bans any funds in the legislation from being used to implement a slew of President Bidens climate change executive orders. It passed in a 215-210 vote, with one Democrat Rep. Mary Peltola (Alaska) voting yes, and two Republicans, Fitzpatrick and Chavez-DeRemer, opposing the measure. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) used an eye-catching visual aide to protest an amendment to ban funds from being spent on drag shows and drag queen story hours: A poster showing former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in drag, next to former President Trump. We know inclusion in our military is good for our country. We want to welcome anyone who wants to serve. I would invite my Republican colleagues to join me at a drag show in the future. Youll see that drag is not a threat to anyone, Garcia said. That amendment was approved by a voice vote. Democrats are already going after Republicans especially those in tough reelection races for supporting culture war amendments in the defense legislation, especially Van Duynes abortion measure. If its a day that ends in Y, House Republicans will vote for national abortion restrictions, Viet Shelton, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement. They are more interested in attacking the reproductive freedoms of our countrys service members than ensuring our troops have the support they need, and voters wont forget how wrong these attacks are when they head to the polls in November. Updated at 7:10 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. The House on Friday approved its version of the annual defense policy bill that includes a number of controversial culture war amendments, setting the stage for a showdown with the Democratic-controlled Senate over legislation that typically enjoys bipartisan support. The chamber cleared the $883.7 billion measure known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a largely party-line 217-199 vote. Six Democrats voted in favor of the measure, while three Republicans opposed it. The House edition of the legislation is all but certain to languish in the Senate where Democrats, who hold the majority, abhor many of the amendments Republicans added, including those pertaining to abortion, transgender rights, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Senate Armed Services Committee this week held a markup for its version of the NDAA, the text of which is not expected to be released until July, a spokesperson for the panel told The Hill. Leaders in both chambers will then craft a compromise version of the legislation, which has been voted on and signed into law every year for the past six decades. Top Republicans, nonetheless, touted their bill as a strong measure that will back U.S. troops, empower the National Guard to crack down on the southern border, and provide American forces with innovative technologies. This years NDAA will refocus our military on its core mission of defending America and its interests across the globe, fund the deployment of the National Guard to the southwest border, expedite innovation and reduce the acquisition timeline for new weaponry, support our allies, and strengthen our nuclear posture and missile defense programs, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a statement after the legislation cleared the chamber. At the top of the list of culture war amendments added to the Houses NDAA was a provision spearheaded by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) that seeks to block a Biden administration policy that reimburses service members for the travel costs incurred when receiving an abortion. It zeroes in on the same Pentagon policy that Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) targeted through his months-long blockade on military promotions last year. The House approved Van Duynes amendment in a 214-207 vote. Two Republicans Reps. John Duarte (Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) opposed the measure, while one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas), supported it. Republicans also went after LGBTQ medical treatment and diversity efforts in the military, including an amendment from Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) to block funding to cover gender transition medical procedures for transgender service members. That amendment cleared the chamber in a 213-206 vote. A handful of other proposals slash DEI programs, including an amendment from Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) to place Pentagon jobs related to DEI on a permanent hiring freeze. The House adopted the measure in a 216-206 vote. Ahead of Thursdays votes, Democrats warned GOP leaders against loading the bill with so-called poison pills Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), a Navy veteran, argued that the conservative amendments cheapen the defense bill. They are choosing to use that National Defense Authorization Act to shove their extremist culture war agenda down the throats of the American people, Sherrill said. The partisan bickering broke out over the NDAA after the House Armed Service Committee advanced the annual defense policy bill in a bipartisan 57-1 vote last month. That bipartisan flair, however, ended after the House Rules Committee teed up votes on a series of culture war amendments, and lawmakers cleared some of them. Only six Democrats Reps. Don Davis (N.C.), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Mary Sattler Peltola (Alaska), and Cuellar voted yes on final passage. Three Republicans, meanwhile, opposed the legislation: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), and Rosendale. The GOP strategy of embracing culture war issues in the NDAA is not new. Then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) did the same last year, relying on a united GOP as almost all Democrats opposed the bill after Republicans loaded it with similar amendments attacking Pentagon policies on abortion access, medical care for transgender service members, and DEI initiatives. The legislation was eventually ironed out with the Senate, with the upper chamber making concessions in order to boot out the abortion policy provisions. A handful of culture war amendments did, however, make it into the final version, including measures to limit critical race theory an academic framework evaluating U.S. history through the lens of racism that has become a political catch-all buzzword for any race-related teaching at military academies and prohibit unauthorized flags on military bases, which would ban the flying of LGBTQ pride flags. Similar to last year, Republican leaders this time around had little room for error when it came to the final vote on the NDAA. Republicans have a razor-thin majority in the House, allowing them to lose just two GOP votes on any party-line measures, assuming all lawmakers are present. The House-passed NDAA abides by the spending caps laid out in last years debt limit agreement, imposing a 1 percent increase over the fiscal 2024 defense policy bill. The legislation, however, reshuffles billions of dollars proposed by the Pentagon, increasing funds for submarines, paring down money for fighter jets and delaying the retirement of dozens of aircraft. The bill also has a provision that would rehire service members kicked out for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the House NDAA contains widely supported quality of life initiatives for service members, such as a roughly 20 percent pay boost for junior enlisted members and increases to housing allowances. Such measures, aimed at helping younger military families, keeping troops in the services longer and attracting potential recruits, mean almost all service members will make more than $30,000 annually in base pay. Thats in addition to a 4.5 percent pay raise for all service members next year, as included in the bill. Another noteworthy measure reserves the right of state governors to approve the transfer of their Air National Guard units to the Space Force, notable as the Biden administration is seeking to move such service members into the relatively new military branch. But the request has been opposed by all 50 state governors and numerous House and Senate lawmakers. Updated at 12:42 p.m. EDT. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The House GOP plans to vote to rename the entire coastline surrounding the United States to the Donald John Trump Exclusive Economic Zone. Republicans in the House, already doing the Trump campaigns bidding by using the force of the chamber to attack the Biden administration, are working on a new way to idolize the former president, who visited Capitol Hill for the first time since the January 6th attack this Thursday. Rep. Greg Steube, who represents Florida voters miles away from Donald Trumps Palm Beach home, plans to introduce his bill to re-name the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone on official documents, maps, and laws, to honor Trump on Friday, his 78th birthday. The move comes as critics draw comparisons between Trump and other cults of personality. Though the connection between Trump and the nations coastline isnt immediately obvious, he seemingly demonstrated how much thought he puts into our ocean at a Sunday rally in the famously land-locked Las Vegas, when he broke into a multiple-minute manic monologue, musing on shark attacks and sinking batteries. Steube, who once used a hearing on mass shootings as an opportunity to share his gun collection, took to X to explain his bill. President Trump took several commendable actions for our oceans, he wrote. Renaming our waters will serve as a reminder of his many contributions to our nation for generations to come. The bill comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson seeks to align himself more closely with the former president after far-right representatives attempted to oust him last month. Earlier on Thursday, Johnson bragged at a press conference about Trumps alleged approval of his job handling, telling reporters that Trump said I'm doing a very good job. Simultaneously, Trump has reportedly sought the House GOP leaders help to remedy his legal woes, asking him to help overturn his 34-count criminal conviction in New York for falsifying business records to hide hush money payments. Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said Friday he is in conversations with the state Attorney Generals office to seek the removal of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy for dereliction of his office. Mulroy recently started a new diversion program in which felons caught with guns in Shelby County who do not have a history of violent offenses and are facing nonviolent gun possession charges would face less severe punishments, focusing on rehabilitation instead of incarceration, in an effort to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system. "Most people understand treating violent offenders (different) from non-violent offenders is something we need to be doing at a time when we need to be focusing on violent crime," Mulroy said during a news conference Tuesday. Mulroy's announcement prompted public concern and ire from state Republican officials including Sexton, R-Crossville, who called the DA soft on criminals and accused him of kowtowing to criminals once again. Everything Ive said about @SteveMulroy901 is true! Hes soft on criminals - he makes Memphis unsafe! He pushes a dangerous ideology & agenda. He wants gun control on law abiding citizens - but is good with felons possessing firearms. DA Mulroy kowtowing to criminals once again! https://t.co/A1bZ4XiYDR Speaker Cameron Sexton (@CSexton25) June 11, 2024 But Sexton is going beyond a war of words. In an interview with the USA TODAY Network - Tennessee, he said that he is in conversations with Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to consider seeking Mulroy's removal. He can't just arbitrarily say, 'I'm not going to prosecute anybody for that.' He cannot do that, Sexton told The Tennessean. So we're investigating it, and we're going to talk to the AG to see if that rises to the level of him being removed. State law changed in 2021, empowering the state attorney general to ask the Tennessee Supreme Court to replace local district attorneys if they peremptorily and categorically refuse to prosecute charges under certain criminal offenses regardless of the facts. To remove a district attorney from office, they must be impeached or defeated in an election. He's not fulfilling the duties of his office. I mean, he's not prosecuting violent criminals, Sexton said in the interview. House Speaker Cameron Sexton walks down the steps before agriculture day at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 19, 2024. His lack of holding felons accountable for owning a firearm which they cannot do is a dereliction of his office. He cannot do that, Sexton said. Basically, what he's admitting is he's not going to prosecute anybody. Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, also condemned Mulroys planned diversion program as a misguided attempt to appease Restorative Justice schemers. In a city plagued by gun violence, the thought that our DA will not aggressively prosecute felons in possession of a firearm is not only nonsensical, but it is dangerous, Taylor said. I used to think our District Attorneys professorial views were simply misguided, unrealistic ideas that should only belong in a law school classroom, but now Im beginning to wonder if his intentions arent more sinister. 'We're going after people' Mulroy, in an interview with The Commercial Appeal Friday afternoon, called Sexton's description of the diversion program "a fundamental misunderstanding." "I am not categorically declining to prosecute anything," Mulroy said. "We are still prosecuting all kinds of gun offenses. We're going after people who have guns in connection with a drug offense. We're going after people who possess Glock switches seeking higher penalties. Even with respect to felons in possession of a gun, we're still prosecuting all of these cases. "All we're saying is that on a case-by-case basis, we can consider still prosecute but be open to an alternative to prison time for people who don't have a significant criminal history, don't have a violent criminal history and seem reformable." Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy speaks to the press during a press conference at the Shelby County District Attorneys Office in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Mulroy added that the program will allow his office to free up prosecutors to focus on "people who actually use the guns and are a public safety threat." The program, he said, will be so selective that even people slightly suspected to have been involved in a violent crime, or gang activity, would not be allowed in. In a "concrete example" of a case that would fall into this diversion program, which Mulroy said would be better described as a "supervised gun offender program," the Shelby County DA pointed to a man who was arrested and charged with felon in possession of a firearm. That man's felony conviction was a nonviolent marijuana conviction from about 15 years ago. "There's no indication that they have been involved in criminal activity," Mulroy said. "What do you do with that person? Well, yes, you could try to send them to prison. But is that really going to make it less likely that they go back and commit another crime or would it be better to try some sort of rehabilitation, rehabilitative intervention?" 'An arms race': Memphis officials want stricter sentencing for Glock switches More: What's next in the push for Memphis crime lab? Here's where things stand Mulroy said he spoke with Taylor over the phone Friday morning about Sexton's request of the attorney general, but said he had not heard from Sexton nor Skrmetti. "It was very respectful and friendly," Mulroy said of the call with Taylor. "Sen. Taylor and I consider each other friends, I think. I'm not saying he agreed with me. I don't want to misquote him, but it was a respectful conversation you know, a frank exchange of views." What led to this? Sexton requesting the AG look into removing Mulroy from office comes about eight months after the Tennessee Lookout reported that the Tennessee House Speaker was pondering his removal. At the time, Mulroy said he was confident he would be able to speak with Sexton, but said Friday that meeting was never able to take place and he wasn't sure if a meeting would take place now. "I'll be happy to try it again. As a general matter, whether we're talking about Sen. Taylor or Speaker Sexton or anybody else that does public criticism, it would really be helpful if they would reach out to me or my office first," Mulroy said. "A lot of times, when you actually hear the details of what we're doing and what we're not doing, it may not completely change their minds, but I think it will somewhat temper the tone of that criticism." Sen. Brent Taylor, R- Memphis, defends HB 1931, Sen.Charlane Oliver, D- Nashville, during a Senate session at the Tennessee state Capitol in Nashville , Tenn., Thursday, March 14, 2024. In June, Taylor sent a letter to Skrmetti requesting that the AG answer whether an agreement between the Shelby County DA's office and the U.S. Department of Justice to not prosecute aggravated prostitution is a legal agreement between the DOJ and state of Tennessee. Mulroy, a Democrat, was elected in 2022. Since his election, Mulroy's office has overseen high-profile prosecutions including that of the man alleged of kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher, a man who is charged with a number of felonies in connection to a spree shooting and the five now-former Memphis police officers charged with Tyre Nichols' death. Mulroy also started a Justice Review Unit, a subsection of the DA's office that reviews potential wrongful convictions and is a large part of the decision-making process in evaluating potential prosecution for police shootings. The Shelby County DA is also a party in litigation against the AG's office over a state law that allows the AG to handle collateral review death penalty cases, which have traditionally been the purview of locally elected district attorneys. That case is currently being reviewed by the Tennessee Criminal Court of Appeals after a Shelby County Criminal Court judge ruled the law unconstitutional. You've seen Memphis turn into, unfortunately, a gangland, and it's happening every single day, and I put the blame on him, Sexton said. Though seeing a rise in crime in 2023, including record homicides, the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission reported that crime began trending downward in the last quarter of the year. That downward trend, the crime commission later said, has continued into 2024. Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton speaks at an event to discuss solutions to youth violence at the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid South in Cordova, Tenn., on Thursday, June 6, 2024. "I hope that trend continues. Obviously, we can't bank on it because things fluctuate. I'd also say that it's coming down from an unacceptably high rate, so we can't rest on our laurels. We have to continue to work hard on pushing down that crime rate, particularly the violent crime rate," Mulroy said. "But I think the alarmists who said that any notion of reform is going to make things 10 times worse I don't think our experience bears that out." Sexton does not anticipate a special session on the matter, so any potential removal would not happen until January. Its going to take some conversations, and well have to wait till we get back in January, Sexton said. His policies are trying to turn Memphis, unfortunately, into Washington, Oregon and California which actually have changed how they do their policies now because of how much crime they've had. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com. Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee House Speaker seeks removal of Shelby Co. district attorney House on West Main Street in Lucas declared total loss following Friday morning fire LUCAS The house at 174 W. Main St. in Lucas was declared a total loss following a fire Friday morning. Monroe Township-Lucas fire Capt. Brad Fisher said four people were displaced by the fire, which was reported at 10:12 a.m. A cause has not been determined. Firefighters from five departments battled a house fire Friday morning that left the house at 174 W. Main St. in Lucas a total loss. Mutual aid was provided by the Mansfield Fire Department, Perrysville Volunteer Fire Department, Washington Township, Madison Township Fire Department and EM, and Mifflin Township (Richland County). The American Red Cross assisted on scene with drinks and food, along with 1-800 Board-Up. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Lucas home a total loss after Friday morning fire; 4 people displaced Houthi militants who enjoy the support from Iran have hit a Ukrainian-Polish vessel in the Gulf of Aden, injuring a man. Source: European Pravda, citing US Central Commands report Details: The report indicates that a vessel owned by a Ukrainian company, operated by a Polish company and sailing under the flag of Palau, was damaged. The ship was hit twice. Quote: "Today the Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier. M/V Verbena reported damage and subsequent fires on board. The crew continues to fight the fire. One civilian mariner was severely injured during the attack," the 13 June report reads. Reportedly, the vessel had previously been in Malaysia and is now en route to Italy with a cargo of wood construction material. In a subsequent report, US Central Command stated that the M/V Verbena came under fire for the second time. The attack was carried out with an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. US Central Command condemned the actions of the Houthis, emphasising that while they claim their behaviour is in defence of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, they are attacking citizens of countries that have no involvement in this conflict. US Central Command also reported that over the past 24 hours, their forces targeted a Houthi air defence radar, destroyed a maritime drone and two Houthi patrol boats at sea, and shot down a drone launched over the Red Sea. Background: Earlier this week, a ship from Greece was affected in the region. At the end of May, the Houthis attacked a Greek bulk carrier with missiles, and before that, they hit a Greek oil tanker with an anti-ship missile. The US and allies began patrolling the region to protect merchant vessels by the end of 2023, after attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants began posing a threat to this trade route. Since January, a special European Union naval mission has also been operating in the region. Support UP or become our patron! More than 250 former juvenile detainees have filed lawsuits against New York City including 100 people just this week alleging sexual abuse as children by staff and other detainees at four past and present detention centers. The allegations, which span from the 1970s to 2022, were made against guards, counselors and others who were supposed to watch out for young people in their custody. Instead, the plaintiffs say staff bribed and groomed them. Special privileges and contraband such as cigarettes, drugs and alcohol were exchanged for sexual favors, according to the complaints. Most of the former detainees were younger than 16 during the alleged abuse at the two current juvenile facilities Crossroads and Horizon Rikers Island and the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, their lawyer said at a press conference Thursday at Brooklyn Borough Hall to announce the lawsuits. Many of our clients were detained for minor infractions, said Jerome Block, a partner at Levy Konigsberg LLP, a law firm that specializes in childhood sexual abuse and exploitation cases. Sometimes, these juvenile charges were even later dismissed. Some were in these juvenile facilities for a matter of weeks or months, and they were sexually abused during that short time period. Nijere Stewart, 14, was locked up for less than half of a year in 2018 at Crossroads in Brooklyn. He was detained for a nearby gun on criminal charges that were later thrown out, his lawyer said, but not before he faced sexual abuse. I went from an innocent kid with straight As, loved to play with my brothers, walk stilts in Crown Heights, Stewart said, to traumatized and ashamed as a teenager because of the nightmare I had to go to live every night from adults who were supposed to protect me. When he first arrived at the juvenile center, Stewart alleges a male staff member would grab his buttocks when he passed him in the hallway, according to his complaint. From there, the allegations intensified. The staffer fondled his genitals, sometimes under his clothes, about three times per week, according to court documents, and he was forced to perform oral sex and raped in two separate incidents. Stewart reported the staff member to a counselor and his mother, who reported it to Crossroads, but the abuse continued after coming forward, the complaint said. Just a few years earlier, Clyde Wiggins was detained at the same jail for over a year, after his advocate said the then-16-year-old was in a car with adults who robbed a grocery store and took the blame for it as a minor. More than half-way through his time, Crossroads hired a female tutor who during sessions in the dorm area performed oral sex on him, according to a separate complaint. Wiggins was bribed with alcohol and food from outside Crossroads, the filings read, but later reported the staff member and was transferred to Horizon. Since getting out almost two decades ago, hes tried to get back into music, which he said was his passion before he was detained. But it hasnt been easy. Afterward, when I came home and stuff like all that, that passion was gone, Wiggins said. Im trying to find it back as an adult through my kid, but you know, its hard to. The hundreds of lawsuits, which have all been brought since April, were filed under a city gender-based violence law that in 2022 lifted the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits for a two-year, look-back window. The temporary measure was lauded by advocates, who said it can take time for young people to come forward. The trauma of sexual abuse especially abuse that occurs at such a young age takes years to process before many are able to begin to even think about coming forward and reporting, said Emily Miles, director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. For those who face the compound trauma of abuse while incarcerated, the process of recording can take even longer. Rikers no longer detains young teens after the state enacted a law known as Raise the Age, and Spofford, later renamed Bridges, permanently closed in 2011. Crossroads and Horizon detain an average of 260 young people each day, a 31% increase since last year, the Daily News previously reported. Horizon is currently expanding with a new annex that will include dozens of new beds. A spokesman for the Administration for Childrens Services, which now oversees the juvenile detention centers, said it is in compliance with federal law to deter the sexual assault of prisoners, and updated its sexual misconduct policies and practices earlier this year. There is a compliance manager with the law at each facility, and other staff have to conduct at least one unannounced inspection during each shift, according to the agency. All uniformed staff who work with detainees have to complete an initial sexual misconduct training and biannual refreshers. Those found to break policy may be referred to law enforcement. ACS has a zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual abuse and sexual harassment of youth in detention, and we are committed to the prevention and elimination of sexual abuse and harassment, the statement read. We will review all filed lawsuits. Hungary's PM considers it mistake that "31 out of 32 NATO countries want to defeat Russia" Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, believes that the desire of NATO states to see Russias defeat in Ukraine is wrong. Source: Orban in an interview with the Hungarian state radio; Telex, Hungarian news portal; European Pravda Details: Orban noted that Hungary is one of the most loyal NATO members and added that "31 out of 32 NATO member states want to defeat the Russians", referring to all other members of the Alliance besides his own country. "Hungarys position is that we consider this a mistake. Even if it means that we stand alone opposed to the other 32 states," he said. Orban said that Ukraines victory is "not necessary" yet NATO still "contributes to the war while Hungary contributes to peace". He claimed he did not want "at least one square inch of Hungary to become a Russian military target". Orban added that he felt like Hungary was being imposed the position, according to which "peace can be achieved through war". Orban stressed that his government would not hinder the NATO mission in Ukraine but would not participate in it, either. Background: At the meeting between NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban on 12 June, the agreement on the interaction format regarding the non-blocking NATOs decisions on Ukraine by Budapest was reached. After the meeting, Stoltenberg expressed hope that the plan, under which NATO would lead the coordination of military aid and training in Ukraine, would be adopted at the meeting of defence ministers of NATO member states this week. Support UP or become our patron! The jury in Hunter Biden's trial on criminal gun charges finds him guilty on all three counts, in Wilmington The jury in Hunter Biden's trial on criminal gun charges finds him guilty on all three counts, in Wilmington By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, agreed to drop a lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani's former lawyer Robert Costello in which he accused the pair of violating his privacy over data allegedly taken from his laptop, court records showed on Thursday. Hunter Biden had accused Giuliani, who has served as a personal lawyer for former President Donald Trump, and Costello of being responsible for the "total annihilation" of his digital privacy in the lawsuit filed in September last year. Attorneys for all three parties filed an agreement on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that stipulated that Hunter Biden agreed to drop the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke must review the agreement before it is finalized, according to NBC News, which first reported the agreement. Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury on Tuesday of lying about his illegal drug use to buy a gun, making him the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. Giuliani, a former New York mayor, filed for bankruptcy late last year after he was ordered to pay $148 million to two former Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud following Trump's 2020 presidential election loss. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington) Hunter Bidens attorneys moved to dismiss a lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani and his former lawyer Thursday, dropping claims that the pair invaded the presidents sons privacy by distributing private information found on a laptop. Biden had accused Giuliani and Robert Costello of being primarily responsible for the total annihilation of his digital privacy. The suit sought $75,000 in damages. Attorneys for all three parties signed the dismissal, which stipulates that each must pay their own legal fees. It must be approved by a judge before being finalized. Giuliani spokesperson Ted Goodman said the dismissal is a victory for the former New York City mayor, saying Bidens claims have now been withdrawn and proven to be entirely false. This should serve as a reminder to people that despite the unrelenting attacks by partisan Democrats and their allies in the permanent Washington political class Mayor Rudy Giulianis integrity and commitment to the truth is unwavering, he said in a statement. The dismissal comes the same week Biden was convicted of three felony counts related to illegally purchasing a firearm. He could face up to 25 years in prison for the charges, though a sentence that long is unlikely for a first-time offender. It also comes as Giuliani continues with bankruptcy proceedings, faced with mounting legal bills related to a defamation case from a pair of Georgia election workers and criminal charges that he attempted to prevent the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election. The laptop at the center of the suit contained some of Bidens personal information, which was seized on by Republicans as a campaign issue after it was disseminated to the public. A computer repair shop owner said Biden dropped the laptop off at his store in April 2019 and never returned to pick it up. The owner later admitted in his 2022 book to reviewing private and sensitive material from the laptop before contacting Republicans to review and share the material. Updated at 1:57 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. Episode three! In the wake of Hunter Bidens conviction, Ben and Nayeema revisit the medias history of covering the Presidents son and the October surprise of his infamous laptop. Then they turn to the challenge of covering foreign wars, including Gaza, and talk with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, about her critique that the media is ignoring the crisis in Sudan. Max joins to share a couple blindspots: The politicized rise of drinking raw milk, and the state of Trumps private jet. Drop us a line if youve got a tip: mixedsignals@semafor.com Find us on X: @semaforben, @nayeema @maxwelltani or on Instagram @nayeemaraza Sign up for Semafor Medias Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media Mixed Signals from Semafor Media is presented by Think with Google Subscribe to Mixed Signals Listen and subscribe to or follow Mixed Signals on your favorite podcast platform: Full episode transcript Nayeema Raza: Wouldnt you rather a journalist be taking plates from the presidents plane as opposed to being in the pocket of the president? Ben Smith: Its interesting about to think whether stealing or taking a bribe, is preferable. Its for another episode. Nayeema: I would say the ethics are slightly better for stealing, but dont do that. Dont do either. Ben: We do not do that. Im Ben Smith. Nayeema: Im Nayeema Raza. Ben: This is Mixed Signals, from Semafor Media. Nayeema: Today, were going to talk about whats going on with Hunter Biden and his now infamous laptop. Well peel back the tangled web of conspiracy theory, and actual crimes that surround the presidents son, and ask how the media screwed this one up. Were also going to talk about media coverage of Gaza, something that could merit its own episode, or its own podcast series. But here, were going to focus on a conversation with a member of Joe Bidens cabinet, who has a bone to pick with foreign coverage writ large, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. And finally, well end on Blind Spots, the stories youre not seeing in your media bubble, with Max Tani. [MUSIC] Nayeema: Hi, Ben. Ben: Hi, Nayeema. Nayeema: Its so strange not to do this in a room with you today. Ben: Yeah, Im down here in Washington, hiring people. Nayeema: Oh. Ben: And youre in New York? Nayeema: Im in New York. Its Tribeca, and New York is on fire right now, by the way. Ben: In a good way? Nayeema: Yeah, it feels- Ben: Have you gotten us interviews with any of your fancy Hollywood friends lately? Nayeema: No, Ive never had any fancy friends, but I have been just enjoying New York right now. Its a perfect Spring, and next time we do this, were going to be together in Cannes. Ben: Very exciting. Nayeema: The South of France, very exciting. Ben: Working hard. Its not movie Cannes, its money Cannes- Nayeema:I know- Ben: ... it is the Festival. Nayeema: ... this is a sad Cannes. Thats why Im getting my Tribeca fix in now. Ben: Youre such a snob. The advertising industry pays the bills, very important, I know we disagree on this. Nayeema: We dont disagree that it pays the bills. We just disagree on whats the better Cannes to go to. Ben: Youre actually not allowed to complain about going to the South of France. Nayeema: Thats true. Well, yes. I mean youre just excited- Ben: You are complaining, but let me just Nayeema: I am complaining about it, youre just excited because you dont have to take Amtrak there. Thats what youre excited about. Actually say that this whole episode, I mean Hunter Biden was once, wasnt he on the board of Amtrak at some point? Is that why we picked this story, Ben? Ben: That is why were targeting him. My hidden hand is everywhere on this one. Nayeema: Well, with no further ado, lets get into our first story. This is a bizarre presidential election. Just weeks ago we were talking about Donald Trumps conviction in a Manhattan courthouse, and now were talking about President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Bidens conviction. On felony federal gun charges. And these actual crimes have prompted the latest conspiracy theory about Hunter Biden. Heres how Foxs favorite funny man, Greg Gutfeld, put it on the show, The Five. Greg Gutfeld: My sense is that Hunters going to jail, so Joe doesnt have to. And when he comes out, hell be rewarded for his loyalty like a made man in a Biden crime family. Nayeema: Made man in a Biden crime family? This is the latest in a series of conspiracy theories that starts to take hold in July of 2019. It was, youll recall the subject of Trumps perfect phone call with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. Where Trump seemed to be linking resumption of aid, to an investigation into Biden family activities, at the time. Hunter Biden had in the mid-two 2010s, been a consultant and pretty well-paid, $50,000 a month consultant to Burisma- Ben: Thats a good deal. Nayeema: ... Ukrainian natural gas company. But it really came to a head, these conspiracies, in the weeks ahead of the 2020 election, in October of 2020, when the New York Post ran a story about Hunter Bidens laptop. And theres a number of theories and conspiracy theories- Ben: Real conspiracies. Nayeema: ... all swirled around. In what was an October surprise. And Ben, explain what an October surprise is? Ben: Well, we have elections here in the U.S. in November. And October is the time, particularly when youre losing, to drop some crazy bombshell of a story, which may or may not be true and you can figure that out in December. Or which may be true, but not as big a deal as you claim. But its essentially an attempt to use the media to change the trajectory of the campaign. Nayeema: Yeah, theres bombshells, and sometimes its really relevant, and sometimes its an attempt to play the media. Ben: And sometimes its a true conspiracy, and sometimes its a fake conspiracy, and sometimes it often, theres some of both. Nayeema: Yes. And in this case it seems like there are some of both. And so actually lets run through the conspiracy theories as they exist around Hunter Biden. Because it gets very convoluted very fast, but here are a few of them. First a baseless theory that then Vice President Joe Bidens Ukraine policy, which was a kind of anti-corruption policy, was just a front for his son to profiteer. This is something that is not true, does not seem to be true despite much congressional investigation. Theres then a theory that Hunter Biden was trading on his access, which does seem to be true. Because its questionable, otherwise why he would be on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company, I would say. And then theres a theory put forward by dozens of former U.S. officials around the time of that October surprise. Saying that the laptop had all the signs of being a Russian disinformation campaign, a plant. And this has not been borne out, this is false. Ben: Yeah. Nayeema: And then theres some media specific theories that were going to talk about. Theres three of them actually. Theres a theory that social media companies like Twitter and Facebook, were running interference for Joe Biden. Theres a theory that mainstream media was trying to cover for Joe Biden. And theres a theory that Murdoch Media was in cahoots with then President Donald Trump, and his affiliates. And tried to tank Joe Biden just ahead of the 2020 elections. Ben: And guess what? Actually, its more complicated, dont worry. And ultimately this is going to be a story where nobody looks good, I think. This isnt something, as you said at the top, the media screwed this up. But also as is often true, a lot of the theories about why and how, arent true either. And to understand what happened in October of 2020, you have to go back to two other conspiracy theories from the previous election. One a real conspiracy, and one a fake conspiracy. And the real one is, that the Russian government seems to have hacked the DNC, and then leaked via WikiLeaks, a drip-drip of embarrassing, but real, emails. Sent by Democrats, around Hillary Clinton, to the media, to interfere with the 2016 election. As a result of that real intelligence operation, the media and social platforms were really, really on guard for the possibility that the Russian intelligence would do this again. Start dropping information real, fake into the media ecosystem. But everybodys thinking about that, everybodys on guard, when this laptop appears in the weirdest way possible. Then the other overhang people sometimes call Russiagate, which was a basically false set of claims about Donald Trump, being an explicit agent of the Russian government. Some of which were contained in the Steele dossier, a whole other story here. But which Republicans not wrongly, are infuriated about, and see as a conspiracy against Donald Trump. But this story begins, this story, as all good stories do... In a humble Wilmington Delaware tech repair shop, where Hunter Biden needs to get his silver Apple MacBook Pro fixed. And so he walks into this random place, and leaves it with a legally blind repairman with four first names, John Paul Mac Isaac. And then never bothers picking it up. Nayeema: And then somehow it makes its way to Rudy Giuliani. Rudy Giuliani then hands over certain information from the laptop to the New York Post. Reporters at the New York Post, evaluate the contents, and then they run the headline in October, of 2020. Smoking gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad. Ben: And that was one of the many emails, there were other New York Post stories about the drug use. There were Post stories, theres actually a very kind of moving Post story about his fathers pain, and his addiction. Nayeema: There was sex tape, I think, at some point? Ben: There were sex tapes, but the story that you highlight, thats the big question that comes out of the whole story. Which is, is this something were used to in Washington, just some presidential family members getting rich on the side? Or is this corruption in the White House? And which of those two things it is, is pretty important. Nayeema: So actually, I want to take a minute here. Because this story was supposed to run, it seemed, in the Journal. And this was a subject of your reporting, Ben, in October of 2020? Ben: Yeah, there were competing efforts to get this into public and basically Steve Bannon is running a very careful effort to get some version of this into a trusted establishment source, the Wall Street Journal. From which it will become an explosive, undeniable October surprise. Rudy Giuliani, who just kind of plays by his own rules, infuriates Bannon. And this real, I dont know if its a conspiracy, but real organized effort to get the story into the Journal. By just barging into the conversation, giving it to the Post, which then overwrites it a bit, basically. Makes a mixture of claims that are true, that are not true. A lot of the rest of the media doesnt want to touch it, feels like its kind of contaminated by the process. Even though its these revelatory emails about the presidents son and then- Nayeema: Well, and the letter from intelligence officials doesnt help that, right? The specter of this being a Russian hack, doesnt help that at the time? Ben: Absolutely. And the social platforms in particular, Twitter and Facebook? Have been warned by the FBI among other things, that there might be some crazy Russian disinformation coming, and this story is so crazy. That I think in good faith, I think, and Mark Zuckerberg has talked about this and just said, We screwed this up, but wed been warned a million times by the FBI, to look out for weird stuff like this. And so they refuse to link to it. The only effect by the way, of them refusing to link to it, is that even more people are talking about it. Nayeema: And there have been congressional investigations into, and hearings about this, as recently as I think early 2023, when it was claimed that there was this widespread conspiracy between executives. That say Twitter and the government, or Joe Biden campaign, to suppress this information. When in fact, Twitter quickly apologized within 24 hours of suppressing the New York Post links, and made those decisions independently. Theres no evidence that they were in cahoots, that there is evidence that they overreached in their own policy. Ben: And I think its reasonable for conservatives to ask why everybody was being so careful about Joe Biden, in a moment when the wildest allegations against Donald Trump were getting a hearing. Nayeema: The Wall Street Journal loses its scoop, but also seems to get frustrated by Donald Trumps suggestion that the Journal is going to run this story. And feeling that theyre being played by the then president, so they put together a much more vanilla story about this laptop. Which probably infuriates Steve Bannon, and it also harks back to this 2018 quote, that Steve Bannon gave to Michael Lewis. The Democrats dont matter, and then quote, The real opposition is the media, and the way to deal with them is to flood the zone with shit. So was this an attempt to flood the zone with shit? Ben: And its a story thats just occurring to me now, even just thinking about it, in which everyone is so concerned about the way theyre being used. And the possibility that we could be being used, and the social platforms are afraid the Russians are using them. And then Donald Trump goes out and says, You got a big story coming, and the Journal says, Wait a second, were not here to work for you, and carry your water. And so they dont like being used, and its that way in which you can, as a journalist, and people are constantly trying to use you. And its almost like you just have to block that all out and say, Okay, wait, but whats the story? Forget what peoples motives are, and I do think this was a moment. It often happened in politics, information is the core medium, and we all were so tangled up in that. I dont think anybody comes out looking particularly good, honestly. Certainly not Hunter Biden. Nayeema: Heres my big question in all of this, which is... Why at no point in 2013, when Hunter Biden took the role on a Chinese investment forums board, or in 2014 when he started working with Burisma and his father was vice president... Why at no point between 2013 and 2016, did this story get run? Because one, I want to say, yes, as you mentioned, we are used to seeing people in Washington and people proximate to people in Washington, trading on access. I started my career as a foreign consultant, so I remember being out in places like Libya and Vietnam, and Indonesia. And running into former military officials, UK officials, former campaign managers, in these countries, that were working for all kinds of interests. And yet this was the sitting vice presidents son? I mean, you ran a newsroom at the time, you were running BuzzFeed News, did this ever cross your desk between 2013 and 2016? Ben: Yeah, and there were little stories here and there, but I do think youre right. Youre just deeply right about this, that there was a... A lot of the specific conspiracy theories, and a lot of the way in which Trump described what he called, the swamp. He made all sorts of allegations in specific, about Hunter that were false. But they reflected this huge blind spot among... I do think the Washington Media, with some exceptions, I think Ken Vogel at the New York Times did some good coverage of this. But basically that there was taken for granted, that these politicians get really rich when they leave, that they make money working for all sorts of interests, and that their kids are off doing weird stuff. And that Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton, and the Clinton Foundation are trading on their relationships. And thats just sort of how the world works, and theres no way voters are going to get really upset about this. And I think that while a lot of the details, and just what we are calling here, conspiracy theories, arent true... That is a big structural conspiracy of a certain kind. And the acceptance of it, the fact that it was not a crazy front page story all the time. That the presidents son was cashing in on this unbelievably geopolitically sensitive spot. In retrospect, just a huge mistake. Nayeema: Yeah. And by the way, just because Donald Trump was calling it out, doesnt mean that he distanced himself from that practice. I mean- Ben: I know. Nayeema: ... look at the positions of his daughter, his son-in-Law, his current daughter-in-Law, whos running the RNC? Thats a genius of his media strategy, which is like, This is how the system is rigged, so Im just using the system, but I didnt rig the system, those other guys rigged the system. Ben: Youre right. And Jared Kushners relationship with the Saudis is- Nayeema: Right. Ben: ... just orders of magnitude, more than anything anyone has ever done, in terms of presidential families getting rich. Nayeema: And was covered? Ben: It is core to Trumps appeal. He says, Of course I know how the system is rigged, I helped rigged it, I profited from it, and thats how Im going to help you. And the refusal of the Washington culture, and I think the established media to realize maybe theres something that we shouldnt be doing here. Or maybe this really is a scandal, is itself part of the story. Nayeema: Lets spin this forward, just to close it out, which is... Now knowing what we know, how should media organizations be covering this? Or be acknowledging the failure to cover it in a timely way? That wouldve probably covered the facts much more, and not allowed the same kind of specter of conspiracy to grow, as it has. Ben: I mean, I guess I have a piece of advice and a choice. And the advice is that you have to just stop worrying about your sources motives. Nayeema: Really? Ben: And stop thinking so much about whos using you for what, and focus on, Is this a story? Is this true? Because I think you saw people get just so tangled up over that, that they were reporting that black was white, and white was black. And then the other thing is a choice really, for these big social platforms, and it is a hard one, which is... Are you going to try to control the flow of information, try to call balls and strikes, say whats true and whats false? And acknowledge that youre going to get stuff wrong, and youre going to get stuff wrong in ways that reflect your bias. There is no other alternative. Or, are you just going to let it all through, because you cant handle that perception? Those are both very unsatisfying outcomes. Nayeema: Do you have advice for them on that? Ben: No advice for them. Good luck, Mark Zuckerberg. Nayeema: Good luck. Well, well keep on watching what happens with these Hunter Biden cases. Theres another one thats going to be pursued on criminal tax charges, and also the looming charges against Donald Trump. This is going to be an election season thats mired in court coverage. I would say one thing by the way? That while Trumps media strategy around these court cases seems to be, to want to burn down the courts, and talk about the use and manipulation of the justice system against him? As a victim? President Bidens approach has been to say that hell accept whatever outcome there is, when it comes to his son? Ben: Yeah, and I think, I mean, one thing just to maybe close on, even a lot of conservatives, with the exception of Greg Gutfeld who were paying attention to the Hunter trial, came away saying, Gosh, this is a really sad story about a guy with massive addiction problems. And I think you saw less sort of dancing on his grave, than actually anybody, that I wouldve expected. Nayeema: Right. That doesnt mean the conspiracies are over, Ben? Ben: Never. Nayeema: Lets take a quick break, and well be back in a minute. [MUSIC] Nayeema: Our next story is about media coverage of foreign wars, in particular Gaza. And this is a story we could, as I said before, dedicate an entire season if not an entire episode to. And one Im sure were going to come back to, as there are all kinds of critiques, and conspiracies surrounding the media, as it relates to the coverage of this war. But today were going to talk about a very specific argument thats been leveled. Ben: Thats the argument that theres something suspect about why the American media is paying so much attention to Gaza? Maybe something anti-Semitic? Why this is the one people are protesting? Whether American media is too obsessed with Israel, or by the way, on the other hand, too defensive of Israel? The other conflict people point to in this context sometimes, is Sudan, where a civil war has led to just immense human suffering. There around 10 million displaced people since the most recent civil war began in April of 2023, and reports of over 14,000 dead. Many, many more on the brink of famine. Nayeema: There are two competing military factions in what is a military kleptocracy, that is just funneling money away from the Sudanese. And that thousands of people are dying, millions of people are hungry, and millions of people are displaced in the crossfires of this war. And let me just say, I think it is truly important for there to be more coverage of whats happening in Sudan, what had happened in Ethiopia, what is happening in Congo. I lived in the continent in Africa, for several years of my life, including in Sudan, where I live from ages zero to five, when my dad was at the World Bank there. Ben: But you were already reporting? Nayeema: I was already reporting- Ben: Producing? Nayeema:... from the front lines. Ben: Getting sound? Nayeema: I think its extremely important to cover it. But I also think that theres a kind of what about-ism thats very common in our media culture, and our commentary culture. Which invites a kind of, two fallacies here. One is that theres a zero-sum, that you cant be covering all of these things at the same time. You couldnt possibly be talking about Gaza, and Sudan, and Congo, et cetera, which we could do. Or that theres a false equivalency thats being leveled here? Sudan is a lot more like what we saw happen in Ethiopia. Its a civil war. Meanwhile, Israel-Gaza of course, is an international conflict, with a particularly protracted history with key American constituencies on both sides. And perhaps most critically, the U.S. being the longtime peace broker in this region, Israels key ally, providing integral military aid to Israel in this war... All of which has I think, drawn a higher level of coverage and accountability, to this war. Ben: Yeah, I think at some level its a little obvious why the U.S. is more focused on Israel. And one person who feels particularly strongly that we should be paying more attention to Sudan, is Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Shes the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a member of President Bidens cabinet. Shes been at the center of negotiations around the war on Gaza. Shes the person vetoing abstaining from, and most recently voting for, a UN resolution for the return of hostages, and for a ceasefire. Nayeema: But today she joins us more as a media critic. And this is something we learned when we were at her residence, just a couple of days ago, in honor of World Press Freedom Day. And Ben and I learned that she was not happy with the coverage of Sudan. Ben: Yeah. Nayeema: So were going to get into it with her about that. I think its also interesting what we should also try to ask her about the challenge of authoritative sources in this war? The challenge of information and media coverage in a fog of war, where we are in a situation, where even the White House has had to walk back comments its made. Ben: In the politics, the public opinion, the mass politics are all moving based on unverified tweets. And I always wonder, What do you do, when youre a policymaker in that situation? Its very hard just to say, Hey, everybody, wait, we got to figure out who dropped this bomb? Could be a few days, could be a few weeks. Could you just all wait?? Thats not how contemporary politics works. Nayeema: And its a bit, in some ways, like the Hunter Biden thing where people are going to believe what theyre inclined to believe. But also there is a primacy for getting your information out there first. It seeds a certain conversation, and its always more compelling to have a bombshell story, than to have a detailed retraction or walk back, right? People are much more likely to pay attention to that bombshell headline in the first place, which is a challenge weve seen. Ben: For sure, and you have a lot of voices both on the Palestinian and the Israeli side, whose strategy is to make a big claim, and then just never apologize, never look back, just move on. Nayeema: And you think in this war too, you should follow your advice of not paying attention to what people are using you for? Ben: Its a war. You should probably assume everybody is lying a lot of the time, and you just have to stay focused on what is true, not on trying to deduce truth or falsity, from whos saying it. Nayeema: Well, I mean these are questions we grapple with as journalists, and Im sure that the ambassador also grapples with, as a key person in articulating, and following through on U.S. policy. So lets talk to Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. [MUSIC] Nayeema: Ambassador, thank you so much for being with us, its great to see you again. Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield: Its great to see you as well. And thank you so much for attending the event, really was fantastic. Nayeema: It was. So when we saw you just a couple of days ago, you launched into a kind of media criticism, which we appreciate, and wanted to hear more of? Which is why we invited you here today. But you were talking about the medias failure to cover Sudan? Something youve written about in the New York Times op-ed, and something that youve been vociferous about, since even September of last year, or well before that, as the civil war began in April of 2023. So explain your criticism here? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Well, look, before I criticize the media, I praised you guys, and I even said that I love the media, because you have such an important role to play. So my criticism was based on the fact that sometimes, you are less focused on issues that I think deserve your attention, and deserve your focus. And Sudan is one of those places. When you look at the numbers in Sudan, 25 million people in need of international humanitarian assistance? And thats more than the population of the United States, 10 largest cities. I mean, this is a huge, huge crisis, and its affecting millions of people. Theres a war raging now in which there are predictions and reports, that genocide is happening. And yet this does not get the front-page attention of the international press? So thats where my criticism is. Ben: And yeah, its to typical journalists, that we only hear the criticism, not the praise. But I think a cynical editor, not that I am one, but would push back and say, Hey, look, dont blame us, blame our audience, theyre not reading these stories. Were looking at clicks, and were just trying to tell people what theyre interested in. Theyre interested in Gaza, theyre not interested in Sudan. Sorry. What do you say to that? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: What I say is, that the press has influence on what the audience reads. Of course, if youre reporting front-page every single day, a single issue, thats what people are going to be looking for. But you can report on these other issues, and get there to... You can help them determine what they should be reading. And I think thats something that the press has the power to do. And I think what is reflected is your own priorities. You think this is what people want to hear, they want to hear Gaza, it has more political interest. And Im not saying Gaza is not important. It is very important. Ben: One argument that you hear people make, and I just want to sort of be very careful here... Is, that the reason that people pay attention to Gaza over Sudan, is connected to a kind of anti-Semitism essentially? Is that what you see? I mean, do you think that, thats why Gaza is being elevated? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: No, I dont think that. I dont think its related to the issue of anti-Semitism, which is an issue. And it is something that is definitely important for you to cover. But I think what is happening in Gaza is, its about a conflict that is taking place in the Middle East, and there tends to be a lot of attention paid to that. Nayeema: And I think also because it is an international conflict that has of course U.S. military aid being provided to Israel. Which of course, invites a greater coverage concern, accountability thats being sought. But youre not constructing a zero-sum argument here, I dont think- Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: No, I am not. Nayeema: ... youre saying there just needs to be more- Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: But it is not a zero-sum game. This is about saving lives wherever they are being lost. Its about valuing life, wherever people are suffering. And the people of Sudan are suffering right now, and they are not getting the attention from the press, or from the world about what is happening there. Two generals with political ambitions, fighting over political spoils, and not caring about the welfare of their own people. Thats what we see happening in Sudan. And it is for that reason that we have to care about what is happening there, focus attention on whats happening there, and report on whats happening there. Nayeema: Yeah. Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Im sorry, Im going to try to turn off my computer from blinking other stuff- Nayeema: Okay. Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: ... on my computer. Ben: Is it secret? Do you want to read it to us? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Nope. This is just news popping on, but I am going to see if I can turn it off. Ben: Even senior diplomats are just barraged with news alerts. I always wonder, and I do wonder in this news environment that you are currently living in, with this pop thing... And youre having the same things pop up as us. And I wonder, you, particularly as a policymaker, how do you deal with the fact that... Im seeing that youre seeing that, people in the streets protesting are seeing it, people in capitals around the region are seeing it. A lot of them are reacting to it. And it may not be verified, it may be something Hamas said out loud. It may be something the Israeli government claimed. And the world is moving around it, as it pops on your screen. But you may not know if its true. How do you navigate that information environment? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Well, I can always find out if its true, but what I worry about is, that the people on the street dont always have access to the resources that I have at my disposal. And again, this is where I think a credible news agency can do that. And I find that the press tends to now follow whatever the soundbite is of the day, and then move that into news. Nayeema: But I do think Ambassador, that this idea that you know, and you have access to perfect information, this is really hard in a fog of war environment- Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Its not perfect information, it may be different information. Nayeema: Yeah. Part of whats happening is not just the splintering of audiences, but the speed at which this information is moving in this fog of war. Weve seen all kinds of things. Weve seen the New York Times had to walk back headlines about the hospital bombing. Weve seen President Biden had to walk back statements about beheading babies. Weve seen particularly relevant to the UN, Israel making accusations about widespread Hamas infiltration of UNRWA. Something that was later discredited, by a subsequent independent investigation by a former French minister. But the world acted so quickly on the early unsubstantiated allegations made, and the coverage of those allegations. Including the pausing of aid in the United States, the UK, Germany, other countries. And it was far slower to react to the clearing of UNRWA. The story got lost, we were covering college protests at the time. Is the PR a narrative war, driving bad policy here? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: No. I mean, I think our aid is already flowing in, into Gaza. Its not flowing directly through UNRWA anymore, for the reasons you just shared. But we never stop providing aid. We have people on the ground, unlike any other country. A special envoy working on ensuring that aid is being worked on 24/7. But again this is where I think we need the help of media, to do investigations very quickly, and get out different information. Ben: These questions of speed are so hard. I mean, I think just back to Sudan, and this is certainly true of Gaza too. There are these questions of the credibility, particularly actually of the UN, and of UN institutions, where you sit. And I think in every conflict you see the Israelis doing this, you see some of, I think the Sudanese participants, doing this... Theyre trying to discredit UN claims, and I wonder, do you, as someone who is at, but not of the UN... Do you feel the UN has retained its credibility in these conflicts? When they were putting up numbers in both of those conflicts? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: I think they have, I think the UN as a system, as an organization, they make every attempt to be reliable. They make every attempt to be credible, to be fair, and to get out information that will help people who, they have been charged to help on the ground. So I do think the UN gets a bad rap. Does that give the UN 100%? Theyre not A+, its made up of individuals. Individuals who have their own preferences, their own priorities. But all in all, I have tremendous respect for the individuals who work in the United Nations. The fact that over 200 have been killed in the line of duty. They deserve our support, they deserve our credit, and they deserve our appreciation. And they have been caught up in a political narrative that I think really does not give them the full recognition that they deserve. Ben: Do you think the U.S. is winning the media war? And I guess specifically, winning the media war right now, with Netanyahu? In an attempt to circle him in, and define this conflict? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Look, I dont think were in a media war with Netanyahu, with the Israelis. What were trying to do, is find a path that will ultimately lead to an end to this conflict. And were working with the Egyptians, the Qataris, the Israelis, Algerians who are on the Security Council. And others to try to find the right narrative and the right path, that will get us to what we all want to achieve. Nayeema: Yeah, I think that one of the things Ive been thinking a lot about Ambassador is, is your role in this? Your personal role in this? Because youve become the very public face of the ceasefire proposal, and also the lack of a ceasefire, frankly, over the past months, right? So youre having to defend U.S. policy on a stage in the United Nations, where theres increasing global outrage about Israels conduct in this war. Its a very different stage than a domestic media audience. And to some extent on social media, where there have been doctored memes circulating of you raising your hand, in a veto, and then that doctored to have blood on it? Or youve had one, not one I think, but two commencement addresses canceled, in this last graduation cycle. And Im just curious how you personally grapple with the media spectacle of this war, and your role in it? Because there isnt usually this kind of camera attention on the United Nations, and on this role, as there has been? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: I am doing in the best way possible, everything I can to find a solution to work with my colleagues in the Security Council, to work with my colleagues in the U.S. government, to find a path forward. I didnt choose to be the face of this, and if I had a choice, I would choose not to be the face. I think theres a tendency with social media, to vilify people without knowing who they are. And I think the people who vilify me, dont know me. They dont know who I am, they dont know what I stand for. And so thats sometimes a little annoying to have. They have the memes, and I read them. My staff tells me not to read them, but I read and some of them are kind. And so I take the kind ones, and I take them for what theyre worth. Youre going to have people on both sides of this. I have friends who have direct access to me, and I think if I didnt avoid them, they would slap me. Nayeema: Has anyone slapped you, Ambassador? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Not yet. Nayeema: Okay. Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: I have a security detail. But I also have other friends who are willing to fight those friends, to defend what we are doing, and to express an understanding of how difficult this is. Ben: To bring it back to where we started. Do you think people die in Sudan, because the media doesnt cover it? I mean, are there real stakes here, or is it just whether people are informed? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: I think people are forgotten, and when they are forgotten, more people die, because were not paying attention to what is happening to them. And when theyre forgotten, they lose hope. And so if the people of Sudan know, at least the world is aware of what is happening to them, it gives them a better sense of hope. And it forces all of us to pay attention to what is happening. So maybe fewer people do die. Nayeema: Right. Oh, people can also die when there is continuing coverage as well, as weve obviously seen. And I do want to point out, the New York Times had a great A1 story- Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: They did. Nayeema: ... by Declan Walsh and Ivor Prickett, just days ago. Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: I take some credit for that. Nayeema: Oh, do you? Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: I do. And its because I have been pushing this issue. I will have a press interview on Sudan, and the first question I get, is on Gaza? And I said, But this is about Sudan. And the op-ed that I did in the New York Times, I think, made a difference. Nayeema: Ambassador, we know you have a vote to get to, so we dont want to keep you much longer, but thank you for being with us today to talk about Sudan, and to talk about Gaza. Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Well, thank you for paying attention to Sudan. And again, anywhere theres suffering in the world, we have to pay attention. Theres no competition for crisis reporting, but there is sometimes a neglect of crisis in places in the world. And that particularly happens on the continent of Africa. And Ill leave you with... Take a look at what is happening in DRC as well. Ben: Well, thank you, Ambassador. Nayeema: Good. Thank you, Ambassador. Amb. Thomas-Greenfield: Thank you. [MUSIC] Nayeema: What did you make of that media criticism? Ben: I mean, I think she was totally unsurprised that our second, third, fourth, and fifth questions were about Gaza, and she was glad to be able to- Nayeema: But not our first? Ben: ... talk a little... Well, thats just it. She was glad to be able to talk a little about Sudan while she could. I mean, thats probably from her perspective, you see her sort of sigh, and be like, All right, I can deliver the very, very careful answers to these questions, which are very hard, complicated questions. I mean, in a sense, I think for her, the Sudan question is easy, like, Pay attention, this is a crisis, we have a solution. We need your support. And the Gaza stuff is very, very hard. Nayeema: It was interesting hearing her talk about her own personal role, right? I didnt choose to be the face of this policy. Ben: I mean, shes a pro, and you see that too. Shes been at very high levels of U.S. policymaking for a very long time, and theres both a level of experience, and a level of insulation, that comes with that. And I do think theres this interesting thing she said, that you guys actually do control what people read about, and what they care about. And I think that the sort of era of traffic and clicks, really cut deeply into our own confidence about our ability to drive the conversation, to choose the priorities? Because we could see that actually everybodys reading about Kim Kardashian, whatever we put on the front page. But I think that is shifting again, and I actually think maybe five years ago, I wouldve said what she said was incredibly naive. Now I think what she said, is actually where were headed, where you do have- Nayeema: Youre right. Ben: ... media outlets with more confidence, again, to try to set priorities, rather than just follow the audience. Nayeema: The question is, where are people getting their information from? Theyre getting it from mainstream media, and is that shaping the social media discourse on this war? Are they getting it- Ben: Right. Nayeema: ... elsewhere? So the New York Times could run an A1 story every day about Sudan if they chose, and there would be a lot of, What about-ism, what about Congo? What about Ukraine? What about Gaza? They would face that fire, but even if they continue to do so, I dont know that the conversation about this- Ben: But it may be social media matters a little less, than it did five years ago too? Nayeema: It comes back to your new optimism around mainstream media, and establishment media, Ben. I think it also ties back to that Bannon story of, Hey, it matters what the Wall Street Journal says. In fact, it matters more what the Wall Street Journal says than what the New York Post says, or what Breitbart News says, or what social media says. And that therein lies the promise, or potential for establishment media. I think youve become an optimist? Ben: Well, is that optimistic? I dont know, I used to be on the other side, but I do think that- Nayeema: Well, less cynical for sure, Ben. Ben: I do think that theres a kind of authoritative journalism, thats getting some of its confidence back. Nayeema: All right. Lets take a quick break and when were back, well be with Max Tani to talk about the stories were not seeing. Which is not going to be Sudan now, because we have talked about it. Ben: Sorry, Max. Scrap the Sudan one. [MUSIC] Ben: And now a quick word from our sponsor, Think with Google. In this branded segment, I speak with Josh Spanier, vice president of marketing at Google, about what has to be the real hardship in the year of an advertiser, which is the Festival in Cannes. So I think were probably both heading off to Cannes fairly shortly, and it is obviously forbidden to complain about being forced to spend a week in the South of France. But I suspect youll not be spending a lot of time on the beach, whats the point of going there for you? Josh Spanier: The Cannes Advertising Festival is maybe the hardest working week of the year, for marketers. Genuinely, everyone who matters is there meeting with everyone else who matters. And you can just be incredibly efficient and productive. Im in meetings from 9:00 till 7:00 with two client dinners, and then maybe something after that as well. So it is non-stop work, work, work. A few years ago, one of the years of the Pixel phone, we managed to get working with Conde Nast, the publishing house. The cover of GQ starring Ryan Gosling, the image taken using a Pixel phone, right? To show the power of the quality of the Pixel camera. We actually did it for seven Conde Nast publications, Architectural, Digest, Glamour, and thats a big deal. That idea was generated at Cannes. We met with the Conde Nast people, it was brainstormed together, and we got sign-off within four days. One of the sort of most dramatic ways to prove the quality of the Pixel Camera. So Cannes can be incredibly productive, and you drink some rose as well. Ben: How do you think Cannes in 2024 is going to be different from years past? Josh: I think the way theyve remodeled the actual awards at the Center of Cannes, has actually been good for the overall business. And its actually focused on the creativity, and the inspiration that you get from the work. So I expect there actually to be a little more attention on the awards this year, as the categories have got sharper, and more interesting and engaging. Its been a really, really busy year and things are moving faster. I think missing out on Cannes is harder now, than you mightve done. So I expect there to be more publishers, I expect there to be more big brands, and I expect there to be more stakeholders beyond just the marketing suite, who are there to do sort of joint business meetings. [MUSIC] Nayeema: Hi, Max. Welcome. Max: Hey, hows it going? Are you guys excited for Cannes, Lion? Not the nice Cannes? Nayeema: Were so excited. Ben: Im excited. Nayeema likes to complain about being forced to travel to the South of France, because- Max: Im actually... Honestly, Im with Nayeema, here. Nayeema: Yeah. Ben: You and Rachel bullied me into going- Max: Yeah, I know, and the reason- Ben: ... and now youre backing out. Max: The reason why we bullied you into going, was because I didnt want to have to go alone. Nayeema: Yes, misery loves company. But Im doing Cannes, right? I have the best party invites. Ben: Of course you do- Nayeema: I have to say. Ben: ... on brand. If you cant trade on your journalist credentials for access to parties in the South of France, why are you even a journalist? Nayeema: But Max, tell us about Blind Spots. What are the stories were not seeing this week? Max: Well, I was kind of particularly interested this week when the left-wing watchdog group, Media Matters, published a piece on its website. Reporting that young conservative organization, Turning Points USA, is promoting drinking raw unpasteurized milk, during a bird flu outbreak among dairy cows. And the group is selling TPUSA crop tops that say, Got raw Milk. Its obviously the Got Milk thing, but with the raw- Nayeema: Crop tops. Max: ... in there. And some of the organizations personalities have been posting content promoting raw milk, saying that its good for pregnancy among other things. This is something thats been going on, for I guess, a few years. Obviously raw milk is pretty risky. The FDA has advised people not to drink it, because it can make you pretty sick. It was the root of an E. coli outbreak in 2023. But interestingly, the LA Times reported that in the last several weeks, Iowa, Louisiana, and Delaware, have either passed legislation, or in the process of moving bills that would legalize the commercial sale of raw milk, for human consumption. So what I think is most fascinating about this story is, what were seeing with raw milk is... Like vaccination, its one of these things thats flipped from being this granola, lefty, hippie thing, to this conservative middle finger to health officials, and professionals. And it kind of represents a general distrust of the FDA and watchdogs. And so I thought that was totally fascinating. Have you guys- Ben: Its kind of Joe Rogan politics- Max: Yeah. Ben: ... for sure. I love that Media Matters, wedged in some gotcha about the bird flu. Nayeema: Well, is raw milk linked to bird flu in particular? Is it from cows? Ben: I think Media Matters is just very concerned about the health of young conservatives? Max: No. Ben, I think youre being flip about this. I actually do think this is- Ben: Its a great story. Max: ... its something... Apparently makes the cows more susceptible to getting it, and its passed along. Ben: Oh, no. Nayeema: There must be some reason that theyre leveling this? Ben: No, but it is this cultural shift thats happening. So fascinating. Nayeema: Yes. And what has been called the crunchy to conservative access, that we saw come out in COVID, and seems to be coming out around- Max: Wait, wait, wait a sec. Have you had raw milk? Ben: Yes. Nayeema: First of all, Im trying to think, I never- Ben: It tastes- Nayeema: ... think about milk as- Ben: ... more flavorful. Nayeema: ... not raw? Is it pasteurized? Ben: Unless you just milk a cow, and have some milk, then its very basic. Nayeema: Yeah, Ive been on a farm before, Ive had that. Ben: Is this the part where we get to talk about seed oils? Nayeema: What about the lobby for almond milk versus oat milk? Which is a big controversy I see playing out over social media as well? Max: Personally, I really like both. I think theyre great, and since I started drinking almond milk, or oat milk with various other beverages, Im just like, Why would I drink milk from a cow? It makes me feel better. Nayeema: I feel like milk is always in the news. There was also like how long should you breastfeed conversation, that involved the actor from Gossip Girl, the actress? Ben: And theres always a political overlay in a way, isnt there? Milk is really the answer- Nayeema: Milk. Ben: ... core political substance? Max: The reason why I wanted to talk about this is, because it reminded me of the trad wife concept. And it got me thinking about why this issue had become this thing for conservative influencers, and TPUSA people? It feels a bit like the total return to OG American kind of life. Nayeema: I milk my own cows Max: Milkman is delivering your milk, but its unpasteurized. Ben: Its nostalgia, and its nostalgic politics. Nayeema: Its nostalgia and its distrust, right? I dont trust anyone. So I will be getting myself my milk from my own cow. Thank you very much, and I will source that cow myself. Ben: Or I will trust a conservative influencer to source the cow, and sell me milk at a markdown. Nayeema: I think whats important is that youd be wearing the crop top, while milking the cow. Moving on from milk- Max: Moving on from milk. Nayeema: Whats the Blind Spot on the right? Max: So the Blind Spot to conservatives while theyre drinking their raw milk, unpasteurized, doing God knows what to the body, is... New York Mag, this week published a story headlined, For a billionaire, Trump flies a crappy plane. Its a vintage Boeing 757, which according to New York Magazine, flies slower and lower than many other planes, and cant fly nearly as far. While he was in office, Trump also chose to leave the plane at a Northeastern airport, I believe in the Hudson Valley. Exposing it to elements such as snow, rain, and moisture, which can lead to metal corrosion of the airframe and engines. This is from New York Magazine, Trump Force One, you might say, is a poor mans idea of a rich mans plane. A big shiny bobble, that behind the scenes is a plane that has passed its prime, with decaying mechanics, and exorbitant storage fees. Nayeema: I have to say, New York Magazine, my former employer. Genius, David Haskell, love this story, love it. This reminds me of the chapter in the Michael Wolff book, Fire and Fury, about Donald Trump not being able to figure out the light switches. And then the whole chapter becomes about Donald Trump leaving behind all kinds of important White House business, to combat the medias suggestion that he doesnt know how to deal with the light fixtures in the kitchen. This will hit him hard, that his plane is not the best plane, the perfect plane. Ben: Although, theres this liberal obsession with proving, once and for all, that Donald Trump is not really a rich businessman. Hes a fraud, and he was president for... I mean, its too late. But it is, but it is hilarious. Nayeema: I think its just going to get under his skin. Ben: And ultimately it is sort of, hes a showman- Nayeema: You know what Im happy about? Ben: ... as long as the paint coat is clean, thats the point. Nayeema: Im happy its not a story that its like, Donald Trump has a private plane. Isnt that bad for the environment? Because that could also be a story? Ben: This Summer, the ad from the Biden people actually will be. Hes a rich guy with a private plane, talking to these other rich guys. Hes going to sell you out, which is super boring by New York liberal standards, but actually will be the political attack. Nayeema: Much better to be like, Heres this dinky plane, and, oh, my God. Its getting dinkier under the rain. Max: I actually take the opposite view. I felt the reason why this story was interesting was, I was curious what had happened to Donald Trumps plane, during the time that he was in office. Where it was mostly, I think out of use, but I think probably used by some members of his family. And it is an interesting question of why, if you could park your plane anywhere, you spend most of your time in Florida anyway... Why would you leave your plane in the Northeast, where its exposed to some of these things instead of in a warmer climate, where youre not having these poor effects on the plane? There must be a reason for it? Nayeema: Maybe youre just trying to get the plane to be replaced, or replenished? Ben: Yeah. The reason is always depreciation, or something like that. Nayeema: Depreciation, yeah. Its some tax, I dont know. I dont know, we- Ben: Thats a good note for when we have planes. Nayeema: Yeah, we need to figure that out. Maybe after Cannes, well get planes. Ben: Thats not really how this business works. Max: Who has made money from news media, and made enough to buy a plane? Is there anybody you can think of? Anybody? Ben: I would say Shane Smith, but I dont know if he has a plan. Nayeema: Yeah. Max: Thats true. Ben: The Murdochs have a plane. Nayeema: The Murdochs? Oh, yeah. Each of the Murdochs have a plane. Ben: And the only way that Lachlan Murdoch can even pretend to run News Corp from Australia, its why he is always on the plane, they have great Wi-Fi on the plane, and its fine. Its like a suburb of LA when you have a private jet, which is not at all true. Max: Have either of you guys ever been on Trumps plane? Ben, did you- Nayeema: Not on Trumps plane, no. Max: A lot of reporters have been on Trumps plane. No complaints about how shitty it is. Nayeema: Was there the story about the journalist who was flying on Air Force One recently, with President Biden? There was a journalist who had collected over the course of their Air Force One travels, an entire dining set for a dinner party, of Air Force One plates? Max: Yes, yes. The White House Correspondents Association had to send out a note saying to stop taking stuff off the plane. But I think that thats totally fair, and also everybody takes things off of Air Force One. That is a classic thing. Everybodys always showing you the stuff that theyve gotten, the M&Ms or whatever. If youre a journalist, people are always showing off swag that theyve gotten from there. Ben: We had a very high-minded episode today, Nayeema: Yeah. Ben: Im saddened that people are going to leave this segment believing that journalists are a bunch of grifters. Max: Well, those are just [inaudible 00:49:55] Nayeema:But wouldnt you rather a journalist be taking plates from the presidents plane, as opposed to being in the pocket of the president? Ben: Did you say its better if you steal them, than if youre giving them? Max: I think its fine. Thats our taxpayer dollars at work, but I really think, I mean- Ben: Like January 6th- Max: ... personally, also- Ben: ... this is your plan? Max: Yeah, absolutely. No, it is. It is- Nayeema: All right. Max: ...but also the other thing too is, news organizations are paying a lot of money to fly, for a seat on that plane, and actually they have paid for it. Ben: It is interesting to think whether stealing, or taking a bribe is preferable. Its for another episode. Nayeema: I would say the ethics are slightly better for stealing, but dont do that. Dont do either. Ben: We do not do that. Max: You guys wanted us to take positions on this show, and were taking positions. Thats what we have to do. Nayeema: Hard positions. Thanks for listening to Mixed Signals from Semafor Media. This episode was produced by Max Tani, Allison Rodgers, Alan Haburchak, Joseph Strauss, and Christina Stella. With special thanks to Britta Galanis, Chad Lewis, Rachel Oppenheim, Anna Pizzino, Garett Wiley, and Jules Zirn. Our engineer is Rick Kwan. Our theme music is by Billy Libby, and our public editor is the staff of Air Force One, in particular the purser who is making sure that we do not steal plates off of that plane. Keep our journalistic ethics high. If you like Mixed Signals, please follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and if you really like us, give us a review. Ben: If youre watching on YouTube, give us a Like, subscribe to Semafors channel. Max: And remember to read Semafors Media Newsletter, which publishes every Sunday night. Im happy to report that three new community members are joining the Idaho Statesmans editorial board: Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske. Lanting is a Republican state representative from Twin Falls who recently lost his primary to a far-right challenger. Our editorial board has praised Lanting a couple of times this year for courageous votes he took for an anti-school bullying bill and against a guns-in-schools bill. Lanting was born and raised on a ranch/farm in southern Twin Falls County and graduated from Filer High School, College of Southern Idaho, University of Idaho and College of Idaho. He served 10 years in the Idaho Air and Army National Guard. Lanting has a good perspective on city issues. He was on the Twin Falls Planning and Zoning Commission for eight years, City Council for 16 years (2005 to 2021) and was Twin Falls mayor in 2012-13. Lanting was vice mayor when the city recruited Chobani to Twin Falls and mayor when the city recruited Clif Bar. Lanting also has a firm grasp on education issues, with 33 years experience in education, including 16 years as a teacher and 17 years as a principal. He is a founding member of Main Street Idaho, a group of legislators seeking to promote and expand Idahos economy through the free market. Wenske was a staff member for U.S. Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho, for about 10 years and most recently was the executive director of the Frank Church Institute at Boise State University for nearly 20 years before retiring two years ago. While in Washington, Wenske served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff, Senate Aging Committee staff, presidential campaign staff, as well as Churchs Senate staff. He also worked for several other members of Congress, including as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Larry LaRocco, D-Idaho, and was a Foreign Service officer in the U.S. State Department for five years. Wenske, who grew up in Boise and graduated from Borah High School, continues to serve on the Frank Church Institutes board of directors and on the boards of the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations (where he was president for 15 years) and Global Ties Idaho. Schorzman was the first director for the Boise City Department of Arts & History, where she served from 2008 until her retirement in 2022. Schorzman has received the Governors Award for Excellence in Arts Administration from the Idaho Commission on the Arts and the Merit Award for Leadership in State and Local History from the American Association in State and Local History. Previously, Schorzman was the program manager for an international research program in the history of science and technology at the Smithsonian Institution; the program manager for humanities teacher institutes and special programs at the Idaho Humanities Council; and director of public programs for the Discovery Center of Idaho. As a volunteer, she serves on the executive board of the Boise-based Alexa Rose Foundation and the Boise Arts & History Foundation, Inc., and previously served on the Boise City Arts Commission. Their bona fides are impressive, and Im looking forward to working with all three members. Their backgrounds and breadth of experience will serve our readers well as we enter the November elections and another legislative session in January. Community members serve on a volunteer basis for a one-year term. Other editorial board members include Idaho Statesman editor Chadd Cripe, opinion writer Bryan Clark and newsroom editors Jim Keyser and Dana Oland. I want to take an opportunity again to thank Patricia Nilsson and Mary Rohlfing for serving as community members for the past year. Their insights and wisdom were invaluable. If youre interested in serving as a community member when the next term comes up next year, send me an email at smcintosh@idahostatesman.com. Can state police track drivers everywhere they go via hundreds of license plate cameras? A new lawsuit says that Illinois' widespread use of such camerascalled automatic license plate readers (ALPRs)violates the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against unreasonable searches because it breaches citizens' reasonable expectations of privacy. The complaintfiled by two residents of Cook County, Stephanie Scholl and Frank Bednarz, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on May 30names the Illinois State Police (ISP), ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker as the defendants. "Defendants are tracking anyone who drives to work in Cook Countyor to school, or a grocery store, or a doctor's office, or a pharmacy, or a political rally, or a romantic encounter, or family gatheringevery day," the lawsuit states, "without any reason to suspect anyone of anything, and are holding onto those whereabouts just in case they decide in the future that some citizen might be an appropriate target of law enforcement." Illinois' highway camera network began in 2019 with the passage of the Tamara Clayton Expressway Camera Act, named for a postal worker who was shot and killed on an interstate highway south of Chicago. The act directed the state police to "increase the amount of cameras along expressways and the State highway system." Illinois State Police received a $12.5 million state grant in 2021 to install cameras, which was more than doubled in June 2022 when Pritzker extended the act, granting up to $20 million in additional funding. As of publishing time, the Illinois Department of Transportation has purchased 652 license plate cameras, of which 340 are installed in Cook County, which includes Chicago. According to the ISP's dashboard, in the past month, the system has recorded over 215 million "detections" (when a camera captures a digital image of a license plate) and over 1. 4 million "hits" (when a captured license plate matches a plate on the state police's "Hot List," which includes the license plate numbers of stolen vehicles and wanted subjects). Annually, the system records over 1.5 billion detectionsmore than 100 times the state's population. Readings from the cameras are stored by ISP for 90 days. But where law enforcement sees a more effective way to catch criminals, some legal experts see a potential violation of privacyand, by proxy, of citizens' Fourth Amendment rights. Since the Supreme Court's 1967 decision in Katz v. United States, searches that infringe upon "reasonable expectations of privacy" have been held to violate the Fourth Amendment, with some limited exceptions. This recent lawsuit argues that citizens have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the "aggregation" of their location datathat is, in the summation of their movements. "I think it's fair to say this is a new area of law where there are very few cases and rules are still being written," Reilly Stephens, counsel for the Liberty Justice Center, which is representing the plaintiffs, tells Reason. "We want to be a part of shaping what those legal rules are going to be." The most analogous case is Commonwealth v. McCarthy (2020), which was the first appellate court case to address the interplay between license plate cameras and the Fourth Amendment. In McCarthy, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied defendant Jason McCarthy's motion to suppress ALPR evidence but held that McCarthy's challenge was potentially viable, providing that the license plate tracking was sufficiently comprehensive. "With enough cameras in enough locations," the court decided, "the historic location data from an ALPR system in Massachusetts would invade a reasonable expectation of privacy and would constitute a search for constitutional purposes." McCarthy was only tracked by two license plate camerason the two bridges that serve as the entryway to Cape Codwhich would have given police only a limited picture of his whereabouts. In Illinois, there are over 600 such cameras, located all across the state. For that reason, the Liberty Justice Center believes the Illinois complaint could fare better than McCarthy's. "We intend to give the Court in our case what the Massachusetts Supreme Court wanted but didn't have: evidence that the given system of ALPRs is so pervasive as to generate a sufficiently comprehensive record of citizen's movements," Stephens tells Reason. As tracking measures become increasingly common and cost-effective, courts will need a bright line to distinguish allowable public surveillance from that which infringes upon citizens' privacy expectations. If there were license plate readers on every street, that would very likely violate legitimate expectations of privacy. In Massachusetts, that state's highest court said the system of two ALPRs did not. What distinguishes the two? Where should courts draw the line? "The case is an important one because it could help to clarify and strengthen the scope of Fourth Amendment rights against increasingly ubiquitous and unavoidable government surveillance," Jonathan Manes, senior counsel at the MacArthur Justice Center, tells Reason about the Illinois lawsuit. "This case seeks to ensure that advances in police technology do not leave the Fourth Amendment in the dust." The post Illinois License Plate Cameras Are Violating People's Constitutional Rights, Says New Suit appeared first on Reason.com. President Joe Biden is making a play for Nikki Haley's former supporters. Haley endorsed Trump but urged the former president to appeal to her millions of voters. A self-described centrist Republican and Haley voter says he just can't support Donald Trump again. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Roger, who is affiliated with the Haley Voters Working Group. The group is made up of primary supporters of former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley who are supporting President Joe Biden in the general election or considering it. He is identified only by his first name because of the sensitivities of his continuing work on defense policy. We've also included a statement from a spokesperson for former President Donald Trump at the bottom of the story. We are speaking to voters, officials, and others directly connected to politics this election cycle to get a first-person look at the stakes of this election. We fact-check their statements, vet our sources, and edit their responses for length and clarity. I voted for Donald Trump twice. It's clear now that his behavior is one of the greatest threats to the Constitution we've ever seen. But for a few words in the 14th Amendment, he wouldn't even be eligible to be a candidate. We're seeing it in real time. I don't want to be a part of that. We are not an autocracy. I don't know whether I can vote for Joe Biden. And yes, his age is a legitimate concern. Father Time is undefeated. But if I've got a choice between an autocrat and someone of his age, I'm not choosing the autocrat. No, sir, no, thank you. Trump began losing me when he started the shenanigans after he lost the 2020 election all that weird stuff leading up to January 6, 2021. And if it hadn't been for then-Vice President Mike Pence, who is a great man, we would have been at a constitutional crossroads. Trump leaves Manhattan criminal court after he became the first former president to become a felon. Mark Peterson - Pool/Getty Images The former president will say anything, and he'll do it with a straight face. He reminds me of P.T. Barnum; there's a sucker born every minute. You just have to do your research. He's done tremendous damage to himself. Not once has he accepted any accountability for the messes he's gotten himself into. Trump's a felon now, though I thought the New York case was the weakest one against him. Honestly, having handled classified documents in my military career, I looked at the list of things they found in the pool house and by the toilet. I was like, "My goodness, he's in a heap of trouble here. You can't explain that away." He had multiple opportunities to gracefully return those documents. Trump's treatment of Nikki Haley made it even worse I don't like how Trump treated Nikki Haley: the name-calling, what he said about her husband when he was deployed. My goodness, he never finds the high ground. She's one of the smartest people you'll come around who understands all these issues. But she doesn't play to the left; MAGA hates her. I was stung when she endorsed him. I had to give it a little bit of reflection. I've watched the video several times. She has to remain politically viable moving forward. She is fundamentally a Republican. In the big picture, she never pretended that she was anything else. And she said that it was her personal choice. She gave the caveat in there that she encouraged him to reach out to his voters. In retrospect, he's had all this time to reach out to the over 4 million Haley voters. He's never done it. The Biden campaign has. Migrants seeking to enter the US through a barbed-wire fence installed along the Rio Grande. Herika Martinez/AFP/Getty Images I never liked Trump's tone or the way he behaved, but I did vote for him because I thought he was right about the border. His fiscal policies were mostly sound. The border is a real issue. There are many of us who believe that this issue began in January 2021 after Biden was sworn in, because he turned around and canceled all of Trump's executive orders and policies. You have to understand the bigger picture here. The effect of flooding in these undocumented immigrants brings the border to New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta. It brings the border everywhere because we are not vetting these people. I'm an old-school Reagan fan, and Haley is a genuine Republican. She understands the importance of Ukraine. She understands the importance of how we project our foreign policy. And if you think about it, there's a lot of crossover there that the current administration is trying to do. Trump being elected would be a disaster for Ukraine. Forty-six Republicans voted against funding NATO that scares the devil out of me. It's like no one is paying attention to the things that are really important. We want democracy, we want liberty, and we want freedom to flourish, because that's what true American values are. We don't want to send American troops to fight over there. Serving in the military had a profound effect on my life I met my wife during my first tour in Korea. We've been married 35 years now. The military is a microcosm of our society as a whole. Growing up in rural South Carolina, I learned a lot about people by working beside them. It gets you away from a myopic way of thinking. One of my assignments took me to the DMZ. You come face-to-face with North Korea. You see them living in the past. They come out in these old woolen Soviet uniforms. It's very stark there. You sort of understand the dangers in the world. After Russia invaded Ukraine, it got me. You look on a map, you can tell what the stakes are. There's nothing good coming from Russian aggression. So that's what drew me into being involved, adding my voice and perspective to the mix. In response to Roger's comments, Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, sent the following statement to Business Insider: "President Trump dominated the primary in record-breaking fashion and it wasn't even close. Voters know that President Trump is the only person who will beat Joe Biden and take back the White House. It was revealed that investigators in that case likely engaged in evidence tampering and mishandling of those documents, which is why a filing was made earlier this week to dismiss the case. Joe Biden being elected again would be a disaster for America. President Trump will put America First instead of getting into more wars and more conflict like Biden has done." (Editor's note: The special counsel Jack Smith's team has said the order of documents taken from Mar-a-Lago during the classified-documents investigation may have shifted from when FBI agents originally seized the materials.) Read the original article on Business Insider TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) A Terre Haute woman is behind bars after police said she had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl in the summer of 2020. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Vigo County Court, the investigation into the actions of Sadie R. Barnes, 27, began after a victim came forward on March 1 and told social workers that the sexual relationship had left her traumatized and with abandonment issues. During a forensic interview, the victim told police that in 2020, she had met Barnes, who was working at a Terre Haute daycare. Shortly after meeting, the victim said Barnes began flirting with her, being touchy, and eventually texting her messages about love. The victim said she began to visit Barnes at an apartment on 8th Street where what the victim described as a consensual sexual relationship began. [Victim] explained that Sadie had touched her whole body and has kissed her multiple times on the mouth, the PCA reads. [Victim] said that all of this happened when she was 14 years old, and before she turned 15 years old. [Victim] said that Sadie stopped touching her when she was 15 going on 16 years old. Sadie Barnes mugshot Thursday, Terre Haute Police Detectives interviewed Barnes about the allegations. Barnes reportedly admitted to having a sexual relationship with the victim. Affiant spoke with Sadie Barnes who described the [victim] as a lost child when she met her, the PCA reads. Sadie explained that she knew having sexual relations with [victim] was wrong because of the age difference between the two of them. Seelyville Water customers concerned with cleanliness of water Barnes reportedly told police that the incidents happened in July of 2020 when the girl was 14 years old and Barnes was 24. Barnes was then placed under arrest and taken to the Vigo County Jail. The probable cause affidavit calls for Barnes to face two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 4 felony. Court records show that Barnes is being held on a 72-hour hold to allow prosecutors time to file formal 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 Queen City News. (Getty Images) The now-indicted Gibson County Sheriff directed nearly $1.4 million to a firm in which he had a stake as part of an inmate labor scheme, an investigation released earlier this week by the Tennessee Comptroller detailed. Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas and four West Tennessee businessmen allegedly created three companies under an entity called Alliance Group, which acted as a middleman for hiring out inmates to local businesses. Alliance Group then charged the workers for transportation, housing and took a portion of their hourly wage for finding them jobs. The investigation found numerous instances in which inmates earned a few thousand dollars, but after taxes and Alliance Groups various fees, their take-home pay was zero. Alliance and its subsidiaries generated $1.4 million in revenue over three years from the scheme. Thomas, who owned a 20% stake in the group, made $113,000, about $1,000 a week. The group also covered his legal expenses, amounting to around $60,000. The report, released Wednesday, comes one month after a grand jury indicted Thomas on four counts of theft and forgery and 18 counts of official misconduct. One of the companies formed by Thomas and his partners, Alliance Housing, known as the Orchard House, once received positive press coverage for its re-entry program and efforts to reduce recidivism. But investigators found that Thomas used unpaid inmate labor to build the Orchard House. Those who stayed at the Orchard House also attended church, with Alliance taking money out of their wages for weekly tithes without permission. Investigators could not substantiate if the inmates received any benefit or advantage from participation in the Orchard House program, the comptroller report said. Thomas turned himself into authorities, but has not stepped down from his job. The report GibsonCountySheriffReport The post Indicted Gibson Co. Sheriff directed $1.4M to company he owned through inmate labor scheme appeared first on Tennessee Lookout. High voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. Senate approved three of President Joe Bidens nominees to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel this week. Industry, renewable power and environmental groups cheered the vote on the new members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members two Democrats and a Republican for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power and environmental groups alike, who said a full a complement of commissioners is essential to the body meeting the challenges posed by an aging electric grid, a fast-shifting generation mix and debates over natural gas infrastructure, among other pressing energy issues. We are pleased to see FERC will be restored to a full roster, which will help provide regulatory certainty and the attention needed on key questions impacting our nations energy systems, said Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, or EPSA, which represents companies that own power plants in competitive electricity markets. Having a full complement of five commissioners will allow FERC to keep advancing the vital work needed to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to everyone around the country, said Ted Kelly, director of clean energy at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. FERC, which regulates interstate transmission and wholesale sales of electricity, as well as interstate transmission of natural gas and oil, among other responsibilities, rarely shows up on peoples radar screens, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But its mission is essential. Every time you turn on the light or touch the thermostat or see new power lines go up, the rules, regulations (and) policies of FERC are at work. Leaving the seats vacants, Schumer said, could create serious backlog and delay, potentially slowing down new projects that power peoples homes and cites. The new commissioners are: David Rosner, a Democrat and FERC energy industry analyst; West Virginia Solicitor General Lindsay See, a Republican who led the states successful legal fight against the Environmental Protection Agencys carbon rules; and Judy Chang, a Democrat, energy economist and the former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is also an adjunct lecturer and senior fellow at Harvards Kennedy School. They join Chairman Willie Phillps, a Democrat, and Commissioner Mark Christie, a Republican. Commissioner Allison Clements, a Democrat, announced earlier this year she would not seek a second term. By law, FERC has five members, with no more than three from the same political party. They are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve five-year staggered terms. Though the commission will maintain a 3-2 Democratic majority, at least one environmental group has been critical of Rosners selection. Friends of the Earth called Rosners fossil fuel ties disqualifying and blasted his work with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed by the powerful and pro-coal Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia who in May switched his registration from Democrat to independent. Manchin recommended Rosner, who was also previously a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and an associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Centers energy project, for the commission seat last year, Politicos E&E News reported. The Koch Industries-linked American Energy Alliance has also criticized Changs past opposition to new natural gas pipelines. But for the Senate, at least, the relatively smooth confirmation process appeared to show that having a full complement of commissioners was preferable to picking fights over individual nominees. We all know that having a fully staffed FERC is going to make a lot of difference in what we do in this country, Manchin told his colleagues Tuesday, adding that each of the nominees had cleared his committee with extremely strong bipartisan support. Each of the nominees demonstrated deep experience on energy and legal matters, a commitment to follow the law and work within the authorities Congress has provided to FERC and a recognition that all of our nations sources play an important role providing affordable, reliable energy to families and businesses across our country. Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, noted that FERC went for seven months without a quorum during the Obama administration, putting many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes and aid our allies abroad on hold. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all the items all the time, all of them are well qualified, he said. The post Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. In an aerial view, high voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. High voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. Senate approved three of President Joe Bidens nominees to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel this week. Industry, renewable power and environmental groups cheered the vote on the new members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members two Democrats and a Republican for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power and environmental groups alike, who said a full a complement of commissioners is essential to the body meeting the challenges posed by an aging electric grid, a fast-shifting generation mix and debates over natural gas infrastructure, among other pressing energy issues. We are pleased to see FERC will be restored to a full roster, which will help provide regulatory certainty and the attention needed on key questions impacting our nations energy systems, said Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, or EPSA, which represents companies that own power plants in competitive electricity markets. Having a full complement of five commissioners will allow FERC to keep advancing the vital work needed to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to everyone around the country, said Ted Kelly, director of clean energy at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. FERC, which regulates interstate transmission and wholesale sales of electricity, as well as interstate transmission of natural gas and oil, among other responsibilities, rarely shows up on peoples radar screens, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But its mission is essential. Every time you turn on the light or touch the thermostat or see new power lines go up, the rules, regulations (and) policies of FERC are at work. Leaving the seats vacants, Schumer said, could create serious backlog and delay, potentially slowing down new projects that power peoples homes and cites. The new commissioners are: David Rosner, a Democrat and FERC energy industry analyst; West Virginia Solicitor General Lindsay See, a Republican who led the states successful legal fight against the Environmental Protection Agencys carbon rules; and Judy Chang, a Democrat, energy economist and the former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is also an adjunct lecturer and senior fellow at Harvards Kennedy School. They join Chairman Willie Phillps, a Democrat, and Commissioner Mark Christie, a Republican. Commissioner Allison Clements, a Democrat, announced earlier this year she would not seek a second term. By law, FERC has five members, with no more than three from the same political party. They are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve five-year staggered terms. Though the commission will maintain a 3-2 Democratic majority, at least one environmental group has been critical of Rosners selection. Friends of the Earth called Rosners fossil fuel ties disqualifying and blasted his work with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed by the powerful and pro-coal Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia who in May switched his registration from Democrat to independent. Manchin recommended Rosner, who was also previously a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and an associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Centers energy project, for the commission seat last year, Politicos E&E News reported. The Koch Industries-linked American Energy Alliance has also criticized Changs past opposition to new natural gas pipelines. But for the Senate, at least, the relatively smooth confirmation process appeared to show that having a full complement of commissioners was preferable to picking fights over individual nominees. We all know that having a fully staffed FERC is going to make a lot of difference in what we do in this country, Manchin told his colleagues Tuesday, adding that each of the nominees had cleared his committee with extremely strong bipartisan support. Each of the nominees demonstrated deep experience on energy and legal matters, a commitment to follow the law and work within the authorities Congress has provided to FERC and a recognition that all of our nations sources play an important role providing affordable, reliable energy to families and businesses across our country. Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, noted that FERC went for seven months without a quorum during the Obama administration, putting many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes and aid our allies abroad on hold. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all the items all the time, all of them are well qualified, he said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Industry, clean power groups breath a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. High voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. Senate approved three of President Joe Bidens nominees to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel this week. Industry, renewable power and environmental groups cheered the vote on the new members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members two Democrats and a Republican for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power and environmental groups alike, who said a full a complement of commissioners is essential to the body meeting the challenges posed by an aging electric grid, a fast-shifting generation mix and debates over natural gas infrastructure, among other pressing energy issues. We are pleased to see FERC will be restored to a full roster, which will help provide regulatory certainty and the attention needed on key questions impacting our nations energy systems, said Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, or EPSA, which represents companies that own power plants in competitive electricity markets. Having a full complement of five commissioners will allow FERC to keep advancing the vital work needed to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to everyone around the country, said Ted Kelly, director of clean energy at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. FERC, which regulates interstate transmission and wholesale sales of electricity, as well as interstate transmission of natural gas and oil, among other responsibilities, rarely shows up on peoples radar screens, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But its mission is essential. Every time you turn on the light or touch the thermostat or see new power lines go up, the rules, regulations (and) policies of FERC are at work. Leaving the seats vacants, Schumer said, could create serious backlog and delay, potentially slowing down new projects that power peoples homes and cites. The new commissioners are: David Rosner, a Democrat and FERC energy industry analyst; West Virginia Solicitor General Lindsay See, a Republican who led the states successful legal fight against the Environmental Protection Agencys carbon rules; and Judy Chang, a Democrat, energy economist and the former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is also an adjunct lecturer and senior fellow at Harvards Kennedy School. They join Chairman Willie Phillps, a Democrat, and Commissioner Mark Christie, a Republican. Commissioner Allison Clements, a Democrat, announced earlier this year she would not seek a second term. By law, FERC has five members, with no more than three from the same political party. They are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve five-year staggered terms. Though the commission will maintain a 3-2 Democratic majority, at least one environmental group has been critical of Rosners selection. Friends of the Earth called Rosners fossil fuel ties disqualifying and blasted his work with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed by the powerful and pro-coal Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia who in May switched his registration from Democrat to independent. Manchin recommended Rosner, who was also previously a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and an associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Centers energy project, for the commission seat last year, Politicos E&E News reported. The Koch Industries-linked American Energy Alliance has also criticized Changs past opposition to new natural gas pipelines. But for the Senate, at least, the relatively smooth confirmation process appeared to show that having a full complement of commissioners was preferable to picking fights over individual nominees. We all know that having a fully staffed FERC is going to make a lot of difference in what we do in this country, Manchin told his colleagues Tuesday, adding that each of the nominees had cleared his committee with extremely strong bipartisan support. Each of the nominees demonstrated deep experience on energy and legal matters, a commitment to follow the law and work within the authorities Congress has provided to FERC and a recognition that all of our nations sources play an important role providing affordable, reliable energy to families and businesses across our country. Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, noted that FERC went for seven months without a quorum during the Obama administration, putting many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes and aid our allies abroad on hold. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all the items all the time, all of them are well qualified, he said. The post Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on Kentucky Lantern. Fatime Letifova The price of Azerbaijani oil has increased on the world market, Azernews reports. The price of one barrel of "Azeri Light" brand oil increased by $0.52 or 0.62 percent to $83.94. It should be noted that the lowest price of "Azeri Light" oil was recorded on April 21, 2020 (US$15.81), and the maximum price was recorded in July 2008 (US$149.66). WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MAY 16: In an aerial view, high voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The grid is strained by increasing demand from electricity-hungry data centers and electric vehicles, disruptions due to severe weather events, and more. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently issued a sweeping reform to transmission grid planning in an effort to improve the nation's aging power grid. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members two Democrats and a Republican for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power and environmental groups alike, who said a full a complement of commissioners is essential to the body meeting the challenges posed by an aging electric grid, a fast-shifting generation mix and debates over natural gas infrastructure, among other pressing energy issues. We are pleased to see FERC will be restored to a full roster, which will help provide regulatory certainty and the attention needed on key questions impacting our nations energy systems, said Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, or EPSA, which represents companies that own power plants in competitive electricity markets. Having a full complement of five commissioners will allow FERC to keep advancing the vital work needed to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to everyone around the country, said Ted Kelly, director of clean energy at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. FERC, which regulates interstate transmission and wholesale sales of electricity, as well as interstate transmission of natural gas and oil, among other responsibilities, rarely shows up on peoples radar screens, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But its mission is essential. Every time you turn on the light or touch the thermostat or see new power lines go up, the rules, regulations (and) policies of FERC are at work. Leaving the seats vacants, Schumer said, could create serious backlog and delay, potentially slowing down new projects that power peoples homes and cites. The new commissioners are: David Rosner, a Democrat and FERC energy industry analyst; West Virginia Solicitor General Lindsay See, a Republican who led the states successful legal fight against the Environmental Protection Agencys carbon rules; and Judy Chang, a Democrat, energy economist and the former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is also an adjunct lecturer and senior fellow at Harvards Kennedy School. They join Chairman Willie Phillps, a Democrat, and Commissioner Mark Christie, a Republican. Commissioner Allison Clements, a Democrat, announced earlier this year she would not seek a second term. By law, FERC has five members, with no more than three from the same political party. They are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve five-year staggered terms. Though the commission will maintain a 3-2 Democratic majority, at least one environmental group has been critical of Rosners selection. Friends of the Earth called Rosners fossil fuel ties disqualifying and blasted his work with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed by the powerful and pro-coal Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia who in May switched his registration from Democrat to independent. Manchin recommended Rosner, who was also previously a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and an associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Centers energy project, for the commission seat last year, Politicos E&E News reported. The Koch Industries-linked American Energy Alliance has also criticized Changs past opposition to new natural gas pipelines. But for the Senate, at least, the relatively smooth confirmation process appeared to show that having a full complement of commissioners was preferable to picking fights over individual nominees. We all know that having a fully staffed FERC is going to make a lot of difference in what we do in this country, Manchin told his colleagues Tuesday, adding that each of the nominees had cleared his committee with extremely strong bipartisan support. Each of the nominees demonstrated deep experience on energy and legal matters, a commitment to follow the law and work within the authorities Congress has provided to FERC and a recognition that all of our nations sources play an important role providing affordable, reliable energy to families and businesses across our country. Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, noted that FERC went for seven months without a quorum during the Obama administration, putting many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes and aid our allies abroad on hold. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all the items all the time, all of them are well qualified, he said. The post Industry, clean power groups breath a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. High voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. Senate approved three of President Joe Bidens nominees to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel this week. Industry, renewable power and environmental groups cheered the vote on the new members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) High voltage power lines run along the electrical power grid on May 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The U.S. Senate approved three of President Joe Bidens nominees to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel this week. Industry, renewable power and environmental groups cheered the vote on the new members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nations top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members two Democrats and a Republican for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power and environmental groups alike, who said a full a complement of commissioners is essential to the body meeting the challenges posed by an aging electric grid, a fast-shifting generation mix and debates over natural gas infrastructure, among other pressing energy issues. We are pleased to see FERC will be restored to a full roster, which will help provide regulatory certainty and the attention needed on key questions impacting our nations energy systems, said Todd Snitchler, president and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association, or EPSA, which represents companies that own power plants in competitive electricity markets. Having a full complement of five commissioners will allow FERC to keep advancing the vital work needed to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to everyone around the country, said Ted Kelly, director of clean energy at the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. FERC, which regulates interstate transmission and wholesale sales of electricity, as well as interstate transmission of natural gas and oil, among other responsibilities, rarely shows up on peoples radar screens, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But its mission is essential. Every time you turn on the light or touch the thermostat or see new power lines go up, the rules, regulations (and) policies of FERC are at work. Leaving the seats vacant, Schumer said, could create serious backlog and delay, potentially slowing down new projects that power peoples homes and cites. The new commissioners are: David Rosner, a Democrat and FERC energy industry analyst; West Virginia Solicitor General Lindsay See, a Republican who led the states successful legal fight against the Environmental Protection Agencys carbon rules; and Judy Chang, a Democrat, energy economist and the former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is also an adjunct lecturer and senior fellow at Harvards Kennedy School. They join Chairman Willie Phillps, a Democrat, and Commissioner Mark Christie, a Republican. Commissioner Allison Clements, a Democrat, announced earlier this year she would not seek a second term. By law, FERC has five members, with no more than three from the same political party. They are appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve five-year staggered terms. Though the commission will maintain a 3-2 Democratic majority, at least one environmental group has been critical of Rosners selection. Friends of the Earth called Rosners fossil fuel ties disqualifying and blasted his work with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed by the powerful and pro-coal Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia who in May switched his registration from Democrat to independent. Manchin recommended Rosner, who was also previously a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and an associate director at the Bipartisan Policy Centers energy project, for the commission seat last year, Politicos E&E News reported. The Koch Industries-linked American Energy Alliance has also criticized Changs past opposition to new natural gas pipelines. But for the Senate, at least, the relatively smooth confirmation process appeared to show that having a full complement of commissioners was preferable to picking fights over individual nominees. We all know that having a fully staffed FERC is going to make a lot of difference in what we do in this country, Manchin told his colleagues Tuesday, adding that each of the nominees had cleared his committee with extremely strong bipartisan support. Each of the nominees demonstrated deep experience on energy and legal matters, a commitment to follow the law and work within the authorities Congress has provided to FERC and a recognition that all of our nations sources play an important role providing affordable, reliable energy to families and businesses across our country. Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, noted that FERC went for seven months without a quorum during the Obama administration, putting many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our homes and aid our allies abroad on hold. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all the items all the time, all of them are well qualified, he said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. Infamous blind, convicted pervert quietly serving on an NYC community board under a different name Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine has called for a probe into the identity of a community board member Charles Ny after receiving a complaint that the appointee's real name is Charles Ghose, a blind guy who was convicted of molesting a 15-year-old boy in Great Britain in 2005. An infamous convicted sex offender has been quietly serving on a Midtown Manhattan community board under a different name to shield his real identity, The Post has learned. Community Board 5 member Charles Ny is really Charles Ghose, a blind man who was convicted of molesting a 15-year-old boy in Great Britain in 2005. Hes still listed in the New York State Sex Offender Registry and has been on the Midtown board since last year. Community Board 5 member Charles Ny is really Charles Ghose. Steven Hirsch As a member of the board, the convicted child molester attends meetings that are held in an all-boys high school, Xavier, and gets to weigh in on issues involving schools and youth services, as well as land use matters and liquor licenses. His presence was only discovered after a tipster told The Post that Nys real name was Ghose and he admitted his true identity when questioned. Ghose, 42, who first made headlines in the US in 2013 portrayed himself as a victim when contacted by The Post. All of this happening the night before a community board election? Very suspicious dont you think? he said in an email exchange Thursday If you are being paid to do a hit job on me because I stand up for the community and advocate for those on welfare, Medicaid, the homeless, accessibility improvements for people with disabilities, well I think that is really sad. The New York Post already did one story on me, how many more do you need to do?, he said. Convicts from other states and countries are required to notify the state Department of Criminal Justices of their sex crimes after establishing residency here. He also blamed The Posts accurate reporting on his sex offender status for his decision to change his name. Ghose (bottom) appearing at a board meeting. youtube/Manhattan Community Board Five My name changed after the false news article by the New York Post in 2013. By the way I had that New York Post article removed under the Right To Be Forgotten law in Europe search results, he said. The prior Post story reported how Ghose verbally attacked a court officer when he was required to check in with the NYPDs Special Victims Unit at Manhattan Criminal Court. You should have died in 9/11-F-k off!, he told the court officer in 2013. This week, he sent The Post a document saying his conviction was forgiven in England under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Hes still listed in the New York State Sex Offender Registry. NYS Sex Offender Registry Under the law, criminal convictions can become spent or ignored after a rehabilitation period, although they remain on the Police National Computer. Hes now living in the US and is still listed as a Level 1 sex offender, the least restrictive category. He was previously listed in the more moderate Level 2 category. He will remain on the sex offender registry through 2028. Even low-risk offenders must remain on the list for 20 years. Ghose criticized The Posts prior story on him from 2013. Steven Hirsch Under the law, he must continue to report to authorities He claims he legally changed his name. I have a non-drivers license issued by New York DMV [Department of Motor Vehicles] that states my name is Charles NY I would say thats a truthful legal form of identification, Ghose said. He also said he uses the new name for voting purposes. After contacted by The Post, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called for a probe into whether Ghose/Ny was truthful about his identity when he applied for the position. After contacted by The Post, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called for a probe into whether Ghose/Ny was truthful about his identity when he applied for the position. Getty Images He referred the matter to the Department of Investigation. Our office has been made aware of the situation concerning a CB5 member. We have proactively contacted the Department of Investigations to understand our options, a Levine spokesman said. We can confirm that no application was received under the name now linked to this individual. We take this matter very seriously and are committed to a transparent process as we address it, the BPs rep said. The Post asked for documents regarding the board members legal identification. He would also not show his license. I wont be sending you anything since you said I am under investigation so let the investigation continue. I will provide those investigators with my identification card, Ghose said. Under New York law, a city resident must file a petition for a legal name change in Civil Court or state Supreme Court. Ghose had no immediate comment if he had done so. Some of Ghoses neighbors in the Prince George apartment complex on East 28th Street said the identity change looked shady in light of his criminal record. Thats fing nuts. I am pissed off. I am not going to help him anymore. What he did is not right, said Orlando, who sometimes helps Ghose carry groceries. Another tenant, John, said, That goes to show you that they may not have vetted him thoroughly. They only looked at the surface. They gotta catch that. You are not doing your job. If they were doing their job correctly they should have found out. Injured man rescued from American River after 20-foot jump off cliff, Sacramento Metro Fire says The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District on Thursday afternoon rescued a man who was injured after jumping 20 feet off a cliff into the American River near Fair Oaks. The water rescue was reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. The man jumped 20 feet off the cliff at the Clay Banks, just downstream from the Fair Oaks foot bridge, said Battalion Chief Parker Wilbourn, a Metro Fire spokesman. Wilbourn said the man made some type of error while jumping off the cliff and was injured. Rescuers pulled the injured man from the river and loaded him onto a Metro Fire helicopter that took him to a hospital. The injured man was taken to the hospital in stable condition, Wilbourn said. (FOX40.COM) A man was rescued after he was injured while jumping 20 ft. off of cliffs into the American River on Thursday, according to Sacramento Metro Fire. The agency said in a post on X just after 4 p.m. that the man had jumped from the clay banks downstream from the Fair Oaks footbridge. New laws going into effect in California on July 1, 2024 Fire officials said that the Sacramento Fire Dept. helped in the rescue and that the man was taken to a trauma center. Pictures and video shared by Sacramento Metro Fire show the rescue crew loading the injured man into a helicopter that had landed on the rivers shore. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Inmate uses jail-made shiv in brutal attack on Southern California deputy Inmate uses jail-made shiv in brutal attack on Southern California deputy Surveillance cameras at a county jail in San Bernardino County captured an inmate armed with a homemade metal knife launching out of a cell and attempting to stab a deputy. The violence unfolded at around 2:45 p.m. on June 11 at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. The inmate, 25-year-old Christopher Lommie Jackson, who has been in custody since 2019 on numerous violent charges, including the alleged murder of Subhi Baghdadi, 51, of Anaheim, had attempted to stab another inmate, prompting a response from jail-assigned deputies. Thats when footage shows Jackson, shiv in hand, fly out of a cell, make contact with a deputy and take him to the ground, where a vicious struggle ensued. Other responding deputies are seen immediately intervening and authorities say the 25-year-old inmate was eventually subdued. Surveillance cameras caught a brutal attack at on a San Bernardino County jail on June 11, 2024. (SBSD) Surveillance cameras caught a brutal attack at on a San Bernardino County jail on June 11, 2024. (SBSD) Surveillance cameras caught a brutal attack at on a San Bernardino County jail on June 11, 2024. (SBSD) Jail-made shank used in brutal attack on SoCal deputy Surveillance cameras caught a brutal attack at on a San Bernardino County jail on June 11, 2024. (SBSD) Surveillance cameras caught a brutal attack at on a San Bernardino County jail on June 11, 2024. (SBSD) A jail-made knife allegedly used by 25-year-old inmate Christopher Lommie Jackson on a deputy in San Bernardino County on June 11, 2024. (SBSD) Christopher Lommie Jackson, 21, of San Bernardino and Terrence Edward Kenny, 24, of San Bernardino, pictured in photos released by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department on Nov. 20, 2019. Homicide victim Subhi Baghdadi, 51, of Anaheim, pictured in a photo released by the San Bernardino Police Department on Sept. 2, 2019. Sheriffs officials did not identify the 45-year-old deputy, but said he suffered moderate injuries to his face and was treated and released from a local hospital. Its unclear if the 28-year-old inmate attacked by Jackson prior to the assault on the deputy was injured. Authorities say these types of violent attacks on deputies at correctional facilities present a significant danger to county employees working in the jails. Violent road-rage fight at L.A. airport leaves elderly woman unconscious In San Bernardino County alone, there were 236 assaults on deputies from 2020-2023, with 51 violent attacks to date this year. Such violent behavior poses a serious threat to the safety and security of our staff and inmate populations, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said. Our deputies work tirelessly to maintain order and provide a secure environment within our correctional facilities. We will pursue the maximum legal consequences for those who carry out attacks in our correctional facilities. For the attack on the 45-year-old deputy, attempted murder charges against Jackson have been filed with the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Investigation gives details of Eatonville police officer accused of attacking woman in front of son Jocelyn Pitts claims former Sergeant Roy Smith attacked her in front of her two-year-old son in August after she denied his advances. Channel 9 obtained the internal investigation into Smith. It explains how the Eatonville Police Department looked into the incident Smith claimed was a traffic stop. When other officers responded for backup, they said they did not know what type of stop Smith alleged he was making. Read: Former Eatonville police officer accused of attacking a woman in front of her two-year-old son Channel 9 also found out that Smith was never interviewed because the department allowed him to retire during the investigation. He jumped out of the car and said give me your license and registration, Pitts said. I said, for what this wasnt a traffic stop you tried to flirt and talk to me I dont want to talk. Channel 9 obtained the internal affairs investigation against now-former Eatonville Sergeant Roy Smith. Read: Election Supervisor Gilzean sets Orange County Commissions ballot initiative deadline to August 27 I tried to get my license, he knocked it out of my hand, Pitts said. Then tried to say Im resisting arrest. The documents show Smith made several remarks to Jocelyn Pitts, including asking her to smile. They also claim Smith did not properly communicate with Pitts about an alleged traffic stop and threatened to take her to jail when she said she was going to file a complaint. He shoved me in the car there was no AC and the windows were up, Pitts said. The review found Smiths actions were not warranted and aggressive, including when he pulled Pitts from behind by her handcuffs. Read: Local school district plans to fight spike in vaping among students Additional officers who responded as backup were interviewed. One said they could tell something wasnt right with the stop. They gave him a look, and he ended up pushing me to the car and took the handcuffs off, Pitts said. [Then he] said theyre not going to be able to save you next time. The investigation found Smith did not use good judgment, abused his power, was negligent, and had mischievous behavior. His punishment should have ranged from being reprimanded to being terminated. [Smith] takes his phone off takes a pic of my tag and smiles. Instead, while the department was still investigating it allowed Smith to retire and the case was closed in March. Another sergeant called to the scene was also responsible for investigating Sergeant Smith. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. The Miami County, Kansas Sheriffs Office is investigating a homicide after a woman was found dead inside a camper in Missouri on Thursday. The sheriffs office said they are working with the Carthage, Missouri, police department on this investigation. Pedestrian killed in crash in Kansas City, Kansas, shuts down I-70 Officers identified the woman found dead as Kenia Lopez, a 24-year-old from Carthage, Missouri. Investigators believe that she was killed in Louisburg, Kansas, on Metcalf Road. Her body and the camper were then driven to Carthage, which is located in Jasper County. Kansas news: Headlines from Wichita, Topeka and around the Sunflower State Detectives submitted paperwork to the Miami County Attorneys Office for second-degree murder, according to the sheriffs office. According to the Miami County Sheriffs Office, 23-year-old Gavino McJunkins-Macias was taken into custody and is being held at the Jasper County Jail for abandonment of a corpse. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the summer of 2017, federal immigration agents swept across Michigan and other states to arrest hundreds of Iraqi immigrants with plans to deport them. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said at the time the detentions were of immigrants with criminal records who needed to be removed from the U.S. while some Iraqi Americans and civil rights advocates said the crackdown was an example of overzealous immigration enforcement during the presidency of Donald Trump. Now, a possible agreement has been reached that could bring to an end the seven-year dispute involving about 1,400 Iraqi immigrants that drew national attention amid a fiery debate over immigration. Attorneys with the ACLU Michigan, which filed a lawsuit in 2017 against federal agencies over the detentions and deportations, said last week they have reached a tentative agreement with Justice Department attorneys representing ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. A hearing for the settlement is set for July 31 before U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith of the Eastern District of Michigan. On Tuesday, a proposed class action notice was filed with the federal court in Detroit that explains who qualifies for the settlement. The notice said the settlement will apply to Iraqi nationals in the U.S. who had a final order of removal from the U.S. government between March 1, 2017 and June 24, 2017. There were about 1,400 Iraqi nationals in the U.S. with final orders of removal whom ICE was trying to deport. There are a number of details in the agreement that explain the various terms. The proposed settlement would not halt deportations of Iraqi nationals, but puts restrictions on their detention, which could help keep them free as their cases are adjudicated. "The settlement limits why, when and for how long Iraqi nationals in the class (of plaintiffs) can be detained during and after removal proceedings," the ACLU Michigan said on its website explaining the proposed agreement. "The settlement also provides other protections, like limiting what counts as a violation of an order of supervision." However, the proposed "settlement does NOT affect your individual immigration case, or your ability to challenge removal," the ACLU said. "The settlement also does NOT limit the governments ability to remove you to Iraq if you lose your immigration case." Miriam Aukerman, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Michigan, told the Free Press "the settlement will give people notice in most cases before the government can detain them for removal, which will allow them time to file motions to reopen. But it does not restrict removal itself. The settlement also limits when and how long people can be detained." Many of the Iraq immigrants detained are still in custody while others have been freed, and some were deported. In one of the cases that drew outrage, Jimmy Al-Daoud, 41, who had lived in the United States since he was a 6-month-old baby, was deported and then died on the streets of Iraq as a homeless man who didn't know Arabic and the customs of a country he never lived in. Al-Daoud had struggled with mental illness, diabetes and being homeless in Michigan. He had been convicted 20 times of crimes such as stealing power tools, assault and marijuana possession, which is why he was deported. Jeremiah Suleiman, of Sterling Heights holds a sign among dozens during a rally to stop the deportation of Iraqi-American immigrants outside Patrick V. McNamara Federal building on Friday, June 16, 2017 in Detroit. An ACLU lawsuit seeks to block the possible deportation of 1,400 Iraqi nationals around the country. But ICE officials defended their actions, saying the people arrested "all ... had criminal convictions for crimes including homicide, rape, aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, drug trafficking, robbery, sex assault, weapons violations and other offenses." ICE said the detentions came about after the U.S. government had reached an agreement in 2017 with Iraq's government to remove the Iraqi nationals. Usama (Sam) Hamama, 60, of West Bloomfield, was the lead plaintiff in the ACLU's case against ICE. Hamama served a couple of years in prison after being found guilty of threatening someone with a gun during a road rage incident in 1988. In 2018, then Gov. Rick Snyder pardoned Hamama and four other Iraqi immigrants the U.S. wanted to deport. Hamama became a U.S. citizen in 2020. The married father of four said he supports the proposed settlement. It is time to close this case and provide our immigrant population with a clear and fair process for staying in this country, Hamama said in a statement from the ACLU . Everyone deserves a chance to live out their American Dream." The ACLU won initially at the district court level, but then lost on appeal a couple of times after the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of ICE in December 2018 and in 2020, saying the Iraqis could be deported and detained. The case at times became a political issue given that many of those detained were part of the Chaldean, Iraqi Catholic, were supportive of Trump. In January 2020, Trump suggested at a campaign stop in Warren he would try to help those facing deportation. To read the full agreement, click here and to read the ACLU's explanation of the agreement, click here. Those needing more information can contact their attorney or email the ACLU: hamama@aclumich.org. Those plaintiffs who object to the proposed settlement have until July 17th to file a complaint with the court. Contact: Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Iraqis in Michigan facing deportation reach possible agreement ISIS isnt done with us: Arrested Tajiks highlight US fears of terror attack on US The recent arrest of eight Tajik nationals believed to have connections to ISIS has heightened concerns among national security officials that a dangerous affiliate of the now-splintered terror group could potentially carry out an attack on US soil, according to multiple US officials who spoke to CNN. Members of the group initially entered the US at the southern border and requested asylum under US immigration law. Its unclear whether they entered at the same time and place. By the time intelligence collected on overseas ISIS targets connected the men to the terror group, they had already been vetted by immigration authorities and allowed into the country, officials said. Though there is no hard evidence indicating they were sent to the US as part of a terror plot, at least some of the Tajik nationals had expressed extremist rhetoric in their communications, either on social media or in direct private communications that US intelligence was able to monitor, three officials said. That discovery set off a flurry of emergency investigative efforts by federal agents and analysts across the country, sources said, including physical and electronic surveillance of the men a counterterrorism operation reminiscent of the years immediately following 9/11, when the FBI investigated numerous homegrown plots. After a period of surveillance, federal officials in recent days faced a difficult decision: whether to continue surveilling the men in order to determine if they were part of any potential plot or wider terrorist network, or to move in and take them off the street. Rather than risk the worst-case scenario of a potential attack, senior US officials decided to move in and have the men apprehended by ICE agents, one source told CNN. The men remain in federal custody on immigration charges and will eventually be deported following the counterterror investigation into them. Tajiks recruited by ISIS Of particular concern to US officials was that the men hail from Tajikistan, a corner of Central Asia that in recent years has been a source of steady recruitment by ISIS-K, the Afghanistan-based affiliate of the Islamic terrorist group. ISIS-K is led primarily by Tajiks, who have carried out a series of recent attacks in Europe on behalf of the group, including the Crocus Hall attack in Moscow in March that killed more than 100 people. National security officials fear that at least some of the eight Tajiks were ripe for radicalization by ISIS-K while they were inside the United States, potentially struggling with isolation, financial stress or discrimination all things that could make a person susceptible to ISIS propaganda glorifying violence. Senior officials now see a so-called lone-wolf attacker who emerges seemingly from nowhere as perhaps the more likely and potentially equally dangerous threat, rather than the more traditional coordinated plot carried out by trained operatives. Compared to terror networks, whose communications can provide possible avenues for surveillance exploitation, lone individuals who do not telegraph their attack plans to anyone present an additionally difficult challenge for security officials. We cant assume its not all of the above, said one senior US official. Were too early to know everything we want to know about the depth and texture of the links that might be there between these eight people and ISIS. The episode comes as senior intelligence officials have been publicly warning that global conditions have put the risk of a terror attack on US soil at its highest level in recent memory at the same time that many national security officials also acknowledge that American drawdowns in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East have reduced intelligence-gathering on traditional terrorism threats. Its no secret that since our drawdowns in various places around the world, we collect less intelligence. This was always a tradeoff we knew we were making, the senior US official said. Former acting CIA Director Michael Morell this week co-wrote a widely circulated piece in Foreign Affairs warning that terrorism warning lights are blinking red, echoing a recent warning by FBI Director Christopher Wray, who said he sees blinking lights everywhere I turn. The combination of stated intentions of terrorist groups, growing capabilities they have demonstrated in recent successful and failed attacks around the world, and the fact that several serious plots in the United States have been foiled, point us to an uncomfortable but unavoidable conclusion, the Foreign Affairs piece read. Put simply, the United States faces a serious threat of a terrorist attack in the months ahead. Gaps in intelligence collection Intelligence officials are keenly aware of gaps in intelligence collection in Afghanistan, where ISIS-K is primarily based. While officials believe that ISIS-K mainly tries to radicalize and inspire attackers rather than train and field operatives, the groups rise to prominence is a relatively new phenomenon. That means that there is much that US counterterrorism analysts dont know about its strategy, recruitment efforts and operational tactics. US officials and analysts who closely track Islamist terror groups do know that ISIS-K has dramatically ramped up its online propaganda machine. Rather than training and deploying fighters as al Qaeda did in the 9/11 attacks, for example ISIS-K has instead focused on radicalizing vulnerable populations. Tajikistan, for example, is one of the poorest countries in the world and its population faces extreme religious repression, both factors that terrorism experts say can make a population vulnerable to radicalization. Colin Clarke, a researcher who specializes in terrorism, said the group is creating charismatic propaganda to reach out to diasporas that are already in place in Europe, in North America and in the region in Central Asia, and attempting to inspire people to conduct attacks. It seems like its just a matter of time before theyre able to pull something off successfully, Clarke said. Concerns about the border The arrests also puts a spotlight on vulnerabilities at the US southern border, an issue Republicans have amplified in the midst of a presidential election year. We are literally living on borrowed time, Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said from the Senate floor on Wednesday during a speech about the threat of terrorists entering the US through the southern border. A June 7 report released by the DHS inspector general found that asylum seekers were not always screened in a timely fashion and that border agents could not access all the federal data they needed to vet noncitizens seeking admission into the US. The US is at risk of admitting dangerous persons into the country or enabling asylum seekers who may pose significant threats to public safety and national security to continue to reside in the United States, the report said. US officials have been paying particular attention to immigrants from Central Asian countries including Tajikistan since last summer, when a group Uzbek nationals who had crossed the southern border were later found to have been assisted in traveling to the United States by a facilitator who had ties to ISIS. The episode sparked a scramble across the US government to locate and investigate those people. Two US officials also said that it spurred national security officials to ensure that immigration and intelligence authorities were appropriately monitoring anyone traveling from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. I think what [the incident with the Uzbek nationals] did last summer was suggest central Asians are potentially a population of concern, given what we know about the global ISIS network right now, the senior US official said. In 2023, CBP reported 169 encounters with individuals identified as potential matches with names on the terrorism watch list. But thats not necessarily a reliable gauge of the number of actual terrorists who may be trying to enter the United States, US officials argue. When a name pings on a terror watch list, it could mean any number of things: a person could have a very loose, attenuated connection to a known terrorist. Or they could belong to a legacy terror group like the FARC that isnt known for conducting attacks on US soil. Or they could simply have a similar name as a person of legitimate concern. Thats what happened with the Jordanian national who was arrested at the gates of the US Marines base at Quantico earlier this year, two US officials said. Although his name returned a hit against one of the watch lists, it turned out to be a bad match, according to the senior US official. The blending of criminality and terrorism in poor countries like Tajikistan can also prove incredibly difficult for law enforcement officials to unravel. A person may have regular contact with a family member who has done some paid work for ISIS, for example, without themselves sharing any sympathy for the group. But, Clarke said, the risk is there: Crushing poverty [and] an extremely religious population thats suppressed by its leaders its almost a perfect formula for exporting jihadists. Said one law enforcement source: Its become cliche, but remains absolutely true: We may be done with ISIS, but ISIS isnt done with us. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israels attack on Gaza is genocide. This California student had every right to say it | Opinion In February, Habiba Darwish then a student at Vista Del Lago High School in Folsom was asked by a classmate to write a short entry for the school yearbooks world events pages, regarding the Israel-Hamas war and the climbing death toll in Gaza. Darwish referred to Israels attacks and bombings on the Palestinian people as a genocide, and quoted from the United Nations, UNICEF and other reputable sources to portray the conflict from her point of view as a Palestinian-American. Opinion Civilians confronted with the genocide have taken it upon themselves to record the atrocities they face as an outcry for help from the world, she wrote. Protests and boycotts have spread among numerous countries as people around the world have attempted to call attention to the genocide. Her piece was edited and approved by yearbook staff and a faculty advisor through normal channels. Then the yearbook was distributed to students and staff on May 20. Thats when things started to get scary for Darwish, who was 17 at the time, and the outgoing president of the schools Muslim Student Association. On May 24, the day of graduation, a social media account on X with more than 300,000 followers called StopAntiSemitism posted a picture of the article with Darwishs name in multiple places. The group accused her of ignoring Hamas attack on Israelis on Oct. 7, and decried propaganda poisoning. It also included the direct email of the high schools principal, Kimberley Moore. This is backlash as any Palestinian speaking up may face, Darwish said. What Ive written is the truth and is backed by UNICEF and the other cited sources in the article, as well as the International Court of Justice. The StopAntiSemitism account is well-known for harassing and doxxing people who have publicly supported Palestine in the Israel-Hamas war. But instead of protecting or supporting Darwish, her school and district bowed to public pressure. On May 29, Vista Del Lago administrators sent an email to students and families apologizing for any damage and hurt (the yearbook) has caused our students, families and the community, and included a promise to learn and grow from the incident. They offered blank stickers to cover Darwishs article, or supply a refund to families who wished to turn it in. Neither the school nor the district has offered any direct support to Darwish, she confirmed, and Principal Moore directed a request for comment to the school district, which did not reply to requests for comment. While I understand that the school felt a need to make a statement due to pressure from the other side, I feel as though their response completely abandoned me as a student, Darwish said. Genocide in Gaza It is not just Darwish who believes Israels actions in Gaza constitute a genocide, so do an international consortium of countries, human rights lawyers and experts. In March, a human rights expert at the U.N. reported reasonable grounds for a genocide being committed in Gaza. In June, Spain joined South Africas case in the U.N. accusing Israel of genocide. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported on its news site that the Israeli army killed 42,510 Palestinians in the first 200 days of the war, 38,621 of whom were civilians including 10,091 women and 15,780 children. These statistics include the killing of 137 journalists, 356 medical personnel and 42 civil defense personnel, it wrote in an April press release. A May report researched and written by the University Network for Human Rights, including members from Boston Universitys Law Schools International Human Rights Clinic, the International Human Rights Clinic at Cornell Law School and the Lowenstein Human Rights Project at Yale Law School, declared Israels actions in Palestine to be a genocide. I just wish we lived in a world where I would not be harassed for telling facts, Darwish said. Another First Amendment violation Somehow, the fundamental rights of free expression guaranteed by the First Amendment have become a disposable commodity for local school administrators, especially as students protest American funding of the war in Gaza or speak out on political topics. In Sacramento, Samantha Archuleta, the journalism teacher at C.K. McClatchy High School, is still on administrative leave and under investigation because of an article in the student newspaper quoting a student who praised Adolf Hitler. Archuleta and her students didnt endorse the comment but say they published it because it reflected problematic student discourse on campus. As with Darwish, the students at C.K. McClatchy used their writing to shed light on sensitive realities that inform their lives. In both cases, adults failed their students. C.K. McClatchy administrators and the Sacramento City Unified School District punished the students and their advisor, in violation of California Education Code 48907, which not only protects Archuleta and her students, but also extends to the student staff of school yearbooks and their advisors. Archuletas job remains in the balance, despite strong support from the First Amendment Coalition, the Student Press Law Center and the California Scholastic Journalism Initiative. Jews and Muslims both see a rise in hate crimes In the three months since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, American Jews saw a 361% increase in antisemitic incidents more than 3,200 according to data from the Anti-Defamation League. American Muslims, too, have seen an increase in hate crimes; the Council on American-Islamic Relations annual Civil Rights Report states that the group received more than 8,000 complaints in 2023, the highest amount in nearly three decades of tracking by the group. While a school must keep students safe at school, it is not necessarily their duty to keep them comfortable at all times, especially when that discomfort stems from the avoidance of facts. Darwishs yearbook entry was factually accurate and fully sourced. She believes those facts amount to genocide, and she has every right to say so. I believe it is a genocide, too. Israel denies the allegations, as does the U.S. government, but to deny it in American media or even in Americas high school yearbooks is to deny history as it happens. Perhaps the Vista Del Lago yearbook staff should have given a Jewish student equal opportunity to write about current events from their point of view. Even that, though, would not have made the facts in Darwishs yearbook entry nor the deaths of more than 9,500 women and 14,500 children in Gaza untrue. A pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant walks on the rooftop of a destroyed three-story building that was demolished in an Israeli overnight air raid in the southern Lebanese village of Janata, where at least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded. Marwan Naamani/dpa At least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded in an Israeli airstrike overnight that hit a house in southern Lebanon, security sources and state media reported on Friday. Lebanon's National News Agency said a house was targeted in Janata. According to Lebanese security sources the civilian who died was a woman. They added that among the wounded were children. Israel said it was investigating the report. The Israeli strike came after Iran-backed Hezbollah claimed dozens of rocket launches and drone attacks on Israeli army posts in northern Israel. Hezbollah said the assaults were in retaliation for Tuesday's killing of one of its commanders in southern Lebanon. The escalation on the Lebanese-Israel border has raised fears of an all-out war by Israel on Lebanon to halt Hezbollah attacks. Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia have been fighting each other since the beginning of the war in Gaza, with the daily barrages becoming increasingly fierce. On both sides of the border, the attacks often lead to fires which spread quickly in the hot, dry weather. Supporters of Pro-Iranian Hezbollah stand in front of destroyed cars and a building that was heavily hit when Israeli warplanes raided overnight a nearby three-story in the southern Lebanese village of Janata, where at least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded. Marwan Naamani/dpa A view of a destroyed car in front of a pro-Iranian Hezbollah three-story building that was demolished in an Israeli overnight air raid in the southern Lebanese village of Janata, where at least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded. Marwan Naamani/dpa A view of rubble of destroyed houses caused by Israeli air raids are seen in the Lebanese southern village of Naqura. At least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded in an Israeli airstrike overnight that hit a house in southern Lebanon, security sources and state media reported on 14 June.Lebanon's National News Agency said a house was targeted in Janata Marwan Naamani/dpa Supporters of Pro-Iranian Hezbollah stand in front of destroyed cars and a building that was heavily hit when Israeli warplanes raided overnight a nearby three-story in the southern Lebanese village of Janata, where at least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded. Marwan Naamani/dpa At least two people were killed and seven others wounded in an Israeli airstrike overnight that hit a house in southern Lebanon, security sources and state media reported on Friday. Lebanon's National News Agency said a house was targeted in Janata. Witnesses reported that Israel's army had targeted a Hezbollah base. They added that flying shrapnel from the strike on the targeted Hezbollah base hit and damaged an adjacent residential building, killing the two women. Israel's army said it was investigating the reports. The Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it had fired dozens of rockets towards northern Israel in retaliation. Meanwhile, Israeli reportedly shelled some Lebanese villages in southern Lebanon causing fires in some fields. The escalation on the Lebanese-Israel border has raised fears of an all-out war by Israel on Lebanon to halt Hezbollah attacks. Israel and the Lebanese Shiite militia have been fighting each other since the beginning of the war in Gaza, with the daily barrages becoming increasingly fierce. On both sides of the border, the attacks often lead to fires which spread quickly in the hot, dry weather. A view of a destroyed car in front of a pro-Iranian Hezbollah three-story building that was demolished in an Israeli overnight air raid in the southern Lebanese village of Janata, where at least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded. Marwan Naamani/dpa Supporters of Pro-Iranian Hezbollah stand in front of destroyed cars and a building that was heavily hit when Israeli warplanes raided overnight a nearby three-story in the southern Lebanese village of Janata, where at least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded. Marwan Naamani/dpa A view of rubble of destroyed houses caused by Israeli air raids are seen in the Lebanese southern village of Naqura. At least one person was killed and more than seven others wounded in an Israeli airstrike overnight that hit a house in southern Lebanon, security sources and state media reported on 14 June.Lebanon's National News Agency said a house was targeted in Janata Marwan Naamani/dpa Italian teacher held in Hungary for alleged assault released after being elected MEP BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Italian anti-fascist activist Ilaria Salis was released from house arrest in Budapest after she was elected a member of the European Parliament (MEP) at the weekend, her lawyer Gyorgy Magyar told Reuters on Friday. Members of the European Parliament hold strong legal immunity from prosecution, even if the allegations relate to offences allegedly committed before their election. The 39-year-old teacher was charged last year in Hungary with taking part in an anti-fascist group's assaults on people they viewed as far-right activists. Salis and her family have said she is innocent. The Budapest-Capital Regional Court will ask the European Parliament to suspend Salis' immunity as she is accused of violent crimes and her case is ongoing, the court said in a statement on Friday. Police have removed the electronic bracelet from Salis' ankle, her lawyer said. Salis' father was expected to arrive in Budapest later on Friday to take her back to Italy, Magyar added. Salis has been held in Hungary for more than a year in a case that prompted the Italian Green and Left Alliance to nominate her among their candidates at the European ballot. "This is not a really positive picture of Italian democracy," Gergely Gulyas, chief of staff for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said on Thursday at a press briefing about Salis' election. "It does not mean a lot of good either for the European Parliament or the voters who decided to send a criminal to the parliament," Gulyas said. Salis has not been convicted and her case is pending. The case drew outrage in Italy in February, after she was led into court with her feet and hands bound and a chain around her waist. The issue is politically sensitive due to the longstanding ties between Italy's right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and Orban. (Reporting by Anita Komuves; Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Alex Richardson and Rod Nickel) (L-R) President of the EU Council Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, stand for a family photo during the G7 summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa Italian right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as host of the G7 summit, has prevented the group of industrialized democracies from reaffirming a clear commitment to the right to abortion in their final declaration, dpa has learned from diplomatic sources. The declaration, traditionally issued on the summit's last day, will only say that women have the right to adequate health services, including when it comes to sexual and reproductive care, the sources said. At the G7 summit in Japan last year, the leaders took an explicit position on the topic. The text said women must have "access to safe and legal abortion and post-abortion care." The United States has seen a major rollback in reproductive rights since a 2022 ruling by the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v Wade case that had codified the right to an abortion. Jailed US reporter Gershkovich to be tried for espionage in Russia Evan Gershkovich, a United States citizen and Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter who has been jailed in Russia for over a year, will stand trial in Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office reported on June 13. Gershkovich was arrested in Yekaterinburg in late March 2023 while working on a story about the Wagner mercenary group's recruiting methods, as well as Russian citizens' views on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He was jailed without charges for over 14 months as authorities repeatedly extended his pre-trial detention. Russia formally accused Gershkovich of spying for the CIA and finalized his indictment on June 13. The Prosecutor General's statement did not set a date for the trial. If convicted, Gershkovich faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years. WSJ publisher Almar Latour and Chief Editor Emma Tucker issued a statement in response dismissing the charges as "false and baseless" and calling for Gershkovich's immediate release. "Russia's latest move toward a sham trial is, while expected, deeply disappointing and still no less outrageous," the statement read. Read also: Russian court extends pre-trial detention of jailed US reporter Gershkovich for 5th time The publication appealed to President Joe Biden to intensify efforts to free Gershkovich. Russian leader Vladimir Putin said on Dec. 14 that he would be open to negotiating the return of jailed U.S. citizens, including Evan Gershkovich, under "mutually acceptable" conditions. The U.S. government is still working to return Gershkovich along with jailed U.S. citizen Paul Whelan, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a press briefing following the Russian Prosecutor's announcement. "We have been clear form the start that Evan has done nothing wrong," Miller said. "He should never have been arrested in the first place; journalism is not a crime. The charges against him are false, and the Russian government knows that they are false. He should be released immediately." Miller said the U.S. is "constantly pursuing" avenues for Gershkovich's release. Read also: Russias descent into totalitarianism: How it happened Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Japan can't get enough of tiny vehicles. Here's Honda's latest: a $15,500 miniature EV truck. Honda has unveiled the N-VAN e, a tiny electric truck costing from $15,500. The diminutive truck is targeted at delivery companies and goes on sale in Japan in October. Japan is famous for its tiny Kei cars, which are ideal for short journeys and city driving. Japan is famous for its tiny vehicles, known as Kei cars, which are well suited for navigating the narrow streets of crowded cities like Tokyo. The country's best-selling electric vehicle last year was the Nissan Sakura, a $13,000 electric Kei car that outsold EV giants like Tesla, according to data from auto industry groups compiled by Bloomberg. Now, Honda is getting into the tiny EV game. The Japanese automaker has unveiled the N-VAN e, a miniature electric truck that starts at 2.44 million yen ($15,500). Prices start at around 2.44 million yen ($15,500) Honda It comes as Japan lags behind the rest of the world in transitioning to EVs. Just 2.2% of new passenger cars sold in Japan in 2023 were electric, according to data from industry bodies, compared to 25% in EV pace-setter China, per Nikkei. Honda's electric truck will be targeted at delivery and construction companies rather than ordinary consumers. The company is already trialing the pocket-sized truck with logistic firm Yamato. The EV will have a range of 152 miles and will be able to charge in 30 minutes with fast charging, Honda says. The van comes in a number of different options that can seat from one to four people. Honda Honda has also attempted to solve the issues EVs have in hot and cold temperatures, installing a battery cooling and heating system to ensure it remains at a stable temperature. The company says the N-VAN e will also function as a mobile power storage device, with drivers able to use the truck's external power outlet to charge household appliances such as hot plates and electric kettles. Honda has been trialing the N-VAN e with logistics firm Yamato. Honda The N-Van can seat between one and four people, depending on which style the buyer selects; each option varies in price. The truck is expected to launch in Japan in October. Separately, Honda announced it would establish a new company in partnership with fellow Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi. The new joint venture, Altna, will aim to lower the cost of electric vehicles and extend the lifetime of EV batteries. The Japanese automaker wants 80% of its vehicle lineup to be electric by 2035. Honda Like other Japanese automakers, Honda was slow to get into the EV game. However, it is now racing to electrify, investing $11 billion in a Canadian EV hub and pledging to have 80% of its vehicle lineup be EVs by 2035 and 100% by 2040. Read the original article on Business Insider DULUTH First Lady Jill Biden, self-described as "Nana," made an appeal to older voters during a stop here Thursday at the Lincoln Park Senior Center her kickoff to a campaign meant to draw the support of seniors in the current administration's bid for re-election in November. Biden's 15-minute speech was a pro-aging pep rally that started with the reckoning around new wrinkles and the title of grandparent, then segued into the benefits of living a long life: grit, wisdom, fortitude, perspective, perseverance, dedication and determination, she said. Biden then leaned into the structures needed to allow people to age with dignity Social Security, affordable medications, Medicare. "Aging," she said, "is a gift." Biden's words seemed to resonate with most of the 300-some audience members, some of whom waited more than two hours on folding chairs to hear her speak. Seniors for Biden-Harris, billed as a grassroots program, started this week and will continue around the country into the November election, in which President Joe Biden will face the Republican presumptive nominee, former President Donald Trump. It is a push to draw older supporters for postcard and letter-writing campaigns; phone and text banking and votes. The national campaign will also include pickleball tournaments and bingo nights. Biden touted her spouse's record with issues relating to seniors: capping insulin prices, making sure Medicare can negotiate drug prices directly, strengthening the Affordable Care Act. She asked the people in the room to sign up for phone banks and canvassing shifts and donate to the campaign. "We cannot be defined by a number," she said. "And when people underestimate, they do so at their own risk." Her speech was twice stalled by pro-Palestinian protesters. In both instances, the protesters were led out of the room one waving the flag of Palestine and the audience chanted "Four more years." "Thank God we live in a democracy and we're able to voice our opinions," Biden said. Grandmothers for Peace gathered on the sidewalk outside of the Lincoln Park venue, a community meeting place and headquarters for Meals on Wheels. In this region, one-third of people are over age 65 a greater number than those 18 or younger, according to Georgia Lane of the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. "We're honored she's coming here to talk to older voters," Lane said before the event. Biden, 73, walked into the room, and left the podium, to a Hall & Oates soundtrack: "You're Making My Dreams Come True." She lingered afterward, disappearing into a circle of attendees, whose last-minute invitation to this midday event came via text and email on Wednesday night. The First Lady flew to Duluth from Green Bay, Wis., where she spoke earlier in the day. Frank Jewell, a former county commissioner, warmed up the crowd with a short speech about what he sees as the most pressing needs of St. Louis County's seniors: transportation and affordable medication. "If you're not getting your medication, you aren't going to stay well," he said, earning applause. Sandy Grandmaison, who described herself as an activist, was among the first to arrive for Biden's visit. "I think President Biden is a phenomenal man," she said. "He's done more for the aging and middle class in the past three years than the last president. I'm all for living in a democracy with my grandchildren." First lady Dr. Jill Biden is hitting the campaign trail on a double mission this week, courting older voters to support her husbands reelection bid while also tackling voters concerns about his age. This isnt just about stopping an extremist, and this election is most certainly not about age, the first lady said at an event in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Joe and that other guy are essentially the same age. Lets not be fooled. But what this election is about, its about the character of the person leading our country. Joe Biden is a healthy, wise 81-year-old ready and willing to work for you every day to make our future better, she added. Joe isnt one of the most effective presidents of our lives in spite of his age, but because of it. Her remarks came at her first stop of a three-day campaign swing through Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, Nevada and Arizona. The campaign has deployed the first lady to help boost support among older voters, a group that has typically voted Republican in presidential elections but has shifted toward President Joe Biden in this years contest. Age has proven to be an inescapable issue in the rematch between two seniors Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, who turned 78 on Friday. But the first lady is using her unique position as a spouse of the oldest president in US history and a senior herself she turned 73 last week to speak of the benefits of aging and appeal to an important voting bloc. The woman I am today is wiser, stronger, more insightful and more confident than I was all those years ago, she said. Every line on my face has been earned by the furrowed brows of difficult decisions made. By the sun of countless roads traveled, by the sweet strain of deep laughter with the people I love. Age is a gift. The first lady has emerged as perhaps the most active surrogate for her husbands campaign. Shes jetted around the country for political events and fundraisers in the past year while juggling her duties at the White House and in the classroom. Her campaign schedule is expected to pick up even more in the summer months and heading into the fall. Dr. Biden also has fully embraced a role as a forceful critic of her husbands predecessor. Make no mistake, Donald Trump is dangerous to our livelihoods, to our security, and the future of our country, the first lady said in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Shes lambasted Trump over his treatment of women and his stance on reproductive rights. In an interview with ABCs The View last month, she spoke starkly of the contest between her husband and his predecessor, arguing voters will choose good over evil in November. This weeks campaign push comes as Dr. Biden continues to balance her responsibilities as a top surrogate for her husbands campaign with her role as a key support system for her family as they grapple with the legal and emotional fallout from her son Hunter Bidens conviction on three felony gun charges. The first lady devoted much of the past week and a half to providing in-person support for her son. She sat a few feet behind Hunter in the courtroom through most of the trial as the sordid details of his struggles with addiction and a turbulent period in the familys history were aired out in a Wilmington, Delaware, courtroom. After less than three hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all three charges on Tuesday, a chain of events that moved with such speed that the first lady did not make it to court in time to hear the decision read. Dr. Biden arrived within minutes, and after meeting with her son, family and allies inside the courthouse, she walked out of the building hand-in-hand with Hunter in a public show of solidarity. President Biden made a last minute trip to Wilmington a few hours later to be at his familys side, tightly embracing his only living son on the tarmac shortly after Marine One touched down in Delaware. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that, the president said in a statement after the verdict was announced. The first lady has yet to comment on Hunters conviction and is unlikely to discuss it unprompted. Instead, shell spend the next few days trying to keep the focus on her work to reelect her husband. The first ladys travel this week is part of the campaign rollout of Seniors for Biden, an organizing effort aimed at turning out voters 65 and older. Trump won voters 65 or older by five percentage points in 2020, according to CNN exit polls. But recent surveys have shown a swing in support among older voters toward Biden. At the same time, the campaigns efforts to draw in seniors come amid signs of a narrowing of the presidents support in other key parts of his coalition, including young, Black and Latino voters. The first lady kicked off her swing Thursday with stops in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. On Friday, shell speak at another seniors-focused event in Reno, Nevada, with actress and activist Jane Fonda, and attend a fundraiser in Los Gatos, California. Shell continue the swing on Saturday with an event in Phoenix, Arizona. Advisers believe the presidents pitch on strengthening Social Security and Medicare and lowering prescription drug costs along with the need to protect democracy resonates with older voters as they make their contrast arguments against Trump. The Biden campaign is looking for creative ways to mobilize those voters over the age of 65 heading into November. Theyve organized pickleball tournaments, bingo games, pancake breakfasts and ice cream socials across key states this week. The first lady is betting those efforts will pay off. No, we cannot be defined by a number. And when people underestimate us, they do it at their own risk, the first lady said in Duluth on Thursday. Lets show what these years can do. CNNs Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com 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. Attendees check in at the Idaho Republican Convention at the Coeur d'Alene Resort on June 13, 2024. (Mia Maldonado/Idaho Capital Sun) COEUR DALENE News reporters were not allowed to observe any committee meetings or events during the first day of the Idaho Republican State Convention on Thursday at Coeur dAlene Resort. The state convention takes place every two years. Republican delegates from counties across Idaho will spend three days voting on proposed rules, resolutions, platform changes and, finally, electing the partys chairperson. News reporters may not be allowed to observe or attend any of it a departure from allowing reporters to observe the general sessions in the past. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Reporters who checked in at the conventions registration desk Thursday morning including two reporters from the Idaho Capital Sun were directed by volunteers and staff to a designated media area located in a windowless corner of a hallway at Coeur dAlene Resort. Idaho Republican Party officials announced last week and reiterated to news reporters Thursday that reporters would not be allowed to attend any convention meetings, but would be allowed to interview delegates and Republican officials before and after meetings. The Idaho Republican Party also blocked reporters who are not registered Republicans from attending the Idaho Republican Presidential Caucus on March 2. Idaho GOP chairwoman defends decision, saying Republican party is a private association During an interview Thursday outside Coeur dAlene Resort, a reporter with the Sun asked Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon, When we talk about transparency, is that part of the equation at all? Yeah, not really, Moon said, laughing. Not in my mind. In my mind, this is a private group. Its a private association. And, no, I dont want to sit here and give you all of our platform changes or any rules or resolutions, such as our strategy on fighting ranked-choice voting, because then the Democrats have that information and then they are going to try to counter us. The Sun pointed out that the Idaho Republican Party has already publicly posted its proposed resolutions, platform changes and rules on the Idaho Republican Partys website. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Not all of it will (be published online), Moon responded. I mean but not the nuances that occur in these meetings. At least one elected Republican legislator who attended the convention was surprised by and opposed the decision to exclude news reporters. Who in their right mind thinks it is a good idea to lock the press out? Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls, said in an interview in the convention hallway. Idaho Republican Convention 2024 I think (keeping the press out) is reflective of a lot of things going on in the state, Mickelsen added. Anytime you dont want the press to shine light on what you are doing, I think there is a problem. I think the people get a better process when we have press involved. You can say they are right or left or whatever, Mickelsen said. But at the end of the day, an informed electorate which is what we need the press for helps us and constituents and the people in this state get good information to make good decisions. I think one of the things that people have lost is their constitution of truth. By journalists not being allowed to be a part of and view and report that back, its kind of scary honestly. Ultimately, Moon said access will be her decision. Moon told the Sun on Thursday she has not decided whether reporters will be allowed to attend or observe the conventions general session on Friday or Saturday, when delegates vote on rules, resolutions, the party platform and elect the chairperson and leadership team for the Idaho Republican Party. Moon told the Sun one of the reasons she didnt allow reporters into the convention Thursday is because at the last convention two years ago in Twin Falls she didnt like the way some reporters covered the event. In Twin Falls when I ran for this position, I remember the press was back there, and there were some screen shots and I dont know if you remember it, you should, it wasnt involving you but somebody else and they were texting information to somebody in the Democrat Party and it wasnt good, Moon said Thursday. Idaho GOP chairwoman Dorothy Moon announces the results for the Republican Presidential Caucus in Boise Moon declined to identify the reporter. It also wasnt clear why Moon would have screenshots of a reporters phone or text messages. However, it is common practice in journalism for a reporter working on any story to reach out to the other side of a story for comment, including reaching out to a different political party. That concerns me, the breach of confidence with the press that they would actually put information out to defame or demean or put a bad light on the event that we just had in Twin Falls, Moon said. Theres no room, Moon said of Thursdays meetings. Im not gonna let you in. We cant even get our own people in. Weve got to see how many people are there. I mean, were at capacity right now, Moon said of Fridays and Saturdays meetings. And, no, the press will not come in when Ive got people who have driven all the way from southeast Idaho to attend. And I know you drove far, but these are people who have a right to be in there and vote and listen. I dont want a distraction. I dont want people to be playing for the cameras or playing for the media, Moon added. I want them to get their work done. If Moon bans reporters from the conventions general session, it would represent a departure from the norm of recent Republican conventions. In 2022, former Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris was allowed to attend and cover the general session of the convention, although she was not allowed to attend committee meetings. The platform discussions were closed, but the general session was open, Moseley-Morris said in a text message to the Sun. In the 2014 Idaho Republican State Convention in Twin Falls, reporter Clark Corbin and other journalists were also allowed to attend the general session and some committee meetings. This years Idaho Republican State Convention continues Friday with more committee meetings at Coeur dAlene Resort and a general session at North Idaho College. The Idaho Democratic Party State Convention runs June 22 and June 23 in Moscow. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The post Journalists barred from observing first day of Idaho Republican State Convention appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay offered little resistance at a Thursday morning court hearing to arguments that City Attorney Alex Andrade be permitted to subpoena personal phone records in his search for possible law violations. Lindsay told Circuit Court Judge J. Scott Duncan that if he does decide to allow the subpoena to move forward she is willing to accept that determination. She added, however, "I don't see how the records produced by AT&T will be informative of public business." "I have no fears of these records, your honor, I didn't delete anything," she said. "If your honor believes this is in the best interest of justice going forward I have no problem with that. I have done nothing wrong." Duncan ruled that he will decide next week how he will proceed with Andrade's request for the subpoena, which the judge suggested could include him reviewing the records himself privately first to determine what might be considered public records subject to release under the law. "I will review the case law and try to make a reasoned determination," Duncan said Thursday at the conclusion of the first hearing held pertaining to a civil suit filed by the city against the mayor. City Attorney Alex Andrade speaks as he and Milton Mayor Heather Lindsey appear before Circuit Judge Scott Duncan during a hearing at the Santa Rosa County Court House in Milton on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Andrade wants the judge to approve a subpoena to access the mayors phone records. Andrade said he wants the records so that he can determine whether Lindsay or others he has requested public records from have deleted text messages or whether the mayor had discussed city business in telephone conversations with members of the City Council or public officials that she has not made public. Lindsay argued that the First Judicial Circuit's State Attorney's Office, and not the city of Milton, should be conducting any investigation of possible law violations. She said she had spoken to that office and come away believing that the state attorney was not considering taking action against her. The mayor did not return a phone call seeking comment on Thursday's proceedings. Much of Lindsay's conversation with the judge seemed to center more on how she feels she's been treated by Andrade and the Milton City Council, which voted to file suit against her to obtain a host of public record documents, than on fending off the subpoena of phone records. She said she has done her best to produce what records Andrade has requested while at the same time struggling "to figure out what Mr. Andrade is looking for." She also expressed frustration with the persistence with which he has pursued records when she has been as transparent in production as she can be. The judge asked her "how should the city determine that everything (requested) has been produced?" Lindsay responded that, while the city has no specific policy, "normally to take them at their word and if there is perceived to be a mistake we're followed up with." "That's not what happened here," she said. "I got sued." Milton Mayor Heather Lindsey speaks as she and City Attorney Alex Andrade appear before Circuit Judge Scott Duncan during a hearing at the Santa Rosa County Court House in Milton on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Andrade wants the judge to approve a subpoena to access the mayors phone records. Andrade informed the judge that Lindsay had failed to cite specific exemptions or legal rights that would permit the judge to quash the request for subpoena. He also said that he had received two more emails from Lindsay in the last week that she explained she believed to have been previously sent. Andrade questioned whether the mayor's word could be trusted by either his client or the court. "You can't expect me to take her at here word whether she made a phone call or not," he said. Andrade said the records produced most recently point toward not just public records laws being violated through the failed timely release of documents, but also indicate possible Sunshine Law violations that would have occurred if Lindsay had attempted to use a third person to secretly communicate with members of the City Council. In one case, City Councilwoman Marilynn Farrow received a memo from Andrade in his role as city attorney that warned her about the potential liability to the city of Farrow bringing up a matter of former City Clerk Dawn Molinero being "legally entitled" to compensatory time following her termination. The email indicates that the Andrade memo had been passed on to Molinero and then forwarded via email from Molinero to the mayor. The second recently provided set of documents included a text conversation between Lindsay and then incoming City Manager Scott Collins. Within the body of the texts Lindsay appears to be urging Collins to speak to council members to convince them to vote against firing Molinero. "I don't know if he (then City Manager Randy Jorgenson) has the votes to get rid of her but (council members Matt) Jarrett and (Roxanne) Meiss and (Casey) Powell are possibly seeing Dawn as someone to fire," the text said. "If you feel led to it, could you speak with individual council members to privately share the facts that confirm Dawn's email to you about corruption?" More: Milton City Council debates how to best compensate fired City Clerk Dawn Molinero The text conversation continued with Lindsay adding "I'm doing my best to keep control of the (meeting) agenda so they can't add a motion to fire (Molinero)." Andrade said Thursday afternoon the two long awaited public record documents taken together make it "look very strongly like she violated the Sunshine Law." "Both very much look like the iceberg top of violations," he said. "With just those records I could file for summary judgment." He said his intention, however, is to keep digging to answer many as yet unanswered questions. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Judge considering the release of Milton mayor's personal phone records A court order paints a bleak picture of conditions at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, shown, and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Its no secret that the LA-based private equity firm looking to sell off a pair of Rhode Island hospitals is struggling. But the financial straits, and internal hospital environments, appear far worse than previously suggested. Prospect Medical Holdings said in court filings it would file for bankruptcy if forced to pay $17.3 million in outstanding bills to vendors at Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. Prospect failed to sway the judge who ordered the company to cough up the money within 10 days of the June 12 decision. Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Brian Stern blasted Prospect in his 45-page decision, alleging its use of the hospitals as a private bank and treatment of accounts payable as a credit facility loanconstitutes irreparable harm. Harm to the patients who depend on the more than 500 hospital beds across both facilities and the 2,500 employees of the two hospitals plus its affiliated physician groups, home care and hospice agencies and offices. Sterns stern rebuke comes on the brink of an expected decision by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island Department of Health on the proposed sale of the two community hospitals to a nonprofit owner. The high-stakes transaction is framed by proponents as the only escape from increasingly toxic ownership. The pivotal role the hospital plays in Rhode Islands health care landscape is of great concern to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who filed a Nov. 8 court petition asking for a judge to intervene on Prospects stack of unpaid bills. I appreciate Judge Sterns decision and careful consideration of this matter, Neronha said in a statement. The decision unambiguously and correctly concludes that Prospect repeatedly failed to comply with important conditions set in our 2021 decision. Otis Brown, spokesperson for Prospects Rhode Island subsidiary, CharterCARE Health Partners, declined to comment. United Nurses & Allied Professionals Local 5110 President Lynn Blais speaks during the first of two public hearings on the proposed sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to The Centurion Foundation on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Rhode Island College. The hearings were part of the states regulatory review process. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) The court order paints a bleak picture of the Providence and North Providence hospitals, describing bed bugs, mold, brown water leaking from an eyewash device and absence of standard safety procedures. Federal inspectors who visited Roger Williams in April found water leaking from the ceiling into a light fixture, prompting an immediate jeopardy warning by the The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The leak has since been fixed, but the hospital remains in substantial noncompliance with CMS, according to the court order. Then there are the string of canceled surgeries 19 in October 2023 alone as the unpaid bills from vendors supplying key equipment and materials pile up. The company initially blamed the missed payments on an August 2023 cyberattack, but it was already facing overdue bills before that, and the mountain is growing by the day. The hospital owes $43 million to 726 vendors, with $24.4 million more than 90 days overdue, according to testimony from Steve Salisbury, accounts payable and payroll manager for CharterCARE, included in court documents. Salisbury also acknowledged that the company has dipped into its accounts payable in Rhode Island to pay bills at other hospitals it owns around the country, including California, which requires a minimum cash balance for hospital operations. Rhode Island does not have the same minimum cash balance requirement. The court is troubled by the respondents prioritization of entities in one state over another, particularly to Rhode Islanders detriment, Stern wrote. Respondents obligation to comply with regulatory requirements imposed upon it by Rhode Island is no less important or stringent than its obligations to comply with California requirements. Failing to keep the hospitals open, operating and paying the bills runs the risk of losing the hospitals as reliable health care facilities for Rhode Islanders, Stern wrote. Addressing Prospects protests that paying its overdue bills would force it to file for bankruptcy, Stern noted the $2 billion operating deficit recorded in 2023 financial statements. Some see the proposed sale as salvation for the embattled hospitals, including staff and patients. But the interested buyer, Atlanta-based The Centurion Foundation, might not be the ideal savior. Most concerning to the 1,000 union workers across both hospitals is how Centurion intends to finance the deal. In its December application to state regulators, Centurion proposed using $130 million of taxable and tax-exempt bonds to cover the sale and an initial balance sheet investment, estimated at $80 million apiece. Workers with the United Nurses & Allied Professionals warned of crushing debt that could ultimately force the hospitals to shutter, even under new ownership. However, hospital administrators maintained that Centurions nonprofit status and commitment to local control would cut costs while improving services. Even more compelling to supporters of the sale: Theres no other option. Centurion was the only eligible respondent to Prospects solicitation seeking interested buyers, Jeffrey Liebman, CEO and president of CharterCARE, said during a March hearing on the proposed deal. State regulators can approve or reject the sale, or, a third option: approval with conditions attached. A decision is expected in the coming days, according to Brian Hodge, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office. The post Judge demands Fatima, Roger Williams owner pay $17M in overdue bills appeared first on Rhode Island Current. Judge officially sentences man to death for kidnapping, murdering Jacksonville woman in 2019 A local man who kidnapped and murdered a woman has been sentenced to death. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Markas Fishburne was officially sentenced to death by a judge on Thursday. Action News Jax told you in February when a jury recommended death. A judge agreed with their verdict on Thursdays sentencing hearing. Action News Jax has been following Fishburnes case since 2019. Aisha Levys body was found inside an apartment in the Baymeadows area. Fishburne was arrested while trying to board a bus to Indiana. Read: She was inviting a monster into her home: Family of Southside murder victim wants justice [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Phoenix Police Department regularly violates the constitutional rights of its most vulnerable residents, including minors, homeless people, racial minorities, and those experiencing mental health crises, according to a report released Thursday by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. The investigators documented incidents where Phoenix police fabricated incident reports, needlessly used physical force and dangerous restraints, illegally detained homeless people and destroyed their property, delayed medical aid to wounded suspects, and assaulted people for criticizing or filming them. The report concluded that "systemic problems" and "pervasive failings" in the department's policies, training, and accountability mechanisms have led to widespread use of unconstitutional tactics, excessive force, and illegal retaliation against residents, violating their First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. "Phoenix residents deserve nothing less than fair, non-discriminatory, and constitutional policing," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division said in a press release announcing the findings. "Officers enforce certain laws, including drug and low-level offenses, more severely against Black, Hispanic, and Native American people than against white people engaged in the same behaviors," the report also said. The Justice Department launched the investigation, known as a "pattern or practice" probe, in 2021, following years of controversial police shootings and allegations of civil rights violations. Those calls for reform escalated after the department's violent and farcical response to the 2020 George Floyd protests, where police and prosecutors tried to charge a dozen protesters for assisting a fictional criminal gang, "A.C.A.B." (The acronym stands for All Cops Are Bastards and is a popular slogan among anti-police activists.) Justice Department investigators found that during protests, officers fired pepper balls, stun bags, and other less-than-lethal munitions indiscriminately and without legal justification at protesters engaged in protected First Amendment activity. One officer fired more than 1,000 pepper balls in one night during the George Floyd protests. Officers also made false statements to support arrests of protesters. In one training session reviewed by Justice Department investigators, an instructor used a picture of a protester being shot in the groin with a projectile as a laugh line. The instructor also bragged about how a search warrant of another protester's home and workplace had led the man to become "jobless and homeless at the same damn time." And although the Phoenix Police Department was prohibited from using neck restraints after 2020, officers continued to use dangerous and unnecessary compression restraints on suspects. The report recounts one instance where officers stopped a group of people in a parking lot for trespassing, ordered them to sit on the curb, and asked each person for identification to check for outstanding warrants. An officer approached one man who stood up to get to his wallet, and told another officer, "He's not listening, let's just hook him." The man told the officers that he was trying to follow directions, but both officers grabbed him, twisted his wrists, and slammed him down on the sidewalk. The man protested, "You're breaking the law, I didn't do anything!" One officer can be heard on body-worn camera saying, "It's not breaking no law, bro!" as he wrapped his hands around the man's neck. In his report, the officer wrote he did not "apply pressure to the male's throat or squeeze his throat in any way." Phoenix police do not modify their aggressive and demeaning behavior when dealing with minors. The report notes numerous instances of officers using excessive force and unprofessional language with young teenagers. The report also criticized Phoenix police for harassing the homeless through illegal detentions, ID checks, searches, and arrests, despite a binding Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that prohibits cities from criminalizing homelessness when shelter space isn't available. "Without suspicion of a crime, officers roust people sleeping on public property, demand their identification, detain them to ask questions unrelated to their welfare, and to tell them to move," the Justice Department wrote. "Such encounters are coercive, unnecessary, and routinely lead to constitutional violations." The report also found that Phoenix police retaliated against citizens for criticizing or filming them in day-to-day interactions, even though filming the police is a firmly protected First Amendment right. In one example, a man filmed officers while he leaned out of his car window. "Officers surrounded the car, pointed a gun at the man's head from less than a foot away, and then booked him for felony rioting," the report said. In another instance, an officer repeatedly tased a handcuffed suspect for calling him a "bitch." This is not simply a problem of rogue officers. According to the Justice Department report, Phoenix police are trained that the best way to deescalate is through overwhelming and immediate force. In "some trainings we observed, trainers encouraged officers to use force without warning or just seconds after arriving at a scene, regardless of whether the person presented an apparent risk to officers or others," the report said. "In one PhxPD video used to train 40mm operators, a PhxPD officer shot a 40mm impact round at a man standing directly in front of a toddler in a crib. When someone in the training expressed concern that the toddler could have been struck had the officer missed the target, the trainer responded that the deployment was 'one of the best executions of the safety priorities' and the only room for improvement was to fire the projectile sooner." In fact, officers had an incentive to shoot: The investigators found that the police department "took the weapons away from officers who did not use them enough." City leaders and police officials did not welcome the Justice Department's findings or recommendations. The Arizona Republic reported, "One city leader said federal oversight would 'neuter' the department, while a police leader said the report's findings were riddled with 'innuendo' and 'half-truths.'" The Phoenix report is Justice Department's third major civil rights investigation of a metropolitan police department to be released under President Joe Biden. Last year it released reports on pervasive civil rights violations by police in Minneapolis and Louisville. The post Justice Department Says Phoenix Police Violated Rights of Children, Minorities, Protesters, Homeless People appeared first on Reason.com. Justice Department says Phoenix police violated rights. Here are some cases that drew criticism FILE - Phoenix Police stand in front of police headquarters on May 30, 2020, in Phoenix, waiting for protesters marching to protest the death of George Floyd. Phoenix police violate peoples rights, discriminate against Black, Hispanic and Native American people when enforcing the law and use excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday, June 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) PHOENIX (AP) Phoenix police use unjustified deadly force, discriminate against people of color and routinely violate the rights of homeless people, the Justice Department said in announcing the results of a sweeping civil rights investigation. The government launched the investigation in 2021 after years of complaints and issued a report Thursday. The Phoenix Police Department was criticized for its treatment of protesters, deaths of people who were restrained by officers, and a high number of shootings by officers. Phoenix police didn't immediately respond to the report's findings. A top police union official called the investigation a farce. Mayor Kate Gallego said she'll carefully and thoroughly review the findings before making further comment. Here's a look at some of the cases mentioned in the report: Shootings The Justice Department reviewed all Phoenix police shootings from January 2019 to December 2022, finding some likely could have been avoided if not for reckless tactics by officers that increased the risk of deadly encounters. For example, the report says, Phoenix police shot at people who did not pose a threat. And, police used excessive force on wounded people and delayed medical assistance, the report says. In one instance, an officer shot a man who who was holding a knife to his own throat, saying he wanted to die. In another case, a police officer fired a shot at a man who fell down, the report says. And in another case, police waited over nine minutes to help a woman after officers shot her 10 times. The woman died. Police also shot a man with a gun and then fired bean bag rounds at him as he lay motionless. The pain inflicted from such rounds would be extraordinary, but the first two stun bags elicited no reaction to suggest the man was conscious or presented a threat. Yet the supervisor ordered officers to fire more rounds at the man," the report says. After the sixth projectile was fired, an officer said he needed gloves to start CPR, the report says. No rush, guys, no rush, the supervisor responded. The officers fired two more rounds before approaching the man who died at the scene, the report says. Protesters Investigators reviewed protests in Phoenix between 2017 and 2022. They said police targeted lawful protesters for arrest and reacted with unjustified force or arrest when people in everyday encounters spoke or attempted to record officers conduct. During the protests in the summer of 2020, Phoenix officers failed to warn protesters before shooting projectiles and made little attempt to distinguish between peaceful protesters and those engaged in unlawful acts, the report said. The report cites a widely criticized challenge coin that circulated among Phoenix officers in 2017. It depicted a gas mask-wearing demonstrator getting shot in the groin with a projectile and contained a vulgar comment about his injury. Discrimination Distrust grew deeper, especially in Black and Hispanic communities, in June 2019 when cellphone video emerged showing officers pointing guns at an unarmed Black couple with two small children they suspected of shoplifting. The couple said their 4-year-old daughter took a doll from a store without their knowledge and rejected police suggestions they stole, too. No charges were filed. After the video drew criticism, Phoenix police quickly implemented widespread use of body worn cameras, making it one of the last big departments to do so. The Justice Department said Phoenix police disproportionately targeted communities of color. Police enforced certain laws like low-level drug and traffic offenses, loitering and trespassing more harshly against Black, Hispanic and Native American people than against white people who engaged in the same conduct, the report says. Black drivers in Phoenix were 144% more likely and Hispanic drivers were 40% more likely than white drivers to be arrested or cited for low-level violations in view of red light cameras, the report says. Native American people were more than 44 times more likely than white people on a per capita basis to be cited or arrested for possessing and consuming alcohol. Homelessness Phoenix police illegally detained homeless people, in some cases falsely claiming the people were obstructing sidewalks or alleys, the Justice Department said. Police also cited or arrested homeless people for conduct that is plainly not a crime," the report says. More than a third of the Phoenix Police Departments misdemeanor arrests and citations between January 2016 and March 2022 were of homeless people, the report says. One man was arrested or cited at least 20 times between 2019 and 2022. The report notes citations and arrests for one 69-year-old man who was sitting or sleeping on public property. At one point he asked police: Is there no end to the harassment of the homeless? Children The Justice Department said police also use combative language and needless force" when dealing with children. Police threw a 15-year-old Latino boy against a bus stop pole and handcuffed him after he asked to call his mother, the report says. The officers also questioned the boy while he was handcuffed, without informing him of his Miranda rights," the report said. The officers unlawfully searched his backpack without a warrant before releasing him with a lecture that the encounter was his own fault, according to the report. Police also handcuffed and used neck restraints on a 13-year-old boy who walked out of school without permission, according to the Justice Department. With the officers knee in his back and hand on his neck, the boy pleaded to be let go: My moms right there. I cant breathe. Im just trying to get home,'" the report says. When the boy's mother complained, a supervisor defended the conduct as reasonable and necessary, the report says. Speaker Johnson says House will go to court for Biden audio after Justice Dept. refused to prosecute FILE - Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the Department of Justice, Aug. 11, 2023, in Washington. The Justice Department says Garland will not be prosecuted for contempt of Congress after refusing to turn over audio of President Joe Biden's interview in his classified documents case because his actions "did not constitute a crime." (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) WASHINGTON (AP) Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that the House will go to court to enforce the subpoena against Attorney General Merrick Garland for access to President Joe Biden's special counsel audio interview, hours after the Justice Department refused to prosecute Republicans contempt of Congress charge. It is sadly predictable that the Biden Administrations Justice Department will not prosecute Garland for defying congressional subpoenas even though the department aggressively prosecuted Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro for the same thing, Johnson said in a statement. This is yet another example of the two-tiered system of justice brought to us by the Biden Administration. In a letter to Johnson earlier Friday, a Justice Department official cited the agency's longstanding position and uniform practice to not prosecute officials who dont comply with subpoenas because of a presidents claim of executive privilege. The Democratic president last month asserted executive privilege to block the release of the audio, which the White House says Republicans want only for political purposes. Republicans moved forward with the contempt effort anyway, voting Wednesday to punish Garland for refusing to provide the recording. Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte noted that the Justice Department under presidents of both political parties has declined to prosecute in similar circumstances when there has been a claim of executive privilege. Accordingly, the department "will not bring the congressional contempt citation before a grand jury or take any other action to prosecute the Attorney General, Uriarte said in the letter to Johnson. The letter did not specify who in the Justice Department made the decision. Republicans were incensed when special counsel Robert Hur declined to prosecute Biden over his handling of classified documents and quickly opened an investigation. GOP lawmakers led by Reps. Jim Jordan and James Comer sent a subpoena for audio of Hurs interviews with Biden, but the Justice Department only turned over some of the records, leaving out audio of the interview with the president. Republicans have accused the White House of suppressing the tape because they say the president is afraid to have voters hear it during an election year. A spokesperson for Jordan criticized the Justice Department's move Friday, saying, The rule of law for thee, but not for me. A transcript of the Hur interview showed Biden struggling to recall some dates and occasionally confusing some details something longtime aides say hes done for years in both public and private but otherwise showing deep recall in other areas. Biden and his aides are particularly sensitive to questions about his age. At 81, hes the oldest-ever president, and he is currently seeking another four-year term. The attorney general has said the Justice Department has gone to extraordinary lengths to provide information to the lawmakers about Hurs investigation. However, Garland has said releasing the audio could jeopardize future sensitive investigations because witnesses might be less likely to cooperate if they know their interviews might become public. In a letter last month detailing Bidens decision to assert executive privilege, White House counsel Ed Siskel accused Republicans of seeking the recordings so they can chop them up and distort them to attack the president. Executive privilege gives presidents the right to keep information from the courts, Congress and the public to protect the confidentiality of decision-making, though it can be challenged in court. The Justice Department noted that it also declined to prosecute Attorney General Bill Barr, who was held in contempt in 2019. The Democratically controlled House voted to issue a referral against Barr after he refused to turn over documents related to a special counsel investigation into former President Donald Trump. The Justice Department similarly declined to prosecute former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows after he was held in contempt of Congress for ceasing to cooperate with the Jan. 6 Committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Years before that, then-Attorney General Eric Holder was held in contempt related to the gun-running operation known as Operation Fast and Furious. The Justice Department also took no action against Holder. Two former Trump White House officials, Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, were prosecuted for contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the Jan. 6 committee. They were both found guilty at trial and sentenced to four months in prison. Navarro has been behind bars since March, and Bannon has been ordered to report to prison by July 1. The special counsel in Bidens case, Hur, spent a year investigating the presidents improper retention of classified documents, from his time as a senator and as vice president. Hur said he found insufficient evidence to successfully prosecute a case in court. Hur cited limitations with Bidens memory and the presidents cooperation with investigators that could convince some jurors that he made an innocent mistake." Hur's report also described the president as someone for whom jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt. In a report released on Thursday by the U.S. Dept of Justice, the Phoenix Police Department use discriminatory practices against Native Americans in Phoenix. (Photo/Phoenix Police Department) In a 126-page scathing report released on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Phoenix Police Department (PhxPD) was found to discriminate against Native Americans, Blacks, and Hispanics, unlawfully detain homeless people and use excessive force, including unjustified deadly force. The investigation of the police force in the countrys fifth-largest city began on August 5, 2021. The findings of the report were announced by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. The findings that we have issued are severe, Clarke said, adding, This is one instance where we cant count on the police to police themselves. The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population of Phoenix is just over 39,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the DOJ report, the AI/AN population was referred to as the Native American population. In its executive summary, the Justice Departments report finds that: PhxPD uses excessive force, including unjustified deadly force and other types of force. PhxPD and the City unlawfully detain, cite, and arrest people experiencing homelessness and unlawfully dispose of their belongings. This is the first time the Department has found a pattern or practice of conduct that focuses on the rights of people experiencing homelessness. PhxPD discriminates against Black, Hispanic, and Native American people when enforcing the law. PhxPD violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech and expression. PhxPD and the City discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities when dispatching calls for assistance and responding to people in crisis. Native American Issues For much of the report, Native Americans are often included in references to Blacks and Hispanics; however, Native Americans were singled out numerous times when addressing specific offenses. The Native community members faced higher incidences of being stopped by the police, given citations, and arrested. Native Americans in Phoenix were 44 times more likely than white people to be cited or arrested for possessing or consuming alcohol. For Blacks, the rate was five times more likely than white people for alcohol-related offenses. Native American people are cited almost six times more often than white people for crossing a street against a Dont Walk signal. On a per capita basis, Native American people in Phoenix were 26 times more likely than white people to be cited or arrested for remaining at a bus stop for over one hour in an eight-hour period, though Native American people make up only approximately 7% of the local homeless population while white people make up 68%. PhxPD officers were 14.5% more likely to book Native Americans for trespass-related offenses, while they cited or released white people stopped for the same violation. The report cites that the PhxPD seems to be oblivious to the problem. The report states: Earlier this year, PhxPD claimed that the department was unaware of any credible evidence of discriminatory policing.This statement is troubling in light of the stark disparities described above. But it is also unsurprisingwe saw no evidence PhxPD engages in self-assessment to identify potentially discriminatory policing patterns. However, community groups have raised concerns about PhxPDs relationship with communities of color. For years, Black and brown communities in Phoenix have had a strained relationship with PhxPD. After Thursdays release of the report, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement that city officials would meet on June 25 to seek legal advice and discuss the next steps. The report states that the PhxPD maintains inadequate internal controls, including through data review or misconduct investigations that would identify discriminatory policing. The report says PhxPDs data collection practices have been deficient; the agency did not require all officers to document police stops that did not result in citations or arrests until after we opened our investigation "I will carefully and thoroughly review the findings before making further comment, "Gallego said. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Vice President Harris has become the Biden campaigns secret weapon in North Carolina, a battleground state the incumbents say they can win in November. Harris this week made her fifth trip this year to the state, where she has spent much of her time speaking directly to Black communities particularly Black men, a demographic President Biden has been struggling to court to tout the administrations accomplishments as part of a broader nationwide economic tour. Vice President Harris looks on as President Biden gives a speech on health care at an event in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, March. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) I believe very strongly that the accomplishments of our administration such as creating 15 million new jobs; creating over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs; the historic low unemployment, particularly for the Black community, are very important. Critically important, Harris said Wednesday at a moderated discussion in Charlotte, alongside actor Michael Ealy and television commentator Bakari Sellers, both of whom are Black. Im very aware that, you know, we can do all this good stuff in Washington, D.C., but if it doesnt hit the streets, it doesnt matter, Harris said. Democrats say Harriss string of trips shows the campaigns investment in North Carolina as they try to steal away a state won by former President Trump in 2020. And Harris is a central part of that strategy, those close to the campaign say. Shes one of the administrations best spokespeople to the Black community, said Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons, who served as Harriss communications director until last year. The president has been making the case to the Black community as well, but obviously the VP has a different kind of appeal. Democratic strategist Joel Payne said Harris can be effective as a surrogate for Biden with Democratic voters, including African Americans. I think there is a relationship between putting her out there more and having her go on offense more with how she is being received more positively on the campaign trail, Payne said. Still, even Biden allies acknowledge winning North Carolina could be an uphill battle, even with Harriss visits. A Democratic nominee hasnt delivered that state since 2008, when then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won the presidency. And with less than five months until Election Day, Trump has a healthy lead in the state, according to polls. A poll published last week by East Carolina Universitys Center for Survey Research showed Trump leading Biden by 5 points in the state, 48 percent support to 43 percent. In the aggregate of key polls by Decision Desk HQ and The Hill, Trump holds a 5.4 point lead over Biden. I think were dreaming, one Democratic strategist acknowledged. Its great that the vice president is spending time there. Its what we should be doing with all of these battleground states. Its nothing against the VP. I think shes doing what she can to help sway Black voters, the strategist added. I just think the odds are stacked against us. Harriss approval rating also remains underwater overall among the electorate. A Politico/Morning Consult survey released this week showed the vice president has an approval rating of 42 percent. And she has an overall perception problem with voters regarding whether she would be a formidable leader for the Democratic Party; the same poll showed that 42 percent of voters described her as a strong leader, and 57 percent of those surveyed said they thought Harris could win a presidential election. But the same survey showed she is making progress with Black voters in particular. She has a 67 percent favorability rating among that demographic, underscoring an uptick for her, after routinely trailing Biden with Black voters when the two were in the 2020 Democratic primary race, and even after he selected her as his nominee. Biden has an approval rating of 63 percent with Black voters. In a memo this week, Dory MacMillan, the Biden campaigns North Carolina communications director, said Democrats in the state have hit the ground running earlier than ever and are building a campaign that will leave no votes on the table. MacMillan said while the Biden campaign has opened field offices throughout the state, Trump has zero offices or dedicated campaign staff in North Carolina. Harris, Biden aides note, was in the state in April to open the first field office in Charlotte. She has also appeared on Black media in the state, including Charlottes Power 98 FM. During two visits in March, Harris helped launch Students for Biden-Harris and announced investments in strengthening small businesses on Black Wall Street in Durham. She also delivered remarks in Raleigh with Biden on the administrations work to lower health care costs. Political observers say the investments made by the Biden campaign including the Harris visits could pay off in a state thats supposed to be won on the margins. There are very few persuadable voters, so that means the vast bulk is all about who shows up, said Michael Bitzer, the chair of the department of politics at Catawba College in North Carolina. And what weve seen in the past couple of election cycles is Black turnout is below the state averages, so anytime there is recognition courting, if you will of a constituency who is a core component of your coalition, it pays to be here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Kansas City Police Department violated a state law on public records when it overcharged a woman seeking body and dashboard camera videos, a Jackson County judge has ruled. The Missouri Sunshine Law allows public access to some records held by government agencies. In February 2022, Jannet Morales submitted a request for video recordings by officers who responded to a fatal crash, court documents said. The police department quoted her a cost of $361. When Morales asked about the fee, the department said it charges $64 an hour for staff to review and redact sensitive information. Citing the law, Morales said fees shall not exceed the average hourly rate of pay for staff of the public governmental body and that research or review times are not chargeable for records such as videos that are maintained on computers. After some back and forth, the police department deleted her request. Morales filed a lawsuit in December 2022 alleging that the department tried to charge a fee that was arbitrary and capricious. In a judgment issued earlier this month, Jackson County Circuit Judge John Torrence found that the police department violated two parts of the Sunshine Law. Torrence concluded that the $64 rate was improperly calculated because it included the pay rates of more highly compensated persons that are not required for making copies and programming. The department also tried to charge for time spent reviewing and redacting records, which is not allowed under the open records law. Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, said other aspects of the case remain pending. As such we will refrain from comment to ensure fairness for all sides in this matter, he said. Torrence will next have to determine if the police departments actions were purposeful and/or knowing, court documents said. A hearing for that part of the case is scheduled for July 29. Kansas City police seek help from public on investigation into Sunday shooting Kansas City police are seeking the publics help in providing information about a shooting that happened Sunday night. The shooting took place at around 8:30 p.m. at 6600 block of Monroe Avenue. Officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was taken to a hospital and remains in critical condition. Police have not made any arrests in the case but have asked anyone who may have found something, heard anything, or know someone with information, to contact the TIPS Hotline or the KCPD Assault Squad at 816-234-5227. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Thursday, June 13 the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) hosted a public hearing to address the Kansas Gas Service (KGS) proposed rate increase. The Kansas Gas Service is requesting a net rate increase in base rates of $58.1 million. This 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. NE Kansas counties issued severe thunderstorm warning KGS wants to establish two different rates based on how much natural gas you use. It found that the average natural gas use is 73 Mcf, or one thousand cubic feet, per year. This proposal will increase bills by approximately $6.71 for customers who use less than 73 Mcf and by $9.48 for customers who use more than 73 Mcf. The KCC would have to sign off on the new rates. The hearing was an opportunity for the public to ask questions to the KGS and make comments to the KCC. Chiefs presented with Super Bowl 58 rings KSNT 27 News spoke to a Topekan who attended the meeting and got his thoughts about the proposal. I think the increase is excessive, Topeka resident David Frampton said. So Im still struggling to see why or how they are going to justify their increase. This was the first of two public hearings. The next one is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June, 17 in Wichita. A commission order on the application is due Oct. 25, 2024. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a 3rd District Democrat, hailed actions 70 years ago to create the U.S. Small Business Administration. She said the federal government needs to further expand broadband access to help companies grow and prosper. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, applauded a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to turn aside a lawsuit seeking to direct the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to significantly limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas said the U.S. Supreme Courts rejection of an attempt to undermine the federal Food and Drug Administrations authorization of a widely available abortion medication wouldnt be the final act by opponents of reproductive rights. On Thursday, the Supreme Court said the plaintiffs, comprised of anti-abortion physicians and organizations, didnt have standing to pursue the lawsuit against the FDA aimed at curtailing access to the drug mifepristone. Its possible other plaintiffs capable of showing they were harmed by availability of the pill could challenge FDA approval of the drug. It is used in approximately half of all abortions in the United States. I will always stand with Kansans who overwhelmingly rejected extremist attempts to limit reproductive health care access, said Davids, the 3rd District Democrat. Yet, for the second year in a row, a vital and safe reproductive health care medication was under attack, threatening to strip Kansans ability to freely make health care decisions that are best for their families and futures. Davids said the Supreme Court opinion was a victory for our freedoms, but the legal fight regarding abortion access was far from over. She vowed to continue opposing attempts to interfere in our most private health care decisions. U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, signed an amicus brief urging federal courts to rule the FDA overstepped its authority years ago in regard to use of mifepristone. U.S. Reps. Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Jake LaTurner, signed a brief that argued the Supreme Court should reverse the FDA. These Kansas lawmakers said the FDAs action to deregulate chemical abortion drugs subverted Congress public policy interests and patient welfare. Mifepristone, which is authorized for up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy, was part of two-drug regimen that included misoprostol as the second pharmaceutical. Meanwhile, both U.S. senators from Kansas, Republicans Jerry Moran and Marshall, voted Thursday to block legislation offered by Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois that would affirm the right of women attempting to become pregnant to seek fertility treatments that included in vitro fertilization or IVF. The Senate vote on that measure was 48-47, which was short of the 60 votes required to advance the measure. On Wednesday, Marshall said the Duckworth bill contained poison pills that violated the religious freedom of physicians and would unnecessarily broaden access to reproductive technology. He praised a piece of IVF legislation sponsored by Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. This is personal to so many of us, said Marshall, a physician who delivered babies for 30 years in Kansas. The country needs to know that Republicans believe in IVF. I happen to believe IVF is a gift from God. The post Kansas Davids lauds court decision on abortion pill; Marshall critiques Democrats IVF bill appeared first on Kansas Reflector. EFFINGHAM, KS (KSNT) One Kansas lawmaker explains what happened after he caused a wreck that left three people injured. On Monday, June 10, two teen brothers were driving home on Highway 73, west of Atchison after purchasing a new truck in Atchison. Around 9:05 p.m., Representative John Eplee, a republican from Atchison, swerved into oncoming traffic and hit the pickup head-on, then collided with the car the older brother was driving. Eplee told 27 News he still isnt sure what happened. I must have had a period of where I wasnt mentally present. Either, I fell asleep at the wheel or I had a blackout spell, Eplee said. And, I went left of center and I hit a vehicle. And, then the other vehicle was also struck behind that. And they were ironically, I believe, theyre two brothers. Kansas lawmaker introduces plan focused on property taxes for special session Steven Claxton, the father of the victims, doesnt think a ticket was enough. Could have been a near fatality accident, Claxton said. And, left of center. You know, if you go left to center, that generally means theres something going on. The two brothers and lawmaker only suffered minor injuries, but all three vehicles were totaled. Eplee was ticketed for crossing the center line. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Kansas legislative leadership reached a compromise deal with Gov. Laura Kelly on a tax cut bill after she vetoed several similar bills this session for moving the state to a single-rate income tax and for the overall cost of the bill. Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said the bill will "not be significantly different" from past tax plans on Thursday before an agreement was reached. He added that the base of the bill was Senate Bill 37, the last tax bundle passed by a supermajority in the House and simple majority in the Senate. "For over a year, the legislature has been laser-focused on easing the burden of inflation by letting taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money by passing multiple broad and sustainable tax relief plans," Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said in a joint statement. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, confirmed that an agreement has been reached on tax cuts. Kelly vetoed three tax cut bills this session, citing her opposition to the cost and the single-rate income tax, also called a flat tax. The bill hasn't been released, but several key issues have been addressed in each tax bill this year: exempting the first $100,000 of property from the state school mill levy, either exempting or addressing the cliff on social security taxes, reducing the privilege tax rate on banks to align with cuts to corporate tax rates and abolishing state sales tax on food ahead of schedule. Each bill has also altered Kansas's three-tiered progressive income tax, first with a single-rate tax, also called a flat tax, on income and then reducing the number of brackets from three to two. Kelly has said she prefers Kansas's three-tier system, but said the agreement will include a two income brackets. "This agreement is not without its flaws. The movement from a three-tiered to a two-tiered income tax structure limits the amount of property tax relief that can be provided to Kansans," Kelly said. "However, it does meet the affordability criteria I proposed. Thus, should the Legislature pass this negotiated agreement, I intend to sign it." The current price tag on the bill hasn't been released, but Kelly stated that the maximum she's willing to allow is a $425 million cut by fiscal year 2029. While Kelly said the focus on a two-tiered income tax structure prevented broader tax relief, Republican leaders pointed the blame at her and promised to seek opportunities for more tax relief during its session next year. They also said they'll eliminate the local ad valorem tax reduction fund, a fund that's intended to lower local property taxes through a state-run fund lawmakers have stripped it of funding every year for the past 20 years. "While the Governor's veto pen prevented more substantial income and property tax relief, this agreement is an important first step that lowers taxes today for the people who need it the most while also eliminating the LAVTR slush fund. On Tuesday, we will act swiftly to pass this compromise and look forward to resuming our efforts to pass additional tax relief when we return in January," Hawkins and Masterson said. Kelly may still veto the bill if legislators significantly tweak it while it goes through committees and floor votes. However, leaders of Republican chambers and the Senate Democrats announced that they will support the plan. "Compromise is ugly sometimes. While this proposal is not what we fully wanted, in the spirit of compromise it moves us forward," said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa. "Senate Democrats will continue to fight for more property tax relief and child care relief, things we know our constituents truly want and need." The special session is expected to start on Tuesday and is expected to only last one day before wrapping up. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas governor 'intends to sign' tax cut bill after months of debate The Kansas Supreme Court issued a one-year suspension of the law license held by Rep. Carl Maughan, R-Colwich, for violating the professional code of conduct of attorneys for the way he represented in Sedgwick County District Court the driver of a vehicle that killed two disabled men in a 2016 traffic accident. He engaged in a conflict of interest by concurrently representing the defendant in the murder case, Bret Blevins, and the only other person in the vehicle, Tammy Akers, who Blevins claimed was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA The Kansas Supreme Court suspended Friday the law licenses of a current and a former member of the Kansas House based on evidence they violated of rules of professional conduct for attorneys. The states highest court determined the license of Rep. Carl Maughan, R-Colwich, should be suspended for one year after engaging in a conflict of interest while representing in Sedgwick County the intoxicated driver of a vehicle that killed two disabled men in a 2016 traffic accident in Wichita. A state disciplinary panel responsible for monitoring licensed attorneys in Kansas originally proposed a six-month suspension of Maughans license, which would have been converted to probation if he complied with a rehabilitation program. Alice Walker, the states deputy disciplinary administrator, recommended the Supreme Court impose a 12-month suspension of Maughans license. During Supreme Court oral argument in May, Walker said the harsher penalty was warranted because Maughan had refused since December to cooperate with the office of disciplinary administration. He also failed to attend, due to a claim of car trouble, the Supreme Courts hearing in May on his disciplinary case. At this time, Walker said, I dont believe that Mr. Maughan is able to comply with a probation plan. Maughan, who has been a licensed attorney in Kansas since 1997, agreed he engaged in conflicts of interest that undermined representation of his client, Bret Blevins, who was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Dusty Atterbery and Dirk MacMillan. Evidence presented at trial indicated Blevins was intoxicated and consumed methamphetamine before running a stop sign in a residential neighborhood and steering a Cadillac Escalade broadside into a van carrying the men who died. Blevins girlfriend Tammy Akers was the only other person in the vehicle. Akers was a longtime client of Maughan, and she offered to help pay $30,000 to Maughan to defend Blevins. During legal proceedings involving Blevins, Maughan asserted he secured conflict-of-interest waivers from Blevins and Akers. Part of Maughans strategy in defending Blevins was to argue Akers was driving the Cadillac at the time of the accident. Akers pointed a finger at Blevins. Maughan represented Akers in a separate legal matter while serving as counsel to Blevins in the deadly traffic accident case, court records show. After a trial in Sedgwick County District Court, Blevins was found guilty of 14 criminal offenses and sentenced to more than 725 months in prison. At the direction of the Kansas Court of Appeals, a hearing was conducted in Sedgwick County District Court to determine whether Maughan had a conflict of interest that undercut his ability to properly represent Blevins. A Sedgwick County judge said there was no such conflict. At that time, Maughans wife was a sitting judge in the Sedgwick County District Court. In 2021, the Kansas Court of Appeals issued a decision reversing the district court and affirming Blevins claim of inadequate counsel by Maughan. The case was returned for retrial in Wichita. In March, Blevins was resentenced to 205 months of incarceration. The Court of Appeals had this to say about Maughans concurrent representation of Akers and Blevins: It is not hard to imagine the significant risk of conflicting pressures upon an attorney when representing both a longtime client who is not only paying his bill but also implicated in the very crime with which his new client is charged, along with a new client whose only defense is to incriminate the attorneys former client. Misconduct clearly established At several junctures in the legal drama, Maughan claimed he secured oral or written waivers from Blevins and Akers. Maughan said those waivers allowed him to zealously, diligently represent Blevins in the murder case. The state Court of Appeals, however, concluded Blevins did not waive his right to a conflict-free attorney. Maughan conceded during the states disciplinary investigation that he hadnt obtained waivers from Blevins or Akers regarding his conflicts of interest. Even if he had not, the Supreme Courts decision said, the evidence before the hearing panel clearly established the charged misconduct. Maughan was found by the justices to have engaged in conflict of interest, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and other infractions of professional conduct. To return to legal practice in Kansas, the Supreme Court decided, Maughan must undergo a reinstatement hearing prior to that court considering restoration of his license. Maughan is on the ballot for reelection to the Kansas House despite an assertion that his campaign was suspended two months ago. In March, he was arrested in Shawnee County on suspicion of driving while drunk. The charging affidavit related to the DUI said Maughan had a loaded semi-automatic handgun, an empty bottle of Fireball whiskey and an opened case of beer in the vehicle when pulled over by an officer of the Topeka Police Department. In response to his arrest in the DUI case, Maughan said his actions set a poor example for his family, constituents in the 90th District and citizens of Kansas. I made a grave error in judgment and apologize and accept responsibility for my actions, he said. The law license of former Rep. Mark Samsel, R-Wellsville, was suspended for two years by the Kansas Supreme Court due to an incident in which he was arrested in 2021 for battery of Wellsville High School students. The Supreme court suspended the sanction while ordering supervision of Samsel's legal work as he addressed a diagnosed mental illness. Samsels disorderly conduct Former Rep. Mark Samsel, a Wellsville Republican elected in 2018 and reelected in 2020, had his law license suspended by the Supreme Court for two years. That suspension was stayed pending his completion of a two-year probationary period that would include treatment for a mental health disorder, the order said. In April 2021, Samsel was working as a substitute teacher at Wellsville High School when he kicked and shoved a student and grabbed another student by the shoulders. He was arrested on three counts of battery, but entered a guilty plea in September 2021 to three counts of disorderly conduct. He was instructed to serve one year of probation, seek mental health treatment and avoid interaction with social media. The episode in the Wellsville classroom included comments by Samsel about suicide, sex, masturbation, God, the Bible, foster care and homosexuality. Students captured Samsels remarks on video. The video included the moment Samsel gave students permission to kick one of their classmates in the groin. He warned a male student that he was in jeopardy of receiving the wrath of God. Do you believe me when I tell you that God has been speaking to me? Samsel said on video. Who likes making babies? That feels good, doesnt it? Procreate. You havent masturbated? Dont answer that question. God already knows. Samsel lost his reelection campaign to Carrie Barth, a Baldwin City Republican who currently serves that Kansas House district. Samsel left office two years ago. The Supreme Court took note of evidence Samsel attempted to preserve his substitute teaching license by sending a letter on official Kansas House letterhead to the Kansas State Department of Education. In that letter, Samsel expressed a desire to resolve his teaching license problem so the Department of Education could continue to work effectively with the Legislature. In the end, he voluntarily surrendered his teaching license. He also signed an agreement with the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator in which he conceded his conduct violated rules of professional conduct for an attorney and that his misconduct was the result of an untreated mental health disorder. He agreed his criminal acts reflected adversely on his fitness to practice law and that he had improperly implied an ability to dictate legislative policy on public education. Samsel and the disciplinary administration office had agreed to a one-year suspense of his law license, but the Supreme Court determined a two-year suspension was appropriate. The justices stayed the sanction pending Samsels completion of two years probation, which included monitoring and supervision of his practice of law. The post Kansas Supreme Court suspends law licenses of state Rep. Maughan, former Rep. Samsel appeared first on Kansas Reflector. The Kansas Supreme Court has barred a Republican state lawmaker from practicing law in the state for at least one year for his handling of a Wichita murder case. Rep. Carl Maughan, a Colwich Republican, violated multiple sections of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct while representing 57-year-old Bret Blevins in a deadly 2016 crash that killed two Starkey clients, Dirk MacMillan, 46, and Leonard Dusty Atterbery, 25, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled. The violations included conflicts of interest, failure to safe-keep a clients property and misconduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Maughan did not return a phone call Friday afternoon. The disciplinary decision said it was Maughans third disciplinary action. His first two violations of the rules of professional conduct for lack of diligence in 2007 and meritorious claims and contentions in 2010 resulted in diversion agreements and were ultimately dismissed. The complaint against Maughan stems from his failure to properly address conflicts of interest in the Blevins case. Blevins and his girlfriend, Tammy Akers, were the only occupants of the vehicle that struck a Starkey van. Akers was a key witness, and Maughans defense strategy included implicating her as the driver. The conflict arose because Maughan had previously represented Akers in DUI cases and because Akers and her husband had paid Maughan $30,000 to represent Blevins. Maughan had argued that he secured conflict-of-interest waivers from Blevins and Akers, but the Kansas Supreme Court found that Maughan failed to properly address the conflict and that the waivers failed to fully inform them of the consequences of the conflicts of interest. At trial, Maughan blamed Akers for the crash, arguing that she was the driver. Maughan later explained that his knowledge of her history and record from his prior work as her lawyer allowed him to be more aggressive on cross examination of Akers, according to the Supreme Court decision. Akers testified that Blevins was the driver. Blevins convicted and sentenced to more than 60 years in prison for two counts of second-degree murder in 2017. The Kansas Court of Appeals found in 2021 that Blevins attorney had several conflicts of interest which adversely affected his representation and ordered a new trial. Blevins pleaded guilty to multiple involuntary manslaughter charges in December 2023, and he was sentenced in March to 13.5 years in prison, including the more than 7 years he has already served. Blevins filed a civil lawsuit against Maughan in the Kansas 18th District court in December over his handling of the case. He alleged Maughan committed legal malpractice. He claimed Maughan told him to invoke the Fifth Amendment because there was evidence, including DNA evidence, that would potentially implicate Akers in the crime. Akers then testified against Blevins as a key States witness. Blevins is seeking an award in excess of $75,000 in that case. Maughans failure to safe-keep property violation stemmed from his decision to deposit the $30,000 payment from Akers into his law firms operating account, instead of a trust account, as is required by law. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled that Maughans actions harmed Blevins, Akers, victims and their families and placed an undue burden on resources of the criminal justice system. Maughan has said he terminated his re-election campaign. But his name is on the ballot for the Kansas House District 90 primary alongside three other Republican candidates because he missed the deadline to have it removed. He announced he would drop out of the race last month after he was charged with two misdemeanors and two traffic violations in Topeka: possession of a firearm while under the influence, DUI, failure to signal a lane change and failure to maintain safe passage from a single lane. Empty Fireball bottle & a loaded gun: How a Kansas lawmakers DUI arrest went down Kansas Republican legislator drops out of race after DUI, gun charges Kate Middleton Says 'There Are Good Days and Bad Days' in First Health Update Since Cancer Announcement Kate Middleton Says 'There Are Good Days and Bad Days' in First Health Update Since Cancer Announcement The Princess of Wales said in a personal letter, "I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days" Kate Middleton is "making good progress" in her cancer treatment but says in a personal letter, "There are good days and bad days." In a message released on June 14, the Princess of Wales, 42, shared her first health update since publicly revealing her cancer diagnosis in March. "I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months," she began. "It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times." "I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days," the royal mom of three continued. "On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well." "On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home," Kate added. Matt Porteous Kate Middleton Related: See Prince William's Response When Veteran Asks If Kate Middleton Is 'Getting Any Better' amid Cancer Treatment The Princess of Wales also confirmed that she was "looking forward" to attending Trooping the Colour, King Charles' birthday parade, on June 15. The outing will mark her first appearance with the royal family since Christmas. Kate also shared a "hope" to join "a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet." "I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal," she said. "Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me." A new photo was also released of Princess Kate, the public's first time seeing her since her cancer announcement video in March. The snap showed the royal outdoors in Windsor, where she lives with Prince William and their three children, standing beneath a tree with her arms folded as she gazes upward. Photographer Matt Porteous got behind the camera for the snap after taking many of the family's pictures over the years. Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton attends Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! While Princess Kate will join Trooping the Colour and other events in the near future, the outings will come based on when she feels able and under the guidance of her medical team. There is no date set for when she will fully return to her royal work. The Princess of Wales stated her treatment is "ongoing and will be for a few more months." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Kern Registrar of Voters reflects on 2024 election cycle so far, ahead of consequential November general election BAKERSFIELD, Calif, (KGET) Elections have wrapped up in Kern County after multiple elections so far in 2024. In addition to Californias March 5 presidential primary election, Kern voters participated in two special elections for the 20th Congressional District, formerly represented by Kevin McCarthy. Kern Registrar of Voters Aimee Espinoza told 17 News with all three of those elections completed and certified, its all-hands-on-deck for the November presidential general election. Espinoza said that she hopes her departments new ballot counting method will continue to boost efficiency in future elections. Vince Fong sworn in as member of House of Representatives, replacing Kevin McCarthy in CD-20 When you think of a production line, each step has their duties, Espinoza explained. So, we broke it up so that it was continuously working. From running ballots through sorters to opening to preparing the ballots to go to the count room, it was pretty much continual working. Espinoza also emphasized, continued voter engagement ahead of November. Its really important that voters know how to cast a ballot, know how their ballot is being counted, things like that, Espinoza explained. Again, all the work were doing is to improve voter confidence, and I am confident that we are, we are reaching voters. As we put out more information, voters are able to have a better view into the process. Espinoza said all aspiring November candidates should look out for deadlines, fees and any other requirements, like collecting signatures. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Candidate filing starts July 15. Espinoza also said voters can keep up with topics like election security, voter rights and more by signing up for the Elections Departments monthly newsletter. Espinoza highly encouraged voters to get information directly from her department, whether that be in person or online at kernvote.com. Looking at a calendar, were in between election cycles, Espinoza said. However, my office, weve been working on the November election pretty much since January. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The homicide of a 50-year-old Peoria man remains under investigation, according to a news release. About 10:10 p.m. Saturday, the Kewanee Police Department responded to a welfare check in the 800 block of West Division Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive man who was pronounced deceased at the scene. A death investigation was initiated with the collaboration of the Illinois State Police and the Henry County Sheriffs Department. On Tuesday, an autopsy was completed on Damon E. Foulks, and the incident became an active homicide investigation. At that time, the Kewanee Police requested the assistance of the Henry Mercer County Investigative Task Force to pursue the investigation. Police ask anyone with information about the homicide to contact Illinois State Police Sgt. Tad Nelson of the Zone 2 East Moline Major Crimes at 309-752-4915, extension 4933; Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities tip line, 309-762-9500; or use the P3 Tips app. If your information results in an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. All tips provided to Crime Stoppers are kept anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. It appears access to mental health resources in Killingly Public Schools has improved, more than two years after a group of parents and residents filed a complaint with the state. The Connecticut Board of Education met for an impartial hearing Friday concerning whether Killingly Public Schools have done enough for student mental health, per a 10-4b complaint from 2022. Community Health Resources Service Director Caitlyn Ogilvie gave testimony on the progress made. CHR does not have a school-based health center in Killingly. It has co-locations in Killingly High School and Killingly Intermediate School. School-based health centers are licensed through the state Department of Public Health or the state Department of Children and Families. That licensing usually comes with funding to provide care at little or no cost. Community Health Resources Service Director Caitlyn Ogilvie during the impartial hearing Friday. While both a school-based health center and a co-location would bill insurance, a co-location also collects copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Sliding fee scales are used to help with affordability. Otherwise, theyre pretty much the same, she said. CHR has tried applying for grants to turn the co-locations into school-based health centers, but due to the competitive nature of the grants, those attempts have failed so far, Ogilvie said. When and if parents are informed about a child seeking service Parents can seek services for their student, the school can refer a student to services with parental consent, or a student can seek services from CHR. For the latter, CHR personnel will ask if the parents or caregiver of the student know the student is seeking services. If they say no, CHR will speak with its compliance officer and the student to see if theres clinical rationale to provide services without parental consent. The student can get services if it's concluded the student not getting services, or the caregivers knowledge of the student getting services, would do harm. The student is also told the parent may become aware of services through billing insurance. Most of the time the caregiver can be involved, and staff will work the student to get the caregiver involved. If they cant be involved, the law permits CHR to provide up to six sessions. CHR would then regularly evaluate if the agency can still provide service without the caregiver knowing. We want to make sure that we are doing our due diligence in allowing access, but not do something that would be against the law, Ogilvie said. Therapy can be individual, family or group, and is based on evidence-based models. Services are accessible during the summer through the school sites, telehealth, or going to a CHR facility, including those in Danielson and Willimantic. Ogilvie only started working with the district in February. CHR is currently seeing 44 students, an increase since February. Information on CHR is on the school website, and parents can learn at the open houses. There arent any fliers distributed at this time, and no advertising as of yet. Strategies to get Killingly familiar with CHR include appearing at farmers markets and other community events. Ogilvie said the relationship between CHR and the districts' staff is cooperative, and there are staff in CHR that want to stay in or move their work assignment to the Killingly schools. The Killingly Board of Education is also working on a contract to fund and further expand CHRs services in the district, Ogilvie said. Draft resolution expected in two weeks Attorney Andrew Feinstein, who represents those who submitted the 10-4b complaint, said the Killingly Board of Education went into executive session Wednesday. There was a unanimous motion to create an offer to resolve the 10-4b complaint under terms in the session. Feinstein expects a draft resolution in two weeks. Once everything is agreed upon, there needs to be work to rehabilitate Killingly Public Schools image, as the 10-4b complaint and the media coverage has scared people away from applying to work for the district, he said. Killingly Board of Education Attorney Patrick Noonan added that Killingly Public Schools administration worked hard to find the funding for expand CHRs services. They now have a unified board behind them, and thats just spectacular to see, he said. The terms of the resolution will be discussed before the Connecticut Board of Education in July. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Community Health Resources on how services are accessed in Killingly Killings of Girl, 4, and Her Mom, Found Dead in Mississippi Might Be a Human Trafficking Case: Chief Daniel Callihan has been taken into custody in connection with the deaths of Callie Brunett, 35, and her daughter, Erin, 4, police announced Callie Brunett/Facebook Erin Brunett, left, and Callie Brunett The arrest of a man in Mississippi accused of murdering a 4-year-old girl and her mother may be tied to human trafficking, according to the local police chief. Daniel Callihan, 36, was arrested on Thursday, June 13, for allegedly committing brutal and heinous acts of violence in connection with the deaths of Callie Brunett, 35, and her daughter, Erin, 4, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana said in a statement. Another child, a 6-year-old girl, was also located in the area in Mississippi where Erin's remains were found. She was injured, but alive, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said in a press conference. Erin's remains and the 6-year-old child were found after an Amber Alert was issued for them after Callie was found dead in her home, CNN reports. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Daniel Callihan Wade said, "Based on the crime scene, what it looks like, this may be the place where there has been some human trafficking done," WDSU and Valley News Live report. Wade added, "We see cages, small animal cages. This is very, very disturbing to me as a police chief and as a father to witness and see what I saw." It is believed that Callihan and Brunett previously dated, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office Chief Jimmy Travis said, CNN reports. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Related: Abducted Girl, 4, Found Dead in Woods Alongside Injured Sister, 6, After Man Is Arrested Over Death of their Mom Callihan was taken into custody in Jackson, Miss..Victoria Cox, 32, was also arrested, Wade said. It is unclear if they have been formally charged at this time. Callie and Erin's manner of death has not yet been determined. "Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event. These are unspeakable crimes," Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a statement. "We ask everyone to keep Callie's family in your prayers." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) threw her support behind Christy Goldsmith Romero to lead the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) after President Biden announced Thursday he would nominate Romero, a member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), to replace outgoing Chair Martin Gruenberg. She is exactly what the FDIC needs, Warren told reporters Thursday at Capitol Hill. Shes a strong independent woman. Bankers may not love her, Warren added, noting Romeros prior experience as inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the hundreds of billions in bailouts given to big banks amid the financial crisis and recession of 2007-08. She has the kind of independence that we want from regulators, Warren said. She doesnt constantly look over her shoulder to see whos got money or influence. She does what the law tells her to do and she does it without fear or favor my kind of gal. As the special inspector general for TARP, Romero oversaw 406 criminal charges brought against people in the financial industry, according to a 2017 report to Congress. This included 55 bankers, one trader, 68 bank borrowers and 83 homeowner scammers. Romeros nomination from the White House comes after Gruenberg announced last month that he intended to resign as FDIC chair following a series of bombshell reports last year from The Wall Street Journal that detailed a toxic workplace culture rife with sexual harassment, misconduct and retaliation at the agency under his leadership. Gruenberg, a Democrat who was nominated by Biden in 2023, had served on the FDIC board since 2005, eventually bowing to pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to step down from his role once a successor was confirmed by the Senate. This has since left several of the administrations banking regulations including a controversial set of international banking regulations known as Basel III Endgame in limbo. While the Senate will need to confirm Romeros nomination, Warren expressed confidence that she will have the support of Democrats who currently hold a majority in the Senate. The Massachusetts senator has been an outspoken critic of big banks, calling for major reforms to the banking system, including raising the FDIC cap and cracking down on bank mergers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) slammed her Republican colleagues who voted Thursday to block legislation that would have codified into law the national right to access in vitro fertilization (IVF). In an interview on CNNs The Source, Kaitlan Collins asked Klobuchar what her message is to Senate Republicans who say they support IVF but voted against the legislation because of political grandstanding by Democrats. Id like them to say that to the two women that I met with this morning from Minnesota, both of whom have lovely children because of IVF, Klobuchar responded. Eight million kids born in the United States with IVF. Over 1,100 just in my state alone last year. These are real families. These are families that look at this with horror. And, of course, we want to codify it into law, Klobuchar continued, directing her message at Republicans. And so if they want to do it, dont just talk about it. Do it. The bill needed 60 votes in order to move forward Thursday, which would have required nine Republicans to break ranks and vote with Democrats. The final vote was 48-47, with only two Republicans defecting: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). Senate Republicans block legislation to codify IVF access The Right to IVF Act, sponsored by Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Patty Murray (Wash.) and Cory Booker (N.J.), is a package of four bills that would both establish a nationwide right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology, as well as lower the costs of IVF treatment to make it more accessible. The vote Thursday is the latest in a series set up by Senate Democratic leadership about codifying reproductive rights. A week earlier, Republicans blocked a similar bill from Democrats that would have guaranteed the right to contraception. Republicans criticized the vote as an election year stunt, expressing concerns about unfunded mandates and the impact on religious freedom. GOP senators Wednesday tried to bring up their own alternative IVF bill from Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) that would bar states from receiving Medicaid funding if they implemented a ban on IVF but would not stop a court from restricting the procedure. Cruz and Britt also said the legislation would ensure IVF is fully protected by federal law, though it does not create a right to IVF. Murray blocked the bill, saying Wednesday it explicitly allows states to enact restrictions and burdensome requirements that would force IVF clinics to close their doors, adding, That bill is nothing but a PR stunt, providing cover for Republicans to keep somehow pretending theyre not going to control womens bodies. On the Senate floor Wednesday, Britt said Democrats were only interested in fearmongering. Sadly, they arent interested in a bill to actually protect IVF access and figuring out how we could get that to become law. That wouldnt advance their true goal, which is about partisan electoral politics, Britt 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Its once again time for Nexstars annual Founders Day of Caring, which means that KLST and KSAN are joining stations across the nation in giving back to their communities through volunteer work. First launched by Nexstar Media Group Inc. on June 14, 2016, in honor of the companys 20th anniversary, Founders Day occurs each year in June. Staff members across the company receive paid time-off for volunteer work in their communities during each celebration, according to Nexstar. Its a wonderful initiative that showcases Nexstars commitment to giving back and making a positive impact in the areas we serve, Albert Gutierrez, general manager of KLST and KSAN, said. KLST, KSAN Founder's Day of Caring 2024 KLST, KSAN Founder's Day of Caring 2024 KLST, KSAN Founder's Day of Caring 2024 KLST, KSAN Founder's Day of Caring 2024 KLST and KSAN have served the San Angelo community in several ways over the years since the events inaugural observance, with employees taking time from their typical duties to put in work toward the betterment of the city. KLST/KSAN has participated in Founders Day every year since 2016, Cody Brown, news director of KLST and KSAN, said. We have volunteered with organizations like Sonrisas, Concho Valley Regional Food Bank, Safety City and many others. The news station duo partnered with San Angelos chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace on June 14 for this years Founders Day, a nonprofit dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need, according to its website. The organization has 270 chapters across the globe, each with the common goal of improving the health and well-being of children and families who do not have a bed to call their own. KLST, KSAN Founders Day of Caring 2024 KLST, KSAN Founders Day of Caring 2024 KLST, KSAN Founders Day of Caring 2024 KLST, KSAN Founders Day of Caring 2024 From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the hands and faces behind San Angelos primary local news outlet are coming together to construct beds for Concho Valley families. Each bed will be given to kids and families in need, ensuring that many people will have a safe and comfortable place to sleep for potentially years to come. Kids across the Concho Valley will now have a comfortable bed to sleep on, Brown said. Every child deserves a safe place to sleep and we were happy to participate in such a wonderful cause. Though Founders Day may come and go, Gutierrez said that one thing will always stay KLST and KSANs ties to San Angelo. Our team of 65 dedicated individuals isnt just a workforce: They are your neighbors and friends, Gutierrez said. With their children attending local schools and supporting small businesses, they are deeply rooted in our community. KLST, KSAN Founders Day of Caring 2024 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Heres what you should know about the Aug. 20 primary election in South Florida The deadline for Florida candidates to qualify for the Aug. 20 primary election passed on Friday at noon, locking in the ballot and kicking off campaign season. In just a few weeks, voters will begin receiving mail ballots and picking their preferred party candidates at the federal, state and county levels. Here is all the information you should know about who can vote and how. Who can vote? For the primary election, Florida has closed elections, meaning that, in most cases, only registered voters with a political party affiliation may vote for candidates from that party. Democrats vote in Democratic primaries, Republicans vote in Republican primaries and so forth. That applies to races for Congress, the state legislature, county sheriff and other partisan offices. That means voters registered to minor political parties or those without party affiliation are often restricted in primary elections to voting only in nonpartisan races. There are exceptions to that rule. All registered voters can cast their ballots in a partisan race if all of the candidates for that office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election will not face any opposition in the general election. All registered voters can also vote in nonpartisan races in Miami-Dade County for county judges, school board members, county mayor, county commissioners, community council members and community development district seats. In Broward, there are also nonpartisan races for county judges, school board seats, a community improvement district seat and a community development district seat. Deadline to register The deadline to register to vote or to change party affiliation in Florida is Monday, July 22. People can register to vote online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. For the online application, you will need your Florida drivers license or Florida identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the issued date of any of those documents and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can also register in person at a Florida drivers license office, a tax collectors office that issues drivers licenses or ID cards, or a voter registration agency. If you want to register by mail or in person you can fill out the statewide voter registration application form (DS-DE 39), which is available in English and Spanish and has detailed instructions on how to submit the form and complete your registration. Mail ballots must be received by the local supervisor of elections office no later than 7 p.m. on election night to be considered valid. Mail voting In Florida, elections officials are required to send mail ballots to voters that have requested them between Thursday, July 11, and Thursday, July 18. For service members, their eligible family members and overseas citizens, vote-by-mail ballots must be in the mail by Saturday, July 6, for those who have already requested them. Voters can still request a mail ballot even after elections supervisors send out their first batches. The deadline to request a ballot by mail in Florida is Thursday, Aug. 8. RELATED: Why mail ballot requests have dropped off a cliff in Miami-Dade (and why it matters) Early voting In Miami-Dade County, early voting begins on Monday, Aug. 5, and closes on Sunday, Aug. 18. The hours for voting change depending on the day, so check the full calendar before heading out to the polls. In Broward County, early voting runs from Saturday, Aug. 10, to Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To cast your ballot during early voting, you must bring a current and valid photo ID with a signature to the voting precinct. This could be a Florida drivers license, a Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a U.S. passport, or a military or school identification. For a full list of acceptable documents, review the Florida Department of State, Division of Elections website. If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that includes it. Election Day Voting precincts around Florida open on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Floridas Division of Elections has a webpage for voters who want to check their precinct. On election date, the list of required documents to vote is the same as in early voting. Make sure to bring your current and valid photo ID with a signature. If you dont bring an ID that meets the requirements, you can still vote through a provisional ballot. Your vote will count as long as you are eligible, you voted in the proper precinct and your signature on the provisional ballot matches your signature in the registration record. Your vote can be challenged if you are ineligible to vote, you dont live in the precinct, if you already voted or for other reasons. If you are challenged at the polls, you still have the right to vote through a provisional ballot. Check the Florida Division of Elections website to learn more about provisional voting or contact your county supervisor of elections. What to know about bump stocks and the Supreme Court ruling striking down a ban on the gun accessory The Supreme Court ruled Friday that a rifle fitted with a rapid-fire accessory known as a bump stock is not an illegal machine gun. (AP Graphic) WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a ban on bump stocks, the gun accessory used in the deadliest shooting in modern American history a Las Vegas massacre that killed 60 people and injured hundreds more. The court's conservative majority said Friday that then-President Donald Trump's administration overstepped its authority with the 2019 ban on the firearm attachment, which allows semiautomatic weapons to fire like machine guns. Here's what to know about the case: What are bump stocks? Bump stocks are accessories that replace a rifle's stock, the part that gets pressed against the shooter's shoulder. When a person fires a semiautomatic weapon fitted with a bump stock, it uses the gun's recoil energy to rapidly and repeatedly bump the trigger against the shooter's finger. That allows the weapon to fire dozens of bullets in a matter of seconds. Bump stocks were invented in the early 2000s after the expiration of a 1994 ban targeting assault weapons. The federal government approved the sale of bump stocks in 2010 after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concluded that guns equipped with the devices should not be considered illegal machine guns under federal law. According to court documents, more than 520,000 bump stocks were in circulation by the time the government reversed course and imposed a ban that took effect in 2019. Why were bump stocks banned? More than 22,000 people were attending a country music festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, when a man opened fire on the crowd from the window of his high-rise hotel room. He fired more than 1,000 rounds in the crowd in 11 minutes, leaving 60 people dead and injuring hundreds more. Authorities found an arsenal of 23 assault-style rifles in the shooter's hotel room, including 14 weapons fitted with bump stocks. In the aftermath of the shooting, the ATF reconsidered whether bump stocks could be sold and owned legally. With support from Trump, a Republican, the agency in 2018 ordered a ban on the devices, arguing they turned rifles into illegal machine guns. Bump stock owners were given until March 2019 to surrender or destroy them. What did the justices say? The 6-3 majority opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas said the ATF did not have the authority to issue the regulation banning bump stocks. The justices said a bump stock is not an illegal machine gun because it doesnt make the weapon fire more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger. Justice Samuel Alito, who joined the majority, wrote in a separate opinion that the Las Vegas shooting strengthened the case for changing the law to outlaw bump stocks like machine guns. But that has to happen through action by Congress, not through regulation, he wrote. The court's three liberal justices opposed the ruling. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in her dissent that there's no common sense difference between a machine gun and a semiautomatic firearm with a bump stock. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. Do any states have their own bans? At least 15 states and the District of Columbia have their own bans on bump stocks, though some could be affected by the high courts ruling. Most state laws, however, remain in place because the decision covered the ATF rule, not the constitutionality of state-level bans, according David Pucino, legal director of the gun control think tank Giffords. Who challenged the ban? A group called the New Civil Liberties Alliance sued to challenge the bump stock ban on behalf of Michael Cargill, a Texas gun shop owner. Cargill bought two bump stocks in 2018 and then surrendered them once the federal ban took effect, according to court documents. The case didn't directly address the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. Instead, Cargill's attorneys argued that the ATF overstepped its authority by banning bump stocks. Mark Chenoweth, president of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, said his group wouldn't have sued if Congress had banned them by law. How did the case end up before the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court took up the case after lower federal courts delivered conflicting rulings on whether the ATF could ban bump stocks. The ban survived challenges before the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Denver-based 10th Circuit, and the federal circuit court in Washington. But the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in New Orleans struck down the bump stock ban when it ruled in the Texas case last year. The court's majority in the 13-3 decision found that a plain reading of the statutory language" showed that weapons fitted with bump stocks could not be regulated as machine guns. The Kentucky State Police announced Friday that human remains consistent with that of missing infant Miya Rudd were found "concealed" inside an Ohio County, Kentucky, home. Investigators located the remains at approximately 1:15 p.m. Friday, according to a KSP news release. "After investigators process the scene the baby will be taken by the Ohio County Coroners Office and transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiners Office in Louisville," the release states. "The investigation is ongoing by Kentucky State Police, Ohio County Coroners Officer and Kentucky Medical Examiners Office." The KSP first confirmed that it had opened a missing child investigation regarding Rudd, who was 8 months old, on June 6, according to an earlier release. The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Rudd's mother, 29-year-old Tesla Tucker, and Rudd's father, 30-year-old Cage C. Rudd. Tucker and Rudd on Friday were charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and failure to report the death of a person, according to a Kentucky State Police news release. Two others Ricky J. Smith, 56, of Reynolds Station, and 28-year-old Brodie Payne of Reynolds Station also were charged with those counts. According to an arrest report cited by the Louisville Courier-Journal, Miya Rudd had not been seen by her family "since the end of April." Miya Rudd, 8 months, was reported missing from Reynolds Station, Kentucky, after police conducted a welfare check on June 6, 2024. Troopers have now arrested five people including the child's grandmother and parents in connect to her disappearance. More: More arrests in search for missing 8-month-old infant in Ohio County Miya Rudd's parents were initially booked into the Daviess County Detention Center, in Owensboro, Kentucky, on drug possession, drug trafficking and abandonment of a minor charges. Since then, the investigation led to the arrests of additional family members and others, including Miya Rudd's grandparents. This week, the state police and Ohio County law enforcement conducted searches for Miya Rudd with cadaver dogs and specialized equipment. By Friday afternoon, television news stations reported that the Ohio County Coroner's Office had arrived at the scene of search efforts. "For investigators, this really, at this point, just kicks off the death investigation," KSP Trooper Corey King told WFIE-14 News on Friday. "Now we're starting just as if we had arrived at the scene and located this deceased baby ... We have our surveying equipment now starting to come out; we're processing it as a normal crime scene." King said the ongoing investigation would attempt to provide commonwealth prosecutors with the evidence they need to build a case. Houston Harwood may be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: KSP: More charges filed after infant remains found at Ohio County home KY State Police find body of an infant consistent with a baby missing for weeks Detectives found a body Friday that could be that of a missing 8-month-old girl, according to Kentucky State Police. Officers found the body of an infant during the search of a house. The body, which was partially decomposed, was consistent with Miya Rudd, according to a news release from the police. The body was hidden in the house, according to the release. The body will be taken to the state Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and positive identification. The autopsy will determine the childs manner of death, Trooper Corey King told Evansville television station WFIE. King told the television station the body was found underneath a lot of debris in the familys home in Reynolds Station. He said there were drugs and drug residue inside the house, and because it was a dangerous situation for both investigators and the dogs they were using to search for the baby, authorities had to clean that out before it was safe to go in and do a more thorough search Friday. The search for the baby began more than a week ago after family members asked police to check on her. Relatives said they had not seen the baby since late April, according to a citation in the case. State police said they found the babys parents, Tesla Tucker, 29, and Cage Rudd, 30, at a motel in Owensboro with a large amount of drugs, but the baby was not with them. The two said they didnt know where she was, according to the citation. The two are charged with child abandonment, possession of fentanyl, trafficking in methamphetamine, first-degree child abuse, trafficking in marijuana, trafficking of legend drugs and engaging in organized crime. King, a state police spokesman, told the Evansville, Ind., television station earlier this week that Kentucky social workers had removed Miyas three siblings from Tucker and Rudd, and also told Louisville station WHAS that child-welfare workers planned to remove Miya from the home after blood from her umbilical cord tested positive for meth. Police arrested several people close to the couple as they raced to try to find Miya. Police charged one of the babys grandfathers, Ricky Smith, 56, with first-degree child abuse, abandonment of a minor, engaging in organized crime and numerous drug-related charges. They arrested one of Miyas grandmothers, Billie Smith, 49, on an outstanding warrant for second-degree assault that was not related to the baby. When police searched the Daviess County home of Miyas other grandparents who were keeping her three siblings who had been removed from the parents they arrested both of them as well. Taletha D. Tucker, 50, was charged with being a fugitive from Indiana and David Tucker, 53, was arrested on a warrant charging him with non-payment in an earlier case, according to state police. Police arrested two other people on drug charges during the search for Miya. One, Timothy Roach, 37, allegedly threw a drug not prescribed to him under a vehicle as police pulled up, and another, Brodie C. Payne, 28, of Ohio County was charged with trafficking in meth; trafficking in a legend drug; trafficking in marijuana; engaging in organized crime; and first-degree wanton endangerment. Payne had been living at the house where Miya was for several months before he was charged and had been using the U.S. Postal Service to facilitate his alleged drug sales, state police said. Herald-Leader staff writer Karla Ward contributed to this report. TAVARES Lake County commissioners are exploring including floating solar panels in its land-use comprehensive plan. Commissioners approved taking out a legal advertisement on the measure on May 21. It comes up for a second reading on June 25th. We have not had a presentation regarding floating solar, and do not have details about operation, cost, return on investment or logistics, said county spokeswoman Sarah Lux. Tiny homes: Forward Paths Foundation Celebrates completion of tiny home project in Eustis However, the idea is catching fire, including in Orange County, where floating panels are providing electricity for 25 percent of a water plant that serves 80,000 residents. Carrie Black, chief sustainability officer for Orange County, told WESH-TV News in March that the panels covering two-acres of water, will reach its return on investment in 11 years. Solar panels last about 25 years. The largest floating solar plant in the Southeast is pictured here in North Carolina. Lake County commissioners are exploring including floating solar panels in its land-use comprehensive plan. (Credit: Photo provided by Duke Energy) We are looking to replicate this at many of our facilities with utilities and across the county as well, she said. Floating solar panels are not just being installed in Orange County. Duke Energy has installed 1,872 panels on a 1,200-acre pond at Bartow, in Polk County. Were looking at all sorts of creative ways to be more sustainable and reliably meet customer energy needs, said Project Manager Shayna White on a Duke Energy website. The floating panels have an advantage over traditional panels. The Bartow panels absorb light from both sides, which can produce 10 to 20 percent more power. The site in Bartow is a former phosphate mine. One of the added benefits is that the panels prevent water evaporation and cool the temperature of the water. That could be especially beneficial in places like Nevada and California. The proposed Lake County ordinance was presented to the Planning & Zoning Board and unanimously recommended for approval on May 1, Lux said. A copy of the proposed ordinance was handed to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and the Home Builders Association of Lake-Sumter on April 25. State law requires local governments to include floating solar panels in comprehensive land-use regulations. County regulations are drafted to encourage the use of solar and other clean alternatives. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Land-use plan in Lake County may include floating solar panels Ronald Smith (in pink shirt), a cousin of the late Col. Freddie C. Austin, speaks Thursday during the dedication of a building named for Austin. The house on the campus of New Life Outreach Ministry will serve as a dwelling for homeless veterans. LAKELAND The table in the dining room was set with six seats, and a tiny American flag stuck out of a plant centerpiece surrounded by coils of red, white and blue stars. Before long, the table will be occupied by men who have proved their patriotism. New Life Outreach Ministry held a ceremony Thursday on its small campus in North Lakeland to celebrate the completion of a house for veterans without permanent homes. Larry Mitchell, founder and director of the nonprofit, stood before the Col. Freddie C. Austin Veterans Building, clutching a pair of oversized, green-handled scissors to snip tape provided by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. A copper-hued statute of a soldier in uniform, posed on a base labeled Honor and Bravery, with an American flag planted behind it, stood on the front porch. A gathering of enthusiastic guests toured the inside of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 1149 Parkhurst Ave, which will provide shelter for six veterans without their own homes. The house is not quite ready for occupation, as beds lacked mattresses, and Mitchells organization distributed flyers that included a wish list, including such items as mattresses, a couch and a washer and dryer. Mitchell founded New Life Outreach Ministry in the 1990s to provide transitional and permanent housing for men with mental and physical disabilities or substance abuse and those recently released from jail or prison. The ministry based in the Webster Park South neighborhood offers programs intended to help the men become independent and productive. New Life received $550,000 from Polk County to kickstart the project, money passed on from the $141 million it received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Mitchell said his nonprofit also raised $300,000 and leveraged another $250,000. Construction began last fall, and EHS Construction Services in Mulberry served as lead contractor. Gerald Poleon, the companys owner, stood outside the house Thursday, waiting for a Lakeland Electric crew to connect a power line to the structure. EHS Construction Services donated some elements of its work, Poleon said. He talked with pride of upgrading interior details, such as soft-touch cabinets and a granite countertop in the kitchen and top-grade tile in the bathrooms. Being part of the project is an honor, knowing what it represents, said Poleon, an Army veteran. It represents veterans being taken care of, not just nationally but locally and in the city of Lakeland. 'Healed on the inside': Polk man chronicles how God and family got him through cancer fight Mitchell pointed to another house just to the north, on the corner of West Sixth Street and Parkhurst Avenue. He said he intends for it to be a shelter for families of veterans. Poleons company also constructed that house, which is not yet completed. He said Mitchell is trying to arrange a purchase before the house goes on the market. Mitchell said that New Life used some of the funding from Polk County to renovate five other homes it operates. He thanks County Commissioners George Lindsey and Martha Santiago for their roles in securing the money for his nonprofit. The main shelter is named for a Lakeland native and graduate of the former all-Black Washington Park High School. Austin joined the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star Medal and a Legion of Merit Citation, and later worked in the Pentagon. Austin died in 2019 at age 89. Austins cousin, Ronald Smith, briefly spoke during the ceremony, standing beside Mitchell on the houses front porch. He was joined by other relatives of Austin Inez King and Gloria Porter of Lakeland and John and Constance Fennell of Groveland. Freddie was just a great person, Smith said. He loved his service in the Army. He also loved being a veteran, and he really loved the people of Lakeland. He would be absolutely elated with this recognition. Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz stands with Larry Mitchell, founder and director of New Life Outreach Ministry, during a gathering Thursday to commemorate the completion of a shelter for homeless veterans in North Lakeland. Some guests at the midday ceremony wore shirts or hats identifying them as veterans. Those in attendance represented such groups as the NAACP, Daughters of the American Revolution, the League of Women Voters and the Lakeland Police Department. Soon after the group of a few dozen moved inside the New Life Ministry headquarters across the street, Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz arrived, having zipped over from Lakeland Linder International Airport, where he celebrated the first flight of the citys new commercial air service, Avelo Airlines. Pronouncing the new house fabulous, Mutz praised Mitchell for his persistence in seeing the project through. These are pieces within our city that are so important for us to have in order to be able to thrive and to help people along the way whose lives have gotten tough, Mutz said. This is a town that has so many wonderful nonprofits that have been around for decades, disproportionate to communities with our population. Rodney Jones, CEO of Tampa-based Business Plans Plus, spoke of his late father, Herb Jones Jr., a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group, known as Red Tails, during World War II. Denied the chance to become a commercial pilot after the war because he was Black, Jones started a flight school in the Washington, D.C. area. Jones presented Mitchell with a poster commemorating the film Silver Wings and Civil Rights, signed by his father, to be displayed at the Austin House. Jones said that 23% of homeless people in Polk County are veterans. Terry Coney, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and president of the NAACP Lakeland Branch, lent his support at Thursdays dedication, wearing an Air Force cap. Everything we can do to help veterans is a plus, Coney said. I mean, we have veterans that walk around the cities, some having some difficulties, and all they need is just a hand to help them up. I consider them as silent heroes because they don't ask recognition. Coney said he knew Austin, having lived across the street from his parents in Lakeland. This is good, Coney said of the shelter bearing Austins name. Its good for the city as a whole. This is obviously not going to house all the homeless, but it's a step to get other organizations to do a little bit, like this. 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: Lakeland nonprofit unveils shelter for homeless veterans EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Las Palmas Medical Center is celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day with a special event. The Center hosted a Cancer Survivors Night to celebrate patients who have overcome cancer, as well as those who are currently battling cancer, for the resilience they have shown throughout their journey, according to Las Palma Medical Center. The event took place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13 at 1700 N. Oregon Street. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former state Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez (D-Montgomery) and other Latino leaders at a news conference supporting U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) on May 8, 2024, in Silver Spring. Photo by Josh Kurtz. After a tough primary election ended last month, Maryland Democratic Party leaders vowed unity as they head into the November general election. The Latino community wants to make sure its not left out of the party. As members of the party, were trying to push the party forward and say, Look, we are no longer comfortable just doing Cinco de Mayo events. Were no longer comfortable just to do Hispanic Heritage Month events, said Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince Georges), who became chair of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus this year. We need engagement year-round with our community in a very meaningful way. Martinez was one of 50 Latino elected officials, business and community leaders who signed a letter last week to party leaders and Democratic nominees for Congress to ensure Latinos are included in the political process. Their letter, a copy of which was obtained by Maryland Matters, calls on the party to encourage Latinos to register to vote, identify barriers that may hinder Latinos from voting and conduct civic education and leadership development in Latino communities. Too often we have seen lack of inclusion and support for our community, lack of representation of Latinos in positions of leadership and lack of investment in Latino voter outreach, the letter said. Latino leaders across the state need to feel seen and heard by the party and by the candidates the party puts on the ballot. Besides Martinez, the letter was also signed by Dels. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery), Joe Vogel (D-Montgomery) and Deni Taveras (D-Prince Georges), all of whom are members of the caucus executive board. Other signers included Dels. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince Georges), chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, and David Fraser-Hildalgo (D-Montgomery). Martinez said the caucus has about 90 associate members, who are lawmakers that provide support and allyship to the caucus. However, there are no elected Latinos in the state Senate. There are no Latinos in the states congressional delegation. The letter recommends that the party should hire Latinos at the top levels of the Maryland Party who are bilingual and culturally aware. Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Baltimore City Councilmember Odette Ramos (D), who signed the letter, said the party should mirror appointments made by Gov. Wes Moore (D). At least three Latinos in his administration have decision-making powers, including Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott, Human Services Secretary Rafael J. Lopez and Yolanda Maria Martinez, special secretary of the Governors Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs. At least the governor recognizes that, Ramos said Tuesday. Because our population is growing so quickly, we really need a Cabinet that looks like the state. The party should do the same. We want to be better Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman, whos been in the job for about six months, said that before the letter was sent, party officials met with about 80% of the leaders who signed it. He said the letter matches discussions hes had with Latino leaders. One recommendation that could happen in the near future is incorporating get out the vote correspondence on the partys social media pages in Spanish. Another request is to invest and post information in Spanish a section for new citizens on voter registration eligibility, the process to register, verification of registration and party affiliation. A recommendation that could take longer is a call to hire Latino party liaisons in each of the states eight congressional districts. I cant commit to exactly how were going to do these things and when, but we are absolutely committed to making progress to figure this out, Ulman said. We want to be better. We want to be more effective. We want to be as inclusive as possible. Latino leaders interviewed said they support the party, but still want to see some action before the Nov. 5 general election. The Latino community continues to remain the fastest-growing demographic in Maryland, and accounted for 11.5% of the states population in 2023, according to Census Bureau estimates. The Pew Research Center projects that Latinos will make up nearly 15% of the electorate nationwide in this years general election, but only about 6% of eligible voters in Maryland. But advocates say the party should not overlook any part of the states Latino population, even those who may not be able to vote now. They can still be voices in the community. Were trying to push the party forward and say, Look, we are no longer comfortable just doing Cinco de Mayo events. Were no longer comfortable just to do Hispanic Heritage Month events. Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince Georges), Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus chair. I think we need to be talking to everyone in our communities because everyone has value. Whether or not people can vote, they know people who do, said Kony Serrano Portillo, a councilmember for the town of Edmonston in Prince Georges. We spend a lot of time as a party in the general election trying to get this independent voter. I dont see any difference between individuals who would be voting [in the future], she said. We want them to be included in our party. Prince Georges and Montgomery counties have the highest percentage of Latinos in the state, with about 20% each, according to the Census Bureau. Ramos did not endorse a U.S. Senate candidate and declined to say who she voted for in the last months primary won by Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D), who faces former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in the general election. Ramos said she recently spoke with Alsobrooks to ensure her campaign reaches out to the Latino community. Im focused on defeating Hogan. Period, end of story, Ramos said. He would be terrible for Maryland and frankly for the United States. This is the race that everyone will be paying attention to, because it will alter what will happen in the Senate. The Alsobrooks campaign agrees. Throughout this campaign, Angela has and will continue to reach out to Latino leaders and community members across the state of Maryland, Alsobrooks spokesperson Gina Ford said in a statement Thursday. She has built a wide coalition that we will continue to grow because for Angela, this race is about the future of all Marylanders. This story was updated on Tuesday, June 18, to correct the number of Latinos in leadership roles in the Moore administration to three. The post Latino leaders urge Maryland Democratic Party to not forget their communities appeared first on Maryland Matters. (WETM) Law Talk brings answers to questions that you, our viewers submit to be answered by our team of lawyers. In this edition of Law Talk, Attorney Michael Donlon clarifies common misconceptions about workers compensation, what it is and how you can go about getting your money if this were to happen to you. Be sure to check back each month as Michael Donlon discusses different topics associated with personal injury or other legal topics as you decide. If you have a question that you would like to see potentially answered during Law Talk, please email it to LawTalk@wetmtv.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) on Thursday protested an amendment added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that bars funding for drag performances with a blown-up photo of former President Trump and Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City mayor and Trump attorney, dressed in drag. An amendment filed this week to the annual defense policy bill by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.) would prevent funding made available by the measure from being used for drag events. The amendment passed Thursday by voice vote. The bulk of our fighting forces are inspired by GI Joe; they are not inspired by be a Barbie girl in a Barbie world, Brecheen said Thursday while introducing his amendment. He accused the Department of Defense, which banned drag shows on military bases last year, and President Biden of pushing a sexual agenda on service members and young children. Garcia on Thursday criticized Brecheens amendment, which he said reflects anti-LGBTQ sentiment more broadly. My Republican colleagues want us to believe that gays are trying to murder us, Garcia said Thursday while gesturing to a meme of Jennifer Coolidges character in HBOs White Lotus. They want to believe that drag is harmful or immoral or wrong. This is completely ridiculous. Now, I hate to break it to my Republican colleagues, but LGBTQ people have fought and died for this country since the American Revolution, even if they were forced to hide their true selves, Garcia continued. The USO and Red Cross hosted drag shows during World War II the army that defeated Hitler and saved the world included drag queens. Garcia added that former President Reagan, who began his career as a Hollywood actor, starred in the 1943 film This is the Army, about an actor whose WWI and WWII musicals include drag performers. And hes not the only Republican president who knew that drag can be fun and sometimes silly, Garcia said, accompanied by the blown-up photo of Trump and Giuliani. The image is from a comedy sketch the duo recorded in 2000, when Giuliani was mayor of New York City, for the Mayors Inner Circle Press Roast that year. In the sketch, a video of which resurfaced during the 2016 presidential election, Giuliani, dressed as his drag persona Rudia, flirts with Trump, who then pushes his face into Giulianis fake breasts. Drag in recent years has emerged as an unexpected political flashpoint, with Democrats and Republicans divided on whether performances are appropriate for young viewers. Advocates have defended drag as a form of self-expression that challenges gender and societal norms and promotes inclusivity. Lawmakers in at least a dozen states this year filed legislation meant to curtail drag events that take place in public or where they may be seen by minors, though nearly all of them failed to become law. Six Republican-led states last year passed legislation restricting drag, but enforcement of four of them in Florida, Montana, Texas and Tennessee is blocked by federal court orders. Legislation filed last year by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) would have prohibited the use of federal funds for drag events, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in 2022 introduced legislation that sought to bar federal dollars from being used to expose children to sexually-oriented materials, which he said at the time includes drag shows. House Republicans passed a similar ban on drag in last years NDAA, though that and other amendments criticized for targeting LGBTQ people were scrapped from the final bill. Garcia, one of just 12 openly LGBTQ members of Congress, has previously protested legislation and rhetoric targeting drag shows. In a March 2023 interview with The Atlantic, Garcia called drag an important art form and pledged to protect performers from attacks led largely by conservatives. Garcia last June, during which LGBTQ Pride month is recognized, celebrated the accomplishments of RuPaul Charles, the superstar drag queen and host of the reality series RuPauls Drag Race, on the House floor, in part to protest anti-drag laws. House lawmakers on Thursday also voted to add amendments preventing funds made available in the annual defense bill from being used by transgender service members and dependents for gender-affirming health care care that is considered medically necessary by every major medical organization. Other GOP-backed amendments under consideration would ban certain books with LGBTQ themes and characters from schools funded by the Department of Defense and prevent military facilities from flying Pride flags. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lawrence has banned source of income discrimination in housing and seen more residents find affordable rentals. (Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector) This is the last column of a four-part series about source of income discrimination. The other three pieces provided a background understanding of the Section 8 housing choice voucher program and dispelled the stigmas from the perspective of landlords and voucher holders in Manhattan. Source of income discrimination limits the ability of public housing agencies to assist more low-income families in finding housing in the private market. But we can find and embrace solutions to end this harmful practice. Housing denied Income discrimination in Manhattan, Kansas, rentals. Gallal Obeid is the vice president of program operations at the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. According to Obeid, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing authoritys voucher utilization rate declined from high performing status of at least 98% to approximately 94% Landlords in the area, as officials found out, were terminating their participation in the HCV program, with some citing their frustration with tenants causing substantial property damage. The housing authority also faced multiple property managers and owners who would effectively not renew all their properties under Section 8 and decide not to accept vouchers entirely. In a single year, officials witnessed the removal of nearly 1,000 units from the stock available to voucher holders. As previously noted, HCV tenants are no more likely to be bad tenants than unassisted renters. But to incentivize new landlord participation in the HCV program, the housing authority began offering up to $2,000 to repair damages caused by voucher holders. Of the hundreds of families assisted via the HCV program in Lawrence, the damage relief fund has only been tapped eight times since January 2023, Obeid said. In June 2023, something occurred in Lawrence that caused the voucher utilization rate to jump from 94% to 99.9% by April 2024: The City outlawed source of income discrimination. Lawrence is now one of more than 100 municipal governments in the United States to ban such discrimination. Earlier this year, Kansas City, Missouri, also joined the growing number of cities and states to do the same. In part due to these ordinances, public housing agencies can help more families access housing thats best for them in the private market because fewer are being turned away. Patrick ONeil, assistant executive director of the Manhattan Housing Authority, said hed expect a similar impact on his agencys voucher utilization rate if Manhattan also passed a source of income nondiscrimination ordinance. The harmful practice of source of income discrimination can be ended in communities throughout Kansas. Landlords interested in providing housing to low-income families in their area could contact their local public housing agency for more details about the program. This link contains the contact information of every such agency in Kansas. Additionally, they can request a copy of the MHAs A Landlords Guide to Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Renters can ask landlords if they lease to people with housing voucher. Renters could also answer questions that landlords might have about the program, dispel misconceptions they could hold against voucher tenants and direct them toward more information. Ultimately, local elected officials hold great power to improve the lives of those receiving housing vouchers. Lawrence is the only city in Kansas with a source of income nondiscrimination ordinance, meaning there are still thousands of voucher families in the state searching for housing without civil rights protection. But city leaders across the state can educate themselves and extend the opportunity for housing stability that all families deserve and need to thrive. Kelm Lear is an intern at the Manhattan Housing Authority. He is in the masters of public administration program at Kansas State University. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. The post Lawrence experience shows that banning discrimination against housing voucher recipients works appeared first on Kansas Reflector. The federal regulations that make dishwashers and washing machines worse are also illegal. So claim consumers from Texas and Louisiana in a new lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). While DOE has the authority to regulate the energy used by these appliances, the lawsuit argues, Congress never gave it the power to regulate the devices' water usage. Therefore, recent rules imposing limits on their water use are illegal. "The Department of Energy has the ability to write rules for itself that are supposed to be based on legislative text," says Dan Greenberg, general counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), which is representing the consumers in their lawsuit. "The difficulty is the rules that it's created seem to rely on authority that's not in the statutory text that Congress has passed." The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Under President Joe Biden, the DOE has been an aggressive regulator of home appliances. It has scrapped numerous Trump-era rules liberalizing efficiency conversation standards for showerheads and dishwashers, and it has attempted to impose stricter regulations on an even wider range of products. Manufacturers have objected to the costs of these new rules. So have many consumers, who don't like seeing their choices limited to lower-quality products. Stricter energy efficiency standards are also often counterproductive. Because the machines' performance has decreased, more people are handwashing their dishesa process that uses much more water. The DOE's regulatory onslaught has run into other legal problems. Back in January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit blocked the department's repeal of the Trump administration's looser energy efficiency standards for dishwashers. The court ruled that the DOE hadn't properly considered the ways that energy efficiency standards lead consumers to use more energy and water. It also said that the department hadn't properly considered regulatory changes short of repeal. Of most relevance for this latest lawsuit, the Fifth Circuit ruled that the energy regulations passed by Congress over the years did not give the DOE the power to regulate the water consumption of energy-using appliances such as dishwashers and laundry machines beyond the explicit limits set in statutes. The DOE could regulate the water use of non-energy-using plumbing fixtures, such as showerheads, and it could regulate the energy use of dishwashers and laundry machines, but it could not regulate the water use of the latter machines. Nevertheless, in February 2024, DOE went ahead and issued new water limits for dishwashers and residential laundry machines. "Instead of one cycle, you have to do two or three cycles. What you save in water bills you'll have to pay just as much or more in the cost of increased electricity but also time and increased physical labor," says Greenberg. "I think these rules are a mindset of certain regulators in Washington who don't understand how trade-offs work." The post Lawsuit: Biden Administration Rules That Make Dishwashers, Laundry Machines Worse Also Illegal appeared first on Reason.com. Chickens gather around a feeder at a farm on August 9, 2014, in Osage, Iowa. A new proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture rule would ban chicken companies from deducting farmers pay (Scott Olson/Getty Images). Tyson Foods, Inc. devastated a Missouri town and chicken farmers who put everything on the line to raise animals for slaughter when it closed its Dexter plant, a lawsuit alleges. An owner of three poultry farms in Arkansas that raised chickens for slaughter at the plant, which closed last October, filed a lawsuit against the company in Stoddard County Circuit Court last week. Attorneys are seeking certification as a class-action lawsuit to represent other affected farmers. The lawsuit claims Tyson engaged in an anticompetitive and fraudulent scheme to reduce competition for poultry and receive higher profits in selling its Dexter plant. Doing so, the lawsuit says, not only put plant employees out of work but suppliers and families who took on millions of dollars of debt. The Tyson chicken processing plant was the lifeblood of the Dexter community, the lawsuit says. Tyson, the worlds largest chicken producer, operated a processing plant in Dexter population 7,864 for 25 years. It held contracts with local producers within 50 miles of the plant to grow chickens for slaughter. According to the lawsuit, those farmers some with no experience and no collateral took out government-backed loans and invested huge sums to build facilities to Tysons specifications. But while the farmers invested in facilities to care for the chickens, Tyson retained ownership of the birds, the lawsuit says, which shifted the risk from the poultry company to the local producers. The chicken houses built to Tysons specifications and financed by poultry banks could be used for one thing and one thing only: Raising chickens for slaughter at Tysons plant in Dexter, the lawsuit says. The company shocked and devastated the Dexter community in August when it announced the plant would close in November. Tyson also closed its Noel plant last fall. After Tysons announcement, according to the lawsuit, it assured state and federal lawmakers from Missouri that it wouldnt prevent a competitor from acquiring the plant to continue slaughtering chickens. In a social media post in September, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said Tysons CEO, Donnie King, assured him the company was willing to sell to competitors. I hope Tyson is actively pursuing a sale that will save these jobs in Missouri, Hawley wrote. Second, he told me Tyson would help any farmer who wanted to keep raising chickens to do so, including helping them get new contracts with Tyson or other companies. But instead, it sold to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., which produces eggs but does not slaughter chickens, which decimated former Tyson chicken farmerswhose farms were financed and built exclusively for the chicken slaughter system. Raising chickens for egg-laying is an entirely different grow process. The redacted lawsuit filed in circuit court says the terms of a property use agreement reached by Tyson and Cal-Maine are illegal and will shut chicken farmers out of any market in Dexter for 25 years. Those terms are redacted. But the result of the agreement, the lawsuit alleges, is reducing the value of the farmers multi-million-dollar investments to nearly nothing and boosting Tysons profits by reducing the supply of chicken to increase prices. Neither of the companies nor attorneys for the plaintiffs immediately responded to requests for comment. The post Lawsuit claims fraudulent scheme in Tyson plant closure in southeast Missouri appeared first on Missouri Independent. At Least 2 Dead as Heavy Rain and Significant Flooding Continues in South Florida: See the Photos A state of emergency has been declared in five counties as more rain approaches the region on Friday Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP A man works to clear debris from a flooded street in South Florida on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 At least two people are dead after days of heavy rain caused significant flooding in South Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties, which have been battered by the wet weather since Tuesday, according to CNN and ABC News. Hours prior, two people died in what the Florida Highway Patrol described as a weather-related crash in Immokalee, Naples Daily News and CBS affiliate WINK-TV reported. The victims are a 35-year-old woman, who died at the scene, and a 25-year-old man, who died at a local hospital, per WINK-TV. Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP A man works to clear debris from a flooded street in South Florida on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Related: U.S. Tourist, 59, Disappears on Greek Island amid Heatwave Days After Michael Mosley Found Dead Some portions of South Florida have seen as much as 20 inches of rainfall since the storms began, according to the Associated Press. Local officials are encouraging people to remain off the roads if possible. Ted Rico, a local tow truck driver, said some of the impacted areas looked like the beginning of a zombie movie. Theres cars littered everywhere, on top of sidewalks, in the median, in the middle of the street, no lights on, Rico told the AP. Just craziness, you know. Abandoned cars everywhere. Joe Raedle/Getty Cars standing floodwaters in South Florida on June 13, 2024 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. Daniela Urrieche, 26, said this is the worst flooding she has ever seen in the area. In the nine years that Ive lived here, this has been the worst, she explained. Even in a hurricane, streets were not as bad as it was in the past 24 hours. Jesus Olarte/Anadolu via Getty A flooded street in South Florida on June 13, 2024 Related: Toddler Dead, Mom Critically Injured After Tornado Sends 'Massive' Tree into Home As They Slept Even off the roads, people are still running into trouble with the flooding. Broward County Sheriffs Office Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane told CNN that crews have used boats to rescue people standing on top of the roofs of cars. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty An abandoned car sits in flood waters near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on June 13, 2024 The National Weather Service said more rain is expected Friday before the heavy rain threat slowly diminishes this weekend. A flood watch is currently in effect. The already saturated and vulnerable soils/surfaces and urban areas of southern Florida will be sensitive to additional rainfall, the agency stated. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Left-wing group or Republican front? Democrats challenge new third party in NC A Democratic group contends that a new left-wing political party seeking recognition in North Carolina is a front intended to harm Joe Bidens reelection campaign, and its asking the State Board of Elections to investigate. Clear Choice Action, a group targeting third-party presidential campaigns, accused the Justice For All Party, which hopes to place Cornel West on the presidential ballot in North Carolina, of misleading signers of its petition for party recognition. In a letter sent to the state board on Thursday, Clear Choice says it found deficiencies in thousands of signatures upon reviewing JFAs petition sheets, which, if disqualified, could put the party below the legal threshold to be certified. When a full independent review of JFAs petitions is completed by the State Board of Elections ... we are confident they will fall short of the valid signature threshold, based on our detailed, line-by-line analysis, Pete Kavanaugh, Clear Choice Actions founder and a former Biden aide, said in a statement. In a statement to The News & Observer, Italo Medelius, North Carolina co-chair of JFA, said Clear Choices complaint was full of falsehoods and misinformation. By trying to keep us off the ballot, through manufactured falsehood, the party is justifying our very existence, Medelius said. The two parties are out of control, and they will not stop until all parties, except the two sovereigns, are barred from the ballot. JFA appears to have met the signature requirement to be certified as a new party in North Carolina, but the state board, which has a 3-2 Democratic majority, has yet to vote on the groups petition. Clear Choice has also also targeted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s third-party campaign in North Carolina, sending a similar complaint to the state board. The North Carolina Democratic Party has also submitted challenges of Kennedys and Wests parties to the state board. At a rally on Friday, speakers from a variety of third parties denounced efforts to keep West and Kennedys parties off the ballot. There are groups trying to pressure and coerce the state board not to certify us these are the same groups that will tell you in order to save democracy, they will eviscerate democracy, said Ryan Rabah, North Carolina vice chair for Kennedys We The People party. ... We have followed all the rules, we have followed all the statutes, and we deserve to be certified immediately. Alleged GOP ties and signature irregularities In its 29-page letter to the state board, Clear Choice lays out a variety of allegations about JFAs petition campaign. It references reporting from NBC News which found that several signature-gatherers working for JFAs petition campaign had ties to a Republican consulting firm. One Republican activist collecting signatures for West told attendees at a Trump rally in North Carolina that having West on the ballot helps take away votes from Joe Biden, NBC reported. JFAs entire petitioning effort is a sham driven by Republican-party affiliated voters and groups to dilute support for President Biden and other Democrats, attorneys for Clear Choice wrote in the letter. Medelius denied this claim, saying that JFA is chaired by unaffiliated union members and has no registered Republicans or Democrats in its executive committee. How does this claim, notwithstanding its blatant untruthfulness, have any relevance to the complaint at hand? he said. It doesnt, its a piece of political warfare through the organs of government. Clear Choice also points to alleged improprieties in JFAs petition sheets. It says it conducted a thorough review of the sheets after receiving them in a public records request. These deficiencies include illegible signatures, incorrect addresses and similar handwriting across multiple signatures, Clear Choice claims. The News & Observer reported earlier this month that Clear Choice engaged in a text campaign to question supporters of Wests and Kennedys parties about their decisions to sign the petition for ballot access. Citing responses to those texts, Clear Choice says 431 signers of JFAs petition told them they wish to withdraw signatures, claim they did not sign, or we misled by circulators. The State Board of Elections has not indicated when it will vote on Kennedys or Wests petitions for party recognition. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. Can you legally brake check a driver for aggressive tailgating? Heres what WA law says Road rage manifests itself in many ways, from drivers honking their horns and yelling to cutting off other people. However, one of the most stressful forms of road rage may be tailgating when another driver follows closely behind your car, leaving little room for reaction in case of a sudden stop. What should you do if a vehicle is at an unsafe distance behind you while driving? Is it legal to brake check another driver to make them back off? Heres the law in Washington state. What is brake checking? According to The Jones Firm, a personal injury law firm in Bellevue, brake checking is when a driver suddenly and intentionally slams on their brakes in front of another vehicle without a valid reason. The Jones Firm states on their website that brake checking forces the driver following behind to brake hard or risk rear-ending the car in front of them. Brake checking can be difficult to prove, but if there is enough evidence, it could lead to tickets, fines and even license suspension, according to the law firm. Is brake checking legal in Washington? Washington State Law says that it is prohibited to stop, stand or park in specified places except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device. The Washington State Department of Licensing classifies brake checking under road rage and aggressive driving. Washington State Trooper John Dattilo said in an interview that brake checking is against the law. You are not supposed to slow or stop without cause, Dattilo said. Essentially, anytime youre intentionally doing that, its its against the law. If youre stopping because theres something in the roadway because theres something in front of you and you are trying to avoid a crash, youre fine. Dattilo added that drivers could be cited for attempting to stop in the roadway without cause as well as for negligent driving which has a fine of $559. If a trooper were to witness you brake checking someone, they can stop you and could write you for negligent driving, Dattilo said. Any reasonable person could say that youre endangering a person or property because most of the time people are doing it not necessarily with the intention of causing a crash, but it does often happen. What should you do if someone is tailgating you? In order to avoid brake checking accidents, The Jones Firm recommends driving defensively by: Staying calm and alert at all time Keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you Refraining from speeding, cutting off or making sudden lane changes without signaling The DOL also recommends that drivers be mindful, avoid escalation and report aggressive driving to the police. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois state legislature failed to issue a recommendation on Governor J.B. Pritzkers proposal to close and rebuild two prisons, as lawmakers and workers ask for more details on the plan. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, a group of bipartisan Illinois lawmakers tasked with advising the state on economic projections and its debt position, was scheduled to meet Friday morning to vote on an advisory measure for the future of Logan and Statesville prisons. IDOC pitches proposal to relocate Logan Correctional Center However, only three members showed up: Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), and Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville). The board needed at least seven out of 12 members in attendance to meet quorum and vote either way. The COGFA meeting to vote comes after two town halls in Lincoln and Joliet earlier this week where workers and community members shared their perspective. Members of the commission have echoed employees complaints they have been shut out of key details on how the closure will affect them. Youre talking about displacing individuals, Davidsmeyer, a co-chair of COGFA, said. Youre talking youre talking about pushing people into early retirement, youre talking about making people leave the state altogether, youre talking about individuals who will be retiring at a much later age. Koehler, the other co-chair of the commission, criticized the Pritzker administration for not having a plan. A plan has details, a plan says, were going to do this in this timeframe, and its going to involve these people, the Peoria state senator said. I dont mean that in an unfair way, Im just saying that its not really a plan at this point. Its a concept. State report recommends closing Logan Correctional Center Local leaders warn of the severity of relocating the womens prison from Logan County. In Logan County, this Correctional Center is a place that many of our individuals work. Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason) said. Many of us shop there, get our gas there, go to the grocery store, or the dentist, because of the fact that thats where we work. AFSCME Local 31, a union that represents several groups Illinois government employees including correctional center workers, said the lack of quorum shows their uneasiness on signing off on recommending a closure. Todays outcome, and the large crowds and countless concerns raised at this weeks COGFA hearings in Joliet and Lincoln, all affirm the same thing: The Department of Corrections should rescind its closure threats, slow down, and work with our union and other concerned parties to develop a better rebuilding plan, the union said in a statement. For the state prison system, its employees, individuals in custody and their families, thats the right thing to do. The vote from lawmakers wouldve only served as a recommendation. Governor Pritzkers administration has the final say on the future rebuild and relocation of Logan. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Letters to the Editor: Hunter Biden's 2nd Amendment rights are under assault. Where's the NRA? To the editor: Thanks to MAGA Republicans' constant drumbeat over Hunter Biden, I can finally sleep well. ("Hunter Biden found guilty of three felony charges in gun case," June 11) At last, a person deemed too dangerous to own a gun (for 11 days, seven years ago after lying on a form) has been properly shamed and publicly humiliated in a court of law! Found guilty! I am sure he will never be able to own a gun again. Now, the MAGA Republicans can glory without losing their "A" and "A+" ratings from the National Rifle Assn.! Now they can get back to refusing to work on any reasonable compromise on something so irrational as universal background checks after school massacres and mass shootings because heavens! that might endanger someone's 2nd Amendment rights. Yes, I will sleep easier tonight. Stacey Cole, Lancaster .. To the editor: After Donald Trump's New York criminal trial, President Biden seemed to take particular delight in calling the former president a "convicted felon." Now Trump can return the favor and label Hunter Biden, the president's only living son, a convicted felon. Only in America! David Tulanian, Henderson, Nev. .. To the editor: This is exactly the sort of case that the NRA and our Republican leadership would use as a prime example of the infringement of our rights under the 2nd Amendment that is, if the defendant were not so closely tied to the sitting president, who is a Democrat and running for reelection. David Weiss, the prosecutor in the case, said that no one in this country is above the law, even this defendant. And he's right. However, I remember a very different prosecution in 2021 for Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot three people (killing two of them) after arriving at a Black Lives Matter protest in Wisconsin armed with an assault rifle. When Rittenhouse faced prosecution because no one is above the law he was celebrated by Republicans as a hero. Donations were made on behalf of his defense, and before the trial began Judge Bruce Schroeder said Rittenhouse's illegal possession of the rifle would not be a factor in the case. Is this what we mean by the phrase "justice is blind"? Sarah Vogel, Laguna Beach This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. To the editor: While prosecutors asked for a sentence of 34 years to life, Rebecca Grossman received only 15 years to life in prison for hitting and killing two children in a Westlake Village crosswalk in September 2020. She'll be eligible for parole in about nine years, which means that she may yet be able to attend her two teenage children's weddings. The judge cited Grossman's lack of a criminal past and philanthropic efforts over the years for the lighter sentence. Let's unpack that. Grossman co-founded the Grossman Burn Foundation, hosted charity galas for the organization and adopted a young burn victim from Afghanistan. These are all unquestionably good works for the privileged person who is able to do them. Who among us wouldn't donate more time and money were it not for the jobs we work to pay those pesky rent and day-care bills? The philanthropic rationale surrounding the judge's sentence prompts the question: Would a woman convicted of the same crime, whose hourly job at Walmart made her unable to donate anything to good causes, have received a stiffer sentence? Dana Robinson, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: This is a story that doesn't end well for anyone. Both families will experience heartache, especially the family of Mark and Jacob Iskander. The loss of one child is inconceivable, but losing two children is beyond words. It was very interesting to read that Grossman "anonymously" donated $25,000 toward funeral expenses for those beautiful boys. Not so anonymous now! What was she hoping for? A pat on the back? Diane Hunn, Camarillo This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council passed a $532.9 million spending plan Thursday that includes money for 25 new positions, millions for a second senior center and raises for most city employees. The budget is for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Its more than a 5% increase over the current-year budget of $505 million. The councils final vote was unanimous, 15-0. It is the largest budget in the citys history and includes no tax increases. Mayor Linda Gortons budget proposal included $24 million for a second senior center and therapeutic recreation center in Shillito Park; 3% raises for most city employees; $2.1 million for a new regional industrial park; and $75,000 for 25 license plate reader cameras. The council added more than $3.2 million in additional spending. It added 10 new positions, including two positions for police and additional staff for neighborhood traffic management. The total cost to add that staff is $750,000. It also added $2 million for a fund earmarked to help developers pay for infrastructure improvements for difficult-to-develop land inside the citys growth boundary. To pay for those additional staff, the council voted to increase the revenue estimate for the next fiscal year. That estimate which determines how much money the city will receive in taxes and fees has been under the projected estimate for the past three years. That means the city has ended its fiscal year with healthy surpluses, sometimes topping $20 million. But hiring additional people will mean additional costs in future years. Gorton has cautioned the council city revenues have been buoyed by federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. Some of those surpluses were also due to that additional money -- $121 million over two years. Gorton, who has until June 23 to make any vetoes, has not yet decided if she will veto the additional staff the council added, said Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for the city. Gortons budget included money for 15 new positions. With the council changes, the new budget has money for 25 additional positions. The mayor is concerned about raising revenue to pay for the 10 positions, Straub said. How to balance the budget The city is using some one-time money to balance its budget, including $32 million from various city saving accounts. The budget also uses $45 million in bonding or borrowing. Included in that borrowing is $24 million for a second senior center and therapeutic recreation center. The citys current senior center in Idle Hour Park has been packed since it opened in 2016. The city will also use borrowed money to buy police and fire vehicles, and another $12 million will be set aside for paving. In total, the budget includes $14 million, a combination of grant, city money and borrowing, for paving. Money for affordable housing, homeless services doubled Another big change for the budget that begins July 1 is more money for affordable housing and homelessness services. The council has passed various ordinances in recent years that allocate a percentage of the citys budget to affordable housing and homelessness prevention efforts. The budget contains $4.79 million in affordable housing spending. The city typically spends $2 million a year. The citys Office of Homeless Prevention and Intervention budget also will nearly double from $750,000 to $1.4 million. In addition to the $1.4 million, the budget also includes $2 million for a winter warming shelter to augment the citys current shelter system during the colder months. One Lexington, the citys violence intervention program for teens and young adults, will get an increase of about $20,000 for more trauma-informed care. More than a decade ago, Tk Tunchez saw something missing in Austin a community space for LGBTQ+ people. That gap prompted her to create Las Ofrendas, a store oriented to the LGBTQ+ community and people of color, and its accompanying monthly market, Frida Friday. Fourteen years later, her endeavor has grown into a thriving business, hosting frequent pop-up shops that feature DJs and drag performers. The "Legendary" drag show held every month is just one of the many projects Tunchez and Las Ofrendas have taken on. June's drag performance was set to be hosted by the Brewtorium Brewery. But the typically joyful event was put on hold when a bomb threat was emailed. "We have placed a pipe bomb at 6015 Dillard Circle, Austin. F*** you drag queen s*** bags," the email read, according to Tunchez. She said her husband traced the email and found that it had been sent from a Russian IP address. Tk Tunchez, left, founder of Las Ofrendas in Austin, sports a flower crown she designed. Las Ofrendas is a marketplace oriented around the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. Tunchez is quite busy, describing herself as a "one-woman wild show." Between owning and managing Las Ofrendas and Frida Friday, as well as personally creating many of the items for sale, she has a full schedule. That is in addition to her biggest ongoing project opening Las Ofrendas' first permanent storefront on East Cesar Chavez Street at the end of this month. "I am busy. Too busy to deal with bomb threats," Tunchez said. At the time the threat was received, more than 100 people were present for the drag performance, making Tunchez worry about their safety. The arrival of Austin police to investigate the threat did not ease her anxiety. Tunchez said the officers would not speak to her directly. She described them as in no hurry, and she felt they did not take the matter seriously. After a 1-hour search, the police did not find a bomb and said there was likely no real threat. But Tunchez said police refused to give her and the owners of the Brewtorium an all-clear. When Tunchez and her colleagues asked for a bomb dog to check the premises, she said the police refused and said the business would have to pay for one. Austin Police Department spokesperson Lisa Cortinas said in a statement to the American-Statesman that if nothing out of the ordinary is found at the scene, the department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit is not asked to respond. Cortinas added that a sergeant reached out to the Brewtorium the next day to offer a bomb threat awareness course to be prepared for future incidents. Cortinas did not address the claims made by Tunchez about the officers' conduct. Hate crimes on the rise in Austin, nationally This bomb threat comes as crimes against the LBGTQ+ community are on the rise in Austin and elsewhere. According to a crime data dashboard from the city of Austin, hate crimes in Austin increased almost every year between 2017, when the city began tracking the data, and 2023. Just four hate crimes have been reported so far in 2024, however. The dashboard does not specify whether the reported hate crimes were motivated by sexual orientation, race or other factors. A Fort Worth-area public school teacher was targeted with bomb threats in March at her home and the school where she teaches after messages about her support for the LGBTQ+ community circulated on social media. The trend is present nationally, too, as a report released last year from the Anti-Defamation League and LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLAAD found that more than 350 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents took place in a span of 11 months. The most frequent incidents were threats to drag performers, with 138 incidents in this category. Texas saw some of the most anti-LGBTQ+ crimes of any state, according to the report. After the report was released, GLAAD reported that 145 incidents against the LGBTQ+ community took place in June 2023. June, which is celebrated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, saw the highest number of incidents with a significant increase from June 2022, which had just 48. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Texas Tunchez blames anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed in Texas for the increased threats against the community. "The Texas Legislature allowed and emboldened people who would take this action," Tunchez said. In 2023, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 12, which restricts "sexually oriented performances" in public, at businesses or in the presence of children. Critics of the bill said it criminalizes drag performances. More: Drag performers testify during House State Affairs Committee meeting on Senate Bill 12 But a federal judge ruled SB 12 unconstitutional in September, saying it is overly broad and intended to target drag performances, therefore violating the First Amendment. The Texas attorney general's office said it would appeal the ruling, but for now it stands, keeping the performances protected. Still, the law's pause has not discouraged people from making threats against LGBTQ+ groups. Tunchez said while opening the storefront is a big step forward for her business, it feels like she is putting a target on her back. Tearing up, she said no one should have to feel this way. In response to threats like these against the community, Tunchez said Las Ofrendas will continue to promote a positive and inclusive space for those in the LGBTQ+ community and for people of color, refusing to put her business on pause and cater to those who sent the threat. "Queer joy is resistance. It's resilience," Tunchez said. A drag artist performs at the "Legendary" drag brunch organized by Tk Tunchez in Austin in May 2023. A drag performance set for this month was put on hold by a bomb threat. Situations like these complicate the picture for the already-busy Tunchez. First and foremost, she is a small-business owner and event creator, she said not a bomb squad member, a police officer or an event security guard. Tunchez feels she is now obligated to take on those roles because if she does not, no one else will. In a video shared to the Las Ofrendas Instagram page after the bomb threat, Tunchez said she cannot continue to run Frida Friday without additional support from the community. She plans to create a volunteer form in hopes that those who are allies to the LGBTQ+ community will step up and physically support her business. Tunchez also highlighted the several small businesses and performers who suffered a loss from the June drag performance's cancellation. Shopping at LGBTQ-owned shops and supporting drag performers outside of the shows are ways people can show practical support for the community, she said. At the end of the day, Tunchez wants to create that community space for LGBTQ+ people that she said Austin lacks a space people can pour their love into. "I feel responsible for creating the container," Tunchez said, referring to the storefront, "and letting people fill it themselves." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin's Las Ofrendas looks to promote LGBTQ+ space after bomb threat Donald Trump's Republican allies on Thursday sought to deny and spin reports that the former president blasted the site of this year's Republican National Convention as a "horrible city" during a meeting on Capitol Hill. Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city, the former president told congressional Republicans, according to PunchBowl News' Jake Sherman. It was a remarkable assessment of Wisconsins largest urban area, home not just to next months convention taking place days after the presumptive nominee is due to be sentenced for some of his many alleged crimes but tens of thousands of people whose votes the three-time candidate will need in November. There are about 50,000 Republicans who live right here in the city, noted Milwaukees Democratic mayor, Cavalier Johnson, [and] youre calling their home horrible. Republican lawmakers then obediently fell into a role thats grown familiar since Trump took over the GOP eight years ago: that of bumbling spokesperson trying to clean up a public relations disaster. Lies, declared Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., dismissing the original report a verbatim quote posted to X by Sherman, based on sources in the meeting with Trump as the product of a Democratic shill pretending to be a journalist. After getting out the standard cry of liberal media, Van Orden did not challenge the fact that Trump said what he said but asserted there was context: the Republican candidate, himself just convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records after earlier being found liable by a jury for sexual assault, was specifically referring to the CRIME RATE in Milwaukee. To drive the point home, Van Orden shared a screenshot of a year-old article on the citys homicide rate, which actually fell in 2023 and have further declined nearly 50% so far in 2024. Was he, though? Not according to another lawmaker, Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., who claimed she was the one that prompted Trumps outburst. Tenney told a right-wing tabloid. His comment came in the context of a very serious discussion from a real policy wonk, she assured the public. The president was just setting forth the policies that he thinks are going to be the winning policies, she said, going on to clarify that Trump was specifically talking about voter fraud and places they are identifying 19 areas where they know there was voter fraud or there were attempts to prime the pump in favor of Democrats. According to the New York Post, Tenney said [s]he didnt hear the former president say anything about crime. In 2020, Trump lost Wisconsin by more than 20,000 votes, a defeat he and his allies have spent years now explaining away with bogus claims of fraud, all rejected by every court that has ever considered them. But lets stay focused: Whats important is that we now understand Trump was talking specifically specifically about violent crime. But he was also, specifically, talking not about homicides but about about elections. Except: What if the biased mainstream media made up the whole thing and Trump didnt utter a word about Milwaukee at all? I was in the room, Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., assured his followers on social media. President Trump did not say this. There is no better place than Wisconsin in July. Three Wisconsin Republican congressmen with three different stories about Trump calling Milwaukee a horrible city. pic.twitter.com/wEzcXddAbt Dan Shafer (@DanRShafer) June 13, 2024 The problem, as always for the post-2015 GOP, is that the first few hours of a PR crisis always entail ad-libbing, oft contradictory, from Trump surrogates (a role assumed by the vast majority of elected Republicans) who have not yet received their talking points. Go all the way back to 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Trump was awed by the cleansing power of bleach [it] will kill the virus in five minutes and suggested there had to be a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Trying to clean up the mess, then-White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany fell back on an old standby: deny the unambiguous remark and blame the press for not casting a literal verbatim quote in a more favorable, disinfecting light. Leave it to the media to irresponsibly take President Trump out of context and run with negative headlines," she said. Trump then dutifully undermined the line about missing context by claiming he was actually telling a very funny joke, as any president would do during an emergency briefing at a time when thousands of Americans were gravely ill with a novel coronavirus. I was asking the question sarcastically to reporters like you, just to see what would happen, he said at a later press briefing, falsely asserting that it had come in the form of a sarcastic question to a reporter. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. In the case of his Milwaukee gaffe, Trump, following the various explanations offered by his loyalists, told Fox News that he did in fact say it specifically, with respect to whatever sounds least bad. It was very clear what I meant, he said Thursday. I said, were very concerned with crime. I love Milwaukee, I have great friends in Milwaukee, but its, as you know, the crime numbers are terrible. We have to be very careful. So he did say it, contra the assertions of one supporter, but it was about crime, contradicting the assertion of another supporter who said it had nothing to do with crime. But, Trump continued, it was also not about Milwaukees actually declining rate of violence. I was referring to, also, the election, the ballots, the way it went down, it was very bad in Milwaukee, Trump said, falsely, again. Democrats, for whom Wisconsin is just as much a must-win as it is for Trump in November, elected to take Trump at his word and accept that, for various reasons, he is afraid of a city that overwhelmingly voted against him in 2016 and 2020. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., who represents Milwaukee residents, said Thursday that if Trump is indeed concerned about crime in the city than he, a convicted fraudster and court-adjudicated sexual assailant, should do his part to keep it safe. I dont know many people in Milwaukee who have 34 felony counts against them, she told MSNBC. So our crime rate sure is going to go up when he joins us, she added, noting that he also faces dozens more counts in pending state and federal cases over the January 6 insurrection and his apparent theft of national security secrets. Put aside the spin, she continued, and focus on what we know. "He's a horrible person," she said. President Joe Bidens catastrophic performance in Thursday nights debate pushed concerns about his age into the national spotlight. The 81-year-old Democrat repeatedly faltered and spoke with a raspy voice (his campaign blamed a cold), sparking enough alarm that rumblings have already emerged about replacing him with another candidate before its too late. His 78-year-old Republican rival, Donald Trump, is no spring chicken himself. But theres good news for the two candidates: the chances of both men living into their 90s is better than most Americans. Dems Panic About Bidens Debate Disaster Against Donald Trump As America prepares to choose between the two most superannuated presidential candidates in its history we asked an actuary to crunch the numbers. Scott Witt, who provides expert insight on insurance risk from the crucial swing state of Wisconsin, said that neither mans official medical reports yield much useful insight into their underlying health, besides the Republicans high body mass index. He also highlighted public concern and speculation about both contenders cognitive function. But he provided an array of estimates showing that white men who have reached the age of each stand an excellent chance of surviving another five years, purely because theyve managed to keep a step ahead of death for this long. Both have already outstripped male life expectancies at the time of their birth (roughly 64 years) and today (just shy of 75). You live to that age, youre probably not going to die of an opioid overdose, youre probably not going to die in a drunk driving accident, Witt said. Once you survive all these risks, youve made it that long, youve got some longevity in you, its not crazy to think you could live longer. A number of personal factors are in Biden and Trumps favor, including that they have longevity in their makeup: Bidens father passed away at age 86 and his mother at 92; while Trumps mom moved on at 88 and his dad died at 93. While there is no formula per se that actuaries use to determine how old someone will live without subjecting them to medical exams, the fact that both men are nonsmokers and teetotalers does come into consideration. Witt told The Daily Beast that the very healthiest category of men of Trumps years can expect to survive a further 14 years, (which puts his life expectancy at 92) while those of Bidens age could make it an additional dozen (making him 94). But Witt warned either might be in far worse health than the public is aware, and that the presidency is a highly demanding job. Though many would wilt under the stress of the presidency, presidents in fact have a better life expectancy than the average American. Witt pointed out that the most recent three presidents to depart for the great White House in the skyRonald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bushall made it past 90, and former President Jimmy Carter is in declining condition but also just months from cracking the century mark. That could be a coincidence, but it could be indicative of advances in medicine, especially among those who have access to the best of the best in terms of health care, he said. But none of this means that life insurance companies would cut a man of either Biden or Trumps age a break. Witt said a 78-year-old male in the best of health can expect to pay $25,000 annually for a 10-year term policy, and quotes arent even available for past 80. This owes both to the narrow subset of companies that provide insurance for those in the most advanced age categories, the declining demand for such policies among retirees, and a statistical quirk: an elderly persons odds of making it to a specific birthday are relatively high, but their chance of surviving a set period of years is much lower. The older person has a better chance of reaching an arbitrary age, the younger person has a better chance of living an arbitrary number of years, Witt explained, noting that mortality risk rises with each yeartopping out at 50 percent among the most geriatric end of the populationeven as the odds of making it to a particular benchmark go up. This kind of calculation is important for decisions besides picking the next leader of the free world, Witt noted. Many people see that American life expectancy has declined in recent years, but fail to realize those estimates are for newborns, and not people already approaching retirement age. Theyre 65 and theyll do their planning based around them living only 22 years, he said. All these other things that are causing the U.S. life expectancy to go down dont have anything to do with a middle-aged, middle American person. Somebody whos already 50, 60, 65 years old, their life expectancy is way higher. 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. WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. (WFLA) A massive hole has opened in Hernando County. The hole is on a plot of land near Mississippi Kite Ave. and Marvelwood Road in Weeki Wachee. Cadie Nowazzyk, who moved to Weeki Wachee from Clearwater, called it alarming that something like this could happen in her backyard. Ya, it is Florida and you dont expect to see it and it is kind of alarming, Nowazzky told News Channel 8. But you have hope that when such rainfall happens we learn better practices and not create possible disasters like this. This week, many areas of Florida experienced heavy rain, leading to Governor DeSantis declaring a state of emergency for multiple Florida counties. New Channel 8 reached out to Hernando County Officials who said the hole is on private property. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The Naples Daily News is monitoring the weather today in Collier County. Here's what to know: Health department addresses flooding risks The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) urges residents to be aware of the health risks associated with flooding: Skin contact with flood waters does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk. However, health hazards are a concern when waters are or become contaminated with bacteria or contain dangerous debris. DOH-Collier recommends the following to prevent illness or injury from flood waters: Basic hygiene is critical. If you are under a boil water notice, use commercially bottled water for mixing baby formula. Wash your hands with soap and either disinfected or boiled and cooled water, especially before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after handling a soiled diaper, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling objects contaminated with flood water or sewage. Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been contaminated with flood waters. Avoid contact with flood waters, especially if you have open cuts or sores. If you have any open cuts or sores and come in contact with flood waters, wash the area well with soap to prevent infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. Residents who sustain lacerations and/or puncture wounds, are encouraged to contact their primary health care provider to make sure they are current on their tetanus immunization and possibly get a booster. If on a septic system and your plumbing is functioning slowly: Conserve water as much as possible; the less water used the less sewage the septic tank must process. Minimize use of your washing machine. Do not have the septic tank pumped. Exceptionally high-water tables might crush a septic tank that was pumped dry. If the fundamental problem is high ground water, pumping the tank does nothing to solve that problem. If your well is flooded: Heavy rainfall may have made your well water unsafe to drink. If you are unsure about the impact of flooding on your well water, use bottled water or boil water for drinking, making ice, teeth brushing and washing any areas of the skin that may have been cut or injured. If your well is affected by flood waters, there may be disease-causing organisms in your water making it unsafe to drink. For additional questions regarding well water testing, contact DOH-Collier Environmental Public Health at 239-252-8200. Flood watch issued for Collier County The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Collier County until 8 p.m. Friday. According to the NWS, rainfall amounts of 8 to 14 inches with isolated amounts up to 20 inches have fallen over portions of South Florida since Tuesday morning. An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are forecast through Friday with higher amounts possible locally. The additional rainfall could produce more flooding in coastal and inland Collier County. Naples, Collier County weather alerts Today's weather forecast for Naples, Marco Island and Collier County According to AccuWeather: THIS MORNING: Cloudy and humid with a couple of showers and a heavy thunderstorm; additional rain can lead to flooding. THIS AFTERNOON: Showers and a heavy thunderstorm; cloudy and humid. More: Swamped: This much rain has fallen in these Collier County locations since Tuesday Helpful weather links for you FINDING YOUR FLOOD ZONE-COLLIER COUNTY: Here WHAT'S CLOSED, CANCELED, POSTPONED: Here TAX-FREE SUPPLIES INFO: Here AIRPORT STATUS: Here Photo gallery: Relentless rain causing numerous challenges in Naples Video: Flooding on 5th Avenue in Naples Today' rainfall outlook for Naples and surrounding areas This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Live updates: Naples, Collier County flooding, rainfall Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) hit Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for meeting with former President Trump alongside the Senate GOP on Thursday. Cheney, who lost her seat in a primary battle in the 2022 cycle, said the meeting shows McConnell is enabling the former president, whom she called a danger to our Republic. Mitch McConnell knows Trump provoked the violent attack on our Capitol and then watched television happily as his mob brutally beat police officers and hunted the Vice President, she wrote on the social platform X. He knows Trump refused for hours to tell his mob to leave and even then with police officers bleeding he kept repeating his election lies and praising the criminals. He knows Trump committed a disgraceful dereliction of duty and is a danger to our Republic, she continued. Trump and his collaborators will be defeated, and history will remember the shame of people like McConnell who enabled them. Trumps meeting with Republican senators marked the first time he was on Capitol Hill since 2021. It also marked the first time he had been in the same room with McConnell since 2020, following years of feuding between the two. McConnell told reporters after the meeting that it was positive. He and I got a chance to talk; we shook hands a few times. He got a lot of standing ovations, he said. It was an entirely positive meeting. I cant think of anything to tell you out of it that was negative. The former president also met with the House GOP earlier Thursday a meeting that comes as Republicans in both chambers begin to prepare a bullish agenda in the event he is reelected and the GOP controls both the House and Senate. Cheney was one of a handful of Republicans who consistently tried to hold Trump responsible for the attack on the Capitol. She served on the House Jan. 6 committee and cited the Capitol riots as responsible for her fallout with the GOP. The former congresswoman has since turned into one of Trumps loudest critics in the party. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), a similarly vocal critic, initially planned not to attend the meeting but changed his mind when a flight out of town was canceled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Texas man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly threatened to murder FBI agents, including those who worked on the investigation that led to Hunter Bidens felony gun conviction Tuesday by a federal jury in Delaware. Timothy Muller, 43, of Fort Worth, was taken into custody outside his home Thursday morning and charged in a criminal complaint with making threats and with influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official, the Justice Department said in a news release. A supervisory special agent from Baltimore who worked on the Biden case received a threatening voicemail and text messages on his FBI cell phone just hours after the guilty verdicts against the presidents son Tuesday morning, according to court documents describing the fast-moving investigation. Muller allegedly told the agent that should Trump win the 2024 election, FBI officials would be thrown in jail and that if he appeared to lose the consequences would be even worse. You can steal another election and the guns will come out and well hunt you c---suckers down and slaughter you like the traitorous dogs you are, he said in the minute-long voicemail, according to the complaint. The last thing youll ever hear are the horrified shrieks of your widow and orphans. Youre going to jail-if youre lucky. But I suspect you wont be, said one of the text messages, which were laced with additional expletives and homophobic slurs. Muller appeared briefly in federal court in Fort Worth Thursday afternoon and a federal magistrate judge ordered him detained temporarily, pending a bail hearing scheduled for next Tuesday, according to court records. The case is the latest involving charges of threats against law enforcement tied to politically sensitive investigations around Trump. Attorney General Merrick Garland has argued that political misinformation about the cases has stoked calls for violence against the FBI, including recent false claims by Trump and his allies that the bureau authorized an assassination attempt when they searched his Mar-a-Lago home. Prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smiths team have asked a federal judge in Florida to impose a gag order barring Trump from publicly leveling the assassination claims. Trump was not home when his Florida residence was searched. It is absurd and dangerous that public servants, many of whom risk their lives every day, are being threatened for simply doing their jobs and adhering to the principles that have long guided the Justice Departments work, Garland said in a Washington Post op-ed published Tuesday. Trumps campaign and his allies have argued without evidence that Hunter Bidens criminal conviction for possessing a firearm while addicted to drugs was an effort to distract from other misconduct by the Biden family. The court filings refer to the agent only as J.W., but note that he was previously named in open source reports about the handling of Hunter Bidens controversial laptop computer. In a story published prior to the 2020 presidential election, the New York Post reported that Supervisory Special Agent Joshua Wilsons name appeared on a federal subpoena related to the laptop. Jurors at Hunter Bidens trial were shown the laptop in question and heard testimony from a different FBI agent about its contents, but Wilson did not testify. Ben Schreckinger contributed to this report. A view of the city at sunrise during an air raid alert in Kyiv (Reuters) - The Group of Seven leaders' decision to provide Kyiv with a $50 billion loan backed up by interest from frozen Russian assets allows Ukraine to plan its budget for 2025, the country's finance minister said on Friday. Western aid has been vital for Kyiv to balance its books as it has poured money into defence since the Russia's full-scale invasion more than two years ago. The central bank has said it expects $25 billion in foreign financing for 2025. "The decision opens 2025 for us. Because without this decision 2025 looked absolutely uncovered not only in terms of military spending, but also social," Serhiy Marchenko said on national television. While technical details on the mechanism are yet to be determined, the G7 leaders reached a political agreement at their summit in Italy. The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said all G7 countries would contribute to the loan package. Ukraine should be able to receive some financing under the mechanism in 2024, Marchenko said. He added that partners had listened to Kyiv's appeals to allow the use of the money for all kinds of spending. As of now, budgetary support from Kyiv's Western partners is only allocated to cover social expenditure. Ukraine finances its military needs from its own budget revenues. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Alex Richardson) LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) After a long discussion Thursday evening and a vote, the Longview City Council unanimously approved a proposed bio-mining facility. Gov. Abbott allows flags to be lowered in honor of Van Zandt County commissioner The plant will be located on 2120 East Loop 281 and operated by Mint Innovation. There, the company will extract valuable metals like gold and copper from old devices that ended up in the trash. During public comment, several people expressed concerns over the environmental impact the facility could pose. Specifically, the chemicals that will be used. Im a byproduct of Flint, Michigan, one speaker said. Was born and raised there. I in good conscience could not sit here and by the side and not say anything. Heather Malone, with the Longview Economic Development Corporation said the company will be primarily using two chemicals. Based on the conversations with the company, they have listed the sulfuric acid which is diluted and the hydrogen peroxide as the main components for this process, Malone said. Councilman John Nustad thinks itll be safe. Would I put my family next to this? I absolutely would, Nustad said. East Texas church officials react to Southern Baptist decision on female pastors Chanda Mitchell who spoke out against the facility said she thinks the council made a mistake. If their choices continue to show us, the residents and the community, that their choices are led by the almighty dollar and not by the care and concerns of our community and our environment, then we have every right to have people sitting in those seats that will represent us correctly, Mitchell said. The final decision will come from Mint Innovation, which is considering the City of Longview and other cities for their second facility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Loras College President James Collins will retire at the end of the next academic year after serving 20 years in the role. (Photo courtesy of Loras College) James Collins will soon be marking the 40th anniversary of his graduation from Loras College, the end of his 20th year as president and the end of his five-year employment contract. As a former finance guy, he said it felt like all the numbers were aligning just right to announce his retirement. Collins will retire as Loras Colleges longest-serving president at the end of the spring 2025 semester, closing a 40-year chapter filled with introducing and adapting to changes, facing challenges and fostering a place where students can succeed both in and outside the classroom. Collins connection to Loras College began 45 years ago when he enrolled as a student. He graduated in 1984 with a bachelors degree in finance and was hired as an admissions representative that summer. From there he never left, holding positions such as director of special projects, director of alumni relations, vice president for institutional advancement and senior vice president. Looking back, Collins said he had no idea he was going to stay in Iowa after graduation, let alone at Loras. It wasnt even on my radar, Collins said. I was a finance major here so I thought I was going to go back to the Chicago area and work in the banking industry. It never dawned on me that I would have worked at my alma mater for this long. It was the great mentors and colleagues providing new opportunities for Collins that kept him at Loras, he said, and they helped him stay at a place he loved while working to make an impact on the students he worked with. The success students have found at Loras is what Collins said hes most proud of, as well as the success of the employees and the university itself. Loras has expanded its campus and its offerings to students, acquiring new properties and modernizing historical buildings while expanding undergraduate and graduate programs. In contrast, the number of students pursuing a higher education is on the decline, Collins said, which has been and will continue to be a challenge faced by Loras and other universities. Concerns about cost and whether a college degree is worth getting when trades and high-paying jobs for young people are becoming more and more available are making new recruitment strategies and partnerships a necessity, he said. Political rhetoric and divides are also placing more scrutiny on universities, and for Loras specifically there are fewer religious young people looking to get an education from a private, Catholic college or anywhere else. Loras has responded to those challenges by pursuing partnerships with St. Ambrose University and Mercy College of Health Sciences, allowing students to obtain dual degrees in certain areas from the institutions, Collins said. The university has also provided opportunities for students to study internationally for anywhere from a few weeks to a semester and experiential learning. One example of this is a program where finance students are given the opportunity to pick stocks and invest a portion of the universitys endowment each semester. I think as president you have to kind of shift where your priorities and your focus is based on the evolving challenges that we face in higher education, Collins said. Personally, Collins said balancing raising a family and having a 24/7 job was a challenge, one that his wife, Lisa, helped him handle. When Collins was named president, his six children were between the ages of 4 and 11. Another number Collins shared was six the college presidents family will welcome its sixth grandchild into the world this September, and the extra time he will have after retirement will allow him to spend more time with them while hes still relatively young and healthy. With the time he has left at Loras, Collins said he will focus on raising as much money for the college as possible through the $128 million Enduring Values/Vibrant Vision capital campaign. The college has already raised $55 million through the campaign, which will split funds between student financial assistance and the Loras Fund, capital improvements, academic programming and the colleges endowment fund. He will also work to put forward initiatives aimed at growing enrollment and help in any way he can to foster a smooth transition with his successor. Im hoping to work harder this year than any year prior, Collins said. At the moment, Collins only plans for his first year of retirement are to support the new president and remain active in the Dubuque community and in higher education. The response Collins has received since announcing his retirement at the end of May has been overwhelming and humbling, he said, having received thoughtful and kind well-wishes from students, staff, alumni and other colleagues in higher education. Collins said he sees all of the connections hes made during his time at Loras as a gift he never thought hed receive, especially with students who hes been able to know while in college and now as alumni out in the world, seeing success in their personal and professional lives. Im reminded daily about how blessed Ive been to be at a place I love for all these years, to develop lifelong friendships and relationships in a way I never thought imaginable, Collins said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Loras College president reflects on time at university ahead of retirement appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Love sworn in as newest senator from Montgomery County Sen. Sara Love (D-Montgomery), center, receives a group hug from her mother, Marcie Love, and son, Kenneth Love-Fabrizio, following a Thursday swearing in ceremony in Annapolis. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. The Maryland Senate is back to a full 47 members following the swearing-in Thursday of Sara Love (D-Montgomery). The swearing-in ceremony in Annapolis came after Gov. Wes Moore (D) approved the June 3 nomination of Love by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee to fill the District 16 vacancy created by departure of Sen. Ariana B. Kelly, who resigned earlier this year to lead the Maryland Commission for Women. Kelly left the seat after a year in the Senate. She had been appointed in 2023 to fill the vacancy created when Moore appointed Susan Lee as secretary of state. Love was serving her second term in the House of Delegates when she was elevated to the Senate. A former director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, Love was first elected to the House in 2018. She was serving on the House Environment and Transportation Committee and chaired that panels Motor Vehicle and Transportation Subcommittee. Love took the oath of office at the Senate rostrum where Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) presides. You have a nice view up here, Love joked with Ferguson. In brief remarks after the ceremony, the newly minted senator thanked her mother, children, friends and new colleagues. I am excited for this opportunity and am deeply humbled, she said. The post Love sworn in as newest senator from Montgomery County appeared first on Maryland Matters. Loved Ones Speak Out as Search for Missing Retired Cop Albert Calibet Continues in Greece: 'We're Losing Time' Albert Calibet disappeared days after British television doctor Michael Mosley was found dead on a different Greek island Municipality of Amorgos Albert Calibet. It has been three days since Albert Calibet, an American tourist, disappeared on an island in Greece. Family and friends are more eager than ever to find him. Calibet was reported missing on Tuesday, June 11, after he did not return from a hike on the island of Amorgos that he embarked on earlier that day. The missing man is a retired member of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, according to CW affiliate KTLA, which spoke with some of his friends and family. The clock is ticking, and we feel like were losing time, said family friend Robin Wynston Lynn. Related: TV Doctor Michael Mosley Died of Natural Causes: Reports Sandrine Cutright, Calibets sister-in-law, said her in-law is physically fit and swims every day. Loved ones claim he is an experienced hiker, as well. But Lynn said the island has few resources, especially on that part where Calibet is believed to have gone missing. Cutright also said rescue teams must pause their search each night due to the terrain. 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. Calibet joined the LASD in April 1998 and formally retired two decades later, in 2018, according to CBS affiliate KCBS-TV. However, the department said he still worked part-time shifts to help with staffing shortages. Related: Body Found in Trunk of Used Car Lot Belongs to Missing Woman, Police Say Foul Play Isnt Suspected In a statement, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said the department is actively collaborating with multiple agencies abroad to provide assistance in the search for Calibet, according to KTLA and KCBS-TV. Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Calibet's family and friends and our hope is that we can bring him home safely, Luna added. Lynn also begged for help. Anyone who hears this story and has resources, please come help us save our friend Albert, she said. Send the cavalry for Albert Calibet. Related: Body Found in Trunk of Used Car Lot Belongs to Missing Woman, Police Say Foul Play Isnt Suspected Calibet is said to be familiar with the area where he went missing. Amorgos deputy mayor of tourism, Popi Despotidi, told CNN that Calibet has been traveling to the island "almost every year for the last decade. It is strange because he is not a person who walked the route for the first time, Despotidi told international news organization Greek Reporter. He knows Amorgos better than me. Calibet disappeared days after British television doctor Michael Mosley was found dead on a different Greek island. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. At low-scoring Paterson school, kids will leave early so teachers get more training PATERSON School 10 among the worst academically in New Jersey will give its students half days on Fridays starting in September so its teachers can get extra training. Cutting classroom time for children at the struggling school is designed to improve the lessons they get for the other four and a half days of the week, with high-quality, data-driven instruction generated during the two-hour Friday afternoon training sessions for educators, officials said. Its very strategic, very purposeful, said school board president Manny Martinez. Story continues below photo gallery Students would be dismissed at 1 p.m. on Fridays but would have the option to stick around and participate in after-school programs under the plan. In each of the past two years, more than 90% of the students at School 10 failed state tests in math and language arts, according to the New Jersey Department of Education. Moreover, about 53.7% of the 479 children at School 10 were deemed chronically absent in 2022-23 because they missed class more than 10% of the time. I look at it this way. If we know the students are not getting it, then we have to do something different, said school board member Della McCall. Some people feel giving the teachers extra training is how we get there. Fifth grade teacher Ms. Jodi Bland instructs her students in language arts at Paterson Public School #10 in Paterson, N.J. on Monday Sept. 26, 2022. Im optimistic, McCall added. This superintendent is taking a different approach and not just putting a Band-Aid on it. Its poor track record has made School 10, located on Mercer Street in Patersons 4th Ward, the target of various intervention programs over the past decade, including an infusion of extra state education funding. At present, the state has designated School 10 as one of those in need of comprehensive improvement, which are those in the lowest scoring 5% in New Jersey where problems have persisted for three or more years. In fact, School 10 is categorized as a Comprehensive II school because it couldnt make improvements in its initial time as a Comprehensive school. It needs drastic change, said Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Fund advocacy group. The professional development is needed if we want to see improved student outcomes. It needs drastic change, Rosie Grant, executive director of the Paterson Education Fund advocacy group, said of School 10. The professional development is needed if we want to see improved student outcomes. The president of Patersons teachers union, John McEntee Jr., said he would be sending Superintendent Laurie Newell a letter asking for details about the School 10 training plan. The Board of Education voted to approve the early Friday dismissals at School 10 during its meeting on Wednesday night. But board members did not conduct any public discussion on the plan. During the meeting, Newell talked about visiting School 10 this week to celebrate the retirement of a 50-year educator. But the superintendent did not mention the new intervention effort at the school. It was not immediately clear if the district is taking other steps to try to improve student performance at the school. Martinez said the weekly training sessions will give School 10 educators an opportunity to make what he called real-time changes in the way they teach, geared to fix specific shortcoming in students academic skill. In the past, teacher training was sporadic so that problems would persist for months before they were addressed, he said. Martinez said the strategy of sending students home early some days so that teachers could get trained is a common tactic in education. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Class will end early at a Paterson school for teacher training Work on a project to breathe new life into a portion of Upland Avenue in southwest Lubbock officially kicked off Thursday morning. City of Lubbock and Texas Department of Transportation officials broke ground on a $19 million expansion of Upland Avenue from 66th Street to 88th Street Thursday in front of Celebration Christian Center. The project will widen Upland from its current two asphalt lanes to five concrete lanes, aiming to decrease congestion on the busy southwest-Lubbock thoroughfare. "We need it. We're hitting a major growth spurt, and the city, the county and TxDOT are all working together in our community to respond to traffic demand where we can to try and get ahead of the need," Mayor Tray Payne said in his remarks. Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson, who represents District 5 including this stretch of road, echoed Payne's statements. "This area's probably doubled or even tripled in traffic over the last five years," Wilson said. "The traffic coming down Upland is just tremendous." Lubbock officials break ground on the Upland Avenue widening project Thursday at Celebration Christian Center. Wilson said she expects the project to be complete by August 2025, barring delays. She asked for patience from people who live and work in the area. "There's almost no way to block off those roads without moving traffic elsewhere," Wilson said. "So we'll build those new lanes first and divert traffic to the west, then we'll start building on the east side and connect it." She said Lubbockites can also expect to see progress on other portions of Upland Avenue in the future. "This is just the beginning for Upland," she said. "We approved multiple sections on our bond package as well, so we will be seeing the widening of Upland hopefully all the way from the northern city limits to the southern city limits." This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: City of Lubbock breaks ground on Upland Avenue widening project Reality Check is a Telegraph series digging deeper into key issues and focusing on accountability. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@macon.com. A former repair technician at a Macon car dealership has sued the owner of the dealership, alleging he was discriminated against for disabilities and mental health conditions. Tommy Chancey, the former employee at a Macon car service center owned by Five Star Automotive Group, alleges he was ridiculed and discriminated against for his anxiety, manic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Five Star Automotive Group owns 18 new and used car dealerships and collision centers in Georgia, including multiple locations in Macon. Chancey worked at a location on Wimbish Road, a service center at Five Star Hyundai of Macon. The lawsuit also alleges Chancey also had three herniated disks in his back. When he expressed concern to his manager that he needed to take leave because he impacted the injury, he was called a b****. He worked there from Feb. 27, 2020, until Aug. 4, 2023, according to his lawsuit, and this incident occurred in July 2023. Chancey also alleged in his lawsuit that whenever he would complain about issues that affected his mental health at work, the lawsuit indicated that his supervisor would respond with What kind of Tommy do we have today? Chancey was also not told he had protected leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, the lawsuit argued. The lawsuit alleges Five Star Automotive Group violated federal law, infringing on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the FMLA, court documents filed Wednesday show. Chancey had informed his manager on repeated occasions that he needed time to rest during his shifts after being exacerbated by the physically intense and hostile work environment, but was never given resources or accommodation, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says he was still able to perform his job with or without accommodations at the time. Chancey told a former coworker in August 2023 that he was being treated harshly by his manager and was thinking about going to human resources to file a complaint, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says his manager confronted Chancey about his intention to go to human resources, and told him hed be fired for it. Chancey said he was being treated unfairly. Chancey was fired from the collision center three days after he and his manager argued, citing his lack of attendance and poor work performance. The lawsuit contends that the supervisors reasons for firing Chancey were false since he had never been disciplined and, whenever he requested time off, it was due to his medical condition and covered under the FMLA. Chancey was also called a damn good technician the same day he was terminated, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit argues the manager of the shop interfered with his FMLA rights by failing to tell him about the federal law. By doing so, he says in his lawsuit that his manager retaliated against him and acted with malice and reckless indifference. The court document also argued his manager discriminated against Chancey for his disability, refused to act in good faith and failed to allow him to exercise reasonable accommodation. It also said his manager retaliated against Chancey for complaining about his treatment, requesting accommodation and engaging in protected activity, which violates the ADA. As a result of his termination, Chancey has suffered lost wages, financial losses, emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. Hes asking for a jury trial. Hes also asking for general damages for his mental and emotional suffering, punitive damages for his managers actions, special or liquidated damages for losing his wages and benefits, attorneys fees and expenses of litigation, declaratory and injunctive relief, and other relief he could be entitled to. A manager at the service center declined to comment to The Telegraph. A lawsuit only tells one side of a legal argument. Five Star Automotive Group hasnt filed a legal reply yet. What do ADA, FMLA say? The ADA is a law that protects people who have physical or mental disabilities that limit their daily activities, have a history of impairment, or are perceived by others to have a noticeable disability. Any person who believes they are protected under this law does not need to apply for coverage. Conditions accepted under this act are wide-ranging, including cancer, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, autism, cerebral palsy, deafness or hearing loss, blindness or low vision, epilepsy, mobility disabilities that require the use of a wheelchair, walker or cane, intellectual disabilities, major depressive disorder. and traumatic brain injury. The ADA also covers other disabilities that are not listed. Employers who have more than 15 employees are required to provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the employment-related opportunities available to others. That includes providing their employees with reasonable accommodations that can help the person perform the duties of their job, unless doing so would be too difficult or too expensive to provide, the law says. The law advises employers not to refuse to provide an accommodation because it involves some cost. It also says the employer doesnt have to provide accommodation the employee wants as long as they provide an alternative. On the other hand, the FMLA allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. Eligible employees are those who have worked a year with a public agency, public and private elementary and secondary schools and companies with 50 or more employees, the U.S. Department of Labor says. The Department of Labor says eligible employees are entitled 12 work weeks of leave in a year when the employee is suffering a serious health condition that will make them unable to perform the essential functions of their job. Shekita Maxwell, the candidate who lost the election against incumbent Mayor Lester Miller last month, has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to vacate the decision. She alleges the election was compromised by the mayor and his co-conspirators. Maxwell, who is representing herself, filed the lawsuit against the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections and Miller. She alleges that there was illegal vote dilution in the May 21 election, according to the lawsuit. Maxwell lost the race by more than 70 percentage points, according to official election results from the Georgia secretary of state. She received 2,712 votes. Alleging she is the candidate of choice for Black and female voters, which she says is the demographic that comprised the majority of voters during the Macon election, Maxwell also argued that election integrity was compromised because of a local cyber security breach that has significantly hampered county web operations. The cyber issues have affected Macon-Bibb government operations for weeks, including some aspects of the countys board of elections. But there has not been any information released to confirm election outcomes were affected. Local government: Claims frivolous Tom Gillon, the elections officer for the board, told The Telegraph that he was made aware of the lawsuit against the board of elections and the mayor and is having legal professionals handle it. We will fully defend the countys interest, especially against the frivolous claim based on false concerns previously used to gain attention, said Chris Floore, chief communications officer for Macon. The outcome of the election was obvious, and it is appalling and upsetting the county taxpayers will have to fund this process. Maxwell says in her lawsuit shes seeking to maintain election integrity, vacate the certification of the election results and prevent irreparable harm before a court is able to hear her case. Maxwell also argued in her lawsuit that discriminatory practices, a lack of disability-accessible voting options and incorrect ballots in districts that feature many Black constituents caused election problems. The NAACPs Macon-Bibb County Chapter, as well as disabled voters, have expressed concern with the voting location where the Board of Elections office is located, which is at Macon Mall. Additionally, the Georgia NAACP did hold a press conference raising concern about ballot mix-ups that left some voters casting ballots for the wrong county commission races. Elections officials have acknowledged the issues, but the race for mayor was the same for all of Macon, and there havent been indications that the mayoral race was affected. Maxwell argued in her lawsuit that the incidents left Black voters in a majority-minority city without an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. In her suit, Maxwell alleged that the board of elections response to issues in the May election was insufficient and showed officials werent responsive to the community. The results of the May election were certified on May 24. Maxwell said she and Macon voters would suffer irreparable injury if an injunction wasnt enacted by a judge to challenge the results of the May race. She alleged that Miller and conspirators compromised the outcomes of the election, and alleges she was in the lead of the race as early votes were counted. There is more to democracy than free and fair elections, but there can be no democracy without them, said Maxwell in her lawsuit. Constant vigilance is required to protect this foundational component of political freedom from the threats arrayed against it. Maxwell wants a judge to issue an injunction on the outcome of the election, vacate the results of the race and hold another election for mayor in November. She argues the decision wouldnt harm the county because they could put the race on Novembers Election Day ballots. With few options left to save their ambitious plan to rebuild the Mad Hatter, the owners of the property have put the legendary Sea Bright restaurant and bar up for sale. Scott and Amy Kelly said they listed the property for $8.5 million about a month ago, which would leave them enough money to pay back creditors. But they have yet to get an offer and are considering lowering the price. "At this point where we're at with the project, we just had no other choice but to sell the property," Scott Kelly said Thursday. The Mad Hatter was a landmark pizza place and bar that was destroyed by superstorm Sandy in 2012. But the Kellys' bid to rebuild the restaurant bigger and better stalled when they ran out of money, and local residents say the project has been an eyesore on Ocean Avenue. Mad Hatter, an iconic bar in Sea Bright, has been closed since it was destroyed by superstorm Sandy in 2012. Sea Bright, NJ Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Home cut in half: Shattered Union Beach home was Superstorm Sandy icon. After 12 years, it's getting rebuilt The decision to put the venue up for sale comes as the borough and creditors close in. Sea Bright officials said they have four developers interested in the project. And the property has been listed for sale at a foreclosure auction in Monmouth County in August. Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly, who isn't related to the Mad Hatter owners, said plenty of moving pieces remain before the future of the building is resolved. "Our goal really is the same," the mayor said. "We just want to see somebody complete the project, but it's not so easy because there are investors and lien holders involved, so trying to work with the state and all other parties, there's never an easy path forward. But we're (moving) ahead, trying to find the best solution to button the building up, enclose it and make it safe again." Mad Hatter, an iconic bar in Sea Bright, has been closed since it was destroyed by superstorm Sandy in 2012. Sea Bright, NJ Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Recovering from Sandy: Veteran's Union Beach home had fatal Sandy flaws. This 9/11 charity fixed it for free The Kellys in an interview said they hope to find a buyer for the building before the foreclosure auction to repay their creditors. And they were frustrated that their financing plan fell through. The restaurant has been owned by Kelly Management Group since 2006. After the storm, the company planned to demolish the building and replace it with a three-story 15,000-square-foot restaurant that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean. The proposal sparked opposition from a neighbor who worried it would be disruptive. But the town rallied around the Kellys, and the plan won approval from the borough in 2016. An artist's rendering of the proposed new Mad Hatter in Sea Bright. More than a decade waiting: NJ Sandy, Ida victims, still reeling from storms, demand help from legislators Contractors knocked down the old restaurant, and, with the help of a $5 million disaster loan from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, began to rebuild. But with the project 75% complete, the Kellys ran out of money; a loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration fell through in December 2018 when the federal government shut down, according to court papers. The Kellys received a commitment from a new investor, SnowPoint Capital Management LLC, a Ridgewood-based company, willing to lend them $3 million. But the EDA refused to sign off on the deal due to what it said was "a possible misuse of funds," according to court documents. The Kellys said Thursday that they used the disaster loan appropriately. "Every dollar and penny that we utilized went toward that project," Scott Kelly said. The EDA's decision left the Kellys out of options. They decided to put the property up for sale. "Scott and I just decided, as a family, it's probably time," Amy Kelly said. "Let's just put it on the market and move on." Michael L. Diamond is a business reporter who has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry for more than 20 years. He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Mad Hatter bar in Sea Bright, closed since Sandy, is up for sale Madison's Center for Black Excellence hopes to be a cultural, artistic hub for the state A rendering of the exterior of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture in Madison. The three-story, 37,000-square-foot center is scheduled to be complete on the capital city's south side in late 2025. On Juneteenth, the Center for Black Excellence and Culture in Madison, a project more than seven years in the making, will be one step closer to reality. Construction on the 37,000-square-foot, three-story center will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, June 19, at its future home on Badger Road in Madison's historically Black Park Street neighborhood. The center will provide a cultural and educational space for Wisconsin's Black community to gather, tell stories, create and perform, develop professionally and celebrate their achievements. It will include theater, gallery and maker spaces, a co-working area, wellness and fitness spaces, and rooms for after-school and senior programming. A rendering of a commons space at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Alex Gee, founder and CEO of the center, seeks to create a sense of community, support and hospitality that makes young Black professionals want to stay in the Madison area and feel they can succeed there. Gee, who was raised in Madison, said the idea for the center came in part from noticing that Madison lacked a cultural hub to "celebrate and advance" its Black community. "What we noticed when we talked with over 700 Black folks is that there's really a need for Black brilliance to be on display and celebrated," Gee said. "There needs to be a space for leadership development, intergenerational programming, a place we can put our best foot forward and feel at home here in the community." Other cities, he said, are home to Black jazz clubs, coffee shops and more, facilitating this type of environment. Spaces like these are especially crucial when you account for Wisconsin's national reputation for racial disparities in everything "from education to criminal justice to income," Gee wrote in a November 2022 opinion piece for the Journal Sentinel. These disparities, along with the present lack of a cultural gathering space, have pushed many young Black Madisonians to leave for other states, he said. The center strives "to cause people to think differently about Wisconsin because there are plenty of opportunities here," Gee said. "We just have to build better bridges to those opportunities." According to a news release from the center, since fall 2021, $33 million has been raised for its construction from donors and city, county, state and federal funds. However, $3 million more is still needed to complete construction debt-free. The center is expected to be complete in late 2025 and will stand next to Fountain of Life Covenant Church, 633 W. Badger Road, where Gee serves as pastor. A rendering of an auditorium space at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture coming to Madison in late 2025. The center will be a place for celebrating Black stories Storytelling is the center's main focus, both in its facilities and what will take place inside, Gee said. "How do you bring the excellence of our community alive? We need theater spaces for acting out stories, for film festivals, book festivals, lectures, comedians," he said. The center's multiple auditoriums and other venues will be equipped to host a variety of arts and cultural events, as well as weddings, banquets and receptions. Gee emphasized that the Black community has a long history of using the arts to express and elevate themselves. "One hundred years ago, during the migration of Black sharecroppers to the north, what fueled that journey ... was their songs, poems and journals," he said. "We created art forms like jazz, blues, gospel, and we created spaces like the Harlem Renaissance. It was music and art that helped transform the Black persona in America." In light of this, Gee said he finds it surprising that more groups don't currently try to solve issues in the Black community using art and music. "Often, we just think something is broken, so let's bring in social services and fix it ...," he said. "I get that those support services are needed, but this is a fresh look at how we strengthen our community and prepare the next generation." A rendering of the entry at Madison's Center for Black Excellence and Culture. The center seeks to cater to all of Wisconsin Although the center will be located in Madison, Gee calls it a "statewide effort." He said his team is working with Black communities across the state, including in Milwaukee, to highlight Black accomplishments and achievements from around Wisconsin in the center's displays and programming. The center will be visible from the beltline, and its proximity to the South Madison bus transfer point makes it easily accessible by public transportation, he said. Earlier this year, the center was highlighted in Milwaukee in an advertisement at a Bucks home game featuring former WISN-TV news anchor Toya Washington. "As someone who has called both Madison and Milwaukee home, I've reported on and lived the unique challenges facing Black residents in Wisconsin," Washington said in a statement. "That experience is one of many reasons why I'm so excited by the positive change the center will inspire." A rendering of the lounge space in Madison's Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Community members are invited to the center's groundbreaking All are welcome to attend the center's groundbreaking ceremony; those planning to attend should RSVP at this link. The event will begin at 11 a.m. on June 19 at 655 W. Badger Road in Madison. More: 'Lost history becomes erased history': How one project aims to preserve Bronzeville's history More: What to know about Milwaukee's Hillside neighborhood This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Black arts. cultural center is coming to Madison, Wisconsin in 2025 This year's celebration of Donald Trump's birthday will be taken to the waters in a big way, as supporters have organized a "massive" MAGA boat parade to mark the occasion. It remains unlikely that the former US president will attend the celebration himself, as he's expected to speak at a convention elsewhere. The convention, organized by Turning Point Action, will seek to educate attendees and Donald Trump supporters on various aspects of election-winning strategies. MAGA Supporters To Host Boat Parade To Celebrate Trump's Birthday MEGA MAGA supporters are expected to troop out in their numbers this weekend for a massive boat parade in celebration of Trump's 78th birthday. According to Newsweek, the festive flotilla will launch from the Nine Mile Tower mark in St. Clair Shores at 1 p.m. on Saturday and will proceed down Detroit's shoreline for onlookers to witness it before terminating at Gordie Howe International Bridge. Weather conditions are expected to remain favorable all through the event as The National Weather Service forecast a sunny day on Saturday, with a high of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and "calm wind" in the afternoon. The Michigan Conservative Coalition organized the event, which is expected to attract around 1,000 vessels, including private boats, tugboats, and seaplanes. Donald Trump May Miss Out On The Birthday Parade MEGA Although Trump is reportedly aware of the boat parade in his honor and is also expected to be in Detroit, he'll most likely not grace the occasion as he's a major speaker at The People's Convention at the Huntington Place Convention Center downtown. The convention, sponsored by Turning Point Action, will run from Friday, Trump's birthday, to Sunday. General admission tickets cost $100, while VIP tickets cost around $600, although it is understood that discounts are available for students. The convention describes itself as "the natural focal point of the national conservative political movement ahead of the 2024 election." "Attendees will leave equipped with the tools, knowledge, and network to lead their communities and win in November," the hosts shared, per Newsweek. The agenda includes "holding our politicians accountable, stopping unfair influence on our elections, engaging voters of color in the conservative movement," and more. Expected names at the event include Vivek Ramaswamy, Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Donald Trump Jr. Donald Trump Received Early Birthday Surprise MEGA It comes after the presumptive GOP nominee was greeted with an early birthday surprise when he visited the US Capitol building on Thursday for a meeting with Republican senators. According to reports, Senate members of the Republican party surprised him with a chocolate birthday cake as they met to discuss campaign strategies ahead of the November elections. The meeting marked Trump's first visit to Capitol Hill since the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The billionaire politician praised House Speaker Mike Johnson as he purposed to lead the republican party to a big win in the upcoming election. Senator Mike Lee, who represents Utah, disclosed that the cake had "45" and "47" candles on it, a reference to his first term as president and the potential for him to be the 47th president. Senator Cynthia Lummis shared that Trump stated that he would make a wish that's related to "everyone in this room" as he prepared to blow out the candles. Trump reportedly stressed the need for unity among Republicans, urging them to avoid internal conflicts and support members in tough races through tele-townhalls and other means. Donald Trump's Criminal Conviction Was Discussed During The Meeting MEGA Trump's New York hush money trial was a major issue of discussion, amongst others, with the billionaire politician reportedly calling the Department of Justice "dirty no good bastards," per CNN. The former "Apprentice" star was found guilty on all 34 count charges for falsifying company records to cover up a hush money payment to former adult film star Stormy Daniels over a one-night stand they had. As he awaits his sentencing on July 11, GOP Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma said that Trump was "gravely concerned" about the federal government being weaponized. The Historic Guilty Verdict Has Seemingly United Republicans MEGA Addressing the media in a news conference after the meeting, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said that Trump's guilty verdict has only spurred the party on and will propel them to victory in November. "Anybody who thought that this President was going to be down after the sham trial, after that crooked trial that we saw in New York, I think, again, it's only given him even more energy," Emmer said. He added, "And what he did for us upstairs just now is, he showed us that energy and he showed us that positive outlook, despite all the garbage they've been throwing at him with their lawfare and their nonsense." Photo via Getty Images The proposed Arizona budget, crafted after months of negotiations between Republican leadership and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, faces an uphill battle as members of both parties voice concerns about sweeping cuts aimed at addressing the states budget deficit. Lawmakers must approve a state budget before the end of the 2024 fiscal year, which ends June 30, or the state will face possible shutdowns of critical government functions. Additionally, state leaders must figure out a way to fix a $1.3 billion deficit over the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, which prompted Hobbs to announce earlier this year that state agencies would need to propose possible budget cuts. The proposed budget, released June 12, shows that lawmakers are planning to cut costs by approximately 3.45% at nearly every state agency and are asking others to send more money to the states general fund. State regulatory boards, which currently give 10% of the licensing fees they collect to the state, are now being asked to send 15%. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Auditor General, Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Board of Executive Clemency, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Child Safety would see a reduction in their budgets by around 3.45% in the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The Office of Economic Opportunity, State Board of Equalization, Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Commission and Board of Tax Appeals have the highest percentage reductions in their budgets with up to 4% cuts. The agencies least affected are the Department of Economic Security, the Land Department, the Office of Tourism and the Department of Water Resources seeing reductions of 1% or less. In total, $44.3 million would be cut from state agencies if the budget proposal is signed into law. Arizona State University, while seeing a 3.45% reduction similar to its counterparts, would have the largest monetary reduction, to the tune of $10.9 million. On Thursday morning, the Appropriation Committees of both the House and Senate heard the budget bills, making sure to note that amendments to them would be forthcoming. House Appropriations Chairman David Livingston, R-Peoria, said he wanted to make sure the meeting was short, limiting speakers to one minute and barring lawmakers from explaining their votes. One of the reasons we want this to be a shorter meeting is because tomorrow will be a very, very long day, Livingston said, later adding that the legislature is intending to end the legislative session after passing the budget on Friday. Last year, lawmakers only passed a budget after staying at the capitol well into the night and into the next morning. But before the budget bills could be heard in the appropriations committees or anywhere else on Thursday, lawmakers were already voicing concerns about provisions within them. There are huge concerns with this budget, both in the way that the budget proposes to save money and in the way it proposes to spend it, Democratic Rep. Analise Ortiz said in a conversation with the Arizona Mirror. One of the most glaring issues Ortiz has with the budget is how it would use money the state receives from a lawsuit against the makers of opioids who were found partially at fault for the opioid crisis. In the proposed budget, $75 million from the fund would be transferred to the Department of Corrections. The apparent move to backfill holes in the Department of Corrections budget with opioid settlement money is illegal, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement to the Mirror. Opioid settlement dollars are meant to save lives and support communities dealing with the ongoing fentanyl crisis, not to backfill a massive budget deficit created by irresponsible GOP fiscal policies. Mayes went on to warn the Legislature and governor that using the settlement money this way could put Arizonas entire $1.4 billion in opioid funds in legal jeopardy. She called the plan reckless. The governors office declined to comment about Mayes concerns. A presentation by the AGs Office earlier this year listed Department of Corrections & related prison and jail opioid uses as a way the money could be utilized. Ortiz also opposed the funding diversion. I am not ok with taking money that belongs in the community to address the drug crisis to give it to the Department of Corrections to cover the costs of the serious human rights violations theyve done in the past, Ortiz told the Mirror. But opioid money isnt the only issue lawmakers and state officials have with the budget. The proposed budget also moves certain K-12 money from ongoing funding to one-time funding, meaning that lawmakers would need to fight to include that money in next years budget. We need to remember that the ESA program is siphoning off millions of dollars for private schools and religious schools, Ortiz said. We are trying to balance our budget on the backs of children of color in lower income communities. Absolutely not. ESAs, also known as empowerment scholarship accounts, have been reported to cost the state roughly $332 million a year, a number expected to grow to $429 million next year. In 2022 Republicans in the Legislature expanded the voucher program, to allow all K-12 students in the state to attend private school or to be educated at home using public money, even if that students parents were already paying for them to attend private school before a voucher was available. Public education advocates argue that vouchers take money away from public schools, when Arizona public schools are some of the worst funded in the nation. Beth Lewis, executive director of Save Our Schools Arizona, a public education advocacy group focused on opposing the expansion of private school vouchers, told the Mirror that this budget fails public school students. We know that Republican lawmakers have been incredibly stubborn in terms of touching the ESA cash cow for the rich, she said. The proposed budget doesnt put a cap on the ESA program, which currently has more than 75,000 participants, up from about 12,100 before the universal expansion. But it would stop public school students from using ESA funding for educational purposes over summer break, for a modest savings of $2.5 million. Lewis called that a minor fix. Thats a Band-Aid on a gaping wound, she said. The budget would also implement safety measures that critics of the ESA program have demanded, including requiring fingerprinting for private school teachers whose students receive ESA funding. Additionally, tutors and teachers who have been subject to disciplinary action from the State Board of Education would be prohibited from providing ESA-funded services. Its obvious that this budget has been balanced on higher education, water and transportation, Lewis said. Tension among lawmakers During a lengthy and at times contentious hearing of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, the budget in its current form was approved to send on to the full House for consideration. Chairman Livingston limited testimony from those who attended the meeting to voice their concerns about the budget and prohibited those in the audience from filming. Members and everybody in this room you have been officially notified. Security is here, I will not give you a second chance, Livingston said after he chastised Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-Yuma, for filming the meeting. The rules are set in stone. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, expressed frustration at the limitation Livingston placed on lawmakers and members of the public there to criticize the budget. I think that taking away the ability for members to explain their vote is wrong, she said. I am just disappointed that we all didnt get to speak our truth on this. Livingston also laid down another rule. Those who give good suggestions instead of just choosing to complain about the bill would get higher priority for their proposed amendments to the budget. You may get a more positive response from leadership and the governor if you do that, Livingston said of people who offered suggestions for amendments to the spending plan. Almost all the people who testified before the committee did not support the budget and had major objections to how money was either allocated or taken from one area and given to another. A lobbyist representing the Area Agency on Aging voiced concern over budget allocations aimed at the organization that have been shifted to one-time versus ongoing funding, adding that $5 million the agency expected to receive will be pushed to next year, possibly putting more than 700 seniors at risk of losing certain services. Lauren Armour, director of government relations for Maricopa County Community Colleges, voiced her worry over intended cuts of $53.9 million from community colleges across the state. These cuts will decimate critical workforce programs, Armour said, adding that programs aimed at helping adults get their GED and dual enrollment programs will be especially affected. Maricopa County Community College itself would see a 40% cut in its budget under the current budget proposal. During a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting on Thursday, Republican Sen. Ken Bennett, of Prescott, said he was disappointed about the defunding of programs for adult education. Education advocates also shared concerns as a 2022 agreement to better fund public education amid the universal expansion of the voucher program will be moving from ongoing funding to one-time. Meghaen DellArtino representing the Education Finance Reform Group said she hopes the Legislature considers just pausing those payments for two years and putting in place a mechanism that would allow them to be restarted if state finances allow. The state budget also contemplates directing districts to use their cash on hand in lieu of increased funding. Republicans argued that was money the schools were not using. Legislative staffers pointed out that the money could already be allocated to debt services or other items and was not necessarily available to compensate for cuts. I feel like that might have led people in the wrong direction, thinking it is money for the taking when it is for cash-strapped schools, Rep. Seth Blattman, D-Mesa, said. Former lawmaker Regina Cobb, speaking on behalf of the Arizona Dental Association, voiced her concerns with sweeps made to professional boards across the state in the budget. Sweeps in budgeting are when a certain amount of funds are swept out of one fund to be put into another one, in this case the states general fund. I would request that if you are going to be doing sweeps that you at least allow six months of operation, Cobb told the committee, adding that many state boards are already behind on credentialing and licensing. Livingston would later admit that only some boards were consulted about the sweeps proposed in the budget aimed at regulatory agencies. I would say the majority, no. Some were, Livingston said when asked if boards were informed. Generally not everyone, but some. The sweep of the boards is anticipated to bring an additional $2.9 million to the state general fund and for a two year period, boards would not be able to increase fees and rates in response to the loss of money. I consider this a tax on all licensees, Cobb said of the proposed change. Health care in the state went generally untouched by the cuts. Will Humble, executive director for the Arizona Public Health Association, who served as the director for the Arizona Department of Health during the great recession, said the challenge lawmakers are facing is far less dire than it was 16 years ago. This is childs play compared to that, Humble said of the 2008 recession. It was bad with a capital B. Not just bad, it was scary. Humble said that lawmakers shouldnt look to 2008 as an example, but to last years budget in which each lawmaker was given a pot of money to fund pet projects in order to get buy-in on the budget. Last year it was like youre the ice cream man and youre just giving away all the food. That was $2 billion that couldve gone into the rainy day fund, Humble said. Had they been more disciplined about last year and put some more money in the bank, we probably wouldnt be looking at a whole lot of cuts and so forth. Democrats were not the only ones critical of the budget proposal, with Republican Sen. T.J. Shope, of Coolidge, saying during the Senate Appropriations Committee meeting that he was most disappointed in the plan to push back road projects aimed to improve public safety. Shope was particularly concerned about the plan to push back the construction of an overpass at the intersection of State Road 347 and Riggs Road in Maricopa from 2024 to 2028. He added that legislative leaders worked very hard to avoid nixing the project entirely. We know how much its needed, he said. Katy Proctor, intergovernmental affairs director with the city of Maricopa told lawmakers that the city was extremely disappointed about the delay in funding for the project. More than 57,000 vehicles travel through that intersection daily, she said, and its ranked as the fourth-most dangerous intersection in the state highway system. Most accidents that happen there involve rear-end crashes and left turns, which she said would be eliminated by the project. This is a priority safety project for our region, she said. The members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees voted mostly along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats against, to send the budget proposals to the full chambers for amendments and consideration on Friday. But there were some outliers. Republican Rep. Barbara Parker voted against the budget alongside Democrats and Republican Rep. Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale, voted present, refusing to take a position either way. Sen. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, voted against every budget bill in front of the appropriations committee, causing the Republicans on the committee to bring in an additional GOP lawmaker, Sen. Sonny Borrelli, to ensure the bills passed through the committee. Kern apologized to those who had worked on the budget, but said he would not vote in favor of the budget when he hadnt had a chance to fully familiarize himself with it and had heard conflicting stories about it. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man was charged Thursday after allegedly attacking a saxophonist at the Salt Lake City International Airport and putting a juvenile in a chokehold. A bystander then put that man in a chokehold and told the juvenile to run, the Utah District Attorneys Office said. READ NEXT: 911 dispatcher delivers premature twin babies over the phone in Utah County Investigations began on June 9 after Salt Lake City police officers at the airport reportedly heard someone yell call 911. As officers approached the scene, the DAs office said a witness pointed to a man, identified as Scott Hollis, and said he had attempted to strangle someone. Officers then tried to detain Hollis, but said as they did so Hollis tried to take one of the officers guns. When the officer grabbed Hollis arm to stop him, Hollis tried to grab the gun with his other hand, the DAs office said. The officer stopped him again but Hollis allegedly managed to take the officers taser. The DAs office noted he was quickly disarmed and arrested. Investigators later learned that Hollis had walked up to a man who was playing the saxophone, said Im sorry about this, and punched him in the face. Hollis then allegedly grabbed a juvenile and put him in a chokehold while holding something sharp to his neck, but the DAs office said another witness was able to get Hollis in a chokehold and told the juvenile to run. Hollis was charged with one count of first-degree felony disarming a police officer for trying to take the service weapon; one count of third-degree felony disarming a police officer for taking the taser; one count of third-degree felony aggravated assault; one count of class B misdemeanor assault; and one count of class B misdemeanor interfering with a peace officer. We are grateful no one was seriously injured in this incident in one of the most heavily trafficked parts of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said. We thank the witnesses willing to help to stop the violence and quickly identify the defendant to law enforcement. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A man who was arrested Thursday morning for allegedly kidnapping a woman in Ohio is on the run after escaping custody. Grove City Police were escorting Quinntel Bagley, 38, to a cruiser after he received treatment at a central Ohio medical facility. Police said he escaped officers and ran to a nearby wooded area. >> Motorcycle club members accused of murder, arson, extortion in multi-state investigation Lancaster Police said they were called to assist in the search for Bagley. During the search, police learned that a person matching Bagleys description entered a nearby home and took the homeowners Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle was later found unoccupied. Bagley was last seen on foot in tan clothing when he attempted to carjack someone. Hes considered to be dangerous. Police advise people not to approach him under any circumstance and to call 911 if they have any information on his location. >> 14-year-old Ohio girl believed abducted found hundreds of miles away; Suspect in custody According to our news partners at WBNS in Columbus, Bagley allegedly surprised a woman at her home around 4 a.m. on Thursday, grabbed her, and forced her into his vehicle. The woman was found later that morning at a gas station. Hes been charged with aggravated burglary and kidnapping. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) An Arizona man who is accused of planning a mass shooting in an attempt to start a race war was arrested in New Mexico, according to federal authorities. Mark Adams Prieto, 58, of Prescott, was indicted on Tuesday for charges of firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Arizona wrote in a news release. VIDEO: Suspected shoplifter points gun at Albuquerque grocery store employee Prieto reportedly had discussions with two individuals who worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about his plan to commit the shooting to incite a race war ahead of the 2024 United States Presidential Election, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The shooting was allegedly planned to target a rap concert at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 14 and 15 because there would be a high concentration of African Americans at the concert, according to court documents. Discussions about the mass shooting allegedly took place between Prieto and the two government agents at gun shows in Phoenix, Prescott Valley, and Tucson, Arizona, between January 2024 and May 2024. Court documents noted that Prieto reportedly planned to carry out the attack along with the two undercover government individuals. In April, Prieto told the two government agents that he wanted to push the mass shooting to a later date and possibly change the attack location to a mosque, according to court documents. Prieto allegedly sold two rifles to one of the individuals, an AK-style rifle on Feb. 25, and an AR-style rifle on March 24. Prieto was arrested by law enforcement on May 14 while he was driving east from Arizona through New Mexico along Interstate 40, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Arizona said. Officials did not specify what law enforcement agency arrested Prieto, but said law enforcement found Prieto was in possession of seven guns, ammo, and was taken into federal custody. Law enforcement also conducted a search warrant at Prietos home in Prescott Valley that he shared with another man and found more guns, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle, according to court documents. After he was arrested, court documents state that Prieto told officials that he was traveling to visit his mother in Florida and that he was not going to Atlanta. He also reportedly admitted to having prior discussions about conducting an attack at a concert in Atlanta, but said that he did not intend to carry it out. Woman sentenced for her role in 2023 Albuquerque murder The U.S. Attorneys Office said each conviction for firearms trafficking and transfer of firearm for use in a hate crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. A conviction for possession of an unregistered firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EDENTON, N.C. (WAVY) A man was charged with first degree murder nearly two years after a man was fatally shot on Cox Avenue. According to officials, 24-year-old Dwayne Gregory Jr. was fatally shot in the 100 block of Cox Avenue on May 18, 2022 around 11:30 p.m. Kavondre Dillard (Courtesy: EPD) Detective Sergeant Michael worked alongside the FBI and the Edenton Police Department in order to obtain an arrest warrant for 19-year-old Kavondre Levecchio Dillard. Dillard was arrested on May 19, 2024 in Portsmouth and then transferred to North Carolina for processing, according to police. On June 4, Dillard was placed under a $1 million bond at the Chowan County Detention Center. The FBI has always been an agency that leads from the front, EPD Chief Henry King said. I am proud to say that having the FBI, ATF, and HSI working daily at the Edenton Police Department is a game changer for our citizens, but today, all the praise goes to the FBI Manteo office. Edenton police also said they need to speak to 23-year-old Asia Nicole White in connection with the incident. Anyone with any information on her whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Edenton Police Department at 252-482-444. 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. PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man in Porterville has been arrested for allegedly possessing over $20,000 worth of not Safe and Sane fireworks, the Porterville Police Department said. Officers say on Thursday, at around 1:30 p.m., they responded to a residence in the 1300 block of River Springs Drive to serve a search warrant related to the possession and sale of illegal aerial fireworks. During a search of the home, detectives say they located a large box of commercial-grade illegal aerial fireworks. The individual responsible for the fireworks was identified as 20-year-old Caleb Magallanes. He was also storing additional illegal fireworks at a home in the 300 block of North Walch Street. As a result of the investigation, detectives say they seized a total of 1,254 pounds of illegal aerial fireworks, worth around $23,000. The confiscated fireworks are considered dangerous and have not been deemed Safe and Sane by the California State Fire Marshals and do not bear the Safe and Sane seal. Officers say those involved in the sale of illegal fireworks, possession, or detonation face an administrative fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, on top of potential criminal charges. The homeowner can also be cited for detonation of illegal fireworks. Anyone with information regarding the sales, possession, and detonation of illegal fireworks is encouraged to contact the Porterville Police Department at 559-782-7400. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A Texas man was arrested for threatening an FBI agent involved with the investigation into Hunter Bidens laptop, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. Timothy Muller allegedly called and harassed the agent shortly after Biden was convicted of three felony counts related to illegally purchasing a firearm this week. Prosecutors said Muller told the agent You can run, but you cant [expletive] hide, on the phone, The Associated Press reported. He continued, arguing former President Donald Trump would win reelection, and then were gonna [expletive] go through the FBI and just start throwing you [expletive] into jail. Or, you can steal another election, and then the guns will come out, and well hunt you [expletive] down and slaughter you like the traitorous dogs you are in your own [expletive] homes. After the phone call, he also sent threatening texts to the agent, including Hows the family? Safe? and Did you [expletive] really think you were going to disenfranchise 75 million Americans and not die? Lol. Muller was charged with sending threats and retaliating against a federal official, charges which could carry up to 10 years in prison. The laptop at the center of the agents investigation contained some of Bidens personal information, which was seized on by Republicans as a campaign issue after it was disseminated to the public. A computer repair shop owner said Hunter Biden dropped the laptop off at his store in April 2019 and never returned to pick it up. The owner later admitted in his 2022 book to reviewing private and sensitive material from Bidens laptop, before contacting Republicans to review and share the material. 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. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) The body of a man has been found days after he went missing in Lake Michigan in Muskegon. Crews found 21-year-old Aleksei Makoviks body Thursday afternoon, Muskegon police said in a release. Police previously said he was from Ann Arbor. Witnesses reported seeing him struggling in the water and then go under about 200 feet from the south breakwater at Pere Marquette Park on Saturday afternoon. Crews searched for him for hours Saturday, giving it up only when it became too dark. They were back out on the water next day and Monday. Authorities search the water at Pere Marquette Park on June 8, 2024. Crews resume the search for a man presumed drowned in Lake Michigan. (June 9, 2024) Crews resume the search for a man presumed drowned in Lake Michigan. (June 9, 2024) The Muskegon Department of Public Safety wishes to extend our deepest sympathy to Alekseis family and friends that have been affected by this tragedy, the agency said Thursday. Police warned people to be wary of Lake Michigan and keep an eye on changing weather and water conditions, particularly around breakwaters. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Laman Ismayilova Montenegrin culture and lifestyle have been showcased at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Azernews reports. The project is co-organised by the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and the National Museum of Montenegro with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Montenegro. Speaking at the event, Director of the National Carpet Museum Amina Malikova, said that the 19th20th century national costumes of Montenegro are displayed at the exhibition called "Beauty of Diversity". Over 170 exhibits selected from the collections of the National Museum of Montenegro, the Museum of Montenegrin Ethnography, the Museum of King Nikola, and the Historical Museum of Montenegro demonstrate the rich national and cultural heritage of Montenegro. Montenegro, the smallest country on the Balkan Peninsula, is also one of the countries with the richest traditional culture. Here, ancient Balkan, Roman, Byzantine, Greek, Slavic, and even Turkish and Islamic cultural heritage were organically combined, and a common traditional culture was created. The elements of the Adriatic Sea basin, the Mediterranean basin, and Eastern culture have been combined in Montenegrin clothing for centuries, leading to the creation of a unique culture. Amina Malikova said that the clothing samples presented at the exhibition fully express the richness of the cultural features of Montenegro and, at the same time, demonstrate the traditions of tolerance. "I am sure that Azerbaijani visitors, while at the exhibition, with surprise and familiarity, will find "dolama", "labbade" and other clothes among the clothes of Montenegro. Cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, preservation, and development of this diversity make Montenegrin traditional culture unforgettable," she added. The museum director also noted that diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Montenegro were established in 2008 and are constantly developing. Officials of both countries have met many times, and various agreements have been signed between our countries. However, this is the first time that the exhibition showcasing the traditional culture of this charming European country - Montenegro, has been organised in Azerbaijan. Amina Malikova expressed her deep gratitude to all the people and employees who contributed to the organisation of the exhibition. The Azerbaijani MP, academician Rafael Huseynov, hailed the exhibition. "When we look at the exhibits, we feel the pleasure, commonality of thoughts and feelings between our peoples. Today, Azerbaijani citizens can freely come and go to Montenegro, and Montenegrin citizens can freely come and go to Azerbaijan. Of course, behind this lie the diplomatic relations, political relations, and spiritual closeness of our peoples. I would like to thank the guests from Montenegro and the National Carpet Museum for organising this exhibition. These exhibits not only show part of the culture but will also introduce the national and spiritual richness of the Montenegrin people to the residents and visitors of our capital. During the three-month exhibition, visitors to the Carpet Museum will get to know and love the Montenegrin people, their culture, and historical tradition even more closely," said Rafael Huseynov. The director of the National Museum of Montenegro, artist Yaksha Chalasan, said that this exhibition, which was opened in order to present a part of the rich cultural heritage of the Montenegrin people to friendly Azerbaijan, can be interpreted as the richness of the intermingling of different cultures. In the rich and unique cultural environment of Montenegro, national costumes represent a valuable creation of traditional life and culture with their multiple importance and roles. As a product of the values, knowledge, and traditions that arose and formed in the past, were adopted and developed, it bears witness to the folk life and creativity accumulated in the area over the centuries. Director of the Historical Museum of Montenegro Filip Kuzman underlined that it is not surprising to find a large number of different costumes in the territory of Montenegro. Their unique aesthetic expression is expressed through special shapes, colours, ornaments, decorations, and details. Cultural, national, and religious characteristics of the people and ethnic communities living in the area are presented in these clothes. He emphasised that culture and tradition are a universal link that unites the spiritual-historical identity of all peoples and cultures. It is a connection that unites people and countries and allows us to better understand another and different world. "Promoting cultural values ??with all their peculiarities, as well as with the similarities we find in other peoples and cultures, is undoubtedly the best and most beautiful way of communication between people. Mutual respect for traditions is a prerequisite for openness to all. In addition, it is our duty to develop and value intercultural dialogue and cooperation, to promote the development and promotion of all these values, which form a valuable and irreplaceable part of our unique and common cultural and historical heritage," said Filip Kuzman. Next, the Carpet Museum visitors got acquainted with the exhibition, which lasts until August 31. Stills from security footage show Hailey Wagoner, left, and the man who abducted her Thursday afternoon in Deerfield Township, according to the Warren County Sheriff's Office. A 38-year-old man is facing charges in connection with the abduction of a teenage girl from Warren County, officials said. The Warren County Sheriff's Office has filed interference of custody charges against Brandon Prichard, who is being held by authorities in Cleveland County, North Carolina, where he's also charged with kidnapping, human trafficking and carrying a concealed firearm. Deputies responded to Kings Automall in Deerfield Township on Thursday after 14-year-old Hailey Wagoner's father reported she'd been missing for more than an hour, an incident report states. Wagoner was seen leaving the auto mall with Prichard in a pickup truck around 2:05 p.m., according to the Warren County Sheriffs Office. Prichard was communicating with the teen via social media, officials said. Wagoner's family told deputies they didn't know Prichard and that the teen hadn't mentioned plans to go with anyone, police records show. The sheriff's office said local, state and federal agencies worked together to track Prichard to North Carolina where he was found alongside Wagoner. Officials reported just after 10 p.m. Thursday that Wagoner had been found safe. As of Friday morning, the sheriff's office said it was still working to reunite Wagoner with her family. Prichard may face additional charges in Ohio as the investigation continues. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hailey Wagoner abduction: Man charged after teen found in North Carolina Man found shot outside Alexandria hospital believed to be involved in DC shooting ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) Alexandria police said it believes the man who was found shot outside Inova Alexandria Hospital was related to a shooting that happened in Southeast D.C. Deputy accidentally shot at Loudoun County Sheriffs Office firing range The Alexandria Police Department (APD) officers were called to the hospital, located at 4320 Seminary Road, Wednesday around 3 a.m. because a man was found shot outside an entrance there. Hospital staff had tried to save him but he died from his injuries. APD said the incident seems to be related to a shooting that happened at 88 K. St. in Southeast, D.C. As a result, the Metropolitan Police Department is now leading the investigation. Anyone with information was asked to call (202) 317-2135 or (202) 597-2416. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man gets 56 years for chopping up Michigan City roommate, disposing him in trash MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. A man was sentenced to 56 years in prison Thursday for killing his roommate in Michigan City and then chopping him up. John Hallett, 54, was found guilty last month after three hours of deliberations for murder and abuse of a corpse. Thursday, he received 55 years for the murder of his roommate Paul Gonzales on Nov. 25, 2017 at a house in the 1000 block of West 9th Street. He received one additional year for abuse of a corpse. Michigan City police received a call from Hallett on Aug. 29, 2022 stating that he murdered Gonzales. Hallett told officers he struck Gonzalez, 64, with a crutch and choked him to death from behind because he claimed Gonzalez was stealing his mail. Gonzalezs body was kept in the basement for nearly two months. Hallett then explained to police he used a hacksaw to cut up his body, placed the parts into trash bags and then disposed the bags into a garbage can. In Sept. 2022, a search warrant was signed to bring a cadaver dog into the home in an effort to find signs of human decomposition. The dog began barking profusely in the cellar the area of the home where Hallett told police he dismembered Gonzalez. Not getting a birthday: Texts emerge in DCS lawsuit after Northwest Indiana mom gets 42 years for sons torture death An arrest warrant was signed for murder and abuse of a corpse in 2023 following the lab testing coming back. Authorities arrested him in Cambridge, Massachusetts in August of last year, according to multiple reports. Mr. Hallett was sentenced to 56 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of the murder of Paul Gonzales. For nearly two months, Mr. Gonzales body was in a Michigan City basement, only later to be disposed in the trash. Chief Deputy Chuck Watterson and Deputy Doug Shaw argued for the State, and the Court handed down the sentence. This is an appropriate sentence, given the facts and circumstances, LaPorte County prosecutor Sean Fagan told WGN 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 WGN-TV. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A man who pleaded guilty back in March to the City Nightz shooting last summer was sentenced. Ameir King-Ingrams first appearance (KSN Photo) The Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office says Ameir King-Ingram was sentenced to 53 months in prison on Friday with 24 months post-release. He was ordered to pay $9,500 in restitution. King-Ingram pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and six counts of aggravated assault. FAA investigating how titanium parts with falsified records wound up in Boeing and Airbus planes Nine people were wounded during the July 2, 2023 incident. City Nightz has since closed. Two other suspects charged in the case, John Houze and Jaylen Thomas, will be in court next month. Thomas is scheduled for a jury trial on July 22. Houze will have a preliminary hearing on July 9. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. A man who has a lengthy history of threatening arson and killings will be serving five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to mailing threatening communications earlier in the year, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia said in a news release. Travis Leroy Ball admitted to writing a letter to Judge Marc Treadwell pretending to be a Secret Service agent who investigated a previous case, according to prosecutors. In the letter, purporting to be an agent, he demanded that Ball be released from custody and for his case to be dismissed. The FBI obtained that letter March 10, 2023. Ball also wrote letters to the federal court in Valdosta and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., in March and May last year. In those letters, he threatened to kill employees and their family members, as well as burn down property, the news release said. He also wrote a letter to the Upson County Sheriffs Office in July assuming the role of an FBI agent working a top-secret case that demanded the sheriffs office to delete and remove Balls pictures and personal information from jail records. After he serves five years in prison, Travis Leroy Ball will also have three years of supervised release, Judge C. Ashley Royal ruled Wednesday. Ball is not eligible for parole, the U.S. attorneys office said. The FBI determined the letters came from Ball while in custody after analyzing the letters, handwriting, letterhead, postage stamps, verbiage and even a stamp indicating the mail came from an inmate, the news release said. His DNA was found on the letters as well. Corrections officers also found writing material and stamps in Balls cell. Threats against public servants are not only illegal, but also a threat against our democratic process, said Robert Gibbs, supervisory senior resident agent in charge of FBI Atlantas Macon office. While Mr. Balls continued criminal conduct clearly illustrates his lack of concern and compassion for others, it also illustrates his unwillingness to be rehabilitated. Hopefully, this additional sentence will finally send the message that the FBI will not tolerate his hate-fueled hoaxes and will continue to hold him accountable. Ball pleaded guilty to threatening to blow up the White House and kill President Joe Biden toward the end of 2022 and was serving two years and nine months prior to his new case. He previously sent a series of letters to federal authorities in Jones County and the federal courthouse in downtown Macon that contained a white, powdery substance It prompted a search of his house, in which investigators found the letter directed to the White House, claiming he was a psycho killer. Man in photo Noem used as alleged proof of cartels says its hindered his right to a fair trial EDITORS NOTE: This story is the third in a series exploring the influence of drug cartels in South Dakota, on and off the states reservations. The first story can be found at this link; The second can be found at this link. A Native American man said Gov. Kristi Noem hindered his ability to receive a fair trial when she displayed a photo of him recently as alleged proof of cartel activity on reservations. Noem flashed three photos during a May 17 press conference while talking about the Mexican drug cartel activity she said is happening in tribal communities. She did not provide any names with the photos at that press conference, but Noems office had previously shared the photo with South Dakota Searchlight. The images were sent to Searchlight in late April when the outlet asked for proof of the governors repeated allegations of cartel activity on reservations, and for proof of Noems claim that tribal leaders are personally benefiting from a cartel presence on their lands. Tribal leaders have denied those allegations. Searchlight has independently determined and verified that the most identifiable image a close-up of a mans face is a picture of Charles Cain Merrival, 32, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. South Dakota Searchlight is not publishing the photo used by Gov. Noem. The photo in the story was offered by Merrivals family members. Merrival has been in custody at the Pennington County Jail in Rapid City since January 2022 and for all but a few months since 2020. He wore an ankle monitor during his release and was restricted from traveling more than 25 miles from Rapid City. He is currently being held on federal charges for methamphetamine distribution stemming from separate incidents in July 2021 and January 2022. Hes also being held on state charges for a robbery alleged to have taken place in 2020. Kristi Noem herself falsely labeled me a gang member that is affiliated with Mexican drug cartels and the commission of murders, Merrival said in a phone interview. Because of Kristi Noems decision to personally intervene, any presumption of innocence that I had is gone forever. Merrival said hes never been the target of a murder investigation, cartel-related or otherwise. An internet search for Merrivals name does turn up a 2021 homicide case, but that involved a different Charles Merrival. That man, whose middle name is Joe, was released from federal prison last summer after serving time for involuntary manslaughter. Charles Cain Merrivals mother, Darla Merrival, said she feels that her son was targeted because hes Native American. Shes taking care of one of Merrivals children at the moment and said shes been able to shield the girl from anything about her father, his charges or the press conference that used him to make a point about drug cartels. But she was shocked and appalled by Noems actions. I dont think she even knows whats going on herself, you know what I mean? Darla Merrival said. It just fit her narrative. Noems office did not respond to an email asking about the use of Merrivals photo. Ghost Dance club connection Noem has repeatedly asserted since a Jan. 31 speech that President Joe Bidens border policies have made tribal communities vulnerable to infiltration by Mexican drug cartels. Murders are being committed by cartel members on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Rapid City, and a gang called the Ghost Dancers are affiliated with these cartels, Noem said. Tensions between Noem and tribal leaders flared after that speech, with some expressing concern about her use of the phrase ghost dancers. It was originally applied to participants in a Native American spiritual ceremony that grew in popularity prior to the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. At a press conference the day after her January speech, Noem responded that I didnt name the gang. Merrival said the Ghost Dancers ceased to exist as a club in July 2021. Theres no way its possible that a motorcycle club that no longer exists is currently responsible for anything, let alone associations with cartels, Merrival said. When asked if the Ghost Dancers club is still active in the state, a spokesman for Attorney General Marty Jackley said the office cannot comment on pending criminal cases. All three of the biker pictures displayed by Noem show men in leather biker jackets bearing the words Ghost Dance and support your local Bandidos. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration linked members of Bandidos motorcycle gangs in New York and Texas to cartel drug trafficking in its 2018 National Threat Assessment. The 2024 assessment does not mention outlaw motorcycle clubs. During her press conference, Noem not only flashed the biker photos but also shared some video clips, quotes from tribal leaders and anonymous tribal members, and referenced the Pine Ridge-area kidnapping of an FBI victim specialist by men from El Salvador and Guatemala. Ace Crawford, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office, told South Dakota Searchlight that the kidnapping had no clear connection to cartels. Legal motion: Pending case impacted by press conference Merrival had a jury trial for his federal drug charges in September, but it ended in a mistrial. His new trial is scheduled to begin on July 9, despite his recent efforts to delay it. Noems use of his photo has complicated the federal case, according to documents filed by Merrivals lawyer, John Rusch of Rapid City. Rusch declined to comment on the case while its pending. The Monday after Noems Friday press conference, Rusch filed a motion for a continuance because Governor Kristi Noem has publicly made statements that the Defendant and Ghost Dance which Defendant is a member of, are part of the cartel operating in South Dakota. This information was published in a wide variety of news sources and included pictures of the Defendant, Rusch wrote. The Defendant is asking for time to address these new allegations and counteract the negative and untrue statements being made about him in the press. The Defendant has requested discovery from Law Enforcement provided to the Governor that these claims are based upon. Judge Karen Schreier denied the motion three days later, writing that the case has been pending for years. Defendants attorney was not appointed to respond to allegations in the press, only to represent defendant with regard to the criminal charges that have been brought against him in the indictment, the judge wrote. Darla Merrival, Charles mother, is concerned that Noems choice to connect him to cartels in such a public fashion taints not only potential jurors but feeds into an inaccurate public perception of anyone who chooses to be a part of a motorcycle gang. I have friends that are members of motorcycle clubs, but that doesnt mean that theyre all involved in illegal activities, she said. But their whole agenda is to fit him in with the Bandidos, so it looks like he was definitely doing what they think hes doing. Steven Bell, special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration office in Omaha, did not comment on Merrivals case and told South Dakota Searchlight it would be way outside our lane to comment on biker gangs and connections to drug cartels. He did, however, say that membership in a biker gang or the presence of a Bandidos patch on a leather jacket alone doesnt signal illegal activity. Youd be talking about profiling, Bell said. And we dont profile. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Man in photo Noem used as alleged proof of cartels says its hindered his right to a fair trial Man pleads guilty in federal court after police find over 6,400 stamp bags in Pittsburgh hotel room A former resident of New Jersey pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of federal narcotics laws after police found over 6,400 stamp bags of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl in a Pittsburgh hotel room. Ryan Mendoza, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of the drug. On Feb. 25, 2021, Pittsburgh police recovered the stamp bags in a hotel room that had been rented by Mendoza the previous night, according to court documents. He was taken into custody and admitted to possession of the recovered drugs, police said Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Housing sought for displaced residents after Second Avenue Commons fire Channel 11 Exclusive: A look at the wreckage from Sen. John Fettermans car crash in Maryland Tickets on sale for 2025 U.S. Open Championship held in Oakmont VIDEO: Abandoned bridge in South Park given new life as fishing area DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Man Sent Threat Of 'Slaughter' To FBI Agent Who Investigated Hunter Biden's Laptop: Feds A Texas man was arrested outside his Fort Worth home on Thursday after federal prosecutors said he made threats to an FBI agent involved in theinvestigation of Hunter Bidens laptop. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday after a jury found him guilty of three federal gun crimes. RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images Timothy Muller, 43, left threatening voicemails on the agents FBI-issued phone hours after Biden was convicted in Delaware of three federal gun charges on Tuesday, according to a criminal complaint obtained by HuffPost. Muller is charged with making interstate threatening communications and influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official, according to a Department of Justice release. A jury found Biden guilty on Tuesday of unlawfully possessing a firearm despite his drug addiction and of lying to obtain the gun, HuffPost previously reported. The federal agent had been named in what the criminal complaint described as open source reports and was involved in the investigation connected to data recovered from Hunter Bidens laptop, which had been left at a repair shop. Muller allegedly told the agent, You can run, but you cant fucking hide, according to a transcript of a minute-long voicemail cited in the complaint. He also reportedly accused the agent of covering for pedophiles. [Ts] gonna win the re-election, and then were gonna fucking go through the FBI and just start throwing agents in jail, Muller said, per the transcript, likely referring to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Or you can steal another election, and then the guns will come out, and well hunt you ... down and slaughter you like the traitorous dogs you are, Muller added, using a homophobic slur. Prosecutors alleged that Muller then also sent the agent a series of three text messages peppered with slurs and threats. Youre going to jail- if youre lucky. But I suspect you wont be, read one. Hows the family? Safe? If convicted, Muller faces up to 10 years in federal prison. An attorney listed as his counsel did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for a comment. According to federal court records, a judge ordered him to remain detained pending a hearing on June 18 after prosecutors said he posed a threat to community safety. Earlier this week, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland raised concerns in a Washington Post op-ed about threats that FBI agents face, some fueled by conspiracy theories. Related... FORD COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) A man was seriously injured in a crash in southwest Kansas Thursday evening. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, at 6:40 p.m., a 66-year-old man from Clovis, New Mexico, was driving a 2022 Peterbilt eastbound on U.S. Highway 50 when he stopped due to traffic. This embedded content is not available in your region. The KHP says a 59-year-old man from Spearville, driving a 2014 GMC Sierra, rear ended the Peterbilt. A 2016 Toyota Camry, driven by a 24-year-old woman from Dodge City, then hit the Peterbilt. KSHSAA approves postseason schedule changes, esports could be coming soon The driver of the GMC Sierra has suspected serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The driver of the Peterbilt and the driver of the Toyota Camry had no apparent injuries. U.S. Highway 50 was temporarily down to one lane, but it has since been reopened, according to the Ford County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Officials have identified the man who was shot and killed by Los Angeles police officers after he allegedly fled a traffic stop in Pacoima. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Alexander Aguilar-Larios, 21, was shot by officers Tuesday night following a foot pursuit. Around 9 p.m., police assigned to the Foothill Area gang enforcement detail stopped a BMW sedan for a traffic violation in the area of Lehigh Avenue and Carl Street. Aguilar-Larios, the passenger, immediately got out of the vehicle and fled the scene, running through a housing development. Police say he was armed with a handgun. Suspect fatally shot in Pacoima Officers chased after him and at some point, Aguilar-Larios stumbled to the ground. Details are limited, but a news release issued by the LAPD said the 21-year-old was still holding his firearm when he got back to his feet and attempted to keep fleeing, at which point he was fatally struck by gunfire. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and was pronounced deceased, police said. No officers or members of the public were injured. Few details have been released about the moments preceding the deadly shooting. LAPD officials did not say how many times Aguilar-Larios was shot or how many officers opened fire on him. They also did not say if Aguilar-Larios pointed a firearm in the direction of officers, but a 9 mm pistol was recovered at the scene. The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence, officials said in Thursdays news release. The Departments understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed. The driver of the BMW also fled on foot but managed to escape. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is urged to contact the LAPD. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MORRISANIA, the Bronx (PIX11) A man was stabbed to death in front of his NYCHA complex in the Bronx on Thursday night, police said. Authorities found Nelquan Lilly, 29, with several stab wounds outside the Morris Houses at 1420 Washington Ave. in Morrisania at around 9:45 p.m., accoridng to the NYPD. Lilly was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. The victim lived at the NYCHA building. More L ocal News Police are searching for a man who was seen running from the scene, according to law enforcement sources. The suspect is about 30 years old and was wearing a green shirt, sources said. The weapon was not recovered at the scene, according to sources. There have been no arrests. 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). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Czech police arrested a Moldovan man on June 14 under suspicion of involvement in the murder of a 9-year-old Ukrainian girl in Germany, who disappeared on her way to school on June 3. German police confirmed that the body of the girl, named Valeriia, was found on June 11, some 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) away from her home in a forest near Dobeln in Saxony. The area is around 60 kilometers (38 miles) from Germany's border with Czechia. The girl died as a result of "a violent crime," but the investigation found no signs of a sexual assault, Chemnitz police chief Carsten Kaempf said. The investigation is focused on the girl's "social circle," according to the police. Czech police 36-year-old man was arrested in a restaurant in Prague on the morning of June 14, the Saxony police said. "The Moldovan national is strongly suspected of having violently killed the nine-year-old girl from Dobeln," the Saxony police said. "The suspect is currently in the custody of the Czech authorities." According to the German news outlet NTV, Valeriia had lived in Germany with her mother and younger sister since 2022. Valeriia's parents "are divorced and her father is fighting on the front lines in eastern Ukraine," NTV said. Read also: Russian stabbed to death two Ukrainian soldiers in Germany Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man is facing an additional charge after he attempted to escape from a Fresno County Courtroom on Thursday and resisted being arrested, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies say on Thursday, in Department 32 of the Superior Courthouse, a judge remanded 38-year-old Steven Contreras of Fresno into custody for being accused of oral copulation, domestic violence, and resisting arrest. Sheriffs officials say after hearing his fate, Contretas ran out of the courtroom and down the hallway of the courthouse. A defense attorney, not associated with Contreras, ran out of the courtroom to try and chase him down. As the attorney confronted Contreras, deputies say he ran back towards the courtroom and deputies were able to take him back into custody. Contreras is back in jail with a new, additional charge of resisting arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Man wanted by INTERPOL for child rape arrested in Gaston County A man wanted internationally for child rape was arrested in Gaston County. On Friday, the Gaston County Police Department announced the arrest of Elvis Cabrera Martinez, of Honduras. They said Martinez was wanted by INTERPOL for felony child rape. On Friday, the Gaston County Police Department announced the arrest of Elvis Cabrera Martinez, of Honduras. They said Martinez was wanted by INTERPOL for felony child rape. ALSO READ: Suspected killer of mother, 2 kids extradited back to Charlotte Gaston County police arrested Martinez on June 2 when an officer pulled his car over on West Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia. The officer investigated and was able to confirm Martinezs identity, so he was arrested and taken to the Gaston County jail. Martinez will be extradited to Honduras to face the charge. No further information was released. (WATCH BELOW: Stolen guns, other items found during retail theft crime ring investigation) An exterior picture of the Joseph P. Mazurek Justice Building in Helena which houses the Montana Supreme Court (Photo by Eric Seidle/ For the Daily Montanan). Shanna ManyWounds, a mother who had her son unexpectedly taken away from her by a Lake County district court judge last year, said this week shes disappointed in yet another court order, but shes also holding out hope for justice. Its a bit frustrating that you can be a good parent and have done nothing wrong and have all of this happen to you and your child, ManyWounds, of Elmo, said in a phone call Thursday. The most recent dispute involves an order that could cost ManyWounds thousands of dollars, according to an estimate from one of her lawyers. And its for fees the attorney said the court should pay. In January, the Montana Supreme Court found a judge who later resigned dealt a gross injustice in abruptly taking ManyWounds child from her at a custody hearing in September. Judge Deborah Kim Christopher granted custody to the father, who hadnt spent much time with the child. However, in a rare move, the Montana Supreme Court voided the decision, sent the case back to district court, and assigned a different judge. ManyWounds went to Oregon to pick up her little boy, now 6 years old, from his father, but she said another recent decision by the court could be a setback. She also said her child has been traumatized by the turmoil. In September, the parents largely agreed on a parenting plan, but they needed help sorting out a couple of details. After the Supreme Court sent the case back to district court, parenting plan negotiations continued under Judge Molly Owen. In April, the judge assigned a guardian ad litem, or GAL, for the child. A guardian ad litem is a trained professional who serves as an independent evaluator, or the courts eyes and ears, and makes recommendations about the child to the court. The agent of the court talks to parents, teachers, therapists and others to ascertain the childs best interests. The order assigning the guardian ad litem said the Montana Supreme Court would pay the fees of the GAL. But a subsequent order in June reversed the decision. The new order told the parents to pay. In the ruling, Owen said she was vacating the earlier order related to fees based on information from the court administrator of the Montana Supreme Court. The Court Administrator, Beth McLaughlin, informed the Court on todays date that the Court Administrator has no statutory authority to pay the costs, said the June 7 order. She stated that the Supreme Court rescinded the authority to pay the costs of a GAL about a decade ago. Therefore, the Court vacates its previous order regarding payment of the GALs costs and orders that the parties split the costs of the GAL equally. Judge Owen and the court administrator could not be reached late Thursday afternoon by email. An out-of-office response from the court administrator said she would be out of the office until Monday. ManyWounds, however, said she hopes thats not the final word. She said shes already accumulated debt from legal fees her lawyers are doing work pro bono but she paid an initial cost and from last-minute travel to go to Oregon and pick up her son. Plus, Lance Jasper, one of her lawyers, said the parents should not have to pay for the courts mistake: There wouldnt have been a need for a guardian ad litem had it not been for what the court did. In an email sent to the district court judge on June 8, Jasper said the Montana Supreme Court found the district court caused the damage, and everyone agrees the guardian ad litem is needed. But he said the parents cant afford it, and he wont ask the professional to work for free. Additionally, the court has precluded ManyWounds from bringing a personal claim against the previous judge, he said. Jasper said Thursday he had not yet heard from the court and intends to file a motion making a similar request. In the email, he said he had preferred not to file such a motion because he believed it would disgrace the judicial system. I do not want to do that, but I will see that this child gets the resources he needs to correct the damage done to him by the court, Jasper wrote. ManyWounds said she wasnt surprised to have been dealt another blow in the justice system: You have to understand that after the hearing in September, virtually nothing can surprise me. At that hearing, neither parent had asked for the father to be given full custody and the mother to have no contact, as resulted from the judges decision. Neither had alleged wrongdoing by the other either. Since hes been home, ManyWounds said her child has made some progress, and hes seeing a therapist on a weekly basis. But she said its been difficult to return to something that looks like normal. Its been a significant struggle just trying to pick up the pieces, ManyWounds said. Hes been pretty well traumatized and set back by what happened. She said she doesnt make a significant amount of money, and she would have to borrow money to cover the costs of the guardian ad litem, but the money isnt the hardest part about having temporarily lost her son. Really, the financial impact of it pales in comparison to the mental and emotional impact on him and me. The money is the least of my worries, ManyWounds said. She said her lawyers have been amazing, and they are working hard to get a positive outcome for my kiddo. Spencer MacDonald of Missoula is also representing her. She feels frustrated with the court, but she is also trying to stay positive: I just try to hold out hope that in the end, somebody will do it right. Thats all I can hope for. ManyWounds also said her little boy deserves it. At the hearing in September, she said the previous judge told her the child wasnt a person until he was 18, and ManyWounds disagrees. Very close attention needs to be paid, and this little child, he deserves to have close attention paid at this point, ManyWounds said. Hes been treated like an object by the court and other people in this. People need to realize this is a person. Hes 6, but hes a person. He deserves better. The post ManyWounds frustrated with Montana justice system, but still hopeful appeared first on Daily Montanan. Massive heat wave heading for USA next week. Cities have been preparing for this. Forecasters warn a dangerous and potentially record-breaking heat wave will spread across much of the central and eastern U.S. next week, a moment health officials have been dreading and preparing for. The incoming heat could set records from Texas to New England and will put people not prepared for the extreme temperatures at risk. For folks who live where an excessive heat warning goes into effect, there will be "a high risk of heat stress or illnesses for anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration," the National Weather Service said. The stakes are high: Every day of extreme heat in the United States claims about 154 lives, according to a 2022 study. And climate change is supercharging the risk, as shown by an alarming 12-month run of global heat records. This embedded content is not available in your region. But officials across the U.S. have been planning ahead about how they will keep vulnerable residents cool. That includes children or elderly people, people with underlying health issues such as diabetes or heart disease, those without air conditioning, unhoused residents and outdoor workers. Extreme heat kills and maims. Here are some of its victims from across the US. Cities have no choice but to have already been thinking about this, Kevin Lanza, an assistant professor of environmental science at UTHealth Houston, in Austin, told USA TODAY. This is not only our Sun Belt cities that are in traditionally warm climates. This is also in these cities and places when you think cold. The plans include a state heat officer in Arizona, distributing free air conditioners in Oregon and early heat warnings in New Jersey. In some areas, next week will become the first major test this year of local officials' preparation: "For many, this will be the first heat wave of the year," AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. The central and eastern U.S. are both forecast to see above-average temperatures next week. The darkest red area shows where hot temperatures are most likely. Excessive heat is most likely in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, the Climate Prediction Center said. "Highs in the low- to mid-90s are forecast, possibly reaching daily record highs in many locations," the Center said on X, formerly Twitter. In Washington, D.C., next week, "heat indices should easily reach and exceed the century mark most afternoons," the weather service said. Silent killer: Extreme heat kills and maims. Here are some of its victims from across the US. A person rides a bicycle as heat waves shimmer, causing visual distortion, as people walk in the 'The Zone', Phoenix's largest homeless encampment, amid the city's worst heat wave on record on July 25, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Cities must plan to mitigate the effects of worsening temperatures in hotter, longer summer months. Heat plans kick into gear as dangerous heat starts You don't have to live in the desert in the middle of summer for heat to be life-threatening. In fact, Maryland health officials already announced their first heat-related death of the year with the death of 59-year-old man in Prince George's County, near Washington, D.C. As summer heat ramps up, so does concern from health officials. The New Jersey Department of Health warned residents this week to prepare now for heat waves. "Don't wait until heat arrives to begin protecting yourself," a social media post said. California's Occupational and Safety Health Administration heat standards kicked in as temperature soared. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently launched a nationwide tracker to check for health risks from heat down to the ZIP code level. (It's worth noting, however, that some states like Texas and now Florida, have moved to weaken protections for outdoor workers against sweltering heat.) Some areas are trying more extreme measures Wellness checks for people who are vulnerable and reminders about pet and child safety may be mainstays of public health policy during the summer. But now, officials have turned to creative solutions in some parts of the nation: Text message warnings : The California Office of Emergency Services uses text messaging and social media to alert people of hot temperatures that can be dangerous to health, particularly for those who work outdoors, are unhoused or may be at greater risk because of prior medical issues, said spokesperson Amy Palmer. The state office also has an action plan for people to prepare for extreme heat. Free AC program: In light of a deadly 2021 heat dome that went over the Pacific Northwest for days, people in Portland, Oregon, can call 311 to request free AC units ahead of hotter temperatures. The 2021 extreme heat event resulted in nearly 70 deaths in Multnomah County, where Portland is located. The majority of people who died were elderly, alone and without AC. Ice-filled human-size bags: First responders in Phoenix are using "ice immersion" to quickly cool people who get sick from heat, the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The plastic bags are filled with water and ice to submerge people who are overheating with body temperatures above 104 degrees before they get to the hospital. The Phoenix Fire Department first tested the technique last summer and is deploying it this year. A "chief heat officer" for a state: Arizona, notorious for its brutal desert heat, has inaugural a chief heat officer, the first of any state to have any such position. Chief Heat Officer Eugene Livar, a longtime epidemiologist in the state Department of Health, will implement Gov. Katie Hobbs' extreme heat preparedness plan and work across agencies to coordinate responses, according to the Arizona Republic. Record highs: Earth marks 12 straight months of record heat, a bewildering climate change milestone Heat preparations in hot regions include cooling centers, warnings For portions of the country where extreme heat is a way of life places like Jacksonville, Florida, and Las Vegas summer heat plans have become increasingly robust. In Jacksonville humidity poses additional risks that exacerbate heat levels in a state that's already scorching. And Las Vegas is struggling with overnight lows that never get all that cool. Current heat index conditions Local health officials say they take the risks seriously. When we know things are coming, we have to be prepared, said Dr. Sunil Joshi, who started as Jacksonvilles first-ever health officer position last summer, when the area saw seven consecutive days of heat indices jumping into 110 degrees. The city is updating its existing plan to respond to extreme heat, which led to the opening of several cooling centers across Jacksonville, one of the largest U.S. cities by area. They included several libraries and a gymnasium. Preparations attempt to account for socially vulnerable communities, which include people who are homeless or those who dont have working AC. In Las Vegas, Clark County officials try to help vulnerable residents and tourists unaccustomed to how quickly heat ramps up. Daily highs can quickly build from the 80s to well over 100 within days, Commissioner Michael Naft said. With temperatures that hot, the county sees several cases of burns in the trauma center from the pavements heat. You have to depend on people to adjust their behavior and their patterns pretty quickly, he said. That's something that's always hard as well. Meanwhile, experts say adapting to extreme heat will require structural changes to how cities are built. Lanza, of UTHealth Houston, has pointed to reshaping cities to avoid a phenomenon called heat island effect: hotter conditions in some areas that have more pavement, dark surfaces and fewer trees. Reversing this requires changing how cities are designed, painting sun-reflective roofs or even planting green spaces above buildings. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave in forecast for USA: Cities try to keep residents safe A math teacher at an elite Brooklyn private school has been arrested during an investigation into sexualized images shared through social medialeaving high-powered parents scrambling for answers on what happened just days before graduation. Cops busted Winston Nguyena onetime Jeopardy! contestant who in 2017 was charged with siphoning a large sum from an elderly couple to bankroll a lavish lifestyleat Saint Anns School in celebrity hotspot Brooklyn Heights last Thursday in front of a crowd of students. He was released Saturday. Nguyen wasnt charged but remains a suspect in an ongoing investigation by the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office, which confirmed his arrest to The Daily Beast. When reached by a Daily Beast reporter, Nguyen laughed and said New York magazine had a 12-hour head start on this reporting and referred us to his lawyer. A spokeswoman for Saint Annswhere tuition can run up to $60,000 a yearsaid the DAs office confirmed for us that Winston is a suspect in an ongoing investigation related to the dissemination of intimate images via social media. Upon his arrest on Thursday, she added, he was immediately placed on leave by the school and he remains on leave. On June 6, Saint Anns Head of School Kenyatte Reid sent an email to parents announcing Nguyens arrest but conceding he didnt know the specific charges. I was informed this evening by the Assistant District Attorney that his arrest is in relation to an investigation that dates back to January 2024, Reid wrote. Oldest Hatred Stalks New Yorks Newest Celebrity Hotspot Days later, Reid delivered another email update, saying Nguyen was a suspect in an ongoing investigation related to inappropriate sexualized images and that hes barred from contacting anyone in the school community and from visiting the school. Reid added that the DAs office asked any families with information related to Winstons conduct or any suspicious activity on Snapchat or any social media to come forward. This incident is very disturbing to all of us, Reid said. We pride ourselves on our amazing faculty and a learning environment rooted in trust. The renowned school boasts star-studded alumni including actresses Lena Dunham and Jennifer Connelly, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (who attended for a year and did not graduate), as well as Levon and Maya Hawke, the children of Hollywood stars Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. Among the schools parents are TV personalities, top-selling authors, lawyers, and investors. The artsy school, which eschews giving grades, is so popular that in 2016, actor Matt Damon reportedly couldnt snag spots for his own kids. But its also faced controversies over the years, including an internal probe in 2019 that uncovered multiple instances of staffsuch as founding headmaster Stanley Bosworthengaging in sexual misconduct with students from the 1970s through the 1990s. Nguyen was hired in 2020, the Saint Anns spokeswoman said, and his last position was as a middle- and high-school math teacher. Asked whether administrators were aware of his criminal history, the representative said the school conducts comprehensive background checks that include criminal records when hiring employees. A nonviolent criminal record may not preclude employment, she added, The school gives a careful and discerning assessment of a job candidates potential fit with the school. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their efforts, and right now were focused on helping our students process this news. A memo sent by Saint Anns School in Brooklyn to parents and members of the community. Handout Nguyens lawyer, Frank Rothman, said the DAs office has declined to immediately prosecute the case pending further investigation. Thats where things are at right now, Rothman told The Daily Beast. They are investigating, and they will make a decision in the near future as to what, if anything, to charge him with. I dont think this is something thats just going to be a non-issue, Rothman added, Theres going to be an issue. The question is, how big and when? On Thursday, parents were questioning how Nguyen could land a job at the prestigious Saint Anns despite his scam of the elderly couple making tabloid fodderas well as his lawsuit against the citys Department of Correction Commissioner over Rikers Island allegedly censoring newspapers and failing to provide socks and underwear. What in the actual hell? How did we get here? one Saint Anns parent told The Daily Beast. What does the vetting process look like? What does the background process look like? He had not been a teacher before, they added. He was smart and went to great schoolsbut still if you are about to hire an ex-Rikers inmate accused of a serious crime, I think we have to go past a basic interview and resume. The idea that this was a person that was close to my children...its terrifying. The parent said they learned that male students were getting friend requests from social media accounts that were later linked to Nguyen. I see him as a manipulator and a con man, they said. He conned an elderly couple and he came in as a Covid hire under a different school administration. A summer 2021 issue of the schools Saint Anns Times noted that Nguyen joined us this year as Special Assistant for Covid-Related Projects and would stay on as Special Assistant to the Administrative Team and also teach a math class. Meanwhile, a directory of faculty for the 2021-2022 school year listed Nguyen as a graduate of Columbia University and private tutor in math, Latin, English, and standardized testing. It also chronicled his past positions as a diversity consultant at other city schools. This isnt the first time Nguyen has been in the crosshairs of the law. In August 2017, while working as a home health aide, Nguyen was arrested for swindling more than $300,000 from a 96-year-old blind man and his 92-year-old wife in Manhattan. The arrest came three years after he appeared on Jeopardy. Prosecutors said that in 2015, six years after he was hired to help the elderly couple, Nguyen used the couples credit cards and bank account to fund trips to Florida and tickets to the ballet and Broadway shows. As part of the scheme, Nguyen even went as far as forging the couples bank statements and impersonating their son in conversations with their condo board, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office said at the time. Rothman told The Daily Beast that Nguyen pleaded guilty, served jail time and probation, and was ordered to pay restitution. We felt so sad for this couple, one worker at the couples Upper East Side digs told the New York Daily News in 2017. They trusted him so much. He betrayed them. He was posing as a big shot, as a millionaire. While awaiting trial at Rikers, Nguyen frequently complained about the notorious jails conditionstwice calling into a radio show to relay his gripes to then-Mayor De Blasio. According to a letter Nguyen wrote to the city in June 2019, he was incarcerated at Rikers from January through May of that year. In his missive, he proposed changes to the inmate rulebook related to sexually explicit material and contact between inmates. Not all physical contact is rape, he wrote. Not all physical contact leads to rape. In November 2019, a judge ultimately tossed Nguyens lawsuit over Rikers failing to provide basic necessities because he was no longer an inmate. (That same month, the scammer took a plea deal and was sentenced to time served, the New York Post reported) Nguyen fumed to the Post that hed appeal the judges ruling and perhaps pursue a class-action suit against the city. He complained that while incarcerated, he didnt have the resources to file a petition that wouldnt be dismissed. Underwear is not headline news, Nguyen said. The more we let them get away with the small things, the easier it is for them to get away with bigger things. 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. Nearly a year after wildfires devastated Maui and displaced many of its residents, Charles Nahale is still searching for a permanent place to call home. Nahale is one of the more than 1,300 fire victims who find themselves enrolled in FEMA's Direct Lease program, which aims to convert short-term rental units into long-term housing for up to two years for fire survivors, but has been fraught with challenges. Since the Lahaina fire displaced him last August, Nahale has relocated five times. He didn't like the first property he was assigned. PHOTO: Maui fire survivors upset with living conditions from FEMA's housing program. (ABC News) "The contract reflected something completely different from what the actual space of the unit was," Nahale said of the first place he was offered. "For example, the space was a studio. The contract says it's a one-bedroom and newly remodeled, which it wasn't. The bed was practically in the kitchen." FEMA has allocated $197 million to three companies, none of which are based in Hawaii, to administer the Direct Lease program. These companies are tasked with the complex process of finding and leasing ready-to-occupy residential properties from owners before subleasing them to displaced residents as temporary housing. According to FEMA, they are also responsible for ensuring units comply with HUD standards and is functional, inspection, providing on-call maintenance, and coordinating repairs. MORE: Kilauea, active Hawaiian volcano, could erupt like a 'stomp-rocket toy,' new study suggests As of early June, 1,041 units are occupied by fire survivors. However, 177 units remain unoccupied while FEMA pays property owners and management companies thousands of dollars a month per property. Nahale says once he matched with his first property, he waited three months for a background check through the property management company. I was told when I had that happen, that it would take no more than three weeks to do. It took three months. And while I was in the shelter, the hotel, waiting to be placed in this unit, they were paying for the unit, which was three months and over $5,000 a month, and the hotel I was in.He says he was heartbroken when he finally was able to view the apartment for the first time, and says it was unsuitable. The contract reflected something completely different from what the actual space of the unit was, Nahale said. The space was a studio. The contract says it's a one bedroom and newly re- remodeled, which it wasn't. Drawers were falling apart. The curtains were broken. The bed was practically in the kitchen. Talk about breakfast in bed. Charles said he spent hours with FEMA representatives trying to get out of that property. MORE: Kilauea eruption prompts red alert on Hawaii's Big Island These two representatives at FEMA, they seemed to put the fear of God in us, that if you don't take this property, you're going to be kicked out, most likely, and you'll be on your own. He says he was re-matched to a second property, but found the new apartment still needed repairs. "We're sitting at this table -- two FEMA representatives going over the contract, so three of us are sitting at this table. While we're sitting here, this piece of granite, this stone, falls and breaks into two pieces," Nahale said. You can see the crack." FEMA assured Nahale they would make the necessary repairs instead of having him move for the third time. He says the management company is fixing fixed some of the issues, but not all of them, including termite damage. While making repairs, Nahale said FEMA was paying 5100 dollars a month for the property, while paying for his hotel shelter. Days after an interview with ABC News, Nahale had to vacate his hotel shelter with a days notice. With Nahale now in housing limbo, the Red Cross stepped in to pay for the outstanding repairs in his FEMA unit. Nahale's problems with FEMA and the properties aren't specific to him. Other people have expressed their frustration, including Timothy Putnam, known as "Timster" on the island, who has been matched four times to different units. "The first unit was a cute little unit. But it didn't come up to code electrically," Putnam said. "The second unit was horrifying, rat infested, with a lot of urine on mattresses, and incredibly dirty. That was super simple. I didn't have to say no to that one because the FEMA agents that were there were horrified, as well. The third unit, you know, was far from where I wanted to be because I just started working again on the west side. And the commute was going to be difficult, but at least it was a roof over my head." Since moving in, Putnam has faced rodent and insects in his unit. In a statement, FEMA told ABC News: All units require an inspection and we make sure the house is safe, livable, sanitary and functional before anyone moves in. But in May a FEMA representative told Maui residents they had found a number of units under FEMA contract that were not yet filled were found unsuitable. We went and reinspected them all over the last two and a half weeks and found quite a number of 'em that needed some upkeep, some because they were just empty and there are a few bugs, some probably should not have been in our program. Quite a number of them. We stopped our agreement with those property owners because we found the initial inspection was inadequate. That's on us. That's our fault, the FEMA representative said. Both Putnam and Nahale mentioned that after they expressed dissatisfaction with the units, they were told by FEMA representatives they should live with it since it probably wouldn't be any better elsewhere. Despite horrid living conditions, they both felt pressured to make the best out of their situation. Still, Putnam says hes grateful. I do have a roof over my head and I have since August 17th because of Governor Green, State of Hawaii, FEMA, and the Red Cross. They have kept me housed and it's a pretty amazing thing. Right? So, there's a lot of flaws in the system, but overall, I've been looked after, and I'm grateful for that. PHOTO: Maui fire survivors upset with living conditions from FEMA's housing program (ABC News) Putnam recently learned he would be re-matched to a property closer to his job. FEMA leaders admit they have faced challenges matching their inventory to families' needs, such as proximity to school and work, number of bedrooms and accessibility. There are some circumstances where people have rejected the offer 3, 4, 5, even 6 times to go into housing, and thats a challenge, Gov. Green said at a press conference in March. I do understand how difficult it is to have to commute it all uh but many of um these units they they simply have to be occupied. Then a development in late May, when several property owners in the direct lease program told ABC News that their property management company suddenly terminated their rental agreements because "the unit has remained unmatched to an applicant." ABC News contacted FEMA, but they declined an on-camera interview and could not confirm how many leases were ended. The agency pointed out that 1,041 people have been placed under the program. There are also 177 empty and ready-for-move-in units. They say 35 families continue to search for a match. However, residents and local real estate agents tell ABC they have felt excluded from the process, possibly contributing to the unoccupied units in outside of West Maui. I have a friend who has been a real advocate for Lahaina and the fire survivors. He has a condo in Lahaina and he's been trying to get me in there. For eight months I think we've been trying. We have tried every avenue to get me there, uh, in his place. FEMA won't allow owners of condos who are participating in their program to choose who goes into these units, Nahale said. I believe we would have had hundreds of people in units on the west side if they allowed that to happen, he added. Putnam said he questions how sustainable living on Maui truly is, and says the program has affected an already difficult rental market. The rental market was slim and prices were going up. The fire happens. That takes away so many rentals, Putnam said. Now there's less properties for people that weren't displaced that need it on Maui. And the supply/demand is all whack, prices are going through the roof. I don't think it's sustainable. I don't think the average person's gonna be able to live here for much longer. Nara Boone, co-founder of Maui Housing Hui, a nonprofit that educates the community on their rights, says this problem is probably the biggest issue that Maui has faced in decades. "It comes down to the fabric of our community being shredded and changing every facet of it because people cannot afford to live here," Boone said. Boone says people who were not displaced by the fire, have found themselves homeless in the aftermath of the fire. "Landlords that wanna take advantage of this federal money and raise their rents are just either going radio silent or refusing to renew people's leases, to then, you know, offer a new lease to somebody else at a higher rate Boone said. VIDEO: Maui faces major housing issue months after devastating wildfires (ABCNews.com) Zoltan Balogh, a Maui resident for 20 years, lived in a rental in Kula. He said his property was spared during the fires in his area. Last December Balogh arranged a 3 month sublease for his one-bedroom rental to spend time with his daughter in Montana.On December 29th my landlady sent a text saying that she and her father were choosing not to renew my lease, and they would be signing a contract with FEMA, Balogh said. That lease would begin on January 7th, which was nine days later. This was all while I was here in Montana, 3000 miles away. Zoltan said he hired a lawyer, and his landlord later agreed to give him 45 days to vacate. But what I did have to do is leave my daughter, lose what ended up being six weeks of work here, Balogh said. Shipping things from Maui is, it just wasn't at all a financial option for me. So, I essentially gave or sold everything I owned after, again, most of 20 years, and that was that. Zoltan says he is technically homeless now and can couch surf until he finds permanent housing. He filed a complaint with the Hawaii Attorney General Office. When you are evicting people to get more money, that's greed. It's pretty simple, Balogh said. You're displacing people to place people who lost their homes, Balogh said. The state attorney general found Baloghs landlord did not violate any laws by evicting Balogh and told ABC in a statement it was determined that the action of terminating a fixed-term lease does not violate the Governors Emergency Proclamation (EP). But Zoltan alleged he never signed a fixed term lease. You just stated you're evicting this person with nine day's notice to place a FEMA recipient, Balogh said. How are you saying this is okay and closing my- my file? The Hawaii Attorney General's Office has confirmed to ABC News that they have received at least 227 housing-related complaints; including 29 FEMA abuse allegations and 198 related to housing violations of the Governors Emergency Proclamation. 28 violations were investigated and corrected, and 37 investigations remain ongoing. The violations have already happened. They're already without their home, and what's their recourse now? Boone questioned. The attorney general's office has not enforced as much as we would like them to enforce. FEMA provided a statement to ABC News about their policy regarding FEMA abuse: "Our policy is clear. If we discover a landlord has inappropriately evicted a tenant in good standing so they may pursue a lease from FEMA, we will not work with that landlord. According to Boone, Maui residents continue to battle with landlords illegally increasing rent after the fires. With FEMA's payments of the rents, proposed payments of rents, in general throughout Maui County, our rents have doubled and sometimes tripled, and it's just become way too much for a lot of people to try to pay. So, there's a lot more homelessness right now. There's a lot more people living in their cars, Boone said. In May Hawaii Gov. Josh Green stepped in and issued his eleventh emergency proclamation with added protections for tenants against landlords attempting to raise rent due to operational costs, evict tenants to move themselves or their family in, or sell the property. I think that it has finally kind of tightened the reins for landlords and made ... put the onus on them to prove, uh, the reason that they're evicting someone, Boone said. "It seems like the governor is listening, but we need him to close the other loophole. The biggest loophole is this termination of leases. That's the only way, really, to stop the, this bleeding that's happening." For now Nara says landlords can help house people on Maui by converting their dwellings to meet HUD housing quality standards, so theres more inventory available. In addition, Gov. Green announced plans to build temporary housing in Lahaina that is expected to be ready this year. Putnam says hes grateful to FEMA that he has a roof over his head, no matter its flaws. I guarantee they're doing as best as they can. But, a wise man once said, the 10 most feared words in the English language are, "I'm here from the government and I'm here to help." But Nahale isnt as hopeful. FEMA help ends in February of 2025, and they have us in places where the rents are so high, he said. Every day it's getting a little closer and you, you get into knots wondering what's gonna... how I'm going to survive. What's gonna happen now? Maui Strong 808: Maui fire survivors upset with living conditions from FEMA's housing program originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Gov. Dan McKee, center, hands a ceremonial pen to South Kingstown Town Councilor Patti Alley after he signed into law new gun storage requirements on June 13, 2024. Alleys sister Allyson Dosreis died by suicide in 2020 after accessing an unsecured handgun. (Office of the Governor) Surrounded by gun safety advocates and donning the orange T-shirt of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday signed off on legislation that creates new rules on how firearms must be stored. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Justine Caldwell, an East Greenwich Democrat, and Sen. Pamela Lauria, a Barrington Democrat, mandates that all firearms not in use be stored in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant lock. The new law makes unsafe storage of firearms a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $250 for the first offense and $1,000 for the second. A subsequent violation would be a criminal charge punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500. Before the new law was approved, gun owners convicted of criminal storage of a firearm could be fined up to $1,000 if a person 16 or younger was injured by a loaded firearm left within reach. We may never know the actual number of injuries or fatalities averted by the work you have done this session, but rest assured, this law will save lives, McKee said at the State House signing ceremony. I know there are survivors in the audience, and please know, your advocacy is making a difference. Penalties for not storing a firearm would not apply if the weapon is being carried or can be readily retrieved and used, according to the legislation. The legislation also requires firearms dealers display a warning sign that reads: Access to a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death during domestic violence disputes, and the unintentional death of children, household members, or others. Leaving a lethal weapon where anyone else can use it is an invitation to tragedy, Caldwell said in a statement. Ensuring that all weapons are stored in a way that keeps them out of the hands that shouldnt touch them protects not only the public in general, but gun owners and their families in particular. Republican lawmakers and gun advocates have argued the storage bill entombs firearms and delays their use in emergency situations, making it harder to protect themselves and their families. Weapons advocates have also argued it violates Rhode Islanders Second Amendment rights. Firearm safety advocates celebrated the governor for enacting the new law. We know that research shows the secure storage of firearms saves lives from potential gun suicide, homicide, unintentional shootings, school shootings, and also prevents gun theft, Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence Executive Director Melissa Carden said in a statement. The new firearm storage law takes immediate effect. The post McKee signs safe firearms storage bill into law appeared first on Rhode Island Current. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The city of San Diego has its next Fire Chief. On Wednesday, Mayor Todd Gloria announced his pick to assume the top role at San Diego Fire-Rescue once Fire Chief Colin Stowell retires at the end of summer. SDFD Deputy Chief Robert Logan II, who currently oversees the departments Employee Services, was selected as his predecessor following a three-month, nationwide search. City officials say he was selected out of a pool of 70 candidates. City council confirms new SDPD police chief According to city officials, a confirmation hearing on Logans appointment will be held in July. Should the San Diego City Council approve the pick, the deputy chief will take over when Stowell steps down after six years in the role and 36 years with the department in August. I am deeply honored and grateful to be appointed by Mayor Gloria to be our citys next Fire Chief, Logan said. Growing up, I faced numerous challenges that shaped my resolve, resilience, commitment to service, and a profound understanding of our communitys needs and realities, he continued. I look forward to leading our dedicated Fire-Rescue Department team with integrity and compassion, and ensuring it remains a pillar of safety, support, and unity for all San Diegans. A lifelong San Diegan who grew up in Council District 4, Logan has been with SDFD for more than two decades, starting as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1999 before becoming a firefighter in 2000 and rising through the ranks to Deputy Fire Chief. Prior to his current deputy post, he served as the Deputy Fire Chief of Special Operations, which includes air operations, the Metro Arson Strike Team and Hazardous Incident Response Team, according to the city. Logan has carried a strong reputation for team building, fostering positive community-government relations and championing efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, city officials said. Among his efforts to further these goals includes co-founding Lincoln High Schools Fire Protection Program, an academic program designed to introduce students to potential careers in fire service, and bringing a California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee Pre-Apprenticeship EMT program to the county. Red tide returns to San Diego: What causes the dirty-looking waves He is also an active member of Women In Fire, a national organization that aims to empower women in fire and emergency services fields through training, advocacy and networking. According to city officials, Logan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from southern New Hampshire University, a Masters in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University and an Executive Chief Fire Officer certification. Deputy Chief Logan has risen through the ranks of our department and demonstrated not only a profound understanding of the complexities of fire-rescue operations, but also a deep commitment to our community and the welfare of our Fire-Rescue employees, Gloria said. I am confident that under his leadership, the Department will be well-served, the City will be well-served, and we will be able to innovate and excel in providing emergency response services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The crowning document from a meeting of G7 leaders in Italy has been released with a veiled reference to abortion after French President Emmanuel Macron clashed with Italys prime minister over the specific language to include on abortion rights. The Group of Sevens summit declaration on Friday referred to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all but did not include the word abortion itself a contrast to the groups previous communique, released after the 2023 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, which called explicitly for access to safe and legal abortion and post abortion care. American officials said US President Joe Biden pushed to keep in language about reproductive rights after the summit host, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, sought to strip some language from the document. Fridays communique appeared to be a diplomatic solution, with the statement endorsing the Hiroshima text without reproducing it. The document emphasizes the seven nations commitments in the Hiroshima Leaders Communique to universal access to adequate, affordable, and quality health services for women, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, the communique reads. The annual gatherings communique sets out the blocs values and agenda for the year ahead. Several previous summits communiques have also stopped short of using the word abortion, calling instead for access to sexual and reproductive health services. I regret it, but I respect it Negotiations over this years language caused a public clash on the sidelines of the summit between Meloni and Macron. Asked by an Italian journalist on Thursday how he felt about a G7 statement without the word abortion, Macron said he regretted Romes position. France shares this vision of equality between men and women. It is not a vision that is shared by all the political spectrum. I regret it but I respect it because it was the sovereign choice of your people, he said. France intends to defend with force the right to abortion, he added. Meloni defended her conservative governments position on Thursday, and accused Macron of playing politics, days after he called snap parliamentary elections in France for later this month. There is no reason to argue about issues on which we have already agreed for some time. I believe it is profoundly wrong, in difficult times like these, to campaign using a precious forum like the G7, Meloni told reporters Thursday. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomes US President Joe Biden to the G7 summit, June 13, 2024. - Luca Bruno/AP The bloc has used the past two summits primarily to stress its support for Ukraine as the country tries to repel Russias invasion and show it remains undivided in the face of resurgent global threats. But, coming swiftly after European parliamentary elections which saw far-right parties make gains in several countries and ahead of the United States presidential election in November national political issues have intruded on this summit more than in previous years. Biden, who has made protecting abortion rights a centerpiece of his reelection bid, had pushed to ensure that an endorsement of the Hiroshima statement would be in the communique, according to US officials on Thursday. The president felt very strongly that we need to have at the very least the language that references what we did in Hiroshima on womens health and reproductive rights, a senior US administration official said. The issue of abortion has become particularly febrile in the US since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, a decision made possible by a solid six-member conservative majority, including three judges nominated by former President Donald Trump. In Italy, however, where Melonis conservative platform helped propel her party to power in 2022, she has largely toed the G7s line on geopolitical issues while pushing hard-right policies domestically. She has previously called abortion a tragedy, surrogacy inhuman and has removed lesbian mothers names from their childrens birth certificates. Francesco Lollobrigida, Melonis brother-in-law, informal spokesman and Italys agriculture minister, suggested the reason Meloni feels so strongly about this issue was because the Pope has been present at the summit. The clash between Meloni and Macron comes after France in March became the worlds first country to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution, the culmination of an effort which began in direct response to the US Supreme Courts decision to roll back abortion rights in America. France integrated this right of women to an abortion, the freedom to have control over ones body within this institution. The same sensibility is not shared in your country today, Macron said at the summit. CNNs Xiaofei Xu and Samantha Waldenberg contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Memphis man was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. A two-day trial took place in February 2024, where Charlie Gibson was found guilty of two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, one count of marijuana possession with intent to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Gibson was sentenced on June 11 to a total of 210 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. In December 2021, Charlie Gibson was stopped by security guards at an apartment complex for loitering. He was caught with a Glock .40 caliber pistol, around 250 grams of marijuana and three digital scales. The guards called the Memphis Police Department and Gibson was arrested. Road rage blamed for I-240 shooting that hurt 4 kids, dad Gibson is also accused of hitting a Shelby County deputy with his car while running from authorities in July 2022. Reports say, deputies responded to an assault call in Cordova, where they were advised that the suspect was driving a gray Nissan. After locating the vehicle, a deputy stood in front of the car and demanded Gibson stop. Deputy run over, suspect shot in Cordova Gibson refused and struck the deputy with his car. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the deputy then pulled out his gun and pointed it at Gibson, once again telling him to stop the car. Gibson instead revved the engine and the deputy fired several shots through the windshield, hitting Gibson, who crashed the vehicle shortly after being shot. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Reports say after the crash, deputies found a .40 caliber pistol in Gibsons car. Gibson was indicted in November 2023 for both incidents. The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, and was investigated for federal prosecution by the PSN Gun Task Force, Memphis Police Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of 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 WREG.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A court filing from a Metro Nashville Police Department lieutenant suggests a department whistleblower is tied to the leak of The Covenant School killers writings. A declaration was filed by Lt. Alfredo Arevalo claims he handed a hard drive containing the Covenant investigative case file to the whistleblower to place in a safe located in his office. Former Lt. Garet Davidson was the only person at the time who had the key and combination to the locked safe, according to the filing. Arevalo, who is an active member of the police department, confirmed in the filing the documents that have leaked are from the killers writings. Click here to read the filing. In the 61-page report, Davidson attacked MNPD for a range of hot-button issues, including allegations of efforts to disempower the Community Oversight Board. Youre talking about an organization getting involved in the crafting of the legislation in some way that pertains to it. It is a direct conflict of interest. It undermines public transparency and accountability, Davidson told News 2. Independent attorney to oversee investigation into claims made in 61-page complaint against Nashville Police Davidson County Chancellor Iashea Myles set a show-cause hearing for Monday after receiving a media call for comment about a story posted by the Tennessee Star. The news organization published multiple stories after reportedly obtaining 80 pages of the shooters writings from a source close to the investigation. The Tennessee Star filing an appeal to cancel the upcoming hearing after the documents were published. The show cause hearing is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, 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 WKRN News 2. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The U.S. Attorneys Office says a member of the Bandidos is set to serve 21 months in prison after investigators found illegally-owned guns in his home. The Bandidos member, 42-year-old Jonathan Bivins, was prohibited from owning firearms as a previously convicted felon, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says. In the fall of 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement agents executed search warrants on multiple people they say have ties to the Bandidos. The massive statewide raid came in response to a fatal shooting in Red River, New Mexico. The DOJ calls the Bandidos a notorious club with 75 to 100 members across the state. New Mexico gas prices relatively low as summer travel begins The DOJ says the raid uncovered 13 firearms in Bivins bedroom. Bivins pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. Now a judge has handed him a 21-month sentence followed by three years of supervised release, the DOJ says. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Insights from Americas Quarterly, Project Syndicate, and The New Republic The News Mexicos outgoing leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador better known as AMLO is pushing ahead with a set of sweeping constitutional reforms as he looks to cement his legacy before his protege, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, takes office in October. AMLOs plans, which include replacing 1,600 Supreme Court judges with elected justices, allowing private fundraising for political campaigns, and scrapping various regulatory bodies, have spooked the markets after Sheinbaum won just shy of a supermajority in the elections earlier this month. Sheinbaum sought to reassure investors Monday by promising the countrys rule of law was not under threat, but critics fear she will follow in AMLOs footsteps. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Critics worry Sheinbaum could be AMLOs populist puppet Sources: The Elcano Royal Institute , The Financial Times , Project Syndicate The immediate question facing Sheinbaum is whether she wants to forge a social-democratic path for Mexico or govern as AMLOs populist puppet, a Latin America expert wrote for The Elcano Royal Institute. AMLO hopes to enact his controversial reforms in the one-month window between the newly-elected Congress taking office and the presidential handover but Sheinbaum could make good on her promise for a public debate on judicial reform as a way of watering them down, he added. However, some analysts are skeptical, with one researcher telling the Financial Times that similar discussions in past forums and debates in the end arent really taken into account. This would leave the US and the markets as the last barriers to an authoritarian turn, a columnist warned in Project Syndicate. But so-called successors may inevitably go their own way Sources: The New Republic , Americas Quarterly Casting Sheinbaum as AMLOs puppet may be another of those alarmist media myths that always turn out to be wrong, author Francisco Goldman argued in The New Republic: So-called successors inevitably go their own way, and unlike AMLO, she is a politician of the twenty-first, rather than twentieth-century left, he added. Sheinbaum diverged from AMLOs blueprint during her time as Mexico Citys mayor, a Mexican academic noted in Americas Quarterly. Her majority in Congress ultimately depends on the loyalty of coalition allies and one remaining institutional constraint is the prospect of a recall after three years in office, which, given Mexicos low turnout in past referendums, could see her removed by as few as 20 million votes. Sheinbaum is a technocrat, rather than an autocrat Sources: The Washington Post , The Economist Whereas AMLO loved a microphone, Sheinbaum is a nerd rooted in her academic formation, Mexican writer Jorge Zepeda Patterson told The Washington Post. Lacking ALMOs charm, she may have little choice but to appeal to the public based on results, The Economist argued, and fiscal constraints could push her in the right direction. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in Detroit May 17, 2022 | Ken Coleman A Michigan judge on Thursday struck down a key part of guidance sent to local election officials by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons office. The lawsuit was filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) March 28 in the Court of Claims against Benson, a Democrat, claiming the 2023 guidance, specifically that clerks should initially presume the validity of absentee ballot signatures, was issued covertly and was inconsistent with Michigans constitution. The opinion issued by Judge Christopher P. Yates, who was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, agreed on that particular point, finding that a presumption of validity was incompatible with Michigans constitution, despite assurances from Bensons office that even though the word presumption was in the guidance, it didnt demand election officials conclude it was a requirement. With apologies to Gertrude Stein, however, a presumption is a presumption is a presumption. Whether the guidance manual includes a gentle nudge instead of a hip check, its still a foul under Michigan law, he wrote. The ruling was applauded by RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, who said it confirms that safeguards are required for absentee ballots. The Secretary of States covert attempts to sidestep these rules were rightfully rejected by the court, exposing that her attacks on election integrity have no substance. This win is just the latest development in our ongoing fight to promote fair and transparent elections in the Great Lakes State, said Whatley. However, Yates upheld the remainder of the guidance allowing election officials to consider possible explanations for discrepancies, including that a voters signature may change over time due to age or disability, that it was made in haste, or was written on an uneven surface, which he called commonsense reasons that offer real-world explanations consistent with the generous approach to signature verification that our legislature has proscribed. Benson spokesperson Angela Benander told the Michigan Advance in an emailed statement that the rules were implemented so that each of the states more than 1,500 clerks werent obligated to create their own individual standards, which could undermine certainty for both voters and election officials. We are glad to see that the judge has affirmed those rules are consistent with the election law. Michigans clerks have and will continue to carefully review every ballot signature to ensure they agree sufficiently with the signature on file before accepting any ballot, said Benander. As we prepare for the 2024 primary and general election, Michigan voters can be confident that our elections are secure, accessible, and that the results are an accurate reflection of the will of the people. Weve worked hard in Michigan to put secure procedures in place to ensure every valid vote and only valid votes count. Regardless, Michigan Republicans cast the ruling as a victory and confirmation that their concerns over voter integrity are valid. This decision reinforces the fundamental principle that our elections must be conducted with the highest level of integrity and transparency. Its obviously vital that our chief elections administrator provides guidance that adheres to the constitution, so Im glad the court has once again stepped in to put her on the right track, said state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), who served as a municipal clerk for 15 years before her election to the Legislature. Bollin noted Thursdays ruling is the second time a court has determined Benson overstepped her authority by trying to implement changes without going through the administrative rules process, referring to a Michigan Court of Appeals decision last October concerning poll watchers and challengers. As chair of the Houses Elections Committee at the time, I led efforts to oppose her changes. She ignored most of our concerns and moved forward anyway, but the court has now ruled that our concerns were valid. This ruling is a crucial victory for voters and election integrity in our state, said Bollin. Thursdays ruling came despite a supportive brief filed by the Democratic National Committee, which argued that Bensons guidance was entirely consistent with Michigan law and did clarify that local clerks had to still review all signatures. In reality, the greatest threat to public confidence in the integrity of our elections is not fraud or voter-roll maintenance, but unfounded attacks on our elections themselves, stated the brief. The post Michigan judge rejects Bensons guidance on absentee ballot signatures appeared first on Michigan Advance. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel walks out after oral arguments in the Michigan Supreme Court for the case against Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl on Nov. 9, 2023. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a lower court should review whether a pair of far-right operatives broke the law when they made tens of thousands of calls spreading misinformation about voting across Midwestern states ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl were charged in 2021 by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel with multiple felonies including voter intimidation and using computers to commit crimes against election laws. They are alleged to have made thousands of calls in cities where the majority of residents are minority groups like Detroit, where 12,000 calls were made and 79% of residents are Black. Prosecutors say it was intended to discourage voters from participating in the November 2020 general election by falsely claiming that if voters participated in mail-in voting, their personal information would be added to a public database used by law enforcement officials and credit card companies. In one message cited in the appeals court decision, Burkman told Wohl his satisfaction about how successful the robocalls were. I love these robocalls getting angry black call backs, win or lose, the black robocalls was [sic] a great idea, said Burkman. The prosecution in the case has argued the focus on communities of color was intentional by the pair, who have a history of manufacturing conservative conspiracy theories. Burkman and Wohl contested their bind over for trial, arguing their actions were not menacing with threats of violence, as required by the statute they were charged under. They additionally claimed their misinformation efforts were protected by the First Amendment. The Michigan Court of Appeals declined to dismiss the case, determining that while the legal definition of menace in this context was undefined, the charges were justified under wording in the statute about other corrupt means or device. In its 5-2 ruling, the state Supreme Court agreed that the defendants actions were illegal in that context. The prosecutor presented sufficient evidence to cause a person of ordinary prudence and caution to entertain a reasonable belief that defendants had attempted to deter Black metro-Detroiters from voting in the 2020 election by the immoral or depraved method of spreading misinformation regarding the consequences of voting and that defendants did so with racially based motives, wrote Republican-nominated Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, who was joined by the courts four Democratic-nominated justices. However, the majority opinion concluded the phrase other corrupt means or device in the context of First Amendment rights should be narrowly defined as prohibiting intentionally false speech as it related to voting. Thus, lower courts should review the actions of Burkman and Wohl within that limited definition. Nessel took the ruling as a win as it allowed the prosecution to proceed. This voter intimidation law is a vital protection for Michigan voters and proponents of a participatory democracy, said Nessel. Intentionally false statements to deceive any Michigan voter from exercising their rights at the ballot box are illegal, and Im grateful to have this ruling make that abundantly clear, especially as we head toward another presidential election this autumn. We look forward to continuing with the criminal case and bringing this matter to trial. In a dissenting opinion, Republican-nominated Justices Brian Zahra and David Viviano said they interpreted the law as requiring a promise of action in order to achieve a benefit. Because the content of the robocall did not threaten or promise to take any action against or in support of its intended recipients, the dissemination of defendants message was neither a menace not accomplished by corrupt means, wrote Zahra and Viviano, who said the court should have reversed the appeals court decision and ordered the trial court to drop the charges. The matter now returns to the Michigan Court of Appeals to determine whether Burkman and Wohl intentionally engaged in false speech related to voting that was designed to deter Black voters in Detroit. The post Michigan Supreme Court sides with Nessel on question in right-wing robocall case appeared first on Michigan Advance. Insights from NBC News, Binding Hook, and Tidal Cyber The News Microsoft vowed to focus on security after a bug in its system allowed major cyberattacks by Russia and China to steal government officials data through unsophisticated means. The companys President Brad Smith told Congress Thursday that cybersecurity would be an even higher priority for the firm than artificial intelligence, with CEO Satya Nadella personally taking overall accountability for security. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Experts worry about AI-powered cyber-physical attacks Sources: NBC News, Binding Hook Experts are increasingly concerned about artificial intelligence-powered cyber-physical attacks that target critical infrastructure like electric grids and transportation systems. Chinese government hackers have been targeting US systems, the FBI has alleged, and while a Russian military hackers cyber-physical attack against Ukraines energy grid last year was eventually thwarted, it showed the speed at which such an attack could be readied, a cyber espionage analyst wrote for Binding Hook. Still, nation-states have so far avoided attacks on physical infrastructure as they could be seen as acts of war: One MIT professor told NBC News, The only thing really keeping bad things from happening is there is not sufficient motivation. AI could help less sophisticated hackers Sources: Reuters, Forbes Artificial intelligence risks lowering the barrier of entry for less sophisticated hackers, Britains National Cyber Security Centre warned in a January report. But hackers are also exploiting AI-driven techniques to breach even the most robust cyber protection programs, such as by using advanced machine learning algorithms to identify their weak spots, according to Forbes Technology Council. Most cyber defenders are ill-equipped to go up against the adaptability of AI-driven attacks, which may also be able to hide their own traffic patterns. Two-thirds of countries going to the polls this year at risk of cyber attacks Sources: Tidal Cyber, Financial Times Two-thirds of all countries holding elections in 2024 face cyber threats, according to recent research by Tidal Cyber, including disinformation campaigns and attacks disrupting the electoral process from at least one state-backed cyber threat actor linked to Russia, China, or Iran. China was said to be behind a particularly intense wave of cyber attacks during Taiwans elections in January, and Beijing allegedly spearheaded cyber campaigns targeting Britains Electoral Commission. However, trade links with China complicated the UKs efforts to enforce tough measures against Beijing, the Financial Times reported. Military aid for Ukraine will allow for troop rotations, Zelensky says Recently approved military aid funding will allow for additional troop rotations on Ukraine's eastern front, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press conference at the Group of Seven (G7) summit on June 13. Speaking alongside U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelensky thanked G7 leaders for approving a plan to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan by the end of the year backed by frozen Russian assets. Zelensky also hailed the United States for sending the latest tranche of weaponry as part of the $61 billion U.S. aid package approved in April. Zelensky said that the recent Western aid packages provide Ukraine "the opportunity to equip those reserves, those brigades that will come for rotation - so that the guys who are tired, who are on the battlefield, can rest, the brigades can recover and other brigades, with equipment, can take their place." Facing a manpower shortage among its Armed Forces, Ukraine aims to ramp up mobilization efforts in 2024 and has pledged to change the approach to military recruitment, giving more choices to potential conscripts. Zelensky signed Ukraine's long-anticipated mobilization bill into law in April - although the bill also removed provisions on demobilization, which previously foresaw soldiers having the right to leave the military after 36 months of service. Ukraine began rotating troops who have been serving at the front for a long time" in mid-March, according to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. (Rotations) will allow us to stabilize the situation and positively affect the moral and psychological state of our soldiers, Syrskyi said at the time. Western support for Ukraine has served a priority at the G7 summit in Italy in recent days. On Thursday, President Zelensky signed bilateral security agreements with the United States and Japan. In his nightly address on June 13, Zelensky said Ukraine is in negotiations to sign bilateral security agreement with 10 other nations. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine signs bilateral security agreements with US, Japan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Milwaukee lacks affordable homes. This plan would help fund 34 houses and 20 duplexes Milwaukee Bucks forward Pat Connaughton poses with volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity house being built in the Midtown neighborhood. A new city plans calls for additional affordable housing in Midtown. Around $2.3 million in city funding would help develop 20 duplexes and 34 single-family homes in Milwaukee's Midtown neighborhood under a new proposal. Those 74 new housing units would help meet the chronic demand for more affordable housing. The total project costs are estimated at $19.9 million. The city funding would be generated by property tax revenue from the new houses. They would be built on vacant city-owned lots in an area generally bordered by West Garfield Avenue, West Vine Street, North 23rd Street and North 26th Street. That's according to a tax incremental financing district proposal filed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson's Department of City Development and Ald. Russell Stamper, whose district includes Midtown. The proposal would need Common Council approval. It's to be reviewed by the Redevelopment Authority board at its Thursday meeting. The TIF district would fund an annual payment to the housing developer that's equal to the property taxes generated by the new homes less $7,500 in annual city expenses to operate the district. Those annual payments, which would be made for up to 25 years, would eventually total no more than $2,340,000. The project is named the Midtown Home Ownership Initiative.. The initiative would join other affordable housing developments in the Midtown area, including Habitat for Humanity's ongoing program as well as the Community Development Alliance's new plan to build houses for child care workers. The initiative is being led by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, the Community Development Alliance and Emem Group LLC. The duplexes will contain three-bedroom units, with rents affordable to households with incomes less than 50% of the Milwaukee area's median income, according to the project plan provided by the Department of City Development. Those properties will be sold for home ownership after 15 years. The single-family homes will be "sold for affordable home ownership opportunities," the project plan said. Construction is to begin this year, with the duplexes completed by the end of 2025 and the single-family houses completed by the end of 2027. Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook. Subscribe to get the BusinessWatch email newsletter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee plans $2.3 million to help build 74 affordable housing units Trump reportedly insulted the Brew City, which is set to host the Republican National Convention in a few weeks as the former president aims to court Wisconsin voters Daniel Boczarski/Getty, Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Mayor of Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson, Donald Trump The mayor of Milwaukee responded to Donald Trump after he reportedly called Wisconsin's biggest city horrible because of its crime rate. The former president allegedly made the comment on Thursday, June 13, while discussing the city that's hosting the Republican National Convention in a few weeks. Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Democratic Mayor Cavalier Johnson, 37, replied to the report saying, "Donald Trump was talking about things that he thinks are horrible. All of us lived through his presidency. So, right back at you, buddy." He continued: "Donald Trump once again is wrong about something. That shouldn't be new news, especially for somebody who has a proven track record of lying about a number of things." Related: Donald Trump's Georgia Case Will Not Go to Trial Before Election, Court Decides According to CNBC, Trump, now 78, made the comments during a Capitol Hill meeting with House Republicans on Thursday. Trumps campaign claimed that reports on Trumps comments were a total lie, according to a press release. President Trump was explicitly referring to the problems in Milwaukee, specifically violent crime and voter fraud, they wrote. James Devaney/GC Images Donald Trump in 2024 Multiple members of Congress responded to the reports, saying that Trump was referring to "election integrity" and not crime. Trump and his allies have repeatedly asserted that election fraud led to Joe Biden's victory in 2020, despite no widespread evidence supporting the claim. Related: Donald Trump Will Be Rejected by Most Swing State Voters if Hes Convicted of a Crime, New Poll Suggests Johnson called it kind of strange for Trump to insult Milwaukee as he aims to court Wisconsin voters. "To insult the state that's hosting your convention, I think it's kind of bizarre, he said. The mayor told voters to consider Trump's comments when casting their ballots in November. Wisconsin will be an important state for the upcoming presidential election. President Biden narrowly defeated Trump in the battleground state in 2020. 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. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Rosalind "Rozz" Rogers was shot and killed Thursday morning in the parking lot of a north side McDonald's. Rosalind Rogers, a well-known Milwaukee activist known to her peers as Rozz, died in the parking lot of a north side McDonalds after being shot on Thursday before dawn. Milwaukee police said they reported to the 5100 block of North Teutonia Avenue at about 4 a.m. for a report of a shooting. Rogers, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified Rogers Thursday afternoon following an autopsy. Rogers could often be spotted at community engagement events, at crime scenes providing support to victims and their families with other notable activists in Milwaukee, and mentoring young people. "She talked to the kids," her sister, Aaliyah Rodgers, told the Journal Sentinel Friday. "She told them what it's like growing up. She helped them." Rosalind "Rozz" Rogers was shot and killed Thursday morning in the parking lot of a north side McDonald's. Aaliyah Rogers, 20, remembered her sister as a staunch activist for her people that often raised objections about the treatment of Black people by law enforcement, adding that her smile was a disabler for conflict. "Even when she said, 'I don't like you,' she would smile," her sister said. "She tried, she tried so hard. Even when she said, 'I don't want to be here,' she woke back up.'" Aaliyah Rogers said her family is still grieving immensely, just a day removed from the shooting. Police said they do not have anyone in custody and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the department at (414) 935-7360, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app. Rosalind "Rozz" Rogers (right), a well-known Milwaukee activist, was shot and killed June 13, 2024. Fifty-one homicides have been reported in the city of Milwaukee in 2024, compared with 65 reported during the same period last year, according to Milwaukee Police Department statistics. Aaliyah Rogers said her sister wanted to marry her girlfriend and have kids. Rosalind Rogers had a love of dogs, her sister said. She graduated from Milwaukees Assata High School after attending Messmer High School as well. "This loss means a lot to everybody," Aaliyah Rogers said. "Not just her family, but we had family that we didn't even know about." Dee-Dee Davis with ComForce, an activism group led by Vaun Mayes, said of Rosalind Rogers, She was a fierce protector of her people." Davis, 43, met Rogers about four years ago. That was my community daughter, Davis said. I watched her grow and mature in the movement. I have no words for the situation. Definitely heartbroken. Rosalind "Rozz" Rogers (right), a well-known Milwaukee activist, was shot and killed June 13, 2024. She is pictured here with activist Dee-Dee Davis (center). Davis said she expects local activists and advocates to bring attention to the killing. If we do it for strangers, of course we gonna do it for our own, she said. None of this is adding up. Like what could she have possibly done? So absolutely we want justice. This is not something that is gonna go by the wayside. Itll be the same way she stood up and fought for other people in this community. Whoever did it truly didnt know her because to know her was to love her. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rosalind 'Rozz' Rogers, a well-known Milwaukee activist, fatally shot The mother of a missing Belmont man wants police to search a local landfill for her sons remains. Tracie Blanton started an online petition. Her son, Andy Tench, disappeared on March 26. PREVIOUS STORIES: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said DShaun Robinson told them Tench died while the two were together. They said he told them he put Tenchs body in a dumpster that went to the Anson County landfill. A waste management company told police the body would likely have already been found when the trash was sorted. But Tenchs mother said this is the only lead she has. She said she wants closure and wants to lay her son to rest. Channel 9 reached out to CMPD to see if they plan to search the landfill. We have not heard back. (WATCH BELOW: Suspect arrested in connection with disappearance of Belmont man) OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) The Opelika Police Department (OPD) is seeking information regarding an 18-year-old female who went missing in Camp Hill, Alabama. According to Opelika Police, Brittney Knight was last seen outside of East Alabama Mental Health, at about 9:00 a.m. on June 10. Brittney is a white female, standing approximately 5-feet, 2-inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing light-colored clothing and yellow Crocs. Young child dies after drowning at Opelika apartment complex pool OPD says Knight may be headed to West Point, Georgia. Anyone with information is asked to call the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5260 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Police say tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Mississippi Coast parents arrested after bringing dead infant to hospital, police say Authorities charged Biloxi parents with child abuse on Thursday after police said the couple brought a deceased infant to the hospital. Summer Rose Hill, 20, and Takavian Keivon Gibbs, 21, arrived about 1 p.m. to Merit Health Hospital with a deceased 5-month-old, Biloxi police said in a news release Thursday night. Authorities called the death suspicious and said an initial examination by medical staff showed the infant had multiple injuries consistent with abuse. Police booked the couple late Thursday into the Harrison County jail. Hill and Gibbs each face one count of child abuse. They are held on $500,000 bonds issued by Justice Court Judge Albert Fountain. A death investigation is ongoing. Police said additional charges are possible. Biloxi Police ask anyone with information on the death to contact the Biloxi Police Department Criminal Investigation Division (228) 435-6112, Biloxi Police Department Dispatch (228) 392-0641, Biloxi Police Criminal Intelligence Unit ciu@biloxi.ms.us, Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers (877) 787-5898 or submit a tip online at mscoastcrimestoppers.com. A pair of apparent mockups of the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) have emerged at a site just over a mile from where the country is building the first of its new monster Type 076 amphibious assault ships. Apparent mockups of Chinas stealthy GJ-11 Sharp Sword unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) have emerged at a test and/or training site on Changxing Island in Shanghai. This adds to the growing evidence that the GJ-11, or a derivative thereof, is set to be part of future air wings for the People's Liberation Army Navy's carriers and newest big deck amphibious assault ships . The mockups are notably situated just over a mile away from where the first example of a new class of Chinese amphibious warship with a uniquely large flight deck, commonly referred to as the Type 076 , is under construction. Satellite imagery available through Google Earth shows a pair of green-colored UCAVs that match up completely in size and shape with the GJ-11 at the site at the far southeastern end of Changxing Island in May. A review of additional satellite imagery from Planet Labs also shows the likely GJ-11 mockups there at around that time and indicates they have been there for some time now. Construction of the site itself, which includes a paved apron-like area where the drones are situated, along with other supporting facilities, only began last fall and looks to be ongoing in certain parts. A satellite image taken in May 2024 showing the GJ-11 mockups and the rest of the site on Changxing Island in Shanghai. Google Earth A likely mockup of a GJ-11 on parade in Beijing in 2019. China Military Online The apron is around 405 feet long and 200 feet wide. There are three distinct structures built on top of it. What may be a jet blast deflector is also present. The largest of the three could potentially be intended to reflect the island, or a portion thereof, on a carrier or a large deck amphibious assault ship. A close-up look at the GJ-11 mockups at the apron area at the site on Changxing Island. The three structures, as well as what may be a jet blast deflector, are visible. It's possible the gray structure at the left could be intended as a stand-in for the island on a carrier or big deck amphibious assault ship. Google Earth It is worth noting that the dimensions of the apron at the site on Changxing Island do not directly align with the size of the Type 076's deck, at least from what we can see so far, or that of any of China's aircraft carriers. Separate satellite imagery indicates that the Type 076 will be around 141 feet wide and 864 feet long which is still significantly larger than other amphibious assault ships worldwide, as The War Zone has previously explored . The People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) newest and largest carrier, Fujian , has a width of 275, along with an overall length of 1,036 feet. The PLAN's other two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong , are around 244 and 246 feet wide and 1,000 and 1,005 feet long, respectively. The apron is wider than the deck of China's existing Type 075 105-foot-wide (and 784-foot-long) amphibious assault ships. Left-to-right: A to-scale side-by-side comparison of a Chinese Type 075 amphibious assault ship under construction, the still-under-construction Type 076, and the aircraft carrier Fujian. This underscores the unique dimensions of the Type 076 compared to other large big deck amphibious assault ships like the Type 075. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION There is no runway at the site currently and the apron where the GJ-11s are is not directly linked to taxiways and attached paved pads nearby. A closer look at the taxiways, attached paved pads, and other facilities at the Changxing Island site. Google Earth The exact purpose of the site on Changxing Island, which is a major Chinese naval shipbuilding hub, is unknown. Still, as already noted, it is very close to where the Type 076 big deck amphibious warship is under construction. Major work on that ship also looks to have begun last fall just as the site where the GJ-11 mockups have now been observed was being established. A wider view of the southeastern end of Changxing Island as of May 2024. The site with the GJ-11 mockups is seen at bottom right. The Type 076 is seen under construction at top left. Google Earth Slightly further to the northwest is also where Fujian was built. Fujian is China's first catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) configured flattop. Images of the Type 076 now under construction indicate that it will have at least one catapult. This has been widely expected since details about the Type 076 first emerged in the early 2020s, which also pointed to a heavy emphasis on drones in its air wing. Fujian has electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) catapults and the Type 076 is expected to use a similar, if not identical design. EMALS can be more finely tuned in terms of the force they exert on aircraft at launch than traditional steam-powered catapults. This reduces wear and tear, but also expands the range of aircraft types, especially on the smaller and lighter end of the spectrum, that can be safely launched. This, in turn, offers particular advantages for getting drones of various sizes into the air, and in some cases, makes it possible for certain types to be used from a ship at all. The video in the social media post below shows initial testing of Fujian's catapults in port last year. All this being said, the site at Changxing Island is clearly not a catapult test facility, of which China has several , at least in its present form. Other kinds of testing of and training related to new aircraft intended to operate from carriers and amphibious assault ships, including just exploring what would be involved in maneuvering them around a flight deck , at land-based sites is also common. When it comes to the GJ-11 specifically, satellite imagery emerged last year showing another apparent mockup of one of these UCAVs at a well-known full-size aircraft carrier test facility in Wuhan. Deck handling on carriers and amphibious assault ships can be a complicated proposition, to begin with, given space constraints and other factors that personnel at bases on land do not have to contend with. Drones, with no pilot inside to help in getting them around, only add new complexities since they have to be moved remotely. Northrop Grumman, for instance, developed a glove-like apparatus for deck crews to use to go along with its experimental X-47B carrier-capable drones for the U.S. Navy. Boeing has crafted a different kind of portable ground control system for use with the Navy's future MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones. Ultimately, drones capable of operating from big deck ships could move around with some autonomy. Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works notably used its X-44 drone to evaluate visual cueing systems as part of its pitch for the program that led to the MQ-25. Altogether, the Chinese have a clear need for facilities to support testing and allow for training on shipboard drone handling. An example of the glove-like controller Northrop Grumman created to help get its X-47B drones around Navy carrier decks. USN Navy personnel conduct a decking handling test involving the Boeing-owned MQ-25 T1 test asset on land in November 2021. The sailor at the left is using a portable control system to direct the drone. USN Reports about the potential for carrier-based variants or derivatives of the GJ-11, specifically, which could be used to perform unarmed reconnaissance and in other roles, are not new, tracing back to at least 2019 . The state-run Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) also showed a promotional video at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2021 depicting a navalized version of the GJ-11 taking off what appeared at the time to be a Type 075 amphibious assault ship. The Sharp Sword's manufacturer, Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, is a subsidiary of AVIC. The 2021 AVIC video, seen below, also depicted GJ-11s employing either electronic warfare systems or directed energy weapons, as well as air-launched decoys, in swarming attacks on hostile surface warships. The War Zone has highlighted in the past how even unarmed Sharp Swords could be important additions to carrier air wings given their ability to extend the targeting capabilities of friendly forces, as well as provide additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. As The War Zone wrote after the appearance of the apparent GJ-11 mockup at the carrier test site in Wuhan: "Having a stealthy carrier drone thats able to acquire high-priority targets in particular, U.S. Navy carrier strike groups and other allied vessels and then offer near-real-time targeting data would be a major boost to Chinas already significant anti-access and area-denial capabilities. In such a scenario, a carrier-based GJ-11 might feed targeting data to both anti-ship ballistic missiles and long-range anti-ship cruise missiles , as well as crewed strike aircraft." "While a carrier-based ISR version of the GJ-11 would be a very useful addition to the PLAN air wing, an armed variant would also be a hugely significant asset." A GJ-11 mockup in an armed configuration on display in 2021. Photo by Yang Suping/VCG via Getty Images An armed navalized GJ-11 would also represent a capability not currently found anywhere else in the world. This includes the United States, where the U.S. Navy has at least deferred any such plans to an unspecified point in the future. Electronic warfare, as already highlighted, as well as serving as uncrewed tanker for other aircraft (like the U.S. Navy's MQ-25 Stingray), could also be potential future roles for a navalized GJ-11 capable of operating from carriers and large amphibious assault ships. Crewed-uncrewed teaming with future aircraft like the stealthy J-35 could well be in the Sharp Sword's future, too. The PLA's massive interest and investment in various tiers of uncrewed aircraft for use in all domains is also well established . It is possible that the appearance of the GJ-11 mockups on Changxing Island site is unrelated to China's naval aviation ambitions. However, this seems extremely unlikely given its proximity to the naval shipyards on the island directly involved in building ships like Fujian and the Type 076, as well as the Sharp Sword's now long-standing naval connections. With satellite imagery indicating that construction at the Changxing Island site may still be ongoing, more insights into the specific work being done there may emerge in the future. If nothing else, this is just the newest sign that the PLA is moving ever closer to integrating a stealthy jet-powered drone into the air wings of its carriers and amphibious assault ships, including the forthcoming Type 076. Special thanks to Andreas Rupprecht, an expert on Chinese aerospace and contributor to The War Zone , and to user @foolsball on X for bringing the Google Earth imagery of the Changxing Island site to our attention! Contact the author: joe@twz.com Insights from The Diplomat, Nikkei Asia, and the Hindustan Times The News Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy for the G7 summit Friday, his first international trip after an unexpectedly underwhelming performance in Indias recent elections saw his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party fall short of an outright majority. Modis visit will provide a glimpse into his foreign policy approach going forward, with some analysts predicting Indias new coalition government may improve the countrys global standing. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Modis non-alignment policy may become untenable Sources: The Diplomat, Nikkei Asia Modi has so far maintained his predecessors longstanding commitment to neutrality, non-alignment, and fence-sitting in the international arena, largely succeeding in cultivating relations with countries that are sworn enemies of each other though how long he can keep the US on side while continuing to court its biggest foes remains to be seen, a columnist argued in The Diplomat. Modis goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 with the help of Western, and particularly US, investment may increasingly require him to make concessions on key issues like Russian oil imports, a geopolitics expert wrote in Nikkei Asia: But rising global instability may also force him to develop a new model of Indian stability that relies less on other powers, he added. Coalition could be the best thing for Indian foreign policy Sources: The Hindustan Times, United States Institute for Peace Indias first coalition government since 2014 is the best thing that could have happened to Indian foreign policy, insofar as it bolsters the countrys image as a robust democracy with a diversity of opinion, the Hindustan Times US correspondent argued. Western officials, many of whom have battled criticism that deepening ties with India represents a betrayal of their respective countries commitments to human rights, can now confidently point to the election results as proof of Indias democratic credibility. On the other hand, Washington and its allies may soon miss Modis strongman era, if his new government becomes so consumed with its domestic travails that theres no bandwidth left to cooperate effectively with the US, a United States Institute of Peace adviser noted. Pakistan may be quite happy with a weaker Modi Sources: Al Jazeera , Frontline Magazine Anti-Pakistan rhetoric featured prominently in the BJPs election campaign, Al Jazeera reported, further eroding the already frayed ties between the two neighbors. But after losing his majority, [i]t will be a more chastened and somewhat weaker Modi now sitting in the PM office in Delhi, a Pakistani senator told the magazine Frontline. Regardless, Islamabad expects little change, if any, from Modis third term, and will adopt a wait-and-see policy concerning the prospect of normalized relations, Pakistans former representative to the UN added. South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Charleston area in May, from roaches and flies in kitchens to moldy drink equipment. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments in the Charleston area. Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in May. Coastal Snackbar at 608 Harborview Drive in Charleston Coastal Snackbar had an inspection on May 28 and got a B grade. An inspector observed a can opener blade soiled with an accumulation of organic matter. Certain foods were seen kept at improper holding temperatures. Also, certain foods were seen kept past their expiration dates. Fish was seen thawed improperly. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on June 7 and got an A grade. Felix at 550 King St. in Charleston Felix had an inspection on May 14 and got a B grade. An inspector observed multiple fruit flies and roaches in the kitchen. A buildup of debris was seen on draining pipes underneath the bar sinks. Both hand sinks in the kitchen were seen obstructed from use. Felix had a required followup inspection on May 20 and got an A grade. Fuji Sushi Bar and Grill at 2114 Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant Fuji Sushi Bar and Grill had an inspection on May 23 and got a B grade. An inspector observed a line cook eating on the cook line. No date marking system was in place for refrigerated foods. No food labels were seen in the kitchen. Food was seen stored on the floor in the freezer. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 30 and got an A grade. Green Pantry at 2707 Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston Green Pantry had an inspection on May 2 and got a B grade. An inspector observed bags of cooked chicken wings stored on the counter by the pizza station. Also observed were onions stored in a bag on the floor. An employee was seen servicing a hot food item, then continue to prepare diced tomatoes without washing hands or changing gloves. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 13 and got an A grade. King Claw at 1734 Sam Rittenberg Blvd in Charleston King Claw had an inspection on May 7 and got a B grade. An inspector observed mold and mildew in an ice machine. Also observed was mold and mildew in the spouts of the soda dispenser. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Cheesecake and multiple seafood items were found without expiration dates. A buildup of grease and debris was seen on the hood system. Lost Isle at 3338 Maybank Hwy, in Johns Island Lost Isle had an inspection on May 3 and got a B grade. An inspector observed numerous fruit flies at the bar. Food was seen stored in coolers overnight outdoors. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 9 and got an A grade. Tokyo Express at 2500 Clements Ferry Road in Charleston Tokyo Express had an inspection on May 23 and got a B grade. An inspector observed a large amount of dead bugs on shelving next to the back door. Food was seen stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler and freezer. Raw wood was seen used throughout the kitchen. A buildup of grease was seen on the deep friers. A buildup of debris was seen on shelving throughout the kitchen. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 30 and got an A grade. Ville Sainte at 1035 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in Mount Pleasant Ville Sainte had an inspection on May 15 and got a B grade. An inspector observed spoiled venison burgers. Also observed were raw mussels stored above ready to eat foods. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Some foods were seen kept past their expiration dates. A heavily discolored cutting board was found. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 21 and got an A grade. Waffle House at 2571 Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston Waffle House had an inspection on May 13 and got a B grade. An inspector observed an ice machine with organic buildup. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Some foods were seen kept past their expiration dates. Grease buildup was seen on the hood system. The restaurant had a required followup inspection on May 20 and got an A grade. Mom Who Left 5-Year-Old Daughter's Remains in Closet and Fireplace Sentenced to 84 Years for Murder This mother knew about available adoption programs that could have cared for this 5-year-old but instead, she chose murder, District Attorney John Kellner said District Attorneys Office Alexus Nelson -- mugshot A Colorado mother has been sentenced to 84 years in prison for the 2023 murder of her 5-year-old daughter, per authorities. On Wednesday, June 12, 28-year-old Alexus Tanielle Nelson pleaded guilty to three felonies second-degree murder, tampering with a deceased body and attempting to influence a public servant, per a press release. Related: Fla. Mom Killed Her Baby in Exact Spot Where Husband Proposed to Her: 'Sorry for What I'm About to Do' Nelsons charges were in connection with the death of her daughter Maha Li Hobbs. The childs charred remains were found in Nelsons apartment in the 1000 block of S. Elkhart Street after the Aurora Police Department responded to a welfare check. The visit from authorities was requested by Nelsons mother, who said Nelson made concerning statements to her via text, and the grandmother had not heard or seen the child in approximately 3 weeks. Colorado Bureau of Investigation Maha Li-Hobbs When authorities arrived at Nelsons residence to carry out the welfare check, the mother claimed she put her child up for adoption. However, when authorities contacted the adoption agency Nelson mentioned, they claimed they had no contact or case file with Nelson or her daughter, the release said. This led officials back to Nelsons home where a detective discovered an odor coming from a utility closet door on the apartments patio that smelled like decomposing flesh. Inside a bag, detectives found the charred human remains of Nelsons daughter. Bone fragments in ashes were also located inside Nelsons fireplace, the release said. Nelson entered a guilty plea on Wednesday, which vacated trial dates that would have taken place later this month. One of the terms of her plea means she will not have the possibility of a future appeal. Getty police cars -- stock image While we were fully prepared to take this case to trial, this plea protects Maha Lis family from having to listen to painful, horrific and gruesome testimony, Chief Deputy DA Chris Gallo said. Detectives with the Aurora Police Department were able to quickly punch holes in the defendants story which ultimately helped us quickly solve this case and bring justice to Maha Lis family. Other officials added that Nelson had other options for Maha before ultimately choosing murder. Related: Court Docs Reveal Final Moments of Mo. Children, 9 and 2, Whose Mom Allegedly Killed Them Before Confession This mother knew about available adoption programs that could have cared for this 5-year-old but instead, she chose murder, District Attorney John Kellner said. While there is no way to fully comprehend what turned this mother into a monster, she deserves to spend several decades behind bars for the unspeakable crime she committed. 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. Senior Deputy DA Kathleen Tierney added, There are many resources and legal ways for parents to surrender their children in the event they are unable to care for them. Its both heartbreaking and appalling that a mother would kill her own child and then make up a bogus adoption story so family would believe the child is alive and well. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The moment masked anti-Israel protesters set fire to American flags outside Israeli consulate Disturbing images and video captured the moment three masked anti-Israel protesters ignited a pair of American flags and an Israeli flag outside the Jewish States consulate Wednesday. The American flags were nearly invisible beneath the flames as the firebirds one of whom has racked up several arrests in the last two months stood outside the building at Second Avenue and East 42nd Street. One man wearing a keffiyeh and Gaza shirt held a burning American flag as he stood in the bike lane directly in front of an NYPD booth, whose glass reflected the bright yellow flames. Another disguised man ignited an Israeli flag that immediately wilted and fell from the flagpole, video shows. A pair of American flags were set on fire by anti-Israel protesters outside the Israeli consulate in Manhattan on Wednesday. @samanthaettus/X According to the NYPD, one of the three firebugs was arrested. Jahki Lodgson-McCray, 20, of New Jersey was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree menacing, disorderly conduct and failure to use a sidewalk. Its not clear whether he was one of the two men holding an American flag or was the third wielding an Israeli flag. The American flags were nearly invisible beneath the flames as the firebirds one of whom has racked up several arrests in the last two months stood outside the building at Second Avenue and East 42nd Street. Robert Miller Burnt debris lies on the street after an American flag was set ablaze on Wednesday in New York. Robert Miller The arrest marks the fourth for Lodgson-McCray in recent weeks he racked up criminal trespassing and resisting arrest charges in May, according to the NYPD. The identity of the other flag burners is still a mystery. The shocking display came as other vandals splashed red paint across Manhattan Wednesday, including at a Palestinian mission and a luxury Upper East Side building. Jahki Lodgson-McCray, 20, of New Jersey was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree menacing, disorderly conduct and failure to use a sidewalk. Robert Miller They also chucked the blood-red paint across an NYPD cruiser, photos show. Earlier this week, paint-carrying protesters targeted the homes of the Brooklyn Museums Jewish director and a number of its board members. More than 14,000 Texans came to New Mexico for an abortion in 2023, report says U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has said a state cannot bar a resident from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion because there is a constitutional right to interstate travel. (Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images) A study released yesterday found more than 14,000 patients in Texas came to New Mexico for abortion services in 2023. (Photo by Astrid Riecken / Getty Images) Patients coming here from Texas received about 70% of an estimated 21,000 abortions provided in New Mexico in 2023, according to a study released Thursday. The Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health advocacy and research organization, estimates that 14,200 patients traveled to New Mexico from Texas for abortion care in 2023, the first full year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Texas bans abortions unless the life or health of the pregnant patient is at risk and other requirements are met. About 400 other patients came here from Oklahoma and Arizona, as well, according to the study. Abortions have increased in New Mexico more than 260% since 2020, according to the institute. Many providers attributed the increase generally to an influx of patients from Texas, but the institute created an innovative methodology to calculate a specific number, according to a news release. The institute also found that the percentage of abortion care recipients from out-of-state increased from 38% in 2020 to 71% in 2023. Thats the highest proportion of out-of-state recipients in the country, according to the study. About 1,610 abortions are performed in New Mexico every month, according to the study. That number rose to more than 2,000 in March 2023. Citing the study, the New York Times on Thursday reported that 171,000 patients overall traveled outside their home states to get an abortion procedure or abortion pills in 2023. The sheer amount of interstate travel to get abortion care shows just how far people will travel to obtain the care they want and deserve, said Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a Guttmacher Institute data scientist, in a news release. To estimate the number of out-of-state patients in New Mexico and elsewhere, the study drew from monthly surveys from abortion providers at facilities that border states with abortion, as well as data collection from providers statewide. Facilities are asked to provide data on patients state of residence, how far along they are in their pregnancy and other topics, according to the institute. The post More than 14,000 Texans came to New Mexico for an abortion in 2023, report says appeared first on Source New Mexico. Buried in the cellar of George Washington's Mount Vernon home, a treasure trove was waiting to be discovered an enormous amount of preserved cherries. Archaeologists discovered 35 glass bottles with cherries, Mount Vernon officials announced on Thursday, just a few weeks after two bottles were found in April. "Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine this spectacular archaeological discovery," said Mount Vernon President Doug Bradburn. Archaeologists discovered 35 glass bottles of cherries in the cellar of George Washington's Mount Vernon home. / Credit: George Brown/ Mount Vernon Ladies' Association Mount Vernon officials said the cherries, which included gooseberries and currants, were buried in five storage pits in the mansion's cellar. They had been hidden for about 250 years before being unearthed during ongoing renovation projects at Mount Vernon. Of the 35 bottles, 29 were found intact. Washington lived at his Virginia family's estate for most of his life. He took over management of the property in 1754, and slowly built and added to the home. The family depended on hundreds of enslaved people to run Mount Vernon. 35 bottles of cherries were discovered buried in the cellar of George Washington's Mount Vernon home. / Credit: George Brown/ Mount Vernon Ladies' Association "The bottles and contents are a testament to the knowledge and skill of the enslaved people who managed the food preparations from tree to table, including Doll, the cook brought to Mount Vernon by Martha Washington in 1759 and charged with oversight of the estate's kitchen," Mount Vernon officials said in the statement. "These artifacts likely haven't seen the light of day since before the American Revolution, perhaps forgotten when George Washington departed Mount Vernon to take command of the Continental Army," Bradburn said. Cherries discovered buried in the cellar of George Washington's Mount Vernon home are analyzed. / Credit: George Brown The quality of the preserved, albeit fragile, bottles revealed intact fruit, pits and pulp, providing "an incredibly rare opportunity to contribute to our knowledge of the 18th-century environment, plantation foodways, and the origins of American cuisine," said Jason Boroughs, principal archaeologist at Mount Vernon. Analysis of a small sample found 54 cherry pits and 23 stems. The stems were neatly cut and left on before the cherries were bottled. Researchers said they believe the pits are ripe for DNA extraction and possible germination. Supreme Court invalidates ban on bump stocks put in place after Las Vegas mass shooting Princess Kate makes first official appearance in months Texas woman moves into new home on land which was taken from her family by racist mob in 1939 LYONS, Ore. (KOIN) Its no secret that wildfires in the Pacific Northwest are getting more expensive and more severe. Forecasts in Oregon and Washington call for above-average conditions in parts of each state come July, which is never a good sign for the men and women tasked with fighting those fires. The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted an intense, hands-on training at the Santiam Firefighter Academy 25 miles outside of Salem. Levi Eckhardt oversaw some 125 firefighters of every level from across the state get ready for whats on the horizon. Were definitely seeing more wildland fires, and theyre more intense, said Eckhardt, who is the chief in Jefferson, Oregon. The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted an intense, hands-on training at the Santiam Firefighter Academy 25 miles outside of Salem. (KOIN) The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted an intense, hands-on training at the Santiam Firefighter Academy 25 miles outside of Salem. (KOIN) The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted an intense, hands-on training at the Santiam Firefighter Academy 25 miles outside of Salem. (KOIN) The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted an intense, hands-on training at the Santiam Firefighter Academy 25 miles outside of Salem. (KOIN) Photojournalist Jake Jenkins captures the action at Oregon Dept Forestry wildfire training (KOIN) While many of those on hand were fresh out of a fire academy, considered newbies or Level II firefighters, Eckhardt has decades of experience battling some of Oregons fiercest blazes. I started in 1989 as a cadet firefighter, he said. Ive seen a lot of changes. When I started, wildland was not a major emphasis, and today its a huge part of what we do. The training covers a lot: How to dig effective fire lines, how to help coordinate and work with helicopters, chainsaw work, and even what to do if a firefighter is forced to suddenly deploy their emergency fire shelter. Once the adrenalin starts going, and the confusion and everything else, its a lot different than (what) you get in the classroom, said Brad McKenzie, who has been fighting fires since the late 90s. KOIN 6 anchor Todd Unger got first hand exposure to just how quickly one needs to deploy those shelters if an emergency strikes. Ideally, it takes 60 seconds or less for a firefighter to run away from a fire line and its fresh fuel sources, to a bare area where they can cover themselves from head to toe. Every element of the training tests a firefighters endurance. I think I keep myself in shape, but Im definitely finding muscles and things Ive neglected for quite some time. Its an experience for sure, said Ryan Belcher, who recently graduated from the academy. It took Unger closer to one minute and 20 seconds to get himself covered, precious extra seconds that during an actual fire, no one can afford. The latest forecast from the National Interagency Fire Center still calls for above-average conditions for July, August and September in both Oregon and Washington. During an average year, there are more than 2,000 wildfires that scorch some 600,000 acres in Oregon. For many of those who experienced the devastation of 2020, the memories remain all too raw. John Bailey, a professor of fire management at Oregon State University, says a warm and wet spring could lead to tough conditions once temperatures climb. It should be an active fire season, he told KOIN 6. As you increase the amount of fuels, things that dry out quickly and react quickly to weather conditions, those are key. Bailey started fighting fires in the 1980s before eventually moving to the classroom. The fire seasons were shorter. We even had less fuel, we had less humans and homes out there. All of these have increased [] with climate change fire seasons are longer. In the Pacific Northwest, parts of the fire season are 60 days longer than they used to be, he said. Then, theres the growing financial impact. These million dollars a day, or more, campaigns. Yes, its billions of dollars total, and thats just spent on suppression. Then you can look at the near term rehab and restoration things, maybe multiply that by ten, said Bailey. Its why state officials stress what property owners can do to prepare, especially those who live in more wooded environments. Those include: Create a 30-foot defensible space around your home Clean up dying plants, branches, leaves and needles During fire season, move wood piles 30 feet from the home. Remove flammable plants Prune tree branches to a height of 6-10 feet to remove ladder fuels. A full list of resources and tips can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. After nearly three dozen votes, Pueblo City Council still can't agree on new councilor Even after 32 rounds of nominations, the six members of Pueblo City Council did not fill the vacant at-large seat left by former councilman Charles Hernandez's resignation. Five finalists were interviewed for the seat at a June 13 work session. Each finalist received at least one nomination from a council member during a subsequent special meeting. However, no finalist managed to win over a majority of the council that night. Following nearly 98 minutes of deliberation and disagreement, council members unanimously agreed to postpone further discussion on filling the vacancy to a June 17 special meeting. Pueblo City Council President Mark Aliff discusses the process for filling a vacant at-large seat with his fellow council members on Thursday, June 13, 2024. "I want to know what my constituents are going to say after tonight. I want to hear it. It may help me and it may help you... right now we are in a deadlock," Councilor Roger Gomez told fellow council members at the end of the June 13 meeting. How council conducted the selection process Brett Boston, Colleen Clark, Anita Cofer, Alex Mugatu and Chris Nicoll were the five finalists vying for the at-large vacancy on June 13. Cofer and Nicoll also were finalists in the search that resulted in Hernandez's appointment to council in February. While the February search to fill the vacancy yielded 36 total applicants including Boston, Cofer, Mugatu and Nicoll only 22 candidates applied in the most recent search. In both searches, sitting council members selected finalists through a ranking system. Chris Nicoll and his wife Brenda await Pueblo City Council's vote on whether or not to select him for a council vacancy on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Each of the finalists chosen to be interviewed on June 13 fielded questions from council ranging from, "How do you approach working with others who have different viewpoints or priorities?" to, "What are your thoughts about the needle exchange?" None of the finalists expressed explicit support for needle exchange programs, which city council recently banned, resulting in a lawsuit against the city from the Colorado chapter of the ACLU. A subsequent ranking system was used to determine where council members stood on each candidate. Boston, the 26-year-old co-owner of Southwest Grill, received the most points through this unofficial ranking system with 24. Cofer received 22 points, Nicoll received 21 points, Clark received 14 points and Mugatu received 10 points in the unofficial rankings. After unofficial rankings were determined, council members then took turns nominating finalists for the vacancy. Brett Boston watches vote tallies in hopes he will be selected to fill a Pueblo City Council vacancy on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Why city council couldn't reach a consensus While unofficial rankings identified Boston as the frontrunner, Nicoll received the most nominations of any finalist Thursday night. Nicoll served two terms on Pueblo City Council between 2012 and 2019. Part of his time on the dais was spent as council president. Nicoll also campaigned for mayor in 2018 and 2023. Gomez nominated Nicoll 11 times on Thursday night while praising Nicoll's previous political experience. Gomez was consistently joined by Council President Mark Aliff and Councilor Joe Latino in his support for Nicoll. However, the support from the three councilors was not enough for a majority. "The last time I was on city council, I found Chris Nicoll to be moderate in all of his decisions... he would always do his research. He would always come to the table with good ideas and good arguments. If he didn't agree with me or he didn't agree with somebody else, he did it out of respect," Aliff said at the June 13 meeting. Councilors Dennis Flores, Regina Maestri and Sarah Martinez did not cast nominations for Nicoll on Thursday night. Flores advocated for Cofer, who has experience as a pastor, insurance agent and tax representative. Anita Cofer fields questions from Pueblo City Council during an interview to fill a vacancy on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Cofer also serves as the economic development chair for the Pueblo NAACP and is on the city's Community Services Advisory Commission. "If we are talking about having some equivalency with what we lost, I have a lot of respect for Chuck Hernandez. He was a city finance director... my wish was that we would select Anita Cofer, who not only has maybe a different perspective but also the background to be able to fill that position," Flores said. Like Flores, Maestri and Martinez cast nominations for Anita Cofer. Boston received nominations from Maestri and Martinez. Additionally, Clark received two nominations from Martinez while Mugatu received one nomination from Maestri. "Even on a national level, we don't have term limits and constituency always wishes we had term limits at a higher level so that we don't keep repeating the same leaders... I just think that Mr. Boston gives a fresh perspective to the community." Education news: 'A step in the right direction': Pueblo D70, teacher's union strike agreement on raises Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Why Pueblo City Council was unable to fill its vacancy Thursday night Fourteen members, including the Midwest Regional boss, of an outlaw motorcycle gang have been indicted on federal charges connected to an alleged racketeering conspiracy. >> PHOTOS: Large police presence reported in Greene County Local, state, and federal authorities came together on Friday morning to announce the indictments of the members of the Thug Riders Motorcycle Club (TRMC) who were arrested as part of coordinated raids across four states. Investigators claim the TRMCs members and their associates engaged in criminal acts, including murder, arson, assault, extortion, and identity fraud. New video from an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter shows federal and local law enforcement putting a man in handcuffs in Clark County Thursday morning. The coordinated raids happened at 6:00 a.m. across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Arizona. >> PHOTOS: Here are the 14 members of Thug Riders Motorcycle Club facing organized crime charges Federal prosecutors said all 14 people arrested were members of the Dayton chapter of the TRMC, which was founded in 2019. Those arrested included men from Dayton, Fairborn, Miamisburg, Piqua, and Xenia. Investigators also took about 100 guns as evidence during the raids. Theyll check to see if theyve been used in crimes across the country. As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, the arrests followed a years-long investigation. We have dealt a serious blow to this violent organization, US Attorney Kenneth Parker, of the Southern District of Ohio, said. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Multi-state federal investigation involving motorcycle club leads to local raids The group is accused of making money off of organized crime. Theyve allegedly committed extortion and at least eight violent crimes. Members are accused of several crimes, including shooting and killing Joseph Nickelson in Harrison Twp. in September 2021 and engaging in a shootout at a Springfield motorcycle gangs clubhouse in March 2024. They also allegedly blew up someones vehicle in Huber Heights in 2021. Now prosecutors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives say theyve hit this gang at every level from its leadership to enforcers in order to dismantle a violent organization while making our community safer. Michael Henry, aka Brutal, 40, of Xenia; Photo Courtesy of Butler County Jail Records Juan Robles, AKA Juan the Man, 45, of Phoenix, Arizona. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Cody Hughes, AKA Tater, 28, from Columbus; Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Justin Baker, AKA Wild Boy, 29, of Columbus. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Joey Marshall, AKA King Joe or Diesel, 44, of Xenia. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Michael Reese, AKA Butcher, 44 of Miamisburg. Photo Courtesy of Butler County Jail records John Smith, AKA Chaos, 37, of Dayton. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Brandon Fisher, AKA Road Runner, 26 of Piqua. Photo Courtesy of Montgomery County Jail records Matthew Hawkins, AKA Hawk, 32, of Pequea, Pennsylvania. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Joseph Rader, AKA Delta, 32, of Richmond, Kentucky. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Jared Peters, AKA Savage, 37, of Dayton. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Norman Beach, AKA Stormin' Normin', 49 of Dayton. Photo Courtesy of Butler County Jail Records Brent Egleston, AKA Be Easy, 36, of Xenia. Photo Courtesy of Butler County Jail Records Daniel Hutton, AKA Havok, 39, of Fairborn. Photo Courtesy of US DOJ presentation/John Bedell/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Photo from: Xavier Hershovitz/Staff Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent Marie Feagins had a whirlwind of a week. On Monday morning, she sent an email out to all district staff, outlining a proposal to cut about 1,100 positions, 41% of which were vacant. She explained that the decision would move more resources and personnel from the central office into classrooms, but her email spread panic quickly and upset administrative staffers. Then, during a special called meeting on Tuesday evening, Feagins was criticized by MSCS board members, who passed a resolution pausing any additional layoffs until they got more details. And during a budget community engagement meeting on Thursday, Feagins reaffirmed her stance that the job cuts were necessary while providing more context and revealing a change in her plan. Initially, it seemed that every impacted employee would get an alternate job offer from the district. That is no longer the case. 'The way forward' Feagins' Monday email wasnt the first indication that job cuts were on the horizon. In November, the MSCS board discussed the possibility of eliminating 675 positions to help prevent a potential $150 million budget gap. When Feagins interviewed for the superintendent post in February, she said that top portions of the central office were pretty bloated, and that shifts would have to take place. But Feagins also said that everyone whose positions were being cut would get other job offers within the district. Layoffs, she explained, werent the way the changes should be described. More: MSCS third, fourth grade TCAP reading scores increase. What it means for students Related: MSCS taps district vet Roderick Richmond to oversee schools that got 'D' or 'F' from TN Just to name that clearly, layoffs is not how we look at it. What we are doing is decentralizing a central office that has a nice load of personnel, she said during a check-in with members of the media in early May. We have enough opportunities and jobs for every person who will be impacted by the shifts to have a job It just may have a different title. Now, it appears not all affected employees are set to get alternate job offers at least not immediately. Over 400 of the eliminated positions were already vacant. During the budget community engagement meeting on Thursday, Feagins noted that the district had made 423 offers and received 171 acceptances and that the more than 200 other impacted staffers would have the opportunity to apply for vacant positions within the district. There are currently a total of 1,069 school-based vacancies to choose from. If you have received a letter, I will honor the placement that we've given you and that you've accepted, she said at the meeting. If you have not received a placement, your letter will simply say that your conclusion of services is June 30, and we will support you for the balance of the way, whatever youd like to do in terms of applying for a position that you might see online. Well make sure that all the vacancies are listed for you. The shift comes after Feagins faced significant backlash from impacted employees for the offers they received. Some employees who had been with the district for years and moved into high-paying central office roles were offered classroom-based posts that came with pay cuts that exceeded $20,000. MSCS superintendent Marie Feagins speaks to community members during a budget community engagement meeting on Thursday, June 14. This didnt sit well with them; and during the meeting, Feagins apologized for the way her plan was being implemented, and explained that allowing people to apply for jobs instead of direct offers was the best way forward. It was never my intention to insult anyone. It was certainly never the intention to communicate to you that you are not important, she said. While I am a teacher first, foremost, and forever, and I do not view going into the classroom as a demotion, I do understand how that can feel as an employee to take a $25,000 pay cut in the middle of the year. Feagins also noted during the meeting that impacted employees wont receive severance packages, though she pointed out that their last paychecks will come Aug. 16 about a month-and-a-half after their final day on June 30 and that their benefits will remain in place until Aug. 31. Why cut jobs? While Feagins made a public apology to employees who felt insulted by the personnel shifts, she stands by the plan, which is tied to the districts fiscal year 2025 proposed budget and stems in part from the slew of challenges MSCS is facing. In the 2022-23 academic year, 78% of the districts students werent scoring proficiently on the English Language Arts section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program tests. Another 83% werent scoring proficiently on the math section. The dropout rate was nearly 15%, the truancy rate was 41%. More: University of Memphis will operate its own school district. An inside look at its plans Schools, Feagins has asserted, desperately need more resources, and the district budget isnt unlimited. It must find more money and people to push into the schools somewhere. Though Feagins has upset central office staffers with the shifts, she has received praise from many teachers. During the special called meeting on Tuesday, members of the United Education Association of Shelby County expressed their support and excitement about having more resources and employees in the schools. Board members, too, have expressed support for the proposed changes, and said many of them could be necessary. On Tuesday, they passed the resolution pausing the job cuts until they had more information; and they strongly criticized Feagins for the lack of communication they had received and the way she had implemented the plan. MSCS board commissioner Amber Huett-Garcia speaks during a special-called board meeting about the "rapid and chaotic changes taking place in Memphis-Shelby County Schools" on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Shelby County Board of Education in Memphis, Tenn. Still, they have also said they stand by her and have commended her for being willing to take action. During the budget community engagement meeting, board member Kevin Woods expressed his support for Feagins, while standing by Tuesdays resolution. This board, who voted unanimously to support the superintendent, remains resolute in that position. We have continued to tell the superintendent and we'll show the superintendent through our support of that [FY 2025] budget that we're 100% committed to this district, he said. But we will continue to never apologize for showing the dignity to anybody that had given 20-plus years to this work, and [is] now having to be told that you may have to go home. Its a painful process. John Klyce covers education and children's issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at John.klyce@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent stands by job cuts plan NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: People gather for a rally to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in Battery Park on June 15, 2022 in New York City. DACA recipients, immigrant advocates, and elected officials gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of DACA while also advocating for a path to citizenship and the preservation of DACA in the face of a legal challenge to the Obama Administration's 2012 policy. The policy allowed over 600,000 undocumented children, dubbed "Dreamers," to remain in the United States and apply for a driver's license, social security number, and work permit, but there was no path to citizenship or legal permanent residence. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The Murphy administration is urging President Joe Biden to extend work permits and protection from deportation to undocumented spouses of American citizens. The federal government needs to continue protecting and expanding opportunities for immigrants, Emy Quispe, a deputy chief of staff to Gov. Phil Murphy, said at an event Thursday commemorating the 12th anniversary of DACA. Thats an Obama-era policy that offers protection from deportation and work permits to undocumented residents who were brought to America as children. Quispe referenced media reports that say Biden is considering issuing an executive order granting work permits for spouses of U.S. citizens. By helping eligible immigrants more easily acquire work permits and find employment, we will bolster our states workforce and support businesses throughout New Jersey, she said. According to the New York Times, the Biden administration is still weighing the policy, which would make it easier for some undocumented people to find a path to permanent residency or citizenship. It comes on the heels of President Bidens executive order making it harder to seek asylum in the United States in an effort to deter illegal migration at the U.S. border with Mexico. In cases where an undocumented person who marries an American citizen is seeking citizenship themselves, they must return to their native countries and remain there for several years in many cases, up to a decade before they can begin the citizenship process. New Jersey is home to roughly 400,000 undocumented immigrants. Quispe highlighted Murphys policies in support of the undocumented community, like extending drivers licenses to residents regardless of citizenship status and providing undocumented children with health care. As the governor has stated in his state of the state, immigrants are the backbone of our state immigrants are an integral part of the fabric of New Jersey and our nation. And, these actions benefit our economy, workers, and employers nationwide, she said. Thursdays event was hosted by Make the Road New Jersey, an immigrant rights and labor advocacy organization based in Elizabeth. The group sees the administrations remarks as a win for the hundreds of thousands of mixed-status families it could impact in New Jersey. Every day, U.S citizens face the possibility their loved ones will be deported due to outdated immigration policies, facing the pain of separation from their loved ones. President Biden has the opportunity to act now to ensure that families dont endure pain and suffering, said Lilibeth Alaniz, a member of Make the Road. The post Murphy administration urges Biden to offer protections to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. 'It sounded like helicopter wings coming down and then smash,' Paul Gomez, whose home was damaged, said of the incident A large chunk of ice crashed through a family's roof in Paterson, N.J., on June 12, 2024 A family in Paterson, N.J., got a major jolt when an object unexpectedly dropped into their home from the sky. According to the Gomez family, per News 12 New Jersey, a block of ice crashed through their roof around 9:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 12, less than 12 feet from where they were sitting. It was big stones I guess it was a big square. When it came down it smashed everything, Paul Gomez told the news outlet. He also shared with NJ.com that his family was on the back porch when they heard a howling noise. Related: Tire Falls from Small Plane Into Yard of Chicago Neighborhood: 'It's Really Surreal' It sounded like helicopter wings coming down and then smash, said Paul, per the outlet. Sabrina Gomez also spoke of the crash to ABC affiliate WABC: "Out of nowhere we heard a hollow coming down, but we didn't think anything of it, but out of nowhere just a big smash. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Gomez home is located under several flight paths, with Sabrina telling News 12 New Jersey: And when we look up its basically like a plane flying by. The ice block may have been airplane bio-waste, WABC reported. Related: Rare 4.5-Billion-Year-Old Meteorite Crashes Into New Jersey Home: 'It Penetrated The Roof' The damage was serious enough that the family might have to replace the entire roof. The family told NJ.com that they contacted Paterson police, who recommended that they dont walk around the second floor, whose ceiling was cracked following the crash, due to safety concerns. The Gomez family also reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about whether the agency could pay for the damages caused by the ice block, the same outlet reported. Related: Bowling Ball-Sized Meteor Flying Above Vermont Explodes, Shakes Buildings: 'I Will Never Forget' In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday, June 14, about what happened at the Gomez home, an FAA representative wrote: Generally speaking, we investigate reports that we receive about incidents such as this. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at the JP Morgan Chase Tower Topping Out Ceremony for JP Morgan Chase Tower on Park Avenue in New York City on Monday, November 20, 2023. Hochul warned New Yorkers to heed an excessive heat warning early next week. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI June 13 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has urged residents to take extra precautions in light of extreme heat set to bear down on the state next week, her office announced Thursday. "New Yorkers should take every precaution they can over this next week to stay cool and stay safe as the combination of severe storms, heat and humidity will pose a significant health risk for vulnerable New Yorkers," Hochul said in a press release Thursday afternoon. "My administration will be closely monitoring the weather impacts and we encourage New Yorkers to watch the weather forecast closely, stay hydrated and have a plan if you need to cool off during this time." The extreme heat will come on the heels of intense weather on Friday and into the weekend, with heavy downpours and strong, gusty winds threatening residents from parts of Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region and all the way to the Mid-Hudson Valley. "Extreme heat and high humidity starting Monday and continuing through the week with 'feels like' temperatures exceeding 100 degrees by Wednesday," Hochul's release said. Emergency response officials are making cooling centers available in New York City as well as upstate for people who need shelter from the heat. The state transportation department said it had 3,470 personnel on hand to help with weather-related emergencies that arise. "Staff can be configured into any type of response crews that are needed including flood response, chipper, load & haul, sewer jet, cut & toss, traffic signal, etc.," the statement said. The state also has real-time traffic and weather-related information available for residents and travelers. The rest of the Northeast is also facing extreme heat as are parts of the Southwest. High temperatures in Phoenix reached 111 degrees on Thursday and are projected to go higher in the coming days. A state of emergency has been declared in South Florida after a tropical rainstorm dumped nearly two feet of rain in less than 24 hours, which disrupted travel and threatened lives and property. NASA said Friday that the Boeing Starliner and its crew will now return to Earth from the International Space Station no earlier than Saturday, June 22. The extra time allows the team to finalize departure planning and operations while the spacecraft remains cleared for crew emergency return scenarios within the flight rules, NASA said on its Kennedy Space Center blog. The Starliners test mission launched on June 5 from KSC with astronauts Butch Whitmore and Suni Williams. During its journey to the ISS, helium leaks were found in the spacecrafts thruster system. Earlier in the week, NASA said its teams were continuing to assess what impacts, if any, the five small helium leaks would have on Whitmores and Williams return to Earth. At that time, the space agency scheduled Starliners return for Tuesday, June 18, pending weather and spacecraft readiness. NASA has said that engineers had determined the helium leaks shouldnt impact Starliners return. The agency said the craft had enough helium for 70 hours of free flight time when only seven hours would be required as part of its journey home. Still, NASA said Friday it plans to have Starliner fire seven of its eight aft-facing thrusters while docked to the space station to evaluate thruster performance for the remainder of the mission. We are continuing to understand the capabilities of Starliner to prepare for the long-term goal of having it perform a six-month docked mission at the space station, said Steve Stich, manager of NASAs Commercial Crew Program. The crew will perform additional hatch operations to better understand its handling, repeat some safe haven testing and assess piloting using the forward window. Mark Nappi, vice president of Boeings Commercial Crew Program, added, We have an incredible opportunity to spend more time at station and perform more tests which provides invaluable data unique to our position. NASA said it would provide additional information about Starliners return in a media briefing on Tuesday. After Starliner undocks from the space station, it is scheduled to make a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the southwestern United States. ____ When I ride public transit through the streets of Nashville, I see a city filled with characteristic charm, blooming with potential, but that potential cannot be tapped unless Nashvillians embrace transit reform. Nashville can be a green, sustainable city, with lowered emissions. It can be easily accessible with swift, clean and safe transportation that reaches all areas of the city. It can be more community-focused with multi-purpose centers that bring neighbors together. Nashville already possesses many of these things to an extent, but it needs transit reform to take it to the next level. Public transportation should contribute to the culture of a city I was born and raised in Chicago, and public transportation has been an integral part of my day-to-day life. I did not have access to a car for a large part of my childhood, and even after I have still taken hundreds of train and bus rides to school, work, dinners, birthday parties, concerts and just about anything that gives life its color. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell speaks to the press after making remarks at the official announcement of his transit referendum proposal launch at the Southeast Nashville Community Center on April, 19, 2024. But in Chicago, public transit is not just for folks like me who may not have access to a car; it is part of the citys identity. My childhood home is just a seven-minute walk from the Blue Line L train. This particular line will take you from one end of the city to the other with numerous cultural enclaves, and the bustling tourist and business hub that is downtown Chicago in between. Many neighborhoods highlight their local train station (the city pours billions of dollars into making them state-of-the-art) and public transportation is a driver of economic activity. More than anything, its just plain easier to get around in areas where parking is pricey. Across race, socioeconomic status, or where you live in the city, almost no one is a stranger to the CTA. So imagine my surprise when I arrived in Nashville and learned that a stigma surrounds riding the bus. Further, many hold the notion that you only use public transportation if you do not have the income to own a car. In fact, only 2.60% of households in Nashville do not own a car, but access or lack thereof should not hinder you from taking advantage of what public transportation has to offer less road congestion, savings on gas and auto maintenance and reduced carbon footprint among many others. "Choose How You Move" referendum is a step in the right direction Mayor Freddie OConnells proposed $3.1 billion Choose How You Move transit referendum will attempt to magnify these benefits. Here are the best parts of this plan: 86 miles of new or upgraded sidewalk The construction of more sidewalks is a must for a more walkable city, or the ability to comfortably walk to all of your daily necessities. Outside of the downtown area, it can be difficult to navigate the streets without a car, which is an issue not only for my own convenience but an accessibility issue as well. Walking is the most common mode of transportation for persons with disabilities after the use of personal-owned vehicles, according to the National League of Cities. Additional sidewalks will connect those with mobility issues not only to their nearest bus stop but to the rest of their community. "Complete Streets makes cities cleaner, safer and less polluted The Complete Streets project will add to the aforementioned plan by building multimodal street improvements, which will allow pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike to traverse the streets comfortably. Additionally, the project includes the planting of wherever possible, which seems especially needed as the Nashville metro area was ranked No. 79 by the American Lung Association among the most polluted cities in the nation by ozone by the American Lung Association. WeGo bus driver sings 'My Girl' to the Easter Bunny outside the Hermitage Hotel Safety of bus drivers and riders must be a priority No progress can be made toward transit reform without prioritizing the safety of bus drivers and public service workers first. This is especially pertinent given recent incidents of violence on buses or at the bus station. Take it from the drivers themselves. I had a conversation last week with a driver for the 14 Whites Creek bus that drives from North Nashville to the state Capitol. She told me drivers are offered minimal protection against rowdy or violent passengers. She pointed out the nearly useless sheet of hard plastic that separates the drivers seat from the rest of the bus. She also noted her feeling of helplessness in situations where passengers may be in danger out of her reach. This driver suggested additional Metro police officers be assigned to bus routes. Contracted security staff that will be on board buses is proposed in the Choose How You Move referendum. Elena Wilson I see a bright future for Nashville if it too can make public transportation part of its identity by investing in a safe, accessible, and dignifying riding experience. Elena Wilson is a summer intern on The Tennessean's opinion and engagement journalism team. She is a rising senior and journalism major at University of Missouri. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville transit plan makes city cleaner, safer and more inclusive Nationwide project shows thanks to Charleston veteran with new roof CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide effort to show gratitude to veterans and their families. On Thursday, one Charleston veteran was honored with a brand-new roof. Since the programs inception in 2016, more than 550 military members have received free roofs. Each year, the company picks one or two veterans in need to donate their time and resources. Robert Broderick Jr. is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served just after the Vietnam War from 1975 to 1979 in South Carolina. Project Manager Clayton Phorr said Brodericks roof had been leaking, and without a quick repair, mold and other bacteria were surely on the way. After I saw it, I brought it up to managements attention, and we made it happen for him, Phorr said. He broke down crying after I told him. It got me worked up in the feels a little bit. Memorial highway sign honoring fallen soldier to be hung in Oakland Now, Broderick is getting his new roof through a partnership with Purple Heart Homes and Central Roofing. It was too good to be true. I wasnt sure that that would ever happen for real, and it is, Broderick said. The organization is also looking for more crews to help with the inside of the house. In this living situation, he doesnt have any water or anything like that, Phorr explained. Broderick said veterans struggle with asking for help, but knows the community is always there to lend a hand. Dont doubt that these are good people and that theyre helping, he said. Theyre helping me and its still kind of hard to believe that its happening but its happening. The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help qualify veterans. To apply or get involved, visit owenscorning.com/roofdeployment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BRUSSELS (AP) NATO defense ministers on Friday approved a plan to provide reliable long-term security aid and military training for Ukraine after delays in Western deliveries of funds, arms and ammunition helped invading Russian forces to seize the initiative on the battlefield. Kyivs Western backers have mostly concentrated their efforts through the Pentagon-run Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a forum for around 50 countries to drum up the weapons and ammunition the war-ravaged country needs most. The new plan would be a complementary effort. Announcing the move after chairing a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the effort would be headquartered at a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany and involve almost 700 staff. He said that it would help to organize training for Ukrainian military personnel in member countries of the alliance, coordinate and plan donations of the equipment that Kyiv needs, and manage the transfer and repair of that military materiel. NATO chief continues push to let Ukraine hit Russian-based targets The effort has been described as a way to Trump proof NATO backing for Ukraine, a reference to concern that former President Donald Trump might withdraw U.S. support for Kyiv should he return to office. Its to make it proof to any situation, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting. We have to consider the fact that this (war) might go on for years. We want to have something in place that does not depend on specific persons, ministers, or whoever, but a structure that works, she said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who leads a stridently nationalist government, has routinely hindered NATO and European Union efforts to help Ukraine. He threatened to veto the plan but agreed to let other allies move ahead if Budapest wasnt forced to take part. A month ahead of Washingtons NATO summit, where are Ukraines jets? Kyivs outgunned forces are battling to hold back a bigger Russian army. Troop numbers, ammunition and air defenses have run low as the Kremlins forces try to cripple the national power supply and punch through the front line in eastern parts of the country. Moscow has taken advantage of a lengthy delay in U.S. military aid. EU funds were also held up by political infighting. Ukraine will need to weather the onslaught through the summer, military analysts say, and at the same time train more soldiers, build fortifications and hope that Western military aid deliveries speed up so that Kyiv can mount a new offensive next year. Stoltenberg has expressed hopes that U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts will agree at their July 9-11 summit in Washington to maintain the funding level for military support they have provided Ukraine since Russia launched its full-fledged invasion in February 2022. He estimates this at around 40 billion euros ($43 billion) worth of equipment each year. We dont yet have agreement on that, he told reporters after Fridays meeting. NATO defence ministers have approved an "operational plan for expanding support to Ukraine", which provides for the coordination of arms supplies and training for Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel. Source: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda Details: The plan stipulates that in the future, the Alliance will take over the international coordination of arms supplies and training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The approval of the "operational plan" was long blocked by Hungary, as NATO makes all decisions by consensus. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed that the Alliance's initiative could lead to a "direct confrontation" with Russia. However, before the ministerial meeting in Brussels, Orban had a meeting with Stoltenberg and agreed to lift his veto in exchange for a promise that Hungary would not be involved in training Ukrainian troops or financing the supply of weapons. Support UP or become our patron! The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks to the media upon his arrival ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters. -/NATO/dpa NATO defence ministers on Friday endorsed a plan for the alliance to coordinate military aid to Ukraine. "We have agreed on a plan that sets out how NATO will lead the coordination of security assistance and training," the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference on Friday. NATO countries have been coordinating support to Ukraine through an informal, United States-led group called the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. The new plan would shift that responsibility to a formal mission under the alliance called NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). NSATU would see NATO officially coordinate military aid to Ukraine for the first time. The plan was approved at a lower level on Thursday, alliance sources told dpa, and then endorsed by defence ministers on Friday. NSATU will be headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany and formally launched at a NATO leaders' summit in Washington in July, Stoltenberg said. NSATU "will consist of a NATO command located at a US facility in Wiesbaden, and at logistical nodes in the eastern part of the Alliance, under a three-star general reporting to Supreme Allied Commander Europe." "This effort is expected to involve nearly 700 personnel from NATO and partner countries," Stoltenberg said. "NATO will oversee training of Ukrainian armed forces at training facilities in Allied countries, support Ukraine through the planning and coordination of donations, manage transfer and repair of equipment, provide support to the long-term development of Ukraine's armed forces." "Ministers also discussed the need to bolster military deterrence and strengthen their defence industries by providing "sustainable demand," Stoltenberg said. NATO has a long-standing target for member states to spend 2% of their Gross Domestic Product on defence - though until Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, only a few countries met the target, and many still don't. But arriving before the meeting on Friday, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said 2% is insufficient. "Two per cent is not enough" he said. "We need to go further from here." He said Estonia proposes that upwards of 2.5% should be the target, while the Baltic nation itself is investing 3.4% this year and more than 3% next year. "When we look also how much Russia is investing at the moment to defence this year - close to 9% of their GDP - then we all understand that when we put in comparison our 2% in NATO, or 3-3.5% in Baltic states and Poland, then still we need to invest more," Pevkur said. The meeting on Friday is the last meeting of NATO ministers before a leaders' summit due to be held in Washington in July. There, Stoltenberg wants NATO countries to agree a plan to maintain long-term their current level of support to Ukraine, which he puts at 40 billion ($43 billion) per year. The burden would be divided up according to NATO countries' GDP, with the United States contributing 50%, Stoltenberg said on Thursday. The current agreement on NSATU does not include any specific financial commitments, but establishes that joint aid will at least be coordinated by NATO proper. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) chairs the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa NATO defence ministers on Friday endorsed a plan for the alliance to coordinate military aid to Ukraine. "We have agreed on a plan that sets out how NATO will lead the coordination of security assistance and training," the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference on Friday. NATO countries have been coordinating support to Ukraine through an informal, United States-led group called the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. The new plan would shift that responsibility to a formal mission under the alliance called NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). NSATU would see NATO officially coordinate military aid to Ukraine for the first time. The plan was approved at a lower level on Thursday, alliance sources told dpa, and then endorsed by defence ministers on Friday. NSATU will be headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany and formally launched at a NATO leaders' summit in Washington in July, Stoltenberg said. NSATU "will consist of a NATO command located at a US facility in Wiesbaden, and at logistical nodes in the eastern part of the Alliance, under a three-star general reporting to Supreme Allied Commander Europe." "This effort is expected to involve nearly 700 personnel from NATO and partner countries," Stoltenberg said. "NATO will oversee training of Ukrainian armed forces at training facilities in Allied countries, support Ukraine through the planning and coordination of donations, manage transfer and repair of equipment, provide support to the long-term development of Ukraine's armed forces." Ministers also discussed the need to bolster military deterrence and strengthen their defence industries by providing "sustainable demand," Stoltenberg said. NATO has a long-standing target for member states to spend 2% of their Gross Domestic Product on defence - though until Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, only a few countries met the target, and many still don't. "We still need all allies to meet our shared commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence," US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said in a press conference on Friday. "Let me underscore the words: 'at least 2%'" he emphasized. Austin noted that 18 NATO countries are meeting the target, and this figure will be updated at the Washington summit in July. He added that although total European NATO members' military spending does now amount to 2% of their combined GDP, "that is no substitute for each ally living up to its commitment - each and every single one." Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair told reporters after the meeting on Friday that Canada's latest defence policy update would raise defence spending to 1.75% of GDP by 2029-2030, but the government is working to push that further to 2% by the end of the decade. "There are other things not yet fully funded in our budgets, but which we must inevitably do: new capabilities that we need to replace, and we have begun the processes. Frankly, I and my team have got some work to do," he said. "Those expenditures must inevitably bring us - but before the end of this decade - to meeting our NATO commitment of spending 2% on defence," said Blair. Arriving before the meeting on Friday, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said 2% is insufficient. "Two percent is not enough" he said. "We need to go further from here." He said Estonia proposes that upwards of 2.5% should be the target, while the Baltic nation itself is investing 3.4% this year and more than 3% next year. "When we look also how much Russia is investing at the moment to defence this year - close to 9% of their GDP - then we all understand that when we put in comparison our 2% in NATO, or 3-3.5% in Baltic states and Poland, then still we need to invest more," Pevkur said. The meeting on Friday is the last meeting of NATO ministers before a leaders' summit due to be held in Washington in July. There, Stoltenberg wants NATO countries to agree a plan to maintain long-term their current level of support to Ukraine, which he puts at 40 billion ($43 billion) per year. The burden would be divided up according to NATO countries' GDP, with the United States contributing 50%, Stoltenberg said on Thursday. The current agreement on NSATU does not include any specific financial commitments, but establishes that joint aid will at least be coordinated by NATO proper. Hungary agreed on Wednesday not to block the mission in exchange for not being required to contribute to it. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) chairs the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) chairs the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks to the media upon his arrival ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters. -/NATO/dpa The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov speak during a press conference on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters. -/NATO/dpa NATO defence ministers will meet in Brussels on Friday for their second consecutive day of talks on formalizing the alliance's support for Ukraine. NATO countries have been coordinating support to Ukraine through an informal, United States-led group called the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. But now NATO countries are discussing ways to shift that responsibility to the formal structures of NATO. On Friday, ministers are expected to give the nod to a plan for a mission called NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) - which was already approved at a lower level on Thursday, alliance sources told dpa. NSATU would see NATO officially coordinate military aid to Ukraine for the first time. In addition, "we will address how to further strengthen our deterrence on defence," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Thursday. "Ministers will discuss a new defence industrial pledge to scale up military production and solidify long-term cooperation with our industry." The meeting on Friday is the last meeting of NATO ministers before a leaders' summit due to be held in Washington in July. There, Stoltenberg wants NATO countries to agree a plan to maintain long-term their current level of support to Ukraine, which he puts at 40 billion ($43 billion) per year. The burden would be divided up according to NATO countries' GDP, with the United States contributing 50%, Stoltenberg said on Thursday. The current agreement on NSATU does not include any specific financial commitments, but establishes that joint aid will at least be coordinated by NATO proper. By Sabine Siebold BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO will assume a greater role in coordinating arms supplies to Ukraine, the alliance said on Friday, taking over from the United States in a bid to safeguard the process as NATO-sceptic Donald Trump bids for a second term as U.S. president. "These efforts do not make NATO a party to the conflict but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defence," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels. On Wednesday, Hungary gave up its resistance to the Ukraine support package NATO aims to agree at its Washington summit in July, comprising a financial pledge and the transfer to NATO of the coordination of arms supplies and training. During a visit by Stoltenberg to Budapest, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said his country would not block NATO decisions on providing support for Ukraine but had agreed that it would not be involved. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States gathered like-minded nations at the Ramstein air base in Germany, establishing a group of now some 50 nations that meet regularly to match Kyiv's arms requests with pledges of donors. This so-called Ramstein group will continue to exist as a U.S.-led political forum but NATO will take over the military working level below that coordinates arms deliveries and training for Ukrainian troops. The move is widely seen as an effort to provide a degree of "Trump-proofing" by putting coordination under a NATO umbrella, giving the alliance a more direct role in the war against Russia's invasion while stopping well short of committing its own forces. But diplomats acknowledge such a move may have limited effect, as the U.S. is NATO's dominant power and provides the majority of weaponry to Ukraine. So if Washington wanted to slash Western aid to Kyiv, it would still be able to do so. Stoltenberg has also asked allies to keep funding military aid for Ukraine at the same level as they have since 2022, adding up to some 40 billion euros ($43 billion) per year. But with less than a month to go until the July 9-11 Washington summit, allies are still working on hammering out the details of such a pledge, trying to overcome differences over how much each country should contribute and to what extent this should be made public. Some allies say contributions should be tied to national GDPs, similar to NATO's 2% military spending target, with a certain percentage going into military aid to Ukraine each year. They also want contributions to be made public to encourage laggards to step up their efforts. In the run up to the Washington summit, allies are also still at odds over whether and how to strengthen NATO's wording on Ukraine's future membership in the alliance. NATO's official line is that Ukraine will join the alliance one day, but not while the country is at war. "Ukraine's future is in NATO," NATO leaders declared at last year's Vilnius summit. Some allies want this language to be strengthened, suggesting the summit declare that Ukraine's path to membership is "irreversible", according to diplomats. ($1 = 0.9355 euros) (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Mark Potter) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Aircraft from the USS Philippine Sea medically evacuated a civilian mariner injured in a Houthi attack on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, U.S. officials said. The U.S. said Thursday that the Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship cruise missiles and struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen, setting it on fire and severely injuring one civilian mariner. All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of) U.S. Central Command said the M/V Verbena was still ablaze and the mariner was flown by a U.S. helicopter based on the USS Philippine Sea to another nearby ship for medical treatment. In a statement, Central Command said the Verbena is a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned and Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier that had docked in Malaysia and was on its way to Italy carrying wood. The M/V Verbena reported damage and subsequent fires on board. The crew continues to fight the fire, the statement said. The attack is the latest such assault in the Houthis campaign over the Israel-Hamas war. Earlier Thursday, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said a vessel had been attacked and had caught fire. And the private security firm Ambrey said a merchant vessel made a radio distress call saying it had been struck by a missile. The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge Thursdays attacks, but it typically takes the rebels hours or even days to claim them. The attack follows the Houthis launching a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial ship in the Red Sea on Wednesday. The Houthis, who seized Yemens capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor. They say the attacks are aimed at stopping the war and supporting the Palestinians, though the attacks often target vessels that have nothing to do with the conflict. The war in Gaza has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there, according to Gaza health officials, while hundreds of others have been killed in Israeli operations in the West Bank. It began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. A U.S.-led airstrike campaign has targeted the Houthis since January, with a series of strikes May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say. Also Thursday, the Washington-based National Democratic Institute said three of its staff were detained by the Houthis earlier this month. Their detention comes as staff of United Nations agencies and those working for aid groups also have been detained in a widening crackdown by the rebels. This arbitrary and inhumane treatment of Yemeni citizens involved in humanitarian assistance, diplomacy, democracy and human rights, peacemaking and civil society development is entirely without foundation and must be ended immediately, the institute said. It called for the swift release by the Houthi regime of our staff, and of all individuals who have been unjustly detained. The institute is a democracy promotion organization that has worked in Yemen since 1993. It receives funding from the U.S. government and others. Associated Press writer Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) It could soon be illegal to wear a mask in public spaces in North Carolina. The Unmasking Mobs and Criminals Act passed the state House and Senate with all Republicans voting to advance the legislation. Some protestors around Charlotte and across the nation have been seen wearing masks while protesting Israels war in Gaza. Rep. David Willis from Union County is one of the nine sponsors of the bill; others include lawmakers from Rowan and Gaston counties. NC GOP adds surprise campaign finance proposal to protest mask bill When you start to hide your identity, and you start to do that in a way that then you know, masks, no pun intended, masks your identity for doing other crimes and hurting individuals and hurting property and tearing things down I think weve got to get back to prosecuting these folks, Willis said. The bill allows for certain exemptions including people who wear a mask for work or to prevent the spread of infectious disease. There are also exceptions allowing people to wear hoods for ceremonies, rituals, or initiations is raising eyebrows on whether the legislation is referring to the Ku Klux Klan. The nine sponsors of the Unmasking Mobs and Criminals Act, which is likely going to be votoed by Gov, Roy Cooper. Thats absurd, Willis responded. I mean, when was the last time you saw anybody in the state of North Carolina in the Ku Klux Klan? I mean, lets be real when was the last time you saw somebody, whether it was on news or anywhere else running around wearing a hood? Dr. Susan Roberts, political science professor at Davidson College, says the language of the bill could leave room for interpretation. There are still entities such as the Klan that this might apply to and it might be controversial, Roberts said. Theyve talked about it in terms of constitutional rights, and sometimes protecting constitutional rights is controversial and you have to do things that might have implications that are unsavory. Roberts says sometimes this type of legislation misses the target on an actual problem. The one thing that I tried to look at and could not find is, has there been a problem with crimes committed wearing a mask? I dont know, she posed. Has there been a problem with demonstrators wearing a mask who intend to block traffic? I dont know if its a solution, looking for a problem. NC lawmakers advance bill to require states top college teams to play each other The bill passed both bodies of the General Assembly and now heads to Gov. Roy Coopers desk. In a statement, a spokesman for his office said, The governor has real concerns about this legislation that would prevent medically vulnerable people from protecting their health. Republicans hold the power in the General Assembly which means they can veto the governors decision. I fully expect him to veto it. I mean, its again, its, you know, purely political, Willis said. It will veto it and, and well come back and override it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A bill moving through the General Assembly would allow developers in the states 20 coastal counties to build on archaeological sites, including one in Carteret County that state archaeologists say could be the location of a village where Native Americans lived for thousands of years. Under a provision added to House Bill 385, the incidental disturbance of archaeological resources would not be considered major and irreversible damage. That would prevent the N.C. Division of Coastal Management from holding up development permits in designated coastal Areas of Environmental Concern based on archaeological concerns raised by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. At the center of the debate is a 21-acre portion of Bridge View, a development in Carteret Countys Cedar Point that borders Bogue Sound and is in a designated Area of Environmental Concern. Based on two archaeological sites found on the tract in the 1970s, the N.C. DNCR recommended an archaeological survey. That survey included the removal of topsoil from 1.13 acres of the site. More than 2,000 artifacts were found, including 11 sites that archaeologists believe contain human remains, according to a letter from DNCR to the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. In addition to the burial sites, archaeologists found 1,700 molds of building posts that could have been part of at least seven buildings, 206 small pits, 45 large pits, 34 pits containing shells, three shattered clay pots and a cache of stones shaped so they could be used as tools. Archaeologists believe artifacts found at the site date from 1000 B.C to 1600 A.D., around the time that Europeans made contact with Native Americans. This is a long-term habitation site. This is a village where people lived for generations hundreds or thousands of years, Chris Southerly, North Carolinas acting state archaeologist, told The News & Observer. There are likely more burial grounds spread across the site, Ramona Bartos, the states deputy state historic preservation officer, wrote in a Dec. 14 memo to coastal officials. The burials that were found were spread across the site virtually from end-to-end, Southerly said; additional remains were found in a lot of the already completed portion of the development. Just as important, Southerly said, the artifacts have not been disturbed. If excavation or further tests occur, Southerly said, an archaeologist might be able to use artifacts found there to really build a picture of what life was for the people there. How they lived, what they ate, identify activity areas to get a glimpse into the past of their life and their life place. Development in progress On a June evening, a gated entrance to the Bridge View Community stood open. Sprinklers ran and people walked their dogs around the more inland portion of the development, which has already finished and still-under-construction homes. Farther on, the completed homes slowly filtered away, and the road switched from pavement to dirt. There, a series of trenches line the southern edge of the property. Those trenches seemed to be almost in the shadow of the B. Cameron Langston Bridge, which connects Cedar Point to Emerald Isle. Down in the trenches, a plethora of pink flags dotted the sites, marking where archaeologists had located artifacts. Some small plants had started to grow inside them, indicating that it had been some time since the ground was disturbed. When a News & Observer photographer visited the site the next day, he was told the area is private property and was escorted out by a law enforcement officer in an unmarked car. Building on a portion of the Bridge View development in Cedar Point, N.C., has been halted after the discovery of what archaeologists say could be a significant historical site. A bill in the N.C. General Assembly would allow developers to disturb archaeological sites in coastal areas. The development proposal Cedar Point Developers LLC, the group that wants to build on the Carteret County site, has spent more than $500,000 on archaeological work, Sen. Michael Lazzara, an Onslow County Republican, said last week during a Senate committee meeting. Cedar Point Developers first sought the Coastal Area Management Act, or CAMA, permit in May 2022. A Nov. 20, 2023, letter from the developer to the state said the developer would not pay for any further work to determine the extent of the archaeological site. I think we can all agree that if we dig hard enough and long enough, that we can potentially find things all along the coast or in places that already have been built or may be built. But again, I think we need to find a balance between what North Carolina needs in housing needs and what our permitting process is making them do, Lazzara said. DNCR data shows that reviews leading to extensive archaeological work is rare. Between 2020 and 2023, the state reviewed 737 projects that were seeking major coastal permits. It recommended archaeological work on 13. A representative of Cedar Point Developers did not respond to a phone call seeking comment about the development or the legislation. Partners in the Jacksonville company have donated $7,500 to Lazzaras campaign since 2022, WRAL previously reported. During the committee debate, Sen. Mike Woodard, a Durham Democrat, said arguments for affordable housing are not enough to justify disturbing burial sites or other potentially important historic sites. At least three homes were sold in Bridge View during May, with prices ranging from $555,475 to $673,230. Assuming the buyers paid 20% down and found a 7% mortgage rate, monthly mortgage payments on the cheapest of those homes would be $2,956. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers a home affordable if monthly payments are lower than 30% of a households monthly income. In Carteret County, the median income is $66,799, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That means monthly payment on an affordable home would be about $1,670. While were all supportive of affordable housing, lets not use that umbrella or wrap a project up in affordable housing and ignore some of the conversations that we ought to be having around CAMA and around some of these heritage sites, Woodard said. Protecting burial grounds, culture The DNCR letter to coastal management officials offered a number of solutions for the site, including additional survey work and excavation of artifacts, a process that is complicated because removing human remains is generally discouraged unless it is absolutely necessary. Alternatively, DNCR suggested selling lots to nonprofits to remain undeveloped or to limit the amount of space that would be built upon. Beyond that, the DNCR official wrote, the builder should consider putting houses on pylons to avoid disturbing land, using a sewer package plant instead of septic fields, or protecting known burial sites. The best approach would be to cease developments and to allow the burials to remain in place, said Crystal Cavalier-Keck, a cofounder of the Native American environmental justice organization 7 Directions of Service. It really speaks volumes about the level of greed and how much money plays in peoples lives because if I found a burial site and if it was my land, I would just stop and honor that. We all have loved ones who have passed away and are buried, and we wouldnt want their places disrespected, said Cavalier-Keck, a member of the Occoneechee Band of the Saponi Nation. The proposed legislation would affect other coastal counties, too, including the northeastern corner of the state where people who identify as Chowanoac Indians have lived for generations. The tribes historical range covers Bertie, Chowan, Gates and Hertford counties, all of which are coastal counties and thus subject to CAMA regulations. Its important to keep those discoveries there so we can maintain our culture or we can enforce what we already know instead of erasing it, said Duvonya Chavis, a member of the Chowanoac tribe. Archaeologists dug 16 trenches to survey for artifacts on the proposed site of the Bridge View development in Cedar Point, N.C. They found thousands of artifacts including 11 burial sites, but a bill in the N.C. General Assembly would allow developers to disturb such sites without input from archaeologists. A first step? House Bill 385 has passed one Senate committee and next goes to the chambers Judiciary committee. If approved, it would then go to the Rules committee before receiving a full vote on the floor. It would next move over to the House and need to move through committees there before potentially heading to Gov. Roy Cooper. Archaeologists are worried that if the bill passes, it could be the first move to threaten archaeological sites statewide for the sake of development. During committee debate last week, one lawmaker showed interest in widening the geographic scope of rules that allow developers to disturb archaeological sites. Sen. Jim Burgin, a Harnett County Republican, said someone in his district spent $300,000 investigating a site after artifacts were found there, even though arrowheads and other artifacts are common in the area. Its bigger than the coastal area, Burgin said. Allowing development in such a manner would be heartbreaking, Steve Davis, a UNC-Chapel Hill archaeology professor emeritus, told The News & Observer. All of these sites are important in terms of informing us about the past, Davis said. We cant go to written records to find out about it. If were going to learn anything about these ancient people, it has to come through archaeology and it has to come through investigation of these sites. NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) North Carolina representatives have introduced a bill that would look to tackle predatory towing and problematic booting practices, which have racked up complaints for years. House Bill 1024, which has large support from area representatives, would see the creation of a commission that would set standards, maximum fees, and review complaints. HB1024Download Over the past five years, Queen City News has covered several of the 627 complaints filed by customers with the states Attorney Generals office. Drivers of town trucks reported their vehicles were booted while they were inside the vehicle, and they were forced to pay hundreds to thousands to get their trucks and cargo back. One trucking companyreported $15,000, explained Mecklenburg County Representative Laura Budd. She supports the bill and called acts like this, extortion. The representative also stressed, Most people who are engaged in the towing business there, their small businesses, theyre good companies run by good people just earning a living. And then you have your bad apples or your bad actors, and they are the ones who are essentially creating the problems that now necessitate the need for a regulatory framework. When Queen City News contacted the North Carolina Attorney Generals Office to follow up on one of the predatory towing complaints, we were told, Currently, there is no statutory cap on the price they can charge as long as it is clearly stated on the sign. The commission would look at a set fee towing companies would charge for the tow, and limit the cost companies charge customers for storage. It would also limit fees if customers use credit cards to make the payments. NC DMV says they are chipping away at a major drivers license backlog Rep. Budd explained how the two processes of a passenger vehicle would work under the proposal. She said tow drivers would, log into the database that will be set up and you put in their name and their permit number, the purpose of the tow, who authorized the tow . . . the purpose . . . then the amount theyre going to charge for the tow. The bill would make it illegal for towing companies to boot tow trucks under any circumstances, and make it illegal to boot or tow vehicles with occupants in them. The commission would include members from the organization Towing and Recovery Professionals of North Carolina. In a statement to Queen City News, they stressed: We deeply appreciate the bill sponsors interest in promoting industry best practices and advancing policies that positively impact both the Towing and Recovery Professionals of North Carolina and the citizens we serve. Embracing the opportunity to collaborate with policymakers for optimal outcomes is a privilege we deeply value, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the bill sponsors for their steadfast commitment to this collaboration. At the core of TRPNCs mission is the promotion of industry excellence, a commitment we are dedicated to upholding. With our longstanding history of working closely with policymakers for this purpose, we look forward to continuing that collaboration this session and in the years to come. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. House Bill 1024 would create a regulatory framework for nonconsensual towing in North Carolina for vehicle towing -- a business that bill sponsors say is effectively unregulated. (Photo: iStock/Getty photo) Its kind of the Wild West out there, explained Rep. Carson Smith (R-Onslow) in urging members of the North Carolina House Judiciary 2 Committee on Wednesday to support a new bill to rein in North Carolinas vehicle towing industry. The Onslow County Republican said he teamed up with Mecklenburg County Democrat Rep. Laura Budd after hearing from a constituent who had his truck towed and had to pay $3,500 to get it back. Budd said House Bill 1024 would create a regulatory framework for nonconsensual towing (i.e. without the consent of the vehicle owner) in North Carolina where no framework has existed. It protects not just consumers and North Carolinians, but also those engaged in small business and interstate commerce with semis and towing and recovery businesses as well, said Rep. Budd. The bill specifies that in order to tow in North Carolina, a towtruck driver will be required to apply for and receive a permit. Currently, the only requirement is that a driver get a commercial drivers license. Those towing on behalf of the state Highway Patrol would need an approved background check. The legislation also clarifies sign requirements for any business that wishes to have passenger vehicles or semis towed off of their property without the consent of the vehicle owner. The property owner would be required to post clear signage that has to identify not just that a motorist can be towed if they are not lawfully parked, but to where the vehicle will be towed, the cost of the tow, as well as all contact information for the company that is towing the vehicle. Another section of HB 1024 calls for the creation of a statewide towing website. Rep. Laura Budd addresses the state House Judiciary 2 Committee So right now, if you were to go out to dinner, you come out of the restaurant and your vehicle is missing, assuming the signage is there but youre panicked and you dont know how to get there or where it goes, youre going to go to a website that is going to be created that has a database, Budd outlined. You are going to plug in your name or your vehicle number or your VIN number and it is going to tell you the owner of that vehicle, not just where your vehicle is, but what the hours of operation are, who towed your vehicle and the amount of the tow that you will be charged. Rep. Budd said thats critical because right now, there are no limits on the amount of money that can be charged. Tow truck operators would be required to enter into the database the make, the model, and the VIN number of the vehicle or the plate number, as well as their name and permit number, identifying they are lawfully able to tow in North Carolina. You also have to, in that database, identify who authorized that tow and the purpose for the tow, said Budd. All of the information will be reported to a joint oversight committee in the General Assembly on an annual basis. A new towing commission appointed by the General Assembly and the governors office would be tasked with setting the maximum rates across the state based on the region for towing both passenger vehicles as well as semis. The commission would also deal with complaints against unscrupulous tow truck operators. So, if you are a consumer or you drive a semi and your vehicle is towed and you have a concern or a grievance, you get to file it with that commission and that data can then be assessed to determine whether or not the annual permit renewal for that tow truck driver should go through. Rep. David Willis (R-Union) said the legislation was long overdue. Weve heard about this for years, anybody thats been anywhere remotely close to a college campus in the last 30 years has probably come across a boot or a tow truck, said Willis. You go out at night, sometimes and you just see multiple tow trucks just literally on the prowl and [it] needs to be addressed. Willis suggested the commission establish caps for the exorbitant storage fees motorists are sometimes charged. Budd agreed, noting that she recently received notice of a semi that was towed costing the operator $15,000. What they are doing is charging for the truck as well as the trailer so they are the predatory nature, Budd said. As for multi-tenant residential properties, the owner would be required to clearly post their policy and give renters an initial 24-hour notice before they could begin towing. If not, the property owner would be responsible for payment of the tow for the consumer. A towing business that boots a car would be required to affix a notice on the windshield that legibly states the name of the company that booted the vehicle with a warning that driving the vehicle with the wheel clamp on could damage their vehicle. The proposed committee substitute for HB 1024 was approved by the committee and will now move forward with referrals to the Appropriations, Finance, and House Rules committees. The post NC lawmakers seek to crack down on predatory vehicle towing and booting appeared first on NC Newsline. A man who used Snapchat to find and assault two people on the Blue Ridge Parkway was sentenced Thursday but only for one of five counts he was originally charged with. When a woman that Evan William Blankenship met online refused his requests to meet, according to court documents, he used Snapchats location information to find her and scare her on the parkways popular Waterrock Knob Overlook on Sept. 28. Blankenship, 22, of Whittier, was originally indicted by a grand jury on charges of kidnapping, two counts of assault with intent to commit a felony, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On Thursday, he was convicted in U.S. District Court in North Carolinas Western District after a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Chief Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced him to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. According to court records, Blankenship told investigating agents hed met a woman online and was exchanging nude photos with her. He found the woman in a car at the overlook with another man around 3:15 a.m. National Park Service officials said Blankenship drove to the overlook, which is less than 10 miles southwest of Maggie Valley, found the couple in a car and pointed a semi-automatic gun at them. At one point, he allegedly shot the gun in the air before pointing it back at them, according to a news release. Blankenship tried to pull the woman, identified as L.P. in the news release, out of the car by her arm and hair before hitting her in the face, causing her temporary hearing loss. The man in the vehicle, identified as L.M., convinced Blankenship to let the two go after the couple promised not to report it to police. Blankenship, court records allege, followed the couple down the mountain before driving away. The indictment paperwork says despite the early morning hour, the pair eventually found law enforcement. L.P. told authorities she knew Blankenship through Snapchat and believed he used the social media apps location-sharing feature to find her on the overlook which is the most-visited spot on the parkway, according to the National Park Service. Snapchat, an app that allows users to post and send photos and videos to other users, also has a Snap Map that allows people to see others location, which is updated any time the app is opened. Location feature on Snapchat In 2018, Snapchat added a feature to allow users to decide who can see their location. On its website, the app recommends people stay safe as possible by only choosing to share your location with people you know, checking in on your privacy settings often to make sure youre sharing your location how you want to and only submitting things to Snap Map that you dont mind other people seeing, including street signs or landmarks that can indicate your location. The woman Blankenship was after told authorities shed spent time with him once before but they didnt know each other beyond Snapchat, court documents show. Police arrested Blankenship on Oct. 11. He remains in federal custody and will soon be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The dropped kidnapping charge could have resulted in a life sentence for Blakenship. Each of the four assault charges had a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Firing his gun could have added at least 10 years to his sentence, according to the news release. The maximum sentence for firing a weapon in furtherance of a crime is life in prison. TOPEKA (KSNT) Some northeast Kansas counties have been issued a severe thunderstorm warnings. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) several northeast Kansas counties have been issued a severe thunderstorm warning. This comes with the possibility of baseball size hail and wind gusts of 60 miles per hour. The warning is issued for the following counties: Northwestern Jefferson County Southeastern Jackson County Drivers should share the road for 8-day Bike Across Kansas Residents in the areas listed above are encouraged to keep themselves and pets inside, to minimize the risk of being injured, according to the NWS. Possible hail could damage roofs, siding, windows and vehicles, and the winds could damage roofs, siding and trees. This warning is in effect until 9:45 p.m. The Following Kansas Counties are in a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.: Geary, Morris, Shawnee, Osage and Wabaunsee. For more weather news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Nearly 100 illegal mopeds seized during four-day blitz in Queens amid NYC scourge Nearly 100 illegal scooters were seized from Queens streets and sidewalks in the latest clampdown on menacing mopeds, authorities said Thursday. A four-day blitz by Queens District Attorneys Office detectives and NYPD cops hauled in 99 unregistered and uninsured scooters, prosecutors said. All the illegal mopeds, plus another five legit scooters, were parked illegally across Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and beyond during the crackdowns span starting June 4 and ending Tuesday, officials said. Nearly 100 illegal mopeds were seized by Queens district attorneys office detectives and NYPD officers in four days. Queens District Attorney's Office Illegal scooters have been used to carry out violent crimes, said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Queens District Attorney's Office Illegal scooters have become a significant concern in our city, as we see them increasingly being used while carrying out violent crimes, said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. The crack down is part of a citywide push against migrant moped gangs who have been tied to 400 percent spike in scooters being used as getaway vehicles in major felonies since 2022. Recently arrived migrants have been tied to 80% of moped-assisted robberies, The Post revealed in a front-page report. Migrant moped gangs have been tied to snatch and grabs across the city. New York Post One such migrant Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 19, accused of shooting two cops June 3 while riding a scooter told police he was recruited into a snatch and grab gang. Queens prosecutors didnt return a request for comment about whether the recent moped crackdown involved scooters at an East Elmhurst shelter where Mata stayed. More than 500 scooters have been seized since February by detectives and cops, prosecutors said. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevadas congressional delegation and state leaders responded Friday to the U.S. Supreme Courts 6-3 ruling striking down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, a gun accessory restricted following the 1 October shooting. The majority of the high court found Congress, not the executive branch, has the authority to ban bump stocks. In 2019, the Trump Administration banned the devices through regulatory means by defining them as machinegun components. Bump stocks remain illegal under Nevada state law. Stephen Paddock killed 58 people attending the Route 91 Harvest festival on Oct. 1, 2017 an event now known in Las Vegas as 1 October. Two subsequent deaths have since been added to the total, now 60. Bump stocks allowed Paddock to fire more than 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes, officials said. In the wake of the shooting, southern Nevadas congressional delegation pushed Congress to pass a ban. Specifically, Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, whose district encompasses the Las Vegas Strip, has pushed for passage of a federal ban. FILE A bump stock is displayed in Harrisonburg, Va., on March 15, 2019. The Supreme Court has struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, a gun accessory that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) What a travesty this court is, Titus said in a video posted outside the Supreme Court. The American public knows we dont need weapons of war on our streets so now lets pass my BUMP stock bill and take care of this problem. Bump stocks like the one used in the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival massacre in Las Vegas that left 60 people dead and hundreds more injured have no place on our streets, Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said I am extremely disappointed in the Supreme Courts decision to strike down President Trumps 2019 regulation. Now, Im calling on Congress to urgently pass my commonsense legislation to save lives by permanently prohibiting these devastating devices. Im outraged by the Supreme Courts decision to reverse a Trump-era federal ban on bump stocks, which were used in the 1 October shooting making it the deadliest in U.S. history, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen said. For years, this ban has been a common-sense, bipartisan approach to keeping communities safer and this shameful decision will put more lives at risk. Its more important than ever for Congress to come together in a bipartisan way and pass legislation to permanently ban bump stocks. FILE In this Oct. 3, 2017, file photo, windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas, the room from where Stephen Craig Paddock fired on a nearby music festival on Oct. 1, 2017. The death toll, originally 58, has grown to 60. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) Once again, Donald Trumps handpicked Supreme Court has put the interests of corporations, in this case the gun lobby, over the lives of everyday Americans, Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford said. October 1, 2017 was a traumatic day for the Las Vegas community and a seminal moment for our nation. Sadly, on this day, the largest mass shooting event in our country occurred at the hand of a shooter and their use of bump stocks killing sixty people and injuring 867 survivors who are still dealing with the lingering effects to this day. Today, the Supreme Court sided with violent criminals and against our right to live free from gun violence in our communities. This must not stand. Its why I voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which is now law, co-sponsored legislation to end bump stocks and authored the Break the Cycle of Violence Act to stop crime before it starts, save lives and break the cycle of violence in all of our communities. The ban on bump stocks was a direct consequence of the Oct. 1 shooting, which caused so much pain and sadness in our community, Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said. Las Vegans and Nevadans saw firsthand the carnage these devices can cause, and it saddens me that such violence was not enough for six of the justices sitting on the court. The decision today is the most recent example of a court that has abdicated its responsibility to the American public. The court would rather, it seems, take an ideological stance and ignore the blood in our streets than allow such common-sense regulation as a bump stock ban to take effect. I am saddened by todays decision, and I am calling on Congress to act quickly to reinstate a bump stock ban through legislative efforts. There were more than 500,000 bump stocks in circulation when the 2019 regulation went into effect, according to the Associated Press. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Rev. Clint Pressley woke up Thursday morning praying for the Southern Baptist Convention, he told his 9,000 followers on social media site X, the former Twitter. Pray I dont embarrass us, the 55-year-old Charlotte pastor quipped. The morning before, Pressley was elected president of the nations largest Protestant denomination during its annual meeting in Indianapolis. The longtime pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church topped a field of six candidates. He won a second runoff ballot with 56% of the vote over Dan Spencer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tennessee. Congratulations soon poured in for the Charlotte native, including on social media, from his megachurch. I love my church man! Pressley replied. Pressley was elected at a controversial time for the denomination. At its annual meeting, the convention voted to oppose in vitro fertilization and nearly voted to penalize Southern Baptist churches that have women ministers. During a post-election news conference Wednesday, Pressley addressed divisive issues facing the convention while saying theres a lot to celebrate in the Southern Baptist Convention, especially as it points to biblical fidelity, real clear mission focus. I think thats part of what the presidents job is: To do all you can by way of influence to make sure, as a convention of churches, we are focused what our mission is, he said. So I look forward to next year. Its a great time to celebrate. Who is new Southern Baptist president? Pressley and his wife, Connie, live in Mint Hill and have two sons. Their third and youngest son Nate, 24, died from a probable drug overdose in his apartment on Aug. 19, 2023, Clint Pressley said on social media the next day. Nate has been in the far country for a couple years now and we have prayed for him everyday, Pressley said on X. The Lord is kind. We trust Providence. Far country was a biblical reference to the prodigal son. Pastors and ministers from across Baptist life expressed their sympathies and support for the Pressleys, the Biblical Recorder reported at the time. As a boy, Clint Pressley belonged to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). During Wednesdays news conference, Pressley recalled how his life changed when his family switched to a Southern Baptist church. Never heard anything like that, he said. His family joined Hickory Grove when Pressley was a teenager, according to his biography on the church website. He graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a bachelor of arts degree and obtained his master of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored two churches in Mississippi and returned to Hickory Grove in 1999 as senior associate pastor of preaching. In 2004, he left to become senior pastor of historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, and returned to Hickory Grove in 2010 as co-pastor. A year later, he was installed as senior pastor. Pressley has held volunteer leadership roles with the convention since 2013, when he was vice president of its pastors conference. He was first vice president of the convention in 2014-2015 and has been a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015. Hes been on the N.C. Baptist Board of Directors since last year. Pressley said hes glad to serve as president, but said its also a volunteer position, meaning hell need help running the annual convention. It sounds like you have a whole lot of power, but you dont, he told reporters. Amendment to ban women pastors fails Pressley said he supported the failed Law Amendment, which would have barred churches that have women pastors. I thought it provided really great clarity, he told reporters. I have brothers that are just as theologically robust as I would like to be myself that were against it. Then we have maintained a real sense of Gods good design, not only in marriage, but how hes given us to live as men and women, Pressley said. Still, Southern Baptists can remain united despite such differences, he said. We need to be unified around not only our understanding of the Bible and our love for the Bible, love for the Gospel, love for the mission, he said. Were unified around the Baptist Faith and Message that we affirm. So theres a lot we can really be glad of, he said. You walk away with the Law Amendment not passing, (but) we have not abandoned biblical truth. At all. Pressley also addressed sexual abuse. An investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News in 2019 exposed sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention. I think you can be really confident, as youve seen in the last couple of years, that the Southern Baptist Convention takes sexual abuse terribly seriously and that people have worked really hard, he said. And he responded to the passage of a resolution that warned about the ethics of in vitro fertilization. He said he and his wife had thought about that and other options when dealing with infertility. Pastors should use the resolution to help Southern Baptists think through the issue, he said. We have just not thought about it very much, he said. Pressley was traveling Thursday and could not be reached by The Charlotte Observer. Congratulations to our Senior Pastor, Clint Pressley, on his election to the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention! pic.twitter.com/0lixF8jtQA Hickory Grove Baptist Church (@DiscoverHGBC) June 12, 2024 The Rev. Clint Pressley woke up Thursday morning praying for the Southern Baptist Convention, he told his 9,000 followers on social media site X, the former Twitter. Pray I dont embarrass us, the Charlotte pastor quipped. The morning before, Pressley was elected president of the nations largest Protestant denomination during its annual meeting in Indianapolis. The longtime pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church topped a field of six candidates. He won a second runoff ballot with 56% of the vote over Dan Spencer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tennessee. Congratulations soon poured in for the Charlotte native, including on social media, from his megachurch. I love my church man! Pressley replied. Pressley was elected at a controversial time for the denomination. At its annual meeting, the convention voted to oppose in vitro fertilization and nearly voted to penalize Southern Baptist churches that have women ministers. During a post-election news conference Wednesday, Pressley addressed divisive issues facing the convention while saying theres a lot to celebrate in the Southern Baptist Convention, especially as it points to biblical fidelity, real clear mission focus. I think thats part of what the presidents job is: To do all you can by way of influence to make sure, as a convention of churches, we are focused what our mission is, he said. So I look forward to next year. Its a great time to celebrate. Who is new Southern Baptist president? Pressley and his wife, Connie, have two sons. As a boy, he belonged to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). During Wednesdays news conference, Pressley recalled how his life changed when his family switched to a Southern Baptist church. Never heard anything like that, he said. His family joined Hickory Grove when Pressley was a teenager, according to his biography on the church website. He graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a bachelor of arts degree and obtained his master of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored two churches in Mississippi and returned to Hickory Grove in 1999 as senior associate pastor of preaching. In 2004, he left to become senior pastor of historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, and returned to Hickory Grove in 2010 as co-pastor. A year later, he was installed as senior pastor. Pressley has held volunteer leadership roles with the convention since 2013, when he was vice president of its pastors conference. He was first vice president of the convention in 2014-2015 and has been a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015. Hes been on the N.C. Baptist Board of Directors since last year. Pressley said hes glad to serve as president, but said its also a volunteer position, meaning hell need help running the annual convention. It sounds like you have a whole lot of power, but you dont, he told reporters. Amendment to ban women pastors fails Pressley said he supported the failed Law Amendment, which would have barred churches that have women pastors. I thought it provided really great clarity, he told reporters. I have brothers that are just as theologically robust as I would like to be myself that were against it. Then we have maintained a real sense of Gods good design, not only in marriage, but how hes given us to live as men and women, Pressley said. Still, Southern Baptists can remain united despite such differences, he said. We need to be unified around not only our understanding of the Bible and our love for the Bible, love for the Gospel, love for the mission, he said. Were unified around the Baptist Faith and Message that we affirm. So theres a lot we can really be glad of, he said. You walk away with the Law Amendment not passing, (but) we have not abandoned biblical truth. At all. Pressley also addressed sexual abuse. An investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News in 2019 exposed sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention. I think you can be really confident, as youve seen in the last couple of years, that the Southern Baptist Convention takes sexual abuse terribly seriously and that people have worked really hard, he said. And he responded to the passage of a resolution that warned about the ethics of in vitro fertilization. He said he and his wife had thought about that and other options when dealing with infertility. Pastors should use the resolution to help Southern Baptists think through the issue, he said. We have just not thought about it very much, he said. Pressley was traveling Thursday and could not be reached by The Charlotte Observer. Congratulations to our Senior Pastor, Clint Pressley, on his election to the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention! pic.twitter.com/0lixF8jtQA Hickory Grove Baptist Church (@DiscoverHGBC) June 12, 2024 SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Ysidro Port of Entry is the number one entry point for fentanyl in the entire nation. More help is now on the way to assist border officers in the fight against drug smugglers. Governor Gavin Newsom announced this week that hes increasing the number of National Guard troops down at the southern border. DEA: Cartels now growing coca in Mexico The governor traveled down to San Ysidro this past March to meet with Custom and Border Protection in an effort to get an update on their operation. CBP officials said most of the fentanyl seizures are taking place at legal crossing points and at vehicle checkpoints. They also said illicit drug are not being smuggled by migrants seeking asylum. The governor first increased the number of National Guard members assigned to the California-Mexico border last year by approximately 50%. Now, hes more than doubling that number. The additional National Guard members will arrive in waves to assist border agents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The state of Colorado has launched the Next Scholarship program to address the workforce shortages across the state, and Pikes Peak State College is looking to support those students who want to. Under the scholarship, the incoming class of 2024 will receive up to $1,500 per student to cover tuition, fees, books, and equipment when enrolling in High Priority Pathways (HPP). HPPs are eight industries in need of skilled workers across the state of Colorado. They include advanced manufacturing, computer and information science, education, engineering and technology, family and social sciences, health professions, and transportation. Polis signs bill creating tax credits for college For those looking to take advantage of Opportunity Next, PPSC is the right fit, said Jacquelyn Gaiters-Jordan, Vice President of Instructional Services at PPSC. The college currently offers degrees in seven of the eight HPPs. PPSC will also complement Colorado Promise by reimbursing out-of-pocket tuition and fees during the first two years of college for students with family incomes of $90,000 or less. PPSC exists for our community. Our aim is to prepare students for workforce demands, said Gaiters-Jordan. This objective aligns seamlessly with the goal of Opportunity Next, making PPSC the perfect place to take advantage of this scholarship. We want to see students in our classrooms who didnt think it was possible for them to be in those seats. Thanks to Opportunity Next and Colorado Promise, its now not only possible to earn a degree or certificate but makes more sense than ever. For more information, visit opportunitynext.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Niagara Falls man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after prosecutors said he killed a woman in a motel room on Niagara Falls Boulevard. The Niagara County District Attorneys Office said 38-year-old Lauren Hayes was killed in February 2023. According to Niagara Falls police, her body was found in the room and Brian Wallace, 37, was subsequently charged. This was a horrible crime for which the defendant deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail, Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman said in a release. According to Seamans office, Wallace will be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison when hes back in court on September 3. Latest Local News Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has been stripped of his immunity by the State Court of Niamey, a move that signals the ruling junta will launch criminal proceedings against him, his lawyers said on Friday. Bazoum was toppled in a military coup last July. He and his wife have since been held in detention, despite repeated calls from the regional political and economic bloc ECOWAS and Western powers for his release. One of his lawyers, Moussa Coulibaly, announced the court's decision in a statement and said it paved the way for the court to prosecute Bazoum for treason and conspiracy to undermine state security. The court proceedings "violat(ed) the absolute rights of the defence: we were not authorised to meet our client and the court refused to hear our arguments," he added. It was not immediately possible to reach the Niger authorities for comment. Last year, the junta said it would prosecute Bazoum for high treason over his exchanges with foreign heads of state and international organisations. The coup, one of eight in West and Central Africa since 2020, swept the military authorities to power. They have ignored the calls for Bazoum's reinstatement, including from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which last year ruled that his detention was arbitrary. Bazoum's lawyers said he and his wife had never been brought before a magistrate. Their telephone line at the presidency was taken away in October, since when they have been cut off from the world with no visitors allowed apart from their doctor, lawyers said. In January, Niger's military tribunal granted the ousted president's 23-year-old-son, Mohamed Bazoum Salem, provisional release from house arrest. (Reporting by Abdel-Kader Mazou and Boureima Balima; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Alex Richardson) FILE - Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum smiles before a working lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron, Feb. 16, 2023 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Nigers highest court lifted the immunity of the countrys democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, nearly a year after he was overthrown by mutinous soldiers, his lawyer said Friday, June 14, 2024, opening the door for the military junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Nigers highest court lifted the immunity of the countrys democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, nearly a year after he was overthrown by mutinous soldiers, his lawyer said Friday, opening the door for the military junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason. Bazoum and his family have been under house arrest since a military coup that overthrew his rule last summer. The junta authorities said they planned to prosecute him for high treason and for undermining national security, and earlier this year initiated legal proceedings to lift his immunity in a newly created State Court, which became the countrys highest judicial authority. Before Bazoum was forcibly removed from power, Niger was the Wests last major security partner in the Sahel, the vast region south of the Sahara Desert that has become a hot spot for violent extremism. But the military junta ordered the withdrawal of Western troops from the country and turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security assistance. U.S. forces are poised to leave by the middle of September, the Pentagon said earlier this month. The proceedings before the State Court have been marred by serious irregularities, including violations of Bazoums rights to present evidence in his defense, to communicate with his legal counsel, and to be heard before an independent court, according to Human Rights Watch, a leading rights group. Bazoums lawyer, Reed Brody, criticized the ruling as a mockery of the rule of law in Niger. We never even got to speak to our client, Brody said. This is a travesty of justice. Bazoums lawyers have been unable to communicate with him since last October and have had restricted access to case material, according to HRW. Late last year, the highest court of West African regional bloc ECOWAS ruled that Bazoum and his family were arbitrarily detained and called for him to be restored to office. ___ Chinedu Asadu contributed to this report from Abuja, Nigeria. Two South Jersey Transportation Commissioners were charged Friday with blocking payments to an engineering firm whose executive refused to go along with a political request from South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross. The charges, part of what the Attorney Generals office stressed is an ongoing investigation, are the first public action the office has taken in its investigation of the powerful South Jersey Democratic political machine and Norcross, an insurance broker who unofficially exercises immense influence over South Jersey Democratic politics. As this investigation continues, today we are sending a clear message: No matter how connected or powerful you are, if there is evidence suggesting that you have used your position and taxpayer dollars for political retribution or gain, we will hold you accountable, Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a statement. SJTA Vice-Chair Christopher Milam and Commissioner Bryan Bush are charged with official misconduct, conspiracy to commit official misconduct and perjury. Their attorneys did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the charges. The announcement of the charges did not name Norcross, instead referring to a "feud between a South Jersey Democratic Party leader" and a county commissioner, which has been reported by POLITICO. "As we have said repeatedly and in prior public statements, Mr. Norcross had no involvement in the South Jersey Transportation Authority matter," Dan Fee, a spokesperson for Nocross said in a statement. During three 2023 transportation authority board meetings, Milam and Bush allegedly cast votes against making legitimate payments to the engineering firm T&M Associates following behind-the-scenes discussions. Their votes prevented the board from awarding the money. They then allegedly lied to a state grand jury in March 2024 about why they took the votes, citing other purported issues and concerns. But according to the attorney general, the real reason was stated in a February 2023 text message from Milam to Bush that allegedly said: They cut South Jersey in Mercer County so now we vote. [I]f you lie to a grand jury, as alleged here, to cover up your conduct, you will answer for that, too, Platkin said. For people to have trust in government, they cannot feel that the well-off and well-connected play by a different set of rules than everyone else. The alleged retribution sprang from a meeting at a Mercer County Starbucks between Norcross and Mercer County Commissioner John Cimino, vice president and chief strategy officer of T&M, who did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin and lobbyist Kevin Drennan were also present. At the time, then-Assemblymember Dan Benson was challenging longtime Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes a close ally of Norcross whose insurance brokerage, Conner Strong & Buckelew, had business with the county in the Democratic primary. Norcross requested that Cimino and Martin take a neutral stance in the primary. Instead, they both backed Benson. (Hughes eventually dropped out of the race and Benson is now county executive). POLITICO reported on the meeting in January 2023, including comment from Norcross. Kevin Drennan arranged a meeting among friends to better understand the outlook of the county executive race. We shared our views and left amicably and honorably. Three of us told the truth on where we stood, Norcross said at the time. One person, John Cimino, proved to be a bald-faced liar. One day after our meeting where he pledged he would be neutral he reversed his position and made an endorsement. POLITICO reported that following the meeting, Conner Strong ended its relationship with T&M. And a report from InsiderNJ said that Steve Ayscue, Norcross chief political consultant, had also severed his relationship with the firm. Milam, who is also the Democratic chair in Gloucester County's Washington Township, and Bush could potentially face lengthy prison terms if convicted. The Attorney Generals office and FBI, according to reports, have been investigating Camden waterfront deals tied to Norcross. Norcross, a Pennsauken native who now domiciles in Florida, has for more than 30 years been one of the most powerful political bosses in New Jersey, with influence extending into both political parties. He was a close ally of former Republican Gov. Chris Christie. During Gov. Phil Murphys term, the two clashed over Christie-era tax incentives awarded to companies tied to Norcross and his allies. Tensions later cooled between the two, with Murphy even headlining fundraisers for a Norcross super PAC. Cimino did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (PIX11) New Jersey police are warning of thieves using Wi-Fi jamming devices to cut off surveillance cameras before striking. A man in the basement of his Florham Park home heard a loud noise coming from the ground floor on Monday, police said. He used his surveillance cameras and saw that a man was trying to break in, but a short time later, his Wi-Fi and cellular service went out, according to authorities. More Local News The suspect ran from the home once he realized someone was there, police said. The man was still unable to call 911 and had to run out onto the street to find help. Florham Park police, along with the Madison Police Department and the Morris County Sheriffs Office, all worked to find the suspect in the neighborhood but were unsuccessful, according to authorities. More Crime News Police believe the suspect is part of a South American theft ring thats using Wi-Fi jammers to break into homes. In some cases, the suspects will install their own surveillance cameras in a propertys landscaping to know when residents leave their homes. Police encourage residents to hardwire their security cameras and get a landline in case of emergencies. Theyre also asking people to inspect their property for any hidden cameras and call police if you see one. The suspect in the Florham Park break-in was last seen wearing tan or beige pants, a dark shirt and a facemask. Anyone with any information or video of the incident is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Pietropinto at 973-410-5424. 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. FILE - The North Carolina state House reviews copies of a map proposal for new state House districts during a committee hearing at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. North Carolina judges deciding whether a redistricting lawsuit claiming a state constitutional right to fair" elections can go to trial questioned Thursday their ability to scrutinize district boundaries that way or to define what fair means. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum, File) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina judges deciding whether a redistricting lawsuit claiming a state constitutional right to fair" elections can go to trial questioned Thursday their ability to scrutinize district boundaries that way or to define what fair means. A panel of three trial judges listened to arguments on a motion by Republican legislative leaders to have the lawsuit filed against them by several voters dismissed. The judges did not immediately rule from the bench, but two of them peppered the voters' lead lawyer with questions about what his clients were specifically seeking. The legislators' attorney said the lawsuit was already short-circuited by a 2023 state Supreme Court ruling that found judges lacked authority to declare redistricting maps are illegal partisan gerrymanders. It's one of at least four lawsuits filed in North Carolina to challenge boundaries drawn by the GOP-dominated General Assembly last fall for use in elections through 2030 that favor Republicans electorally. Three have been filed in federal court and claim illegal racial gerrymandering. Two of those lawsuits are scheduled for trial next year. A federal appeals court in March sided for now with Republicans in a third lawsuit involving two state Senate districts. Bob Orr, a former Supreme Court justice representing the voters, said this lawsuit takes a different tack than those filed by Democrats and their allies that ultimately led to the high courts declaration that redistricting was a political matter the judiciary must stay out of, save for challenges on specific limitations. The justices also affirmed that lawmakers can consider partisanship in mapmaking. The lawsuit says there is an implicit unwritten right within the state constitution to fair elections, citing specific language in the constitution that "elections shall be often held and that all elections shall be free. The state lawsuit wants several congressional and General Assembly districts redrawn, saying they are representative of legislators' efforts to shift lines in otherwise competitive districts to preordain electoral outcomes that will favor one side which now are Republicans. What good is a free election if its not a fair election? Orr asked. What good are frequent elections if the results are preordained and the value of the citizens participation as a voter in electing officials is a done deal before they ever even get to the ballot box? Phil Strach, a lawyer for the Republican legislative leaders, told the judges that the April 2023 ruling by the state Supreme Court halts lawsuits like those considered Thursday, which he called legal gobbledygook. Elections in the state already are fair, Strach added. The state Supreme Court has slammed the door shut on this court being the eye of the beholder on what is fair or not fair in a redistricting map," Strach said in urging its dismissal. They have slammed that door shut, and it should stay permanently closed." Superior Court Judge Jeffery Foster of Pitt County asked Orr for a definition of fair. Orr responded that fair means equitable, impartial and something that doesn't favor one side or the other. Foster asked whether it made more sense to simply seek a statewide referendum to amend the state constitution to make plain that elections must be fair. However, referendums can't happen without legislative approval. Superior Court Judge Angela Puckett of Surry County questioned how fairness would be quantified, since Orr said it did not mean that all candidates in every legislative and congressional district had the same chance to win. I just dont understand what you are asking for, Puckett asked. Orr, a former Republican candidate for governor who is now an unaffiliated voter, said that redistricting is a complicated process that would require collecting evidence in a trial. Give us a chance to make our case, Orr said. Superior Court Judge Ashley Gore of Columbus County the other panelist along with Foster and Puckett, are all registered Republicans. Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican who wrote the prevailing opinion in the 2023 redistricting ruling, chooses three-judge panels to hear such constitutional challenges like these. Last year's ruling by the GOP majority on the Supreme Court reversed a 2022 decision by the state's highest court when it had a Democratic majority. This article was originally published in EducationNC. Insufficient child care is costing North Carolina about $5.65 billion each year, a new study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation estimates. The report, released in partnership with the N.C. Chamber Foundation and NC Child, looked at the ways a lack of child care access hurts the states economy. Employers lose $4.29 billion a year because of job disruptions and turnover related to child care, and the state loses another $1.36 billion in tax revenue, the report found. When we couple the immediate needs of employers with the long-term workforce projections in the state, we simply cannot afford to leave people on the sidelines and that is where access to affordable, quality child care is so critical, Meredith Archie, president of the NC Chamber Foundation, said at a news conference Wednesday. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Twenty-five percent of parents recently experienced a job disruption due to child care issues, based on a representative survey of 517 parents with children under 6 years old. Thirty-five percent of those parents reported leaving the workforce. Fifteen percent of surveyed parents said they expected to leave their jobs in the following year, with 37% of those parents citing insufficient child care as the reason. Its a top issue for our workforce, said Gary Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber, at the event Wednesday. Its a top issue for people. At the end of the day, we can get everything else right and be competitive, and we are, and were winning. Now its about workforce. Now its about people. North Carolina has been ranked the top state for business for two years in a row by CNBC. Yet the labor market is historically tight, Archie said. We have more job openings than people available to take those jobs, and as we look ahead, we know we have an aging population here in the state, and so labor constraints are only going to get tighter, she said. Danielle Stilwell, HR development and recruitment manager at Columbia Forest Products, said she did not find the numbers surprising based on her experience with her companys employees, in terms of both participation and productivity. We have found when our employees needs are not met, they are not truly engaged in the workforce, Stilwell said. The report is part of a series from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation called Untapped Potential, which studies the economic impacts of insufficient child care at the state level. The child care challenge that we have right now is akin to quicksand, said Aaron Merchen, senior director of policy and programs in early childhood education for the U.S. Chamber Foundation. If you notice youre in quicksand right away, you can take a low-level intervention and get out of that situation. The longer you wait, the more serious the situation becomes, the harder it gets to get out of that quicksand. So how can we use this report to look at the situation that were in, and how can we use this report for employers, policymakers, providers, and working parents to work together to find a solution that works for North Carolina? Merchen said. The reports release comes less than three weeks before the expiration of federal funds propping up the states child care industry. Early childhood advocates are pushing for the state to step in to extend that funding during this legislative session. Without intervention, research predicts the state will lose an estimated 20% of its child care programs within a year, and about a third of its programs at some point after the funds end. Most programs have reported expecting to raise prices for parents to sustain their businesses and retain their teachers. Cost was the top factor parents in the survey considered when choosing child care arrangements, and the report found high-income parents were more likely to be able to choose based on other factors such as quality and reputation. For an infant in center-based care in North Carolina, the cost is nearly as high as the average cost of a mortgage, and when you look at families with two or more children, it often far exceeds that cost, said Erica Palmer Smith, executive director of NC Child. And so what we see is an incredible need to address this issue as a state so that parents are able to work and provide for their families. The report does not include policy recommendations, but Salamido said the state chamber and its foundation have plans to reimagine child care in its delivery, in how parents access it, and in how its paid for. He brought up both public and private entities playing a role in taking on the cost of child care. Its a long-term priority for us, Salamido said. This is not something thats going to change overnight. This is not a click, and all of a sudden we solve the problem. Its multidimensional. Workforce participation for parents is only one side of the child care coin, Palmer Smith said. Its also about childrens learning and long-term well-being. Children who have access to early learning opportunities in those first five years of life, we know that they are more likely to read at grade level in school, she said. We know that they are more likely to develop strong coping skills, to be able to be resilient to all of the things that life is going to grow at them. We know that theyre more likely to graduate from high school, and even as we look into adulthood, we know that theyre more likely to be employed, to earn a higher wage, and even to be healthier. This article first appeared on EducationNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. North Korea could send up to 5 million artillery shells to Russia South Korea Shin Won-sik, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Korea, has stated that North Korea sent the containers, which can fit almost 5 million artillery shells, to Russia. Source: Shin Won-sik in an interview for Bloomberg News, as reported European Pravda Details: Seoul has detected at least 10,000 shipping containers being sent from North Korea to Russia, which could hold as many as 4.8 million artillery shells. Quote: "Putin is expected to seek closer security cooperation with North Korea, especially military supplies such as artillery shells that are necessary to seize a chance to win." Shin Won-sik also reported that North Korea had sent tens of ballistic missiles in order to help Putin in the war against Ukraine. In exchange for ammunition Russia sent to North Korea technologies which would help it deploy an array of spy satellites as well as conventional arms such as tanks and aircraft. The South Korean DongA Ilbo newspaper reported that Putin would visit North Korea next week. This trip will become his first visit since 2000 and will cause concern from the side of the US and their partners regarding weapons supplies which helped the Kremlin in its war against Ukraine. The amount of munitions sent by North Korea following the meeting between Putin and Kim in Russia in September has likely significantly surpassed that sent by the US and the EU to Ukraine. The EU promised to supply Ukraine with a million artillery shells by the end of the year. In February Seoul stated that Russia could receive up to three million artillery shells from North Korea. Support UP or become our patron! North Korea could have sent up to 5 million artillery shells to Russia, Seoul says North Korea sent containers to Russia that could contain as many as 4.8 million artillery shells, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in an interview with Bloomberg published on June 14. With Russia's military stocks running low due to extensive use in Ukraine, North Korea has been shaping up as Russia's leading weapons supplier. Seoul spotted at least 10,000 containers being shipped from North Korea to Russia, Won-sik said. Pyongyang also sent dozens of ballistic missiles that Moscow troops launch against Ukraine, he added. Both Kyiv and Washington have previously said that Russia has been using North Korean-produced missiles to attack Ukraine. In March, Ukrainian prosecutors reported that Russia had fired around 50 such missiles to attack six Ukrainian oblasts since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In exchange for the ammunition, Russia reportedly provided North Korea with technology to help it deploy spy satellites as well as tanks and aircraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin will reportedly visit Vietnam and North Korea soon. He will probably want to receive more shells during the trip and seek to strengthen security cooperation with Pyongyang, the South Korean minister said. South Korea's intelligence service is conducting a review into suspicions that North Korea has provided Russia with artillery shells and other weaponry manufactured in the 1970s, the country's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on May 12. Read also: US intelligence officials share evidence that Russia has used North Korean missiles to strike Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FORT WORTH A North Texas man was arrested Thursday and charged with threatening an FBI agent known to be involved in an investigation into Hunter Biden. On Tuesday, Hunter Biden was found guilty on all three federal felony gun charges he faced, resolving that he violated laws meant to prevent drug addicts from owning firearms. Not long after the ruling, just after 5 p.m., 43-year-old Timothy Muller placed a call to an FBI special agent, according to the complaint. This agent was known to have been involved in an investigation into a laptop that belonged to Biden. The complaint states that Muller said, "hey," and the agent disconnected the call. Muller immediately called back and allegedly left a message over one minute long threatening the agent and his family, according to prosecutors. "You can run, but you can't [expletive] hide," Muller allegedly said. "You covered up child pornography. You covered up [H.B.] raping his own [expletive] niece." "So here's how it's gonna go," Muller allegedly continued. "[T.]'s gonna win the re-election, and then we're gonna [expletive] go through the FBI and just start throwing you [expletive]s into jail. Or, you can steal another election, and then the guns will come out, and we'll hunt you [expletive]s down and slaughter you like the traitorous dogs you are in your own [expletive] homes. In your own [expletive] beds. The last thing you'll ever hear are the horrified shrieks of your widow and orphans. And then you know what we're going to do? We're going to slaughter your whole [expletive] family." Muller allegedly followed the voice messages with several texts, including, "How's the family? Safe?" and "Did you [expletive]s really think you were going to disenfranchise 75 million Americans and not die? Lol." Muller was charged via criminal complaint on Thursday with interstate threatening communications and influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official. He was arrested outside his home Thursday morning without incident. A federal magistrate ordered Muller to be detained until a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, June 18 in Fort Worth. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted. Breaking down the Supreme Court's mifepristone abortion pill ruling Supreme Court invalidates ban on bump stocks put in place after Las Vegas mass shooting Dangerous heat wave expected to scorch Midwest and South (FOX40.COM) Police in Northern California said they recently broke up a large sideshow that involved about 200 vehicles and blocked traffic in the area. The Vallejo Police Department said the sideshow took place on Sonoma Boulevard and Lemon Street, less than a mile from Lake Dalwigk Park around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. Police added that they were assisted by the Solano County Sheriffs Office and the American Canyon Police Department in breaking up the sideshow. Nearly 50 vehicles towed, 40 arrests made in Northern California sideshow Among the vehicles involved in the sideshow, police said two participants had their cars towed while someone watching the sideshow had their truck towed. The Vallejo Police Department reminded those who frequent sideshows that the financial consequences of being involved in one could lead to significant fees. Your vehicle will be impounded for 30 days at the impound lot, incurring various fees totaling approximately $2,589, detailed as follows: Tow release fee from the Vallejo Police Department: $339, Tow from the scene fee: $300, Storage fees per day: $60, After-hour tow fees: $150, police said. The agency added that it is unlawful for anyone to knowingly be present at a street race conducted on a public street or highway as well as be present for preparations for a reckless driving exhibition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - In the north of the Gaza Strip where Palestinians have been hit hardest by hunger, residents say acute shortages of vegetables, fruit and meat means they are surviving on bread alone. Food that can be found in the market is being sold at exorbitant prices, they said: a kilo of green peppers, which cost about a dollar before the war, was priced at 320 shekels or nearly $90. Traders demanded $70 for just a kilo of onions. "We are being starved, the world has forgotten about us," said Um Mohammed, a mother of six in Gaza City. She has remained there throughout more than eight months of Israeli bombardments. But she and her family have left their home for designated shelters in U.N. schools several times. "Except for the flour, bread, we have nothing else, we don't have anything to eat it with, so we eat bread only," she said. In late May, the Israeli military lifted a ban on the sale of fresh food to Gaza from Israel and the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials and international aid workers said. But in social media posts, Gazans accused unscrupulous merchants of exploiting needs by buying goods at regular prices in Israel and the West Bank and selling them at a huge mark-up. They said traders are taking advantage of a breakdown of policing in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. "There's no meat or vegetables and if something is available, it is being sold at unbelievable, fictional prices," Um Mohammed told Reuters via a chat app. The flow of U.N. aid in the devastated Palestinian territory has been heavily squeezed since the start of Israeli military operations in Rafah in south Gaza, the key gateway into the enclave from Egypt. Israel is coming under mounting global pressure to ease the crisis as humanitarian agencies warn of looming famine. Israel says it puts no limit on humanitarian supplies for civilians in Gaza and has blamed the United Nations for slow deliveries, saying its operations are inefficient. On Friday, witnesses said planes dropped aid boxes on areas in Al-Karara and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. "A significant proportion of Gaza's population is now facing catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday. Tedros said more than 8,000 children under five in Gaza had been diagnosed with and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 children with severe acute malnutrition. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday that 27 children had died of malnutrition in the enclave since the start of the war last October. "A humanitarian tragedy is hitting northern Gaza and the ghost of famine is looming in the air," the ministry said. Israel's ground and air campaign was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The offensive has left Gaza in ruins, killing more than 37,000 people, according to its health authorities, and left much of the population homeless and destitute. On Friday, Gaza's Chamber of Commerce issued an urgent appeal to the international community to put pressure on Israel to allow the entry of urgently needed aid. "In addition to the shortage of food, water and medicine, the northern Gaza Strip suffers from a severe shortage of many basic necessities of life, including public and personal hygiene materials," it said in a statement. "With the lack of fuel and electricity, and the lack of health care services, hospitals have gone out of service, and a complete destruction of all public and private facilities has occurred." (Editing by Ros Russell and Mark Heinrich) LOWELL, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) An Arkansas man is facing multiple charges after being accused of leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a pursuit through Benton County, according to court documents. Antonio Aguirre, 29 (Courtesy: Benton County Sheriffs Office) Antonio Aguirre, 29, was arrested on June 8 for fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, kidnapping, careless or prohibited driving, refusal to submit to arrest, and obstructing governmental operations. Court documents say on June 8, an officer with the Lowell Police Department was observing traffic on Highway 71B near West Pleasant Grove Road and began following two vehicles, according to a probable cause affidavit. Moments after the officer started following the vehicles, one abruptly turned onto Empire Street. The affidavit said the vehicle did not use a turn signal, had defective license plates and was quickly driving. Tyson Foods CFO arrested for DWI, careless driving The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop and took an extended period of time to stop, according to the affidavit. It stopped near a Kum and Go convenience store in Lowell. The officer approached the driver, later identified as Aguirre, and noticed he could not make consistent eye contact and was softly speaking, as if he was out of breath when he spoke, the affidavit said. Both Aguirre and the passenger lacked identification, according to the document. When the officer asked Aguirre to step out of the vehicle, he drove off and led officers on a pursuit. The pursuit started on Highway 71B, with Aguirre going 20 mph over the speed limit at the time and running red lights as he entered Rogers. Aguirre allegedly would try to lure officers out of their vehicle, only to flee again and create a greater gap, according to the affidavit. He then entered into residential areas, running multiple stop signs. On West Sunset Street in Rogers, Aguirre let the passenger out before he continued to flee. Authorities later spoke with the passenger who said she asked Aguirre to stop the vehicle, but he didnt. Arkansas couple accused of googling instructions to claim unoccupied home The affidavit said officers with Lowell and Rogers police, deputies with the Benton County Sheriffs Office and troopers with Arkansas State Police were involved in the pursuit. An ASP trooper performed a tactical maneuver and spun out Aguirres vehicle, but he was still able to flee, the document said. The trooper performed more maneuvers and each time Aguirre fled until ASP rammed his car. Authorities removed Aguirre from the vehicle and tased while he reportedly resisted arrest. His shoe was removed and police found a white substance inside, which appeared to be methamphetamine, according to the affidavit. Aguirre allegedly fled from law enforcement for around 26 minutes and the pursuit lasted 11 miles. The affidavit said Aguirre had 26 arrest cycles between 2014-23 for various charges including theft, reckless driving and aggravated assault. Aguirre is being held in the Benton County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond and has a court date set for July 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Number of casualties in Gaza 'far too high' says US defence minister NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin greet each other ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called on Israel to better protect the civilian population in the Gaza Strip as it seeks to eliminate Palestinian Islamists Hamas in a war that began in October. "The number of casualties has been far too high," said Austin on Friday on the fringes of a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, commenting on Israel's military operation in the strip. "I have engaged my counterpart on a number of occasions and and encourage them to be more precise, and also make sure that we're protecting the civilians in the battlespace," Austin said. Israel must do everything possible to minimize the number of civilian casualties in the combat zone, he said. Achieving military objectives and protecting the civilian population in a combat zone are not mutually exclusive, said Austin, of Israel's goals in Gaza, amid growing criticism worldwide of the operation given the soaring number of casualties there. He emphasised that the Islamist Hamas mingles with the civilian population and uses them as human shields, describing this as "despicable tactics." However, the US official said, protecting the civilian population is a "strategic imperative." The war in Gaza was unleashed by the unprecedented attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking another 250 as hostages. Around 120 are still in the hands of Hamas, but it is feared that many are already dead. Israel responded to the attack with a massive military offensive on Gaza, in which at least 37,232 people have been killed and many more thousands injured, according to the Hamas authorities. Around 85% of the population in Gaza, 1.9 million people, has been forcibly displaced in the wake of the Israeli attacks, according to UN figures. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) chairs the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C) chairs the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. -/NATO/dpa MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) It was eight months ago that Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israel, murdering around 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages, many of who are still being held. As the Israel-Hamas war continues to rage, Israeli organizers have produced an exhibit in Manhattan that basically recreates the scene of the music festival that was attacked. Its been open to the public in New York since April and is now being extended. To a visitor, a tour of the exhibition located in a 50,000-square-foot space at 35 Wall St. is chilling, sobering and heartbreaking. The Nova exhibit rekindles the horror of the Hamas massacre last Oct. 7, a day embedded in modern-day history. The exhibit begins with a video showing scenes of happiness and fun at the Nova Music Festival, until the moment the music stood still as Hamas attackers staged a surprising massacre killing 360 people at the festival and taking 44 others hostage. More Local News Walking through the Nova exhibit is a testament to the horror of that day that left more than 1,200 dead and 240 taken hostage. Objects on display bear the scars of a massacre: burnt-out cars, portable toilets peppered with bullet holes, tents and lounge chairs abandoned at the festival site as people ran for their lives. All items in the exhibit are authentic from the festival. Tal Shimony, 25, was part of the team working the festival that day, and she remembers the moment of the attack. One minute missiles were over my head and I got a panic attack, Shimony said. Caught in the panic of the moment, she found her boyfriend who got her in his car and they sped away from the horror around them. They managed to escape and survive. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now PIX11 News Headlines If we took a right turn instead of a left, we would have met the terrorists, so we were lucky we made right turn, Shimony said. Its emotional for Shimony to walk through the exhibit and to look at personal items left behind. Hats, shirts, prayer books, and cellphones are frozen in time. Theres so much joy in this room, Shimony said. Seeing these personal things thrown here is just so painful, seeing all these things here filled with dust. Shimony approached a table with personal items placed on top of it. I hate this table, she declared. Its a table of shoes where life once stood that now serve as reminders of lives cut short. Shoes like this are a bad reminder of Holocaust museums, and its very chilling for me seeing this, Shimony said. Shimony walked into one room with more than 400 photos of people who were murdered on Oct. 7. This room is the most painful thing in the exhibition, Shimony said. How many great people are not with us anymore. She looked up to one photo, touched and exclaimed, Good morning Z. Fifteen of Shimonys friends are among those murdered that fateful day. Every morning I come to this wall to say good morning to every one of my friends. They deserve this exhibition. This exhibition is made for them, Shimony said with a heavy heart. Tapestry from the Nova festival decorates the cavernous room, and memorial candles fill the void along with a wall of messages left by visitors. This one hits me the most, Shimony declared. We will dance again, sing again, play again, love again. Because of the overwhelming response by the public, the exhibit has been extended an extra week to run through June 22. Organizers said proceeds from the exhibit will go to victims, survivors and their families to help with mental health issues. The cost of admission is all based on donations. You can find more information about the Nova exhibit on its 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 PIX11. NEW YORK (PIX11) Apprentice NYC, a paid career training program in New York City, is giving people a chance to become an apprentice, get classroom training and obtain high-paying jobs. Bobby Ollivierre, a 38-year-old from Staten Island, said his dream job ever since he was a teenager was to build robots. He now gets to do that at Boyce Technologies. More Local News Ollivierre said he was a professional chef and wanted a career change. An apprenticeship was a practical way to switch gears. Ollivierres boss, Charles Boyce, whos the president of Boyce Technologies, is among the hundreds of companies hiring apprentices from the citys Apprentice NYC initiative. Boyce said his companys slogan is If you can think it, they can make it. His company creates AI-driven technology for the MTAs Help Point kiosks. NYCs Advance and Earn program offers paid training opportunities Ollivierre is no longer an apprentice after moving into a full-time job. His boss said the sky is the limit for his potential. Abby Jo Sigal, the executive director of the Mayors Office of Workforce Development, said they are already projected to hit 14,000 apprenticeship opportunities by the end of this year. There are also apprenticeships for teenagers through a program called Modern Youth Apprenticeship. Emily Ventura, a 17-year-old from the Bronx, got a paid apprenticeship this year and said its a real game changer. New Yorkers can land apprenticeships in the green economy, nursing, business and health care. To learn more about jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities, visit the JobsNYC 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 PIX11. An NYPD inspector tried to cover up his date's drunken crash, prosecutors say FILE - Members of the New York City Police Department listen to a news conference, Jan. 4, 2017, in New York. Paul Zangrilli, a high-ranking NYPD official lied to fellow law enforcement and tried to get incriminating video footage erased after his girlfriend crashed his police car. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) NEW YORK (AP) A New York Police Department inspector has been indicted on charges that he lied to investigators and tried to get incriminating video footage erased after his girlfriend drunkenly crashed his police car into a cab, prosecutors said Thursday. Deputy Inspector Paul Zangrilli, who led a police precinct in Manhattan, is accused of trying to cover up the 2022 wreck by acts including switching seats with his girlfriend after the wreck and then offering the cab driver money. Zangrilli pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Eric Franz, didn't immediately respond to phone messages from The Associated Press but told some news outlets Zangrilli was a respected inspector who has been waiting two years to clear his good name. Manhattan prosecutors said Zangrilli was out drinking with his girlfriend on a summer night when he let her drive his unmarked police vehicle. She crashed into a cab, then, with Zangrilli in the passenger seat, sped away from the scene, Manhattan prosecutors said. Instead of turning his girlfriend in, prosecutors said Zangrilli switched seats with her, then kept driving. When the cab driver caught up with them at a red light and flagged down another police officer, prosecutors said Zangrilli repeatedly offered $500 or $1,000 to the cab driver rather than exchange insurance information. Then, prosecutors said, Zangrilli called an NYPD captain and told a series of lies: that he had been driving alone and was on his way to work when the crash happened. Prosecutors allege that he soon signed into work at his own precinct and called the owner of the bar asking him to erase video footage that would capture the couple's three-hour drinking session. This alleged behavior was incredibly dangerous, leading to injuries for one cab driver and putting the safety of many other drivers and pedestrians at risk. Furthermore, this NYPD Deputy Inspector, then a Commanding Officer, allegedly went to great lengths to cover up the incident to avoid responsibility, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. We will continue to hold public servants accountable when they violate the public trust. Zangrilli is charged with various felonies, including tampering with evidence, offering a false instrument for filing and falsifying business records. He's also charged with drinking while driving and misdemeanors related to misconduct and obstruction. Zangrilli's date was also charged with drunken driving and pleaded not guilty. In 2023, Zangrilli earned around $200,000 in base pay and other compensation, according to New York City public salary records. Zangrilli was suspended without pay, the NYPD said in a statement. Off-duty Hornell police officer goes into life-saving mode at deadly out of town crash After witnessing a deadly four-car crash just outside the City of Auburn last month, an off-duty Hornell cop quickly jumped in to help victims and secure the chaotic scene. Officer Trevor Stiles and four other Hornell policemen were recognized Thursday with the departments Life Saving Award. The Hornell Police Department said Stiles was traveling in the Cayuga County Town of Aurelius on May 10 when a tractor-trailer collided with an SUV at the intersection of state Routes 5 and 20 at around 1:30 p.m. Impact from the crash propelled the SUV into a pair of sedans, according to Stiles, who was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the crash. In a written statement to the city's Board of Public Safety on Thursday, Stiles said, I immediately pulled over my vehicle, jumped out and began assistance. I instructed a few other civilians to set up traffic control and then I immediately went to the aid of the operator of the SUV. With all doors locked and all the windows rolled up, Stiles gained access to the SUV driver by going through the vehicle's sunroof. Stiles said the man was unresponsive and he couldn't detect a pulse. Hornell policeman Trevor Stiles was off duty and traveling on May 10, 2024 when he witnessed a four-car crash in Cayuga County. Stiles quickly stopped and jumped out of his vehicle. He assisted victims and secured the scene of the deadly crash. Stiles said the victim, identified by New York State Police as 74-year-old Anthony J. Carnevale of Auburn, was pronounced dead at the scene. Stiles said he questioned the tractor-trailer driver to confirm the rig was not carrying hazardous material. It was not. It was empty. After those assurances, Stiles helped a sedan driver get out of the vehicle by utilizing the front passenger side door to help her escape. When local law enforcement arrived, Stiles identified himself as an off-duty police officer and briefed Cayuga County Sheriffs Office responders about what he had seen and the actions he took, he said. The Hornell Police Life Saving Award presented to five department members on June 13, 2024. As he prepared to leave the scene, Stiles noticed he had broken glass on his hands and chest. Two other people involved in the crash were treated at nearby hospitals for minor injuries, New York State Police said. Mayor John Buckley on Thursday praised Stiles for asserting yourself in a helpful and useful way in a critical, life and death situation. Officer, that is a great job on your personal time, being in the right place at the right time, Buckley added. Stiles, a lifelong Maple City resident, joined the Hornell Police Department in 2023. From left, Hornell Police Chief Ted Murray, Public Safety Commissioner Dave Parmley, Capt. Michael Sexsmith, Sgt. Todd Giglio, patrolman Ian Hamilton, patrolmen J.R. Emo, patrolman Trevor Stiles, Mayor John Buckley and Public Safety Commissioner Scott Richardson. Life Saving Award presented to five from Hornell PD Stiles was not the only Hornell police officer earning recognition at the Board of Public Safety meeting. Hornell Police Capt. Michael Sexsmith, Sgt. Todd Giglio and patrolmen J.R. Emo, Ian Hamilton and Stiles were presented the police departments Life Saving Award for their swift and effective acts March 15, 2024 at a Hornell apartment when confronted by a man armed with a knife and holding a victim that he had already stabbed and threatened to kill. The officers acting as a team, and ignoring the risk to themselves, entered the apartment and neutralized the threat of a knife-wielding individual using minimal, less than lethal force," Police Chief Ted Murray said. They then immediately attended to the victim, who had locked herself in a bedroom." Industry: Where will Siemens land Brightline West manufacturing? Schumer highlights Southern Tier According to Murray, the departmental award acknowledges life-saving efforts by department members "that go above and beyond those efforts of public safety that all officers do every day." Buckley said, "Until you are actually in those shoes, going into the unknown when that call comes in, that takes something special. We are blessed to have a great group that puts itself in harm's way to protect others." Follow Neal Simon on Twitter @HornellTribNeal. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell police officers earn life saving awards from city Harry Dunn, among the police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, speaks at a press conference Thursday held by the campaign to re-elect President Joe Biden. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the violent attack on Jan. 6, 2021, joined a press conference Thursday in Madison to urge voters not to return Donald Trump to the White House in November. Donald Trump continues to encourage and embrace political violence, said Daniel Hodges, a D.C. police officer who emphasized he was speaking in his own capacity and not as a police department or city representative. He hasnt backed down from anything he said that sparked an insurrection. The press conference was held by the campaign to re-elect President Joe Biden. Hodges spoke on the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol as Democratic activists and state lawmakers stood behind him. Heres the message for Donald Trump, Hodges said. You cant call yourself pro-law enforcement when you inflame political violence at every turn. You cant claim to be on our side and then promise pardons for violent rioters who assaulted me and other officers. As a law enforcement officer, I believe he has no place anywhere near the Oval Office. I am deeply concerned that if we do not stop him, history could repeat itself. Thursdays press conference reflected one of the Democrats core themes in the 2024 elections, running against the MAGA Extremism of Trump and the Republican Party. On Thursday the Biden-Harris campaign released an ad that focused on the Jan. 6 attack and on Trumps statements that he would pardon people who have been convicted in connection with it. Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski introduced Hodges after describing how the attack unfolded as it was broadcast live on television. This was not a peaceful transition of power, Godlewski said. It was un-American. It was an attack on the rule of law and on our democracy. Trump continues to perpetuate that he won the 2020 election, which is a lie despite even his own fake electors admitting to my office in writing that they were part of a larger conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, she said. Her comment referred to Wisconsins Republican fake electors, who forged electoral votes for Trump on Dec. 14, 2020, as part of a scheme to overturn Bidens victory in the presidential election that November. On Dec. 6, 2023, the 10 Wisconsin fake electors settled a federal lawsuit arising from their actions, and as part of the settlement they sent a letter Dec. 11 to the offices of the U.S. Senate president, the U.S. archivist, the federal court and the Wisconsin Secretary of State. The letter states the document reporting the false electoral votes was then used as part of an attempt to improperly overturn the 2020 election results. It acknowledged they were not Wisconsins duly elected presidential electors. Thursdays press conference was part of a three-city swing, with appearances by the officers scheduled for Milwaukee Thursday afternoon and Eau Claire Friday afternoon. On Jan. 6 we protected Republicans, Democrats, independents alike, said Harry Dunn, the other Jan. 6 police officer. We believe in our institutions, we believe that they need good people in them to be strong. The Capitol rioters sought to stop the certification of the election, Dunn said. As ugly as that day was, Im proud to say that our officers won that day and the certification of the election happened. We may not be so lucky next time. He recounted Trump describing the people involved in the Jan. 6 attack as patriots and alluded to the former presidents statement that there would be a bloodbath for the country if he isnt elected this year. I know what a bloodbath looks like because we saw one on Jan. 6, and I fear it will be worse, Dunn said. Trump was indicted last year on federal charges of unlawfully trying to overturn the 2020 election through actions that culminated in the Capitol attack. His trial has been postponed while the U.S. Supreme Court considers his claim that he is immune from prosecution for any acts he committed as president. While participants in the attack have been convicted, there hasnt been accountability yet at the highest level, Dunn said. The person who incited it has not been held accountable. In fact, were still waiting for the Supreme Court to determine if he can be held accountable. Both officers acknowledged frustration that, despite widespread publicity, including video from news organizations and months of hearings by a U.S. House committee convened to examine the attack, a large swath of the population appears to reject first-hand accounts such as theirs of the events during the attack. I dont know how you get to that point, Hodges said. I think its a testament to the power of misinformation or propaganda, the power of our leaders to mislead and the power of people to just believe what they want to believe because its convenient. Dunn name-checked politicians who in the past have criticized Trump over the Jan. 6 attack but have gone on to endorse the former president. Weve seen [Sens.] Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, [Rep.] Kevin McCarthy, [former GOP presidential hopeful] Nikki Haley all say that theyre done with him, that hes responsible for what happened on Jan. 6, and where are they right now? Right by his side, Dunn said. Were not trying to reach those people, he added. In Wisconsin, there are hundreds of thousands of people that dont understand fully what happened that day. Those voters dont necessarily believe Donald Trump, but they want to hear it they want to know what happened, Dunn said. They want to know whats at stake. And thats why Im honored to be out here, he continued. Because as long as you have individuals on that side, white washing, downplaying, flat out lying about what happened that day, youll continue to see officers me and Danny Hodges and other officers push back and fight back against them. The post Officers who experienced Capitol attack campaign for Biden in Wisconsin appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. An Ohio man who worked for a cell phone repair business is facing charges after allegedly stealing nude photos from clients phones. Calvin Jordan, 27, of Gallipolis, was indicted this week on 36 counts of unauthorized use of property, three counts of pandering oriented matter involving a minor, and one count of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented materials. >> Motorcycle club members accused of murder, arson, extortion in multi-state investigation Jordan was employed by Direct Computing Solutions in Gallipolis and took possession of customers mobile devices to repair. From December 2021 to April 2022, he allegedly downloaded nude and intimate photographs from his clients phones. An investigation showed that more than 40 people, including minors between the ages of 14 and 17, had their photos stolen, according to the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. Customers of Direct Computing Solutions who believe they may be victims should contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446). The Ohio House chamber. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original photo.) The Ohio House passed more than a dozen bills during Wednesdays session ranging from one that allows people to shoot feral pigs to another that provides supports during pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of life. Infant mortality State Reps. Andrea White, R-Kettering, and Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus, introduced House Bill 7 last year and the bipartisan bill passed the Ohio House with a 72-20 vote during Wednesdays session. The bill has provisions to support doula services, pregnancy and postpartum individuals, children and families in poverty, early intervention, child care, a cost savings study for the Medicaid program and the Head Start Program. HB 7 will appropriate about $35 million over fiscal year 2024-25 to cover several crucial areas including addressing maternal mortality rate, improving health outcomes, enhancing mental health supports and strengthening pre- and post-natal health care access, and strengthening support programs for underserved communities, Humphrey said. Ohio ranked 44th in the nation for infant mortality and 31st for infant maltreatment. One in 150 Ohio babies dont live to celebrate their first birthday and 2,000 infants and toddlers are in foster care, White said. Its really a problem that affects all of our communities, White said. And thats why the solutions in this bill will reach people of all income levels. Infant maternal mortality does not discriminate based on where you live (and) how much money you earn. Ohios overall infant mortality rate was 7.0 in 2021, according to the Ohio Department of Healths most recent report. Breaking it down by race, the infant mortality rate was 14.2 for Black babies and 5.4 for white babies. Feral pigs The House also unanimously passed a bill with 90 votes that would declare open season for feral pigs, prohibit feeding any garbage to pigs and bans bringing any hogs into Ohio that have been fed garbage. Reps. Bob Peterson, R-Sabina, and Don Jones, R-Freeport, introduced House Bill 503 in April. Its not Porky Pig, Peterson said during Wednesdays session. Its not the pigs you see at the fair. These are mean, wild and destructive animals that need to be eradicated. Feral pigs are a threat to Ohios pork economy, are a nuisance to landowners and carry various diseases, Peterson and Jones said during their sponsor testimony to the Ohio House Agriculture Committee in May. Feral swine which are in Adams, Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto and Vinton counties could cost Ohio around $2.5 billion in damages per year to crops, natural vegetation and water and soil, Peterson said. Swine are an invasive species that can cause billions of dollars of property damage (and) cost the taxpayers much money to eradicate if they become an issue, Jones said. HB 503 would allow people to shoot feral pigs on someones property without a hunting license as long as they alert the state officials within 24 hours. It would also require someone to report a feral pig sighting to state officials within 24 hours. The bill bans people from feeding feral swine as well as importing, transporting or releasing feral swine into the wild. Garbage feeding pigs can attract and sustain a feral pig population, Jones said. Under the bill, the Ohio Department of Agriculture can investigate tips that pigs are being fed garbage and fine someone $500 and up to $1,000 if it continues to happen. HB 503 would get rid of a current state license that allows for garbage feeding swine, but not one currently holds one. States like Texas where more than 2,400 feral pigs were reported last year have had serious issues with feral pigs and they have a $321 billion budget just for feral swine mitigation, Jones said. The bills will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Ohio House passed bills OKing feral pig open season and another to help pregnant women, babies appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. On June 11, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien in Yerevan. At the beginning of the final session of the Strategic Dialogue between Armenia and the United States. "During the meeting, Armenia and the United States reviewed progress in strengthening bilateral relations and outlined deepening ties in the coming year, which will be formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding in order to raise the status of our bilateral relations to the level of the Strategic Partnership Commission," reads a joint statement on the outcome of the meeting, which took place in Yerevan. The executive director of the Azerbaijani-American Centre for Economic and Strategic Studies, located in Wisconsin (USA), American political expert Peter Tase said that the Biden-Harris administration is making a huge mistake in US foreign policy in the South Caucasus region. According to him, the strategic partnership with Yerevan will further embolden the Armenian government to become more aggressive towards neighbouring countries. "Washington is completely disconnected from reality regarding this part of Europe. The bilateral strategic partnership with Armenia will have negative geostrategic consequences, which will further worsen Washington's position in the South Caucasus. These actions do not bode well for America's geopolitical interests on the Eurasian continent," he said. According to him, the current US administration needed to maintain an open and sincere dialogue, partnership and political coordination with the administration of President Ilham Aliyev. "Ilham Aliyev is a statesman respected all over the world whose promises and words have the same value as his signature. Unfortunately, the State Department has decided to deepen cooperation with Armenia, whose government buys large stocks of military equipment from France. The strategic partnership with Washington will encourage Yerevan to postpone fulfilling its obligations to conclude a peace treaty with Baku and respect international law when it comes to recognising the full territorial sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan," Peter Tase added. Ohio man arrested for pointing loaded gun at victim during road rage incident in Howard County HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland State Police (MSP) arrested an Ohio man for taking out a paintball pistol on Interstate 70 in Howard County during a road rage incident Thursday morning. The victim was driving on I-70 West around 9:30 a.m. when it happened. James Wells, 39, was driving in a blue Chevrolet and pointed the gun in the victims direction during the road rage incident. Anne Arundel County police looking for escaped prisoner The victim called police and was able to provide the license plate of the car. MSP troopers found the suspected car on westbound I-70 in Frederick and conducted a traffic stop. Wells confirmed that he did point the gun at the victim and then handed over the loaded gun to the troopers. He was arrested and charged with first degree assault. Wells was taken to the Howard County Department of Corrections. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKALOOSA ISLAND About 300 people gathered at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on Wednesday to honor female veterans in Okaloosa County's second annual Women Veterans Day ceremony. "Women are serving in greater numbers in combat roles and leadership positions around the world," said Col. Allison Black, the former 1st Special Operations Wing commander, and the event's keynote speaker. "If you can see it, you can be it. I didn't know to believe that." Women Veterans Day is held annually on June 12 and recognizes the passage of the Women Armed Service Integration Act, which President Harry Truman signed into law in 1948. However, women's enlistment was held to 2% of each branch's total enlistment size, limiting the number of women who could be placed in leadership roles. Black said women have served on the front lines in American conflicts for more than 200 years and have had to overcome many obstacles to achieve their current position. "For many, many years. I was working on who I was as a professional, being really good at my job and not wanting to be recognized for being different," Black said. "And being a woman in uniform was different. I avoided talking about it. I avoided any kind of spotlight, but I became comfortable with who I was as a person, as a woman, as a wife, as a mother and as a leader. I recognized what I said prior; if you can see it, you can be it." The first observance of Women Veterans Day was one year ago and grew from previous initiatives by Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel to honor female veterans over the years. Black said the day signified a moment to reflect on the sacrifices women have made toward the goal of equal opportunity in the military. "We get the opportunity to pay homage to the sacrifice and celebrate the recognition of our women veterans who, through it all, displayed the great determination of perseverance we all admire, but when it was needed most," she said. "Although it may not have been legal for women to enlist in the Armed Forces until 1948, in true warrior spirit, women found a way to serve their nation." Women were not allowed to serve in direct combat roles until 2013, when then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta decided to lift a ban on women serving in combat, overturning a 1994 ruling that excluded women from serving in units below the brigade level if engaging in direct combat. The ruling allowed women such as Black to enlist in positions not previously open to women. For Black, this was considered the catalyst for her and others to hold roles in special operations eventually. Ketchel, who also represents the Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented the organization's most prestigious award, the DAR Medal of Honor, to Lt. Gen. Gordon Fornell for his service to the local community since his retirement in 1993. Lt. Gen. Gordon Fornell and his wife, Bobbie, (pictured center) pose for pictures after receiving the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor at Wednesday's ceremony. State Rep. Patt Maney, R-Shalimar, and DAR representatives Lija Eldridge and Cindy Addison joined Ketchel in presenting Fornell with the award. "No one has been more active and effectively engaged on a continuous basis in his efforts to improve our community and all of our families in Northwest Florida," Maney said. Maney said Fornell flew more than 200 combat missions and held various command and operational assignments, including test pilot and leadership roles at Edwards Air Force Base and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Fornell also served as the commander of the armament division at Eglin Air Force Base from 1985 to 1987. Since his retirement, Fornell has become one of the original members of the Okaloosa Aviation Advisory Board and facilitated a long-term, joint-use agreement between the county and the Air Force. Manney said that Fornell's actions on the board have allowed the airports in Okaloosa County to become debt-free and self-sufficient. Fornell also served on the boards of the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and the Defense Support Initiative of the Economic Development Council. In addition to his achievements, Fornell was a key member in creating the eight Women Veterans Monuments scattered throughout the park. The Rev. Cecil Williams ended the ceremony by delivering a blessing. Then, those in attendance were led to Veterans Park for a wreath-laying ceremony. On Tuesday, the Okaloosa County Commission will consider the addition of four more statues coming to the park honoring women from various conflicts and branches of service, such as the Marine Corps and Coast Guard. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: 'If you can see it, you can be it': Okaloosa honors female veterans Oklahoma AG joins fight in the use of AI in child exploitation OKLAHOMA CITY Attorney General Gentner Drummond has added his support to a federal act that targets the use of artificial intelligence for child exploitation. Drummond and a coalition of 43 other state and territory attorneys general signed a June 10 letter to U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy endorsing the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024. Langworthy is the bills chief sponsor. While the rapid development of AI can hold great promise for humanity, it also has the potential to be extremely dangerous. In this quickly evolving high-tech environment, we must ensure there are laws in place to protect children. Drummond said. The Act would establish a commission to investigate and make recommendations on solutions to improve the ability of a law enforcement agency to prevent, detect, and prosecute child exploitation crimes committed using artificial intelligence. Click here to read the letter. A knife or hammer is a useful tool in the right hands. But in the wrong hands, its a dangerous weapon. Its the same with AI, wrote the attorneys general. We are hopeful the creation and work of this commission will result in appropriate safety measures and updates to existing laws so we can protect children from being digitally exploited and hold criminals accountable. Oklahoma lawmakers are also addressing the use of AI in child pornography. A measure in the recently concluded state legislation session, House Bill 3642, expands the definition of child pornography to include computer-generated or altered images of children being forced to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Drummond had requested the bill, which Rep. Toni Hasenbeck and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat authored. In addition to Oklahoma, the endorsement includes Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. UPDATE: 06/14/2024 11:41 AM According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, the individual in the grey hoodie has been identified. Authorities are still looking to identify the individual in the red hoodie. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police are looking to identify two people they say burglarized multiple businesses. Alleged NW Expressway burglars. Alleged NW Expressway burglars. LOCAL NEWS: Local solar company steps in and repairs work done by a previous company following News 4 story According to OKCPD, they burgled several businesses in the 5900 block of NW Expressway. Anyone with information is asked to contact OKC Crime Stoppers by calling 405-235-7300 or submitting an anonymous tip online. Police say a cash reward may be 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Brittane Grant files for House District 99 during the 2024 candidate filing period in April at the state Capitol. A political newcomer is facing off against a three-term state representative for the winner-take-all Democratic primary in a northeastern Oklahoma City House district. Economic development professional Brittane Grant is on Tuesday's ballot with state Rep. Ajay Pittman, who was first elected to the seat in 2018. House District 99 includes neighborhoods around OU Medical Center and extends north along the west side of the Broadway Extension, also encompassing a sizable chunk of north Oklahoma City. Early voting has begun, and precinct polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The two women have racked up an impressive list of endorsements, both within state government and their community. Pittman was endorsed by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, while Grant has the support of several religious leaders, the American Federation of Teachers and state Sen. George Young, who previously represented the district. Oklahoma primary elections guide 2024: Who's on the ballot, where to vote, results Pittman and Grant were the only candidates who filed, so the winner of Tuesday's election will be sworn into the seat this fall pending the outcome of a lawsuit challenging Grant's eligibility to serve. Showdown in House District 99 Since her first election in 2018, Pittman has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing her district. Most recently, she served as the vice chair of the House Tourism Committee. As one of only 20 Democrats in the 101-member House, Pittman was the only member of her party appointed to serve in committee leadership this year. She also serves on the Joint State Tribal Relations Committee and co-chairs the Native American Caucus in the House. In 2024, Pittman was the lead author on legislation that would have created the Handle With Care program, which would have encouraged partnership between local law enforcement, community mental health services and schools regarding children's' exposure to traumatic incidents. Despite passing both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support, Gov. Kevin Stitt triggered a pocket veto by not signing the bill. State Rep. Ajay Pittman speaks with a supporter of Julius Jones in 2021 at the Oklahoma Capitol. Grant currently works at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, specializing in workforce development. Before that, she was manager of talent and business growth for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. According to her website, Grant's core values include accountability, diversity, equity and progress. Both candidates have faced legal troubles According to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records, Grant was convicted in 2016 of false representation in obtaining assistance, and false representation in obtaining food stamps. According to state law, food stamp fraud is a felony when it involves more than $100 worth of benefits. It appears her conviction was deferred and ultimately stricken from court records, meaning details of the case are not publicly available. Last week, Pittman filed a petition with the district court in an attempt to prevent the Oklahoma State Election Board from certifying Grant as the winner if she receives the most votes Tuesday. The lawsuit claims that because of Grant's previous conviction, she cannot legally serve in the House of Representatives. The Oklahoma Constitution bars anyone "adjudged guilty of a felony" from being elected to the Legislature. Neither Grant nor the Election Board has responded to the court filing. More recently, Pittman was hit with thousands of dollars in fines and reimbursements for misusing campaign funds. As part of a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, Pittman agreed to repay her campaign $18,000 and pay a fine worth more than $17,000 for state campaign finance violations. Pittman admitted to spending nearly $18,000 for her personal use instead of campaign purposes, according to the settlement agreement. She also admitted to inaccurately reporting about $30,000 in contributions in 2020 and $20,000 worth of contributions in 2022. In a statement to media, Pittman blamed it on a clerical error in campaign filings. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma elections: Ajay Pittman, Brittane Grant on Tuesday's ballot Convicted killer Richard Norman Rojem, Jr. will ask for clemency in a hearing Monday. (Getty Images) OKLAHOMA CITY A convicted killer on Monday is expected to ask the Pardon and Parole Board for clemency ahead of his scheduled execution later this month. Richard Norman Rojem, Jr., 66, is set to be executed June 27 for the 1984 kidnapping, rape and murder of his 7-year-old former stepdaughter Layla Cummings. Layla Cummings, 7, was killed July 7, 1984, after being kidnapped and raped. (Photo provided by Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office.) Rojems legal team is expected to argue that he deserves clemency because hes not guilty of the slaying. Layla Cummings body was found in a field near Burns Flat, where she was face-down in her mothers nightgown. She sustained three stab wounds, according to a medical examiners report. The girls mother, Mindy Cummings, said in a letter to the Pardon and Parole Board that her life has been like holding onto a rope in a hurricane since her daughters death. I cannot maintain a count of how old she would be each year, had she lived, Mindy Cummings wrote. For me, it is meaningless. Everything she might have been was stolen from her, one horrific night. She never got to be more than the precious 7-year-old that she was. And so she remains in our hearts forever 7. Mindy Cummings met and married Rojem while he was serving a sentence for the rapes of two teenage girls in Michigan, according to records. It was not immediately clear if she knew what he was in prison for. After serving three years, he violated his parole to move to Oklahoma, according to records. One year before Layla Cummings death, Rojem molested her, according to records. Mindy Cummings divorced and obtained a restraining order against Rojem in 1984 before her daughters death. Before meeting Mindy Cummings, Rojem served in the Air Force. He received an administrative discharge after having several disciplinary issues, according to records. While he was part of the service, he was evaluated and found to have a personality disorder with dissocial characteristics. He also showed a lack of thoughtful and adaptively organized behavior and had a history of truth distortion, according to records. In early July 1984, the Cummings lived in an Elk City apartment. While her mother was working a night shift at McDonalds, Mindy Cummings asked a friend to keep an eye on the apartment where her daughter and son slept, according to records. Rojem entered the apartment, which did not have a working lock, and kidnapped Layla Cummings around 12:30 a.m. on July 7, according to records. The noise woke her brother, who recognized Rojem, according to records. A farmer discovered Layla Cummings body later that day. Three juries sentenced Rojem to death. Attorney General Gentner Drummond has asked the Board to reject Rojems appeal for clemency. The family of Layla Cummings has waited 40 years for justice to be done, Drummond said in a statement. 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. Rojems attorney, Jack Fisher, declined a request for an interview. In his request for clemency, Rojems team argues he is innocent. Richard Norman Rojem, Jr., is scheduled for execution at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on June 27. (Photo provided by the Department of Corrections.) Rojems attorneys are expected to say DNA found under Layla Cummings fingernails was not his, and that no DNA was found in his car, according to his clemency packet. Dirt from Rojems tires was not consistent with the dirt of the field Layla Cummings body was found in, according to his clemency packet. They are also expected to argue fingerprint evidence isnt reliable enough and condom wrappings found around Layla Cummings body were suspicious because a medical examiners report found she was not raped and murdered in the field, according to his clemency packet. Mr. Rojem and his counsel respectfully request this board recommend Clemency for Rick Rojem an innocent man and commute his death sentence to life or life without parole, according to his clemency packet. Then Mr. Rojem can attempt to litigate his actual innocence claim in a different forum. Rojem is set to be executed at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board will vote whether to recommend clemency to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who will make the final decision. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Oklahoma man facing June 27 execution plans to request clemency at hearing appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. TULSA, Okla. A man living in the Delaware County area is indicted on several assault charges in connection to the alleged beating and strangulation of his former girlfriend. Clifton Clay Warren, 35, is charged with assault of an intimate and dating partner by strangling and suffocating, attempted kidnapping, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury all in Indian Country. A criminal complaint states Warren has a Lawton address but was staying in the Jay and Eucha area at the time of his arrest. He is in federal custody awaiting his Aug. 5 trial date, according to online records. A medical examination of the woman showed she sustained bruising, a busted blood vessel in her left eye, and a swollen left ear known as cauliflower ear. A cauliflower ear is a deformation of the ear typically caused by repeated and direct blunt trauma to the outer ear and surrounding tissue, much like what boxers and MMA fighters experience. The woman said on multiple occasions Warren threatened to kill her if she reported him to law enforcement. Federal Criminal Complaint She later refused to report any assaults to deputies denying she was hurt, the complaint states. One witness reportedly overheard Warren threaten to kill the woman. The woman told authorities Warren never threatened to kill her but he threatened to kill himself if she would not be with him, court records show. The woman told authorities Warren kept her confined in his RV trailer saying he loved her a lot, and he did not want her to leave him like everybody in his life. Warren denied to law enforcement he locked the woman in his RV trailer. However, the woman reportedly told emergency rescue, law enforcement and medical providers, Warren stuffed a rag into her mouth to keep her quiet. But later relented and removed the rag saying to the woman, he loved her and asked why she was doing that to him, referring to leaving him. It was also noted she had small abrasions around the upper chest and neck area, the complaint states. What Happened The estranged couple spent the night and early morning hours of April 18, fighting because Warren told deputies the woman had been unfaithful to him and was leaving him, saying she was not going to leave him ever, and she was his girl. The woman told authorities she and Warren had been in an on-again and off-again relationship for nine months throughout the relationship Warren had been very physically and verbally abusive towards her, especially throughout the last few weeks. Warren confessed to authorities to hooking his arm around the womans neck from behind saying she was between, good breathing and no good breathing, good breathing and no good breathing as he dragged her back into the RV, the complaint states. Warren told the deputies he planned to lock her up in the RV, leave and come back later when he was relaxed. Warren said he would check in with her, but told authorities she was not going to leave, the complaint states. The arguing continued and two Delaware County deputies were called to a rural Delaware County road on April 18 around 8:45 a.m. on a domestic violence incident. A woman and Warren were arguing and yelling at each other loudly along the side of the road when the woman used sign language signaling for help to a passing motorist. Federal Criminal Complaint Two motorists stopped to assist the woman. During this time, Warren began arguing with the witnesses saying, She is having a mental breakdown and if she doesnt get away from me, Ill have her killed, the complaint states. The woman told deputies during this time of the argument Warren said he was going to have a former girlfriend kill her, the complaint states. Warren fled the scene before deputies arrived. Warren was traveling eastbound on Highway 28 riding a green bike and was taken into custody by Delaware County deputies later without incident. If you, or someone you know, is in a domestic violence situation please reach out to the Delaware County Sheriff at (918) 253-4531, the Community Crisis Center at (918) 253-3939 in Jay or (918) 787-5381 in Grove or Wyandotte Nation (877) 276-0669 24 Hr. Hotline. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The first McDonalds in New Mexico held a grand reopening with a modern look on Thursday. In 1959, the first McDonalds in New Mexico was opened in northeast Albuquerque. This is the third time theyre rebuilding the restaurant to streamline operations. City of Albuquerque offering $23M for developers to build affordable housing Owner and operator Steve Aragon says a portion of the profits made on Thursday and Friday will go to Locker 505 and Thunderbird Little League. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Insights from Politico, The Guardian, Firstpost, Associated Press, The New York Times, and the BBC The News A common thread united all but one leader at the Group of Seven summit under way in Italy they all face political headwinds back at home. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government is trying to avert collapse over a budget shortfall, French President Emmanuel Macron is fighting for survival after calling a snap election, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservatives are facing near-annihilation in next months UK election. In the US, President Joe Biden faces a rematch with a resurgent Donald Trump, while Japans Fumio Kishida is fielding calls from his party to step down and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces record-low poll ratings. The lone exception is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, basking in the far-rights success at this months European elections. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Weakest G7 leadership at this years summit Sources: Politico, The Guardian This years G7 summit presents arguably the weakest gathering of leaders in years, said Politico, at a time when the democratic world urgently needs strong and clear leadership. The contrast with Meloni couldnt be starker: Never has a host had so little in common with her guests, observed The Guardians diplomatic editor. But Politico noted that the Italian premier doesnt lead a superpower and as head of only the worlds ninth-largest economy is limited on what she can actually achieve on the global stage. Meloni is becoming Europes kingmaker Sources: The Associated Press, Firstpost Within Europe, however, Meloni could play a key role, argued other reports. Her right-wing Brothers of Italy party won 28% of the vote in the recent European parliamentary elections, and cemented Melonis place as Europes kingmaker, The Associated Press said. She could even hold the balance of power that keeps European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the blocs helm. If Meloni extends her support to von der Leyen, the EU Commission would have to accommodate her, which would put Italy at the centre of European politics, Indian outlet Firstpost noted. Macrons hasty snap election has been criticized Sources: BBC, The New York Times French voters will head to the polls on June 30 and July 7, marking the shortest-ever campaign period in the countrys history. Macron called the surprise ballot following the far-rights stunning rise in the European elections, leaving parties scrambling to select candidates and forge alliances. Voters have openly questioned Macrons wisdom in calling the election: Trapping French people in a three-week, hasty campaign where were stuck between the two extremes, frankly, is not a good move on the part of the president, one voter told The New York Times. BRUSSELS European allies are ramping up pressure on the Biden administration to further loosen restrictions on Ukraines use of U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia, arguing that the limits still in place hurt Kyivs ability to defend itself. Publicly, the U.S. administration says it has not changed its policy, which currently restricts the use of U.S.-provided weapons to Ukrainian soil and the immediate region across the border from the besieged city of Kharkiv. But U.S. officials acknowledge that at multiple points in the conflict, Washington has been reluctant to give Ukraine something it wants only to give in at the last minute. If you look back over the course of the conflict, you can find a number of areas where we were reluctant to do something and then we did it, said one senior Defense Department official, who was granted anonymity to speak about sensitive conversations. So never say never. The discussions are taking place in Brussels this week, where defense chiefs from around the world gathered for a Thursday meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and Fridays NATO defense ministerial. They come weeks after the Biden administration quietly gave Ukraine permission to strike inside Russia but only across the border near the Kharkiv area, where Moscow has been launching attacks on the northern city. The pressure on President Joe Biden isnt coming from only Europe. POLITICO reported on Thursday that a growing number of Democrats are also warming to the idea of loosening restrictions, and are letting the White House know. If Biden relents, it will be the latest example of the White Houses shifting red lines on the Ukraine conflict, in which the U.S. refuses to provide more advanced weapons first Himars rockets, then Patriot missile defense systems, then F-16 fighter jets before reversing course. Asked about the issue on Thursday in Italy, Biden said hes not planning on changing his policy. "It is clear that just across the border with Russia and Ukraine, that it makes a lot of sense for Ukraine to be able to take out or combat what is coming across that border, he said. In terms of long-range weapons into the interior of Russia, we have not changed our position on that sort." Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, leaned forward on the issue of restrictions on donated weapons in his public remarks throughout the week. During a Thursday press conference, he said Ukraines right to self-defense includes the right to strike legitimate military targets on the territory of the aggressor, Russia. It would really undermine Ukraine's ability to defend itself, to uphold the right to self-defense, if it wasnt possible for them to use weapons to repel those attacks. It would actually be to ask them to defend themselves with one hand tied around the back, Stoltenberg said. This is the reason why I also welcome that some Allies have eased the restrictions. Similarly, Netherlands Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on the sidelines of the meeting that Ukraine has to be able to use weapons, both arms, not one arm tied on their back. Although she declined to comment on other countries policies, she said I feel we should not restrict Ukraine. Im telling everybody that this is our policy, and I think its a policy that fits the dynamics of the war, she said. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur echoed those comments, telling POLITICO: My view is simple everything we give, should be allowed for Ukrainians to use as they need considering the tactical planning. Ukraine has made use of the latest policy change to conduct at least one strike across the border, using U.S.-made Himars rockets to destroy Russian surface-to-air missiles in Belgorod. The shift has allowed Kyiv to blunt Russias offensive in the Kharkiv region, which senior U.S. officials worried initially could lead to a significant breakthrough. What I see is a slowing of the Russians' advance and a stabilizing of that particular piece of the front, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a Thursday press conference. The Ukrainians have done a lot to fortify their defensive positions and are making good use of the weapons and munitions that they're being provided. Senior U.S. officials insist publicly that U.S. policy on the restrictions has not shifted further. Austin stressed that allowing Ukraine to strike into Russian territory was a narrow change intended only for the Kharkiv region. Our policy in using long-range strike capabilities to conduct strikes deep into Russia, that's not changed, Austin said during the press conference. The intent of allowing them to conduct counter-fire was to help them address the issue of the Russians conducting staging, or building staging areas just on the other side of the border, and attacking from those staging areas. The senior DOD official also noted that the policy shift was in direct response to Russias strikes on Kharkiv. But the official acknowledged that U.S. policy on Ukraine has been constantly evolving since the beginning of the war. There's always a constant conversation and reassessment of what the right answer is. And I think that's healthy. Adam Cancryn in Italy and Stuart Lau in Brussels contributed to this report. One in ten convicts returning to Russia's Stavropol Krai after fighting in Ukraine goes back to prison In Russia, the Putin Foundation has inadvertently revealed the number of former convicts who have reoffended since returning from the war. Source: Agentstvo.News with reference to The Ark, a Russian anti-war project Details: According to The Ark, every tenth Russian convict who fought in the war goes back to prison after returning from the front to Stavropol Krai. The Ark says 1,000 convicts were recruited for Project K, a Wagner Group prisoner recruitment project. Of the 176 convicts who have returned to Stavropol, 20 have already committed crimes and been sent to pre-trial detention centres or penal colonies, mostly for murder. Only a few of the 20 Wagnerites who reoffended made it into the media. One of them is Artem Samedov, an ex-Wagnerite who attacked an 18-year-old woman for spurning his advances. The media outlet Verstka reported that Samedov stabbed her five times. He was sentenced to six years in prison. Before the war, he had been serving time for assaulting four women. Background: According to media reports, over 17,000 of the 20,000 Wagnerites killed during the assault on Bakhmut were convicts from Russian penal colonies and pre-trial detention centres. Support UP or become our patron! Raising money is always an issue among the 200-some emergency medical service providers who are members of the Central Minnesota EMS Region, said Marion Larson, the coordinator of the region centered on St. Cloud and spreading across 11 counties. "There's always a pancake benefit breakfast or a pork chop dinner that's in the works," Larson said. "They rely on those to make sure they can meet the needs of their community." This year, the Legislature passed $24 million to try to fill the persistent budget shortfalls for ambulance and emergency medical services in rural Minnesota, along with $6 million for a "sprint" paramedic pilot program in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties to try to cut down delivery times and gather data on how best to serve the areas. Advocates say while the one-time funding is appreciated, it will not go far toward solving the issues that are making emergency medical services unsustainable. The additional $24 million could give services some "temporary breathing room," Larson said, "but I think we need to find a permanent solution to our overall funding issue." Larson and Kelly Asche of the Center for Rural Policy and Development said some of the structural issues include care that no one pays for, too few medics, growing travel time and distance and a rising number of calls for help. Ambulance services are often not reimbursed for the full cost of the care they provide, especially for patients who have insurance through Medicare and Medicaid, which Larson estimated cover between 80% and 85% of rural Minnesotans. And if someone is treated without being taken to a hospital, there's no reimbursement at all. Asche said rural areas do not have the same economies of scale as urban areas, adding to the problem of too-low reimbursement. "They [providers] have to have all the overhead to be ready, but they don't have the call volume to pay for those things," Asche said. The problems are compounded by long distances rural ambulances must travel which are getting longer as hospitals in smaller cities close and consolidate. Asche said some ambulances in southwestern Minnesota have to spend three to four hours making round trips to the nearest trauma center in Sioux Falls. And transporting a patient with emergency mental health needs might mean a six- to eight-hour round trip to one of a handful of facilities capable of treating them. Long drives make it harder to recruit volunteers, the backbone of rural EMS services that are unable to pay staff. Recruitment has been growing harder as fewer people work where they live, Asche said, and the prospect of having to take off four hours or more of work to respond to an emergency makes it harder to volunteer. And as Minnesota's population ages, there are more and more calls. Asche contrasted the reimbursement system that funds ambulance services to the way police and fire departments are funded by property taxes, though all three are meant to be ready around the clock to respond to emergencies. One-time money could help EMS services buy or repair equipment, or pay for training, Asche said. "That's all good and dandy, but it's not the structural fix." Some of Larson's central Minnesota agencies said even a $120 million one-time aid package as some lawmakers called for would not have made much of a dent. Raising Medicare reimbursement rates can only happen through federal legislation, though the state could act to raise Medicaid rates. Asche said he also wonders if there should be some kind of statewide support for emergency medical services. Cities and counties could ask property taxpayers to contribute to EMS agencies, he said, but Asche said he hoped to see an ongoing stream of statewide funding, similar to the way Minnesota provides aid to school districts. Beyond funding, Asche said he wanted to see more collaboration between agencies, such as sharing equipment. And he hoped more agencies could find a way to hire professional managers to recruit volunteers, set up training, write grants and do other administrative tasks, rather than relying on volunteer leaders. However it might happen, Larson said she wants agencies to be able to focus on providing care. "I would want to be in a world where the EMS agencies don't have to worry about how their budget is going to cover equipment, staff and training," she said. In its decision in Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the U.S. Supreme Court did not evaluate the safety of the current relaxed regulation of abortion pills. Consequently, both sides of the abortion debate are disappointed. But neither should be surprised. Todays decision was foreshadowed by a previous case decided in 2020 involving abortion providers. While activists on both sides of the issue may be frustrated that the court is not addressing what they care most about in this case, the safety and legality of abortion pills the ruling is an important one that will affect many other cases in which third parties claim standing, such as cases involving climate change. In oral arguments, the justices focused their questions on the standing the legal right of the doctors and organizations contesting the actions of the FDA. That is, did they have the right to bring a lawsuit at all? The doctors with the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine argued that current FDA regulations harm women and increase the workload and liability of emergency room doctors and hospitalists who must provide care for women who have taken the pills and suffered adverse consequences. But the justices unanimously concluded that the doctors lacked standing to challenge FDAs actions. They reversed the judgment of the lower court and sent the case back to the Fifth Circuit, where it will most likely be dismissed. The courts careful review of who can sue in federal courts deserves close study not only in the context of abortion litigation, but also in any case asserting associational standing or third-party standing, in which organizations sue for their members injuries, or where a litigant sues to protect the rights of a nonlitigant. Dissents in the courts 2020 opinion in June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Russo presaged the decision in FDA. In that case, abortion providers challenged Louisianas law requiring them to have hospital admitting privileges, or a transfer arrangement with a physician who had such privileges. The June Medical Court decision noted, abortion providers (have been) presumed to have third-party standing to challenge health and safety regulations on behalf of their patients . . .. But in dissent, Justice Samuel Alito dryly responded that the idea that a regulated party can invoke the right of a third party for the purpose of attacking legislation enacted to protect the third party is stunning. Justice Clarence Thomas denied the pluralitys apparent view that third-party standing for abortionists is well settled by (Court) precedents. In his dissent, Justice Neil Gorsuch focused on the way in which judicial power is constrained by an array of rules, including standing. The plaintiffs before us are abortion providers. They do not claim a constitutional right to perform that procedure, and no one on the Court contends they hold such a right. Instead, the abortion providers before us seek only to assert the constitutional rights of an undefined, unnamed, indeed unknown, group of women who they hope will be their patients in the future. Gorsuch explained that an insistence on following rules such as standing helps to keep the court in its constitutionally assigned lane. The real question, he said, is the courts willingness to follow the traditional constraints of the judicial process when a case touching on abortion enters the courtroom. Clearly in FDA, the court is willing to insist that litigant doctors whether abortion opponents or abortion providers demonstrate they have standing: that they have been, in fact and in specific ways, injured by government action. Given the decades-long practice of abortion providers representing their patients, some may have come to believe in a doctrine of doctor standing that allows physicians to challenge general government safety regulations that negatively impact them. But the court dismisses that idea and gives examples: The government repeals certain restrictions on guns does a surgeon have standing to sue because he might have to operate on more gunshot victims? The answer is no: The chain of causation is simply too attenuated. Allowing doctors or other healthcare providers to challenge general safety regulations as unlawfully lax would be an unprecedented and limitless approach and would allow doctors to sue in federal court to challenge almost any policy affecting public health. The opinion continues, Firefighters could sue to object to relaxed building codes that increase fire risks. Police officers could sue to challenge a government decision to legalize certain activities that are associated with increased crime. That would result in giving every citizen standing in federal court to challenge any government action they dont like. The court notes that having sincere legal, moral ideological and policy objections to a government action does not establish a justiciable case or controversy in federal court. Because the plaintiffs did not establish that they had been injured by the loosening of abortion pill regulations, the federal courts are the wrong forum for addressing the plaintiffs concerns about FDAs actions. Rather, the plaintiffs can present their concerns and objections s to the President and FDA in the regulatory process, or to Congress and the President in the legislative process. And they may also express their views ... to fellow citizens, including in the political and electoral processes. The contours of the standing requirements in federal court outlined in this opinion may impact cases related to individuals and organizations claiming associational or third-party standing in federal lawsuits against government action or inaction, as related, for example, to climate change, environmental regulations, environmental degradation and potentially many other causes. Its unlikely that this case will be the last word related to the abortion pill controversy. In a statement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson said, Today, the Supreme Court did the bare minimum by rejecting this case on standing and allowing mifepristone to remain FDA approved and without new restrictions. However, with the case returning to the district court, the fight is not over. Attorney Erin Hawley, who represented the plaintiffs, agreed that the dispute has not ended, saying, Nothing in todays decision changes the fact that the FDAs own label says that roughly one in 25 women who take chemical abortion drugs will end up in the emergency room a dangerous reality the doctors and medical associations we represent in this case know all too well. She went on to say, The FDA recklessly leaves women and girls to take these high-risk drugs all alone in their homes or dorm rooms, without requiring the ongoing, in-person care of a doctor. While were disappointed with the courts decision, we will continue to advocate for women and work to restore commonsense safeguards for abortion drugs like an initial office visit to screen for ectopic pregnancies. If it is the case that women are being harmed by using the abortion pills under the current regulations, its time that the courts hear directly from the women themselves. Camille S. Williams is an attorney practicing in Provo who has published articles related to womens and family issues. The views expressed are her own. Editors Note: Peter Bergen is CNNs national security analyst, a vice president at New America, a professor of practice at Arizona State University and the host of the Audible podcast, In the Room, also on Apple and Spotify. He is the author of The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion on CNN. In February, the Israeli Defense Forces released a grainy video showing the back of a man they identified as Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza. A dark figure seen only from behind was hurriedly making his way through one of the labyrinths of Hamas tunnels that wend their way deep underground in Gaza. Since the video didnt show Sinwars face, there was no independent confirmation that the shadowy figure was indeed the Hamas leader. Its an apt image for Sinwar, who seems to have vanished like a ghost following Hamas attack October 7 attack on Israel, during which some 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted. The Israeli military quickly asserted that Sinwar was a dead man walking. Yet eight months later, Sinwar remains stubbornly alive. Yahya Sinwar speaks during an event marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Hamas in Gaza City on December 14, 2022. - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Sinwar has lived much of his life mainly in the shadows, and relatively little is known about him even though he is arguably the most critical player in the Middle East today. Israel accuses Sinwar of being the mastermind of Hamas attack on October 7. He is now also calling the shots for Hamas, including whether or not to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for a release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and a release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in a potential deal that was announced by President Joe Biden at the end of last month. Meanwhile, Sinwars attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza has brought attention to the Palestinian issue in a way that hasnt been the case for many years. Necessary sacrifices Sinwar characterizes the many Palestinians who have lost their lives in the war in Gaza as necessary sacrifices, according to The Wall Street Journal, which obtained leaked messages from Sinwar to fellow Hamas officials. We have the Israelis right where we want them, Sinwar reportedly said to members of his terrorist group involved in negotiating with the US and Israel. So, who is Sinwar, aged 61, and what drives him? An answer to that question can be found in an illuminating profile in The New York Times of an Israeli prison official, Dr. Yuval Bitton, who got to know Sinwar during the more than two decades that the Hamas leader spent in Israeli prisons. Bitton, a dentist, once helped save Sinwars life when he ensured that Sinwar was rushed to a hospital after he became ill with what turned out to be a malignant brain tumor that was successfully operated on. Following Sinwars recovery, Bitton and Sinwar spent many hours talking to each other; Bitton to better understand the mindset of Hamas and Sinwar to understand better the mindset of the Israelis, of whom he made a careful study, including becoming fluent in Hebrew while he was imprisoned. Former Israeli dentist Yuval Bitton, who treated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an Israeli prison, speaks during an interview in his house in Kibbutz Shoval, Israel, February 5, 2024. - Amir Cohen/Reuters Like Osama bin Laden before him, Sinwar is a zealot whose opposition to the state of Israel is not so much political as it is religious. Sinwar told Bitton that the land of Israel was, in fact, Muslim land and that Muslims had a religious right to take it back, and as a result, any kind of two-state solution was impossible. Sinwar also knows the Quran by heart, a prodigious feat of memory since the holy book contains more than 6,000 verses. Sinwar was in prison for abducting and killing two Israeli soldiers, for which he received four life sentences, according to the US State Departments 2015 designation of Sinwar as a terrorist. While he was in prison, Sinwar admitted that he had killed several Palestinians who he believed were collaborating with the Israelis. According to a 1989 interrogation of Sinwar published by the Israel Hayom newspaper, Sinwar told Israeli interrogators that he strangled one of those collaborators with his bare hands and used a keffiyeh head scarf to suffocate another. While he was in prison, Sinwar became the leader of his fellow Hamas inmates, according to The Washington Post. Sinwar and the stalled ceasefire negotiations The proposed ceasefire agreement that Biden publicly laid out at the end of last month has stalled, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken blaming Hamas for the impasse on Tuesday, saying, I dont think anyone other than the Hamas leadership in Gaza actually is the ones who can make decisions. It is Sinwar who is central to those decisions, and Blinken even obliquely referred to Sinwar on Tuesday when he said, We await the answer from Hamas, and that will speak volumes about what they want, what theyre looking for, who theyre looking after. Are they looking after one guy who may be pronounced safe, buried I dont know ten stories underground somewhere in Gaza. While the details of the ceasefire negotiations are tightly held, there are any number of issues that Hamas and Israel might differ on, including the length of the first phase of the ceasefire, which Biden had said would last six weeks; the precise role of Israeli troops during that first phase of the ceasefire who Biden said would be withdrawn from Gazas population centers, and the exact numbers of Hamas-held hostages to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. It must surely weigh heavily on the minds of Israeli negotiators that Sinwar himself was an Israeli prisoner and was released with more than 1,000 other prisoners in 2011 in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was being held in Gaza. Sinwars release from prison has since come with both a high cost for Israel and for the Gazans he purports to represent, some 37,000 of whom have died in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. All of that is to say that Sinwar is a brutal, calculating military leader driven by religious zeal that the Palestinian cause is a righteous one. Negotiating with such a leader will never be easy. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. The conservative-leaning Supreme Court shocked abortion advocates Thursday with its choice to deny a challenge that would have made it much harder to access the abortion pill. But for The New Abnormal co-host Danielle Moodie, the most surprising part of the decision was that it was unanimous. If the Supreme Court moved in the direction that they did with Dobbs, this was going to be catastrophic, not just for people living in red states, but for people living in every single state, Moodie says. I had believed that this was going to open up a huge portal into hell but what was surprising to me is that this decision by the Supreme Court was unanimous. We get unanimous decisions on pretty much nothing. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. Then, Jason Starr, director of litigation at the Human Rights Campaign, joins the show to talk about a recent decision by a federal judge to throw out Floridas law blocking treatment for transgender children and adults. This was really a sweeping decision and a sweeping repudiation of much of the rhetoric that we have seen, not just in Florida, but across the country at the initiation and execution of these laws, Starr said. This Lawsuit Could Roll Back 50 Years of Progress for Women and People of Color Plus! Egyptian filmmaker Ibrahim Nashat talks about his new documentary, Hollywoodgate, where he was given access to film the Taliban for a year after U.S. troops pulled out of Afghanistan. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. To borrow a phrase, the import of the Supreme Courts unanimous decision preserving access to an abortion pill is akin to a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Handed down amidst the tempest over Justice Alitos wife Martha-Anns habit of flying politically loaded flags at their houses while he rules on politically loaded cases, and further revelations of Justice Thomas friends-with-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-worth-of-benefits relationship to billionaire conservative Harlan Crow, the case could be seen as an attempt to show the high court can still act with unity even on so-called liberal causes. The Fight Over the Abortion Pill Is Only Just Beginning One could even speculate that Chief Justice John Roberts managed to persuade his charges to throw a bone to the left in preparation for a yet-to-come decision on Trumps plea for presidential immunity that will at the very least punt any possibility that Special Counsel Jack Smith can try the Ja.n 6 case before the 2024 election. But the reality of the ruling in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine is quite different. On its face, Justice Brett Kavanaugh appeared to revert to a more traditional approach of deciding cases on narrow grounds. Such a style avoids making big decisions whenever possible under the theory that its better for jurisprudential health to choose carefully from a buffet of legal choices rather than ravenously consume everything in sight. Showing off the vigor of a more youthful style of writing, Kavanaugh invoked the ghost of Antonin Scalia in characterizing the doctrine of standing as being Whats in it for you? He analyzed whether the plaintiffs an alliance of doctors and patientshad legal standing to challenge the FDAs regulation of the drug mifepristone and the practice of it being mailed nationally. Mifepristone, a drug that blocks the hormone progesterone which is critical to pregnancy, is used with another drug misoprostol and accounted for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. last year. Kavanaugh concluded that the plaintiffs assertion of sincere legal, moral, ideological, and policy objections to mifepristone being prescribed and used by others was not sufficient to meet legal requirements for standing to sue. His opinion also pointed that laws already exist that protect doctors from being forced to provide medical treatment that may be against their conscience. The technical nature of the decision, which avoided weighing in on either the legal or moral merits of the debate over abortion, likely made it easier to get unanimity among a court split along liberal and conservative lines. That split reached a zenith last year in the Dobbs decision in which the conservative majority overturned a half-century of protection for womens right to contraception. Today, abortion is banned at all stages of pregnancy in 14 states, and after about six weeks of pregnancy in three others, often before women realize theyre pregnant. But the very fact that the decision was decided on technical grounds means that the case is no victory for womens rights, nor a hint of how the high court will ultimately rule on the abortion drug issue. Zero doubt exists that the issue is returning to the justices, given that the opinion left room for legal action by three red statesIdaho, Kansas and Missouriwhich the extreme-right trial judge had allowed to intervene in the case. Still to come this term is a case to be decided about whether emergency rooms must provide abortions in critical situations. SCOTUS also skirted the issue of whether the mailing of abortion medication violates the Comstock Act of 1873 which prohibits the mailing of contraceptive aids. As pointed out in Slate, by Dhalia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern, Conservative lawyers and judges are foaming at the mouth to revive this zombie anti-vice law, which puritanical male legislators enacted during a fit of moral panic about womens equality. U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas poses during a group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo/Reuters When the high court does finally reach the Comstock law issue, keep an eye out for Justice Alitos love of ancient misogynistic legal minds like Sir Matthew Hale, the 17th century witch-hunter Alito lovingly cited in Dobbs. The founder of the Comstock law, Anthony Comstock, was a fervent Christian who believed that contraception promoted lust and lewdness, which ought to make Justice Alito drool with fan-boy delight. The avoidant nature of the unanimous decision may give Chief Justice Roberts some brief respite from the fracturing sounds of a court coming apart at its foundation, and also maybe give the Republicans a little help in making abortion less of an election issue. But the concurring opinion by Justice Thomas makes plain that there is no peace at hand for the conservative Christian warriors on the high court. In a completely needless concurrence, Thomas pointed out that the very concept of associational standing deserves critical legal scrutiny. Thomas makes no effort to hide his real agenda when he writes: So, just as abortionists lack standing to assert the rights of their clients, doctors who oppose abortion cannot vicariously assert the rights of their patients. Note how Thomas does considers patients of abortionists to be less than patients. With this assertion, Thomas signals his belief that associations like the NAACP should not be able to sue on behalf of their members. In other words, individuals would need to come forward and sue in their individual capacity. As pointed out by NYU law professor Melissa Murray, this was precisely why the doctrine of associational standing was asserted in 1958 by the NAACP, which argued that making individuals file cases would expose them to threats of violence. She makes plain that Thomas attack on the doctrine is a way to restrict civil rights lawsuits. Ironically, that 1958 NAACP case was argued by a young lawyer and future Supreme Court Justice named Thurgood Marshall. It is Marshalls seat on SCOTUS that Thomas took over. 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. It is not easy to go from betraying a state to being welcomed back into its capital. Jefferson Davis avoided Washington, DC after the Civil War. It took until 1978 for him to have his citizenship restored by the US Congress. Hitler realized that after the Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923 that if he was ever to gain power in Germany he would have to do so via elections. After his release from prison, he worked to make his party palatable to the public but did not achieve major success until elections seven years after his failed coup attempt. He did not become chancellor, officially accepted again among Germanys political leaders, until fully a decade after he attempted to overthrow his government. Republicans Call Bull-Schlitz on Trumps Milwaukee Hate These guys could have learned a thing or two from Donald Trumpa man who has celebrated many of the core ideas championed by Davis and Hitler. On Thursday of this week, 1254 days since his own failed attempted coup, Donald Trump returned, in the words of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, to the scene of (his) crime. There on Capitol Hill, Trump continued the work of the mob he incited that January day in the wake of his crushing election defeat. Like the thugs and losers he urged to attack the Congress, some of whom as it happened carried Confederate flags or ones based on the Nazi swastika, Trump debased the seat of American democracy with his presence, with his words, and perhaps most shockingly of all, with the enthusiastic assistance of virtually the entire Republican Party delegations to the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. (Note: The Republican Party once actually led opposition to Davis and the Confederacy. But that was long, long ago.) Republicans, some of whom cowered to avoid the Jan. 6 mob or who scampered away to avoid becoming their victims, were victimized by Trump in a different way during the presumptive GOP presidential nominees visit to the Capitol. After having led an assault that put many of them in peril, Trump demonstrated his control over the party and the complete lack of character of virtually all of its members, by demanding that they publicly bend the knee before him. They slavered. They sang his praises. They collectively sought to wash away his sins in one of those most repugnant displays of public ass-kissing in American history. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader who condemned Trump after January 6th, laying the blame for the attempted insurrection at his feet, called the Senate GOP meeting with Trump entirely positive. Florida GOP Representative Matt Gaetz called the events on the Hill a pep rally for President Trump. Ralph Norman of South Carolina praised Trump for covering a wide range of issues saying afterwards Thats the most energized Ive ever seen him. Trump for his own part posed and tried to look like a party unifier, even shaking hands with sometime nemesis McConnell. Needless to say, Trump being Trump, he could not contain his worst impulses. The 34-time convicted felon lashed out at the Justice Department in true Hollywood gangster fashion calling them dirty, no-good bastards. And, like the January 6th rioters, he left a stinking mess for his party to clean up when he called Milwaukee, which will host the Republican Convention at which he expects to be renominated as his partys candidate, a horrible city. As Cavalier Johnson, the Mayor of Milwaukee said in response Right back at ya, buddy To insult the largest city in the state when youre running for president is perplexingbizarre & unhinged. But his party followers dutifully fulfilled the role they played all day and will likely play from now through the election day by attempting to explain away the gaffe (with wildly conflicting explanations for the statement. Indeed, todays events on Capitol Hill combined with Trumps erratic persona and the political challenges that await the GOP that is choosing to run a twice-impeached felon who has been found by courts to liable for rape and fraud as its standard bearer offer a preview of what we can expect the main job for Republican office holders will be in the five months between now and the election. They will be likely be spending so much time doing clean up on aisle 45, that they ought to consider changing their partys symbol from the elephant to the rows of men and women who follow the elephant with brooms attempting to hide the messes he has made and will make. Thursdays visit to the Capitol may have been unprecedented, but it is as significant for the insight into what lies ahead during campaign 2024. Not only is Trumps record historically awful for any candidate for office in the U.S. (or anywhere else for that matter), but he is likely to compound his crimes and his errors and the manifold glimpses we have had into his defective character with new mistakes and controversies. The GOP and even Trump are so cognizant of this fact (smarting as they are from the ridicule generated by his now infamous and certifiably bonkers Sharks and batteries speech of a few days ago) that following his visit to the Capitol, Trump did not take questions from the press, wrapping the events of the day up with just five minutes of stumbling platitudes. In just two weeks, Trump is scheduled to debate Trump (although some Democratic strategists doubt he will show up given how unhinged Trump appears to be these days and how likely it is that Biden will give him a big time public spanking). If he does take part in the debate, many of those who feted him on the Hill this week will be forced into spinning Trumps dross into something that does not turn their looming defeat in November into a landslide loss. (Note: Biden continues to gain in reputable polls post Trumps conviction.) Following the debate, Trump may be faced with a loss at the Supreme Court in his quest for immunity from prosecution. Days later, on July 10, he will face sentencing in New York on his 34 felony convictions. A few days after that he will receive a very likely mixed welcome at the GOP convention in the city he disparaged on Thursday. Other trial setbacks loom that will both remind the public that Trump is a serial criminal and will force Republicans to somehow pretend that embracing an insurrectionist in a way that Jeff Davis and Adolf Hitler could only have dreamt of was somehow a good idea and not a sign that the GOP has jumped the shark and ended its useful life as part of Americas political scene. With each setback, with each gaffe, with the meltdowns from Trump they will likely trigger, the GOP will have to gather in cover-up formation as they did on Thursday. But going forward their job will somehow become even harder than the Thursdays task of seeking to expunge the memory of Trumps manifold missteps, errors, crimes, accused crimes and other ugly episodes. Somehow, they will have to not only do that but get the one group whose opinion really mattersthe votersto join them in absolving the sins of the most corrupt national political leader in U.S. history. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. This map from Oregon's Broadband Office shows broadband serviceable locations in Oregon without high-speed internet (pink dots) and locations that are underserved (blue dots). Nearly a year after announcing Oregon would receive $688 million for the improvement and expansion of affordable, high-speed internet, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said Thursday that the state can now request access to funding to begin administering the program. A pre-pandemic study estimated 1.7 million Oregonians live in rural areas without access to high-speed broadband. Nick Batz, director of the Oregon Broadband Office, said while the state generally has good connectivity, establishing access in those under or unserved areas is challenging. "We're a big state. We're the ninth-largest state by landmass. We have counties bigger than some East Coast states. It's a huge problem," Batz said. "Getting those houses that are at the end of a gravel driveway, at the end of a country road, that are spread out or in rural parts of the state, that is what we are being tasked with doing." Batz said 111,000 locations in Oregon are unserved, meaning there is no broadband service at all or speeds are below 25 megabits per second downstream and 3 megabits per second upstream. Another 52,000 locations fall in the underserved category, defined as locations without speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream. "We are at a transformative moment here in making sure that we are serious about making sure every American, every Oregonian has access to high-speed internet," Gov. Tina Kotek said during a press conference Thursday. The federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program is a more than $42 billion state grant program aimed at ensuring the expansion reaches every person in the country by the end of the decade. In the year since the funding announcement, Oregon submitted a five-year action plan and a two-part initial proposal. The second part of the state's initial proposal outlines how the state would spend the money and select subgrantees to expand access to unserved and underserved locations in Oregon. According to the Oregon Broadband Office, the BEAD program is expected to be implemented over four years and completed in 2028. The office is still in its "rebuttal phase" of the "challenge phase" where nonprofits, local governments, tribal nations and internet service providers can challenge whether a location is unserved, underserved or served. Final determinations on locations eligible for funding will be made between June 30 and Aug. 22. The information will be submitted to the NTIA, and Batz estimates it will take another two to four months to receive a "master list" of every location in Oregon that will be eligible for the funding. "Every single county in this state has unserved and underserved locations," he said. "It's not just Eastern Oregon, it's not just Southern Oregon, it's not the Southern Coast. It is every single county in the state of Oregon." With the approval of the second part of the state's proposal, Batz' office also can move forward in determining how those locations will receive funding. The state will have a year to have a final proposal approved by the NTIA to receive the full $689 million and award the funds to the subgrantees selected. Kotek celebrated being "one of the early states" to have its proposal approved. Oregon joined Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Washington and West Virginia in having NTIA approval. "This moment in the process allows us to say we've gotten the green light to go out there and develop that grant program to make sure we can provide reliable broadband internet access to all unserved and underserved communities here in Oregon," she said. Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon's 'Internet for All' proposal approved BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) An Orleans County woman was killed in a crash Thursday afternoon in the Town of Ridgeway. New York State Police said a Subaru driven by Sandra Gapa, 64, was struck by a westbound vehicle at the intersection of Knowlesville and Ridge Roads shortly after 3 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Before the crash, Gapa had been traveling north on Knowlesville Road. She stopped at the stop sign and entered the intersection before she was struck. Gapa was a resident of Lyndonville. Latest Local News Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. PORT CLINTON - An Ottawa County man has been indicted on theft charges after an investigation discovered he allegedly embezzled more than $60,000 from the Danbury Township Fire Fighters Association, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a news release. Trevor Ross, 40, was indicted in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday on three counts of grand theft, each a fourth-degree felony. Ross was treasurer of the Danbury Township Fire Fighters Association, a nonprofit that supports the Danbury Township Fire Department. The main Ottawa County Jail, which is attached to the county's courthouse in Port Clinton. An investigation by the attorney generals Bureau of Criminal Investigation discovered that over the course of about six years Ross used the associations credit card and checking account to make personal purchases that were delivered to his home. The indictment alleges that purchases were made for boat equipment, firearms, collectables and other items. Attorneys from Yosts Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case. The News-Messenger/News Herald This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Danbury firefighters' treasurer accused to take $60,000 from association Campaigners are calling for an investigation into the kidnapping and beating of Stephen Kwikiriza, a vocal opponent of a controversial drilling and pipeline project in Uganda. Kwikiriza was abducted on June 4 in the Ugandan capital of Kampala by what appeared to be plainclothes officers from the Ugandan military. Five days later, he was dumped by the side of the road, 150 miles away in the town of Kyenyoyo. Kwikiriza said that, during his capture, he was stripped down to his underwear, given minimal food, and just a bucket for sanitation. He was severely beaten and knocked unconscious, enduring injuries that required hospital treatment. This was an enforced disappearance, a very serious crime under international law, said Brad Adams, head of Climate Rights International. Because of a long pattern of impunity in Uganda, a swift, independent, and transparent investigation must be conducted to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Kwikiriza had previously faced threats for his work documenting the impact of drilling at the Kingfisher oil field in eastern Uganda. At the oil field, the Ugandan military provides security for drilling firm China National. Members of the military have allegedly attacked and sexually abused locals, and also seized and destroyed shing boats. Kingfisher is one of two oil fields linked to the planned East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a project spearheaded by French oil giant TotalEnergies, which would ferry oil 900 miles to the Tanzanian coast. A report last year implicated Total in the coercion and intimidation of families living in the path of the pipeline, which threatens to displace more than 100,000 people. The project has drawn condemnation from campaigners, businesses, and governments worldwide. The planned East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Yale Environment / Source: Total The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders said Kwikirizas kidnapping is part of an alarming crackdown on pipeline opponents. Other campaigners have criticized Total for not doing more to protect critics. Juliette Renaud, of Friends of the Earth France, said the CEO of Total repeatedly emphasizes that they are committed to respecting freedom of expression, yet they have been consistent in turning a blind eye on the increasing harassment, threats, and arrests suffered by environmental defenders. The Ugandan subsidiary of Total told The Guardian that it was relieved to hear Kwikiriza had been released and that it hoped for his full recovery. It said that it does not tolerate any threats or violence against those who peacefully defend and promote human rights. ALSO ON YALE E360 A Major Oil Pipeline Project Strikes Deep at the Heart of Africa Over one-third of combat clashes in past day took place on Pokrovsk front Since the beginning of the day, most of the combat clashes have taken place on the Pokrovsk front, with 24 recorded in total. The overall number of clashes at the front has risen to 71. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook; information as of 18:00 on 14 June Details: During the day, Russian forces continued to try to break through the Ukrainian defence on the Kupiansk and Kurakhiv fronts. The number of combat clashes on the Kupiansk front has risen to nine. The Russians are also active on the Lyman front. There have already been seven clashes recorded here. On the Siversk front, the Russians carried out three attempts to enhance their tactical position near Rozdolivka. Quote: "The situation on the Pokrovsk front is still intense. There have already been 24 combat clashes since the day began. Our forces repelled 14 strikes, with another 10 currently underway. Hostilities are taking place in Novooleksandrivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Sokol and Novopokrovsk. The Kurakhiv front has seen a lot of combat action today as well. The total number of attacks here has risen to 15. Ukraine's defence forces successfully repulsed 12 Russian assault attempts. Near Krasnohorivka and Kostiantynivka, the enemy persisted in attempts to improve the tactical situation. They operate with the assistance of armoured vehicles. [The Russians] suffer losses. Today, our forces have already wounded 60 and killed 36 invaders. Two enemy tanks, an armoured combat vehicle, two automobiles, and a ground command post for a UAV were destroyed. Three vehicles and four enemy tanks were damaged." Support UP or become our patron! The Parker County Sheriffs Office is searching for a 14-year-old girl who has been missing since June 9. Abigail Diane Rodriguez is described as 54, about 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes Abigail lives in Parker County and was last seen shortly after 12 a.m. on June 9 in the 500 block of Creekbend Street in Crowley. She was wearing a light brown hoodie shown in the attached photo, a black T-shirt, black shorts and white shoes. Abigail has short hair but is known to wear a long wig shown in the photos. A social media post led investigators to believe the teen was communicating with an unidentified man with a frilly mohawk around 4 a.m. on June 9, in the area of Belknap Street and Interstate 35W in Fort Worth. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Parker County Sheriffs Office at (817) 594-8845. You may remain anonymous when contacting Parker County Crime Stoppers Demolition efforts began Friday at the site of the three-story classroom building in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were fatally shot on Valentines Day 2018. The demolition at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which had been postponed from Thursday due to rain and flooding, started with pieces of the structures top floor being pulled away by machinery. Family members of the victims were invited to watch, with school faculty, students and elected officials also in attendance. This is the end to the story, the period at the end of it, Dylan Persaud, a former student who was at the school on the day of the shooting, told the Miami Herald while watching the demolition. But you can never forget something like this. A woman walks past the site of the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people. South Florida Sun-Sentinel via Getty Images Officials have not yet said what will replace the building, whose demolition is expected to continue over the coming weeks while students are out for summer break. The building had been preserved as evidence in the shooters trial and has since sat closed off and boarded up, still riddled with bullet holes. It was only recently that long-abandoned objects, like textbooks, laptops, deflated Valentines Day balloons and wilted flowers, were cleared out ahead of the demolition, The Associated Press reported. Victims families, school and law enforcement officials, and politicians, including Vice President Kamala Harris, had all toured the building amid efforts to strengthen gun laws and school safety. Vice President Kamala Harris, seen in March 2024, views a memorial to the 17 people who were killed in 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. DREW ANGERER via Getty Images Its important for that building to be taken down, so not only can I start to heal but also the community at large, Lori Alhadeff whose 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, was killed in the shooting and who now chairs the Broward County School Board told The New York Times. Aisha Hashmi, who graduated this month, was in sixth grade when the shooting happened. But she said her older siblings were on campus when the shooting happened, and students would still have to pass by the empty building in the years after. Whenever I would walk past it, it was just kind of eerie, she told The Associated Press. A fence surrounding the building helped block it from view, but students could peer into its windows when the wind blew back the fences screening, she said. It is heartbreaking to see and then have to go sit in your English class, said Hashmi. Related... A view of the closed Scheidemannstrasse along the fan zone at the Brandenburg Gate before a public screening of the UEFA EURO 2024 Group A match between Germany and Scotland at Allianz Arena. Christoph Soeder/dpa Parts of a Berlin Euro 2024 fan zone were closed for a while on Friday in connection with a suspicious backpack. Police said the incident occurred at the fan zone at the German parliament, the Reichstag, with its suspected owner detained and checked. The area close to the suspicious object was cleared and cordoned off as the backpack was investigated. Police said nothing was found and the area to be opened for fans again. The incident came ahead of Friday night's tournament opener between Germany and Scotland. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser thanked Berlin police for their swift action as part of a big security operation around the month-long tournament. "If it is nothing in the end, it was better to have cleared one time too much than not enough," Faeser said. A man practices fitness exercises behind soccer supporters at the Victory Column entrance building before a public screening of the UEFA EURO 2024 Group A match between Germany and Scotland at Allianz Arena. Christoph Soeder/dpa Part of a special audit into the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office is out. What to know The Cleveland County Detention Center in Norman, pictured Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, is run by the Cleveland County sheriff's office. NORMAN Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason's re-election campaign has coincided with a state audit into what some other county officials have described as his agency's overspending. Cleveland County commissioners diverted $3.2 million to the sheriff's office Monday in order to pay outstanding bills, payroll and other operational expenses as the fiscal year's end draws near. Then Wednesday, the first part of a requested special report from the state auditor was published, detailing explanations for the audit and what the state officials are looking into. "The Board of County Commissioners, at the request of Sheriff Amason, asked my office to conduct the audit," Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd said in a statement. "The audit request included multiple objectives regarding the finances of the Sheriffs office. Most importantly, the Sheriff requested that we confirm the amount of Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations for his office due to several reconciliation issues. Confirming the appropriations was an urgent matter because Cleveland Countys annual budget is statutorily due on July 1, 2024." Byrd added that all county officials have been helpful and responsive in completing the audit request. Her staff "will continue to work through the additional objectives," and she expects to release the second part of the audit later this year. Here's how we got here. What led to the audit? County commissioners requested back in February that Byrd conduct the special audit of the sheriff's office for the fiscal years 2021 through 2024. Then, in March, commissioners followed up their initial request by asking state auditors to prioritize the current fiscal year from July 2023 through February 2024. The report showed that, between July and February, the sheriffs office collected at least $16.8 million. Related: Cleveland County commissioners approve $3.2M to "bailout" sheriff overspending Originally, the Cleveland County treasurer and budget board members approved in September $18.36 million for the sheriff's office for the 2024 fiscal year. The sheriff's office is funded through three different sources: the county general fund, a public safety sales tax and the office's statutorily authorized daily collections of service fees and commissary revenue related to the jail. But by late January, "disagreements" were already brewing between budget board members about "the Sheriff's accurate collection amounts," according to the report. The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners then approved Amason's request for the audit with Byrd's office, but in mid-February they struck from the meeting agenda an item to transfer $2 million to the sheriff's general fund. After further discussion, in late February the county budget board approved transferring a "temporary loan" of $1.3 million from the general government capital improvement fund to the sheriff's account. Another $275,000 from the general capital improvement fund was diverted to the sheriff's office in late April, with an additional $575,000 in "emergency appropriations" from the public safety sales tax also approved in May. According to county budget board meeting agendas, the "General Sheriff Bailout Fund" approved Monday included $2.2 million from general government capital outlay funds and $1 million from the commissioners general government fund. District 1 Cleveland County Commissioner Rod Cleveland said $1.3 million of the $3.2 million transfer is being used to pay back the temporary loan approved in February, according to the audit report. More: Oklahoma County at risk for lower bond rating and higher interest on jail funds The Cleveland County Detention Center, as it stood at 2550 W Franklin Road in Norman on January 5, 2023, is run by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. What is being audited? Last month, Cleveland County commissioners updated their February request with the state auditors office to investigate the sheriffs office for the 2024 fiscal year in various areas: PCard, or county-issued purchase card, transactions. Transportation deputies credit card transactions including daily meal allowances and lodging. Appropriate accounting and commitments to pay for services and products before purchase. Payroll expenditures, including if raises were provided to employees retroactively. Contracts, utilities, lease agreements and subscription and membership expenses. Jail financial operations and staffing levels. The first part of the special audit report published Wednesday stressed that it does not draw any conclusions. The state auditor "has no intent to determine the guilt, innocence, culpability, or liability, if any, of any person or entity for any act, omission, or transaction reviewed," the report reads. "Any determinations would be within the exclusive jurisdiction of regulatory agencies, and law enforcement, prosecutorial, and/or judicial authorities designated by law." How could this affect the county sheriff's election? Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason The audit report comes as the Republican sheriff attempts to persuade voters to re-elect him on Tuesday. His campaign website vows "honesty, integrity, and transparency," and Amason's social media is touting endorsements from high-profile supporters such as Representatives Chris Kannady and Mark McBride and Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. "I would be honored to have your vote on June 18th," Amason says in a statement on his campaign website. "My focus will always be to provide the protection and services that you, as a taxpayer, expect and deserve." Amason's Republican opponents, previous 2020 challenger Tim Deal and longtime county employee Julie Tipton, are running separate campaigns against him. But Tipton is advocating openly for reforming the sheriff's office, netting the endorsements of Moore Mayor Mark Hamm and Lexington Mayor Mike Donovan. More: What's happening in Norman? Investigations continue for jail deaths of two women The Cleveland County Detention Center has been the subject of increased outcry in recent years after several high-profile jail deaths and numerous health inspection deficiencies. Tipton, who has served as Chief Deputy of Detention at the sheriff's office, has pointed to an April legal opinion issued by Drummond on counties prioritizing how jails are funded and run. Drummond's opinion tasks county commissioners with ensuring funding and inspections, while county sheriffs are responsible for daily operations and maintenance of the jails. In a statement on social media last month, Tipton argued Amason has "failed to uphold his end of the constitutional bargain." "Instead, additional positions were created within the sheriff's office without proper approval channels, resulting in a payroll deficit," Tipton said. "This mismanagement not only jeopardized staffing levels but also compromised the safety and security of the facility. The repercussions of this negligence are dire. Deputies are being diverted from other essential areas to compensate for understaffing, while longstanding detention supervisors face demotion." Tipton added that she believed both employment stability within the department and the overall safety of the community were being threatened. Signage outside the Cleveland County jail shows it is run by the local sheriff's office. How did the sheriff's office respond? In a statement provided to The Oklahoman, Amason said he appreciated the collaborative spirit of Monday's meeting and was grateful for the county budget board's willingness to work with me to resolve this issue. When asked over email how the sheriff's office could have overspent millions of dollars, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office Public Information Director Christina DeWalt said that The Oklahoman's "question was more of an accusation." Amason himself had previously requested the state audit "to clarify misconceptions of funds available and the use of those funds" earlier this year. When DeWalt was asked further by The Oklahoman about whether the sheriff's need for extra funding was due to unexpected expenses or insufficient revenue, she did not respond. The spokeswoman told The Oklahoman in February that future media requests would only be answered via email and that the public information staff "will not be communicating with your outlet via telephone or text going forward." The notice came the same morning that The Oklahoman published a report detailing a dispute between the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the Lexington Police Department. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How 'overspending' by Cleveland Co. sheriff might hurt reelection Pasco teen arrested after camping selfie with gun ends up online. His parents are suing Pasco parents are suing after their son was arrested at Chiawana High School and held for 24 hours over a selfie showing the teen holding a gun on a camping trip. The lawsuit filed in Eastern Washington U.S. District Court names the Pasco Police Department, the city of Pasco and the Pasco School District along with several school and police employees. It says the parents are asking for more than $1.5 million. Pasco officials deny most of the parents account of what happened and that the 14-year-olds rights were violated, but have not given their account of what led to his arrest, according to information filed in federal court. Jon and Sheila Hudnall say their son, who is not named in the lawsuit, had a 3.6 grade-point average, was an athlete and had no history of disciplinary action before his arrest. He went on a camping trip with his father, some other adults and another child on the Tucannon River in June 2021. The teen was staying in a tent with his father and another adult when he used his cellphone to take a photo of himself holding the gun. After the camping trip he sent the selfie to four friends using Snapchat, Instagram or a text message, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court. Six months later, three school resource officers came into a Chiawana classroom and told the teen to come into the hallway, where he was patted down, according to the lawsuit. In the school resource office, Curtis King, a Pasco Police school resource officer, showed the teen the photo of him holding a gun posted on the CH_Hotties1 Instagram page, according to the lawsuit. It was captioned go out with me or die. The teen told King the name of the student he thought owned that Instagram page. That student was not one of the friends he had originally sent the selfie to, he said. The student who apparently owned the account had approached the teen a couple days before and showed him the selfie with the gun. Their teen said he walked away without responding, according to court documents. Officer King ordered the teen in the selfie to hand over his phone to be searched, says the lawsuit. The student initially refused, but was told he had to unlock it and hand it over, which he did, according to suit. The lawsuit says King then made several phone calls to people not identified in the lawsuit, saying the student was a threat to the school and that even if he didnt post the photo and caption on Instagram that King allegedly said he wanted him to go to jail, says the lawsuit. King later told Sheila Hudnall that his sergeant directed him to arrest her son. School resource officers also showed the teen a short video made by one of his four friends who he had sent the selfie. According to the lawsuit it had a silly picture, the camping picture and four memes. The teen maintained he didnt ask his friend to make the video. The lawsuit claims King did not read the teen his rights until after he was questioned and checked the phone. King asked both the teen and the boy believed to own the Instagram account to write statements about what happened. That student said the Hudnalls son did not post the photo nor write the caption. The student called the post an accident gone wrong, according to the lawsuit The Hudnalls met the same day with two Chiawana High administrators who told them an emergency expulsion of their son was planned, according to the lawsuit. Chiawana student arrested Their son was arrested that afternoon and escorted off school grounds in a police car, according to the lawsuit. He was booked into the Benton County Juvenile Justice Center on suspicion of threats to kill, a felony. He was held overnight until bail was set at $1,000 and posted by his parents. Ten months later in October 2022 the Franklin County Prosecutors Office formally decided not to file charges. His parents said that since his arrest the teen has suffered from fear, anxiety, depression and humiliation. His grades have dropped significantly in multiple classes, and his phone also has not been returned. The student was wrongly interrogated without being advised of his rights or given access to an attorney and had his phone seized without a warrant, the lawsuit alleges. It says that expelling the student was extreme, egregious and outrageous given his lack of a disciplinary history and lack of reasonable suspicion to support the arrest. U.S. Judge Thomas Rice granted a motion in April to dismiss much of the lawsuit claims against the Pasco School District defendants, finding legal issues in the original complaint. However, he allowed the parents to file an amended complaint this month naming the Pasco School District, Chiawana High School and two assistant principals in 2022 Tony Rubalcava and Bryan Meredith. The Pasco School District responded in a court document, denying that it had done anything unlawful. It disputed that the students rights were violated or that expelling him was extreme. The family is asking for damages both punitive and also to cover past and future medical expenses, counseling costs, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, plus interest and attorney fees. A peace summit for Ukraine opens this weekend in Switzerland. But Russia won't be taking part The logo of the peace summit is pictured in Buergenstock, Switzerland, Thursday, June 13, 2024. A Ukraine peace simmit with over 90 delegations from all over the world will take place at the Buergenstock Resort on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 2024. (Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP) GENEVA (AP) Switzerland will host scores of world leaders this weekend to try to map out the first steps toward peace in Ukraine even though Russia, which launched the war, isn't attending. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government didnt want Russia involved. But the Swiss insist that Russia must be involved at some point, and hope it will join the process one day. The conference on Saturday and Sunday, underpinned by elements of a 10-point peace formula presented by Zelenskyy in late 2022, is seen as a largely symbolic effort on the part of Kyiv to rally the international community and project strength against Russian might. But the question looming over the summit will be how the two countries can eventually end the war without Moscow attending. The conflict has also led to international sanctions against nuclear-armed Russia and raised tensions between NATO and Moscow. The summit comes as Russian forces have been making modest territorial gains in eastern and northeastern Ukraine. Heres a look at what to expect from the weekend gathering at the Buergenstock Resort on a cliff overlooking Lake Lucerne. Whos going? Among the stakes will be simple optics: How many countries the Swiss and Ukrainians can draw in. Swiss officials sent out around 160 invitations. About 90 delegations, including a handful of international organizations like the United Nations, will attend. Roughly half will be from Europe. Zelenskyy led a diplomatic push in Asia and beyond to rally participation. Several dozen attendees will be heads of state or government, including from France, Poland, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is meeting Zelenskyy on Saturday on the sidelines of the summit, and she's also expected to deliver an address. Who are the major no-shows? U.S. President Joe Biden, who was wrapping up a visit to Italy on Friday for a Group of Seven summit, opted to dispatch Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Biden and Zelenskyy signed a 10-year security agreement Thursday at the G7 summit. Russia's key ally China won't attend. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said it believes a peace conference should involve both Russia and Ukraine. The final list of attendees isnt expected until late Friday, and question marks remain about how key developing countries like India, Brazil and Turkey might take part, if at all. But so far, under half of the 193 U.N. member countries are planning to attend, testifying to a wait-and-see attitude in many capitals. Russia does not have a lot of allies in this particular situation," said Keith Krause, a professor of international security studies at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. It has a number of states that are susceptible to being pressured, and a few that actually wish to stand aside, from what they see as a northern, U.S.-Russia, NATO-Russia confrontation. What can be expected? Naysayers say the conference will be short on substantial achievements. President Vladimir Putins government doesnt believe Switzerland, which has lined up behind European Union sanctions on Moscow over the war, is neutral. Putin said Friday that without Russias participation, without an honest and responsible dialogue with us, it is impossible to reach a peaceful solution in Ukraine and in general regarding global and European security. He suggested that the conference is just another ploy to divert everyones attention." Participants are expected to unite around an outcome document or a joint plan, and Ukraine will have a lot of input. But ironing out language that delegations can agree upon is still a work in progress. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff, said that Ukrainian officials wanted countries that respect Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity to be invited. He said the basis of the talks should be a 10-point peace formula that Zelenskyy has presented. Yermak said Tuesday that Ukraine and the other participants would be preparing a joint plan to unite around, "and were looking for the possibility in the second summit to invite representative of Russia, and together present this joint plan. What is the Ukrainian 10-point peace formula? Ukraines peace plan launched by Zelenskyy outlines 10 proposals that encapsulate the presidents step-by-step vision to end the full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022. The plan includes ambitious calls, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territory, the cessation of hostilities and restoring Ukraines state borders with Russia, including Crimea. But Ukraine is unable to negotiate from a position of strength. Moscows army has the upper hand in firepower and number of troops, while Kyivs momentum has been stalled by delays in Western military supplies. That is likely why the most contentious elements of the plan aren't being discussed. Only three themes will be on the table: nuclear safety, including at the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, humanitarian aid and global food security. Western officials in Kyiv said these themes cut across international interests and are easy for Kyiv to rally the international community around. But they don't encompass the tougher issues that can only be resolved with Moscow as a negotiating partner. Russias hesitancy about the conference stems in part from its unwillingness to show any sign of acceptance of the Ukrainian peace formula. Putin has espoused a deal to be premised on a draft peace agreement negotiated in the early days of the war that included provisions for Ukraines neutral status and put limits on its armed forces, while delaying talks on the status of Russia-occupied areas. What's the way forward? Krause, of the Graduate Institute, said that Ukraine needs to emerge from the conference with momentum and renewed commitment from allies on issues like territorial integrity and future relationships even if NATO and EU membership may be far off. I dont think anybody is particularly deluded that this is going to give birth to a new peace plan, or even to some kind of agreement that stops the hostilities on the battlefield," Krause said. "But as past wars have shown, including as far back as World War II, discussions about the contours of the peace begin long before the fighting stops on the battlefield. ___ Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine, Aamer Madhani in Washington, and Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Vice President Harris will be a safeguard if President Biden wins the 2024 presidential election and Republicans challenge the results. Remember that we will have the vice president that day, Pelosi said in an interview with The Washington Post. Thats a safeguard. Pelosi also threw cold water on the idea that congressional Republicans would challenge the result, as they did when Biden defeated then-President Trump in 2020. Vice President Mike Pence eventually came under pressure from Trump and other Republicans to not certify the results of the election. I dont think that the Republicans, if we win, are necessarily going to engage in what they did last time, Pelosi told the Post. Pelosi made the comments the same day Trump visited the Capitol for the first time since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on it, when hundreds of rioters stormed the building to protest Bidens victory. Some Republicans and Trump have already planted seeds of doubt about the integrity of the 2024 election. In a comment to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in May, Trump said he would gladly accept the results if everythings honest, declining to simply say he would respect the results. Trump also insisted that he had won the 2020 election in Wisconsin. Biden won Wisconsin by 21,000 votes, a margin of 0.6 percentage points. Potential Trump vice presidential candidates have also declined to commit to accepting the 2024 election results in nationally televised interviews. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), viewed as a front-runner for the vice presidential slot, repeatedly declined to commit on Meet the Press when moderator Kristen Welker asked him six times if he would accept the results. Pelosis comment on the vice president also came after a war of words between her and Trump. Pelosi shared a statement with The Hill earlier in the day slamming Republicans and Trump for the visit. Today, the instigator of an insurrection is returning to the scene of the crime. January 6th was a crime against the Capitol, that saw Nazi and Confederate flags flying under the dome that Lincoln built, Pelosi said. It was a crime against the Constitution and its peaceful transfer of power, in a desperate attempt to cling to power. During the meeting with congressional Republicans, Punchbowls Jake Sherman reported Trump said, Nancy Pelosis daughter is a whacko, her daughter told me if things were different Nancy and I would be perfect together, theres an age difference though, noted that it was close to an exact quote. A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi responded to the reported comments in a statement to The Hill, writing that Trump has clearly lost his marbles. Not that he had many to begin with. Christine Pelosi, the former Speakers daughter, also pushed back on Trumps claim, writing on social media that Trump is unwell, unhinged and unfit to step food anywhere near her or the White House. Speaking for all 4 Pelosi daughters this is a LIE, Christine Pelosi added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Just weeks after Penn State initially granted a one-month freeze in its plans to demolish a historic barn in Centre County, the university agreed to extend that until the fall as advocates work to find a different solution. Kepler Barn, located along state Route 45 in Ferguson Township, has been owned by Penn State since the 1990s and is part of more than 2,000 acres of land that makes up the agricultural research facility, near where Ag Progress Days are held. But before that, it was owned and operated by local farmers, including Millie Kepler. The award-winning female farmer took over the farming operation in the late 1920s after her husband, Aaron Kepler, died. She worked there from then until her death in 1990. The university has planned to remove the barn for several reasons. ...Engineers have determined the barn to be structurally unsound and a safety hazard. Given its age and condition along with the various additions over the years, it is not up to current code. The barn also contains significant hazardous material issues that need to be mitigated. All of these factors have required the University to cease any and all activities in the barn and prohibit entry, the university said in an emailed statement. Removal is needed due to Penn States budget crisis, the condition of the barn, projected costs to renovate or restore and the operation needs of its agricultural research practices, according to the statement. Penn State agreed in late May to the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvanias request to hold off on the demolition for a month. That way, the HBFF-PA would have time to pursue alternative solutions. Recently, the foundation requested a 3-month extension (until Sept. 30) while they continue seeking viable alternative solutions for the barn. The University has welcomed the foundations request and is working with them in support of their efforts, Penn States statement said. In recent months, Millie Keplers great niece and nephew, Richard Kepler and Vicky Kepler Didato, as well as other advocates have been working to save the barn. The siblings have a personal connection to the barn but emphasized its importance to the local community. In an email to the CDT, Kepler Didato thanked everyone who has helped bring this issue to light, and thanked Penn State for listening to everyones concerns. When I received the call yesterday morning from a representative from Penn State I can only describe what I felt as joy, followed by a sense of relief that all who have been working so very diligently on this can now have a breather. But that was almost immediately followed by oh my goodness there is a lot of work to be done to make this count. So the thoughts and emotions come in stages, she wrote. And now, the real work begins, she said. The HBFF-PA will be spearheading the next steps. Kepler Didato quoted William Murtaugh, a historian who served as the first Keeper of the Records for the National Register of Historic Places: At its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future. That is what I pray the next few months look like with all of us working together WITH Penn State. As I stated in my letter to President Bendapudi, ...This could be a win-win for us all, Kepler Didato wrote. The Centre County Historical Society previously called the barn a beloved landmark in Pennsylvania Furnace and said demolishing it would deprive future generations of the opportunity to connect with this heritage. Pentagon extends contract with SpaceX for Starlink use in Ukraine The Pentagon has extended a contract with Elon Musk's SpaceX to provide Starlink Internet services in Ukraine. Source: Bonnie Poindexter, spokeswoman for the US Space Systems Command, told Bloomberg Details: The contract, worth US$14.1 million, will be valid for another six months, until 30 November. "The contract provides access to the Starlink constellation, hardware, and customer support under negotiated terms and conditions," Poindexter said. Notably, this is a portion of the US$2.5 billion in contracts SpaceX has obtained for the military satellite launch program. Additionally, SpaceX is currently competing in a new round of bidding against United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co. Background: The Polish government has extended the payment for the operation of more than 20,000 Starlink terminals, which Warsaw transferred to Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Credit: Photo illustration by Matthew Cooley. Images in illustration courtesy of Sharonda Johnson; Adobe Stock,5. One night in 2021, Sharonda Johnson had a dream. A figure was standing over a babys bassinet. She couldnt tell what it was, but she sensed this figure emanating overwhelming dread. I remember saying to myself, I dont know how anyone can fight this, she says. Sharonda woke up with a heavy, sickening, thick feeling in her gut. So she called her daughter, Danielle Johnson, an astrology influencer who went by the handle Mystic Lipstick on Twitter. They struggled to figure out what it was about, but Sharonda believed it would become evident sooner rather than later. I know itll come full circle, Sharonda remembers thinking. Because it always does. More from Rolling Stone Sharonda and Danielle had a complicated relationship. Sharonda had struggled with substance abuse when Danielle was a teenager, and had not been present for much of her life; they had only started speaking again in 2015, around the time Danielle had her first child. As part of an effort to reconnect with her daughter, Sharonda had set off on her own spiritual journey. She would eventually call herself a psychic, appointing Danielle as her guide. The dream came back to mind three years later, on the morning of Thursday, April 8, when Sharonda received a phone call from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners office: Danielle, 34, had driven her car into a tree at high speed and did not survive the impact. The medical examiner went on to tell her that Danielles partner, Jaelen Chaney, 29, had been found in their apartment stabbed to death. It got worse. Danielles two children appeared to have been pushed out of a moving car on the 405 freeway, and, while the nine-year-old only had a few cuts and bruises, the eight-month-old had died. Sharonda was stunned. In the years since that dream and since moving to California, her daughter had become distant and withdrawn, retreating almost entirely into her spiritual-healer persona. Their relationship had fallen apart she had no idea that Danielle and Chaney had a child, a baby girl named Sole. She didnt even know her daughter had been pregnant. The two had ceased contact not long after Danielle became romantically involved with Chaney, a follower with whom shed developed a relationship while he was stationed at an Air Force base in Italy. Chaney had spent the last year and a half of his life living with Danielle, her daughter and, eventually, the baby they would have together in her swank rental apartment in Woodland Hills. Neighbors would later say that the two largely kept to themselves and could often be heard fighting late into the night. They had been fighting that night in April. Screams heard by a neighbor coming from the apartment around 3:40 a.m. led to the discovery of Chaneys body. (The LAPD declined to answer questions from Rolling Stone about the status of the investigation into Chaneys death, pointing us to an April 9 news release in lieu of a statement.) The sole survivor of the tragedy, Danielles nine-year-old daughter, has since moved in with her father, Danielles former partner Cecil Rice. Long before that night, Danielle had effectively cut off all communication with everyone who would have been able to spot the direction where she was going, Sharonda says. And, either way, she adds, fighting against the energy I was feeling in that dream years ago would have been next to impossible. SHORTLY AFTER SHARONDA received the call, news of what had happened started filtering out from local, then national, outlets. For Danielles more than 100,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), it only took a few hours to draw the direct line between Danielle Johnson, the mother of two who had apparently killed her partner and her baby before taking her own life; and Mystic Lipstick, the celebrity astrologer, aspiring musician, and spiritual leader that some had been following for more than a decade. It floored me, says Danielle Arias, who goes by Stars Moon and Sun on Twitter, someone who herself rose to prominence posting astrology content in the early 2010s, around the same time as Mystic Lipstick. I was in shock. My heart has been heavy for days. On Astrology Twitter, some wondered if Danielle Johnson had been struggling with a postpartum mental health disorder, or a little-understood phenomenon called spiritual psychosis, which has been linked to hallucinations and delusions of grandeur. Others claimed she had been overtaken by demonic forces, with rumors circulating that she had dabbled in dark magic. Many found it difficult to accept that the woman theyd turned to for healing had been capable of such violence. (Some of the people who followed Danielle online declined to talk to Rolling Stone for this reason, saying they were still too troubled by what she had done to speak about her.) As more details emerged, it became clear how much of Danielles private life she had kept from her followers; she had rarely spoken publicly about being a mother, or about her relationship with Chaney, let alone her recent pregnancy. While her followers and family grasped for explanations, it seemed apparent that Danielle had been losing her grip on reality for some time. Since the early days of the pandemic, her tweets began to get darker and darker, says Alma Suono, an online friend of Danielles since 2016. [She] just seemed kind of sad and burnt out. On X, her content had become increasingly unhinged in her final weeks, with reposts of increasingly aggressive antisemitic content and apocalyptic messages from accounts promoting QAnon. Some friends had dismissed such posts as trolling: I thought it was dark humor, says Suono. [I] was way less concerned than I should have been. In their coverage, many media outlets focused on Danielles vocation as an astrologer and the fact that her death took place the same day as the total solar eclipse, which appeared to have consumed Danielle in the days leading up to it. This eclipse is the epitome of spiritual warfare, she wrote on April 4, four days before the crash. Get your protection on and your heart in the right place. The following day, she warned: WAKE UP WAKE UP THE APOCALYPSE IS HERE. EVERYONE WHO HAS EARS LISTEN. Many on Astrology Twitter were angered by the coverage of her death and concerned about what impact it would have on the community, arguing that such stories unfairly demonized astrologers. Indeed, based on more than a dozen interviews with those who knew Danielle, it seems apparent that the eclipse was not the driving force behind hers, Chaneys, and their daughters deaths. From both her behavior online and in real life, it seems her mental health had been declining for some time. She was like a hurt baby, says Maya Johnson (no relation), Danielles former college roommate. But there was little discussion online about what, if any, interventions could have been taken prior to April 8. As her tweets started to get darker, I kind of just looked away, says Suono. I didnt want to seem prying. So I didnt ask too many questions. Danielles death also raised a question: If youve accumulated an audience based on your ability to provide clarity and guidance, what happens, to both your followers and yourself, if you find yourself unable to do so? Some people are like, Save me, says Samuel Reynolds, a Santa Fe-based astrologer who has been following Danielles career for more than a decade. And then you can get sucked into it like, Why do I have to do this for these people? In other words: What happens to the healer when they cant heal themselves? Danielle Johnson IN THE EARLY 2010s, astrology exploded among millennial audiences on social media. Though most of the big astrologers on Twitter in the early days were people of color, the eruption of horoscopes as a form of personal branding ushered in a groundswell of people [of all races] talking more about astrology on Twitter around 2016, says Reynolds. Now, its an inextricable part of popular culture, with many influencers in the space racking up millions of followers on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Danielle was early to the trend, starting her account on X where she would post astrological predictions and personalized horoscopes in about 2010. According to Sharonda, who became pregnant with Danielle when she was just 16, her daughter had a difficult childhood. Her struggles started from the moment she came into this world, she says. As a child growing up in Maryland, Danielle showed symptoms of anxiety; if she had a headache, she would assume it was a brain aneurysm and start panicking that she was going to die. She thought she was going to catch a condition that would ultimately kill her, Sharonda says. I never understood where that fear came from. When Danielle was 13, Sharonda, who had started abusing drugs, sent her to live with her uncle. Sharonda thought her brother, a Navy veteran living with his wife in Virginia, could provide a more stable environment for Danielle. But Danielle never got past this, Sharonda says, later publicly characterizing Sharondas actions as abandonment. After graduating high school in 2007, Danielle attended Norfolk State University, where she became involved with a campus Bible study group and a local Baptist church. Even then, her former housemate Maya Johnson recalls, Danielle spoke often about having dreams or visions predicting future events. But within their devoutly religious community, that wasnt particularly unusual. The Bible tells you that you can experience things like visions if youre in the spirit, says Maya. So thinking about the church we grew up in, that wasnt abnormal. According to Maya, however, Danielle would soon become disillusioned with the church, and drifted further away from organized religion. It was one of those church hurt kind of things, she says. I think some of the things that she experienced in her family life took a toll on her, as far as her spiritual walk. Maya Johnson and Danielle Johnson When Danielle was a junior, she abruptly dropped out of college and moved back in with her aunt and uncle. It was also around this time, in late 2010, that Danielle started studying Reiki, a non-evidence-based energy healing technique. Author Morgan Jerkins, who interviewed Danielle in 2016 for her bestselling book, This Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America, writes that Danielle became fixated on strengthen[ing] her spiritual gifts outside the paradigm of the kind of Christianity in which she was raised. In 2012, Danielle, then around 23, met Cecil Rice, a Procter & Gamble vendor and her future husband, on Twitter. The pair had been DMing sporadically before discovering they lived relatively close to one another and decided to take their flirtation offline. Rice was not in the astrology or spiritual healing worlds, instead finding himself attracted to how funny Danielles posts were. She definitely lived a rough life, but it wasnt something that was weighing on her. She didnt carry it like she had been through a lot, says Rice, who remembers Danielle talking about her fractured relationship with her mom and negative experiences growing up in the church. She was a very positive, hopeful, graceful person. Danielle and Rice married in 2014, together moving to his hometown of Springfield, Ohio, that same year. Their daughter was born in 2015. It was right around then, Rice says, when Danielles Mystic Lipstick brand started to explode. Social media was coming into that stage where you could make money, he says. And, to both of our surprise, people really connected [with what she was doing]. As @mysticxlipstick, Danielle was part of an initial wave of creators to embrace the tight-knit Twitter-based astrology community. Her followers viewed her as something of a spiritual homegirl, [someone] who was pretty and fly and has it all together, says Reynolds. [They thought] she understood all the spiritual things, like Reiki, astrology, numerology. Kind of like Elizabeth Montgomery from Bewitched, except on Twitter. Many were entranced by Danielles unvarnished, tell-it-like-it-is style. Theres a certain demographic of people that are looking for an unfiltered, no-bullshit perspective, like, This is the shit, this is what you need to fix, says Arias. And I think she provided that. When Jerkins interviewed Danielle for her book in August 2016, Jerkins recalls being transfixed by Danielle: She seemed very grounded; she seemed anointed. Others were more skeptical. Astrologer Amy Tripp, known online as Starheal, connected with Danielle in 2014. She claims that when they began talking on Twitter, Danielle was in the midst of making a calculated pivot from remote energy healing to astrology. She didnt understand astrology, Tripp says. She said things just to say things. When she started appearing on podcasts and doing interviews with publications like Refinery29, others also questioned whether she knew enough about astrology to position herself as an expert. She went from someone who had been asking questions about astrology [of] more seasoned astrologers [on Twitter], to someone talking about astrology [as an expert], says Reynolds. Still, Danielle had a knack for using social media to frame astrological insights in the context of self-care and self-healing, which resonated with her followers. It was something that she found that was her thing. It wasnt something that was attached to the church or to someone else, says Maya Johnson. And she seemed to really enjoy and take pride in it. Around 2016 or 2017, Danielle started transitioning from offering astrological insights (I love Geminis for their exuberance and spontaneity. Hanging with a Gemini can really make you forget that you have adulting to do) to presenting herself as a jack-of-all-trades spiritual healer. She began selling spells, rituals, and cleanses on her website, charging $150 a month for a series of healing audios and PDFs, and $11.99 per cleanse for specific astrological signs. Some of her followers started accusing her of scamming them. It did make me wonder, Are they growing as an astrologer? Or are they just trying to stay in business and relevant? Reynolds says. Still, Danielle was apparently successful, buying high-end handbags and leasing a luxury car. When her old friends saw her Instagram, We were kind of shocked, says Maya. Shes living this lavish life. Its like, Who is this person? Others on Astrology Twitter developed concerns about the advice Danielle was doling out to her now-100,000 followers. Over the years, followers unearthed old tweets where she promoted offensive views about LGBTQ+ people, accusing her of being trans- and homophobic. (She later apologized, claiming she had been dealing with internalized shame from the church over her own sexual orientation.) In 2018, she also started marketing healing series specifically for survivors of sexual assault: This will also HELP with SEXUAL ADDICTIONS and be paramount for those in ANY form of SEX WORK. RAPE VICTIMS, SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS, she tweeted. When some followers criticized her for appearing to target sexual abuse survivors without any formal training herself, Danielle wrote a lengthy thread alleging she herself was a survivor of long-term childhood sexual abuse. (Sharonda says Danielle never told her she had been sexually abused. Others, however, such as Danielles ex-husband and her college friend Maya Johnson, remember Danielle opening up about experiencing physical and sexual abuse as a child, though they did not recall specific details.) For these reasons, some of Danielles longtime followers had already started to slowly withdraw from her orbit by the onset of the pandemic. It didnt feel right in my spirit. I am a Christian, and I felt her energy was really dark, says one longtime follower who used to purchase Danielles cleanses, who asked Rolling Stone to withhold her name. She was opening up doors that you shouldnt walk through. And she didnt seem very well. Some of these doors, according to Sharonda, Tripp, and two of Danielles former friends, included dabbling with witchcraft. As her platform grew, she became obsessed with critiques and attacks from people online, particularly other astrologers, says Rice, though he chalked it up to people feeling like there was a competition. Tripp says that, after she fell out with Danielle, she heard rumblings from some of her former clients that Danielle was doing dark magic, placing hexes on her using cow tongues and feathers. Following Danielles death, two TikTok influencers also took to the platform, alleging Danielle had been working with demons, including tak[ing] somebodys picture [and putting] nine nails on it on a cow tongue as part of a hexing ritual. (The TikTokers did not respond to requests for comment; its also important to note that such rituals are not part of the usual practice of modern witchcraft, and are certainly not common within the astrology community.) Rice and Danielle separated in 2018, though they never officially divorced. We did great as friends, decent as co-parents, he says of their split. We had grown apart and wanted different things out of life. During the time they lived together, he does not recall seeing his wife practice dark magic. Anything he did witness was mostly around manifestations and healing, such as setting intentions in her journals and mailing cleanses to clients. It was never anything that would be considered taboo or evil or wicked, he says. It wasnt like she was slitting the throat of a goat. Nothing extreme. But Rice also acknowledges there were limitations to his understanding of Danielles work, as well as her mental state. After she eventually from of Ohio to New York City, Danielle became the full-time caretaker of their daughter due to how much better off financially she was than Rice at the time. Their conversations in the years since were almost always normal in Rices memory. She had a tendency to be very guarded, he says. She wasnt terribly expressive to me about a number of things. Even after they separated, even in the months leading up to her death, when he would call to check in on her, she would always just say she was fine. BY 2020, DANIELLE WAS at something of an impasse. After separating from Rice, she had started a new relationship with a novelist and tarot reader, briefly moving into an apartment in New York Citys Tribeca neighborhood with him. They eventually got engaged. (He declined to speak with Rolling Stone.) But she wanted to pivot away from spiritual healing and into music, a passion she had harbored despite having little innate vocal talent since she was a child. When she was in choir, wed always tease her about the notes she was hitting, says Maya. But Danielle was persistent. Danielle, her daughter, and her then-fiance moved to Los Angeles in mid-2020, at the height of the pandemic. That fall, she released an album Venus under her stage name Ayoka. On her YouTube channel, she described her music as a sleek, alt-R&B sound. When Maya came across one of her music videos, she was stunned by how much Danielle had changed from their college years, when the two were in praise group. She wasnt this sweet, awkward, and goofy person anymore, says Maya. She had this dark-feminine energy. she was just not the same person, at all. Danielle quickly found that that music stardom did not come as easily as her Mystic Lipstick social media persona. For a while, she was very aggressive with promoting the music, says Shawn Pierre Marshall, a.k.a. Marz, a podcast host and the head of The D.E.N., an artist collective Danielle briefly joined to promote her work. And then it kind of fell off after that first release. I dont think it did the numbers that she wanted. She pivoted back to healing, continuing to connect with her loyal followers. At some point in late 2020, according to Sharonda, Danielle started becoming closer with Jaelen Chaney, a U.S. Air Force technician stationed at Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy. A diehard Star Wars nerd, Chaney had what his ex-boyfriend, Chris Mills, characterizes to Rolling Stone as nerdy swag: He was good-looking, with close-cropped hair, Doc Martens, and rippling biceps. Mills had met him on a dating app when Chaney was just 20 years old and had just moved with a few friends to the Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg area. Mills had been drawn to Chaney because his profile photo featured him in a Boba Fett helmet. It wasnt, like, a Walmart costume youd get for 20 bucks, Mills recalls, laughing. It was a very nice Boba Fett helmet. It was like, OK, youve been to a couple of Comic-Cons. Jaelen Chaney and Chris Mills Chaney was jovial and upbeat, the embodiment of the phrase, Their smile could light up a room, one high school friend recalls. Another remembered him in the cafeteria cracking jokes, always the center of attention. Like Danielle, he had also been a member of a church youth group. His interests were eclectic he loved going to clubs and flailing his limbs to EDM and watching YouTube videos of tornadoes. [He was] a storm chaser, his mother, Juanita Chirikas, recalls. He was always amazed with how the lightning strikes. He was great at taking pictures. He dreamed of becoming a meteorologist, but at the time was somewhat adrift. He was very much learning himself at that time, Mills says. He hadnt quite found a niche. Still, he was relentlessly curious, a dreamer whod drop everything to hop a train across Europe or pop over to Floridas Hillsborough River State Park to watch meteor showers. Whenever they took walks at night, Chaney would always look up at the stars. Id be like, Seeing anything interesting? Mills recalls. And he was like Not yet but you gotta look up to see it. Chaneys interests extended to the metaphysical realm, says Mills. He was very interested in horoscopes, learning more about birth charts, he says. I wouldnt say it was anything out of the ordinary. He was just a little bit more interested than the average person. Chirikas says he spoke often of having a special astrological connection to his grandmother, with whom he was close, as their birthdays were four days apart. A profile on Academia.edu, a database of research papers, linked to Chaneys Facebook handle lists his interests as extraterrestrial intelligence, radio communication, spiritual metaphysics, and expanded consciousness. But Mills thought this was all part and parcel with Chaneys general curiosity. He had a good understanding, in my opinion, of the concept that the world is so much bigger than just me or him, he says. He understood that the world was big, and that we are so small, and theres so much out there that we can explore that we dont know. In 2016, when Chaney was 21, he enlisted in the military, going off to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base outside San Antonio. While he was there, Mills sent him letters and printed out Instagram memes he thought Chaney might laugh at, but kept the content of his correspondence relatively bland. I didnt know if the sergeants read their mail, or if theyd give him a hard time about it, he says. Though Chaney was out to his mother, as well as most of his close friends, he was not widely known to be out in high school, one former friend recalls, and the area in which he grew up in Palm Bay, Florida, tended to skew conservative. But Jaelen, the product of a mixed family and neighborhood, was more progressive, says Chirikas. He was taught to accept people as he would like to be accepted and treated. Still, Mills was careful to not be overly demonstrative when he visited him in basic training. [The military is] not a career field that you necessarily go into and youre like, Look at me, he says. You dont want to make things more difficult than they have to be. [And] I wasnt gonna push anything. I didnt want him to feel like he needs to come out because I want him out. He attended Chaneys basic training graduation with Chirikas, where he played trombone in the military band. When Chaney told Mills in 2016 that he would be stationed at Aviano Air Base in Italy, where hed always wanted to go, Mills was happy for him but the news was bittersweet. Mills had just adopted a baby, and he had his hands full as a single dad. Over time, their relationship dwindled, but they still sporadically kept in contact. In my head, I always thought one day wed run into each other, and hed look at me and say I did a great job as a parent, and Id get to hear about all his adventures and find out that it was all worth it, he says. At some point, while stationed abroad, Chaney, who followed Danielle, began communicating with her frequently on social media, becoming more and more deeply invested in the spirituality space. In his Twitter bio, he called himself a reiki master, frequently posting spiritual aphorisms and astrology memes; he also registered an LLC, Saturns Guidance, in 2021, creating a website where he offered aura baths and timeline shifts, which he described as a type of energy work associated with quantum healing. At the time, Sharonda and her son were living in Los Angeles with Danielle, Danielles then-fiance, and her daughter with Rice. It was from this vantage point that Sharonda witnessed the beginnings of Danielles long-distance flirtation with Chaney. In the fall of 2021, she says, Chaney joined an online coven that Danielle frequently promoted on social media, in which she would teach members various spells and how to make their own sigils, or magical symbols. Eventually, Danielle would anoint Chaney the role of high priest, according to Sharonda. (Chirikas disputes this: Jaelen was not the type to join, she says. He was more into paving his own way.) At some point, Sharonda says, Danielle became convinced that she and Chaney were twin flames, a term used to describe an intense connection with a soulmate. She did a lot of spell work for her and Jaes relationship, she says. A lot of sex magic, a lot of tantra, everything she could find in order to make this relationship successful. There were more than a few roadblocks Danielles fiance, for one, who continued to live with her until May 2022. There was also the matter of Chaneys sexual orientation: According to Sharonda and Mills, he had primarily dated men for most of his life. [Danielle] somehow convinced him that he wasnt who he thought he was, that stuff from his childhood created the part of his personality that he thought was gay, Sharonda says. Nonetheless, Danielle and Chaney began a long-distance relationship, with her visiting him in Italy and the two traveling together to his hometown in Florida while he was on leave. Soon, he would decide not to reenlist. Sharonda says this was not the first time Danielle had become infatuated with a man who had sex with other men, and, while Danielle did not harbor any type of hate toward the LGBTQ+ community, and personally identified as bisexual, she did have issues with Chaneys sexual orientation. She was always scanning him, saying, Oh, that was gay of you [to say]. Why did you say that? Sharonda recalls. [It] came down to her needing to snuff out every whiff of his higher self. Chaney moved in with Danielle in the summer of 2022. According to Sharonda, Danielle accused Chaneys mother of doing black magic on their relationship, discouraging him from contacting her. I could not believe my eyes, Sharonda recalls. Getting between a mother and son thats a line you cant cross. Chirikas confirms that Danielle did, in fact, make an effort to turn Jaelen against her, despite the fact that I never spoke to her or anyone in her family [or] said anything negative about her to Jaelen or anyone else prior to her being in my sons life. She says she and other family members were deprived [of] access into their lives due to a great deal of manipulation and violence from Danielle. Jaelen and I had a very close relationship and we spoke often, she says. I never knew why she turned my son against me. Jaelen Chaney At this point, Danielle, who was becoming increasingly paranoid, started to isolate and control Chaney, Sharonda says, including locking down his Twitter in May 2022 to prevent their enemies from putting a curse or a spell on his account. Even Chaney himself was ambivalent about the relationship, at one point asking Sharonda over FaceTime, in front of Danielle, whether he should walk away from Danielle and this whole situation, Sharonda remembers. She says she told him to trust his intuition. Both Maya Johnson, Danielles former housemate, and Sharonda say Danielle had a history of emotional volatility. She had big feelings, says Maya. And they came out sometimes in a bit of an explosive way. But while living with her daughter in Los Angeles, Sharonda says she witnessed Danielle become increasingly unstable. Danielle was prone to breaking and throwing things during arguments; once, in 2021, she threatened to take her own life by breaking a glass and saying she would swallow the shards, only calming down when her mother threatened to call 911. But things got much worse. As she grew more paranoid, Danielle started inviting demons around her home, stationing them on her roof, at the front door, and at the front gate to protect her, envisioning herself as the queen of the underworld, with demons at her disposal, says Sharonda. It was like there was always this imaginary threat out there. Except it wasnt imaginary in the sense that there was no threat around her, Sharonda says. The threat was literally herself. She says she begged Danielle to get professional help, but Danielle refused. She didnt want to go on any medication; she didnt want to do talk therapy, Sharonda says. She just did not trust any person who did not have ties to the metaphysical. It all began to come to a head when Sharonda warned Chaney on social media to run as fast as he can, she says. Danielle demanded her mother and her half-brother leave the apartment. They moved out in March 2022. A few months later, Chaney moved in. Within a year, Danielle would be pregnant with her second child and Chaneys first. Chirikas, who at this point was not in contact with Chaney at all, says she did not know about any of this. [He was] being disconnected and manipulated, she says. Others knew and saw the signs and did nothing about it. By the time Sharonda received the phone call from the medical examiners office this April, she had not spoken to Danielle in more than a year. The last time she saw her was in late 2023, sitting next to her in traffic while driving home from work. Danielle, she says, drove right past her. Sharonda remembers thinking, Wow. Shes no longer part of my reality. IN THE WEEKS FOLLOWING Danielles death, the term spiritual psychosis was thrown around frequently on social media. Spiritual psychosis is not a widely documented phenomenon, nor is it listed in the DSM-V, the standard American classification for mental health disorders. But some researchers have argued that psychosis, defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality, has been linked to the phenomenon of spiritual visions or hallucinations. You feel you might know things that no one else knows, or that people can read your thoughts, or you can read their thoughts. You might feel youre very powerful and that you can do anything, or that youre being invaded by outside forces, says Isabel Clarke, a consulting clinical psychologist who studies the intersection between spirituality and mental illness. She characterizes psychosis as the emotional mind and the rational mind drifting apart. Life becomes unmanageable, and people can get ideas which are divorced from reality. Such a breakdown is most often precipitated by what she refers to as a trigger event, such as a life transition or a period of high stress. (The birth of a child, Clarke notes, can certainly fall into that category.) When that happens, Clarke says, the things that were holding the person together, no longer do. In the days leading up to her death, Danielle frequently reposted antisemitic conspiracy theories and content from QAnon and QAnon-adjacent accounts. No one I spoke to who knew Danielle said they had ever heard her say anything about these conspiracy theories. Those in the astrology community chafed at the suggestion that her spiritual beliefs may have rendered her more vulnerable to radicalization: I dont really care for the term conspiracy theories, Arias says. [Sometimes] that means just not being aligned with the mainstream or questioning. For instance, I have some doubts that we went to the moon. And I have friends who think this is crazy. Does that make me a conspiracy theorist? Like most communities or subcultures, the vast majority of those in the astrology community do not have a tendency toward radicalization, nor do they harbor conspiratorial views, says Derek Beres, coauthor of the book Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat. But there may be small pockets that are more prone to radicalization, he says and that can be problematic if youre someone with mental distress [who] believe[s] theres an actual cosmic battle playing out in human form, as appears to have been the case with Danielle. The rise of algorithm-supercharged platforms like TikTok, which tend to prioritize emotionally charged, high-engagement content regardless of whether it is accurate or not has accelerated the spread of conspiracy theories within the community. Theres this tendency to make these big, dark, and ominous statements around celestial events and dates, and kind of drive mass hysteria and paranoia, says KadyRoxz, a former astrology influencer who, following Danielles death, spoke out about her own negative experiences in the community. A lot of them do it just to drum up engagement, but people dont know that. So they start reacting like there is something to be afraid of. Its unclear whether Danielle was ever formally diagnosed with a mental illness or a personality or mood disorder of any kind. During the decade Rice knew her, he says he never knew of her going to a mental health specialist. Both he and Sharonda confirm that Danielle exhibited symptoms of postpartum depression following the birth of her first child, which had been further complicated by a preeclampsia diagnosis after the birth. But they do not believe she ever sought an official mental health diagnosis, let alone professional treatment. When Danielle revealed to Rice that she was expecting her second child last year, he periodically checked in with her, because I knew she had struggled before with our child, he says. Rice says, at the time, their solution was largely to talk it out: [I tried to tell her] You dont have to feel bad if you dont want to, he says. You dont have to let it take you to a dark space. FOLLOWING DANIELLES DEATH, many of her friends and former clients felt intense regret about not having heeded the signs of her downward spiral before it was too late. For instance, when Suono, her online friend, saw concerning posts from Danielles account a few days before her death, she was hesitant to say anything. I didnt want to overstep my boundaries, she says. Some who knew her personally, however, say that Danielle had withdrawn from reality and lost sight of who she was beyond being Mystic Lipstick a long time ago. She was so focused on healing other people to fuel this lifestyle she built that, somewhere along the way, she forgot to heal herself, says Sharonda. Others failed to see any signs at all. Cecil Rice kept in touch with Danielle up until the last month of her life. He describes her as standoffish, but nothing that sparked alarm. Nothing seemed suspicious or out of the ordinary when they last spoke, he says. It felt like she was in a good space. The biggest worry she admitted to him was struggling with her post-pregnancy weight gain. During one of their final conversations in February, she brought up the possibility of them finally legally ending their marriage so that she could marry Chaney. Up to that point, Rice had only heard about Danielles new boyfriend in passing. He didnt even know his name. I wasnt sure how serious it was, he says. I didnt realize it was the same person she had been dating for a while. Because he spent little time on social media in recent years, Rice says he was shocked by Danielles final tweets about the eclipse and the apocalypse, which he saw after her death. It wasnt the Danielle he knew. Before his and Danielles daughter moved back in with him in Ohio, Rice went to L.A. He spoke with the hospital, police, and his daughters teachers, and learned that his daughter had not been in school for the week leading up to the tragedy. He also viewed Danielles apartment before it was cleaned. There were bags of trash that hadnt been taken out, a closet full of dirty laundry sprawled all over, and unwashed dishes in the sink. The Danielle he knew was a tidy person who would even go so far as to hire a cleaning service when her home got out of hand. It looked like she was probably struggling a lot in those last days. Chirikas, who has set up a GoFundMe raising money for the burial expenses following Jaelens death, also saw the apartment to pack up her sons belongings after he died. Disarray is an understatement, she says of the conditions. But it made sense considering what she imagines to be Chaneys emotional state at the time: Her son, she believes, was in fear and fighting for [his] life and the kids lives. Rice says his daughter with Danielle has been adjusting well since surviving the tragedy. Shes been a very, very, very strong kid through all of this, he continues. I could tell that, as a mother, Danielle did a very good job. Their daughters physical injuries, all superficial, have since healed and shes seeing a therapist. Rice does admit shes been having trouble sleeping, likely due to PTSD. For Mills, Chaneys ex, the death of his former love leaves him with far more questions than answers. When he heard about what had happened to Chaney, he was astonished that Chaney had even been living with a woman to begin with; he had always thought that Chaney had only been attracted to men. Looking through Chaneys Facebook photos geotagged in Greece, Puglia, Venice, Bulgaria, and Tel Aviv, Mills sees that Chaneys dreams of exploring the world in large part came true. But he is devastated he will never be able to hear about them directly from Chaney. A part of me was just waiting to tell him Im proud of you, and Im proud of everything that youve done. Im so happy for you and you did exactly what you wanted to do. And [that] he would be happy and proud of the person I became, he says. And now thats never going to happen. Chirikas, Jaelens mother, is deeply frustrated that no one who saw signs of Danielles increasingly erratic behavior intervened before it was too late. Jaelen and Danielle were given the opportunity to create a beautifully innocent baby girl, Sole, that could have had a chance to grow up, she says, only if someone who saw the signs of unstable behavior would have done the right thing and got help. In the wake of the tragedy, many of Danielles followers are clearly still struggling. During an April 12 Space hosted by Sharonda, which was attended by hundreds of Danielles followers, one of them said he had been contacted by the astrologer beyond the grave, and that she had provided an explanation for why she had murdered her partner and child. Another said she had been too depressed to eat or socialize with her friends after hearing about Danielles death, because Danielle was unable to do so and she would feel guilty. I would rather have her back than any good thing that I have in my life, the follower said, weeping. Sharonda does not know what happened that drove her daughter to commit such horrific acts, but she had witnessed enough of her psychic state beforehand the paranoia, the delusions, the erratic behavior to develop her own theories. Sometimes, in discussing what happened to her daughter, shell invoke the language of the spiritual community of which Danielle was a part, using terminology like demons, dark energy, and low-vibrational entities. Other times, shell resort to more widely accepted explanations: mental illness, trauma, the pressures of social media. And sometimes, shed allude to the specific type of emotional pain that only a mother and daughter can inflict upon each other. Sharonda says she was frustrated by some of Danielles followers responses to her death because they were mourning a person who had not existed. This person wasnt queen of the underworld or an anointed shamanic healer. She was just her daughter. We all have a dark side, Sharonda says. And if we continue to ignore our dark side and pretend like it aint there, one day, when the energy is as potent as it was on that solar eclipse day, honey, that darkness being out of balance takes over. Dial 988 in the U.S. to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ+ youth, is 1-866-488-7386. Find other international suicide helplines at Befrienders Worldwide (befrienders.org). Best of Rolling Stone I use people's preferred pronouns out of respect. Not because the government said so. Professor Nicholas Meriwether believes that God created human beings as either male or female, that this sex is fixed in each person from the moment of conception, and that it cannot be changed, regardless of an individuals feelings or desires. His Christian faith wasnt a problem for him as an instructor at Shawnee State University until 2016 when the school required that he refer to students by their preferred pronouns. That policy set Meriwether on a collision course with a students self-expressed gender identity. Nothing less than the First Amendment is at stake. As an opinion columnist, some readers would happily control my speech. From time to time, I receive colorful messages explaining how I might have written a superior column if only I werent a benighted idiot. I take it in stride because I understand what the criticism represents: Our viewpoint differences are the most critical health check on whether our society remains free. The First Amendments contours as applied to both public and private speech restrictions are well defined. While the government and government-funded institutions may limit speech in terms of time, place, and manner, the content of speech is generally outside their restrictive reach. Gender identity is a viewpoint that shouldnt be handled any differently. Federal judge strikes down Florida's ban on transgender health care for children Professor wanted a compromise, but he got pushback Meriwethers case isnt a hypothetical. In 2018, a student in one of his classes demanded that Meriwether use feminine pronouns and said he would be fired if he didnt comply. More: ACLU challenges Tennessee ban on trans people changing gender on driver's licenses Nicholas Meriwether, a philosophy professor, accused Shawnee State University in a lawsuit of violating his right to free speech. He will receive $400,000 in a settlement. In spite of his sincerely held beliefs, Meriwether offered a compromise to call on the student by her last name instead of using pronouns at all. The student wasnt satisfied, complained to the school again, and threatened to retain counsel. Meriwether even offered to use the students preferred pronouns and put a disclaimer on his course syllabus that he was doing so under compulsion while stating his perspectives on gender identity. Sara Green, Liv N. Parks, Kait Spear, Francesca Walker and Clare McDaniels talk at the K.C. Potter Center on Vanderbilt's campus. UT isn't the only university in Tennessee to grapple with gender-neutral pronouns. Vanderbilt added "he/she/they" to the default pronouns in its student handbook this year. At the end of the semester, Meriwether awarded the offended student a high grade. This grade reflected very good work and frequent participation in class discussions. In short, the student wasnt penalized on account of the difference in viewpoint about gender. Nevertheless, Shawnee State formally reprimanded Meriwether who feared his employment was in jeopardy in spite of an otherwise spotless disciplinary record. As a result, Meriwether filed suit against the school for violating his constitutional rights. Ultimately, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals was quite clear in agreeing with Meriwether. We should not require ideological conformity If professors lacked free speech protections when teaching, a university would wield alarming power to compel ideological conformity. A university president could require a pacifist to declare that war is just, a civil rights icon to condemn the Freedom Riders, a believer to deny the existence of God, or a Soviet emigre to address his students as comrades. Meriwethers case isnt alone. In 2017, Californias SB219 criminalized the willful and repeated failure of long-term care facilities to use a residents chosen name and pronouns with a fine of up to $2,500 or 180 days in jail. Similarly, a California appellate court struck down the law as running afoul of the First Amendment. Courts of law are recognizing something our cultural conversation is missing. What if the role of professor and student were reversed? In the interest of transparency, I generally agree with Meriwethers views on gender. Men and women are meaningfully different. I also reject the idea that we should have a genderless society. As a man, Im perfectly fine being prohibited from womens sports. Im not offended in the least that I cant go into a female locker room without someone calling the police. More: Why Tennessee ranks as high risk for gay and transgender people Imagine that the roles were reversed in Meriwethers case. A Christian student demands that his transgender professor embrace a traditional definition of male and female. The student is laughed out of the classroom for behaving like a tyrannical bigot imposing his personal views on gender. Upset, the student files a complaint with the school and then a lawsuit alleging that hes being discriminated against because of his faith. Should he prevail? If the professor isnt harassing the student or treating him differently on account of his views, then he has every right to disagree with him, laugh, or generally respond with his own thoughts. Even if he offends the student deeply, the student simply cant and shouldnt be able to compel the professors speech. Mere disagreement isnt some form of violence or harassment. Those who would punish others for a traditional view of gender engage in a sleight of hand that we must reject. They want gender identity to be simultaneously elective and immutable. Trans women are women is a regularly deployed mantra, but it too is a viewpoint. According to the Human Rights Campaign, gender identity is one's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. Gender simply cannot simultaneously be a permanent characteristic like race or sex and be a matter of perception that can change. Because gender identity is indeed a personal expression, views on the issue are equal under the First Amendment. But what about private businesses or universities? Those institutions certainly possess more flexibility in controlling and policing speech, but they shouldnt use it. Aligning with the First Amendment is critical for the ideological and intellectual diversity so many businesses and educational institutions crave. When private institutions discriminate against certain viewpoints, they pursue orthodoxy at the expense of curiosity. That may work for some businesses, but its devastating to educational environments. So what does this mean in practice? Maybe a better solution is choose to be respectful I have a friend from high school who now presents as a man. Never once has this individual demanded that I respect his pronouns. I do because hes still a friend and someone who I care about even if our lives dont intersect as much as they did when we were young. My perspectives on gender have not changed, but I value the relationship far more than irritating him with pronouns of my choosing. More frequently, I opt to call him by his last name like I did in high school. Theres no offense to either of us. Building relationships creates room for accommodation and understanding. Hes choosing how he wants to present himself, and I control my response. Were both quite free in our personal views and chosen personal association. That positive compromise cant always be reached. So which pronoun wins in the war of gender identity when perspectives clash? If we want Americas pronouns to be we and us, the only possible win is protecting our right to disagree as a critical national virtue. Cameron Smith, columnist for The Tennessean and the USA TODAY Network Tennessee USA TODAY Network Tennessee Columnist Cameron Smith is a Memphis-born, Brentwood-raised recovering political attorney who worked for conservative Republicans. He and his wife Justine are raising three boys in Nolensville, Tenn. Direct outrage or agreement to smith.david.cameron@gmail.com or @DCameronSmith on X, formerly known as Twitter. Agree or disagree? Send a letter to the editor to letters@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: I use people's preferred pronouns. But I shouldn't have to YOSEMITE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A person was transported to a trauma facility in Fresno after being rescued in Yosemite, the California Highway Patrol said. CHP says on June 9, the CHP Helicopter H-42 was requested by Yosemite National Park to assist with a medical emergency on the Mist Trail. According to officers, a patient was injured after falling 20-30 inches down granite stairs. H-42 landed at Ahwahnee Meadow to reconfigure and then responded to the scene. Officials say the victim was hoisted on board and flown to Ahwahnee Meadow. Once on the ground, the aircraft was reconfigured, the patient was loaded on board and H-42s crew provided additional medical treatment during the medevac to a trauma facility in Fresno. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the town where the shooting occurred. The story has been updated. LONG BEACH, N.Y. (PIX11) A person was shot near the Long Beach LIRR station on Long Island on Thursday, according to police. The male victim was shot around 8 p.m. near West Park Avenue, according to police. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. More Long Island News Police confirmed to PIX11 News the alleged shooter was taken into custody. More than 5,000 people gathered at the beach. The reason for the large crowd was not immediately known. The MTA temporarily suspended the Long Beach branch of the LIRR between Long Beach and Island Park at the polices request. Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The suspect who attempted to carjack a vehicle to get away from a Milton police officer has died after an officer-involved shooting in a Walmart parking lot. Milton police confirmed to Channel 2s Bryan Mims that Milton police shot Shantidra Harris, 31, of Atlanta, in the parking lot of the Walmart on Windward Parkway near the citys border with Alpharetta. GBI officials say police initially responded to a shoplifting call at a nearby Kohls, just after 12 p.m. Officers responded to the area and saw an individual driving a red Dodge Journey, believed to have been involved in the shoplifting incident. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers later tracked the three suspects in the car down to the Walmart parking lot. GBI officials say one woman, the driver, was arrested and another man got away from police. Harris carjacked a white Toyota Corolla in the parking lot and tried to flee the area. Harris, officials say quickly accelerated the Toyota with an officer directly in front of the bumper. The officer was hit by the car, but also shot Harris in the process. She was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The officer, who sustained injuries, has been treated and released. TRENDING STORIES: Views from News Chopper 2 showed at least three damaged cars and several Milton police cars in the area. The GBI has taken over the investigation into this officer-involved shooting. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Almog Meir Jan, 22, kidnapped from Israel in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, raises his hands after arriving by helicopter to the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Saturday, June 8, 2024. Israel says it has rescued four hostages in Gaza who were kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. | Tomer Appelbaum Near the beginning of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt set the terms for victory, making it crystal clear that unconditional surrender by the Axis powers was the only acceptable outcome. A few years later, the Axis capitulated. This was the high point of Americas near century long winning streak (with the notable and very controversial exception of Vietnam). The span between the start of the Spanish American War and the end of the Cold War helped define the 20th century as the American century. Today, things are more complicated, and we have reason to wonder if America has forgotten how to be victorious. General George Patton famously said to the Third Army before D-Day, Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American. Yet New York Times columnist Bret Stephens fears that the American character has changed, saying, In the past 50 years, the United States has gotten good at losing wars. Stephens points to the conclusion of conflicts in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Beirut and Mogadishu, and heavily qualified victories in Iraq and Libya, and stresses that a willingness to accept defeat could create a situation where Americans wont recognize what is necessary when a truly existential crisis hits. Stephens may be right, but theres more to it. For many years, few in positions of authority have defined the objectives of America and its allies the way Roosevelt did. It should thus come as no great surprise that America and her friends have struggled to achieve victory. Think about it: have you heard our political leaders clearly articulate what Americas goal is in Ukraine? What America wants from Israel in Gaza? What about what America wanted in Afghanistan? If you cant, does this say anything about how Americans are thinking about these conflicts? The Biden administration has said that America is with Ukraine as long as it takes. But this stance raises the question: as long as it takes to accomplish what? Vague ideas of Russia losing sound nice, but this isnt a policy unless you define what wining and losing is. Does it require a cessation of hostilities and Ukraine still existing? In what form? Does it involve Russia withdrawing to its pre-2022 borders? What about Russias 2014 flagrantly illegal occupation of Crimea which was the real start to this conflict? Does it require Russian disarmament? The end of the current Russian government? House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced the commonsensical view that Ukraine hanging on is important because it might lead to a Russia-NATO confrontation if Ukraine loses. But which outcome makes such a confrontation less likely? Which do we have the power to bring about at an acceptable cost? Few in the halls of power seem to be discussing these issues. The Biden administrations announcement that the U.S. will allow some of its weapons to be used on Russian soil, potentially allowing Ukraine to regain the initiative, is imperative to Ukraines survival. But it would be much more important if Russia knew it meant that the U.S. would maintain its support until it had achieved a specific goal which has yet to be clearly articulated. Particularly in a nuclear era, a Roosevelt-like unconditional surrender is not always achievable. America has frequently accepted qualified victories rather than defeats or wider conflicts. President Harry Truman intended to unify the Korean peninsula under a free government. But the U.S. was forced to accept the qualified victory of a free South Korea, rather than invade China, which had intervened on behalf of the North Koreans. But the original goal, even if unaccomplished, allowed for the American public, and the world, to see that while victory had not been absolute, it had been real compared to a North Korean victory. The war in Afghanistan had similarities. Some had unrealistic expectations of what was achievable in terms of making Afghanistan into a modern democratic state, but the conventional wisdom that America had failed to accomplish much of anything is simply false. By the time the Taliban was starting to reassert itself, Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar were both dead, the U.S. and the Afghan military had control of most of the country with U.S. casualties of two dozen a year or fewer. Funding to sustain the status quo had massively shrunk. American control of Bagram Air Base meant the U.S. military had a base of operations near China, Russia and Iran. And it was Afghanistan special forces who were fighting and dying to keep the Taliban at bay. Contra to the perceptions of too many Americans, this was not a hopeless situation, but a qualified, half-victory. Yet no president since George W. Bush had seriously attempted to define a goal in Afghanistan. As former Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani (now of the Hudson Institution) pointed out, multiple presidents since were making foreign policy on the basis of a bumper sticker, No Forever Wars. In other words, America lost because both policymakers and the public failed to understand what had been accomplished, why it was needed, or to articulate a better path forward. Now, Afghanistan is again a safe haven for terrorists, and innocent women are beheaded with frightening frequency. Any notion that this wont come back to haunt America is naive. The Biden administrations recently proposed ceasefire in the Israel/Gaza conflict also suffers from a lack of defining victory. The administration contends that Hamas is sufficiently diminished since it is no longer capable of carrying out another mass-murder event like it did on Oct. 7, 2023. This claim is questionable. Nobody thought that Hamas could carry out such an attack on Oct. 6 either, and Hamass leadership has openly declared intentions to commit as many atrocities as it can. How long until it is capable again? A year? Five years? A decade? We dont know. In other words, the Biden administration is not articulating a condition for victory; its merely accepting an apparent moment of relative calm in lieu of of victory. What would victory look like? Ghaith al-Omari, a former negotiator for the Palestinian Authority, challenges the common wisdom that Hamas cannot be eradicated since ideologies cannot be defeated militarily. While ideologies cannot be totally defeated, they can be sufficiently defeated so as to turn them from major threats to marginal irritants. Omari goes on to stress that Hamas must be denied its ability to influence politics through violence, that a military defeat allows for at least the possibility of progress on the wider issue of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But in absence of articulating what victory means, as Omari does, is it any wonder that American policy seems to be flailing? It does not take a Ph.D. in international relations to understand that Russias aggression in Ukraine, the shifting sands in the Middle East due in large part to the Gaza war, and Chinas increasingly aggressive testing of international norms, means America is being forced to grapple with difficult choices concerning both hot and cold conflicts and will be for the foreseeable future. As former Secretary of State Dean Acheson famously said, At the top, there are no easy choices. All are between evils, the consequences of which are hard to judge. Decision makers need to think early about what victory will mean in any given situation and articulate it to the public, or else risk slow-walking America into disaster. Cliff Smith is a lawyer and a former congressional staffer. He lives in Washington, D.C., where he works on national security related issues. His views are his own. A major resource for Concord with hundreds of high-paying jobs has opened its doors. Eli Lilly and Company opened their $2 billion facility Friday. The company will package and ship medicines around the world. PREVIOUS: Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly to invest $1B at former Philip Morris site in Concord This place isnt just about the building. Its a symbol of hope, said Director Rosa Manso. Here, science and innovation come together. We work for our purpose to improve lives worldwide. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper helped cut the ribbon for the facility. It was a full circle moment for a project he helped facilitate over two years ago by luring Eli Lilly and Company to Cabarrus County. Cooper said the state will be working with the company to increase access to medications for all citizens. Its a big priority after the state dropped coverage for state employees using certain medicines like Ozempic because of their high price. ALSO READ: Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly breaks ground on $1B campus in Concord Not only Eli Lilly, but other companies that are making these drugs that are going to end up making people healthier, Gov. Cooper said. Clearly there is a cost issue, but we have to find a way forward. The facility will employ 600 people. Officials said 70% of them will be from the state of North Carolina while 60% of them will be from the area directly surrounding the plant itself. Weve concentrated on rural areas, Cooper said. The next step for the facility is to begin making medicine. That should happen by the end of this year. (WATCH PREVIOUS: Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly breaks ground on $1B campus in Concord) Skyline in autumn behind the Schuylkill River Boardwalk in morning- I 76 in view, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Credit - Jumping Rocks/Universal Images GroupGetty Images Philadelphia has experienced the biggest drop in gun violence among major U.S. cities so far in 2024, according to a new report from a Washington D.C.-based think tank. The Center for American Progress (CAP) released Tuesday its analysis of Gun Violence Archive (GVA) data, which is an online archive of gun violence incidents gathered from more than 7,500 law enforcement, media, government and commercial sources each day. CAP analyzed gun homicides and gun violence victimizations data from 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024 from Jan. 1 to April 30 (which CAP referred to as year to date, or YTD). CAP defined gun violence victimizations as all firearm-related injuries and deaths. Philadelphia has seen the most significant decline in population-adjusted gun violence victimizations YTD of the 50 most populous U.S. cities, CAP said in its analysis. As of the end of April 2024, Philadelphia experienced almost 16 fewer gun victimizations per 100,000 residents. CAP found that gun violence has dropped in most large U.S. cities. In addition to Philadelphia, Detroit; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Milwaukee; and Columbus, Ohio, saw at least 10 fewer victimizations per 100,000 residents YTD. Cities that are seeing the greatest public safety gainssuch as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston, which all have lower YTD rates of gun victimizations in 2024 compared with this same time in 2019have committed to gun violence reduction strategies coordinated by their local offices of violence prevention and made significant investments in more holistic and long-term approaches to improving public safety, CAP said in its analysis. Philadelphia, for instance, formed an interagency task force after a 2020 increase in gun violence. The task force studied local gun violence data and looked at evidence-based practices the city could implement, CAP said. Using this work, the task force recommended supporting vulnerable community members, investing in community violence intervention models, and bolstering data tracking and gun violence reporting to better foster case resolution. Read More: Gun Injuries to Children Have Soared. So Have Their Impacts In general, gun homicides in the U.S. are down by 13.1%, and gun violence victimizations are down by 12.5%, compared to 2023. CAP pointed out that 2021 recorded the highest annual rate of gun violence since the early 1990s, but gun homicides in 2024 so far are down by 16.4%. CAP also said that since the beginning of 2022, gun homicides have been dropping nationally, and that there are no signs of that trend slowing down. Even still, gun homicide rates are 16% higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CAP. As of April 30, 2024, the GVA recorded 5,043 total gun homicides; at the same time in 2019, the GVA recorded 4,333 total gun homicides, CAP said. Get alerts on the biggest breaking news stories here Contact us at letters@time.com. FILE PHOTO: Members of the media take footage of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel blocking a Philippine Coast Guard vessel on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippine military chief urged Filipino fishermen to keep fishing in the country's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, despite China's new coastguard rules allowing it to detain trespassers without trial, which take effect on June 15. China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, has issued new rules that would enforce a 2021 law allowing its coastguard to use lethal force against foreign ships in waters that it claims. "That's our message to our fishermen, for them not to be afraid but to just go ahead with their normal activities in our exclusive economic zone," Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner told reporters on Friday. "We have the right to exploit the resources in the area so our fishermen have no reason to be afraid," he added. The new rules, which allows China's coastguard to detain suspected trespassers without trial for 60 days, have sparked international concerns, with the Philippines describing them as "worrisome" and a "provocation". Taiwan's coastguard said in a statement "it will strengthen fishing protection tasks, resolutely defends the safety of our fishermen's operations and ensure the rights and interests of shipping, and defend national sovereignty. It also called on China "not to use this reason to justify unilateral acts that undermine regional peace". The United States, which has a mutual defence treaty with the Philippines and is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, said Chinese domestic law "has no applicability to other states flagged vessels in other states exclusive economic zones or in the high seas, according to the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. "Enforcement would be highly escalatory and detrimental to regional peace and security," a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department added. "Weve urged Beijing and all claimants to comport their maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention." China has stepped up military activities near democratically-governed Taiwan, which it views as its own territory. It is also involved in an increasingly bitter stand-off with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. The Chinese foreign ministry has said previously the new rules were meant to protect the maritime order, and that there was no need to worry if there was no illegal behaviour by the individuals and bodies involved. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Alex Richardson and Chizu Nomiyama) In sweltering temperatures, Muslim pilgrims in Mecca converged on a vast tent camp in the desert on Friday, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Ahead of their trip, they circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, Islams holiest site. More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world have already amassed in and around Mecca for the Hajj, and the number was still growing as more pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia joined. Saudi authorities expected the number to exceed 2 million this year. This years Hajj came against the backdrop of the raging war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Palestinian militants, which pushed the Middle East to the brink of a regional war between Israel and its allies on one side and Iran-backed militant groups on the other. Palestinians in the coastal enclave of Gaza were not able to travel to Mecca for Hajj this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to the strips southern city of Rafah on the border with Egypt. This years Hajj also saw Syrian pilgrims traveling to Mecca on direct flights from Damascus for the first time in more than a decade. The change is part of an ongoing thaw in relations between conflict-stricken Syria and Saudi Arabia. Syrians in rebel-held areas used to cross the border into neighboring Turkey in their exhausting trip to Mecca for Hajj. This is the natural thing: Pilgrims go to Hajj directly from their home countries, said Abdel-Aziz al-Ashqar, a Syrian coordinator of the group of pilgrims who left Damascus this year for Hajj. The pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to make the five-day Hajj at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Pizza Hut has quietly shuttered a round of locations in central Ohio. The pizzeria chains eateries at 5837 Sawmill Road in Dublin, at 4514 Kenny Road near Upper Arlington, at 3643 S. High St. near Obetz and at 1076 Parsons Ave. near Merion Village have closed. All four have been removed from Pizza Huts site, and their voicemails repeat similar pre-recorded messages when called, saying the eatery has shuttered. The call is then forwarded to a nearby location that remains open. Why the star of My Cat From Hell show visited a Columbus shelter We apologize for the inconvenience, the Kenny Road location has closed, says the voicemail for the 4514 Kenny Road restaurant. We appreciate all your support over the years. Please come visit us at a nearby location. Pizza Huts shuttered 1076 Parsons Ave. location. (Franklin County Auditors Office) Pizza Huts shuttered 3643 S. High St. location. (Franklin County Auditors Office) Pizza Huts shuttered 4514 Kenny Road location. (Franklin County Auditors Office) Pizza Hut did not respond to NBC4s request for clarification on when exactly each restaurant shuttered and why the decision was made to close. Now, the Texas-based brands rolodex of central Ohio locations has dwindled to 21 restaurants. Three of these Columbus-area Pizza Huts at 737 E. Main St. in Reynoldsburg, at 810 Refugee Road in Pickerington and at 6326 Gender Road in Canal Winchester are operating under limited, evening-only hours. The chains other local restaurants are open for normal hours. Drone captures wreckage after Logan County barn fire that killed 44 horses The pizzerias quiet closures are reminiscent of when OCharleys abruptly closed its Westerville-area restaurant at 285 Cleveland Ave. and its Grove City location at 1657 Stringtown Road last November. The closures came after OCharleys Morse Road and Georgesville Square locations shuttered in August, along with the Miller Lane and Miamisburg Centerville Road restaurants in Dayton. The shuttered Pizza Huts join a number of local pizzerias that have recently closed, including Tommys Pizza at 174 W. Lane Ave. near Ohio States campus. The shop, which also has Upper Arlington and Dublin locations, was founded in 1952, with the campus location operating for the past 45 years. Zamarellis Pizza Palace at 4011 Front St. in Grove City closed in late March after 61 years. The restaurant opened to customers in 1963 under Andy Zamarelli, according to the pizzerias site. Tina and Jack Middendorf took over the shop and remained the owners since its recent closure. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A new plane Ukraine is getting will amplify its F-16s and eat into Russia's advantage in the air, experts say A new plane Ukraine is getting will amplify its F-16s and eat into Russia's advantage in the air, experts say Sweden has promised Ukraine its first-ever airborne control and surveillance aircraft. Experts told BI the planes will boost the effectiveness of Ukraine's promised F-16s. The control aircraft can scan widely to locate targets and threats. The arrival of a new type of aircraft for Ukraine will give it an advantage it's not had before, and will help boost the effectiveness of its promised F-16s, experts told Business Insider. Sweden announced late last month that it is giving Ukraine two ASC 890 airborne control and surveillance aircraft, which act as command centers in the air. They detect enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones from afar and coordinate responses to attacks. The Swedish aircraft will be the first with this function Ukraine has had, giving it an ability that until now only Russia, with its much larger and more modern air force, has enjoyed. A boost for Ukraine Tim Robinson, a military aviation specialist at the UK's Royal Aeronautical Society, told BI the Swedish aircraft, linked in with the F-16s, "will be a game changer in terms of the situational awareness, the live radar picture." He said the planes would "give the Ukrainians earlier warning of where drone and missile strikes are coming in from. That will be a huge advantage." Sweden's defense minister, Pal Jonson, said the aircraft will "complement and reinforce the F-16 systems." An F-16 taking off. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose Miguel T. Tamondong Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and defense strategy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI the aircraft can be very valuable because they "can see much further and then help direct aircraft towards the greatest threats." Meanwhile, Peter Layton, a fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute and a former Royal Australian Air Force officer, said they will be able to direct Ukraine's fighter jets, so "coordination and command and control will be dramatically improved." They remain highly vulnerable During the war, Russia has been using its own A-50 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft to monitor Ukraine's air space and coordinate attacks. But Ukraine destroyed one A-50 in January, and said it shot down another one the following month. A Ukrainian defense official said in April that Russia only had six A-50s left. These losses show how vulnerable and how much of a prize aircraft like these are. A Russian Beriev A-50. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, File Aircraft like this "are very vulnerable to fighter aircraft and to missile attack," Layton said, adding that in war "everybody wants to kill the early warning aircraft." Cancian said Russia would be "very interested" in destroying them. He also warned that the planes are "extraordinarily complex," beyond anything Ukraine is used to. Ukraine will likely keep the aircraft together Layton said he expects the command planes to hang back so their radars can detect incoming drones and cruise missiles, giving F-16s "very accurate targeting." The experts said hanging back is also likely the best approach for Ukraine's first F-16s, so the jets can protect cities and infrastructure while staying away from most of Russia's weaponry. Ukraine won't have enough, at least initially, to justify a very forward use for them, they said. A Ukrainian official said last month that the first F-16s are due in June or July, matching comments made by Denmark, which said the first jets are due this summer. Ukraine has been promised about 85 jets by Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium. However, it's not clear how many will arrive in the first wave. Experts said the F-16s will be useful for Ukraine, but are unlikely to majorly change the war by themselves, particularly with only a small number so far committed. But they will replenish aircraft losses, take down Russian drones and missiles, and perhaps launch some attacks into Russia-held territory, the experts said. "Whenever they arrive, that's a good time for Ukraine," Cancian said. Read the original article on Business Insider WEST POINT, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in central Wisconsin say a 20-year-old who crashed his vehicle into Lake Wisconsin was the reason why the Merrimac Ferry was closed. The Columbia County Sheriffs Office posted on its Facebook page about an incident where a vehicle crashed into the water at the Hwy 113 Ferry Crossing. On June 13 around 11 p.m., authorities were advised of the incident. It was later learned that two people were out of the vehicle and swimming to shore. When deputies got to the scene, they found the two people from the vehicle. The passenger was reportedly injured and was sent to a hospital. Good Samaritans, deputies help rescue bald eagle hit on interstate in Marquette County During the investigation, deputies reportedly saw indicators that the driver was impaired by alcohol. It was later confirmed that the driver was intoxicated, according to officials. The driver was identified as a 20-year-old from Sun Prairie. He was sent to the Columbia County Jail. The vehicle was taken out of the water a day later. The release mentioned that the vehicle did not contact the ferry, but it was necessary to do an inspection to make sure the vehicle did not cause any damage. The Ferry will reportedly stay closed until the inspection has happened. The release says it is expected to reopen on June 14. Multiple agencies assisted in the Columbia County Sheriffs Office. Woman in Wisconsin asks officers to care for her pet guinea pig after getting arrested for OWI No additional information was 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. A Torrance Police Department K-9 is being credited with tracking down a robbery suspect who allegedly stole an expensive bottle of alcohol from a local business. It happened Tuesday just before noon at a business on the 3400 block of Torrance Boulevard. According to police officials, a woman entered the business and asked the employee if she could look at a bottle of alcohol. When the employee held it out, she allegedly grabbed the bottle and the two struggled over it. The suspect eventually got free of the employee and ran out of the store with the bottle in hand. The employee was uninjured, but police said their life was threatened during the incident. Torrance police responded to the scene, but were unable to immediately locate the woman. Officers in a remote response center were able to access nearby security footage and get a better idea of where the woman fled. Thats when Torrance Police Officer Rachel Couto and her partner Tango were dispatched to the scene. Bloodhound Tango, a K-9 officer with the Torrance Police Department, is shown in this undated photo. (Torrance Police Department) Tango is a trained bloodhound with incredible scent-tracking skills. Bloodhounds have more than 200 million olfactory cells in their noses and are capable of following scent trails that are more than a week old. Tango was able to pick up the suspects scent and led officers to her hiding spot in a low-trafficked area. She was taken into custody without further incident, police said. Speaking on behalf of Tango, police officials said the public is urged to help maintain public safety by reporting suspicious activity when they see it. See something, say something, police said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Violence erupts inside and outside Walt Disney Concert Hall during graduation event Police responded to Walt Disney Concert Hall after reports of a shooting on Thursday. (Los Angeles Police Department) During a graduation ceremony held at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday evening, violence broke out inside as well as outside the concert venue, and a shooting may have occurred. The L.A. County Probation Department said in a statement late Thursday that the department had co-hosted a graduation ceremony that evening for 100 high schoolers, including 29 detained youths. At the end of the ceremony, a community member leaped from a second-story balcony and assaulted a graduate. All the detained youths had already left the auditorium and were in a secure holding area. "The Probation Special Enforcement Operations unit quickly responded, containing the incident and restoring order inside the auditorium," the statement said. Outside, however, a brawl then broke out. Four people were detained pending further investigation, the Probation Department said. Los Angeles police officers who responded after reports of the violence found evidence of a shooting near the concert hall, though officers did not locate anyone who was wounded. Police responded to the 100 block of Grand Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. after reports of a group fighting and a possible shooting, LAPD Officer Kevin Terzes said. Officers recovered shell casings in the area, he said, but found no victims. Terzes did not know where exactly the casings were found. Grand Avenue and Hope Street were closed between 1st and 2nd streets Thursday night due to the investigation. The Probation Department did not explain what might have prompted the assault inside or the fight outside. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. UPDATE: The family affected by the I-240 shooting has created a GoFundMe page in hopes of helping the four children who were shot recover from their injuries. ****** MEMPHIS, Tenn. The father of four young children who were left with critical injuries after a road rage shooting two days ago has been released from the hospital, Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe said Thursday. Two of the four children were close to being released from hospitals, Crowe said. Two more children still have very serious injuries. Crowe said they were in critical but stable condition. The community has to pray for healing and help those families, Crowe said. Road rage blamed for I-240 shooting that hurt 4 kids, dad Crowe said several MPD detectives were staying in touch with the victims family on a daily basis. Two 3-year-old twins, a 2-year-old and an 8-year-old, and their 30-year-old father were taken to a hospital with critical injuries after the shooting on Interstate 240 near Poplar during Tuesday afternoon rush hour. One of the children was shot five times, another twice in the stomach and another lost two fingers. This incident that occurred here this week is totally outrageous. Its outrageous that a car would be fired upon on the interstate, indiscriminately, that resulted in five people getting wounded including four children, Crowe said. Two men praised for helping family shot on interstate: There is still some good in Memphis Two Good Samaritans stopped to help the father carry his children to their car and took the family to a nearby hospital. A citizen provided police with a suspect vehicle description and license number, allowing police to track them. According to a police report, the shooting started when the victims car merged onto I-240 but was blocked by an SUV. The occupants in the SUV allegedly pulled up beside the car and opened fire with a rifle. Two men, 21-year-old Kendrick Ray and 18-year-old Lorenzo Watson are charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder and numerous other charges. They were held on a $1 million bond Thursday. This is not Rays first run-in with the law. Back in December of 2022, he had an encounter with the MPD Scorpion Unit that was eventually dropped, two days after Tyre Nichols died. He also pleaded guilty in July of last year to converting a handgun into an automatic weapon. Earlier this month, Ray was accused of carjacking and shooting a woman at a gas station in South Memphis. I-240 shooting suspect accused of shooting carjacking victim days earlier We always want people to be educated and we want people to be aware of what is going on, Crowe said. Visit our MPD webpage. On our webpage, we have a whole section that talks about repeat offenders. Visit that. WREG searched for repeat offenders on MPDs webpage. The search took us to Chief Daviss commitment to Advancing Reimaging Policing from August 2018. It offered little explanation about why these violent crimes keep occurring and why MPD is having problems putting a stop to it. The officers do get frustrated seeing the same offenders, but they also know its their job and theyre glad to do it, Crowe said. Crowe says its the District Attorneys job to prosecute the criminals and that, at this point, the best thing the community can do is to work with the police to crack down on crime. This was a perfect example of the police and the community, citizens working together. Without that citizen providing us with the license plate number, how long would it take us to identify and capture the suspect? Crowe said. Crowe invites the community to join MPD and other city leaders at Melrose High school this Saturday at 8:30 am for the annual Walk Against Gun Violence to keep an open conversation about fighting crime. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. After receiving reports from parents of a man trying to solicit sex from minors, North College Hill police are asking anyone with information to come forward. Police said there have been multiple contacts in North College Hill and the surrounding area, specifically concentrated around North College Hill schools. Parents have reported that a man in his 20s to 30s with short hair has been driving around in a dark sedan trying to solicit sex from boys, police said in a news release. Police say this black sedan is at the center of an investigation surrounding a man trying to solicit sex from boys near North College Hill schools. Police are asking parents of boys who walk to school for summer classes to speak with their children to see if this man or vehicle has approached them. Officials said parents should also consider escorting their kids to school Police said the investigation involves multiple jurisdictions. Anyone with information is urged to contact 513-521-7171. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police investigate reports of man soliciting sex from boys A pair of people who allegedly stole merchandise from an Atascadero Walgreens on Wednesday evening were arrested after fleeing into Monterey County, police say. According to a news release from the Atasacadero Police Department, at around 6:24 p.m., officers responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery that had occurred at the Walgreens on the 8000 block of El Camino Real. Officers made contact with a Walgreens employee, who told them a person was seen loading merchandise into a large trash bag inside the store, according to the release. While a coworker called 911, the employee watched the person head for the exit, followed him and told him to stop, the release said. According to the release, the person then assaulted the employee, causing visible injuries to the face that required treatment at Twin Cities Community Hospital, the release said. That person and another, who was also seen exiting the store with unpaid merchandise in her arms, then fled the area in a vehicle the release. At around 8:40 p.m., CHP informed Atascadero police that the pair involved in the incident had been taken into custody in the town of Gonzales in Monterey County after officers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, according to the release. The vehicle did not yield, which kickstarted a pursuit that ended in a drainage ditch, according to the release. The pair fled on foot attempting to hide in a nearby culvert but were located and taken into custody, police said. Atascadero officers then took custody of the pair in Gonzales and recovered the stolen property as well as additional property inside the suspects vehicle that remains under investigation. A photo of the allegedly stolen goods showed dozens of boxes of skincare and personal hygiene products. Nashawn Goldie Smith, a 29-year-old Stockton resident, was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of charges of robbery, battery and conspiracy, while 25-year-old Daly City resident Justice Anika Busby was booked into jail on suspicion of charges of conspiracy and shoplifting. Busby was still in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail as of 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Offices Whos in Custody page. Smith was also still in custody with bail set at $60,000. Policeman to appeal against conviction for assaulting woman he arrested on bus A Metropolitan Policeman found guilty of assaulting a woman during a row over bus fare evasion is to appeal against his conviction. PC Perry Lathwood was fined 1,500 after being accused of wrongly arresting and manhandling Joycelyn Agyemang in front of her young son during an incident in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, south London, in July last year. Lathwood, 50, had been supporting Transport for London ticket inspectors at the time and had challenged Mrs Agyemang, who despite having a valid ticket was accused of failing to produce it. In court, he was accused of grabbing her by the arm resulting in bruising. Assault by beating Footage of the incident was shared widely on social media and the officer was investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) before being charged with assault by beating. Following a trial at Westminster Magistrates Court last month, Lathwood was found guilty and at a sentencing hearing on Friday was ordered to pay a 1,500 fine. He was also ordered to pay 200 in compensation and a further 650 in costs, as well as a 600 victim surcharge. In total, Lathwood must pay 2,950 within 56 days. Police detain Joycelyn Agyemang in Croydon for fare evasion - Independent Office for Police Conduct But Lathwood has confirmed to the court that he intends to appeal against the conviction, which police are concerned sets a worrying precedent and makes it virtually impossible for them to carry out their lawful duties. Since the incident Scotland Yard has stopped providing support for Transport for London staff carrying out routine ticket inspections. Sentencing him, Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram said: On this occasion in my judgment, the officer crossed the line and got it wrong. It was not through bad faith. Difficult and challenging He faced a passenger who I have previously described as difficult and challenging but in my judgment he made a momentary error of judgment, as it were, in the heat of the moment. In a victim impact statement, Mrs Agyemang described the incident as deeply humiliating and embarrassing and claimed the officer had a look of contempt in his eyes. She also claimed her young son had been devastated by the incident and said both she and him had now lost confidence in the police service. Rick Prior, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: Police officers have no issue with scrutiny and accounting for their actions and use of force, but this has to take into account the reality of our role. Colleagues across London remain discouraged, dismayed and disheartened by this case. And worried that they too can be handed a criminal conviction for doing the roles the public and society expects of them. For doing their job. PC Lathwood has lodged an appeal against his conviction and the Metropolitan Police Federation continues to fully support him throughout this process. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Polish and allied fighter aircraft were scrambled due to a Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine. Source: Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on Quote: "Be advised that Polish and allied aircraft are flying in Polish airspace, which may lead to increased noise levels, especially in the southeastern part of the country." Details: The military noted that "that was another very tense night" for Poland's entire air defence system due to the activity of Russia's long-range aircraft conducting strikes with cruise missiles and Shahed drones on targets located, among other places, in Ukraines west. "All the necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been implemented. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is continuously monitoring the situation," the statement said. Background: An air-raid warning was issued in all Ukrainian oblasts due to the missile threat on the night of 13-14 June. Prior to that, late in the evening on 13 June, the Russians launched attack UAVs. It was also reported that Russian TU-22M3 and TU-95MS bombers had taken off. Support UP or become our patron! The Commissioner of Political Practices office. (Commissioner of Political Practices) The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices has ruled that Republican Attorney General candidate and Daniels County Attorney Logan Olson was not qualified to run for Montana Attorney General in the 2024 primary election, but stopped short of saying he knowingly violated the law. Commissioner Chris Gallus said that even if he had found that Olson knowingly violated the law, he lacked the enforcement to do anything about it. Only a court could, he said as part of the opinion issued Thursday. Because Gallus could not prove that Olson broke the law, he dismissed the complaint against him. Olson was defeated by incumbent Attorney General Austin Knudsen. Olson filed for candidacy on the last day of eligibility. Knudsen told a crowd of supporters at a Dillon gathering that he had recruited Olson to run against him so that he could raise more money. Montana law prohibits enticing another candidate to run for office for financial gain. And campaign finance records show that Olson hired the same company to handle his campaign as Knudsen, and seemed to spend little money besides the required filing fees and finance reporting. Knudsen bested Olson in the primary, rendering part of the issue moot because only Knudsen, not Olson, will advance to Novembers general election to face Democrat Ben Alke. Knudsen beat Olson, 148,435 to 32,059. Still, Olson garnered 18% of the primary Republican votes. Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, filed complaints against both Olson and Knudsen for campaign violations. A different but related case against Knudsen remains ongoing. In a 25-page ruling, Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus said the information that Olson provided to his office, including proof that he was working under the student practice rule a state rule that allows third-year law students to do some work under a supervising attorney proved that Olson was under the belief that he was qualified, even though Gallus analysis showed he was not. The case zeroes in on the state requirements for attorney general versus those for a judge or county attorney. And the decision also hinges on the differences between phrases such as active practice and admitted to practice. Gallus determined that Olson had worked under the student practice rule during the 2019-2020 academic year. He also found that the Montana Supreme Court has previously said that practicing law did not mean that a person had to be admitted to the state bar. Olson relies on the assertion that he has been admitted to practice law for five years as the dispositive element determining his qualifications for attorney general, the decision said. However, the constitutional requirements do not specify admitted to practice for five years, but admitted to practice law in Montana who has engaged in the active practice thereof for at least five years. Gallus determined that while he met the practice rule, he had not been admitted for the full time, by legal definition. Mr. Olsons response suggests that the inquiry ends here, based entirely on (the Montana Supreme Court case) Shapiro, the decision said. However, this position lacks merit because the Shapiro ruling specifically addressed admission rather than active practice since active practice is not a qualification for the position of county attorney. But, Gallus said that Olson likely believed he met the criteria for the office when he signed an affidavit that certified he was eligible for the office. Gallus said that since Olson filed for the office on the final day of eligibility, it was likely hasty. Furthermore, even though Olson is a county attorney, he probably did not research the nuances of the qualifications, and therefore Gallus could not prove that Olson acted with intent, or even knew about the differences. The evidence here, while pointing to a hasty and minimally researched decision on the part of Mr. Olson, does not allow me to conclude that Mr. Olson knowingly made a false declaration in violation of (Montana law), Gallus wrote. While under the current circumstances I would not find evidence to support a violation of (Montana law), it is worth noting that if I do find a violation based on a false Oath of Candidacy, another provision of Montana election law leaves me unable to pursue enforcement. Gallus pointed out that Montana law must presume the oath is valid, unless proven different by a court of law, not the commissioner. Without action by a court of law, an Oath of Candidacy is presumed valid and COPP is unable to enforce a violation, even where patently false declarations are at issue, Gallus said in the opinion. If anything, Gallus determined through the evidence and a reading of the law that while Olson should have known more about the qualifications for attorney general, the oath may have been hastily signed, and found no conclusive evidence of intent. Although Mr. Olsons legal argument supporting the assertion that he is qualified to serve as attorney general is faulty, he does offer a reasonable argument and supports it with verifiable facts, the conclusion states. Mr. Olson consciously engaged in conduct and formed conclusions that upon further inspection would have demonstrated to Mr. Olson that he was incorrect. But, ultimately, like other commissioners, I cannot reach a finding that Mr. Olson knew his declaration was untrue or that he intentionally acted deceptively. While I could comfortably render a determination Mr. Olson acted negligently here, I cannot support a claim he intentionally submitted his declaration knowing it was false. Hogan v. Olson, Decision (1) The post Political practices commissioner rules that AG candidate was ineligible appeared first on Daily Montanan. Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan for years, despite being in a Russia-led security alliance with Armenia, Politico reported on June 13, citing a cache of leaked documents. Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on June 12 that Armenia was to withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance made up of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. "We will leave," Pashinyan told the Armenian parliament, accusing the CSTO of plotting "against us with Azerbaijan," which seized the region of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. Article 4 of the CSTO Treaty states that if a member state experiences aggression, then all member states must come to its aid, in a similar way to NATO's Article 5 principles. "We will decide when to leave. We won't come back, there is no other way," Pashinyan said. According to Politico, a cache of letters, diplomatic notes, bills of sale, and export passports show that Belarus supplied "advanced military hardware to Azerbaijan between 2018 and 2022." The move is likely regarded as a "bitter betrayal" by Armenia as the supplies gave Baku the "upper hand" in its conflict with Yerevan, Politico said. The help Belarus reportedly provided to Azerbaijan ranged from supplying artillery targeting equipment and new gear for electronic warfare to modernizing artillery equipment. The services offered included modernizing older artillery equipment and providing new gear used for electronic warfare and drone systems, Politico said. Pashinyan's announcement on June 12 is the latest in a series of steps Armenia has taken to distance itself from the CSTO. Armenia's Foreign Ministry said in May that Armenia will not partake in the financing of the CSTO. In March, Yerevan threatened to leave if the military alliance failed to address Armenia's collective security concerns. Pashinyan said in February that Armenia had "frozen" its participation in the Russian-led CSTO because it failed to uphold its objectives regarding Armenia. The remarks come amid a growing rift between Yerevan and Moscow, which was exacerbated when Russian "peacekeepers" in Nagorno-Karabakh did not prevent Azerbaijan's armed seizure of the region. Read also: Putin names ceasefire demands, including Kyivs complete withdrawal from four Ukrainian regions Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A new California poll shows Democratic candidates favored in the states hotly contested congressional races. Those races are being watched nationwide. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win control of the House in November, and the California races could give the party the margin it needs. Likely voters in the 10 congressional districts listed in the Cook Political Report as competitive Districts 3, 9, 13, 22, 27, 40, 41, 45, 47 and 49 favored the Democratic candidate in the race 59% of the time, compared to 39% who favored the Republican candidate, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. In California U.S. House races overall, 62% of likely voters said theyd vote for the Democrat if the election were held today, compared to 36% who said theyd vote GOP. Nearly a third (30%) of likely voters said that they were enthusiastic about voting for Congress this year. This is lower than when the PPIC surveyed voters two years ago, when enthusiasm was at 38%. The PPIC poll also took voters temperature on ballot measures. Likely voters tend to oppose a ballot initiative to require a two-thirds vote to approve local tax increases and that would require voter approval and a two-thirds vote by the legislature to enact state tax increases, with 63% saying they would vote no. That includes majorities of Democrats (70%), independents (56%) and Republicans (55%). Another ballot measure, that would replace the two-thirds vote requirement to pass local taxes and bonds with a 55% majority vote for public infrastructure and affordable housing, looked unlikely to pass, with 53% of likely voters saying they would vote against it, including 77% of Republicans, 63% of independents and 37% of Democrats. The poll also showed that voters have little appetite for expensive bond-funded projects. A strong majority, 64%, said that this is a bad time to issue any bonds for state programs or infrastructure projects. Pope Francis warned of the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) in the first-ever address by a pontiff to the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries Friday. Francis described the rapidly advancing technology as an exciting and fearsome tool and emphasized the need for human oversight at the groups annual summit, which was held in Borgo Egnazia, Italy. Faced with the marvels of machines, which seem to know how to choose independently, we should be very clear that decision-making, even when we are confronted with its sometimes dramatic and urgent aspects, must always be left to the human person, Francis said. We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines, he continued. We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programs: human dignity itself depends on it, the pontiff added. He specifically urged the G7 leaders to ban the use of lethal autonomous weapons, arguing that no machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being. Francis also touted the 2020 signing of the Rome Call for AI Ethics to which the churchs Pontifical Academy for Life was one of the first signatories, alongside tech giants IBM and Microsoft and argued AI models must have an ethical inspiration. In order for them to be instruments for building up the good and a better tomorrow, they must always be aimed at the good of every human being, he said. The pontiff called for political action on the technology at the end of his address to the G7 leaders. It is up to everyone to make good use of [AI], but the onus is on politics to create the conditions for such good use to be possible and fruitful, Francis 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. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Pope Francis made the first-ever appearance from a sovereign pontiff at the G7 summit, the meeting of the Group of Seven that includes President Joe Biden. The Pope spoke to the group of world leaders about the dangers of AI controlling decision making in the future. We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines, he said. We need to ensure and safeguard a space for proper human control over the choices made by artificial intelligence programs: Human dignity itself depends on it. Biden is set to meet privately with Pope Francis this afternoon. The two shared a handshake and photo opportunity while the Pope made his way around to speak with each world leader. The Group of Seven includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as representation from the EU as a non-enumerated member. Pope Francis also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid the ongoing war with Russia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. (L-R) French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attend a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean, during the G7 leaders' summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort. Christopher Furlong/PA Wire/dpa Pope Francis has called on the Group of Seven (G7) leaders to adopt a cautious approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and to ban the use of lethal autonomous weapons at the G7 summit in Italy on Friday. Speaking at the summit, the pope highlighted both the exciting possibilities and the potential dangers of AI. "It is up to everyone to make good use of it," the pope said. "But the onus is on politics to create the conditions for such good use to be possible and fruitful." The pope described AI as an "extremely powerful tool" whose advantages and disadvantages depended on how it was used. "The use of our tools, however, is not always directed solely to the good," said the Pope. "When our ancestors sharpened flint stones to make knives, they used them both to cut hides for clothing and to kill each other." He emphasized the complexity of AI, noting that it could enable machines to make autonomous decisions. However, he stressed that ultimate decision-making must remain with humans. "We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away peoples ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives," he warned. "Human dignity itself depends on it," the Pope added, urging politicians to ban the use of lethal autonomous weapons. "No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being." Francis is the first pontiff to take part in a G7 summit in its close to 50-year history. The seven advanced industrialized democracies include Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. A series of bilateral meetings are also on the programme for Francis at the conference venue, a luxury resort on the Adriatic coast in southern Italy's Apulia region. (L-R) French President Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attend a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean, during the G7 leaders' summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort. Christopher Furlong/PA Wire/dpa Pope Francis (C), speaks at the G7 summit meeting with the G7 and outreach guests. Michael Kappeler/dpa 1 dead after portion of home collapses in Antioch ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) One person has died after part of a house collapsed in Antioch Thursday evening. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Crews were dispatched to the 4300 block of Maxwell Road in Antioch after receiving reports of a building collapse around 5 p.m. A portion of the house fell on a construction worker. Crews worked to free them from the collapse before the victim was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where they were pronounced deceased. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com No other details were immediately released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) For congregants at Portland First United Methodist Church, a weight was lifted by a recent UMC decision to remove anti-LGBTQ+ language from its book of discipline and social principles on a global level. But the decision comes after decades of darkness for many in the church, from clergy to lifelong members like Paul Nickell. Paul Nickell is a longtime member Portland First United Methodist Church, June 2024 (KOIN) I have had people ask me over the years, Why did you stay? Why did you stay? Why didnt you leave?' Nickell told KOIN 6 News. Its a complicated question for him. In 1972, when he was 17 and just coming out as a gay man, the United Methodist Church added new language to its principles that stated homosexuality was incompatible with Christian teaching. Once I heard that, he said, that put me right back in the closet. He remained closeted for 8 more years. And he was not alone. Reverend David Weekley of Rose City Park United Methodist hid his identity from congregants as a transgender man for 28 years. Rev. David Weekley of the Rose City Park United Methodist Church in Portland, June 2024 (KOIN) I couldnt deny my call, Rev. Weekley said. So I thought, well, I will be the best pastor I can be. And when the time comes, Ill let that be what speaks and see where it goes. In 2009, when his kids were old enough, he and his wife Deborah felt the time was right to share his story. He came out to his congregation at Epworth UMC in the Hawthorne neighborhood. There were colleagues who tried to press charges to take my ordination. But because theres no language about transgender people in the book of discipline at that time, there was nothing they could pursue, Weekley said. Hes since written two books that cover both his transition journey and being a transgender person of faith. Even though some individual colleagues were upset, he said the Western jurisdiction of UMC has historically been more progressive than other areas of the country. Weekley was Rev. Carly Hodges pastor when she was in college before either of them had come out. Knowing him and seeing his journey here gave me strength to know that, OK, people are doing this, Rev. Hodge of Parkrose United Methodist said. People are getting brave and telling their stories and living into their calls to ministry, and maybe I can do this, too. Rev. Carly Hodge of Parkrose United Methodist Church in Portland, June 2024 (KOIN) She met her future wife in a Kansas City seminary and encountered big road blocks. They decided to move to Portland where there are many so-called reconciling churches. What it means is that we are reconciling all people into our church family. and that we are welcoming everyone, said Cacky Cromer of Portland First UMC. Doesnt matter whether theyre gay, straight, disabled, whatever. All races and ethnicities, everything. And so, we reconcile them together as one. Cacky Cromer of Portland First United Methodist Church, June 2024 (KOIN) Cromer also helps organize Portland First UMCs involvement in the Pride parade. For decades Portland First and many other congregations in the Western jurisdiction essentially ignored UMCs social principle and book of discipline to participate in events like the Pride parade even when the church doubled down on anti-gay language at the general conference in 2019. That time period was difficult for Portland First Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan. She knew she could be sanctioned for something like performing same-sex marriages. Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan of Portland First United Methodist Church, June 2024 (KOIN) It wasnt a surprise to me that this was happening. It wasnt a surprise that I would potentially be faced with a choice to follow my conscience and the faith that was instilled in me, that I would be breaking the rules of the church and potentially cost me my credentials so I could no longer pastor, Rev. Richards-Kuan said. Ricky and Pam Mitchell previously belonged to a more conservative UMC in Texas. They said they fought to keep their son visible in church. Our oldest son is gay, so we experienced it as parents, watching our child, watching the damage churches can do to LGBTQ+ folks, they said. We had to make sure he was recognized. And all our LGBTQ people were recognized. So, we did things, like, I have my rainbow shoes. I wear them to church every Sunday. I have a rainbow hat I wear quite often. Ricky and Pam Mitchell of Portland First United Methodist Church, June 2024 (KOIN) They said coming to a reconciling church like Portland First has been incredible. The decision this past April at the general conference to remove the anti-LGBTQ language came with much celebration and controversy. Since 2019, when it became clear the more progressive UMC churches would fight for inclusivity language, 25% of UMC congregations in the US have left. Many joined the newly formed Global Methodist Church. The people left at the table want to be at the table together. They care deeply about one another even if they dont agree with one another and thats something we have not had for a long time, Rev. Richards-Kuan said. Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan shakes hands with a member of Portland First United Methodist Church, June 2024 (KOIN) The one thing all of these people have had during the ups-and-downs is their unwavering faith. Someone wise once told me, you can either make a point or make a difference. And if you want to make a difference you have to stay, because if you leave, you cannot change the church, Nickell said. Rev. Carly Hodge realized the best place to effect change is from within the system. They did. But as they move forward, theyre working to repair damage from decades of pain. Theres grief. There are the people who have died never seeing this day, Rev. Weekley said. There are peoples lives who were ruined, devastated, cant recover. so its a mixed thing. Its a great thing and moving forward, I hope its wonderful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The Flashbacks perform at the Riverside Arts Market. The band's members are clients of Jacksonville nonprofit Pine Castle, which serves intellectually or developmentally disabled adults. They perform popular music from the 1960s to the 2000s. Pine Castle, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has a record number of openings after a renovation project freed up more space. The Jacksonville nonprofit already serves 226 participants and is seeking 200 more in its Academy Pathways Day Program, a "ground-breaking curriculum" that earned the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities' 2023Innovation Award, CEO Lori Ann Whittington said. "We are thrilled that our new capacity will allow us to serve more adults," she said. In 2022, Pine Castle launched a $2.25 million plan that included renovation of campus facilities that had not been upgraded since the 1980s, development of a new college-type curriculum and payment of $1 million in debt. The 10-acre campus has since been "fully renovated," from classrooms to the Chartrand Cafe where participants work in a new kitchen, Whittington said. A subsequent capacity study revealed that the nonprofit can now serve up to 429 participants. "Because of the new Pine Castle Academy, our new curriculum, and operating more like a college-like setting with the participants moving from classroom to classroom, activity to activity throughout the day, it allowed us to expand our capacity," Whittington said. Direct support professional Walter McDowell, center, leads Pine Castle participants in a sensory-based curriculum activity. The Jacksonville nonprofit serves intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. The Academy Pathways Day Program has two tracks for clients to choose from the Pathway to Life Enrichment or the Pathway to Community Employment. After enrollment, each client receives a personalized curriculum and daily schedule that include weekly field trips and extracurricular activities such as band, chorus and Special Olympics. They can also receive mental health services. Bitty & Beau's Coffee: San Marco coffee shop dedicated to employing people with disabilities Clients in the community employment program have on-campus job opportunities in assembling and packaging, wood shop, culinary, janitorial and maintenance, earning minimum wage or more. Items they make in the woodshop are for sale at pinecastle.org/market-place. After they complete the program, they get help finding jobs in the community. On the Life Enrichment Pathway, participants "focus on developing the life skills necessary to increase overall independence and quality of life through hands-on learning experiences" and practice, according to Pine Castle. The staff that leads them on these pathways are "highly trained support personnel," many of whom earn Pine Castles direct support professionals status after a year-long training program, according to the nonprofit. "Pine Castle is one of only three providers in the state that offer this intensive training for our staff," Cynica Jackson, chief programs officer, said. "Combining that with our world-class services and newly renovated campus, Pine Castle offers a unique, meaningful experience." Two Pine Castle participants create large planter boxes in the nonprofit's woodshop. The Jacksonville nonprofit serves intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. The nonprofit helps families access federal and state funding resources to cover the monthly tuition, as well as a variety of payment plans. For more information go to pinecastle.org/admissions or call (904) 733-2650. Pine Castle was founded in 1952 by 33 families of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. They were part of a national movement away from institutionalizing such children, according to the nonprofit, and at the time there were no local programs or schools to provide support services. bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109 This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville nonprofit that serves disabled people has 200 openings Poteau man sentenced to more than 24 years for killing neighbor POTEAU, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) A Poteau man was sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for killing his neighbor, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Oklahoma. Christian Scott Dunham, 22, was given a 293-month sentence for the August 2022 death of his neighbor. Dunham pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Indian Country on February 13, 2023. Oklahoma man found guilty of abusing, neglecting newborn In the early morning hours of August 20, 2022, Dunham shot and killed the victim with a .22 caliber revolver, according to investigators. The charge came from an investigation done by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Poteau Police Department and the FBI. The release says Dunham will remain in the U.S. Marshal custody pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Potential $30 million boost for PA fire companies, EMS may not be enough, lawmakers say Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed another $30 million to boost fire companies and emergency medical services, but legislators are concerned about how state leaders want to divvy up the money. During a Wednesday House hearing of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Deputy State Fire Commissioner J.C. Tedorski laid out how the Office of State Fire Commissioner wants to spend the potential funding. Half the money would go to increase the base amount available to 2,400 fire and EMS companies that apply for grant funding; $7.8 million (26%) would go as grants to counties to study regionalization attempts and recruitment/retention efforts; $6 million (20%) would go to a separate program for quick-response service for EMS groups licensed by the Department of Health. The rest, $1.2 million, would go for specialty emergency service teams. EMS funding has been a recurring problem statewide. Labor shortages, higher costs, and a lack of steady funding have pushed some companies to shut down and officials have warned of an impending crisis. After Tedorski explained the plan, legislators reiterated those problems. Im a little worried that $6 million isnt enough. Thats about $12,500 roughly per squad, Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, said. If you look at the $7.8 million for the regionalization effort we have 67 counties, thats $116,000 for each of those. The financial troubles have pushed some companies to ask for local levies to keep ambulance crews operating. Many townships and communities across Pennsylvania dont have a dedicated funding stream for EMS services. Our rural EMS agencies really do need a lot of help, Takac said. When you travel on our interstates or go to camps or to state parks, you do not bring your level of fire and EMS coverage with you from your home. You are reliant on the services that are available locally. Regionalization has been pushed as a potential solution to budget holes and worker shortages, but some legislators argued not every area is ready for regionalization. Others have more pressing needs before restructuring. I have talked to EMS after EMS and Im hearing they cant hire, Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Hughestown, said. The Office of State Fire Commissioner is willing to discuss the funding allotments, Tedorski said, but their current proposal focuses more on funding fire companies. Both fire and EMS have warned legislators of their financial problems. The $20,000 as a base payment to our local firefighters is not enough, Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton, said. I meet with them regularly on a weekly basis and theyre struggling, theyre hurting. This weekend theyre having their annual bazaar flipping potato cakes, making pierogies just trying to raise money. On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed a bill that renews the grant program. It awaits consideration in the House. Power outages may be more frequent this summer in Columbus, Macon. What you can expect Weather events and natural disasters accounted for over 60 hours of power outages in Georgia last summer. This years unprecedented hurricane season could increase that number significantly. Thunderstorms, tornadoes and Hurricane Idalia ravaged Georgia between May and August 2023, causing outages across the state. Hurricane season is likely to be even worse this summer, according to the annual hurricane forecast released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAAs prediction estimated between 17 and 25 named storms in 2024, up to seven of which could become major hurricanes. There is an 85% probability of an above-normal hurricane season, which means even more inclement weather and likely, more outages like the ones seen in 2023. These outages affected at least 200,000 Georgians, but Mike Evans, a FEMA public assistance coordinator, said it can be difficult to know exact numbers in the wake of natural disasters. We cant really know the precise number of people who lose power after hurricanes, he said. Its especially hard right after a hurricane or tornado just passed through, because were typically dealing with deaths and life-threatening situations before power restoration. Although power outages do not directly cause deaths like flooding and storm surges, long outages can pose significant threats to people caught in severe weather events. The most immediate problem is going to be lack of refrigeration for food and medicine, Evans said. Things like insulin and lots of antibiotic courses need to be kept in the fridge or they go bad. Andrew Sherry, who works at Georgia Power, said those with refrigerated medication and other medical needs should go to their nearest hospital as soon as they can do so safely after a storm. Unfortunately theres not much we can do during and immediately after catastrophic storms like Idalia, Sherry said. One thing we do prioritize is our critical infrastructure, like keeping the power on for hospitals and police to help as many people as possible. Evans said the best thing to do is be prepared and avoid panic. He advised against trying to evacuate after a storm has begun, unless it is absolutely necessary. A lot of Georgians know theyll have a hurricane and lose power at some point every year, he said. Its crucial for that knowledge to turn into adequate preparation for worst-case scenarios. Preparation suggestions from the FEMA website include gathering nonperishable food items, charging electronics and fueling cars before extreme weather events. London Catherine, the Princess of Wales, offered a rare health update Friday, saying in a statement that she is still undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer and has "a few more months" of treatment left, but that she is making "good progress." Princess Kate, as she's often known, also announced her first formal step back into public life. The princess said in her statement, which she also posted on social media, that she would attend a massive military parade on Saturday with her family to mark King Charles III's birthday. Kate was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and has remained out of the public eye as she undergoes her chemotherapy treatment, which she said in March was "preventative." Without sharing more about her condition, her office had said she would not return to her public duties until she was cleared by her medical team. She has been seen once, visiting a farm shop with her husband in early March, several weeks before she announced her diagnosis, but Saturday will be her first formal public appearance since she was hospitalized for abdominal surgery in January. It was during that procedure that the cancer was detected. Kate said in her Friday statement that she was "not out of the woods yet," and that she had been "been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times." Kensington Palace released a new photo of Kate in conjunction with her statement on Friday, which it said was taken earlier in the week at the royal family's Windsor estate west of London. A photo released by Kensington Palace on June 14, 2024, shows Catherine, the Princess of Wales, on the British royal family's Windsor estate, west of London. / Credit: Matt Porteous/Handout from The Prince and Princess of Wales "I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well," she said. Kate said she had been doing some work from home, and it's understood that she will start taking on a bit more on the days she's feeling well enough to do so. Kate did not attend the Colonel's Review last Saturday, a formal dress rehearsal for the annual Trooping the Colour parade that marks the official birthday of the British monarch. Trooping the Colour is a tradition that dates back to the 18th century, and it does not coincide with the monarch's actual date of birth, which for 75-year-old Charles is in November. Kate is the honorary colonel of the Irish Guards, and the military unit shared a letter on social media in late May in which the princess sent her apologies in advance for missing the parade rehearsal. "Being your colonel remains a great honor and I am very sorry that I'm unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review," Kate wrote in the letter. "Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon." Kate's father-in-law, King Charles III, was also diagnosed with an unspecified cancer earlier this year and has been undergoing treatment. He has eased back into his public duties and said he will attend the Trooping of the Color parade, though he said he would ride in a carriage rather than on horseback for the procession. Supreme Court invalidates ban on bump stocks put in place after Las Vegas mass shooting Breaking down the Supreme Court's mifepristone abortion pill ruling Biden meets with Pope Francis at G7 summit A private plane carrying five people was lost during the winter of 1971 shortly after departing Burlington, Vermont, and at least 17 searches have yielded no information on its location. The plane was discovered using a remotely operated vehicle in 200 feet of water in Vermonts Lake Champlain, giving the families of those lost some answers. It seems like understanding sonar imaging held the key to knowing where to look in a lake for a lost plane. When ice covered over Vermonts Lake Champlain on Jan. 27, 1971just four days after the disappearance of a private jet flying from Burlington, Vermonthope for an immediate discovery of the wreckage and the bodies of the five people on board also froze over. The plane originally departed Burlington amidst darkness and snow. It carried two crew members and three employees of Cousins Properties, an Atlanta-based development company working on a project in the Burlington area. The plane was bound for Providence, Rhode Island, but shortly after takeoff, the plane disappeared, and initial searches didnt reveal the wreckage. Then, just four days later, the lake that creates the Vermont-New York border just three miles from Burlington iced over. The thawing of ice in spring of 1971 revealed plane debris at Shelburne Point on Lake Chaplain. An underwater search followed, but didnt turn up additional results. Over the next 53 years, and throughout at least 17 searches, answers eluded the family of the lost. But those answers seem to have finally come to lightthanks to sonar and a remotely operated vehicle, the plane has been found 200 feet below the waters surface at Lake Champlain. The 10-seat Jet Commander plane has the same custom paint livery known to have covered the outside of the missing aircraft, and sits near where that plane last appeared on tracking data. With all those pieces of evidence, Garry Kozak, who led the search team, told the Associated Press, were 99 percent absolutely sure. The search had continued off and on for decades with no results, but sonar images of the laketaken by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Middlebury Collegegave Kozak reason to believe there was a chance they could finally find the plane. Partnering with colleague Hans Hug of Sonar Search and Recovery in 2022, the team identified an anomaly in the sonar data and located an old military aircraft in the lake. They were on the right track. Another look at the sonar turned up a second anomaly, which led to the discovery of the private jet. A jet, it looks like a pile of rocks, literally, Kozak told WCAX-TV. So, to most people looking at sonar data, they can overlook it because theyll go, Oh, that looks like geology. This time, it wasnt geology. Spending 53 years not knowing if the plane was in the lake or maybe on a mountainside around there somewhere was distressing, Frank Wilder, a son of one of the planes passengers (also named Frank Wilder), told the AP. And again, Im feeling relieved that I know where the plane is now but unfortunately its opening other questions and we have to work on those now. While the National Transportation Safety Board doesnt operate salvage missions, it does plan to investigate to verify the identity of the plane. From there, decisions must be made on if family members will attempt to recover any potential remains still in the wreckage. Either way, they do expect to conduct a memorial near the site. Whether there is tangible remains, and I hate to say it that way, and worth disturbing, thats a decision that well have to figure out later, and part of what were unpacking now, Charles Williams, son of passenger Robert Ransom Williams III, told the AP. Its hard when you start to think about that. But at least now, there are more answers than before. You Might Also Like Labour has pledged to end the VAT exemption for independent schools, which could add 20pc to fees as early as September - Labour Party Parents forced to pull their children out of private schools as Labours VAT raid looms face a black hole of outstanding state schools in their local area. In more than a dozen local authorities across England with a relatively high proportion of private schools, there are few state schools rated highly by Ofsted, according to Telegraph analysis. It means parents facing potentially higher school fees under Labour will struggle to find alternative places for children at top local comprehensives in areas such as Shropshire, Somerset and Cambridgeshire. Parents have also complained that places at high-ranking schools offering subjects taught predominantly in private institutions, such as Latin and economics, are almost impossible to secure for September. Private school families have already been warned there are very few state school places available amid fears of a pupil exodus if a Labour government forces schools to pay 20pc VAT on fees. It has been estimated that up to a quarter of students will be removed from private schools if the policy goes ahead. Some parents have started pulling their children out, cancelling places at fee-paying schools or even remortgaging homes to afford higher school fees. The Telegraph reported last month that councils had issued warnings online about availability for so-called in-year transfers of pupils. Cambridgeshire warned it has no available spaces in secondary schools in the Fenland area, and in Oxfordshire there were said to be several areas that have very few or no places. Both areas have a relatively high proportion of pupils who are in private schools, which includes preparatory and secondary education, with Cambridgeshire at 11pc and Oxfordshire at 16pc. However, the share of state primary and secondary schools judged by Ofsted inspectors to be outstanding the highest rating the body offers is just 11pc and 12pc respectively. This is notably below the 20pc average for England of outstanding-rated state schools in 151 unitary authorities, according to analysis by the Telegraph using the latest available figures. Other potential blackspots for parents seeking refuge from high fees in the state sector include Somerset, where 10pc or pupils are in private schools and only 11pc of schools have received the highest rating from Ofsted. The picture is the same in Shropshire, with 11pc of pupils in private schools and 10pc of schools in the area judged to be outstanding. In Rutland, in the East Midlands, the proportion of pupils in private schooling is 26pc while the share of state schools judged to be outstanding is 22pc, meaning parents in the area could also face tough competition for spaces at top comprehensives. Many areas of London and the South East have very high concentrations of pupils in private education, with the highest being the City of London at 91pc. But here there is also a high share of top-rated state schools. Kensington and Chelsea ranks number two for proportion of pupils in private schools at 46pc. Parents here can choose from 240 state and secondary comprehensive schools, of which just under 60pc are outstanding. Other unitary authorities with a high proportion of pupils in private schools and where parents may find it easier to secure a place at a top comprehensive include Westminster, Barnet, Wandsworth, Hackney and Hammersmith and Fulham, which all have a relatively high share rated outstanding. In Scotland, parents have warned that top state schools that teach subjects which are mostly only available in private schools are currently difficult to get into. It potentially leaves children facing having to drop subjects or receive one-to-one tuition should fees become unaffordable under Labour. Angela Brennan, a mother whose two sons attend a 30,000-a-year private school in West Lothian, said her youngest could not find a place at a comprehensive teaching either Latin or economics. She said: I cant even get him a place. Ive been calling all the schools and no one can support a subject he wants to take. She added: Theres not a school in West Lothian that can help and I called Edinburgh schools and theyve got a very long waiting list. The reality is he is going to have to go to a state school and he will not be able to do the subjects he wants to. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, said: Our concern around pupil movement remains that there might not be the right spaces in the right places for children whose education is disrupted by this policy. Independent schools play a vital part in their communitys education ecosystem and we are particularly worried about how a tax on education might impact local special educational needs and disabilities provision. A full impact assessment needs to be undertaken to understand the unintended consequences that might play out in different local areas. A Labour spokesman said: Labour will invest in delivering a brilliant state education for children in every state school by recruiting over 6,500 new teachers, funded by ending tax breaks for private schools. Independent schools have raised fees above inflation for well over a decade and do not have to pass Labours proposed change onto parents. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Arkansas lawmakers at an April 18, 2024, news conference seek answers to the fatal shooting of Little Rock's airport director during a raid by ATF agents in March. (Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate) This story was updated on June 14 at 4:20 p.m. to include a statement from Bud Cummins. The federal agent who shot and killed a Little Rock airport executive while serving a search warrant in March used justifiable deadly force, according to Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones on Friday. In the early hours on March 19, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served Bryan Malinowski a search warrant at his house in a west Little Rock cul-de-sac. Malinowski shot at the agents after they entered the house, to which the agents responded by firing their own weapons. Malinowski sustained severe injuries and died a few days later. Malinowski case review Agents obtained their warrant citing violations for dealing firearms without a license and unlawful acquisition of a firearm. According to court documents, Malinowski purchased about 150 guns over the last three years, many of which he sold at gun shows or to private buyers. He sold at least three guns to undercover officers. The shooting of Malinowski, who was a known gun collector, has gained national attention. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin cited his death when announcing a lawsuit challenging the federal change to close the gun show loophole rule, and Bud Cummins, the Malinowski family attorney, testified in front of a U.S. House subcommittee in May. Several people, including Republican members of the state legislature and Griffin himself, called for more information about the Malinowski shooting, but its been kept mostly under wraps while Jones completed his case review. A timeline included in Jones Friday report detailed the few crucial minutes on March 19 that sparked so much interest: 6:02:58 a.m. The Little Rock patrol officer employed his vehicles emergency lights and siren to announce the presence of law enforcement. 6:02:59 a.m. ATF agents begin a series of knocking and announcing ATF presence. 6:03:27 a.m. Agents use a [battering] ram to breach the door. 6:03:43 a.m. Malinowski fires the first of four shots from his [handgun]. 6:03:44 a.m. ATF agent returns fire; discharging three shots from his agency issued M4. Jones found the ATF agents returned fire was justified as the officer who shot Malinowski witnessed a different agent fall to the ground and saw Malinowski point a gun at that agent. Given the totality of the circumstances, Agent 2 had a reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary to defend himself and Agent 1. Therefore, the use of deadly force by Agent 2 was in accordance with Arkansas law and was justified, Jones wrote. The report also notes that Malinowski and his wife were awake in their bedroom when they heard knocking on the front door. The investigation found there was no disruption to the electrical service at Malinowskis house as ATF agents were serving the warrant, though this was previously suggested. In response to Jones findings, Cummins said this is far from over. He argued Jones did not take into account independent judgements about whether ATF violated the law when they broke down [the] front door. He also claimed ATF didnt wait a reasonable amount of time before entering the house. How long is reasonable to wait for someone to answer their front door at 6:00 a.m. in response to unexplained loud pounding in a 3000 square foot fully insulated home?, the statement read. Lets pray the answer isnt 28 seconds. The Fourth Amendment means more than that to every single one of us. Read Cummins full statement here. The post Prosecuting attorney finds Little Rock shooting death justified appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. PROVIDENCE Four people were arrested and seven firearms seized as the result of three recent drug investigations and one robbery investigation, the mayor and police chief announced during a news conference Friday. Mayor Brett Smiley and Police Chief Oscar Perez held the news conference to highlight some of the recent work of Providence detectives, much of which, they said, goes unnoticed because a lot of the work is done undercover. Col. Oscar Perez, chief of the Providence Police Department. Despite a drop in overall crime, illegal drugs and firearms remain a problem in the city, Smiley said. In an effort to get drugs and guns off the street, Smiley said the police so far this year have executed 113 search warrants, seizing a "large quantify of narcotics" and 19 firearms. "We will remain vigilant in our efforts," Smiley said. Smiley and Perez spoke to reporters from behind a table covered with seized narcotics, guns and ammunition. In-depth: Details about the investigations In three drug investigations, the police this month arrested three men, ages 53, 44 and 25. Operating from Longfellow Terrace and Julian and Clarence streets, the men were distributing narcotics throughout the city, Perez said. In the arrest of the 53-year-old on Longfellow Terrace, the culmination of a two-year investigation, the police seized 5 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl with a street value of about $1.5 million, according to Perez. They also seized three motor vehicles, handguns and cash. The suspect had 13 aliases and returned to the United States illegally from the Dominican Republic after he was deported in 2015, according to Perez. According to Perez, a 25-year-old city man was arrested Thursday and charged in a June 2 robbery of jewelry and cash on South Water Street. The suspect resisted arrest and was tased, Perez said. The police seized drugs and handguns, and the suspect faces charges of first-degree robbery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest and other charges, according to Perez. Smiley said the seizure of the weapons and narcotics made the community safer and may have saved lives. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence mayor, police chief tout recent arrests, drug, gun seizures (KRON) After a months-long investigation, the Mountain View Police Department seized over 450 psilocybin products and over 13,000 THC and flavored tobacco products from two separate smoke shops in Mountain View. The search warrants were served at the B&Y Smoke Shop at 361 Castro St. and the Great Vape Smoke Shop at 359 West El Camino Real. Police said these businesses are not related to one another. SJ restaurant owner uses $3.3M in false loans to enrich himself: DA Several months ago, MVPD got complaints of possible flavored tobacco sales violations and underage tobacco sales occurring at both of the smoke shops. Police then conducted controlled purchases, where psilocybin and cannabis products were sold to an underage customer working with Mountain View police. In California, the recreational use of cannabis is not permitted for anyone under the age of 21. As for psilocybin, any products containing them are illegal under state law. At the Great Vape Smoke Shop, MVPD detectives seized approximately: 338 products containing psilocybin 1,200 products containing THC and flavored tobacco products. As for B&Y Smoke Shop: 138 products containing psilocybin 12,000 products containing THC and flavored tobacco products Employees at both locations were briefly detained while search warrants were being served. One employee from B&Y Smoke Shop, Youssef Aldhaheri, was issued a citation for a Business and Professions Code violation. 3 Bay Area cities ranked worst nationwide for youth homelessness: study During the search of the B&Y Smoke Shop, detectives also noticed what appeared to be a recent fire that occurred within the building. Mountain View Fire Department officials responded to the scene and observed several possible violations. The possible violations were sent as a report to the citys Building Division, police said. MVPD detectives will send potential criminal charges to the Santa Clara County District Attorney once police sort the evidence seized at the scene. MVPD Chief Mike Canfield stated, This investigation demonstrates that the MVPD and the City of Mountain View will not tolerate businesses preying on our youth by selling cannabis, vaping products, or flavored tobacco products. Our youth deserve better, and we will continue working with our partners to vigorously enforce these laws. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. PTL, TWA, and a hollerin contest?: This week in Charlotte news history Decades of Charlottes stories are in the Channel 9 archives, and we get glimpses of our past when we dig through them. Whether you remember them or heard about them from a family member, take a look back on the news from this week in Charlottes history. The downfall of PTL Televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker grew a national following for years as they led The PTL Club. But in 1987, the Christian media empire began to unravel. Finance and sex scandals forced Jim to resign, and the Bakkers had to file for bankruptcy. The Bakkers handed over control to Jerry Falwell as the scandal played out publicly over the next two years. A supporter of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker during the downfall of PTL. Jim Bakker during the downfall of the PTL Club. The Trans World Airlines hijacking of 1985. Hostages are released from the TWA flight 847. A worker in a restaurant as employers struggle to hire. A worker at a computer as employers struggle to hire. Workers in a restaurant as employers struggle to hire employees. A Charlotte man is seen traversing flooding water on N. Tryon in the '80s. The National Hollerin' Contest. Firefighters blast a participant in this race at the Hollerin' Festival of 1985 TWA hijacking It was this week in 1985 when hijackers took control of a Trans World Airlines flight from Athens to Rome with 85 Americans on board. The hijackers demanded the release of hundreds of Muslim prisoners. One victim was killed, and other passengers were held for up to two weeks before being released. The times arent changin If youve ever been caught on N. Tryon Street when it floods, you can take solace in knowing that drivers dealt with it decades ago, too. And for businesses, the struggle to find workers may seem like a recent problem -- but we were telling that story back in 1985 too. It was happening back then because of Charlottes low unemployment rate and its growing economy. Sound familiar? And 85 must have been a fun summer because it brought us the Holerin Contest in Spiveys Corner, out near Fayetteville. That festival also gave us the hard-to-describe event youll see in the video at the top of this page. (WATCH: Bull Street: Movie documents history of South Carolina Lunatic Asylum) PULASKI, Va. (WFXR) The Pulaski Police Department says a man who was wanted in connection to a deadly shooting at the Speedway gas station on May 24 was apprehended in Ohio. On June 13, the US Marshal arrested Brando Lee Mattox in Columbus. He was charged with Second-Degree Murder and is currently being held at the Fairfield County Jail, in Ohio. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Victim dies in hospital after Pulaski Speedway shooting As we previously reported, on May 24 around 2:45 a.m., officers responded to the Speedway gas station on Main Street for a shooting. Once at the scene, police found 40-year-old Howard Laron Love with a gunshot wound in the parking lot. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died. Anyone with information about this homicide investigation is encouraged to call the Pulaski Police Department at 540-994-8669 or the anonymous tip line at 540-994-2586. WFXR News will continue to provide updates on this story as they become 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 WFXRtv. Boleteros. Sham candidates. Artificial intelligence. With races now locked in for the Aug. 20 primary ballot, South Florida is once again in election season, a five-month crush of politicking that can overwhelm voters with scams, schemes and a deluge of political advertisements of questionable veracity. Dirty tricks have long defined politics in South Florida, a political battleground that easily draws millions of dollars in spending each election year. To win, politicians seeking offices both powerful and parochial have often been willing to engage in tactics that range from suspect to outright illegal. Voters will have to be vigilant. One of the things we know is Miamis been the wild, wild west when it comes to electoral politics, where all sorts of shenanigans, manipulations, tricks and scams and schemes have just become normalized, said Fernand Amandi, a longtime Democratic pollster. Whether or not we see that trend continue now in 2024, I think time will tell, but its better to assume and expect the worst. While there are signs that Florida wont see the same level of exorbitant spending on the November presidential race that the state has become used to over the past several decades, political operatives on both sides of the aisle expressed little doubt that Miami-Dades elections will still be flooded with money. In the race for Miami-Dade sheriff, for example, candidates have already spent over $350,000 with the August primary election still more than two months away. In the race for county mayor, the amount of money dropped is already approaching $400,000. That number, several Democratic and Republican political operatives said, is likely just a fraction of what will ultimately be spent on those races. In 2020, for example, political ad spending in the Miami area topped $142 million, according to Christopher Brimer, a partner at the Atlanta-based agency Canal Partners Media. And while much of that money was spent on the White House race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, congressional and local candidates still pumped millions of dollars into English and Spanish-language advertising blitzes, including some that proved misleading or even blatantly false. Florida isnt expected to see the same levels of ad spending in the 2024 presidential election that it saw four years ago. Trumps campaign has yet to go up on the air in the state, while Bidens campaign has spent only sparingly in Florida amid concerns from some Democrats that the Sunshine State has shifted too far to the right in recent years. Still, Miami political operatives on both sides are holding out for a wave of spending in local races. Consultants used to make money on the national races, said Kevin Cabrera, a county commissioner who served as the state director of Trumps Florida campaign in 2020. But now theres the prospect that theres more in play at the local level. Theres still going to be money moving around. This years elections are particularly unique. For the first time in decades, Miami-Dade voters will have the chance to cast their ballot for several county-wide offices, including sheriff, clerk of courts and supervisor of elections. Its a lot of elected people that are Type A personalities with consultants and other interested parties that are all packed into one county, said Republican state Rep. Alex Rizo, who also heads the Miami-Dade GOP. And everyone is trying to fight for those votes. Lingering scandals South Florida has a long and sordid history of electoral shenanigans, ranging from relatively low-stakes schemes to high-profile scandals that rocked the political foundation of the states largest metro area. One recurring scheme involves straw candidates recruited to a race to hurt an opponent a strategy deployed twice, by either side, in the battles for a south Miami-Dade congressional seat in the 2010s. Prosecutors say the same scheme was deployed in 2020 by Frank Artiles, a GOP operative and disgraced former state senator accused of paying an auto parts dealer to run as an independent candidate in a 2020 state Senate race. Artiles, who has pleaded not guilty, is set to stand trial in September. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. There are still other outstanding issues. The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office has been locked in an investigation for over two years into claims by elderly Miami-Dade residents that their party affiliations were changed from Democrat to Republican after they were approached by canvassers. Its unclear how far along investigators are in their probe into the alleged scheme. The State Attorneys Office did not respond to the Heralds requests for comment on the investigation, though a spokesperson for the office said earlier this year that the probe was still open and ongoing. Thats only a small slice of the scandals and schemes that have plagued Miami over the years. Ballot-harvesting operations have also been a recurring problem so serious that a judge tossed the 1997 Miami mayoral election. Fixing problems State lawmakers have sought to address some of the problems. Candidates now have to be members of a political party for a year before they can run on that partys ticket, for example, making it harder for operatives to recruit ghost candidates. Political ads that use artificial intelligence to generate photos, video or other content have to be appropriately labeled. Still, several Miami politicians and operatives said that AI could be the next frontier for political shenanigans in South Florida. The technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, prompting state lawmakers to pass rules requiring disclaimers for AI-generated political content. Annette Taddeo, a Democratic former state senator whos running for Miami-Dade clerk of courts, isnt a stranger to the harsh realities of Miami politics. She recalled Republican attacks from 2017, when she ran successfully in a special election for a state Senate seat, deeming her a communist and supporter of the FARC guerrillas in her native Colombia. Its win at any cost. I believe theres something to be said about accepting a loss and understanding that you just werent successful, and listening to the voters and figuring out what you need to do, Taddeo said. Unfortunately, there are people that are willing to do anything to win, including illegal things. Now, with several county-wide offices on the ballot this year, its AI that could be the next big disruptor to Miami-Dade elections, she said. Its only going to get worse, Taddeo said. Put on your seat belt because it aint gonna be pretty. Rizo, the state lawmaker and Miami-Dade GOP chairman, sponsored a bill earlier this year requiring certain disclaimers for political content stemming from generative AI. He said that while his bill which was signed into law in April was a positive first step for regulating the use of such technology, Miamians will still have to pay attention throughout election season. Until its actually seen in action. Everything is just up in the air, he said. I would imagine were still going to see some things. Vladimir Putins ceasefire offer cannot be trusted, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has said. The Russian president said in a speech earlier on Friday that Russia would end the war in Ukraine if Kyiv agreed to drop its Nato ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Moscow. Mr Zelensky dismissed the offer as rubbish, saying he believed Putin would not stop his military offensive even if his ceasefire demands were met. These are ultimatum messages that are no different from messages from the past, the Ukrainian leader told Italys SkyTG24 news channel. He will not stop, Mr Zelensky said, likening Putins invasion of Ukraine to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitlers expansionist drive before the outbreak of World War II. It is the same thing that Hitler used to do (...) This is why we should not trust these messages, Mr Zelensky said. Putin gave his speech on the eve of a conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited. In it he set out maximalist conditions wholly at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine, apparently reflecting Moscows growing confidence that its forces have the upper hand in the war. The conditions are very simple, Putin said, listing them as the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia claimed the four regions, which its forces control only partially, as part of its own territory in 2022, an act rejected by most countries at the United Nations as illegal. Moscow also seized and annexed Ukraines Crimea peninsula in 2014. As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join Nato - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations, Putin said. I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations. 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. 03:53 PM BST Blog now closed Our blog is now closed - thanks for following Heres a rundown of the days top stories: Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are investigating alleged Russian cyberattacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure as possible war crimes, four sources familiar with the case have told Reuters. Moscow has said it downed 87 Ukrainian missiles overnight in an attack by Kyiv targeting Russias military headquarters. The peace terms offered by Putin are a complete sham and offensive to common sense, an adviser to President Zelensky has said in response. The ceasefire offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin is an ultimatum which cannot be trusted, Mr Zelensky added. Nato will assume a greater role in the co-ordination of arms supplies to Ukraine, the alliance said on Friday. Ukraine has said Russia forces are concentrating firepower on the Pokrovsk front in the eastern Donetsk region, where overnight strikes wounded at least six people. 03:29 PM BST Pictured: World leaders pose for a photo at the G7 summit in Italy The G7 draws together the leaders of the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. In addition, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the summit host, invited 10 other nations to join the talks on Friday, including the president of Ukraine, the prime minister of India and presidents of Turkey and Kenya. President Zelensky of Ukraine and other world leaders at the G7 summit - ABACA/Shutterstock 03:03 PM BST ICC probes cyberattacks in Ukraine as possible war crimes, according to Reuters Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are investigating alleged Russian cyberattacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure as possible war crimes, four sources familiar with the case have told Reuters. It is the first confirmation that attacks in cyberspace are being investigated by international prosecutors, which could lead to arrest warrants if enough evidence is gathered. The probe is examining attacks on infrastructure that endangered lives by disrupting power and water supplies, cutting connections to emergency responders or knocking out mobile data services that transmit air raid warnings, one official said. 02:53 PM BST Ukraines Zelensky says Putins ceasefire offer cannot be trusted The ceasefire offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin is an ultimatum which cannot be trusted, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday. Putin said in a speech earlier in the day that Russia would end the war in Ukraine if Kyiv agreed to drop its Nato ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Moscow. Speaking to Italys SkyTG24 news channel on the sidelines of a G7 summit, Mr Zelensky said he believed Putin would not stop his military offensive even if his ceasefire demands were met. These are ultimatum messages that are no different from messages from the past, the Ukrainian leader said in remarks translated and aired in Italian via an interpreter. 02:25 PM BST Putin not in a position to dictate peace, says US defence secretary Putin is not in a position to be telling Ukraine how to achieve peace, Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, has said. Mr Austin argued that Putin could end the war today if he wanted to and called on the Russian president to withdraw his troops from all Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about peace, Mr Austin told reporters in Brussels. 01:57 PM BST Nato chief slams Putins peace proposals Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, criticised conditions set out by Vladimir Putin for initiating peace talks with Ukraine, calling the demands more aggression, more occupation. This is not a proposal made in good faith, Mr Stoltenberg told reporters following a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels. This is a proposal that actually means that Russia should achieve their war aims, by expecting that Ukrainians should give up significantly more land than Russia has been able to occupy so far, he added. 01:54 PM BST Nato to take greater role in co-ordination of Kyiv aid, says Stoltenberg Nato will assume a greater role in the co-ordination of arms supplies to Ukraine, the alliance said on Friday. Jens Stoltenberg, the Nation secretary general, told reporters in Brussels: These efforts do not make Nato a party to the conflict but they will enhance our support to Ukraine to uphold its right to self-defence. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, speaks to reporters following a speech by Vladimir Putin - Alexander Zemlianichenko 01:48 PM BST Turkey to tell Ukraine summit Moscow should be there Turkey is set to tell leaders at a Ukrainian peace summit in Switzerland that Russian attendance would yield better results, a Turkish diplomat has said. Hakan Fidan, the Turkish foreign minister, will join 90 states and organisations at the weekends summit, which Russia has not been invited to. He will reportedly reiterate Turkeys call for peace talks with both Ukraine and Russia, as the country has maintained relations with both nations. [Fidan] will point out that a summit that all sides attend has a higher probability of yielding results, the source told Reuters. 01:41 PM BST Russian forces concentrating on Pokrovsk front Ukraine has said Russia forces are concentrating firepower on the Pokrovsk front in the eastern Donetsk region, where overnight strikes wounded at least six people. The Pokrovsk front... is the most intense in terms of enemy attacks, the Ukrainian military has said in a briefing. Military medics from the 47th mechanized brigade of Ukrainian Army treat a heavily wounded Ukrainian serviceman in the Pokrovsk area - GENYA SAVILOV Military medics treat servicemen in the Pokrovsk area, which has become the target of Russian attacks in recent days - GENYA SAVILOV 01:30 PM BST Watch: Dozens of Russian troops surrender to Ukraine after failed assault 01:29 PM BST Putin has no real desire to end war, says Zelensky aide The peace terms offered by Putin are a complete sham and offensive to common sense, an adviser to President Zelensky has said in response. Mykhailo Podolyak said Mr Putins comments showed no novelty... no real peace proposals and no desire to end the war. He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: But there is a desire not to pay for this war and to continue it in new formats. Its all a complete sham. Therefore - once again - get rid of illusions and stop taking seriously the proposals of Russia that are offensive to common sense. Putins demands for peace would be a non-starter for the Ukrainian president, who refuses to concede territory to Russia and remains steadfast in his bid to join Nato. 01:07 PM BST President Zelensky greets Pope Francis at G7 summit Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, greeted Pope Francis at the ongoing G7 summit in Italy on the events second day. The Ukrainian president said he discussed the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland in a statement on social media. We discussed the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Russian air terror and the difficult situation in the energy sector ... and expectations from the Global Peace Summit, he said. Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets Pope Francis in Savelletri, Italy - REUTERS 12:41 PM BST Pictured: Ukraines Euros team issue reminder of war As they prepare to kick off their EURO 2024 campaign, the Ukrainian team issue a reminder of the war in their homeland - Ukrainian Association of Football 12:39 PM BST Loan funded by Russian assets crucial for 2025 budget, Kyiv says Ukraines finance minister has said the 50 billion loan from G7 leaders will allow the country to plan its budget for 2025. Serhiy Marchenko has said on Ukrainian national television that the Western aid has been vital for Kyiv to balance its books and pour more money into defence. The decision opens 2025 for us. Because without this decision 2025 looked absolutely uncovered not only in terms of military spending, but also social, he said. 12:31 PM BST Pictured: Mourners attend funeral of Ukrainian serviceman A woman hugs the coffin of a Artur Snitkus, a Ukrainian serviceman who died fighting in the Donetsk region - Cover Images Women attach a photograph to a graveside cross during the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman - Artur Snitkus 12:20 PM BST G7 will back Ukraine for as long as it takes The G7 leaders have committed to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, according to a draft statement from the summit where they pledged 50 billion for Kyiv. We are standing in solidarity to support Ukraines fight for freedom and its reconstruction for as long as it takes, said the draft document from the Italy talks, seen by AFP. The G7 leaders at a summit in Puglia, Italy - Steffen Kugler 12:12 PM BST I never planned to storm Kyiv, says Putin Adding to his remarks on beginning peace negotiations with Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has said he never had any intention of storming Kyiv when he invaded the country in February 2022. The Russian president said his armys advance towards the capital that year was simply aimed at forcing Ukraine into a peace deal. 11:46 AM BST Peace talks could begin tomorrow if Ukraine give up Nato bid, says Putin Vladimir Putin has said a ceasefire with Ukraine may be on the cards if Kyiv withdraw their forces from occupied territories. The Russian president set out his preconditions for beginning peace talks and said he would be ready for such conversations to start tomorrow if Ukraine withdrew from the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions and gave up plans to join Nato. If Ukraine agreed to those conditions, he said Russia would cease fire and start negotiations. Putin said Russia would guarantee the safety of the retreating Ukrainian forces if they were to withdraw. Ukrainian service members of the 33rd Separate Mechanised Brigade practice firing an anti-tank guided missile weapon system - Reuters 11:39 AM BST Putin: West must find a way to work with Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Wests current model of global security has collapsed and it needs to find a way to work with Russia. In a speech to Russias foreign ministry, Putin said the Wests global security had reached a point of no return and that a it was time to create a new and more stable system in its place. Obviously, we are witnessing the collapse of the Euro-Atlantic security system. Today it simply does not exist, it needs to be essentially created anew, Putin said. All this requires us, together with our partners, with all interested countries, and there are many of them, to work out our own options for ensuring security in Eurasia, proposing them then for wider international discussion. 11:03 AM BST Putin vows to punish Wests theft of Russian assets Vladimir Putin has described the Wests seizure of Russian sovereign assets as theft and said it would not go unpunished. Speaking at a meeting with the Russian foreign ministry, Putin said that how the West had treated Moscow showed anyone could be next and become the victim of a similar asset freeze. It comes the day after G7 nations agreed to provide 50 billion in aid loans to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets. 10:53 AM BST Russia calls US-Ukraine security deal just pieces of paper Russias foreign ministry dismissed the security deal signed between the US and Ukraine at the G7 summit as just pieces of paper. Maria Zakharova, a spokesman for the ministry, has been quoted by Russian media as saying: These agreements are about nothing. They do not have legal force. Ukraine signed security deals with both the US and Japan on Thursday as the latest in a series of similar agreements Kyiv has struck with its Western allies, including Britain and France. Ms Zakharova said the deals were aimed mainly at showing citizens who have remained in Ukraine... that the world community seems to still be with them. In reality, they avoid any legal responsibility for the future of Ukraine, she said. 10:42 AM BST Pictured: Putin delivers speech at Russian foreign ministry Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian foreign ministry in Moscow - Maxim Shemetov 10:40 AM BST Nigel Farage: Putin is a clever political operator Vladimir Putin is a clever political operator, Nigel Farage has said, adding that he does not like him as a human being in any way at all. The Reform UK leader made the comments after he was asked about previous remarks praising the Russian president on BBC Radio 5 Live. He said: How many years has he been in power? Hes gone from prime minister, to president, hes a clever political operator. He kills journalists, I dont like him as a human being in any way at all. You can recognise the fact that some people are good at what they do even if they have evil intent. In 2014, Mr Farage named Putin as the leader he most admired and called his handling of the crisis in Syria brilliant. 10:32 AM BST Kim Jong-un sends Russia five million artillery shells North Korea has sent at least 10,000 containers to Russia by sea that may contain up to 4.8 million artillery shells, South Korea has said. In an interview with Bloomberg, Shin Won-sik, the South Korean defence minister, said Putin is expected to seek closer security co-operation with Kim Jong-un, especially in terms of military supplies, to gain an upper hand in the war. According to South Korea media, Putin will visit Pyongyang as early as next week for his first trip to North Korea since July 2000. Reports of the possible impending visit have raised alarms in the West, with an emergency phone call between Kurt Campbell, the US deputy secretary of state, and Kim Hong-kyun, South Koreas vice foreign minister, having taken place. 10:00 AM BST Pictured: Defence Secretary attends second day of Nato meeting Grant Shapps speaks with the Polish deputy prime minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at a Nato defence ministers meeting in Brussels - OLIVIER HOSLET Lloyd Austin (left), the US defence secretary, speaks with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Brussels meeting - Virginia Mayo 09:56 AM BST Russian strikes kill one and injure 20 over past day Russian strikes on Ukraine over the past day have killed one and injured 20, according to regional authorities. Moscow have targeted a total of 10 Ukrainian oblasts, including Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk, with casualties reported in five of the regions. In the Donetsk region, a Russian aerial bomb on the residential town of Selydove injured six and damaged 10 high-rise buildings, according to the Prosecutor Generals Office. In Dnipropetrovsk, another six people, including a three-year-old girl, were injured and 91 homes damaged, the regions governor has said. 09:41 AM BST MOD: Russia centralises command and control of pro-Russian groups Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine 14 June 2024. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/Z1jVFuNkk7 #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/XyLTVFIkra Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 14, 2024 09:38 AM BST Putin to deliver speech at Russias foreign ministry Vlamidir Putin will make a speech this morning at Russias ministry of foreign affair the first time he is reported to have appeared at the meeting in three years. The Russian leaders speech was due to start at around 9am UK time and comes after the announcement of a 50 billion deal for Ukraine on Thursday. 09:17 AM BST Imprisoned US journalist to stand trial on espionage charges Evan Gershkovich, a US citizen and Wall Street Journal reporter, will stand trial on charges of espionage after being imprisoned in Russia for over a year. Mr Gershkovich will be tried in Yekaterinburg, the Russian Prosecutor Generals Office has said, after he was arrested in March 2023 while working on a story about the Wagner mercenary group. He was jailed without charges for over 14 months as Russian authorities repeatedly extended his pre-trial detention and was formally accused of spying for the CIA on June 13. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail and no trial date has been set. The Wall Street Journal dismissed the charges as false and baseless in a statement issued on Thursday. Evan Gershkovich behind a glass wall for defendants as he attends a court hearing in Moscow in April 2024 - Tatyana Makeyeva 09:03 AM BST Explosions heard in Kyiv after missile warning An explosion rang out across the Kyiv region just outside of the Ukrainian capital on Friday morning following an air raid siren and warnings of a possible Russian attack. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, told residents: Air defence forces are working in Kyiv region. Stay in your shelters! The missile danger continues. It is unclear if the explosion means air defences had intercepted the missile. 08:58 AM BST Russia and Ukraine increase aerial assaults Both Kyiv and Moscow staged dozens of drone and missile attacks overnight, officials said on Friday, leaving several wounded in Ukraine and a Russia fuel reservoir site damaged. The two sides have stepped up cross-border aerial assaults in recent weeks, with Kyiv targeting Russian energy facilities and Moscow launching retaliatory barrages. As Russia claimed to have downed 70 Ukrainian missiles overnight, Kyiv has said 24 out of 31 Russian drones and missiles fired were intercepted. Six people were wounded in an attack on the front-line Ukrainian town of Selydove in the Donetsk region, its governor said. Three people were also wounded in a drone attack on the eastern Sumy region and several homes were damaged in neighbouring Kharkiv. Ukrainian artillerymen rest inside a dugout amid Russia's attack on Ukraine near the front-line town of Vovchansk - Reuters 08:50 AM BST China pushes rival peace plan ahead of Swiss summit China has been lobbying governments for an alternative plan to peace in Ukraine, according to 10 diplomats who described the countrys absence from the Swiss summit as a subtle boycott. Ninety states and organisations will meet in Lucerne, Switzerland, over the weekend to find a pathway to peace in Kyiv, despite repeated attempts by Russia and China to undermine the meeting. Beijing has told developing nations the meeting would prolong the war, according to Reuters, and added to Russias view of the summit as being futile. In conversations with other nations, however, Chinas foreign ministry maintains it had not overtly criticised the Swiss summit or directly asked countries to abstain. Russia has not been invited to the Lucerne meeting, but the US and western countries had lobbied for China to attend the talks. 08:26 AM BST Switzerland prepares for Ukraine summit Switzerland is deploying up to 4,000 troops in a major security operation for a summit on Ukraine the country is hosting over the weekend. With dozens of heads of state flying in, Switzerland has increased its security presence and put 6.5 kilometres of fencing, with another 8 kilometres of barbed wire. Viola Amherd, the Swiss president, said: An event on this scale requires comprehensive protective measures. Around 90 states and organisations have confirmed their attendance at the summit in Lake Lucerne, which is aiming to find a pathway to peace for Ukraine. Both Russia and China will not be in attendance. Ukrainian soldiers operate at an artillery position near Vovchansk on June 9 - Getty Images 08:06 AM BST Olaf Scholz: G7 loan agreement a historic step for Ukraine Olaf Scholz described the G7 agreement loaning 50 billion to Ukraine as a a very historic step and a historic decision for the war with Russia and sends a clear message to Putin. The German chancellor said: The next step will be just to create the technical conditions for implementation in the shortest possible time. The Russian president has a very obvious plan: he wants to push ahead with his war until everyone else gives up supporting Ukraine. This plan has failed today. The G7 nations, including the UK, Italy and France, agreed the 50 billion deal to fund Ukraine through profits on frozen Russian assets at a special summit with President Zelensky in Puglia, Italy, on Thursday. You can read more about the aid deal here. 07:52 AM BST Half a million Russian troops lost since invasion Russia has lost over half a million troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, Kyivs armed forces have reported. The Ukrainian armys general staff have placed the figure at 524,060, including 1,250 Russian casualties over the past day. According to the same report, Moscow has also lost nearly 8,000 tanks, 11,000 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine. Ukrainian servicemen ride in a pickup truck near the front line town of Vovchansk - Viacheslav Ratynskyi 07:43 AM BST Russia claims to have foiled Ukrainian drone attack Moscow has said it downed 87 Ukrainian missiles overnight in an attack by Kyiv targeting Russias military headquarters. The Russian defence ministry said 70 of the missiles were downed over the southern region of Rostov, which houses the headquarters of the countrys military operations. The other missiles were intercepted over the Kursk, Voronezh, Volgograd and Belgorod regions, all of which apart from Kursk lie on the border with Ukraine. During the night, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack with drones... was foiled, the defence ministry said. Vasily Golubev, Rostovs regional governor, said there were no casualties in the Russian city but the attacks sparked power cuts in several areas. In Voronezh, a fuel reservoir was slightly damaged by falling debris, according to governor Aleksander Gusev. 07:39 AM BST Good morning Welcome to the Telegraphs live coverage of the war in Ukraine on Friday, June 14. You can read more of the latest news from Ukraine here and President Zelenskys involvement in the ongoing G7 summit here. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has claimed that almost 700,000 Russian troops are currently fighting in Ukraine. Source: Putin at a meeting with participants in an educational project for the Russian soldiers that have fought in Ukraine. Details: Putin's last mention of the number of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine came in December 2023. According to him, 617,000 soldiers were involved in the war at the time. Putin also said that the contact line is 2,000 kilometres long. Background: On 14 June, Russia's leader Vladimir Putin again reiterated that he is supposedly "ready for peace talks", but for this, Ukraine must withdraw its troops from all regions occupied by Russia, which the Kremlin considers Russian territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putin's "proposals" to end the war on his terms "the revival of Nazism". Support UP or become our patron! Ahead of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland at the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territories annexed by his country is a prerequisite for any settlement of the ongoing war. If Ukraine also renounces membership of NATO, Russia would be prepared to cease fire and enter negotiations immediately, Putin said during a visit to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. His speech was clearly aimed at the current G7 summit in Italy and the Ukraine event opening on Saturday in the Swiss mountain hotel resort of Burgenstock. The affiliation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson to Russia is no longer in question, Putin said. Ukraine should withdraw its army from the parts of these regions that it still controls, he added. The Kremlin leader said he was stating Russia's minimum demands in order not to freeze the conflict but to resolve it once and for all. At the same time, Putin repeated the demands he made when he ordered the invasion of the neighbouring country in February 2022: The creation of a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free Ukraine. The country should also be disarmed and "denazified," said Putin, using a term widely interpreted in the West as meaning the instalment of a Russia-approved leadership in Kiev. Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014. Ukraine has so far adhered to its stated goal of retaking the occupied territory, including Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky is also calling for the prosecution of Russian war crimes and Russian reparations for the destruction caused. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa Washington and Kiev dismissed demands made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that Ukrainian troops withdraw from areas that his country has annexed as a prerequisite for any settlement, ahead of the Ukraine peace summit at the weekend. If Ukraine also renounces its aim to join NATO, Russia would be prepared to cease fire and enter negotiations immediately, Putin said during a visit to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Washington and Kiev rejected Putin's demands which the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called absurd and manipulative. "Putin does not seek peace, he seeks to divide the world," the ministry said on Friday. Putin is trying to present himself as a peacemaker for the war he began, the ministry said. "Russia's plans are not for peace, but for the continuation of the war, the occupation of Ukraine, the destruction of the Ukrainian people, and further aggression in Europe." Earlier, Putin told the Russian Foreign Ministry that the fighting could end if Kiev abandons its aim to join NATO and remains neutral, and withdraws from the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya plus Crimea. Russia has not yet been able to conquer Zaporizhzhya and was forced to withdraw from Kherson in autumn 2022. "Ukraine never wanted this war, and like no other country in the world, Ukraine wants it to end," the Ukrainian ministry said. Later, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Putin could not dictate the terms of the peace. "Putin has illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory," Austin said after a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels. "We don't want to see a leader of one country wake up one day and decide that he wants to erase borders and annex the territory of his neighbour. That's not the world that any of us want to live in." Putin cannot dictate to Ukraine what it must do for peace. Putin could end this war today, he said. Putin's comments to his foreign ministry were clearly aimed at the current G7 summit in Italy and the Ukraine event opening on Saturday in the Swiss mountain hotel resort of Burgenstock. The affiliation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson to Russia is no longer in question, Putin said. Ukraine should withdraw its army from the parts of these regions that it still controls, he added. The Kremlin leader said he was stating Russia's minimum demands in order not to freeze the conflict but to resolve it once and for all. At the same time, Putin repeated the demands he made when he ordered the invasion of the neighbouring country in February 2022: The creation of a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free Ukraine. The country should also be disarmed and "denazified," said Putin, using a term widely interpreted in the West as meaning the instalment of a Russia-approved leadership in Kiev. Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014. Ukraine has so far adhered to its stated goal of retaking the occupied territory, including Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky is also calling for the prosecution of Russian war crimes and Russian reparations for the destruction caused. The conference in Switzerland was only intended to distract attention from the real causes of the conflict, namely the policies of the West, Putin said. "The West is ignoring our interests," he told Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other top Russian diplomats, twice explaining how he believed the war had arisen, starting with the pro-European Maidan protests in Kiev in 2013. The Swiss conference on Saturday and Sunday is primarily intended to mobilize international support for Ukraine - including from countries that are friendly to Russia. Russia's participation in the dialogue process is only planned as a second step. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also sharply criticized the Russian president's statements, calling them a proposal for more aggression, more occupation, not a peace proposal. It is not up to Ukraine to withdraw its armed forces from Ukrainian territory, but Russia must withdraw its armed forces from occupied Ukrainian land, Stoltenberg said. So far, over 90 states have confirmed their participation in the event, most of them at head of state or government level. Around half are from Europe and the other half from the rest of the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a press conference in China. -/Kremlin/dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa Washington and Kiev dismissed demands made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday that Ukrainian troops withdraw from areas that his country has annexed as a prerequisite for any settlement, ahead of the Ukraine peace summit at the weekend. If Ukraine also renounces its aim to join NATO, Russia would be prepared to cease fire and enter negotiations immediately, Putin said during a visit to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Washington and Kiev rejected Putin's demands which the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called absurd and manipulative. "Putin does not seek peace, he seeks to divide the world," the ministry said on Friday. Putin is trying to present himself as a peacemaker for the war he began, the ministry said. "Russia's plans are not for peace, but for the continuation of the war, the occupation of Ukraine, the destruction of the Ukrainian people, and further aggression in Europe." Earlier, Putin told the Russian Foreign Ministry that the fighting could end if Kiev abandons its aim to join NATO and remains neutral, and withdraws from the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya plus Crimea. Russia has not yet been able to conquer Zaporizhzhya and was forced to withdraw from Kherson in autumn 2022. "Ukraine never wanted this war, and like no other country in the world, Ukraine wants it to end," the Ukrainian ministry said. Later, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Putin could not dictate the terms of the peace. "Putin has illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory," Austin said after a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels. "We don't want to see a leader of one country wake up one day and decide that he wants to erase borders and annex the territory of his neighbour. That's not the world that any of us want to live in." Putin cannot dictate to Ukraine what it must do for peace. Putin could end this war today, he said. In Germany, former leftist politician Sahra Wagenknecht called for openness to Putin's conditions. "Ukraine and the West should avoid the historic mistake of brusquely rejecting the signals from Moscow as unrealistic maximum demands," said Wagenknecht. Her eponymous populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) broke away from the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party and has been campaigning on a mix of left-wing social policy and anti-immigrant views. "Instead, Putin's initiative should be taken with the necessary seriousness and understood as a starting point for negotiations," Wagenknecht asserted. Putin's comments were clearly aimed at the current G7 summit in Italy and the Ukraine event opening on Saturday in Switzerland. The affiliation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson to Russia is no longer in question, Putin said. He referred to an alleged referendum in the four regions which was never recognised internationally and only took place in part of the territories - under the strict control of Russian gunmen. Ukraine should withdraw its army from the parts of these regions that it still controls, Putin added. He said he was stating Russia's minimum demands in order not to freeze the conflict but to resolve it once and for all. At the same time, Putin repeated the demands he made when he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022: The creation of a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free Ukraine. The country should also be disarmed and "denazified," said Putin, using a term widely interpreted in the West as meaning the instalment of a Russia-approved leadership in Kiev. Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014. Ukraine has so far adhered to its stated goal of retaking the occupied territory, including Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelensky is also calling for the prosecution of Russian war crimes and Russian reparations for the destruction caused. The conference in Switzerland was only intended to distract attention from the real causes of the conflict, namely the policies of the West, Putin said. "The West is ignoring our interests," he told Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other top Russian diplomats, twice explaining how he believed the war had arisen, starting with the pro-European Maidan protests in Kiev in 2013. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Putin's speech was not an ultimatum, but a genuine peace initiative. Moscow's hope is apparently to dissuade countries of the global south from supporting Ukraine at the summit. At the same time, Peskov threatened that Russia would up its demands if the offer was rejected. The Swiss conference on Saturday and Sunday primarily aims to mobilize international support for Ukraine - including from countries that are friendly to Russia. Russia's participation in the dialogue process is only planned as a second step. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also sharply criticized the Russian president's statements, calling them a proposal for more aggression, more occupation, not a peace proposal. It is not up to Ukraine to withdraw its armed forces from Ukrainian territory, but Russia must withdraw its armed forces from occupied Ukrainian land, Stoltenberg said. Zelensky arrived in Switzerland Friday evening to attend the summit. "We have two days of active work ahead of us with countries from all corners of the world united by a common goal - to bring Ukraine closer to a just and lasting peace," he wrote on social media. The number of delegations for the international Ukraine conference in Switzerland has risen to 100, the Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed, saying these include political leaders as well as organizations. They include 57 heads of state and prime ministers from all regions of the world. Other countries are represented by high-ranking diplomats. Around half of the attendees are from Europe and the other half from the rest of the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa Donald Trump is adamant he could end Russias war in Ukraine in a single day if he returns to the White House in November. Getting the two nations leaders to agree to a deal, however, may now be impossible. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin set out his conditions for halting the carnage, saying hed agree to a ceasefire and start negotiating for peace if they were met. The trouble is: there is no way in Hell that Kyiv would accept them. Trumps Election Would Complete Putins New Network of Bond Villains Speaking at a meeting with the leaders of Russias Foreign Ministry, Putin said his move to peace would be predicated on Ukraine pulling its troops out of four regions annexed by Moscow two years ago. Russia has never fully controlled the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine which Putin now wants to be handed to him. As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATOon our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations, he said, according to Reuters. Putin also rattled off other wider demands including the indefinite maintenance of Ukraines non-nuclear status and the end of all Western sanctions against Russia. If Kyiv and its allies rebuffed his request, he claimed, it will be their political and moral responsibility for continuing the bloodshed. Crikey he really has lost it this time but perhaps shows cracks are beginning to form in the Kremlins walls?! wrote former British Army colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon. Putins requests completely contradict Ukraines own aims. The country is seeking to join NATO when the war ends and it has also called for all Russian troops to leave its land. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has further ruled out the possibility of relinquishing territory to Russia to secure a peace deal. The two sides conflicting objectives would likely put paid to Trumps hopes of getting them to reach a speedy agreement. Speaking to Fox News last year, Trump bragged about having had a very good relationship with both Zelensky and Putin, adding: I would tell Zelensky: No more, you gotta make a deal. He also said hed tell Putin that if he refused to make a deal, the U.S. would give Ukraine more than they ever got in support. The former president has still provided scant public information about what his peace plan would actually involve. In April, The Washington Post reported that Trump has privately said he could end the war by putting pressure on Ukraine to cede some territory to Russia, specifically Crimea and the eastern Donbas region. A Trump campaign adviser dismissed the report as fake news. 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. Insights from Financial Times, War on the Rocks, and The Moscow Times The News Russias President Vladimir Putin laid out terms for peace talks and a ceasefire with Ukraine on Friday, saying that to end the war, Kyiv must give up four frontline regions and abandon its attempt to join NATO. Putin also said that Ukraine would need to undergo denazification and demilitarization. As soon as Kyiv says it is ready to do this, Putin said in a speech in Moscow on Friday, we will immediately literally that very minute cease-fire and begin talks. Putins terms, the most detailed conditions he has presented for ending the war so far, were immediately rejected by Ukraine, with one advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy describing the remarks as a complete sham. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Putin presents maximalist terms Sources: Jeremy Morris, Tatiana Stanovaya, Telegram Putins ceasefire terms would see Ukraine give up large swathes of territory, and would give Russia a key foothold on the Western bank of the Dnipro river from where it could launch future offensives. A ceasefire on these terms leaves [Mykolaiv] and [Odessa] undefendable, one expert wrote on X. This is not a peace plan but a series of maximalist demands, prominent Russia analyst Tatiana Stanovaya argued. Moscow offers no concessions. Even pro-Russian commentators appeared to accept that Putins terms were unrealistic. The enemy will not agree to voluntarily surrender regions under his control, one popular Russian military blogger wrote, adding that Ukraine would only agree to such terms if they are defeated on the battlefield or if Western aid comes to a halt. Ukraine accuses Putin of trying to derail peace summit Sources: Financial Times, Reuters One Ukrainian official told the Financial Times that Putins remarks were an attempt to derail the Ukraine peace summit which starts in Switzerland on Saturday. Even before Putins offer, expectations were low for the talks impact given Russias lack of participation: A conference on peace where one party is missing cannot go anywhere, Austrias Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told Semafor, although he stressed that it is still necessary, as Russia has shown no willingness to negotiate. Swiss officials have said the summit will lay the foundation for a future peace process involving Russia, and will also focus on issues such as food security, nuclear safety, and the return of children. Russias momentum on the battlefield slows Sources: The Moscow Times, Reuters, War on the Rocks While Russia made small gains near Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, its spring momentum appears to be stalled, US officials said. Kharkivs mayor said that Russias bombardment of Kharkiv has been reduced after the US allowed Ukraine to strike military installations inside Russia that were being used to attack the city. Along the whole front, Ukraine has probably passed the greatest period of vulnerability, as US ammunition shipments start to reach the frontline and Kyivs efforts to mobilize more troops begin to pay off, military analyst Michael Kofman said on the War on the Rocks podcast. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 14 that Moscow would only cease fire and enter peace talks if Ukraine withdraws from the four Ukrainian regions claimed but not fully controlled by the Kremlin. Speaking on the eve of the global peace summit in Switzerland on June 15-16, Putin said his terms were "very simple," before saying Ukraine's troops must leave Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and Kyiv must abandon any ambition to join NATO. The demands also include the recognition of Crimea and Sevastopol as "subjects of the Russian Federation." Russia occupies most of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, and substantial parts of the country's Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Read also: Explainer: What is the global peace summit in Switzerland, and what does Ukraine hope to achieve? Regional capitals Kherson and Zaporizhzhia remain under Ukrainian control, while Luhansk and Donetsk are occupied by Russia since 2014. Moscow all controls Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. "As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations," he said. "I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations." Putin declared the illegal annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts in September 2022, despite only partially-occupying the areas in question. A Ukrainian counteroffensive just weeks later liberated great swathes of the territory claimed by Russia. As of May 3, Russia was in control of around 18% of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has insisted a full withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory is necessary for peace negotiations to begin. Kyiv hopes the upcoming peace summit will address several key areas, such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of kidnapped children, and global food security. Participants of the summit will formulate a common negotiating position on the outcome of the war and submit it to Russia, according to presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov. Putin wants to derail the peace summit, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, adding that the Kremlin's chief has no desire in peace. In early June, President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of working with Moscow to reduce attendance at the peace summit, which Beijing denied. Read also: Ukraines 68th Jaeger Brigade says it destroyed entire Russian tank company Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of Foreign Ministry top brass Friday that Russia's price for entering peace talks with Ukraine was the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and the ditching any idea of joining NATO. Photo by Valeriy Sharifulin/EPA-EFE/Sputnik/Kremlin/Pool June 14 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday his price for entering peace talks with Ukraine was the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and the ditching any idea of joining NATO. Putin pledged the "unhindered and safe withdrawal" of Ukrainian forces, pending Kyiv's acceptance of the proposal under which its troops would be required to vacate the "entire territory of these regions within their administrative borders that existed at the time of their entry into Ukraine," the state-run Tass news agency reported. "As soon as Kyiv declares that it is ready for such a decision and begins a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially notifies of the abandonment of plans to join NATO, our side will immediately, at that very moment, an order to cease fire and begin negotiations," he told a meeting a meeting of Russian Foreign Ministry chiefs. Russia annexed the four provinces in breach of international law in fall 2022, seven months after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but the dogged resistance put up by Ukrainian armed forces has prevented it from establishing full control of them. The proposal is likely a non-starter given Kyiv has been unwavering in its insistence there can be no peace until Ukrainian sovereignty is restored in full and its borders are restored to where they were in 2014, prior to Moscow's annexation of Crimea. Putin's offer came as delegations from the G20 and more than 70 other countries, the U.N., OSCE and Council of Europe as well as the Vatican were headed to the southern shore of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland for a Ukraine peace summit Saturday through Sunday. The Swiss foreign affairs ministry, which is hosting the gathering at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a news release that the summit was a platform for dialogue on developing a framework toward a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on international law." "The overarching objective of the summit is to inspire a future peace process," the ministry said in comments seen as managing expectations for a conference marked by the absence of both Russia and China. "The summit will build on the discussions that have taken place in recent months, notably the Ukrainian peace formula and other peace proposals based on the U.N. Charter and key principles of international law." The Swiss said Russia had not been invited because it had repeatedly indicated it had no interest in participating while China's position was that while it "attaches great importance" to the peace summit it felt Russia was integral to the process and that it would have liked to see countries from the Global South included. Instead, the aim is to promote common agreement on a potential structure to achieve the goal; and then figure out what a consensus roadmap on how to bring both sides to the table might look like. In a Thursday night post on X, Zelensky said: "The day after tomorrow, we will take the first step toward a just peace," adding that he had discussed final preparations, details of the final communique and how to bring countries in the Global South on board in a call with Swiss President Viola Amherd. However, Switzerland's clout on the international stage from its 120-year tradition of neutrality and track record of persuading warring parties to talk failed to convince everyone with as many as 80 of the 160 countries invited not attending. Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Friday to immediately order a cease-fire in Ukraine and start negotiations if Kyiv began withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounced plans to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected what he called an ultimatum by Putin to surrender more territory. Putins remarks came as Switzerland prepared to host scores of world leaders -- but not from Moscow -- this weekend to try to map out first steps toward peace in Ukraine. They also coincided with a meeting of leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations in Italy and after the U.S. and Ukraine this week signed a 10-year security agreement that Russian officials, including Putin, denounced as null and void. Putin blasted the Switzerland conference as just another ploy to divert everyones attention, reverse the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis (and) set the discussion on the wrong track. His demands came in a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry and was aimed at what he called a final resolution of the conflict rather than freezing it, and stressed the Kremlin is ready to start negotiations without delay. Broader demands for peace that Putin listed included Ukraines recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, keeping the countrys nonnuclear status, restricting its military force and protecting the interests of the Russian-speaking population. All of these should be part of fundamental international agreements, and all Western sanctions against Russia should be lifted, Putin said. Were urging to turn this tragic page of history and to begin restoring, step-by-step, the unity between Russia and Ukraine and in Europe in general, he said. Putins remarks, made to a group of somber Foreign Ministry officials and some senior lawmakers, represented a rare occasion in which he clearly laid out his conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, but it didnt include any new demands. The Kremlin has said before that Kyiv should recognize its territorial gains and drop its bid to join NATO. Zelenskyy, in Italy for the G7 meeting, said Putin's proposal was not new and was in the form of an ultimatum, comparing it to actions by Adolf Hitler in seizing territory that led to World War II. What Putin demands is to give them a part of our territories, those occupied and not occupied, talking about several regions of our country, he said. Ukraines Foreign Ministry called Putins plan manipulative, absurd and designed to mislead the international community, undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just peace, and split the unity of the world majority around the goals and principles of the U.N. Charter. Besides seeking to join NATO, Ukraine wants Russian forces out of its territory, including the Crimean Peninsula that was illegally annexed in 2014; the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity; and that Russia be held accountable for war crimes and for Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv. Russia launched its a full-scale invasion in February 2022. After Ukrainian forces thwarted a Russian drive to the capital, much of the fighting has focused in the south and east, where Moscow illegally annexed four regions, although it doesnt fully control any of them. Zelenskyy adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on social media there was nothing new from Putin and that the Russian leader voiced only the standard aggressors set, which has been heard many times already. There is no novelty in this, no real peace proposals and no desire to end the war. But there is a desire not to pay for this war and to continue it in new formats. Its all a complete sham, Podolyak wrote on X. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at NATO headquarters in Brussels that Putin has illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about a peace. Austin added that Putin started this war with no provocation. He could end it today if he chose to do that. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg added that this is not a peace proposal. This is a proposal of more aggression, more occupation, and it demonstrates in a way that that Russias aim is to control Ukraine. Putin insisted that Kyiv should withdraw from all four annexed regions entirely and essentially cede them to Moscow within their administrative borders. In Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, Russia still doesnt control the regions administrative capital with a pre-war population of about 700,000; in the neighboring Kherson region, Moscow withdrew from its biggest city and capital of the same name in November 2022. Putin said if Kyiv and Western capitals reject his offer, it is their business, their political and moral responsibility for continuing the bloodshed. The Kremlin has repeatedly aired its readiness for peace talks with Kyiv and blamed the West for undermining its efforts to end the conflict. Putin went further Friday and claimed his troops never intended to storm Ukraines capital, Kyiv, even though they approached the city. In essence, it was nothing other than an operation to force the Ukrainian regime to peace. The troops were there to push the Ukrainian side to negotiate, to try and find an acceptable solution, he said. Moscow withdrew from Kyiv in March 2022 and described it a goodwill gesture as peace talks between the two began, but the pullback took place amid fierce Ukrainian resistance that significantly slowed down Russias battlefield advances. Putin also claimed that in that same month, he told a foreign official he wasnt ruling out withdrawing forces from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and ceding occupied parts of them back to Ukraine, as long as Kyiv allowed Russia to have a strong land connection to Crimea. He said the official planned on bringing that proposal to Kyiv which Moscow welcomed, as it generally welcomed attempts to find a peaceful resolution of the conflict. But the Kremlin then annexed both regions, along with the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, citing the results of sham referendums it staged there. Putin mentioned those and said, The matter is closed forever and is no longer up for discussion. In Fridays fighting, Russian defenses shot down 87 Ukrainian drones, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said, most of them launched against the Rostov region, home to Russias southern military command, but no deaths or damage were reported in one of the biggest Ukrainian drone barrages of the war. In Russias Belgorod region on the border, part of a residential building collapsed in the town of Shebekino after Ukrainian shelling, Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Three people were injured, he said. Ukraines military has been on the back foot in recent months, with its troops outnumbered by the Kremlins forces and running short of ammunition and weaponry due to delays in promised Western military aid. Russia has battered Ukraine with drones, especially its power grid. It fired 14 missiles and 17 Shahed drones overnight, Ukraines air force said. Air defense systems downed all the drones as well as seven missiles, it said. The attacks injured six people in the Donetsk region, where residential buildings were hit, officials said. A Russian drone struck a bus near the village of Esman in the northern Sumy region, injuring three women. Authorities say 20 passengers were in the bus at the time. Also Friday, Russia returned to Ukraine the bodies of 254 of its soldiers, Kyiv said. Once identified, the bodies will be returned to relatives, according to Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War - Associated Press writers Jim Heintz in Tallinn, Samya Kullab and Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, Lorne Cook in Brussels, and Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin says nearly 700,000 soldiers are currently fighting in his war on Ukraine. "There are almost 700,000 of us in the zone of special military operations," he said on Friday as he met soldiers who are being trained for a leadership position. This is significantly more than six months ago, when he referred to 617,000 soldiers, during a press conference in December 2023. Russian troops are also going continue to advance in the eastern Kharkiv region, Putin said. "We are simply forced to move the front line further in the Kharkiv region in order to reduce the terrorist strikes against Belgorod and other localities." Russia has been shelling Ukrainian cities since the start of the war, particularly Kharkiv, a major city near the border. Recently, however, Ukrainian attacks against Belgorod in western Russia have also intensified. Moscow launched its new offensive against the Kharkiv region in May, in what observers say is an attempt to stretch Ukrainian defences and force a breakthrough at the front. So far, however, Russia has only made it a few kilometres across the border. The "10 to 15 or 17 kilometres" will not completely prevent the Ukrainians from continuing to shell Russian cities, but the danger is gradually decreasing, Putin said, adding caution was needed. "But if the enemy continues to do what it has been doing so far, then we will consider how to proceed in order to protect our towns and cities," he said, in a hint that the offensive may grow more intense. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa By Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over the entirety of four provinces claimed by Moscow, demands Kyiv swiftly rejected as tantamount to surrender. On the eve of a conference in Switzerland to which Russia has not been invited, Putin set out maximalist conditions at odds with the terms demanded by Ukraine, apparently reflecting Moscow's growing confidence that its forces have the upper hand in the war. He restated his demand for Ukraine's demilitarisation, unchanged from the day he sent in his troops on Feb. 24, 2022, and said an end to Western sanctions must also be part of a peace deal. He also repeated his call for Ukraine's "denazification", based on what Kyiv calls an slur against its leadership. Ukraine said the conditions were "absurd". "He is offering for Ukraine to admit defeat. He is offering for Ukraine to legally give up its territories to Russia. He is offering for Ukraine to sign away its geopolitical sovereignty," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Italy's SkyTG24 news channel that Putin's comments amounted to an ultimatum, carefully timed to appear just before the Swiss summit. "It is clear he (Putin) understands that there will be the peace summit. It is clear he understands the majority in the world are on Ukraine's side, on the side of life," he said. "And on the eve of the summit, amid air raid sirens, the killing of people and missile attacks, he speaks as though he is issuing some sort of ultimatum." U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels: "He (Putin) is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about peace." The timing of Putin's speech was clearly intended to preempt the Swiss summit, billed as a "peace conference" despite Russia's exclusion, where Zelenskiy seeks a show of international support for Kyiv's terms to end the war. 'VERY SIMPLE' CONDITIONS "The conditions are very simple," Putin said, listing them as the full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia claimed the four regions, which its forces control only partially, as part of its own territory in 2022, an act rejected by most countries at the United Nations as illegal. Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014. "As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO - on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations," Putin said. "I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations." Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in the third year of the war. Ukraine says peace must be based on the full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its 1991 post-Soviet borders. The weekend summit in Switzerland, which will be attended by representatives of more than 90 nations and organisations, is expected to shy away from territorial issues and focus instead on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine. The Kremlin has said the gathering will prove "futile" without Russia being represented. Putin's conditions appeared to reflect his growing confidence in Moscow's ability to impose its own terms as its forces have gradually advanced in recent months. Putin said "the future existence of Ukraine" depended on it withdrawing its forces, adopting a neutral status, and beginning talks with Russia. Kyiv's military situation, he said, would worsen if it rejected the offer. "Today we are making another concrete, real peace proposal. If in Kyiv and in the Western capitals they refuse it as before, then, in the end, it is their business, their political and moral responsibility for the continuation of bloodshed," he said. Ukraine and its Western allies describe the conflict as an imperial-style war of territorial conquest. Ukraine says any demand for its demilitarisation or future neutrality would expose it to further Russian attacks. Putin was speaking in the same week that the United States hit Russia with more sanctions, announced a 10-year security pact with Ukraine - seen as a potential precursor to eventual NATO membership - and reached a deal with its Group of Seven allies to use interest on Russian assets frozen in the West to back a $50 billion loan to Kyiv. (Additional reporting by Max Hunder in Kyiv, Alvise Armellini in Rome and Gianluca Semeraro in Milan; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Osborn, Peter Graff, Angus MacSwan, Ron Popeski and Alex Richardson) Wayne Salisbury Jr. shakes hands with Sen. Ryan Pearson on the floor of the Rhode Island Senate at his confirmation on Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current) Wayne Salisbury, Jr. will continue to direct the states Department of Corrections, the Rhode Island Senate confirmed in a 32-4 vote Thursday afternoon. Voting against Gov. Dan McKees pick were Democratic Sens. Sam Bell of Providence, Leonidas Raptakis of Coventry and Linda Ujifusa of Portsmouth. Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, a North Smithfield Republican, also opposed Salisburys nomination. Salisbury has served as interim director since January 2023 following the departure of Patricia Coyne-Fague. He was hired in 2016 as deputy warden and was named deputy director in November 2020, according to his resume. He served as acting warden from March 2017 to February 2018. Salisbury was also the warden at the privately-run Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls from 2004 to 2010. He is well qualified to continue leading the Department of Corrections and based on his tenure thus far, he will continue to grow and succeed in this role, said Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat. Few candidates have come before us and have been as thoroughly and publicly scrutinized as Mr. Salisbury. Indeed, Salisburys nomination faced stiff opposition from the Rhode Island Brotherhood for Correctional Officers, which has blamed him for increases in prison fights since being named interim director. The union also filed a pair of ethics complaints against Salisbury to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission alleging nepotism and omission of required, out-of-state trips on his annual financial statement. Wayne Salisbury is the wrong guy for such an important job, union president Richard Ferruccio said at the Senate Committee on Judiciarys hearing for Salisburys nomination Tuesday. Prison advocacy groups, meanwhile, have praised Salisbury for his focus on rehabilitation programs and for overseeing the departments decision last year to limit disciplinary confinement to a maximum of 30 days. Salisbury will earn a $174,593 annual salary based on cabinet raises pitched by McKee, which took effect in May. The post R.I. Senate confirms Wayne Salisbury, Jr. for permanent director for Department of Corrections appeared first on Rhode Island Current. Fatime Letifova Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, who is on a visit to Japan, visited the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of this country, Azernews reports. Fuad Muradov, who met with Deputy Minister Akiko Honda, expressed his satisfaction with the increasing number of Azerbaijanis studying in Japan in recent years and said that their internships in large companies and enterprises in this country will bring professional specialists to Azerbaijan. Recalling that he met with those students during the visit, F. Muradov talked about the projects implemented by the committee related to young people, especially students studying abroad, and emphasised that deepening cooperation in the field of education and student-experience exchange is in the interests of both countries. The chairman of the committee also met with Akira Amari, head of the working group on Japan-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary relations. During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the level of bilateral relations, including inter-parliamentary relations. Giving information about the purpose of the visit and the activities of the committee, F. Muradov talked about the strengthening role of the diaspora in interstate relations, the growing number of Azerbaijanis studying in Japan, and invited Akira Amari to visit Azerbaijan. Then there was an acquaintance with the parliament building. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A member of Congress representing part of Western New York has asked Gov. Kathy Hochul to pardon former President Donald Trump. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-24) issued a letter to the governor, addressing the recent verdict in the hush money trial against Trump. The former president was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, making him the first former president to have a felony conviction. This case undermines the impartiality and credibility of our once venerable justice system and cannot be allowed to stand, Tenney wrote in her letter. Tenneys district includes Genesee, Wyoming and the eastern half of Niagara County. The congresswoman, who was endorsed by Trump in March, has been critical of his conviction in the past. As a member of the New York Bar and daughter of a New York State Supreme Court Justice, I am appalled by the unethical politically motivated antics of Judge Merchan, Tenney said in a May 30 statement. He imposed unnecessary and unconstitutional gag orders on President Trump, effectively silencing him and hindering his ability to campaign freely. In her letter, Tenney also took shots at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling for his removal and claiming his office has targeted individuals in search of crimes. Millions of Americans, even those who dont support President Trump, would agree with my assessment of this case and fully support the pardoning of President Trump, Tenney said. MORE | Read Tenneys letter to Gov. Hochul here. Latest Local News Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. A former Duval County teacher who could have been barred from teaching over displaying a Black Lives Matter flag at school left a state disciplinary hearing Thursday with a simple reprimand for another matter and no punishment for the flag. Its a great day for her, Amy Donofrios attorney, Mark Richard, said following the ruling by a five-person panel from Floridas Education Practices Commission, which administers penalties affecting teachers licenses. Donofrio, who taught English at Riverside High School when it was called Robert E. Lee High for the Confederate general, was removed from her class in 2021 after refusing to take down the BLM flag. Amy Donofrio records her students as they find out their group, EVAC Movement, was named winner of a national kindness challenge in a file photo from 2017. Early praise: Lee High School class gains national recognition for efforts in youth advocacy She sued Duval County Public Schools and reached a $300,000 settlement but still faced discipline through the commission operated under the Florida Department of Education. The commissions decision at a hearing in Tampa exactly matched recommendations by an administrative law judge who had heard arguments from both sides, Richard said. In an emailed release, Donofrio said the ruling "reinforces an important truth: that affirming Black students is our responsibility as educators, not something that should cost us our license." The state had argued Donofrio hadnt kept a clear boundary between her personal views and those of the school district, whose leadership had told faculty to stay neutral in the 2020-21 school year on politically charged issues ranging from the presidential election to pandemic mask requirements and the schools name-change decision, which was the subject of a 2021 vote. In this 2017 photo, then-Principal Scott Schneider congratulates Amy Donofrio's EVAC students on winning a national contest on promoting kindness. Tallahassee connection: Florida education commissioner says he made sure Amy Donofrio was fired; now her legal team's responding Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk concluded in April that Donofrio had displayed the BLM flag at least since 2019 and the school district didnt sate its flag policy until March 2021, and that no evidence was presented that the flag could be interpreted as district speech. Van Wyk said Donofrio did cross a line by letting masks be stacked in her classroom bearing the message Robert E. Lee was a gang member but said the offense was not severe and did no harm to students or danger to the public. The judge recommended the commission issue a reprimand, although in April a state lawyer had asked to have Donofrio spend two years of probation, pay $750 and take a college course in education ethics. The states complaint to the commission in 2022 asked simply for the appropriate disciplinary sanction, which could have ranged from a reprimand to a permanent disqualification from teaching. Richard said his clients teaching license expired while the case was pending and had to be renewed, but that there should be no obstacle to that. Donofrios 2021 lawsuit settlement included an agreement she wouldnt seek work in Duval schools again, and Richard said any clause like that was separate from the commissions decision. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Decision made in ex-Jacksonville teacher's Black Lives Matter flag case The Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion Thursday rejecting an anti-abortion groups attempt to greatly restrict access to the drug mifepristone, one of the pills used in medication abortion. Since the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the anti-abortion movement has worked aggressively to ban mifepristone, part of a two-drug regimen that is now the most common way to terminate a pregnancy in the United States. The case decided Thursday was brought by a group founded seemingly for the express purpose of bringing it, an ad hoc association of anti-abortion doctors who claimed they were harmed by current regulations on mifepristone. That group, the Supreme Court has now decided, lacked standing; in other words, these anti-abortion doctors failed to demonstratewild, I knowthat they were harmed by other peoples abortions. While the courts ruling in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration may seem like a reprieve for mifepristone, it is primarily a rebuke of this particular approach to banning medication abortionone that never should have made it to the Supreme Court at all. It also represents a setback for the Christian nationalist law project behind the case, Alliance Defending Freedom, a setback worth celebrating, if only because ADFs attempt to manufacture a plaintiff for the sake of advancing its political goals has failed. Not long after the Dobbs decision in 2022, Alliance Defending Freedom began crafting what became its next high-profile line of attack on abortion, involving a newly formed anti-abortion group, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. The speedy, opportunistic way this case came together should have cast enough doubt on its merits, as well as revealed its aims: to create confusion and peddle misinformation about the safety and lawfulness of medication abortion. Each time a court entertained this case, making mifepristone briefly a national headline story, it risked misinforming people seeking an abortionby laundering junk science about mifepristone into court filings, or casting doubt on the safety of dispensing the drug through telehealth. It is possible this legal challenge did more to make people fearful of the consequences of having an abortion with mifepristone than it was ever going to do to actually change the regulations on dispensing mifepristone. The plaintiff, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, or AHM, purports to represent thousands of medical professionals who are opposed to abortion. Some were named as individuals in the legal challenge as well, such as a Republican state senator and emergency room physician from Indiana, Tyler Johnson. According to his sworn declaration in the legal challenge, Johnson claimed that patients may experience trauma from taking mifepristone, or may not understand what the drugs will do to them, or may even lie about having taken mifepristonea choice that might be understandable, when abortion is considered a crime. At the same time, Johnson also maintained that patients who took mifepristone were unnecessarily presenting in the emergency department, taking time away from other patients who need it. While he was involved in the AHM challenge to mifepristone, Johnson was the subject of a malpractice lawsuit brought on behalf of one of his E.R. patients, who died not long after she gave birth. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine only incorporated as a group in the weeks after Dobbs. They chose to file in August 2022 for incorporation in Amarillo, Texas, perhaps the most favorable jurisdiction in the country for the case they would soon bring against mifepristone. Unsurprisingly, they apparently did not conduct any programs or activities in Amarillo and seemingly only created the organization for the purpose of bringing suit. Then, with a paltry annual income of less than $50,000, they got the legal team that won the Dobbs case to represent them, brought their case before Matthew Kacsmaryk, a judge all but handpicked to favor them, and, within months, were headed to the Supreme Court. Its not much of a mystery how this happened, as neither group tried very hard to conceal the paper trail. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine is nothing more than a brand name that Alliance Defending Freedom used to shop this abortion pill case up to the Supreme Court, Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, told The New Republic in March. Its not the first time Alliance Defending Freedom has all but manufactured a plaintiff for the sake of advancing one of its broader goalswhether that was attacking abortion access, as it did in this case, or providing legal cover for anti-LGBTQ discrimination, as it did last year. In that case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, the court ruled in favor of ADFs client, a web designer who claimed she was injured by anti-discrimination laws that would apply if she refused to design a website for a same-sex wedding. (The same-sex-wedding website request she claimed to have received, as The New Republic reported last June, came from a same-sex couple who do not exist.) In the case of AHM v. FDA, where again Alliance Defending Freedoms client had in essence manufactured an injury, the court has decided not to go along. Here, the plaintiff doctors and medical associations are unregulated parties who seek to challenge FDAs regulation of others, Justice Kavanaugh wrote for the court. While the plaintiffs offered several complicated causation theories to connect the FDA to whatever alleged harm mifepristone caused them, none of these theories suffices to establish their standing to bring the case. This ruling is, at least for the status quo concerning mifepristone access, a good one. But the status quo has only gotten worse since Alliance Defending Freedom brought this case. Thursdays ruling does not restore legal access to mifepristone in any of the states where abortion is bannedincluding states with the most restrictive bans, like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. This month, the Louisiana state legislature reclassified mifepristone and misoprostol, the other common drug used in medication abortion, as controlled substancesin a state where nearly all abortion was already banneda designation that will make it easier to track who dispenses the drug. It is difficult for abortion rights advocates to greet this ruling as a victory when so much about mifepristone remains up for legal debate. [Thursday] the Supreme Court ruled what we have long known: the harmful attempt to ban and restrict mifepristone access should have never been in the courts, Skye Perryman, CEO and president of Democracy Forward, said in a statement. (Her group represented GenBioPro, the manufacturer of generic mifepristone, in its amicus brief in the case.) Perryman also noted that the fight isnt over: Extremist attorneys general in Idaho, Missouri, and Kansas continue to pursue this same case in front of Judge Kacsmaryk with the goal of restricting access to mifepristone. For the Supreme Court to reject this particular case is a win insofar as it is a setback for the anti-abortion groups behind itbut they are not going anywhere. The people who brought this lawsuit knew it was baseless, and this ruling wont stop them or the politicians and judges equally determined to ban abortion and control our bodies, Nancy Cardenas Pena, campaign director of the Abortion on Our Own Terms campaign, said in a separate statement. But ultimately, courts dont keep us safewe do. That is why we will always fight back and support access to self-managed abortion in our communities, free from stigma and the risk of arrest or imprisonment. Perhaps most threatening of all is what was left out of the courts opiniona 151-year-old law that some anti-abortion advocates and attorneys, along with a growing number of Republican lawmakers, argue already bans medication abortion. Known as the Comstock Act, it prohibits using the mail to distribute anything that might cause an abortion, under its super-broad definition of barring the mailing of obscene items. The Comstock Act made a high-profile return in this case in March at the Supreme Court during oral arguments, when Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas both seemingly entertained the idea that it might have relevance in Thursdays decisionAlito referred to it then as a a prominent provision not some obscure subsection of law. The fear at the time was this might all lead to an opinion, even if not one for the majority, wading into the possible application of the Comstock Act on Thursday. Mercifully, what the court released did not raise the Comstock Act. But it remains a threat, available to Trump or any president who might push for its enforcement against abortion. Comstock, like this case as a whole, is the real sign of where we stand now on abortion in the courts: its not an accident that the nations most democratically unaccountable venue is also the most welcome home for such extreme and archaic attacks. Researchers document record-breaking shark migration: 'Highlighting the need for a coordinated global response to ensure the survival of this ... species' One shark's odyssey across thousands of kilometers of ocean has alerted scientists to the importance of international cooperation regarding marine animal survival. In a recent study, the adult female silky shark nicknamed "Genie" was tagged with a satellite transmitter north of the Galapagos Marine Reserve in July 2021. The shark traveled more than 17,000 miles in 546 days, per Save Our Seas Foundation. Her journey was equivalent to crossing the United States coast-to-coast about four times, and it shattered the previous movement record by nearly sixfold. Two of Genie's migrations extended west into international waters, as far as 2,954 miles from the tagging site. Per Save Our Seas Foundation, these waters are areas of "high fishing pressure and minimal regulation." Silky sharks are named for their smooth hide, According to Save Our Seas Foundation, they are "particularly vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth, late maturity, and the high demand in the global shark fin trade." Over 99% of Genie's journey occurred within international waters, highlighting the kind of global cooperation necessary to protect these vulnerable sharks. Sharks play a critical role in the ecosystem, as they maintain the species below them in the food chain and serve as an indicator of overall ocean health, per Oceana. Loss of sharks has led to declines in coral reefs, seagrass beds, and commercial fisheries which are all necessary for the overall well-being of humans and the rest of the planet. Dr. Pelayo Salinas de Leon, the study's lead author, said in a press release that understanding the migration of silky sharks will be crucial in intercepting ongoing and global population declines. "Sharks have been roaming the world's oceans for hundreds of millions of years, and the map boundaries we humans have established on paper mean nothing to them," he said. "Their long migrations through heavily fished international waters expose them to significant risks, highlighting the need for a coordinated global response to ensure the survival of this highly threatened group of species." Conservation efforts are necessary to protect the silky shark, as well as other at-risk species inhabiting land and sea. Luckily, there are many success stories to learn from. The California red-legged frog is thriving at a 2,000-acre wildland reserve, and global bans on commercial whaling have brought sei whales back to Argentina's Patagonian coast. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Researchers say that money alone isnt enough to overcome public health workforce woes stethoscope and blue piggy bank on wood table top After years of underfunding and understaffing, public health agencies in Indiana and across the country now have billions of dollars dedicated to addressing workforce shortages but experts warn the funds arent enough to overcome long-standing, systemic barriers. Dr. Valerie Yeager, an Indiana University professor of health policy and management. (Photo from Indiana University) The message is not that public health has enough money, its that the money is cyclical and inconsistent. So it makes it very hard to use (the funds) to strengthen the workforce at times, said Valerie Yeager, an Indiana University professor with a doctorate in public health. Yeager and co-author Heather Krasna, an associate dean of career services at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, recently published a commentary on public health workforce problems with Health Affairs. The summarized research delves into hiring woes outside of low salaries, such as the lengthy bureaucratic process that can take up to 204 days to complete for federal public health jobs, cutting into positions that often have time-limited funding. If youre given two years of funding and 200 of those days are (used for) recruitment, its hard to get approval to hire into a position that only has one year of funding, Yeager said. The analysis comes as Indiana begins to study how counties spent the first year of grant dollars from the Health First Indiana fund a new initiative that Yeager isnt involved with but is following closely. The second year of funds, for the first time, will include all 92 counties after six holdout counties opted to join the 2025 cohort. Dollars coming to public health departments The 2021 American Rescue Plan dedicated $7.66 billion to create 100,000 new public health jobs, shoring up beleaguered workforces across the nations 2,800 state and local health departments. According to an analysis from Columbia University researchers, the Indiana Department of Health has dedicated over half of its allotment, or $20.5 million, to grants for local public health departments to hire school liaisons to help with immunizations along with vision and hearing screenings. That wave of monies preceded the $225 million dedicated by the General Assembly in 2023 to public health departments in exchange for meeting a minimum of core services, such as maternal and child health, efforts or tobacco and vaping cessation. Eighty-six counties split $75 million in the first year while all 92 counties will receive a portion of the $150 million dedicated for 2025. Prior to the program, Indianas public health funding lagged behind nearly every other state and varied widely from county to county, partly due to Indianas reliance on local property taxes to fund the agencies. With the new funding, departments interviewed by the Indiana Capital Chronicle indicated that they used their dollars to hire new nurses or department positions but Yeager said counties have other barriers to overcome. Notably, local public health departments cant just hire someone at whatever salary they deem appropriate usually the local board of health and county council have a say and give final approval. A diagram visualizing the hiring process for local public health departments. (From the Indiana University Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research & Policy) It complicates things because they may say, We dont think you need this position. They may not approve the position or they may require that the position be a contractor, which is going to make it harder to hire, Yeager said. While Indiana doesnt have the same burdensome civil service requirements that other states do, any processing delay encourages applicants to give up and seek other employment. Becoming a contractor or intern might have fewer barriers, but also has fewer benefits, such as retirement contributions. Yeager advocated for easing the transition of such employees into full-time positions. An accompanying release to Yeagers paper noted that a recent study estimated health departments nationwide would need to hire an additional 80,000 workers to meet the needs of foundational public health services. We need to do a better job of being able to retain these individuals and make it easier for them to shift into a permanent position or a full-time employee position, she said. Because they learn a lot while theyre in their contract role, and then if we cant retain them, they leave. And we lose their experience and their institutional knowledge goes with them. Interns can be challenging to transition, however, since young graduates arent usually able to wait months to secure employment. If were not already putting them in the pipeline for the hiring process, there could be a gap between when they graduate and when they get a job offer, and thats where we lose people. Because its hard for any graduate to go any length of time without income, Yeager continued. For as long as Ive been in this field, that gap in how long it takes to get hired is where we lose people that are interested in contributing to the mission of public health work. Retention can also be difficult when employees dont feel like they have opportunities for pay raises. And small staff sizes often mean each employee does the work of several people at once. Vigo County, for example, posted a position with its health department for a school liaison paying $37,822. It lists two-dozen responsibilities, including promoting student health, advising parents on vaccines and procuring emergency medicines for schools. Applicants must be certified medical assistants (CMAs) or have an equivalent degree and have three years of experience. But the listing, posted earlier this week, explicitly notes that the position is funded through Health First dollars, which the General Assembly has only funded through 2025. The Vigo County Health Department makes every effort to ensure program sustainability but that is not guaranteed, the post concludes. Improvements, but work remains Still, Yeager did note areas of improvement. The historic COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the oft-maligned profession, exposing the greater public to the importance of public health as a career and attracting more students to relevant degree paths. (But) we arent doing a good job of bringing those newly trained people into the profession in a government setting they primarily go to non-governmental organizations and other organizations that hire faster and can pay better, Yeager said. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US And there are many unknowns, Yeager added, including how long a localized, county-initiated hiring process takes compared to the federal process. They often dont get a lot of applications maybe theyre in a rural setting and the person or the type of expertise that theyre looking for doesnt live in that area and people dont want to travel, Yeager added. But what Ive heard from many locals is that theyll put a posting up and theyll get no applications. So even if you got it up faster, that doesnt help you get applicants. Yeager said she and some colleagues had wondered if offering a hybrid or remote option might help attract candidates, since workforce habits and preferences have shifted following COVID-19. Research prior to the launch of Health First outlined current workforce opening across 93 health departments, who collectively had 180 open positions. Yeager isnt involved with Health First. I dont know what the status is or how many people are being recruited as a result of Health First Indiana, Yeager said. But hopefully we are able to get people into these roles and support these agencies in doing this really important work. The post Researchers say that money alone isnt enough to overcome public health workforce woes appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle. (PUEBLO, Colo.) After activity restrictions were implemented on a portion of the Arkansas River earlier this week due to dangerously fast-flowing and high water along the river, the Pueblo Fire Department (PFD) and the Pueblo County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) announced on Friday, June 14 that those restrictions have since been lifted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) from the spillway of the Pueblo Dam to the Pueblo County/Otero County line. Courtesy: PFD, PCSO The decision is partly a result of the water flow rate along the affected area dropping to about 4,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), according to a press release sent on behalf of PFD and PCSO. Flows in excess of these have been determined to be dangerous and pose an increased risk to people in the water, as well as emergency responders. Tubing, along with whitewater canoes and kayaks, which were previously restricted, are now allowed for this portion of the Arkansas River. PFD and PCSO also reminded the public to keep the following in mind: Always wear a properly fitted life jacket when on or in the water. A Type III personal flotation device, approved by the United States Coast Guard, is required to be worn when entering the Arkansas River (PMC 11-1-700; CRS 33-13-110 (2)(a) and (2)(c)). The strength of the currents can be deceptive. What may appear to be a slow-moving current can challenge even experienced swimmers. The water temperature is much colder than the air temperature. The community is reminded that restrictions may be reinstated if conditions change on the river. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Family and friends of a 58-year-old retired L.A. County deputy sheriff who went missing three days ago on a remote Greek island are desperate for answers. Albert Calibet set out on a hike Tuesday morning on the Greek island of Amorgos, a vacation destination hes visited dozens of times, and was supposed to meet a friend at the end of his trek. Unfortunately, the 58-year-old, who friends describe as a kind and generous man who easily makes friends, never showed up to the meeting with his friend. The clock is ticking, and we feel like were losing time, family friend Robin Wynston Lynn told KTLAs John Fenoglio. Whats so concerning for friends and family is that Calibet is a seasoned hiker who has made it across the islands rugged terrain many times. Hes physically fit, his sister-in-law Sandrine Cutright said. He swims every day, he runs. Albert Calibet, 58, seen in this undated photo. (viewer pic) Albert Calibet, 58, seen in this undated photo. (viewer pic) Albert Calibet, 58, seen in this undated photo. (viewer pic) The Greek isle of Amorgos seen in this undated photo. (viewer pic) The Greek isle of Amorgos seen in this undated photo. (viewer pic) In Hermosa Beach, loved ones have been getting most of their news through a WhatsApp group thread. Calibets friends on Amorgos say that so far, limited search efforts by Greek authorities have been unsuccessful. There are so few resources on the island and [especially] on that part of the island, Lynn said. Theres no airport, theres only 2,000 people. Its half the size of Catalina. Cutright explained that search and rescue teams cannot search at night because the terrain is too dangerous, suggesting that if they could get a night-vision drone that detects heat, that might help in the search. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna released a statement on the 58-year-olds disappearance, saying in part: We are actively collaborating with multiple agencies abroad to provide assistance in the search for Deputy Calibet and will use every resource we have available to bring him back to those who love him. In the meantime, the retired deputys brother, Oliver, as well as other friends in Europe, are racing to the island to help with the search because they know time is running out. Violent road-rage fight at L.A. airport leaves elderly woman unconscious He is hurt somewhere, and he needs to be brought home now, Lynn said through tears. Anyone who hears this story and has resources, please come help us save our friend Albert. Send the cavalry for Albert Calibet. While the 58-year-old was retired, he continued to work for LASDs Transit Services Bureau and his family is sharing his story in hopes someone could provide resources to help search for him in Greece. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas partners with 8 News Now for Nexstar Founders Day of Caring LAS VEGAS (KLAS) One of the three local non-profits featured as part of Nexstar Founders Day of Caring is Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas (RRLV). The 501(c)(3) was founded in 2019 by Danielle Roth and Jon Lapolla. The couple gets up every day and makes it their mission to save lives. Its a precious gift, Roth said. Every life that we save. Roth and Lapolla love animals, and they turned that love into action with Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas. The 501(c)(3) was founded in 2019 by Danielle Roth and Jon Lapolla. The couple gets up every day and makes it their mission to save lives. (Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas) This is what our rescue is like, Roth said. We get to complete families. Since the non-profits inception, RRLV has saved nearly 2,000 dogs, with about 1,500 coming from South Korea. Many are saved from meat farms for consumption, which is part of a centuries-old tradition in the country that is still practiced by older generations. Its the way that the dogs are treated, Roth explained. Its just not okay. Since the non-profits inception, RRLV has saved nearly 2,000 dogs, with about 1,500 coming from South Korea. (Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas) Murphy, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, is one of the dogs rescued from horrific conditions overseas. However, now he is facing a different battle; a severe ear infection. Murphy can barely hear now, but Roth and Lapolla told 8 News Now he needs surgery called a double ear canal ablation to save his ear canals and his life. The operation costs about $10,000. He deserves the life that we promised him, Roth said. His family deserves to love him for years and years and years to come. Roth and Lapolla said they are thrilled to be part of Nexstars annual Founders Day of Caring. We work really hard at helping these dogs out, Lapolla said. And everybody can get together and help us, its wonderful. They also hope the community and everyone taking part in 8 News Nows Gr8 Pet Food and Supply Drive Friday can help them get Murphy the care he needs. This is as they continue their work to give animals here at home and around the world the lives they truly deserve. Murphy, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, is one of the dogs rescued from horrific conditions overseas. However, now he is facing a different battle; a severe ear infection. (Credit: Toni Gonzales) These dogs were truly never meant to be anything other than family dogs, Roth concluded. A law was recently passed in South Korea that will ban the eating and selling of dog meat in 2027. Roth and Lapolla told 8 News Now there is a lot of work to do before that happens. Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas also saves countless animals in Southern Nevada. Roth and Lapolla said their team will turn its full attention to local rescues once their mission is completed in South Korea. The rescue told 8 News Now monetary donations are preferred for life-saving missions and medical care. Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas also saves countless animals in Southern Nevada. Roth and Lapolla said their team will turn its full attention to local rescues once their mission is completed in South Korea. (Credit: Toni Gonzales) However, they need new blankets, toys, bowls, leashes, and Natural Balance food to provide to adoptive families and fosters. For more information on RRLV, click HERE. To visit the RRLV Amazon Wishlist, 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 KLAS. Reward up to $150K offered for info on robbery of USPS letter carrier in Fort Worth A reward of up to $150,000 is being offered by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in a recent robbery of a USPS letter carrier in North Texas. The incident took place on June 8 at approximately 10:40 a.m. on Big Creek Court in Fort Worth. If you have information related to the robbery detailed below, report it at (877) 876-2455. Si tiene informacion relacionada con el robo que se detalla a continuacion, reportelo al (877) 876-2455. pic.twitter.com/ZXrlt1ZmgA USPIS-Fort Worth (@USPIS_DFW) June 13, 2024 The first suspect was described as male, about 511 and possibly a teenager, with a thin build. He was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, black pants, black face covering and gloves at the time of the robbery. The second suspect is also described as male, approximately 511 and possibly a teenager, with a thin build. He was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, a blue face covering and gloves. Authorities have issued a warning urging the public not to take any action to apprehend the suspects themselves. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455, saying Law Enforcement when prompted. Please reference Case No. 4325195-ROBB. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential, the Postal Inspection Service said. More top stories from our newsroom: STAAR scores: Fort Worth ISD 3rd-graders havent caught up after pandemic TX power grid in better shape than last year. How likely are blackouts? Fort Worth man charged with threatening FBI agent involved in Hunter Biden case [Get our breaking news alerts.] Rezoning is painful. Lexington residents upset over draft plan for new middle school Bonita Bunny Baldwin and other homeowners in Lexingtons Tuscany subdivision on Thursday attended a public forum to find out why under a draft school rezoning plan they arent being assigned to a nearby new middle school. Instead, the latest tentative proposal says students living in Tuscany in Hamburg where homes have recently sold for between $610,000 and $1.2 million, according to real estate records will continue to be assigned to Crawford Middle School. Mary E. Britton, the new school slated to open in August 2025 on Polo Club Boulevard, is about 2 miles away from Tuscany, and residents say a new road would soon let students easily walk there. Crawford is about 4 miles away and has a below-average academic performance in the states accountability system. School rezoning, also called redistricting, is an issue that has historically caused an outcry from families in Lexington worried about their childrens education and their property values Rezoning is painful, Steve Hill, Fayette Schools Pupil Personnel Director, told the audience Thursday. These conversations are tough. Residents at the meeting said the Summerfield and Westwind neighborhoods near Tuscany are also not assigned to the new school under the draft, remaining at Crawford. Under the latest proposed rezoning scenario, Crawford, Edith J. Hayes and Morton middle schools are the existing schools that would be affected in addition to the new school. Elementary and high schools in Lexington are not being rezoned under the initiative. As new schools are built, the Fayette County Board of Educations School Zoning Committee considers changes in attendance boundaries to even out the student population, according to the districts website. The group is made up of parents, community partners, district administrators and school leaders. The Fayette School Board has the final say on the committee recommendation. One parent at the forum at Frederick Douglass High School asked why the Zoning Committee had held multiple meetings about the plan for Mary E. Britton Middle School since March without involving residents. Hill said rezoning scenarios were not ready until now. Ive not tried to hide anything, he said. Hill told families Thursday night he had received about 100 emails from families who had questions about rezoning. Regarding another area of Lexington, Marcus Patrick, who lives in the Woodhill neighborhood along New Circle Road, asked school district officials why the proposed plan has students in Woodhill attending three different middle schools. Hill told the Herald-Leader on Friday that the Woodhill area has areas assigned to Morton, Mary E Britton and Crawford under the draft plan. The dividing of that community seems pretty significant to me, said Patrick. He said it appears that students who live across the street from one another will go to different schools. Hill said in the Woodhill proposal, district officials were just trying to balance schools. Concerns about overcrowding Baldwin says as it stands now, Tuscany is in the Crawford Middle School district. Tuscany is very close to Britton Middle School, she said. The new road that will open in the near future puts us a stones throw away and so close that Tuscany kids would be able to walk to school easily, she said. Hill said the projected number of homes left to be built in Tuscany is expected to overcrowd Britton. Rezoning documents on the district website said if Tuscany were assigned to Britton, that Britton would be overcapacity within three years of opening in fall 2025. Britton is opening with 800 students and has a capacity of 1200. It will be larger than other middle schools that historically have been built for about 800 students. District Chief Operating Officer Myron Thompson told families that district officials do not want Britton to become so overcrowded that portable classrooms have to be added. The Hamburg/Sir Barton area is scheduled to have more than 1140 additional housing units built between now and 2030, district officials said, a number that residents disputed Thursday night. They said building in Tuscany had halted. Crawford Middle School would be underutilized and have a declining enrollment if Tuscany in the Hamburg/Sir Barton area were assigned to the new middle school, according to district rezoning documents. Residents at the forum said the 43 current middle school students in Tuscany would not overcrowd Britton. We would like the board to gather current data, said Baldwin. More local input sought Neighbors are concerned about the district basing decisions on data from Davis Demographics, a California firm that works with school districts on their planning needs. That company is helping the districts rezoning team devise scenarios to recommend for boundary realignment. We would like more local community input, Baldwin said. Hill said Davis Demographics data had been very accurate. However, Hill said school district officials would revisit the data to see whether the plan should be changed. Im certainly not saying its the final scenario, said Hill. Tuscany residents say their neighborhood is racially diverse if the school district is trying to accomplish racial diversity at Britton. Crawford Middle For the 2022-23 school year, Crawford received a color code of orange, which is the next-to-lowest possible performance in Kentuckys school accountability system. One parent at the forum said her two children had been academically successful at Crawford and she had had no problems with the school. Another resident asked district officials to make improvements to Crawford because parents are hesitant to send their children there. Hill said 20% of students assigned to Crawford go to other programs at other schools in the school district. Exactly how many students currently assigned to Crawford attend private schools in Lexington was not discussed at the meeting. Hill said he understood the concerns that families expressed Thursday night. I do care about you and I care about your kids, he said. The school board is expected to vote on the plan in August. FASANO, Italy President Joe Biden and fellow G7 leaders agree that China poses a grave threat to their economies. But behind the groups collective bravado on getting tough with China, the countries still have varying appetites for how far to actually go in challenging a world superpower differences that some officials worry could dent the coalitions ability to fend off Beijings advances. The G7 on Friday will try to paper over those lingering divides, coalescing behind a series of initiatives aimed at ratcheting up attention on Chinas trade and investment in developing countries around the globe. That comes after the U.S. has sought to apply maximum pressure on the Chinese in recent years, hitting Beijing with heavy tariffs and accusing it of unfair trade practices. While Europe harbors its own deep concerns about Chinas expanding power, it has taken a more cautious approach, tempered by concerns about its own vulnerability to economic retaliation. The disparity threatens to hamper the goal of forming a united front so strong that China has little choice but to back down. Its just always going to be a struggle, said one former administration official who worked on Bidens trade agenda, granted anonymity to discuss the diplomatic dynamics. All countries like investment. But at what cost? On Friday, the global allies are expected to agree on the need to more forcefully combat Chinas overcapacity, senior officials here said, and are committing billions more dollars towards their own investments in emerging economies, something China has been doing on a large scale for years. The U.S. during the summit also expanded a set of sanctions aimed in part at China, which it has accused of supplying Russia in its war against Ukraine. China does not supply weapons, but the ability to produce those weapons and the technology available to do it, Biden said on Thursday. So it is, in fact, helping Russia. Those deliberate steps represent the latest in a notable shift within the coalition driven largely by the U.S.s increasing hawkishness toward China a posture taken by former President Donald Trump that Biden has since advanced. One hundred percent, that is a major part of the motivation, said a senior administration official, who was granted anonymity to describe G7 discussions. We need a response to Chinas industrial policies and aggressive trade practices. Biden, however, has taken a more nuanced approach to the U.S. trade war with China than his predecessor, who advocated blanket tariffs on Chinese imports regardless of the economic impact. Biden administration officials hope the more surgical trade measures will help convince other countries to follow suit. During a closed-door meeting with the Business Roundtable on Thursday, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients stressed the need to avoid a go-it-alone strategy on China, even as the U.S. intensifies its own competition with the country, according to a person in the room, who was granted anonymity to describe private remarks. The White House in May quadrupled tariffs on over a dozen Chinese products, including electric vehicles but officials were quick to note that the central goal was to protect emerging industries, not reshape existing ones. It has also encouraged other allies to boost their own economic spending, similar to the U.S.s new investments in domestic manufacturing. Our goal here is to take targeted action with our allies and partners in the hope that China will change their behavior, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in an interview. Still, current and former officials say despite the rhetorical agreement over the need to take on China, convincing U.S. allies to take aggressive and concrete steps remains a work in progress. European countries have largely shied away from slapping their own tariffs on Chinese goods, preferring not to risk direct conflict with a nation that could retaliate with its own damaging economic offensive. They have also hewed closely to rules set by the World Trade Organization that limit the types of trade defense measures countries are allowed to deploy a constraint that the U.S. has repeatedly ignored. The one major action the continent has taken new European Commission duties on Chinese electric cars announced last week represents just a fraction of the cost that the U.S. is imposing on those imports. The Commissions planned tariff increase from 17 to 38 percent may not even be high enough to keep the vehicles out of Europe because of the massive subsidies that Chinese automakers receive, said Greta Peisch, a former Biden administration U.S. trade official. It appears that [Chinese automakers] have quite a bit of room to reduce their profit margin, to pay that tariff and still have space, essentially, to keep their prices the same, she said. In the U.S., current and former officials say they recognize that European nations are less insulated from the risk of Chinese retaliation and that theyve already come a long way in their willingness to side more firmly against an economic superpower. Europe is also eyeing other measures to bolster the continents industries, even as countries like France have at times bristled at the U.S.s own push to revitalize domestic manufacturing. Theres much more to do, the White House acknowledges. China remains determined to expand its economic influence by any means necessary, U.S. officials warn, requiring an increasing dedication among the Wests wealthiest democracies to counter it. Acknowledging the challenge, as the G7 has now done is a start; the next test is how well and how uniformly the group follows through. This administration, like no other, knows that when you take direct action against China, theyll try to find another way around it, the former administration official said. But weve seen this before where if you wait and wait, next thing you know, you dont have a solar industry. Next thing you know, your steel industry is on life support. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the administration Greta Peisch served under. The Republican National Committee is seeking to reserve downtown's Pere Marquette Park during next month's Republican National Convention, a move that comes as the RNC has been pressuring on the U.S. Secret Service to prevent the park's use as a demonstration area by including it in the agency's "hard perimeter." The park on the west side of the Milwaukee River has been a point of contention for months as the city contemplated locating a demonstration area there during the July 15-18 event. The RNC, the most vocal group planning to protest at the event and nearby businesses have objected to the park's use as a demonstration area, albeit for different reasons. The Republican National Committee submitted applications on May 10 and June 6 while the Milwaukee County Historical Society located on the park's southwest corner submitted another this week seeking to use the park "in conjunction with the event rental of the Milwaukee County Historical Society by the RNC committee," according to applications released by Milwaukee County. The applications all denote the events as being private. "The RNC is hosting private events at the historical society because of its convenient location and the park is being considered as a location for Convention Fest & a place to feature local businesses," Republican National Convention spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement, referencing the "Convention Fest" daytime experience for delegates, officials, media members and other ticketed guests attending the convention. The Secret Service previously indicated there was no evidence to justify altering the security perimeter, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks. However, in comments to media last week top agency officials left the door open to changing the perimeter if the RNC expanded the area it planned to use. The main RNC event venues are Fiserv Forum, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center. In a statement, Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley said the security perimeter is still in development and noted that it is the city, not the federal agency, that determines the demonstration areas. The agency is working with law enforcement, the city and the Republican National Committee to "ensure the highest level of safety and security during the 2024 Republican National Convention," she said. The city has not released the location of designated demonstration areas or the "parade route." Those decisions are based on the location of the "hard perimeter," the fenced in area round the convention venues that the Secret Service is expected to release soon. Milwaukee County Parks says it's waiting on city Pere Marquette Park decision for RNC before considering other permits The permit applications were filed as Milwaukee and Milwaukee County have been negotiating an agreement for the city to use county parks near the convention venues for demonstrations. Milwaukee County Parks Director Guy Smith told the Journal Sentinel that if the city doesn't ultimately want to use Pere Marquette Park, that would open up an opportunity for other entities to rent it out. "We are working with the city as the partner because they're the host," he said. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he hadn't been aware of the RNC's permit applications and did not feel the applications put additional pressure on the city to decide whether to use the park as a demonstration area. He said he wanted to make a decision that takes into account the needs of various impacted groups. "There are demonstrators that want to be on the stage, and the RNC would rather that they be on the moon," he said. "So, we have to find somewhere in between in order to make that happen and to make sure we have a smooth convention, where the businesses can reap some of the economic benefits, where demonstrators can have sight and sound (from the convention) and where the RNC will find some satisfaction in that as well." Even as the city-county negotiations continue, though, it is seeming less likely that Pere Marquette Park will be a chosen site. Last week, businesses close to the park raised concerns about the planned protest area, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin filed a federal lawsuit against the city on behalf of the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024, the most vocal group planning to protest the convention. The lawsuit, which court records show is scheduled for a settlement conference on Monday, argues the city's plans for demonstrations during the RNC violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That additional pressure last week came as the controversy over the park has continued to play out. Top Republicans have been increasing the pressure on the Secret Service to include the park in the "hard" perimeter, thereby removing it as an option for demonstration zone, while the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 has argued they should be closer than the park about two blocks away from Fiserv Forum. Pere Marquette Park along the Milwaukee River in Milwaukee on Friday, May 31, 2024. Last month, GOP officials urged the Secret Service to move protest organizers farther from the downtown venues that will host the RNC than the expected site at Pere Marquette Park on the west side of the Milwaukee River. Milwaukee County Historical Society permit seeks park rental for RNC 'activation space' Ben Barbera, executive director of the Milwaukee County Historical Society, confirmed it has a group renting the facility for the duration of the convention but would not name that group. The permit application filed under his name with the county Parks Department states that the July 14-19 park rental would be for an "activation space" in conjunction with the rental of the Milwaukee County Historical Society by the "RNC committee" through the company Four Birds LLC. The application lists estimated attendance as being between 250 and 500 people. Barbera said the Milwaukee County Parks Department told him it was holding permit applications while they figure out whats going to happen with the park." Barbera said last week Secret Service met with area business leaders at Oak Barrel Public House to discuss logistics such as how to get employees in and out of the area. He said the Secret Service did not answer questions about the protest zone at the meeting. In all, Barbera said the historical societys position has greatly improved with the rental of its building. Late last month, the building had not yet been rented out for the convention and Barbera had expressed concerns about being at the heart of any potential conflicts. Went from not having a booking to having a booking for the duration of the event, Barbera said, adding that his concerns about the safety of the building have gone down. This will be a source of revenue for us. Previous Republican National Commitee applications sought Pere Marquette Park for prayer, 'community impact festival' Earlier permit applications filed by the Republican National Committee sought to use the park for two reasons. A permit application filed May 10 said the park would be used from July 15-19 for an "RNC non-denominational faith prayer gathering." Attendance was estimated at 300. "The RNC will be providing a place for individuals of all faiths to gather to pray and celebrate different faiths," the application states. Another application filed June 6 sought to use the park from July 14-20 for an "RNC Convention Community Impact Festival." It is described in the application as providing a "central location for local non-profit organizations identified as community impact partners of the Convention to interface, educate, and conduct operations with Convention delegates, attendees, media, and guests, as well as United States Secret Service (USSS) protectees, and elected officials." The application states that the local non-profits would be given exhibit space to promote themselves and conduct outreach activities that would help them "ensure a long-lasting community impact from the Convention." It also notes that the RNC has contracted with the Historical Society to rent its venue "for the duration of the convention." That application estimated an attendance of about 200. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: RNC seeks to book Pere Marquette Park amid demonstration area debate Roseville parents accused of murder in the death of their adopted 9-year-old son have been ordered to stand trial, but the childs father is challenging that ruling in court. Cory Albert Blakley, 38, and Kimberly Rachel Blakley, 37, appeared Friday morning for a brief hearing in Placer Superior Court. Along with the murder charge, the Blakleys are accused of torture and child abuse in the death of their son who has been identified by his family as Cyrus Blakley. His parents have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors are alleging the parents abuse caused the boy to become comatose due to brain injury and to suffer paralysis, according to a filed criminal complaint. On April 17, Judge Jeffrey Penney determined there was sufficient evidence for the Blakleys to stand trial after a three-day preliminary hearing. A trial date has not yet been scheduled. Cyrus Blakley is seen in an undated family photo. The 9-year-old died Feb. 5, three days after firefighters responded to the familys home in Roseville. His adoptive parents, Kimberly and Cory Blakley face multiple charges in the boys death. Barry Zimmerman, a defense attorney representing Cory Blakley, has filed a motion challenging Penneys ruling in the preliminary hearing. A hearing for that defense motion was initially scheduled for June 26, but Zimmerman on Friday asked the court to postpone that hearing until July 12. Zimmerman told Judge Stephen L. Mock that the defense was still awaiting discovery evidence from the childs autopsy. The judge granted the defense attorneys request and postponed the hearing until July. The Blakleys remain in custody at the Placer County jail, where theyve been held without bail since their Feb. 7 arrest. About 6 p.m. Feb. 2, officers and firefighters responded to medical aid call at the Blakleys home on New England Drive, just east of Sunrise Boulevard. Roseville police has said officers found the 9-year-old boy unresponsive, and he died three days later at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Kimberly Rachel Blakley pleads not guilty during her arraignment Friday Feb. 16, 2024, in Placer Superior Court in Roseville, California.. She and her husband, Cory Blakley, have since been ordered to stand trial in the death of their adopted 9-year-old son. The Blakleys also face six misdemeanor counts of child endangerment for alleged crimes against six other children, ages 13 to 6 years old, according to the filed complaint. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire has declined to say whether the children listed as victims in the child endangerment charges are the 9-year-old boys siblings. He did say those misdemeanor charges stem from separate alleged incidents of abuse. Cory Blakleys mother, Ramona Blakley, in December 2021 created an online GoFundMe page to raise money for her sons family. The grandmother wrote at the time that her son and his wife had two biological children, they did surrogacy for those children and that they had adopted one foster child and were adopting four more to keep the siblings together. It's likely the lawsuit filed by Edmond Public Schools against state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and the state Board of Education is over, but the ruling in the case might encourage other school districts to sue over other issues, a legal expert said. The Oklahoma Supreme Court's ruling this week that asserted local school boards, and not state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters or the Oklahoma State Board of Education, has control over the content in school libraries likely will be the end of the case, but it could encourage the filing of similar lawsuits, according to both a lawmaker and an Oklahoma City University legal expert. In the ruling in a lawsuit filed in February by Edmond Public Schools against Walters, the state board and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the state Supreme Court blocked the enforcement of an administrative rule passed by the state board in March 2023, not long after Walters became state superintendent. The rule prohibited school districts from having "pornographic materials or sexualized content" in libraries and threatened districts that did not comply with the potential of downgrading their accreditation. The Edmond district maintained decisions about content of school libraries should be made by the locally elected school board, not the state board, and the court agreed. In a unanimous decision issued Tuesday and written by Justice James Edmondson, the court ordered the state board to dismiss its proceedings brought against the Edmond district in an attempt to enforce the rule. The court also issued a writ of prohibition against the state boards enforcement of administrative rules included in the so-called Parents Bill of Rights, which say that if a school fails to report a change in a students gender identity or pronouns to a students parents, its accreditation could be downgraded. That administrative rule was passed during the same board meeting as the library rule. A spokesman for Edmond Public Schools said Thursday the district had no comment about the future of the case. Dan Isett, a spokesman for Walters and the state board, said, "Superintendent Walters and the agency are keeping all legal options open." Those options could include asking the court for a rehearing or appeal the case, perhaps to a federal court. But given the courts ruling was unanimous, its unlikely any request or appeal would gain traction, said Jennifer Stevenson, the assistant dean for advancement and external relations at the Oklahoma City University Law School. I cant see an outcome for them, said Stevenson, who was not involved with the case. Supreme Court rules on only one of four claims, with the others likely to fall by the wayside The Edmond lawsuit raised four claims upon which the school district sought a ruling in its favor. The court assumed original jurisdiction on only one of those issues the one on which it ruled declining to take action on other claims, including the method through which the rules created by the state board last year were approved by the Legislature and the governor. The court also declined to rule concerning an opinion issued last year by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond concerning the state board's authority in rulemaking, which states no state agency has the authority to create administrative rules without the state Legislature first enacting a related law. That opinion, often cited by opponents of Walters, has the force of law, absent a court ruling otherwise. The issues not addressed by the court likely now will fall by the wayside, unless they're raised in another case, Stevenson said. I think (justices) were able to come to a conclusion just based on the statutory language, Stevenson said. That was the most important issue to the district. The standards were very clear they said the school boards have purview over (library content), the state Board of Education does not, end of story. If somebody wants to challenge what a (local) school board is doing, they either need to go through their school board and challenge it that way, or the Legislature has to write the statutes to give the state Department of Education more control over some of those issues. But as they read right now, those policies are up to the (local) school board. In his written opinion, Edmondson did address the concept of an attorney generals opinion, noting it is usually binding upon the state officials whom it affects, and public officers have the duty to follow attorney general opinions until they are judicially relieved of compliance. Edmondson added that, Respondents appear to recognize that (Drummonds opinion) conflicts with respondents rules due to their request for the court to hold (Drummonds opinion) as legally incorrect. State Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, asked Drummond for the opinion last year. Walters has claimed state law gives him and the board broad authority in creating administrative rules and their aggressive rulemaking has continued despite Drummonds opinion. Neither chamber of the state Legislature voted upon approving the state Board of Educations most recently passed rule proposals and they now sit on Gov. Kevin Stitts desk, waiting to be either approved or disapproved. McBride said the court ruling, as well as Drummonds opinion, should open the door for more school districts to challenge other administrative rules created by the state board. "I am grateful that the Supreme Court unanimously found what I suspected, which is efforts to usurp the appropriate and constitutional role of the Legislature in setting education policy by the state Board of Education is unconstitutional and invalid," McBride said. Stevenson said the ruling was narrow, focusing on what state law says local school boards shall do, and that any challenges of other rules would need to recognize that. Any other (local) school board whos having an issue that falls within that particular section of the statute might have some recourse in the courts, she said. They now have some case law to fall back on as precedent. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's court ruling on library control could bring other lawsuits Whos running for Miami-Dade sheriff this year? Heres the final list of candidates More than a dozen candidates qualified to run for Miami-Dade County sheriff this year, the first time in more than five decades that voters will elect an independent top cop to lead a department of more than 3,000 sworn police officers. The partisan race, in which qualifying ended at noon Friday, sets the stage for a pair of August primaries to determine who will be the first county sheriff since the post was abolished in the 1960s. After the Aug. 20 Republican and Democratic primaries, the highest vote-getter in each party will advance to the Nov. 5 general election. The new sheriff will be sworn into office in January. As of the noon deadline on Friday, 11 Republicans and four Democrats had qualified for the August election. The role of elected sheriff was reintroduced in 2018 when voters approved a statewide amendment to the Florida Constitution. Miami-Dade County the only one of Floridas 67 counties not to have an elected sheriff did away with the position in the 1960s after a pair of corruption scandals. Voters chose to abolish the office in favor of an appointed police administrator. READ MORE: After a storied history of bad sheriffs, Miami-Dade voters will elect them again Until the November election, Miami-Dade will continue to be the only county in Florida where the elected mayor oversees law enforcement and corrections. After the election, the job of overseeing officers switches to the sheriffs office. It remains unclear if Miami-Dade Corrections will fall under a new sheriff or continue to be run by the mayors office. The number of candidates running for sheriff is large, and the field is diverse. It runs the gamut from a former city of Miami commissioner who spent several years as a spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol to a suspended Miami-Dade commissioner caught up in an alleged corruption scandal, who worked for 17 years in the county police department, to Miami-Dades current public safety director in charge of police, fire and corrections. The 15 qualifying candidates are: Republicans Ignacio Alvarez, a lawyer at the Algo firm in Coral Gables and a retired major formerly in charge of the Miami-Dade Police Departments Special Victims Bureau Jose L Aragu, a major with the Miami-Dade Police Department Rosanna Rosie Cordero-Stutz, assistant director for support services for the Miami-Dade Police Department Ruamen J. de la Rua, an officer with the Miami Police Department Alexander Fornet, the owner of a Credit Doctor credit-repair business in Doral and a former officer and county reserve officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department Jeffrey Giordano, a private investigator who owns Giordano Protection Services and a former officer with the Miami Police Department Mario Knapp, a retired major with the Miami-Dade Police Department Jose Joe Martinez Jr., a retired lieutenant with the Miami-Dade Police Department and former Miami-Dade County commissioner John J. Rivera Jr., former head of the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association, the union representing the countys police force, and a retired investigator with the Miami-Dade Police Department Ernesto Rodriguez, a lieutenant with the Miami-Dade Police Department Joe Sanchez, a former city of Miami commissioner and Florida Highway Patrol trooper who took a leave of absence from that job when he filed to run for sheriff Democrats Rickey Mitchell, a retired lieutenant with the Miami-Dade Police Department James Reyes, the chief of public safety in Miami-Dade County and former director of the Broward Sheriffs Office jail system Susan Khoury, a former special agent in the Inspector General offices of the Federal Emergency Management John M. Barrow, a major and the head of the Miami-Dade Police Departments Personnel Management Bureau Miami Herald staff writer Douglas Hanks contributed to this report. Russia has brought out its S-500, an 'experimental' weapon it's never used before, Ukrainian spy chief says as Ukraine hunts air defenses in Crimea Russia has brought out its S-500, an 'experimental' weapon it's never used before, Ukrainian spy chief says as Ukraine hunts air defenses in Crimea Russia deployed its only S-500 air defense system in Crimea amid Ukrainian strikes. The system is "experimental," Ukraine's spy chief said, and has never been used before in combat. Ukraine has upped its attacks in Crimea, likely hoping to destroy Russia's air defenses in the area. Russia has deployed its only S-500 air defense system in Crimea as Ukraine ups its attacks on the occupied peninsula, Ukraine's spy chief said this week. The S-500, an advanced system described by Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate as "experimental," has never been used in combat before. Russia moved the S-500 to protect the Kerch Bridge, as well as strengthen Russia's air defense network in occupied Crimea, Budanov said Wednesday. The 12-mile-long bridge, which connects mainland Russia to occupied Crimea, is both a streamlined way for Russian forces to reach the area, as well as a symbol of Russia's control of the peninsula. It's repeatedly been a target for Ukraine's drone boats, bombs, and strikes. Russian air defense assets have also been targets, especially in recent weeks. Explosion causes fire at the Kerch bridge in the Kerch Strait, Crimea on October 08, 2022. A fire broke out early Saturday morning on the Kerch Bridge -- preceded by an explosion -- causing suspension of traffic and bringing bus and train services to a halt. Vera Katkova/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The S-500, called the Prometheus, is a mobile, surface-to-air defense system designed to intercept ballistic missiles and other ranged weapons. The system is "essentially a modernized version of the S-300," the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington DC-based think tank, said Thursday. The S-500 has been tested multiple times but has never been in combat before. Russia has claimed it's able to intercept all weapons, including hypersonic missiles, which are extremely fast and fly unpredictable paths at low altitudes, but that capability remains unclear. Russia has previously claimed missiles were hypersonic that weren't and that weapons were unbeatable that also were not. The S-500's problematic development and production, from the project's start in 2010 to severe delays over the following decade, raised questions about its viability as a system. It was delivered to the armed forces in 2021, though in a limited state unable to meet the requirements for the system. In April 2024, then-Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that it would enter battle in one of two variations: missile defense and an anti-aircraft role. Russian troops with new S-400 surface-to-air missile systems after their deployment at a military base outside the town of Gvardeysk in Kaliningrad on March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vitaly Nevar The S-500's new role protecting the Kerch Bridge and bolstering Russian air defense capabilities in Crimea comes as Ukraine conducts strikes on the peninsula aimed at making the area untenable for the Russian military. Since late May, attacks in the area, particularly targeting Russia's air defenses, have intensified. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have reported major strikes, including one this week, hitting S-300 and S-400 systems. Ukraine is suspected of using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, for these strikes, among other capabilities. As Ukraine continues to target air defenses on the peninsula, Russia may deploy more of its air defense assets there, ISW said, "making them vulnerable to further Ukrainian strikes." A fight of this nature could strain and deplete Russia's air defense arsenal. An Army Tactical Missile System during live-fire testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on December 14, 2021 White Sands Missile Range/John Hamilton "ISW previously assessed that Ukrainian forces may be conducting an organized effort to degrade Russian air defenses, which could enable Ukraine to more effectively leverage manned fixed-wing airpower (namely using F-16 fighter jets) in the long term," the think tank wrote. Ukraine's strikes into Crimea have long been supported by the US and Western allies but come on the heels of US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders agreeing in some cases, reluctantly to let Ukraine use long-range weapons to strike Russian targets in occupied territory. Per ISW, Ukraine could "in principle" replicate the success of their Crimea strikes in other occupied areas should Western allies approve such strikes, creating opportunities for Ukraine and degrading Russia's capabilities. Read the original article on Business Insider Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks overnight on June 14, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions. Explosions were heard in the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv in the early hours of June 14, around 12:30 a.m. local time, Suspilne reported. Explosions were heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast around 2:30 a.m., and then again at around 3:20 a.m. and 4:15 a.m. local time. Ukraine's Air Force warned of missile threats on Ukraine's western oblasts, including Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. The Air Force also warned of missile attacks directed towards the capital, Kyiv. Poland announced that it had scrambled military jets to protect Polish airspace amid the Russian attack in western Ukraine. "This is another very busy night for the entire air defense system," the Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said on X. Earlier in the night, air raid alerts were issued across the country as Ukraine's Air Force warned of Russian Shahed drone and missile attacks. No damage to infrastructure or casualties were reported as of 3:30 a.m. In recent months, Russia has intensified its attacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure in a renewed assault against the country's energy grid. As a result of the attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine began implementing rolling shutdowns on May 15, but they have dramatically increased in recent days. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine signs bilateral security agreements with US, Japan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Will Russias Navy get the 50 ships it expects this year? MOSCOW The Russian Navy will receive about 50 ships of various classes this year, compared to 32 last year, according to the deputy minister of industry and trade. The announcement comes amid the countrys invasion of Ukraine, during which Ukrainian forces have destroyed and disabled several Russian naval vessels. Viktor Yevtukhov unveiled the forecast June 9 during an interview with the state-owned channel Zvezda TV. In total, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Navy took delivery of 40 surface ships and 24 submarines over the last decade. In 2023, the Navy received three submarines: the Borei-A-class nuclear-powered Emperor Alexander III; the Yasen-class nuclear-powered Krasnoyarsk; and the Kilo-class Mozhaysk. The service also took on seven surface ships: the frigate Admiral Golovko; the corvettes Merkury and Rezkiy; the missile-armed ships Cyclone and Naro-Fominsk; the minesweeper Lev Chernavin; and the repaired frigate Neustrashimy. This year, the Navy is expected to receive four submarines and 12 surface ships, plus a collection of support vessels such as tug boats; bulk carriers; training, hydrographic, rescue and supply vessels; and other small boats, according to Pavel Luzin, a Russia defense expert with the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis think tank. Yevtukhov attributed the large anticipated delivery to Russias successful efforts in finding substitutions for components blocked by international sanctions. Sergey Smyslov, an independent analyst with an engineering background in Russias defense sector, said domestic organizations have begun producing the substitutions. Yes, it may not be of the best quality, and additional time is required to develop the missing components, but the minimum necessary requirements are [being met], Smyslov added. However, the outdated or low-quality technology used as a result impacts the reliability of the final product, Luzin said. Nevertheless, a source in Russias naval industry told Defense News that the Defence Ministry is generally satisfied with submarine construction efforts. Still, the source added, shortcomings remain in regard to the production of surface ships, with delivery dates regularly postponed. Indeed, Emma Rayman, a politician from St. Petersburg, said the problems of the Navy are related to the fact that the naval industry requires significant financial investments, and budget constraints can affect the speed and scale of construction of new ships. For example, the Severnaya Verf shipyard was supposed to transfer the frigate Admiral Isakov to the Navy in 2022, but that is now scheduled to take place in December 2025. Likewise, service was to receive the corvette Provorny by the end of 2022, but due to damage from a fire, the deadline was pushed to 2025. Additionally, two Steregushchiy-class corvettes were to be delivered in 2018; thus far, one was transferred in 2023. The Admiralty Shipyards plant was also supposed to transfer a patrol ship to the Navy in 2020, but that is now expected to take place this year. As for the Yantar Shipyard, it was expected to deliver a pair of large landing ships the Vladimir Andreev and Vasily Trushin around the 2023-2024 time frame. But even before this deadline passed, it was changed to 2025-2026. The Vostochnaya shipyard has also experienced setbacks in the construction of Navy ships. In particular, the firm was to build two Karakurt-class corvettes and a small tanker, but amid financial troubles, the Amur Shipbuilding Plant, owned by United Shipbuilding Corp., took charge in August 2023. A shortage of engineers and specialists in the domestic shipbuilding industry is also slowing down construction efforts, Rayman said, with Luzin noting there arent even enough personnel to crew the ships. Russian ally ditching Putin's rival to NATO damages the image Putin wants to project of himself, experts say Russian ally ditching Putin's rival to NATO damages the image Putin wants to project of himself, experts say Armenia announced this week that it will leave the Russia-led CSTO, seen as Putin's rival to NATO. Experts say Putin wants the alliance to project Russian power, meaning Armenia's decision is a blow. Armenia may see this as a power play, but one expert warned it doesn't have much leverage. Armenia's announcement that it's going to leave a Russia-led alliance that was set up to rival NATO is a blow to the image Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to project, experts told Business Insider. Nikol Pashinyan, the prime minister of Armenia, one of six member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said on Wednesday that his country is leaving the alliance, after growing increasingly frustrated. The decision, particularly from a country so much smaller and weaker than Russia, is unlikely to go down well in the Kremlin. In fact, experts say it's the opposite of what Putin hoped to achieve with the alliance. The CSTO is important to Russia The CSTO, established in 2002, is made up of countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. It is widely viewed as Putin's attempt to establish a NATO rival, one that it leads. "Putin sees himself almost like this 19th-century style great statesman," Davis Ellison, an analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, told BI. But, he said, it's difficult to reconcile the idea that you're a great power with a sphere of influence when a country the size of Armenia "breaks away from you very publicly over your foreign policy behavior." "That's a circle that cannot be squared," he said. Armenia's announcement is "ultimately pretty significant from a political sense for Russia," he added. CSTO leaders during a summit in Moscow, Russia, in 2022. Contributor/Getty Images Alexander Cooley, a former Soviet states expert at Columbia University, told BI last year that Russia sees leading organizations like the CSTO as part of its "self-identification as a great power." The alliance is not very important globally, he said: "I don't think it ever struck anybody as a very effective organization." But leading it is still important to Putin as, in Putin's mind, "great powers lead alliances and organizations." Thomas Graham, cofounder of Yale University's Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies program, said that the CSTO was created "in part so that Russia could claim that it was leading a multilateral effort." "But it was also meant to solidify Russia's position as the ultimate guarantor of security in the former Soviet space," he told BI. Armenia snubbing Russia Pashinyan's announcement came after months of snubs against Putin, and criticism of the CSTO in general. Pashinyan was visibly frustrated when Russia did not send troops to help his country last year during clashes with Azerbaijan , despite the CSTO having a NATO-like agreement where members should come to the aid of each other if attacked. He called the response "depressing" and "hugely damaging to the CSTO's image both in our country and abroad." Since then, Armenia has said it's "not Russia's ally" in the war in Ukraine, has bought Western weapons, and has held military exercises with the US. Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Reuters But Armenia will have a tough future Graham suggested that Armenia's latest move was a power play "to see if it can get a more favorable set of relations with Moscow," and more support in its clashes with neighboring Azerbaijan. But he said that Armenia doesn't have enough external support to get what it wants. "Moscow may pay a bit more attention, but I think at the end of the day, Moscow's calculation is that Armenia doesn't really have many other places to go," he told BI. "It can flirt with the West, but it will never get the type of support out of the West that can replace what Moscow can provide," he said, adding: "Armenia is not going to get a lot of high-level attention in Washington." Russian President Vladimir Putin . Getty Images Armenia, like CSTO members Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, is also still economically dependent on Russia, Graham said. And he said it can't expect support from the other member states, particularly as Armenia is not as close to some of them as they are with each other and Russia. Russia may also retaliate by interfering with its domestic politics, he said. While the situation may be embarrassing for Putin, when it comes to responding to Armenia he does have a lot of room to maneuver, Graham added, "in part because there aren't any other countries that want to intervene in a significant way." Read the original article on Business Insider Russian attacks against Ukraine killed 1 person and injured 20 over the past day, regional authorities said on June 14. Russia targeted a total of 10 Ukrainian oblasts Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter five regions. A Russian aerial bomb attack on the residential are of the town of Selydove in Donetsk Oblast injured at least six people aged between 62 and 93, the Prosecutor General's Office reported. The attack damaged at least 10 high-rise buildings, a house, a shop, a cafe and a pharmacy, according to the prosecutors. Three more people were injured in Toretsk, Krasnohorivka and Kurakhove, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said. The aftermath of a Russian attack on the town of Selydove in Donetsk Oblast on June 13, 2024. (Prosecutor General's Office) Russian troops used an FPV drone to hit a bus carrying over 20 people in the Esman community of Sumy Oblast in the morning of June 14, the local authorities said. According to preliminary information, three women were injured and received medical care. All passangers were evacuated. Six people, including a three-year-old girl, were injured in a Russian attack on the town of Novomoskovsk in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Another girl, aged 12, suffered from shock and will be recovering at home. The attack damaged 91 houses, five education institutions, and a gas infrastructure facility. In Kharkiv Oblast, Russia's FPV drone strike damaged a bus carrying 15 civilians in the town of Kupiansk, as well as a police car, a civilian car, a cafe, and residential buildings, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. One man suffered injuries, he added. Another man was injured and hospitalized after Russia carried out an air strike on the village of Buhaivka in the Chuhuiv district, damaging a house. Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast damaged nine houses, a car, and a cultural institution, said Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. One person was killed in the region over the past day, according to Prokudin. Read also: Air Force: Ukraine downs 24 of 31 Russian aerial targets overnight Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian combined strike on 14 June: Ukraine's air defence downs 7 missiles and 17 Shahed drones Russia has launched a combined air strike on Ukraine on the night of 13-14 June, using 31 targets, including 14 missiles and 17 kamikaze drones. Ukraine's air defence systems have successfully destroyed 7 Russian missiles and 17 drones. Source: Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram Details: The Russians conducted missile strikes and airstrikes on Ukraine, deploying various types of missiles and Shahed kamikaze drones. In total, the Russians used 31 aerial targets, including 14 air- and ground-launched missiles and 17 strike UAVs, namely: 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic aircraft (launch area Russias Saratov Oblast) 3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles (launch areas temporarily occupied Crimea and Russias Krasnodar Krai) 1 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile (launch area Russias Tambov Oblast) 17 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs (launch area Russias Yeysk) Fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile firing groups and electronic warfare units of Ukraines defence forces were involved in repelling the Russian air attack. As a result of combat efforts, 24 aerial targets were downed within Khmelnytskyi, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad oblasts: 7 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles; 17 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians targeted a bus carrying over 19 passengers in Esman hromada (Sumy Oblast) using an FPV (first-person view) drone on the morning of 14 June, leaving three civilians injured. (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.) Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on social media; Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office Details: The civilians suffered injuries of varying severity. The injured have been provided with medical assistance. All bus passengers have been evacuated. The prosecutor's office said the attack took place at around 08:00. The driver and 19 passengers had been in the vehicle at the time. A man, 62, and two women, 51 and 53, have been injured. Background: Meanwhile, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reported that the number of Russian attacks on the Sumy front had slightly decreased. Support UP or become our patron! In order to destabilise the situation in Ukraine, Russian secret services are encouraging minors to burn the vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including those of military personnel, for money. Source: Ukraines National Police Details: Law enforcement officers found that since the beginning of 2024, the Russian secret services have become more active on social media, involving people as young as 13 years old in clandestine subversive activities. Russian special service officers promise minors generous financial rewards for arson attacks. Vadym Dziubynskyi, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police, said that in Odesa, the criminal police had exposed two boys, aged 13 and 16, who had set two cars belonging to military personnel on fire. The teenagers were detained along with two friends, aged 16 and 18, while trying to set fire to another car. It is noted that police investigators transferred the materials under their jurisdiction to the Security Service of Ukraine investigators, who, based on the evidence collected by law enforcement officers, notified the detainee of suspicion of sabotage committed under martial law. The youngest, a 13-year-old boy, was handed over to his parents. The court imposed on the others a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention without bail. They face up to 15 years in prison. The operatives detained two more young men, aged 17 and 18, for a similar crime. They have also been served with a notice of suspicion, and a measure of restraint has been imposed on them, the National Police added. Arson attacks on Armed Forces vehicles were also recorded in Kyiv and Dnipro. Urgent investigative actions are being taken over these facts, and a pre-trial investigation is underway, police said. Quote: "The National Police of Ukraine, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, is actively opposing the enemy and taking measures to protect young people from the influence of Russian secret services. We urge parents to be more attentive to their children, as well as to warn them about the enemy's treachery and the statutory liability for committing sabotage: up to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment." Support UP or become our patron! The Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed that the country's air defence forces supposedly intercepted and destroyed 87 Ukrainian drones over the territory of Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea on the night of 13-14 June. Source: Russian Defence Ministry; Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russias Rostov Oblast; Russian Telegram channels Details: It is reported that 70 drones were supposedly destroyed over the territory of Russias Rostov Oblast; six over Voronezh Oblast; six over Kursk Oblast; two over Belgorod Oblast; two over Volgograd Oblast and another one over the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea. Russian Telegram channels reported that residents of the town of Morozovsk, Rostov Oblast, reported explosions at night. In addition, a fire broke out in the city. The Astra Telegram channel pointed out that there was a military airfield in Morozovsk, which was attacked on 5 April. Fire in Morozovsk. Photo: Astra Telegram channel Golubev said that several settlements in the Morozovsk district were cut off from the power grid as a result of the UAV attack. Background: Earlier, Alexander Gusev, the governor of Russias Voronezh Oblast, said that drones supposedly attacked an oil depot at night and that it was "slightly" damaged. Support UP or become our patron! On 14 June, Russian forces opened fire on the village of Hlushkivka in Kharkiv Oblast, killing a 57-year-old woman. Source: Prosecutor Generals Office on Telegram Quote: "The inquiry determined that on 14 June at approximately 15:00, Russian troops launched an airstrike on the settlement of Hlushkivka in the Kupiansk district. Residential buildings, farm buildings, and a kindergarten were all damaged. A 57-year-old woman was killed." Aftermath of Russian attack on Hlushkivka Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: According to preliminary information, the Russians targeted the village using a modified UMPB D-30 aerial bomb. Law enforcement initiated a pre-trial inquiry into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder. Aftermath of Russian attack on Hlushkivka Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Support UP or become our patron! Russia's buildup of air defence in Crimea makes it vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes ISW Support UP or become our patron! The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has analysed the "cover" of Russian-occupied Crimea with air defence systems and concluded that increasing assets on the peninsula would make them vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes. Source: ISW Quote: "Sustained Ukrainian strikes against Russian military targets in occupied Crimea appear to be forcing the Russian military to commit additional air defence assets to Crimea in order to defend existing bases and logistics infrastructure, and further Ukrainian strikes against such air defence assets may render the peninsula untenable as a staging ground for the Russian military." Details: Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Chief Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov reported on 12 June that Russian forces have deployed their newest S-500 air defence system in Crimea, aiming to bolster their air defence capabilities in the region. Budanov described the S-500 as an "experimental" system, noting it has not been used in combat before. In addition, Forbes, in a 12 June report, described Belbek air base in occupied Crimea as increasingly challenging to defend for Russian air defence systems after successful Ukrainian strikes near the air base. Forbes suggested that Ukrainian forces may have damaged parts of four or five S-400 batteries in recent attacks, although Russia possesses over 50 such batteries. "Ukraine's current efforts to attrit the Russian air defence umbrella in Crimea notably may have the exploitable effect of drawing more Russian air defence assets to Crimea, making them vulnerable to further Ukrainian strikes," ISW noted. ISW assessed that Ukraine might be systematically targeting Russian air defence systems, a strategy that could eventually enable Ukraine to effectively employ manned fixed-wing aircraft like F-16 fighters in the future. Support UP or become our patron! Russia's Voronezh Oblast Governor Aleksandr Gusev has stated that drones allegedly attacked an oil depot at night, causing "minor" damage. Source: Gusev on Telegram Quote: "Ukrainian UAVs tried to attack an oil depot in the Liski district of Voronezh Oblast from a very low altitude." Details: Gusev claimed that, as early reports indicate, several drones caused minor damage to fuel tanks, but no fire occurred and no casualties were reported. "All emergency services are currently working at the scene. The aftermath of the attack is being dealt with. The extent of the damage is being established," the Russian governor reported. Updated: Later, Gusev added that, according to updated information, air defence forces allegedly downed six drones in the Liski district at around 03:00. According to the Russian official, the drone wreckage supposedly "slightly damaged a fuel tank at the oil depot, which was not in use". Gusev assured that no fire occurred and there were no casualties or other infrastructure damage. Support UP or become our patron! Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has claimed that the judge in her involuntary manslaughter trial made six errors, warranting reversal of her conviction in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Gutierrez Reed, 27, is serving an 18-month sentence at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants, N.M. More from Variety In a filing to the states Court of Appeals on Wednesday, defense attorney Jason Bowles cited issues with the jury instructions and the judges decision to allow lay opinions on Gutierrez Reeds conduct as an armorer. Alec Baldwin is set to face a trial on the same charge beginning on July 9 in Santa Fe, before Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who also handled Gutierrez Reeds trial. Gutierrez Reed mistakenly loaded a live bullet instead of a dummy round into Baldwins gun, which then fired during preparation for a scene in the Western film. Baldwin is accused of negligently pointing the gun at the cinematographer and pulling the trigger. A key issue in Gutierrez Reeds appeal has also figured in Baldwins defense. Gutierrez Reeds lawyers will argue that involuntary manslaughter requires conscious disregard of a known risk under appellate precedents, but that the jury instructions set a lower bar for conviction. The judge used the standard instructions for involuntary manslaughter in New Mexico, which state that the defendant should have known of the risk of their actions not that they did know. Baldwins lawyers have advanced a similar argument in attempting to throw out the grand jury indictment against him. Both defendants have asserted that it was unthinkable that live rounds could be on a movie set, and therefore they were unaware of the risk. The prosecution has countered that the defendants did not have to know of the presence of live rounds to know that guns are dangerous and should be handled in accordance with safety standards. Several crew members testified at Gutierrez Reeds trial in February that she did not seem up to the professional standards for a film armorer. At the trial, Bowles objected that those witnesses were not experts in gun handling, but Marlowe Sommer allowed the testimony. On appeal, Bowles will argue that those opinions should have been excluded because they covered issues that are outside the common knowledge and experience of an average person. Gutierrez Reeds lawyers will also argue that the conviction should be overturned because the prosecution mistakenly handed over a trove of attorney-client text messages to a key witness, weapons supplier Seth Kenney. Marlowe Sommer denied a pre-trial motion to throw out the case or suppress Kenneys testimony on that basis, finding that the error was harmless. Bowles also plans to argue that the jury instructions allowed the jury to convict Gutierrez Reed either for loading a live round into Baldwins gun or for failing to adequately check the rounds. Citing a recent state Supreme Court case, the defense contends that the and/or conjunction between those elements allowed the jury to convict without being unanimous on the precise conduct. The judge denied a motion for release and a new trial on that issue in late March. The defense also faults Marlowe Sommer for excluding testimony from OSHA witnesses and from its own gun expert; and for classifying involuntary manslaughter as a serious violent offense, which requires Gutierrez Reed to serve at least 85% of her sentence. Gutierrez Reed may be called as a witness at Baldwins trial. Her attorneys have asserted her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, while prosecutors have sought to compel her testimony by granting her immunity. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still trying to appeal her involuntary manslaughter conviction after a jury spent less than three hours finding her guilty earlier this year. Her trial is separate from the one that Alec Baldwin will be facing in early July. Both Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and Alec Baldwin were charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who passed away during an on-set accident on October 21, 2021. As her appeal continues, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is arguing that the judge made several errors when handling her "Rust" case. 'Rust' Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Is Still Fighting To Appeal Her 18-Month Sentence MEGA Ever since Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sentenced her to 18 months behind bars - the state maximum - former "Rust" armorer's lawyer Jason Bowles had been working on her appeal. On Wednesday, Bowles claimed that the Judge made six crucial errors in the case that warranted an appeal. The 27-year-old rookie armorer is currently incarcerated at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants, New Mexico, but her legal team is trying to get her out of jail while her appeal is pending. In a filing to the states Court of Appeals on Wednesday, Jason Bowles cited issues with the jury instructions and the judges decision to allow lay opinions on Gutierrez Reeds conduct as an armorer. According to court documents obtained by Variety, these concerns should be enough to warrant an appeal for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The Filing Comes Only One Day After Another Motion Is Denied MEGA On Tuesday, an amended motion was released, denying the Bowles law firm's motion to quash the Subpoena Dues Tectum, according to court documents obtained by The Blast. On April 24, 2024, the State sent the Bowles law firm a Subpoena Dues Tectum requesting "All documentation regarding communications between any employee or contract employee or agent of the Bowles Law Firm and Alexander Rae Baldwin, any attorneys or other employees of the Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart, & Sullivan Law Firm, any attorneys acting on behalf of Mr Baldwin, and any representatives of Mr. Baldwin or Mr. Baldwin's counsel." "This documentation includes but is not limited to any notes, messages, e-mail, text messages, recordings, and any other forms of correspondence," the filing added. Who Was Aware That There Were Real Bullets In The 'Rust' Gun? MEGA During her trial, lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had mistakenly put live ammunition into the "Rust" gun, which was later fired by Alec Baldwin on set when the crew was rehearsing a scene inside of a church in New Mexico. During her appeal, her attorneys argued that an involuntary manslaughter charge requires conscious disregard of a known risk under appellate precedents. They argue that the jury instructions did not clarify this fact. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer used standard jury instructions for a manslaughter case, which state that the defendant should have known the risk of their actions, not that they did know. In court documents obtained by The Blast, lawyers representing Alec Baldwin are attempting a similar strategy to get the case dismissed entirely so the "30 Rock" actor never has to stand trial. Both Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have argued that they could not be aware of the risk because they did not know that the "Rust" gun contained live ammunition. 'Rust' Crew Members Testified Against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed MEGA During Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's trial, which ran from February to March, "Rust" crew members testified that she seemed unprofessional on set. Bowles objected to the witnesses testifying about her professional competence, noting that the crew members were not experts in gun handling. However, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer allowed the jury to hear their testimony. In his appeal, Bowles argued that the opinions of "Rust crew members should never have been presented to the jury, because the job of a film armorer requires information outside the common knowledge and experience of an average person. Her attorneys also noted that the prosecution accidentally turned over attorney-client text messages to weapons supplier Seth Kenney, who served as a witness during the trial. They argue that this is also grounds for an appeal, even though the Judge denied a pre-trial motion to throw out the case based on that incident. Will Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Testify During Alec Baldwin's Trial? MEGA According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Bowles plans to ask for an appeal based on the "and/or" conjunction, which he argues may have confused a jury and encouraged them to convict based on unclear instructions. In late March, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer did not find the "and/or" conjunction issue to be significant and denied a motion for a new trial based on those grounds. Jason Bowles also says that the Judge excluded testimony from OSHA witnesses and their own gun expert, which they say was vital to their case. They also found fault with the Judge for classifying involuntary manslaughter as a serious violent offense, which requires the former "Rust" armorer to serve at least 85% of her sentence before she is eligible for release. Although it is possible that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will be called as a witness in Alec Baldwin's criminal trial, she has invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination while her appeal pends. Although prosecutors filed a motion to grant her immunity, so anything she says does not hurt her chance of appeal, Baldwin's legal team has requested that their motion for immunity be denied. Alec Baldwin's "Rust" trial is scheduled to begin on July 9. He faces up to 18 months behind bars if convicted. An airline has revealed the one rule that most pilots are required to follow. Much like how some corporate jobs require facial hair to be either well-kept or cleanly shaven, some airlines do not allow pilots to grow beards at all. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there is no written rule that explicitly states beards arent allowed. However, there is a safety aspect that explains why many airlines do not allow their pilots to grow facial hair. We do not have any regulation like a clean shaving regulation but a lot of airlines have policies requiring pilots to have no beards or minimal beards to ensure that oxygen masks fit snugly if theyre needed, an FAA spokesperson said in an interview withThrillist. We require oxygen masks to be functional, and airlines may take it further and require that pilots be clean shaven or have minimal beards to ensure that. The rule comes from a 1987 study by the FAA, titled: The Influence of Beards on Oxygen Mask Efficiency. Bearded crewmembers should be aware that oxygen mask efficiency is reduced by the presence of facial hair, read the document. Demand masks, such as those used in protective breathing equipment, many times cannot be donned rapidly nor seal effectively when used by bearded individuals. Still, various airlines may have their own policies when it comes to what type of facial hair allowed. Delta Air Lines, for example, allows sideburns on pilots as long as it dont grow past the middle of their ear. Pilots can also grow a mustache, but it must be neat and cannot be longer than the corners of their mouths. Delta doesnt allow any kind of beard or hair covering the chin or cheek, meaning pilots cannot have beards while performing flight deck duties, flying as a jumpseater, or during any pilot training. A spokesperson for Delta confirmed to Thrillist that the rule is instituted because of the need for an oxygen mask to maintain a good seal in the event of an emergency. American Airlines revealed to the outlet that they also have a similar policy for safety reasons. We do not allow pilots with facial hair to be on active duty, a spokesperson for the airline told Thrillist. Its actually safety driven. Safety is one of the biggest, most important things in our industry. Despite the rules that pilots need to follow, some still preach the same rules to their passengers. Back in February, one Delta Air Lines pilot went viral over his rule that everyone should be respectful during a flight to Atlanta, Georgia. He introduced himself over the loudspeaker as servant leader and captain of the ship. Im responsible for the safety of my ship, my crew, my passengers, my cargo. But, above all, the rules, he announced. The pilot instructed passengers to obey the commands and instructions of my flight attendants before offering his final rule. Lastly, I ask that we all be respectful of one another, he said. Flagler school board member plans to resign, but not in time for voters to choose successor While the Flagler County School Board has two seats up for election later this year, a third member is planning an early exit. At a district workshop meeting earlier this month, board member Sally Hunt said she plans to resign when she is able to and noted that she will not be here in November. Hunt won the District 1 seat in August 2022 and officially began her term that November. But rather than resign in time for new candidates to qualify for this year's election, Hunt plans to stay on a little bit longer. This means Gov. Ron DeSantis will have to appoint her replacement. According to Florida Statute 114.04, if there is less than 28 months remaining in an individuals term in a state, district or county office other than a member or officer of the legislature, then the governor can appoint an individual for that vacancy. The appointment would be in place of a county election. Hunt has completed about 19 months of her four-year or 48 month term, and she has about 29 months remaining. What happened at Flaglers workshop? At the district's June 3 workshop, board member Colleen Conklin asked Hunt if she was definitely resigning, to which Hunt responded, Oh, yeah. When Conklin asked Hunt when she plans to leave, Hunt said, That is when Im able to, but I mean, I will not be here in November. At the workshop, Conklin said, Im surprised because I didnt believe that was going to be the case because there could have been an election for that third seat. Hunt said, I did consider that. Fellow school board members disappointed in Hunt's decision When asked if he believed Hunt was aware of Florida Statute 114.04s stipulations, Board Chair Will Furry told The News-Journal that he believed so. Based on her comments at the last workshop, Dr. Conklin did ask her very poignantly about that, and she said that she did take that under consideration, so based on those comments, I would have to say that she does know, he said. Furry, Conklin and Cheryl Massaro all agree that having an election is the best way to appoint a new board member. An election is always the best way let the people decide, Furry said. But again, this is Sally Hunts choice, and hers alone, and so she has to make that because she doesnt work for me, she doesnt work for any of the board members, she works for her constituents, and so she answers to them but, yeah, its not the ideal scenario to have a four-member board, which isnt what it was intended to be. Conklin told The News-Journal that having the governor make the appointment could take up to a year, and the board would operate with four members until that appointment is made. It is unclear how the board would decide items that result in tie votes. Options could potentially include motions falling flat or going in the direction of the chair. Its just disappointing that we could not have had an election to fill that spot, Conklin said. It has removed the opportunity for Flagler County voters to have a say in who they want to sit at that seat. Massaro predicted that Hunts actions will not sit well with Democrats in Flagler County, specifically. She is a Democrat, and its hard to get a Democrat elected in Flagler County, Massaro said. I likely do not think that Gov. DeSantis is going to appoint another Democrat. Hell put in a Republican, and itll probably be somebody that favors all his ideals, you know, and the conservative base. Massaro told The News-Journal that she heard Hunt purchased a home in Peachtree City, Georgia, and is spending a great deal of time there, and is coming back to Flagler County for school board meetings. She said she thinks Hunt will officially sell her Florida home and move to Georgia once she finishes home improvements. According to documents on the Peachtree City website, Hunt in March applied for building permits related to building an in-law suite for a property she owns/occupies in the city. She doesnt attend liaison meetings, Massaro said. She doesnt do any of the special functions like Teacher of the Year. She wasnt there. Every year, (the) school board serves all our police breakfast the very first day they come back. She wasnt there. Actually, its been minimal the experience that shes had these last two years. Conklin confirmed that she has heard similar speculations, but said she cannot personally confirm whether or not they're true. Massaro believes that engagement and participation at events is a critical component of being a quality board member. You can be a great school board member and do everything you're supposed to do, or you can be one that does the bare minimum, and that's not exactly the best school board member, and that's where she's at, Massaro said. She's come to no events. She missed both graduations, you know, because she believes people don't like her, and that's probably true, but there's no reason to punish their families and their kids. I mean, it makes us look bad as a board. It's almost a condition of fraud to me, Massaro continued. And I mean, I guess she's an elected official, but she's being paid the same amount every one of us is being paid, yet she's not doing any of the job except showing up for occasional meetings, especially the two-day meetings. Hunt: Home renovations are no one's business Hunt told The News-Journal that she is "still performing as a board member," adding that "various board members have missed multiple meetings, some board members not attending at all, not even virtually The amount of meetings that I have fully been gone from, like not attending virtually or in-person, is very minimal." "As far as these accusations," Hunt continued, "... there is truth in this. But first of all, even if I am out of town renovating a house, that is none of anybody's business. I have a homestead in Flagler County. I registered to vote in Flagler County. I have my driver's license in Flagler County. It is my permanent address, so I am a District One resident of Flagler County." Board member Christy Chong declined to comment for this story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler school board member to resign, DeSantis will name replacement SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) CareerSource and the Santa Rosa Economic Development are hosting the second annual Honoring Our Heroes Career Fair. Alabama lawmakers to Buttigieg: Why I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project needs federal funding According to Santa Rosa Countys website, the career fair scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium is an effort that recognizes, supports, and offers career opportunities to all military, veterans, spouses, and dependents in Santa Rosa County. LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. Those who attend the career fair will have the chance to speak with the following potential employers and organizations: State of Florida- DCF Mediacom Communications Corporation Waffle House Express Employment Professionals Manpower Florida Department of Corrections Escambia County Corrections Goldring Gulf Distributing Hanleys Warehouse Blackwater River Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility Pensacola State College Escambia County Sheriffs Office The H.T. Hackney Co. Buffalo Rock Company Florida Department of Corrections (Santa Rosa CI) LandrumHR ST Engineering North America Pace Fire Rescue District Santa Rosa County Human Resources Swift Supply, Inc. LifeView Group Custom Control Solutions, Inc. Visiting Angels of Pace and Milton The GEO Group Airbus Americas Inc HCA Florida Healthcare Builders FirstSource Legal Services of North Florida Navy Federal Addus HomeCare Federal Bureau of Prisons The website notes that additional employers and organizations may be added as the event gets closer. Experts explain reasons for increase in shark sightings along the Gulf Coast following recent attacks To register for the free event, fill out CareerSources registration form. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Charleston GOP Sen. Sandy Senn conceded to Rep. Matt Leber, of Johns Island, Friday, June 14, 2024, in the state primary election. (File/Mary Ann Chastain/special to SC Daily Gazette) CHARLESTON A second of South Carolinas GOP female senators wont be returning to the Statehouse come January 2025. Charleston Sen. Sandy Senn conceded Friday to her Republican primary opponent, Rep. Matt Leber of Johns Island, in a race that got nasty and personal. She trailed by just 33 votes, according to the state Election Commission. While losing by a small number of votes was tough, the fact is my competitor only needed to win by one vote to beat me. So, I have congratulated him, profusely thanked my supporters, and even finished cleaning up all the campaign signs already, Senn wrote in her concession statement. Senn, first elected in 2016, was among five women in the Senate, calling themselves the sister senators, who voted against last years six-week abortion ban. They ultimately failed to block the law but were successful in helping defeat a near-total ban passed by House Republicans. With Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, losing in her primary race Tuesday, and now Senn officially out after waiving a recount, it all but guarantees a bill to make abortions illegal from the moment a pregnancy is medically detectable will be back on the GOP agenda. I stand by all my votes taken in the past eight years, regretting none, Senn said in her concession statement. It has been a great honor to serve District 41 and I thank the citizens for giving me that opportunity. Its still possible that all three Republican sister senators will end up losing their seats to men. Sen. Katrina Shealy, the chambers only chairwoman, faces a June 25 run-off with Carlisle Kennedy, the son of former state Rep. Ralph Kennedy, after falling shy of the more than 50% margin needed to clench the race. Shealy, Senn and Gustafson were among five GOP senators who tried during last years Senate debate to replace the six-week ban with language that would instead ban abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy the first trimester with certain exceptions. But that attempt failed on a vote of 21-25. At six weeks, most women dont yet know theyre pregnant. All of the womens GOP challengers support a nearly full ban. The number of women in the upper chamber reached an all-time high of six this year, after Tameika Isaac Devine, D-Columbia, won a special election in January. But it may shrink back to just two next year, depending on the outcome of Shealys June 25 runoff and what happens in November. Devine easily won her primary Tuesday with 92% of the vote. And Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, has no challenger this year from any party. Beyond Gustafson and Senn losing, the chambers Democrat-turned-Independent sister senator, Mia McLeod of Columbia, did not seek re-election. There is a Democratic runoff June 25 for her safely Democratic seat. But the only female in Tuesdays three-way primary lost, placing last with less than 17% of the votes. South Carolina currently ranks 47th nationwide in the percentage of female legislators, according to Rutgers Universitys Center for American Women and Politics. With the Senate losses, South Carolina could reclaim its last-place ranking, which it held for a decade before Shealy first won her seat in 2012. She was the lone female senator until Matthews won a special election in 2015. The post SC down a second sister senator as Sandy Senn concedes in GOP primary appeared first on SC Daily Gazette. SC judge gives woman 5 more years for egregious $1.1M theft from Rock Hill development A South Carolina judge on Friday sentenced a woman already serving federal time to five more years in state prison for blowing through over $1 million in stolen money with trips, spa days, plastic surgery and a BMW. Judge Dan Hall sentenced Lisa Buza Hill, 44, of Belmont, N.C., to the maximum five years under a plea deal between Hill and prosecutors in a hearing at the Moss Justice Center in York. Hill begged for a lenient sentence after pleading guilty to breach of trust. Thats a charge stemming from her time as chief financial officer in 2020 at GRH, a company in Rock Hills massive Riverwalk development. But Hall said the 2020 Rock Hill theft is the worst hes ever seen from a person in a position of authority. I have never had someone appear in front of me on breach of trust charges this egregious in my 10 years of being a judge, Hall said. $1.1 million, at least, thats a huge amount. Federal prosecutors already called Hill a serial embezzler because she has three federal fraud convictions from companies in both Carolinas dating back to 2012. In the 2012 case, she stole over $800,000 from a Charlotte-area motorcycle business, testimony showed Friday. Then, while paying off restitution, she took more than $22,000 from another Charlotte business. After that, she was convicted of wire fraud from the Riverwalk case. Stolen Rock Hill money Hill was in charge of the money at GRH for eight months in 2020 before being caught. A statement provided by GRH employee Debbie McMillian and read in court Friday says Hill stole and filtered money from our company and did so through the neighborhood homeowners association. She has been given chances to change her behavior, but she has chosen fraud and dishonesty, McMillan said in court. 16th Circuit assistant solicitor Will Anderson spoke bluntly about Hill: She was entrusted with that $1.1 million and she stole it. He also laid out a list of how she spent the stolen cash: $6,900 on cosmetic surgery spas and beauty lounges a childs college tuition clothes and jewelry hundreds of dollars at a time on restaurants, DoorDash, and delivered groceries thousands to a boyfriend, a former boyfriend and others close to her attorneys fees from her past federal court cases where she owed over $800,000 in restitution The theft only stopped when she was caught, Anderson said. Hill: I was a terrible human being Hill asked for mercy from Judge Hall in sentencing, saying that prison had changed her. She apologized to the victims she stole from and people she hurt. Right now I dont even forgive myself, Hill said in court. But she admitted she may have continued stealing if she wasnt caught. To say I was a terrible human being is a true statement, Hill said. When (the prosecutor) said I was never gonna stop, hes probably right. I probably wasnt. Why more SC prison time? Hills current sentence is 57 months in federal prison for wire fraud from the same 2020 Rock Hill Riverwalk scheme. Hills lawyer, Thomas Bowen of the 16th Circuit Public Defender Office, asked Hall to give Hill credit for time served because the state and federal charges are related. It is our position that she has been punished enough, Bowen argued. But Hall agreed with prosecutors that stealing the money is different from the federal court wire fraud conviction. The federal charge didnt take into account the victims and lives in South Carolina affected by her theft, Hall said. Hill was set to be released from federal prison in December. But now she will go from federal prison to South Carolina state prison after her federal sentence ends. Black youth show up in emergency rooms with gunshot wounds or other violent injuries at an alarming and disproportionate rate in the United States. Some hospitals have violence interventions that can be effective in keeping these kids safer after they are treated, but in most cases victims are sent back into the world to continue their struggles. What if there were a way to prevent these kids from ending up in that hospital room in the first place? What if, years earlier, we could identify factors that predict which children are most likely to head down paths to violence? Im a social scientist focused on this question, and my research has led me to an answer that I believe is at once obvious and profound: Find these children early in public schools and help them then and there. The study I led provides evidence that kids who grow up in poverty or who are referred to child protective services are significantly more likely to become victims of violence when they become teenagers. A unique study with unusual access to information To do our study, my team looked at records for 429 Black youths who had been sent to the ER for gunshot wounds or injuries from severe assaults over a one-year period. They included hospital, child protective service and juvenile court records, among others. This was made possible because the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development at Case Western Reserve University keeps troves of identifiable records on each of the 700,000 children who live in Cleveland. The records include information from more than 30 administrative agencies. This rare resource allowed us to follow the life path of these young people from birth all the way to their arrival at emergency rooms with their injuries. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 but averaged about 12. We compared this study group with a control group of 5,000 youths who were not victims of gunfire or assault in that year but who grew up in the same neighborhoods and were similar in race, age and gender as the injured group. As a result, we built a sophisticated picture of the childhood experiences that lead to violent injuries for low-income Black youths. Our objective was to find points of potential intervention. Juvenile delinquency is not the most important predictor Two factors that figure prominently in the backgrounds of violently injured youth are kids who have had interactions with both the juvenile court and child protection systems. Studies have shown they are at the highest risk of eventually suffering a violent injury, so a large portion of public resources go to addressing these children. In our study, victims of violence were four times more likely to be involved with juvenile court than noninjured youth in the control group. Yet kids who endured both factors are also a minority of the youths in our study who were violently injured. In fact, 75% of violently injured youths fell into two other groups. One was those who attend public school and had received public assistance in early life. The other was those who attended public school and had been involved in the child welfare system before they were 5. Kids and teens in our study who ended up in the emergency room by age 13 as victims of violence were nearly three times more likely have been in foster care by age 4 compared to noninjured kids in our control group. Likewise, injured kids were twice as likely to have lived in a homeless shelter by age 7. And violently injured kids were chronically absent from school at rates 1.5 times higher than non-injured kids. That is an important revelation. It shows that poverty and domestic problems loom larger than interactions with juvenile courts in foretelling eventual violent injury. Public schools are the common denominator School is where we can identify these children in their high-risk groups. To be clear, going to public school is not itself a risk factor; its just an opportune situation to help them. Its an ideal place because it is both a compulsory and, ideally, a nonthreatening environment. Still, there are important barriers to doing this effectively. In the best-case scenario, public schools could provide special attention to students whose families have been on public assistance or investigated by child protective services as early as age 5. But to do so, they or whichever agency is in a position to help would need information from individual records that are often private and unavailable. In Cleveland, much of this information is being integrated by Case Western and available to us as researchers on grounds we do not divulge details that could identify a specific child or family. Child protection services records in particular are almost always confidential and unavailable to anyone not directly involved in a particular case without a court order. What can be done Those privacy safeguards are important but not insurmountable. At least one community, Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, has found a way to identify families in need that has proven effective. Communities that dont have access to integrated data like Alleghenys model can instead use school screening questionnaires that strike a balance between getting information and permitting families a level of privacy about what they share. These youths are reachable long before they show up in the ER. Our research tells us where to find them. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Laura Voith, Case Western Reserve University. Read more: Laura Voith receives funding from the National Institutes of Health; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families; and Victims of Crime Acts (VOCA), Office for Victims of Crime. Scientology kept woman from mental health care before her death, lawsuit says Editors note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, resources are available to help. Please see the information below. The mother of a Clearwater woman who died by suicide in 2022 has sued the Church of Scientology, alleging high-ranking church members kept her daughter from seeking mental health treatment while under their supervision and failed to prevent her death. In early 2022, Whitney Mills, a 40-year-old real estate agent and high-level Scientologist, was experiencing a mental health crisis that had landed her in the emergency room twice with insomnia, anxiety and an increased heart rate, the suit asserts. The suit alleges that members of Scientologys Sea Org workforce assigned handlers to stay with Mills at her downtown apartment around the clock beginning in February 2022. They coordinated her medical care with a Scientologist physician who misdiagnosed Mills with Lyme disease and cancer while largely ignoring her very real psychosis and mental health crisis, according to the lawsuit. Scientology has strict beliefs against traditional mental health care and psychiatry, thus foreclosing her from obtaining the exact treatment she needed, the lawsuit says. Because Scientology and its workers assumed responsibility for Mills during this period and oversaw highly questionable alternative medical treatments, the family alleges the church is liable for her death. The wrongful-death lawsuit was filed by Leila Mills, who is not a Scientologist, on May 11 in Pinellas County Circuit Court on behalf of her daughters estate. It names six Scientology corporate entities as defendants on three counts of negligence. It draws parallels to the case of parishioner Lisa McPherson, who died in 1995 after being held at Scientologys Fort Harrison Hotel for 17 days. McPherson and Mills were treated by the same doctor, David Minkoff. McPhersons case brought international attention to church practices. The state attorney filed two felony charges against Scientology in connection to the death charges that were later dropped. In a statement to the Tampa Bay Times, Scientology spokesperson Ben Shaw called Mills death an unfortunate tragedy but denied that she was ever under the churchs care. Church policy is crystal clear: if a Scientologist is in need of medical care, he or she must see a medical doctor, Shaw said. Any and all decisions regarding medical treatment are solely the decision of the individual. The Church does not provide medical advice. The lawsuit alleges that Scientology officials knew Mills was a risk to herself and banned her from stepping foot on the churchs Flag Land Base in downtown Clearwater. They provided nonstop supervision at her apartment instead to prevent another event like the death of (McPherson) it states. Scientology teaches that any distress should be handled with its courses and spiritual counseling called auditing, according to the lawsuit, and that parishioners like Mills whove reached the advanced level of Operating Thetan 8 can cure ailments with their mind. Traditional mental health therapy and psychiatry are considered evils that Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard compared to terrorism. Text and email messages between Mills, her caretakers and Sea Org staff included in the lawsuit show she was receiving Scientology auditing off-campus for her symptoms. She suffered from unbearable pressure in her head and anxiety, according to the lawsuit. But her condition was worsening. Its causing me to feel like Im dying and causing me psychosis, anxiety, panicking. Im getting intrusive bad thoughts, Mills emailed to a Sea Org member on March 12, 2022, according to the lawsuit. I literally cant take another day of this horrific horror movie Im living, Mills texted to a caretaker on May 1, 2022. As her symptoms persisted, Mills in April 2022 requested a form of verbal auditing intended to help a persons thetan, or spirit, leave the body after they die, according to text messages cited in the lawsuit. While this indicated she was suicidal, the lawsuit states, caretakers either intentionally or negligently left her alone for several hours on May 12, 2022. Mills attempted suicide that evening and died at a hospital the next day. Shaw said the complaint is meritless and invents Scientology beliefs and practices that do not exist. Minkoff, the doctor, is not named as a defendant in the complaint. But Ramon Rasco, a partner with the Miami-based Podhurst Orseck law firm who is representing Mills estate, said he has put Minkoff on notice. State law requires notice be provided to defendants 90 days before a medical malpractice lawsuit is filed. Minkoff did not respond to an email and two voice messages left at his office Wednesday and Thursday. McPhersons case began when paramedics took her to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation following a traffic crash. Several Scientologists showed up to object, citing the churchs stance against psychiatry. They took her to the churchs Fort Harrison Hotel. Church staffers trying to nurse McPherson through a mental breakdown called Minkoff, who prescribed Valium and a muscle relaxant without examining her. After 17 days, staffers drove McPherson to see Minkoff at a hospital in New Port Richey, where he pronounced her dead. In 2001, Floridas Board of Medicine suspended Minkoffs license for a year for his actions in the McPherson case. McPhersons estate also filed a wrongful-death lawsuit. Minkoff settled his portion for $100,000 in 1998 and Scientology reached a confidential settlement in 2004. With Mills, Minkoff had diagnosed her with a cancerous ovarian cyst and Lyme disease and prescribed a series of alternative treatments, including an antiparasitic drug, that cost her $20,000, the lawsuit maintains. But Mills autopsy showed the cyst was benign. Medical experts hired by Mills estate concluded she did not describe symptoms of Lyme disease and was actually suffering from severe depression, according to the lawsuit. In text messages cited in the lawsuit, Mills begged Minkoff for anything else to treat her changed personality, lack of emotion, depression and other symptoms. But Minkoff responded with quackery, the lawsuit says, encouraging Mills to instead apply her mental superpowers that she obtained by reaching the highest level of spiritual attainment in the church, OT 8. Minkoff had a duty of care to refer Mills to a mental health professional, even if his religious beliefs forbade it, the lawsuit states. On April 20, 2022, Mills told one of her caretakers via text that she had asked a Sea Org member who oversees auditing at Flag for the type of auditing session to help drop the body. She said she learned about this form of auditing from one of the caretakers. In his statement, Shaw denied that such a session for dying exists. But Bruce Hines, a former technical correction director in the Sea Org who administered auditing, told the Times that the end-of-life assist is a verbal command created by Hubbard to help thetans leave a body and find a new one. If she was asking for it, she clearly wanted to die, Hines told the Times on Thursday. Mills worried she would be in trouble for asking Scientology for the end-of-life assist, but a caretaker responded that they know youre desperate, according to text messages cited in the lawsuit. It is not clear from text messages and emails included in the lawsuit if a Scientology auditor actually delivered this end-of-life auditing. But by not intervening when Mills made reference to dying, these caretakers not only failed to prevent Mills suicide but also encouraged it, the lawsuit states. If you need help If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or chat with someone online at 988lifeline.org. You can also dial 211 to reach area nonprofits for information about and referrals to human service organizations. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) The Supreme Court of Texas issued a ruling that pauses Harris Countys Uplift Harris program on Friday, which would give monthly payments of $500 to 1,928 impoverished county residents for 18 months. The Texas Office of Attorney General sued Harris County in a local district court and sought a temporary injunction pending the cases outcome, but was denied. It appealed that temporary injunction decision to an appeals court and was also denied. It then asked SCOTX to intervene. Once the funds are distributed to individuals, they cannot feasibly be recouped if it is later determined they were paid in violation of the Texas Constitution, the ruling states. It remains possible the County will ultimately succeed on the merits. But we must judge the likely harm [of an injunction] to the Countys legal rights in light of our preliminary assessment of the merits, which does not favor the County. Harris County can still set aside funding for the program, but cannot release payments pending the cases outcome. Uplift Harris is funded through the federal government and not Texas funds, according to the ruling. Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee said in an email to KXAN that he is extremely disappointed by the decision and that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent. Local governments exist in part to help the less fortunate among us, and the Supreme Courts ruling effectively ends a program that has proven to be highly successful at allowing lower-income folks to lift themselves out of poverty, Menefee said. The Office of Attorney General argues the payments are illegal under the state constitutions rules against gratuitous gifts to individuals. SCOTXs ruling said the constitutionality of the program remains an open question. Most state constitutions have bans on gifting public funds, but no other state court has barred guaranteed income programs on those grounds, Menefree said. Those bans are there to stop cronyism and gratuitous gifts of tax dollars. They arent intended to stop governments from providing public benefits. This ruling creates a playbook for conservatives who want to stop government from fulfilling one of its core functions. The court took issue with a lack of oversight about how the funds would be spent. Uplift Harris, according to the court, offers the payments via a lottery to applicable residents with no strings attached. A government in Texas that desires to dole out public funds must, among other things, retain public control over the funds to ensure that the public purpose is accomplished and to protect the publics investment,' the courts ruling reads. It likewise appears there will be no monitoring of the recipients day-to-day purchases, so it is unlikely the County will know how recipients spend the money and whether any legitimate public purpose was achieved thereby. Indeed, a County official testified that the program is not designed to monitor what people do with the things they buy.' The decision compares the program to food stamps and housing vouchers, which have mechanisms to ensure funds must be used for a specific purpose. Harris Countys guaranteed income scheme is a clear and flagrant violation of the Texas Constitution, said Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Friday afternoon statement. SCOTX has stepped in and put a stop to this abuse of power and unlawful use of taxpayer money while the case continues. A January review of Austins guaranteed income pilot, the Family Stabilization Grant Program, by the Urban Institute showed that most of those payments went to housing expenses. In February, Austins former interim City Manager Jesus Garza said the city intended to expand its program. He said in a memo that there would be changes to increase oversight of the program, including program audits and more data collection. A City of Austin spokesperson told KXAN Friday afternoon that the city is confident its program complies with state law. As stewards of public dollars, we are always mindful of the Constitutions prohibition against gifts of public funds, the spokesperson said. For that reason, our work on the program design, which spanned several years, includes specific applicant criteria, data gathering, and performance measures to ensure compliance. We are committed to investing in our community in a way that promotes economic stability, leading to better outcomes such as increased savings, food and housing security, and happy, healthy children ready to learn and thrive in school. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SDC chair pleads for volunteers to rebuild agency, says board 'can't continue like this' In an unusually candid public address, Social Development Commission board chair Barbara Toles pleaded for support from elected officials and community members at a board meeting Thursday evening. The request is framed by concern about SDCs ability to function following months of program closures, layoffs and administrative chaos. Its extremely overwhelming, and its taxing on my commissioners, SDC Chair Barbara Toles said. It cant continue like this. Barbara Toles The anti-poverty agency abruptly suspended operations and laid off its employees in April after 60 years of service, leaving residents, social agencies and community groups scrambling to find alternatives to the agency's programs. At the time of its suspension, SDC ran around 30 programs on a $30.5 million budget, including energy assistance, food assistance, and rent and housing assistance. Without any employees, the all-volunteer board cannot meet the struggling agency's demands, said Toles. The board commissioners themselves are full-time professionals, she said. Nevertheless, they are attempting to the organizations day-to-day operations as if they were its full-time staff. "We need administrative help, we need financial assistance, we need people to step up," Toles said. "We don't have a CEO, we don't have a CFO, we don't have a COO... There has to be some kind of staff, and we don't have that right now." Toles said the commission is looking for volunteer community members with relevant expertise who are willing to help reopen the agency, which is currently facing an administrative nightmare as it rebuilds its services and programs. Since SDC's sudden unraveling, people involved in its child care, education, and tax programs have been working to pick up the pieces. Depleted financial assistance programs remain a problem for SDC. Programs like VITA, a free tax preparation service, and MERA, the Milwaukee Emergency Rent Assistance Program, promised community members funds and services that many say they have not yet received. We recognize how important the programs we service are to the community, Toles said. We're trying to work to at least get some of them back. And we need some help. Two SDC board members have resigned since the agency went on its hiatus, including board chair Elmer Moore, Jr. In a previous interview, Moore said he felt the situation was "untenable." Elmer Moore Jr. will be the new head of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. "Navigating a solution felt to be impossible, so I stepped down," said Moore, who is the head of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Gina Castro of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: SDC chair pleads for volunteers to help rebuild, says board 'can't continue like this' South Dakota State Universitys team took third place overall in NASAs Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts - Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition in Cocoa Beach, Florida this week. SDSUs project POSEID-N: Prospecting Observation System for Exploration, Investigation, Discovery and Navigation was a large-scale lunar crater prospector that can explore rugged and permanently shadowed lunar south pole craters to search for water, ice and other resources. The SDSU team also took the best prototype award. Students had to write a full technical paper, create a poster board and prepare a 30-minute presentation to a panel of NASA and aerospace industry leaders, who asked the students questions about their work. The students also submitted an invention disclosure for the design of their rover, the first step in the patent process. More: SDSU teams advance to final stages of NASA competitions this summer RASC-AL is one of NASAs longest-running higher education competitions, now in its 23rd year. Each year, NASA and industry subject matter experts judge the presentations in a forum and offer feedback to the teams. The South Dakota State University team with their project POSEID-N: Prospecting Observation System for Exploration, Investigation, Discovery and Navigation took third place in NASAs Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition. Another SDSU team, Space Trajectory, did not place in NASAs Break the Ice Lunar Challenge thats seen competitors from around the world invent robots to excavate and transport icy regolith on the moon. This competition was held Tuesday and Wednesday in Huntsville, Alabama. This challenge is part of NASA mission to develop new technology that could support a sustained human presence on the moon by the end of the decade. Space Trajectory created a rover that could extract ice crystals buried under lunar soil on the moon. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SDSU team lands third place in NASA competition The Ukrainian Navy has destroyed a sea mine found on the coast of Odesa Oblast. Source: Ukrainian Navy on Facebook Details: The defence forces of Ukraine discovered a mine on the coast of the Black Sea on 14 June. After identifying the find, the dangerous munition was destroyed with a controlled detonation. The Navy reiterated that in case of finding suspicious things, one should not approach them under any circumstances. It is best to inform the appropriate services. There is also a ban on stayng in unchecked areas of the coast in Odesa Oblast. Background: This is not the first such case. In May, a sea mine that had washed ashore was also destroyed in Odesa Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! For a hospital to expand its reach, patients have to know where to go. When a Kentuckian receives a medical diagnosis, the University of Kentucky wants to position itself as the go-to hospital in the state. Thats why you may have seen a UK HealthCare commercial come across your television screen recently. Our message is always the same: We are here for the people of Kentucky. We want people to be able to recognize themselves when they see our TV spots or print ads or whatever that may be and to give them a sense of confidence, said Geoffrey Blair, UK director of brand strategy and marketing. He said the focus of UK HealthCares marketing strategy is to raise awareness of what the hospital really does brings hope to the commonwealth. Across the state, UK HealthCare touches patients in all 120 counties. Even with thousands of stories to choose from, UK HealthCare doesnt feature real patients or doctors in mass media campaigns. Jessica Vincent, President of Cornett, the marketing firm that handles all of UKs promotions, said the firm is very conscious of the emotional toll a real patient featured in a mass commercial may experience. We deem the brands superpower, and that is powerful emotional storytelling, she said. In February, UK HealthCare unveiled its newest commercial, following a family through a lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery. As pictures of a couple, their family, major events, surgeries and hospital stays flash across the screen, the university wanted to leave viewers with a sense of triumph. The commercial first ran during the Super Bowl, and spent a subsequent 12 weeks with airtime across cable TV platforms and streaming services. Blair said the total cost of production and the initial 12-week run came to $729,825. Commercials are paid for with hospital revenues, not state funds. Vincent said the commercial wanted to frame UK HealthCare as just a moment in patients otherwise bustling lives. What we truly are selling here is hope for getting back to living your life and getting past whatever that scary moment is, she said. That is what UK HealthCare is here for. Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate Lt. Gov. John Fetterman. Credit - Patrick SemanskyAP Harrisburg, Pa. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was seen driving at a high rate of speed on Sunday morning just before he rear-ended another car on Interstate 70 in Maryland, according to a state police report. The police report said Fetterman was at fault in the crash. Both cars were towed and Fetterman, his wife, Gisele, and the motorist he hit were all taken to the hospital for minor injuries, police said. Fetterman's office earlier this week acknowledged the accident, saying he was treated for a bruised shoulder and discharged within hours. Earlier this year, the Democratic senator pleaded guilty in Pennsylvania to a citation for exceeding the speed limit by 34 mph (54 kph), according to court records. Sunday's crash, just before 8 a.m., happened after another motorist saw Fetterman pass her traveling "at a high rate of speed, well over the posted speed limit," the police report said. The speed limit on I-70 is 70 mph (113 kph). Moments later, Fetterman rear-ended the other vehicle, driven by a 62-year-old woman, the report said. Fetterman was not tested for alcohol or substance use, and the report does not say he was distracted. Fetterman returned to his home in Braddock, Pennsylvania, where he posted a video with Gisele acknowledging the accident, thanking well-wishers and saying that it wasn't how they had wanted to spend their 16th wedding anniversary. 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. Contact us at letters@time.com. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., left, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., speak to reporters about a vote to protect rights for access to in vitro fertilization to achieve pregnancy, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a Democrat-sponsored bill that would protect access to in vitro fertilization and other assistive reproductive technology. | J. Scott Applewhite Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a Democrat-sponsored bill that would protect access to in vitro fertilization and other assistive reproductive technology. On a vote of 48 to 47, all but two Republicans opposed advancing the bill, which would give Americans the statutory right to receive fertility treatments and decide how their reproductive material is used, stored and disposed of, The New York Times reported. That left the measure well short of the 60 votes it needed to move forward, an outcome Democrats anticipated and even welcomed as part of their strategy to remind voters where Republicans stand on issues of abortion and reproductive health. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, broke ranks with their colleagues to support the bill. The bill is the Right to IVF Act, sponsored by Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Cory Booker, D-N.J. It would codify the right to the fertility treatment and require those who insure government employees, military families and veterans to cover treatment. The bill would supersede any state-level attempt to restrict access to IVF. According to The Associated Press, After Roe v. Wade was overturned, questions on reproductive care have mostly been turned over to individual states. For a time earlier this year, several clinics in Alabama suspended IVF treatment after the states Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. The state later enacted a law providing legal protections for IVF clinics, but Democrats have argued that Congress should act to guarantee nationwide access to reproductive care like IVF and contraception. The vote came the day after the Southern Baptist Convention voted to oppose use of in vitro fertilization, as Deseret News reported. The resolution on IVF, approved at the conventions annual gathering, says that Southern Baptists should reaffirm the unconditional value and right to life of every human being, including embryos, and use only reproductive technologies consistent with that affirmation, per the article. About IVF In vitro fertilization is the most common form of assistive reproductive technology used in the U.S. to help couples who have trouble conceiving. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2021, 86,146 infants (2.3% of all babies born in the U.S.) were conceived with reproductive assistance. With IVF, women preserve their eggs, sperm or reproductive tissues to have children later. IVF is also used to preserve future ability to have children of females undergoing treatment for cancer, when that treatment could harm their eggs. The article said that in 2018, over 69% of the 120,000 individuals of reproductive age diagnosed with cancer required fertility preservation procedures and services, now considered a standard of care. An estimated 12 million U.S. babies have been born through in vitro fertilization, according to federal statistics. Mixed messaging The addition of IVF to the abortion debate is tricky territory, as it is a procedure that allows more babies to be born, but also can involve creating multiple embryos and only using one or two. What happens to the others is the heart of the discussion. NBC News reported that before the vote, GOP senators said they favor legal IVF but prefer a narrower bill. Murray criticized the Republican bill, saying it has huge loopholes that would let states restrict IVF in all different kinds of ways. It purposefully ignores what happens to unused embryos and it would do nothing to stop fetal personhood laws from totally upending IVF care. Per NBC, Ahead of the vote, Senate Republicans moved to express their support for IVF. They sought to advance a narrower bill that would cut off Medicaid funding for states if they banned IVF. All 49 GOP senators signed a statement by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., accusing Democrats of waging a partisan campaign of false fearmongering intended to mislead and confuse the American people. We strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF, which has allowed millions of aspiring parents to start and grow their families, the senators said in a joint statement. The Washington Post wrote that Donald Trump, expected to be the GOP presidential nominee, issued a statement supporting IVF, noting that Republicans want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden blasted the vote, pointing out that the week before, Senate Republicans blocked a proposal to guarantee access to contraception. This disregard for a womans right to make these decisions for herself and her family is outrageous and unacceptable, he said in a statement. Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa is sponsoring a separate bill to protect contraception access, according to CNN. The public view A Pew Research Center survey published in May found overwhelming support for access to IVF, with 70% saying its a good thing. Only 8% are opposed. The rest are unsure. Women and men are similar in their views and most religious groups also support IVF. Pew reported that white nonevangelical Protestants and religiously unaffiliated Americans are particularly likely to say IVF access is a good thing (78% each). Clear majorities of white evangelicals (63%), Black Protestants (69%) and Catholics (65%) also say this. So do 6 in 10 Republicans, compared to 1 in 10 who deem it bad. Nearly 3 in 10 arent sure. Among Democrats, 79% call IVF a good thing, while 5% consider it bad. Sixteen percent arent sure. The Wall Street Journal reported that abortion and fights over related issues such as IVF and contraception are expected to drive turnout in the 2024 presidential election. Senator runs campaign ad about his daughters IVF 24 hours after voting against it Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) has touted his support for IVF despite voting against legislation that would have protected access to it. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Getty Images) A Republican Senator has spent seven figures on a campaign ad touting his support for in vitro fertilization despite the fact that on Thursday, he voted against legislation that would have protected access to treatments. Senator Rick Scott of Florida is running for re-election in Florida. He faces a somewhat competitive race against former Democratic congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. On Friday, he announced an ad touting his support and his personal connection to IVF. In the ad, he notes how he is a grandfather of seven grandchildren. But sometimes families need help, he said. Millions of babies have come into this world through IVF, in vitro fertilization. In fact, our youngest daughter is receiving IVF treatments right now hoping to expand her family. Each of my 7 grandkids is a precious gift from God. But sometimes families need help. You can count on this grandpa to always protect IVF. Watch my latest campaign ad pic.twitter.com/UEf5ByrFeo Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) June 14, 2024 The ad is the Scott campaigns second as part of a seven-figure statewide ad buy, according to the Scott campaign. But Scott, along with almost every other Republican voted to block the passage of the Right to IVF Act, Democrats legislation to protect access to the fertility procedure. Only two Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined the Democrats to vote on the bill. Scott and the 48 other Republican senators signed a letter saying they supported IVF and criticized Democrats, who they said are fearmongering about IVF. Senate Democrats have embraced the Summer of Scare Tactics a partisan campaign of false fearmongering to mislead and confuse the American people, the letter read. In vitro fertilization is legal and available in every state across our nation. We strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF, which has allowed millions of aspiring parents to start and grow their families. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has staged a series of votes on legislation on everything from protecting access to contraception to access to IVF. Scott told The Independent last week that Schumer did so for campaign purposes and that his efforts at legislation have no chance of passing. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas had proposed their own legislation on IVF, which Democrats opposed as insufficient. I think what you see is Democrats continuing to fearmonger on this very issue, Britt told The Independent. The vote comes after Alabamas Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are classified as children, which led to three of the largest IVF centers in the state pausing coverage. This was seen as a result of the overturn of Roe v Wade. The end of federal abortion rights led many to worry that access to contraception and to fertility treatments could be impacted, as they have been in Alabama. Katie Hawkinson contributed to reporting State Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, attends a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting at the state Capitol on Oct. 3, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, on Friday announced his resignation, effective Nov. 1. Misha Mohr, public information officer for the State Election Board, said the resignation should trigger a special election, but the election board has yet to receive instruction from Gov. Kevin Stitts office. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, issued a statement praising Thompsons work in the state Senate. Senator Roger Thompson has been a wonderful friend and great partner in the Senate over the last 10 years, Treat said. His faithful stewardship of the budget the past several years has led to record savings and record investments in education, behavioral health and infrastructure. Thompson served as chair of the appropriations committee, leading budget deliberations, until the final weeks of session when Treat abruptly replaced him. He has been an invaluable appropriations chairman and I have the highest regard for Sen. Thompson. However, as we continue our transition into our new transparency efforts, it is vital to move forward accordingly, said Treat in a statement made in April. In his resignation letter, Thompson said he was grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to serve the people of his district. Thompson and Treat had opposed proposals to cut the states income tax, something Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, supported. The Senate refused to take up an income tax cut again last session. Thompson represents Senate District 8 in the Oklahoma State Senate. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Senator Thompson resigns, triggers special election appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) - China's "provocative" actions around Taiwan, Japan and in the South China Sea run the risk of an accident that could unintentionally spark a broader conflict, Washington's top diplomat in Taipei said on Friday. Sandra Oudkirk, the outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and de facto U.S. ambassador, told reporters that the United States was "profoundly devoted" to the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and broader region. "And that is why we have consistently urged the PRC to avoid coercive or provocative actions both in the Taiwan Straits and in other areas like the South China Sea and off Japan," she said, referring to the People's Republic of China. "Because provocative actions are almost by definition dangerous. They run the risk of a miscalculation or an accident that could spark a broader conflict." The United States is Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island. China has stepped up military and political pressure against democratically-governed Taiwan in the past four years, and last month held war games around the island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who won office in January, a man Beijing calls a "separatist". China views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. It is also involved in an increasingly bitter stand off with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. Beijing has repeatedly warned that Taiwan is the most important and dangerous issue in Sino-U.S. ties. The government in Taipei rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. Oudkirk, who ends her three-year posting next month, said bolstering Taiwan's ability to defend itself was AIT's top priority, though she declined to answer a question on how the U.S. and Taiwan militaries work with each other. Taiwan has complained that arms orders it has with the United States have faced delayed deliveries. "Just like all manufacturing, production of US arms and other military equipment were severely affected during the pandemic by supply chain problems. Those are now unwinding," Oudkirk said. "We look forward to the delivery of military capabilities that Taiwan has purchased over the past several years and I would just say - continue to watch this space." Oudkirk's successor is Raymond Greene, currently deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo and before that deputy head of AIT. Oudkirk described Greene as being "very familiar" with Taiwan. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry) Several people to serve prison time after bank fraud scheme: USDOJ MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Several people are now facing prison time for their roles in a bank fraud scheme, according to the United States Department of Justice. The sentencing comes after an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service, the Mobile Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriffs Office, and the Jackson Police Department found that a group of defendants reportedly committed widespread bank fraud between November 2021 and April 2023. First jubilee of the year spotted in Point Clear; multiple citations handed to participants The group of defendants sentenced included: Thomas Charles Bridges Errol Michael Gilyot LiJordan Alexander Lucas Tranealius Lashun Abrams Emerson Trevaun Striveson Jr. Ashir Davonte-Jovonta Hogue Amartinez Carson According to court documents, the schemes involved checks stolen from U.S. mail, which the above group of defendants reportedly altered and deposited at various financial institutions. The group was eventually caught in their nearly 2-year scheme after federal agents saw bank surveillance video showing Bridges making dozens of fraudulent transactions involving counterfeited checks and executed search warrants that found counterfeited checks, debit cards belonging to other people, communications discussing the scheme and fingerprints. Mobile County courthouse cracking down on cellphone use in courtrooms Victims of the scheme suffered more than $187,000 in financial losses, according to the USDOJ. United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer handed down the following sentencing to the group. As the leaders of the scheme, Bridges and Gilyot were sentenced to 96 months in prison, a five-year supervised release, payments of $187,941.36 in victim restitution jointly and severally with their codefendants, and a total of $200 in special assessments. The court also forfeited $5,741 and several electronic devices to the United States, the release said. Their codefendants received the following sentences: Lucas was sentenced to 60 months in prison Abrams was sentenced to 57 months in prison Striveso Jr. was sentenced to 33 months in prison Hogue was sentenced to 24 months in prison Carson was sentenced to one day in prison UPDATE: 1 dead, 3 injured in Interstate 10 crash; FHP officials say In addition to the prison time, each of the codefendants was ordered to serve supervised release terms and pay restitution and special assessments. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the sentencing announcement, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Sharptown house fire causes $1 million in damage, displaces family and kills two pets The Sharptown Volunteer Fire Department primarily responded to a Thursday night house fire that caused more than $1 million in damage, displacing the family. Sadly, two family pets died in the fire. Here's what we know so far. Eighty firefighters respond to Sharptown house fire The fire at the home at 11414 Tower Hall Lane, Sharptown, broke out at about 8:10 p.m., according to the department. The home is owned by Brian and Laeasha Kellum. About 80 firefighters from the Sharptown Volunteer Fire Department battled this house fire that broke out Thursday night at a home on Tower Hall Lane. The fire caused $1 million-plus in damage, per the department, and it took 80 firefighters about six hours to bring it under control. It was reported by a passerby. The cause of this fire is under investigation. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced family. Multiple attempted arsons in Salisbury: One Salisbury neighborhood hit with multiple attempted arson efforts under investigation This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Sharptown house fire causes $1,000,000-plus in damage, kills two pets Montana 2024 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. (Courtesy Tim Sheehy campaign) Montanas Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy failed to disclose to the U.S. Senate that he was a board member of the Property and Environment Research Center, a free market environmentalism nonprofit think-tank based in Bozeman, prior to his run for office. The omission by Sheehy in the two reports he has filed so far for 2023 and 2024 is technically a violation of Senate ethics rules, which require candidates to report any position held during the previous two years. He did report being a board member of two other nonprofits. HuffPost first reported on Sheehys failure to disclose the position on Wednesday. Sheehys campaign did not respond by a provided deadline Thursday to questions about the omission, his time on the board, and his stance on several public lands policies. His campaign told HuffPost the omission was an oversight and that it would amend the campaign report. The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) reported in its 2022 IRS Form 990 that Sheehy was a member of its board of directors who received no compensation. Up through last week, according to web archives, the organizations website also listed him as a board member. Kat Dwyer, a spokesperson for PERC, said Sheehy was elected to the board in the fall of 2022 and left once he announced his run for office last June. Tim was elected to the board due to his relevant background as a successful local entrepreneur in the areas of forest health, wildfires, and ranching, all conservation issues we are engaged in, Dwyer said. PERC was founded in 1980 as a self-described property rights and environmental organization and focuses on what it calls free market environmentalism. Rather than filing lawsuits or advocating for regulations that make conservation a liability, we advance legal and policy reforms that respect property rights, expand incentives for voluntary stewardship, and empower people to advance conservation through markets, the organizations website says. Some of the organizations more recent work includes pushing for conservation leases on federal land. A Bureau of Land Management final rule will allow for restoration and mitigation leases. The organization has also pushed for changes to the National Environmental Policy Act to try to cut down on review times for proposed fuel reduction projects, and for changes to how conservation projects and protections for federal public lands are funded. PERC believes conservation is most effective and lasting when it is voluntary, cooperative, and makes economic sense when there are incentives to make conservation an asset, not a liability, Dwyer said in describing the companys free market environmental ethos. In 1999, the organizations former executive director wrote that he wanted to auction off all public lands over 20 to 40 years. In 2016, PERC advocated for having each national park run as its own standalone business, Outside Magazine reported. It has also in the past pressed for surcharges at national parks for international visitors and stopping the expansion of the national park system. Other reports published by PERC over the past two decades questioned how much humans were contributing to global climate change and whether predictions from the International Panel on Climate Change were sound. The IPCC is a United Nations body that includes 95 member countries and thousands of scientists and other experts on climate change that compile assessments of climate change, its impacts and future risks. Former PERC executive director Terry Anderson was one of the State of Montanas expert witnesses at the Held v. Montana trial and presented himself as the founder of free market environmentalism. He presented data about greenhouse gas emissions that the judge in the case wrote was not well-supported, contained errors, and was not given weight by the Court. In response to questions about some of those papers and stances from the past, Dwyer said many were more than 20 years old and written by people no longer affiliated with the organization. They do not reflect PERCs thinking, Dwyer said. She added that PERC firmly believes that public lands should stay in public hands and pointed to several of its more recent policy pushes as representing its current stances. The group has ties to Donors Trust, which Mother Jones previously reported sent significant money to climate change denial groups. PERC board member Kimberly Dennis was a co-founder of Donors Trust. But PERC has also worked with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Yellowstone National Park, the Interior Department, Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups on projects, according to the organization. Dwyer said the company rejects being labeled a right-wing think tank by HuffPost and some other organizations. PERC is a non-partisan conservation organization dedicated to conserving land, water, and wildlife through innovate market and incentive-based solutions, Dwyer said. PERC proudly works with policymakers across the political spectrum, including with the Biden administration on issues like forest restoration, wild horse adoption incentives, migration corridor conservation, and virtual fencing technology. Sheehy, who runs aerial firefighting company Bridger Aerospace, shares similar ideas as PERC when it comes to litigation delaying or halting forest management projects. On his website, he says, We also need to stand strong against the radical environmentalists who are suing and shutting down timber projects with frivolous litigation. Sheehy has also decried as a candidate what he calls the climate cult despite Bridger Aerospace previously marketing itself as fighting climate change before Sheehy started his campaign. HuffPost first reported last year that Sheehy in October talked about giving control of some federal public lands to the state or local governments. But his website says, and his campaign has reiterated, that Sheehy believes public lands must stay in public hands. Tim believes Montanans know best how to manage our land, not the Washington bureaucrats. Tim believes its important we listen to the voices of local communities when considering public lands policy. Tim opposes a federal transfer of our public lands. Tim opposes the sale of our public lands. Tim supports better stewardship of our public lands, including through active forest management, the website says. In May, NBC News reported Sheehys cattle ranch does not participate in Montanas Block Management Program that allows hunters access to private land adjacent to public lands. Public lands and access to them are overwhelmingly important to Montanans. The 2024 Public Lands Survey from the University of Montanas Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative found 83% of respondents said federal public lands benefitted Montanas economy, and nearly half said conservation issues were very important in deciding which candidates to support politically. But across the political spectrum, Montanans said conservation issues were an important part of backing a candidate, including 98% of Democrats, 84% of independents, and 71% of Republicans. The post Sheehy didnt disclose former board membership at Bozeman think tank appeared first on Daily Montanan. Montana 2024 Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. (Courtesy Tim Sheehy campaign) A great recent article by Chris DAngelo reports on the connection between Tim Sheehy, the Republican challenging Jon Tester for his senate seat, and PERC, the Bozeman-based Property and Environment Research Center that promotes what it calls free market environmentalism. While Montanans might wonder about Sheehys background and policy positions given the shifting sands in his explanations, the fact that he was on the board of PERC is not in question despite his failure to disclose that fact as required by Senate rules which his campaign says is an omission thats being amended. For those who have long been in the conservation, environmental, and public lands policy arena, PERC is a very well-known entity. As noted on its IRS 990 non-profit reporting form, the center is dedicated to advancing conservation through markets, incentives, property rights and partnerships which applies economic thinking to environmental problems. But to put it somewhat more simply, PERC believes that private land ownership results in better conservation of those lands under the theory and it is a disputable theory that if you own the land and resources, you take better care of it due to its investment value. This has long been their across the board approach to land, water, endangered species and resource extraction. If one wanted to dispute that theory, it certainly wouldnt be difficult to do, particularly in Montana where checking the list of Superfund sites left behind by private industries and owners bears indisputable evidence of the myth that private ownership means better conservation of those resources. In fact, the theory falls on its face since, when using economic thinking the all-too-often result is to exploit the resources to maximize profit as quickly as possible. And again, this example is applicable across a wide spectrum of resources. In Montana, that can mean anything from degrading rangeland by putting more livestock on it than it can sustain to, as in Plum Creeks sad history, leaving behind stumpfields filled with noxious weeds on their vast private once public land holdings. None of this is particularly a mystery, yet PERC has sucked down enormous amounts of funding from anti-conservation sources for more than four decades as it tries mightily to put lipstick on the pig of the all-too-obvious results of runaway private lands resource extraction. Running one of the most high-stakes senate campaigns in the nation, however, produces a lot of tap-dancing around the truth in an effort to convince voters that youre for whatever position will garner the most votes come Election Day. In that regard, both Sheehy and PERC are scuttling sideways in their positions. Given the overwhelming support for keeping public lands in public hands in Montana, PERC now claims it firmly believes that public lands should stay in public hands. We do not advocate for nor support privatization or divestiture. Funny that, given its previous and very long-held position that private ownership of lands and waters is the key to conservation. Likewise, Sheehys position, that public lands must stay in public hands is completely the opposite from the one he held only a year ago, and parrots PERC not only in its verbiage, but in its realization of which way public sentiment and the electoral winds are blowing. Since whats at stake is nothing less than the future of public lands in the Big Sky State, it behooves us to demand specific policy positions in writing from all candidates for public office including the race for Montanas Senate seat. The post Sheehy, PERC and the future of public lands conservation in Montana appeared first on Daily Montanan. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) A local mans recent dive at Shark Wake Park in North Myrtle Beach turned into an unexpected mission to bring a sense of closure to a family more than 600 miles away. I honestly believe I was the one to find the bracelet, John Connor said. Courtesy: John Connor Picture from the day Connor found the missing bracelet Connor, a metal detection specialist, has spent years recovering lost treasures from the depths of various waters. His latest dive at Shark Wake Park turned out to be his most rewarding yet. Equipped with his heavy-duty flashlight, Connor ventured into the waters with the initial purpose of locating his friends missing sunglasses. However, he said the manmade lakes murky waters rendered the flashlight useless, as its beam couldnt penetrate the darkness. So, despite his attempt, Connor had to forgo using it, realizing it wouldnt be helpful in such conditions. I was blind the whole time. I had to do it by listening to the metal detector and just feeling around, he said. There were times that my arm was in probably a foot-and-a-half of mud. And thats an eerie feeling. After returning home, Connor went through the items he found that day. Courtesy: John Connor I saw the inscriptions on the bracelet, he said. And I went ahead and researched the information, and it kept on taking me to the memorial of the bike ride unity tour. Connor found an aluminum bracelet inscribed with the name of Gary Walker, a New Jersey police officer who died in 2020 after battling COVID-19 for 46 days. Courtesy: John Connor That bracelets been underwater for three and a half years, Connor said. But he was determined to find its owner. I get a euphoric feeling seeing the reactions of people when they think that somethings lost forever, he said. Connors research led him to the Bloomingdale Police Department in New Jersey. I went on the police station webpage and looked around to figure out who could help me with this item that I had, he said. Initially, I was going to send it to the records department. And something in my mind said it might sit on a shelf for a little while. Then I thought to myself, maybe send it to a detective. Now I thought to myself, theyre probably busy. Instead, Connor said something told him to send the package directly to the current chief of police at the station where Walker worked. I put my business card in there, wrote a quick letter about what I was doing, how I found it, he said. And I even said in the letter, its probably a shot in the dark, we probably wont even find the person that it belongs to. Courtesy: John Connor Meanwhile, Danielle Walker, the wife of the fallen officer, was picking up her daughter from school when she received a call from the police chief Connor had sent the package to. Courtesy: Danielle Walker I said, Oh, this must be important. So, I answer and he says hi. Now Im like, Hi, how you doing? Im like, Good,' Danielle said. And he says, Well, the reason for my phone call today is I just got this package and this letter in the mail from this man, John Connor, and hes a metal detector specialist. And I said, and he found my bracelet. And he goes, How did you know?' Danielle Walker was participating in her first Unity Ride to Washington, D.C., for those who lost loved ones in the line of duty when she lost the sentimental bracelet during a fun day at the Shark Wake Park with her daughter. The pain in my heart as soon as it was falling off, and I was trying to grab it and catch it, she said. And I couldnt get it, theres nothing I could do. It was in the deep water. I cant see to the bottom, I cant even see my feet. Walker said the bracelet represented not just Garys life, but his passion for law enforcement and dedication to keeping people safe. He was our world. He was our everything, Walker said. We did everything together. He was our, you know, I dont know how to put it in words to explain how amazing and what a wonderful person he was. And riding for the first time that year, I just wanted to honor him. Just wanted him to know how much I love him, riding a bicycle for 300 miles. Courtesy: Danielle Walker Courtesy: Danielle Walker Its very rare to get this bracelet, she added. You really dont want to get this bracelet because it means your loved one died. And you really dont want that. You want them to live their life and you want to live it with them, and you want them to finish their career and have a good retirement and watch your children marry, have children of their own. For Walker, the return of the bracelet brought immense comfort and a sense of connection to her late husband. I totally think he was up there having a conversation with God, like, I know you got connections, tell me who can dive down there and get that bracelet for her,' she said. For Connor, the experience of finding and returning the bracelet was equally impactful. Talking with Danielle when I got the opportunity to speak with her, it was like talking to a relative, he said. Just sitting there and having a down-to-earth conversation with a complete stranger. Her explaining the characteristics of Gary, it just really motivated me as an individual to be a better individual at any aspect that I could try to be. It was influential to myself. With the bracelet back where it belongs, Walker feels her husbands presence close once again. Hes here in spirit and still trying to show us his love from heaven, she said. And I cant believe I got this bracelet. It holds a lot of value. Meanwhile, Connor continues his mission of returning lost treasures, knowing each item holds a story just waiting to be rediscovered. Not all that glitters is gold, he said. And this was a very impactful moment on that meaning. Anybody could have just disregarded that aluminum bracelet. Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. * * * Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Cody Beckner, like many Americans, prefers to stay armed. The 27-year-old from Hampton likes to carry one of his favorites, a 9 MM Canik handgun with a Holosun red-dot sight. He wears it on his hip when shopping, concealed when eating out. Most days, he keeps an AR-15 in his Ford SUV. Most nights, he keeps a gun next to his bed. Beckner, a leader of the Hampton Roads-based Virginia Kekoas militia, understands many people disagree with his take on the Second Amendment. He joined Kekoas in 2021 looking for a community that shared his gun rights and survivalist mindset Always be prepared, he says and found it with the groups approximately 15 other members. Beckner is proud of his place in Americas gun culture. The U.S. is the only country in the world with more civilian firearms than people. Some people buy guns for sport, such as target shooting and competition; to feed their families by hunting; or they carry guns for a sense of control, to control others through fear or to combat their own. A growing number of owners carry to show that they can: Their firearm is a political signpost. The America of the past 400 years has never existed without a culture of gun ownership. ___ Frontier ethos The men who colonized and founded Jamestown did so carrying guns. The General Assembly of Virginia, the first elected governing body in a British North American colony, put its first laws on the books in 1619, including Americas first gun law: That no man do sell or give any Indians any piece, shot, or powder, or any other arms offensive or defensive, upon pain of being held a traitor to the colony and of being hanged as soon as the fact is proved, without all redemption. In the 1620s, farmers were legally bound to stay armed while working. After 1632, it became illegal for men to go to church without their weapons. Colonial and state governments eventually enacted over 600 militia laws, many mandating men to civilian-military service. That they were required to get and keep their military-grade weaponry is tied to what retired professor Robert Spitzer calls a frontier ethos and the romanticizing of American history and self-reliance. When you think about the settling of the Western lands, especially in the 19th century, you think about gun ownership; although it turns out there were lots of laws restricting where you could carry guns and all sorts of other things, thats kind of the tradition, Spitzer said. Spitzer is a distinguished professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Cortland and the author of six books on gun policy. He now lives in Williamsburg where hes an affiliated scholar at William & Mary. He said while traditionally gun culture has referred to gun owners who hunt or use arms for sport, politically motivated gun sales are relatively new; but, no matter what, American gun culture has always thrived. In his book The Politics of Gun Control, he writes: Regardless of ones personal or political feelings about guns, however, the gun culture is an undeniable component of American history and the gun debate. ___ Some people go to car shows On a recent Sunday afternoon, people of different ages and ethnicities queued for a gun show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Some men slung rifle bags over their shoulders. Couples stopped at a ticket kiosk before shooing the kids inside. U.S. Navy veteran Lawrence Sullivan was pushed through the lobby in his wheelchair. Sullivan, 56, of Norfolk, equates gun culture with the hunt. He first shot a BB gun when he was 7. About a year later, his dad took him hunting for squirrel, rabbit and partridge. Later in life, they stalked deer together. But, mainly, it was just to get out in the woods, he said. He bought a 9 MM that day. He now settles for aiming at targets. As he spoke, Tyler Hilborne and Batuhan Vural walked by. Hilborne, 32, and Vural, 26, both of Virginia Beach, said they own guns for target shooting. Hilborne said he thinks of gun culture as the social media images of guys posing with modified AR-15s and body armor, geeked on the power of weaponry. Thats the extreme end of it, Vural said. Hilborne said that he figured most gun owners, like himself, are casual hobbyists. Its just the same with cars, Vural said. Some people go to car shows, things like that. They agreed that shooting guns can be a bonding activity between friends. Better than just sitting at home, Hilborne said, watching Netflix and drinking beer. Not too far away, Ozell Weather stood in the convention center with one foot propped on an ammo canister chatting with his adult son, who holstered a pistol on his hip. ___ Adapt and adjust Weather, 57, of Virginia Beach, grew up hunting in upstate New York and still hunts. But he also carries for self-defense. He looked at the pistol on his sons hip. When I was coming up, he said, there was no need to carry. In 2020, researchers from Boston, Columbia and Harvard universities released What is gun culture? Cultural Variations and Trends Across the United States. The research looked at behavior patterns and analyzed gun-related subcultures from 1998 to 2016. It defined gun culture with three categories: recreation, self-defense and symbolism around the Second Amendment. Virginia followed the national averages with a decline in recreational gun use, an increase in guns for self-defense and being viewed as politically emblematic. Weathers started hunting at 8, and, following family tradition, taught his children to shoot at the same age. A few years ago, his son inspired him to adopt another philosophy: Its better to have and not need than need and not have. Father and son believe crime has worsened. Its one of those adapt and adjust situations in todays culture, Weather said. His son nodded. A Gallup poll found that the number of adults who think having a gun makes their homes safer rose from 42% to 64% between 1993 and 2023. The National Rifle Association was founded in 1871 by two Civil War veterans who were appalled by the poor shooting skills of a typical military recruit. In 1873, they began matches to improve marksmanship skills. In the 1930s, its leadership lobbied for gun control legislation. It was not until the 1970s that the NRA morphed into the staunchly pro-Second Amendment agenda, according to the 2020 study. Once a year, the Virginia Kekoas join other gun-rights advocates on Lobby Day at the state Capitol to demonstrate the right to open-carry guns. The militia derives its name from a Hawaiian word meaning warrior; the group was once known as the Virginian Knights but changed it not wanting to be associated with the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Beckner doesnt mind the term militia, even though militias no longer exist as government-supported units. He believes the word fits because the Kekoas are ready to help the government if needed in an emergency. In the last 10 to 15 years, researchers like Spitzer have observed an uptick in what the gun industry calls the political sale of guns with manufacturers marketing firearms as political products. Sales spiked after Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and 2012, out of fear that the Democrats would create new gun-buying restrictions. Donald Trump extolled himself as a gun person, and sales went relatively flat after he became president in 2016. According to Spitzer, the gun industry termed a phrase after the election: The Trump Slump. But, the professor added, the proliferation of guns increases the chances of them being used in crime. ___ Dripping with fear Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins has no problem with citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights. But firearms carry another appeal. We have a culture that glorifies the ownership and or use of guns, he said, and that is more so along the criminal aspect. The most commonly prosecuted charge in Norfolk in 2020 was possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a study by the Virginia Bar Association. Jenkins said Portsmouth has one of the highest rates of firearm theft per capita in the state. My problem surrounding guns is I have a hard time believing that our forefathers believed weapons of war should be on our everyday streets. City police, Jenkins said, monitor social media and examine videos showing young people showing off, almost worshipping, their firearms. To exemplify just how common guns are in Portsmouth, he pointed to a recent incident. On May 28, Jenkins while in uniform was talking to a citizen in front of a Food Lion parking lot when a man in the lot began firing a gun into the air. Jenkins drew his sidearm and quelled the situation, he said. The person was arrested on numerous charges, many related to firearms, according to the Portsmouth clerk of courts. Troy Ketchmore knows the dangers of guns within a culture of fear. In 1995, he and two of his friends were carrying when he got into an argument with another man. Gunfire was exchanged, and the man was killed. Ketchmore was sentenced to prison for first-degree murder. If you see a kid packing, he said, they are dripping with fear. The gun is my security to come back home tonight, he said, thinking back on his youth. It was a thing of, youd rather get caught with it than without it. After serving 26 years, Ketchmore was paroled in 2021. Now 52, he helps run his familys nonprofit, Ketchmore Kids, which runs classes to help kids who have gotten in trouble sometimes related to guns. He visits the Newport News Juvenile Detention center every other week and tries to steer the kids away from the mentality he and his friends had when they were young. Ketchmores staff hears from kids who carry guns because theyre afraid of being bullied or being robbed after school. They can get guns cheaply on the streets and, like people who carry for Second Amendment reasons, the kids like the sense of power, safety and control guns give them. But he tells them to remove themselves from a situation in which they feel they need a gun distance themselves from beefs. You feel like you need a gun? Why? Because youre right there. Dont let your ego make you feel like you have to walk down the street and take care of a beef with a gun. Just leave. I tell them to put themselves in a position to win. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health investigated the link between gun possession and gun assault. It found that people with a gun were 4 times more times likely to be shot in an assault compared to those who dont. They dont understand that those singular situations that they make in the heat of anger, Jenkins said, have lasting ramifications for them and their families. Colin Warren-Hicks, 919-818-8138, colin.warrenhicks@virginiamedia.com Seventh suspected wanted in Richland County pool shooting turns himself in, sheriff says Seven people have been arrested in a pool shooting in Richland County last month in which at least 80 shots were fired and a 16-year-old was injured, Sheriff Leon Lott said. Lott held a news conference Friday to update the investigation into the May 28 shooting at the Village at Lakeshore community. The injured 16-year-old survived. I made a promise that we were going to get to the bottom of this and thats what were doing, Lott said. And were nowhere close to being finished. After initially reporting that six people had been arrested at the news conference, Lott said a seventh suspect, 22-year-old Joshua House, was still wanted. House was considered the most dangerous because he wielded an automatic rifle during the shooting and fired many, many rounds. House was scheduled to turn himself in on Thursday, but didnt. On Monday, at about 8 a.m., House was arrested when he turned himself in at the sheriffs department headquarters. Joshua House, 22, is wanted by the Richland County Sheriffs Office after failing to turn himself in behind a community pool shooting at the Village at Lakeshore on May 28, 2024. House was out on two bonds for unrelated charges during the time of the May shooting, Lott said. Beyond House, Lott said that the investigation is far from over and he anticipates more people will be arrested. The massive investigation has lots of good investigators working on it, Lott said. We still have more people were going to lock up. The shooting was motivated by ongoing disputes between at least three groups of young people dating back to a murder a year ago that occurred in the same neighborhood as last months shooting, Lott said. The pool shooting escalated after someone had a chain pulled off their neck, Lott said. Weve got a flow chart of which team each individual is on and what shootings theyre involved with, Lott said. During the investigation, deputies have recovered around 80 shell casings from the shooting, some of which have been connected to three other shootings, two in Fairfield County and another in Richland County, Lott said. Two people were initially arrested after the northeast Columbia shooting. At the time, Lott said about 80 young people, many of them teenagers, had gathered at a community pool in the Village at Lakeshore community. Multiple shooters are believed to have fired into the crowd, Lott said. Sheriffs deputies responded at 8 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the 400 block of Fresh Water Drive, The State reported at the time. Deputies say they saw 17-year-old Treshawn Keller running from the scene with a gun and chased him down on foot. Keller is facing charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, unlawful possession of a machine gun and possession of a stolen pistol Another suspect, 21-year-old Michael Abara, was also arrested in relation to the shooting later that week. He faces charges of aggravated breach of the peace. Also arrested were: Tramell Richardson, 19, arrested June 3 on charges of aggravated breach of the peace and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature Donrae Frierson, 17, arrested June 10 on charges of aggravated breach of the peace and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Kaelon Dixon, 19, arrested June 12 on charges of aggravated breach of the peace and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Patrick Oliver, 17, arrested June 12 on charges of aggravated breach of the peace and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Several of the suspects were carrying guns when they were arrested, Lott said, but investigators have not been able to tie those weapons to last months shooting. That means they got rid of those guns (used in the pool shooting), or gave them to somebody else, and then got their hands on other guns, Lott said. Deputies also recovered three guns, including a stolen gun that had been modified with a Glock switch, an illegal device that can turn a pistol into an automatic weapon. Guns fired by teenagers have been a focus for the sheriffs department in recent years. Nine people, four of them high school students, were shot last year at a 1 a.m. after-prom party in Meadowlake Park. This is a developing story. Check back for more details. Arresting documents newly released by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provide insights into an alleged sex trafficking operation run out of residential homes in northern Beaufort County. The multi-department probe precipitated a rapid chain of arrests earlier this week but it was unclear as of Thursday if the case was part of a larger ring of organized sexual abuse. The case is a collaboration between the federal Homeland Security Investigations and several local law enforcement agencies, including the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office, Jasper County Sheriffs Office, 14th Circuit Solicitors Office and the city police departments of Beaufort and Hardeeville. Homeland Security Investigations commonly partners with municipal or county law enforcement for investigations into sex trafficking allegations, notably during recent raids on two properties belonging to rapper Sean Diddy Combs. A dark scheme in Beaufort County SLED affidavits say the state agency found significant evidence of a human sex trafficking scheme taking place in at least two of the suspects homes in Beaufort and St. Helena Island. The three defendants charged with trafficking Alban Bryan, 63, of St. Helena Island; Guy Frank Talley, 27, of Okatie; and William James Youmans, 34, of Beaufort recruited an unknown number of victims into the operation while knowing they were under 18, according to the documents. Bryan and Youmans allegedly provided housing and narcotics to an underage girl while encouraging her to participate in the trafficking plot, which led to their charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The two men reportedly knew the victims had been reported missing, one of whom by the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office. Talley was also charged with second and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor for allegedly possessing and distributing sexually explicit imagery of children on his cellphone. His warrants do not specify whether the minor depicted in the material was also a victim in the trafficking case. A fourth suspect named in the SLED release, 37-year-old St. Helena resident Samuel Cyrus Blackmon, was charged only with simple possession of marijuana on Sunday. Agency spokesperson Renee Wunderlich would not say whether his arrest stemmed from the broader investigation into the sex trafficking scheme. A fifth arrest came Monday, when the Hardeeville Police Department jailed 49-year-old Beaufort resident Terrance Fields on the same child trafficking charge. Chief of Police Sam Woodward said the case was related to SLEDs investigation, but Wunderlich could not confirm the connection Thursday afternoon. The warrants provided by SLED indicate the crimes in question were committed in February and March of 2024, suggesting a monthslong investigation that preceded the suspects apprehension on Sunday. Wunderlich would not say how long SLED had been involved in the case or how authorities were alerted to the alleged trafficking operation. None of the five suspects were listed in SLEDs state sex offender registry, a database containing the names of most South Carolina residents who have been convicted of sex crimes. While Bryan and Fields appeared to have no significant criminal record in Beaufort and Jasper counties, the rest of the group carries dozens of prior convictions: Blackmon for drug possession, domestic violence and lying to police; Talley for trafficking cocaine, burglary and possession of a stolen pistol; and Youmans for theft, animal cruelty and felony assault. This weeks arrests comes three months after Port Royal resident Jaquan Duvall Barnes, already a convicted sex offender, was jailed for the same trafficking charge after Hardeeville police reportedly pulled him over to find a missing underage girl in his car. As of Thursday afternoon, Barnes was still on the run following his escape from the Jasper County Detention Center earlier this week. SLED quickly took over the manhunt and assumed an investigation into how the inmate managed to slip away. Anyone with additional information on this case or others is encouraged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BeFree). Tipsters can also contact SLED directly at 803-896-7400 or tips@sled.sc.gov. An Oceano man who accidentally shot and killed a friend in 2022 as they drove around firing guns while high on marijuana was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday. Daniel Jacobo, 23, was also found guilty of filing a police report after he and two friends told police that the shooting had been the result of a road rage incident in Nipomo, a story they repeated several times over the course of the investigation. Jacobo was one of three people who drove 28-year-old Arroyo Grande resident Alexander Montero Pille to the hospital with a gunshot wound on Nov. 4, 2022. Montero Pille later died from his injuries. The other two men were Oceano resident Alexis Tapiapille, 22, and Marc Anthony Ramos Perez, 22, who is from Mexico. According to a news release at the time of the shooting, witnesses, presumably Jacobo, Tapiapille and Ramos Perez, told investigators Montero Pille was shot during a physical fight between him and unknown occupants of another vehicle. But six months later, the agency said, investigators found the supposed road rage incident never occurred. Instead, investigators determined, the four men had been driving in the rural mountainous area of Lopez Canyon in Arroyo Grande, where they were shooting a gun and consuming alcohol and marijuana. Jacobo, who was in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, shot several rounds from a handgun into the mountain from inside the vehicle, the District Attorneys Office said. As he brought the gun back into the vehicle, he fired one additional round, which hit the rear of the drivers seat, where Montero Pille was sitting. Montero Pille suffered a gunshot wound to his back. Jacobo then threw the gun from the truck, and the group of three made up the road rage story to cover up how the shooting actually occurred, the District Attorneys Office said. Jacobo admitted to detectives that he was high on marijuana at the time of the shooting, the agency said. A jury found found Jacobo guilty of involuntary manslaughter and filing a false police report but did not find true that Jacobo intentionally and personally used a firearm during the shooting, which would have enhanced Jacobos sentence. Jocobo faces a maximum sentence of four years and six months in San Luis Obispo County Jail, where he has been housed since his arrest in February 2023 with a $227,000 bond. SLO County motorcyclist badly injured in hit-and-run. Now CHP is looking for the driver A hit-and-run in Los Osos sent a motorcyclist in the hospital with major injuries Thursday evening, and now the CHP is searching for the driver. At around 8:48 p.m., a person driving a 2004 Hyundai Elantra pulled out of a parking lot across Los Osos Valley Road west of Sunset Drive at an unknown speed, the CHP said in a news release. A 35-year-old man was driving a motorcycle eastbound on Los Osos Valley Road at that same time. The driver of the Hyundai did not observe the motorcyclist and traveled directly in front of him, CHP said. The front of the motorcycle collided with the left side of the Hyundai, the CHP said, ejecting the motorcyclist onto the roadway. The driver of the Hyundai fled the scene westbound on Los Osos Valley Road at a high rate of speed prior to CHPs arrival. It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were a factor at this time, the agency said. The CHP asks anyone with information that could help with the investigation to call 805-594-8700. Any additional information will be of assistance, the agency said. NEW YORK (PIX11) More than two dozen smoke shops and convenience stores accused of selling marijuana without a license have filed a federal class action lawsuit against New York City. The suit alleges the city has violated their constitutional right to due process. Changes enacted in this years state budget and the city code have given the Sheriffs Office the power to declare the shops an imminent threat to the public health, issue a fine and close them immediately for up to a year. Over 350 stores recently shut down under Operation Padlock to Protect. They remain closed pending a hearing. More Local News Theyre almost being found guilty without ever having seen a judge, attorney Lance Lazzaro of Brooklyn, who filed the lawsuit, told PIX11 News. Theres no right of confrontation, they allow hearsay evidence, and you never hear from any of the officers that conducted the search. In response to the lawsuit, a City Hall spokesperson said in a statement: The Adams administration has been clear that the purpose of Operation Padlock to Protect is to close down illegal cannabis and smoke shops to protect New Yorkers and better support the legal market by allowing justice-impacted and other legal cannabis business owners to thrive. With over 350 shops sealed thus far, we have made progress to protect our communities from dangerous, illegal products while helping to create a path to a thriving legal market. City Hall spokesperson Ellis Soodak, the owner of the legal cannabis shop Verdi, said business has picked up since the citys crackdown began. Its completely ridiculous. If this was in the liquor business, or if theyre selling guns without a license, theyd be shut down instantly. Theyre opportunists that came in, and they tried to make a quick buck, Soodak told PIX11 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 PIX11. Michigan Lottery player Benjamin Pauline said a phone call from his son tipped him off to the fact he had won $500,000 from a Powerball drawing. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI June 14 (UPI) -- A Michigan man said a phone call from his son tipped him off to the fact he had won a $500,000 Powerball prize. Benjamin Pauline, 49, of Allen Park, told Michigan Lottery officials he and his son stopped at the Stop & Go station on Allen Road in Southgate to get their tickets for the March 30 drawing. "My son and I stopped to buy a few Powerball tickets at the store we always play lottery at," Pauline said. "The day after the drawing, me and my wife were on our way to an Easter party when I got a call from my son. He said: 'You might want to check your Powerball tickets because a $500,000 winner was sold at the Stop & Go, and it wasn't me!'" Pauline said he handed his tickets over to his son when he arrived at the party. "When we arrived at the party, my son scanned my tickets on his lottery app. As we scanned them, I was starting to lose hope that I was the big winner, and then finally we scanned the last one and $500,000 came up on the screen with confetti. It was unreal," the player recalled. Pauline said his winnings will go toward buying a home, investing and taking care of his family. Photo via Getty Images The Secretary of States Office is working to reach Native voters across the state with Native Voting Hour, a way to hear from voters within Indigenous communities directly as well as provide them with information about their voting rights. Native Voting Hour is a monthly virtual meeting series held on Zoom on the last Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The meeting is open to the public and dedicated to empowering and educating Native voters across the Grand Canyon state. The program was established as a way for our office to be approachable from the community, said Millicent Michelle Pepion, the outreach coordinator and tribal liaison for the Arizona Secretary of States Office. Pepion understands that meeting virtually in the middle of the afternoon may not be ideal for many people. However, having the program set for a regular time every month helps with consistency and reliability. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Each monthly virtual meeting is an hour long and focuses on a theme. It features three to four guest speakers with various backgrounds related to the months theme. The theme for June is Native Voter Outreach: Surveying Rural and Urban Strategies, and it will feature Rosetta Walker, a deputy registrar for the Maricopa County Recorders Office, Liv Knocki, the executive director for Wingbeat 88, and Susan Levy, the communications and community relations director for NATIVE HEALTH. Pepion said that the Secretary of States Office often works with different organizations, universities, school departments and tribal councils. However, the Native Voting Hour program is different. The program is a way for the Secretary of States Office to reach out directly to Indigenous community members, she said, and let them know the office is trying to learn what issues are happening within Native communities and how to best address them. Pepion said that their work is to reach Native people who are hesitant to register to vote, are not motivated to vote, or who need help understanding how their votes can promote change. As the tribal liaison for the Secretary of State, Pepion said she makes an effort to connect with all 22 tribal nations in Arizona and has visited about 12 of them so far. She visits community events and talks about the services her office provides for Indigenous communities. We are engaging directly with tribal councils and we would love to continue the relationships we have created and establish more, she added. We are doing boots on the ground and trying to not just stay in Maricopa County. Pepion said that the Secretary of States efforts strives to inform Indigenous community leaders and help to get more people engaged in voting. If we can help the Native American community in this effort to vote, we will actually be helping other communities that suffer similar experiences, she added. The next Native Voting Hour is scheduled for June 25. Walker, one of the speakers, has advocated for Native voting rights in Arizona for decades, and for the last 12 years has been working as a deputy registrar with the Maricopa County Recorders Deputy Registrar Program. When she learned that the Arizona Secretary of State has a tribal liaison and started hosting Native voting hours, she was excited to participate in any way possible. Im planting seeds of advocacy, Walker said of her work. She said that she is planting the seeds that people need to understand what is happening at the Legislature so people know who the candidates are and make wise decisions at the polls. Im just encouraging you and letting you know the power of the vote, Walker added. Walker, 63, is Sicangu Lakota from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, but she has lived in Arizona for nearly 30 years. Walker said when she started advocating for voting rights, she always made sure to share her familys story. Walker said her family has many military veterans, including her grandfather, who served during World War I, but when he returned home, like all other Indigenous veterans, he did not have the right to vote, even though they were citizens of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. I do that because so many people dont understand the power of vote, Walker said. She hopes that her work to get more information out to the community about Native voting will help voters understand how powerful their vote is. You can have an impact on your local elections, your tribal elections, your state and federal elections, she said. Walker said that when she first started volunteering with the Maricopa County Recorders Office, there were not many resources being shared with Native voters. She did not see many Native people participate as poll workers or become deputy registrars. In the last five years, Walker said she has seen that slowly change, and she thinks thats because of the advocacy that Indigenous people do within their community. If you want to be part of your community, then the best way to take part is to be a volunteer, she said. Step up to be a poll worker (and) learn how to register people to vote. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Justice Sonia Sotomayor in a fiery dissent harshly denounced a Supreme Court ruling Friday that rejected a ban on bump stocks, saying it eviscerates the congressional regulation of machine guns. Today, the Court puts bump stocks back in civilian hands, Sotomayor wrote in a dissent joined by fellow liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. To do so, it casts aside Congresss definition of machinegun and seizes upon one that is inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the statutory text and unsupported by context or purpose. The court ruled 6-3 against the Biden administration along ideological lines, finding that bans imposed by the Trump and Biden administrations enacted by classifying bump stocks as machine guns went too far. We conclude that [a] semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a machinegun because it does not fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the decision. Sotomayor rejected that reasoning. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she continued. Sotomayor read her dissent from the bench, a rare move underlining her disagreement. It was the first time she read a dissent this term. This is not a hard case. All of the textual evidence points to the same interpretation, she added, deriding the majoritys interpretation for ignoring common sense and instead relying on obscure technical arguments. Its interpretation requires six diagrams and an animation to decipher the meaning of the statutory text, she wrote. Sotomayor said the decision enables gun users and manufacturers to circumvent federal law. The federal bump stock ban was first established by the Trump administration in 2017 after a gunman used the device in a Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 58 people and wounded hundreds of others. The Biden administration supported and defended the ban in court. Michael Cargill, a Texas-based gun store owner, challenged the bump stock ban after surrendering two in 2019. He was backed by the National Rifle Association and other major gun advocacy groups. The case did not implement the Second Amendment but instead asked whether the Trump administration, through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, stretched the statutory definition of machine guns too far to cover bump stocks. In the coming days, the Supreme Court is set to hand down another closely watched gun case that does implicate the Second Amendment. The justices are weighing whether a federal statute criminalizing gun possession for people under domestic-violence restraining orders is constitutional. Zach Schonfeld 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. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the high courts decision to lift a federal agencys ban on bump stocks that was put into place after the 2017 Las Vegas massacre would have deadly consequences. The Las Vegas shooter used bump stocks, simple devices that attach to a semiautomatic rifle and create an effect similar to that of a machine gun, to kill 60 people and injure more than 850 others. Then-President Donald Trump instructed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to implement a ban in response to the tragedy. But in a 6-3 ruling issued Friday, the Supreme Court said that Congress needed to act to ban bump stocks, and that the ATF had exceeded its authority. The case, Garland v. Cargill, focused on the power of regulatory agencies rather than the Second Amendment. Congress banned machine guns back in 1934 in response to well-publicized incidents of gang violence that involved weapons like Tommy guns and M16s. Congresss definition of machine gun encompasses bump stocks just as naturally as M16s, Sotomayor wrote in her dissent. Todays decision to reject that ordinary understanding will have deadly consequences, she said. The majoritys artificially narrow definition hamstrings the Governments efforts to keep machine guns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson joined in the dissent. President Joe Biden recalled how the Las Vegas shooter was able to use bump stocks to fire more than 1000 bullets in just ten minutes, killing 60, wounding hundreds, and traumatizing countless Americans. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation, Biden said, urging Congress to act. The majority, led in their opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, argued that a bump stock does not technically transform a semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun by a single function of the trigger, which is the phrasing Congress used in the 1934 National Firearms Act. A bump stock allows the shooter to, in one squeezing motion, spray bullets at rates approaching machine gun fire rates that far exceed what even an experienced shooter can accomplish by pulling the trigger really fast. This is not a hard case. All of the textual evidence points to the same interpretation, Sotomayor wrote. She compared what happened when a person fired an M16 to what happened when a person fired an AR-15 with a bump stock attached. Both shooters pull the trigger only once to fire multiple shots. The only difference is that for an M16, the shooters backward pressure makes the rifle fire continuously because of an internal mechanism: The curved lever of the trigger does not move. In a bump-stock-equipped AR15, the mechanism for continuous fire is external: The shooters forward pressure moves the curved lever back and forth against his stationary trigger finger, she said. She suggested the majority was actually overcomplicating the issue, writing: Its interpretation requires six diagrams and an animation to decipher the meaning of the statutory text. Sotomayor explained further: A shooter can fire a bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle in two ways. First, he can choose to fire single shots via distinct pulls of the trigger without exerting any additional pressure. Second, he can fire continuously via maintaining constant forward pressure on the barrel or front grip. The majority holds that the forward pressure cannot constitute a single function of the trigger because a shooter can also fire single shots by pulling the trigger. That logic, however, would also exclude a Tommy Gun and an M16, the paradigmatic examples of regulated machine guns in 1934 and today. Both weapons can fire either automatically or semiautomatically. She put it in even simpler language at another point: When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. Related... The News South Africas African National Congress party and its longtime political rival the Democratic Alliance have agreed to form a coalition government. The ANC failed to secure a simple majority in South Africas election last month, ending its 30-year majority control of the nations parliament following the end of apartheid and forcing it to seek coalition partners. The DA won the second largest share of the vote in the election. The DA has reached agreement on the statement of intent for the formation of a government of national unity, party leader John Steenhuisen said on Friday. From today, the DA will co-govern the Republic of South Africa in a spirit of unity and collaboration, he added. The center-right DA is widely seen as a predominantly white party. The coalition will also include the Inkatha Freedom Party, an ethnic Zulu party, and the right-leaning Patriotic Alliance. Sihle Zikalala, a member of the ANCs governing body, wrote on X that today marks the beginning of a new era where we put our differences aside and unite for the betterment of all South Africans. Know More The ANC secured just 40% of the popular vote in the countrys May 29 election. The DA, the second-largest party, secured 22%. The ANCs poor showing marks a tectonic shift in how South African politics operates, and has upended the way the country has been governed since the end of minority white rule in 1994. Representatives from the ANC were locked in last minute negotiations with rival parties as they raced to agree to a coalition that would allow them to govern before Fridays swearing of lawmakers in parliament. Sources previously told Semafor Africa that parties were sparring over who would hold ministerial positions, and that they had only agreed to the bones of a plan, with the flesh still set to be hammered out. Discussions about who would be included in the coalition flared tensions between some parties, with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), led by former president Jacob Zuma, saying they would not enter into a coalition if it was led by the ANCs President Cyril Ramaphosa. And the DA said that it would not join a government with the MK party or the socialist Economic Freedom Fighters. The MK party could still pose issues for the ANC from the sidelines, Semafor Africas Sam Mkokeli wrote this week: Zumas party received just under 15% of the vote, despite being established just six months ago. (Bloomberg) -- South Africas African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance committed to rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in an agreement on forming a so-called government of national unity. Most Read from Bloomberg The accord, signed in Cape Town on Friday, sets the revival of South Africas economy as the first of 11 priorities that the incoming administration will focus on. It touts fixed capital investment, structural reforms and fiscal sustainability as key objectives to getting the economy back on track. South Africas economy has expanded by less than 1% a year on average over the past decade well below what was needed to maintain living standards for the growing population. The unemployment rate stood at 33% in March, and the income gap between rich and poor is wider than anywhere else in the world, according to available data compiled by the Thomas Piketty-backed World Inequality Lab. None of us should expect these problems to be solved overnight, DA leader John Steenhuisen told an event in Cape Town. It will take years of sustained hard work. Lawmakers are meeting in Cape Town on Friday for the first time since elections on May 29, in which the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994. That forced the party that ended White-minority to seek an alliance with rivals to continue governing. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday that in addition to the DA, other parties that support the government of national unity include the Inkatha Freedom Party and the smaller Patriotic Alliance. The parties earlier agreed to back the reelection of Cyril Ramaphosa as president, and candidates for the position of speaker and deputy speaker of parliament. While the parties to the government of national unity have agreed to basic principles, the next hurdle will be the formation of a cabinet, in which opposition parties are seeking key positions. The bloc has agreed that while cabinet remains Ramaphosas prerogative, he will have to consult them before making appointments. A national dialogue that will include representatives from business and civil society is planned in the coming weeks, according to the agreement. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Johannesburg After talks that carried on late into Thursday night, Friday morning brought news that South Africa would soon have its first coalition government. Uncertainty had reigned since the late Nelson Mandela's party, the long-ruling African National Congress, lost its majority in May's national election. The ANC said Thursday that it would partner with other political parties to form a Government of National Unity similar to the route Mandela himself chose after the historic election that brought him to power as the country's first democratically elected president in 1994. But who would join the ANC, now led by incumbent President Cyril Rampaphosa, remained unclear until late Friday morning. In the end, it wasn't a deal for a unity government that emerged, but a coalition between the ANC and its biggest rivals, the Democratic Alliance party, as well as several other smaller parties who received a much smaller share of May's vote. The deal was announced on Friday morning as new and returning lawmakers were being sworn into their roles in the parliament. President Cyril Ramaphosa (2nd R) and fellow ANC members are sworn in at the 7th sitting of the South African Parliament, June 14, 2024, at the Cape Town Convention Center in Cape Town, South Africa. / Credit: PAP/Getty The DA agreed to support Ramaphosa's election to a second term as president, with an ANC leader as Speaker of the Parliament and a DA leader as Deputy Speaker. The rest of the details, and ministerial positions, were still being finalized. Earlier, the ANC had announced that several parties would form a government of national unity, including the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Front, prompting some critics to say the ANC was working with "white parties." EFF leader Julius Malema, whose party won 9% of the vote, had said earlier that his party would not join a unity government with the former "oppressor parties." The controversy was addressed late Thursday night by ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who told journalists: "To us it doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white The question is how do we move the country forward." John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), center, is seen at the first sitting of parliament following South Africa's 2024 national election, at the Cape Town International Convention Center, June 14, 2024. / Credit: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg/Getty The DA, the main opposition party, has been favored by South African business leaders and won the second highest number of votes nationally, at close to 22%. Its leadership had said earlier that they would not join any unity government that included the EFF. The MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma, a fierce critic of Ramaphosa, which swept to a surprise third place in last month's national election, said it would not work with the ANC if the incumbent remained its leader. Zuma has a long history of acrimony with Ramaphosa, who was elected president of the ANC after it ousted Zuma as a member over multiple corruption charges, which he has always denied, claiming to be a victim of wrongful persecution. Breaking down the Supreme Court's mifepristone abortion pill ruling More Supreme Court rulings coming a day after abortion pill decision U.K. mechanic fixes anything to help his neighbors (Bloomberg) -- South African political parties that support a broad alliance to form the next government agreed to back the reelection of Cyril Ramaphosa as president. Most Read from Bloomberg We have agreed to cooperate on the president and the national and provincial legislatures, Fikile Mbalula, the secretary-general of the African National Congress, said in interview in Cape Town Friday. A framework for a new government of national unity is still being worked out, and the situation is still very fluid, he said. The centrist Democratic Alliance and the smaller Inkatha Freedom Party and Patriotic Alliance have both indicated their intention to join the new administration. Stocks Rally Investors took heart from the signal of pro-growth policy continuity implied by the choice, driving the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as much as 1.6% higher as the rand hovered around 18.42 per dollar. The yield on benchmark 2035 government bonds fell two basis points to 11.66%, the lowest in almost four months. The ANCs Thoko Didiza will become the speaker of the National Assembly, while the deputy position will go to the DAs Annelie Lotriet, according to people familiar with the negotiations who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Despite the agreement, nothing is in writing a key demand of the DA for it to join the new administration. Parliament began its first sitting on Friday since elections last month failed to produce an outright winner, meaning the ANC will have to partner with one or more rivals if it wants to retain power. Shortly after legislators began sitting, South Africas presidency tweeted a picture of Ramaphosa with two thumbs up and the hashtag #ontrack. The ANC, which has held power since apartheid ended in 1994, invited all the countrys main parties to join a broad alliance to form the next administration in a so-called government of national unity. Former President Jacob Zumas uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MKP, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, both favor land expropriation and the nationalization of mines and banks however declined to participate. The ANC has 159 of the 400 seats in the National Assembly, the DA 87, the MKP 58, the EFF 39, the IFP 17 and the PA nine. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter The EFF said it wont be part of any administration that includes the DA. But it would agree to back Ramaphosas reelection in return for the ANC supporting the appointment of its chairwoman, Veronica Mente, as speaker of the National Assembly, its leader Julius Malema told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday. That offer now appears redundant. The MKP alleged that the election was rigged, but the nations top court on Wednesday dismissed its application to stop parliament from convening. The partys lawmakers boycotted Fridays sitting. Zuma, who led the country for almost nine scandal-marred years before the ANC forced him from office, was ruled ineligible to stand for a seat because he was convicted of contempt for refusing to testify before a judicial graft inquiry. You can follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here. --With assistance from Colleen Goko, Robert Brand, John Viljoen, Ana Monteiro, Ntando Thukwana, Monique Vanek and Khuleko Siwele. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Alexander Winning and Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Cyril Ramaphosa was set on Friday to be re-elected as South Africa's president, having brokered a deal with the opposition for a government of national unity after his African National Congress's worst election result since the end of apartheid. A skilful negotiator, Ramaphosa clinched a deal with the opposition, white-led Democratic Alliance and at least two other smaller parties, according to DA and other party officials, as the National Assembly held its first sitting since the election and prepared to elect a head of state. That will allow him to stay on as president and survive - at least for now - the huge drop in support for the ANC when it lost its parliamentary majority in the May 29 election. But Ramaphosa, 71, emerged weakened from the vote, and some political analysts have questioned whether he will be able to serve a full second five-year term. The ANC won just 40% of the vote, meaning Nelson Mandela's legacy liberation movement has had to negotiate a power-sharing agreement with rival parties for the first time in 30 years. As parliament convened on Friday, the DA said it had signed a deal for a unity government with the ANC. The socially conservative Inkatha Freedom Party and the right-wing Patriotic Alliance had previously confirmed that they would also join the coalition. Details of the deal were still unclear, aside from that the DA would receive the position of deputy speaker of parliament. The ANC still has the largest number of seats in the National Assembly, but Ramaphosa may have to make significant policy concessions to political adversaries or cede senior cabinet positions. After the vote, former union leader-turned-businessman Ramaphosa - Mandela's lead negotiator in talks to end apartheid - received the backing of top ANC officials to stay on. But his party is deeply divided, and some of Ramaphosa's party rivals may not have buried the hatchet for long. TOUGH TEST Ramaphosa's future as president had hung in the balance before. A panel report found in 2022 that he may have committed misconduct over a stash of cash stuffed into furniture at his game farm. He denied wrongdoing over that scandal, dubbed "Farmgate", and won a new five-year term as ANC leader later that year. But last month's election, in which the ANC's vote share slumped because of voter anger over issues such as high unemployment, crime and crippling power cuts, could pose an even bigger challenge. Ramaphosa was elected ANC leader in late 2017 on a pledge to clean up the party's image and revitalise the economy after nine years of scandal, sleaze and economic decline under his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. But an initial wave of euphoria when he became head of state in 2018 quickly faded. More than six years on, the economy remains stagnant and scandals still swirl around top ANC officials. The decisive blow in last month's election was struck by Ramaphosa's nemesis Zuma, whose new party uMkhonto we Sizwe outperformed expectations and made a big dent in ANC support, especially in Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). INDECISIVE OR CONSENSUS BUILDER? Ramaphosa has been criticised for appearing to prevaricate on crucial reforms to avoid exacerbating rifts in his party - a far cry from the decisiveness he showed as a union leader in the 1980s. His supporters, however, applaud his consensus-building skills and his role in advancing South Africa's reputation as a champion of the so-called "Global South", shorthand for a group of low- and middle-income countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramaphosa was one of the most prominent voices globally calling for fairer distribution of vaccines. More recently, South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, leading judges to rule last month that Israel must halt its military assault on the Gaza city of Rafah. Israel has rejected the allegations and pressed on with its offensive in Rafah. On the campaign trail, Ramaphosa sought to play up the ANC's successes over the last 30 years, but critics say he has offered little in the way of new solutions to South Africa's biggest challenges. After the vote, he urged parties to bridge their ideological and racial divisions for the good of the country. "South Africans expect the parties for which they have voted to find common ground, overcome their differences and act together for the good of everyone. That's what South Africans have said," he declared. (Editing by Tim Cocks, Silvia Aloisi and Timothy Heritage) By Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) -A possible impending visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea could deepen military ties between the two countries in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, officials of South Korea and the United States warned on Friday. South Korea's vice foreign minister, Kim Hong-kyun, in an emergency phone call with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, said Putin's visit should not result in more military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow in violation of the resolutions, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. Echoing Kim's concerns, Campbell pledged continued cooperation to tackle potential regional instability and challenges caused by the trip. "While closely monitoring related developments, the two sides agreed to resolutely respond through airtight cooperation to North Korea's provocations against South Korea and actions that escalate tensions in the region," the ministry said in a statement. On Wednesday, a senior official at Seoul's presidential office said Putin was expected to visit North Korea "in the coming days". Russia's Vedomosti newspaper on Monday reported Putin would visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday declined to give a date or agenda for a possible visit but said Russia's right to develop closer ties with North Korea should not be in doubt or a source of fear for anyone. North Korea's vice foreign minister, Kim Son Gyong, issued a statement via state media accusing Washington of staging a "serious political provocation aimed at tarnishing" North Korea's image by holding a U.N. Security Council meeting on its human rights situation this week. GROWING PARTNERSHIP Russia has used North Korean-made missiles and artillery shells to attack targets in Ukraine, officials in Washington, Seoul, and Kyiv, as well as United Nations sanctions monitors and independent experts have said. North Korea and Russia have denied arms deals but vowed to deepen cooperation across the board, including in military relations. Speaking at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington on Wednesday, Campbell said the United States has a very good understanding of what North Korea has provided Russia, which he said has had "a substantial impact on the battlefield". Less clear, he said, is what Russia has provided North Korea. "Hard currency? Is it energy? Is it capabilities that allow them to advance their nuclear or missile products? We don't know. But we're concerned by that and watching carefully," he said. In testimony in March to Congress, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said that Russia has been forced by its need for support in its war against Ukraine to grant some "long-sought concessions" to North Korea, as well as China and Iran "with the potential to undermine, among other things, long-held non-proliferation norms". Haines did not elaborate on her statement, but the reference to weakening non-proliferation norms appeared to be a warning that Russia could provide North Korea with military-related technology. This growing cooperation and willingness to exchange aid in military, economic, political, and intelligence matters enhances their individual capabilities, assists them to undermine the rules-based order, and gives them some insulation from international pressure, she continued. The U.S. intelligence community assesses, however, that these relationships including that between Moscow and Pyongyang - will remain "far short of formal alliances because parochial interests and wariness of each other will most likely limit their cooperation, Haines said. POSSIBLE PREPARATIONS Civilian aircraft have been cleared from Pyongyang's airport and there are signs of preparations for a possible parade in the capital's Kim Il Sung Square, NK Pro, a Seoul-based website, reported this week, citing commercial satellite imagery. "It remains possible that the parade or large event will not coincide with Putin's visit, but as Kim is likely to treat their summit with great importance, it's also possible North Korea could put on a special event to celebrate Russian-DPRK ties at the square," wrote Colin Zwirko, a senior analytical correspondent with NK Pro. In past instances, such preparations were made only days before the event, he added. When Sergei Shoigu, then Russia's defence minister, visited Pyongyang last year to jumpstart the two countries' warming ties, he accompanied Kim to a parade and saluted as North Korea's banned nuclear-tipped missiles rolled by. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Josh Smith; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Gerry Doyle) CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Discussions at this weeks Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in Indiana are drawing reactions in Charlotte. Three major things happened at the meeting: the election of Hickory Grove Baptist Church Pastor Clint Pressley to be head of the SBC; a vote to formally ban women pastors, which narrowly failed; and a formal opposition to in-vitro fertilization treatments for couples experiencing infertility issues. On the failed vote to ban women pastors, Pressley said, I was for the Law Amendment. I thought it provided really great clarity. I have others that are just as theologically robust that were against it. Southern Baptists narrowly reject formal ban on churches with any women pastors The Law Amendment refers to a resolution that would have formally banned women from being pastors. Currently, there is what is known as an informal ban, according to many in the church community, on the practice. The notion of even a vote on the subject is something that has caught some more progressive Charlotte churches off-guard. They have continued to find themselves almost aligned more with what it means to be southern than what it means to be Baptist, in my opinion, said Rev. Dr. Benjamin Boswell with Myers Park Baptist Church, which has women pastors. Myers Park Baptist Church split from the SBC in the late 1990s after the churchs practice of including the LGBTQ+ community. The church has maintained the name, saying that they are Baptist by definition, not denomination. NC DMV says they are chipping away at a major drivers license backlog They dont want women to be leaders, they dont want womens bodies to be free, he said. The latter part of Bowsells statement refers to the SBCs resolution to oppose in-vitro fertilization, based on their belief that an embryo is a human life. Its a widespread cultural issue where many people simply do not understand, not only the nature of the technology and how it works, but also the ethical realities, said Jason Thacker with the Southern Baptist Convention. Bowell noted that the ethical realities of IVF are at odds with what is actually happening. It would be interesting to see the percentage of Southern Baptist pastors who have used IVF for their children, said Boswell. I can guarantee you its a larger number than they would ever be willing to grant you. Queen City News reached out to several Southern Baptist churches for comment on this story. None had responded by our deadline. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. According to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, the flight was en route from Phoenix to Oakland when the Boeing 737's tail began to move Kevin Carter/Getty A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX8 Aviation authorities are investigating an unusual phenomenon that took place on a Southwest flight last month in which the plane experienced a movement called a "Dutch roll." According to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Flight 746 was en route from Phoenix to Oakland on May 25 when the Boeing 737's tail began to move left and right and the aircraft subsequently rocked from wingtip to wingtip in what is called a "Dutch roll." The FAA's initial report indicated that there were 175 passengers as well as 6 crew members on board when the incident occurred. The plane landed safely in Oakland and there were no injuries, but the report notes that there was "significant" damage to the standby PCU or power control unit which controls an aircraft's rudder. Related: U.S. Man, 41, Dead After Experiencing 'Medical Condition' on Fiji Airways Flight to San Francisco Boeing states that the name "Dutch roll" is a reference to the motion of figure skaters when they laterally rock from side to side. "Airplanes can make similar lateral and directional motions in flight, rolling and yawing much like a traditional Dutch ice skater rhythmically swaying down one of Amsterdams frozen canals," Boeing writes in a report. "... Just as skaters avoid swaying too far and losing their balance, airplanes are designed to keep roll and yaw within regulatory requirements to ensure safety and potentially reduce the risk of airsickness." Related: Alaska Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Portland After Part of Plane Blows out Mid-Air The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Southwest declined to comment on the incident and referred PEOPLE to the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for comment. The NTSB did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. According to the Associated Press, the FAA notes that other airlines have not reported similar issues. This report comes at a tumultuous time for Boeing earlier this year, the company's CEO Dave Calhoun announced that he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the year following a number of incidents involving Boeing aircrafts. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 arrives at Los Angeles International Airport. Related: Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun Will Step Down Following a Series of Safety Issues 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. In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 aircraft on its way to California was forced to make an emergency landing in Portland after a chunk of the aircraft's cabin fuselage blew out mid-flight. Just a few weeks later, the nose wheel of a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 fell off just before takeoff in Atlanta. Also in March, a United Airlines Boeing jet rolled off the runway and tilted to the side. In the same week, yet another United flight diverted to Los Angeles on its way to Osaka, Japan after a tire fell off the plane. Calhoun previously called the Alaska airlines incident a watershed moment in an announcement to employees. "We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency," he wrote to employees at the time. "We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (The Hill) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max fell into a Dutch roll during a flight last month, The Associated Press reported Thursday. A Dutch roll is a dangerous oscillating motion consisting of a tail slide and roll motion at the same time. It can be difficult to control and recover from, though the pilots of the Southwest flight were able to do so without injuries reported. The May 25 flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California, landed without incident. The FAA theorized that the roll could have been caused by a damaged backup power unit. According to a preliminary report by the FAA, an inspection after the plane landed showed damage to a unit that provides backup power to the rudder. The FAA said other airlines have not reported similar issues. United is rolling out targeted in-flight ads what to know and how to opt out The investigation comes as Boeings 737 Max aircraft has come under close scrutiny this year after a door blew out of an Alaska Airlines flight in January. An investigation found lax safety checks and manufacturing errors in Boeings build process, and the company has since faced pressure from regulators and Congress to address the issues. There are issues around the safety culture in Boeing. Their priorities have been focused on production and not on safety and quality, FAA Administrator Michael Whittaker said in March. And so, what we are really focused on now is shifting that focus from production to safety and quality. The FAA earlier in March said its six-week audit of Boeing found multiple instances when the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASA has set its sights on the Moon, aiming to send astronauts back to the lunar surface by 2026 and establish a long-term presence there by the 2030s. But the Moon isnt exactly a habitable place for people. Cosmic rays from distant stars and galaxies and solar energetic particles from the Sun bombard the surface, and exposure to these particles can pose a risk to human health. Both galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles, are high-energy particles that travel close to the speed of light. While galactic cosmic radiation trickles toward the Moon in a relatively steady stream, energetic particles can come from the Sun in big bursts. These particles can penetrate human flesh and increase the risk of cancer. Earth has a magnetic field that provides a shield against high-energy particles from space. But the Moon doesnt have a magnetic field, leaving its surface vulnerable to bombardment by these particles. During a large solar energetic particle event, the radiation dosage an astronaut receives inside a space suit could exceed 1,000 times the dosage someone on Earth receives. That would exceed an astronauts recommended lifetime limit by 10 times. NASAs Artemis program, which began in 2017, intends to reestablish a human presence on the Moon for the first time since 1972. My colleagues and I at the University of Michigans CLEAR center, the Center for All-Clear SEP Forecast, are working on predicting these particle ejections from the Sun. Forecasting these events may help protect future Artemis crew members. With Artemis, NASA plans to return humans to the lunar surface. AP Photo/Michael Wyke An 11-year solar cycle The Moon is facing dangerous levels of radiation in 2024, since the Sun is approaching the maximum point in its 11-year solar cycle. This cycle is driven by the Suns magnetic field, whose total strength changes dramatically every 11 years. When the Sun approaches its maximum activity, as many as 20 large solar energetic particle events can happen each year. Both solar flares, which are sudden eruptions of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, and coronal mass ejections, which are expulsions of a large amount of matter and magnetic fields from the Sun, can produce energetic particles. The Sun is expected to reach its solar maximum in 2026, the target launch time for the Artemis III mission, which will land an astronaut crew on the Moons surface. While researchers can follow the Suns cycle and predict trends, its difficult to guess when exactly each solar energetic particle event will occur, and how intense each event will be. Future astronauts on the Moon will need a warning system that predicts these events more precisely before they happen. Forecasting solar events In 2023, NASA funded a five-year space weather center of excellence called CLEAR, which aims to forecast the probability and intensity of solar energetic particle events. Right now, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center, the center that tracks solar events, cant issue a warning for an incoming solar energetic particle event until they actually detect a solar flare or a coronal mass ejection. They detect these by looking at the Suns atmosphere and measuring X-rays that flow from the Sun. Once a forecaster detects a solar flare or a coronal mass ejection, the high-energy particles usually arrive to Earth in less than an hour. But astronauts on the Moons surface would need more time than that to seek shelter. My team at CLEAR wants to predict solar flares and coronal mass ejections before they happen. The solar magnetic field is incredibly complex and can change throughout the solar cycle. On the left, the magnetic field has two poles and looks relatively simple, though on the right, later in the solar cycle, the magnetic field has changed. When the solar magnetic field looks like the illustration on the right, solar flares and coronal mass ejections are more common. NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center/Bridgman, CC BY While scientists dont totally understand what causes these solar events, they know that the Suns magnetic field is one of the key drivers. Specifically, theyre studying the strength and complexity of the magnetic field in certain regions on the Suns surface. At the CLEAR center, we will monitor the Suns magnetic field using measurements from both ground-based and space-based telescopes and build machine learning models that predict solar events hopefully more than 24 hours before they happen. With the forecast framework developed at CLEAR, we also hope to predict when the particle flux falls back to a safe level. That way, well be able to tell the astronauts when its safe to leave their shelter and continue their work on the lunar surface. 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: Lulu Zhao, University of Michigan Read more: Lulu Zhao serves as the principle investigator of CLEAR at the University of Michigan, which receives funding from NASA. The first astronauts to fly Boeing's new Starliner vehicle have spoken in glowing terms of the spacecraft. Starliner launched on June 5 , with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams testing out the spacecraft's capabilities on the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Williams and Wilmore spoke via video link from the ISS with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Associate Administrator Jim Free on Monday (June 10). a white space capsule hangs in the blackness of space, with earth to the right of the frame "The spacecraft was precise," said Wilmore, in response to a question from Melroy about the spacecraft's performance and handling testing. "We could stop on a dime, so to speak. [We] could put it exactly where we wanted and it would stay there." Wilmore was describing how Starliner could adjust its position very precisely and quickly. Maintaining tight control over the spacecraft's position and orientation is essential for safety and mission success, especially during close-proximity operations such as docking at the ISS. Williams also had praise for the spacecraft's performance. "I call it mooning the sun we were trying to fine-tune where we would get the most power," Williams said, describing orienting Starliner's rear to allow the spacecraft's solar arrays to collect and absorb the most light and generate the most power. "So if we didn't have any guidance and we had to do it ourselves, we could do it no problem. And the spacecraft really reacted great to even those big types of maneuvers like that." RELATED STORIES: Thruster glitches and helium leaks can't stop Boeing's Starliner astronaut test flight but why are they happening? NASA weighs potential impacts of helium leaks and more on Boeing's Starliner astronaut test flight 2 astronaut taxis: Why NASA wants both Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon CFT was intended to spend about a week at the ISS, but its stay has now been extended to at least June 18 . The extension will allow Wilmore, Williams and ground teams to continue performing checkouts on Starliner. Some of these assessments will focus on the potential effect of helium leaks detected on Starliner. Helium is used to pressurize the capsule's fuel and oxidizer tanks, providing the pressure needed to feed propellants into the rocket engines. CFT is the third spaceflight for Starliner, following uncrewed test flights toward the ISS in December 2019 and May 2022 . Starliner failed to reach the orbiting lab on the first one but succeeded on the second. SpaceX Falcon 9 shuts down swiftly after engines ignite Friday; no new launch date set As the SpaceX webcast announcer counted down the final 10 seconds of Friday's Falcon 9 launch attempt, he said "ignition" when the clock struck zero. And fast-moving fumes and smoke billowed from beneath the 230-foot-tall rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. But the Falcon 9 flight computers which take control of launch countdowns during the last minute before liftoff swiftly shut down the engines. "Abort," the announcer said three seconds after T-0. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fires its engines, but launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station was aborted Friday. Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida After the unusual 5:07 p.m. EDT post-ignition scrub, SpaceX announced, "a new target launch date will be shared once available." No further information was publicly released. SpaceX's thrice-delayed Starlink 10-2 mission got postponed Wednesday and scrubbed Thursday amid poor weather generated by Invest 90L before Friday's dramatic shutdown at Launch Complex 40. Falcon 9 rockets are propelled by nine Merlin engines, which use kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel. Upon its eventual launch, the rocket will deploy a batch of 22 Starlink internet-beaming satellites into low-Earth orbit. This screenshot of SpaceX's Friday webcast shows the countdown clock at zero with smoke billowing from beneath the Falcon 9 rocket after engine ignition. But the launch aborted, and the rocket never left Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Friday's scrub could impact SpaceX's Monday launch of the Astra 1P satellite, which will broadcast satellite TV channels across Germany, France and Spain, for Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES. That Falcon 9 mission is also slated for Launch Complex 40. No announcements were made as of Friday night. Elsewhere on the SpaceX front, the Federal Aviation Administration will collect comments from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday during a virtual meeting about future Starship-Super Heavy launches from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The FAA is the lead agency crafting a Starship environmental impact statement. Zoom URL: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89402979916 Zoom meeting ID: 894 0297 9916 Optional call-in numbers: 833-928-4608, 833-928-4609 or 833-928-4610. "This project will have meaningful impacts to our City. You input and comments are important! Be sure to let the FAA know what you think about the project and the impacts it may have on your City," Cape Canaveral City Hall officials said in a Friday Facebook post. This SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket shut down after engine ignition Friday at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. For the latest news and launch schedule from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX rocket shuts down after engines ignite Friday at Cape Canaveral Speaker: When voters have accurate information, they are more likely to trust the process In a thriving democracy, voter confidence is the cornerstone of a healthy electoral process. When citizens trust the voting system, they are more likely to participate, engage and make their political voices heard. Voter confidence is not only about winning or losing an election, its about the perceived legitimacy of the election process. Its about believing every voice matters, votes are counted accurately and the outcome reflects the peoples will. No one takes Election Day more seriously than the individuals who work at election boards. They ensure the accuracy of each vote in every election, and Wayne County Board of Elections (BOE) Deputy Director Bryon Bell is holding a series of presentations to explain the election and voter verification process. When voters are equipped with accurate information about the election process, candidates and issues, they are more likely to trust the process and better able to make informed decisions at the ballot box, Bell said. Wayne County Board of Elections Deputy Director Bryon Bell welcomes guests to the first-ever Voter Academy. We need to be transparent in everything we do, Bell said during his recent voter registration and data presentation at the Voter Academy. Voter series begins with Voter Registration and Data In his first presentation, Voter Registration and Data, held in the Metzler Room of the BOE, 200 Vanover St., Wooster, Bell explained some of the countless federal and state laws that govern his office, including: What disqualifies a vote How provisional ballots work How voters are verified Voter registration Voter equality There are a lot of rumors and misconceptions surrounding the election process, and this can be damaging to our democracy, especially if it causes people to lose trust in the process and sit an election out, he said. However, by providing accurate information, we can empower voters to make informed decisions and take an active role in helping to shape their communities. The spread of misinformation has threatened the democratic process, eroding voter confidence and undermining election integrity. Bell said while some voters circumstances may seem illegal on the surface, they are, in fact, perfectly legal. One misconception Bell addressed surrounds a voters date of birth. Wayne County Board of Elections Deputy Director Bryon Bell discusses the integrity of the office of the election board with a group who attended the Voter Academy. There are registered voters in Ohio with a date of birth that makes them older than the oldest living American. Is that proof of fraud, Bell asked the audience rhetorically. No, he answered. He explained Ohio law didnt always require voters to list a date of birth on voter registration forms. If you registered, consistently voted and remained at the same address over the years and didnt have a need to update your voter registration, your county (BOE) might not have a date of birth on file, Bell said. These voters have a placeholder date of birth as January 1, 1800. That does not mean that the voter is 224 years old. It is merely an indicator they registered before recording a date of birth was a legal requirement. Bell explained the hows and whys of other perplexing circumstances that, in the age of digital media, lead to inaccurate information being spread. His next presentation, Voting Equipment and Security, is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Metzler Room. Participation is free, but registration is required. To register, visit www.waynecountyoh.gov/academy or phone 330-287-5480; video of previous presentations may also be watched. The remaining schedule of topics includes: Candidates and Issues on July 23 Absentee and Provisional Voting on Aug. 20 Election Logistics on Sept. 24 Dan Starcher is the Public Communications coordinator for Wayne County. This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County voter registration, data topic of first academy session Spending 2% of GDP on defence is 'not enough,' Estonian minister says The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov speak during a press conference on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters. -/NATO/dpa Spending the NATO target of 2% of national gross domestic product (GDP) on defence is "not enough," Estonia's defence minister told reporters in Brussels on Friday. "Two per cent is not enough" Hanno Pevkur said, arriving for the second day of talks with fellow NATO defence ministers. "We need to go further from here." He said Estonia proposes that upwards of 2.5% should be the target, while the Baltic nation itself is investing 3.4% this year and more than 3% next year. "When we look also how much Russia is investing at the moment to defence this year - close to 9% of their GDP - then we all understand that when we put in comparison our 2% in NATO, or 3-3.5% in Baltic states and Poland, then still we need to invest more," Pevkur said. People wait outside of the Criminalistic and Forensic Science Laboratory in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Refrigerated containers, left, were set up, as unrecognized or unclaimed bodies exceeded the capacity of the Guayaquil morgue. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz) QUITO, Ecuador (AP) Spiraling criminal violence in one of Ecuadors most dangerous cities caused a buildup of unidentified and unclaimed bodies that exceeded the capacity of Guayaquil's main morgue, officials confirmed Thursday. The government of Guayas, the province of which Guayaquil is the capital, said Thursday afternoon in a statement that the problem that has arisen in recent days in the morgue has been resolved, its first acknowledgment the problem existed in the first place. Local television and media reports had said about 200 bodies in excess of the Forensic Medicine Service morgues capacity had accumulated and a refrigeration unit used to store them had failed, causing nearby residents to complain of foul odors. Ecuadorian media outlets Ecuavisa and Teleamazonas broadcast images taken with drones showing morgue workers removing bodies from a refrigerated container and spraying the containers entrance with a product the outlets said was meant to neutralize the putrid liquids seeping out of it. Both the Forensic Medicine Service and the Ministry of Health did not respond to requests for information from The Associated Press made on Wednesday. The government statement did not say how many bodies were involved but said a malfunctioning refrigerated unit where bodies are kept when the morgue is full had been repaired. During the past week, forensic services collected 40 bodies that were victims of violence in a city that in 2023 recorded a total of 3,762 violent deaths, according to police figures. Most of the deaths are the result of clashes between gangs fighting over territory and drug distribution routes, which has created unprecedented levels of violence in this port city of 2.72 million inhabitants. The former head of forensic medicine at the Guayaquil morgue, Juan Montenegro, told the AP that the bodies are stored in containers without taking into account their cooling capacity, meaning the decomposition process is accelerated and bad odors spread and putrid liquids seep untreated into pipes. I dont understand why they havent sent the bodies to a mass grave in a timely manner, donated them to the universities, or why they havent handed them over to the relatives, who are on the street demanding the bodies, he said. Spread of solar farms in Georgia to get legislative scrutiny to protect fertile farmland Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River, with eight million acres of prime farmland. Yet, theres so much concern over the spread of solar farms eating up huge portions of that acreage with vast fields of solar panels that the state Senate has formed a study committee to explore what can be done to save the most fertile land for farmers. Weve lost a little over two and a half million acres of farmland in the last 40 years, said Sen. Billy Hickman, R-Statesboro, who will chair the Senate Study Committee on the Preservation of Georgias Farmlands. Weve got to make sure to protect our farmland. Other factors are playing a role in the rapid shrinkage of farmland in Georgia, including the construction of housing subdivisions to accommodate population growth, warehouse-distribution centers and - most recently - data centers. But solar projects also have cropped up across the state during the last decade, including some rooftop installations on individual homes and businesses but mostly the larger utility-scale deployments of fields of solar panels known as solar farms. The industry operates on two models. Farmers lease their land to solar companies, which build and operate the solar farms for a set period of time. In other cases, a solar company owns the land and sells the power to utilities. For example, Nashville, Tenn.-based Silicon Ranch sells the electricity generated at the solar farm sites it owns and operates to Green Power EMC, the renewable energy supplier for 38 of Georgias electric membership cooperatives. Green Power EMC has more than 40 community and utility-scale solar projects spread across about 10,000 acres. As of last year, Georgia ranked seventh in the nation in total installed solar capacity, producing 5,936 megawatts, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. One megawatt of electricity is enough to power 750 homes. The 250 solar companies currently operating in Georgia have invested $6.5 billion and created 5,382 jobs. Solar companies have found willing partners in Georgia farmers because they offer security in an agricultural industry plagued by uncertainty, said Jeff Clark, president of Advanced Power Alliance, a clean-energy industry trade association active in Georgia and 10 other states. (Farmers) are getting killed by big corporate farms and overregulation ... commodity prices, and fluctuations in the weather, he said. For them, its an opportunity to diversify and have a steady source of income. ... Thats why I think its really taking off. For the farmers, its a hard opportunity to turn down because the financial opportunities are so great it may allow them to continue to farm other parts of their properties, added Will Bentley, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. The downside to the spread of solar farms is the huge amount of farmland they take up. Southwest Georgia is largely prime farmland, said Bryan Tolar, who preceded Bentley at the agribusiness council and now runs his own government affairs firm. Are we going to take away prime farmland? Bentley said his chief concern over solar farms is what happens to the land solar farms occupy when the leases farmers enter into with solar companies expire, typically after 20 years. Is the land returned to production or left a mess? he asked. The General Assembly sought to address that issue this year by passing legislation requiring solar companies that lease property for solar farms to restore the land to its natural state after the lease expires. Restoration activities include removing the foundations of solar arrays from the ground to a depth of at lease three feet, filling holes that have been dug to accommodate solar panels, and removing cables and overhead power and communications lines. House Bill 300, which takes effect July 1, also requires the companies to provide financial assurance at least equal to the estimated cost of removing solar arrays and returning the property to its natural state. At the end of a solar projects life, that family gets the land back, and the project is removed, Clark said. The Senate study committee will hold its first meeting next month in Statesboro, with subsequent meetings to take place in Cornelia and two locations in Southwest Georgia yet to be chosen. The panel is due to make recommendations to the full Senate by Dec. 1. We wont have all the answers, but hopefully well learn a lot more, Hickman said. Its probably going to be more about raising an awareness of the need to preserve farmland. In St. Paul, organizers of a Downtown Improvement District have officially petitioned the city to heavily expand its existing geography, doubling the districts size to encompass all of downtown while adding residential properties such as condominiums and apartment buildings. If approved by the city council next month, the new district will allow the St. Paul Downtown Alliance to assess property owners an annual fee for bike patrols, litter and graffiti removal, street greeters and skyway ambassadors, among other organized activities. Public safety measures loom increasingly large as priorities. The districts governance board even hopes to help the city hire a prosecutor. Next year, the St. Paul Downtown Alliance will officially ask the city to add an additional city attorney exclusively dedicated to pursuing perpetrators of non-felony, quality-of-life issues downtown, especially chronic offenders. If private funds are used to fund the new attorney, which remains to be seen, it would be a departure from the norm for City Hall, but not unprecedented nationally. A model from other cities Backed in part by local businesses, Portland, Ore., began experimenting in the 1990s with neighborhood prosecutors to address local nuisances, from theft to illegal encampments. The Neighborhood Prosecution Unit is still active today, housed within the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office. Weve seen that model work in other cities, said Joe Spencer, president of the Downtown Alliance. Milwaukee has had a lot of success with the district paying for and having a prosecutor dedicated through the district. The notion is you have an extra resource to help support police officers downtown if there are repeat offenders, or someone causing a lot of damage. Weve had positive initial conversations with the mayors office and with council members, but theres still a lot of details to be worked out. City Attorney Lyndsey Olson sounded a skeptical tone on Thursday. At the core of our democracy and Constitutional protections is the independence of our judicial system, said Olson, in a written statement Thursday evening. Prosecutors cannot be hired by private interests nor paid to prosecute specific cases or individuals. The St. Paul City Attorneys office is committed to upholding the integrity of the rule of law and seeking just outcomes for every case presented to us. We are deeply engaged in partnering with law enforcement, justice partners and community to realize safe outcomes across our city. Even without a new prosecutor, Downtown Alliance members say that since the launch of St. Pauls Downtown Improvement District in 2021, quality-of-life calls to police fell by 40% within the districts boundaries, even as they increased in other parts of downtown. We feel confident we can deliver good value and make some improvements downtown, Spencer said. The existing district spans some 30 blocks in and around Rice Park, with an odd panhandle that extends toward Lowertown but stops several blocks short of Mears Park. The new district would encompass all of downtown, from the Xcel Energy Center to CHS Field, and from the Mississippi River to Interstate 94. At a time when remote work and shifting demographics have taken their toll on downtown properties still rebuilding from the pandemic, the effort has drawn supporters and critics. Annual fees Olaf Minge, a retired information technology manager who moved to Lowertown from Edina last September with his wife, used to pick up litter downtown for a couple of hours daily within an eight-block loop. After three months, he said, he felt overwhelmed. In Edina, theres not a blade of grass out of place without everybody hovering around trying to fix it, said Minge, who is rooting for the Downtown Improvement Districts expansion. In St. Paul, we have such an amazing city with things to do the Saints stadium, the Xcel Center, the farmers market, the library but theres trash. Most people expect the city to take care of this kind of a thing, but their Public Works Department isnt staffed to pick up litter, and the police arent staffed to check in on every person on the street, he added. If theres somebody doing graffiti, it doesnt rise to the same level as human trafficking or gun violence. If the district expands as planned, its annual budget would grow from $1.3 million to about $2.68 million. St. Paul and Ramsey County currently pay in $300,000, which would increase to $675,000. The rest is covered by the private sector. Bill Hanley, a Lowertown condo owner, said he had been skeptical of the expansion effort until he learned his annual assessment which is based in part on square footage would be $75, or less than half of initial projections. The average for condo owners will be closer to $65, Spencer said. For commercial properties, the annual assessment would add up to about 6.4 cents per square foot of gross building area, plus $13.61 per foot of linear street frontage. For residential properties, it would be 3.8 cents per square foot, plus $8.17 per linear foot of street frontage, with prorating for condominiums. Individual owners of apartment buildings will have to decide whether to add that fee to their tenants monthly leases or simply swallow the cost. Property owners The 11-member governance board is currently chaired by Clint Blaiser, who is both a downtown resident and developer, with Zach Atherton-Ely, an executive with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures and the InterContinental and DoubleTree hotels, serving as vice chair. People are for it, Blaiser said. I havent talked to every single apartment building owner, but Ive talked to a number of them. Its been successful on the other side of downtown. People are happy with it. The Kaeding Development Group, which owns both commercial and residential property downtown, also signaled its support in a written statement, as have founding members such as Securian Financial. Theres clearly a level of support and interest in expanding this district in ways that are probably significant, said Hanley, 70, a former news director with Twin Cities Public Television, which is based downtown, who is active on skyway governance issues. Theres really no reason not to try it. Still, Bigos Management, which owns several residential buildings in Lowertown, has yet to publicly commit. Efforts to include West Seventh Street businesses in an expanded downtown district fell flat a year ago when a series of bar and restaurant owners objected to being charged fees for services they felt should already be covered by their property taxes. By state statute, expanding the Downtown Improvement District requires the consent an active petition from 25% of property owners within the new boundaries. Even if the newly expanded district is approved by the city council, a petition from 35% percent of property owners could override the council decision. A changing downtown Prior to its launch in 2021, St. Paul was the only one of the largest 65 cities in the country that did not have a downtown improvement district. When the St. Paul Downtown Alliance launched the district, it took care to avoid most of the commercial properties owned by Madison Equities, the real estate firm led at the time by the sometimes litigious James Crockarell. The result was what even some supporters have described as a gerrymandered map that spans roughly half the area commonly thought of as downtown St. Paul, with a panhandle that juts out to Jackson Street and Seventh Place while excluding Mears Park and much of Lowertown. Crockarell died in January and most of Madison Equities downtown holdings have since been put up for sale. The state Legislature last year altered the law governing improvement districts to allow residential and multi-family properties to participate, opening the door for all of downtown to be incorporated, including condominiums and apartment buildings rather than just commercial and industrial structures. Questions remain Plenty of questions remain, including whether board governance of the Downtown Improvement District will expand to include residential tenants and condo owners, and if so, to what degree. If this goes through, they would look to probably add board seats and add board members, the goal being to be representative of the stakeholders paying into the district, Spencer said. Despite his support for the expanded improvement district, Hanley, a former chair of the Skyway Governance Advisory Committee, still feels the Downtown Alliance needs to do more to elevate all residents perspectives. Downtown St. Paul is home to about 10,000 residents, but St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carters administration and the Downtown Alliance have set their sights on increasing the downtown population to 30,000 residents. Even an issue as seemingly mundane as non-service dogs traveling through the skyway which are currently banned, but still proliferating may require rethinking city ordinances and management approaches, Hanley said. Theres clearly going to be some changes. I just think theres going to be a lot of interesting things that have to be navigated, if youre going to put 30,000 people here, Hanley said. The character of a space like downtown changing that way, how does it all work? More information about the Downtown Improvement District is online at spdid.org. Related Articles Starmer is on a collision course with unions over his New Deal for Working People - REUTERS/Phil Noble Labour may soon be swept back to power by the widespread revulsion against the Tories. If so, the partys union paymasters are expecting the good times to roll again. But their hopes and the priorities of a new Labour government will surely clash sooner rather than later, not least given their energy plans. Labour has promised a New Deal for Working People. Some of this does not directly involve the unions a higher national living wage, restrictions on zero hours contracts, a day one option for flexible working but several proposed measures would appear to benefit them. These include repealing the 2016 Trade Union Act and the 2023 Minimum Service Levels Act and allowing electronic strike ballots. These changes may marginally increase the ability to call strikes, though in all honesty the Conservative legislation was performative rather than effective in reducing industrial action, while opposition to electronic voting now looks like pointless Luddism. Other measures include a right to enter workplaces to promote union membership, time off for union equality officers, and a vague proposal to make union recognition easier. Labour's relationship with unions, such as train drivers' union Aslef, risks deteriorating in the face of economic reality - James Manning/PA Wire None of this seems likely to do very much to increase unionisation, however. In 1979 more than half of all employees were in unions; today only around 22pc - and those mainly in the public sector. Many unionists continue to blame falling unionisation on the Thatcher-Major changes to the law banning closed shops, ending unofficial strikes and intimidatory mass picketing, introducing secret ballots. But declining membership is an international phenomenon: between 1980 and 2019 unionisation in OECD countries fell from 36.5pc to 15.8pc. Across the EU, legislation has embedded unions in social partnership structures which positively encourage unions, yet membership continues to fall. Another aspect of Labours New Deal is a proposal to revive national sectoral bargaining. This is being sold as a way of boosting pay across the economy, setting wage rates which cannot be undercut. Sectoral bargaining grew up at the end of the 19th century, as employers associations were created to counterbalance the growing strength of industry-wide unions and to mitigate the threat to established firms of new entry: all had to pay a standard wage rate. But national collective bargaining has long been in decline. More than 200 employers associations were recognised by the Governments Certification Officer in 1976. Today just 38 are accredited. Larger private businesses are now often part of multinational corporations which set their own pay levels and structures across the organisation, rather than being part of a national wage-setter. Sectoral bargaining is rare in todays Britain. It persists in several EU countries, though Germany, like us, has largely abandoned it. Reviving sectoral collective bargaining will be difficult. In many sectors, businesses dont even recognise unions at all. It is said that Labour will try first to implement sectoral bargaining in social care. But this sector has few big employers there are 18,000 organisations offering adult care, many very small. This would not be some modern-day Engineering Employers Federation. Such an arrangement would more closely resemble the old Wages Councils, which used to set pay in sectors with low unionisation. With the state paying for half of all social care, this would likely turn into yet another area where the Government is forced into confrontation with unions. How damaging might this be? Labour governments have been dashed on the rocks of union intransigence in the past, most obviously in the Winter of Discontent which did for the Callaghan government and ushered in Mrs Thatchers long dominance. The love-hate relationship between unions and Labour usually begins well, with National Plans or Social Contracts or New Deals - which offer sweeteners to the unions, but soon deteriorates in the face of economic reality. Tony Blair wisely resisted the pressure from the unions to repeal the Thatcher-Major reforms, and kept the unions at arms length during his glory days. But what would a Keir Starmer administration do? A new Labour government will face unions which it claims to want to strengthen, but whose main target will inevitably now be that same government. With straitened finances, Rachel Reeves cannot allow big pay increases for public sector workers and sectors depending on government money. Plans to increase productivity will be near-impossible to carry out without the ability to buy off the militants. On the railways I would expect no more progress in introducing driver-only operation, changes to ticket offices or duty rosters than the Tories achieved. Nor would I expect NHS unions to agree to whatever tentative steps to reform Wes Streeting makes. And if Labour sticks to its pledges to increase recruitment to the NHS and to schools this surely involves pay restraint which will spark renewed industrial action. This time round there are two new dimensions to the age-old conflict between government and unions. One is local government finance, with a number of near-bankrupt Labour-run local authorities facing major cuts in employment of unionised workers. Will the Government bail them out? If not, we can expect 1979-style industrial strife. The other issue is the accelerated move to net zero which Labour is pushing. Keir Starmers pledge to convert the UK to fossil-free power in less than six years time has been roundly attacked by the GMB union, many of whose 500,000-plus members are in the oil and gas sector and stand to lose their jobs. Of course, their members will not be the only ones to baulk as the implications of net zero really hit home. So dont expect Labours New Deal to improve industrial relations. Its effects will be too limited to buy off militancy. As always, the crunch will be over what money is in the pot for pay increases. And at the last look it was a five-pound note, two old buttons and a pile of IOUs. Len Shackleton is professor of economics at the University of Buckingham Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 12: Lauren Miller, who was denied access to an abortion in Texas, listens as O. Carter Snead, a professor at Notre Dame University speaks during a hearing with the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Capitol Hill on June 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. The subcommittee held the hearing to discuss abortion bans and travel to access them after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court ruling. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON When Lauren Miller flew from her home state of Texas to Colorado two years ago she felt a moment of relief when the plane took off not because she had been delayed for hours or because she needed a vacation, but because she was about to meet with doctors who would be able to treat her complicated pregnancy with twins. Miller, whose family has been in the Lone Star State for eight generations, testified Wednesday before a U.S. Senate panel about the struggles she faced after learning in 2022 one of the twins brains wasnt developing correctly and was about half fluid. One of our twin sons was going to die. It was just a matter of how soon, Miller testified. And every day that he continued to grow, he put his twin and myself at greater and greater risk. The fear was complicated by Texas strict restrictions on abortion, which forced Miller to seek out treatment options without her doctors assistance. Miller testified that, thankfully, she had a longtime friend she could trust who was an OB-GYN, who understood the landscape of abortion laws and knew doctors who could help address her diagnosis. She fortunately knew an OB-GYN in Colorado, in a safe state, Miller testified. And Ill never forget getting on the phone with him and his first words were, My feet are on the ground in Colorado, and I can answer anything you ask. Miller said the best option for her and her family was to have a single fetal reduction, but that was technically an abortion and she couldnt get it in Texas. While discussing how to travel, she and her husband debated leaving their cell phones at home and only using cash out of fear of being tracked or facing prosecution for traveling for the procedure. But they ultimately took a flight instead of driving due to how sick she was at the time. We didnt tell anybody what had happened, Miller said Wednesday. We didnt tell anybody what we had done because we were so scared. Bill on interstate travel The hearing on interstate travel was held by the Senate Judiciary Committees subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights. Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the panels chairman, said Congress should pass legislation from Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto that would reaffirm that people have a right to travel between states for reproductive health care. Cortez Masto testified before the committee on Wednesday that her home state has seen a drastic increase in patients traveling for abortion care during the last two years and that the bill would protect those people and their doctors. Our legislation reaffirms that women have a fundamental right to interstate travel and makes it crystal clear states cannot prosecute women or anyone who helps them for going to another state to get the critical reproductive care they need, Cortez Masto said. The Freedom to Travel for Healthcare Act would also protect healthcare providers in pro-choice states like Nevada, who help these women traveling from out of state. The right to travel is already fundamental throughout the United States, but several GOP states have begun looking for ways to block their residents from traveling for abortions. Right to travel Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families in Washington, D.C., testified during the hearing that attempting to bar travel is highly problematic, inconsistent with long-standing constitutional protections and Supreme Court precedent, and would bring even more disruption to our healthcare system. Frye told senators that the right to travel between the states is one of the bedrock foundations of the United States that was included in the Articles of Confederation, which were approved before the Constitution, though the right is also found in that document. The efforts to really impede the right to travel, really go to the heart of our Constitution and our democracy. Frye said. And, you know, even in a world where people disagree on a lot of things, our ability to go from state to state of our own accord is a fundamental principle. Frye also referenced Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaughs concurring opinion in the case that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, where he affirmed that people seeking abortions have a right to travel between states. Kavanaugh wrote: For example, may a State bar a resident of that State from traveling to another State to obtain an abortion? In my view, the answer is no based on the constitutional right to interstate travel. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. State Dept.: U.S. 'will respond accordingly' if Iran continues to expand its nuclear program A general view of the Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran. On Thursday, the Biden administration warned Iran that it will respond if it goes ahead with plans to expanding its nuclear program. File Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE June 13 (UPI) -- The United States "will respond accordingly" if Iran goes through with plans to expand its nuclear program, the State Department warned Thursday after the U.N. nuclear watchdog said the Middle Eastern country was increasing its uranium enrichment capacity. "The report issued today by the IAEA makes clear that Iran aims to continue expanding its nuclear program in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose. These planned actions further undermine Iran's claims to the contrary," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. "If Iran implements these plans, we will respond accordingly." The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency was sent to member states Thursday, a week after it passed a resolution calling on Iran to increase cooperation with the U.N. agency while censoring it for barring inspectors from some of its nuclear sites. "Iran must cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fully implement its legally binding safeguards obligations. Until Iran does so, the IAEA Board of Governors will continue to hold Iran to account," Miller said. Iran has been publicly advancing its nuclear program since 2018 when then-American President Donald Trump slapped sanctions on Tehran and wholly pulled the United States from an Obama-era, multi-nation accord aimed at preventing the Middle Eastern country from acquiring a nuclear weapon, arguing it did not go far enough. The IAEA said Iran is now enriching uranium up to 60% purity while increasing its stockpile. Weapons-grade uranium needs to be enriched to 90%. Following the IAEA's censure of Iran, the pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank had warned that such a move "is a risky leap of faith" as Iran has retaliated against previous moves from the U.N. watchdog. "How Tehran responds to the new IAEA censure is guesswork, but a response of some sort is almost certain," the think tank's Simon Henderson wrote on Monday. State Sen. Roger Thompson, at left, and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton talk at a Senate Education Committee meeting in February at the Oklahoma Capitol. State Sen. Roger Thompson, a Republican from Okemah, resigned from the Oklahoma Senate Friday with a short letter that did not cite any specific reasons. Thompson, who had been a leader in shaping the state's budget, said he was grateful and honored to have served the people of Senate District 8 for the last 10 years. He used an Oklahoma law that allows an irrevocable letter of resignation, which will become effective Nov. 1. His seat will be filled in a special election set by the governor with the winner serving the remainder of his term, which ends in 2026. His district is centered in Okmulgee County and includes the communities of Okmulgee, Henryetta and Eufaula. Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said in a statement that Thompson had been a wonderful friend and great partner in the Senate. His faithful stewardship of the budget the past several years has led to record savings and record investments in education, behavioral health and infrastructure, Treat said. He also cited Thompsons accomplishments with the American Rescue Plan Act process and developing the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency as a co-chair. It was Treat who removed Thompson as chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committee in early May, just as discussions were heating up over the possibility of an income tax cut. Without any public acknowledgement of a dispute, except for references in a statement citing the need for transparency in the budget process, Treat gave Thompson's office to the committee's vice chairman, Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry. Thompson was first elected in 2014 and served on the Senate's finance and rules committees before being chosen to head the appropriations committee. Outside of public office, Thompson has been part of many local organizations, including the Okfuskee County Election Board and the countys Excise Board. He is a past president of the Okemah Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, the Oklahoma Lions Club and Rock Creek Youth Camp, among many other organizations, according to his Senate bio. In Okemah, hes the president of the News Leader Company, which produces the Okemah News Leader. His wife, Pamela, is a business owner of a flower shop and office supply store. Thompson is president of the Okemah Community Improvement Association and serves as economic development consultant for businesses and municipalities. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State Sen. Roger Thompson resigns abruptly Pharmacist George Tadross takes care of a customer at MAC Pharmacy in Cleveland in May 2024. Insurance companies, and the pharmacy benefit management companies that handle prescriptions for them, often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives, a process known as step therapy. (Sue Ogrocki | The Associated Press) Cassidy Yermal, 32, began experiencing debilitating migraines when she was 17 years old. As a teenager growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania, she saw numerous neurologists and tried a variety of medications before finding one that provided relief. In 2022, her new insurer asked her to prove it. Yermal now lives in Marlboro, Maryland, where shes a sales representative at a furniture store. She is married and receives health care coverage through her husbands employer. In 2022, their new insurer told Yermal that it wouldnt pay for her medication unless she tried several less expensive drugs first or could prove that she already had. I was like, I dont know why theyre asking for this documentation now. My other insurance company didnt ask for it, Yermal told Stateline. It was really frustrating to me to have to dig up the kind of things that I knew didnt work. Millions of Americans have experienced similar frustrations under protocols known as step therapy, or fail-first policies. Insurance companies, and the pharmacy benefit management companies that handle prescriptions for them, often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives. Insurers argue that step therapy taking drug treatment one step a time prevents wasteful spending by directing patients to less expensive, but still effective, treatments. But patient advocacy groups and physicians say doctors, not insurers, are best qualified to know which drug or treatment is likely to be most effective. Delaying the implementation of that decision, they say, often harms patients. At least 36 states including Maryland, where Yermal lives have laws that are supposed to limit insurers use of step therapy. But most only apply in certain cases, and enforcement has been spotty. Most important, states do not have the power to regulate the self-funded insurance policies that large employers typically offer to their workers and 65% of Americans are covered that way. Only Congress has the power to curb the use of step therapy in self-funded plans; a bill that would do just that is pending on Capitol Hill. In the meantime, legislatures in several states, including Illinois, Kentucky and New Mexico, this year approved measures designed to close loopholes in their step therapy laws and extend protections to more people. The Kentucky and New Mexico bills are now law. States are really where the action is on health care. Changes and reforms depend on the state. Kaye Pestaina, vice president and director of patient and consumer protections at KFF The Illinois measure, which is awaiting the signature of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, is especially far-reaching: It would ban any insurers regulated by the state, including Medicaid, from using step therapy. But because states cant regulate self-funded insurers, many Illinois residents wouldnt be covered. Knowing that our hospitals have hundreds of employees on staff just to deal with the insurance companies really says something, Democratic state Rep. Anna Moeller, chief sponsor of the bill, told Stateline. Nobody should be turned away in the middle of a mental health crisis or spend months potentially failing on other drugs while the doctors know they wont work. No one should have to go through that. Illinois Democratic state Sen. Laura Fine, another sponsor of the bill, acknowledged that forcing large insurance companies to abide by the ban would be a challenge. Our Department of Insurance is going to have to come in. This is where we are going to have to make rules. How do we make sure that these laws are being carried out as written? she said. Nevertheless, Fine said, the ban almost certainly would be a huge improvement over the current step therapy law in Illinois. That law is so weak, she said, that for most people subjected to step therapy rules, you could complain about it, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Now, were saying, No, this is not [allowed], Fine said. And so, you can complain about it, and something can get done. In Maryland, Yermal had to wait two months for her insurer to approve her preferred migraine medication, Emgality, which has no generic form and can cost more than $700 for the once-a-month dose. During that time, she suffered pounding headaches; it was hard to live my life, and it was hard to do basic things, she said. She also said that taking medications that dont work can have long-lasting effects. More than a decade later, she said, she is still feeling the impact of her time on a migraine drug that didnt help her. I still cant think straight. I used to be a really fast learner and pick up on stuff really quickly, Yermal said. I took that medication over 10 years ago and I still feel that I never recovered. Increasing use Insurers argue that by preventing excessive spending, step therapy yields savings for consumers in the form of lower insurance premiums and less expensive prescriptions for everyone on the plan. James Swann, a spokesperson for AHIP, a trade group formerly known as Americas Health Insurance Plans, said step therapy protects patients from potentially harmful or unnecessary care, and that legislation to restrict it would lead to clinically inappropriate care and could raise costs for all consumers and purchasers. Swann also suggested that insurers have a holistic perspective on the health care system that even doctors lack. But Dr. Jack Resneck, former president of the American Medical Association, rejected that idea. I would make an argument that physicians who have gone to medical school and have the patients entire medical record can help keep patients way more safe, Resneck said. [Insurers] are often recommending things to me that are frankly unsafe. He added: Is it true that we have seen some drug prices go up astronomically? Absolutely. The solution is to fix drug pricing. Its not to tell patients that the drug theyve been on thats been great for them is one they cant be on anymore. Recent research suggests that the use of step therapy by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers is increasing and that it is often divorced from clinical evidence. In a study published earlier this year in the journal Health Affairs, researchers looked at about 10 years worth of Medicare Part D plan data and found that insurers increasingly imposed restrictions on patient access to medications. They did so through step therapy, requiring doctors to get insurers permission before prescribing a drug, or by excluding drugs from coverage. The percentage of drugs restricted by the policies increased from 32% in 2011 to 44% in 2020. While plans justify the use of these tools as a means to control costs, restricting access to an increasing number of drugs raises concerns that these policies may adversely affect patients health, Geoffrey Joyce, chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics at the University of Southern California and an author of the study said in an interview. A study published in Health Affairs in 2021 found that 17 of the largest commercial health plans applied step therapy policies about 40% of the time for treatments related to 10 diseases. The researchers found that there was wide variation among the companies use of step therapy, and that the policies requirements often departed from clinical guidelines. The protocols were more rigid than clinical guidelines at least half the time for patients with hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and psoriatic arthritis. For psoriasis, the step therapy protocols were stricter more than 99% of the time. James Chambers, an associate professor at the Tufts Medical Center Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and an author of the study, told Stateline that the inconsistency maybe raises a red flag about how these protocols were developed and for what reason. From experience, we see very different step therapy protocols across plans for the same drugs for the same uses, Chambers said. Its not just subtle differences, but impactful differences for patients. Current laws limited The loopholes in existing state laws and the fact that the laws dont apply to people with the most common form of insurance frustrate patient advocacy groups. Dozens of them have been involved in lobbying for tougher state rules and the stalled federal bill. We have a ton of inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune patients in our network. And this population typically has to undergo step therapy, which causes major delays in treatment, said Zoe Rothblatt, director of community outreach at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, which advocates for patients with chronic diseases such as migraines, arthritis, osteoporosis and psoriasis. Patients can spend a lot of time months in pain, not able to work, Rothblatt said. They could have disease progression. Joyce said it wont be easy to further restrict the use of step therapy, either at the state or the federal level. He noted the country is spending more than $4 trillion annually on health care, and the reason its so hard to change things is because that money is somebodys income whether its yours, or a doctors or a pharma companys. And the health care companies, he said, dont want reform. They all fight it tooth and nail, and they all have lobbyists in Washington fighting for their interests, he said. Kaye Pestaina, vice president and director of patient and consumer protections at KFF, a health research organization, said innovative approaches to regulating insurance companies are more likely to occur on the state level, and that civil lawsuits are a powerful enforcement tool. States are really where the action is on health care. Changes and reforms depend on the state, Pestaina told Stateline. The state law says how much the civil penalty is, what the circumstances are, when a government investigates, what makes something a violation and what doesnt. Fine, the Illinois senator, said the measure set to be signed by the governor is evidence of a growing legislative appetite to regulate insurers, a change that is shifting state government. I feel our Department of Insurance now is very consumer-focused, Fine told Stateline. For a long, long time, everything was sort of slanted towards industry. And now, you know, the scale is kind of changing. And were slanting towards, How is this helping the consumer? Yermal, meanwhile, says shes doing fine now, although she still suffers from some headaches. Shes happy she can at least get the medication she needs to deal with them, she said. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post States struggle to help patients navigate insurance hurdle known as step therapy appeared first on West Virginia Watch. Pharmacist George Tadross takes care of a customer at MAC Pharmacy in Cleveland in May 2024. Insurance companies, and the pharmacy benefit management companies that handle prescriptions for them, often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives, a process known as step therapy. Pharmacist George Tadross takes care of a customer at MAC Pharmacy in Cleveland in May 2024. Insurance companies, and the pharmacy benefit management companies that handle prescriptions for them, often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives, a process known as step therapy. (Sue Ogrocki/The Associated Press) Cassidy Yermal, 32, began experiencing debilitating migraines when she was 17 years old. As a teenager growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania, she saw numerous neurologists and tried a variety of medications before finding one that provided relief. In 2022, her new insurer asked her to prove it. Yermal now lives in Marlboro, Maryland, where shes a sales representative at a furniture store. She is married and receives health care coverage through her husbands employer. In 2022, their new insurer told Yermal that it wouldnt pay for her medication unless she tried several less expensive drugs first or could prove that she already had. I was like, I dont know why theyre asking for this documentation now. My other insurance company didnt ask for it, Yermal told Stateline. It was really frustrating to me to have to dig up the kind of things that I knew didnt work. Millions of Americans have experienced similar frustrations under protocols known as step therapy, or fail-first policies. Insurance companies, and the pharmacy benefit management companies that handle prescriptions for them, often refuse to cover a specific drug until after the patient has tried cheaper alternatives. Insurers argue that step therapy taking drug treatment one step a time prevents wasteful spending by directing patients to less expensive, but still effective, treatments. But patient advocacy groups and physicians say doctors, not insurers, are best qualified to know which drug or treatment is likely to be most effective. Delaying the implementation of that decision, they say, often harms patients. At least 36 states including Maryland, where Yermal lives have laws that are supposed to limit insurers use of step therapy. But most only apply in certain cases, and enforcement has been spotty. Most important, states do not have the power to regulate the self-funded insurance policies that large employers typically offer to their workers and 65% of Americans are covered that way. Only Congress has the power to curb the use of step therapy in self-funded plans; a bill that would do just that is pending on Capitol Hill. In the meantime, legislatures in several states, including Illinois, Kentucky and New Mexico, this year approved measures designed to close loopholes in their step therapy laws and extend protections to more people. The Kentucky and New Mexico bills are now law. States are really where the action is on health care. Changes and reforms depend on the state. Kaye Pestaina, KFF patient and consumer protections director The Illinois measure, which is awaiting the signature of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, is especially far-reaching: It would ban any insurers regulated by the state, including Medicaid, from using step therapy. But because states cant regulate self-funded insurers, many Illinois residents wouldnt be covered. Knowing that our hospitals have hundreds of employees on staff just to deal with the insurance companies really says something, Democratic state Rep. Anna Moeller, chief sponsor of the bill, told Stateline. Nobody should be turned away in the middle of a mental health crisis or spend months potentially failing on other drugs while the doctors know they wont work. No one should have to go through that. Illinois Democratic state Sen. Laura Fine, another sponsor of the bill, acknowledged that forcing large insurance companies to abide by the ban would be a challenge. Our Department of Insurance is going to have to come in. This is where we are going to have to make rules. How do we make sure that these laws are being carried out as written? she said. Nevertheless, Fine said, the ban almost certainly would be a huge improvement over the current step therapy law in Illinois. That law is so weak, she said, that for most people subjected to step therapy rules, you could complain about it, but there was nothing that could be done about it. Now, were saying, No, this is not [allowed], Fine said. And so, you can complain about it, and something can get done. In Maryland, Yermal had to wait two months for her insurer to approve her preferred migraine medication, Emgality, which has no generic form and can cost more than $700 for the once-a-month dose. During that time, she suffered pounding headaches; it was hard to live my life, and it was hard to do basic things, she said. She also said that taking medications that dont work can have long-lasting effects. More than a decade later, she said, she is still feeling the impact of her time on a migraine drug that didnt help her. I still cant think straight. I used to be a really fast learner and pick up on stuff really quickly, Yermal said. I took that medication over 10 years ago and I still feel that I never recovered. Increasing use Insurers argue that by preventing excessive spending, step therapy yields savings for consumers in the form of lower insurance premiums and less expensive prescriptions for everyone on the plan. James Swann, a spokesperson for AHIP, a trade group formerly known as Americas Health Insurance Plans, said step therapy protects patients from potentially harmful or unnecessary care, and that legislation to restrict it would lead to clinically inappropriate care and could raise costs for all consumers and purchasers. Swann also suggested that insurers have a holistic perspective on the health care system that even doctors lack. But Dr. Jack Resneck, former president of the American Medical Association, rejected that idea. I would make an argument that physicians who have gone to medical school and have the patients entire medical record can help keep patients way more safe, Resneck said. [Insurers] are often recommending things to me that are frankly unsafe. He added: Is it true that we have seen some drug prices go up astronomically? Absolutely. The solution is to fix drug pricing. Its not to tell patients that the drug theyve been on thats been great for them is one they cant be on anymore. Recent research suggests that the use of step therapy by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers is increasing and that it is often divorced from clinical evidence. In a study published earlier this year in the journal Health Affairs, researchers looked at about 10 years worth of Medicare Part D plan data and found that insurers increasingly imposed restrictions on patient access to medications. They did so through step therapy, requiring doctors to get insurers permission before prescribing a drug, or by excluding drugs from coverage. The percentage of drugs restricted by the policies increased from 32% in 2011 to 44% in 2020. While plans justify the use of these tools as a means to control costs, restricting access to an increasing number of drugs raises concerns that these policies may adversely affect patients health, Geoffrey Joyce, chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics at the University of Southern California and an author of the study said in an interview. A study published in Health Affairs in 2021 found that 17 of the largest commercial health plans applied step therapy policies about 40% of the time for treatments related to 10 diseases. The researchers found that there was wide variation among the companies use of step therapy, and that the policies requirements often departed from clinical guidelines. The protocols were more rigid than clinical guidelines at least half the time for patients with hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and psoriatic arthritis. For psoriasis, the step therapy protocols were stricter more than 99% of the time. James Chambers, an associate professor at the Tufts Medical Center Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and an author of the study, told Stateline that the inconsistency maybe raises a red flag about how these protocols were developed and for what reason. From experience, we see very different step therapy protocols across plans for the same drugs for the same uses, Chambers said. Its not just subtle differences, but impactful differences for patients. Current laws limited The loopholes in existing state laws and the fact that the laws dont apply to people with the most common form of insurance frustrate patient advocacy groups. Dozens of them have been involved in lobbying for tougher state rules and the stalled federal bill. We have a ton of inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune patients in our network. And this population typically has to undergo step therapy, which causes major delays in treatment, said Zoe Rothblatt, director of community outreach at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, which advocates for patients with chronic diseases such as migraines, arthritis, osteoporosis and psoriasis. Patients can spend a lot of time months in pain, not able to work, Rothblatt said. They could have disease progression. Joyce said it wont be easy to further restrict the use of step therapy, either at the state or the federal level. He noted the country is spending more than $4 trillion annually on health care, and the reason its so hard to change things is because that money is somebodys income whether its yours, or a doctors or a pharma companys. And the health care companies, he said, dont want reform. They all fight it tooth and nail, and they all have lobbyists in Washington fighting for their interests, he said. Kaye Pestaina, vice president and director of patient and consumer protections at KFF, a health research organization, said innovative approaches to regulating insurance companies are more likely to occur on the state level, and that civil lawsuits are a powerful enforcement tool. States are really where the action is on health care. Changes and reforms depend on the state, Pestaina told Stateline. The state law says how much the civil penalty is, what the circumstances are, when a government investigates, what makes something a violation and what doesnt. Fine, the Illinois senator, said the measure set to be signed by the governor is evidence of a growing legislative appetite to regulate insurers, a change that is shifting state government. I feel our Department of Insurance now is very consumer-focused, Fine told Stateline. For a long, long time, everything was sort of slanted towards industry. And now, you know, the scale is kind of changing. And were slanting towards, How is this helping the consumer? Yermal, meanwhile, says shes doing fine now, although she still suffers from some headaches. Shes happy she can at least get the medication she needs to deal with them, she said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This report was first published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. The post States struggle to help patients navigate insurance hurdle known as step therapy appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Hired security personnel wait for voters outside the Leon County Supervisor of Elections office on Nov. 3, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The federal government has sought to bolster election security for years through a popular grant program, but the wildly fluctuating funding levels have made it difficult for state officials to plan their budgets and their projects. Rising misinformation and disinformation about elections, often fueled by conspiracy theories, as well as threats against election workers, make the grants especially important, according to elections officials. But U.S. House Republicans are seeking to eliminate funding for election security grants known as Help America Vote Act, or HAVA grants in this years appropriations process, a move they unsuccessfully attempted last year as well. We continue to unnecessarily risk the very integrity of our elections and American democracy, Georgia Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop said Thursday during committee debate on the funding bill. Bishop, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, said he was concerned about the outdated and the insecure voting systems around the country that pose a very, very serious threat to our national security and to our democratic system. It is irresponsible to ignore the wake-up call, Bishop added. Our nations election systems are currently and constantly under attack by foreign actors that are threatening our democratic values. The bill was approved by the GOP-led House Appropriations Committee with no money in it for the grants. Gideon Cohn-Postar, legislative director at Issue One & Issue One Action, said during an interview with States Newsroom that while the grants have traditionally been bipartisan, several factors have affected backing for the program in recent years. It remains something that many Republicans in both the House and the Senate support, Cohn-Postar said. But its also been caught up, I think, in some of the false information about elections that began to spread in 2020. Former President Donald Trump, now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has continued to falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Issue One writes on its website that the organization strives to unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system and build an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. Grant funding decreases Congress approved $55 million in election security grants during the last appropriations process, which wrapped up this spring. That action came after the Republican-controlled House, which proposed zero dollars, conferenced with the Democratic-controlled Senate, which had proposed $75 million in funding. That final funding level was a decrease from the $75 million that Congress approved in both fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. Congress didnt approve any election grant funding in the annual appropriations bill during fiscal year 2021. However, that followed lawmakers allocation of $425 million in the prior years bill as well as an additional $400 million in one of the COVID-19 emergency spending bills. Cohn-Postar said that several states have sought to make their HAVA grants last more than one year by spending less than they receive, or saving the money up for bigger projects. Louisiana, for example, hasnt spent any of its election security grant funding since 2018, in preparation for overhauling its election system. New Hampshire passed a state law that collects the grant funding in an endowment and then only spends a portion of that each year. But that careful budgeting and uncertainty about how much grant funding Congress might provide in the next year has led federal lawmakers to look at states use of the grants skeptically, Cohn-Postar said. The key thing weve come across is about half of the states have only spent about half of their HAVA grants, Cohn-Postar said. And that gets brought up in every conversation that Congress has about these grants. They say, Hey, why should we appropriate more if you havent spent? Congress, he said, sometimes uses states careful, thoughtful budgeting as an excuse to not give them money. Republicans in Congress are also looking to reduce federal spending overall and have made cuts throughout many of the dozen annual spending bills, including the Financial Services bill, which includes the HAVA grants. Incredibly important in Maine Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said during an interview the grants have been incredibly important, especially in the absence of sustainable elections funding from the federal government. We have seen the rapid evolution of cybersecurity threats and threats against election infrastructure over the last several years, Bellows said. As the threats evolve, so must our preparedness. The election security grants are fundamental to our ability to make investments in improvements in our central voter registration system and cybersecurity protections for that system. Congress inability or unwillingness to create a predictable, stable funding program for states to administer federal elections is unfortunate, she said. We are very proud that Maine has always enjoyed safe, free and secure elections, Bellows said. But make no mistake, the lack of sustainable ongoing federal funding is a potential vulnerability in the future. Washington state Elections Director Stuart Holmes said in an interview he plans his annual budget around not getting HAVA election security grants and is pleasantly surprised when Congress does provide the funding. Through my entire career, theres only been two rounds of HAVA that were significant investments into elections, Holmes said. So its a great surprise to get an extra million dollars at the beginning of the year. But it does make it pretty much impossible to prepare and plan for anything if you have to spend it. The grants dont expire at the end of the fiscal year and the federal government doesnt claw back unspent funding, allowing the states to take different approaches to how they use the money. Holmes said during his interview with States Newsroom that the funding approved in fiscal 2020 allowed the state to create an entire team of cybersecurity professionals to be dedicated to protecting our infrastructure. In the state of Washington, we have a centralized voter registration and election management system, and never before had we had dedicated election professionals that are watching the logs, preparing our system, testing our system and collaborating with other professionals to do testing, Holmes said. So were in a better position than weve ever been. Even so, he said, local election officials would certainly look forward to a stable funding source from the federal government as it relates to federal elections. New Hampshire election fund New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan said when Congress passed the HAVA program in 2002, it told states the funding was primarily to set up a statewide voter registration database, ensure every polling place had accessible voting equipment, provide poll workers with training and set up voter education programs. The New Hampshire Legislature at the time told the secretary of state to use the initial allocation from Congress to meet the requirements, but then to establish an election fund with the remaining money. Originally, the secretary of state could use one-twentieth of the total funding in the account for annual costs of maintaining the federal mandates, but that is currently one-twelfth of the total amount in the fund. New Hampshire has been doing a good job with the money that we have, but theres no question that the funds have helped us put in place security measures for our electronic systems, Scanlan said. The state, he said, has used its federal election security grants to hire vendors that specialize in keeping the electronic systems safe. When New Hampshire set up a new voter registration database, the state used the funding to ensure none of the software included anything nefarious. Weve really been making sure that the systems that were building are clean and that theres not something malicious lurking in the shadows, Scanlan said. Weve taken some really good steps that give me real confidence that our systems are in good shape. Advocating for consistent, reliable federal funding JP Martin, deputy communications director for the Arizona secretary of state, declined States Newsrooms request for an interview with the secretary of state, offering only to provide written responses to questions on HAVA election security grants. Martin wrote in an email that fluctuating levels of federal funding have significantly impacted our strategic planning and budgeting. The uncertainty of future allocations compels us to be cautious with expenditures, focusing on priorities such as enhancing physical security measures for voting equipment, Martin wrote. For instance, securing equipment in cagesnow requires a liftgate-equipped truck due to their increased weightdemonstrates the challenges of managing technological and budgetary constraints under limited HAVA funding. Congress declining to provide election security grants in the future could significantly strain Arizonas election infrastructure, he wrote. Currently, the state is under a hiring freeze, and our focus remains on supporting counties, especially with the recent changes such as the date of the primary and legislation extending ballot curing to weekends, Martin wrote. We are prioritizing increased cybersecurity training and advocating for consistent, reliable federal funding to ensure the smooth administration of elections, emphasizing the necessity of sustained financial support from Congress. The post States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 03: Hired security personnel wait for voters outside the Leon County Supervisor of Elections office on November 3, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. After a record-breaking early voting turnout, Americans head to the polls on the last day to cast their vote for incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The federal government has sought to bolster election security for years through a popular grant program, but the wildly fluctuating funding levels have made it difficult for state officials to plan their budgets and their projects. Rising misinformation and disinformation about elections, often fueled by conspiracy theories, as well as threats against election workers, make the grants especially important, according to elections officials. But U.S. House Republicans are seeking to eliminate funding for election security grants known as Help America Vote Act, or HAVA grants in this years appropriations process, a move they unsuccessfully attempted last year as well. We continue to unnecessarily risk the very integrity of our elections and American democracy, Georgia Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop said Thursday during committee debate on the funding bill. Bishop, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, said he was concerned about the outdated and the insecure voting systems around the country that pose a very, very serious threat to our national security and to our democratic system. It is irresponsible to ignore the wake-up call, Bishop added. Our nations election systems are currently and constantly under attack by foreign actors that are threatening our democratic values. The bill was approved by the GOP-led House Appropriations Committee with no money in it for the grants. Gideon Cohn-Postar, legislative director at Issue One & Issue One Action, said during an interview with States Newsroom that while the grants have traditionally been bipartisan, several factors have affected backing for the program in recent years. It remains something that many Republicans in both the House and the Senate support, Cohn-Postar said. But its also been caught up, I think, in some of the false information about elections that began to spread in 2020. Former President Donald Trump, now the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has continued to falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Issue One writes on its website that the organization strives to unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system and build an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. Grant funding decreases Congress approved $55 million in election security grants during the last appropriations process, which wrapped up this spring. That action came after the Republican-controlled House, which proposed zero dollars, conferenced with the Democratic-controlled Senate, which had proposed $75 million in funding. That final funding level was a decrease from the $75 million that Congress approved in both fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. Congress didnt approve any election grant funding in the annual appropriations bill during fiscal year 2021. However, that followed lawmakers allocation of $425 million in the prior years bill as well as an additional $400 million in one of the COVID-19 emergency spending bills. Cohn-Postar said several states have sought to make their HAVA grants last more than one year by spending less than they receive, or saving the money up for bigger projects. Louisiana, for example, hasnt spent any of its election security grant funding since 2018, in preparation for overhauling its election system. New Hampshire passed a state law that collects the grant funding in an endowment and then only spends a portion of that each year. But that careful budgeting and uncertainty about how much grant funding Congress might provide in the next year has led federal lawmakers to look at states use of the grants skeptically, Cohn-Postar said. The key thing weve come across is about half of the states have only spent about half of their HAVA grants, Cohn-Postar said. And that gets brought up in every conversation that Congress has about these grants. They say, Hey, why should we appropriate more if you havent spent? Congress, he said, sometimes uses states careful, thoughtful budgeting as an excuse to not give them money. Republicans in Congress are also looking to reduce federal spending overall and have made cuts throughout many of the dozen annual spending bills, including the Financial Services bill, which includes the HAVA grants. Incredibly important in Maine Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said during an interview the grants have been incredibly important, especially in the absence of sustainable elections funding from the federal government. We have seen the rapid evolution of cybersecurity threats and threats against election infrastructure over the last several years, Bellows said. As the threats evolve, so must our preparedness. The election security grants are fundamental to our ability to make investments in improvements in our central voter registration system and cybersecurity protections for that system. Congress inability or unwillingness to create a predictable, stable funding program for states to administer federal elections is unfortunate, she said. We are very proud that Maine has always enjoyed safe, free and secure elections, Bellows said. But make no mistake, the lack of sustainable ongoing federal funding is a potential vulnerability in the future. Washington state Elections Director Stuart Holmes said in an interview he plans his annual budget around not getting HAVA election security grants and is pleasantly surprised when Congress does provide the funding. Through my entire career, theres only been two rounds of HAVA that were significant investments into elections, Holmes said. So its a great surprise to get an extra million dollars at the beginning of the year. But it does make it pretty much impossible to prepare and plan for anything if you have to spend it. The grants dont expire at the end of the fiscal year and the federal government doesnt claw back unspent funding, allowing the states to take different approaches to how they use the money. Holmes said during his interview with States Newsroom that the funding approved in fiscal 2020 allowed the state to create an entire team of cybersecurity professionals to be dedicated to protecting our infrastructure. In the state of Washington, we have a centralized voter registration and election management system, and never before had we had dedicated election professionals that are watching the logs, preparing our system, testing our system and collaborating with other professionals to do testing, Holmes said. So were in a better position than weve ever been. Even so, he said, local election officials would certainly look forward to a stable funding source from the federal government as it relates to federal elections. New Hampshire election fund New Hampshire Secretary of State David M. Scanlan said when Congress passed the HAVA program in 2002, it told states the funding was primarily to set up a statewide voter registration database, ensure every polling place had accessible voting equipment, provide poll workers with training and set up voter education programs. The New Hampshire Legislature at the time told the secretary of state to use the initial allocation from Congress to meet the requirements, but then to establish an election fund with the remaining money. Originally, the secretary of state could use one-twentieth of the total funding in the account for annual costs of maintaining the federal mandates, but that is currently one-twelfth of the total amount in the fund. New Hampshire has been doing a good job with the money that we have, but theres no question that the funds have helped us put in place security measures for our electronic systems, Scanlan said. The state, he said, has used its federal election security grants to hire vendors that specialize in keeping the electronic systems safe. When New Hampshire set up a new voter registration database, the state used the funding to ensure none of the software included anything nefarious. Weve really been making sure that the systems that were building are clean and that theres not something malicious lurking in the shadows, Scanlan said. Weve taken some really good steps that give me real confidence that our systems are in good shape. Advocating for consistent, reliable federal funding JP Martin, deputy communications director for the Arizona secretary of state, declined States Newsrooms request for an interview with the secretary of state, offering only to provide written responses to questions on HAVA election security grants. Martin wrote in an email that fluctuating levels of federal funding have significantly impacted our strategic planning and budgeting. The uncertainty of future allocations compels us to be cautious with expenditures, focusing on priorities such as enhancing physical security measures for voting equipment, Martin wrote. For instance, securing equipment in cagesnow requires a liftgate-equipped truck due to their increased weightdemonstrates the challenges of managing technological and budgetary constraints under limited HAVA funding. Congress declining to provide election security grants in the future could significantly strain Arizonas election infrastructure, he wrote. Currently, the state is under a hiring freeze, and our focus remains on supporting counties, especially with the recent changes such as the date of the primary and legislation extending ballot curing to weekends, Martin wrote. We are prioritizing increased cybersecurity training and advocating for consistent, reliable federal funding to ensure the smooth administration of elections, emphasizing the necessity of sustained financial support from Congress. The post States struggle with unreliable federal funding for making sure elections are secure appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. 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!) A clutch of red-state attorneys general seem likely to try a last-minute gambit to reanimate the corpse of Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a lawsuit challenging the abortion medication mifepristone. But they wont succeed, because states cant and shouldnt parachute into moribund litigation halfway across the country. That means the Supreme Courts decision today should end this threat to abortion accessat least for now. To recap: Since 2000, millions of pregnant people in the U.S. have safely and effectively used mifepristone and its partner, misoprostol, as part of an FDA-approved abortion medication regimen. Mifepristone is safer than penicillin and Viagra. Over time, as it collected evidence showing the medications safety, the FDA dialed back its unnecessarily strict limits on prescribing and using mifepristone. In 2016, for instance, it allowed the two-medication regimen to be prescribed until 10 weeks from conception, up from an original seven weeks. And in 2023, it allowed certified pharmacies to dispense mifepristone, where before patients would have to get their medicine directly from a clinician. But in 2022, a group of anti-choice doctors and medical associationsthe eponymous Alliance for Hippocratic Medicinesued to block the FDAs generation-old approval of mifepristone. Not by accident, they sued in Amarillo, Texasa division of the federal Northern District of Texas where virtually all cases get assigned to Matthew Kacsmaryk, a die-hard anti-choice jurist. And they got what they wanted. Last April, Kacsmaryk effectively enjoined the FDAs longstanding approval of mifepristone. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit let a lot of that injunction stand. Judge-shopping, revanchism, religious dogma, and paternalistic nostalgia dressed up as administrative law: As Mark Joseph Stern has shown in these pages, thats not nearly as rare as it should be. The only mildly surprising part of the whole debacle was the appellate courts firm conviction that these doctorswho neither took mifepristone nor prescribed ithad any business in court in the first place. If you dont own a dog or bet on them, you dont get to sue over the race. This is the standing doctrine. Plaintiffs cant sue in federal court unless they were injured by something the defendants did. And their injury cant just be that theyre really upset about it. Otherwise, anyone who cared about any aspect of federal policy could sueand courts, not legislatures, would be policymaking bodies. Conservatives once professed to care deeply about this doctrine. It served as a bulwark against progressives making a federal case out of, for instance, the EPAs failure to regulate greenhouse gases. But in the 5th Circuit, at least, that aspect of our (otherwise venerated) history and tradition has gone by the wayside. Standing doctrine is hard for the right-wing grievance machine, which believes it is entitled to whine to the refs over every perceived slight. So, obligingly, the 5th Circuit held that the doctors did have standingafter all, the court reasoned, someday they might be forced to treat someone undergoing some unspecified mifepristone-related complication, compromising their deeply held ideals. At the end of that meandering trail of implausible contingencies lay a false premise. As the Supreme Court explained in its decision reversing the 5th Circuit: None of the plaintiff doctors alleged that they had ever been in a situation where they were forced to provide abortion care of any sort. And nobody is ever forced to provide abortion care, since federal law protects doctors freedom of conscience. Whats more: Nobody, even like-minded anti-choicers, ever really believed the 5th Circuits standing logic. Thats how Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri got involved in a lawsuit filed in a state hundreds of miles away from any of them. When the FDA asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block the 5th Circuits decision pending further litigation, it leaned hard into the plaintiffs lack of standing. And the Supreme Court seemed inclined to listen, granting that stay request and hearing the case on the merits. The red states responded by jumping into the fray. A year had gone by since the case first started. The district court had already given the private plaintiffs everything they wanted. But the states were worried that all the mischief would be undone by plaintiffs lack of standing: The Federal Governments recent petition, they argued in their motion to intervene, spends the brunt of its analysis attacking the private plaintiffs theories of standing. But in this motion, the States press sovereign and economic harms that cannot be asserted by private plaintiffs. So, they contended, they should be allowed into a case that none of them could ever have filed in the first place because none of them has any plausible connection to Amarillo, Texas. Kacsmaryk, of course, was as obliging as ever. And now what? Since the private plaintiffs dont have standing, the district court would normally dismiss the entire case, wiping away the remaining vestiges of its preliminary injunction. But now there is a new set of state plaintiffs. Theyre likely to argue that they get to go on litigating, because they have different and untested claims of standing. And we already know how the district court and the 5th Circuit feel about the merits. Does the agony continue? It shouldnt. Not, anyhow, if existing law means anything. If standing is broken at its inception, you cant fix it afterward. Plaintiffs need standing when they file their case. If they havent been injured, they shouldnt be in court in the first placeand courts have no power to do anything in the case other than dismiss it. Standing defects cant be cured by subsequent legal repositioningincluding by intervention. As one federal appellate court put it: Since intervention contemplates an existing suit in a court of competent jurisdiction and because intervention is ancillary to the main cause of action, intervention will not be permitted to breathe life into a nonexistent law suit. The alternative would open the door to all kinds of procedural machinationsincluding the one that the state intervenors are trying here. Litigation hoboes can just get a willing plaintiff, no matter how frivolous his arguments, to file a suit in a favorable district, and then slip in behind him before the stockcar doors slide shut. The railyard dicks will get the original railhopper, but his sly buddy gets to keep on traveling. So this case should die now, because allowing Zombie AHM to survive would be bad law and bad policy. But it would also be profoundly harmful to any vestigial sense of state dignity. States arent just like normal litigants. They have some unique prerogatives and interests and some unique litigation privileges, too. For instance: Standing applies differently to states. Unlike individuals, theyre entitled to go to court to protect their sovereigntytheir (limited but real) autonomous prerogative to appoint their own officials and make their own laws. Those special prerogatives grow out of the place of states in our federalism bargain. And they come with obligationsincluding the obligation not to act like litigation hoboes. Red states shouldnt sue the FDA over a safe 23-year-old medication that makes women healthier and freer. But if they do, they should have the same faith in the federal system that the federal system has in them, suing in their own home jurisdictions rather than decamping across state lines because a Texas judge will treat them nice. None of that, of course, prevents a new set of litigantseven these statesfrom bringing a new suit. For now, mifepristone remains legal and accessible. Not even Matthew Kacsmaryk can undo thatperhaps temporarywin. AUSTIN (KXAN) The status of police oversight provisions Austin voters passed in May 2023 has been in limbo ever since that vote. One of the primary measures includes public access to whats called a g-file. A g-file is an internal, confidential file that contains complaints against police officers that have not been substantiated with evidence and did not result in any form of punishment. Understanding the Austin Police oversight provision The g-file is considered a major hurdle in contract negotiations between the City of Austin and the Austin police union, which opposes the release of g-file contents. The City and the Austin Police Association (APA) re-entered discussions for a long-term contract in March. The Austin Police Department (APD) maintains a g-file for its sworn staff. Not all departments have one, only departments that are 143 cities, meaning cities that have voted to establish Fire Fighters and Police Officers Civil Service Commission. Even though the public voted to make the contents of those files public, theyre still kept confidential in Austin. The Citys current legal stance is that it cant make the records public without a police contract, because thats something thats hashed out in that agreement. APD has been without a contract since Spring 2023. Council Member Chito Vela, representing District 4, disagrees with the citys legal stance. My principal concern is that it has not been fully implemented, the g-file is still shielded from public access, he said. The city may withhold those records, it also may not hold those records. Voters have chosen to give the public access to those records. Vela discussed his opinion on the matter with KXAN in the video below. As a council member, he does not have the authority to make any changes to the citys current actions. The APA opposes the release of g-file contents because they include complaints against officers even if theres no evidence to support said complaints. The biggest issue is that we are potentially creating a system, if all of this stuff is opened up to where were allowing administrative violations to be weaponized against an officer, their personal lives, their careers, as well as their professional product, even though nothing came of it, APA President Michael Bullock said. Bullock said the APA and the city are still actively negotiating a police contract. A current lawsuit making its way through the courts is the primary lingering factor that could impact the g-file at this point, as the APA said it will not agree to a contract that allows the release of g-file contents. Advocacy group Equity Action filed the lawsuit against the City demanding the immediate implementation of all measures of the Austin Police Oversight Act, which includes the release of g-file contents. That case is currently in the hands of a judge. There is no set timeline as to when the judge will make a decision. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NATO allies have failed to agree so far on a long-term financial pledge for Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Jun 14 after a two-day meeting of the alliance's defense ministers in Brussels. Stoltenburg has proposed that NATO provides Ukraine with at least 40 billion euros ($43 billion) in military support each year, "for as long as necessary." "Many allies are very supportive of the idea that we need not only to have short-term pledges," Stoltenberg told reporters. "But if we have more long-term pledges, it will give the Ukrainians better planning assumptions, more predictability, and transparency." "Most importantly, it will send a message to Moscow that they cannot wait us out," Stoltenberg said. The NATO defense ministers did, however, agree on a plan to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine, which will be launched at the NATO summit in Washington on July 9-12. "This will allow NATO leaders to launch this effort at the Washington summit in July, putting our support to Ukraine on a firmer footing for years to come," Stoltenberg said. In preparation for the Washington summit, NATO allies also need to not only agree on a long-term financial pledge, but also on delivering immediate capabilities such as ammunition, as this is "the most urgent," Stoltenburg said. Stoltenberg's announcement that NATO allies did not manage to agree on a long-term financial commitment for Kyiv comes after news that Hungary will not join NATO initiatives to support Ukraine, but will not obstruct them either. "Prime Minister Orban has made it clear that Hungary will not participate in these NATO efforts, and I accept this position," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 12 after talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Budapest will not contribute any funds or personnel to these efforts. At the same time, Stoltenberg said Orban assured him that "Hungary will not oppose these efforts, enabling other allies to move forward," Stoltenberg said. Budapest has repeatedly opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, and maintained close relations with Moscow throughout the full-scale war. Read also: In rare comments, NATO chief discusses ongoing adaptation of alliances nuclear arsenal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Rain soaks a storm-battered Florida for a fourth day after floods transformed roads into canals and stranded drivers Heavy rainfall thats caused unrelenting flooding in South Florida since Tuesday is drenching the state for a fourth consecutive day Friday. The days of deadly, torrential storms have turned roads into canals and forced some residents to stand on the roofs of their cars or trudge through waist-deep waters. Two people were killed in a weather-related vehicle crash late Wednesday afternoon southeast of Fort Myers, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Identified only as a 35-year-old woman and a 25-year-old-man, the two died after their vehicle lost control due to weather conditions and crashed into opposing traffic, the FHP said. Two others were injured in the crash. Since heavy rain started swamping the region Tuesday, the flooding has become waist-deep in some places. Hazardous conditions on streets and roadways have stranded drivers and made roads impassable. And theyve forced some schools in hard-hit counties to shutter and hundreds of flights to be canceled or delayed. With tropical moisture still streaming over South Florida, the Weather Prediction Center has issued a level 3 of 4 flood threat Friday just one level lower than the rare high risk of excessive rainfall seen Thursday. Robust tropical moisture fueling the soaking storms slowly starts to shift out of the area over the weekend, but Friday marks yet another drenching day for South Florida. By weeks end, multiple cities could see more than 2 feet of rain. Even moderate rain rates are likely to cause additional flash flooding, as any rainfall will be unable to drain due to ongoing flooding, the WPC warned Friday. Flood watches remain in effect for over 7 million people across South Florida, including in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, through Friday evening. An additional 2 to 4 inches or more of rainfall is expected through Friday night. Thunderstorm activity is expected to diminish over the weekend, but any rain Saturday or early Sunday could worsen ongoing flooding issues. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties, and officials have urged locals to stay at home instead of walking or driving through the floodwater, which has covered streets and seeped into homes. Many cities have been distributing sandbags to residents to help combat the rising floodwaters. A vehicle is driven through a flooded street in Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Thursday. - Joe Raedle/Getty Images Flooding brought back familiar dangers for Florida residents With flooding from the rainfall deluging South Florida since Tuesday morning, footage on social media has shown water levels in the area reaching to vehicles windows and filling up parking decks and neighborhood streets. Notably, many South Florida residents had just finished repairing their homes after catastrophic flooding in April 2023, only to find water lapping at their doorsteps this week. In Miami, video showed stranded cars that were nearly entirely submerged under water. One area familys yard looked like a lake as belongings floated outside and were pulled from the standing water, according to CNN affiliate WSVN. Im scared, 11-year-old Somaya Ferdinand told WSVN as she waded through thigh-high water outside her home in Northeast Miami-Dade. It looked like a swimming pool. And in Hallandale Beach, just north of Miami, footage showed one man kayaking among cars as high waters flooded parts of the city. Some mobile home parks were underwater, said Broward County Sheriffs Office Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane. Severe flooding there on Wednesday covered cars up to their windshields, forcing some drivers to abandon their stalled-out vehicles and wade to safety. Others had to be rescued. We had to use our boats to rescue people standing on top of the roofs of cars, Kane told CNN. Kanes office received 175 calls for help in Hallandale Beach alone. Anna Rysedorph, a resident of the Broward County neighborhood of Edgewood, prepared for the worst as water circled her ankles in her home. I put the dogs in, Im all packed up. I pretty much got everything in bins and were ready to go, Edgewood resident Anna Rysedorph told CNN affiliate WSVN Wednesday. My husbands like Dont panic, dont panic, but you know, Im not gonna be caught unprepared. An abandoned car sits submerged in flood waters near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday after heavy rainfall hit the area. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Severe storms to impact High Plains, Northeast and mid-Atlantic Friday As Florida deals with the deluge, a severe thunderstorm threat is ramping up for the Northern and Central High Plains and portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on Friday. Thunderstorms are expected across parts of Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas beginning Friday afternoon and continuing into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the main threats with any storms in the region through Friday night. Severe thunderstorms in the East are expected to develop over western Pennsylvania Friday afternoon and spread into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic Coast during the evening. Damaging wind gusts are the main threat, but a few storms could also unload hail. Major I-95 cities like Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could be in the path of strong storms. CNNs Elizabeth Wolfe, Mary Gilbert, Taylor Galgano, Christina Maxouris and Amanda Musa contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Record-breaking heat has been in control for the last two days and today we see temperatures drop throughout the state. We saw heat records fall along the Wasatch Front and in parts of Southern Utah over the last 48 hours, but we cool slightly today due to a low-pressure system moving through Utah. Daytime highs will drop by about 10-15 degrees, with lower Washington County reaching near 99-100 degrees, and upper 80s and low 90s expected for the Northern half of the state. This system also ushers in unsettled weather into the state, with moisture and isolated showers and thunderstorms in south-central and eastern Utah. Cloud cover continues to increase along the Wasatch Front, with a slight chance of storms over the mountain areas east of I-15. With the risk of thunderstorms today east of I-15, we have seen the flash flood risk rise to possible in many of our favorite places to visit. This includes all of our national parks with the exception of Zion National Park, where partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies are expected. It appears the largest threat would target the most eastern parts of our state, so be sure to stay weather-aware if you plan to recreate in these areas today. While intense heat will wane, our fire danger will not. We have a new a Fire Weather Watch going into effect for lower Washington County and through south-central Utah into the Glen Canyon/Lake Powell region from Saturday morning through Monday night. A Fire Weather Watch means that there is a potential for critical fire weather conditions, and that any fire ignition would spread quickly. In this case, you can expect southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 45 mph with the strongest winds Sunday and Monday near Grand Staircase and winds to uptick in lower Washington County Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. These winds paired with while relative humidity values dipping between 5 and 7 percent could cause erratic fire behavior, so its best to use caution. For Northern Utah, temperatures steadily decline through the weekend as a low-pressure system over the Pacific Northwest will cool temperatures along the Wasatch Front starting Saturday. The forecast for Sunday and Monday is uncertain, but early next week should bring more seasonal temperatures, with many welcoming a return to the 80s, possibly even the upper 70s. Latest weather models suggest a dip into the 60s in some Northern Utah areas while late season snow shows up in higher elevations to north of us like Idaho and Montana. We will see how low Utah temperatures go, but for now, its nice to note a decline in temperatures in June, especially after a significant stretch of record-breaking heat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Fatime Letifova The 1st forum of the organisations responsible for the protection of personal data of the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in Istanbul, Turkiye, Azernews reports. Khayala Babayeva, head of the Personal Data Protection Sector of the EES, participated in the event. The purpose of the forum is to establish a multilateral cooperation mechanism, create a common platform, and unite efforts in this field with the intention of contributing to the protection of human rights and freedoms during the processing of personal data in the member states, strengthening the protection of personal data at the national and regional level. The participants of the event reported on the work done in their countries related to the protection of personal data, emphasised the importance of cooperation in this field, and discussed future activities. In the future, the forum is planned to be held in other member states, including Azerbaijan. Kocero, an outlaw, is heading for the city of Batman in south-eastern Turkey. In his front pocket are the severed ears of a rival bandit he had spotted earlier on a bus. A Robin Hood figure to some, by the time of his death in 1964, Kocero was known far beyond his native country: even the Coventry Evening Telegraph covered the demise of Turkeys most notorious bandit. It is by way of such unexpected figures that Sami Kent conducts this personal journey through Turkeys first 100 years from the dissolution of the Ottoman empire to Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Colourful case studies such as that of Kocero and laws on hats, revolutionary sects and ice cream are deftly employed to tell a wider story. By the mid-20th century, the oil world was booming and the countryside seethed. With riches flowing in and out, Batman became a hunting ground for the dispossessed people who populated it. That vignette of Kocero with an additional set of ears is more than gratuitous violence; it allows Kent to capture an increasingly globalised Turkey, and its quest to become kucuk Amerika (a little America), as well as to identify who that historical shift left behind, and what many turned to: banditry. This is surely how history should be told fun, alive, human. Kent has reported on Turkey as a journalist for numerous publications. His father left Turkey at 19 for the UK, so The Endless Country is a strange homecoming, written with a mixture of intimacy and distance. Gurbet captures this a Turkish noun for a feeling between homesickness and exile. Unflinching in its approach to Turkeys troubled past, this is not a hagiography of a nation. As he says of the absurd adage sometimes bandied about, World War One was lost by the Ottomans and won by Turkey, that story only looks like a victory when told through maps. Kent digs behind the cartographical to build an engaging and vivifying chronicle. His prose is novelistic, and often as moving as it is illuminating: This was how the Turkish nation was born, but it was a birth like any other: out into the light, crying and confused, tender and pink. 'Erdogan's troubling, paranoid ascendance is mirrored by the rise of what may be the largest prison in Europe' - ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images Turkey is revealed as a nation at war with itself about its present. The history of the Turkish Republic is continuously one of modernisation, changing, becoming. The not-so-roaring 1920s under Ataturk are recorded by Kent through the lens of hats the archaic fez was outlawed, and the sapka (a European-style brimmed hat) was adopted, a symbol of all things secular and new. And Turkeys birth as a republic at least legally was patchwork. In 1926, a new civil code was adopted, one near-identical to that of Switzerland; the penal code was pinched from Italy. Perhaps that is why Turkeys impulse to self-mythologisation features so widely in this chronicle; Kent indulges it, while remaining sceptical. Kents father tells him that in the 1930s, as a more strident nationalism emerged, they learnt in school that everything was actually Turkish. The quintessential example is the Sun Language Theory: that all languages were descended from one proto-Turkic tongue. Even the etymology of the river Amazon was derived from the Turkish ama (but) uzun (long) the first to stumble across the river exclaiming: But its long! Such myth-making raises a bemused eyebrow, but it also, more significantly, exposes a nation craving a sense of rootedness following the humiliating collapse of the Ottoman empire. Kent is adroit in producing such insights, all the time with humour. Sami Kent, author of The Endless Country Yet this is no comprehensive chronicle of Turkey. Kent is up front about that. Some crucial events will be missed, he admits, aiming for a history more mosaic than textbook. His methodology is successful if judged by its readability. The period of trade liberalisation of the 1980s under Ozal (which sounds so dry) is done through the creamiest of subjects: an orchid-flavoured ice cream richer in vitamin A than breast milk from Maras, supposedly where the dessert originates (again, always playfully mythologising). And Erdogans troubling, paranoid ascendance is mirrored by the rise of what may be the largest prison in Europe. We are never left to drown in statistics, though. Kent always keeps us above water with bewitching narratives. A slim epilogue betrays Kents frustration with a story left incomplete. The May 2023 general election, which saw Erdogan consolidate his grip on the judiciary and media, was, anticlimactically, a turning point that didnt turn. Though this ending and points of this book fan out to wider lessons, there remains one issue with Kents history of Turkey: its insularity. It is a personal history, but when mentioning Erdogan and the democratic state of a nation where elections are not, perhaps, free and fair, but free enough, competing visions of Turkey as a nation are left unaddressed. Kent is conspicuously critical of Erdogan, but fails to probe the presidents own political vision; what are its roots, its ambitions, its lessons for other democracies facing rising authoritarian leaders? Kents journey is engrossing, but, sadly, solitary. A shame, then, that he didnt make space for his thoughts on the local elections this year, which hint towards a different trajectory. The Endless Country is published by Picador at 20. To order your copy for 16.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Young Turks In Turkey, cheating on college entrance exams is an arrestable offense and one enterprising youngster apparently tried to get away with it using an ingenious AI-powered scheme. As the Daily Mail and Reuters report, police in the country's southwestern province of Isparta found that the unnamed student was using an elaborate homebrewed setup to allegedly cheat on the country's basic aptitude test, known as the Temel Yeterlilik Testi or TYT. Police video shared by the Mail reveals just how much work went into the cheating contraption, which apparently included a smartphone, a router or modem hidden in the student's shoe, an earpiece that fed them answers, and a shirt-button camera enhanced by AI software. In the video, an extremely dripped-out Turkish police officer demonstrates how the device works. Using the button camera, the AI system used by the student "reads" the question on a piece of paper and a voice agent answers on the phone, which is then transmitted to the earpiece. The entire thing is seemingly powered by the "router" likely a mistranslation of modem, Ars Technica posits that the resourceful student hid in their shoe. According to that same video, police discovered the deceptive gizmo after a search of the student's person, conducted because their "behavior and actions were suspicious." As Reuters noted in its reporting on the matter, another person who was helping the student was also detained, though it's unclear of what crime the alleged accomplice was charged with. Cheating Hearts This case, while notable for the ingenuity and preparation involved in the scheme, seems like a logical progression in AI's usefulness as in academic cheating. Almost immediately after OpenAI unleashed ChatGPT on the world in November 2022, stories began cropping up about students using the chatbot for schoolwork. Just two months after its initial release, a survey found that a whopping 89 percent of college students admitted using it for homework, and 48 percent had used it on in-home exams or quizzes. There's little doubt this kind of use will continue even as administrators and institutions try to curb it. While other students around the world have been caught using AI on exams, the case of this inventive Turk is especially newsworthy because they were arrested for the offense an intersection of heavy-handed totalitarianism and high-tech cheating deterrence that may likely serve as a cautionary tale in that country and beyond. More on AI-infused devices: Maker of Disastrous "AI Pin" Device Admits It Can Cause Fire While Charging New study raises concerns after finding levels of car tire materials in vegetables: 'That's not where they belong' Tire residues may be one of the last things you'd expect in your food but new research suggests that they are, indeed, lurking there. What's happening? A new study from the University of Vienna examined vegetables in both supermarkets and in fields to analyze them for contaminants. They found that toxic chemicals from car tires are making their way into agriculture, through a combination of atmospheric deposition, treated wastewater being used to irrigate, and sewage sludge being used as fertilizer. "There, they can be taken up by plants and thus also reach humans," said Thilo Hofmann, who headed up the research group. It's been an open secret that the food we buy in grocery stores often contains chemical residues from toxic fertilizers and pesticides, but car tire contaminants is a previously unexplored topic. "While the concentrations and daily intake are fortunately relatively low, additives from car tires are still found in food," Hoffman said. "That's not where they belong." Why is this concerning? Car tires are made with hundreds of chemical substances, several of which have been linked to harmful side effects and even death. For this reason, many landscapers are turning away from using rubber mulch, which is made out of shredded pieces of old tires. And this is far from the only example of a harmful substance in our food. Dangerous chemicals have been detected in commercially sold olive oil, bottled water, tea, and more. Food packaging has been shown to leak toxins into the food itself. And unfortunately, when the toxins are embedded in the food, they're essentially impossible to remove. Even with surface-level pesticides, the National Pesticide Information Center says that "no method is 100% effective" at removing them. What's being done about this? Many scientists are innovating ways to remove contaminants from our food chain, such as by using high-tech growing systems that greatly reduce fertilizer use, banning the sewage sludge often used as industrial fertilizer, and more. One research team recently discovered that certain fish scales can be used as adsorbents to remove contamination from waterways. One way to minimize your own exposure is to cook your food at home as much as possible, limiting your use of plastic packaging from takeout and the contaminants commonly found in industrially grown produce. But perhaps the single most effective method is to start growing your own food; not only does it avoid exposure to industrial chemicals, but it also comes with a slew of mental and physical health benefits. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Lynn Helms, center, director of the Department of Mineral Resources, listens Tuesday, June 11, 2024, during a public hearing in Bismarck on proposed carbon dioxide storage that would be connected to the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) The underground carbon dioxide storage plan that is key to the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project faced significant scrutiny during a three-day hearing this week. Summit proposes to transport CO2 emissions captured from ethanol plants in five states for permanent storage in an underground rock formation in North Dakota. In addition to needing approval for the pipeline, the company needs permits from the North Dakota Industrial Commission for three underground storage facilities in Oliver and Mercer counties. At least 90% of property owners within each storage area have voluntarily signed leases with Summit for use of their pore space, or underground cavities or voids in the rock formation, the company told regulators with the Department of Mineral Resources. Property owner Kurt Swenson strongly objected to Summits request to regulators to force him and other nonconsenting landowners to participate in the project. The state can try and take it. Youre going to end up taking it from my cold, dead hands, said Swenson, who owns 1,400 acres in or near the proposed storage areas. Swenson and Derrick Braaten, an attorney representing Swenson and nearly a dozen other landowners, raised concerns about potential health hazards, lack of economic benefit, unfair treatment of landowners and Summits refusal to share crucial modeling data. I think they should be denied, said Swenson, adding the state will likely be forced to spend taxpayer funds to defend itself against lawsuits if the North Dakota Industrial Commission approves the permits. Representatives from Summit Carbon Solutions participate in a hearing Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Bismarck related to the proposed carbon dioxide storage that would be connected to a pipeline. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Director of Mineral Resources Lynn Helms called the hearing one of the most contentious hes ever endured. Summit is requesting to force nonconsenting property owners to lease their pore space through a legal process called amalgamation. The process similar to eminent domain used for pipeline right-of-ways is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit against the state. Unlike eminent domain, however, amalgamation does not involve a jury weighing in on landowner compensation, which the landowner plaintiffs argue is unconstitutional. Helms said Friday during a monthly press briefing that the process is different for pore space because the decisions involve studying geology, underground pressures and other technical considerations. Kenneth Hintz, the only other property owner to testify at the hearing, supports Summits project. Hintz, who has worked with Summit on the project since 2021, has no complaints with how the company has communicated with landowners and believes the project will have a positive impact on the area. The project will provide new industry for North Dakota, supplemental income for farmers and ranchers, and new tax dollars for the county, Hintz said. Summit executives and experts contracted with the company testified the proposed project meets the legal requirements for a permit listed in state law. Summits Midwest Carbon Express pipeline, if completed, will have the capacity to transport 18.5 million metric tons of CO2 annually to the three storage facilities in Oliver and Mercer counties. The three storage facilities Summit is applying for will serve as the end point for the companys Midwest Carbon Express project, a 2,000-mile pipeline expected to collect carbon dioxide from 57 ethanol plants and one sustainable aviation fuel facility across five states and transport the CO2 to North Dakota for permanent storage underground. This is three enormous storage facilities, which will really change the nature of carbon emissions in the Midwest, Helms said. The CO2 will be pumped into the Broom Creek Formation, a layer of sandstone reservoir and saline aquifer between 5,587 feet and 6,421 feet below the surface. Confining layers of rock formations will prevent the CO2 from moving vertically and contaminating sources of drinking water, according to modeling performed by the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota. The CO2 will instead expand horizontally across the storage facility area over time. Braaten disputes the accuracy of the EERCs modeling. Summit estimates the three storage facilities will have a combined capacity for 352 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The company plans to fill the storage area over the course of 20 years, injecting an average of 17.6 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Leases signed with landowners include provisions allowing Summit to extend the life of the storage facility for an additional 20 years in exchange for a lump sum payment. The storage facilitys capacity is a fraction of North Dakotas pore space, estimated to have the potential to store 250 billion metric tons of CO2 according to the Department of Energy. Its a very prolific storage resource, said Wade Boeshans, Summits executive vice president. Helms, who is retiring this month, said technical staff with the Department of Mineral Resources will review the information and likely make a recommendation to the full North Dakota Industrial Commission by September or October. The commission, which makes the final decision, is comprised of Gov. Doug Burgum, Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The post Summits carbon storage plans face strong objections at permit hearing appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. Donald Trumps campaign branded Joe Biden a brain-dead zombie after footage showed him appearing to wander off during a photo call with leaders at the G7 summit. It came after Mr Bidens campaign team acknowledged Mr Trump on his 78th birthday with a sardonic list of 78 accomplishments, including his previous bankruptcy filings, impeachments, and 34-count conviction. Happy birthday, Donald. Youre a crook, a failure, a fraud, and a threat to our democracy, economy, rights, and future, said James Singer, campaign spokesman. The US president appeared to wander away during a photo shoot with world leaders at the G7 summit in Italy this week. Mr Bidens aides said he had been speaking to someone off-camera, but the Trump campaign ridiculed him over the episode on Friday. From Italy to the United Kingdom to New York, millions of people around the world woke up to headlines about crooked Joe Bidens cognitive decline on full display at the G7 Summit, Karoline Leavitt, Mr Trumps spokesman, said. Age has become a central focus of Novembers 2024 White House race, although Jill Biden claimed the presidential election was not about age as she hit the campaign trail for a Seniors for Biden initiative aimed at turning out voters aged 65 and above. Giorgia Meloni guides Joe Biden back towards the G7 group The US first lady said her husband was a healthy, wise 81-year-old ready and willing to work for you every day as she touted the benefits of his decades in public office. It comes as polls show an inverse of traditional generational voting trends, with Mr Biden making inroads among over 65-year-olds and Mr Trump gaining among young voters. Kicking off her three-day campaign, Dr Biden said her husband and Mr Trump, who turned 78 on Friday, are essentially the same age. This isnt just about stopping an extremist, and this election is most certainly not about age, she told a crowd in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Joe and that other guy are essentially the same age. Lets not be fooled. The Seniors for Biden effort comes as the Biden campaign attempts to quell concerns about the presidents age while also courting senior voters. Voters aged 65 and older voted for Mr Trump by a five-point margin in 2020, according to CNN exit polls. Mr Biden turns away from the G7 group and gives a thumbs-up But recent polls have shown a shift among older voters towards Mr Biden, who held a nine-point lead against Trump with the group in a recent New York Times/Siena survey and a 12-point lead in a Quinnipiac University study last month. Campaign advisers have suggested the trend is due to the presidents proposal to safeguard welfare benefits for retirees, as well as policies geared towards reducing the cost of prescription medication. Biden insiders have also argued that their warnings about the threat Mr Trump poses to democratic institutions resonates more with older voters. However, serious concerns for the White House remain, with a majority of Americans suggesting Mr Biden is too old to govern effectively in a second term. A stark poll released on Thursday found half of the US voting public think the Democrat will forget where he is in his upcoming televised debate against Mr Trump. Some 41 per cent also said they thought Mr Biden would walk the wrong way off the debate stage and 40 per cent predicted he will have problems standing up for the debate, according to the survey by JL Partners. Mr Trump, who is three years Mr Bidens junior, has trodden a delicate balance on the age issue, attacking the presidents mental acuity while insisting it is not age-related. If you go back 25 years, he wasnt the sharpest tack either, he said last year. Warned against complacency Democrats have warned the Biden campaign against complacency, with polls suggesting Mr Trumps criminal conviction for falsifying business records has done little to move the race beyond a dead-heat. Poll after poll has also shown Mr Bidens winning 2020 voter coalition weakening, with support waning among young voters and ethnic minorities. Dr Biden has become one of the White Houses most active campaign surrogates, with planned stops in the battleground states of Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona, as well as Minnesota and California. Mr Trump has not publicly marked his birthday. He suggested he would rather not spotlight the milestone during a rally in Las Vegas over the weekend. Theres a certain point where you dont want to hear happy birthday. You just want to pretend the day doesnt exist, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Supreme Court invalidated the Trump-era prohibition on bump stocks along ideological lines Friday, ending the nationwide ban on the devices, which convert semi-automatic weapons to ones capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute. The Biden administration defended the regulation in front of the high court after the Trump administration first implemented it in the wake of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, the deadliest in U.S. history. The shooter had used guns equipped with a bump stock to kill 60 people and wound hundreds of others. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have since made possessing the devices a criminal offense by having the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) newly classify them as machine guns under long-standing federal law. The case did not implicate the Second Amendment. In a 6-3 decision authored by conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, the court said the ATF stretched the law too far, ruling in favor of the challenger. We conclude that [a] semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a machinegun because it does not fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, Thomas wrote, quoting the statutory definition. Conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who joined Thomass opinion, also wrote separately to stress there is a simple remedy that would allow a nationwide ban on bump stocks. Congress can amend the law and perhaps would have done so already if ATF had stuck with its earlier interpretation. Now that the situation is clear, Congress can act, Alito wrote. Michael Cargill, an Austin-based gun store owner, challenged the bump stock ban after surrendering two in 2019. He was backed by the National Rifle Association and other major gun advocacy groups. Over five years ago I swore I would defend the Constitution of the United States, even if I was the only plaintiff in the case. I did just that, Cargill said in a statement. The courts three liberals dissented in an opinion authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who read her dissent from the bench, a rarity underscoring how the court viewed the importance of the case. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger, Sotomayor wrote. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. In the coming days, the Supreme Court is set to hand down another closely watched gun case that does implicate the Second Amendment: The justices are weighing whether a federal statute criminalizing gun possession for people under domestic violence restraining orders is constitutional. Updated 10:47 a.m. ET Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Six years ago, a man opened the outer window of his Las Vegas hotel room, pointed a semiautomatic rifle at a nearby concert, and opened fire. In the roughly 10 minutes that followed, he sprayed more than one thousand rounds down at concertgoers. Sixty people died in the ensuing carnage, making it the single deadliest mass shooting in American history. Nearly 900 more people were injured, with just over 400 of them wounded by gunfire and shrapnel, and the rest suffering other injuries as people stampeded to safety. What enabled such senseless slaughter? Investigators found that the gunmans rifles were equipped with bump stocks, a device that modifies semiautomatic rifles to fire as rapidly as fully automatic ones. Bipartisan horror led to calls to ban bump stocks. The Trump administration, via the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, banned them the following year under a 1934 law that regulates machine guns. The Supreme Court undid all of that on Friday and cleared the way for bump stocks to be sold again. In a 63 decision that fell along the usual lines, the court ruled that the devices were not covered by existing federal laws and signaled that new ones would be necessary. This case asks whether a bump stockan accessory for a semiautomatic rifle that allows the shooter to rapidly reengage the trigger (and therefore achieve a high rate of fire)converts the rifle into a machinegun, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the court. We hold that it does not and therefore affirm. In doing so, the court has made it more likely that future mass shootings will be deadlier than they already are. To reach their ruling, the court adopted a strained and artificial interpretation of the laws in question. Their arguments that Congress and the White House are actually to blame are not entirely convincing. The majoritys reading flies in the face of this Courts standard tools of statutory interpretation, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. By casting aside the statutes ordinary meaning both at the time of its enactment and today, the majority eviscerates Congresss regulation of machineguns and enables gun users and manufacturers to circumvent federal law. The plaintiff, Michael Cargill, handed over his two bump stocks to the ATF after the ban in 2018 and then sued the agency to challenge its lawfulness. While this case involves firearms, it is not technically a Second Amendment case. The court instead considered whether the ATF rule went beyond what Congress had authorized. In 1934, lawmakers enacted the National Firearms Act, or NFA, to crack down on certain types of firearms that were commonly associated with crime at the time, such as short-barreled shotguns and machine guns. That law, contrary to popular misconception, did not make it illegal for private citizens to own a machine gun. But the licensing and regulatory requirements make it so difficult that they are effectively beyond the reach of most Americans. The NFA defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. It also covers any combination of parts that could convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic one. What counts as a single function of the trigger? First, its worth explaining how bump stocks actually work. When someone pulls the trigger of a commercially available AR-15 rifle, which is semiautomatic, the firearms internal mechanisms automatically replace a discharged round with a new one. The shooter must then pull the trigger additional times to fire each new round. A fully automatic rifle does not require a person to pull the trigger more than once. Instead, it will keep firing and replacing rounds until the guns magazine is empty, as long as the trigger is held. Bump stocks turn a semiautomatic rifle into what is essentially a fully automatic rifle. A normal stockthe part you place against your shoulderis typically solid and fixed. This allows for greater control when aiming and firing the gun, despite the recoil, which is absorbed by the persons upper torso. A bump stock, on the other hand, has a sliding portion that allows for movement between the part that rests against ones shoulder and the rest of the gun. Simple physics takes over from there. When someone fires an AR-15 rifle thats equipped with a bump stock, the recoil propels the gun into their shoulder and then back toward the shooters finger after each shot so that it can be fired continuously. All of this takes place in a fraction of a second. To see what it looks like in practice, compare the difference in this YouTube video when the gunman fires an AR-15 without a bump stock starting at 2:10, and when he fires it with a bump stock starting at 4:05. The shooter empties the entire magazine in only a few seconds. That brings us back to the single function of the trigger. Thomas, writing for the majority, concluded that each time the recoiling gun touches the shooters finger, it counts as a new function. A bump stock merely reduces the amount of time that elapses between separate functions of the trigger, he wrote. The bump stock makes it easier for the shooter to move the firearm back toward his shoulder and thereby release pressure from the trigger and reset it. And, it helps the shooter press the trigger against his finger very quickly thereafter. A bump stock does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun any more than a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger does. To say that a bump stock merely helps the shooter press the trigger against his finger very quickly thereafter does not fully capture how it actually works. At oral arguments, the Justice Department noted that the bump stocks at issue in this case allow someone to fire between 400 and 800 rounds per minute, or about six to 12 rounds per second. Even a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger would struggle with that, especially for a sustained period of time. In her dissent, Sotomayor wrote that she did not think this case was a particularly difficult one. Today, the Court puts bump stocks back in civilian hands, she wrote. To do so, it casts aside Congresss definition of machinegun and seizes upon one that is inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the statutory text and unsupported by context or purpose. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. To reach that conclusion, Sotomayor argued that only the first pull of the trigger counted as a single function of the trigger, and everything after that was just part of the intended firing sequence. All of the textual evidence points to the same interpretation, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle is a machinegun because (1) with a single pull of the trigger, a shooter can (2) fire continuous shots without any human input beyond maintaining forward pressure. She also directly criticized each of the six justices in the majority for avoiding the most commonsense reading of the statute. The majority creates a definition of the statute that bans only traditional machineguns, even though its definition renders Congresss clear intent readily evadable, she wrote. Every member of the majority has previously emphasized that the best way to respect congressional intent is to adhere to the ordinary understanding of the terms Congress uses. Sotomayor then included a lengthy paragraph quoting each of the six justices saying in prior cases that courts must interpret laws based on their ordinary meanings. In a short concurring opinion, Justice Samuel Alito claimed that there was simply no other way to read the statutory language. Perhaps with an eye toward potential criticism of the justices for their ruling, he attributed the problem to Congress for not legislating after the Las Vegas massacre and ATF for trying to ban bump stocks itself. There is a simple remedy for the disparate treatment of bump stocks and machineguns, he wrote. Congress can amend the lawand perhaps would have done so already if ATF had stuck with its earlier interpretation. Now that the situation is clear, Congress can act. Alito is correct that there was bipartisan interest in passing new legislation to ban bump stocks in 2017. But it was quickly quashed by gun rights groups and Republican lawmakers. ThenHouse Speaker Paul Ryan and the National Rifle Association instead called upon ATF to ban bump stocks under existing federal law. The Trump administration followed suit, and the agency announced a new rule, just over a year after the shooting, that reinterpreted the NFA to ban the sale and possession of bump stocks throughout the country. Hopes for a legislative fix are likely slim to none for the foreseeable future. Congress is barely a functioning institution at the moment, thanks to Republican control of the House. Even if it were, lawmakers are typically most likely to pass legislation when current events compel them to act. It has now been six years since the Las Vegas massacre. Memories have faded, emotions have cooled, interest has shifted elsewherefor everyone but the survivors and the loved ones of the dead, at least. And its worth noting that only Alito signaled that he might uphold such a lawnone of the five other conservative justices joined his concurring opinion. It is not impossible to imagine that Congress passes a legislative ban, the White House signs it, and then this roster of justices strikes it down again on Second Amendment grounds. After all, there probably isnt a historical analogue for banning bump stocks that could meet Bruens stringent history-and-tradition test. Hypertechnical statutory arguments cannot hide the cold reality here: The Supreme Courts decision means that bump stocks will remain legal until a sufficient number of mass shootings are committed with them to compel the elected branches to restore what the justices have arbitrarily removed. Americans already pressured their elected officials to act once to address this problem, and they did. Whatever this is, it doesnt feel like American self-government. The Supreme Court Fridayoverturned a federal agencys rule banning bump stocks, the devices used in some of Americas deadliest mass killings carried out by lone shooters. In a 6-3 decision penned by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court found that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had exceeded its authority by reclassifying the devices as machine guns in response to an unprecedentedly violent mass shooting. The ruling will reopen Americas market for bump stocks after a six-year ban. Plaintiff Michael Cargill, an Austin, Texas, gun store owner, did not claim that the Second Amendment protected his right to own a bump stock. The case focused narrowly on the administrative process by which the ATF banned bump stocks, which harness a firearms recoil to achieve rates of firing that approach those of automatic weapons. The ATF issued a rule in 2018 reclassifying bump stocks as machine guns, making them illegal for civilians to own under federal law. The bureau passed the rule in response to the massacre at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, when a single shooter fired more than 1,000 rounds into a concert crowd, killing 60 people and injuring 850 more. But the Supreme Court found that bump stocks did not meet the statutory definition of a machine gun, which requires that a gun fire automatically by a single function of the trigger. An employee of a gun store in Raleigh, North Carolina, demonstrates how a bump stock works on Feb. 1, 2013. The gun accessory makes semiautomatic weapons fire faster. Allen Breed/Associated Press A bump stock does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun any more than a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger does, Justice Thomas wrote in an opinion speckled with illustrations documenting the workings of an AR-15 trigger. The ATF had held in at least 10 separate instances before the Las Vegas shooting that affixing a bump stock to a semiautomatic weapon did not turn it into a machine gun, the opinion noted. Thomas also described the ATFs position on bump stocks as logically inconsistent, since a shooter can bump fire a semiautomatic weapon using their hands alone, but the agency does not classify bump-fired semiautomatic firearms as machine guns. The courts three liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Katanji Brown Jackson dissented, viewing bump stocks as similar enough to machine guns to warrant ATFs 2018 reclassification. This is not a hard case, Sotomayor wrote in a dissenting opinion. All of the textual evidence points to the same interpretation. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle is a machinegun because (1) with a single pull of the trigger, a shooter can (2) fire continuous shots without any human input beyond maintaining forward pressure. The ruling in Garland v. Cargill deals a heavy blow to gun reformers, who viewed a ban on bump stocks as a commonsense response to the deadliness such devices can wield in mass shootings. The majority of justices today sided with the gun lobby instead of the safety of the American people. This is a shameful decision, Esther Sanchez-Gomez, litigation director of Giffords Law Center, wrote in an emailed statement. Congress must act to undo the damage and make clear that bump stocks, and all automatic conversion devices, are illegal under federal law. But Fridays ruling also highlighted the fragility of an agency-enacted ban that reformers had in many cases feared would not withstand judicial scrutiny. After the Las Vegas shooting, a broad consensus formed that bump stocks, a small segment of the overall firearms industry, should be banned. Congress, however, did not move swiftly to ban bump stocks in the aftermath of the Las Vegas shooting. Instead, then-President Donald Trump directed the ATF to restrict the devices. The new Supreme Court ruling clarifies that Congress would have to impose the bump stock ban in order to remove the devices from the market. There is a simple remedy for the disparate treatment of bump stocks and machineguns, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in a concurring opinion. Congress can amend the law and perhaps would have done so already if ATF had stuck with its earlier interpretation. Now that the situation is clear, Congress can act. Shortly after the ruling, Biden urged Congress to enact a ban, saying that Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. We know thoughts and prayers are not enough, Bidens statement said. I call on Congress to ban bump stocks, pass an assault weapon ban, and take additional action to save lives send me a bill and I will sign it immediately. But it remains to be seen whether such a measure can overcome the GOPs historic opposition to gun reform in Congress, especially now that the sense of urgency following the Las Vegas shooting has dissipated. Reporters asked Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), one of Trumps biggest boosters in the House, if there would be any appetite for reviving Trumps bump stock ban. No, I dont think so, Donalds said. I think its probably going to be left where it is. Arthur Delaney contributed reporting. A Starbucks store at 5351 Lyndale Ave. in Minneapolis. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. Take a seat in the Break Room, our weekly round-up of labor news in Minnesota and beyond. This week: Supreme Court sides with Starbucks; nursing home workers call off strike; problems with the frontline worker pay program; where the Windom workers are now; the loudest union critic of the Twin Cities; and workers at Kims to vote on unionizing. Supreme Court sides with Starbucks The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Starbucks in its challenge to a federal judges order to reinstate seven fired union activists at a Tennessee store. The ruling means the federal government must meet a higher standard to win timely relief for workers while challenging alleged labor violations, making it harder for President Bidens assertive National Labor Relations Board to use one of the most powerful tools it has to protect workers right to organize. While the opinion was a loss for the NLRB, it doesnt pose an existential threat to the agency like the arguments made by SpaceX, Trader Joes and Amazon in other active cases: that the board itself is unconstitutional. The Starbucks case arose after the coffee giant fired seven workers in 2022 for allowing a TV crew in a Memphis store after hours for a news story about their union campaign. The NLRB alleged the firings were illegal retaliation and interfered with workers right to organize a union, while Starbucks said the workers violated company policy. The agency asked a judge for a preliminary injunction to reinstate the workers while the case over the firings worked its way through the NLRBs administrative proceedings, which can sometimes take years. A federal judge sided with the NLRB, ordering Starbucks to reinstate the workers, and an appeals court upheld the order. But the Supreme Court decided that the standard used to award that injunctive relief on the side of workers was too lenient, and that the NLRB must meet the four-part standard used broadly in other cases: that a plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest. Eight justices signed onto Justice Clarence Thomass majority opinion, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson concurred overall but dissented on some points. Starbucks applauded the ruling, writing in a statement, Consistent federal standards are important in ensuring that employees know their rights and consistent labor practices are upheld no matter where in the country they work and live. Starbucks Workers United, which has organized more than 400 stores including nine in Minnesota, lamented the decision and said Starbucks should have dropped the case. Working people have so few tools to protect and defend themselves when their employers break the law. That makes todays ruling by the Supreme Court particularly egregious, Lynne Fox, president of Workers United, said in a statement. It underscores how the economy is rigged against working people all the way up to the Supreme Court. Starbucks began negotiating with unionized workers on a framework for a first labor contract earlier this year, more than two years after workers unionized a Buffalo store in 2021 and after racking up more than 100 complaints from regional NLRB offices alleging unfair labor practices. Nursing home workers call off strike The union representing nearly 200 nursing home workers at Saint Therese in New Hope called off a five-day strike set to begin on Saturday after reaching a tentative deal that locks in $5 per hour raises workers received during the pandemic. We are proud that because we stuck together and were willing to strike, we won this tentative agreement, Kpana Farwenel, a certified nursing assistant and member of the SEIU bargaining team, said in a statement. The deal brings the average wage floor to $20, with senior certified nursing assistants making up to $25 in base pay. Thats among the highest in the Twin Cities metro, according to SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, which represents the workers. Workers at Saint Therese, along with hundreds of workers at 11 other nursing homes in the Twin Cities, walked off the job for 24 hours in March in the largest nursing home strike in recent state history. Since then, the 11 other facilities settled contracts with the two unions representing the workers, SEIU and UFCW. Saint Therese announced last week it would sell the nursing home to Compass by Aug. 1, prompting the union to call foul since their contract requires at least 90 days notice of a sale. In a statement, Saint Therese CEO Craig Abbott said he was pleased to come to a resolution that provides comfort and assurances for our valued staff during the ownership transition. All nursing home workers union and non-union are on track to receive raises starting in 2026 as part of the first rules approved by Minnesotas new labor standards board for nursing home workers. The board approved minimum wages, which must still clear some bureaucratic hurdles, of $23.49 per hour on average by 2027. Frontline worker pay problems Just 60% of the more than 1 million people who received $487.45 for working frontline jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota clearly deserved the bonuses, according to a state audit released on Tuesday. The Office of the Legislative Auditor estimates 9% of recipients were not eligible for the payments, while for the rest, the auditors couldnt independently verify they were eligible nurses, first responders, prison guards, sales clerks, janitors and other workers who couldnt stay home during the pandemic. The report faulted the Department of Labor and Industry, which oversaw the program, and the Department of Revenue for not adequately investigating clearly fraudulent applications. The auditors also criticized lawmakers for how they wrote the law, which included requirements that relied on workers to tell the truth and couldnt be easily verified, like working in person and in close proximity to others. Remember, this program was set-up as a zero-sum game with a fixed amount of state funding $500 million to be divided equally among all eligible applicants, Legislative Auditor Judy Randall told the Legislative Audit Commission on Tuesday. The more applicants who were approved, the less each applicant received. DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach pushed back forcefully on the findings, saying they were more of an indictment of legislators than her agencys staff. She said in a statement that her agency prevented more than $36 million in payments to tens of thousands of applications deemed fraudulent or ineligible. The overarching theme of the findings is that the issue is with the program itself, not how it was implemented, Blissenbach told the Legislative Audit Commission on Tuesday. What happened to the Windom workers The Star Tribunes Christopher Vondracek and Elizabeth Flores traveled to the small city in central Mexico where many guest workers returned after the HyLife slaughterhouse in Windom shuttered and laid off all its 1,007 employees. In a series of stories, Vondracek details how one plants closure upended workers dreams and sent them scrambling to find work across the United States or returning to a home with fewer economic opportunities and rampant cartel violence. HyLife recruited workers from Salvatierra to work in its meatpacking plant on H-2B visas, promising over two years of work that paid six times as much as they could earn in Mexico. The work was grueling but hundreds of workers took the opportunity, with plans to build a home, send kids to college and support relatives. After the plant announced its bankruptcy, government officials tried to find other opportunities for workers. Some ended up at processing plants in Michigan, oil fields in Texas and a dairy farm in Iowa. The state Department of Labor and Industry is investigating HyLife, alleging the company stole wages from hundreds of visa workers. Minneapolis and St. Pauls loudest union leader critic The Pioneer Press profiled Jason George, head of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 and outspoken critic of the left-wing elected leaders in St. Paul and Minneapolis. George says the Twin Cities are increasingly run by a government of paid activists, career political types. Trade unions like IUOE, which represents construction mechanics and heavy equipment operators, are predictably among the most conservative labor unions. Their focus is generally on increasing government infrastructure spending to fund high-paying construction jobs, rather than expanding regulations and social safety net programs like public health insurance. For example, IUOE Local 49 and the carpenters union, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, were staunchly opposed to St. Pauls rent control ordinance, warning that the policy would stymie construction amid a housing shortage. We build things, said George, in an interview with the Pioneer Press. Thats what my union does. We knew rent control would have a devastating effect on the city. The two unions were part of a campaign last year called Service St. Paul to elect city leaders focused on basic services: police, fire, housing and roads. None of their endorsed candidates won, Pioneer Presss Frederick Melo notes, in what was the latest in a string of political defeats. Workers at Kims restaurant will vote on unionizing The union campaign at chef Ann Kims Uptown Minneapolis restaurant Kims is headed to a vote by some 60 workers later this month. Workers, who are organizing with Unite Here Local 17, notified management of their intent to unionize last month and asked Kim to voluntarily recognize their union, the Star Tribune reported. Kim declined, writing on Instagram, I wholeheartedly believe we can come together as a Kims team without a union. Minneapolis Council Member Katie Cashman privately pressured Kim to voluntarily recognize the union in a voicemail, Axios reported. The post Supreme Court sides with Starbucks in case over fired union organizers and other labor news appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. Supreme Court sides with Starbucks in labor case that could hinder governments ability to intervene in some unionization disputes The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Starbucks in a case that could make it harder for a federal agency to enforce labor laws in disputes that can arise during organizing campaigns. On June 13, 2024, the court announced that eight of the nine justices had signed onto a decision, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, on the Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney case. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson concurred overall with the decision but dissented on some key points in a separate opinion. The Conversation U.S. asked Texas A&M law professor Michael Z. Green to explain the significance of the courts decision and how it could affect the right to organize unions in the United States. What is this case about? Seven baristas who were attempting to organize a union at a Starbucks shop in Memphis, Tennessee, were fired in February 2022. Starbucks justified their dismissal by asserting that the employees, sometimes called the Memphis 7, had broken company rules by reopening their store after closing time and inviting people who werent employees, including a television crew, to go inside. In June of that year, the shop became one of more than 400 Starbucks locations since 2021 that have voted in favor of joining Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. The union filed a charge over the mass dismissal with the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency responsible for enforcing U.S. workers rights to organize. While resolution of the charge was pending, Kathleen McKinney, the NLRB director for the region that includes Memphis, sought an injunction in a federal district court to force Starbucks to give the Memphis 7 their jobs back immediately as the NLRB continued its process to reach a final decision. The company must cease its unlawful conduct immediately so that all Starbucks workers can fully and freely exercise their labor rights, she said. According to the NLRB, the injunction was appropriate in this case because Starbucks fired nearly all of the members of the union organizing committee at the Memphis store and the evidence showed the chilling effect this action had on the lone remaining union activist. This chilling effect harmed the union campaign in ways that a subsequent Board ruling could not repair. By August 2022, a judge agreed with the NLRB and ordered Starbucks to reinstate the Memphis 7. The baristas were soon back on staff. The company appealed the case all the way to the Supreme Court because, it asserted, the court should not have ordered the company to reinstate the workers while the NLRB proceedings were still pending. But the NLRB argues, and the lower courts agreed, that the terminations chilled further union activities at the store even after the election. As of today, five of the seven remain employed at the Memphis coffee shop. A group of fired Starbucks employees celebrate the result of a vote to unionize a Memphis shop on June 7, 2022. AP Photo/Adrian Sainz What are the tests at the heart of this case? The justices have decided which approach federal courts should use when they consider requests for injunctions sought by the NLRB. Previously, different courts had used different standards. Until now, five appeals courts, including the one where this case arose, had been basing their decisions on a two-part test: First, the courts determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe an unfair labor practice has occurred. Second, they determine whether granting an injunction would be just and proper. Four other appeals courts were using a four-part test: First, the courts ask whether the unfair labor practice case is likely to succeed on the merits in establishing that labor violations occurred. Second, they look to see if the workers the NLRB is attempting to protect will face irreparable harm without an injunction. Third, after showing likelihood of success and irreparable harm, they ask whether those factors outweigh any hardships the employer is likely to face due to compliance with the courts order. Fourth, they ask whether issuing the injunction serves the public interest. Two other appeals courts had relied on a hybrid test that appears to have components of both tests. They ask whether issuing an injunction would be just and proper by considering the elements of the four-part test. The majority ruled in favor of Starbucks by saying that all district courts must rely on a four-part test in these instances from now on. How common and serious are these situations? In its Supreme Court brief, Starbucks asserted that having to give workers their jobs back in these circumstances can cause irreparable injury and that its an extraordinary remedy. A Bloomberg Law analysis of Starbucks unfair labor practice cases, including the one involving the Memphis 7, determined that NLRB administrative law judges had found labor violations in 48 out of 49 cases. Although the NLRB issues hundreds of unfair labor practice complaints against employers every year, it usually doesnt turn to the courts to force the rehiring of employees it only sought these types of injunctions 17 times in 2023, for example. And seven of those efforts involved Starbucks. Despite the small number of overall injunctions, the large number of unfair labor practice complaints and the eventual 48 out of 49 findings of violations might support the rare use of injunctions in this case. Whats the potential impact of this ruling? This ruling may or may not have made it harder for union organizers to preemptively get their jobs back in cases like this. While all judges will now have to apply the four-part test, the Supreme Court majoritys decision did not clarify how the test should be applied. Also, many courts were already using a four-part test. Specifically regarding Starbucks, the underlying unfair labor practice case has been resolved, since the workers have gotten their jobs back and their workplace has joined a union. Whats more, Starbucks has agreed to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with the union, which has continued to make inroads at the companys coffee shops. This is an updated version of an article published on April 23, 2024. 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: Michael Z. Green, Texas A&M University Read more: Michael Z. Green 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. Supreme Court strikes down ban on rapid-fire bump stocks like those used in Las Vegas mass shooting The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a federal ban on bump stocks like those used in the nations deadliest mass shooting, when 60 people were killed and 500 wounded at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas in 2017. In a 6-3 decision , the justices rejected the views of the Biden and Trump administrations and ruled that bump stocks could not be prohibited as illegal machine guns because the trigger action operates in a different way. The courts six conservatives were in the majority and the three liberals dissented. Read more: Editorial: Supreme Court keeps medication abortion safe for now While the ruling wipes out the federal regulation, bump stocks remain illegal under California law. Justice Clarence Thomas, speaking for the court, said bump stocks do not meet the definition of a machine gun. A semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock does not fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, he wrote in Garland vs. Cargill . All that a bump stock does is accelerate the rate of fire by causing these distinct [functions] of the trigger to occur in rapid succession. In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said that a bump stock does work like a machine gun. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. ... I, like Congress, call that a machine gun. Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson agreed with Sotomayor. Gun safety advocates say Congress needs to take up the issue again. Guns outfitted with bump stocks fire like machine guns, they kill like machine guns, and they should be banned like machine guns but the Supreme Court just decided to put these deadly devices back on the market, said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. We urge Congress to right this wrong and pass bipartisan legislation banning bump stocks, which are accessories of war that have no place in our communities. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. agreed that it was time for Congress to act. The horrible shooting spree in Las Vegas in 2017 did not change the statutory text or its meaning, he wrote in a concurring opinion on the ruling. That event demonstrated that a semiautomatic rifle with a bump stock can have the same lethal effect as a machine gun, and it thus strengthened the case for amending. Now that the situation is clear, Congress can act. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) denounced the decision, saying: Senate Democrats are ready to pass legislation to ban bump stocks, but we will need votes from Senate Republicans. While California will continue to enforce its ban, state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said a federal ban on bump stocks would make the states law more effective. Federal laws that apply on a nationwide basis serve as an important complement to state firearms laws that protect our residents and communities from gun violence, he said. The case decided Friday did not involve the 2nd Amendment. Instead, it turned on how machine guns were described when Congress prohibited their sale. They were defined as weapons that fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. The Las Vegas shooter had an arsenal of assault-style rifles in his hotel room overlooking the site of the 2017 concert. Authorities later said 14 of his weapons were fitted with bump stocks that had enabled him to fire more than 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes. In response to the shooting, then-President Trump ordered federal regulators to reclassify bump stocks as illegal machine guns because they allow a shooter to fire hundreds of rounds per minute. Biden administration attorneys defended that rule. Congress first restricted machine guns in 1934 in response to the gangland murders during Prohibition, including the Valentines Day massacre in Chicago. Since then, Congress has revised and updated the ban several times. Read more: Supreme Court rejects California man's attempt to trademark Trump T-shirts More than 500,000 bump stocks were said to be in private hands when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued its ban in 2018, and owners were told to turn in the devices or destroy them. Michael Cargill, a Texas gun store owner, turned in his two bump stocks, but sued to challenge the law. He won before the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which said the wording of the law was ambiguous. U.S. Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth Prelogar appealed and urged the Supreme Court justices to restore the ban . A major gun rights case is still pending before the justices this term. At issue in that case, U.S. vs. Rahimi, is a federal law that authorizes judges to deny guns to those accused of domestic violence. The 5th Circuit Court has ruled that this provision violates the 2nd Amendment, and the justices are due to hand down a ruling soon on the Biden administrations appeal. The justices are also considering whether to take up several appeals from Illinois that contend that the states ban on assault weapons violates the 2nd Amendment. If the court votes to hear the appeals, it will cast doubt on Californias long-standing ban on rapid-fire weapons. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Big news today from the Supreme Court, the high court has struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks. The Supreme Court the ruled Trump administration did not follow federal law when it reversed course from previous administrations and banned bump stocks. Its something you add on, just to have fun with, said plaintiff Michael Cargill. Supreme Court rules in favor of abortion rights The ban came after a gunman used bump stocks, a rapid-fire gun accessory, to open fire at a 2017 music festival in Las Vegas killing nearly 60 people. Michael Cargill sued the government over the ban and is now celebrating the ruling. The Supreme Court answered that superbly, exactly the way I wanted them to answer it, said Cargill. Tennessee Republican Congressman Tim Burchett and Alabama Republican Congressman Dale Strong say the court has spoken. Its the Second Amendment, and I stand by it, said Burchett. While Strong said, The Supreme Court has ruled, lets move on with it. Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin slammed the courts ruling. The idea that anybody can have any arsenal they want in order to overthrow the government is ridiculous, said Raskin. Vice President Kamala Harris says the Biden administration will continue to work to reduce gun violence. What the court did today is really rolling back what otherwise is important progress that we made to prevent gun violence in America, said Harris. President Biden is now calling on Congress to act. He wants lawmakers to ban bump stocks and pass an assault weapons ban. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The ruling marks the latest gun case to come before the nation's top court. The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a "bump stock" attachment does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a "machine gun," which is prohibited under federal law. The 6-3 vote aligned with the conservative supermajority's previous decisions in gun cases, such as its 2022 decision to expand gun rights. The court found that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives overstepped its authority by enacting the ban on bump stocks when it determined that the devices were classified as machine guns. Civilians now have access to bump stocks again. In the aftermath of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed dozens of people, the ATF issued a rule that said rifles equipped with bump stocks should fall under the legal definition of machine guns, which have been banned since 1986. Read the Supreme Court ruling here: This embedded content is not available in your region. What the justices said Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority opinion that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock does not make it a fully automatic machine gun. A machine gun is defined as a weapon that can fire more than one shot by a single function of the trigger, which is not the case for rifles with bump stock attachments. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the majority opinion would have deadly consequences, and said the decision complicates the governments efforts to keep machine guns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. What is a bump stock? Bump stocks are attachments for semiautomatic rifles that increase the speed at which bullets are fired. It replaces a rifles standard stock the part held against the shoulder. The new stock then bumps back and forth between the shooters shoulder and the trigger, which makes the rifle fire more rapidly. It does not alter the rifle to make it fire automatically, which is how the classification has circumvented being defined as a fully automatic weapon. Private citizens in most U.S. states can buy and own fully automatic machine guns as long as they were legally registered and bought before May 19, 1986. Read more from the Hill: Bump stock ruling could trigger booming rapid-fire marketplace This is not a Second Amendment challenge Those who opposed the initial ban on bump stocks claimed that it was a violation of the Constitution's Second Amendment, which allows citizens the right to bear arms. This case was not a challenge to the Second Amendment but instead an examination of the power of administrative agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Adam Winkler, a professor at the UCLA School of Law, told Yahoo News that the decision "highlights the Supreme Court's skepticism of administrative agencies" and aligns with previous decisions made by conservative justices in "trying to scale back the authority of agencies." "Although this case is not a Second Amendment case, it will make it harder for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to regulate guns," Winkler explained. "This case also shows the success of the NRA's long-term strategy." Read more from ABC News: Bump stock creator speaks out before Supreme Court ruling Reactions to the ruling Anti-gun groups like Brady: United Against Gun Violence and Everytown have condemned the decision, claiming the Supreme Court has now put "countless lives in danger" by allowing "weapons of war." Everytown also called on Congress to "right this deadly wrong" by passing legislation to ban bump stocks. Randy Kozuch, the executive director of the National Rifle Association, said in a statement that "the Supreme Court has properly restrained executive branch agencies to their role of enforcing, and not making, the law." President Biden also issued a statement saying his administration will "continue to take action" against gun violence in the U.S. We know thoughts and prayers are not enough, he said. I call on Congress to ban bump stocks, pass an assault weapon ban, and take additional action to save lives send me a bill and I will sign it immediately. How we got here On Oct. 1, 2017, a Las Vegas gunman used firearms equipped with bump stocks to kill 60 people and wound hundreds more. In 2018, the ATF under the Trump administration issued a regulation saying rifles equipped with bump stocks should be classified as machine guns, which have been banned since 1986. The case was brought by Michael Cargill, the owner of an Austin, Texas, gun store who had to turn in several bump stocks he had in his establishment after the federal agency published its rule. Cargill challenged the rule, seeking to get it overturned. Arguments in the case were heard on Feb. 28. For close court watchers, it wasn't surprising that the Supreme Court rejected an effort by Christian right forces to take away access to the abortion pill. The case was too ridiculous, even for the current iteration of the court, which is dominated by six Republican appointees fighting varying levels of corruption allegations. The lawsuit was brought by a group of doctors and dentists who do not prescribe the medication in question, mifepristone. It was based on a total lie, which is that the drug is dangerous. (All evidence shows it's safer than Tylenol. The risk of death from Viagra is 10 times higher.) And the argument was eye-rollingly silly: The plaintiffs claimed to be worried they'd be asked to treat abortion patients in an emergency, an instance that rarely comes up, due to the drug's safety. When it does, emergency room providers have a right to ask a pro-choice doctor to step in to handle it. What was more surprising was how decisive the court was in dismissing the anti-abortion arguments. The decision was unanimous, for one thing, with even the effusively misogynist justices like Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas going along with it. In his opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh used forceful language that likely precludes all future efforts by Christian right groups to rework the complaint and try again. "[A] plaintiff s desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue," he wrote, making it clear that even this Supreme Court cannot see the "personal stake" that these plaintiffs had in what other doctors are prescribing to patients. This decision may not be the end of efforts by anti-abortion groups to force a nationwide ban through the courts, but it is undeniably a huge setback. It will be tempting to many pundits and politicians, therefore, to treat this as the end of the efforts to strip all Americans of abortion access. More than 60% of abortions in the U.S. are done with pills, in no small part because they can be sent through the mail, making it easier for patients to get access despite the patchwork of abortion bans that have sprung up across the nation since the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health in 2022. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Democrats, on the other hand, snapped into motion to warn Americans that the abortion issue is very much alive and that their vote in November could determine the fate of reproductive health care. The decision "does not change the fact that if elected, Trump and his allies want to effectively ban abortion nationwide with or without the help of Congress and the courts," the Democratic National Committee said in a written statement. The White House's statement concurred, adding that Republicans have an "extreme and dangerous agenda to ban abortion nationwide." As alarming as the Democratic language is, it's arguably an understatement. If anything, we can now expect Republicans to redouble their efforts to ban abortion nationwide. Christian right activists have already made it clear to Donald Trump that they expect him to sign a national abortion ban if he returns to the White House. Now that pressure, which was already high, will skyrocket. And this time, Trump will owe them even more than he did when he won in 2016, because this time, he's running not just for president, but to stay out of prison. Trump likes to make a lot of noise about leaving abortion "to the states," but his actions clearly signal to his fundamentalist followers that he will sign whatever abortion ban they get passed through Congress. On Monday, he spoke to the Danbury Institute, a group that not only calls for a total ban on all abortion but puts scare quotes around the term "women's rights." Trump is the single biggest reason that abortion bans are happening, as he appointed three out of the six justices who voted to overturn Roe. Like every other lie this notorious liar tells, Trump is not "moderate" on abortion, but will do the far-right's bidding on the issue every chance he gets. If he wins and Republicans hold majorities in the Senate and House, it's not a matter of "if" they ban abortion, but whether it's the first or merely second or third thing they do in office. Nor is the Republican radicalism on this issue limited to abortion. Earlier this month, all but two Republican senators voted down a bill that would protect the right to contraception from being overturned by the Supreme Court, as Thomas has strongly hinted is a future possibility. In right-wing media, the clamor to ban birth control is growing, with MAGA leaders like Charlie Kirk claiming, "Birth control, like, really screws up female brains." (Trump regularly speaks at events for Kirk's group, TPUSA, and is scheduled to do so again this weekend.) And despite disingenuous claims to support reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilization, Republicans in the Senate did the Christian right's bidding this week, voting against a bill to protect the fertility treatment on Thursday. And just in case Trump somehow wins the White House without Republicans dominating Congress, anti-abortion forces have a plan to use Trump to ban abortion nationwide anyway: Project 2025. This infamous document, put together by the team widely expected to staff and run the White House if Trump wins, has gotten a lot of attention for the "post-constitutional" plans to take a hammer to decades of labor and environmental regulations, harness to Justice Department to terrorize political opponents, and deport immigrants by the millions. It also outlines a plan to ban the abortion pill nationally without Congress lifting a finger. One proposal is to simply force the Food and Drug Administration to withdraw its approval of mifepristone, treating it like it's an illegal drug like cocaine. Another proposal is to revive the 1873 Comstock Act, which has been long dormant but never repealed. Doing so would make it illegal to ship any "article, instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing which is advertised or described in a manner calculated to lead another to use or apply it for producing abortion." This would not only be a functional ban on all abortion, but would also criminalize those who share information on how abortion works. These efforts would be challenged in court, of course, but if he's in the White House, Trump will be able to add a flood of appointees to his already-robust number, all poised to rubber stamp even his most egregious abuses of power. And if anyone is foolish enough to think Trump would somehow prevent his main benefactors from having their way on this, think again. He gave them everything they asked during his first term as president, including three anti-abortion justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. He will be even more beholden to them next time around. After all, he's indicated in multiple ways he does not intend to leave office at the end of a second term. As we learned from the January 6 insurrection, Christian nationalists are his main source of fanatics who will break the law and commit violence on his behalf. To keep those people in his thrall, he has to deliver for them. And there is nothing more important to the Christian right than banning abortion nationwide. Among the bills rejected by the House on Thursday was legislation that would have outlawed so-called sanctuary cities." (Annmarie Timmins | New Hampshire Bulletin) The House killed a long-debated proposal to legalize cannabis Thursday, in a spectacular finale on the last day of the legislative calendar that followed weeks of frustrations with the Senate. But the marijuana bill wasnt the only bill that died in the Republican-led chamber Thursday. In a series of surprise votes, representatives killed a handful of other bills that had appeared to be Republican priorities. Here are some of the bills you might have missed that the House struck down Thursday. Sanctuary city ban Without debate, the House again rejected a bill Thursday that would have outlawed so-called sanctuary cities and required local law enforcement to assist federal immigration officials. The House has defeated such legislation nearly a dozen times since 2006 and tabled similar legislation in May. The Senate had attempted to revive it by attaching it to an unrelated insurance bill, House Bill 1292. The House tabled that effort Thursday, 192-165. The legislations supporters argued that some New Hampshire cities have adopted policies that essentially shield individuals wanted on immigration detainers. Police chiefs from several New Hampshire communities disputed that, saying they alert federal officials if they arrest someone wanted on an immigration detainer. They said they opposed assisting with detainer cases when separate criminal charges are not involved. 4-year voter roll purges The House also put the brakes on a bill that would have required town election officials to review the voter rolls more frequently and purge anyone who hasnt recently voted. Currently, the rolls must be assessed and updated every 10 years; House Bill 1369 would have lowered that to four. Under the bill, in the year after every presidential election year, town election officials would need to assess the list of registered voters in their town. Any voter who did not vote within 6 years of that review would be struck from the list; that voter would need to re-register in the town the next time they wanted to vote. Republicans said the measure would ensure that the voter rolls are more up to date, which they say can be filled with inaccuracies by the end of the current 10-year review period. But Democrats countered that increasing the frequency of the purges could create unnecessary headaches for more voters, especially those who dont vote in every election. In the end, HB 1369 failed to pass the House Thursday, 178-185. Voter registration In a last-minute twist, the House held back a bill that would have imposed more stringent voter identification requirements on Election Day and required new voters to provide hard proof of their U.S. citizenship. House Bill 1370 was one of two bills seeking to require documentary evidence of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers in order to register for the first time to vote. A second bill, House Bill 1569, would do the same thing; lawmakers sent that bill to Gov. Chris Sununus desk in May. But HB 1370 diverged from HB 1569 by including the creation of a telephone helpline that would be run by the Secretary of States Office and would allow local election officials to try to quickly verify someones citizenship using state records. Republicans said the hotline would have helped in scenarios on Election Day where someone did not have their citizenship document but might be in the system. But Democrats said there were not enough details for how the hotline would be staffed and operated, that not all polling places would have the cellular or internet service to access the hotline, and that the hotline would not help voters who were not born in New Hampshire and did not have documents stored by state agencies. In a surprise move, Rep. J.R. Hoell, a Dunbarton Republican, made a motion to table HB 1370, arguing that the relatively late addition of the hotline option had been adopted without a hearing or sufficient discussion and that the bill was being rushed. That tabling motion passed, 223-141. Raising the EFA threshold House and Senate Republicans had both expressed interest in raising the income limit for the education freedom accounts, which allow families to use state education dollars toward home school or private school expenses. The two sides had seemed to arrive at an agreement on a bill to do so, House Bill 1665. Currently, the program is capped to families making up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level. House Republicans wanted to raise that to 500 percent; Senate Republicans wanted 400 percent; and representatives of the two chambers agreed in a committee of conference to 425 percent. HB 1665 would have also extended the phase-out grants that the state gives to public schools who lose students who take EFAs grants that are meant to alleviate the drop in state adequacy dollars caused by lower enrollment. But the compromise bill did not move forward: The vote failed, 168-185, with seven Republicans joining Democrats to vote against it. Parental consent for Medicaid to Schools services The House also killed a bill that would have required parental consent for each individual service offered to children in schools under the Medicaid to Schools program. Since 2020, the Medicaid to Schools program has allowed school districts to get Medicaid reimbursement for certain services provided to students as part of the individualized education plans (IEPs). Those services include occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health services, specialized transportation, and more. Parents must give consent for their children to receive Medicaid to Schools funded services in general which is given as part of the IEP process. House Bill 1616 would have required that parents sign off on each individual Medicaid service provided; any service with its own diagnostic billing code would need parental approval. The Senate added in separate legislation that would have created a pilot recruitment and retention program for the Department of Health and Human Services to allow for sign-on incentives for new employees at the Division for Children, Youth, and Families, the Hampstead Hospital Residential Treatment Facility, the Sununu Youth Service Center, and others. But a temporary Democratic majority on the House floor Thursday caused the bill to fail, 173-179, with one Republican, Rep. Dan Wolf of Newbury, siding with Democrats. The post The surprising list of Republican bills killed by the House Thursday appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin. Survivor in a murder-suicide case charged with the deaths of an infant boy and woman A man who shot a woman and an infant boy, and then tried to end his life, was charged with their murders Thursday, Broward deputies say. While Andre Lanns, 27, is still hospitalized in critical condition, the Broward Sheriffs Office announced it has arrested him and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder. Around 5:45 a.m. Thursday, 911 callers reported a shooting in the 4000 block of Eastridge Drive in Deerfield Beach, the sheriffs office said. Arriving deputies found Lanns wounded in the street after he shot himself. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. In a nearby home, deputies discovered Marrina Guadagnino and Andre Lanns III, the infant, shot dead. Deputies did not divulge their relationship. The tragedy was among several murder-suicides in South Florida over the past few weeks: On June 7, a man shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and her 4-year-old son while they were in the ATM drive-thru of a West Kendall Chase Bank. He then killed himself. READ MORE: Unimaginable tragedy. Friends remember woman killed with child in Kendall murder-suicide On June 6, a murder-suicide in a Coral Gables apartment complex left a man and woman dead and her 20-year-old son wounded READ MORE: Man kills woman, injures her son before taking his own life in Gables apartment, police say On June 2, two men and two women were killed in a murder-suicide at a West Kendall home. The suspected shooter, a man believed to be around 60 years old, was found in a room by himself with a gun. Police said he killed the three other people who were scattered inside the home before killing himself. READ MORE: Four found dead after a murder-suicide in Kendall area home, police say. What we know After gathering evidence, deputies on Thursday evening obtained an arrest warrant for Lanns for two counts of first-degree murder. If you or someone you know is thinking about self harm, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Its available 24/7. A man, accused in what witnesses called a drive-by shooting outside an Arden Arcade convenience store, was arrested by Sacramento County sheriffs deputies, authorities said Friday. Deputies were called just before 12:30 a.m. to the 1300 block of Fulton Avenue at Hurley Way after reports of gunfire outside the 7-Eleven. James Roseman, 38, was shot in the parking lot, which also features a 24-Hour Fitness and Pizza Guys. He suffered a gunshot wound, and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, deputies said. Investigators arrested Joseph Paul Demarco, 47, in Arden Arcade on Tuesday. Demarco, who was arraigned Wednesday in Sacramento Superior Court, was charged with murder and possessing a firearm. Hes being held on $500,000 bail and is scheduled to appear again in court on Thursday. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, deputies said. New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon and District Attorney Ben David hosted a press conference Friday morning to discuss details of an officer-involved shooting that left one dead in Wilmington on June 13. A suspect who allegedly stole a truck, boat and two firearms died after an officer-involved shooting during a traffic stop in Wilmington. Around 5 p.m. on Thursday, an off-duty detective with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office observed a boat and truck matching the description of stolen property that the Wilmington Police Department had been investigating, District Attorney Ben David said during a news conference Friday morning. The boat and truck had been stolen from a yard within Wilmington city limits that was surrounded by a fence. The suspect was also believed to be in possession of two stolen firearms. The detective notified 911 dispatch and officers with the Wilmington Police Department arrived at the boat ramp on Castle Street, David said. The suspect, identified in a news release Friday as 34-year-old Steven Ryan Todd, fled, attempting to run over the detective. This interaction prompted a short chase between multiple officers with WPD and the suspect, which was ultimately called off in order to "preserve the safety of the public and the other officers," David said. WPD then took out multiple felony warrants for the suspect for assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing to elude arrest, assault on a government official, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Multiple agencies across Wilmington, including the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, were notified of the suspect description, vehicle description, "and that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous," David said. The public was not notified of a potential threat to public safety. "This has evolved in real time," David said. "What (law enforcement does) is make sure that there was a chase that ensued and because they had to call that off to protect the public, what they're immediately trying to do is make sure that the law enforcement knows that when they get up with that person again what has just happened." Around 11:50 p.m., detectives with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office working on the investigation located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop at the corner of South Kerr Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, David said. "The suspect refused to comply with the detectives and actually struck a sheriff's vehicle head on causing a very serious crash into the telephone poles," David said. "Despite that serious crash, the suspect continued to actively resist officers. Fearing for their safety and the safety of others, multiple detectives discharged their firearm, striking the suspect." Medical aid was rendered by the detectives and emergency medical services were called to the scene, David said. The suspect died on scene as a result of his injuries. A loaded firearm was located inside of the vehicle with the suspect, David said. David and New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon did not comment on whether Todd had brandished his firearm prior to three detectives discharging several rounds into the vehicle. "That's going to be the subject of an investigation and the officers are fully cooperative that are going to be getting interviewed," David said. The incident is currently being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, David said. The investigation will determine whether the use of force was justified. Per protocol, the detectives who discharged their weapons on scene have been placed on paid administrative leave. The identities of the detectives have not been released. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington shooting leaves suspect dead, New Hanover Sheriff's Office says Suspect faces murder charge in shooting of 27-year old North Texas man over fender-bender Lewisville police have arrested a Mesquite man who faces a murder charge in the shooting of a 27-year old man in a parking lot. Aarion Keonta Morris, 39, is accused of shooting and killing Jonathon Berto after a minor car accident. According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KDFW-TV, Bertos mother found him dead with gunshot wounds in a parking lot on Sunday. Morris shot Berto four times after a minor traffic accident and then fled the scene, the affidavit says. Lewisville police said they used surveillance footage and a license plate number to link Morris vehicle to an address in Mesquite, where he was arrested Tuesday night. I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Berto. This is a tragic event, and their loss is something we feel here at the Lewisville Police Department, Lewisville Police Chief Brook Rollins said in a news release. I also want to recognize our officers, detectives, and support personnel who worked tirelessly from the beginning of this case to see it through to a successful arrest. In addition to his parents and siblings, Berto leaves behind a girlfriend and infant daughter. He was looking forward to celebrating his first Fathers Day this weekend, his brother Alejandro said. He described his brother as hardworking and the best family man. More top stories from our newsroom: STAAR scores: Fort Worth ISD 3rd-graders havent caught up after pandemic TX power grid in better shape than last year. How likely are blackouts? Fort Worth man charged with threatening FBI agent involved in Hunter Biden case [Get our breaking news alerts.] Now, Bertos brother is calling for change. We need change now, or else were still going to have kids being raised without their dads, he said. Morris was being held in the Lewisville City Jail. His bond has been set at $2 million. Suspected NYC jihadist was caught near major airport as new details of averted disaster are revealed The suspected Queens jihadist busted with an arsenal of weapons in his SUV was ordered held without bail on Thursday as disturbing new details of the case emerged in court. Judd Sanson, 29, was just blocks from La Guardia International Airport when he was stopped by alert cops early Wednesday and nervously reached under the seat of his SUV during the first few tense moments of the encounter with the officers, prosecutors revealed. They later found a loaded 9mm Glock pistol under the drivers seat. Sorry, there is a lot of drunk people nowadays, Sanson allegedly told the cops after they stopped him for having obscured license plates on the vehicle. I live in Jamaica. I was visiting my uncle. Judd Sanson, 29, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court and ordered held without bail on weapons charges Thursday. Shawn Inglima/Pool But police had already spotted a knife strapped to Sansons leg, along with an MTA reflective vest and a makeshift axe hanging from the ceiling and a makeshift sword inside the vehicle, Queens Assistant District Attorney Dylan Nesturrick said in Queens Criminal Court. In all, the prosecutor said nearly a dozen weapons, an NYPD bulletproof vest and 179 rounds of ammunition were found inside the black Ford Explorer. He also said investigators found a disturbing photo on Sansons Facebook page, but did not elaborate. This car stop averted what could have been a disaster for the citizens of Queens, New York City and potentially even the country, Nesturrick said. Sanson stood before Judge Julieta Lozano with his mane of long hair flowing over a black T-shirt that read, Dreamer: Into reality and had a rose next to it. Among the items police said they found inside Judd Sansons SUV were an NYPD bulletproof vest, a mask, a 9mm pistol and various knives and axes. Desheania Andrews Queens prosecutors said 11 weapons in all were seized from Judd Sanson, along with 179 rounds of ammunition after a traffic stop early Wednesday. Desheania Andrews Prosecutors said he has addresses in Tennessee and Maryland, but lives with his father in the Hollis section of Queens and has a 1-year-old daughter. His lawyer said Sanson works as a self-employed mechanic and supports his young daughter. Thomas Montella of Queens Defenders asked Lozano to set reasonable bail for his client. This is, at the end of the day, a gun case, Montella said. But the judge sided with prosecutors, who asked that he be held at Rikers Island without bail pending a return court appearance on Monday. Judd Sanson smiled at reporters Thursday while being led to court, where he was hit with weapons charges. Brigitte Stelzer for NY Post Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Judd Sansons case is concerning You got to ask about the intent. Stephen Yang It is concerning that he was a few blocks way from the airport, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said after the arraignment. You got to ask about the intent. Sanson was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, and was questioned at the 110th Precinct stationhouse until he was led out in handcuffs earlier on Thursday for his date in court. He smiled as he was peppered with questions by reporters and broke into a wide grin when one asked if he had purchased his weapons arsenal on Amazon. Meanwhile, cops executed a search warrant at his fathers apartment and were in and out of the Jamaica Avenue building on Thursday, with prosecutors saying they found a Glock holding case inside. Additional reporting by Georgett Roberts Suspects detained after shooting outside Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. Four people were detained following reports of a shooting outside Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles Thursday night. Los Angeles police responded to the 100 block of South Grand Avenue where witnesses reportedly heard gunshots at around 5 p.m. A graduation ceremony was being held at the concert hall for over 100 L.A. County high school graduates, including 29 students who were currently detained youth on probation. At the end of the ceremony, a person suddenly leaped over a second-story balcony and assaulted one of the teen graduates, authorities said. Officers responding to the scene discovered a brawl outside the concert hall involving several suspects. Four people were detained during the incident. Investigating officers said several bullet shell casings were discovered in the area. Its unclear what prompted the fight. Four people were detained after a violent brawl and reports of a shooting happened outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) Four people were detained after a violent brawl and reports of a shooting happened outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) Four people were detained after a violent brawl and reports of a shooting happened outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) Entrances to the nearby Broad Museum were blocked off as police investigated reports of a shooting outside Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles on June 13, 2024. (Citizen) Four people were detained after a violent brawl and reports of a shooting happened outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) Entrances to the nearby Broad Museum were blocked off as police investigated reports of a shooting in downtown Los Angeles on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) No injuries to law enforcement or ceremony attendees were reported, LAPD said, and no suspect identities were released. The graduation ceremony was hosted by the L.A. County Office of Education and the L.A. County Probation Department. We are pleased to report that all detained probation graduates and Los Angeles County Office of Education graduates are uninjured, safe, and secure, said L.A. County probation officials. The safety and security of all Los Angeles County youth are of the utmost importance. The Probation Department will continue to work with our neighboring law enforcement agencies and partners to celebrate the accomplishments of our youth while working towards creating a safer community. Streets surrounding the downtown district were blocked off as police investigated the area. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information can call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. View previous reports on the vigil shooting in the video player above. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police have arrested two people accused in a shooting at a vigil for a homicide victim, which left another two people dead. Ladavia Fortner, 31, and Tyrez Turner, 18, were both taken into custody in connection with the June 3 shooting at Krumm Park on Alton Avenue, according to documents from Franklin County Municipal Court. Fortner faces two charges of murder, while Turner faces felony counts of having a weapon under disability and unlawful possession of dangerous ordinance. Columbus police set up crime scene tape at Krumm Park after a shooting that left two people dead. (NBC4 Photo) The victims of the shooting, Jakwaun Kimbro and Lonnie Johnston, were both pronounced dead minutes after it happened at 9:54 p.m. They were attending a candlelight vigil for DaMya Cummerlander, who was shot and killed on June 2 in the 2600 block of Woodsedge Road. 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 previously released surveillance images of two people of interest in the shooting, who may have returned gunfire. They did not say the people in the photos were Turner and Fortner as of Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FILE - Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. The Iraqi charge daffaires in Sweden on Friday, June 14, 2024, was summoned to the Swedish Foreign Ministry protesting against death sentences handed down to Swedes in Iraq. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Sweden's Foreign Ministry said officials summoned the Iraqi charge daffaires Friday to protest against death sentences handed down to Swedes in Iraq. Swedish media reported in recent days that two Swedes have been sentenced to death in Iraq after being convicted of killing a member of criminal gang there. On Friday, Sweden's news agency TT cited the foreign ministry in Stockholm's confirmation that at least one person with a Swedish passport has received a death sentence. We condemn the use of the death penalty. We oppose it always, everywhere and regardless of the circumstances, Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in a statement. He said officials conveyed Sweden's protests at the meeting and demanded that the sentences not be enforced. TT reported that another two Swedes have been detained for alleged involvement in the murder of a criminal in Iraq. The killing earlier this year is believed to be linked to an internal gang war between two Swedish groups that has resulted in numerous killings and attempted murders, some occurring outside Sweden. The Foxtrot network and its rival, Rumba, have for years been involved in deadly feuds. Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years and criminal gangs often recruit teenagers in socially disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods to carry out hits. Swedish police recorded 109 shootings so far this year, including 14 fatal shootings. Last year, 53 people were killed and 109 were wounded in a total of 363 shootings. FILE - Police cordon off the Grona Lund amusement park in Stockholm, Sunday, June 25, 2023. Swedish authorities on Friday, June 14, 2024, harshly criticized a Stockholm amusement park for insuffient testing of new parts to a roller coaster train which derailed last year, sending some passengers plunging to the ground in an amusement park accident, leaving one dead and nine injured. (Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency via AP, File) COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Swedish accident investigators on Friday said the country's oldest amusement park didn't properly test new parts for a roller coaster that derailed last year and sent some passengers plunging to the ground, killing one and injuring nine others, one seriously. The June 25 derailment at the Grona Lund park in Stockholm was caused by deficiencies in the ordering, manufacturing and testing of new support arms for the Jetline trains," the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority said. It said the support arms weren't sufficiently strong. The roller coaster was carrying 11 passengers at the time of the derailment. The front of the train jumped off the tracks, leaving one car tilted toward the ground. A woman in her 30s was thrown out of the ride and died. Two others also fell from the train, one of whom was seriously injured and the other received minor injuries. Seven other passengers also had minor injuries. Grona Lund park CEO Jan Eriksson said at a news conference that out of respect for the accident and everyone involved, we have decided to close Jetline for good. Something like this has never happened before at Grona Lund and we will make sure that something like this will never happen again, Eriksson said, according to Swedish news agency TT. Police have also launched a separate criminal investigation into the derailment. Christer B. Jarlas, a prosecutor for the National Unit for Environmental and Work Environment, said police have carried out extensive interrogations, technical examinations of the train carriages and material analyses. He said there is currently no timetable for when a decision will be made on whether to charge anyone. The 800-meter-long (half-mile-long) roller coaster opened in 1988 and was renovated in 2000, according to Grona Lund. It has a maximum height of 30 meters (98 feet) and a top speed of 90 kph (56 mph). Grona Lund opened in 1883. The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County has announced the date of its first informational session for employers and community business leaders interested in learning how to help alleviate the areas crisis in childcare. The session will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 17, at the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, located at 2320 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota. The information session, organized by the ELCs Childcare Business Task Force, will provide details on how employers can take advantage of state and federal programs and tax credits in exchange for helping employees with childcare challenges. Brittany Lamont, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, is leading the ELC Childcare Business Task Force. Organizers also hope to link businesses with existing childcare center operators ready to expand but in need of support. The information sessions follow a recent task force survey of area employers that found that the vast majority report major challenges among employees in affording childcare costs or finding available childcare at all. The impact to employers includes everything from increased turnover and absenteeism to serious recruitment barriers and a loss in business revenues and profits, the survey showed. Statewide, the impacts of childcare shortages cost employers $4.47 billion each year, according to studies by the Florida Chamber Foundation. Several local employers already have partnered with childcare providers such as the YMCA of Southwest Florida -- mirroring innovative efforts underway across the country in which states, local governments, parents and businesses are working together to find solutions. These information sessions are coming on the heels of a huge blow to local childcare advocates, working parents and their employers after the Sarasota County Commission decided to cut funding for the ELCs School Readiness Program. The program -- supported by the area's Republican state legislative delegation -- has helped subsidize childcare costs for about 300 area low-income and working-class families through county and state matching funds. The Sarasota County Commission funding cuts will end those subsidies as of Oct. 1. The ELC task force plans to hold several additional information sessions throughout the county, with future dates and locations to be announced in the weeks ahead. This story comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Saundra Amrhein covers the Season of Sharing campaign, along with issues surrounding housing, utilities, child care and transportation in the area. She can be reached at samrhein@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota childcare crisis: Task force to educate local businesses HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Tampa Electric customers expressed their frustrations Thursday to state regulators about a proposed rate hike. TECO hopes to implement a base increase to its bills starting in January 2025. Brooke Ward organized a rally at the Hillsborough Community College in Brandon before a public hearing with the Florida Public Service Commission. Its a really difficult thing to watch our bills go up and have to figure out how I am going to fit this into my budget, Ward said. People chanted and held signs. One of them was TECO customer Mona Judge, who also wants the power company to drop the plan. It is frustrating, Judge said. This is just unfair, and they cant seem to control it. FPSC outlined the TECO proposal so customers will have a better understanding of what they may pay. For a home using about 1000 kWh, they are currently paying an average of $136 a month. In January of next year, that may go up to $154. For a home using 1500 kWh, they pay about $205 a month right now. In January, they may cough up about $225. For those using 2000 kWh, they currently pay about $273 and they too may face about a $20 increase. Since theres a plan for a base increase across the board for residents, a TECO spokesperson explained why rates may increase. It would reduce the number and length of power outages. It would help reduce restoration time after severe weather such as hurricanes, but also reduce fuel costs, Cherie Jacobs said. Jacobs said the company is still working to reduce other charges on each bill, outside the base charge which may increase. Theres also help in place for those who struggle now and for any struggling customer if an increase is approved. We work with our customers and make payment arrangements. We have more free customer programs to help reduce energy than any other utility in the state. We can also connect folks to financial resources, Jacobs said. Theres still time to weigh in. Customers can send feedback to clerk@psc.state.fl.us and include docket number: 20240026-EI. State regulators are scheduled to meet in Tallahassee in August. TECO expects a decision by November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Teen arrested in Baldwin County after high-speed chase in Santa Rosa County: FHP SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A Louisiana teenager was arrested in Baldwin County Wednesday after he led Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office deputies on a high-speed chase, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Motive in May Day shooting revealed during Aniahs Law hearing for murder suspect Mack Adams 18-year-old Romero Antwan Nail, of Louisiana, was arrested and charged with fleeing after FHP issued an arrest warrant. According to an FHP news release, a Florida trooper was on Interstate 10 around 2:30 p.m. June 12 when they saw a black Ford Mustang driving recklessly at a speed over 130 miles per hour. That trooper radioed the information to other troopers, which led to another trooper trying to initiate a traffic stop. The release said the driver then started driving around 150 miles per hour and began to pass cars on the north and south shoulders. Officials said the driver turned onto Scenic Highway, where troopers lost sight of the car. Later, troopers found the Mustang in a driveway at a home off Scenic Court and when troopers tried to approach the car the driver started driving through yards until he got back on Scenic Highway, the release said. Even with assistance of local citizens we were unable to remain active in a pursuit, but we were able to track the vehicle as it traveled out of state, the release said. A Baldwin County deputy conducted a traffic stop at a gas station and detained the driver, according to FHP. Experts explain reasons for increase in shark sightings along the Gulf Coast following recent attacks FHP issued a warrant for the drivers arrest, and the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office arrested Nail based on that warrant, the release said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Father's Day is an opportunity to reflect on the profound impact fathers and father figures have on our lives. While each of our experiences are of course unique, one truth remains the presence of supportive fathers has proven to be a source of strength to families and children for a lifetime. We recognize that to build thriving communities, we must elevate fatherhood as a critical issue. By coming together as a society and combining our expertise and resources, we can make a real and positive difference for fathers and families, starting right here in our state. Reshape the narrative around fatherhood The absence of a father figure can lead to a cascade of adverse outcomes that reverberate through generations, impacting physical, emotional and financial well-being. Johnny Peppers with his children, Rebecca, 12, left, Thomas, 9, Matthew, 7, Samatha, 10, and Lucas, 8, right, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, in Brentwood, Tenn. Peppers, a property owner/manager, adopted the five siblings in 2016, and now is changing careers to become an attorney. He wants to be a guardian ad litem to fight for other foster kids. The 2023 Environmental Scan Report from the State of Tennessee, Department of Human Services (TDHS), reveals that children who grow up without a father in the home are four times more likely to live in poverty and face increased risks of health and social challenges, such as obesity, academic struggles, and substance abuse. We have a collective responsibility to reshape the narrative surrounding fatherhood by advocating for policies and practices that encourage active father involvement in their children's lives. He agreed to watch five kids for a weekend and now he's their dad We understand (and are grateful!) that fathers come in many forms, each with their own unique needs and circumstances. Even with these different dynamics, active and engaged father figures are vital to the health and well-being of their own children and families and to the overall vibrancy of our society in Tennessee and beyond. Research consistently demonstrates that children with involved fathers have lower risks of health and social issues such as infant mortality, emotional and behavioral problems and juvenile incarceration. We are committed to taking action and change course for the benefit of future generations. So, what can we do? How communities can foster healthy family relationships The Tennessee Department of Human Services and Belmont University are dedicated to making a difference in this area. The Department is taking proactive steps to drive meaningful change, recently launching Fatherhood Grants to support organizations providing direct services aimed at improving the lives of fathers and children. Recognizing that needs differ as we consider each county that makes up the state of Tennessee, the Department seeks to empower established local organizations to work in their respective communities. Additionally, we plan to host regional gatherings of community groups to explore ways to positively impact and support fathers positively at the local level. Dr. Greg Jones At Belmont University, fostering healthy family relationships aligns seamlessly with our mission to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and transformational mindset, eager and equipped to make the world a better place. Through our Flourishing Together Task Force, we are probing the challenges faced by young men and boys in society and developing evidence-based solutions. We are collaborating with a variety of community organizations to provide mentorship, wellness resources and educational opportunities that empower males to thrive. When fathers take an active role in their children's lives, that support can lead to increased confidence, personal responsibility, and overall positivity for both father and child. And tackling this issue requires a collective effort. We call upon all those across our statein government, academia, nonprofits, businesses, faith leaders, and community partners to join us in this important endeavor, contributing your expertise, resources, and innovative ideas. And to every citizen of Tennessee, we invite you to embrace this mission as your own, engage in dialogue, and help us discover better ways to support fathers. DHS Commissioner Clarence Carter Together, let us embark on this transformative journey. Let us build a brighter future for every child, family and community in our great state of Tennessee. Happy Fathers Day! Greg Jones is the president of Belmont University. Clarence H. Carter is the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Father's Day: Support dads being involved in children's lives Nashville third and fourth graders both saw modest gains in this year's English language arts scores on Tennessee's standardized test. Metro Nashville Public Schools reported 31.3% of third graders scored as proficient on the critical section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test, also known as TCAP or TNReady. That's up slightly from 31.1% last year. MNPS fourth graders made larger gains, with 38% scoring as proficient, up from 34.7% last year. "I'm proud of the work of our students, parents, teachers and staff who have helped to move the needle for our students and ensure continued progress for our district, MNPS Director Adrienne Battle said in an email statement. Third grade students work on an English language arts assignment at Dodson Elementary School on June 6, 2023. The Tennessee Department of Education released third and fourth grade English language arts scores to public school districts statewide on May 20. Those scores set off a fast-moving timeline to determine whether third graders who fell short would be held back under the state's controversial reading law. MNPS spokesperson Sean Braisted provided the district's numbers Thursday, shortly after the education department released statewide scores for third and fourth graders. Statewide, roughly 41% of third graders scored as proficient, up slightly from 40% last year. Fourth graders saw a larger bump statewide, with approximately 46% scoring proficient, up from 44% last year. Both the district and statewide numbers released this month do not factor out students who are exempt and can move on to fourth grade without further action. It's up to districts to sort out and apply exemptions. What parents need to know: Tennessee reading law, TCAP scores and more Fourth graders who fell short on the state reading standard last year but opted into tutoring must pass the section of the test or hit an individualized growth goal. If they do not, the reading law leaves it up to parents and school leaders to decide if those children are held back or sent to fifth grade with more tutoring and academic supports in place. Additional TCAP scores, including district- and school-level data, are typically released in two waves during the summer and fall. Reading law: 59% fall short on third grade reading test in Tennessee; here's what's next What's next for MNPS third, fourth graders To avoid retention, state law mandates that students who fell short must pass on a retake, meet exemption standards, win an appeal, attend summer school and show adequate growth on a post-test, or enroll in yearlong tutoring in fourth grade. Not all students at risk for retention qualify for the tutoring option alone. It is up to MNPS to identify and apply exemptions. The retake window was open from May 22-31. Braisted said it would be a few more days before the district releases numbers on students who passed on a TCAP retake or met exemption standards. As of May 20, Braisted said roughly 17,500 students were signed up for Promising Scholars, the district's summer school. Around 2,800 of those were third graders. Third grade families had until June 5 to enroll their students if their child was in need of Promising Scholars to avoid being held back. Updated summer school numbers were not yet available as of Friday. TN third grade reading law: Only 1.4% retained in Nashville schools in 2023 The effects of the reading law will play out differently for fourth graders. Individual growth data, determined through a somewhat complex formula set by the state, will be available to fourth grade families no later than July 1. While the law does not mandate retention for fourth graders who did not score proficiently, it does require districts and public charter schools to call a conference with the student's parent or guardian, English language arts teacher and school principal. The conference will determine one of the following things: Promote the child to fifth grade with interventions and academic supports in place, including tutoring Retain the child in fourth grade Final retention decisions must be made at least 10 days before the first day of school. Last year, only 1.4% of third graders were held back at MNPS. Statewide, just 1.2% of third graders were retained. Learn more Wondering if your child is exempt? Want to see if you qualify for an appeal? Looking for next steps after summer school ends? Find more information and resources via MNPS at mnps.org/learn/academics/curriculum-and-instruction/third_and_fourth_grade_retention_law. Additional information via the state education department can also be found at tn.gov/education/learning-acceleration. Reach children's reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or follow her on Twitter, Threads and Blueskey @RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville schools: 68.7% of third graders fall short on reading test California currently performs no independent checks on pesticide levels in cannabis sold to consumers or the accuracy of private pesticide tests certifying cannabis for sale. To see where that leaves consumers, The Times and WeedWeek undertook their own tests. Reporters bought products from licensed dispensaries across the state. Two licensed cannabis testing labs Anresco Laboratories in San Francisco and SC Labs in Santa Cruz agreed to screen the samples for an expanded list of pesticides. Samples were selected for a variety of reasons: sales promotions, unusually high potency levels, or they were named in complaints to regulators. Testing also focused on vapes, which because of their concentrated oils can pose a greater health threat to consumers. Reporters removed packaging and obscured labels so labs did not know the products being tested. In many cases, both labs tested the same product, and other products were retested. In total, 66 tests were run to check for more than 100 pesticides, well beyond Californias required screening of 66 chemicals. It is possible that other pesticides are present. Results from a state agriculture lab conducting tests for regulators showed 16 additional pesticides that Anresco and SC Labs were not set up to measure. Additional test results were provided to The Times by Anresco and a third lab, Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs in San Diego, which had sent those results to state regulators. In these cases, the labs selected which products to test. Alex Halperin is editor of the industry newsletter WeedWeek. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Texas man was arrested Thursday for threatening one of the FBI agents involved in the federal investigation into Hunter Biden, the Justice Department said. Timothy Muller, 43, is charged with making interstate threats and influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. While court documents do not name the FBI agent who was the target of the threats, a person familiar with the matter told CNN the agent is a member of special counsel David Weiss team investigating the presidents son. An attorney for Muller did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has not yet entered a formal plea in court. The charges come as the Justice Department and federal agents report increased violent threats many of which are related to high-profile investigations and prosecutions like that of Hunter Biden. Attorney General Merrick Garland lambasted the rise of baseless, personal and dangerous threats in a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday, saying that department employees are being threatened for simply doing their jobs. Mullers alleged threats against the FBI agent appear to fall into that category. According to court documents, Muller called the FBI agent hours after a Delaware federal jury found President Joe Bidens son Hunter guilty of three felony gun charges. In a minute long voicemail, Muller allegedly threatened to kill the agent and their family, saying, You can run, but you cant f**king hide. The message continued with lies about the 2020 presidential election being stolen, according to court documents, and expletive-laden threats, saying that the guns will come out, and well hunt you down and slaughter you like the traitorous dogs you are in your own f**king homes. Mueller then allegedly followed up in several texts to the agents phone, writing, Hows the family? Safe? and using a homophobic slur, asking if they really think you were going to disenfranchise 75 million Americans and not die? Lol. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Justice Debra Lehrmann listens as the Supreme Court of Texas hears oral arguments on Senate Bill 14, a prohibition on gender affirming care for transgender youth, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. The Texas Supreme Court declined Friday to hear a case on in vitro fertilization that could have allowed the justices to rule on whether embryos should have personhood, leaving in place decades of legal precedent that treats them as property. Experts told the American-Statesman in May that the case could have severely affected IVF access in Texas if it were pursued. The case bore some similarities to the Alabama Supreme Court case in which justices ruled that frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization are unborn children under wrongful death statutes. After the ruling, several major fertility clinics closed shop in the state until the Alabama Legislature passed a law relieving them of legal liability for embryo destruction or damage. The Texas lawsuit centered on a contract that Denton residents Caroline and Gabriel Antoun signed while they were married in 2019, stipulating that any extra embryos created during the IVF process would go to Gabriel in case of divorce. In a petition for review, Caroline Antoun's counsel argued that extrauterine embryos would be considered human beings under Texas' near-total abortion ban and the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the federal right to an abortion. They asked for the court to grant parental rights over embryos and use custody proceedings, rather than contracts, to determine who could keep them. The Supreme Court's rejection of Caroline Antoun's petition for review preserves a lower court's ruling that found the contract governing ownership of IVF embryos is still valid. The Texas Supreme Court declined Friday to hear a case on in vitro fertilization that sought to have frozen embryos defined as children. Gabriel Antoun expressed relief Friday that years of litigation over the embryos could be coming to an end. "I am thankful for the court's decision, which honors our agreement and supports families' decisions regarding IVF," he wrote to the Statesman. "I am grateful that this matter is hopefully resolved and look forward to focusing on my family moving forward." Gabriel Antoun's lawyer, Patrick Wright, was enthusiastic about the justices' decision to stay out of the hot-button issue of embryonic personhood, writing to the Statesman that "the legislaturenot the judicial systemis where these questions should be discussed." "We are pleased with the ruling today," Wright wrote. "We are equally pleased that families can continue with the IVF process in Texas, that IVF doctors can continue to help families, and that Texans can still grow and plan their families. Caroline Antoun did not immediately respond to the Statesman's request for comment. In an emailed statement, the firm representing her said they were "obviously disappointed" by Friday's decision. More than 7,000 babies are born annually in Texas through IVF, a technology through which eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory setting, then frozen or immediately implanted in a womb. It is often used to help infertile couples conceive biological children. While the state Supreme Court's decline of the case makes it very unlikely that Caroline Antoun's appeal will go forward, her legal team said Friday that it is "considering all possible avenues for additional review." The rejection of the petition for review also does not preclude the court or the Legislature from potentially taking up new challenges on IVF embryos in the future. Anti-abortion groups, such as Texas Right to Life, and some members of the Texas Republican Party have expressed their hopes that embryo destruction will be banned. "While the Court is understandably reticent to take on such a politically hot topic in an election year, the problem will not go away," the firm representing Caroline Antoun Tasker, Bodkin, Niehaus & Jolley wrote in an emailed statement. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Supreme Court won't hear IVF case arguing embryos are children A music store in the Canadian city of Guelph is the latest victim of a brazenly low-effort guitar robbery. According to reports by the Guelph Police Service, two men entered the store whose name has not been disclosed and noticed that staff members were busy dealing with other customers. Lo and behold, they picked up the guitar and walked out of the store with aplomb. Given the price, it's safe to assume that the stolen guitar is one of the models from the Les Paul Supreme reissue range Gibson released late last year. Valued at $5,200, the guitar in question features a AAA-figured maple top on a mahogany body, a mahogany neck, and an ebony fretboard with Super Split Block mother-of-pearl inlays. The police report describes it as having "a translucent ebony color." The suspects were described as "white males with medium builds". One had graying hair and tattoos and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black shoes. His associate had a goatee and was wearing a blue t-shirt, black shoes, a black-and-white Nike hat, and camo shorts. They're also thought to have left the crime scene in a dark gray Honda Civic. While the name of the music store and the suspects were not disclosed, anyone with information is welcome to contact the Guelph Police Service. Coincidentally, this guitar robbery took place just two months after a thief stole a $300 Epiphone from another Canadian music store, choosing it over a more expensive guitar that was sitting right next to it. Think Boises growth problems are bad now? We aint seen nothin yet | Opinion As the Idaho Statesmans Nick Rosenberger detailed in a story this week, Microns massive expansion in Boise could add up to 15,000 related jobs. Thats on top of the ongoing influx of new residents flooding into the Treasure Valley. Ada and Canyon counties have added nearly 100,000 people in the past four years, since the 2020 Census, according to the most recent estimates from the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, or Compass. But the Treasure Valleys estimated population hasnt even hit a million people; it still sits at about 822,000. In other words, we aint seen nothin yet. As Rosenbergers reporting highlights, one of the big questions is how we respond to transportation demands. And right now, the Treasure Valley is inadequate and woefully unprepared for future demand, with few options other than to get in your car and drive. The greater Boise area lacks a robust public transportation system. Valley Regional Transit does the best it can, but its funding is limited, and its officials have to go begging to cities and counties every year to make budget. Too many public officials complain that nobody takes public transportation, failing to recognize that a lack of funding makes public transportation less convenient than getting in your car and driving usually alone to work. It may be a barely tenable situation today, but add another 300,000 people to the Treasure Valley, as Compass projects by 2050, and it will become painfully untenable. Compass estimates that the region will need approximately $11.1 billion in transportation funding over the next 25 years, with an estimated $193 million shortfall every year between now and 2050. Where is that money going to come from? We have a solution. Its called a local option tax, which is an addition to the sales tax in a local area, whether its citywide or countywide. It could be something as small as a half-cent, such as the sales tax addition in Salt Lake City that generates about $35 million per year. The money generated from a local option tax could be used for a designated purpose, such as public transportation. And before any additional tax is imposed, voters in that jurisdiction would have to approve it for their city or county. A local sales tax gets expenses off the backs of property taxpayers and is arguably more fair, because its a consumption tax. Sales taxes are spread out among all consumers, including out-of-state visitors. Theres just one problem: The state Legislature would need to pass legislation to allow local option taxes, and Idahos Republican-dominated Legislature has opposed the idea probably because it contains the word tax. Legislators use the weak excuse that it creates disparate tax rates depending on where you buy things, and it might incentivize someone to cross city or county lines to buy something. So what? Cities and counties all over the country have varying degrees of sales tax. Voters are smart enough to hear those arguments and decide for themselves. But state legislators wont even allow voters to have the chance to make that decision. Idaho law allows only resort cities with 10,000 or fewer residents to have a local sales tax in addition to the state sales tax. In all, 22 cities in Idaho already have these local option taxes, including Donnelly and McCall, Ketchum, Kellogg, Sandpoint and Victor. Current state law requires a 60% approval from voters in that jurisdiction. So theres already precedent in Idaho for successfully implementing local option taxes, and plenty of precedent in other states, too. The sky isnt falling in those other places, and those cities are able to pay for things like roads, parks and public transportation. The issue of local option taxes comes up chronically, and Republican legislators reflexively shoot down the idea every time. Its time to recognize the benefits of local option taxes and allow voters to decide for themselves. A lot of people would trade a minuscule sales tax hike to respond to impending growth. As the Treasure Valley creeps even closer to 1 million residents, well wish we had done it sooner. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske. This article was originally published in Virginia Mercury. A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results. Its the latest in a long-running saga involving Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics, which will pay $42 million in penalties, according to the Department of Justice. While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled as late as 2021. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for potentially tens of thousands of children and other patients. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Doctors dont consider any level of lead in the blood to be safe, especially for children. Several U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., and Flint, Michigan, have struggled with widespread lead contamination of their water supplies in the last two decades, making accurate tests critical for public health. Its possible faulty Magellan kits were used to test children for lead exposure into the early 2020s, based on the recall in 2021. Heres what parents should know. What tests were affected? The inaccurate results came from three Magellan devices: LeadCare Ultra, LeadCare II, and LeadCare Plus. One, the LeadCare II, uses finger-stick samples primarily and accounted for more than half of all blood lead tests conducted in the U.S. from 2013 to 2017, according to the Justice Department. It was often used in physician offices to check childrens lead levels. The other two could also be used with blood drawn from a vein and may have been more common in labs than doctors offices. The company first learned that a malfunction in its LeadCare Ultra device could cause inaccurate lead test results specifically, lead test results that were falsely low in June 2013 while seeking regulatory clearance to sell the product, the DOJ said. But it did not disclose that information and went on to market the tests, according to the settlement. The agency said 2013 testing indicated the same flaw affected the LeadCare II device. A 2021 recall included most of all three types of test kits distributed since October 27, 2020. The company said in a press release announcing the resolution that the underlying issues that affected the results of some of Magellans products from 2013 to 2018 have been fully and effectively remediated, and that the tests it currently sells are safe. What does a falsely low result mean? Children are often tested during pediatrician visits at age 1 and again at age 2. Elevated lead levels can put kids at risk of developmental delay, lower IQ, and other problems. And symptoms, such as stomachache, poor appetite, or irritability, may not appear until high levels are reached. Falsely low test results could mean parents and physicians were unaware of the problem. Thats a concern because treatment for lead poisoning is, initially, mainly preventive. Results showing elevated levels should prompt parents and health officials to determine the sources of lead and take steps to prevent continued lead intake, said Janine Kerr, health educator with the Virginia Department of Healths Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Children can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, including by drinking water contaminated with lead from old pipes, such as in Flint and Washington; ingesting lead-based paint flakes often found in older homes; or, as reported recently, eating some brands of cinnamon-flavored applesauce. What should parents do now? Parents can contact their childs pediatrician to determine if their child had a blood lead test with a LeadCare device and discuss whether a repeat blood lead test is needed, said Maida Galvez, a pediatrician and professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. During an earlier recall of some Magellan devices, in 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that patients be retested if they were pregnant, nursing, or children younger than 6 and had a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter as determined by a Magellan device from a venous blood draw. The 2021 recall of Magellan devices recommended retesting children whose results were less than the current CDC reference level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Many of those tests were of the finger-stick variety. Kerr, at the Virginia health department, said her agency has not had many calls about that recall. The finger-stick tests are not that widely used in Virginia, said Kerr, adding that we did get a lot of questions about the applesauce recall. In any case, she said, the best course of action for parents is to talk with a health care provider. Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X. (PUEBLO WEST, Colo.) A Pueblo West woman was arrested on Wednesday, June 12, after a 5-year-old had to be taken to the hospital for injuries sustained while in the womans care. According to the Pueblo County Sheriffs Office (PCSO), deputies responded on Wednesday afternoon to a home in Pueblo West on a report of possible child abuse. When they arrived, deputies found evidence of abuse on a 5-year-old who had been in the care of Susan Davidson at the time. PCSO said the child was taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries before being released to a parent. After deputies questioned Davidson and other children in the home, Davidson was arrested for Second Degree Assault and Child Abuse. PCSO said the other children in the home were unharmed and have been placed with family. Davidson is due in Pueblo County Court on June 20. Courtesy: Pueblo County Sheriffs Office PCSO said this is the latest in a string of child abuse cases in Pueblo County, and the third arrest made by PCSO deputies in five days. On June 8, Samantha Kimberly was arrested in connection to a child abuse case involving her two sons, a 3-year-old and a 14-year-old. The 3-year-old died at a Colorado Springs hospital from his injuries. A second woman, Brittany Farmer, was also arrested in connection to the same case. Child dies in abuse case, suspects face additional charges This has been a very tough week for our agency and this community as a result of these two very disturbing incidents involving the abuse of children, said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero. We believe these are isolated incidents and not a trend currently facing our community. However, we would like to remind people that if they are stressed or struggling to call for help and reach out to resources in the community to avoid getting into an abusive situation. We dont want to see another child in our community affected by abuse. If you are concerned for a childs wellbeing, see evidence of abuse or witness a child being harmed, PCSO asks that you report it. If it is a life-threatening situation call 911 immediately, otherwise you can call the following non-emergent numbers: PCSO (719) 583-6250; Pueblo Police Department (719) 553-2502; Pueblo 24 Hour Reporting Line (719) 583-6901; Colorado Abuse Reporting Line 1-844-264-5437. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CalPERS and CalSTRS are essentially saying they dont want the legislature telling them what to do. Its a strange response to the growing number of Californians that want to phase out fossil fuels. Senate Bill 252, the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, authored by Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, Sen. Henry Stern, D-Calabasas, and Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would require the California Public Employees Retirement System and the California State Teachers Retirement system to divest their combined $15 billion in the worlds largest 200 fossil fuel companies. Fossil fuel divestment is a global movement in response to fossil fuel companies using their tremendous political power to block desperately needed climate legislation around the globe and right here in California. In 2020, the University of California system became the largest U.S. school to divest from fossil fuel companies. No one likes to be told what to do, but the hard truth is that everyone needs oversight and no one is above the law. All citizens, businesses and state agencies have to abide by decisions of the Legislature. CalPERS and CalSTRS arent any different. The state constitution explicitly states that The Legislature may by statute continue to prohibit certain investments by a retirement board where it is in the public interest to do so. And fighting climate change by divesting from fossil fuels is clearly in the public interest. Opinion SB 252 explicitly says the pension boards do not need to divest if the board determines that divestment is not consistent with the fiduciary responsibilities of the board. The bill also gives CalPERS and CalSTRS until 2031 to divest, so they have plenty of time to make sound financial decisions, and the bill extends that time in the case of a major event, such as a war. CalPERS divested from companies doing business in Apartheid South Africa because profiting from racial oppression was wrong, and they divested from tobacco companies because knowingly selling and promoting a product that causes cancer is immoral. The pensions have had more than a decade to deal with the issue of fossil fuel divestment, but they have failed to act. Instead, they have preferred the fantasy of shareholder engagement. While engaging with companies is a reasonable approach to bring about small changes, it does not work to change a companys basic business model, and it has been a complete failure with regard to fossil fuel companies and climate change. The major oil companies have all but abandoned most pretenses of sustainability and are doubling down on increasing production. A University of Waterloo study found that between 2012 and 2022, CalPERS and CalSTRS would have gained close to $10 billion dollars collectively if they had divested from fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency has concluded that 90% of coal and nearly 60% of all oil and gas reserves must remain in the ground if we are to have at least a 50% chance of keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This means that, at some point, these assets will become stranded. Thats why when the UC divested its endowment and employee pension fund, it said: We believe hanging on to fossil fuel assets is a financial risk. There are some reasonable grounds for caution in the relationship between the Legislature and the pension boards. In 1991, Gov. Pete Wilson, facing a budget deficit, tried to temporarily redirect some pension funding. Public employees fought back and passed a ballot initiative (Proposition 162) putting language in the state constitution to protect the pensions. But the legislature requiring divestment for the public interest is exactly the type of good governance oversight that we need. For the well being of the planet and the financial health of the pensions, the state legislature must require CalPERS and CalSTRS to divest from fossil fuels. Carlos Davidson is a professor emeritus of environmental studies at San Francisco State University, a member of the California Faculty Association and a CalPERS pensioner. The time is now to comment on the Blue Line LRT extension Community members have until early August to comment on an environmental plan for the proposed $3 billion Blue Line light-rail extension that will connect Target Field with Brooklyn Park. The 13.4-mile Blue Line, whose route also travels through north Minneapolis, Robbinsdale and Crystal, is expected to begin service in 2030. A key step in the planning process, announced by the Metropolitan Council and federal funders on Friday, involves the release of a supplemental draft environmental impact statement. The plan outlines the potential social, economic and environmental pros and cons associated with building the project, the fourth, and likely last light-rail project in the metro. It is expected to cost between $2.9 billion and $3.2 billion, surpassing the Southwest light-rail line as the most-expensive public works project in state history. Daily ridership is expected to hit nearly 30,000 by 2045. "This is a major benchmark for the project," said Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle during a Blue Line extension meeting Thursday. "It starts the clock to officially receive public comment." The Blue Line extension, which has been planned for more than a decade, is now on its third route. The first, which largely operated within freight railroad right-of-way, was abandoned in 2020 after rail giant BNSF Railway indicated it wasn't interested in sharing. The current plan through north Minneapolis shifted after neighbors in Lyn Park expressed concerns about light rail bisecting their neighborhood. The environmental plan released Friday "is a real shift for the project, a good thing," Zelle said. The plan is available online, where members of the public may comment online, through a hotline (612-373-3970), and at community events. Public hearings are scheduled for July 16 and July 23. The deadline for comments is Aug. 5. The plan notes that property acquisition will be required in all four cities to be served by the line. Of the 36 relocations identified, 27 of them are located in Minneapolis. The plan states that compensation and relocation assistance will be offered to property owners. For more than a year, property owners, businesses and residents mostly in north Minneapolis have expressed concerns and frustration about possibly being displaced by the project. The Met Council and Hennepin Council engaged University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs to craft a roadmap to help "navigate the human side of building a light rail route." A group of residents, businesses, community organizations and non-profits met for 18 months to discuss those challenges; recommendations were released last year. The Legislature this year set aside $10 million to help those displaced along the Blue Line route, part of $40 million allocated in 2023 to support the project. The plan notes that construction may affect the habitat for Northern long-eared and tricolored bats, Blanding's turtles, Monarch butterflies and migratory birds. It also notes that 15 properties, about 173 dwelling units, will be severely impacted by noise, a fact brought up by some residents in the North Loop, who have proposed that the line be changed from light-rail to bus-rapid transit. Some residents in Robbinsdale, are also pushing for BRT, saying it would be safer and more cost effective. The public's comments will be included in a final environmental plan. Cities along the line will decide whether to grant municipal consent beginning late summer into early fall. TN Most Wanted: Former teacher indicted on rape, incest charges added to TBI list MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is searching for a man wanted by both the TBI and the Maury County Sheriffs Office. Jonathan Ullrich, 54, was added to TBIs Top 10 Most Wanted list on Thursday, June 13. The TBI reported Ullrich cut off his ankle monitor while out on bond following a December 2022 indictment on charges including rape of a child and incest. DECEMBER 2021: Williamson County 1st grade teacher indicted on sexual battery charges The former Fairview Elementary teacher was initially arrested in 2021 and charged with six counts of sexual battery. At the time, a Maury County Grand Jury indicted Ullrich for sexual contact with a child under the age of 13 between April of 2017 and December of 2020 in Maury County. Jonathan Ullrich (Source: TBI X) Jonathan Ullrich (Source: TBI X) Jonathan Ullrich (Source: TBI X) Jonathan Ullrich (Source: TBI X) Later that same year, a Maury County Grand Jury indicted Ullrich on 27 counts involving multiple sex crimes against two children under the age of 13. Sources confirmed to News 2 that the children were related to Ullrich. SEPTEMBER 2022: Former Williamson County principal indicted on sexual exploitation charges In September 2022, Ullrich turned himself in to the Maury County Sheriffs Department and was indicted on three additional charges, including two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a Class D Felony, and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (for possession of over 100 images), a Class B Felony. This is not the first time that Ullrichs whereabouts have been unknown. News 2 also reported that he was missing in April 2023. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The post described Ullrich as 180 pounds, 56, with brown hair and blue eyes. If you have any information on his whereabouts, there is a reward of up to $2,500. You can call TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office has issued a warning about a scam involving individuals impersonating law enforcement officials. Residents have reported receiving calls from scammers posing as officers, attempting to collect fines for supposed infractions such as failing to report for jury duty or having outstanding warrants. Sheriffs office representatives emphasize that they do not solicit payments or funds over the phone. The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office will never contact you directly to require payments, said Lt. Billy Fiveash of the Criminal Investigation Division. All fines are handled through proper channels and not directly by our office. Lt. Fiveash advises residents to distrust unsolicited calls, as phone numbers displayed may be fake. He also cautions against opening unsolicited emails or text messages. The sheriffs office urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Dont look now, but Donald Trumps criminality is slowly morphing into a serious wedge issue against the Republican Partyand Democrats, fortunately, are beginning to act like it. Politicos Playbook reported Thursday that Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson privately discussed ways the House can sabotage special counsel Jack Smiths ongoing prosecutions of Trump, including attempting to defund his office. That grabbed all the attention, but lets not overlook another key factoid buried in the report: A senior Republican offered a striking dissent from the idea of defunding Smithin a way that will leave a mark. I dont think its a good idea unless you can show that [the prosecutors] acted in bad faith or fraud or something like that, Representative Mike Simpson, a senior appropriator, told Playbook, speaking about the defund-Smith push. He denounced the idea as stupid, adding of prosecutors: Theyre just doing their jobeven though I disagree with what they did. Wait, what? Trumps prosecutorial tormentors are not acting in bad faith or being fraudulent? Do tell! Simpson apparently thought he was just rebuffing a tough question, but he also badly undermined a core argument of Trump and his propagandists: that the prosecutions of Trump are wholly illegitimate, exposing the deep state as irredeemably corrupt to its very core. Now comes along a top Republican who disagrees with the prosecutions of Trump on their interpretation of the law but appears to allow that the special counsels office is not abusing its institutional role in a way that merits maximal GOP tactics in response, such as defunding it. Democrats recognize the importance of this moment. Mike Simpson just destroyed MAGA-worlds argument that Trumps prosecution on federal charges is fraudulent or in bad faith, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland emailed me. Like the New York prosecution, it is a bona fide and good-faith criminal prosecution, and the attempt to defund it, like the effort to delegitimize it, is fundamentally stupid. Other Republicans should follow Simpson and stop demonizing the justice system and the rule of law, Raskin continued, effectively demonstrating how Trumps criming can be used as a wedge going forward. Importantly, this also comes as the Democratic National Committee is going up with new billboards outside of a big conservative gathering that Trump is attending in Michigan this weekend. The Peoples Convention, a kind of off-brand RNC hosted by Turning Point Action, will feature Trump and other reprobates such as Steve Bannon (who is heading to prison after defying a January 6 committee subpoena) and Roger Stone (whose sentence was commuted by Trump). Per a DNC source, the billboards will feature pictures of Trump, Bannon, and Stone, and read: TRUMP AND HIS FELLOW CROOKS ARE IN DETROIT ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE But Its Just a Scam They Dont Care About You Theyre Just Out for Themselves Democrats increasingly grasp that Trumps criminal conviction in his Manhattan hush-money trialand his ongoing federal prosecutions for stealing state secrets and trying to overthrow democracyput Republicans in a hideously difficult position. Trump is demanding that Republicans show absolute allegiance to him over the rule of law, and urging them to do everything in their power to place him above it. This predicament is starkly illustrated by Trumps latest moves. As the Politico report notes, Trump urged Johnson to act, and the House speaker could only meekly agree that this would be merited. GOP leaders are whipping votes for a measure to allow presidents to move charges against them from state to federal courts, and Johnson is conferring with other top Republicans about ways to defund Smiths office. Whats telling is that vulnerable House Republicans are balkingprivately. As Politico reports, due in part to skittish swing-district members, the speaker is already finding it difficult to deliver for Trump. Indeed, in another sign that Trumps criminality is becoming a wedge, some Republicans representing swing districts are decidedly uninterested in commenting on Trumps felony convictions. True, some vulnerable Republicans rushed to embrace Trump after the verdict. But that strongly suggests theyve calculated that alienating MAGA voters is such a danger that they will accept the risk of irking moderates and independents. Whats more, its clear that this dynamic will only get worse for them: As Trumps pressure on Johnson indicates, he expects the GOP to produce results. That could mean tough votes in the future, say, on measures to move state prosecutions or to somehow target Smiths prosecutions. Republicans are feigning swagger about the politics of the convictions favoring them. But this is likely just spin that they themselves dont even believe. In fact, Trumps big visit to Capitol Hill on Thursday, where he reportedly attacked the Justice Department as dirty bastards, shows that he is trying to prevail on Republicans to act as if the politics of his criminality favor them, to cow Republicans who might be tempted to defect. The visit was supposed to show the world that the party is united behind him in spite of his criminalityor perhaps because of it. Either way, majorities of voters agree with Trumps convictions and believe he committed serious federal crimes. So those will be bad votes for those marginal GOP incumbents, and Trump will keep demanding more from them. Most Democrats now appear to see things this way after an early bout of skittishness. In addition to the DNC billboards, the Biden campaign just launched new ads in the swing states slamming Trump over his insurrection (for which hes currently being prosecuted). The spots feature brutal footage of the violence that Trump incited, and they hit Trump for pledging to pardon the rioters, dramatizing that a second Trump term would be a thoroughly lawless one. Democrats seem to recognize an opening to hit Republicans for placing Trumps criminal defense needs before their duty to the country and their sense of obligation to their own constituents. In coming out against defunding Smith, Representative Mike Simpson blurted out the position that many vulnerable Republicans would surely like to adopt, if only in service of political self-preservation. The problem is that Donald Trump will not let them. This article has been removed while the newsgathering process used to produce it is reviewed. The post Editors Note appeared first on Source New Mexico. The Wisconsin Capitol on spring election day, April 7, 2020. Photo by Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner. This article has been removed while the newsgathering process used to produce it is reviewed. The post Editors Note appeared first on Minnesota Reformer. This article has been removed while the newsgathering process used to produce it is reviewed. The post Editors Note appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. This article has been removed while the newsgathering process used to produce it is reviewed. The post Editors note appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. In Topeka and all of Kansas, homelessness on the rise A man lies under shading on July 19 on North Topeka Avenue in Wichita. Temperatures reached 108 degrees in Wichita that day. (Lily O'Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector) A 2023 annual state count showed an 10% increase in people experiencing homelessness from 2022. Advocates blame factors such as rising housing costs and little resources in rural areas. (Lily O'Shea Becker/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Another legislative session ended without action on Kansas homelessness problem, even as the city outside the statehouse walls reported a spike in rates of unhoused people. Homelessness reform advocates urge more awareness and action. Shanae Eggert with the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition said more mitigation measures needed to be put into place. Eggert said that between January to May, the coalitions system has identified 984 new people in the organizations 101 county coverage area struggling with homelessness. Lets stop people from becoming homeless in the first place. I feel like that would be easier to pass, Eggert said. Not saying we shouldnt focus on those who are actively experiencing homelessness, but theres a lack of focus for those who are becoming homeless, and its first-time homeless. Its people who are every day, its us, who are just one paycheck away from becoming homeless. And thats what our data is showing us, that the inflow is huge monthly. During the 2024 session, lawmakers on the House Committee on Welfare Reform, who were tasked with tackling the states homelessness problem, failed to pass any legislation after attempting to criminalize the states unhoused population for the second year in a row. In 2023, committee lawmakers heard a bill criminalizing homeless people, which fizzled after public outcry. This session, committee chairman Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican, characterized state homelessness as not a massive issue, but certainly something we need to consider addressing. The one piece of in-committee legislation that gained traction this year, Senate Bill 542, would have created a Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services-administered program to address homelessness on the local level. The one-year allocation of $40 million in fiscal year 2025 would provide Kansas local governments with grants to build or improve shelters and homelessness services but lawmakers folded in a mandate that local ordinances on camping and vagrancy be enforced. The bill fizzled in committee without receiving a vote. The federal government doesnt fund everything, said the coalitions executive director, Christy McMurphy. The state could fill some gaps for us. Andy Brown, KDADS deputy secretary for programs, pointed to rising housing costs and housing instability. Most communities in Kansas, if you drive down the street or go by the ramp, youre going to see some unsheltered homeless folks, Brown said. Where you see those unsheltered homeless folks, it means that there are not enough services in that particular community. Thats true across the nation, its not unique to Kansas. But we definitely have the ability to potentially invest more into those types of services in order to reduce our unsheltered population. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report estimated the state had 2,636 people experiencing homelessness, marking a 10% increase from 2022. Three years of Point in Time surveys documented a similar increase, though advocates warn the count uses data obtained from a one-day survey. Following public demand, Topeka released its 2024 PIT count early. The report documents Shawnee Countys homeless population has increased by 125 people since 2023, with 537 people experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the city had 412 documented homeless people. The year before, it had 365. Eggert characterized the Point in Time data collection as accurate, but not a true count of the extent of homelessness. The annual survey counts sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January, using volunteer resources. If there wasnt even a volunteer worker in a county, then that county, its numbers arent going to get counted, Eggert said. The whole count is volunteer-based, and its based on being able to find people. If theyre homeless and they stayed at their parents house because it was too cold that night which usually is cold during the PIT count then they didnt get counted, even though the next day theyre going to be back on the streets. The 2021 Kansas count found 783 people in shelters across the state. In 2022, 929 people were counted, 668 sheltered and 261 unsheltered. In 2023, the survey found 1,082 people, 806 sheltered and 276 unsheltered. McMurphy said factors such as high rent and low wages contributed to the problem, especially in rural countries that often lack shelter resources. Theres no outreach really going to rural Kansas, our smaller communities, McMurphy said. The post In Topeka and all of Kansas, homelessness on the rise appeared first on Kansas Reflector. TOPEKA (KSNT) A Topeka man is being sentenced Thursday following a deadly crash in the Capital City on Christmas Day last year that left one man dead. Shawnee County District Attorneys Office spokeswoman Katie Garceran told 27 News in a written statement that Justice Cox is being sentenced to 46 months in prison and 24 months of post-release supervision Thursday, June 13 for his part in a deadly crash in 2023. The crash resulted in the death of 23-year-old Brett Joynt. According to Garceran, Cox plead guilty to the following charges: One count of involuntary manslaughter- commission of a crime (32 months) One count of flee or attempt to elude police- felony (7 months) One count of interference with a law enforcement officer- false information (7 months) The Topeka Police Department (TPD) responded to the crash at 2:15 a.m. on Dec. 25, 2023 in the 100 block of SE 37th Street. The driver of a vehicle was heading west on SE 37th Street when the vehicle left the road, hit a utility pole and came to a stop in a nearby yard. One person was reportedly killed in the crash while two others received non-life-threatening injuries. The victim of the crash was later identified as Coxs friend Joynt. Lawrence teen dead after being shot multiple times Cox was arrested on May 2, 2023 in connection to the crash on numerous charges including murder in the first degree and reckless driving. He was charged by the Shawnee County District Attorneys Office on May 10, 2023. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) City crews are getting ready to make repairs to two brick roundabouts located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Capital City. The City of Topeka announced its plans for brick repair work in the Potwin neighborhood on social media. Locals in the area are being invited to an upcoming public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 at the Potwin Presbyterian Church located at 400 SW Washburn Avenue to learn more about the work. City spokeswoman Amanda Knowland told 27 News in a written statement the project aims to replace or repair existing bricks at two roundabouts. This project will focus on the roundabouts located at 2nd and Woodlawn Avenue and 3rd and Greenwood Avenue. Construction is set to begin on Monday, July 8 and wrap up within 30 days. Is the Kansas Avenue bridge in Topeka closed to traffic? The roundabouts will not be completely shut down during these projects. Only parts of them will be while the rest will be open for traffic to move around. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital with one dream, ending childhood cancer. Jacob, who received treatment at the hospital in that same goal is willing to do whatever he can to make that dream a reality. When Jacob was young, his older brother was diagnosed with a tumor and admitted to St. Jude. Sixteen months later, it took his life. Just one year after his brothers passing, Jacob was diagnosed with his own brain tumor at 18 and admitted to St. Jude. After a successful brain surgery, Jacob was deemed Tumor-free. Early bird deadline approaches for St. Jude Dream Home, prizes Even though the tumor is gone, Jacob told 27 News his time at the hospital isnt over. Theyve asked me, Hey, you know, would you mind being in this research study? Would you mind being in this?, and Im like talk what you want. Go for it, he said. Theyve given me so much that I mean, why would I not want to give something back to them. You can help the kids at St. Jude right here from northeast Kansas if you buy a ticket for the Topeka St. Jude Dream Home. The dream home can be found at 2635 SW Sherwood Park Drive in Topeka. It is being built by Drippe Homes and has an estimated value of $600,000. Features of the dream home include three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an estimated 2,200 square feet. Free tours of the home run from July 12-28 at the following times: Fridays: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays: Noon to 4 p.m. Tickets for the 2024 St. Jude Dream Home are $100. Get a ticket here or call (800) 846-2640. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Idyllic coast of Amorgos, in the Cyclades Islands of Greece, with a small chapel guarding the coast. Credit - Getty ImagesJoakim Leroy The second of two U.S. citizens to be reported as missing in the Greek Isles has been found dead. The man was last seen on Tuesday in Mathraki, a small island near the larger Greek island of Corfu. He was found dead on a beach on the island on Sunday. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. The Corfu medical examiner arrived at the scene later in the day, according to Corfu TV News. In an email to TIME on Sunday evening, the U.S. State Department was able to confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in Greece. Respecting the privacy of the deceased's family, they declined to provide further comment at this time. Meanwhile, the search continues for retired U.S. police officer Albert Calibet, 59, who went missing on Tuesday after going on a solo hike on the Greek island of Amorgos. When contacted by TIME in regards to Albert Calibet, a State Department spokesperson confirmed, in an emailed statement sent on Friday, that they were aware of reports of a missing U.S. person in Greece, and that they stood ready to provide assistance to U.S. citizens and families. Another tourist, a 74-year old Dutch man, went missing on Sunday, June 9, on the Greek island of Samos, after hiking alone. His wife reported him missing on Sunday afternoon. Samos, like Symi where Mosley was found, lies close to the Turkish border. On Saturday, June 15, the tourist was found dead by a drone operated by local firefighters, according to local newspaper Samos Voice. and reported by the Associated Press. TIME has reached out to Dutch authorities and local Samos officials for comment and further information. Greece has been confronting intense heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 38C/100.4F. Popular tourist sites like Acropolis Hill, along with multiple schools and nurseries, closed mid-week due to high temperatures. The search team for U.S. tourist Calibet is made up of South Aegean Police Command officers, the Embassy, Coast Guard volunteers, the Amorgos Volunteer Rescue Team, and a group from the Greek island of Paros, according to a Greek newsite. An aerial search was is also underway for Calibet. The tourist is well-known on the island due to numerous visits over the course of the past few years, Calliope Despotidi, the deputy mayor of Amorgos, told the Greek Reporter. Authorities have been attempting to track Calibets phone, and are also using drones to help facilitate the search. Calibet was last in communication with his sister on Tuesday when he sent her a photo of a trail sign, per the Greek Reporter. He was reportedly supposed to meet with a friend between noon and 1 p.m. local time, but never showed up. Officials believe that Calibet deviated from his original hiking route, which was expected to take a travel time of just over four hours. Calibet started working at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy in 1998, according to the Los Angeles Times. After his retirement, he worked at the department as a part-time employee. Calibet disappeared shortly after British TV doctor Michael Mosley was found dead on the Greek island of Symi. Authorities said Mosley most likely died due to natural causes, though there are more reports to be done before the official cause of death can be determined. In addition to the U.S. citizens discussed above, two French tourists were reported missing on Sikinos, a Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea, on Friday. Per AP, the two women, aged 73 and 64, "had left their respective hotels to meet." Contact us at letters@time.com. Trash bag of dead puppies dumped near mailboxes in Burnet Trash bag of dead puppies dumped near mailboxes in Burnet AUSTIN (KXAN) A neighborhood wants answers after someone dumped a bag of dead puppies right near their community mailbox. Now, the Burnet County Sheriffs Office said it is investigating the case. Inside this plastic bag were several decomposed puppies. They were decomposed to the point that they couldnt really be made as to what type of dog that might have been, said BCSO Support Services Captain Michael Sorenson. Hope they didnt suffer Miranda Lowry and her family were the ones who saw the trash bag. A Burnet neighborhood has seen at least two instances where animals were dumped near their mailboxes. (Photo: Miranda Lowry) Miranda Lowry said she hopes law enforcement is able to find the person who dumped the bag of dead puppies. (Photo: Miranda Lowry) The flies were just insane, Lowry said. It was swarming. While driving into her neighborhood, Lowry said her family saw the trash bag at their community mailbox in Burnet. She said the smell was so strong that they knew something was wrong. We had intended to just kind of check it out and then go put it in our community dumpster that we have about a half mile down the road, Lowry said. But at that point, I was like, No, dont mess with it. Lowry said she called 911, and the Burnet County Sheriffs Office came. When she found out what was inside, it broke her heart. Something like this is really gut-wrenching. Miranda Lowry Lowry said unfortunately, this is not the first time animals have been dumped there. It was a bunch of cats, kittens, Lowry said. They were about six months old. Her family was able to take one of them in. As someone who has a special heart for animals, this latest discovery left a lasting impression on Lowry. Every time I see a trash bag on the side of the road, Im gonna be concerned like, Hey, should we go check it out? Lowry said. Now, shes asking her property owner association to add cameras near the mailbox to deter this from happening again. What are the penalties for this? BCSO said there are serious consequences for this type of crime. This is a horrendous offense. If we could locate the person who did this, we could actually fall on them a criminal offense for cruelty to animals. Michael Sorenson, BCSO Support Services Captain Sorenson said a minimum of a class A misdemeanor, which does have punishable time by fines and jail time. It can be hard to track down leads in these kinds of cases. Thats why Sorenson asks for anyone with information to contact BCSO at 512-756-8080. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Treatment of young people: Officers can disrespect them, DOJ report on Phoenix says Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, speaks during a news conference on June 13, 2024, in reaction to the investigation against the Phoenix Police Department by the Department of Justice. Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, speaks during a news conference on June 13, 2024, in reaction to the investigation against the Phoenix Police Department by the Department of Justice. Two Phoenix police officers watched as a teenage boy looked inside a truck parked at an auto dealership. The 15-year-old had peeked inside briefly before leaving to catch a bus. The officers then followed the Latino teen onto the bus before ordering him to exit. He got off, following the officers instructions. When he was ordered to take off his backpack, the teen asked, "Why?" That prompted one officer to become curt, telling him, Because I (expletive) told you to. The officer then instructed the teen to stand up and place his hands on his head. While complying, the teen asked if he could call his mom. Thats when the officer escalated the situation. The officer grabbed the teen, holding him by his neck, and slammed him into a bus stop pole. He was then handcuffed and questioned, without being read his Miranda rights. The officers also searched his backpack without a warrant. The teens encounter was one of a handful of similar instances that the U.S. Justice Department uncovered during its nearly three-year-long investigation into the Phoenix Police Department. This embedded content is not available in your region. At the launch of the investigation, the Justice Department said it would focus on officers use of force and retaliatory activities, as well as discriminatory policing against people of color, disabled individuals and people experiencing homelessness. The department's finding that officers were mistreating children during encounters was an unexpected one when the report was released Thursday. Phoenix police were found to systematically use unlawful force, disproportionally target people of color and routinely violate the rights of protesters, unhoused people and those experiencing mental health crises. City and police officials have largely disputed or downplayed such findings in the report that was released Thursday morning. The DOJ report raised concerns over the departments treatment of youth. The report found that officers dont take into account the vulnerability of children and their stage of development. As one police sergeant told investigators, officers dont treat youth differently from adults. Phoenix officers reportedly escalated encounters with children, even during minor issues. The officers, the report added, would use combative language and needless force. Criminal justice: 5 key takeaways from the Justice Department report on policing in Phoenix In the incident involving the unlawful detention of the Latino teen, officers eventually let him go, but only after telling him that the entire encounter was his own fault. Another teen, a 13-year-old boy with autism, was handcuffed as the officer used a neck restraint, according to the report. The teen had walked out of school without permission. The officer saw him walking along the road near the school, instructing him to stop. But when the teen kept walking, the offer chased him, grabbed his arms and tackled him. With the officers knee in his back and hand on his neck, the boy pleaded to be let go, the report stated. The autistic teens encounter with police was an all too familiar one for other children with whom the Justice Department spoke. Most of the kids interviewed, the report stated, also complained of officers closing handcuffs so tightly that they reached the point of pain and injury. For some children, officers put on handcuffs so tightly that their hands went numb and left marks on their wrists for months, the report stated. Others said they sustained deep cuts on their wrists and, when they asked officers to loosen the cuffs, the Phoenix Police Department instead tightened them further. The report added that officers violated childrens Miranda rights by questioning them without explaining their rights to stay silent or to an attorney. What to know: Unexpected findings in Justice Department report about Phoenix police The practice of questioning children in police custody can be coercive, the investigation explained, as children are more likely to believe they have no choice but to answer an officers questions, even when that questioning is unlawful. Officers were also found to use a demeaning tone when talking to children and teens. The youths interviewed for the investigation said they were traumatized and degraded after their encounters with police. One recalled an situation in which the officer patted down the teen and said: If I was your dad, I would have beat the (expletive) out of you. Another described the feeling of hate he received from the officer who called the teen and his siblings gangbangers. Disparaging and disrespectful language from adults in positions of power can have a lasting effect on kids, the report concluded in its section on police encounters with youth. It can also contribute to fear and distrust of law enforcement from the next generation of Phoenix residents. Denice Garcia is a member of the Cartwright School Districts governing board in Phoenix. Her adult son, 28-year-old James Garcia, was fatally shot by Phoenix officers in July 2020. She and James family have filed a wrongful death suit against the city. Responding to the report Thursday, Garcia said she found the findings alarming but was glad its uncovered the departments practices. Instead of providing a service and protecting our community, theyve become part of the problem. They dont utilize the resources to help our community, our children, Garcia said. Instead, theyre relying on their own levels of entitlement that they have given themselves that is not deserving in that type of profession. While praising Cartwrights school resource officers, calling them wonderful human beings, Garcia said her concerns lie with other Phoenix police officers. Asked as a school board member for her thoughts on the reports findings related to officers mistreatment of children, Garcia said such actions instill fear. It has disrupted the relationship that they could have, a positive relationship they could have with Phoenix PD officers, she said. Shawn Raymundo covers the West Valley cities of Glendale, Peoria and Surprise. Reach him at sraymundo@gannett.com or follow him on X @ShawnzyTsunami. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Treatment of young people in Phoenix: What the DOJ report says Perhaps no one has said democracy is not a spectator sport without a better realization of the price of our nations founding democratic ideal than retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis. And on Tuesday, June 18, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will present the distinguished former Secretary of Defense in a free public presentation titled, America in a Dangerous World: An Overview. Mattis, who grew up in Richland and still calls it home, will speak at the Gjerde Center at Columbia Basin College. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the program starting at 7 pm. Pre-registration is required at www.columbiabasinbadgers.com. Mattis, known for his profound insights and strategic acumen, will provide a comprehensive analysis of current global threats and challenges to democracy and Americas role in addressing them. He also will take audience questions after his presentation. This is the third time Mattis has spoken to the Badger Club. The last time was four years ago when the Badger Club moved our meetings to the Zoom platform because of the pandemic. The first time was June 10, 2014, when he was leading all U.S. forces in the Middle East as commander of CENTCOM. The Mattis program comes on the heels of Americas celebrations of our militarys service Memorial Day on May 27, and the June 6 ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Europe on D-Day. In a 2022 Military Appreciation Banquet, Mattis noted that more than 42 million servicemen and women have served in our nations wars, and more than 666,000 have been killed. These deaths extend far into a family and community, friends left behind, and children unborn, he said. In this Tri-City presentation, Mattis will provide an overview of the threats and challenges we face in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere. Alliances and partnerships are not static; they require nurturing and adaptation. He points out that we must reaffirm our commitments to our allies and invest in the relationships that have secured peace and stability for decades. Diplomacy, backed by credible and ready military power, is our most potent tool in deterring aggression and fostering cooperation. Mattis argues we also must address the fissures that threaten our countrys unity. Its our responsibility to show respect and genuine friendship to each other as fellow citizens including those with whom we may disagree by unifying around our radical idea of what is said in our Constitution, he has said. A house divided cannot stand, and our authoritarian adversaries are keen to exploit these divisions. We must strive to find common ground, rekindle the spirit of compromise and reinforce the principles that have made America a beacon of hope. C. Mark Smith is chairman of the Badger Club program committee. He spent 10 years in the Nixon, Ford and Carter administrations and managed economic development organizations at the federal, state and local level for more than 40 years. He is the author of five books on history and biography. Rick Larson is a member of the Badger Club Board of Directors and program committee and is the former managing editor of the Tri-City Herald. A jury trial date has been set for Lyndell Mays, 23, one of the men accused of murder in the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally in February. The Raytown man has been charged with second-degree murder, along with unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. He was indicted by a Jackson County grand jury in March. Mays trial has been set for Sept. 29, 2025. It is expected to last upwards of ten days, according to court records. The jury pool will consist of 250 people. Mays is one of three adults to be charged in the Feb. 14 shooting, which left 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan dead. Twenty-two others, half of whom are children under 16, were left with gunshot injuries, and another 18 were injured in the stampede that followed. Dominic M. Miller, 18, and Terry Young, 20, face identical charges to Mays. Both have been indicted by grand juries for second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. A jury trial for Young, who was arrested a month after Miller and Mays, has been set for March 2025. Three juveniles have also appeared in court on charges including unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. A Jackson County judge ruled Wednesday that one, a 16-year-old who allegedly fired a gun, will not be tried as an adult. A certification hearing for another juvenile charged in the shooting is expected to start July 25. A third teen was detained on gun-related charges that do not rise to the level to be tried as an adult. Who is Lyndell Mays? Charges detail argument that sparked Chiefs rally shooting Jackson County prosecutors have said the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups, in which Miller and Mays were on opposite sides. Both Miller and Mays were shot in the confrontation. Mays was shot nine times, including in the face, and has been in and out of the hospital during court proceedings. Prospectors alleged Mays pulled his handgun first, but it was Miller who struck and killed Lopez-Galvan, the Star previously reported. Under Missouri law, someone can be charged when someone is killed during the commission of a dangerous felony, even when they didnt pull the trigger themselves. What caused mass shooting at KC Super Bowl rally? Staring, fighting and being stupid Miller pled not guilty on all counts on June 10. He will next appear in court July 1 for a pretrial conference. Mays is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on a million-dollar bond. A motion in April to reduce the amount of his bond was denied by a Jackson County judge. Previous reporting by the Stars Bob Cronkleton, Natalie Wallington, Eric Adler, Andrea Klick and Nathan Pilling was used in this story. A trio accused of faking nomination petition signatures will stand trial in Macomb County Circuit Court after a Warren district judge bound them over Thursday following a joint preliminary exam held over numerous days and months beginning in January. Shawn and Jamie Wilmoth, both of Warren, and their business partner Willie Reed, of Florida each faced more than two dozen charges in 37th District Court in Warren before Judge John Chmura. Their pretrials are set for June 24 in the circuit court. They are accused of operating a criminal enterprise that charged several campaigns more than $700,000 for valid signature collection, then delivered thousands of forged signatures on nomination petitions to eight of the campaigns. Shawn and Jamie Wilmoth and Willie Reed, sitting next to each other behind a row of attorneys, appear for their preliminary exams Jan. 10, 2024 in 37th District Court in Warren. They are accused in a fraudulent nominating petition signature case for 2022 candidates. Seven candidates, including five GOP gubernatorial candidates in 2022 who were provided with fraudulent signatures, were disqualified from appearing on the ballot and one candidate withdrew, prosecutors with the Michigan Attorney General's Office previously said. The Wilmoths and their attorneys appeared in court when Chmura gave his approximately 45-minute-long oral opinion on the bind-over. Reed and his attorney appeared via Zoom. Chmura said this was one of the more interesting cases he has had in his 28 years on the bench. While the defendants might not agree with his decision, Chmura said, this took longer to decide because of the arguments the three defense attorneys presented. Neither the assistant attorney general nor the defense attorneys for the Wilmoths had comment after the hearing. Reed's attorney told the court that while he didn't agree with Chmura's decision, he appreciated the court's time and effort on the matter. Chmura said the testimony showed there was enough evidence pointing to some fraud based on what validators hired by the Wilmoths and Reed saw and testified to in court and that the trio knew the signatures were fraudulently obtained as they were made aware of this concern from the validators. The trio's preliminary exam began in January, lasting three days before continuing Feb. 29 for Ryan Kelley, former Republican gubernatorial candidate, to testify after being released from federal prison. Kelley served a 60-day sentence after pleading guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The trio allegedly provided Kelley's campaign with no signatures at all, state prosecutors said. Kelley testified via video that his campaign paid Petition Reeds LLC $15,000 to get 3,000 valid signatures from voters for the 2022 gubernatorial race. He said he talked with Shawn Wilmoth and that Reed's signature was on the contract in addition to emails back and forth he had. Kelley said around March 2022 the campaign was told there were 1,000 or 1,200 signatures and that they were working to collect more. Closer to the time the petitions were due, Kelley testified the campaign started to "get the cold shoulder" and realized no signatures would be provided. "We did not receive anything from them, no," Kelley testified. Upon cross-examination, Reed's attorney, Wright Blake, asked whether Kelley asked for the money back. Kelley testified that he didn't believe the campaign asked for a refund. The exam wrapped up in March with closing arguments. Michigan Assistant Attorney General Chris Kessel asked Chmura to bind over all of the defendants on all the charges. "These victims relied on the promises made by these defendants," he said, adding that "from the jump" there was fraud going on. Kessel said it was "crystal clear" the trio worked together to sign the contracts and deceive the victims. The victims then got "ghosted" by the defendants when the victims were removed from the ballot and tried to reach out to the defendants. Judge John Chmura of the 37th District Court in Warren listens to testimony during preliminary exams for Shawn and Jamie Wilmoth and Willie Reed on Jan. 10, 2024. The Wilmoths and Reed are charged in a fraudulent nominating petition signature case. Defense attorneys argued there was no probable cause to bind over their clients during their closings. Noel Erinjeri, assistant public defender for Shawn Wilmoth, said prosecutors lacked evidence against his client and that 37 people were suspected by the state Bureau of Elections of submitting false signatures, but were not interviewed. Susan Dunn said most of those who testified said they had no contact with her client, Jamie Wilmoth, and there was no evidence that her client talked with the victims, got any money or uttered a promise to anyone. Blake said "this is an industry built on error," and that most of those who testified said they had no contact with Reed and he didn't say that he ever told anyone to forge a signature. Prosecutors previously said Shawn Wilmoth is owner/operator of First Choice LLC and co-owner of Mack Douglas LLC, and Reed is owner/operator of Petition Reeds LLC and co-owner of Mack Douglas. Many of the candidates who hired the firms and two validators who worked for the trio were among those who testified. The validators testified they were told to "push" through signatures if the information matched or to "mark it good" despite concerns they raised. More than a dozen witnesses testified for the Attorney General's Office, which filed the charges in June 2023. The trio is accused of defrauding the 2022 gubernatorial campaigns of former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, Donna Brandenburg, Perry Johnson, Michael Brown and Michael Markey, and judicial candidates John Cahalan, Tricia Dare and John Michael Malone. The forgeries were detected by the Michigan Bureau of Elections and it was determined the campaigns of Craig, Brandenburg, Johnson, Brown, Markey, Dare and Malone had not met the qualifications to appear on the ballot. The Michigan Department of State referred the matter to the Attorney General's Office in June 2022. Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trio to stand trial in Macomb County in fake nomination petition signatures case Troopers with the Washington State Patrol have arrested a woman on charges of hit-and-run after a fatal collision involving an AMR vehicle on Interstate 5 on June 2. Keoni Williams, 26, was arrested Thursday and booked into the King County Jail. The early-morning car crash turned fatal after a car slammed into an AMR vehicle near the West Seattle Bridge ramp on Interstate 5 heading southbound. Shanique Dickens, 26, of Burien, was killed in the crash. A spokesperson for Washington State Patrol said they first received a 911 call about the crash Sunday at about 4 a.m. Based on the investigation, troopers said a green 1996 Toyota Corolla, which had four people inside including the victim, was traveling onto southbound I-5 from the West Seattle Bridge. However, after an investigation and using video footage from a gas station near the collision, detectives determined there were only three people in the Toyota and Williams was the driver. The driver lost control and crashed into a barrier, officials said. When everyone got out of the vehicle, Dickens head was struck by a passing motorhomes side mirror. Troopers said the driver of the motorhome was unable to move over as it passed the Toyota. The driver pulled over and called 911 where troopers were able to speak with them near the Michigan Street exit, officials said. First responders arrived at the scene and tried to provide aid to Dickens when a driver, who was under the influence, hit the medical emergency vehicle causing a chain reaction. Dickens was hit again, troopers said. Before troopers arrived at the crash, the driver of the victims vehicle left the area, officials said. The two 26-year-old passengers inside the victims vehicle told detectives that the driver, Tae, was friends with Dickens, but detectives determined thatTae did not exist. The National Hurricane Center is tracking two systems to see which if either tropical disturbance in the Atlantic basin will become the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The systems include Invest 90L off the southeastern coast and a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico, as described by the center's latest tropical outlook. The NHC is also tracking two tropical waves: One in the Atlantic and another in the Caribbean. Gulf of Mexico disturbance has 40% chance of becoming tropical depression An area of low pressure is expected to form in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico late this weekend or early next week. Here are the predictions as of Friday morning: Chance of formation through 48 hours: low, near 0% Chance of formation through 7 days: medium, 50% National Hurricane forecasters give the system a 40 percent chance of becoming the season's first tropical depression. "The ingredients are in place for tropical development across the southern Gulf of Mexico," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty. "These ingredients include light winds and very warm water." There will be a small window for a tropical system to form. "The main limiting factor for development will be the close proximity to land and limited time over water," Douty said. "Despite these limitations, it looks increasingly likely that a tropical depression or storm can develop." People are also reading: Gulf of Mexico disturbance may become tropical depression, National Hurricane Center says Tropical conditions 8 a.m. June 14, 2024. Invest 90L shifts up southeastern coast Invest 90L, which brought a deluge of rain especially to Southwest and South Florida is now off the southeastern coast of the U.S. As it moves away from the Florida coast, rain coverage is expected to decline. Here are the predictions as of Friday morning: Chance of formation through 48 hours: low, 20% Chance of formation through 7 days: low, 20% "As it accelerates out-to-sea, apparent wind shear will diminish, and a thermodynamic boost from the Gulf Stream may help the low snag the name Alberto," according to Truchelut, who works with the USA TODAY Network-Florida to provide the latest storm information Florida residents need. "However, even if it does become the first named storm of 2024, there will be no further impacts on land," Truchelut said. Tropical conditions 8 a.m. June 14, 2024. Tropical waves As of Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center was tracking two tropical waves in the Atlantic: Tropical wave 1: A tropical wave is located in the central Atlantic. It's moving west at 11 to 17 mph. Tropical wave 2: A tropical wave in the Caribbean is moving west at 11 to 17 mph. Hurricane storm tracker: See active storms in the Atlantic. Weather watches and warnings issued in Texas Have any hurricanes hit the U.S. this hurricane season? Hurricane season stretches from June 1 Nov. 30 with a peak in mid-September. There have not been any hurricanes this year in the U.S. Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city USA TODAY reporter Cheryl McCloud contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Is Tropical Storm Alberto forming? NHC tracking Gulf of Mexico system (The Hill) Former President Trump pondered alien lifeforms on a podcast appearance published Thursday, acknowledging that there could be alien life out in the universe, but that he wasnt convinced. Trump appeared on YouTuber Logan Pauls Impaulsive, where he spent minutes discussing the possibility of life beyond Earth and whether unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) could in fact be aliens. Am I a believer? No, I probably I cant say I am, Trump said. But I have met with people that are serious people that say theres some really strange things that they see flying around out there. UAPs have become a hot topic in Congress in the last year, with a small group of bipartisan House members questioning the military over claims that it could be hiding evidence of alien activity or ultra-futuristic technology. Paul raised the same concerns about government transparency, which Trump downplayed. Trump said that he spent significant time looking into the phenomena when president, and that he doesnt believe that government agencies are keeping information from the public. They have people that are very smart and very solid have said they believe there was something out there and, you know, it makes sense that they could be, he said. Ive never been convinced, even despite that, you know. I just, for some reason, its not my thing. But a lot of people believe that its true. A lot of very good solid people believe its true. A Pentagon report in March found no evidence that the U.S. government or any private companies have reverse-engineered extraterrestrial technology, nor are there any confirmed sightings of UFOs having alien origin, contradicting high-profile whistleblowers who had made the claims without evidence. Trump also emphasized, while noting that he is not personally a believer in aliens, that they could be real, nonetheless. Its very believable. Its very possible that there is something, he said. And why wouldnt it be, you know, you take a look at the universe, and you see all of the different planets and you see this you know, look at we are one relatively small planet, why wouldnt it be on a planet thats, you know, 400 times the size? Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former President Trump has thrown his support behind Republican Larry Hogan in Marylands Senate race, even after the former governor drew the ire of Trump allies for urging voters to respect the verdict in Trumps New York hush money trial. Yeah, Id like to see him win. I think he has a good chance to win, Trump said when asked whether he was going to support Hogan to win the race, per a clip shared on Fox Business. We gotta take the majority. We have to straighten out our country. So Id like to see him win. Hes somebody that can win I know other people made some strong statements, but I can just say from my standpoint, Im about the party and Im about the country, Trump told reporter Aishah Hasnie. The Trump and Hogan campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hogan has been an outspoken critic of the former president. He said in March that he wont vote for Trump in the fall, but would instead seek out a third-party option. He initially endorsed Trumps ex-rival Nikki Haley for the GOP nod, before she exited the race. After Trump was found guilty on all counts in the historic Manhattan case, Hogan called on Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process and reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law. Chris LaCivita, Trumps campaign manager, responded by telling Hogan, You just ended your campaign. Republican National Committee co-Chair Lara Trump said Hogan doesnt deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point and, quite frankly, anybody in America. But Hogan is running for the Senate as Republicans seek to take control of the upper chamber that Democrats narrowly hold. The GOP recruited the popular former governor of the deep-blue state with hopes that Hogans bid gives Republicans the chance of an upset and puts Democrats on the defensive to keep the seat in their column. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report shifted the Maryland seat from solid to likely Democrat after Hogan jumped in. Hogan is set to go up this fall against Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D), who beat out fellow Democrat Rep. David Trone (Md.) in a contentious primary. Polling averages from Decision Desk HQ/The Hill, based on five polls in the state, show the pair at a virtual tie, with Alsobrooks less than a point ahead though a forecast model puts Alsobrooks as the clear favorite to win Novembers head-to-head. Democrats on Thursday appeared to welcome the former presidents endorsement in Maryland, which voted against Trumps 2016 and 2020 bids. Donald Trump wants Republican Larry Hogan in the Senate, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Amanda Sherman Baity said in a statement after reports of the endorsement broke. The stakes of this race could not get any higher. Just last week, Senate Republicans shot down access to contraception. Hours ago, Senate Republicans voted against protecting [in vitro fertilization]. And just now, Donald Trump endorsed Larry Hogan so he can have a Republican majority, Alsobrooks said in a statement. Julia Manchester 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. Donald Trump declared on a podcast this week that he used artificial intelligence to so beautifully create a speech. The presumptive GOP nominee for president appeared on an episode of Impaulsive, hosted by YouTuber and pro wrestler Logan Paul. During a recent visit to San Francisco, he said, he met someone from the tech industry who showed him an AI program. I had a speech rewritten by AI out there, one of the top people, Trump told Paul in an episode that aired Thursday. He said, Oh, youre gonna make a speech? Oh, yeah. He goes, click, click, click, and like, 15 seconds later, he shows me my speech written so beautifully. I said, Im gonna use this. Ive never seen anything like it. Trump did not say when he used the speech, if he did at all. A spokesperson for his campaign did not immediately respond to emails seeking clarification. Trump speaking at a rally in Las Vegas earlier this week. The Washington Post via Getty Images Trump joked about his speechwriters career being done for, thanks to AI platforms like OpenAIs ChatGPT. But he also said there were some serious concerns with AI, including the possibility of AI-generated hoaxes, especially highly convincing deepfakes, influencing politics. I saw a picture of me promoting a product, and I could not tell. The voice was perfect. The lips move perfectly with every word, Trump said. And thats scary. The former president, who was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records last month, also gave Paul a T-shirt featuring his mugshot. Trump is due to stand trial in dozens of other charges across three other indictments, but its unclear if those will take place before the November election when he faces off against President Joe Biden. Related... Trump calls out Rep. David Valadao, running for reelection, for voting to impeach him in 2021 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Former President Donald Trump met with House Republicans in Washington Thursday morning, in his first return to Capitol Hill since leaving office. Kern Countys own Congressman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) attended that meeting with Trump, posting on social media, A great morning in DC as we welcomed President Trump to the House GOP conference! But Congressman David Valadao (R-Hanford) did not attend, as it wasnt a mandatory meeting, his spokesperson told 17 News. According to CNN, Trump during the meeting singled out Valadao, saying, I never loved him. CNN also reported Trump bragged that most of the 10 House Republicans who had voted to impeach him in 2021 were no longer in Congress. Valadao is one of two who has kept his seat, despite the impeachment vote. But Politico reported that rather, Trump had extended an olive branch to those who voted to impeach him. Politico said lawmakers told them Trumps comments were forward thinking and about winning the election with a bigger GOP majority in the House. Trump made a reference to Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), one of the two pro-impeachment Republicans left in the House, saying he saved the California Republican by not backing an opponent against him, according to a source. Lawmakers leaving the meeting described it as a friendly, joking quip. In a statement to 17 News, Rep. Valadao responded to the attacks saying: Im focused on doing my job and getting results for the Central Valley. Im willing to work with anyone to get things done for our community, that will be the same no matter who is in the White House next year. With no media allowed at the closed-door meeting, different outlets are reporting different takeaways from different lawmakers. Trump also met with Senate Republicans later in the 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 KGET 17. PARISJust inside the art deco doors of the French Institute of International Relations, the beefy director of the Estonian Intelligence Service straightens his shoulders and shoots icy stares at some 80 people gathered to hear him address what the organizers describe as the Spectre of the growing Russian menace in Europe. There are a couple of Russian agents and a couple of Russian contacts here, Kaupo Rosen informs the seated audience, fomenting an anxiety that triggers the man with the turtle-head mole over his right eyebrow to turn around and glower at me for asking Estonias ersatz James Bond to reckon how many in the room were on Vladimir Putins espionage payroll. Through Soviet-era dental work, he says casually in Russian: dont you dare. The story unfoldsand its a doozy. French, American and Ukrainian intelligence officers have told The Daily Beast that Putins spy agencies, largely templated on Joseph Stalins villainous SMERSH, have tapped into the cinematic style and ghoulishly deadly rituals of 007 author Ian Flemings SPECTRE. For those who might have missed Flemings 14 Bond novels or any of the 27 movies starring the worlds most famous secret agent, the Special Executive for Counter-intelligence Terrorism Revenge and Extortion (SPECTRE) is a fictional cabal of World Economic Forum-style bad guys headed by Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who wields the groups financial and technical clout to puppet-master global banks, markets, and politicians. A heinous CEO, Blofeld often poisons those who thwart his plans and clearly enjoys throwing his enemies into a swimming pool of sharks. SMERSH, the Russian acronym for the phrase death to spies, was a real espionage agency and the prototype for Putins FSB state security apparatus and the GRU, Russian military intelligence. Although SMERSH agents were a grisly group, Fleming replaced Stalins premier division henchmen with the viler SPECTRE as the greatest threat to global stability. And of course its pure pulp fiction silliness, right? It isnt an entirely mirthful diversion, either, insists an American intelligence analyst, who monitors Putins spy agencies, pointing out that Fleming first broached the idea of creating the CIA when he spearheaded a covert commando unit during WWII. Hold the world to ransom, using nuclear weapons, banks, petroleum products, and compliant elected officials in the U.S. and Europe, the analyst says. Its very SPECTRE. But is such an observation simply cultural flotsam from the tedious and expensive war in Ukraine and growing fears that Putins chum Donald Trump might re-inhabit the White House? Therein lies a tale of life imitating art that will drive conspiracy theorists to drinking hemlock. Panicked Russia Is Now Telling Reluctant Soldiers They Will Be Resurrected Russias fossil fuel revenues are on the rise. Russian central bank securities and cash in the Eurozone tops 190 billion euros. Western banks also hold a kings ransom in billions of euros, pounds, dollars in Russian assets. The lawless toehold Putins merchant class holds over Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East has allowed a portfolio of Russian companies such as Wagner Group to hand the Kremlin near-unfettered control of strategic metals and other critical natural resources. When it comes to untangling Russia, theres nothing wrong with lunacy in moderation. Back in my day John le Carre stories were part of our curriculum in the Boite [the Box], says a French field agent, employing the term his colleagues use to describe the countrys intelligence agency DGSE. The world of James Bond battling SPECTRE was a completely false representation of the trade, but that was then. Indeed, Chatham House Rulesno direct quotes from the 90-minute powwowoffers superb cover for the hobgoblins and mountebanks attending Le Conference Spectre de la Menace Russe pour l'Europe in the leafy 15th arrondissement, which is coincidentally also the home of FIRCO, SPECTREs front organization in Thunderball. Fact or fiction, outside the conference, the director general of Estonian Internal Security, Margo Palloson, warns everyone to watch their back. He says Putin has increased bomb scares, cyberattacks, election interference and other mischiefs against Western targets. All of them smack of SPECTRE. The most significant change in the security threat picture over the past year is the shift in Russian influence activities towards more physical and brutal tactics, something which we also refer to as state vandalism, Palloson says. Russia has intensified hybrid operations against Estonia and several other European countries, attempting to use all non-military means as weapons against us. And these attacks arent fictional. The DGSE, for instance, now suspects the dumping of five full-sized coffins covered with the French flag at the Eiffel Tower last weekend was an FSB operation in response to French President Emmanuel Macron saying he might send military instructors to Ukraine. At the same time, a report released by Microsoft says Putins people in March launched a cyber-SWAT unit called Storm-1679. Its mission is to manufacture and flood France with bogus alarms about terrorist attacks during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, as well as against targets in the U.S. and Europe. Daniel Stenling, head of Swedens SAPO counterespionage unit, charged Russias ally Iran of hiring known criminal networks to target Israeli and Jewish interests inside NATOs newest member country. There are two realities: Putins intelligence network is growing and a Russian victory in Ukraine would be a green light for him to invade Europe, cautions Anastasiya Shapochkina, director of the Eastern Circles research group and lecturer on Russian economic and military policy at Sciences Po in Paris. Youll never get any European politician or spymaster to talk about how Trump fits into Putins plan. But make no mistake. Many officials at the SPECTRE conference were privately terrified of a Republican win in November, coupled with a Putin victory in Ukraine. That would set the stage for a sequel to You Only Live Twice, in which Trump is cast as SPECTRE flunky Helga Brandt, whom Blofeld feeds to the piranhas for having slept with Bond. Bon appetit, 007 said at the time. Estonian intelligence officials declined to comment. 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. Donald Trump got his 78th birthday present a day early a handshake from his longtime bitter critic, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, encapsulating the Republican Partys complete submission to its presumptive presidential nominee. The twice-impeached 45th president and newly convicted criminal was back on Capitol Hill Thursday for the first time since his supporters beat up police officers and smashed their way through the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. A rendition of Happy Birthday from House Republicans contrasted with the cries from more than three years ago to hang Mike Pence from Trumps mob as they acted on his plea to fight like hell after weeks of promoting false claims about election fraud. Keen to please their champion and create an optimistic omen for November, House members paid tribute to the ex-president with a bat and game ball they won after trouncing Democrats in the annual congressional baseball game Wednesday. There was a distinct impression of subordinates paying homage to a strongman leader. Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio, a former 2016 primary opponent now seen as a potential GOP vice presidential nominee, called it getting the team back together after GOP senators feted Trump a mere two weeks after he became the first ex-president to be convicted of a crime. Another 2016 foe of the ex-president, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who endured insults Trump flung at his father and his wife, stood to applaud his vanquisher. But the most striking image from the day was a handshake between McConnell and the ex-president captured in a photo by Doug Mills of The New York Times that sums up an era. The veteran Kentucky senator has never hidden his disdain for Trump, though he has always sought to preserve his own power and didnt take steps to convict him in Senate trials after his two impeachments. The dislike has been mutual, with the former president blasting McConnell as the old crow at rallies and making racist comments about McConnells wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. In January 2021, McConnell said, The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president. He said Trump was morally and practically responsible for the assault on his beloved Capitol. On Thursday, after meeting Trump for the first time since that day of infamy, he lauded their entirely positive encounter, during which the former president clasped McConnells hand in both of his. It would strain credulity that McConnell has shed his private contempt for the ex-president. But he told reporters who asked him about their meeting: I cant think of anything to tell you that was negative. The exchange between McConnell and Trump was an apt emblem for a day that Trump choreographed to show a coming together in his party despite the thousands of votes cast in GOP primaries for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for months after she suspended her campaign. Theres tremendous unity in the Republican Party, the ex-president said. We want to see borders. We want to see strong military. We want to see money not wasted all over the world. How Trump asserts power Trumps assertion of omnipotence over his party was an example of the power projection he adores, which often requires the subordination of supplicants. And it also showed what Republicans who want their own power are prepared to do to keep it. The pageant of adulation on Capitol Hill was also yet another reminder that there will be no price for Trump to pay in his party for an attempt to destroy democracy to stay in power. And it was likely a preview of the deference to Trumps autocratic instincts and zeal for vengeance that America can expect from Republicans in Washington should he win back the White House even from those in a branch of government that is supposed to constrain presidents. Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts as he is applauded by Republicans at the National Republican Senatorial Committee headquarters in Washington on June 13, 2024. - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Another of Trumps possible vice-presidential picks, Ohio Sen J.D. Vance, was asked how some senior Republicans who had condemned Trump after January 6 could meet and applaud him now. No real Republican with any credibility in the party is still blaming him, Vance, who had not yet been elected at the time, said, adding that some of Trumps critics in the room were supportive. I think its a good thing and the Republican Party is in a good place. Vance is not wrong. Almost every major Republican who stood up to Trump in 2021 is gone or on the way out of the door. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney is retiring. Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was driven out of House leadership and then Congress for telling the truth about his election lies. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan harshly criticized Trump this week for breaking his oath of office to uphold the Constitution. But his comments on Fox News came amid a comfortable retirement, all his ambition long gone. Lawmakers who stood alongside Trump on Thursday did not necessarily do it because they like him. His huge popularity in the grassroots GOP means that they know that they can say goodbye to their political futures if they choose not to. This is even the case when Trumps deportment insults the normal codes of behavior expected of a presidential nominee. Biden speaks of democracy abroad while Trump undermines it at home Trumps return to Washington came the day before he turned 78, the age at which President Joe Biden whom his predecessor says is too old to serve took office after beating him in the 2020 election. Their 2024 rematch is neck-and-neck, according to polls, with each seeking to make the contest a referendum on the others single term. Bidens campaign was quick to try to exploit Trumps return visit to a city he left scarred and traumatized by the Capitol riot, releasing a new campaign video that showed scenes of the assault. Theres nothing more sacred than our democracy, but Donald Trumps ready to burn it all down, a narrator said in the ad, which is airing in battleground states. Biden, 81, was thousands of miles away from Washington when Trump showed up, participating in the G7 summit in Italy. Its the second foreign trip in two weeks he is using an as allegory for a US presidential season he is trying to cast as a fight to save American democracy. Unveiling a series of new plans to boost Ukraine diplomatically, militarily and economically, the president recalled that the US and its allies had been repeatedly asked whether theyd stand firm for a country that Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to wipe off the map. We will say it again, yes, again and again and again were going to stand with Ukraine, Biden said, as he stood with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A flurry of initiatives to institutionalize Western support for Ukraine being unveiled at the summit are a clear effort to hedge against the possibility that Trump could return to power on January 20, 2025. The ex-president frequently cozied up to Putin while in office and has said hed end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours a feat that could only be achieved by locking in Russias territorial gains after its brutal invasion President Joe Biden joins G7 leaders as they gather to watch a parachute drop at San Domenico Golf Club - Borgo Egnazia during day one of the 50th G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy, on June 13, 2024. - Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton warned on Thursday that Biden could not guarantee that the 10-year pact that covers military training, intelligence cooperation and other areas that he signed with Zelensky on Thursday would last. I think it is illusory, though, for anyone to think Trump would be bound by it. If Trump is inaugurated at noon on January 20 next year, by about five after noon he could have dissolved this agreement in its entirety, Bolton told Bianna Golodryga on CNN International. If Trump gets elected and does walk away from Ukraine, he will complete the transformation of a Republican Party that once prided itself in standing up for democracy worldwide and that, under President Ronald Reagan, won the Cold War. You cant bind a future president who doesnt want to be bound, Bolton said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president in 2024, speaks during a press conference at Trump Tower on May 31, 2024 in New York City. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA Former President Donald Trump will be returning to the Keystone State for the first time in two months at a rally in Philadelphia on June 22 on Temple Universitys campus. President Donald Trump loves the people of Pennsylvania, a press release from the campaign announcing the rally reads. President Trump will ease the financial pressures placed on households and re-establish law and order in Pennsylvania! The visit will be Trumps fourth to the state in 2024 and second to Philadelphia this year. He delivered a keynote address in February to a National Rifle Association gathering in Harrisburg, announced a new line of Trump-branded sneakers in Philadelphia at SneakerCon that same month, and most recently held a rally in the Lehigh Valley in April. He also held a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey in May with a crowd that included a fair share of Pennsylvanians. President Joe Biden has made eight appearances in Pennsylvania so far this year, with his most recent trip to Philadelphia with Vice President Kamala in late May to announce the launch of Black Voters for Biden-Harris at Girard College. Most of Bidens visits have been in the southeast, a heavily Democratic region crucial in the Keystone State to a presidential bid. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts in a hush money trial in New York City last month. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, days before the Republican National Convention is due to begin in Milwaukee. Donald Trump is a convicted felon and failed president who spent years running racist campaigns, implementing a racist agenda, and hurting Black communities in Pennsylvania every chance he got, Kellan White, senior advisor for the Pennsylvania Democratic Coordinated Campaign said in a statement Friday. Its why we rejected him last time and delivered the White House for Joe Biden, who actually fights for us and delivers, bringing down health care costs and creating good paying jobs for our families right here in Philly. Bidens campaign has also opened 24 coordinated offices across Pennsylvania, opening the first round of offices in March, getting a head start on the Trump campaign. On June 4, the Trump campaign opened its first Trump Force 47 office in Philadelphia and opened an office on Wednesday in Reading in an effort to target Latino American voters. Polling has consistently shown a close race between Biden and Trump for the states 19 electoral votes. A Marist poll released on Wednesday showed Trump leading Biden by 2 points in Pennsylvania. Biden beat Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020 by just over 80,000 votes. Update: This article was updated with a statement from the Biden campaign. The post Trump to return to Philadelphia for rally on Temples campus appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Trump Reveals What He Really (Maybe) Said About Milwaukee Donald Trump appeared on Fox News Thursday in an attempt to clarify comments he reportedly made about Milwaukee in a closed-door meeting with Republican members of Congress on Capitol Hill earlier that day. During the controversial appearanceTrumps first since his supporters took over the Capitol complex on Jan. 6, 2021the former president is said to have called Milwaukee, who will host this summers Republican National Convention, a horrible city. The comments were first reported by Punchbowl News Jake Sherman. The subsequent fallout saw Wisconsin Republican members of Congress offer differing versions of events, including Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), who initially claimed Trump didnt make the comment at all, but then fell in line with Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), who clarified to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Trump was discussing the crime rate and election integrity in Milwaukee. Republicans Call Bull-Schlitz on Trumps Milwaukee Hate The Wisconsin GOP eventually echoed Trump spokesperson and former Trump administration official Steven Cheung, who described the report as total bullshit in an X post. He never said it like how its been falsely characterized as. He was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are, he said. However, Trump absolutely said itundoubtedly, Sherman posted in response. People hear what they want. This is familiar to all who have covered Trump or Trump-adjacent stories for the last 10 or so years. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) later told Sean Hannity on Fox News that he didnt hear it and I was sitting right next to him. Then, appearing on Fox News himself, Trump spoke with reporter Aishah Hasnie, who asked the former president to nip this in the bud and clarify what you meant. Trump retorted that, It was very clear what I meant. I said, Were very concerned with crime, adding that while he loves Milwaukee and has great friends in the city, its as you know, the crime numbers are terrible. We have to be very careful. Trump added he was referring to also the election, the the ballots, the, the way it went down, it was very bad in Milwaukee. Very, very bad. And the people understand that and they agree with me. Everybody agrees. Trump beat Hillary Clinton, taking the state in 2016 by approximately 22,000 votes. It was downhill from there, with Democrats winning the Wisconsin governorship in 2018, and Bidens 2020 victory which saw the president 21,000 votes ahead. Trump disparaged Milwaukee, the city hosting this year's GOP convention. But Fox wants you to believe that "TRUMP LOVES MILWAUKEE:" pic.twitter.com/c1cB6P3iAq Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 14, 2024 Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram posted Trumps entire remarks to Hasnie on X. Trump continued, labelling Thursdays story as a fake story that came out and began targeting Democrat-run citiesjust like Milwaukee. Milwaukee has a problem with crime, as do most Democrat run cities. Most Democrat-run cities, almost all of them have problems. But they also have a problem with votes. And election integrity. And thats what we want to make sure we get straight. 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. Donald Trump says hes already used artificial intelligence to redraft one of his speeches, praising the technologys ability to produce beautiful writingwhile also acknowledging it might lead to armageddon. Speaking on Logan Pauls Impaulsive podcast Thursday, the presumptive GOP nominee said he thinks the world needs to be very careful with AI, which he called really powerful stuff. It can also be really used for good, Trump said, adding: I had a speech rewritten by AI. Inside Trumps Crazy TikTok Plan to Court Hyper-Masculine Men Trump didnt name who had helped him use the technology other than describing them as one of the top people. He goes click click click, Trump said, And like 15 seconds later he shows me my speech, written so beautifully I said: Im gonna use this sucker! Its not clear which speech Trump was referring to or if he did, in fact, publicly deliver the machine-made text. But he seemed extremely enthusiastic about the results, saying hed never seen anything like it. Asked what he said to his speechwriter after the experiment, Trump was presumably referring to speechwriter Vince Haley when he joked: I said: Youre fired, Vince! This was so crazy, he continued. It took [my speech] and it made it unbelievable, and so fast. It comes out with the most beautiful writing, Trump said. So one industry I think that will be gone are these wonderful speechwriters. Ive never seen anything like it, and so quickly. In a matter of literally minutes its done. So its a little bit scary. Earlier in the interview, Trump also spoke about deepfakes, saying hed seen one of him promoting a product which he could not tell wasnt real. The voice was perfect, Trump said. The lips moved perfectly with every word. If you were a lip reader youd say, Its absolutely perfect. The high-quality fakes are scary in particular if youre the president of the United States, he said, sketching out a potential doomsday scenario in which a deepfake of the commander-in-chief announces a nuclear strike on another country. I asked Elon [Musk], Is there any way that, like, Russia or China can say that thats not really President Trump? Trump said. He said: Theres no way. He speculated that a country that believed it was really being targeted could respond with maybe a counterattack agains the U.S. Its so dangerous in that way, he added. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Trump says one of his speeches was rewritten with AI: So crazy Trump says one of his speeches was rewritten with AI: So crazy Former President Trump, who has been a vocal skeptic of artificial intelligence (AI), divulged this week that hes actually used the technology to rewrite one of his speeches, but he still finds it alarming. What it does is so crazy. Now, it can also be really used for good. I mean, things can happen. I had a speech rewritten by AI out there, Trump said on social media influencer Logan Pauls podcast Impaulsive. Trump described how one of the top people showed him how it could be used. He goes click, click, click, and like 15 seconds later he shows me my speech, written so beautifully. I said, Im gonna use this. Ive never seen anything like it, Trump said. It comes out with the most beautiful writing, so one industry I think that will be gone are these wonderful speechwriters. Ive never seen anything like it, and so quickly. A manner of literally minutes, its done. Its a little bit scary. In February, Trump called artificial intelligence maybe the most dangerous thing out there of anything, during an interview with Fox Business Network host Maria Bartiromo. As political campaigns ramp up, some technology and political observers have sounded alarms about the potential for AI to be deceptively used to influence elections. Trump, speaking to Paul on Thursday, elaborated on his fears about and fascination with AI. I saw a picture of me promoting a product, and I could not tell. The voice was perfect. The lips move perfectly with every word, Trump said. And thats scary. Trump also said he met with tech industry execs, including some who are among his donors, in California and discussed AI. Met with incredible people actually, and this is what everyones talking about with all of the technology. These are the real technology people and theyre talking about AI, he said. Ive seen things that are so you wouldnt even think its possible. They can make a commercial. I saw this I said, Did I make that commercial? Did I forget that I made that commercial? It is so unbelievable. Trump described a more alarming hypothetical scenario in which a deepfake could cause global chaos. If youre the president of the United States, and you announce that 13 missiles have been sent to lets not use the name of a country weve just sent the nuclear missiles heading to somewhere, and they will hit their targets in 12 minutes and 59 seconds. He said he asked tech billionaire Elon Musk about the thought. I asked Elon, Is there any way that like Russia or China can say that its not really President Trump? He said theres no way, Trump said. Additionally, Trump lamented that environmental interests could hinder the ability of the U.S. to harness the technology ahead of other countries such as China. We have a lot of people trying to hold us back, Trump said. Massive amounts of electricity are needed in order to do AI. Its really powerful stuff, AI, so lets see how it all works out, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump said he would like to see Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan win his election in November, according to a Fox News reporter who interviewed Trump on Thursday. Trump spoke with the reporter in Washington, DC, amid meetings with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill. He told the reporter he wanted to see Hogan, a former Maryland GOP governor, defeat Democratic nominee Angela Alsobrooks, according to a social media post by the reporter. Id like to see him win. I think he has a good chance to win. I know other people made some strong statements, but I can just say from my standpoint, Im about the party and Im about the country. And I would like to see him win, Trump said, according to Fox News. According to a clip of the interview aired by Fox News on Thursday, Trump was asked if he was endorsing Hogan. Well, nobodys asked me that, but essentially, I would be endorsing him, yeah, the former president said. In a statement reacting to Trumps endorsement, Michael Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, said, Governor Hogan has been clear he is not supporting President Trump just as he didnt in 2016 and 2020. Hogan and Alsobrooks are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin. Democrats were expected to easily hold the seat in the deep-blue state, which last elected a Republican senator in 1980. But the entrance of Hogan, a popular two-term former governor, gave the race a jolt, and polling has shown him running competitively against Alsobrooks. Trumps reported comments come after Hogan urged Americans to respect the verdict in the former presidents New York hush money trial shortly before it was delivered. Trump was subsequently found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The former presidents allies reacted harshly to Hogans statement. Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita responded in a social media post: You just ended your campaign. In an interview with CNN shortly after the verdict, Republican National Committee co-chair and Trumps daughter-in-law Lara Trump said Hogan doesnt deserve the respect of any Republicans and called the former governors comments ridiculous. Hogan, however, has continued to criticize the former president, telling CNN that a Trump versus Joe Biden matchup was a terrible choice and that he wouldnt vote for either man. I know that sounds like a cop-out, but I just dont think either one of them should be president, he said. If Trump loses this election, I think that will be the end of the movement. And I think well try to get the party steered back to a more Reaganesque, bigger-tent party that can win elections by appealing to a broader audience of people, Hogan said. If Trump wins, then, you know, were going to see how long that movement will be successful. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Democrats are planning to disrupt a MAGA Boat Parade in Michigan on Saturday by having a plane fly above the participants for three hours with a banner reminding them that Donald Trump is now the first former president and first major party nominee to be convicted of felonies. Trumps a Crook, Dont Let Em Sink Ur Boat, the banner will state. According to a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, it will be flown over Lake St. Clair, next to Detroit, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It coincides with a water-based rally organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, a pro-Trump group that bills the event as a celebration of the Republicans 78th birthday. Trump supporters have flaunted their boats and politics in similar rallies in Michigan and other states. In 2020, a MAGA rally on Texas Lake Travis ended with more than a dozen distress calls and five boats capsizing in the turbulent waters created by their fellow boaters. Democrats are also putting up billboard ads near the site of Turning Point USAs Peoples Convention in downtown Detroit, where Trump will also seek to woo Black voters in a city he claims everybody knows is crooked as hell, and whose ballots he tried to toss out following his loss in 2020. The billboards, in English and Spanish, will feature Trump alongside Roger Stone and Steve Bannon, two of his allies who have also been convicted of crimes. Stone, a long-time Republican operative, was convicted of seven felony counts for lying to special counsel Robert Mueller, among other offenses, only to be pardoned by Trump in 2020. Bannon, who avoided a possible fraud conviction by also getting a Trump pardon, is set to report to prison next month for refusing to cooperate before the congressional committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection. Trump and his fellow crooks are in Detroit asking for your vote, the billboards will read. But its just a scam. They dont care about you. Theyre just out for themselves. DNC spokesperson Stephanie Justice said the campaign is intended to remind voters of how Trump is unfit to lead, not only as a convict, but as a failed leader who left working families behind during his first term. Yesterday, a Congressional committee pushed through legislation to investigate the federal governments centuries-long Indian boarding school policies, bringing the law one step closer to the House floor. The bill the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024 is legislation to investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian boarding schools, Indian boarding school policies, and long-term impacts on Native communities. It was reintroduced earlier this year by Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Tom Cole (R-OK-04), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus. In February, the bill was referred to three separate committees and one subcommittee to consider provisions that might fall within their respective jurisdictions. Yesterday, the House Committee on Education & the Workforce was the first to advance the bill out of committee, when they passed it through markup, without substantial changes. Shawnee Tribal Chief Ben Barnes, who traveled to Washington D.C. to testify in favor of the bill in 2022, told Native News Online that hes hopeful the bill will see the light of day on the House floor. There is still some work remaining to ensure its going to vote on the House floor, however this is further than weve gotten before. If passed, a 10-member commission of former Indian boarding school students and truth and healing experts, appointed by the president, would make recommendations on actions that the Federal Government can take to adequately hold itself accountable for, and redress and heal, the historical and intergenerational trauma inflicted by the Indian Boarding School Policies, the bill says. Recommendations would include: protecting unmarked graves, supporting repatriation, and stopping modern-day Indian child removal policies. The commission would also be empowered to subpoena records from private entities, including churches, that operated schools or institutions intended to assimilate Native youth, as well as government records needed to locate and identify children who attended boarding schools, their tribal affiliations, and unmarked graves. The subpoena power would give the commission a powerful tool that is not available as part of the ongoing investigation of boarding schools by the Department of Interior. "I would not be here if not for the resilience of my ancestors and those who came before me including my grandparents, who are survivors of federal Indian Boarding Schools, said Congresswoman Davids in a statement. I am glad my colleagues came together today to advance the establishment of a Truth and Healing Commission, bringing survivors, federal partners, and Tribal leaders to the table to fully investigate what happened to our relatives and work towards a brighter path for the next seven generations. About the Author: "Jenna Kunze is a staff reporter covering Indian health, the environment and breaking news for Native News Online. She is also the lead reporter on stories related to Indian boarding schools and repatriation. Her bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Tribal Business News, Smithsonian Magazine, Elle and Anchorage Daily News. Kunze is based in New York." Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com Two arrested on drug charges after vehicle pursuit in Roanoke Two arrested on drug charges after vehicle pursuit in Roanoke ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Virginia State Police report two men were arrested after a vehicle pursuit as part of a narcotics operation conducted in the City of Roanoke. VSP says officers attempted a traffic stop for a suspect vehicle occupied by 25-year-old Damarius JQuan Warrick and 20-year-old Zeleek Keshawn Wright-Johnson, who were identified as alleged gang members in possession of distributed amounts of drugs. The vehicle allegedly refused to stop, which initiated a short pursuit. Members of the Virginia State Police Special Operations Division were able to stop the vehicle on the 3500 block of Valley View Ave. During a search of the vehicle, special agents and officers allegedly seized around: 934 grams of Methamphetamine 49 grams of Heroin/Fentanyl Seven Fentanyl Pills Four Firearms U.S. Currency Roanoke Police investigating homicide on Cornell Ave NW VSP says Warrick and Wright-Johnson were both arrested and charged with: Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin/Fentanyl Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felon Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of a Schedule I/II Narcotics Both men are currently being held at the Roanoke Adult Detention Center without bond. This narcotics operation was conducted by The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the United States Postal Service Inspectors Office, and the City of Roanoke Police Gang Interdiction Unit. VSP states additional charges are expected after Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two dead after plane crash near South Lake Tahoe, sheriff says. Investigation underway A plane crash in Northern California killed two people aboard, authorities said Thursday. The Alpine County Sheriffs Office was notified of an overdue single-engine plane about 1 a.m. Thursday and tracked it to Willow Creek Road near Luther Pass, sheriffs officials said in a social media post. The mountainous area is between Alpine and El Dorado counties, about 10 miles south of South Lake Tahoe. Both people were declared dead at the scene. There were no other passengers aboard, deputies said. The two victims identities have not been released pending notification of family. The National Transportation Safety Board said on social media it is investigating after a Luscombe 8A crashed. Two officials accused of using transit agency to seek revenge over political spat Attorney General Matt Platkin announces criminal charges on Feb. 6, 2023, against Paterson Police Officer Jerry Moravek, who shot a fleeing man in the back in June 2022. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Attorney General Matt Platkin alleges a political feud between a Democratic Party power broker and a Mercer County commissioner led two South Jersey Transportation Authority board members to block payments to the commissioners engineering firm in retaliation. Christopher Milam, the boards vice chairman, and Bryan Bush, a board member, are facing charges of official misconduct, conspiracy to commit official misconduct, and perjury. Milam also chairs Washington Townships Democratic Party. Investigators with Platkins public integrity and accountability office allege the two Sewell men texted about their plan to block the payments. The charges were announced in a press release Friday. As this investigation continues, today we are sending a clear message: No matter how connected or powerful you are, if there is evidence suggesting that you have used your position and taxpayer dollars for political retribution or gain, we will hold you accountable, Platkin said in a statement. And if you lie to a grand jury, as alleged here, to cover up your conduct, you will answer for that, too. During three board meetings in 2023, Milam and Bush cast no votes that prevented the South Jersey Transportation Authority which oversees the Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City Expressway, and other South Jersey public transportation facilities from paying an unidentified engineering firm. Politico New Jersey and the Philadelphia Inquirer have reported the feud is between South Jersey power broker George Norcross and Mercer County Commissioner John Cimino (both are unnamed in Platkins release). The outlets said Norcross asked Cimino in 2022 to stay neutral in the Mercer County executive race the following year, and Cimino instead endorsed a candidate who was not backed by Norcross in December 2022. On Feb. 8, 2023, Platkins office alleges Milam texted Bush, They cut South Jersey in Mercer County so now we vote no. Cimino works for engineering firm T&M Associates. A spokesman for Norcross denied any ties to the case. As we have said repeatedly and in prior public statements, Mr. Norcross had no involvement in the South Jersey Transportation Authority matter, said spokesman Daniel Fee. Attorneys for Bush and Milam could not be reached for comment. Milam and Bush are also accused of giving false testimony under oath to a state grand jury in Trenton in March. They claimed they voted against the payments because they had concerns about the engineering firm, including possible double billing and other errors, Platkins office says. The post Two officials accused of using transit agency to seek revenge over political spat appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. Two North Carolina women have been charged for their alleged involvement in a deadly Myrtle Beach nightclub shooting. Eva Darlene Pricher, 40, of Hoffman, and Shania Denise Fuller, 21, of McLeansville, were charged with being an accessory and accessory after the fact to murder. An arrest warrant said that Pricher was present while the gunman, who has not been identified or arrested, shot Jadis Nelson, 22, of Rockingham, North Carolina, several times, causing his death, and severely injuring another person. Pricher also allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at the victims, according to the warrant. Fuller was driving the vehicle with the gunman, who got out of the vehicle and allegedly shot Nelson in close proximity to Fuller, according to an arrest warrant. Fuller than left with the suspect and did not stop to render aid. Nelson died April 24 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center from injuries he received during the shooting in the parking lot of the 3001 Nightlife on Lake Arrowhead Road, the Horry County Coroners Office said. The shooting happened April 7 around 1:52 a.m. in the parking lot of 3001 Nightlife, 920 Lake Arrowhead Road. One person was critically injured, and the other had injuries that were not life-threatening. Both were taken to the hospital by personal vehicles before first responders arrived at the scene. The University of Minnesota will soon offer a doctorate degree in American Indian Studies, following up on one recommendation in a landmark report that called on U leaders to take steps to repair their relationship with tribes in the state. Just six universities in the United States offer a PhD in American Indian Studies, and the U's program will be the first in the Midwest. Jean O'Brien, a professor who helped establish the program, said she hopes it "will just create the conditions whereby Indigenous Studies can really flourish." "It's a moment of great excitement in a world that's pretty complicated right now," she said. It's been more than one year since the TRUTH Project released a 554-page document that aimed to reframe how Minnesotans view the university and called on U leaders to atone for nearly two centuries of abuses. It described the university as a "land grab" system that profited from treaties that stripped tribes of their land, reiterated concerns with some U-led research projects, and recounted how the government ran a boarding school on the land where the university's Morris campus is now located. Among other things, the report called on U leaders to create the doctorate program, return land to tribal nations, make reparations, hire more Indigenous staff, boost support for Indigenous students and set aside space on each campus for Indigenous people to gather, pray and learn. The university has made progress on some of those recommendations but "we can't rest on our laurels," Karen Diver, senior advisor to the U president for Native American Affairs, told regents in a meeting Friday. She said the work will take years and added with a laugh that it probably won't be done in her lifetime. 'It's just a start' In the past year, the U hired two more Indigenous faculty members. Diver said it provided housing scholarships to 38 freshmen this past school year and is continuing talks with some of the tribes about how to further reduce the cost of attending college. Efforts to return the Cloquet Forestry Center land to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa were delayed when the Legislature wrapped its session without a bonding bill that contained the language needed for the transfer. "We've definitely this year looked for areas where we could take action and provide concrete steps that were of interest to the tribal leaders," Interim U President Jeff Ettinger said in an interview. "I'm pleased with the progress, but we fully recognize it's just a start." An Garagiola, one of about 45 people on the team that produced the TRUTH Project report, said she's seen progress in the past year but wants to see more. Garagiola said she wants more discussion about how the university continues to benefit from financial and land transactions that harmed tribes years ago. She said she's seen people do more thorough reviews of research projects but is waiting for U officials to officially sign off on a new policy outlining how researchers should interact with tribes. Ettinger said he expects that to happen in the next couple of months. Garagiola is glad to see the new doctorate program but added, "At this point, we do not know how much funding the program will get." The university founded the first Department of American Indian Studies in the country in 1969, but its work has until now focused on primarily on students seeking bachelor's and master's degrees. About 75 students interested in American Indian Studies have earned doctorates, according to U data, but they did it by enrolling in other departments, such as history. The new program is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2025. O'Brien said she hopes having a doctorate program dedicated specifically to American Indian Studies will allow the U to better tailor its courses to students' interests and to ensure they're getting instruction in critical topics, such as languages. Students with those types of degrees have gone on to teach, work for historical societies, curate for museums or run programs that help return remains and artifacts to tribes. "As a PhD student in American Studies, I wish that there would have been an American Indian Studies PhD for me to go into instead of having to kind of piecemeal together a program for myself, which a lot of Native students do," Garagiola said. Plans by the U.S. Navy to deploy a nuclear submarine to Cuba this week were considered so routine, little thought was given to the move within the U.S. government until the Biden administration learned of Russias plans to dock one of its own in Havana at the same time. The Navy had planned for weeks to deploy the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered, fast- attack submarine, to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as part of our routine naval activities, one official with U.S. Southern Command, based in Doral, said. But the discovery that Russia intended to send several combat vessels and the Kazan one of its most advanced nuclear submarines to the region for military exercises this week sparked a debate among Navy and administration officials whether to proceed with the Helena deployment, or to change or cancel it, two officials familiar with the matter told McClatchy and the Miami Herald. There was a discussion over whether to proceed, one official familiar with the matter said. Biden administration officials had already believed that Cuba approved Russias latest port call at least in part because of Havanas displeasure over a similar event last year, in which a U.S. submarine visited the Guantanamo base, infuriating the Cuban government, one U.S. official said. Officials feared that a second visit, announced during the Russian exercises, could escalate tensions further. Ultimately, the Navy argued that changing or canceling a U.S. military deployment to accommodate the movements of another power would set a bad precedent. We see no reason to alter previously planned, routine activity in response to Russian activity in the region, said the Southcom official, who noted that Cuba was provided notice of Helenas arrival. The internal debate reflects sensitivities around a set of military maneuvers that would, in most other circumstances, be viewed as routine. The Cuban, Russian, and U.S. governments have all put out statements making clear that their actions are not intended to pose a threat to their adversaries. Yet an increase in tensions between Moscow and Washington over U.S. support for Ukraine, and Russias decision to deploy naval combat vessels within 30 miles of U.S. shores, has contributed to the sense that these movements may be different. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security advisor, told reporters on Wednesday that the current Russian exercises were distinct due to the inclusion of the Kazan. They have a submarine associated with this port visit that they have not had before, Sullivan said, But fundamentally, the notion that Russia takes some of its Russian naval assets and does a port visit to Havana is something that weve seen before. Its something we watch closely, carefully, he added. We will see how this unfolds in the coming days. The Russian flotilla could move south through the Caribbean, down to Venezuela, as soon as next week. U.S. Forest Service tackling deferred maintenance projects in New Mexico and beyond NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The U.S. Forest Service is putting millions of dollars towards deferred maintenance projects throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Key projects are underway in New Mexico. For years, the U.S. Forest Service has been dealing with a backlog of maintenance and land management projects across the nation. The Great American Outdoors Act, which became law in 2020, has helped provide a source of funding to tackle some of those projects. Is New Mexico on track to meet its environmental goals? In New Mexico, ongoing and planned projects include fixing the Santa Fe National Forests wastewater system (with a planned completion date in December 2024), pavement improvements in the Carson National Forest (planned completion date in November 2026), road replacement in the Gila National Forest (planned for 2025), trail development in the Lincoln National Forest (planned for 2025), and others. Click this link to find all projects. Overall, the Forest Service says the Rocky Mountain region is getting an influx of $27.5 million to address deferred projects. This investment allows us to provide greater access to public lands which are essential for recreation, economic development, and community well-being, Acting Regional Forester Steve Lohr said in a press release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Palestinians who were forced to flee to the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah wait for water in May. (Anadolu via Getty Images) The Biden administration took the unusual step Friday of blacklisting a group of Israelis implicated in the looting and destruction of lifesaving humanitarian aid destined for Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip after eight months of brutal war. It is only the second time in recent years the U.S. has punished Israeli groups for their violent and sometimes deadly actions against Palestinians. Last year, the State Department announced it was barring U.S. entry to dozens of Jewish settlers who attacked Palestinian villagers in the West Bank, destroyed their properties and attempted to seize their land. Several hundred Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed in recent months in these attacks and in Israeli military operations. The latest U.S. measure targets a group known as Tzav 9, Hebrew for "Order 9," a reference to call-up orders for Israeli reservists. U.S. officials say the group has ties to extremist Jewish settlers in West Bank settlements. "For months, individuals from Tzav 9 have repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blockading roads, sometimes violently, along their route from Jordan to Gaza, including in the West Bank," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. "They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road." Read more: Biden vs. Trump: Where they stand on Israel, Palestinians, Middle East They have also burned aid trucks, he said. "We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance," Miller said. With negotiations for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war still unsuccessful, the inability of international organizations to get food, water and medicine into Gaza has deepened the suffering there, with more than a million Palestinians facing starvation. Aid agencies report that children are dying from malnutrition, and hundreds of people are dying from a lack of medical care. Most hospitals have been rendered inoperable by Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza. Last month Israel closed the Rafah crossing on Gaza's border with Egypt, a principal entry point for aid. The U.S. military built a pier into Gaza's coast, but it has been plagued by high seas and other problems that have limited its use for delivering aid. Tzav 9 claims it is stopping "gifts" from reaching Hamas, the militant group in Gaza whose attack on kibbutzim and a musical festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7 left nearly 1,200 Israelis and others dead and triggered the current war. At times Israeli extremists have filmed themselves in the act of blocking trucks, destroying cargo and dumping aid in the road. More than 37,000 Palestinians including vast numbers of civilians have been killed by Israel's air and land attacks in Gaza. It is not clear what impact the new sanctions will have on the group. The U.S. measures bar members of the sanctioned group from financial transactions with American persons or entities, and may impede their travel to the U.S. Any assets they have in the U.S. are to be frozen. The State Department also called out the Israeli government, noting it was Israel's "responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian convoys transiting Israel and the West Bank." Friday's action comes in part in response to an urgent plea from Jordan, which has been supplying most of the targeted aid trucks. Jordan has been able to dispatch up to 40 trucks a day to Gaza a tiny fraction of what aid workers say is the bare necessity. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Israeli Tzav 9 group has called for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to leave Jerusalem and accused the agency of aiding Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. File Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI June 14 (UPI) -- The United States on Friday designated the Israeli Tzav 9 a "violent extremist" group for its efforts to stop humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. According to a State Department release, people representing Tzav 9 have for months attempted to block roads and used violence to prevent aid trucks from reaching Palestinians under siege due to the Israel-Hamas war. In May, the group looted and then set fire to two aid trucks near Hebron in the West Bank, according to the State Department. "The provision of humanitarian assistance is vital to preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from worsening and to mitigating the risk of famine," the statement read. "The government of Israel has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian convoys transiting Israel and the West Bank en route to Gaza. "We will continue to use all tools at our disposal to promote accountability for those who attempt or undertake such heinous acts, and we expect and urge that Israeli authorities do the same." Tzav 9 has demanded an end to all aid to Palestinians in Gaza until all hostages captured in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks are returned to Israel. The group in March protested outside of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency offices in Jerusalem demanding the agency's removal from the city and accusing it of aiding Hamas. UNRWA since 1949 has aided Palestinian refugees with food, education, health care and social services, but the Israeli government issued a report in January accusing the agency of assisting Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. The report prompted the United States to suspend UNRWA funding. The European Union also suspended funding but resumed it in March 1 after questioning Israel's allegations. In vitro fertilization process close up. Equipment on laboratory of Fertilization, IVF. Embryo biotechnology fertility treatment. Selective focus WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic bill Thursday to bolster protections for in vitro fertilization. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. In vitro fertilization process close up. Equipment on laboratory of Fertilization, IVF. Embryo biotechnology fertility treatment. Selective focus WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on Oklahoma Voice. U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic bill Thursday to bolster protections for in vitro fertilization. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on Kansas Reflector. U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic bill Thursday to bolster protections for in vitro fertilization. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on Michigan Advance. U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic bill Thursday to bolster protections for in vitro fertilization. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on Washington State Standard. U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic bill Thursday to bolster protections for in vitro fertilization. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats attempts to bolster reproductive rights failed again Thursday when Republicans blocked a bill guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization from moving forward. The 48-47 procedural vote came just one day after Republicans tried unsuccessfully to pass their own IVF access bill and one week after GOP senators prevented legislation from advancing that would have bolstered protections for access to contraception. Senate rules require 60 votes to proceed on most legislation. Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans, broke with their GOP colleagues to support the IVF measure moving toward a final vote. The two also voted for cloture on the contraception access bill last week. During both debates, the vast majority of Senate Republicans said the bills went too far or were too broad, a characterization that Democrats vehemently rejected, calling the GOP stance on certain reproductive rights out of step with most Americans. Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during floor debate the bill would ensure patients have a right to access IVF and that doctors have a right to provide that fertility treatment, as well as require more health insurance companies to cover IVF. The package included additional provisions that would help more veterans and service members, who have trouble conceiving, get the critical fertility services they need to start their families, including IVF, Murray said. This is something Ive long been pushing for, for years now, and it is long overdue, Murray said. All these men and women, who fought to protect our families, we owe it to them to make sure they have the support when they come home to grow theirs. Murray said advancing the bill should not be controversial, especially if Republicans are serious about supporting access to IVF. As we saw in Alabama, the threat to IVF is not hypothetical, it is not overblown and it is not fear mongering, Murray said. A show vote Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy spoke out against the bill during floor debate, saying it was not a serious effort at legislating and that no state currently bans access to IVF. I have been sitting here listening to this and I cant help but notice my Democratic fellow senators have chosen to disrespect and deceive the American people as they politicize a deeply personal issue for short-term political gain, he said. Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that had Democrats been serious about moving this bill, they would have put it up for debate in committee before bringing it to the floor. He also criticized the legislation for requiring private insurance companies to provide unlimited fertility treatments, but setting a cap on how many treatments a veteran could receive from a Veterans Affairs clinic. Republicans, Cassidy said, are so open to working with Democrats on a sincere, bipartisan effort. But this is a show vote. Todays vote is disingenuous pushing a bill haphazardly drafted and destined to fail does a disservice to all who may pursue IVF treatments, Cassidy said. GOP bill The Senate vote came one day after Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, both Republicans, attempted to pass their IVF bill through a fast-track process called unanimous consent. Their legislation would have blocked Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF, though Democrats argued the measure wouldnt actually have guarded against states classifying frozen embryos as children. Britt said during debate on her bill Wednesday that she strongly supported nationwide access to IVF. Across America, about 2% of babies born are born because of IVF that is about 200 babies per day, Britt said. So think about the magnitude of that number and the faces and the stories and the dreams it represents. In recent decades, millions of people have been born with the help of IVF. Murray blocked the Britt-Cruz bill from passing the Senate on Wednesday after Cruz asked unanimous consent to approve the measure. There was no recorded vote. Protecting access Senate Democrats IVF access bill was introduced by Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Murray and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker earlier this month. The 64-page bill would have provided a right for people to access IVF and for doctors to provide that health care without the state or federal government enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements. The measure included provisions that would have bolstered access to IVF for members of the military and veterans as well as spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The legislation defines fertility treatment as preserving human oocytes, sperm, or embryos for later reproductive use; artificial insemination; genetic testing of embryos; use of medications for fertility; and gamete donation. The bill defines assisted reproductive technology as including in vitro fertilization and other treatments or procedures in which reproductive genetic material, such as oocytes, sperm, fertilized eggs, and embryos, are handled, when clinically appropriate. Duckworth tried to pass a similar bill through unanimous consent back in February. But Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked approval through the fast-track unanimous consent process. There was no recorded vote at the time. Personal experience Duckworth has talked openly about her struggles to start a family and use of IVF throughout her time as a senator, including this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos constituted children under state law. During floor debate Thursday, she spoke again about her own experiences with IVF, which she said is the reason she gets to put her 6-year-olds drawings up on her Senate office wall and get tackled by her 9-year-old on Mothers Day. I didnt know it at the time back then, but infertility would become one of the most heartbreaking struggles of my life, Duckworth said of her 23 years in the military that included a helicopter crash in which she lost her legs. My miscarriage, more painful than any wound I ever earned on the battlefield. Duckworth said Republican opposition to the bill shows a lack of common decency and common sense. Excuse me if I find it a bit offensive when a bunch of politicians, whove never spent a day in med school, hint that those of us whove needed the help of IVF to become moms should be sitting behind bars rather than lulling our babies to sleep in rocking chairs. The post U.S. Senate Republicans reject Democrats bill on IVF protections appeared first on SC Daily Gazette. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Michigan Advance. By Elnur Enveroglu Armenia, which clings tightly to "democracy", tops the headlines with increasingly violent street protests. The number of people injured in clashes between police and citizens is getting violent every day, and the process shows that the protests will not stop until the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. However, some strange points also attract attention here. For example, the calmness of the Armenian Prime Minister, distracting the public's attention with everyday posts on social networks, etc., seem to show some kind of confidence in the Armenian government. Nikol Pashinyan does not see ongoing protests under the leadership of cleric Bagrat Srbazan (Galstanyan) as a problem for him. He is actually taking steps like his all-rounder friend Emmanuel Macron, who recently lost to the centre-right in the recent European Parliament elections. Macron also had a similar attitude to the protests in France. Even in New Caledonia, he won the hatred of the masses, especially the Kanak people, and got himself crushed in the political arena following his decision to dissolve the parliament. Pashinyan, on the other hand, ignores what is happening in his small world, that is, in Yerevan, and continues his political course as if nothing had happened. But the interesting thing is, how do Western institutions view this? A few days ago, the Freedom House organisation operating in America gave ridiculous opinions about the preparations for the COP29 event to be held in Azerbaijan, which clarified many issues related to the purpose of its activity. This institution, which could not hide its pro-Armenianism, forgot its mission for a moment and intervened in matters that were completely unrelated to it. The fact that Freedom House presented forecasts on economic issues instead of commenting on the situation of protesters who were injured and crushed under police batons every day in Yerevan, clearly showed how double standards the institute operates. They are acting the way that is told in the Japanese proverb: "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". However, the information states that stunt grenades were used by the government to prevent the attack of the protesters on the Parliament building. The stand-off with the protesters descended into a chaotic confrontation. According to the Ministry of Health, at least 101 individuals sought medical assistance following the clashes. Of these, 66 have since been discharged, while 32 remain hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to moderate. The violence also resulted in injuries to 17 police officers. At least 98 people were detained during the protests. The Armenian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case into engaging in violent acts against law enforcement. Suspects in this case have not yet been named and the protests is continuing. Different views on the situation in Yerevan The fact that Armenia is dealing with a difficult dilemma in the face of Azerbaijan's demands today causes it to act on different scenarios. Some experts comment that the current protests in Yerevan are in favour of Pashinyan, as they suppose he makes a shield out of it for himself. With this, he gains time, both in front of the demands of Azerbaijan and until the bosses in the West extend their helping hands to him. For example, it is not a random decision that France wants to deploy its military contingent in Armenia, in particular its toughest situation. Pashinyan will probably stop the protests in Yerevan in the blink of an eye by presenting the French scenario. That is, the entry of the French military contingent into the country also means creating militarization within the country. The Pashinyan administration also knows that Baku is cautious against any options of Yerevan. A demand is a demand; Armenia has only one choice, which is to fulfil the demands: - Change in the Constitution of Armenia - (i.e. approval of recognition of Garabagh as a territory of Azerbaijan, not as a constituent part of Armenia, in the first paragraph of the Constitution of Armenia) - Returning the rest of the villages and opening the Zangazur corridor - Also, consideration of the issue of the return of the Western Azerbaijanis to their former ancestral homes by the Armenian Parliament All these and other issues stand as an obligation to Armenia, and until the peace agreement is signed, Yerevan should take steps in this regard within the conditions set by Baku. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (George Frey | Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machine gun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. In a statement reacting to the ruling, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver said the courts conservative majority had once again legislated from the bench. This ruling is not in line with the American people and will only worsen the gun violence epidemic that is unique to our country, DeGette said. As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am working to pass the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act which would ban these deadly devices. Enough is enough: House Republicans must join us to put Americans safety over the gun lobby. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) Policy, politics and progressive commentary WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, both Democrats from Nevada, have sponsored companion legislation that would put a ban on bump stocks into federal law. I am extremely disappointed in the Supreme Courts decision to strike down President Trumps 2019 regulation, Cortez Masto said in a statement. Now, Im calling on Congress to urgently pass my commonsense legislation to save lives by permanently prohibiting these devastating devices. Titus posted on social media: The Supreme Court just gutted a years-long bump stock ban. This is terrifying for so many communities impacted by gun violence, including Nevadas First District and the victims of the 1 October shooting. An angry lawmaker is a motivated one This fight is far from over. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford in a statement said he was saddened by the news: The decision today is the most recent example of a court that has abdicated its responsibility to the American public. The court would rather, it seems, take an ideological stance and ignore the blood in our streets than allow such common-sense regulation as a bump stock ban to take effect. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. Nevada Current Deputy Editor April Corbin Girnus contributed to this report. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Nevada Current. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Kentucky State Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Veron celebrated the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that overturned the federal ban to prohibit the sale and possession of bump stocks. In 2023, Bray carried legislation to prohibit law enforcement and public funds in Kentucky from going toward enforcing any federal ban on firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories. It became law with Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears signature. I applaud the Courts ruling and appreciate that, based on arguments, it appears to be based almost entirely on the factual difference in the mechanics, use, and performance of bump stocks versus machine guns, Bray said in a statement. The ban far exceeded the authority of a government agency as any changes in federal law fall to the elected members of the U.S. Congress. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Kentucky Lantern. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. Im heartbroken by todays decision from Donald Trumps Supreme Court, which will make Pennsylvanians less safe, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who has pushed for gun safety laws in Pennsylvania, said Friday. For families concerned about gun violence, this is a huge step backwards. This story was updated at 3:35 p.m. June 14, 2024 with comment from Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machine gun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Instead of blocking legislation to ban bump stocks, as they have in the past, Republican lawmakers need to join with us to pass a law that once and for all bans bump stocks. The law must keep pace to combat known and observed threats to public safety. Democratic U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who has supported legislation to ban bump stocks said in a statement that the courts conservative justices completely missed the target here. A regulation that even the NRA endorsed, pro-gun former President Trump promulgated has now been overturned by six votes, Reed said. This erroneous ruling ties the hands of federal law enforcement from taking commonsense action to protect public safety. This ruling makes it easier for would-be mass shooters to get their hands on devices that have been used to turn semi-automatic guns into weapons of war. Todays ruling permits domestic terrorists to easily get their hands on machine guns. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. Still illegal in Rhode Island Bump stocks remained banned in Rhode Island under a state law that prohibits specific devices that modify a firearm to allow fully automatic rates of fire said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha in a statement issued Friday afternoon. Because todays Supreme Court decision affects only federal regulatory authority regarding bump stocks, our Rhode Island bump stock ban can and will continue to be enforced, Neronha said. My offices approach to dangerous, illegal firearms remains clear: we will use every tool at our disposal to rid Rhode Island of the perils of gun violence, and we will continue to fight for common sense gun laws that protect innocent people from harm. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Rhode Island Current. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. What does it mean for Washington? Washington lawmakers approved a law in 2018 banning bump stocks and the state ran a buy-back program for them the following year. Attorney General Bob Fergusons office said Friday that the Supreme Court ruling would not affect Washingtons law. Todays Supreme Court decision has no impact on Washingtons ban on the sale and possession of bump stocks, Fergusons office said in a statement. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks appeared first on Washington State Standard. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on West Virginia Watch. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent,and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machine gun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night. Two more died of their injuries later, and more than 500 were injured. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun-safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machine gun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machine guns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Missouri Independent. CAPTION: A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns. (George Frey/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branchs already-limited ability to address gun violence. Thomas, a strong defender of Second Amendment gun rights, wrote that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives exceeded its statutory authority in prohibiting the sale and possession of bump stocks, which he said differed importantly from machine guns. Nothing changes when a semiautomatic rifle is equipped with a bump stock, Thomas wrote. Between every shot, the shooter must release pressure from the trigger and allow it to reset before reengaging the trigger for another shot. The case, Garland v. Cargill, was a 6-3 decision that broke along the courts established ideological lines. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior member of the courts liberal wing, wrote the dissent, and argued that the decision puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck, she wrote. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent. Gun safety setback The White House slammed the decision. Todays decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation, President Joe Biden said in a statement. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation. Biden called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons, but any gun-related legislation is likely to be stalled with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding only a slim majority in the Senate. Bump stocks have played a devastating role in many of the horrific mass shootings in our country, but sadly its no surprise to see the Supreme Court roll back this necessary public safety rule as they push their out of touch extreme agenda, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. Trump-era rule This case stems from a regulation set during the Trump administration, following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. A gunman used rifles outfitted with bump stocks to fire into a crowd at a music festival, killing 58 people that night and two more who died of their injuries later, and injuring more than 500. The next year, the ATF issued the rule that concluded bump stocks are illegal machine guns. Anyone who owned or possessed a bump stock was required to either destroy the material or turn it in to the agency to avoid criminal penalties. Michael Cargill, a gun shop owner in Austin, Texas, surrendered two bump stocks to ATF and then challenged the rule in federal court. A U.S. district court dismissed his case, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed with Cargill that a 1986 laws definition of a machine gun does not apply to bump stocks because the rifles equipped with the attachments dont shoot multiple bullets automatically, or by a single function of the trigger. That law defined a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The Biden administration appealed the 5th Circuits decision to the Supreme Court. High court arguments In oral arguments, the Biden administration defended the Trump-era rule and said that bump stocks allow semiautomatic rifles to fire automatically with a single pull of the trigger. Attorneys for Cargill argued that bump stocks are used by repeatedly pulling the trigger, rather than firing automatically with a single pull. In her dissent, Sotomayor said the decision will limit the federal governments efforts to keep machineguns from gunmen like the Las Vegas shooter. Thomas also wrote a major gun decision in 2022 that invalidated a New York law against carrying a firearm in public without showing a special need for protection. The court decided the case on 14th Amendment grounds, but it also expanded Second Amendment rights. Because of that 2022 decision, another gun related case is before the court this session that tests a federal law that prevents the possession of firearms by a person who is subject to a domestic violence protective order. A decision is expected this month. The post U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle. In this photo illustration, packages of Mifepristone tablets are displayed at a family planning clinic. (Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they lacked standing to bring the case. Those limits would have made it more difficult for patients to get a prescription for mifepristone, which the Food and Drug Administration has approved for up to 10 weeks gestation and is used in about 63% of U.S. abortions. Erin Morrow Hawley, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, who argued the case in front of the court on behalf of the legal organization, doesnt believe this is the end of efforts to challenge access to mifepristone. She said on a call shortly after the ruling was released the three states that intervened in a lower court Idaho, Kansas and Missouri could still advance their arguments against mifepristone and potentially hold standing, the legal right to bring a case. I would expect the litigation to continue with those three states, Hawley said. Kavanaugh writes opinion Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the opinion in the united ruling from the Supreme Court, with Justice Clarence Thomas writing a concurring opinion. Plaintiffs are pro-life, oppose elective abortion, and have sincere legal, moral, ideological, and policy objections to mifepristone being prescribed and used by others, Kavanaugh wrote. The four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors who originally brought the lawsuit against mifepristone have protections in place to guard against being forced to participate in abortions against their moral objections, he noted. Not only as a matter of law but also as a matter of fact, the federal conscience laws have protected pro-life doctors ever since FDA approved mifepristone in 2000, Kavanaugh wrote. The plaintiffs have not identified any instances where a doctor was required, notwithstanding conscience objections, to perform an abortion or to provide other abortion-related treatment that violated the doctors conscience. Nor is there any evidence in the record here of hospitals overriding or failing to accommodate doctors conscience objections, he added. Alliance Defending Freedom has not identified any instances where a doctor was required, notwithstanding conscience objections, to perform an abortion or to provide other abortion-related treatment that violated the doctors conscience since mifepristones 2000 approval, the opinion said. Kavanaugh might have also included hints on how the court will rule later this session on a separate abortion access case that addresses the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act, known as EMTALA. EMTALA does not require doctors to perform abortions or provide abortion-related medical treatment over their conscience objections because EMTALA does not impose obligations on individual doctors, Kavanaugh wrote. Thomas agrees but questions who can sue Thomas wrote a concurring opinion in the case, saying that he agreed with the courts unanimous decision, which he did join, but brought up concerns with how a certain type of standing is used by the Court. Applying these precedents, the Court explains that the doctors cannot establish third-party standing to sue for violations of their patients rights without showing an injury of their own, Thomas wrote. But, there is a far simpler reason to reject this theory: Our third-party standing doctrine is mistaken, Thomas added. As I have previously explained, a plaintiff cannot establish an Article III case or controversy by asserting another persons rights. Reaction pours in Politicians, anti-abortion groups and reproductive rights organizations all reacted to the ruling within hours of its release, often pointing to Novembers elections as a potential next step. President Joe Biden released a written statement saying the decision does not change the fact that the fight for reproductive freedom continues. It does not change the fact that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago, and women lost a fundamental freedom, Biden added. It does not change the fact that the right for a woman to get the treatment she needs is imperiled if not impossible in many states. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican Partys presumptive nominee, was in meetings most of Thursday with U.S. House Republicans and then separately with Republican U.S. Senators. Neither Trump nor his campaign released a statement by early Thursday afternoon addressing the Supreme Courts ruling. Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, ranking member on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, wrote in a statement that the justice didnt actually address the merits of the case. The Court did not weigh in on the merits of the case, but the fact remains this is a high risk drug that ends the life of an unborn child, Cassidy wrote. I urge FDA to follow the law and reinstate important safeguards. President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Stella Dantas related a statement saying the ruling provides us with long-awaited relief. We now know that patients and clinicians across the country will continue to have access to mifepristone for medication abortion and miscarriage management, Dantas wrote. Decades of clinical research have proven mifepristone to be safe and effective, and its strong track record of millions of patient uses confirms that data. Hawley from Alliance Defending Freedom wrote in a written statement the organization was disappointed that the Supreme Court did not reach the merits of the FDAs lawless removal of commonsense safety standards for abortion drugs. While were disappointed with the courts decision, we will continue to advocate for women and work to restore commonsense safeguards for abortion drugslike an initial office visit to screen for ectopic pregnancies, Hawley wrote. And we are grateful that three states stand ready to hold the FDA accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of women and girls across this country. Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, wrote in a statement she had both relief and anger about this decision. Thank goodness the Supreme Court unanimously rejected this unwarranted attempt to curtail access to medication abortion, but the fact remains that this meritless case should never have gotten this far, Northup wrote. The FDAs rulings on medication abortion have been based on irrefutable science, Northup wrote. Unfortunately, the attacks on abortion pills will not stop here the anti-abortion movement sees how critical abortion pills are in this post-Roe world, and they are hell bent on cutting off access. Scientific evidence argued The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case in March, during which Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued the FDAs guidelines for prescribing mifepristone were based on reputable scientific evidence and years of real-world use. Only an exceptionally small number of women suffer the kinds of serious complications that could trigger any need for emergency treatment, Prelogar said. Its speculative that any of those women would seek care from the two specific doctors who asserted conscience injuries. And even if that happened, federal conscience protections would guard against the injury the doctors face. Hawley of ADF told the court that conscience protections in federal law didnt do enough to protect anti-abortion doctors from having to possibly treat patients experiencing complications from medication abortion. These are emergency situations, Hawley said. Respondent doctors dont necessarily know until they scrub into that operating room whether this may or may not be abortion drug harm it could be a miscarriage, it could be an ectopic pregnancy, or it could be an elective abortion. The case reached the Supreme Court within two years of ADF originally filing the lawsuit in the District Court for the Northern District of Texas, where ADF wrote the FDA exceeded its regulatory authority when it originally approved mifepristone in 2000. ADF filed the case on behalf of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Pediatricians and Christian Medical & Dental Associations, as well as four doctors from California, Indiana, Michigan and Texas. Kacsmaryk ruling started journey to high court Judge Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk essentially agreed with the anti-abortion groups, in a ruling in April 2023, where he wrote he did not second-guess FDAs decision-making lightly. But here, FDA acquiesced on its legitimate safety concerns in violation of its statutory duty based on plainly unsound reasoning and studies that did not support its conclusions, Kacsmaryk wrote. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay at the request of the Justice Department, which put the district courts ruling on hold until the appeal process could work itself out. The Justice Department also appealed the district courts ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana, where a three-judge panel heard the case in May 2023. The panel composed of Jennifer Walker Elrod, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, as well as James C. Ho and Cory T. Wilson, who were both appointed by former President Donald Trump issued its ruling in August 2023. The appeals court disagreed with the district courts ruling that mifepristones original approval should be overturned, though it said that the FDA erred in making changes to prescribing guidelines in 2016 and 2021. It failed to consider the cumulative effect of removing several important safeguards at the same time. It failed to consider whether those major and interrelated changes might alter the risk profile, such that the agency should continue to mandate reporting of non-fatal adverse events, the appeals judges wrote. And it failed to gather evidence that affirmatively showed that mifepristone could be used safely without being prescribed and dispensed in person. That ruling didnt take effect under the Supreme Courts earlier stay. The Department of Justice wrote to the high court weeks later in September, urging the justices to take up an appeal of the 5th Circuits decision. The loss of access to mifepristone would be damaging for women and healthcare providers around the Nation, the DOJ wrote in the 42-page document. For many patients, mifepristone is the best method to lawfully terminate their early pregnancies. They may choose mifepristone over surgical abortion because of medical necessity, a desire for privacy, or past trauma. Briefs filed with court Dozens of abortion rights organizations and lawmakers filed so-called amicus curiae or friend of the court briefs to the Supreme Court calling on the justices to keep access to mifepristone in line with the FDA guidelines. A group of more than 16 medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association, wrote that restricting access to mifepristone will not only jeopardize health, but worsen racial and economic inequities and deprive women of the choices that are at the very core of individual autonomy and wellbeing. Anti-abortion groups and lawmakers opposed to mifepristone wrote numerous briefs as well. Attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming sent in a 28-page brief. They wrote that the availability of mifepristone undermined states rights, since some of their states had sought to restrict abortion below the 10 weeks approved for mifepristone use or had sought to bar access to medication abortion. The FDAs actions undermine these laws, undercut States efforts to enforce them, and thus erode the federalism the Constitution deems vital, the attorneys general wrote. Given these harms to federalism, this Court should view the FDAs actions with skepticism. During oral arguments in March, several Supreme Court justices brought up conscience protections that insulate health care workers from having to assist with or perform procedures they have a religious objection to, like abortion. Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she was worried that there is a significant mismatch in this case between the claimed injury and the remedy thats being sought. The obvious, common-sense remedy would be to provide them with an exemption that they dont have to participate in this procedure, Jackson said. Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch said the case seemed like a prime example of turning what could be a small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an FDA rule, or any other federal government action. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal. The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved a plan to dissolve the university Senate, changing the facultys role in setting school policies. The vote at the boards meeting on Friday was the second on the role of the Senate and a slate of governing regulations for the university, moving the university Senate into an advisory role and giving policy-setting power to President Eli Capilouto and other administrators. The board also approved a process lasting through the end of the year to determine how the new faculty Senate is created and rules determined. Capilouto has said the changes are necessary to make UK more nimble, and to streamline the decision-making process at the university. Not everyone is supportive of this process or the resulting recommendations and revisions before you this morning, Capilouto said Friday morning. I will always respect those who disagree, and respect that it comes from an honest, but still profound, difference of opinion. The vote came after months of objections from faculty, who have voiced concerns about the process used to bring the recommendations to the board and about long-term implications of moving into an advisory role. After the first vote in April, where the board approved initial rule changes and changing the role of the senate, the university Senate passed a vote of no confidence in Capilouto. The changes were nearly unanimously approved, with one faculty trustee, Hollie Swanson, voting against them. Before voting in favor of the changes, several board members expressed their support of Capilouto, including faculty trustee Hubie Ballard. Swanson questioned the data behind the change, saying she could not vote in favor of the changes due to the absence of any compelling evidence, referencing a presentation made by Deloitte Consulting earlier this year. During the presentation, a representative from Deloitte said the data was not intended to be scientific, and since then, the university has declined to make any reports from Deloitte public. DeShanna Collett, who was university Senate chair during the most recent school year, said she was profoundly disappointed and saddened by Fridays vote. Despite our commitment to shared governance, transparency and accountability, and our dedication to faculty governance, we have been obstructed by university leadership who fail to uphold their own principles of ensuring greater trust, transparency, accountability, and caring for our people, Collett said. They orchestrated this significant change without involving the faculty who have extensive knowledge of and passion for UK. I fear that the consequences will be deeply felt over the next several years until there is a change in leadership. How will new faculty Senate members be selected? Though the faculty has opposed moving its body into an advisory role, student and staff groups have supported the changes, which they say adds more voices to the decision-making process. The Student Government Association and staff senates will remain in advisory roles, and a new Presidents Council will be created, which will be made of students, faculty and staff who advise the president on a variety of campus issues. The resulting regulations are responsive to what we have asked President Capilouto to do, said Kim McCann, the boards vice chair. They position us for success in the future and they are the product of thoughtful deliberation, active consultation and honest feedback from across this campus exactly what should have happened. The board approved a process for keeping a faculty body in place until the new faculty Senate is selected. Elections for the new faculty Senate will be held no later than Oct. 31, according to guidelines approved Friday. Until elections are held, a provisional faculty senate executive committee led by Provost Robert DiPaola will be in place. It will be composed of 22 members, including the provost as chair, the two faculty trustees and one faculty member from each college. College representatives will be selected by the dean of each college, who will submit three faculty nominations to the provost, who will then select members. An administrative regulation, based on previous university senate rules, will outline how the committee will operate through the end of the year. Though the university Senate will cease to exist, several committees and councils will continue, including the UK Core Education Committee and the faculty Senate Advisory Committee on privilege and tenure. New governing regulations include updated language about credit-bearing and non-credit bearing curriculum in academic colleges, facultys role in curriculum and ensuring the board of trustees is in alignment with Kentucky Revised Statutes, said Jay Blanton, UK spokesperson. Ukraines current military recruitment campaign is not going according to plan. Announced on April 16, 2024, the drive was aimed at enlisting hundreds of thousands of young Ukrainian men to help push back against a Russian invasion that has gained momentum in recent months. But the effort has been met with public skepticism, draft dodging and opposition to unpopular, heavy-handed attempts to root out those not heeding the call to sign up. It has left Ukraine struggling to fill the positions officials say are needed to beat back the invading army. Rather than solving Ukraines problems, the draft effort is multiplying them. And that puts pressure on the Wests current strategy to support Ukraine primarily through military aid. Moreover, I believe it risks the prospect of troops from NATO countries eventually being pulled into direct military confrontation with Russia. Too few boots on the ground After Russias invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, there was a wave of enthusiasm among Ukrainians for signing up to defend their country. But after Ukraines unsuccessful counteroffensive of 2023, recruiting for the war has become much more difficult. At the end of March 2024, a nationwide poll asked Ukrainians how they thought their draft-age acquaintances might respond to a call to serve. Only 10% thought they would accept. Another nationwide poll taken at the time found only 8% willing to take up arms against the Russian invaders. No one disputes Ukraines desperate need for more troops. In December 2023, when he was still commander in chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi told president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he needed 450,000 to 500,000 more troops. He also pointed out that the additional US$61 billion the United States was proposing to fund the war for another year was far too small. To transform this struggle into one that Ukraine could win, he said, would require more than five times that amount. He was dismissed soon thereafter. Zaluzhnyi may well be right on both counts, but Ukraines most urgent problem right now is that it does not have enough troops. A law approved in April after being delayed for nearly a year seeks to change this. It lowers the minimum draft age from 27 to 25, requires that all men aged 18 to 25 complete basic military service, and mandates that all military-age men currently abroad return to Ukraine to register. In theory, this takes the total number of Ukrainian men eligible for mobilization to 3.7 million. The number that actually enlist, however, is likely to be only a small fraction of this. One reason is demography: Fewer than 420,000 males born in Ukraine are today in the 25-27 age category. And a significant portion of these may already be among the 800,000 Ukrainian men who have either left the country, are already serving in the military, are exempt or are deemed unfit for military service. Polish police address Ukrainians men in Warsaw, Poland, on April 24, 2024. Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images Those who have already left are the most unlikely to heed the call. While nearly a million people inside Ukraine have already renewed their military status online, only 11,000 or 1.5% of those living abroad have done so. Despite optimism among Ukrainian politicians about sending as many as 20,000 convicts to the front lines those who have committed no more than one murder, rape or other serious crime the bottom line, according to analysts in the Ukrainian militarys general staff, is that, all told, these new recruitment efforts are likely to add no more than 100,000 new troops. Growing resentment By contrast, Russia has a population pool far larger than Ukraines, with four times the number of active military personnel and a quarter-million reservists. It is also adding 30,000 new contract recruits every month. As one Ukrainian military expert cited by French newspaper Le Monde put it, even if the number of new Ukrainian recruits were twice what is expected, it is not enough. Adding even these soldiers, however, comes with growing resentment over efforts to browbeat would-be recruits into compliance. Those who do not comply with the demands of Ukraines Territorial Recruitment Centers can have their drivers licenses suspended, as well as their credit cards and bank accounts frozen. Ukrainians residing abroad will be denied consular services, including passport renewal, if they fail to comply with registration demands within 60 days. Meanwhile, the hunt for eligible men has seen recruitment officers hauling people in from off the street and from popular nightclubs and fitness centers. They have been backed up by police checking military IDs on routine traffic stops. Employers and even university faculty must gather and submit names of employees and students for registration. Registered draft-age Ukrainian men must be able at all times to display their military registration information or face fines of up to two to three times the minimum monthly salary. As the Ukrainian media has pointed out, these penalties provide ample opportunity for bribery at each stage of the process. Since the new draft law has come into force, public outrage has slowly grown to the point that, as Ukrainian political analyst Kost Bondarenko puts it, the Territorial Recruitment Centers will be the main component of Ukraines defeat, if, God forbid, it should happen. NATO troops to the rescue? Problems with the Ukrainian draft are underscoring a fact that many in the West have struggled to accept: That without massive new injections of foreign cash, weapons and troops, Ukraine is going to exhaust its resources long before Russia does. While some Western analysts have been making this point for years, many politicians in the West have studiously ignored it. Now, an increasing number of them are coming to the conclusion that there is no other choice but to send in NATO troops to stave off Ukraines defeat. While President Joe Biden has vowed repeatedly not to send U.S. troops to Ukraine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., has said that he considers some type of U.S. troop presence in Ukraine inevitable. Meanwhile, more than one NATO country has suggested military deployment with or without the alliances blessing. The situation on the battlefield, meanwhile, may have already deteriorated to the point that, even if NATO were to send in as many troops as Ukraine hopes to raise in the draft, it might still not be enough to turn the tide. Is there an off-ramp? Western politicians have warned that if Russia wins, the consequences would be catastrophic. This seemingly leaves no option but to support Ukraine for as long as it takes or whatever the cost. But if that means NATO troop involvement, it risks drawing the United States into direct confrontation with Russia. Whether the U.S. personnel involved in Ukraine are advisers, technicians, trainers or combat forces makes no difference to Russia they would be seen in Moscow as legitimate targets. While Ukraines draft problems present NATO leaders with a conundrum, escalation isnt the only option. Ending the conflict in Ukraine through diplomacy is still a possibility and Russia recently indicated that an aborted 2022 peace plan could still form the basis for negotiations. At the time, Ukraine balked at signing that proposal which would have seen the country remain neutral and ended its aspirations to join NATO, in exchange for other security guarantees. Today, however, Ukraine has more incentives than ever to negotiate for peace. 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: Nicolai N. Petro, University of Rhode Island Read more: Nicolai N. Petro is also Senior Washington Fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy. Ukraine is negotiating bilateral security agreements with ten other countries. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyys statement published by the Office of the President; European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy noted that he is very pleased with the agreements with the United States and Japan signed on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy on Thursday. He reiterated that Ukraine now has bilateral security agreements with all G7 members following the Groups declaration on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius. Quote: "In total, 17 agreements have already been signed, and we are preparing ten more for signing," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Background: Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the agreement with the United States contains provisions for the supply of Patriot air defence systems and F-16 jets. Zelenskyy also said that the agreement signed with the US would be submitted to Congress and thus would be legally binding. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine is working on bilateral security agreements with 10 more countries, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on June 13. Over 30 countries have joined the Group of Seven (G7) Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine so far. The U.S. and Japan joined 15 other countries on June 13, including the U.K., Germany, and France, that have signed similar bilateral treaties to help Kyiv repel Russia's aggression. "We have already signed seven security agreements with all G7 (Group of Seven) countries. In total, 17 agreements have already been signed, and we are preparing to sign another 10," Zelensky said on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy. G7 members presented their plan for long-term security commitments for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius in early July last year. Under this plan, individual countries would provide bilateral support to help Kyiv repel the ongoing Russian invasion and deter any future aggression. The security guarantees would entail explicit and long-lasting obligations, as well as bolster Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression. The guarantees would also cover sanctions, financial aid, and post-war reconstruction. Read also: G7 confirms agreement on $50 billion loan for Ukraine backed by Russian assets revenue Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands for further territorial concessions as a prerequisite for peace, describing these as absurd and manipulative. "Putin does not seek peace, he seeks to divide the world," the ministry said on Friday, referring to Putin's statements ahead of a Swiss peace summit planned for the weekend. Putin is trying to present himself as a peacemaker for the war he triggered, the ministry said. "Russia's plans are not for peace, but for the continuation of the war, the occupation of Ukraine, the destruction of the Ukrainian people, and further aggression in Europe." Earlier, Putin told the Russian Foreign Ministry that the fighting could end if Kiev abandons its aim to join NATO and remains neutral, and withdraws from the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya plus Crimea. Russia has not yet been able to conquer Zaporizhzhya and was forced to withdraw from Kherson in autumn 2022. "Ukraine never wanted this war, and like no other country in the world, Ukraine wants it to end," the Ukrainian ministry said. However, in order to force Moscow to halt the war, an international coalition of states is needed to achieve a just peace based on the UN Charter and Ukrainian peace formula, the ministry said. The first peace summit in Switzerland is needed to force Russia to abandon ultimatums and move on to sincere negotiations to end the war, the ministry's statement said. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attend a meeting with the senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry. -/Kremlin /dpa Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 254 soldiers who died fighting against Russia, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War reported on June 14. The Geneva Conventions dictate that people who lost their lives during war are entitled to a dignified burial. Over 2,400 fallen soldiers have been repatriated to Ukraine in the last two years. According to the headquarters, the bodies of the 221 fallen soldiers were retrieved from Donetsk Oblast, 25 from Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and four from Luhansk Oblast. Another four bodies were brought back from morgues in Russia. After identification, the bodies of our defenders will be handed over to their families for a dignified burial, the headquarters wrote in a post on Telegram. The effort to retrieve the fallen soldiers was conducted in collaboration with several government and military agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Interior Ministry, the State Emergency Service, and the Armed Forces. In a previous transfer on May 31, the headquarters reported that the bodies of 212 fallen Ukrainian soldiers had been returned for burial. In late February, Kyiv released information about the total number of Ukrainian soldiers killed during the full-scale invasion, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying the number was around 31,000. Read also: Media: Russia suffered astronomical losses on Kharkiv front, NATO source suggests Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DENVER (KDVR) The U.S. has entered a new bilateral security agreement with Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian invasion. The deal promises American support in military weapons and training for the next 10 years. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the pact Thursday at the G7 summit of leading industrialized nations, held this year in Italy. Denver GOP unanimously calls for removal of Dave Williams That deal comes on the heels of an international agreement to give Ukraine another $50 billion in support. The funding comes in the form of a loan from some of the wealthiest Democratic countries in the world, and its paid for with frozen Russian assets. Between the cash and the commitment from the U.S. to help, the hope is the aid will bring the end of the war a little closer. On this weeks Colorado Point of View But the new 10-year agreement is not binding if Republicans who have held up Ukraine funding in the past win the White House in November and decide to get rid of the deal. On Colorado Point of View this week, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow said he does not believe that will happen. He thinks Biden will win a second term. I happen to think it will be President Joe Biden. Regardless of that, we have to make sure were working in the best interest of Americans, Crow said. How bad is inflation in Denver? Crow said the decision is in Americas best national security interest, regardless of whos in the White House, People talk about it as aid, Crow said. Its not charity. Watch the full conversation with U.S. Rep. Jason Crow on Colorado Point of View on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on Colorados Very Own Channel 2. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. These before and after satellite images from Planet labs shows that Russian Su-34 Fullbacks may have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack. Satellite images obtained by The War Zone confirm that the Morosovsk Airfield in Russia, about 150 miles from the front lines, was hit by a Ukrainian attack. It's claimed that the operation was carried out via a mass drone attack. Ukrainian defense and intelligence units used at least 70 drones to strike the base Thursday, Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate, told us exclusively. Satellite images obtained by The War Zone confirm that an airbase deep in Russia was attacked. PHOTOS 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION The airfield, located in the Rostov region of Russia, is home to dozens of Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers that have been a key weapon in the war, and serves as a forward operating base for other Flanker derivatives. A group of technicians meets the Su-34 on the runway. Aviation show at the Kubinka airfield during the Army-2020 international forum of the Russian Ministry of Defense. (Photo by Mihail Tokmakov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) While the attack appears to have caused some damage, the full extent is unclear at the moment. The images we obtained from Planet Labs show the covering of the base's only multi-aircraft shelter, located on a maintenance apron, was blasted open, revealing two Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers inside. These aircraft likely suffered some degree of damage. This hangar would have been a top target for Ukrainian drones. Two Russian Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers were inside a fabric-covered shelter that appears to have been damaged in a massive Ukrainian drone attack. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. A short distance away, what appears to be a small crater and scorch marks can be seen on the apron. It is hard to tell if any aircraft were damaged, but this is where multiple jets are usually parked. These before (bottom) and after images show damage to an apron at the Morosovsk Airfield caused by Ukrainian drones. PHOTOS 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Higher-resolution imagery is needed for a more detailed assessment of the latest in a growing list of Russian airfields that have been targeted by Kyiv . However, the damage seen in Friday's image did not appear in one taken on June 6th. It's also worth noting that evacuating any aircraft that are flyable out of a base that was just struck is a common practice for Russia. A wider comparison view of the airbase offers another contrast between June 6 and June 13. June 6th image. PHOTOS 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION June 14th image. PHOTOS 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Russian sources acknowledged the attack but differed in their assessments. The Russian Two Majors Telegram channel claimed no jets were damaged. The Russian Kremlin Snuff Box Telegram channel claimed that while most of the drones were shot down before reaching the target, some made it through and six pilots were killed and another 10 troops were wounded as a result. Meanwhile, Budanov told us that a battle damage assessment is ongoing. We are waiting for information about whether any aircraft were destroyed or damaged, he said. There is other visual evidence that the airfield was targeted. Images and video emerged on social media overnight showing drones flying overhead toward Morosovsk. There were also claims that numerous explosions were heard near the base. A photograph on Twitter showed a large ball of flame and a huge plume of black smoke reportedly near the airfield. https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1801442634700865557 The drone flew straight over the head of a subscriber from Morozovsk, the This Is Rostov News Telegram channel wrote. The enemy was aiming at the airfield. Before we obtained the satellite images, Rostov Oblast governor Vasiliy Golubev said Thursday on his Telegram channel that air defense forces successfully repelled a massive UAV attack on the territory of the Rostov region. Drones were destroyed in the area of several settlements in the region, he added. According to preliminary data, there are no casualties. Consequences on the ground are being clarified. Still, the power supply to the district was disrupted. "The restoration of power supply to settlements that are left without electricity today as a result of damage to a transformer substation due to a massive UAV attack continues," he wrote. "At present, work on connecting life support facilities and social institutions to backup power sources has been largely completed. This will allow us to restore water supply to populated areas. Emergency teams of power engineers are working to restore power supply to residents." Morosovsk Airfield is located about 150 miles from the front lines. Google Earth image The operation was launched from inside Ukraine, Budanov said, adding that least 70, and maybe more Ukrainian Dragon and Splash drones struck the airfield. That tally is in line with what the Russian Two Majors Telegram channel said on Friday. Two Majors complained the attack showed major vulnerabilities in Russian air defenses against drones. Despite the enemys failure to achieve the goals of destroying our aircraft tonight at the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov region, the ability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch 70 drones deep into our territory at a time, as well as their ability to overcome air defense before approaching the airfield, indicates that the enemy retains a high potential for using this type of homemade weapon defeats, Two Majors said. This was the second large-scale Ukrainian drone attack at Morozovsk in two months. It was also hit on April 5. Several videos and images emerged after that strike, which you can see below. As we reported at the time, Ukrainian officials claimed that strike destroyed at least six military aircraft destroyed and badly damaged eight others. Kyiv also claimed that 20 Russian personnel on the base were killed or injured. The Kyiv Post Tweet of that claim can be seen below. However, subsequent high-resolution Planet Lab images we obtained the following day showed no major damage at Morosovsk. The day before the attack, 29 jets were visible in parking areas across the facility. In the imagery obtained from Planet Labs, which was taken today, we can count the same number of aircraft, with no major damage being visible to them or to the base's infrastructure, we noted at the time . A Planet Laps satellite image of Morosovsk airfield taken the day after an April 5 Ukrainian drone attack shows no major damage. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. This time, Ukrainian officials have as yet made no such bold claims. However, the base will be attacked again, Budanov promised. Yes, he said tersely when asked if Ukrainian forces plan another aerial assault on that airfield. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com By Dave Graham and Tom Balmforth ZURICH/KYIV (Reuters) -World leaders will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a summit this weekend to explore ways of ending the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two, but Russia isn't invited and the event will fall short of Kyiv's aim of isolating Moscow. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada and Japan are among those set to attend the June 15-16 meeting at the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock. India, which has helped Moscow survive the shock of economic sanctions, is expected to send a delegation. Turkey and Hungary, which similarly maintain cordial ties with Russia, will be represented by their foreign ministers. But despite months of intense Ukrainian and Swiss lobbying, some others will not be there, most notably China, a key consumer of Russian oil and supplier of goods that help Moscow maintain its manufacturing base. "This meeting is already a result," Zelenskiy said in Berlin on Tuesday, while acknowledging the challenge of maintaining international support as the war, now well into its third year, grinds on. Ninety-two countries and eight organisations will attend, Switzerland said. Organisers preparing a joint statement have battled to strike a balance between condemning Russia's actions and securing as many participants as possible, diplomats say. A final draft of the summit declaration refers to Russia's "war" against Ukraine, and also underlines commitment to the U.N. charter and respect for international law, according to two people familiar with the document. Participants not in agreement with the declaration have until the end of Friday to opt out, the sources said. The Swiss foreign ministry declined to comment. Switzerland wants the summit to pave the way for a "future peace process" in which Russia takes part - and to determine which country could take on the next phase. Several diplomats said Saudi Arabia is among the favourites, with other Middle Eastern states also possible. Zelenskiy visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss the summit with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister will attend, Switzerland said. 'FUTILE' The idea of a summit was originally floated after Zelenskiy presented a 10-point peace plan in late 2022. Ulrich Schmid, a political scientist and Eastern Europe expert at the University of St. Gallen, said the summit appeared to be "a mixed bag" so far, given the show of support from some quarters and China's absence. "Then the question arises: is peace actually doable?" Schmid added. "As long as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is in power... it will be difficult." Putin said on Friday that Russia would cease fire and enter peace talks if Ukraine dropped its NATO ambitions and withdrew its forces from four Ukrainian regions claimed by Moscow. Kyiv has repeatedly said its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, has described the idea of a summit to which it is not invited as "futile". Moscow casts its "special military operation" in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle with the West, which it says wants to bring Russia to its knees. Kyiv and the West say this is nonsense and accuse Russia of waging an illegal war of conquest. Given such entrenched differences, the summit will focus on parts of Zelenskiy's plan broad enough to be palatable to most, if not all, participants. These include the need to guarantee food security, nuclear safety, freedom of navigation, prisoner exchanges, and the return of children, officials said. Meanwhile, China, along with Brazil, is pushing a separate peace plan for Ukraine that calls for the participation of both warring parties. Moscow has voiced its support for Beijing's efforts to end the conflict. Kyiv has not hidden its frustration at China's decision to skip the Swiss summit. Zelenskiy even accused Beijing of helping Russia to disrupt it, an extraordinary outburst against a global superpower with unrivalled influence over Moscow. On the battlefield, the gathering comes at a difficult time for Ukraine. Russian troops, who control around 18% of Ukrainian territory, are advancing in the east in a war that has killed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, left villages, towns and cities in ruins and uprooted millions. (Additional reporting by Pesha Magid in RiyadhEditing by Mike Collett-White, Gareth Jones and Andrew Heavens) Ukraine's 68th Jaeger Brigade released a video on June 14 purporting to show its forces taking out an entire Russian tank company during fighting in the Pokrovsk direction in the east of the country. According to a post on Facebook, eight Kremlin tanks and eight infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) were destroyed. Later on June 14 in comments to Ukrinform, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesman for the Khortytsia grouping of forces, confirmed the brigade's claims. "In the Pokrovsk axis, our Defense Forces destroyed eight Russian tanks and put two more out of order. Thats 10 in total. This makes up a tank company," he said. "In addition, in this section of the front, during the said period, our defenders destroyed eight more armored fighting vehicles, two artillery systems, and four other vehicles (one more damaged)." Voloshyn didn't specify when the engagement took place but said 242 Russian troops were killed or wounded during fighting in the Pokrovsk direction. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims. The video begins by showing drone footage of approaching Russian tanks, with the lead vehicle swiftly being taken out by an explosion. Artillery, cluster munitions and drone-dropped bombs then attack the rest of the armored column. At one stage a Russian tank speeding across a field drives directly into a crater. A drone then targets the Russian soldiers as they disembark. "Our Ukrainian defenders did a good job yesterday and disposed of plenty of Russian hardware, and even more so Russian invaders along with their equipment," Voloshyn said. Elsewhere, Ukrainian air defense shot down all of the 17 Shahed-type attack drones and seven of the 14 missiles launched by Russia overnight on June 14, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said. Russia reportedly launched the drones from Yeysk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and occupied Crimea, while the 10 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95 bomber planes over Russia's Saratov Oblast. Moscow's troops also launched three Iskander-M ballistic missiles from occupied Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar Krai as well as one Kinzhal Kh-47M2 air-launched ballistic missile from Tambov region. Read also: Russias move on Kharkiv has bogged down. But was it a failure? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Andrii Sybiha during a meeting with the ambassadors of the G7 nations. Photo: Ukraines Foreign Ministry Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister, held a meeting with the ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries on 14 June. Source: a statement from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda Details: The parties discussed Ukraine's cooperation with the G7 countries, particularly within international organisations, the Ukrainian Peace Formula, and the implementation of bilateral security agreements. "Andrii Sybiha thanked [the ambassadors] for comprehensive support [for] Ukraine, noting the aid packages announced at the G7 summit in Italy," the Foreign Ministry added. Background: On 15-16 June, Switzerland will host the Peace Summit, an event to which Russia was neither invited nor recognised as a genuine peace initiative. On the eve of the summit, troublesome provisions of the meeting's final document, which could have had adverse consequences for Ukraine, were revised in Switzerland the text of the decision has been changed in recent days. Afterwards, several states that had planned to attend the Peace Summit in Switzerland decided not to go there. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Putin's ultimatum: Russia's plans are not for peace, but for continuation of war Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin seeks to disrupt the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland by setting his so-called conditions for the start of "peace talks". Source: a comment by Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on 14 June, as reported by European Pravda Details: The foreign ministry recalled that Putin's ultimatums have been voiced many times before and are aimed at "undermining diplomatic efforts to achieve a just peace and shattering the unity of the world majority around the purposes and principles of the UN Charter". "By throwing such signals into the information space on the eve of the inaugural Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, Putin pursues only one goal: to prevent leaders and countries from participating in this summit," the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry added that Russia's plans are "not for peace, but for the continuation of the war, the occupation of Ukraine, the destruction of the Ukrainian people, and further aggression in Europe". Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has urged as many countries and organisations as possible to attend the inaugural Global Peace Summit to force Russia to abandon ultimatums and move to good-faith negotiations to end the war. Background: On Friday, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin came up with new "conditions for the start of peace talks": Ukrainian forces must withdraw from the territory of four Ukrainian oblasts, parts of which are occupied by Russia, and Kyiv must declare that it has no plans to join NATO. Putin issued his statement on the eve of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, an event to which Russia was neither invited nor recognised as a genuine peace initiative. On the eve of the summit, troublesome provisions of the meeting's final document, which could have had adverse consequences for Ukraine, were revised in Switzerland the text of the decision has been changed in recent days. Support UP or become our patron! Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament) Commissioner for Human Rights, has described Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova's address before the Peace Summit, in which she requests cooperation in swapping prisoners, as a provocation. Source: Lubinets on Telegram Details: On the evening of 14 June, Moskalkova released a list of 430 Ukrainian personnel who "are ready to return home in the near future if the Ukrainian side agrees to take them in exchange for Russian servicemen". She asked Lubinets to "assist in activating the Russian-Ukrainian exchange processes" so that Russian PoWs might be speedily returned to the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian commissioner responded saying he was startled by the disclosure, as letters from Russian PoWs had been handed over that same day, when the parties corresponded. However, Russia made no requests for the repatriation of its soldiers during the conversation on 14 June. Quote: "Therefore, I consider such announcements of the Russian side on the eve of the Peace Summit to be nothing more than a provocation." Details: Lubinets also stressed that Kyiv is ready to take all its soldiers, in particular in an all-for-all format. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian forces use over a hundred different types of munitions Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion in Ukraine, over a hundred types of munitions of various kinds have been codified and deployed on the battlefield within the Armed Forces, with nearly half of them introduced since the beginning of 2024. Source: Ukraines Defence Ministry Details: Among the munitions that have been put into service, the majority are products of Ukraine's defence industry. These include ammunition for small arms, close combat weapons, mortar mines and artillery shells of various calibres and purposes. Additionally, the defence ministry has approved around 60 types of ammunition for unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, as well as detonators for them. All of these munitions are developed by Ukrainian enterprises. The list includes combined-action, high-explosive fragmentation, shaped charge-fragmentation, and multipurpose munitions. Background: Over 110 models of Ukrainian-made and foreign vehicles have been put into service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) since the beginning of March 2022. Support UP or become our patron! Editors Note: This story was produced in collaboration with the Organized Crime and Corruption and Reporting Project (OCCRP) and is published by both organizations. The story is based on the Kyiv Independents latest investigative documentary, He Came Back. The day after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Maryna discovered she was expecting a boy. Fearing it might be the last time she would be able to get to a hospital, she queued for hours at checkpoints to attend the ultrasound appointment and learn the gender of her baby. She was 16 years old and five months pregnant. There was no time to celebrate the news from the hospital scan she had to decide where to shelter as the Russian troops rolled in. Fleeing to the tiny village of Krasnivka in the southern Kherson Oblast, where her mother lived, she hoped she would be safe. But the soldiers came. In a powerful interview for a documentary from the Kyiv Independent, Maryna gives a chilling account of what happened next. (See all of the Kyiv Independent's investigative documentaries on Russian war crimes here.) When they entered the village, they asked us to come out from the cellar (where we were hiding) and told the girls like me, my sister, and another younger girl that we shouldnt go out on the streets. Soldiers shouldnt see us. Because some of them could rape us, she said. She describes how, days later, after troops attacked and interrogated residents, a drunk soldier started asking the ages of women and girls in the house where Maryna was sheltering. After taking her mother into another room briefly, Maryna says the soldier returned for her, took her into that room while her mother and the children in the house waited in the kitchen, and raped her. He said that if I resisted, he would shoot me. He also threatened me with his fists. I told him that I was pregnant and that I didnt want anything, and he said: Dont be such a tease. If you dont want to be with me Ill call 20 people and youll be with everyone in turns. So choose, either be with me, or with them. I still remember this very foul-smelling alcohol breath. I tried to push him away, and even though he was drunk, he was stronger than me, she said. Screengrab from the "He Came Back" documentary. (The Kyiv Independent) Maryna isnt the womans real name. She used Maryna as a pseudonym in the film and asked for her identity to be concealed as she rebuilds her life in private. She is one of two women who give accounts of being raped by a soldier in the early weeks of the all-out invasion in the documentary, titled He Came Back. The film seeks to shine a light on sexual violence by Russian forces in Ukraine and to hold those responsible to account. The other woman who speaks out in the film is Daria, a graphic designer in her 30s, who did not give her surname and asked for her identity to be protected. As the full-scale invasion began, she had fled with her boyfriend to Havronshchyna, a village of around 1,000 residents a short drive west of Kyiv, where her family had a house. She describes how a soldier, who she remembers was always drunk, said he wanted to interrogate her about her phone and took her to a house away from her family. Once there, he sat her on a bed and told her to undress, she recalled. I realized that if I cried, or fought back in any way, he might get mad, and it could end up worse. So I just sort of put up with it, as if psychologically I had left my body, Daria said. Afterwards, he drove her home, where her family was waiting in the yard. The worst moment wasnt even when he brought me to that abandoned house, but when I saw my parents and the state they were in. They looked barely alive, very pale, barely able to stand. Of course, I didnt tell them anything. The same thing happened the next day, she said. After that, Russian soldiers began to withdraw from Havronshchyna and other Kyiv suburbs under mounting pressure from Ukrainian forces. Screengrab from the "He Came Back" documentary. (The Kyiv Independent) Reporters from the Kyiv Independent used testimony from Daria and Maryna as well as witness statements from villagers and military personnel to build a picture of the soldiers who committed the alleged rapes. They also identified the soldiers unit commanders, both of whom have gone on to be decorated by the Russian state. Their findings have been shared with investigators in Ukraine and abroad. While reporters cannot quantify the extent to which sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war by Russian forces in Ukraine, psychologist Nataliia Potseluieva, who is working with survivors, paints a truly disturbing picture of the potential scale: In the film she describes how she has spoken to survivors between 5-years-old and 65-years-old, men and women. A number of Ukrainian men have given accounts of being rounded up by Russian forces and held in detention centers in Russia or the occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine where they were subjected to horrific sexual violence, as reported by Slidstvo.info, a Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet. Quest for justice The UNs special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, has publicly accused Russia of committing war crimes by using rape and other forms of sexual assault as part of its military strategy. Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office has recorded almost 300 cases of sexual violence against Ukrainians by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the majority in the same areas where Daria and Maryna were targeted. Two Russian military personnel have been convicted in absentia and another 42 soldiers charged. Wayne Jordash, a British lawyer assisting Ukrainian prosecutors in investigating crimes by Russian-led forces, said the number of cases of sexual violence recorded by Ukrainian authorities could be the tip of the iceberg. Given what we can see about Russian behavior and the glimpses we see into the investigations, Id be surprised if we werent talking about thousands of cases, he said. Anna Sosonska, a prosecutor who is heading Ukraines war crimes investigations department into sexual violence and also features in the Kyiv Independents documentary, said progress in the pursuit of justice in such cases is not only hampered by the war itself, but by the stigma around rape in Ukraine. Anna Sosonska, Ukrainian prosecutor, head of Ukraines war crimes investigations. Screengrab from the "He Came Back" documentary. (The Kyiv Independent) It is a thread that runs through Marynas own story. She describes how she did not want to report her rape, and that it was her mother who told Ukrainian police. I thought about keeping silent and just forgetting it. (But) my mom could not live in peace, she said. As police have so far been unable to identify her attacker, reporters from the Kyiv Independent pieced together their own evidence. They collected clues from Marynas recollection of the soldiers first name and call sign Synii (which is the Russian and Ukrainian word for blue) interviews with villagers and military personnel, and references on social media to build up a profile of the man alleged to have raped Maryna, a Ukrainian national from the Donetsk Oblast with several criminal convictions, none for rape. The evidence suggested the man Mykola Senenko was a member of the 109th regiment of paramilitary forces from the Russian-controlled part of the Donetsk Oblast. The regiment spent the early weeks after the full-scale invasion stationed across the northern section of the Kherson Oblast, including Marynas village of Krasnivka. A member of the regiment told the Kyiv Independent reporter posing as a Russian investigator that a soldier with the call sign Synii had been caught near a naked girl and been discharged. Maryna said that the same senior officer had offered to execute the soldier in front of her following the rape and she had refused. The village was liberated by Ukrainian troops soon after. Reporters have not been able to locate Senenko, whose social media activity ended in 2020. Maryna and Daria each positively identified men in social media images found by reporters as the soldiers who raped them. Daria said the soldier who raped her gave her his name: Nadbit Dabayev. Reporters confirmed that prosecutors in Ukraine are pursuing four other war crimes cases against Dabayev: one for the murder of a villager, one for the theft of a car, and the other two, brought by Darias family, for stealing Darias fathers car and subjecting the family to a mock execution. The soldier was formally charged with the crimes by the Kyiv Regional Prosecutors Office in April 2023. Daria said rape is not among the charges because she feared exposing her father to the details of what happened to her if she pursued her case in Ukraine. She told reporters she had instead given testimony about the attack to investigators outside Ukraine. Official documents filed by the Security Service of Ukraine when it opened its investigation show Dabayev was serving in the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. The 37th brigade, whose home base is in the Far Eastern Russian republic of Buryatia, led the ground assault on the Kyiv Oblast in the early days of the war. Of the 42 charges of sexual violence brought by Ukrainian prosecutors against Russian forces, 10 relate to soldiers from that brigade. The members of the 37th brigade, whose home base is in the Far Eastern Russian republic of Buryatia. 37th brigade led the ground assault on the Kyiv Oblast in the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion. Screengrab from the "He Came Back" documentary. (The Kyiv Independent) (A second Far Eastern unit, the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, has been accused of war crimes for the massacre of civilians in Bucha, also in the Kyiv Oblast, during the same time period. Russia has been criticized for its disproportionate use of soldiers from minority ethnic groups and disadvantaged communities including the so-called mobilization reserve regiments from Russian-controlled portions of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, which were largely drawn from men with little or no structured military oversight.) Reporters found that Dabayev continued to post pictures of himself in uniform on social media. Contacted directly, he refused to respond to reporters questions about the charges brought against him and the accusation of rape. After the withdrawal from Kyiv Oblast, the 37th brigade was deployed in Kharkiv Oblast. As of February, its commander remained Colonel Yuri Medvedev, who in 2022 received the Order of Courage, one of Russias highest state awards. Under international law, military commanders can be prosecuted for war crimes committed by their subordinates, a legal principle known as command responsibility. In the case of Senenko, reporters determined the 109th regiment was likely under the control of the 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade, a Russian unit headed by Colonel Denis Shyshov. According to Shyshovs profile on the Russian Defense Ministrys website, he participated in Russias offensive in southeastern Ukraine at the start of the invasion. Shyshov received the Hero of Russia award, Russias highest honorary title, in 2022. A civilian car carrying a family of five (including one child) shot by the Russian military in the village of Havronshchyna, Kyiv region, in March 2022. (SOPA Images Limited/Alamy Stock Photo) There is no indication that Medvedev, Shyshov, or any Russian commanders have been held to account for the conduct of subordinates suspected of rape and other violent crimes while serving in Ukraine. The Russian Investigative Committee did not respond to a request to comment from OCCRP. Russia has rejected claims of systemic sexual violence in its conduct of the war in Ukraine. In April, Vasily Nebenzya, Russias permanent representative to the United Nations, accused the UNs Patten of blatant lies and manipulation in her reporting on sexual violence in Ukraine. Russia condemns sexual violence in all forms, he said. I have to live for him Psychologist Potseluieva says that she supports survivors during the process of testifying about the sexual violence they suffered, accompanying them during interviews with prosecutors or police, and calming them afterwards. (Maryna and Daria are not among the survivors she has worked with.) I explain to them why it is important to actually turn to law enforcement. I explain that every recorded crime is one more step towards an international criminal tribunal and that that countrys leaders will be held accountable for everything they have done, she said. Justice in the courts will take time, said British lawyer Jordash. Ukraine doesnt have most of the suspects in custody, and theyre not likely to have those suspects in custody in the very near future, he said. The case files that Sosonska and other prosecutors are painstakingly building are likely to be used for trials in absentia, which Jordash said can serve the purpose of laying a bedrock of truth about Russian military crimes. Meanwhile, Ukraine recently announced it would begin issuing its first-ever reparation payments to up to 500 survivors of wartime rape, a move that the countrys first lady, Olena Zelenska, said was an important step towards restoring justice. Daria, who fled Havronshchyna and spent a year in the relative safety of Uzhhorod on Ukraines western border, says free psychological counseling made available to victims of sexual violence has helped her to transform trauma into strength. She and her boyfriend remain a couple, and she hopes to use her artwork and her experience to help other Ukrainians who have survived brutal attacks. Im gradually trying to spread this information, to show that these crimes exist, she said. I want to be more active and more confident. Of course, its not easy. Its not easy to talk about it publicly, or to talk about it at all. Maryna and her son in the park. Screengrab from the "He Came Back" documentary. (The Kyiv Independent) Maryna has completed training as a pastry chef and dreams of a home surrounded by flowers. She still has trouble sleeping and has also started to work with a counselor. Life revolves around her son, who is now almost 2-years-old. I have a sense of purpose now, I have to live for him, she says. He cant do without me. See all of the Kyiv Independent's investigative documentaries on Russian war crimes here. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The unsaid words that matter most in Noems feud with tribes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks to members of the public at a town hall in Mitchell on March 13, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks to members of the public at a town hall in Mitchell on March 13, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Words matter. And for Gov. Kristi Noem and her relationship with Native American tribes, two words could matter most of all: Im sorry. Ive been thinking about the importance of apologies and their potential value to state-tribal relations since the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe decided to ban the governor from tribal lands. Flandreau was the ninth of nine South Dakota tribes to impose such a ban, which should lead Noem to some pretty serious introspection. I mean, if one or two tribes give you the boot, you might be able to convince yourself that its them. But nine out of nine? Most reasonable people would conclude that its time to reassess. And Noem has reason to reassess, and apologize. She has made some positive outreach to the tribes in some areas but has too often flubbed in others. One of the most damaging flubs was reported by South Dakota Searchlight in March when Noem spoke at a town hall in Mitchell. Noting the high unemployment rates on reservations, Noem said: Their kids dont have any hope. They dont have parents who show up and help them. They have a tribal council or a president who focuses on a political agenda more than they care about actually helping somebodys life look better. Examining Noems cartel claims A four-part series exploring the influence of drug cartels in South Dakota, on and off reservations: Sure, hope can be hard to find in poverty stricken areas. The problems are well known. But Ive covered the reservations for many years and met many Indigenous youth who have hope and believe in themselves and their futures. I believe in them, too. And, sure, some parents on the reservations might not show up for their kids as they should. Plenty of others do, however, sometimes in heroic, inspirational ways. Some tribal leaders might focus, as Noem said, more on politics than helping their people. Many others, however, are working hard for their people against challenges that must sometimes seem insurmountable. Broad-brush rhetoric is usually unfair and often harmful. But Noem wasnt finished using it about tribal officials. The crisis at this nations border with Mexico is a go-to point of rhetoric these days for many Republican politicians, including Noem. Especially Noem, maybe, since she has been pushing so hard for a spot on the Donald Trump team. Noem interweaves her war zone rhetoric about the border (ask someone who lived through combat at Normandy or Khe Sanh or Fallujah how the Mexican border compares as a war zone) with claims about drug cartels operating on reservations in South Dakota. And she did more than just say tribal leaders are failing to address the problem. Weve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefitting from the cartels being here, and thats why they attack me every day, Noem said. Thats Noem doubling down in a Trump sort of way. If youre attacked, or even just feel like youre attacked, attack back, harder. And in this case it was a broad attack of sinister insinuation without offering a speck of proof. Thats an awful way to communicate, especially with Indigenous people who have suffered through generations of abuse and neglect from non-tribal governments and their leaders. The wounds are deep and understandable. Healing takes time, and trust. Indigenous people have rich oral traditions. So words carry great weight and power. They can hurt, as Noems words did, or they can help. And no two words are more helpful than Im sorry. I used those words on the Rosebud Reservation back in 2016 when I was working for KELO-TV and covering a sensitive story about a 22-year-old Rosebud man who was shot and killed by a tribal police officer. Before I set up the camera and microphone and started to do interviews with members of the mans family, I took time to offer my sympathy but also to acknowledge that sometimes the news business had failed Indigenous people in its coverage. I said sometimes I had failed Indigenous people myself. I apologized for that and said I was committed to doing better. After the interviews, family members came up and shook my hand and said how much they appreciated my words of apology. After that I did the same thing a number of other times while covering stories on the reservation, with similar responses. And, in the process, I made some relationships that mattered beyond the news. All because of those two words: Im sorry. Some tribal leaders have already suggested that an apology from the governor could help improve state-tribal relations. She messed up in her rhetoric. We all make mistakes. We should all have a chance to redeem ourselves. But redemption starts with admitting mistakes and showing some humility. Doubling down wont work with tribal leaders and Indigenous people. And it shouldnt work. Theyve had generations of that. They deserve better. When then-Gov. George Mickelson began reconciliation work with tribal leaders in South Dakota in 1990, humility was one of his greatest assets. Pope Francis took a similar sense of humility when he went on a penitential pilgrimage to Canada two years ago to apologize for the Catholic Churchs role in operating boarding schools that abused Indigenous children. Francis said Im sorry, but also went further and said I humbly beg forgiveness for the evils some Catholics committed at those schools. The apology was just part of the churchs broader reconciliation work with Indigenous people in Canada and elsewhere. That work still has a long way to go, but apologies are a crucial beginning. I dont expect Gov. Noem to humbly beg the forgiveness of tribal leaders for her rhetoric. But I hope she can find the courage and humility to offer them those simple-but-powerful words: Im sorry. Who knows where the conversation could go from there. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post The unsaid words that matter most in Noems feud with tribes appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. US humanitarian aid pier off Gaza to halt shipments for third time in a month The U.S. military is once again suspending operations of its pier off Gaza, temporarily moving the floating structure to an Israeli port to ride out high seas and rough waves expected to hit the region in coming days, officials said Friday. It's the latest setback for the ambitious $230 million humanitarian project involving 1,000 US troops and the third time in a month that military officials have had to halt aid deliveries via the pier due to weather. U.S. Central Command, which oversees forces in the region, said relocating the pier was necessary to prevent damage to the structure. "The decision to temporarily relocate the pier is not made lightly but is necessary to ensure the temporary pier can continue to deliver aid in the future," CENTCOM tweeted late Friday. "After the period of expected high seas, the pier will be rapidly re-anchored to the coast of Gaza and resume delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza." PHOTO: A truck carries humanitarian aid across Trident Pier, a temporary pier to deliver aid, off the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near the Gaza coast, May 19, 2024. (U.S. Army Central via Reuters) MORE: US military pier to deliver humanitarian aid repaired, reconnected to Gaza beach Complicating the matter is that humanitarian aid that has been transported ashore via the pier is being held at a nearby facility after the United Nations suspended deliveries last week due to security concerns. The U.N. said Friday it does not have a timeline for when distribution might resume. The difficulties come as time is running out for the U.S. to make use of the temporary pier, which was initially slated as a 90-day project that would likely lose its ability to transit aid at the end of August, when heightened sea levels and more frequent storms would force military officials to take it down. Announced by President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address in March, the project was supposed to bring some two million meals a day into hunger-stricken Gaza while Israeli officials held up aid trucks at ground crossings, citing security concerns that some of the aid could reach Hamas. PHOTO: A truck carries humanitarian aid across Trident Pier, a temporary pier to deliver aid, off the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near the Gaza coast, May 19, 2024. (U.S. Army Central/Handout via Reuters) MORE: US aid pier to be moved from Gaza for repairs after damage from rough seas CENTCOM on Friday said that more than 3,500 metric tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered via the pier so far, with about 1,000 tons of that delivered in the past two days. U.S. officials have acknowledged that much of that aid hasn't made it to its distribution points. Still, they say the pier has been key in moving ashore much-needed aid that wouldn't otherwise arrive and is intended to augment, not replace, aid moving via ground crossings. While it's the third time the U.S. military has paused shipments coming across the pier, it's the second time the system called Joint Logistics over the Shore, or JLOTS has been relocated. The first time the pier was relocated, it had broken apart in rough weather and needed repairs. This time, the pier is being disassembled and moved as a precautionary measure to prevent damage. The sputtering start has riled Republican critics who have called the pier an impractical political endeavor, rather than a serious foreign aid program. "So far, the only accomplishment has been an increase in cost and risk for the 1,000 U.S. deployed troops," tweeted Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. GOP Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, this week called the project an "irresponsible pier experiment" that needs to be "immediately terminated before catastrophe occurs." Citing the three service members who were injured while working on the pier, along with damaged Army vessels that ran aground, Rogers called it a waste of money and "an embarrassment for the administration." "This operation has failed and was never based in reality," he said in a statement. The Pentagon has defended the program as necessary to address a dire humanitarian situation. "It's pretty important for the people that are suffering right now ... to get whatever aid they can by whatever means," Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters in May when the pier was temporarily inoperable. "If you want to characterize it as a failure, I leave it to you. What I can tell you is that we dont control the weather." US humanitarian aid pier off Gaza to halt shipments for third time in a month originally appeared on abcnews.go.com US imposes sanctions on Nordic Resistance Movement in fight against white supremacy FILE PHOTO: Members of the Neo-nazi Nordic Resistance Movement march through the town of Ludvika By Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement and several of its leaders, designating them terrorists as Washington seeks to combat violent white supremacy, the U.S. State Department said. The action designates Sweden-based NRM and three of its leaders as "specially designated global terrorists," the State Department said in a statement. NRM is the largest neo-Nazi group in Sweden and has branches in Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland, where it has been banned since 2020, according to the statement. "The United States remains deeply concerned about the racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist threat worldwide and is committed to countering the transnational components of violent white supremacy," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "NRMs violent activity is based on its openly racist, anti-immigrant, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQI+ platform," he added. The State Department said members and leaders of the group have carried out violent attacks against political opponents, protesters, journalists and others, and have also taken steps to collect and prepare weapons and explosive materials and organized training in violent tactics, including knife fighting. Friday's action freezes any of the group's U.S. assets and generally bars Americans from dealing with it. U.S. President Joe Biden has railed against white supremacy while in office. He frequently says the "Unite the Right" white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 made him decide that he should run for president in 2020. The rally followed months of protests over the city's plan to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. In 2021, Biden launched the first-ever U.S. National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism that included resources to identify and prosecute threats and new deterrents to prevent Americans from joining dangerous groups. Biden has also called on Congress to do more to hold social media companies accountable for spreading hate. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A policy group led by the United Steelworkers union and domestic manufacturers is calling for the U.S. to enact stronger trade barriers to Chinese imports after President Joe Biden imposed steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, solar panels and other strategic goods. The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) on Friday published a report on China's excess industrial capacity that echoes concerns raised by the Biden administration and U.S. allies in recent months, saying quick action was needed to stem a rising tide of cheap and subsidized exports that threatens U.S. jobs. The group called for the return of a long-expired import surge protection tool that was created when Beijing joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, the event that turned China into a global export powerhouse. The so-called Section 421 safeguard was designed to allow the U.S. to impose temporary tariffs to ease market disruptions caused by surges of imports from China's low-cost manufacturing base that was welcomed into the global trading system 23 years ago. The idea was to give domestic industries some breathing room as China transitioned to a market economy with a more level playing field - a transition that never came. Section 421 was invoked only once, in 2009 by then-President Barack Obama, at the request of the United Steelworkers, whose members were being laid off by U.S. tire plants hit by a flood of Chinese imports. The action temporarily raised the tariff rate on Chinese tires to up to 35% from the 4% WTO rate, but Section 421 expired in 2013. With new import surges threatened in new industries including EVs, solar and semiconductors, as well as continuing surges in older sectors such as steel, glass and tires, Section 421 should be revived and modernized, AAM said. "Beijing has failed to abide by its WTO commitments and remains a non-market economy," AAM said in the report. "It's state-driven support for critical sectors is causing massive overcapacity and threatens import surges in the United States, necessitating the reinstatement of the Section 421 tool," AAM said in the report. It called for changes to allow such duties on Chinese import surges from plants in third countries, such as Mexico or Vietnam and a faster process to impose the tariffs before permanent damage to U.S. output is done. It also said the relief options should be broader and longer in duration. The U.S. Trade Representative's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the AAM recommendations. Story continues The report laid out job losses and plant closures in the U.S. paper, glass, steel and tire industries caused by Chinese imports, and said that the U.S. needs a more proactive approach to avoid a repeat in newer sectors. Excess capacity is a "feature, not a bug" of China's state-driven economic model, it said. G7 CONFRONTS CHINA The recommendations were published as leaders of the Group of Seven industrial democracies met in southern Italy and pledged in a joint statement to protect their industries from China's "unfair practices". It also follows this week's decision by European Union officials to impose punitive tariffs of 17.4% to 38.1% on Chinese EVs to combat a finding of excessive government subsidies for the sector. AAM President Scott Paul said he was encouraged by the U.S. and EU tariff actions, calling Biden's move a watershed moment to get out in front of China's overcapacity at a time when Washington is investing heavily in a new energy transition. The European tariffs show that Biden "is not alone in his concerns about China's EV overcapacity and subsidies. This is validation that there are widespread concerns about Beijing's policies and practices." Among other protections, the group recommended several steps aimed at countering China's circumvention of U.S. tariffs by shifting production to third countries such as Mexico and Vietnam, including passing proposed legislation to strengthen U.S. anti-dumping and anti-subsidy laws to cover production from third-country investments, and strengthening rules of origin requirements in U.S. free trade agreements to exclude Chinese content. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Stephen Coates and David Gregorio) An HSC-7 helicopter lands on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon in the Red Sea, Wednesday on June 12, 2024. The U.S.-led campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels has turned into the most intense running sea battle the Navy has faced since World War II. That's what its leaders and experts tell The Associated Press, whose journalists visited U.S. ships off Yemen in recent days. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) ABOARD THE USS LABOON IN THE RED SEA (AP) The U.S. Navy prepared for decades to potentially fight the Soviet Union, then later Russia and China, on the world's waterways. But instead of a global power, the Navy finds itself locked in combat with a shadowy, Iran-backed rebel group based in Yemen. The U.S.-led campaign against the Houthi rebels, overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, has turned into the most intense running sea battle the Navy has faced since World War II, its leaders and experts told The Associated Press. The combat pits the Navy's mission to keep international waterways open against a group whose former arsenal of assault rifles and pickup trucks has grown into a seemingly inexhaustible supply of drones, missiles and other weaponry. Near-daily attacks by the Houthis since November have seen more than 50 vessels clearly targeted, while shipping volume has dropped in the vital Red Sea corridor that leads to the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean. The Houthis say the attacks are aimed at stopping the war in Gaza and supporting the Palestinians, though it comes as they try to strengthen their position in Yemen. All signs suggest the warfare will intensify putting U.S. sailors, their allies and commercial vessels at more risk. I don't think people really understand just kind of how deadly serious it is what we're doing and how under threat the ships continue to be, Cmdr. Eric Blomberg with the USS Laboon told the AP on a visit to his warship on the Red Sea. We only have to get it wrong once," he said. "The Houthis just have to get one through. Seconds to act The pace of the fire can be seen on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, where the paint around the hatches of its missile pods has been burned away from repeated launches. Its sailors sometimes have seconds to confirm a launch by the Houthis, confer with other ships and open fire on an incoming missile barrage that can move near or beyond the speed of sound. It is every single day, every single watch, and some of our ships have been out here for seven-plus months doing that," said Capt. David Wroe, the commodore overseeing the guided missile destroyers. One round of fire on Jan. 9 saw the Laboon, other vessels and F/A-18s from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower shoot down 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis. Nearly every day aside from a slowdown during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan the Houthis launch missiles, drones or some other type of attack in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the waterways and separates Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. The Navy saw periods of combat during the Tanker Wars of the 1980s in the Persian Gulf, but that largely involved ships hitting mines. The Houthi assaults involve direct attacks on commercial vessels and warships. This is the most sustained combat that the U.S. Navy has seen since World War II easily, no question, said Bryan Clark, a former Navy submariner and a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. Were sort of on the verge of the Houthis being able to mount the kinds of attacks that the U.S. cant stop every time, and then we will start to see substantial damage. If you let it fester, the Houthis are going to get to be a much more capable, competent, experienced force. Dangers at sea and in the air While the Eisenhower appears to largely stay at a distance, destroyers like the Laboon spend six out of seven days near or off Yemen the weapons engagement zone, in Navy speak. Sea combat in the Mideast remains risky, something the Navy knows well. In 1987, an Iraqi fighter jet fired missiles that struck the USS Stark, a frigate on patrol in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war, killing 37 sailors and nearly sinking the vessel. There's also the USS Cole, targeted in 2000 by boat-borne al-Qaida suicide bombers during a refueling stop in Yemen's port city of Aden, which killed 17 on board. AP journalists saw the Cole patrolling the Red Sea with the Laboon on Wednesday, the same day the Houthis launched a drone-boat attack against a commercial ship there that disabled the vessel. That commercial ship was abandoned on Friday and left adrift and unlit in the Red Sea, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, the Navys commander for its Carrier Strike Group Two, which includes the Eisenhower and supporting ships, said the Navy had taken out one underwater bomb-carrying drone launched by the Houthis as well during the campaign. We currently have pretty high confidence that not only is Iran providing financial support, but theyre providing intelligence support, Miguez said. We know for a fact the Houthis have also gotten training to target maritime shipping and target U.S. warships. Asked if the Navy believed Iran picks targets for the Houthis, Miguez would only say there was collaboration between Tehran and the rebels. He also noted Iran continues to arm the Houthis, despite U.N. sanctions blocking weapons transfers to them. Iran's mission to the United Nations told the AP that Tehran "is adept at thwarting the U.S. strategy in a way that not only strengthens (the Houthis) but also ensures compliance with the pertinent resolutions. The risk isn't just on the water. The U.S.-led campaign has carried out numerous airstrikes targeting Houthi positions inside Yemen, including what the U.S. military describes as radar stations, launch sites, arsenals and other locations. One round of U.S. and British strikes on May 30 killed at least 16 people, the deadliest attack acknowledged by the rebels. The Eisenhower's air crews have dropped over 350 bombs and fired 50 missiles at targets in the campaign, said Capt. Marvin Scott, who oversees all the air group's aircraft. Meanwhile, the Houthis apparently have shot down multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones with surface-to-air missile systems. The Houthis also have surface-to-air capabilities that we have significantly degraded, but they are still present and still there, Scott said. We're always prepared to be shot at by the Houthis. A stalemated war Officers acknowledge some grumbling among their crew, wondering why the Navy doesn't strike harder against the Houthis. The White House hasn't discussed the Houthi campaign at the same level as negotiations over the Israel-Hamas war. There are several likely reasons. The U.S. has been indirectly trying to lower tensions with Iran, particularly after Tehran launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel and now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Meanwhile, there's the Houthis themselves. The rebel group has battled a Saudi-led coalition into a stalemate in a wider war that's killed more than 150,000 people, including civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. The U.S. directly fighting the Houthis is something the leaders of the Zaydi Shiite group likely want. Their motto long has been God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam. Combating the U.S. and siding publicly with the Palestinians has some in the Mideast praising the rebels. While the U.S. and European partners patrol the waterways, Saudi Arabia largely has remained quiet, seeking a peace deal with the Houthis. Reports suggest some Mideast nations have asked the U.S. not to launch attacks on the Houthis from their soil, making the Eisenhower's presence even more critical. The carrier has had its deployment extended, while its crew has had only one port call since its deployment a week after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Meanwhile, the Houthi attacks continue to depress shipping through the region. Revenue for Egypt from the Suez Canal a key source of hard currency for its struggling economy has halved since the attacks began. AP journalists saw a single commercial ship moving through the once-busy waterway. It's almost a ghost town, Blomberg acknowledged. ___ Follow AP's coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war The USS Helena, a fast-attack nuclear submarine, surfaced in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a day after Russian naval forces arrived in Havana to conduct drills with the island nation, a Russian ally. In a statement posted on X, US Southern Command said, The fast-attack submarine USS Helena is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as part of a routine port visit as it transits the U.S. Southern Command geographic area of responsibility while conducting its global maritime security and national defense mission. The specific movements of Navy submarines are highly classified and are rarely disclosed publicly. The Pentagon has reiterated the presence of the Russian flotilla, despite its being 90 miles from the coast of Florida, does not pose a threat to the security of the United States. Navy destroyers, as well as P-8 submarine hunting aircraft, tracked the movements of the Russian ships as they made their way south off the east coast of the United States. People watch a ship belonging to the Russian Navy flotilla arrive at the port of Havana on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Havana, Cuba. - Yander Zamora/Anadolu/Getty Images Weve been tracking the Russians plans for this. This is not a surprise. Weve seen them do this these type of port calls before, and these are, you know, routine naval visits that weve seen under different administrations, said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh. She added, Were always, constantly going to monitor any foreign vessels operating near US territorial waters. We of course take it seriously, but these exercises dont pose a threat to the United States. The Norfolk-based USS Helena is a Los Angeles-class, fast-attack, nuclear-powered submarine, first commissioned in the 1980s. It is designed to surveil and respond to threats globally. The USS Pasadena, another Los-Angeles class fast attack submarine, stopped in Guantanamo Bay last July, sparking furor from the Cuban government, which called it an escalation. The Pentagon said the current visit of a Russian submarine to Cuba was at least in part a response to last years visit of a US submarine. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A general view of vandalized and abandoned humanitarian aid trucks at the separation wall, which were on their way to the Gaza Strip. The US government on Friday imposed sanctions on the radical Israeli group Tzav 9 for targeting aid supplies sent to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The US government on Friday imposed sanctions on the radical Israeli group Tzav 9 for targeting aid supplies sent to Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. "For months, individuals from Tzav 9 have repeatedly sought to thwart the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including by blockading roads, sometimes violently, along their route from Jordan to Gaza, including in the West Bank," the State Department said in a statement. "They also have damaged aid trucks and dumped life-saving humanitarian aid onto the road." Department spokesman Matthew Miller cited an incident on May 13, when Tzav 9 members looted and set fire to two trucks near Hebron in the West Bank carrying life-saving aid to Gaza. The provision of humanitarian aid is crucial to reduce the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip, Miller stressed. "The Government of Israel has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian convoys transiting Israel and the West Bank enroute to Gaza," he said. "We will not tolerate acts of sabotage and violence targeting this essential humanitarian assistance." As a result of the sanctions, any assets of those affected in the US are frozen. US citizens or people who are in the United States are prohibited from doing business with the sanctioned companies and individuals. The sanctions also make international business far more difficult for those subjected to them. (Bloomberg) -- National Security Council officials briefed members of Congress on a long-sought nuclear technology-sharing deal with Saudi Arabia that could let American companies build reactors in the kingdom, lawmakers said. Most Read from Bloomberg Members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee received a classified briefing on the contours of the deal on Tuesday, Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat who serves on the panel said in an interview. A senior US official said last month the agreement was basically complete after years of negotiations. While it could boost Westinghouse Electric Co. and other American nuclear companies, it has alarmed nonproliferation experts and some members of Congress who worry it could allow the Saudis to enrich spent uranium into weapons-grade material. I fear that Saudi Arabia a nation with a terrible human rights record cannot be trusted to use its civil nuclear energy program solely for peaceful purposes and will instead enrich uranium and seek to develop nuclear weapons, Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, wrote in a letter last month to President Joe Biden. Past nuclear technology-sharing agreements with countries such as Japan have explicitly barred the enrichment and reprocessing of spent uranium. The senior US official said the Saudi deal includes non-proliferation elements and was drafted with input from the Defense Department, the Energy Department and the State Department. A spokesman for the National Security Council didnt respond to a request for comment. Once a deal is reached, Congress would have 90 legislative days to pass a veto-proof law rejecting the agreement or adding conditions to it before the measure comes into force automatically, said Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. --With assistance from Justin Sink and Roxana Tiron. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff will be in Norcross on Friday morning to deliver expanded vision care for metro Atlanta children and others across Georgia. According to a release from the senators office, Ossoff will be attending the event with Gwinnett County families, local leaders and nonprofit Vision to Learn to announce new federal funding for vision care in the state. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The event itself will be held at the Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library System on Buford Highway. Vision to Learn provides vision screenings, eye exams and glasses for children in underserved communities at no cost to children or families. TRENDING STORIES: At the Norcross event, Ossoffs office said children will receive and get to try on new glasses for the first time, all provided by Vision to Learn at no cost. Ossoff will also discuss a bipartisan effort to deliver $400,000 to expand vision care in Georiga from the federal governments funding package this year. Vision to Learn will use the funds to purchase and equip a mobile vision clinic, according to Ossoffs office, to expand access to eye exams and glasses to children throughout the state. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The U.S. Navy has sent a nuclear-powered submarine to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after a fleet of Russian warships and a submarine reached the island Wednesday ahead of planned military exercises. The USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, arrived at the waters near the U.S. base on Thursday, U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) said in a statement on social platform X. The stop is part of a routine port visit as the submarine transits through the Southcom region, the command said. It said the vessels location and transit were previously planned. The Russian nuclear-powered submarine the Kazan, the Russian frigate Gorshkov, fleet oil tanker Pashin, and a rescue tug Nikolay Chiker are expected to stay in Cuba through the weekend before anticipated air and naval exercises in the Caribbean. The drills are seen as a show of force amid tensions over Western aid to Ukraine. Biden administration officials have said the exercises are not considered a threat to the U.S., but the Navy has sent several of its ships to shadow the Russian vessels. Those include two Navy destroyers and two ships towing sonar equipment meant to track the submarine. Another destroyer, a Coast Guard cutter and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft are shadowing the Kremlin ships. Weve been tracking the Russians plans for this. This is not a surprise, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Wednesday when asked about the Russian war games. Weve seen them do this, these type of port calls before. She said the U.S. military is always, constantly going to monitor any foreign vessels operating near U.S. territorial waters, adding that while the Pentagon takes the drills seriously, they dont pose a threat to the United States. The Russian exercises come less than two weeks after President Biden gave Ukraine partial permission to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike targets inside Russia near the border, a move meant to protect Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. Singh said it wouldnt come as a surprise to see more Russian activity around the United States. The U.S. military believes the Kremlin vessels could stop in Venezuela, another ally of Moscow, and could remain in the region through the summer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US submarine enters Cuban bay after arrival of Russian warships there A US Navy submarine has entered Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force after four Russian warships entered the port of Havana. Source: European Pravda, citing ABC News Details: The US Southern Command reported that the USS Helena nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine entered waters near a US base in Cuba on Thursday just a day after a Russian frigate, nuclear submarine, oil tanker, and rescue tug entered Havana Bay after exercises in the Atlantic Ocean. The stop is part of "routine naval visits," the command said. Other US vessels are also tracking and monitoring the Russian exercises. The drills come less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory. Russian leader Vladimir Putin suggested at the time that his military could respond with "asymmetric steps" anywhere in the world. Background: Russia is a long-standing ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft periodically make sorties to the Caribbean. The White House and the Pentagon have said that they see no military threats related to the arrival of Russian warships in the port of Havana. Earlier, US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement aimed at strengthening Kyiv's defence capabilities. Support UP or become our patron! The News The US Supreme Court Fridaystruck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, devices that allow semiautomatic rifles to fire hundreds of bullets per minute, essentially turning them into machine guns. The Trump administration had issued the ban after a gunman in Las Vegas used a bump stock in 2017 to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in the nations history; 58 were killed and hundreds more injured. In the 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the majority disagreed with the Biden administrations stance that bump stocks fit the legal definition of machine guns, which have been banned since 1986. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Court opinion reflects political dysfunction in gun legislation Sources: The Trace, CNN, The Washington Post While the ruling could curtail some of the powers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to regulate guns, the Supreme Court could have dealt a far bigger blow to agency, law professor Eric Ruben told The Trace, a nonprofit that reports on gun violence. The decision still leaves in place bump stock bans in 17 states and the District of Columbia, meaning Congress could act quickly to implement nationwide bans. Conservative efforts to overturn firearm restrictions have resulted in a messy, unsettled landscape for gun regulations, The Washington Post reported, and this ruling, Ruben said, reflects the political dysfunction when it comes to gun law. Decisions underscores conservative effort to rein in federal agencies Sources: The Independent, Politico This decision highlights the Supreme Courts skepticism of administrative agencies, law professor Adam Winkler said, a theme across cases before the court in recent years. However, the courts pending decision in a case challenging a legal doctrine that has long empowered federal regulators and angered conservatives has the potential of being one of the most destabilizing decisions that this court has issued, argued James Goodwin, an analyst at leftwing think tank Center for Progressive Reform. If the court strikes down the precedent known as the Chevron deference, it could severely stunt the power of federal agencies, Politico wrote. CHICAGO The United States Postal Inspection Service is offering a significant reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of three people they say robbed a carrier at gunpoint earlier this week. A release from the agency offered a reward of up to $150,000 in connection with Tuesdays robbery near North Pine and West Race avenues in the citys Austin neighborhood. The three robbers ran northbound on Pine Avenue after the 3:30 p.m. attack, the release said. A brief video that accompanied the release shows what appears to be three young people running around a fenced corner. At least two of them can be seen with packages. The robbers were described as three Black males between the ages of 18 and 20 years. All wore black pants and black hoodies. One of the hoodies had a large gold emblem on the back. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, the USPIS release said. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the USPIS at 877-876-2455. The case number is 4325936. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A Utah man was the first to fly across the country in a single day. Now a USU grad student plans to retrace the journey, exactly 100 years later SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) On June 23, 1924, Russell L. Maughan, of Logan, Utah, became the first person to fly from one coast of the country to the other in a single day. The pioneering flight from New York City to San Francisco, with several refueling stops in between took more than 21 hours. It was changing colors: Utah teen snaps photo of iridescent cloud over desert hills Now, a century later, 26-year-old Nathan Hoch, who currently lives in Logan, is planning to retrace Maughans flight path, paying tribute to one of his personal heroes. Not many people plan these wild, disjointed trips just for some historic sake, he said, describing the plan as a hare-brained idea he thought up a few months ago. Yet, he committed to the trip when he found a flight for the last leg of the journey that lands in San Francisco within minutes of when Maughan completed his historic flight. I found a commercial flight that lands at 9:50 p.m., which is exactly 100 years after he landed in San Francisco, Hoch said. Russell L. Maughan with his family in 1923. (credit: Smithsonian Institution) Maughans flight was a dawn-to-dusk venture. Per the National Museum of the United States Air Force, he took off in a PW-8 plane at first light and raced the sun across the country. Maughan stopped five times to refuel. The total journey took 21 hours and 48 and-a-half minutes. For Hoch, his journey will not be in one day. He plans to leave on June 19 and complete it on June 23. Hoch is retracing the flight path through a mix of commercial flights and interstate drives, as some locations in the middle of the country are hard to get to with commercial aviation. The first flight will bring Hoch to Dayton, Ohio. The next lands him in Kansas City, Missouri. After that, its a drive to North Platte, Nebraska, followed by another drive to Cheyenne, Wyoming. After that, hell roll into Denver and fly to Salt Lake City, where his wife will drive him to Utahs West Desert, which was one of Maughans more remote refueling stops. Theres nothing there, Hoch said. They just picked it because its flat, featureless terrain. An easy place to land. Russell L. Maughan lands to refuel in Utahs West Desert on his historic dawn-to-dusk flight. (credit: Smithsonian Institution) The last leg of Hochs trip will take him from Salt Lake to San Francisco on June 23, where hell land within moments of the 100-year anniversary of his heros history-making accomplishment. While Hoch has long been interested in aviation history, he only learned about Maughan a few years ago while doing his undergraduate studies at USU. On campus, there is a monument to Maughan, who is in the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame. Along with making the first single-day cross-country flight across America, Maughan also served with distinction in WWI. He was a fighter pilot and shot down four enemy aircraft, so thats one shy of being an ace, Hoch said. When he was a student at USU, Hoch showed his then-girlfriend the monument to Maughan. She wasnt turned off by his enthusiasm for the Utah pilot, who died 66 years ago. Shes now my wife, Hoch said, adding that she was a bit unsure about his trip at first. So its going to be a Fathers Day gift for me. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Members of UTEPs Sun City Rocket Team gave KTSM a behind-the-scenes look at their engineering project on Thursday, June 13. Members also gave us a look at their lab space before the 2024 Spaceport America Cup, which is the worlds largest student rocketry competition. UTEP says this will be the teams third time participating in the international tournament and will be moving up from the 10,000 feet category and will make their inaugural entry in the 30,000 feet class. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A longtime lawyer for the city of Los Angeles has accused City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto, pictured in 2022, of legal and ethical violations. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) A veteran city prosecutor filed a legal claim on Thursday accusing her boss, Los Angeles City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto, of retaliating against her for reporting "legal and ethical violations." Michelle McGinnis, who until April was head of the city attorney's criminal branch, alleged in the claim that Feldstein Soto based some decisions about who should be prosecuted on "personal relationships" or "perceived political gain." At one point, Feldstein Soto told McGinnis that she wanted the office to stop prosecuting corporate defendants, according to the claim. At another, Feldstein Soto singled out a protester for prosecution without following proper law enforcement procedures, the claim stated. "When McGinnis objected that the office was both legally and ethically prohibited from making such prosecution decisions, she was subjected to a series of adverse employment actions and ultimately placed on administrative leave, removed from the office, and prohibited from further contact with office colleagues and employees," attorney Matthew McNicholas, whose firm is representing McGinnis, wrote in the claim. McNicholas said in a statement that McGinnis was also subjected to a "barrage of retaliatory actions" after she reported various other issues within the office, including mishandling of grant funds, discriminatory treatment of co-workers and "inappropriate alcohol consumption" in the workplace by Feldstein Soto and Denise Mills, a chief deputy city attorney. On April 22, McGinnis was escorted out of the building in front of her colleagues, forced to hand over her laptop and placed on administrative leave, according to the claim. McGinnis, first hired by the city in 1993, is seeking at least $1 million from the city, saying she sustained economic and non-economic damages, as well as harm to her reputation. Ivor Pine, a spokesperson for Feldstein Soto, said in an email that the city attorney's office does not comment on pending litigation, "in keeping with the established practice" of the office. "We also do not comment on personnel matters, internal investigations or potential disciplinary proceedings," he said. "We have not reviewed the claims against this office, but the allegations below that you describe ... are untrue," Pine added. The claim could pose a serious political threat to Feldstein Soto, who was elected in 2022 and is not yet halfway into her first four-year term. She has already faced criticism over her decision to sue a journalist who obtained records on Los Angeles police officers and her push for legislation that would weaken the state public records law. The city attorney's office has dual roles, representing the city in a wide array of legal matters while also prosecuting misdemeanor crimes. In her claim, McGinnis said she repeatedly heard Feldstein Soto express a desire to stop prosecuting corporate defendants saying on several occasions that "a single misdemeanor was the downfall of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm. McGinnis said she responded by providing a memo to Feldstein Soto explaining the "appropriate" legal basis for charging corporate defendants, to ensure the city complied with the law. In another incident, according to the claim, Feldstein Soto directed McGinnis to prosecute a person whom Feldstein Soto believed she had seen in a video of a protest late last year outside the Westside home of "an Israeli lobbyist." The claim did not identify the lobbyist or the person at the protest. McGinnis said she responded by telling Feldstein Soto that law enforcement needed to investigate first and warned that taking immediate action would "compromise any ultimate prosecution," according to the claim. Feldstein Soto also made statements indicating that certain cases should not be prosecuted because they "would adversely affect [her] political career," the claim alleged. McGinnis is one of several employees in Feldstein Soto's office who have filed claims alleging they faced retaliation for reporting misconduct. In January, Deputy City Atty. David Bozanich filed a claim seeking $1 million in damages, saying that higher-ups retaliated against him after he reported that the office was violating federal policies on storing digital evidence. Bozanich said he was punished for engaging in "protected whistleblower disclosure activity." In February, the city attorney's office denied Bozanich's claim. He still has several weeks to file a response. In April, another employee in Feldstein Soto's office filed a legal claim, alleging he was retaliated against for identifying what he said were acts of racial discrimination. Sean C. Tyler, an administrative coordinator, accused the office of engaging in "disparate treatment of people" in hiring and promotions. Tyler, who also described himself as a whistleblower, is seeking $10 million. He said in his claim that he was hired to work in the office's data center on Jan. 25, only to have the job offer rescinded roughly two weeks later after he had already accepted the position and started work. In his filing, Tyler said he also voiced concerns that Feldstein Soto's office was out of compliance with laws regulating access to sensitive law enforcement information. Tyler, who still works in the city attorney's office, confirmed to The Times that he had filed a claim. He declined to provide further comment. Of the three claims, the filing by McGinnis is by far the most detailed. Her lawyers said that in February, she emailed Feldstein Soto a draft memo on Conflicts of Interest and Ethical Considerations, which was aimed at ensuring compliance with ethical rules. Feldstein Soto initiated a meeting with McGinnis a few days later, according to the claim. During that meeting, Feldstein Soto began "pounding on the desk in a rage," screaming and "making statements to the effect of 'how dare you accuse me,' " the claim stated. McGinnis was criticized by higher-ups in front of her colleagues, accused of being incompetent and subjected to heightened scrutiny, according to the claim. McGinnis also alleged that on one occasion, Feldstein Soto instructed her to "dismiss a corporate officer from a criminal case." In the claim, McGinnis did not name the corporate officer but said she believed Feldstein Soto gave the instruction because she had an existing relationship with the officer or the corporation. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Atlanta on Friday for the first of two visits in less than a week. The vice president will be speaking at attending part of the 100 Black Men of Americas 38th Annual Conference as part of her national Economic Opportunity Tour in the afternoon. She landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during Channel 2 Action News at Noon. While Harris is expected to arrive ahead of her afternoon speaking engagement at the conference, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Councilwoman Collier Overstreet will be attending a campaign event to kick off President Joe Biden and Harris senior citizen community campaign, Seniors For Biden. According to the seniors event advisory, the event will see speakers pushing back on recent comments the campaign said were attacks by former President Donald Trump on Social Security and Medicare and highlighting the administrations efforts to help senior citizens. As previously reported by Channel 2 Action News, Harris will be back in Atlanta early next week with rapper Quavo to discuss preventing gun violence at the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of being on the Stevenage factory floor of MBDA, the British defence contractor which manufactures the Storm Shadow missile. The weapon, individually hand-made by engineers at the site, has more than any other weapon helped Ukraine in its battle with Vladimir Putins forces, not least in wresting control of the Black Sea. I had seen Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not long before that visit. He thanked me directly for the British military aid that has been so fundamental in protecting Ukraine, keeping it in the battle against the invading Russian forces, and saving Ukrainian lives. I will be honest, when I passed on the Presidents thanks to the staff at MBDA, I felt both emotional and immensely proud of the military support we have been able to provide to a fellow European democratic nation in its darkest hour. The sight of Barclays Bank branches from Glasgow to Brighton being violently targeted by protestors this week brought home the warped logic of opponents of the UK defence industry. These attacks, which saw banks daubed with paint and windows shattered, were the work of both climate action groups and Pro-Palestinian activists. This picture has become depressingly familiar in recent years, but the fusing of these two issues has given it added menace. Why should a Barclays employee fear going to work in the morning? Just because, among a huge portfolio, the investment side of their bank holds stock in some of the most important UK companies? We have seen similar sentiment affecting literary festivals, though without the violence, where pressure has forced companies to pull out. Protesters have forced the exit of investment firm Baillie Gifford, a long standing supporter of the arts scene, because of its small investment in fossil fuel and Israeli companies, including in the defence sector. We have even seen it at the Ministry of Defence, with yobs defacing its historic building in Whitehall because of a misplaced belief that the Government sends offensive weapons to Israel. I acknowledge that people feel strongly on these issues and I accept completely the right to protest. But the idea that it is unethical to invest in defence, particularly here in the UK where we are a world leader, is simply wrong. These companies help protect this country and our allies. At a time of such global insecurity, the ability to defend ourselves and keep the peace has never been more important. In fact, as I have said before, it would be immoral for investors to turn away from defence companies, which support more than 200,000 jobs across the country. Such is the strength of this industry that Ukraine has been able to count the UK among its strongest allies over the past two years as it fights Russian aggression. Deriding it puts freedom at stake. A strong UK defence industry is the bedrock of our national security, protecting the supply of equipment that our service personnel use to protect us, the weapons we need to deter our enemies, and the ability to support our allies Armed Forces. The vast majority of people in this country understand why defence firms are so vital, and why banks including Barclays should be wholeheartedly backed. They should not be subject to ill-informed intimidation and violence. There is always a place for reasoned debate and protest. Democracy depends on it. But too often right now we are seeing vicious, ugly attacks on lawful businesses and institutions that are the exact opposite of what democracy should be. Rt Hon Grant Shapps is secretary of state for defence Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) A man who was found deceased in the ocean near Moran Beach in Santa Cruz during a heat wave was identified by law enforcement officials. Hans Materne, 45, of Atlanta, Georgia, entered the water nearby to go swimming on the afternoon of June 5, Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Ashley Keehn told KRON4. Maternes wife, Astrid Restrepo, wrote on a GoFundMe page, Hans decided to jump into the ocean from the top of the cliff next to the beach. I lost my husband, the father of my daughter, and my other half. Harbor patrol officers pulled the victims body out of the ocean after witnesses spotted him floating in the water. He was unconscious and not breathing. Hans Materne (Image courtesy GoFundMe) Restrepo said Materne had spent the warm day enjoying time off from work by relaxing on the beach. When Materne jumped from the cliff, there was a high surf advisory in effect for powerful waves and the tide at Moran Beach was approaching high tide. This jump would cost him his life. The high current levels in the ocean kept him from emerging safely. Now, he is not able to return home to us, the grieving wife wrote. Emergency responders were unable to revive the victim. Girl, 11, drowns in Alameda Creek by flow control structure A sheriffs coroner conducted an autopsy and routine toxicology test to determine Maternes official cause of death. Toxicology tests are still pending, Keehn said on Friday. There is no foul play suspected, she said. Restrepo said donations raised through the GoFundMe page will be used to honor Hans life and transport his body back to Atlanta for funeral services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. (Bloomberg) -- Vietnams new President To Lam is looking to gradually expand security and defense ties with the US, he said during a Thursday meeting with US Ambassador Marc Knapper in Hanoi. Most Read from Bloomberg Vietnam and the US should step up cooperation in areas such as cyber security, preventing terrorism and transnational crimes, Lam said, according to a statement on Vietnams government website. Vietnam last week demanded that a Chinese naval survey ship, the Hai Yang 26, stop illegal activities in Vietnams waters, according to a statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, citing spokesperson Pham Thu Hang during a June 6 briefing. The president proposed the two nations further increase bilateral ties in areas such as trade and investment, according to the statement. Lam also sought continued US assistance to help Vietnam deal with climate change and the consequences of the war between the two countries. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. (Graham Moomaw/Virginia Mercury) For much of the past week, some Virginia political leaders have been conveying a message that the General Assembly will undo a recent policy change that angered military families. But it became clear Thursday that the state Senate and House of Delegates havent agreed yet on a way out of the controversy surrounding the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. The program waives college tuition expenses for spouses and children of military members who were killed or severely disabled as a result of their service. Senate leaders announced their chamber will return to Richmond on June 18, which is 10 days before the June 28 date the House had already selected. That schedule raises numerous logistical questions about what might happen if the two legislative chambers meet on different days to try to pass different bills on the same topic. Participation in the VMSDEP program has spiked over the past five years, sparking concern among higher ed leaders that they were being asked to educate a growing number of students for free. The General Assemblys attempt to reduce those costs by putting limits on the program has drawn fiery opposition from veterans groups. And the public pushback has forced political leaders into a difficult choice over whether to retreat or stand firm on the need to quickly address VMSDEPs growing financial impact. The recent revisions to the program impose a stricter Virginia residency requirement, prevents the waivers from being used for advanced degrees or a second undergraduate degree and requires participants to first pursue other forms of financial aid and only use VMSDEP for remaining costs. In a news release, Senate Democrats indicated they wont push for a complete repeal of recent changes limiting eligibility for VMSDEP benefits. Theyll instead pursue a partial rollback, which conflicts with the full repeal stance taken by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and House leaders. If we were to put it back in place thered be a huge rush to sign up for the program, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said in an interview Thursday. And then were probably looking at a program that costs well over $100M thats even harder to make adjustments to. In the release, Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, noted that the budget containing the disputed VMSDEP overhaul passed with bipartisan support. We are committed to taking this necessary step to rectify unintended consequences as we continue to work together to conduct an independent review to find a long-term solution for VMSDEP, Lucas said in the Senate Democrats release. After my personal experience with massive resistance, I have dedicated my entire legislative career to ensure that everyone can access educational opportunities and reach their full potential. Our budget reflects this belief and the proposed changes reinforce my support for all students. The lack of agreement by the two General Assembly chambers, both of which are controlled by Democrats, could add more fuel to the controversy that erupted after the swift passage of an overdue state budget last month. The idea that Senator Lucas thinks it is acceptable to go rogue on this issue makes it clear she does not value veterans, said Kayla Owen, a military spouse and co-founder of the Friends of VMSDEP advocacy group thats been pressuring lawmakers to restore the program to the way it was before the budget passed. Senate Democrats pointed to state data showing the program ballooning from 1,387 students in 2019 to 6,125 students in 2023, which has pushed the financial impact to an estimated $65.3 million per year. That growth has sparked bipartisan concern, but leaders have struggled with how to balance sympathy for veterans with worries that the state has created an overly generous program that makes college virtually free for some families and more expensive for everyone else. Advocates for military families have questioned that assertion and disputed the states cost estimates, arguing that adding up the amount of uncollected tuition isnt necessarily an accurate metric for determining VMSDEP costs. Democratic leaders in the Senate said the legislation theyll introduce will ensure that anyone using VMSDEP to enroll in classes this fall wont be impacted by the eligibility changes, exempt the families of veterans killed or wounded in combat with a 90% disability rating, require more guidance from the state on how to interpret the new rules and direct the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission to study VMSDEP prior to the 2025 General Assembly session. That approach would keep some of the cost-cutting measures in place without erasing them all and starting over under a full repeal. Pro-VMSDEP activists say that partial restoration of the program would exclude families impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder and service members who were killed or injured in training accidents or other non-combat scenarios. Its unclear how the House and Senate might resolve their differences, but the Senate going first could give the upper chamber more power to dictate the terms of what the VMSDEP fix will be. However, several Senate Democrats have expressed support for full repeal of the changes, casting uncertainty over whether caucus leadership would have the votes necessary to pass the bill described in Thursdays release. The House appears to be sticking with its plan for a full reversal of the VMSDEP changes. In a statement issued Thursday, House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, said hell sponsor legislation to restore the program to its previous form as a task force convened by the governor works on longer-term policy recommendations. A full repeal bill sponsored by Torian and a bipartisan group of delegates who have worked on the issue was pre-filed Thursday. Veterans have many choices when deciding where to call home, and this program is a major reason why some families choose Virginia after their service, Del. Jackie Glass, D-Norfolk, said in the release from Torians office. Ive heard from countless families in my district and throughout the Commonwealth about how these changes have disrupted their childrens lives and spouses efforts to further their education. The governor also indicated he still wants to see the VMSDEP changes completely reversed. In a social media post Thursday afternoon, Youngkin said its time to come together and for the General Assembly to send me a clean bill that solely and fully repeals and reverses the eligibility changes made to VMSDEP. The post Virginia House and Senate will take up military tuition benefit on different days appeared first on Virginia Mercury. A remarkable thing has just occurred. The latest survey from YouGov, the Rolls Royce of pollsters, shows Reform UK overtaking the Tories. The electorate has come to a clear conclusion: voting Tory again and again, trusting their promises to cut migration but always being betrayed, is akin to madness. Importantly, this shift is taking place across age groups: we have double the support of the Tories in the 18-24 age cohort, and we lead with every band under 65. Other pollsters are also showing upwards momentum for Reform. Something is happening out there in homes across the country. People believe in our common sense policies that put British workers and businesses first. Its clear that voters want straight-talkers, not more waffle. Competition is a fundamental conservative principle and we are outperforming the Tories on policy, trust and conviction. Our aim now is to build on this momentum, accelerating to victory in as many as forty seats over the last three weeks of the campaign to July 4th. The electorate increasingly understands that a vote for the Tories is a wasted vote, helping only Labour. The two parties both offer socialist policies of varying hues. They are united in their predilection for high taxes, a big and bullying state, mass immigration and the job killing Net Zero agenda. Reform is different. We are a fast growing, entrepreneurial political revolt, run by people with a long track record of success. We know how to make things happen, how to fix things and get results. We make rapid decisions based on experience and real gut instinct. We will make mistakes, but the key is not being afraid to admit when we have and then to put things right. The movers and shakers in Reform come from the business world thats why we will be signing a Contract with You, the British people, this coming Monday. Voters rightly associate manifestos with broken promises and false dreams peddled by the boring policy wonk politicians who have come out of think tanks or the public sector. These people have no experience of running companies in a competitive world or extracting real value for money. Thats why they have ruined our country. We will do better. We are the sole party of low taxation with plans to take millions of the lowest paid workers out of income tax altogether by lifting the Personal Allowance to 20,000. We are the sole party of smart, not mass immigration, committed in our Contract with You to deliver zero net immigration, while the Tories have opened our borders to record numbers. We are the sole party with a serious plan to fundamentally reform healthcare, still free at the point of delivery, to improve outcomes, target zero waiting lists, and reduce pressure on the NHS. We are also the sole party standing for value for money for hard-working British taxpayers. Only Reform will junk the wasteful, anti-growth Net Zero agenda, unleashing British industry and entrepreneurship once again and saving tens of billions of pounds in the process. Where Labour and the Tories offer economic decline and societal breakdown, Reform represents the workers. We have the vision and we now have the electoral critical mass to become the real opposition and take the fight to Labour over the next five years. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Getty Images) Washington voters want more money invested in child care and support more taxes on wealthy people and businesses to pay for it. And, in a poll released Thursday, 87% of those surveyed said child care and early education will be priorities for them when casting ballots this November. A coalition comprised of Childrens Campaign Fund Action, OneAmerica Votes and MomsRising conducted the poll of about 800 voters statewide. Seventy percent backed a proposal to cap what families pay for child care at 7% of their household income and provide a living wage for providers. Its a package pushed by child care advocates to lawmakers in recent years but is likely a big fiscal ask. To cover the costs, those surveyed supported new options for state revenue paid for by Washingtons wealthiest individuals and corporations. Coalition members declined Thursday to disclose specifics of the options they asked about as they were waiting to bring their ideas to legislators and candidates. The most important thing is that voters support ensuring Washingtons wealthiest people and businesses fund child care because it is a critical part of our economy, said Lauren Hipp, national director for early learning and Washington state at MomsRising. Washington already has a capital gains tax, which taxes proceeds from sales of stocks and bonds and directs that money into early learning and child care programs. Paying for the sweeping proposal sought by advocates would likely cost more than what the tax generates. Its brought in $1.2 billion in its first two years of collections, but an initiative on the ballot this November could repeal the tax. The poll found bipartisan support for the approach of capping what families pay for child care and providing liveable wages. Among Democrats, it enjoyed 90% support. But a majority of both Republicans 56% and Independents 63% approved it too. Voters in all parts of the state supported the proposal, though it was much higher in Seattle, 72%, than in Spokane, at 61%, and Yakima, at 63%. And, when ballots are in their hands, 62% of those surveyed said they would be more likely to back a state legislator who supported this proposal. Hipp said Thursday that child care and early learning would remain top of mind this election season when coalition members talk with candidates. And she added that they would work on getting the proposal through the Legislature in 2025. Voters are clear that they want lawmakers to do more, she said. The post WA voters want more child care investments, new poll finds appeared first on Washington State Standard. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday to throw out the federal ban on bump stocks, an attachment that allows semiautomatic rifles to fire at a speed comparable to a machine gun, prompting a blistering dissent from liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor. In a 6-3 vote on ideological lines, the court's conservative justices decided that a 1986 law aimed at banning machine guns cannot be interpreted to include bump stocks, NBC News reported. The prohibition on bump stocks was first put into place by the Trump administration after the Las Vegas concert massacre in 2017 when a man using the accessory killed 60 people in 10 minutes. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas asserted that while Congress had "long restricted access to 'machinegun[s],'" defined as a firearm that can "shoot, automatically more than one shot ... by a single function of the trigger," it had not banned semiautomatic firearms, which when equipped with bump stocks can do the exact same thing. Even though the effect is the same, Thomas wrote that a "bump stock does not convert a semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun any more than a shooter with a lightning-fast trigger finger does. Sotomayor, in her dissent, mocked the suggestion that there were any difficult questions raised by the ban on bump stocks. "This is not a hard case," Sotomayor wrote. "All the textual evidence points to the same interpretation. A bump-stock equipped semi-automatic rifle is a machine gun because (1) with a single pull of the trigger, a shooter can (2) fire continuous shots without any human input beyond maintaining forward pressure." Sotomayor rejected the argument that a semiautomatic weapon that behaves just like a machine gun is not, practically speaking, the same thing. "When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck," Sotomayor wrote. A race thats part of the Walnut 4th of July celebration raises funds for a cause close to the towns heart. Brad Monier, co-race director of the Walnut 5K Run/Walk for ALS spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to discuss the race and his very personal connection. As a young kid, almost too young to remember, my uncle passed away from this disease called ALS, or Lou Gehrigs Disease, he said. Later on, when I was a sophomore in college, I found out that my mom was diagnosed with that same disease. We have the familial ALS in our family; its taken over 20 of our family members. The closest in relation to me, obviously was my mom. I lost two uncles and my grandpa and several more. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Theres no cure; its a terminal disease, Monier said. Once youre diagnosed with it, youre gonna die. The life expectancy is different from person to person. Its a disease where the neurons between your brain and your muscles no longer work, so as you try to send signals to your muscles, they cant respond, so basically all your muscles deteriorate. Its different for each person but the progression is, you eventually move to canes, to wheelchairs, it eventually affects your breathing where you need breathing machines, you need feeding tubes. Its just a devastating disease; if you do have it, youre all there mentally so you know what youre going through, and you understand whats going on but theres just nothing you can do about it. Walnut 5K Run/Walk for ALS Walnut had already been holding a 5K race on July 4 as a fundraiser for the Walnut Fire Department but in 2011, the beneficiary changed. There was a lady, Julie van Holten, who took it over as a race director and she had all the proceeds go to ALS because she knew not only members of our family and other family members in the small community of Walnut were affected by the disease. When van Holten retired as race director, Monier and his siblings took over. Since then, the cause hit home again. In that time, weve also found out that my younger sister Hillary is carrying the gene that could trigger ALS for her as well. The race has raised thousands of dollars for ALS research in the past 13 years. Weve raised nearly $150,000, he said. Were at $149,643 prior to this year and in the last couple of years weve raised over $20,000 each year. In 2022, we were over $24,000 and in 2023 we were over $25,000. Last year, organizers received a record 541 entries. The Ice Bucket Challenge was a popular fundraiser in 2014, where members of the public and celebrities dumped buckets of ice water on themselves on video to raise awareness for ALS and challenge viewers to donate. According to the ALS Foundation, funds raised led to the group increasing funding for ALS research worldwide by 187% That research is already making an impact, according to Monier. Theres a lot of hope, a lot of optimism. Just recently, two of my sisters were down in Miami as a part of ALS clinical research. I have a second cousin who was on the decline because of the disease and was able to try some clinical drugs and its showing good results, good improvement. Monier says there are many ways people can help out. One of the biggest, easiest things to do is just help spread the word, raise awareness. Whether youre liking things on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter hit like, hit share. Spread the word, news travels fast. Race participants at all levels are welcome to sign up, including walkers and people with strollers. The Walnut 5K Run/Walk for ALS is Saturday, July 6, starting at 8 a.m. in front of Bureau Valley Elementary, Walnut Campus, 323 S. Main Street in Walnut. Walkers/runners can check in at the park tent south of the school from 6:45-7:45 a.m. but are asked to arrive early. The 5K/3.1 mile race features chip timing, mile marker clocks, an aid station, traffic control, computerized results and refreshments. T-shirts are provided for those who register by Friday, June 28. All proceeds will be donated to ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) research. Click here to register for the race or visit their Facebook page. The race is part of the Walnut 4th of July celebration. Click here for more information on ALS, including resources for those who have been recently diagnosed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A South Carolina, woman accused of breaking into multiple storage units in Matthews is being sought, Matthews Police said Friday. Officers responded to calls regarding the incident around 1:33 p.m. on Sunday to the SecurCareSelf Storage business located on Matthews-Mint Hill Road. An initial investigation stated that multiple units had been broken into with items stolen. Detectives have identified Lancaster, South Carolina, resident Lacey Hall, 36, as the suspect and police are asking for the publics assistance in locating her. Anyone with information should contact Matthews PD at 704-847-5555. This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The United States granted the Makah Indian Tribe in Washington state a long-sought waiver Thursday that helps clear the way for its first sanctioned whale hunts since 1999 and sets the stage for renewed clashes with animal rights activists. The Makah, a tribe of 1,500 people on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, is the only Native American tribe with a treaty that specifically mentions a right to hunt whales. But it has faced more than two decades of court challenges, bureaucratic hearings and scientific review as it seeks to resume hunting for gray whales. The decision by NOAA Fisheries grants a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which otherwise forbids harming marine mammals. It allows the tribe to hunt up to 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over 10 years, with a limit of two to three per year. There are roughly 20,000 whales in that population. The tribe celebrated the decision but said it took far too long. Whaling remains central to the identity, culture, subsistence, and spirituality of the Makah people, and we regard the Gray Whale as sacred, Makah Tribal Council Chairman Timothy J. Greene Sr. said in a written statement. In the time since our last successful hunt in 1999, we have lost many elders who held the knowledge of our whaling customs, and another entire generation of Makahs has grown up without the ability to exercise our Treaty right or experience the connections and benefits of whaling that our ancestors secured for us. The hunts will be timed to avoid harming endangered Western North Pacific gray whales that sometimes visit the area about 200 to 300 remain as well as a group of about 200 gray whales that generally spend summer and fall feeding along the Northwest coast. Nevertheless, some hurdles remain. The tribe must enter into a cooperative agreement with the agency under the Whaling Convention Act, and it must obtain a permit to hunt, a process that involves a monthlong public comment period. Animal rights advocates, who have long opposed whaling, could also challenge NOAAs decision in court. DJ Schubert, a senior wildlife biologist with the Washington, DC-based Animal Welfare Institute, said his organization would object to the issuance of the hunt permit but likely wait until final approvals are given before deciding whether to sue. He noted that while the Eastern North Pacific gray whale population appears healthy now, it has fluctuated wildly in recent years, and no one knows how the whales will fare as climate change continues to affect the Arctic. Scientists estimate that as much as 40% of the population died off from 2018 to last year before it began to recover. We completely respect the tribes cultural practices and traditions, Schubert said. We just fundamentally disagree that they need to hunt whales to continue those traditions. We hope that as this decision-making process plays out, perhaps the Makah Tribe and the government could reconsider the need to hunt whales and advocate for protection instead of persecution. Archeological evidence shows that Makah hunters in cedar canoes killed whales for sustenance from time immemorial, a practice that ceased only in the early 20th century after commercial whaling vessels depleted the population. By 1994, the Eastern Pacific gray whale population had rebounded, and they were removed from the endangered species list. Seeing an opportunity to reclaim its heritage, the tribe announced plans to hunt again. The Makah trained for months in the ancient ways of whaling and received the blessing of federal officials and the International Whaling Commission. They took to the water in 1998 but didnt succeed until the next year, when they harpooned a gray whale from a hand-carved cedar canoe. A tribal member in a motorized support boat killed it with a high-powered rifle to minimize its suffering. It was the tribes first successful hunt in 70 years. The hunts drew protests from animal rights activists, who sometimes threw smoke bombs at the whalers and sprayed fire extinguishers into their faces. Others veered motorboats between the whales and the tribal canoes to interfere with the hunt. Authorities seized several vessels and made arrests. After animal rights groups sued, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned federal approval of the tribes whaling plans. The court found that the tribe needed to obtain a waiver under the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. Eleven Alaska Native communities in the Arctic have such a waiver for subsistence hunts, allowing them to kill bowhead whales even though bowheads are listed as endangered. The Makah Tribe applied for a waiver in 2005. The process repeatedly stalled as new scientific information about the whales and the health of their population was uncovered. Some of the Makah whalers became so frustrated with the delays that they went on a rogue hunt in 2007, killing a gray whale that got away from them and sank. They were convicted in federal court. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Will Lewis, the new publisher and CEO of The Washington Post, was put in charge of fixing its problems. Now, Lewis has become a problem himself. The Washington Post via Getty Images Of all the problems presently plaguing American media, more white men rank fairly low on my list of potential solutions, with white men from the land of England ranking even lower. Unfortunately, I am not the owner of The Washington Post; Jeff Bezos is, and he has chosen British media executive Will Lewis to lead the newspaper. Lewis, who was hired as the Posts CEO and publisher in June last year and began his tenure in January, had his first meeting with staffers in November, where he reportedly charmed them and made assurances that he valued diversity and inclusion. Im very passionate about that at all sorts of levels, not only because its the right thing to do, but actually its very good for business, as well, Lewis said. We need to look like America and that is a really important thing. Several months later, the British import is backtracking on that pledge amid another controversy: creating a working environment where morale has fallen off a cliff, according to a recent report from CNN. The drama began on June 2 after Lewis announced in an email the abrupt departure of Sally Buzbee, the Posts then-executive editor, as part of a restructuring of the newsroom. In her place would be ex-Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray as interim executive editor, along with the hiring of Robert Winnett, the deputy editor of the Telegraph Media Group, in a newly created editor role following the 2024 presidential election. Both Murray and Winnett have previously worked for Lewis. While some expected Lewis to replace Buzbee, they didnt anticipate the change happening in the middle of an election year, as well as so many white men being handed control of the Post. This was evident in the all-hands meeting held on June 3, which staffers described as tense, combative and extremely defensive in a report from NOTUS. Ashley Parker, a political correspondent for the Post, even reportedly told Lewis that the most cynical interpretation sort of feels like you chose two of your buddies to come in and help run the Post, and we now have four white men running three newsrooms. Defending the changes, Lewis told staffers at one point: We are losing large amounts of money. Your audience has halved in recent years. People are not reading your stuff. I cant sugarcoat it anymore. So Ive had to take decisive, urgent action to set us on a different path, sourcing talent that I have worked with that are the best of the best. To be clear, the Post lost $77 million last year and half its site traffic since 2020. It is not difficult to grasp why Lewis would want to shake things up. Yet, though the business model may need to change, white men are not the only people capable of managing such a transition. For all the ills private equity and media consolidation have wrought on the industry, in many ways, most publications helped facilitate their own demise, allowing their material to be consumed largely for free for decades on the internet and letting tech companies cobble up the advertising model. It was always going to take new revenue streams to survive, but its not the fault of Post staffers that search engines are dying and Post executives failed to mirror The New York Times, its perceived main competitor, and create new revenue streams in the digital age. So whats the reason Lewis hired his friends? He hired them because he believes they are the best people. I believe he genuinely believes that and it sounds about white. Then there is the matter of what Lewis and Buzbee beefed about before her abrupt departure. According to the Times, last month Lewis objected to a Post story on Prince Harrys long-standing lawsuit against News Group Newspapers, the U.K. tabloid arm of Rupert Murdochs publishing company, News Corp. Working for News Corp. at the time, Lewis had the responsibility of effectively cleaning up the chaos, a period it appears he wants others to leave in the past. When Buzbee informed him that the Post planned to cover an update to the lawsuit, Lewis told her that the case involving him did not merit coverage. After she published the story anyway, Lewis told Buzbee she had a lapse in judgment. (According to a report from Semafor, Post newsletter editors were told not to include the story in their newsletters.) As if this all didnt look bad enough, David Folkenflik, a media correspondent for NPR, recently reported that late last year, Lewis had tried to kill his own story about the same lawsuit, claiming that Lewis repeatedly and heatedly offered to give Folkenflik an exclusive about the Posts future if hed bury the story. Late last Friday, Lewis sent a lengthy memo to staffers, stating in part, So, time for some humility from me. I need to improve how well I listen and how well I communicate so that we all agree more clearly where urgent improvements are needed and why. He went on to acknowledge that trust has been lost because of scars from the past, but asked staff to leave those scars behind and start presuming the best of intent. Intentions dont negate impact, which is why Lewis has alienated his staff. As a subscriber to the Post, I want the paper to succeed, but the person put in charge of fixing its problems has now become an issue himself. There has been a growing trend of British folks running American publications, but it sounds like more of the same to some of us darker folks in the media nonwhite people finally put in executive positions being pushed out in favor of the familiar white guys. If Lewis wants to save his relationship with staffers, he should think about the messages hes sending to future hires. Why not go after this diverse staff he claims to value so much? Go do that while letting your reporters do their jobs in peace. Related... People of the Makah, a Washington state Indigenous tribe (pictured, 1998) based in Neah Bay, have subsisted on Eastern North Pacific gray whales for generations. File Photo by H. Ruckerman/UPI June 13 (UPI) -- The Makah, a Washington state Indigenous tribe, has been given a waiver from federal rules so that it can hunt as many as 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over 10 years in U.S. waters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday. The tribe, based in Neah Bay, Wash., has received a waiver from the Marine Mammal Protection Act to hunt the whale, of which the Makah have subsisted on for generations. The waiver issued Thursday aligns with the Treaty of Neah Bay of 1855 and the quotas established by the International Whaling Commission. "This final rule represents a major milestone in the process to return ceremonial and subsistence hunting of Eastern North Pacific gray whales to the Makah Tribe," said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "The measures adopted today honor the Makah Tribe's treaty rights and their cultural whaling tradition that dates back well over 1,000 years, and is fundamental to their identity and heritage." Prior to any hunt, any tribe has to enter a cooperative agreement with NOAA Fisheries Under the Whaling Convention Act and has to receive a hunt permit. Under terms of the rule, the tribe can't hunt more than three whales each year in U.S. waters. In past years, the quota has been transferred to Russia. The International Whaling Commission is shared between the Makah Tribe and the Chukotkan Natives in Russia. NOAA Fisheries said it will continue to work to protect endangered Western North Pacific gray whales and the Pacific Coast Feeding Group of Eastern North Pacific gray whales. Earlier this year, NOAA Fisheries canceled the Unusual Mortality Event it had issued for the Eastern North Pacific gray whale population. Between December 17, 2018, and November 9, 2023, 690 gray whales were stranded, and scientists found changes in food, malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality. "It involved hundreds of dead gray whales that stranded along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska, including in gray whale wintering, migratory, and feeding areas. Scientists estimate the UME led to a roughly 40 percent decline in the population of eastern North Pacific gray whales," NOAA said in a statement announcing the closure of the Unusual Mortality Event. Watch: California bear blamed for five break-ins in two hours June 14 (UPI) -- Authorities in California said a single bear was responsible for five break-ins in a two-hour period -- and one of the homes was occupied at the time. The Sierra Madre Police Department confirmed officers responded Thursday to a northeastern neighborhood where a bear had broken into four homes and a garage between 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. One of the homes was occupied at the time of the break-in, but the woman locked herself in a bedroom until the animal left and was not injured, police said. Homeowner Laurie Devault said her neighbor captured video when the bruin broke through her screen door. "It was a very polite bear," Devault told KNBC-TV. "It just opened up the freezer and took my packaged chicken. The neighbor filmed it with it hanging from its mouth." Devault said the bear dropped the frozen chicken nearby, which police returned to her. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will speak Friday evening at The Peoples Convention in Detroit, organized by the conservative activist group Turning Point Action. The conventions headliner, former President Trump, will appear on Saturday. Greater Detroit is by far the most populous metro area in the crucial purple state of Michigan. President Biden has garnered the United Auto Workerss endorsement. But the Trump campaign is also working to appeal to blue collar workers, with the coveted Teamsters endorsement still up for grabs. Scott is scheduled to appear at 5:15 p.m. EDT, Noem at 6:05 p.m., and Ramaswamay at 6:25 p.m. Watch the live video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. June 14 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts middle school's graduation ceremony featured 23 pairs of twins -- as well as one twin whose brother attends a different school. The eighth grade graduating class at Pollard Middle School in Needham features the most twins ever to appear in a single graduating class, officials said. The twins account for 46 -- 47 counting the lone twin -- of the 454 graduating students. "Just the sheer number, the volume, and in comparison, typically we have between five and 10 sets of twins, but to have 23 ... it's been so fun," Tamatha Bibbo, the school's principal, told The Boston Globe. Some of the graduating twins said they were surprised to learn how common multiples were at the school. "Some of them, I just didn't even know were twins. Some don't even know we are twins," Brayden Mahoney, who graduated alongside twin sister Lauren, told WCVB-TV. A staff member at the Watertown Area YMCA is suspected of abusing a baby boy while the infant was at the day care center. The Watertown Police Department said it was called on June 5 to investigate suspicious injuries to the baby, who was treated at an Oconomowoc hospital. The investigation led authorities to the YMCA located at 415 S. Eighth St. "YMCA staff fully cooperated with the investigation," police said. "Charges will be referred to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office against one of the YMCA staff members." A man, who said he was the baby's father, posted an image of the injuries and a statement to Facebook. Attempts to reach the parent were unsuccessful. In the post, distinct red marks are seen on the baby's left side torso. The dad said it was only the boy's second day of day care. He said the boy has recovered and is doing great. Jon Lange, chief executive officer, of the Watertown Area YMCA, said the other staff members took immediate action upon discovering the bruises. Lange said the staff notified the parents, pulled video and notified authorities. The staff member was placed on administrative leave and the other parents utilizing the day care have been notified, Lange said. The accused staff member has 17 years of experience working in child care and has been with the Watertown YMCA for a little more than 18 months. The staff member has no other complaints made against them, nor have they received any past disciplinary action, according to Lange. "We maintain rigorous procedures and policies related to hiring, training, and supervising staff in order to keep children safe while in our care," Lange said in a statement. Lange said three cameras are in every room at the day care. "We are not aware of any other complaints regarding the care provided to kids in our care and we take great pride in our reputation of being a trusted provider of quality childcare services," Lange said. "The safety and well-being of children at the Watertown Area YMCA is, and always will be, our top priority." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Watertown YMCA day care center employee accused of child abuse WAVERLY, N.Y. (WETM) A Waverly man was sentenced in June following a retail theft in Athens, Pa in October. The Bradford County District Attorneys Office stated that 19-year-old Aiden Logan Laforest was sentenced to a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 24 months in a State Correctional Institution for retail theft. According to the Bradford County District Attorneys Office, Laforest was also ordered to pay $1,576.75 in restitution to Walmart for the offense. Ulster man sentenced up to five years for January police standoff Laforest had a history of theft and other offenses in Pennsylvania and New York. He failed to appear in court for this case, which was likely factored into this sentence. Laforest was also on probation for a similar offense at the time he committed this crime. As a result, Laforests probation was revoked and he was resentenced on that old case to an additional nine months to 24 months in State Prison, making his overall sentence a minimum of 21 months up to a maximum of 48 months. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Both of Tennessee's U.S. senators voted against a measure Thursday that would have codified the right to use fertility treatments including in vitro fertilization in federal law, as Senate Democrats seek to put Republicans on the record on reproductive rights issues ahead of the 2024 elections. Thursday's vote came a day after Senate Democrats blocked a bill by U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Katie Britt, R-Alabama, that would have prohibited any state or the federal government from banning IVF and withhold Medicaid funding from states that banned IVF. Both U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty voted against the Right to IVF Act on Thursday, despite reiterating in recent days that they support IVF access, condemning the vote as a political tactic. Critics of the Right to IVF Act say it would also have opened the door to federalize the issue of abortion access that the Dobbs decision delegated to the states. U.S. Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn at the Road to Majority conference at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Friday, June 17, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Democrats are using fear tactics and the media to lie to the American people with a fake messaging bill before November, Blackburn said in a statement. IVF is legal and available in every state across our nation. I fully support IVF and fertility-related services. As a mother and a grandmother, I know how precious it is to be able to have children and rear a family. That is why I am fighting to make it easier for Tennesseans to be able to raise a family and why I oppose any effort to restrict access to IVF. Hagerty joined a statement with Republican colleagues, including Blackburn, on Wednesday reiterating support for IVF, and condemning a Democratic move for a vote as one piece of a summer of scare tactics a partisan campaign of false fearmongering intended to mislead and confuse the American people. Both U.S. Senate votes came within hours of a a historic vote in the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the country and a bellwether for evangelicals across the country, in which the denomination voted to condemn the use of IVF treatments. More: Southern Baptists condemn use of IVF in high-profile debate over reproductive rights Also Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a case challenging the legality of mifepristone, a drug used both for abortions. Legality, access and government insurance coverage for IVF have become increasingly controversial among some parts of the Republican Party after a decision by the Alabama Supreme Court this spring that granted embryos created through in vitro fertilization are legally "extrauterine children" and have the same rights as children, causing some IVF clinics in the state to pause care. One of Blackburns potential general election challengers, state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, said Thursday that the vote to block IVF represented broken promise. Rep. Gloria Johnson D- Knoxville, joins a march in response to several controversial bills, outside at Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 17, 2024. For the past three months, Marsha Blackburn has had the nerve to tell women that she supports IVF treatment in spite of her decades-long crusade against reproductive choice. Well, today she has shown women in Tennessee and across the country that her word means nothing," Johnson said. "She and her Republican cohorts can pledge their support for IVF all they want, the only thing that matters is how they vote and today they voted against protecting IVF for millions of women. Earlier this month, Blackburn voted against the Democratic-sponsored Right to Contraception Act, which would have codified the right to obtain contraceptives in federal law. Blackburn argued that the law was not necessary because contraception is already legal. Hagerty was not present for the vote. In an attempt to sow fear and confusion, Democrats have falsely claimed that contraception is under attack to distract from President Bidens disastrous record, Blackburn said in a statement. No Supreme Court decision threatens a womans right to contraception, and I fully support keeping it safe and legal." Meanwhile, Republicans in the statehouse have declined to take up measures proposed by Democrats clarifying that the states abortion law does not extend to contraceptives, and clarifying the legality of IVF in Tennessee, including one sponsored last year by Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, who has pledged to bring the bill back in 2025. More: Tennessee GOP blocks IVF protection bill in committee over abortion concerns New Conservatives with Character Super PAC attacks Ogles A new political action committee run by a former Tennessee Republican Party official is spending big money to attack incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, in his primary with Nashville Metro Council member Courtney Johnston. Republican candidate Andy Ogles talks to the press after winning the House of Representatives in Tennessee's newly created 5th Congressional District at an election night watch party at Puckett's in Columbia, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Formed last month, the super PAC Conservatives With Character has spent $141,000 in digital and TV ads so far this month to attack Ogles record supporting a sales tax increase as Maury County mayor, saying "the best tax is the smallest tax that touches the greatest number of people," and Ogles' failure to pay his own property taxes on time. Andy Ogles: example #1 of why Washington is such a mess, the ad proclaims. According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, the committees treasurer is former state lawmaker and Tennessee State Employees Association director Randy Stamps, who previously served as political director of the Tennessee Republican Party. Its unclear where the groups money is coming from, as their first financial disclosure is not due until next month. Courtney Johnston, council member for district 26, speaks during a Nashville's Metro Council meeting at the Historic Metro Courthouse in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Kennedy seeks ballot access in Tennessee Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign has submitted signatures seeking ballot access in Tennessee. The team submitted 1,025 signatures on Thursday, nearly four times the required amount, according to a news release from the Kennedy campaign. Kennedy spoke briefly at an unconventional comedy show style campaign stop at the Ryman Auditorium last month. "I am beyond grateful to be part of history today in Nashville, Tennessee, Kennedy volunteer Tommy Aceto said in a statement. Ensuring Mr. Kennedy gets on every state's ballot is important to me because I believe in the concept of freedom, which I fought for and many of my brothers died for. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes a brief appearance at the end of the 3 1/2-hour campaign event "A Night of Country & Comedy" at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Kennedy has raised more than $15 million toward efforts to get on the presidential ballot in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. So far, Kennedy is officially on the ballot in eight states, and says his campaign has collected enough signatures for ballot access in 13 other states. House Democratic leader to mark Juneteenth at NYSE Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis, will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday to commemorate Juneteenth the federal holiday marking the liberation of the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas after the Civil War. Camper last year sponsored the bill that made Juneteenth an official state holiday in Tennessee. Camper will lead a delegation of Black state lawmakers from across the country organized by the Black Legislative Leaders Network, which Camper co-founded. The delegation's visit seeks to raise awareness of the historical significance of Juneteenth, and highlight persistent economic disparities. Tennessee to get $10M for energy-efficiency upgrades Local governments, small businesses, and homeowners in Tennessee will have access to a new revolving loan fund for energy-efficient building upgrades, thanks to a new grant fund funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Tennessee was one of the first six states to receive a grant award from the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. One of the biggest hurdles many states face in bringing clean energy to homeowners and small businesses is access to capital funds, said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. The Revolving Loan Fund Program expands access to low-cost financing for energy efficiency improvements, allowing states to build an evergreen source of funds to offer their residents and businesses for clean energy projects. Tennessee received the second-largest award more than $10 million announced. Award amounts totaled $45 million. The new state-administered program will allow local governments in Tennessee to make energy efficient building upgrades and retrofits. Catch up on the week 59% fall short on third grade reading test in Tennessee; here's what's next Why Hunter Biden's conviction is being used by Rep. Tim Burchett to question 2020 election four years later In speech to Southern Baptists, Pence warns of GOP shift but stops short of direct Trump criticism Tennessee, other states with abortion bans see drop in doctor residency applicants Blackburn, Klobuchar bill would create a national human trafficking database Got a question for us? Got a question about state politics you would like us to tackle? Let us know. Email us at mabrown@tennessean.com, vjones@tennessean.com or statehouse@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Blackburn, Hagerty decry IVF votes as stunts: the week in politics West Virginia Department of Health Facilities joins with lawmakers for next tour of hospitals in the state CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) Lawmakers from the West Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate visited and toured two more state establishments as part of the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities (DHF) effort to improve patient care in the state. Third Annual Elder Abuse Awareness Walk hosted by Family Refuge Center Participants in this tour included: Chair of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability (LOCHHRA) Delegate Amy Summers Delegate Bob Fehrenbacher Delegate Ric Griffith Delegate Heather Tully Senator Michael Oliverio Delegate Joey Garcia Delegate Phil Mallow Delegate Mike DeVault Delegate Michael Hite Delegate D. Rolland Buck Jennings Delegate George Street Senator Jay Taylor Delegate Matthew Rohrbach The group was led by DHF Cabinet Secretary Michael J. Caruso where they went and visited John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center in Fairmont, before visiting and touring Hopemont Hospital in Terra Alta. Both establishments have a four-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for providing some of the best quality care to their patients. I am so grateful our dedicated public servants were able to see the passion the hospitals staff have in caring for some of our states most vulnerable citizens. I look forward to future partnerships as we work to overcome challenges and celebrate successes together, Caruso shared. We appreciate the DHF coordinating these site visits to allow legislators the opportunity to view the care residents are receiving, as well as the facilities themselves, Chairwoman Summers added. Bill Withers Plaza is closer to getting its own statue LOCHHRA members visited Jackie Withrow Hospital in Beckley in May. Before that tour, they visited Mildred-Mitchell Bateman Hospital in Huntington and William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital in Weston. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. WESTMORELAND (KSNT) The City of Westmoreland is aiding community members impacted by the tornado that hit the town earlier this year. To assist the community members impacted after an EF-3 tornado struck Westmoreland on April 30, the City has created a Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), according to a social media post from Pottawatomie County officials. The group is being led by Reverend Hollie Tapley, Great Plains United Methodist Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and is made up of community members. Rev. Tapley has worked in many communities throughout Kansas and Nebraska to help homeowners begin their new normal. Pottawatomie County, Kansas social media post excerpt Judge gives Shawnee County taxpayer thief 10 days According to the social media post, the LTRG will do the following: Ensure that the local community is leading the way towards recovery and resilience. Establish guidelines for organizations, agencies, faith-based groups, and volunteers so that each family receives the resources they need. Work in the frame that recovery is not only about the restoration of structures, systems, and services, yet strives to make a successful recovery for individuals and families so that you can rebound from your losses. The LTRG will host a town hall gathering at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 30 at the Westmoreland Community Center, 202 Main Street. According to the post, dinner and daycare will be provided for those in attendance. The social media post said the Kansas Insurance Department, Kansas Legal Services, Habitat For Humanity, Hope Builds Community, the Mennonites and more. will be at the town hall meeting to assist the Westmoreland community as it rebuilds. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. (WGHP) A Texas-based fast food chain that has plans to expand into North Carolina is suing a locally-based restaurant after they say it violated terms of an agreement that allowed them to use similar names. A lawsuit was filed in court on Tuesday, where Whatabrands, LLC., the parent company of Whataburger, alleged trademark infringement and the violation of a contract against What-A-Burger #13, a small chain of restaurants with locations in Mount Pleasant and Locust. Hulk Hogan launching beer brand in 17 states this summer: Real American Beer Whataburger, which plans to expand into North Carolina and announced a Charlotte location made in April 2024, was founded in 1950 in Texas. The North Carolina What-A-Burger #13 advertises having been operational since 1969, nearly two decades later. Local news outlets in North Carolina began speculating as early as 2022 about Whataburgers potential expansion into the state, according to the suit. Whataburger contacted certain of Defendants on October 13, 2022, in anticipation of its entry into North Carolina to notify them that continued use of their What-A-Burger #13 Mark creates a likelihood of confusion and thus infringes the WHATABURGER Mark given Whataburgers nationwide priority in its WHATABURGER Mark as of 1957, the lawsuit states. They go on to say that they signed a coexistence agreement with What-A-Burger #13, allowing them both to operate under certain conditions to minimize confusion between the two brands. This agreement was effective May 19, 2023, according to the documents. Per the Agreement, Signatory Defendants could use the What-A-Burger #13 Mark only in connection with their existing brick-and-mortar locations (identified above) and in connection with their then-existing single food truck in limited ways. Heres how texting will be different after Apples iOS 18 update Now, Whataburger says that the owner of What-A-Burger #13 created a new Norwood-based LLC, WAB #13, before the agreement went into effect and did not tell Whataburger about it. The What-A-Burger owner reportedly characterized the new LLC as part of a single small, family owned, fast paced business founded in 1969, like the other What-A-Burger #13 restaurants. The Texas restaurant chain has accused the North Carolina owner of breaching their agreement by using the What-A-Burger #13 Mark with their food trucks in ways that were not allowed under the Agreement. Despite contact with the defendants over alleged breaches in their previously signed agreement, Whataburger claims that What-A-Burger #13 continues to operate in a way that violates the agreement. Whataburger claims that this alleged violation automatically terminates their agreement with What-A-Burger #13 and is now asking the court to order that What-A-Burger #13 stop using the name. Defendants unauthorized use of the What-A-Burger #13 Mark is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive customers and potential customers of the parties as to some affiliation, connection, or association of Defendants business with Whataburger, or as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of Defendants goods or services, the lawsuit alleges, going on to say that the continued use of the mark, removes from Whataburger the ability to control the nature and quality of products and services provided. Unless these acts by Defendants are restrained by this Court, they will continue, and they will continue to cause irreparable harm to Whataburger and to the public for which there is no adequate remedy at law. Not the first time Whataburger also filed a similar lawsuit against a restaurant in Virginia using the name What-a-burger in 2003. The suit, accessed through web archive, was brought up against What-A-Burger of Virginia, Inc. and What-A-Burger of Newport News, Inc. It was ruled that the companies were unaware of the others existence when they were founded, and the originals founders were dead by the time the suit was brought up in court. The court ruled in 2004 that no actionable damages had occurred and There is no evidence nor can we imagine any that consumers are currently likely to be confused about whether the burgers served by Virginia W-A-B come from Texas or Virginia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. What's in a name? Kansas political party says its agenda was hijacked by GOP operative. State election officials and leaders of a new political party allege that a Republican political operative attempted to hijack and nominate people under the name of the new party, No Labels Kansas. The Kansas Secretary of States Office said Kris Van Meteren may have committed a crime when he nominated candidates after forming a domestic nonprofit on June 3 under the name No Labels Kansas Inc., a separate entity from the political party. Van Meteren then filed certificates of party nomination for Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, and his wife, Echo Van Meteren, who is running for the Kansas Senate in Leavenworth as a Republican. After No Labels organizers contacted the secretary of state on June 5, it concluded that Van Meteren wasn't the chair and revoked the nominations, which the No Labels party wouldnt have been able to file without breaking its own bylaws that limit its nominations to presidential nominations. In communication with the secretary of state's Office, a No Labels representative called it a "fraudulent effort to nominate candidates" and said Van Meteren has no affiliation with the party. Secretary of State Scott Schwab's Office says laws may have been broken when a Republican consultant nominated two candidates under the No Labels political party. Kris Van Meteren details his actions on Facebook In a Facebook post, Van Meteren claimed he took over the chair position at No Labels Kansas by filing Articles of Incorporation and registration with the IRS of No Labels Kansas Party Inc., a nonprofit company, and issued a call for convention that zero No Labels members attended. He elected himself as chairman, and then filed nominations with the Secretary of State. He said he simply filed paperwork that No Labels failed to do themselves. When No Labels submitted its petition to become a political party, it listed Glenda Reynolds as its chair. The partys bylaws state the chair will retain their position until they resign, are removed by two-thirds vote from party leadership or upon their death. The party was recognized an official third party on Jan. 16 after gaining enough signatures. Van Meteren is a former chair of the Kansas Republican Party and owns the political marketing group Singularis Group. Two candidates were double-nominated in Kansas Echo Van Meteren and Francisco would have appeared on the primary ballot as Republican and Democrat respectively, but may have been able to appear on the general election if they lost their primary. Van Meteren faces Jeff Klemp for the Republican nomination in the 5th District, which is currently held by Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth. Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, is challenging Francisco for the nomination in Kansass 2nd Senate district and will face Republican David Miller in the general election. Francisco said she was unaware that someone nominated her under the third party and reaffirmed her commitment to the Democratic party in a press release. Echo Van Meteren didn't confirm or deny that she knew of her husbands plan in a press release, but instead claimed the Republican Party apparatus had undermined her last campaign and recruited a Republican Primary challenger for the upcoming election. A short history of No Labels No Labels is a new party nationally, having just formed for the 2020 election when it considered running a moderate candidate but eventually opted against nominating anyone. In Kansas, it became the state's second recognized third party in January, but its signature collection process has come into question in the months since. So far two No Labels canvassers have been charged with election forgery for allegedly faking signatures on the petition to certify No Labels. What are the next steps in the No Labels allegations? The Secretary of States Office said Van Meteren can challenge his offices rejection of the candidate nomination by requesting a review to the State Objection Board. It also said Van Meteren may have committed the crime of false impersonation as a party officer, a Class A misdemeanor. Secretary of State Scott Schwab referred the events to Attorney General Kris Kobach, but no charges have been announced. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas election officials, No Labels party: GOP operative hijacked name A member of the White House communications team went after The New York Post on Thursday after it posted on social media a deceptively edited video of President Joe Biden at the G7 economic summit in Italy. White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates responded to a post by the publication on X that had the caption, President Biden appeared to wander off at the G7 summit in Italy, with officials needing to pull him back to focus. The Murdoch outlets are so desperate to distract from @POTUSs record that they just lie, Bates wrote. The Post is owned by News Corp, which has Australian billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdochthe creator of Fox Newsas its chairman emeritus. The Murdoch outlets are so desperate to distract from @POTUS's record that they just lie. Here, they use an artificially narrow frame to hide from viewers that he just saw a skydiving demonstration. He's saying congratulations to one of the divers and giving a thumbs up. Video: https://t.co/Pn0uGtzpLy pic.twitter.com/tDowABzud3 Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) June 13, 2024 Here, they use an artificially narrow frame to hide from viewers that he just saw a skydiving demonstration, Bates continued. Hes saying congratulations to one of the divers and giving a thumbs up. Bates included a wider version of the same clip which shows Biden walking over toward one of the skydivers, who could not be seen in the Posts video. The Post isnt the only Murdoch-owned paper that the White Houses press team has criticized lately. In taking issue with a report in The Wall Street Journal claiming that Bidens mental acuity was slipping, Bates called attention to how some Democrats in Congress said their quotes to the contrary were cut from the article. Bates also linked to a Media Matters for America article making the case that the Journals story was comically weak in part because it was based largely on the complaints of anonymous Republicans, and also on former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a notoriously dishonest personwho lost his speakership because he was widely distrusted. 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. Michigan Pride at the Capitol in Lansing, June 25, 2023 | Angela Demas Its Pride month in Michigan, an annual recognition of the LGBTQ+ community marked by parades and celebrations in every corner of the state. In Lansing, House lawmakers passed a resolution Wednesday recognizing June 2024 as Pride month and acknowledging the push for equality for LGBTQ+ people in Michigan, past and present. The LGBTQ+ community has celebrated Pride month since June 1970, the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York. The month was first recognized in the United States in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. The Michigan legislature did not formally recognize Pride month until 2021. Resolutions like this arent policy, obviously, state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) told the Advance. But its important that we do everything we can to make sure that folks in Michigan, and particularly our LGBTQ residents, know that theyre welcome and that they have a government that recognizes them and appreciates them and respects them. Pohutsky, a member of the House LGBTQ+ Caucus, sponsored the resolution. She said the resolution is especially important this year, as GOP lawmakers previously blocked the recognition of Pride month. In 2022, the then-GOP-controlled Senate blocked a vote on a resolution recognizing Pride month. Republican lawmakers wanted to add language reflecting that not every Michigander agrees with the lifestyle of the LGBT community. The resolution passed the previous year in 2021, but not in 2019 or 2020. There was such a long time where we couldnt even get the bare minimum of a Pride resolution passed, Pohutsky said. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also formally recognized the Pride month with a proclamation on June 1. Whitmer was the first governor to march at the Motor City Pride parade and fly a Pride flag on a state building in 2019. Michigan will always be a place where everyone has the freedom to be who they are and love who they love, Whitmer said in a release. Our work is not done, but every year, we make progress to move Michigan forward. Lets keep getting it done. LGBTQ+ legislation in Michigan During this session, Michigans Democratic-controlled Legislature has passed several bills aimed at protecting the LGBTQ+ community in the state. Whitmer, a Democrat, signed legislation expanded Michigans anti-discrimination law to include LGBTQ+ people last year and banned conversion therapy for minors. These bills had languished in the Legislature for years when it was led by Republicans. Lawmakers are also working on a bill that would ban gay and trans panic defenses. The defense excuses crimes, like assault, of an LGBTQ+ person because it lets the perpetrator blame their identity. But Pohutsky said it is important to think about how any bill will impact the LGBTQ+ community. Laws relating to legal name changes or reproductive rights can affect queer Michiganders in unique ways, she said. I think one of the really wonderful things that has happened as a positive consequence of us electing more LGBTQ leaders is that we are more apt to recognize how policies impact the community, and thats been really important, Pohutsky said. The post Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers recognize June as Pride month appeared first on Michigan Advance. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago, there has been a chorus of people warning that it wouldnt end with abortions that the right to access contraception would be eroded next. Earlier this month, U.S. legislators had a chance to codify access to birth control by passing the Right to Contraception Act. Specifically, it would have guaranteed the right of an individual "to obtain contraceptives and to voluntarily engage in contraception." The legislation also would have protected the right of licensed health care providers to provide contraceptives, services and information related to contraception." It also would have prohibited any laws that impede access to birth control. All but two Senate Republicans voted against it. The possibility of restricting access to birth control didnt appear out of nowhere. In Justice Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion on the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe, he opined that the Supreme Court should revisit precedents that codified same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships and the right to contraception. "In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell," Thomas wrote in the opinion. "Because any substantive due process decision is 'demonstrably erroneous' we have a duty to 'correct the error' established in those precedents." The Griswold vs. Connecticut case cited by Thomas was decided in 1965, when the Supreme Court said married couples have the right to obtain contraceptives. This ruling determined that a state's ban on the use of contraceptives violated the right to marital privacy. Despite the ruling, unmarried women still didn't have the constitutional right to obtain contraceptives until the Supreme Court's 1972 decision in Eisenstadt v. Baird. In 1965, 26 states prohibited birth control for unmarried women. Griswold vs. Connecticut paved the way for legal contraception in the 1970s; overturning it could have an impact on access to birth control nationwide. As multiple legal experts told Salon nearly a year ago, since the fall of Roe, Griswold has been at risk. Now that Republicans have publicly unsupported it by failing to pass the Right to Contraception Act, is restricting access likely to happen sooner? Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom For All, told Salon that in the course of her 20-year career, shes seen access to birth control always be at stake in some way. Right now, in the post-Roe landscape, whats concerning to Timmaraju is the anti-abortion movements attempt to falsely conflate birth control as an abortifacient. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. As long as they believe that life begins at conception and they're using that as a public policy anchor for so much of this they can't overcome the attacks on birth control, Timmaraju said. They really have to look at what the majority of physicians and scientists in this country believe and are clear on which is preventing implantation is not abortion, its not rooted in science. Timmaraju added, before the Supreme Court ruled to uphold access to mifepristone, she was looking out for the court to rule on two major abortion-related cases, which could signal where the highest court is at with Griswold. The first, FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, could restrict access to mifepristone nationwide. The second, is looking at the language of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and determining if it overrides Idahos strict abortion laws. If they invoke or talk about in the language, or in any of the concurrences, Comstock, again, or Griswold, its more of a signal, she said. We're concerned about any abortion or reproductive rights case going forward, and we have two right now. Indeed, during oral arguments in March Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas both brought up the Comstock Act. In questioning, Thomas said to a lawyer for Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of mifepristone, that the Comstock Act is "fairly broad, and it specifically covers drugs such as yours." Alito said the Comstock Act is a "prominent provision" and not "some obscure subsection of complicated obscure law." Seema Mohapatra, a health law and bioethics expert at Southern Methodist University, told Salon that just how people ignored the risk of Roe v. Wade being overturned, the same could be said for now with Griswold. I think from Dobbs, it's very obvious that contraception is at risk, she said. We already have strong conscience objections that pharmacists can have in many states. Indeed, some states already have restrictions against emergency contraception like Plan B. And in 12 states, laws allow some health care providers to refuse to provide services related to contraception, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Madison Roberts, a lobbyist for the Reproductive Freedom Project at the ACLU, told Salon overturning Roe v. Wade was never the end goal for extremists. In this modern era, we've seen attacks on reproductive freedoms across an array of reproductive health care issues, including attacks on birth control and extremist politicians have repeatedly threatened access to birth control, both in their words and in their actions, Roberts said, noting the defunding of Title X, which was set up in 1970 to help low-income women who don't qualify for Medicaid obtain low-cost birth control (but notably not abortion.) Various attacks on birth control are connected, Roberts said, contributing to whats at stake right now. We don't have to read between the lines here to think about what the state of play is for attacks on reproductive freedom or on contraception. The fact that a bill needs to be introduced to codify and safeguard the right to birth control, nearly 60 years after Griswold, just shows how extreme this agenda is, Roberts said. Voting yes on this bill should have been a no brainer. Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here. Israel and the Lebanese Iran-backed Islamist group Hezbollah have been ramping up cross-border attacks after months of low-intensity fighting, prompting the Israeli military to warn that it is prepared to launch a large-scale attack on its northern border. With both sides trading fire for more than eight months, experts say Israel feels it can no longer ignore its northern front or delay taking action there. A full-blown war appears to have become more likely even if both sides have no desire for one, analysts believe. Heres what we know: Why are Israel and Hezbollah fighting? Lebanon and Israel have officially been in a state of war for decades. Israel launched a devastating invasion of Lebanon in 1982, sending tanks all the way to the capital Beirut, after coming under attack from Palestinian militants in the country. It then occupied southern Lebanon for 22 years until it was driven out by Hezbollah, which emerged from the rubble of the Israeli invasion. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed Lebanese movement with one of the regions most powerful paramilitary forces. The resistance group is tasked with confronting Israel, which Beirut classifies as an enemy state. Much of the Western world has designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Since then, the two sides have traded fire sporadically, but tensions boiled over in 2006 when Israel went to war in southern Lebanon again after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers. More than 1,000 Lebanese were killed in that conflict, mostly civilians, as well as 49 Israeli civilians and 121 soldiers. Two years later, Hezbollah returned the remains of the kidnapped soldiers in exchange for the release of Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as the bodies of militants Israel was holding. Israeli armored personnel carriers are positioned near a mosque on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital of Beirut on June 16, 1982. - Rina Castelnuovo/AP The latest hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah started after Hamas led an attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250, according to Israeli authorities. That prompted Israel to go to war with Hamas in Gaza, during which it has levelled much of the territory and killed more than 37,000 Palestinians. Hezbollah has said its current round of fighting with Israel is to support the Palestinians in Gaza. The military capability of the Lebanese group has grown since 2006, when it relied largely on inaccurate Soviet-era Katyusha rockets. Today, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says his group boasts more than 100,000 fighters and reservists. The group is also believed to possess 150,000 rockets that could overwhelm Israels defenses if an all-out war breaks out. Why are tensions flaring up now? The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been gradually intensifying since October 7, said Heiko Wimmen, project director for Iraq, Syria and Lebanon at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank. Its a slow-motion escalation that inches upwards, he said. But both sides have come closer to war of late as clashes across the border have grown in number and scale. There is clearly an escalation, said Wimmen, particularly in terms of deaths on each side of the border and the type of weaponry Hezbollah has been deploying. An Israeli reservist was killed in a Hezbollah strike on a village in northern Israel last week, bringing the total number of soldiers killed on the Israeli side to 19. Israel killed one of Hezbollahs most senior commanders, Talib Sami Abdulla, in a strike on southern Lebanon this week. The IDF said the commander was responsible for multiple attacks against Israeli civilians over several years. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched more than 200 rockets toward Israel on Wednesday and a significant but smaller barrage on Thursday. Israel and Hezbollah have also been striking much deeper into each others territory than they were at the beginning of the war, when fighting was confined to a roughly 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) radius of the border on either side. Hezbollah has fired 35 kilometers into Israel, while Israel has targeted areas of Lebanon more than 120 kilometers north. Cross-border attacks from Lebanon in early June led to large fires blazing through Israels northern region, which Israel attributed to rocket fire from southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah said it had launched a swarm of drones at Israeli military sites. Amal Saad, a lecturer at Cardiff University and an expert on Hezbollah, said the groups escalation is a marked departure from prior flare-ups that have occurred since October 8. This stage transcends merely responding to Israeli attacks and restoring deterrence; it involves conveying new messages and strategies, Saad wrote on X on June 5. The conflict has become very visible and difficult to ignore, said Wimmen, of the International Crisis Group, adding that Israeli officials feel compelled to respond, or at least be seen as responding, amid pressure to react from far-right ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. There is a push within government and the Israeli army to take action in the north, Ronni Shaked, a scholar at the Truman Institute at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told CNN. Nobody can live in this situation. New weapons at play The cross-border conflict has seen new weapons come into the mix. In an escalatory development on June 8, Hezbollah said it fired a salvo of Falaq 2 rockets at a military site in northern Israel. This was the first time the group had deployed the weapon, which is an improved version of the Falaq 1 rocket that Hezbollah has used throughout the conflict. An Iranian-made rocket, the Falaq 2 has a longer range and carries a larger warhead than its predecessor. An Iranian-made rocket, the Falaq 2 has a longer range and carries a larger warhead than its predecessor. Israeli soldiers on the border with Lebanon have also used a catapult rarely used by military forces since the 16th century. The trebuchet, a rotating arm with a sling attached to launch a projectile, was used to launch fireballs from Israel toward Lebanese territory, likely to burn shrubbery to make it easier for Israeli forces to identify militants. Israeli public broadcaster and CNN affiliate Kan on Thursday reported that the IDF had said the catapult was a local initiative and had not come into widespread use. What are both sides saying? Rhetoric has been fiery from both sides, but experts say neither side wants a full-blown conflict. Netanyahu in December warned that Beirut would turn into Gaza if Hezbollah chose to start an all-out war. But Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich last week poured cold water on the prospect of a wider war, saying the IDF isnt interested in broadening the war to eliminate Hezbollah. The military is telling us right now that it doesnt want to launch an attack in the north, fight and defeat Hezbollah, and overwhelm it and create a security zone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a wreath-laying ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, in Jerusalem on May 6. - Amir Cohen/Reuters During his visit to the northern city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border last week, Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for very intense action in the north. Whoever thinks that they can hurt us and that we will sit idly by is making a big mistake, the prime minister said. One way or another, we will restore security to the north. Naim Qassem, Hezbollahs second-in-command, told Al Jazeera that the group had assessed that recent threats from Israel were not serious. Either way, we have decided not to widen the battle and we do not want an all-out war. But if it is imposed on us, we are ready and we wont retreat, Qassem said, adding that Hezbollah will end its attacks on Israel once the war in Gaza stops. Is a full-blown war likely? Experts say that while both sides may not choose to start an all-out war, their escalatory actions may still trigger one inadvertently. Wimmen of the International Crisis Group said that Israel and Hezbollah are unlikely to take a conscious decision to start a war. However, the more intense the conflict becomes, the deeper each side strikes into the others territory and the heavier the weapons used, the more likely it is that something goes wrong, he said. Netanyahu is under intense pressure from the opposition and members of his coalition to take action in the north, especially given that so many Israelis have been displaced from the area. An Israeli firefighter puts out flames in a field after rockets launched from southern Lebanon landed on the outskirts of Kiryat Shmona on June 4. - Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images More than 53,000 Israelis have been forced to leave their homes in the north, the IDF said. More houses were evacuated this week in the Galilee region in northern Israel after a fire broke following rocket attacks from Lebanon, Israeli police said. In Lebanon, more than 94,000 people have been displaced from areas and towns near the border with Israel since the conflict started, according to figures released last week by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. All Hezbollah strongholds must be burned and destroyed. War! said Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in a statement. Opposition leader Yair Lapid also slammed the government, saying: The north goes up in flames and Israeli deterrence burns with it. The government has no plan for the day after in Gaza, no plan to return the residents to the north, no management, no strategy. A government of total abandonment, Lapid said on X. The US has cautioned against escalation, worried it might spin out of control. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday the United States is incredibly concerned about the risk of escalation, adding that the Biden administration is engaged in diplomatic conversations to try to avoid that conflict from escalating beyond control. Shaked, the Truman Institute scholar, said that despite Hezbollahs assertions that its attacks on Israel are in support of Gaza, the groups strategy is likely to be closely coordinated with its closest ally Iran especially with so much at stake. Hezbollah is Irans most effective non-state partner. A wider conflict could also draw the Islamic Republic and the United States into the war. Israel and Iran came close to war in April after launching unprecedented direct attacks on each others soil. CNNs Tamar Michaelis, Jonny Hallam, Mike Schwartz, Abbas Al Lawati and Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting, For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Why lung cancer may be worse in nonsmokers and more Why lung cancer may be worse in nonsmokers and more Medical Watch Digest For June 13 Why lung cancer may be worse in nonsmokers Targeted treatment often fails in those who have never smoked warn oncologists at the University College London. Lung cancer cells with two genetic mutations are better able to not only withstand treatment but develop a resistance to it.These cells with the ability to double their genome are more common in nonsmokers. While lung cancers are genetically tested before treatment, there is no standard test to detect the presence of genome doubling. Never smoked lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer killer in the world. Study: Low risk of secondary blood cancers after CAR-T Treatment CAR-T therapy works for blood cancers with little risk A large study by Stanford Medicine scientists found CAR-T not only treats initial cancers but the threat of secondary cancers is low following the therapy. The cell based therapy was approved in 2017. But in November the FDA issued a warning about CAR-T and the link to possible secondary cancers. Oncologists went back to study the case of the patient who developed a secondary cancer and found car-t did not cause the subsequent malignancy they say was instead brewing at low levels in the body. Study authors say they hope their research will alleviate some concerns about car-t cell therapy and help clinicians identify patients early who may be at risk of secondary cancers who need better monitoring. More Coverage: WGNs Medical Watch Loneliness poses health threats Further proof of the connection between physical and mental health doctors say people who feel lonely also suffer from more health ailments. Penn State researchers say even short term loneliness is harmful to daily physical health. This study provides more insight to the impact of a recent surgeon general statement declaring loneliness a public health crisis. Loneliness and restricted social contact increases the threat for heart disease, stroke, dementia and clinical depression. Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGNs Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up 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 WGN-TV. Widow of man killed by Modesto police officer has died. Why does her family blame the city? The widow of a man fatally shot by a Modesto police officer in 2022 has died and her family and friends are holding the city responsible. Brittoni Estrella-Chavez died May 17 in her sleep at her Modesto home, said her mother, Teresa Clutter. Estrella-Chavez was 33 and her survivors include three young sons. Her death comes nearly two years after Modesto police Officer Sam Muncy shot and killed 30-year-old Paul Chavez on July 14, 2022, in the front yard of a house in the 1400 block of Entrada Way just off East Orangeburg Ave. I thought the worst day was July 14, 2022, an anguished Clutter said to City Council members during public comment at their Tuesday meeting. I thought that was our worst. I thought that was the worst thing our family would ever have to deal with. I never in a million years would think Id also be standing here and wearing (a shirt with my daughters picture on it). The pain that Samuel Adam Muncy has caused our family is so tremendous I wouldnt even wish it on any of you. ... My daughter couldnt take it anymore. The pressure. The stress. Losing her best friend of 16 years, her husband. Clutter told council members she and her husband now are raising the three grandsons and helping them cope with the loss of their parents. She was one of nearly a dozen family members, friends and others who spoke during public comment about Estrella-Chavez. They wore T-shirts with her picture and the words Rest Babygirl, Rest in The Lord above it. Chavezs family members, their friends and supporters had spoken at nearly every council meeting for more than a year after his death, calling for Muncy to be fired and for no more people to die at the hands of the police. Attorneys Ben Nisenbaum, right, and John Burris, left, show still frames from a cell phone video of the shooting of Paul Chavez Jr. during a news conference to announce a wrongful death lawsuit for the fatal shooting by Modesto Police on July 14. Photographed on Estrada Way in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. They had stopped coming to meetings in recent months until Tuesday. They (the City Council) need to know, Clutter said in an interview about her daughters death. As in previous meetings, speakers remarks were filled with rage, anguish and grief. The tone could be harsh and abrasive, with some speakers yelling at council members. Some repeated accusations that council members have been disrespectful and indifferent to Estrella-Chavez and other family members. One speaker called Modestos police officers pigs and used an expletive to describe Police Chief Brandon Gillespie. Vice mayor responds to allegations Later in the meeting, during the council comments section of the agenda, Vice Mayor Eric Alvarez responded, saying the allegations of disrespect and indifference are not true but council members are limited in what they can say because of a lawsuit filed by Chavezs family against the city. It does not mean we dont care about police brutality, he said. We have three Latinos up here (on the seven-member council). One African American. ... In what world do we not care? We are up here because we care the most. We take these shots. We take these punches because we care. Brittoni Estrella Chavez, widow of Paul Chavez Jr., protests outside 10th Street Place before the Modesto City Council meeting in Modesto, Calif., on August 23, 2022. Councilman Chris Ricci said during council comments that it is important to recognize the work the Police Department and City Council have done in recent years regarding police reform. That includes forming the Community Police Review Board and hiring an independent police auditor. Ricci said he would keep working work with members of the community who are dedicated to making Modesto better by giving recommendations that can result in the changes that we want. These reforms were sparked in a large part by the December 2020 fatal shooting of Trevor Seever by then-officer Joseph Lamantia, who was fired from his job in March 2021. DA said use of force reasonable Muncy and Officer Sergio Valencia were dispatched to respond to a 911 call from Chavezs father-in-law, who had reported that Chavez was drunk and trying to break into the house. He called again to say Chavez had picked up a trailer hitch. Body camera footage from police shows Chavez holding the trailer hitch at his side and the officers telling him several times to put it down or he will be Tased. Chavez was then Tased by Valencia and pulled out the prongs as the officers continued to tell him to put down the hitch. The shooting by Muncy happened about six seconds later. Chavez family members and their supporters have said Chavez was not a threat. They have called Muncys actions comply or die policing. The Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office in December 2022 announced that its review of the shooting concluded Muncy and Valencia had used reasonable force and charges would not be filed. Family and friends say Chavez was a devoted husband and father. He had worked for nearly seven years as a truck driver for Smart Alternative Fuels, collecting used cooking oil from restaurants and other businesses. Estrella-Chavez had said hed struggled with alcohol and relapsed not long before the shooting. Clutter said her daughter relived daily the trauma of witnessing her husband being Tased and shot. Estrella-Chavez can be heard screaming in video of the shooting. But Clutter said her daughter became an advocate for police reform and met with other families who lost loved ones in police shootings. Brittoni Estrella, wife of Paul Chavez Jr., middle left, reacts to the video of her husbands shooting by Modesto Police during a news conference to announce a wrongful death lawsuit for the fatal shooting of Chavez on July 14. With Estrella is Michael Chavez, top left, Alissia Hager, middle, Teresa Clutter, right, Roseanna Hager, left, and Martos Estrella. Photographed on Estrada Way in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. Clutter said her daughter tried counseling in the aftermath of the shooting but was not able to maintain it because of her schedule. Clutter said she plans to get her three grandsons back into counseling. Awaiting autopsy results A service was held June 2 for Estrella-Chavez but the family is still waiting on the results of her autopsy for the cause of death. Clutter said her daughter did not use drugs and had gone to bed and did not wake up the next morning. The Stanislaus County Coroners Office said the cause of death is pending test results. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Clutter with the funeral expenses and other costs from her daughters death, including the care of her grandsons. Wikieup lithium mine clears one hurdle, but Hualapai neighbors still oppose the plan The Bureau of Land Management has announced its preliminary approval for a new phase of lithium mining exploration on public lands near the rural community of Wikieup and adjacent Hualapai Tribe land. Arizona Lithium, an Australian-based mining company, expects to find high-grade lithium carbonate, a mineral used to produce batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. BLM's approval would permit the drilling of 131 new holes. According to documents, the project site covers approximately 613 acres, with only about 21 acres planned for land disturbance and a maximum depth of 360 feet. Drilling activities are proposed to last around 18 months to assess the potential for viable mining. If the company decides to proceed with actual mining, it must submit a new operations plan for BLM's review. Questions remain about where the company will get the water it needs for its operations since most residents and businesses in the area depend on groundwater wells. To approve projects like this, BLM must conduct an environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act and a tribal consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to consider possible impacts. Ka-Voka Jackson, director of the Hualapai Cultural Resources Department and Tribal Historic Preservation officer, is the tribal representative for this project. "The Hualapai Tribe is very disappointed in the decision that BLM made," said Jackson, who holds an M.S. in ecology. "The tribe does support the transition to a green economy, but it can't occur at the expense of Indigenous nations." Ha'Kamwe' in the Hualapai language, named in English as Cofer Hot Spring, is part of the ancestral homelands of the Hualapai, Yavapai, Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Southern Paiute, Hopi, and Colorado River indigenous tribes. The mining claims surround a sacred site known in the Hualapai language as Ha'Kamwe', later named in English as Cofer Hot Springs. This green oasis, from which warm water emanates even in cold times, has been used by native Indigenous communities for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Jackson said the mine would impact tribal religious and spiritual practices in Ha'Kamwe' and the Hualapai Tribe-owned Cholla Canyon Ranch, where the hot spring is located. Concerns over mine proximity to the sacred spring In 2019, the Australian company Hawkstone Mining Limited, operating as Arizona Lithium Limited, filed the third phase of its exploration plan under the name Big Sandy Inc. Phases one and two of the exploration project consisted of drilling 16 and 37 holes. Since then, the mining company has encountered opposition from Indigenous people, primarily from the Hualapai Tribe, as well as environmental activists and other local community members and allies. Bryant Smith Jr., a Hualapai tribe member, drinks from the holy water of Ha'Kamwe during a ceremony. They aim to prevent any potential environmental or cultural risks associated with lithium mining in the Hualapi's historical homelands. "Even though this is a green energy project," Jackson said, "it should not come at the expense of Indigenous sacred places." Although mining exploration did not take place within the Hulapai property but on public lands overseen by BLM, Ivan Bender, who was the caretaker of Ha'Kamwe', said he witnessed the springs' water levels go down after the drilling process. "I noticed a change in our water," Bender said. "We've lost seven feet of water in almost four years." BLM officials said the groundwater well used by the mining company, within a few hundred feet of the sacred Ha'Kamwe', is not hydrologically connected to the hot spring. The office still asked Big Sandy Inc. to stop using it. The community fears the overpumping of groundwater and contamination of water, soil, and even air, as the project entails an open-pit mine. Still, the more significant consideration is the water. "We're primarily concerned about the puncturing of the aquifer that could occur as a result of this project," Jackson said. Based on the public comments on the exploration plan, Big Sandy Inc. agreed not to use groundwater wells near Ha'Kamwe or drill a new well. Instead, the company proposes to purchase water from Wikieup, the largest and closest rural community, with a population of about 135 people. In the approved document, the applicant anticipates trucking an estimated 165,000 gallons of water from Wikieup's municipal supply. Wikieup, however, has no municipal water supply or central provider; the primary water source for residents and businesses there is groundwater-using wells. "BLM did not adequately analyze the impacts of this project," Jackson said. In Arizona, 40% of the state's water supply comes from groundwater, which is the source of springs and wells, sustaining rivers, streams and wildlife habitats in the states desert environment. According to Doug MacEachern, communications administrator with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Wikieup is not in an active management area. "It's in a part of rural Arizona where we have no authority to regulate the amount of water that's extracted," MacEachern said. "It's an issue that is not regulated." Mining and tribes: Clean energy or healthy river? Why lines in the debate aren't as clear at this Western mine MacEachern says the Groundwater Management Act of 1980 does not allow ADWR to interfere in that area. After The Republic's inquiry, the mining company in charge of the exploration drilling process responded via email: "Given the water limitations in Wikieup, we are reevaluating the source of water for exploratory drilling. It will either come from a commercial source in Wikieup or outside areas such as Kingman." Kingman is at least 50 miles away. "In addition, we are investigating different kinds of drilling that use even less water than what is in the now approved plan. Any updates to our plan of exploration will be submitted to BLM for approval." According to Dolores Garcia, the BLM public affairs specialist, the company doesn't need BLM's approval for where it gets the water as long as it doesn't extract the water on site. The plan's approval took about five years Big Sandy Inc. filed the third phase of the current exploration plan in 2019. Still, BLM did not start its NEPA review until 2021 to determine whether the proposed actions could have significant environmental effects. Jerry Davis, deputy state director of renewable resources and planning from BLM, said the tribal consultation was the part of the process that required the most back-and-forth. "The tribes had legitimate, serious concerns, and we wanted to ensure that we had ample time to work with them," Davis said. BLM states in its NEPA database that it consulted the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, and Navajo Nation. To facilitate the processes, Arizona Lithium announced that the drill program will be managed by the tribal-owned Navajo Transitional Energy Company as part of their mining services agreement. NTEC will be responsible for managing the permitting requirements, additional exploration drilling, mine design, environmental assessments and development until mining commences. Protests: Proposed lithium mine near Wikieup would endanger sacred sites, Native activists say In compensation, NTEC will receive Arizona Lithium shares valued at 7.5 cents per share, subject to the full permitting of the Big Sandy Lithium Project. Arizona Lithium expects to commence a bulk sample in July. Yet, Davis said, "The exploration plan won't actually get officially approved until the end of the 30-day appeal period that we're currently in." After that period, if the exploration plan is fully approved, Arizona Lithium would be required to submit a reclamation bond that BLM would need to accept. "That would provide for surety of restorations of any resource damages if the proponent didn't take care of that themselves," Davis said. "We're anticipating that the bond for this project would be approximately $60,000." The amount is still subject to adjustment. Jackson said that the Hualapai Tribe is still analyzing the decision and what options they have. Prayer run and rally to protect Ha'Kamwe' In March, Ivan Bender was the caretaker of Ha'Kamwe'. Concerned about the spring's future, he led a 200-mile prayer run from Peach Springs to the Arizona State Capitol. He invited his community, sharing the information on the local newsletter, radio and social media. Children, adults and elders from diverse communities and tribes joined the demonstration in opposition to the Big Sandy Lithium Project and expressed concern for preserving sacred waters. During the days Bender left the spring for the prayer run, he said he left without pay. He doesn't do the advocating job for money but for conviction, to protect the place of his ancestors and the values he believes in, and to protect the water and Ha'Kamwe'. Bender said his tribe hired another person, who is not part of the tribe, to work in the Cholla Canyon Ranch. He was supposed to care for the place during his absence. But when Bender returned, he found that the big old mesquite tree that used to be planted next to the well had been cut down. "That guy cut down that tree," Bender said, "when I saw that, I was furious. I've shed tears for this sacred land. So I pushed him." After that incident over the tree, Bender was removed from his position as caretaker of Ha'Kamwe'. He is now scheduled for a jury trial next month. "I was protecting the land," Bender said. "I stood up and fought for something I believe in, but now, I have to deal with this." Trilce Estrada Olvera writes about environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send comments and story tips to trilce.estradaolvera@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can support environmental journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: BLM approves lithium exploration near Wikieup and Hualapai Tribe land WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) A Williamsburg woman was arrested after a stabbing early Friday morning at the Days Inn on Bypass Road, authorities say. The York-Poquoson Sheriffs Office says deputies responded just after 4 a.m. for a report of a stabbing and found a 39-year-old man with two serious lacerations. Their investigation found the victim and 51-year-old Regina Harvey were staying at the hotel when they got into a fight that led to the stabbing. Harvey was charged with one count of aggravated malicious wounding. Shes at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. NEWFANE, N.Y. (WIVB) A man wanted on multiple extradition warrants out of Indiana was found in Newfane early Friday morning, the Niagara County Sheriffs Office announced. Shortly after 2:30 a.m., a deputy stopped a vehicle on Chestnut Road that was being driven with a headlight out. According to officials, the driver falsely identified himself. Identified as 40-year-old Wilson resident Richard Baldwin, deputies said his four warrants out of Indiana totaled six charges pertaining to meth and vehicle theft. Baldwin was charged with false personation, unlicensed operation and having no/inadequate headlight. Baldwins passenger, 37-year-old Lockport resident Michael Doxey, Jr., was taken into custody on an active bench warrant out of Lockport accusing him of petit larceny, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. Both Baldwin and Doxey were remanded to the Niagara County Correctional Facility. Baldwin was taken in to await extradition, while Doxey was said to be awaiting further proceedings in Lockport and Clarence. Doxey faces additional warrants relating to burglary, the sheriffs office said. Officials said a third passenger was given a courtesy transport and the vehicle was impounded. Latest Local News Evan Anstey is an Associated Press Award, JANY Award and Emmy-nominated digital producer who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Right-wing media outlets used a deceptively cropped video to misleadingly claim President Joe Biden wandered off during an event with other world leaders at the G7 summit in Italy on Thursday. Video shared by the New York Post on X showed part of a skydiving demonstration in front of several world leaders in Italy that involved several parachutists landing near the group, with each skydiver carrying a flag representing the different G7 countries. In the full, unedited video, Biden who was standing with the group of leaders as a parachutist carrying a G7 banner landed in front of them briefly turned away to give a thumbs-up to several parachutists who had landed behind the group, along with a parachute rigger who was kneeling on the ground to pack up one of the skydivers chutes and the French flag. Other leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron, also briefly look toward that group. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni then walks toward Biden, taps him on the arm, and motions for him to join the other leaders who were being briefed by an Italian Army officer about the demonstration they just watched. But the video shared by the Post on X cropped out the kneeling parachute rigger, omitting the context of why Biden walked away from the group. President Biden appeared to wander off at the G7 summit in Italy, with officials needing to pull him back to focus, the social-media post said. That claim later became the basis of the Posts Friday front page, which called Biden the MEANDER IN CHIEF and accused the president of embarrassing the US with confused wanderings. The White House on Thursday criticized the Post and outlets for characterizing the president as confused and for using an artificially narrow frame to make it appear as if the president was wandering off from the skydiving demonstration. Hes saying congratulations to one of the divers and giving a thumbs up, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a post on social media. Beware cheap fakes and all the bad faith actors who post them, White House communications director Ben LaBolt also posted. X later added a community note to the Posts tweet acknowledging the video had been cropped. A spokesperson for the Post did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Edited video goes through conservative echo chamber The video of Biden at the skydiving demonstration appeared to have first been flagged by the Republican National Committee, which posted the uncropped video of Biden giving the parachutists a thumbs-up shortly after the demonstration took place. The New York Post shared the cropped version less than 90 minutes later. Other right-wing outlets quickly followed suit. Sinclair stations posted stories saying Biden appeared to wander away at the summit. Those stories also resurfaced false claims that the president soiled himself at a D-Day ceremony in France earlier this month. A Fox & Friends segment Friday morning reported on the incident and the Posts front page, with a chyron saying the president appeared confused at the summit. Other world leaders who attended the event with Biden, though, pushed back on the idea that he was confused. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was standing just steps away from Biden, said the president was being very polite and went over to talk to all of (the skydivers) individually. Giorgia was saying dont worry theyre all coming we were meant to line up and they were coming to shake our hands, Sunak said, according to The Telegraph. Cropped video plays on concerns over Bidens age While emerging technologies like artificial intelligence continue to proliferate and create concern about the impact that misinformation will have on voters ahead of November, the video shared by the Post shows that relatively low-tech efforts, like cropping videos to show Biden out of context, can still be powerful tools to reinforce the idea that the 81-year-old president has lost control of his mental faculties. Every day that Biden is president, he sets a new record as the oldest person to ever hold that office. He would be 86 at the end of a potential second term. And recent events, including special counsel Robert Hurs report that described the president being portrayed as a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory and recent Biden missteps where he appeared to confuse long-dead world leaders with their living contemporaries, have served to reinforce those concerns. The White House has pushed back on criticism over Bidens age by pointing toward his packed travel schedule. In just the last two weeks, the president has traveled to France to commemorate D-Day, back to the United States to comfort a son who just became a convicted felon and then embarked on another transatlantic journey to Italy, where he participated in high-stakes discussions about future US support for Ukraines defense against Russias invasion. From there he heads straight to California to participate in a star-studded fundraiser. The rest of this month will see Biden preparing for his critical June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump, who turned 78 on Friday and is also scrutinized for his age. Bidens campaign and his family members have said his age and the experience that comes with it are an asset to his role, and not a liability. The campaign has sent first lady Dr. Jill Biden to shore up older voters support of the president. Joe and that other guy are essentially the same age, the first lady said at an event in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday. Lets not be fooled. But what this election is about, its about the character of the person leading our country. Joe Biden is a healthy, wise 81-year-old ready and willing to work for you every day to make our future better, she added. Joe isnt one of the most effective presidents of our lives in spite of his age, but because of it. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FRIDAY, 06/14/2024, 6:00 p.m. JUNEAU, Wis. (WFRV) The Dodge County Sheriffs Office says it has taken the missing Huber inmate back into custody. Wisconsin authorities looking for escaped Huber inmate, left Dodge Co. Jail in own vehicle FRIDAY, 06/14/2024, 8:22 a.m. JUNEAU, Wis. (WFRV) Deputies in southeastern Wisconsin are looking for an escaped Huber inmate after he left the Dodge County Jail in his own vehicle for medical treatment but never returned. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, deputies are asking for the publics help with locating Dodge County inmate James C. Griswold. Griswold, 32, is an inmate with court-ordered Huber privileges, and deputies say he left the Dodge County Jail around midnight on June 14 to get non-emergent medical attention at a medical center in Beaver Dam. Officers: Infants suspicious injuries happened at a Wisconsin YMCA daycare, charges forthcoming Huber privileges allow certain inmates to leave the facility for work or medical appointments. Deputies say that Griswold never arrived at that medical center or any other local hospitals and never returned to the jail. Griswold reportedly left in his own vehicle, a black 2013 Chevy Malibu, with license plate AWV 9228. James C. Griswold (Dodge County Sheriffs Office) James C. Griswold (Dodge County Sheriffs Office) It was noted that Griswold also owns a black 2001 Dodge Ram, UX 6397, and has ties to the Juneau and Beaver Dam areas. Neenah Police: Incident at Washington Park a misunderstanding, officers remind of safety discussions Deputies are actively trying to look for Griswold and have issued a felony warrant for his arrest stemming from this incident. Anyone with information on Griswolds whereabouts is asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriffs Office at 920-386-3726, through their app, or on their 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Wisconsin Dem hits back at Trump: Milwaukee crime rate will go up with his 34 felony counts After a report that former President Trump called Milwaukee, which will host the Republican National Convention next month, a horrible city, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) said the citys crime rate is going to go up when Trump and his 34 felony counts arrive in the city. I dont know many people in Milwaukee who have 34 felony counts against them. So our crime rate sure is going to go up when he joins us in Milwaukee in July, Moore whose district includes Milwaukee said during a Thursday interview with Lawrence ODonnell on MSNBC. Earlier in the day, Punchbowl News reported Trump called Milwaukee a horrible city during his meeting with Congressional Republicans. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung hit back against the report and said Trump was talking about crime and election issues in the city. Once hes settled in with his parole officer, I am certain he will discover that Milwaukee is a wonderful, vibrant and welcoming city full of diverse neighborhoods and a thriving business community, Moore added in a post on the social platform X. Democrats are now putting up 10 billboards across the city featuring Trumps comment. Democrats in the state have taken to the internet to mock Trumps comment, with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) saying on X, Add it to the list of things Donald Trump is wrong about, with a clown emoji. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley also posted, Milwaukee is a terrific city. Pass it on. State Democrats, including Evers, have picked up on this trend and are also sending out similar social media posts. All of us lived through his presidency, so right back at ya, buddy, Johnson added while speaking to the press in Milwaukee about Trump. Wisconsin congressional Republicans attempted to explain what was said, while Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) posted that Trump did not make any such comment. However, Steil later contradicted himself, saying Trump was talking about specific issues in the city and not the city itself. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) said Trump was referring to election integrity and not crime. GOP Reps. Glenn Grothman (Wis.) and Scott Fitzgerald (Wis.) also said Trump was concerned about elections in the city. Moore called out the Republican Wisconsin lawmakers for making excuses for [Trump] rather than recognizing that he is the one that is horrible, not our great city, Moore added during the MSNBC interview. We have five Republicans from Wisconsin in Congress and all five seem to be telling a different story about what Trump said, Joe Oslund, communications director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, wrote in a statement. Instead of sticking up for Milwaukee and our state, Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, Glenn Grothman, and Tom Tiffany embarrassed themselves with excuses and outright lies. We know what Donald Trump thinks and we know what Donald Trump said: Milwaukee is a horrible city, and no amount of lame Republican spin will change that, he added. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) also weighed in, writing on X that Trump could not be more wrong and that the people of Milwaukee will remind him this November. Donald Trump attacking the great city of Milwaukee as a horrible city exactly one month before he shuffles out on stage at Fiserv reflects the backward, twisted man Donald Trump has always been, said Wisconsin Democratic Party Vice Chair Felesia Martin, who is also sits on Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A western North Carolina man was sentenced Thursday after being convicted of an attempted kidnapping using a popular app last fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, 23-year-old Evan William Blankenship of Whittier was sentenced to 120 months in prison for the conviction of possession of a firearm during an assault. He was arrested and charged by a grand jury in Charlotte Oct. 11. Could the Blue Ridge Parkway finally become an official historic landmark? According to court documents and court proceedings, on Sept. 28, 2023, the two victims, L.P. and L.M., were sitting in a parked vehicle at Water Rock Knob Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blankenship drove his vehicle to where the victims were located and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at them. He then tried to pull L.P. out of the vehicle by the hair and arm, threatened to harm both victims, and struck L.P. in the face. Blankenship also fired his firearm into the air before pointing it again at the victims. Blankenship eventually let the two go, and the victims reported the incident to law enforcement. Shortly thereafter. L.P. informed investigators that she knew Blankenship through video app Snapchat and believed he had used its location-sharing feature to find her on the Parkway. Blankenship has remained in federal custody since his arrest. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. U.S. Attorney King thanked the National Park Service for their thorough investigation and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office for their assistance with the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott, of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Asheville, prosecuted the 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 Queen City News. CHICAGO Four people were shot early Friday morning in Calumet Heights. Three men, ages 44, 37 and 30, were standing in the 9100 block of South Harper with a 33-year-old woman. At around 3 a.m., CPD said a gunman inside a red sedan fired shots at them. All of the men sustained gunshot wounds and were transported in fair condition. The 33-year-old woman walked into Trinity Hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the neck. No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Loved ones held a vigil to honor a woman who was murdered after a brutal sexual assault along the Venice Canals. Sarah Alden, 53, was declared brain-dead in May before being taken off life support shortly after. Portions of the Sherman Canal were transformed Thursday night as hundreds of friends, family, neighbors and community members gathered to honor the woman. Flowers decorated footbridges along the canal and musicians on the water serenaded loved ones who looked on. On April 6, Alden and another woman, Mary Klein, 54, were viciously attacked in separate incidents as they were walking along the famed canals. The vicious attack left Alden in a coma and Klein severely injured and hospitalized. Sarah Alden is seen in a personal photo. Sarah Alden is seen in a personal photo. A candlelight vigil to honor Sarah Alden, who was killed in a brutal Venice attack, was held along the Venice Canals on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) A candlelight vigil to honor Sarah Alden, who was killed in a brutal Venice attack, was held along the Venice Canals on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) A candlelight vigil to honor Sarah Alden, who was killed in a brutal Venice attack, was held along the Venice Canals on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) A candlelight vigil to honor Sarah Alden, who was killed in a brutal Venice attack, was held along the Venice Canals on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) A candlelight vigil to honor Sarah Alden, who was killed in a brutal Venice attack, was held along the Venice Canals on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) Mary Klein, the second victim of the Venice Canal attacker, was released from the hospital and attended Sarah Aldens vigil. She spoke with KTLAs Rick Chambers on June 13, 2024. (KTLA) Sarah Alden is seen in a personal photo. Sarah Alden is seen in a personal photo. The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, seen walking around the Venice canals area on April 6, 2024. Residents walking along the Venice canals in California. (KTLA) Police confirmed that both attacks had a sexual element to them. The suspect, Anthony Francisco Jones, 29, was arrested days later on April 11 for the assaults. Jones was captured on security cameras walking near the canals that night holding a liquor bottle that investigators said was used in the attacks. He is also believed to be a homeless man. Loved ones remembered Alden as a kind friend and loving mother of two sons. Alden had worked hard to achieve her dream of living in Venice Beach. She had just moved across the country from Massachusetts and signed a lease for an apartment when she was murdered. This should have never happened, said a loved one during Aldens vigil. We have a right to walk down our streets. We have a right to enjoy this lovely town that we have come to call home. The second victim, Klein, spoke to KTLA from her hospital bed after the attack. She said she believed the suspect was trying to kill her that night. Her jaw was wired shut and she suffered severe injuries including jaw fractures, broken teeth, a large gash on the back of her head and multiple contusions. Her face and chest were severely bruised and swollen. For some reason, I survived and Im not really sure why, Klein said. Mary Klein, seen with severe injuries and bruising, speaks to KTLA from her hospital bed on April 12, 2024. (KTLA) Mary Klein, 54, is seen in a photo posted on GoFundMe. The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, seen walking around the Venice canals area on April 6, 2024. The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, seen walking around the Venice canals area on April 6, 2024. The suspect in the Venice canal attacks is seen on a Ring security camera video on April 6, 2024. (Viewer video) The Venice Canals are seen on April 9, 2024. (KTLA) Police warn Venice residents of a violent man attacking women near the canals on April 6, 2024. (KTLA) Blood stains seen on the back porch of a Venice residents home after a woman was violently assaulted. (KTLA) Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced several charges against Anthony Jones, 29, in connection to assaults along the Venice canal last week. (KTLA) Police warn Venice residents of a violent man attacking women near the canals on April 6, 2024. (KTLA) Klein, who has a long road to recovery ahead, was finally released from the hospital. She is now focusing her efforts on campaigning for criminal justice reform. This shouldnt be happening in our country, Klein said. We have police and we have laws and theyre letting people out of jail who shouldnt be let out, who are violent criminals. What do you say to women who are feeling afraid in their own neighborhood? said Traci Park, a Los Angeles city council member who attended the vigil. How do I address the anger of a community pushed to the brink? How do I even begin to acknowledge the depth of the loss and the grief felt by Sarahs family and loved ones? The attacks have left many Venice residents stunned, angered and worried for their safety. Resident Aimee Nelson said theres been a notable increase in violent crime and neighbors are watching out for each other. One neighbor even provided her with pepper spray and a stun gun. Our neighbors have been asking each other to walk them home, people are avoiding going out at night because they feel unsafe, said Ramon Goni, a Venice local. Some residents told KTLA they believed the canals to be a relatively safe area but are no longer certain now. It was a little pocket that was different from the rest of Venice, away from all the homeless and where the attacks were, said a resident named Tim. But now, I think [the crime] has penetrated in. The suspect, Jones, was arrested and charged with murder, forcible rape, torture, mayhem, sexual penetration by use of force and sodomy by use of force. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Woman who lost sister to domestic violence has created a device to help others in danger One day last summer, Milwaukee police realized a woman named Emma, a 19-year-old known to be in a high-risk abusive relationship, was in active danger. It wasnt because she or a witness phoned 911 to report what was happening. It wasnt because an officer or an advocate stopped by her home and saw something wrong. Yet officers still knew Emma was in a vehicle, and where it was. They knew the details of her case file. They could access audio of her surroundings. Eventually, the car Emma was in stopped. Officers went to the residence and found her being held in the basement. Liz Kohler is the founder of Nexion Solutions, which provides services and devices to victims of domestic violence that allow them to contact help. She is shown Tuesday, May 28, 2028 in Shorewood, Wisconsin. She has a tattoo on her wrist with the GPS coordinates of a home where law enforcement rescued a woman who was abducted and used her companys technology to call for help. Emma was taken to safety. Her abuser was taken in handcuffs. It was all thanks to a new piece of technology given to Emma because of the high-risk situation she was living in. Disguised as an everyday item, the device has a button that can trigger a GPS tracker, an emergency call to law enforcement and upload a case file automatically to dispatchers. The device made its debut last year in a pilot program with the Milwaukee Domestic Violence High Risk Team, a collection of law enforcement and domestic violence prevention officials, which long before 2023 established itself as a highly effective unit at stopping the most dangerous domestic violence cases from turning fatal. The impact of the device so far is startling, according to Carmen Pitre, the president and CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center, the largest provider of services for domestic abuse victims in Wisconsin. Survivors who use it report a greater sense of safety, along with better feelings and better connection toward law enforcement, she said. The devices origins are in Milwaukee, too. It was developed by Liz Kohler, the sister of a woman who was killed in a domestic violence-related homicide in 2007. She is hopeful the new technology will become a staple in law enforcement agencies and domestic violence shelters around the globe. We have a shortage of officers nationwide. We have a shortage of advocates nationwide. And yet crime, domestic violence, continues to tick up, Kohler said. These technology solutions that extend the reach of an agency to be able to protect people thats what Id like to see more of. Needing to do more Kohler was in her early 30s when her younger sister, Marguerite, entered a new relationship. There were red flags here and there. He would phone her repeatedly until she answered to tell him where she was, for example. Kohler, now 50, first turned her attention toward domestic violence shortly after she graduated college, where she made friends who had experienced it. As she entered the communications field, where many of her clients were in the healthcare industry, Kohler volunteered for the Milwaukee Womens Center for several years. Despite her familiarity with the issue, it didnt register to Kohler or her family that Marguerites relationship was abusive. Many victims struggle to communicate to others about their experiences. Marguerite was killed by her abuser in 2007. My sister was this fierce, brave, bold creature, Kohler said. I just figured if something was going on with her, she would tell me. I think she felt very strongly that she didnt want us to have to worry about her. I think thats common among survivors. She was really strong and thats why we didnt know. After her sisters passing, Kohler tried focusing on work and raising her own kids. But she said she was nagged by a sense that she had to do something more. In 2021, she took a substantial cut in pay by leaving her communications job and began working instead in victim services for the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office. It was there she learned more about how pervasive domestic violence is. It was really overwhelming, she said. Officials in Milwaukee have noted a rise in domestic violence incidents since the summer of 2019, even before the pandemic made daily life more difficult for millions of Americans. In the four years prior to the pandemic, Milwaukee averaged nearly 15 domestic violence-related homicides per year. From 2020 through 2023, the city averaged almost 35, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin. Sojourner, which counts domestic violence-related homicides differently than police, has counted 15 in Milwaukee County this year as of late May. Seven occurred in April. The tip of the iceberg are these homicides, but just below that are thousands of cases that are on the verge of a homicide, Pitre said. Coupled with that, Kohler was struck by the number of witnesses who worried about their own safety as they considered testifying as part of a prosecution. She began thinking about how to keep people safe and recalled her work in communications for the healthcare industry. Fall detection devices which involve GPS locators and automatic calls to emergency operators for people who cannot help themselves up have existed for years. She helped bring some of that technology to market. I grew up in those companies, she said. My background gave me the knowledge of who the big players were that I wanted to bring in as partners. Expanding use of the device Within six months, Kohler founded a company, Nexion Solutions, to develop the device, which she and Pitre requested not be described by the Journal Sentinel so that abusers remain unaware of it. Liz Kohler is the founder of Nexion Solutions, which provides services and devices to victims of domestic violence that allow them to contact help. She is shown Tuesday, May 28, 2028 in Shorewood, Wisconsin. She has a tattoo on her wrist with the GPS coordinates of a home where law enforcement rescued a woman who was abducted and used her companys technology to call for help. The Milwaukee Police Department did not accommodate an interview about the technology, citing concerns over the publicity of the device. It is, however, waterproof and military-grade tough able to withstand attempts at destroying it. About 60 people used it during a pilot project last year. According to Kohler, more than 90% of users reported reduced levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms, better perceptions of law enforcement and an overall improved sense of safety. She said police response times for emergency calls from the device were seven times faster than average. It was crucial in interrupting two abductions and an assault. Outside of Milwaukee, the device is in use only in rural Oklahoma, rural Ohio and suburban New Jersey. Sojourner is actively fundraising to purchase more devices. The organization serves about 10,000 clients every year, Pitre said, and about 75% are considered high risk of lethal violence. Her goal is to one day distribute the device to every high-risk client. Whats apparent is that clients love this added layer, Pitre said. It was that added layer that saved Emma, the woman abducted last summer, from what she thought were her final moments. Kohler has kept tabs on Emma since then. She recently finished her first year of college. That makes Kohler hopeful that the nagging feeling shes had since her sisters death, of having to do more to make a difference, may one day be satisfied. Where to find help for domestic violence Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722. We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org. The Womens Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828. The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075. The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510. The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526. Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090. The Hmong American Womens Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Woman, Sojourner make device to help those at risk domestic violence Woman in Wisconsin asks officers to care for her pet guinea pig after getting arrested for OWI MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) A woman in Wisconsin was arrested for OWI after crashing into parked cars and reportedly permitted officers to care for her guinea pig while she was in jail. According to the Madison Police Department, on June 10 around 3:40 p.m., an impaired driver was arrested after a woman crashed her car into multiple parked cars. Authorities say the 44-year-old driver showed signs of impairment. The woman was taken to a hospital to be medically cleared and was later processed for a first-offense OWI. She was reportedly taken to the Dane County Jail for an active DOC warrant. Wisconsin authorities looking for escaped Huber inmate, left Dodge Co. Jail in own vehicle The release says while at the jail, the woman was concerned for her guinea pig since she would likely be away for a few days. The woman then reportedly gave officers permission to enter her apartment to feed and water the animal, as well as find proper care for the animal. No additional information was 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. In the month since Florida imposed a six-week abortion ban, Lanae Hernandez has helped nearly 200 women figure out how to end later pregnancies, work that sometimes means securing airfare, hotel rooms and money to pay clinics in places as far away as Illinois. Her clients have included a first-time mother who terminated a pregnancy due to serious fetal health defects and a single mother of five unable to support another baby. She said some of her clients have never left the state before, or flown on a plane. This very well may be one of the most difficult decisions our patients have ever had to face in their life, and our government has put them in a position where they need to leave their support system and travel across the country and incur massive expenses, Hernandez said. I wish I could just be at the airport and walk them to their gate. Hernandez experiences underscore the many ways Floridas new abortion rules have made it more difficult for women and health care providers grappling with the question of how to end a pregnancy. While some women are traveling, others are using telehealth appointments with out-of-state doctors to obtain abortion-inducing medication. Their decisions are fraught with emotion and logistical difficulties and it is unclear how long these options can be sustained in the face of financial and legal challenges. Hernandez has a window on the issue as a patient navigator for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida a job that has become increasingly common since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022. Fourteen states now ban it outright, with limited exceptions. Three states, including Florida, ban it six weeks from the first day of a pregnant womans last period, with few exceptions. Florida had a 15-week ban on abortions in place since 2022 and prior to that allowed them until 24 weeks. Since Floridas new ban took effect on May 1, some women have managed to get abortions within the states cutoff, providers say, while some who dont know theyre pregnant until after six weeks have chosen to continue with unwanted or dangerous pregnancies. State abortion data for May is not yet complete, so the exact impact of the new rule is not clear. The November election could also change abortion access. Residents will be asked to vote on Amendment 4, which would make abortion constitutionally protected in Florida up to viability about 24 weeks if 60% of voters say yes. Navigating new restrictions Supporters of Floridas six-week ban say they are confident it will sharply reduce the number of abortions obtained by state residents, despite efforts to evade it. In the vast majority of cases, by far, this is going to have a big impact, as it has in other states, said Mat Staver, founder of the pro-life Liberty Counsel. Florida will not be an abortion destination as it was prior to this law. Florida medical providers performed over 84,000 abortions last year, including nearly 8,000 for people who traveled from out-of-state. Organizations called abortion funds aim to help women circumvent state bans. In 2023, these funds provided over $36 million for abortions and over $10 million for logistical support nationwide, according to the National Network of Abortion Funds. But rising costs have made it impossible to fully meet the need, said Stephanie Loraine Pineiro, executive director of the Florida Access Network abortion fund, at a press conference hosted by the national network on Monday. Floridas ban forces Floridians and people across the southeast to travel further, exhausting funds for travel and practical support even faster, Pineiro said. Pineiro said her fund has helped 150 people over the last month, but the fund can only cover about 50% of requested expenses on average. Telehealth support Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, a professor at the University of California San Franciscos Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, believes that because of the new restrictions many women in Florida have obtained or will obtain abortion-inducing pills online. Under current law, thats a viable option, but overlapping rules make the situation complicated. While the state bans telehealth prescribing for abortion medication, the ban applies to doctors, not the women themselves. Certain states have passed shield laws that aim to protect licensed clinicians in that state from prosecution for prescribing abortion pills to people in states where its illegal. Online pharmacies then fill and mail these prescriptions. Nearly 8,000 people per month in states with bans or restrictions on abortion are prescribed and mailed abortion pills under shield laws, according to estimates from The Society of Family Plannings #WeCount project, a national abortion reporting effort. One of the largest providers, Aid Access, charges $150 or less. Telehealth really removes so many barriers to abortion, said Upadhyay, who is also a #WeCount co-chair. Patients dont even have to take time off work or find childcare. Currently, Florida women who terminate their pregnancy this way arent facing prosecution, nor are the people who help them. Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously said pregnant women who get abortions in violation of Floridas law wont be criminally charged, in line with a previous state supreme court ruling. The telehealth prescription movement alarms people who support abortion bans, however. Liberty Counsels Staver is optimistic this practice will be outlawed in the future. I think its a major concern, Staver said. It makes no sense for Florida to pass a law that regulates brick and mortar facilities, yet at the same time, someone intentionally sends medication into Florida that is specifically designed to violate the law. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday issued a ruling preserving access to the medication mifepristone, which is used in many abortions, but other legal challenges are expected. Dr. William Lile a North Florida obstetrician and gynecologist who calls himself the ProLife Doc and believes life begins at conception said hes concerned about the health of women who get pills without in-person testing to confirm how far along their pregnancy is and to rule out conditions such as ectopic pregnancy. The condition, when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, is rare but can be life-threatening. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy causes similar symptoms to an abortion, so women who take the pill may not realize whats really happening, he said. Weve already had cases of women who have been harmed, Lile said. They thought they were taking the pill for an abortion, yet in reality, they were in that 1% that had an ectopic pregnancy and it is delaying them from seeking health care. These pills are generally safe to take up to 10 weeks into pregnancy, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which notes that though side effects are common, serious adverse reactions are rare. Impact on Florida clinics, patients Not everyone can travel or obtain pills, however. The ban has hit some women hard. Researchers at Middlebury College estimate that the average Florida resident now lives nearly 600 miles from the nearest clinic that offers abortions after six weeks, up from an average of 20 miles before the ban. Wait times for appointments have increased at about 30% of clinics in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the closest states where abortion is legal after six weeks of pregnancy. Im hearing people say, Well, yeah, I got [an abortion], but I went to Georgia first, and then I went to Ohio, and some of my rent isnt paid, and I dont know where Im going to live, said Jenice Fountain, executive director of Alabamas Yellowhammer Fund, during Mondays press conference. Thats not a win. Dr. Robyn Schickler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, said some women, aware of the new law, quickly make appointments and get abortions within the new legal timeframe. Others can take the time, and pay at least some of the costs, for an out-of-state trip. But shes haunted by the patients who she cant help. No matter how much you try and help, some patients, for a variety of reasons, cant leave. These are the most disadvantaged, vulnerable individuals forced to continue their pregnancies, Schickler said. Ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com WOODBRIDGE - The Woodbridge police officer injured in Thursday's shooting at Royal Albert's Palace hotel and banquet center in Fords was released from a New Brunswick hospital Friday, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. The injured Woodbridge officer was identified as Justin Nerney, who joined the department in 2016. Another Woodbridge officer involved in the hotel shooting was not injured, according to the Attorney General's Office. The New York Police Department detective injured in the shooting was identified as Matthew Mauro who the Attorney General's Office said was released from the hospital on Thursday. A Woodbridge police car blocks off the entrance to Royal Albert's Palace, a hotel and banquet center in the Fords section, following a police involved shooting in which two officers were injured and a suspect was killed. The Attorney General's Office also identified the man who died during an exchange of gunfire with police at the hotel as Karl Gregory, 46, of New York City. On Wednesday evening Edison police received information from an automated license plate reader that a vehicle sought in connection with a New York City shooting, that left the victim with life-threatening injuries, was in the area. Edison and Woodbridge police responded to the hotel where they located the unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot. They also notified New York City police who responded to the scene. Around 12:21 a.m. Thursday police were at the hotel interviewing a civilian when the hotel's elevator doors opened and Gregory exited toward the lobby holding several bags. After seeing the officers Gregory dropped his bags and reached into a black backpack and exchanged gunfire with Woodbridge Officers Drew Krupinski and Justin Nerney and New York Detective Matthew Mauro, according to the Attorney General's Office. Gregory, Nerney and Mauro all suffered injuries during the gunfire exchange. Woodbridge police rendered medical aid to Gregory who later died at the scene. A handgun located near Gregory was recovered by police, the Attorney General's Office said. State law requires that the death of any civilian in a police encounter be investigated by the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. That investigation is ongoing. Email: srussell@gannettnj.com Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Woodbridge officer injured in hotel shooting ID'd Yes, Evers did veto PFAS bill and is still asking legislators to release funding Forever chemicals have become a flashpoint for Wisconsin politics. While there has been money set aside a $125 million trust fund to address the growing number of communities and homeowners impacted by PFAS, Republicans and Democrats disagree over how best to release the money to the state Department of Natural Resources for spending. Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, wants the DNR to decide how to best spend the money to help residents. Meanwhile, Republicans say they want a clear spending plan for the money, created through legislation. Over the last several months, Evers has continually called for the release of the PFAS trust fund to the DNR, so the agency can focus on solving issues being caused by the chemicals. But with that call for release has also come controversy, as pointed out by state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, in an April 15, 2024 post on X, formerly known as Twitter Do you think he realizes that hes using the fact that he vetoed how to spend the money to ask that we give him the money anyways? the post said. Wanggaards post was meant as a comment on a previous post by Evers, in which the governor once again called on the Legislature to release these funds and get this important work done for folks and families across our state. But lets look at Wanggaards claim basically, hes saying that Evers is asking the GOP to release money for PFAS, but "vetoed (a bill outlining) how to spend the money. Is that true? When asked for backup, a spokeswoman for Wanggaard declined to share any information about the claim, but plenty of information already exists, so lets dive in. PFAS have faced a partisan battle In April, Evers did veto a bill created by Republicans that outlined how they thought the $125 million trust fund should be spent. Issuing the veto, of course, is Evers prerogative. The bill included a provision that some believe could harm the DNRs authority to address PFAS contamination, and another targeted at innocent landowners that environmental advocates worried would excuse some PFAS manufacturers and users from having to take responsibility for a contamination. Officials with the DNR, Evers and Republican bill authors met several times throughout the drafting process and the amendment process, but did not reach a compromise, according to an Oct. 11, 2023 report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Republicans have insisted that the veto also blocks them from releasing the funds currently held in the trust fund, the Journal Sentinel report said. Republicans voted along party lines to override Evers veto, but the Assembly also controlled by Republicans has offered no indication it will schedule its own vote. So, the matter has been left in limbo. For his part, Evers has repeatedly asked the Legislature to release the money. He even attempted to call in the Joint Finance Committee to release the funding and his administration submitted several draft plans to the panel that outlined how the money could be spent without further legislation. On May 7, 2023, for example, the committee released funding from the national opioid settlement agreement, after altering the Department of Health Services submitted plan, according to the Journal Sentinel. But the committee twice refused to hold a vote. Republican leaders on the committee said the panel cant hold a vote to release the funding, because it would be essentially ignoring the governors veto on the bill spending the money, a May 14, 2024 report from the Journal Sentinel said. Leadership also suggested that releasing the funding after the veto could open the Legislature up to legal action. Mostly True Our ruling Wanggaard claimed that despite the governors calls for Republicans to release the PFAS trust fund, Evers vetoed (a bill outlining) how to spend the money. Evers in April 2024 did veto a Republican-authored bill that outlined how the money could be spent, and created new programs to aid in cleaning up PFAS and protecting innocent landowners from being held liable for contamination on their property. Of course, Evers isnt obligated to agree to the Republican plan, any more than Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee are obligated to sign off on his administrations plans to let the DNR spend the PFAS trust fund. And without some sort of agreement between Republicans and Democrats, Wisconsin is unlikely to see the PFAS funding released to communities. We rate this claim Mostly True. While Wanggaards statement is accurate, it needs clarification or additional information. Sources Sen. Van Wanggaard, Post to X, April 15, 2024 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Forever chemical bill clears committee, but worries over limits to DNR authority persist, Oct. 11, 2023 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Evers vetoes forever chemical bill, calls Joint Finance in for special session to release PFAS trust fund, April 9, 2024 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Senate votes to overturn 9 Evers vetoes. But its not likely the Assembly will do the same, May 14, 2024 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Republicans approve spending $36M opioid settlement money but again shut down PFAS talks, May 7, 2024 This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Evers did veto PFAS bill and is still asking legislators to release funding Yolo County reports first sign of West Nile virus this year, found in dead Woodland bird A bird in Woodland near Jack Slaven Park tested positive for West Nile virus this week, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District reported Thursday. The house finch was found dead in a neighborhood of southeast Woodland between Harry Lorenzo Avenue, Parkland Avenue and Farmers Central Road. The report of a dead bird testing positive for West Nile virus means it is time for residents to begin protecting themselves from mosquitoes, said Yolo County Public Health Officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson in a statement. This comes after two dead birds and a sample of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus in Sacramento County earlier this week, according to officials, who say they will continue to monitor activity with widespread mosquito trapping and testing. As of Thursday, a total of eight birds and two mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus in Sacramento County. Last August, Yolo County reported its first resident death from West Nile since 2018. In Sacramento County, two people died and 54 contracted West Nile last year, a jump of nearly 1,000%, The Sacramento Bee reported. According to the California Department of Public Health, no human cases have been detected in California this year, but 52 mosquito samples and 19 birds have tested positive statewide. These figures are up from the 15 samples of mosquitoes that tested positive this time last year. Public health officials recommend protecting from the virus, which has no specific treatment or vaccine, by using preventative measures such as limiting time outside during dawn and dusk and draining stagnant water to eliminate breeding sites. CDPH encourages residents to report dead birds by calling the departments hot line at 877-968-2473 (877-WNV-BIRD). By Alimat Aliyeva The Democratic Republic of the Congo plans to file a lawsuit against Apple in France and the United States over the use of illegally mined minerals in its products, Azernews reports. On April 25, the DRC accused Apple of buying minerals that are smuggled from the unstable east of the country to neighboring Rwanda, from where they are resold abroad. French lawyers hired by Kinshasa have sent an official notice to Apple, warning the company that it could face legal action if illegal mining continues. It calls Rwanda "the main actor in the illegal exploitation of minerals in the DRC." Kigali called the DRC's accusations against Apple baseless. William Bourdon, one of the lawyers hired by the DRC, told AFP that a company representative responded to the notification by expressing contempt, cynicism and arrogance. According to the agency, the lawyers went on a working trip to Kinshasa, where they met with President Felix Chisekedi. ALFRED, Maine Through a proclamation, York County Commissioners have declared June as Pride Month throughout the county. (We) encourage residents to reflect on the continuing struggle for equality by members of the LGBTQ+ community, the proclamation states, in part. Flags in honor of Pride Month line Main Street in downtown Kennebunk, Maine. It was the second year York County Commissioners made the Pride Month proclamation. All three commissioners present at the June 5 meeting Chair Richard Dutremble, Richard Clark and Justin Chenette, voted in favor. Commissioners Donna Ring and Robert Andrews were absent. A Pride Month proclamation was first introduced by Chenette and approved by the board in 2023. It was the first time in our long history of county existence, since 1636, that we passed a pride proclamation, Chenette said. Making history as the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the York County Commission, Pride Month is personal. Its striking to me that it took until we actually had an openly gay commissioner on the board before we passed such a simple recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in our county. Policy decisions and outcomes are greatly improved by having diverse voices at the table and leaders with varying lived experiences. York County Commissioner Justin Chenette Chenette said that was something he saw as the youngest openly gay state lawmaker in the country in 2012 as a member of the Maine House of Representatives, and the only LGBTQ+ senator to serve in Maine between 2016-2020. This is 'heartbreaking': Kennebunk police investigate after Pride flags removed He said words, actions, tolerance and acceptance as a county government matter, and quoted a statistic from The Trevor Project that states 41 percent of LGBTQ youth have considered attempting suicide. York County Commissioners have declared June as Pride Month throughout the county. While commissioners approved the proclamation without comment, one member of the audience spoke out in opposition before the vote. Susan Wiswell, a GOP candidate for District 5 (Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, Wells, York) County Commissioner, said she was concerned about the proclamation. This is not promoting equality, she said, in part. This is promoting discrimination against heterosexuals. Both Gov. Janet Mills and President Joe Biden have designated June as Pride Month, and there are a number of events and commemorations across York County and throughout Maine. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York County Commissioners proclaim June as Pride Month New York Governor Kathy Hochul is bringing back a dangerous idea to crack down on pro-Palestine protests: a mask ban to rat out protesters. Speaking with CNNs Laura Coates in a softball interview Wednesday night, Hochul disseminated debunked disinformation about two recent pro-Palestine protests and floated a return to the states mask ban ordinance. The ban was previously enforced to quash the Ku Klux Klan and repealed in 2020 to accommodate protections against the Covid-19 pandemic. Hochul claimed the presence of masksnot antisemitic rhetoric or actions themselves, just people wearing maskswas frightening. There was a ban on masks before the pandemic, that you couldnt have face coverings that didnt serve a purpose. For example, a surgical mask for someone who is elderly or illthe pandemic removed that from our state law. It was repealed at the time, but I absolutely will go back and take a look at this and see whether it can be restored because it is frightening to people, said Hochul. More frightening, many noted, is becoming sick with a highly contagious disease just so your local lawmakers can score political points. Hochuls comment was met with immediate fury by disability rights advocates. Tweet screenshot Zach Lennon-Simon: I currently have Covid and can't word how frustrating it is for Hochul to claim that she's protecting Jews like me from antisemitism by banning the face masks which protect us from Covid Tweet screenshot Dr. Lucky Tran: Earlier this week, @GovKathyHochul issued a message to New Yorkers, telling them to be "Air Quality Aware." Yet also in the last week, the Governor halted congestion pricing, and stated she is looking into banning masks. This is absolutely hypocritical. Does that mean it will have a STRONG MEDICAL EXEMPTION? Or would it be a half-assed partial health exemption like NC republicans did? VERY UNCLEAR, epidemiologist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Other proponents for masking as a public health tool also spoke out, with calls to flood Hochuls contact lines to advocate against the prospective policy circulating widely as of Thursday afternoon. Tweet Screenshot COVID Advocacy NY: NY ACTION ALERT: @GovKathyHochul said on CNN that she is considering banning masks in NY. We need to all speak out against this! Please contact Gov Hochul! Call: 518-474-8390 (press 1 to leave a message, press 2 to speak to a person) Write: https://governor.ny.gov/content/govern Tweet screenshot Julie S. Lam: TAs an immunocompromised @MTA rider & frequent flyer in NY, I #MaskUp for my health and to protect others from COVID, flu and other airborne diseases. I lost 2 friends to COVID. @GovKathyHochul please make sure that you wont hurt New York by banning a lifesaving mitigation tool! Tweet screenshot Mike Hoerger, PhD MSCR MBA: As a clinician scientist licensed in New York, we need more health professionals advocating for the right of individuals to #mask to protect their safety from airborne infectious disease. No better place to mask than when using the @MTA ! Tweet screenshot Nicole Lee Schroeder, PhD: This is Ugly Laws, eugenics-centric bullshit. Disabled people have the right to exist safely in public spaces. I don't know how we're supposed to survive. 1/3 Hochuls interest in reinstating the states mask ban has followed other states working to repress pro-Palestine protestswhere people frequently obscure their faces to protect against chronic harassment, not to embolden criminality. New York Mayor Eric Adams is advocating for a ban on wearing masks on public transit in New York City, jumping on the bandwagon of New York States Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Hochul argued Thursday that face masks, once touted as lifesaving tools by the government, are now the illicit tools of protesters. Hours later, during a radio interview on 77 WABCs Cats & Cosby, host Rita Cosby reiterated Hochuls comment that protesters might be using masks to hide their identities, and asked Adams what he thought about a mask ban on New York Citys subways. First of all, thats what cowards do. Cowards hide their face. Dr. King did not hide his face when he marched and for the things he thought were wrong in the country. Those civil rights leaders did not hide their faces. They stood up. In contrast to that, the Klan hid their faces. Cowards hide their faces when they want to do something disgraceful, said Adams. Its probably worth noting that Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated for his advocacy. In our transit system, people have hid under the guise of wearing a mask for Covid to commit criminal acts and vile acts. I think now is the time to go back to the way it was pre-Covid, where you should not be able to wear a mask at protests and our subway systems and other places, Adams continued. Prohibiting pro-Palestininan protesters from wearing masks on public transit will make it significantly easier for them to be targeted and tracked by the New York Police Department, which has shown a distinctly violent and outsize reaction to organizing efforts over the past few months. What was once a mandated safety precaution has become a roadblock to police surveillance, and for that reason alone, it has to gosending a clear message to the many immunocompromised New Yorkers who would be directly affected that their wellbeing is less important than a well-functioning police state. The NYPD and Adams have already moved to prohibit NYC residents from wearing masks in stores. Hochuls and Adamss insistence on equating pro-Palestinian protesters, and their safety precautions, with violent antisemitic rhetoric could also have incredibly dangerous repercussions to those who wish to safely and peacefully oppose Israels U.S.-backed genocide in Gaza. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Switzerland on June 14 ahead of the peace summit on June 15, which will be attended by 92 countries and eight organizations. The Delegation of the President of the Swiss Confederation released a list detailing the confirmed attendees, which include 57 heads of state and 29 representatives on a ministerial level. Among the organizations that have confirmed their attendance are the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament. The number is higher than Bern's figure of 90 confirmed attendees as of June 10, but lower than the 107 countries and international organizations that Kyiv said had confirmed their attendance as of early June. "There are two days of active work ahead with countries from all corners of the world, with different peoples" who are united by the goal of bringing "a just and lasting peace for Ukraine closer," Zelensky said. "The peace summit will enable the global majority to take concrete steps in areas that are important to everyone in the world: nuclear and food security, the return of prisoners of war and all deported persons, including deported Ukrainian children," Zelensky added. Among the participants is Saudi Arabia, despite reports earlier in June that the country was not planning to attend the summit. Zelensky made a previously unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia on June 12. China is not attending, despite having been invited. Reports emerged on June 13 that Beijing was pushing its alternative peace plan. Brazil, the Holy See, the U.N., and the Ecumenical Patriarchate are attending the summit not as full participants, but as observers. Read also: Explainer: What is the global peace summit in Switzerland, and what does Ukraine hope to achieve? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy on June 14, and discussed topics including establishing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky previously met Pope Francis in May 2023 during a visit to the Vatican, where they spoke for over half an hour. On the sidelines of the G7 summit, Zelensky thanked the Pope "for his prayers for peace in Ukraine, spiritual closeness to our people, and humanitarian aid to Ukrainians." Zelensky said he "informed the Pope about the consequences of Russian aggression, its air terror, and the difficult energy situation" and discussed "the Holy See's role in establishing a just and lasting peace," as well as expectations of the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. Pope Francis was criticized in March by leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO General Jens Stoltenberg for calling on Ukraine to "not be ashamed to negotiate" with Russia. In an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, Pope Francis said that Ukraine should have the "courage" to negotiate peace with Russia and raise the "white flag." President Volodymyr Zelensky responded in his nightly address on March 10 without mentioning the Pope directly, saying that Russia is "not moving further into Europe only because they are being held back by Ukrainians with weapons in their hands and under the blue and yellow flag." The Vatican responded on March 11 that Russia should take the first steps toward negotiations with Ukraine, and that the Pope's call was to "create the conditions for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace." Read also: Explainer: What is the global peace summit in Switzerland, and what does Ukraine hope to achieve? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zelensky says Putin's ultimatum on peace talks is a 'revival of Nazism' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 14 rejected Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's conditions for peace talks, comparing them to Adolf Hitler's invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938-1939. Putin said earlier on June 14 that, as a condition for peace negotiations, Ukrainian troops must leave Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. He added that Ukraine must recognize Russia's illegal annexation of the regions and abandon any ambition to join NATO. Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts are partially controlled by Russian troops. Russia claims to have annexed the whole territory of those regions despite not controlling two regional capitals - Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Speaking to Italy's SkyTG24 news channel at the G7 summit on June 14, Zelensky said that "these messages are ultimatums, and they are no different from any other ultimatums he made in the past." "What he's doing is a revival of Nazism," Zelensky said. "...He wants us to renounce our occupied territories but he also wants our unoccupied territories. He... doesn't intend to stop, and there will be no frozen conflict." Zelensky also compared Putin's ultimatum to Hitler's demand for annexing Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland in 1938, when he claimed that he would not go further. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Zelensky's chief of staff, said in a post on X that the proposal was "highly offensive to international law and speaks eloquently about the incapacity of the current Russian leadership to adequately assess reality." He added the demands effectively amounted to "give us your territories.. give up your sovereignty leave yourselves unprotected." "It's all a complete sham," he added. Putin declared the illegal annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts in September 2022. Moscow also controls all of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. A Ukrainian counteroffensive just weeks later liberated great swathes of the territory claimed by Russia. As of May 3, Russia was in control of around 18% of Ukrainian territory. "As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin a real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announce the abandonment of their plans to join NATO on our side, immediately, literally at the same minute, an order will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations," Putin said when making his ceasefire demands. "I repeat, we will do this immediately. Naturally, we will simultaneously guarantee the unhindered and safe withdrawal of Ukrainian units and formations," he said. Ukraine has insisted a full withdrawal of Russian troops from all Ukrainian territory is necessary for peace negotiations to begin. Read also: Ukraines 68th Jaeger Brigade says it destroyed entire Russian tank company Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Switzerland. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Switzerland on 14 June to attend the Global Peace Summit. Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy asserted that the peace conference, scheduled for 15-16 June, will be attended by around 100 countries and international organisations. Quote: "The Peace Summit will provide an opportunity for the global majority to take specific steps in areas that matter for everyone in the world: nuclear safety, food security, and the return of prisoners of war and all deported persons, including deported Ukrainian children," he hopes. Zelenskyy also thanked those who chose to participate and "demonstrate global leadership and commitment to peace, international law, and the UN charter." The Global Peace Summit will be held on 15-16 June in the Swiss city of Burgenstock. Switzerland has invited over 160 countries and international organisations, but not Russia. Earlier it was reported that Switzerland changed the worrisome provisions of the final document of the Peace Summit, which could have had undesirable consequences for Ukraine. Several states that had planned to take part in the Peace Summit in Switzerland decided not to attend after the draft decision was changed in favour of Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine Peace Summit turns hard on Russia. How leaders amended the final decision under criticism Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he is pleased with the outcome of the G7 summit in Italy for Ukraine, specifically noting that the agreements provide for "more air defence systems". Source: Ukraines Presidents Office, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "The key result for us is that there will be more air defence systems for our cities. 'Patriots' is practically a Ukrainian word now. There will also be more equipment and other necessary supplies for the front." Details: Zelenskyy noted that nearly all meetings at the summit and on the sidelines were "focused on what our military is saying, on our needs and our capabilities right now, if the supply is sufficient and timely" and that discussions with all leaders were about accelerating the delivery of aid they plan to provide Ukraine with. Zelenskyy also highlighted the signing of security agreements with the United States and Japan, as well as the political agreement within the G7 regarding providing Ukraine with around $50 billion in financial support from frozen Russian assets. Background: During the day, Canada and the UK announced new sanctions against Russia, while the US had taken this step even before the meeting in Italy. Support UP or become our patron! Zelenskyy meets with Indian PM to discuss development of relations and trade expansion video During his working visit to Italy to participate in the Group of Seven summit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Twitter (X) Quote: "We discussed the development of bilateral relations and trade, in particular in the context of the Black Sea export corridor functioning. We explored the possibility of exchanging experience in the use of new technologies in agriculture." Details: The parties also talked about the preparation of the Global Peace Summit and the summit's agenda. Zelenskyy also thanked Modi for sending a high-level delegation to the summit. I met with Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi during my working visit to Italy for the G7 Summit. We discussed the development of bilateral relations and trade, in particular in the context of the Black Sea export corridor functioning. We explored the possibility of exchanging pic.twitter.com/d6XZb1L4qR Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 14, 2024 Support UP or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pope Francis. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine During his visit to Italy, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis on the eve of the Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland on 15-16 June. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Zelenskyy, they discussed the aftermath of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Russian aerial terror and the challenging situation in Ukraine's energy sector. I met with @Pontifex and thanked His Holiness for his prayers for peace in Ukraine, his spiritual closeness to our people, and humanitarian aid for Ukrainians. I informed the Pope about the consequences of Russian aggression, its air terror, and the difficult energy situation. pic.twitter.com/MHhgrzbRZG Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 14, 2024 "We discussed the Peace Formula, the Holy See's role in establishing a just and lasting peace, and expectations for the Global Peace Summit," Zelenskyy stressed. The president noted that Ukraine appreciates the Vatican's attendance at the Summit and efforts aimed at bringing peace closer, in particular regarding bringing back Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Background: Last week, Pope Francis received Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, at the Vatican. In May, Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, said Pope Francis had been invited to the Global Peace Summit. Earlier, the Pope's words that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and be ready to negotiate caused a major stir and criticism. In a subsequent comment, a Vatican representative noted that the pontiff's remarks were not a call for Ukraine to surrender. Subsequently, the Vatican, commenting on the Pope's words, acknowledged that the Kremlin should take the first steps to negotiate peace. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that Putin's so-called ultimatum regarding "peace talks" with Ukraine does not differ from his earlier "proposals" and compared them to the actions of Nazi Germany. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the Italian TV channel Sky TG24, as reported by European Pravda Details: The president stressed that Putin's "conditions" are "ultimatums, no different from other ultimatums he has made before." "At present, we see that he [Putin ed.] is reviving Nazism. This is a new wave of this Nazism, which is Russian Nazism," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy explained that the Kremlin leader is seeking to seize both Russian-occupied and non-occupied territories of Ukraine. "This is the same thing [Nazi Germany's leader Adolf] Hitler did when he said: 'Give me a part of Czechoslovakia, and that will be the end of it'. But no, this is a lie a historical lie. After that, there was Poland, then the occupation of the whole of Europe," Zelenskyy stressed. "You know that this wave of Nazism never stops. It has come to different places on Earth, so we should not trust these claims because Putin is following the same path. He is now talking about four oblasts, he used to talk about Crimea and Donbas," Zelenskyy concluded. Background: On Friday, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin came up with new "conditions for the start of peace talks": Ukrainian forces must withdraw from the territory of four Ukrainian oblasts, parts of which are occupied by Russia, and Kyiv must declare that it has no plans to join NATO. Putin issued his statement on the eve of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, an event to which Russia was neither invited nor recognised as a genuine peace initiative. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated that with his so-called ultimatum regarding "peace talks", Russian leader Vladimir Putin aims to disrupt the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. Support UP or become our patron! Since the advent of the Space Age, we've always relied on radio frequency communications to "chat" with both astronauts and spacecraft in orbit and beyond. But now, NASA is leveling up its communications system with one of the coolest, most space-y things ever: lasers. As part of NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCAN) program, researchers have successfully tested laser communications by beaming photos and videos of employees' beloved pets into space . And not just cats and dogs birds, chickens, cows, snakes and pigs, too, among other species. More specifically, the images and videos were sent from Earth to NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) in a geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles (35,405 kilometers) away, then from LCRD to the Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) on the International Space Station (ISS). While both laser and radio transmissions travel at the speed of light , laser relay systems can carry much more data than radio signals it's akin to downloading images via 3G versus 5G. (If you were curious just how fast the photos and videos were transmitted, they "flew through space" at 1.2 gigabits per second. That's probably faster than your home WiFi.) So, for transmitting data on both crewed and uncrewed missions, lasers are simply much more efficient. "The pet imagery campaign has been rewarding on multiple fronts for the ILLUMA-T, LCRD and HDTN teams, Kevin Coggins, deputy associate administrator and SCAN program manager at NASA Headquarters, said in a statement . "Not only have they demonstrated how these technologies can play an essential role in enabling NASA 's future science and exploration missions, it also provided a fun opportunity for the teams to 'picture' their pets assisting with this innovative demonstration." Related: Pew! Pew! Pew! NASA's 1st successful two-way laser experiment is a giant leap for moon and Mars communications Artemis 2 will use lasers to beam high-definition footage from the moon (video) AI-powered lasers could zap space debris away from collision courses Mysterious green lasers caught on camera belong to NASA satellite (video) Interestingly, these images aren't the first pet pictures to be beamed into space via laser. That distinction goes to Taters the Cat, an orange tabby. A video of Taters was relayed some 19 million miles (30.6 million km) from Earth to the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) payload on NASA's Psyche spacecraft via a series of lasers. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI Tesla won investor approval for Elon Musk's compensation, but it won't be reinstated just yet. Musk's pay plan, initially approved in 2018, was voided by a Delaware judge in January. Now, Tesla must take the issue back to the judge. Tesla announced during its annual meeting on Thursday that it had won approval for Elon Musk's pay package after weeks of campaigning. Musk was quick to celebrate the win: "Hot damn! I love you guys," he said. At the event, Musk took to the stage to do a victory dance, but the company has only won its first battle. Despite investor approval, Musk won't get his pay package back just yet. The next step: Tesla must take the issue back to court. ADVERTISEMENT Musk's pay plan was initially approved in 2018 but was struck down by a Delaware judge in January after a Tesla shareholder filed a lawsuit alleging the agreement was "beyond the bounds of reasonable judgment." Tesla has yet to disclose how many investors voted in favor of the proposal. The company also passed a proposal on Thursday to move its state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas, but that vote to move won't allow Tesla to sidestep the ruling quite yet. It's still up to the Delaware courts to decide whether the pay plan can be reinstated. "The lawsuit in Delaware will continue," Ann Lipton, a business-law professor at Tulane University Law School, told Business Insider. "The new vote was conducted while Tesla was still a Delaware company and is subject to Delaware law a point that Tesla made in its SEC filings. So, it's now up to the Delaware courts to determine if the new vote actually does have a ratifying effect." Last month, Tesla reassured Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would not attempt to contest the ruling on Musk's pay elsewhere, for example, in a Texas court. Lipton added that regardless of how the judge decides to weigh the recent vote, the losing side would probably appeal, dragging the case on further. Story continues Dorothy Lund, a corporate-law professor at Columbia University, told BI it could take months for the issue to be resolved, as Tesla must first wait for McCormick to determine the legal fees in the case. But she said it was likely that Tesla would appeal the ruling, taking the case to the Delaware Supreme Court. "Tesla hasn't officially decided to appeal but all signs are pointing to that," Lund said. "They have a ways to go before Elon will be paid," she added. Anat Alon-Beck, a corporate-law expert at Case Western Reserve University, said the case was also likely to spawn additional lawsuits. Musk has been known to draw a fair share of lawsuits. On Thursday, a group of Tesla shareholders filed a separate lawsuit alleging Musk had been siphoning AI talent to another of his companies, xAI, instead of Tesla, which has its own AI initiatives. In January, McCormick ruled to void the pay plan because, she said, Musk had undue influence over the agreement given his close relationships with board members. When the compensation package was voided, it was estimated to be worth about $55 billion making it the largest pay package ever to be awarded to a CEO. While Musk doesn't receive a salary at Tesla, his compensation is determined by Tesla's performance. It's structured around 12 tranches of stock options that are vested when Tesla hits specific targets over the course of 10 years. When the company passes each milestone, Musk receives stock equal to 1% of outstanding shares at the time of the grant. Tesla said it hit all 12 targets as of 2023. Do you work for Tesla or have a tip? Reach out to the reporter via a non-work email and device at gkay@businessinsider.com or 248-894-6012. Read the original article on Business Insider Exclusive-ICC probes cyberattacks in Ukraine as possible war crimes, sources say FILE PHOTO: The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague FILE PHOTO: The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague By Anthony Deutsch, Stephanie van den Berg and James Pearson THE HAGUE/LONDON (Reuters) -Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are investigating alleged Russian cyberattacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure as possible war crimes, four sources familiar with the case have told Reuters. It is the first confirmation that attacks in cyberspace are being investigated by international prosecutors, which could lead to arrest warrants if enough evidence is gathered. The probe is examining attacks on infrastructure that endangered lives by disrupting power and water supplies, cutting connections to emergency responders or knocking out mobile data services that transmit air raid warnings, one official said. ICC prosecutors are working alongside Ukrainian teams to investigate "cyberattacks committed from the beginning of the full-scale invasion" in February 2022, said the official, who declined to be named because the probe is not finished. Two other sources close to the ICC prosecutor's office confirmed they were looking into cyberattacks in Ukraine and said they could go back as far as 2015, the year after Russia's seizure and unilateral annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Moscow has previously denied that it carries out cyberattacks, and officials have cast such accusations as attempts to incite anti-Russian sentiment. Ukraine is collecting evidence to support the ICC prosecutor's investigation. The ICC prosecutor's office declined to comment on Friday, but has previously said it has jurisdiction to investigate cybercrimes. It has also said it cannot comment on matters related to ongoing investigations. RUSSIANS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY The court has issued four arrest warrants against senior Russian suspects since the beginning of the invasion. These include President Vladimir Putin, suspected of a war crime over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Russia, which is not a member of the ICC, dismissed that decision as "null and void". Ukraine is also not a member, but has granted the ICC jurisdiction to prosecute crimes committed on its territory. In April, a pre-trial chamber issued arrest warrants alleging that two Russian commanders had committed crimes against humanity with strikes against civilian infrastructure. The Russian defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment at the time. At least four major attacks on energy infrastructure are being examined, two sources with knowledge of the investigation told Reuters. A senior source said one group of Russian hackers in the ICC's crosshairs is known in cybersecurity research circles as "Sandworm", and is believed by Ukrainian officials and cyber experts to be linked to Russian military intelligence. A team at the Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley School of Law, has been investigating Sandworm's cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure since 2021, and made confidential submissions to the ICC in 2022 and 2023 identifying five cyberattacks it said could be charged as war crimes. Sandworm is suspected of a string of high-profile attacks, including a successful 2015 attack on a power grid in western Ukraine one of the first of its kind, according to cybersecurity researchers. A group of activist hackers calling themselves "Solntsepyok" ("hot spot") claimed responsibility for a major attack on the Ukrainian mobile telecommunications provider Kyivstar last Dec. 12. Ukrainian security services identified that group as a front for Sandworm. Sandworm is also believed by Kyiv to have carried out extensive cyberespionage against Western governments on behalf of Russia's intelligence agencies. CAN A CYBERATTACK BE A WAR CRIME? Cyberattacks that target industrial control systems, the technology that underpins much of the world's industrial infrastructure, are rare, but Russia is one of a small club of nations that possess the means to do so, the cybersecurity researchers said. The ICC case, which could set a precedent for international law, is being closely followed. The body of international law covering armed conflict, enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, bans attacks on civilian objects, but there is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes a cyber war crime. Legal scholars in 2017 drafted a handbook called the Tallinn Manual on the application of international law to cyberwarfare and cyber operations. But experts interviewed by Reuters say it is unclear whether data itself can be considered the "object" of an attack banned under international humanitarian law, and whether its destruction, which could be devastating for civilians, can be a war crime. "If the court takes on this issue, that would create great clarity for us," said Professor Michael Schmitt of the University of Reading, who leads the Tallinn Manual process. Schmitt believes that the hack of Kyivstar, owned by the Dutch company Veon, meets the criteria to be defined as a war crime. "You always look at the foreseeable consequences of your operation. And, you know, that was a foreseeable consequence that placed human beings at risk." Ukraine's intelligence agency said it had provided details of the incident to ICC investigators in The Hague. Kyivstar said it was analysing the attack in partnership with international suppliers and the SBU, Ukraine's intelligence agency. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague, Tom Balmforth in Kyiv and James Pearson in London; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Kevin Liffey) Intel is firing back at AMD's recent AI benchmarks that it shared during its Computex keynote that claimed AMD's Zen 5-based EPYC Turin is 5.4 times faster than Intel's Xeon chips in AI workloads. Intel penned a blog today highlighting the performance of its current-gen Xeon processors in its own benchmarks, claiming that its fifth-gen Xeon chips, which are currently shipping, are faster than AMD's upcoming 3nm EPYC Turin processors that will arrive in the second half of 2024. Intel says AMD's benchmarks are an 'inaccurate representation' of Xeon's performance and shared its own benchmarks to dispute AMD's claims. Image 1 of 2 asdf Image 2 of 2 asdf As always, we should approach vendor-provided benchmark results with caution and pay close attention to the test configurations. We've included Intel's test notes in the above album. These chips were all tested in dual-socket servers. AMD's benchmarks showed a range of advantages over Xeon, but the Llama2-7B chatbot results highlighted the most extreme win, showing a 5.4x advantage for the 128-core Turin (256 cores total) over Intel's 64-core Emerald Rapids Xeon 8592+ (128 cores total). Intel's own internal results are in turn 5.4x faster than AMD's benchmarks, thus giving the currently shipping 64-core Xeon an advantage over AMD's future 128-core model a quite impressive claim indeed, and quite the swing in performance. Intel says AMD didn't share the details of the software it used for its benchmarks or the SLAs required for the test, and we can't find a listing of the batch sizes used (AMD test notes below). Regardless, Intel says AMD's results don't match its own internal benchmarking with widely available open-source software (Intel Extension for PyTorch). Intel assumed a "stringent" 50ms P99 latency constraint for its benchmark and used the same INT4 data type. If this benchmark represents true performance, the likely disparity here is Intel's support for AMX (Advanced Matrix Extensions) math extensions. These matrix math functions boost performance in AI workloads tremendously, and it isn't clear if AMD employed AMX when it tested Intel's chip. Notably, AMX supports BF16/INT8, so the software engine typically converts the INT4 weights into larger data types to drive through the AMX engine. AMD's current-gen chips don't support native matrix math operations, and it isn't clear if Turin does either. Image 1 of 4 asdf Image 2 of 4 asfd Image 3 of 4 asdf Image 4 of 4 asdf AMD's Computex benchmarks also included Turin wins over fifth-gen Xeon in AI-driven summarization and translation workloads, claiming 3.9x and 2.5x advantages, respectively. Again, Intel begs to differ, with its own results showing 2.3x and 1.2x higher performance than AMD attained with the Xeon 8592+. Intel doesn't align its benchmark results against AMD's Turin claims for this chart (we included AMD's claims above). Instead, it chose to compare to AMD's shipping 96-core EPYC 9754 processors and shows performance gains as a relative percentage against that chip. AMD's test notes (last slide above) don't indicate which models it used for its summarization and translation workloads, so it doesn't seem possible to work out the relative performance to Turin in these workloads. However, it does seem that Turin would still come out on top in these benchmarks, but by a slimmer margin. Notably, Intel claims that even its last-gen Xeons are faster than AMD's current-gen EPYC Genoa and that its newer fifth-gen chips are up to 2.5x faster than Genoa. Intel's blog points out that its even newer Granite Rapids Xeon 6 chips, not benchmarked here, support up to 2.3x the memory bandwidth over its current-gen chips used here as a byproduct of moving from eight memory channels to 12, along with support for bandwidth-boosting MCR DIMMs. As such, it expects even higher performance in these workloads from its soon-to-launch chips. Intel's newer chips also have up to 128 cores, which should help Intel's performance relative to Turin these comparisons are with 64-core models. Notably, Intel didn't provide a counter to AMD's claims that Turin is 3.1x faster in molecular dynamics workloads in NAMD. Thoughts The AI benchmark wars are heating up as Intel and AMD vie for a leadership position in AI workloads that run on the CPU. It's harder than ever to take vendor-provided benchmarks at face value not that we ever did anyway. That said, we do expect to see clearly defined benchmark configurations with vendor-provided benchmarks, and AMD's Turin test notes don't meet that bar. To be clear, Intel also doesn't fully describe its comparative test platforms at times, so both vendors could improve here. Notably, Intel does submit its CPU and Gaudi test results to the publicly available industry-accepted MLPerf database to allow for easily verifiable AI benchmark results, whereas AMD has yet to submit any benchmarks for comparison. We expect the tit-for-tat benchmarking to only intensify as both companies launch their newest chips, but we'll also put these systems to the test ourselves to suss out the differences. We currently have Intel's Xeon 6 chips under the benchmarking microscope; stay tuned for that. In the meantime, we've contacted AMD for comment on Intel's counterclaims and will update you when we hear back. Optimizations for AI workloads are becoming a critical factor, so that it's quite easy to see massive gains or losses in relative performance. Even on GPUs, we've seen performance improvements over time of 100% or more. Clearly, this won't be the last we see of comparisons between tuned and untuned configurations. Researchers make breakthrough in material science with self-destructing plastic: 'It would eliminate the waste in an impressively short period of time' It can break itself down without any extra help, making it an exceptionally versatile material. Imagine if the plastic in your yoga pants or memory foam pillow could simply disappear when you're finished with it, without harming the environment. Thanks to innovative scientists at the University of San Diego, this green dream is on its way to becoming a reality. Researchers have created a remarkable new biodegradable plastic by combining thermoplastic polyurethane, the material used in products such as shoes and cushions, with spores of bacteria. Their findings recently appeared in the journal Nature Communications. When exposed to the microbe-rich conditions of compost at the end of the plastic's life, the bacterial spores reactivate and get to work. They can break the plastic down by 90% in just five months. To create their eco-friendly material, the scientists fed pellets of thermoplastic polyurethane and bacterial spores into a hot plastic extruder, using extra-resilient spores bioengineered to withstand the heat. The process is repeated again and again to allow the bacteria to naturally mutate and adapt. "It's amazing how well this process of bacterial evolution and selection worked for this purpose," marveled study co-author Adam Feist. The resulting self-destructing plastic doesn't even need to end up in an ideal compost facility to biodegrade. It can break itself down without any extra help, making it an exceptionally versatile material. With further development, the bacterial strain used could even act as a probiotic that nourishes plant life. While there's more work to do to scale up the process, scientists hope this innovation will eventually help tackle the plastic waste crisis that threatens wildlife and chokes our landfills and oceans with pollution. Cutting this waste also means reducing the methane pollution from trash that's heating up our planet and fueling costly extreme weather events. "If the plastic industry wants to keep using plastic, if our dependency is that severe, then by manufacturing a biodegradable plastic, it would eliminate the waste in an impressively short period of time," praised Maria Mocerino of Interesting Engineering. As this research progresses, the dream of having our yoga pants and sneakers return to nature when we're done with them looks closer than ever. We may soon be able to enjoy our favorite products without worrying about them spending centuries in a landfill when we no longer need them. Just as those bacterial spores can bring plastic back to life, green scientific breakthroughs like this one are helping to restore our environment's health. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Trailblazer Disruptor Revolutionary Professor Friend Author Inventor Researcher Wife Words those who knew Lynn Conway used to describe the Jackson area resident who died Sunday at 86 Her work in computers changed the world, her coworkers, husband and friends tell 6 News University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Lynn Conway. (Photo Courtesy University of Michigan) She helped create the systems to design integrated circuits. That work, in turn, led to the creation of the systems of chip design to power memory. She co-authored the seminal work on it, with renowned scientist Carter Mead and the processes the duo created were codified as the Mead-Conway. What Lynn did she unlocked how she unlocked algorithms, and she developed solutions so that software can do this, Valeria Bertacco, Mary Lou Dorf Professor of Computer Science & Engineering and Vice Provost for Engaged Learning at the University of Michigan. That brought us from 10,000 transistors to the 100 billions we put today on that. Bertacco was a colleague of Conway, and invited her to speak to her women in STEM groups to encourage more women to enter the field. By 1985 she was a superstar and Dan Atkins, a retired professor and Associate Dean of Engineering at U of M recruited her to bring her spire of excellence to U of M as the university was rebuilding its engineering program. He was her boss and colleague, but the duo became friends as well. And any conversation you would have with her, you would walk away having some new thoughts about things that you hadnt had before you started the conversation, Atkins said of his friend. But Conway also had a secret. Conways Secret Life University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Lynn Conway. (Courtesy Photo University of Michigan) Another discovery and invention from 1968 was made with a team at IBM. But until 2000 her story was hidden from the world by her and IBM. Shed been fired in 1968 for transitioning from male to female. She got a divorce and was threatened with arrest if she attempted to contact her daughters. Conway went to Mexico for sex reassignment surgery and returned to the nascent Silicon Valley and rebuilt her career in the computer industry She started as a programmer and rose through the ranks until her achievements with Mead. But, it turns out, her work with Mead was an encore performance as a brilliant computer scientist and engineer. While at IBM she was on the team that helped create the code that allows computers to do multiple things at a time. That work her work was obscured. She told her story to the Los Angeles Times in 2000 and in 2020 IBM apologized and honored her. By the time her work was acknowledged and honored, she was retired and living with her husband Charles Rogers. Love by Adventure Lynn Conway and her husband Charles Rogers in an undated photo from an African safari. (Courtesy Charles Rogers) He was an electrical engineer at Consumers Energy in Jackson and the two met while participating in canoeing classes in Ann Arbor in 1987. One night at Gallup Park, I showed up with my trusty canoe on my roof, he said. Lynn was there with hers. Neither one of us was exactly outgoing thats just the nature of ourselves. But somehow, we greeted each other and did get to talking and I dont know exactly how it happened, but a relationship occurred. Without the canoes, We would probably never even noticed each other anywhere else. The duo dated through the rest of 1987 and in early 1988 officially acknowledged they were in a relationship. He said Conway was an adventurous spirit. The duo took to motocross racing which in turn gave way to big game hunting. He had grown up in a small community, carrying his rifle to school and shooting small game on the way to and from class. Shed grown up in a suburban neighborhood, building radio telescopes in her backyard. The couple traveled to hunting resorts in Texas and then to African compounds to hunt big game, Rogers said. By 1994, the couple decided to buy a house in the country, something Conway desired. They purchased a small house built on property that had been stripped of nutrient-rich topsoil to mine the gravel underneath. It was barren when they moved in. The couple set about reshaping the land, creating a Thanksgiving weekend ritual of visiting a nearby tree farm and selecting trees that they then spent the weekend replanting on their land. As the years advanced, their small acreage was added to as they bought more land around them. She has pretty much insisted for at least 15 years, that of those 24 acres, about 22 of them are hers to craft and maintain the way she wants them, he said of Conway. As they settled into their new home in 1994, before the trees, before Conway transformed the landscape into her vision she decided it was time to tell Rogers her story. Rogers recalled she sat him down. Ive got something I really have to tell you, he recalled her saying. Over the next 45 minutes, Conway shared the key points of her story with Rogers. He admits he knew nothing about transgender people. To me, it was a concoction of words that were put together somewhere, he said. So I did a lot of research and she gave me some help on that. It me several months. frankly, to know how I really felt about that and in the end, I felt Shes Lynn. Shes the person I love. The heck with all the rest of this. They wed in 2002. A Secret Revealed University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Lynn Conway. (Courtesy Photo University of Michigan) But the wedding also happened in the wake of Conways public telling of her own story. Researchers and academics were trying to piece together the story of IBMs supercomputer project but there were holes, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2000. Conway could and did fill those holes. Despite being fired by IBM in 1968, the company had not asked her to return any of the files of her work on the supercomputer. She kept it all memos, meeting minutes, notes. The history of her team and her work at IBM creating dynamic instruction scheduling, or DIS. It was a process that allowed a computer to consistently analyze multiple instructions, while efficiently utilizing the least amount of transistors to perform those functions. The Times reported in 2000 a researcher at Clemson University began receiving emails from Conway in 1998 as he researched the history of the IBM project, internally known as Project Y. The researcher, Mark Smotherman, couldnt understand how Conway had all the information on the history. Her name didnt appear in the IBM documents and her resume didnt mention the technology company. He poked at her, the Times reported, trying to better understand the mystery. Conway, after weeks of battling with the desire to tell her story and the fear of rejection, called Smotherman and told him why she wasnt appearing in IBM records and why she didnt list her work there on her resume. The Times reported how that call began You see, she began, when I was at IBM, I was a boy. By the time the Times published its report on Conways history and work, Conway had already tentatively begun to tell friends and colleagues. She started a website with the biographies of transgender people who achieved in their professional lives. The Birth of Conways Activism It was that website that caught the eye of a surgeon who was busy with a family and recently retired from surgery and looking for a second act. Part of that second act of professional life was transitioning from male to female. This was Dana Beyer, MD. A Maryland politician and transgender activist. I was completing my transition then and I was wondering, as sort of I alluded to earlier, how am I going to be able to continue to be professional? Beyer tells 6 News. I was wondering whether that would be possible for a transsexual woman to do so, and I searched and I found Lynns website, Transsexual Women Successes. The website was a revelation for Beyer. I was so inspired, she said of Conways website. I was floored by the fact that these women had stepped out ahead of me and built a life post-transition. And I tracked some of them down and I connected with them and I tracked Lynn down. She said her conversations with Lynn led to a connection. And while their connection was ultimately a political alliance and professional, it was important to Beyer. At that time, Conway was working with Femke Olyslager and the duo researched to undermine decades worth of presumptions about the prevalence of transgender people. Their work blew open a door in the medical community and allowed the transgender community to build a political and medical case to de-stigmatize transgender identity. Conways reputation combined with that of her co-researcher Olyslager a researcher specializing in the study, simulation and application of electromagnetic fields made the battle for the legitimacy of the research less fraught than previous studies had faced. While Beyer found purpose in activism and being out front, Conway, she said, did not. I dont think she was comfortable being out in the street, but she was sort of the brains behind this coming up with that data as best we could. That really energized us because it made us realize that even though we were alone, that there were many more of us. Conways husband, Rogers, noted that while Conways activism increased into a national profile, she was also protective. Even after she came out, she was still locally living in stealth, Rogers said of his wife. She was afraid of negative repercussions. She wanted to keep primarily out of my professional space for exactly those same reasons. Conway preferred telling people in her national and international following that she resided in a rural area about 30 miles outside Ann Arbor. The Impact of Her Secret Conway told Atkins her story of before she was Lynn just before she made her story known in the Los Angeles Times in 2000. Her revelation did not phase him, he said. But he acknowledged that perhaps her life experience had informed her worldview. At the time she did that, it took a lot of courage, Atkins said. And in fact, courage not only because she lost her job, but because after she did it, she actually was exposed to threats, even life threats, death threats. So, Im thinking that having courage and seeing that she can do something very different and get through it and end up better on the other side probably did translate into, Im not afraid to be a disruptor in the technology side. I hadnt thought of that, but since you mentioned it, I think there is definitely a relationship between the two. That worldview was something that worked to her advantage, That often the barriers to vision and innovation are not what we dont know, but what we do know, Atkins said. In other words, just the inertia of the present. The presumption that everything is fine. Its related to this idea of a competency trap where companies think that theyre so great in doing just the right thing, that they dont even see the innovations that are passing them by and, you know, make them less relevant than the future. So, she was very good at questioning things as they are. And suggesting possibilities for how they could be. Bertacco concurred with his assessment. I think its pretty obvious that, you know, if you are an individual who are not part of the mainstream, any way you interact with the mainstream establishment forces you to come up with your ideas, Bertacco said. So you are really practiced and, you know, you have a very low barrier to think outside of the box. Passing into History Lynn Conway obit longer versionDownload In May, Conway and Rogers were returning from Syracuse University when she fell ill. They had traveled to Syracuse because the university awarded her an honorary Doctor of Science. She was taken to the hospital, where doctors worked to restore her health. Rogers said he visited her every night and returned home dreaming of when she would come back with him. I expected that in a week or two or three, shed be there with me, he said. He noted that the most precious moments with his wife were at night as they went to bed. Before they roll over to go to sleep, they would spend time just cuddling. It was the intimacy of a shared life. On June 9, when he returned home after she had taken her last breath the reality of the loss hit him. When I came home Sunday night, thats when it first hit me, he said. When I went to bed that night, suddenly it hit me shes never going to be there again. Lynn Conway Remembrance Details Visitation June 21, 4 to 7 p.m. Sherwood Funeral Home, 1109 Norvell Road, Grass Lake, Michigan 49240 Service June 22, 1 p.m. Sherwood Funeral Home, 1109 Norvell Road, Grass Lake, Michigan 49240 Internment: Maple Grove Cemetery 1501 Wolf Lake Rd, Grass Lake, Michigan The luncheon following internment has not been finalized Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below. Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Ministers Office, called the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union to fine Hungary 200 million euros for not complying with EU legislations on asylum and on returning illegal immigrants to their home countries outrageous, unfair and unacceptable. The minister told a regular press briefing that the courts ruling contradicted European Union law, was incompatible with Hungarys constitution and penalised the country which had rejected illegal migration from the beginning, protecting its own and Europes external borders. The ruling could never have been passed by a normal court, he added. Gulyas pointed out that the decision extended beyond the claim. The European Commission requested a condemnation of 7 million euros and a daily fine of 6 million euros until compliance, whereas the court ordered Hungary to pay a lump sum of 200 million euros and a daily fine of 1 million euros, that is seventy times the fine originally requested. The ruling goes completely against everything we think about European law, the Hungarian constitution, the protection of external borders and effective action against migration, Gulyas said. Meanwhile, Tamas Deutsch, the head of Fideszs delegation to the EP, also called the courts ruling outrageous and unacceptable. We are not going to yield to the financial blackmail of Brussels bureaucrats, he said. He said that were going to protect the borders and the Hungarian people, adding that Hungarians had stated firmly on several occasions that they do not want to live in a country of immigrants. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! Illegal migrants should not be mixed up with people that go to another country under organised circumstances to work, the Hungarian foreign minister said in Manila. Peter Szijjarto said that illegal border crossing is not a human right but a crime. According to a statement from the foreign ministry, Szijjarto met Enrique Manalo, his Filipino counterpart, for talks and said both countries saw eye to eye that any given country should have the right to decide to whom it wants to grant entry and whom it wants to live together with. Hungary holds the over 10,000 Filipinos working in Hungary in great esteem, Szijjarto said. The foreign minister noted that the Philippines and Hungary were celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. He said the two countries were similarly affected by the recent global security and economic crises, and were interested in promoting peace and a balanced economic development in the world. Szijjarto said that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than constantly passing judgements and criticism. According to Szijjarto, Europe is in very bad shape with a war going on for the past two and a half years on the continent and with political and ideological endeavours hindering East-West cooperation. The upcoming Hungarian EU presidency will work to improve the situation, but it requires peace on the continent, he said. Cooperation between Hungary and the Philippines is the best example of successful East-West relations, he said, adding that the turnover of bilateral trade had exceeded 300 million dollars as a result of Hungarys significantly increasing its agricultural exports to the Philippines. He added that Hungarian companies were completing major water management projects in the Philippines, while preparations were being made for starting nuclear cooperation between the two countries. Szijjarto: EU Should Not 'Mix Up' Business & Politics The Hungarian government is against the European Unions mixing up economic and political affairs in free trade talks, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Manila. The foreign ministry quoted Szijjarto as saying after talks with Enrique Manalo, his Filipino counterpart, that the EU had an interest in building closer ties with South-East Asia, one of the fastest developing regions of the world, rather than introduce restrictions such as duties. The European Commissions recent introduction of new duties impacting key industries will cause huge damage to the European economy, Szijjarto said, adding that the move would increase the risk of higher unemployment. The introduction of further duties and free trade talks breaking down would cut Europe from global cooperation and eventually lead to economic suicide for Europe, he said. The upcoming Hungarian EU presidency will ensure that free trade talks should indeed focus on commerce rather than political issues, Szijjarto said, adding that should the EU insist on its earlier viewpoint we will be doing business with ourselves. The Hungarian government supports free trade, which offers many benefits especially to countries with an open economy such as Hungary, he said. The Hungarian presidency will focus on accelerating free trade talks between the EU and Asia, with special regard to the south-eastern region, the foreign minister added. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us her Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday met Donald Trump Jr, the son of the former US president, for talks in his office in Budapest, the prime minister's press chief said. The talks focused on the future of Hungary-US ties, illegal migration, as well as possibilities to achieve peace in the war in Ukraine. Trump Jr came to Budapest at the invitation of the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His programme included a visit to the Mathias Corvinus Collegium and talks with the institutions leaders and students, the chamber said on its website. In his talk at MCC, Trump Jr spoke about the upcoming US elections and US domestic affairs, as well as global politics. He said US conservative circles saw Hungarian Prime Minister Orban as a great leader who puts Hungary first. Trump Jr also touched on the upcoming US presidential elections, political issues in the United States as well as global politics, including the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. On the subject of migration, Trump Jr mentioned Hungary as an example, where the government worked to stem illegal migration and praised Hungary for its low crime rate. The countrys results speak for themselves, he said, referring to the outcome of the European parliamentary election. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us her New Delhi: Co-produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, "Chandu Champion" has hit the big screens. The film showcases the incredible tale of a man who defied all odds, masterfully portrayed by Kartik Aaryan, who poured his heart and soul into this project. With the release of the Kabir Khan-directed film, Kartik is captivating audiences with his stellar performance, sparking a social media frenzy. Netizens are lauding the actor, suggesting his portrayal is worthy of a National Award. Netizens are showering praise on Kartik's performance in the film, with many calling him a strong contender for the National Award. Have A Look At Netizens' Reaction Below: Taking to their individual social media handles on X (formerly Twitter), netizens express immense excitement and shower praise on Kartik for his outstanding performance. One user wrote: TRENDIEST NOW.!!__1 day to GO CHAMPION @TheAaryanKartik it's seems like a blockbuster #kartikaaryan definitely ur hardworking received lots of love and respect for this character in chandu champion u will received national award for this character for sure_ #chanduchampion pic.twitter.com/X5mwscRQ2r kartik's_ santoshii (@kartikxaaryan_) June 13, 2024 Another user wrote: Start preparing for National Award speech!! You lived the character _..#KartikAaryan @TheAaryanKartik #ChanduChampion in cinemas now https://t.co/LfAEf0Tn3W Mrittika Dey (@Koki_s_mrittika) June 14, 2024 Another one wrote: the proud and happy tears in everyone's eyes. Don't know if Kartik'll get a national award for this or not, but he'll surely win the ENTIRE NATION WITH THIS PERFORMANCE!!__ Jointly produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Kabir Khan, 'Chandu Champion' has hit the big screens, poised to make a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. Mumbai: Telecom service provider Vodafone Idea, on Thursday, said that its board has approved issuance of about 166.8 crore equity shares worth Rs 2,458 crore on a preferential basis. In a stock regulatory filing, the company said that it will allot over 102.7 crore shares (1.48 per cent) aggregating to Rs 1,520 crore to Nokia Solutions and Networks India Private Limited. The remaining over 63.7 crore shares (0.91 per cent) aggregating to Rs 938 crore will go to Ericsson India Private Limited, a non-promoter of the company. The Board also approved convening of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on July 10. Last month, the telecom operator announced to raise up to Rs 2,075 crore from Oriana Investments (Aditya Birla Group entity) via a preferential share issue. After the allotment of equity shares, the paid-up equity share capital of Vodafone Idea increased from Rs 66,483.45 crore to Rs 67,878.88 crore, it said in the filing. The company in April raised around 18,000 crore through a follow-on public offer. Vodafone Idea reported a net loss of Rs 7,674 crore in the January-March quarter, compared to Rs 6,418.9 crore reported in the same quarter of 2022-23. The shares of the company closed at Rs 16.08 apiece on Thursday. AP POLYCET 2024: The Andhra Pradesh Department of Technical Education (APDTE) has issued the seat allocation results for the AP Polytechnic Common Entrance Test. To download the seat allocation result, candidates who appeared for AP POLYCET counselling process should visit appolycet.nic.in. They will need to use their login information, which includes their registration number and date of birth as mentioned on their admit card, to verify the same. Candidates who have been assigned seats must confirm their admission by self-reporting to the individual colleges. The self-reporting procedure is slated to take place in 2024 between June 14 and June 19. It should be noted that candidates will lose the seat that has been assigned to them if they do not confirm their admission by the deadline. The state of Andhra Pradesh held the AP POLYCET on April 27, 2024, for admission in various government, assisted, private, and II shift polytechnics. On April 30, the AP POLYCET tentative answer key was released, and objections were accepted by May 4, 2024. AP POLYCET 2024: Steps to download here 1. Visit the official website appolycet.nic.in 2. Locate and click the seat allotment result link on the homepage. 3. Enter your ICR Form Number, password, Hall Ticket number, and date of birth (as shown on the ticket) in the following step. 4. The AP POLYCET seat assignment letter will appear after logging in. 5. Download the file and take print out for future reference. The 120 questions on the AP POLYCET paper included four options, each of which could only have one right answer. There were 30 in chemistry, 40 in physics, and fifty in maths. Every question was worth one mark, and incorrect answers did not result in a deduction of points. JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024: The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, will release the JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024 today, July 14, at 5 p.m. The results of the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced for Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) can be viewed and downloaded on the official website jeeadv.ac.in for those candidates who appeared for examination. On June 12, JEE Advanced AAT was held in a single shift from 9 AM to 12 PM. Registration for the JEE Advanced AAT exam opened on June 9 at 10 AM, and the portal concluded at 5 PM on June 10. The Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT) must be passed for candidates to be admitted to the B. Arch. (Architecture) programme. Only IIT (BHU) Varanasi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Roorkee offer the B.Arch programme. JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024: Steps to download here 1. Visit the official website jeeadv.ac.in 2. Click the link titled "JEE Advanced AAT Result 2024" that appears on the homepage. 3. Candidates must provide their login information in the following stage (as indicated in the admit card). 4. Press the submit button to see your outcome. 5. Download the file and print it out for future reference. The JEE Advanced 2024 results were released at 10:00 AM on June 9, 2024. In both papers 1 and 2, 1,80,200 applicants appeared. Total 48,248 candidates passed the examination. PM Modi In Italy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the G7 Summit in the city of Fasano, Italy. India has been invited as a guest country to this summit. Upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Italy, he was welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Today, Pratyush Khare at DNA analyses Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic engagements and India's role in international forums like the G7 Summit. PM Modi's First Foreign Tour Of Third Term Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on his first foreign tour of his third term, arriving in Italy. Distinct from European culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted greetings from Italian Prime Minister. Giorgia Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a brief discussion followed by a photo session. During this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski. Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly greeted all these leaders. Modi held bilateral discussions with the world leaders on various issues. Discussions with the Presidents of France and Britain focused on enhancing relations. Why Is Ukraine Participating In G7? Ukraine is not a member of the G7. Ukraine is participating in this summit as a guest country as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Zelenskyy discussed finding a solution to the war. Zelenskyy briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation of the war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Zelenskyy that the path to peace lies through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi's Bilateral Talks With Biden It is said that India will also hold bilateral talks with the United States and Italy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also speak with American President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. All eyes are on Modi's meeting with American President Joe Biden. Upon arriving in Italy, the Prime Minister clarified his agenda. He tweeted that the goal should be to solve global challenges and enhance cooperation for a brighter future. You'd have to be living under a rock not to know about the '#Meloni memes', now the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday took to her social media account and reacted to this famous online jest. Chaturvedi branded these contents as 'absolute cringe' and said that the jokes showcase a 'poor' level of humour in the country. The Modi-Meloni memes first appeared during G20 summit when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni visited India. The netizens joke about a romantic relationship between the two prime ministers. The 'Meloni' phenomenon made a recent comeback when the BJP didn't get a majority in the Lok Sabha elections and has escalated now that PM Modi is in Italy to attend the G7 summit. "This PM Giorgia Meloni and PM Modi memes have gone too far, they are absolutely cringe and also poor reflection of the level of humour that prevails in India. Just saying," Chaturvedi said in a post on 'X'. This PM Giorgia Meloni and PM Modi memes have gone too far, they are absolutely cringe and also poor reflection of the level of humour that prevails in India. Just saying. Priyanka Chaturvedi__ (@priyankac19) June 14, 2024 However, last December, Meloni used the hashtag on a selfie she posted with Modi after meeting him during the COP28 summit in Dubai. "Good friends at COP28 Melodi," the Italian prime minister wrote on 'X'. The selfie garnered lot of attention from the netizens, with Indians acting smitten over the post. One user commented, "This selfie break all viral record." while, another one wrote, "The meme community has it all today." Modi is currently in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit, having been invited by Meloni. He arrived late Thursday (local time), marking his first international trip since starting his third consecutive term as Prime Minister, following the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA's victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. G7 Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Italys Apulia, late Thursday night (local time) to attend the G7 Summit as an invitee outreach country. The Indian ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, greeted the PM upon his landing at the Brindisi Airport in Apulia. This marks the first international visit of Modi after taking oath as the Indian Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. "PM @narendramodi touches down at Brindisi airport in Apulia, Italy. Agenda includes participation in the Outreach session of the G7 Summit & substantive interactions with the global leaders on the sidelines. An action-packed day awaits!" the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote in a post on X. Il PM @narendramodi atterra all'aeroporto di Brindisi in Puglia, Italia. L'agenda include la partecipazione alla sessione Outreach del Vertice G7 e, ai margini, importanti interazioni con i leader mondiali. Un'intensa giornata e in arrivo! pic.twitter.com/vcfTdcJHCE Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 13, 2024 Providing an overview of Prime Minister Modi's day-long visit to Italy, Jaiswal shared another video detailing the Prime Minister's interactions with global leaders on June 14. "Namaste! The Prime Minister of India has arrived at Brindisi Airport in Italy to participate in the G7 Summit. Tomorrow is a packed day for him. We have several bilateral meetings with the world leaders lined up," Jaiswal said in the video. He added that the PM will also be addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit. PM @narendramodi arrives in Apulia, Italy for the G7 Summit. Heres is an overview of his day-long visit. pic.twitter.com/MLBVZP7K16 Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 13, 2024 Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, invited PM Modi to the conference. Prime Minister Modi had earlier expressed happiness that the G7 Summit in Italy will be his first state visit for the third consecutive term. He spoke of his earlier trip to Italy and the travels to India by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, both of which had a major positive impact on the development of bilateral relations, he added. During the visit, PM Modi is slated to hold bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart. This also marks Indias 11th participation in the G7 summit and PM Modis fifth straight visit. (Based on inputs from ANI) Amid tight security, Mela Kheer Bhawani was celebrated with great religious fervor at Tulmulla Temple. Thousands of Kashmiri Pandits from across the world thronged the temple to seek blessings from Mata Ragniya Devi and prayed for peace and prosperity in the country. The annual Mela Kheer Bhawani was celebrated with full religious fervor at the historic Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal district. Devotees from across the world and the country gathered at the temple of Goddess Ragniya Devi, popularly known as Mata Kheer Bhawani, to offer prayers. The holy temple is a living example of the strong bond of love between Muslims and Pandits. At the main gate, local Muslims prepare prasad for the devotees, which they offer to Mata inside the temple. This is the only temple where such brotherhood is seen. Mohammad Aslam, a shopkeeper, said, We wait for this festival the whole year when our Pandit brothers come here. We keep all the prasad materials ready for them. Whatever they need for the puja, they get it here. Aslam further said, It also helps our business, but joining their faith gives us great satisfaction. For the last three days, there has been a festive atmosphere in the Tulmulla area. Thousands of devotees from the country and abroad reached the temple of Mata Ragnya Devi, whom Kashmiri Pandits consider their Kuldevi. Thousands of devotees arrived to celebrate the birthday of Mata Kheer Bhawani. The temple, covered with Chinar trees, was filled with a festive atmosphere as most of the Kashmiri Pandits performed rituals around the temple. Worship was performed, and devotees offered milk and kheer in the holy spring and lit lamps. Devotees seemed satisfied with the arrangements made by the authorities on the eve of the annual festival. Kiran Watal, a devotee, said, "I have been coming here for the last 12 years. I also organize a langar here, but this time the arrangements are very good. We have not seen this before. We thank the LG and all the officials. Everything from food to security has been taken care of very well." The most important and main attraction of the temple is the holy spring on which the temple is located. Devotees believe that the color of the water of the spring predicts the future. If the color of the holy spring becomes red or black, then something bad is going to happen to humanity around the world, but if its color is light blue or white, it predicts that the year will be full of happiness and good events. This year, its color is light blue. Devotee Reena Pandita said, "This is a miraculous temple. This is the biggest pilgrimage site for Kashmiri Pandits. It is our Kuldevi. Its Kund predicts good and bad times. Today its color is very good, indicating that good times are about to come." Despite four terrorist attacks in Jammu, a larger crowd of devotees was seen this year compared to last year. Everyone praised the security arrangements made by the administration. After the attacks in Jammu, three-tier security arrangements were implemented. Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, CRPF, and SSB were deployed for the security of the temple and its surroundings. Technology was used for surveillance, including drones, CCTV cameras, and X-ray mobile vans placed at all the doors of the temple for searches. SSP Ganderbal Sandeep Gupta said, "We have made all the necessary arrangements to prevent any kind of incident during this festival. Apart from Jammu and Kashmir Police, the help of CRPF and the Army has also been enlisted. If the terrorists change their strategy, we are also preparing accordingly." The arrangements made by the district administration through various departments during the festival were commendable. Besides other essential services, adequate medical facilities were provided. Additionally, there were excellent arrangements for food and accommodation for the devotees. Many VIPs, such as LG Manoj Sinha, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina, and several top police and civil officials, visited the temple to greet the devotees on this auspicious occasion. Farooq Abdullah said, We want the Goddess to listen to everyones prayers and bring back Kashmiri Pandits to their homes. I hope they will return soon. I congratulate everyone on this day that this age-old brotherhood has been maintained. According to official data, more than 30 thousand devotees from across the globe visited the temple today. Kuwait Fire Tragedy: A special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims who lost their lives in a tragic fire incident in Kuwaits Mangaf has reached Kochi. #WATCH | Ernakulam: Special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait reaches Cochin International Airport. (Source: CIAL) pic.twitter.com/d42RBDAVNz ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 Earlier, a post on X by the Indian embassy in Kuwait said, "A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi," the Indian embassy wrote on X. MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft." A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft pic.twitter.com/091hBNWzLL India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024 Out of the total 45 Indians deceased in the fire incident on Wednesday, at least 23 are Kerala residents. The others in the list include seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, and West Bengal, according to ANI, To ensure the smooth transportation of mortal remains, Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Kuwait on Thursday. He visited the hospitals and interacted with Indian nationals undergoing treatment. Here Are Top 10 Developments: The relationship between India and Pakistan has not been on the bright side for the last decade. During the last 10 years, both the countries' progress direction has been opposite. While India jumped to become the fifth largest economy, Pakistan has been riddled with economic turmoil, relying on bailouts from the International Monetary Fund. While India made a historic landing on the moon, Pakistan's space missions have been dependent on China for its success. Lately, many Pakistani leaders, mostly from opposition parties, have been praising India to show the mirror to Pakistan over its dismal socio-economic conditions. Pakistan's leader of the opposition has praised India despite labelling it as an "enemy." Syed Shibli Faraz, an MP from Imran Khan's party, remarked that Pakistan should take lessons from India. This isn't the first instance of Pakistani lawmakers commending their arch-rival. Just last month, a video of Pakistani MP Mustafa Kamal went viral, in which he lauded India's economic and educational achievements. Earlier, even Imran Khan has praised India during election rallies. While Pakistan may be watching India's Story very closely, the question is - can the relationship between the two Asian countries get better? While there is no concrete answer to this at present, the relationship between India and Pakistan depends on multiple factors. Pakistan's opposition leaders give the example of India only till they are in opposition. Once they return to power and government, they start speaking against India. The present government in India has clearly said that it won't seek a normal relationship with Pakistan until Islamabad stops sponsoring terror activities against New Delhi. The recent terror attacks in Reasi and other parts of Kashmir have again exposed Pakistan's hand behind the incidents. The security forces have recovered Pakistan-made food, medicines, currency, MICRO satellite communication device used by the Pakistani army and other materials showing that terrorists have all backing from Islamabad. People from India have been demanding another surgical strike against Pakistan for the heinous June 9 attack on Vaishno Devi devotees. While the Government of India's next move remains unknown, the relationship between the two countries is not going to be normal until Pakistan ends two things - terrorism and claim on Kashmir. Pune Porsche Case: The multi-layered Pune Porsche case, in which a 17-year-old boy allegedly fatally rammed two IT professionals in Pune last month, had another breakthrough as the police accessed new CCTV footage. According to PTI, video footage from the Yerwada area captures an employee from Sassoon General Hospital who is accused of involvement in a plot to switch the juvenile driver's blood samples, allegedly accepting a bribe. The police stated that Ashpak Makandar, acting as a middleman, delivered the bribe to Atul Ghatkamble, an employee of the hospital. Earlier, the reports said that an amount of Rs 3 lakh was paid on the premises of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). Ghalkamble is already in jail along with Ajay Taware, forensics department head, and former casualty medical officer, Dr Shrihari Halnor, for allegedly tampering with the blood samples of the teen, who was drunk at the moment of the crash. The blood sample was collected hours after the accident at the Sassoon General Hospital. However, the reports created suspicion among the authorities, so they took another sample at the Aundh Government Hospital, followed by a third sample of the juvenile drivers father. The manipulation was revealed when the DNA matching with the first sample proved discrepancies. The accuseds parents are in custody in a case linked to blood sample swapping. The incident occurred on May 19 in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area when a 17-year-old boy driving a Porsche collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of two tech professionals, Anis Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa. The teen is currently on observation home remand until June 25. According to CCTV footage, the police reported that the minor was driving the Porsche at a speed of 160 kmph at the time of the collision. The police stated that the teenager, son of well-known builder Vishal Agrawal, had hosted a party for his friends on Saturday night to celebrate his Class 12 exam results. The group spent the night drinking at various city restaurants and driving around. (Based on inputs from PTI) Jammu & Kashmir: While security forces have been dealing with multiple attacks in the Jammu region in the last week, they now face a new challenge. After decades, terror groups in the valley are using difficult-to-detect liquid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). According to top police sources, in a recent recovery by Jammu and Kashmir Police in South Kashmir's Pulwama district, the Over Ground Workers led to the discovery of these difficult-to-detect liquid IEDs, which they had hidden in an apple orchard. Jammu and Kashmir Police recently killed Lashkar terrorists Riyaz Dar and Rayees Dar in an operation, and afterward, they busted a group of Over Ground Workers in the same district. Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier stated, "Following the encounter of LeT commander Reyaz Dar and his associate Rayees Dar on 3/6/24, during further investigation, Pulwama police recovered 02 IEDs weighing 06 kgs from the OGW network of the slain militants. 03 arrests have been made for providing shelter and logistics support." While the terror groups have changed many of their strategies in recent times, numerous foreign terrorists now remain mostly active in the Jammu region. They cross the Line of Control or International Border and directly reach the Rajouri-Poonch area, which often becomes the first area of attack. On the other hand, security forces now face the challenge of detecting liquid IEDs, which can easily evade general detection methods. The OGW network was unearthed, and three persons were arrested. It was revealed that the two slain terrorists had prepared IEDs, which were subsequently recovered from the possession of Shakir Bashir, who hid them in the orchards. The IEDs were packed in a plastic container along with explosives and an active circuit trigger mechanism, weighing around 06 kgs, which was later destroyed in situ by Pulwama police and the army. According to a top police official, forensic teams are working on the findings of the IEDs destroyed in the orchard. The liquid IED is either trinitrotoluene (TNT) or nitroglycerine. The police recovered three bottles filled with white liquid packed in plastic. Jammu and Kashmir Police released photos and a video of the explosive device blast in an orchard. The shift in terrorist strategies in the Union Territory will pose a significant challenge for security forces this summer. Terrorism In Jammu & Kashmir: Director General of Police RR Swain said on Thursday, "A new security challenge has surfaced in the Jammu region, but security forces are ready to give a befitting reply to foreign terrorists." On the sidelines of a function, the DGP mentioned, "There is a plan and motive behind pushing foreign terrorists into the Jammu region, which has emerged as a new challenge to security forces." "Terror handlers across the border have failed to recruit locals in Jammu and Kashmir. Now they are recruiting locals across the LoC and pushing them inside our territory to disrupt peace and kill people. Police and security agencies are ready to counter foreign terrorism in the Jammu region, and we will give them a befitting reply. When you have an enemy ready to kill people and create trouble, we also have to be ready to counter and bear some losses as well, he added." The DGP highlighted that the Jammu region has difficult terrain, dense forests, streams, and tough mountains. "These foreigners are not in large numbers, but they are not operating under the law and can harm anybody. We will defeat them the way they were defeated after trying to set up a base in the Jammu region between 1995 and 2005." He also issued a warning to over ground workers who support terrorists by providing them logistics, stating, "We are identifying those who support terrorists and they will be punished. In the last few days, the Jammu region has witnessed four terror incidents: a pilgrim bus was attacked in Reasi, civilians were attacked in Kathua, and forces were attacked in Bhaderwah and Doda," he continued. "A high alert has been sounded in Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister chaired a high-level security review meeting where the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed. Earlier, LG Manoj Sinha chaired a Unified Command meeting in Srinagar where the new challenge of the presence of foreign terrorists in Jammu was discussed in detail and a counter-strategy was finalized." Pune: A woman walking on a roadside was injured after a speeding car hit her in Maharashtra's Pune city, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place in Hinjawadi area on Tuesday afternoon and a clip of its CCTV footage surfaced on social media which showed the car veering off the road and hitting the woman, who got flung in the air and fell some distance away. An official from Pimpri Chinchwad police said prima facie, it appeared the car driver lost control over the wheels. He said it was not a case of drunk driving and a complaint has not yet been filed by the woman, who hails from neighbouring Mumbai. "The accident took place on Tuesday afternoon when the car veered off the road and hit the woman as she was walking along the roadside. The woman received injuries. Her brother and uncle reached there shortly after the incident and took her home. They informed us that they will visit the police station to file a formal complaint," the official said. A probe is on into the incident, the official said. Last month, a Porsche car allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy hit a motorbike in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area, killing two IT professionals. New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' has received immense global acclaim. While the show has been widely loved, Sharmin Segal's performance has generated significant buzz online. Amidst escalating trolling over her performance, numerous actors have stepped up to support her. Now, Fardeen Khan, her co-actor from "Heeramandi," has also voiced his support in her defense. In a recent interview, Fardeen Khan said, 'I think it's extremely unfortunate, the whole trolling aspect of it. Everyone has a right to like or unlike someone's performance but this whole trolling aspect is something that is simply wrong and not done and I believe she has done a very decent job in Heeramandi.' He further added, 'She has a very complex challenging role and she was working with some mega talent out there. For me she came across as strong and it was a great start for her career and started acting in general.' Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar ' also features Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Taha Shah Badussha. The series was released on Netflix on 1 May 2024. New Delhi: During a recent interaction with shutterbugs, Nawazuddin Siddiqui graciously acknowledged his remarkable screen presence, prompting comparisons to the legendary actor Irrfan Khan. In response, Nawazuddin expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, 'Achhi baat hai mere senior rahe hain. Kaafi kuch seekha hai unse aur yaad karte hai unko' . (It's a good thing... he was my senior. I learned a lot from him and remember him fondly). This acknowledgment underscores Nawazuddin's deep respect for Irrfan and emphasizes the profound influence the late actor had on him. Have A Look At The Video: The comparison between Nawazuddin and Irrfan Khan goes beyond surface observations. Both actors are renowned for their profound depth of work and unparalleled understanding of their characters. A notable similarity between the two actors is their common background in drama school. This formal training is clearly reflected in their performances, characterized by precise execution and profound emotional depth. Irrfan Khan's legacy is defined by his nuanced performances and his adept portrayal of intricate characters with subtlety and elegance. His work in films such as The Lunchbox, Paan Singh Tomar, and Maqbool showcased his exceptional talent and left an indelible mark on the industry. Nawazuddin Siddiqui has established himself with a meticulous approach to acting, earning acclaim for his performances in projects such as Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox, Talaash, and the critically acclaimed series Sacred Games. Nawazuddin's humble recognition of Irrfan Khan's influence underscores his deep respect for the craft of acting. Just as Irrfan Khan brought a captivating charm to the screen, Nawazuddin continues to captivate audiences with his compelling performances. OnWork Front, Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be next seen portraying a smart cop in Anand Surapur's directional 'Rautu Ka Raaz'. New Delhi: Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are all set to tie the Knot on June 23, according to media reports. The couple has been together for quite a long time and has kept their relationship private. Recently A leaked audio invite has now surfaced all over social media in which their Venue, dress code, and other things are unveiled. Later it went viral. Watch The Viral Audio Invite Here: In the Leaked Invite, The audio starts with Sonakshi's voice as she greets the guests.'To all our hip, tech-savvy, and jasoos (detective) friends and family who have managed to land on this page, hi!' adding on to the same Zaheer says, 'For the last seven years that we have been together, all the joy, love, laughter, and many, many adventures have led us this moment.' The moment where we go from being each others rumored girlfriend and boyfriend,' Sonakshi continues. Then Zaheer adds, 'To being each others definite and official husband and wife.' The audio concluded with a heartfelt message from the couple, 'Finally! This celebration will not be complete without you so drop whatever youre doing on the 23rd of June and come party with us. See you there ' About The Viral Audio The wedding invite is like a magazine cover featuring their image in the background from their vacation in the snow. The cover is titled by ' We're making it official'[Finally]. 'The rumors were true' can also be seen highlighted on the right side, along with the dress code mentioned in the middle 'Just don't wear red'. What makes it unique is that the invite also features a QR code which can be seen in the bottom right. The left side of the cover unveils the venue,' Bastian at the top along with the timings '8.00 pm onwards' written on it in bold. Also, the couple's name was on the cover in the left corner as' Sonakshi & Zaheer'. In the Leaked audio invite, the couple is all set to married on June 23.In the presence of their family and friends. According to a recent report from News18 Showsha, the wedding party will feature some of Bollywood's biggest stars, including Aayush Sharma, Huma Qureshi, Varun Sharma, Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal started their acting career with Salman Khan's film. They first meet at a party hosted by Salman Khan since then they have been seen together multiple times. Also, their Instagram handle is filled with their fun banters and selfies. Both have also worked together in the comedy-drama 'Double XL'. The G7 Summit is underway in Italy and the top world leaders have already reached the country. Italian PM Gioria Meloni today greeted all the G7 members on the inaugural day of the summit, video of which was shared online. The two-day G7 Summit is attended by several world leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Upon his arrival, Sunak was warmly welcomed by Meloni, with their greeting captured in viral photos and videos. The video clip shows Sunak approaching Meloni, who greets him with a hug and a kiss. They share a light-hearted moment, laughing and chatting before posing for a photograph and continuing their conversation. #WATCH | Borgo Egnazia: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni receives United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak, as he arrives for the 50th G7 Summit. (Video Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/fpGFlnDZ2r ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2024 However, the interaction sparked reactions online, with some noting an awkward moment during the hug and kiss. One social media user commented, "Rishi Sunak being greeted by Giorgia Meloni at the G7 looked like he went in for a kiss, but she pulled back. It gave off a 'eurgh, smelly breath' vibe." Another remarked, "Rishi Sunak greets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the welcome ceremony on the first day of the 50th G7 summit." A third user simply advised, "Don't lean in, Rishi!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also arrived in Italy's Apulia to attend the G7 Summit on the invite of Giorgia Meloni. While India is not a member of the G7, it has been invited to the event as an outreach country. This marks PM Modi's first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. "PM @narendramodi touches down at Brindisi airport in Apulia, Italy. Agenda includes participation in the Outreach session of the G7 Summit & substantive interactions with the global leaders on the sidelines. An action-packed day awaits!" the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote in a post on X. APULIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with PM Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom on the sidelines of the G7 Summit here on Friday. The two world leaders were seen sharing a hug as they met. PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France. Apart from exchanging views on key global and regional issues, PM Modi and President Macron held discussions on a series of issues including strengthening partnership between the two nations. PM Modi is in Italy's Apulia to participate in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. After landing here, PM Modi said he was looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. It was a delight to meet PM @RishiSunak in Italy. I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. pic.twitter.com/ehjhFY89cE Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2024 He also said that they aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future. PM Modi and UK PM Sunak last met on September 9, 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. That was Prime Minister Sunak's first visit to India since becoming Prime Minister in October 2022. Notably, India is participating in the summit as an Outreach country. The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. As PM Modi touched down at Brindisi Airport in Apulia on late Thursday night (local time), he was received by India's Ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao, and other officials. This marks PM Modi's first trip abroad after assuming office for the third consecutive term. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal detailed the Prime Minister's engagements with the world leaders on June 14. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, in his departure statement, said that he is glad that his first state visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. He recalled his previous visit to Italy and Prime Minister Meloni's visits to India which have contributed significantly to enhancing bilateral ties. It will be India's 11th participation and PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart Meloni. APULIA: Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven (G7) upon the arrival of the Outreach session countries and international organisations. PM Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late at night to attend the G7 Outreach Summit. On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. In his departure statement, PM Modi said that he is "glad that his first state visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit." The Prime Minister also recalled his previous visit to Italy and Prime Minister Meloni's visits to India, which have contributed significantly to enhancing bilateral ties." #WATCH | Italy: Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni receives Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India participates as an 'Outreach nation' in G7 Summit pic.twitter.com/Sqna3AEu9X ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2024 "I am glad that my first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G-7 Summit. I warmly recall my visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidate the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions," PM Modi said before leaving for Italy. Giving an overview of PM Modi's visit to Italy, MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that it was a packed day for him. "We have several bilateral meetings with the world leaders lined up," Jaiswal said in the video, adding, "He will also be addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit." The G7 summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Meloni. It will be India's 11th participation and PM Modi's fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. By Alimat Aliyeva The Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan are planning to hold trilateral military exercises in connection with the possible visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the DPRK at the end of June, Azernews reports. The exercises are aimed at a "decisive joint warning" amid speculation that a possible visit could lead to increased military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia. According to the agency, the parties are discussing participation in the maneuvers of the American nuclear aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. At the same time, details such as the time, scope and content of the training are agreed upon. It is reported that the trilateral exercises called Freedom Edge will be held for the first time in several places in the air, at sea, underwater and in the cybersphere. Teen Charged With Attempted Murder in Assyrian Bishop Stabbing Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel. Fresh charges have been levelled against a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing a bishop during a live-streamed sermon. A court was told today the teen will face charges of wounding with intent to murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, in addition to an existing charge of committing a terrorist act. The court was also told investigators have identified 52,000 images and 7500 videos on the teen's phone, some of which will require a terrorism evidence notice to access. "That does take some time," the crown prosecutor told Parramatta Children's Court. The teen will remain behind bars, accused of stabbing Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and priest Isaac Royel during a live-streamed service at Christ the Good Shepherd Church on April 15. The fresh intent to murder charge relates to Bishop Emmanuel, while the intent to cause grievous bodily harm charge relates to Father Royel. The stabbing, which investigators say was religiously motivated, left Bishop Emmanuel seriously injured before the teenager was subdued. The teen had received intermittent treatment for mental health issues for a number of years, his lawyer said during an earlier court appearance. Police have also charged five other juveniles in relation to the stabbing. Two males, aged 17 and 14 years, were charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service. One boy, aged 17, was charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act, and custody of a knife in a public place. Two boys, both aged 16, face offences for conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for or planning a terrorist act. A further six people were charged over violent riots outside the church following the alleged stabbing, taking the tally of those facing court over the ugly melee to 29 people. The alleged stabber's matter is due to return to court on July 26. Peru camino a ser el hub portuario de Sudamerica!?? La presidenta Dina Boluarte superviso el avance de las trabajos en el Megapuerto de #Chancay. La megaobra tendra un impacto significativo y positivo en las industrias peruanas dedicadas a la exportacion, siendo pieza clave en pic.twitter.com/5CIPF9pv2e Young Americans soak up history, culture on central China exchange tour Xinhua) 08:41, June 14, 2024 A young American experiences Chinese calligraphy at Hubei University of Education in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) WUHAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A group of young Americans and Chinese people has completed an adventurous summer journey in central China's Hubei Province, immersing themselves in the ancient traditions and modernity of Chinese culture over an action-packed week. From June 6 to 12, over 40 participants from universities, enterprises and social organizations took part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program, aiming to bridge the gap between young people from both countries through shared experiences and cultural immersion. The journey kicked off amid the misty peaks of the Wudang Mountains, legendary for Taoism and the graceful art of Tai Chi. Laura Hulbert, a graduate student from Northeastern State University, couldn't resist capturing every moment with her camera. "It's breathtaking with the mountains in the background, and learning about the history and the culture of the temples and all the rituals that go into it," said Hulbert, who even found time to try her hand at Tai Chi in its birthplace. "It's good to try something new. There's a lot of practice, dedication and control that goes into this," Hulbert said, adding that she is determined to continue the practice back home. In the bustling capital city of Wuhan, where the mighty Yangtze River meets its tributaries, the group savored the sights during a sunset cruise. Leia Alex, an American artist based in Australia, immediately recognized the iconic Yellow Crane Tower from her mother's oil paintings. "My mom did an art residency in China," said Alex. "Last year, she visited Wuhan, Yichang, Beijing and Hong Kong, and she later painted the places she had been to," she added, proudly displaying her mother's masterpiece of the tower against a backdrop of crimson hues. Alex said she can't wait to capture the essence of China in her own drawings once she gets home. As their boat glided beneath the majestic Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, Makiy Laeyn, an art student from Northeastern State University, marveled at China's engineering prowess. Snapping photos to remember the moment, Laeyn said she had no idea that China had such a variety of stunning bridges and that China had been involved in bridge-building across the globe. Chinese volunteer Wang Leyi, from Hubei University of Education, found the cultural exchange immensely rewarding. "Despite our cultural differences, communication has been seamless. Our American friends have been eager to share their stories, and we've embraced this chance to learn from each other," Wang said. For Laeyn, who was paired with Wang during her Hubei stay, the experience was unforgettable. "Before, I only knew China for its bustling cities and skyscrapers, but this trip has opened my eyes, and I can't wait to return." Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit a conservation center for Yangtze River rare fishes in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit a conservation center for Yangtze River rare fishes in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program experience tie-dye on board an electric tourist ship in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) A young American experiences Chinese calligraphy at Hubei University of Education in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit the music museum of Wuhan Conservatory of Music in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 9, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) A young American experiences shadow play at Wuhan Conservatory of Music in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program display paper-cut works at Hubei University of Education in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Barn owls were amongst the creatures seized from the Victorian man's home. Source: Conservation Regulator A horrific find in an Australian suburban home has prompted a court to ban its resident from owning animals for a decade. Pictures shared with Yahoo News on Friday show cages containing wild predatory species haphazardly piled on top of each other, sitting between buckets, metal poles, weight lifting equipment and other junk. Other images show a crocodile and pythons that were rescued by inspectors. A possum appears to have been housed in a cage without branches, leaves or clean water. A barn owl in a pet carrier looks unable to spread its wings. The discoveries were made around the mans home, garage and backyard after the Conservation Regulator, which sits within Victorias Department of Environment, received a tip-off from a member of the public. "This was a horrific and unacceptable case of wildlife cruelty," its chief Kate Gavens said. Why some animals initially appeared to be dead Inspectors found dozens of animals confined to small, filthy cages which they reported were in poor health due to starvation or illness. Some animals were so thin, it was initially believed they were dead. The matter was first investigated in 2021, but this month the 38-year-old Victorian pleaded guilty to 16 animal cruelty charges. His conduct was found to have resulted in the deaths of three pythons and two possums from starvation and dehydration. A barn owl inside a pet carrier at the Victorian man's home. Source: Conservation Regulator A brushtail possum was housed in "filthy" conditions. Source: Conservation Regulator In total, he agreed that 28 native animals had been housed in poor enclosures often without food or water. Dingoes, as well as live and dead barn owls, were also found to have been kept without the proper licenses. In an interview before his trial, the man confessed he couldnt remember when some of the animals were last checked or given water. The man had held a license to publicly demonstrate animals but it was cancelled three years ago. Man given 10 year ban and 100-hour work order Presiding Magistrate Howe issued the man with the ban and an 18-month community corrections order, which requires him to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work and not leave the state. A crocodile was among the animals found to have been kept at the man's home. Source: Conservation Regulator She found he had committed horrific offending against native animals that had no way to protect themselves. She said the man knew the importance of meeting basic care and licensing requirements and told him his cruelty directly caused animals to suffer an unnecessarily prolonged and cruel death. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A Queensland resident was even accused of lying about the bird. But here's the interesting truth. The appearance of a kookaburra spotted in a resident's backyard this week was so different that Aussies accused the woman of putting a "stuffed toy" on top of her fence. But the bird is indeed real, just very "rare". The white, fluffy kookaburra was spotted in Brisbane's coastal suburb of Wynnum with a local resident who snapped pictures of the creature declaring it to be somewhat of a "local celebrity" in the area. However, some struggled to hold back their scepticism at seeing the unusual bird. "It's a puppet," one person claimed after the images were shared on social media, while many more believed its feathers were made of "wool" and weren't actually real. The woman was ultimately forced to share more images as she confirmed it was the genuine Aussie bird. White kookaburra more susceptible to sunburn The bird has a form of albinism caused by lower levels of melanin. Not only does the condition impact its sight, but it also makes the kookaburra more likely to burn under the hot Australian sun. "Being albino you get more sun damage to exposed skin parts, so the area around the eyes and at the top of the beak and the feet," Professor Sarah Legge from Charles Darwin University told Yahoo News. "And if you zoom in closely, you can see in the image there's a lightness in the iris of the bird's eye... that's caused by albinism. "I can see why people thought it was fake because it looks like a cuddly toy with its fluffed-up feathers," she added. 'Higher frequency' of white kookaburra sightings in urban areas The sighting is "rare" but not unheard of, Legge confirmed, with several white kookaburras spotted in urban areas in recent years. In fact, many were spotted in Sydney in 2022, and one geneticist believes it may be advantageous for the birds to be in urban areas, compared to the bush, as there is more chance of blending into the environment as there are lighter surfaces in the landscape compared to the wild. "If you're thinking of where are these things going to pop up in a greater frequency, then certainly, you can imagine that urban areas are where we might expect to see them at a higher frequency," Chair of Ecological Genetics at Melbourne University, Professor Ary Hoffmann, previously told Yahoo. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Six farms have now been infected across one state, impacting the supply of some supermarket products. Animal advocates have called for industrial poultry farming practices to be reformed to help stop strains of avian flu from mutating. Source: Getty Australias deadly avian flu outbreak has spread to a new species. For three weeks the virus had only spread among egg laying chickens, but on Thursday evening authorities confirmed it had reached a duck farm. The highly contagious H7N3 strain has now been detected at six farms across Victoria, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of birds. Its spread has impacted the supply of eggs, with Coles supermarkets announcing a temporary limit of two cartons per customer nationwide, except in Western Australia. The strain impacting Victoria is a different variant to H5N1 which has spread to at least 48 wild and domestic mammal species as well as poultry and migratory birds. While the current outbreak of H7N3 has so far been restricted to poultry, when it comes to H5N1, there have also been rare cases in humans. In March a boy returning to Australia from India was discovered to be infected. Is the H5N1 bird flu strain a danger to humans? In the United States, where the H5N1 strain has infected dairy herds as well as poultry farms, virologist Dr Jenna Guthmiller has warned the virus is being allowed to spread uncontrolled. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. The number of people who are at risk of being exposed to this is really very high, she told Yahoo News a week ago. While there hasnt been human-to-human transmission of the virus there is growing concern H5N1 could evolve into a pandemic. The virus is always adapting to new hosts, and the early animal-to-human infections we have seen are giving the virus opportunities to learn how to thrive in the human body, McMaster Universitys Associate Professor Matthew Miller wrote in The Conversation. Two movement restriction zones have been set up in Victoria to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Source: Google Maps/Agriculture Victoria. Can the spread of avian flu be stopped? The duck farm where H7N3 was detected supplied both meat and eggs, and all birds will be killed and disposed of. While the virus can remain in droppings, water, feathers, eggs and meat for long periods, authorities maintains poultry products bought in supermarkets remain safe to eat. In Victoria, to stop the spread of H7N3, movement controls are in place in designated areas near Terang, Meredith and Lethbridge. Permits are required in these areas to control the transport of birds, poultry products, feed and equipment. But some experts believe the only way to prevent strains of avian flu from mutating and spreading is to reform farming practices. Peter Stevenson OBE, the chief policy advisor at Compassion in World Farming, told Yahoo in May there is a very, very strong link between poor animal husbandry and the rise of zoonotic pandemics. In the large poultry sheds there are a huge number of birds which are hosts for the virus. It can move very quickly amongst them, perhaps mutating as it does so, he said. That highly pathogenic bird flu can then get out of the poultry sheds, for example, through ventilation systems, and infect wild birds. So youre getting a virus thats continually evolving." Bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The New Zealand woman was interrogated by customs agents after she admitted she was carrying her old heart in her luggage. New Zealander Jessica Manning was stopped by Aussie customs agents at the airport after she admitted she had a human organ in her luggage. Source: TikTok A New Zealand woman who recently moved to Australia was left sobbing and scared after being interrogated at the border in quite literally a heart-stopping moment. Jessica Manning, who underwent a life-saving heart and liver transplant five years ago, says the entire ordeal began after she revealed to customs agents she had an odd object in her luggage while trying to immigrate to Australia. Understandably, she was still attached to her old heart, and had decided to bring it with her. While waiting in the airport for her suitcase, the 30-year-old recounted in a TikTok video how she had not yet declared the human heart she packed inside. Theres no option on the arrival card of human remains, only animal body parts, [but] Im going to tell them anyway, she whispers into her phone, admitting she is nervous. Her confession left several security workers a little gobsmacked. Ive never experienced something like this before, the first customs agent she encountered said before asking his boss for help. Jessica, who was born with six heart defects including half a heart, donated her dead organs for medical research following her transplant. However, 10 months later she was asked if she would like her heart back an available option due to the Maori belief ones body should be returned the way it was created. It now lives covered with formaldehyde in a vacuum-sealed bag at the top of her wardrobe until she can bury it in the backyard of her first home. Kiwi woman told she needs to 'bin' her heart Not wanting to leave her heart behind as she and her partner start a new chapter of their lives in Melbourne, Jessica said she had decided to risk it but the lengthy detainment by airport security did get really scary. They sent me to the area where they usually look through all the bags if they think youre dodgy, she said, adding she repeatedly explained the story to customs agents and offered notes from a recent hospital follow-up as proof. Jessica Manning underwent a heart and liver transplant five years ago, ultimately saving her life. Source: NZ Herald/Supplied/TikTok After some back and forth, the boss told the 30-year-old teacher she wasnt allowed to bring the organ through and will instead need to bin it at the airport. Thats when I started crying I was so incredibly tired, I just had to say goodbye to everyone in New Zealand, she said, explaining she was alone because her partner had already been let in. So I sat there crying until somebody else came, you know, and talked to me. They were more worried that my heart had some disease in it that I could bring into the country, which is why they needed documentation to state that it doesnt have a disease, or that its not a threat. Aussie customs finally let woman through with dead heart At this point, Jessica said it was just her and staff in the nearly empty airport. Eventually, after inspecting the sealed heart, her medications and paperwork, they finally let her into the country. After all the panic I think there was like seven or eight different biosecurity people coming to talk to me, they finally let me through, and they just said its not something that I can travel with, which I know its not like I'm gonna change countries every six months. Anyway, the heart is safe and sound. Its at the top of my wardrobe, the usual, but it scared the s*** out of me, and I was not going to leave security without my heart. What Kiwi woman doesn't like about life in Melbourne Now, many months on, she has well and truly settled in Australia one of thousands who make the permanent move every year from across the ditch. Kiwis are the fourth largest migrant community in Australia with some 560,000 New Zealand-born people living here, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data in June 2021. While many come for the job opportunities, higher salaries and warmer weather, it's not all love. In a video earlier this year, Jessica laid out what she hasn't liked about Melbourne and what has "shocked her". The "three things" were the traffic and speeding fines issued by road authorities, the large number of tolled roads and the "crap" pies in Australia. "I racked up more than $15000 worth of fines in my first two months since I moved here," she complained. "There are toll roads everywhere ... My partner and I racked up $500 worth of tolls ... We had no idea." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. For three weeks the virus had only spread among egg laying chickens, but now it's spreading across different species. After it emerged that the deadly avian flu jumped species in Australia and has now spread to a duck farm, a leading food safety expert said it's possible the virus will continue to evolve and eventually transmit among pigs "the next step towards a human infection." For three weeks bird flu virus had only spread among egg-laying chickens, but on Thursday evening authorities confirmed it had spread to ducks, with the highly contagious H7N3 strain now detected at a total of six properties across the country, all in Victoria. The virus's emergence, which can cause illness and death in poultry, has seen hundreds of thousands of birds killed as a precautionary measure. Professor Enzo Palombo, food health and safety expert at Swinburne University, said "there's no need to panic" and "no real sense that anything significant is happening locally which we should be concerned about" for now. But, there is growing evidence to suggest the virus "could come across to humans more readily and cause problems", which "could end up being the start of the next pandemic". He said "the real concern from a public health point of view" will be if "what's happening in the US with mammals" occurs on home soil. Animal advocates have called for industrial poultry farming practices to be reformed to help stop strains of avian flu from mutating. Source: Getty 'No major threat yet' on home soil, food safety expert says "I don't believe it constitutes a major public health threat here yet, but I think what's most concerning is what's happening in the US with the dairy cattle, there have been documented transmissions from cattle to humans, most likely through milk," he said. "The virus seems to be infecting the udders and it seems to be shared through milk, which tests showed had live virus in it." If the virus moves from cows to infect pig populations, ", Palombo said, with "that scenario being much more frightening than any potential spread through food". "Pigs are notoriously the animals in which all these flu viruses tend to mix up and come out as new versions," he said. "It's concerning because the bird flu virus doesn't grow well in humans, but it does in pigs, so the pigs becoming this melting pot of different viruses". Concerning results from ferret experiment could prove trouble for humans The virus has now reached most corners of the earth even among penguins in Antarctica which Palombo said was a result of migratory birds. He warned that recent experiments proved that bird flu strains were able to infect ferrets, which could prove troublesome in future for humans. "You're probably thinking why does that matter? Well, ferrets are a model used in laboratories to mimic human infection. Now, if it can infect and make a ferret sick, and they mostly died in that experiment, that means it could come across to humans more readily and cause problems. "So all these things sort of have people starting to think, hang on something's ticking over here and it could end up being the next pandemic. We don't want to alarm people. But this is how it happens with these viruses. They don't follow any rules, they do what they want to do." Avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a sixth Victorian farm. This detection is why our risk-based Restricted and Control Areas are in place and shows that our ongoing surveillance activities are working. Read more https://t.co/bq6qMabTvC pic.twitter.com/xPf0LWtgMZ Agriculture Victoria (@VicGovAg) June 13, 2024 A lot we still 'don't know' Asked what the likelihood is of the virus spreading to any kind of dangerous level in Australia, Palombo said "minimal" but not impossible. "Well, if you asked me that question about COVID in March 2020 I'd have said minimal risk then too, but then look what happened? We just don't know. It could be the next pandemic, it could all blow over and we go back to normal." The spread has so far impacted the supply of eggs in Australia, with Coles supermarkets announcing a temporary limit of two cartons per customer nationwide, except in WA. The strain impacting Victoria is a different variant to H5N1 which has spread to at least 48 wild and domestic mammal species as well as poultry and migratory birds. While the current outbreak of H7N3 has so far been restricted to poultry, when it comes to H5N1, there have also been rare cases in humans. In March a boy returning to Australia from India was discovered to be infected. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Domestic violence reports in the state have almost doubled in the last five years. The moment a man set his Albany home on fire with his children inside was captured by a police body cam. Source: WA Police Police body cam footage has captured the harrowing moment an Australian father set fire to his family home while his children were inside. Officers entered the home in Albany, Western Australia on April 26 and shouted at the man to "show us your hands" as they approached him. However, within seconds the room erupts in flames as the man appears to light a fluid on the floor. Footage of the incident shows fierce flames quickly pushing police back as those inside the house begin to scream. Police manage to get inside the home and desperately search for the three children who they know are inside, using fire extinguishers to put out the flames while walking along burnt floorboards and carpet. The man was later arrested. Officers recognised for bravery at police awards The officers involved in the incident have been recognised for their bravery at the WA Police Recognition of Excellence Awards, with one admitting he didn't even have time to consider the risk to his own safety. "You don't think about being scared, you just hear there's a child in there and you're off," police officer Warren Taylor told 9News. Spike in domestic violence cases in WA There has been a significant spike in the number of domestic violence reports in the state, with almost 30,000 incidents occurring between July 2023 and March 2024, according to WA police. With a 41 per cent increase in reports within the last five years, authorities are proposing stricter laws for those accused of domestic violence, especially regarding gun ownership after two women were fatally shot in May. "New measures will see police suspend a gun owner's licence and confiscate their firearms as a matter of process every time domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence is reported," Police Minister Paul Papalia said on Tuesday. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The woman raged about the incident after learning what happened at her local spot with the business owner telling Yahoo it left her 'extremely upset'. Mum Milllie, a loyal customer at the cafe, called out parents who let their kids destroy the area (pictured, right: Millie's kids using playground). Source: TikTok An Aussie mum has called out parents who let their kids "run wild and trash" venues calling it "low-class bogan behaviour" after noticing a play area at one of her local cafes had been destroyed by unsupervised children. The frustrated mum, named Millie, called on parents to take responsibility for their youngsters, even if there's a designated kids area at venues, saying it's not up to staff to watch them. The fiery rant was spurred by a recent experience at Sirens Bayside, a popular cafe in Townsville, Queensland. The cafe's owner Natalie Giofre told Yahoo News Australia that while "98 per cent of customers are beautiful and do the right thing" this particular incident left her "extremely upset". It was a busy Friday morning two weeks ago when she walked outside to the courtyard and noticed "the kid's corner had been fully trashed". "The door had been ripped off the cubby house, it was all jagged and nails were hanging out," she told Yahoo. "It was left in a dangerous state and no one had told me". Cafe owner Natalie Giofre (pictured) said she was 'extremely upset' after noticing the cubby house had been destroyed and the courtyard 'trashed' by kids of customers. Source: Natalie Giofre She later learned through other customers that two boys were responsible, with a mother apparently "doing nothing" to stop them. But on the same day, another similar incident pushed her over the edge when a different young child allegedly began acting up. The 36-year-old claimed she watched him throw rocks and dump them in the cubby house, which had already been destroyed. However this time, she approached the mother. "She was quite adamant and just said, 'Look, to be honest, I'm not here to have to worry about what my kids are doing while they're playing in the play area. I'm here to have a conversation with my friend and have a coffee. And if I have to worry about my kids breaking something or making a mess, then I'm just going to take them to the park'," Natalie recalled the woman telling her. Natalie and her partner not long ago finished renovating the outdoor area by creating a new kids' corner with a cubby house and toys. Source: Natalie Giofre Cafe staff 'not running a daycare' Natalie stressed, that while she wants mums and bubs to have fun, she does expect parents to monitor their kids at her establishment. "For me, it's the parents' responsibility to supervise their kids and also to inform us when something does happen so we can come out and fix it. At the moment, my staff are having to supervise other people's children," she said. We're here to provide coffee and food and great service, we're not running a daycare centre. We're not here to make sure your kids are not trashing the yard or breaking things or misbehaving." Mum defends cafe, calls out 'bogan behaviour' Frustrated, Natalie detailed the incident on social media where loyal customer Millie learned what happened, prompting a rant of her own and calling on Aussie parents to be better than this. "If you take your kids to a cafe that has a playground, and then you think that's automatic permission to just let your kids run feral and trash the place. You shouldn't be taking your kids to cafes," she said in the TikTok video. "Everybody complains that Townsville has no nice cafes, no nice facilities, like Melbourne and Sydney. But then when a cafe owner goes out of their way to make their space nice to make it inviting to mums and bubs, this is what happens and it is absolutely heartbreaking". The mum, who has a toddler of her own, ended by saying: "Quite frankly, it doesn't matter how expensive your activewear is if you're not going to parent your children, if you're going to let them trash public facilities so that none of us can use them, then that's just low-class bogan behaviour." Aussies respond to 'bad parenting' claims Others agreed the alleged behaviour was "unacceptable" with one saying: "Honestly the worst thing about parenting is other parents." "Agree 100 per cent. Im in Townsville too and so many times I have seen parents just let their kids destroy property and have no remorse. Also letting kids harass staff carrying hot food! Its not safe," another lamented. "Why do parents think it's okay to not actively supervise their children in a play area - blows my mind," another conceded. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Criminals in Queensland accused of stealing copper from energy providers cost the state $4.5 million last year alone. A surge in copper theft is causing millions of dollars worth of damage to energy grids and telecommunication infrastructure across the country, with authorities warning they're now being forced to resort to drastic action to combat the growing problem in parts of Australia. In Queensland, where the crime is particularly prevalent, thieves cost the state a whopping $4.5 million in damages to the electrical network in 2023 alone, with culprits even reportedly dressing a tradies to avoid detection while they make away with live wires. Authorities say those responsible sell the cables to scrap metal dealers who melt and reshape it, largely for use in electronics. They've warned that not only is the act costly and inconvenient to energy providers, it's also extremely dangerous. This week in Queensland, two alleged copper thieves were caught on CCTV attempting to rob an Energex site, with one man seen clambering onto a work truck trying to search for wire, before police intercepted and apprehended him. In the footage, the pair are seen entering the site in a ute, scouring the property for copper. Alleged copper thieves were caught on CCTV this week trying to rob an Energex site. Authorities say it's a recurring issue across the state. Source: 9News Would-be thieves warned over 'plasma ball' danger Depending on the type and quality, copper can fetch as much as $10 per kg. But energy workers have warned trying to rip out copper cabling could come at a much higher price. "We've had instances where copper thieves have taken up to 1000 metres of cable in one night. That's a significant amount of damage to the network," Chris Graham, an Energex area manager, told 9News. He issued a warning to all would-be thieves, revealing the true scale of the danger facing them up to 11,000 vaults while holding up a failed theft attempt showing where thieves had attempted to cut into . "They would've had a plasma ball, hotter than the surface of the sun, right in front of their face," he said. Energex Area Manager Chris Graham said robbers are dealing with up to 11,000 vaults right in front of their face. Source: 9News Queensland copper theft has tripled in four years Copper theft in Queensland tripled since 2020, with hundreds of incidents reported last year, according to Energy Queensland. Since 2023, 494 attempted copper thefts were recorded across the state, with 340 thefts reported this year to date, the authority said. Energy providers across Queensland now say they'll take the drastic measure of replacing copper with aluminium, in a bid to deter further theft, with new housing estates, sporting clubs and businesses repeatedly targeted. Victorian crime syndicate pinched $780,000 worth of copper While Queensland authorities grapple with how to best to tackle the growing problem, police in Victoria in November busted an organised crime syndicate that allegedly stole $780,000 worth of copper from telco pits, causing mass internet and power outages. Eleven people were arrested as part of a police investigation into 50 large-scale copper thefts that occurred in Melbournes north over the first six months of 2023. Its alleged the offenders used portable power tools to cut through telco pits housed in residential streets and stole large quantities of copper. The damage reportedly caused disruptions to internet and power and significant distress to impacted residents, police said at the time. Exposed wiring from copper theft with telco infrastructure can lead to fires. Source: 9News Tradie's shock at copper ripped from empty rental In April, Yahoo spoke to a tradie was stunned to discover copper was stolen from a property left vacant for a few weeks between tenants. Local plumber and bathroom specialist, Mick, was told the house he was heading to in Coffs Harbour had "no water" inside the home, yet the new tenants moving in could hear the sound of water "p**sing out" from somewhere under the house. After turning on the water, Mick noticed that water was "shooting straight up" from the ground under the house. Investigating its source, he found a "little copper pipe" sticking out that looked as though it had been "ripped off". The pipe should have been supplying the entire house with water. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. David Wilcox Executive editor Follow David Wilcox 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 owners of Prison City Brewing weren't sure whether to talk openly about their new speakeasy. It's supposed to be a secret, or so the Prohibition-era idea goes. But Dawn and Marc Schulz are too excited about The Armory, which they opened last week in the basement of their State Street brewpub, not to spread the word at least a little. Balancing that secrecy with marketing could ultimately involve the same kind of careful measurement as one of the bar's inventive cocktails, Dawn Schulz told The Citizen on Wednesday. "Our goal is to advertise it and promote the secret for the next couple months, and see where that lands us," she said. "If at some point we can then make it a little less known, we'll try to." The basement was a blank canvas for Prison City after removing the brewing equipment there last winter to consolidate production at its North Street facility. The Schulzes decided to create a speakeasy to complement the modernity and openness of the brewpub with a more classic and underground experience, Schulz said. The name is a nod to the building's origins as a Civil War military armory. Chrisanntha Construction and Elbridge's Unite Two Design fabricated the brass bar, and the brewery's events director, Amy Campanelli, used her interior design background to decorate the space. Dark green dominates the palette as steampunk motifs like gears and goggles make frequent appearances. Some items were found on Facebook Marketplace, Schulz said, and some were pulled from closets. "We worked with what we could afford, but (Campanelli) made it look great," said Schulz, who added that Auburn decorator and artist Jesse Kline helped with the space's design. While Mass Riot and other Prison City beers are available in the speakeasy, its signature drink is the cocktail. Schulz said much of the drink list was devised by the brewery's general manager, Tanner Scarr, who previously managed a cocktail club in New York City. House specials include the banana bread espresso martini and the Beggar's Banquet, which is made with the brewery's Crispy Boys lager. Some of the brewpub's small plates are available in The Armory, Schulz said, as well as others exclusive to the space. It is already the site of weekly music and stand-up comedy, which will be joined by theme nights, tastings and more events in the fall. The speakeasy can also be booked privately, and because it has an occupancy of 40, reservations for even casual visits are recommended. Just as its illegal predecessors did a century ago, The Armory requires a password to enter. It changes every week, and is available at prisoncitybrewing.com/thearmory for now. If you go WHAT: The Armory at Prison City Pub & Brewery WHEN: Open 5 p.m. to close Thursdays through Saturdays WHERE: 28 State St., Auburn INFO: Visit prisoncitybrewing.com/thearmory or call (315) 604-1277 Gallery: The Armory speakeasy at Prison City Pub & Brewery Beijing (Gasgoo)- On June 13, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle brand, DEEPAL, officially put the DEEPAL G318 hard-core electric SUV onto the market. The new model comes in six variants, priced between 175,900 yuan and 318,000 yuan. Photo credit: DEEPAL The entry-level two-wheel-drive standard version is now available for pre-order and will be delivered in August, while the top-spec variant is expected to begin pre-sales in early 2025. The DEEPAL G318 is powered by the new Blue Core power platform, featuring a 1.5T range extender and a high-performance electric motor, with the entire lineup equipped with the Golden Shield battery. To celebrate the launch, DEEPAL offers nine substantial packages, including a 10,000-yuan subsidy for trade-ins of DEEPAL vehicles and a 5,000-yuan subsidy for other brands. Additionally, customers who place an order within 120 hours of the sales channel opening (before June 18) can share a 53,127,484.08-yuan dream fund. Photo credit: DEEPAL The G318 boasts a rugged exterior design, with a strong silhouette and a distinctive front grille featuring cyber-metal armor and C-shaped energy lights. It has a static load capacity of 300 kg and a dynamic load capacity of 80 kg. The vehicle also offers a high approach angle of 27, departure angle of 31, a break-over angle of 27.3, and an impressive ground clearance of 240 mm. Photo credit: DEEPAL Inside, the G318 features a symmetrical design available in Forest Black, Glacier Blue, and Holy Lake Green. The dashboard includes a 14.6-inch smart screen and a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel. The interior also boasts several handles to emphasize its off-road capabilities. The G318 comes standard with front seat ventilation and heating, IACC (Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control), a 540 panoramic camera, Deepal OS with enhanced display features, five-pane double-layer soundproof glass, ENC active noise cancellation, and an R-EPS steering system. The trunk space ranges from 818L to a maximum of 1,747L. Photo credit: DEEPAL Powered by the latest Blue Core power system, the G318 features provides a total peak power of 185 kW (rear) and 131 kW (front). The SUV has a CLTC-rated combined range of over 1,000 km and a battery-powered range of 190 km. It also includes a 6kW external discharge function and is equipped with electronic infinite differential locks and a rear axle electric drive differential lock to ensure off-road performance. The G318 offers ET all-terrain modes, including five daily modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Exclusive, Custom) and five terrain modes (Snow, Mud, Sand, Rough, Wading), along with features such as in-place U-turn, hill descent control, and off-road creep mode. The vehicle is also equipped with air suspension, and CDC chassis adjustment. Beijing (Gasgoo)- In May, China's auto sales experienced modest growth both month-on-month and year-on-year. The production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and auto exports continued to grow rapidly, with Chinese indigenous brands maintaining strong performance. The Chinese auto market has recently seen several positive developments. Chinas Ministry of Finance allocated special funds to support the scrapping and renewal of old vehicles. Over 30 provinces and cities have introduced local subsidies, and multiple car manufacturers have launched trade-in purchase incentives to encourage auto consumption. The old-for-new vehicle replacement program is off to a strong start. Additionally, the government issued several campaigns to address NEV consumption gaps in rural areas, propose gradually lifting NEV purchase restrictions and implementing supportive policies for NEV circulation, fully unleashing consumption potential. However, the domestic demand growth in China's auto market remains relatively slow, competition in the industry is intensifying, and international trade protectionism continues to pose significant challenges. The auto industry faces considerable pressure and requires effective measures to ensure stable development. In May 2024, a total of 2.372 million vehicles were produced in China, representing a slight 1.4% dip from the previous month and a 1.7% rise from the previous year, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). In the meantime, China sold 2.417 million vehicles, which climbed 2.5% month on month and 1.5% year on year. In the first five months of this year, Chinas cumulative auto production and sales volumes still topped that of a year ago at 6.5% and 8.3%, respectively, which came in at 11.384 million vehicles and 11.496 million vehicles. Automakers in China produced and sold 940,000 and 955,000 NEVs in the past month, representing a respective 31.9% and 33.3% surge year-over-year. Among which, 856,000 units were sold domestically, jumping 16.3% from the previous month while leaping 40.8% from the previous year. In the meantime, NEV exports stood at 99,000 units in May, down 13.3% month on month and 9% year on year. In the Jan.-May period, Chinas NEV production and sales volumes amounted to 3.926 million units and 3.895 million units, surging 30.7% and 32.5% from the previous year, respectively. NEVs made up 33.9% of Chinas auto sales in the period. Of the NEVs sold in the first five months of this year, 3.376 million units were consumed domestically in China, spiking 35.9% compared to the same span last year. At the same time, automakers in China exported 519,000 NEVs to overseas markets, which increased 13.7% year on year. In the fifth month of 2024, China shipped 481,000 vehicles to overseas markets, representing a 4.4% slip month-on-month but a 23.9% jump year-on-year. Among the vehicles exported in May, about 397,000 units were passenger cars, dipping 7.4% from April while growing 22.1% from a year ago. Meanwhile, the countrys commercial vehicle export volume reached 840,000 units, rising 12.6% month over month and surging 32.7% year over year. In the first five months of this year, automakers in China cumulatively shipped 2.308 million vehicles overseas, up 31.3% from a year ago. Year-to-date exports of passenger cars came in at 1.937 million units, indicating a 32% increase year-on-year. In the meantime, export volume of commercial vehicles amounted to 372,000 units, jumping 27.9% from a year earlier. Among the top ten vehicle exporters, Chery ranked the first by exporting 92,000 vehicles in May, boasting a year-on-year increase of 24.8%, accounting for 19.2% of the countrys total auto exports. Compared to the same period last year, BYD showed the most significant growth with export volume reaching 38,000 units in May, indicating a 2.4-fold increase. From January to May, BYD exported 179,000 units in total, representing a 1.6-fold year-on-year spike. Meanwhile, Great Wall Motor achieved a 64.1% year-on-year leap in year-to-date export volume, which stood at 239,000 units. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. GAC Group expands fully-owned fund to 1.16 billion yuan GAC Group announced on June 14 the boards approval to expand the size of GAC Capitals fully-owned fund, Guangdong Guangqi No.7 Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership), from 500 million yuan to 1.16 billion yuan. The fund will be managed by GAC Capitals wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangzhou Yingpeng Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd. Photo credit: GAC Group FAW-Volkswagen to recall imported Audi-branded electric vehicles in China Starting June 15, 2024, FAW-Volkswagen will recall 251 units of the imported Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT electric vehicles manufactured between July 26, 2022, and June 28, 2023. The recall addresses a potential short circuit in the high-voltage battery modules, which, in extreme cases, could lead to thermal runaway and pose a fire risk. 2024 Wuling Binguo hits market, starting at 56,800 yuan SAIC-GM-Wuling has officially put the 2024 Wuling Binguo onto the market. The new model features upgrades to its exterior, interior, electric system, and driving experience. Four variants of the vehicle are available, with prices ranging from 56,800 yuan to 84,800 yuan. QCraft nabs hundreds of millions of yuan in Series C funding round On June 14, advanced intelligent driving solutions provider QCraft announced the completion of its Series C funding round, securing several hundred million yuan. The investment was jointly led by Zhongguancun Science City and Cuihu Capital. DEEPAL G318 rugged off-road SUV hits market, starting at 175,900 yuan On June 13, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle brand, DEEPAL, officially put the DEEPAL G318 hard-core electric SUV onto the market. The new model comes in six variants, priced between 175,900 yuan and 318,000 yuan. KargoBot launches L4 autonomous truck convoy on key Ordos freight route On June 13, KargoBot, DiDi's autonomous truck solution developer, commenced Level-4 autonomous convoy demonstration operations on a major commodity transport route from a coal mine in Ordos to a power plant in Kangbashi District in Inner Mongolia. NETA Auto, CATL, 360 Security Technology, LynkVertx team up on V2G pilot project On June 13th, NETA Auto, CATL, 360 Security Technology Inc., and LynkVertx signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the "V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) Smart Energy Demonstration Project" at NETA Auto's Tongxiang Full-Ecosystem Smart Factory, according to a post on NETA Auto's WeChat account. Xiaomi EV hits delivery milestone of 20,000 SU7 cars Xiaomi EV announced this week that as of June 13, the cumulative delivery volume of its SU7 model has surpassed 20,000 units. Tencent, GAC Group enhance strategic partnership for next-gen cloud innovations On June 13, Tencent and GAC Group announced a comprehensive upgrade to their strategic partnership. Moving forward, both companies will collaborate to develop next-generation hybrid cloud infrastructure to bolster GAC Groups advancements in intelligent driving, smart cockpits, enterprise digitalization, and global market expansion. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On June 13th, NETA Auto, CATL, 360 Security Technology Inc., and LynkVertx signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the "V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) Smart Energy Demonstration Project" at NETA Auto's Tongxiang Full-Ecosystem Smart Factory, according to a post on NETA Auto's WeChat account. This strategic cooperation among the four parties aims to advance the development of cutting-edge V2G power interaction technology. Electric vehicles will not only serve as green transportation tools but also become intelligent energy carriers, providing additional income for users, enhancing the grid's overall utilization of clean energy, promoting energy innovation, and facilitating the low-carbon sustainable development of the industrial chain. Photo credit: NETA Auto According to the agreement, the four parties will collaborate closely on V2G technology, business, and related fields, engaging in deep strategic cooperation. They will leverage their pioneering advantages in energy innovation to explore new markets and jointly build a "vehicle-pile-grid-cloud" ecosystem to achieve green and low-carbon development, aligning with the Chinas national dual-carbon goals to create new quality productivity. In addition, NETA Auto plans to complete the V2G smart energy demonstration project in the Tongxiang smart factory park by the end of 2024, integrating the park's electricity demands. This will be achieved by relying on photovoltaic energy storage and V2G bidirectional charging piles, implementing intelligent peak shaving and valley filling, and coordinated photovoltaic storage and charging power transactions. This integration will enable bidirectional energy transmission and precise energy management between vehicle storage, factory load, distributed photovoltaics, and the grid, realizing the mobile energy storage value of electric vehicles, providing zero-carbon energy supply for the park, and reducing electricity costs. Simultaneously, the four parties will deeply cooperate in V2G technology research and development. Through the demonstration project in Tongxiang, they aim to scale up the promotion of the V2G interaction industry. Additionally, NETA Auto plans to extend V2G technology to personal charging piles. By using high-performance, long-life batteries and applying advanced bidirectional charging and discharging algorithms and V2G battery maintenance strategies, the system will ensure long-term stable operation, alleviating user concerns about potential battery lifespan reduction caused by V2G. Users can confidently use their electric vehicles as energy storage devices, storing inexpensive night-time electricity and selling it to the grid during peak hours for additional income. Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Aspark SP600 Surpasses Rimac Neveras EV Top Speed Record Japanese electric hypercar brand Aspark has made headlines again with its latest achievement. The Aspark SP600 has surpassed the Rimac Nevera, setting a new top speed record for electric vehicles. The Aspark SP600 achieved an astonishing top speed of 272.6 mph (438.7 km/h) at the ATP proving ground in Papenburg, Germany. This is the same location where the Rimac Nevera previously set the record. However, its important to note that the SP600 is not a series production car like the Nevera, but this feat still showcases Aspark's impressive engineering capabilities. ADVERTISEMENT The SP600 was piloted by Marc Basseng, a seasoned driver known for holding the Nurburgring lap record in a Pagani Zonda R. Bassengs expertise undoubtedly contributed to the vehicle's remarkable performance on the track. Aspark first demonstrated its prowess in the electric vehicle market back in 2018 with the Aspark Owl. The Owl achieved a 0-60 mph time of just 1.6 seconds, surpassing the Tesla Model S P100D and setting a new standard for acceleration in electric vehicles. The success of the SP600 further solidifies Aspark's position as a formidable player in the hypercar segment, pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can achieve. While the SP600 may not be a production model, its record-breaking performance is a testament to the potential of electric propulsion in high-performance applications. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Nissan solid state batteries Adoption of smaller solid-state batteries will benefit packaging The manufacturer that brought us the first mainstream electric cars could also be about to become the first to bring us the next big thing in EVs: a car with double the range for less money. The secret lies in the much-talked-about solid-state battery technology, which, if it lives up to the hype, should yield batteries that are around half the size and weight yet deliver the same range as their conventional counterparts or, on the other hand, provide double the range for the same size of battery. Nissan, which unveiled its game-changing Leaf in Yokohama back in 2009, this month showed off its new all-solid-state battery (ASSB) pilot production line, which is under construction at the Yokohama plant. The firm has also announced plans to have ASSB-equipped production EVs in a wide range of vehicle segments on the market by 2028. ADVERTISEMENT The EV pioneer claims its ASSB technology will be a game-changer with the potential for around twice the energy density of todays liquid-electrolyte batteries in other words, as mentioned, half the size and weight for the same capacity of todays equivalent. History has shown that a manufacturers past achievements can offer some perspective on what we can expect them to be capable of in the future. When Nissan revealed its new Leaf to the worlds press back in the day, including a small group of us from the UK, we were treated to a brief drive at the Zama plant test track in a domestic-model Nissan Tiida mule, underpinned by a Leaf powertrain, and given a detailed technical briefing that included cutaway models of the battery pack. Engineers explained that they had been working on the battery technology in-house for 17 years prior to that. The pack we saw comprised 48 modules made up of cells roughly the size of an A4 envelope. The name solid state could just as well be solid electrolyte because the main difference between a conventional lithium ion battery cell and a solid-state lithium ion cell is that the electrolyte is solid rather than a liquid. Story continues Battery cells are simple enough in their construction, even if the chemistry isnt. Each one contains a positive anode and negative cathode, which lithium ions move between via the electrolyte during charge and discharge. Theres also a separator to prevent the anode and cathode from touching. In a solid-state battery, the solid electrolyte also serves as a separator, doing two jobs. The advantage is that the solid-state battery has a higher energy density but is also intrinsically safer, needing fewer add-on safety components. The pilot line will produce prototype batteries and the manufacturing processes can be studied and refined. Nissan is already predicting that the battery cost can be reduced to 60 per kWh in 2028 and a little over 50 thereafter, putting the cost of manufacturing an EV roughly on a par with a petrol or diesel car. ]]> Read the full story on The Auto Wire Fleeing Dodge Charger Driver Outraged Police Pitted Him Apparently, some people arent clear on how things work in Arkansas. If you plan on running from police in that state, expect that at some point a trooper will get involved and end the pursuit both quickly and brutally. How people dont know this by now is beyond us, but this guy in his V6 Dodge Charger apparently thought they would go light on him. Watch an Arkansas trooper PIT a suspect right into a utility pole. The trooper was sitting on the side of the highway monitoring traffic speeds when he spotted the Mopar whizzing down the road like a bat out of hell. Immediately he gave chase, turning on his lights and sirens. Instead of just pulling over and taking the ticket, the Charger driver instead took off. ADVERTISEMENT Weaving through the slower traffic, the guy hit 130 mph. He faked getting off at an exit and pulled other tricks in an obvious attempt to get away. In other words, its not like he just didnt notice a cop was on his tail. Maybe hes the last person on the planet to learn that Arkansas State Police lets its troopers PIT fleeing suspects at their own discretion? We guess its possible he had no idea, but he learns this fact fast. Right before the PIT, the guy was waving one finger out of the window no, not that finger, his index finger for some weird reason. After he got pitted, the guy was furious about the damage done to his beautiful, rare, totally collectable V6 Charger. Yes, these people exist in real life. Theyre probably the same ones who believe a Nissan Versa will one day command a high price on the market. But the best part is how his girlfriend sits in the passenger seat looking mildly amused while filming everything with her phone. Maybe shes one of those cop auditors? Image via LRHNCash/YouTube Follow The Auto Wire on Google News. Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. Pool - Getty Images Tesla shareholders have voted to approve a pay package that will hand Elon Musk a total of 20% of the automakers shares, up from the 13% he had already held. That amounts to more than $40 billion. Musk always has run Tesla for free, in that he took no salary as its CEO, which is why the companys market cap is so important to his wealth. Teslas first full-year profit came in 2020, when it netted $721 million. Wall Street investors have put a lot of faith in Musk and Teslas autonomous technology, even as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues its investigation of Full Self Driving (or FSD, formerly Autopilot). Elon Musk, the crafty tech businessman in charge of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, used his X social-media platform to tweet ahead of Thursdays Tesla shareholder vote that they had approved his pay package, handing him a total of 20% of the automakerssorry, tech companysshares, up from the 13% he had already held. ADVERTISEMENT Delaware Court of Chancery Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick had rejected that pay package as excessive, but shareholders fixed that too, voting with Musks desire to move Teslas headquarters from Delaware, the corporation-friendly state, to Texas, the land of free-flowing oil. Tesla moved its HQ from California to Texas in 2021, but now the corporate entity will move from Delaware to Texas, too. By the time the ballot-dust had settled late Thursday, 72% of Teslas shareholders approved Musks pay package, The New York Times reports. It is worth somewhere between $45 billion and $50 billion to him, according to various news outlets, and therein lies the point: Musks early Thursday tweet surely helped push Teslas stock price up by 2.92% for the day, adding to his haul. A vote under three-quarters is a bit short of a ringing endorsement, however. Judge McCormick in her January ruling agreed with a group of disenchanted Tesla shareholders who contended in a lawsuit that (Musks) 2018 pay package was wildly excessive. Story continues A day earlier, The Atlantic estimated Musks haul at a somewhat more specific $46 billion. Conveniently, thats just a bit more than the $44 billion Musk spent of his own cash and credit to take over Twitter in April 2022 and proceeded to gut its San Francisco office of employees, including its free speech gatekeepers. Chesnot - Getty Images After he purchased the letter previously known as Twitter, Musk went from being called the worlds richest to one of the worlds richest men by various business publications. Musk always has run Tesla for free, in that he took no salary as its CEO, which is why the companys market cap is so important to his wealth. Teslas first full-year profit came in 2020, when it netted $721 million, but three years earlierwhile losing moneyits stock passed General Motors market cap to become the US most valuable automaker. By the time it finally earned a full-year profit, Tesla was worth more than GM, Ford Motor Company, and pre-Stellantis Fiat Chrysler combined. From Musks 2018 pay package in which he was to receive 1% of Teslas shares each time he helped the stock performance reach specific milestones, he reached 20% until it was struck down in the Delaware court last January, according to Reuters. Wall Street analysts were already smitten with Tesla after it launched the Model S in 2012. In explaining the run-up to Tesla passing GMs market cap in 2017, one analyst told me Wall Street expected Musks tech company would dominate the electric-vehicle market in the coming decade or two. The implication was that plodding, old-fashioned legacy automakers would be decades behind Tesla in adopting electric powernever mind the Nissan Leaf and GMs EV-1, to name two. Even as the entire industry suffers a slowdown in EV demand for the last three quarters or so, their growing popularity also has forced Tesla to cut prices on its most affordable vehicles: Models 3 and Y. Earlier this year, Musk inexplicably laid off about 500 members of Teslas Supercharger teammost of the employees of what is regarded as the companys best product in terms of reliability and convenience. These layoffs came as most legacy automakers are switching to Teslas Supercharger J3400 standard and as new and competing charging companies try to expand their networks across the nation. Tesla Those automakers and charging companies have no one to call at Tesla for tech questions, although some of them apparently have scooped up laid off Supercharger software engineers. Wall Street investors have put a lot of faith in Musk and Teslas autonomous technology, even as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues its investigation of Full Self Driving (or FSD, which offers stepped up capability beyond Teslas Autopilot system). While under fire in the US with the ongoing NHTSA inquiry, Tesla has signed a deal with Baidu to provide navigation services to allow its vehicles to run FSD on Chinese streets. Musk has announced Tesla will introduce its robotaxi, the subject of even more enthusiasm by Wall Streets fanboys and fangirls, on August 8. According to the Times, one such fangirl, Cathie Wood, who runs the firm Ark Invest, believes the robotaxi could lift Teslas shares to $2,600 from Fridays price just under $180, which would make Musk the worlds richest man nearly 15-times over. Does Elon Musk deserve a payday exceeding $40 billion? Please comment below. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load A 70-year-old Nebraska man has arrived in Germany to be tried for the 1978 killing of a woman in the town where he was stationed in the U.S. Army. Tommy "Tom" Molina of Gering had fought extradition, but a magistrate judge certified him for extradition, a decision that was upheld by a federal judge in Nebraska in April. In the order, Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard wrote that the arguments Molina's attorney made might persuade the German court that the prosecution hasn't met its burden to prove him guilty. But probable cause was the standard here. And that had been met, he wrote. Certification then went to the U.S. Secretary of State for a final decision on whether to surrender Molina to German authorities, which happened last week. On Monday, prosecutors in Germany told a local reporter that the lead investigator and a second investigator flew to Dallas and escorted Molina to Schweinfurt, Germany, where he's accused of killing Cornelia Humpfer on April 20, 1978. In a statement translated from German that didn't identify Molina by name, Public Prosecutor Reinhold Emmert said the investigation by his office and the Schweinfurt criminal investigation department led to the extradition of a suspect who is "strongly suspected of having treacherously murdered the German student by stabbing her 14 times." "Thanks to the use of modern DNA comparison technology, the suspect could be identified as the alleged perpetrator for the first time a few years ago," Emmert said. Molina was brought before a judge of the Schweinfurt district court immediately after his arrival in Germany. At a hearing in Lincoln last August, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Packard described recent DNA testing in the cold case that he said tied Molina's DNA to the victim's stockings and statements he'd allegedly made to his ex-wife that he had been having an affair with the woman and that she had threatened to expose it. Molina maintains his innocence. Federal Public Defender Toni Leija-Wilson said Molina's DNA had been tested previously and found not to be a match, and his alleged admissions were just stories he made up while drinking. Top Journal Star photos for June 2024 GALLATIN COUNTY Hundreds of people turned out for Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who was joined by former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard on the campaign trail Thursday evening in Gallatin County. Gabbard, now an Independent, has since defected from the Democratic Party (when acknowledged at the event, that elicited some of the biggest applause of the evening) and in the last couple years she has campaigned for Republican candidates across the country. Before the stop outside Bozeman, the duo was also in Kalispell on Thursday morning where roughly 350 people attended the event in addition to the roughly 400 people who came out in Bozeman, the Sheehy campaign said. It was standing-room only at the Gallatin County rally and attendees moved fans throughout the room that was packed to the brim. The battle for Montanas coveted Senate seat will be between Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and Belgrade business owner, and the Democrat, incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Big Sandy farmer who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2007. Tester is one of two Democrats running for reelection in states that Donald Trump won in 2020. All eyes are on Montana, as it's predicted the winner of the U.S. Senate race here is likely to be one of the determining factors in which party has control of the chamber where Democrats currently hold a slim majority. Sheehy recently coasted to victory in the Republican primary in early June, beating the second-place candidate by 54.2 points. Sheehy spoke briefly Thursday, touching on his usual points, criticizing Tester's voting record, naming "apathy" as the "biggest threat" to the nation, blaming President Joe Biden for myriad issues and saying the main thing he wants is to bring "common sense" back to D.C. Sheehy focused much of his criticism on Biden and shied away from going after Tester's character, acknowledging that the senator has "high likability in the state". "Maybe he's a great guy," he added twice. Sheehy also struck a notably positive cord, centering the supporters in the room throughout his speech, adding after the event that they're "running a positive campaign." So far, this characterization is not entirely true as he's bashed Tester on the border and over his past comments about Trump. "I can't save it, Tulsi can't save it, Donald Trump can't save it, you have to save this country." The Republican nominee also acknowledged his campaign's severe fundraising deficit as it compares to Tester, but told the crowd that "we can out-work them." For both candidates, this race has been centered around Biden, with the Sheehy campaign trying to link Tester to the Democratic president and the Tester campaign trying to put distance between them. The Republican nominee gave Gabbard a glowing introduction, saying he and his wife remembered fondly when a veteran they were familiar with was elected to the U.S. Congress as a Democratic representative from Hawaii. "We were so proud when we saw Tulsi get elected," he said, adding twice that she's a "beautiful, articulate army officer." "I told my wife I might have a new girlfriend," Sheehy said, eliciting a bellowing laugh. Gabbard who, when asked, did not have anything new to offer on the prospect of being Donald Trump's vice president pick said she came to Montana to campaign for Sheehy because Tester has "fallen short" as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. "I know first-hand that Jon Tester has been in a position of leadership on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for a very long time, and on so many issues he has fallen short of actually coming through for our veterans," she said. "That needs to change." Gabbard also criticized Tester's border security stances which has been one of the main issues dominating the race so far saying that his messaging is different from how he has voted. Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen was also in attendance Thursday and briefly spoke before wrapping up her remarks with a chant. "I want you all to appropriately use the pronouns 'she, he,'" she said, referencing Sheehy's name. She then started a chant, with attendees clapping and standing up, yelling "she, he. She, he," in succession. Sheehy has used the pronoun line repeatedly at his public appearances. As the event wrapped up, supporters crowded Sheehy and Gabbard, including one attendee who wore a "Trump Gabbard '24" shirt, and many others with Gabbard's book in hand waiting for a signature. "I look forward to coming back here many times to help however I can," she said. A 21-year-old Washington state man was sentenced on June 4 to seven days in jail for trespassing at Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Viktor Pyshniuk, of Lynnwood, Washington, was also fined $1,500, had to pay $50 in fees and was placed on two years of unsupervised release and is banned from the park for two years. In cases like this one where we have strong evidence showing a person has willfully disregarded signs and entered a closed, thermal area, federal prosecutors will seek significant penalties, including jail time, said acting U.S. attorney Eric Heimann in a park press release. According to court documents, a park law enforcement officer was dispatched to Norris Geyser Basin by an on-duty park employee who reported a person walking off the boardwalk. The employee had taken a photo of the defendant who had clearly crossed over the fence and was walking up the hillside within 15 to 20 feet of Steamboat Geysers steam vent. When contacted, Pyshniuk told the officer he left the boardwalk to take photos. While speaking with Pyshniuk, the officer showed him the signs posted throughout the area stating it is illegal to leave the boardwalk and explained that walking in a thermal area is dangerous. During sentencing, Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick explained to the defendant the sentence was designed to deter him, specifically, but also meant to discourage anyone else from leaving boardwalks in thermal areas. North Dakota's Oil and Gas Division on Friday said it is monitoring cleanup of two recent spills in the oil patch. Arrow Water LLC on Wednesday reported the spill of nearly 52,500 gallons of oil at a well 7 miles east of Johnsons Corner in McKenzie County. The spill was contained on site and most of the oil had been recovered. A tank overflow was cited as the cause. Prima Exploration Inc. on Friday reported the spill of 12,600 gallons of produced water at a well about 4 miles east of Stady, in Divide County. Produced water is saltwater that can contain oil and drilling chemicals. Equipment failure was cited as the cause. The spill was contained on site and cleanup is underway. For more information on spills, go to spill.nd.gov. Friday morning was a celebration of patriotism as 40 people from nearly two dozen countries gathered in Courtroom 2 of the William L. Guy Federal Building in downtown Bismarck, surrounded by friends and family, to become United States citizens. The U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota conducted naturalization ceremonies at both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. They were the first such ceremonies in Bismarck in 12 years. U.S. Magistrate Judge Clare Hochhalter presided over the events, and the new citizens were welcomed with a video message from President Joe Biden. I want to thank you for choosing us, and believing that America is worthy of your aspirations, Biden said. Today youve earned a new title, equal to that of an American president -- the title Im most proud of: citizen of the United States of America. The 40 newly naturalized citizens, originating from 22 countries, recited the Oath of Citizenship before being presented with their Certificate of Naturalization. With their new status officially recognized, what was once stress and worry transformed into smiles and cheers. Ella Magera arrived in the U.S. from Rwanda in 2013, seeking to begin a new chapter in her life. She said that receiving citizenship meant everything to her and her family. It means so much, Magera said. I can walk freely, I can vote, I can participate to build a country. There are so many things that come with (citizenship). Its a great honor, and Ive been looking forward to this for so long. Magera is relieved to have gained citizenship in the U.S. because of her kids. She said that she often worried about the future of her child who was born in the U.S. if she had to return to Rwanda. Despite the lengthy citizenship process, Magera said, it was all worth it in the end. It takes a really long time to go through immigration, she said. Its a long but worthy process. Its a great opportunity for me and for my kids as well. The struggle is over. Like Magera, Paulo Macabinguil applied for citizenship to reunite with his family already residing in America. He came from the Philippines, and underwent a lengthy process to attain citizenship. (It took) five years, he said. I even joined the military to get it faster, but I joined during COVID, so they paused (granting) citizenship. Hochhalter emphasized to the naturalized citizens the importance of exercising the right to vote, and he highlighted that attaining citizenship is only the beginning of their contribution to the progress of the country. Magera said, We have to work hard; its part of life. The dream (will) become true eventually." U.S. District Court will hold two additional ceremonies for the naturalization of new citizens in Fargo on Tuesday, June 25. About 140 people are expected to become American citizens. A woman visits the 2024 Beijing Book Fair in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) The 30th Beijing International Book Fair will be held from June 19 to 23, with over 220,000 Chinese and foreign titles to be showcased at the event, the organizer said Thursday. A total of 1,600 exhibitors from 71 countries and regions will attend this year's fair, which is themed on mutual learning and cooperation among civilizations. With Saudi Arabia as this year's guest country of honor, the event is hosted by China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd. The organizer noted that, as this year marks the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, a large-scale exhibition featuring major series of books published over the past 75 years will also be presented at the book fair, showcasing the achievements of China's publishing industry over the years. During the book fair, various cultural exchange activities will be held, including an international forum on the publishing industry and a forum on children's books. Renowned writers and scholars will also be invited to interact with readers. Founded in 1986, the fair is among the world's largest book fairs, and has become one of China's key international book fairs and copyright trading platforms. Viridi Parente is evolving. Much of the demand for its lithium-ion battery technology lately is for energy storage systems applications, as customers try to manage their energy use and expenses. Viridi Parente still makes batteries for construction equipment, the segment where the company made an initial splash, as an alternative to the noise and emissions stemming from diesel fuel. But energy storage now has overtaken its construction roots. The storage market is so much larger than that segment, that (the construction segment) is becoming less and less a percentage of sales as we move ahead, said Jon Williams, the founder and CEO. Its an example of how Viridi Parente continues to develop and evolve within the world of green energy while building its Buffalo operations. The company has 120 employees and expects that headcount to reach 200 by years end, Williams said. Viridi Parente generated $25 million in sales last year, Williams said. Were circled to do $60 million to $70 million in 2024, and that number grows significantly into 25. Viridi Parente Latin for green parent has drawn attention for more than just its green technology. Its location is noteworthy: The company has revitalized part of the former American Axle & Manufacturing complex on East Delavan Avenue, on the East Side. And when it comes to hiring, Viridi Parente has sought to have a direct impact on the community. The nonprofit GreenForce Training has been recruiting and training workers for Viridi Parente. From the start, Williams has envisioned drawing employees from neighborhoods adjacent to the plant, connecting residents of a low-income area with jobs and making transportation less of a factor to get to work. Williams said GreenForce is delivering on its goal, helping employees after they get hired with issues such as finding child care and reasonably priced housing. About 80% of the employees recruited through GreenForce are still with the company, Williams said, and about 75% of Viridis workforce comes from the three ZIP codes surrounding the plant. The plant expects to produce about 3,000 lithium-ion packs this year. The sites capacity has grown to 15,000 packs annually, a sign of where the company believes things are headed. Whats driving the anticipated sales growth? Were deploying product pretty much across all energy systems, Williams said. That includes portable energy applications at events, such as sporting events and music festivals, as well as applications for energy resiliency in buildings, such as the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute. Those markets, which are very different, all have one thing in common, and that is, they need resilient, reliable, cost-effective and safe energy, Williams said. And thats really what the (lithium-ion) pack delivers. The company has raised over $118 million from investors, including Tom Golisano, the billionaire Paychex founder and former Buffalo Sabres owner. The company opted against pursuing a $200 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. It just didnt fit with what we were doing, and we had sufficient funding privately without going for it, Williams said. It just didnt make sense to put that debt service on the company at this time. Last fall, Viridi Parente launched a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, called Viridi MENA. MENA refers to the Middle East and North Africa, the target markets for the subsidiarys production. It hasnt developed to the extent we wanted it to, Williams said. Part of the challenge is the cost of energy in Saudi Arabia, he said. Its a very low-cost energy market. And while I think the market wants sustainability in a real way, the economics of that havent caught up yet. Boosting the supply chain While much has been made of the tech hub bid for federal funding submitted by Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse focused on semiconductors, theres another upstate bid in the competition. New Energy New York, based in Binghamton, centers on lithium-ion battery production. If that bid secures funds, it could have a ripple effect on Viridi, by creating more supply chain density in the state and serving as a magnet for more talent, Williams said. Its really showing people outside of the state and in the rest of the world that you should move your supply chain activities to New York State, he said. The closer we can pull in that supply chain, the lower the cost will come down to get material, and the better our product will compete in the overall market. Generating recognition Williams is receiving recognition for his work. He was just named the ninth Western New York entrepreneur to join the global entrepreneur network at Endeavor, which supports founders and companies that have moved past the initial startup phase and show potential for rapid expansion and scale. And Williams was chosen as a finalist for Ernst & Youngs Entrepreneur of the Year New York award. (Some of the finalists are from Connecticut.) Williams said his selection as a finalist is really more about the company and the product than it is about me. Obviously, energys becoming more of an issue every day, he said. The solution we have is very unique, not just in the market but I think in the entire sector. Ernst & Young, I think, is trying to get ahead of that. Williams was the only finalist named from this part of the state for the Ernst & Young competition. They took the time to look at Western New York and hopefully they really liked what they saw, he said. Between 10 and 12 of the 34 finalists from the New York region will be selected to be among 200 companies from around the country invited to Ernst & Youngs Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, Calif., in November. Judges will cut the list to 40 national finalists. From that field, 10 national winners will be named, and one will be chosen as the overall national winner and represent the United States in the World Entrepreneur of the Year contest in June 2025 in Monaco. The Niagara Region State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will launch Pedal for Parks Sept. 22 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the New York State parks system. The ride, similar to a Gran Fondo or big ride in Italian, will start in Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island. Three ride choices will take cyclists on a 16-mile tour along the West River shoreline trail and Buckhorn State Park. Those who choose to continue will proceed over the North Grand Island Bridge, which will be closed to traffic, to the Niagara Discovery Center in Niagara Falls for a total distance of 34 miles. The final length of the tour will take cyclists to Whirlpool, Devils Hole and Fort Niagara state parks for a grand total of 62 miles. Each of the routes returns to Beaver Island State Park for an afterparty. Water stations and bike support will be provided along each route. The ride is geared to cyclists of all levels, from kids with training wheels to experienced distance cyclists, organizers said. Learn more and register at nystateparksbikeride.itsyourrace.com. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities should email Angela.Berti@parks.ny.gov. Harold McNeil News / National by Staff reporter 'Captured' ConCourt rules against MK Party againThe Constitutional Court has dealt former president Jacob Zuma's MK Party a blow after dismissing its urgent application to interdict Friday's sitting of the National Assembly to elect a new president.In a judgment delivered late on Wednesday night, South Africa's apex court ruled that it was neither within its jurisdiction to hear the case nor in the interest of justice to grant direct access to MK Party.The court said: "It is not in the interests of justice to grant direct access as the impugned decisions or conduct first arose between 1 and 2 June 2024, to the knowledge of the applicant. However, despite this knowledge, the applicant only launched the application on 10 June 2024. The applicant has failed to show any justification for not bringing this application sooner when it was aware of the constitutional requirement to convene the National Assembly no later than 14 days after the declaration of the election results. In the circumstances, the urgency is thus self-created."In addition, the Constitutional Court said the MK Party application failed on its merits."The applicant has not made out a case for the granting of an interim interdict as it has neither shown that it will suffer irreparable harm if the interdict is not granted, nor that the balance of convenience favours the granting of the interdict. The applicant has also misconstrued the relevant constitutional provisions it seeks to rely on. In addition, the applicant has not adduced facts to establish a prima facie case in respect of the relief it will seek in the main application, in order to sustain an interim interdict pending the main application."The Constitutional Court said that the relief sought by MK Party carried adverse consequences to the other parties who had not been properly served."Even if the applicant met all the requirements for direct access, absent proper service, the applicant cannot be entitled to the relief sought. Consequently, the application must be dismissed. The application has been refused." News / National by Staff reporter A Bulawayo family is questioning the circumstances surrounding the death of their family member, Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) warrant officer class 2 Louice Dube, amid suspicions that he may have been murdered by his girlfriend.Dube reportedly died at United Bulawayo Hospitals on Tuesday from stab wounds on his back. The official explanation suggests he committed suicide, but the family suspects foul play.Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Louice Dube's uncle, expressed disbelief over the suicide claim, questioning how someone could stab themselves in the back. He mentioned that Louice's girlfriend, also a sergeant in the army, claimed he stabbed himself and she pulled the knife out. Due to these suspicions, the family has decided to delay the burial until investigations are completed.ZNA spokesperson Colonel Alphios Makotore confirmed the death and stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause. The police have not provided any updates on the investigation's status. News / National by Staff reporter WHILE stories of love conquering all inspire some of the greatest works of art and literature, tales of infatuation between close relatives siblings, or parent and child elicit disgust.That was the reaction of many people when news filtered through that an 18-year-old boy from the Mawabeni area under Chief Gwebu in Esigodini, Matabeleland South Province, decided to engage in an incestuous relationship with his 16-year-old sister that culminated in a pregnancy.Wonder no more, and yes, you read it right, his biological sister! He described the sexual relationship as "mind-blowing". The girl is said to be five months pregnant.Circumstances to the incident are that on an unknown date but sometime in August 2023, the shameless boy (name withheld) who was sexually attracted to his younger sister who also cannot be named to protect her identity, proposed love to her and she agreed.The two were staying together with their parents when they formed a highly unusual bond that led to sexual encounters several times. It was proved in court that again on an unknown date but sometime in January this year the boy asked his younger sister to have sex with him and she agreed.The two then entered into one of the bedrooms and had sex twice. The illicit affair, however, came to light in March this year when it was discovered that the boy's younger sister was pregnant. Questioned by her mother, she disclosed that it was her elder brother who was responsible for the pregnancy. Shocked by the revelations, the mother reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the siblings.They both recently appeared before Esigodini magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube to answer to charges of having sex within a prohibited degree of relationship. Incest is illegal in Zimbabwe as defined in Section 75 (2) (c) of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. They both pleaded guilty to the charge.The boy was sentenced to 12 months in prison of which four months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit any offence involving sex within a prohibited degree of relationship, for which upon conviction, he will be sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine. The remaining eight months were suspended on condition that he completes 280 hours of community service at Mawabeni Clinic.His younger sister received a six-month sentence, fully suspended for five years, with similar conditions regarding offences involving sex within a prohibited degree of relationship. The mamianqun, translated as the "horse-face skirt", is a type of traditional clothing that is making a comeback as the latest fashion trend, gaining increasing popularity among younger Chinese generations, according to those in the know. The curators of an ongoing exhibition, Splendid Mamianqun, at the Shanghai Textiles Museum, made the above observation, due to the emerging trend of young people's growing sense of cultural pride. Mamianqun is a type of hanfu that features a high, flat front and pleated sides. It originated in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and maintained its popularity during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Launched on May 18, the two-month exhibition showcases dozens of mamianqun, including over 40 pieces from the ancient dynasties and 12 modified skirts with innovative designs. The exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, many of which came dressed in mamianqun both males and females, says Jia Yiliang, curator of the Shanghai Textiles Museum and a curator of the exhibition. "There is an old saying 'You are what you wear'. Mamianqun embodies the aesthetic, philosophy and wisdom of ancient Chinese dressmakers, reflecting the status, thoughts and experiences of the people wearing them," Jia says. "Mamianqun, as a type of clothing, is also a language of self-expression and is close to our daily lives. You can either admire them from a professional perspective for the craftsmanship, technique and philosophy, or simply from a personal view and preference." Despite the long history of mamianqun, it was not until recent years that this traditional garment drew extensive focus, gaining international attention on the ancient Chinese skirt. Ma Wenjuan, one of the curators of the exhibition and deputy director of the Journal Center at Donghua University, was among the first to introduce in details the skirt to more people in 2022. Along with some notable professors, Ma published a post to explain the features of mamianqun and its origin in China. Yet, Ma found one single post far from enough to make the public understand mamianqun. Working together with authors, Donghua University Press published a book on May 17 to comprehensively explain the traditional Chinese clothing, including its history, colors, patterns, techniques and cultural connotations. "Mamianqun is one of the most influential and widely worn traditional Chinese clothing in the recent guofeng Chinese style using elements from traditional culture boom. Its popularity not only leads the new Chinese fashion trends but also witnesses the rising cultural confidence of Chinese people," says Jia Xizeng, one of the curators of the exhibition and an author of the book. He notes that the mamianqun design, structure, pattern and cultural connotations have formed the coexistence of its sporty, decorative and ceremonial features, representing the wisdom and aesthetic of ancient Chinese dressmaking. Such features have also made mamianqun a versatile garment suited for both everyday wear and ceremonious occasions. Seamlessly integrating tradition and modernity, an increasing number of young people in China are choosing it for their mix-and-match daily outfits. According to a report on female consumption trends by Douyin e-commerce, over the past year, the platform's orders for new Chinese-style clothing increased by 195 percent year-on-year. Orders for hanfu surged by 336 percent year-on-year, with orders for mamianqun rocketing by 841 percent year-on-year. Jia Yiliang also notes that she has seen the growing popularity of mamianqun and hanfu among males. "In addition to young female visitors, we are pleased to see many males and elderly at the exhibition. They are yearning for traditional Chinese clothing as well. Unlike other traditional Chinese garments, such as qipao, mamianqun usually relies less on gender or body shape and is easier to wear." "Although people's lifestyles and dress habits have changed dramatically with the development of society, the mamianqun still exudes a unique charm. It is not only loved by traditional dress enthusiasts but also valued and sought after by Western fashion brands and designers," Jia Xizeng adds. At the exhibition, several relic mamianqun, as well as new designs by Lin Xi, are on display. As an inheritor of the craftsmanship for making mamianqun and the founder of a clothing brand, Lin has been making efforts to bring this traditional Chinese garment to the global stage with her modern modifications. Notably, Lin launched a show featuring mamianqun during the Paris Fashion Week last September. "Clothing is a premier bridge for cultural exchanges," says Jia Yiliang, highlighting a donated piece of mamianqun on display. At the request of an American in China back in the Qing Dynasty, the garment was remodeled from the traditional Chinese skirt, brought to the United States, kept generation to generation, and finally found its way back home to the Shanghai Textiles Museum. Witnessing the success of the exhibition, both Ma and Jia Yiliang are confident and ready for their plans to dig deeper into this sector. "Through mamianqun, we expect to draw more attention to the clothing and traditional Chinese culture. We will continue to work to promote the culture to a wider audience, and I believe more young people will join us," says Ma firmly. If You Go Splendid Mamianqun Through to July 18 F3, Shanghai Textiles Museum, 150 Aomen Road, Putuo district, Shanghai News / National by Staff reporter Dumisani Dlamini, aged 37 and residing in Mahatshula suburb, Bulawayo, found himself in legal trouble due to his love for beer.He allegedly broke into Boulevard Nightclub in North End Suburb by smashing a window with an iron bar.Once inside, he indulged in various types of alcohol until he became intoxicated. The following morning, he was discovered by the bartender, lying on the floor with a quart bottle in hand.Dlamini faced charges of unlawful entry and theft for allegedly consuming alcohol worth US$52 from the nightclub.Despite pleading not guilty to both charges, he was remanded in custody by Bulawayo magistrate Evia Matura following his appearance on 17 June. News / National by Staff reporter The footbridge with the Mbuya Nehanda statue in Samora Machel Avenue is not open to the public. Despite its intended purpose as a pedestrian footbridge, it has been closed to the public since its unveiling in May 2021, with armed police officers guarding the entrances. The pic.twitter.com/RudQDP1Ljd Crime Watch Zimbabwe (@crimewatchzw) June 13, 2024 The footbridge featuring the Mbuya Nehanda statue on Samora Machel Avenue has not been opened to the public.According to a post by CrimewatchZW on X, the footbridge has remained closed to the public since its unveiling in May 2021.The area is guarded by police officers stationed at the entrances.While the statue was erected for public display, access to the footbridge and close proximity to the statue remain prohibited.The government is now facing scrutiny from social media users. Opinion / Columnist "Zimbabwe is one of those countries that has benefited immensely from this "see no evil, hear no evil and say no evil" policy maintained by SADC," argued Tendai Mbofana in his recent article in Bulawayo 24."That is why, in spite of a damning election observer mission report by SADC itself on the August 2023 harmonised elections, the regional body did not take any stern action or even strongly condemn Zimbabwe."The heads of State preferred to pretend as if all was well in Zimbabwe. As it turns out, the country is even taking over the SADC chair in August this year."There was much more to why SADC let Mnangagwa off the hook after the rigged 2023 elections than the "see no evil, hear no evil and say no evil" policy.After Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2008 Zimbabwe elections, SADC did deny Zanu PF political legitimacy and forced the regime to agree to the 2008 Global Political Agreement and the 2008 to 2013 GNU.There are four reasons why SADC did not repeat the 2008 punishment and deny Zanu PF legitimacy regardless of the damning 2023 election reports from both AU and SADC;1) millions of Zimbabweans participated in the flawed elections knowing fully well the process was flawed and participating would give Zanu PF legitimacy; they soldiered on regardless because they believed Chamisa's lies of plugging all the vote rigging loop holes.2) The winning CCC leaders took up their gravy seats even after SADC and AU had condemned the election process. They insisted the won seats were in liberated zones where elections were free and fair and not the gravy train seats given out by Zanu PF as bait. All nonsense.ZEC's failure to produce a verified voters' roll, for example, affected all constituencies. Chamisa and company participated in the flawed elections out of greed and the claim of liberated zones is just a smoke screen to hide the real reason they were hell bent on participating - greed.3) As soon as the election results were out, before SADC leaders had had any chance to digest the results much less what to do about Zanu PF rigging the elections, CCC leaders started fighting amongst themselves over few gravy train seats the party had won. Self designated CCC Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu, started recalling elected officials. CCC imploded!4) There are some SADC leaders, notably SA's ANC, who would back a vote rigging Zanu PF rather than see regime change in Zimbabwe. The three reasons above provided the excuse for the do-nothing camp in the regional body to prevail.There are reports that some people are planning to hold protest demonstrations during the forthcoming SADC Summit in Harare in August 2024. What is it exactly these people be protesting against?Some people say they will be protesting against SADC leaders for failing to deny Zanu PF legitimacy after SADC election observers condemned the 2023 elections. And for rewarding the vote rigging Mnangagwa with the chairmanship of the regional grouping. True, but - it is a big but!But these protestors are forgetting that it was SADC leaders who created the golden opportunity for Zimbabweans to implement the democratic reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. MDC/CCC leaders sold out big time not only by failed to implement even one token reform but have been participating in flawed elections out of greed.And we, the Zimbabwean public have played our part in this tragic political and economic crisis that has befallen our country by doing very little to hold both vote rigging Zanu PF and sell out MDC/CCC to account.Zimbabwe is a failed state, stuck in a rut. 44 years after independence, we are still failing to hold free, fair and credible elections! One of the reasons why we are stuck is our repeated failure to define and understand our problems and hence the reason why we are always blundering from pillar to post. We have no clue where we are going.Zimbabweans are protesting against SADC for doing nothing to punish Zanu PF for the rigged 2023 elections and yet they have said nothing about Chamisa and company who participated out of greed and about their folly in being easily conned to participate. We really have no clue what is going on, SADC are NOT responsible for our failure to implement the necessary reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections. We are! By blaming SADC for our own folly, we are only showing the world that we are not yet ready to be masters of our own destiny. Mystery after girl, 8, dies suddenly on flight to Chicago in front of horrified passengers Sydney Weston, 8, died on board a SkyWest Arilines flight chartered by United Airlines on Thursday (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) An eight-year-old girl died on a SkyWest Airlines flight to Chicago after she suddenly became ill and unresponsive despite medics aggressive resuscitative efforts upon landing. Sydney Weston, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was flying with her family from Joplin when she suffered a medical emergency, which saw her flight rerouted to land in Peoria, Illinois, according to officials. Flight personnel began rapidly rendering aid, the Peoria County Coroners Office said in a recent statement. The diverted plane made an emergency landing at General Wayne A Downing Peoria International Airport at 7.02am on Thursday morning just 71 minutes after take-off. As soon as the plane touched down, medical staff began performing life-saving measures, according to a statement from the Peoria County Sheriffs Office. Upon landing in Peoria, she was not breathing and had no pulse, the coroners office said. United 5121 diverted flightpath on Thursday (FlightAware) The girl was transferred from the airport to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center seven miles away. Despite aggressive resuscitative efforts, she was pronounced deceased at 8:05 am this morning, the coroners office said in its statement. United flight 5121 was chartered by United Airlines, who contracted SkyWest, according to data from FlightAware. We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft, a SkyWest spokesperson told the New York Post. Westons autopsy has been scheduled for Friday and preliminary findings will be released upon completion, according to the coroners office. The local community has been orgnaizing meals for the Weston family to take some of the weight of their shoulders, the page admin wrote. Please keep the childs family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers, the sheriffs office said. The little girls death comes just days after another American died mid-flight. On Saturday evening, Raiznal Farzad Khalik, 41, encountered a medical condition just 90 minutes away from the San Francisco International Airport airstrips onboard a Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Fiji. Khalik was identified and pronounced dead by the San Mateo County Coroners Office. Despite the best efforts of our cabin crew and a doctor on board who provided immediate assistance, the passenger unfortunately passed away, Fiji Airways said in a statement. We commend our cabin crew and the assisting doctor for their swift and professional response to this emergency, the airline added. A 2021 study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that the global in-flight mortality rate was 0.21 per million passengers. A group from the Philippines has been travelling around Prince Edward Island this week, trying to learn all they can from the P.E.I. potato industry. The delegation includes members of the United Potato Producers of Benguet Mountain Province Incorporated (UPPBMI), as well as Cheryl Cabellero with the Philippines' Department of Agriculture. Cabellero said the trip has a couple of goals: to give Filipino farmers an "immersion" with their counterparts on P.E.I., and to explore policies to support the emerging potato industry in the Philippines. "It's not our staple food, but it is one of the important crops that is being considered in the Philippines as an alternative or complementary, of course, to rice, which is our basic staple," she said. "The Filipinos love, of course, french fries. So we look forward to more chipping potatoes, as well as developing more marble potatoes for our household consumption." Agriculture undersecretary Cheryl Cabellero is in charge of high-value crops for the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines. (Ken Linton/CBC) This is a return trip for one member of the group. Potato farmer Ardan Copas was part of the first delegation from the Philippines to visit Prince Edward Island in 2019. That year, a private company imported seed potatoes from Prince Edward Island, and growers in the Philippines have been impressed by the results. "That's why we are here again, because we have some good potato seed here that we can also plant in the Philippines, in our farm," Copas said. "We get the seedlings from you, 80,000 kilos. and we brought it to the Philippines and it is very adaptable. We get a good production. Our mission is to get seedlings everywhere here." Copas is one of eight farmers touring the Island this week. Basilio Copas, left, is president of the United Potato Producers of Benguet Mountain Province Incorporated. His son Ardan Copas is general manager. (Ken Linton/CBC) "The farmers are here because they want to see where the seedlings come from. Why is it so very good? And they want to learn ... how they produce here." Copas grows potatoes in a mountainous area of the Philippines, and on much smaller farms than the ones he's seeing on Prince Edward Island. "We are very small farms," he said. "We are up in the mountains, so it's 2,900 meters above sea level." Copas said the goal is to grow more potatoes, and with a population of 190 million Filipinos, there is a lot of potential. Potatoes are grown in mountainous regions of the Philippines, and most of the work is done by hand. (Submitted by Ardan Copas) Basilio Copas, Ardan's father, is president of the United Potato Producers of Benguet Mountain Province. He said there is a lot to learn. "We want to come here to observe and learn your new technology because you are advanced [by] 70 to 100 years," Basilio Copas said. "Because in our country we are using sticks and bamboo baskets. Here you are using machinery. So we are behind." He said the industry in the Philippines needs more seed potatoes from P.E.I. to help expand production. "We lack potato seeds and storage and laboratories and greenhouses," he said. "So that is our mission here: to observe and if possible, we will copy and apply in our country." Potential opportunities abroad Greg Donald, the general manager of the P.E.I. Potato Board, said there are a couple of potential opportunities for the the province's potato industry in the Philippines. "Fresh potatoes for processing, and we have exported some ... in the past year to Philippines. So we're looking to grow that business," Donald said. "There's representatives on this delegation with the company that purchased those potatoes, and they're very significant large food company in the Philippines. So that's one opportunity." One of the farmers from the Philippines checks out the equipment at the Shaw Brothers Farm in York, P.E.I. (Ken Linton/CBC) Donald also sees the sale of seed potatoes to the Philippines as an area for growth. "Like us, they want to grow potatoes that the market needs and wants to provide and overcome any food insecurities," he said. "So they're always looking to grow and improve. If we can be part of that, we're very happy about that." The delegation from the Philippines visited numerous farms across the Island, along with the Agriculture Canada research station in Harrington, and potato exporters. The group leaves early Saturday morning. Orchestrating AI Change with an AI Maestro As AI is integrated across institutional systems, leading organizations will need an individual who can master the art of applying the technology to accelerate performance while maintaining harmony in the enterprise. Most universities, companies, industries, organizations, government agencies, and school districts are contemplating artificial intelligence's impact on their organization and people. The one crystal-clear thing is that there are no easy or single answers amidst trillion-dollar investments meant to ensure AI becomes embedded into most products. Most organizational leaders will naturally be prone to determine what efficiencies occur using artificial intelligence. Others will find some easy AI victories to demonstrate progress and make a claim that their organization is using artificial intelligence. Only time will tell what impact occurred with applied AI and what startup AI products will be profitable. This same reality was obvious with the start of personal computers, desktop publishing, supercomputers, the internet, business analytics, data science, cloud computing, and many other technological advancements that evolved. It was only evident how each would impact organizations and our society in time. Numerous factors determined the outcome of each iteration of global technological advancements. However, the organizations that took advantage and created the proper talent within their organization always seemed to emerge as a leader in their industry. Organizations that led during the supercomputer's evolution created talent positions such as supercomputer analyst, seismic engineer, and software engineer. Organizations that led during the internet evolution created internet engineers, HTML programmers, web designers, and www publishers. As time progressed and the era of data science and business intelligence emerged, the true organizational leaders created data scientists, analytic analysts, chief data officers, and eventually, data whisper. Amid some of the early advancements in information and technology, the Bank of Boston created the first chief information officer (CIO) title in 1981. By 1998, the title of CIO became a must-have position and title for every major organization. AI will become so systematic that the leading organizations operating with AI will have a corporate AI maestro. Each evolution of technological advancement has created some exciting titles and positions that allowed the organization to become a leader. With the advancement of generative AI, there will be many new positions and titles for talent to manage AI. Some new titles already formed include chief AI officer, AI prompt engineer, machine learning engineer, generative design engineer, and specialist. Over the next few years, as more AI integration takes place, there will be many more new titles that more clearly articulate functions that advance the use of AI. AI will become so systematic that the leading organizations operating with AI will have a corporate AI maestro. The leading organizations will step out not just to create a "cool" job title instead, they see the need to orchestrate the possible changes with AI. The competitive advantage for most organizations will be the lever behind orchestrating the 50,000 AI agents designed within every operating system, device, analytics, facility automation, cybersecurity, phone, training room, and board room. The term maestro is an Italian word that means you are a "master" of an art or skill. Someone holds the position of an AI maestro who has mastered the art and science of all technological advancements integrated into artificial intelligent agents, allowing an organization to operate at accelerated rates of efficiency and proficiency. The art of designing such advancements with AI agents will be more critical than the science of the technology itself. The title of AI artist will also become popular as leaders realize the art of applying technology with people and processes at accelerated performance rates is possible. The applied arts and applied sciences disciplines may become two disciplines within one for creative minds who see the applied outcomes of 50,000 integrated AI agents. The position that oversees the overall AI artists, engineers, and scientists will genuinely need to be a maestro who brings harmony to all the pieces of the future economies of scale that will be available. Oral Roberts University (ORU) is one of the clear leaders in applied change during the technological advancements over the last few decades. ORU has gifted leaders in the design of systems, art, buildings, and technologies that integrate and orchestrate outcomes that blend the old with the new to accelerate outcomes. The future is bright for all organizations ready to lead the AI-inspired artists, scientists, engineers, and technologists who will boldly and creatively design the future which includes new job positions such as AI maestro and AI artists. Song Tao, a senior Taiwan affairs official, on Thursday called on the United States to work with China to maintain cross-Strait peace and stability, oppose "Taiwan independence" and support China's reunification. Song, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks when meeting with John Thornton, co-chair of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society, in Beijing. Noting that the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, Song urged the U.S. side to be fully aware of the dangerous nature of the separatist attempts made by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities. Furthermore, Song said that the United States should adhere to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between the two countries. Thornton said that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait align with the common interests of both the United States and China. The two sides should enhance dialogue and mutual understanding and better manage risks, he said, pledging that the Asia Society will continue playing its role in promoting stable development of U.S.-China relations. Dozens of dogs have been removed from what the Greene County Sheriffs Office has said was a puppy mill operating out of the village of Free Union. While charges are pending, the sheriffs office has not publicly identified the alleged mills owners. The sheriffs offices Animal Control Division said it removed 81 dogs after a criminal investigation into the mill found the animals had been living in unsanitary conditions and were not being cared for. A search warrant was obtained and executed on Monday, according to the sheriffs office. A licensed veterinarian and the Animal Control Division on the scene determined that the living conditions and overall well-being of the animals, which included grown and pregnant dogs as well as puppies, were poor. The licensed veterinarian, along with animal control determined that living conditions and overall well-being of the dogs was poor. There were eighty-one dogs, adult males, puppies, females, and some were pregnant. Therefore, all dogs on location were removed and are currently in placement with dog shelters or rescue organizations, the sheriffs office said in a statement. All dogs on site were removed and have been placed in dog shelters and with animal rescue organizations. The Greene County Sheriffs Office said the following organizations have assisted in rescuing or caring for the animals: Dogs Deserve Better of Blue Ridge, Green Dogs Unleashed, Sanctuary Rescue, For the Love Poodles, Oldies but Goodies, the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, Rad Rescue, the Louisa County Animal Shelter, Volunteer Veterinarian, Orange County Animal Control, the University of Virginia Police Department, the Fluvanna County Sheriffs Office, the Stanardsville Volunteer Fire Department as well as several individual volunteers. The 21-year-old Charlottesville man who pleaded guilty to killing a Piedmont Virginia Community College student in February of last year has been sentenced to the maximum number of years allowed under Virginia law: 43. Twenty of those years, however, have been suspended, leaving Raymaqua Antonio Nicholas with an active sentence of 23 years for the second-degree murder of 20-year-old Nicklous Pendleton and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Although no sentence imposed by the Court can bring back the life lost by the Pendleton family, Charlottesville Commonwealths Attorney Joe Platania said in a statement issued Thursday, the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and its impact on the community. Nicholas pleaded guilty to both charges on April 1 of this year. According to evidence presented by Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Nina-Alice Antony back in April, including video of the shooting, Pendletons death was the result of a drug deal gone wrong. On Feb. 22, 2023, Pendleton drove his brother to the Westhaven public housing complex in Charlottesvilles 10th & Page neighborhood to sell some marijuana, according to Antony. Pendletons brother felt so unfamiliar with the complex that he asked Pendleton to accompany him, she told the court. When Nicholas was approached to make the transaction, he produced a handgun instead of money, according to Antony. Pendleton then attempted to flee with his brother in his pickup truck, she said, but as the vehicle began leaving the housing complex, Nicholas fired once at the driver. An ensuing crash at the corner of Hardy Drive and Page Street broke the brothers leg, while the single gunshot wound ultimately claimed Pendletons life later that day at the University of Virginia Medical Center. A 2021 graduate of Louisa County High School, Pendleton was pursuing a business administration degree at PVCC. Dana Cherry was on track to become Pendletons mother-in-law. In an open letter after his killing, Cherry called Pendleton her bonus son, lauded his thirst for knowledge and rued the fact that his death cut short his official entry into her family. He was smart, driven, funny, and so handsome, she wrote. He showed the utmost kindness to children, and the utmost respect to the elderly. He was just all that is good. Donations in Pendletons honor created a new fund at PVCC which awarded its first three scholarships in October. Nicholas has been held without bail at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail since his arrest. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares signed a letter with 20 of his Republican counterparts asking the American Bar Association to drop its diversity and inclusion standards for law schools. DEI efforts implemented in the schools directs their administrators to violate both the Constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, the states argued. The letter comes a year after the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in a lawsuit against Harvard College that dictated students must be considered based on their experiences as an individual and not on their race. The decision led higher institutions to stop affirmative action policies, and many states since then have passed laws restricting DEI programs. The diversity and inclusion standard of the American Bar Association, which is currently under revision, seemingly asks law schools to defy the Courts clear directive. In its current form, the Standard all but compels law schools to consider race in both the admissions and employment contexts, according to the letter led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. The standard establishes that law schools should demonstrate by concrete action a commitment to diversity and inclusion by providing full opportunities for the study of law and entry into the profession by members of underrepresented groups, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, and a commitment to having a student body that is diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity. The same diversity and inclusion commitment should also be extended to faculty and staff. The issue with this guidance, the attorneys wrote, is that it suggests schools undertake concrete actions such as special recruitment efforts and considerations, in addition to special financial assistance programs. But, the standard and its accompanying recommendations dont mention how to take those suggested actions without unlawfully using race-based means. If race-based admissions cannot satisfy strict scrutiny (), then neither can racially motivated recruitment or financial aid, according to the letter. A demand to show a commitment to have a body of faculty and staff thats diverse with respect to race and ethnicity, is also an explicit demand to make hiring decisions based on race, the attorneys argued. By maintaining the standard, the attorneys continued, the American Bar Association would burden every law school in the country with litigation. Further, if American legal culture internalizes the ABAs determination to ignore unwanted legal obligations, our profession, and our country, may never recover, the letter reads. The proposed revisions for the American Bar Association include that the access commitment must be extended to all persons, including those who have faced disadvantages or exclusion because of their identity traits. Faculty and staff should also be diverse with respect to different characteristics, such as race, religion, gender and socioeconomic background, among others. But, those changes do little to solve these problems, according to the letter, as bundling race with other permissibly considered characteristics does not somehow make (the standard) requirements any more constitutionally sound. The issue is concerning, the attorneys said, because accreditation rests on a tightrope walk between federal law, on one hand, and (the standard) contrary demands on the other. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. After a month on campus, pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Oregon State University finally disbanded on June 12. In an Instagram message posted on Thursday, June 13, the group behind the tent encampment pointed to what they characterized as uncooperative administration officials who refused to negotiate on their demands. But they also said the actions outlined by the university so far to address their concerns around violence in Gaza was a testament to the pressure built by their month-long protest. According to one of the demonstrations participants, student protestors also wanted to disperse before commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 15. In a statement, university spokesperson Rob Odom said while OSU didnt negotiate with demonstrators, it has been highly responsive to concerns related to violence in Gaza, Israel, and the region. The actions now being implemented are concrete, meaningful and consistent with the universitys mission, values and commitment to engaging broad community input, Odom wrote, in reference to the measures university officials have outlined over the past month to respond to demonstrators key demands, including a pledge to disclose OSUs financial portfolio annually and to set up a taskforce to examine OSUs investment policies, set to begin work next fall. Divestment from companies with ties to Israel has been a rallying cry for pro-Palestinian demonstrators at college campuses nationwide, a reaction to Israels deadly response to the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 that claimed around 1,200 lives. Hamas militants also took over 250 hostages. Demonstrators left their spot on the Valley Library Quad on Wednesday night, following a vigil held for those killed in Gaza, which according to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry totaled over 36,000 people at the end of May. Demonstrators at OSU left behind a flag installation on the quad commemorating those whove been killed, along with a few tamped down plots of yellow grass, where around 30 tents used to reside. Their dispersal comes nearly a week after five of the OSU demonstrators chained themselves to the Kerr Administration Building on campus following a rally on June 6. Those students left Kerr after 100 hours chained near the entrance, according to demonstrators. Beyond divestment, students had also called for in-person talks with top OSU brass, including Odom and OSU President Jayathi Murthy. Students had also called for academic amnesty and protection from sanctions. Some demonstrators are indeed facing student code of conduct charges for their participation in the encampment. Those alleged violations include failure to comply with OSU directives and disruptive or disorderly conduct. Students had also been warned of "progressive discipline and accountability measures late last month, with demonstrators saying they were confronted with the possibility of criminal charges for alleged damages at the Memorial Union Quad their previous encampment site. Odom said no criminal charges had been filed, but that the site had been damaged. According to a more detailed response to the demonstrators demands posted on OSUs encampment resource page on June 7, officials said there would be no additional student referrals to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards if the camp disbanded. For students currently facing code charges, disassembling the camp would be considered a favorable mitigating factor, according to the resource page. While the encampment has gone, organizers of the demonstration said they would be considering other efforts in the future, though there were no specifics or timeline, according to one student demonstrator whose name Mid-Valley Media chose not to disclose. Many protesters have been reluctant to share their names publicly, fearing harassment from counter protestors and of being labeled antisemitic. That sentiment was perhaps best summed up in the groups June 13 Instagram post: We are disappointed, but not defeated. Albany wont be raising a rainbow flag for Pride month after the motion was struck down at the June 12 meeting. Last year, Albany hoisted the progress Pride flag from the city hall window after city councilor Steph Newton-Azorr made the motion to fly the flag for the month of June. Flying the Pride flag is a discussion among many bodies of government across the United States. The Pride flag will also fly at Los Angeles City Hall for the first time. In the city of Austin, Texas, the police department will also raise the banner for the first time. Meanwhile, other communities like the city of Huntington Beach, California instilled a ban on Pride flags after previously flying the flag in years past. Councilor Jackie Montague apologized to the city that it was already halfway through the month of June and no one brought up flying the flag at the previous meeting. Montague made a motion to fly the Pride flag this June and every June until the council repeals the motion. Newton-Azorr seconded the motion. City Manager Peter Troedsson interjected that there are many noble causes but the mission of the city was to provide public services. Displaying specialty flags is not consistent with that mission, Troedsson said. Commemorative flags only represent a portion of the community and he recommended that the city not display specialty flags, though the council could certainly override his recommendation, he said. The motion failed with three yes votes from Ramycia McGhee, Newton-Azorr and Montague and two no votes from Matilda Novak and Ray Kopczynski. Marilyn Smith had an excused absence. Newton-Azorr suggested Montague amend her motion for a different outcome. Montague made a second motion to fly the flag for just June 2024. The motion also failed with the same councilors voting yes and no. Kopczynski previously voted "yes" to fly the flag last year. When asked why he voted "no" this year, he said he felt they beat up the issue pretty hard last year. "Just felt I wasn't going to waste any more bandwidth on it," he said over email. Montague said that although it is required by law the city flies flags such as the Prisoner of War and missing in action flags, that honors a subset of our citizenry. Troedsson said that Albany celebrates pride through the Albany Pride event. The event is a public but it is not organized by the city. The Albany Public Library also has displays and decorations commemorating Pride month, he added. It is really disappointing that we cannot be more welcoming as Pride is a month that celebrates a big portion of our community and people do celebrate this, Montague said. You are here: China China has issued an orange alert for mountain torrents in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with authorities advising preparations against natural disasters. In a joint statement, the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration on Thursday evening warned of high possibilities of disasters triggered by mountain torrents in northern Guangxi, highlighting specific areas in particular. Mountain torrents may also occur in other areas due to heavy rainfall over a short period of time, the statement said. All localities are advised to take preventive measures such as real-time monitoring, issuing flood prevention warnings, and undertaking relocation work to ensure safety. China has a four-tier weather warning system for floods, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. In a separate update, the National Meteorological Center on Thursday evening reissued a yellow alert for severe convective weather, forecasting thunderstorms, gales and hail in many parts of the country. This is expected to affect some parts of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guizhou, Guangxi and Guangdong. COEUR DALENE A party resolution passed out of committee that would catalyze a potential lawsuit against the Secretary of State to enforce its rules regarding who may participate in Republican primary elections. The resolutions committee met Thursday on the first day of the 2024 Idaho Republican Convention and passed six other proposed resolutions while defeating two others. It will take up others today. Media was not allowed inside the meeting room. The passed resolutions will later be considered by the general session of delegates. Ada County delegate Benjamin Chafetz proposed the resolution that would direct the party chairperson to retain legal representation and file in federal court a challenge to the Idaho Secretary of States decision not to enforce its rule that restricts who may vote in GOP primary elections. In November, Secretary of State Phil McGrane said his office could not enforce the rule that would have required voters to affiliate with the party by Dec. 30 in order to participate in the 2024 primary. McGrane in a statement said he may only enforce the law, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. Idaho code sets the affiliation deadline at 67 days before the primary election. The state central committee passed the voting rule at the 2023 summer meeting and was meant to prevent crossover voting from those who were previously affiliated with other parties. The resolution passed in committee Thursday states that the chairperson is directed to immediately and without delay to instruct legal representation to file a lawsuit in federal court to seek any other pertinent remedy stemming from the Idaho Secretary of States recalcitrance and dereliction of duty in enforcing party rules regarding deadlines for affiliation with the Party and requirements for participating in the Party primary nominating contest. This resolution passed 29-10, according to Latah County delegate Colton Bennett, who is not a member of the committee but sat in on the meeting. Bennett said there was a failed motion to remove the direction to file action in federal court. OTHER APPROVED RESOLUTIONS The committee also passed a resolution to direct the chairperson to distribute the amended party platform to every Republican candidate in Idaho, require those candidates to respond with their support to areas of disagreement, and require the party to post the answers on the partys website. This was proposed by Ada County delegate Branden Durst. Durst also proposed an approved resolution that would create a special committee to draft a proposed rule to provide a salary to the party chairman positions, which is currently unpaid. MOSCOW Palouse Habitat for Humanity set a monthly sales record in May by earning $20,000 through its Moscow retail store. Executive Director Jennifer Wallace said the new and improved store should lead to even more record sales. Ive got a goal for the store to bring in $270,000 this year, but I think theyre going to blow that out of the water if they keep this up, she said. Wallace joined city and community leaders Thursday in celebrating the grand opening of the remodeled store, called ReStore. Palouse Habitat for Humanity has been working toward this day since 2019, when it added a furniture section to the store. Since then, there have been numerous upgrades including more space for inventory, Americans with Disability Act improvements, a new heating system, fire safety upgrades and new sidewalks. A 54-year-old Spokane man died in a plane crash near Elk River on Wednesday, and two other passengers were taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane by helicopter. The Clearwater County Sheriffs Office received a report from the Idaho Division of Aeronautics at about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday indicating that an emergency beacon from a plane had been activated roughly 5 miles north of Elk River, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. Deputies and Emergency Medical Services were immediately dispatched to the area to locate the source of the beacon. Hillcrest Aviation had a helicopter available in Orofino after completing contract work and responded to assist with the search and rescue efforts, according to the news release. While traveling to the scene, a 911 call was received from an individual who had picked up two people along Basin Road. These individuals were identified as the passengers of the plane and were transported by the caller to Elk River to meet with EMS, according to the news release. The two passengers, sons of the pilot, reported that their plane had crashed and caught fire, preventing them from pulling the pilot from the wreckage, according to the news release. The community is welcome to attend a Juneteenth celebration from noon-2 p.m. next Wednesday in Moscows Friendship Square. According to a city of Moscow news release, the free event will include free soul food, childrens activities, T-shirt making, music, a drum circle and remarks from community member James Bledsoe. Wednesday 11:12 a.m. A disorderly neighbor was reported on the 600 block of Northeast Gray Lane. 2:49 p.m. A noninjury crash blocked the roadway on Larry Street and Turner Drive. 9:50 p.m. Police arrested a 23-year-old man for suspicion of fourth-degree assault on the 1400 block of Northeast Brandi Way. WHITMAN COUNTY SHERIFF Wednesday 5:48 a.m. Deputies arrested a 46-year-old Spokane male for suspicion of DUI on U.S. Highway 195 in Colfax. 10:01 a.m. An overdose was reported on Madison Street in Tekoa. 5:47 p.m. A court order violation was reported on Broadway Street in Tekoa. June 7 passed largely without notice. And yet, on that day in 1965, a very different Supreme Court from that which overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago struck down a Connecticut law enacted in 1879. Drafted by state legislator P.T. Barnum, the law forbade married couples access to contraception. As readers may remember from a previous column (and the Old Testament leaves no doubt), sexual congress between consenting couples have one sanctioned purpose and that is childbirth. To do otherwise is to violate Gods commandments and practices such as coitus interruptus is punished by death administered by no less a personage than the Big Guy himself. After 1965, the law of the land finally allowed married couples to have physical knowledge of each other for mutually affirming reasons having little or nothing to do with populating the earth. The rights guaranteed under the Griswold v. Connecticut ruling were, in 1972, extended to unmarried couples as well in Eisenstadt v. Baird. The Connecticut statute in question was enacted in the aftermath of the federal law passed by Congress in 1873, the Comstock Act. This law had made provision of contraception into a federal crime. As expected, real-world consequences soon followed, with 24 states passing their own laws restricting access to contraception. In 1916, Margaret Sanger, believing that reproductive free choice was foundational for the liberation of women from poverty and subservience, defied New York law, opened the nation's first birth control clinic in Brooklyn and served 30 days in prison for her crime. She went on to found Planned Parenthood. Around the same time, activist firebrand Emma Goldman was arrested twice for violating the same New York prohibition. She, too, was imprisoned in 1916 for the crime of disseminating information about birth control. Time moves on and with it, attitudes toward a lot of once controversial things. The dam broke with Griswold and, by 1973, the High Court defended in Roe v. Wade the principle that the Constitution protected a woman's right to control her own reproductive freedom. Even barriers to homosexuality soon came crashing down. In 2003, in a pivotal case, Lawrence v. Texas, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment protected even gay women and men. They could henceforth have sex without fear of government watchdogs peering through their bedroom curtains. Then, in 2015, in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, same-sex couples were finally allowed to marry. Has giving employees the option to spend some or all of their time toiling from home been a good thing for your business? More than four years have elapsed since the onset of the pandemic that, just like that, turned workplace norms the world over upside down, but many Australian organisations have yet to give this question the serious consideration it deserves. Post the protracted lockdowns that forced thousands of traditional enterprises to send their staff home with laptops nearly a third of Australian workers were working from home by mid-2020, according to Roy Morgan research businesses of all stripes have retained the practice; allowing employees whose roles are conducive to remote working to carry on as they have been. Keeping the workers satisfied And there have been few complaints, from said employees, at least! Almost two thirds of workers want to see work-from-anywhere models retained and 50 per cent want the right to choose their work location, according to 2024 research from Ecosystm. Forty-one per cent say they want flexible hours, while a mere 15 per cent stated they were happy with traditional nine-to-five-in-the-office arrangements. Given its popularity with workers, its a brave employer that will summarily withdraw remote working privileges or even attempt to wind them back a trifle, as one of Australias largest businesses learnt to its cost last year. Sparks flew at the Commonwealth Bank when 49,000 of its employees were ordered to spend at least half the week in the office and the matter subsequently found its way to the Fair Work Commission. Understanding whats working well Against that backdrop, optimising, rather than obliterating, extant hybrid working arrangements is a prudent move, for organisations that want to keep their teams on side and in their employ. But doing so is difficult in the absence of hard data on how, when, where and how well employees are performing the tasks assigned to them. Their typical downtime hours, the parts of the day when theyre most productive, the apps theyre using most and least often to collaborate with colleagues, and how well theyre adhering to compliance guidelineshaving granular details on all these elements of the workforce and workplace experience is essential, if organisations are to devise hybrid working models that are fit for purpose. And what isnt In the absence of this empirical evidence, its impossible for HR teams to recognise and understand the emerging daily patterns that could result in lost productivity, burn-out and poor utilisation of staff. Thats a very real risk to organisational health that forward thinking leaders will likely want to mitigate, as a matter of urgency. Striking a happy balance between monitoring the status quo and acting on feedback from staff creating the sort of listening culture that makes workers feel heard and valued is also challenging, as is balancing the needs of employees against organisational requirements. The good news is, gathering the data you need to craft the perfect hybrid working strategy one that delivers for employer and employees alike is easy when you have the right tools. Deploying a workplace analytics and operations enablement platform will allow you to gauge the effectiveness of your current hybrid working arrangements right across the enterprise, using a range of different metrics. Choose a cloud-based solution that enables you to monitor your employees activities and engagement levels in real time, and perform in-depth data analysis on the daily, and youll improve your understanding of whats working and whats not, when your team are in and out of the office. Armed with those insights, youll either have the confidence to make changes for the better to your hybrid working policy, or the comfort of knowing that your current set-up is serving the needs of the organisation and the people whose collective efforts are critical to its productivity and growth. Happier hybrid arrangements for the long term The Covid pandemic ushered in a series of seemingly irreversible societal changes, chief among them the expectation that individuals will have the option to work from home some or all of the time, when their roles allow. With hybrid work here to stay, optimising the way it works in your organisation in the upcoming financial year makes sound sense. Tools that help you do so in a data driven way are likely to prove an excellent investment. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A Bamboo Airways jet seen at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy Rising jet leasing prices make Vietnamese airlines reluctant to expand their fleets since they fear their losses might then increase, Bamboo Airways CEO Luong Hoai Nam said. Airfares would only fall from the current high levels when airlines expand their fleets, he said Wednesday at a forum organized by Nhan Dan newspaper, pointing out that the number of planes has dropped by 60-70 since before Covid to 160. While aircraft are available for lease, prices are now high, he said. "If leasing more jets results in higher profits we would have done that already." The price limits on domestic airfares, which have been around for decades, have made profits impossible, he claimed. Before the pandemic airlines used to make profits from international flights, but the high competition now has made that challenging, he said. He urged the government to reconsider the price caps, which go against market principles, to give airlines motivation to expand their fleets. Lai Xuan Thanh, chairman of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, also called for removing the caps. Other countries use floor prices to prevent unfair competition and monopolies, he added. Nguyen Quoc Ky, chairman of Vietravel Airlines, said the cost of running an airline in Vietnam is very high due to the excessive dependence on foreign equipment, and even minor changes in the global market could result in a big impact on local airlines. How Truong My Lan carried out $4.5B illegal cross-border transactions Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat, seen at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City in April 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Quynh Property tycoon Truong My Lan used shell companies and fake contracts to transfer US$4.5 billion worth of money to and from foreign countries over a decade, the police said. They said the chairwoman of property developer Van Thinh Phat used 21 subsidiaries to send $1.5 billion overseas between 2012 and 2022, and 21 others to receive $3 billion. Fake contracts were used between the companies and their foreign partners. Most of the former were shell companies with no actual operations or employees. Lan has claimed that she received loans from abroad and repaid debts. The money was sent through Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB), in which she directly and indirectly held a 91% stake. One of her major accomplices was Truong Khanh Hoang, the banks acting CEO. He approved cross-border transactions worth VND69 trillion ($2.71 billion) in just over a year ending August 2022, all without the legal permits and certificates required. Some transactions were blocked by the banks system due to insufficient information, but Hoang ordered subordinates to manually override them to make the transfers. Another CEO, Vo Tan Hoang Van, approved transfers of $516 million between 2018 and 2020. Bui Anh Dung, the banks chairman, approved a $30 million transfer in 2020. The police have recommended that Lan and 33 other should be charged with fraudulent appropriation of assets, money laundering and illegal cross-border currency transfers. Two foreigners were involved in cross-border transactions: Chen Yi Chung, SCBs acting CEO, and Chiu Bing Keung Kenneth, who was the legal representative of 11 companies in Vietnam and overseas. Chen approved transactions worth $708 million but has left Vietnam. Kenneth created fake contracts and approved cross-border transactions worth $1.5 billion. He is also at an unidentified location overseas. Lan was handed the death penalty in April at another trial, this one for causing a loss of VND677 trillion ($27 billion) to SCB. She has appealed. On June 12, the United Nations Security Council examined the human rights situation in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, or North Korea, despite objections from representatives of Russia and China, who protested that the UN Human Rights council, not the UN Security Council, is the appropriate venue for such discussions. U.S. Permanent representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield responded that in North Korea, human rights abuses and violations are inextricably linked with the regime's threats to international peace and security. Nowhere is this nexus more salient than in the DPRK, where substantial evidence and documentation have directly linked the regimes mistreatment of citizens with its investment in unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs, she said. Indeed, according to the UN, the DPRK invests most of its efforts into developing its military power, ignoring the States responsibility to allow its people to live full lives. To finance this endeavor, the regime largely resorts to diversion of resources, including food, and forced labor. According to the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly half of North Koreas population is under-nourished. The regime engages in modern-day slavery, both inside the country and abroad. The state confiscates up to 90 percent of the wages of those it sends to work abroad. [The DPRKs] repression and totalitarianism, proliferation and gamesmanship, makes each and every one of us less safe. And, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, it has a profound human cost. Today, the DPRK continues to deny individuals their rights to freedom of expression, thought, conscience, and religion or belief. It continues to execute, torture, arrest, and physically abuse individuals engaged in any unauthorized activity, including those related to religious beliefs and practices, she said. There are new laws and regulations enforcing repressive ideological control, further limiting freedom of expression, and cutting off access to all information outside the country. It should be easy for every single one of us to condemn this unjust and inhumane activity. And yet, there are members of this Council who not only fail to speak out against this repression, but also actively embolden it, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. It is our responsibility, as members of this Council, as human beings, to speak out against a regime that chooses weapons over the welfare of its own people. That is how we create a better future for the people of the DPRK, and a safer future for us all. TO ACCESS THIS CONTENT YOU MUST OPEN A SESSION OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT MEMBER LOGIN CREATE YOUR USER ACCOUNT Memorandums of Understanding Will Allow State to Explore Feasibility of Hosting Build-Ready Renewable Energy Projects on Underutilized Sites. . . China, New Zealand pledge to expand trade scope, deepen personnel exchanges Xinhua) 09:01, June 14, 2024 Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington, New Zealand, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) WELLINGTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon here on Thursday, agreeing to expand the scope of bilateral trade and investment and deepen personnel exchanges. During their talks, Li said his visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's official visit to New Zealand and the establishment of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past 10 years, no matter how the international landscape changes, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress, and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation, he said. China is willing to work with New Zealand to continue their traditional friendship, enhance the spirit of "striving to be the first," jointly stimulate growth, and make efforts to upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to bring more benefits to their people, Li added. Li said that the respective development of China and New Zealand is an opportunity for each other rather than a challenge, calling on the two countries to continue as partners of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit that learn from each other and foster unity and coordination. China stands ready to work with New Zealand in continuously expanding trade, exploring cooperation potential in sectors including digital economy, green economy, new energy vehicles and creative industry, and jointly promoting regional economic cooperation, said the Chinese premier. He also called on New Zealand and China to eliminate non-economic disruptions in their economic and trade relations to provide businesses with stable expectations and a favorable business environment, adding that China welcomes more investment from New Zealand enterprises. Noting that China is willing to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges with New Zealand, Li said China will include New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries and expressed the hope for New Zealand to facilitate easier travel for Chinese citizens visiting the country. China and New Zealand are both firm supporters of multilateralism, free trade and an open world economy, Li said, calling on the two nations to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral fields, and promote all parties to stick together through thick and thin for win-win cooperation. For his part, Luxon said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership 10 years ago, New Zealand and China have witnessed robust development in bilateral economic and trade relations and close personnel exchanges, benefiting the people of both countries. He said New Zealand firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen high-level dialogue and communication at various levels with China, further deepen cooperation on agriculture, food, creative industries and environmental protection, promote people-to-people exchanges and push for sustained and in-depth development of bilateral relations. New Zealand stands ready to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with China, enhance coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as APEC, and jointly tackle climate change and other global issues, Luxon said. Li and Luxon agreed that the development of China-New Zealand relationship has achieved satisfactory results. Both sides will continue to view and manage the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and work together to safeguard multilateralism and free trade to promote sustained, healthy and stable development of China-New Zealand relations. The two countries agreed to initiate negotiations on service trade negative list. After the meeting, Li and Luxon witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on service trade, business environment, export of agricultural and food products to China, science and technology, patent examination and migratory bird protection, among others. They also jointly met the press. A joint statement of outcomes of the China-New Zealand leaders' meeting was issued. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington, New Zealand, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Flash Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington, New Zealand, June 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington on Thursday, agreeing to expand the scope of bilateral trade and investment and deepen personnel exchanges. During their talks, Li said his visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's official visit to New Zealand and the establishment of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past 10 years, no matter how the international landscape changes, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress, and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation, he said. China is willing to work with New Zealand to continue their traditional friendship, enhance the spirit of "striving to be the first," jointly stimulate growth, and make efforts to upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to bring more benefits to their people, Li added. Li said that the respective development of China and New Zealand is an opportunity for each other rather than a challenge, calling on the two countries to continue as partners of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit that learn from each other and foster unity and coordination. China stands ready to work with New Zealand in continuously expanding trade, exploring cooperation potential in sectors including digital economy, green economy, new energy vehicles and creative industry, and jointly promoting regional economic cooperation, said the Chinese premier. He also called on New Zealand and China to eliminate non-economic disruptions in their economic and trade relations to provide businesses with stable expectations and a favorable business environment, adding that China welcomes more investment from New Zealand enterprises. Noting that China is willing to deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges with New Zealand, Li said China will include New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries and expressed the hope for New Zealand to facilitate easier travel for Chinese citizens visiting the country. China and New Zealand are both firm supporters of multilateralism, free trade and an open world economy, Li said, calling on the two nations to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral fields, and promote all parties to stick together through thick and thin for win-win cooperation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington, New Zealand, June 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] For his part, Luxon said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership 10 years ago, New Zealand and China have witnessed robust development in bilateral economic and trade relations and close personnel exchanges, benefiting the people of both countries. He said New Zealand firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to strengthen high-level dialogue and communication at various levels with China, further deepen cooperation on agriculture, food, creative industries and environmental protection, promote people-to-people exchanges and push for sustained and in-depth development of bilateral relations. New Zealand stands ready to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with China, enhance coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as APEC, and jointly tackle climate change and other global issues, Luxon said. Li and Luxon agreed that the development of China-New Zealand relationship has achieved satisfactory results. Both sides will continue to view and manage the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and work together to safeguard multilateralism and free trade to promote sustained, healthy and stable development of China-New Zealand relations. The two countries agreed to initiate negotiations on service trade negative list. After the meeting, Li and Luxon witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on service trade, business environment, export of agricultural and food products to China, science and technology, patent examination and migratory bird protection, among others. They also jointly met the press. A joint statement of outcomes of the China-New Zealand leaders' meeting was issued. ELKO Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital held a wall-breaking ceremony on Wednesday to mark the start of construction of a 7,400-square foot inpatient behavioral health unit to be located on the hospitals third floor. Today we arent just breaking down a physical wall. Were beginning a project that will remove barriers to care in our community, Steve Simpson, the hospitals chief executive officer, said on Wednesday. For many years, patients whove needed psychiatric care have been transferred hundreds of miles to facilities out of town. When this remodel is complete and this new unit is open, well be able to provide quality, compassionate care for behavioral health patients right here in Elko, he said. Local officials, law enforcement personnel, healthcare providers and hospital leaders were on hand for the event that will be followed by four months of construction and the potential for the unit opening as early as October. The unit will have 16 patient beds, a state-of-the-art environment to ensure patient safety, two group therapy and activity rooms, two provider consultation rooms and a comfortable and calming environment, according to the hospital. Simpson said NNRH is partnering with Lifepoint Behavioral Health to manage and staff the new unit. As a leading company in the behavioral health space with 24 inpatient facilities across the country, Lifepoint brings its experience to the project, he stated. Lifepoint Health owns the Elko hospital. Were extremely grateful to have their guidance and support. Its like everything has finally aligned to bring inpatient behavioral services to Elko, Simpson said. Services the unit will provide will include inpatient behavioral health care for medically stable adults and seniors, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week assessment, intake and crisis stabilization, plan of care recommendations, medication therapy and management of behavioral disorders, evidence-based therapy groups, recreational activities and discharge planning, according to the hospital. The services wont include teens and children at this point, but Simpson told the Elko County Health Board earlier this year that might be a possibility later. We truly want this to be an environment that fosters healing for the mind, spirit and body, Becky Jones, the hospitals chief nursing officer, said. Every detail from the flooring to the furniture, to the light fixtures has been selected with our patients safety and well-being in mind. Were thrilled to see it all take shape over the next few months. Elko County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi, who is the countys representative to the hospital board of trustees and board chairman, shared Jones enthusiasm. Im excited on behalf of our community. This really is a monumental step for us to help people who are suffering, he said. I think about all the patients that weve had to fly out of here. When theyre receiving treatment hundreds of miles away, its very difficult for them and their families. Having this facility here to provide this level of service for our community is a tremendous thing, Andreozzi said. Another elected official in attendance at Wednesdays ceremony was Elko Mayor Reece Keener. In 2022, the city allocated $500,000 of federal grant money from the American Rescue Plan Act to help NNRH establish an inpatient behavioral health unit. Its wonderful that the city had the ARPA funding. We saw the need for behavioral health services throughout the community, and weve dedicated just shy of $4 million to various agencies. NNRH was one of the worthy candidates that was able to benefit from that, Keener said. The mayor also emphasized the importance of caring for behavioral health patients close to home. = You think of folks that are in behavioral crisis and theyre probably some of the most vulnerable patients that youll encounter in healthcare. So, its important that were able to take good care of them, Keener said. Simpson thanked the city of Elko for the grant funding and praised local leaders for their commitment to addressing mental health challenges throughout the region. This really is a partnership. We would not be here today if it wasnt for the support of our city and county governments, along with law enforcement, Simpson stated. And its going to take all of us working together to tackle the mental health crisis in our community. Weve been siloed and isolated for too long. But Im confident this behavioral health unit is going to help us break down those walls. The hospital had a mental health unit on the third floor a decade ago, Simpson told the health board in April so the new project will be remodeling and bringing the unit up to code. 125 Years Ago June 10, 1899: Carson will be in the dark after the 15th of this month, the electric light company having decided to take down its plant. This dont speak very well for the Capital of the State. Move the Capital to Elko and well give you all the light you need, free of charge. June 10, 1899: Postmaster Jones has had screen doors put on at the post office. Henry is up-to-date. June 10, 1899: Little Stub Thompson is a happy youngster since his father bought a ranch. He says he is going to do nothing but trap rabbits and gophers, and ride calves. 100 Years Ago June 11, 1924: A party of boys, consisting of Harold Hansen, Ralph Stewart, Jimmie Olin and Eber Steninger, will leave early tomorrow morning for Angel Lake, in the mountain near Clover Valley for a three day camping and fishing trip. This lake is one of the best fishing spots in this section of the state, and cars can be driven to within a mile and a half, where an easy trail leads to the shores of the lake. Parties who have already visited this spot report excellent luck, according to the Wells Herald. June 11, 1924: All dressed up and no place to go, or rather almost undressed and the entire city of Elko to roam about (as you please), was the rather amusing predicament of an Elko young man, who for obvious reasons is unnamed, yesterday morning. Elkoites on their way to work yesterday morning were startled and amused to see a young man scantily attired in B.V.Ds, shoes and socks, with a straw hat set jauntily on his head, come dashing from the alley near the court house, across Fifth street and continue down the alley between Idaho and Court streets. Women screamed, and men made a headlong dash after the fleeing figure in an attempt to head him off, and put an end to his wanderings. Their efforts were in vain, however for the figure disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and when the young man was next seen he was completely clothed, and knew nothing of the incident. June 13, 1924: It was almost the feared Friday the Thirteenth for Al Vizina of the Russell Companys grocery department for that gentleman narrowly escaped flirting with death, while unpacking a bunch of bananas this morning. Vizina went about his task in the customary manner, little dreaming that the bunch of bananas were harboring possible death in the shape of a large tarantula. Vizinas luck was with him, however, and he saw the venomous spider first, and immediately withdrew from danger. The tarantula forthwith found itself in a large jar where it is incapable of doing further damage, and is now on exhibition in the local business establishment. 75 Years Ago June 8, 1949: Lively discussion of several aspects of community life featured a special meeting of the planning advisory committee of the city of Elko last night at Ranchinn. Chairman Walter Hansen presided, and bulk of the discussion concerned the new municipal swimming pool. The committee voted in favor of the site selected by the Elko swimming pool committee, which is located east of the childrens playground in the city park. June 9, 1949: Christmas Seal funds will return big dividends to residents of Elko County next week in the form of free miniature chest X-rays, Dr. L.A. Moren, member of the executive committee of the Nevada Tuberculosis Association announced here today. Under present plans, a large mobile unit will arrive in Carlin Thursday, June 16, for an all day program and will operate in Elko the following day. Mrs. J.W. Minola will direct the Carlin program while Mrs. Earl Green will be in charge of the survey here. Mrs. Wilma Settlemeyer is chairman of the Wells committee, Dr. Moren said. The truck is equipped with a 70 mm X-ray unit, which is capable of taking upwards of 100 films per hour. It is not necessary to remove any clothing for the x-ray, it was said. June 11, 1949: Hes been in and out of a dozen or more successful business ventures since he arrived in the good old U.S.A., in 1906, but for 30 years hes been buying lambs and wool. And whats more there isnt a more astute judge of sheep values than Celso Madarieta, well-known Elko resident, who came to America from Bedarona, Spain. His first activities were in the Boise district where he herded sheep as a lad of 15. In 1912 he came to Elko county. The business ventures of Celso Madarieta in the city of Elko are hard to follow, they were so numerous. One of his first was in the Amistad hotel, which he built. He built the first bowling alley in the city of Elko, at the Telescope hotel, was in partnership with Fernando Puccinelli and Pete Jauregui in the Town House, which they finally sold to Pete Brust, and before that was with Jauregui in the business known as the Club Elko. It was the Elko Hotel then and many of the parties put on by Madareita and Jauregui will long be remembered. Several hundred people would be invited to dinner and the house picked up the check. 50 Years Ago June 10, 1974: Representatives of McCulloch Properties Inc. have received approval of the Elko County Commissioners to move ahead with plans for a major ski development at Tent Mountain, which is located above Starr Valley and about 30 miles east of Elko. Gary Dayton, vice president of Spring Creek (a McCulloch subsidiary), said during a meeting with the commissioners late last week that tentative plans for the ski development at Tent Mountain indicate an expenditure of about $10 million over a three-year period on the total project. The Tent Mountain project, if it should be determined to be feasible by studies to be conducted by McCulloch during the coming weeks, would encompass the development of a ski facility in conjunction with an eventual total of 2,500 living units plus hotel and motel accommodations on 1,500 acres of land. June 12, 1974: Western Mountain Oil, Inc., Elkos first all-girl service station, has opened at 778 West Idaho St., (formerly the West End Gulf), it was announced by owners Ward Hinckley and Mike Berry of Sparks. The station is managed by Karen Taufer, who formerly worked at Bellingers Motor Supply. Other attendants at the station are Trudy Green, a life-long Elko resident; Linda Goodale, who has been in Elko for five years; and Debbie Gardner, a resident of the Elko County area for approximately 11 years. Miss Gardner is the only employee at the station with previous work experience as a station attendant. They all state they enjoy working at the station, but admit they are not looking forward to cold weather. The women attendants check oil and water, clean windows and pump gas. 25 Years Ago June 11, 1999: Province Healthcare is real excited about the progress already made since acquisition of Elko General Hospital a year ago and believes the company has a good future in Elko County, said President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Rash. Rash and other Province executives were in town yesterday to update the community, hospital board and EGH staff on plans to build a 75-bed, $30 million regional medical center to replace the current hospital. The company is planning to build the hospital on 50 acres it intends to buy from the city, but the land purchase is contingent upon state approval of the certificate of need application. Rash said the state has a maximum of 120 days to approve the certificate of need application, but he is optimistic it wont take that long because Elko needs a new hospital. Province promised to build a new facility when it purchased EGH from Elko County last June for $21 million. June 12, 1999: Komatsu Equipment Co.s Elko branch is surviving the mining downturn brought on by low commodity prices by concentrating on field service on equipment and on parts distribution. Our thrust now is quality products, quality services and maximization of parts availability, Branch Manager Joe Heatherly said during the open house and barbecue the Elko branch held last week to thank customers. He said the company is also trying to weather the storm by expanding on its previous base of equipment and by adding support equipment as well as providing mechanical and electrical services. Along with changing its focus when gold prices plummeted, Komatsus Elko branch had to reduce its workforce from the low 90s to the low 40s and postpone plans for a new building, Heatherly said. Anyone able to identify this weeks mystery photo from the Northeastern Nevada Museums unidentified photo collection can contact the museum at 775-738-3418, ext. 102 or email archives-assistant@museumelko.org. Times online newspaper of India suggests best places to visit in Vietnam Topping the list is Hanoi, with the thousand-year-old city being full of lakes and founded on a bend in the Red River. The Vietnamese capital is full of history, charm, museums, shops, markets, and wonderful street food. Indian media therefore recommends that tourists join a street-food tour or explore the French villas, Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo prison, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, an otherworldly landscape of sugarloaf peaks, mountain passes, and rice paddies carved into impossibly steep mountains, is the second must-see destination in the nation. Find villages of the Red Dzao, Flower Hmong, and other local minorities, as well as markets and eco-stays to serve as a window into a rural world of timeless traditions such as weaving. En route, stop at the dazzling rice paddy region of Mu Cang Chai, it wrote. The article listed famous destinations across the country, including Pu Luong nature reserve, Ha Long Bay, Hue city, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ninh Van Bay, Da Lat, the Mekong Delta, and Con Dao archipelago. Ho Chi Minh City, which offers brilliant street food, is fueled by a growing craft beer, spirit, and cocktail scene coupled with a thrilling, infectious energy, meaning it is also a wonderful place that travelers should not miss visiting during their trip to the country. Home to 99 million souls and a coastline spanning 2,000 miles along the country from north to south, there are plenty of people to meet and a lot to see, do, and eat in Vietnam, the article concluded. Aero-K to launch direct air service between Seoul and Khanh Hoa in late June According to VOV, carrier Aero-K of the Republic of Korea (RoK) recently announced plans to launch a new direct air route linking capital Seoul with the southcentral province of Khanh Hoa from June 25 in an effort to meet growing demand among travelers between the two countries. Aero-K to launch direct air service between Seoul and Khanh Hoa in late June This will see the airline regularly operate the Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa)-Incheon (Seoul) route with a frequency of four flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The flights will depart from Cam Ranh International Airport at 0:15 a.m. before arriving at Incheon International Airport at 7:25 a.m. In addition, the carrier will provide pet transportation services. The airline is also set to offer promotions on the round-trip ticket price, which is around US$170 per person, on June 25, June 27, and June 29. Founded in 2016, Aero-K Airlines Co., Ltd. is a low-cost airline in the RoK that aims to develop flights to destinations within Asia such as China, Japan, Taiwan (China), and Vietnam. This marks the second air route to be launched by Aero-K to connect the RoK and Vietnam. Previously, the airline opened direct flights from Da Nang to Cheongju on February 6. US blogger suggests 14 Vietnamese famous dishes to try Las Vegas blogger Lauren Breedlove recently introduced 14 Vietnamese famous dishes on the Celebrity Cruises' website, describing the country as vibrant with an exciting street food scene, intriguing culinary delights, and world-famous dishes that serve to dazzle hungry travelers. US blogger suggests 14 famous dishes to try in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises) VOV reported the article that topping the list is Pho (noodles) which is one of the best Vietnamese dishes. This traditional soup can be found almost anywhere in the country and is a prime example of culinary beauty in simplicity. A mixture of broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs like ginger and green onions, and either chicken or beef can warm both the stomach and the soul, Breedlove wrote. Another Vietnamese staple enjoyed around the world is Banh Mi which is the countrys famous sandwich. Along with the beloved French baguette, it is a tasty blend of the two cuisines, originating in Ho Chi Minh City. The dish is followed by the healthy snack Goi cuon tom thit (fresh spring rolls), Banh xeo (crispy crepe), Mi quang, Cha ca (fried fish), Cao lau (noodle dish with pork, adorned with wonton-style crackers), Bo kho (beef stew), and Ca kho (braised snakehead fish). The blogger also recommended Bun cha, a lunchtime favourite nationwide, particularly in the capital city of Hanoi which is located in the northern region of the country. The crispy outside and juicy inside of the meatball-like patties combine to be the perfect contrast to the fish sauce and lime broth, lettuce or cabbage, bean sprouts, basil, and rice noodles when eaten together, she wrote. Furthermore, the blogger suggested healthy food options, including Rau muong xao toi (stir-fried water spinach), Banh vac (white rose dumpling), Che ba mau (three color dessert), and Bot chien (fried dough). The country can be enjoyed as a feast for the senses, boasting a range of exotic flavours and scents which are woven into the exciting food culture. Visitors are therefore encouraged to dive into the best Vietnamese dishes through a cooking class, food tour, market meanderings, and tours of street food, the article concluded. Thirteen Vietnamese universities listed in THE Impact Rankings 2024 Thirteen Vietnamese universities have been listed in the Impact Rankings 2024 released by the Times Higher Education (THE) on June 12. Vietnam National University - Hanoi is in the 401-600 group in Impact Rankings 2024 released by the Times Higher Education.(Photo: vnu.edu.vn) Specifically, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, which is in the group of 301-400, has the highest ranking among representatives from Vietnam. Other educational institutions are the 401-600 group. They are Duy Tan University, FPT University, National Economics University, Ton Duc Thang University, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Hanoi University of Science and Technology is still placed in the 601-800 category, followed by Van Lang University at 801-1,000. Lac Hong University, Ho Chi Minh City Open University and Phenikaa University are in the group 1,001-1,500 while Vietnamese-German University is named in the 1,501 category. The rankings aims to measure the success of eductional insitutions in realising the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted by the United Nations in 2016, calling for global action to build a peaceful, fair and prosperous society. A total of 2,152 higher education institutions participated in this year's rankings, up 561 compared to the previous edition. Ceramic exhibition showcases Nguyen Dynasty-style dragons A collection of 56 ceramic and gold-plated dragons inspired by the Nguyen Dynasty are on display at an exhibition in the Kien Trung Palace in the Hue Imperial Citadel, reported VNA. The dragons displayed at the exhibition are mostly created with inspiration from dragon images cast on Nguyen Dynasty seals (Photo: VNA) The exhibition, themed 'Bieu Tuong Rong Qua Gom Tran Do' (Dragon Symbols through Tran Do Ceramics), is organised by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre in collaboration with People's Artist Tran Do, who created the displayed art. As part of the ongoing Hue Festival Week 2024, the special exhibition is open until June 18. The festival includes a series of art and culture programmes amid other celebrations taking place at Kien Trung Palace in the ancient city of Hue in Thua Thien-Hue province. The event offers viewers the chance to admire Do's outstanding artistic ceramics, most of which were created with inspiration from dragon images cast on seals of the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. Visitors can also find the artist's love and passion for ceramics in the dragon images, which hold mesmerising and vivid shapes and patterns that Do has diligently researched and crafted over decades. Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung said that to successfully reflect the royal culture and artistic value of Vietnamese dragons, the artist had consulted with the centre and other museums and relic conservation units such as the National History Museum, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Centre. He added: "The artist had also researched documents, artifacts and antiques related to the image of the Vietnamese dragon through historical periods, which are extremely necessary for him to build his own creative resources." Trung hoped the ceramic art and the vividness of the ancient patterns and motifs displayed at the the exhibition would impress visitors and help them understand more about the country's royal history. People's Artist Tran Do is a famous name in Vietnamese pottery. He consistently finds unique features for his products, which are imbued with the quintessence of the nation's culture. Under the talented hands of the so-called 'king of ceramic glaze', the dragon symbol is adapted in an extremely sophisticated manner. Do and his team of about 10 artisans from the famous Bat Trang Pottery Village on the outskirts of Hanoi meticulously crafted dragon shapes and designs in a 'rising up' style to express the aspirations of happiness and virtue. Do said: "Bat Trang village is closely associated with Hue culture not only today, but two or three hundred years ago. The pottery village's artisans have been following their ancestors' traditional craft and always wish to maintain it and to make gifts to Hue. This year, I choose the dragon collection to display at the Hue Festival as a gift to the city too." To complete this ceramic dragon collection, Do and his team diligently researched and crafted for a year and a half. The dragon is the leading symbol out of the four sacred animals of dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix, with each animal embodying various special meanings. For Vietnamese people, dragons have unparalleled magic power, symbolising the spirit of humanity, nobility, strength, courage and above all, the spirit of wisdom. In royal imagery, the dragon is a symbol of the absolute authority of the gods, so it became the most popular image in Hue royal art, carrying high aesthetic values./. Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan congratulates the Russian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Sadykov Timur Sirozhevich. (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn) Giving a welcome speech at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan emphasized that the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union and later Russia have been enjoyed by many generations of leaders and people. Vietnam always remembers the support and assistance of the Russian people for Vietnam in the work of building and protecting the Fatherland and developing its country, he said. According to Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan, Vietnam always considers Russia one of its most important partners, while Russia is interested in developing its relationship with Vietnam as one of its priorities and an important partner in the region. The two countries have issued a Joint Statement on the vision of the Strategic Partnership until 2030. In that context, Ho Chi Minh City has always been one of the leading localities promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and Russia through economic and tourism cooperation projects and vibrant delegation exchange activities. Russia currently has 66 investment projects in Ho Chi Minh City with a total capital of more than USD56.5 million. Ho Chi Minh City has established friendly and cooperative relations with 5 Russian localities, including Sverdlovsk province, Saint Petersburg city, Moscow city, Moscow province and Vladivostok city. Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan emphasized that the Ho Chi Minh City government highly appreciated the efforts and contributions of Russian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Sadykov Timur Sirozhevich and his colleagues in promoting relations between the Vietnamese city and Russia. He expressed his belief that Mr. Sadykov Timur Sirozhevich would continue to promote his role as a bridge, contributing to further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, including friendly relations and cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Russian ministries, branches and localities. Russian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Sadykov Timur Sirozhevich affirmed that Russia's foreign policy priorities include strengthening equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam, a long-standing and trustworthy friend. Looking back on the more than 70 years of cooperation between the two countries, Russia always sees the warmth, trustworthiness, and overcoming of all historical challenges in the relationship between Russia and Vietnam, he added. According to Mr. Sadykov Timur Sirozhevich, Russia and Vietnam have always had closeness and similarities in history, culture and in the personalities of the two peoples. The Treaty on the Basic Principles of Friendly Relations between Russia and Vietnam signed 30 years ago allows the two countries to develop cooperation actively and comprehensively. The Russian Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City added he believed that through joint efforts, Russia and Vietnam would successfully implement all goals for the benefit of the two peoples, and for peace and security in the region./. Vietnamese Ambassador to Geneva Mai Phan Dung speaks at the 112th session of the International Labour Conference. (Photo: VNA) On June 11, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations in Geneva (Switzerland), represented the Vietnamese Government to deliver a speech at the 112th International Labour Conference in Switzerland. This is an annual conference, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) with the participation of government representatives, employers and workers from 187 member countries. The Vietnamese delegation included representatives of the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance. In his speech, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung highly appreciated the initiatives and reports of the ILO Director General in promoting social justice; affirming that Vietnam always prioritizes promoting progress and social justice, considering this as both a goal, task, and a measure to promote sustainable development. The Ambassador said that Vietnam would continue to innovate and improve the legal system to strengthen the social security and welfare system, promote decent and quality jobs, develop human resources, and build an effective labour market, thereby contributing to ensuring a prosperous life for all people according to the motto "leaving no one behind." In his speech at the opening ceremony on June 3, ILO Director General, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo shared that while the global economy is making positive recovery steps after the COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, he expressed concerns about the crises and conflicts taking place in many parts of the world. Mr. Houngbo expressed his hope that this year's conference would be an opportunity for members and partners to discuss measures to promote social justice and equitable transition, thereby creating a foundation for sustainable peace and prosperity. The conference would continue until June 14, focusing on discussing the content of setting labour standards, basic rights and principles in the workplace, and promoting decent work. Also within the framework of this conference, on June 13, the first high-level meeting of the Alliance for Global Social Justice initiative will take place, an initiative strongly promoted by ILO Director General, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo over the past time./. Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam and leaders of overseas Vietnamese associations visit and encourage fire victims in Prague (Photo: VOV) The delegation and the overseas Vietnamese branch launched a donation to support families whose stores were burned. At the event, Ambassador Nam presented 10,000 CZK (about 430 USD) to the fire victims. Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, representative of the leadership of SAPA Shopping Center, said that after the fire, the overseas Vietnamese Association at the SAPA Shopping Center donated 30,000 CZK (about 1,300 USD) to each business household affected by the fire. Donation activities are still ongoing. On behalf of SAPA Shopping Center Management Board, Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang said that it will carry out the work of handling and cleaning up the fire scene and soon rebuild it so that overseas Vietnamese can stabilize their lives. It is expected that within the next month, business households can resume operations. SAPA Shopping Center is the largest one of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, with a total area of about 350,000 square meters and more than 1,000 stalls selling food, consumer and fashion goods, and services. At the end of 2008, a fire also burned down about 10,000 square meters of SAPA Shopping Center's warehouse, causing damage of nearly 6 million USD./. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnams canned tuna exports continued to grow at a high rate in the first months of 2024. In April 2024 alone, canned tuna exports to this market increased by 127%, equivalent to more than 10 million USD. In the first 4 months of the year, exports to this market reached more than 38 million USD, up 102% over the same period last year, and up 25% over the same period in 2022. Processing ocean tuna products for export at the factory of Ba Hai Joint Stock Company. (Photo: VNA) According to statistics from the US Department of Agriculture, Vietnam is currently the second largest supplier of canned tuna for the US market, accounting for 16% of the countrys total import volume, after Thailand. Although the US is increasing imports of canned tuna from Vietnam, the countrys total imports in the first quarter of 2024 decreased slightly from the same period, reaching only nearly 33,000 tons. The US reduced imports from Thailand, the largest supplier of tuna for this market, accounting for 51% of the total import volume. In the first quarter of 2024, the USs canned fish imports from Thailand decreased by 9%. The average price of Thai canned tuna products exported to the US in the first quarter of 2024 fluctuated around 4,422 USD a ton. Along with Vietnam, Mexicos canned tuna exports to the US are also increasing slightly. The average export price of Mexicos canned tuna products to this market in the first quarter of 2024 tends to increase compared to the same period in 2023, fluctuating at 4,735 USD a ton./. Flash The north lawn of the governor-general's residence reverberated with the rhythmic chanting and powerful stamping of the Maori haka on Thursday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro in Wellington, New Zealand, June 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Dressed in traditional attire, Maori dancers displayed prowess and strength, their synchronized movements and facial gestures creating a vibrant spectacle to welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is on an official visit to New Zealand, the first leg of his three-nation tour from June 13 to 20. At the residence, Li met with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro, emphasizing shared development concepts, cultural values, and international perspectives pivotal to bilateral relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to New Zealand and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. Nurtured by pioneers like Rewi Alley, a dedicated New Zealander who spent six decades living and working in China until his passing in Beijing in 1987, the relationship has steadily strengthened over the past decade despite challenges in the international political landscape. During talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Li noted that over the past 10 years, despite changes in the international landscape, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation, and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation. New Zealand's positive stance is evident in being among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with China and the first developed nation to sign and implement a bilateral free trade agreement with China. It also took the lead among Western developed countries in recognizing China's full market economy status. "It's a reflection of the New Zealand culture, as well as its political position of being strongly independent without having to follow necessarily the strong influence from other countries. To recognize China in these 'first ways' is a showing of strength and independent thinking," said John Cochrane, chairman of the New Zealand China Trade Association. Building on the spirit of "striving to be the first," China has solidified its position as New Zealand's largest trading partner and key export destination. Notably, New Zealand has long maintained a surplus in goods and services with China, encountering only three quarterly deficits in the five years ending June 2023. To sustain this positive momentum, Li urged both countries to ensure stable expectations and a conducive business environment. He also expressed China's openness to increased investment from New Zealand. During discussions with Luxon, agreements were made to initiate negotiations on service trade negative list. Meanwhile, cultural and people-to-people exchanges are integral to enhancing mutual understanding and fostering friendships between countries. During the talks, Li reaffirmed China's commitment to strengthening these connections with New Zealand and said China will include New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries and expressed hope for it to facilitate easier travel for Chinese citizens visiting the country. Furthermore, China and New Zealand are staunch supporters of multilateralism, free trade, and an open global economy. Building on this shared commitment, Li called on the two nations to enhance communication and coordination in multilateral fields and to encourage all parties to jointly address challenges and opportunities, foster win-win cooperation. "New Zealand must be an international trading nation. The more that there are open borders, and the more that there are exchanges of goods and services and technologies that can be openly traded, the better off we will all be. Open border benefits in both directions," said Cochrane. After the meeting, Li and Luxon witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on service trade, business environment, export of agricultural and food products to China, science and technology, patent examination, and migratory bird protection, among others. Besides New Zealand, Li will also pay official visits to Australia and Malaysia. The delegation of the Vietnam Women's Union commemorates President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: phunuvietnam.vn) This was part of activities within the framework of the 10th Conference of the Vietnam Women's Union Central Committee, term XIII, which will officially take place on June 13-14 in Ho Chi Minh City. Before the spirit of the great President Ho Chi Minh, the delegation members respectfully expressed deep gratitude for the great contributions and selfless sacrifice for the people and country of President Ho Chi Minh - the leader who devoted his whole life to the cause of fighting for national and class liberation; a shining example of revolutionary heroism, the spirit of fighting solidarity, and revolutionary morality. Delegates spent a minute of silence to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh's contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and nation. After that, the delegation offered incense and flowers to commemorate President Ton Duc Thang, the leader of the working class, a shining example revolutionary morality, wholeheartedly serving the revolution and the people. President Ton Duc Thang, the founder of the Red Trade Union organization, met the urgent needs of the struggle movement of the Vietnamese working class, creating a huge turning point in the movement of revolutionary struggle for liberating the Vietnamese working class and national liberation, making an important contribution to the struggle movement of the world working class./. A young American experiences Chinese calligraphy at Hubei University of Education in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) WUHAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A group of young Americans and Chinese people has completed an adventurous summer journey in central China's Hubei Province, immersing themselves in the ancient traditions and modernity of Chinese culture over an action-packed week. From June 6 to 12, over 40 participants from universities, enterprises and social organizations took part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program, aiming to bridge the gap between young people from both countries through shared experiences and cultural immersion. The journey kicked off amid the misty peaks of the Wudang Mountains, legendary for Taoism and the graceful art of Tai Chi. Laura Hulbert, a graduate student from Northeastern State University, couldn't resist capturing every moment with her camera. "It's breathtaking with the mountains in the background, and learning about the history and the culture of the temples and all the rituals that go into it," said Hulbert, who even found time to try her hand at Tai Chi in its birthplace. "It's good to try something new. There's a lot of practice, dedication and control that goes into this," Hulbert said, adding that she is determined to continue the practice back home. In the bustling capital city of Wuhan, where the mighty Yangtze River meets its tributaries, the group savored the sights during a sunset cruise. Leia Alex, an American artist based in Australia, immediately recognized the iconic Yellow Crane Tower from her mother's oil paintings. "My mom did an art residency in China," said Alex. "Last year, she visited Wuhan, Yichang, Beijing and Hong Kong, and she later painted the places she had been to," she added, proudly displaying her mother's masterpiece of the tower against a backdrop of crimson hues. Alex said she can't wait to capture the essence of China in her own drawings once she gets home. As their boat glided beneath the majestic Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, Makiy Laeyn, an art student from Northeastern State University, marveled at China's engineering prowess. Snapping photos to remember the moment, Laeyn said she had no idea that China had such a variety of stunning bridges and that China had been involved in bridge-building across the globe. Chinese volunteer Wang Leyi, from Hubei University of Education, found the cultural exchange immensely rewarding. "Despite our cultural differences, communication has been seamless. Our American friends have been eager to share their stories, and we've embraced this chance to learn from each other," Wang said. For Laeyn, who was paired with Wang during her Hubei stay, the experience was unforgettable. "Before, I only knew China for its bustling cities and skyscrapers, but this trip has opened my eyes, and I can't wait to return." Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit a conservation center for Yangtze River rare fishes in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit a conservation center for Yangtze River rare fishes in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program experience tie-dye on board an electric tourist ship in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 11, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) A young American experiences Chinese calligraphy at Hubei University of Education in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit the music museum of Wuhan Conservatory of Music in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program visit Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 9, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) A young American experiences shadow play at Wuhan Conservatory of Music in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Participants taking part in a China-U.S. youth exchange program display paper-cut works at Hubei University of Education in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, June 8, 2024.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan) Editor: ZAD This photo taken on June 13, 2024 shows the Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Chinese government-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center was officially handed over to Myanmar on Thursday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center was officially handed over to Myanmar on Thursday. Speaking at a handover ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai congratulated the completion and handover of the project, saying that the China-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control is a landmark project of China-Myanmar friendly cooperation and the largest aid project from China to Myanmar in recent years. Noting that China and Myanmar have always understood and respected each other, Chen said China adheres to the people-centered development concept and will continue to adhere to the friendly policy towards Myanmar for all the Myanmar people, strengthen political mutual trust with Myanmar and deepen practical cooperation to ensure that friendly cooperation between the two countries further benefits the two peoples. On behalf of the Myanmar government, Secretary of the State Administration Council Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe thanked China for the CDC project. With the joint efforts of both countries, the China-aided CDC project has helped Myanmar's national health capacity to meet international standards and effectively improved Myanmar's ability to respond to public health challenges, he said. Myanmar will properly maintain and operate the center and maximize its role in emergency response, training and scientific research, Aung Lin Dwe said, adding that Myanmar is willing to further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China and jointly build a Myanmar-China community with a shared future. The China-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control and Medical Training Center, covering an area of 40,000 square meters and a construction area of 18,000 square meters, also includes Myanmar's only biosafety level 3 laboratory. This photo taken on June 13, 2024 shows the Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Chinese government-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center was officially handed over to Myanmar on Thursday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Secretary of Myanmar's State Administration Council Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe speaks during the handover ceremony of the Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, June 13, 2024. The Chinese government-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center was officially handed over to Myanmar on Thursday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) The handover ceremony of the Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center is held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, June 13, 2024. The Chinese government-aided Myanmar National Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medical Training Center was officially handed over to Myanmar on Thursday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Editor: JYZ Flash The three-day 2024 Group of Seven (G7) summit kicked off Thursday in Borgo Egnazia, a resort near the town of Fasano in southern Italy's Apulia region, amid protests. Leaders of the G7 pose for a group photo with the skydiving flag performers at Borgo Egnazia, near the town of Fasano in Apulia Region, Italy, on June 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The crises in Ukraine and the Middle East and the relations with the Global South top the agenda of the summit. The management of artificial intelligence (AI), issues facing Africa and climate change are also included in the key sessions. Italy is holding the G7 rotating presidency this year. In addition to the G7 leaders, heads of state from over ten other countries and international organizations were invited to attend the conference. On the first day, the group discussed a draft deal for a 50-billion-U.S. dollar loan to Ukraine, using frozen Russian assets as guarantees. In her latest response Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that G7's plans will not benefit the West and may result in new economic crisis. The United States and Japan each signed security agreements with Ukraine, making them the last two G7 members to sign such pacts. Protests against the G7 summit are taking place in many places near the venue. On the opening day, in Brindisi, a city 60 km away from the venue, protesters held Palestinian flags and displayed banners with slogans such as "Boycott the G7," "Stop Destroying the Planet," and "No More War." They criticized the G7 for failing to play a positive role in environmental protection, social justice, and maintaining peace. Lukas Hufert, an art student from Germany, traveled to participate in the protest. He told Xinhua that the G7's handling of international affairs is "full of hypocrisy," likening it to a Trojan horse that appears grand but is filled with selfish schemes inside, "offering no help to the world's vulnerable groups." The G7 comprises Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Flash Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu met with Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Bater in Male on Thursday. Bater said that China and the Maldives are close neighbors that enjoy traditional friendship, stressing that China attaches great importance to the development of ties with the Maldives and is willing to work with the Maldives to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and build a China-Maldives community with a shared future. Muizzu thanked China for its long-term and valuable support for the Maldives' economic and social development, and said that the Maldives firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is committed to strengthening joint construction of the Belt and Road and practical cooperation in various fields with China. Flash Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday announced 5 billion Canadian dollars (3.6 billion U.S. dollars) in funding as the country's contribution to G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans, an initiative of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. At the G7 (Group of Seven) summit in Apulia, Italy, the G7 reached consensus to launch G7 ERA Loans for Ukraine in order to make approximately 69 billion Canadian dollars (50 billion U.S. dollars) in additional funding available to Ukraine by the end of the year, Trudeau said in a press release. "Canada has long advocated for new and innovative ways to support Ukraine," said Trudeau. "Through this initiative, G7 countries would intend to bring forward the future revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets." According to the release, the G7 intends to provide financing that will be serviced and repaid by future flows of extraordinary revenues stemming from the immobilization of Russian sovereign assets held in the European Union and other jurisdictions. Trudeau first proposed freezing the assets of Russia's central bank at the G7 leaders' meeting on Feb. 24, 2022, and in Budget 2022, Canada introduced the world's first legislation to allow the seizure and forfeiture of sanctioned Russian assets. According to local media reports, the Canadian police has frozen 140 million Canadian dollars (102 million U.S. dollars) in Russian assets in Canada since February 2022, and Global Affairs Canada said it ordered the seizure of a Russian plane and a company believed to be tied to a Russian oligarch. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The parliament of Azerbaijan has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of June 15 - National Salvation Day, the Chair of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova said, Trend reports. Gafarova made the remark at today's meeting of the parliament's extraordinary session. A round of applause was given by the members of parliament in support of the proposal. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The activity of Dashalti State Nature Reserve, located on an area of 450 hectares, will be restored in the administrative territories of Shusha and Khojaly districts, which are part of the Karabakh Economic Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. According to the information, the relevant order was signed by Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov. The document stipulates that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources should, within three months, approve the regulation on the reserve; within six months, prepare and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers a map of the sanitary-protective zone of the reserve; take the necessary measures to protect and promote the reserve; provide an inventory of natural complexes located on the territory of the reserve; and, after the completion of the work, submit information about it to the Ministry of Economy, solve other issues arising from this order. Relevant state bodies (institutions) shall take the necessary measures to address the issues arising from this order. The present order comes into force on the day of its signing. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. On June 14, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov received a delegation led by the Deputy Chief of Office for International Military Cooperation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Major General Yao Qin visiting Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The delegation visited the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs), where the flowers were laid at graves of Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and honored their blessed memories. Colonel General Z.Hasanov welcomed the delegation and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. This Minister expressed confidence that such visits would contribute to Azerbaijani-Chinese military cooperation. It was noted that the heads of Azerbaijan and China play a special role in the development of relations between the states in a positive direction. Colonel General Z.Hasanov spoke about the historical significance of the liberation of the long-lasting occupied lands for the Azerbaijani people after the Patriotic War, resulted with the Victory of the Azerbaijan Army under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He noted that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was completely ensured after the anti-terror operation in the Karabakh economic region without damaging any civilian population and infrastructure. The Defense Minister informed the Chinese guests about the current operational conditions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border. Major General Yao Qin expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the importance of such regular meetings to exchange experience between the armies of 2 countries, as well as to further develop relations. The Chinese guest invited the Azerbaijan Defense Minister to attend the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum to be held in Beijing in September, 2024. It was noted that China and Azerbaijan are always ready to provide support for ensuring regional peace and stability. The meeting held extensive discussions on issues of mutual interest between Azerbaijan and China in military, military-technical and military educational fields. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the Agreement on cooperation in the field of defense between the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic," Trend reports. According to the decree, the agreement signed on May 7, 2024, in Baku was approved. After enforcement of this agreement, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan was tasked with notifying the Government of the Slovak Republic about the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the enforcement of the agreement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Trend reports. The message reads: "Dear compatriots! I sincerely congratulate you and all our fellow compatriots living in different corners of the world on the occasion of Eid al-Adha and extend my best wishes to you all. On Eid al-Adha, the embodiment of the spiritual solidarity of Muslims worldwide, believers have the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for any sacrifice for the sake of Allah and religion, experiencing the joy of being close to the Almighty. The religion of Islam, which has made unparalleled contributions to human culture and the treasury of scientific and philosophical ideas, is an important stage in the formation of the world outlook and national-cultural development of the Azerbaijani people. The role of progressive Islamic values in the emergence of exemplary coexistence based on mutual respect and trust and the preservation of ethnic and cultural diversity in our country, where members of different ethnicities and religions live like a friendly family, is truly undeniable. Religious holidays, including Sacrifice ceremonies, have become a celebration of national and spiritual unity, kindness, and compassion in our society. On these blessed holidays, extensive charity and social assistance events are carried out in all parts of our country, and the immortal memory of our martyrs is revered with deep respect. My dear brothers and sisters! With the hope that your prayers and sacrifices for the prosperity and peace of our people will be accepted by Allah, I once again convey my sincere congratulations to all of you. I wish prosperity to your families and blessings to your tables. Happy Eid al-Adha!". BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Agreement between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation and mutual assistance to improve customs administration," Trend reports. According to the decree, "Agreement between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation and mutual assistance to improve customs administration," signed on April 24, 2024, in Baku, was approved. After this agreement enters into force, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan should ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan must send a notification to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the fulfillment of domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Flash This photo taken on Feb. 27, 2022 shows smoke rising in the sky in Kiev, Ukraine. [Photo/Xinhua] The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be used as a tool to smear and contain China, and China urges the United States to immediately stop slapping illegal unilateral sanctions and play a constructive role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict and restoring peace, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a media query concerning a new U.S. anti-Russia sanctions package that includes more than 300 companies, banks and dozens of individuals from Russia and other countries, including China. Lin said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia is inherently logical and highly resilient, and is in the interests of both countries. "China firmly opposes all unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The normal economic and trade interactions between China and Russia should not be interfered with or disrupted, still less be used as a tool to smear and contain China," Lin said. On the Ukraine crisis, it is quite clear to the international community who is calling for dialogue and striving for peace, and who is fueling the fight and inciting confrontation, Lin said. The United States on the one hand continues to pour weapons and munition into Ukraine, yet on the other shifts the blame of undermining peace and protracting the crisis to other countries, Lin said, adding that it even sees the crisis as an opportunity to slap sanctions and suppress others. "All of it reveals Washington's calculations, hypocrisy and what a bully it is," he added. The U.S. unilateral sanctions have created victims all over the world, severely undermined other countries' sovereignty and security, caused humanitarian tragedies and disrupted industrial and supply chains, Lin said. He said since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the United States has even doubled down on sanctions. Wielding the big stick of sanctions does not solve problems, Lin said, adding it will only be a major source of risks for the world. "China did not create and is not a party to the Ukraine crisis, and we will not accept smears, pressuring or blame-shifting," Lin added. He said China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Protocol between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of exchange of information on mutual trade statistics," Trend reports. According to the decree, the "Protocol between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of information exchange on mutual trade statistics" signed on April 24, 2024, in Baku was approved. Following the entry into force of this protocol, the State Customs Committee should ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should send a notification to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the fulfillment of domestic procedures necessary for the protocol to enter into force. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Agreement on cooperation in the legal sphere between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic," Trend reports. According to the decree, the "Agreement on cooperation in the legal sphere between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic," signed on April 24, 2024, in Baku, was approved. Following the entry into force of this agreement, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan must send a notification to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the fulfillment of domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of education and science," Trend reports. According to the decree, the "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of education and science" signed on April 24, 2024, in Baku was approved. Following the entry into force of this agreement, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan should send a notification to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the fulfillment of domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Memorandum of Understanding between the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic on the promotion of public service centers in the Kyrgyz Republic," Trend reports. According to the decree, the "Memorandum of Understanding between the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic on the promotion of public service centers in the Kyrgyz Republic" signed on April 24, 2024, in Baku was approved. Following the entry into force of this Memorandum of Understanding, the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan should ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should send the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic notification of the fulfillment of the domestic procedures necessary for the Memorandum of Understanding to enter into force. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of migration," Trend reports. According to the decree, the "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on cooperation in the field of migration" signed on April 24, 2024, in Baku was approved. Following the entry into force of this agreement, the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan should send a notification to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the fulfillment of domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Ruben Vardanyan's name is staining the Nobel Peace Prize's image, says the article in The National Interest magazine, an American bimonthly international relations publication, Trend reports. The article references an investigative report titled "The Troika Laundromat," which highlights Ruben Vardanyan, a fugitive Russian billionaire of Armenian origin, who proclaimed himself a so-called "leader" of separatists in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, and engaged in illegal activities concerning the source of his income. Consequently, Vardanyan's inclusion on the list of nominees is described as "raising eyebrows". "The prestigious prizes nomination process has become a free-for-all exercise in zero-cost PR for some of the worlds most disreputable people," he added. The author questions why the Nobel authorities allow such damage to their prestigious reputation. "The answer is bizarrely simple: their own rules prevent them, now as in 1939, from blocking such reputationally damaging nominations. To be granted the illustrious status of nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, all it takes is for one person from this bewildering, open-ended list to put forward your nameno questions asked. And while the Nobel Prize Committee does not itself announce names, there is nothing to prevent anyone else, candidate or lobbyist, from bragging about a trumped-up nomination. That simple fact explains why someone like Vardanyan gets through the door," the article concludes. Vardanyan was detained by the law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan in September 2023 while attempting to escape from Karabakh. He is charged under articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code for financing terrorism, participating in the creation and operation of illegal armed groups, and illegally crossing the state border of Azerbaijan. At present, investigative and operational measures against him are underway. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. A few days ago, we spread the word that Armenian separatism still continues on some international travel platforms. Thus, when searching on well-known travel platforms such as Airbnb and TripAdvisor, the names of settlements in Karabakh, once Armenianized, pop up, and one can see that the "sale" of various catering facilities in these territories continues. In spite of our pleas to the travel platforms Airbnb and TripAdvisor on this matter, they keep dodging the issue. For almost thirty years, Armenians have used the ancestral Azerbaijani lands occupied by them - Karabakh and East Zangezur - for their own purposes, including tourism. On international tourism platforms, they tried to present the occupied Azerbaijani lands to the world as their own. Their main goal was to misinform people coming to these territories and present them as "historical Armenian lands." But once our lands were liberated from occupation, the world realized that Azerbaijan was the real owner of them. Nonetheless, it is intolerable that global travel websites like Airbnb and TripAdvisor promote hotels and eateries that were functioning unlawfully in Karabakh throughout the occupation. The secretary general of the Azerbaijan Tourist Guides Association Tural Musayev told Trend that the placement of these ads is a fraud. "To prevent the placement of such ads, we need to look at their IP addresses to see where they are linked to. These IP addresses can be blocked. However, if Armenians are posting ads on international platforms like Airbnb, and TripAdvisor, you can complain en masse and have them removed. Usually, the administration of these ad sites first conducts proceedings, and if the filed complaint is confirmed, they eliminate the problem themselves," he said. Expert Rahman Guliyev noted that for almost thirty years, Armenians have been using the ancestral Azerbaijani lands occupied by them for their purposes. "They also used Azerbaijani lands for tourism purposes. The aim was also to raise the profile of tourism in Karabakh, and attract the attention of the world. On international tourism platforms, they tried to pass off the occupied Azerbaijani lands to the world as their own. Their main goal was to misinform people coming to these territories and present them as "historical Armenian lands.". However, after the liberation of our lands from occupation, the world saw that the true owner of these territories is Azerbaijan. It is unacceptable that international tourism platforms such as Airbnb and TripAdvisor still label tourist sites and restaurants that were illegally operating in Karabakh during the occupation. Armenia is not abandoning its insidious policy. In our territories, which were under Armenian occupation for almost 30 years, the tourist infrastructure was also destroyed," he said. According to Guliyev, the territory of Karabakh has great tourist potential. "Before the Armenian occupation, about 80,000100,000 tourists visited these territories during the year. Although we could not enter any tourist markets at that time, nevertheless, this infrastructure served the population living there. The damage caused by Armenians in Karabakh to Azerbaijani tourism alone is estimated at $100 billion. Advertisements posted after the occupation of our lands by Armenians on various platforms to attract tourists to Karabakh remain to this day on platforms such as Airbnb, and TripAdvisor. Azerbaijani lands were liberated from occupation, and the placement of these ads by Armenians shows their perfidy. They are already used to lying, and the similar ads they post are irrelevant. Nevertheless, we must insist and seek the removal of such ads from these platforms," he said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 15. One of the greatest challenges faced by the Azerbaijani people in modern history was the tragedies and political crises that occurred after the departure of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev from political power. In October 1987, Heydar Aliyev resigned in protest against the policies of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. Shortly after his resignation, Armenian nationalists demanded the secession of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region from Azerbaijan and its transfer to Armenia. If Heydar Aliyev had been in power, the Armenian nationalists would not have dared to make such attempts. Early years of independence and the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party-Musavat rule The incompetent governance of the country by Azerbaijani Popular Front Party-Musavat in the early years of Azerbaijan's independence caused serious problems in the country. There was no system of state administration, armed groups intensified separatist tendencies in different parts of the country, and this situation brought the country face to face with the threat of civil war. Thinking only about how to stay in power, this tandem, neglecting the interests of the people and plundering state property, brought the country to a deplorable state. Heydar Aliyev's rescuing mission Heydar Aliyev returning to Baku in June 1993 at the insistence of the Azerbaijani people, who saw him as the only leader capable of saving Azerbaijan in the current situation, rescued the country from its woes. Under his leadership, order was restored in the country, a regular army was created, and the foundations of economic development were laid. June 15 - National Salvation Day On June 15, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and this date went down in history as the day when Azerbaijan was saved from a deep crisis. This day became a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan's independence and was declared by the Azerbaijani Parliament as National Salvation Day. Today, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has transformed into a dynamically developing state with growing international prestige. The country's victory in the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 is also a logical result of this political course. June 15 - National Salvation Day will remain in history as a turning point on the path to Azerbaijan's independence and development and will be associated with the name of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. This day symbolizes the rescuing mission of Heydar Aliyev and the unity of the Azerbaijani people around him. The Azerbaijani people will always honor the bright memory of Heydar Aliyev and continue to pass on his political legacy to future generations. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. A delegation headed by Serbian Minister of Defense Bratislav Gasic has arrived in Azerbaijan on an official visit at the invitation of the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. The Serbian delegation first visited the Alley of Honor, where they laid flowers at the graves of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva. The guests also visited the Alley of Martyrs, where they laid flowers at the graves of Azerbaijani martyrs who gave their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and placed a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. An official welcoming ceremony was then organized at the Ministry of Defense. The defense ministers of both countries passed in front of the honor guard. The national anthems of both countries were played. In accordance with protocol, Gasic signed the Book of Honor. Colonel-General Hasanov, welcoming the guests, noted the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia based on strategic partnership and emphasized the importance of further developing joint military cooperation. The Azerbaijani minister, touching upon the regional situation, noted that after the 2020 second Karabakh war and the local anti-terror measures conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Karabakh in September 2023, the units of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed formations were completely withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijan. Hasanov invited Gasic to the 5th Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX), which will be held in Baku in September 2024. The Serbian minister expressed satisfaction with the official visit to Azerbaijan. Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality, the Serbian minister congratulated Azerbaijan on the victory in the second Karabakh war. He highlighted the readiness for cooperation in all areas between Azerbaijan and Serbia. The meeting held a detailed exchange of views on the current state and prospects for the development of relations in the military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres, as well as regional security, and discussed a number of issues of common interest. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The world is experiencing a very difficult historical stage. The borders of states in the world are changing rapidly. Not every state and politician can further strengthen statehood and establish new ties in international relations while such a difficult period is going on. Against the backdrop of all these events, we are witnessing the process of Azerbaijan and Turkiye becoming very important actors in the region as well as in the international global sphere. Joint decision-making by Baku and Ankara on various global and regional developments creates the need for further, more decisive, and strong-willed steps by both countries. Azerbaijan and Turkiye, following the 44-day II Karabakh war, signed a declaration on 15 June 2021, taking a historic step, which will change the geopolitical landscape of the region. This declaration is also a worthy message to the foes of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. This declaration is an example of the integration of the Azerbaijani and Turkish states in all spheres. The most important thing is that this declaration means a new historical reality for the region. Nowadays, the alliance of Turkiye and Azerbaijan, supporting each other in the struggle for the justice, is a very important issue. This importance grew especially with the Shushin Declaration, signed in the presence of the heads of state of the two countries. For the first time in our history, the Azerbaijani leader met a foreign head of state in Karabakh - Shusha. The signing of the Declaration on Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkiye in Shusha, which has an important spiritual significance for us, became an indicator of trust in each other, a blow to the foe. Furthermore, it is of special symbolic significance that the Shusha Declaration was signed exactly on the Day of National Salvation of the Azerbaijani people - June 15, and on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Kars, which is considered very important for Karabakh and Zangezur. We are witnessing the repetition of history and similar events. Even now, there is an overt struggle for the region by states such as the US, Russia, Britain, France, and Iran. However, the difference this time is that the events are unfolding in favor of and in the interests of Azerbaijan. It is not by chance that while signing the declaration with the Turkish leader in Shusha, the Azerbaijani head of state recalled the Kars Treaty. He said, "The Joint Declaration refers to the historic Kars Agreement. The historic Kars agreement was signed exactly 100 years ago. This also has a great symbolic meaning. The Joint Declaration on allied relations signed in the liberated city of Shusha after 100 years shows the direction of our future cooperation. The Declaration covers many important issues. At the international level, it dwells upon our cooperation, joint activities, political relations, economic and trade relations, culture, education, sports, youth policy and practically all other areas. It demonstrates the importance of energy security and the Southern Gas Corridor for Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Europe". Of course, it is not by chance that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev refers to the Kars Agreement and what happened 100 years ago. Because similar processes that took place 100 years ago are being repeated now. Just with one difference. If then the outcome of events ended for the benefit of Armenia and its patrons, today the new reality that has emerged in the South Caucasus means the direct victory of the Azerbaijani state and people. As a result of the forward-looking policy of our head of state, our people have restored historical justice exactly 100 years later. The Shusha Declaration is a historical reality that the whole world must reconcile with. This declaration, aimed at combining capabilities in defense of the common interests of both countries as well as mutual coordination of their activities in regional and international strategic issues of common interest, is considered the beginning of building a new regional geopolitical configuration under the leadership of Baku and Ankara. This was the destruction of the geopolitical configurations that had existed in the region for almost 200 years and the beginning of a new regional order that would henceforth continue under the leadership of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye tandem. Nowadays, we are already witnessing this process. The world superpowers will no longer be able to take steps on any issue related to the processes in the region without taking into account the desires and interests of Baku and Ankara. The importance of the Shusha Declaration in the current course of events is undeniable. The Shusha Declaration, signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Erdogan is a revolutionary reality in the relationship between the two countries. It was on this date (June 15, 2021) that Baku and Ankara officially declared their alliance in the military, political, and economic spheres. Nowadays, many foreign powers and states seeking to put their paws on the region are concerned about the fact that this alliance is growing stronger day by day. As the Declaration notes, in the event of a threat or encroachment on the territorial integrity or sovereignty of two states by a third state or states, they will defend each other. This is also a very important message for certain non-regional and neighboring states, including the revanchist forces in Armenia, who today make territorial claims against Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The two brotherly countries also agreed on joint efforts to reform and modernize the armed forces of the two states in line with modern requirements, to implement measures aimed at strengthening their defense capability and military security, as well as to enhance the defense capabilities of the armed forces of the two countries. The adoption in the Declaration of the decision to hold regular joint meetings of the security councils of the two countries on national security issues is another indicator of how close and principled relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are. It implies that thereafter, Azerbaijan and Turkiye will jointly act against threats and instantly foil any insidious attempts at interference. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 31 Winners were Selected from 2,000 Students The final stage of the "AZERCELL CUP 2024" competition, organized within the framework of collaboration between "Azercell Telecom", the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Education Institute, has concluded. 31 students from schools in Baku, Ganja, Sumqayit, Guba, Goychay, Khachmaz, and Balakan achieved outstanding results in the "AZERCELL CUP 2024", a competition aimed at supporting the development of students in informatics and computer science. According to the competition's rules, the winners will be enrolled in preparation classes for international informatics olympiads starting from the next academic year. It should be noted that the competition, consisting of three stages, was organized to assess the algorithmic thinking of 6th and 7th-grade students using two programming languages, Python and C++. A trial exam was also conducted to familiarize schoolchildren with the competition environment. In total, 2009 applications were received for the trial round and the first stage of the competition. During the competition, over 5,000 solutions were evaluated. Based on the results, 165 participants advanced to the semifinal round, and 51 distinguished participants qualifying for the final. Since 2017, the preparation process for international olympiads in informatics has been supported by "Azercell Telecom" LLC. During this period, students from both the regions and the capital of Azerbaijan have won a total of 70 medals in various programming competitions across different age groups. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Karabakh University in Azerbaijan will pay its teachers more than the national average each month, Azerbaijani Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev told reporters in Baku today, Trend reports. This year marks the inaugural academic year at the university, and while we may encounter a few hiccups along the way, we are determined to collectively establish and strengthen Karabakh University. The university primarily focuses on providing advantages for students. Teachers will receive housing and salaries that comply with university norms. There will be an influx of qualified educators to the university, the minister explained. To note, Karabakh has a longstanding tradition of higher education. In 1969, the region saw the founding of its first higher education institution, a branch of the Azerbaijan Pedagogical Institute. This institution operated as a higher education facility from 1973 to 1988. During the Armenian occupation period, its activities were halted. As a result of local anti-terror measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September 2023, Azerbaijan liberated the city of Khankendi. Then, Karabakh University was established by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 28, 2023. Classes at the newly established university are scheduled to start on September 15, 2024. The Charter of Karabakh University was endorsed by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on February 6, 2024. Furthermore, on February 15, 2024, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan received an allocation of 10 million manat ($5.9 million) from the President's reserve fund, ordered by President Ilham Aliyev, for the establishment of Karabakh University. Shahin Bayramov was appointed rector of Karabakh University on May 20 of this year. According to his decision, Kaklik Gozalova was appointed dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Elmar Mustafayev - dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Turkar Gasimzade - dean of the Faculty of Arts. The university schedules study at the bachelor's level in six faculties: pedagogy, economics, humanities and social sciences, engineering, art, and tourism. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel FUZULI, Azerbaijan, June 14. Graduating students in reopened schools in Azerbaijan's liberated territories from occupation ring the "Last Bells" on yet another momentous occasion in the country's history, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports. A holiday was celebrated, and the "Last Bell" was rung at Mirzo Ulugbek Full Secondary School No. 1 in the nation's Fuzuli city. The school, which has 465 students, has 8 graduates. The event was attended by Eldar Seyidov, Chief Advisor of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, Deputy Minister of Science and Education Firudin Gurbanov, representatives of the Karabakh Regional Education Department, staff of the school; and residents of Fuzuli town. In remembrance of the martyrs, the national song was played, and a minute of silence was observed. The ceremony began with a flag-waving procession of the graduating class. The speakers congratulated the school staff and wished them success. It was noted that the victorious army of Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President, and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev liberated Azerbaijani lands from occupation with a brilliant victory. Life has begun to revive in Fuzuli, one of the lovely corners of Karabakh, and other districts of the country released from occupation, thanks to the attention and care of the Head of State. This heralds a happy future for the citizens of Fuzuli. It was emphasized that the number of educational institutions in Fuzuli will increase. Furthermore, it was mentioned that Mirzo Ulugbek Full Secondary School No. 1, inaugurated by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirzizoyev, and his spouse Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyev, is considered one of the fraternal symbols of the Turkic world. After the lively musical program and the impressive performance of students in their traditional attire, the "Last Bell" rang out, marking the end of the school year and the symbolic passing of the school key to the next group of students. To note, the last time "Last Bell" was celebrated in Fuzuli city was in 1992, and in that year, about 60 pupils born in 1975 became the last graduates. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The investigation into the criminal case regarding the death of a serviceman of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan continues, Trend reports via the statement of the Prosecutor General's Office. The statement pointed out that the Military Prosecutor's Office of Nakhchivan continues preliminary investigation into the criminal case initiated under Article 120.2.12 of the Criminal Code (premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances) on finding the dead body of the servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army, soldier Jeyhun Huseynov, who went missing under unknown circumstances, after two days in the direction of Gunnut settlement in Sharur district of Nakhchivan. In the criminal case, forensic, complex forensic ballistic, fingerprint, and trace examinations were ordered, the scene of the incident and the body were examined, witnesses were questioned, and the necessary investigative actions were carried out with the seizure of items significant in the case as material evidence. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan expresses deep condolences to the family and relatives of the serviceman in connection with the incident and informs that, in accordance with the requirements of the law, all necessary measures will be taken in the criminal case and further details will be announced," the statement explained. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Bank Respublika received an award at the IV Republican Forum of Young Blood Donors On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14, the "IV Republican Forum of Young Blood Donors" was held to support the development of voluntary and unpaid blood donation. The forum was organized in partnership with the Blood Donors Association, the Central Blood Bank, the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Red Hearts Foundation. The main purpose of the forum was to support the development of blood donation in our country, inform people about the importance of voluntary blood donation, encourage more people to volunteer and at the same time educate society in the direction of blood donation. During the forum, Bank Respublika was awarded for its active participation and support in the development of blood donation in Azerbaijan. It should be noted that Bank Respublika employees regularly participate in blood donation campaigns, contributing to the support of people with chronic and hereditary blood diseases. Every year the bank under the slogan Lets support, let the smiles multiply! organizes a voluntary blood donation campaign, in which both management and bank employees participate. Bank Respublika encourages everyone to take part in such events and support those in need as a donor! You can get more detailed information on the official website of the bank, as well as on facebook, instagram, linkedin, telegram pages or by calling the Bank's Call Center at 144. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Tickets for the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex (in Azerbaijan's Absheron district) cost five manat ($2.9) for locals and 15 manat ($8.8) for foreign tourists, Chairman of the Board of the Reserves Management Center of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan Murad Aghabayli told reporters, Trend reports. He mentioned that entry to the complex is complimentary for family members of martyrs and veterans, as well as for schoolchildren. To note, mud volcanoes, an interesting natural phenomenon, exist in many countries around the world. Azerbaijan is known as a region of rare and classic mud volcanoes. Of the more than 2,000 known mud volcanoes on Earth, over 350 are located in eastern Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea basin. They are mainly found on the Absheron Peninsula, a group of islands around Baku, Shamakhi, Gobustan, and southeastern Shirvan. At the Mud Volcano Tourism Complex, visitors may see the Gilinj mud volcanoes, eight mounds in a row. The widespread volcanic breccia (huge ground rocks) contains two northeastern bands. Breccia distribution covers 20 hectares and spans from 300 to 500 meters. The width of the strips reaches up to 50 meters in some places. Although 60 percent of the volcanoes in Azerbaijan are considered active, strong eruptions of the Gilinj volcano haven't been recorded in scientific sources. Overall, the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex covers an area of 12 hectares and includes an administrative building. The newly established tourism infrastructure has generated over 60 job opportunities for local residents, particularly those from surrounding areas. The Tourism Information Center at the complex features an exhibition hall and workshop. At the center, visitors can obtain information about the characteristics of mud volcanoes, their natural and therapeutic properties, and explore a model of a mud volcano. Furthermore, the center showcases around 80 rare minerals collected from across Azerbaijan. The exposition includes the names of mineral samples, their chemical composition, and information about the deposits from which they were sourced. Workshops on pottery and oil painting will also be organized. The exhibition hall dedicated to natural history garners great interest with its wealth of exhibits. The hall sections like "Big Cats," "Fauna of Gobustan," "Traces of Wild Animals of Azerbaijan," "World of Insects of Azerbaijan," and "Skeletons of Small Animals" showcase skeletons of wild and domestic animalsrepresentatives of Azerbaijani and global faunaas well as insects, amphibians, and reptiles found in Azerbaijan. Each animal skeleton on display is authentic, bioethical, and collected by Azerbaijani professionals decades after the animals' deaths. The natural history display showcases Azerbaijan's animals' diversity. This includes 98 animal skeletons from Azerbaijan and around the world, 870 dried insect species, 57 specimens in specific solutions, reptiles and amphibians, and paleontological exhibits. To increase the interest of children and students in the surrounding world and to give them an understanding of the displayed skeletons, photographs of various animals are hung on the walls. Information is also provided about the habitats of several animals protected in Azerbaijan's national parks, including the leopard, bezoar goat, gazelle, and Caspian seal. The "Minerals" exhibition at the complex features about 80 different types of minerals found in Azerbaijan. Its visitors can see beautiful and rare gemstones, crystals, and geological samples brought from all corners of the country from Gobustan to Nakhchivan. The first part of the two-part exhibition showcases samples of breccia formed as a result of mud volcano eruptions, while the other part displays minerals found in various mineral deposits in Azerbaijan. The visitors are also provided with information about the Earth's surface, geological processes, and the formation of rocks and minerals. The creation of modern tourist infrastructure around mud volcanoes will raise public awareness of these volcanoes located in the region and promote their recognition as natural heritage. A 110-seat restaurant, walking path, panoramic viewing point and platform, and parking lot have been built on the Mud Volcano Tourist Complex to make tourist movement easier. Additionally, the tourists will have the opportunity to take part in a tour of this territory with difficult terrain on quadracycles, an environmentally friendly form of transport. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Minister of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan Vugar Mustafayev received a delegation headed by Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia Bratislav Gasic, who is in Azerbaijan on a working visit, on June 14, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Industry Ministry. With a warm welcome, Mustafayev congratulated Minister Gasic on his new appointment and expressed satisfaction to see representatives of a friendly and partner country in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, Mustafayev emphasized the special role of the heads of state in the development of relations between the two countries, noted the existence of close cooperation in the sphere of the defense industry, as well as in many other directions, and expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the transfer of new technologies, as well as partnership in the spheres of joint production. Will be updated Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. On June 14, at 13:55, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions located in the direction of Boyuk Vedi region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. Azerbaijan Army Units took retaliatory measures in the mentioned direction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The Azerbaijani parliament has approved the execution of the state budget for 2023 after discussing the relevant draft law, Trend reports. Revenues from budget implementation are estimated to be 35.2 billion manat ($20.7 billion), while expenditures are estimated to be 36.45 billion manat ($21.4 billion), according to the draft law. The paper was voted on after the discussion and passed in its third reading. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 14. The US is one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan's economy, with total direct foreign investments exceeding $65 billion, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said as he received US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, Trend reports. "Last year, trade between our countries hit a record high of $4.1 billion, marking a 30 percent increase. Currently, over 600 US companies are successfully operating in Kazakhstan. I place great importance on enhancing investment appeal, liberalizing the economy, and supporting industrial development," said Tokayev. The US trade rep emphasized new strategies for developing trade relations and creating the necessary conditions to strengthen economic cooperation, particularly within the framework of the Trade and Investment Agreement. The volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the US amounted to $4.1 billion in 2023. The volume of trade turnover increased by 32.7 percent compared to the same period in 2022 ($3.053 billion). At the same time, exports to the US for the above period amounted to $1.509 billion, which is 30.1 percent more than from January through December 2022 ($1.152 billion). In addition, imports from the US from January through December 2023 increased by 33.7 percent and amounted to $2.541 billion. In 2022, imports amounted to $1.9 billion. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a 15 million equity investment in Eldrive Holding GmbH (Eldrive), a leading regional operator of electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Romania, Trend reports. By 2028, Eldrive plans to install and operate 7,400 new EV charging stations, significantly expanding the current infrastructure of 900 stations across these countries. This investment is part of a collaborative effort with Renalfa Solarpro Group, Eldrives owner, during the initial development phase. Additionally, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a 40 million venture debt facility to support the project. The initiative aligns with the European Unions commitment to decarbonisation. In 2022, the transport sector accounted for 22 percent of global CO2 emissions, prompting EU countries to accelerate the deployment of clean electric mobility solutions. The EU Green Deal aims to establish one million public EV charging stations by 2025 and three million by 2030. Currently, central, southern, and eastern European markets lag behind their western counterparts in the availability of EV charging stations. Eldrive's expansion is expected to accelerate EV adoption and contribute to the decarbonisation of transport, a crucial step at this early market development stage. Renalfa Solarpro Group, an Austrian-based clean energy and e-mobility investment firm, is actively involved in renewable energy projects. The group is currently developing solar and wind power projects with a total capacity of 3 GW across Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, and Romania. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The Middle Corridor's expansion and modernization will have a substantial impact on regional commerce in Central Asia, Regional Head of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ayten Rustamova told Trend in an exclusive interview. To supplement the Eurasian Northern Corridor, a research released in June 2023 by the EBRD suggests that the Trans-Caspian Corridorwhich will unite Central Asian nationsmay be the optimal route for freight transportation. Regional trade within Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, will greatly benefit from the upgrading and expansion of this transport corridor. We believe that Turkmenistan should be part of this undertaking. Our bank is discussing possible infrastructure projects related to the Trans-Caspian Corridor with the authorities of Turkmenistan, she said. The EBRD revealed that the report has identified the following investment needs for Turkmenistan: developing a logistics center at the Turkmenistan-Kazakh border (46 million euros), the Turkmenbashi-Karabogaz (border with Kazakhstan) road rehabilitation project (51 million euros), the Turkmenbashi-Gyzylgaya-Konye-Urgench road rehabilitation and reconstruction project (291 million euros), as well as an increase in the capacity of the Uzen-Bolashak-Bereket line (564 million euros). Our bank stated its readiness to invest around 1.2 billion euros in the Trans-Caspian Corridor related infrastructure and associated transport solutions over the next 23 years. We have already invested in a number of transport infrastructure projects, such as a sovereign loan of 44.2 million euros for the reconstruction of a 30 km (Balbay Batyr-Karakol) section of the Issyk-Kul Lake ring road in Kyrgyzstan. As part of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, the upgraded road will improve the countrys transit potential and regional connectivity, she said. The initiative will help lower annual CO emissions by 16,000 tons by 2050, according to Rustamova, with funding from the Turkiye-EBRD Cooperation Fund. "We would also like to mention the financial package of up to 11 million euros to the Kyrgyz Railways national company (Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, or KTJ) organized by the EBRD. It consists of a 12-year sovereign loan of 8 million euros and a 3 million euro grant provided by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund. The funds will allow KTJ to replace its obsolete open-railcar rolling stock for the transportation of construction materials and agricultural produce," she said. The regional head highlighted that the KTJ plans to allocate funds towards the restoration of vital railway infrastructure, including the avalanche protection gallery in the Boom gorge. In a wider Central Asia region, we are exploring a number of public-private partnership initiatives and sustainable infrastructure projects, that will contribute to the fluidity of cargo traffic across the country and along the Trans-Caspian route, she added. Moreover, she mentioned that Mark Bowman, the Vice President for Policy and Partnerships at the EBRD, recently visited Turkmenistan in March 2024 and met with the countrys president, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This was the first visit of a high-ranking EBRD official to the country since 2019. Our Bank expressed its readiness to re-engage with Turkmenistans private sector not only through advisory projects but also through lending to companies. Historically, the EBRD has a lot of experience working with local private businesses in Turkmenistan, and we are eager to reengage and expand this cooperation. The EBRD would also be interested in exploring other areas for cooperation, such as water management, green energy, transport connectivity, and work through financial intermediaries. The Bank can use its experience and resources to support bankable projects, that could address the issue of water scarcity in Turkmenistan. It stands ready to explore the countrys potential for the development of renewable energy and tap into the positive experience we have in this field in the neighbouring countries of Central Asia, Rustamova added. Additionally, she mentioned that the EBRD re-engaged with Kyrgyzstan's energy sector last year, leading to initiatives that will enhance the country's ability to withstand climate change. Last year we had the highest operational result in Kyrgyzstan over the last 5 years, and I am very proud. 67 percent of our projects were in the private sector, and almost 40 percent of these investments were green. In fact, it is our ambition to become a majority green bank by 2025. We played a role in fostering inclusive employment opportunities, supporting innovative entrepreneurial endeavors, and advancing climate-resilient technologies within the country. It would be fair to say that we have an ongoing and fruitful dialogue with the national authorities, which translates into increased public sector lending, she said. The bank's largest hydropower investment in 20 years, the regional head said, was a loan to improve the national electricity transmission and distribution grid and a loan to restore and modernize the Lebedinovskaya hydropower plant. The EBRD also pledged new funds to support the modernization of water supply services in the Batken and Jalal Abad regions of Kyrgyzstan in the context of its Kyrgyz Water Sector Resilience Framework. Our bank also signed a sovereign loan to upgrade a 30-kilometer section of the Issyk-Kul Lake Ring Road. The project will help modernize key transport infrastructure, which will help improve the countrys connectivity and tourism potential in the Issyk-Kul area, Rustamova said. She mentioned that in 2023, the EBRD also wrapped up the Bishkek landfill project, bringing significant environmental advantages to over one million residents in Kyrgyzstan's capital. Finally, we continued rolling out our flagship programmes such as the Green Economy Financing Facility, designed to support green and innovative solutions, and Green Cities, helping to tackle environmental challenges and encouraging investment in municipal infrastructure. The Bank also launched a seven-year Youth in Business programme to help youth entrepreneurs and address the issue of employment in Central Asia and Kyrgyzstan, Rustamova said. She further pointed out that last year, the EBRD marked 30 years of operations in Tajikistan. Over these years, we have enjoyed excellent cooperation with the authorities, both central and regional, and the business community. This allowed us to invest nearly 990 million euros in almost 170 projects in Tajikistan during this period. Our funds have supported good entrepreneurial initiative and essential upgrades in various sectors ranging from energy, water, and transport to banking and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our activity in Tajikistan rests on the country strategy approved in 2020 and developed jointly with the government. It is helping to boost the resilience, modernization, and regional integration of the national economy. We have also started country diagnostics in preparation for a new country strategy, she said. The regional head noted that during the visit of EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso to Tajikistan in late April, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the EBRD and the National Bank of Tajikistan to develop the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (WE Finance Code). This is a commitment by providers of financial services, regulators, development banks, and other stakeholders to jointly increase financial assistance to women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises. Most recently, at the Banks Annual Meeting, the EBRD signed deals collectively worth $15 million with Tajikistan's bank Arvand and the microlender HUMO. They will use funds to promote green lending and support women and youth entrepreneurship in Tajikistan, she said. Talking about cooperation in agriculture, she pointed out that for almost a decade, the EBRD and the EU worked together on the Enhanced Competitiveness of Tajik Agribusiness Programme. It was successfully completed in May 2023 and contributed to the competitiveness and sustainability of Tajikistans agribusiness sector, which employs around half of the countrys able population. The EBRD channelled over $24.5 million to over 1,220 farmers across Tajikistan. These loans were provided both directly and through the EBRD partner banks and supported by EU grants worth 5.65 million euros, she said. Rustamova pointed out that investments greased the wheels for acquiring cutting-edge tractors, state-of-the-art irrigation systems, top-notch cold storage units, high-tech greenhouses, streamlined poultry production lines, and advanced agriculture processing machinery. We are very proud of this experience and look forward to implementing more similar programmes in the future. The EBRD is also sharing risk on loans provided by domestic lenders to local agribusiness producers. For example, we shared half of the risk on the loan extended by Bank Eskhata to leading vegetable grower MMK AGRO, the regional head added. She went on to say that the EBRD has recently promised extra funding to make Tajikistan's power supply more stable and long-lasting by setting up a credit line of up to 31 million euros for the country's transmission network operator, Shabaqahoi Intiqoli Barq. The facility consists of two EBRD sovereign loans totaling up to 23 million euros and an investment grant of up to 8 million euros. The funds will help rehabilitate the existing transformer and construct a new one at the Sugd-500 substation in the north of the country. The project will also be supported by an investment grant of up to 2 million euros from the Sustainable Infrastructure Fund, she said. Rustamova added that this project builds on the success of the EBRDs recently completed Sugd energy loss-reduction project, which demonstrated the effectiveness of modern metering and billing systems by cutting network losses in the regions main city of Khujand from 27 percent to 10 percent and by improving payment collections to nearly 100 percent. Supported by grant funds from the Sustainable Infrastructure Fund and the Japan-EBRD Cooperation Fund, this project is expected to bring significant environmental benefits to the Sugd region, such as an annual reduction in CO 2 emissions of 129,000 tonnes. It will also help to ensure the smooth introduction to the grid of pilot renewable energy projects in the Sugd region, she said. The regional head also highlighted the Qairokkum HPP rehabilitation project, where the EBRD mobilised concessional financing from Climate Investment Funds and the Green Climate Fund to finance the modernisation of a 60-year-old hydropower plant that provides electricity to almost 500,000 people Lastly, when discussing the EBRD's medium-term plans, she said the Kyrgyzstan EBRD country strategy, adopted in 2019, focuses on: fostering sustainable growth by strengthening regional cross-border linkages; enabling SMEs to scale-up and bolster competitiveness; and promoting sustainability of public utilities through commercialisation and private sector participation. Our next five-year plan is also now under development, she said. Moreover, activity of the bank in Tajikistan rests on the country strategy approved in 2020 and developed jointly with the government. It is aimed at helping to boost the resilience, modernisation, digitalisation and regional integration of the national economy. Turkmenistan is refocusing its efforts on the private sector, infrastructure, water, and renewable energy, Rustamova concluded. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 14. Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Tajikistan is expected next month, Trend reports. According to Tajikistan's Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, this was announced during a meeting between Tajikistan's Minister of Energy, Daler Juma, and China's Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Zhu Leiming, on the sidelines of the Third High-Level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028" in Dushanbe. It was noted that this visit will further strengthen cooperation between Tajikistan and China in the water and energy sectors. Representatives from the energy sector discussed issues such as the rational use of water resources, joint scientific research and development in efficient management, and rational use of water resources. Additionally, they addressed matters concerning the security of hydraulic structures, the improvement of irrigation on arable lands, the mitigation of climate change impacts, the joint development and implementation of water management projects, and the mobilization of various financial resources for their realization, among other topics. To note, in May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, announced the upcoming state visit of President China to Tajikistan in 2024. However, he did not specify any specific dates for this event. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 14. Minister of Agriculture of Tajikistan Kurbon Hakimzoda, and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario have discussed investments in the agricultural sector, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the Third High-Level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028" in Dushanbe. During the meeting, the parties addressed climate change issues, rising global food prices, land irrigation, the availability of drought-resistant crop seeds, increasing crop yields and improving pasture conditions, digitization of agriculture, and other matters. Since 2008, IFAD's direct investments in Tajikistan have amounted to $115 million. With IFAD's support, Tajikistan has implemented projects such as the Khatlon Livelihoods Support Project, the Livestock and Pasture Development Project, Livestock and Pasture Development Project II, and the Community-Based Agricultural Support Project. I Moreover, Community-Based Agricultural Support Project Plus has been adopted, with implementation scheduled to continue until 2030. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 14. Saidjaffar Usmonzoda, a parliament member and former chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, has been stripped of parliamentary immunity and taken into custody, Trend reports. The decision was made by the lower house of the parliament of Tajikistan. Tajikistan's Attorney General, Yusuf Rahmon, informed lawmakers that the General Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal case against Usmonzoda for crimes related to a violent attempt to seize power. According to the Attorney General, in September 2021, Usmonzoda discussed over the phone with the deputy head of the "Paimon Milli Tajikiston," a terrorist organization, plans for seizing power in the country. Usmonzoda was promised financial assistance and the transfer of over 3,000 militants across the border into Tajikistan. It was noted that to commit this crime, Usmonzoda asked a representative of one of the foreign countries for $10 million to attract influential people and organize rallies. On May 11, at the 18th extraordinary congress of the party, Saidjaffar Usmonzoda was removed from the position of party chairman due to "unsatisfactory performance". DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 14. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) highly values its close relationship with Tajikistan and remains dedicated to providing ongoing support to help the country become more resilient and sustainable, ADBs Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov said during the Third High-Level International Conference on International Decade for Action, Water for Sustainable Development, in Dushanbe, Trend reports. He highlighted the urgency of enhancing resilience to escalating climate challenges and extreme weather conditions, along with fostering a robust private sector. This approach aims to support Tajikistan in achieving sustainable and high-quality growth and development. Going forward, ADB will look at all our projects through the lens of climate impact. We will also work harder on developing private sector investments in the country, he said. During his 3-day visit to Tajikistan, Zhukov visited an ADB-funded irrigation project and a sediment exclusion basin in the Hamadoni district. The basin plays a crucial role in preventing sediment build-up in irrigation canals and protecting the pumps that lift water for irrigation. This, in turn, boosts agricultural production and ensures food security in the country. The bank warned that Tajikistan is vulnerable to serious climate-related risks that might have long-lasting negative effects on the country's economy, society, and environment. An estimated 20 percent of the country's glaciers have melted away in the last 34 years, endangering the economy that depends so largely on rivers fed by glaciers for hydropower generation and irrigation. Tajikistan became a member of the ADB in 1998. Throughout its 26-year history, ADB has offered assistance in a wide range of sectors, encompassing strategic road and energy infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, urban development, and finance. . The total assistance amounts to over $2.6 billion, with more than $2 billion given as grants. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 14. Turkmenistan and Russia had a fruitful discussion and consultation regarding the potential for enhancing parliamentary relations, Trend reports. According to the official source, these issues were discussed during the meeting of the Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova with the Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Konstantin Kosachev, who arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit. During the meeting, the parties emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary cooperation in advancing friendly relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, and discussed expanding cooperation possibilities in this area in the future. At the same time, they stressed that the work of the parliamentary friendship groups established on a bilateral basis increases the opportunities for sharing experience in improving legislation and parliamentary work. The parties also discussed organizational issues related to the holding of the next parliamentary forum of the Central Asian states and the Russian Federation, noting that this forum contributes to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of Central Asia and Russia and serves the effective and multilateral development of international relations. By the conclusion of the meeting, the parties were optimistic about the successful development and enhancement of parliamentary relations with new substance. Meanwhile, interparliamentary cooperation between Turkmenistan and Russia is actively developing, which contributes to strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries. Regular delegation visits, joint meetings, and experience exchange allow parliamentarians from both countries to successfully communicate on a range of problems and unify legislative bases, creating favorable conditions for cooperative efforts and bolstering cordial relations between Russia and Turkmenistan. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 14. The Turkmen delegation, consisting of representatives of the private sector, members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, is taking part in the international exhibition 'GreenTech Amsterdam 2024' in the Netherlands from June 10 through 14, 2024, Trend reports. According to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium, the delegation held several meetings with key Dutch organizations responsible for business relations, including those focused on agricultural technologies, sustainable practices, etc. During their visit to the Netherlands, Turkmen entrepreneurs visited Dutch companies working in the fields of seed production, greenhouse technologies, and water-saving systems. The Embassy notes that these visits provided practical skills and knowledge about modern agricultural technologies that can be applied in Turkmenistan. Within the framework of 'GreenTech Amsterdam 2024', the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium held a forum that brought together representatives of foreign companies, Turkmen businesses, and international financial institutions. The Forum has become a convenient platform for discussing the possibilities of cooperation and attracting investments in the agricultural sector of Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, the agro-industrial sector of Turkmenistan is actively developing due to the introduction of modern technologies and increased investments in agriculture, which contributes to increased productivity and product quality. An important role in this process is played by cooperation with foreign companies that help introduce advanced agrotechnical solutions and contribute to the growth of agricultural exports. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 14. Uzbekistan and the European Commission discussed cooperation within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor) coordination platform, Trend reports. The First Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Mamanbiy Omarov met with a delegation from the European Commission for International Cooperation. During the meeting, the commission representatives were given a comprehensive overview of the swift reforms taking place in the realm of transport and logistics development in Uzbekistan. The deputy minister of transport noted that the country is ready to actively participate in the European Union's initiatives to attract investments for the creation of a stable, reliable, and safe transport network infrastructure. He also emphasized the importance of projects related to the development of regional transport corridors. Representatives of the European Commission highlighted that the established coordination platform for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor is an important step in cooperation aimed at bringing Central Asia and Europe closer together. Meanwhile, the Middle Corridor links the container rail freight transportation networks of China and the European Union countries through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe. A multilateral multimodal transportation infrastructure links the ferry terminals of the Caspian and Black Seas with the railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland. The Middle Corridor facilitates the flow of cargo from China to Turkiye, as well as to Europe and vice versa. Transporting cargo from China to Europe along this corridor is incredibly efficient, with an average delivery time of 2025 days. This makes it a highly advantageous transport route. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 14. Uzbekistan and South Korea signed 17 cooperation documents, Trend reports. The news followed a meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol. The leaders of Uzbekistan and South Korea signed a joint statement, solidifying their commitment to further strengthen and broaden their special strategic partnership. The signed documents include: intergovernmental agreement with the Fund for Economic Development and Cooperation; agreements with the Export-Import Bank of Korea and Hyundai Rotem on the purchase and supply of high-speed electric trains; agreement with the Export-Import Bank of Korea to provide equipment for science, information and communications education in high schools; agreement on the implementation of the innovative pharmaceutical cluster project - Pharma Park; agreement on cooperation in the field of strengthening the capacity of civil servants of Uzbekistan; Program of cooperation between the Foreign Ministries for 20252027; Protocol on cooperation within the framework of the World Trade Organization; Protocol on cooperation in the field of culture; Agreement on cooperation in the field of transport; Agreement on cooperation on modernization of district heating systems in the regions of Uzbekistan; Agreement on partnership in the field of critical minerals; Agreement on facilitating the activities of the Uzbek-Korean joint committee on trade and economic cooperation; Memorandum of cooperation on training qualified and professional personnel; Memorandum of cooperation in the field of agriculture; Agreement between Uzpromstroybank and the Export-Import Bank of Korea on an interbank master credit line and others. Meanwhile, Uzbekistans trade turnover volume with Korea amounted to $695 million from January through April 2024. This figure is 13.3 percent lower compared to the same period last year ($802.1 million). Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 14. The Ministries of Transport of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have submitted proposals to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, and other international financial organizations to finance the technical and economic basis of the Kyzylorda-Uchkuduk railway line project, Trend reports. The news followed a meeting between Uzbekistans Deputy Minister of Transport Mamanbiy Omarov and a delegation of the European Commission for International Cooperation. During the meeting, the sides noted that the Kyzylorda-Uchkuduk railway line project stands as a priority in terms of bringing significant economic benefits to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and contributing to the development of regional integration and trade relations. Both parties discussed projects related to the development of regional transport corridors. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have already reached an agreement to build the Kyzylorda-Uchkuduk highway. The highway is expected to be 280 kilometers long. Both countries plan to develop a feasibility study in 20242025 and begin construction of the road in 2025. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The Mil Nader wind power plant with a capacity of 50 megawatts was put into operation on June 6 in Sistan and Baluchestan province located in the southeast of Iran, the statement of Iran's Energy Ministry said, Trend reports. The event was held on June 6 with the participation of Iranian Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian on the commissioning of several energy facilities in Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran. The event was attended by 1st Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, Acting President of Iran, in video format. A total of 56.5 million euros have been spent on the Mil Nader wind farm, which was commissioned on June 6. This plant has 20 turbines with a capacity of 2.5 megawatts. The construction of the station started in 2020. The station was built by Iran's MAPNA group. The Mil Nader wind power plant is located in the Nimruz district of Sistan and Baluchestan province on an area of 1,000 hectares. Iran's Ministry of Energy states that for every 100 megawatts of electricity generated by the power plant, 250 million liters of water and 30 million liters of diesel fuel will be saved per year. Furthermore, Iran's Renewable Energy and Electricity Consumption Organization has developed a program to increase the capacity of the power plant in question to 700 megawatts. To note, on June 6, water and electricity facilities were commissioned in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province as part of 28 projects of Iran's Ministry of Energy for 200 trillion rials (about $534 million). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Leaders of the Group of Seven issued a warning to Iran against supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, following the announcement that a much-publicized strategic agreement between the two countries had been halted due to issues on Iran's side, Trend reports. Iran and Russia have strengthened their alliance amid the Ukraine conflict, which has led to extensive sanctions on Russia by the US and the EU. Iran has already provided Russia with hundreds of kamikaze drones, and there are unofficial reports suggesting Tehran might be considering supplying missiles as well. "We urge Iran to cease its support for Russia's war in Ukraine and to refrain from transferring ballistic missiles and related technologies, as this would constitute a significant escalation and a direct threat to European security," said the G7. In February, Reuters reported that Iran had supplied Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. This claim was later echoed by UK defense secretary Grant Shapps, who confirmed the information but did not provide further details. Iran and Russia have been working on a long-term agreement for several years, aiming to formalize and deepen their bilateral relations. This comprehensive cooperation agreement was initially conceived under former President Hassan Rouhani and officially announced by his successor, Ebrahim Raisi, who highlighted its potential to shape the countries' relations over the next 20 years after meeting with Putin and presenting the draft in 2022. Although the agreement was anticipated to be signed this year, the Russian side announced on Wednesday that the process was stalled due to issues faced by our Iranian partners. Russia's TASS news agency quoted foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, stating that several "procedural legislative actions" need to be completed before the agreement can be finalized. The specifics of these "actions" remain unclear, and it is uncertain if they are related to the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, which were unexpectedly announced after Raisi's death in a helicopter crash last month. On Friday, it was revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Irans acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, had a phone conversation on Thursday evening, apparently to address rumors about the agreements halt. According to the Kremlin, both sides expressed their interest in continuing the development of Russian-Iranian cooperation, particularly in joint energy and transport projects. Reza Talebi, a political correspondent for Iran International, speculated that the halt might be a strategic move by Putin to increase pressure on an isolated Iran. "It's a message from Vladimir Putin to Tehran, cautioning them against changing their policies, especially regarding Ukraine and the Gaza conflict. It also aims to pressure the incoming Iranian government into negotiating more favorable terms," he said. Despite severe international sanctions, Russia and Iran have expanded their economic relations, with bilateral trade amounting to $4 billionfar below the target of $40 billion set by Iranian officials. In December, the two countries agreed to eliminate the use of the US dollar in their bilateral trade, which Iran's central bank governor described as a "new chapter," though it holds more symbolic significance than practical economic impact. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19, Trend reports via the US State Department. He will participate in the U.S.-Armenia Local Government Forum on Democracy and meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. "This visit reflects our intention to further strengthen bilateral ties with the Armenian people. Deputy Secretary Verma will lead a delegation of state and local officials representing California, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, and Pennsylvania. He will be accompanied by Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy Nina Hachigian, who leads the new subnational diplomacy team at the State Department, and Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau," reads a message from the US State Department. Reportedly, the delegation will engage across the public and private sector and with civil society organizations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Georgia's foreign trade decreased by 2.3 percent in the first five months of 2024, year on year, Trend reports via the Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat). Geostat pointed out that during the reporting period, the countrys trade turnover amounted to $8.4 billion. Georgia's negative trade balance amounted to $3.87 billion, accounting for 46 percent of foreign trade turnover. According to statistics, the exports decreased by 9.2 percent to $2.27 billion, while the imports grew by 0.5 percent to $6.14 billion. To note, Georgias foreign trade increased by 12.5 percent in 2023, compared to 2022, totaling $21.53 billion in value. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bilateral agreement for a period of 10 years, Trend reports. It is reported that according to the agreement, Tokyo will provide assistance to Kyiv in the field of security, defense and other areas. According to the Ukrainian side, within the framework of this agreement, Japan will support Ukraine with $4.5 billion this year. In turn, the Japanese Embassy in Italy stated that since 2022, Tokyo has already supported Kyiv with more than $12 billion. Japan will provide Ukraine with non-lethal equipment and goods, and will also cooperate with Ukraine in the field of intelligence. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. The crisis in New Caledonia is a result of the actions taken by French President Emmanuel Macron, reads the article by Jean-Michel Brun, the chief editor of the Paris-based online newspaper La Gazette du Caucase, Trend reports. "New Caledonia, like French Polynesia, is on the UN's list of countries to be decolonized. The 1998 Noumea Accords set the archipelago on a gradual path towards independence. President Emmanuel Macron, influenced by descendants of former French settlers, has tried three times to halt the decolonization process through referendums," the article says. The author notes that the French government aims to turn the Kanak people into a minority to prevent any move towards independence. "This was a red line that should not have been crossed". "Fifteen days later, a freeze law proposed by Gabriel Attal's government was passed by the National Assembly. This decision ignited fierce riots in the French territory in the South Pacific starting on May 13, the worst since the political crisis of the 1980s. Instead of calming the situation and returning to negotiations, the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister sent in metropolitan police and army troops. They even supported armed descendants of former French settlers, who had organized into self-defense groups. The riots resulted in nine deaths, hundreds of injuries, and damage estimated at one billion euros. In just a few days, 25 years of negotiations were undone, pushing New Caledonia to a point of no return. Emmanuel Macron now faces the crisis he helped ignite," writes Jean-Michel Brun. The author emphasizes that, right now, predicting the future of New Caledonia is risky. "It's still unclear what will happen after the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7. The chaos caused by the dissolution of the National Assembly has led to recurring upheavals, such as the creation of a new 'people's front' uniting leftist parties and the disintegration of the right. If the National Assembly gains an absolute majority, it might support the independence movement and continue the policy initiated before the dissolution. However, if there is only a relative majority and the left gains strength, the country will be nearly ungovernable, and the future of New Caledonia will be uncertain, unless the independence supporters decide to bypass the metropolitan government's opinion," Jean-Michel Brun concluded. The other day, a scandal erupted around the former Kvartal 95 actress actress Olena Kravets and the brabrabra lingerie brand, a scandal erupted over a new advertising campaign that has charitable intentions. The One for One initiative, in which famous Ukrainian women use their media presence to popularize the military's problems with underwear, has caused a negative reaction. ADVERTISIMENT There are several reasons for this, so the brand and Kravets tried to respond to the criticism of Ukrainians on their social media. OBOZ.UA decided to talk about all the circumstances of the scandal. What is the problem with billboards? It should be explained that this initiative is not new. On January 24 last year, a photo of Kravets appeared on Instagram brabrabra with two quotes taken from the direct speech of the military with the call signs "Mother" and "Piranka." Both characters complained that they were uncomfortable performing tasks in the kits they had. The stars talk about these inconveniences in advertising because they have a more tangible media impact. That was the idea. However, it was not very clear. ADVERTISIMENT Back then, the brand's subscribers criticized the decision to use Kravets' photo for this cause and were outraged that the initiative did not involve media warriors, of whom there are many in our time. As it has become clear recently, brabrabra did not listen to the critics, so offline advertising appeared in Kyiv. We saw it, for example, in the subway. These photos quickly spread online and caused a wave of outrage. This time, not only because of Kravets' face but also because of the mistakes in the spelling of the quotes. Public reaction Ana More, executive producer and host of Hromadske Radio, wondered: "Why should Olena Kravets speak for the military? Even if we get past the strange combination of Kravets' photo and the quote about the military, swallow the wording when someone speaks for someone else again, and get to "one for one", showing that this is a message about women in the rear supporting women in the army, the question still remains: why would they do it this way?" ADVERTISIMENT Ukrainians see the problem not only in the idea but also in the wording of the quote and problems with punctuation. Many people believe that such social projects in wartime need to be "licked to perfection," especially when it comes to advertising in public places. Incorrect wording, poor design, and typos only distract attention from the problem, they said online. "I am not a great expert, but I felt that something was wrong with the text. I checked with a specialist. Indeed: the phrase is worded in such a way that it means "breasts performed a duty and fell out", not a female soldier performed a duty and had some inconvenience.", "It is worded fu**ed up, as if breasts have some kind of duty. "Speaks for the military" in the written text", "And a comma, a comma is unnecessary! I don't know why successful businesses don't hire editors. I don't know why they don't hire brains, either," the viral posts on Facebook read. ADVERTISIMENT Brand reaction and Kravets The host and brabrabra teamed up to respond to common dissatisfied comments from Ukrainians. As they explained, Kravets, as well as host Nadia Matveeva, blogger Dasha Kvitkova, and Olga Rudneva, volunteered to take part in the charity project to raise awareness of the problems of women on the front line. The photos of the heroines were not suitable because they could jeopardize their safety. ADVERTISIMENT The quote has not been edited to keep it "direct". The goal of the project is to raise funds for 10 thousand pairs of high-quality and comfortable underwear for the military. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Coca-Cola Company has filed three applications for trademark registration in Russia. Some analysts saw this as a sign of the company's intention to resume operations in Russia, where one of the world's largest soft drink producers is from, in response to the aggressor state's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Russian media, the company filed applications for registration of the Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta trademarks in Russia in April 2024. The database of Rospatent, which is responsible for registering intellectual property rights in the Russian Federation, states that registration is required for beverages. The Russian subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company did not respond to the journalists' request, but some experts suggested that this may indicate Coca-Cola's plans to return to the Russian market in the future. At the same time, other analysts believe that the company simply does not want to lose the rights to its key brands: according to Russian law, trademarks can be canceled if they are not used in the country for three years. Since Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta were officially withdrawn from Russia in 2022, their legal protection may be terminated ahead of schedule in 2025. At the same time, the sale of these beverages in the Russian Federation continues: like many other products, they are imported under the "parallel import" scheme from other countries. In addition, the Russian division of Coca-Cola was renamed Moulton Partners and launched the production of an analog of the famous drink Good Cola, but its recipe and taste are very different from the original. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that Starbucks also filed applications for registration of its trademarks with Rospatent. The international coffee chain, like The Coca-Cola Company, left Russia because of the war in Ukraine. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! It was believed that the earliest example of the Gospels was created in the 11th century for a long time. However, researchers studying the papers of the Hamburg State and University Library found an ancient Egyptian manuscript describing a miracle that Jesus performed as a child that appeared long before that. ADVERTISIMENT The 2,000-year-old papyrus contains a story about how the 5-year-old Messiah brought clay sparrows to life. Scientists suggest that the record was created in the 4th or 5th century, the Daily Mail reports. A fragment of the manuscript, measuring 10 by 5 centimeters, contains a story from the Gospel of Thomas the Child. According to the story, the little Jesus, playing by a stream, made 12 sparrows out of clay. When his father noticed what he was doing, he admonished his son to stop working on the holy Sabbath, the day of rest and worship. In response, the 5-year-old Messiah ordered the clay figures to "fly away like living birds," which they did. ADVERTISIMENT Researchers at Humboldt University initially identified the manuscript as a fragment of an everyday document, such as a private correspondence or a shopping list. However, after careful analysis, they came to the conclusion that this assumption was wrong. "First, we noticed the word 'Jesus' in the text. Then, comparing it with many other digitized papyri, we deciphered it letter by letter and quickly realized that it could not be an everyday document," said Dr. Lajos Berkes, one of the scientists. Later, a statement was released that, given the clumsy handwriting, crooked lines and incorrect formatting, the story was written as a school or monastic exercise. ADVERTISIMENT According to scholars, the original story of Jesus' early years was described in the Gospel of the Infancy of Thomas. However, for unknown reasons, all records were excluded from the final text of the Bible. Charles Dyer, a professor at the Bible Institute, believes that this was done to focus humanity's attention on the purpose of the Messiah's work on Earth: "In fact, we have very little information about the life of Jesus, even as an adult. But the part that we do have is what God thought was sufficient to truly understand who He is and why He came to Earth." Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On Friday, June 14, the list of states participating in the Peace Summit in Switzerland was made public. It came as a surprise that the event would be attended by representatives of Saudi Arabia. ADVERTISIMENT OBOZ.UA has obtained the relevant document. However, China has kept its promise and is not on the list of participants in the summit. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that 92 countries and 8 organizations will attend the Peace Summit in Switzerland. Of these, 57 will be represented at the highest level by presidents or prime ministers. Other countries will be represented by foreign ministry delegations. There will also be representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, the OSCE, the United Nations, and the Organization of American States. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will also come. On June 2, 2024, it became known that Saudi Arabia did not plan to participate in the Global Peace Summit organized by Ukraine. The reason for this decision was allegedly that the peace summit in Switzerland would not be attended by representatives of the aggressor country Russia. However, Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed this information. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, it was previously believed that 107 countries and international organizations would take part in the global Peace Summit. However, on June 10, it was reported that there would be about 90 participants. However, it is expected that the final number will be determined by June 14. As a reminder, in explaining its refusal to attend the summit, China tried to attract developing countries to support its six-point peace plan, which was presented jointly with Brazil in May. The plan calls for an international peace conference "at an appropriate time that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and honest discussion of all peace plans." Beijing's proposal was supported by 45 countries, and more than 20 countries have either joined or are "seriously considering" such a possibility. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: China has announced that it will not participate in the Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland this summer. They claimed that the event allegedly did not meet Beijing's requirements that a representative of the aggressor country Russia should participate in it. Soon after, China responded to President Zelenskyy's accusations of attempts to disrupt the Peace Summit. Beijing said that China had never "fanned or stoked the flames" of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The leaders of Ukraine and the United States signed an agreement on security guarantees. It will be valid for ten years. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is noted that the parties recognize this agreement as support for Ukraine's possible membership in the NATO alliance. The bilateral agreement deals with security aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense against Russian invaders. "The parties recognize this agreement as support bridge for Ukraine's eventual membership in the NATO alliance," the text reads. What the agreement provides for ADVERTISIMENT The United States will not send troops to Ukraine but will help by providing weapons and economic support. "We will provide weapons and ammunition, expand intelligence sharing, and continue to train brave Ukrainian soldiers at bases in Europe and the United States," Biden said. Also, under the terms of the security agreement signed between Ukraine and the United States, in the event of an armed attack or threat of such an attack on Ukraine, the highest officials of the United States and Ukraine will meet within 24 hours to consult on a response and determine what additional defense needs Ukraine needs. The agreement does not provide for the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine but is aimed at strengthening our country's defense capabilities and winning the war. In particular, the agreement provides for the supply of combat squadrons that include, but are not limited to, F-16s. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, five countries have expressed their readiness to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems. "We have the support of five countries to provide Patriot systems. We are also letting the countries that are waiting for us to supply Patriot in the future know that they will have to wait. We will be transferring everything to Ukraine now," Biden said. In turn, Zelenskyy reminded that Ukraine urgently needs seven such air defense systems. The US President explained that the agreement signed today between the United States and Ukraine provides for a number of obligations to the United States. In particular: - Expanding intelligence sharing. - Continued training of the Ukrainian military at military bases in Europe and the United States. - Strengthening cooperation between the armed forces in accordance with NATO standards. ADVERTISIMENT - Investments in the military-industrial base. - Building cooperation with Ukraine's partners. - Supporting economic and energy recovery after Russia's large-scale attacks on the energy grid. Joe Biden also emphasized that the United States has not changed its position on Ukraine's strikes on Russian territory. "It is clear that along the Ukrainian-Russian border, it is very useful for Ukraine to be able to disable or counter what is coming from there. With regard to longer-range weapons and strikes on Russia's interior, we have not changed our position on this," Biden said. The document also clearly states the United States' support for Ukraine's future membership in NATO and recognizes that this agreement is a link on the path to membership. ADVERTISIMENT Separate sections of the document address the importance of holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, including through the payment of compensation. The document also notes the US efforts to impose sanctions and export controls. The document emphasizes the need to explore all possible ways in which frozen Russian sovereign assets can be used to support our country. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already called this day historic and noted that the agreement contains a very detailed legally binding part, and this is "the reliability of America's support for our independence." He thanked President Biden, his team, and the United States Congress for their support. "Both parties, both houses, thank you. And thank you to every American heart that does not betray freedom and supports us," the President of Ukraine emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT The United States has become the 17th country with which Ukraine has signed a bilateral security agreement to implement the provisions of the G7 Vilnius Declaration. Previously, Ukraine signed such documents with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Japan. Signals for the Russian dictator In his speech during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden once again emphasized that the West "cannot be divided." He stressed that the world's democratic elites will continue to support Ukraine until it wins, sending the Kremlin the following three signals that were adopted at the G7 summit: ADVERTISIMENT - The 10-year security agreement signed between Washington and Kyiv. - Historic aid to Ukraine in the form of 50 billion from Russia's sovereign wealth funds. - An agreement on the use of sanctions against third countries that help the Kremlin circumvent restrictions. "The pressure on Russia is increasing. This is a collective powerful set of actions. It creates a stronger foundation for Ukraine's success," Biden summarized. The full text of the bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the United States has already been published on the website of the President's Office. Can the security agreement be canceled? Some American media outlets have noted that the US-Ukraine security agreement will be a so-called "executive agreement." It does not require ratification and is not "binding on any future president." ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the Washington Post emphasizes, citing sources in the White House, that the agreement is intended to commit future US administrations to supporting Ukraine even if former President Donald Trump wins the November election. Also, according to the media, the agreement does not contain any new commitments regarding Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO. The Washington Post points out that since Trump is leading Biden in many polls, "the future of the agreement remains unclear." However, according to the British Reuters news agency, former US President Donald Trump, who dreams of returning to the presidency, has already held a closed meeting with representatives of the Republican Party in the Capitol. He criticized aid to Ukraine and urged his fellow party members to abandon internal squabbles. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The United States has promised to transfer existing Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine on a priority basis, with other customer countries receiving the systems later. So far, five countries have expressed their readiness to provide Kyiv with Patriot air defense systems. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by US President Joseph Biden at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In turn, Zelenskyy reminded that Ukraine urgently needs seven such air defense systems. "We have the support of five countries to provide Patriot systems. We also let the countries that expect us to supply Patriot in the future know that they will have to wait. Everything we have will be transferred to Ukraine, and only later will we proceed to fulfill our contractual obligations to other countries," Biden said. For his part, the President of Ukraine reiterated that "both Biden and all other partners know that we urgently need 7 Patriot systems to protect our cities." "We discussed the possibility of getting 5 of them, it's true, and the partners are working on it. This does not mean that tomorrow we will have 5 systems, but we see good results for Ukraine in the near future," the Ukrainian president said. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on June 11, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced positive decisions on the transfer of 2-3 Patriot systems to Ukraine. On the same day, Germany promised Ukraine dozens of interceptor missiles for the Patriot system. Germany also agreed to provide Ukraine with one Patriot battery. This will be the third system to be transferred by the country. As reported, the possibility of strengthening Ukraine's air defense, including the transfer of Patriot systems, will be discussed at the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the Ramstein format in the first place. The meeting will focus on protecting the skies over Ukraine. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! China, Indonesia hold meeting of high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism Xinhua) 09:06, June 14, 2024 CHANGCHUN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, co-chaired the chairman's meeting of the China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's coordinator for cooperation with China and coordinating minister of maritime affairs and investment, in China's Jilin Province on Thursday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Indonesia, and the development of bilateral relations faces new important opportunities. China is ready to work with Indonesia to make full use of the mechanism and set a fine example for developing relations between major developing countries with high-level strategic mutual trust, complementarity in various fields, and all-round and coordinated development, Wang said. Noting that China and Indonesia should continue to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, Wang said the two sides should make efforts to ensure that the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway remains a shining example of Belt and Road cooperation, advance the construction of two flagship projects, namely the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks," expand cooperation in the three key areas of digital economy, green development and improving people's livelihoods, and push for new achievements in maritime cooperation. Reiterating that Indonesia attaches great importance to relations with China and firmly abides by the one-China principle, Luhut said that the Indonesian side is willing to dovetail the Global Maritime Fulcrum and the Belt and Road Initiative, operate the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in a good manner, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in marine, fishery and other fields. The two sides also conducted in-depth communication on international and regional issues of mutual interest. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Germany has announced a new aid package for Ukraine. It includes, among other things, air defense systems and 155 mm ammunition. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the package includes Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard 1A1 tanks, ammunition, and much more. The list of provided weapons, equipment, and ammunition is published on the German government's website. Thus, the new military aid package for Ukraine announced by the German government includes: 20 Marder infantry tracked vehicles and ammunition; 10 Leopard 1A1 tanks and ammunition; IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system; IRIS-T SLS short-range air defense system; 3 HIMARS rocket artillery systems; 2 armored engineering vehicles Dachs; 2 BEAVER bridge pavers; Bergepanzer armored repair and evacuation vehicle 2; 4 Wisent 1 demining vehicles with spare parts; 16 Zetros fuel trucks. The package also includes 21,000 155 mm caliber shells, 128 smoke/illumination shells, 4 anti-drone sensors, 3 AMPS systems for helicopter protection, assault, and sniper rifles, 4 million rounds of ammunition for firearms, rescue boats, and more. ADVERTISIMENT Some of the ammunition and weapons are being transferred from the Bundeswehr's and industry's stockpiles. Earlier today, it was reported that Germany is transferring a quarter of its Patriot systems to Ukraine: three units, one of which will arrive in our country soon. According to the country's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Berlin simply cannot give more. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! While Russian propagandists promise Russia grandiose victories in Ukraine, the occupiers at the front are much more skeptical. The so-called field commander of the "DPR" Oleksandr Khodakovskyi, for example, does not believe not only in the ability of the Russian Federation to capture Mykolaiv and Odesa but also in the fact that the occupation army will have enough strength to reach even the administrative border of Donetsk region. ADVERTISIMENT The traitor to Ukraine also criticized speakers on Russian television who talk about the unprecedented prosperity of the Russian defense industry and the fact that Russia has not "started to fight in earnest". Journalist Denis Kazansky drew attention to Khodakovsky's complaints. "DPR field commander Khodakovskyi admitted that Russia does not have the strength to conquer the entire Donetsk region, not to mention Mykolaiv and Odesa," the journalist noted. Judging by the post of Khodakovskyi, a former SBU officer who defected to the occupiers in 2014, the key problem of the Russian army is the human factor. "Everyone has their level of access to information and their horizons of analysis, but sometimes one marker is enough to understand the limits of their capabilities. For me, this marker was a person at war. I don't know how many tanks and airplanes, as well as Kalibr and Daggers we produce, or whether the revenue side exceeds the expenditure side, but I see an officer, I see a soldier, and I draw conclusions from them," Khodakovskyi wrote. ADVERTISIMENT He added that he felt confident that there would be no "Kyiv in three days" at the first stage of the war. Later, Khodakovskyi admitted, it was supplemented by the feeling that the occupation army would not even be able to reach the administrative border of Donetsk region. "Even when we were actively advancing and surrendering thousands of prisoners, I said that the war would be long. Even before we were thrown back in Kharkiv and Kherson regions, I predicted that we would annex to Russia exactly what we had won, even without access to the borders of Donetsk region, not to mention Mykolaiv and Odesa... They disagreed with me because the plans were made in isolation from the ground, and I was on the ground and felt its breath," the occupier said. ADVERTISIMENT He also criticized the adherents of the thesis that Russia has not yet begun to fight in earnest. "And today, when I hear that we have not even begun to fight in earnest and can show them, I really want to believe these words. But I know that if I do, a mystical hope will arise in me, and something inside me will relax, and when the realization of the promises is delayed, it will be very difficult to mobilize again," the Russian war criminal wrote. Oleksandr Khodakovskiy is a former commander of the Donetsk Alpha SBU who betrayed Ukraine in 2014. He worked in various positions in the "DPR". In March 2023, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin appointed him deputy head of the Main Directorate of the Russian Guard for the DPR. Since March 2022, he has been involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the east. He took part in the capture of Mariupol and the battles on the Vremivsky Ledge in the summer of 2023. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, Khodakovskyi complained about the Russian army mining its rear. In particular, he said that one of these mines turned four Russian drone operators into "good Russians" at once. Last fall, it became known that the Armed Forces almost eliminated Khodakovskyi himself. He complained that there had been two HIMARS arrivals near the place where he was. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! On the night of Friday, June 14, the aggressor state Russia scrambled a group of Tu-95MS strategic bombers. They launched X-101 cruise missiles at Ukraine. In addition, the enemy's attack with Shahed-136 kamikaze drones continued at that time. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported on the official Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As of 03:00, an air raid alert was announced in all regions of Ukraine, and it lasted until 04:50. According to the air force, five enemy Tu-95MS took off from Olenegorsk in the Murmansk region of Russia. At about 02:00, they reached the launching line, and at 03:00, the first cruise missiles crossed Ukrainian airspace. Also at night, four Tu-22 M3 bombers carrying X-22/32 supersonic missiles took off near the Russian city of Tambov. The enemy planes were heading towards the launch sites in the Black Sea but did not launch the missiles. ADVERTISIMENT As of 03:20, missiles from the Sumy region were heading west. Several more groups were heading from Chernihiv region towards Kyiv region. At the same time, the town of Starokostiantyniv in the Khmelnytsky region was under drone attack. Later, the military reported that all the missiles on the border of Kyiv and Cherkasy regions were flying to the Vinnytsia region. As of 4:00 a.m., the missiles changed their course to Starokostiantyniv. A group of missiles was also spotted in Ternopil and Lviv regions before returning to Khmelnytskyi. Monitoring channels report that during this attack, the enemy used X-101/55 cruise missiles (from five Tu-95s from the Saratov region of the Russian Federation) and attack UAVs. Some of the missiles covered the longest distance of about 1980 km (to Starokostiantyniv) in 1 hour 47 minutes. ADVERTISIMENT "Starokostiantyniv was under attack. The missile attack lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. The UAV attack lasted 4 hours 55 minutes," the statement said. After 06:00, air raid alert was again announced throughout Ukraine. In Russia, a MiG-31K, which is a carrier of the X-47m2 Kinzhal supersonic missile, took off. The Ukrainian Air Force warned of a high-speed target in the direction of Kyiv, and a few minutes later an explosion was heard in the capital region. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The most intense hostile attacks since the beginning of the day on June 14 have been recorded in the Pokrovske and Kurakhove sectors. More than half of all combat engagements took place in these areas. ADVERTISIMENT In total, as of 13:00, the enemy carried out 48 assault and offensive actions along the entire frontline. This is stated in the new operational summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Since the beginning of the day, the enemy has been attacking in the Pokrovske and Kurakhove sectors the most. More than 60 percent of the total number of 48 combat engagements along the entire frontline took place here. Our defenders are responding toughly to the invaders' assault and offensive actions, destroying infantry and equipment," the report says. In the Kharkiv sector, Russian invaders continue to attack with guided aerial bombs from Russian territory. In particular, they attacked Vovchansk from the Russian town of Shebekino with five guided aerial bombs. In the Kharkiv sector, two occupants' attacks were repelled in the areas of Tykhe and Vovchansk. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kupyansk sector, the militants launched unguided missiles towards Hlushkivka. In the Lyman sector, the enemy has made four attempts to improve the tactical situation near Nevske and Hrekivka since the beginning of the day. Fighting continues in the area of the latter. The Russian occupants also shelled the territory of Serebriany forest with NARs and dropped four guided aerial bombs in the area of Pishchane. The Pokrovske sector, as well as in recent days in general, has the highest intensity of enemy attacks. The total number of combat engagements here has increased to 18 since the beginning of the day. Eight combat engagements are currently taking place in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Sokol, Novoselivka Persha, and Netaylove. The occupants are actively supporting their ground attacks with air strikes they conducted five air strikes. Ten UAVs bombed the areas of Vovche, Tymofiivka, and Novopokrovske. Unguided aerial missiles were fired in the direction of Novoselivka Persha and Oleksandropol. ADVERTISIMENT In the Vremivsk sector, the enemy attacked three times in the areas of Kostiantynivka, Vodiane, and Urozhayne. They were not successful. He also dropped two bombs near Yelyzavetivka. In other areas, the situation has not changed much, the General Staff noted. As a reminder, on June 13, the Armed Forces of Ukraine neutralized another 1,250 occupants and 48 enemy artillery systems. In total, 186 pieces of military equipment and weapons of the Russian army were destroyed over the day. It was also reported that three Russian occupiers were killed in an explosion in Shebekino, Belgorod region, on the evening of June 13: ammunition for the Russian Solntsepyok system, which Russian propaganda called "the most terrible weapon of the Russian Federation after nuclear weapons," exploded. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT For Ukraine, the main result of the 50th G7 summit is more air defense systens for our cities. In addition, President Zelenskyy signed two security agreements - with Japan and the United States - in Italy on June 13. ADVERTISIMENT The President recorded his traditional evening address to the nation while on a trip abroad. The video was published by the YouTube channel of the President's Office. "The main result for us is more air defense systems for our cities. Patriot is actually already in daily speech of Ukrainians. There will be more equipment and other necessary things for the soldiers. We have also decided to use Russian assets in favor of Ukraine, the first significant step of the G7 regarding $50 billion. Thank you!" the Head of State said. On the sidelines of G7 summit, Zelenskyy spoke with world leaders about our needs and opportunities. The issue of accelerating the delivery of the announced packages to Ukraine was raised with all the leaders. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, talks were held with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and US President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy called the meeting with the American president good and useful. "During all these days, I have been in touch with our military, with a daily report from the Commander-in-Chief and constant reports from the Minister of Defense, other government officials, and intelligence. I've been receiving reports on the situation at the front, in the main areas: our Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. The needs of our soldiers, the details of supplies," the guarantor said. The fourth season of The Boys begins with a campaign rally for the White House. The protagonist, a vice-presidential hopeful, is a woman with a handy superpower: blowing heads off with her mind. Behind her is the narcissistic and sadistic Patriot, a superhero so popular that he has been able to kill a man in cold blood in the street and be cheered by his fans. The Boys has never done things by halves. The latest episodes (Amazon Prime Video premiered the first three on June 13, followed by a new one each week) raise the tone of the political and social satire that characterizes the series created by Eric Kripke, which is based on the comics by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. I think its a more intense season. I think its a more political season because were dealing with a U.S. presidential election. We have a superhero thats a heartbeat away from the White House. I think we deal with a lot of political issues, but also a lot of the things that people love about The Boys, a lot of outrageous humor, a lot of heart, a lot of exploding body parts, and a lot of blood... Kripke said during a video call interview in late May. Its gory brutality, its irreverence and its strong satirical edge set this superhero story apart from the rest. Which of those aspects the gore or the politics gives its screenwriters the biggest headaches? Kripke laughs at the question: Headaches in that Im terrified that its happening in the real world, or headaches like hard to write? I would say we live in a world where satire just comes right in daily in the news. I would say the thing that gives me the most headaches is the character stuff. Revealing new facets of who they are, being honest to their psychology, letting them be complicated real people. Kripke, who two days before this seasons premiere announced on X that the next installment, the shows fifth, will be the last in the series, continues: In the writers room we spend 70% of the time just talking about the characters. And then once we get that right, then we say, OK, what are some of the crazy things that could happen thatll help us on that journey. But the stuff that keeps me up at night isnt how to make another penis explode. Its, oh my God, I need to figure out where Butchers mind would be in this moment. The political side of the series takes on more prominence in fiction, and also more relevance as it becomes a mirror of reality in an election year in the United States. Since its early days, the series has reflected a tremendously polarized society. This breeding ground is more smoldering than ever in a season that, in its opening scenes, features Patriot in a trial that divides the population: at the courthouse doors, staunch supporters await him on one side of the fence and, on the other, dozens of detractors. The recent trial of Donald Trump inevitably comes to mind. From left: Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone, Laz Alonso, Erin Moriarty and Jack Quaid, in the fourth season of 'The Boys.' Jasper Savage/Prime Video For Kripke, this polarization is one of the most serious problems in todays society, and one that has an explanation: " Were trying to make the point that this polarization of society, where theres us and them and they are evil and they must be destroyed, and this whole thing thats really happening in the world. Were just trying to make the point that were all being manipulated to feel that way by much more powerful forces that are using billions of dollars and AI algorithms to get us to turn on each other, because it serves them financially. I happen to be liberal, and my problem isnt with someone who is on the right wing. My problem is that were both being conditioned to think of the other as an enemy instead of a neighbor. And thats really, really dangerous, and its happening around the world and because one: it makes more money to feel that way. You spend more time online the angrier you are. And two: authoritarians need you to feel that way because then youre not looking at that critically. So Im just trying to make the point that were actually not all that different. Were being manipulated to hate each other and I find that very hateful. A still from the opening episode of the fourth season of 'The Boys.' Jan Thijs/Prime Video The characters added to the new season help take that political satire a bit further. Two superheroines join the group of The Seven. Sister Sage (Susan Heyward) is the smartest person in the world, but being an African-American woman, her ideas have never been taken into account and her frustration levels are extreme, in turn making her extremely dangerous. The other superheroine is Firecracker (Valorie Curry), a reflection of the media that spreads extreme right-wing messages and the expansion of conspiracy movements. Kripke doesnt hide the reference to politician Kristi Noem, a possible running mate for Trump: We have a legitimate vice-presidential candidate whos talking about when she shot one of her puppies. And somehow thats okay, because you can be some pistol-packing gun nut, says the screenwriter. The final major addition this season allows Kripke, creator of the series Supernatural, which ran for 15 years, to reunite with actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays mysterious CIA analyst Joe Kessler. Susan Heyward and Valorie Curry as Sister Sage and Firecracker. Some critics describe The Boys as one of the most politically charged shows currently on the air. The accentuation of that political character was, for its creator, the natural path with the directions the plot was taking, and because it is also reflected in the original comics. And then also we knew that wed be airing pretty close to an election year in the United States. And so it felt right to make an election part of the story, to make Patriots trial part of the story, because we saw a lot of those things coming down the road. Speaking of the Patriot trial, Kripke reacts with irony when asked about the comparisons between the ruthless character played by Antony Starr and Donald Trump: Thats shocking. How could you have gotten that, drawn that conclusion? How dare you? Yes, absolutely, he laughs as he gesticulates exaggeratedly. Its a very strange phenomenon, and its not just Trump. There are a lot of people around the world, unfortunately, that are following that model. But the idea that you are a celebrity who wants to be an authoritarian dictator is pretty new and scary. Eric Kripke at the premiere of the fourth season of 'The Boys.' AS2 Novembers U.S. presidential election has opened the door to Trumps return to the White House. His previous term provided wings, and content, for comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, but made things more complicated for some fictional series, whose scriptwriters recognized that their job had become more difficult in a world where reality constantly surpassed fiction. Could Trumps return be good for The Boys by offering extra material? That would be terrible for The Boys. That would be terrible for the world. If theres one thing we point out in season four, its maybe you shouldnt have a malignant narcissist baby-man be your president. If we help a couple of people come to that conclusion, itll be great. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Karl Urban in the fourth season of 'The Boys.' Jasper Savage (Jasper Savage/Prime Video) Kripke assures The Boys writers that they have total freedom from the platform and the studio, Amazon and Sony, respectively: We self-censor way more than they censor us. As shocking as the show is I never want it to feel cheaply gratuitous, like were doing something just because we can. I never want that. I want to be able to explain to the actors with a straight face why were putting them in that insane situation. And the answer cant just be because its funny. It has to be because this is part of your characters story, or this is a part of the world we havent seen before. If it cant meet that criteria, then we dont do it. In a series where anything can happen, its no surprise that Kripke confesses that what he enjoys most is writing the character of The Deep (Chace Crawford). The Deep is a very fun character to write for because hes so blindingly stupid that you can write things a little goofier and you can relax a little more. The other characters are harder to write for; you have to analyze the choices theyre making. But The Deep just wants to fuck an octopus and go to parties, so hes just a blast. A still from the fourth season of 'The Boys.' Jasper Savage (Jasper Savage/Prime Video) Superheroes have been dominating screens, both in film and on television, for years. For Kripke, the quick explanation for this phenomenon is because they make money. But he also observes a certain exhaustion among viewers. The Marvel movies are very, very well made. Ive seen all of them. I just think theyre big, entertaining, fun movies. And because peoples appetite for them was so strong, it really grew. Now I think theyre getting a little tired of them. And so the responsibility is really on people like me. I have to make sure that Im really showing the audience things they havent seen before, he concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni, EU Council President Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britain's PM Rishi Sunak, Japan's PM Fumio Kishida, Canada's PM Justin Trudeau, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, France's President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden on the first day of the G7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy on June 13, 2024. This years meeting of the Group of Seven (G-7) the group of the worlds main advanced economies highlighted with unusual clarity the political turbulence facing democracies, and the growing defiance of authoritarian regimes that are challenging the liberal world order. Most of the leaders at the G-7 meeting held in Puglia, a region in southern Italy, are in an extremely fragile political situation, which has prevented their governments from working effectively and pragmatically. The greatest difficulties are faced by U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Whats more, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak does not seem to have any chance of remaining in power, according to polls. Almost the only exception to this general weakness is the Italian leader, Giorgia Meloni, the host of the summit. Macron arrived in Italy amid a political storm in France. He is facing a difficult legislative election, which he called after the collapse of his party and the significant rise of the far right in the European elections. The French president was already suffering for not having an absolute majority in Parliament. Everything indicated that in the rest of his term he would have to preside over the country with practically ungovernable chambers that would make decision-making difficult. The European elections have also taken their toll on the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who has received a severe blow along with his coalition partners at the polls. This setback exacerbates the executive difficulties that his tripartite government was already suffering. Outside the EU, the British leader, Rishi Sunak, is also facing an upcoming general election in which almost all polls predict his defeat, after years of turbulence linked to Brexit and the advent of an unabashed populism to the front line of British politics, a trend that has plunged the country into evident dysfunctionality. In the United States, President Joe Biden is struggling in the second half of his term due to the constraints of a House of Representatives is in the hands of the Republicans. This has brought legislative action to a screeching halt. That paralysis affected a vital aid package to Ukraine that took many months to approve, leading to significant consequences on the battlefield. Finally, the leaders of Canada and Japan Justin Trudeau and Fumio Kishida, respectively are also not sailing in calm waters. The Japanese leader has an approval rating among citizens of 26%, according to recent polls. The only leader coming into the summit with political strength is the host, Giorgia Meloni, riding high on the back of the consistent validation of her political position as seen in the European elections, where her party was the most voted. Italy, however, can hardly be seen as an example of stability and political consistency. Time will tell whether Meloni will succeed in overcoming this historical scourge in the long term. In any case, the conclusion from the summit is clear. After the great expansion phase following the fall of the Berlin Wall, democracy is in decline in the world. There is a negative balance between the countries where democracy has improved, and the countries where it has worsened. It is not all bad news, as shown by the latest elections in Poland, where the liberal bloc has regained power, or in India, where Modi lost his absolute majority and was forced to agree on a coalition government. But the balance is still negative. At the summit, Macron referred to the issue of democratic turbulence. He argued that, at the polls, the French expressed their anger at what they saw as the unsatisfactory way things were going. He defended his decision to call snap elections as the best democratic response. We have to do much more, much better, much faster, he said, to defuse the unease. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, one of the guests at the G-7, said it clearly on Thursday before arriving at the summit: We have a problem of democracy as we know it being at risk. The denialist denies institutions, denies what Parliament is, what the Supreme Court is, what the Judiciary is, what Congress itself is, he warned. There is a deep unease against the system and the collateral effects of this have translated into the rise of anti-system groups such as the rising far-right the drift of previously orthodox parties towards radical positions such as the U.S. Republicans or the Tories and simply greater political fragmentation, which makes effective governance difficult. In this political landscape, anti-establishment leftist options are also thriving. Amid rampant globalization, job relocation, precariousness, low wages and inequality, many voters are protesting against the leaders whom they consider responsible for these problems. The advent of social media has facilitated the spread of extreme ideas and the emergence of hyper-leadership. Last week, as part of the commemorations of the Normandy landings, Biden used the memory of the courage of the soldiers who fought against totalitarian systems to appeal to his fellow citizens. He reminded them of the value of democracy and urged them to work together to ensure it endures. This is the context in which democracies are struggling with a political turbulence and that hinders leaders ability to act, as seen at the G-7 summit. On the other side, there are authoritarian leaders whose systems oppress the freedom of citizens and which, in the medium and long term, run serious risks of falling into unbalanced personalism, political sclerosis and, ultimately, the loss of forces for surveillance and oppression. These leaders are also losing their shine due to the absence of normal dialectic mechanisms, but they have, in the short term, a great advantage in operational capacity with respect to democracies. It is these regimes, such as Russia or China, that today are challenging the world order that the United States and its partners have built: the members of the G-7, a symbol of Western preeminence (which, in a geopolitical and not a geographical sense, also includes Japan). That preeminence is at risk, and the dysfunctionality shown by the G-7 is as much a cause of this as the rise of China. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The advance of ultranationalist and far-right parties has shaken the European Union, but in northern Europe, the far right was badly hurt in Sundays election. Finland and Sweden voted against the current. Extremist parties lost ground, and environmentalists and left-wing groups made important gains, providing a lifeline for their respective groups in the European Parliament. The EU election was also bad for the Portuguese extreme right. Chega, founded in 2019, has entered the European Parliament for the first time with two MEPs, but these results were far from the ambitious objectives it had set itself and far from the historic support it achieved in the general elections in March. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the far-right party of Geert Wilders came in second place in the European elections (behind the coalition of Social Democrats and the Greens). While this defeat is less of a blow the Party for Freedom will go from having one to six MEPs in the European Parliament it marks a shift from the November 2023 general elections, when it received the most votes. The defeats of the Sweden Democrats, the Finns Party and Chega have elements in common, such as the fact their voters are less interested in EU affairs, but also factors that are particular to each. Although the three formations account for around 20% of the lawmakers in their respective national parliaments, each group is in a different situation. In Finland, they control seven ministries, while in Sweden they are the leading force on the right and support and condition the conservative-led coalition government. While in Sweden and Finland, the far rights disappointing result can be considered a verdict on their management in government, this is not the case in Portugal, where Chega failed in its effort to be a part of the executive. The profound and unexpected setback suffered by the Sweden Democrats and the Finns Party threatens to upset the fragile coalitions that govern the two countries. Both parties have tried to downplay their dismal results by blaming the results on low turnout and voter apathy regarding the EU. Although the Swedish Democrats maintain their three seats in the European Parliament, there were long faces in the Stockholm restaurant where senior party officials followed the count of the European vote. Not only because the partys goal supported by polls was to obtain a couple more representatives, but because the loss of more than half a million votes in less than two years has abruptly ended their nearly three-decade-long upward rise. In 1988, the small group of neo-Nazis that originally made up the Swedish Democrats were supported by just a thousand voters. Since then, it improved its results in each election (13 in total, including parliamentary and European elections), peaking in 2022, with the support of one in five voters (1.33 million people). That changed on Sunday. The Swedish far-right group won 13% of the vote and were surpassed by the Moderate Party, the Green Party, and the Swedish Social Democratic Party (SAP). The result is not the only crisis to hit the Swedish Democrats. On May 15, a private television station, using hidden cameras, exposed a troll factory where Swedish Democrat staffers used social media accounts with fake profiles to spread disinformation and attack members of other parties, including the Christian Democrats, which it supports in government. Asa Wikforss, professor of Theoretical Philosophy at Stockholm University and member of the Swedish Academy, believes that Jimmie Akesson, who has led the Swedish Democrats for two decades, responded to the troll factory scandal with a Trumpist strategy that hurt its results at the polls. The Swedish Democrats only deleted 45 especially offensive messages, and Akesson spread the fake news that it was the result of a gigantic internal influence operation carried out by the entire left-liberal establishment and accused mainstream media of participating in a smear campaign. In the final stretch of the campaign, the leaders of the far-right party returned to the openly xenophobic discourse that they had tried to moderate in the past five years. Akesson accused the SAP of wanting to replace the population to secure power with the help of Muslim voters. Richard Jomshof, one of the most influential figures in the party, tweeted: The SAP have blood on their hands [in reference to violence between criminal gangs]. Think about that when you go to vote. Many people voted for the extreme right in previous elections solely because they do not want more immigrants to arrive, says Wikforss, this time they thought that their neo-Nazi rhetoric would be more tolerated. The university professor argues that conservative voters who supported the Swedish Democrats in the last election were turned off by the troll factory scandal and the partys aggressive campaign. The Sweden Democrats lost support throughout the country, but maintains its popularity among young people between 21 and 30 years old. Driven by social media, the party grew notably among first-time voters (from 9% to 15%). The fall of Swedens radicals is offset by the debacle of their Finnish partners. The far-right party, which in the less than 12 months in which it has been part of the Executive has been involved in multiple scandals with racist overtones, added on Sunday a quarter of the 600,000 votes it won in last years parliamentary elections. The fall of the Swedish radicals is obscured when compared to the debacle of their Finnish partners. The Finns Party which in the less than 12 months it has been part of the government has been hit by multiple scandals over racism won just a quarter of the 600,000 votes it received in last years parliamentary elections. Kimmo Elo, a researcher at the Center for Parliamentary Studies at the University of Turku, argues that the conservative National Coalition Party (KOK) which won the European election with 25% of the vote benefited from the fact that one of the central issues of the campaign was the war in Ukraine and its possible consequences. KOK had three very experienced candidates in defense and security issues against whom The Finns Party could not compete. Sebastian Tynkkynen, head of the Finns Party list in the European Parliament elections, on Sunday evening in Helsinki. JARNO KUUSINEN (EFE) Success of environmentalists Unlike previous elections, this time immigration did not dominate the election debates in northern Europe. Climate change instead carried more weight, which helped bolster environmental political groups. A quarter of Swedish voters opted for the Green Party or the Left Party (7% more than in 2019). In Finland, the Left Alliance climbed to second position, winning almost three times as many votes as five years ago. In Portugal, support for the far-right group Chega fell below 10%, despite the fact that immigration was one of the central issues of the campaign. Emboldened by the March elections, where it won 18% of the popular vote (more than one million votes) and key victories in regions such as the Algarve, Chega had aimed to win the European election. Instead, Chega voters showed apathy or disloyalty to the cause that had mobilized them just three months ago. Like Chega in Portugal, the far-right party Vox also fell in Spain: it went from winning 12.4% of the vote in the July 2023 general election to securing 9.6% at Sundays poll. This, however, is up from the partys results in the 2019 European election, meaning it will now have six MEPs, up from four. The anti-establishment Spanish party Se Acabo la Fiesta (The Party is Over) also won a surprise three seats at the June 9 vote. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Its ability to survive is remarkable. It lives attached to the rocky sea bottom, but it is also able to thrive in suspension, floating in the drift. It can reproduce through spores and by offshoots, each one able to generate hundreds of new individuals. Its multiplication seems infinite if one considers that in a single square meter there can be thousands of them. The seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae, originally from Asia, arrived in the Spanish north African exclave of Ceuta in 2015 in the ballast waters of a ship. It took just one year to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. Aided by climate change, in less than a decade it has ravaged the seabed of much of the coast of Cadiz, reducing biodiversity, hitting commercial fishing, and causing problems for tourism. The western Costa del Sol is its new victim. The impact is total, says Maria Altamirano, professor of botany at the University of Malaga. Its like when a fire ravages a natural park, but as this is unseen, hardly any action is taken. Andalusia is, for the moment, the most affected region of in Spain, but the presence of Rugulopteryx okamurae is already beginning to become a problem on the coasts of areas as varied as Alicante, Almeria, the Canary Islands, Murcia and Bilbao. The fishing fleet is desperate and local councils are spending their budgets on eliminating the masses of seaweed that reach their shores, which generate thousands of tons of waste. The figures speak for themselves: in Estepona alone, more than 18,000 tons have been removed since 2020, according to data from the City Council, which spends 1 million each year on clean-up operations. In Casares, which has just 2.2 kilometers of beach, last April 460 tons of algae were removed after being washed ashore by intense westerly winds. The towns delegate for beaches, Noelia Rodriguez, assures that removing them requires an extraordinary effort in personnel and expense. And it is something that happens almost daily, from Conil to practically the city of Malaga, a stretch of over 200 kilometers (124 miles) of coastline. And under the sea, the species is already colonizing protected nature reserves such as Cabo de Gata, in Almeria. Researchers Sandra Mogollon, Mariana Zilio, Eva Buitrago, Angeles Caraballo and Rocio Yniguez have calculated that Rugulopterix okamurae causes 3.3 million ($3.52 million) in losses for a municipality like Tarifa (which has fewer than 20,000 inhabitants and where in 2020, 2,300 tons of algae were removed), as they indicate in the conclusions of their study The economic impact of Rugulopteryx okamurae. Especially in the fishing industry, say the scientists, who emphasize that their model could be applied with modifications to other territories to account for the overall impact on the fishing or tourism sectors. Professor Altamirano, who is also vice-president of the Spanish Society of Phycology, clarifies that there is not a single civil servant who has stopped eating because of the algae: the focus should be on the fishing sector. She believes that given the impossibility of acting where the algae is already established, measures must be implemented now to prevent it from continuing to spread to other places. The Ministry for Ecological Transition which included the species in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien Species at the end of 2020 launched a control strategy in 2022, but it has not been very successful. While tourism still looks askance on the issue, the fishing fleet has been in a tunnel for years from which it doesnt quite know how to emerge. The species has covered all areas up to 50 meters deep with sunlight on our coast. The transformation of the ecosystem has been brutal, says Nicolas Fernandez, manager of the Federation of Fishermens Guilds of Cadiz. The spokesman says that the sea urchin has disappeared from Tarifa, like the octopus has from the entire area around Cape Trafalgar: where once 1,000 tons were caught annually, now there are hardly any specimens left. There are even more chilling data: from 800 tons of sablefish caught in 2015, the figure dropped to just 600 kilos in 2019, a reduction similar to those of other species such as blackspot seabream. The fleet competes in an increasingly small and depleted fishing ground because along the rest of the coast they are catching algae instead of fish. They then spend weeks cleaning their nets, or have to throw them away and spend 3,000 on new gear. Thats why many boats end up in the scrapyard. They are no longer profitable. The regional government of Andalusia has offered occasional aid, but the fleet is asking for more research resources, clear instructions on how to act, or to be allowed to modify their activity. They want to redirect it to tuna fishing, a species that has recovered enormously and even already has a resident community in the Strait. This is a very serious issue in which the administrations have neglected their functions, says Fernandez. 'Rugulopteryx okamurae,' an invasive algae species that has established itself in Spain. Ayuntamiento Casares Thousands of tons per year Its insanity. A real disaster, insists Daniel Gomez, councilman for beaches in Mijas, a town in Malaga where last year alone over 4,000 tons of this invasive species was removed from its 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) of coastline. Gomez affirms that, for the moment, although the decomposing algae generates unpleasant smells and attracts sea lice, tourism is unaffected because an enormous effort is made to keep everything clean. One day you clean and the next morning everything is covered in it again. And the worst thing is that this has come to stay, stresses the councilman. Operators in Marbella, for example, start their days at 5 a.m. with an arsenal of machinery with the aim of leaving the beaches clean. Removing the vast mats of algae 1,000 tons on average annually has already cost over 3 million, according to municipal sources. Sometimes there is so much that it is impossible to remove all the organic debris, which for the City Council can generate a negative image of the beaches, both for residents and tourists, and can also pose a problem for beach services such as sunbed operators or beach bars. In popular tourist municipalities such as Benalmadena, Torremolinos, or Malaga, there have only been a few small incidents involving Rugulopteryx okamurae, but everything indicates that soon they will also have to get used to them and incorporate into their annual budgets the cleaning of beaches and the cost of transferring the algae to treatment centers. In the past few years, each municipality has managed the collection of algae in its own way, but since March the Municipal Community of the Costa del Sol has taken charge of its transport to the Environmental Center of Casares, reducing the high expenses for local councils, who pay 42 per ton. Until now, Rugulopteryx okamurae was treated there like any other solid urban waste that is why there are no statistics but now it will be handled as pruning waste. This will make it possible to turn it into compost, sell it, and thus recoup some money. There is also research underway to use the algae as a construction element in cosmetics or even for footwear, although these have so far met with little success. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The scientist Jacob Hanna, in the Aula Cajal of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid, on May 13. Biologist Jacob Hanna, 44, is one of the best scientists on the planet. In his laboratory at the Weizmann Institute of Science, in the Israeli city of Rehovot, his team takes skin cells from people and reprograms them in such a way that they are able to self-organize and form a structure very similar to a human embryo. Just a year ago, Hanna announced to the world that he had managed to recreate a 14-day-old embryo, but he wont stop there. The researcher, born in a Palestinian Christian family in Rameh, wants to create a living structure that is as similar as possible to a human fetus, with little arms and legs, from which, according to his prediction, cells could be obtained for personalized transplants. If a person has leukemia, a fetus could be created from their own cells in order to create the organ needed. Hanna recounted his scientific progress on May 10 at a conference in Madrid, at the National Cancer Research Center. Three days later, he answered questions from EL PAIS in one of the temples of world medicine: the classroom in which Santiago Ramon y Cajal the father of neuroscience taught for three decades at the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid. Hanna is devastated by the genocide being committed by the Israeli army in Gaza following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, but he still has the strength to joke. Being a Palestinian in Israel, and also gay, my way of surviving is dark humor, he explains. Question. Last year you grew a living structure, similar to a 14-day-old human embryo, in the laboratory, without needing sperm, eggs, or womb. Where is the limit? Answer. In mice, we can reach day 13 of development, which is 1.3 centimeters, according to the results that we will publish this year. The gestation period of a mouse is 20 days. If you take the analogy of that state based on size, in humans it will be day 70 to 75, because human growth is much slower. This is great, because on day 60 all the organs have formed. We have a system with special incubators, in which the real embryo or the embryo model is fed by diffusion, because the nutrients are in the medium. It is an artificial system and when it grows too much, the deeper tissues do not receive nutrients, so we can only go so far. Q. You dont work with real embryos, but it could be creepy if you get a 70-day human embryo model with arms, legs, fingers.... A. I wouldnt use the word creepy. One of the biggest discussions is whether an embryo model, or a synthetic embryo, should be considered an embryo or not. I think that, at the moment, they are not identical, there are big differences between them, but in ethics you have to take into account extreme scenarios. Lets assume that one day they will be identical. Is it a person or not? Is it life? Stem cells are also a form of life. In many countries, such as Spain, youre allowed to work with blastocysts [the stage five or six days after fertilization] and thats an embryo too. There is fear of the word embryo. I think the most important thing is if there is cognition, if there is a sense of pain. We are far from that, that doesnt happen until halfway through the pregnancy. Whether its creepy or not, the question is not about reducing it to whether its ethical or not. I think the way to look at it is: What are the pros and cons? Q. What are they? A. There is an ethical price to pay, of course. It is an uncomfortable investigation, but it is our duty to explain to people why we are doing this. We dont know much about human development. We dont even know where the cells go. When you explain it to someone, the first thing is to clarify that you cannot make a complete human pregnancy [in the laboratory] and were not trying to. This is not a replacement for pregnancy. Im a big fan of the Matrix movie, but thats not what were doing. Its about understanding. We dont know which genes are important for forming your liver. I want society to make decisions after having all the information, not with unjustified concerns. When we talk to people, one of their concerns is what would happen if someone took one of these embryo models and implanted it in a uterus. How are you going to force a woman to put an embryo inside herself? Q. Maybe you can find a female volunteer. A. It is an extreme scenario, but even if you find one, you cant do it, because a natural embryo can only be implanted in the womb until the blastocyst stage. One day after the blastocyst, it can no longer implant, it is too late. And all the stages we work with are post that. Even if someone wanted to break the law, they couldnt. I think there is too much fear of embryo research. Its like its the only research that raises ethical concerns, but I cant think of any scientific field thats free of them. Artificial intelligence is a risk. In virology research it is very easy to create a dangerous virus, which is much more dangerous than if we make 10 Frankensteins. We have to be realistic. You dont ban nuclear physics because of nuclear bombs, even though they are much more dangerous. The scientist Jacob Hanna, in the Great Amphitheater of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid, on May 13. Claudio Alvarez Q. American chemist Jennifer Doudna, the mother of the CRISPR technique for modifying DNA, said she had nightmares in which Adolf Hitler arrived with a pig mask and asked her for more information about her technology. Do you have nightmares about a terrifying scenario? A. My only nightmare is when I imagine my daughter being killed in Gaza. Q. You have nightmares with more substance. A. One of my students, Shadi Tarazi, is from Gaza and half of his family has been killed. He was the first author of the first artificial mouse embryo. This is unusual, because Israel does not allow the people of Gaza to leave that cage. I had to use a Jewish friend connected to the Israeli Mossad to get the permits. We must stop the fear of the Palestinians. I am Palestinian and that does not mean that I want to destroy Israel or that I want to destroy the Jews, even though I am very critical and say that Israel is committing genocide. I feel like a Palestinian scientist inside Israel. My real connection with the country will come when it accepts peace. In my opinion, the one-state solution is the best way. Q. Living together? A. Yes, like in Belgium [a country made up of two regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia]. The first love of my life was a Jewish Israeli. Most of my friends are Jewish Israelis. However, the Israeli authorities not only fail to promote integration, but instead engage in active segregation. The first time I interacted with Jewish people was in university. We want to imitate the embryo because it is like a 3D printer: it makes organs Q. Lets talk about the positive aspects of your research, the best scenario, not the worst. You imagine a future where you can take a skin cell from a person, reprogram it by going back in time, make a pseudo-embryo from that person, and grow it for up to 50, 60, or 75 days. A. Up to the minimum number of days needed to answer the question we are asking ourselves. Q. Or to cure a disease of the cell donor. A. True. We want to imitate the embryo because it is like a 3D printer: it makes organs. We discovered the phenomenon that stem cells are self-organizing, and we discovered the conditions that allow the process to be unleashed. If you make sure they dont stick together, suffocate or starve, this domino effect begins. They do it alone. We may never be able to recapitulate this complexity, but we have been lucky and have figured out that this happens and how to trigger it. Perhaps some of the resulting cells could be useful for transplants. Q. What cells? A. For example, blood cells, which are normally in the bone marrow, but in the embryo they are also in the liver. There are studies in mice and in abortions that show that blood stem cells in the liver are the best cells for blood transplants. If I am a leukemia patient, it is very difficult to find a donor. With this technology you take the patients skin cells, you reprogram them so that they are induced pluripotent stem cells and you can grow them for the minimum number of days, which is 35 or 40, to obtain liver cells. If you want eggs, its more like 60 or 70 days. You can take those cells and save that persons life. The question is not whether this is ethical or unethical, the question is to live or not live. Lets imagine that we have a person with leukemia who is about to die and cannot find a donor. Do they have the right to give their own cells to make an embryo model? Lets even assume that the embryo model is identical to a real embryo even though it isnt right now and that it saves their life. Lets now think about a woman who has received chemotherapy for cancer, she is already cured, but she no longer has eggs. Does she have the right to give her skin cells, reprogram them, make it to day 60, get an early ovary, grow it 30 more days, and make the eggs? Q. Right now can you grow a human embryo model until day 70? A. No. Our goal is to make the embryo models more like the natural human embryo and we are trying to grow them for more days, but at the same time we are saying: what makes something a person? Lets eliminate that characteristic to ensure that it will never be a person. We use stem cells with restricted development. Now, when I start with stem cells, I can remove one gene and there are no frontal lobes of the brain. That thing can never have cognition or sense pain. To reach day 40, 50 or 60, you dont need to do this, but if the public feels more comfortable this way, we want to give scientific options to circumvent ethical problems. To make ovaries or blood cells in the liver, you dont need the frontal lobes of the brain, or even the heart. A clump of organs is enough. Then there are people, like the journalist Antonio Regalado, who says that we are making headless people. We cannot allow ourselves to be carried away by extravagant Frankenstein-style fears. Its not right, we are a modern society. What makes something a person? Let's eliminate that characteristic to make sure it will never be a person Q. You are referring to Antonio Regalado, journalist for the magazine MIT Technology Review. In 2022, he wrote an article about a company you founded, Renewal Bio, and the headline was: This startup wants to copy you into an embryo for organ harvesting. A. I didnt like that approach at all. I told him, I was very disappointed. This day-40 thing is not you, especially if it doesnt have frontal brain. Q. The magazine called these structures mini-mes. A. I deplored that. For us it is very important that donors know exactly what we are going to do with their cells. Some have been donated to us by other Weizmann professors and others are mine. Then they said, Jacob Hanna is making mini-mes. Ive gotten induced pluripotent stem cells from myself, from my skin cells, but theyre terrible. Q. How many embryo models of yourself do you have? A. Very few have reached day 14. My cells grow very slowly, so my students use others that do grow at a good speed. Mine arent good enough, but I tried. [Laughs] Q. What do you feel when you see those structures with their cells growing? Do you have philosophical or religious questions? A. They are cells, a clump of organs. I am a very existentialist person, I love dark humor and I dont philosophize too much. They are just cells. If we were trying to get to day 150, I might have questions, but if you use these developmentally restricted stem cells, they are not a human being, they are not a person. Q. Is it possible, from a theoretical point of view, to grow a six-month-old human fetus model in the laboratory? A. No, I dont think so. Q. But, theoretically, over the next half century... A. If it works in mice until day 13, we can extrapolate and say that, theoretically, it can reach day 70. Q. On day 70 it is already a fetus. A. Its a fetus, but not six months old. Six months is still science fiction. To get to that I think a great technological leap would be necessary, which is not even on the horizon. Q. But it is theoretically possible to obtain a 70-day human fetus model. A. Yes. Q. It is no longer an embryo, it is a fetus, and that word is more controversial. A. It is. Q. People may think: what is this guy doing in Israel with models of human fetuses? A. Yeah, what is this gay Palestinian guy working in Israel doing? All controversies in the one individual. But thats what we have regulations for. I want to reach the minimum number of days necessary. To obtain blood cells from the liver I do not need to reach the fetal stage. Maybe for the ovaries it is necessary. If a fetus is controversial and I want to reach day 70, I will make no heart or frontal brain. And then its not a fetus, its a clump of organs. Could that be a person? No, it could never live on its own. Never forget the potential benefits. Dont only look at the potential pitfalls. Q. You were born in Rameh, a Palestinian Arab town in Israel, into a Palestinian Christian family. You know Christianity, Judaism and Islam well. How do each of these religions see your experiments? A. In Judaism and Islam, until day 40 there is no controversy: it is not life until the heartbeat is formed or even after. The historical reason is that the pregnant mother is more important than the baby. Some rabbis talk about day 160, since before they do not consider it a person because it does not have cognition or feel pain, it is just a body of organs. Regarding Christianity, I am also Protestant, we dont even have a church. My mother is Greek Orthodox and my father is Protestant, but we are not a religious family. Im not anti-religion either, I respect that. A childhood neighbor is now at the helm of the Greek Orthodox church, and every time I publish a study, he calls me and congratulates me. The second time he did it, I asked him, Your Holiness, are you sure you understand? And he had completely understood it. He told me: I dont see any danger, because God created stem cells, God created the blastocyst, God created the ability to make stem cells and you use them to save lives. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Carissa Veliz is an expert in ethics applied to technology. The Spanish-Mexican philosopher, who does not provide a date or place of birth to protect her privacy, is one of the voices that warn us about the growing digital dangers that lurk at every corner and chip away at our individual autonomy. Her first book, Privacy is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data, encourages developing strategies to not allow ourselves to be dominated by companies and technology. Simple things like using multiple emails to protect the one we really value, or providing companies with a pseudonym instead of our personal data. The essay was selected by The Economist as one of the books of 2020. Last January she published The Ethics of Privacy and Surveillance. Veliz teaches at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford and she has also worked as a private advisor. The meeting takes place one morning in May in an office with plush sofas and a painting of a country landscape at the Rafael del Pino Foundation, next to Paseo del Prado in Madrid, where she has taught a course on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Veliz, who collaborates with various media outlets, including EL PAIS, has a fresh, almost adolescent voice. Question. You consider that surveillance capitalism makes an unacceptable intrusion into our privacy to the point of undermining our autonomy. Answer. Autonomy is a fundamental principle. To have it, you need space to make your own decisions, to think about what your values are and act in that direction. And when they are watching you all the time, the others gaze is oppressive, it seeks your compliance. The simple fact of being observed reduces our impulse to experiment, to ask. Human beings need privacy, intimacy and a certain solitude to discover ourselves. Q. How does this automate our thinking, as you maintain? A. It affects how we experience things and how we express ourselves. I recently asked that a talk I was going to give not be recorded, we had not agreed to it. They said okay, they announced it to the public, and the camera was turned off. The conversation was lively, the audience participated a lot. At the end, the organizer told me: It was the most interesting session we have had, there was a lot of interaction. We dont realize how surveillance influences us. If we turned off the cameras we would see that we do not think the same, we do not express things the same way, there is not the same type of frankness in the debate. Human beings need privacy and a certain solitude to discover ourselves Q. You defend a system of anonymity to protect our privacy. Can you explain it? A. It is a system that works with pseudonyms. If we had not allowed the use of these we would not have the works of John Locke, Marx or Kierkegaard... Anonymity is one of the most important social innovations of democracy, in particular, the possibility of making an anonymous protest, going out into the streets... Today we carry our cell phones with us, which identifies us, and that sometimes means that people do not show up when they need to. I defend a system that protects us, as long as we do not commit a crime. The idea is to have a permanent pseudonym that you can use to interact online, but that protects your identity. The people who suffer the most on social media are women and we are pushing them out of the public sphere because we are not protecting them from abuse. Many no longer want to be on Twitter, in politics, or to be journalists. Having a public persona exposes you to tremendous abuse. Q. We still have no user age verification system that protects minors. A. A Zero-Knowledge Proof system is being trialled at the BBC. Imagine that a minor wants to watch a program for people over 18 years of age. Through this system, which provides a verified identity, the chain will know if the person is of legal age or not. Q. In which parts of the planet has individual privacy already been lost? A. China takes the lead, it has no pretensions to being democratic or liberal. It is going all out with surveillance, it intends for it to be centralized. The surveillance you are subjected to at work has consequences on your personal relationships in a country like this. It affects, for example, the visibility you achieve on dating applications. Anonymity is one of the most important social innovations of democracy, in particular, for protesting Q. According to my score, do I achieve more or less visibility in a dating application? A. Yes. And visibility is decided by a centralized system of social credibility. The extent to which it works centrally is controversial and a work in progress, but that is the intention and the trend. If you do something wrong at work and your boss gives you a bad rating, that rating will affect you in many areas. That's part of what it means to have a totalitarian system: one aspect of your life influences everything else. Q. In the West, to escape the lack of privacy, what do we have? Our individual rebellion? A. Obviously, we need regulation. Collective problems need collective solutions. It is not up to the individual to change things and yet we have power; When we change our behavior, companies and governments are sensitive to it. Its not about not using your cell phone. We must try to protect our privacy when we can and it is not too demanding. Instead of using WhatsApp, use Signal. Its free, it works just as well, it doesnt collect your data. Instead of using Gmail, use Proton Mail. Instead of using Google, use DuckDuckGo. And if you want to have a good party, ask your friends not to take photos and certainly not to share them. Q. Confidence in the laws that should stop digital abuse is not at a high point. A. We are at the beginning of the revolution. This is the Wild West and it is a civilizing process that we have experienced before. Cars in the 1960s did not have seat belts. It took decades. Q. Ethically, what worries you most about artificial intelligence? A. That five white men in Silicon Valley are designing it at any price. Q. What types of decisions should we never leave in the hands of AI? A. Any decision that can significantly affect a persons life. AI is not a moral agent, it cannot be responsible for harming someone or denying them an important opportunity. Nor should we delegate to AI jobs in which we value the empathy of a fellow citizen who can understand what we feel. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Jun 15, 2024 - 08:48 | All, Japan, World, G7 Group of Seven leaders on Friday ramped up pressure on China to curb its provocative activities in the Indo-Pacific region, and condemned Russia and North Korea for deepening their military ties amid the former's invasion of Ukraine. While agreeing to fresh financial aid for the war-torn eastern European country, the major industrialized democracies warned Israel not to worsen the already deteriorated humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in its offensives against the militant group Hamas. With China's growing maritime assertiveness in mind, the G7 leaders reiterated their "strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo" in the East and South China seas in a joint statement released after the second day of their summit in Italy. Expressing their "deep concern" over China's support for Russia, the leaders also demanded that Beijing "press Russia to stop" its aggression against Ukraine and halt "the transfer of dual-use materials" to Moscow. The G7 condemned "the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia," including Pyongyang's export of ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and Russia's use of them against Ukraine. To step up financial aid to Ukraine, the G7 agreed to provide about $50 billion in loans for the country using interest from frozen Russian sovereign assets, and reaffirmed their "commitment to Ukraine's long-term security" and the goal of realizing "a just, lasting and comprehensive peace." As for the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the G7 said Israel "must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law." The communique was issued after the conclusion of substantial discussions in Fasano, southern Italy, and before Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the summit's chair, holds a press conference on Saturday to wrap up the three-day gathering. During a Friday session concentrating on the "Indo-Pacific and economic security," the G7 leaders confirmed they will work together closely to grapple with matters concerning China and North Korea, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. "The security of the Indo-Pacific region and Europe are inseparable," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was quoted by the ministry as telling the session, apparently with Beijing's maritime aspirations and Russia's aggression against Ukraine in mind. The G7 also reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, where China's military provocations have been seen, calling it "indispensable to international security and prosperity" and demanding a "peaceful resolution" of tensions between Beijing and Taipei. China's ruling Communist Party has been intensifying military pressure on Taiwan. Beijing views the self-ruled democratic island as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. As for the South China Sea, the G7 expressed "serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels" near disputed shoals, resulting in severe damage to a vessel and injuries to its crew. China believes it has sovereignty over almost the entire sea, although a 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidated its claim. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines claim parts of the resource-rich waters, home to some of the world's busiest sea lanes. On the economic front, the G7 members raised China's "nonmarket policies and practices" that they said are leading to "harmful overcapacity," amid mounting concerns about the negative impact of excessive Chinese industrial production in sectors such as electric vehicles and solar panels that have had government support. Meanwhile, the leaders said they "seek constructive and stable relations with China" and that they are "not trying to harm China or thwart its economic development." The G7 pledged to launch an action plan on the use of artificial intelligence following a session on Friday joined by Pope Francis, who aired his concerns over the use of AI for military purposes and called for tightened regulations. Francis became the first pope to attend the G7 talks. Recalling the G7's first-ever document on nuclear disarmament, dubbed the Hiroshima Vision and announced at last year's summit hosted by Kishida in the western Japan city, the leaders said they remain committed to "disarmament and nonproliferation efforts, with the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons." Related coverage: Japan, Ukraine sign deal for long-term support amid Russian war G7 leaders agree to provide at least $50 billion in aid for Ukraine PM Kishida to lead session on China, Indo-Pacific at Italy G7 summit KYODO NEWS - Jun 14, 2024 - 13:03 | Arts, All, Japan A Japanese pianist has been arrested for stealing a cabin attendant's apron from a parked All Nippon Airways plane in April, police said Friday. Kazuya Saito, a 34-year-old Tokyo resident, admitted to the theft, with police quoting him as saying, "Collecting women's uniforms is my hobby. I smelled it and wore it myself." According to his website, Saito has won prizes at home and abroad and was a finalist at the Long-Thibaud Competition, a prestigious international contest for up-and-coming artists, in 2009. Saito was arrested on June 12 for allegedly stealing the apron of the cabin attendant in her 40s from the aircraft's galley on April 25 while it was parked at Ishigaki airport in the southern island prefecture of Okinawa, police said. The arrest came after All Nippon Airways Co. reported the apron as missing in April, police said. Saito has also said he stole the garment from an ANA plane in June, according to police, who added that they have seized aprons and nurse uniforms from locations including his house in Tokyo's Nerima Ward. By Andriy Yermak, KYODO NEWS - Jun 14, 2024 - 23:19 | All, World On May 29th, the birthday of the legendary Taiho Koki -- Ivan Boryshko, Russian troops once again launched a missile attack on the Kharkiv region, the area in Ukraine where the famous wrestler's father was born. The Russians are attempting to capture it just as they seized Shisuka, the yokozuna's hometown, in 1945. The story of this family, filled with both tragedy and resilience leading to triumph, is just one of the many invisible yet strong threads that connect the peoples of Ukraine and Japan, despite the eight thousand kilometers that separate them. Eight thousand kilometers -- and one common neighbor, harboring archaic ambitions of conquest. Russia is the largest country in the world, with many areas untouched by civilization. Yet, instead of developing these vast territories, Moscow, much like centuries ago, seeks external expansion. This policy threatens not only Russia's neighbors. The Kremlin's actions plunge the entire world into a typhoon of geopolitical, geostrategic, and economic challenges. At the center of this storm is Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, which brings a cascade of challenges to the international community and negatively impacts the global economy and logistics, food and energy security, and, ultimately, the environment. The explosions of this war echo in Europe, but its consequences extend far beyond the region. Ten years ago, the global community failed to respond adequately to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea. This inability emboldened Moscow to commit further blatant violations of international law. Consequently, the large-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, became yet another testament to the breakdown of mechanisms for preventing armed conflicts and sharply questioned the viability of the global security order established after the end of the Cold War. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to overcome conflict through dialogue and compromise. But Russia rejects dialogue on equal terms. It denies Ukraine's right to exist as a sovereign state and distinct nation. Mass executions, deportations, kidnappings and subsequent indoctrination of children, and other crimes bearing the hallmarks of genocide are vivid evidence of this. Thus, for Ukraine, this is an existential struggle for a free and democratic future. However, it is not only Ukraine's fate that is at risk. In Russia's paradigm of international relations, agreements are meant to be broken whenever Moscow deems it appropriate. Both our nations have had to face the consequences of such a policy. Moscow's stance on returning the illegally seized Japanese Northern Territories, Crimea, Donbas, and other occupied regions of Ukraine clearly indicates that its true goal is domination, not mutual understanding. Contrary to international law, Russia has neither the intention nor the desire to normalize life in the occupied lands, turning them into staging grounds for further expansion and forcibly replacing the population. The Russian invasion of Ukraine poses a security challenge on a planetary scale. Through its ideology and actions, the Putin regime is returning the world to an era of imperialism and colonialism, undermining the fundamental principles of international law. Over the past decade, Russia has violated all the basic principles of the UN Charter, as well as every provision of the Helsinki Final Act, including respect for the territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Moscow opposes the rule of law with the law of force, and if it is not stopped, this will inevitably lead to the degradation of international institutions and an endless cascade of new conflicts. Aggressive regimes will attempt to follow Russia's path, peaceful states will seek protection, and the military-industrial complex will become a priority area of development worldwide, placing a heavy burden on the weakest economies and the most vulnerable populations. This is already happening due to Russia's continuous efforts to weaponize access to energy and food supplies. Moreover, the consistent lowering of the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and the deliberate endangerment of nuclear infrastructure -- most notably, the occupation, militarization, and missile strikes on Ukrainian nuclear power plants -- pose a threat to all of humanity. Japan and Ukraine, having endured unprecedentedly severe consequences from nuclear disasters of both military and technological nature, categorically oppose such irresponsibility, especially considering that the non-proliferation regime could fall victim to it. The post-apocalyptic worlds of "Barefoot Gen" and "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." should remain in the past and in the realm of gamer fantasies. These dystopias must not become our future. The Kremlin's revanchism, fueled by its nuclear potential, knows no bounds. If the world does not stop Putin's Russia in Ukraine, it will inevitably seek new victims to satisfy its predatory appetite. Inspired by this example, Moscow's allies and proxies will not remain idle either. The shadow of war looms over all of Eurasia. It is not too late to prevent this. It is only necessary to compel Russia to abide by international law and end the war. No single country can achieve this alone. The only solution lies in unity and collective efforts. Ukraine and Japan are united in their determination to resist Russian aggression and restore a just world order based on international law. At the G20 summit, President Zelenskyy presented the Peace Formula, which is founded on international law and grounded in the UN Charter. Japan was among the first to support this initiative, which focuses on such universal values as justice and security. The fields of the G7 summit in Hiroshima served as the starting point for its further implementation. Since then, our cooperation has taken place at all levels -- from negotiations on security advisors level to Tokyo's unprecedented assistance in strengthening Ukraine's resilience. Considering the challenging security situation, Japan pursues a proactive policy based on values as the sole effective tool to counter aggression. It includes a range of measures from assisting Ukraine in its struggle for survival to sanctions, humanitarian policy, and leadership in nuclear security in line with the Peace Formula. In the 13th century, Japan was saved from foreign invaders by the "divine wind." In the 21st century, we cannot rely on the mercy of nature and chance when it comes to the security and survival of countries and nations. Today, unity in confronting the instigators of war must become the "divine wind." Therefore, Japan firmly stands shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people in their heroic resistance to the Kremlin's imperial ambition. Since the first days of the full-scale war, the Government of Japan has provided Ukraine with powerful political, financial, and humanitarian support, helping to strengthen sustainability and rebuild what has been destroyed by war. Ukraine is extremely grateful to the Japanese people and the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for this assistance. Japan was among the first proponents of Ukrainian peace initiatives and to confirm its participation in the Peace Summit scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. We call on other countries that respect international law and support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity to join in collective international efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. Our countries agree that alternative proposals, which involve simply freezing the conflict as a starting point for the peace process, are incapable of preventing further escalation. Freezing the conflict without proper enforcement tools would only give Russia more leverage in international relations and provide it with time to prepare for further expansion. Since Ukraine suffers from unprovoked aggression, the Peace Formula must become the sole legitimate basis for the peace process. At the same time, we believe that the mechanism for its implementation should develop through broad international cooperation. The Peace Summit will enable the initiation of relevant procedures. The world stands at a crossroads. Either revanchist regimes, seeking to plunge the world into barbarism, will succeed in undermining the foundation of global security and stability. Or through collective efforts, the world of rules and universal values will be preserved. Ukraine and Japan have chosen their path. Despite the incredible cost, we will tirelessly defend the sacred right of nations to free development and choice of the future. To succeed in this struggle, we unite with all who respect the principles of justice and oppose the resurgence of imperialism and colonialism. (Andriy Yermak is head of the Office of the President of Ukraine) KYODO NEWS - Jun 14, 2024 - 22:31 | Arts, All American children's author Ruth Stiles Gannett, who wrote the 1948 book "My Father's Dragon," has died in the United States, a source close to her in Japan said Friday. She was 100. Gannett, who died on Tuesday local time in the United States, was best known for the trilogy of books that began with her internationally-beloved story. The series was published in Japanese in the mid-1960s, selling around 7.8 million copies. In Japan, the works of Gannett, who was born in 1923 in New York City, were adapted into puppet plays on public broadcaster NHK, and into a 1997 animated feature film. An exhibition marking 60 years since the series was published in Japanese has been touring the country since 2023. Chinese Embassy in Syria on Wednesday donated a vast collection of Chinese books, translated into English and Arabic, to the Al-Assad National Library, the largest public library in Syria. A member of the Lebanese Civil Defense works to extinguish fires in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, on June 13, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) BEIRUT, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Israeli barracks and military centers on Thursday, two days after an Israeli strike in southeastern Lebanon killed a senior commander and three other members of the Lebanese armed group. Hezbollah said in a statement that it used missiles, drones, Katyusha rockets and Al-Falaq missiles to target six Israeli barracks and military sites "in response to the assassination carried out by the Zionist enemy in the town of Jouaiya." Tuesday's attack hit a house in Jouaiya, killing Abu Talib and three of his companions. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters used several squadrons to attack David Base, the headquarters of Israel's northern command, Mishar Base, the main intelligence headquarters for the northern region of Israel, and the Katsavia Barracks, the headquarters of the seventh Armored Brigade of the 210th Golan Division. A Lebanese military source told Xinhua that the Lebanese Army's observation posts on Thursday monitored the launch of about 150 surface-to-surface missiles and about 20 drones from Lebanon towards northern Israel. "Israeli drones and warplanes on Thursday carried out 16 raids on eight towns, villages and open areas in the border area and in the Jezzine region of southern Lebanon, resulting in several fires and material damage to dozens of homes," the source added. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera TV channel quoted an official source from Hezbollah as saying that Thursday's attack is the group's largest and most comprehensive assault on northern Israel since the beginning of the Israel-Lebanon border confrontations on Oct. 8, 2023. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas's attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery towards southeastern Lebanon. Members of the Lebanese Civil Defense work to extinguish fires in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, on June 13, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) A member of the Lebanese Civil Defense works to extinguish fires in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, on June 13, 2024. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) LILONGWE, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Malawi's political party Alliance for Democracy has written to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres, asking the UN to intervene in investigations surrounding Monday's plane crash that killed Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others. The party is one of the nine parties of the coalition that led Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera to power in the historic 2020 re-run election. The letter, dated Thursday and signed by the party's president Enoch Chihana, said the political party takes the tragedy "as a matter of national concern for it involves a highly politically risky person," hence UN's intervention is needed. The letter also called for the support of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union "in having a proper closure on the accident." The party has listed three points for consideration, including declaration of the plane crash site as a crime scene, and "protection of the site from contamination through internationally delegated military personnel." Malawian Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu said Wednesday that the Malawi Defense Force and the Malawi Police Service would investigate the accident although bad weather was reported to be its cause. Other than the vice president, the country's former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, security officers, officials in the vice president's office and the crew also died in the plane crash. President Chakwera has since declared 21 days of mourning and has called for calm and unity among all Malawians. VIENTIANE, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Road accidents claimed 77 lives across Laos in May, marking a notable decrease from 96 fatalities reported in the previous month. According to a report issued by the traffic police department under the Lao Ministry of Public Security on Friday, Laos recorded a total of 513 road accidents nationwide, resulting in 799 injuries, 77 fatalities and 889 vehicles damaged in May. Champasak province reported the highest number of road accidents during the cited month, followed by the Lao capital Vientiane and Vientiane province. The main causes of road accidents were speeding, drunk driving and reckless driving. Traffic police are urging drivers to strictly adhere to traffic laws and exercise caution on roads. Meanwhile, the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport held a meeting recently to discuss ways to improve road safety in Laos. This photo taken on June 4, 2024 shows the National Assembly building in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the main opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), have reached a deal to form a government of national unity (GNU), local media reported on Friday.(Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the main opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), have reached a deal to form a government of national unity (GNU), local media reported on Friday. According to South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the GNU will also include the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) while the DA will get the post of the deputy speaker of the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the Sunday Times, South Africa's biggest Sunday newspaper, reported that the current South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, will be elected with the support of the DA on Friday afternoon. The parties struck a deal shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, during the first sitting of the National Assembly, said a report published on the newspaper's website. "It's done. We have a deal," the report quoted an anonymous senior DA member of parliament as saying. According to the report, sources said it had been agreed that the DA will support Ramaphosa's election as president, with agriculture minister Thoko Didiza as speaker, and the ANC will support the election of a DA deputy speaker. "At about 10:30 a.m., the DA had not decided on the name of its candidate, but a source indicated it was likely to be Annelie Lotriet, the party's deputy chief whip," it said. "The ANC's Mdumiseni Ntuli is touted as the incoming chief whip." The first sitting of the National Assembly, lower house of parliament, is being held on Friday to elect the speaker, deputy speaker and president for the next five years. This follows the country's 2024 general elections on May 29 where members of the national and provincial legislatures were elected. In the elections, ANC secured 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly. However, for the first time, the ruling party fell below the 50 percent needed to maintain its 30-year-old unchallenged majority in the National Assembly. This photo taken on June 4, 2024 shows the head office of Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's main opposition party, in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the main opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), have reached a deal to form a government of national unity (GNU), local media reported on Friday.(Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua) BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- As agreed between China and the EU, and at the invitation of Vice Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will hold the fifth China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue at EU Headquarters in Brussels and visit Luxembourg from June 17 to 21. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the announcement on Friday. China and Europe are the world's two major forces, major markets, and major civilizations, Lin told a regular press briefing when answering a follow-up question about Ding's visit to Europe, noting that China-EU relations have an impact on global peace, stability, development and prosperity. Lin said China always views its relations with the EU from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and regards Europe as an important priority for China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and also as an important partner for achieving Chinese modernization. China and the EU share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation in green development, and have maintained good dialogue and cooperation in this regard, he added. Since the establishment of the China-EU High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in 2020, the two sides have successfully held four rounds of dialogue, which has played a positive role in jointly addressing global challenges in environment and climate governance, strengthening communication and coordination on bilateral and multilateral policies, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, Lin said. Lin said that during the upcoming trip, Ding will co-chair the fifth high-level dialogue with Executive Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic. "China stands ready to work with the EU to act on the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two sides, and through this dialogue, broaden the areas of cooperation, explore new collaboration models and upgrade the level of cooperation," said Lin, adding that China hopes to deepen and solidify the green partnership with the EU. In Luxembourg, Ding will meet with Luxembourg's leaders and attend the Second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" Forum for International Cooperation, Lin said. Noting that Luxembourg is a founding member of the EU and China's friendly cooperation partner in Europe, Lin said since the establishment of diplomatic ties over fifty years ago, the two countries have respected each other, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly promoted development. Lin added that in recent years, China and Luxembourg have achieved new progress in cooperation of such areas as finance and air freight. Since the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg "Air Silk Road" started operation, it has flown large amounts of goods between China and Europe, brought tangible benefits to the people of China, Luxembourg and the rest of Europe, and helped keep global industrial and supply chains stable, he said. China looks to work with Luxembourg through this visit to step up dialogue and communication, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and further advance the bilateral relations, the spokesperson said. ISLAMABAD, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Two terrorists, including one in police custody, were killed in a shoot-out in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) said in a statement on Friday. The incident happened in the provincial capital city of Peshawar, where police raided a hideout based on information provided by the detainee during the investigation process, the statement said. "Based on this revelation, the CTD investigation team, along with the operation team, took the accused to the hideout of his accomplices, where they were already alert and started indiscriminate firing at the police," the statement said. CTD personnel immediately took positions and returned fire in self-defense, resulting in an exchange of fire lasting for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, in which a terrorist and the detainee were killed, the department said. The remaining terrorists fled the scene, and police recovered arms and ammunition from the hideout. ATHENS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will reshuffle the cabinet on Friday, according to Greek government sources. Greek PM's office is going to announce the cabinet reshuffle at 11:30 am local time (0830 GMT), the source told Xinhua. Earlier this week the prime minister said that he would proceed to take "corrective measures" after his conservative party gathered a smaller percentage of votes than expected in the European Parliament election on Sunday. WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday called for enhanced mutual learning and people-to-people ties through friendly and sincere exchanges between the educational communities of China and New Zealand. Li made the remarks when addressing the closing ceremony of a forum on education development between China and New Zealand in Auckland. He attended the ceremony with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Li said that China will provide New Zealand with 100 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, 1,000 "Chinese Bridge" summer camp opportunities in China, and 5,000 Chinese books in the next five years. China welcomes more young people from New Zealand to learn the Chinese language and culture, and supports more Chinese young people to visit and study in New Zealand to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the younger generations of the two countries, he noted. Li said that educational cooperation has long been an important aspect of China-New Zealand relations. The breadth and depth of this cooperation have continuously expanded, yielding significant results in talent cultivation, joint scientific research and academic exchange. The new round of scientific and technological revolution is profoundly changing the way of human production and life, and education is facing higher requirements in terms of reform and innovation. Therefore, the educational communities of China and New Zealand should cooperate more closely, Li said. Some 160 university presidents, representatives of educational institutions, and other professionals from educational communities of both countries also attended the event. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the closing ceremony of the China-New Zealand Education Development Forum with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li addressed the closing ceremony of the forum on Friday. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang Friday called on the educational communities of China and New Zealand to cooperate more closely when addressing the closing ceremony of the China-New Zealand Education Development Forum. The new round of scientific and technological revolution is profoundly changing the way of human production and life, and education is facing higher requirements in terms of reform and innovation, thus the educational communities of China and New Zealand should cooperate more closely, Li said. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the closing ceremony of the China-New Zealand Education Development Forum with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li addressed the closing ceremony of the forum on Friday. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) This photo taken on March 28, 2024 shows second filial generation Chinese sturgeons being released into the Yangtze River in Yichang of central China's Hubei Province. More than 200,000 second filial generation Chinese sturgeons were released that day to increase wild stocks of the rare species. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 11, 2023 shows a ship powered by hydrogen fuel cells sailing on the Yichang section of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) This photo taken on Feb. 19, 2023 shows a Yangtze finless porpoise hunting for food in the section of Yangtze River in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 2, 2023 shows vehicles passing on a road over water in Xingshan County of Yichang, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) An aerial drone photo taken on May 24, 2024 shows the view of a riverside square along the Yichang section of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) An aerial drone photo taken on May 23, 2024 shows staff checking on the shore power equipment after an electric ship departs in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) An aerial drone photo taken on March 30, 2024 shows the view of the Yangtze River in the Ma'anshan section of China's Anhui Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Photo by Chen Liang/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 5, 2023 shows a view of the Wuhu section of the Yangtze River in China's Anhui Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on March 30, 2024 shows a park by the side of the Yangtze River in Ma'anshan City of China's Anhui Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Photo by Chen Liang/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 27, 2023 shows milu deer at Shishou Milu Deer National Nature Reserve in central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) An aerial drone photo taken on June 1, 2024 shows ships sailing in the water area of Yangluo Port in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan) An aerial drone photo taken on April 30, 2018 shows the demolition site of a chemical company by the riverside in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River in central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows the view of a river improvement project site in the Wuhu section of the Yangtze River in China's Anhui Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been making great efforts in the protection of water resources, so as to strengthen the shields for ecological security and protect biodiversity along the Yangtze River. (Photo by Xiao Benxiang/Xinhua) HAIKOU, June 14 (Xinhua) -- About 150 kilometers southeast of Sanya City in China's southern island province of Hainan, at a depth of about 1,500 meters beneath the deep blue sea, lie two shipwrecks revealing the bustling trade activities along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Through joint excavation efforts involving research institutes and a local museum over the past two years, more than 900 pieces of cultural relics have been retrieved from the shipwrecks. A total of 890 pieces of relics were excavated from the No. 1 shipwreck, including porcelain and pottery items, as well as copper coins. From the No. 2 shipwreck, 38 ancient artifacts were retrieved, including lumber, porcelain and pottery products, turban shells, and deer antlers, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) told a press briefing on Thursday. Discovered in October 2022 near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea, the two well-preserved shipwrecks date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The discovery is not only major deep-sea archaeological discoveries in China but also significant archaeological findings on a global scale. "They were both considered to be privately owned commercial ships as the No.1 shipwreck was loaded with pottery and porcelain objects to be sold overseas and the No. 2 shipwreck carried timber imported from abroad," said Song Jianzhong, a staffer of the National Center for Archaeology of the NCHA. According to Song, the No.1 ship may have departed from ports in the provinces of Guangdong or Fujian and was heading for the trade hub Malacca in Malaysia, while the No.2 ship may have picked up logs at Malacca and was on its way back to Guangdong or Fujian. The exquisite artifacts vividly depict the bustling trade activities during the mid-Ming Dynasty, Song said, adding that they serve as crucial evidence of the ancient Maritime Silk Road trade, providing important physical materials for research on Chinese maritime history, ocean trade history and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. The excavation was made possible by China's advanced deep-sea technologies and equipment for archaeological surveys. Experts used 3D laser scanners, high-definition cameras, and submersible mud-pumping and blowing devices for this archaeological excavation. "This deep-sea archaeological investigation, integrating China's deep-sea science and technology and underwater archaeology, marks the country's achievement of a world-class level in deep-sea archaeology," said Guan Qiang, deputy head of the NCHA. The archaeological investigation involving the two shipwrecks has secured significant progress, but the exploration of underwater legends is far from over. Wang Zhongyun, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, pledged efforts to promptly organize the materials of the findings, launch special exhibitions and publish picture catalogs of the retrieved artifacts. Wang added that the survey of underwater cultural heritage in the South China Sea will continue, with the objective of deepening understanding and laying the groundwork for the protection and sustainable development of underwater cultural heritage in the region. WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday delivered a speech at a welcoming gala dinner in Auckland, New Zealand. The following is the full text of the speech: Remarks by H.E. Li Qiang Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China At the Welcoming Gala Dinner in New Zealand Auckland, June 14, 2024 Your Honorable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, Good evening! It's such a pleasure to join so many friends in the beautiful city of Auckland. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to people from across the New Zealand society who have given care and support to the development of China-New Zealand relations over the years. I also wish to send my best regards to the warm and friendly people of New Zealand. This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand and the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries. At such an important moment, l am honored to be invited by Prime Minister Luxon to visit this land of fascinating beauty and abundance. We are delighted to see that in the past decade, China-New Zealand relations have made historic progress, and cooperation in various fields has advanced with unprecedented breadth and depth. New Zealand was the first developed country in the West to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document and upgrade its free trade agreement with China. China, on its part, has remained New Zealand's largest trading partner and biggest export market. Two-way trade has doubled from around NZ$20 billion to around NZ$40 billion. Our exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism and education, and at the sub-national level are flourishing, and the number of sister provinces/states and sister cities has grown to 42 pairs. The fruitful results of our friendly cooperation have not only generated tangible benefits to our peoples, but also greatly contributed to prosperity and stability of the region and beyond. If we delve deeper into history, more stories of friendship and more fruits of cooperation between China and New Zealand will come into view. In the past 52 years of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been a pacemaker in China's engagement with the wider developed world, and set many records along the way. The history of friendly exchanges between our two countries, which can be traced back to the 1860s when the first group of Chinese people arrived in Otago, spans nearly 160 years. For over one and a half centuries, our exchanges have continued to deepen, our cooperation has become closer, and our friendship and mutual understanding have kept growing. What I want to stress here is that despite the distance between us and the difference in national conditions, China and New Zealand have forged a natural bond of affinity and empathy, based on our many commonalities and similarities. First, we both respect Mother Nature. China and New Zealand are both countries with magnificent landscape and diverse ecosystems. Reverence for nature is an integral part of our traditional values. That is why we both attach great importance to environmental protection and appreciate the necessity of green development. New Zealand is renowned for being a "land of the long white cloud" and "pasture under the blue sky." Capitalizing on its rich natural endowments, New Zealand is a developed country with advanced agricultural and pastoral sector, and an example to the world on ecological sustainability. New Zealand's experience offers valuable inspirations for China's modernization drive. The Chinese people believe in harmony between man and nature. Over the past years, guided by the vision of "lucid waters and lush mountains being invaluable assets," China has made vigorous efforts to promote green and low-carbon transition, and emerged as a leader of new energy vehicles, wind power, photovoltaic and other technologies. The green development of China and New Zealand not only benefits the two countries but also makes positive contribution to building a clean and beautiful world. Second, we both embrace cultural diversity. China and New Zealand are both countries of multi-ethnicity. Through the exchanges, mutual learning and integration of various ethnic groups, inclusiveness has become a hallmark of both our cultures. In New Zealand, the Maori, Pacific Islands, European and Asian cultures enrich and inspire one another. In China, the distinctive cuisines, clothing styles, dialects and architectures of different regions shape the vibrant landscape of the Chinese culture. Our embrace of cultural diversity has fostered an open mindset in both countries. We both understand that resisting change will make one fall behind the times, while mutually beneficial cooperation is the only way leading to common progress. For the past decades, China and New Zealand have stayed committed to free trade, embraced the trend of economic globalization, and gained real benefits in this process. We have demonstrated with our own experience that openness and cooperation are the critical enablers of national development and prosperity. Third, we both pursue innovation and creativity. New Zealand has a longstanding reputation for having a robust innovation culture. Since the end of the 19th century, New Zealand has been working to boost agricultural productivity through pasture grass improvement, selective breeding and other new technologies, which makes it a world leader in agricultural technology. With continuous breakthroughs in motors, electronic control and other technologies, New Zealand has nurtured a group of world-renowned high-end brands like Fisher&Paykel. China also attaches great importance to science, technology and innovation. In recent years, we have fully implemented the innovation-driven development strategy, bringing a constant stream of new technologies, new industries and new business forms. In the Global Innovation Index 2023 published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. China and New Zealand both have a high ranking. Our two countries have a lot in common on innovation. This provides a solid foundation for enhancing our cooperation. Fourth, we both stand for world peace. This largely stems from our similar national characters. New Zealanders like to call themselves Kiwis. The term, as I have learned, refers to a bird and a fruit, and both are sweet and lovable. This nickname is now widely known in the world and has become a symbol of the kind, genuine and friendly people of New Zealand. In China, we often say that peace is precious, kindness is essential and sincerity is paramount. This is a principle hardwired into us by the 5,000-year Chinese civilization. Shaped by our shared traits, China and New Zealand adopt a similar philosophy and approach when it comes to international relations. We both underscore that countries should pursue peaceful relations and seek dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation or conflict, and that only in this way can regional and world peace and tranquility be safeguarded through joint efforts. These precious commonalities are a valuable asset for our two countries. They have played a large part in the steady progress and fruitful cooperation between China and New Zealand in the past 52 years. Both sides need to cherish and protect the asset, and tap more into it as we continue to grow China-New Zealand relations. Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, Changes unseen in a century are unfolding faster across the world, and world peace and development is confronted with many difficulties. But just as a New Zealand proverb goes, "Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." China is ready to join hands with New Zealand to stay true to our common values, carry forward our tradition of friendship and create an upgraded version of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to generate strong momentum for stability and development in our two countries, the region and beyond. First, we should deepen and expand cooperation across the fields. China and New Zealand enjoy great economic complementarities and broad space for cooperation. We need to cement the foundation of cooperation in traditional areas such as biomedicine, agriculture and food, and keep looking deeper for potential in emerging areas such as new energy and the digital economy to expand win-win cooperation and nurture new sources of growth. Second, we should make our cooperation better serve the people. This is the ultimate goal of our cooperation. The people's well-being should be our important consideration in conducting bilateral cooperation, and inform our decisions on policy making, project planning and inputs, so strategic choices are made that truly benefit the people. We will include New Zealand in China's unilateral visa waiver program. This will further facilitate personnel exchanges between our two countries. Third, we should contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. We need to strengthen communication and coordination on multilateral affairs, uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order based on international law, encourage all to practice true multilateralism, and work hand in hand to contribute our wisdom and energy to regional and global peace, stability, development and prosperity. In particular, amid the sluggish global economic recovery, China stands ready to work with New Zealand to be the force we are for global economic recovery and growth. The Chinese economy has enjoyed an ever stronger momentum of recovery since the beginning of this year. In the first quarter, it got off to a good start with a 5.3 percent growth year on year, and maintained strong consumption, steady increase in investment, elevated levels of imports and exports and rising market confidence. In particular, the high-tech manufacturing industry and emerging industries are showing good momentum and fast strengthening China's new sources of growth. Forecasts for the Chinese economy are being upgraded by international institutions including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. China will continue to be the largest engine of global growth. Looking over a longer horizon, the Chinese economy will sustain a positive trajectory over the long run as we advance Chinese modernization in all respects through high-quality development and continuously unlock tremendous demand from our huge market of 1.4 billion people. More development in China is a great opportunity for the world. We are ready to continue to share opportunities with other countries to achieve common development. Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends, Auckland is known as the "City of Sails." We Chinese say, "In a boat race, those who row the hardest win." Going forward, let us row together, and set sail towards a brighter future of China-New Zealand friendship and cooperation! Thank you! by Dames Alexander Sinaga JAKARTA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The month of August is festive to all citizens in Indonesia, as the Southeast Asian nation celebrates its Independence Day on the 17th, with patriotic anthems heard in public places across the archipelagic country. This year, the national Independence Day ceremony will be conducted simultaneously with President Joko Widodo celebrating in Nusantara, the new capital city located on Borneo Island in East Kalimantan province, while Vice President Ma'ruf Amin will attend the ceremony in Jakarta. During the ceremony, the president, commonly referred to as Jokowi, is anticipated to formally inaugurate Nusantara as the new administrative center, while Jakarta will continue to be the nation's business and economic hub. Jokowi recently said that the upcoming Independence Day celebration held in Nusantara is in line with the transfer of the capital city from Jakarta. Jokowi, who will end his term in October this year, will be accompanied by his successor Prabowo Subianto, the winner of the presidential election held in February this year. Jokowi's eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is vice president-elect, is scheduled to attend the ceremony led by Ma'ruf Amin in Jakarta. The government is currently gearing up for the extraordinary celebration. A limited meeting between Jokowi and several of his ministers was held early this week at the presidential palace in Jakarta to discuss the readiness of Nusantara to hold the ceremony of the upcoming Independence Day. Ministers attending the meeting included Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. Muhadjir told reporters following the Monday meeting that various infrastructures intended for the upcoming celebration are now complete. He added that the airport in Nusantara is nearing readiness and is expected to be operational by the end of July. The airport will enable visitors to fly directly to the new capital city, bypassing the need to fly to Balikpapan and continue their journey by road. In the meeting, the government also discussed inviting some public figures and foreign ambassadors to attend the ceremony in Nusantara, Muhadjir said. Jokowi has repeatedly visited Nusantara to directly inspect the progress of the construction of the multi-billion-dollar mega project. The estimated cost of all projects, as already announced by the government, requires funds of at least 466 trillion Indonesian rupiahs (about 32 billion U.S. dollars). The state only covers about one-fifth of the investment cost, while around 80 percent of the total investment value is sought from public-private partnerships or investments. Early this month, he paid a visit to observe the readiness of the venue that will be used for the Independence Day celebration. The venue is situated in the courtyard of the presidential palace that is still under construction. The president emphasized that the preparation for the ceremony in Nusantara was almost final without obstacles found on the ground. He also said that the first phase of the infrastructure construction for the new capital had already reached 80 percent complete, expressing hope that he would move to Nusantara and start working from there in July. JINAN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- In 2023, China witnessed a record high in voluntary blood donations, with a total of 16.99 million donations made, an increase of 5.9 percent from 2022, according to data from China's National Health Commission. The statistics were made public at a national event held in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, on Friday to mark World Blood Donor Day. Voluntary blood donations are the main source of clinical blood use in China. According to a report released by the World Health Organization, China ranks among the top globally in terms of voluntary blood donation numbers, blood quality and safety levels, and the standard for clinical blood use. However, Wu Depei, a veteran hematologist from the eastern province of Jiangsu, warned that the country faces a blood supply-demand imbalance. "It is imperative to address the structural and seasonal blood shortages," Wu said at the event. A senior NHC official pledged to improve China's legal system for blood donation and use management, underscoring the need to strengthen clinical blood use management in medical institutions and optimize blood utilization. As stipulated in China's Blood Donation Law, which took effect in 1998, China encourages healthy citizens aged from 18 to 55 to donate blood voluntarily. RIO DE JANEIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's 2024 grain harvest is set to be 5.9 percent smaller than 2023 due to poor weather in several parts of the country, the state-run Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reported Thursday. According to the IBGE report, production of cereals, legumes and oilseeds is expected to total 296.8 million tons this year, 18.6 million tons below last year's harvest, despite a 0.6-percent increase in the cultivated land. "The reduction in production reflects the impact of the climate problems that occurred in 2023 and 2024, from the planting of crops and a lack of rain in the Central-West region, to the high temperatures that shortened the cycle of some crops and reduced productivity," the report said. Rice, corn and soybeans -- the South American country's top three agricultural products -- will together represent 91.5 percent of the estimated production and 87.2 percent of the area to be cultivated. Both soybean and corn output is expected to decline "due to meteorological problems, which should lead to lower productivity in 2024," it added. Felix Dapare Dakora, former president of the African Academy of Sciences, delivers a speech at the Workshop on China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) South-South Triangular Cooperation Framework in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Duojiang) SANYA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Willy, a farmer on Santiago Island in Cape Verde in Africa, has learned to identify soil nutrients thanks to the training by Chinese experts. He also learned to replenish soil nutrients with goat waste and crop straw, which helped bring higher crop yields. "I saved money on fertilizer, and now I can invest in other areas of the farm," he said. The training that Willy participated in forms part of a soil management and pest control training program organized in Cape Verde by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the FAO-China South-South Program. Drought, soil erosion, pests, and diseases have severely affected food production in Cape Verde, and the program provides agricultural technical assistance through Chinese experts to improve food production and nutritional security in the country. Under the above program, many Chinese experts have been working in Africa for a long time, carrying out technical assistance in areas such as food production, plant protection, rural energy, and agricultural mechanization, Ye Anping, director of the FAO's South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, said at the Workshop on China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation under FAO South-South Triangular Cooperation Framework in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. "Many of China's agricultural technologies are easy to understand, highly operational, and low-cost, which means strong practicability for Africa," Ye said. China-Africa agricultural technological cooperation has enabled Africa to increase food production. For instance, the total plantation area of super rice varieties provided by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has reached 57,000 hectares in Africa, registering an average yield of more than 20 percent higher than those of local varieties. A cassava variety introduced to Africa by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences produces four times more cassava than local varieties. Felix Dapare Dakora, former president of the African Academy of Sciences, has a heartfelt wish: to end the plight of African children going to bed hungry and ensure that all Africans have access to nutritious food. "Learning from China is the right path," he said, lauding China's remarkable achievements in solving food shortages through technological innovation. China and Africa have established extensive cooperation in the agriculture sector under multiple mechanisms, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which have played positive roles in helping Africa strengthen food security, added Dakora. "I'm happy to say that we are on the verge of implementing or putting into action this new organization called China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance," said Laila Barnaba Lokosang, senior technical coordinator at the African Union Commission. Lokosang added that the alliance will provide a new platform for researchers from both sides to collaborate on tackling practical issues and finding solutions in Africa's agriculture industry. At the workshop, participants from Burkina Faso and other countries said that many African countries are suffering from severe drought, and drought-tolerant crops are urgently needed to meet the challenge of climate change. In response, Chinese experts introduced new varieties of drought-tolerant corn, millet, sweet potato, sorghum, and other crops and expressed their willingness to cooperate further. More cooperation projects are on the way. In about ten days, experts from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences will leave for Nigeria, Tanzania, and Cote d'Ivoire for cooperation and exchanges with local agricultural departments, scientific research institutions, and enterprises. A cassava joint lab will also be established during the process. Guests attend the Workshop on China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Cooperation under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) South-South Triangular Cooperation Framework in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Duojiang) Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses a welcome banquet held by various social communities of New Zealand at Auckland Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li attended the welcome banquet together with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon here on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Friday that China is willing to work with New Zealand to uphold common values, further carry forward traditional friendship and make efforts to upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. Li made the remarks when addressing a welcome banquet held by various social communities in Auckland. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, China-New Zealand ties have long been leading China's relations with other developed countries. Especially in the past 10 years since President Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Li said, bilateral relations have made historic progress and cooperation in various fields has reached unprecedented breadth and depth, which has not only brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, but also vigorously promoted the prosperity and stability of the region and the world. The fruitful results are largely attributed to the similarities between China and New Zealand, Li said, adding that both countries have respect for the natural ecology, inclusiveness for multiculturalism, pursuit of innovation and creativity, and aspiration for world peace. Noting that these similarities are the common treasures of China and New Zealand, Li said that both sides should cherish and protect them and make efforts to enable them to play a greater role in the future development of China-New Zealand relations. Li said the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and global peace and development are faced with grave challenges, adding that China is ready to work with New Zealand to uphold the shared values, carry forward traditional friendship, upgrade bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, deepen and expand practical cooperation on biomedicine, agriculture, food, new energy and digital economy. He said China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with New Zealand in multilateral fields to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Li said since the beginning of this year, the momentum of China's economic recovery has continued to consolidate and strengthen. In the long run, the long-term positive trend of the Chinese economy will not change. China's new development is a big opportunity for the world, he noted, adding that China stands ready to continue to share the opportunity with other countries so as to achieve common development. Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses a welcome banquet held by various social communities of New Zealand at Auckland Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li attended the welcome banquet together with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon here on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) KIGALI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda said it received 113 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya late Thursday, the government announced. The evacuees include individuals from South Sudan, Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire and Somalia, the Rwandan Ministry in charge of Emergency Management said in a statement. The evacuees, who arrived through Kigali International Airport, were transported to the Gashora transit center, in eastern Rwanda, from where they will wait for processing to relocate to other countries. The evacuation to Rwanda is facilitated by a 2019 memorandum of understanding Rwanda signed with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the African Union, under which a transit mechanism for refugees and asylum seekers evacuated out of Libya was set up. Since September 2019, Rwanda has received more than 2,355 refugees and asylum seekers from Libya, according to the statement. The arrival of the evacuees from Libya came after Rwanda's angry response to UNHCR accusations that Kigali endangers asylum-seekers. Earlier this week, Rwanda accused the UNHCR of "fabrication" and undermining the country's welcoming policy after the refugee agency warned British judges that it may have new evidence from 2024 that Rwanda has endangered asylum seekers, despite a British Parliament bill declaring the East African country safe. KABUL, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities plan to build a new dam in its national capital of Kabul, local media reported. The economic commission has discussed the construction of a new dam in Sarobi district of Kabul, according to the office of the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs. "This project will be built in two phases, with a production capacity of 111 megawatts in the first phase," Matiullah Abid, spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy and Water, was quoted as saying. Afghanistan has been facing a power shortage. The country needs 850 megawatts of electricity per year, with 620 megawatts imported from neighboring countries including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and 230 megawatts supplied by domestic sources, according to Afghanistan's power company Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat. KABUL, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan caretaker government's Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Friday said that Afghanistan seeks to establish political and economic relations with all countries across the world. "The Islamic Emirate seeks to establish political and economic relations with all countries within the framework of Sharia, particularly with Islamic countries, and has fulfilled its obligations in this regard," Akhundzada said in a congratulatory message for the upcoming annual Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Akhundzada noted that Afghanistan has faced severe challenges due to floods, rainstorms and other disasters, which have resulted in significant losses and hardships for Afghans. He also condemned the Israeli attacks on Muslims in Gaza. "We call on other countries to fulfill their obligations effectively to prevent these heinous crimes and brutal atrocities," the message read. The country will celebrate Eid al-Adha on or around June 17, depending on moonsighting. BUDAPEST, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has vowed to retaliate to a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling imposing significant financial penalties on Hungary for not complying with European Union (EU) asylum policies. "We think that Brussels has no right to tell us who we should live with," Orban said in an interview on public radio on Friday. The ECJ announced on Thursday that it has ordered Hungary to pay a lump sum of 200 million euros (213.9 million U.S. dollars), and a daily fine of one million euros, until it aligns with the EU's asylum regulations. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollar) FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Afghan counter-narcotics police have destroyed poppy farms covering 1,419 acres of land in north Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, a local official said late Thursday. In a series of operations, 1,419 acres of poppy farms were destroyed in the province's Argo and Kishim districts, said Ihsanullah Kamgar, the provincial police spokesperson, adding that police will not allow anyone to cultivate illegal crops. Police have wiped out over 30,000 acres of poppy farms in Badakhshan over the past three months. The Afghan caretaker government has banned poppy cultivation, processing of drugs and drug trafficking to eliminate the menace of drugs from the once poppy-growing country. RIGA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Riga International Airport was shut down for half an hour on Friday afternoon because of a flying object spotted over the airfield, LETA news agency reported, citing the airport's representatives. At 13:24 local time (1024 GMT), air traffic controllers suspended all outbound and inbound flights for half an hour after a pilot reported a suspicious object hovering over the landing strip. No drones were being flown over the airport at that moment, according to Latvijas Gaisa Satiksme, the company providing air navigation services in Latvia. The incident affected three inbound flights. The airport has since reopened. Riga Airport, the largest air traffic hub in the Baltic states, handled 6.63 million passengers in 2023, an increase of 23 percent from a year before. MOSCOW, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia has expressed deep disappointment and concern over Argentina's recent actions related to military assistance to Ukraine, Russian media cited Dmitry Feoktistov, Russian ambassador to Argentina, as saying on Friday. Feoktistov specifically criticized the participation of Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, known as the "Ramstein format." "As for the participation of Argentine Defense Minister Luis Petri in the Brussels meeting within the framework of the Ramstein coalition, there are no official comments from the Argentine side yet. The very fact of rapprochement between Buenos Aires and the military sponsors of Ukraine causes us deep disappointment," Feoktistov told reporters. Feoktistov noted that Argentina's involvement appears to be part of its increased cooperation with NATO. "Back in April, Argentina requested the status of a global partner of the alliance. Frankly, we do not understand how granting this status would enhance Argentina's security," he added. Russia has also cautioned Argentina that any potential transfer of military equipment to Ukraine would be seen as an unfriendly act. This follows reports from the Argentine news portal Infobae, indicating that Argentina is discussing the transfer of five Super Etendard attack aircraft to Ukraine through negotiations reportedly conducted by Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino with her French counterpart. "Media reports about the possible transfer of Argentine tanks through Germany, similar to the aircraft deal with France, are also concerning. We have communicated clearly and firmly to Argentina that such actions will be viewed as unfriendly towards Russia," Feoktistov asserted. The ambassador expressed hope that Argentina would refrain from interfering in the Ukraine crisis and maintain its traditional restraint. "This will help preserve the friendly nature of Russian-Argentine relations, which have historically been immune to political trends," he said. Previous reports suggested that Argentina might have considered transferring medium TAM tanks, originally designed for Argentina by Germany, to Ukraine. It has also been reported that Argentine President Javier Milei will attend a peace conference on Ukraine in the company of Defense Minister Luis Petri. KHARTOUM, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been killed in battles around El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State in western Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on Friday. "The armed forces and the joint force thwarted an attack by the RSF militia, inflicting heavy losses on them represented in hundreds of deaths and injuries, including their criminal commander, Ali Yaqoub, who was killed in the failed attack attempt," the SAF said in a statement. The SAF also destroyed and seized dozens of combat vehicles from the "rebels," according to the statement. Ali Yaqoub, the commander of the RSF's North Darfur sector, has been trying to seize El Fasher city since May 10. Since then, fierce clashes between the SAF and the RSF have been raging in El Fasher, killing a total of 288 civilians and injuring 1,300 others so far, according to official statistics. El Fasher's clashes constitute the latest escalation of the broader conflict between the SAF and the RSF across the country since April 15, 2023, which has so far claimed 15,550 lives and displaced over 8.8 million people nationwide, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, excluding the latest fatalities reported. GAZA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced on Friday that two Israeli hostages were killed in Israeli bombing in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip. In a video released on Telegram, Al-Qassam Brigades said the two hostages were killed in an airstrike "a few days ago." There has been no immediate response from the Israeli army regarding these developments. On June 8, Al-Qassam Brigades said the Israeli army killed several hostages during its operation to release four hostages in the central Gaza Strip. As of Friday, the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict has risen to 37,266, with 85,102 others wounded, Hamas-run health authorities said in a press statement. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Friday that it continued its operations across the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops are continuing intelligence-based, targeted operations in Rafah, having eliminated a number of "terrorists" and located large quantities of weapons and underground tunnel shafts over the past day, the statement said, adding that military operations are also underway in the central Gaza Strip. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. SHANGHAI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," a documentary on the heroic rescue of British prisoners of war (POWs) by Chinese fishermen during World War II, hit the screen on Friday during the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival. The 123-minute documentary features extensive interviews with witnesses of the incident and their descendants in China's Zhoushan Islands and Hong Kong, as well as in Britain, the United States and Japan. In October 1942, "Lisbon Maru," a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands in China's Zhejiang Province. Local fishermen risked their lives to rescue over 300 POWs. Denise Wynne, daughter of Dennis Morley, one survivor of the cargo ship, was tearful after watching the documentary. "History should not be forgotten or distorted," said 75-year-old Wynne. Some family members of the fishermen who conducted the rescue were also present at the premiere, including Chen Xuelian, whose father steered a sampan to rescue several British POWs. "I'm so excited to see my father's image on the screen today. I'm so proud of his heroic acts," said Chen. FASANO, Italy, June 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky jointly signed a ten-year bilateral security agreement on Thursday after meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy. Ukraine agreed to a similar deal with Japan earlier in the day also on the sidelines of the summit, which kicked off on Thursday and will last until Saturday. The agreements announced on Thursday bring the total number of bilateral security agreements that Ukraine has signed since the start of the country's conflict with Russia in 2022 to 17, including those with Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Analysts said that the U.S.-Ukraine security agreement could be undone before its term expires, since Biden is expected to face a tough election battle later this year against former President Donald Trump, whose support for Ukraine is not as strong as Biden's. KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at Genting Highlands, Pahang state of Malaysia, on Friday afternoon, according to local media. Pahang Fire and Rescue Department told local media that the fire broke out in a theme park. The Genting Highlands fire station was alerted at about 4:55 p.m. local time and sent firefighters to the scene. Resorts World Genting said in a brief statement that the fire was confined to a section of the complex and that the fire had been dealt with effectively. "Evacuation was carried immediately to ensure members of the public are out of harm's way. Our fire units responded promptly to extinguish the fire," the statement said. Located on a mountain range between states of Pahang and Selangor, it is considered the country's premier resort and an iconic tourist destination in the country. BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to rectify its strategic perception of China and to push forward relations between the two countries and the two militaries along the right track. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when responding to a media inquiry regarding a potential 18-billion-dollar increase in the U.S. defense budget for the financial year 2025 to counter China and other near-peer adversaries. The spokesperson said fabricating imaginary enemies and stirring up bloc confrontation are old tricks of the United States, revealing its engrained Cold War mentality and hegemonic mindset. Zhang said that China adheres to a path of peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's development is not targeted at any party, nor does it pose a threat to any party. The Chinese military has carried out extensive exchanges and cooperation with the militaries of more than 150 countries, and has always been a staunch force in defending world peace, Zhang said. BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Straits Forum, which advocates inclusive and grassroots cross-Strait exchanges, is entering its 16th year with strong vitality despite the ups and downs of relations between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region. This year, the main conference is scheduled to commence on Saturday at the forum's primary venue in the coastal city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Approximately 50 events will be held across various cities in the province, which is situated just across the Strait from Taiwan. About 7,000 people from diverse backgrounds in Taiwan are expected to participate in the forum, including representatives of political parties, event co-sponsors, professionals in various industries, leaders of social organizations and members of religious circles. The first Straits Forum was held in 2009, a year that witnessed a series of breakthroughs in cross-Strait relations. That year, the regular consultation mechanism between the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) and the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) began to take shape, with six agreements signed. In the same year, mainland companies began formally investing in Taiwan, and regular air services between the two sides were launched. Thus direct cross-Strait mail, transport and trade links were established in full. With booming economic cooperation and frequent interactions between authorities on both sides, the need of a smooth channel for people-to-people exchanges gave birth to the Straits Forum. Nearly 10,000 people attended the inaugural event, over 8,000 of whom were from Taiwan. But the rosy days of cross-Strait exchanges drew to a close when the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in Taiwan in 2016. The DPP authorities rejected the 1992 Consensus -- a common political foundation for cross-Strait dialogue, and the ARATS-SEF consultation mechanism was suspended. Tensions and confrontations have since risen due to the DPP's separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence." Despite this altered political backdrop, the Straits Forum has persisted. More than 330,000 people from the mainland and Taiwan attended the forum over the last 15 years. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands were able to take part in forum events online or in person. Past forums have seen young people seeking career opportunities, martial arts enthusiasts exchanging training tips, disabled people sharing their personal stories, community workers meeting with their counterparts across the Strait and followers of various religions holding discussions. At these forums, a total of 139 preferential policies to boost cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation were announced, covering areas from air services and travel permits to employment and investment. "The Straits Forum is like a carnival for people across the Strait. We sit down, chat and bring our hearts closer to each other," said Wu Chia-ying, vice president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland. "It is an annual rendezvous that we are very much looking for." ADDIS ABABA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has called for redoubling efforts to harness emerging technologies and unlock Africa's digital potential to drive the continent's development. The call was made by AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Amani Abou-Zeid while addressing the ministerial session of the Second Extra-ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and Information Communications Technology, which was held virtually on Thursday. Experts and policymakers attending the high-level meeting underscored the significance for Africa to embrace its digital future and the pressing need for a coordinated approach to address the urgent challenges and opportunities arising from the digital transformation. During the meeting, the AU presented its draft African Digital Compact as well as the draft Continental Strategy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for consideration by ministers and experts. Addressing the meeting, Abou-Zeid said unlocking Africa's digital potential is key to driving the continent's progress and development. She said the African Digital Compact lays out essential pillars for achieving connectivity, rights, governance, and innovation toward the realization of the AU's 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. "The African Digital Compact will pave the way for an inclusive future by prioritizing digital infrastructure, universal access, and skills development. Its focus on cybersecurity, green technology, and AI applications promises a safer, more sustainable digital landscape for all," Abou-Zeid said. She stressed that as AI continues to shape the world, it is crucial for Africa and other regions to collaborate on policy interventions that harness its benefits strategically while mitigating potential risks for economies and societies. "Embracing the power of artificial intelligence, Africa is paving its way towards a digital revolution with innovative strategies for progress in society, economy, and culture. The continental AI strategy is a step ahead to embark on a transformational journey," Abou-Zeid told the ministerial meeting. NEW DELHI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Four forest officials were killed and four others suffered burns while extinguishing a fire at a wildlife sanctuary in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said Friday. The fire broke out at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary under the Civil Soyam forest division in Almora district, about 370 km east of Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand. According to forest department officials, an eight-member team rushed to the spot to extinguish the fire on Thursday evening. However, strong winds exacerbated the flames, resulting in the death of four team members and serious burns to the other four. The injured were airlifted to a hospital. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed grief over the incident, and given instructions to the top forest department officials to immediately control the forest fire in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary with the help of the Air Force. The officials have attributed the resurgence in forest fires in the state to the hot and dry weather. Reports quoting the Uttarakhand forest fire bulletin said seven incidents were reported in the last 24 hours in which 4.5 hectares of forest were affected. Last month, five people were killed in forest fires in Almora and Garhwal districts of the state. Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses a welcome banquet held by various social communities of New Zealand at Auckland Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li attended the welcome banquet together with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon here on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Friday that China is willing to work with New Zealand to uphold common values, further carry forward traditional friendship and make efforts to upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. Li made the remarks when addressing a welcome banquet held by various social communities in Auckland. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also attended the welcome banquet. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 52 years ago, China-New Zealand ties have long been leading China's relations with other developed countries. Especially in the past 10 years since President Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Li said, bilateral relations have made historic progress and cooperation in various fields has reached unprecedented breadth and depth, which has not only brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, but also vigorously promoted the prosperity and stability of the region and the world. The fruitful results are largely attributed to the similarities between China and New Zealand, Li said, adding that both countries have respect for the natural ecology, inclusiveness for multiculturalism, pursuit of innovation and creativity, and aspiration for world peace. Noting that these similarities are the common treasures of China and New Zealand, Li said that both sides should cherish and protect them and make efforts to enable them to play a greater role in the future development of China-New Zealand relations. Li said the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and global peace and development are faced with grave challenges, adding that China is ready to work with New Zealand to uphold the shared values, carry forward traditional friendship, upgrade bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, deepen and expand practical cooperation on biomedicine, agriculture, food, new energy and digital economy. He said China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with New Zealand in multilateral fields to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Li said since the beginning of this year, the momentum of China's economic recovery has continued to consolidate and strengthen. In the long run, the long-term positive trend of the Chinese economy will not change. China's new development is a big opportunity for the world, he noted, adding that China stands ready to continue to share the opportunity with other countries so as to achieve common development. Noting that the relationship with China is one of New Zealand's most important foreign relations, Luxon said over the past half century and more, New Zealand and China have leveraged their economic complementarity to expand the breadth and depth of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, injecting strong impetus into the development of the two countries and injecting vitality into bilateral relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between New Zealand and China, which is an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations, Luxon said. New Zealand will continue to give priority to its relations with China in its foreign relations, Luxon said, adding that New Zealand is willing to work with China to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, agriculture, intellectual property rights, education and tourism, strengthen communication and dialogue, and jointly cope with global challenges such as climate change and environmental protection. Before the welcome banquet, the two leaders also met with friendly people from all walks of life in New Zealand. Li thanked all for their long-term contributions to the development of China-New Zealand relations and encouraged them to continue to play a more positive and constructive role in promoting the bilateral relations and the friendship between the two peoples, so as to push the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high. Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses a welcome banquet held by various social communities of New Zealand at Auckland Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li attended the welcome banquet together with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon here on Friday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Friday that the upgrading of China's economic structure will bring new opportunities for global development. Li made the remarks when meeting with representatives from industrial and commercial circles here in New Zealand. The Chinese premier is paying an official visit to the country. TOKYO, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks closed higher on Friday, as investors were relieved after the Bank of Japan's policy outcome suggested accommodative monetary conditions would continue for the time being. Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended up 94.09 points, or 0.24 percent, from Thursday at 38,814.56, snapping a two-day losing streak. The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 14.83 points, or 0.54 percent, higher at 2,746.61. The central bank on Friday decided to reduce its purchases of government bonds as part of efforts toward normalizing monetary policy, but said it will announce a detailed plan including the size and timing of the reduction for the next year or two at its next policy meeting in July. Analysts here noted that the decision to hold off giving details on the planned reduction in its bond-buying was perceived by the market as the central bank maintaining a dovish stance. CHANGCHUN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Zhou Qingyu, a former vice president of China Development Bank, stood trial on bribery-related charges on Friday, at a court in Changchun, Jilin Province. According to the indictment, between 2013 and 2023, Zhou took advantage of his various positions at the bank to provide assistance to others in matters such as loan financing, project contracting, business operations, and personnel arrangements. In return, Zhou accepted money and valuables worth over 67.43 million yuan (about 9.5 million U.S. dollars). Also, after leaving relevant posts, he was found to have abused the influence he gained from his previous posts to seek unfair benefits for others, accepting money and gifts worth about 1 million yuan in return, the prosecutors said. During the trial, prosecutors, the defendant and his defense counsel cross-examined the evidence and gave their respective accounts. In his final statement, Zhou pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. A verdict will be announced in due course. Chinese Premier Li Qiang poses for a group photo with representatives from industrial and commercial circles of New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. Li met with representatives from industrial and commercial circles of the country on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Tao) WELLINGTON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that the upgrading of China's economic structure will bring new opportunities for global development. Li, who is on an official visit to New Zealand, made the remarks when meeting with representatives from industrial and commercial circles of the country. Representatives of nearly 20 New Zealand's chambers of commerce and enterprises, including the Auckland Business Chamber, New Zealand China Trade Association, and Air New Zealand, attended the meeting. After listening to the speeches of the representatives, Li said that the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, global economic recovery lacks momentum, and international economic and trade cooperation faces increasing instability and uncertainty. For enterprises, those who can swiftly gain the upper hand amid changing circumstances and capitalize on unexpected opportunities will excel in the fierce market competition, he noted. Noting that the economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand should continue to lead the way, Li said entrepreneurs of the two countries should continue to carry forward the spirit of "striving to be first," strive for success by leveraging favorable conditions, seize opportunities through openness, drive innovation to stay ahead and strive to make a bigger pie and achieve win-win results. China is pursuing modernization through high-quality development and various upgrades will bring new opportunities for global development, he noted. Firstly, he said, consumption upgrading will unleash new market demands, and there will be an increasing need for high-quality goods such as dairy and health products as well as beef and lamb from New Zealand. Secondly, he noted, industrial upgrading will open up new areas of cooperation, and more business opportunities will emerge in new energy, information technology, biomedicine and other emerging industries. Thirdly, he added, trade upgrading will create new space for growth, and the potential of cooperation in service trade and cross-border e-commerce will be released at a faster pace. The Chinese premier hopes New Zealand entrepreneurs will make the most of the momentum, seize the opportunities and make greater results. China will always be open to enterprises from New Zealand and other countries, Li said. He promised that Beijing would further expand market access, create a market-oriented and internationalized business environment that is first-class and based on the rule of law, and provide more support and facilitation for foreign-funded enterprises to invest and operate in China. Li also expressed his hope that more New Zealand entrepreneurs will become "Rewi Alley" in economic and trade exchanges between China and New Zealand in the new era, and play a greater role in enhancing mutual understanding between the two sides, so as to better contribute to the sound development of bilateral ties and bring more benefits for the people of the two countries. Rewi Alley was a dedicated New Zealander who spent six decades living and working in China until his passing in Beijing in 1987. Representatives of the New Zealand industrial and business community attending the meeting said that New Zealand and China enjoy close economic and trade exchanges and fruitful cooperation and that China's development provided a vast market and huge opportunities for New Zealand companies. They added that the industrial and business community supports the development of New Zealand-China relations and is ready to deepen cooperation with China to deliver high-quality goods and services to the Chinese people to achieve mutual benefits. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with representatives from industrial and commercial circles of New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) NEW DELHI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Health officials in India's eastern state of West Bengal Friday said there was no threat of avian influenza or bird flu outbreak in the state. The officials said there was no reason to panic and no advisory vis-a-vis avian influenza outbreak was in place in the state. "There is no fresh incidence of any transmission of human-to-human or bird-to-human noticed," said West Bengal Principal Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam. The officials also clarified there was no restriction on the consumption of poultry products, such as chicken, eggs and duck meat. According to the health department, a child from Kaliachak in Malda district was diagnosed with avian influenza in January and recovered after treatment. There was another child, who traveled from Kolkata to Australia in February and tested positive for the disease, after arriving there. Following the detection of the cases, the health department conducted active surveillance of the family members and other people, and none tested positive for the virus. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization confirmed a human case of bird flu in West Bengal. According to the global health body, human infection with bird flu caused by the H9N2 virus was detected in a four-year-old child in West Bengal. The child has recovered and was discharged from the hospital three months after diagnosis and treatment. This is the second human infection of avian influenza A (H9N2) notified to WHO from India, with the first in 2019. NIAMEY, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The highest court in Niger has ordered the lifting of the immunity of the country's deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, his lawyer said Friday, allowing the authorities to prosecute the former leader who was overthrown last year in a military coup. Master Ould Salem Said, a member of Bazoum's legal team, said that they "take note of this decision and the collective will communicate shortly regarding this situation." Bazoum was ousted on July 26 by a group of soldiers who later chose Abdourahamane Tchiani, the former commander of Niger's presidential guard, as head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling body of the West African country. Bazoum refused to resign and remains under house arrest with his wife in the presidential palace in the capital of Niamey over an alleged "conspiracy aimed at undermining the authority or security of the state." Tchiani has announced a three-year transition and urged all the active forces of the nation to engage in a national, inclusive dialogue. In response to the coup, the Economic Community of West African States has imposed economic sanctions on Niger, including the closure of borders. KHARTOUM, June 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 civilians were killed and 25 others injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in central Sudan's Sinnar State, Sudanese civil society organizations announced on Friday. "The RSF on Thursday fired artillery shells towards the Sheikh Al-Sammani village, east of Sinnar (the capital city of Sinnar State)," leading to mass displacement for the village's residents, the Al-Sinnari Observatory, a local legal organization, said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Karari Resistance Committees and Al-Gezira Call Initiative, both non-governmental organizations, confirmed the attack in separate statements, with the initiative noting that the RSF used various types of weapons in its attack on the village, including heavy artillery and drones. The attack came days after the RSF attacked Wad Al-Noura village in Gezira State, killing over 100 civilians. Violent clashes have recently been raging between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF in Khartoum State and the Gezira State in central Sudan, as well as in the White Nile State in the south and North Darfur State in the west. The escalations are part of a larger conflict between the two parties across Sudan since April 15, 2023, which has so far claimed more than 15,550 lives and displaced over 8.8 million people nationwide, according to recent estimates by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming presents President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua with a certificate of membership to recognize that Xinhua joined the UN SDG Media Compact, at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 13, 2024. Fu on Thursday met with Melissa Fleming, during which the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Li Rui) UNITED NATIONS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua on Thursday met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming, during which the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the UN headquarters in New York. At the meeting, Fu said that Xinhua not only reports on UN activities but also engages in extensive exchanges and cooperation with UN agencies globally. "Xinhua is one of the most active media organizations worldwide in reporting UN affairs and maintains close cooperation with several UN agencies on public welfare projects," Fu said. He noted that Xinhua was invited to join the UN SDG Media Compact in 2023, which led to the signing of the current MoU that elevates bilateral cooperation to the level of a strategic partnership. In September 2018, the United Nations launched the SDG Media Compact, an initiative to advance awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fu emphasized Xinhua's commitment to focusing on the UN themes of peace and development, saying that Xinhua strives to spread the voice of the UN across the globe through Xinhua's global network. Reviewing the successful hosting of the fifth World Media Summit and the preparations for the upcoming sixth summit in October, Fu invited Fleming to visit China, attend the summit, and visit Xinhua. For her part, Fleming expressed appreciation for Xinhua's longstanding commitment to developing relations with the United Nations and its efforts toward achieving the UN 2030 SDGs. The UN official expressed a strong interest in comprehensive cooperation with Xinhua, saying that she looks forward to growing coverage of UN activities by Xinhua. She also echoed Fu's sentiments on elevating their cooperation to the level of a strategic partnership. The two sides agreed to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of news and information, conduct high-level visits, and enhance public awareness of the UN SDGs. Lihpao, a Taiwan-invested gene sequencing firm, vows to continue investing in the Chinese mainland market as it has grown rapidly due to the favorable business environment and supportive policies. #GLOBALink President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou (C, Front) and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C) pose for a group photo with members of the new Greek cabinet in Athens, Greece, on June 14, 2024. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet, a Greek government spokesperson announced Friday in a televised statement. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet, a Greek government spokesperson announced Friday in a televised statement. Thodoris Livanios, deputy interior minister, was appointed at the helm of the same ministry, while outgoing Interior Minister Niki Kerameus was named the new minister of labor and social welfare. In the new line-up, Takis Theodorikakos, former citizen protection minister, assumed the post of development minister, while Nikos Panagiotopoulos, former national defense minister, was named migration and asylum minister. Kostas Tsiaras, former justice minister, was appointed as minister of rural development. Position adjustments were also made in other ministries in the positions of deputy ministers. Key portfolios in the economy ministry and the foreign affairs and national defense ministries, as well as many other ministries, remained unchanged, according to the spokesperson on Greek national broadcaster ERT. The new Greek cabinet will be sworn in later on Friday, said government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who remains in the same post. Earlier this week, Mitsotakis had said that he would proceed to "corrective measures" after his conservative New Democracy party won the European Parliament elections on Sunday, gathering a smaller percentage of votes than expected. He had set a target of 33 percent of votes during the pre-election campaign and his party garnered 28.6 percent. "We have received the message," he said earlier this week, pledging to strengthen efforts to address challenges, such as high costs of living. Mitsotakis won last year's general elections and a second term in office, which ends in June 2027. Members of the new Greek cabinet attend the swearing-in ceremony in Athens, Greece, on June 14, 2024. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet, a Greek government spokesperson announced Friday in a televised statement. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) is seen during the swearing-in ceremony for members of the new Greek cabinet in Athens, Greece, on June 14, 2024. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet, a Greek government spokesperson announced Friday in a televised statement. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) HANOI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's tourism is expected to directly contribute 8-9 percent and 13-14 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025 and 2030, respectively, according to the country's recently approved master plan on the tourism system for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. The plan has set a target of 25-28 million international arrivals and 130 million domestic travelers for 2025, Vietnam News Agency reported Friday. By 2030, the number of international tourists to Vietnam is expected to reach 35 million and post an annual increase of 13-15 percent while domestic travelers hit 160 million and grow 4-5 percent annually. By 2045, Vietnam will see 70 million international arrivals and about 7.3 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (28.68 billion U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue. The sector is expected to contribute 17-18 percent of GDP. According to the master plan, Vietnam is making efforts to revive traditional markets and attract emerging ones like India and Middle Eastern countries by 2025. In the 2026-2030 period, Vietnam will maintain and expand traditional markets in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Oceania while diversifying markets to increase the proportion of high-spending travelers. Vietnam welcomed nearly 7.6 million international visitors and 52.5 million domestic travelers in the first five months of 2024, said the country's General Statistics Office. Kitty van der Heijden, deputy executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), presents President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua with a certificate of appreciation to recognize his support and contribution to UN children's initiatives at the global headquarters of the UNICEF in New York, June 13, 2024. Fu and Van der Heijden signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNICEF and Xinhua News Agency. (Xinhua/Li Rui) NEW YORK, June 14 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua on Thursday met here with Kitty van der Heijden, deputy executive director for partnerships, at the global headquarters of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Together, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNICEF and Xinhua News Agency. Fu said that Xinhua has maintained long-standing friendly cooperation with UNICEF, adding that "UNICEF was among the first UN agencies to establish a cooperative relationship with Xinhua." In 2009, the two parties signed a cooperation memorandum and have jointly organized multiple large-scale international public welfare events ever since. "With UNICEF's support, Xinhua has conducted global journalistic activities that promote the protection of children's rights and their healthy development, effectively raising international awareness of child-related issues, achieving positive social responses, and receiving widespread acclaim," said Fu. Fu said that he looked forward to this signing event because it served as a new beginning to further strengthen cooperation in news reporting and thematic activities, opening a new chapter in the strategic partnership between Xinhua and UNICEF. In the future, Xinhua will continue to enhance its cooperation with UN agencies, including UNICEF, exploring more innovative cooperation methods to contribute more significantly to the betterment of human welfare. Fu thanked the UNICEF office in China for sending a representative to attend and speak at the fifth World Media Summit and welcomed UNICEF leaders to visit China, attend the upcoming sixth World Media Summit, and visit Xinhua. Van der Heijden expressed appreciation for the long-term friendly cooperation between UNICEF and Xinhua, emphasizing that as an international news agency, Xinhua has been playing a significant role in the development and promotion of UNICEF's global initiatives. The organization will further strengthen its cooperation with Xinhua to jointly promote the healthy development of global children's initiatives, she said. Van der Heijden also presented Fu with a certificate of appreciation to recognize his support and contribution to UN children's initiatives. BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center on Friday morning continued to issue a yellow alert for high temperatures as multiple regions are experiencing sweltering heat. Friday daytime will see some areas in Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan Basin and Hainan Island experience temperatures reaching 35 to 36 degrees Celsius, according to the center. The center forecasts maximum temperatures of 37 to 39 degrees Celsius in parts of Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hubei and Chongqing. Some areas may even experience 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. by Xinhua writers Zheng Jingxia and Luo Qi BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The probe of the European Commission (EC) into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) has exposed multiple loopholes in rules, business organizations and experts said, while warning that the proposed duty hikes could be self-defeating as they would spell unwanted consequences. The commission on Wednesday unveiled a plan to levy provisional additional tariffs of up to 38.1 percent on China-made EVs, following the anti-subsidy probe launched last year. Speaking at a press conference Thursday, He Yadong, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce, said that China reserves the right to file lawsuits with the World Trade Organization concerning the EU plan. "SERIOUS FLAWS" "There were serious flaws in the investigation process," said the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), an industry group representing over 10,000 member enterprises in China. "The probe was not initiated by EU's industries. Instead, it was an ex-officio anti-subsidy investigation initiated by the commission grounded on the threat of damage. This is very rare in EU's trade remedies," the CCCME said. The CCCME criticized the extensive and stringent information requested by the commission, saying that it was unprecedented and indicative of the EU's inclination to reach a predetermined conclusion. The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) also expressed deep concern over what it perceived as political manipulation and unilateral protectionism in the investigation. The commission has gone beyond the scope of its countervailing duty investigation, made unreasonable demands for enterprises, and failed to leave sufficient time for enterprises and stakeholders to respond and provide evidence, the CCCEU said. During hearings held in Brussels, Chinese companies and other relevant parties raised their questions regarding problems arising from the investigation, but the commission did not make any response and correct its wrongdoing, according to the CCCEU. Meanwhile, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) decried the EU move as "typical double standards," saying the EU itself has provided substantial subsidies for its own EV and battery industries. AVOIDABLE CONSEQUENCES Experts have cautioned that additional tariffs could spark unwanted consequences, diminishing the profitability of corporations and thereby affecting EU's economic growth. Zheng Chunrong, director of the German Studies Center of Tongji University, underscored that German companies will undoubtedly bear the brunt of trade conflicts, as China still accounts for the largest share of the global market for German carmakers. About 50 percent of EU's EV imports from China come from Western brands that produce vehicles in China, according to people familiar with the matter. "Should the EU implement tariffs, it would inflict considerable harm on Europe itself," Zheng noted. According to a simulation study conducted by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), imposing a 20 percent tariff would result in a 25 percent decline in EV imports from China, impacting Western automakers with operations in China. In the wake of the EC's announcement, prominent European carmakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW expressed strong objections, as such protectionist measures may force them to lose part of the Chinese market, one of their key profit centers. In Europe, the looming additional tariffs are set to ignite soaring prices for EVs -- an impediment in the EU's drive to fulfill the ambitious European Green Deal. The initiative, launched in 2019 and slated to phase out cars and vans with internal combustion engines except e-fuel ones from registering by 2035, now faces a potential stumbling block. "There is no way that any part of the world can go green, fast and dedicated without China, because then the cost will be much, much higher," said Erik Solheim, co-chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former under-secretary-general of the United Nations. Passengers are seen on the platform of a railway station on trips back to their hometowns ahead of Eid al-Adha in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 12, 2024. With Eid al-Adha just around the corner, millions of Bangladeshis are packing bus and train stations, and airports as they head to their hometowns to celebrate the festival of animal sacrifice and enjoy family reunion. (Xinhua) Passengers are seen on the platform of a railway station on trips back to their hometowns ahead of Eid al-Adha in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 12, 2024. With Eid al-Adha just around the corner, millions of Bangladeshis are packing bus and train stations, and airports as they head to their hometowns to celebrate the festival of animal sacrifice and enjoy family reunion. (Xinhua) BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Jiang Jie, former vice chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has been indicted on charges of taking bribes, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP). Following investigations by the National Commission of Supervision, the first branch of the people's procuratorate of north China's Tianjin filed Jiang's case with the city's first intermediate people's court, the SPP said in a statement on Friday. Prosecutors accused Jiang of taking advantage of his various positions to seek profits for others, in return he illegally accepted huge sums of money and valuables. The prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to the defense counsel's arguments, the statement noted. A top Chinese automaker is joining hands with a major U.S. power supplier, fueling business growth through global trade! Find out how global cooperation in industry chains and supply chains are creating win-win opportunities for businesses worldwide #WeArePartners Namibian children dance during a celebration of the Day of the African Child in Windhoek, Namibia, on June 14, 2024. Namibia on Friday marked the Day of the African Child with a resounding call for the protection of children against all forms of exploitation. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) WINDHOEK, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Friday marked the Day of the African Child with a resounding call for the protection of children against all forms of exploitation. "The African Children's Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that every child of this vast continent is allowed to thrive, to grow, and to realize their fullest potential," Paulus Nghikembua, the Khomas regional director of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, told a commemoration event in Windhoek, the capital. He highlighted the significance of cherishing and empowering the future leaders of Africa, reiterating Namibia's commitment to providing access to education for all children, regardless of their circumstances. Quality education equips children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate future challenges and contribute meaningfully to society, Nghikembua said. Patricia Garoes, an SOS Children's Home youth representative and student, called for renewed investment in Africa's future. "Let's work together to break down barriers and create pathways to succeed for every child." In 1991, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity, the predecesor of the African Union, instituted the Day of the African Child, in memory of the June 16, 1976, student uprising in Soweto, South Africa. At that time, students marched in protest against the poor quality of education they received and demanded to be taught in their languages. Namibian children march during a celebration of the Day of the African Child in Windhoek, Namibia, on June 14, 2024. Namibia on Friday marked the Day of the African Child with a resounding call for the protection of children against all forms of exploitation. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) Namibian children dance during a celebration of the Day of the African Child in Windhoek, Namibia, on June 14, 2024. Namibia on Friday marked the Day of the African Child with a resounding call for the protection of children against all forms of exploitation. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) SHANGHAI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- An event featuring a dialogue between media journalists and the Party chief of Shanghai's Yangpu District was held on Friday. The event gathered more than 30 journalists from Chinese and overseas media, including those from Turkiye, Italy, Singapore, and Hong Kong. From Thursday to Friday, the journalists visited such locations as a sci-tech park and a residential community, gaining an understanding of the district's transition from an industrial rust belt to a livable area. Since the beginning of the century, Yangpu District has deepened the integration of its university campuses, sci-tech parks and public communities, realizing its transition to an innovation-oriented district. "We welcome more people to come to Yangpu and achieve greater success," said Xue Kan, Party chief of Yangpu District. The Shanghai event, the first of a series of such events where journalists will meet Chinese mayors or Party chiefs across the country, was co-hosted by the All-China Journalists Association and the Shanghai municipal government's information office. HANOI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese government will consider allowing all localities to develop free trade zones if they meet the necessary conditions and standards, Vietnam News reported Friday, citing Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. If established, these free zones will enjoy the same mechanisms as the Da Nang free trade zone in the central region, he said. He said although the free trade zone was a common global model used to promote international trade and attract foreign direct investment, Vietnam's current laws have no regulations governing the zone's setup and operation. National Assembly deputy Tran Hoang Ngan said when central Da Nang city successfully establishes a free trade zone, this economic model should be replicated immediately in many other localities that have similar characteristics such as having many seaports that can connect to free trade zones. Earlier, Vietnam proposed to allow Da Nang to pilot the establishment of a Da Nang free trade zone connected to the Lien Chieu seaport to implement experimental policies and mechanisms to attract investment to the area. A woman hides her head during a heatwave in Nicosia, Cyprus, on June 14, 2024. An elderly woman has died and several other people have been hospitalized with heatstroke symptoms as temperatures in Cyprus soared on Friday to an all-time June high of 45 degrees Celsius, the country's health authorities announced. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) NICOSIA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- An elderly woman has died and several other people have been hospitalized with heatstroke symptoms as temperatures in Cyprus soared on Friday to an all-time June high of 45 degrees Celsius, the country's health authorities announced. Cyprus is affected by a second consecutive hot air mass that has kept temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius since Tuesday, with 44 degrees Celsius recorded on Thursday. However, slightly cooler weather is expected from Sunday onwards. Public Health Services spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said the deceased woman had suffered two cardiac arrests as a result of heatstroke. "Because of the extremely high temperatures over the last few days public hospitals across Cyprus were faced with many cases of heat exhaustion. Five people are still hospitalized with heatstroke symptoms," he said. The Weather Service office said that temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius are usually recorded in July and August, but has been unprecedented for June when median temperatures are around 34 degrees Celsius. These phenomena are due to climate change and are here to stay, the weather service said, adding that this month's high temperatures constitute a record. The Labor Department has banned all outdoor activities, particularly in the building industry. Meanwhile, the Education Ministry ordered the closure of all public schools after 10:45 a.m. (0745 GMT) as a Weather Service red warning for high temperatures came into effect. A man walks during a heatwave in Nicosia, Cyprus, on June 14, 2024. An elderly woman has died and several other people have been hospitalized with heatstroke symptoms as temperatures in Cyprus soared on Friday to an all-time June high of 45 degrees Celsius, the country's health authorities announced. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) A man holds an umbrella during a heatwave in Nicosia, Cyprus, on June 14, 2024. An elderly woman has died and several other people have been hospitalized with heatstroke symptoms as temperatures in Cyprus soared on Friday to an all-time June high of 45 degrees Celsius, the country's health authorities announced. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) People work during a heatwave in Nicosia, Cyprus, on June 14, 2024. An elderly woman has died and several other people have been hospitalized with heatstroke symptoms as temperatures in Cyprus soared on Friday to an all-time June high of 45 degrees Celsius, the country's health authorities announced. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) ADDIS ABABA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Experts and decision-makers attending a special event ahead of the annual Day of the African Child has underscored the crucial imperative of ensuring the right to education for children in Africa. The Day of the African Child is commemorated annually on June 16, as a significant occasion to reaffirm the continent's collective commitment to the well-being and educational rights of children across Africa. On Friday, a special event was held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to mark this year's edition of the annual commemorative event under the theme "Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now." Addressing the commemorative event, Mohamed Belhocine, the AU commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, stressed that the theme underscores the critical role of education financing in ensuring that every child in Africa has access to inclusive, accessible, and relevant learning opportunities. This year's edition of the day was celebrated in alignment with the AU theme of the year 2024: "Educate an African fit for the 21st century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa." "Commemorating the Day of the African Child in the year of education as the AU theme is a testament to our unwavering commitment to unlocking the potential of Africa's most valuable resource, our children," Belhocine said. The AU commissioner also called for concerted efforts in driving tangible progress towards inclusive and equitable education in Africa. As part of the commemorative event, a joint AU-UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) report was launched focusing on education financing. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of education financing in Africa and outlines practical strategies to increase investment, improve resource allocation, and ensure equitable access to quality education for all children, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable. Noting that education is a fundamental human right and a key driver of social and economic development, the report stressed that "Too many children in Africa continue to face barriers in accessing inclusive and quality learning." The report warned that the learning crisis on the continent will become a huge development challenge if investments in education are not enhanced. It says expanding funding for education, both domestically and from external sources, is a key pathway to addressing this challenge. The International Day of the African Child, also known as the Day of the African Child, has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991. BEIRUT, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and Pakistan signed on Friday an agreement to boost cooperation in combating illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, Lebanon's National News Agency reported. The agreement was signed in Beirut by Imad Othman, chief of Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, and Salman Athar, ambassador of Pakistan to Lebanon. While underlining the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Lebanon bilateral relations, Othman noted that reaching an agreement on effective measures to combat illicit drug trafficking is in both countries' mutual interest. For his part, Athar said that the illicit trafficking of drugs seriously jeopardizes public health and safety. The ambassador also underlined "the need to work together to implement effective strategies and initiatives to counter the influence of drug trafficking, protect our communities, and preserve the integrity of our social fabric." JUBA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis on Friday pledged to support South Sudan's transitional unity government to prepare for the first-ever general elections in December. Francis, who concluded a four-day visit to the East African country, said that the United Nations remains ready to assist the government if requested to help organize the upcoming elections. "If the authorities in South Sudan believe that they do not have all the necessary expertise to carry out the elections in a way that would give the people of South Sudan the comfort of knowing that the elections are free, then there are mechanisms available to assist and support the authorities of South Sudan to execute the elections," Francis told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. During his visit, Francis met with South Sudan President Salva Kiir and internally displaced persons. "There are international organizations set up that have been doing this (elections) for years, and if requested, if the government feels the need, I am sure we would be prepared to accompany the government and support their effort in getting a clear, good, strong outcome that is not questionable," Francis said. He also downplayed doubts about the capacity of the local authorities to organize the elections, which have already been dubbed the "make or break" moment for South Sudan by Nicholas Haysom, the special representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. "I lived in a country where for the first time in 1956, we organized an election and we have been doing it ever since without any problems. The issue is and has to be, and I hope that the people of South Sudan will feel comfortable enough to accept the result of the elections when it comes," Francis said. He noted that the government has recently made significant progress toward building lasting peace and achieving sustainable development, amid peace and security challenges such as intercommunal violence and the risk of spillover from the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan. Francis expressed his full support for the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan while urging the parties to the agreement to faithfully rally behind it to ensure its full implementation. "If there is one key and overarching message I came to deliver during my visit, it is this: the United Nations system and the General Assembly which I lead fully stand behind the people of the Republic of South Sudan. We stand with all those living through or recovering from instability or conflict. We stand with the people of South Sudan, including those who are internally displaced not by any choice of their own," he said. Francis said his presidency remains focused on helping to build peace, progress, prosperity and sustainability in South Sudan, including in neighboring Sudan, where conflict has displaced millions both internally and externally. YAOUNDE, June 14 (Xinhua) -- At least one Cameroonian soldier was killed and four others were injured after terrorist group Boko Haram attacked a military outpost in the country's Far North region, local and security sources said on Friday. The attack occurred overnight into Friday in Tourou locality. The militants ambushed gendarmerie officers at the outpost, leading to a confrontation with government forces. However, the terrorists managed to burn four motorcycles and an ambulance, as well as steal weapons and ammunition, a military official in the region said on condition of anonymity. The injured soldiers are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, and additional troops have been deployed to the area for a manhunt. Boko Haram has been active in the Far North region of Cameroon since 2014, and they continue to pose a threat by launching ambushes against both soldiers and civilians. A student sings a song during the 23rd edition of the Chinese Bridge competition at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, June 14, 2024. Chinese language students in Zimbabwe on Friday showcased their language competence at the 23rd edition of the Chinese Bridge competition held at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) HARARE, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese language students in Zimbabwe on Friday showcased their language competence at the 23rd edition of the Chinese Bridge competition held at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. The competition, which drew participants from primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges, was organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe, with support from the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe and Chinese enterprises. In addition to speech performances, the competition also included a talent show in which participants showcased their appreciation of Chinese culture through dances, martial arts, and songs. The winners from three categories received cash prizes, and first prize winners will represent Zimbabwe at the semi-finals and final competitions in China. Avril Mukanyangi, 17, who was crowned the champion of the high school segment, impressed the judges and audience with her grasp of the Chinese language and culture. "Being number one and going to China to represent Zimbabwe, it feels like a dream come true," she said. William Kamuchuruka, the first prize winner for the college students segment, was elated with the achievement. He hopes to further his studies in China. "Having a chance to go to China, firstly, I can improve my Chinese. It is also a platform to express myself to use my Chinese to show the world or show everyone the achievements I have made in Chinese. There are also scholarships that come with this, so if I continue to push this forward, there is also a chance to study in China," he said. In his welcome remarks at the event, University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Paul Mapfumo said the university values language as a tool and skill for transforming society. "We understand the value of language in enhancing teaching and learning, in enhancing cross-cultural fertilization, in enhancing the value of business in a global context," said Mangena. He said in today's interconnected world, the ability to communicate across cultures has become more important than ever before. "So we take language as opening doors for new opportunities, fostering understanding, and building bridges between people of different backgrounds." Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding congratulated the contestants on their participation in the language competition. "As is widely recognized, language serves as a carrier of culture, a ladder that enables us to broaden our perspectives, and a tool that enhances dialogues and communications in this increasingly globalized world," said Zhou, stressing that the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Zimbabwe not only encompasses trade and investment but also incorporates cultural exchanges and educational cooperation. A student delivers a speech during the 23rd edition of the Chinese Bridge competition at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, June 14, 2024. Chinese language students in Zimbabwe on Friday showcased their language competence at the 23rd edition of the Chinese Bridge competition held at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) TUNIS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia on Friday allowed visa-free entry of Iranian and Iraqi tourists, effective from June 15. The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a visa exemption for holders of ordinary Iraqi passports for tourism purposes. The exemption allows stays of up to 15 days within a 180-day period. Travelers must present a valid hotel reservation and a round-trip plane ticket. "Ordinary Iranian passport holders will also be exempted from the entry visa to Tunisia as of June 15," said the statement, without giving further details. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry welcomed Tunisia's decision, saying it would boost the number of Iraqi tourists visiting Tunisia and enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. YAOUNDE, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Cameroonian army announced Friday that its troops have killed a separatist commander in the country's war-torn English-speaking region of Southwest. The commander, who referred to himself as "general black bat," was killed after the military launched an offensive in Boa Bakundu locality of the region late Thursday. "Black bat" was commanding a "dangerous" group of fighters in the region and was responsible for the death of several civilians and soldiers, the army said. Fighting between government forces and separatist fighters has continued in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017 when separatists sought to establish an independent nation in these areas. KIGALI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Friday dissolved the country's parliament ahead of next month's presidential and parliamentary elections. During an event at parliamentary chambers in the capital city Kigali, Kagame thanked the outgoing lawmakers for their work. Under Rwanda's Constitution, the president dissolves parliament at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the end of the parliamentary term. This legislature was inaugurated in 2018 for a five-year term. It was supposed to end its mandate in 2023 but its term was extended following a constitutional amendment, allowing presidential and parliamentary elections to take place on the same day. Rwandans will go to the polls on July 15 to elect new lawmakers and the president. BRUSSELS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) announced on Friday that EU ambassadors agreed "in principle" on the negotiating frameworks for the accession talks of Ukraine and Moldova. The presidency revealed on its official social media account on X that the first intergovernmental conferences will be convened on June 25 when European affairs ministers are scheduled to meet in Luxembourg. A European Commission spokesperson has said a week ago that both countries had met all the necessary steps for accession negotiations to formally begin. The 27 EU member states must unanimously agree to start the negotiations, which typically take years to conclude. Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022, while Ukraine applied in February of the same year. Both countries were granted candidate status in June 2022. In December last year, EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. KIGALI, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Genocide Widows, Avega-Agahozo, marked 30 years of resilience Friday, commemorating the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in an event attended by hundreds of survivors. "During the journey of the last 30 years, we have received help in many ways, providing comfort and motivation through words of encouragement. This support has been essential as we continue our efforts in rebuilding," said Immaculee Kayitesi, president of Avega-Agahozo, at the event in Kigali, the Rwandan capital. She expressed gratitude to the government of Rwanda for supporting them during their suffering, showing them love and allowing them to live again. "In the past 30 years, widows and orphans who survived the genocide have been helped in various aspects of life. The government, which took responsibility for their welfare, carried out many activities aimed at helping the widows of the genocide cope with its consequences," Kayitesi said. "We received a lot of help, comfort, and encouraging words that gave us the impetus to witness the journey of rebuilding." Kayitesi pointed out that over these years, they received treatment for injuries and diseases caused by the genocide, both within the country and abroad. She noted that rape victims, infected with HIV/AIDS and other serious diseases, were treated and provided with antiretroviral drugs free of charge. Speaking at the event, Rwandan First Lady Jeannette Kagame said that the Genocide Against the Tutsi posed a great danger to Rwanda, and overcoming its impact on the survivors required a huge effort. "When someone needs you to listen to them and be able to get over it, it gives strength to the journey you are both committed to. Thank you for allowing us to understand and resolve to move on with resilience. Thirty years have passed, and another will come," she said. Jean-Damascene Bizimana, minister of national unity and civic engagement, said that members of Avega-Agahozo were involved in testifying about the crime of forced rape during the genocide. "Their testimonies led the International Criminal Court established in Rwanda to recognize this crime as part of the genocide, highlighting its severity and gravity at an international level." Bizimana promised that the government would continue to support them to reduce the number of helpless survivors. Established in Rwanda following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and legally recognized in 1995, the Association des Veuves du Genocide (AVEGA) Agahozo works nationwide to create forums for healing, mutual support, and socioeconomic development for genocide widows. SINGAPORE, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said Friday that it arrested 71 suspected drug offenders, including a 15-year-old student, in an island-wide anti-drug operation from Monday to Friday. The CNB seized 555 grams of methamphetamine, 406 grams of heroin, and 300 Erimin-5 tablets, among other drugs, with an estimated street value of 115,000 Singapore dollars (85,000 U.S. dollars). Investigations into the suspects are ongoing. KATHMANDU, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Four members of a family were killed on Thursday night in a landslide in Taplejung district in northeastern Nepal, a local official said Friday. A couple and their twin daughters died in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality after their house was buried in the debris. "All four were killed on the spot. Their dead bodies were recovered on Friday morning," said Rajan Limbu, chairperson for the rural municipality. Limbu told Xinhua that some 50 goats and dozens of chickens bred by the family also perished in the disaster. Monsoon clouds entered eastern Nepal on Monday and have brought heavy rainfall, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Rain-induced disasters are common in Nepal, and the Nepali authorities have estimated that over 1.8 million people could be affected this year. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, holds talks with Nguyen Trong Nghia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Li Shulei, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held talks with Nguyen Trong Nghia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, in Beijing on Thursday. Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in the field of publicity, deepen the exchange of experience on party and state governance, promote the traditional friendship, and advance the development of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Nguyen said Vietnam is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, enhance political mutual trust, deepen cooperation between corresponding government departments, promote publicity related to the Vietnam-China friendship, and promote the continuous development of the relationship between the two parties and two countries, as well as the socialist cause. Officials set fire to the illicit drugs at a ceremony held at an incinerator on the northern outskirts of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 14, 2024. Cambodia on Friday destroyed multi-million U.S. dollars worth of narcotics and precursor chemicals seized from across the Southeast Asian country, officials said. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Friday destroyed multi-million U.S. dollars worth of narcotics and precursor chemicals seized from across the Southeast Asian country, officials said. Meas Vyrith, secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, set fire to the illicit drugs and precursor chemicals at a ceremony held at an incinerator on the northern outskirts of the capital Phnom Penh. He said the drug destruction was made to celebrate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is observed annually on June 26. "A total of 4.1 tons of illicit drugs, with a trafficking market value of about 22.7 million U.S. dollars, was burned down at this event," he told reporters. "With this amount of illicit drugs, if sold to users, they cost between 67 and 68 million dollars." "This amount of seized drugs, if not timely confiscated, would adversely affect millions of people," Vyrith said. Phnom Penh Municipal Court's prosecutor Chreng Khmao said those destroyed drugs included heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, nimetazepam, cocaine, and dry marijuana. Besides the illicit drugs, a total of 3.25 tons of precursor chemicals was also burned down at the event, he said. According to the Anti-Drug Police Department, Cambodia nabbed 9,369 drug-related suspects, including 324 foreigners, during the January-May period of 2024, seizing a total of 4.71 tons of narcotics. The kingdom has no death sentence for drug traffickers. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of drugs could be jailed for life. Anti-drug officials test methamphetamine in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 14, 2024. Cambodia on Friday destroyed multi-million U.S. dollars worth of narcotics and precursor chemicals seized from across the Southeast Asian country, officials said. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) LONDON, June 14 (Xinhua) -- None of England's water bodies are in good health, according to a recent report from a United Kingdom (UK) non-governmental organization. The Rivers Trust, an independent environmental charity, revealed in its State of Our Rivers Report that out of 3,553 river stretches with water chemistry data available, only 151 have improved their ecological status, while 158 have deteriorated. Data from the British Environment Agency also shows that sewage releases by water companies into England's rivers and seas more than doubled in 2023. In May, experts and scholars from the Royal Academy of Engineering raised the alarm over health risks posed by human waste in England's rivers and seas, drawing criticism of the regulator for not compelling water companies to upgrade their infrastructure and safety protocols. In March 2023, the House of Lords' Industry and Regulators Committee reported that water companies prioritized financial returns over the environment. The committee also noted that the British government has failed to address key issues such as water pollution and future supply. According to BBC News, major English water companies illegally discharged wastewater over 6,000 times during dry seasons in 2022. BRUSSELS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) announced on Friday that EU ambassadors agreed "in principle" on the negotiating frameworks for the accession talks of Ukraine and Moldova. The presidency revealed on its official social media account on X that the first intergovernmental conferences will be convened on June 25 when European affairs ministers are scheduled to meet in Luxembourg. Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022, while Ukraine applied in February of the same year. Both countries were granted candidate status in June 2022. In December last year, EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova. People attend an activity during a protest against G7 in Brindisi, Italy, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) FASANO, Italy, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Protests involving civic associations, trade unions, environmentalists and local residents were held here Friday afternoon against the Group of Seven (G7) summit being held in Borgo Egnazia, a resort near Italy's southern town of Fasano. Zoe Caramia, an Italian student participating in the protests told Xinhua that G7 countries focus on a small percentage of people who are already well off, neglecting the pressing issues faced by the majority, such as hunger, education, war and peace. Holding banners with messages such as "You are Seven, We are Eight Billion," the approximately 300 demonstrators highlighted G7's failure to address social justice, protect civil rights and maintain global peace. On Thursday when the summit commenced, demonstrations were also held in Brindisi, a city 60 km from the Fasano. Protesters held Palestinian flags and banners saying "Boycott the G7," "Stop Destroying the Planet," and "No More War." The demonstrators also criticized the G7 for failing to play a positive role in environmental protection, social justice and maintaining peace. Thursday evening, protesters gathered to host what they called a "poor dinner" as G7 leaders gathered for a lavish banquet. Drissa Kone, one of the dinner organizers from Africa, told Xinhua that the event was a statement against the G7's disregard for the poor. "The G7 comes to have fun here, to have dinner, while there are poor people dying." Lukas Hufert, an art student who came from Germany to participate in the protest, told Xinhua that the G7's approach to international affairs is "full of hypocrisy" and driven by selfish schemes, "offering no help to the world's vulnerable groups." The G7 summit, which groups Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, was held from June 13 to June 15. Around 7,000 police officers have been deployed to maintain security and travel restrictions were put in place. (240615) -- FASANO, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People protest during an anti-G7 manifestation at Fasano, Apulia in southern Italy, June 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People attend an activity during a protest against G7 in Brindisi, Italy, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) (240615) -- FASANO, June 15, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A woman protests during an anti-G7 manifestation at Fasano, Apulia in southern Italy, June 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing) VioletaStoimenova / Getty Images/iStockphoto Living paycheck to paycheck can mean a lot of different things depending on your unique financial situation and where you live. Sometimes, even if you work full time and own your own home there may not be a lot of wiggle room left over on payday once the bills have been seen to and you know, youve eaten. If you are looking to make some physical money moves to see if a new location can make your dollars make more sense, its good to know you have more affordable options. Learn More: 5 Cities Where Homes Will Be a Total Steal In Two Years Check Out: 6 Money Moves You Must Make if You Want to Be Like the Wealthy In a recent study, GOBankingRates found the cities in each state where youre the most likely and least likely to live paycheck to paycheck. These averages were based on the cost of expenditures, mortgage payments, cost of living and median household income. Here are some key takeaways: The city with the smallest positive amount of savings per month was recorded as the city with the most likely to live paycheck-to-paycheck The city with the highest savings is the city with the least likely to live paycheck to paycheck. Hickory Flat, Mississippi, was named the city with the lowest amount left for savings, which was estimated at $6. New Albany, Ohio, was named the city with the most money left for savings with a whopping $156,803. Take a look at where you are most and least likely to live paycheck to paycheck. Allard1 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Alabama Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Shorter Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,838 Average annual mortgage: $9,878 Average annual cost of living: $32,716 Household median income: $32,917 Leftover savings estimate: $201 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Mountain Brook Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,266 Average annual mortgage: $59,081 Average annual cost of living: $83,347 Household median income: $167,007 Leftover savings estimate: $83,660 Read Next: 5 Worst Florida Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents Explore More: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. brytta / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Alaska Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Palmer Average annual cost of expenditures: $30,841 Average annual mortgage: $27,783 Average annual cost of living: $58,624 Household median income: $68,929 Leftover savings estimate: $10,305 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Sterling Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,049 Average annual mortgage: $24,545 Average annual cost of living: $51,594 Household median income: $98,542 Leftover savings estimate: $46,948 Story continues Find Out: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024 Paycheck to Paycheck: Arizona Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Bullhead City Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,789 Average annual mortgage: $22,741 Average annual cost of living: $46,530 Household median income: $47,129 Leftover savings estimate: $599 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Vail Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,735 Average annual mortgage: $29,848 Average annual cost of living: $53,584 Household median income: $120,179 Leftover savings estimate: $66,595 Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Arkansas Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Lewisville Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,174 Average annual mortgage: $6,551 Average annual cost of living: $27,725 Household median income: $29,250 Leftover savings estimate: $1,525 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Haskell Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,314 Average annual mortgage: $13,881 Average annual cost of living: $36,196 Household median income: $98,571 Leftover savings estimate: $62,375 Paycheck to Paycheck: California Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Arden-Arcade Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,943 Average annual mortgage: $38,505 Average annual cost of living: $64,448 Household median income: $64,479 Leftover savings estimate: $31 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Granite Bay Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,235 Average annual mortgage: $81,775 Average annual cost of living: $108,010 Household median income: $177,803 Leftover savings estimate: $69,793 Paycheck to Paycheck: Colorado Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Greenwood Village Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,478 Average annual mortgage: $113,988 Average annual cost of living: $138,466 Household median income: $139,144 Leftover savings estimate: $678 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Castle Pines Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,827 Average annual mortgage: $65,875 Average annual cost of living: $90,702 Household median income: $189,280 Leftover savings estimate: $98,578 For You: Im an Economist: Heres My Prediction for the Housing Market If Trump Wins the Election James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Connecticut Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: New Haven Average annual cost of expenditures: $28,843 Average annual mortgage: $22,745 Average annual cost of living: $51,588 Household median income: $54,305 Leftover savings estimate: $2,717 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Weston Average annual cost of expenditures: $30,839 Average annual mortgage: $85,595 Average annual cost of living: $116,434 Household median income: $250,000 Leftover savings estimate: $133,566 AndreyKrav / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Delaware Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Seaford Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,683 Average annual mortgage: $21,498 Average annual cost of living: $46,181 Household median income: $49,469 Leftover savings estimate: $3,288 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Hockessin Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,606 Average annual mortgage: $41,457 Average annual cost of living: $68,063 Household median income: $164,848 Leftover savings estimate: $96,785 iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Florida Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Wilton Manors Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,515 Average annual mortgage: $54,747 Average annual cost of living: $81,262 Household median income: $81,424 Leftover savings estimate: $162 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Gotha Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,659 Average annual mortgage: $36,055 Average annual cost of living: $61,714 Household median income: $174,750 Leftover savings estimate: $113,036 ferrantraite / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Georgia Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Athens Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,701 Average annual mortgage: $23,955 Average annual cost of living: $47,656 Household median income: $47,798 Leftover savings estimate: $142 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Decatur Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,801 Average annual mortgage: $22,396 Average annual cost of living: $48,197 Household median income: $129,992 Leftover savings estimate: $81,795 Find Out: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K Art Wager / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Hawaii Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Makawao Average annual cost of expenditures: $30,490 Average annual mortgage: $77,891 Average annual cost of living: $108,381 Household median income: $109,385 Leftover savings estimate: $1,004 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Kapolei Average annual cost of expenditures: $32,208 Average annual mortgage: $65,349 Average annual cost of living: $97,557 Household median income: $121,768 Leftover savings estimate: $24,211 Ric Schafer / Shutterstock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Idaho Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Coeur dAlene Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,112 Average annual mortgage: $40,302 Average annual cost of living: $63,414 Household median income: $65,786 Leftover savings estimate: $2,372 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Meridian Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,128 Average annual mortgage: $37,572 Average annual cost of living: $60,700 Household median income: $93,296 Leftover savings estimate: $32,596 xavierarnau / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Illinois Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: East Saint Louis Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,340 Average annual mortgage: $2,700 Average annual cost of living: $26,041 Household median income: $28,519 Leftover savings estimate: $2,478 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Hinsdale Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,345 Average annual mortgage: $78,604 Average annual cost of living: $104,949 Household median income: $250,000 Leftover savings estimate: $145,051 Ron_Thomas / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Indiana Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Shoal Average annual cost of expenditures: $20,923 Average annual mortgage: $11,818 Average annual cost of living: $32,741 Household median income: $35,724 Leftover savings estimate: $2,983 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Zionsville Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,657 Average annual mortgage: $43,588 Average annual cost of living: $67,245 Household median income: $152,788 Leftover savings estimate: $85,543 Explore More: 6 Best Florida Suburbs to Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents Joel Carillet / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Iowa Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Iowa City Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,123 Average annual mortgage: $22,707 Average annual cost of living: $47,831 Household median income: $54,879 Leftover savings estimate: $7,048 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Clive Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,052 Average annual mortgage: $30,930 Average annual cost of living: $52,982 Household median income: $124,908 Leftover savings estimate: $71,926 Oleksii Liskonih / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Kansas Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Oaklawn-Sunview Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,797 Average annual mortgage: $5,453 Average annual cost of living: $28,250 Household median income: $33,804 Leftover savings estimate: $5,554 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Mission Hills Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,612 Average annual mortgage: $99,291 Average annual cost of living: $122,903 Household median income: $250,000 Leftover savings estimate: $127,097 alexeys / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Kentucky Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Murray Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,969 Average annual mortgage: $12,253 Average annual cost of living: $34,222 Household median income: $37,421 Leftover savings estimate: $3,199 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Prospect Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,902 Average annual mortgage: $45,963 Average annual cost of living: $69,866 Household median income: $173,528 Leftover savings estimate: $103,662 Larry Gibson / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Louisiana Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Bastrop Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,470 Average annual mortgage: $5,629 Average annual cost of living: $29,099 Household median income: $29,286 Leftover savings estimate: $187 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Youngsville Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,474 Average annual mortgage: $19,608 Average annual cost of living: $45,082 Household median income: $111,619 Leftover savings estimate: $66,537 Check Out: 7 Worst States To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents EJJohnsonPhotography / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Maine Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Old Orchard Beach Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,785 Average annual mortgage: $36,631 Average annual cost of living: $61,416 Household median income: $62,335 Leftover savings estimate: $919 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Gorham Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,586 Average annual mortgage: $38,118 Average annual cost of living: $61,705 Household median income: $96,332 Leftover savings estimate: $34,627 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Maryland Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Ocean City Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,635 Average annual mortgage: $36,621 Average annual cost of living: $59,256 Household median income: $62,401 Leftover savings estimate: $3,145 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Garrett Park Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,630 Average annual mortgage: $74,603 Average annual cost of living: $102,233 Household median income: $250,000 Leftover savings estimate: $147,767 Jill_InspiredByDesign / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Massachusetts Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Lynn Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,683 Average annual mortgage: $40,659 Average annual cost of living: $68,342 Household median income: $70,046 Leftover savings estimate: $1,704 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Sharon Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,835 Average annual mortgage: $61,909 Average annual cost of living: $89,744 Household median income: $173,938 Leftover savings estimate: $84,194 peeterv / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Michigan Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: East Lansing Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,182 Average annual mortgage: $21,325 Average annual cost of living: $43,507 Household median income: $44,094 Leftover savings estimate: $587 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Bloomfield Hills Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,367 Average annual mortgage: $49,144 Average annual cost of living: $73,511 Household median income: $200,054 Leftover savings estimate: $126,543 Learn More: 8 Places Where Houses Are Suddenly Major Bargains sihuo0860371 / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Minnesota Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Floodwood Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,542 Average annual mortgage: $11,395 Average annual cost of living: $32,937 Household median income: $34,583 Leftover savings estimate: $1,646 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Victoria Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,013 Average annual mortgage: $41,896 Average annual cost of living: $65,909 Household median income: $179,515 Leftover savings estimate: $113,606 iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Mississippi Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Hickory Flat Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,545 Average annual mortgage: $9,668 Average annual cost of living: $33,213 Household median income: $33,219 Leftover savings estimate: $6 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Madison Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,969 Average annual mortgage: $28,520 Average annual cost of living: $51,489 Household median income: $124,575 Leftover savings estimate: $73,086 STLJB / Shutterstock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Missouri Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Humansville Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,221 Average annual mortgage: $11,551 Average annual cost of living: $34,772 Household median income: $35,278 Leftover savings estimate: $506 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Ladue Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,980 Average annual mortgage: $84,576 Average annual cost of living: $108,556 Household median income: $250,000 Leftover savings estimate: $141,444 Lightguard / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Montana Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Livingston Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,578 Average annual mortgage: $38,988 Average annual cost of living: $62,565 Household median income: $62,893 Leftover savings estimate: $328 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Havre Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,332 Average annual mortgage: $18,188 Average annual cost of living: $40,520 Household median income: $63,143 Leftover savings estimate: $22,623 Be Aware: 6 Best Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents marekuliasz / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Nebraska Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Humboldt Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,661 Average annual mortgage: $9,336 Average annual cost of living: $32,997 Household median income: $42,708 Leftover savings estimate: $9,711 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Geneva Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,910 Average annual mortgage: $11,116 Average annual cost of living: $34,026 Household median income: $86,667 Leftover savings estimate: $52,641 Pgiam / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Nevada Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Gardnerville Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,129 Average annual mortgage: $41,876 Average annual cost of living: $65,006 Household median income: $66,157 Leftover savings estimate: $1,151 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Spring Creek Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,860 Average annual mortgage: $26,351 Average annual cost of living: $52,211 Household median income: $109,952 Leftover savings estimate: $57,741 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: New Hampshire Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Berlin Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,601 Average annual mortgage: $12,799 Average annual cost of living: $34,400 Household median income: $41,638 Leftover savings estimate: $7,238 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Amherst Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,778 Average annual mortgage: $46,834 Average annual cost of living: $71,612 Household median income: $144,940 Leftover savings estimate: $73,328 Paycheck to Paycheck: New Jersey Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: New Brunswick Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,415 Average annual mortgage: $29,701 Average annual cost of living: $57,116 Household median income: $57,138 Leftover savings estimate: $22 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Chatham Average annual cost of expenditures: $29,057 Average annual mortgage: $88,606 Average annual cost of living: $117,662 Household median income: $250,000 Leftover savings estimate: $132,338 Discover More: Mortgage Rates Are Dropping: 20 Housing Markets With the Most Affordable Home Prices Michael E Halstead / Shutterstock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: New Mexico Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Silver City Average annual cost of expenditures: $20,467 Average annual mortgage: $16,202 Average annual cost of living: $36,669 Household median income: $36,853 Leftover savings estimate: $184 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Los Alamos Average annual cost of expenditures: $20,468 Average annual mortgage: $41,162 Average annual cost of living: $61,630 Household median income: $130,342 Leftover savings estimate: $68,712 FilippoBacci / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: New York Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Sleepy Hollow Average annual cost of expenditures: $28,936 Average annual mortgage: $69,476 Average annual cost of living: $98,412 Household median income: $98,580 Leftover savings estimate: $168 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Merrick Average annual cost of expenditures: $32,825 Average annual mortgage: $55,894 Average annual cost of living: $88,718 Household median income: $185,368 Leftover savings estimate: $96,650 iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: North Carolina Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Denver Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,101 Average annual mortgage: $39,366 Average annual cost of living: $64,467 Household median income: $65,577 Leftover savings estimate: $1,110 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Summerfield Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,241 Average annual mortgage: $34,932 Average annual cost of living: $57,173 Household median income: $148,182 Leftover savings estimate: $91,009 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: North Dakota Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Devils Lake Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,926 Average annual mortgage: $15,391 Average annual cost of living: $38,316 Household median income: $41,203 Leftover savings estimate: $2,887 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: West Fargo Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,984 Average annual mortgage: $23,564 Average annual cost of living: $47,548 Household median income: $96,929 Leftover savings estimate: $49,381 Check Out: 3 Places To Travel That Are Like Hawaii but Way Cheaper Ralph Navarro / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Ohio Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: New Boston Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,002 Average annual mortgage: $4,294 Average annual cost of living: $26,296 Household median income: $26,972 Leftover savings estimate: $676 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: New Albany Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,169 Average annual mortgage: $48,852 Average annual cost of living: $72,021 Household median income: $224,824 Leftover savings estimate: $152,803 cineman69 / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Oklahoma Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Konawa Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,215 Average annual mortgage: $6,469 Average annual cost of living: $32,683 Household median income: $32,721 Leftover savings estimate: $38 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Jenks Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,596 Average annual mortgage: $24,185 Average annual cost of living: $47,781 Household median income: $101,767 Leftover savings estimate: $53,986 jmoor17 / Shutterstock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Oregon Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Ashland Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,030 Average annual mortgage: $40,271 Average annual cost of living: $63,300 Household median income: $64,767 Leftover savings estimate: $1,467 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: West Linn Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,480 Average annual mortgage: $57,874 Average annual cost of living: $83,354 Household median income: $134,116 Leftover savings estimate: $50,762 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Pennsylvania Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Reading Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,401 Average annual mortgage: $17,413 Average annual cost of living: $42,814 Household median income: $42,852 Leftover savings estimate: $38 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Wyncote Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,457 Average annual mortgage: $30,629 Average annual cost of living: $56,086 Household median income: $130,833 Leftover savings estimate: $74,747 Check Out: Barbara Corcoran: Heres Why I Never Fly First Class lucky-photographer / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Rhode Island Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Woonsocket Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,129 Average annual mortgage: $26,113 Average annual cost of living: $51,242 Household median income: $54,398 Leftover savings estimate: $3,156 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Warwick Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,604 Average annual mortgage: $27,769 Average annual cost of living: $52,373 Household median income: $81,009 Leftover savings estimate: $28,636 omersukrugoksu / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: South Carolina Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Calhoun Falls Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,123 Average annual mortgage: $7,400 Average annual cost of living: $28,523 Household median income: $30,078 Leftover savings estimate: $1,555 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Tega Cay Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,365 Average annual mortgage: $42,007 Average annual cost of living: $66,372 Household median income: $140,172 Leftover savings estimate: $73,800 dosecreative / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: South Dakota Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Spearfish Average annual cost of expenditures: $25,927 Average annual mortgage: $30,980 Average annual cost of living: $56,907 Household median income: $58,734 Leftover savings estimate: $1,827 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Brandon Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,567 Average annual mortgage: $26,955 Average annual cost of living: $49,522 Household median income: $101,747 Leftover savings estimate: $52,225 AndreyKrav / Getty Images/iStockphoto Paycheck to Paycheck: Tennessee Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Crossville Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,908 Average annual mortgage: $21,446 Average annual cost of living: $44,354 Household median income: $44,375 Leftover savings estimate: $21 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Ridgeside Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,508 Average annual mortgage: $39,566 Average annual cost of living: $62,074 Household median income: $158,750 Leftover savings estimate: $96,676 Explore More: 7 Vacation Destinations To Avoid on a Retirement Budget belterz / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Texas Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Nacogdoches Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,498 Average annual mortgage: $15,137 Average annual cost of living: $36,635 Household median income: $37,612 Leftover savings estimate: $977 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Lantana Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,794 Average annual mortgage: $44,621 Average annual cost of living: $69,415 Household median income: $205,412 Leftover savings estimate: $135,997 DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Utah Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Logan Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,135 Average annual mortgage: $27,701 Average annual cost of living: $51,836 Household median income: $52,473 Leftover savings estimate: $637 Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Highland Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,115 Average annual mortgage: $67,148 Average annual cost of living: $90,263 Household median income: $166,429 Leftover savings estimate: $76,166 Jamesbowyer / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Vermont Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Barre Average annual cost of expenditures: $29,267 Average annual mortgage: $21,013 Average annual cost of living: $50,280 Household median income: $53,798 Leftover savings estimate: $3,518 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Shelburne Average annual cost of expenditures: $30,485 Average annual mortgage: $52,249 Average annual cost of living: $82,734 Household median income: $102,213 Leftover savings estimate: $19,479 Kirkikis / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Virginia Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Scottsburg Average annual cost of expenditures: $22,044 Average annual mortgage: $8,227 Average annual cost of living: $30,271 Household median income: $31,250 Leftover savings estimate: $979 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Dunn Loring Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,187 Average annual mortgage: $85,839 Average annual cost of living: $113,026 Household median income: $238,734 Leftover savings estimate: $125,708 Learn More: 10 Best US Vacation Destinations for Retirees on a Budget Paycheck to Paycheck: Washington Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Bellevue Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,849 Average annual mortgage: $121,577 Average annual cost of living: $148,426 Household median income: $149,551 Leftover savings estimate: $1,125 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Snoqualmie Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,221 Average annual mortgage: $81,428 Average annual cost of living: $107,648 Household median income: $186,353 Leftover savings estimate: $78,705 ablokhin / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: West Virginia Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Kermit Average annual cost of expenditures: $24,767 Average annual mortgage: $5,333 Average annual cost of living: $30,100 Household median income: $30,625 Leftover savings estimate: $525 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: West Union Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,960 Average annual mortgage: $7,748 Average annual cost of living: $31,708 Household median income: $88,833 Leftover savings estimate: $57,125 Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images Paycheck to Paycheck: Wisconsin Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Whitewater Average annual cost of expenditures: $21,709 Average annual mortgage: $22,567 Average annual cost of living: $44,276 Household median income: $46,135 Leftover savings estimate: $1,859 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Whitefish Bay Average annual cost of expenditures: $23,672 Average annual mortgage: $42,531 Average annual cost of living: $66,203 Household median income: $142,356 Leftover savings estimate: $76,153 Ingo Dorenberg / iStock.com Paycheck to Paycheck: Wyoming Most Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Sheridan Average annual cost of expenditures: $27,353 Average annual mortgage: $29,388 Average annual cost of living: $56,741 Household median income: $57,667 Leftover savings estimate: $926 Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck: Gillette Average annual cost of expenditures: $26,324 Average annual mortgage: $22,971 Average annual cost of living: $49,295 Household median income: $90,415 Leftover savings estimate: $41,120 Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates found the cities in each state where youre the most likely and least likely to live paycheck to paycheck. First GOBankingRates gathered cost of living indexes for over 6,400 cities across the United States. For each city the average single-family home value from April of 2024 was found as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. By assuming a 10% downpayment and using the national 30-year fixed mortgage rate, the average mortgage cost can be calculated. Using the average mortgage cost and the average expenditure cost, the total cost of living can be calculated. Using the median household income, as sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the average amount of savings after the total annual cost of living can be calculated. The city with the smallest positive amount of savings per month was recorded as the city with the most likely to live paycheck to paycheck and the city with the highest savings is the city with the least likely to live paycheck to paycheck. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 24, 2024. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 100 Cities Where Youre Most and Least Likely To Live Paycheck to Paycheck A massive evangelistic effort has been agreed between two global ministries now looking to distribute 90,000 audio and visual Bibles to 700,000 prisoners in 70 countries over the next five years, with extra support planned for 90,000 vulnerable children and 40,000 caregivers. Prison Fellowship International (PFI) and Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) announced the joint renewal plan to share the good news of Jesus Christ with prisoners and prisoners families taking part in two of PFIs frontline programs. The ministries state they have already worked together since 2021 and helped 34,000 prisoners to date. One of the courses called The Listeners Way helps prisoners access the gospel in their heart language by using solar-powered, audio and visual scripture, according to the course website. The other program, PromisePath, gives education support, mentoring in a community setting and biblical resources to children of prisoners. These youngsters are at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, slavery and criminal behavior, according to the ministries. The expansion of our partnership to encompass more TLW courses and increasing our reach to children and their caregivers through PromisePath underscores our joint commitment to ensuring all of those impacted by crime have access to the Gospel message, said Andy Corley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Prison Fellowship International. Observing the profound eagerness of these individuals to engage with Scripture reinforces the transformative potential it holds in each life. The outreach to prisoners provided by The Listeners Way aims to overcome difficulties often faced with illiteracy. For example, about 50 percent of prisoners are functionally illiterate in the U.K, according to a study by the Shannon Trust. This means a reading level of an 11 year old or lower. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up The figure is even higher in the U.S. with 70 percent of prisoners unable to read at a fourth-grade level, according to a National Adult Literacy Survey. Another aspect of the program is reaching those prisoners without access to electricity. The study helps prisoners read Lukes Gospel with Proclaimers and Acclaimers audio and visual Bibles charged via solar power. The idea is enabling gospel outreach to isolated prisoners in poverty-stricken countries. Our strategic partnership to reach the worlds least and the lost with the Word of God has already been profoundly impactful, touching the lives of thousands of individuals and families impacted by incarceration, said Jonathan Huguenin, Chief Ministry Officer of Faith Comes By Hearing. As we strive to broaden our reach, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing hope and spiritual nourishment through the Word of God to all who seek it, fostering growth and renewal in communities worldwide. Meanwhile, thousands of children of prisoners and caregivers will benefit from the PromisePath program utilizing support networks for families. The initiative employs direct interventions in education, mentoring and spiritual resources to support these at-risk children and their loved ones, hoping for a better future. PFI was founded by the late Charles Colson, former advisor to US President Richard Nixon, in 1979. He had been imprisoned for obstructing justice in the Watergate Scandal. Colson surrendered to Christ after reading Mere Christianity by academic and author C.S. Lewis. Colson became passionate about the welfare of prisoners and, upon his release, founded the first Prison Fellowship ministry in 1976 before it went international three years later. The ministry currently supports prisoners in 117 countries. Jerry and Anet Jackson started Faith Comes By Hearing, formerly known as Hosanna, in 1972. It was originally a tape-lending library offering Christian resources and is now on the forefront of providing audio Bibles and related ministry. The listening programs have enabled the truths of the Bible to reach millions around the world, in 2,095 languages to date. The ministry has a vision to provide Gods word in every language free-of-charge by 2033. Amazon Flex launched in 2015 as an option for gig workers to use their own vehicles to deliver small packages for the company. Thousands of drivers across the U.S. have sued Amazon on several occasions since, alleging their job roles were misclassified. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) A total of 15,867 Amazon Flex drivers across three states have filed arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) this week, alleging Amazon had misclassified their job roles as independent contractors rather than employees, resulting in underpaid and lost wages. Background Amazon Flex launched in 2015 as an option for gig workers to use their own vehicles to deliver small packages with the company. Drivers around the U.S. have sued Amazon on several occasions since then, alleging their job roles were misclassified. In March, Wisconsins Supreme Court affirmed that Flex drivers were employees, not independent contractors. FreightWaves Reporter John Kingston wrote in his article that a court in Waukesha County had ruled in favor of Amazon, which argued that its Flex drivers were independent contractors under state regulations. The Court of Appeals for Wisconsin reversed that lower court ruling and held the drivers were employees under state law. Arbitration claims filed in Calif., Mass., Ill. Attorneys Steven Tindall with Gibbs Law Group LLP and Joseph Sellers with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC are leading the recent arbitration. Gibbs Law Group has published a website detailing the claims against Amazon. An infographic on the website alleges that Amazon may owe Flex drivers for failing to pay a minimum wage for all hours worked, expenses on gas and cellphone use, overtime rates for those working more than 40 hours per week and missed meals and rest breaks. The two firms filed 15,867 arbitration claims from drivers in California, Massachusetts and Illinois with AAA on Tuesday. Added with 453 previously filed claims, this totals 16,320 claims. Tindall told FreightWaves in an email that the firms are still accepting arbitration claims for people who drove for Amazon Flex in those three states, depending on some criteria including when they drove and what state they are in. Weve litigated a total of 9 through to final arbitration hearing, Tindall said. Tindall said that there is not a generally applicable deadline to file arbitration, but it depends on individual circumstances. There are also statutes of limitations for the claims that may apply, depending on when drivers drove and stopped driving for Amazon Flex. When asked what happens next, now that the claims are filed, he said that its still early days in the process. We suspect that the next step will be to work with AAA and Amazons counsel to determine a plan to litigate the filed claims, Tindall said. Should a settlement be reached, those participating in the arbitration will be paid depending on the individual circumstances of each driver and the state in which they drove. Tindall said that different states have different claims, but in general, the longer that someone drove and the more delivery blocks that they delivered, the higher the potential damages. Although he did not say a specific amount, the Gibbs Law Group website says that they have had clients awarded thousands of dollars in previous arbitration cases. Story continues While similar to litigation, arbitration does not involve a court decision and relies on both parties and a mediator to reach a settlement agreement. If a settlement agreement isnt reached, Tindall said that the firms will litigate the claims on behalf of their clients. Amazon responds FreightWaves reached out to Amazon for comment on the ongoing arbitration. The Amazon Flex program gives individuals the opportunity to set their own schedule and be their own boss, while earning competitive pay, Branden Baribeau, Amazons media spokesperson, told FreightWaves in an emailed statement. We hear from most of the Amazon Flex delivery partners that they love the flexibility of the program, and were proud of the work they do on behalf of customers every day. Baribeau noted that Amazon Flex delivery partners sign up for delivery blocks that fit their schedule and are able to work when they want to and the vast majority of Amazon Flex delivery partners finish their delivery blocks early The post 15k+ Flex drivers file arbitration claims against Amazon in 3 states appeared first on FreightWaves. Doucefleur / Getty Images/iStockphoto How would you rate your financial well-being at this moment? About a third of the 1,039 adult respondents to a recent GOBankingRates survey asking that question said their situation was good but with work to do. About 19% said it was neither good nor bad, and 28% responded struggling but still getting by. About 9% had the unhappiest response, saying their financial situation is the worst it has ever been. Check Out: Im a Self-Made Millionaire, but I Still Opt For the Budget Versions of These 6 Items Up Next: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money In todays fast-paced world, maintaining financial well-being is crucial for a secure and stable life, said behavioral economist Keisha Blair, an international bestselling author of the Holistic Wealth book series and founder of the Institute on Holistic Wealth. However, many individuals may find themselves struggling with poor financial health without even realizing it. Recognizing the signs early on can empower individuals to take proactive steps towards financial stability. Here are eight signs your financial well-being is the worst it has ever been, according to Blair. aquaArts studio / iStock/Getty Images Lack of Financial Resilience The No. 1 sign of poor financial health is a lack of financial resilience, Blair said. The signs of this include living paycheck to paycheck with absolutely no savings or investments or emergency funds, Blair said. Basically zero financial cushion. High debt that grows as you pay for necessities of life combines to create a situation that borders on walking a road to financial ruin. Trending: 10 Things Frugal People Always Buy at Yard Sales To Save Money For You: Mark Cuban Reveals Why He Keeps a Strict Budget Everyday Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Bobex-73 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Consistent Overspending Another one of the first signs of financial trouble is consistently spending more than you earn, Blair said. This happens from time to time with even very high income earners with savings and investments, she said. The problem lies when theres the absence of a financial cushion and credit card balances are rising, and theres a perpetual reliance on loans or credit lines to cover monthly expenses. Then its a huge red flag. Overspending can lead to a cycle of debt that is challenging to break and can lead to bankruptcy. Learn More: Nearly Half of Americans Struggle To Pay Their Utility Bills: 5 Ways To Save ljubaphoto / Getty Images Lack of Emergency Savings and Insurance Blair said a stable financial profile includes an emergency fund that contains enough to cover at least six to nine months of expenses. Story continues If theres little to no savings to cover unexpected expenses like medical bills or the death of a spouse, it indicates vulnerability to financial shocks, she said. Lack of emergency savings may force individuals into debt or disrupt their overall financial stability. This is compounded by a lack of adequate insurance policies including life insurance, disability insurance and critical illness insurance. RainStar / iStock.com High Debt-to-Income Ratio A high debt-to-income ratio, where a significant portion of income goes towards repaying debts, is a clear sign of financial strain, Blair said. If the debt load surpasses a manageable level, it can hinder the ability to save, invest or achieve financial goals. Shutterstock.com Frequent Late Payments If late payments have become a common occurrence, its a sign that your financial well-being is not in good shape. Consistently missing bill due dates or making late payments can result in increased fees and interest charges, Blair said. This behavior not only negatively impacts credit scores but also signifies a struggle to manage cash flow effectively. When you frequently get [insufficient funds] charges in the $50 to $100 range because there [are] no funds in the bank account to cover bills then its a sign. Good To Know: Im a Frugal Self-Made Millionaire: 6 Things I Never Waste Money On Kiwis / iStock.com No Financial Plan or Budget Without a clear financial plan or budget, individuals may lack a road map for their financial future, Blair said. A well-structured budget helps allocate income wisely, prioritize expenses and identify areas for potential savings. Jamie Grill / Getty Images/Tetra images RF Limited Investments or Retirement Savings Neglecting long-term financial goals, such as saving for retirement or investing for the future, can be detrimental, Blair said. A lack of investments may mean missing out on potential wealth growth and facing financial difficulties in retirement. Shutterstock.com Frequent Borrowing From Retirement Accounts If youre tapping into your retirement accounts for routine expenses, Blair said, its a concern. It not only jeopardizes future financial security but may also incur penalties and taxes, further exacerbating the financial strain, she said. Recognizing the signs of poor financial health is the first step toward regaining control and building a secure financial future, Blair said. By addressing these signs head on, people can make informed decisions, implement effective financial strategies and work towards achieving lasting financial stability. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Signs Your Financial Well-Being Is the Worst It Has Ever Been Members of Albrecht Inc. and other attendees of the ceremony break ground at the site of the new Acme Fresh Market in Medina. Acme Fresh Market is building its first new store in a decade. The Akron-based grocery store chain broke ground Friday on a new store in Medina. The store that will be situated off state Route 3 south of the Medina Square will be the family-owned chain's 17th store and its first in Medina County. Talk of building the store on one of the city's last remaining areas of large commercial property has been the works for two decades. The last store built by the Albrecht family was in Green in 2014. There's a lot of other development going on near the store at the northwest corner of South Court Street and High Point Drive. Construction is expected to start on a separate development across the street to build a Taco Bell and a Dunkin' Donuts. A new nursing home also is being developed nearby. Construction has already started on a new Meijer's north of the square, where the former Super K once stood. More: This Super Kmart in Medina happened to be the nation's first. Now it's being torn down Joe Albrecht, president of Albrecht Inc., the family's real estate operations, said building a store in Medina just made sense given the sense of community there and the growing residential areas in that part of the county. Albrecht Inc. President Joe Albrecht delivers remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony Friday for a new Acme Fresh Market in Medina. "This is an exciting day," he said. It was also an exciting day for the city too. Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell said it has been his goal to have a grocery store open south of the square ever since the Hawkins Market that served that area of the city closed years ago. The final hurdle, Hanwell said, was cleared just a few weeks ago when they were able to convince the Ohio Department of Transportation to allow driveway access along Route 3. "It was important to me to get this done," he said. When will the Medina Acme open? Albrecht said work will begin in earnest now on the new store. Work has already started on getting the site ready for the construction to begin on the actual store. The Acme Fresh Market location in Medina will be the first new store opened by the Albrecht family since 2014. "There's a lot of work to be done," he said. "We are not ready to sell groceries just yet." The goal is to open the store next spring. The grocery store is just phase one. Plans also call for additional smaller stores to be built connected to the main grocery store along with a separate mid-size store. There are also two separate out parcels that will eventually be developed along Route 3 across from the existing McDonald's. What will the new Medina Acme be like inside? The new Medina Acme will cover 56,360 square feet and is expected to employ at least 80 workers. Nick Albrecht, who is president of the family's grocery store operations, said the Medina store will be a full-service store with a deli, a bakery, a full-service meat department and a pharmacy. Story continues Nick Albrecht, president of Acme Fresh Market, speaks with attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Acme location, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Medina, Ohio. It will be like the chain's recently remodeled stores and will closely resemble the Hudson Acme. But like all of its stores, he said, there will be nods to not only the company's roots but also the community where it is located. The chain's signature cow over the dairy case will be in the Medina store too, along with a Cheerio 10-cent horse ride. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Acme starts construction of its first new store in a decade in Medina OLDWICK, N.J., June 14, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has commented that the under review with developing implications status for the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a-" (Excellent) of Accredited Specialty Insurance Company (ASI) (Gilbert, AZ), Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, Inc. (ASC) (Orlando, FL) and Accredited Insurance (Europe) Limited (AIEL) (Malta), collectively known as Accredited, remains unchanged following a recent update on their pending sale. On June 13, 2024, Randall & Quilter Insurance Holdings Ltd., (R&Q), provided an update on its proposed sale of Accredited to funds advised by Onex Corporation (Onex). R&Q stated that Onex had provided R&Q with an alternative transaction structure to the original sale that would be implemented if the closing conditions of the original sale could not be met. The alternative would involve the parent company, R&Q, filing for a provisional liquidation in Bermuda and then completing the sale of Accredited through that process. This follows R&Q incurring significant additional unexpected costs and expenses, in addition to the company being constrained in its ability to consummate external legacy transactions. These factors, as well as further adverse reserve development, have had a material negative impact on the companys stability as a business and as a going concern. The R&Q board is exploring available options, including the alternative proposal and potential sources of liquidity while trying to complete the original sale. AM Best notes that the alternative structure appears to be incrementally credit-positive for Accredited, relative to the original proposal. AM Best placed the ratings under review with developing implications on Oct. 22, 2023, when R&Q entered into a conditional agreement to sell 100% of its equity interest in Randall & Quilter America Holdings Inc., the intermediate holding company of Accredited, to funds advised by the Onex. The ratings are expected to remain under review until the sale process is complete, which is expected to be end of the second quarter for 2024 or shortly thereafter, at which point AM Best will assess the quality and extent of support provided by Onex to Accredited and resolve the ratings review. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240614418197/en/ Story continues Contacts Billiah Moturi Financial Analyst +1 908 882 2191 billiah.moturi@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Alan Murray Director +1 908 882 2195 alan.murray@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com In recent developments, the global financial landscape is witnessing significant technological advancements, as illustrated by major banks like Santander rolling out sophisticated cloud-based platforms. This trend underscores the importance of innovation and adaptability in today's dynamic market environment. In this context, selecting dividend stocks that not only offer attractive yields but also demonstrate resilience and strategic foresight in adapting to new technologies is crucial for investors looking at opportunities on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Singapore Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Civmec (SGX:P9D) 6.05% Singapore Exchange (SGX:S68) 3.53% UOB-Kay Hian Holdings (SGX:U10) 6.97% UOL Group (SGX:U14) 3.78% BRC Asia (SGX:BEC) 7.66% Bumitama Agri (SGX:P8Z) 6.93% Singapore Airlines (SGX:C6L) 7.09% YHI International (SGX:BPF) 6.56% Oversea-Chinese Banking (SGX:O39) 5.87% Sing Investments & Finance (SGX:S35) 6.03% Click here to see the full list of 19 stocks from our Top SGX Dividend Stocks screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: DBS Group Holdings Ltd operates as a commercial bank offering financial services across Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia, and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately SGD 101.93 billion. Operations: DBS Group Holdings Ltd generates its revenue through commercial banking and financial services across various regions including Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China, South and Southeast Asia. Dividend Yield: 5.5% DBS Group Holdings has experienced a 16.7% growth in earnings over the past year, indicating robust financial health. However, its dividend yield of 5.48% is below the top tier in Singapore's market, and its dividend track record has been marked by volatility and unreliability over the last decade. On a positive note, dividends are currently covered by earnings at a 50.8% payout ratio, with future coverage also looking sustainable at an expected 66.4%. Recent executive changes aim to enhance technological resilience following operational disruptions. SGX:D05 Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Food Empire Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of food and beverage products across markets in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, CIS regions, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and globally with a market capitalization of SGD 542.78 million. Story continues Operations: Food Empire Holdings generates revenue primarily from South-East Asia (SGD 239.74 million), Russia (SGD 152.42 million), South Asia (SGD 68.36 million), and Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other CIS countries (SGD 110.74 million). Dividend Yield: 4.8% Food Empire Holdings has announced a special dividend of SGD 0.05 and approved the same amount as its final dividend for FY 2023, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns despite past volatility in dividends. The firm's recent acquisition of land in Kazakhstan for USD 30 million signals expansion, promising future revenue growth but also entails significant investment risks. Trading at a value deemed favorable relative to peers, the company's dividends are well-covered by earnings with a payout ratio of 35.2% and cash flows with a cash payout ratio of 50.7%. However, analysts predict only modest annual earnings growth at 3.91%, and its dividend yield remains lower than top market payers in Singapore. SGX:F03 Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Boustead Singapore Limited is an investment holding company that offers energy engineering, real estate, geospatial, and healthcare technology solutions across multiple regions including Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, the US, Europe, and more; it has a market capitalization of approximately SGD 487.02 million. Operations: Boustead Singapore Limited generates revenue from several key segments: geospatial solutions contributing SGD 212.67 million, healthcare technology with SGD 10.58 million, energy engineering at SGD 174.41 million, and real estate solutions totaling SGD 369.46 million. Dividend Yield: 5.4% Boustead Singapore Limited's dividend history shows instability, with payments fluctuating significantly over the past decade. Despite this, its dividends are well-supported by both earnings and cash flows, evidenced by payout ratios of 40.9% and 28.6% respectively. The company's recent performance indicates robust growth with a significant increase in sales to SGD 767.57 million and net income rising to SGD 64.19 million for FY 2024, outpacing previous years' figures substantially. However, future earnings are projected to decline annually by 9.9% over the next three years, potentially impacting dividend sustainability unless offset by operational efficiencies or new revenue streams from strategic appointments such as Mr Wong Yu Wei as Group COO. SGX:F9D Dividend History as at Jun 2024 Summing It All Up Explore the 19 names from our Top SGX Dividend Stocks screener here. Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports. Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe. Ready To Venture Into Other Investment Styles? 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 SGX:D05 SGX:F03 and SGX:F9D. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Guillem de Balanzo / Getty Images/iStockphoto The national average for gas prices is $3.54 per gallon as of March 2024, but the final price you pay might be drastically higher or lower depending on the state that you live in. For example, gas costs $5.03 per gallon in California, whereas its just $3.09 per gallon in Mississippi. Check Out: These 12 Cars Can Save You Thousands of Dollars in Repair and Maintenance Costs Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy While consumers cant control gas prices, you can get the most bang for your buck by making a few changes. For example, according to AAA, theres very little benefit to buying expensive, premium gasoline unless your cars manufacturer recommends it. Additionally, you can look into eco-friendly vehicles that get more miles to the gallon. You can also fill up in a neighboring state if it wont take up too much extra gas to counteract the cost savings. Heres a look at the cost of gas in every state, according to Scholaroo, ranked from cheapest to most expensive. earl_of_omaha / Getty Images 50. Mississippi Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.09 Regular gas price (March 2023): $2.98 Year-over-year price change: 3.42% For You: 6 Best New Cars for the Upper Middle Class Be Aware: Avoid These 7 Cars That Will Only Last You Half as Long as the Average Vehicle Shutterstock.com 49. Colorado Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.09 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.58 Year-over-year price change: -13.82% Explore More: 5 Best American Cars for Retirees on a Budget 48. Texas Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.16 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.09 Year-over-year price change: 2.5% 47. Kansas Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.17 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.04 Year-over-year price change: 4.31% 46. Louisiana Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.17 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.08 Year-over-year price change: 2.89% 45. Tennessee Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.17 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.13 Year-over-year price change: 1.38% Find Out: Toilet Paper to Discontinued Items: 7 Ways Shrinkflation Has Come to Costco 44. Arkansas Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.18 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.02 Year-over-year price change: 5.13% 43. Oklahoma Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.19 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.02 Year-over-year price change: 5.46% 42. Alabama Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.20 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.12 Year-over-year price change: 2.53% 41. South Carolina Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.21 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.15 Year-over-year price change: 2.06% Story continues 40. New Mexico Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.23 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.37 Year-over-year price change: -4.04% Trending: A $150K Income Is Lower Middle Class In These High-Cost Cities 39. Kentucky Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.25 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.13 Year-over-year price change: 4% 38. Missouri Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.26 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.03 Year-over-year price change: 7.45% 37. New Hampshire Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.26 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.23 Year-over-year price change: 1.08% 36. Delaware Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.27 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.28 Year-over-year price change: -0.15% 35. New Jersey Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.28 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.21 Year-over-year price change: 2.27% Be Aware: 7 Popular Clothing Brands the Middle Class Cant Afford Anymore 34. North Carolina Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.28 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.31 Year-over-year price change: -0.85% 33. Wyoming Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.28 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.32 Year-over-year price change: -1.21% 32. Rhode Island Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.30 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.24 Year-over-year price change: 1.88% 31. Massachusetts Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.31 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.25 Year-over-year price change: 1.75% 30. Iowa Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.32 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.21 Year-over-year price change: 3.65% Learn More: How Much Household Income Will Be Considered Upper Middle Class in 5 Years? 29. South Dakota Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.32 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.28 Year-over-year price change: 1.47% 28. Georgia Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.34 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.22 Year-over-year price change: 3.7% 27. Minnesota Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.34 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.25 Year-over-year price change: 3.02% 26. Maine Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.34 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.38 Year-over-year price change: -1.15% 25. Nebraska Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.36 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.20 Year-over-year price change: 4.94% Find Out: 7 Ways the Upper Middle Class Can Become Rich in 2024 24. Ohio Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.38 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.21 Year-over-year price change: 5.07% 23. Wisconsin Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.38 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.23 Year-over-year price change: 4.77% 22. Vermont Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.39 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.39 Year-over-year price change: -0.15% 21. North Dakota Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.40 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.22 Year-over-year price change: 5.72% 20. West Virginia Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.41 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.33 Year-over-year price change: 2.34% For You: What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State? 19. Connecticut Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.44 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.26 Year-over-year price change: 5.49% 18. Virginia Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.45 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.31 Year-over-year price change: 4.14% 17. New York Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.45 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.42 Year-over-year price change: 0.73% 16. Indiana Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.46 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.39 Year-over-year price change: 2.19% 15. Michigan Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.54 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.37 Year-over-year price change: 5.02% Trending: Heres What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born 14. Maryland Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.57 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.32 Year-over-year price change: 7.41% 13. Montana Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.59 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.20 Year-over-year price change: 12.36% 12. Florida Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.60 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.36 Year-over-year price change: 7.36% 11. Pennsylvania Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.65 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.56 Year-over-year price change: 2.56% 10. Idaho Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.66 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.58 Year-over-year price change: 2.29% Try This: 401(k) Growth Potential: Ways To Double Your Savings in 10 Years 9. Utah Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.77 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.74 Year-over-year price change: 0.61% 8. Arizona Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.79 Regular gas price (March 2023): $4.24 Year-over-year price change: -10.65% 7. Illinois Regular gas price (March 2024): $3.90 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.69 Year-over-year price change: 5.78% 6. Alaska Regular gas price (March 2024): $4.08 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.82 Year-over-year price change: 6.67% 5. Oregon Regular gas price (March 2024): $4.25 Regular gas price (March 2023): $3.89 Year-over-year price change: 9.19% Up Next: 26 Ways To Make $1,000 Fast In a Week or Less 4. Nevada Regular gas price (March 2024): $4.39 Regular gas price (March 2023): $4.22 Year-over-year price change: 4% 3. Washington Regular gas price (March 2024): $4.50 Regular gas price (March 2023): $4.27 Year-over-year price change: 5.44% 2. Hawaii Regular gas price (March 2024): $4.70 Regular gas price (March 2023): $4.81 Year-over-year price change: -2.39% 1. California Regular gas price (March 2024): $5.03 Regular gas price (March 2023): $4.82 Year-over-year price change: 4.23% Levi Leidy and Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article. Data is sourced from Scholaroo and is accurate as of March 28, 2024. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Average Gas Prices in Every State Exploring the Sustainability and Growth of BCE Inc's Dividends BCE Inc (NYSE:BCE) recently announced a dividend of $1 per share, payable on 2024-07-15, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-06-14. 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 BCE Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does BCE Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with BCE. 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? BCE provides wireless, broadband, television, and landline phone services in Canada. It is one of the big three national wireless carriers, with over 10 million customers constituting about 30% of the market. It is also the ILEC (incumbent local exchange carrierthe legacy telephone provider) throughout much of the eastern half of Canada, including in the most populous Canadian provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Additionally, BCE has a media segment, which holds television, radio, and digital media assets. BCE licenses the Canadian rights to movie channels including HBO, Showtime, and Starz. BCE Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at BCE Inc's Dividend History BCE Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1984. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. BCE Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2008. 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 16 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. BCE Inc's Dividend Analysis Breaking Down BCE Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, BCE Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 8.49% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 8.59%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, BCE Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 5.10%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate stayed the same. And over the past decade, BCE Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 5.20%. Based on BCE Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of BCE Inc stock as of today is approximately 10.89%. BCE 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. As of 2024-03-31, BCE Inc's dividend payout ratio is 1.58, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable. BCE Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks BCE Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2024-03-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Story continues Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. BCE Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and BCE Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. BCE Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 2.20% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 61.37% 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, BCE Inc's earnings increased by approximately -5.40% per year on average, a rate that underperforms than approximately 73.65% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -4.50%, which underperforms than approximately 76.44% of global competitors. Conclusion BCE Inc's dividend payments, dividend growth rate, payout ratio, profitability, and growth metrics present a multifaceted view of the company's financial health. While the dividend growth and yield are attractive, the sustainability of these dividends, given the payout ratio and mixed growth metrics, requires careful consideration. Investors should weigh these factors when making investment decisions. 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.